"That's some story." Awestruck, Akira leans back baffled by the tale.
"Sounds like a boss rush…" Ryūko furrows her brow by the tale.
"Bet Kuze didn't think he'd be losing a pinkie when he woke up this morning." Akira leans back on the floor.
"Hmm…yeah. Wonder what they do with it though…" Thoughtfully, Ryūko ponders to herself leaning across the table to look up at the ceiling wondering what they do with it.
"Heh who knows just goes to show you never know what the future holds." Akira exclaims.
"Yeah a lot more is about to go down." Kiryu tries to warn them.
"How much more?" Ryūko pries perturbed.
"If any of those three lieutenants get their hands on that empty lot Kazama's san's out of the family." Kiryu tells them.
"Hmm…" Ryūko hums glancing to the side sadly.
"Do you know about this?" Kiryu questions her.
"…I had an idea." Ryūko sheepishly shrugs.
"Is that what Kashiwagi-san meant about your work?" Akira asks her.
"Yeah…If I follow Kazama's plan we should all be safe and sound." Ryūko reassures the two tense.
"I need to clear my own name too. If the police get me in their sights I'm done." Dutifully, Kiryu states the fact firmly.
"Uh about that…Kiryu the president of Toko credit turned up dead a few hours ago." Akira reveals.
"What?" Kiryu jolts up at the news.
"It's on the news he was shot in his office. He sent you into the Empty Lot on Kuze's orders right? Kuze must have wanted to keep that fact quiet." Akira reasons.
"And look where that got him…" Ryūko remarks.
"Kuze…is it really so easy for him to just murder someone?" Scowling, Kiryu queries.
"You'd be surprised…" Ryūko furrows her brow.
"Ryūko's right his neck is on the line here. That son of a bitch will do anything." Akira agrees.
"He isn't wrong with him losing his thumb it's only going to make Kuze want to pin this on you even more." Resolved, Ryūko tries to warn Kiryu.
"So I think beating down on his door and hoping he'll talk is probably a good way to end up dead there's got to be a better way." Akira reasons.
"Such as?" Kiryu probes.
"Sorry if there were an easy fix, we wouldn't be here racking our brains." Akira complains.
"Even I have to admit we're at a crossroads maybe if you fight fire with fire but…" Ryūko considers but trails off unsure.
"Nishiki, Ryūko you ever heard of Tachibana real estate?" Kiryu asks his friends frowning.
"Tachibana?" Together, the two look towards one another unsure.
"This guy Tachibana came and found me after I left Dojima HQ. he wanted me to help him get the empty lot. Said he could help me prove my innocence too."
"They're after the Empty Lot too!?" Astonished, Akira gawks.
"Well…that would certainly fight fire with fire if you did join." Ryūko considers coolly.
"What's their story?" Kiryu turns to Ryūko.
"From what I've been told here and there by my network they're ot the sort of business that's got an office I've only heard bits here and there but they're property acquisition specialists homing in on Kamurocho." Ryūko reveals to Kiryu.
"They take over real estate?" Kiryu says surprised.
"Yep these guys could help you if you help build them up they may get more customer more customers more money meaning more odds on getting that piece of land everyone's vying for don't you think it'd odd Tachibana found you just like that after Dojima?" Ryūko considers coolly.
"What are you getting at?" Akira furrows his brow at her.
"What if Kazama sent him?" Ryuko offers.
"Kazama…?" Kiryu perks up at the name.
"He has connections and we know he's the tactician of the Dojima family It would certainly help prove your innocence if he's o Kazama's side." Ryūko points out.
"If…still Kamurocho's paced tights end to end with little bars and night spots right? And most of them are run by various Tojo clan families too. I mean look at Ryūko with her bar." Akira gestures to the blonde softly sipping her beer.
"Hey not my help I got money coming in from Stardust." Smirking, Ryūko remarks, brow furrowed from the thought of Stardust, she should probably pay a visit to see how Kazuki's doing or at the least make sure Yuya isn't causing too much trouble.
"Ryūko…" Kiryu furrows his brow at Ryūko trying to return her focus to the topic at hand.
"Right, right somehow Tachibana real estate came along and started poking holes in that iron wall." Ryūko return to focus on the task at hand.
"How do you mean exactly?" Kiryu pries perplexed.
"Any business they set their sights on is shuttered in days. The tenants cleared out. Doesn't matter how successful it was they're gone. Bribes, threats, harassment…they're more yakuza than the yakuza. Whatever it takes to crush the business then scoop up the vacant property. They'll even go toe to toe with Togo Clan muscle protecting a place without batting an eye. Real estate right now is an insane cash war that means plenty of shady business gets attracted to the action." Ryūko reports to them.
"But Tachibana's playing on another level even Tojo HQ is trying to shut them down." Nishiki throws in.
"Seriously?" Surprised, Kiryu exclaims.
"Tells ya how nasty they are although if you had them on your side things suddenly get interesting…" Ryūko points out.
"Yeah if they can be trusted I still can't figure what Tachibana hopes to gain from winning me over." Kiryu confesses to his friends.
