The location change was last minute Johnny called Ky, letting her know. "The other location was a bait location. Sent you the addy. Small fortune with all these people out here."

"Alright, we'll see you when we get there, thanks." Kyouki said.

The sound of music thrummed through them well before they got to their destination, it was out near the Marina district and the smell of the salty air and burned rubber sent a rush of adrenaline through Kyouki.

The area was jampacked with people, there was plenty to see from various rides that were bumping music, lighted interiors and the hopper hydraulics. The bass from the music shook the car as they found a spot to park. Finding one close from the main area, Aisha spotted Li's car, the Hayate Z70. You couldn't miss this car if you wanted to. The beautiful car stood out, was the only car with cherry blossom branches. Flowers in full bloom, and delicate petals looking as if they blew around on a gentle breeze,petals held aloft just for this car. The spray this car has is a gradient pearl white to satin peach- pink glossy coat to the trunk. The car was being admired as Carlos and the girls walked up.

"Yo, can I get yo number?"

"Who the fuck is THAT?"

"Li… it's Li!"

"Oh shit, it is, Li, hey!"

"Aye yo ma, lemme holla a minute."

"Don't disrespect Li like that!"

"You in the purple and black comer."

"Who are they, damn, who they here with?"

"The Empress is here!"

Several people came to take a glance as Kyouki, the girls, and Carlos parted the crowd for Kyouki's car, Ky smirked and waved as she scanned to see who was here, people waving to get her attention when she graced them with a nod. They felt like they were hot shit. Pointing and pulling out their cells for pictures.
It had been a long while. She had noticed a foreign silver car with blue stripes on the sides with blue underglow, its driver looking anxious, mingled with confidence.

There was screeching of tires as drags were going on the main street; bets being shouted back and forth, cars being admired, and Ky's was no exception, when the group approached her car, she raised a tapered eyebrow when seeing four girls on her ride, exposed ass skin ON. HER. CAR! Kyouki was cool about people admiring the ride, but sitting on it was a huge no no. Not even she sits on her car. Who the hell did these fleabags think they are?

It was bad enough she threatened Gat with dismemberment if he so much as put a scratch on it, getting it to the spot. Now he didn't bother to rid her baby of the fleas that were infesting and trying to nest.
Johnny looked up from his relaxed position in the driver's seat a few times. Ignoring the women who took notice of him and trying to get his attention, seeing how many people were still filing in tonight, then saw the quad heading towards him.

Kyouki looked amazing. His body reacted instantly. He shook the thought. He was joking the last time. Though looking at her, he had to admit his mind went some place it shouldn't be. Her glossed lips shimmered in the night lights when she pulled the lollipop out of her mouth. 'Kyouki dressing her up, no doubt.' He smirked, getting up when he noticed Ish right behind her, looking equally hot.

Kyouki walked through the female swarm, holding her hand out; Gat instinctively handed her the keys. She pressed the button for her trunk to open. She hit one chick, knocking her out of the way. Leaning in the open door over Gat, Aisha sat in the passenger seat laughing at what was going on at the other side of the car.

"Aye Bitch, watch it." The disrespectful young woman felt offended. She and her hive sneered as Ky was making headway with the sexy man who occupied the car and not them.

Ky looked back behind her and smirked, pressing the remote starter.
The inside of her car lit up. "Welcome Ky-sama." Her car had been hooked up with a computer that made the car come to life. More people nearby take notice when they heard it speak. Music was softly playing and Li rolled down the other windows.

"Ish, pull your legs in and close the door." She slid off of Gat. "You too."

She closed his door, going to shoo Carlos and Shaundi up a few steps more out of the way. Pressing a button in the trunk, as the girls were inching closer to gang up on Li, the car spat hot steam that drenched the skanks, causing the offending females to squeal.

Four large men came over making sure it was no problems going on. "Everything alright, Empress?"

A raised eyebrow, grinning, Li nodded. "Don't let bitches on my car. Carlos check and see if shit's in order. I have to find a man about a race." Li smiled. She knew she was back. Sashaying past the others, Gat sat shaking his head. They escorted away the offending females. Li heard that there was to be a race or two later in the evening, and she was prowling about to find out when it was. Spotting a guy sitting on the hood of a chameleon orange car, "You the guy I talk to about joining the race? I mean, can anyone join?"

He looked up. "Yeah, if you got one, you racing?" Putting his phone in his pocket, he reached and placed a hand to rub on her hip.

Li smirked, sliding the lollipop out of her mouth, rolling it on her tongue. "Maybe." biting her lower lip.

"Aight, talk to that big dude over there. His name is Maurice, then come talk to me."

Li shocked to hear the familiar name. 'I'm in for sure if it's who I think it is.' nodded, striding over to the race host.
They stopped Li a few times on her way over, taking pictures with some people who attended the races before when she raced. It was making her adrenaline skyrocket. She missed this life.
One good thing about being with the Saints. Reaching the person she needed to speak with she waited to get a word in, when the large man was free he recognized her instantly, paying his respects and calling over a few other people, a few minutes more she was swaying back and forth, the feeling that nothing really changed set her mind slipping to the days of this subculture.

~*S.R.1*~

They stood around the car; Lin, Dex, Troy, Li, and Gat with one mechanic of the Saints.

"Why are we making Li drive?" Troy asked as he looked over the car Li had picked out.

Lin rolled her eyes with a wrench in her hand. "Cause the Rollerz don't know what she looks like."

"Then I'm gonna have to race with you. I sure hope you know how to drive." Troy hopped into his car.

