As the elegant mahogany doors shut behind Carla and Akari the piercing chilly air began to take over.. California was usually a warmer place than most but even the 'sunshine state' had their fair share of winter as the temperatures were well below the 50s.. Carla scuffed up her jacket and blew some warm air into her hands before rubbing them in an attempt to take the edge off the chill a bit.. She turned and smiled at Akari before gesturing for her to follow her as she gracefully walked down the front steps..

"Come, come Akari.. we go work" Carla said with a smile

Melvin, her trusted bodyguard, casually followed behind and made sure to keep a respectful distance as not to eavesdrop on her conversation with Akari as they began to walk down the sidewalk towards the North, Hollywood. It was rather quiet between the two for a bit.. given the recent circumstances that happened last night into this morning it was rather awkward and Carla found a hard time thinking of what to say.. It was clearly evident that this woman either knew her Boss Kate, or worked for her that wasn't exactly established yet due to the minimal english.. but Carla had a job that needed doing, and if this woman worked for her boss than she must be one of her assassin's with the way she used and carried that knife..

They passed a few stores on the street before Akari stopped outside of one of them.. Carla hadn't noticed until she called to her..

"Carla...look.. Toshokan!" she said sternly as she pointed to the building

"Huh, what is it?"

Carla came back and noticed what she was pointing at.. it was a comic book store. Carla chuckled to herself before turning to her and speaking slowly..

"You like comics? That is quite odd.." Carla shrugged as Akari seemed really interested

"We can go inside if you like? Although.. we still have work to go and do.."

Akari smiled as Carla gestured towards the store.. she quickly went inside and Carla looked at Melvin who was shaking his head.. they followed her inside and began to browse around as Akarin made her way through the different aisles.. for a comic book store it had a wide range of material, including your history books etc.. Carla found Akari on a particular interesting aisle.. 'Language' .. as she got closer she noticed Akari holding a book that said 'English Dictionary'..

Akari smiled at Carla when she noticed she found her on the aisle and began pointing to the words in the book..

"Sore wa nani o iimasu ka" she tapping on the page while presenting it to Carla

"It says 'Copious' hun..."

Akari smiled at her before she began looking for more words to ask her about.. It took Carla by surprise that this woman was taking a big interest in learning the language.. perhaps she was here to stay in this country for good? Carla knew how it was.. leaving a country behind for 'The American Dream' .. her father did just that when she was 7 years old back in 1908, they were escaping poverty so maybe Akari is doing the same.. fleeing her country as well...

"You know.. " Carla paused before speaking slow to Akari so that she would hopefully understand

"After me work, you work.. me teach you..."

Carla pointed to the book and smiled, hoping that the woman would understand.. It was the least she could do, especially for the 'job' Carla had lined up for her.. 

Akari was the first one out the door, sure it was slightly brisk outside but it was perfect. She made it to the bottom of the stairs and stood there for a moment, closing her eyes briefly as a subtle gust of wind blew from the west. It reminded her kind of like home and for a moment that's exactly where she thought she was. It wasn't until she heard her voice, Carla's voice that jolted her back to reality.

"Come, come Akari.. we go work"

She opened her eyes just as Carla was gesturing her to follow her. Now she had no idea where she was leading her off to but knew it had to be something do with work, obviously. It was a word that Carla used a handful of times already and one of the few Akari knew herself. What kind of work though, she could only guess. The only thing she knew is it had to have been something sanctioned by Kate as she was the only thing these two had in common at this point.

With a nod of her head Carla gestured to Akari once more, taking a deep breath she took a couple steps in Carla's direction which prompted Carla to begin walking. Akari followed her, making sure to keep a step behind her at the same time walking beside her. It was a rather silent walk, neither of them knew how to properly communicate with the other and after the little ordeal they had just had either was sure how to act around the other.

It stayed rather quiet until the pair pasted a store, a library of sorts. Sure it was more comics then anything but it was bookstore nonetheless. That's when it struck her.

"Toshokan."

There had to be a book of just English words in there, perhaps this would be how she could communicate with Carla... with everyone. They made their way into the store and didn't take too long for Akari to find what she was looking for. It was an English dictionary, she showed the book to Carla and randomly pointed to a word. It was a word she herself had no clue how to say but that was the point. Maybe this is how she'd learn the language, sure there was probably an easier way but she had to start somewhere.

