<! The Thrill of the Hunt >

 

<! The Hunter Becomes the Hunted Becomes the Hunter Again >

 

<! By Mongoose750 (mongoose750@yahoo.com) >

 

 

Love Story Chang (or LS for short) led her late afternoon judo class through their final exercises for that day. As the class ended, and all but a few advanced students and assistant instructors were left in the dojo, LS walked back to her office and sat at her desk looking over some final paperwork while she mused about the events of the past couple of months.

 

It's been around two months since LS continued a new approach to cleaning up her neighborhood by starting her acquisition of the local gangs by taking out their leaders and earning the allegiance of their followers. Her takeover of the biggest gang in the city, the Bulldogs, by defeating their leader in hand-to-hand combat, had given her a reputation. Some of the gangs have seen this as a challenge, and suffered defeat at the hands of this woman, while others had kept a low profile, hoping she doesn't encounter them. There had even been a few gangs who decided to join her and her cause without conflict. The gangs she obtained, she placed in her white belt classes and recruited them to be her "angels," to do good for the neighborhood they used to terrorize. There have been a few who objected, but after LS threatened them with what would happen to them if she caught them on the wrong side of the law, they complied.

 

At first glance, LS does not look like she would be too much of a threat to anyone. The third generation Chinese-American stood 5'2", in her bare feet, which was how she ran around all the time except for church on Sundays. She had long black hair that draped over her big-boned frame. Many had made the mistake of assuming that her squat frame was fat, but upon close inspection, nothing was further from the truth. Beneath the loose-fitting clothing LS wore was a body of solid muscle, the product of a rigid exercise regiment and a near lifetime of practicing judo, the martial art she had been involved with since she was a child. She earned a black belt when she was a child, and was teaching classes when she was a high school student. After becoming a 10th degree black belt and working a brief stint as an assistant to a mayoral candidate after she graduated college, she opened her own dojo. When her dojo was firmly established, which didn't take long, LS was an excellent teacher; she started her mission to rid the community of the gangs that infested it.

 

While teaching her classes, she was able to find fellow students that had the same concerns about what was happening on the streets, and before long, she had a small group, or "gang" of her own that helped her on this matter. They helped on the smaller matters, but the bigger tasks or "extermination procedures" as she called them, she did herself.

 

After taking over the Bulldogs, she shortly took over another gang by challenging their leader to personal combat. Many of these gangs were just a large group of people, ranging from youths to adults, who were disorganized in their dealings, despite the front they put up. She recently had a challenge taking down one gang called the Triad. LS noted that gangs had no spark of creativity whatsoever, noticing names like "Bloods," "Crips," and so on were copied from the names of gangs in New York and California. The names were either copied or they were something hokey like the "Bad Guys."

 

The leadership in these groups was even worse; however, the Triad was different. Instead of placing their leadership in one person, the Triad used three leaders. Their thinking was if one leader was gone for one reason or another, the other two could carry on until a replacement was selected. LS had to perform the task of hunting down the three leaders one by one. By the time she found the third leader, the man was with two of the women from the gangs "stable." He was so secure in his location and the fact that she had to deal with at least one of the other leaders; his guard was down as well as his pants. At this point, LS didn't even bother to challenge him, she just grabbed him by the hair and threw him outside on the street, naked, before his gang, or what was left of them after LS got through with them. After she declared that this gang was under her power now, and not getting any objections, she led them to her dojo, where she told them how things were going to be from now on.

 

LS pulled back a few strands of her hair, and adjusted her powder blue gi. It was hard work tracking down these gang leaders and sometimes having to fight the gang itself, but she had to admit to herself that she received a type of thrill from it. "The thrill of the hunt" as people would call it. However, if somebody's grandmother or a little boy can walk to school, the store, or the playground without being solicited for drugs, robbed, or worse, that would be an even bigger thrill.

 

She was snapped out of her revelry when one of her assistants came in the office and bowed.

 

"Sensei, there is a guest here to see you," the assistant said.

 

"Has our guest been checked?" LS said.

 

"Yes, sensei, she's clean,"

 

"Excellent, send her in." As a precaution, LS started the practice of having all visitors frisked to make sure they are not carrying any weapons into the dojo. She has taken on opponents with guns, knives, and other weapons, but she would prefer to limit her encounters to hand-to-hand combat, plus it scares the new students. After taking out one antagonist who carried a gun into the dojo, she realized that bullets and bullet holes are hard to take out of the wall. That was all right, the man who wielded the gun won't be using his gun hand for a long time unless he learned how to shoot with his left hand. In addition, that would have to be after he's able to walk again when his two broken legs heal. LS had no tolerance for fools with weapons, especially when they think they can extort her.

 

The assistant went to the front doors of the dojo and let the visitor in. The visitor was a tall woman, around 5'8" or so, with short blonde hair that extended as far as the tip of her neck. Her build indicated that she worked out with weights quite often; her muscular arms and legs displayed themselves despite the black workout suit she wore. She also walked with the attitude that seemed to say how strong she was. She walked to the door of the office and waited for LS to invite her in.

 

"Come in," LS said. "How may I help you?"

 

"I am Storm, leader of the Amazon Warriors," the visitor replied.

 

LS gave her a close look. "Weren't you a kickboxer? Now that I think of it, didn't you fight Susan Davidson a few months ago?"

 

"Yes, I'm still a kickboxer. I do that and lead my warriors. I think I should've won that fight. I think Davidson takes steroids."

 

LS ignored the last remark. Her cousins Kim and Jasmine were good friends with Susan, and they knew that Susan had never taken a steroid in her life.

 

"I'm sure that keeps you rather busy, kickboxing on the amateur circuit and leading a group of "warriors,'" LS said.

 

"I manage."

 

"I see. So what can I do for you today?"

 

"I understand you've been hunting down a few gangs lately."

 

"That's correct."

 

"I came by to ask if you were coming for me."

 

LS leaned her chair back and crossed her right leg. "Until a few seconds ago, I never heard of your gang."

 

"We keep a low profile."

 

"How large is your gang?"

 

"Oh, there's about ten of us. One happy family," Storm said, smiling.

 

In truth, LS hadn't began to look into infiltrating the women's gangs yet. Most of the women's gangs she knew were little more than a subsidiary of the men's gangs. Generally, when she took over the male gangs, the women connected with them usually followed suit. There was one woman who protested when LS took over a particular gang, the Ravens. She said that the men may have failed but her "girls' were going to stay strong, and attempted to take LS on in a one-on-one catfight. That "catfight" lasted less than two seconds when LS broke the woman's nose with one punch. Her two lieutenants didn't last much longer when they charged the judoka. Ten seconds later when one of the two lieutenants was out cold while the other one was kicking her legs frantically, trying to get out of the dumpster LS thrown her into, the remaining women wisely decided to follow their new leader. From what she knew of women's gangs, they were superior in terms of ferocity. They were also more closer knit than the men's gangs were.

 

"How long have you ran this gang?" LS asked.

 

"Maybe a year or two," Storm said.

