Li walked ahead, approaching one of the trio, a man a head taller than her. "I'm sorry I was admiring your jacket." Li reached and felt the fabric on the sleeve. The medium built blond that was closest to them had his sword out, picking at the fibers that were twisted around the hilt. Stopping when he felt a hand on him, used the blunt end of his sword to remove Li's hand from his person.
"Fine, no touch, I get it. But uh… I like that car too. Can I touch that?" Pointing at the Wakazashi, which had an etching of clouds and an eastern dragon on the sides in the lightest yellow and black that complimented the car.
The blond scoffed, "This is a joke, right?"
"No, no joke, I race. I'm in the market for a new car. Any recommendations?" Li batted her eyes.
The man sneered. "Fuck off before I end your life." The third, a dark-haired male, boasted walking up carrying his sword on his shoulder trying to act intimidating.
"Wow, rude. Ok, well. Umm... Reece, come here a sec. I think this one is into dudes." Li turned her back, thumbing at the blond that threatened her. "Don't look at me like that Reece, I'm just saying, he wearin ol' pissy color. Piss stain looking asses. I know I'm hot. Doing with a car like that anyway? Bet you can't even race." Li taunted. She was deliberately picking a fight. She tugged Pierces arm, turning on her heel to the car.
Pierce looked nervous as hell. "Nah. Heh… I don't… roll.. That way?" He nervously chuckled. Li was no joke, but she was defiantly trying to get them killed, he was certain. When the woman got closer to him. "What the hell was that? You trying to end up dead? They are vicious, they don't give two shits where they are..." he whispered over the traffic that surrounded the busy city park in Misty Lane.
The two men were confused and irritated as well. Who the hell was this chick and why was she suddenly talking shit? "Can't race? I will have you know I am the best racer of the Ronin. Bitch?"
"I doubt that. You haven't raced me. Piss bitches." Li turned back around, flipping them off as she walked away. They came running up behind her. Li smiled as she dodged out of the way. The men surrounded her, swords in hand.
Pierce stood and watched what he could only describe as something out of one of those B-Rated Sunday mornings Kung Fu flicks. Li kicked one man square in his sack. He dropped to his knees while letting the sword go, instantly holding himself, gasping for air.
Li laughed. "You muthafuka, all that talk now lookit you. You couldn't hold the sword and grab ya nuts?"
Neatly kicking the man in his face with the heel of her sneaker, she deftly grabbed the sword rolling out of the way while stirring up dust, from the dark -haired man who was coming after her from behind, she reached for the submachine gun that was strapped across the man on the ground. Having to use the sword to cut the strap once it was free, she tossed the gun to Pierce; who barely caught it, immediately ducked behind the cars. She spun around, swinging at the other to put some distance between them.
The third, a small female ran up to help her friends, Li launching herself at the female who had drawn her sword, preparing to strike. Li side stepped, and saw that the one she was previously engaged with was reaching for his gun, turning his attention to Pierce, who hid behind the car she wanted to touch earlier.
"PIERCE MOVE FROM THAT CAR I SAID I WANTED IT!" the sounds of metal clashing against metal as Li defended, watching the movements of the girl before her. Missing Li again, Li grabbed the girl's wrist jerking her forward, causing the girl to lose her footing, watched as she fell flat on her stomach. The small raven-haired girl quickly got back to her feet in a huff as she gripped her sword tighter, wildly swinging in Li's direction.
"No, you DIDN'T!" Pierce shouted back, running to a knoll that had a tree wide enough for him to hide behind.
Li growled in annoyance as she was fending off the small girl, "That's not how you are supposed to hold a sword, you ass!" Li taunted, smirking. Saw that the girl was becoming tired fast. "What's the matter, you out of breath already. We just started."
