Prologue

I clocked in at 6 in the morning at the garage. Warm black coffee in my hand,I sat down on a desk inside the office before reviewing the orders placed a couple nights before by night crew. We were expecting new parts for the cars inside the shop currently as well as a new 6v71 Supercharger for a Cleveland Engine that was supposed to be installed to a customer who bought one of the boss' cars, a red 1960 Impala Convertible. The car was in excellent condition-you could practically see yourself in the reflection of the polish-but, the only problem was that it didn't have the supercharger.

The order was seemingly late as always and the shop was closed for now. The customer was supposed to arrive in half an hour and I haven't made the finished product for him. The boss couldn't make it today-he had a friend's wedding to attend to back in the States. War Boy's Garage was his idea, one that wanted to give American Muscle to Japanese customers. While we could be somewhat outcompeted by premium Japanese sports cars, many car enthusiasts craved American Cars. We would also fix up any cars or motorcycles that came our way. It wasn't always a high-paying job but it was still enough to allow me to live comfortably in Tokyo, Japan.

I finally received a call on the phone. It was the boss.

"Tim?" A gruff voice came from the phone.

"Yeah, it's me,"I answered. "Hey, we got a problem. Guy's gonna be here in about twenty and the supercharger ain't here."

"Yeah, the guy knows already, but he insisted on meeting you."

"Me? I never even met the guy."

"Well, when I met him to sell the car a few weeks ago, I told him a lot about you and the guys but he seemed more interested in you. Also he's seen you around sometimes. I guess it was because you're, like, the only not-white person there all the time."

"I-I guess, but we're in Japan and I'm Southeast Asian American. That's like a couple islands down South. I can practically pass off as one of them."

"Well that's what probably made him so interested in you. You're the only Asian in War Boy's that works there full-time."

"And yet, I only own an imported Harley. Not exactly the star employee of the store. No, that belongs to your daughter."

Richard let out a hoarse laugh. "Ah don't sweat it. What happened to your Dodge wasn't exactly your fault 're still one of our hardest, and fastest, workers."

I couldn't help but grin, my ego stroked. "You're probably right, man. What's this guy like?"

"Eccentric, to put it lightly. Dude has long flowing silver hair, a weird smile-oh, by the way he isn't Japanese, he's like...European or something."

"European? At least he know's a bit of English, right?"

"Fluent to a tee. He's very cheerful...in a weird way-"

"-is he gay? Does he know I'm taken?"I laughed.

I heard another hoarse laugh through the phone. "I don't think so. He'll most likely try to get all 'buddy-buddy' with ya'. He did for me. Notin' wrong with dat."

The door across the garage opened and two men came out from it. Both had white suits on with a black piece stitched onto the left jacket sleeve just below the shoulder. They wore black shoes and white gloves.

"Hey hold on they're here. I'll catch ya later." I hung up the phone. "Come on in guys!"

When they stepped in the first thing I noticed was their height. I was around 5'9", maybe less, but the customer himself was a few inches taller. The person behind him, a red and black-haired European, was a full 6' tall.

The first person, who I assumed was the customer, had a slender build. The most notable thing about him was that he had long silver hair that went all the way down to his hips. His hair was tied in a long ponytail in the back by a black ribbon. A few bangs on either side of the ear as well as smaller ones above his eyes were also noted. He was smiling a charming, yet creepy smile.

The person behind him was more muscular and larger than the first person, boasting a larger chest and broad shoulders. His maroon bangs were more pronounced than the assumed customer. His darker hair in the back was tied in a long braid behind him that reached around his left shoulder. Unlike the customer, he had an unassuming face of slight confusion.

What caught my eye as I went to shake the customer's hand was their eyes. Their red irises gazed at me, almost catching me off guard. I have never seen anything like it before, but it being Japan, it could be just a colored contact. I decided not to say anything about it, but just seeing them mystified me.

"You must be the guy who bought the car. Name's Thai, but you can call me Tim."

The customer shook my hand, giving me a long smile doing so.

"Hello, Tim-san. I'm Ferid Bathory. Behind me is my friend, Crowley Eusford." Just like I heard from Richard, his tone was bright and cheerful.

I shook Crowley's ungloved hand. "Whoa! You're cold as hell,"I chuckled. "Stuck in a freezer, are we?"