Li shook her head no, and they all groaned, "How hard can it be?" Li said as Lin and Ramon closed the hood of the Hayate. Taking a seat in the driver's spot, she started the engine.

"Baby Girl, you know you drive like shit, just let one of us do it." Gat called over the sound of the revving engines.

Li rolled her eyes. "Robo leg, you can't drive anywhere now, can you?"

Dex was in tears, and Gat punched him in the arm. "I told you to stop calling me that shit. Now you got her doing it."

Lin got in her car, Troy followed. Li was behind them as they did a few laps. Once Li got the hang of it, it was all over. The look in her eyes when she lapped made her pupils dilate, and they knew she was hooked.

Lin smiled and nodded her approval. "Go win it for the Saints."

~*S.R.1*~

Gat lost sight of her for a moment in the crowd. Finally spotting her watched as she headed back over to the guy she just talked with previously taking his phone from him. Gat glared daggers at the guy.
Shaundi came to the driver's side, "Shit, people here know her. She has eyes on her at all times. She nearly killed me for almost spilling her name at the club. Can she really race?"

Gat was trying to play it cool. "Yeah, best fucking racer in Stilwater." Without missing a beat, he walked through the crowd over to where the two of them were flirting. Gat placed an arm around her neck, glaring at the guy the whole time. "Baby girl, Daddy needs you now." He led her away.

"Gat, why?" Ky whispered, thinking something was wrong. She looked around and thought she saw someone she knew.

"Aww, baby, you taken?" The guy she left called after her.

Ky went to say something, but Gat cut her off. "Yes." Then kissed the top of her head. Li's eyes narrowed. "Chill, you know the deal. Head in the game, ripping them off, not sleeping with them." Gat's plan was to snuff it out before the fire got hot. It was bad enough the outfit she had on had eyes glued to her.

Li's mouth opened and closed. It pissed her off she wasn't just gonna let it slide this time. "Every fucking time with you, new name Cockblock. I will have you know I don't sleep with anyone." She growled out and could not shake the feeling someone was really watching her.

Gat chuckled, thinking of that possibility. "How about me then?" he mumbled over the music and crowd, then shaking the thought from his head.

Kyouki waved to the dude once again, then felt a sharp sting on her ass. "Johnny! Cut it the fuck out!" She swung on Johnny, who caught her hand, turning her around and had her arm behind her back. "Ow damnit. Get off me." Ky grumbled.

Gat looked around before he swatted Li hard on her ass. Letting her go when she said, pushed her forward. That ass of hers tempted him to do it again, but they had people watching them closely. Several still greeting the woman walking in front of him. Gat waved Carlos and Shaundi over.

Ky leaned in the car sitting in the driver's seat, Gat handed her a pair of sneakers from the trunk. "Shaundi, get in the car."

Shaundi looked scared, "Why?" Going to the passenger side, taking Aisha's place.

"They handicap me." Ky should have known it would happen. Her car was tuned for her weight, not additional. Carlos had worked a miracle getting the car ready for racing on short notice. Ky just wanted her car back. It was sheer coincidence Shaundi was hip to the race scene.

Gat started laughing. Li threw a heavy boot in his direction. Kyouki got in and adjusted the seat. The race was starting in seven minutes.

Li took her other boot off and put on her sneakers. "You know Maurice likes to do this to me." She handed the boot to Carlos and told Johnny to get the other car to park in the spot she was about to vacate. Snapping her fingers for Shaundi to focus and to fasten up her seat belt.

"Five minutes…" Came from the megaphone, announcing the time left to ready up.

"Yo, can you do this?" Carlos seemed a bit worried, as he leaned in the window with worry all across his face.

Li popped the hood, turned the nos line on, she got back in, starting the car. "Of course I got this. See you at the finish line."

They pulled up to the line as Shaundi buckled in tight. They were in for two laps around the marked locations. Li sat there as the flag dropped, despite that, she sat.

"Go, the race started!" One spectator. shouted.

Another was looking at the cars that had already left. Urging the well known to go. "Empress go!"

She heard people saying, Li smirked, she gave them a head start. The crowd was laughing and jeering behind them. Carlos patted Gats' arm when he came to stand with the others. "Can she do this?" Carlos was really worried. His eyebrows were unifying into his hairline. Aisha patted his shoulder, smiling, remembering days gone past.

Li reached her arm out handing her lollipop to Gat. He popped the cherry lollipop in his mouth when he stepped back, folding his arms.

"Watch."

Li turned the volume up - Jerk - Sucked In, blaring proudly. She pressed on the pedal and took off like a bat outta hell. You could hear Shaundi's sad cries for help trail off as they drove around the first corner. Her tires dug into the pavement soaring, leaving behind a white trail that smelled of rubber. She drifted around the first corner, swinging the back end around and caught up on the straightaway.
There was a black car that, out of seemingly nowhere, sped up after them all, whipping the smoke around like a micro storm. The crowd cheered as this race just got much more interesting.

Shaundi hung on the handle and the belt across her chest, hanging on for dear life as she was pressed further into the seat. All of her color drained from her face.

"How dare they underestimate me, fuckers!" Li drifted between two cars as she came speeding around the other curve, catching up to the fourth position with the mysterious black gaining on her.

There were race positions being called over walkie-talkies along the track.

"Aight, I got the money that says she's gonna win this. Who's in?" Gat called, pulling a wad of cash out of his jacket. They made bets on her win or loss.

