1:24 AM. April, 2013 One day before the National Cherry Blossom Festival.
Summer came early that year. Even in the darkness of night, the heat held its bite. It was business as usual in the Nation’s Capital, heat or no heat. People heading home from a long day of work, others were leaving for the night shift and so on. The moon shone bright and proud that night, full and crimson. The Cherry Blossom Festival was still a few days away so there were not many tourists yet. The crimson of the moon illuminated the Sakura trees in the flat streach of grass and trees that was the National Mall. It was as if even the moon knew the blood that was to be spilled that night.....

He ran, running faster than he had ever run in his whole undead life. He was beyond fast, almost seeming to teliport between rows of cherry clossoms. And yet he seemed to not be fast enough to escape his attacker. He caught a glimps of the would be killer. The killer was like something right out of Assassin's Creed. White cowl that covered his face attached to a cloak that drifted around his frame. Hell, he even had one of those retractable daggers under his right wrist. The killer's frame was rather tiny, not so much short and stocky as average hight and fit build. In that moment the killer vanished from his sight. Nothing short of a ghost could escape the sight of a Vampire!

He was panicked now, his running became more human. How could he be afraid? He was a vampire of Shu! He feared nothing! Yet, he did fear his persuer. His vampire speed was gone. He needed to feed, but he could not. He jumped at a shadow to his left. Nothing.
"Get a hold of yourself, Zuo!" He spat at himself. "You should not be jumping at shadows!" He turned as he spoke to himself.
He did not even feel the wrist dagger enter his throat...

KING/S.W.O.R.D HQ, same time.
The Headquarters of King/S.W.O.R.D was massive. It was like a mix between a giant five star hotel, an office building and a mansion. A really really big mansion. It not only housed multiple office rooms and meeting areas, but also large apartments for every member of the organization as well as mission briefing rooms and other areas meant for researching cases.
Sean Greymore Hiruki was in one such room. The Computer Ostentatioutory, as Sean liked to call it anyway since it was basically an ostentatious observatory with computers. It looked much like Mission Control at NASA and was used in a similar way. Sean was the only one in the room. A headache had kept him horizontal for the past two days with very little sleep in between. Since he knew there was no way he would be sleeping, he decided to finish off the paperwork for a case.
Though his warm bed accompanied by his goddess of a wife, Rui , was tempting as hell.

Closing the laptop with a long sigh, his free hand rubbed at the bridge of his nose. By the Gods he wished this headache was gone...

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She awaits in the darkness of the city. This city was her homeland. It was her new Kyoto. She could remember back in the days when she was still a normal kunoichi under Daimyo Tokugawa Ieyasu. She bounded from rooftop to rooftop with skill and grace. She killed her targets with such ease. At least until she came to blows with a dark mage posing as a Shinto Priest....
Sagara Arigatami place her fingers on the eyepatch that covered her right eye. Etched upon the black of the patch was the alchemic symbol for an hourglass. Her eye was not gone, per-se. In fact it worked better than before. But it also showed her horrors that she could not unsee. That damned mage cursed her with a frightening and painful power indeed....

After a moment of silence, Arigatami got a hold of herself and jumped to the next roof. Arigatami wore standard shinobi garbs with he exception of a hood. She had no need to hide her face. She was skilled enough to kill her targets when no one was around to see. She wore two ninjato swords strapped to her lower back just above her ass. Her auburn hair, which fell to her cheeks, flowed in the wind as her crimson left eye blazed like a hawk in search of prey. Her hair was not orginally such a color. She, like all Japanese women, had black hair once. The curse did something to her, changing the very color of her hair and eyes.

There was a sudden flash of steel to her left. Arigatami acted in an instant, unsheathing one of her ninjato and deflecting the incoming blade. The white cowled attacker was three heads taller than she. Granted Arigatami was only 5'4" so there were many who were taller than her.It was her attacker's strength that surprised her, though. He..or she was powerful. Arigatami was almost brought to her knee.
Instead of suffering the embarrassment of falling to a knee, Arigatami fell back. She pushed backward and nearly flew back a few feet.
"Who are you!?" She growled, he glare stong enough to send most grown men running.
The attacker seemed unaffected by both her tone and glare.
"I see" The Cowl said finally. His or her voice was augmented, probably with magic. It made it impossible for Arigatami to figure out is it was a man or woman. The voice sounded...weird. Like it was coming from a shitty old radio from the 40s.
"You are a quick little thing, Ninja." Cowl hissed. The attacker took a few steps away from the ninja. "It would seem I well need a more indirect way to kill you. Farewell" Before Arigatami could stop him, he hopped off the roof and into the street far below. When Arigatami got the the edge where he jumped...Nothing. There was nothing there.
Arigatami did not stay astonished for long. She had to head back to the others and report what had happened.

A young couple ran through a dark alley way, going as fast as they could to escape their attackers. Suddenly the girl tripped over a fallen trash can and slammed into the pavement, her boyfriend turned to help her but screamed when the undead predators appeared beside her and dove on top of her. Tearing her to bits as they drank her blood with unnatural hunger. The man turned to run and slammed into someone, falling onto his ass and staring in fear.