He smiled nervously and agreed.

"Alright Ferid-san, the car is ready. I understand you did all the paperwork and whatnot, you're just here to get the car-" I led the two out of the office and towards the car, "-but, the supercharger we ordered is coming in late. Something about a car being torn in half blockin' the road or somethin' like that. Kids these days with their destructive habits, am I right? All amounts of crazy shit happening recently. Did you know that all the animals at the Ueno Zoo-y'know the one down in Tokyo-they all died overnight! The whole lot of 'em! Poisoned...what a way to go."

"Overnight?"Ferid said, shocked.

"Damnest thing too, they blocked the entire area off. Oh well, what are you gonna do?"

I took the canvas covering the car off to reveal a shiny, red 1960 Impala Convertible. Sharpie lines along the hood of the car already imprinted where to cut to install the supercharger. "Now once it comes, it's gonna probably take around four, maybe five hours for me to install it. If you want I can wipe the lines off and you can take it for a joyride. Honestly, this is, like, the first time anything like this has happened around here."

"I think we'll just wait here." He walked around and wrapped his left arm around my shoulder. "Care to give us a tour~?"

Creepy, yet charming, I considered his request. "Err...I guess. We are technically closed for today. Hold on, lemme grab my coffee."

I showed the two around the garage, from where we store our oil, gas and coolant to where we kept our cars, a separate facility connected to the main garage via a aluminum door. I showed them Haru's Corvette, Mark's Ford F-100, Allison's Ford Model B with a V12 Engine, Michael's 1970 Holden Monaro with a Pontiac front, and Harrison's Volkswagon Beetle with an open-faced V8 engine. They were particularly interested in my own car, the 1972 Ford Mustang Mach 1.

"Where's your car?"Crowley asked.

I sighed softly and shook my head. "Um, a year ago, I might have blown my engine due to some catastrophic failure. Piston ran right through the engine. There was smoke and fire everywhere. Now, I just have that Harley over yonder." I pointed toward the Heritage Softail Classic 2010 parked next to Haru's Corvette.

"That's still a nice bike."Ferid said. He let out a short whistle as he examined it, his hand rubbing his chin.

Flattered, I couldn't help but smile."Well, I'm not complaining about it. It's saved my ass multiple times."

"You're American, right?"

"Yep, born and bred. Straight from the sunny valleys and misty beaches of California. Came over here to study abroad."

"What're you studying?"

"Biology."

There was a mutual silence throughout the garage.

"Yeah-yeah, I know. The hell's a Bio Major working in an Automobile shop for? It's the only work I could get that I knew how to do. You think two and a half years of being in Japan would get you to learn Japanese but I can't figure anything out. Took me a long time to figure out things just by recognition alone. Biology isn't doin' so well for me anyhow."

"What were you doing back home before this?"

"I worked at a burger joint when I wasn't in school. I'll tell ya, the Food Industry sucks..."

"Was that all you did? Work and School? You must've had a boring life. You didn't do anything extracurricular?"

"Nah, I-"

Someone burst through the doorway. He immediately looked at us and walked towards us. I was immediately offset by his general look.

"Hey buddy...uh...how do you say...wareware wa tojite iru...we're closed, sir."

"NO!" He pulled a pistol at me. "All your money! NOW! I WILL KILL YOU"

Ferid and Crowley looked at me.

I looked back at the guy, the hair standing up on the back of my neck. "Sir, I don't know what in the fuck you are doing-"

"-you think I'm kidding! I WILL KILL YOU!"

I growled under my breath; I felt a familiar rush of adrenaline and a shiver down my spine.

"Did you just threaten me?" I asked. "I dare you to say that to my face again."

"I said I-"

Not a second later, the silver hairpin that held my hair together ended up square in his chest. The man dropped his gun and just looked at his chest with a blank expression. He looked at me, the man pale and scared, before falling down on the ground. The two customers beside me looked back at me, shocked at how fast I threw the pin when my hands were still crossed. Finally realizing what I had just done, I groaned and nervously ran my hand through my hair. I nearly killed a guy in self-defense. My heart was beating rapidly and all I could think was about what to do next. The man wriggled on the ground, groaning in pain.

