Aisha was furious. The whole thing was a fiasco! The "engagement party" brought fresh trouble that left the unstable relationship with Kyouki further damaged.

Aisha didn't initially show it. Her feelings were all over the place when she first agreed to what Kyouki has said, separating herself from them. Not because she wanted to, but because she had to.

Didn't sit right with the former hip-hop singer. She was understanding enough and thought about what Ky had been saying before they started their relationship. Kyouki was engaged. She needed to be, because she needed to be over Dane's shoulder. Many factors played a role that Johnny nor Aisha factored in. The pregnancy and loss. Ky didn't factor that in. It would be tough to explain to anyone who has eyes. Dane and Kyouki were never anywhere doing anything remotely acting as what couples would do. To look at Kyouki on the outside, everything seemed fine, but Ky on the inside, Aisha knows well.

Ky loves her privacy it's how she operates. Kyouki kept things private to keep what she does, being a fighter, a killer, from everyone. Sure, they saw her around town, swinging in like some spider hero, but you would never know she was the head of an organized crime ring. Having ducked and dodged the media hounds for so long, having Kyouki on the end of that was not right.

Aisha found that out during her time with Kingdom Come Records, all that glittered was far from the precious gold. It was sweet-smelling shit. And as she found out slowly, she needed an out.

Ky is the opposite. She turns trash into treasure and needs an in. Dane also brought Ky's family in on it, her uncle Kazuo, and Kyouki would not risk Tracey's job for her gain. She would use the man infatuated with her. Aisha is here because she has her three protectors to make sure nothing happens to her. Maybe she can help.

At that Christmas party, they sang. Before that word got out, she was still alive. Even when Ky covered it up, it's still in circulation. Maybe she can help? She still has fans, right? Right now Kyouki was held up like a prisoner by the constant paparazzi with no way out. Who the hell was she kidding? She could get out. But there would be too many witnesses to the blood that would spill.

Christmas came and went with Kyouki, keeping her word. It felt empty even with Gat there. "Spring. Jesus. It will be here before we know it." Aisha said as she looked over Downtown. "Johnny, I'm stepping out in a few." Aisha was already on the move. She phoned some of her old contacts.

It surprised them to actually hear she was alive. They would do anything she asked. Aisha arrived bundled up for the winter cold. Less than an hour was on her way to talk to Dane Vogel to convince him how much of a horrible idea marrying Kyouki would be.

The Monday that followed Christmas, with the sudden crash of Ultor stocks, Dane was summoned to an emergency board meeting. It was too much. Dane had now tarnished the company. Marrying a gangster could undoubtedly cause further harm to Ultor's name. Absolutely unheard of. Their company was losing more money than expected, and fast.

First thing in the morning, Dane sat with his peers. A bunch of old dowagers and fogies who had pennies in the company his great-grandfather built. While some of these people are in the general age of his grandfather or father, Dane was that young, brazen, charismatic young man who had helped further promote Ultor. It was what they trained him to do and, like his father before him, he has to go through the same work ethic channels before the board promoted him.

"Dane, while your past projects have been yielding positive results, the board is a little concerned..." One of the older gentlemen started.

Dane sat with his hands folded on the table across from the man who first spoke. "I don't understand." He was genuinely confused about what the projects he had done before were being brought up into question this time.

Another of Dane's peers slapped his hand on the table. They had discussed privately a few nights ago as brokers bombarded them with reports of falling stocks due to his sudden announcement to the infamous gang leader. "The Saints are out of control! We have discussed this and we collectively disagree." The older man nodded, solidifying his disgust.

Dane shrugged as he looked at all of them at the table. "That was the point." He had just said many days ago. The senile farts celebrated. Now it's a problem?

The first man spoke up, much more polite than the other. "When you budgeted funds for 'force majeure' we didn't realize compromising Ultor as a whole was what you had in mind."

Dane's eyes narrowed. He knew what he was hearing, but what did these people think was going to happen?

