Kyouki was getting feedback from her people out on the streets. She still hadn't gotten in the shower, let alone changed. Gat came in and people were losing their minds, cells chiming all over. Kyouki stood with several people in her office. "Get me anything. You get more security... Gat, good, we need more security."
"Why?" He drew out.
"Why? Cause Veteran Child took Shaundi. Just waltz the fuck up in here." She was furious. "And he shot at me!" She couldn't believe Gat was questioning why. Was he not up to speed? Ky looked at her phone when it chimed. They were spotted heading to a club called Cocks.
Gat could smell the cologne on her. He stuffed it back down; he started texting. Taking Ky by her elbow dragged the protesting woman into her room, blocking the door.
"Gat, I have to go. Move!" She reached for the door.
Gat sucked in another deep breath. "Go shower. You smell like him." Turning her around, pushing her away.
Her cheeks colored. Admitted she should have when it was offered but she needed to get out of there. "I don't have time for this. Get the hell out of my way!" She snapped.
"Shower!" He barked back.
Throwing her arms out in irritation. Like he hadn't heard her a moment ago. "They've kidnapped Shaundi!"
"I got the memo. Heard you the first time. It was a dummy car. You smell like you just finished fucking that fucker, now go shower." He turned his back to her.
Granted she could smell Dane's cologne, but she wasn't trying to stand around and argue either. "Ugh!!!" Kyouki needed one, even if she couldn't enjoy it. Slamming the bathroom door, ran the water. "You must be running this shit and not me. Is that it?" She called from the bathroom.
~*~
Pierce came knocking on the door ten minutes alter. Gat opened it. "Yeah, Veteran Child was scheduled to spin at On Track tonight," Gat opened the door further to show Kyouki braiding her hair. The chill from them both was freaking Pierce out. Unsure what to do, he finished his thought so he could get the hell out of there. "...want me to get a crew and take him out?"
Kyouki tied the end of her hair. "No." Shouldering past Johnny, who was right behind her.
Pierce shrugged, stepping out of both their way. "What do you want me to do?"
"Train to fight. Train your crew too." Walking past them, Kyouki left for On Track.
"You heard the lady." Gat went out as well. Pierce didn't know that to say. Ky's mood was bitter. The mood from last night to now shifted like a broken pendulum, he would wait until she got back to ask.
~*On Track, Southern Cross*~
This was not what Kyouki thought of when Gat suggested her. He let her know that, while she was dressing, when they were locked up the only reason he knew her was she sought him out.
Kyouki remembered from their first meeting. It was an addition. 'She can't fight. That's what she needed me for.' That now has her further irritated. " The only thing she could do was make money, pruno that won't kill no one." Johnny stated calmly.
Kyouki stopped midway from pulling her shit down. "How is this benefiting us then?" She answered from the bathroom door. "What did you think? I wasn't going to find out, or you thought I would train her? I mean her ex, who runs with the Sons, walked. In. Here!" Gat said nothing else. Kyouki said nothing.
The message was obvious, no weak links in the Saints. Kyouki didn't lead for long back when Julius ran shit, but she made sure they knew how to survive, taking minimal risks and injuries at most. With Shaundi being unable to save herself, this is a major problem in the eyes of the Saints leader.
There was going to be a change. Gat went to see if there was any old weight equipment they could use.
~*~
Screeching to a stop, Kyouki brought a few people with her. "Check the perimeter. You two follow me."
They took their time going in and there weren't many Sons on the first floor, people bringing in equipment that they noticed. Kyouki grabbed a large case and carried it inside.
"Aye, you, take that one to the booth."
With a nod, she followed the large man's instruction. After asking for directions to where the booth is. Overhearing how his company sends more idiots for money, Ky chuckled to herself. The DJ booth was just the spot she needed to survey the lower floors. Spotting Shaundi sitting at one booth being guarded.
The two Saints with her ducked behind the booth with her. "Saw two on the stairs."
"And like six guarding the other stairs."
Kyouki nodded. "Start a fire, head back out." She thought twice about it. "A small one." The two agreed and left.
She looked over the machine, seeing Veteran Child bring Shaundi a burger. Watching her made Kyouki furious. She could have gotten herself free. Ky thought about it. She was blindsided once too. Some of her ire subsided.
