The sun was well into the morning sky of Japan when people started to flood the streets to start their day. A tall man with dyed, messily slicked back black hair with a touch of it spiked up in the front and wearing an outdated suit of dark grey walked along calmly to blend in with the crowd. Sunglasses hid his piercing gaze, and he sighed inwardly. He rubbed a hand over his long, clean-shaven face and he mused on what to do. Finding a bench to watch the rest of the sunrise, he crossed his arms over his chest and lost himself in a form of deep thought.

What can I do now? Doctors said to lay low. No strenuous activity. The cancer isn't progressing, but it's not getting better. Twice I almost lost my life to this shit. Can I even afford a third time? I was even told to quit smoking! At least the occasional drink is fine... "Hmm?" he blinked and took out his vibrating phone. On seeing who it was, he gave a small smile and answered it. "Kasuga?"

"Kiryu-san! How are you today?" the robust, cheery voice asked.

"Been better. At least I'm holding up. I gave everyone a bit of scare, eh?" Kiryu said with a light chuckle. "I'm surprised they released me when I was able to walk around again."

"A scare?! That's putting it lightly! We were thinking about setting you up with a personal guard! Even a live-in nurse."

"Don't go that far. I can handle myself just fine when I'm not under stress. And I need to figure out a new place to stay in. I don't want to live in your place all the time. You're back now. You need your place back."

"I know, I know."

"Where is everyone?"

"Well, Sa-chan is working. Chi-chan is also doing her family gig, but she promised to try and meet up with us later to get away from it. Adachi-san was planning on going to the Survive Bar later for drinks. I think he was trying to do some business consulting now that things were cleared up. Oh! Nanba-san also wanted to check on you, too. He could be the live-in nurse if the place you get is large enough and allows it."

"I figured as much. Maybe I should pay him..."

"Just buy him a drink now and then."

"That works, too."

"So, did you want to meet up? I've got nothing happening right now."

"Maybe in twenty minutes? You're not far from me, but too far to walk to each other. This will give us time to meet up properly where I'm at. Sound good?" Kiryu asked. It was agreed on, and he cut the call off. He took in a deep breath and let it out slowly. Then he paused and got the uncanny feeling that he was being watched. That same tickle on the back of my neck. It's there. I'm not imagining it. Someone's staring at me with intention...

He stood up and looked around casually. Gone now. Something doesn't feel right. I'll head to the Survive Bar and text Kasuga. He pulled out his phone and was quick to do just that. Then he grimaced. I can't do anything stupid. If I'm being followed, I need to go to a location where others will be expecting me. I'll stick to the idea of going to the Survive Bar. It's in a rather public place.

He took two steps and blinked at his phone vibrating again. Answering it, he said, "I just texted you."

"I know. I'm coming over in a cab car right now to get you. What's your location?" Kasuga asked with concern.

"I'm too far away from you. I was heading to our next location. I'm not saying what the place is out loud. I'll be there in five minutes. I'll meet you there," Kiryu said carefully. "I don't know how close my watcher is."

"So, saying loudly that you know someone is looking for you. That the gig is up. I get it. I'll let the others know. And Seonhee! I'll let her know, too!" Kasuga said and hung up to do just that.

"She would know who's around the corner in her own town, eh?" Kiryu nodded to himself. He pocketed his phone and suddenly turned to glance up sharply at a building rooftop. That was when he saw the flutter of the end of a beige coat of sorts. I knew it! I am being watched! Do I go after this person? Or wait? If I wait for the others...no. What am I thinking?! I have to wait. I'm already being followed. If this one has business with me, then I already know I'll be approached. Or given a signal of when to approach...

He just rounded the corner when a small van pulled up to him to show a middle-aged Japanese man with short, black hair, glasses and wearing a Hawaiian shirt waving at him. "Kiryu-san! Hop in! I just took a fare to a location not far off and came straight here after getting Kasuga's text!"

