~*June, 97'*~
"Ky, wait up!" Devon, one of her classmates, trotted after her. Li turned around. Hiking her backpack over her shoulder, Johnny and Dex came to pick her up. She grumbled when she saw Johnny's car. She stopped, smiling at the approaching boy, waiting for him to catch up. Johnny laid on the horn, Li turned and gestured for Johnny to knock it off. She saw Dex laugh.
"Hey Von, sup?"
Devon asked her to the movies that weekend. He was smiling back at her, nervously chuckling.
"I would but..." She wanted to tell him about her supposed "boyfriend" but that was still up in the air and her being a Saint, but no one outside needed to know.
The boy let out a heavy sigh. "How about –"
Johnny had climbed out of his car. Several girls pointed, giggling as he walked up. He slipped an arm over her shoulders. Li's face soured her jaw, jutting out in irritation. Dex walked up, taking Li's backpack, chuckling on his way back to the car.
"Baby Girl, don't ignore Daddy when he comes to pick you up. You heard me honking at you." Gat leaned over, taking her chin in his hand, and kissed her on the lips.
Devon paled when he looked up at Johnny who towered over the boy, then Johnny flipped his shirt showing his lovely pearl-handled knife and gun he keeps on him at all times, lowering his glasses. "No." Gat said and Devon backed away.
Li froze, her mind went blank, her stomach did flips. Her adrenalin skyrocketed. Gathering herself, Li pinched Gat's hand hard. She left him with a weeklong bruise, turning quickly punched him in the stomach. "God Johnny why, hate you! Oshiri, why can't you mind your damn business?" practically stomping to the car.
"Only time I want to hear God and my name is when you're under me." Rubbing his stomach, Gat pouted. "He's not good enough."
"You are EW... Never happening, Oshiri. Can you let me handle my own shit?"
"Yes, just not with him!" Making it sound more like an obvious fact he needn't answer.
"You have zero room to talk!" Li climbed into the back and slammed the door closed, waved goodbye as Devon looked back.
"AYE, Don't slam her doors… Besides, you love me." when he took his place in the driver's seat.
Li opened the door again and slammed it shut harder. Gat turned around, going to grab for her arm.
Dex was laughing. Even he noticed a change in Johnny's behavior. "He asked you out finally?" Dex inquired, handing the girl a Freckle Bitches bag.
"Yeah, tried to, but Oshiri here scared him off." Stuffing a fry in her mouth.
Gat turned genuinely shocked, looking at Li, then Dex. "Dexter, you knew about this?" Dex shrugged, putting his hands up in defense, refusing to get into it with Gat.
"Grow up, Johnny, don't do that shit again." Li punched Johnny in the ear, slumping back in her seat. Johnny adjusted the rearview mirror and watched her. She was blushing, he saw, as she looked out the window while they drove to the church that was their base.
~*October of 98'*~
It had been four days since they lost Lin to the to the Westside Rollerz. Gat took Li out, a favorite spot, the beach. Johnny had taken her out for a spin before, mostly with Dex or Aisha. Today was all about Li. That also meant taking her out in his prized Venom. It was something he had been wanting to do, to thank her, but after Lin, Li being her replacement, he wanted to at least thank her for trying to save Lin's life.
Li had been feeling guilty because of the death of Lin. Everybody saw it. He hoped it would cheer her up. It took some time to wrangle her away from Troy. Who was he kidding? The man was never there to start.
"Kyouki?" Johnny asked after clearing his throat.
"Hmm?"
"I got something for you, I… How's that … the uh… you know." Gesturing to her side.
Li nodded. She was quiet and has been.
"Did you tell your Obachan?"
Ky shook her head no. She really wasn't talking now. Lin's death hit them hard, but Johnny knew because she was right there and couldn't save her, Kyouki took this all on herself.
"Kyouki, you want to talk to me about it, I know I'm an O- sheer- y…"
Li turned her head. She didn't want to talk about it. She smirked at his mispronunciation. "It's Oh- shi -ree. Not today Johnny, can you just take me home? I can tag out with Aisha?"
"Nah, Ish is mad at me again. Figure I take you out instead." He leaned back, his hands feeling the cooled sand. He looked over at Li. The way the sunlight hit Li's eyes. Seeing them change colors in the setting sun was like magic. Gat couldn't fight this feeling he had for her.
He reached into his pants pocket. "Here." Handing her the keys. This wasn't the real reason he was giving her his car. It was because he loved this car, and even though he and Aisha were in and out of their relationship. Li he couldn't get his mind off of.
With a shake of her head, she refused. "I can't take it."
"Why the fuck not?"
"I know how much you love your special baby. Thank you, though." Li got up to leave, brushing the sand off of her pants.
"Ky, wait seriously… Here." He lunged from his seated position and grabbed Li's wrist, pulling her back to him.
"No. I don't want your damn car!" She jerked her arm. Gat tugged harder and Li landed on top of him across his chest.
Li lay there, face full of sand, Gat shifted to sitting up with her now across his lap. Li pushed herself up on her hands and knees, lunging at Johnny, straddling him as she brushed her face on him, his face, neck, and chest, and back up to his face, ridding herself of the sand.
