It had been nearly 9 days since the events of that evening, the day itself started with chaos and ended with... well, for Akari it all ended quite abruptly. Her mind was replaying the series of events that had occurred. From the encounter at the mansion with Carla and her entourage, all the way up to the ordeal at the politicians house. Her memories or dreams were quite vivid, she felt as if she was replaying the events. Especially from the moment they had gotten in the car, it was the moment the cop car hit there that it happened.

A sense of panic coursed through her body, the impact in her mind caused her eyes to quickly open as she sprung up from her laying position. Her heart was pounding through her chest as she quickly looked to her left then her right. The quick head motion instantly made her dizzy causing Akari to close her eyes and drop her head down. She brought up her left hand to meet her forehead but it was met with a bit of resistance, slowly opening her eyes she noticed an IV bandaged up into her forearm. She followed the line to an IV bag with some kind of clear fluid in it, the bag was only about a quarter full as the contents were still dripping down into the line.

Akari closed her eyes once more, keeping them shut for a couple minutes until the dizziness began fading away. Sure the dizziness began to fade away but with that came the other aches and pains. A majority of it coming from her leg but also a bit from her head. She opened her eyes once more, this time to survey her surroundings.

The room itself was a bit on the darker side, though bits of sunlight shined through the curtains and onto the floor. It was enough daylight for her to know where she was. She was back in Carla's mansion, back in the same room that she was in when "that" day started. The room was exactly the way she remembered it but then again it had only been a day, at least that is what she thought.

All she knew was she needed to get up, find Carla and then head out. She pulled the covers off of her lower half and that's when she saw it. Her right leg was stiff and demobilized. It was encased in a cast, the cast had a couple of metal rods sticking out from it. Now the pain had been there since she woke up but it definitely intensified once she saw it.

"Seikaku ni nani ga okotta nodesu ka?" She muttered under her breath.

She went to place her right hand onto her forehead and felt the bandage just under her hairline. It was sensitive to the touch but covered as she couldn't tell the extent of that injury.

Letting out a rather hefty sigh, Akari scanned the room once more. Perhaps there were a pair of crutches or something she could use to get out of this bed, get out of this room but there was nothing. She did the only thing she could think of and that was to call out for someone... anyone.

"Kon'nichiwa!" She said in a low tone, giving it a couple minutes to see if anyone would respond. No one did.

So she spoke up a bit louder this time. "Kon'nichiwa!"

It was after that she heard the footsteps coming down the rather quiet hallway. The door creaked opened slowly as a man she had never seen before peered his head into the door. His eyes widened as he noticed Akari was sitting up in bed, glaring back at him. The man smiled and opened the door some more.

"Oh you're awake! The Madam is going to be quite pleased to hear this is."

He held up his pointer finger in the. "Stay put, I'll go get her." He was gone even before Akari was able to say anything. She could hear his footsteps stomping down the hallway and could hear him yelling out the Carla.

"Madam DiMarco.... Madam DiMarco..." The sounds faded away the further away he got.

Moments later the footsteps could be heard once more but there were more then one set this time, could have been multiple people. Well it was multiple people... Keeping her focus onto the door, a small smile crept from the corner of her mouth as the door opened up. Carla was the first one in the room, followed closely behind by her son Gino and the man whom she had just seen.

"AKARI!" Carla exclaimed as she rushed over to her bedside.

Gino strolled up behind Carla subtly. "Woohoo, you're finally awake." He said in a sarcastic tone, a tone that made Carla turn to him. "Boy, if you're gonna act like that already you can leave." He said nothing, only shrugged causing Carla to let out a sigh before directing her attentions back onto Akari.

"Nice to have you back, I wasn't expecting you to wake up any time soon."

"Dō shita?" Akari asked but quickly realized no one knew what she was saying. Back to gestures... she though as she pointed to her head then her leg. Hoping Carla was somehow convey what had happened last night.... She had still yet to know it had been 9 days ago...

Carla was sitting in her study drinking a glass of whiskey on the rocks going over the finances of the past week at the Eros Club.. Money was rolling in but it was just as fast pouring back out in bribes and wages to her various staff and local police who turned a blind eye to the place.. The payment for the death of Winston had been delivered by one of her boss' personal henchmen and the cash had been more than generous for the contract, it really helped as business was slow due to the holidays.. Maybe it would pickup soon..

She picked up the glass off the desk and swirled its contents before taking a slight sip and placing it back down.. The medical bills were starting to get costly for Akari and the doctor assured her that she would awake soon but the woman was still sleeping.. It had been well over a week since Carla had awoken, she feared that maybe perhaps this was gonna be her permanent state.. she truthfully hoped not..

"GINO, I need a refill" Carla yelled out to her son, he should be somewhere nearby

"Jeeze, mamma, take it easy on the booze will ya? You been drinking like a fish ever since the accident.." 

Gino muttered as he entered into the room, he was met with a sharp glare from her and he rolled his eyes before grabbing it from her glass cupboard nearby.. It's label did not entirely stick out to Gino, he had never heard of it but grabbed it anyways.. He popped the cork and walked over and poured it into her cup on the table.. Carla smirked when she read the label and told Gino to stop..

"But I barely poured you a glass.." he stammered

"That is some good stuff son, your father and his daughter used to produce it back in Philadelphia a few years ago.. I still have a few bottles laying around.. it was some of the best whiskey of it's time.. thank you.." she said with a smile before taking a slight sip

"Have you checked on Akari.. any news?"

Gino took a seat across from his mother and shook his head as he leaned back in the chair..

"No, same as yesterday.. you know those doctor bills are getting quite expensive.. why are we stuck paying for it? Shouldn't Kate... or fuck, the woman herself pay for it all? We ain't made of money here-" he noticed the angry glare he was receiving from his mother and knew he should bite his tongue

"Sorry, mamma... you know how I feel about her.. non posso fidarmi degli estranei!" he muttered

"She is not an outsider, she is apart of the mafia here it seems in Los Angeles.. and figlio, I've told you more than once.. you will mind yourself to our guest.. she is a human being just like you.. your Uncle's have a different view and that is not how I want you raised.." she paused for a moment before raising her tone

"Gli umani meritano rispetto!" she exlaimed in Italian..

