After saying thanks to the Emperor, Fernando takes Gadget to their parked car. Standing by their vehicle, Fernando grabs onto his stomach.
 
“Damn. I forgot to take breakfast.” Fernando says to himself.
 
“It’s almost past lunch time.” Gadget says to him.
 
“Yeah, I know.” He begins to say, “Let’s go eat. I know a place not too far from here which is good and I think serves a late breakfast.”
 
“Sounds good.” Gadget says.
 
“Gadget...” He calls to her.
 
“Yes Fernando?” She replies.
 
“What happened in front of Chip’s cell...” He says to her.
 
“It never happened. I know it happened, I’m glad it happened, but this is between you and I. Chip burned me by having sex with Tammy. Tammy burned you by having sex with Chip. So the hell with them. It is just you and I and I’ll do anything for you, I mean that. If you want to have sex with me right now on the hood of this car, then let’s do it. But as far as the rest of this world is concerned, what we did or do never happened. You do not have to tell me anything. Like you said, ‘there is a reason why the word secret is in secretary’ and I am your secretary.” She explains to him.
 
“OK. Let’s go eat. I’m starving.” Fernando tells her.
 
Gadget nods before she goes around of the car. Fernando opens the driver’s door and presses the unlock button to open the other door for Gadget. She opens the door and crawls on the seat with the door closing behind her. Fernando sits down on his seat and closes his door. Gadget leans over to him as he reaches to put the key in the ignition, catching him off guard and planting her lips against his.
 
She breaks off the kiss and stares into his glasses, “Thank you. Thank you got many things, and removing that chip from my head.”
 
“Look Gadget. I did this for you, not for getting some award, making you girlfriend or for some nookie from you. As long as you live a productive and happy life, I’ll be happy that in what I did got you there.” He tells her as he buckles his seatbelt.
 
“I’ll be happy if you were part of my life.” Gadget tells him.
 
Fernando sits back in his seat for a second, “Let see what life has in store for us. Until then, sit down and buckle up. We got a breakfast-lunch date.
 
Gadget smiles before she drops herself into her seat. She buckles her seatbelt. Fernando turns on the car’s ignition and drive out of the palace grounds.
 
They drive around downtown Tokyo for a while, mainly for looking for parking. He finds a parking garage to park the Mustang in. After the car is put away, Fernando and Gadget takes a walk to a restaurant called “El Gusto.”
 
The receptionist there takes them to a table at the far end of the restaurant and a waiter comes by and hands them a menu.
 
Gadget orders a small burger with fries and a soda. Fernando orders a large burger with egg and a large coffee. The food comes in quickly. Usually Fernando would wolf down the meal but for today he take his time in eating it. The egg on his burger was scrambled, which he would have preferred it as easy over, but he eats it anyways. In taking their time, they spend over a half hour in eating and talking.
 
“What are you going to do with the information Chip gave you?” Gadget asks.
 
“I’m going to gather Hondo and the others and do a raid on the place.” Fernando answers.
 
“I hope no one gets hurt.” Gadget says.
 
“Unlikely to happen.” Fernando replies. He continues, “People like them would do anything not to be arrested, including killing those trying to arrest them. Therefore one has to defend themselves against their actions, including needing to use deadly force on them. There is no way out of it.”
 
“Oh.” Gadget says.
 
“Look, Gadget. Rescuing somebody is not an easy job when there are others in the way of making such rescues. You need to take actions against them before you can even start the rescue. This mission was supposed to be a simple body guard mission for the Emperor and his entourage. Thanks to Chip, it has become something more where we have to watch out for somebody trying to attack us. All because of his jealousy and his greed.” Fernando explains.
 
“No more talk of that poor excuse of that man. Whether you want me to be or not, I am your girlfriend. Tammy stresses you out, I’ll be there to release that pressure they puts on you. Need me to make you a meal, I can learn how to cook and make it for you. Need to have sex, I’ll do anything with you that you want and only you. If things work out or not, I would like to be your waifu in a year’s time, and I’ll be the best waifu any woman can be to her man who will be you. I just need you to say yes – please. Please say yes.” She tells him.
 
“I’ll say yes, but only because the future is uncertain. Who knows, I could divorce Tammy and end up marrying Jeanette but still have you as my girlfriend. I don’t know what will happen or what would happen. All I can accept on what is there now.” He tells her.
 
“After lunch, what is there to do?” She asks.
 
“Nothing, really. My day is done.” He replies.
 
“Can we go to my hotel room? I mean, I have a few things there but they can stay there. But I would like some alone time with you.” She requests.
 
“I’ll go but as long as there is no hanky panky going on.” He says to her.
 
“No hanky panky. Maybe some playing doctor, and maybe some practicing making babies, but no hanky panky.” She jokingly tells him.
 
“Gadget – that’s the same thing!” He calls to her.
 
“I’m just pulling your leg. Look. Despite me going through my problems, I see you have been though a lot and you need your rest too. So how about we rest for a while before we go home.” She tells him.
 
“Shit, I just remember, I need to be home by 5o’clock. Ms Maria will be there with our meal. I have to be there to pick it up.” He points out.
 
“That gives up about 3 hours to rest.” She says to him, followed by “Please.”
 
“Make it two and a half and I’ll say yes.” He tells her.
 
Gadget smiles, “OK, two and a half hours it is.”
 
They finish up their meal and then head to Gadget’s hotel room in the Marriot hotel. Gadget goes about the room, checking on a few things before she goes to the bed and sits down on it.
 
“Take off that jacket and sit down with me.” She tells him.
 
“I’m wearing my gun holster.” He says to her.
 
“I know. You can take it off and put it on the table by the bed.” She tells him.
 
Fernando takes his jacket off and puts it on the table by the bed along with his gun in its holster. He then sits down next to her.
 
Gadget takes off her blouse and skirt, folding them neatly onto Fernando’s jacket. She then crawls behind him. She calls to him, “Fernando, take off your shirt and pants, and join me. Please.”
 
Fernando complies, taking off his shirt and pants which she folds up and put on top of her clothes on the table by the bed. He lies down on his back staring at the ceiling. Gadget turns to face him, and lies down on her side. She puts her higher leg over his and presses her body against his, putting an arm over his chest. For the next half hour, they remained like that in silence.
 
