Tohoku Towers, the Ronin's Headquarters, stood proud and has seen all as a sentry watches their post. The Oyabun was reading the morning paper, at the same time hearing that the young Ms. was being released from the hospital.

Kazuo allowed her the rest. After taking down a threat that was meticulously picked apart, she would need it. With the other distractions out of the way, she and he can begin discussing the next step.

Shogo was in his room, brooding. They kept him informed of the current events around the city. He found out Gat was with his cousin. It was after his father went out of town. Shogo went to work. That's when he had the idea to retake two of the biggest areas once more. To lure out Johnny Gat. Figuring that he just needed to get them in separate places. But that hasn't happened. Why wasn't Gat, the rightful Saint's leader, coming to stop him?

Kyouki was just saying it to keep her friend safe. Has to be. Shogo refused to believe that his Golden Cousin was a better leader than him.

His best man, Guy, kept him filled in. Coming to Shogo's room door, knocking walked in a moment after.

"Morning Shogo. Your dad wants to speak with you." He thumbed back behind him.

Shogo nodded. He went to put on his jacket. Unsure of what his father would have to say to him. He held mild interest as he headed down to the office that he once sat.

The two guards at the door rapped once and slid the double sliding doors open. Shogo stepped in the doors closed behind him. His father was behind the newspaper. Flashes of him as a child in Japan made the young Akuji suck in a breath.

Exhaling. "[You wished to speak to me father?]"

Kazuo turned the newspaper page in was reading. Not bothering to look at his son. "[How can your cousin handle business you should have?]"

"[Because I am incompetent.]" Shogo gritted his teeth.

His father grunted with acknowledgement, turning the page once more. "[When I sent you here, you had two things I requested. Do you remember them?]"

Shogo nodded. "[Yes. Find out what exactly happened to Kyouki and find who murdered her, and deal with them.]"

The paper turned once again and Kazuo let out a chuckle. "[Jyunichi, look here, this is amusing.]" Pointing to the comic strip. "[I like the Far Side comics.]" He sighed. His attention back to the paper, he smiled, folding the paper and placing it down. "[She has accomplished many things where you have not. You would do well to learn from her.]"

Shogo bowed. "[Yes father.]"

"[Then maybe when she is ready to retire, she will pass the Ronin to you, if you do not continue to disappoint. Ah, I also like that Calvin and Hobbs.]" The elder Akuji stated, with Jyunichi agreeing.

Shogo looked up. His father was really handing the Ronin over to Kyouki. Overlooking his own child, his blood, first and only child, for his niece!

Shaken, Shogo bowed. "[Yes. Father.]" turning he left back to his room.

Kyouki was a stain that needed to be rubbed out.

A few days later, the clearance to leave was given. "Thank you, Dr. Adams. For everything." Kyouki got her paperwork and her prescriptions from the nurse. She fixed her clothes before heading out of the door.

The doctor stopped her once more. "Oh, Kyouki, be sure to come back in two weeks so we can see how you are doing, alright?"

With an absent nod, Ky gave her word. She felt selfish. When they took her off the pain meds, she felt numb cramping. Why did it make her feel bad? She didn't know. Maybe her breakdown when Johnny told her was because of the stress. After all, they could have lost Ish, and almost lost Carlos. Then she felt sick as a dog behind the lil' body snatcher.

Couldn't or shouldn't have a kid, anyway. Her life is not built around children.

'Besides, he didn't seem to broken up about it, so why should I?' As she walked the halls to the foyer Kyouki realized. She's much too active to settle into parenthood.

Her cousins are enough.

Hell, she almost lost her life numerous times in the past three years alone. Fuck, even Maero almost choked her out.

Johnny. "Damn." Ky sighed. For sure, she thought for certain Aisha would be knocked up. Well, considering how much Gat presses to have his itches scratch. Ky blushed in thought and chuckled to herself. Kyouki and Gat as parents. She shook her head. No way. But it was almost a reality. The three of them have had more physical contact than Kyouki ever imagined.

