Collab with [@BigPapaBelial] [@FourtyTwo]

[center][h1][color=lightblue]Skye Rosalind Lyons[/color][/h1][/center]
[center][h1][color=silver]Ban Kingo[/color][/h1][/center]

[center][h1]Somewhere in Tokyo, Japan[/h1][/center]
[center][h2]2100 Local Time[/h2][/center]

[center][h1]The Line Of Best Fit[/h1][/center]

[center][h2][url=
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AvwgHm1qSlY]The Wombats- Tokyo (Vampires and Wolves)[/url][/h2][/center]

[color=lightblue]Sitting in the back of the luxury Lexus, Skye had the opportunity to reflect on the whirlwind that had just happened, the crazy, the anarchy, all of it. She’d laid low inside the place, the hyperactive neon, glowing light and feeling of rainy Tokyo one that no city on earth could come close to. She looked across to Ban, the redhead Scot weathered, and a different version of the person she’d been a few hours ago. Powerless, yet like a chameleon, changed. Still in a hoodie, still in jeans and stolen trainers, and more like a thug than a lady of the dark.

“Sorry to call on you, Ban. If it were up to me, I’d have been stubborn. But, I’ve learned better. For better and for worse. If it’s what I think it is, I think it’ll work out in the end. Fate of humanity may rest with what happens. I can’t go into detail now, but the boss, I’ll outline what I need, and what we need to do.” The Scot sighed, her signature tone holding more now, rather than dampened, sighing.

“He may not agree. That is fine, we’ll do what needs doing. But I’ll keep coming till the end. Rage against the dying of the light. Rage, rage…..and we’ll get it done.” Skye said to him, leaning across, looking out the back window, then back at the operative.
“Anyway. You feeling up to what might come next?” Skye asked an honest question, yet loaded a little knowing Ban would be very, very much aware of the Skye Lyons special that came with her line of work.[/color]

[color=silver]Ban sat in the backseat with Skye, while their driver, a thin, whip muscled young Yakuza with the tips of a koi fish tattoo just barely hidden by his shirt, one named Wataro apparently, a relatively new hire, and just having the starts of his tattoos. Up front is also Hataro Kingo, Ban’s father. The men folk atleast dressed up rather nicely having quickly put on some proper suits. But to say Ban dressed a little flashy is something different, his suit a blazing crimson with silver stitching through the sleeves and at the lapels.

The re-born Yakuza tapping a finger on his knee, and had looked out the front window over his father’s shoulder casually until Sky had begun to speak. And the man once known as Shimura, had turned his head and given the scotswoman his full attention.

He couldn’t help but smile, and watched as Hataro turned his head only slightly to listen to them. Ban nods, “When we made that pact Skye-chan, I said I would answer any call, any need. At any time, in anyway.” He holds up his hand. No there is no blade cut, but metaphorically there could have been one, “I swore to that.” He chuckles, then lifts his blade in his right hand, “And I offered my blade then, just as I offer it now.” He nods slowly, “And not to worry. I think the Oyabun will listen, and atleast offer sanctuary.”

The older Kingo in the front seat pipes up, “The Oyabun was moved by Ban’s stories of what happened during his exile. He shed tears you know. That one of his loyal soldiers, went through so much and still returned to try and clear his name.” Hataro grins, “I think the three duels that Ban fought were more a formality than anything else. I’m sure my old friend will hear us, and judge fairly.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye smiled, hearing the impact, knowing that it likely left some mark on Ban, considering the request. It was a fair amount of bodies, in fact, an ask that Skye knew would be difficult but she cleared the air and made it clear. Like for Jaguar, in a similar way, she’d honored her promise. Let him do what was needed, and let him reclaim what was his. And he had been rewarded by it. Somehow, Skye wondered how he had not gone further, but alas, that was sometimes due to just the way the system worked. Skye would not even dare poke her head in. They were criminals, a syndicate and honorable yet violent and capable of destruction some special forces teams may not even imagine existed, but you could stand to have worse friends than the Yakuza.
“Thank you. And I hope so. It will come weirdly from a….how you say, a Gaijin like me? I expect to be looked at. But at the same time, I suppose I don’t ask for much. Much has happened since we last worked together, and as you know, I am not one to worry easy.” Skye replied, looking across to Ban, knowing they’d be arriving soon.
“I’ll need a couple of basic bits, a haircut and some bleaching, some fake ID and a few pieces in time to look at as well. I’m going to have to get rid of the Skye you’re used to. Been a while since that.” Skye shrugged, knowing that in some ways, perhaps Rose had won that at least. Diffused into someone Skye wasn’t, and a change of look at least would stop her from being tracked on cameras as obviously, even if a skilled monitor might see through it in time regarding cheekbones and other features.
“If all works well, we may even have some luck tonight. But we’ll have to see.” Skye added, sitting up a little, taking in the rain and the scene outside, before looking to Ban again.[/color]

[color=silver]Ban nods, “Well there have been odder requests coming from people to the Amagi. Often down from the Yamaguchi. It’s okay, we’ll find a way.” He chuckles, then looks ahead as they are just turning off the expressway. Hotaro nods, “Not long now. Wataro-kun, take the scenic route.” Their driver bowing his head, “Yes sir.”