Carla said and explained the word she was pointing at and told her that after this work they'd sit down and she'd try and teach her the best she could. "After me work, you work.. me teach you." It was a statement that Akari kind of understood and she smiled and nodded towards Carla. Carla took the book from Akari, subtly and closed it into her hands.

"I have this book at my mansion, we don't need this one. Plus it will just get in the way." She pointed to book then to herself, then simplified what she had just said. "Book at my mansion." She then placed the book back on the shelf and motioned for Akari. "Come, we go work."

Akari nodded, she understood that work needed to be done before anything else. Kate and her jobs were more important then learning a couple words, plus there would be plenty time later for that.

"Ok, we work. Then you teach me.. English. Yes?"

Carla smiled and nodded. "Of course but work first."

Akari nodded once more, seemed the pair was communicating after all. Of course it wasn't the easiest but they were finding a way. She followed Carla out of the door of the and down the street. Walking side by side, still rather quiet.

Another 5 minutes or so had passed by with little to no communication as they carried on.. Carla was still quite weary of this woman, after all she did try to kill her and held a knife to her throat.. she subtly brought her hand up and felt the area on her neck where she had been cut.. a scab had already started to form as the skin began to heal itself, it was a constant reminder of the danger.. They came to a street corner where they had to wait for the traffic of cars to slowly pass through..

It was a wonder at all if this woman would be able to even pull off the job.. she could hardly understand her but killing a man was a quite simple instruction, and seeing as how easily she would of spilled her own, Carla knew she would get it done.. the cars began to come to a halt and it was their chance to cross the street..

"You still have the address to Shaw's house right Madam?" Melvin said to her from behind as they crossed the street

"Yes, it's not but a few more blocks down the road here.. Kate wouldn't give us a bad address.."

A man bumped into Carla as they walked the street, prompting Melvin to quickly step forward and pummel the guy down.. Carla and Akari stopped and Carla began to chuckle as Melvin beat the man for accidentally walking into Carla.. It wasn't until she ordered him to stop they he did.. She turned and smiled at Akari who was glancing between her and the man on the floor bleeding..

"Let's go hun.. gonna be much worse done than that here soon." 

Carla gestured for Akarin to continue following her as Melvin dusted himself off and began following her closely again.. Not a single soul batted and eye at them, they all just went about their business, they knew better.

Akari stood there and watched as the billboard shaped man pummeled that poor man. No not poor cause she felt sorry for him but because he was legit poor. The guys clothes were tattered and filthy, his appearance was one that resembled that had often hit the rock if you know what I mean. So it wasn’t all too surprising that when he bumped into Carla her help bumped back into him.

It was rather amusing to watch, Akari hadn’t seen or witnessed a fight since migrating to the US. Back in Tokyo she would often visit the underground rings as a spectator. It was kind of the thing to do on the weekends, well on Saturday nights. Drink, do some gambling and watch some violence... Ah those were the days, days she already missed. 

She followed Carla across the street the down the block. Still the pair were rather quiet, there was still a bit of unease between the two which baring the events of earlier was quite warranted. After just about another moment they made it to another crosswalk, where they had to wait once more. Carla once again brought her hand up to her neck, an action that Akari noticed.

Now she wasn’t trying to kill the woman when she did her little thing back in the mansion. Putting the dagger to her throat was the only way she saw herself getting out of the situation, if she wanted her dead it would have been too easy. Just to clear the air a tad, Akari tapped Carla on shoulder making her direct her attentions towards her. 

”Huh? What?” Carla questioned.

Akari pointed to the wound on her neck and spoke up. “Me, sorry.” She gave Carla an innocent smile before speaking up once again. “So, work?” She was kind of hoping that Carla might explain where they were going and what work they actually needed to do.

Carla scuffed up her jacket a bit again as Akari pointed towards the cut on her neck in an attempt to conceal it once more.. This woman had just tried to kill her, or maybe she didn't.. either way, she was showing remorse which was a big surprise to Carla, in all the people she has witnessed get beat down, shot, stabbed, murdered.. she had never thought twice about it at all, it was 'the way of things' .. or most would like to say 'just business' .. But here was this woman saying sorry to her for her actions, perhaps this was her chance to start things afresh..

Carla let off a slight smile before nodding at Akari and speaking slowly..

"Thank you- I'm sorry too.." she said gesturing to herself then to Akari, it was the first time she felt she ever uttered those words to anyone..