 

"What do you do?"

 

"Excuse me?"

 

"What do you do? Is it drugs, protection, extortion, male prostitution, what?"

 

"Why would that make a difference?"

 

"Ever since I started taking these gangs down," LS said, placing her elbows on her desk and intertwining her fingers, "I've had other gang leaders just like yourself come in and announce themselves. Some of them posture and say how bad they are. It turns out the truth is their "gang' is nothing more than a social club. When I tell them this, they're usually relieved that I'm not after them. Some actually get downright offended, wondering why I would not go after them. It is like a bully attempting to take over the high school chess club, what's the point? Storm, I only go after those gangs that threaten the community. If your group does nothing of the sort, there is nothing to fear from me. The only exception to that would be if you're a supremacist group, like the skinheads for example. So, what do you do?"

 

"We don't do any of those things," Storm said, walking over to a chair. "May I?"

 

"Oh yes, excuse my manners."

 

"What we do is . . .. hunt."

 

"Hunt? Hunt what?"

 

"Oh, various things. We see something that catches our attention, and we go after it, we hunt it down."

 

"I see," LS said, not seeing at all. Remembering something that came to her, she grabbed her gym bag and pulled a shirt and pants out of it. "Excuse me for a second, I just wanted to make sure I remembered to pack everything in my bag here. Looks like I remembered everything."

 

"Looks like you forgot your shoes."

 

"I don't wear shoes."

 

Storm looked at her strangely. "How is it you don't wear shoes? It just started getting warm lately. What did you do when it was cold earlier this year?"

 

"I wore socks," LS said matter of factly.

 

"Okay, so you did wear shoes and socks. I was about to say,"

 

"No shoes, just socks."

 

"When it was real cold outside?"

 

"They were wool socks. They work pretty good as long as you don't get them wet."

 

While Storm was blinking her eyes, LS continued. "I've been practicing judo almost as long as I could walk. You don't wear shoes when you practice judo, and I never really saw too much of a need to wear them outside the dojo. You should try it sometime. You don't wear shoes in the ring, so what's different about not wearing them outside the ring?"

 

"Thank you, I'll pass," Storm said. "I like my running shoes."

 

"Suit yourself," LS said as she put her clothes back in her bag. "I would talk with you further, but my boyfriend and I have a basketball game to go to. My college is the favorite, and I plan to root them on. Again, if your gang is not doing anything wrong, then you have nothing to worry about. My assistants will see you out. Have a good day, Storm."

 

Storm got up to leave. "You too, Ms. Chang."

 

After she showered and changed, LS was a little curious about the sudden visit. Before she left, she sat back down at her desk, and made a long distance phone call to her cousin, Kim. On the second ring, Jasmine answered the phone.

 

"Hello Jasmine, how are you? I am fine, and Lewis is doing great, thanks for asking. Yeah, I know, he has a sweet spirit and a nice attitude. Hey, speaking of attitude, is your sister home? Okay, let me speak to her for a moment. It is great speaking to you too. Yes, I still plan to visit you guys up there; it's just a matter of clearing my schedule. Okay, you too."

 

LS looked at the mirror in her office to make any last minute inspections with her outfit. She was wearing a long sleeve blue blouse with fringes on the sleeves and red Capri pants. She looked at her bare toes and grabbing her purse, then decided to apply some blue toenail polish while she was waiting for Kim to come to the phone. By the time she finished, Kim came on the line.

 

"Hi Kim! Yes, I'm fine, how about yourself? Good; yes, Lewis is fine, as usual. No, we have not set a date, we just started being boyfriend-girlfriend! I know we've known each other for years, but it's not always that simple . . . yes, I know you're right." LS rolled her eyes. "What do you mean you'll come down here and marry him yourself, aren't there very many good men where you're at? Uh huh, I know the reason, you are ornery! ANYWAY, the reason I called was if you were going to see Susan anytime soon. Tonight? That is great! When you see her, ask her for information on a kickboxer she fought some time ago by the name of Storm. Well it turns out she's a gang leader now. What kind of gang? I don't know, she was rather vague. She walked into my office almost an hour ago and asked if I was gunning for her gang. Why would she lead a gang? Beats me, I figured being a kickboxer kept you busy enough. When you get the information, just give me a call on my cell phone later tonight, if you do not mind. Anyway, I need to go, Lewis and I are going to a basketball game this evening; it looks like my alma mater might go far in the playoffs this year. Yeah, I'm sorry your team didn't do so well this year. Okay, got to go. Yes, I will tell Lewis your "marriage' offer is still open. I will talk to you later tonight. Good-bye."

 

After she hung up, LS glanced at the clock in her office, grabbed her things, and trotted out to her car to drive to the apartment complex where her and Lewis lived. As soon as she arrived, she went to her apartment, threw her gym bag on the sofa, and ran up the stairs leading to Lewis' apartment.

 

Lewis Spaulding was a 6'5" black man who LS had known ever since gym class in their freshman year of high school. Their relationship was the stuff that situation comedies were made from; that, or a TV movie of the week. Since they met, they have been inseparable. Always keeping in constant contact with each other, they became real close friends. Even when they attended different colleges, LS at the local university, while Lewis attended a culinary school, they stayed in constant contact by phone, e-mail, and visits on the weekend. Yet, for some reason, the two never considered seeing each other on a more romantic basis though both had private thoughts about the idea. Finally, a few months earlier, LS decided (with extra motivation from everyone from her family to her own sensei) that they belong together. Since then, life has been the same as before for the two, except for the "fringe benefits" that romantic couples share, such as kissing, cuddling, and being "mushy" with each other without feeling funny about it.

 

Lewis ran an Internet baking business out his home, more specifically, his kitchen. A popular and gifted baker and cook, he's also asked to prepare meals for customers ranging from wedding parties to local celebrities. In short, Lewis is a very busy man. While running his business, he generally has time for only two things; his morning run, so he won't become a "victim" of his dishes, and for LS, who came bounding through the door just as he finished setting the table in the dining room.

 

"Sorry I'm late, beloved," LS said, "but there were some things that came up at the dojo."

 

"No, you're not late, Love," Lewis said, "you're here just in time for the appetizer; my specially seasoned cheese sticks. Pull up a chair and tell me about your day."

 

LS reflected that it was a good thing she kept in shape, otherwise she would've been very overweight from eating her boyfriend's dishes. While they ate dinner, LS told him about her day, including the strange visit from Storm.

 

"Why would she want to run a gang?" Lewis said.

 

"I have been wondering that myself," LS said. "Hopefully tonight, I'll have some answers."

 

 

After they ate dinner, followed by a mouth-watering desert, the couple drove to LS's college where she graduated with her Political Science degree. The school's basketball team was playing in the first round of the NCAA Division III playoffs, and it looked like they had a possibility of doing well. Lewis and LS climbed up the bleachers to their seats, then sat down. LS crossed her legs, the bare toes of her right foot brushing against Lewis' pant leg.

 

"It's been a while since I've been to a basketball game," Lewis said, leaning back in his seat and then remembered there was someone sitting behind him. He quickly turned and apologized.