"They have dealt with violent criminals. I shouldn't say they, She, my fiancee. Are you really surprised they haven't done something, or are you assuming she, I don't know, might do something violent? When the merger of our union happens, it will benefit all. I can assure you the shareholders will come around. The Ronin is a billion-dollar organization. We need them." Dane smiled. He knew what he was doing. They just could not see reason. Tradition often needs to be bent.

The men and women sitting around looking at each other, while it was a sound idea. In theory, criminals are criminals.

"It would kill your father to hear of this. Now we have done all that we can to not shock him with this. Dane... I am asking you to fix the problem."

Dane nodded. This man was like an uncle to him. The fact of the matter was, he was asking him to not go through with his forward thinking. "My father would agree with me. OK. Maybe I have been too obtuse. Let me try this again. There will be no problem."

"We've had enough of your ego! You are dangerously close to being..." the other man huffed, his jowls shaking in anger, blowing his top once more. The man was so furious he looked like a boiled crab.

Dane whipped around on the older man, who was now redder than a cherry. "Ego? My ego got you this far! Got you that million-dollar house you sit in. What has gotten you those vacations you love taking with your niece? So do not fucking sit there and tell me my ego is the problem!"

"Dane, calm down. No one means that, right? You have been…"

The red man waggled a plump finger at Dane. "Break off this idiotic idea with the Saints. Or being fired is the least of your worries."

Dane rolled his eyes at the man and glared hard at him. "Fire me? Is that what you think you can do? Fire me?" Dane scoffed.

The man with gentle tone sighed, quieting the room. "If we have to. Just take care of this, Dane." They all got up to leave.

"Of course, I will." He could not believe he was under threat of being punished for what they were too scared to do.

Left alone, the lights went off, as there was no movement. Dane sat in the moderately lit room. How dare they threaten him? Who did they think they were? They were his father's employees, his employees. Dare they to threaten to fire him? He needed Kyouki. She can make it right.

"There you are, Mr. Vogel. There is a Miss Aisha James to see you?" Jamie poked her head into the meeting room after looking to see Dane was not in his office.

As if God had shown him a sign. "I'll be right there. Thank you, Jamie." Smoothing down his hair and straightening his tie, Dane took a deep breath to calm himself down before heading to speak with his guest.

Kyouki knows how to keep a low profile when needed. When she first stated that the three of them could no longer see each other, was to start with the changing of hands. Before word got out. Now all the large windows covered with thick curtains to keep the nosy media out.

In the living room with a team of people and yards of bolts of fabrics and sewing instruments, on a block Kyouki stood, arms outstretched for the ceremony furisode fitting. Regardless of Dane's performance, her life and livelihood wouldn't stop.

Fabric rustled, pooling around her feet. The decorated fabric has long graceful sleeves, designed with exotic-looking birds. Golds, black, purples, and white. Soft, being stitched for what was inevitable. Still, she grew irritated at the thought of Dane announcing more than what was agreed. She could hear the helicopters outside every so often. They temporarily had her trapped, and that bothered her. She knew that once the media would simmer some, she could eventually go out to get her other things done. Importantly, tell the crew, the entire crew, to have them pass the message on for what is going to happen.

Kyouki needed to do something. Waiting around was not something she was accustomed to. Anything to take her mind off of wanting to wring Dane's neck. That was putting it much too nicely. She's done worse to people. Why should Dane be any different? Kyouki huffed and the tailor, who was her uncle's personal outfitter, looked up and nodded. He was finished anyway. He silently shifted and removed the robe from Kyouki, proceeding to usher everyone out.

Now alone, she sat on the couch. It was quiet, dull noises from outside, the only sound in the room. She did not like it. Getting up, Kyouki braided her hair in two pigtails, then pinned them up. Going to her closet pulled from it her catsuit, sneakers, vest and head covering, looking like a walking shadow with the black she had on. She needed to go out to get a few things done. There were guards on her floor to keep the press out. There were people stationed outside as well. Her uncle's men. She was safe, but she needed to go out the back way.

Down the staircase, she headed to the lower level garage. Face covered, spotted a few media personnel who broke away from the primary group that clung to the front. She was certain Shogo told her location.

"Wow, just like the movies." Ky laughed to herself. She ducked, slinking in the shadows of the parked cars. "Asses, go find someone else to be bothering."

