Ai Li stepped out of the restroom in a fresh, seafoam green hanfu, golden birds flying up her breast towards her shoulder, and the sash around her midsection tied in a pretty butterfly bow just above her butt.

She plucked her two golden needles from their stand by her bed and slipped them into her hair buns before turning to face the mirror, giving herself a quick once over.

A few touch ups to her makeup sharpened her eyes and gave her a more mature appearance, and she puffed her chest up.

“Welcome to the Huang He Healing Center,” she said to herself, trying to subtly deepen her voice, “my name is Ai Li, and you will be in my care today.”

She cleared her throat, flexed her lips, and put on a more relaxed smile. “Welcome to the Huang He Healing Center—” she spoke, letting her natural voice flow through, then she pouted and slowed down. “Welcome to the Huang He Healing Center—”

Deeper. Then lighter. Then slow and meticulous, then fast and easy.

Ugh! Did she do this more naturally, or like her mom did? Her mom was so good at gaining trust with nothing more than her voice; it was little wonder her dad was so obedient to her.

She took a deep breath, widened her eyes, pretended her reflection was a customer, opened her mouth, and—

RING!

—emitted a squeak so loud that she nearly scared herself out of her own shoes.

Slumped in annoyance, she strode over and grabbed her phone, her expression softening a little as she saw who was calling. She clicked the button and sighed.

“Hey Hanabi.”

“...” All she heard on the other end was breathing for a moment.

“Hanabi?”

“... Hey.”

Ai Li’s brow scrunched together at the concerning amount of discomfort in her voice.

“Is everything okay?” Ai Li asked.

“No. No, not really.” Hanabi answered. “But I really wanna apologize about last night. I did want to come.”

At that, Ai Li swallowed her annoyance and gently simmering anger. “What happened?”

“It’s a lot to go into. Can you meet me at the library on North Bay Street? I have breakfast.”

“Are you going to tell me what went on if I show up?” Ai Li demanded a little more heatedly than she meant to, staring over at her clothes hamper where one of her nicest dresses currently laid balled up and dirtied. “I know it must be a lot, but if you’re just baiting me along here…”

“I’ll tell you everything, I’m just not comfortable doing it over the phone.”

Ai Li hesitated for a moment. “Fine.” She finally said. “I’ll be about an hour but I’ll be there. I can only stick around until noonish, though, I have a lesson with my grandpa.”

“That should be fine. I’ll see you soon?”

“Breakfast better be good.” Ai Li huffed. “But… yeah. Soon. One hour.”

“Got it.”

Ai Li hung up after Hanabi did and stared back into the mirror, trying to rub the red off of her cheeks.

----------------------------------------

A half-eaten serving of omurice sat in front of Ai Li on a paper plate, her stomach no longer rumbling for more as she watched a news report of a distant Japanese restaurant burning.

“What the fuck?” Ai Li said out loud before putting her phone down, bridging her fingers in front of her pale face.

“Yeah…” Hanabi was on the other side of the table, eating small bites of her own omurice. She didn’t have her usual dining gusto, forcing every swallow of her meal.

Ai Li sighed heavily before leaning back in the table chair that sat in the library’s small, flowery courtyard. She was enjoying the sunny morning’s breeze before now…

“I’m sorry Hanabi.” Ai Li frowned at the girl across from her, who just kept mechanically eating without really tasting the fruits of her own labor.

“For what?”

“I—...” Ai Li’s face grew warm as she sank into her chair. “I might have thought some rude things about you last night when you didn’t show up. I didn’t realize, well…”

“It’s not your fault.”

“It’s not, but good god! I thought the Reffe were just a bunch of kooky referees, but then they kidnap you?! Just to tell you you’re in danger?!” Ai Li squeezed her hair buns angrily. “UGH, that makes me so angry!”

“I’m still pissed too, but I don’t have the luxury of getting to sit around.” Hanabi rubbed her temples, still shoveling bites into her mouth. “If those clowney du Palais guys were getting offers to hunt me down, there may be others, too. I don’t know who, or how many, just… even thirteen-million yen is a shitload of money.”

Ai Li nodded slowly, a frown spreading across her face. “Can we put you under some sort of protection? Maybe you can come stay at the healing center, we have lots of students learning martial arts, and there’s me, my dad…”

“Ai Li, no offense, you’re a strong little fighter, but I don’t want you getting hurt on my behalf.” Hanabi frowned. “You’ve been a good friend—”

“And so have you!” Ai Li pouted. “I mean, it hasn’t even been a week, but I still like you.”

