To the blade that scarred me, and the wielder I’ve lost...

Prologue

There are several moments that you get used to... when you are me. From the begging of life coming from a traitor and innocent alike, to the serenade of dress shoes on polished limestone floors. From the sound of dripping blood, to the whisper of a lover’s call. From the sight of a smirk, to the blind light that is the flash of a drawing blade.

You must know I am... all the rumors are true. There are no urban legends. I did everything they accused me of, and much more. I am as profound, as brilliant, as cunning, as evil, and as horrific as they all have called me. I am as pure, or as tainted as they have whispered. And, there is no doubt I have been called a great number of other names. From the Mistress of the House of Kumi, to that of the title of a Crane.

I remember sitting down, interviewing a soul that wanted to become part of the Ruzai. I’m sure you know who we are. The most powerful crime syndicate in the world. He looked at me curiously, and with a innocent little smile; nervous and ready for some kind of glamorous life in crime, or at least an elevated one being a part of our syndicate.

Silence settled in the room.

“So what is it you want me to ask?”

He looked at me confused.

“The regular questions?”

He couldn’t think of a better answer.

“Fair enough.” I answered in the most monotone voice, simply out of boredom. He was recommended to me by one of subordinates who found him in one of the small street gangs in Kyoto that had some thread like affiliation with our massive organization. It was not surprising... The Ruzai Syndicate spreads from continent to continent, from country to country. Drugs, gambling, construction contracts, real estate, pornography, prostitution, clubs, arms dealing, black market works, and of course assassinations. It is not a pretty world we live in, and if one were to take off the rose colored glasses we all have, one will come to live, learn, and understand what we are, and why we are... but that has nothing to do with the current interviewee.

“What’s your name?”

“Naga, Yoshio.” He smiled.

I looked at the tattooed young man... narrowing my eyes. My subordinate is going to regret this. Studying him... he was not worthy, especially to the House of Kumi...

I took a deep breath.

“Alright.”

“Alright?”

“That’s it.”

“That’s it?”

“Yes.”

“So I’m in?”

“No.”

The glimmer faded from his eyes... yes... he was rejected.

“The Ruzai has no need for you, nothing else needs to be said.”

There was a pause... then a plea.

“No, please, member of the Kumi, reconsider.”

“Why should I? There are hundreds of applicants for my house each and every day, from graduates of Mihara, to Tokyo University and Ritsumeikan, hundreds apply to the Ruzai, why should I consider a punk from a local street gang?”

He coward back like a dog... but still spoke out.

“Sorry, but... I really looked forward to this... I really wanted to meet her...”

“Her?” I asked curious.

“The one everyone talks about... I heard it from Souji...”

“What did Souji say?” I cursed internally, what did my subordinate do now?

“Nothing... but haven’t you heard the stories?”

“No.”

“I would’ve thought that you of all people would have heard the stories... she is Ruzai, she is Kumi.”

“I haven’t heard any stories.” I replied. I wasn’t sure what he was talking about.

“They say, if you have ever been around her, you would know. If you have ever seen her eyes pierce your soul, you would feel it too.”

I shook my head... Souji...

“They say, she needs no introduction here, she needs not ask twice, and she is immortal.”

I felt my smirk lift.

“They say, your heart skips beats when she smirks, your palms sweats when she turns her back, and no matter how much to you stand ready for the horrors ahead, the whistle in the air, the quiver of the wind, will carry your every fiber into submission as she whispers the words...”

“Welcome Pandora, Adventus Thanatos.” I finished his line for him, and he froze in fear.

“Yeah... that’s the last line...”

I smirked.

“Of course, that’s one of the lines from the Ruzai creed.”

“So?”

“So what?”

“Have you heard of this... woman... named Izumi?” He smiled.

I smirked.

“Come here,” I signaled him to lean in closer.

I leaned forward until my mouth was next to his ear.

“I’m going to tell you a secret... just so when they kill you for coming this far and not getting accepted... you’re at least have your last wish granted.”

His eyes froze in terror.

“Killed?” He broke off.

I smirked... “What did you expect, you come all the way here, you ask personally to see the Kumi, and you managed to even have Souji accept you... what did you expect from not being accepted.”

The sweat poured down his forehead and he gulped.

I leaned in again.

“I... am... Izumi...” I whispered slowly.

I then stood up to view for one last time the man who’s life would soon end. His face pale as though he had seen a ghost.

“Now you saw your ‘her’.”

I closed my eyes walking out of the room.

My name is Izumi.

I am the mistress of the House of Kumi. I am the daughter of Shun and Michiyo Kumi.

I was covenanted and brought up from birth to be amongst the greatest rulers of the Ruzai Crime Council. And growing up with Ayane Takashiro, the empress of the Ruzai made no exception to that. I am the legend that the members of the Ruzai whisper. I am the name when spoken to those rivals of the Ruzai, would then cower in fear. I am the mistress that they bow to.

My name is Izumi.

This is my legacy...

Author's Note:

Yes...

Another installment in the Adventus Thanatos Crime Epic. Hope you all enjoyed. An ocean full of thanks to the reviewers, jrt for the inspiration. (piggies?)

Justanothernote, there will be a romance/humor spin off of this series coming soon. Adventus Thanatos : Loving Sei.

I suppose I'll take my leave now. Again, hope you all enjoyed!

Toodles til' Next Time!

Kakyou