Cars coming in and out. She could follow the traffic that was leaving. The only problem, the small group was right at her car. Dressed as she was, she would be a sure giveaway. Creeping close, she slid along the wall like a thief to her own car. This was ridiculous and certainly a story to tell the others. But there she was playing ninja in the parking garage of her home.

"Imma kill that handsome fuck." She cursed Dane.

"Did you hear they sighted Aisha over at Ultor today."

"Really, damn, that would have been a couple hundred bucks in my pocket. Damn. Who got photos?"

"Ralphy, and Jessy. They were looking to get some shots of Vogel. Saw Aisha and took off."

"I thought that was a hoax? You know her double."

"Nope, she stopped to talk to a few people on the way in."

Kyouki stopped mid-creep. Ish was out? And alone? She hit the car she was in front of, making the alarm go off. There was someone who luckily was also out there beside her, and the small snappers went in their direction. In her car, she pulled out of the car park.

"G, what was Ish doing today?"

"Oh, so you know how to call?"

"Don't start that shit. She was over at Ultor today. Why?"

"I don't know. She said she was heading out."

"Johnathan. Why can you not keep an eye on her?"

"Don't start that shit. I figured no one is gonna fuck with her."

"I guess, but I am heading to Purgatory and Koi. I need to show up."

"You gonna tell them?"

"Yeah. I have that feeling they already know, though, so…"

"I'll meet you at HQ, then."

"Aight. Later."

To keep the businesses alive, her face needs to be shown. Just because the media was lingering didn't mean all things should stop.

Dane was now on the hunt for his fugitive fiancee. After the entire holiday weekend passed without a word, the sudden appearance of her best friend, his determination, was higher than ever! He needed Kyouki to agree to his proposal, publicly, that despite being a gang leader, there was nothing illicit about her leading them. She needed to point out the good qualities, the good things she has done with the Saints at her command. At least to the Board members.

Aisha trying to sway him like those old wrinkled, fat fucks, he realized. If you wanted, you could call this man a stalker. He knew her schedule like it was his own. She always, without fail, goes to Koi on Mondays and the second and or fourth Fridays of the month.

"Jamie, have the car ready for me."

"Yes, sir." The secretary said.

"Mr. Vogel, target sighted, alone."

"Be there in soon." Dane got confirmation she was there. He needed to confront her, apologize and convince her to speak with the Board. What can he say? On the ride to the nightclub, he thought of the exact words that would pull her favor to him once again. "James, hurry." There was little time to lose.

"Girl, wtf?" Bombarded the second she stepped in the back door of the club.

Ky shook her head at both her co-workers. "Don't."

"Yeah, dish."

Ky started with a shrug. "Dates, got serious, broke up-"

"Not that. We saw you together." One waved off Dane's engagement announcement.

"Then what?" Kyouki was confused.

"The Saint's. And Ronin? You are an Akuji?"

Kyouki's phone vibrated in her pocket. There were two missed calls and a few text messages. Three from Aisha and one from Ms. Osprey.

"Hold that thought." Opening Aisha's, she briefly read what she said. Furiously texting her back.

-We are going to start a girl group… with Ultor…

THE HELL!-

Listen, he postponed, but you just have to-

Ms. Osprey then interrupted the message calling. "Yes?"

"Mr. Vogel is on his way to see you. There may be people there. He knows you are at Club Koi." She hung up.

The undercover agent signaled to his partner. "The target's in position, bring in the Masako Team?" His partner nodded.

Kyouki had poked her head out. She saw no one suspicious. Stepping out fully saw four large men in uniforms, not standard cop uniforms. Ky went to run, and they fired a shot whizzing past her head that hit her co-worker in the chest.

"April!" screamed the other.

Kyouki wide eyed the girl on the floor bleeding, when she turned to face them. Immediately helping to push her back into the backroom store room. "Put pressure on it. I'll call for help!" Ky ducked behind the bar to reach the cellar there. More shots rang as glass shattered over her head. They emptied the Club of patrons.

