Another flash back before we go back to the main story! Hope you like it! PLEASE please please Fav/Follow/Review! Thanks you guys!
-Lullaby for a Stormy Night
Three years ago…
Serena
I paced the length of the small room I had been corralled into. Mirrors surrounded with bare bulbs stretched across one wall. A ledge underneath was full of brushes and elegant glass bottles. A black silk glove was twisted beneath my fingers. "I don't think I can do this." I mumbled beneath my breath.
"Senshi, you have stared down masters of ninjitsu, warriors far larger than you, faced desperate odds, and yet a party scares you?" I turned sharply towards the cool and collected voice. My adoptive sister Karai sat relaxed in a satin chair. Her powerful face was accented with heavy, dark makeup in just the right spots with her hair twisted back into a gorgeous up do. Her black dress fit her figure perfectly. Although we were the same age, she just looked far more sophisticated than myself.
"I'd rather face an army than stand as the center of attention for this crowd. Why do I have to do this just to earn a title?" I sighed.
"Stop it. It really isn't that bad. When father chose me as second in command for Japan I had to do the same thing four months ago, remember?" She laughed, standing across me.
"Yeah but this is your thing. I hate being stared at. And they're making me wear this dumb dress and—"
"Hey, seriously stop! This is a way for the people who are serving under you to learn to respect and idolize you. It's important because we are both so young for our positions. Father will escort you to be introduced. After you'll dance a few times, feel out you're new clan, and scope out possible candidates for your second in command. It's nothing you can't handle."
I sighed as I continued to gaze at myself. The dress I had was pretty. Deep sapphire blue silk, full length with a straight skirt and oriental styled short sleeved top. It really wasn't anything fancy, but the dress hid my scars with help from the long black gloves that only left a small strip of skin visible. "Perhaps I'm not as ready as I thought."
"You proved yourself! You are ready and what better face for the Italian clan than the Italian daughter of Oroku Saki?" Karai walked up to me, her heels clicking on the tiled floor. She took both of my hands in hers and smiled encouragingly at me. "We are all proud of you, the entire clan is proud of you. Father is proud of you. Now it's time for you to have a little pride in yourself."
"I know you're right… and I hate that."
"Always happy to help little sister. Finish getting yourself ready, and the show will begin," Karai winked at me before heading out the door. I weakly smiled before turning back to the mirrors. Shutting my eyes to the reflection in front of me, I slipped my hand back into the glove. Smooth, soft silk engulfed my arm hiding the rough, scarred skin on the back. To possibly anyone who waited on the outside of that door, I would look beautiful. I didn't feel it though. Scars weren't the only issue. I felt like I was a little girl playing dress up. This dress, my hair, this wasn't me.
Then again, I wasn't sure if I truly belonged with the Foot Clan either. I was good, a fast learner with natural skill. I could get the job done when the time came for it. But ever since I… I wasn't sure if this was me any longer. I was the little girl living in orphanages again.
This is a way for the people who are serving under you to learn to respect and idolize you.
Maybe my feelings wouldn't matter. My life had been molded for this very moment. At the end of tonight, I would have an entire clan in the palm of my hand and away from the eyes of my father. This could be my chance to make my own life and make something matter. I just needed to survive tonight.
It was time, and I was ready. The handle turned in my hand and I was bathed in a new light. The door opened to one of the hallways of the manor. Gold light from beautiful chandeliers filled the stretch of the corridor. The brightest end was straight ahead of me. Thick red velvet curtains were parted and the light that came through also silhouetted the figure of a man. I slowly walked towards him, keeping my back straight, shoulders back, and hoping I didn't look as anxious as I felt.
I got close enough and slipped my arm into his. He wore an entirely black tuxedo. His black hair, touched lightly by silver just above his ears, was greased back elegantly. His long, sharp face looked down at me and the corner of his mouth lifted. "You look perfect."
"Thank you, father." He parted the curtain, and we stepped forward. Twin marble landings from either end of the long room met to form a large central staircase. Polished white stone swirled with light shades of rose created the floors as well as most of the walls. Picturesque windows lined the far wall, accented with velvet curtains.
The attendees of the celebration stood front and center of the ballroom. Wearing their best, they all chatted among one another in their native tongues. Most were men, wearing black suits much like my father. The women all wore dresses coordinating with their clan. Japanese chapter wore black, Italians scarlet, and the New York members wore silver. Men wore their marks set in rings, much more subtle than the woman. I was the only one to wear blue, my father's idea.