"Tomi? Ah. Okay," Kiryu nodded and made his way into the passenger seat. After he got settled, he asked, "So, you're doing taxi work out here now?"

"Part time, really. It pays a few bills to help out. I set my own hours, too. As long as I do ten hours a week, then I'm still good. I even set up a tip jar for myself! Gives me a chance to spoil myself now and then if I get enough in it," Tomi chuckled and rubbed at his slight mustache. "So...you're being spied on?"

"In a sense," Kiryu sighed. On glancing at him driving he mused to himself. To think he was an enemy in Hawaii before Kasuga forced him into friendship. Glad we helped Tomi out. He's an interesting guy all around.

"The Survive Bar, right?" Tomi asked as they pulled up in front of the bar.

"That's it," Kiryu nodded. He glanced up to see a flash of beige again from the rooftops across the street. Then he paused. I'm not only being followed. I'm being allowed to know I'm being followed! Why does this person seem like...someone familiar? Wait...it can't be...can it...?

"Kiryu-san?" Tomi asked with concern.

"I think I just realized who my watcher is. But...that's impossible! Unless...has it really been fifteen years since I last saw...? But I was told something else about dying on the job! Okay. I need to see who all shows up now. And I need to warn everyone all at once to NOT hunt this one. This is bad..." Kiryu grimaced.

"If you're saying something's bad, then it's definitely bad!" Tomi frowned hard. "Let's get you seated and drinking something."

"Water only. I need to cut back on the liquor for now," Kiryu nodded.

"Right," Tomi agreed. Just before Kiryu walked into the bar, he heard a faint, eerie tune reach his ears. His dark brown eyes widened under the sunglasses.

"I heard you. Just...wait. Please," he muttered under his breath.

"What did you hear? I heard nothing," Tomi said and led Kiryu to a chair.

"Be glad you heard nothing. If you did...you run," he said gravely. Tomi's jaw seemed to drop before he cleared his throat.

"Tomizawa! Good to see you!" a clean-shaven Japanese man with black, fluffed out hair and glasses said on walking in. He appeared to look like a homeless man with tattered brown clothing and finger gloves, but he was far more than he seemed.

"Nanba! I guess you got the text, too?" Tomi frowned.

"I did. Adachi-san's gonna be here soon, too. Kasuga's a bit worked up over this, eh?" Nanba frowned.

"For good reason," Kiryu said and took off his sunglasses to put them in his inner suit pocket. "I have an idea of who my follower is. I have a lot of questions. No, I can't really say much until I know for sure. It's just...a theory."

"I have my men scouting right now," a woman with long lilac-colored hair said when she walked in. A necklace with the focus point being a spider on a web was resting neatly above her cleavage, and she put a hand on her hip to nod. Her attire was mainly purple and black, but she was the one that kept an eye on the town of Isezaki Ijincho they were all in. She stood confident in the black skirt and heels to show she was ready to fight to protect her city.

"Call them off! Now!" Kiryu hissed.

"What?" she asked with genuine surprise.

"Seonhee, if you trust me...do as I say. Now," Kiryu grounded out.

"Ah...okay..." she blinked and was quick to get on her phone.

"Ma'am! One of the boys...!" the response started before a choked off scream was given. Kiryu was quick to grab the phone from her. When a hefty man with graying hair and a slight beard walked in, Kiryu rose up his hand to keep him quiet. He found a seat to listen in closely.

"Can you hear me?" Kiryu asked on the phone. He heard the phone picked up and settled to be used.

"Ah..." a soft, feminine, husky voice with a slight childish tone mused back. "I figured...it was you..."

"Did you kill them?" he asked. Seonhee stiffened, but Kiryu glared at her to keep quiet for now.

"No. Just...left some crumbs..." the voice mused. "Like bread crumbs. You know? Just enough...to give a trail...so...they will live. If treated when found, though. Easy to find..."

"How...did you get here?" Kiryu asked slowly.

