Nikita Mears. It started a long ago on a forced assignment given to them by a man now long retired or possibly dead. There had been many bumps and obstacles on the road since. Good times and bad, and a whole lot of changes, yet here they were. In the most recent months Nikita had taken the chair as Don of Pasadena. It was a seat she never would have imagined she'd take, and to be honest, Itachi didn't think she'd take it either, but with some convincing and encouragement she took the position Nikita knew she could handle and that Itachi thought she would do very well with. Since taking the position as a leader work didn't stop, if anything things got more busy. She had named him as her advisor and the two of them immediately got to work recruiting. Hitting the streets and bringing in some new blood and also reconnecting with some old friends the two were quickly able to build up the Black Rose Crime Syndicate.

Itachi hit the businesses to give the organization a few strong holds in the city of Pasadena but that didn't stop the natural flow of things. There were a few crews who weren't so happy with the new order of things and decided to rise up against the new Dons of both Downtown LA and Pasadena. Working together, the two organizations were able to stomp out the threat rather quickly. Things didn't settle for long as a new crew taking hold in Hollywood rose up and decided to attempt a takeover of the city. Calling in help from their allies in Philadelphia, the threat in Hollywood was dealt with.

A meeting was held in Pasadena, so Nikita decided the time was now right for her to stake an official claim in the city in order to calm down the uprisings, and the small skirmishes on the streets of Pasadena. Itachi agreed with this move and set forth to make the preparations. The current leader of Pasadena was one who had begun to thrive on the chaos of the entire state. He sold weapons to the warring gangs and organizations. He offered protection to the places that had lost theirs due to the violence but made no effort to actually protect anyone, just take their money. He would send people to rob areas that were not well defended due to man power being redirected to protect leaders and fight off other threats in the city. Altogether everyone in Pasadena decided the city would be better off if the current leader met his end.

Getting the approval from Don Zoom, who was also getting ready for his own battle in the near future to take over all crime organizations in the whole state of California, Nikita okayed an attack on the head of organization who was bleeding Pasadena dry.  Anthony Baroni was their intended target. Itachi was able to gain information of an upcoming meeting. All of Baroni's top lieutenants would be gathering at his compound for a meeting. At said meeting, it was presumed that Baroni would plan then order attacks and executions on Nikita's top people and probably Nikita herself. Itachi wasn't planning on letting that happen.

Once they had the information Itachi put forth a plan to attack as soon as possible. Him and his crew would be the ones to lead the first charge. They'd attack headfirst, draw the attention and deal with most of the attack while the rest of the organization's fighters would sneak in and attack from behind.  Nikita took care of those arrangements but he was sure that she would probably recruit Mael, Jack, Megara and others in the family or Pasadena, to partake in the attack along with some of her own hired help and protection.

Itachi stood outside the compound from a distance with some of his associates. Katsumi stood unflinching to his right. She was calm, completely calm on the inside and out. Her brother Kagami stood to Itachi's left. He was cracking his knuckles like he planned on fighting which he was sure he'd try to take some of these armed guards on hand to hand. He had two loaded pistols and a machine gun hidden somewhere on his person. Katsumi was also armed with a few guns as well as the rest of his crew. Itachi was the only one not in possession of a gun. He didn't use them opting to go with his traditional weapons. His traditional battle outfit was altered as his usual armor vest was now a bullet proof vest but was still light enough to not hinder his movements. He'd also went and tied his forehead protector back around his head to protect his head.

Itachi was calm as well. He didn't worry about anything that had to do with the future. It had been awhile since he was a member of Root, but their mantra was never more relevant to him than it was now. There is no future, there was no past, there is only the mission. Itachi would either help Nikita, his leader, succeed here and now or he would die here. He closed his eyes and inhaled a deep breath. He knew there would be no time for games here and no holding back. It didn't matter much because nobody who protected this place would be leaving here alive anyway. He would make sure of it.

"Our orders are clear. We're to pave a way for Nikita-sama and her unit to get through to finish off the leader in here directly. We'll draw most of the fire ourselves but none of you have my permission to die. Success is the only thing that is allowed here today, and you are here because I expect nothing less from all of you." Itachi said to them.

He wasn't expecting a response and he didn't receive one either.  He simply opened his eyes, and when he did they were red with a triple pinwheel design on each eye. He looked straight forward and emptied his mind, only focusing on the compound in front of him.

"Let's move out." Itachi calmly ordered.

Like a well trained unit they all moved at once.

Pasadena.  The City of Roses.  The view she had from the headquarters was spectacular in the early mornings when the sun began rising over the San Gabriel Mountains in the distance.  For a short time every morning, Nikita would walk through the gardens out back, and this morning was finally a peaceful adventure strolling around to smell the beautiful roses.  The past several months had been eventful for the west coast, especially with the uprisings of the gangs in Downtown then later on Hollywood.  Nikita had even heard rumors of gangs attempting to take over all across these vast lands, as if in some kind of coordinated event or something.  She was exhausted dealing with things nonstop, back to back, and yet doing their day to day businesses still kept onwards.  Harcourt Shipping was supplying Pasadena with easy access for the gun running, liquor shipments, and various other dealings.  The armory within the Art Gallery was doing quite well increasing the cash flow for the city, and kept Black Rose's allies in South Philly well stocked on goods.

