Chapter 1

Being in charge meant being responsible. Leading a group meant making sacrifices. Being in charge called for order. Being a leader required you to leave your selfish soul.

Especially when it needed something that was out of reach. Especially the world he lived in. Yamaken Fortelli looked around his office contemplating.

It was too quiet. He had wanted quiet but not this kind. The kind that called for thinking. It was just a few short months after his father stepped down from his position. Making him the Don of all Dons. Leader of them all.

Looking down at the file in his hands Yamaken scanned it briefly. He already knew what it was asking. Permission for a visit from the Don in Russia. He knew what the Don wanted; it was what all the others wanted.

To see if his father was right to step down so young. Casually tossing the file onto the desk Yamaken kept one eye on his door. At 59, his father was far from senile. Who knew the true reasons for the old man to hand everything off to a 29 year old Yamaken and indulge in the luxury of early retirement.

His father had a reason for everything. He had a crafty way of predicting outcomes and people. He only made moves if they were beneficial to them or the family. No matter how evil it may be considered to be.

A creak from the opening door made Yamaken reach for his gun under the desk. But it was force of habit. He already knew who it was. Puffy brown hair peeped around the corner of the door. Not in hesitation but to see whether or not he was occupied.

Yamaken steeled himself before looking into the eyes of Mikasa Aleksandrov, his bodyguard. One not in the position by choice but another movement by his father.

“What is it?” He asked her as she strode in her dark eyes blank. Whether with pain or indifference he did not know.

Maybe a mixture of both. All of it would be his fault anyway. His world was a dark one, where he made decisions everyday to keep the family and all those supported by it up and running. It was a weight he was not sure he was ready for. How could his father think he could shoulder this on his own?

“You will have a visitor in a bit. It is the girl. Miss Novara.” Mikasa answered him eyeing the folder on the desk. “If you have your answer for that I can just pass it along.”

“You can call her Clarice, Mikasa.” Yamaken sighed propping his feet on the desk. Not because he needed to but because he loved seeing the look on her face when he did such things. The look that said she considered him to be the worst sort of slacking playboy.

He preferred that look. It was better than the others she looked at him with. Mikasa eyed his shoes on the desk and her mouth tightened.

“Can’t you have any sort of respect for those that will have to clean that?”

“Ah ah ah. Mikasa, have you forgotten the only people allowed in here is you, a few more of my bodyguards and whatever guest I permit in here? No maids pardon you of course.”

“Exactly what I mean.” Mikasa said stalking forward until she faced the desk. She reached out to push his feet off the desk but halfway she paused just a bit before continuing the motion.

“You take the small bit of fun out of my day.” Yamaken sighed. Looking at her from under his lids, he regretted that she felt that moment of worry before she could push his feet off his desk.

She was his bodyguard and companion but not by choice. 23 years ago, his world had shattered hers, her father unable to pay his debt had allowed all of them to be captured. From what he had heard, himself Mikasa’s father had no way to pay them back, which lead to the only other possible solution.

For the family to be sold. The money had to be made back. For whatever reason Yamaken’s father Nickolias had ventured down to see the shipment of people being sold. There he had become fascinated with Mikasa.

Not in a perverted way, but something the girl had done to turn the old man’s eyes on her and they were unable to move off her since then.

Maybe it was the way Mikasa had stared at him then. Even at four, she had a death glare that could make one pause. At four, she was too tiny to be feared but as she got older, the glare got more powerful.

“Look at it Yamaken.” Nikolias mused staring down at Mikasa in a cell. Her hair was short and ragged, her clothes ripped and torn but she glared each and every one of them in the eye. Quite unlike her mother who shivered in fear and kept her gaze downcast.

“What do you want with such a thing father?” Yamaken asked looking curiously into the cell. It was not a pretty sight. However, father had said many times these sorts of things would be common place, as he got older.

The life of the Mafia leader was not an easy one, but the responsibility passed on for generation and would one day pass to him. When father deemed him worthy.

Father had lots of lessons to teach, why emotions and deep feelings were not important. Why not to grow attached to one thing or person. The family came first. Loyalty to the family, obligations and power. Nothing was left for anything.

The servants said that Father never had love for even mother. The family and responsibility came before such a thing as love for a spouse. Father was amazing.

