Chapter 1

A Fateful Encounter

It had been several months since the Public Whippings. It was Aki's 10th birthday and Omaki Ghan had gotten permission from Aki's Guardian Iason Mink to take him out for the day in Midas. It was a beautiful day for winter and Omaki decided to walk with Aki instead of drive.

They had visited a few stores, buying Aki some new toys. As they approached a side street, Aki spied a new frozen cream shop on the other side that had opened recently. He tugged Omaki's tunic. "What is it Aki?" Lord Ghan asked. "Can we get a frozen cream"? Aki asked excitedly.

"Frozen cream? In winter? Wouldn't you rather get a warm drink like hot cocoa?" Omaki asked doubtfully.

"Pleeeeaaaasee Master? Pretty please?" Aki looked up at Omaki with sweet wide innocent eyes. Omaki sighed. He just couldn't say no when Aki looked at him so endearingly, especially when he called him "Master", which Omaki was not going to break him of the habit of.

"Very well Aki, I'll buy you a frozen cream, though I think I'll pass on one". "Yay!" Aki yelled joyfully. He started prancing towards the street before Omaki could stop him.

"Aki, wait! There are vehicles coming!"

Aki never heard, too excited at the prospect of a frozen cream he was in the middle of the road when he realized his error. A car was heading right toward him!

"Aki!" Omaki screamed in horror, running forward.

Aki was frozen in place, watching as the car zoomed forward. The driver had a similar look of horror as he desperately tried to hit the brakes but there was no way he's be able to stop in time.

Aki reflexively closed his eyes. The next thing he knew, a strange voice yelled "Watch out kid!". In an instant, he felt himself being grabbed and moved out of the way. The car roared past and screeched to a stop.

Aki opened his eyes, amazed he was okay. He was safe on the sidewalk, to his great relief. He looked up at his savior.

"You okay kid?" the stranger asked. Aki nodded mutely. "Be more careful next time", the stranger chided.

"Y-Yes" Aki stuttered.

"AKI!" Omaki yelled, rushing up to the small boy. Distraught, he grabbed the boy from his rescuer, relief flooding through him. He hugged the boy tightly before setting him down and giving him a small shake. "What were you thinking, running out into the road like that?! You could have been killed!" He gifted Aki a few swats on the rear, causing the boy to wait with anguish.

"For that, you won't be getting a frozen cream. In fact, we're going straight home!".

Omaki stood up and looked at the guy who had saved Aki's life, who had turned around and was leaving. Omaki reached out and touched the man's shoulder. The stranger turned to look at him.

"Thank you for saving Aki's life. I owe you one".

The stranger just just shrugged. "Whatever".

Omaki studied him. He was definitely a mongrel, albeit a very pretty one. He had reddish-brown eyes, tanned skin and glossy black hair flowing down past his shoulders. He was wearing a rather tattered jacket and he looked cold and rather thin.

"What is your name?" Omaki inquired. The mongrel pulled away and turned and started walking away again. "It's Vincent" the man replied. He walked away and faded into the crowd. The driver of the car and the police were already showing up to ensure no one was hurt but Omaki's focus was on the young mongrel.

"Vincent" Omaki murmered. "What an attractive name for an attractive man".