Author's Note: Yes…it has been a long time since you have seen or heard anything from me. I've been in writer's block jail ever since I've finished one of my originals. (Maybe I'll post it on fictionpress.) Anyways…let's get down to the details.

Summary: Tamiko Ava Straugh-Nightshade is the youngest and deadliest assassin in all of Gaia. People cower in fear at her name and there is no one that rivals her skills. Her newest target: Kuja Tribal.

Rating: For the most part, PG-13. On…with the show.

Prelude

Tamiko Ava Straugh-Nightshade:

There is something about the full moon that excites me. Maybe it is the glow it produces, filling the world with curving, angular shadows that I love to hide in. But any assassin can share this marvelous feeling. The feeling one gets when they are committing a satisfying sin. I am not much of a philosopher…nor am I a priest, but I do know my share of sins. (Having committed a large amount throughout my life of danger and violence.) I gripped the hilt of my sword tightly and yawned silently. I hated being this inactive during a full moon.

My last kill had been far too easy, meaning that it wasn't very much fun. Not only that, but my last few jobs had been the same way as well. I was simply tired of poor quality jobs that were assigned to me by the guild-master. I was Tamiko Ava Straugh-Nightshade, top assassin in the Tori guild and in Gaia. No one can top my skills and yet…I'm stuck with the crappiest jobs. I sighed. I suppose I can't complain.

"Gazing at the moon again?"

I knew who that voice belonged to. It was Micah, one of the top male assassins in the guild. He was sort of like a brother to me, rescuing me from the tyrannies of street life. Plus, he keeps the other males away from me. Why? My beauty was the only thing that clearly rivaled my skills.

"You know I can't help it. Besides, it helps me take my mind off of things," I said softly, folding my arms across my chest.

Micah flashed his bright pearly white teeth at me in a perfect smile and smoothed his long raven locks out of his face. I loved the way he did that…it was so graceful. That grace is normally what charms Micah's victims to death. They get so tied up…

"Yeah, I heard about your last assignment. A critical waste of your skills was it not?" Micah asked.

A critical waste? You could call it that.

"Yes, it was a waste, but I have no right to question the guild-master. Still, I couldn't beat the exercise."

Micah chuckled.

"Lady Torien holds you in high regard, Tamiko. She thinks of you as a daughter and not a high class assassin."

I snorted.

"When have I ever looked like her?"

Micah shrugged.

"I wasn't referring to looks. I was just saying that she doesn't give you harder assignments because of your safety."

Safety? Was there such a word in the assassin's dictionary? Micah saw my expression and patted my shoulder.

"Come on, Lady Torien must have some new assignments for the both of us."

Great…more lame assignments. I could hear my sword crying in its scabbard. Yet, I followed Micah back inside of the giant guild-house as quietly as a mouse. The other members of the guild were in the common room, waiting for Lady Torien to appear. All of the men turned their heads in my direction (except for Micah) and licked their lips lustfully. I was filled with the urge to cower and duck out of sight. I hated the sight of lust-filled men. It was something I had come in contact with a lot.

A firm hand brushed my backside, making me jump violently. I whipped around with a snarl only to see Meridian's smiling face. I could tell by his expression that he had drunk himself silly.

"Lady Torien won't approve of you touching me," I snapped.

I was almost tempted to cut him down where he stood. But I had no basis for it…yet. Meridian smirked and licked his lips again.

"You can't expect me to not touch you. You're so beautiful."

He grabbed me around my back and kissed me on the lips roughly. I shoved myself away from him with a snarl. Micah jumped forward, sword at the ready.

"No!" I managed to shout.

Micah shot me a glare that could have melted cities, but amazing stayed still.

"Why are you defending him?" He shouted.

A strange smile eased across my lips as I unsheathed my sword. The room fell silent as I crept forward on my toes.

"I want to cut him down myself," I whispered.

Micah quickly and silently moved out of the way, watching me with dark eyes. Meridian staggered backwards with a hazy grin on his face, oblivious to his fate. With one even stroke, I brought the sword across his face. He howled in pain and fell backwards onto the floor. I pounced on him with the speed of a cat and kept swinging until there was a pile of mangled flesh and bones.

"Tamiko Ava Straugh-Nightshade, what are you doing?"

There's something about sins that makes you uncontrollable. Something about committing sins that makes you feel invincible.

"Tamiko, answer Lady Torien," Micah whispered, sheathing his sword.

I was still in a daze from the kill, but I managed to bow.

"I had to dispose of Meridian, Lady Torien," I mumbled.

The crowd parted before me, revealing Lady Torien wrapped in expensive kimono robes. She appeared to be very angry with me, or something…

"Sheathe your sword, Tamiko," She said loudly.

I did as she said and stared at the floor.

"Lady Torien, Tamiko was just defending herself," Micah piped up.

Torien gave Micah a glare that rivaled Micah's previous one…and then she turned in my direction.

"Is this true?"

I nodded.

"He made a pass at me, I just defended myself."

Lady Torien narrowed her eyes.

"It seems like I've underestimated you, Tamiko. And for that, I have a brand new assignment for you."

I tried to hide my interest, but it was hard. New assignments were a plus for killing Meridian. I bowed deeply and straightened up.

"What is my next assignment?" I asked, hiding the amusement in my voice.

"One of my business partners has called for the assassination of Gaia's most fearsome villains."

Fearsome, eh? This should be entertaining. I could hardly wait.

"…Your next target is Kuja Tribal."

Everyone in the room gasped loudly. I smirked, ignoring the gasps. I refused to be afraid. This Kuja person would meet the end of my blade.

"Lady Torien, I will do my best, I assure you," I said proudly.

Micah shot me a nervous look. Lady Torien smiled and turned away.

"Everyone, let's leave Tamiko to her planning."

Micah walked up to my side, face frozen in an expression of pure shock.

"You're not going to take it, are you?"

I gave him a baleful look.

"Of course I am. This is my assignment, why should I?"

"Tamiko, I know you are not that naïve. Surely, you know who Kuja Tribal is."

I had to admit that he got me there. In my burst of pride, I'd forgotten to ask for information. I did feel somewhat like an idiot for not knowing.

"No, I don't know who Kuja Tribal is," I replied sourly.

"Kuja Tribal is one of the most powerful sorcerers of all time. He single-handedly attacked the nations of Lindblum and Alexandria and duped several more leaders in the process. Rumor is that King Zidane of Alexandria is the only one that can keep him under control. He's dangerous, I tell you."

Dangerous? Even more fun. But I could understand Micah's concern. After all, he was like a brother to me.

"Micah, please…I'll be fine. If Lady Torien thinks I can handle it, then I can," I said softly, touching the edge of his face.

"Ok…I know you'll do fine, Tamiko. I keep forgetting you're top assassin…or one of them. Just…don't get into too much trouble."

I smiled.

"I won't."

Author's Note: Need reviews for food…