A loud knock came at the door before the guard burst into the study.. Gino stood up from the chair enraged by the intrusion but Carla told him to stand down.. this was the man who was told to stand guard outside of Akari's room.. he had a huge smile on his face as he began to speak..

"She's awake! The girl is awake.."

Carla's stomach dropped and she quickly stood up from her desk and stormed out of her study and down the hallway to Akari's room followed by her son and the guard.. She was overly pleased to see her sitting up in her bed when she entered the room and quickly ran over and gave her a slight hug.. She knew the pain the woman must still be in as Carla still had some aches and pains of her own..

Some small talk was exchanged before Akari spoke in her native tongue.. 'Dō shita?' .. Carla shook her head and let off a slight chuckle..

"I'm not sure what that means hun, but you are safe and sound.. you have been asleep for almost two weeks! I was really worried about you.. but you are okay!" she said slowly as she pointed to the calendar on the wall nearby with the days marked off..

"How are you feeling.. still alot of pain yes?"

She said as she pointed to the cast around Akari's leg and the bandage around her head, she wondered how much she understood..

Akari turned her head as Carla pointed past her, she was pointing at a calendar on the nearby wall. It was an odd calendar though as it had already been marked off. Well not completely but there were nine days marked off that shouldn’t have been. She turned her head back towards Carla as she sat there and smiled at her. All eyes were on her, Carla’s... Ginos... and the random guard were all focused on Akari. It was rather odd but that’s when it hit her. 

The IV in her arm, the joyous faces looking at her. Well except for Gino, he seemed quite bothered she was awake but that’s a complete other story. Quickly darting her head back to the calendar, her eyes widened as she noticed the actual date. It had been nine days since the events of Mr. Winstons demise. Nine days....

She took in a rather deep breath, held the air in her lungs for a moment then exhaled slowly. It was quite a bit to comprehend, not only did she miss the last couple days but she had someone looking after her. It was the first time in the states that someone actually had her back. It was nice. She didn’t have much time to think about it as Carla began speaking again. She still didn’t know what she was saying but pieced it together when she pointed at her leg then her head. 

“Ashigaitai” She pointed to her leg and shook her head from side to side. To double check she wiggled her toes, causing a rather sharp pain to radiate up her leg causing a irritated look upon her face. 

“Dono gurai no ma?” Akari asked. 

Carla shrugged “Still can’t understand you hon.” Though she had an idea she was talking about her leg. “Doctor said you did a number on your leg but he was able to set it. With the 9 days you already slept through you have about 6 weeks until that cast is off.” Carla walker over to the calendar, took it off the wall and walked back over to Akari. She flipped through a couple months and pointed to a date. 

”About here is when you’ll get that off.” Carla pointed to the cast. 

Even though she didn’t understand the words, Akari understood the gesture. Hundreds of thoughts ran through her head. Would what Kate think about her absence? How would she work? How would she pay for things? Was she able to stay here? How long would it actually be before she was back to her normal self? 

A single tear trickled out of her eye and down her cheek. A tear that she quickly wiped away. She didn’t know what do or even what to say, she was speechless.

It was quite clear this woman was distraught over the current situation.. She hadn't the slightest idea of how the woman felt, especially being in a foreign country surrounded by people she just met, but she hoped she atleast knew she was in good care here.. Akari shook her head after Carla pointed to the date on the calendar of when she would be healed again and walking.. It was quite some ways away, but this atleast gave some time for them to work on other things like Akari's english for one...

Carla stood up off the bed and placed the calendar back on the wall, when she turned to her again she noticed the blank look on Akari's face followed by a slight teardrop which she quickly wiped before glancing around, things didn't go unnoticed easily around here..

"Ah hun, don't cry.. everything will be alright. You are in good hands here.. you don't worry about a thing until your leg is healed"

Carla said as she pointed to the woman's leg as she stepped closer to the bed again..

"Kate sends her regards.. she knows you are staying here for a few weeks while you gain your strength.. she did pass along this envelope for you though.. it's still sealed"

Carla picked up the manila envelope from the bedside and placed it on the bed, there was clearly some cash inside but what also felt like a letter or paper of some kind.. she knew better than to ask questions when Kate handed her such things. Delivered safe and sound it was...

"Anyways, I'm sure you're quite overwhelmed by all of this.. let me take my leave and come back in check on you shortly yes?"

Carla gestured for Gino, Melvin, and the other guard to start leaving the room as she did, she turned as they all left the room and said one last thing..

"Since you're gonna be here and bed ridden.. I feel I owe it to you to fulfill that promise I gave to you back in that book store.. tomorrow morning we will start your English classes..." 

She smiled and left Akari to gather herself for a bit before she would return to check on her.. She really hoped it wouldn't be too difficult to teach the woman.. Although it was quite hard for Carla to learn herself as a child when she came to the states.. It was going to be a long arduous journey...

The door to the room closed softly behind everyone, leaving Akari to herself. The room was quiet but the thoughts inside her head were not, it was if she were standing in the middle of a busy city street. She didn’t know what to do with herself or even where the next couple weeks would take her. It was the first time in her life that she felt helpless. She let out a heavy sigh as another tear ran down her face, this time letting it complete its journey as it fell onto her lap. 

Glancing down in front of her, Akari gave her casted leg a look. It was a look that turned into a stare, she couldn’t believe she had gotten herself into a mess like this. She let out another sigh and noticed out of the corner of her eye the manilla envelope that Carla had left by her side. She had nearly forgot about it, needless to say it was the furthest thing on her mind.

Picking the envelope up she gave it a look. It was one of those big yellow ones, it was clasped shut and sealed tight. The only thing on it was her name, which was scribbled in the upper right corner of the envelope. She placed the envelope onto her lap and scooter herself backwards on the bed until her back was up against the header of the bed. It gave her the support she needed, instead of having to rely on her balance to sit upright. 

