[Ka Young]

...three months ago...

"We are demanding change! My men will no longer be meat suits for you games Baku," the man speaking in Japanese sounded very upset and the voices that followed with cheers or thunderous applause seemed to be in agreement, "You think because you have some inherent ability that we should live in constant fear! I say bullshit!"

In a collective group they all chant the same thing, "WE SAY BULLSHIT!"

They were in an offsite location outside Toyko, a warehouse owned by Bakuhatsu and his organization, the figure heads of different criminal groups carefully selected by the man being yelled at to justify his own plans. Bakuhatsu stood in the center of the room with two other's, his right and left hand in their own drabble of gear made to hide their own identities as no one outside of the Shiroi honō knew their true faces. Their leader wore his demon stylized mask, hands clasped behind his back, and the rest was hidden by heavy black clothing. Surrounding his small group were a circle of six tables each representing different scum, but they didn't hide their faces because these men and women were just normal men and women. Their fury grew with each passing minute of the meeting, they couldn't read or gage how Bakuhatsu felt.

The man who was doing most of the talking was Hiroko Mizuki, he was currently wakagashira or first lieutenant, and he was very angry. Bakuhatsu cost the Yakuza thirty young men to his cause a mission in Hong Kong to retrieve a rare but deadly plant, of course the others in attendance had lost large portions of very well trained men to Bakuhatsu's cause. A cause no one even knew about or what the end game was! They had met weeks prior to discuss severing ties to the Shiroi honō and reclaim their OWN spots of Japan again.

"We have collectively agreed to disband from your foolish mission Bakuhatsu, we want what was ours back and YOU CAN HAVE THE SCRAPS AGAIN!" Hiroko was now standing up pounding the table while pointing a angry finger in the mans direction, "If you cannot agree to these terms then we have NO qualms about going to war for our independence, so what do you say?"

It was silent and remained silent for the longest time, Bakuhatsu made no movement as he stared at Hiroko through the slits of his demonic mask. Furious was an understatement for how the man felt all he gave to the fool's and yet a few lost lives they are all ready to end their phase of his quest, pity he thought. He honestly thought they would last until HE saw fit to release them of their contract he simply extended his hand, "I understand your frustration Hiroko and I am deeply saddened I have failed you. I accept your terms to release you from the alliance," he gestured with his other hand and a small circle until he was facing Hiroko, "I offer you all the same."

Hiroko was a huge smile now and the redness that had colored his entire face was fading, that smug look was what Bakuhatsu wanted. He had won. Hiroko left from behind his table walking to join Bakuhatsu in the center of the room, "I'm glad to see that everyone worried for nothing, you are a smart man Bakuhatsu," he was extending his own hand and his smile had turned into a shit eating grin, "We are glad you saw it ou-," as soon as his hand made contact the room was ripped apart by the blast! Blood and bone turned into shrapnel as it plastered the entire room with the remains of Hiroko! Everyone except the Shiroi honō were caught off guard, they scrambled to fight back but it was time wasted they had eagerly walked into his trap as his own men flooded he warehouse armed to the teeth....
....it was chaos as bullets, green bright plasma lights, and Bakuhatsu's own booms filled the peaceful night. Screams, so many screams of terror as they mowed down every other person in the room. Outside the building the chaos was very much the same. When it was all said and done all that remained was Bakuhatsu and his Shiroi honō.

The demonic masked man picked a glob of ichor from his black long coat tossing it onto the ground when his left hand approached bowing to his master, "Everyone is dead my liege, I also have confirmation that messages have been delivered to said leaders and new leaders."

A cold chuckle escaped from behind the mask and it was almost robrobotic like all feeling in the world had left it, "And those who still deny?"

"They are being dealt with accaccordingly my liege," the man replied in an almost thrilled tone. Bakuhatsu was pleased as his power remained, dissent was to be burned before it could root as his father had always said. He patted his left hand man on the shoulder (it was safe as he had stopped producing sweat), "It is time, ready me a plane. I need a vacation and my destination is America, can you let my Father's old clients know it is time they meet the new CEO? But I want a certain meeting first in three months time with the Queen, I'll do the rest in due time but this meeting is most important."

"Immediately and while you are away?" he kindly pleaded and Bakuhatsu turned to his subject placing both hands on his shoulders, "I'm leaving our operation in your hands Sairento, I must make landfall in America alone for now. Do not fail me."

Sairento pounded a flat hand over his chest and bowed, a deep sign of respect.

....present day....

Ka had spent several months in America in silence, he let none of his future clients (legal or illegal) know of his presence, Americs was the sleeping giant after all and if someone went boom in their backyard it didn't go unchecked. Time. Everything he had accomplished in Japan was built on time, the human or meta race wasn't going anywhere anytime soon so all Ka had was time. The limo that had picked him up from his motel was taking him to the agreed location of his most important client or his adoptive Father's most important, The Queen of Spades, that was all Ka knew about her. She was the whole west coast's crime boss, she oozed respect his Father always said.

The only thorn in his side about meeting her was having to seek her out, it gave control to her and of course kept that air of superiority that Ka usually demanded. He knew what this meeting meant and he would play her game, being the doting idiot as his father was Ka could do it even if it was bitter. Time. He had time. One brick. One body. One step at a time.

The limo came to a stop and a few seconds later the door opened, the driver was hers, said nothing as Ka opened his briefcase removing his mask....his alter ego...his power. Sliding it over his head brought upon that cold calculated demeanor that Ka couldn't capitalize on just as himself. He was Bakuhatsu now. Bakuhatsu served no Gods and he had no masters, EVERYONE was a pawn to him the Queen of Spades would be no different. However he knew what must be done, he put his ego and pride aside for now. Bakuhatsu exited the limo, the driver indicated where to go and so he adjusted the odd tie of his suit.

It was showtime. No Gods. No Masters.

Yennefer Evgeniya