They couldn't help but start laughing. Their noses touched, lips ever so slightly brushed against each other. Li backed up quickly, apologizing. Gat grabbed the back of her head before she moved too far away. Looking into those honey hazel eyes, he knew it was coming. He made so many passes at her, he first kissed her years ago, as a joke. Gat thought it was all a joke. But just kidded himself. Her eyes darted looking at him through his shades. He used his free hand and removed his glasses.
Li was stuck. The grip he had on her was strong. She felt strange, warm, the way he looked at her. His light brown eyes, she's only seen him without the shades once, watched with silence as he was now looking at her lips.
Her mind shouted to fight him Li could only focus on his face and everything was moving slowly, the water was loud in her ears, the seagulls cawing scratching the back of her mind, she couldn't look away from Gat. 'We can't kiss,' she told herself, she had to stop it, "Uh, Johnny?"
His name was on her lips. He wanted those lips. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't jealous of Troy.
The sound of Johnny's name coming from her, her slight accent when she says it, calling him by the nickname she dubbed him with, arouses him. Gat leaned in, pulling her closer, just once more. He just needed one more kiss and he will never kiss her again. Coolly, pressing his lips to hers, moaned softly. Her lips were just as he imagined, better than any thought he had.
Li gasped, trying to back up. Her lips parted, and Gat slid his tongue along her lower lip. Her heart was racing, and she felt hot, her hands tingling. She pulled back, pushing him away. "I'm with Troy." she said breathlessly. She went to move, but Gat pulled her to sit between his legs.
He laced his fingers with hers, pressing the keys into her hand. "He isn't here, and he ain't been."
Her so-called boyfriend, who was never around granted he was Julius' Lieutenant but he was never around for Li when it really counted. He promised him if he hurt her, his ass was grass.
Li looked away, out to the water. He was right. She hates when he is. The sunlight that remained cast dark colors, of orange, reds, pinks, the colors you see in pictures. It looked different now, dancing on the sloshing waves. She felt his arm go across her chest, hugging her slightly, warming her physically.
Pushing his arm away, got to her feet again, brushing the sand off and helping Johnny up.
"Aisha is my best friend and your girlfriend. I can't… Cannot do that to them." Turning, she tossed the keys over her shoulder back to Johnny.
When Johnny dropped Li off at home, Li took a napkin and jotted down the address to the warehouse where she keeps her Hayate. "If anything happens to Lady, you can take it out of my hide. Or you want her back, let me know. I'll insure the car in the morning. Thanks… I'll take good care of her til then. Night."
Getting out, she headed to the door. Normally she looks back, not tonight, tonight she won't give him the satisfaction.
Johnny had lied to himself. Once would never be enough. His cell rang. "Ish, be right there."
~*S.R.1*~
"Damn you Oshiri." She whispered, shaking her head. Locking the door, she stood next to her mechanics. "Verdict?"
"Cleaning." They both announced.
Kyouki nodded. "Alright then, let's get this chic back to the garage."
The others agreed she made calls. She took a key from her keyring. "Here, this is the garage key. It's all yours." Pointing to the brothers. "Carlos has his." She mouthed as she was listening to the driver to tell them where they were. Soon they would tow the Venom back to the garage and start work on making her run.
~*Saints Headquarters.*~
Mid-week, Purgatory was close to being finished and now was as good a time as any for Li to focus on the issues that were sitting on her desk.
It was two days after picking up Ramon. They came in with their tools and other components needed for fixing and detailing cars. They immediately went to work. Carlos and Ramon were busy. Several Saints also helped them. They shipped parts in for her racer and the Venom. The detailing Carlos did on the once Ronin Wakazashi was Godlike. Li had paperwork sitting for that young man in her desk drawer.
Ren, as she liked to be called, was doing fine keeping Aisha company and just got off the phone with Aisha, both women decided Ren was going to go back to school, but she was going to be tutored with Aisha and then sent to school the coming new semester.
Gat was still on the list of Li's last nerves from his bender. Aisha talked to him, and Li just couldn't deal with it then. "I don't sleep with him." Li pointed out, Aisha laughed, agreeing to keep him home for a bit. He kept his distance and Li did not mind one bit. She would have to talk to him soon. For now, his face irritated her.
Matters at hand were one look, and she knew which to tackle first, Stilwater's drug problem. The Sons of Samedi are pushers, they have cornered the drug market and getting the info from Shaundi was easy. She had dealings with them, like sleeping with one lieutenant by the name of Veteran Child.
Li understood why she was hesitant to take them on, Ex's , but Shaundi didn't have that option.
Now drugs have always been a major factor in determining who controls things in this city. First, it was Los Carnales, who were backed by the Colombian drug cartel that had been established in Stilwater for over three decades, until Li was asked to escort them out. Escorting them out was more like executing them one by one, and pitting the Carnales against the Colombians.
~*April of 95'*~
Li came back to the church on Mission Beach. Julius had been looking for her. No one could contact her, and Julius was ready to strangle her for taking off without a word.