Kyouki took a deep breath as she stepped from the hospital. The sun was high in the winter sky and it was blinding. Wind swept coolly, brushing her cheeks. The December temperatures hit differently.

Gat was stepping out of the car. Ky smiled, an odd tingle, almost as if he physically touched her when she looked at him today. He opened the door for her, kissing her before she sat in the back seat.

"Hey Izzy." Ky smirked, greeting Ish. Gently sliding forward to plant a kiss on her cheek.

"Izzy?" She turned to look at her friend.

Ky shrugged. "Why not?"

Aisha rolled her eyes playfully.

A wave of sadness washed for the briefest moment. Seeing Gat and Ish, share a loving glance. She looked out of the window. It had felt different, the world right now.

"I could go for a burger and fries. My treat!" Ky said cheerfully.

"Stop." Aisha said.

Confused, Kyouki leaned forward. "Why?"

Johnny reached back, took her hand, gave it a loud kiss, then drove off to Purgatory.

"But I want burgers and fries." Ky pouted.

Forced to enjoy the city ride, Ky looked around out of the window again. She wasn't quite done. With Maero and the General gone. A weight had undoubtedly been lifted. She still needed to deal with Ultor, Dane, and her uncle.

Then there is still the matter of Shogo. God, she wanted that snot to just quit. And like when they were little, he would take out what caused him embarrassment. Like her uncle's dog. She really liked that dog.

If Johnny had only gone with the plan.

Kyouki was greeted on her way in with smiles. She descended the staircase, stopping on the first landing. "Guess who's baaaack. I have really got to stop falling through buildings." She placed a finger on her chin coyly.

"HEY BOSS!" they cheered, everyone who heard her in greeting.

"I had the worst food, but I'm in the mood for yums. I think I shall make it up to you tonight. You hit the store, get some ribs, chicken, burgers and seafood. You go get us more liquor, you music and you go get the sides, and you go light the grills. WINTER BBQ TONIGHT, WE PARTY!" Ky threw her hands in the air in grand fashion. She turned to her bedroom, the smile slowly faded from her face. Aisha and Johnny followed.

~*~*~

Gat locked the door behind them. "You good?"

Ky nodded with a new smile and went to the bathroom to clean her face. Looking at herself in the mirror, she looked tired. Pulling out the eyeliner and face soap, she gave her face a bit of cleaning.
Patting her face dry, Johnny pressed behind her. She could feel his heat.
Ky smiled behind the towel. "Why are you always so damn warm? I have some things on my mind."

"Like?" Gat kissed her neck. She crooned.

"Shogo." Fighting the urge to laugh.

Gat's head shot up and glared at her in the mirror, "Shogo, the fuck you thinking about that prick for?"

"Several things. One, he is lurking. When I go to visit my uncle, he is never around. We been lucky so far. Two… I told my uncle that I would consider taking over." She watched the expressions on Gat's face.

His slow climb went from confusion to understanding. Ky turned to face him and sat on the counter. Aisha came in.

"Figured it out?"

Ky nodded. "He knew I was a Saint. You read it. Rollerz and Ronin shipping parts, buying, selling. Yeah. Well. The new guys you may not have seen, but I borrowed some of them. With Maero gone I… you could say they are mine." Ky squinted. "Will be."

Aisha squeezed herself between Ky and Gat. Unzipping her hoody, she looked at the tight stomach the fitted shirt showed off. Putting her arms around Ky's waist, she gave her a tight hug.

"How are you feeling?" Aisha muttered in her chest.

"Fine." Hugging the woman back.

Aisha nuzzled closer. "I don't believe that."

Ky pulled Ish back and cupped her cheeks. "I. Am. Fine." She stated, looking her in the eyes. A quick kiss on the corner of her mouth. Ky felt that sadness again. "I'm nowhere near ready for that. Hell, I don't own a pet yet. I could die tomorrow and then where would my pet be?"