"Here they come to turn. The Li in the pink car is in third followed by some black car - who is that? Bullet is in the lead, RJ is in fourth."
By the time they looked and heard the cars approaching, she was in the second position as they sped past them into the second lap. Gaining on "Bullet" riding on his bumper.

"She can't pass him. That's Bullet, he wins all the races this past month!"

"He ain't winning against my girl Li!"

"4k she loses."

"Bullshid. That's The Empress driving!"

"Aight bet. She beats Bullet I'll throw in another 2k!"

"I'm in!"

"Bet!"

The onlookers fired up, with all the bets that were going on. They quieted, hearing updates on the races. Forty-five thousand was on the line so far, and they just came up to the last turn. The walkie-talkies went wild at the announcer on the last stretch Li was indeed in first, with previous lap leader in second, with the black car in third.

They all ran to the line. Li was ahead by a full car length. They came speeding past one after the other in a blur of color.

"Pay up!" Gat opened a bag, and they poured the money in. Carlos stood there like a fish out of water, mouth hit the floor.

Aisha closed his mouth and laughed. "Gat said she's the best in Stilwater. You should have seen her years ago, cleaned house, people got scared to race her, then again, her and Troy didn't help much either, he was a demon on the road too."

As she linked her arm with Carlos, they waited for Li. Aisha told Carlos more of 'Li, Saints Lieutenant and Empress of Stilwater racing circuit.'

He couldn't believe it, neither did Shaundi, who stumbled out of the passenger seat... hugging Carlos, he held her upright. She gasped for air. "Never again." She whined, shaking.

Li hopped out, and looked over at a spot on her car, "You tapped me, Bitch! Lookit this shit!" She pointed to a spot where the paint had nicked off.

"I almost had you, but your ass cheated, you got this dude helping you!" He pointed to the car that came up in third, the driver leaning on the door of his car watching them.

"Bull, you didn't have anyone and as far as someone helping me, I don't need help in these damn streets, unlike the training wheels you need." Li bit back, hearing people jeering and laughing behind her.

With a snap of her finger, the task of getting information from the driver, who came in second. Gat hopped in Li's car and moved it next to the other car. Carlos and Aisha were watching after Li, who stalked over to the mystery driver, who wished he left instead of sticking around, "So who the hell are you?"

He pulled his baseball cap down, shaking his head no quickly. Backing up a few steps, he went to the trunk of his car he opened it, appearing to be busy.

"I asked you a question!" She shoved the man's shoulder, and he stumbled. His brown eyes shined in the light.

Li gasped, taking a step back, "You, what the fuck are you doing here, no, nevermind I'll leave." Li turned on her heel.

Troy reached out and pulled her by the wrist. "Please, I just want to talk."

"No, uso-tsuki." she growled, wrenching her wrist from his hand.

"Please."

"If I scream cop, it won't be pretty." Jerking her arm from him, she stormed off.

Troy had no choice but to let her go. He was just keeping an eye on Li; she being his major priority. Watching her walk away, he grunted, throwing his hat in the trunk, roughly rubbing his face in frustration. There was nothing that he could do or say to get her to listen. She didn't answer his text, not a one, emails, none. It left him floundering and in thought about what he could have done differently since she had left that night. She would have definitely killed him if she had the chance.

Aisha looked, following Li as she stormed past her. "Troy." Her friend growled out as she passed her, "Get him out of here."

Aisha's head snapped back to the former Saint now Police Chief, trotting over to him, "Troy, what are you doing here?" she asked over the booming music, looking back to see if Gat was in sight. Spotted Li near the second-place driver, motioning for him to follow her.

"I gotta look out for her, ya know. And when I saw she stole her car back, I had been following her. Ish, I'm sorry. I just want her back." Troy was pleading with her. If anyone besides Gat can get through to Ky, it was Aisha.

Aisha nodded, "Yeah. Listen, you know how she is. I don't know how you did it. I don't know what to say. Just give Li some time." She finished.

Troy shook his head pissed at himself, "Nah, she wants to kill me." He closed the trunk and looked over Aisha's head at his former girlfriend.

"You're blessed you are still standing. If she really felt that way, you would be dead. You should go, now." A chill ran up her spine, Aisha turned to see Li looking directly at her, Li cocked her head to the side pointing to a raging bull of Gat, she turned following to see Gat pushing people out of the way, heading right to them. "Shit. You need to leave."
Aisha patted his arm quickly and hustled over into the crowd as a furious Gat heading on a direct war path to where Troy was.

Taking note as he watch the direction of where Aisha was heading. Seeing Gat move people out of the way hopped in the car.
Troy pulled off just as Aisha placed her small hands on Johnny's chest to slow him down. "Baby, it's ok, he's gone."

"I'll fucking kill him!" Gat was in rage mode. Li was forced to fill him in after seeing her excitement fade from her entire demeanor. Johnny planned to end the man right there and then.

"No, he's gone. Ky needs us now. Johnny... Johnny!" Aisha pointed to where Ky was with Carlos and the others.

Johnny ground his teeth and wrapped an overprotective arm around the small woman's shoulders. "Don't talk to him again."

Aisha could only nod. She never told Gat that Troy had been fighting to keep her safe after he had gotten locked up. Aisha didn't know how to tell him.

They reached the cars, and Li was still fuming. "The hell was he here for? He had zero reasons to be here. The chief cop in a street race." She scoffed, looking at the guy, Brian, as they stood near their cars. "Aye Brian, I'm sorry about that. It's complicated. I will split some of the profit with the kid who really came in third."

