Yohji hated working late, but the shipment of the ancient Egyptian artifacts (which contained a rather large collection of gold pieces) still needed to be inventoried and secured. They had arrived later than expected to the Museum. He only had three more pieces to go, but even with the help he was getting he knew it would still take most of the night.

Yohji was right. The inventory didn’t get done until early morning, two or two-thirty, and the securing lasted until about four. It was just him and Kohaku all the others had left and the older man had stayed to offer Yohji help. Now they were walking down stairs talking quietly about the artifacts and there significance and beauty. Kohaku stated he wanted to help arrange the exhibit for the showing. Once on ground level Yohji turned walking over to the security system to set the alarm leaving Kohaku by the door. Yohji sighed blinking his dry eyes as he punched in the codes.

Suddenly Yohji heard a grunting and a low whine behind him. He turned in time to see Kohaku clutch his chest and fall to his knees. Yohji started, dropping his keys and taking a step, he was stopped, however, by a light and a warm gust of wind.

The light started out dull then it crescendoed to a brilliant blue, it shimmered then seemed to burst. In it’s wake it left behind a rainfall of glittering stars and as the stars faded a being was standing, it’s back to Yohji. The being turned, looking down at Kohaku and now the profile could be seen. Yohji let out a breath slowly, the view was breathtaking.

The being was a man, tall and dignified. He had an air of regality and a faint glow emanated from his body even though it was still dark and the man himself was wearing black clothing. Black leather knee length boots were covered slightly by his long sleeve fitted coat. The coat was thick and it had a stiff high collar and tiny buttons ran from the base of the collar down to the bottom of the coat. Around his waist was a leather scabbard and the coat flared gently beneath it. He had dark metal gauntlets covering his hands and thick steel and leather vambraces on his forearms. Over his shoulders he had more armor, rounded dark metal with leaf and vine etching throughout. The man’s hair, a crimson color with orange and brunette low lights, was woven together in a smooth french braid that lay at the small of his back and even in the darkness of the room his striking amethyst eyes could be seen. In his right hand he carried a sword and in his left a large glass sphere.

Yohji watched in fascination as Kohaku stood, somehow leaving behind a limp shell on the floor and walked to stand before the being. The Angel of Death Yohji thought with a shiver. Kohaku’s soul was different, it didn’t look quite like him. It had wide clear eyes and there were no creases of worry or pain. He looked peaceful.

Yohji observed the angel lifting his glass ball his face never changing emotion as he reviewed the pictures within. The angel lowered his hand and spoke, his voice was deep and silky, " Your life is tarnished, however, you are human and such is your curse. None the less, your faith is strong," the angel returned his sword to the scabbard on his side, " So you shall come with me."

Great wings unfurled, spreading and rising to stretch. Yohji never noticed them before for they are black and blended well with his coat. Once fully opened the angel outstretched his right hand and Kohaku stepped into the angel’s embrace. The angel closed his eyes briefly as he muttered, " Fear not child," then the right wing wrapped itself about Kohaku’s body, shielding him from sight the left wing tucked back behind him, once again blending into the fabric of the coat.

The angel turned and his eyebrows rose once he laid eyes on Yohji. Yohji took a deep breath and proceeded to walk closer. The angel’s brows furrowed as he watched the human approach him. Yohji was now inches from the angel and he was surprised he was actually a little taller than the spiritual being. He had seemed so majestic viewing him from his former place a few feet away.

The angel didn’t speak, but started to fade before Yohji’s eyes. Yohji frowned and realized he didn’t want him to disappear from his side. Thinking quickly and a little recklessly he reached forward and flicked the glass ball from the angel’s grasp. The angel’s features turned dark, jaw muscles clenching and eyes narrowing. They remained that way as his form faded away to take Kohaku Home.