Ky smiled. Gat knew she was deflecting she is chatty, not her normal. Normal is quiet and brooding. He had time to think about it. They aren't ready for that step. Ky puts herself out there all the damn time, Maero was just one instance of yet another close call. Gat shook his head.

Ky hugged Aisha once more, reaching into her pocket, looked at the phone and sighed. "No better time than now." She then went through her contacts, finding a number she needed to call.

"[Hello?]" a voice said after the first two rings.

"[Yes, this is Akuji Kyouki - san. I believe you were expecting my call.]" She rubbed Aisha's back. "My tummy hurts." Ky's face soured.

Johnny went to get her pain medicine.

A moment or two later, the receiver was picked up and a deep clearing of a male's throat could be heard. "[Kyouki–san, it is a pleasure to hear from you. Your uncle called to tell us.]"

"[I bet. Though I have several things to tie up here before I can leave. I wanted to confirm with you the process. I will need new Kimonos. Could you send my uncle's designer over?]"

"[Of course. We will await your word until then.]"

They both hung up. Johnny came back, handing her a water and pill bottle. Johnny, overhearing her conversation, picked up bits of her conversation. Li took the tablets and slid from the counter. Her phone rang out as she was drinking. Looking down, she answered.

"[I shouldn't pick up the phone. You ignored me. Yes. I know you did. I have something to do. Later this evening, I will be by. Ok love you too.]"

Ending the call, he replaced Aisha, who sat on the counter, wrapping arms around her.

"When will you be leaving?" Johnny placed kisses on her neck once more.

"Not soon, but soon." Ky smiled.

"Not what I mean."

"Japan?"

Gat nodded and Ky hummed in thought, going down the list of things she still had to handle.

"Ultor and my property. I have to deal with Vogel. Those are the current things to do. Before I leave."

Johnny nodded. With Dane, he wanted to go with her. He wanted to see that traitor and shoot him himself. If Dane didn't side with Maero, she never would have been put in the hospital, causing her pain. Causing…

Gat cleared his throat. "Aight, let's get back out there to get this shit set up." Johnny gave his girls a kiss on the tops of their heads.

Ky turned back to the mirror and applied her eyeliner, pulled her hair back, and glossed her lips. Aisha and she both headed up to the remodeled kitchen that was the Mission house, grabbing the pots they set up for the troops when they returned.

"Nimani. Baby! These ugly bums scare you?" Kyouki picked up her crying cousin. "Aww, no want me to beat them up?"

When the little girl wiped her eyes and nodded yes, Kyouki crooked a finger and bonked the guys on the head who fell down for the little lady.

"See I got em. You all better now? Should I whomp them more?" Ky hugged the baby and passed her off to Tracey. Kyouki "beat up" some of her crew, who laughed, running away.

Ky brushed her hands off. "That's right, run, you cowards!" She shook her fist at them.

"Girl, I heard you sure you can play around like that?'' her eldest cousin asked.

"Yeah, as long as I take it easy for a while. Oh, there's something I wanted to talk to you about."

"Me too."

Both women headed inside. They went down to Kyouki's office, where Ky was greeted like royalty. The women set the kids down. They were playing with their toys immediately.

"Ok. You go first. I think mine is.. much more mind blowing." Ky started.

Tracey nodded. Anything her cousin does is mind blowing. Knowing full well she's "The" Boss and not just knowing one or two Saint like she initially thought is unimaginable, still.

Tracey thought about how to explain what had been going on. At work with Dex, it was unbelievably generous and unexpected. "Ok. Since Dex and I have been communicating about E.J he has been…" she didn't know how to say it.

Dex had been kind, kinder than she was used to from anyone. Sizeable sums of money attached to her paychecks. A gift or two for her and E.J even something for Nimani. "Dex has been doing too much. I don't know why. But when I try to return them, he tells me to keep them."

Kyouki wasn't sure what to make of it either. "Do you want him to stop?"