"Hmm..." the voice seemed to muse. "Too many questions. You're not in front of me. Yet. You find me. Follow the crumbs. Get it?"

"I saw you. And I heard you," he said.

"I know. I let you see me. A flash of me. Twice now. And you still have good ears, too, to hear me. But...do you remember me? We only met for ten minutes...so long ago..."

"Was it really only ten minutes? I remember things vaguely."

"Yes. But...it was the best ten minutes I ever had..." the voice said softly. "I remember it like...yesterday. It's why I decided I had to seek you out. Especially with your health this way. To see if it was true. You were 'dead' and now you are dying. And the Tojo building...I am sad about that...to a point, that is. I have...dark memories of that place still. But...only the top part was burned to the ground...not the area underneath..."

"What?" Kiryu blinked. "Was there a hidden area under the building?! Why wasn't I told this?! Wait a minute. No one could find you before. Are you saying...you were kept hidden in a place under the Tojo headquarters?"

"You find me. Then we'll talk. Okay? Follow the crumbs..." the voice giggled softly. Then the call dropped.

"It's her...shit!" Kiryu growled and slammed a fist on the table. On glancing at the doorway, he said, "I don't think you'd know her, Kasuga."

"Who is 'her'?" Kasuga asked from where he stood in the doorway. He scratched at his wild, brown, fro-like hair and glanced around with worry. He was wearing a dark red suit with a white collar undershirt, and he was clearly confused on what he just listened in on.

"A very, eh...how to explain this...a secret weapon. From the Tojo Clan. I only met her once, but it was enough. Just the fact that she walked next to me and I lived was like...I guess others were insanely jealous. I don't remember much of it. Or what she looked like in full. But she was always locked away due to her temperament. I think that was why. In truth, I honestly don't know the full story about her past.

"As to how she was found...even that's still a mystery to me. Even the patriarchs refused to talk about it when I asked about her. I kept getting a run around. I need to talk to her if I want answers," Kiryu said and gave Seonhee back her phone. "Your men live, but they'll need medical attention. I think...I recall her saying she would never kill someone if it came time to find me from how impressed she was with me. I'm glad she's keeping that promise."

"What did she refer to my men as?" Seonhee asked.

"Bread crumbs. For me to follow to find her. I don't think any of you can come with me," Kiryu started. Then he saw how he was glared at. "Fine. Just...don't do anything stupid. This girl...I think she's in her thirties now. But...she is a yakuza. And I think I last heard she gained a back tattoo, also. She was known as the 'Headhunter of the Yakuza'. She is an epitome of death, itself. It's how she was trained. And it's why she was also confined so...cruelly."

"Are you serious?" the heavy-set man asked. He leaned up in his seat and wiped the dirt off his hands on his shirt and jeans. He glanced over and tried to make out what he just heard for Kiryu's side of the phone call from his detective mindset. He was concerned and a touch perplexed.

"Adachi-san, this is bad," Kasuga said with his own hard frown. "I mean, honestly, I've never even heard of her until now!"

"I didn't think you would have, Kasuga. She was completely forgotten about except by the most elite. And the one person that kept 'watch' over her that fully knew of her. I think he was a fanatic, too. I have no idea how he even got the job! I think she even told me that she hated his guts, but she couldn't kill him since he was the only one that ensured she got fed and cared for. I think the bastard even called her his little pet!" Kiryu snorted. "It took everything I had to keep from wiping the floor with him! I would have tried to get more out of him, but he got away. He kept his distance from me after that."

"What?!" Kasuga gaped.

"Sorry I'm late!" a young woman in a casual pink dress said on coming in. She held her matching color purse and waved at the others. She saw Kasuga, rolled her eyes and looked over at Kiryu.

"Sa-chan! Ah...hey..." Kasuga started. He found himself mildly ignored by her to show she was quite peeved at him. "I'll make it better!"