Before Brian could answer, someone who recognized Li stepped up. "OMG, Li! Shit, we heard you were back, Saints RULE!" throwing her fists in the air, "Sign my shirt please?"

Li hung her head, smiling when she finished the autograph, as Aisha and Gat walked up. "Yo, do me a favor and keep quiet with that, aight?" Gat warned the fan. The girl nodded, grinning hard, and snapped a picture of Gat - then took a picture with Li. Brian looked on confused.

Li waved goodbye and shrugged. "It's a long, complicated story."

Brian snorted. "Yeah, I know what that's like. Lemme guess, robbery or illegal street racing? How did you get the nickname, Empress?"

Li laughed, shaking her head, "Racing, one someone said I was Impressive, someone overheard and heard Impress, then it went to Empress. Yeah, it's my first time back in years. I was running with a family, The 3rd Street Saints." She pointed toward the Row.

Johnny raised his hand, pointing in the same direction, along with Aisha, Carlos, and Shaundi looked around. Those who overheard cheered.
Several in unison chanted. "3rd Street. Saints rule!"

Li laughed, frowning slightly, tears clouding her vision briefly. That was love. Brian flashed a smile in knowing they all talked into the night.
Between music and dancing, three hours blew by and people were finally heading out.

"Yo, Brian, listen. If you are interested, I plan on doing this for a project of mine. If you are as good as you were tonight, I'm looking for a driver."

Brian nodded. "Yeah, I can use the money." As they exchanged numbers before he himself went to crash for the night.

Ky, looking off into the distance, sighed when she saw Gat approach. "So… no cops."

"No cops." Johnny agreed with a slight scowl, leaning on the trunk.

Li nodded, "So?"

"Eighty-two thousand. Why did you give away money?"

Kyouki shifted, getting a bit more comfortable. "The real third-place winner needed it. What we have, we will put some up in the next race."
Was all Kyouki could say. She had to admit it felt good to be racing again. It stung seeing Troy there in the race, too. That made her think of the old times when Troy, Gat, Dex, and she ran the races cleaning people's pockets when not running around for Julius.

Sitting looking to the night sky, she shivered a bit, breathing unsteadily, wiping a few runaway tears - then smelled Gat's scent, feeling warmth as he placed his jacket over her shoulders.

They sat like that on the back of her work car; as Aisha slept in the Racer across the back seat, with Carlos resting in the passenger seat.
Shaundi was curled up in the passenger seat of the car Gat and Ky were.

Gat pulled a pack of cigarettes from his pants pocket and put it to his lips, checking his pockets for his lighter, not finding it he reached into the jacket pocket, pulling one out - clicking the lighter, Ky snatched the cigarette out of his mouth.
She took the lighter from him and handed him a piece of gum. They sat like that for another hour, just sitting looking at the night sky.

"You good?" Gat asked.

Kyouki nodded. "Eventually."

Kyouki had gotten a text to come into work when she was able. She slipped out before Aisha and Gat were up and about.

Jogging over to the club as it was technically her day off, few people were in there early, "Rich said head on back, you in trouble?"

"Don't think so. Thanks." Kyouki answered on her way to the back.

She stood in front of the owner's door, her mind going over the day before and the night before that. Did she do something wrong? Was something amiss? Knocking, she walked in.

"Hey Rich, you needed to see me?"

"Yeah, have a seat."

Li stood in what used to be the worst part of Stilwater, hell all of Stilwater was bad, but where she stood that was the Saints turf and now an open wound; that had a statue of a man who was to have his bodyguards kill her that faithful night those many years ago, erected over the site, in the river, a floating reminder of a murder-suicide - is what the papers read.

Six years prior, she was reportedly dead. She knew she died. She felt it on her back; still could feel the heat from the explosion even in the shade as she overlooked this disgusting "Memorial".

Right now, Li could be considered free from the Saints, to do anything her heart desired, singing, racing full time, but after her talk with the owner of Technically Legal, it seemed the Saints were calling her back; along with letting Samedi know Li was back, she cursed herself for that.

Her Boss fired her, more or less, for being who she is. "Troy was right. They know me." She whispered in the wind, Not for the reason, he thought. With a soft smirk, a frown replaced her cool attitude. Gat did this - pulling her back, she felt uneasy.
She hit her hand on the hard metal railing - instantly regretting that she went to sit down, rubbing her sore hand.

It had been a few hours since she left the club, hopped in her car, and made her way to where she was now. She saw Gat run out of the house after her, and she was ignoring even his calls, for now.

"Li?"

Kyouki's eyes widened slightly. "Yes, what about her?" She questioned back with curiosity as her heart rate sped up slightly.

Rich went over to the safe and Li got up from the chair slowly, nervous, and suddenly so very aware of the situation. The older man reached in the safe and pulled from it a bag of money.
"I thought you looked familiar. You saved us before. I would like to support the Saints once again. The lights will be purple from now on."

He took a seat at his desk. Li was floored. Rich just fired her after he handed her the bag he just took from the safe. In her hands' profits from the past week.

"Oh yeah, the rumor was that Li was back from the race last night. Welcome back, Boss." nodding for Li to leave.

~*S.R.1*~

"I plan to level your community, salting the earth, so to speak. The Saints Row: Urban Renewal Plan, courtesy of you." The new Mayor chuckled.

~*S.R.1*~

Now she sat for hours overlooking the site of the explosion, all clean and covered up; pretty as a picture the monstrous Philips Building. New Saints Row, they called it, sponsored by Ultor corp. They even moved the Church that was once their base. It was directly across from the Hughes Memorial.

