How a Cat came of age (A Catwoman Origin Story) Chapter 12 : Collateral Damage

No running in the halls, young lady!" Miss Gretchen Pillsbury's shrill voice pierced Holly ears as she rushed to the dinning room for lunch.

"Sorry, Miss Pillsbury!" Holly said sheepishly and slowed down.

It was only her second day at the Mayfield All Girls Boarding School, and she had already been scolded multiple times. It was only that very morning, at breakfast, that she had gotten a strict talking to by a teacher. It wasn't poor Holly's fault. How was she supposed to not giggle at a dish named "toad in a hole"? Unfortunately, her giggles set the other girls giggling, but before the giggle fire could spread, the teacher told them to behave.

It was hard enough that Holly had to learn about England's history, geography, polity etc, she also had to learn strange new words like "blimey!", "tosser", "git" etc etc.

Plus there was that stuffy, pretentious aura this place gave off. She had mentioned this to Selina when she was in the process of being admitted. Her big sister sat her down and told her that she needed to be tough. She needed to ignore all her discomforts and focus only on getting a good education.

Holly understood. She knew that, as hard as things would be for her here, Selina's situation in Tokyo would be a thousand times harder. She was determined to deal with all her troubles herself. She wasn't going to whine to Selina on the phone. She was Selina Kyle's sister. She had to be strong.

"So, you understand what you need to do, right?" Selina asked Gwen Altamont, as the two women drank coffee in the latter's living room.
Before heading back to Tokyo, she had taken a detour to Gotham. Her only friend in the city could play a key role in her plan. But only if the worst happened.

"Yeah. I get it, Selina. If I go three days without getting a call from you, I mail these packages to the addresses you gave me. What I don't understand is why you're being so cryptic. Girl, we're friends. Just tell me what's going on. You trust me enough to do all this, why not trust me with your secret too?"

Gwen's concern was sincere. Selina didn't doubt that one bit. However, she needed to be extra careful.

"I'm dealing with dangerous people Gwen. I just don't want you or Maggie on their radar."

Checking her watch she said, "I should get going. Thanks again."

On her flight back, Selina revised her plans, her contingency plans, all the steps she would take and how she would coordinate them, over and over again in her head. Getting out of the quicksand that is the Yakuza was going to be trickier than any heist she had ever pulled. If all pieces of the puzzle fell in exactly the right places, she'd be able to make a smooth exit.

"Come Sakura-San" Tatsuo Hasigawa said, rising respectfully as Sakura Sato entered his office. "You said you wanted to speak to me."

"Yes Obayun. Thank you for taking the time to see me"

Sakura sat down on the chair Tatsuo had pulled for her. After taking a moment to gather her thoughts, she said "Obayun, when your father brought me into your home, I was seen as a Harlot and loose woman by all. All except you. Even as a little boy, you treated me with nothing but dignity. As long as He was here, your relatives held their tongues. But once he left us they tried to strip me of all respect and human dignity. And they would have succeeded, if you weren't there to protect me. You gave my life a whole new purpose when you asked me to help raise Eiko. I love her as if she was my own and in nurturing her, any loneliness I ever felt fades away.... Obayun, it is because you have always treated me as family, that I dare to take the liberty to say what I am about to."

Tatsuo placed his hand over the old woman's.

"Do not hesitate Sakura-San. Please, say what you wish to."

"I'm aware that both Denji and Eiko wish to succeed you as the next Obayun. I know that neither will back down and ultimately, it is going to lead to an ugly battle that will tear this family apart. I promised your father that I would continue to serve you and this family for the rest of my days. And as a humble servant, I'm suggesting, I'm imploring that the empire be split between them. Please, do not let it come to a war of succession."

Tatsuo's expression hardened. Though he himself had considered splitting empire, it wasn't all that easy. Two small organisations, instead of one large juggernaut, would be much more vulnerable to attacks. At the same time, he was aware that his brother would stop at nothing to get his son, what he felt, he was entitled to.

"I can see that your concern is genuine, Sakura-San. And I'm deeply appreciative. However, if I split the Hasigawa clan we will end up with two smaller and weaker bodies. And their position will always be precarious. I did not think that my daughter would ever lead our clan, but in the last few months she has amazed me with her capabilities. However, if she's going to be a Boss at all, I want her position to be as secure as possible. And she's not going to have that security is she ends up with half an empire. With half it's strength and resources."

