THE LA MORTE
Diamond La Femme confidently walked inside the room littered with bloody corpses, followed closely behind by one of his best agents, the cruel and heartless Roger Moore, a.k.a. Kindle. Diamond's deep violet eyes carefully scanned the room until, at last, they landed on the two helpless La Morte lieutenants. He greeted the two lieutenants with one of his dazzling grins, indicating that he meant no harm.
"Why isn't this the two beautiful La Morte lieutenants. Minako Aino and Rei Hino, it is a pleasure to see you again" greeted Diamond with his ice smooth voice on a friendly tone.
"What do you want La Femme?" asked Rei with a voice that was cold enough to freeze over hell.
"Just stopping by on some business" answered Diamond as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "Although I am eager to know why you two are here at my estate."
"Your estate?" questioned Mina with sarcasm "didn't know you owned property in Kenya."
"Well, you see ladies, this is my estate. Old man Mackenzie there was just warming it up for me" replied Diamond, indicating with a nod to Mackenzie's direction in the corner. This caused Mackenzie to snap out of his shock and look straight at Diamond with hatred clearly evident in his eyes.
"Why you double crossing bastard-" screamed a red faced Mackenzie who was immediately silenced by a bullet through the skull. Diamond grinned with satisfaction as Roger tucked the gun that had ended Mackenzie's life under his belt, proud of earning his boss' favor. The corpse that was once Furhata Mackenzie sat unnaturally still on the chair at the corner of the room. His eyes bulged out with shock and anger and his mouth was open wide in protest to his death. Furhata Mackenzie, the wealthy crime lord of Kenya, was no more.
"Sorry for the inconvenience ladies, but I do believe that he was coming to be quite a nuisance" proclaimed Diamond as he turned his attention back to Mina and Rei, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. Mina and Rei stared at the scene in silence with great intensity, hiding their shock well.
"I take it that he didn't like to be called your lackey" stated Mina, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"He was stepping over his line" responded Diamond "but let's not talk about such unpleasantries, I am still rather curious as to why La Morte would sent her lieutenants here, to what seemed to be right an ambush. You were cornered and I am rather surprised as to how two leaders as skilled as you two could be cornered by a simpleton like Mackenzie."
"Leave our boss out of this!" growled Rei with anger.
"Of course you know that I mean no offense Ms. Hino. I have the most highest regard for Ms. La Morte" stated Diamond in defense "I am just concerned that someone with such a high status as yourselves would end up in the hands of someone as lowly as Mackenzie. It would be such a shame." This well stated comment had caused an internal struggle in both Rei and Mina as each struggled to make sense of the current situation.
'I can't believe that Diamond La Femme just saved us' thought Mina incredulously 'and worse, from some pathetic bastard like Mackenzie. How could we have been so stupid as to not see the signs?'
'What if this is a set up?' thought Rei with suspicion 'but then why are we not dead yet? If La Femme did set this up, then we should be dead by now. Why else would he want as if not to kill the two La Morte lieutenants? Why is he befriending us?'
Diamond sense the two lieutenants internal struggle and decided that this was the time to hammer in the final nail and end their suspicions once and for all. This was the speech that would earn their loyalty.
"This is no set up ladies. It is a complete coincidence that we have met here. I was here to personally establish a relationship with Mackenzie when I heard the gunfires and decided to investigate them myself. It is how I found this suit and you two cornered. All thoughts of establishment with Mackenzie were pushed out of my mind when I realized that you two were out numbered 25 to 2. You two may be the lieutenants of my rival organization, but all rules change when an external force attacks our establishment. It would be a disgrace to the whole Mafia name if you two got killed by someone like Mackenzie! I just could not let this happen! The La Femmes and the La Mortes may be constantly in war, but we should certainly look out for each other when our members are murdered by such insignificant insects! If we allow further mistreatment by such pathetic groups then we will lose our well-earned respect from the other crime families. We cannot let this happen because the La Femmes AND the La Mortes were born for leadership in crime."
Mina and Rei nodded their head in agreement, totally awestruck by the powerful presentation of care. All thoughts of suspicion were erased from their mind when they saw the sincere look in Diamond's eyes. They were mesmerized by this speech and by the amount of sincerity and effort that Diamond had put into this. They saw emotions that were clearly a rare case for the cold-hearted La Femme leader.
It is from this moment on that they have realized that Diamond La Femme has not only earned their respect, but their full trust as well. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
Seiya sighed dreamily and gazed off into space, totally oblivious of Taiki's report.
'Why do we have to have these meetings if there is absolutely nothing going on?' thought Seiya with annoyance, 'What is he even talking about? Something to do with the La Mortes in Kenya? I wonder what Usagi is doing right now? Is she thinking about me? I wonder-'
"I never thought that'd I ever have to ask this, but Seiya, are you even listening to me?" asked Taiki, both annoyed and surprised at Seiya lack of attention.
"What?! Oh! Yes! Sure! The La Morte in Kenya" answered Seiya, startled by the sudden interruption of Taiki's question.
"Well, well, well" started Yaten with a sinister grin, "it seems like the careless bachelor Seiya Kou has finally fallen for a woman..Oh, I'm sorry, a girl. But don't worry pal, even the best of us fall sometimes. So tell me, how is that high school chick? What's her name again? Umali? Usani? Ura- "
"Its Usagi!" interrupted Seiya before Yaten could embarrass him any further, "And she is doing just fine."
"You went out with a high school girl?!" asked a bewildered Taiki.
"Correction, he IS going out with a high school chick" stated Yaten, enjoying himself immensely as the ever-emotionless Seiya Kou turned crimson red.
"Seiya, is this true?!" Taiki demanded to know, staring intently at Seiya to wait for a respond.
"Yes" came the murmured reply that Yaten hoped.
