Author's Note:

The start of a whole new story! An event that occured in the 'The Boy, The Fang and The Gun' Series! For a better explanation, it'll be like movie, a special arc that isn't needed to be read to continue the main story, but it expands on the universe itself.

Chapter 1: A New Day.

Inner Feelings.

Venice, Italy

"Our word binds us. We always go by our words." Papa said that to me once, it was the first time I ever heard the phrase. Papa said that those words are the code of my family, the De Luca family. Back then, I didn't know what it meant. It seemed really easy back then, I didn't have to worry so much. There was no trouble, no fear, just me thinking of what new things each new day brings to my life. There was only the joy of discovery with each passing day. Though now slowly recovering thanks to Lord Amato's efforts, the scars on my wings of the past throbs and lingers...

"Um.. Should I..?" I wondered as I stood in front of Big Brother's sound of his alarm clack was still going off, and it's only a matter of time before the neighbors come knocking on our door. Still, can I really barge into his room like that? He could be changing... At that thought, I could feel my cheeks blushing a bit from embarassment. As I stretch out my hand, thinking I should probably just knock, I find myself reluctant as I pulled it back. "Oh no! The time!" As the clock from the corridor caught my eye, I realized that we're gonna be late if my hesitation continued.

In a fit of surprise and spontaneity, I grabbed ahold of the doorknob and entered the room. "Wh-whoa!" I exclaimed as my legs did not stop even after I went past the door. "Look out!" I squeak out as I crashed onto Big Brother's bed. Immediately after I recovered, I jumped right back on my feet. The surrounding changed to one of sport trophies and metal replicas of weapons. "Um.. Sorry." I found it necessary to apologise for that little fiasco that happened, but strengely, there was no reply. Just a soft, faint sound in the sea of noise his alarm clock was making. Walking and turning the alarm off, the sound became clearer.

"Zzz... Snooz... Zzz" The faint sound would've been confusing for anyone else, But I knew what it was, and who it was coming from.

"Brother.. Big Brother! Wake up!" I called out to Big Brother as I tugged and pushed the lump wrapped in bedsheets which resembled a cocoon of sorts. At times like this, I wished big brother wasn't such a sound sleeper. He didn't even reacted one bit when I crashed right into him just now. "Fionn! We're gonna be late!" I called out once more, hoping that this time he would hear me. As I struggled with the situation, my eyes shifted to see myself reflected in a mirror, a full body mirror, which stood at the side. The reflection showed a short, cute girl with a prominent black hairband on her head, which complimented her blond hair color. A strange sight, as it wasn't used to pushed her fringe back, leaving them dangling just above her eyebrows, with her hair at shoulder-length. My round face and wide, sparkling green eyes was accompanied with a sky-blue sweater with a plain, white skirt. Does this look too boring? I find myself asking that a lot as I adjusted my attire.

"Tick. Tock. Tick." The sound of the clock ticking continues. "Ah! Oh no!" I called, frantically pulling the sheets, unknowingly pulling and making the lump fall onto the ground. "Crash!" The boom felt like it could be heard from every room in the house.

... "Uh oh."

"Ugh.. What time is it?" A calm voice can be heard from the lump that is on the floor. A head with familiar blong hair, spiky with the same three bangs, popped out from the sheets, and the boy slowly unwrapped himself like he had all the time in the world. I can't believe he didn't hear any of the screaming that I've been doing!

"Argh! Big Brother! We're going to be late!" I complained, jumping up and down on the spot before walking to the door.

"All right, all right." Fionn repled, standing up, tidying his bed and brushing off the dust from his pajyamas.

"I'll just wait for you downstairs! Breakfast is ready, all right?" I just tell it to him without looking at him. Sometimes, I wonder why I cared if he was late. The scene ends as I closed the door and left Fionn to get ready in his room.

Back then, we were so happy. I was oblivious to how dangerous the line of work Papa was in. Each day happened a lot like that. Big brother and I were still very close back then. I think I just didn't know it yet.

The dining room was one of bright lights, finely decorated wall, and windows which showed the great blue sky. The table had a spread unlike anything I had made before. The smoke sausages were still sizzling. The fragrant smell of scrambled eggs stood in the middle, a large plate of bright, golden yellow. A variety of bread can be seen neatly arranged at the side of the table. The second largest dish to take the stage is the spaghetti, lightly marinated by the succulent sauce and beautifully littered with meatballs.

"Is your brother coming down?" A strong looking man with wide shoulders sounded off with his low, deep voice. His blond hair, short yet spiky, remained laid down as he sipped his coffee.

"He's coming down soon, Papa." I replied, chomping down on a meatball from my plate of spaghetti. He better, the food's gonna get cold.

"He better, the food's gonna get cold." Papa gave out as he had a bite of the scrambled eggs. Haha, same thoughts, I guess.

Fionn walked in dancing and turning as he sat down on his seat, as active as ever. He's always quick on his feet, and precise in his hands. At his seat, he took a great, big breath. "Awesome spread! This looks better than ever, Dad!" In one fell swoop, he picked up a good portion of sauges, eggs, bread and spaghetti, with the meatballs.

"This wasn't done by me, not today." Papa continued, finishing his coffee, and pouring yet another cup. With the coffe pitcher in hand, he pointed at me.

"Wow! You're gonna be great wife someday!" I blushed at hs comment, but felt the need to reply nonetheless.

"Not if I have to wake you up everyday to make sure you don't get late, Fionn." I think I saw Big Brother's eyes shift and stare outside the window.

"I guess you're right. Sorry..." He turned and nodded, looking apologetic. Then, we burst out laughing.

"Kiera, Fionn, come home straight from school today. She's coming home." Papa tells us with a soft, delicate tone, even for his voice. The words brought a smile to our faces.

"Right! Okay!" Big Brother and I replied almost at the same time.

"Hey! you ready?" I could hear big brother's call as I tied my shoes by the steps. He was already outside the gates. He stood with his backpack on his back, with a simple dress shirt and pants, athough it seems he's not doing so well waiting. Adjusting my hairband, I finished up, grabbed my bag, and ran towards the gates. "C'mon, you said we're gonna be late, right?" Big Brother say out with a smile as he already started walking.

"I had to do the dishes! Yours too, you know?" I replied, footsteps ringning as I bounced to catch up with him.

"Crash!" Suddenly, I find myself on the stone-floor, my head spinning.

"Whoa! What happened?" Big Brother immediately ran to my side after hearing the crash.

"I.. slipped on a banana peel." I slowly muttered out as Fionn helped me up.

"C'mon, now we're really going to be late!" Big Brother declared, pulling me along by my wrist.

"Hey! Slow down a bit!" I cried out, smiling as I quickened my steps.

It was so bright, how each day was back then. I would've never had predicted what would've happened. As you heard, I'm not exactly the same back then. I heard Big Brother said that I'm way more bubbly back then. Papa even said he misses my smile. The event that is to happen changed everything, my lifestyle, my personality, my family. It shooked our very way of life. Now that I think back, I don't know how life would be now if I remained the same.

The end of the first chapter for the side-story! I hope through this story, you guys can know more about Kiera, and maybe get to like her more, if you don't like her already. I hope the feelings don't come off as too unrealistic as well. Chapters will come updated at the same time as the main story, and I hope you enjoyed reading this!