"Just...shut up for now. Okay?" she mumbled. "I'm here for Kiryu-san. And it was Nanba that texted me. He likely knew I wouldn't have looked at your texts right now."

"Oh..." Kasuga frowned. "I mean...you know how I feel about you..."

"Save it. Kiryu-san, what's going on?" Sa-chan frowned.

"I'd better get going. I don't want to know how many more crumbs she'll make to lead me to her," Kiryu sighed hard. "Have first aid kits ready."

"I can handle that!" Nanba agreed.

"I want some water, but we can't wait," Kiryu said on getting up. A glass of ice water was slid over to him by the bar owner. It was drunk down and the empty glass was slid back over. "Thanks."

"Of course," the man with brown, shoulder-length hair nodded from behind the bar. His dark pink, button down shirt was the main thing seen while he wiped the countertop down. The group headed out, and a man with white hair and wearing a black suit that almost resembled armor was soon jogging over to them.

"My entire team is down!" he started.

"Joongi, we know," Seonhee said. "Lead us to them!"

"I tried to follow whoever attacked us, but it was like...they were just gone!" Joongi said with complete irritation. "I've never seen anything like it!"

"She's had more training..." Kiryu muttered and was quick to start walking. "Had to be all self-taught, too, at this point..."

"You know who did this?!" Joongi asked.

"A yakuza did it. One...that you never want the attention of," Kiryu said with a small grunt. "Be glad those men still have their heads on and breathing. Her calling card is to leave headless bodies all over the place. It's how she got her title in the Tojo Clan. Just don't do anything stupid. Let me do the talking."

"Ah...!" Joongi gaped lightly before moving ahead of them. He led them to Isobe Alley and pointed at the ladder. It was dripping with fresh blood.

"Bread crumbs. Look for the men as we go along!" Kiryu grounded out and started to climb the ladder.

"Over here!" Kasuga said when they got to the top. Nanba was quick to use the first aid kit to patch up several nasty cuts along the arms and legs.

"So much blood loss! How many men were sent?!" Nanba asked while he scrambled to help the wounded man. "Arteries are untouched, though. Looks like only cut to bleed out very slowly..."

"I think only three," Joongi grimaced with the others.

"Help!" another man shouted out. Seonhee bolted over and gasped at how the man was trapped in a cage of blades. Each small blade was neatly cutting into his clothing down to his skin to leave intense nicks and cuts all over him. He was bleeding profusely, and Kiryu realized each blade was focused on every major artery in the body.

"Don't move! You'll get fully sliced open!" he said quickly.

"Please help me!" a third man called out. Joongi rushed over and found himself suddenly flung onto his back. A spiked whip came out to grab his legs and haul him off quickly as though a possible kill was being claimed.

"Joongi!" Seonhee shrieked.

"I'm here! Please let him go! Let them all go!" Kiryu shouted out. The rooftop he was on was massive, but he still heard the soft chuckle come from above him. Joongi was dangling down in front of them all before the whip extracted itself. He fell down and winced at the small cuts around his ankles.

"Yes. I see you're here now..." the bubbly, breathy voice came out. Then a figure jumped out of the shadows from the rooftops structures and surrounding buildings. The figure was perfectly hidden by using the shadows combined with the rays of the sun with expert finesse.

The first thing the group saw was the massive, six foot long, gleaming scythe weapon that was balanced neatly on the ground with the curved blade being the base. The four and a half foot girl that balanced on the silvery, five foot tall pole top gave a small, twisted grin. Then she moved to lightly hang off it to rock the blade as though ready to launch it again if she was threatened. Kiryu let out a slow breath. She definitely knows how to use this weapon...

"She's in her thirties?!" Adachi gaped.

"Yeah..." Kiryu swallowed. He saw that she had grown her blond hair out to settle on each side of her face and down her chest to end at her exposed belly. The nape of her neck was seen to show she only kept the sides long. She was studying him back with her large, dark blue eyes, and she parted her full lips lightly. He realized the beige clothing he saw was a long-sleeved cardigan that trailed out when she walked.