“You see the look in her eyes?” Nikolias said in amusement. “Like a kitten feeling it’s the lion in its world. We know better. In that state, we clearly hold all the cards. If we were to leave it like this, it would wither and die away. That is the way of the bottom of the world we live in. Nothing can survive once it reaches this level. However, her reflexes are something and that look. Would you like a kitten Yamaken?”

Yamaken frowned. Have her? In his six years, he had heard of many things but this was something the tutors had not instructed him in.

“But she’s a person, not a kitten.”

“She has the ability to become a very valuable lion if we play the game right.”

“But father, what can something like this become? She’s weak you said so.”

“I will give her to you when the time is right. She will make a nice bodyguard and playmate for when you grow older. You’ll see her use when you grow older.”

“But won’t she just try to escape when you try to train her?” Yamaken pointed out. It seemed obvious to him. “Father she looks ready to lunge, all she will do is try to run away the moment you let her out.”

Nikolias’s eyes darkened as he aimed his green gaze into the cell. The four year old paled and drew back for a second before trying to stare back.

“That is what training is for Yamaken. When you have all the pieces and you are the one with the power and no emotions bind you to the little things there is nothing you can’t control.”

Yamaken opened his eyes he did not know he closed to see Mikasa at his side browsing through the other folders on the desk. As he grew older, he knew the true reason for his father’s desperate fascination with her.

All now the old man was deep in reclusion in his sanctuary that no one but himself was allowed in. Yamaken himself had at first obeyed the order but had sneaked in from time to time as his various skills grew.

The sanctuary his father had created for himself was a huge garden. All sorts of plants grew in abundance and flourished. Yamaken’s mouth tightened. That was not the only thing residing in there however.

A woman’s preserved body rested in a glass coffin in the centre of the garden. It was like some sick fairy tale. Yamaken knew the sanctuary had been existence for a long time. Even his mother had not been allowed entry.

Yamakens mother had died when he was young but he knew the woman’s body so well preserved and clothed so well was not her. The unknown woman looked as if she was sleeping, which had been Yamaken’s first thought.

Who knew how long she was there. The style of clothes had suggested that she was around his father’s age. Not his sister or cousin that had died in battle.

She was so beautiful, calmly sleeping in her white dress, hands folded innocently over her dagger her gun tucked next to her and a sword under her.

Very creepy the whole thing was. Yamaken lost track of how often he had crept in and just looked at her. It looked like a lot of care had gone into the process for her rest there. The fact that she was with his father in his time of peace did not pass by him.

Her hair reminded him of Mikasa. As he got older Yamaken saw similarities in their build. Recently he saw their smile was the same. There was no way the old man had not seen the sparks of that. Whoever the dead lady was, Nickolias had seen a part of her in Mikasa and tied her to their world.

“I have my doubts about the Ganshen’s sincerity.” Mikasa spoke drawing his gaze.

“Something is off?”

“If you know already, why have me look through these?”

“Just because, it’s your job.” Yamaken sighed. He did not want this tired look on her face. She was so close; he could see the weariness in her shoulders. Yet she was not close enough.

She was the respectable distance expected for her position, for even though she was his bodyguard she was not one of them. It killed him to know she was just in his reach but she was too pure to touch.

“How do you feel about a night off?” He asked already knowing her answer. She had been raised in his world and trained way beyond what others knew.

“What is the price for it?” Was her answer not even looking at him. Turning away Yamaken contemplated his vast bookshelves, he so badly wished he could just give her the night off with no ties but it was not his place to give out favours because he felt.

“I’ve got some people passing through tonight. I need you to make sure nothing happens to them tonight. After that, your time is your own until tomorrow afternoon. It is not a big shipment. About 50 or so. Just make sure all 50 make it with no problems and no traces.”

Yamaken watched her brief struggle with herself on hearing his instructions. She had been trained well, she knew her priorities. She was his bodyguard and his most deadly lieutenant. Yet he could never have her.

She had been raised to be his guard and his prisoner until death. Meanwhile others had been raised to be his. What a sick world he ruled.

Mikasa tensed and Yamaken followed her eyes to the door. The door swung open to reveal one that had been raised for the purpose of becoming his wife. At least one of them, the most calculated of the bunch.

Clarice Norvara, she was famous among the family. Mostly for her talent from working in the shadows. Personally, he was not in favour for such behaviour, it looked bad on the family. But until he managed to convince the family of such he was stuck with the frequent visits and the clashes Clarice had with his bodyguard.

