A/N: Hello everyone and a very big sorry for such a late update. Since my exams are going on, it's really difficult to write the updates. But I am still trying my best to make up for it. And a special thanks to – Saebabymama, ryokaori11, AskForXYZ, archery, MikeeIsAwsome, Zzz, SugarBoyXoXo, a guest who wrote "chapter 5 please" and a guest named 'Someone'. Thanks a lot for your reviews. It really encouraged me to write the next update faster. Just don't forget to review and like the story. And once again thanks for bearing it with me… :P

Disclaimer: I do not own the City Hunter and its characters except for the ones which I have invented.

5. Comeback of the Striker

Next morning Kaori woke up a little late than usual. She opened her eyes in a warm bed and saw an unfamiliar ceiling. She quickly looked around and realized that she was in Ryo's room. A deep blush formed on her face. She tried to get up but sensed some weight on her stomach and turned in the other direction to find a sleeping Ryo. He was sleeping only with his boxers on. She panicked a little and found that her clothes were still in place and breathed a sigh of relief and remembered all the things that happened the previous night. The sight of Ryo's naked, taught muscular torso was enough to blow up her mind. She shook her head to remove all the inappropriate thoughts from her mind about Ryo. She saw him again and blushed a bit, as he was sleeping so close to her. She gently caressed the face of our sweeper and gave him a light kiss on the forehead. She then quietly got up from the bed without waking him up and touched her wounded arm. The pain was not much better but not that bad so as to stop her from making the breakfast for her lover and sister. On her way to the kitchen she thought, "Sayuri is going to bombard me with the questions today," and sighed loudly.

In the room Ryo also sighed loudly as he was missing the warmth of Kaori from the morning. He was wide awake when Kaori started moving in his arms. He pretended to be asleep in order to prevent Kaori from feeling awkward. The night before, after getting the name of that man from his informants, Ryo quickly came back to his room. Kaori was deep in her sleep and Ryo, not wanting to wake her up, slid under the covers along with her. He protectively, wrapped his arm around her shoulder and placed her wounded arm on his chest and then fell into deep slumber. Now Ryo was wide awake and wondering, why didn't he confessed to her earlier. When only a single touch from her was enough to erase all his nightmares and pain from his past, he could not imagine what will happen to him when she will become his, both in soul and body. Ryo felt a surge of happiness when Kaori caressed his face and the peck on the forehead was like a cherry on the top. And when she left him, he felt immense sadness. Now that he was so close to her, he didn't want to be separated from her even for a second. With quick movements he took his shower and went downstairs to join the table for the breakfast.

Downstairs, Sayuri was bombarding Kaori with questions, as expected. She felt relieved when Kaori told him about Ryo's confession and about them being together now. "Everything is now settled," thought Sayuri happily. Now all three of them were having their breakfast and Sayuri was about to leave the house when Kaori said,

"Wait Sayuri... Why are you going alone?"

"Kaori, I don't need Ryo's protection anymore. The only reason why I agreed for getting his protection, was to get two of you, close to each other. And now that my job is done, I think it's better to leave you people alone."

"No Sayuri! You are not going alone. You still need the protection and no word against it."

"But Kaori… No one is after my life, not even after my work! I don't know about the threat letters, but I am definitely not the object of their hostility. I strongly believe that I am perfectly safe… Maybe I was about to discover something and they wanted to divert my attention to something else… Hmm… This seems a plausible reason for their actions. What do you have to say on this Ryo?"

"I am still waiting to receive all the details from my informants… All I know is the name of the man who is behind all this mess… and that is - Kazuya Ichinose..."

Hearing the name of Kazuya Ichinose made the blood in Kaori's veins freeze. She suddenly felt short of breath and felt like the whole world was slipping through her fingers. She was afraid even to think about the consequences of this drama. This man had the power to turn Ryo, once again into the Angel of death and all Kaori wanted for Ryo, was to have a life away from this bloody world. And if something like this happens in future then she would also have to remove the lid from her past and use everything she had in her power to protect him.

"What else do you know about him?"

"Nothing much, just that he is a business tycoon and one of the strongest man in Japan… If he wants he can bend the whole nation into his favour… But what is attracting his attention this time, is the main and real question which is still unanswered..."

Kaori inwardly took a sigh of relief when Sayuri said,

"It's getting late… So I think I should go now."

"Wait! I am coming with you," said Ryo.

Sayuri shrugged and said, "As you say Ryo."

Before leaving the house, Ryo gently hugged Kaori and said, "You don't need to go outside today… I will ask Doc to come here and change your bandages… And if you want me to keep my mouth shut in front of Sayuri, you better take care of yourself… Or else I will tell Sayuri everything… And I am sure you won't be able to stand in front of her persuasive power," finished Ryo with a sly smile. Kaori quickly agreed with a nod and said, "You two just come back safely..."

"Of course! After all we still have to finish what we started yesterday," said Ryo and gave her a quick kiss on her lips and went on his way with Sayuri, leaving a flustered Kaori behind.

Rest of the day went peacefully for both the parties. Kaori had her bandages changed by the Doc at her home and Ryo was able to gather a little more details about Ichinose, but not the useful ones.

