Saints Row: Bullet to the Heart

Chapter 15

It had been some weeks since Li proclaimed her place as the Saints' leader. Things still needed to be done around their new headquarters, and the finding of what the other crews ran, their businesses, the base of operations and who led them, were on her desk. She had pushed it off to save it for later, and sorted them. It was sparse, but it was something, and all she needed to do was keep the look outs looking and bide time until they were ready to strike.

Ky and about twenty other Saints were in Purgatory cleaning and making it ready for the final reveal. Some fresh tags were drying, and at Li's approval, she shooed them all to keep cleaning.
Kyouki had the music turned up as she cleaned, several songs she used to sing that were once new to her. Kyouki would stop every so often and dance around with the crew while she was cleaning. Time slipped from them in the amusement as others filtered in finding their Leader cleaning, they all pitched in to help. They were having a mini party on their own. Pierce was singing along with the rap parts to songs with Ky. She would sing it all, which was shocking to the crew. Ky knew so many songs. Others bopped along, singing and laughing with good vibes that flowed in the house as they worked.

It wasn't long until Aisha and Gat walked in finding her smiling while it still occupied her with wiping down the bar; stopping to come dance with Carlos, who walked by. With them Ren, the girl who she saved from her abusive stepfather, was tagging along. The duo greeted the girl outside. She needed help. Gat paused, the song she was singing. This song haunts him, the last song he ever heard her sing. He would sit and request it often from the local station. He even went to buy the single when it was available.

Watching her dance around was amusing. She was always the performer. Kyouki never noticed she had one who would watch her every move.

" Sittin' here thinkin bout yesterday, about what we did and how we used to play. Just the thought of you brings a smile upon my face. That's how it makes me feel to see you every day. Oh... Where we go, nobody knows~ And what we do is between me and you..."

Aisha smiled, dancing up to her best friend. Seeing Kyouki in high spirits these days was refreshing. It was like when they were younger, always a smile on her face, just like before.

"Ky, we got a visitor." Aisha announced as she grabbed a broom.

The woman looked up, still dancing, waved. "Hey Xiuying, did I pronounce it right? What are you doing here, not planning on helping, are you?" Turning down the music a bit.

The girl smiled shyly, taking up a bag to hold to dump some garbage in. "I came to ask for some help."

"Of course, what you need?" Ky piled some plastic wrapping and packing peanuts in the bag the girl held for her.

Taking a deep breath blurted what she needed. "A job... with you?"

Aisha looked to the girl, then Kyouki, who stopped mid-motion, both women shaking their heads, then turned as she went back to sweeping. Ky wasn't surprised, but what surprised her was the girl's ability to locate the Hideout despite being told once before. "You're too young to run with a gang."

"But I'm.."

"Too young. I won't feel right."

"Can I just clean, or something, fetching you coffee?"

Ky smiled. Before she could answer, Gat strode up, looking down at Ren as he walked past. "She drinks tea, green with honey, mostly. Coffee makes her too jittery." Ren didn't realize Gat's full height. She felt dwarfed next to him.

Kyouki had to nod. "It's true, I do. Being oddly specific, how do you even know that?" She ducked once more behind the counter, popping up and continued her thoughts. "I was younger than you when I was first asked if I wanted to even run an 'party to benefit the people'. And in the years that followed, they have shot me, shot at me, stabbed, cut; some his fault..." pointing at Johnny. "I lost friends, family... myself. I cannot see myself allowing you in. Come back in five years, then we'll talk."
Kyouki went back to stocking the clean glasses and stopped, thinking if the girl won't listen to reason, she has something that is on hand for not only herself, but for others who need a wake up call. "Ren, go sit there. Look behind the statue." She pointed to the angel statue on the landing.
Kyouki watch her walk to the steps before she turned to Johnny. "G, any chance you get in touch with Freddy?"