The car weaving down, before they enter into a seemingly out of place wooded area.

They are still in the city how did they do that so quick?

And then, the trees part, and before them is a magnificent hidden Japanese style palace. Sprawling, lit by rice paper lanterns in some places, golden light shed from the pieces. In others more modern light poles shed stark white light. The road leading up to the place, sided by manicured and well tended fields of grass, and styled shrubs. Dotted with rock zen gardens, statues of deities and mythological beasts and creatures. Izanagi and Izanami statues stand prominent on one side of the road. While further down a curious pair of statues..

Ones that Ban points out as they pass, “Higan Amagi, the first Amagi.” He points to the statue that is bedecked in yoroi armor, a nodachi long sword held over one shoulder, the face mask of the armor the statue is modeled after looking fierce and filled with hidden power. Ban then gestures to the other statue that almost seems hidden by the more prominent Amagi statue, “Nobitsuda Kingo. The Amagi and the Kingo have stood beside each other for generations. Though the Amagi now hold the name of the Clan, the Kingo have always been there in their shadow. And now, the Amagi Clan thrives.” The Kingo statue is that of a smaller man, dressed in a robe, holding a feather fan, in one hand, and a small dagger in the other hidden by the fan.

Ban nods as they pull up to the house. Hotaro and Wataro getting out first. Hotaro gesturing, “Go and see to Yotsuyu-chan, and be ready with her and the car.” As he’s saying that, six men in black suits, even with the darkening sky, they all wear mirrored sunglasses. And except for two of them, everyone is clearly armed. One with a very large revolver on his hip, the others with sorts of melee weapons. Swords, sais, one holding a wicked knotted kanobo club. The leader of the small group nodding to Ban and Hataro, “Honored Guests. We come to escort you. The Oyabun has agreed to your emergency meeting. We come to watch the gaijin.”

At that Ban bristles. And his hand is on his sword, thumb primed to give that one simple push that would draw the blade. The same blade he used to cut down men in the service of Raven, the same one he’d used to cut down many at Skye’d direction.

The six men balking just abit, I mean who would want to fight the man who confessed to all the sins and the deeds he committed while away?

Only Hataro laying a hand on Ban’s arm stops him from drawing, “Think of it as a compliment son. They know your prowess, and the stories you told of Kitsune-chan, speaks of honor and bravery. But she’s still dangerous, and let’s face it, the Oyabun wants to be careful.”

Ban takes a slow breath and nods, “Fine.” And leads the way inside with his father at his left. The six falling into step beside and a round Ban, Hataro and Skye.

They weave through the house. Beautifully decorated rooms and halls, many sets of armor, and sword stands. At one point the Yakuza stop to bow before a simple grey feathered goose fan. The plaque below it’s glass case reading, “The Fan of Nobitsuda”.

Finally two doors are pulled aside, and on the far side of the room, an older gentleman, wearing a fine kimono, sipping at some tea sits upon a low dias, waiting and watching. As they cross the room Ban whispers, “Do one thing for me while we’re here Skye, don’t look the Oyabun in the eye. Until he asks you too anyway.”

And soon their escort goes to stand at the walls, and the three are kneeling in front of the old man. Hotaro speaking, “Toyomitsu Amagi-san, it has been only a short while. We beg your ear for a moment.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye nodded to Ban, taking the beauty of it in. The armour, swords, the ornate pieces like a museum, but only to those who needed to know. The clan was old, it felt like older than even manor houses in the UK, like there was history in these walls, fibres that came out from that and even into now. 
“On your lead.” Skye simply replied, unable to follow Japanese, but able to follow Ban at least, and somewhat understand him. A beauty of a place, and no doubt eyeing up Skye, weighing up who she was. What she was. Some maybe had seen the police reports and knew she was on the run, if the description fit. What they may not have understood however, was that behind the somewhat pale face of the redhead was someone who’d already weighed up everyone in the room. Got an idea of what she had to do. She may not have reflexes, but she had an idea of the fact that you bring a gun to a swordfight, and there were enough to help. Not that it would come to that. Ban would introduce things, and she’d speak what needed to be said. What was initially a crappy thread was now somewhat more concise a plan, a way to flip the script, fast. Time was of the essence.[/color]

[color=silver]The older man hums, and motions for a younger man one of the guards to come forward. The young Yakuza hurrying forwards and bows. The Oyabun whispering something, and in slightly stilted English, with a slight London accent, speaks, “Amagi-san has asked that I act as an interpreter. What I say, is his word.”