As we approached the center staircase, I felt my body stiffen, and I was sure my father felt it as well. "Worry is unbecoming on you." He murmured into my ear.
"My apologies, but… all these clansmen. Their rank, am I really suited to be above them?" I spoke, barely moving my lips. The way I had been taught in my training.
"You have more right to stand here than they. Never forget that. Although these men and women carry with them experience, I have never felt more certain that you are the one that will lead the Foot to glory."
"Thank you, Father."
We rounded the corner and stood where the path branched into stairs. I stood strong, confidently with a cool look across my face. Below, Karai stood right in the center, supporting my strength. "Introducing, Senshi Della Notte, daughter of Oroku Saki, leader of the Foot Clan. Sister of Karai, second in command of the Japanese chapter of the Foot Clan. As appointed by her father, we honor her with the title of head of the Italian chapter of the Foot Clan. Is there any objection to this right?"
Under my father's gaze, there was no question. "Very well, as she comes to age, we celebrate her rise to the title. Long may she serve the clan."
"Long may she serve, long may we serve." Voices echoed through the room. All recited the wish. All, except my father. Oroku Saki served no one. He lead me down the stairs one at a time, and I thanked whatever God was out there for not tripping. On the main level, I was surrounded by my fellow clansmen. Some looked at me with approval; others had pure skepticism in their eyes.
I met everyone's gaze with my own. One man attempted to stare me down with his own glare. I made a point to stop and continued to hold his gaze. His eyes shifted slightly, but mine held. Eventually, he looked down to the floor, and I felt myself smirk. I would bow to no man beside my own master and father. Yes, I was ready for this.
"Thank you all for attending. May the clans prosper under my leadership and may my family do the same." I spoke loudly and clearly, feeling my father pull away. My arm slipped free of his hold as he backed into the crowd. It was alright though. I could do this on my own.
Introductions followed with Karai assisting quite a bit. She pulled suit after suit to meet me. Names and stories were thrown my way continuously, but nothing impressive ever stuck. Each man and each woman I was introduced to had done impressive things. Their tales were noble and each title was respectable, but no one truly kept my interest.
In between visitors, I pulled Karai off to the side. Music from the five piece orchestra in the corner filled the air where voices were low. "If I didn't know better, I would say someone was trying to play matchmaker."
"Would I ever do such a thing?" Karai faked shock and disbelief, but I could read the smile in her eyes.
"If you keep this up, I won't ever pick anyone to be my partner."
She shrugged and plucked a champagne flute from a passing waiter's tray, "Just trying to speed along the process… I'll keep out of your hair little sister."
With her walking away, I rolled my eyes and began to make my way to the far edge of the room. I turned only when I had the windows behind my shoulders. My gaze fell over the crowd from a less up-front location. People intermingled, what would look to be an innocent party of high society was really a pool of assassins and millionaires who made their fortunes from the underworld of society. And they were all just welcoming a new member to their ranks.
Of all these people, who could I possibly trust?
"Some party, isn't it?" the voice beside me came from a tall man in a suit who had appeared from nowhere. If I had my tessen, I would have drawn it on him. Clearly he saw my surprise as I hurried back, "My apologies for scaring you, Senshi-Sama."
"You did not scare me, but simply surprised me… I do not scare so easily. What is your name?" I replied calmly. The man, or perhaps boy would be more fitting, smiled and looked to the ground. He could not have been much older than myself. His smile was innocent and bright with soft dimples in his tanned cheeks. Wavy black hair was gathered in a pony tail at the base of his neck. Dark eyes shown with playfulness.
"Yes, of course… My name is Marco," shifting his hands, I could easily make out the ring on his right hand. Red stones scattered in a silver seal, the mark of my new clan. I felt myself smirk at the boy's childish ways with how he seemed to fight back the urge to be careless and improper. Marco wasn't stiff and cold like the others. He had an energy within him.
"So, tell me than your story. All the others have, so what is your sales pitch?" I taunted him, searching for a reaction.
He only chuckled lightly and looked me straight on, "And what could I possibly say to make a strong woman like you see me as anything more than what I am? I'm only who you see before you. I serve the Foot Clan; honestly most of the people around us are far more qualified to do that than I am."
"So why should I even consider giving you any second thought or even allowing you to remain in my clan?" I asked sternly. He only nodded his head as if acknowledging this was a fair point.
"Well, I guess I would tell you to trust in your own decisions." And with that last statement, he walked away from me.
It was that moment when I chose my second in command. It was in that moment where I fell in love for the first time.