"Then Obayun", Sakura said, now with her unusual confidence, "perhaps the two halves can come to some kind of an agreement. A treaty if you will. To stay out of each other's way, but to always come to each other's aid in case of any external threats."

Tatsuo hadn't thought of this. It did make a certain sense.

"If countries can make such arrangements work" Sakura went on, "then I'm sure that your organisation can as well."

Tatsuo saw the wisdom in his Head Housekeeper's words. He wanted his daughter to have all her rights, but at the same time did not with to spill the blood of his brother, or nephew. However, he would not make any hasty decisions. He rose to his feet, indicating that the meeting was over. Sakura took the cue and stood up.

"I appreciate your council, Sakura-San. Thank you for sharing your wisdom." He said to her, before she bowed and left.

"A what?" Selina Kyle asked Eiko Hasigawa as they sat on her bed in her private chambers. It came out with greater annoyance and alarm than Selina had intended to display, and she had to remind herself to reign in any signs of displeasure.

"A split, Selina." Eiko replied, cuddling next to her, "Denji and I can divide my family's business between ourselves. We'll each have our own territories etc, and we can come to an agreement that would require us to come to each other's aid, if need be. Oto-San suggested it to me this morning, and I think it would be the right thing to do."

A peaceful division. One that would ensure that the Hasigawas would still remain united as a family. That wasn't good. At least not for Selina.

"But Eiko, is that really what you want? I thought you wanted to be the Queen of the entire Hasigawa empire, and not just half of it...... so why...?"

"Of course I do, Selina. But I've thought about this long and hard. For now, I think a division would be best. This way, we can avoid any unnecessary bloodshed. If things came to a head between me and Oji-San, we're going to lose a lot of men and resources in the crossfire. This way, we can have our own, and present a united front to the other families at the same time."

"Okay.....but Eiko, this is so sudden.... where's this coming from?"

"Well, Sakura suggested it"

Sakura. The ever diligent, loyal and fucking infallible Sakura Sato. Selina mentally kicked herself for not considering that if there was any trouble in this family, Sakura would surely step in.

"She suggested all this to Oto-San and he conveyed it to me. The three of us have had lengthy discussions about this. And the more I think about it, the more it feels like the right thing to do. I would've told you yesterday on the phone, but I decided I'd wait till you get here."

"Sakura's suggestion seems logical, to be honest. But Eiko, I thought you wanted all of it. You were so determined to not let Denji have any of this. You know he doesn't deserve it. So.... why?"

"Selina i still do! I still want all of it. Listen to me, this so called "agreement" with Denji and my uncle is only for the time being. You know as well as I do that Denji is a moron. He's going to make a ton of mistakes. And even if he doesn't, I'm sure you'll be able to work your little miracles and make him stumble. And when his incompetence has done enough damage to his side of the business, we'll stage a hostile takeover. And Selina, at that point, I doubt we'll face much opposition from our under bosses or the Kobun when they see that I'm the better leader. It'll be a lot less messy."

"Wow! You've got it all figured out!"

"I told you, I've given this a lot of thought."

"Hmmm...." Selina took Eiko in her arms and had her lie down next to her, "but how did you get to be so devilishly clever?"

"What can I say? I've learned from the best." Eiko replied as she pulled Selina in for a kiss.

Eiko fell asleep soon after she and Selina made love.

Selina however, lay in bed wide awake.

Sakura's intervention had thrown a real spanner in the works. If the Hasigawas weren't going to be occupied tearing each other's throats out, her escape would surely be followed by the clan pursuing her all over the planet. She wouldn't know peace for years. If ever. The war of succession was going to create the chaos she needed, but with Sakura and her peaceful solution, all that had gone for a toss.

It was time to use one of her other cards.

She considered sending Denji and Emiko's pictures to Tatsuo Hasigawa. But quickly realized it would do no good. Tatsuo would simply kill Denji and before he croaked, the little scum would surely reveal who had taken the picture. Then, the entire Hasigawa family, including a vengeful Asahi, would be after her.

The pictures would play their part, but not now and not by themselves. They'd have to be accompanied by an even bigger reveal.

And of course, there was Sakura. The goddam glue that held this family together. Selina needed one masterstroke that would render Sakura ineffective.

A new plan of action began forming in her mind. However, she could not be directly involved in the execution of it. For that, she'd have to recruit a certain someone.