"What! Seiya, I know that we have all been pressuring you to get into a serious relationship instead of having one night stands, but we didn't mean for you to go hit on high school girls! You know that you are 25 right? As the head of the FBI, people of all ages look up to you and you sure don't set an example well by going out with a minor! What were you thinking?! How old is she?! Are you bedding her?!" demanded Taiki with one of his famous lectures.
"She is a high school senior and no, I am not sleeping with her!" defended Seiya angrily.
"Not yet." added Yaten, enjoying the scenario where the sophisticated Seiya gets chewed up.
"Shut up wise guy!" threatened Seiya, "unless you want to be assigned desk duty for the rest of your career!" Yaten quickly suppressed himself from making anymore sexual comments, no matter how much the situation craved it. He certainly did not feel like sitting behind a desk and filling out paper work for the rest of his life.
"Look," began Seiya, "I didn't mean to like her, but I just did, alright? She might be a little young for me-"
"Gee, you think?" interrupted Taiki's sarcastic tone.
"Let me finish!" yelled Seiya in frustration. "She might be still seventeen, but neither of us think that the age difference is an issue. She is a sweet and kind girl. The ones that you don't see too often these days with all the sex and violence corrupting high school kids. She is innocent and mature beyond her years and she is exactly the kind of girl that I want to have a serious relationship with."
"But for Christ's sake Seiya, she is a minor!" objected Taiki.
"I told you, the age span is not a big deal between us!" yelled Seiya, getting angrier by the minute.
"But it is to the rest of society!" argued Taiki.
"So?! Screw what society thinks! Why should I give up a relationship that I want to have just because society doesn't agree with it?!"
Taiki took a deep breath, bringing his temper back to control. "Look Seiya," he started calmly "just because a girl is sweet and innocent, doesn't mean that she has to be yours. Yes, she might be a rare case these days, but that still doesn't mean that you have to protect her from the world. Let someone else do it. Someone who will love her. Someone who she will not feel overwhelmed with. Someone her AGE."
"Someone who will take advantage of her and dump her afterwards, leaving her broken?" replied Seiya "I don't think so!"
"Well, maybe it won't turn out to be that way!" objected Taiki.
"Maybe it will!" countered Seiya.
"I'm telling you Seiya," warned Taiki "she will be a distraction to your work and in constant danger. After all, we ARE hunting down people like La Morte and La Femme and I guarantee you that they will take advantage of this relationship! And not to mention the public! In fact, I'm surprised that the press is not surrounding her house right now!"
"I know" sighed Seiya "but that's why I am prepared to protect her! Usually I wouldn't be so selfish, but..oh I don't know! I just feel good about everything when she is around."
"I think your falling for her," concluded Yaten, tired of being an observer instead of a participant "although I never thought that I would see the day when YOU fall in love. I say, screw society and go get her!" Seiya shot him an angry glare, but softened into smile once he saw the sincerity in Yaten's eyes. Taiki sighed in defeat.
"Out of all the women you could have fallen in love with, you had to choose her" remarked Taiki, admitting defeat. "Well then, I guess that I would have to support you in this since your heart is already set. BUT I want you to know that I am still do not approve about this whole age difference."
"Thanks Taiki" replied Seiya with a warm smile, glad that Taiki has finally come to terms with this relationship, "and don't worry, you'll get over this whole age difference eventually." Taiki nodded in response and smiled warmly, glad that the fight was finally over. Going up against crime organizations such as the La Morte and La Femme and with major competition from the Central Intelligence Agency, the FBI could not AFFORD to have its commanding forces split. They needed full cooperation in the agency.
"Well, now that the whole relationship fight is over, let's get back to business" concluded Seiya, "What were you reporting before Taiki?"
"There has been rumors that the La Mortes want to expand into Kenya" stated Taiki. "It could be true considering there is no major drug dealership there. The La Mortes could quickly make an easy fortune there and I see no reason on what is stopping them. My suggestion is we investigate this further. If this is in fact true, then we should sent out a team to Kenya and stop the La Mortes there. It should be easy since they have yet not established a base there are probably not organized. What do you say, Seiya?"
"Well, you pretty much got this whole thing covered" replied Seiya with a grin "could not have planned it better myself. Good job Taiki! You have my full permission to go ahead with this operation and Yaten will assist you. Keep me updated if anything happens."
Both Taiki and Yaten nodded at their given instructions quietly left the office to carry out the plan. They were careful to not let the La Mortes receive word that the FBI was onto them. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
"I'm sorry," I said with a worried laugh over the large monitor screen, "I must have heard you wrong. Because what I heard was you guys got rescued by Diamond La Femme!"
"That's right" answered Mina calmly on the other side.
"What?!" I exclaimed with total disbelief, "La Femme?!"
"Yeah, funny, isn't it?" remarked Rei with a nervous laugh.
"I don't think 'funny' was quite the word I was looking for. More like unbelievable! Or ridiculous!" I proclaimed. "Why in the nine hells would Diamond La Femme want to lift a finger to help you?! Kill you, more like it, but not help you! No, something doesn't seem right!"
"Well.he was a little too friendly," inquired Mina "but he also seemed really sincere about what he said."
"What?! You're taking his side Mina?!" I asked incredulously.
"But he saved us for absolutely no reason!" jumped Rei to Mina's defense, "and he really did look sincere about what he said."
"Oh? Pray do tell, what did Mr. Fabulous say?" I asked sarcastically with a hint of interest in my tone.
"That the La Mortes and the La Femmes should stick together when they are attached by an outside force such as the government agencies and rival gangs" replied Rei, trying to remember his moving speech word by word. He had expanded further on this topic when he invited them to dine with him the same night of the ambush.
"But he IS our rival gang!" I yelled with frustration.
"Yeah, but he said that we may be rivals, but in a way are also allies. We may both be fighting for the title as the head organization but neither of us would be able to stand it if another gang was to cut in and take our rightful place. That's why we should look out for each other!" proclaimed Mina.
