It was already the second week of November, after the incident with Carlos. Stilwater was getting colder, and Kyouki wasn't caring about how cold it was right now. What she was caring about was the brutal attack on Aisha, Carlos, and the kidnapping of Ren. It was so uncalled for, just because she used toxic waste to get back at Maero, it didn't mean going beast mode on the attempt on her life and two defenseless people.

Ky needed to get Ren trained. Kyouki sighed heavily. She was in tears again. The image of Carlos tied to the bumper of the truck, what he had to endure even before that point. She couldn't fully concentrate. Kyouki wanted Jessica; she wanted to cause pain beyond imagining upon her. And she will make that happen.

At her desk bills. Sighing, Ky pushed them aside, pulled out her phone, scrolling through her list as she hovered over the call button. She realized if she had more people, she could have stopped both incidents. She needed more people.

The only other people she had would be her uncles. He would help if she asked, and she would have to ask.

The message which Kyouki's Uncle Kazuo left, Turn the collar. "Turn.. the… Collar… Col.. or? Color, turn the color." Her brows went from furrowed to resting. Colors. Her Saints, her uncle, has known she's a Saint. Not once had he questioned it. "Saints to Ronin? No, Ronin to Saints." She had it. At least she thought she had it. This was the one time she could not afford to be wrong.

The vibration and ring on her cell soured her mood. "Yes?" Trying to sound as exasperated and irritated as she was, as disturbed as possible.

"My lady, I hope you have not forgotten we have things to discuss. I have been out of town for a while. I could not contact you."

Kyouki listened to the man speak. She was not in the right frame of mind to deal with him. There were more pressing matters. But his timing was skeptical. Just as she had thought of her uncle, this man calls. "Mr. Vogel. This marriage is not one where you need to contact me because you thought of me. This is merely a merger. Nothing more."

"I assure you, it is far from that. I do care…"

"Enough to deal with me and another woman. Right? Right. Well, as it just so happens, I have been having the devil riding my ass the past few weeks and dealing with more than enough scrapes." Kyouki cringed at the word, but it was the truth. She paused her thought and exhaled. "We can have lunch soon to discuss matters further. I will contact you when I am available." Hanging up, she then called Ramon.

"How is he?"

"Alive. He was in a bad way. Jefa…"

Kyouki swallowed hard. "I know. I'll… uh… be there in a few."

Ky hung up and closed her eyes, exhaling slowly. Peirce knocked on the door frame, seeing Kyouki with her head in her hands. "Hey Boss, you got a minute?"

"Yeah, what's up?" Ky turned her head and wiped her eyes, sniffing she cleared her throat.

Pierce had wanted to tell her what was going on with the Ronin, but he could see she was still thinking about Carlos. His Plan B will have to be the distraction. "Good. Cause I had a talk with a few people, I dunno if you know Stefan. They want us to do a few photo shoots." Peirce grinned as he sat across from the Saints' leader.

"Photo shoot? Peirce, in all honesty, this will have to wait. I have a ton of things on my mind, and right now, I need to go to the hospital." Kyouki got up with Pierce following her.

"Yeah, but this will be… a wonderful opportunity to put our face on the market." He stumbled a bit, then continued. "We are already doing well and the people are looking up to us."

Kyouki nodded her agreement. "Face, words you choose. Carlos, let's think about his face, shall we? Orbital bone broken, ribs broken, both shoulders dislocated, nose broken. And let's not mention how he was dehydrated, skin peeled from his back, starved. Oh and Ren, how could we forget Lil Ren? She had to watch it. They kidnapped her too. If there was anything that happened to her, it will take a long ass time for her to speak of it. Peirce, right now I want Jessica's head, and unless you can get her to me this second so I can rip her head off and play soccer with it. Photo shoots will wait. Ronin is your job, what I assigned you too…" Ky's jaw tightened as she had to close her eyes and exhale slowly once again. "With Carlos in the hospital, he along with finding that shipment he spoke of and Jessica's stiff corpse… Those take my interest, not some damn photo shoot, hm?"