Hanabi gave a half-happy, half-sad smile, and nodded. “Well I like you too, which is why I wanted to ask for your help.”

Ai Li took a deep breath, and firmed herself up. “What with?”

“Can you show me how to use a computer?”

Ai Li blinked, her shoulders dropping in surprise, and she nodded. “Sure, but I know somebody who’s way better with computers.”

----------------------------------------

“You two realize I have a way better rig at home, right?” Jessica grumbled at Hanabi and Ai Li as they hovered around her shoulders. “Better thank your lucky stars that breakfast was good.”

“I do appreciate it!” Hanabi tried to say reassuringly as the redhead stretched out her fingers and started typing away at the library computer.

“Slow-ass library connection…” She muttered under her breath, a few more curses escaping her as a web page took a few extra seconds to load in.

“Jessica’s really computer smart.” Ai Li smiled as the redhead tapped away at the keyboard before unfolding her laptop onto the nearby desk.

“Slow-ass library wifi…” Jessica grumbled.

“She’s all into the weird parts of the internet who can find out, like, what the president ate for dinner.”

“Low-sodium fried chicken and barbecue green beans yesterday, with a bottle of Dos Equis and an Arnold Palmer.” Jessica said almost boredly, and Hanabi blinked. “I like knowing stuff no matter how cursed it is, so I turned it into a hobby. Dad says I could probably get a job with him in the CIA after a few years in college if I keep this up.”

Hanabi tilted her head and frowned. “Isn’t doing weird stuff on the internet how you get a group of guys kicking down your door to try and turn you into a vampire?”

Jessica stopped, turning her head to stare back at Hanabi. “I fuckin’ wish. But no, if you know what you’re doing, you won’t end up on anybody’s shitlist.”

“What happens if you do?”

Jessica simply drew her thumb across her throat and lulled her head bonelessly before going back to typing. “Okay, so, I have the number to your aunt’s company, but there’s no direct line to her personal office from their website. Gimme a few minutes—” She pursed her lips, “maybe hours based on this piece of shit’s loading speed – and I can probably find a better number.”

“Lemme have the company number, I can start there.”

It took a few moments to get the number right, Ai Li staring up at her as Jessica went to the next webpage.

Hanabi took a deep breath, listening to the ringing on the other end, until… {Hello, thank you for calling Asai Trade International, what is the nature of your call?}

A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.

She released the breath she’d been holding. {H-hi, I need to talk to Asai Shisui.}

{We’ll have to redirect you to her office secretary; one moment, please.}

Hanabi tapped her fingers against her elbow as she waited, but thankfully it didn’t take very long.

{This is the office of Shisui Asain, may I ask who is calling?}

{Bee-san!} Hanabi exclaimed happily.

{... Hana-chan?}

{Yes! It’s me, Bee-san! I need to talk to Shi-sama; it’s urgent.}

Bee-san was quiet on the other end for a few moments, but she could hear the woman on the other end of the fun shuffling some papers, then speaking softly with some other people in a hushed voice.

{Bee-san?} Hanabi asked with a bit of fear in her voice.

{Ahem.} Bee-san’s tone of voice changed to a very orderly, secretarial voice, very unlike the casual tone Hanabi was used to over a bowl of spicy ramen. {Asai-dono unfortunately is not able to take calls or arrange meetings at the moment; she and her husband are abroad at the moment.}

{M-may I ask where? It’s extremely urgent that I talk to her.}

{For the sake of Asai-dono and Jo-dono’s privacy, I cannot share that information, but Asai-dono should return to her office by the end of the month.}

{I have to talk to her sooner—}

{If your call is urgent, I recommend finding assistance with the local authorities or clans, Ryo-san.}

{Ryo-sa—?}

{In fact, I heavily recommend it instead of calling this business again.}

{But—}

{Do you have any further questions, Ryo-san?}

Hanabi stared blankly ahead, and Ai Li began to squirm as a frown crossed the taller girl’s face.

{N-no ma’am.}

{Very good ma’am, have a good day.}

{You—}

{Stay safe.}

Bee-san hung up, and Hanabi slowly lowered the phone from her ear, staring down at it, mystified. {Stay safe…?} She mumbled to herself.