Ashir Fire-Storm was the man he crashed into, under normal circumstances, Ashir would have let this group go. He understand their nature and their need for survival, but they had been killing for the pure thrill of it. Something that disgusted him, the four vampires looked up from their meal, eyes full of murder at Ashir with hunger. "Come now, you lot have been causing so many problems around the city. I'm afraid I have to step in, perhaps you newborns should think better of your mistake next time you kill for the sake of fun!" Ashir said with a flash of anger, the newborns laughed, one of them stood up rubbing blood from his mouth saying, "And what are you going to do about it human?" Ashir's head tilted, "Human?" He said humorously, in an instant and in a spasm of inner pain. Bright flames ripped along his body as his skin turned red, the tattoos burned like the sun and his hair flowed in flamed. Ashir spoke with passion and rage as the fire took over his personality, "I am a Genasi, and I am your doom!" He darted towards the wall kicking off of it, flying down in a backwards flip with his leg aimed for a smashing kick; complete with a field of fire that surrounded his foot. The kick smashed into the skull of one of the vampires, the force of it completely destroying the blood sucker as he exploded into flame and dust.

Two of them darted at Ashir, attempting to catch him off guard, while their speed was greater then his, it would not be enough to defeat him. He quickly dropped to the ground spinning his legs in a wide circle, fire shot out of him in a wide blast that caught the two undead off guard. Giving the same fate as the one before, the final vampire fell to the ground begging. Ashir approached him malevolently and grabbed his neck, kneeling to his face. The vampire was practically squealing in pain from the heat and fear he felt. His voice crackled like fire, "I am Ashir Fire-Storm, find the rest of your kind and tell them to watch their hunger. Or else they will have me to deal with!" He throw the vampire back who turn and ran as fast as he could.

Ashir's fire subsided and he returned to normal, he approached the man he had saved and said, "Next time, don't wander these streets at night." He reached inside of his pocket to find change and was annoyed to find that it had melted, "by the way, happen to have some change?" The man threw out money in fear and ran away, Ashir sighed and picked it up. Heading to a pay phone and dialing the number of Sean, he waited for it to pick up as he listened to the rings...

Dagran was bored as hell could be hot. He had listened to every song in his IPod for at least ten times, and had gotten tired of them. Dagran was also tired of walking, and his wings were tired as well. I need a place to rest. He thought as he walked through Washington D.C. Dagran had gotten a mysterious E-mail a few days before, and had flew as fast as his wings can take him to Washington D.C. However, by the time Dagran had gotten there, it was already past the time he was supposed to meet the mysterious Sean Hiruki. So, Dagran decided to stay the night in Washington and wait for the next day. He was in no rush. The only thing he was worried about is being forced into a situation where his powers must be revealed in order to stay alive.

Dagran checked his watch again. It's already 10 o' clock... I might as well go back to the station where I'm supposed to meet Sean. He started walking to the destination, when he had realized something. "Oh God damnit.... I need a map..." Dagran was lost in the capital once again. At that instant, he heard something like a man screaming for help, and he saw a stranger throw something on the ground and began to run for his life. Near where the stranger had came from was a man who was on fire, and was not fazed by the flames at all. "What the hell?" Dagran thought he was dreaming. No way can there be a man who would act so calmly even though he's on fire. Just then, the flames that had engulfed the mysterious man began to be extinguished, and the man returned to normal. "What. The. Fucking. Hell... WAS THAT?!" Dagran, even though he knew was a demon, panicked at the sight of this and started running blindly. A few minutes later, he saw the white house, and next to it, the bus stop. Now for some answers... Dagran thought as he dashed to his final destination of his trip.

Rui was at infirmary It can be found on the second floor down the hall from the apartments, she was there helping out with the sick and injured as she always did when she had some down time.
She moved from bed to bed helping all that was needed for them and she did not mind the extra work is was doing for King/sword. She was in no rush at the pint and time. " I wonder what time it is right not" she said to her self half asleep and a bit dazed ,as she turned to to look at the clock she triped over her own feet. " I think its time to call it a day" Rui picked her self up and dusted off before she walked out of the infirmary. Her toughts were on her ture love of a man Sean, the one love she had her hole life and she could not be any happer at this point.

Rui returned to their apartment and waited for his return, she slowly cleaned the rooms and made the bed and started to cooking some Rosemary chicken, jasmine rice and steamed carrots for dinner at the same time. Ruin was very good at multitasking and had fun doing so. After about a half an hour she packed it up in two bento boxes and was out the door. "Now where is he " she asked herself looking both ways not sure which way she should go ' Where are you' she thought hoping that he's was listening to her thoughts.

Years of working as a Senate committee aide taught Shadrack Lieffers all he needed to know about the tight schedules that politicians maintained. On any given day they were expected to deliberate, meet, discuss, and otherwise earn their federal paychecks. How one person could juggle so many responsibilities escaped him - so when Senator Michael Clay Trexler requested a meeting in his Dirksen building office, Shad knew he sure as hell better not be late.