Peirce didn't know what to say. He stood looking at Kyouki with his mouth open to catch flies. "Yes, Boss." He quietly said nodding.

"Just tell me what the Ronin are doing. We can talk about it later." Ky had disappeared around the corner and up the stairs.

Walking out of the Mission entrance, Ky saw Troy standing near her car. "What are you doing here? And what the hell do you want?"

Troy looked up, smiling slightly. "I want nothing; I just thought I would go with you to the hospital."

"I do not remember inviting you. Thanks, I guess I could use the company." Kyouki unlocked her car and opened the door. Troy nodded, getting in the passenger side.

"I uh, heard what happened, from the news reports. I guess 'Li' is going to be in the city?"

Kyouki scoffed. "You act like it's two separate people. Aisha, Carlos, and Ren. The accident with Aisha was meant for me. I sent Carlos on what seemed a suicide mission when I wanted a warehouse. Like, what normal fucker wants a warehouse. I did it to him, to them."

"Them…" Troy nodded. He suspected right. He was glad, though. Maero and the Brotherhood have boxes full of complaints against them. When Ky first contacted him about arresting the monster truckers, he assumed then she would do something. She held off. Surprised? Sure was, but with the car wreck and dragging, yeah, he will do what he can, legally.

Troy rode with Ky for one reason. He was guarding her, seeing if anything happen while she was simply going to the hospital to check on a friend. Ky and Troy had a quiet ride.

They pulled into the parking lot, getting out. Johnny raised an eyebrow. Troy noticed Gat and gave a small nod of greeting.

"Thanks for the personal guard. You ain't slick." Ky smirked. "Later." Troy stood by the car watching her walk towards Gat.

Kyouki stopped next to Johnny. "G. Just leave it for now. How's Ramon holding up?"

"Go see. I'll be out here."

Ky hummed. "I'll be out after a while. I have something to do after I leave here. Troy had my back. Just chill today." With that, she left the two men to visit two other men who needed her company.

Johnny had to admit, keeping a cop on their roster would be a lot easier to deal with things, such as Ish's accident, though this isn't some random cop, a former undercover who rolled with them for years. The dude was not just any old cop, but the police chief.
That didn't sit well. Some history there that wasn't going to fly this time. Johnny knew better. "You still have feelings for her?"

Troy didn't stop his walking, just slowed to get his message across. "Yes, Gat, but that is my business and not yours." Troy knew better than anything that needed to be said to Johnny Gat was best said at a distance.

He went to his car, pulling off without another word. He did what he needed, making sure Ky was safe. With a madman like Maero doing the shit he was, Ky needed all the protection she could get.

Kyouki opened the door to Carlos' room. The swelling in his face was down, and sickly yellow bruises were left in the healing. He was peacefully sleeping. Ky patted Ramon's shoulder, alerting him she was there. She pulled the chair closer to his bedside, scraping it on the floor. She paused slightly and then went to sit down.

"Jefa, I want Maero's ass." Came a groggy voice.

Kyouki looked to see her friend looking over at her. "Hey hombre, you can take a number. You should get some rest."

Ramon shook his head no. He wasn't trying to rest. Not with how he was feeling. Rest was the last thing on his mind. "I should have known from the garage. Maero is loco. Running behind Los Carnales, Maero needs to be put down like a rabid dog."

Ky rubbed Ramon's back. "I don't want you fighting with your feelings. It will get you hurt."

"Then what am I supposed to do? Not everyone can shut down like you!" Ramon shrugged Ky off.

Kyouki's eyes rolled in the back of her head when they closed. She wiped a stray tear. "I'm sorry." Her voice wavered. "[I don't know what to say. Blame me all you need. I did this. Fight me if you have to. But I promise you. They will not live to see the new year.]"