Carla paused and began to take in her surroundings again, the lights had just begun to flicker on as day was turning to dusk. It was amazing how fast the day had gone by today, of course it didn't help she slept until three o'clock in the afternoon.. she pointed towards the sun in the sky as it began to fell and then began to speak to Akari..

"Sun is going down-" she said with her gestures "You and I will 'go work' very soon.."

Akari nodded but asked again, 'So work?' .. It seems she wanted a more in depth explanation.. Carla was unsure if she would understand all the details, but she decided to just give it a try anyways. She motioned for her to start walking again but pulled her in close so the citizens passing by couldn't hear..

"We are going to a job for Kate, well, for me.. Kate has sanctioned it." she said softly with a smirk

"We are going to another house, not like mine.. just a house.. a man is expecting me to bring over a woman for an 'adulterated' evening. The thing is.. there is gonna be no happy ending with this one."

Carla's smirk grew maliciously as she began to think of the man laying their dead in a pool of his own blood.. she continued on...

"You and that, dagger of yours.. you're going to kill him when you go inside..." Carla said pointing to the sheathed dagger Akari had on her wrist

"The man beat and stole money from one of my girls while at my house.. he's a local politician who thinks he's above the law, and our law... but that's all about to change... so.. do you understand?"

Carla realized that was about two or three mouthfuls of information that Akari now needed to process, she couldn't wait to get this job over with so she could start teaching the woman some proper English..

Akari sighed while looking at Carla, looked down at her dagger and shrugged. She understood a few choice words and the dagger since Carla pointed to it, other then that though it’s all she got. 

”Me no good English.” Akari said with a bit of a meh look on her face. 

Maybe Carla needed to use her dagger she thought to herself. Quickly she pulled it out of it’s sheath, an act that caught the billboards glance. He thought she was gonna try to use it on Carla again. It was the fastest she had ever seen a big man move, before she knew it he burst between the pair, which sent Akari flying a couple steps back. 

It was an act that made Akari furious as she began to yell at him in Japanese.

“Nantekotto i, anata no mondai wa nanidesua ka?” She said to him while now pointing the dagger in his direction. 

She couldn’t even see Carla, that’s how much space this man took up in front of her. Now most people would back down from him just based on his sheer size but not Akari as she kept jawing at him. 

“Kuso ōkina sain, anata wa watashinokao kara nukedasu hitsuyō ga arimasu.”

She tried to side step to see Carla but every time she did he followed her, finally she got fed up.

”Fakku kore!” She out here dagger back in its holster, turned about and started to walk back from the way they came.

The abrupt shoving to the ground caused Carla to become slightly disoriented, the nausea and drinking from last night were not helping either and her body just completely felt like shit.. She glanced up and noticed that it was Melvin who pushed her down as his massive shadow cast over her.. he shuffled back and forth as if someone was trying to push their way through.. She rubbed her head for a brief moment before looking around to see if Akari had gotten pushed down too, it was in that moment she realized Melvin had stepped in when Akari pulled the dagger out, the bump on the head had her spinning....

"Urgh- Melvin what are you doing.." she said as she staggered to her feet, still rubbing her head

She heard Akari say something in Japanese, Melvin said something back and that was her due confirmation

"Melvin! Move now! She's not a danger..." 

Carla pushed her way through the short stubby man and barely moved him an inch to the side as she squabbled her way through his grasp and walked after Akari who was now walking away.. Melvin grunted in anger but Carla couldn't make out what he said..

"Akari.. stop.. where are you going?" Carla called to her as she scurried to catch up

"You're going the wrong way! Work is this way"

She finally placed her hand on Akari's shoulder to stop her, she wasn't sure how the woman was gonna react..

The sounds of Carla’s voice could be heard getting closer and closer as Akari kept walking away. She was pissed and was just over it all, not being able to communicate was a huge hindrance. It was the first time in a while she truly missed being home, sure she missed it plenty of other times but she wished she was back on the streets in Tokyo and in Pasadena California. 

She huffed and puffed down the street, mumbling to herself. Until she felt the hand on her shoulder, it was something she wasn’t expecting. Causing her to pull her shoulder away quite forcefully then whipping her head around. She was basically face to face with Carla, with a stone cold look upon her face. 

”Where are you going, we have work that still needs done.” Carla asked. 

Akari still couldn’t understand her but instead pointed past her in the direction of her billboard shaped bodyguard. 

“Kare no mondai wa nanidesu ka?” Akari said loudly.

Carla turned her head around to Melvin whom was now walking towards the pair. She threw her backwards and gave Melvin a hand gesture. One to halt his movement. She turned her attentions back to Akari. 

