The Rising Sun

Chapter 10

This is the night that they are all waiting for. Takeshi Onizuka Soryo and the whole clan planned this for so long. It's time to confront Keniji Sato with his illegal drug trade.

Their spies reported a month ago that tonight, Keniji will turn over the drugs and women to a patron. Onitsuka clan are getting ready for battle. They congregate in the hall and pray to their ancestors.

Before they leave, however, Aunt Ayako brings a lucky memento for the warriors: a handmade embroidered handkerchief for each Onizuka member who will be fighting for justice today.

She states that this symbolizes each Onizuka, who are like petals of Sakura blossom and will never part from the tree.

Kasalukuyang kausap ni Charmaine ang Auntie Elena niya. Aalis kasi siya papunta sa bahay ng kaibigang si Che che upang magpaturo ng Japanese language. Medyo nahihirapan pa kasi siya dito.

Balak niyang duon na lamang matulog sa bahay ng kaibigan, pero nag aalangan siya dahil mag isa lang sa bahay ang Auntie niya. Umuwi kasi ng Pilipinas ang kasambahay nilang si Divine.

"Auntie, sigurado ka ba talaga na okay ka lang dito? Ayoko kasi na iwan ka eh. Mag isa lang na matutulog dito.", tanong niya habang inaayos ang mga dadalhin niyang gamit.

"Ano ka ba, baby girl. Ilang beses ko ba na sasabihin sa'yo na okay lang ako. Sanay naman na ako na minsan mag isa lang ako dito. Lalo na kasi madalang umuwi dito ang Uncle Koji mo, at kapag umuuwi ng Pilipinas si Divine.", mahabang paliwanag ni Elena sa pamangkin.

"Eh kasi po...ano eh..."

"Baby girl, sige na. Wag mo na akong alalahanin. Umalis ka na at gumagabi na. Naghihintay na si Che che sa bahay nila. Basta ha, mag iingat ka. Wag mong pababayaan ang sarili mo."

"Auntie, kaya ko na po ang sarili ko. Kayo po ang inaalala ko eh. Mag isa lang po kayo na matutulog dito ngayon."

"Jusko naman, Charmaine. Uuwi ka naman bukas eh. Wag ka nang mag aala sa 'kin. Okay lang talaga ako. Kaya sige na, alis na."

"Okay po. Ba bye po, Auntie. Hayaan niyo, maaga po akong uuwi bukas. Pramis.", sabi niya sa tiyahin habang yakap yakap ito.

"Alam mo, baby girl. Proud na proud kami sa'yo ng Uncle Koji mo. Masasabi namin na masuwerte parin kami. Kasi kahit hindi kami biniyayaan ng anak, eh andiyan ka naman. Kaya, nagpapasalamat kami kasi dumating ka sa buhay namin.", maluha luhang sabi ni Elena.

"Auntie, ako nga po ang dapat na magpasalamat sa inyo eh. Kasi kahit pamangkin niyo po ako, eh para niyo na po akong tinuring na isang tunay na anak. Simula pa noong namatay ang mga magulang ko at kahit hanggang ngayon...wala pong nagbago sa pagmamahal niyo para sa 'kin. Kayo po ang swerte ko. Kaya ako po dapat ang nagpapasalamat sa inyo ni Uncle Koji."

"I love you, baby girl. Basta ha, kahit anong mangyari. Ingatan mo ang sarili mo palagi. Mahal na mahal ka namin."

"Mahal na mahal ko din po kayo ni Uncle Koji, Auntie. Ano ba yan! Bakit ba ang drama natin ngayon? Pupunta lang po ako kina Che che. Hindi pa po ako mag aasawa. Si Auntie talaga oh."

"Alam ko. Pero, malay mo naman. Baka isa sa mga araw na 'to, eh mag asawa kana."

"Naku, Auntie. Malayo pong mangyari 'yan. Gusto ko pa po na magtapos sa pag aaral noh? At saka 'di ba? Nag promise ako na magta travel around the world pa tayo? Sus! Saka nalang 'yung love life na 'yan. It can wait."

"Kahit sabihin ko sa'yo na nararamdaman ko na may gusto si Takeshi sa'yo? Uy, ano na?"

"Enebe, Auntie. Wag ka nga. Hindi naman po. At saka 'di ba? May fiance na siya?"

"Hmmm...fiance-to-be pa lang naman. Kaya, may pag asa ka pa."

"Auntie naman eh. Sige na, aalis na po ako."

"Oh siya, sige na. Ingat ka ha."

"Bye po. Ingat din po kayo."

Napangiti nalang si Elena habang pinagmamasdan ang papalayong pamangkin. Naisip niya na sobrang ma swerte siya at ng asawang si Koji dahil nagkaroon sila ng isang napakabait na pamangkin na gaya ni Charmaine.

Night falls and the battle begins. The shipment arrives as scheduled. Keniji orders his men to check on the goods when a van carrying Satoshi, (Aiko Misawa's brother) pulls to a stop before them.

Satoshi claims that half of the women and drugs belong to Misawa, to which Keniji snipes that he never imagined Misawa would send his son to do his bidding. Satoshi states that he is merely here to speed things along.