Ramon grabbed Kyouki into a tight hug. Kyouki doesn't let anyone see her cry. She feels guilty for Carlos being laid up. She was doing her job, which comes with the territory of running a gang. Carlos is alive. That is more of a blessing than the others they've said goodbye to.

Ky sniffled, wiping her wet face on her sleeve. She took her seat and took Carlos by the hand, pressing it to her forehead.

"I will crush Jessica. I got people coming to stand guard. So you can rest. If there is anything you need, let me know." Speaking to both the sleeping young man and his elder brother.

Ramon gave her shoulder a squeeze. His emotions gave way. Ky got up and leaned to kiss Carlos' forehead. "Carlos, I don't deserve your forgiveness,, I am not even going to ask you for it. I put too much on you. I should have known better. We don't have to choose your casket. But for the sake of my sanity. I'm pulling you out of this shit. You can't argue with me now." Ky smirked. "This life is not for you. When you get better, you can make all the noise you want. Pitting you against the Brotherhood is all my fault. I think I can take over. You keep fighting. I'll be back with good news."

Ramon, dumbfounded, stood there trying to form words. She is making this her mission. "Boss, no, I can do this, I just…" He couldn't figure out what he wanted to say. He tried, but he ended up making odd sounds instead.

Ky just shook her head no. The thought of losing another of her friends wasn't happening. "Alright, I'll make a deal with you. If you can catch Jessica before I do, you can take on Maero. If not, you still have a job to do yourself." Ky folded her arms, smirking at Ramon. The best mechanic snorted in response.

Ky remembered how Carlos looked weeks before, thinking she just barely made it to get to him. "Remember how I dealt with the Rollerz? Double that. Seems like I am coming back. May the city tremble."

Kyouki left Ramon shaken. What she did to the remaining Rollerz after Lin, their pitiful cries of mercy fell on deaf ears. Jessica's pain will undoubtedly fall on the ears of the Devil herself.

Kyouki needs more people. That single focus was in each step as she left out the elevator. She felt there was too much time spent here. Twice she had been in the halls of Stilwater Memorial. Two times too many.

People watched her leave and felt the icy aura as the woman glided past them. They either trotted or stepped out of her way.

"Some time ago, Carlos said Maero has a lot of money riding in from overseas. Find out when and what it is."

"Yes, Boss." Two guards said as they walked their leader out.

"Shaundi, any sightings of Jessica?" Kyouki had her phone to her ear as she crossed the threshold.

"Nope, how is Carlos?"

"In the position I was once in. Let me know if you spot her."

"No problem Boss."

Johnny was standing where she left him, his back was turned. When Kyouki placed a hand on his shoulder. "Hey, why are you standing in the cold?"

Johnny pulled her close and just held her. "Yeah, Troy still has a thing for you. Can I fuck him up?"

"Sadly, no, but if he steps out of line, I'll let you have the first shot." Kyouki chuckled and got into her car.

Johnny leaned on the door. "Where are you heading?"

"I have to see a man about an army. Move so I can close the door. It's cold. I'll be home later."

Gat closed her door and followed, getting into his own. They pulled off in separate directions once out of the parking lot.

Pulling her phone out. "Blake, I'm going to need the basement emptied. You and the others'll have to clear out too. Thanks." Ky hung up and headed to the tea house her uncle should be at.

The meeting with her uncle went as expected. She talked, he said nothing. And still no sign of Shogo. That for Kyouki was unexpected. She figured with his father there, he would do what he could. She thought he could at least try to appease his disapproving father.

"[Uncle. I think I know what you meant for me. I will consider it. If you lend me some of your trusted men.]"

Kazuo smiled. With a nod, he agreed she would consider. That was more than he had hoped.

Two days and nothing still on that trash tramp, Jessica. Ky was pacing her downtown loft. Cranky and exceptionally agitated today, it rained, it was freezing rain. Looked like the sky had opened up, pouring enormous drops of ice water from the sky. No one was out save for a few cars with their lights reflecting off of the puddles on the pavement.