”Don’t mind him, he means well... he won’t bother you though but we really have work to go do. Work you and me.”

Akari still understood the whole work thing and kind of pieced together that she needed to hurt or kill someone but that’s about all she knew. At this point she just wanted to get this work over with and go about her day. She took in a deep breath, helping her calm herself. Exhaled and nodded. 

”Ok, we go work.”

Carla nodded and turned to begin walking back down the street in the original direction they were headed, the group traveled another few blocks as the sun finally gave way to night for the moon to cast it's shadow over the landscape.. Christmas had just come and gone and the New Years was swiftly approaching, many were already out in full force drinking but as they switched over from the more downtown area where most of the shops were held, the streets began to get more quiet as they entered an elegant looking neighborhood..

The plan was quite simple although as Carla thought about it more, it may be difficult to convey what is actually going to happen.. Although the details didn't matter, so long as the man was six feet under by the end of this thing was all she cared for..

"Look, up ahead .. that's the house" Carla said pointing ahead

As they got closer, the elegant architecture of the house began to form in the rays of the darkness and it was pretty evident someone of importance lived here. They stopped just out front of the tall metal ebony fence covered in ivy and fern to go over the plan with Akari once more..

"Okay hun.. once we get past that gate.. I need you to act normal. Let me do all the talking" Carla said slowly as she gestured to herself

"Once you go upstairs.. you do your thing with that dagger of yours.." she said pointing to the sheathed dagger and then slicing her neck

"Me and Melvin will take care of the rest okay?"

Where's a good translator when you need one she thought to herself as she finished explaining the job for a second time..

Akari followed Carla down the street, she was still rather pissed about the walking billboard being a dick. She was trying to put it past her but in the back of her head it kept jumping out at her. Back in Tokyo no one would get away doing something like that to her, no one... but this isn’t Tokyo, it’s a common thing she has to keep telling herself. 

She was so deep in thought that she lost track of time, well either that or there wasn’t much of a walk left to where they needed to go. Hearing Carla’s voice she looked up to her pointing at a house up ahead. It was a rather large house, even from looking at it from the distance. Again she said nothing but just nodded and kept following her until they made it to the front gate of the place. 

Looking up at the place then back to Carla as she began speaking. She talked and talked and talked some more. The only thing she got out of the conversation was that she needed to use her dagger. Now she had no idea whom she needed to kill but knew she had to spill some blood. That’s all she knew... 

Hopefully Carla would set her up where she needed, otherwise this was going to be a potential shit show. 

Carla smirked at Akari as she mumbled something in Japanese after she finished speaking.. The faint nod she gave her and the pointing to her dagger meant she understood she needed to use it, Carla knew that she would have to make it pretty clear who the target was, but she knew as soon as the man even put a hand on her, that dagger was coming out so either way he was going to be dead by the end of this ordeal.. The cold air began to become quite overbearing and the cold California air was still quite a surprise to Carla, it was winter but all everyone ever talked about was the warm winters and sun, this one was quite different..

She straightened her dress out and nodded to Melvin who stood hovering behind the two woman, Akari noticed this and slightly jumped and said something again in Japanese before she kicked him in the leg.. Melvin grunted but refrained from doing anything as Carla glared him down.. He let out a deep sigh before gesturing for Carla to lead the way..

"Play it cool Melvin." Carla said to him sternly before she turned and walked through the front gate of the estate

"Evening Gentleman.. I have brought the girl as Mr. Winston has requested.."

Carla turned and gestured to Akari before glancing back at the two guards at the door to the mansion

"Ah good, he was expecting you.. go on in."

They opened the large brown doors and gestured for them to enter.. A party was fully underway and some guests were clearly enjoying themselves.. Carla knew it was going to be a difficult task to keep this many people subdued without providing a bit of fear but that would come later.. Carla smiled and greeted a few guests before motioning Akari and Melvin to keep following.. The interior was quite immaculate and the choice of orange and black decor really matched with the rest of the house as the went perfectly with the polished hardwood floors and rugs..

Finally as they entered the lounge room, Carla spotted the target and gave off a malicious smirk before quickly walking over to him and extending her hand out to shake his.. He smiled and met hers gently before raising it and kissing her hand..

"Madam DiMarco, a pleasant surprise.. I wasn't sure if you would make it to my celebration.." he said releasing her hand

"I was re elected to continue overseeing as District Leader in our local government here.. I'm excited to continue working with Kate, and of course you in turn.."