"I can't believe that you two are defending him!" I remarked in anger, "did it ever occur to either of you that this might be a trap?"
"Yeah, at first" admitted Rei "but then, why wouldn't he kill us when he had the chance? We were completely outnumbered and backed into a corner. If he did want us dead, then he would have just let Mackenzie's men finish us off."
"I suppose" I implied with uncertainty.
"So this couldn't have been a trap" concluded Mina "he helped us out of that situation and he wanted nothing in return. NOTHING!"
"What was he even doing there in the first place?" I asked with suspicion.
"Oh, he actually admitted to us that he wanted to establish a base in Kenya after hearing the rumors of our interest in the city. He wanted to rival us and not miss out on a great opportunity such as this. But when he saw us getting attached by Mackenzie's men, his whole deal with Mackenzie was off" answered Rei.
"He actually admitted that?" I asked with disbelief.
"Yeah, pretty amazing, isn't it?" laughed Rei, "who would have thought that the infamous ruthless La Femme leader was actually a nice guy?"
"Are you sure that HE was telling the truth instead of just bullshitting you guys?" I asked, once again, suspicion clearly heard in my voice.
"YES!" cried Mina with exasperation, clearly annoyed at my continues distrust.
I sighed with defeat as I looked at their hopeful faces on the screen. They seemed so optimistic about La Femme's sudden change of attitude. It was as if they now trusted him completely. I am more than amazed at what La Femme managed to do in the brief time of one single evening. I know that Rei and Mina are not gullible and are very careful about whom they trust, but this completely changed their perspectives. I struggled to make sense of this whole situation. Why would La Femme want their trust? Does he want to ruin this organization from the inside? No, of course not! No matter how much Rei and Mina trust him, they would never betray me nor this organization to him! It will simply not happen!
"Um...Serena?" inquired Rei, breaking my stream of thought.
"Huh?"
"So..what do you think about all this?" she asked nervously, bracing herself for my negative outburst.
"Well, since you guys seem to trust him so much, I suppose that I should give him a try" I proclaimed with a smile, "I know that you two would never direct me wrong. I believe fully in you and Mina's ability to judge character. If you guys like him so much then there must be something good about him. Although, I can't promise that I will like him as much as you two do, I will still try to get along with him and see what he is like for myself. I'm sorry that I didn't support you guys on this from the beginning, but you do have my full support now. I'm just so happy and relieved that you two made it back alright!"
"Thanks for being so understanding Serena" responded Mina with a big smile.
"Yeah, thanks Sere" added Rei, "I understand that this must be hard for you to accept considering he was your arch nemesis for the most part of your life. Hell, it still sounds unbelievable to me! I know that you still have doubt and, frankly, I don't blame you. You just have to meet him for yourself before you make any judgments. I know that your first meeting with him in the pentagon didn't go over so well, but really, give him another try and I promise that you won't regret it."
"How can I refuse this when you guys are showing so much confidence in him?" I proclaimed softly with a bright smile, "And I also thank you for opening me up for other possibilities beyond what my narrow mind wants to believe."
"Oh Serena, you're not narrow minded!" implied Mina with a teasing voice, once again managing to brighten up the situation.
"I'm just SO happy that you two are alright!" I repeated once again with pure joy "I was so worried when I found out! Do you know how hard it was for me to sit here and do nothing? I literally wanted to fly to Kenya myself! Oh, I wish that I were with you guys in headquarters right now! I want to give you guys a big tight hug SO much! I miss you!"
"We miss you too Serena, " responded Rei "but there is no sense for you to fly all the way here from Tokyo for no reason but to just see us. After all, aren't we seeing each other on the screen right now? Just hang on for a few more months Sere and then you'll be out of that 'hell hole school', as you call it, for good!"
"Yeah Serena, Re is right" agreed Mina "just hang on there for a few more months and then you'll be back for good. In fact, lets go on a full blow out shopping spree once you're back!" Sweat drops appeared on both mine and Rei's head at Mina's high enthusiasm. It was so like her to be planning out a shopping trip so far in advance. Shopping was not only Mina's hobby, but passion as well.
"Well, since I can't come over there, I want to hear all about your amazing escape over the monitor right now!" I pretty much demanded in an excited voice as I got comfortable in my seat for a long tale. I was especially looking forward to hearing how La Femme got involved this situation. After all, as they knew, I still had doubt in my mind. I made a note to myself to be especially careful from now on.
If this whole thing is a set up, then I want to be fully prepared when he strikes. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
"Your plan is running perfectly" Sapphire congratulated Diamond "you have La Morte's lieutenants eating out of your hand now and no doubt they're whispering just the right words about you in her ears."
"Yes, but I am still not quite satisfied with the result" proclaimed Diamond with a frown.
"Why not?" asked an eager Sapphire, not believing that Diamond was still not happy despite this tremendous progress. "You have her lieutenants on your side and now she is probably rethinking her hatred towards you too. Pretty soon you will have her on your side too and then the La Morte organization will be ours for the taking. What more could you want?"
"Don't be fooled Sapphire" warned Diamond "La Morte will not be as easily persuaded as her lieutenants. She may be a rookie, but she is definitely a smart one. Yes, she may be reevaluating her feelings towards me right now due to her lieutenants' suggestions, but she will not except me as they have with open arms. From what I've seen of her plan tactics, she will most likely bind her time. She will give me a chance, but meanwhile, she will be on constant lookout for anything suspicious in me. She wants to be ready when I strike or if I strike."
"How can you know this?" asked Sapphire with bewilderment "And what if you're wrong? What is she has come to terms with the fact that you want to help the La Morte organization instead of destroying it?"
"She will not trust her former rival so well" stated Diamond with simplicity, "In fact, she may view me as an even bigger threat now then before my sudden change of attitude. She thinks that I want the La Morte organization gone, but what she doesn't suspect is that I want to merge her organization with ours. With the two organizations together and with her ruling by my side, we could do wanders to the world!"