Jessica suddenly spoke up before Ai Li could ask for any clarification. “Few things: first off, your dad and his restaurant weren’t the only Hanayas getting attacked.” Jessica had a compilation of news articles brought up onscreen. “A Hanayan barbecue place in Okinawa turned into a bloodbath two days ago. A sushi place in Tokyo was bombed, and the family’s children are missing. The Hanaya headquarters repelled a bunch of masked invaders, but not before they could get away with ruining their stash of rare and foreign ingredients with powdered cyanide.”

“They ruined the Dragon’s Feast?!” Hanabi’s pitch nearly reached a screech as she pulled on her black hair, making Ai Li flinch.

Jessica, however, continued. “Second: Shisui Asai isn’t in Japan right now.”

“She’s abroad.” Hanabi said with a deep frown, prompting a nod from Jessica.

“She’s in the United States according to some airline records.” That straightened Hanabi up with a curious expression. “Her and her husband were sighted having breakfast with Muhammed Wangui just a few days ago.”

“Wait!” Hanabi lunged forward, grabbing Jessica’s shoulder. “Wangui! As in Master Wangui?”

“Yup.” Jessica answered. “If you want the deets on him, call Jaquan; he practically idolizes the guy.”

Ai Li piped up in her squeaky little voice. “Master Wangui’s in New Medeo City, isn’t he? That means Shisui and Sarutobi would have been here as well.”

“But they didn’t try to reach out to me…? Dad would have told them I was here during their next visit, or… he would have called them, they were close.”

At that, Jessica turned around to face Hanabi with a quizzical expression on her face. “Okay, so, based on your story, the Asai clan has had it out for the Hanaya for a while. How is it that daddy Hanaya and the queen bitch of the Asai are close?”

For the first time since she met her, Ai Li actually saw a look of dramatic offense cross Hanabi’s face. “Okay, first off? Aunt Shisui isn’t a bitch.”

“I’m just saying—”

“Well say it better.”

Jessica shut up with a wince.

Hanabi took a deep breath and continued. “And you’re right, it’s weird, but it’s true. It starts with my uncle.” Hanabi crossed her arms and closed her eyes to better recall the story.

“Sarutobi Jo is the clan head of the Jo clan, one of the three elder clans along with the Hanaya. The Jo clan has a good relationship with the Hanaya; they were master tacticians back in the day, and some of Japan’s leading capitalists today. They also have a close relationship with the Asai as well.”

“The Jo and Asai clans are, and always were, close, even before the war that destroyed the Asai. After the Asai clan’s destruction, the Jo clan adopted the strays and protected them from further punishment by marrying them to core members of the clan. The Asai clan regrew with Jo-blood mixed in, and were allowed to reform the Asai clan when they asked.”

“Even today the two clans marry into one another so often that there’s probably not a pure Asai or Jo anymore, but getting back on topic, the Jo clan was also close to the Hanaya; they were even the ones to recommend that Nobunaga hire the Hanaya for his war. The Jo clan still hires the Hanaya as personal bodyguards and chefs, but they have to be real careful to not mix them into events the Asai are attending, ‘cuz, well… the Asai insult the food, the Hanaya get offended, and suddenly you have a dinner-table war.”

“Awesome.” Jessica said dryly, though Hanabi missed the sarcasm and nodded.

“Anyways, aunt Shisui needed to go to a clan meet in China. The meet’s a one-every-ten-years sorta thing, and it’s pretty famous for being a violent, political, with lots of assassinations, duels, cheating, and theft that goes on.”

“And this happens every ten years? Like the movie ‘Blood in the Orient?’” Jessica raised her eyebrow. “This sounds made up.”

“It’s not.” Ai Li chimed in, crossing her arms. “The Li clan attends the same meeting; the Inter-Oriental Clan Meeting of Brotherly Cooperation is just a thin excuse for some people to get all their enemies in one place to kill or humiliate them, and it always produces more and more drama every year. The Li clan’s head was crippled by a Gim-clan duelist eight years ago during the last get-together.”

Jessica winced. “Yikes… so why does anybody go?”

Both of the asian girls sighed thickly and said a single word: “Honor.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Lucky you.” Hanabi grunted, Ai Li bobbing her head in agreement. “So, Shisui Asai is going to this meeting as the daughter of the clan head to represent the Asai, the first time the Asai have ever been invited to a meeting. Sarutobi Jo suddenly has to cancel his attendance because his father died, so he had to go through this clan ritual dealy to go from unofficial clan head to official clan head, which meant he lost the privilege? Or, like, the position of Jo clan head wasn’t full because his senile dad died even though he—a-anyways, it’s politics! Politics!”