Once Nikita nodded to her head detail, she made her way towards her office.  A hot cup of coffee with steam still wafting through the air was perched on the side of her desk.  Thom stood nearby silently as usual until a soft caw-caw drew Nikita's attention to the open window, and Thom made a soft scoffing sound at the bird lounged on the windowsill cocking its head towards Thom then Nikita then back and forth before it flew to Nikita's shoulder.  The actions amused her to no end because it reminded Nikita of the first encounter she had with Itachi, the rooftop escapade where he used the 'help' of his crow friends.  She had the same look of disbelief as Thom did each time the crow came into the office. Little did Thom realize that the crow didn't come to hang out and be social, it had a connection of sorts with her trusted advisor, and when the crow appeared, trouble was lurking not too far behind.  Call it an alert she thought, which would be pretty damn accurate, and she wouldn't tell Itachi how she would know of his impending arrival due to the crow's preceding arrival.

The moment Itachi gave his usual knock, the door opened with the usual calm manner as he entered Nikita's office.  She knew exactly why he was here so early.  The day hadn't even truly began, but she knew it was urgent.  They had been waiting on news about the current problem in Pasadena.  His gaze remained neutral as always, but Nikita asked anyways.

"Anthony Baroni?"

That name left a sour taste in her mouth as Nikita received a nod in reply from Itachi.  Good.  They finally had the information needed to make a move on the lowlife who was trying to take over Pasadena as his own, taking over the Sante Fe Railway, putting pressure on the employees at the Santa Fe Depot to dish out information on all the exports and incoming shipments.  Baroni thought his plan was brilliant, moving in to takeover while the gangs in both Downtown and Hollywood made their appearances, attempting to distract Don Zoom and Don Nikita from the rebuilding of the west coast.  Baroni exploited people's need for protection then preyed upon their fears to quickly to usurp the area.  His grand plan to expand and take control by force wasn't gonna fly with Nikita.  She began talks with Itachi, gaining his insight and wisdom into the matter, and in the end they both came to the same conclusion.  Baroni had to go.

Preparations began taking place that morning setting things into motion to make a move, and very soon.  Nikita could almost think Baroni just wouldn't know what hit him, but that would be a fabrication.  That lowlife would glance into her eyes, realize not only his temporary reign was over, but his life as well.  Nothing and no one would stand in her way when her family's lives and well beings were on the line.  She was there for the groundwork, watching as Pasadena progressed with new life, feeling the proudness as they grew and prospered.  Nikita had a city to protect, and protect it she would.  As Itachi was preparing to leave the office two hours later, Nikita stood from her seat with graceful movements then moved closer to him, her voice brooking no arguments as she spoke.

"I know you prefer me to stay out of the thick of things, but Baroni is mine.  I'm not as old and decrepit as recent mumblings indicated.  I DO  know how to still fight and shoot ya know."

Nikita's words were serious, but the underlying humorous tone was understood clearly by the smirk on Itachi's face before he nodded then exited the office.  She looked over towards Thom knowing she was going to need his assistance coming soon for the upcoming mission.  He was almost as guarded about her safety as Itachi was, but Nikita was itching to get back out in the action.  Her eyes lit up as she reclaimed the seat behind the desk, setting about to further the preparations along.  Soon Baroni, soon, she thought.

Itachi moved through the compound like a wraith. He moved from person to person cutting them all down in his trail. Around him he could hear all the gunfire going off. Itachi paid it no mind as Katsumi stayed in step with him the whole time. The two of them worked together in a similar fashion as Nikita and Itachi did when they worked together in the field. Itachi would move in and dispatch of the opposition with close range maneuvers and fighting techniques while the other person would take care of the ranged targets with their gun or other weapons. Katsumi alternated between using her guns and throwing knives which meant Itachi never really had to worry about an opponent hitting him from far away, and he never left her sight so she had him covered the whole time. It also helped that the rest of Itachi's crew was attacking the opposition in the front yard giving them multiple targets to worry about as well. 

He could hear Kagami yelling and bragging every time he got a kill shot, or provoking the enemy to try harder to get him. The rest of them went about their business in a calm manner. By the time the assault on the front took place Itachi imagined the assault in the back was also well underway. Itachi couldn't be sure at the moment but he assumed the rest was being taken care of while he focused on his current task. More and more of them were rushing out through the front door with their guns at the ready.  He ran towards the door with Katsumi trailing him. Itachi pulled out a kunai from the pouch on his hip and tossed it to one of the gunmen rushing out the front door. His aim rang true as he heard the squelching sound of the knife piercing the man's throat. Itachi made sure to run in a zigzagging pattern so he didn't give any shooters a clear shot on his person. While they were distracted trying to aim for him, Katsumi got her gun into position and got a clear head shot at another gunman rushing out behind the one Itachi just killed. With his other associates still handling the front and a presumed attack going on in the back, Itachi felt it was time to assault the house itself. He made his move for the front door, reaching into his pouch again and pulling out a small black pellet. He tossed it through the front door and crouched outside it. He held up his fist as a sign to tell Katsumi to halt. She stopped and crouched down right behind him.