"Yes, but I doubt she will be as ready to accept this as you are" remarked Sapphire "She may come to trust you and come to terms with the fact that you're no longer her enemy, but I highly doubt that she would agree to this merger. After all, she has been taught that the La Femmes are her highest enemy next to the government agencies and I doubt that she is going to go against the teachings that Kenji La Morte probably taught her himself before he died."
"She may not come to accept this right away but she will eventually if we take it on a step at a time" stated Diamond.
"How?"
"First we will talk of an alliance that may aid both of us against the government agencies. Since I am currently known to her as a helping person, she will suspect nothing and only think of this as a convenience."
"But I highly doubt that she will even agree to an alliance" interrupted Sapphire.
"Do you remember the time that the La Mortes and the La Femmes fought side by side Sapphire?" reminded Diamond "As a matter of fact, it was only a decade ago when Kenji La Morte was still alive. The alliance broke off when he died and our dear father thought that the La Mortes were too unstable to rule by our side. It was after this then the rivalry started although our people wanted full dominance over La Mortes generations ago."
Sapphire nodded at this brief explanation of history. "This whole rivalry is what caused father's death. If he didn't try to set up the La Mortes in Toronto then the CIA would have never shot him. It is still unbelievable that father did not see the agents coming."
"What's in the past is in the past. Father was a fool to not see the agents and a completely unworthy leader of the La Femme organization." stated Diamond with anger. He has still not quite forgiven his father for killing his mother due to the fact that she was against the La Femmes way of living. Sapphire nodded, he might have had feeling towards his father, but he trusted and adored Diamond way more. In Sapphire's mind, his big brother was always right.
"You see Sapphire," continued on Diamond, not letting the memory of his late father distract him from business, "Serena La Morte may be over suspicious, but she is not narrow minded. She will most likely consider the fact of heeling old wounds and reforming the alliance that was lost despite her father's death. Of course, I will inform her of all the advantages and I trust that she will figure out the disadvantages as well. She may waver in this decision right now, but she will come to accept it with her lieutenants constantly urging her and with me putting pressure on her. Of course, it will be friendly pressure considering the fact that I also want to earn her trust."
"I still think that it's a long shot" replied Sapphire with a frown, "especially earning her trust." Diamond smiled at his littler brother's needless and constant worrying.
"Sapphire, in this game, time is our strongest ally." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
"Hey boss" greeted a cheerful Tony as he came into my office. I glanced up from the contracts I was signing and smiled at him in greeting.
"I just finished contacting with headquarters" he informed "I found out that Diamond La Femme is throwing a ball. Although no La Morte has ever been invited or gone to one of his parties, it is well known fact that they are fantastic! Lieutenant Rei and Mina have received exclusive invitations from him and they want you to attend. La Femme invited you personally to be the guest of honor on this special occasion. It is his 10th year anniversary of leadership and La Femme organizations' 250-year annual anniversary of birth. It will only include very selective and influential members. No government agents are going to slip into this party, the place will be swarming with security. It is known that he spent at least 20 grand preparing for it. It will definitely be an occasion to remember."
"He want's me to be the guest of honor on such an important occasion in the history of the La Femmes?" I asked incredulously, "Gees! I know that recently the La Morte and the La Femmes are beginning to have a better relationship, but this magnitude of friendship is simply unbearable! It's situations like these that gets me thinking if he really is setting us up."
"Lieutenant Rei and Mina seem to trust" stated Tony.
"Yeah, I know" I sighed "But what's worrying me is that they seem to trust him a little too much. I mean it was not even two weeks ago that they considered Diamond La Femme as their top enemy. And then, during the night of the Mackenzie ambush, bam! They trust him full hearted. It's been what? Like 10 days after this incident, and look, we're beginning to except the La Femmes with open arms! Don't you think that this is a set up? Don't you think that La Femme planned for this to happen or something?"
"I am in no position to argue with my superiors, but it seems to me Diamond La Femme wants YOUR trust more than anything else. Just look at what measures he took to try to earn it." remarked Tony.
"Well, I suppose that if I keep on my toes I'll be ready for anything that he tries to pull. He will discover that my trust is not so easily earned."
"So are you still going to the ball?" asked Tony hesitantly.
"Yes I am" I answered with a sinister grin "I am eager to meet this new side of La Femme myself. Contact Mina and Rei when they get back from their latest mission. I want the preparations ready."
"Right away boss" replied Tony obediently. "The party is in four days and lieutenant Mina and Rei should be back at headquarters in around two days."
"OK, I want you or Ronda to phone my school and come up with an excuse for my absence for the week and I want a jet here by tomorrow afternoon. I should arrive at headquarters in approximately the same time as Rei and Mina. I will make further preparations there with them." I concluded.
"Alright, I will inform Ronda about your plan immediately" proclaimed Tony as he quietly left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
This was going to be a long tiresome week. And who knows how tiresome it's going to get acting all perfect and happy in La Femmes party. It will be pretty hard not to act suspicious, especially since the mastermind himself will be probably right in front of me for most of the night.
"What are you up to La Femme?" I could not help but wonder out loud the number one question that's been in my head ever since this whole thing began. This question has also raised a sense of insecurity within me that slightly shattered my confidence.
"And will I be able to stop you?"
AN: Hi guys! Just want to clarify a few things: I know that you're only politically allowed to run for office when you're at least 35, but in my story Sapphire was able to run when he was16 due to the fact that Diamond pulled some strings for him. I also want to ask if you think that I am stretching this story far too long. Do you think that I should end it soon or do you think that I should keep going? Do you want this to be a Serena/Diamond or Serena/Darien pairing? I can make it either way in the end, but I can't really put her with Seiya with the way I want to end this story. Sorry for those who like Seiya. Sorry for the long update! And REVIEW ME to give me your answers for these questions.
REVIEW ME!
