The Youth Center was called “The Faithful Haven Youth Center.” It looked very close to what Oichi had pictured it to be. It was a large and very open building, nestled around a semicircle of trees. A single road led off the highway and into the parking lot, with trees acting like a natural barrier to hide it from prying eyes. Oichi found this amusing, considering what this place might be hiding. The parking lot itself was sparce with only about five or six cars there right now. Oichi and Marcus stepped out of her car and walked towards the entrance of the facility and Marcus looked around, noticing two tan men wearing what looked like police uniforms, and they had guns on their hips.

“Heads up boss…the MCP is on to us. We should’ve brought more people.”

“With any luck, we won’t need them.” She replied. They walked past the MCP and into the building. The main lobby was clean and looked very inviting. There were a pair of double doors which led back to what appeared to be a basketball court, and another door to the right which had an older man with a thick grey beard standing outside of it. He was professionally dressed and his balding head had scraggly hair on top. He had a cold look to his eyes…a calculating stare. As he looked over at Oichi, she could tell that he was sizing her up…taking her in. She returned his glare, and she smirked recognizing a twinge of discomfort come from him. She wasn’t one to easily be intimidated.

“Good afternoon.” Oichi smiled politely. “Are you Mr. Habaza?

“Yes, it’s nice to meet you, Ms. Taiga.” He gave a respectful bow of the head and held out his hand, which Oichi shook firmly. “To what do I owe this visit? Your friend didn’t explain very well.”

“This won’t take long. Do you have some place private we can talk?” Oichi asked. Mr. Habaza gave another curt nod and opened the door he was standing in front of. Inside were two cushioned chairs, a large mahogany desk, and a swivel chair behind it. There was a tall book shelf beside the desk filled with books, statues, and trinkets. An Arabic dagger sat on the desk as well, sheathed. Habaza walked around to sit behind his desk and closed a book he had out, putting away his laptop. Oichi took a seat across from him and Marcus started to join her.

“Marcus, kindly wait outside.” Oichi urged.

“But ma’am, I-”

“I’ll be fine, Marcus…kindly wait for me.” She instructed forcefully. Marcus gave a disapproving glare, but nodded, walking out again. When the door was closed, she leaned back and crossed a leg in front of Habaza, making him clearly a little disgruntled.

“There’s this excellent phrase I’ve heard since coming to America… ‘getting down to brass tax.” Oichi smiled. “I love this phrase…it’s so catchy. It reminds me of the Shakespeare phrase: That brevity is the soul of wit. Such fancy ways to not beat around the bush.”

“Isn’t that what you’re doing now?” Habaza challenged.

“I’m making a point, Mr. Habaza. I’m giving you a warning. I don’t care for those who waste my time or evade a direct answer. Don’t try to dodge my questions…and I have quite a few of them.” Habaza frowned and crossed his fingers over each other, resting his elbows on the desk.

“It’s rather rude for a guest to make threats to their host.”

“I’m not making you a threat, Mr. Habaza. I’m simply stating the facts as they stand. And one fact I can’t overlook is the amount of questionable activities happening in my territories.”

“Your territories? You mean the peaceful neighborhoods and apartments you force to pay you for protection?” Habaza challenged.

“I don’t force them to do anything. Those individuals ASKED me to give them protection.” This was actually true. After her initial take over and defeat of the nearby delinquent groups and street punks, many shops and apartment dwellers asked if they could be brought under the fold of the Taiga syndicate. No extortion was forced. “More to the point, for the last few months, plenty of vandalism’s, assaults, and nuisances have been happening in the local communities, and plenty of the suspects have ties to this Youth Center.”

“Miss Taiga, you can’t honestly suggest we have something to do with that.”

“…Mr. Habaza, I don’t like it when people tell me what I can or can’t do…especially when it comes to speaking my mind.” Oichi hissed darkly, her glare returning. But instead of shrinking back, Habaza leaned forward and pressed back with a fierce gaze of his own. This was a man who would not break easily.

“When my uncle built this facility, he was creating a home and job resource for dozens of struggling Muslim families who have dealt with discrimination in the community for years. To suggest we would do anything to upset the community and dishonor our reputation is nothing short of insulting.” Habaza explained forcefully. “Now I’m not saying that there haven’t been problems in the community lately, and I have already spoken to the police about it. The MCP is already investigating the perpetrators and they will be dealt with in due time. Let us clean up our own messes.” He sighed and leaned back. “You are from Japan, yes? Surely you can respect and understand how difficult it is to thrive in a country and culture so different from your own. We have made a future for ourselves here…a future we built for ourselves. This community is strong, and has no need of help from the local police, nor do we need it from you and your gang of thugs.”

“Mr. Habaza, you can dispense with the preaching. We’re in a Youth Facility…not a Mosque.” Oichi growled. “Don’t play the discrimination card on me, either. I’ve seen this community…I’ve worked with it. After I cleaned up the real punks and thugs off its streets, the people were more than willing and capable to start producing and working happily along with myself and my organization. I don’t think they expected a new threat coming from their own community members…and yet here we are.”

“You think that members of Faithful Haven are responsible for the recent troubles? Prove it?”

“The police have proof…why don’t you ask your MCP to hand the rest of it over?”

“We deal with our own problems.”