Now the envelope had a little bit of weight to it and was a bit bulky. Pretty obvious why and it was confirmed once she tore into the envelope, exposing its contents. She dumped the contents onto her lap and cast the empty envelope aside. There was two stacks of cash, she couldn’t tell how much but knew it was a decent amount just from the looks of it. It must have been her portion from the job, the politician job. It was good timing for that money, she needed it. Most of not all of it was gonna go to Carla for whatever expenses she had already accrued and for the future expenses needed to get her right. 

She took the stacks of cash off her lap and placed them onto the nightstand to the right of her. A nightstand that had a glass of water among other things on it. Seeing the glass made her instantly thirsty, so she swapped the cash for the glass and quickly drank the contents. It was probably the best glass of water she had ever had, sure it was just ordinary tap water but it was the first drink she had in 9 days. Almost instantly she could feel the water run down through her body, hitting her stomach as she let out an “ahh”. She placed the glass back down next to the cash and directed her attentions back to the contents on her lap. 

There were two things, one a simple half piece of paper and another envelope. Just a normal white envelope but it was sealed with her name on it, her name as it is written in Japanese. Immediately it made her curious and a bit worried in the same regards but she gave the piece of paper a look first. It was from Kate, was only a couple lines of text but was in English. Only reason she knew it was from Kate was because she signed it Kate at the bottom.

Placing the letter down next to her, Akari picked up the sealed envelope. She gave the name a look over once more, with a confused look upon her face. She turned it over and tore into it, pulling out a letter. 

The first thing on the letter was Doku Hana... it was a name that she was given back in Tokyo. It was a name that no one in the states knew of, so it had to be someone from her past. She glanced down at the body of the letter but for some reason it was in English, of course she couldn’t understand it but it wasn’t long. Looking down a bit further on the page at the bottom was a large symbol, the Japanese symbol for death. Her heart dropped, someone from her past found out her secret. 

This was not the time to receive a letter like this, she was helpless. No way she was able to defend herself in her current state, hopefully whomever this was had a hard time locating her. It’s about the only thing she could hope for. This just added insult to injury, with another sigh she sat there in deep thought. It was about the only thing she could do at this moment, sitting alone in the dark room. 

The door shut behind Carla with a soft click and she took off down the hall and back to her study.. The Lounge was due to open soon so she grabbed her cup of whiskey and pack of smokes and made her way downstairs to her seat at the bar.. The house had been quiet for some time due to the holidays, but with New Years on the horizon, it was set to be the busiest night of the year.. Money was always something she envied and it always brought her happiness with the thought of it rolling in, but something was off lately.. she just didn't seem to have the will or drive to carry on with it anymore, or maybe the crash still hadn't quite settled with her yet..

She rubbed the temple of her forehead at the thought of the accident, she still had a slight pain where her head hit the cold steel of the car, and the migraines every few days were even worse..

"You okay mamma?" Gino said softly as he came over and placed his hand on her shoulder

"Maybe you wanna go upstairs and just rest? I noticed those headaches have been bothering you since the crash.. the doctor said you suffered a severe concussion and were lucky not to fracture your skull after all..."

Carla was a bit irritated, she knew her situation but her son always liked to remind her.. but it was in his nature.. he was always worrying about her just like his father used to do.. She gave off a faint smile and nodded

"Yes, perhaps I should go upstairs and rest.. or maybe I'll check on Akari and make sure she's okay."

Gino helped his mother to her feet and over to the staircase before watching her go upstairs.. He let out a deep sigh and shook his head. He still couldn't understand his mother's obsession with the Japanese girl.. Sure, she was an orphan of the sorts, but Gino had this odd feeling about her and always knew there was more to her than what met the eye, and what was up with that sheathed dagger? There was definitely no coincidence there!

Carla came upon Akari's door and felt the respect to Knock before entering, she had a wondered if the woman was able to get to the bathroom since she had left.. She chuckled at the thought of a small Asian girl hobbling on one foot over to her bathroom..

Kock, Kock, Knock....

"Akari, It's Carla.. I'm back to check on you.."

She said awfully loud incase she was sleeping, she looked down to the book she grabbed from her study before coming to Akari's room, she smiled as she read the title.. 'English & Grammar for Beginners'..

“Ohairikudasai!”

Akari muttered out as she crawled her way back to the bed. Needless to say, venturing out of the bed without crutches wasn’t the easiest task to do. Seems she’d either have to figure out how to tell some she needed a pair of crutches or just crawl to the bathroom every time she needed to go. At this point she really wasn’t sure which would be easier. 

She made it to the side of the bed on the floor still, as the door slowly opened. The light from the hallway creeped in from the sliver of door that had been opened, only to be quickly covered up by Carla’s figure. Carla began speaking once she opened the door, even before seeing Akari. 

”I’m just stopping by to see how you are adjusting, I’d imagine things are a bit complicated right now.” 

Akari glanced over to the door as Carla finally made her way into the room. She looked up at the same time Carla looked down, once she noticed Akari wasn’t in bed but trying to get back into it. The bed was a lot higher off the ground then she remembered. “Oh dear, how’d you wind up down there?” Carla said while shaking her head slightly. 

Letting out a sigh, Akari stopped trying and posted herself up against the bed. There were so many things she wanted to say to Carla but couldn’t. Well she could but the woman wouldn’t understand a word of what she’d say. She had learned to just not talk, it was easier then trying to gesture things. 

Carla could tell though that Akari was struggling a bit with the realization of things as she made her way over and sat down next to her. With the English & Grammar book still in her hand, Carla spoke up again. 

”I can’t imagine how things must seem to you right now. Things will get better though, I promise you this. You will be back on your feet before you know and in the mean time, I have something for you to do.” 

Carla took the book and handed it to Akari. She knew immediately what it was, as a small smile creeped onto her face. 

”English isn’t the easiest language to learn, it took me a bit. We will get you there though, one step at a time.”

Akari continued to smile 

“Itsu kara hajime raremasu ka?”