Diamond La Femme confidently walked inside the room littered with bloody corpses, followed closely behind by one of his best agents, the cruel and heartless Roger Moore, a.k.a. Kindle. Diamond's deep violet eyes carefully scanned the room until, at last, they landed on the two helpless La Morte lieutenants. He greeted the two lieutenants with one of his dazzling grins, indicating that he meant no harm.
"Why isn't this the two beautiful La Morte lieutenants. Minako Aino and Rei Hino, it is a pleasure to see you again" greeted Diamond with his ice smooth voice on a friendly tone.
"What do you want La Femme?" asked Rei with a voice that was cold enough to freeze over hell.
"Just stopping by on some business" answered Diamond as if it was the simplest thing in the world. "Although I am eager to know why you two are here at my estate."
"Your estate?" questioned Mina with sarcasm "didn't know you owned property in Kenya."
"Well, you see ladies, this is my estate. Old man Mackenzie there was just warming it up for me" replied Diamond, indicating with a nod to Mackenzie's direction in the corner. This caused Mackenzie to snap out of his shock and look straight at Diamond with hatred clearly evident in his eyes.
"Why you double crossing bastard-" screamed a red faced Mackenzie who was immediately silenced by a bullet through the skull. Diamond grinned with satisfaction as Roger tucked the gun that had ended Mackenzie's life under his belt, proud of earning his boss' favor. The corpse that was once Furhata Mackenzie sat unnaturally still on the chair at the corner of the room. His eyes bulged out with shock and anger and his mouth was open wide in protest to his death. Furhata Mackenzie, the wealthy crime lord of Kenya, was no more.
"Sorry for the inconvenience ladies, but I do believe that he was coming to be quite a nuisance" proclaimed Diamond as he turned his attention back to Mina and Rei, as if nothing out of the ordinary had just occurred. Mina and Rei stared at the scene in silence with great intensity, hiding their shock well.
"I take it that he didn't like to be called your lackey" stated Mina, breaking the uncomfortable silence.
"He was stepping over his line" responded Diamond "but let's not talk about such unpleasantries, I am still rather curious as to why La Morte would sent her lieutenants here, to what seemed to be right an ambush. You were cornered and I am rather surprised as to how two leaders as skilled as you two could be cornered by a simpleton like Mackenzie."
"Leave our boss out of this!" growled Rei with anger.
"Of course you know that I mean no offense Ms. Hino. I have the most highest regard for Ms. La Morte" stated Diamond in defense "I am just concerned that someone with such a high status as yourselves would end up in the hands of someone as lowly as Mackenzie. It would be such a shame." This well stated comment had caused an internal struggle in both Rei and Mina as each struggled to make sense of the current situation.
'I can't believe that Diamond La Femme just saved us' thought Mina incredulously 'and worse, from some pathetic bastard like Mackenzie. How could we have been so stupid as to not see the signs?'
'What if this is a set up?' thought Rei with suspicion 'but then why are we not dead yet? If La Femme did set this up, then we should be dead by now. Why else would he want as if not to kill the two La Morte lieutenants? Why is he befriending us?'
Diamond sense the two lieutenants internal struggle and decided that this was the time to hammer in the final nail and end their suspicions once and for all. This was the speech that would earn their loyalty.
"This is no set up ladies. It is a complete coincidence that we have met here. I was here to personally establish a relationship with Mackenzie when I heard the gunfires and decided to investigate them myself. It is how I found this suit and you two cornered. All thoughts of establishment with Mackenzie were pushed out of my mind when I realized that you two were out numbered 25 to 2. You two may be the lieutenants of my rival organization, but all rules change when an external force attacks our establishment. It would be a disgrace to the whole Mafia name if you two got killed by someone like Mackenzie! I just could not let this happen! The La Femmes and the La Mortes may be constantly in war, but we should certainly look out for each other when our members are murdered by such insignificant insects! If we allow further mistreatment by such pathetic groups then we will lose our well-earned respect from the other crime families. We cannot let this happen because the La Femmes AND the La Mortes were born for leadership in crime."
Mina and Rei nodded their head in agreement, totally awestruck by the powerful presentation of care. All thoughts of suspicion were erased from their mind when they saw the sincere look in Diamond's eyes. They were mesmerized by this speech and by the amount of sincerity and effort that Diamond had put into this. They saw emotions that were clearly a rare case for the cold-hearted La Femme leader.
It is from this moment on that they have realized that Diamond La Femme has not only earned their respect, but their full trust as well. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
Seiya sighed dreamily and gazed off into space, totally oblivious of Taiki's report.
'Why do we have to have these meetings if there is absolutely nothing going on?' thought Seiya with annoyance, 'What is he even talking about? Something to do with the La Mortes in Kenya? I wonder what Usagi is doing right now? Is she thinking about me? I wonder-'
"I never thought that'd I ever have to ask this, but Seiya, are you even listening to me?" asked Taiki, both annoyed and surprised at Seiya lack of attention.
"What?! Oh! Yes! Sure! The La Morte in Kenya" answered Seiya, startled by the sudden interruption of Taiki's question.
"Well, well, well" started Yaten with a sinister grin, "it seems like the careless bachelor Seiya Kou has finally fallen for a woman..Oh, I'm sorry, a girl. But don't worry pal, even the best of us fall sometimes. So tell me, how is that high school chick? What's her name again? Umali? Usani? Ura- "
"Its Usagi!" interrupted Seiya before Yaten could embarrass him any further, "And she is doing just fine."
"You went out with a high school girl?!" asked a bewildered Taiki.
"Correction, he IS going out with a high school chick" stated Yaten, enjoying himself immensely as the ever-emotionless Seiya Kou turned crimson red.
"Seiya, is this true?!" Taiki demanded to know, staring intently at Seiya to wait for a respond.
"Yes" came the murmured reply that Yaten hoped.