About a year earlier Selina had met Shakaya Fujiwara at a local club. Shakaya was married to Jiro Fujiwara, the nephew of Fujio Kiyama and the maternal cousin of Minato Kiyama, son of Fujio's little sister and close confidant. Late twenties, co head of the Kiyama gold smuggling operation. Doing pretty well for himself and steadily moving up in the business. Quite handsome too.

Shakaya, like so many women in the Yakuza world, simply enjoyed her husband's wealth and kept her nose out of the business. She had no idea who Selina Kyle was, but Selina did recognize her. The two of them made small talk over drinks, when Shakaya's husband came to pick her up.

Unlike his wife, Jiro was well aware that Selina was Eiko Hasigawa's bodyguard and right hand woman. He was instantly uncomfortable when he saw her with his wife, but Selina was cool as a cucumber, sipping her cocktail and sharing with Shakaya her opinions on Prada and Dior. Shakaya introduced them and went off to the ladies room.

Selina gestured for Jiro to have a seat, which he reluctantly did.

"Your wife is lovely, Jiro. You're fortunate." She told him.

"Yes..... yes she is..." Jiro said, while trying not to stare at Selina, who was in a gorgeous LBD and high heels.
Selina realized that the guy wasn't uncomfortable just because she was "the enemy", but also because he was attracted to her. She found that rather amusing and decided to try her seduction skills on the poor lad.

For the next hour that the three spent together, she kept throwing subtle, very subtle gestures and looks Jiro's way. All the while poor Shakaya remained oblivious that Selina Kyle was getting her claws into her husband. When it came time for her to go home, Selina stealthily slipped a piece of paper, containing a hotel room number, a day and time into Jiro's pocket. When she glanced back at him for the last time before leaving the club, Jiro face displayed a combination of fear and something else. That something else can be summed up as the pull, the fascination for dangerous things that all human beings feel. That urge to drink from the forbidden cup, even though you know it can ruin you.

The next evening, Jiro stood inside a luxurious suite at a posh Tokyo hotel.

"You're here"

"You wanted me to.... to come. Why?" Jiro was annoyed at himself for not being able to conceal his nervousness. If his uncle found out he was here, he'd be done for. And yet, that pull.....

"Wouldn't you join me in the bedroom, Jiro?"

"You're with the Hasigawa. Why do you want me?" Jiro's question sounded more like a plea than a query.

"Who knows? Maybe I'm just lonely, maybe I need someone to talk to. We can talk about business, politics..... or you can just tell me how beautiful you think I am."

Step into my parlour, said the spider to the fly.

Today, a year later, Jiro was completely under Selina's spell. Once a week or so, he would lie to his wife about working late and would be worshipping Selina's long legs instead. For the last few months, Selina had been dangling in front of him the promise of a life together.

"I want to get out of the Hasigawa clan" she would tell him. "But I can't just leave. You know how dangerous those people are!"

"My love, just give the word and I will take you away to safety" poor, clueless Jiro would say to her, "I'll leave my wife and we will marry. I promise the Kiyamas will keep you safe."

"It's not that simple, Jiro." Selina would reply, adding just the right amount of distress to her tone, "I don't want to have the threat of that family constantly hanging overhead when we're married. I need to take them down and I'm going to need your help.

"Of course, sweetheart! Just tell me what I can do!"

"In time" was all Selina said, before rewarding him with a kiss.

"Are you clear on your part?, Selina asked after she had explained to Jiro what she needed him to do. He looked confused though.

"But Selina, why do you need me to say all this to Sakura Sato? Wouldn't it be better for me to talk to Tatsuo instead."

"No sweetie, it wouldn't. A Kiyama big shot proposing this to the Hasigawa Obayun can have disastrous consequences. Tatsuo wouldn't take kindly to such a proposition about his own daughter coming from you. Sakura, on the other hand would be much easier to convince."

"But Selina, are you sure this will accomplish our goal?" Jiro asked, still unsure.

"That depends on how well you play your part, handsome!" Selina answered, with that same mysterious smile that made Jiro shiver.

Sakura Sato was driven to the stately house that she owned on the outskirts of Tokyo. She was expecting a very unlikely guest. Part of a successful intrigue was to be present at the right place at the right time. There was no way Jiro would be able to reach Sakura within the walls of the Hasigawa estate, so Selina decided to take her out. Innocently complaining about how they hardly ever spent time together anymore. The older woman had agreed to go shopping with her, and at a high end clothing store they were "spotted" by Jiro Fujiwara.