Half an hour later, the three of us were waiting in the office as paramedics took the criminal to the ambulance. The police told me that since I didn't kill the guy and that there was plenty of evidence to accuse the attacker of attacking me, I was right to take him down. I filled out a statement and there would be no need for me to be in the court case. The whole ordeal lasted for two hours. However, they still took the hairpin away from me, saying that it could be mistaken for a dagger.

It was just the three of us again once they left. Just as I stopped another asthma attack with the push of an inhaler, Ferid immediately asked how I did that so fast.

"Ah shit," I still had my hands covering my eyes. "Umm...some guys I would go hunting with taught me how to do Fast Draw. They were professional gunslingers-quickdrawers every one of 'em. Everything from a Colt Peacemaker to the hairpin."

"You learned how to accurately fire a gun in a mere second after grabbing it? Incredible."

I rubbed my left thumb against the side of my left index finger. "It came to me as if it was...innate. Even those guys felt their records were being threatened until I broke 'em all. A uh...college professor measured the speed of my quickdraw and it was something like...0.19 seconds?"

"That fast?"Crowley asked.

"'You're withstanding 10 G's of Force,' he said, or something like that."

"That's amazing! I never knew anyone could do that."

"The fastest person is Howard Darby, with Bob Munden just barely behind me. Are you guys seriously not scaved by what just happened?"

"What do you mean?"they both asked, confused.

"I just nearly killed a guy and y'all are still calm."

"You did handle the situation pretty well." Ferid lightly shook my shoulder.

I sighed and ran my hand through my hair. "If only I had your sense of calmness..."

Ferid started lightly giggling. "Well~"

"Ferid,"Crowley interrupted.

When I looked back, Ferid had his face a few inches next to mine. It was then that I noticed something in his mouth that glinted off of the fluorescent lighting above. I blinked and it wasn't there anymore. Ferid immediately retracted. Just then, the door burst open again. We all turned around; I nearly jumped off of my seat.

"Tii-chan!" It was Haru.

I nervously chuckled, covering my eyes with my hand. "Don't worry everybody. This is Haru, the foreman's right hand man...and also-"

A pair of arms grabbed me and hauled me into Haru's reach. "-a very concerned boyfriend!"Haru said.

"Okay..."I softly said, embarrassed slightly as Haru slightly started straddling me. "I guess you saw through the cams?"

"Ohhh...fufufu. Tim-san has a boyfriend? How delightful,"Ferid smiled. Crowley seemed un-phased.

"Okay, I'm fine, Har,"I muttered, embarrassed.

"Kara is out but she'll talk to you later. Where's your hair pin?"Haru asked.

"Where do you think?"

"Oh...I'm sorry."

Things were getting a little awkwarder as Haru kept pressing me against him. I could feel Ferid and Crowley's eyes staring at me.

"Okay,"I said. "Umm...well, I'm fine, Haru-kun. Don't you need to be back at the Shrine? I'll meet you there after 5."

I could feel Haru's grip tighten. "Are you sure?"Haru said, his tone getting tense.

I quickly thought of something to say. "I'm still waiting on that damn supercharger..."

Haru grunted under his breath. "Hmph. Fine, I'll catch up, okay?"

"Definitely. I'll see you later, okay?"

He quickly kissed my cheek, hinting that there would be hell to pay once I see him again. Haru walked away after, closing the door behind him.

All the time, I could see Ferid smiling uncontrollably as if he really enjoyed watching the two of us interact. Crowley seemed unmoved, but he kept his gaze at me. It looked as if they were watching a soap opera and I was the main star. The quiet atmosphere was too much to bear. I felt embarrassed, but I had to look professional in front of the customers. I dusted off my jacket and decided to turn my attention back to them.

"Sorry about that,"I nervously chuckled. "Concerned boyfriends...and such."

"Awww-Tim-san has a boyfriend!"Ferid chuckled.

"Hey, come on,"I growled. "Don't make fun of me and my boyfriend."

"I wasn't!"he gleefully said. "I just think it's cute that you two can openly express yourselves in front of people."

Shocked, I stuttered my reply. "Well...that was...man, today's a weird day."

Luckily, the supercharger came in midway through the conversation, It took me a few hours to finish, but the car was ready. I was working so hard that I didn't even notice. Crowley and Ferid walking away for an hour before coming back. I guess they got tired of waiting for me. On the table next to the car, they left a can of beer and a takeout rice bowl next to the toolbox.