The straps of a burgundy bra were lightly seen to go over her shoulders under the cardigan. The rest of her chest was covered by something that looked like velvety, silvery white cloth, and it seemed to wrap around her chest as a form of quick covering to leave the rest of her upper body and midsection bare. A thong that matched the bra color had the straps seen to go over her hips, and a black mini-skirt was worn to just come down below her rear. A black leather belt looped around her tiny, slender waist, and it appeared to have quite a few uses from the loops all through it. Black boots completed her outfit, but even he knew she likely had weapons hidden within the heels of them.

"You don't know my name, do you?" she asked. She tilted her head slightly and climbed off the scythe. She pressed a button for the nasty blade to retract inwards like a bunch of folded pieces of metal to hide into the pole. Then the pole folded in on itself to be only a foot long in length for easy carry. She tucked it into the leather belt where a holder was seen in the belt loop on her side. No one could see her back, but Kiryu was quite sure she had other weapons hidden behind her.

"You never gave it to me," Kiryu said when he walked past the others to show he was in control of the situation.

"True. I told you...the next time we met...I would give it to you. So...now that it's the second time...I guess I need to keep that bit, eh?" she smiled. "It's Saiki. And, as you know, I am the 'Headhunter of the Yakuza'. I guess the title is still the same. And we do need to talk."

"Yeah. We do," he nodded back.

"The men will live. I didn't cut that deep. Ah...but this one...well...he tried to hit me," Saiki said with a small frown. She walked over to the trapped man and poked her shortened weapon into a particular point near the base of the trap. It fully retracted and reverted down into a circular disk. This was now picked up and stuck into a pocket in the cardigan. The man collapsed and let Nanba start to treat him with the other two. Joongi was barely touched, but the cuts were still painful.

"These weapons...how...?" Kiryu started.

"I made them," she smiled lightly. "Being cooped up down below in a labyrinth of boredom...it makes you want to learn how to do things. I taught myself how to read. To write. To better my attacks. I requested things and was given them with no questions asked. I only had myself. And the Dog Catcher. As to what he called himself...I never bothered to learn his name..."

"Dog Catcher?" Tomi mused.

"I call him that. Even to his face. He doesn't care," Saiki shrugged.

"He really did see you as a pet. Didn't he?" Kiryu snorted with disgust.

"Yes. And now that you're here...you can help me hunt him. And kill him," she said with a form of intense, hidden rage in her dark blue eyes.

"Why didn't you do it before?" Tomi asked.

"Would you kill the only one that bothered to remember that you were alive?" she countered. "If I killed him...I would have committed myself to my own death. As much as I wouldn't have cared...as if anyone remembered my very existence...Kazuma was the only one that treated me like a normal person. He didn't really know who I was. Only that I was different. He didn't see me as a caged thing. And that...impressed me to a point that I knew I had to live to see him again..."

"Were you really trapped under the Tojo headquarters?" Kasuga asked. "And you should refer to him as Kiryu-san."

"It's fine..." Kiryu rolled his eyes a bit, but Saiki gave a small nod.

"I was. And I need to go back there. I forgot something that was left behind. Now that you all are here, you can help me get it. It's important. I don't know if the Dog Catcher is lurking there. I'm sure he's waiting for me. But only I have the keys to get to where we need to go. So...are we going?"

"These men need medical attention!" Nanba said quickly.

"Very well. Take them. Kiryu-san and I will wait here," Saiki nodded to him. The others glanced at each other with uncertainty.

"I'm waiting with you," Kasuga muttered.

"Same," Seonhee growled. "You hurt my men!"

"Your men? I did not see a collar on any of them..." Saiki blinked. Kiryu was quick to step between the women to show he was taking control of the situation. Seonhee was livid at the remark.

