The Marina and Chinatown were full to burst of music, food, and beautifully dressed men and women in traditional outfits. Kyouki walked the boardwalk tasting all the street food she could. Festivals were her favorite, though this year was empty without Aisha or Johnny. She still had her uncles. Bickering, but they stopped long enough to taste the treats she shoved in their faces.
"{You know. Now you two need to be friends again. How long has it been?}"
Both Elders looked at their niece and then at each other. Both grumbled. Even Yunche chuckled. "《The young Miss is correct.》"
"《Boy, useless! Whose side are you on?》" Sheng gruffly asked his apprentice.
When he pointed to Kyouki, they all had a laugh. Sobering a tap on her shoulder.
"Hmm? Oh, Johnny, you're back!"
"Having fun?"
Ky nodded with a smile. Some sesame seeds on the corner of her mouth. Cause the tall man to chuckle.
"When you get back?"
Johnny reached to brush off her face. "Not too long ago. Was in Chinatown, some said you were here."
"Oh yeah. Came here cause of the junks. Uncle Sheng had them brought in." Ky pointed to the beautiful boats near the wharf.
Johnny nodded. He went to greet the elders, who greeted him in return.
"Ooh, I drank too much. I'll be back in a sec. Can you mind them please? They are still growly." Ky waved and headed to the nearest restroom.
Johnny was asked to watch her uncles, much to all three men's protest.
"{You do not have to stay with me. You can go after her.}"
"《I can look out for myself, and I have this idiot to help.》" Pointing to his translator behind them as Yunche translated.
"Your niece asked me to stay with you. She'll kill me if I don't do as asked."
Both elders looked at each other again.
The quad wandered around the festival somewhat, enjoying themselves. Johnny spotted a few things that he wanted to play with Ky as they walked by a few stands.
"What's taking her so long?" Johnny thought out loud. A crash sounded Johnny, and the others whipped around.
Gunfire, screaming people, bodies flung into the air from the far end of the boardwalk. A crash of a car slamming into another a building with that knowing dull thud.
"The fuck?" Johnny scanned as best he could through the wave of oncoming people.
Another shortly after screeching around the corner, Gat saw the car barreling through people, telling the two older men with him to run, he drew his gun opening fire on the driver side causing the driver to lose control and tumble into the food stalls cart-wheeling slamming into people in its path.
Sheng Tai ran in one direction, Kazuo in another. The car was Ronin that Johnny saw. 'Another sneak attack. Shogo is dead and the Oyabun wouldn't target people for no reason.' Johnny thought. "Kyouki!" He called out as he waded through people to her last spotted location.
Yunche called out to his master after being separated from the elder. He landed hard on his side when his cane slipped from his grip in the shuffle. He took cover and called Kyouki.
"Li'er, come quickly. Shifu Wong and Mr. Akuji. I lost them in the crowd." His voice held serious concern for his mentor.
Ky was just returning when the first crash happened. "Where is Johnny?"
"We got separated. They swept up everyone. I'm at a clothing shop." Yunche peered around from his hiding spot.
"Ok stay low and don't come out until I come for you." Ky hung up, ushering people to get to safety over to the rising sound of gunfire.
Kyouki saw the car that hit several people. Bodies limp underneath the crumpled body of the vehicle. In the distance, a few were in a fistfight with her Uncle Kazuo. She recognized one. Ky took a glass bottle at her feet and hurled it over Kazuo's head. When the others looked around to see who threw it, Kazuo took off running. Ky saw Johnny in the distance, but couldn't warn him. He was holding his own.
"Whoa…" Johnny's reaction when she was in his line of sight. Whoever she was after, she was heading to now smoking boats. Johnny looked horrified, but there was nothing that he could do in that instant. "Shit!" He ran through the watching crowd.
Kyouki careened through the maze of boats lined along the docks. Calling frantically for her uncle, the first boat she passed had caught fire, and it was spreading quickly. Ky found several scattered along the way, making quick work of the last loyal to Shogo. She cursed as the last boat was drifting far from the others.