Gadget asks, “You want to, you know, fool around, canoodle, even practice making babies with me?”
 
“Gadget, I would love too. But I am so tired, it is not even funny. And it’s not a physical tired. It’s an emotional tiredness and a mental tiredness.” He explains.
 
“I can understand. You have been through a lot and need your rest. It’s OK with me.” She tells him.
 
“Don’t you want to practice making babies with me?” He asks to test her.
 
“I would love to. I mean, you gave me back my life, my body, you gave me everything I ever had back. In giving me back all I had I’m willing to share with you what you gave me. It’s only fair, I think.” She says to him.
 
“Let me say that a rescuer should never take a reward from those he had rescued. It’s disgusting if they do. I seen this so many times when I was a teen life guard and the other life guards who rescued a girl or their child I see take sex and dates from the girls as a reward. It’s rather ugly seeing that. And I in doing what I had to do for you is a rescue, I do not expect you to give me a reward for doing my job.” He tells her.
 
“What about a reward for being your girlfriend?” She asks.
 
“For now let’s not push it. Finding out Chip gave Tammy Angel Dust is heavy on my mind. I wanted to break his arm and rip out the bloody stump from his body but I had to be above that and  not do anything to him.” Fernando says with a sigh. “Though I gave Tammy a bio-pill for something that happened here, I need to give her some more to deal with the Angel Dust in the level I gave you to clean out your system. But how she is taking things with me, she is not going to fall for it. She would rather die than have me help her.”
 
“I can talk to her if you like. I mean, Chip poisoned me to make me do things, as he did to her. Showing her the recording you have of him admitting poisoning her should make her see the light.” Gadget says to him.
 
“If you talk with her, talk with Aiesha and Jeanette first, show them the recording before going to Tammy. I think she would rather take the pill from either of them than from me or you.” Fernando says. He then looks at her, like a starving man looking at a bowl of food behind a restaurant window. He then tells her, “I think we better get dressed and go home because you are beginning to look yummy to me.”
 
Gadget looks at him and smiles, “You’ve been looking yummy to me since this mission started.”
 
Fernando sighs, “Look, Gadget. I do not want to get your hopes high or think that something will happen between when it may not. But I like you a lot, maybe even love you, but I cannot let a mission crush happen between us for one. I have to deal with Tammy no matter how it ends, because it is not her and I, Francesca is who I do not want to get hurt. And I will do anything for Francesca except die for her because I would kill for her instead. Tammy under the influence of Angel Dust is a dangerous thing. The problem is, Angel Dust ends up in the fat and she could relapse when that fat breaks down in the body at anytime. And if that happens, she may need to be put down. Angel Dust is a dangerous drug. For you, be glad that you are separating from Chip, for is he has taken Angel Dust like he said, then that makes him a dangerous person. If he has given it to you, the bio-pill at the strength I give you should have expelled it from your system. But there is no help for either of them until I can give them the bio-pill, them as in Tammy, not Chip. Chip can go to #$@!ing hell.”
 
“SHHHHHhhhhhhh... I do not want to hear such talk.” Gadget tells him, putting her index finger on his lips. She slowly climbs onto him and straddles him as she continues, “Things will work out, one way or another, it will work out. It is just a matter of doing what you think is right to help her and your baby. I know you will do what is right for them just like you did right for me. For that I love you and am willing to give you of my most intimate self to you. For that I want to be your friend and even more – friends with benefits I often hear. But I need you not to doubt yourself in what you need to do because you got to do it. So I have to tell you right now, I’m sorry for being a bit selfish. I want you, I need you. But others need you too. I’ll be there for you when you need to be there for others.”  
 
“Thank you.” He says, adding. Let’s get dressed. We need to go home for I got a lot of things to do.”
 
Gadget lowers herself on him before planting her lips against his for the moment. She then jokes, “Hey – is that a banana in your underwear or you happy to see me?”
 
“Wait a minute! If I’m hard, it’s unintentional;” He says.
 
“Just relax, Fernando. I know you’re not hard. I’m just joking with you.” She says to him. Then she thinks about it, “Yeah, we better get dressed and get out of here. You’re beginning to look yummy to me too.”  
 
Fernando sighs as she tries get up off him but he holds her in place “I know you I asked you many times before and I must ask it again, “How are you feeling?”
 
“I’m feeling fine, better than fine, better than in many years. Why do you keep asking?” She says and asks.
 
“A computer chip and its many wires has been ripped out of your brain. Any numbness, headache, confusion, could be a sign of something going bad in your head from removing that chip.” He explains.
 
“If I get anything from a slight headache, I’ll let you know.” She tells him.
 
“Good.” He says mostly to himself.
 
They look at each other in silence before Gadget breaks the silence, “Fernando?”
 
“Yes” He replies.
 
“I hope you resolve the issues with Tammy and she become a loving wife to you again.” She tells him.
 
“Thanks.” He tells her.
 
“And if it does not work out, I’ll be there for you. Anytime anywhere, you let me know.” She adds.
 
“Let’s go home.” He says.
 
“And if I do not want too?” She asks.
 
“Then you might find out that is not a banana in my briefs and that I am happy to see you and we end up practicing making babies.”  He tells her.
 
“Oh... You’re right, we can’t let that happen. Not now at least.” She replies.
 
“Good. Now let’s get dressed and out of here.” He says to her.
 
She gives him one quick pick on the lips before getting off him. Sitting on the edge of the bed, she hands him his clothing before she starts to put on hers. They get fully dressed in a couple of minutes. Once dressed, they walk into the hallway, wait for the elevator and head out of the hotel once they reach the main lobby of the hotel. It is just a short walk to the garage where the Mustang is at. Though it is only 3:45PM, Fernando turns on the ignition and using his cane teleports them to the parking spot at the rental place.
 
They get out of the car and using Gadget’s room they enter the house. Fernando takes off his shoes and goes to his couch to rest on. Gadget sits by his feet and turns on the TV, turning on to some anime cartoon with large Battle Robots and saying how easy it would be to build them. Fernando naps lightly.  
 
As he naps, Gadget does downstairs for a TV Snack and finds the dishes piled high in the sink. Not knowing who made this mess, she wipes down he plates and pans and puts them in the dishwasher. She adds soap to the machine before turning it on. She washes her hands before making a TV snack with the chips and dips on a plate she finds in the kitchen and takes it upstairs. Another hour passes and Fernando’s smartphone rings. He wakes up and answers it.
 