 

"The last time I was here, it was on a date," LS said.

 

"Oh yeah, it was that lawyer guy, wasn't it?"

 

LS turned, giving him a little smirk. "Come on, Lewis, admit it, you didn't like my dates."

 

"What gave you that idea?"

 

"You always had some smart remark to say about them."

 

"Well that lawyer guy thought he was the next "Matlock,' acting all arrogant and stuff," Lewis said defensively.

 

"Yeah he was arrogant. Arrogant enough to think that I should bow down and worship him because he knew law. I knew my rights. In addition, I also knew my lefts and a few other blows he would've known if he groped me one more time. He acted like such a nice guy too."

 

"You should've known somebody who would debate habeas corpus with the pastor over the Ten Commandments was someone to look out for." Lewis took a sip from his Sprite.

 

"Oh, so that makes you the expert on relationships, then?" LS said.

 

"I don't know, you scared off all my dates,"

 

"What? What do you mean I scared off your dates?"

 

"Well whenever I introduced you to the woman I was dating, you would give her that "look.'"

 

"What look?"

 

"That look you give when you're getting ready to fight somebody. More than once, my date would break things off early because they were afraid you were going to get them. I remember telling one that you were harmless. She said she didn't want to find out, you could break her in two. And this was that tall woman who said that."

 

"Sally, yeah I remember her. Well from looking at her, it was obvious she was interested in more than your cookies," LS said defensively.

 

"Oh come on Love, you know about the vow we took years ago at that conference in Indianapolis. I'm not going to give it up till I walk down that aisle."

 

"And on that day, your body will belong to me," LS said with an evil grin.

 

As LS grinned at Lewis, and Lewis was slowly turning red, LS's cell phone rang, bringing him a respite of relief. LS opened her phone.

 

"Hello?" She said.

 

"Is this LS Chang?" the voice on the other line said.

 

"Yes, who may I ask is speaking?"

 

"Susan, Susan Davidson."

 

"Susan Davidson?" LS said. Lewis suddenly perked up and leaned closer.

 

"The one and only. At least I think I'm the only one," Susan laughed.

 

"Tell her she has big fans here in Indiana," Lewis said loud enough for Susan to hear and loud enough for LS to massage the ear he yelled into.

 

"Was that Lewis? Tell him thank you," Susan said.

 

"She said thank you. Now be still and let me talk to her," LS said, smirking. "To what do we have the honor?"

 

"Kim relayed the message to me, while we were out here eating, and I thought instead of having her call you and tell you what I said, why not just call you directly? She told us all about you, and what a great service you're doing for your community and the whole city. I applaud your efforts over there."

 

"Thank you," So Kim is capable of giving a compliment, LS thought. The end must be coming soon.

 

"So Storm is leading a gang now? That's interesting. I got to tell you, that girl is a strange bird."

 

"How "strange' are we talking about here?"

 

"She fancies herself like a big game hunter. She likes to stalk her prey before she shoots it. The woman either watched everything I did or had one of her friends do it during the time I was preparing to fight her. It was like dealing with the Secret Service."

 

"She watched you?"

 

"Yeah, she was hanging around so much, I almost saw her more than my boyfriend. Not that it did her a whole lot of good in the fifth round though," Susan laughed.

 

"She accused you of taking steroids," LS said.

 

"Oh yeah, I remember that. That didn't help her situation any."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"Oh, I guess you haven't heard. She was suspended for a year for taking performance-enhancing drugs. She accused me of the same thing when she was caught. For some reason, it was kept low profile. Usually it's splashed over the front page of the sports section."

 

"Did she harass you or anything when you trained?" LS asked.

 

"No, just watched me and took notes. It was no problem with me, my practices are open to the public, plus everyone who knows me could see I am a little too busy to mess with steroids; not unless I want to be moody and have a voice deeper than my boyfriend," Susan laughed. "Besides, those things can make you sterile, and I'm getting married in a few months, you know what I mean?"

 

"Yes I do. That still doesn't answer the question of why she would start leading a gang though."

 

"I heard of and sometimes seen this pattern with fallen athletes. They mess up for some reason or another, and end up in a regular civilian life. However they don't want to live a "common' existence like the rest of us, so they'll turn to something related to what they do, like a former football player would become a bouncer or, relying on what's left of her fan following, become a gang leader. Something where they still have fans or followers. That's my speculation, anyway."

 

"So the next question is what would this have to do with me?" LS wondered.

 

"My guess is you're her biggest competition," Susan said. "Since you've been taking down gangs left and right, you may be taking out her support network. Even though she's been suspended for only a year, it'll take her a long time to regain her sponsorship. Sponsors are rather cautious when it comes to drugs. She'll need to get money from somewhere."

 

"That's another thing. She said her gang is not into drugs, they're into "hunting.'"

 

"Now that's a new one. I can't help you there."

 

"How did you know so much about gangs?"

 

"One of my sociology classes in school talked about it. I'm surprised I still remember it. We don't have any gangs up here, except for the ones that beat up Betty's victims."

 

"Hey, I heard that," came a distant voice from Susan's end of the line.

 

LS was getting ready to comment on that when she saw Lewis motioning to her. "Susan, Lewis, one of your biggest fans, would like to speak to you." She handed the phone to Lewis.

 

"Hi Susan!" Lewis said into the phone. "We watch and tape every one of your matches. You're a great fighter."

 

"Why thank you," Susan said. "I try my best."

 

"Look Susan, I was wondering if you had one of your pictures, you know, the one with you posing like you're going to sock someone?"

 

"I still have a few. Would you like one?"

 

"Yeah! Uh, could you sign it for me?"

 

"Sure, is Lewis spelled like Jerry Lewis?"

 

"Yeah, that's right. Thanks a lot."

 

"You're welcome."

 

"Love is staring at me, so I better hand the phone back. Good-bye."

 

LS snatched the phone away. "You're worse than a kid," she said. On the phone she said, "Susan, could you make that two pictures?"

 

Susan laughed. "No problem, LS. Look, I need to go, but one more thing. Just in case you need it, Storm has a tendency to go for high profile kicks. You know, the kicks that you see in Kung Fu movies? Her balance wavers a bit each time she throws one. Her punches have power, but they're slow in coming."

 

"And she won the right to challenge you? How was that possible?"

 

"Again, I don't know, too many questions where she's concerned. You'll need to visit us one of these days."

 

"I plan to, I heard so much about the group. I will leave you alone now. It was a pleasure talking with you."

 

"Likewise, LS. Be careful. I'll see you soon."

 

"Goodbye."

 

LS turned to Lewis, who was watching the game. The home school had a ten-point lead, five minutes away from halftime. She smiled.

 

"Your old team is holding up pretty good, Love," Lewis said. "So what did Susan have to say about Storm?"

 

"Apparently she likes playing the role of the big white hunter, stalking her prey before she shoots it," LS said. "She followed Susan around before they fought, a fat lot of good that did her."