"Oh, no the fuck you don't!" Kyouki ran leaping from the smokey boat to the one she saw that murderer on. Now was her chance to avenge Ish. She hit hard on the side, hanging onto the rope as it slowly pulled from the dock. Once she climbed, jumped, and dodged her way to the middle smoking boat, she looked for the man who took Aisha's life.
She trembled, her stomach flips. Like a scene from a movie, there was Shogo with Guy, standing with Kazuo.
"You set… me up! My father… my illustrious father, wanted… me dead?" Shogo wheezed.
Ky couldn't believe what she was seeing, her breathing ragged. "How are you alive?"
The three men turned to see Ky stood with them. Guy backed up when her eyes settled on him, though he stood on shaky ground.
"Well… well. Perf..ct." Shogo gasped out. Visibly bruised, displaced nose, and walked with crutches. "Just telling… father that… I had taken over… wouldn't be… here now." He spat.
He didn't look well. How he survived was the question.
The sudden sound of a loud firework went off as they drifted. Ky had that feeling of déjà vu. Trying not to express her shock, she took a step forward. "That would have been fine… if he didn't kill Aisha. Now he brought death on himself by being here." Another loud pop and Ky covered her ears. She could feel the junk rock, her head was spinning. "I can't breathe." She felt dizzy when she stood back up. Her eyes grew dark.
Shogo and Guy watched as Ky just stood jumping at the high-pitched whistles going off, the pops and hisses shaking. They have blown her up and met the Reaper, and she is expecting it again with fireworks going off in the distance boats. Beneath her feet, she could feel the pops. Her teeth chattered. It was getting warm. She could feel the heat of flames on her back. "I can't do this anymore."
Kazuo noticed she was unmoving lowered his sword, came closer, took her hands, and gave her a hug. "{When we thought you died, I was heartbroken.}" A beam crashed around them. He stood by her side, glaring at his son.
Kyouki had tears in her eyes. "It killed her, Obachan. Being in this gang, being related to you, kills people I love. My parents, your mother, even tried to kill me. My best friend gone!"
Kazuo nodded. "{For that you have my deepest sympathy when your Obachan spoke with me that day… no words could express how much it hurt losing you.}" He took her hands in his, he felt her shaking. Her knees were weak and ready to give under her. With a shake of her head, she didn't notice they were further out.
Li scowled at Guy, her face twisted in anger. "This muthafucker killed my girl because of you! Do you want to lead? Here I am, come get me." The fires crept closer, the beams falling faster, smoke burning her eyes.
"I will have to thank you in my acceptance speech."
Li sneered, taking her uncle's sword as she rushed at Shogo, knocking him off his feet. He fell limp. Several more loud fireworks pops went off. Kyouki swung at Guy. He jumped back, unsheathing his blade, but Kyouki was ready. Another swing severed his arm from his body. Screaming, Guy ran. A fiery beam fell in front of her, blocking her chase. A motorboat sped off with a crippled Guy getting away.
Turning to Shogo, she grabbed him by his collar. "We thought you died in that casket." A part of her, an infinitesimal part of her, was glad he wasn't dead.
The man shook his head. "Finish it. You… better than… I'll ever… be." Shogo gave in.
A beam creaked, then broke above her. Kazuo, seeing this, lunged, pushing her out of the way, the beam landing on her uncle's back, crushing the older man's spine. He screamed out in pain. Shogo's heart gave out in his weak condition.
"Uncle!" She tried to pull him out, he screamed from the pain.
"{Call Wong!}" He ordered.
She took out her cell phone, calling Yunche. "Put Uncle on the phone. Uncle Kazuo wants to speak with him." She put the phone near his ear.
"《Take care of her Wong. Continue looking out for her.》"
The beams were falling faster, Kazuo lifted his head and raised his hand to her, and Kyouki took it placing his hand on her heart. "{I can still get you out.}"
Kazuo shook his head. The fire eating at the wood inched closer. "{Since I won't make it out of here, everything has been prepared.}"
"Don't say that…"
Kazuo pushed her with his last strength. "Go!"