“Hello?” He answers.
 
“This is Maria of Maria’s B&B. Is this Fernando?” The voice on the other end asks.
 
“I am Fernando.” He answers.
 
“Good. I’ll be there in 5 minutes with tonight’s dinner.” Maria says.
 
“I’ll be ready to accept you and your boys in.” Fernando says as he sits up.
 
“See you then.” Maria tells him.
 
“See you.” Fernando replies. He then turns to Gadget “The landlady will be coming soon with tonight’s meal. I have to go see her.”
 
“OK.” Gadget replies.
 
Fernando goes downstairs to open Shadow and Toro’s room for Maria to enter and leave as needed. He then goes to kitchen and pulls out her pots, pans and plates she brought over to the last meal for her to pick up, putting them on the dining table.
 
In a couple of minutes Fernando meets Maria and her entourage outside in the house’s parking area.
 
“Hello Maria! What have you brought for us today?” Fernando says and asks.
 
“Today I brought some Yakimeshi (Japanese Fried Rice) with Gyūdon (Beef & Onion) and Vegetable Tempura (fried battered vegetables on a skewer)” Maria explains as she and her boys follow Fernando into the house.
 
“Sounds delicious. I thank you for this meal you have brought us.” Fernando tells her as her boys puts the pots and pans on the stove. He further explains and points out, “I washed your pots, pans and plates you brought in yesterday.”
 
“Thank you! You do not how many college kids do not take the responsibility to do such things.” Maria explains.
 
“I will take care of the things you bring for us here.” Fernando tells her.
 
“I’m glad to hear that.” Maria tells him. She adds as her sons take the pots, pans and plates, “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
 
“Tomorrow it is.” Fernando begins, he adds, “The following day we will be at the palace and the Emperor’s dinner party, so we won’t need a meal then.”
 
“Thank you for letting me know. I’ll be here tomorrow.” Maria says before she leaves after her boys.
 
Fernando follows her to the parking area of the house and watches her drive away. He then goes back into the house and locks the doors. He goes to the kitchen and inspects the food. It looks as good as it smells. He sends a mass text to the others outside of that the Landlady Maria brought in today: Yakimeshi with Gyūdon and Vegetable Tempura.
 
Gadget comes downstairs.
 
“What the Landlady brought in today?” She asks.
 
“Yakimeshi with Gyūdon and Vegetable Tempura.” Fernando replies, adding, “I can go order something for you to add to the meal since everyone will be eating from it.”
 
“I’ll think about it.” Gadget says.
 
“Well, there are some leftovers from last night.” Fernando says.
 
“OK, I’ll still think about it.” Gadget says before she leaves for upstairs.
 
Fernando remains downstairs for the moment and gets the rice cooker to cook some white rice to add to the food. Before he goes upstairs, the dishwasher rings. He turns to the machine and opens it, finding freshly washed pots, pans and plates in it. It takes him a few minutes to put them away. He goes upstairs and back to his couch. Fernando rested and Gadget watched TV as they waited for the others to go home.

Shingo bowed and then shook Hondo's hand, "Hondo-sama, Welcome! We are honored to have you and your waifu with us."
 
 
Hondo shook his hand and nodded, "Howdy, sir! Thanks. We are honored to be here. This is my associate, Monterey Jack."  
 
 
Shingo nodded to Monty, "Monterey-san, you are most welcome too. Anyone Hondo-sama trusts is welcome to the Tanaka Ranch."
 
 
Monty nodded back, "Roight kind o' ya, mate. Thank ya."
 
 
Shingo nodded and turned to Hondo, "I have seen you and your waifu in action. Is it that bad that you have extra security?"
 
 
"It's complicated. He's trainin' to work with our group an' we've been targeted a couple times since arrivin' in your country. I'm often busy an' his help is appreciated in keepin' my wife safe." Hondo replied
 
 
"Does any of this have to do with the Emperor inviting your group here?" He asked
 
 
"That's private business that I'm not at liberty to discuss. I hope you understand." Hondo replied
 
 
"I understand. Would you like to see our facilities now?" He asked.
 
 
"That would be great." Hondo replied.
 
 
"Then follow me. We hope you would honor us by having a noon meal with us." Shingo said
 
 
"We'd be proud to have to have dinner with you folks." Hondo replied
 
 
Shingo bowed slightly then motioned for them to follow him. The ranch was immaculate and quiet, almost too quiet. Hondo knew English was Shingo's second language, but he seemed to use the past tense when it came to talking about the ranch and ranch life, as if it was something that was gone. Their talk was light, and about the ranch, but when Hondo made suggestions, like originally asked, Shingo seemed to get distant. He did not know the man well, but knew the look of a man who had troubles.
 
 
--to be continued--

By the time they had toured most of the main facilities it was almost noon, and Shingo's son Isamu met up with them. They spoke to each other in Japanese quick like then the boy took off again. Shingo turned to Hondo, Valentine, and Monty.
 
 
"My son said that the noon meal is almost ready. We can finish our tour after we eat, if that is alright with you, Hondo-sama." Shingo said.
 
 
Hondo nodded,"That's fine with me. It's quite an impressive operation you have here. I do have some questions, though."
 
 
Shingo nodded, seeming a bit sad,"I was sure you would have questions, but please, after we eat I will answer all questions."
 
 
Hondo nodded, "That works for me."
 
 
"Then if you would follow me, please?" He asked
 
 
"I need a moment with my associate, here, if that's alright." Hondo said.
 
 
"Do you wish me to escort your waifu to the house? I'm sure my Aina would love to talk to her." Shingo said.
 
 
Hondo looked over at Valentine, who nodded at him. He turned back to Shingo and nodded.
 
 
"That would be fine. We will only be a moment. Thank you." Hondo replied
 
 
Shingo nodded and motioned for Valentine to follow him. Hondo stood to where he could see them almost all the way to the house. Right after they left Monty spoke up.
 
 
"What's on yur mind, skippah?" He asked
 
 
Hondo held up a finger and waited until Shingo and Valentine were far enough away.
 
 
"Notice anythin' odd here?" Hondo asked
 
 
Monty scratched his head, "Eh, seems a might quiet."
 