After a few seconds smoke began to fill the entryway and the living room. Itachi heard coughs from the men he assumed were hiding behind cover. The smoke was filling their lungs and they couldn't help but cough, that would give away their location which would make it easier for Katsumi to see targets. Itachi personally didn't need it, his visual prowess and training helped him see through the smoke but he wouldn't need his eyes, as the sound of their coughs would guide him. He gave a quick sign to Katsumi behind him to follow him, and wasted no time moving through the front door. In his hand instantly were three throwing knives. He launched them in three different directions as soon as he stepped through the door. He heard them all hit their marks landing in three different people's flesh, but wasted no time in pulling out another kunai and placing it in his hand. He ran straight for the gunman who had decided an attempt to get a shot at them from the stairs.

The man fired his automatic weapon littering the floor as well as the wall behind Itachi with bullets. To Itachi the man seemed to be moving in slow motion. Itachi could've launched his kunai at this man too and taken him out from a distance but decided to get up close and personal. The man tried to adjust his gun to aim at Itachi, but Itachi used his acrobatics and speed to never let the man get a good shot at him. He fired wildly and began to panic more the closer Itachi got. Itachi made direct eye contact with the man and all of a sudden the man was stricken with fear. He froze and stopped shooting suddenly. Itachi noticing this, jumped over the man and landed on a step above him, he didn't turn around as Itachi then plunged his kunai into the back of the man's neck and listened to him gurgle out blood in his last dying seconds.

It didn't take long at all for the body to drop and go sliding down the stairs. Itachi looked up and made sure there were no other threats right in front of him. Once he seen there weren't he imagined the rest were either holed up in the room protecting the leader and his closest men, or they were already engaged in some kind of combat. Itachi decided to listen and take stock of the situation. There wasn't too much gun fire outside anymore. He also noticed there wasn't any gunfire coming from the living room, meaning Katsumi must have finished cleaning up as he was sure she wouldn't die here.

He was proven right a few moments later as she quickly moved to join him on the stairs. She gave him a nod when he looked at her to inform him that she had finished her unspoken task of cleaning up the downstairs. He gave her a receptive nod and then looked forward. He crept up a few stairs to see if he could get a better look at the second level. Neither one of them liked what they saw. Four bedrooms, two on either side, with all four doors closed. They traded a look that they would only understand, then gave a nod and moved forward. Their footsteps were silent as they had been trained to do but especially so as they didn't want to walk into an ambush. They stopped alongside one door on either side each. Itachi on the door's to the left of the hall and Katsumi next to a door on the right. Itachi counted to three using his fingers, once he got to  three, Katsumi opened the door and got back into cover alongside it. There was a guard standing behind it with his gun aimed out the door. Itachi rolled forward and the shot at his previous location missed. Itachi however launched a kunai at the man's shin hitting him. The pain caused him to drop to the floor.

Itachi then pulled another kunai and stabbed the man in the heart killing him. Springing the anticipated ambush, the door that Itachi was previously crouched beside opened and a gunman was looking to the room across the hall trying to shoot Itachi. Not anticipating Katsumi to be in the hallway he was caught off guard and killed by the bullet she had fired in his head. She rushed into the room opposite Itachi and searched it quickly making sure there were no other guards in there hiding. Once Itachi got to his feet, he did the same in the room he was in. Giving the room a quick scan with his eyes, he was sure that nothing was hidden. He moved to the doorway and by the time he was there, Katsumi as already waiting.

He gave a brief nod again and moved toward the next set of doors pulling up alongside one while Katsumi did the other one again. This time Katsumi counted and Itachi opened his door first. He found it empty. His eyes narrowed as he focused into the room. He did a quick search and found the room was indeed empty. This meant that everyone was all gathered in the last unopened door. He walked out quietly and motioned with his eyes toward the final unopened door. He stood along one side and Katsumi took cover alongside the other side. Itachi pulled out another pellet, this one was white. He gave Katsumi a look that told her to be cautious then a slight nod. In an instant almost like one fluid motion, Katsumi twisted the handle and pushed the door open while sliding back into cover along the wall, Itachi tossed the white pellet into the room, and then slid back into cover on his side as well.

The pellet went off with a brief flash of light to signify the flash bang had went off. Once it was safe and they were sure they were unaffected Itachi and Katsumi both entered the room. Katsumi took care of the right side and Itachi dealt with the left. Five guards were in the room, three on Katsumi's side and two on Itachi's. Itachi quickly cut down the two that was on his side as everyone was disoriented by the flashbang inside the room. Katsumi quickly shot down the three on her side.

Four people remain seated at the table still trying to get their wits about them. They could see that their protection had been killed and were now in preservation mode. One of them began reaching for his own gun and quickly found a knife lodged in the side of his throat. The shock caused the other three to stop what they were doing. Realization was setting in about their situation and how powerless they were. Itachi expected the begging and deal making to begin at any minute. He made eye contact with two of the three men left and suddenly their heads slumped over on the table. Frightened out of his mind Baroni put his hands on the table and kept them there to show he wasn't up to anything.

Itachi turned his head to Katsumi, still keeping a watch on their last remaining enemy out the corner of his eye.

"Inform Nikita-sama, that Baroni is ready to see her now." Itachi ordered.

Katsumi gave a bow and quickly left the room to go and retrieve their leader.

"Mael! Itachi's left already, get your gear on, we got to go!"

Mael jumped up, his eyes beaming glowing with happiness and his contagious smile in place before he moved towards Cain and their team, Koneko standing beside him as well. It was time to make sure that Nikita finally got what she deserved, the legacy and title that comes along with being one of them, people often say that if you live long enough, you see yourself become the villain, yet in this life, that almost never happened. Nikita lived long enough to call herself Godmother, he would make sure that she lived long enough, he would sacrifice himself to make that happen.