Tracey just shrugged. "I don't know. It just sudden? It's out of the blue."

"But he knows E.J is his, so he is doing his part?"

"I said I wasn't looking for nothing. I.. You right. He is just doing his part. But he is married. I said to him, 'Is your wife good with this?"

"And?"

"He didn't answer. I shouldn't have said anything."

"No, you did the right thing." They nodded and agreed silently as they watched the kids play.

"What had you wanted to say?"

"I may take over the businesses for Uncle Kazuo."

Tracey nodded, stopped, and turned to face Kyouki. The look of utter confusion and shock etched on her face. "Wait. What? You just.. You're leaving already?"

"No time soon. But yeah. Sorta gave my word…"

"The hell about Shogo?"

Kyouki shrugged. It was a passing thought. She let Gat and Asha know. Tracey now knows. Doesn't know it the fucking Yak, but she has to honor her word. Still has yet to tell Bobby, Aunt Mini and the crew….

"Damn." Ky said out loud. The crew, our enemy, is the Ronin. Their enemy, she is the middle man keeping the peace.

"Ooh Aunty said a bad word." E.J tattled.

"Oops sorry." She popped her lips. "I naughty." She looked at Tracey and nodded. "Yeah. Means I will leave Stilwater for a while."

Maybe the recent events led up to this. She was raised for it. She's taken down the biggest assholes ever in this city. Taking over means more men, women, more power to protect people. Like her little cousins. A weary exhale. She did not need to go thinking about everything in her life that has led to today.

It has been so much.

Ky felt arms about her pulling her into a hug. "You did good. Cleaned the streets. How you are a gang leader, who was cleaning these streets before. I will never know. But you should rest."

"I can't. I'm not done yet."

"What do you mean?" Releasing Kyouki.

"Your boss is trying to claim my property. And through marriage."

"... What?" Tracey's brain looped through what she heard.

Ky leaned forwards when Nimani handed her a Legos to put together. "In the Spring. I am to become Mrs. Dane Vogel."

Tracy's mouth hit the floor. "Wait. No. No no no no no no. What about? You and Dane Vogel?"

"What about… what?" Ky asked.

"Johnny?"

Kyouki smiled as she handed her baby cousin back her blocks. "There is nothing. Can't be. Why would you ask?"

Tracey explained how Drunk Johnny said what he wanted to and from Ky. Ky laughed, brushing it off with a wave of her hand.

Johnny was right outside the door when she said they were nothing, and she is marrying. Twice he went to go into the room. Again, he will have to prove a point that she is his.

Johnny has no plans to let her go. For anyone. He left back out to keep an eye on the others.

Tracey was shocked. How did Ky end up with Dane, and no one knew?

"Just don't tell aunty please. I'll do it tomorrow."

Tracey agreed, but still had one elephant sized question. "How did you end up engaged to my boss?"

Kyouki sneered. "He threatened Uncle Kazuo."

Tracey never thought such a nice guy like Dane was a bully. Then, in the game of corporations, you have to be tough. But underhanded? Tracey wasn't for stooping that low, but she can see how Ky would settle things amicably.

"But marriage?" Tracey was still trying to wrap her mind around her cousin getting married.

"It's not me. It's not for me, I should say, I don't want to marry someone like him. Business is what it is."

"Business marriage? That's a figure of-"

Kyouki was shaking her head no. It wasn't; it was very real, and she's going to be one. One that is in a loveless marriage to a man who can't look past the money.

"Is there another way?"

Once more her head shook no. "I've picked the dress, shoes, ring. Place. And still working on the prenuptial." Kyouki was getting sleepy. She kept rubbing her forehead. The day had been long. "Only so many hours in a day."

Tracey snorted. The kids yawned and rubbed their eyes. It was around five in the evening. Ky offered for them to stay, then thought better of it. Pierce was on his way out with a plate for his grandmother, so they would get home with an escort.