 
"Exactly. Have you seen an employee all day?" Hondo asked
 
 
Monty paused and thought, "....Ya know, I don't reckon I 'ave!"  
 
 
"Somethin's wrong. I want you to stay with Val until I figure out what's up." Hondo said
 
 
Monty nodded, "Aye skippah."
 
 
Monty started to leave but Hondo spoke up again.
 
 
"One more thing, Jack." Hondo said.
 
 
"What's thet?" He asked
 
 
"We are havin' dinner with these folks an' you'll not embarrass us, understand?" Hondo said gruffly.
 
 
"Cross me 'eart, skippah!" Monty said, making a cross over his chest with his finger.
 
 
"I mean it, Jack! You take no more than I take for food, you use some damned manners when ya eat, yeah eat all that's given to ya whether ya like it or not, an' unless they ask a question you stay quiet. When answerin' questions you keep the answers short an' simple an' answer no questions 'bout what we are doin' in Japan or what's happened so far. If asked, you were a member of a rescue group in the US tat disbanded an' then came to work for us. That's it! Got it?!" He growled
 
 
"Aye, aye, Skippah! I understand." Monty said, as he stood at attention as well as his rotund frame allowed.
 
 
Hondo nodded, "You'd better understand. #$@! up an' you're walkin' back to the house where Jefe will decide your punishment!"
 
 
 
Monty swallowed hard and just nodded. Hondo stared at him a moment longer before turning and heading for the house. Monty paused a moment, not knowing to follow or not but decided to follow as he wasn't told to stay.
 
 
As they approached the house they saw Shingo waiting outside for them.
 
 
Shingo bowed as they approached, "I welcome you into my home. The meal will be ready in just a couple ...."
 
 
He was cut short by the sound of an older Lincoln Limo pulling into the drive. Shingo frowned and swore in Japanese.
 
 
The car pulled to a stop not far from them and the engine shut off. The driver got out and opened the rear door, allowing the occupants to get out. A burly looking man in a brown suit and hat got out first and looked around . Following him was an older gentleman in dress remenicent of the Mexican Dons. The man smiled slightly, but is eyes showed he was not there for socializing.
 
 
 
Shingo spoke to Hondo in a low voice, "I apologize, but this should only take a moment."
 
 
Hondo nodded and took a step back. Shingo called out to the man in Japanese but the man, who Hondo knew, shook his head.
 
 
"Tanaka-san, let us speak in English. I'd like my friend here to be involved." Yuudai said
 
 
Shingo sighed, "I do not wish to bring Hondo-sama into my problems, Samurai cowboy."
 
 
"I wish for him to be a witness to our conversation." Yuudai said.
 
 
Shingo nodded, "As you wish. Hondo-sama would you join us in the garden?"
 
 
Hondo nodded and followed them around the other side of the ranch house to a patio in the middle of a well kept garden full or flowers, fruit trees, and fish ponds. Yuudai's body guard followed a ways off, watching them and their surroundings. Shingo lead them to some stone benches and motioned for them to sit down.
 
 
"I did not expect them to send you, Samurai Cowboy." Shingo said coldly
 
 
"No one sent me, Tanaka. I came on my own." He said
 
 
"It is wrong, this happening!" Shingo said angrily
 
 
"There is nothing I can do to stop it." Yuudai replied
 
 
"I'm sorry, but What's goin' on? I'm lost." Hondo said
 
 
Yuudai looked at Hondo then at Shingo, "Have you told him anything?"
 
 
Shingo shook his head, "He's already done more for my family than I can payback. I did not wish to burden him further with the problems of the Tanaka's."
 
 
Yuudai frowned, "As a witness to this conversation and my friend, I wish him to know."
 
 
"That is on you then." Shingo replied
 
 
Yuudai nodded, "That is fine. Hondo-san, there are corporate entities who wish to own the Tanaka Ranch, and they will use any means to acquire what they want."
 
 
"I noticed a complete lack of ranch hands today, but I take it that's not the whole issue." Hondo said
 
 
Shingo sighed, "My hands were threatened with death if they stayed. They tried to be loyal but when the syndicate got involved, I could not ask them to stay."
 
 
"Syndicate?" Hondo asked
 
 
"The Yakuza." Yuudai replied.
 
 
"Which is why you can't help?" Hondo asked.
 
 
"It ... it is more complicated than that, but yes. The bank that holds the mortgage for the ranch is owned in part by the corporation. I have interests in both, but not large enough to force control. There was a clause in the mortgage where the bank can demand the full price of the loan at anytime if the stability of the payers income comes into question. With the ranch hands leaving the bank is calling for the full payment by the end of the week. I tried to stop it, but this deal is too deep. I cannot stop it and if I loaned Tanaka the money many of my other business ventures, which benefit a lot of people would fall apart and my staff endangered.I am a powerful man in Japan, but some things are bigger than myself or even the Emperor." Yuudai explained
 
 
"What 'bout Clint an' the other young guns?" Hondo asked
 
 
"What about them, Hondo-sama?" Shingo asked
 
 
"They owe me for sparin' their lives an' They owe it to themselves to rebuild their honor. They are handy wit weapons an' I've found there's nothin' like good ol'fashioned hard work to build a man properly. I reckon if I called them they would work for ya an' protect the place." Hondo said
 
 
"It would take more security than them. It would take a miracle, but thank you for the idea." Shingo said
 
 
"Maybe I could find how many willin' hands they can round up before ya decide." Hondo replied
 
 
"It is not that simple, Hondo-san. I have means of getting security for Tanaka, but that would not stop it. Even with help, the payment demand has been enacted. The only way to stop it is to pay off the loan, and I cannot." Yuudai said somberly.
 
 
"I appreciate the thought, Samurai Cowboy-Sensei, and I understand. We are honored that you thought of us and stopped by to tell us." Shingo said, standing and bowing at Yuudai.
 
 
"Wait... so how big is this loan, if ya don't mind me askin'?" Hondo asked
 
 
"Approximately half a million US dollars." Yuudai said.
 