"Then what are we waiting for? Let's show this fucker who runs this city now, eh?"

Cain brought Mael into a hug before nodding, while he and Nikita did not start off on the best of terms, the two had almost gained a mutual understanding. Mael liked her as a boss and friend, he would never want to disappoint her, something that they would make sure never come to pass. Looking to Koneko, they all breathed in, making sure that the nerves had left them and they were ready to shed blood in the name of their city, in the name of their new leader of the city, they would make sure that she thrived, no one would stop this moment. 

"Mael! No swearing!"

Koneko teased with a grin before they all headed out, Mael was wielding the sword that he had gotten from Aimee, he would use it today. He would shed the blood of his enemies, standing outside the apartment, everyone stood by their cars, clearly waiting for Mael to give the order so they could go and do what they did best, bring about a new era. 

"Are you ready for this? I need to know, what we are doing here, it's more than family alliances, it's more than likes and dislikes, this is about installing Nikita into the position that she deserves, no other woman has put forth this amount of loyalty, dedication, power, and love into this city. She is the leader that we look to now, no one else! She is our future Leader, our future Godmother, heck, she could be the Queen of Pasadena, and you know why? She has earned that right! Are you with me? Are you with her?!?"

If someone doubted that Mael, a boy of 16 could give a speech like this, then they would be proven wrong right here. He looked different, he looked like a Leader in his own right, yet here he was, rallying them behind the woman he believed in and no one else. It spoke of his loyalty to the city and to his boss, would he remember the speech he gave? Possibly not, yet it did what it was meant to do, it allowed the men and women of his team to bring their A-Game, otherwise, they were all fucked and that was not going to be happening.

Cain and Koneko nodded to Mael in clear astonishment before they got everyone in their cars, it was time for a new era, it was time for the Rose to bloom.

Pulling up to the rear of the building, Team Mael had scoped out the building, noticing that some of the men seemed to be alert, others? Well, they were less so and would be the ones to die first. 

"Koneko and Cain, with me! Hendrickson and Ulf, take the left, the rest of you, take the right. Go! Go!"

And so it began. 

Mael dashed forward, his speed almost inhuman, clearly his small and athletic frame paid off in these ways. He took out the first guard, running his body clean before dispatching of the body, leaving it behind a dumpster. Mael could hear gunshots coming from the front and he knew that Itachi, along with his team were doing their part, something that had him grinning.

"Koneko, go forward, and do what you do best! Cain, stick with me, Koneko can handle her own, right?"

Koneko nodded towards Mael before quietly sneaking forward with Mael and Cain taking a different route around the building than her, clearly, it was divide and conquer, currently, they had the upper hand.

With Koneko, she had found herself on the opposite end of a brawl as she did battle with one of the guards, clearly he had heard the gunshots, he was just not expecting to run into someone from behind, it had quickly escalated as Koneko was kicked to the ground and nearly about to be killed, only Ulf had come up from behind and quickly ended the man's life, looking down at her with a silly grin,

"You should watch yourself lass, the boss is clearing up, let's get to it!"

They were clearing up, Mael and Cain had done their fair share as well. Both were covered in blood as they grinned down at the bodies and bumped fists, before picking up some guns and heading out to lend some support to Itachi and his team, they were done with the rear assault, no one would be saving these people now, he made sure of that. He was not going to allow this to end here, Mael had made a promise, they would find a new leader of the city, that was for damn sure!

"Ulf, cover Itachi! Hendrickson, you do the same! The rest of you lot, kill every last one of these fuckers!"

They nodded and started to help the other team clear a pathway for Baroni, this was the moment that it all came down to, one defining battle, Mael looked to Koneko and nodded, clearly he was okay and not shaking with his pistol anymore. He had gotten over his terror of taking a life, he was no longer a boy and he had the power to decide who lives and who dies.

"Go! Go! Inside! We cover them now!"

Mael screamed out until his voice was scratchy, he made sure to cover Itachi and his team, killing anyone who got in his way, making their way inside the main building, it was clear that these guys were willing to defend their boss with everything they had. Mael made a motion with his hands, telling his team to stay here and defend the building.

Before Itachi did his business, he called out to him.

"Eh! Itachi! Make sure that fucker bleeds, eh? Good luck!"

Not waiting for a response, Mael went back to helping his team defend the pathway, he would make sure that no one stopped this, it was the moment they had all been waiting for. The rose would grow strong indeed.

Megara stood in her apartment and looked out the window. The entire apartment was dead quiet, and she was leaning up against the wall, resting her head against it as well. She closed her eyes for a bit and held a tighter grip on the glass in her hand while sighing, just to strangle the empty summing of absolutely no sound around her.

She was dressed in black, with knives stashed in her thigh holsters around each thigh, and her favorite .38 Super in her jacket. She had tied her hair together on the back to keep out of her face when it was time, and she was certainly ready for some action. Megara walked to the counter and picked up her pack of Lucky Strike, opened it up. She then mindlessly picked up a cigarette with her teeth and lit it. She was fairly calm, and the tiny bit of excitement she felt, got strangled down along with the smoke, once it went down her throat, embracing her lungs. She decided to celebrate the upcoming victory by herself and poured another glass of whiskey. It was an important day, and she was in the state of mind, that told her to reward herself occasionally.

