Author Notes: I started writing this fic at least 3 years ago, left it alone, and I've just recently started to look at it again.

I do want to point out that though I am a history buff in general, I am in no shape or form incredibly knowledgeable about East-Asian studies. I apologize if I offend someone who knows more. I'm trying to stay vague on the time period and those sorts of details, but I have done some research. I think its good to stay vague, because personally, if I explained everything it wouldn't be a fanfic — it'd be a textbook. Also, it seems I can't find a specific time period or year that perfectly suits this story's requirements. However, if I do write something horribly inaccurate, feel free to message me. If it doesn't interfere with the plot, I'll change it :)

Sorry this note is so long(at least for me it is...i hope you haven't skipped through it) Just had to point a few things out.

Rated M just to be safe.

And I'd also like to thank my beta Midnight Monochrome who whipped this story into shape. I seriously couldn't have done it without her awesomeness. You rock!

A Saddening World

Strangers are Like Friends

In the City Fields

In the city fields

contemplating cherry-trees

Strangers are like friends

-Issa

It was when he had woken up that he realized he had been sleeping for a long time. He sighed in annoyance, pushing himself into the maple tree he rested on. In his sleepy haze, he picked up his brushes and scrolls, dusted off his once white robe and winced when he stood to stand.

Cramps, he cursed in his head.

Then he noticed what was taking place not far from him, and by instinct, he hid behind the large maple tree, peering from behind its broad base.

He could tell the men he saw were not from his small village or even any neighboring ones. Their silken robes and proud horses told him that they were from the capital, possibly nobles.

Yet, it was interesting to find those men of distinguished birth huddled around an old man no richer than himself, a man he was familiar with: Itou. Despite his shabby appearance, Itou was the owner of the single most successful brothel in the capital. He knew him because he was a regular at the inn he entertained at. He was a wrinkled old man, but he was dignified. He had worked for everything in his life.

Peeking from his hiding place, he noticed brown patches and red liquid dripping from Itou's mouth.

Sensing the danger, he sunk down further in the tall grass behind the maple tree to escape detection. He strained his ears to make out what these men were saying to Itou, catching snippets of the conversation.

"He's not going to budge it seems — "

"Asami says this old man does have the shipment — "

"Why won't he talk then — ?"

"Stop! Look over there!"

Had they seen him? He suddenly felt sick. He could hear his pulse, the tension in his body rising. He cautiously followed their eyes with his own, and realized they were not looking at him. They were looking behind. At what?

Taking a deep breath, he pulled himself slightly from the maple's wide trunk to lay low in the dense bushes. The consistent rhythm of the horses' hooves slowly rose in volume and watched as a man appeared from the distance.

The man was definitely someone of high birth, perhaps directly in the king's court. His finely woven silk clothing, and regal aura confirmed the young man's suspicions. Yet, he knew this man was bad news with one good look at that face.

A good face, Takaba grudgingly thought. A face that was sculpted and handsome, but had serpentine, golden irises that burned into Itou's, as a serpent who glared at his prey. The man stopped his horse with effortless grace, and remained silent. After a few tense moments, a brave noble warily finally addressed him.

"He said nothing, Asami."

So he is Asami… He figured as much.

Ignoring the noble, the snake-like man, casually looked at Itou, as though the man was not currently a bloody mess.

"Where is my shipment?"

Itou stayed silent.

He noticed the nobles surrounding Itou were angered by this action, but Asami stayed silent.

He casually noted, "Itou, I advise you to speak with me. The shipment you were supposed to handle on my behalf was as expensive as it would be profitable. I will remind you how unpleasant it would be if your only surviving relative, you granddaughter — " He ceased listening to Asami for the slightest moment as he reflected on this information. The smiling girl who always rested on her grandfather's shoulder when she listened to him play music in the inn? That sweet little girl? " — found that her precious grandfather was dead and his brothel in my control. Tell me Itou, how nice would it be to see her face painted like a cheap whore? I know some of your clients like them young."

Takaba shuddered.

The man meant business. He could not even begin to describe the fear and pain on Itou's face, how betrayed and disturbed he looked. He noticed how slowly the proud Itou sucuumbed to the terror that was Asami. It was a shame to see him so broken. Itou was a good man.

But the scene spoke to him. Something so foreign, but so natural, so close, yet so far, something deep in the core of his being told him he must remember this scene forever, take a picture of it in his mind. He slowly drew out his brush and a new scroll from inside his clothing.

Dipping his brush in ink he began to paint the scene before him. Years of experience and discipline had allowed him to perfect this art, and what he was watching behind the maple tree was slowly coming alive on the paper. He drew the fallen Itou as he thought of the future of his granddaughter, the nobles who looked and whispered amongst themselves watching the scene, and the serene forest landscape that he came out here to paint in the first place.