 
"We would need another one hundred thousand on top of it too. I will have a shipment of meat ready for sale to pay most of it back in three weeks, but most of my working money I gave to my hands for a severance before they left. They do not deserve to suffer for my failures." Shingo said
 
 
"Yuudai... you're a business man. How good would an investment of six hundred thousand into a business like that be here. I am afraid I'm fairly ignorant on the kobe/wagu beef market here." Hondo asked
 
 
"If it was not for the corporation and the syndicate, I would love such an opportunity." Yuudai said
 
 
"We would not have such a mortgage, but we took it to expand our business and market. Our hope was to extend into the United States some day, but that sadly will not happen now." Shingo replied sadly.
 
 
"What if it could? What if a U.S. entity bought into the ranch? Yuudai, would that be enough to stall the corporation's attempts?" Hondo asked
 
 
"Off the record, my friend, it would be dangerous for the man who agreed to this but yes. There are many dubious business deals done by these groups here and in your country, but they would not risk openly trying to take it if half owned by an American businessman or American corporate entity. They would try to buy the new owner out. If this person or company stood strong, thy would try to take the person in charge out and hope to force anyone who inherits the ownership to sell. It's complicated but I would be willing to advise such an individual or corporation if you know of one." Yuudai said
 
 
Hondo nodded, "Yeah. I'm the one."
 
 
"You Hondo-sama? I could not ask you to do such a ting. You have risked yourself for my family more than I can repay already." Shingo said
 
 
"You are not askin'. I'm offerin'." Hondo replied
 
 
"It could be dangerous, Hondo Sackett. These entities rarely back down. They have no honor and hunger for power." Yuudai warned.
 
 
"I understand. Are you willing to advise me on this as offered?" Hondo asked
 
 
"For you that offer goes double, my friend! for you I would be willing to try to use my pull to get the syndicate to back off. This group is a different family than the one you have had issues with. I believe I can convince them to leave you alone." Yuudai replied
 
 
"If you are for lettin' me buy 50% of the ranch for $700,000 I am willing to help. It's all I can reasonably part with. My rescue group gets paid only with what those who ask us can afford usually. Sometimes the rewards are good but we don't require payment for saving lives.  I hope you understand." Hondo said
 
 
"I understand well, Hondo-sama. IF you are willing to take on the danger and pay off the laon I am in agreement." Shingo said
 
 
Hondo nodded, "I expect to have my input listened to as business partners but I'll leave the running of the business to you. This is still your ranch. Unless I'm needed, I expect this to run more like a silent partnership. If things go well and we move some operations to the US that will be more under my name for business purposes but you will still be an equal partner there." Hondo said
 
 
"So Tanaka ranch work Japan is mine to control and Sackett ranch work American is yours to control but we communicate intentions on large work." Shingo said.
 
 
Hondo nodded, "Yeh. An' this is your home an' yours alone, an' my place is mine. It's the business I'm buyin' into, not your home."  
 
 
Shingo bowed, "That is most agreeable."
 
 
Hondo nodded, "Sounds good. Can your people draw sometin' up to that effect, Yuudai?"
 
 
"But of course! When and where should we meet to go over the papers?" He asked
 
 
"I'd like to go over this with my wife an' inform my partner first. Tomorrow after lunch work? At the bar where we all first met?"Hondo asked
 
 
"That should work perfectly. I'll bring my secretary along to make any changes that we need. We can decide on a signing date after that. I can have temporary papers drawn up as well to cover the loan until everything else is agreed upon." Yuudai said.
 
 
Shingo nodded and smiled, "I did not believe a miracle like this was possible. The ancestors are smiling on us today."
 
Hondo nodded and pulled a business card from his wallet and handed it to Yuudai.
 
 
"This is my accountant's card, Ben Peterson. He's out of Sydney Montana. He takes care of my business an' accounts for me when gone. I'll send him a message to expect to hear from your people." Hondo said.
 
 
Yuudai nodded, "That will work my friend. I have taken up enough of your time and have much to do. Do you need anything else from me?"
 
 
"I'll sent Clint an' his young guns a message, but if you could hook us up with some extra security that would help too. I want Shingo an' his family well protected." Hondo said
 
 
Yuudai nodded, "Consider it done. I bid you all a very good day."
 
 
He bowed slightly and then strode back to his car. In less than a minute the Lincoln roared back out onto the gravel access road.
 
 
Shingo stayed silent for a couple minutes before speaking. He cleared is throat and bowed deeply to Hondo.
 
 
"Hondo-sama, I have no words to properly give you my thanks. You have not only saved my family but my family's legacy." Shingo said humbly.
 
 
"I'm happy to help. Stickin' it to some corporate fat-cats is gravy. Though know, if somethin' ever happens to me my ownership transfers to my wife an' my partner. I can't promise we will succeed, but I'll stand against them as long as I can. Understand, my first loyalty is to my wife an' my team. Their safety is first for me. I'll risk myself to help you, but not them." Hondo said
 
 
Shingo nodded, "It is understood. If The Samurai Cowboy can truly get the Yakuza to withdraw, the corporate entity will be without legal recourse and sort on hit-men. Not saying they won't try something, but there is little they can do."
 
 
Hondo nodded, "Hopefully they will just move on an' leave us all alone."
 
 
Shingo nodded and smiled, "Before today I would have not held such hope, but the smiles of the ancestors are bright and I dare hope for that and more now! Now come! The food has long been ready."
 
---- to be continued---

Shingo nodded, "It is indeed, but it been updated. My grandfather manage to get it after war. How? He said it was secret. He and father updated it with hydraulics, rebuilt the fuselage and canopy so it accept passenger, and built up engine, and my father and I install an injection system to replace old float carburetor, further modified engine, and modified rudder for handling. It's faster than ever and at least twice as maneuverable, that is what my father say."  
 
 
 
"You a pilot then?" Monty asked
 
 
"No, my father, grandfather both pilots. I am not. I hire cousin who is flight mechanic and pilot to keep plane and fly it for me. I not flown since before my father go to be with ancestors." Shingo said.  
 
 
 
Valentine was the first to approach it. She ran her hands lovingly over the machines seams and curves. She smiled a genuine smile absentmindedly as she looked it over. Hondo enjoyed watching her as she looked it over. She had a gleam in her eye such as a little girl might have when she got her first pony.
 
 
"You can fly it. I just had plane serviced last week. I thought I was going have to sell. Now it yours." Shingo said
 
 
Valentine turned to Hondo, "Can we go up?"  
 
 
Hondo shook his head, "It's gettin' late an' we need a Japanese pilots license an' radio license unless flyin' with a local pilot."
 