Trexler was a personality, that was for sure. Shad still couldn't tell if he liked the man or not. They certainly respected each other, but not quite as equals. To Trexler, Shad was a wiry man with a square chin and curly brown hair who could do a neat parlor trick. To Shad, Trexler was just a broad-shouldered booming voice that made him feel like an object.

The two hadn't spoken face-to-face in months. Trexler bounced back and forth between New Hampshire and Washington DC; email was the only way Shad could get in touch with his handler. Whatever had come up, Trexler must have deemed it too serious to simply write in print.

"Shadrack!" Trexler blared, as the Negator stepped into his office. The Senator crossed the room in one step, enveloping the man in a one-arm hug. "How are you?"

"Can't complain," the blind man removed his dark sunglasses, and folded up his cane. The ruse was off with Trexler, who knew the particulars of his Sight.

At Shad's side was an enormous German Shepherd named Tiberius. Ti was bred to sniff out magic traces in the air, and was assigned to Shad as a partner, not a guide dog, although that was his cover when in public. Ti lay quietly in the corner and rested his head on his paws.

"Sit, sit," Trexler moved back behind his desk. "You're a bright lad. I don't need to pander you. You know why you're here."

"Josh Frenrow?" the Negator arced an eyebrow as he eased himself into the leather seat.

"Nasty business."

Fenrow was a werewolf registered in the DC area. He was one of many advocates for co-existence between vampires and werewolves. The uneasy peace they lobbied for lasted briefly .. until the his untimely murder. The regular media had no idea of his true nature, of course. But Shad, and other key people in the district knew the weight of what they had read.

Shad waited for the other shoe to fall. While Fenrow's death was regrettable, Trexler wouldn't have brought him in just for this one thing.

"No coven is claiming responsibility," Trexler continued. His chair squeaked. "Odd, since those kind do so love attention."

"You smell a set-up?"

"I smell a set-up. Both sides want blood. Not literally, since only .. but yes."

Shad leaned back against his chair. "I don't see what this has to do with me."

"Tensions running high between our nation's two most volatile paranormal factions? What huge event is just about underway in our lovely district, which will bring in tourists from all over the world?"

Shad lifted his chin. He knew this one. He could smell the trees just starting to bloom. "The Cherry Blossom Festival."

"Precisely!" although the Negator could not see it, Shad was sure that Trexlor was beaming so bright, it would dwarf the candle power of the sun.

And that was when Trexler mentioned the letter from King Sword, its open call to action, its unprecedented nature, the time and the place. Shad listened carefully. He did not like where this was going.

"Sean Hiruki .. " Shad said the name slowly. "Who is this guy?"

"You're asking the wrong man," Trexler chuckled. The Senator's chair squeaked once more. "But, evidently, eloquent as a lark. 'There is a war going on' after all. They need you, Shad."

Shad felt a weight in his stomach. "So does everyone."

"Alright, then. Your country needs you!" the Senator said in a way that made it clear this was not a negotiation. "Lending your talents to King Sword is a smart move."

And then a pause.

"The President would consider it a favor."

That card. Shad filled his lungs with air. Ti stirred as well.

"I'll go. I'll listen to them. But I won't promise that I'll do anything."

"Of course you won't!" Trexler boomed, rising to his feet, and it was clear to Shad that he was being dismissed.

Oh how Arigatami hated assassins. She hated when people assumed Ninja and Assassin were the same. They were far from that. She always said, Assassins have targets because they can miss. Shinobi and Kunoichi have no targets ,they had kills. Her good friend, the vampire Liu Fang called them "Deaders" Said he read it in a book once and thought it fit Arigatami. Liu Fang knew her far too well.
Arigatami ran off the roof and jumped into the darkness. The world because black, and yet she could still see where she was heading. That was her power. The shadows were her him...No...She WAS the shadow. She was a Kunoichi., after all. The warrior of darkness. A demon of night. She remembered when she had her home in the wilderness of Boston, back in 1776. She had killed ever Redcoat who dared ever threaten her home. The people outside the wilderness told them not to go in there, for a demon lurked between the shadows of the trees. They never listened....
Arigatami found herself beneath a tree. Damn her wandering thoughts. She accidentally told the darkness to bring her to the forest. Arigatami was about to reach for the darkness once more when she felt a sudden sickness in her stomach. What the hell? She fell to her knees and started coughing violently. It took her a moment to get the coughing under control. I loud ringing in her ears caused a surge of pain in her cursed eye. She looked around and...By the Kami....

It stood tall and thin. A simple black and white suit covered it's Human-like body...but it was no way human. It's face...or, rather, the lack there of, was pure white. There was a feeling of helplessness that Arigatami had never felt before. This was not a simple matter of her opponent being as strong or stronger than her...this was something far different...Far more primal. It just stood there...thing...That nightmare never moved.
Using all the strength she could muster, Arigatami stood up and grabbed the nearest bit of darkness she could find and vanished into it.
It appears she had to the Sean and the others about more than just an assassin....