Gripping the sword tight, Ky did as told. She ran to the side of the ship, then dove just before the biggest of the fireworks went off, sending the ship splintering into a million pieces. Kyouki turned to see it happen with her two eyes. She knew they were gone. Her arms covered her head as she curled into a ball, landing back in the water.
Standing at the railing of the boardwalk was Troy. He came down with the fire department, calling the police and it was like déjà vu for him all over again.
Johnny had helped Wong into the car, along with Yunche. Johnny quickly ran to stand next to Troy. After the first boat exploded, he panicked. Seeing the last boat blow, he jumped over the railing. Troy did the same.
They were screaming her name. Johnny was a blur. He ran up the pier, moving onlookers out of his way, dove into the water.
Troy was behind Johnny and skidded to a stop. "Get me a life preserver!" Troy closed his eyes, at different times, same instance, his heart won't be able to take this a second time.
Troy scanned the murky waters from his position, he took off his hoodie, seeing bubbles along the other pier. Lifesaver in hand dove into the waters.
They hadn't broken the surface. Troy dove after them, swimming to the spot he watched Johnny do under. Several of his officers came down to watch the water. Saints were calling back and forth, relaying what was going on down at the Marina. Each held their breath.
The commotion was reminiscent of that night when Troy was frantically trying to get information from the firefighters. He heard several firefighters near the docks shouting back to where he was standing.
~*S.R.1*~
"There's movement in the water!"
Troy had been near the wreckage. He pushed his way past to the edge of the docks. In the distance, there in the dark water, was the floating body of a woman. "Kyouki!" He dove into the icy waters, pulling her to safety. "Oh god, baby, can you hear me? I NEED A CRASH CART, NOW! Baby, can you hear me?" Troy saw she had shrapnel impaled on her side. "FOR FUCKS SAKE SHE'S NOT BREATHING, MEDIC NOW!"
He applied CPR while waiting for paramedics to reach her. Time ticked away. Seconds seemed like hours. She slipped on him three times. He refused to let her fire out. They found her pulse, faint as it was. She was in the ambulance halfway to the hospital.
~*S.R.1*~
Kyouki remembered this weightless feeling, being in the water before, still motionless, the quiet. She opened her eyes to fire, sinking pieces of ship parts, floating flames of wood and fireworks debris. Dark images came at her. 'No, leave me…. just let go… Jo-hn-ny?' She could hold her breath no longer, her eyes drifting closed.
Gasping for air as she coughed some more. She groaned, the sun blinding in her face, her back on the warm wood, too tired to move. She heard muffled arguing around her, getting louder.
"I thought you would do the honor of saving her this time, for example, going on the burning boat with her." The police chief chuckled, seeing Ky was safe.
"The fuck you say to me?" Johnny snapped as he turned to face the ex-saint member. "You may be a cop, but don't think for one second you will hurt her again… you won't get near her again. You fucked her over once, and I will gladly kick your ass up and down Stilwater without hesitation." Johnny glared at him through his shades.
Troy winced he realized what he said. He rolled his eyes, trying to look Ky over. Johnny kept pushing him back.
"Still feel guilty? If it weren't for you, she would have never gone on that fucking yacht alone!"
"Why the fuck it matter to you? You had…" Troy didn't finish. It was still fresh. "Fine Gat, yeah, you're right. Ok, I screwed up." Troy threw his hands up, hoping to end the argument for good. "Let me take her at least, to get looked at. You too."
"Move bitch." Johnny stood, lifted Ky, and carried her to the boardwalk.
They, not noticing the dripping wet wreck, opened her eyes groggily looking between them.
"Friends… so much love. Put me down and get a room… you asses." Johnny didn't want to put her down; he needed to make sure she was in one piece. Seeing she was standing well. She coughed and sighed. "Can you two please put your fucking differences aside, I… I want to go home. I feel like shit and I'm wet, and I can't take this shit anymore." Ky coughed more, spitting water out. Johnny left to find her car.
"Babe, you ok?" Troy asked, following behind her up the steps.