 

"Maybe if she paid more attention to her game than Susan's, no, she'd still lose. Why would she become a gang leader?"

 

"In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king."

 

"Now honey, you know I went to a culinary school. We were too busy beating eggs to study philosophy."

 

"She was suspended for a year for taking steroids. According to Susan, she may be desperate to get money, power, or all of the above from somewhere, so she created a gang."

 

"So now she's pushing drugs along with taking them?"

 

"According to her, no; her gang is into "hunting.'"

 

"Hunting for what? We're in Indiana, not a game preserve. That makes no sense."

 

"Nothing seems to make sense regarding this woman. It may be nothing to be concerned about. Like anything else, a gang has to be around a while to even gain some notice. Hers may not last the rest of the week."

 

"Speaking of which, isn't that her now?" Lewis said, pointing.

 

The defaced kickboxer walked into the arena just as the halftime buzzer sounded. She was still wearing the workout suit she wore when she visited LS. She was surrounded by an entourage of seven other women who appeared to be as well built as she was. People who recognized her shouted her name as she waved to the crowd.

 

"The way the crowd is acting, you'd never know she was suspended," LS said.

 

Storm was looking around the arena, as if looking for someone. Finally, she looked over in LS and Lewis' direction, and waved. The couple, not knowing what else to do, waved back, weakly.

 

"You don't think she's coming up here, do you?" Lewis said.

 

"I hope not; dealing with a superior attitude once a day is more than enough for me," LS said. "Oh, by the way, Kim wanted me to tell you that her "offer' is still open."

 

"Hmm, maybe I'll consider it."

 

"What?"

 

"Oh, nothing."

 

"If you accepted her offer, on the night before the wedding, I'd sneak into your room and slice your throat. And you would thank me for it."

 

"Thank you for slitting my throat?"

 

"All Kim would want you for is to stand around and cook all day so she can eat your cooking."

 

"Oh, and what about you? You eat my cooking," Lewis said, accusingly.

 

LS gripped his arm. "Yes, but remember, I love you for more than your cooking, which works out great, since I don't like to cook."

 

The rest of the game, which LS's old school won easily in the end, went without incident. After it was over, the couple sat in Lewis' car as they were in the parking lot waiting for some of the exiting traffic to leave.

 

"Looks like we'll be here for a while," Lewis said.

 

"That's fine with me," LS said in a husky voice, pulling his face toward hers. "Come here."

 

The couple kissed longingly, as the cars were leaving. LS opened her eyes for a moment, and then sprung back as if stung.

 

"What's wrong honey?" Lewis said.

 

LS motioned with her eyes toward the front of the car. A raven-haired woman, about Storm's height and build was standing about twelve feet away from the car. When both pairs of eyes saw her, she just smiled and waved as she walked away.

 

"I wonder how long she's been standing there?" LS said.

 

"A little too long for my liking," Lewis said. "She may be just getting to her car when she ran across us."

 

"Yeah, maybe I'm getting a little jumpy. Let's go home so we can "finish' this."

 

"Good idea."

 

He started the car and took off.

 

 

The next morning after LS woke up in her apartment and did her morning exercises, she glanced out the window on her way to the shower before she dressed for work and headed to Lewis' apartment for breakfast. She noticed a red Ford pickup sitting across the street from the apartment.

 

Looks like somebody bought a new truck, she thought as she walked down the hallway.

 

After she got ready for work, she went up the stairs to Lewis' apartment, and came in. He was just placing a serving of French toast at the spot where she normally sat.

 

"Another morning, another day," Lewis said as he sat down to eat his breakfast.

 

"Not for everybody," LS said. "Somebody is going to work in a new truck."

 

"New truck?"

 

"Yes, that red truck across the street. You can see it out the window."

 

Lewis walked to his window and looked. "That's strange," he said, "that looks like the same truck that was behind us at the ball game last night."

 

LS stopped eating for a moment. "That truck was behind us? I don't remember seeing any of our neighbors at that game," she said.

 

"Somebody could be visiting our neighbors, but it's a little early for that, isn't it?" Lewis asked.

 

"Yes. Beloved, do you still have that digital camera with the zoom lens?"

 

"Yes I do, Love, I'll go get it."

 

Lewis returned with the camera, walked to the window, and used the zoom lens to take a closer look at the truck. When he found there was someone in it, he took a closer look at the driver.

 

"It's the woman from last night, the one who saw us kissing," he said.

 

LS sighed. "So it has started," she said.

 

"What's started?" Lewis asked.

 

"The "hunt.' I have an idea. Lewis, do you want to go shopping?"

 

"Shopping? We're being stalked and you want to go shopping?"

 

"Yes Lewis," LS grinned. "After my morning session is over, I'd like to go to the shoe store to buy a new pair of shoes."

 

"Honey, you don't wear shoes. What are you talking about?"

 

"You're right, I don't, but you do. Haven't you been needing to get a new pair of running shoes?"

 

"Sure, but I don't understand why you want to go now."

 

"If we're being stalked, we might as well lead them on a merry chase. I will come by and pick you up after my first two classes are through. I have a spare kimono hanging at the office, so I will not need to wear my gi. I'll be waiting outside, and please make sure to bring your camera with you. Go ahead and shoot a picture of this one, I'm sure there's a few more who'll keep their eyes on us."

 

"Ah," Lewis said, "so we'll be stalking the stalkers, cool. Love, I love the way you think."

 

"I know you love me," LS said, grinning again. "I can't wait to do something about that real soon."

 

"You know, Love, since we officially became an actual couple, you've been a little more uh, assertive than usual."

 

"Let's just say I know our plans for the future, and they involve picking curtains, a green lawn, and a white picket fence," LS said, cocking her head to the side, still grinning.

 

"Uh, we're taking it slow, remember?" Lewis said nervously.

 

"I remember. But fast or slow, it makes no difference, because in the end, you'll belong to me." LS got up from the table, and pulled Lewis' face to her so she could look him in the eye. "Do you deny this?" She whispered.

 

Lewis found himself breaking into a cold sweat, as well as his heart beating more quickly than normal. "N-no," he whispered back.

 

"I thought not." LS kissed Lewis passionately. "Make no mistake my love, I want you to be my husband, I know this in my heart." She released his face. "But I'll wait until you know it too, though I suspect you might."

 

She walked to the door leading out of the apartment. "I will see you later today, my beloved." She opened the door and left.

 

After she closed the door, Lewis blew out a deep breath. "Man, that woman is intense," he said.

 

 

After LS finished teaching her morning and afternoon class, which she noticed had a few more "observers" than usual, she went to her office changed into a kimono (which LS always loved wearing for the loose-fitting comfort), and picked up Lewis at the apartment complex. As they drove off, Lewis watched her through the zoom lens of the camera. The woman in the pickup didn't try to pursue, but was speaking into her cell phone.

 

"Has she ever left that spot since this morning?" LS asked.

 

"She got out of the truck once to take a walk, which I think was to the local convenience store to use the restroom. But she's stayed there all day," Lewis said.