Clarice narrowed her sharp blue eyes at Mikasa. “You.” She hissed. “Looking for some overtime or something? Touching him so familiarly just who do you think you are?”

“Clarice, she’s my bodyguard. And she’s not the one in wrong here. If you want to throw barbs go ahead, but you must always acknowledge me first.” Yamaken finished glad to see Clarice’s face pale. This one had gotten away with no male discipline for way too long.

Mikasa held her tongue well but Yamaken wanted her on her way. He knew the two women in a room together would just spark sparks better left unlit.

“Mikasa. Get going on what I just told you, close the door behind you.” Yamaken fixed a hard look on Mikasa that was the signal he wanted ultimate privacy.

“Sure that’s wise Yamaken? No bodyguards, just that there that can’t hold a gun properly far less defend someone?” Mikasa said already in motion for the door.

“You are nothing more than trash to our world.” Clarice hissed. Mikasa just rolled her eyes.

“I’m trash that can defend and you are just something that casts orders from the shadows while you remain pristine, white and defended. At least Yamaken can protect himself if anything; you would go down first as you run away.” Mikasa taunted.

“Calling him by his first name as if you are friends! I won’t stand for it!”

“Considering what I’m required to do, I can get away with calling this brat by his first name.”

“Enough.” Yamaken said feeling irritation rise. The last thing he needed was the viper to get more irritated with Mikasa. By his orders, she was protected but she was still not part of their world.

He rose and started to come around his desk. He detested women like Clarice but he would do whatever he had to, to keep peace in the family. Opening his arms, he aimed a hot look at the little black haired viper.

If she was the one he had to marry in the end, the least he could do is give the girl some training on how he really was. Clarice had just thrown herself into his arms when he heard the door click shut. Nuzzling Clarice’s hair, he felt relieved. He did not want Mikasa to see this part, even if she did not care.

***

Mikasa watched with a blank face as Yamaken pulled the witch Clarice into his embrace as she pulled the door closed. It was always the same, he wore that face when he was going to do something wicked to a woman.

Clenching her teeth, she turned away but not before hearing the gasp Clarice released. The little fool, dealing with such a girl would give him nothing but trouble. Yamaken was certainly nothing like his father.

Slumping against the door Mikasa felt despair as usual whenever she thought of the man. Some parts of her was thankful to him, another hated him for what he had done. Even though he had taught her a valuable lesson.

Men were the world’s problems and the ones with the power. She would be dead if Yamaken’s father had not stepped in. She would not be in this position if her father had just not been gambling. Her mother would not be chained away her safety a guarantee only on Mikasa’s actions.

Nikolias was such a cruel man. All now she could remember the first time she met him. She was with her mother huddled as her father sat begging for mercy. She remembered feeling hatred towards the man that drank and partied his life away and wanted to escape through ridding himself of her and her mother.

Mikasa glared at the man crouched in front of their cell. It had been days and she was hungry. They were all filthy and mother would not stop hugging her and crying. Mother kept saying it was not Mikasa’s or father’s fault.

But if it was not the drunken man’s fault whose could it be? The men that snatched them? Had mother not seen that father thought it was only the two of them that were to be taken?

Father did not want them, he said so daily. Even now he cried and wept and said things she could not understand. Father wanted out and she knew he would use the two of them to do it.

Mikasa heard something out of place finally. Instead of the crying and sobbing from the others in cells nearby. She heard silence. In the cell in front theirs she saw a father hide his son. Why could father not do like that man? Or was father just broken? Like the doll she had lost on the ship to here.

The sound of feet approaching made the adults perk up. Mother just clutched Mikasa tighter while father stood up.

“So these will go out in the morning? Clean them off before you go at least. We don’t want our brothers thinking that we provide dirty merchandise.” A well polished man stepped into sight. Mikasa was awed, he was like the princes in her books except, his green eyes were different.

Leaning forward the man frowned at her. “What’s wrong with this one? Didn’t her parents teach her any manners?”

“Mikasa, lower you head! Don’t look at them.” Mother cried out trying to force her head down. Mikasa refused, she saw her father trying to inch away but she refused to look away. This man was very bad. All father talked there would be no getting around the fact that this man had the look of the wolves at home.

The one’s Mother tried to shoot to get away from the chickens but were too smart. He was a beast; he did not even see anyone as people. He was bad.