"Damnit!" Kyouki grunted. She planned to go out in search of Jessica, but God had other plans. "Fine, I can take a hint. No hurting people today." The sky rumbled in response.

She had been hunting the day before. Snatching the Brotherhood off the streets and out of their trucks, to leave them bound and gagged in the cold for the police to find.

Ky raised her arms above her head and stretched, then cranking her neck from side to side to loosen it up. Grabbing the remote of her stereo, and the music instantly played one of her favorites, she swayed to the intro of the song, letting the music run through her. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

The music picked up, and so did her steps. The bo staff in her hand twirled like a propeller. She twisted, twirled, and kicked, her frustration slowly melting away. Kyouki was once again engrossed in her music. It has been a long while since she had worked up a sweat. Sex did not count. Her muscles were tight, and they burned. She could feel it. Strands of loose hair clung to her forehead as she whipped around.
Johnny, Aisha, Shaundi, and Pierce came in out of the soggy weather to discuss the happenings with the Brotherhood.

Loud muffled bass, ass-shaken beats came from Ky's dance area. Pierce and Shaundi went to peek in once they discarded their coats and shoes.

Shaundi's face grew a wide smile as she watched from the glass double doors. "Awe shit, Boss throwing down!" Shaundi went in as Pierce followed with Aisha right behind. Johnny put the takeout food on the counter, then joined them.

"I remember her making use of the studio when I worked for King." Aisha remembered. It was a few times Kyouki had come to the studio to watch her rehearse. Those were the times that Warren was not acting like an asshole.

The next song changed to a sultry rumba beat. Kyouki was showing Shaundi how to dance. Their hips swayed one way, then the next. Pierce smiled as he danced with Aisha. Nodding his head to the beat, Johnny slid up behind Ky, much to the surprise of Pierce and Shaundi. They twisted and turned they moved as if they had been dancing partners for years. Aisha slipped around and danced with Shaundi.

"Ya'll first time seeing them dance? You should see them when they fight. I have never seen two people more in sync. Hell, I thought Johnny couldn't dance."

Johnny smirked. "Ish I heard that."

"Ok, twinkle toes!" Aisha laughed back.

"Right. Imagine my surprise!" Kyouki spun out and back in, Gat whispered in her ear and she laughed aloud. Before long, they all were laughing, having a good time.

Ky's frustration drastically subsided, though the thoughts of what needed to be done about Jessica never left her mind, she needed to not be angry, to focus, she would be of no use to anyone if she let her anger lead in the downfall of the Brotherhood leader and his girlfriend.

"You seem to be full of energy today." Pierce pointed out. The others agreed. Johnny had plans for that energy later, after the others left.

"Nah. Truth be told, I havn't been feeling very well, tired. I think it came from the accidents. I went to bed early last night, so that helped." Ky shrugged as she searched through the song lists. "Ahh, here we go... I may seem like I am in a good mood, far from it. I am so angry. What happened to Carlos and Ren? Carlos took the lumps for Ren. I can't let what happened go like that. It was my fault for sending him and he isn't like us." Pointing between her and Gat.

They sat in front of the large windows. The wall-sized floor-to-ceiling mirror brought the reflection of the setting sun.

"Yeah. But you sent the cheerleader after the Samedi." Pierce got a serious punch in his arm from Johnny.

"Go take a shower. I'll make some tea. Let's go dipshit, you gonna help."

"What I do? All I did was ask a question?" Pierce grumbled as Johnny grabbed him by his shirt.

Shaundi spoke up. "I guess I didn't say thank you for that. I'll say thanks on behalf of Carlos. I hope he gets better." She nodded, eating a few fries she had left.

Aisha rubbed Ky's back, feeling her lover sigh. "You do what you have to do. Make them pay." Shaundi agreed.