----------------
Sean stood from his chair and was about to see if Rui was asleep yet, she usually stayed in the Infirmary looking after the wounded , for that was the kind of woman she was, when a sudden energy caused his senses to go wild. The scent of Brimstone and Sulfur entered in his noes as he sensed the magical energy. Said energy was coming from somewhere in the city, but he could not tell were.
Uh oh.
Only two magical beings could make that kind of smell accompany their energy. The Genies of fire, known as Ifrit, or the Ifrit's cousins, The Genasi. The Queen of Ifrit Malika Muhtaal a-NNar (The a-NNar is silent. It means Queen; Trickster of Fire) came into town on a regular basis, but he hoped she did not use her powers in the City Limits. She could burn down a good chunk of DC in seconds.
"Burn" by Deep Purple rang through his cell. It was the ringtone he used for Ashir Fire-Storn, a powerful Genasi. Ah, So that energy came from Ashir.
He picked up his phone. "Ashir! Please do not tell me you just burnt down a part of my city."
As he spoke, he noticed a young man on the security camera monitor. He was standing at the bus stop. Ah. so someone has come to join, eh? Sean grinned a little. If Rui was asleep he would have to wake her. She always liked meeting new recruits. "Listen,Ashir! We got some newbies coming and I want you to meet them with Rui and me, ok?"

Ashir gave a sarcastic laugh while he chewed his finger nails carelessly, looking at some drunks across the street. "Yeah yeah yeahh.. I'll head on down. You better have a bite to eat ready for me, I'm thinking.. Mexican!" He hung up and headed to the King/Sword HQ, passing by the rare pedestrians and traffic on the night streets of D.C. Of course some were vampires but he let them be, finally reaching the HQ; he headed in through the front doors shouting "Mama Sean! I'm home!"

And so after lunch on that cool day in mid-April, Shadrack Lieffers decided he would head over and visit these King Sword people. He told himself it was because he was curious, not because Trexler told him to, but that lie shriveled up pretty quickly after he stepped out of his Georgetown apartment.

Footfalls slowed wherever he went, and he could hear the ssss of people whispering. It used to bother him, but Shad now took it in stride. Ti loped along next to him.

The pair came to a stoplight. Ti fell back on his haunches, tongue lolling out. Cars rushed past. The pedestrian light ticked its countdown. Shad breathed in, breathed out, focused his mind to the clicking.

When he gathered his thoughts like this, he could "see" the shapes blurring. He sensed the hot breath coming from the engines of vehicles. He could make out the shapes of their grills, their hoods, but lost vision towards the rear of every vehicle.

But as they slowed, thinks sunk back into nothing. The light stopped clicking, and a cool male automated voice began chanting: "Go. Go. Go"

If he had to pick a place to go blind in, Washington DC was the place to do it.

There wasn't much he was missing in terms of visuals once he got to Capitol Hill. Sure, the buildings looked neat, but every building was white, or off-white. That was one small comfort. It wasn't too long before Shad knew he was near where he needed to be. He could taste the fumes of the crosstown bus as it rushed by.

Now, we wait! Shad thought to himself, rather dully. He slipped his hands in his pockets. He tried to find something to lean against. Oh God. He hoped someone came soon - or else, it wouldn't be too long before people would be walking up to him and asking if they could help him, the blind man, the invalid.

Not this again ..

Asher had so many responsibilities to take care of. Hiding his identity, killing Immortali... Getting a present for his angelic (literally) girlfriend... But right now he's stuck on his homework. Sure, it's easy. But Asher doesn't even know why the teachers even try... Well, that's what you get for choosin the body of a fourteen year old.

Asher was currently replaying the memories of his 2000 year life in his mind. From beginning to this very moment right now. However, his thoughts were interrupted when he saw a couple getting chased by what would look like hoodlums. A normal human would mistake them for a bunch of teens from a gang. Asher was no normal human. In his eyes, he knew what he was looking at. Vampires. Asher could tell by the way they moved, and his prediction was confirmed when they started feasting on one of the couple. Asher quickly ran to the front door, picked up his keys, and locked himself out of the house and started running to the site. Then Asher felt the temperature rise, like an explosion occurred. But no boom or smoke cloud? Weird. Asher thought as he neared the site. When he got there, no one was around, except for one silhouette running.

Asher chased this man to a bus stop and sighed. I might as well stay hidden an find out what he's waiting for. Asher took out a cell phone, charged it with his lightning manipulation, and called his high school office. With a disguised voice, Asher said to the secratery "Hello? This is Mr. Evans, father of Asher Evans. Our family will be going out of state for a while and Asher can't go to school for a few weeks. Bye." Now that he has an excuse, it's time to see what's going on. Of course, Asher might have to get out of the high school permenantly, since this adventure might take longer than a few weeks.

Of course, Asher's attention would be drawn to anything that would have an abnormal presence. So of course, Asher's presence was drawn to another man waiting somewhere nearby. Asher followed his sixth sense and was led to a blind man with a seeing eye dog. Well... That was anticlimactic. However, Asher had a bad feeling about this man. After all, you never judge a book by its cover, and this guy felt… weird. So, Asher waited behind a building, covered I. Whatever darkness he could find and watched the blind man.

Gracion was walking down the street, messing with her phone and setting up a schedule on her phone. You could see her really concentrating on it because she was always glancing up to make sure she wasn't walking to close to the street or to make sure she wasn't about to bump into someone.