"What! Seiya, I know that we have all been pressuring you to get into a serious relationship instead of having one night stands, but we didn't mean for you to go hit on high school girls! You know that you are 25 right? As the head of the FBI, people of all ages look up to you and you sure don't set an example well by going out with a minor! What were you thinking?! How old is she?! Are you bedding her?!" demanded Taiki with one of his famous lectures.
"She is a high school senior and no, I am not sleeping with her!" defended Seiya angrily.
"Not yet." added Yaten, enjoying the scenario where the sophisticated Seiya gets chewed up.
"Shut up wise guy!" threatened Seiya, "unless you want to be assigned desk duty for the rest of your career!" Yaten quickly suppressed himself from making anymore sexual comments, no matter how much the situation craved it. He certainly did not feel like sitting behind a desk and filling out paper work for the rest of his life.
"Look," began Seiya, "I didn't mean to like her, but I just did, alright? She might be a little young for me-"
"Gee, you think?" interrupted Taiki's sarcastic tone.
"Let me finish!" yelled Seiya in frustration. "She might be still seventeen, but neither of us think that the age difference is an issue. She is a sweet and kind girl. The ones that you don't see too often these days with all the sex and violence corrupting high school kids. She is innocent and mature beyond her years and she is exactly the kind of girl that I want to have a serious relationship with."
"But for Christ's sake Seiya, she is a minor!" objected Taiki.
"I told you, the age span is not a big deal between us!" yelled Seiya, getting angrier by the minute.
"But it is to the rest of society!" argued Taiki.
"So?! Screw what society thinks! Why should I give up a relationship that I want to have just because society doesn't agree with it?!"
Taiki took a deep breath, bringing his temper back to control. "Look Seiya," he started calmly "just because a girl is sweet and innocent, doesn't mean that she has to be yours. Yes, she might be a rare case these days, but that still doesn't mean that you have to protect her from the world. Let someone else do it. Someone who will love her. Someone who she will not feel overwhelmed with. Someone her AGE."
"Someone who will take advantage of her and dump her afterwards, leaving her broken?" replied Seiya "I don't think so!"
"Well, maybe it won't turn out to be that way!" objected Taiki.
"Maybe it will!" countered Seiya.
"I'm telling you Seiya," warned Taiki "she will be a distraction to your work and in constant danger. After all, we ARE hunting down people like La Morte and La Femme and I guarantee you that they will take advantage of this relationship! And not to mention the public! In fact, I'm surprised that the press is not surrounding her house right now!"
"I know" sighed Seiya "but that's why I am prepared to protect her! Usually I wouldn't be so selfish, but..oh I don't know! I just feel good about everything when she is around."
"I think your falling for her," concluded Yaten, tired of being an observer instead of a participant "although I never thought that I would see the day when YOU fall in love. I say, screw society and go get her!" Seiya shot him an angry glare, but softened into smile once he saw the sincerity in Yaten's eyes. Taiki sighed in defeat.
"Out of all the women you could have fallen in love with, you had to choose her" remarked Taiki, admitting defeat. "Well then, I guess that I would have to support you in this since your heart is already set. BUT I want you to know that I am still do not approve about this whole age difference."
"Thanks Taiki" replied Seiya with a warm smile, glad that Taiki has finally come to terms with this relationship, "and don't worry, you'll get over this whole age difference eventually." Taiki nodded in response and smiled warmly, glad that the fight was finally over. Going up against crime organizations such as the La Morte and La Femme and with major competition from the Central Intelligence Agency, the FBI could not AFFORD to have its commanding forces split. They needed full cooperation in the agency.
"Well, now that the whole relationship fight is over, let's get back to business" concluded Seiya, "What were you reporting before Taiki?"
"There has been rumors that the La Mortes want to expand into Kenya" stated Taiki. "It could be true considering there is no major drug dealership there. The La Mortes could quickly make an easy fortune there and I see no reason on what is stopping them. My suggestion is we investigate this further. If this is in fact true, then we should sent out a team to Kenya and stop the La Mortes there. It should be easy since they have yet not established a base there are probably not organized. What do you say, Seiya?"
"Well, you pretty much got this whole thing covered" replied Seiya with a grin "could not have planned it better myself. Good job Taiki! You have my full permission to go ahead with this operation and Yaten will assist you. Keep me updated if anything happens."
Both Taiki and Yaten nodded at their given instructions quietly left the office to carry out the plan. They were careful to not let the La Mortes receive word that the FBI was onto them. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
"I'm sorry," I said with a worried laugh over the large monitor screen, "I must have heard you wrong. Because what I heard was you guys got rescued by Diamond La Femme!"
"That's right" answered Mina calmly on the other side.
"What?!" I exclaimed with total disbelief, "La Femme?!"
"Yeah, funny, isn't it?" remarked Rei with a nervous laugh.
"I don't think 'funny' was quite the word I was looking for. More like unbelievable! Or ridiculous!" I proclaimed. "Why in the nine hells would Diamond La Femme want to lift a finger to help you?! Kill you, more like it, but not help you! No, something doesn't seem right!"
"Well.he was a little too friendly," inquired Mina "but he also seemed really sincere about what he said."
"What?! You're taking his side Mina?!" I asked incredulously.
"But he saved us for absolutely no reason!" jumped Rei to Mina's defense, "and he really did look sincere about what he said."
"Oh? Pray do tell, what did Mr. Fabulous say?" I asked sarcastically with a hint of interest in my tone.
"That the La Mortes and the La Femmes should stick together when they are attached by an outside force such as the government agencies and rival gangs" replied Rei, trying to remember his moving speech word by word. He had expanded further on this topic when he invited them to dine with him the same night of the ambush.
"But he IS our rival gang!" I yelled with frustration.
"Yeah, but he said that we may be rivals, but in a way are also allies. We may both be fighting for the title as the head organization but neither of us would be able to stand it if another gang was to cut in and take our rightful place. That's why we should look out for each other!" proclaimed Mina.