"Wow,"I chuckled. "You didn't have ta'."

"Think of it as an apology for creeping you out before. Frie~nds?"

I chuckled. "Well shit, we are now!"

I grabbed the can of beer and joined the two for a toast. Just then, as the cans clunked against each other, something strong just passed my nose. It was heavy in iron and sanguine in essence. I coughed and felt my asthma coming up; the scent caught me off guard as I lowered my can.

"Whew! You guys smell blood?"

"That guy was bleeding all over the floor."

I looked at their cans; I could've sworn it came from what was inside, but I shrugged it off. "Probably. Got 'im good, didn't I? Kempay!"

I took a drink, the uneasy feeling of regret sprouting in my chest. I knew it wouldn't be the last I would hear about that armed robber. There could be lawsuits, people spreading rumors, digging up old dirt...trouble that I didn't need. I finished that long drink with the thought that there was more to come. It was then I noticed the time on the wall; it was nearly noon.

"Oh f-" I nearly spat out my beer.

"What?!"they both asked in unison.

"We gotta go! I was supposed to be outta here by noon. Are you guys cool with that?"

"Sure. Do you have a date to go to?"Ferid asked, nudging me with his elbow.

"Ferid..."Crowley sighed.

"No,"I laughed. "I babysit on days off. Keeps me eating, huh? Alright, well it's been both great and weird...the latter not on your part of course, but nevertheless, an eventful day. Ferid, the car is yours."

I handed Ferid the keys and in a few minutes I turned off the lights and locked the place down. I bowed slightly to the two customers as they drove off before I grabbed the Harley. It wasn't something to behold, but it was better than wasting gas in driving the Lusus Naturae. I hastily navigated around crowded streets and narrow alleyways, looking for my destination. Finally, I found myself in front of a large apartment complex just as the clock struck at 1. I kept muttering tagalog to myself as I hurriedly made my way up to the six or seven flights of stairs before running into the father I was supposed to meet. I bowed to him rapidly, still tired from running up the stairs, before apologizing to him profusely. He simply laughed it off.

"It's okay, Shiho and Mirai are waiting. They are getting good at English."

"Oh wow! Very good. Thank you, Mr. Kimizuki-san."

Shiho and Mirai were the two kids I had been babysitting for the past year. The pay was good, around 1,600 Japanese Yen (or just around 20 US dollars) an hour for around two to four hours per day of babysitting. At first I was content with my usual job in fixing cars and building them, but most, if not all, the money went into college. I was fine babysitting-I babysat four babies and three children when I was in the States-but, when I got to Shiho, he wasn't as content about it as I was. He was rebellious; he wanted me out. However, one day I happened to pass by him as three older kids were ganging up on him, ready to beat him up. I saved him, pushing Shiho back and then shoving the oldest kid away. Those kids ran off, leaving me to take Shiho with me. Still, Shiho didn't like the idea of me helping, until I took him to Kara's private residence in Nagoya an hour later.

Because Shiho's parents needed to coincidentally go out, I decided to take him with me when I was practicing Fast Draw with Kara at her private residence in Nagoya. While I didn't mean for him to watch me, he saw me through the crook of the door as I set up two target balloons ten feet apart before placing myself fifteen feet away from both balloons. In a blink of an eye, I shot both balloons in one single motion before holstering my gun. It wasn't much, but it was a silent bonding moment. He was ultimately impressed and wanted to see more tricks. Since then, I taught him basic English, Math, Science, how to drive (secretly) and how to hold your ground in a fight. Sometimes I would show him a card trick or two. Over time, he softened up. It got to the point where I had to sleep over one night when the parents had a trip to Okinawa.

Today, it was just a usual work day for them. I let Shiho and Mirai do their own thing, leaving myself to read the newspaper and listen to the news on the TV. After half an hour of silent reading, Shiho tugged on my jacket.

"Huh?"I grunted. "Hey there, kiddo. What do you want? Another trick?"I started ruffling through my jacket pockets for my deck of cards.

"Dad said you need to take us to the doctor-"

"-at 2, yeah, I know. Same here, they say this 'flu' is goin' around and I need my shots but I didn't see anyone sick. I'll probably wait on it."

