Black Waltz: Hello again, this is me and coming at you with another chapter for my story Welcome to the Jungle. I want to make a note about something that I mentioned in the previous chapter... When I put that Keitaro was wearing black leather gloves, I meant to put full finger black shooting gloves, not fingerless gloves like the ones R* was going to put in GTA IV. Anyway I also want to say that I'll be doing college soon so that way I can have something to do with my life instead of rot, and when I do, expect me to update at my own pace... so please, no pressure.

Well, enjoy.

*

Days went by in Liberty City and Keitaro eventually moved on in his life but always remembered the good times he and Kentaro had in both San Andreas and Liberty. That's the thing about death... you're stricken by it for some time and then you eventually forget about it but you always remember that person. "Maybe a walk will do me some good," he said to himself. Getting up off the couch, he went out the door and down the steps and walked through the neighborhood. While he was walking, he felt his phone vibrate in his pocket while his ringtone played; he pulled it out, seeing it was Lucy. "What now?" he asked himself, answering it.

"Lucy, I'm in no mood for any work right now, okay, so..."

"That's not it, Kei. Just thought maybe I'd invite you over, seeing as you need some downtime, why not come over... besides, I have someone I want you to meet."

"Oh... well, sure, I guess."

"Excellent, see you then."

He hung up and pocketed his phone. "Well, so much for my walk," he said to himself. First... a car to get him to Lucy's, but he didn't want to risk it, noting the officers on the sidewalk as well as the patrolling cars. Instead of stealing a car, he held his fingers to his lips, letting out of a whistle while signaling with his hand, "Yo, taxi!" The driver saw him and stopped at the curb while Keitaro climbed in.

"Hey, buddy... where you heading?"

"I want to go Shinnecock Street."

"Sure thing... we'll be there in no time."

The man started the meter and drove off to the place. It was a long drive but relaxing, and with the radio playing dance hall music, it was even better. Within minutes, the cab driver stopped, charged Keitaro and then left when his rider got out. "Thanks," Keitaro said to him while he just waved, accepting his gratitude. He watched the taxi make U-turn and down the street then went up to the door, ringing the bell; he heard footsteps and the door opened. "Glad you made it," Lucy said to him.

"Yes, thanks."

"Please, come in," she said, ushering him inside while he nodded and stepped foot inside. When the door was closed the two went to the living room, and Keitaro saw a man with sunglasses sitting on the couch. "Tis a your best man, Lucy? You told I that dey be two rastas working fa yah."

"Sorry, Jacob but one had a bit of an early departure. This is Keitaro Urashima, he's from Japan, well, he escaped from his home in Japan to find a better life in Liberty."

"Zeen, zeen. Is good meeting you, rasta," Jacob said, extending his fist which Keitaro's had met as a greeting. "Wha'ppen back at home, star?" he asked Keitaro.

"Lots of fucked up things, man. My grandmother made me manager of a dormitory for girls."

"Seems like fun to me."

"Yeah, well, it's no fun when the girls don't respect you and experiment on you, con you, beat you up and use a sword on you."

"Bumboclat! Dey did that to you?"

"All the time and I couldn't make it stop or evict them... they all have their own problems, which is why they all went to that place, to try to escape from them."

Lucy also took place in the conversation. "So let me get this straight, they all went to that building because they didn't want to face their problems?"

"Well, one of them said to me she came to Japan to finish her training. Her sister got married and turned over the school she used to teach at to her, if she's able to beat her in a kendo fight."

"And how strong is her sister?"

"She's stronger than she is... way stronger." Keitaro took a hit off of his glass of vodka. "And another is pressured to get married at the age of twelve by rules of her country, but she doesn't want to."

"What about that sword master... what's her name?" asked Lucy.

"The one who gotten had married? Her name's Tsuruko Aoyama and she called me a few days. She told me that she wanted to head to Liberty City."

"What's wrong with Japan?"

"It's not the country; she told me that when her and her husband divorced, she's lost all her will to use her sword. She told me that she wanted to be involved what I was doing."

"Me don't think dat's a good idea, man. She got to get used to the city, ain't no telling what type of shit it might pull," said Jacob.

"Jacob's right, Kei," Lucy said, "She has to know how to use a gun before she comes here."

"I know, and if my guess is right, she'll learn how to just like she learned to use her sword."

*

Back in Japan, at Hinata Sou, Tsuruko, dressed in her casual hamaka and sandals, began packing her things. Just like Keitaro, she was ready for a new change in her life. When she and her husband were married things were good... for a while, and like some marriages, you have problems which lead to fights and then to filing a divorce. That's why she felt she couldn't handle the sword anymore, because of leaving her fiancé. Tsuruko also knew that she would need to find somebody with the right requirements since the girls would only approve of a female manager running the place.

There was only one person she could think of... "Haruka," she said to herself, putting the last of her clothes into the suitcase. Sure, Haruka had a teashop to run as well but she could probably juggle that with Hinata Sou with no trouble. "I'll speak to her about it in the morning. I'm positive she can handle it."

