North's POV:

Once Silas and I were done with cleanup duty we returned to the office to see what had been decided.

The revelation that little Sang-chan was actually Sang Sorenson was a shock, but Silas didn't seem too surprised.

He told me, quietly, that he'd suspected she wasn't a simple servant and I had to agree he was right. I had known there was more to her than meets the eye.

But to go from servant girl to heiress of a clan was still a big shock to me.

I wondered what this news would mean for my family. Following Jack-sama didn't seem like an option for us anymore, but we didn't respect his son enough to ally ourselves to him, either.

On the other hand, being servants to a lord was all that we knew, all that we had ever been.

I didn't think any of my brothers would be able to be happy with any other lifestyle, with the exception of Doc.

"What do you think is gonna happen, Si?" I asked my brother. Our family was a tight-knit one, but Silas and I went way back, and it was always him who I confided into and followed.

The other boy might be the silent kind, but when he spoke I always heard him. He saw much more than the rest of us did.

Silas glanced around at all our brothers. Sean and Gabriel weren't here yet, having gone out to help Sang calm down.

Wil-sama was sitting in the corner of the room, alone and looking rather bored.

Finding out the boy wasn't what we had thought either was a shock, but a welcome one. However, it didn't mean we would all start to get along now. Years of differences and harsh words couldn't be simply erased, after all.

"I think..." Silas began saying, attracting my attention back to him "...That perhaps our leaders are considering a change in loyalties."

I frowned at that, thinking hard about what he meant. "You think Blackbourne-san wishes to leave the Academy?"

Silas nodded and I pursed my lips. I could understand that, but what about the rest of the family?

"The whole team, you think?" I asked him uncertainly.

He smiled at me. "We are always together, no?"

I relaxed at that. "Yeah. We are always together."

"He will probably call in a vote," he said shrugging, "Like when we agreed to follow Jack-sama. He doesn't make this decision on his own."

I looked at him, "And what will you vote for?" I asked curiously.

He turned his face to look me in the eyes; the seriousness in his gaze leaving no doubt that he'd already made his decision "I believe we should stand by her, make her family."

I sucked in a breath at that. What Silas was suggesting wasn't simply giving the Sorenson' heiress our loyalty like we had done for Jack-sama.

No. he wanted to make her a part of the family, and family always came first.

This was a commitment they wouldn't be able to break easily like they were doing right now.

Not only that, it involved more than just following her. It involved, well, getting involved with her.

I didn't know what to think. How would that even work? Having a girl into the family wasn't something they had ever done before, and it was clear to me that she was far too interesting to many of us and completely out of our reach too.

This was going to lead to heartbreak.

I glanced over at Silas and saw the resolve on his gaze. My brother wasn't stupid or delusional.

He was determined to give everything to this girl in spite of the pain.

I wasn't going to let him walk down that path alone.

Together. Our family always stayed together.

......

Sean's POV:

After Pookie was done getting dressed in one of her new kimonos, presented by Wil-sama, we walked back to the office to finish our planning.

Entering the room I saw that our brothers were all already there, waiting for our arrival.

I rested my hand on the back of the tiny girl standing in front of me and led her to sit by Owen's side, a little in front of him.

Once she was situated I took my place to her left, again a little behind her.

It was a declaration, with Wil-sama sitting facing her, that they were the leaders in this room, and Owen and I stood with her. Her loyal servants.

I knew he would ask for a vote, but I also knew he'd already made his own choice, and it was the same as mine.

Glancing briefly at me I saw the approval in his gaze.

Sang was blushing a little bit, looking guiltily into Wil's eyes, but her spine was straight and her chin was raised proudly.

She wasn't going to apologize for our choices. Who our loyalty was given to was our decision and she would respect that independently of what her best friend thought.

The boy smile warmly at her and I saw her muscles relax slightly. She might have chosen to not back down, but she was glad he wasn't going to argue.