Li got up from the marble bench. People were out today and leisurely admired the sights, enjoying themselves in the Summer afternoon. Li wandered to the Church, the former "Home" of the Saints. Honestly looked beautiful, a bit too clean, missing the tags that covered the base of the building. Li snorted as she climbed the stairs and walked inside.
Memories flooded. She smiled as she saw images of her and the others, the laughs, the meetings, and arguments.

"Aye kid, come this way." She could hear Julius say.

She walked to where the pews sat neatly in rows of two along the purple carpeted aisle.

~*S.R.1*~

Dex called out, Julius was busy assigning positions, "Who's got the Rollerz?"

This small Asian woman came in. "I do." She signaled with the raise of her hand.

"Lin?" Gat turned around surprised to see her, then looked at what she had on. "The fuck you wearin' blue for?"

"I asked Lin to hook up with the Rollerz. We don't know much about these fuckas, so I wanted one of us on the inside." Julius nodded in affirmation.

"I didn't think the Rollerz pimped hos..." someone in Li's crew called from behind Lin.

Li and Lin both scowl at the man, then both punched him in the face. "Hi, I'm Li. Apparently your replacement until you are back." Li extended her hand, and Lin took it with a firm shake of her own.

Lin looked to the boys standing around. "Any other comments?"

Gat raised a finger. "Yeah, when you punch, don't throw your shoulder so much..." he threw out a punch that caused Li to snort.

Lin rolled her eyes. "Shut up, Johnny." Leaving just as quickly as she came in.

~*S.R.1*~

Troy leaning up against the desk, taking the cigarette out of his mouth flicking the ashes. "So, how'd that meeting go with Julius?" He smiled, seeing Li come in taking a seat on the opposite side of him on the desk.

Dex sat down sighing, still confused about what he was speaking to Julius about, "He just got back from a sit-down with Orejuela and they came to an... interesting agreement: If we can get back all the drugs the cops seized, the Colombians are willing to work with us exclusively. We'll have a lock on the whole city." He nodded at Li's presents.

"Get the drugs back from the cops? How the fuck are we gonna do that?" Troy was shocked. He looked between Dex and Li, Li shrugged.

Dex: "We're taking out the police station."

Li and Troy both gawped. "Are you out of your fuckin' mind? They'd lock the place down before you'd get anywhere."

Dex shook his head. He could still not believe he was trying to figure out this crazy plan. "It's Jules', I mean Julius' plan. He called it. We have to go with it."

"No, we don't." Troy stood up straight and crossed his arms. He had an idea. "If you load a car up with some explosives, you could blow a hole right into the evidence locker and never have to fire a shot."

"That might lower the body count." Li added in as she removed herself from the desk checking her pockets for the blade Johnny had given her, Dex nodded his agreement.

"That's what I'm sayin'." Troy was grabbing Li by the wrist, pulling her along.

Dex followed them both out. "Aight, let's do it."

~*S.R.1*~

Kyouki sat in the vacant pew with her head down in her hands, eyes closed. Many memories flooded in, brow knitted. "Obachan, what should I do?"

Looking around, she saw a spiral staircase. "The church never had a staircase." Wanting to see the second floor, she gingerly climbed, admiring still the restoration of the former Saints HQ. Seeing plaques, she pressed the button, shock as the voice of Julius rang in her ears echoing off the walls.

"Hello and Welcome to the Stilwater Memorial Church. My name is Julius Little, and it's no secret I wasted many years of my life being a part of the gang problem here in Stilwater."

Ky's eyebrow raised. This didn't sound like the man who rescued her those many years ago. She walked on listening to the telling of how the Saints came to be, as well as the other gangs; the Westside Rollerz, Los Carnales, and Vice Kings, that was in Stilwater, she helped to rid.

Once she came too, she heard something that sent her wildly searching her memory for -

"During the reign of the 3rd Street Saints, this building was no stranger to violence and what few pews remained in the condemned church were often stained with blood. But what was the epicenter for violence in Saints Row has since become an icon for rebirth. After Alderman Hughes' assassination…"

The night of the explosion, anything that was said after fading, Li couldn't breathe. That night, in particular, she remembered in grave detail; she was to meet with Troy and Julius to speak with the Alderman before he accepted the Mayoral position. He was threatening to kill her, "I didn't kill him, Troy said he was at the station, I had talked to Johnny to let him know where I was going, Julius never showed, then we heard the beeping… then…" Nothing.

Li pressed the button again, her hands shaking. She replayed that whole evening in her mind as the recording play once more - falling on deaf ears; she was shaking, her thoughts interrupted. Li felt her phone vibrate once more. Knowing it may be Gat, she looked at the screen, picking it up, but could say nothing around the lump lodged in her throat.

"Kyouki, where are you? Johnny has been calling you. He left out looking for you now."

Li ground her teeth, her jaw hurting.

"Kyouki?"

"He's not with you right now?" Li got over the lump in her throat. Descending the stairs, she quickly headed to her car.

"Yeah, I said he is out looking for you."

"Get dressed. I'll be there in twenty."

"Ky…." Aisha was starting to worry.

"Please, I need you to listen to me."

"Yeah. See you when you get here."

Li ended the call, putting the phone back in her hip pocket, nodding to a tall blond in a suit watching her as she exited the church. He; The blond in question noticed her for quite some time, chuckling when he saw her hit the railing and regret it. He stood about, waiting for her to leave from the church. He was not disappointed; she was stunning.