He kept looking at me.

"Something wrong? Lemme guess, you heard a word I said that you didn't understand."

"Your eyes."

"Hmm? Oh, how blue they are?"

"I haven't seen anyone with blue eyes before."

"Well, like I said, everyone is different. For us Asians, eye color is usually brown, but blue eyes are rare. I somehow got stuck with 'em. Makes me unique, no?" I started drinking another coffee.

"U..Unique?"

"Not like anything else. One of a kind." I rose the cup to my lips, taking a sip of coffee.

"Is that why your boyfriend-"

I nearly spat everything back into my cup. "Where did you hear that?"

"I heard you talking to him on the phone yesterday. I thought only girls can have boyfriends?"

"Umm..."I grunted. "Well...oh boy...when someone loves another person, it's usually a boy and girl, right? Like mom and pop."

He nodded yes.

"Well...sometimes...a guy comes to...love another guy and while it may seem strange there is nothing wrong with it."

"Really?"

"What? You're telling me-"

"No!"he said, flustered.

"Look, it's a natural thing, just follow what's right. Stay in school, listen to your parents, and me especially, because I know you're destined for greater things. Just look at me! I'm both a master gunslinger and a college student going into medicine...maybe."

"You really think I will grow up into someone good?"

"Of course! You and your sister. The most important thing is that you two stick together. Right? Family is everything. And...as a bonus-"

I placed my hand behind the back of his head and retracted it, revealing a hidden Ace of Spades.

"-if you need me, I'll be there, guns blazing."

After painfully getting a shot before returning Shiho and Mirai back home, I met Haru back at the shrine in Yamanashi. I ran up its long stone staircase, heavily breathing to control my asthma, as I finally made it to the red arch. I passed under it, leaning myself over the shrine's well. I caught my breath, trying to stop myself from vomiting all over the place, but suddenly, a wooden stick hit the back of my knees. I groaned in pain as I fell down, my hands still gripping onto the well. It was the Head Shinto Priest wielding a bamboo broom.

"If it isn't the American,"he smiled.

"Seijouro-san! I'd bow, but I'm on the floor."

He helped me up, laughing. "You gave Haru a heart attack!"

"I know-I know...is he here?"

"He's in the garden. Watch out...he's practicing Kenjutsu again."

"Oh boy...arigato."

I made my way towards the garden, going down another staircase towards a small clearing in the hillside. Inside a large clearing of rock stood a beautiful patch of verdant grass circled by numerous cherry blossom trees. The trees themselves already lost all of their flowers, now green with numerous leaves. In the middle of the patch of garden was Haru, wearing a men's kimono and grey hakama. In his hands was a wooden practice sword. He sheathed it as he saw me enter the garden. He smiled softly and lightly shook his hair away from his eyes. My heart fluttered.

I approached Haru. "Haru-kun, sorry I'm-"

He quickly drew his sword and struck me in the gut as I took a step forward. "-Late?"

"Yeah...late,"I winced in pain. "You're getting faster..."

"Almost as fast as you?"Haru stepped behind me.

"Huh?"I chuckled, getting up. "Maybe..."

He struck me again in the back; I dropped to my knees. "Wha-? Why?"I groaned.

"What was that? Sending me out so fast? Don't you love me?"

"I didn't want to make the customers feel uncomfortable,"I said.

"They looked perfectly fine to me,"he pouted.

"Yeah...they were,"I said as Haru helped me up. "Haru, you know I'm gonna be fine. I just...didn't want anyone to feel uncomfortable. You know how people view us sometimes."

Haru sighed softly and lowered his head.

"You know I love you." I moved the bangs from Haru's face.

He dropped the sword and brought me in. He nuzzled the top of my head as he placed his hands around me. I smiled, chuckled, and closed my eyes, embracing his warmth. It was a cold day today, but I was immediately warming up as he brought me down, lightly rolling me around.

"Ha-Haru! You'll get dirty!"I laughed.

"Mmm...are you okay?"

"Wha-What do you mean? Of course I'm okay."

"About earlier today...that man?"Haru looked at me dead in the eye.

I immediately went still, taking in a deep breath. "There's nothing to think about that. I was threatened and I took him down. He was practically askin' fer it."