Both Ryo and Sayuri arrived in front of their home when Sayuri stopped Ryo for a bit to talk about Kaori.

"I think my job is finished here Ryo… Moreover my company is thinking of shifting me once again to New York. So before going back I just want to make sure that you are ready to make Kaori happy..."

"I was never so sure about anything in my entire life… My whole life is about Kaori and I am ready to make her the very center of my life!" said Ryo with a conviction.

"That was all I wanted to hear from you" but her words were faded in the background voice when suddenly a loud shrill voice of Kaori was heard. Ryo immediately rushed in to help her. Sayuri also began to run towards the door but never reached there, for she was drugged and taken to another place.

Ryo found Kaori struggling with a man who was threatening her with a gun. He immediately knocked him out and asked her if she was okay to which she nodded in agreement. Ryo took a sigh of relief and gently hugged her. She calmed herself down in his embrace and asked him about Sayuri. Ryo turned back to look her but found no one. Dreadfully he looked at Kaori who understood his sign. Both rushed outside and found the handbag of Sayuri lying on the ground. "Some people must have kidnapped her," thought Kaori and Ryo simultaneously. As soon as they thought this, Ryo's phone started ringing. He picked it up and the voice on the other end said,

"We are going to do no harm to the lady, for next one hour. If you can save her in that time, then you are most welcome! If not, then you probably will never be able to see her again. Let's see if you can save her City Hunter... And your time starts now!"

The phone got disconnected as soon as the voice on the other end finished. Ryo looked at Kaori and told her the same. Her eyes begged him to save her sister.

"Don't worry Kaori I will bring Sayuri safe and sound back to you. There's a radar on her dress which will help me to find her. So just have faith in me like you always do and wait for us here at home."

"No Ryo! I am also coming with you..."

"No Kaori… You will stay at home… I don't want to put you in any danger and your injury might get worse… I perfectly know, how much the wound caused by a bullet hurts and I am in no mood to take any risks..."

"But..."

"No but Kaori!" said Ryo sternly and then gently cupped her face and said, "I am not taking any chance with your safety… You are my world and under no circumstances I am letting anyone destroy it! Just wait here obediently and prepare a nice dinner for our arrival."

Kaori sighed but the tension was still there in the atmosphere. "Bring her back quickly Ryo!"

"Of course I will" said Ryo and quickly left to bring Sayuri back.

In no time he got the exact location of Sayuri and was on his way to help her. Soon he reached a desolated building and fought his way to Sayuri. Numerous men were now lying unconscious in whole of the corridor. He entered the room in which Sayuri was tied up and saw that she was unconscious and had a slight bruise on her head. Feeling the blood boiling in his veins, he immediately knocked out the men who, like idiots, threw themselves at our dear City Hunter. Just like his name he hunted each of them down and freed Sayuri. Keeping the men at his gunpoint, he asked,

"Who sent you people to kidnap Sayuri?"

One man from the group got up and sneered at him. This ticked off Ryo.

"Probably you know answers to all of my questions" finished Ryo with a vexed tone.

"But before I answer that, don't you think you should check on your woman for once. This girl might have been just a decoy!" laughed the leader of those men. "Even as I speak something terrible must have been going on with her. You were foolish leave your woman behind. And now she is going to pay for that."

With a jolting movement Ryo grabbed the collar of that man's shirt and fiercely said, "Tell me where she is and what are you planning and I might spare you your life."

The leader that group was terribly shaken. He had seen numerous killers in his life, worst of the worst criminals but had never felt such a terror and deathly vibes emanating from any man. Sure he was the legendary City Hunter – Ryo Saeba! He was terribly shaken bacause of the man in front of him and with a trembling voice he said,

"I don't know the full plan but few details. Kazuya Ichinose is the one who hired us to kidnap this girl, Sayuri and distract you while he can carry out his plan with your partner Kaori. Believe us, we have no intention of hurting you or winning over you. This is all I know..."

Ryo once again punched him straight in the face (because of which the poor man passed out) and quickly dialed the number of Mick. He told him the whole story in short and asked him to find Kaori and ensure her safety. Similarly he asked Falcon and Micky for the same. Now all the best sweepers of the nation were scouring out the city, looking for Kaori. Ryo was quite far away from the city which was a disadvantage for him. For probably the first time in his life he prayed God to protect Kaori. He hastily placed Sayuri in the car (who was still unconscious) and ignited the engine of his car. Distance was large, time was less but he was determined to protect her. After all Kaori, His Kaori was at stake!

Just five minutes after Ryo left, Kaori got a call, which was from Ichinose. With a dreadful expression Kaori picked up the call.

"Where is my sister?" asked Kaori trembling.

"Don't worry about her… She is very safe in the hands of my men," said Ichinose mockingly.

"Don't you dare lay a finger on her!" warned Kaori.

"Oh Kaori… This attitude is what makes you different from all those meek, little women who are just behind my money… Well leaving that behind, I want your answer to my proposal now..." finished Ichinose in an intimidating voice.

"I will tell you after I see my sister safe and sound with my own eyes."