“Open the cage.” The man said and the others leapt into action. Mother tried to drag Mikasa back but she refused. The man’s eyes focused on hers and then she knew he was going to touch her!

Flinging her mother off Mikasa evaded the hand reaching for her and managed to graze the side of his face. It was not much because her nails were not long. But she made contact. Fire burned in her back as she was thrown off the man and into the corner.

It hurt so much! But she was glad. Those stupid lessons she had to take every morning because mother wanted her to do gymnastics next year were useful. The shadow of one of the men that came with the man was above her. Closing her eyes, she was prepared for a hit. She had endured many from father before but this man was so much bigger.

“Stop, don’t hit her.” The man said touching his face. “Don’t hit her because she took you by surprise.” Mikasa heard her mother whimper in relief and beginning to crawl towards her.

“Please, spare me.” Her father begged. “Do what you want just don’t kill me and my wife.” Mikasa’s eyes flew wide, father had stepped up for them.

“Do you know who I am?” The man said straightening himself.

“Yes, I know.” Her father said faltering.

“Then you know the offence your daughter just committed. But I don’t hate her for it. In this world.” The man said using a cloth to wipe his face. “Women are the nurtures, without them we are nothing we would not be here. Us men, we make war we assault these women we put them in danger because of our selfish desires. Women are supposed to be too gentle to deal with such things but true nurtures are able to rise up and remove the diseased parts of their lives. The men.”

The man laughed sadly. “Honestly, these types of women impress me because they rise up to your face and slit your throat. I find women like those very beautiful. In your daughter, in her eyes I see the ability to become something very useful. Something she would not be able to perfect if she was to be shipped off.”

Father blew out a sigh of relief but Mikasa tensed, something was very wrong. The man looked at the other men motioning them forward.

“In our world when we want to tame something for our own, you need leverage. Men like you and even I are no sort of leverage towards nurturers as she. She see’s our true nature and would not shed a tear if something was to happen to us.”

Mikasa’s eyes grew wide as the men approached her mother. “Mama!” She cried out reaching for her mother and lunging at the men.

“See? Look how mindless she becomes! Like an animal, would she do the same for you? She has not said a thing towards you. Men like you when you finished serving your purpose should be disposed of. I’ve got my leverage for the girl. Now you are going to be the guarantee for the woman. Take the girl out of here for a bit.”

Mikasa screamed as the men turned and grabbed her instead by hard cruel fingers. “Mother!” She screamed as they began dragging her out of the cell.

“Mikasa!” Her mother cried out reaching for her only to be stopped by the other guards.

“You love that girl.” The man said stooping down by her mother’s form. “Good I’m about to show you what we will do to her if we find her too troublesome.”

Mikasa was suddenly forced to face front as the men dragged her down the corridor of cells to the big heavy door. The door swung open just when her father’s screams began.

“Thomas!” Her mother’s cry was heard as the door swung shut behind them.

When she was thrown back into the cell later, her father was gone and her mother was mumbling things that made no sense. On seeing her Mother dragged her into her embrace and held her close. Before Mother’s hug was not so tight or she had not been so shaky but now, it seemed as if some part of her was gone.

And it still was. Mikasa pushed away from the thick door and started to make her way to the entrance hall. Nickolias kept her Mother imprisoned and Mikasa with her after he enforced training. It was a 24-hour school.

When she first met Yamaken she hated him on sight. She was to become his companion when her lessons were done. But the lessons she had learned over the years were imprinted bone deep.

On her first excursion, she had run for help gloating on how stupid they all were. She was seven and sure of herself that her mother would be safe. The police had leapt into action telling her they would take care of it, and Nickolias had appeared an hour later to pick her up from the station. As they left not one officer looked her in the eye.

Her mother had been terribly beaten that night and deprived of food for four days. Feeling sick but still determined to escape two years later she tried again this time contacting someone even more important but she faced failure again and her mother suffered.

After she had become sick after seeing the near to death state her mother was in Nickolias had taken her out to the country, where he proceeded to kill off every single child in a school. He had glared at her the entire time explaining that the whole thing was on her.

“If you would just do as I say, we would not have to do this. I don’t want to have to kill these people. It serves me no greater purpose. But the more you fight to selfishly escape. The more people will die. You want to escape then do so through death. Everyone you were brought in with is dead. If I had not interfered you would be too. Don’t be so selfish Mikasa.” Nikolias had said as they surveyed the broken bodies.