"I can't believe that you two are defending him!" I remarked in anger, "did it ever occur to either of you that this might be a trap?"
"Yeah, at first" admitted Rei "but then, why wouldn't he kill us when he had the chance? We were completely outnumbered and backed into a corner. If he did want us dead, then he would have just let Mackenzie's men finish us off."
"I suppose" I implied with uncertainty.
"So this couldn't have been a trap" concluded Mina "he helped us out of that situation and he wanted nothing in return. NOTHING!"
"What was he even doing there in the first place?" I asked with suspicion.
"Oh, he actually admitted to us that he wanted to establish a base in Kenya after hearing the rumors of our interest in the city. He wanted to rival us and not miss out on a great opportunity such as this. But when he saw us getting attached by Mackenzie's men, his whole deal with Mackenzie was off" answered Rei.
"He actually admitted that?" I asked with disbelief.
"Yeah, pretty amazing, isn't it?" laughed Rei, "who would have thought that the infamous ruthless La Femme leader was actually a nice guy?"
"Are you sure that HE was telling the truth instead of just bullshitting you guys?" I asked, once again, suspicion clearly heard in my voice.
"YES!" cried Mina with exasperation, clearly annoyed at my continues distrust.
I sighed with defeat as I looked at their hopeful faces on the screen. They seemed so optimistic about La Femme's sudden change of attitude. It was as if they now trusted him completely. I am more than amazed at what La Femme managed to do in the brief time of one single evening. I know that Rei and Mina are not gullible and are very careful about whom they trust, but this completely changed their perspectives. I struggled to make sense of this whole situation. Why would La Femme want their trust? Does he want to ruin this organization from the inside? No, of course not! No matter how much Rei and Mina trust him, they would never betray me nor this organization to him! It will simply not happen!
"Um...Serena?" inquired Rei, breaking my stream of thought.
"Huh?"
"So..what do you think about all this?" she asked nervously, bracing herself for my negative outburst.
"Well, since you guys seem to trust him so much, I suppose that I should give him a try" I proclaimed with a smile, "I know that you two would never direct me wrong. I believe fully in you and Mina's ability to judge character. If you guys like him so much then there must be something good about him. Although, I can't promise that I will like him as much as you two do, I will still try to get along with him and see what he is like for myself. I'm sorry that I didn't support you guys on this from the beginning, but you do have my full support now. I'm just so happy and relieved that you two made it back alright!"
"Thanks for being so understanding Serena" responded Mina with a big smile.
"Yeah, thanks Sere" added Rei, "I understand that this must be hard for you to accept considering he was your arch nemesis for the most part of your life. Hell, it still sounds unbelievable to me! I know that you still have doubt and, frankly, I don't blame you. You just have to meet him for yourself before you make any judgments. I know that your first meeting with him in the pentagon didn't go over so well, but really, give him another try and I promise that you won't regret it."
"How can I refuse this when you guys are showing so much confidence in him?" I proclaimed softly with a bright smile, "And I also thank you for opening me up for other possibilities beyond what my narrow mind wants to believe."
"Oh Serena, you're not narrow minded!" implied Mina with a teasing voice, once again managing to brighten up the situation.
"I'm just SO happy that you two are alright!" I repeated once again with pure joy "I was so worried when I found out! Do you know how hard it was for me to sit here and do nothing? I literally wanted to fly to Kenya myself! Oh, I wish that I were with you guys in headquarters right now! I want to give you guys a big tight hug SO much! I miss you!"
"We miss you too Serena, " responded Rei "but there is no sense for you to fly all the way here from Tokyo for no reason but to just see us. After all, aren't we seeing each other on the screen right now? Just hang on for a few more months Sere and then you'll be out of that 'hell hole school', as you call it, for good!"
"Yeah Serena, Re is right" agreed Mina "just hang on there for a few more months and then you'll be back for good. In fact, lets go on a full blow out shopping spree once you're back!" Sweat drops appeared on both mine and Rei's head at Mina's high enthusiasm. It was so like her to be planning out a shopping trip so far in advance. Shopping was not only Mina's hobby, but passion as well.
"Well, since I can't come over there, I want to hear all about your amazing escape over the monitor right now!" I pretty much demanded in an excited voice as I got comfortable in my seat for a long tale. I was especially looking forward to hearing how La Femme got involved this situation. After all, as they knew, I still had doubt in my mind. I made a note to myself to be especially careful from now on.
If this whole thing is a set up, then I want to be fully prepared when he strikes. *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
"Your plan is running perfectly" Sapphire congratulated Diamond "you have La Morte's lieutenants eating out of your hand now and no doubt they're whispering just the right words about you in her ears."
"Yes, but I am still not quite satisfied with the result" proclaimed Diamond with a frown.
"Why not?" asked an eager Sapphire, not believing that Diamond was still not happy despite this tremendous progress. "You have her lieutenants on your side and now she is probably rethinking her hatred towards you too. Pretty soon you will have her on your side too and then the La Morte organization will be ours for the taking. What more could you want?"
"Don't be fooled Sapphire" warned Diamond "La Morte will not be as easily persuaded as her lieutenants. She may be a rookie, but she is definitely a smart one. Yes, she may be reevaluating her feelings towards me right now due to her lieutenants' suggestions, but she will not except me as they have with open arms. From what I've seen of her plan tactics, she will most likely bind her time. She will give me a chance, but meanwhile, she will be on constant lookout for anything suspicious in me. She wants to be ready when I strike or if I strike."
"How can you know this?" asked Sapphire with bewilderment "And what if you're wrong? What is she has come to terms with the fact that you want to help the La Morte organization instead of destroying it?"
"She will not trust her former rival so well" stated Diamond with simplicity, "In fact, she may view me as an even bigger threat now then before my sudden change of attitude. She thinks that I want the La Morte organization gone, but what she doesn't suspect is that I want to merge her organization with ours. With the two organizations together and with her ruling by my side, we could do wanders to the world!"