 
Valentine frowned, "You think Fernando could pull some strings?"
 
 
"Even if he could I'd not ask him to. That's not somethin' ya ask someone." Hondo said.
 
 
Valentine frowned and nodded, "No, I guess you're right."
 
 
"I have radio license. I got from my cousin. He does training and licensing. I can get him meet us out here and get it done. Does not take more than day if you are already licensed and skilled." Shingo said.  
 
 
Valentine looked at Hondo with pleading eyes. He was usually immune to those looks, but after what she'd been through he knew this was an improvement.
 
 
He sighed and shook his head, "Soft... I'm goin' soft... Alright, if your cousin can come out we'll do it."
 
 
He looked back at Valentine and shook his head with a grin, "I'm not sure my wife would forgive me if I didn't allow it."  
 
 
Shingo laughed, "I am married man too. I understand well."
 
 
Valentine stood staring longingly at the machine and Hondo shook his head again.
 
 
"Well, ya might as well have Jack pull it out an' start it up to make sure it's good for trainin'." Hondo said to his wife.
 
 
She looked at him , smiled, kissed his cheek and drug Monty over to help her wheel it out. Both Hondo and Shingo chuckled at her enthusiasm.
 
 
"You wife is very passionate about airplane." Shingo said.
 
 
"Older machines in general are a passion of hers, though not the only things she can be passionate about." Hondo replied
 
 
"You are lucky man." Shingo said.
 
 
"That I am. You seemed to have done good for yourself too." he replied
 
 
"I have... I have... All I ever want was to raise family on ranch of my ancestors. I believe that lost until today." Shingo said
 
 
"I'm glad I can help, but had ya lost the place you'd of had your family. All this," Hondo motioned around him, "It's replaceable. Yeah, it's not the same place an' the memories ya had are only left in your head, but stuff is replaceable. People, family, loved ones, they are what matters. there's no fillin' the whole left when someone ya love is gone."
 
 
"Hondo-sama, you speak these words with passion of man who has lost much but continue moving forward." Shingo said.
 
 
Hondo looked down at the ground for a second before going back to watching Valentine at work checking over the plane.
 
 
"I've seen a bit, more than some I reckon. Lost a wife years back. I've been blessed though with the one I have now. There's nothin' I'd not do to protect her." Hondo said.
 
 
Shingo nodded, "I understand, and you right. I do not want to lose ranch, but if it was ranch or my family I would give up ranch. I hope I never have to make such decision. I almost have to, but you save me from having to make such decision when you save my son."
 
 
"I understand an' hopefully we can see to it that you never hafta make that decision." Hondo replied.
 
 
Shingo was about to say something but the near deafening roar of the old war bird cut their conversation off. Hondo could just see his wife in the cockpit behind the controls. He swore if she smiled any wider her face would split open. She ran it for a bit, checking the controls and and engine response and then shut it down.
 
 
"It's beautiful!" she exclaimed
 
 
Hondo chuckled at her enthusiasm. He had half worried it was gone after all that had happened. She climbed back down and helped Monty put it back into the hanger. Once it was done she trotted over to Hondo and Shingo.
 
 
"I can't wait to fly it! Can we do the testing tomorrow?" She asked excitedly.
 
 
"Darlin', we can't ask Shingo's cousin to drop everythin' for us. The plane is recreation, not rescue business." Hondo said
 
 
Valentine frowned and nodded, "You're right. I'm sorry. Lost my head there for a bit."
 
 
Shingo chuckled, "No apology needed! It good to see such excitement over old plane. I had such excitement as boy and seen it in my son. It nice to see as adult that excitement still possible. I will see how soon cousin can come."
 
 
"We appreciate the trouble you're goin' to for us. The day after tomorrow might be busy as will be the next few, but let me know when your cousin is available, I'll talk with my partner, an' we'll schedule a time. I apologize in advance if we have to cancel. With out business, we often get called up to work at a moments notice." Hondo explained
 
 
"It no trouble! Happy to set it up. If you must cancel I understand. Seeing what you and you waifu can do, I know not to question what you do. You are good people. You show us that already." Shingo said
 
 
Hondo nodded, "That understandin' is appreciated too. Now, I think we should be gettin' back soon."
 
 
"You take truck tonight? It licensed under Tanaka Ranch." He said
 
 
"For now we'd better not. I brought two vehicles as is. I'd like to keep it here an' unknown just in case. But I thank you for it. It's a beautiful vehicle." Hondo replied
 
 
"As you wish, and you very welcome." Shingo said with a slight bow.
 
 
As they headed back to the side-by-side Hondo's phone buzzed. He picked it up and looked at the message.
 
 
"Perfect timin'. Clint of the young guns will meet us at the main drive." Hondo said
 
 
"You think he work on ranch? He get friends to work?" Shingo asked
 
 
"I can't guarantee it, but I'd bet on it." Hondo replied
 
 
They all got back into the side-by-side and headed to the ranch house. When they pulled up, Clint and three of his friends were waiting in the drive. Hondo got out of his seat slowly and approached them, the others hung back a bit and came up behind him slowly. The four stood spread out a bit. They looked like trouble but Hondo was fairly sure they were just maintaining their image as best they could after he had damaged it so. He stopped a few paces from them and looked them over without saying a word. After several seemingly tense seconds of them staring back and forth, Hondo cleared his throat.  
 
 
"Hmm... Well?" He asked
 
 
Clint and the other three looked at him for a moment then all four bowed deeply.
 
 
"Sensei, we have come to earn our honor back and learn from your ways." Clint said
 
 
"Good. Now, understand its hard work, dirty work. It's long hours in the sun, the wind, an' the rain, but hard work builds a man, it builds honor. I won't be here to watch you so I'm puttin' trust in your hands. I'm holdin' you responsible for the others too. They look to you as a leader, so I'll not take that away. That just means they mess up, an' your punishment is double. I'm not only askin' for you to learn from Shingo Tanaka, and see him as your sensei for this job, but to protect him and his family first of all, and the ranch second. I've bough into the business so I'm half owner now. You are workin' for me an' the Tanakas equally. You will respect him an' obey his orders, as long as it doesn't go against protectin' him an' his family first an' the ranch second. You have any trouble you call me first an' follow those two orders. do not go after any threats on your own. You understand?" Hondo asked gruffly.
 
