For Kei's mother, her life had been turned upside down. The dream house she had envisioned ended up being occupied by gang members, and now fear and terror could be seen in the eyes of the helpless woman. A tactic devised by Kei had incited Hiroshi to take over the family home, and he had fallen for it hook, line, and sinker, now calling it his hideout.
Runna was crying forcefully as she watched her home disappear. She was hungry, sleepy, and had a bruise on her cheek from answering back to Hiroshi.
-Ma'am, Kei sent me to have you move out. - Nijima commented, walking alongside Siegfried. They had a small cargo truck, more like a large van with a metal container. The twin brothers Iji and Niji had the decency to pack all of their mother and sister's belongings into the small truck, from the beds to the pans, everything was left behind.
Runna climbed into the driver's seat previously occupied by Siegfried, sitting on her mother's lap. The young singer was in the back, and Nijima tried to lighten the mood, but for the Kazama women, the limit had been reached... their home for 24 years, was vacated and used as a war headquarters.
The tears flowed, and the uncomfortable silence was completely shattered. Kei knew this was the only way to separate his mother. A painful lesson, but it was better to lose the house than their lives. At the Ryozampaku, the other Niko would think twice before carrying out any activities against his mother and sister.
The sound of the tires on the asphalt was all that could be heard from Nijima, who blocked out the rest of the senses.
-We've arrived at our destination. - Nijima commented, whistling as he got out of the truck. As he knocked on the door, Apachai was already behind him.
'apa'
In the following moments, Kenichi observed the small redheaded child hiding behind her mother's skirt. Chia's maternal warmth could not be escaped, as she was a very sweet woman, only lacking the strength to oppose anyone. The dojo, their new home, was large with grass around it, and trees, and the damaged appearance was no worse than the old house. The little girl came out from behind her mother's skirt and looked around, noticing Apachai standing beside her.
-Hahaha, you're a big silly. - said Runna.
-Apa, apa... I'm Apachai. - his voice was warm and sweet, so soft for such a large man that Runna suspected he was weak. She was not foolish and had many strategies.
-I'm Runna. -
Nijima ordered Siegfried to unload all the belongings, acting as the leader of a logistics company. 'In order,' he said, forcing Kenichi to carry the things. The young man complained but ended up carrying everything. The masters were not as attentive to the situation, but Runna was already playing with Apachai.
-Before that, I think that's all. - said Nijima, intervening just as Siegfried, hidden behind the door, called Runna over and handed her a yellow and orange cat. It was a small five-month-old kitten, young and the sweetest of the litter, chosen by Siegfried himself.
Runna hugged the cat and brought it close to her chest. The eyes of the women present lit up at the sight of the cat, as the blonde was very attentive to the girl, being Kei Kazama's sister.
-It's so cute. - Miu commented.
-They gave it to me. I've always wanted a cat. I'll call him Mr. Whiskers. - Runna said, hugging the cat, which meowed as it was swung from side to side. Miu also went crazy over the cat.
-Who gave it to you? - Miu asked, now acting like the innocent girl she was.
-It's a secret! I can only tell you if you promise to keep the secret! - Runna said, and with her big eyes, Miu couldn't help but nod and hug her, cat and all, pressing the little Runna against her bosom.
-Of course, we'll keep the secret. - Miu said.
-Well, then you have to buy me a lollipop. I want a sucker. - Runna said, and the blonde agreed without hesitation while hugging the little Runna. On the other hand, Chia was shy about everything that was happening, but the cordial Hayato took her to her new home, the same house he lived in with Miu. His sharp eyes saw the love in the two newly arrived women that a person could only have for their own family.
The little girl approached when she saw that there was no one around her.
-My older brother did it; he always buys me everything I want and can't say no. - Runna whispered in Miu's ear.
-Your older brother? - Miu responded loudly but was interrupted by Runna, who made a sheepish face while apologizing. She couldn't imagine Kei being sweet to anyone; he was a demon.
-No one can know. My brother told me he has a reputation as a tough guy to maintain. But he does everything I say; he said he would take me to the amusement park, the aquarium, the fair, and that he would buy me another cat... as long as I take care of the other cat - Runna commented, already envisioning how many things she could get from her brother.
Flashback.
-Mother, I will find a place for you to live in peace; you don't have to worry. - Kei said as he hugged his mother. Little Runna watched everything from the hallway as the shouts of the gang members began to echo. Fortunately, no one dared to approach Chia and Runna, not after Kei had asserted his will. Now, the boy seemed more fearsome than anyone had ever imagined the little chibi who worked as a pack mule.
-Come, accompany me, Runna. - Kei said, lifting Runna into his arms. - You are the only one who understands me; I have a secret mission that I know we can carry out together, just you and me. -
The adults were watching.
-Would you help me? Your brother promises to do everything you ask. - Kei asked.
-Yes, I will help my brother with everything he wants, as long as he buys me a cat, takes me to the amusement park, and buys me a new doll from the market... I also want a tricycle. - Runna replied.
-Your brother will do all of that, and everything you ask, as long as you give me time to get those things for you... Very well, you will help me win over a princess. They will take you to a special house where a princess with blue eyes and blonde hair lives... she is the woman who has stolen my heart, but to win her over, I need help, and you are the chosen one. - Kei explained.
Little Runna smiled like a fox; she was a clever girl.
-Yes, I will do it. -
-Great, the trick is this: you have to tell this woman everything you like about your brother and why your brother is so good to you, but you can't tell her that you are helping me win her over and that your brother wants to win her over. - Kei instructed.
-Ohhhhhh... the brother is in love. - the girl said, her cheeks turning red as she covered her eyes.
-You can't tell her any of that; just try to win her over and say everything good about your older brother. If you do, I will take you to the amusement park whenever you want. - Kei promised.
The girl's eyes lit up.
End of flashback.
***
-Welcome back. - Hiyo Kure commented.
-It's a pleasure. I don't have much time, but the organization I joined is called Yami. It is filled with great martial arts masters who, to put it mildly, are completely crazy and perverse. I don't think some people can fight against them; it's almost like fighting against the sea and declaring oneself the winner while the waves keep crashing against the shore - Kei explained.
-Yami. - he whispered the name while taking some notes.
-Yes, I don't think it's something we can withstand. For now, their purpose isn't clear to me, but they seem to promote a fighting style called the killing fist and uphold martial arts in their entirety. Three individuals are especially powerful, but that doesn't mean the others are weak; these are monsters. One is called Jhenazad, who uses Venkat silat as his martial art; Mikoto Kushinada, who practices jiu-jitsu; and the chief, whose identity remains undetermined - Kei elaborated.
-Come, we'll do what we always do. - Hiyo Kure replied, as the time for combat was upon them.
-I think you're no longer my opponent, but it will be a pleasure to do what we always do. - Kei remarked.
What they always did was fight for money, as all the information Kei brought was valuable to the Kure clan.
Both men descended into the fighting ring. Kei emerged only 30 minutes later, his body a mess, bleeding profusely from his chest, and with one eye swollen shut. Hiyo was stronger than he had anticipated. Meanwhile, Hiyo lay crashed against the wall, utterly defeated, shamefully losing to Kei Kazama.
...