I could understand that. I figured her relationship with him was a lot like mine with Owen.

I didn't like arguing with Owen either, at least not seriously.

Playing with him was another matter...

"As Lee-kun has pointed out, it seems that we have need of a change in our family." Owen began saying. "We have always given our loyalty to our family first and the Academy second, however that don't seem to be working anymore."

All my brothers nodded. At this we all agreed, it was the next part that would be tricky.

"So, I propose a vote..." Owen was saying when Silas suddenly interrupted.

"...to make Sang Sorenson a part of our family." The gentle giant said, shocking everyone into silence.

It wasn't often Silas spoke up, and no one, and I mean no one, interrupted Owen.

But the boy had not only done that, but he dropped a bomb in our meeting, leaving everyone shocked and speechless, even Gabriel.

"I am willing and I will obey." Said North, making all eyes turn to look at him.

The dark haired boy had a serious and determined look on his face, his arms crossed over his chest and a forbidding scowl leaving no doubts to his decision.

"I am willing and I will obey!" Luke suddenly chirped cheerfully, his brown eyes looking at Sang with excitement in them.

Gabriel was the next one to recover from his shock and said "I am fucking willing and will fucking obey." He smirked at Sang who was sitting frozen, obviously still in shock.

Kota glanced over at Victor and nodded at him "I am willing and I will obey." Both boys said at the same time.

Nathan was the last one of the young boys and he hesitated for a bare second, looking at Sang before he too agreed, "I am willing and I will obey."

I glanced over to my best friend to see an exasperated but proud glint in his eyes. Owen Blackbourne didn't enjoy being blindsided like this, he hadn't expected making Sang a part of the family, but it was his brothers' choice and he'd follow their wishes.

Even if he made they all pay for their daring at a later time. I smirked at the thought, knowing that we would all be running laps soon enough.

"I am willing and I will obey." I said while still staring at Owen, a challenge in my gaze that he couldn't miss.

He frowned at me briefly before putting in his own vote, "I am willing and I will obey."

......

Luke's POV:

Once the meeting was over and we had a game plan our group went about their missions.

Blackbourne-san and Wil-sama would be going to meet with Jack-sama to explain to him what had happened with Ronald Sorenson and that the Blackbourne team was leaving for the Sorenson clan with Wil's approval.

Once we weren't around anymore, Wil would sit down with his father and demand he step down from his place as leader of the clan.

The boy knew his father wouldn't give up his position of power easily, but Wil had assured us he had a few cards on his sleeve that he could use for now.

If his father proved to be difficult, then he'd end him. Simple like that.

I was impressed, the boy was more calculating and cold hearted than I had thought. But he was only cold to those who deserved it.

He'd make a good leader for the Academy.

Sean-san, being a doctor, would be going to inform the Sorenson's mistress and her daughter about Ronald's death. Nathan would go with him as protection.

Gabriel, Kota and North had gone to pack all their things as we would be leaving pretty soon and that left me, Silas and Victor to stay with Sang.

I grabbed Sang's hand, interlacing our fingers together and smiled at her surprised expression before tugging her after me.

"Don't drag her, Luke. Princess doesn't need to be treated like that." Vic scolds from behind us as he and Silas follow in our awake.

"Sang-chan don't minds, do you Cupcake?" I ask smiling at her over my shoulder.

She looks at me with a cute confused frown in her face, "Did you just call me "Cupcake"?" she asks.

"Of course! You are as sweet, cute and small as a cupcake, besides..." I wink at her, causing her to blush prettily, "I adore cupcakes."

She blushes even more and averts her eyes, her teeth beginning to bit at her lip in a way that is bound to get us all in trouble, as Gabriel would say.

"Ah, ah! None of that, now!!" I exclaim playfully while raising my hand to her face and tugging her lip away from her teeth. "Hummm, see now, you've already hurt yourself. Your poor lip is all swollen and you broke the skin, too." I say, causing my brothers to lean in on either side of me to look at her mouth.