She gripped the railing tightly. Nodding her head, she nearly fell and raised her hand to balance herself. Troy stopped her from falling back. "No… You don't need to worry… now, no… you know what, arrest me. I'm tired." Fresh tears fell, turning to him with her wrist out for him to cuff.
Troy shook his head. Her tears stung. He took a guess as to why she was tired. "No, I'm not gonna do that." This is the least he can do. He gestured for her to walk ahead of him.
"There is more than you know going on right now. Maybe one day we can have a sit-down and I'll tell you." With a nod, she started, but stopped, turning to Troy. "I'll bring a fruit basket when I can for all your help." Ky bowed and turned, heading to Johnny's car.
"《Li'er. My girl, are you alright?》" Sheng asked his niece.
Ky shook her head no. She just closed her eyes and hugged the older man tight.
Troy watched them when they left. One of the younger beat cops greeted him. "Chief, you're not going to arrest Johnny Gat?"
Troy raised an eyebrow. "I think he saved people today, taking down the Ronin." Troy clasp the young officer on the shoulder, going to survey the damage left by the disbanded yellow-clad gang.
On the way to the penthouse, Kyouki said nothing. She was disbelieving that she watched her family, the two men she grew up with, were gone. Officially numb, nothing was filtering through. Her phone rang and chimed, Johnny, talking to her, nothing. They had pulled into the garage and still, she noticed nothing. Kyouki had no more tears to cry.
"I just don't believe it. They're dead." She whispered. "Dead for real."
"Who?"
"Shogo and Uncle Kazuo." Ky bit her lower lip so hard it bled a little. Unknowing tears rolled down her cheeks. "Like…" she threw her hands up in defeat.
"Aw, shit…"
After a hot shower and a change of clothes, both Johnny and Ky headed to the hospital.
Jyunichi knew ahead of time what needed to be done. He then went to call overseas and inform them to make preparations.
"{Ane-san, will you be alright?}"
"{I have a choice? Get better, when I finish looking into something we can go.}" Ky said goodnight, then left, her mind prepping for what comes next.
Johnny talked to Kyouki about what happened on the boat. She told him everything that went down.
"We just buried Ish… now my uncle… Why me? Is it me?" Her head in her hands, she sat. "What did I do to deserve this? Was I a real shitty person in my last life or something?"
Johnny didn't know what to say. Yeah, Shogo was one thing, but the Oyabun. Not only does this elevate her to family head. This means she has to leave. "Shit happens. Not much that you can do about it."
Ky sighed, then got up and walked to the balcony. "This isn't a 'shit happens' This is just a fucking nightmare I can't wake up from." With a very audible sigh of disgust, she paced the length of the balcony. "When I asked what I will lose now, I DIDN'T MEAN REALLY SHOW ME!" Ky screamed to the night sky. She leaned on the railing, laying on her arms.
Johnny watched her. Yeah, it's some pretty fucked up shit.
"Johnny?"
"Yeah?"
"It's official." Ky felt Johnny rub her back. "Remember when I said we have to do things we don't want?" She could feel his arms around her. His face in her neck. "Tomorrow morning… I'll own Ultor."
"Meaning?"
"I become Mrs. Dane Vogel…"
Johnny stopped, his brows knitted. "The fuck?" Standing a now pouty Kyouki to face him. "You said you didn't have…"
"To get what I need… Remember, Dane is after my property. I am the Ronin now. Any deals made to go through me directly." Not a question, a pointed statement.
"After what that fuckhead did, you still going through with it?"
Kyouki nodded.
If the Saints could move as quickly and orderly as the people who worked for her uncle. No one would have died on her watch. She tried, really, to get the Saints to organize and operate smoothly.
The time it took for Jyunichi to make the call, two days later they all arrived on American soil, was world record-breaking.
Kyouki is normally a raised and bright person. Though now, her nights are sleepless. Johnny had to rush to her room screaming in cold sweats. Her dreams face the reality her Akuji family has met the ancestors, Kyouki couldn't close her eyes without seeing the past and present meld together. There would be no grand comeback for Kazuo Akuji. The more Kyouki thought about how she escaped death, the more she thought she was cursed.
