Right at the edge of Tokyo there is an orphanage for boys call Children of God. It was a large three stories orphanage that house and schooled most of Tokyo's orphan boy's. On the top floor you had the bedrooms that held ten to sixteen boys in each, two different bathrooms on each end of the building that had enough toilets so there was never a line and two bathing areas as well. The second floor was were most of the schooling was held except for arts that was held on the first floor. The first floor had the kitchen and dining area as well as two living areas for special occasions and gatherings. The building was surrounded by greenery and plenty of toys for the children to play with, the children under the age of 11 had a private, enclosed area to play so they wouldn't get hurt or lost in the thick trees.
The staff there were all nuns of variant ages but were all loving to the kids, yes some were more forceful with the rules, but it came from a good place. Father Lee, who ran the orphanage was at the old age of 80's and had put his heart and soul into making this place a loving, caring, and high learning home for the ones who didn't have a place to call home. He felt that if they were given the same treatment as children with parents that they would succeed in life and bring with them a since of humility that was needed in the world. Photos covered his wall of the yearly picture taken with all the kids and staff members as well as pictures that the kids drew or took themselves. He adored and took great pride in each one of them.
Today was going to be a very special day as he was going to announce his retirement and his replacement. The young man at 34, Father Sudou Shuu had been taken under Fathers Lee care for over 10 years where he had school and mold him into his perfect apprentice. Father Lee felt he still had some things to learn but with his health becoming a problem he didn't have much choices. He would just have to pray that Father Sudou would rise to the occasion and make him proud.
Walking through the second floor where classes are in session he could hear some laughter, pencils writing the lesson on paper, educated talking from both teachers and students and some gossip/batter from some kids who think they were being quite and sneaky. Laughing softly to himself he couldn't help but think about how he was going to miss this. This was his life for the last 40 years and he had enjoyed every second of it.
Making his way down to the first floor to see the how the art programs were going he was meet with an empty photography room. Curious he went outside to see if they were once again taking pictures of the wildlife and the lush greenery surrounding them. Sure enough, he saw several students taking pictures and some even went to pose for some.
"Sister Mary, how are you today?" Father asked. Sister Mary was a 42-year-old who looked more like 30 with her long light brown hair and sparkling green eyes. Her face had no sign of aging but carried a wisdom look that one can only get through more experience in life.
"Father, pleased to see you so early in the day. I'm doing very well, sorry for the sudden field trip but Aki had found the perfect place to take pictures at and wanted to share it with the class." The Sister said, and both shared a knowing but kind smile.
Aki, or full name Akihito was a 13-year-old who had a strong passion for photography and he loved to share it with anyone who would give him a minute of their time. He was a beautiful child with his shoulder length silver hair that he kept in a pony tail, he had light blue eyes that shimmered with such joyfulness but was equally matched with a look of wildness from time to time, and he had pale unblemished skin that was almost always painted with a pink tent from being over worked or over exited. As angelic as he looked and acted there were times when he became quite a handful. He had a stubborn streak to him that outshined his need for adventure but no more than an inch. He could be hot headed at time and has at more than one occasion lashed out violently but above all he was a caring and loving soul. He would often be seen standing up to bulling and making sure everyone was being fair. He would go fair and beyond for those who were hurt or sad and would do anything to get you to smile.
"Father!" both the Sister and the Father turned to see a very excited and slightly damped Aki running towards them waving one of his arms about his head while the other kept a tight grip on his camera. "You won't believe the shots I got today! After breakfast I went out to explore a little and found a place where there is a fallen tree that left a space open for light to shine down and it created some incredible pictures. Would you like to see?" In his excitement to show off the new pictures he fails to wait for an answer and was instead all ready shoving the screen in front the Fathers face to see. Not at all put off by the suddenness of it, the Father just carefully looked through the pictures and made comments here or there about the ones he liked and why he favored them.
Pleased with the feed back Aki got he was making his way back to the building to upload the pictures and start editing when he was stopping by Sister Mary. "And where do you think you're going dripping wet?"
Confused Aki turned to look at the Sister before he looked down at himself and sure enough there was a small puddle at his feet that was growing larger the more he stood there. Sighing, Aki looked back at the Sister and replied, "To my room to get changed."
"Shower first, I don't want you getting sick. If you hurry you might have enough time before class is over to edit a few of your pictures." Sister said while putting a soft hand on his back and pushing him towards the door.
Needing no more encouragement, Aki took off running to the stairs to get a quick show and a change of clothes. The Father laughing lovingly to himself at the action of the youngers before he too made his way back to his office to finish off some paper work. "Ill see you at tonight's dinner Sister Mary." A polite bow of heads was exchanged and then they were both off to complete their jobs.
Aki had finished his shower in record time and was almost done putting his shoes back on when he heard some voices from the hallway. Finding it odd that someone would be up here at this time he creeped up behind the door and peeked out to see what was going on. There he saw two strange men talking to Father Sudou. One of the men had a short-buzzed cut of brown hair, his eyes were hidden from view from some dark glasses. He was built like a house with broad shoulders and a muscular frame, in fact he was so muscular that Aki could have swore that he didn't have a neck. Even though he was a large man with a very serious face Aki thought that he had no presence at all. The other man was another story.
He was taller than the other and just as well built but he had a neck. His black hair was kept longer in the front but trimmed short in the back, the longer strands were gelled back with a few strands left just over his right eye. His eyes were a strand gold color and had a hard-serious look to them that Aki didn't like but could look away. Even though this man was very good looking, the hottest guy he had ever seen if Aki was being honest, he made Aki scared. Something about this man screamed danger.
