Hello everyone! Here's a special chapter which doesn't really have to do with much. Its a back story for my character Kira. Shows you a little of where she came from and how she ended up where she was.

Hope you like it. R&R please!

Chapter 24: Special: Kira

Loud yet merry music rang through the halls. Long gauzy curtains drifted from the tall ceilings and rich carpets laid upon the floor. Dozens of beautiful girls danced, sang and laughed. There was a circular stage in the middle of the room. A stunning young girl danced around and around. Her long blonde curls cascaded to her waist. Her ice blue eyes were mesmerizing. She picked up her long ice blue skirt and did a series of graceful leaps.

The crowds of men cheered. Kira smiled sweetly and curtsied.

"I want you for the night!" a man demanded, wrapping his arm around her tiny waist. The girl smiled.

"Do you?" Kira asked, shyly twirling out of his arms.

"No I want to have her!"

"I'm willing to pay double the price!"

Kira giggled. "Tis flattering" she said. "How about another dance, gentlemen?"

There were cheers and whistles as Kira stepped back upon the stage. She took a deep breath and began her next dance.

Many people would have pitied her life but Kira knew better. Those people had never lived in the gutters nor had they starved to the point of stealing. As soon as Kira turned thirteen she rushed to join Madame's daughters. The Mistress here, Mama Risa, took her in immediately. Kira diligently spent her first year learning how to dance, to sing, to entertain. She however sold her talent but not her body. Kira was the untouchable here that every man desired to have.

Kira finished her dance and quickly disappeared behind the curtains. She quietly walked down the empty hall.

"Kira" a voice purred.

"Mama" Kira greeted.

A middle aged woman leaned against the wall. Rouge and lipstick were applied heavy to her face. Her hair was done up with many jeweled pins. The dress she wore was low cut and in a crimson red.

"Can you not take a client?" Risa asked.

Kira smiled. "Mama..." she said again. "You know I don't sell my body, only my talents"

Risa sighed. "Imagine all the men who would pay triple for you"

Kira laughed. "Indeed they would" she agreed. "But it is a shame I will not take any client, no matter the price"

Risa raised a perfect eyebrow. "I do not permit any of my girls to live in comfort here and not take clients" she reminded Kira. "I do not run a theater"

"But I will have to be your exception" Kira said, keeping her chin up.

Risa narrowed her eyes and pursed her full lips.

"Don't forget" Kira warned. "I am the one who has forged your papers. Without me, you cannot run this brothel. You can not even be a free woman"

"Tis something you never let me forget" Risa hissed. "I am sure I have paid that debt off many times with the comfort I allow you to live it"

Kira smiled. "Indeed but you don't dare be too reckless with me" she reminded her mistress. "I know all the secrets here. You are indeed the owner here but I hold all the strings"

Risa smiled. "So you do..." she said. "Pity that such a cunning girl as you is a prostitute"

Kira changed out of her fancy dress into a simple cotton one. "Don't worry Mama" she said. "There will be a day where I will meet my father"

"Mama!" a girl came sobbing.

"What is it?!" Risa snapped. The girl clutched the opening of her dress together which had been torn. Tears streaked her face.

"I do not want to take this client again" she cried.

"He specifically asked for you!" Risa snapped. "Quit your sniveling and go. I suggest that if you don't want to be thrown out that you serve him well"

"He is always so rough" the girl cried.

"Why should he not?" Risa demanded. "You're a whore not a delicate lady. Get out of my sight..."

Kira swallowed. She would never subject herself to such shame. Nothing was worth selling oneself like that. Mama Risa left in a huff. Kira simply shook her head as she went to sleep. The bed was tiny and hard though it beat sleeping on the street.

Kira pulled the thin moth eaten blanket over her head to block out the sounds. All throughout the night she planned. During some nights she was out. Kira never stopped collecting information. She had to meet her father. He was the only one who could get her out of here. Years and years passed until Kira found him.

The noble rarely came out in public. When he did, he was usually alone and only stayed for a little bit. A blink of the eye could miss him.

"Father!" Kira yelled.

The man stopped. A frown creased his brow. "I think you've got the wrong person little girl," he said.

Kira shook her head. "My mother's name is Sakuno Otoni" she told him. "She told me that Viscount Smith was my father. She also said-"

"Stop" the man said holding up a hand. "I know who you are"

"You do?!" Kira said excitedly. "I am overjoyed. My mother abandoned me a long time ago. You are the only family I have now!"

The Viscount cleared his throat and stared at the ground. "Surely I can not take you in," he said.

Kira froze. "But I am your daughter..." she said.

"My illegitimate daughter," he reminded her. "I can not take you back home. My wife will be angry. She does not know of Sakuno or of you"

"But where will I go?" Kira asked.

"Where have you been all this time...?"

Kira blushed. "Madame's daughters" she said softly.

"What a wicked place!" he exclaimed. "How could you sink to such low standards!"

"I am still pure" Kira told him. "I have never been with a man"

Her father laughed. "I don't believe that. No one there is a virgin"

"But I am!" Kira exclaimed. "I have kept myself because I wanted to honor my family name"

"You do not carry the family name. No child of mine is a whore"

"I'm not!" Kira said. Tears began welling up in her eyes. She expected her father to want her. She expected to have a home.

The Viscount took out a sack of coins. "Here..." he said handing it to her. "You must understand I can never accept you."

Kira wiped her eyes. "Where am I to go then?!"

"Back to the brothel you came from"

Kira winced at his cold words. "But father..."

"Don't call me that" he snapped. "You and I have no relation. I gave you some money. Don't try to find me again." he quickly turned on his heel and left.

Kira stood there with tears running down her face. "You had not even asked for my name..." she whispered.