"Fire!"
The Sons and people were shouting and moving to the upper floors. Kyouki slipped from hiding and headed down.
~*~
Several Sons lay groaning, few died at the hands of Kyouki and her Saints. Veteran Child was shook. "You think I'm scared of you?"
"You damn well better be. That's twice you shot at me. And the only reason you're still standing is because your bitch ass has my lieutenant as a shield."
"You can't talk to the triple platinum Veteran Child like that!" The dread-headed DJ screeched out.
"I'll talk to your bitch ass any fucking way I please, pussy." Li took small steps towards the pair. "Veteran, you are going to be in so much pain you'll be begging for me to kill you~." Her sing-song voice sent a shiver up his spine.
Shaundi saw the look in her eyes, her tone. Her Boss wasn't here. This is the one Johnny warned her about when he spoke of her. This one is terrifying.
Veteran Child coughed out. "We'll see about that, won't we?"
"Yes... yes, we will. How about this? Let her go. We have one on one. If you can land a single hit on me, I'll let you live."
He seemed to process what she said. He still did not know who this woman was, and was far from letting his bargaining chip go.
"N-no!" The man stuttered.
The fear in his voice again. Now utterly curious, she posed the question. "What has you so scared? Is it me? Because that would be an honor."
"Sunshine."
Chuckling. "You are a vampire?" Taking another few steps closer.
"Stay back! Just go away..." Legit fear was present in this kid's voice.
"You are about as threatening as cotton candy. How about this: I am unarmed, you are armed? I kick your ass. You take me to this Sunshine?"
Veteran Child fired, Li darted towards them, knocking both Shaundi and her captor to the floor. The gun slid from his hand across the room. Li kicked Shaundi out of the way, then pressed her hand on Veteran's throat.
"You made this too easy. But I have to know, why did you break into my hideout?" Glaring down at Veteran.
"This can't be fucking happening..." He groaned.
It was over, just like that. He had no choice but to answer. Better to die at this woman's hand than burn alive. "My life is being threatened. She razed the farms. They were going to kill me by burning me alive. The shit that went down at the University, Gabby, was one of mine."
"Who threatened you to come to my place?"
"Sons leaders The General and Mr. Sunshine."
Li sighed. She needed information and if the General and Mr. Sunshine were to be that barbaric, she could hide him away. But others knowing where they are is now a problem. Taking her knee out of Veteran's shoulder helped him to his feet.
"Call your boys who were watching my place. Now."
He did. Five minutes later, the two who watched Purgatory were standing before Li. The whole time, she said nothing to Shaundi, even when Shaundi tried to speak to her. Shaundi took a seat and waited, watching.
"This was it?" Pointing to the two lookouts.
"Yeah." Veteran said.
Li raised an eyebrow. "If you are lying about this."
"No. Honest, just these guys." Throwing his hands up in defense.
"Kill them. They know too much." The two informants look at each other and were ready to draw their guns. One look from Li froze them from thought.
"Wa-wait. I can't do that!"
Li turned to Veteran. "Really? You have them at my place. You break in but you can't sever their connection to you, so you may keep your life? I am allowing you to have, by the way."
He looked at the guys, swallowed hard. He killed no one before. Though his life is now in Shaundi's rescuers hands, he has no choice. Li handed him back the gun he had dropped his hand to his side. The cold metal felt exceptionally heavy now. Taking aim, he went to pull the trigger.
The sound of nothing filled their ears. Li walked up to the two. "Go back to my place and I'll see you when I get there." A snap of her fingers. The two who came with her escorted the Sons members back to Purgatory. Loading the clip into the empty gun. "As for you." Gun aimed at Veteran.
"Fuck me... I just helped you!" Veteran Child whined.
Li shrugged. "That means what to me? You came to my house and stole from me."
"I'm sorry!"
Stepping to the young man, toe to toe, shot the gun near his cheek then kicked him across the room. "When I call you, answer." Li turned, climbing the stairs, Shaundi silently following behind. Before Kyouki got in the car she called Gat. "I got her Boss. Call off the search. See you in five."