Li grabbed the girl by her wrist once again, taking the sword hurled it like a javelin at the brown hairs man who was shooting at Pierce, catching him behind his knee the man screamed in pain, dropping his gun Pierce took aim and shot the man twice in the chest. Li was busy dancing around the young girl, who grew more and more frustrated. Her determination was firm. Now swordless, she opts for a barehanded approach. Her fist not connecting with her target also launched several sloppy kicks that were easily pushed aside as the taller woman taunted her.
"Shoot her!" the man on the ground, now on his knees trying his best to get up, shouted. Li ran back over to the blond, picking him up from behind. Watching the girl fumble with the submachine gun before pulling the trigger.
"Had to open your mouth, didn't you?" Li pushed him forward as a hail of bullets aimed for her penetrated that man she used as a shield. Diving out of the way Pierce took that as his cue to aim, he shot at the girl, who gasped in horror at shooting her comrade, screamed in pain as she realized it grazed her in the arm.
The dust settled, Li was panting, "Gotdamnit, this should have gone better. You alright?" kicking the girl's gun out of her reach.
"Should have gone better, that shouldn't have happened at all!" Pierce hollered, coming from behind the tree to where the bodies of the Ronin crew lay.
"Don't yell at me. He was rude. Look for the keys. I really want this car." Searching their pockets, they took money and left their IDs behind. "Shame, we could have used these guys for the Saints. Nah." Li shook her head, "Rule one, no killing them if we can use them, and you girl, who the hell taught you how to fight? That was shit. FYI, you are coming with us." The small girl was in tears, holding her arm. Li went to her trunk, taking out a medical kit and a water bottle. "Pierce, help sit her up, take her jacket off." Li ordered as she pulled out the gauze, reaching back in the trunk for a clean cloth.
"She's a Ronin. Why do this for her?"
Hissing in pain, "Yeah, why?" asked the girl, confused by the gesture.
Li rolled her eyes up, looking at the girl as she cleaned out the wound. The girl before her jumped. It was eerie to see someone glare at them like that. "Because I was your age once, besides you are too young to be running with a gang." Quickly patching the girl up, they helped her into the passenger side of the yellow car.
Li reached in her jacket pockets, retrieving her car keys, tossed them to Pierce. "I'm taking this one to HQ. See you there. It's at XXXX, the old mission house behind Koi. Oh, call Gat. Tell him I'll be there when I get there."
Turning her attention to the girl who once she took her place behind the wheel, "You I'm taking home." Starting the car, she went to pull off.
The girl next to her paled, "No you can't take me back there!" she shook her head no like it would fall off if she shook any faster, going to open the car door. Li jerked her back into the seat, locking the doors.
"Why not?" Li then raised her hand. She had a small clue. Some of the crew were runaways or needed a safe place to go.
"I ran away from home, because of my Mother's husband." She stopped talking, and looked down, her arm hurt.
Li snapped her finger, looking out ahead of her. "Yeah, I know this tune. Fine… what's your name?"
"Ren."
"Right… you can call me Li. Where do you live?" Li looked out the rear-view mirror, they needed to get out of there, her distaste for guns was strong, "Be right back." Li hopped out picking up the gun - checking the magazine, took her place once again, and started the engine once more, pulling off to talk to a man about some copper. In no time, they heard sirens with cop cars whizzing past them, heading to the city park.
It was getting dark. Li and Ren had been sitting for two hours outside of the young girl's home. Which was three blocks from Aisha's house. Ren huffed. "He usually will head back out. My mother hardly goes out anymore cause of him."
Li was playing a phone game. She hummed acknowledgment. Her phone then rang, looking to see it was Gat. "Yeah?"
"Where you at?"
"In the area up the way, you talk to Pierce?"
"Yeah, he called, said you'd be there later."
"Good, at least he can follow directions." She saw someone stepping out of a car that pulled up to the house. "There he is."
"What?" Johnny was listening to what was going on at the other end of the line.
Ren nodded her agreement, reaching for the door handle. Li stopped her. "Stay put. Not you Oshiri."
"Who you talking to, then?" He could hear the car door close on the other end.