She knew Carla couldn’t understand her, so she held the book up and spoke once more.

”We work?” 

She chuckled as Akari held up the book and said 'We work' .. it was that very reason she needed to learn, that way their communication could get better.. Giving off a faint smile she grasped the book with Akari and nodded as she placed it down onto her lap and patted on it..

"Yes, we will 'work' on this while you are stuck here bed ridden for the next few weeks! With that attitude, I'm sure you will learn quickly.."

She stood up from the bed and walked over to the curtains, they were still draped shut, Gino or the guard clearly weren't doing their job so it was going to be upon her to make sure she was well looked after.. The light slipped through the window and onto the polished hardwood floor after Carla opened them slightly and opened the window to let some fresh air in.. The breeze was refreshing and the smell it brought from outside was crisp and smooth..

"Much better hun.." Carla said softly before turned to Akari again, she noticed the cash and letter on the nightstand nearby her

"Ah, that must have been in that envelope Kate sent over.. she said a shady figure dropped that note by the headquarters.. Said it was all in Japanese so we couldn't read it.. hope it was nothing too important.."

Carla said as she walked over to the bed again and picked up the letter and chuckled at the writing and symbols on the page, it looked so exotic

"Just looks like a bunch of silly letters to me.. oh well.." she said placing it back down and grabbing a small portion of the cash

"I'm going to take some of this and have Gino go down and fetch you a pair of crutches... so you can get around. Money has been tight here during the holidays or I would have got them myself..."

Carla said with a faint smile before shaking her had and again laughing..

"Right, you can barely understand me.. no matter. Your first lesson will begin tomorrow at ten in the morning.." Carla said as she pointed to the calendar, the book, and then the clock

"Until then.. you rest.." she said pointing at the bed

It would be really nice if she were able to understand the words coming out of Carla's mouth. Luckily for her, Carla knew the language barrier was hindering things and even though she spoke in English she made sure to point and gesture to everything. So even though she didn't understand, she kind of did.

Akari watched as Carla made her way over to the bed, her eyes widened as Carla picked up the letter. The letter... she figured that Carla would question it after reading it but she didn't, all she did was chuckle and place it on the nightstand. It was another clear discrepancy of the language barrier, cause if she were actually able to read it, she wouldn't be laughing. 

After placing the letter down, Carla went through the stack of cash that she placed it next to. Now she didn't know why she was taking some of the cash but it was ok, she already decided that money was going to Carla.

"Sore o subete toru." Akari said while nodding at Carla.

Not understanding, Carla took whatever she needed and went on to something else. Or at least she was going to, until she realized Akari was giving her a bit of an odd look.

"Right, you can barely understand me.. no matter. Your first lesson will begin tomorrow at ten in the morning.." Carla said as she pointed to the calendar, the book, and then the clock

"Until then.. you rest.." she said pointing at the bed.

Akari smiled to gesture, she knew tomorrow was going to be the beginning of her English lessons. There was one thing though, she wasn't tired. Not even remotely. This may be one of those without sleep. Before Carla made her way out of the room, Akari gestured for her to come back.

"Book, me?"

Carla gave her an odd look for a moment until it hit her. "Oh, you want to look through the book. Ok..." Carla handed over the book to a smiling Akari. "Remember, tomorrow at 10am."She pointed to her wrist then held up 10 fingers.

"10" Akari said with a nod then directed her attentions to the book, she flipped through the first couple pages as Carla made her way out of the room.

Tomorrow began week one...

It was nearing the end of the week when Carla sat down in her study, whiskey cup in hand, she let out a deep sigh as she plunged into the black leather chair, almost spilling her drink in the process.. She chuckled at herself before placing it down gracefully on the desk.. The California temperatures were starting to feel normal again as the short winter came and went.. She always loved not having to deal with snow anymore, how she dreaded every bit of it, especially when her father would make them all scrape the driveways as a kid.. so not fun.. The house was still, as the lounge was closed for the day leaving nothing but silence minus the occasional noise from a woman of the house, they knew better than to be loud...

Carla slowly turned her seat around and looked out her study window just behind her desk. It was tall and took up the entirety of the wall with it's size and frame.. It was always enjoying to have such a large window, and it gave her a nice view of the gardens down below in her yard.. She pulled a cigarette from her pack of smokes and lit one with a small drag and exhaled with a slight 'ah' as the head rush hit..

Knock, knock, knock....

The loud echoes from the knocks at her study door broke her train of thought, she heard her son's voice on the other side of the door and she called out with permission for him to enter..

"Mi dispiace disturbarla.." he said softly as he opened the door and began to enter the room "Lo zio Melvin ha chiamato e ha detto che il lavoro è finito .. presto sarà a casa."

Carla always hated that Melvin taught her son Italian.. but she knew it was important for him to know the language, especially in the whole authenticity and becoming a made man, all that bullshit.. it all went hand and hand, it was why he pushed onto him the moral hatred for outsiders.. 'fuori dagli schemi' she said to herself in her head, it was one of the reasons why him and Akari were not getting along.. Gino sat across from her and folder his arms blurted out again..

"You gonna say something or what ma'? You've been awfully quiet lately.." he said sternly

"Sorry hun, I think that bump to the head a few weeks ago has me thinking differently or something.. The doctor ins't sure, but um..No matter, tell him to take his time when you call him back.."

She picked up her glass of whiskey and began to swirl the contents, before the ice cubes could circle again Gino blurted out once more...

"I think it's all this drinking you've been doing.. every since that woman came.. and the accident.. you've turned into an alcoholic!" he said angrily "I think you should take it easy ma.. quella roba è veleno"

Carla's rage instantly took over her, it was the first time she had felt it in weeks.. perhaps it was being accused of being an alcoholic or it was simple bottle up inside, but she couldn't help but chuck the glass at Gino's head still full of whiskey and ice, if it wasn't for his cat like reflexes she would have nailed him straight in the face.. The sudden rush of fear took him over as she angrily got up from her desk and stormed around the desk and began unleashing a flurry of punches on him until he collapsed over in the chair..

