Interlude: Lau's new Guards
Three Month Post Madame Red's Death:
How peculiar.
He tilted his head as he stared at the four unconscious people lying on the floor of his den, a note stapled to one of the men's vest.
Found these in front of my shop. Thought they may belong to you.
Undertaker
It was an easy mistake to make, seeing as how most of the eastern population in London worked under him, but these weren't his. He knew nearly everyone under him, if not by name then by face, but he'd never seen them before.
They all shared similar features, telling him they were all related, parents and their two young sons perhaps?
It would fit.
He leaned closer, opening his eyes completely so that he could observe them closer, his theory of them being a family making more sense the more he saw.
The male with the note stapled to him was the oldest of the group, either in his later thirties or early forties, his feature twisted into a scowl even in oblivion. His skin was darker than his companions giving away the fact he spent most of his time outside, his body fitter than most men half his age. Of the group, he was the only one not sporting a head of raven hair, instead his was a dark chocolate color. He was curled protectively around what could only be his wife, whose face was twisted in grief.
She was beautiful, long raven black hair and pale skin that reminded him of a certain child Earl. She wore a black yukata, a red and white fan on the back, one dainty hand clutching her husband's dark green vest.
Next was the oldest son, his hair the same black hair as his mother and brother, cropped short in a messy disarray atop his head. Like his mother his face was twisted in grief but somehow, he knew that wasn't the young man's usual expression. There were lines near his mouth that showed he like to smile and his body, like his father's, was fit, a strange headband tied around his head.
Last was the youngest, although he couldn't be more than a year younger than his elder brother, his hair swooped up in the back eerily reminiscent of a duck's behind. His face was unnervingly blank in his sleep, the open chested yukata showing off his muscular form to the world, and a sword strapped to his waist.
He wondered if the boy knew how to use that blade.
Ran Mao hummed softly, tensing when the four unknowns began to stir.
The father was the first to wake, onyx eyes snapping open and automatically going to where they were standing. His grip on his wife tightened and he was on his feet before either of them could move.
"Shisui, Sasuke, up." He barked, his accented English giving away his Japanese heritage.
Both sons shot awake and moved to their feet, standing in front of their parents protectively, the elder more so than the younger.
He chuckled and raised his hands placatingly.
"Calm, we mean you no harm."
The younger son snorted, narrowing his dark eyes at him. "Then why are you both armed and watching us."
"You are in my home. An acquaintance of mine found you and mistook you as one of my workers after finding you unconscious in his shop."
The elder son stared at him, then nodded straightening out of his ready stance, the younger following with a scoff that reminded him strongly of Earl Phantomhive's annoyed face.
"My apologies," The wife began, smiling warmly and he fought a blush. "We have no idea where we are. Last we knew, we were waiting for our eldest son, next we knew we were waking up here."
She wasn't lying, per se, but she certainly wasn't telling the truth. Interesting.
"You are in London." He offered.
She tilted her head, and he saw the entire family share looks of confusion.
"London?"
"Great Britain?" He tried to explain but their confusion wasn't abated and he bit back a groan.
They just stared at him and he felt dread pool in his stomach.
Ran Mao made a soft noise in her throat, and he glanced over at her curiously.
"They are lost. Offer them shelter in exchange for protection. You were looking for new body guards, anyways…and if they betray us there is no one who knows who they so they'll be easier to get rid of."
She whispered in their home language. He thought about it for a moment.
"The men look like fighters, but the woman is a mere housewife. What shall I do with her?"
"She is also carrying weapons," She pointed out. "However, if she is really just a house wife perhaps a maid?"
He nodded and turned to their guests who were watching him with narrowed eyes.
"What are your names?"
The father pursed his lips. "I am Uchiha Fugaku, and this is my wife Uchiha Mikoto."
The older son spoke next, his lips curling into a bright grin. "Uchiha Shisui."
"Sasuke." The youngest said curtly and he smirked.
Definitely an older version of the Earl.
"Well, since it seems like you're in a bit of a predicament, I can help you all, for a price of course."
"Of course." Replied Fugaku neutrally. "And your price is?"
"My dear Ran Mao and I are in need of more bodyguards. Provided you pass the requirements, I would be willing to give you room and board in exchange for your protection. If your wife is unable to fight, I could also use a made around here."
Mikoto glared at him, her lips curling into a sneer. "I can fight as well as any man." She replied and he smiled.
"I meant no offense."
She nodded.
"Good."
"Ready for your test?"
"Now?" Shisui asked surprised and he nodded.
"You will be fighting my Ran Mao. She is the best assassin in the England, after all."
Sasuke smirked. "One on one?"
"Of course."
All four Uchiha smirked, and he almost thought their eyes flashed red for a moment.
Dread pooled in his stomach as he stepped back, prompting him to add one more stipulation to the impending matches.
"No permanent damage."
*/*
Unbelievable.
In the time, he'd been in charge of the Opium Dens, no one had ever come close to beating Ran Mao. She was hailed as the greatest assassin China had ever seen, and one of the strongest despite her deceiving appearance…yet here in the span of fifteen minutes each of the Uchiha family members had beaten his beloved sister without breaking a sweat or drawing their weapons.
They weren't even out of breath!
Ran Mao sat at his feet glaring at them as she panted for breath, her pale skin bruised in places, yet her face untouched.
He was thankful for that small favor.
The Uchiha fought like it ran through their veins, as if they'd been doing it since they left the womb, each move precise and calculated, never a step wasted.
It was like a deadly dance and worse he could tell they were holding back.
Oh, he was so going to need them…especially when Earl Phantomhive was finally put on his trail.
He was under no illusions that the Queen was unaware of the secrets he knew about her regarding the deaths of the late Vincent Phantomhive and his wife, especially when she'd hired his people to commit the arson in the first place. She would be sending the Earl and his faithful butler after him soon and he had no wish to end up on the wrong side of Sebastian.
The man was scarily efficient and the danger he exuded beneath that benevolent smile of his only heightened the fear he felt of the man.
Perhaps with the Uchiha and Ran Mao he'd outlive the little Earl and the Queen's game.
Mind made up he nodded and offered them a grin.
"You're hired."
Later he would realize how big of a mistake those words had been.
TBC…