The Crane and the Falcon

Chapter VI

Fightdirrty - (Waves) Love your name, welcome to the story! It's great to have a new reviewer! I hope you don't mind I used your mention of Carly Corinthos as inspiration for a minor, minor character…I thought it might be a bit nicer than a little blurb shout out…Please review more, I accept all things review-y!

Blodeuedd - I totally understand, thank you for pointing this out to me! (Bows) Thanks for your continuing compliments, they keep me going!

"Sakura, Mr. Crane."

"Jonathan."

Dr. Crane put the car into reverse carefully and backed out into the street before speeding away. Sakura's eyes followed his dark car with a small twinkle. That Crane, easily spooked. She shook her head and turned back to the car, which was loaded with the painting and a small, crystal sculpture T.K.O. had stolen from another wing of the museum.

"Who was that?" Virus asked as she slid into the back seat. Sakura raised and eyebrow and chuckled.

"Curious, aren't we?"

Virus shuffled uncomfortably and coughed. "Well…"

"Jon Crane. He works over at Arkham," she replied. T.K.O. nodded, but Virus opened his mouth to question her again and received a firm punch on the arm from the driver. He had been with Sakura long enough to know when to let her be, and after a heist was when she was most irritable (somewhat backwards, but that was a Falcone for you).

The young computer hacker began grumbling to himself again and began typing furiously on his laptop. The blue light illuminated his face, making him seem more pale than he usually was. It reflected off his eyes, making them an eerie but familiar color.

Sakura caught the boy's reflection in the rearview mirror and couldn't help but think of the ice orbs of Dr. Jonathan Crane.

As he drove away from the museum, Crane couldn't help but glance back at the Jeep as it sped in the other direction. He shook his head and allowed himself a small smile. The doctor didn't really expect to meet another Falcone that night, and he certainly didn't think it would be someone like Sakura.

A half-Italian, half-Japanese princess of the underworld; she was surely one of a kind. Jonathan wasn't sure whether or not he found her attractive. True, she wasn't a classic beauty, but her dark eyes, olive skin, and petite frame were something that no man could ignore, Crane included. On the other hand, Crane found no woman attractive by choice. He didn't have time for women, and they certainly wouldn't give him the time of day. Someone like Sakura would never give him a second glance if they passed on the street. And so, he wouldn't give her a second thought.

Dr. Crane sighed heavily as he parked the car and entered his apartment building. He climbed the stairs wearily, keys jingling, and succumbed to sleep in his dingy single bed.

Sakura Falcone was a night owl, like many in her line of work. The screams of the men she killed would haunt her only in her dreams, and to stay awake was to stay ignorant of her past devilish deeds. The police of Gotham knew her by sight, marked either by her exotic sports cars or her motorcade. They dared not stop her . At night, Gotham was her playground. She often raced the streets to clear her head. The coursing adrenaline focused her mind and energies. It was like a high for her. A dangerous high.

The woman pulled a box half-full of cigarettes from the glove compartment and took her hands off the wheel to light one, car still speeding along the Gotham River Bridge at ninety miles an hour. She inhaled and then let out a puff of white smoke and that always calmed her frazzled nerves. She sighed in content and slowed to a paltry sixty once she entered the residential district of Gotham's rich and powerful. She passed estate after estate. On her left was Wayne Manor, to her right, a soft green lawn ran level with the river. The city almost looked peaceful from here. Almost.

She was the only Falcone to not live in Carmine's sprawling mansion estate outside of Gotham. She preferred the hustle and bustle viewed from her contemporary penthouse. She loved to sit in the living room late at night and watch Gotham from on high. It made her feel like a god. She loved it.

Her car was filled with soothing smoke by the time she returned home. Or her apartment, at least. Sakura Falcone really had no place she could call home.

It was business as usual for the next few days, minus the little "favors" Sakura performed for her uncle. They had become fewer and far between since her 25th birthday, when her uncle had explicitly requested she settle down and give him some more heirs. Sakura had laughed it off and pointedly refused to date many of the rich men her uncle suggested. Her love life was…nonexistent at best. In school, boys were to afraid of her, as everyone knew how her family made the money that bought her Louis Vuitton. They respected her of course, but afraid to go any further than friendship. The most popular rumor was that her boyfriend at her old parochial school had his index fingers "removed". Terribly funny, no?

But she didn't care. She had no want for a man and was perfectly content with her substitute: fast cars, fast living, and answering to no one. It was Sakura's glory days.

The week trickled on slowly. Sakura slept for a few hours after she would return home from her nights of recklessness and wake before the worst of her memories could begin to haunt her dreams. Her waking hours were spent training with her sensei she paid to have moved from Japan and painting. The first she found invigorating and the second she found relaxing. She would paint anything that came to mind, in any color, in any style.