Carla nodded at him before grabbing a glass of alcohol off a tray that was offered to her by one of Mr. Winston's staff..

"Yes, well we weren't sure if you would be here or down at the ballroom.. happy to see the invitation was correct" she paused and took a sip

"By the way, Kate sends her regards and had me bring this token as a personal gift of her gratitude.. she also said it was a personal request of yours.. a nice fine adulterated evening.."

Carla turned and looked Akari dead in the face, her eyes met Carla's and she gave off a faint nod to her before touching the wrist of Akari where the sheathed blade was being kept.. She tapped on her wrist and then gave a faint head nod to the politician behind her who was trying to peer over Carla to see what was going on..

"Well, are you going to let me get a good look at her or what?" he said sternly before Carla stepped to the side and smirked at him

"Ah she's beautiful.. what's her name? She doesn't look American..." he said taking a step closer

"Her name is Akari Mr. Winston.. she doesn't speak much English but she comes from Japan, she's the most exotic girl I have and felt you would like to experience something different than you're normally used to.."

Carla turned and nodded at Melvin who then slowly began to stick his hand inside his suit pocket and placed his hand on his gun before Carla turned and began to watch the situation unfold further.. The politician began to mumble something before he got really close to Akarin and placed his hand on her shoulder, Carla knew Akari was about to lose it the way he began to glide his arm down her's, this was it...

There were a lot of people about, a lot... Now she had no idea what she was getting herself into but kind of figured it wouldn’t be a house full of people. A house full of people meant there were potentially a lot of witnesses, did she really want kill this guy right here and right now? There’d be at least a dozen people who would be able to point out she did what was about to be done. 

Akari gave the man a look over then turned her head back to Carla. Her eyes netted over to the man while also nodding her head, this was the target that’s what she gathered. Did she want her to do this right here though, that was the question bouncing around in her head. Before she was able to turn back about she felt a firm hand on her shoulder, which caused her to quickly turn about. 

She stood there looking at the man, with a rather blank look upon her face. He proceeded to run his hand down her arm in a rather sensual manner. It made her rather uncomfortable causing her to pull her arm away from him. 

”It’s ok, I don’t bite. Unless you want me too.” Mr. Winston said in Akari’s directions, while looking over to Carla. 

”Remember she doesn’t know much English at all, she has no idea what you’re saying to her.” Carla stated with a bit of a bothered grin upon her face. 

”Ah, well.. she doesn’t need to speak.” Mr. Winston said while reaching for Akari’s wrist. He went to grab for it but missed as Akari pulled it away from his grasp. He took a step towards her, the smell of alcohol was heavy on his breath. “You’re mine for the night, lets go.” This time he was able to grab her left wrist, pulling her towards him. 

He smiled and laughed as he pulled her into his body. Then quickly after his smile faded and his laugh went silent. His grasp on her wrist loosened as his hands dropped to his side. His eyes widened then rolled back into his head, all that could be seen were the whites of his eyes. In the midst of him pulling her towards him Akari was able to draw out her dagger with her free hand. It all happened so quickly as her razor sharp blade pierced through his ribs, directly into his heart. 

She pulled the blade, his blood soaking through his white collared shirt. There was so much of it, that some of it transferred to her own clothing as well as covering her hand entirely. 

Taking a step to the side, the mans lifeless body collapsed to the floor. The place seemed rather quiet during this whole thing, that was until his body hit the floor. Suddenly a blood curdling scream echoed through the walls of the lounge as Akari stood there, blood soaked dagger still within her grasp. 

The woman standing directly to the left of the group shrieked in terror as the politicians body lifelessly hit the hardwood floor, blood was running down his white undershirt rapidly and it was pretty clear he was dead.. The man standing next to Winston went to reach for his side arm but was quickly met with a blade from Carla who swiftly side stepped and stuck it quickly through his jugular, the man quickly fell to the floor limp and the rest of the patrons in the house began to run from the room..

Melvin, Carla's bodyguard, quickly pulled his gun from his jacket and rang two shots into the air causing the crowd to stop in their tracks and duck for cover.. Another two guards turned the corner with guns drawn but were met with two swift bullets from Melvin as he stepped through the doorway and gestured for Carla and Akari to follow behind..

"You all best well to forget we we're even here.." Carla's voice boomed as she began to elegantly walk out of the room

"I have a copy to the invitation ledger with all your names and address' attached. Don't make me come find you if you talk to the police."