 

"Well if this plan works, we should have a nice roster of all of our pursuers."

 

"What then?"

 

LS grinned again, "Then I plan to do some "hunting' of my own," she said.

 

They went to the local mall. They first went to the shoe store, where LS bought Lewis a nice pair of running shoes. Though the salespeople persisted, LS told them she was a judo instructor, therefore shoes were not necessary. To award them for their persistence however, LS did buy a pair of thick socks for winter. They then went to a bookstore to look at a few novels and cook books for Lewis. After that, they went to an oriental fashion store where LS bought another kimono, and an athletic outfit to go under it. During this time, their strategy was to go to the back of the store, then split up, LS remaining near the back, while Lewis would go near the front, watching to see who was watching the judoka. By the time they were through, they had pictures of six women, who were the same women who were part of Storm's group at the ball game the night before. Instead of going home after they finished, they dropped by a Chinese restaurant for a take-out meal (which Lewis later complained about, because they didn't fix the sweet and sour chicken right), and dropped by the dojo, where one of LS's senior instructors finished teaching a blue-belt class.

 

Rhonda Patterson, the assistant instructor, bowed to LS and Lewis as they walked in the dojo. Rhonda was a black woman who stood about 5'7", with medium brown skin and long hair that flowed down her shoulders that was bleached blonde. Her build, though slender, did little to hide the defined muscles that covered her form. She met LS in high school, asking her to teach her to defend herself from the males who kept pursuing her. Since then, she became an accomplished master of judo, and when she's not helping teach LS's brown-belt and green-belt classes, she ran her own landscaping and gardening business. It took little persuading her to become a fervent believer in LS's cause, and had taken great joy in assisting her sensei in taking down the area gangs.

 

"How was class today?" LS asked.

 

"Going very well, sensei, thank you for asking." Rhonda said.

 

"Excellent. Rhonda, if you don't have anything pressing tonight, could you call about six of our er, sneakiest people here for a meeting at six p.m.?"

 

"At once, sensei. Another gang?" Rhonda could barely conceal her excitement.

 

"Yes Rhonda. I believe you'll love your assignment."

 

"Thank you sensei!" Rhonda ran off to make the calls.

 

"That woman loves her work," Lewis said.

 

"Yes she does. In the meantime, we have some work to do ourselves," LS said.

 

The couple went to the office where they downloaded the pictures from the digital camera to the computer and printed them out. Soon after they finished, it was time for the meeting. LS and Lewis came out to meet Rhonda, and the four women and two men assembled. LS went ahead and addressed the crowd.

 

"My students, thank you for attending this impromptu meeting. I know it was on short notice, but I appreciate you coming to help," LS said as she started to distribute the pictures she printed out. "Are you all familiar with the local kickboxer by the name of Storm?"

 

They all nodded.

 

"Before I go on any further, are there any fans of her here?"

 

There was silence for a moment until one of the male students said, "I think I speak for all of us here; we're all Susan Davidson fans."

 

"Yeah," one of the women said, "Storm isn't that good."

 

"That's great, then this makes it much easier," LS said. "It turns out that Storm has taken a brief hiatus from kickboxing and has formed a gang called the Amazon Warriors. Anyone heard of them.?"

 

The group shook their heads.

 

"She said they like to keep a low profile, so I guess they succeeded," the sensei said. "The pictures you have in your hands are the women she has in her gang to my knowledge. According to what Storm told me in a meeting here recently, her gang specializes in "hunting.' Do not ask me to explain, it does not make sense to me either. Well it turns out that the person she is "hunting' is me. Why, I am not sure. Rhonda, you had a question?"

 

"Yes sensei," Rhonda said. "Why would Storm want to be a gang leader? It doesn't make sense."

 

"I agree with you, it does not make sense. I may ask her next time I encounter her. Your task for the next day or two is a little different from the usual stuff. These women on the photos have made it a habit to take turns stalking me when I go home, when I go out, etc. In fact, if we looked outside, I am sure there's a car with one of these women in it keeping tabs on me. Lewis, could you walk over to the front windows and take a peek?"

 

Lewis walked over to a window and quickly looked out. Sure enough, there was a familiar looking car parked across the street from the dojo with one of the women featured in the photographs. He walked back, nodded, and pointed to a picture one of the women students had.

 

"It's that one, the one with the bad haircut," he said.

 

"How would you like us to engage them?" One of the women students asked.

 

"Actually, I don't want you to engage them at all, at least not yet. What I want you to do is to shadow me. Wherever I am at, one of these women will be. As soon as you see one of them, you are to "stalk' them. I know all of you have cell phones, so I need you to keep in continuous contact with each other. I want you to notify each other as well as myself what they're up to."

 

"So what you want us to do is to stalk the stalkers?" Another woman asked.

 

"That is correct," LS said. "I know this will eat up a lot of your personal time, plus you have the added bonus of following the boring life of LS Chang, so I leave it up to you to figure out your schedules and such. When you are following them follow me, do not act like you know me. Eventually one of these women will report to Storm directly. As soon as you see this happen, let me know immediately. Are there any questions?"

 

"How can we keep from being noticed ourselves?" the other male student asked.

 

"The hunter usually doesn't think he or she is being hunted. I am sure the last thing Storm expects is to have her spies being spied on. Just make sure your actions are not obvious. Any other questions? Okay, we'll meet again at this time a week from now, and happy "hunting,' everyone."

 

The next seven days were like a spy movie spoof. LS and Lewis carried on with their lives as usual, while Storm's agents followed them, while in turn, LS's students followed them. Every now and then, Rhonda would give LS a call on her cell phone to let her know how things were going. A week later, the group met again in the dojo.

 

"So what has everyone found out?" LS asked.

 

"Their headquarters seems to be in two places; they either meet at an apartment at the Fortress Arms or over at Larry's Muscle Emporium,"

 

"Sounds like being suspended for a year hasn't hurt her that bad," Lewis said.

 

Fortress Arms was one of the most expensive apartments in town, while Larry's Muscle Emporium was considered a gym for the elite. Sometimes called the "Rich Man's Gym," Lewis was once offered an invitation to join it. He asked LS to tag along to help check it out. LS, who regularly worked out at home with her own facilities, agreed. The place was like a who's who of some of the movers and shakers in that city. Businessmen, top politicians, local celebrities, and others who sacrificed a hefty fee just to be near them could be seen everywhere in the gym. For Lewis, it was little bit like attending high school again as the men would look at him disdainfully when he told them what he did for a living (even though he made more money than some of them), while the women were suddenly more than interested. LS was looked down on for more than her size when she told them she was a judo instructor. She did get a small thrill when she told one of the haughty businesswomen that she knew more than at least five ways to kill a man, all with one hand tied behind her back. She couldn't help but smile as the woman's complexion turned a pale white. When it was all over, they both decided the gym was not the place for him, though he could easily afford it. Even though they were not seeing each other at the time, LS threatened to beat him within an inch of his life if he called the personal number of the woman instructor who showed them around and gave him her business card.