Hotaro chuckles, “Ahhh getting young Hingo to practice his English? Wise my friend. My son would ask a boon.” Ban then kind of knee walks forward, bowing low, “Grandfather.” He says respectfully, “I beg a favor. I bring a friend. A very great friend.” Speaking in English for Skye’s benefit, Ban continues, “It’s true, if you follow the news, and our friends in the Police Force, this woman sky dived.” he takes a moment to look at Skye with a small amount of amusement, “Into Shibuya Square.”

A general chuckle, of seeming appreciation goes through those gathered, and the Oyabun nods, speaking rapidly in Japanese. The young yakuza speaking moments later, “Yes we recognize her, the Tokyo Police asked us to keep an eye out. Quite a naughty young lady she is. Honestly we like her.” Ban grins, “I hope this like extends beyond then sir. Since my own return sir, I told you the stories of my deeds, and sins and trials with Raven, and with Skye-chan.” He swallows thickly and just rips the bandaid off, “We beg the Clan’s assistance Oyabun. She has been branded a traitor, and been forced to flee so she can work to further her plans. And find her innocence.” 

The old man’s eyes narrow then and he speaks again swiftly, “This, is the Skye Rosalind you spoke of?” The young man pauses and looks at the old man, the Oyabun smiling. The interpreter sighs, “We thought she’d be taller.” Then he sighs, “Skye-chan, look at us.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye followed instruction, aware that honor, discipline, and trust was a big, big part of the culture here. There’s no easy way to put it but if merely being in Japan is like being a fish out of water, doing it in a criminal underworld is like diving headfirst into treacle. A sticky situation. She’d smiled when Ban mentioned the occasion, and well, what she’d been up to.

She looked at the old man, the look of Skye one that showed wear, but beyond the messy red hair and pale, cut cheeks and lips, the eyes of someone that burned bright. Blue eyes and red hair are an incredibly rare combo in genetics, almost to a point that it’s about 1% of redheads that would ever have it- the recessive trait of red hair meaning it’s usually wiped out from a Scandinavian-styled blonde-haired, blue eyed bloodline. Another part Skye wondered about internally, wondering.

“I am very grateful to be here. And I understand I am a risk to you. But I am here to ask for a little help. In exchange, to prevent a catastrophe that could kill billions, indiscriminately. It is less about innocence, more about prevention.” Skye replied, the redhead making the stakes clear, knowing that eyebrows would immediately be raised. The Scot’s accent may have been harder for the London-accented interpreter to switch to, given that it was a style of English that was harsher and abrasive, like the mountains of home, but it held.[/color]


[color=silver]The interpreter worked his jaw abit and sighed, before speaking stiltedly in Japanese to the Oyabun. The old man grinning brightly the whole time. Almost as if the young man’s suffering is just a little amusing. Soon though he nods. Ban waiting a moment before continuing, “We as the Clan’s assistance Oyabun, with the backing and the resources of the clan, we could be able to make inroads on stopping this apocalypse.”

The old man nodding slowly, then in clear as day English, with just a hint of a Irish accent, speaks, “Rosalind-san, tell us true. This catastrophe, how truly bad would it be? What would be its vector? Would there be a way to contain it?” He looks at the red haired young woman clearly, wise, clear eyes almost looking into Skye’s soul, “Would Japan, would the Amagi, survive unscathed?”[/color]

[color=lightblue]The Scot turned a little more red at the sound of the old man’s tone, breaking apart from the interpreter, who no doubt was a little confused. And she looked back.
“You speak good English, Amagi-san.. It is very complicated, but part of the vector is me. The other part is a clone. However, this is a good thing. It means we can stop it before it starts.” 
Skye replied, as she circled back to that last question.

“Nobody will be safe. It is indiscriminate, race, creed, belief, culture. Only survival is what she wants, and that means a wiping of the slate. This threat….she wants to ruin the world with it. A hybridized chemical weapon, like the one used in the Tokyo subway decades ago, but on a country scale. Combined with an infrastructure destroying weapon, once repaired. The knife only then needs to push a little deeper before we are all fucked.” Skye said to what may be the shock of a few, but she did not mince her words. She leaned in, looking to Ban, then back across to the Oyabun.