"Maybe it's to do with Kazama." Ryūko suggests.
"You'd think he'd work with Tachibana?" Taken aback, Akira says surprised.
"He works with Shimano doesn't he? From the rumours he's no better than that brute." Bluntly, Ryūko sneers scowling at the thought tense towards the thought of Shimano and his brutish family fury flowing through her at the thought.
"All right tomorrow we'll dig around for more info on Tachibana it's worth investigating." Akira dictates determined.
"No I'll look into it alone." Kiryu asserts.
"Huh?" Astonished, Akira blurts out.
"Kiryu…" Ryūko grimaces slamming her hues shut scowling.
"Kazama gave you a job to do didn't he?" Kiryu reminds
"…He did." Ryūko grits her teeth together tense.
"If we all work together it'll draw every eye in the Dojima family. I need you both to keep your distance." Dutifully, Kiryu tells them.
"Kiryu…" Anguished, Akira furrows his brow at him.
"It's fine I was prepared to do this myself when I decided to leave the family." Firmly, Kiryu reminds the two grimacing at their sense of helplessness unable to help their friend through this trial through the chaos to come…
"Ryūko you must make sure she lives…"
Determined, Ryūko makes her way through a familiar route used time and time again, scouting out each and every exit each and every market, each and every possible threat to her. Her heels click against the bustling streets of the city, ears ringing from the numerous voices gossiping, talking; chatting about who knows what…
"Huh? She's some nobody Kazama san…" Frowning, Ryūko scoffs at the waste of time task. She already had enough to deal with as it was with that Shimano scum now she had to waste her time getting cosy to some other girl…there were only so many hours in the day.
Her blazing blonde locks glow against the ethereal glow of the moon as she look up at the dark blue sheet in the sky with all sorts of twinkles of stars sadly some of their right stars simmer down from the dark fog of pollution wafting in the air as she ignores the loud obnoxious sounds of cars coming back and forth firmly gripping the handle of her steel briefcase.
"What is our rule…?"
Firmly, he demands from Ryūko, glaring through the glass barrier between both student and mentor.
Her nose twitches at the tasty smells and scents of food from numerous stands, each vender calling out to me and other people. She notices a few eager boys gawk at her, eyeing her whispering…
"Isn't that a foreigner…she's beautiful!"
"I hear they smell…filthy foreigners..."
"I bet she can barely even speak Japanese!"
"I hear they are pretty easy!"
"No deaths."
Tiredly, Ryūko grumbles glaring to the side scowling.
"She looks like the type," Swiftly, Ryūko turns to the group of boy some businessmen from their attire and narrow her hues of blue at them making them flinch back and disperse fearful. Tiredly, she clicks her tongue fed up with the sort of shit. She should have dyed her hair black to avoid these onlooker, judging her, looking at her, staring at her but nope, Kiryu and Nishiki had to squeal….
Kiryu…
Ryūko stops in her tracks brow furrowing from the thought of her brother, praying he was alright. She sighs feeling a tad bit of guilt at the thought of her friend facing such hardships alone and scowls at the feeling of helplessness…
"You must protect her Ryuko she may be the key to all this…"
Kazama-sama instructs Ryūko bowing her head.
His words were law after all.
She hated this but Kazama san gave her an order, a duty, a mission she refused to let him down…. she couldn't, she wouldn't disappoint him…
"Even if it means killing the nobody you wanted me to investigate?"
Stoically, Kazama san nods as she nods back in understanding…knowing what had to be done.
Ryūko's fingertips dig deep into the pockets of her pea black navy blue coat, the silver buttons glisten from the calming feeling from the moon light tsunami waves. Her hues of blue briefly flinch from the bright artificial lighting above as she continues on her way until….
Briefly, Ryūko falters in her steps, scowling at the girl in pink, cane and a shopping bag in the other struggling as a few bystanders simply stare at her not sure how to help.
"Oi Makoto!" She stride towards the girl.
"Namie san!" Smiling, the girl gently turns to her wearing a brown trench coat over a pink work uniform, a pair of cuffed blue jeans, black socks, and a pair of white Velcro shoes. The others look around nervous, awkward not sure how to help the poor girl.
"Looks like you could use a hand?" Ryūko smiles helping her up.
"Thanks…" Shyly, she smiles at her friend as she attempts to move forward only to trip and release a gasp of shock as quickly Ryūko catches her.
"You sure about that?" Ryūko remarks eyeing the uneven floor below.
"T-Thanks Namie." Meekly, Makoto bows her head.
"It's cool. Come on let's go see Lee." Ryūko drapes her arm around Makoto's shoulder smiling.
"Are you sure? What about work?" Worriedly, Makoto frets for her friend.
"Done and sorted besides I think I may need those needles after all." Annoyed, Ryūko cranes her head to the side, holding her neck.
"R-Really?" Makoto gasps worriedly.
"Yeah if he free?" Hopeful, she asks.
"He'll always be free for you! I'll give a discount too!" Earnestly, Makoto promises.
