That day the weather was perfect. That made the old, ambitious politician rather happy. Gods seemed to be on his hide since his campaign was extremely successful. Ηe looked at his reflection with a confident look and his lips formed a pleased smile. His voters were waiting outside for his speech. As his dresser was applying the final touches, he was reading his paper one last time to revise the important points he had to mention. He was going to win the election, finally, he was sure about that.

"That's enough, leave me alone now," he ordered her.

The woman bowed lightly and left the room quickly.

Seconds later a knock on the door disturbed his peace. He raised an eyebrow and he turned his face towards the exit annoyed. For a moment he thought that it was his dresser again, she used to forget her things and come back to get them all the time, but he was surprised to see a young man with brown hair tied in a ponytail and a cap smiling humbly by the door. From his clothes he assumed immediately that he was one of his personnel. Of course he couldn't remember all of their names, and the truth was that he didn't feel like to either way.

"How can I help you, young man?" he asked as politely as he could.

As a politician he ought to treat them kindly no matter what for the appearances. That was the key to his success. A bright yet fake smile, some words of compassion and suddenly you were their personal hero, the messiah they were longing for.

The young man bowed slightly, taking off his hat at the same time.

"Pardon me, Mr. Shimizu. I'm in charge of Media Team. Excuse my rudeness for coming here without permission but I'm a huge fan of yours!" he said with enthusiasm.
"There is no need to apologize," the man said with a smile. "I'm pleased to meet young people like you. You are, after all, the future of our country."

Overused words. He had repeated them countless time. Over and over like a robot. All of them were pleased to hear words like those. That man as well caressed the nape of his neck looking embarrassed. What future? Who was pleased? If he wasn't a potential voter he wouldn't pay any attention to his words.

"I want to congratulate you in advance. I'm sure that your speech today will leave your audience in awe," he emphasized his lasts words. "Gods are definitely watching over you!"
"Thank you for your kind words. I was a bit nervous but your words are giving me courage."
"Don't worry, sir! I'll make sure this day will become unforgettable to your voters," he said balling his fists with determination. "Oh, by the way, sir... I was a friend of your son in middle school!"
"My son?"

His voice changed. He tried his best to hide his uneasiness.

Why did someone have to mention his failure of a son at a time like that? He felt his stress piling up before he realizes. More than anything, he wanted to avoid that discussion and relax before his speech.

"I doubt that he will remember me, but if you please, could you pass my greetings to him?"
"Of course, son," he smiled.
"My name is Kujo Ryuhei. Give him my best regards."
"I will."
"Now, excuse me. I don't want to waste your time anymore" the young man said and left after a bow.

Shimizu stood up caressing the temples of his head. Letting out a deep sigh, he filled his glass with water and took a few sips. Nothing was going to disturb him at that important moment. Not even the thought of his pathetic son. Maybe he should fire that man later. He was imprudent enough to bother him without permission and every man who had relations with his son could be proved dangerous for his career.

He fixed his necktie and forced his usual smile on before he leaves his room. Soon he was on a podium waving to his countless voters. Behind him a huge screen was displaying spots of his campaign. While he was giving a passionate talk, emphasizing his points with exaggerated gestures his group of voters seemed to be in ecstasy, he could see his future singed on their smiles.

'That's it. I can smell sweet victory,' he thought.

However, not long after, the passionate cheers were replaced by a relentless rumble. His voice was echoing clearer and clearer and it didn't take long enough for him to notice that everyone's eyes were glued on the TV screen instead of him. Confused and curious he turned to take a peek at whatever was drawing their attention...

What he saw though made him shake in fear.

"Someone, stop this footage!" he screamed loosing himself.

But it was too late. The volume started to rise and the voice of a young man echoed clearly around the area.

"Chief, is it true that you are the son of Shimizu the politician? How daring! You set up this kind of business while your father is always under the spotlight."
"Yeah, that's right. I have nothing to be afraid of as long as my father covers for me."

"No. Stop it! What kind of farce is this? This is not my son," he laughed pointing at the screen.

His laugh wasn't fake, neither a natural one, it was full of agony. His voice was trembling. He could already foreseen the disaster. His eyes were pleading those around him to do something while others were already off to find the culprit. As the rumble was changing into angry voices and swears he fell on the ground defeated. There was no stopping it.

Should he get angry? Should he try to cover everything as always? Should he seek revenge? He didn't know. Maybe he should try doing all of them. He was ready to stand up when two hands pushed him down again from behind. He felt someone leaning over him. A shudder ran down his spine.