"I know. Recall how she was raised. She...really was raised to be a bit of the Tojo Clan pet..." Kiryu grimaced. Now Seonhee blinked at this. "Yeah. She had a collar with a dog tag at one point, too. I heard that when she realized what it was, she ripped it off her neck and threw it away."

"Not only that. I choked off the one that gave it to me using the same collar," Saiki growled inwardly. Then she sighed and said, "I am sorry if I upset you. My life...I wasn't raised normally. I had no outside experience. I was never allowed to interact with others to know how to...say things in normal circumstances. I was just...trapped away. I had to teach myself a lot of manners when I was finally freed. I'm still...coping with it. And it was the Dog Catcher that freed me when the First Dissolution happened. I'm better about it, but...as you can see..."

"Hmm..." Seonhee frowned at this. "Okay. I can see how that's a problem. So, you've never been to a nail salon? Or anything like that at all?"

"No..." Saiki shrugged. "I was kept locked away. Fed meals that could last a few days at a time. I was in a bit of a hidden luxury suite, but I never even got paid. I was just...kept. Taught basic things to live alone in a home. If I was let out, I was heavily monitored and only allowed on the grounds or the mission field. I was at the beck and call of those that knew how to keep me in line at the time. And I was used to the fullest to get things done when the time was right. Not many knew of me at all. It was done on purpose."

"That's just wrong!" Kasuga said with complete outrage.

"I know. I didn't know it was wrong until I requested something. That was a full encyclopedia book set. That was how I taught myself about the world. Even if the information was outdated, well...it was still something. I didn't have the internet. Computers. Anything like that. But the books! They taught me! And I started to make more requests with the reason that it would enhance my techniques to better heights," Saiki nodded. "And I proved that such requests worked for my benefit and to fool those that thought I was still submissive to them."

"Okay. That's impressive. You used a bunch of old books to learn how to get what you needed," Tomi said with a small grin.

"I know it. When I asked about getting paid...if I had wages...the Dog Catcher laughed. You see, this is another reason I need to kill him. He has been stealing my pay and hiding things from me intentionally to keep me ignorant and weak in the ways of society. His remark to me then was...'What would a pet know about money? I'll hold onto it and spend it as it's needed!'

"So, he has my money. A possible bank account. I don't know how much he spent of it. I don't even know how much is in it. But it's definitely time to extract everything from him before letting his head roll off his shoulders..." Saiki said with an angry shake of her head.

Kiryu was getting madder and madder with everything he heard. Then he heard Adachi ask, "Did he ever...use you for things? Like...bedroom ways...?"

"I know what you speak of. He tried once," she smirked. "I'm glad I learned about that bit before it happened. It's amazing how many references you get when you find the word 'anal' in the alphabetical category. I almost cut his dick off to let him eat it. Then, to make sure he'd never try it again...hmm. Kiryu-san, it may be remembered of one Tojo member that was found staked into a wall. He was naked and his dick was cut off halfway. As in missing. That one also tried to do things with me against my will. That one died from various cuts around his limbs, and I decided to make an example of him."

"That...I don't think I was there for that..." Kasuga swallowed.

"I remember that..." Kiryu nodded. "I knew it was from you with the scythe-like cut in his chest. But...what happened with...?"

"Well, Dog Catcher would occasionally get me a box of candy. And they all had nice boxes that I kept. I removed the inner parts of an older box and put the half dick in it. Then I gave it to him. When he saw what was in the box... I said the next one is yours if you ever try to fucking touch me again!" Saiki growled darkly. Adachi died laughing at the whole thing.

"Wow..." Tomi gaped.

"That's...creative!" Sa-chan blinked.

"Huh. Okay. I'll give you credit that you clearly know what you're doing," Seonhee nodded to her. "I might have done the same thing, come to think of it."

"Um...how did you know where to cut?" Nanba had to ask.

"Oh, I made sure to request for a book on anatomy. It's how I know where every major artery is. As well as every sensitive part," Saiki chuckled. Then she looked at Seonhee with a small frown. "I am sorry for your men, but they did attack me. They will live if they get medical attention."