Li had gotten out of the car, gun in hand, hid by tucking it in the back of her pants. Walking up to the angry-looking man in a fitted suit, older, looked like money, the husband who supposed to have been taking care of Ren and her mom from what it Ren told to Li.
"Johnny, my god you are so damn nosey. Give me a sec."
Gat was listening to what was going on;
"Scuse me, you know Ren?"
"Yeah, I know that little shit. What about her? She dead?"
"No, I have her with me, right there."
"Come here, you little bitch. Your mom wants to see you."
"Now that's not nice, here I am bringing this poor little foundling and you insult her. Dishonorable."
Gat then heard shots fired. He was outside and heard them from where he stood;
"Hello?"
"Oh, that's what you meant by up the street."
Li chuckled. "Yeah. I'm about to head to HQ in a few. You getting Ish?"
"Yeah, we'll come get you." Gat hung up.
"No need. I have a ride."
Ren was shocked and in awe. "No shit! Thank you!" getting out of the car, looking at the body of her Mother's former lover.
"Watch your mouth, kid. Come on, I want to meet your mom." Looking at the phone went to hang up when she realized Johnny was still on the other end. "Nosey." She hung up on Gat quickly.
Ren led her to the front door, knocking on the thick wooden door. They knocked again, harder. A brunette woman in her mid-thirties answered, "Just a moment. Yes… Xiuying?"
The young girl cleared her throat. "Hey mom."
Her mother pulled the girl into a tight embrace. "I was so worried about you. Where have you been? Have you eaten? Come in quick before Ronald gets in."
Li coughed, bringing attention to herself. "Sorry to break this up, but uh.. Ronny boy won't be back… like at all." She smiled and chuckled.
"What do you mean?" The girl's mother questioned curiously.
Li stepped to the side, showing the body in a pool of blood in the middle of the street. "See, what had happened was… he shot at Xiuying, I mean I sorta did too, but the point is I got him. Heard he wasn't a nice man." Li grinned.
Ren's mother covered her mouth and cried, "What have you done? What am I going to do now? How will we live?"
Li flabbergasted. "Whatchu mean? Seriously, he was a shit to your daughter and you, but you care about how you are going to live?" Li crossed her arms and scoffed, "Ren, I think I see why you left."
Aghast, the girl's mother felt absolutely insulted. "How dare.."
Li sneered. "Yeah I damn dare, ungrateful…" Li pulled out her phone, "Gat ya'll left yet? Come up the street. No… no… Quit fucking asking questions and come the hell here. Make a left at the end of the street then a.. uh.. a right. Yeah." Hanging up, she went and waited by her car, leaving Ren and her mother standing there.
Two minutes later, Gat with Aisha pulled up, Li had not bothered to look up.
Aisha started getting out of the car. "Ky, what did you…" gasped as she saw the body still laying in the street.
Li half expected the Stilwater PD to show, seemed odd that they had yet to arrive or she even hear the sirens. Went to meet them at Gat's car.
She shrugged when Aisha pointed to the cooling corpse. "This woman here let her douchebag husband play with her daughter." Pointing back at Ren and her mother like a tattletale.
The women looked to the three by the car, hurrying down to dismiss the accusation in hushed anger. "I did no such thing." Hearing what Li had said about her.
"Mom." Ren started coming to meet the group under the streetlight. "He was. He told me he would kill us if I told. That's why I ran away, because of it. The cops didn't listen to me. I was scared….. That's why I left. I'm sorry."
Ren's Mother blinked. She couldn't believe what she was hearing. She looked at Li, who stood with her arms crossed and no expression. Li had heard it before. Most of the prostitutes were former runaways. Hell, the runaways were just runaways. Kyouki was sympathetic. Hearing how the cops didn't want to listen seemed like what would have happened because they followed nothing up. The girl ended up in a gang. Sometimes these women choose their men over their children. Kyouki knew that song well. Ashia held on to Kyouki's arm. She knew too. Feeling like she was witnessing the sex trafficking ring that Warren and Anthony tried to for her and her sister, and several other girls into.