 
Clint nodded, "We understand, Sensei."
 
 
"You agree to this? You will be paid fair, given rotatin' days off, expected to work extra durin' calvin' and sale seasons, be given a place to sleep, two meals a day, an' the tools ya need to do your job, except guns. You each hafta have your own pistol an' rifle. The wheel guns are good but I'm requirin' a semi-auto as well. Shotguns are handy but not required. I'll buy the ammo for ya to practice with them an' to carry to protect the place. One of ya get foolish with those guns or shoot someone wrongly, an' I'll ask no questions. The last thing you'll hear though is the click of my guns hammer." He said with a bit of a growl.  
 
 
Clint and the other bowed deeply again, "We understand and agree, Sensei. We are yours."
 
 
Hondo nodded, "That's what I like to hear. Now, is this everyone or can ya get more?"
 
 
"There are four more that will come. They were not with us but I talk to them already." Clint said
 
 
"Anyone that can cook?" Hondo asked.
 
 
"My sister is good cook and needs job." Clint said.
 
 
"Alright. If you feel she can do the job hire her. See if you can find two others to help her and clean. You will be responsible for your own messes in the bunkhouse, but between feedin' ya, the ranch house, an' the lodge we'll need a couple ladies to help." Hondo said.
 
 
"I know of the right girls to help." Clint said
 
 
"There won't be any foolin' round with these ladies on the ranch. Off the ranch who ya associate with is on you. Here you will treat them like ladies an' keep your peckers in your pants. I find out there is foolin' round here an' I'll come to you first, Clint, then beat the shit out of the son of a bitch who disobeyed  me an' fire both people involved. If I find out any of the guys mistreats the ladies, they'll lose that damn pecker." Hondo said sternly.
 
 
Clint nodded, "We understand, Sensei. We wish to regain our honor and be like you, be like Samurai cowboy, be like cowboy and Samurai of old. We see our people lose their honor. We see that our way was not right. We go your way, now. We will be better and make our people honorable again."
 
 
Hondo nodded, "See that you do. You do an' you will earn my true trust an' respect. Fail me, an' I'll not give you another chance. This is real life. This is serious. Nothing may happen, but you will be ready and if the time comes you will will define yourselves as men or cowards."
 
 
"We will not fail you, Sensei." Clint replied emphatically.
 
 
 
Hondo nodded, "See that ya don't. Now I expect ya here tomorrow mornin' 6 am an' ready for work. Mr. Tanaka an' I have business after lunch, so he needs the time to show ya what needs done. Don't be late."
 
 
"We will be here then. Osewa ni narimasu, thank you and good bye." Clint said with a bow.  
 
 
The young guns mounted their motorcycles and road away. Shingo sighed and came up to Hondo.
 
 
"You think they be true to their word?" Shingo asked
 
 
"I think so. We all get on the wrong path at times an' are blind to it. They may really see what's happenin' in society an' want to be different. I think they just need some guidance an' a firm hand." Hondo replied
 
 
"I hope so. I'm used to ranch workers. They are often a wild people, but they are different." Shingo said
 
 
"They are the future. Different could be what the future needs." Hondo replied.
 
 
Shingo nodded, "This is true.... Hiring clean and cook help was unexpected."
 
 
"You an' your wife have a son to raise. You'll both be busy enough raisin' him a' with what's left to take on all that too." Hondo replied.
 
 
"It is appreciated. My waifu and I  spent many nights washing dishes so that our workers could eat morning meal. Aina does not complain, but I wish she no have to work so hard." Shingo said
 
 
"Well, now hopefully you both can work a little less hard an' work on raisin' a good man. The future needs all it can get. Now, we'd better hit the road." Hondo said
 
 
About then, Aina came out with a cooler and handed it to her husband. Shingo took it and handed it to Hondo.
 
 
"What's this?" Hondo asked
 
 
"Call it benefits of owning half the ranch. Ground beef, two roasts, 20 large strip steaks, and  filets, all choice wagyu from the ranch." Shingo said
 
 
Shingo bowed and then held out his hand to Hondo. Hondo shook it and nodded.
 
 
"Thank you, Hondo-sama, for everything." Shingo said
 
 
Hondo nodded, "No worries. We'll be seein' ya."
 
 
Shingo shook Monty's hand and said good bye to Valentine, and they headed back to their vehicles. Valentine stopped Hondo before he got on the bike.
 
 
"Could... Could I take the cycle?" She asked
 
 
"You sure you're up to it, darlin'?" he asked
 
 
She nodded, "Yeah... I think.. I think the sounds of the cycle on the road might help me clear my head."  
 
 
He smiled, kissed her forehead, and handed her the helmet, before heading to the car. She smiled, swung onto the bike, pulled on the helmet and started the engine. A couple minutes later the bike roared out onto the blacktop with the red mustang following close behind. The bike rumbled along the road as he headed south-east to the apartment house. The mustang kept pace easily enough, though if she wished she was sure she could out run it. Hondo was a good driver, though, and though it would be interesting to mess with him a bit, she decided it might worry him too much. It would take them an hour to get back to the house, but they were not in a hurry. Valentine used the time, and the drone of the engine to order her thoughts. Her thoughts were finally coming into order, and they were much less chaotic than they had been in days. Hondo had been so understanding with her, and seeing that she had not really had it that bad compared to some helped. The day in the country and the roar of that plane engine aided greatly too in letting her remember how she felt with Hondo before this all happened. She sighed and let the rush of the wind and the whine of the pavement as her tires traversed the road push it all from her mind. It was all nothing new, nothing he could change, and nothing that helped the team or her marriage. Right now the three people she wanted to help and needed to help were her husband, her new friend Gadget and their friend Fernando, of whom she had wrongly questioned his friendship. Helping any of the others in the group was helping one of them, or it didn't need to be done. For the evening, though, she hoped to have a quiet meal with some friends and maybe, just maybe make love to her husband again. But even all that did not matter at the moment, for all that mattered at the moment now was a woman, a machine, and a road.
 
 
 
 
They stopped at the market on the way back to grab some potatoes for home fries, beans, and asparagus to go with some of the burgers for supper. At about 6:00 they pulled into the driveway.  
 
 
 

Rollback several hours: 9AM.
 
