I found this story in my files and a few people have asked where my stories have gone. After some house keeping on my external hard drive and serious contemplation if you will accept this story I will post this blast from my past. I hope you enjoy it. Here is Illuminated Shadows.

~Snow

I hate jobs like this. You know the ones that require you to acquire the target by all means necessary. However I am not like everyone. I will do what I please and how I please and to hell with my employers. The night is cold, bone chillingly so, and I curse out loud as I see the first flakes of snow begin to dust to street. The target should be coming out of those doors any moment, but damn any moment could mean I am frozen to my motorcycle, ass to leather. I sigh, thinking a sporty little car with heat would have been better for this venture. A car with seat warmers and cup heaters for drinks, just all around heat sounds nice. As I watched the doors, getting lost in thoughts of warmth, I saw a black car roll up down the block. They park, but no one got out. Limo tint on the windows and proximity made my instincts skip a beat. The doors open, and the target walked out, oblivious to us. The car from a moment ago kicked on the engine, and roared backward, I saw the window roll down and then I when it to automatic over drive.

I love the cold, I especially love the way snow can cover everything and make a wonderland of white dust, almost like a fantasy. As I put my gloves on I take a deep breath of air, and exhale though my mouth making a small cloud of vapor before my face, only to let it disappear in to the cold night. I heard the car but I didn't hear the motorcycle. I turned just in time to see a big black machine zoom at me and I lunged to the side. I failed to see the gun pointed at me though and I could not begin to describe the sensation of the bullet as it passed through my shoulder. It was hot, and blinding, I saw white, and that is all. Then I heard more shots and the car zoomed off, and I saw a hand reach down for mine. I took it, I don't know why. I just felt that I needed to get anywhere but there. As I climbed on the back of the motor cycle and I tried to wrap my arms around the driver's waist, I grunted in pain. The driver peeled out and as they got into gear a gloved hand reached back and brought my other hand to their waist. It hurt like the devil but I was able to hold on a little safer. They zoomed through the streets; I could not see where I was going due to pain, and blood loss. I put my head to their back and fell into a world of darkness. I never knew where I was, how I got to there I only know that I was going.

'Shit,' I silently cursed under my helmet. She was hit, I did not want her to get hit, but damn it that car. I peeled out and flew through the city streets, and then I felt her weight give out to my back. I cursed again as she became unconscious. I pushed a small button on the console of my bike and up went a garage door in the warehouse district. I stopped the bike, and then took off the helmet and my black hair flowed down my waist. I picked up the honey blonde, and carried her up the stairs with some effort. I punched in the code, laid her on the bed and presumed to undress my guess. I could not help but think the woman beautiful as layer after layer of clothing came off her body. I tended her wound and thanked the gods she was already knocked out cold as I dug out the bullet. I shook my head because she is going to be in a lot of pain when she wakes up with all of the poking around I did to her wound. I cleaned it, dressed it, and then I found her some warm clothes. My mind kept going back to why. Why, in the hell and I harboring my target? Wasn't I supposed to kill her? If so why where the others there to do? There were too many questions, and as I stripped the last bit of clothing off the woman I noticed something I have not noticed n years. I was blushing. I quickly put her in sweats and pulled the covers to her chin. I threw her clothes on a fire, they were ruined anyways, and there was less evidence to clean up.

After settling down, I was able to think, able to act. I sat down on the leather couch and pulled a small glass of scotch to my lips. I took tiny sips, soothing sips. I had too many thoughts, and questions. I put the glass on the table, and went to the phone. I dialed the number I was made to remember for years. It rang and rang, but it finally picked up. On the other end of a phone came a playful voice, almost that of a child but if you knew her you would know is isn't that innocent. I have no bosses but if I had to say that I had one it would have to be her, and her mistress.

"Natsuki, is it done?" asked the playful childlike voice.

"No, something came up," I said and she knew that meant the target was no longer a target. She knew I would not kill this person without all of the facts.

"Ok, I will tell Mai, I will tell her you will be here for dinner." Click.

I looked at the phone, and then I looked at the body of the woman in my bed and sighed. As I hung up the phone I wrote a note to my captive. Don't touch anything. I will be back shortly. Try to sleep. I walked down the street for about 6 blocks and then turned left. Mai's Ramen House loomed right in front of me. It was just that a ramen house, but only a very select few know exactly what goes on in the back of Mai's. As I made my way through the door the smell of food hit my senses and I nearly groaned. I forgot to eat, again. I went to the back of the house after waving to regulars with a smile plastered to my lips. In the back Mai was cooking up a storm, she loved to cook and as she saw me she looked my way and then smiled but kept cooking. The body that belonged to the child like voice went up to Mai and kissed her cheek, and stole a bowl.

"Mikoto!" chided Mai and then she smiled. For a hit men organization we certainly are a bunch of happy people. I shook my head as Mai shoved a bowl in my hands and motioned me to sit with Mikoto. It was always an experience watching Mikoto eat Mai's food. She will not eat anything else and I guess that's what makes them the perfect pair. That and Mikoto could be a killing machine and Mai can control her, and be the mastermind. Mai yelled out an order and let a blue haired boy take over her job. Mai reached in her pocket and threw a wad of cash at me. I caught it without looking up. But why was Mai paying me, for a job half done?

"Do you know who she is?" Mai asked as she took a sip of her juice. Ever since she got drunk and drove my prized Ducati off a ridge, she doesn't drink as much, that and the fact that she is a lousy drunk. I shook my head at the question and she smiled.

"I am actually quite happy haven't killed her, Natsuki. She is Shizuru Fujino, heiress to the Fujino fortune and one of the most respected business women to walk the planet. She has power even if she didn't bear the name Fujino." I shrugged; I didn't see what this had to do with me.

"In that sum of cash I just gave you is triple what you contracted for," she said and I choked on ramen, "Triple for the fact that you are not only to not kill her, but protect her."

"What!" I yelled and a placed my palms on the table and stood.

"Yup, guess what, this assignment is a career change for you. You are now her bodyguard," Mai said sweetly, and calmly.

"I can't do that."

"Why?"

I fumbled for words, and then Mai spoke, "You have no reason to go against me Natsuki. I love you, you know that, but I also want you to do this for me, as a favor. Do you understand?" I hesitated for a second and then Mai tossed another roll of hundreds on the table. I got up, placed my chopsticks on the table and walked to the door without looking at Mai.

"Keep your money. I do owe you." With those words I walked out of Mai's and then back home. The snow fell at an amazing rate and I listened to my feet crunch all the way home. As I entered my loft, I stood in place, a little lost. How can I, a killer, take care of someone, guard someone? I walked over the sleeping woman and gazed at an angel. I can't help but think this is a mistake. I shook my head and went to the sofa, and grabbed a blanket. Maybe sleep would help.