"Tim-kun-"

"No...he was threatening me and two customers with a pistol! I wasn't gonna let him run off with our money. Our CARS!"

"And you felt no remorse?"

The garden went silent again. I coughed and looked down. I closed my eyes, still seeing the wriggling body of the man on the ground, a stream of blood flowing from the wound where the hairpin was lodged. A tear welled up in my eye; I started to lightly shiver. I could hear sand blowing in the distance and the stomping of boots on barren ground. I couldn't breath, only smelling sand and burning black powder.

"I nearly killed him...I nearly killed him,"I said. "Oh God...what have I done?"

"It's okay. It's over, Tim-kun-"

"-I didn't want to do it-"

"-Tim-kun."

"Oh no...what if he-"

"-TIM!"

He brought my face up to his. My sense of fear and agony was overwhelmed by Haru's stern expression. He stared at me again with his beautiful eyes, once again silencing the garden. His dark reddish brown hair nearly covered his face when the wind came in, but I could still feel his focused gaze. He sighed softly and placed his forehead on mine.

"It's okay. You did the right thing and took him down. I would of done the same thing. You're the fastest-"

"-second fastest."

He sighed softly. "Second fastest Gunslinger in the world. You just saved two clients, the money in War Boy's, and possibly one of our cars, if not, yours! The Police were practically trying to look for this guy for a month!"

"They were?"

"He was in the news. They hinted that they were going to interview you, but Kara was quick to get them to step off."

"Dear God...it was that bad?"

"There's nothing to worry about. He'll be in jail and you'll be a local hero. It won't be like...you know."

I groaned and closed my eyes, hearing a church bell ring at High Noon. "Juarez...Not a day goes by without remembering Juarez. But, you're right." Still with a maudlin tone, I stopped shivering. "I saved two clients. In the end of the day, no one who didn't deserve it got hurt today. I get to live another day...and see the face of my dreams."

Haru returned the kiss. "Are you sure you're okay?"

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes again. I was never good with words, but Haru was always listening to what I had to say, even if he had to pry it out of me. However I couldn't help but contemplate those last words. I was not okay. Two days later, I would find out that the robber died from his wounds, putting a second one under the belt. I feared that this would happen, and the anxiety of it started today. I clutched Haru's arms, but release my grip as I slowly let out another large exhale.

"I'll be fine, for now. Let's just relax for a bit...I need a drink."

Since that day, Crowley Eusford had been catching me on my days off from both work and babysitting. Including Ferid Bathory, those two shortly became my friends after buying the car from me. Every other week when I would commute from the University towards War Boy's or my own apartment, those two would somehow find me and walk with me. A lot of the times we just went to grab drinks before going to work. After a while it was just Crowley who then wanted to walk with me. Often he would ask me why I would curse so much.

"I mean, it's a bad habit. It just...comes out."

"So, you're just like every other American that comes here to visit?"

"Yeah, pretty much. The guys and I do like to roast each other. It just seems normal in a way."

Today, as we were walking, I decided to show him a new trick. I told him to imagine a card in his mind before telling me the card. Meanwhile, I shuffled a deck of cards in my hands.

"Hmm...Four of Hearts."

"Okay, let me...oh! Oh shit, um...that's awkward I can't seem to find..."

I showed him the fan of cards I made to show him that I couldn't find the card, until-

"-wait! I just remembered! I always keep..."

I put back together the deck and reached into my right pocket to grab-

"-the Four of Hearts. I forgot I always kept a card in my pocket!"

I could see Crowley try and force down a smile.

"That was good, huh? Yeah, the guys back in California got tired of my tricks real quick. Told me to become a magician and not a shooter."

"Do you ever miss home, Tim-kun?"

I snickered and slid the deck back into my pocket. "Every fuckin' day, man. I wish I could go over there for Christmas, say 'hi' to the folks and eat Filipino food again, but Airplane tickets are sold out and air fares are expensive regardless. I can't make it this year. I was gonna Skype them though."

"So what are you going to do?"

"You remember Haru? A little taller than me? Hair almost like yours? Boyfriend?"

"Oh, him?"

"Yeah we've been dating for a while, around a year or so, and because of my predicament, he wants to date me on Christmas Day before taking me out to his Family's celebration."

He chuckled under his breath.