So the cops were already there?

"He has no other choice. I'm his only son and he'd be in big trouble if the media were to find anything about this. I'm doing this for years and I have disposed everyone who tried to oppose me ever since my highschool days."

The voice of his son was echoing inside his ears.

How could he possibly cover that? Maybe he should say that everything was fake. That they had kidnapped and forced his son to do this. His opponents could be easily blamed for that. They had aired it one day before the elections after all. Yes, so that he wouldn't be able to do anything. They would buy that. There was a possibility they would believe that reasoning.

"Old man, don't avert your eyes from the screen," the man behind him whispered. "This is your son. You made him like this. By casting him aside, by covering up for him whenever he tried to get your attention, but giving him this kind of freedom. You are the one who created this kind of person, this kind of demon. Because, you know, he still haunts the memory of many... way too many people. He is to be blamed as well, but you were the stepping stone of his crimes... so you share the same sins."
"No," he shook his head.
"You were his cover when he was destroying lives of innocent people, you can't deny that. Just for your career and peace. What a beautiful example of a father you are."
"No. I... It's his fault. He should..."
"He should act like a good boy. Of course he did! In front of the cameras at least. Don't forget to give him my regards, Mr. Shimizu."

"The cops? They have no evidence against me, so they can not approach this place. They won't find any Adult Videos here either, there are in a place they could ever imagine."

Was his son's laugh so evil before? He wasn't ever sure if the man on the screen was his son anymore. That young man... Wasn't he the one he met before his speech? The sound of his footsteps were fading.

Shimizu titled his head defeated, following the figure. He was dressed in a black suit. Black hair,black eyes. He flashed a smile before he takes the corner. Wasn't that how they used to portray angel's of death in modern movies? Or he was an angel of death himself?

"Kujo Ryuuhei, eh?" he mumbled.

The young man bowed one last time before he turns the corner. An evil smirk appeared on his lips as he was bowing.

"I see... That's how it is. That smirk felt natural..." he turned his attention back to the TV screen. "I guess that's the shady side of our countries future."
"Mr. Shimizu. I'm sorry to say that you are under arrest for-"
"Huh. That's it. That's how it was supposed to be," he mumbled standing up. "I know," he said louder. "I won't resist. There is no point to."

One day later, the Media were still obsessing over the scandal. New evidence had come to light and more and more victims were giving their testimony. Tohru was doubting that every single one of them was a victim though, but they definitely had their reasons. Humans would do everything for a little bit of fame, the way didn't matter to them.

"The town is full of reports today," Nobu said turning off his cellphone. "We are lucky we left yesterday. I definitely need a day off."
"It's natural. It's Shimizu's hometown after all," Tohru said browsing the internet.

From newsletters to random boards, Shimizu's case was a hot topic. But, it wouldn't take long before everyone forgets about it; a couple of weeks maybe. Only the ones directly involved would suffer for a bit more. Shimizu, father and son, were behind bars. The media would not bother with them again soon, at least not until their trial.

"I got a mail from Aphrodite this morning," Hermes said.
"Seriously now, a mail?" Tohru asked.
"Kei was pestering her. He wanted to transport him here to thank you. Of course Aphrodite wouldn't do something like that," Hermes said in a carefree tone and bit an apple.
"Aphrodite can be very cold and short-tempered some times but she is actually really cute," Dionysus defended her.
"She was pretty mad at you, Tohru. Her apprentice lost his motivation now. After cursing you in many ways, he said that you are an insolent brat and that you should watch out for her. How unlucky. You lost your chance with her."
"Not my kind of taste. You guys seem to be all over her though," Tohru said.
"A man, not interested in the goddess of beauty... That's something rare," Hermes laughed. "I don't know if I should call you different or blind. Oh, let me guess. It's not all about appearance and blahblahblah..."
"Not really. I do care about appearance, but she is still not my type. Plus, she seems to be a woman who spends a lot of money too" he concluded.
"Really now," the two gods sighed.
"Enough with that. I did follow your orders successfully. Kei seems to be out of your way for now, so I guess I should expect my bonus."
"That's no use. He cares about money more than anything," Nobu sighed.
"I know. Your bonus will be at your disposal tomorrow," Hermes assured him, throwing half of his apple into the basket.
"Hermes, don't waste human food," Dionysus scolded him looking over the disposed fruit. "Such a waste..."
"What now? Do you have any leads?" Tohru asked.
"That's your job, isn't it?" Hermes raised an eyebrow at him.
"Figures. Unhelpful as always. And you call your self a god," Tohru murmured.
"I always transport you from one place to another when you need it," he threw his hands in the air pretending to be bothered by his words. "Stop complaining."