Gat knew it well. To keep his family safe, he and Dex jumped on the bandwagon. While Dex stayed in school, Gat did the opposite and dropped out. Xiuying was heading down the same path. Kyouki would have to thank Pierce later for this. He helped save a live somewhat.
Rushing to her daughter, "Oh baby, I'm so sorry." Looking back to the woman who help her family. "Thank you. Thank you so much. You have my utmost gratitude."
Li nodded, "Yeah. When the cops come. Tell them what I told you. He shot at and assaulted your girl. You never saw us. Right?"
"Yes, yes, of course. Thank you." Ren's mother thanked profusely.
"If you need anything… You got a phone?" When Ren's mother handed her phone over. Li put in a number to one of the dummy phone she carries with her. "If you need anything." Li left, getting in the car and drove off.
A few minutes later, the police arrived at the scene.
The other side of town, Mission Beach, the new Stilwater Police Department, a young officer carrying a stack of files in his arms, comes to the Chief of police's office door, knocking he then given the clear to enter.
"Chief, there was a murder at XXXX in the suburbs about forty-five minutes ago. Here's the report." The young officer handed Chief Bradshaw the report that came in. "That makes three since this afternoon." the young officer noted.
Troy looked up, "The ones from the park and now here. When isn't someone being shot around here? With all the other crimes going on." Troy looked annoyed. He did his best, but the streets were out of hand.
"Well, yeah, you'd be right, but witnesses say there was a young woman who matched the same description at both scenes, teen to mid-twenties, dark hair color, about five foot six, she drives a yellow Wakazashi. Plate numbers XXXXXXX."
Troy looked back up, he closed his eyes, "The fuck, was it an inside job? Both those territories are Ronin. This.. report… the man who was killed?" waving the copy of the report in his hand. As he looked over the other files on his desk.
"Oh um, see here…. He was reported by a girl named 'Renegade' a year back, and then again earlier this year for molestation and physical abuse to her and her mother. Nothing else. Oh, He worked for Ultor."
"And the others?" Troy sighed, rubbing his forehead.
"Let's see…. Oh, witnesses say there first was some sort of altercation, then Ronin members attacked a young couple who were leaving the scene... Ronin by the jackets they wore. The only thing on them were their ID cards." The young man closed the files. "That's it." as he shrugged a shoulder.
Troy nodded, "Alright, go see if there is anything else." Dismissing the man with a wave of his hand. Troy reached behind his ear for the cigarette he keeps tucked there, going to light it stops.
"Ronin and an Ultor head? A woman at the scene both times? Nah, must be my imagination." Tossing the cigarette in the trash, he opened his desk drawer.
A photo of Kyouki and him from Valentine's Day earlier that year greeted him. He rubbed his thumb over her face, then stuffed the picture on his desk before he grabbed a lollipop. He snorted. "Couldn't be. That would be crazy." Troy reached for the reports, seeing no connection, he put the files away.
The trio - Li, Aisha and Gat - came to the hideout that was tucked away in the Red-Light district, a former Mission house to serve as a beacon of light to the sin of the flesh and drink, that was around them, now home to the Saints.
"It's still under construction, but it's coming along." Gat pointed out to Aisha when they descended the steps of the main foyer. Li went to slide down the banister, lost her balance and fell backwards, landing on her feet into a few boxes of packing peanuts with a laugh.
"Oops, little too much polish on that." She laughed at herself. Her mirth faded when looking from her vantage point; from behind the banister, seeing Shaundi sweeping up some of the crumbled walls, and Carlos working on wiring; I Pierce moving some boxes and even Brian was helping. Li sat lazily, watching everyone. Even the skeleton crew was donning purple and doing something.