 

"That does not make sense," LS said. "As a general rule, gangs aren't that well off. The well to do does not join gangs, and gang members do not show up at luxury apartments, unless they are going to rob it. What else have you found?"

 

"Late at night, after everyone's gone, a black limousine pulls up, and a man comes out to stay a while at Storm's apartment," one of the male students said. "The man does a good job of covering himself up, so I could not tell you who it was. I'm sorry, sensei."

 

"It's no problem, he's not my concern at the moment. I have to admit, this "James Bond' espionage stuff is rather fun, but I think it is time to end this. I thank you all for being such good "spies,' and hopefully it didn't disrupt your regular schedules too much."

 

The students laughed and admitted that they actually enjoyed themselves snooping on people.

 

Laughing herself, LS said, "Maybe we'll have a chance to do it again. In the meantime, could one of you take a peek out the window and see how my "tail' is doing?"

 

Lewis, who decided to come to the meeting said, "I'll do it," and walked to the window and peeked. "She's standing outside her car drinking a coke," he said.

 

"Excellent!" LS said. "Rhonda, could you change into your street clothes and go out there and "persuade' our guest to come in here?"

 

"Yes sensei!" Rhonda said as she trotted off to the locker room to change, which barely took all of five minutes. When she finished, she came back wearing a white spaghetti strap halter top and gray gym shorts. She was such a devoted student of LS, she even adopted her teacher's shoeless lifestyle. She trotted to the window and peeked to see if the woman was still standing outside her car.

 

"I'll have her for you in ten minutes," she said and rushed out the side door.

 

"She really loves this," Sharon McBeal, another of LS's top students said. "Perhaps she should go into law enforcement instead of landscaping and gardening."

 

"I said that to her once. She said she prefers beating up the bad guys as opposed to arresting them," LS said. "Yet she likes her business because it's so peaceful. I do not get it either. In any case, let's walk over to the window and see her in action."

 

There were two windows to the front of the dojo, that were covered by heavy curtains so the sunlight wouldn't shine through, making the place hot, and possibly blinding the students in practice. The group walked to the windows and opened them just enough for them to see without tipping off the woman outside.

 

The woman, who was an inch or two taller than Rhonda, and looked like a woman who did a bit of bodybuilding, had a fair complexion and reddish brown hair with bangs that dangled down to her shoulders. Either the hair looked like it wasn't washed that day, or it was very windy that day. She was wearing a dark cranberry tracksuit, not unlike the one Storm wore the day she met LS. She was drinking her canned soft drink while reading the day's newspaper that she placed on the hood of her car.

 

The group saw Rhonda walk across the street, completely unnoticed by the woman; then she walked toward the car almost cat-like in her movements. She stopped in front of a store window long enough to not look suspicious and to make sure no one on the street was around or watching. When she saw that the coast was clear on both counts, she quickly moved behind the woman and snagged her in a judo chokehold. The woman was out before she knew what happened. Looking around again to make sure no one saw her, Rhonda draped her over her right shoulder and carried her to the front of the dojo, where one of the students opened the door.

 

"Boy, she's good," one of the male students said.

 

"I'm just glad she's on our side," Lewis replied.

 

The unconscious woman was placed in a chair, while everyone gathered around to wait for her to awaken from the dreamland Rhonda placed her in. She came to in a state of confusion, replaced by total horror as she realized she was captured.

 

"I would've invited you in, but somehow I didn't think you'd go for that," LS said, standing in front of her prisoner. "So I had Rhonda go out and ask you nicely. Oh, that's right, she didn't ask you, did she? Rhonda's specialties are arm locks and chokeholds. As you can see, she does her chokeholds very well."

 

The woman glared at Rhonda with a look that longed for a rematch. Rhonda looked back at her with a smirk.

 

"I know what you're thinking, you can take this woman on in a fair fight. Well, you are welcome to do so. Rhonda lately has gotten so good, she's running out of sparring partners. She would be more than happy to take you on, but you two can arrange a match later. Right now, we have more pressing business."

 

"I ' I'm not telling you nothing," the woman spat out, ready to jump out of her chair and fight, but deciding against it, due to being surrounded.

 

"And I am not going to ask you anything either," LS said. "Instead, I want you to deliver a message to Storm that's all. If you will do that, you are free to go. How's that?"

 

The woman looked suspiciously at LS. "What's the message?" She said.

 

"Just go to Storm and say, "The game is over,' that's all. Nothing complex. Will you do that for me? Please? Keep in mind that I asked nicely."

 

The woman paused. "Okay, I'll tell her."

 

"Now you're free to go," LS said, backing away from the chair. Her students and Lewis parted like the Red Sea, giving her a free pathway to the door.

 

The woman got up from her chair and slowly walked toward the door, partly disgusted that she was caught in the first place. She gave another scowl at Rhonda on her way out.

 

"I'm here at this time every Friday, if you want a rematch," Rhonda said, with some cheerfulness in her voice.

 

The woman looked at her, nodded her head, and then went out the door.

 

"I'd like to see that "rematch,'" Lewis said.

 

"I'll warn you right now, it's not for the faint-hearted," LS said, "Rhonda can be rather brutal."

 

Rhonda just smiled.

 

"So what do we do now, sensei?" One of the female students said.

 

"Right now, "we' don't do anything. Your job is through. As for me, I will come here tomorrow later in the morning and wait. She'll come."

 

 

The following Saturday morning, LS taught her usual two classes, wearing her powder blue gi, then went over the usual paperwork while one of her students taught a third. After that class was over, and everyone was gone except for a few students (former gang members) who were doing some maintenance work around the dojo, LS walked to the middle of the room, sat down on her knees, and waited. She did not have to wait long.

 

After twenty minutes, Storm strove through the front doors of the dojo. She was dressed in black form-fitting workout pants and a gray workout top that was outlined in black and cropped at her midsection, so her six-pack stomach muscles can be seen. The top was fastened with a zipper in front that was pulled down enough to show a generous amount of her cleavage without the top being unfastened. As she walked in barefooted, her outfit was a drastic contrast to LS's outfit, which consisted of a wheat-colored tank top and blue jean shorts.

 

Storm stopped five feet in front of LS and asked, "How did you find me out?"

 

LS countered with another question, "First, tell me why?"

 

"Why? Because you now have the biggest gang in the city," Storm said, matter-of-factly. "After I take it from you, I'll have the biggest gang in the city."

 

"You'll need to give me a better reason than that. We know there's someone pulling your strings," LS replied. "As misguided as it sounds, gangs are formed for a reason. To acquire a group of delinquents and misfits for no other reason than to say you have them is a foolish way of gaining whatever it is you are looking for. But you're not going to tell me the real reason, are you?"

 

Storm shook her head, "Can you at least tell me how you found out I was tailing you?"

 

"I did the same thing you did. "Hunters' usually don't expect to be hunted themselves, so once I found out I was being followed, it was easy to have your group followed without suspecting a thing."

 

"Well it's not going to make any difference anyway. Your karate chops and kicks won't be a match for me." Storm started to go into a fighting pose.