The girls roll out in their cars onto the Japanese highway to get to Tokyo on their various trips. Sure Japan has its culture and its history one can go out and chase. And the food varied from place to place as each restaurant catered to different tourist tastes.
 
Shopping within itself was a cultural experience, with various stores showing off the global fashions. European, Asian, South American and American clothing style from the many houses of fashion were found and looked over with a discerning eye. For Sabrina and Tabitha, such fashions were hit and miss with that is accepted in school. Sure, it might be a hit in Milan Italy for a dinner date, but it is not something they would wear to class.
 
But they are learning the lessons on when to be a lady and when to be a woman, and not be a drama ridden excuse of a female that many of their friends at school seem to be. The key to that lesson is opportunity and education, neither can be providing by a bunch of lip-flapping teens who think they are helping one another but are really trying to gain the upper hand for their own futures.
 
But they continue on with their discussions.
 
“Couldn’t dad, I mean Fernando adopt us here in Japan?” Tabitha asks.
 
“You two are American Citizens and as American Citizens, you can only be adopted in America.” Rachel explains.
 
“Father has his contacts to make the adoption possible. He just need time and space to get it done.” Michelle adds.
 
“I hope so. And soon.” Tabitha says in a sad tone.
 
“What’s going on, little one?” Rachel asks.
 
“Just wondering when we can call off you a family and live in a real home and not across the street from one.” Tabitha explains.
 
“I’ll talk to father about that.” Michelle replies.
 
“Until then, you are part of this family, papers or not.” Rachel throws at them.
 
Tabitha slightly smiled at the reply. Sabrina smacks her on the back of her head.
 
“You like the dress or not?” Sabrina throws out at her.
 
Tabitha looks at the dress she was holding. It was too overly decorated with ruffles and things. It may have been a hit at the catwalks at Milan, it is not going to be a hit at the halls in school. Tabitha puts the dress back on the clothing rack.
 
“At least it is not one of those Lolita dresses, they look like a Mexican family would put their little girl into.” Sabrina complains.
 
“First of all, we’re not Mexican.” Michelle points out.
 
“Yeah, we’re Puerto Rican with Spaniard Ties to the Royal Family.” Rachel finishes.
 
“You two always do that?” Sabrina asks.
 
“Do what?” Michelle asks.
 
“Finish each other’s sentences.” Sabrina adds.
 
Rachel and Michelle look at each other for a send and then at Sabrina, together saying at her, “No.”
 
Sabrina shakes her head at the response.
 

---

At the police station (Akasaka Police Station, 4 Chome-18-19 Akasaka, Minato City, Tokyo), Jeanette, Aiesha, and Tammy with the baby Francesca are there getting what records they can of Misao’s accident.
 
The sergeant at the desk gives them a photo copy of the initial report and points to the bottom where it says, “Cause of accident: Deliberate or accidental engagement of the vehicle’s first gear during high engine rev, causing the vehicle to propel forward at high speed in a short distance before impacting the garage wall, breaking through the garage protective wall and falling 40 stories onto the street below. The Miata impacted nose first perpendicular to the street’s plane of travel. The vehicle’s airbag cushioned the driver’s impact with the vehicle’s internal structures.”
 
He says to them as Jeanette takes the report, “It was either an accident or she tried to commit suicide. We will talk to her once the doctors tells us when we can. Either way, we were told by the US Consulate what team and mission affiliated members with her are disbanded and must report to them before being sent back to the USA by week’s end.”
 
“We have already spoken with the consulate and were picked up by another team for the interim before we go home.” Jeanette says to him though it is not totally true. She then asks, “Were you told to see her?”  
 
“When the doctors give us to green light to talk to her, we will talk to her.” The sergeant at the desk tells her.
 
“If you can, when you can, can you and your men talk to her, to give her this message:” Jeanette say to him as she writes on a small pad and tears out the page, handing the message to the sergeant. The message says, “Frankie says ‘RELAX!’”
 
“Then we can go, right?” Tammy asks impatiently.
 
“Yeah, we can go.” Jeanette says.
 

---

 
The girls spend their lunch time one of the several restaurant rows which features outdoor dining at TWO ROOMS Grill | Bar (Kitaaoyama, 3 Chome−11−7 AO-５https://tworooms.jp/en/ ). Rachel and Michelle try to up bring the younger girl’s palette to accept expensive tastes though that means trying foods for their tastes and not their ability to fill their belly. This is a mindset that one has to accept as high end not the low brow of burgers and fries, though even burgers and fries can be high end as well.
 
Their steak was a Waygu cut, small and lean, the potato was even smaller and leaner.
Dessert was rich and very sweet but all natural.


 
Though the younger girls could drink due to the lower age limit in Japan, the older girls limit them to the local non-alcoholic drinks. For some reason their colas were different in taste – more full bodied than in most places. True Japanese Cuisine would prefer fresh natural ingredients which brings a better fresher taste to the food and drinks of the meal.
 
The one thing the older women try to nail into the younger girls’ head is “You are part of this family, and nothing is going to take you away from us.”
 
They spend over an hour and a half at the place, leaving at 2:30PM after taking care of the bill.
 

---

At Union Square Tokyo (9 Chome−7−4 B1, Minato City, Akasaka), Aiesha, Jeanette and Tammy sit at a table with Francesca’s baby carriage next to the table. Everyone ordered the same thing: The Tankaku Wagyu burger and fries with a soda. The meal is smaller than average but tastier, almost reminiscent of “Finger Food” in the states.

 
Jeanette cannot wrap her head around the accident report, and whether or not it was an attempted suicide. Misao is not the type of person that would kill herself, and she is too careful not to have an accident, especially one like this. But with the various ‘accidents going with the group, a stray though comes to Jeanette’s head, “Did Chip have a hand in this?” But she wonders why, since it was Misao who was setting up the rewards and awards for him to gather upon mission’s end. Why would bite the hand that feeds it?
 
Much of the lunch was in silence. Francesca makes herself known and is quickly silenced with a bottle of fruit juice. Normally there might have been something to talk about but Tammy is not in a talkative mood, Aiesha has nothing to say, and no one wants to hear Jeanette’s theories as to what happened to Misao. But they managed to hang out at the place until 2PM before they go out to do some shopping for personal items, clothing and shoes.
 
Together the two group start heading home at around 5:30PM, getting home at around 6:15PM.