Ai Li nodded sympathetically, but Jessica only looked more lost.

“Well obviously Uncle Sarutobi wants his wife protected, so who does he send to keep her safe? His most trusted bodyguard: my dad.” Hanabi’s mouth flickered into a little smile. “You can imagine how rough it was at first. Aunt Shisui apparently threw a fit when she found out and threatened this and that to try and make my dad leave, or get him killed, but he kept loyally standing by her side, keeping her safe, and taking a pretty brutal stabbing through the stomach for her.”

“After that, Aunt Shisui suddenly couldn’t find it in herself to hate my dad anymore. She stuck close to him after he healed, took his advice, and even stood up for him when another clan started to insult him. When they came back to Japan, she made frequent visits to his restaurant with Uncle Sarutobi to visit, and whenever they went anywhere dangerous, they brought good ol’ dad along.”

“I always remembered her as this extremely kind, smart lady. She’d help me with my homework and sample my experiments; the woman had a taste for spice! She also officially declared Kyowa Best Eats a protected location, and my dad’s family a protected family. Any Asai who disobey her orders and show us disrespect or hurt us face serious dishonor and clan punishments. Heck, my dad’s place was the only place for a long while where the Asai and the Hanaya were allowed to meet for that reason.”

Jessica and Ai Li nodded along, listening up to the end, and Ai Li spoke up. “And it was the Asai clan calling for your head.”

“Making them the likely destroyers of your house and the reason behind your dad’s disappearance.” Jessica surmised, humming to herself. “And you swear your aunt actually, truly gives a crap about you and your dad?”

Hanabi nodded quickly, arms crossed under her bust. “She did things for us that an uncaring person wouldn’t. She came to a few of my games and practices when I was going through school, she paid for my dad’s hospital bills when he got hurt, and even hired lawyers for us when some scummy land developer tried to take the restaurant from us.”

Jessica nodded. “So she gives a shit. Or at least gave a shit.”

Hanabi flinched, looked momentarily angry, but the rage melted away to uncertainty, and then into a frown. “Yeah…”

“Alright.” Jessica turned back around to start shutting down the computer. “Well, my interest’s piqued, so I’m going to go home and do a little more research; I’ll tell you guys if I find anything.”

“F-for real?!” Hanabi asked in surprise. “I thought you didn’t care about this sorta stuff!”

Jessica scrunched her nose in annoyance. “I don’t care about the stupid tournament, but this sounds like a case involving a lot of dirty laundry, and you’re a likable chick on top of all of that.”

Hanabi swelled up, smiling her thanks, but Jessica raised a finger before she could say anything.

“But if I end up in a situation where there are people kicking down my door trying to turn me into a vampire? I’ll kick your ass.”

“You got it!” Hanabi relaxed heavily.

“Now, I’m leaving. Thanks for the breakfast.” Jessica turned to pat Ai Li’s head. “See you at school tomorrow, Ai.”

“You too, Jess.” Ai Li grinned up at the red-head, who left without another word with her laptop under her arm.

With Jessica gone, Ai Li turned to address Hanabi, her hands on her small hips. “I’m going to talk with my family to see if we can provide you with any shelter. The Li clan’s doors are open to all who are aching and healing; you have my word that I will be your guard.”

Hanabi stared, stupefied for a moment, but then smiled and rested a hand on the shorter girl’s head. “There you go, sounding like an old dude again.”

Ai Li blushed and quivered. “I’m just saying—”

“I appreciate it. Thanks.” Hanabi smiled with all of her teeth, making Ai Li’s frustration deflate.

“What’s the plan now?” The smaller girl asked, and Hanabi sucked in a deep breath, and frowned.

“Aunt Shisui and Uncle Sarutobi might still be in New Medeo City. If I can somehow find a way to talk to Master Wangui, maybe I can find some information on why they’re here, what they’re doing, maybe even talk to them personally.”

Ai Li nodded. “And how do you plan to talk to Master Wangui?”

Hanabi winced a little bit. Her fingers twitched by her side, and she pursed her lips. “Well, he’s in charge of this stupid tournament, isn’t he…?”