 

LS sighed as she sat there on her knees. "Yes, "chops and kicks' belong to those who practice karate. My discipline is judo, where we flip and throw people. Surely a fighter like yourself would know the difference," she said.

 

"Judo, karate, it's all the same to me, all that goofy yelling and goofy moves. Nothing beats old-fashioned punching and kicking. Those funny "belts' you guys wear aren't even good enough to hold up your pants. Ain't nothing but a bunch of hype."

 

Storm started bouncing around on her feet, ready to attack. LS stayed on her knees staring at her.

 

"Now I can see why Susan Davidson beat you so easily when you two fought," LS said evenly. "You have no respect for a worthy opponent, you have no respect for another person's discipline, and you don't even have respect for your own training, otherwise you wouldn't be suspended for taking a "performance' drug."

 

Storm scowled at her.

 

"I gained my first black belt when I was a little girl. While you were playing with dolls, I was sparring with people twice my size. When I wanted to add an extra degree to my belt, I was given an opportunity to choose my own test. The test was for me to take on ten opponents in unarmed combat. For the last test to gain an extra degree, I raised the number to twenty," LS said.

 

"That's impossible," Storm said.

 

"No, compared to what my cousin Jasmine done, that's nothing. To gain an extra degree on her black belt in Aikido, she faced the same number of opponents on her knees. A pity you did not see it, it was beautiful to watch, like poetry. Her sister, Kim, underwent a similar test in Tae Kwon Do, that "karate' stuff of chops and kicks you were talking about. I'm sure if they were here right now, they wouldn't break a sweat taking you down; but it's just me, and I guess it's up to me to break you."

 

LS finally got up off her knees and stood before Storm.

 

"Just so I can say I was merciful to you, I'll give you the chance right now to walk out of this dojo under your own power, and tell whoever it is you're working for that I found you out. I will not even take the remainder of your gang and add it to mine. That is my offer, I will not give it again."

 

"You think you're so tough," Storm spat at LS. "My girls will never work for you."

 

"Then they will be hunted down like mad dogs. They may change their mind, once their leader has been put to sleep."

 

Storm cursed and executed a right roundhouse kick aimed at LS's head, which she easily ducked. A high profile kick, LS thought, like Susan said.

 

"That would've worked," LS said, "if I was a foot taller."

 

"You really think you're something, don't you?"

 

"Last night, I took the liberty of reviewing the tape of your fight with Susan Davidson several months ago. After watching the tape, I need to ask Susan not about how she knocked you out in the fifth round, but why she waited so long to do it. She could've took care of you in the first five minutes."

 

"You don't know what you're talking about," Storm said angrily.

 

"That brings up another thing. Kickboxers generally have to work their way up the ranks before they can fight a top contender. However, you came out of nowhere, and suddenly you were fighting one of the top contenders for the Tri-State Championship. Your handlers must know how to pull some heavy strings. It hurts you in the end though. Without proper training, you're just someone who can punch and kick; no different from the street punks I face everyday."

 

"You going to talk or fight?"

 

"Actually, I was going to do what they call in college basketball "putting on a clinic.' It was obvious from that fight that you are lacking in many skills. I was going to give you a "lesson' of these skills. Let us start with strategy. If you were going to stalk me to find out how to take me, then you should have had your gang watch me spar or fight. That would've made sense."

 

"You talk too much!" Storm leapt at LS firing a number of punches and kicks. LS blocked them with the effort of a woman who was bored. Normally, LS doesn't talk much while she fights, but she continued in her conversation with Storm while blocking and parrying her blows.

 

"The next essential skill that one needs to be a good fighter is balance," LS continued as she blocked and parried. "If you don't have balance, then it does not matter how good your other abilities are, you might as well be fighting drunk, because you won't be fare much better than one."

 

Storm threw another kick with her right leg, partly out of frustration at LS's head. Another high profile kick, LS thought. LS ducked under it, then took her right hand, and pushed up on Storm's right ankle until the kickboxer's bare right foot was extended far over her head. Storm stumbled backwards, trying to regain her equilibrium.

 

As she was stumbling, LS took the opportunity to use one of her own moves, the hand sweep. A move she created, and was well-adapted to a person her size, the hand sweep is the same as the foot sweep, except the user of the move ducks down low, and quickly swings her arm or hand against either the knee joints of the victim or in this case, Storm's left ankle. It's meant to be a surprise attack for taller foes, and the effects can be just as devastating as a foot sweep. For Storm, her world suddenly turned upside down, as her foot was knocked out from under her, and her back hit the floor.

 

She didn't have much time to reflect on how she got there, as she looked up and saw the bare sole of LS's right foot suddenly descending toward her face. She rolled her body roughly to the left just as the foot came crashing down on the dojo floor. She looked back to the foot and to where she was at before looking at LS with a look of horror.

 

"It's good to see that you have some speed," LS chuckled. "I would have hated to cave your face in while I'm only half-way through my lecture."

 

Storm got up quick as a shot. "Y-you're crazy," she said, "You're trying to kill me."

 

"You stalked me for a week and you call me crazy? Anyway, if I wanted to kill you, I would have done it in the first five minutes. I could've broken your neck, or placed you in an effective chokehold, or gave you a brutal throw that could give you plenty of internal injuries. My method of execution is very effective, just ask some of the former gang leaders about what I did to their leaders, they'll tell you."

 

The truth was LS had never killed anybody, but since Storm didn't know that, she figured she would string her along and get her really spooked. The ploy was proving to be rather successful as the disgraced kickboxer was now standing a safe distance away from the judoka.

 

"You can't hurt me," Storm said, more from bravado than from confidence, "I'm more powerful than you."

 

LS stood and laughed. "You think that because you might have more muscle than I do that you have power? No, that's strength, real power involves using your focus, which you clearly do not have."

 

Storm yelled, "Stop talking!" and charged LS, hoping to tackle her and get some punches in while she was on the floor. She again had a shocked look on her face when she realized that LS didn't budge. It was as if she hit a wall.

 

"Right now, my focus is on my center," LS said. "If I don't want to be moved, I don't move nor can I be moved. You, on the other hand-" She grabbed Storm and executed a quick hip throw, landing Storm once again on the floor.

 

Storm laid on the floor and moaned from the sting of LS's throw, then suddenly remembered what she tried to do last time she was in this position, and scrambled to get up. LS was standing by, hands on her hips, smiling.

 

"The problem with fighters like you is once you go to the gym and bulk up your arms and legs, you're invincible. Raw strength is nothing if you do not know how to use it. By the way, this is how you perform a kick."

 

LS quickly stepped forward before Storm could react, and fired a left side kick to Storm's chest. Storm ended up sliding several feet along the floor before hitting the padded wall of the dojo. She tried to get up, but was prevented by the pain in her gut from LS's kick. She felt like she was broken in two. Storm tried to crawl to safety as LS walked over to her. She took her time because she knew Storm wasn't leaving anytime soon. LS walked in front of Storm, and sat down cross-legged in front of her.