"Don't worry Asami, I won't let you down. "Even though Father Sudou said this quietly Aki still managed to hear it from behind the door.
"I hope not, word has it that you are going to oversee this orphanage soon and I don't want this new development to distract you from your other job." Asami took a break to place a cigarette in his mouth, he turned slightly to the left to allow glasses to light it for him. While his head was turned Aki could have sworn that he looked right at him and smirked, scared he quickly turned so he was out of eye sight and prayed to the Lord that he was mistaken. He must have been because Asami began talking again as if he wasn't there. "Last time you let me down I lost $10,000,000 yen and the only reason why you are still breathing is because of your connections but there is a limit to my patience and I will not allow a second time to happen. Am I clear."
Even though Aki didn't understand what he was talking about, the tone was enough to cause a shiver to run down his spine. Father Sudou however seemed to be not effect by this because his reply sounded almost cheerful, "Thank you for giving me a second chance sir. You won't regret it."
Seeming done with the conversation Asami ordered, "Take Kirishima to your office to finalize the documents. Ill join you in a moment." Glasses who was now known as Kirishima bowed to Asami before placing a hand under Father Sudou left elbow and steered him to the stair and down to the second floor.
"How long are you going to keep hiding for little one?"
Fear shot through Aki like never before, not only was he spotted but he was now being called out by this very dangerous man. Even though his whole body screamed at him to run, instead he took a small breath and open the door to reveal himself to this stranger. Not wanting to seem weak or scared to the older man he squared his shoulders and walked over to him, not one to be fooled, however, he did stop when there were a few feet away to ensure he could make a fast get-a-way if needed.
"Strangers are not allowed on this floor with out a visitor pass and with a staff member." Aki informed him while meeting his eyes head on. Yes, Aki was terrified but that didn't mean that he was going to back down.
"It was my understanding that you brats were supposed to be in class. Ditching, are we?" Asami took a step closer and seemed to grow a full foot taller. Any other person would have back down, but Aki was too focused on the fact that this man called him and his friends "brats" and then accused him of ditching. Ditching was a very serious offence around here.
"Excuse you! We're not brats! Just because were young doesn't mean you can degrade us and I would never ditch. Ditching is absolutely stupid, you miss class only to have to do more work than what was assigned, and you get no dinner for a week! Who in their right minds would do that to themselves. And for your information I needed to change my cloths because I slipped into a puddle but unlike you I am allowed up here whenever I want." Once again Aki was challenging him to leave as if Asami feared being caught.
Asami eyes lit up with amusement and for the first time he seemed to really take in Aki's appearance while he took a long drag of his cigarette. Asami seemed pleased with what he saw because he smirked and took a couple more steps forward, so they were now in touching distance. "What's your name kid."
"Why should I tell you something so personal."
"I believe it only fair seeing how you must have gotten mine from your eavesdropping and not to mention the sensitive information you heard as well. Of course, if you still chose not to share your name I can always just give you one." Instead of answering Aki just scoffed at him which seemed to only amuse him more as he laughed at the boy. "No, then I guess its up to me. How about wildcat or kitten? I think kitten suites you better with you being a child and all."
Aki had turned red inside and out by the nickname and his little hand tremble a little at being called a kitten of all things. Asami took in the sight in front of him and was pleased to see this fearless child get mad at his obvious tease.
"Akihito! Akihito is my name and the only name that I will reply to! Not kitten or wildcat or whatever else you think of, just Akihito."
"Last name?"
"I don't have one." Asami was shocked to hear this but didn't let it show to the child. Instead he took a moment to take another drag off his cigarette and look at the boy again. Even though what he had said was indeed sad he didn't look like it affected him at all. It was a fact to him and noting more. Akihito also seemed to have calmed down some since his hands had stopped shacking and the color left his face, but his facial expression was still set in a stubborn one. "Glade that's out, now care to share what you're doing here?"
"Sorry but this is an adult matter and children like you shouldn't get involved." Suddenly Asami took the last steps forward so there was no room left between them and lean down so he could whisper into Akihito's ear. "I wouldn't mention what you heard either, unless you want me to punish you Akihito." Leaning back slightly so they were looking eye to eye and breathing the same breath. "I assure you that punishment will be like nothing you have experience before."
Akihito allowed himself to be scared and he swallowed his comeback. He took a step back and was able to gain his compose again with a calming breath. "Are you going to hurt my family?" Akihito ask in a serious voice and Asami saw the pain in his eyes that he tried to hide. "I will keep quite if you promise not to hurt anyone of my family members."
Taking a moment to appreciate the strong loyalty the child had for the orphanage or family as he called it. It was rare to find one willing to put themselves in harms way to protect the ones they cared for and yet here was a small child willing to do just that. Asami was liking this child more and more. Not only was he brave and honest but he was loyal and could be strong when need be.
"No harm will fall on the orphanage or your family, with or without your silence. I don't harm the innocent if I can avoid it." Releasing a big breath, Akihito seemed like the weight of the world had lifted off his shoulders hearing the news.
"Then I heard nothing." Determine blue eyes meat with gold ones in an understanding.
"Good. Then shouldn't you be getting back to class Akihito."
Aki's eyes lit up with surprise. "Oh no, history! Sister Ava is going to be so mad at me." With that Aki sprinted passed Asami and down the steps and out of Asami view. Smoking the last of his cigarette, Asami tossed it out the closes window and made his way down to were Father Sudou and Kiristima were waiting for him.