Mission 1

The slow, grating sound was familiar to me now. A hard, unbearable sound, something that would make most people cringe. The knife was like a weight against my numb hand, but I was finished. That was all that mattered. I felt a sense of relief as I straightened and observed my work.

The small, rough circle that I had carved into the ground was imperfect. It was my signature, the price I had to pay for my abilities. No matter where I was, after I used my powers I had to carve a circle into the ground. If I waited too long I would start to feel anxious and my body would shake. Was that what happened to the other ones, or was it just me? All I knew was that even if I had to dig through a concrete road with my bare hands my remuneration was a small price. I heard of people who would have to burn themselves or drink living blood. My compensation was a small price indeed.

I placed the knife back into the small pocket I kept just for it. I would never fight with it unless necessary. With my ability I preferred range. Most times I even killed unseen. My new alias was Futame Arashi, no, Arashi Futame. I had to start thinking Japanese. Here I was in Tokyo, my birthplace, and yet… I had never lived here. I never would. My home was wherever I could find information. I was my own master and to keep that title…all I had to do was not exist.

***

"EEEEH? Is that so??? My bad, my bad. I thought you were from that stupid plumbing company," the already annoying woman said as she roughly patted me on the back. "Come on in son, we'll get you fixed up soon enough."

Some time later I found myself in front of a shabby door that read 202. If I had of been my former self I would have sighed and dropped my shoulders, shaking my head in disgust, but my current self knew that there was absolutely no point in doing so. Sometimes I was glad for my sense of calm logic. I went to put the key in the rusted hole when a slight click to my right alerted me. I turned my head and regarded the man who stood in front of the door next to mine, watching me with a curious look.

His hair was straight and black, his eyes a flat, dull blue, almost as dark as the night sky-well- the former sky. There was nothing too remarkable about his appearance at all, unlike my dyed red hair and my gold-brown eyes. I had gone through a faze where I decided crimson coloured hair would be "cool". I realized now that I was an idiot for even considering that. I would have to change my hair as soon as possible. My mind, returning to my current situation noticed the man extending a hand.

"Hello. I'm Li Shen Shung. Pleased to meet you." I shook his hand and smiled almost naturally. "I haven't seen you before. I assume you just moved in," he asked, his friendly face betraying no suspicion.

"Yes. I was actually just about to enter the place for the first time. Oh! Almost forgot,

my name is Arashi Futame," I pretended to catch myself, to act like an average, human kid. This guy didn't seem much older than me once I thought about it. Couldn't be far into his twenties. I was eighteen, not that age mattered.

"Eh…Arashi-san, then. Pleased to meet you," he said again.

"Right, erm…"

"Li is fine," he said kindly.

"Li-san then! Nice to meet you!" He smiled again and then looked at me almost apologetically.

"Well I have to be at work soon…"

"Ah, I understand. See you later then Li-san."

He gave a small nod and walked past me, waving slightly. As soon as he was gone I resumed my usual apathetic facial expression. Pointless emotions were tiring. I had used to use them everyday carelessly… Did I miss that? I was finally able to open the door and look into my small apartment. It was more like two open rooms and a bathroom, but I wasn't complaining. All it was was shelter. I left immediately after I dropped my things and headed out the door.

***

My hair was a dark, chestnut brown now. The red hadn't mixed well with the black dye, but at least I looked much less conspicuous. I had spent the entirety of the day scoping out the city and so far I didn't have any leads. What exactly was I looking for?

"Idiot," I whispered to myself. "You should know that much at least…"

As I reached the shabby apartments I noticed that it seemed my new neighbour Li Shen Shung hadn't yet returned. Maybe following his example would be the best idea. Even if there was no point in going out again, there was no point in moping around either. I turned around and began to head back into town.

When I reached an empty park I stopped. Something about the lonely swings drew me. It was as if they would become complete if only someone would make use of them. Ten minutes later I was leaning back on one gazing wistfully at the stars. Which one was mine? As that question flitted through my mind I became aware of a presence. When I turned my vision to my front I was met with the sight of a frantic woman, running straight at me. I felt surprise, but it was a rational kind. I acted quickly, doing a back flip off of the swing before her concealed blade burst forth and swung at the air my throat had recently occupied.

Her vacant eyes bulged with anger. "Die!," she cried, lunging for me again.

'I must kill. I have to kill a human…" Suddenly her eyes glowed a fierce red and a pale, blue light faintly surrounded her. Several leaves on the ground became rigid and shot suddenly into the air, their edges becoming sharp as knives.

"Contractor," I exclaimed to myself. Finally. All at once the leaves flew towards me and dodging them all was impossible. I winced as their razor-sharp sides cut into me, drawing blood from my arms, my torso, my face. The woman's face lit up with a sick glee.

"Hehn heuhn heuhn… Now die…Die for me…" She was deranged; there was no doubt about that. I had already figured by now that killing a human must be her remuneration.

I decided to burst her mad bubble.

"That must be a tedious remuneration," I said. "Killing a human every time you use your power…" Her face dropped and she stared openly at me, something livid flicking behind her eyes. She at least had enough sense to realize that normal people didn't know about contractors.

"You…You're….."

"That's right. I'm about as human as you are. Now, do we really want to continue this little game? How about you calm down and answer a few questions for me?" There was no response as the woman continued to gape at me. Suddenly, so suddenly I almost didn't see, a new presence joined us.

He was swift as lightning and as quiet as a ghost. He came down from the trees overhead, his black cloak falling around him in an effortless elegance. His masked face told no secrets as his right hand came down onto the woman's face. A moment later there was a blinding light and a wretched scream and the woman lay dead at the black clad man's feet, her face frozen in an insane horror.

I had no time to react, to hide myself or flee. The black hallows in his mask were turned on me in an instant. The only rational thing I could think to do was stare in mute wonder. I knew who he was. I had heard rumours. The Black Reaper, the one you might vaguely call my idol, or maybe just the man I wanted more than anything to speak to. If anyone had the answers I was looking for, he did.

Before I could decide what to do he was behind me, his hand on the back of my neck and the second I decided to spin around and face him with all my power a quick jolt shot through me and I felt myself go limp and then lose consciousness.

***

When I woke again I was lying on one of the park benches. There was no sign of what had happened, but strangely enough a small, sharp knife lay on the ground beside the bench. It was my own. I found myself shocked completely. He had set everything up to look like all of it had been a dream and I –had what- injured myself? Those small details however were not what left me amazed. What I couldn't believe was that he'd left me alive. The only rational thing to do would have been to kill the only witness, yet…

I chuckled softly to myself. Finally I had something to work with. I knew just how to find the answers I was looking for now. All I had to do was draw out the Black Reaper.