Sakura recognized him immediately and put on an icy demeanour as he approached them.

"Konbanwa, Sakura-San" Jiro said, bowing politely, "what a pleasure it is to see you here!"

"The pleasure is all yours Jiro Fujiwara." Sakura said, very cold and distant, "I do hope you haven't been following us around."

"Why no! Of course not." Jiro replied "however, it is most fortunate that I have run into you here. I have a proposition for your employer."

"I cannot imagine what you could possibly have that would interest the Obayun."

"One tough cookie!" Selina thought to herself as she observed the interaction from a respectful distance.

"Dear Lady, what I have to offer involves your Obayun's daughter and possible successor, Eiko Hasigawa." Jiro said, still polite and charming. "It also involves a resolution of the Hasigawa-Kiyama rivalry."

Sakura was silent and just regarded him dispassionately.

"Here," Jiro said handing her a piece of paper with a phone number on it, "please call me any time and let me know when and where we can meet. Any place and time of your choosing."

As Jiro walked away, Selina came closer to Sakura.

"What was that about?" Selina asked her, feigning confusion, "wasn't that Jiro Fujiwara? He's Kiyama's nephew, isn't he?"

"Yes child, he is" Sakura replied while looking down at the phone number.

"Sakura, it can't hurt to hear the guy out." Selina said, as they sipped their evening tea.

"I suppose not....." Sakura replied, her brow creased, "he did seem rather desperate to present this proposal."

"So why not call him?"

"Hmmm..... he did say it would be a time and place of my choosing. I could ask him to come to my bungalow alone. You know, the one by the country side."

"Yeah. Seems like a good plan."

" I think for now we should keep this to ourselves. I'll tell the Obayun all about this meeting once I've heard what the lad has to say."

"Well good luck!" Selina said getting up, "I'm going to have a busy day with Eiko tomorrow. I'll be on my way."

A busy day Selina did have but not with Eiko. She was occupied with the task of waiting outside Sakura's house, taking pictures of her interaction and Jiro. She only hoped that Jiro didn't mess up.

"Sakura-San, as we both know Eiko is your Obayun's only daughter. And in time, the Hasigawa clan will need an heir, yes?"

"Please don't beat around the bush." Sakura said, never letting her guard down "come to the point."

"The point is that at some point Eiko will have to be married. And on the other hand, the Kiyama family too has been looking for a bride for Minato. So why not join the two houses in matrimony? End this mindless rivalry in a way that benefits both sides."

Sakura looked at Jiro as if he had grown a secondary head, before she snickered.

"Fujiwara-San, did you really ask me to come all the way out here to propose that Eiko be married off to Kiyama? To the son of her father's greatest enemy?"

"Well.... yes" Jiro replied sheepishly.

"I see I've wasted my time in coming here. Goodbye and please do not contact me again!" With this Sakura ended the meeting and sent Jiro on his way.

"Can you believe the nerve of that idiot?" Sakura said to Selina, "thinking the Obayun would ever agree to the match!"

"Sakura, how much do you know about Minato?" Selina asked, "how do you think Eiko was able to blackmail him into divulging all that information?"

"Is there something I should know, child?"

"Sakura, Minato is gay."

Selina told Sakura all about how Eiko had used Enji to blackmail Minato.

"Sakura, no one in the Kiyama family knows about this. But Eiko does. Do you realize what an edge this gives her?"

Selina gave Sekura a second to process what she had said, before she continued.

"If Eiko marries Kiyama, she'll be the one with all the power. She'll have half of the Hasigawa holdings and all of the Kiyama empire. She can even pass on the Hasigawa name to her children. And Minato won't say a word. He would prefer to die that to be outed."

"That certainly has a lot of potential. But Selina-san, I'm not sure if I want Eiko to end up in a loveless marriage."

"Sakura-San, I think we should let this be Eiko's decision. Before you speak to the Boss, Eiko should be told about this. If she thinks this would be good for her, so be it."

"Yes. Yes, I think that would be best."

"How about I talk to her about it tomorrow and meanwhile, you can contact Jiro Fujiwara and tell him the Hasigawas might be interested."

Sakura agreed.