Thinking back, she killed a man today. He deserved it from what Ren said. "I'll check on them in a day or two." Li thought out loud. She shifted positions, turning her back to the others leaning on the wall of the stairs, in the shadows. Li became lost in sobering thought, seeing flashes of when she was running around organizing this family of hers when Julius went missing. She still doubted herself for taking on this task. This gang.
Gat stopped giving the tour when he asked Li a question. He thought she was behind them, backtracking he almost made it to the landing. Hearing a heavy sigh and movement, he leaned over the railing. "What you thinking about?"
Li nearly fell over. "Bikkuri shita, Jonathan!" She patted her heart.
"Jonathan?" He smiled, hearing his birth name slipping from her mouth. "Must be serious if you call me that." Gat came back down the steps from his spot on the stairs, Aisha's heels clicking on the floor next to her, taking a seat on the dirty floor.
Lights flickered on from Carlos and the others. They could hear cheers as they got the old connectors going.
"What's up, Baby Girl?" Aisha leaned to look Li in the face.
Li sighed, "I was just thinking, I was like that kid I saved…. I was once watching the Disney movies, and Anime, home with no worries, then I was running and then leading the Saints. I am about to do it again, aren't I, for real this time?"
"Yeah, last week was trippy." Gat joked.
"Damnit man shut up!" Li chuckled then sighed again, pulling her knees to her chest, groaning she straightened her legs, "What am I going to lose this time, huh? Seriously, I need to know!" She looked to her left and right at her two friends beside her.
Aisha looked at Li with sympathy. "We don't know, but we will be here for you. You kept the Saints together, had them doing things that no other leader would or even thinks about doing… and when we didn't have you, it all went south." Aisha put her arm around Li. She said this already.
A few weeks ago, Li was on the verge of throwing in the towel altogether. Looking at Aisha, Kyouki's brows knitted. "You believe in me that much?"
Gat got to his feet, brushing his pants off, extended his hand out. "Get up, Boss. We got things to handle."
Li looked at his offered hand. She looked at Aisha, giving her a quick hug, took Gat's hand, then she pulled Aisha up right after. Nodding, she took a deep breath, "Alright."
Coming to stand at the foot of the stairs, called over all the noise, "Shaundi, Carlos, Pierce, I need to talk to you for a sec, Brian. You might want in on this too." Li called as she ascended the stairs. She led them to a makeshift office, closing the door once everyone gathered.
"Ok, what I need is for you to find trustworthy people who are, in heart, Saints. These people will be your crew. They will answer to you if there is a problem with them; I or Gat will handle them, cause then they answer to me. Who runs these streets is something I want to know. I already met with some Ronin and Samedi. Who else is there?"
Carlos nodded, speaking up, "The Brotherhood."
Li nodded. "Brian and I have the racers as the circuit knows things others won't. You good with that, Brian?" Seeing him nod, she continued. "You have your orders, meeting so they all know next weekend. Dismissed."
They left save for Brian, who looked like he had a question, but halted by the look on Li's face. When the door closed Li let out a long breath, her eyes filled with tears, it still felt fresh the overwhelming feeling this is wrong for her, but for girls like Ren, and kids like Carlos, like her former boss Rich who welcomed and supported her Saints without question. She will put the doubts to bed.
Li is going to have to rally these people for the cause. Looking at the ceiling, she sighed. "Obachan, koreha dekimasu ka?"
"She'd say yeah." Gat answered quietly enough for the four of them to hear.
Aisha looked at Gat and nodded, pulling Brian out of the room with her. When the door clicked, Gat grabbed Li into a hug, holding her head to his chest. Li went to protest, but she needed a - put the pieces back together - hug. She can only get those from Gat. She clung to his shirt, then went limp, her arms falling to her sides.
Johnny released her. "You good?"
"I'll let you know." Li shrugged, muffled in his chest. Pushing him away, she took a deep breath before walking to the door, looking back over her shoulder and smiled, "Thanks." Opening the door stepping out.
"Anytime, yeppeun." Gat followed behind her with a smirk.