The clock was ticking and with a final look at it, she downed the glass and went to leave through her front door. The way down the stairs was short and she quickly sprinted down them and left the apartment building. Outside a car was just pulling up to the front of her place, and she walked towards it with quick steps. She took the last drag from her cigarette and threw it on the ground. She did not turn to look when entering the car. All her mind was focused on at the moment was the job, and getting it done properly. The fear of the operation going wrong was looming in the back on her mind, and she felt her feet start tapping up and down on the car floor. She quietly began humming to herself and tried to block out all the negative thoughts, while instead focusing on the good ones now. Her boss would be taking over all crime operations in Pasadena, and Megara would do all in her power to make sure it would not go wrong. Her boss had deserved it, worked for it and hoped for it, so Megara started to focus on that very one thing, and how they would succeed.

“We are here now.”

The voice of the chauffeur cut her stream of thoughts and Megara sprung to action, leaving the first. Without a moment of hesitation, she locked eyes on a gun toting enemy on the watch, and drew her gun from the holster. She ran in his direction, and stood directly in front, shocking him before he finished getting up from his cover. She smashed the gun on his head to knock him down before removing the safety. With her left hand she grabbed his neck and locked her eyes on his. She let her gun linger on his throat, pointing up towards his head. Megara felt her heart burn as she saw the fearing look in his eyes, but regained control of her emotions and looked him straight into his soul, before pulling the trigger on the gun.

“Riposa in pace.”

He died immediately, and all movement in his body stopped the very second she pulled the trigger. His body became heavy and she dropped him on the ground. His blood had splattered all over her, but she paid it no mind. She pulled herself and left his body to be. She had things to tend to, and she would not allow herself to grieve for an enemy. She went to look for the others, and finished some more enemies on the way. She looked on as she going home from afar. Some would say all of this was necessary and Megara would just nod and agree. For this was war, and she was not planning on losing this war.

"Think you'll be home at a decent time tonight?" Mackenzie asked. Her curled hair flowed over her shoulders as she looked on at her husband getting ready to leave their home. He was putting on the bulletproof vest underneath his dress shirt. She wan't sure where he was going, but she stayed strong, believing that no harm would come to him in this mission of his.

"I think so. I'll bring you home something nice." Jack answered. He turned to look at her and she handed him the .38 revolver that he took with him everywhere. He placed it into his shoulder holster. As he left the bedroom, he signaled to his bodyguard, Al, that it was time for them to head out. 

"Let's get this show on the road." Al remarked. He was always in the mood to cause some damage to Jack's enemies. This day was about something larger than Jack's enemies, though, it was about securing his boss' rightful place in the city.

Jack started up the car and then floored the gas pedal off of their street. He was making haste to pull up the compound where his family would be meeting shortly.

Arriving at the compound, he could hear the gunshots start out. Jack pulled up to the side of the compound, kicking in the side door to the kitchen. His job was to make sure that there wasn't a party waiting for them in the cellar. Jack fired off a couple of shots at the men taking guard in the kitchen, the only access point to the cellar. 

"Al, make sure no one comes through that doorway. I don't need anyone sneaking up on me when I go downstairs."

"Sure thing boss." Al answered as he fired off more shots into the next room. The compound was in essence a warzone now. Jack felt at home here, the firefight was something that he had never shied away from. He opened the cellar door and walked down the stair. It was an eerie calm throughout the room, something Jack hadn't expected. 

Suddenly, Jack felt a hand grab his gun and catch him with a right hook. It knocked Jack to the floor. He was dazed for a second, but regained his bearings in a matter of moments. Once he stood up, he found that this man in front of him was the only one in the cellar with him. Jack shook off the hit and threw a punch of his own. It landed on the man's jaw, but not to the same effect that he had on Jack.

Jack was tackled to the ground by this man, falling onto his back as he was being hit from up top. Jack tried to move his leg enough to grab the knife in his boot. He was so close that he could nearly feel the handle. One last stretch and he managed to grab it free of it's holster, pulling it out and stabbing it into the flesh of his attacker. In a panic, the man backed up off of him, falling to the floor and leaning against the wall. Blood poured out of his neck, pooling onto the floor. 

Calmly standing back up, Jack walked over to his gun, picking it up. He pulled the hammer back, placing it against the other man's skull and watched him tremble further. Without a thought, Jack pulled the trigger. He was relieved that the struggle was over, knowing that without his knife, this encounter could have gone very differently. The body flopped onto the floor, blood leaving out of the top of his skull now as well. Jack admired the brain matter splattered all over for a moment before he walked up the stairs, locking the door behind him.

"Cellar's clear."

Smiling fondly at Kitten Aislin leans down to give her long term partner a lingering kiss. Most nights she hated leaving the wettest fantasy of her dreams, but this wasn't any ordinary night. She was asked to attend a take over a few days ago, it was a little short notice, but she was never one to look a gift horse in its mouth, and this was not an opportunity that she could pass or would ever pass up.

There was a wildness upon the air, she thought as she inhaled the nights particular shade of perfume before getting into the back of her car. She felt wild, exhilarated, all of her senses so in tuned with her entire being. It was as though the very hairs on her body were alive, but underneath all of that energy was sheer calm.