Gracion was a therapist; helping people with their problems and making them feel better about themselves. Though it was not really something she wanted to do, but she learned to deal with it. She was an angel and something made her sense was something wrong she had to just push the feeling away though as she refused to get into whatever it was. She flinched slightly and shoved her phone into her purse as soon as she had her purse zipped up she picked up her pace to her office where she worked. If she didn't hurry then her client would get there before she did and she had already been late several times which made her boss angry with her.

Gracion groaned and jumped when her phone started ringing. She finally stopped to shuffle around in her purse and pull out her phone, glaring at it as she walked, and answering it at the last second.

"Hello?" Gracion said as she answered the phone.

Silence...

"Hello?" Gracion said again.

Yet again there was silence.

"Umm... I'm going to hang up now." Gracion said, finding how no one was answering her but she was positive about one thing. It was that someone was on the other line.

"I know what you are." This was a man's voice, after saying that he hung up.

Gracion's eyes grew wide and she looked over her shoulder, reaching back to massage where her wings where, and then slowly calling her clients to cancel as she quickly made her way home. Something like that is something you can't get over; no one was supposed to know she was an angel. It wasn't for some kind of religious reason but it was because she didn't want anyone to know. She thought people couldn't handle, that if they did know they would try to hurt her or do something to her. At each thought, she went from walking quickly to sprinting like her life depended on it, maybe it did, but how would she know. She kept running, not even looking where she was going because her gaze was focused on her phone and sometimes they were even focused on her hands. She turned down an alley and suddenly stopped, looking up from her phone and around the alley. She finally lifted her phone to her ear because she had called her boss. "I'm taking a vacation." She said then hung up without another word. She stayed close to the wall as she slowly made her way down the alley and prying that she was going the right way since she did just take random directions and hoping that she was going the right way to her house.

Rui headed to the one place she could get away from it all, she went there on a normal bases to clear her head." Let my song fill the hearts of those in need ... Let my song bring you peace and joy to your day" she closed her eyes and began to sing a happy melody that filled the air with a warmth and cheerfulness the was infectious to all who heard it. The song carried on the wind to those how listen with not just with their ears. When she was finished she at on the edge of the building. " it's a long way down" She said looking around town and all the people and cars flying by. Rui phone began to ring so answers it." yes"

" Ms. Hiruki .... Its the front desk "

" why hello is there something I can help you with" she asked kindly

" no..I... I" the girl tripped over her words " I just wanted to let you know we are going to have to new comers in soon'

Rui stood up and smiled " really goodness .. I need to get ready" Be for the girl could say anything Rui hung up the phone, she headed down the stairs with a full speed run. As she ran down the steps she speed dialed Sean " hey ... Is it true .... We are getting some newbie's here at King/ Sword?" she asked as she jumped down a flight of stairs and another.



((this is about what she is singing))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a40hxQq82NI

Malrin walked down the dark alleyway. she didn't want to be here, it was cold but she could handle it. she was paranoid, she had just declined an offer of buying meth, and now the dealers were angry. she kept her PB-3 pistol at her side, just in case she was followed. Marlin looked up into the sky, and she saw nothing but clouds. she hated it here in the city, she couldn't see the beautiful stars, and the moon that shone whenever she stepped outside in Greenland, near the southern coast where all the population lived. she had almost exited the alleyway when a sound behind her made her jump, and she twisted around, hand flying to her pistol holster. she saw 5 guys walking up to her, and she recognized them as the meth dealers.

"damn it leave me alone! and back away, or ill shoot!" Malrin yelled as she pulled out her pistol, and she heard laughing as they pulled out their own guns, and Malrin started to run, but there were 2 people behind her, blocking the exit to the alleyway

"dont worry there lil missy. we wont hurt ya, we're just gonna RAPE YA!" one of the dealers yelled, and Malrin had no choice but to shoot them. she aimed at the 2 guys behind her, and killed them without trouble, then whirled around and shot 2 before she was getting shot at. she ran out the exit of the alleyway, and hid behind the wall. she leaned out and shot one more before she heard yelling and running. she leaned back out, and shot the last 2 before they got away. she ran into the alleyway, and looted the bodies, gaining a whopping 5 grand in cash. she smiled and walked to her apartment, grabbing all the men's guns, and knives, to add to her collection. tonight was a frightful, but good night.

Every time a bus rattled by, the cascading sonic waves gave Shadrack "sight" of a figure across the street, standing at slight attention, facing his direction. This went on for almost an hour. The blind man knew he was being watched.

Ti nosed his thigh; the German Shepherd had seen it as well.

"Nothing to do but wait," Shad muttered. April nights were still a bit chilly. He drew his jacket closer to him.

A tiny piece of Shad was insulted. He knew that was a nonsensical feeling - he knew that was just the product of spending too much time with Trexler. The Senator had a way of making someone feel especially buoyant, so important that there simply was no way they could do anything other than what Trexler wanted. In Shad's case, the Senator had made him feel incredibly important as the United States' only fully qualified and active Negator.

