Saints Row: Bullet to the Heart

Untitled Part 71

~*Aunt Mimi's, Sept 07'.*~

Weeks ago when Kyouki had broken it off with Dane, and needed a new outlet, a new hiding place. There was no better place than with her family. Kyouki had listened to Tracey talk about work, and everything else. It was a full year now that she had been working for Ultor. The amount of money they paid her was enough to support herself and her two small children. If Kyouki had let her. Thankful she was for the opportunity and made sure that she put in the time. Some nights, she had to bring her work home. Setting on her draft board well into the night when her little ones were sound asleep, she sketched. The sound of pencils, pens, sloshing of water tinkling in jars that had murky water from the watercolor paints. No one was supposed to see them, as she had plenty of time to get them done.

Not too long ago Kyouki had gotten the call about Dane. Ky stopped by for a brief visit. When Ky came by to discuss her will and the conditions, she went to Tracey's bedroom and saw her cousin's draft table. Kyouki questioned her on the beautifully skilled drawings of white-silver and crystal clear glass buildings, lush green grasses, with full spring trees scattered in pleasant looking parks with ponds of clear blue waters. Sticky notes littered around the large sketch as Kyouki examined the piece. "Shivington Project."

With the image in mind, she picked up her baby cousin, who woke from her nap. "Ree, Shivington Project for me? So sweet of you. I was thinking of something different for the area, though."

"You know that's for work." Tracey laughed out. "It is a few drafts on a bigger scale I was asked to do. I love how it came out."

Kyouki felt recharged as she kissed the little girl's chunky cheeks. "That's what you do, right? For the company, I mean." Blowing raspberries next on the girl, hearing her giggle, pushing her big cousin's face away.

"Yeah, well, not exactly. I do the drafting, yeah. You know, the slideshows that show the possible building architecture and like city projects? That's me. Marketing."

"Oh." Kyouki shrugged, handing the baby over, then gave numerous kisses to E.J. Back in her mind, she remembered hearing something about Shivington. But she definitely remembered Dane assuring her it was just nothing permanent. "Who asked you to draw those up?" Putting the boy down, going to admire the beautifully detailed watercolor work.

"Huh? Oh, Mr. Vogel. I met him through Dex." Tracey set out fresh clothes for the kids' bath. "Oh yeah, Dex asked me to lunch the other day."

It was suspicious or a coincidence, but Kyouki wasn't sure. "Really?" as she kept looking over the paintings.

~*Tohoku Towers.*~

Jyunichi pulled into the garage of the hotel where the Main Ronin lived. Johnny drove the Venom a distance away. Kyouki left without a word as she walked the short way to her car. Out of the underground car park, she made her way south, to the same location she last visited.

Gat was behind and singled her to pull over. On the overpass, Johnny called her, seeing her actions and waited for her to pick up. "I think we should talk..."

Kyouki turned up the volume on the radio and waited for Gat to fall into place. Taking the hint Johnny received, he hung up. He thought of calling her to ride together, but they were both mad at each other. He shouldn't have pulled her so hard, maybe he shouldn't have slammed her into the wall so hard. Ish put her hand on his thigh, patting him.

"I'll talk to her. See what's on her mind."

With a shake of his head, he put his blinker on, following Kyouki once more.

There was plenty going on in the minds of those three. Kyouki with what she needs to do, making mental notes about what could happen. Aisha thought she had pushed too hard. Seeing Ky upset after they came to see her with what she thought was wonderful news. And Gat had a hold and slipped again today with his actions. He's going to lose her, saw her lips agree, as the exact opposite assumption he initially had happened. Hoping to see Dane mollified was what he himself felt.