Not a single soul dare look up as Carla cackled with malicious intent, the gunshots up ahead continued as Melvin was clearing the way for them..

"Let us go hun, nobody will bother us now.."

Carla gestured for Akari to follow with a smile on her face, she got a nod before Akari began to follow behind Carla as they began to exit the house.. Melvin was shouting something in the distance and Carla began to pick up her step and before she could turn the next corner a guard blindsided her and knocked her down to the floor.. He locked eyes with Akari who was still holding her dagger in hand... Carla groaned and pointed at the man hovering over her..

"Kill him Akari, quick!"

Akari subtly followed Carla towards the exit of the house. She was a good 5 or 6 feet behind her and witnessed as Carla was blindsided by a guard. He wasn’t the biggest guard but he was bigger then Carla and stronger to boot. His size and the sheer surprise attack sent Carla flying. She could hear her groan then muttered a few words. 

”Kill him Akari, quick!” 

Though she didn’t need Carla to say anything to know what she needed to do. In fact Akari was already in the process of running towards the guards. With the shrieks and commotion going on in the house, the guard was oblivious to anything happening behind him. He was in the process of reaching for his gun as Akari ran up behind him. With dagger in her hand she slid through the guards legs, making sure to catch on the mans right achilles. He groaned and fell to one knee almost immediately as her blade sliced his tendon. 

Now laying underneath the man, he dropped down and looked down at a smiling Akari. It was the last thing he ever saw as she forced her blade upwards, plunging it through the mans jugular. She pulled backwards on it, slicing the mans throat even further. It caused a stream of blood to pour out of him, directly onto Akari. 

Pulling the blade out, she rolled over quickly to avoid the mans body from falling onto her. Then pushed herself off the ground, to a standing position. Using her forearm she quickly wiped some of the blood off her face, it did little to nothing though as it only smeared it. Turning to Carla, Akari extended her free hand to her. A hand that was met by Carla, as she helped her off the floor. 

Carla smirked at Akari as she rose to her feet, she wiped away some of the blood spatter that had landed on her face before straightening out her dress and nodded at the woman before she stepped over the dead mans body and began to exit the house again.. The trail of bodies they had left in their wake was continuing to pile up and Carla just hoped nobody would squeal on them.. Melvin was still shouting up ahead and as they got closer Carla was able to make out what he was saying..

"We had better hurry up and get out of here.. I hear the sirens whaling in the distance Madam."

Carla could hear the sirens now as well, but there was still two guards firing shots at them from the front of the property.. She quickly pulled Akari down behind cover as the bullets began whizzing by their heads.. Carla tapped Melvin who pulled another two fire arms from his suit coat and handed them to Carla..

"You ever use one of these?" Carla said as she held a gun out for Akari who slowly took it from her hands

"I'll take that as a yes.. follow behind me and Melvin and make sure you don't get yourself shot!"

Carla smiled at her before cocking her pistol back.. Melvin then began to advance forward with Carla following behind him.. The guards began to flee from the front as the group advanced slowly with gunfire.. Carla turned and noticed Akari was still looking over the gun that was just handed too her.. Carla chuckled and called out to her..

"Come on Akari let's go! The police are on their way.. start shooting!"

Sure she had fired a gun before, years ago though. It had been a while and she wasn’t what you call a marksman, hell if it wasn’t set up for her it would be better used as a paperweight or maybe a blunt object to hit someone with in this situation. She held the gun out in front of her and aimed it at a statue that was facing her just to give it a go, pulling the trigger nothing happened. She pulled again and again nothing happened. Looking towards Carla, Akari shrugged with the gun in her hand. 

Carla scurried back towards Akari, taking the gun from her hand. She flipped it over and turned off the safety, then reluctantly gave it back to Akari. 

”Come on, we have to get out of here.” Carla blurted out as she turned towards the gate and fired a couple of shots. She looked back at Akari and nudged her head to follow. Akari nodded, got down low and followed behind Carla. 

She mimicked every single move, when she ran so did Akari. When Carla shot some, so did Akari. 

The pair made their way around a car, coming face to face a couple feet from one of the guards. In unison the woman raised their guns, firing multiple shots towards the man. Multiple shots connected, hitting the man almost instantly dropping him. 