"Aw thanks Makoto you're so sweet." Smiling, she tells Makoto as she adjusts her coal black gloves with the two head back to the clinic not knowing of the chaos that would await them….
"Hey boss I got your cigarettes. Hm Boss?" Innocently, Makoto calls out to him going on ahead as Ryūko's narrow noting the still silence seeing the group of men all go quiet as if she alone had stopped the battle royal about to take place.
"Makoto!" Lee calls out to her worried while Ryūko crouches down, lowering her briefcase, opening it to reveal a silencer. She silently slides her coal black gloves on.
"What the hell?" Her hues narrow at the familiar voice of Majima as she takes out her silencer.
"Oh perfect timing. Welcome back Makoto, Makimura-chan…"
"Huh…? Are you a client sir?" Naively, Makoto calls out to the group of men as Ryūko stands up.
"Boys grab her and let's go!" The leader barks out reaching out for her making her whimper while one of the men reach out to her grab her however before he could even think to, the man cries out swiftly shot down, scarlet splattering all over, his temple pierced.
"THE HELL!?" The leader soon screams as soon another one of his men is shot down. Then another add that.
"WHO THE HELL!?" Haughty, the leader demands only to gawk gape as next he knew he was screaming falling flat to his knee by the bullet piercing his leg. Scared both Lee and Majima share a look lost as each other as Makoto shakes quivers quakes having no clue how to handle the situation as the crisp click of heels breaks the still silence.
"You…?" The leader's hues widen when the blonde reveals herself, Majima's hue dilated shocked stunned to see her however she doesn't even bat an eye to him, simply shooting the man in the head finishing him off.
"Run Makoto!" Urgently, Lee calls out to her alarmed as he attempts to rush at Ryūko only to cry out in pain as he is swiftly shot at in the shoulder stopping his actions. Wildly, scarlet spews from the injury, his heated hues glaring into her ice col blue before being shot in the leg, slipping on his own crimson currents as he is rendered useless.
"Boss! What's going on!? Namie!? Where are you!?" Terrified, Makoto screams however he is met by still silence by the blonde her hues still pinned upon Lee, gun aimed…
"M-Makoto…just go…get out!" Feebly, Lee hisses out cradling his shoulder seething scowling up at the bored blonde before him.
"What's happening? Where are you, boss?" Desperately, Makoto screams, her body quivering, hands shaking screaming for some semblance of normality.
Quietly, Ryūko turns to the dumbstruck Majima, staring stunned at her as before he knew it he had grabbed the girl's hand, taking off as Ryūko couldn't help the small smirk to cross her lips, watching the two take off as according to plan…if Shimano wanted to play so would she…
Makoto you…bastard." Lee glares glowers at the woman before him, clicking her tongue tense when seeing shy scarlet smears upon her coat, crimson coating shy specks of it making her huff. Reina was going to kill her…
Is that what you should be calling your saviour?" Smirking, she takes out a cigarette offering one to Lee.
Saviour my ass!" Angrily, Lee bats the cigarette packet aside.
You really should focus on putting pressure on that wound of yours." Ryūko remarks eyeing the crushed cigarette packet.
The wound you gave me!" Mad, he glares glowers at her.
Had to have the happy cpuple have their moment." Mischievously, she winks taking out her lighter.
The happy couple?" Confused, he eyes the girl igniting her cigarette leaning back as after a moment of pause, spews silver smoke from her lips.
Relax I'll take you to get cleaned up." Aloofly, she assures him.
You shot me!" Lee glares up at her.
Had to make it look real sunshine." Smirking, she argues at the moron.
What real?" He demands from her.
The threat." Smoothly, she answers as she crouches down, offering her cigarette to the glaring Lee.
Heaving, huffing, Majima holds Makoto's hand as they continue running through the streets of Sotenbori, their lunges burning, their legs aching as the adrenaline acting as a numbing agent swiftly ceases its effect, exhaustion soon freely flowing through them both, both of them trying to process what has transpired…
"We should be good this far." Majima eyes the alley he had dragged Makoto into as said girl falls flat to her knees, her legs buffling attempting to process what had just occurred.
"You okay?" Majima questions only to falter from the girl as he looks down at her, her arms wrapped around his leg, clinging to him.
"Hey what are-" Majima tries to break free from her hold however her sharp sob soon stops him.
"I'm scared!" Screaming, she cries.
"What?" Majima does a double take attempting to kick her off however…
"So scared… I was so scared!" Sobbing, she clings tighter onto him as Majima seemingly stops himself brow furrowed at the wreck below.
"It's alright. It's…alright now." Gently, Goro places his hand on her hair, petting her hair.
"And the boss? Namie?" Meekly, Makoto questions as Goro grimaces at the can of worms that was that woman, his comrade, his friend, his ally…he never thought she was able to do that, to think she was capable off…
"Don't worry he made it out too. You'll be together soon." Softly, he promises her reminding himself of the girl below.
"Really?" Makoto says softly hopeful almost at it.
"Yeah…" He confirms glancing to the side sadly.
"Why…is this happening?" Horrified, Makoto whimpers weakly, clinging to Majima's leg, crying her heart out.