She is looking ready to combust now, her face is so red even her ears are pink.

She is too cute for her own good.

Silas chuckles a bit before opening his arms for her in invitation and she dives in with a relieved look in her eyes, hiding that pretty face in his chest as his arms encircle her tiny frame and raise her in a bear hug.

Damn, wish I had thought of that before.

Silas nods his head to me, the look in his eyes telling me to lead the way since he intends to carry her for the rest of the way.

I start walking for the music room, knowing that most of us have some affinity with some instrument and that Sang probably needs the release that music gives her.

We all knew she played the violin, she'd told so before and I didn't think Blackbourne-san would mind sharing his instrument with her for now.

We entered the room and I went straight for the guitar.

I wasn't as good as Gabriel with this instrument, but I wasn't all that bad either.

Silas didn't play anything so he sat in the windowsill and placed Sang on his lap.

She was still blushing, and looked like she was considering getting up for a bit, but as he started to run his hand up and down her back she relaxed against his chest, laying her head in his shoulder.

She looked as happy as a kitten being petted. I could almost hear her purring in contentment.

I glanced over at where Victor was already sitting behind his piano and smiled. My brother looked longingly at Sang, but the smile on his face proved he was happy with simply having her around.

I was happy as long as she was happy.

When Victor started to play I ran my fingers over the strings of my guitar, accompanying him as best as I could. While I did so I watched as Sang closed her eyes and practically melted against Silas.

The music we were playing was a lullaby and she fell asleep quickly. We didn't stop until the music reached its end, making sure she wouldn't wake up.

She'd had a long night and needed whatever rest she could get. It was our job and pleasure to take care of her now.

Putting down the guitar I walked over to where she slept against my brother, tucking a lock of hair behind her ear delicately so as not to wake her.

It was amazing how much our lives were changing because of such a little being. It was like watching an ant causing an earthquake.

"Luke." Victor's whispered call pulled me out of my daydream and I turned to him.

He indicated for me to follow him out of the room and I did, standing in the hallway as he closed the door behind us.

"What is it?" I asked him.

He paused for a moment, as if gathering his thoughts before speaking, "How do you feel about her, Luke?"

I was a bit startled at the question, not having expected such a thing. Looking into Victor's eyes, thought, I realize that I should have known he would question my intentions towards our new mistress.

My brother was quite smitten with her.

Thinking back at how all my brothers reacted when Sang was involved I concluded that more than half cared very deeply for her, and the others weren't far behind.

It was the reason why we had accepted her into our family in the first place.

It would cause complications, of course. But I was never the sort to care about such a thing.

"She will be a great leader." I said.

Victor glared at me and I relented. It wasn't often my gentlest brother lost his temper, but when he did things got ugly fast.

"And I like her. How could I not? She is beautiful, smart, strong, kind and still vulnerable enough to tug at all our heartstrings. Is she tugging at yours too, Vic?" I didn't really need to ask, the answer was clear to see on his face, but I still did it.

He crossed his arms over his chest in a very North-like gesture that almost made me smile.

"You already know the answer to that." He said, to which I nodded pleasantly.

"And what are you thinking of doing now that you know how I feel?" I asked him.

He studied me in silence for a bit before answering, "There is nothing to be done. She is a part of our family now, and an heiress while we are all servants. Not to mention I would never try to take from my brothers something they cherish."

"Huummm." I hummed a little, "We are in agreement then." I concluded.

He nodded.

It was rather sad. I didn't like it one bit. Maybe I could think of another solution, if there was something I was good at it was daydreaming about good things.

My ideas, no matter how crazy they seemed at first, always worked at the end. I would think of something and convince my brothers to follow me.

......

Silas' POV:

Aggele mou was fast asleep in my arms, her warm breath ghosting over my chest where the kimono had opened a little, her head lying right over my heart.