"Jones, find out who she is."

"Yes, Sir."

Pulling up into the driveway, Aisha hurried out of the door. Once in the car, Li said nothing and just pulled out. Her mind was whirling. It was hard to breathe.

Gat was pulling up and saw the two women drive past, screeching the tires a hard u-turn he caught up with them. Li had nothing to say to him. Her heart was pounding in her chest.

"Ky, it's Johnny. Stop. see what he wants."

"No." Li stepped on the gas and Johnny was hot behind them.

"What, why?"

Li reached over and opened the glove box, pulling out her pistol.

"Baby girl, what the hell?!" Aisha panicked.

Li rolled down her driver's side window and grabbed Aisha's hand and slapped it on the steering wheel. Leaning out, aiming as she was glaring at Gat, she shot out his front tire. He crashed into a mailbox as he skidded to a stop. Li watched as he got out, seeing he was yelling after her. She saw him reaching for his phone.

"Ky, what the fuck, no, stop the car, if you don't tell me what the fuck is wrong let me out, I have to see if Johnny is ok!" Aisha looked out of the back window checking to see if Johnny was alright.

Li sped up and slung the car around the corner screeching, "No." Li growled and she had tears in her eyes spilling as she drove.

Aisha hit the door hard. "Tell me what's wrong!" she was rubbing her shoulder.

"No!" she screamed at her friend, who visibly shaken seeing she was fishing for her phone about to answer, knowing it was Gat. She took the petite woman's phone and threw it behind her seat.

"Stop the car, talk to me now!" Aisha's eyes went wide. She had enough. Li was scaring her, and she didn't know what to do.
She watched as Li sped up on the freeway on-ramp, flooring it like she was in a race.

Kyouki was spewing curses in Japanese, hitting the steering wheel, panting and sweating. She gripped the wheel so tight her knuckles lost color.
Speeding wove through cars. She was trying to get away from something that only she could see. Screaming at the top of her lungs, she floored it once more; the engine revving as she swerved the car going on two wheels at one point.
Li snapped, she screamed again, pulling over to the side of the freeway's wide rumble lane, slammed on brakes, jerking both women to a sudden stop.

The blaring of other cars' horns echoed in their ears as Aisha unfastened her seatbelt. Seeing Li shaking and crying uncontrollably, her head on the steering wheel; still, white knuckle gripping the hard leather. She went to touch her, but didn't know if she should. Aisha was helpless.

"I'm sorry." Kyouki kept saying over and over, tears steadily falling, gripping her shirt, hugging herself, Aisha touched her shoulder and Kyouki jumped, bolted out of the car, cars slowed down spectating as the young woman screamed at the top of her lungs, roaring, kicking the railing til she fell to her knees.

Aisha got out of the car after she got her phone, waving for the cars to just keep going. Calling Johnny, who heard everything that was going on before Aisha could even say hello; He hung up. Gat changed the tire to the car and headed to the house. His thoughts now on his best friend. What caused her to snap?

Aisha saw her best friend on her knees sobbing. She ran over to her and threw her arms around her as best she could, just hold her trying to calm her down.
Ten minutes of a solid cry on the side of the highway, Aisha helped Li back to the car and into the passenger's seat. At least she finally stopped shaking and adjusted in her seat.

Aisha is still shaken. She teared up herself as she tried to comfort Kyouki. Whatever it was, it was important. "Can you tell me what the hell that was all about?" sitting back looking over the girl a few years older than herself.

Kyouki looked like she was a kid all over again. She sank into her seat, then rubbing wet trails from her eyes, she sighed hard, "I'm sorry, I… was fired. I had gone to the site. And I just…" Head hung and could feel the tears warming her eyes all over again.

"Fired. Any reason why you went to this site?" Aisha prodded.

Ky sucked on her bottom lip and nodded, tears pooling once more, distorting her vision. "It was the memorial site for that fat rat bastard Hughes."

Aisha rubbed her back as Ky cried all over again. She put her head on her knees, taking a ragged breath. Kyouki sighed again, collecting her emotions for a moment. "I don't think I can do this, not again."

"What exactly?" Aisha wiped tears from her eyes.

"Run the Saints."

Aisha continued to rub Li's back and then stopped. She sat back, sighing to herself. "I see. You don't want to or you don't think you can?"

"Both."

"That's a lie, the not being able to part. You do not have to do this."

Ky snorted. "How long have we known each other?"

Aisha laughed, "Long enough. What was shooting at Johnny going to prove?"

"He is an ass and deserved it, but I don't want to hear him and his henning me."

"Henning?" Aisha laughed again. "You are the only one he remotely cares for. He stops to cook for, or truly listen to."

Li snorted again. "He has you."

"He really cares for you, like… loves you. I mean, we all do, but he like likes you." Aisha looked for Kyouki's response to what she said.

Ky turned her red eyes and splotchy face to her best friend, confused. "What?"

Aisha rubbed her ear and thought of a way that would make sense. "He took a bullet for you."

Ky shrugged, Aisha shook her head. "Ok. He took a bullet meant for you. Yes, he would have taken one for me, but that night…. He cried."

"Gat has the emotional range of a time bomb. He doesn't cry. I think he had his tear removed." Ky put her head back down.

Aisha nodded and pursed her lips. "That may be so. But we thought you had died. He cried. Uh… This may be a bad time but, Troy wants to talk to you."

"Definitely not."