He last began to draw Asami, his broad shoulders and devilish smirk as Itou told him the location of his shipment. He began on those piercing eyes and then his blood ran cold.

Asami was not looking at Itou.

No, those golden eyes were peering into him, as though they were expecting him to give up what was behind his own. Time stopped. He watched in horror as the devilish smirk grew wider.

Not waiting for the snake to come closer, he grabbed his things and ran. I will not be caught by this man, he thought to himself as he scurried deep into the forest.

Asami frowned when he saw the boy he smirked at flee quickly, clumsily packing a scroll and ink materials in his robe. They seemed important.

It was a pity the boy had seen such a business deal. Asami had learned that witnesses were bad in the sort of life he lived. He sighed. "Itou, I am done with you now." With those words he effortlessly mounted his horse, his men swiftly following his lead. Itou only needed some encouragement to do what he wanted but who was this boy? He steered his horse towards the direction the boy ran. No matter who you are, Asami thought, I will find you...

Hitched.

At this moment these were the only words that he could associate with his breathing. He didn't know how long he had been running. When that man looked at him, it had sent such chills down his spine that instinct told him to run. He did, however, manage to take his materials with him. He held his hand on his heart — it was where he put them just so if anyone stabbed him there, he could die with his artistic endeavors. Remembering his situation, he put more effort into his running, to the touch of the rock hitting his sandals, the heat coming off of him threatening him to explode. Branches and the gentle breeze brushed against his body, but he pushed on forward. He had not been in the right frame of mind to think to run towards the village, but at this point it didn't matter to him.

He was safe.

Until he heard the clamoring of horses...

Asami hadn't been able to see him clearly from behind the maple tree and could only catch chestnut hair from the chase that followed.

Strange, he thought. Hair like that was unusual in this area.

He grinned in delight as the boy noticed their presence. He even slowed his pace to wonder at the reaction more. After a few moments, he finally decided to put the boy's running on halt forcing him towards a cliff. He could hear the rushing water below.

As the boy was noticing now what he had gotten himself into, Asami waited patiently for the fear that anyone would have between a rock and a hard place.

He watched the boy's hair under the rays of the sun, and noticed how truly beautiful this boy was up close. He had bright eyes and lovely creamy skin, with sensuous, pouty lips. This face reminded him of a certain man he knew at the palace, but this beauty was exotic rather than classic.

But something drew him to this boy. But not the face. He'd seen a pretty one. It was rather that look he gave him, that perplexing look. This boy was not scared. He was smiling, grinning actually, and there was a mischievous look in his eyes. Asami had tried to peer into them before, but now they showed themselves fully.

It was though the boy was telling him 'You lose.'

Before he could fully understand what that look entailed, the boy as without a second thought jumped off the cliff. Asami goaded his horse to take him to the edge, pausing when he saw the triumphant look on the boy's face, as he hung on one of the numerous rocks melded into the cliff.

Though they were only strangers, this boy spoke to him. He would make sure this was not their last encounter.

He had not lost. The game had only begun. He remembered seeing the boy for the first time, catching him peeking the frame created by his fingers. A viewfinder, huh? For once in a very long time, he was excited.

Who was this boy?

"Takaba Akihito", the innkeeper said. "His family is a group of entertainers. Though I would not recommend his singing or dancing, he is rather exceptional at the reciting of poetry. He can play many instruments as well, though specifically his erhu is magnificent. He plays here every evening."

Asami thanked the blushing waitress for his sake.

What a small village. He was too far from the palace. He resolved to finish the deal with Itou tonight and back soon. For now he listened to the innkeeper who seemed to know the boy.

"His paintings are a beauty as well. He studied in Shanghai for a couple of years. Pretty face. I'll show you him when he comes to play for the guests today. Hmmm. He is rather late..."

He would be here tonight? Asami took pleasure in this new development. He'd wait for this Takaba.

At this point and time Takaba was very annoyed. He had hurt his pinky finger from hanging on that damn rock and it pulsated in agony at the memory. Not to mention he was soaking wet.

"Curse that Asami" was a mantra he recited in his head. Didn't that man realize all he had to go through just because he had to feign interest? He sighed, trying to look at the possible good in the situation. He would have to wash his clothes. He had to recite poetry now (which he hated) because of his finger. That's right. Be positive.

He began to walk faster as if he had a specific target or place he urgently needed to get to. He felt every tree branch that snapped under his feet, every grain of dirt caught by the wind by the action of his swift hurried movements. He had been angry at the Asami man before but his anger held no mercy any longer. As it spiraled out of control, it held him captive in its embrace.