Hugging the family, Ky left the party to the others and came to lie down. If she had to leave the city, who would she leave in charge? There was only one person she trusted enough to leave that responsibility to: Johnny. Her arm over her eyes, she laid in her office on the couch.

Johnny came to check on her. He saw she was asleep. Grabbing a blanket, he covered her up. Then he sat on the floor, thinking of what she said.

He can't get mad. They have told no one they were screwing. He doubted Pierce and Shaundi pieced together her baby; the baby who had lost was his.

Aisha came in looking for the two head honchos. Found them napping, she sat next to the sleepers, then dozed off herself.

An hour and the Energizer bunny that is Kyouki was recharged and ready to set off. Slipping the blanket on the cuddled pair.

"I know you heard me move, you sneaky ass. I'm going to see my uncle. Do not leave here."

Gat grabbed her hand, and she hissed, coming to meet his face as they looked at each other.

"Dane can't have you." Gat said in hushed tones, leaning to kiss her.

Ky pulled back. "I'm in that mess because of you." Kyouki kissed his forehead. Left him to ponder what he had done.

Before Kyouki left for her uncle's, she headed to the bedroom. To pack all of her documents together. A pit stop with her temporary lawyer she wanted to make absolutely clear her impending nuptials would yield more, than half, or, less. She had properties for nearly all of Stilwater. The only parts left that weren't in her possession would be the northern parts of the city that are her uncle's.

There were needs to consider that, rightfully, the properties she brought out were not a sham that would be considered a protection fund. So Kyouki was back at Legal Lee's.

"Lee, as long as it's my name on the deed or it's in my possession? We may have to go against Ultor."

"Ultor? Why on earth would you go against the biggest global conglomerate? Your name." He said. "Same with a car title. Like the pink slips you used to bring in. Same process."

Kyouki remembered. She just wanted to be certain. "After what they did to the Row, I have a feeling that the rest of Stilwater will lose more of its charm."

Lee could understand the stark contrast between then and now. Many people came to him trying to not be pushed out of their homes. Their voices were unheard in the grand scheme and he couldn't help them. He watched many have to move.

"Oh, one last thing before I go. Make it so that Johnny and Aisha are legally married."

"That I can't do. They didn't show up at the courthouse."

"She was in an accident. And besides, I remember you needing help with something that required me spraining my wrist. And worse. Now if you want, I can call and have it looked into by the review board no matter how long it's been and have your license revoked."

Lee gawped at the young woman. The lawyer had used her and the Saints to commit insurance frauds for him to gain more clients. But some things he cannot swing.

"Talk to the judge… You would blackmail me?" Lee was shocked.

"If it gets me what I need. Yes. I am not above blackmailing. Lucky I like you, old man. Thank you for the advice."

Lee led her out of his office. They have quite sought him after when he stood on Johnny Gat's side during the trial. He had more than enough clients to live high off the hog. Kyouki wouldn't rat him out. Would she?

"I wouldn't really force your hand. No worries." Ky said over her shoulder.

It was like she read his mind. That was unsettling.

Kyouki headed to her car, then made way to her uncle. The drive through downtown was quiet, not quiet, as the streets were empty. Quieter that she has no one to deal with. No Brotherhood terrorizing, no Samedi lurking. Like Gotham City was crime free, Joker and Batman called a truce.

"I am Batman…" Kyouki howled with laughter and she brought herself to tears. "Batman has nothing on me." She smiled to herself.

The remaining drive was like a breath of fresh air. She wasn't looking over her shoulder, wasn't ducking bullets. This is all Ky had wanted. What she had until that faithful night.

Shaking her head, she refused to further entertain the past, at least that past. Pulling up to the hotel, they greeted her. "Lady Akuji."

"Stop that." Kyouki reprimanded.

"Yes Ma'am."

"[Uncle, where is Shogo? I would like him here with us…]"

The sound of the sliding double doors announced the very person she needed. "[I am here.]" Shogo said as he entered the double doors.