"There's always a catch." Kyouki thought bitterly. "Damn." Ky shook her head. "Let's get this shit over with."
The New Saints Row district with its pristine facade, a towering monstrosity of Ultor looming its dominance over what once was the 3rd St. Saints hood. At least Ky has a marvelous view of the ocean. Her huge penthouse was full of people waiting for her order.
"{Business day. The merger happens today. After you all have the day to yourselves.}"
Ky had gotten up early. Gat wasn't ready. Ky poked her head in on him, still sleeping. That was fine. She didn't need him looming for today, anyway. A quick call to Dane to make sure he was well notified, and she was out of the door.
A driver awaited her as she slid into the leather seats of the town car. "{Phillips Building.}" She ordered the driver. A text to Jyunichi. He was ready and waiting outside Ultor HQ for her to arrive.
Johnny woke up and stretched. Looking around the room, they watched movies last night. No sign of her. With a quick text he went to the living room, and several people greeted him instead. "Who are you? Where is Kyouki?" Sending her a text, she didn't reply.
"Lady Akuji had a business meeting this morning. She said to make sure you are cared for. Is there anything you need, Gat-san?"
'Shit.'
The car pulled up to the doors of the Ultor corporation's main office and Kyouki was let out.
"Everyone here?"
"{Yes. They arrived not too long ago.}" Jyunichi said, walking close to Kyouki's side.
"You are better?"
"Yes."
"Oh, English?" Ky chuckled. She sobered quickly at seeing Dane.
"My Lady. I am glad you are, well." Dane started.
Kyouki shook her head. "No. I'm just alive."
"I have heard. I share my sympathies."
"Don't. I want to get this over with. I have other things to do." Kyouki went cold, but in order to make an omelet one must smash eggs against the wall.
Kyouki had five lawyers go over the paperwork twice over with Dane as well. They found nothing at fault with the prenuptial agreement. The paperwork was signed. It was official. She and Dane Vogel were husband and wife, all business between them.
Kyouki looked at Dane's outstretched hand. "Mr. Vogel. Pleasantries we can forgo. I have lost my girlfriend, cousin, and uncle. I am still in mourning."
"Is there anything I can do for you?"
"No need. Allow me to be honest. I take no pleasure in marrying you. But you have gained me much more. So I will at the very least thank you." Kyouki snapped, and the room with men and women in black suits. "They are here to record everything that goes on within Ultor. They are very good at their job. Anything and everything of importance comes to me. I then note what will pass."
"My lady, I'm sure there is no such need for this…"
"I assure you it is. I'll say I may have become paranoid, could be the constant death around me. Continue as you were. I have several other matters to attend."
Dane was dumbfounded, willingly he signed over his shares to her. Willingly. He kept her close for the properties to expand the pristine that is the New Saints Row. This was more than he had hoped. A smile planted itself on his face.
He cleared his throat. "We have a dinner event this evening. You will be there? After all, an agreement is an agreement."
With a roll of her eyes, she turned on her heel. Pausing but for a moment. "Any future events, engagements, or what have you will go through to my assistant. Dear Husband." She then left the office. Heading to the police station.
Ky arrived shortly at the station. Getting out of the car, she made her way up to Troy's office. There she found he was, standing talking to his deputy, who greeted her with a bow. She excused herself, leaving the two of them alone.
"For you." Kyouki handed him a fruit basket as promised.
"You didn't have to." Troy closed the door behind him when he led her to his office.
"Well, I am not just here for the fruit." She took the offered seat.
"Ah, what can I help you with?" He leaned on the desk, watching the woman across from him.
"A thank you for being there the other day at the funeral. I lost my uncle and cousins a few days ago."
"Aw, Ky. You alright?"
She nodded and shook her head. "I haven't officially announced it, but I am now the Ronin Leader."
"Oh. Wow."
"Right. Who would have thought?" She snorted.