By that weekend, Carmine Falcone had not seen his niece in a week, and intended to call upon her for yet another favor.

The ringing phone woke her from her stupor painting brought, and with a loud groan of frustration she plucked the phone from its cradle.

"What?" she barked.

"Please hold for Carmine Falcone," a woman, her voice shaking, said into the phone. Sakura rolled her eyes. Carly Corinthos, daughter of a mob grunt, and secretary to Sakura's uncle. Sakura despised the girl's sniveling way of passing through life, latching on to whomever would carry her. The only reason the girl got the job was the fake rack her college funds bought her.

"Make it quick," she muttered and tapped her toes on the ground anxiously. She felt a sudden chill and wrapped her silk kimono tighter around herself.

There was a click after a moment and Sakura was surprised Carly had figured out how to work the phone. "Sakura?"

"I'm here."

"How are ya?"

"Well-,"

"Sorry, hon, I'm pressed for time. Can ya do me a favor?"

"Always."

Carmine missed the flat tone of her voice and continued. "Great, knew you would. God, if you was a guy, there'd be nothing and nobody who-."

"What's the favor?" Sakura rolled her eyes and settled back into her chair. Carmine had what seemed like minor ADHD.

She could hear him collect his thoughts over the phone. "Favor? Oh, yeah. Well, got any plans tonight?"

"You know I don't."

"Well, don't make any."

Sakura scoffed softly and rolled her eyes again. Her uncle could be so trying sometimes.

Carmine could sense the disdain in her voice, "You being wise with me? You being wise, Sakura Sophia Mirihoto Falcone?"

"No, Uncle."

"Good."

"That favor…?"

"I'm getting to it," Carmine sighed with a growl. "I need you go down to the docks and oversee the shipments for tonight-."

"Oh, no, I'm done my share of overseeing!" Sakura spat back. Overseeing was quite possibly one of the most tedious jobs her uncle could give her. Wait for the drugs. Watch lackeys load the drugs. Confirm the loading of the drugs. What a barrel of fun. "Get Danny or-," she stumbled, trying to recall her cousins capable of the job, "or John. John'll do it!"

"No." Carmine refused firmly. "No, I want you there. The men trust you to get the job done right. Besides, I don't want that Johnny anywhere near my drugs after that shit he pulled last year." Over the line Sakura sighed. "I'm sorry, hon, but I need ya to do this for me. I don't trust that guy-," he searched for the name, "-that guy over at Arkham, you met him, uh-."

"Mr. Crane?" Sakura's voice changed as she said the words. A smile tugged at her lips as she thought of their second meeting where Crane thought he was going to receive a bullet for his curiosity.

"Yeah, yeah, that guy. He wants to make sure his drugs get in alright, and I don't want him sniffing around the warehouse, you understand?" Carmine emphasized his last words with a sharp edge to his voice. Sakura did not reply. She was crestfallen at having to spend her night freezing her nose off waiting for a bunch of apes and a forklift to drop a few boxes. "I'm sorry, Sakky, but I wouldn't ask unless I really needed it. This'll be the last time, I promise. That Crane guy's only gonna oversee with you this week-."

She was tired of hearing her uncle's meaningless ramblings and if she was needed at the docks, she would need to get a move on. "Alright, alright."

"Thanks, Sakky. I'll make it up to ya- hey, hey, one of my buddies stole a dozen new Ferraris, how 'bout one of those?"

"That'll be fine."

"Alright, you'll have by Wednesday." Sakura could hear whispering in the back round and a distinct giggle. She rubbed the bridge of her nose and bit back a groan of disappointment.

"Who you talking to, Carmy?" a syrupy, candy-like voice clearly said.

"None of ya damn business, girl!" Carmine's voice was muffled as if he covered the phone when he yelled at the girl draping herself over his shoulder. Sakura could hear another giggle and cleared her throat.

"Guest of yours?"

"Sorry, Sakky, sweetheart, I've got to go-."

"Time?"

"What?"

"What time do you need me there for?"

"Oh, yeah. Eight or so alright?"

"Yeah."

"Okay, I love ya-."

"Love you too."

But Carmine had already hung up. Sakura exhaled heavily and held the phone tightly in her hands. "I hate overseeing," she seethed before picking herself up and stalking off to the shower.

Alright, I understand it is difficult to review for each chapter, but come on. I do have a hit counter. I know there are at least 20 of you following up to chapter 5, and would really, really appreciate feedback on the story. If it's good, let me know. Anything bad, I welcome flames with open arms and I find it hard to shine without someone pushing me to. So please, save an author, write a review.

I hope you like this extra long chappie!