"The President is enormously proud of your progress," was his favorite trick, taking her name in vain as though an oath.

The result was a slight disappointment in King Sword's treatment of him so far. Why hadn't they sent a car? Sent someone to usher him to their office? Instead he was waiting cold and bored outside of a bus stop, within a sniper rifle shot from the White House pavilion.

But there was still that man, that fellow watching. Shad slowed his breathing, trying to extend his Sight. It was difficult, though - the more a subject is moving, the easier it is for the Negator to see it. But the man wasn't moving.

Come on .. Shad shivered just slightly. He wondered if the chill was more than just the weather. I don't got all night.

Fortunately, Asher has a lot of patience, which was obtained for living for a few thuosand years. However, he is starting to get bored. Come on... Asher thought to himself. No one waits outside for someone in the cold unless it is a seriously important occasion... That or you're just waiting for you're girlfriend, one who you are seriously devoted to. Asher mentally sighed.

He stood still, like a statue, for... Aw crap... what time is it? Suddenly Asher felt the cold wind hitting against his clothes. Luckily, Asher was practically immune to temperature, due to his manipulation of fire and ice. However, Asher was tired, mentally. The teachers at the high school are trying to make him get an F, even after all those tests and assignments the handed to him to do during class. Then the homework. They always pull off a hundred essay or something at him for every subject. Those teachers are way too persistent. They need to let go.

Usually what happens in these occasions is that Asher's mind would drift off to some random memory... And the one chosen this time was his view of the Incident at Honnō-ji.

Malrin was almost at her apartment. it was a big apartment, 10 stories. she lived on the 4th. she was almost there when she thought of something in her past. she was just standing there next to an old bar she remembered. the first bar her parents had brought her to. she remembered her first drink of alcohol. she hated it. she spit it out when she first tasted it. she smiled as she remembered her dad, laughing and rolling on the ground. i loathed him that day, but i couldn't stay mad at him for long. Malrin walked on, and looked behind her once more at the old bar.

Malrin was almost at her apartments when he saw a man standing at a bus stop. she sensed something odd in that man, but she couldn't put her finger on it. she almost walked away from him when she noticed something spark from his hand, and she stared wide eyed at the man because she just noticed that he was an enhanced human. she tried to act casual, but she tripped, and 5 handguns went sprawling out of her pocket. she yelped and tried to pick them all up. when she had finally concealed all of them, she hoped that the man hadn't seen her. what a fat chance that was.

Asher ran through the flames as fast as he could. He had to stop Nobunaga Oda from comitting suicide. Why? That means there will be one more powerful Devil's Immortali. It would be a matter of time before... Shit! I can't see! Asher was under the infuence of dark manipulation. He can't see anything at all. He was too late. However, Nobunaga was not that strong. He could still hear the floors creak where he stepped. Immediately, Asher calmed himself down and drew his sword. He could hear the wind being split by Nobunaga's sword, and Asher slashed at that direction. Nobunaga tried again, and again, and again. However, Asher intercepted each attack. Nobunaga tried one last time, but then Asher sensed another person. Eva. She drew her own sword and stabbed Nobunaga from behind, turning him into ashes. At that moment, Asher could see again, but at this moment, it was infused with another memory.

This time, Asher was on the floor, bleeding. Eva laid him on her lap as she cried and tried to heal him, but to no avail. In the background stood a clone of himself, Dark Asher. He had black hair and crimson red eyes. Dark Asher is the exact opposite, and he is standing with a bloody knife in his hand. "Damn.... You...." was all Asher could say before everything turned to black.

Asher woke up as soon as the dream ended. Damn... There I go again with my memories.... Asher thought as he tried to find the man again. Eventually he did, along with a girl who had dropped five handguns. Oh. Like that's not suspicious. Asher started walking toward the girl, his sword sheathed in something that resembles a walking stick. Asher walked up to the woman and tapped her on the shoulder. "Hello? Ma'am? I couldn't help but notice the five handguns you have there." To anyone else but him, Asher was in a coat, jeans, and white sneakers. His hair had also turned black instead of white, but Asher decided to keep his eye color.

Malrin looked at the man, and cussed under her breath. "please dont tell anyone, i was about to be mugged by a bunch of meth dealers, and i didn't have time to hide the bodies." Malrin said. she looked the man up and down, and saw a cane under his coat. probably a weapon of some sort. she tried to stay cool but she couldn't, and trembled. "look, i know what you are. you are an enhanced human. my name is malrin" she said under her breath as she waited for the man to reply, she automatically saw an image of 2 police officers finding the 12 bodies, and calling it in. she had these flash-ins frequently, like what someone was ordering for lunch, and what other people she saw were doing at the moment. she could also look into the past of other peoples minds, but that left a sensation in their heads. and this enhanced human might be able to feel that and fend her off, but she tried anyway. she probed into the mans mind, but the man blocked her out. Malrin moved her hand to her PB-3 pistol just in case stuff got dirty, and waited for the man to reply.

as Malrin was waiting, she had another flash-in.
"sir, we have found 12 bodies in an alleyway, all shot directly in the heart, two of them through the back. they looked to be meth dealers." an officer said. "well, we will send 2 more squadrons there, and some bloodhounds to sniff the killer, or killers, out." the radio replied, and 2 minutes later, more police came and identified the bodies. 2 bloodhounds came out, and started sniffing. after 5 minutes, they couldn't find anything, because Wood elves dont have a scent. so they got body bags for the 12 pot dealers, and left back for the station for a synopsis.