"So what's that mean? You leaving?" Troy knew it all already, just not what it would mean. Even if they weren't speaking every day, he would still miss her.
"I'm a Saint, always. I may have mentioned to my uncle before he passed, I would make the Ronin Saints. If I was leading. Well… here we are."
"Woah."
"Right?" Ky felt uncomfortable thinking about the plans long made. There were a few things Troy brought up that she felt she needed to clear. "You said something a while ago about Lin's murder and how it is related to me, sorta."
"Yeah."
"You had something for me. I have time now. I came to receive it."
"Oh. Right. Give me a sec." Troy got up and pulled his keys from his pocket and went over to a filing cabinet across the room near his desk. He reached in and pulled from it a large manila folder and cassette player. Handing them over, he went to give her some privacy. "I'm going to leave you to this. We can talk when you finish."
Kyouki nodded, and the door closed with a click. She opened the folder and examined the tapes; labeled with names, dates, and times.
They labeled the first cassette she went to put into the player Dexter Jackson - 9/02/98 - 18:30. It was a conversation between Troy and Dex.
"What's up, Dex?"
"Drop it, I know you're a cop..."
The pause on Troy's was brief. "The fuck are you talking about?"
"Come on, man, who you think you're talkin' to? The tactics, your constant questions, the police station thing, your shitty ass haircut...you got cop written all over you."
This pause took longer. Troy heard sighing heavily. "So what are you gonna do?.."
"Nothin. I highly doubt you want your girlfriend to find out. You know how temperamental she can be."
Troy's heart stopped at the mention of Li. "What?"
"I'm out Troy. Ultor offered me a job. I'm droppin' my flags and I'm goin' straight. I just want to make sure that we're not gonna have a problem. I won't mention it to Li. She just left here while I'm speaking to you."
Kyouki thought back. She remembered that was the last time she saw him, as she was on her way to meet with her Obachan. Hearing nothing but silence on the other end, Dex confirmed Troy was a cop, and he watched Li drive to who knows where. This was no longer his problem. He packed the rest of his things and slipped off with no one questioning him. The conversation ended.
Ky placed the next tape labeled Julius Little – 9/23/02 – 15:55. It was Troy and Julius.
"How ya doin' Julius?"
"I was doing better before I got arrested."
"I wanted to talk to you about that..."
"I bet you do."
"Listen, Julius, you've made some bad choices, but you're a good man. Let me help you."
Julius paused before speaking again. "What do you want?"
"I want the Saints to be done, gone. Now there's two ways that can happen."
Julius snorted. "You can arrest all of us. That includes your girlfriend…"
Troy interjected. "Or you can quit while you're ahead. This is my investigation. I can miss a few collars."
Julius paused again. "What are you saying?"
"Dex is out of the game, and you're in jail. If you can convince Johnny and Ky to drop their flags, the rest of the Saints will fall apart and everyone goes home happy."
Julius chuckled. "You don't think this'll work, do you?"
"You think I want to arrest my friends, my girl? You gotta convince 'em to quit and I'll come clean."
Julius snorted. Banging could be heard on the line. "There's no way that your girl is gonna stop or kill you in the process. I'm betting she's still working now to finish her project."
Troy sighed again. "Make them understand. Yeah, she'll kill me if she finds out."
"Let's say I can. How do I know I'm goin' free, and not tell her you are a cop?"
"I've already talked to the Mayor. Hughes is willing to give you guys pardons."
Julius sighed. "Yeah, I'll see what I can do."
The last tape was listed as Julius Little - 9/23/02 – 20:42 Troy and Julius again.
The call was frantic with so much noise in the background.
Troy screaming on the line. "What the fuck was that?"
Julius seemed just as stunned as Troy. "It was the only way."
Troy was cursing and screaming orders. "I said talk, not set off a goddamn bomb!"
Julius took a breath. "Relax Troy, the Saints are finished… don't try to find me."
Troy sounded as if he was in tears. "Relax? Fuck that, fuck being a cop, I'm gonna find you and fucking kill you myself!" The conversation ended.