When the gunman ceased fire, arguing about the orders for being there, she peeked up at the mirror over the counter. She was looking at a heavily armored man and the barrel of an enormous gun aimed at the back of her position. It cocked, and she went to reach for the latch near her right foot. "This could have gone better… Maybe I should have stayed home."

Ky's phone rings. It was Johnny.

"Hey, I'm not seeing you. Where you at? I heard gunshots."

"Koi. I got into a bit of trouble… co-worker needs medical and I'm surrounded." She said, sitting in the chair by the heavily armed guards. "[If you're thinking, come don't.]" She whispered.

"I'm not. I'm tied up, too." Johnny was backing up himself when guards were surrounding the building. "Seems like your lil boyfriend found you."

"Yeah… you good? Hold up, give me a sec, call an ambulance for me." Ky hung up. Kyouki raised her hands above the counter to show she had no weapons. "What ya'll want with me?"

"Are you Ms. Akuji?"

"Who wants to know? There is an injured person. If you want me, help her."

The sound of boots scuffling and shifting. "We are not obligated to care for anyone else."

Kyouki rolled her eyes. Hopefully, Johnny made the call. Ky put her hands on the counter and stood slowly. She went to take a seat, and they surrounded her.

Minutes passed and one guard was talking about the weapons they have, just active prototypes from a place called Pyramid R&D. Another guard silenced him. The one in front of Ky looked back at her and said nothing else.

As long as she sat, she kept stealing glances to the back room. Her leg was violently vibrating. If the place is surrounded, like Johnny said, they would be useless unless she can get the young woman out.

"Umm… 'cuse me? I need to che-"

Dane walked in the middle of her sentence. "Oh, thank God. I saw people outside cowering and thought you were in danger." He came right for her.

In that second distraction, Ky took down the two men in front of her, kicking them in the backs of their knees, causing them to stumble forwards, loosening their grips on their guns. Snatching one gun, putting a bullet into the two behind her and the two on the ground. Taking aim at Dane's head. His hands went right up in defense.

"Me? Nah. But these guys were. Sit." Ky held the gun still aimed at Dane. Daring him to move with her eyes then went to the front door. More guards came in behind him. "Who the fuck are these guys?" She quickly let off a round to each of them and ducked quickly back in for them to follow. She breezed past Dane before heading to the back door. Surely the armed men would run to the front and as she let the chilly night air in, she could hear Dane shouting on the main floor.

"Do not harm her!"

Seeing Johnny, Pierce and Shaundi, she waved them in. "Are you alright?" Shaundi asked, coming in, a small pistole in her hands.

"Yeah. Quiet." She made a gesture behind her. Leading them to the storage, the one girl was moaning weakly while the other was in tears. She jumped, hearing the door open.

Ky issued her order to Pierce. "Take her to the hospital now. She's lost a lot of blood. Go with them, it's safe, go." Ky shoved the other girl out of the door. Ky pressed the gun into Johnny's chest.

He gestured for her to come with him, grabbing her arm and pulling her. "Let's go." He hissed out.

"I can't. I'll be there later. Go." Watching him leave, she took a deep breath with her hands behind her head. "All right. I give. I'm coming out." She shouted out for Dane and his cronies to hear.

"My Lady, you are formidable." Dane complimented her as he looked at the downed men.

"That was nothing. These your men?" Kyouki pointed at them. "You sent them after me?" Her eyes narrowed in accusation.

"I sent them as guards. That's who… What they were. I came to ask you for a huge favor."

Kyouki could not believe what she was hearing. "You know what the muthafuckers did? They shot at me. Shooting someone and shot up the bar. But you sent them to ask me a favor?"

"I honestly did. I did not know they would take it that far. Specially trained. My apologies."

"Don't send people out like that after me. I might take it the wrong way. Call maybe? I don't know." She shrugged.

"I called. You never answered."

Ky shrugged. That was her point. She went to turn to walk to look at the damages, guns aimed at her once more.

"Ok, ok. No need for all of that. You may wait outside." Dane gestured to the door. "Kyouki. Can you please, please, I implore you to speak with the board members and let them know you are not a gangster with nefarious intent?"