There was a brief silence, the only sound that could be heard was a sirens that were closing in on their location. The silence was broken by the sound of a single gunshot. A shot that whizzed right by Akari’s ear, causing her to grab Carla’s wrist pulling her as they dove behind the nearest thing they could. The car the two had just walked around. 

”Seikō, sore wa chikakatta”

She took in a deep breath while looking Carla in the eyes.

“Mōhitotsu”

The ringing in her ears was deafening out the sound around Carla and she could barely make out what Akari had just spoken to her.. It was not english she knew that for sure but none the less the had saved Carla for the second time this night as she pulled her down from the barrage of bullets that were headed her way.. Her bodyguard Melvin had been clipped in the shoulder but he looked as if he didn't even feel it.. Carla ejected the clip in her gun and reloaded before scanning her surroundings for an escape route..

"We really should have brought a car.." Melvin barked at her as he stumbled behind the same cover as them

"Not now Melvin.." Carla said sternly back to him

On the discussion of car's Carla spotted one that was down the street idling in the middle of the road, it appeared the owner had left it vacant and fled the scene when the gunfire started to erupt onto the streets.. she smirked and pointed at it..

"Seem's we're in luck anyways... Melvin cover me and Akari while we make a run for that car.."

Carla pulled on Akari's wrist and began running when Melvin jumped up from behind the car and began shooting in the direction of the remaining guards as Carla and Akari fled.. It was going smooth until Carla was clipped in her back leg as she came upon the car.. she yelped in pain and thrust herself into the front driver seat of the car as she assumed Akari couldn't drive.. The pain was overwhelming but lucky for her it was her left and not her right leg so she could still drive..

As Akari swiftly shut the passenger door, Carla stepped on the gas and ducked as the barrage of gunfire erupted through the windshield as she got closer to Melvin who quickly hopped into the backseat after hitting one of the guards square in the chest with a gunshot of his own.. Carla swiftly hit the gas and began to flee the scene.. 

As they turned the corner they were met by a speeding police car barreling down the street towards them with his sirens on and lights flashing which plowed into the side of them and sent the car flying into a cement barrier.. Melvin was the only one who seemed unshaken by the crash and quickly jumped out of the back of the car and started shooting again..

"Carla? Akari? you guys alright??"

Melvin yelled as Carla rubbed her head and tried to regain her vision.. everything was spinning.. she wondered if Akari was alright...

Everything happened rather quickly but in the same aspect felt like it took forever if that makes any sense at all. One moment Akari was hunkered down with Carla as gunfire pinged off the metal frame of the car they were behind. With the amount of bullets shot, it was amazing it was just a single guard. 

She didn’t really know what the plan was, all she knew or rather felt was a tug on her wrist by Carla. They began running the moment Melvin began shooting. As all the gunfire was directed between him and the lone guard. Giving the two enough time to get into an waiting idling car that just happened to be perfectly placed. 

Carla jumped into the drivers seat, Akari made her way to the passenger side. They pulled around to the gate just in time for Melvin to jump into the back. Carla sped down the street and hooked a corner as Akari was glancing backwards at the lone guard running down the street trying to chase them down. It was a losing battle on his part as the car clearly had the edge. 

Before she was even able to turn her head back around to the front, she felt it. The sudden jarring feeling followed by the crunching and shattering sounds as a cop car rammed the passenger side of the car. The side occupied by Akari... The force of the impact sent her flying into Carla then back onto her side. The passenger door crumbled into the seat as the debris from the car filled the air. Akari’s leg got pinned between door and the seat, somehow but was released once the car stopped moving from the impact. 

The force of impact, the initial tossing of her onto Carla’s side was the last thing she remembered of that night. It had knocked her out and knocked her out cold. If it wasn’t for her shallow breathing Carla would have thought she died. She was alive though but not in the best of shape, her leg was clearly broken and there was some fresh blood trickling down her face as she laid slumped over onto her side. 
 

.....

When Carla finally came to, she realized that Akari was knocked unconscious in the passenger seat, her head had a slight cut on it that was beginning to bleed.. The gunfire followed by yelling continued around her and it wasn't until Melvin's strong grasp gripped her by the shoulder did she finally become aware of the surroundings.. The cops has sealed off the street up ahead and were firing on the car as Melvin was hiding behind it.. Carla slowly pulled Akari from the passenger seat and kicked open the driver side door to escape the wrecked car..

"Ah good, you're alright..." Melvin said with a smirk as Carla stepped out, she reached back in and pulled Akari from it

"Ah fuck, leave her behind she's a goner.."