Kyouki shook her head. She hugged herself to see if she was there. That night, knowing the other end of what happened, was more than she had expected.
Troy was a cop, Julius and Dex reached a conclusion about what was going on with Troy. She and Johnny had no idea.
With running shit for Julius and keeping the streets safe, she saw nothing else. For years, she thought she was doing good for the city. Kyouki thought back to what she heard in the refurbished church. She was the bad guy. For years, she let someone use her to turn around and twist the justice she thought she was doing.
Ky reached for the folder once again. The contents contained Dex's number; she put everything back.
She dialed Dex and on the second ring he was on the other end. "Hey. You couldn't have told me about Julius. You had to leave with us, wondering what happened to you?"
"I think an order of congratulations should be said?"
"Not something needed to be said, let me guess. Dane is bragging?"
"Yeah, as I dig up records. Oh, you got the information. You know Julius set you up."
"My bad, but needed. Not what I was expecting to hear after all this time."
"Well, I found him. Meet me at the old church in a few days and I'll tell you where to find Julius."
"That's fine. I have some business to attend to. Thank you."
"No problem."
With that, they both hung up. She left the office, passing Troy as she went not seeing him.
"Find everything that you need?" He asked as she walked past.
Ky halted her steps and faced Troy. "Yes. I also found out a lot more, your falling in love with me wasn't part of your plan? Dex and Julius knew you were a cop. You couldn't tell me yourself?" She narrowed her eyes and slipped her phone in her blazer pocket. "So, you wanted to come clean with me after you asked that son of a bitch to talk to me? He blew me the fuck up… some talk." Kyouki smirked.
Troy nodded. She had the right to it. It was a tough call, but to do his job and be Troy of the Saints. Falling for her was a bonus. He didn't want to fuck up. Julius deserves death for what he did. Ky spared him. She wouldn't be willing to spare Julius. "I'm still sorry."
"I'll see it as an oversight. I may need you to honor your word one day." Stepping backward with a bow, Kyouki turned and left.
"I'm home…" Ky called as she walked in. It was now noon and she could relax a bit.
"Where the hell were you? You couldn't pick up your phone?"
"Well, no, I was busy. And for a bodyguard, you sure are a slacker." Ky smirked, popping a piece of cold fruit in her mouth from the fridge.
"You have any other plans for today?"
"Yes. I want to go visiting."
"Alright." Johnny went to grab his shoes. "Don't leave them here with me. I would rather be by myself."
"You think Imma have that luxury?" Ky said with a gesture the staff made themselves busy. Kyouki went to go change her clothes.
They both placed flowers at Aisha's urn, then leaving Johnny to speak to Ish, she walked to her Obachan's mausoleum and cleaned it, placing flowers in the few vases at the corners of the risen marble casket.
"Hey, Obachan… I'm back~." She paused, not sure if she should speak this aloud, knowing her spirit would watch always. "So important things… I'm overwhelmed, but… I got married this morning… I wouldn't think too much about it. Umm, Uncle Kazuo will be with you and Shogo, but you knew that. I will head for the final arrangements after I finish everything here. The Akuji family's now in my hands. The ceremony is in two days… I had it all planned… I know it isn't the life you wanted for me, but the Saints and Ronin doing things for the greater good." Kyouki had to laugh at herself. How was a demolition mob going to plant trees and flowers? "I hope it will work out for the best. No, I have to make this work. I Love you and I will be back soon." Ky kissed the cool stone lid and let her fingers slide across the surface as she walked out.
Seeing that Gat wasn't ready, she walked over to her Voxel, leisurely sitting herself on the hood. Pulling her phone out, she scrolled through her missed calls.
Gat's voice interrupted her thought, snapping her out of her daze. Gripping her phone a little tighter, she looked up to see Gat looking at her, puzzled. "Pige you aight?" He placed his hand on her shoulder.
"Yeah. Just thinking." Ky drawled out. As she put her phone in her hip pocket, she walked around and sat in the passenger's seat.
Johnny started the car and pulled off towards the mall downtown. "What you planning?"