After that, Mikasa through her all into her job and protecting her mother. As she got older, she was given bigger responsibilities and small liberties. Finally, the time came when she turned 14 for her first battle. She had been hearing about the complaining from the others on letting her in the world.

They wanted her mother out; they wanted her gone and dead. She refused to allow herself to die, not when she had her mother there.

It had been the worst moment of her life. The people that died, those that refused to help her in the heat of the moment. The smell, and the terrible realization that she was really alone. She killed 20 people that day.

Returning to home, she had become violently sick and collapsed in the bathroom of exhaustion and tears. It was never supposed to be this way.

She never heard Yamaken come in, but she felt the cold compress he laid on her forehead and the soft way he brushed back her hair. At 16, he had been growing more and more attractive but he was not given permission to do as he pleased.

Like her, he followed orders so he could be the best he could be. He to take over from his father, she to protect him and keep him sane and safe. And to make sure the power did not drive him mad.

That night was the first time she called him by his first name. He had been surprised and shocked, but he was pleased. After that day she had never stopped.

He was what she hated, she wanted to get away from this world but she had the feeling that he understood. She was part of his world but alone. He was much further wrapped in the ties of that dark world.

They could not become anything too personal. But would it hurt so much to have someone to rely on? Mother was in deep shock after the way her life had turned out. Because she followed orders, Mother got to live alone in a comfortable room by herself but one move the Family detested and it was back to a cell that was filthy, no food or water and no sunlight for weeks.

“You are not crying now.” Yamaken mused as he lifted her. “I’m glad, I would hate for you to be broken so easily. You can’t break you know. It is what they want. This world is a world of snakes and vipers. Sometimes you can lash out and kill it like father said but sometimes you have to push them back by making them think you are untouchable.”

“You don’t know what’s it’s like.” She had whispered turning away as he deposited her on her bed. Yamaken paused.

“I do, I went on my own gang war battle already, to create a bond with my people. It was disgusting but I made sure that I kept my people alive. If I’m not there, you shouldn’t be thinking anything but surviving. You don’t think like us. But you are just as good as sending me there because you are mine.”

“Yours Yamaken? I don’t think so.” She whispered.

“You are my bodyguard and my prisoner. Something I have all to myself. Just think of it as your chance to learn enough to escape. The others won’t touch you or your mother now because from now on you will be with me until death.”

“My death?”

“Or mine, I know your mother keeps you here and nothing else, which is why we keep her alive. The day one of you dies we have to get rid of the other. Or at least in your case. But I just might keep her alive if you do a good job of protecting me.

“You are evil.” She breathed.

“No, it’s just the way of our world. The more power you have, the more you have to sacrifice. The day will come I will have to give everything up to the Family. I will do it no matter who I need to sacrifice.” A determined look spread on his face.

“You know how this works, we showed you. Father showed you how we work, power is what is always important and we have that already. You can’t get away. Don’t get any ideas about trying to kill me either because I did the same lessons as you.”

But she knew that already. Yamaken had done the same weapon training as her, self defence and strategy as well as other classes she did not even know of.

“What happens when we grow up? I don’t want to live my life for you.”

“You have no choice but to protect me. You are not living for me. You are living for your Mother, remember?”

She had listened from that day onward. She needed no one, had to impress no one. But she had to protect her mother.

She poured everything into those lessons afterwards. It was all for Mother. Every battle she was sent into she made sure to rain blood on them all.

Relying on no one. It was for her Mother’s safety and happiness. Sometimes her heart ached from what she had to do. The things the Syndicate ordered her to do but she did it anyway. And did it so well.

She was sent to watch over drug meetings for Yamaken. Sent to take out rivals and traitors for him. Make sure the people shipped in went out alive and did not escape.

She went on the front line in replacement for him. By the time she was 19 she had earned the name Red Rain. She hardly felt the name was amusing she knew just what the others thought of her.

The other Don’s felt she was something to be removed from their world. Something dangerous because of how good she was but not part of it.

She knew that the missions she went on were mostly suicide ones but she made it out alive. Sometimes barely there but she did it. Never showing weakness or pain just covered in the blood she made fall.

Walking into the garage Mikasa heard the whispers start at her entrance.

“Oh damn them sending Red Rain on this one?”

“At least if we get attacked we’ll make it out alive.”

“How on earth could something so good looking be so deadly?”