How could neither of her parents want her? Her mother left her and now her father has cut off all ties with her. All her hard work to meet him was wasted. The only thing she received from him was a sack of coins. Kira doubted it would even pay for an inn.

"I hate you" she said through gritted teeth. "I hate both of you" she said angrily.

Kira threw the sack of money into the gutter. She did not want his money. She had wanted a home. She wanted a stable life. She didn't want to be street rat or an entertainer.

She refused to return to the brothel. Sooner or later Risa would throw her out if she did not comply. Kira sat on the curb of a street.

Ten years... She had spent ten years of her life in a brothel. Kira had wasted ten years of her life dancing for drunk men. Ten years of listening to moans through the walls. Ten years of her youth. She was twenty three now though she looked just as youthful as she did at sixteen. Kira put her hands in her face. For once in her life Kira had no goals. There was nothing more to fight for.

The night crept in though Kira didn't move. She cried and cursed but it was useless.

"Tis dangerous for a woman to be out of the streets" a low voice said.

Kira jerked up. A man stood before her. He was well dressed and had a grin on his face.

"Why are you all alone?" he asked.

Kira took a step back. "Leave me be..." she warned.

The man held up his hands. "I mean you no harm," he reassured her. "Just curious to why a beautiful woman like yourself is here."

Kira swallowed hard. Her street life skills were rusted and forgotten. She had slept in a bed and had daily meals for ten years now. She was afraid.

"I have nowhere to go" Kira whispered.

The man shook his head. "You poor thing" he said. "What is your name?" he asked.

"Kira..." she whispered.

"Tora" the man introduced himself.

Kira nodded. "Pleasure to meet you" she said.

"Pleasure's mine"

"I best be going now..." Kira said.

"Come now" Tora said. "Do you not have anywhere to go? Perhaps you are hungry? Let us go eat at an inn first"

Kira swallowed hard again. The pit of her stomach cried out for food.

"I have no money..." she admitted. She began wondering if she should have thrown out the coins.

"Come" Tora said taking her to an inn anyways. He paid for her meal and Kira's stomach growled in hunger.

"Is it really alright?" she asked.

Tora nodded. "Eat" he said gesturing to the bowl of steaming soup with thick loaves of bread and butter. Kira didn't waste a crumb. She dipped the bread into the bowl to catch every drop of soup.

"Thank you" Kira said. This man seemed very kind and generous.

"How shall you pay me back?" Tora asked.

Kira froze. He wanted payment back. "I have nothing" she told him. "What could I offer you"

Tora picked up a curl. "You are beautiful. It would be a shame to waste such beauty."

There was a pause. Kira felt her heart pound in her ears.

"The Grand Duke is looking for a caretaker" Tora said. "Are you educated?" he asked.

"I can read and write" Kira told him.

"How would you like to live in the Grand Duke's mansion?"

Kira was in shock. Perhaps there was hope for her future...but at what cost?

"How?" she asked. She braced herself his demands.

"It's quite simple" Tora explained. "I have a bit of status. I could easily recommend you"

"That would be amazing..." Kira breathed.

Tora smirked. "But again...how shall you repay my kindness?"

Kira was still confused. "I do not know" she replied. "I have nothing"

Tora chuckled. He gently caressed her cheek.

"You have everything to pay"

"I have only myself-" Kira gasped. Tora wanted her to pay with her body. Her one virtue she fought to protect.

"What do you say?" Tora asked.

Kira felt the tears coming again. "I can't..." she whimpered. "Tis my one pride"

"Very well" Tora said. "I can not help you then. I wish you the best of luck"

"Wait!" Kira called after him. "Don't go!" she exclaimed.

Tora stopped. "Why should I stay?" he asked.

Kira bit her bottom lip. What was she saving herself for anymore? She had to survive. Perhaps this could be her way out. Kira could not let such a rare chance slip from her fingers.

"Think of what you are refusing" Tora said. Kira hated that smirk he had.

"I agree" Kira blurted out. The words stung her heart.

Tora looked smug. He tossed a man a bag of coins.

"After you my lady" he said gesturing to the stairs.

Kira placed a foot on the first step. She slowly walked up the stairs. Tears were freely streaming down her face. Tora showed her to a room and closed the door behind felt her hands become ice cold. She didn't want this. Tora casually deposited his clothes on a chair.

"Come here" he ordered. Kira shrank away.

"No" she whispered. "I can't do this"

"I already paid for this room," Tora reminded her. "You owe me." He grabbed her arm and pushed her onto the bed.

"No" Kira cried.

"Tis your own choice" Tora reminded her. "It's this or the streets"

Kira closed her eyes and prayed for it to pass. After Tora was done he smugly got up and dressed.

"I will send someone to pick you up tomorrow" Tora said, buckling his pants.

Kira lay on the bed. Her breathing was ragged and she felt horrible. "How do I know you won't deceive me...?" she whispered. Tora tossed a medallion on the bed.

"I won't" he said. "It has my seal upon it"

The door opened and then closed. Kira wrapped her arms around herself. Pain and terror were all she felt. Kira finally understood the girls back home. How they cried and hated their clients. Kira closed her eyes and tried to block out the memories...

Tora made good to his word. Kira arrived at the grand mansion the next morning. A brand new dress was given to her as well as an elegant straw hat and lace gloves.

"Grand Duke" Kira greeted sinking to her knees. The elderly gentleman helped her up.

"You have been highly recommended, Kira," he said. "I welcome you to my home."

"Thank you, my lord," Kira said.

"How old are you child?"

Kira swallowed. "I am fifteen" It was a lie but Kira knew she could easily pass off as a young girl.

She was going to start over her life. This time she was out for blood. There was nothing left of her anyways. Nothing restrained her anymore. Kira was sick and tired of depending on others. From now on there was only one person she cared for...herself.