"What's so funny?"

"I still can't believe someone like you could be gay."

I grinned at him. "You okay with it? It's not like I'm putting on women's clothes, talking like a weird accent, and flamboyantly walking like I'm a runway model. Besides, I'm not gay; my boyfriend is."

He snickered, as if he knew what I was talking about. "No, I'm just having a hard time believing a person as dangerous as you harbors such tender and sensitive feelings for the same sex."

"Alright, I'm just gonna assume that means it's okay. I'm hungry. You?"

"No. I just ate before meeting you."

"Alright, cool."

"What's your favorite food, pray tell?"

"My favorite? Well, to be truthful...I love the food here, but nothing beats a good ol' one half-pound American Cheeseburger with Mozzarella cheese, grilled onions and mushrooms, grilled jalapeños and bacon with a side of fries and a tall glass of Coca Cola."

"Sounds...delicious."

"Bro, it is. I usually make one in my apartment a couple times a month."

"Hmm. Do you...wanna come over at my place one day? Maybe after Christmas?"

I guffawed. "You asking me out too? I'm flattered."

"No, I'm not,"he smiled. "But, you are interesting to talk to."

"Thanks. I might just take you up on that offer."

Shinjuku square was lit up with the hundreds of thousands of lights that illuminated off of the countless buildings that surrounded the tightly-packed streets. Cars, motorcycles and buses whizzed past me as I made my way down with the other hundreds of people walking around. The air smelled crisp with the ever-permeating scent of the city sidewalk and cigarette smoke accompanied by car exhaust. As I kept walking my usual fast pace, the breeze continuously cooled down my face. I kept my inhaler close, hoping I wouldn't randomly start choking again.

I was meeting Haru somewhere in the midst of this chaos, our biggest date ever since I first met him in the garage. I was eager to not be late again; I owed Haru for helping me out during the entire time here. I never really could fluently understand the language around me, everything seemed too foreign for me to understand. While there were some signs in pain English as well as the University itself, I never could orient myself to learn it all. Haru sent me the front title of the building, giving me a heading to check.

I enjoyed my entire two and a half years here and I was getting ready for Christmas but before that, I needed to go shopping with Haru. Although I already had a gift for him, I still took him up on his offer to go shopping. Tonight was an exceptionally great night to go walking. I guessed to myself that I was nearing the store. I started picking up my pace so that I could keep him from waiting when all of a sudden a women bumped in to me.

"Oh cr- I'm sorry,"I chuckled.

She started violently coughing before turning to face me.

"Are-are you okay?"I stuttered, gripping her arms.

She started seizuring and suddenly coughed up blood, some getting on my jacket, arms and face. She dropped dead in front of me, the body dropping on the pavement violently. Everyone else looked as shocked as I was.

"Oh my GOD!"I shouted.

Suddenly, people all over started dying the same way. Cars started running in to each other and people were even jumping out of buildings. A motorcycle came running towards me, the driver suddenly dropping out of the seat. I nearly dodged it and landed on someone. I turned around and saw the blank stare of the dead staring back. I screamed and shot back, dropping onto the sidewalk. Everyone around me was dying bloody. I then heard a loud crash in the sky. An airplane suddenly dove into the city just a few miles out. A fiery inferno erupted from the explosion. A gas truck that ran over cars, civilians and everything else, tipped over and released its contents all over the street.

I looked around at all the chaos that happened, unable to process what just happened. Everywhere it seemed as if everyone was dying. Newscasts popped up and all over the world people were dying the same way. The news only turned on for a mere minute before the reporters died as well. My heart raced and I could barely breath. Then I heard it. "TIM-"

"Haru!"

Still clutching onto the gift I had for him, I dashed across the street and broke through the glass wall inside a clothing store. I kept calling out his name, throwing stand after stand of clothes that were in my way. I finally got to the cashier upstairs and saw Haru lying in a pool of coughed up blood. His pupils were nearly dilated and his breathing labored. "Haru!"I cried. I picked him up in my arms and held him closer. He was cold to the touch; he clutched onto me with a weakened grip.

"Tim..."he softly whispered. His hand, cold to the touch, ran across my cheek, wiping the tears from my eyes. "...I'm...sorry."

"No-NO!"I roared. I would probably share his fate but the thought of us dying so soon.