Of course, Hermes' horrible way of transportation stroke again.

The night before, exhausted, he had found his way to the toilet crawling on the ground. According to Hermes' he was getting more used to it but to him it was as painful as always. Strangely enough, Nobu and Nagi, who were transported by Dionysus, seemed to be in one piece when they arrived. He had his suspicions from the start but now Tohru was getting more and more convinced that Hermes was doing that on purpose.

"He isn't as used to this as me," Dionysus had spoken up for him. "That's why he has trouble transporting you."

"Like hell he has! He just enjoys doing it!" Tohru mumbled glaring at the mischievous god. "I did see the smirk on his face."

"What about my van?" Nobu asked. "I forgot to ask yesterday, but it was rented you know. I don't want to get in trouble."
"Don't worry," Dionysus smiled pleased. "I contacted my son. He will take care of it and you-"
"Your son?" Tohru interrupted.
"Yes. He is such a good boy."
"As... which deity?"
"That old pervert got himself a woman when he settled here," Hermes informed while patting Dionysus chest with the back of his hand.

Tohru made a grimace and looked from Hermes to Dionysus and then back to Hermes.

None of them seemed to be joking. The news were shocking to him. He had thought of many thing about gods since he met Hermes but that kind of possibility hadn't crossed his mind.

"You mean... with a mortal woman?" Tohru asked surprised.
"A mortal one to the core," Hermes said laying on the sofa.
"Then... his son is..." Nobu said.
"Probably hot," Nagi interrupted them.
"Nagi!" her brother looked at her surprised. "That was... It was..."
"My woman is said to be pretty hot, he took after her a lot," Dionysus laughed.
"A demigod..." Tohru gasped and stood up. "He is a demigod?" he repeated walking around in circles. "Is that legal?" he finally asked turning to Hermes.
"Legal, not legal, it happens since Zeus knows when," Hermes shrugged. "So none of us care anymore. There were several demigods throughout the centuries. Just because your knowledge stops in the mythological era doesn't mean that gods had not eloped with humans since then."
"Now that you mentioned it, he summoned me this morning," Dionysus looked troubled. "It's been a while since I last saw him so I bet he misses his father... Ok, I'm going to pay him a visit right now!" he decided.
"Hmmm... When are you going to come back?" Hermes asked nonchalantly.
"When I wonder... I hope soon enough," his little brother replied scratching his cheek. "Well then, see ya."
"I bet his son is just like him," Tohru commented.
"What about us?" Nobu asked.
"Oh, you can take Tohru's room if you like. Make yourselves at home."
"What?"
"Thanks, Tohru!" Nobu said.
"The bed seems nice. Big brother, you sleep on the floor."
"What? Nagi, that's not fair!"
"What? Why-" Tohru seemed confused.
"Come on, Tohru. This sofa is good enough for you. Here, a pillow," Hermes said summoning one out of nowhere. "I'll go out for a walk. Have fun."
"Wait! Arghhh... I can't believe this!"

He threw the pillow Hermes gave him hard on the sofa. Even after his success the treatment he was receiving was no different, so he had the right to complain. Nobu and Nagi had occupied his room with no hesitation, they should at least try to look a bit sorry. He had the only leisure he had so far taken away easier than someone would steal candy from a kid.

While he was engaged in his favorite hobby, to wilt in a long monologue of self-pity, Nobu and Nagi announced that they were going out for a stroll to get used to the area. He couldn't care less; he didn't even bother to say "see you", he was not pleased about the situation and he was ready to show it by any means.

But, since everyone had left, it was his chance to relax in peace. He took an orange from the fruit ball, determined to please his hunger and then take a nap.

"Humans have a great appetite. Their hunger never stops... Whether they are craving for food or for wealth and fame," he heard a deep voice right beside him.

There was a man with long black hair. His eyes were so dark that you couldn't tell the iris from the pupil. He was sitting with his legs crossed, his hands were resting on his knees. Tohru had frozen. He didn't respond to his words, but one thing was definite. That man was a god, otherwise he wouldn't be able to appear out of nowhere. Unless we was a very skilled burglar, but would a burglar appear in front of a resident of the house he had broken into to discuss the desires of humankind?