"Fuck you been girl? Had people looking for your ass!"
Li shrugged apologetically. "I guess you didn't hear. Hector died and the Colombians are to blame." she took a seat on the desk Julius uses.
Troy looked at her. "What do you mean, the Colombians?"
Gat raised an eyebrow. "You're shitting me."
Dex waited to hear more. He was a little skeptical. "You mean to tell us, You took out Hector Lopez?"
Li nodded, kicking her feet and brushing her pants smooth, "Well... Hector had a thing for young girls."
The looks on their faces said it all. Li doubled over, laughing so hard tears pooled in her eyes. Once she sobered, she sighed, wiping her eyes. "Hell no, I didn't sleep with him, but he came into Glitz often, and well, I was in the area one night and took him and his goons out."
"You, you killed Hector Lopez?" Johnny and Dex crossed their arms. They couldn't believe it either.
With a firm nod, Li looked at Julius and bowed her head. "You, Mr. Little, are welcome, but I don't think I can take Angelo out alone. The stunt I pulled may make him edgy now." She looked at Dex and he nodded, agreeing to ride and die.
Julius nodded. "You are one crazy sonofabitch."
Li smiled, "Skilled. I'm going home. I have school." Troy offered to take her home. He had something he had to do.
~*S.R.1*~
This new crew, the Sons of Samedi, as Shaundi stated, "They're not just gang bangers, these guys are outta their damn mind. For God's sake, they're named after the vodoun, lord of the dead."
"Baron Samedi, Lord of the Dead. Voodoo… Shaundi, you really believe that?" Who was she to talk? Her Obachan was as superstitious as they came.
"Listen, I may be baked out of my mind most times, but there are some things I won't even fuck with. Shit, their product is called Loa Dust after the Haitian Voodoo spirits, Loa."
Li looked at her and tilted her head. "But you smoked it, didn't you?"
"Yeah, I know not to fuck with things."
Li snorted.
Shaundi nodded. "So, how do we tackle this?"
That's what Li was doing now, trying to figure out how to tackle the SOS, and as if her mind projected in walking Pierce. Li's phone chimed at the same time. She pointed to a seat as Pierce took it and waited.
Sorry to have disappeared for the past few weeks. <
Surprised she had thought little of Brian's vanishing act, but welcomed the late heads up.
> It's cool. I don't worry too much about the drifters. You heading back?
Yeah, in a few days <
> Alright, I'll let you use my apt when you're here.. we'll talk when you get back.
Pierce noticed Li had finished. "Yeah gotta minute?"
"Sure."
"I have a plan for making money. We steal it from the Ronin."
Li looked interested in what he had to say and nodded he was no Dexter, but she will give Pierce the benefit of the doubt. Pulling out a map of Stilwater, he colored the areas yellow that was Ronin territory. And they had a lot of ground covered.
"Now, they are running this shit here and here. They have been slowly taking over, but not pushers."
"I know." Li muttered.
Pierce looked confused. "What?"
"What?" Li shrugged. She waved for him to continue.
"Their biggest operation is here at the marina, the casino."
Li paused him with a finger on the back of his hand. She smiled softly and sighed. "How's this? We can strategize when they do make a move. For now, I need help with these guys." Handing him the file, she just went over.
"Cool, I'll go talk with Shaundi. I'll get back to you soon." He got up and left the office.
Li sighed, closing her eyes as she smoothed her eyebrows down. When she opened her eyes, she was looking at the map, right in the area of Aisha's house.
"Fuck!" Li shouted in aggravation and frustration. She covered her eyes and sighed heavily. A knock on the door alerted Li, looking between her fingers at the approaching irritant she didn't want to see.
"What do you want, Oshiri?"
"Came to apologize, hadn't heard from you since..."
Waving a dismissive hand. "No need, as long as you aren't showing up at my door like a stray." She felt hot, angry, hot, just Gat being there, and she wanted to punch him.
"Damn, it's like that?" He figured if he stayed home and worked from there, she'd be back to her 'Kyouki' self. Gat may have done it this time. He remembered nothing other than he woke up with his arms around her, and the feeling of something between them happened.
Li gotten up from her desk, reaching down to grab the papers she needed, "Yeah, cause your sorry is the constant need to flirt with me, the need to cockblock guys from talking to me, from kissing me, and you just being you in the middle of the night at my door! Why? What in fuck's sake has you…. I don't even fucking know what the fuck to call it. But cut the shit Johnathan!" Li was heated. As she stormed past him, the room felt hot. She needed to get away from him before she did something she'd regret. Thinking back to how he was always in her ear, his lips, his body.
Godsdamnit, she missed Troy. Then she was ready to skin him alive. Both of them can jump in an active volcano.
~
Johnny stood there looking at the spot Li once stood, never as she snapped on him. Not like that. Something must have happened. After closing his eyes, he tried to remember what had happened. He needed a drink. He couldn't think. What did she mean by kissing her and him being him? Did they kiss? Maybe in one of the pleasant dreams he has. But he can't have her mad at him.
"Kyouki!" He followed her out of Purgatory.