Li rolled her eyes. "Let's get this place cleaned up. Someone get me a list of what we need. I want this place inhabitable." She called out on her way to help with the cleaning.
It was Friday the week had been busy. Making ready for today. Li, anxious, had gotten some sleep, woke up in the middle of the night, so much on her mind she just couldn't go back to sleep. She was going over the pros and cons of the Saints.
As many times as she tossed and turned, she gave up and got dressed had been up before the sun no time like the present than going for a workout with around the path that went around the boardwalk and along the beach. When Kyouki's anxiety had subsided some, she sat on a bench, listening to the ocean lap at the shore. The sight of the sky turning from blue to orange and deep pinks. It was the start of a beautiful morning, the smell of the sea. Many thoughts churned to the life she once had before, to the life that will cement the day.
Thursday she had gone to the bank, just to check on an old account. She wasn't looking or really expecting for it to be still active, much to her surprise, she was rich. It was her cut, from years ago, for taking out the Columbian cartel-backed gang, Los Carnales. Who had a major foothold in Stilwater, pushing drugs that spread from one end of Stilwater to the other and back again. That was Li's first order of business back then. How she did it still talks of the streets years later.
They were nothing but a distant memory after she, single-handedly, took the eldest brother out. His taste for young girls proved very useful to the then teenaged Li. Now the funds from that which had sat left her with a chunk her uncle in Japan would be proud of.
Kyouki needed to make calls to China. There she has an uncle who undoubtedly had put up a tablet for her like her Japanese uncle. Back then she relied on her Obachan, Kyouki went to pay her a visit. Driving to the cemetery site, she lost in deep thought.
It was then she could afford, with her own pocket change, to send her Obachan away from the old house on the Row to live in a beautiful hotel suite on the beach. Her Obachan married into a friend of the family, to keep them safe. After some time, her uncle passed on. Her Uncle's younger brother arranged, so it was a consistent flow of money for them both when he took his brother's remains and had traveled back to China, also for business. Kyouki made sure her Obachan had enough of anything for whatever it was she wanted, even if the money sent was more than enough.
The bumps and bruises she kept hidden. If the bruise found out, there was always an excuse for a misstep or walking into a door at school.
On top of her game, she gained mad respect amongst the people of the city and the crew, both the Saints and the other crews that he came across. Ky had taken the place of Troy as Julius' right hand.
Kyouki thought more about what Gat said. 'Remember that birthday you held for me?' She had long left the lounge life as the mysterious 'Songbird' the same day they canonized her. Going back to her former employer, who announced he would be happy to pay protection to the Saints, then the Vice Kings.
Kyouki snorted, that rivalry between the Saints and Vice Kings. It wouldn't have been if it wasn't for who King left in control. It spiraled out of control when the last of the big three, Tonya, meet her end. Taking out Warren was a near cakewalk. He and Tonya were in the same place, but Kyouki stared down the barrel of a shotgun after Tonya got the jump on her. If it hadn't been for Gat. Kyouki shook her head clear from that thought as she drove on.
Benjamin King respected her so much that when he dropped his flags, he handed the reins over to her. Once the loose ends were no more, no one dared come after her.
Pulling into the parking lot of the Mourning Wood Cemetary, Kyouki got out of the car. It was still so early in the morning that the grass still glistened in the sunlight with dew as she walked along the path to where her Obachan was resting. The thoughts of what could have put her Obachan in the hospital with worry were The Westside Rollerz with duo leaders William Sharpe and Joseph Price, who tried to kill her, found out the hard way. Make sure who you shoot one hundred percent dead. William Sharpe was an evil man. He and Richard Hughes both colluded with each other. Sharpe with Lin as bait and then tried to kill them both by shooting them and drowning them. Hughes, the James family, and her Obachan.
Then Kyouki 'Li' was gone.