"Alright! Enough!! I'm sorry..." he yelled as he tried to cover his face

"You little shit.. how dare you talk to your mother like that! You will show some respect! rispetto"

Carla glanced up and saw Akari standing in the doorway to her study.. She was on the brand new pair of crutches that Carla had went and bought for her during the week, or well the doctor brought it down to her house.. She was unsure how long she had been standing there but the large grin on her face indicated she was probably there for some time, Carla knew Akari was not fond of Gino and that the smirk she was radiating was probably warranted..

"What he do, Carla? He must be bad" Akari said with a chuckle

"Yea, he's quite the little shit..."

Carla pretended to swing her hand at him one more time, causing him to flinch.. They both chuckled as he rose to his feet and began to pat himself down.. It was amazing how much English Akari had learned in a week.. she was able to form small sentences.. they were loose and not quite proper but she had a good understanding.. she was doing quite well.. Gino still didn't like the whole idea, and even hated Akari more that his mother seemingly chose her constantly over him, or atleast that was the way he felt..

"Yea, yea, yea whatever.. I'll leave you two alone then.. I can tell I'm not wanted her anyways.

Gino left the room, but not before stopping at the doorway and giving Akari the stink eye.. She shook her head at him before turning to Carla and smiling as she stood there on one foot with her crutches..

"We go work English more yes?"

Carla chuckled and smiled as she gave off a faint nod to the woman.. the more she learned the better..

It was somewhere towards the end of the first week of healing, actually it was day 7 exactly and yes Akari was keeping track. The calendar that was in her room was also her countdown. Sure it wasn’t going to be exactly six weeks but it was something for her to look forward for. It had been a good week, yeah it was a bit of a learning curve getting around on the crutches but she was getting good at it. When needed that was... 

She still spent a lot of time in her room, in her bed with her nose in the English book. The learning process was going well, on top of the English book Carla had. She had one of her guards or her son, truly she didn’t know who go out and get a Japanese to English book. It helped tremendously and it was the key to the entire process. 

Within the first week Akari was able to put together sentences, they weren’t always right nor understandable but it was better then nothing at all.

Speaking on learning more, it was just about that time to have another lesson with Carla. It was a bit different this time around though, instead of Carla coming to her room, Akari was going to her study. It was truly the first time since waking up that she ventured that far from her own room and by herself. 

Just like the school days of her youth, Akari tossed the couple books into a backpack and threw it over her shoulders. Was the backpack needed? Of course it was! There was no way she’d be able to carry the book and hobble over to the study any other way. She was excited to head down to meet Carla. It was as if her freedom was slowly starting to come back and even more so from learning the language too. 

She made her way out of the room and down the hallway, hooking the corner to another hallway where Carla’s study was at. It was once she hooked the corner that she heard the chatter, the chatter of Carla and Gino. They were speaking in a mixture of English and what she presumed Italian, really it just sounded like gibberish to her but it seemed casual. 

That was until the moment Akari appeared in the doorway, it was almost instantly she saw Carla throw the glass at Gino. It missed but it was the only thing that missed. As Carla got up and started smacking the ever loving hell out of the boy. It was rather comical, she wasn’t sure what he did to deserve it but knowing him it was well warranted. It made her smirk, a smirk that Carla caught once she glared up and noticed Akari standing in the doorway.

“What he do Carla? He must be bad.” She asked.

Carla responded while Gino was trying to dodge another smack from his mother. He promptly got up said some snarky remark then stopped in front of Akari. Giving her quite a look, if looks could talk it wouldn’t have been anything nice. It was something Akari gathered, as she made sure to give him a bit of a smack on the shin with her crutch as he walked by her. 

It was an act that made Gino take a step towards her. He huffed as he looked down on her. Sure he may have been intimidating to a bunch of people but to her not the case. With a smile she shook her head then turned to Carla. Carla glances past her in Ginos direction, he huffed once more then stomped off down the hall.

”We go work English more, yes?” Akari stated as she made her way into the study. She already knew the answer and was hobbling her way over to the couch. It was the best place for her to put her leg up. 

One week down, hopefully five more to go!

The days seemed to be rolling by in the DiMarco household, Carla couldn't seem to keep up with the endless work days as she managed the Eros Lounge, and on top of it was teaching Akari English.. It was quite exhausting and she replaced her free time with drinking to help manage the long days.. It was a habit that her son despised, and one that Carla disliked even more as Luis was a heavy drinker, she never liked it.... Sitting in her study in her black leather chair alone sipping on her whiskey, she began to recollect what happened over the last month and how she got to where she was..

One thing that always was at the forefront of her mind during these thoughts was Akari, and the day she walked through those doors of the Eros Lounge.. It was like something changed that day and she couldn't quite figure out what, but things changed..

"Madam? Do you have a minute..."

Melvin called to her from her study door, his large figure enveloped the entire doorway with his girth, Carla nodded and gestured for him to come and take a seat.. He hobbled over and nearly broke the chair as he sat in it...

"So, I've been doing some digging into our guest Akari.. and I know what you are going to say but just hear me out.." he said quickly as Carla's scowled at him

"The woman fled from her country not too long ago.. She was sent here from Japan with all her legal paperwork, a name, social.. she had it all for her before she even landed here in the states.." Melvin continued slowly

"That woman must have some powerful friends or connects in Japan to pull something off like this... I got this info from a good friend of mine in the Gambino family from New York.. he mentioned a mafia in Japan... called 'Yakuza' ... you don't think?"

Carla cut him off, things were a bit odd surrounding the woman, and she very well could be whatever this 'Yakuza' is but the woman had saved her life twice, she was no enemy..

"Her past is her past.. I don't care what she's done in Japan, she saved my life here and I owe her.. but thank you for this information Melvin."

Melvin nodded before Carla dismissed him from the room.. She began to dwell on the possibility Akari was infact a criminal from Japan, and not just any common criminal, but in the mafia... It would explain a few things on how Kate came to know Akari, and how she ended up in Kate's service.. Carla got up from her study and scurried out and down the hall to Akari's room, there was only one way to find out...