"He… Ok, He fucked up big time, but he had kept me and you safe."

Kyouki frowned. "Can you please not aid that jackass? I'll kill him myself."

"Fine. So you got fired, why?" Aisha forced to change the subject.

"Rich, my former boss, is supporting the Saints. Again don't know if I can do it. I lost my Nanny, my mother's family is gone, and I have no one to talk to. I'm scared to do this again."

"You have me, Johnny. Nanny, your Obachan?" Aisha looked at her, concern and worry all over her face.

"No… I had an actual nanny, as the people stateside say, and there's more. Let me drive. I'm alright now."
They switched places. Li started the car, pulling off as Aisha sat staring at Kyouki. This was someone who looked really new to her now.
Aisha smiled, confirmed and reaffirmed she would be and always will be there for Kyouki Irissa Li.

It was a week since Kyouki's breakdown. Aisha finally understood things about her friend that she was sworn to not even tell Gat. Aisha didn't like keeping secrets from him, but with what Gat was planning, Ky needed someone who she could trust completely.

'Tell him after I am in my new place, at least a month.' Echoes in the back of Aisha's mind. Only then did the former singer agree to be the holder of Li's secrets. She may hold it longer. The truth Ky spoke, she could understand her episode that day.

Ky was much more agitated with Gat. Aisha could see it. Kyouki kept telling Aisha that it was taking longer for the apartment to be ready, but as far as Aisha was concerned, it was alright. Now was the time to leave the nest for good. Kyouki hip bumped the door, Johnny opened with a frown, "Hell you ain't use your… Oh."

She had arms full of bags. Kyouki pushed passed him to come in, she was still not speaking to Gat, with newly processed information she did more observing of him, remembering the way he acts around her, she was heading to the kitchen she set her load on the counter, "I'm cooking tonight."

Aisha came from the laundry room to help put things away. "You've been cooking. What makes tonight special?"

"I'm leaving tomorrow for my new place!" Kyouki grinned excitedly, "Just got the ok for living in, but it's just me so it's ok." She threw some vegetables in the sink to be washed.

Gat poked his head around the corner. "Where at? We have things to do, you know?"

Ky nodded. "On a street where my new room is." Li curtly answered.

Aisha laughed. Johnny just looked at her; going through the bags. At least she was answering him. Finding a few snacks, he confiscated one. Kyouki whipped around and threw a cucumber at him. "Put. That. Down." She warned.

Unflinching watching the offending vegetable bounce off of him, he opened the bag. "Make me, since you are speaking to me now."

"Gat, that's my favorite!"

"I know, that's why I'm taking it." Shoving his hand in, popped a few in his mouth and munched, "Hmm, these are still good."

"Ish, he took my snack!" Ky whined. Aisha chuckled and continued to help prep the food.

Aisha shaking her head, "About time you spoke to him."

"You will rue the day Johnathan!" Kyouki shouted, huffed, and went back to cooking.

"So where are you staying?" Aisha quietly asked.

"Prawn Court, it's a small loft, nothing fancy. I just want to be alone right now." Kyouki was slicing vegetables and adding them to the skillet.

"I understand but, you always have a home here."

Kyouki stopped, the sound of the sizzling juices from the sweating vegetables, the tv and rustling of the snack bag Johnny had. She leaned in closer. "You think it's a good idea if what you said about Gat is true… That's ok with you?"

Aisha nodded. "I get what you mean, but you can't help who you care about. I saw the aftermath."

Kyouki stirred the vegetables again, adding some spices, "I had Troy. Johnny has you. Maybe I need to be alone for a bit."

Aisha shrugged, she said what she said. "Whatever you decided, I'm here for you."

It was Kyouki's turn to nod, as she added the meat and covered it, letting it cook. She went to her room and gathered a few things. Going to her car, Aisha heard.

"Where are you going?"

"Damnit man, nowhere!"

Aisha laughed from her spot in the kitchen. "Henning." She went to set the table.

It was pleasantly quiet during dinner. As usual was tasty, they sat just chatting about nothing until Kyouki and Gat's phones chimed. They pulled their phones out, looking at the screen, then at each other. "Race night."

Kyouki texted the others instantly. Without looking up, she was making sure she had a head count. "Ish you coming with us?"

Aisha sipped on her wine. With a shake of her head, she politely refused. "Not tonight, you two go. I want to get a few things done here."

With that, Kyouki clear her place from the table. When the young woman was in the kitchen, Aisha waited a moment longer until the water stopped running and Kyouki closed the door to her room. "Johnny, keep her safe tonight."

Gat was still eating. He looked puzzled. "What you mean?" Seeing Aisha shake her head, he got up, clearing his spot before going to get dressed himself.

Aisha sat a few minutes more, sipping white wine in thought. She needs Johnny to talk to Kyouki. Thoughts trailed off when she heard the woman emerge from her bedroom. "Be safe tonight." Aisha called after her best friend.

Kyouki smiled. "Always. See you tomorrow. Night, get some sleep."

"I will." She watched as she left out of the front door. Hearing Johnny come down, she met him at the bottom of the stairs.

Gat stopped in front of Aisha, buttoning his shirt. He quickly kissed Aisha on top of her head. She grabbed his hand and pulled him to a stop when he went to go around her. "Sup?" Gat questioned the petite woman.

Aisha didn't know how to say it still. She just knows that the two of them need to talk. "Keep an eye on her. She's really going through a lot right now."