Meanwhile, over at the Kiyama estate, Jiro Fujiwara was making a very similar proposition to his uncle, the Obayun Fujio Kiyama.

"Hahagata no oji , just think about it. We know there's infighting within the Hasigawa family. And I have insider info that the empire will soon be split between Eiko and Asahi's son, Denji. Both of them are too inexperienced to run things. So in actuality, the empire is being divided between Tatsuo and Asahi."

"Hmmmm......" the stone faced Kiyama patriarch finally showed interest, "the subtle rivalry between those two brother is well known. I suppose this has been a long time coming. And you are suggesting that Minato marry Eiko?"

"Yes, Obayun. She's just a young girl, she'll be easy to control. And Minato will have all of the Kiyama empire and half of the Hasigawa holdings."

"It is an attractive proposition, but why would Tatsuo agree to this match?"

"Sakura Sato, Hahagata no oji" Jiro replied confidently, "the governess to Eiko and one of Tatsuo's most trusted. She can influence him in a way that few others can. Her word counts for something. If she endorses this proposal, if would appear truly genuine. She has agreed to help us. In exchange for a certain sum."

"It is a long shot" Fujio replied, still somewhat sceptical, "but you have my permission to try."

"Thank you, Obayun. I promise you will not regret it."

"If you can actually succeed, I assure you your rewards will be great."

Jiro bowed and walked out. The reward he was truly looking forward to was a green eyed vixen who tormented him even in his dreams.

"I am so glad you reconsidered, Sakura-San." Jiro said, as he and Sakura once again met in secret, at her beautiful house away from the city's hustle and bustle.

"Yes, I pondered over your suggestion and I've concluded that it isn't a bad idea. However, I'm not making any promises. It all depends on what Eiko has to say."

"And I'm sure that she will say yes. Which is why, I have brought this gift for her. From our Obayun, a gesture of goodwill."

Jiro handed Sakura a beautifully carved sandalwood box, filled with gold coins.

"The girl is cleverer that I had suspected." Asahi Hasigawa remarked, as he and his son ate lunch together.

"Who" asked Denji, ever clueless "Eiko...?"

"No. Selina."

"Why? What did she do?

"Plenty. And not even directly. She has knack for making people do things for her. Often without them even realizing it."

"Oto-San, I don't understand" asked a confused Denji.

"You will soon." Was all Asahi told his son.
The Hasigawa second in command had figured out Selina's exit strategy. He decided against interrupting her plans though. If she was able to cause a rift within Tatsuo's inner circle, it would ultimately serve his own interests.

And when her scheme reached its climax, he would deal with her in his own way.

"Selina, does this suit look ok. Or should I go change? This power dressing thing is hard sometimes." Eiko asked, as she checked her reflection in the mirror, "Selina? Tell me! I'm gonna be late for my meeting."

"Eiko...." Selina spoke in a sombre tone, "I think you should postpone that meeting."

"Postpone? But Selina..... what's going on?"

"There's something you need to know. Just tell them to reschedule and sit down with me."

Eiko did as she was told and sat next to Selina.

"Eiko, this will be hard for you yo hear, so please keep a reign on your emotions."

"Selina, you're starting to scare me. Just tell me what's wrong!"

"The most valuable lesson will learn in your line of work is that you can never trust anyone. Not even those closest to you. Eiko.... Sakura is working against you."

"Sakura? Selina that's impossible. She wouldn't...."

"Then what's this?" Selina showed Eiko pictures of Sakura talking to Jiro Fujiwara.

"That's Fujio Kiyama's nephew. What is she discussing with him."

"She was negotiating a deal to manipulate your dad into practically handing you over to the Kiyamas."

"Selina this is ridiculous! I can't believe all this, and you shouldn't either."

"Well then listen to this! I have a source within the Kiyama household who sent it to me." Selina said as she played the recording of the conversation that Jiro had had with his uncle. Clearly staring how Sakura was working against the Hasigawas.

Eiko was stunned.

"Call your staff at home and tell them to search Sakura's minka. I can guarantee that they'll find a wooden box of gold coins in there. It's how they've been paying her."

Eiko did as Selina asked, but before she could get any conformation, a maid ran into her bedroom.

"Eiko-San! Eiko-San!!" The woman exclaimed, tears steaming down her face, "I have terrible news. Your father has been shot!"