"Hmm… Okay fine with me… I will send you a message containing the address where Sayuri is confined… And one more thing… Just informing you that your City Hunter is on the wrong path… You people thought that I would never come to know about the transmitter attached to Sayuri's dress, then you are wrong… My men had already removed that tracking device from her dress… That device must be in some dumpster by now… Well whatever… The main thing is that he will never be able to save her… Your only option is me."

This was followed by a long silence from Kaori's side. She was in a dilemma. If Ichinose's men has removed the transmitter from Sayuri's dress, then there was no way that Ryo will be able to reach her in time. She just cannot take the risks. She was determined to do everything she has in her power to save her only sister.

"You better stick to your words Mr. Ichinose!"

"Of course my love… I will be waiting for you… But you better hurry" finished Kazuya Ichinose with a relief. It was a gamble which he was playing and in order to win he has to make Kaori believe that City Hunter was incapable of helping her sister. He deliberately left the transmitter on Sayuri's dress so that Ryo could follow her and that would keep him away from Kaori. Now that Kaori has believed him, the only thing left was to make her surrender to his will. He quickly sent her a message of the address.

Kaori immediately reached the designated place. It was one of the shady areas of Tokyo and in one such dark alley waited the men of Ichinose. She entered the alley and waited for his men to come out. She used her keen senses and muffled sounds of footsteps to count the total number of men. They were 15 in number against the lone Kaori.

"Where is my sister?" shouted Kaori.

As soon as she said this, all the men came out and surrounded her. One of the man came forward and handed her the phone. On the line was Ichinose,

"You are so predictable Kaori... I knew it that it will absolutely be impossible for you to resist this offer... Who could be more precious for you in this world than your sister... Perhaps it could be that man named Ryo Saeba..." finished Ichinose in a fearsome tone.

"How did you..." said Kaori.

"Oh Kaori! You thought that you could hide your relationship with him from me… You might not know but I am quite possessive about my things and I absolutely despise to share it with others… And you are one such thing Kaori… Tonight I won't let you escape from my men… Tonight you will definitely be mine!"

"Mind your own business and don't mess with my life Ichinose!" snarled Kaori.

"I am minding my own business Kaori and eliminating your lover from the face of this earth is one such business of mine! Saeba might be the best in his field, but I have got a perfect opponent for him… Once he is done with you, he'll eliminate your lover as well," finished Ichinose calmly and ordered his men,

"Use any means to capture her. Just don't touch her chastity and bring her back alive to me… You have got your orders, now just complete it quickly."

"Yes Boss!" said the leader.

As soon the call got disconnected, all the men surrounded Kaori and tried to scare her. But seeing the unwavering eyes of Kaori they decided to use force against her. At first she just dodged the attacks smartly, but soon the men intensified the attacks as the woman in front of them was hurting their pride. One man attacked Kaori with an iron rod, right on her wound. She screamed in pain and fell to the ground.

"Why don't you show us the look which you had in your eyes just now?" snickered one of the man.

"Her lover will die a thousand times painful death than her," laughed the other man.

"Idiot! we have to take her alive back to our contractor… Check whether she is breathing or not" said the so called leader of the gang.

One of the man bent down to check her breathing while the other was saying,

"Poor Saeba… He is just going to die by the hands of our merciless leader – Jinguji sama, The Striker!"

The name of Jinguji – the Striker brought back Kaori from her trance. If he was the man who was given the task of killing Ryo then surely the picture would be ugly. He was probably the only man who could compete with Ryo and be alive. Only a man who has complete different techniques from Ryo, holds a chance of standing on the same ground as him. And being a holder of such technique herself, she was well aware of the fact that Jinguji was one such man. If he was going against him, then the odds were against Ryo and it means that her lover's life was in danger. She had once promised her brother that she would never use this technique in her life unless she is in a dire situation where she could think no other alternative. And she was in such dilemma right now. Saving her sister's and especially Ryo's life was the utmost priority in her life. Even though she was aware that, in the process she might lose her life.

She opened up her eyes and shot a death glance at the man who was checking her breathing. She quickly got up and knocked out the nearest man. All the other men were shocked to her transformation and the fight started once again. Now Kaori was having an upper hand and was fighting like an angel of death. Though she didn't kill anybody but those men will no longer capable of wielding any weapon in the future. Soon she was surrounded in a pool of knocked out men. She herself was bleeding profusely from her wounded arm. But her eyes were focused only on one man hiding in the shadows.

The man in question came out while clapping. He was a tall man, almost the same height as that of Ryo, with tousled dark brown hair, which was thick and lustrous. His eyes were a deep ocean blue and his face was strong and defined. He had dark eye brows, which sloped downwards in a serious expression. Once a very good friend of Kaori now turned into a foe, was now standing right in front of her with a bitter expression on his face. And in a deep mocking tone, he said,

"It's good to see you again, Striker!"

Continued…

A/N: The next update can be a little late too. But don't worry I will definitely not abandon the story. To clear the doubt – Striker is the name for wielder of a special technique, which I will be explaining in the next chapter. The chapter will contain the past of Kaori as a Striker and few more twists and turns. Till then, keep reading. :)