Saints Row: Bullet to the Heart

Chapter 9

The phone rang, startling Kyouki from her sleep. "Morning Rich. What's up?"

"Morning, James. Can you come in today? I know you're off schedule. Let's say two hours before your shift? There's something I need to discuss with you."

Groggy, Ky sat up. "Yeah. Sure." The request did not confuse her. It was the tone in which sounded as if she had done something wrong. "I'll be there, bye." Kyouki stretched, then quietly got ready and slipped out before Aisha and Gat were up and about.

~*~

As early as it was, Kyouki jogged over to the club. She would make it in time, and she needed the cardio either way. Her muscles burned as she came into view of the strip club. A few people were in there early too.

"Morning. Can I get a water?" Ky put her head down on the bar.

"Girl, did you run here?" Her co-worker asked, handing over a cool bottle of water.

"Jog walk." She laughed. "Is Rich in?" Breathing through swallows of water.

Her co-worker chuckled, shaking her head. "He's in back. He seemed weird this morning. You in trouble?"

"Don't think so. Thanks." Kyouki answered on her way to the back. She stood in front of the owner's door, her mind going over the night before today. Did she do something wrong? Was something amiss? Knocking, she walked in. "Hey Rich ~ you needed to see me?"

The man looked up, nodding. Gesturing to an empty chair, he cleared his throat. "Yeah, have a seat."

~*Mission Beach, Phillips Building, New Saints Row.*~

Hours later, Kyouki stood in what used to be hers. The worst part of Stilwater, hell, all of Stilwater was bad, but where she stood, that was the Saints' turf and now an open wound; that had a statue of a man who was to have his bodyguards kill her that faithful night those many years ago, erected over the site, in the river, a floating reminder of a murder-suicide - is what she was told.

Six years prior, she was reportedly dead. She knew she died. She felt it on her back; still could feel the heat from the explosion even in the shade as she overlooked this disgusting, "Memorial." she spat.

Right now, Li could consider being free from the Saints, to do anything her heart desired, singing, racing full time, but after her talk with the owner of Technically Legal, it seemed the Saints were calling her back; along with letting Samedi know Li was back, she cursed herself for that.
Her Boss fired her, more or less, for being who she is. "Troy was right. They know me." She whispered in the wind. Not for the reason, he thought. With a soft smirk, a frown replaced her cool attitude. Gat did this - pulling her back, she felt uneasy. She hit her hand on the hard metal railing - instantly regretting that she went to sit down, rubbing her sore hand.

~

It had been hours since she left the club. Running back to the home, she stayed, hopped in her car, and made her way to where she was now. Reliving the time in her life that the world was hers. And the night it ended. Kyouki saw Gat run out of the house after her, and she was ignoring even his calls, for now. Thinking heavy thoughts about what she should, or hinted to do.

~*Some hours prior, Technically Legal: Gentlemans Club, Tidal Spring.*~

"Do you know Li?"

Kyouki's eyes widened slightly. "Yes, what about her?" She questioned back with curiosity as her heart rate sped up slightly.

Rich went over to the safe and Ky got up from the chair slowly, nervous, and suddenly so very aware of the situation. The older man reached in the safe and pulled from it a bag of money. "I never forget a face. I thought you looked familiar." Taking his seat at the desk once again. You saved us before. We could use your help again, support the Saints once more. The lights will be purple from now on."