As soon as Asher saw her face, Asher knew that the stranger was no ordinary woman. Luckily for her, Asher wasn't a police officer. "Look, i know what you are. you are an enhanced human. my name is Malrin" Malrin's voice was not steady at all. "Hello Malrin... My name is... Asher... Asher Evans." Asher held his hand out for her to use it to get up. "Don't worry. I won't tell anyone. People like meth dealers are the reason why I have nearly lost faith in humanity." His icy blue eyes started to glow faintly. Asher could also feel it, so he hid the sight to anyone but Malrin and he. Damn.... Someone's near... Asher thought. Someone not normal... Is it her? Probably.

At that moment, he felt someone trying to get into his memories, so he blocked that person out. Asher felt the source coming from Malrin. "Who... No, what are you?" Asher asked.

"hello there, Asher. sorry, its just a habit i have, trying to get into others heads." she brought her voice down to a low whisper. "i am a wood elf, one of the only few left in the world. my name is." Malrin looked around, and saw a police car headed their way, and Malrin quickly looked back at Asher, and said to him "those cops are looking for anyone suspicious. im glad that their bloodhounds cant track our scent, lest we even have a scent. but they can sense whenever someone is near the suspect, and that cop car has a bloodhound in it. if we dont hide soon, they will find us. quickly, into my apartment, we need to stay safe, or else they will get suspicious" and she went into her apartment.

and at that moment, Malrin had a flash in, but she blocked it out of her head. it flew out and bounced on the edge of her memory, seeming to whimper for attention. Malrin had went into the apartment whether the man was following her or not. they got into her apartment, and Malrin saw all her sword, dagger, dirk, crossbow, bow, and gun collections along the high class apartment wall. she took out all the guns, and looked them over. they were all crappy street pistols, she had 5 of them, now 15. she looked at the dining room, and took out her huge wad of 5 grand, looking it over. she saw Asher looking at her, and she frowned. "all these pot addicts on the street who buy that stuff. here, ill give you some." and he gave Asher 2 grand. she looked into her living room, and almost forgot about the Flash in on the edge of her memory. she let it in, and it flew into her head like an arrow:
There was a cop in a car, and he was driving down one of the main roads, looking for anybody suspicious, when he saw a girl walking down the street, and she tripped. 5 things flew out of her sweatshirt, and she quickly picked them up. he was about to get out and help her when a man came and talked to her. the officer couldn't hear them, but he imagined he was asking what was in her sweatshirt, and the girl looked back at the cop car, and quickly looked back and said something to the man he couldn't make out. "we've got suspicious activity on 5th boulevard, im gonna go check it out." the officer talked into his radio, and the 2 went into the apartments behind them. the officer got out, and went to check it out.

Asher watched Malrin run away. He didn't realize why she ran until the sirens of a copcar rang in his ears. Asher quickly ran to Malrin's side, quickly changing back to his 18 year old self. Damn it... If she told me I could've made the illusion that we weren't there. He turned around to see the cop car stop behind him, and Asher immediately ran inside, but not before placing a tag on the ground. That tag was a Dark Tag. Once Asher activates it, the tag would make the surrounding targets unable to see him or anyone he wishes. And it was MUCH more efficient than frag grenades. He ran upstairs to find the motherload of all weapons. "Jesus, what do you keep in here? This is where you live, not where the weapons live!" Asher muttered as he looked around. There were crossbows, daggers, swords, various types of guns, and the like. When Malrin handed Asher 2 grand, Asher turned it down. He then took from under his robe, which was not disguised anymore, gold, silver, Yen, Continentals, old one dollar coins, and more in just one pile in his hand. "I have enough."

Malrin looked at Asher, and got surprised when he turned down the money. she shrugged and put all her money into a safe box. she got worried from her Flash-in encounter, and grabbed her special knife from her pocket. she tested its magical capabilities, loving the rush of speed she got from it. she swung up and down, did some martial arts, and almost forgot that Asher was here.

it was late, and she needed to get some supper into her. knowing that Asher had placed a Dark Tag, she calmed down. she got up, and decided it was not dafe for Asher to go back out there, he had been seen, and he needed to stay for a little bit. "you can touch the weapons if you want, they cant harm me, so you couldn't kill me with them even if you wanted to." she said, and decided to hand Asher her most prized possession, her modified MK-14. it was sleek, elegant, and barely ever missed its shot. "you are going to need to stay here for a little bit, those cops saw you, and the man in there probably would have shot you if you didn't place down that Dark Tag. that was a risky thing you did back there." and Malrin turned on the television, which she didn't use often, but went to the news. nothing of her act was on the news. yet. she asked if Asher wanted any food, and made some regardless his answer. she didn't eat often, but tonight she just needed to eat. that was probably the most riskiest thing she could have done. "wait here, im going to go take off this sweatshirt, watch the soup for me. and dont do any of that fancy sparky hand charge your phone thingy, and she went into her bedroom to change her clothes, after she closed the door

As soon as Malrin had left the room, Asher sat on one of the chairs and looked at the custom MK-14. He examined it, every last part. Of course, Asher didn't take it apart, but he would if he owned it. Soon after, Asher had felt sleepy again and closed his eyes. A memory flashed once again. This time, it was his first encounter of an Immortalis. Asher didn't care if Malrin tried going in again. In fact, he'd be happy if she knew what had happened to him.