"Relax he won't kill her." Honestly, she assures as she gets off the phone.
"How do you know that?" Tense, he demands from her.
"Because he's hasn't crossed that line yet." Simply, she shrugs, not to mention his thoughts about women as if he could…
"And what if he does?" Lee glares at her.
"You think he will? You think pop eye will kill a blind girl? Please!" Patronizingly, she scoffs shaking her head at the fool below her.
"…" Growling, he glares up at her.
"Glare at me all you want. Like I said he won't." Smirking, she moves one leg over the other perched back on the table.
"Why not?" Lee growls glaring at the bemused blonde one leg over the other on the massage table.
Slowly, silently Majima stares down at the crying child below him, holding his leg, clinging to his side sobbing her heart out as slowly but surely, he reaches into his jacket, drawing out a familiar cherry blossomed tanto, slowly sliding it out of its sheath staring down at the girl below him…
"Cause he's weak. Now if you excuse me I have an appointment to keep."
If there was something Ryūko had to give Nishiki it's his sense of style. Smirking, she raises a brow bemused by the luxury environment of the place, no flashy light straining her hues, no loud obnoxious girls squealing in her ear and no tension whatsoever, when Akira first brought her here, she was surprised even now she was amazed at it. Impressed, Ryūko raises a brow as she saunters into the elevator, hearing the ding of the soft music ending, making her little fidgeting feet following the music end. She steps forward still amazed by the beautiful interior of the place even after being here so many times before it never got old to her.
"Isn't that...a foreigner…?"
"Urgh...you can smell her from here."
"Bet they don't even know an ounce of Japanese…"
Ryūko's nose picks up the extravagance smell of violets as well as the scent of alcohol, wincing when hearing the karaoke machine, the people unable to sing for the life of them. She glances at the group, a guy some girl with a side ponytail loving the colour silver. She claps along with the terrible singer.
"Is that blood?" Reina furrows her brow at the sight of Ryūko flinching freezing from the stern severe tone of Reina, arms crossed over her chest cross.
"…Noooooo." Awkwardly, Ryūko trails off turning on her heel seeing the amused Akira smirking at the mess that was the squirming Ryūko fearful of the woman's wrath.
"Ryūko!" Reina scowls placing her hands on her hips.
"I'm sorry not my fault I got some nobody's blood on me." Miserably, Ryūko grumbles slouching her shoulders slumping forward towards the barstool.
"I told you I don't want blood stains on my furniture!" Fuming, Reina reminds Ryūko.
"I know I know." Ryūko removes her peacoat exposing some small sleeve fragment of an outline.
"…Ryūko…" Reina furrows her brow by the tattoo or at the least tattoe in the making.
"Hm?" Humming, Ryūko raises a brow by her friend's furrowed frown.
"You have…?" Reina begins but…
"Ryūko here can't pinpoint what she wants though the old man keeps getting mad at her for it." Amused, Akira smoothly swoops in explaining the work in progress that was Ryūko's back.
"I'm trying okay this is going to be on my body for the rest of my life I want something cool." Ryūko reasons to Reina.
"I'm sure it'll be something amazing." Reina reassures her.
"Ah thanks Reina." Ryūko smiles at Reina.
"That girl has an outline…!
"Tch foreigners are so weird!
She looks so slutty…"
"I can hear you." Ryūko hollers glaring over at the group.
"Eeep!" The girl squeaks slightly luging towards the man she is supposedly entertaining just as the elevator door dings.
"Hm?" Humming, Reina turns towards the man in white, a small smirk upon her lips.
"Welcome." Reina warmly welcomes the awkward man.
"…! No I…" Flustered, Kiryu glances to the side sheepish at her beauty.
"Hm is this your first time visit sir?" Innocently, Reina asks him.
"Y-Yeah." Kiryu glances to the side sheepishly.
"Have a seat anywhere sir." Reina gestures to the seats.
"No I'm waiting for someone." Awkwardly, he tells her.
"Fallen at first night Kiryu, that's Reina's magic for ya." Smirking, Ryūko remarks as she leans into her clenched fist amused at the flustered mess.
"Oh hush you." Lightly, Reina slaps her arm.
"Ryūko!" Kiryu's hues widen when seeing said blonde in a tank top.
"Relax a little would ya?" Nishiki soon joins in.
"Nishiki!" Kiryu takes note of him too.
"Still look at you, don't you look nice." Approvingly, Ryūko smiles standing up, looking him up and down.
"All thanks to me." Akira adds almost hopeful for some praise.
"That so?" Smiling, she doesn't bat an eye to Akira reeling back by it as Reina takes notice of as the two hug.
"You smell like blood," He frowns disapproving.
"Don't tell me you got into a fight," Nishiki grumbles leaning back in his seat.
"Hey they started it." Irritated, she slides her arm off Kiryu.
"And you clearly ended it." Intrigued, Akira smirks slightly.
"Damn right I did assholes." Agitated, she grumbles glaring down at her drink.
"Why are you here?" Kiryu questions the two.