Kyouki snorted and then guffawed that built to a howl of laughter. She couldn't breathe. Ky slapped the bar and threw her head back in laughter. Her knees were weak as she laughed aloud.

"You…. Oh god, wait.." she was red from laughing so hard. "Me not nefarious-" She stomped and cackled. "I sell drugs, flesh and kill people. You want what you saw on stage?" She laughed out loud.

Dane nervously chuckled at her. A thought of her cooperating, he assumed. "I know I am asking much of you?"

"You think? I can fuck you up sure as look at you. This is because of your asinine proposal. They don't want to be associated with a known criminal, now known. You fucked yourself. I had zero intention of marrying you. I meant that."

They faced off. Dane had an ace up his sleeve. She will have to agree. "How about I sign you and Aisha to our upcoming record label? I will drop the date of our marriage for a much later time? We can build anew once again?"

"You are really desperate."

"Damn. Absolutely. For you only. I would never extend an offer for just anyone."

If Kyouki can keep him begging, she can get him to agree to anything. She shook her head. Aisha got him to ease up, but she still had to show a face to cover his ass.

Just how far can she get away with her scheme?

"How's this? On two conditions I will agree to marriage. One. I take seventy-five percent. Company, your wealth. Two. You can see whoever you want as long as you never lay a hair on me. Public appearances only. And three…"

"You said two?"

She glared at him. "Three. We work just as a business merger as we first agreed? Meaning, you do not get to touch my property without my consent, ever."

"I- yes." Dane agreed. He raised his hand to shake hers.

Kyouki turned and pulled a contract from her vest pouch. Handing Dane a pen, she watched as he signed the document. She officially agreed. Dane pulled her close, dipped his head, kissing her. Ky bit his lip. "I do not agree with a relationship with you. Call your girlfriend for that." She shoved him back, snatching the paper, leaving him to stand with the bodies of his guards.

Dane followed behind. He saw Johnny, her bodyguard, waiting, placing a hand on her lower back, hurriedly in and out of the shadows across the parking lot. Huge neon sign. Purgatory.

Kyouki and Gat came in with him, looking at her hands. She got a piece of glass stuck in it and she was picking at it. They came down the steps and Shaundi was looking over the gun that Ky had left with Gat.

"I liked Ultor a lot more when they just made clothes..." Shaundi said, looking at the weapon.

Pierce looked up and nodded at Ky. "Whatchu do to piss these guys off?"

"I went into hiding. They found me cause ya know… You heard, right?"

Pierce nodded. "Yo, I signed on for killin' gang bangers, not fightin' some SWAT team from hell."

"Well, lucky you only had to deal with like, what one? Don't worry about it..." Ky said in a snort.

"The fuck you mean, 'don't worry about it', these guys are pickin' space-age shit... And what was that shit that went down?"

"Ok, in short? Yes." Ky said.

"What?" Pierce was confused.

"Dane sent these assholes after me to get me to agree to deal with the Ultor Board cause they don't want him marrying me."

"Marriage?" both Shaundi and Pierce said.

"Yeah. I agreed. But not without something to gain from it. From what I hear, he wants my properties." Ky went on explaining as she continued to scratch at the shard in her hand. Gat pulled his dagger and took her hand to pierce her skin. "Speaking of this thing. Shaundi, you date anyone who worked at a place called the Pyramid R&D?"

Shaundi scrunched her nose in thought, and she had no one she knew. "No."

"For real?" Pierce was really shocked. Shaundi didn't have anyone she knew in a specific place for once.

Kyouki thanked Gat was putting a bandaid on her hand. "Alright, you two find out whatever you can about this place... I with have to play good wife and take these assholes apart from the inside. Oh, before I forget, let the crew know. I'll make the official announcement."

Kyouki waved goodnight heading home, at least downtown, to talk with Aisha about her "help". "Johnny, do you know what Ish did? Oh, let me tell you what Dane said!" Kyouki was back to cackling like a witch on their way out.

Ultor begins "aggressive re-development"

Ultor has deployed its personal security force to help apprehend the Third Street Saint, Kyouki Akuji. While the Ultor Masako Team engaged the Saint in a bold firefight, Ultor happily reports that there were no civilian casualties.