“Whatever you do don’t stare she might kill you.”

“What you think her death count is like now?”

“Man she’s a freak.”

“Does she even feel anymore?”

Keeping her gaze on the executive jeep Mikasa made her way to it. Not too fast or too, slow a moderate pace ignoring the eyes of those around her. There was no reason to be hurt or feel offended because she was not there for them. She was there in place of Yamaken.

Her presence was supposed to reassure them. Climbing into the back ignoring the others that hesitantly climbed in with her Mikasa started going through the bag in the back.

It was her personal weapon unit. Everything to make her comfortable. It held only the heavy artillery. The light stuff she kept on her at all times.

Both she and Yamaken had learned all sorts of fighting styles. She had weapons tailored to suit the ones that suited her best and were for all sorts of situations.

A chain with a sharp dagger attached to the end. It had been hell mastering it but it was good for quick thinking situations. The knife detachable and was able to slice through many tough objects.

Her modified gun, she rarely used it, the reload thing disturbed her. She needed to keep moving not stop and reload all the time so it was only for a small range on enemies.

Mikasa carried many more weapons on her person but was mostly known for her dagger like sword and her chain dagger. She preferred to be up and personal. Make sure they were dead. She had seen many men keep going after shot in the heart or head.

At the end of it all, when the battle was over she was covered head to toe in blood as well as the streets and cars and buildings. It was as if everything had been covered by Red Rain.

The jeep started and Mikasa put down the bag only to look up and meet the eyes of the driver in the mirror. She knew him. a little too well.

One of Nickolias’s special guards he helped her train and taught her the most important lesson she every learned. Never challenge someone unless you are willing to kill and to lose.

She doubted he was there for any reason but to watch her and drive though. Nickolias may have stepped down but he was keeping a wary eye on her.

When she first heard the news she had to admit that her heart skipped just a bit. Then she calmed it. There was no running now.

The jeep pulled out of the garage parking lot with the other cars filled with the other members following. It was too late for her to run. There was no way she could exist among the ‘normal’ people.

She would always be looking over her shoulder, always sleeping lightly. Keeping an eye on the news. Seeing Yamaken on the TV involved in one thing or another. Sleeping with weapons, if she ever slept at all.

There was no way she would be able to just shrug off everything and live like the lucky people did. Outside the jeep the outside looked darker and darker as they sped towards the docks.

There was no need to brace herself. She already felt empty. She was not here to save anyone, she was here to earn a day off and do her job, and bring down the rain if needed.

The jeep skidded to a stop in the dock parking lot earning snorts from the other occupants.

“Piss poor Ronald.” Drave remarked as he hopped out the jeep slamming the door shut. “You are getting on in years maybe you should retire if you skid on slick surfaces that are not there.”

Keeping her gaze impassive, Mikasa hopped out the back of the jeep. Slamming the back down she felt like an animal released from a cage. It was how they thought of her anyway.

“Only one real way to retire little Drave.” The driver laughed locking the jeep as the other cars screeched into the lot.

“Coming Mikasa?” Drave asked even as she walked passed him. Not even bothering to look at him she followed after Ronald.

As usual, everything was in the warehouse. Stepping in she kept her gaze blank even as the smell of unwashed bodies assaulted her nose. It was heavy and sour, the place would have to be hosed down. How could they expect to hide this smell?

“They just got in so this is not on us.” Drave sighed giving an interested look around. “Let’s count them up wash them down and get it all packaged. Use soap too please.”

Her boots clicking against the ground Mikasa strode past the cages in the warehouse. Each cage held at least four people. Some women some men and some children. Before they were shipped off, they would have to be divided properly and the men dosed lightly.

Speaking her thoughts aloud Mikasa ignored the bit of silence that followed before Drave gave an agreement to her.

“You heard her. I want a man going through all this. Package correctly. A want men on the outside patrolling and I want someone heading to the main office for some tranquilizers or something.”

It did not take for a minute for the men to leap into action. A big difference from when she spoke. But Drave was actually one of them and she was the unlabelled freak.

Stopping to gather her thoughts Mikasa found herself looking into one of the cells on the left. A few mothers and their children were huddled inside it. All they needed was a good wash down and clean up and they would be good to go.

The others walked past her on their own duties carefully avoiding her by a fair far distance. Mikasa was ready to look away when one of the mothers looked up and met her eyes. The woman was dirty looking and held a young child cradled to her.