Our good guys (Onizuka), stay in the shadows until they could determine the goods belong to Sato. Takeshi and Ryu inch closer to determine the goods while Taro and Uncle Koji wait for further instructions. Sato learns of Onitsuka's whereabouts. He snickers to everyone to prepare themselves.

On the other side of the storage unit, Satoshi orders his people to stand down and let the two clans fight among themselves and then kill the survivors.

"Juro, do the things that I've told you. It's payback time. Let's make Takeshi suffer even more than what he could bear.", Keniji ordered one of his men on a special mission.

"Yes, Keniji.", Juro answered bringing with him two other companions.

Keniji grins. Takeshi and his men will regret that they interfere with his business. Takeshi and Ryu find both the drug and women, and just as they plan to release them, they are caught, which is a surprise only to them since Sato had this all planned out.

"What do you think you're doing, huh? Takeshi Onizuka Soryo? Are you seriously thinking that I'm a fool? I'm smart enough. You know that, right?", Keniji said to them.

"You're saying that you're smart? I want to believe it. But I can't. Stop this illegal trade right now, Keniji. Surrender yourself to the police.", Takeshi commanded him.

"...and you really think I'm going to do that, huh? Never. You know what, you can join me and your whole clan with my business. We can merge our assets. Sooner, we will obtain more power on this land. Will it be a wonderful idea Takeshi Onizuka Soryo?", Keniji tries to convince him.

"Onizuka will never agree to a selfish and cunning person like you. We will keep our honor for the next generation until we die.", Ryu shouted at him.

"Tsk. Tsk. Tsk. Is that so, Ryu Onizuka? Okay, then. I guess many people will die tonight.", Keniji chuckles.

Both of Keniji and Takeshi's men prepared their sharp swords for battle.

"Don't leave any survivors. Kill them all.", Keniji commanded his men.

Onizuka clan decides to storm in the war zone since their leaders have been gone for a while. They are immediately surrounded by Sato clan and everyone open fire. Onizuka deems a stronger and more capable clan as the gunshots and sword clashing claim the lives of the Sato's men.

Sato doesn't account for is Onizuka's men, who release Ryu, and the two boys free themselves from the holding. Takeshi and Ryu are surrounded by the remainder of Sato's men, while their own men attempt to come to their aid.

Everyone is neck deep in battle. Takeshi and Keniji fought with their swords. Takeshi slashes against Keniji's sword over and over until it found flesh. One, two and three. Keniji finally goes down. Ryu appears, and encourages his cousin to kill the man.

Keniji claims that Onizuka likes to gang up on a person who has no fight left in him. Takeshi begs to differ, he alone could kill Kenijii. However, Keniji is smart. He relents that he's very hard to kill, not as easy as when Ryu's family were murdered.

"What are you talking about, Keniji?", Ryu asked him and now getting angry.

Keniji says that they are pitiful. He flashes back to a time when he ordered his men to put a bomb on the car of Takeshi's parents, to kill them. The now furious Takeshi raises his sword to kill Keniji, but the villain halts him. There is something they all have yet to know. Even though he was the person who killed Takeshi's family, there is another man behind all of this.

"Who commanded you to kill my family? Answer me!", Takeshi asked him.

But before he could answer, he throws a hand bomb their way, and suggests that they should find it themselves, and that they must be careful with their friends and alliance. Everyone jumps for cover as Keniji drags himself into a car.

Kinaumagahan ay isang masamang balita ang natanggap ni Charmaine. Nakatanggap siya ng tawag mula sa ospital. Kinakabahan siya dahil nabanggit nito ang Uncle Koji niya. Kanina pa niya tinatawagan ang Auntie Elena niya pero hindi nito sinasagot ang phone. Kasama niya ang kaibigang si Che che.

Nakarating na sila ng ospital at naabutan niya si Takeshi at Ryu na nakaupo sa labas ng morgue. Parehong duguan ang mga ito at tila ba pagod na pagod. Agad silang lumapit sa mga ito. Tumayo naman ang dalawa nang makita sila.

"Charmaine...", Takeshi sigh.

"What happened?", tanong ni Charmaine sa mga ito.

Nakita niya na nagkatinginan ang mag pinsan. Para bang nag aalangan ang mga ito sa mga dapat nilang sabihin. Hindi alam ni Charmaine ang pwede niyang maramdaman. Magkahalong kaba at takot ang bumalot sa buong pagkatao niya.

"I'm sorry, Charmaine. I-i'm really sorry...", Takeshi said holding back his tears.

"Sorry? For what? Why are you saying sorry? Where is Uncle Koji? I've been trying to call my Auntie, but she's not answering her phone."

"I'm sorry, Charmaine. I wasn't able to save them.", Takeshi said as he kneels down in front of her.

"Huh? You weren't able to save them? Who's them? What do you mean? Please answer me!", tanong niya dito habang inaalalayan ito patayo.