Johnny went to the cabinet and pulled out the canister of tea leaves. "Li is about to fuck this city up." He pointed to Pierce where the mugs were. "They almost gunned her down. I think she said one of the King's. Julius saved her life and offered her a position, and here we are."

"She's a beast. But listen, I had some of my boys tell me she was coming out of Tohoku Towers over in Chinatown."

"Pierce shut the fuck up."

"What? She was."

"No." Johnny knew and if Kyouki said nothing to anyone yet, he won't either.

Kyouki walked in with a towel, patting her face dry. With the girls behind her. "So you know I came from the hotel, and? Was there something you wanted to know about me being there?"

"Nah.. heh… Just a few of the crew said they saw you and that's Ronin's territory." Pierce said, looking between Ky and Gat.

Kyouki nodded, Aisha looked at Gat worried, who shook his head to not say anything.

"There is a lot, Pierce, you don't know." Kyouki then went for her shower. The others continued to discuss the pending demise of Jessica.

Morning the next day greeted Kyouki with cool temperatures once again. The Saints' leader had gotten up early and fixed everyone breakfast. She let Aisha, who was up early as she was leaving out.

"Where are you going?"

"I need to meet with Dane this afternoon, but I have to go see if Aunt Mimi needs anything. I'll be back later tonight."

"You should have Johnny go with you."

"I have guards. Don't worry."

Kyouki looked over the table at Dane. "I feel that with the chance of your infidelity, you keep what you bring into this marriage. Which is nothing. Correct?"

The blonde man rested his eyes on Kyouki. "'She knows I plan on seeing someone. She is expecting it.' You must be mistaken. I have no intention of seeing someone other than you." Dane tried to reassure her.

Kyouki's phone rang. With a snort, she answered. "Yeah?"

"You won't believe who just tried to run me over."

"Why would you cross the street without looking?"

"Funny, but it was Maero's girlfriend."

"Say no more. Dane, I need to go." Kyouki got up from the table, swiftly making her escape. Now was the time. The fish that was set before her made her sick. She was more on pins and needles, waiting to get away from Dane. She would praise Shaundi later for this. Thank god she was almost run over.

Haven gotten the location, Kyouki pulled up in the bank's parking lot. Shaundi was waiting, checking her gun. Kyouki reached into her glove compartment, putting her gun in the back of her jeans.

"Dane?"

"Later. I'll grab her and you cover me. You ready?"

"You know it, Boss."

Jessica was standing in line, waiting for her turn as she chatted on the phone with Maero. Shaundi walked in and right behind Jessica, Ky stood off to the side, pretending to file out a deposit slip. All the while keeping a watchful eye on the position of the guards, her guards, popping an earbud in her ear she picked a good song to mellow out to.

Jessica smiled and waved at the teller. The teller buzzed her through. Shaundi walked up to the window, then off to the side. Kyouki followed quickly behind.

Once through the door, she nodded at the teller, who nodded back. Jessica was just hanging up the phone when she reached the end of the hall to a keypad. Kyouki peered around the corner, waiting for the code input.
Soon as the door clicked, Li slipped from her position, grabbing Jessica covering her mouth, whispering in her ear.
"Scream and I will snap your trash neck like a pencil." Taking the red-head's cell phone so she couldn't contact Maero.

Shaundi came in shortly after. They loaded up several bags to be picked up later from a few of the Saints who worked in the bank. They slipped out of the back door. Shaundi took Jessica's car keys and when they reached Li's car, popping the trunk, knocked her out, and shoved Jessica inside.

"Where are we taking her?" Shaundi asked when she pulled up alongside Li's car.

Li's response was turning up an old song she uses to work out to–Smack My Bitch Up.–By Prodigy.

~Day 4~

The sicking crack made Shaundi flitch, the sound of the chair going across Jessica's slight frame.