In a cloud of flame and debris that to this day no one knew how, what, or why it happened. And she rose from those ashes like a Phoenix reborn. Each time those who she stepped over, and on, plowed through to clean the streets of Stilwater, bowed.
She bowed to the plot that was set up for the woman who had her from the time she couldn't fend for herself.
Dressed in her workout outfit, she padded around in her black sneakers, sweeping and dusting the site. She will have to come back with flowers properly. Right now, she needed to talk.
Still anxious about what she will do for later today, she took a deep breath. "Just like riding a bike." She smiled. "Hey Obachan, how are you today?" The young woman smiled, holding a well-deserved conversation about her plans, her wants, and needs. She felt somewhat better. "Obachan? Can you continue to watch over me as you always have? I promise I will be safe, much safer this time. I love you, I thank you and I will see you later. Rest well." Bowing respectfully, she left, walking a stretch that she had avoided since Troy had told her about the memorial service they held for her.
Stopping in front of the grave, many flowers were there and candles. Looking at the tombstone, 'Kyouki 'Li' James.' her birthdate and death. A child still had left the world before she began. With a deep sigh, she looked at the place where her body should have been. "You keep Obachan company, you hear me? No more trouble for her. I'll clean up the mess you left. And this is the last time I do this!" With her nose in the air, she marched back to the car. It was odd looking at one's tombstone. A rush of emotions settled and Kyouki smiled.
The Saints would now have their leader. That she is clarifying with everyone today, she will make her mark once again, and stronger than before. The sun was creeping, warming her skin. The song that played next was from a group called Autopilot Off. She sang along, nodding, agreeing with the words as she drove from the cemetery.
Troy was there, hidden, watching her, keeping his distance. He wanted to talk to her, but knew it wasn't the time yet.
"You're probably sick of being tired
You can't find the strength to close your eyes
You can't let go,
But you can't change everything
Stop laying in this burning bed
Write it on the walls and read it
Bright red so you can see it
Don't fail me now….."
"Still, there are lines for us to write before we close our eyes
And only time will tell the ending when the ink runs dry
Time will tell everything,
It's ever so quiet counting down...
Write it on the walls and read it
Blood red so you can see it
Life leaking out
Write it on the walls and read it
Until there are no secrets
So safe and sound
At least for now…"
Kyouki did in fact have her secrets, ones she told just one in this life. She couldn't yet share with anyone else. Aisha kept her secret, for that she was thankful. She had put the song on repeat. She took the long way back to her small apartment, singing loud and clear.
It fueled her, burning brighter in her heart. She sang hard, nothing but her and the music for Ky, a declaration of things to come.
The sun was high as she sped up the highway to her home. Kyouki howled, rocking out in her car at the stoplight. She felt amazing this morning. She laughed, a smile on her face as her heart was less heavy. Pulling into the driveway, she dialed Gat and the others. "Get everyone to Purgatory."
"Purgatory?" Came from her lieutenants.
"Bright purple so they can see it!" Ky laughed. "See you all in a few hours."
The hours ticked, and there were hundreds of people waiting for Li to arrive. Gat was busy canonizing. No one was safe. Li lurked in the fallen part of the city. She came up from the depths of old Stilwater. Outside of the doors that were the men and woman who she would lead from this day on, she walked through them. They were cheering, laughing, as they beat each other, looking more like a fight club, but she remembered she had to go through it too. Placing a gentle hand on the shoulders of the men and women that had gathered. Making her way to the front slowly, they quieted, signaling the people around to watch the woman who silently parted them. Li stepped around Gat, who was on top of one member, punching him in the face, her heels stopping before him.
When he looked up "Woah."
Aisha was there grinning when she saw Kyouki approach. With a nod, Li acknowledged her best girlfriend, Aisha followed closely behind.