She leaned back, because she knew that she personally would do whatever it took for Nikita to ascend to her throne, so there was never any need for her to worry. She was confident in her skill, and in her abilities to do whatever necessary to reach the end result. Failure was never an option. Leaning forward and smiling at that thought she said, "Ricky D this just might be one of the top five moments of my life. You ready to get a little or a lot dirty?"  Ricky D grinned before answering, "I want to get so dirty that the stains will never wash out." With that Ricky D pressed pedal to the medal causing Aislin's laughter to carry on the wind.

Ricky D pulled the car a block away from the location. They didn't want to bring any attention to them or their location, wanting to do things as stealthy as possible. After a short and unassuming run Aislin and her body guard Ricky D arrives at the door of the compound. Quietly opening the door Ricky D entered with Aislin following closely behind. She hated not leading from the front, but we all have our parts to play she thought. Ricky D was dispensable and she was not. The compound was relatively quiet when they arrived. There was the random gun shot off in the distance, but for the most part things were quiet. Aislin knew that things weren't always as they appeared so she remained on alert.

A shadow is near her right and Aislin turns just in time to see a knife slash past her face. She sees a few strands of her black hair floating and it is as though time seemed to slow down. She inhaled as she reached behind her for her preferred weapon the Kukri also known as Baby as she like to fondly refer to it. She grinned at Ricky D before stalking towards her victi-er opponent.

"Bitch." The man spit out as she got close enough that they were only an arms length away. She really needed him to work on his language. "Tsk tsk tsk, such filthy language. Do you kiss your mother with that mouth?" She eyed him knowing that he would be going for the gun in about...
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Mr. Filthy reached into the waist band of his pants just as Aislin leaned forward and unhooked the knife that was in her boot and in the same movement threw the knife so that it hit his brachial artery. Mr. Filthy's arm dropped becoming useless, and yet he still remained cognizant enough to make an attempt to go for his gun with his left arm. Aislin sighed, and as his hand landed on the butt of his weapon she kneed him in the balls.

Yanking his head back, she smiled while looking him in the eye. This was her favorite part of a kill. She could almost taste his fear, his desperation, and her favorite his defeat. With baby in hand she did a quick pull back motion with her hand before he could utter another word, the arterial flow sprayed Aislin, and the floor and the man died in moments, Aislin stood to watch the light flow from his eyes before wiping baby on the fallen man's shirt. Grinning and linking her arms with Ricky D they made their way over to the others and to hopefully more of Baroni's soldiers.

The small four vehicle convoy arrived at the destination, Nikita's automobile next to last in line.  Despite the assurances she gave to Itachi, Thom and Katsumi, she was escorted by a few extra heavies.  Thom handled the chauffeur and extra security detail for the evening because his main duty was to keep his employer safe at all costs, and leaving Nikita's safety in the hands of just anyone to drive out of here in crunch time didn't sit well with him.  Thom hand picked those tonight to come along, but remained in the backseat, ready to shield Nikita should things get tense or bullets flying at the vehicles.  Once they arrived at Baroni's 'guarded palace' as he referred to it on the streets, Thom exited the car first then performed an extensive surveillance of their surroundings.

The lights were dim inside upstairs and downstairs as everyone began to fall into position.  Itachi and Katsumi, along with Kagami were already in route to the small mansion.  Prior planning had dictated Mael and Jack would secure the rear entrance.  Aislin would be following in behind Jack, backing him up and watching for stragglers.  Megara was in the vehicle ahead of Nikita's, and would be here as reinforcement in case Nikita needed it.  Aimee and Knightmare were covering the perimeters ensuring no surprise attacks once the battle began.  Gunfire echoed across the night air, and she exited the car to keep an observation as the events unfolded that night.  It was the beginning of something that would forever change Pasadena as well as Nikita.  

As she glanced around assessing the situation in every direction possible, Nikita knew her organization was more than capable of handling this mission without the risk of her being in the midst of danger.  The thing was that she thrived on the rush of adrenaline and excitement, the feel of kicking someone's ass that deserved it, and Nikita had spent way too much time cooped up inside the Black Rose Headquarters.  It was through a strong sense of obligation and dedication to her family that Nikita chose to handle this personally.  Her favored attire of black enabled Nikita to move through the darkness with ease.  The stealthy approach was a skill she learned long ago, and one thankfully Thom had acquired as well. It was a suspenseful few moments once Itachi and Katsumi had entered through the front door.  The yelling and gunfire continued across the area to the right of their location, and faint echoing screams drifted across the property from the rear.  Hostiles falling left and right, screams muffled as life fades from their bodies.

Thom would have seen the visible relief flash across her facial expression if Nikita wasn't capable of masking her feelings so well once Katsumi reappeared on the front porch searching for Nikita.  Locating the bosslady across the property, Katsumi gave a slight nod indicating the time has arrived.  The moment of truth to see if she still had what it took to deal with the lowlife thug who claimed to be the reigning Godfather of the City of Roses.  With Thom's escort, Nikita traveled across the property towards the front door.  The three men trailing behind the two were keeping a watchful eye on their surroundings, making sure no one ambushed them.  Before she set foot on the steps, Nikita asked Katsumi with curiosity.

"Everything go smoothly?

Katsumi nodded towards Nikita, the serious expression never leaving her face as she replied.