Eiko and Selina were driven to the hospital where Tatsuo had been taken.

Selina was as shocked as Eiko was. Her plan hadn't involved anyone getting shot.

The doctors told the young women that Tatsuo would be all right. The bullet had missed his heart and he would make a recovery.

As her father was unconscious at the moment, Eiko demanded answers from his guards.

"Tell me who did this!" She said sternly, "tell me everything."

"Your uncle, Asahi and his son were in the room when the gun shot was heard Eiko-San." One of the Obayun's most trusted guards told her. "It was surely one of them.
When we broke the door down, both father and son shot at us. Some of our men faught from their side and there was a massive shoot out. Dozens more our Kobun are dead and Asahi and Denji are at large."

Eiko and Selina exchanged a horrified look.

The guard went on.

"As we were getting the Obayun out of there, we saw these pictures on the floor."

He handed Eiko pictures of a naked Denji Hasigawa and Emiko Takahashi in bed together. Pictures that Selina had placed where she knew Tatsuo would soon fund them, just a while before heading over to Eiko's place.

In spite of herself, Selina was surprised that Asahi had tried to kill Tatsuo. She reckoned the old man became enraged when he saw those pictures and sent for Denji. He must have threatened to put his nephew down right there, and that's probably why Asahi shot him.

"Bring them to me. Both of them" Eiko told the guards in a voice filled with suppressed rage.

"We swear on our honour, we will bring them to you Eiko-San." The guards promised before setting off to hunt down the traitors.

As if this blow wasn't enough, Eiko recieved another one shortly after when the housekeeping staff at the Hasigawa estate called to let her know that a wooden box containing gold coins had indeed been found in Sakura's quarters.

Now that the rift within the Hasigawa family was out in the open and obvious to all, those employed by them, made men, under bosses and the ordinary Kobun began choosing sides. Unsurprisingly, majority of them chose to join Asahi Hasigawa.

Eiko busied herself talking to their allies and vassals, trying to secure their loyalty. Most of them demanded that she marry them or their son, clearly seeing her as little more than a commodity. Eiko however, remained unbowed.

Asahi Hasigawa, now seeing no reason to fear young Eiko, decided to move in and have her submit to him. He sent word that he wanted an audience with her, that they could come to an understanding.

"You have some audacity showing me your face, you traitor!" Eiko said to her uncle as they met in one of the guest houses of the Hasigawa estate - the home they had once shared. Their respective bodyguards outside, as both Eiko and Asahi had agreed to talk peacefully.

"My dear, it appears you are surrounded with traitors. They're right under your nose, but in your youthful innocence you don't even see it. Do you think Jiro Fujiwara was alone in acting against you and your father?" Asahi asked with mock compassion, as Denji played for Eiko the footage of Selina and Jiro planning out the downfall of the Hasigawas.

A part of Eiko broke as she watched her best friend and clandestine lover talk about destroying her father.

"Child..." Asahi placed a hand on her shoulder, and spoke in a sickeningly gentle voice, "you are my flesh and blood. I sympathize with you. The pain you must feel. And I can help you. I will bring you that witch's head, and I will split our family's empire with you and your father. Just forget this meaningless desire for revenge. Join hands with me and I will make all your troubles disappear.

Eiko began to laugh.

It was a laugh filled with pain, anger, hatred. It wasn't a pleasant sound. It was as if a Banshee had heard something that amused her.

All the things Selina had said to her, all the they had shared.....

All the while when she stayed close to Eiko, reassuring her, pretending to have her best interest at heart. She was just manipulating her. Her words, her promises were lies. They were all lies.

It all made perfect sense now. Of course, it was Selina!

"Oji-San, I have learned so much in these last six months. But the most important lesson I've learned is never to trust anyone."

"Eiko, I know you are in great agony....."

"Oh no Oji-San, you don't know. You don't know agony but you will soon."

Eiko drew a gun from her coat pocket and pointed it at Denji.
"EIKO! Don't be stupid! Put that gun down!"

Eiko felt a strange sense of satisfaction, hearing panic in Asahi's voice for the first time.

"Thank you for telling me the truth, both of you. But I see no reason why either of you should live another second."

Before either father or son could react, Eiko put a bullet in Denji's head. Barely any time passed before she did the same to Asahi. Both of them dropped dead before her.

