Chapter 1

Akihito awoke with a splitting headache and no idea where he was. The first thing he became aware of was that it was dark and the moon shone overhead. He was in a dirty alley between two buildings and he could smell the trash in the overflowing dumpster. 'Where am I?' Akihito wondered. Just as he thought that, the first raindrops fell. Akihito sighed 'I guess I'd better find someplace dry.' He started walking and came upon a homeless shelter. He went inside and was given a hot meal and a dry cot for the night. In the morning, he was awoken by an elderly man who called himself Taki which was short for Takimura. He said he was the shelter manager and told him it was time to leave. He explained that everyone had to leave during the day to look for a job. They would re-open at 5:00 p.m. for dinner and he was welcome to return at that time.

Akihito asked Taki if he knew of anyplace that would hire him. Taki asked "Look out that window and tell me what you see?" Akihito looked out and described the sad look in the eyes of a woman who was waiting for a bus. He noticed a woman pushing a stroller who wore a lot of makeup covering the purple bruise on her left cheek. He pointed out the teen on a bike who was racing away from an elderly woman after having snatched her purse. He noticed the business man who walked into a coffee shop to meet his mistress. Taki stopped him and asked "How do you know it's his mistress and not his wife?" "Because he wears a ring and she does not," Akihito explained. Taki asked "Then it could be his sister, could it not?" Akihito said "I don't think brothers and sisters would kiss like that, plus he just grabbed her butt."

Taki smiled and suggested that Akihito should apply to the job announcement for a freelance photographer that was posted on the jobs board. Grabbing the ad, Akihito thought about it but said "I don't think that'll work out because I don't even have a camera to use." Taki smiled and said "Follow me."

Taki walked to the rear office of the shelter and started digging around in a closet. He stepped out of the closet holding a heavy bag. Akihito gave him a puzzled look when Taki swung the bag toward him and let it go. "Humph, what's in this thing, rocks?" Akihoto asked. "That is your ticket to a job. I used to be a photographer for Kyodo News and I have a few friends that still work there. I could put a word in for you and I'll let you use the equipment until you can buy your own. What do you think? Akihito looked at him and smiled. "I think you are the answer to my prayers."

One month later

Akihito ran as fast as he could, the sound of his pursuers and his breathing loud in his ears. The stakeout had been a long one, but the pictures were more that worth it. Sadly, the politician who was caught red handed cheating on his wife didn't think so, if his homicidal guards were any indication. "Man, these guys just don't give up!" Akihito thought to himself while cutting a corner and ducking into an alley. He watched with a smile as the guards ran past his hiding place. "That only took slightly longer that usual."

Sure that the coast was clear, he left the safety of his hiding place and started the long walk back to his apartment. "These jobs have gotten a lot more dangerous lately." This was the fourth time he'd been chased from a job, this month. He would have to buy a new pair of sneakers soon. Akihito was so deep in thought, he almost didn't notice that he was standing in front of his building. "When did that happen?" he wondered a moment before shrugging his shoulders and unlocking the door.

Akihito didn't need much in terms of comfortable living. He had found an abandoned warehouse that he rented for less than the cost of a one bedroom apartment. It gave him the space he needed to set up his own darkroom. His bedroom was in the loft area to give himself a little privacy should anyone visit. The darkroom was on the bottom level in a rear corner. The room was no bigger than a closet but it worked for him.

He wasn't home alot anyway considering his boss kept him busy with one assignment after another. He really only came home when he needed to eat, shower, develop his shots or crash. His kitchen consisted of a microwave oven, refrigerator, shop sink and card table that he only had three chairs for. His bed was the only thing he'd bought new because he couldn't stand thinking of what might have happened in a used bed. His bathroom was functional with multiple shower stalls because the warehouse had provided its employees with a locker room so they could clean up before they left work.

He went to the kitchen to search for some food. The leftover sushi from two nights ago didn't smell bad so he decided to eat it with his hands so he didn't have any dishes to clean. Then he headed to the dark room with the last bottle of beer. He really needed to buy some food.

He would have to develop the pictures tonight because his editor would want them before 8:00 am. Four hours later, Akihito stepped out the dark room, climbed the step to the loft, stripped from his dirty clothes and crashed on his bed. His last thought was "Is this all there is to life? I feel like I'm missing something but can't figure out what it is."

Asami was livid "I will teach the asshole who did this, why you shouldn't cross me," he swore. Someone had betrayed him and leaked the details of a multi-million dollar business deal with the Koreans he had worked for over a year to make happen. Now the Chinese had his deal and they did it by using Asami's business proposal. To make matters worse, he still had no idea who did it. "Once I find out who betrayed me, they will wish they were never born." Just as he finished the thought, he heard a knock on his office door. "Enter!"

Kirishima walked in and bowed low "Asami sama."

"You'd better have news for me, Kirishima." Asami snarled.

"Yes, Asami sama, I believe we have found out who did it." Kirishima replied.

Asami, interested to see who would dare make a enemy of him so readily, said "Who?"

"It is our belief that one of the new recruits was sloppy, and a newspaper editor managed to get some information on the deal, which he then sold to the Chinese," Kirishima explained.

"I have the report of my findings right here, Asami sama." Kirishima handed him the folder.

Asami nodded, taking the folder "Nicely done, Kirishima, you may go now."

Kirishima bowed again "Yes Asami sama." He left closing the door behind him.

Asami settled back to read the report and smiled saying to the now empty office "Takeo Yamaguichi, enjoy your last night on Earth." Asami headed to the elevator and called Kirishima to have Souh bring the limo around. He was ready to go home.

"Akihito, you must remember you don't have much time, remember Akihito, they're coming."

Akihito jumped awake in a cold sweat, the voice from his dream still ringing in his ears.

'What was that dream, who's coming, and what must I remember?' Akihito wondered.

The sound of an alarm stopped his thoughts, before he could puzzle out the dream. Looking at the time, he realized if he wasn't out the door right now he would be really late. Deciding not to worry about dreams that were probably spawned from bad sushi, he grabbed the photos and ran out the door as fast as his feet could carry him...

Asami awoke with a start, a headache already begining to make itself known. "What the hell? That dream again!" he couldn't help but think back on what he could remember from the vivid dream...

The heat was intense, looking down he could see homes, entire villages in flames. Then the scene would change to him fighting... something, and then finally him with wings, black from the soot of the flames, and sword in hand shouting something inaudible...

Asami sighed this wasn't the first time, he'd had this dream. It was becoming more intense and more detailed each time he slept. Almost as if he were watching a trailer to a movie. Of course, how would he know considering he hadn't been to a movie in over 20 years. So, without wasting another moment on the dream which was probably nothing but nonsense, he got up and got ready to go to the office.

By the time he was showered and dressed, less than fifteen minutes later, Kirishima walked in with his morning coffee. He decided that today he would go see Takeo Yamaguichi and teach him the fine art of editing...