Li walked down the path through the Mission house and down the refurbished steps to Purgatory. It was fitting. Kyouki was both dead and alive, stuck in the middle of what's right and everything else. The others followed behind, single file murmuring as the woman stood waiting with her eyes closed on the first landing. It was so quiet when the last of them filled around her and below her, she could hear them breathing and the hum of the electricity and churning of the generator. Everyone's eyes were on her. She smiled at the statue they replaced, a tribute to one of their own, Lin, now in heaven with her Obachan, "Watch over us and guide with a steady aim." she whispered.
Li turned to face them, arms crossed, matte black heels, her fitted black slacks, her tight bright white lace sleeved sweetheart neckline shirt, a blazer in black draped over her shoulders, her hair, dark waved curls in a neat bun tied with a laced black and white scarf, that trailed down her back and shoulders and black fedora with a deep purple feather stuck in the white ribbon, neatly positioned over one eye.
Shaundi with the others stood to the front. They were her lieutenants, the ones who were going to uphold what she will say without question.
Tilting her chin up in greeting, she gestured at the same time. "Where did you find them?" Li then nodded to everyone.
Johnny smirked. "I made some calls." There were chuckles amongst the sea of purple. Aisha stood close to Johnny, looking up at the woman, who was doubting she could do this after that horrifically unfortunate accident.
Shaundi on Gat's left tapped his elbow. "What do we do now?"
"We listen." Johnny gestured to the woman standing.
"Listen up." Echoing the words of Julius Little, Li's voice was clear and strong, her presence demanding them all to pay her words spoken guaranteed attention. "We have very serious shit to discuss." Li's eyes roamed over the crowd. "The Saints used to own Stilwater. Our name meant something, and it seems like the ones who remember this are me and Gat." Li shifted position to her hands on her hips. "I believe it is high time we give those other crews a wake up call. A lot of things have changed since I had a rebirth, but I rose from those ashes, and I won't be sleeping this time. I won't lie to you and feed you false hopes. This shit will be hard. We may lose each other, we may survive by the skin of our teeth."
Li felt a lump in her throat as she swallowed it down. She could hear the others agreeing with her.
"There is one thing for certain: I want this city cleaned from what is tearing it apart again. Drugs, I know damn good and well, I had that well under control. They tried to kill me once." There was cheering amongst the crowd, louder, whistles, and howls.
"Damn real Li!"
"We run this!"
"That's right Boss!"
Li waved her hand and silenced them again. "I want detailed accounts of who these crews are, Pierce, Shaundi, and Carlos. They are your lieutenants. If you remotely fuck up, I won't hesitate to kill you. Unlike other leaders, you are not slacking or infiltrating, none of that shit. If you feel like bitching out now, be my guest. You know where the door is, but I doubt you get that far." There were nods and murmurs amongst them, but then they cheered again.
"Pierce. Ronin. I need to know what business they are running and who has been calling the shots."
Pierce nodded. "Aight."
"Shaundi, you have the Samedi..."
Before Li could finish her order to the small brunette, she interjected. "I can't do Samedi."
Li's eyebrow rose. "Fuck you say?" Li's hand left her hip for a second, and at Shaundi's feet, a small dagger implanted right near her foot.
"It's cool, yeah… I got it, Samedi." Shaundi inwardly kicks herself. She better tell Li soon about her dealings with the gang she doesn't want to get involved with again.
Li nodded, turning her attention to the last man. "Carlos."
Carlos smiled and tried hard to hide it. "Brotherhood, I'm on it."
Li smiled at him, "Ooooh... ok-ay, that's what I like." and then looked out amongst them. "When we finished here, talk to one of your lieutenants. They will have something for you to do. Who are we?"
"Saints!"
"Who?" she asked louder.
"SAINTS!"
"Our time is now! Paint these streets purple, let them know a phoenix has risen, and her name is Li. Don't forget you are a Saint, the heart and soul of this city, and it will be ours once again!"
There was a roar of cheers in waves from the Saints. Aisha clapped and hollered with them. Gat shook his head, and smiled, chanting going on behind them.
"LET'S GET THIS SHIT STARTED!" Li finished.