Knock...Knock.. Knock...

The loud knocks echoed in the hallway as Carla knocked on @Akari's door.. She could hear the woman come scurry to open the door...

The days were passing quite quickly, what seemed like forever in the future, was kind of around the corner. Sure there was still some time left for her to heal fully. Then you had however long after the cast was off for her to completely gain her strength back on that leg. Each day that passed was a day closer to her being fully independent again. She was content though, she was keeping busy. This whole learning English thing helped the days pass, all her free time went into it and she had tons of free time. 

It was showing too, was kind of amazing how well she picked up on it. She often sat in the corner chair, well it wasn't really a chair chair but more of a lounge chair. It was quite oversized and comfy. There was a matching ottoman, which was perfect for her to put her leg up on. It was were she spent most of her time, with her nose in her books.

She was doing just that when a series of knocks came from her door. They weren't the normal friendly type knocks but rather loud ones, ones that signified someone on the other side needed something and now.

Akari placed a marker in the book then put the book on the little table that sat beside it. She swung her legs off the ottoman, grabbed the crutches and scurried over to the door. She was able to make it there before whomever was on the other side, knocked again. Opening the door quickly, there stood Carla on other end.

Before she was even able to say a word, Carla took a step into the room.

"We need to talk!" Carla said sternly

"Ok, we talk.." Akari replied, not really sure what all was on her mind.

Though it was apparently something as her body language and facial expressions weren't the most friendly. Akari hobbled back over to the chair in the corner of the room as Carla closed the door behind them and pulled up a chair of her own, facing it directly towards Akari. 

"I'm not going to beat around the bush here, so I'm just going to come right out with it. I feel that at this point we should be truthful with each other." Carla said.

Akari continued to look at her, trying to figure out where this conversation was going. She said nothing, just listened to what Carla had to say.

"Now I've had my suspicions about you since the events of that one morning. Yes initially I thought you were just some random girl looking for some work here in my mansion, as one of my girls. Something which I totally misjudged but that's a mute point right now. Anyways, I've just had a bit of information come my way and I need to know the truth. The truth about you and your past."

Akari looked at her with a bit of a confused look, what part of her past was she talking about?

"Which part of me past you talking about?" She asked.

Carla quickly responded. "The part with the Japanese underground ties, I believe the term was Yakuza?"

Akari's eyes widened a bit as she looked at Carla and nodded a couple times. She took in a deep breath and began speaking.

"Ok, we talk... You right, me kind of part of Yakuza. Well was, sort of."

"Sort of?"

"Yes, you see I was an associate. Me woman, me couldn't be member. Only men can be true members. Me worked with them, what you call..." She held up a finger and picked up her book to find the word. It only took her a moment to find it. "Assassin, me do dirty work for them and me was good at it."

Carla leaned up in her chair. "Continue."

"So me nicknamed Doku hana in Tokyo." She flipped through the pages of the book once more to find the English words for it. "Doku hana is poisonous flower to you. Me is good at making people no more."

Carla nodded to the comments, she wasn't vexed one bit but was still curious on the matter. "Ok but then why are you here?"

Akari took in another deep breath before continuing.

"Well... me wanted to be Yakuza member, so to prove me should be in me went and killed a rival. Without getting ok, there was big war. Lots people died. Me uncle is boss had sit down with other group. Decided war end only if I was ended. He agreed but faked me dead and send me here to US instead."

There was a brief silence between the two as Carla sat there processing everything Akari had just said. Before another word could be said, Akair opened up the drawer on the table sitting next to the chair and pulled out the letter. She opened it up and read it quickly before handing it to Carla.

"This letter that came with the other is no good. Seems someone knows where me at, probably gonna come try to kill me. See symbol at bottom, that Japanese symbol for death. So me need to get better soon but stay hide until then."

She looked Carla in the eyes

"Carla, me no hurt you. No anymore, you trust me?"

Carla's information from Melvin was correct... to some extent anyways.. It took her completely by surprise and she could only imagine the earful her son was going to spew to her about this when he found out.. He was right, trusting outsiders was something she should have followed, instead she was more welcoming and had people flocking through her doors constantly, perhaps that was the business side of her, or just the way she was raised but she knew now she had made not necessarily a bad choice, or let someone bad into her home, shit she was involved in the underworld as much as anyone, but perhaps a choice that may come back to haunt her at some point..

Now, Carla never exactly inquired on Akari's background but something as serious as this probably should have been mentioned sooner.. She let out a deep sigh and changed her tone, being aggressive was going to get her nowhere now..

"You should have told me this sooner Akari, you could have put this whole house in danger.. perhaps that is partially my burden, but I can't believe how deep this rabbit hole really goes."

She glanced over the letter Akari handed her and placed it down on the table next to them..

"When that showed up, you should have told me what it said.. we could have been taking steps to keep you more safe. This place has people coming and going.. who knows who might have overheard your name..." she sighed again before continuing

"Well... at any rate, it seems we are both in this mess now. I'm going to have to trust you in this but you need to keep quiet.. don't mention a thing to my son or Melvin until you are better... The fat man has some suspicions but I will deal with that. The less people know the better. Do you have any idea who might be coming after you? Perhaps a rival Assassin?"

Sitting there quietly, Akari listened to every word that Carla said to her. Some of it still didn't make sense but she understood enough of her words to know what she was saying. Was kind of funny in a way, for a couple moments, Akari mentally brought herself back to her younger days. Days when her mother used to scold her, it's kind of what it felt like and internally it made her chuckle.

Back then it wasn't so funny, if you were getting scolded back then you'd surely catch a backhand or two from the old lady. For a little thing that she was, she hit hard. Of course she tried to not get scolded as much as possible but it was rather hard, trouble usually found her. It took a while for the backhands to subside, it came more with age then anything else. Though she had still heard ear fulls from the old lady up until the day she left for the states.

It was all in the past now, all just a memory. She'd probably never hear her mothers voice again, for all she knew they all thought she was dead. Well everyone except her uncle and now whomever that letter came from.