"Nice bumping into you too." Dryly, Ryūko smirks sipping her drink.
"What? We not allowed to have a usual spot?" Smirking, Akira adds.
"We?" Kiryu eyes the two taking a sip off their drinks.
"We come here sometimes for a drink, or to talk though it usually ends with Reina scolding me." Mischievously, Ryūko gestures to the smiling Reina.
"I wouldn't have to if you didn't get into so much trouble." Teasingly, Reina flicks Ryūko's temple making the blonde whine.
"Oh come on Reina I bring fun into your life." Ryūko argues as Reina giggles.
"If you coming coated in blood is fun then we have very different versions of what fun is." Playfully, Reina lightly glares at Ryūko.
"Meeean." Ryūko pouts.
"Pain." Reina returns giggling.
"This place is our number one favourite right now right Reina?" Akira smirks at Reina.
"Friend of you two?" Reina asks the two.
"You could say that." Ryūko smirks.
"Oh is this THE Kiryu-san?" Reina recognises.
"…I suppose I am?" Awkwardly, Kiryu eyes the two smirking.
"Wow I finally get to meet you! I've been hoping I'd get the chance Nishikiyama-kun and Ryūko-kun won't stop talking about you." Reina warmly welcomes Kiryu.
"Reina!" Ryūko glares lightly at the traitor.
"Oh shush Nishikiyama-kun is the same with you when you can't come especially after the first drink right?" Reina smiles softly down at her.
"Hey they don't need to do that!" Tense, Akira argues, his heated hues glaring at Reina.
"Oh no Reina go on!" Giddily, Ryūko energetically encourages.
"Oi! Whatever…why dot you have a seat Kiryu?" Annoyed, Akira huffs gestures to one of the seats.
"Yeah join us!" Smiling, Ryūko agrees as she gestures to the seat next to her.
"Heh talk about surprised what are the odds?" Akira smirks softly sipping his drink.
"No kidding you two come here often?" Kiryu questions the two.
"Yeah I guess." Aloofly Akira shrugs.
"The family higher ups still haven't found this place so we can actually relax while we drink." Ryūko elaborates Akira's point.
"We were planning to bring you here soon." Akira smiles strained at Kiryu.
"Guess I saved you the trouble." Kiryu smirks.
"Oh didn't you say you were meeting somebody here?" Ryūko takes note of the clock.
"Yeah Oda from Tachibana real estate. I would've figured he'd beat me here but…" Kiryu confesses brow furrowed.
"Oda-san hadn't been by yet. Here you are. The first drink is on me." Reina pours a drink for Kiryu.
"Heh it was supposed to be on Oda." Kiryu stares down at the drink below.
"Uh oh I'm not getting the idea you're a big spender." Reina huffs.
"Kiryu is a man more of sentiment than materialistic unlike Nishiki here." Haughtily, Ryūko remarks.
"Hey now!" Akira glares lightly at the smirking Ryūko.
"Come on I remember you being hours in that suit shop, you spend longer shopping than most hostesses I know." Ryūko recalls said shopping spree for her he said as she spent most of the time on the seat, him asking again and again if this suit was okay if this jacket was good, if she liked this if she liked that as she felt with each step she took, the bags he had bought were getting heavier and heavier for her to carry.
"I just want to look my best what's wrong with that?" Arrogantly, Akira smirks at Ryūko.
"If that's you're best you may need another hour or so shopping." Smirking, Ryūko sips her drink.
"Heh just you wait the three of us are rising stars!" Akira raises his glass, Kiryu and Ryūko raising there respective glasses too.
"I'd love to meet Yumi-chan too." Truthfully, Reina admits.
"Oh ho brave words Reina." Ryūko glances over at Kiryu.
"Hm?" Reina raises a brow by her words.
"She's still in school actually if you really want to meet her you should offer her a part time job." Akira advises Reina.
"Oi Nishiki! She's a kid!" Ryūko scowls.
"She won't be forever." Flimsy, Akira shrugs.
"Whoa you want Yumi working as a hostess in this town?" Kiryu joins in equally as worried.
"Don't you think she'd be great at it? Even back at Sunflower she had all the older guys charmed." Casually, Akira reminds the two.
"Yeah and those old men were hard to chase out…" Ryūko scowls at the murky memory of her throwing stones at some of the older men around saying some unsavoury things about Yumi to the point of making her insecure, some days she would just grab a stick and chase them off hitting it to the ground as if they were cats almost…
"Sounds like another rising star then." Reina remarks.
"Tch…" Kiryu tsks turning to glare to the side.
"And big brother mode has been activated." Amused, Ryūko chuckles coyly.
"Big brother mode?" Mystifed, Reina quirks her head to the side.
"It's what I call when Kiryu or Nishiki get all protective." Ryūko shrugs casually.
"Someone had to help what with those guys harassing you." Annoyed, Akira huffs with Kiryu nodding his head at the memory of the wolf whistles at school, of some girls saying its fake, tugging at her hair, some of the boys eyeing her up and down, making certain remarks both boys did not tolerate.