I was in bliss. Or at least as much bliss as I would be able to get with her.

I knew my feelings were helpless but I didn't care, I'd fight for this girl to the rest of my days. And so would my brothers.

I made sure of that, much to Blackbourne-san's annoyance.

Victor and Luke soon came back into the room, both with determined expressions on their faces. We stayed there for the rest of the afternoon until Kota came to call us for an afternoon tea.

I let my nose trail over her forehead briefly, taking a deep breath of her perfume before waking her up. Her sleepy and trusting gaze was almost too much for me, but I controlled myself and helped her to rise from my lap.

My brothers and I watched raptly as she raised her hands to her face, rubbing at her eyes as she walked a little unsteadily to the door. She looked too cute when she was still half-asleep.

Kota offered his hand to her and she took it with a shy smile directed at him. I could practically see that smile striking his heart like an arrow from the Greek God Eros.

As we walked to the room where we would gather, Kota began reporting to Sang that the preparations for our departure were almost done and we would be ready to leave the next day.

He also said that Jack-sama was under close watch to ensure he wouldn't try anything against her.

Wil-sama had requested to have a meeting with her before we went on our way and Elise and Marie were causing some trouble but Nathan was keeping his eye on them.

I hoped he killed them. Too bad Sang-sama didn't agree with that.

The tea room they gathered at belonged to Blackbourne-san and he and Sean-san were already there, waiting.

We sat down in a circle and waited while Blackbourne-san got through the motions necessary to prepare the tea.

Once everyone was served he focused on Sang and began his speech. "I am sure you are already aware that we worked previously for Jack-sama, following all his orders, Sorenson-sama, but it is time you understand what was our role in the Academy clan."

She gave him her attention and indicated for him to continue.

He took a deep breath and fixed his glasses before continuing, what was to come could very well change her view of us and cause her to refuse our help "We were a team of ninjas, specialized in reconnoitering, retrieval and specially elimination of any threat to our family or clan."

Translating: we were all killers.

I looked at Sang, almost afraid of seeing what she was thinking, but the look in her eyes was merely considering. She glanced at Sean then and I though "Bingo!"

"Sean-san seems to have another role in your family." She mentioned.

Blackbourne-san nodded while Sean-san gave her a sad smile. "We all started in the same place, Sorenson-sama. Sean is a doctor today because we manage to convince our former lord that he'd be more useful as such. He will, of course, take whatever role you wish to bestow him, like the rest of us, as your servants."

She focused intently in Blackbourne-san, her gaze commanding and yet somehow gentle. "Why is it that he changed roles, Blackbourne-san?"

"Because he didn't like killing for our lord or family." He answered simply.

"And does your other brothers enjoy doing such a thing?" she asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I wouldn't go so far as saying they enjoy it, but a few of them take the role with more ease and acceptance than others, mistress." He answered, his grey eyes looking like melted silver.

I gulped. As our new mistress, Sang could dictate what she wanted from each of us. I didn't think she would force any of us to do something we didn't want to, but I could be wrong.

She looked thoughtful for a moment before saying, "You've trained them from childhood, Blackbourne-san, I've heard. I trust your judgment. Do as you will."

My jaw dropped, and so did Kota's and Sean's. I thought that Blackbourne-san might be surprised too, but he hid it well.

I had thought she would give us a little more freedom, allow us more choices than our former lord had as she was a very kind girl.

But putting Blackbourne-san in complete control of our team was more than any of us ever expected.

Luke smiled as if his latest daydream had come to fruition.

"Huh." Blackbourne-san actually stuttered for a second before regaining control of himself. "As you wish, Mistress. I assure you, we will not fail your trust."

She smiled at us. "I have no doubts, Blackbourne-san."

The vote of our family had ensured that she had our loyalty above anything else as a member of our family, but now she'd cemented her place as our mistress and ensured that our oldest brother would do everything in his considerable power to help her.

The days ahead were looking brighter by the second.