~
The modified green Hondor pulled up as the Saints pulled off. Mr. Sunshine exited the vehicle and examined the damage that the woman left behind. Finding Veteran Child was still setting up for the night, shaken he was so distracted with what he was doing, he didn't notice the Voodoo Lord standing behind him until it was too late.
"I told you, you had no more chances."
The smell of fire paused Veteran Child. He closed his eyes, paralyzed with fear as he accepted his fate. He had no escape. The smell of gasoline filled his nostrils.
~*Purgatory*~
They sat at the bar. Gat was pouring a fresh cup of tea for Kyouki, Pierce and Carlos were questioning Shaundi, and Ky still hadn't spoken a word.
Clearing her throat after she set her cup down, addressed Shaundi without so much as looking at her. "Shaundi... are you ok?"
"Pretty much, yeah. Thank you for coming to get me." She rubbed her head where she was hit.
Kyouki nodded. Thinking of how shit could've gone down, Ky snorted. "I can't believe you got your ass handed to you by that chump..."
Shaundi sighed. "My ex-boyfriend's a dick. That one anyway."
"You should go home and rest." Ky took another sip of her tea.
Shaundi smirked. "If by resting you mean smokin' an ounce, then hell yeah..." That gained Shaundi a few agreeing chuckles.
Kyouki shook her head. She was in no mood for games. Gat knew what she was saying, he leaned on the bar waiting. "Yeah... No. No... that's not what I mean." Kyouki placed her cup down, drawing her gun. "Shaundi. You're gonna have to leave."
Shaundi looked confused. "Wait, why? I have a headache but it's alright!"
Pierce jumped back. "Boss, wait, don't."
Li cocked her gun, aiming it at the petite woman's head, who was slowly climbing down from the stool, backing away. "I'm sorry, but you became a liability."
Shaundi's eyes widened in horror. "Boss, don't do this."
"You are weak! I will not allow weakness within the Saints!" Kyouki was truly past her limit. Her accent was showing. Gat reached over, taking the gun.
When they thought it was safe and chill, Kyouki lunged at Shaundi, punching her in the jaw. "You allowed yourself to be followed!" She tossed her aside, then stalked over to her. "I do not care how much of a dick he is. You put yourself and everyone here in jeopardy!"
Kyouki was letting her have it. The crew stood there, mostly in shock. Save for Gat. He knew Shaundi would have to answer one day. Kyouki was stern, at times, mostly needing the others to fall in line and stand on their own. When he let Kyouki know Shaundi wasn't a fighter, he knew the only way to get Shaundi into tougher skin was to let her fight. Not fair to let Kyouki fight her when she's cursing her out in Japanese. Amusing, just not fair.
Gat came from behind the bar. Ky was giving Shaundi body blows that made everyone cringe. Enough was enough. He grabbed Kyouki up and hit by an elbow to his face when she wiggled free.
"Chill, Ky." He wrapped his arms around her arms and waist to hold her still. Thankful she wasn't kicking. "Take her out of here and cleaned up."
Shaundi was still curled in a ball when Carlos and the others helped her. Gat carried Kyouki to her room. Closing the door behind him locked it. There was water in the hot tub already and Kyouki was still squirming. In one hoist, Ky was in the water.
"Johnny!" she gasped.
A nonchalant. "You good?" His back was to her as he sat in thought.
Ky looked at herself sitting fully clothed in the hot tub. Splashing the water at Johnny, she was far from good. His choice could have ended poorly. Letting her vent on Shaundi was lenient when it would have been easier to shoot her.
"How could you allow weakness in?"
Sitting on the tub step, he looked down at the woman who was a force to reckon with. Her wet hair clung to her face. Water dripped off her nose. He took her hand and checked her knuckles. "Because I let it in years ago."
~*~*~*~*~
The next morning, The Stilwater Gazette made its way to Kyouki's hands. The front page had made an impact.
Gen X DJ found murdered.
A local DJ is dead after a shootout at On Track nightclub involving an unknown assailant and the Sons of Samedi. Witnesses describe scenes of terror as young woman burst into the nightclub firing at everything and everyone. It's unclear whether Veteran Child's death was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time, or if he was in fact connected to the Sons of Samedi in some way. Officials have not yet determined if an earlier shooting at Cocks Nightclub is somehow related.
"Shit." Kyouki curses, picking up her phone and sent out a text to the others.