Ky just stood over top of her. Not a word at times spoken, just the sounds of wood or metal against flesh. Shaundi was getting ill watching Li work Jessica over. The pleas did nothing. Every time she cried out Ky, she kicked, punched, and just beat the living shit out of Jessica.

"This is what you did to Carlos?" The eerie calm in Kyouki's voice as she asked Jessica what was it exactly she did to Carlos.

With a nod when Jessica wouldn't answer, she raised her leg and came down with a crushing heel to the woman's ribs. Jessica's strangled screams were pitiful indeed. It still did not stop the onslaught. She was heaving and coughing up nothing.
Ky's plan was simple: give Jessica the same treatment as she gave Carlos.

"I asked you a question bitch, do you not speak fucking English?" Kyouki then stepped on her elbow. You could hear the cracking. Kyouki leaned over and punched her in her already swollen face. "Shut your fucking mouth. I am not quite done with you. I need a seat." Having a chair for her to sit, Ky would sit and rub her stomach. She would wince in pain, but the minute she got her wind, she was back to working Jessica over.

Shaundi watched Kyouki. No Li. It was as there was a woman within, like a woman possessed. Every move Li made was to inflict the greatest amount of pain without killing her. It scared Shaundi. She slipped out of the room and called Johnny. "Johnny…. Li… Li snapped…. She is going to take Jessica outside, I think." Shaundi's eyes went wide as saucers.
The look in Li's eyes was horrifying the way she walked out with Jessica in her hand–limp and dazed, blood dried and wet, coming out from her eyes, nose, and mouth.

Li held Jessica by her hair, dragging the woman to the door. "I think it's time for you to get some air, yes? Is this what you did to Carlos?" She tugged the woman out into the cool night.

"The Boss…."

"Follow her. I'll be on my way shortly."

"Right, fuckin hurry." Shaundi trotted to catch up.

"Grab her legs, then get in the car." Li's voice was like ice, but Shaundi did as she was told.

They drove with bass music blaring through the speakers, shaking the car and rattling the windows as they went to their destination. It was the University Arena. Li was chuckling as they pulled into the garage.

Popping the trunk, Li pulled Jessica roughly from the trunk. Shaundi was on the phone. "We are at the university. There's a Monster Truck Rally tonight."

"Shaundi!"

"Y-yeah Boss! Here, I'm here." Stowing the phone in her pocket.

Li looked around, and there was no one in sight. She headed to Jessica's car and popped the truck – Li had Jessica's car dropped here days ago. Shaundi did not know what for, she still didn't know.

Lifting the woman in the trunk was no simple task. Jessica tried to fight her way to freedom, with her body weak and hurting. There wasn't much use for her to struggle.

"I don't see how you can try to care for your life. All I did was give Maero a new hot toxic tat. You tried to kill my friend and kidnapped the other. And since this was part of the plan in case he died, I figure why let it go to waste… GET IT? Toxic Waste? No? Get in the Goddamn trunk."

Slamming the lid down on Jessica's fingers didn't stop Li. She reopened the trunk and kicked her in the chest to let her hand be in the trunk's way closing. Going to the driver's side, she had pulled into the arena. Empty, they will soon fill it. Ky wanted to have this done earlier, but Jessica kept a low profile.

Parking in a suitable spot, Kyouki tucked the keys in her pocket. She exited the main stage and went to the Frat loft once again to clean up. It was still hours before the rally began. Ky had time to eat and drink. Johnny showed up with Aisha. Shaundi was shaking her head.

The sound of cleaning in the basement was serious business, cleaning products fumes wafted in the air.

Kyouki came down the steps looking as if nothing happened. "Hey, I got us a few tickets to the Rally. Wanna go?"

After Maero finished his performance while waving to the crowd, Ky walked up close to the large man. When he spotted the rival, she gingerly tossed him the keys and pointed at the car he had crushed last.

Turning to leave, she, Johnny, Aisha, and Shaundi, with Ramon on speaker, listened to his anguished screams echo the arena.