"Yes Nikita-sama.  Itachi-sama is guarding Baroni upstairs.  His protection detail has been disposed of."

She noticed the slight twitch of Katsumi's lip that could've resembled a slight smirk, but it was goon as soon as it appeared. Nikita nodded, pleased at the information regarding the so called protection Baroni employed to protect him from trained assassins as she moved towards the door ready to enter into the mansion.  Nikita could hear low rumblings coming through the house from the back, recognizing Jack and Mael's voices, but her eyes focused on the stairs.  Her lithe movements had Nikita climbing the stairs two at a time, reaching the landing in no time at all.  Thom, Katsumi and the rest of her detail right on her heels, but once Nikita got to the open doorway and spotted Itachi standing there waiting for her, she felt relief upon seeing him unharmed.  The familiar smug expression she'd grown to like appeared on his face, but Nikita didn't linger too long on Itachi before her eyes shifted to the intended target she came for this evening.  Before she could say a word, Baroni's foul mouth mumblings floated across the room.

"A dame?  They sent a lousy no good dame to speak to me?  Listen sweetheart..."

Nikita arched an eyebrow then cut off his ignorant ramblings by retrieving her prized Colt .45 from the inside of her waistband.  She never sported gun holsters, just preferred to keep the gun out of view tucked away.  She aimed the weapon towards Baroni as she strolled towards the table with a casual pace.  Once she was close enough, Nikita spoke with a firmness to her entourage to exit the room immediately.

"I want a moment alone with this scum.  Go."

She could sense the hesitation oozing from Thom and Katsumi, but heard the retreating footsteps out of the room.  Nikita knew Itachi would present her with more of a challenge, but she spoke again without even looking back towards him.

"I know what you're thinking, but I've got this."

Baroni scoffed in disbelief as Itachi exited the room, closing the door behind him, but as Nikita stared Baroni down his fear filled eyes betrayed the tone in his mocking words to Nikita.  Nikita just stood there with the gun aimed at Baroni.

"Alright sweetheart.  I'm sure we can strike some kinda deal here.  You look like a gal who enjoys the finer things life has to offer.  How's about you walk away with $10,000,000 to buy you some more of those fancy little suits and some nice little dresses, maybe even a house.  You can go on a vacation, and we'll just forget this ever even happened?"

She didn't react.  Didn't make a move, nor a sound.  Nikita tucked the gun at the back of her person, snugly into the wiastband then stood there facing Baroni.  The beads of sweat began pouring down his temples as she remained unyielding.  Not long after his offer of money she was sure he couldn't even afford, Baroni's neck flourished with anger and redness as the words flew from his mouth.

"You stupid little bitch!  Do you even know who I am?  I own this city.  Me!  Anthony Baroni!!"

Nikita watched in slight shock as Baroni flew up from his seat then stormed his way past the fallen bodies of the protection that failed to survive long enough to protect their employer.  When his eyes traveled around the room from where he stood to the door then towards the window, Nikita wondered if he thought he had a chance to actually escape.  Did he seriously think she was just going to let him run outta here?  Baroni seemed to finally realize the predicament he was in as his eyes landed back on Nikita.  

"You'll pay for this!"

When he lunged towards Nikita, she swirled her body in a swift motion connecting her boot with Baroni's jaw, knocking him to stumble against the table.  His hand rubbed at the injured location before he raged in fury lunging at her once more.  This time her right hook hit hard against his jaw making him stumble backwards a couple steps.  Baroni still yelled in disgust cussing at her then making another attempt to make Nikita lose her balance, so he could get the upperhand.  He stormed towards Nikita a third time before he managed to get hold of her arms, struggling to keep a tight grip, wrestling her to the ground, knocking a chair over as they fell.  Baroni wasn't as skilled as she was, and within moments Nikita had regained the upperhand of the situation sending several punches to his abdomen and jawline givng her a chance to make it back to her feet.  He laid there struggling to breathe as she stood over him, retrieved her Colt .45 once more then aimed it at his head.  His eyes filled with shock and fear pleading for his life.

There was a single gunshot.  Then silence.  

Nikita stood there watching as the blood oozed from Baroni's forehead, and felt a high sense of satisfaction. Looking at the body for a minute she let the situation sink in, the accomplishment, the achievement of what she had done. She didn't usually feel emotional about her kills. Years of training had taught her not to, but this one, this was different. She came back to her senses and exited the room in a calm and normal fashion. She walked down the stairs step by step until she was in front of the crowd of soldiers that made up her organization. She could see the nerves, the worry, the tension in all of their eyes and postures. With all eyes on her she finally spoke.

"It's done.  This piece of shit won't be bothering our way of life any further."

Itachi was very hesitant to leave Nikita alone in the room. In his mind she should've have just shot him right away. This was taking a big risk leaving this man alive a moment longer than he needed to be. Once they cleared the room Itachi would've killed him immediately, but Nikita made it very clear that Baroni was hers to kill. Itachi found it fitting since she would be taking his place that she be the one to end him. None of them had anything personal against the man so he didn't really see the need for dramatics or monologue, it also wasn't his way. Giving an enemy this much time to think, to react, to plan, usually equated with the death of the person with the upper hand in his former profession.