His father always told him art took passion. He said passion came from discipline. Hours and hours of poetry recitation, dance, music — everything except what he really had passion for. Painting. He loved it more than anything.

He had told his father. What did that do? Sent him to Chang'an for three years to learn Chinese instruments, he thought bitterly. That was until he realized he was free there. Free to paint as he pleased. He found a teacher and he learned so much. He was into his fourth year when he got the message. That his mother had passed away.

Never had he felt as lonely as the trip home. His father couldn't take his mother's death well either. He died from a broken heart a month after her death.

He left him and Hana to survive on there own.

He could never return to Chang'an. Hana was too young to be married then, and he was the only one left who could support her. He remembered the first time he took his father's place at the local inn. The way the erhu he learned so well felt so unfamiliar in his fingers. Or was he the foreign one?

Nevertheless, he played it.

For Hana.

He wasn't walking anymore. Instead, he was lying in the cool evening grass, looking into the sky. Though it had been hard, he was happy now. Hana was engaged. Yes they struggled and Hana would continue to because she married for love, but she too was happy. With that pleasant thought on his mind, he trudged on home.

The village where Takaba lived was spacious, but empty. Most of the people around were travelers trying to reach the capital by the mountain pass. Farmland crowded this place, not people. He nodded to the workers in the rice fields as he passed by.

He was in the village now. Safe. The once bright sky that had greeted him this morning in the woods had faded into dark night. He hurried down the village path because he knew he was late to work.

When he reached his humble abode, he saw Hana at the front door. He couldn't help to think it was a tad peculiar that she was waiting for him, but then again, he was later than usual. He looked at his sister by the door. Her brown hair tossed itself into the gentle wind, her warm dark eyes — had they always looked so cold? So strange —

His vision swirled to black.

Asami sat with Itou as they discussed not only the shipment but the brothel as well. Itou was old and his business was successful. That was enough for the venomous man to make an offer.

"That is my final offer. The payment I will give you includes taking care of your granddaughter when you die or if she chooses to stay single."

"I need time to think about this still."

Asami scowled. This was now annoying him to no end. He was about to make a threat when the waitress came to their table.

"Itou, a man says he has valuable merchandise and that he will offer you a good price."

Itou thought for a moment. "I am busy at the moment...I guess a look can't hurt. Bring them in."

Itou was rather lucky Asami was a rather patient man. He would wait for this to be done.

The waitress scurried to the door to let the man in. He walked in with a familiar chestnut-haired man in his arms. Itou could not hide his shock. "Takaba?" he whispered unbelievably. He quickly regained his composure. "I am afraid I cannot buy this boy. Not enough space right now. Find someone else."

The seller wanted to argue, but with one look at Itou's eyes he knew there would be no deal. He sighed. He would have to travel to next town where-

"I'll take him." a voice calmly said.

The man turned towards the voice. "What's your price?"

It took a while for Takaba to get used his surroundings, for his blurry vision to focus. 'Where am I?'

"An inn room."

Takaba turned quickly to put that now familiar voice to a face. "Asami" he murmured. Of course it was this man who had done this. Figures.

"Bastard, I'll get you for this..." Takaba had had enough. So he saw him do that shady business deal? So what? That gave the man no right to kidnap him.

"May I ask what exactly you will get me back for?", the dark-haired man amusingly asked.

Takaba was never known to keep his anger under control. How dare the son of a bitch smile at him now! "For kidnapping me you son of a bitch!" Takaba hollered. "Why huh? If you think you can molest me — "

"Enough." Asami said. Takaba noticed the mood get serious and he capitulated to the command. "Contrary to your allegations, I did not kidnap you. I bought you." Asami paused to allow his words to sink in. "You are mine and you will obey me. You understand?"

Takaba chose to ignore Asami's words. "So you bought me? I will have you know that I am not a whore that can be — " Takaba stopped his tirade.

No.

No way.

She wouldn't.

Please —

"It seems it was your future brother in law. Said he needed to pay for the wedding. Your sister suggested — "

"Stop it!" Takaba closed his eyes and attempted to find a way to sink into the floor after shoving the bigger man away from him. "Stop..." he said quietly.

He didn't have to finish.

Takaba knew.

Everything seem to fade away into the distance at that moment. He felt so weak. So lost. Everyone he thought had loved him. So far away...

"Come here Takaba."

Maybe it was the starry night that caused Takaba to give himself to Asami that night. Maybe it was just loneliness. Or maybe it was the fact that though he barely knew this dangerous man, he felt closer to him wrapped in those strong arms than anyone before.