“And you’re about to become my problem. Would you like to know how I deal with MY problems?” Oichi’s voice was fierce…a taste of venom on her tongue. A lesser man might have shrunk back from her, but Habaza was just as stern. He was holding his ground with the Tigress.

“Why don’t you tell me what it is you want from me, Miss Taiga?” Habaza finally growled.

“What I want is clarification. For the sake of this community and the Muslims and non-muslims living in it, I want to know who in your Facility is behind these events, and I want them brought forward. If it isn’t the Faithful Haven’s fault, and merely the actions of a select few, turn them over to the police and this all goes away. If it IS the fault of your Youth Center…then this is your first and only warning. Your MCP might be enough to sway the police, but it won’t sway me. I will turn your world upside down until I find the vermin that are spreading their filth on these streets.” Oichi finished and leaned forward at last, waiting for Habaza to speak. It was his move…and he simply glared at her, dangerously.

“Miss Taiga, I’m very sorry to say this but…I can’t help you.” He replied. “You are not law enforcement, and you are certainly not a queen or saint for whom I’m to bow to. I have cooperated with the police, and as I told you; the MCP are investigating the incidents.”

“So that’s your answer?” Oichi asked.

“That’s my answer.” He sneered. “But I suppose I should thank you, Miss Taiga…your concern for our people and this community are very apparent. It is my sincerest hope that nothing more happens to hurt or disrupt your people.” Oichi’s eyes widened and she felt her jaw clench at the very clear threat.

“You said it’s rude for a guest to threaten their host…is it perhaps more appropriate for a host to threaten their guest?”

“Miss Taiga, there is no threat…merely stating the facts as they are.” Habaza smiled darkly. “I’m sure you can find the way out. I’d walk you out myself, but there’s much I need to do here.” Oichi rose from her seat and turned, walking to the door. As she touched the door knob, she looked back at Habaza.

“Pretenses aside;” she snarled, “I will burn your world to the ground, and scatter your ashes to the winds.”

“Pretenses aside;” Habaza hissed back, “We have stood against your kind since the days of our Prophet…and we do not fear the likes of you.”

Oichi marched out of the building with Marcus by her side. She said nothing until they got out of the parking lot and onto the highway. It was one of the few times Oichi felt genuinely flustered…unnerved.

“Ma’am…what happened in there?”

“That Habaza is twisted.” She hissed. “He’s a wolf…and that Center is a den of wolves.”

“You think he’s behind the attacks and incidents in the community?” Marcus asked.

“I have no doubt that he is…and even if it’s not direct, he knows the ones who are guilty and he is protecting them.” Oichi nodded. “And before I left, he made a final threat…he’s only just getting started.”

“What are we going to do? We could do a little damage to his Center if you like. One good dumpster fire…maybe a hit to their books?”

“No…that’s the worst part.” Oichi whispered. “We can’t touch them.”

“Why not?” Marcus asked. Oichi stayed silent a long moment. Marcus was bright…he’d figure it out for himself if given time, but time was not on their side. With each ticking second, the gears of fate turned onward. Habaza was likely already planning new events…new assaults…new public disturbances. Minor things really…things that she could and should overlook. But now she couldn’t. She couldn’t ignore this. That Habaza had thrown down the gauntlet…and now she would respond. But how?

“We can’t just deal with this as we always have. The Faithful Haven Youth Center is a key part of this community. Even if they’re a nest of vipers, the people of this area see them as a safe haven…a beacon of unity. If we just go attacking and screwing with the Haven…”

“…then we lose their trust…”

“And we only feed more converts and delinquents to the Youth Center. Then we become their new target. You should’ve heard the way that Habaza talked. He is a classic victimhood screeching moron. He sees the world as his enemy…and thus is hostile towards it.”

“Right, the last thing we should do is feed that fire. That explains why the police won’t touch this one.”

“And we’re faced with the same red tape.” Oichi nodded.

“We can’t just ignore it either…” Marcus grumbled. “What do you suggest we do, ma’am?”

“Have some of our sellers and peddlers circulate in the streets that the Youth Center is associated with. Keep an eye out for anything we can use…evidence that can pin the criminals to the Faithful Haven. If we can’t touch them directly, we’ll dig up enough dirt that the police will finally have no choice but to pursue them.” Oichi explained.

“…That’s awful reserved for you, ma’am…if I may say so.” Marcus growled. “I admit, I was kind of hoping for some shock and awe.”

“There are right ways to do things and easy ways to do things. Shock and Awe is the easy way…we can’t afford the easy way right now.” Oichi replied with a giggle. But deep in her mind, she agreed with Marcus. How she would love to go all out on the Center. To just raid it and find the ones responsible for these crimes. She’d drag them out by the hair and make them beg for mercy. And Habaza would watch from the side…given a reminder of who was in charge. But that couldn’t happen. Not if she wanted to maintain her place in the community.

“Take us home, Marcus…I need to rest.”

“Would you like to call that Todd fellow?” Marcus asked.

“Not right now, Marcus.” Oichi blushed, smiling, the thought of Todd bringing some weightlessness to her shoulders. “But maybe later…I would love to have something to look forward to later, when things start looking up.”

Oh how she hoped things would start looking up soon. Oichi couldn’t shake this feeling that a dark and very dangerous cloud was rolling over her…a change of fate was coming…a divine wind was blowing down a new destiny…and she was terrified of where it would lead.