Asher came out of his own house to see what the noise was about. What he saw were houses being burned down, innocent people being slaughtered, and his friends bloody and on the floor. Asher quickly ran to Eliza and Aero and shook then. "Eliza! Aero! Wake up! Please!" Asher felt tears in his eye, but he saw through them nonetheless.

Eliza then opened her eyes at the slightest bit. She whispered "Behind you." Before dying. Asher turned around, but it was too late. The commander saw him as a target and had chosen him to add to the death count. Asher couldn't feel the broadsword ripping through his chest.

as Marlin finished getting dressed, she saw that Asher had fallen asleep on her chair. she giggled a little, picked him up, and placed him on the couch. she turned off the television, and finished making her soup. she ate, and with that done, noticed Asher twitching, and moaning. Malrin had an evil thought, prod his mind while he was asleep. it would be much harder for him to resist, and she was also worried for the man.

As Malrin went over to the man on the couch, she had another flash in, but set it aside for later. Malrin went into her trance as she entered Asher's mind, and saw what he was having a vision of, or dreaming,

Asher came out of his own house to see what the noise was about. What he saw were houses being burned down, innocent people being slaughtered, and his friends bloody and on the floor. Asher quickly ran to Eliza and Aero and shook then. "Eliza! Aero! Wake up! Please!" Asher felt tears in his eye, but he saw through them nonetheless.

Eliza then opened her eyes at the slightest bit. She whispered "Behind you." Before dying. Asher turned around, but it was too late. The commander saw him as a target and had chosen him to add to the death count. Asher couldn't feel the broadsword ripping through his chest.

Malrin gasped as she was thrown out of Asher's head. she had just seen what she categorized as a horror watch. she quickly let in the Flash-in, more to block out the images of Ashers dream, if that hell could be considered a dream. the Flash-in wasnt even worth seeing, just a police report on her actions she had already seen. Malrin looked at Asher, and saw that man asleep on her couch. Malrin smiled, and went to her bedroom to go to sleep, but not before turning off the lights.

Asher quickly woke up after the first memory. There was no way in hell, heaven, or earth he would relive that again. Asher woke up to see the lights were off. I might as well check up on Malrin. After all. She owes me. Asher silently walked to the window first. More officers had arrived. Great... Now I have to do this. Asher snapped his fingers, then locked the police officers' memories of way they are here in the first place. Asher watched them walk around a little then returned to their cars.

Asher then opened the door to Malrin's room and peeked in. My... She actually looks cute when she's sleeping. Asher, being the mischievous person sometimes, decided he should return the favor this time, and enter her dreams... Well, when its supposed to be over at least.

Malrin was dreaming about her father, This was a new memory she had never remembered

"Luje, where were you today?" Marlins father asked his wife, Malrin's mom. "i was at the store. i was walking in the cold, when i heard an orca whale pass by in the ocean beyond. it was beautiful." Luje sighed. "Hey dad! can we go outside to see more orcas?" Malrin asked. "sure we can, are you cold?" Malrin shook her head, and put her shoes on. this was back when she was only 50 years old. as they went outside, Malrin jumped in the snow. her Father laughed. "now now, we dont want you to freeze out here, lets go to the ocean." her father said, and they walked hand in hand along the enge of Greenland's coast. Malrin's father looked out along the icy coast, and sang the orcas song. it was deep and throaty, but the reply was more majestic than Malrin could ever imagine. after her father stopped the calling, Malrin saw 5 orcas come up and greet them on the edge of the water. Malrin's father touched their heads, and then moaned a tune, and the orcas went back down into the water.

the 2 of them were there for 20 minutes, when something weird happened. the next orcas that Malrin's father called had not surfaced, but bumped the ice under them, which made it crack slightly. and then, without warning, an orca burst out of the water, and fell onto the ice, breaking it, and making Malrin and her father fall into the water. Malrin screamed, and her father had grabbed the edge of the ice, but slipped off. Malrin was lucky enough to have fallen onto a hunk of ice, but her father had fallen straight into the water. "FATHER!!!!!!!" Malrin screamed.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOO!" Malrin screamed when she woke up, and fell of the bed, and ran into the bathroom. she vomited into the toilet then, and did that 5 more times before she stumbled back her bed, but stumbled and fell onto the floor half way back. she cried on the floor, not wanting to get up. "Father, why? WHY!!" she sobbed. She saw Asher, and looked up at him. "you saw, didn't you? you saw what horror i had in my dream?" she cried again, and picked herself up to fall into Asher's arms, and fainted.