Arising

The birth of a new Dragon

A man tied up in a chair. There was a gun in my hand.

SHOOT HIM! - my father yells at me.

My hands were shaking, it was cold, the gun was so heavy.

Do it, don't be a coward! SHOOT HIM NOW!

I couldn't.. My brother takes the gun from my hand and points it at the man.

*gunshot*

I wake up! Those nightmares had been torturing me for years now.

"Are you alright?"-Asks Kai embracing me.

"Just a bad dream."-I say laying my head in his chest.

"It's alright, I'm here."-he says stroking my hair.

Surprisingly in his arms I found myself drifting off to sleep again.

***

"I assume things are going well with the organization."-my mother says.

We were sitting outside having breakfast. After everything that has been going on we haven't had the time to be in each other's company. And honestly I don't think I ever was too close to her either, but now I'm all she has.

"They are actually and tomorrow I have something organized. It isn't the best timing but I am organizing a gathering to present myself as the new head. Word has spread but I'm going to make it official."

She puts down her glass and looks at me: "It is the right decision. I was going to suggest something, but I'm glad you have thought about it already."

"I have already sent out the invitations. It won't be too grand, but this way I make myself known to the lower ranks and keep the other members in check."-I say.

I never liked gathering, mostly I have wanted to stay away from them but now I had to be at the center of attention. I knew what expected me was bad. I would be in the public eye and the police would start focusing on me as well. I had to be careful from now on.

***

It was about an hour before the party started and I was getting ready. Dark red lips, smoky eye makeup and eyeliner also some silver jewelry.

For the hair I decided to do a low bun and wear some black ankle boots.
I put on my black gown with red detailing. It had a dragon figure embroidered in it and a dragon head in the belt.

I take a deep breath. I'm guessing it's time to show myself to the wide public.
A woman running the Yakuza was something that was never heard of and I didn't knew how they were going to expect it.

I knew that I had to work twice as hard and be the best in order to make up for the fact that I was a woman. So stupid to base someone's worth on their gender. Yet I was going to show them wrong.

I get out of the room, there were so many people. And cameras. This was a lot of publicity, but my father had also many legitimate businesses and as the only heir I had to make my appearance to the media as well.

At the end of the stairs there stood Kai looking sharply dressed in a white suit and his curly hair falling gracefully on his face.

He was so different from everybody else. From their black suits to their slicked back hair.
I don't know exactly when I fell in love with him, but I know for sure that I'll never stop loving him.

He looks up to me as he was lighting up a cigarette and his expression changes. Quickly he rushes to the stairs to get to me and grabs my hand.

"I already thought you were perfect, but tonight you look out of this world."-he says and gives me a kiss on the cheek.-"I am a very lucky man."

All I could do was smile, but honestly I think my happiness was visible even before that.

"I am the lucky one for having you by my side."-I say to him as we go down the stairs.

After meeting some people and posing for a few pictures presenting my self as the CEO of my father's companies I decided to retreat and meet with some of the members of the organization.

Chotan, one of the members approaches me. He was past his fifties, a very strong and powerful man. He seemed wise and very intelligent.

"I am not the kind of man that likes to play games, or hide what I truly think and I have to be honest miss Nao. At first I didn't think that you would be even remotely fit to lead this organization. But in these last situations I can proudly say that you have proven me wrong."-he says as he takes a sip of his champagne.

"I understand and I am glad that you are coming forward to me with the truth. You see I am not here to bring the demise of this organization, I'm here to make it stronger."-I say to him.

He didn't seem like the type that could be easily convinced, but I had a feeling that he and I were eventually going to get along.

"Mind if I join the conversation?"-says Shao approaching us.

"Of course."-I say giving him a warm smile.

He was holding two glasses of champagne and gave one to me. I thanked him.

"I am very glad to have you as a part of the organization. Maybe at first it came as a surprise sure, but we will achieve many great things together."-he says making a toast.

"I believe so as well."-I say to him.

A bit after I was going to make a speech. I knew that I had to make a good impression for everybody. The public and the other people working with the organization. Some of them were watching from here, some from afar, but I was certain that all eyes were on me.

I get to the stage organized in the great hall and all the attention was on me. And then my eyes meet Kai's. He was smiling giving me courage. I could do this.

"Good evening everyone! First I would like to thank you all for being here tonight. This has truly been a hard time for us, but I know that eventually with time and a lot of work we will get through everything and not only that, we will prosper and make great achievements.
And we shouldn't be afraid of change because sometimes fears are like dragons, they guard our deepest treasures. Enjoy the evening!"-I say finishing the speech while everybody applauded.

Kai comes towards me and grabs me by my waist. He comes close to me and whispers in my ear: "Have I told you how hot you are when you have speeches like that?"

I chuckle: "No, but you can show me tonight."