"What you mean?" This was the second time that Aisha said anything about Kyouki's welfare. It wasn't something Ish would really worry about. Whatever happened, the day he heard Kyouki losing her shit, it must have worried Aisha to this point.

Shaking her head. "Both of you be safe. I'll see you later." She pushed Gat to the door and locked up, turning off the lights, sat, and watched a movie.

"Wooooh, like taking candy from a baby, Brian, you were amazing!" Ky gushed, as they sat in the Saints HQ counting the money.

Carlos put the two stacks he had counted down, reaching for another stack to count. Shaundi was in awe. "How the hell do you do it?" Shaundi asked.

"I like the competition." Ky laughed as there were hundred-dollar bills in her pile. "It's another 40k. What else do we need for HQ?" She was mentally thinking about what they had left to get, handing Brian a portion of the profits.

Gat stood up, walking over to the bar they had installed recently, pouring himself a glass. "I got someone else who wants to be with the crew."

Kyouki looked up from her sorting. "Who?" She continued to count the money in her hands.

"Guy named Pierce. He is a piece of work, but he just texted me not too long ago. He wants to meet up tomorrow."

"Alright. Pierce." Having made a mental note. After setting the new money stack down, she got up, brushing her pants off. "Ok I'm out. I need to get up. I have things to do. Oh, there are a few spare rooms if you want to sleep here tonight." Pointing to Carlos, Brian, and Shaundi, Li was already up the stairs waving goodnight to everyone else on her way out.

Gat put his glass down, following behind her. "I need to get back to Ish, I'll catch ya'll later." Gat climbed the mission house stairs up. He heard the door click open and then close.
Johnny hurried up, quietly opening the door, poked his head out to see Kyouki walk around the corner of the building.
He stood in the shadows watching her cross the street, walking past rows of abandoned boarded up apartments. Johnny followed, watching her from the opposite side of the street. He saw her go into the lower level of the corner house; he waited for her to come out, as he stood for a few minutes more, leaning on the corner house she went into.
"She must live there." Gat said as he pushed himself off the wall stepped into the low setting stairs. Aisha asked that he keep an eye on her, for what reason he wasn't sure, but to keep his word, and her from worrying he would. Reaching for the door, he knocked.

The knocking on the door startled Kyouki. She was not expecting anyone, and no one knew she was there. Almost refusing to open it, she took a chance and peeked out, opened it in surprise. "What are you doing here?"

Gat pushed the door open, pushing her back into the small room, closing the door behind him, locking it. Ky didn't feel comfortable, did not dress for company. She found an oversized shirt on one of the top boxes, going to slip it on over her head. Gat grabbed it and tossed it on the bed.

Kyouki bristled, looking around the room. "Ok. One, you are here and you shouldn't be. And two, leave."

Gat took her by the wrist led her to the small chair at her small desk. Sitting down,took off his glasses, laying them behind him on the desk. Li grew more uncomfortable when he grabbed her hips, pulling her to him and pushed his hands away. Gat grunted and forced her to be still.

"Gat please, leave."

"No, there's something I need to see."

Ky swallowed hard. She was confused. There was nothing on her body had that Gat needed to see. There was nothing in the small room that he needed to see, either.
Gat lifted her shirt, pressing the cloth into her rib, indicating to her to hold it in place. She did as he wanted. While he ran his fingers over the discolored flesh of healed scars.

Carefully looking at her past wounds. He remembered each of them like they were his. "The gunshot wound from Sharpe." He sighed hard; That night had him scared. He was just starting to feel her, even though she was with Troy. Looking up at her, he saw she confirmed what he knew. He scanned the largest of the three scars. "These from the yacht." he traced the small and long wounds.
Turning her had her stop with her right side facing him. He could see the shrapnel that was once imbedded in her cinnamon skin. Continued to turn her around so her back was facing him. "Clean through to the other side, and yet you lived." Johnny said. His mouth was dry. He licked his lips.

Kyouki shivered. He was warm to the touch, but she felt cold, shifting her weight from one foot to the other. "Yeah."

She felt the fabric move on her shorts as he turned her so her hip was facing him again. "This from the explosion, too?"

With a sigh. "Yeah." Kyouki answered quietly.

Gat placed the palm of his hand on the discolored skin, pulled her into his arms, turning her stomach to face him, and rested his forehead on her tight stomach, hugging her legs.

Kyouki felt her face get hot. Tears were forming. "Don't do this." She pulled back a bit to cover her stomach. She did not want Johnny to see her scars. Why, she felt like he didn't need to see them. She had no answer. They used to patch each other up. Him more than her. Though now she felt like he would lock her away. Was she worried Gat would keep Li in a glass box? Was that the reason he didn't want her moving out?

Gat grunted again. "Are there anymore?"

She sniffled, yeah. He would once he saw the worse scar she had. "Yeah."

Ky took a step back, facing her back to him. She sat on the rug that covered the cement floor. Gat figured what she was going to show him, the tapes that one of the Saints members passed along back to him, haunted his dreams. His vision blurred.

She reached up and felt his warm hands on hers. He moved her hands out of the way, pulling the scrunchy loose undoing the bun. Her hair cascaded all over his hands and lap.

Kyouki reached back and felt for a second. Parting her hair, Gat helped her, and he saw a slightly raised gash that was four inches long at the back of her head, hidden in her hair.

Kyouki heard him shift in the chair, his hands on the side of her head tilted her head further down to get a better look; she felt his lips on the back of her head, and she closed her eyes, her teardrops splashing on her legs. Her eyes flew open when she heard Johnny whisper.

"I'm sorry."