Dinala sila ni Takeshi at Ryu sa loob ng morgue. May nakita siyang dalawang bangkay na tinabunan ng isang puting kumot. Ang isa ay medyo matangkad at may kaliitan naman ang isa. Unti unting lumapit si Charmaine sa isang bangkay. Dahan dahan niyang tinanggal ang kumot na nakatakip sa mukha nito.

Hindi niya napigilan ang pag agos ng kanyang mga luha. Ito pala ay ang bangkay ng Uncle Koji niya. Gustong manlumo ni Charmaine. Umiyak lang siya ng umiyak. Nanginginig siya habang tinatanggal ang kumot na nakatakip sa isa pang bangkay na katabi ng Uncle niya. Lalo siyang humagulgol dahil ito pala ay ang Auntie Elena niya.

"Auntie, gumising po kayo. Wag naman po kayong ganito. Please..."

"Uncle Koji, gising po. Ang daya daya niyo naman eh. Sabi niyo, aalagaan niyo po ako. Auntie...Uncle...", sabi ni Charmaine habang umiiyak.

Pero kahit anong gawin ni Charmaine ay hindi na siya nito maririnig. Wala na ang Uncle at Auntie niya. Wala na ang mga tao na simula't sapul ay minahal na siya ng higit pa sa isang tunay na anak. Niyakap niya ng mahigpit ang wala ng buhay na Uncle at Auntie niya.

Nagbalik ang mga alaala nila noong nabubuhay pa ang mga ito. Walang kasing sakit ang nararamdaman ni Charmaine. Hindi niya alam ang gagawin niya.

Gusto niyang sumigaw at magwala.

Hindi siya makapaniwala na sa isang iglap ay wala na sila. Kung alam lang niya na mangyayari ang lahat ng ito, ay hindi na sana siya umalis ng bahay kagabi. Gusto niyang sisihin ang sarili.

Ikinuwento ni Takeshi at Ryu sa kaniya ang mapait na sinapit ng Uncle at Auntie niya. Nasaksak daw ang Uncle niya habang nakikipaglaban kay Keniji Sato kagabi. Natamaan ito sa puso na siya nitong ikinamatay. May mga tao din daw na pilit na pinasok ang bahay ng Auntie Elena niya. Walang awa daw nilang sinasak ang Auntie niya ng walang kalaban laban.

Sa ngayon, ay nandun ang mga police sa pinangyarihan ng krimen upang mag imbestiga. Nanlumo si Charmaine sa lahat ng narinig niya. Hinang hina siya. Mabuti nalang at kasama niya si Che che. Nakaupo si Charmaine. Tulala. Iyak lang ito ng iyak. Hindi makausap ng matino. Lumapit sa kanya si Takeshi.

"Che che, can I talk to Charmaine?"

"Yes, Soryo. Uhm, I'll just go outside and get some water for her."

"Thank you..."

Takeshi sits beside her. He can't afford seeing the woman that she loves, crying. He just holding back his tears from falling. He, on the other hand was hurting too. Because Uncle Koji and Auntie Elena was like a family to him. They've known each other since he was young. Takeshi is trying to comfort Charmaine. Maybe it could help relieve her, even for awhile.

"Charmaine, are you okay?", he asked her.

She only nodded. But tears kept falling from her eyes. She stares at him. They looked at each other. Takeshi saw the pain from her eyes. It was unbearable. He felt that Charmaine was like a person to be rescued from a pit. Then, he can't hold it anymore. Takeshi hugged her tight. She cried even more. He, too was crying. He caressed her hair and back.

"What am I gonna do, Takeshi? Uncle and Auntie is dead. I am now alone."

"Ssshhh...Don't worry, Charmaine. I'm here. We are all here for you. I'm not going anywhere. I will not leave you. I promise."

"Why did all these things happened? Why?"

"I'm sorry, Charmaine. It was all my fault. I didn't able to save them. I'm just a useless Soryo."

"No. Don't say that. It's not your fault. No one wanted these things to happen."

"I promise. I'm gonna make them pay because of what they did. That damn b***h, Keniji Sato.", he said still hugging her.

Umuwi muna si Charmaine sa bahay nila Che che. Pansamantala ay duon muna siya mananatili habang kasalukuyan pang nag iimbestiga ang mga police sa bahay ng Auntie niya. Sa ngayon, ay parang ayaw niya munang bumalik sa bahay na 'yun.

Alam niyang malulungkot lang siya.

Sinabihan siya ni Takeshi na pwede naman na duon na siya tumira sa bahay nito. Pero, tumanggi siya. Sa totoo lang, ay blanko pa ang utak niya. Hindi siya makagawa ng kahit anumang desisyon. Hindi niya rin alam kung makakatulog ba siya.

Muling nagbalik ang isang alaala na pilit niyang kinakalimutan simula noong sampung taong gulang pa lang siya. At dahil nga sa nangyari sa Uncle at Auntie niya, ay muling nanariwa sa isip at puso niya ang isang mapait na alaala: ang pagkamatay ng mga magulang niya.

Meanwhile, Takeshi clasped his fist. He vows before Uncle Koji and Auntie Elena's spirits that he would avenge their deaths. And he would take care of Charmaine, from now on.