 

"Get, get away from me," Storm said, trying to draw a decent breath.

 

"Aw, did I break the poor little kickboxer?" LS said, like a parent to a disobedient child. "Don't worry, you'll only receive a bruise, I pulled my kick at the last moment. I made it a point to miss your ribs and other vital organs when I kicked you. Now I need to say a few more things to you, and I need your complete attention. After that, you can walk out of here under your own power. If I do not have your attention, I will be forced to do something harsh, like break an arm or a leg or some other bone until I get it. Do we understand each other?"

 

Storm nodded her head.

 

"Excellent. Now listen to me very carefully, because I do not like repeating myself when it comes to messages like this. I do not know who sent you, and right now, I do not care, I will find out soon enough. If you attempt to spy on me or my school, my students, my boyfriend, or any part of my personal life, I will conduct another "clinic,' and I promise you, the results will be more severe than a bruised belly. Is that clear?"

 

Storm looked at her, saying nothing.

 

"Storm, when I ask a question like this, I expect an answer, or else I get unpleasant and you won't like that. Is that clear?"

 

Storm nodded her head.

 

"Your "posse,' who did your spying for you, I want them sent here Monday morning at ten o'clock. If they do not come, I have photographs of all of them, and they will be hunted down and taken care of. Your "gang,' if it ever was one, the "Amazon Warriors,' is no more, do you understand?"

 

Storm nodded her head.

 

"A small word of advice. If you want to continue in kickboxing, it would be wise to lose your trainer and whoever owns you, and do this the honest way. Actually, I have two words of advice. The second is this, "Power wears out those who don't have it.'"

 

Storm managed to catch a breath. "What's that one of those dudes you people quote so much, Confucius?"

 

LS laughed. "No you idiot, I don't read that crap. I am as American as you are, a native Hoosier. I had to deal with that junk in my Philosophy class in college, and I am not messing with it again. That quote is from "The Godfather, Part III.' It is during the climax of the movie, my favorite part, when the godfather starts "whacking' his enemies. It is obvious you had no idea who you were messing with when you first came strutting in here. Because of that ignorance, you have the opportunity to sleep in your own bed, and not one that belongs to the hospital. Do not make a second mistake."

 

LS got up and walked to the exit. Storm, barely able to move, watched her.

 

"Oh yes, you may want to hurry up and leave the premises before the next class starts. My assistant Rhonda will be teaching, and I do not think she will want you here. She is not as merciful as I am. Now if you will excuse me, I am going home. There's a basketball game Lewis and I are going to."

 

LS left the dojo.

 

 

"And when I tried to tackle her, it was like hitting a tree," Storm said. She was sitting on the arm of her sofa, dressed in a sheer blue negligee that showed off all her muscles and the bruise that she received from LS earlier.

 

"Like I said, your primary mission was to watch and observe, not engage. But you couldn't help yourself, could you?" asked the man in the shadows. They were sitting in the dimly lit living room of Storm's apartment. Despite the fact that there were several sources of light there, only a small desk lamp was lit, showing just enough light for the two parties to see where the other was seated.

 

"But honey, she was so short, and didn't look like much, so I thought I could take her," Storm said, shaking her head.

 

"A lot of people make that same mistake," the man in the shadows said. "They either think she's so short or she's so fat, when the reality is she may be short, but that stout frame is nothing but muscle."

 

"I found that out when she kicked me. Actually I think it was when I tried knocking her over. I'm surprised I didn't get a bruise from that."

 

"If it makes you feel better Stacy," the man said, using Storm's real name, "I have a friend who was a Green Beret who once told me he would not want to face LS, and that's if he was fully armed. There are kung fu masters in town who give her the same respect. I would be perfectly willing to live and let live as far as LS is concerned, but unfortunately, she stands in the way of my plans. What did you find out about her personal life?"

 

"As clean as a whistle," Storm/Stacy said. "We couldn't find a thing on her. She doesn't even sleep with her boyfriend, probably one of those "abstinence "til marriage' people. She doesn't mistreat the gang members she picks up after she beats up their leader. They're even loyal to her. If what she did to me is a fraction of what she did to the former leaders, I'd be loyal too."

 

"Huh, interesting."

 

"By the way, Monday morning, I'm to give up my gang members to her, or she'll hunt them down. What should I do?"

 

"Oh let her have "em, it's no big deal. Besides, your activities as a gang leader are at an end."

 

"I was starting to enjoy that."

 

"You would until it was time for LS to come for you," the man in shadow said chuckling. "I don't think you want to face her a second time."

 

"No, I'm just glad she didn't break anything. What about my reinstatement into the association?" Stacy said.

 

"Already done, honey. One of the sponsors owes me a favor big time, so with the proper persuasion, he changed his mind. With the proper er, "color scheme,' the judges changed their mind on the ruling too. Your suspension no longer exists. There will be a couple of changes though. That idiot trainer and manager who gave you those performance drugs are yesterday's news. I got you some people who are pretty good in the fight game. We're also not going to aim as high as we did before."

 

"What do you mean?"

 

"I hate to admit it, but LS had a point when you encountered her today. It was either a small miracle or some mercy on Davidson's part that she didn't deck you in the first round. The critics kept complaining about that, and that draws attention I don't need. This time, you're going to work your way up like everyone else. That way, if you ever encounter Davidson or any other top fighter again, you'll have some experience under your belt, and your skills will be better. I wish I didn't listen to your former manager about immediately giving you a shot against a major contender. I'm glad I fired him."

 

"Thank you dear, I don't think I was ready to take her on again either, at least not so soon. So what are you going to do about LS?" Stacy said, crossing her right leg over her left, showing the definition of her muscles.

 

"What I'm going to do first is to have a little talk with Ms. Chang. I might have to do something to get her attention first. I'll try to persuade her on shutting down or at least slowing down her street crusade."

 

"I don't think she'll agree to that, she seems to be very determined."

 

"You're right, my dear, but I'll at least give it a shot. When that falls through, I'll have to pull out the big guns." The man in shadow took his left hand and rubbed his chin in thought.

 

"Well I know that couldn't be the remaining gangs, there's hardly any left, except for a few stragglers that she'll probably pick off when she feels like it," Stacy said.

 

"Oh no, I'm not going to send any punks after her. I have some connections with a guy in New York City who knows the proper people who can take care of LS. Skilled fighters who'll pose as new gang members here. I cannot lose; I have more resources than she does. Eventually, she'll be wore down by the weight of numbers. It'll cost me a good deal of expenses, but the overall scheme will be worth it. The month of November will be a cakewalk for me."

 

Stacy walked up to the man, and stood in front of him, her left hand stroking his right leg slowly and seductively. "Will there be a place for me in your new office?" She said.

 

"Oh, yes," the man sighed. "You'll be the big man's favorite fighter, which will have certain, shall we say, benefits. Speaking of which, I propose we take this meeting to the bedroom, I have an urge to feel your muscles."

 

Stacy whispered in his ear, "Baby, you've got my vote," as she turned out the remaining desk lamp in the living room.

 

 

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