He shoved a box to me. "I...love..." His eyes slowly closed and his breathing slowed to a stop.

"Haru. No...PLEASE!"

I laid my head on top of his, waiting for my own death to come. But, no matter how long I've waited nothing happened. I cried out to God to end me, to let me be with the dead. I hadn't the muster to end myself and just as expected, God didn't listen. Surely everyone I knew died alongside the world. I cried and roared in agony, still clutching the lifeless body of Haru in my arms, the two gifts on top of him. I kept asking myself how this could of happened. Maybe this was a dream? Maybe it-

A crash destroyed my train of thought. I slowly walked outside, still with Haru in my arms, to see a desolate wasteland before me. The sky filled up with black smoke and flame. The buildings were all but destroyed. Bodies littered the streets along with destroyed cars, buses, plane parts and with more fire covering it all.

"What happened?...how could have this happened all so fast?"I asked myself, paralyzed with fear.

Suddenly, two hooded people came into view. I couldn't make out their faces but the cloaks they wore gave off a weird vibe. No matter, I was too frightened to just stand there anymore.

"I-I need some HELP!"I cried out. "PLEASE!"

They turned to each other and started talking. Although a while away, I could still make out their conversations. "An adult human still alive? I thought it was just children?"

Adult human?

Children?

"I-I need some help!" I repeated. "Please!?"

They came closer just as I heard an announcement out of nowhere, like it came out of a PA system hooked up to the entire city. I looked up, trying to find the source of the noise. The announcement overpowered the destruction around me.

[This is a warning. Due to foolish humans, a virus has spread. Unfortunately, the human race will perish. However, we know that the virus does not affect children thirteen and younger. Therefore, we, the direct unit of the Third Progenitor, Krul Tepes, will start the protection of children in this district.]

I looked back at the hooded figures, stepping slightly back. They came closer and their faces were revealed. Pale faces, blood red eyes and fangs. I couldn't believe it-they were vampires. I started hyperventilating, wanting to run but unable to move.

"N-now wait a minute,"I muttered, backing up as I did so, "L-let's not get too irrational."

"Calm down and come with us human,"one of them said.

"I ain't goin' anywhere,"I roared. "I just been through ten minutes of this goddamn virus and you guys said I'm go'n die. I am NOT IN THE CALMING DOWN MOOD GODDAMMIT!"

They looked at each other and one of them grabbed a sword from underneath his cloak. "Last chance, human. Surrender or die."

I felt a familiar chill run down my spine. It wasn't fear; I already felt fear inside of me. This feeling was something else. It was a chill that ran through my entire body. My breathing slowed and my heart slowly went back to normally beating. I slowly laid Haru down onto the ground. I looked at his motionless body once before turning to face the two vampires. My breathing calmed and my hands remained at my side. "Alright,"I said. "I'll give." The two looked at each other and the unarmed one walked closer to me.

As if on instinct, I reached behind my back and threw out a Ruger Redhawk 5033 and fired two shots. Both struck the two men in the chest, throwing them onto the ground. I quickly ran over and fired two more shots into both their heads. All that was left was a bloody mess until for some reason their bodies combusted into flame and ash. "What-?" I suddenly felt fear rush through my body yet again as I dropped my gun. Although old habits die hard, I presumed I was just lucky that I illegally had a gun on me in Japan. However, I wasn't focused on that; those two bodies just disappeared. Were they really vampires?

The fire grew and the smoke started filling my lungs. I grabbed my gun and started reloading it with the last six bullets I had on me. No doubt others heard the shots and I had to get out of here fast. I saw a motorcycle, still intact and ready to be used. I looked back at Haru's body, still lifeless and dead. More tears grew from my eyes as I couldn't help but keep staring at him.

I suddenly heard the marching of boots advance towards me. I looked behind me and saw an army approaching me. I muttered a curse as I grabbed the gun and frantically ran towards the bike. I looked back at Haru's body again. Covered in his own blood, his body laid on the smoldering rubble of the building. The light of the flames glowed off of him, giving me one last good look at him. More tears started streaming down my face; I wanted to go back for him. However, it was too late. The army was coming and I had to move.

Beside me, I heard and saw the world end around me. The day after tonight, I woke up to a dead world haunted by monsters.