She let Carla finish speaking before saying anything. There was no need to interrupt her, it would probably have just made things worse.

"Yes, looking at it now. Me should told you but me didn't for a couple ways. Firstly you no talk about the business, unless you talk to someone in the business."

Carla sat there glaring at Akari, waiting for her to continue.

"Me also didn't know how to say to you about letter, when me got it. Me English was no great. Also this me problem, not you, not Gino, not Melvin. It's me problem, knowing ways of back home no one here get hurt. Who ever this is only want me and will only go for me. So you no in danger Carla."

Akari adjusted the positioning of her cast leg.

"Me be keeping low here, until better. Once better me will fix this, you no worries."

Listening to the woman speak, she could feel the strength and courage in her voice as well as the bold face she presented.. It was an entirely different view than Carla had of the woman all along.. here she thought this woman was an innocent refuge from Japan, but she was a hardened criminal just like her.. Talking about the 'business' and such, she wondered if the woman even had any idea Carla, or Kate, was apart of the American Mafia.. Akari spoke slow but each word she said with great assurance, she really had come along way with her English and it made her smile as she finished speaking...

"I'm sorry, this is so off subject but man.. Akari.. your english is so much better than it was a few weeks ago.. you have really come far.."

Carla said softly as she pulled the chair a little closer to the bed that Akari was sitting on, she was still smiling..

"I'm not mad at you for not telling me, but I could have done something more about it.. you come from a sister organization.. one that isn't exactly recognized by my people but we have the same structure.." Carla spoke with a whisper to Akari so anyone eavesdropping couldn't hear

"I'm a member of the American Mafia.. I have powerful friends that can help us, one of them being Kate our boss... did you have any idea who we were? It's amazing you even came in contact with us.. what a small world... but as I said before.. I will help you with your problem.. you and I are friends now and that's what friends do!"

She still spoke with some hand gestures, there were some words Akari probably still didn't understand but Carla knew she understood the bulk of it..

Akari quick smiled to the English comment, it meant a lot even if it was just a short like acknowledgement of it. Sure it wasn't the easiest language to learn but when you have nothing else to do as you recuperate it makes it kind of easy. If she wasn't sleeping or doing some kind of other random thing, she was there with her nose in the books. Carla played a pretty huge part in it as well, even if she only sat with her an hour or so a day it was still a lot. 

She watched as Carla got in a bit closer to her, within a foot and began whispering to some sort towards her. She was talking so low that Akari had to scoot up just a little bit and turn her head slightly sideways in order to gain maximum audibility. She listened and nodded as Carla spoke. She waited until Carla was done speaking before turning towards her, placing her hand on top of Carla's. 

"Me know Kate boss of Pasadena, me sent here cause me uncle. They meet somehow do business, he ask favor of her. Now me here... Me not know you be mafia until you say you work Kate. Then me put together. Me not know you rank or if you can be full member. You woman like me, hard for us to get ahead in business."

Footsteps could be heard walking down the hallway, rather heavy ones. It was hard to pinpoint whom it actually was but it was either Melvin or Gino. They must have been looking for Carla. Instead of keeping this topic going, Akari began down another route. One that had a bit of meaning to it.

"Carla, you be good to me. You help me better me leg. You help me learn English. You be good friend but me can't ask you to...." She held up her finger and got out her books. Took her a moment to find the word she wanted to us but she found it.

"Ah... jeopardize you or the house for something that happened in me past. You do lot for me already, more then anyone ever."

The footsteps continued until they didn't as a shadow of the feet covered some of the light from the hallway. A few moderate knocks sounded from her door followed by a voice. Gino's voice.

"Ma, you in there? I need to talk to you and now.... MA... I know you're in there. MA!!!!!!"

Carla sighed and turned to the door and in a rather loud tone spoke up. "I HEARD YOU THE FIRST TIME."

"Well then you should have answered the first time." He said with a smart ass tone. A tone that seemed to strike a chord with Carla, she shot Akari a smiled then quickly stood up and stormed over to the door. She opened it up quickly, with a scowling look on her face. A look that made Gino immediately apologize.

"Ma, I'm sorry. I just really need to talk to you and you alone... and now... it's important."

"Fine!" Carla replied

She turned back towards Akari. "We will finish this conversation in a little bit, Akari." With that she walked past Gino and down towards the direction of her study. Gino stood in Akari's doorway for a moment, the two just glared at each other. With a head shake, he reached for the door knob, grabbed it and slammed the door closed.

Akari was a bit curious what that was all about but it was Carla's business. With a shrug of her shoulders, Akari picked the books back up and sifted through them some more.

The door shut behind Gino gently as him and his mother entered her study.. he sighed as he watched her scurry over to her desk and pick up the bottle of whiskey and pour herself a drink, he hated seeing his mother drink so much but there was nothing he could say or do about it.. he just had to standby and watch idle as his mother drank herself into what he felt was oblivion, for her she felt it was bliss.. Carla sat down behind her desk and gracefully placed the cup of whiskey she had in her hand down onto it, but not before taking a sip, Gino came and sat down across from her and cleared his throat..

"I'm sorry for disturbing you ma' you know I wouldn't unless it was important.. but I've been hearing some troubling things from some of the girls about some of the John's .. I felt I should bring it to your attention..."

Carla was slightly relieved when he said it had to do with the girl's and not Akari, he had some kind of stick up under his ass when it came to the woman and she was growing quite bored with it so at least it was not about her this time.. She nodded and picked up her pack of smokes and pulled one from it and stuck it in her mouth, her son Gino pulled a lighter from his pocket and held it out for her, he atleast didn't have a problem with her smoking...

"Well, go on.." Carla said as she took a drag off her cigarette and exhaled, the smoke whirled in the sun that shined through the window behind Carla

"See, they said some of the John's have been getting quite aggressive.. being more physical with them.. they fear for their safety when alone in their rooms with certain men.. they requested we keep these certain individuals out.. but unfortunately some of them are high rollers.. and they come here pretty often, we'd lose a substantial amount of business..."