"I could deal with it fine." Firmly, Ryūko argues, if they tired anything she swiftly shuts it down.
"Yeah those hospital bills Kazama had to pay proved it." Amused, Akira chuckles coyly.
"So you break a guy's collarbone once." Ryūko huffs at a certain teacher's touchy hands which she swiftly dealt with.
"And threw a guy out a widow…" Kiryu adds amused at the memory.
"Hey I didn't touch the oaf." Ryūko disputes brow furrowed from the memory of the guy rushing at her as she stepped to the side
"…You sound like Yumi-chan's father Kiryu san." Reina giggles.
"Pff! Reina that's mean!" Mischievously, Ryūko snickers slightly.
"Yeah at least tell the poor guy he sounds like her brother." Akira throws in.
"Haha my mistake." Reina chuckles.
"That friend of yours sure is taking his time…" Ryūko remarks eyeing the clock just as the door opens…
"Welc-" Reina begins but soon stops gasping when a bloodied battered beaten man suddenly stumbles forward scarlet streams descending down before his legs buckle as he comes crashing down to the ground below.
"Oda!?" Kiryu leaps out of his seat after the three turns to the battered, bloodied beaten mess of a man falls just as a group of men come piling in as a familiar figure enters the bar.
"Yo. You're looking well," The man in purple enters the bar as Ryūko feels her blood turn ice cold at the man.
"Awano…sir," Kiryu greets him.
"Why are you here?" Nishiki questions making Ryūko scowl at the idiot, not remembering their lessons to be silent when these guys chatter unless spoken to…Nishiki is about to stand, only to return to his seat when Awano raises his hand, stopping Nishiki.
"Sit down, Nishikiyama. These boys look familiar to you Kiryu?" Awano instructs.
"Still hadn't properly thanked you before Kiryu san," The leader of the pack says to Kiryu.
"You were with that squatter; you guys did this to Oda?" Kiryu recognise as Ryūko notes Nishiki glance at her for answers only for Ryūko to shake her head.
"Not before you got in the way of our business," Awano reveals a familiar business card.
"Tachibana real estate's been pecking at the Tojo Clan from the shadows for a while now. And you join them, fresh outta the family? You got any sense of gratitude at all?" Awano growls circling him.
"Boss let me handle this," One of the lackeys steps up as Awano points out his goons cut finger for failing the task…
"You know this guy? One of mine, name's Okabe. That squatter was his deal and look how that turned out. Poor bastard wound up having to take responsibility on account of your meddling." Awano gestures to his cut bandaged stub of a pinkie.
"The fuck did you do this time?" Tense, Nishiki hisses only making Ryūko scowl at the idiot as Awano grabs his head and smashes it on the bar counter, causing crimson to ooze and leak out from his nose , slithering its iron scarlet substance into his mouth making him cough crimson, cradling his nose. Concerned, Reina attempts to intervene only for Ryūko's stern glare and arm to stop her.
"Lackeys shouldn't interrupt!" Awano snarls, grinding the bleeding Nishiki's face into the counter.
"Nishiki!" Kiryu calls out concerned.
"Hey I'm having a nice little chat with this civilian here. Got it, Nishikyama? Bitchass punk like you should keep his mouth shut…" Awano growls.
"Enough…harming one of your own won't result in any money," Ryūko intervenes scowling as Nishiki attempts to control the blood flooding out of his nose.
"Ah the foreign beauty of the Tojo Clan. I heard all about you, to think the Yakuza, Kazama san would accept someone like you into the Yakuza brings great shame, foreign beauties like you should be cherished how about…." Amused, he holds her face, drawing patterns into her thumb but soon stops as Ryūko sharply spits in his face flabbergasting everyone.
"Go to hell." Ryūko spits sharply at him.
"You may act all cocky but you're just the same as the rest of them women!" Angrily, Awano sneers slamming her head forward down on the bar bench below.
"Ryūko!" Anxiously, Akira cries out to the glaring girl her front pinned to the bar counter crimson currents come gushing out her tense temple but she remains firm in her stance, scarlet smearing her head as she grits grinds her teeth together, refusing to let him hear her whimper.
"Oh ho what's this? A tattoo? You really think you can be one of us? You're nothing but Kazama's fuck toy, you're nothing you'll never be what we are!" Awano announces as the rest of the men chuckle at the fact firm as Awano eyes the back below oblivious to Ryūko eyeing the blade by Reina slowly sliding it over to her.
"…Go to hell." Repulsed, Ryūko repeats raw.
"Ryūko!" Anxiously, Akira cries out to her only to cry out as his head is swiftly slammed into the bench below.
"You have the nerve to try to have what we have on our backs. Girls like you should know their place!" Poisonously, Awano grip tightens around Ryūko's roots of blonde forcing her down on the counter, crimson gushing out of her but she remains firm in her stance scowling. He tugs at her hair. He then raises his hand, one of his men merrily handing him a blade over as Akira gasps, Kiryu equally as alarmed as Ryūko glares up at the amused Awano eager to disfigure the pathetic attempt of a outline below but before he could…
"Finish that sentence I dare you," Sharply, she snatches said blade, swiftly elbowing him in the face, scarlet spewing surprising everyone as Awano staggers back baffled but before everyone else could make a move they go quiet by the blade's teasing tip teasingly touching his neck.