"Whoever you are, no matter what your plans are, couldn't you let me eat this damn orange first?" he finally said.
"You are an amusing one," he said, the tone of his voice showed no amusement however. "Humans say that Thanatos comes without notice," he smirked.
"Thanatos?"
"I wonder if Death sounds more familiar to you," he retorted.
"You are Thanatos?" Tohru stood up immediately and checked him out from tip to toe.
"I think I introduced myself already. What's the point of asking twice?" the man asked titling his head.
"...Does this mean that you are here to take me away?" he asked raising an eyebrow.
"You are searching for Hermes, I suppose,"

The man responded with no emotion. "Yes and no. I see that you have no manners, young one."

"So, you came here... to talk about my manners?"

Thanatos stood up without warning and crossed his hands behind his back. Tohru could not let him out of his eyes.

"I heard that Hermes tries to sabotage the game."
"What if he does?" Tohru asked sighing.
"It's not forbidden by the rules so I have no right to act.," he said and touched Tohru's laptop. "Humans create amusing things. They get so entangled with them that they forget to live before they die..."
"You came here just to warn us, I guess. How kind of you. Maybe you should relay your warning yourself, because my dear Master hardly listens to what I have to say."
"Your actions are not my responsibility," he said while he was checking out the room. "I am not here to warn you, neither to ask you for a deal. Not many things amuse me, I have to say. I find humans to be the most boring and yet the most interesting of them all. So when Lord Hades asked me personally if I wanted to serve as his pawn in these days, I had no motive to accept but no reason to deny the invitation as well."
"Well, I, instead, find other humans annoying, especially when they are not letting me do my job in peace, so I can't say I agree. Please don't touch my laptop!"
"I see," Thanatos said smirking. "Then I suppose that you understand my feelings," he said leaning over him. "I don't care about this game, but I don't plan to embarrass myself in front of Lord Hades and I will use any means to achieve that."
"No, I can't understand you perfectly. Unlike you, I can't say that I respect my master so much. Which kind of puts you in a disadvantage."
"How so?" Thanatos asked titling his head to show his surprise.
"I can use any means as well, even those which will probably embarrass my master... unlike you."

Thanatos started at him for a couple of minutes without saying anything. That crept the hell out of the young apprentice but he didn't dare to avert his eyes. The god of Death finally formed a smirk, an even creepier that the last ones and then let a husky laugh. He could swear for a second that those would be his last moments but Thanatos just smirked again.

"I see now. An almost perfect match that is. I wonder what would Lord Hades think about that declaration. I feel that it would be safer to dispose of you right now, but that would be just boring. You don't appear to be much of a fighter, you wouldn't last a second..." and since Tohru just stared at him with no response he continued. "Young one, describe death in one word."
"Indiscriminate," he replied.

Thanatos stared at him again. That long a pause did he make, he was making Tohru feel uneasy, yet he didn't regret his answer. That was the first answer which popped in his mind.

"I'm looking forward to the moment you will come after us. Lord Hades' apprentice may be a suitable opponent for you, Hermes' apprentice. That's a farewell for now."
"Hold on, how am I supposed to find you, if I were to come after you right now?"
"I'm Thanatos, boy," he smirked. "You can find me everywhere, whether I'm considered painful, sudden, unavoidable or well-received. Never forget that humans are foolish and they will forever be."

Thanatos disappeared with those words, letting Tohru behind frozen stiff. The words of the grim man put him in thoughts, as he was replaying the whole scene in his mind over and over again.

By the time Hermes, Nobu and Nagi returned home, he was sulking on the couch.

"Tohru, what's the matter?" Nobu asked.
"He is mumbling something again and again," Nagi said.
"A penny for your thoughts, Tohru," Hermes said.
"It's unfair!" he jumped on his feet. "It's so unfair!"
"Hey, relax, what happened?" Nobu blinked.
"Thanatos was here!"
"Thanatos?" Hermes asked surprised. "Thanatos was here? How... Why?"
"By Thanatos... you mean the god of death?" Nagi asked in disbelief.
"Are you ok?" Hermes asked politely thinking that his apprentice was about to snap.
"Of course I am OK!" he said throwing a pillow aside. "You know why? Because I didn't have a normal conversation since... I even I don't remember when! Why does Hades' apprentice, who I don't even know, gets to work with Thanatos as a subordinate while I'm stuck here? It's unfair!" he said putting on his shoes. "I'm going for a walk," he shouted slamming the door behind him.

"Having a conversation with Thanatos, finding it pleasant, and then complain for not having the luck to work with him... Kids, that's what we call a problematic child..." Hermes commented dumbstruck by Tohru's outburst.

Beta by Fallen Angel Itachi (Thank you as always)