Carla fell to the ground, the sharp pain in her left leg came back and Akari fell from her hands.. she glanced back up at Melvin and glared at him

"No, we are not leaving her behind.. give me your gun.. you carry her.."

"Madam, I don't think that's a good Idea.. where are we even gonna go these cops got us surrounded.."

Carla knew of the subway entrance that was not too far from here.. she had used to to get to Mr. Winston's house on a few occasions but it was a longshot at this point.. She pointed down the alleyway nearby and shouted back at Melvin..

"We can try to make a run for the subway.. it's two blocks that way.. pick her up and lets go."

Melvin groaned and still refused to hand his gun over but picked up Akari with one arm and flung her over his shoulder, she let out a faint groan as he did so.. Carla slowly rose to her feet and grabbed her gun from the front seat of the wrecked car before taking off for the alleyway with Melvin.. The bullets whizzed by Carla's ears what seemed a dozen times before they made it to safety in the alleyway.. they continued to trot on until they reached the street over and made a right..

"Come on hurry.."

She could feel the blood trickling down her leg.. it was getting quite wet with blood as the adrenaline began to kick in and her heart began to beat faster from running.. The entrance to the subway was just ahead and as they entered, the bullets began to stream past them.. The cops were giving chase and were reluctant to let these shooters get away.. Carla nearly fell three or four times as she stumbled down the step and into the depths of the subway, if it wasn't for Melvin holding her up with his other good arm she probably would have fallen already..

A train was sitting at the station and they quickly got on before the doors shut some of the passengers gasped but realized what was going on when they saw the large mob of police officers come running onto the platform as the train pulled away from the station.. most of them cleared out and left the group alone in the car where they found a seat.. Carla let out a deep sigh before pulling a piece of cloth from her dress and tearing it to make a homemade tourniquet and wrapped it around her leg to stop the bleeding..

"Fuck Melvin.. what a night.. I need a drink.." she said as she leaned back

"I'd say our friend does too.." Melvin replied as he set Akari down in a seat across from them

"Indeed.. get the doc to check on her when we get back to my house.. and also call up Kate and make sure none of this heat has landed on us.."

The subway ride was a short one before the group exited off on the platform marked 'Pasadena' and were relieved not to find a single cop in sight.. it seems they had gotten away after all..

Carla abruptly woke up in her bed.. Her body ached with pains and her head felt like it had been hit by a truck.. She rubbed the sleep from her eyes and slowly pushed herself up in bed into a sitting position and scanned the surroundings.. She was for sure back home, this was indeed her room but it was oddly quiet compared to the usual rustle and bustle of the club down below.. It began to worry her, was she in a dream? Her door cracked open and she spotted her son's face.. his bleak face turned to a smile when he realized she was awake..

Gino stormed into the room and rushed over to his mother's bedside and grabbed her hand with a firm grasp..

"Mamma, sono così felice che tu sia sveglio!" he exclaimed

"You've been asleep for two days.."

Carla still felt extremely dazed and confused.. So that dream she felt she had.. the one where Mr. Winston died.. was it real? Was it all not a dream.. She raised her other hand and began to rub the giant bump on the side of her head, it was wrapped with a medical bandage but the lump was still prevalent..

"Gino, where Akari..." Carla said sternly, if she was right.. Akari had it worse than her.. she needed to make sure she was okay

"La ragazza straniera? ... She is fine mamma, Melvin put her in her room and she's been asleep ever since.. The doc came by and looked at both of you.. He said Akari is in some sort of Coma and that you suffered a pretty bad concussion.."

Gino could sense something was amiss, his mother did not have the same fierce look in her face.. It was probably the concussion..

"You should rest.. you had quite the crazy evening.. Uncle Melvin told me all about it!" he said with a chuckle before standing up from the bed

"Don't you worry about Akari, or the Club for right now.. I will keep things in order.. I have the lounge closed so that way we can keep the noise down for you and the other woman.. It's the least I could do... If you need something just holler.. I have a guard right outside your door just in case."

He leaned down and gave his mother a kiss on the cheek before leaving the room to go handle business further.. Carla sat there still processing everything.. So that bastard Mr. Winston was dead, good. Akari had done well and not only fulfilled her contract with her for their boss, Kate Macer, she had saved her life atleast twice by her recollection. She let off a small smirk before leaning back in her bed and putting her head down on her pillow.. When Akari woke up, she would fulfill her promise and begin teaching the woman English... it was the least she could do...