Often, I have wondered about who I am, what my family was like; you know, that sort of thing. I'm not sure when it happened, other than I'm guessing I was about 5-8...but ever since it came back to me, it has continued to haunt me. Even now, when I first felt alive, it found me. It really devastated me for a long time. I'm kind of embarrassed as to how I acted around my friends after it happened. I acted like a scared little girl! I think I'm over it--for now.

We've talked a lot, and I think that Kagura is the closest thing I have to a big sister! She's a bit older than I am, and I think she's taller (although it may have to do with wearing those high heels), but we've been there for each other.

When I...was called in Yuki's cafe, it was Chizuru's power as a Guardian that helped me get through that. I really helped her out when Mature and Vice were going to kill her, those hoes! She may not be my real sister, but she's good enough. If they think they can mess with me, or my family, I'm going to break them!

"Leona, I can see it. You are planning to see him, confront him and try to get answers. I don't..."

"Sorry, Kagura, but I'm going to! This is what I must do! Do us each a favor and don't try to stop me!" with that, Leona left.

Leona...what's wrong with you, girl? I treat Ralf like he's some punk trying to mess with me. I just now told Chizuru that if she gets in my way, it'd get ugly, fast. This hole bloody Orochi crap has my head hurting. I wish that I was the one who had Orochi instead of Iori. I would love nothing more than to fry this Bastard!

No! My fath...Heidren taught me better than that. I can't let this consume me, that's what he wants to happen. Then, even if I beat him, he's won: I'll be controlled by the Blood for the rest of my life...if not longer.

Odd, as this is the second time I nearly called him father. I mean, just look at the last KOF invitations from '98...it read "Leona Heidren." We didn't really give it much thought--and I never thought of it, until now. I wonder just how much am I like his daughter...I feel one of the Blood. It's not Iori...

"So, whatda ya know? Iori was right after all. He said you'd come. I wonder why he would care," Vice mused.

"What's it to you, Vice?"

"Ryuji wanted to go out for some more fun. Iori said he was going to hang around a bit...said something interesting was going to happen, involving him and fate. Ryuji, Mature, and I went on. Then, I went back to confront him. I was surprised that he didn't dodge me, and said he was waiting for you. Now why does he want you?"

"What's the matter, you jealous? Afraid that he's tired of a hoe, and you think you can eliminate the competition."

"Ah, yes. We are rather similar, Leona. Maybe, someday, when this gets recorded, they may make a movie of it...or maybe a video game. Maybe they'll have the same lady do both our voices. Oh well. Now, prepare to defend yourself!"

"That, from you! I thought you were the one to say that `we won't fight members of our clan.' We are both Orochi..." but Vice was moving in for an attack.

She slid forward, and a fury of kicks shot out toward Leona. Leona waited until the last second, and flipped, knocking Vice out of the move. Leona then flipped several more times before she kicked Vice skyward, leapt up, and ignited Vice, screaming as her flesh was set ablaze. She landed, and heard it.

It was a familiar and cold laugh. Had Leona's blood not been so hot with fire, it may have froze into ice. She didn't have to look far to see the man she had sought to confront. There, on a small bench sat Iori, seemingly enjoying the cat-fight.

"Vice was right--you were expecting me. I'll assume you know what I'm doing, Iori."

"Of course I do, cousin. It has been almost an entire life-time for you since you saw anyone from your actual family. Now, that you've finally met one, you'd like to have a little family reunion. That's fine with me. Just don't try and get all mushy with me..."

"If you truly even thought that, than you are a big fool. I guess my first question is: Iori, do you really care that much about me? Is that the real reason you fought against Orochi?"

"Come now, Leona. We are family...honest to God family! I do have to care for blood. After all, if a man doesn't have his family, what does he have? You are right, though. You are family, and you know the main reason. Orochi temporally took control of both our lives. You haven't had as much...experience with this. I was able to regain some control for the final showdown, and I took him. Nobody controls Iori Yagami! Just as you would have nobody control you!"

"So, is that all this is for you, Iori? Nothing more?"

A long silence passes before he replies.

"It is because of our confrontation with Orochi himself that I learned a lot about the--relationship with the Kasnagis and Yagamis. Just like that time, it is always us who does the dirty work! While he momentarily controlled me, it was I who made the first attack on Orochi. Kagura helped a bit, as she is the mirror. However, Kyo took too long for my liking. Do you have any idea what type of power Orochi really is? I saw and heard Chizuru tell me what she told me about you...and that she'd tell you. I also saw you come to confront me, although under less pleasant circumstances. That is why I waited here, so that you wouldn't have to contend with them. Finally, when she got that dweeb to wake up, and help seal Orochi, a lot of the damage had been done. Look at these scars! Do you think that they will ever heal as a result of his carelessness? There are several, deeper, scars that I also got from that. Still, family is one of the few things that I have little of, something we have very much in common, babe...gak!"

Leona kneed Iori below the belt!

"No one calls me `babe' or anything like that, and gets that close to me! You understand me!" Leona scolded, her eyes flashing with the fire that was embedded in her blood.

Iori's body shook with silent laughter. Leona looked at him, not sure of what to make of it.

"Good. I'm glad to see those clowns you team with haven't turned you into a fool! You still are your own person. Help me up."

"You would dare to ask me to help you up!"

"I see it well. You are indeed family, Leona. You learn from your mistakes. So, are you willing to take a risk, and trust the only man who you share blood with?" Leona looked at him blankly for several minutes, before she bent down, and helped him to his feet.

"Thanks. It is rather funny, in a sick way, as to how much we have in common. Our lives are dominated by Orochi. The harder we pull away, the tighter his grip seems to come. He sleeps, for now, so his power is weaker. I think you recall how I said I sympathize with you. I can trust you, as you are family. I lost my parents to the blood...the same way you did. I was a bit older, at the time, but I had no control over my actions. Who and how I Awakened is unknown to me. It has only been recently that I've been able to gain some control over it. What you are experiencing, I have already felt. If, something motivates you to fight on, you will slowly be able to hold off the callings, as I have done. I doubt I will truly be free, but it's a start."

"You mean you...you...I'm sorry. I didn't know. It must be..."

"Don't. I've been there, done that. We each make our own fate, if we can. You can bet that we will meet again. I need to go have a strong drink," and with a little difficulty, Iori left.

"You can come out now, `ma.' So, what did you hear?"

"Obviously, Iori sensed me too," began Kagura, "I only caught a few things here and there. I still don't believe you did this. How can you trust that mad..."

"The same reason you trust me...I think I have a good understanding of him," Leona turned, and went back to the joint. It was time for her and Ralf to talk.

Hard Truth
Riot
Pact Of Darkness

©1999