That was a simple enough question, with an even simpler answer. "A talk to the muthafucker that killed me."
Johnny nodded. "Simple enough. I'm coming with you."
"No."
"Why the fuck not?"
"Because we met the next day. I still owe you for hitting me in the face."
Johnny chuckled, leaning in to kiss her cheek. When she moved, she reminded him in public displays of affection are prohibited, for now. Hearing him groan, she chuckled.
She didn't not want Gat to come with her. She needed to do this alone. Julius Little placed her into this. She was going to hear his side, and to return the favor – permanently.
Kill Julius Little!
Dexter 'Dex' Jackson was content with his job. His workload was moderate. He didn't stress too much, and the recruits were the easiest of all. Not like the thick-headed kids that he once had to train in the Saints.
He shook his head. Why would he think of the Saints? He was done with them for nearly a decade now. Buried deep away from that life, the only person who knew his past was Dane Vogel. And that very man came in practically beaming; he got married to Kyouki James, once lieutenant, now Leader of the Saints. And Kyouki now has implanted her own eyes and ears in the company.
This didn't seem like a bad idea, but Kyouki is the sole reason Dex has the sudden amassed fortune he has. Hazardous materials were high on the black market. And Dex being the smart man he is, found a lucrative business for himself. At the behest of Dane. Someone had to fund the R&D boys. Someone needed to keep the lab afloat. Now rubble, Dex had to go with Plan B. He did as Dane asked but found that he could make more. Under, under the table.
What Dane doesn't know won't kill him. But Ky's men, a little too close for comfort. "I'm going out. Send all calls to my personal phone."
"Yes, Mr. Jackson."
Dex doesn't hate Kyouki per se. He just had a long think about how a nobody Julius picked up off the street swept in like a storm eradicating decades-long crime in just a couple of years. All the Intel he had gathered was like pissing in the ocean. That shit utterly irritated him. But with the efficiency of it all, he couldn't be mad.
"We've arrived Mr. Jackson."
"Thanks, I'll be a minute. Just wait here."
"Yes, Sir."
What he was doing now, at the power plant, was securing his lifestyle for himself and his family. And his son, the one he found out about in a surprising almost romantic way. He wasn't dismissive of his relations with the boy's mother. It was just another reminder of a past he wanted to be hidden, another link to Kyouki and the Saints.
There weren't all bad thoughts. Ky and Johnny together were something else. Dex had to laugh at that thought. Obvious to anyone they liked each other. Johnny made it very obvious when Troy was involved. And that night he was out having drinks with Tracey.
"Damn, the old days weren't so bad." Dex mused.
Now that he thought about it, Dexter would have bet money that Johnny would shack up with Ky after he saw her that day with Dane. Especially after Aisha's death. But Ky ended up married.'One of our biggest clients is Kazuo Akuji. Kyouki is the Heiress and Dane stopped them from splitting with Ultor. Did Dane know beforehand?' Dex questioned the marriage. Some things didn't add up.
Johnny and Kyouki destroyed the lab. Dane didn't care. The Casino robbed. Dane didn't look into it. The projects he had lined up for reconstruction halted. Kyouki is the leader of the Saints.
"Oh, shit. Dane is going to kill Kyouki!"
Dex needed more information, needed to know exactly what Dane had in mind. There are some things his security clearance was good for, but would he be able to find anything Dane is planning?
'Shit, with Ky's men around, could I look?' Dex made his request of the workers at the plant, then as he got in the helicopter to leave back to the mainland, he received a text.
- Ready to meet?
Yeah, tomorrow afternoon at the church.-
-Ok. Ttyl.
Dex didn't hate Kyouki. He didn't want her dead again. He wouldn't make it to the church like he said. Instead, he would deliver the muthafucker who tried to take her out.
Hey, Julius. It's Dex. I got something for you. Meet me at the Saint's church. -
-How the fuck did you get my number?
I worked under you for long enough to get the information any way I can. Meet at the church at 11. -
Once more, he sent a text to Kyouki to meet just after eleven.