"…You wouldn't do it kid." Awano heaves holding his nose.
"Wouldn't I? You know what's worse this blade has lemon on it imagine that in your cut?" Coyly, Ryūko remarks digging it deeper as a small scarlet steam descends down alarming everyone but Awano angrily glaring down at the blonde glaring back.
"Women don't belong in the Yakuza. You'll never be one of us." He spits at Ryūko repulsed only making her smirk coyly.
"Who the fuck said I would want to be a bitch of a yakuza like you!?" Scoffing, she asks as his hues widen about to reel his fist back when…
"Nishikyama and Ryuko got nothing to do with this. I just ran into them by chance," Kiryu intervenes
"Don't worry I'm getting back to you." Awano turns back to him. Worriedly, Reina rushes over to provide ice for the bleeding mess.
"I like them feisty," Intrigued, he smirks and strikes at Ryūko.
"Ryuko!" Nishiki attempts to intervene only to be knocked unconscious onto the floor, a one-sided battle at that.
"Akira!" Reina cries out to him as Ryūko grimaces glaring to the side scowling.
"Bastard should know his place," Seething, he spits at Akira's fallen form making Ryūko frown feeling her blood bubble, burn boil at Awano and his men.
"Yo boss can we ice this guy already or not!? Just lookin' at his ugly ass is makin' me sick!" Impatiently, one of his men holler drawing out a knife from his switchblade.
"Sure. But don't make any trouble for the locals take it outside boys. I'll be here grabbing a drink with Ryūko." Amused, Awano smirks diving down taking a seat, snatching Ryūko by her shoulder brining her close, his hungry hues pinned upon the blonde glaring daggers, her grip white as chalk clasped around the knife Awano bats aside as he takes his seat smirking smugly down at the girl glaring daggers up at him.
"Let's go Kiryu." Okabe orders as Kiryu complies being pushed slightly but he brushes the figures behind him off.
"I'll be back." Kiryu promises as he goes to face the Awano family leaving his friends in the hands of Awano.
"Now how about we have some fun here?" Happily, Awano chuckles, smirking down at Ryūko, leant forward frowning, her grip tightening round the blade as she grimaces at the hungry hand descending down…
"K-Kiryu…you son of a…" Angrily, Okabe grunts growling on his behind glaring up at the tall towering figure of Kiryu, staring down at the battered beaten brutes beneath him just as he perks up at the soft click of footsteps.
"Heh so the kid can throw a punch after all. No wonder Kuze was havin' trouble. You've gotten way more yakuza since leavin' the family funny how that shit works." Amused, Awano descends down eyeing his broken battered beaten men.
"You want next?" Kiryu glares at Awano.
"…Try me." Awano smirks.
"Krgh!" Kiryu reels his fist back but…
"Kiryu c'mon….why're you with Tachibana Real Estate?" Awano easily catches said fist.
"What?" Kiryu does a double take.
"Not like I don't already know. Captain Kazama's orders no? Only reason I dragged my ass out here on a job like this is 'cause I heard you were wrapped up with Tachibana now. You, captain Kazama's little pet. Far as I'm concerned it looks an awful lot like Kazama's using Tachibana Real Estate to make a move o the Empty Lot. Whaddya say? Am I right or am I right?" Awano realizes his hues narrowing at Kiryu.
"Think whatever you want." Kiryu reels his fist back glaring at Awano.
"Heh you're pretty shit at hiding things. Way I see it that's all part of your charm though eh? Has Tachibana found the lot's owner yet?" Awano asks Kiryu.
"…" Silently, Kiryu glares at Awano.
"Not yet huh? But he's at least got a clue by now." Awano assumes.
"I haven't said a word." Kiryu scowls at Awano.
"Didn't have to. Your eyes tell me everything I wanna know I love how easy to read you are not like that blonde bitch though tch…" Aggravated, Awano spits salvia, Kiryu's hues widening when noting the sly slither of scarlet sliding down the crook of his mouth.
"I don't have time for this." Kiryu turns to leave.
"Hey Kiryu set me up with a meeting with your boss over at Tachibana Real Estate. He's been doing a good job stayin' hidden. Having you arrange it seems like the quickest route to the guy." Awano reasons.
"I left the Dojima family I've got no reason to do you any favours now." Kiryu reminds Awano.
"You do this for me and we'll forget about the squatter business and the fact that you and Kazama made a move on the Empty Lot. Or would you rather a big ol' target on your back? Every crew under the Dojima famil'd be gunnin' for you. Now don't think you could run away to prison. We'd stay on your ass till you drew your last breath wherever you hide and don't think for a damn second it'd be a quick death." Agitated, Awano warns Kiryu.
"Take your best shot." Kiryu accepts said challenge.