The men outside saw it all through the glass door and windows. None could have anticipated that the young and beautiful Eiko Hasigawa could have done this.

Eiko stepped outside and addressed the men.

"Those of you who defected to Asahi's side, your Obayun is dead now. You now have two choices. Either resume your service to my father or take your own life. I am willing to forgive your defection, but only once. So, what will it be?"

The men bowed before Eiko accepting her father, and by extension, her as their leader.

"WHERE IS SHE??" Eiko screamed as she stormed into the main house, "WHERE'S SELINA?"

She wasn't sure if she'd have it in her to end Selina's life, but she did want answers. She wanted to know why Selina had betrayed her. She wanted to know why her love and all that she could offer wasn't enough.

"She's not here, my child." Came the familiar voice of Sakura Sato.
"You! How dare you come here after what you did?"

"My darling, please listen to me. I was deceived by that snake just as much as you were. I had no idea her deception could run so deep... I..."

"If you were innocent Sakura, why didn't you come to me directly? Why play all of these games?"

"Because Selina convinced me to! She said she would talk to you herself...."

"And how do you explain those gold coins? That was your payment wasn't it? For betraying us."

"My dear, No! You mustn't think that! That gold was for you! Jiro Fujiwara said it was a present...."

"This is all just too convenient, isn't it Sakura?"

"Eiko..."

Eiko held up a firm hand, causing the old woman to fall silent.

"To honor your years of service to our family Sakura, I'll let you live. But only if you leave now and never come back. If I ever see you again, I'll kill you with my own hands."

Having given her final order to Sakura, Eiko walked away to her chambers while the staff escorted a heartbroken Sakura out.

Later that day, a package was sent to Eiko by Selina Kyle. On the cover were instructions for Eiko to open it alone.

The package contained pictures. Pictures of Selina and Eiko in compromising positions. Along with them, was a note that read

"Eiko, I'm sorry things had to end like this. However, I had no other choice. I'm sure you're very hurt and confused right now and for that I truly am sorry. But please understand that Yakuza life just isn't for me. I've seen first hand what happens to people who try to leave. Which is why I had to ensure that neither you, nor your family would come after me. If, even after so much bloodshed, you decide to pursue me, understand damn well that there are many, many copies of those pictures. If I should meet with some accident, or if anything happens to Holly, those copies will me sent to anyone and everyone who matters. This will surely put your position as the next Obayun in great danger, don't you think? So let by gones be by gones. Run your empire and forget all about me. Good bye and good luck!"

Eiko Hasigawa spent a few minutes just coldly staring at the pictures, before she picked them up, along with the note and and threw them into the fireplace. She watched stone faced as the fire burned away images of her and Selina's time together. Memories of a love that, as she had bitterly realized, never was.

Selina Kyle was now finally ready to leave. She had transferred all her money, equivalent of 270000 US dollars, to a Swiss Bank account. She had disappeared from the Hasigawa Estate while Eiko was negotiating with her uncle. She had asked Jiro Fujiwara to wait for her in one of his homes and had called his wife and told her about their affair. The poor bastard would be getting a nasty shock soon.

She didn't want to risk going to an airport. So she waited in the dark, to get into a cargo ship that would sail to South Korea.

Carrying nothing but a small backpack she was sneaking on board, when she heard a familiar voice.

"So you are on your way, Selina?"

Selina turned around to find Sakura standing there. Her eyes were red and swollen from weeping.

"Sakura.... how..."

"How did I know this would he your escape route? I know how your mind works, girl! But obviously, I didn't know you well enough!"
"Look Sakura...."

"How could you, you snake?? After all the Hasigawas did for you. After all I did! That family treated you as one of their own!"

"Oh please! The Hasigawas are a family of killers. They would've chopped me into little pieces if I tried to leave upfront. And you'd have handed me over to them. Don't pretend that you wouldn't Sakura!"

"Yes, I would! Because unlike you, loyalty means something to me. I trusted you Selina. And just so you know what trusting you coat me, I've been banished. My Eiko! My dear sweet Eiko has cast me out! I know I can't do anything to you now. But from the core of my heart Selina Kyle, I hope that someday you will know the pain of losing a child."

Selina didn't want to hear any more. She turned around and got on the vessel.

As she sailed away from the country she had come to adore, and the family that had given and taken so much from her, she couldn't help but feel a chill grip her heart as Sakura's tearful words continued to ring in her ears.