Surprising Mikasa the woman leapt forward at the bars and Mikasa but instead of cursing and swearing as expected, she began to cry and beg instead.

“Please, please, my child save my child.” The woman begged reaching through the bars at Mikasa. The arm outstretched was dirty but only recently. Sometime this woman had lived a good life. Her accent was not strong but light from Russia.

“Why should I?” Mikasa asked aware of attention being directed towards her.

“I’ll do anything I’ll go along willingly do anything once you save my child she’s only six!”

“You’ll do anything anyway.” Mikasa sighed. “These other women should be your example, shut up and hug your child for just a bit longer.”

“No you don’t understand! I won’t fight I’ll do whatever you want!”

“No you don’t, the drugs we will give you will make you do whatever we want anyway. You want me to help you. Why should I?”

“Money, I can get you money if you save my little girl.”

“Your position from that cage says otherwise.” Mikasa laughed.

“Out of the kindness of you heart, can you not save one little girl? You are not like them. You can save her!” The woman’s voice thickened as tears fell in abundance as she tried reaching for Mikasa.

“The kindness of my heart? You do know what we are right? Mafia.” Mikasa drawled seeing at the corner of her eyes the others keeping an eye and ear on the situation.

“ah ah, Before you say it again, I’m different from them. You are right. They chose to be like this doing this to you. I’m not here by choice.” Mikasa admitted, a light grew in the woman’s eyes but it had to be snuffed out.

“I’m much worse because I don’t want to be here. You have nothing that could ever make me sway my loyalty and do you know why?” Mikasa projected her voice so it echoed in the warehouse. “Because I have something I have to protect with my life. I’m already saving someone you want your daughter saved do it yourself.”

Wolf whistles accompanied her statement but Mikasa kept her gaze on the woman. “Monster.” The woman whispered retreating. “You could save my daughter.”

“I’m too busy saving my own damn mother. You don’t get it, I was like you but I got lucky and we were not shipped off, I stay here to protect my Mother. That attitude of yours will get you and the child separated quickly and then what? You can’t protect your child in this world.”

“Beast. You won’t speak to me! Abandning us and not doing the right thing.”

“Look, in this world no one helps the powerless, you either die on the ground like trash or fight back and die respected at least.”

“Must we really die?” Another woman spoke from the back. Her voice was wary and old. Her face was in the shadows so Mikasa could not see the make of her face. “You are alive.”

“Everyone I came in with is already dead. You guys won’t last, too old, too stubborn all sorts of things.”

“Then if that is the fate of the gods then we will accept.” The older woman sighed as Mikasa traced the accent. Indian. This really was a mixed up batch.

“I will escape and never forgive you I will bring the police and the wrath of the government on all your heads.” The woman hissed as she backed Mikasa now and gathered her child to her in shaking hands.

“They really will beat the crap out of you for that tongue. If you do manage to escape it’s because they want to play with you. If you want to play with your daughter life go ahead. They won’t kill her, not right away but first they will separate you. Then tell her she must do whatever for you to live and the vice versa for you. Then if you are troublesome they will condition her to hate you and kill you off.”

Mikasa closed her eyes briefly before striding away. “There is not one person her that will help you so stop asking. Either they want to be here doing this or they are tied so tightly to this world they can no longer move on their own without clearing it first.” She tossed over her shoulder.

“I’m off to wash off these filthy things before we send them off to our customer.” Drave sighed appearing next to her. “It would look so terrible if we sent these off as they were.”

“Agreed.” Mikasa answered spinning around to head to the warehouse doors. The smell and sight was getting to her. She could have handled this all if she had not spoken to that woman.

Most likely someone who had been rich. Now she was poor and no longer considered human and she tried giving out orders and demanding respect. Like father.

“Think that was wise what you said?” Drave asked as they reached the doors.

“She could see how different I am than the rest of you. I saw no reason to lie to her.”I’m not a subordinate of the syndicate, I’m more dangerous because I can never betray the Leader and the syndicate as long as you keep something precious belonging to me from me. Because I can’t lose it I’m far more deadly because I have something more important than pride and honour fighting for.”

“What a nice answer, careful and truthful. As always.” Drave murmured before melting away to the shadows.

Mikasa gritted her teeth and thought of her mother, there was no reason to be guilty. Only thing that mattered was her mother and Yamaken. Nothing else existed.