"Heh you got your brain plugged in as I'm tellin' you this? This shit doesn't end with you after you're in the dirt we move to your next kin Nishikiyama your bro we'll even go after that blonde bitch of yours, she'll be fun to reel in. I'll personally train her to be what she should have been from the start." Smirking, Awano arrogantly assumes eager to see that blonde bitch below him on her knees as she deserved to be cooking doing whatever he wanted to appease him…
Kiryu turns.
"You keep this up, they'll be collateral damage. Your damage. Do them a favour." Frowning, Awano advises.
"And you…what do you plan to do if you meet him?" Kiryu questions him.
"Beat every bit of intel he's got on the Empty Lot outta him. That's all. Well that and send a message to outsiders who wanna meddle with shit that don't concern 'em." Awano reveals.
"Meaning…having him killed?" Kiryu deduces.
"I'll give you till morning to decide. Had over Tachibana or die in his place take your pick and call me tonight. If I don't hear from you…the hunt's on. We'll be coming for your head to add to the collection." Cockily, Awano explains to him as he soon leaves, giving Kiryu till morning…
"Would you quit complaining?" Cross, Ryūko glares at the bloodied broken nose figure that is Nishiki tending to his hit.
"I ain't complaining." Cross, he huffs glaring to the side as she places the hankecheif over his nose.
"Just keep your head up moron." Sighing, she tuts turning his head up pinching his nose.
"Ow, ow, ow!" Pained, Nishiki flails about.
"Stop whining!" Strictly, she snaps at him.
"Stop pinching me so hard then!" Childishly, Akira argues.
"Mama that's enough thanks…sorry for the trouble." Oda whispers as Reina tends to his wounds while Kiryu enters.
"Oda-san…" Reina sighs softly down at the bloodied battered beaten Oda.
"Kiryu…I'm sorry bro I didn't do a damn thing to help you out…" Apologetic, Akira grimaces at Kiryu.
"No it should be me apologising. I went and got you two involved…sorry." Kiryu bows his head to the two.
"Kiryu…" Ryūko sighs at him.
"You alright Ryūko?" Kiryu queries concern clear in his tone towards her.
"Fine he just said some shit." Snippily, she brushes it off.
"And would have tried some shit if you hadn't pulled out that knife." Nishiki remarks recalling said butt of knife slamming into the face of Awano as he attempted to try having some fun with the repulsed Ryūko.
"So what will you do?" Ryūko gets to the point blanking that out.
"That Awano guy…told you to give up the boss didn't he?" Oda assumes.
"Awano mentioned it while you were busting heads downstairs. The Dojima family is kicking off an all hands search for the resident of Tachibana Real Estate. He "suggested" Ryūko and I start trying to convince you too. He wants to make sure you know giving up Tachibana's the only way you get out of this alive." Nishiki explains snippily scowling.
"C'mon the boss is going around town right no digging up enough info to get your ass off the hook for that murder. You planning to serve his head up to Dojima on a platter?" Poisonously, Oda assumes.
"You stay outta this!" Angrily, Akira glares at Oda.
"Akira!" Ryūko tries to calm him down.
"If not Tachibana it'll be Kiryu's head on that platter! Ryūko will have to go through shit she should never have to go through! With the whole Dojima family on the hunt there's no escape!" Akira anxiously frets frowning.
"But it's fine with you that Tachibana has to die?" Oda scowls.
"You shitheads are the one to drag Kiryu into this and had endangered Ryūko!" Roaring, Akira angrily points to the blonde.
"Akira shouting isn't going to get us anywhere." Ryūko reminds him.
"Ryūko's right Nishiki ease off he's been hurt. Besides I already knew I'd be making an enemy of the Dojima family eventually. Just happened sooner than later." Kiryu agrees as he stops Nishiki with Ryūko.
"You're seriously planning to go head to head with them? You've gotta be outta your fucking mind! Not even Kazama-san could have known things would get this bad!" Akira argues.
"Well they have and now we have to deal with it." Ryūko reasons stating the fact firmly.
"You might actually have a point there…Tachibana was planning to have the Empty lot in his pocket long beofre going to war with the Dojima family. To Dojima that little plot is worth more than one billion yen. Play that trump card right and we could buy control over a huge chunk of Kamurocho. We'd be a force even the Dojima family couldn't shuffle out of the deck so easily. But now…we never figured the lieutenants would force our hand this early in the game." Oda sighs sadly.
"You guys underestimated Awano. You can't lump him in with a brute like Kuze. He's actually pretty sharp." Scowling, Akira scolds Oda.
"Mama can I use your phone? There's gotta be some way everybody gets out of this alive…" Oda asks as Reina rushes over with the phone.
"I'm heading out." Ryūko reaches for her coat putting it on.
"O-Oi Ryūko where are you going?" Alarmed, Akira asks her.
"I have my part to paly in this just as Kiryu does. We can't let Kazama san down. Kiryu I'll see you when I see you." Ryūko reminds them turning to od at Kiryu who nods back.
"O-Oi Ryūko…!"
Anxiously, Akira cries calling out to the blonde but it falls to deaf ears as the blonde leaves having her own task to fulfil…