“There is a facility operated by a firm called Vale Technical Services, in Nagoya. A facility that from the last piece of intel I had, indicated it was run by a secret organization named Artemis. It contains a vault, of which if it is the same as the threat I describe, means I am biometrically identical to and can access. And inside of that, is what I believe to be a full picture of Artemis’s remaining assets, and potentially even a neutralizing agent for the chemical. I am not sure how, but it is a starting point. I do not understand it fully. But there is no way anyone else can do it, unless I go and access it, and I pose as the very vector herself, a clone of me. That is where I ask for help. I just need a few things. Some items of clothing, a silenced rifle, some tactical equipment, transport, and Ban to follow me. I will go in through the front door, but I will likely need support once I have it. If not….then there is a serious problem.“ Skye replied, knowing this was the bit that was asking a lot, but it was a start, at least.[/color]

[color=silver]The gathered Yakuza all looked at each other, silent words passing between them all. The admission of Skye being part of the Vector, the sheer amount of damage that is being said could happen. One of them breaking the sudden silence after all that was asked and roaring something in Japanese. The Oyabun looking at the man and growling something back. The nameless Yakuza pointed at Skye with on hand and drew a wakizashi with the other. Hotaro leaning back and whispering to Skye in English, “He is asking permission to kill you, as he feels your presence here is a mistake.” The oyabun is just opening his mouth to respond, when the man with the wakizashi growls this time in broken English, “No, forgive me Oyabun, but the Gaijin cannot be allowed to live!”

It’s swift. Three moves, a single step from the man on the edge of the room, Ban turning and drawing in a single quick movement, and the nameless Yakuza stepping back as the small sword drops to the ground, the clean cut having severed his thumb at the base of the joint.

The Oyabun sighing and to Skye, “I apologize Skye-san, sometimes my men are overzealous. I see though that Ban has your safety and honor in hand.” He looks to the yakuza man who stands there holding his hand, “Someone see to his medical needs.” Then back to Skye, “The Amagi will help where we can. And in the meantime, the Kingo Family will see to your needs, with the Clan’s backing. You have our Word.”

Those last words are said to the sound of the Kingo Katana sliding slowly back into the sheath at Ban’s hip, a final, click signalling the end of that swift altercation.[/color]

[color=lightblue]The scene had unfolded fast, faster than Skye would have liked to have imagined how she’d react. But then again, Ban had responded quick. The man yelping as his thumb got sliced like a piece of sausage through the blade was pretty visceral, and sent a message when nobody else responded. Like it was disciplined, rehearsed, almost like that wire had been touched.

Skye had to appreciate not getting stabbed there, and looked to the Oyabun once again.
“Thank you. I am very grateful for your help, and will return this assistance. I may not be of this land, but back home, we have Clans too. Families, bound by, and also unrelated in blood. A tradition long left behind, but one we still respect. I honor my obligations to you much the same like the men and women did to their clans.  And to Ban, too.” Skye added, smiling to Ban, appreciative of what he’d done, the thumb quickly picked up and the man yelling promptly removed.

“There is more than I could possibly explain. And less I fully understand. But I’ll try and explain what I can, and do know along the way. If this works out, we’ll be able to stop this. At least, stop the start of it before anything happens.” Skye replied, knowing there was no doubt a lot of risk on everyone’s end, but they trusted her. The authority she seemed to have, even as a fish out of water held on, and she knew she’d have a debt to pay. One she could live with, considering the stakes were so much higher. And if it worked out well, she’d be able to walk right through the front door, all setup.[/color]


[color=silver]Ban bows again to the oyabun, “I apologize for acting so swiftly Grandfather. But Kitsune-chan is under my protection. I shall let no one question her honor.” he coughs, trying to hide a smile. The Oyabun waves it aside, and back to Japanese he goes. The interpreter finishing, “It is fine Ban-kun. We understand. The Amagi will stand. And with some favors called in Kitsune-chan.” Yes the old man switches to the code name, “We shall help to stop the end of the world. Like we did when Tojo stained this lands honor. We will help to stop the stain that may come.”

A motion of a hand and the Kingos and Skye are dismissed, but this time as they rise the escort doesn’t move, outside of giving a low respectful bow to Skye as they get up to leave.

Ban letting out a breath as they start to head back outside, “Well, now we can start to plan, and make ready to make a run on the people who would destroy the world.” Hataro coughs, “And you did this regularly in Raven my son?”

Ban looking to Skye with a smile, “Pretty regularly yes Father.”[/color]

[color=lightblue]Skye chuckled, nodding.

“Yeah, it’s sort of the given thing. And well, they made it personal.” Skye replied, looking across to Ban, knowing all of this must have seemed like straight up, a crystal crazy fever dream.[/color]

[color=silver]Hataro hums, “Your life in exile was truly something for the Legends. Let us return to the Amagi District. Find Kitsune-chan a place to rest up. For I foresee a time of great unrest and action.”

And the car awaits them outside. Soon the doors clunk shut, and they are soon rolling through the streets once more.[/color]