When it came to money Carla hated losing it.. the news of potential business loss was not what she wanted to hear right now but on the other hand, it could keep the house quiet for a few weeks while Akari rested up.. less visitors and strangers meant less unwanted eyes and attention in the house, perhaps this was the best move for the time being.. She took another long drag and exhaled before replying to her son..

"While I would normally be against losing money.. I think it's time we do right by the girl's... if they don't stay and work we got no money.. I'm going to approve their request.. deny entry to the said accused." she said sternly to him

"Melvin thought the same, do right by the girls and all.." Gino replied with a smirk

"But yet again, Melvin is not here to discuss business with me.. some partner he is.. but I understand he's got other business to attend to around the city.. no matter, it's why I got you here.. you've made me proud these past few weeks.." Carla said with a smile

"Now run along.. I don't want the lounge unattended for too long.."

Gino nodded and thanked his mother for the kind words before getting up and leaving her alone in her study.. Carla still couldn't help but think about the woman and the huge problem Akari had hanging over her head.. The thought of it all made her reach for that glass of whiskey on the desk and take a sip, the last few weeks had been madness but Carla had a feeling things were only going to get more chaotic as this thing unfolded..

She turned and glanced at the calendar on her wall and took note of the date.. it was nearing the end of the second week of recovery for Akari and she had another three weeks to go, time needed to start moving a bit faster...

And so Carla got her wish, the days that seemed to be dragging on began to fly by as days turned into weeks.. The long days of drinking accompanied with English lessons were finally starting to draw to a close.. Except for the drinking.. It was bright and early in the morning and Carla could hear some kind of dimwitted birds chirping outside of her window, irritated by the noise she took one of her pillows and chucked it in the direction of the window before plunging her head back under her remaining pillow and covers.. The dastardly birds continued on and it was pretty evident that she was not going to get another moment of shut eye.. She let out a deep sigh mixed with an angry groan and threw her covers off..

She was immediately hit by the biter cold in her room and was further irritated, did that damn son of mine turn off the heater this morning, she thought to herself as she reluctantly put her warm feet into the ice cold slippers next to her bed...

"GINO!" she screamed at the top of her lungs

"Why is the house so god dam cold!!!"

She stomped her feet across the room and into the bathroom, she was a bit surprised to hear no movement around in the house.. someone should have heard her scream and begin stomping.. where was that little bastard? She turned on the sink and began to wash up.. It was a few minutes later the door to her room creaked open and shut.. She could hear the footsteps approaching her bathroom, she glanced at the .38 pistol sitting on the sink and placed her hand on it.. She glanced over her shoulder and was relieved to see her son appear in the doorway...

"Buongiorno mamma, perché sei così rumoroso stamattina" he said softly and glanced at her hand on the gun

"Tutto bene?" he questioned "You seem a bit on edge lately.. you wanna tell me what's going on?"

Carla still hadn't mentioned to Gino the whole Akari situation.. her being Yakuza.. the letter.. any of it.. it was sort of her little sexret with the woman.. Not even Melvin knew about the death threat. It was a situation that seemed to be coming to a head, or atleast she felt that way.. Akari would get that cast off her leg later this week all they had to do was continue to lay low until then.. The woman had given no indication to Carla she may know who is after her, or if they even know she is here.. but if they could find her this easy, there's no telling how far their influence stretched, just like the American Mafia...

"Yes, I'm fine.. you just startled me that's all.. the house is very quiet and there's no god damn heater on.. what's going on?" she said sternly as she took her hand off the gun and continued to freshen up

"Some of the girl's are sick.. they were complaining about the heat in their room, they got the sweats and what not.. I turned it off for them.. sorry mom, as for the quiet well.. many of the girl's as I said are sick so we decided to stay closed today.. kind of a weird day anyways.. Monday.." he leaned up against the bathroom doorway as he finished

"Sounds awful, I hope I don't get sick now.. I hate being sick..."

Carla really did hate being sick, there wasn't a thing on this earth that made her more upset than being bed ridden with a cold.. Speaking of cold, it was still mighty chilly in her room.. she turned and glared at Gino

"You should get my fire going so my room can get some warmth in it, that would be mighty helpful of you.."

"Sure thing.."

Gino swiftly walked over to Carla's fireplace in her bedroom and began to light a fire.. Her room was one of the few in the house that had one and it was quite suiting for the master bedroom of the house.. She could hear the crackling of the fire as it came to life in the other room and she quickly ran over into it to stand by the fire for warmth, Gino stood next to her..

"Has Akari woken up yet son?" she said softly as she placed her hands out in front of her to get closer to the heat

"Yes, she was hobbling around not too long ago.. I found her in your study waiting for you but you were still asleep.." he smirked before continuing "I was gonna tell you when you woke up but It slipped my mind.. but now you know."

Carla nodded at him and walked over to her closet and picked up her robe that was hanging off the door and put it on.. She gestured for Gino to follow her as she left her room and began to walk down the hallway to Akari's, Gino followed close behind..

"Today was her last English lesson.. she's come quite a long way! .. After, I believe the doctor was going to come by and see her.. did he not come that should have been not long after our lesson..." she said to him as she continued walking

"No, haven't seen him today.. perhaps he is running late."

Carla stopped just outside Akari's room and before she could knock she heard the woman call out to her 'One minute Carla..' .. She smirked and turned to Gino as a 'told you so' .. Akari still carried a fairly heavy accent but she could speak English quite well for only two months of English 'class' as Carla called it.. The door opened and Akari was standing there in her gown on her crutches.. She welcomed them in but did give Gino a slight glare, they still didn't get along too much...

"I'm sorry I missed you this morning.. I sort of overslept.. too much whiskey last night I think.." Carla said chuckling as she rubbed her head and sat down in a chair that was nearby the bed

"How are you feeling hun? I bet you're ready to get that cast off.."

There was a slight pause as Akari made her way over to the bed and sat down.. Carla looked at Gino and shrugged as she waited for the woman to reply.. she hoped she wasn't upset that she had missed their lesson this morning..