After she was done packing her things, she put her case up where she would find it for when she was ready to leave and climbed into bed. The next morning, she made a beeline for Haruka's teashop, ignoring the girls, went down the stairs and into the shop, seeing as she was just opening the place.

"Good morning, Haruka. I would like to discuss something with you."

Haruka finished setting down the last of the chairs, took a hit off her smoke, exhaled and looked at her. "What do you need?"

"I want to talk to you about Hinata Sou."

"Well... what do you need to know?"

"Would you be able to take charge of Hinata Sou while I'm on vacation?"

This topic sparked an interest in Haruka. "Come on and sit with me," she said, going to one of the chairs and seating her self while the kendo mistress followed suit, taking a seat in front of her. "So tell me, why would you want me to take charge of Hinata Sou?" Haruka asked.

"As I said before, I need a vacation from the divorce with my husband... ever since what happened. The girls have been behaving excellently and with you taking control, they should follow your orders."

"That much I'm sure of, and I can understand about wanting a way to get over the divorce of your fiancé."

"Then you agree with me about Hinata Sou?"

"Well I have a tea shop to run, but I suppose I could do both of them at once."

"I'm glad we agree on it. I'll be leaving tomorrow morning at ten o'clock so please tell them about it, saying that I'll be back in a few months or so."

"You're going to be gone that long?" Haruka said, raising her brow.

"Please... I need this time away."

Haruka pondered about it. It would be easy for her, seeing as they saw Haruka as an intimidating person when they were times that Keitaro ended up in the hospital because his invulnerability switched off and on at certain times. After the talk, Tsuruko left to tend to Hinata Sou while a few of her customers walked in, getting business started for the day.

She got inside, seeing her sister come back from the roof, panting. "Motoko, have you begun your duties yet?"

"No, big sister but let me rest and I'll get on it."

"Tsk, tsk, tsk... rest is for the weary Motoko. Now begin your duties or there will be no breaks from now on."

"That's not fair!" Motoko whined.

"What it fair about you hurting Keitaro-san for doing nothing wrong?" Tsuruko glared at her while Motoko shrank. "Now... unless you don't want me to do to you what you did to Keitaro-san, I suggest you begin working and not complain... is that clear?"

"But, sister!"

"Go ahead, sister... push me." Tsuruko reached for the hilt of her blade, showing her little sister that she wasn't going to bluff about hurting her; Motoko knew how badly she would feel if her sister used her family's techniques. Motoko bowed, "Forgive me, sister, I'll get to work right away."

As she went to start on her chores, Tsuruko then told the others to hurry up and finish eating so that they could also get started on their chores while the day at Hinata Sou continued on like any other day while the girls all doing their duties.

"I swear, if I don't have a drink soon, I'll go berserk," said the fox.

"I understand your concern for alcohol, Kitsune," said Motoko. "But you won't be able to get intoxicated while my sister is still present."

"Still, she should learn to loosen up!"

"My sister cannot... she is strict and we would be wise to follow her orders."

"I wish Keitaro was back with us!"

"We all wish that, Kitsune," Naru said, "but this is our punishment for what we did to him."

*

In Broker, Lucy, Keitaro, and Little Jacob were at the Steinway Beer Garden enjoying a drink outside. Keitaro had gotten used to the liquor in America, thanks to San Andreas. At first, it was kind of difficult since it was a new country but he got used to it as time went on. Lucy downed her beer when she heard her phone ring. "Hang on second," she told the others and answered it.

"What now?"

"Where are you at right now?"

"I'm over at Steinway, enjoying a drink... why?"

"There's some weird shit happening and I need you to take care of it."

"Why me? I told you I was done working for you!"

"I know you were, but I need you."

Lucy huffed. "Fine... but this is the last time, understand?"

"Of course. I'm at the park in Dukes, meet me there."

"Alright, I'll be there when I can."

Lucy hung up and pocketed her phone back. "Who was dat?" asked Jacob.

"My old boss... she wants me to do one last thing for her."

"Who is she?" asked Keitaro.

"Somebody who's fucked up like me, only ten times more."

"What kind of help does she need?"

"I didn't ask, but we're going to find out tomorrow... and Kei?"

"Lucy?"

She smiled. "It's good to hang with you. Oh, nice tan by the way... I never noticed it."

"Same here, man," said Jacob. Soon, the three finished their drinks and left, going to their cars and drove off back to their places. Keitaro was in thought about what kind of person Lucy's old boss might be... she said that her boss was more messed up than she was so it had to be trouble. "Whatever the reason, I need work," he said, parking his ride at his safe house and went inside to sleep off his drunkenness.

*

Black Waltz: Sorry about the wait, everyone... I been having trouble dealing with writer's block and other situations, but I was able to get this done, and hopefully I should have my other projects updated. Anyway, leave your reviews and much will be appreciated.