“Oh my word, you look like a gemstone! Absolutely gorgeous!” Oichi stood in a dressing room, wearing her bridal gown for the first time. A little old woman ran around her, touching and fiddling with the dress, trying to straighten out any wrinkles her spectacles could fall upon. She looked about in her 70’s, and she couldn’t be any taller than 5 feet. Her hair was bulled back in a bun, and her eyes, hidden behind her massive glasses, looked larger than life thanks to the thickness of the lenses. Her name was Erica Bleeb, a seamstress and dress designer whose son was apparently a lieutenant in the crime family. She had been hired to make Oichi’s gown…and she’d done a very fine job.

The dress was simple, but beautiful. Pure white, with a tight, chest and waist hugging top, and a tenting skirt that’s bottom diameter was almost 3 yards long. Her heeled slippers were hidden by the dress, but the clicking of the heels hitting the hardwood floors could be heard, announcing loudly every adjusting of her weight or step she took. Her hair had been pulled back behind her ears with small pins to ensure that her bangs were pulled back, but otherwise were left free…she’d wanted it this way. She liked her hair being free, despite not being that long. A veil was placed upon her head that fell in front of her face, prepared for her husband to remove to see her face; a cute custom that Oichi found very sweet…though she found no joy in picturing Hamen lifting her veil. Her hands had silky gloves that fidgeted nervously thanks to her anxious fingers. Her face was made up as well. Dark lipstick and eyeshadow, complemented by a small degree of blush. Any sense of masculinity and power was washed away for a stunningly lovely woman. How her mother would be so proud if she were alive to see her now…and how she’s cry over seeing her darling daughter marry such a swine like Hamen. On the table next to her rested a bouquet of flowers for her to carry down the isle.

“You’re very lucky, Miss Taiga.” The Mrs. Bleeb noted, continuing to fuss over her dress as if she could make it look more extravagant. “Boss Hamen is a very influential man, and his uncle was a made man in a mafia family!”

“Yes, so I’ve heard.” Oichi answered. “I’m sure success is in his blood.”

“Now, I know what you’ve heard about him…I know he doesn’t come off as a descent fellow, but there’s no question that marrying him will…er…have many benefits!” The hesitance in her voice made Oichi smirk. Even this little old woman knew that Oichi was walking into a very difficult marriage.

“…You don’t like him much, do you?” Oichi asked.

“Oh no, no, no! He’s a great boss! I’m very happy to be working for him and his organization!” Mrs. Bleeb cried, a slight sweat now on her brow. “I get so much work now, thanks to him! I get to make and tailor all different assortments of-”

“Mrs. Bleeb,” Oichi interrupted with a giggle, “please, I’m not going to tell Hamen anything. Be honest with me. Your work is beautiful. I love this dress…it’s far better than what he deserves for his wedding. You can be honest with me. You don’t like Hamen, right?” Mrs. Bleeb looked around nervously. She stepped away and peeked out the door, as if wondering if anyone was there, listening in. She even pat down the walls nearby, as if checking that an invisible man wasn’t there, watching. When she was sure there was no one listening in on their talk, she again spoke, but much more quietly.

“I’m a mother, Miss Taiga…it’s not my place to say but, as a mother…I wish my son had chosen a different course to his life.” She admitted. “I know you were raised in a crime family, I don’t mean any disrespect but…”

“This isn’t the life you wanted.”

“It’s not what he deserves. My son, Jordan he…he’s…he’s such a smart boy. He used to talk about being a teacher…and now he…”

“How did he get into the life?” Oichi asked.

“He started trying drugs because of his stupid friends…” Mrs. Bleeb hissed darkly, returning to her work of adjusting Oichi’s gloves, though her thoughts were not on the dress. “He was brought in as a distributer…and now he can’t get out.”

“Does he want out?”

“More than anything! He’s had to drop out of school! He’s always out late, and I worry about him every…..oh my god, I’m so sorry!” She squealed, quickly refocusing herself on her work on Oichi’s dress, brushing it over and running her hands along the silk, putting pens in places here and there, and removing others. “I shouldn’t have said all that! You’re about to get married! It’s your big day, and I’m just rambling like a…like a…I don’t even know. Oh I’m so sorry, ma’am.”

“Please, don’t apologize. I’m glad you told me.” Oichi smiled. “Feel any better?”

“It is nice, I guess, to vent.” Mrs. Bleeb admitted, stepping back. “But enough of my issues. Just LOOK at you, Miss Taiga! Just beautiful. You have such an exotic beauty.” Oichi smiled and turned to face Mrs. Bleeb, giving her a small bow.