"Yes, but I doubt she will be as ready to accept this as you are" remarked Sapphire "She may come to trust you and come to terms with the fact that you're no longer her enemy, but I highly doubt that she would agree to this merger. After all, she has been taught that the La Femmes are her highest enemy next to the government agencies and I doubt that she is going to go against the teachings that Kenji La Morte probably taught her himself before he died."
"She may not come to accept this right away but she will eventually if we take it on a step at a time" stated Diamond.
"How?"
"First we will talk of an alliance that may aid both of us against the government agencies. Since I am currently known to her as a helping person, she will suspect nothing and only think of this as a convenience."
"But I highly doubt that she will even agree to an alliance" interrupted Sapphire.
"Do you remember the time that the La Mortes and the La Femmes fought side by side Sapphire?" reminded Diamond "As a matter of fact, it was only a decade ago when Kenji La Morte was still alive. The alliance broke off when he died and our dear father thought that the La Mortes were too unstable to rule by our side. It was after this then the rivalry started although our people wanted full dominance over La Mortes generations ago."
Sapphire nodded at this brief explanation of history. "This whole rivalry is what caused father's death. If he didn't try to set up the La Mortes in Toronto then the CIA would have never shot him. It is still unbelievable that father did not see the agents coming."
"What's in the past is in the past. Father was a fool to not see the agents and a completely unworthy leader of the La Femme organization." stated Diamond with anger. He has still not quite forgiven his father for killing his mother due to the fact that she was against the La Femmes way of living. Sapphire nodded, he might have had feeling towards his father, but he trusted and adored Diamond way more. In Sapphire's mind, his big brother was always right.
"You see Sapphire," continued on Diamond, not letting the memory of his late father distract him from business, "Serena La Morte may be over suspicious, but she is not narrow minded. She will most likely consider the fact of heeling old wounds and reforming the alliance that was lost despite her father's death. Of course, I will inform her of all the advantages and I trust that she will figure out the disadvantages as well. She may waver in this decision right now, but she will come to accept it with her lieutenants constantly urging her and with me putting pressure on her. Of course, it will be friendly pressure considering the fact that I also want to earn her trust."
"I still think that it's a long shot" replied Sapphire with a frown, "especially earning her trust." Diamond smiled at his littler brother's needless and constant worrying.
"Sapphire, in this game, time is our strongest ally." *~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ *~*
"Hey boss" greeted a cheerful Tony as he came into my office. I glanced up from the contracts I was signing and smiled at him in greeting.
"I just finished contacting with headquarters" he informed "I found out that Diamond La Femme is throwing a ball. Although no La Morte has ever been invited or gone to one of his parties, it is well known fact that they are fantastic! Lieutenant Rei and Mina have received exclusive invitations from him and they want you to attend. La Femme invited you personally to be the guest of honor on this special occasion. It is his 10th year anniversary of leadership and La Femme organizations' 250-year annual anniversary of birth. It will only include very selective and influential members. No government agents are going to slip into this party, the place will be swarming with security. It is known that he spent at least 20 grand preparing for it. It will definitely be an occasion to remember."
"He want's me to be the guest of honor on such an important occasion in the history of the La Femmes?" I asked incredulously, "Gees! I know that recently the La Morte and the La Femmes are beginning to have a better relationship, but this magnitude of friendship is simply unbearable! It's situations like these that gets me thinking if he really is setting us up."
"Lieutenant Rei and Mina seem to trust" stated Tony.
"Yeah, I know" I sighed "But what's worrying me is that they seem to trust him a little too much. I mean it was not even two weeks ago that they considered Diamond La Femme as their top enemy. And then, during the night of the Mackenzie ambush, bam! They trust him full hearted. It's been what? Like 10 days after this incident, and look, we're beginning to except the La Femmes with open arms! Don't you think that this is a set up? Don't you think that La Femme planned for this to happen or something?"
"I am in no position to argue with my superiors, but it seems to me Diamond La Femme wants YOUR trust more than anything else. Just look at what measures he took to try to earn it." remarked Tony.
"Well, I suppose that if I keep on my toes I'll be ready for anything that he tries to pull. He will discover that my trust is not so easily earned."
"So are you still going to the ball?" asked Tony hesitantly.
"Yes I am" I answered with a sinister grin "I am eager to meet this new side of La Femme myself. Contact Mina and Rei when they get back from their latest mission. I want the preparations ready."
"Right away boss" replied Tony obediently. "The party is in four days and lieutenant Mina and Rei should be back at headquarters in around two days."
"OK, I want you or Ronda to phone my school and come up with an excuse for my absence for the week and I want a jet here by tomorrow afternoon. I should arrive at headquarters in approximately the same time as Rei and Mina. I will make further preparations there with them." I concluded.
"Alright, I will inform Ronda about your plan immediately" proclaimed Tony as he quietly left the room, leaving me alone with my thoughts.
This was going to be a long tiresome week. And who knows how tiresome it's going to get acting all perfect and happy in La Femmes party. It will be pretty hard not to act suspicious, especially since the mastermind himself will be probably right in front of me for most of the night.
"What are you up to La Femme?" I could not help but wonder out loud the number one question that's been in my head ever since this whole thing began. This question has also raised a sense of insecurity within me that slightly shattered my confidence.
"And will I be able to stop you?"
AN: Hi guys! Just want to clarify a few things: I know that you're only politically allowed to run for office when you're at least 35, but in my story Sapphire was able to run when he was16 due to the fact that Diamond pulled some strings for him. I also want to ask if you think that I am stretching this story far too long. Do you think that I should end it soon or do you think that I should keep going? Do you want this to be a Serena/Diamond or Serena/Darien pairing? I can make it either way in the end, but I can't really put her with Seiya with the way I want to end this story. Sorry for those who like Seiya. Sorry for the long update! And REVIEW ME to give me your answers for these questions.
REVIEW ME!