Telling them all to leave was just taking an even greater risk. Itachi was nothing if not dutiful though, so he would follow his orders, no matter how reluctant he was. Thomas left first along with the rest of Nikita's guard. Itachi and Katsumi left last, the latter refusing to take a step away without the former leaving as well. Itachi finally forced down his arguments, and reluctance and left the room. He washed away the conflict from his face as soon as he could. He was sure Katsumi knew as she had shadowed him for quite sometime and she was nothing if not observant. He was sure Nikita knew of his disagreement as well, given that she refused to look at him when she gave the order and she left no room in her voice for him to air his disagreement either.

They all went downstairs to wait. They could hear voices coming from upstairs but they were muffled and it was hard to make out exact words until a manly voice began to yell. Next they heard the movement coming from upstairs. Next came heavy thumps which indicated sounds of a struggle. Itachi held back his expression and desire to rush up the stairs to see exactly what was going on, and instead put his faith in his leader. Thomas also struggled and Katsumi had to pull him back to keep him in place. She was nothing if not professional. Whatever happened up there, her and Itachi knew and understood that it was something that had to be handled between the two of them.

So they waited. The sounds of the struggle stopped for a moment and the sound of a gun going off made everyone downstairs waiting tense a little more. There was nothing but silence for a moment, then the sound of footsteps leaving the room calmly. The more sensible ones of the group were able to figure that if someone was leaving the room calmly, it wasn't their opposition. It wasn't long before the footsteps made their way to the stairs, heading down them one at a time. Itachi was internally relieved once he saw that their leader had made it out safe, though she was a bit disheveled. She was in good spirits as she told them that the deed was done, and understandably so. She had just taken over all major crime operations in the city of Pasadena. It was now officially her city. Itachi was the first to speak. 

"And so it is done." Itachi started. He then kneeled down on his right knee and bowed his head with his right arm crossing his heart.

He might have been a bit out of place or a foolish gesture but he heard movement from directly behind him and a little bit further behind him another moved as well. He assumed this was Katsumi and Kagami also following his lead, along with a few others of his crew that were inside the living room waiting as well.

'Kami bless them' Itachi thought to himself.  Some of them weren't even of his same background to understand this showing of respect but they followed their employer anyway no matter how it may make them or himself look. Right now Itachi was truly grateful for his associates and his family.

"Congratulations on becoming the Matriarch or Godmother of Pasadena." Itachi said.

"Congratulations Patriarch Nikita!" Kagami boomed from somewhere else behind him.

The other members in his crew and other members of the organization as a whole begun to say their congratulations. Itachi remained bowed as people continued to say their congratulations. It lasted for a bit as even people who were located outside the house yelled and shouted their congrats or tried to come in and get a look at Nikita. This was becoming problematic as the law wouldn't be far away. A war just raged outside and it was not a quiet one. Once the people simmered down Itachi immediately turned to Kagami.

"Bring the bodies inside the building and start clearing our people out of here. We'll go back and meet at the Headquarters, then head to Green Art Gallery for the celebration." Itachi half ordered and half informed the others who were in the room that were not under his direct employ.

"On it boss!" Kagami responded loudly, still obviously feeling boisterous. He then turned to bellow out the orders to anyone who didn't hear it.

He then turned to Katsumi and pulled out a handful of paper tags from his pouch. He gave her some and kept some for himself.

"Place them near flammable spots like the stove or a heater or something electrical. I'll place mine in the basement while you cover both the main and upper floors." Itachi instructed.

The two went to work paying no mind to the people who were either leaving or still trying to have conversation, and focused solely on their task. Itachi placed his by the generator downstairs in the cellar and the furnace. He also placed another one near the circuit breaker and the floor. These were special paper contraptions containing explosive devices in them. They came back from his old land and Itachi kept a short supply of them for when he needed them. He figured it would be easier to clean up this crime scene this way and also burn down all remnants of the old guard. Once he was finished, he saw Katsumi waiting for him in the living room, indicating she finished her task. She gave him a nod and he made sure there were no stragglers left behind in the house. Once he was certain they walked outside and noticed most people getting into their cars to leave or were already leaving.

Some of them, he was sure, would head somewhere and change clothes or drop off weapons and slip into something more comfortable or nice, for the celebration before heading to the gallery. This was his plan also. Once him and Katsumi were sure there was nobody on the perimeter anymore, they walked to their waiting car. Kagami was already sitting in the front seat. Itachi turned back to face the building that was littered with all the dead bodies.  He flashed his hands together quickly making a few hand signs that were unrecognizable to the regular eye, before holding up two fingers in front of his face. He held his hand there like that for exactly five seconds before the house begun to explode in different areas before the whole thing was lit ablaze all together.

"Fuckin' awesome boss!!" Kagami shouted in excitement.

Katsumi reached through the window to slap her brother upside his head. He begun to yell at her and demand she tell him why she did it and that she didn't do it again to which she ignored him. 

"Let's go." Itachi ordered as he turned and quickly got into the backseat of the car with Katsumi entering on her side almost at the same time. Kagami continued ranting to his sister about not hitting him and how he wasn't little anymore while his sister continued to ignore him. Itachi also wasn't paying it much mind or he would've demanded silence as well. He just couldn't believe how far the woman he had once been forced to work with had come so far. He also couldn't believe he was alive to see it. Oh if the person who brought them along could see them now, Itachi wondered briefly what they would say before he cast it out his mind entirely. This was about Nikita becoming the leader of an entire city. He let his smile of pride show at the thought for the rest of the ride to their hideout.