“I take after my mother.” Oichi replied, thinking back about her mom, and hiding a shadow of a frown that dared to creep upon her face at the memory. “Mrs. Bleeb do you have a means to leave the town for a few days?”

“Yes…why?” She asked.

“Tonight, after the ceremony, take your son and leave town for a few days.”

“Oh…oh Miss Taiga I couldn’t do that! I…I don’t want to upset Hamen.”

“I’ll talk to Hamen for you. Just do as I ask, please…and don’t return for at least two weeks.” Mrs. Bleeb started to argue, but stopped as she saw the sincere gaze in Oichi’s eyes. The warning in her expression. Mrs. Bleeb simply nodded and finished up.

“There, all done miss. You’re going to look gorgeous.” Mrs. Bleeb finally confirmed.

“Thank you. It’s going to be a lovely ceremony, I’m sure.”

“If you don’t mind me asking,” Mrs. Bleeb spoke up, “how on earth are you going to keep that wild Hamen in line?” Oichi smiled back and chuckled to herself.

“Don’t you worry, Mrs. Bleeb. He’s my problem now.”

The ceremony was beautiful. The room was full of men and women of all ages, wearing fine suits and dresses to attend this momentous marriage. Oichi barely took notice as she walked slowly down the aisle towards her waiting husband who, quite frankly, looked more like he’d rather be anywhere but at the alter. The priest began to recite the mantra that she’d expected, and as Oichi looked into her husband’s eyes, Hamen finally saw her….really saw her. There was an expression that crossed his face. The kind of look that a deer gets when it notices the slightest movement in the underbrush…that slight passing of stripped fur in the tree line. He saw just a glimpse of a tiger in the brush, but could not quite make it out enough to recognize the true nature of this predator. Oichi smiled sweetly, glad that, at last Hamen was beginning to grasp her for who she was. As he lifted her veil back, the look vanished and he went back to his bored expression. Oichi sighed, but allowed her smile to remain. The deer was relaxed once more.

“Do you, Oichi Taiga, take this man to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, to cherish, to love, to honor, and support, in sickness and in health, till death do you part?”

“I do.” Oichi answered softly.

“And do you, Ha-”

“I do.” Hamen interrupted before the priest had finished. The priest looked at him annoyed, but knew better than to speak back. With a disgruntled nod, he closed his Bible.

“Then by the power invested in me, by the All Mighty God, I pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss the bride.”

“Bout time.” Hamen whispered, leaning forward to kiss. Oichi took his lips and the two kissed. Oichi felt the speed and haste at which he kissed her…and she knew that this would not be a happy union. Indeed, she felt terrible for any woman unfortunate enough to have ever had relations with this man. But this was necessary. She must endure…she must stomach him for now.

“Hope ya enjoyed that ceremony…cost quite a bit of money.” Hamen called out as he lay on his king sized bed, staring up at the ceiling. He was already stripped down to his boxers and was clearly waiting on Oichi to emerge from the bathroom. “How long’s it gotta take you to get yer ass in gear?”

“Sorry, just making sure I’m presentable.”

“For fuck’n? Seriously?” Hamen scoffed. “Guess’n it takes some gett’n used to, but it isn’t THAT complicated.”

“Maybe, but I’m still a bit new at this…” Oichi replied, finally walking out of the bathroom. She was completely naked, allowing her glistening, wet body from her shower reveal itself to the now very aroused Hamen. He grinned looking over her and leaned back, allowing himself to be exposed.

“Not bat at all. Since it’s your first time, how about we get you…in the mood? Pour us some wine sweetheart.” Oichi gave a polite bow of respect. “Oooh, nice. I could get used to that bow. Maybe I should have all my bitches bow like that?”

“It’s a simple show of respect.”

“Yeah, it sure is.” Hamen snickered as Oichi poured the wine from the bottle. She ran her fingers along the rim of one of the glasses to clean off a droplet of wine and then handed one to Hamen. Hamen grinned and raised it up to her.

“To a prosperous future.” Oichi smiled, toasting.

“No need for a formality. We’re husband and wife now…might as well have a bit of fun.” Hamen downed his wine in only a few seconds. He smacked his lips together and chuckled. “Good stuff.”

“So, what ARE your plans for the future, darling?” Oichi asked as she set her wine aside and climbed into bed, climbing on top of Hamen as he grew more and more jittery with anticipation.

“I don’t think much on the future, babe. I’m more of a ‘in the now’ kind of guy.”

“How do you mean?” Oichi asked.