"We'll take them now. But I'm still staying here," Seonhee said on looking at how Joongi was not happy about his situation.

"Why did you go after me?" Joongi asked.

"To ensure the other attacks would stop," Saiki said.

"I am concerned about one thing," Kiryu said with concern. "The Daidoji faction. I don't want them to learn about you, Saiki. I don't know what they would do to you. Or have you do for them."

"It's why we need to get to the Tojo building," she said. "I have something there that will ensure my safety. And yours, too."

"Oh?" Kiryu asked. He did notice Nanba and Adachi already hauling off the three wounded men. I'll make sure they know everything later.

"You are...technically...the last true Tojo Clan leader left. In my eyes..." she said. "You...should sign a contract with me. To always protect you. In return, you will ensure of my safety and care in exchange. No matter what danger you are in...I will always answer to your call for help."

"That would be a pretty sweet deal. A mass-murdering killer to protect you, Kiryu-san! You could even ask her to help us in a bind!" Kasuga grinned a bit ruefully. At Saiki's glance at him, he quickly stammered. "Ah, of course, eh, that's if it's, um...okay...?"

"Kiryu-san makes the order. I will follow the order," she said with a nod. Then she gave a cold smile. "And I will complete the order in any fashion to get it done. Unless given specific rules to follow."

"Ah...noted!" Kasuga swallowed.

"We should get out of here. There's too much blood around us. Saiki, we'll go to the Survive Bar and lay low for an hour. Also, Saiki, do you do...karaoke?" Kiryu asked. Sa-chan hid her small smile.

"You heard me sing from a distance. You have yet to hear me sing up close," Saiki chuckled. "And, should we get into where I used to live...I have a full karaoke dance floor and auditorium..."

"What?!" Kiryu gaped his jaw.

"Yeah. Karaoke was...a big focal point in my way to escape reality," she smiled. "I even sing as I kill. Sometimes...I even dance while killing..."

"We need to head back there. And, Saiki, I am making a temporary contract with you right now," Kiryu said to get her full attention. "Until it's in writing, you work for me. Follow my orders with utmost importance. Only if we are in a bind are you to do what you feel is best to suit the situation. Just...avoid killing unless there is absolutely no choice. As for pay, well...for now...it will be that I will keep you in my care rent free. In time, maybe we can work out something. That's if your bank account has issues, or is intact."

"You have my vow," she said with a form of determination that caught him by complete surprise. "I can see this as a partnership of sorts while working with pay. How long is this to take place?"

"It will be determined in time. For now, though...consider until my death," he said with a sharp nod. "So, first order. The ones you met with me today. They are to be protected and unharmed at all times."

"Agreed," she nodded.

"If they ask a request of you, and it's within reason, you can perform it. But if it's something clearly ridiculous, you confirm the order with me," he said carefully. "Nothing foolhardy that can give you or us away."

"Agreed," she nodded again.

"One final thing for now. If we find the one that tormented you...I want to ask the questions. There are a few others that I work with at times that can help with the questioning. I will point them out to you when we see them so you will know not to harm them. I will have them meet with us shortly. You treat them with neutral respect. If any of them upset you, just walk behind me and let me handle it. If they threaten me, you can threaten back to protect me. Understood?" Kiryu said carefully to ensure she understood him.

"Agreed..." she said with a twisted grin. "But...a request...?"

"Yes. You can kill your tormentor after he is questioned," Kiryu nodded. She looked up at him, stood up tall for her short stature and offered her hand. They both shook hands now to show the temporary contract was in place. "The ones here are witnesses to this. Okay. Let's get going. We have some karaoke to do!"

*Author's Note - Okay! Yes. A new fiction. It's been nagging at me a for a month or so now. I figured it was time to do it. Not many chapters so far, but LOTS of pages! Sooo...here we go! Feel free to inform of possible ideas, and enjoy!*