“All these goddamn questions? I’m gett’n blue balls here babe! Tell you what, gimme a rim job, and I’ll talk while you do.”

“A what job?”

“Pull off my drawers and get to work.” Hamen growled, rubbing his forehead. Oichi gave him a sharp glare of disapproval, but did as instructed and prepared to pull down his underwear. Hamen was smiling as she did, but he was also starting to sweat.

“As I was say’n…yeah I’m more concerned with what I’m doing now…what I’ll eat now, do now, screw now…life’s a…a lot more simple…that way.” His breathing was getting heavier and now Hamen’s smile was beginning to vanish. Was he just nervous? No…no he’d slept with dozens of women, some of which were far prettier than Oichi…it was something else…something he couldn’t place. His heart was racing now and he sat up, panic starting to take him. A heartattack? A stroke? No! He was only 48…he wasn’t old enough for that, right? That’s an old farts ailment! Oichi just looked up with a polite smile.

“Something wrong, darling? I was just about to get started.”

“You….what….no I don’t feel so good I….let’s just save the sex, alright?”

“Oh, that’s alright.” Oichi smiled politely, but there was a venom behind her grin…a seductive devil in her eyes. “We can just talk about ourselves. After all you know so little about me.”

“N-no I think…I…” Hamen lay back in bed, coughing. It was long his tongue wouldn’t function right. He was shaking…his whole body was convulsing rapidly, but Oichi never stopped smiling.

“For example, I’ve always loved animals. Ever since I was little, animals were so cool. I’d beg my dad to take me to the zoo, but my favorite place to go in the zoo was the reptile house and aquarium. I loved the snakes and the fish…learned a lot from them.”

“I…get…help….ack!” Hamen cried.

“Like, I learned that one of my fathers favorite foods was puffer fish! But you have to be careful when you prepare it. It has to be properly skinned and the liver must be removed…because they’re filled with a special poison called tetrodotoxin. Very deadly and very fast acting…” Suddenly it began to dawn on Hamen what was going on. He lashed out furiously for her, but she was just out of his reach.

“However, tetrodotoxin isn’t ALWAYS fatal…it can be treated….but not taipan poison.” She smiled again and that smile now held nothing but sadistic authority. “The taipan…one of the most venomous snakes in the world. But you’ve probably never heard of it right? Why would you? Everyone always focuses on the big one…the king cobra. But the taipan’s poison is so fast acting and so fatal, and so difficult to detect…it’s a far more lethal killer. That’s why I learned a way to mix the two toxins so that it would have the fast acting effectiveness of the tetrodotoxin, with the lethality of the taipan.”

“Y-you….you b-bitch!” Hamen choked as he began to foam at the mouth.

“Everyone is so busy marveling at the hood of a cobra, they mistakenly think it has the deadliest bite. When, in reality, it’s the deceptively innocent looking taipan whose bite will surely kill. Just like you, ‘darling.’” Oichi hissed, much like a snake as she drew closer. “Were you so busy basking in your brilliance you didn’t think a weak little Japanese bride like me could possibly pose a threat? Did you over look the innocent taipan? Did you neglect to skin the puffer fish?”

“H-HELP! HELP!” He tried to cry.

“Your hubris and your flaunted arrogance expose your idiocy…and they’re the reason for your downfall. But don’t worry, my dear husband…I will take over the family. I’ll fix this little organization of ours…and I will pull it up from the brink.” Hamen slowly stopped moving, his head falling back and his eyes glazing over. “This is the start of a new beginning….a new era. I can sense the change in the winds now, Hamen. Thank you for this opportunity.” She then rose out of bed, put on a bathrobe and grabbed her cellphone, carefully lifting it up to her ear.

“Hello?” She spoke. “Marcus? This is Oichi….yes, I have a favor to ask of you. Call all the lieutenants and big names in the organization to the manor tomorrow morning. It’s time to announce a change in leadership and in structure.” She smiled and then spoke again. “Yes….no Hamen won’t object…he’s in no real position to now.”

“Is….Hamen isn’t…”

“I did what was necessary for the organization Marcus. You and I both know what Hamen was doing to us….to our dreams and our aspirations. But if you have any misgivings about what I’ve done, then go ahead and hang up the phone to call the police. You have my respect, Marcus. Do what you think is right.” There was a long and labored pause at the other end. Though she couldn’t see him, she could tell what his facial expression must be doing. With each second and each slight breath she heard, she could feel his discomfort…his fear. But then slowly it changed to acceptance…and then to excitement.

“…….Long live the Queen. Or would it be Shogun?”

“Hmph…either is fine.” Oichi giggled.