Meeting the Kamodos - Chapter 1

I remember when I first met the Kamodo brothers. Small, pathetic runts as they where. But already then, they had potential for becoming skilled thieves and assassins... the assassin part would come later of course, after future events that would change their lives forever.

I remember walking down the street one day, in deep thoughts of my latest bargain at the company I am the CEO* of, when I heard the sound of small feet following me. I did not pay any attention to it however, because the part of town I was walking through, was with the shopping district with its many areas for malls and arcades for children and teenagers. Which is probably why I didn't expect to suddenly have a small hand grasp at my wallet in my coat-pocket. With a surprised snarl, I spun and grabbed the wrist of the culprit and brought a hand to my sword, lifting him up to disconnect his arm from his socket. Seeing it was only a child, I hesitated of course. The boy I had grabbed, was strange in appearance. Pale as milk and with unusual features, he sprawled like an eel, his eyes that were a bloodred crimson where wide in shock. Clearly not the little culprit who was used to get caught.

"Well well... seems like I caught a little rat..." I smirked.

When it comes to pocket-thieves, I'm used to various things. Breaking their arms (sometimes ripping it clean off, but only if they are adults and I know they deserve it..my kind has a way of scenting if they are exactly the kind of person in need of that kind of punishment), having them kick and scream at me to let them go... But certainly not always partners in crime. A small figure, the same size as the boy I held, came running undoubtly to aid the other one.

With an angry yell, he pounced, leapt up to grab hold of my arm, and I'll be damned if he didn't bite me! I roared in surprise more than pain, and of course it made me slack my grip as instinct always tells you to grasp at and inspect your injury.. there had been no skin broken however, but the white boy I had first grapped slipped out of my grasp and landed, and imediately they both took off running. *With* my wallet! Now that sort of thing? It has a tendensy to piss me off!

Few people had been paying attention to us, and the racket we created. What is afterall, another pocket-thief? Had I sliced off the brats arm it would have been completely different of course. But I hadn't and I did not regret it now as I have no habit of harming children, but I did not let it slow me down.

With a low growl I set off after them, as fast as I could. They where of course, easy to follow, both dressed in dirty, ragged clothes, but the boy I had grabbed with his white skin, was a beacon through the shadows in the alleys they ran through to escape from me. I wonder at times how they would have pulled it off, if they had been experienced with my kind and the superior senses we possess?

At one point, they almost got away from me when they tipped over a large container with trash. I admit I can be a bit vain, so it took me about ten minutes to edge around the filthy, for not mention stinking bags of trash in my way, but I didn't let it bother me once I was through. Stopping a moment, I looked around for a clue that would tell me what had become of the boys. Closing my eyes I concentrated, allowing my vampiric nature to seek for me. I could smell blood... from rats...a homeless nearby... a stray dog.... There! Identical, two young boys... I set off at once, and it didn't take me long to catch up.

When I found them, they where on their way over a wired fence, and catching sight of me made them quicken their pace. With a grim smirk, I quickly stalked forward and snatched out, grabbing them both by their necks and peeled them right off the fence. As they sprawled and kicked, one snarling in defense and the other whining in panic, I took one step and pinned them up against the wall.

"Now..." I said calmly, as they stopped struggling, both of their young bodies heaving for breath. "I believe you got something that belongs to me...."

Both the boys looked at me with mixed expressions as I held them against the wall, my grip slowly tightening around their young throats. Ahh, it would be so easy to just rip out their young jugulars. But I do not kill children. It is unhonorable. Besides, there was something about these two boys...

I slowly drifted my gaze from one boy to the other, from the white to the black-haired. Studying them, as their breaths began to wheeze the more my hands tightened.

The white one was terrified. His eyes were wide, small drops of sweat on his brow like tiny pearls. The pupils in his eyes where small and he was trembling. The clear view of a child, knowing he was going to die.

The other one... when my eyes looked into his, I saw anger. Clear and bright like the jade of his eyes. It had been there for a long time I could tell. For how long I do not know and I will probably never know. Ah, but still, this anger was refreshing. A faint flicker was all, and the boy's eyes looked briefly at his brother.

"Kill me but let him go." he whispered, his young voice hoarse from the tight grip around his throat.

"I beg your pardon?" I purred dangerously.

"We angered you, sir." The boy wheezed. "It's only fair we're punished.. but please... let my brother go.. I pushed him into trying to take your wallet..."

Both boys landed with a hard *ungh* when I released them. I placed my hands in my hips and regarded them both with an arched brow. They both coughed for breath, before the white one quickly, in a panicked moment, threw my wallet at my feet.

"Now that is quite a gesture from such a young boy such as yourself." I said, not picking it up. "But I must say..." I shook my head. "You are good! I didn't hear you.." I looked at the white boy. "Until you had taken my wallet! The last thief who tried to rob me ended with his neck snapped, and his corpse disposed of in a dumpster. Buuuut, that kind of technique can be made better." A smirk crawled over my lips.

"And you have come to the right man who can teach you such techniques." I bended down, grabbed the boys and pulled them to their feet.

"My name is Azrael Argentum. From now on, consider yourselves my students."
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"Wow..." Kai, the white-skinned child whispered as we approached my mansion. I own one of the largest mansions in Shadow City in the finer quarters, and I couldn't help but smirk at the boy's astonished look. Lee, Kai's brother, could only look in silent wonder. I knew from the first moment he would become one of my greatest students. Who knew what the future would bring?

A servant and a maid appeared the moment the door opened and I calmly motioned for the boys to step inside. Alphonse, the servant, has been in my service for 23 years and he has always been used to my quirks, ever since the time of his former master, my stepfather. Young Nanette on the other hand, had only been here for three and she was still a nervous little lamb. There is no doubt she had a crush on me, and I knew from the moment she lay her eyes on the boys, she would love them like her own children.

"Alphonse, Nanette." I said, and Alphonse bowed while Nanette curtsied. "I have a job for you both. Alphonse, ready a room for these two boys. See to that if they need anything, you will require it, and find something suitable for them to wear. Something boys their age run wild in, to relax in. And something good to train in as well. Nanette. Run a bath for them to get cleaned up, as gods know they obviously need it! Then go prepare a meal for them. They are skinnier than a piece of black thread."

"Yes sir." They both said.

"Kai, Lee." I told the boys. "Follow Nanette and get yourselves washed up. Take all the time you need. Alphonse will show you your room where you can get some dinner. Understood?"

"Yes sir..." the twins responded, and Nanette ushered them up the stairs to the first floor. I myself headed for my library.

"Master Argentum..."

"Yes Alphonse?" I responded, stopping briefly.

"For how long do you intend to keep these children?"

I turned my head and looked at him, then gave a calm smile.

"Until they are men, Alphonse." That was all that Alphonse needed to know and he went up the stairs himself while I headed for the library.

Calisto, an incubus I keep around as a lover and a pet, was resting in front of the fire in the library on a divan. At the sight of my entrance he perked to attention, but I waved him off.

"I am not in the mood for playing right now, Calisto. I have work to do." And with that, I settled at my desk. Calisto said nothing. Like Alphonse, he has been with me for a few years now and knows my quirks. I had work to do, he was not to disturb me and that was it.
 
Indeed I had work to do. How much it would be however, I had yet to know.

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 Calisto is originally created and (C) to Anonshi

* Azrael is the CEO of Argentum Corp, a well known company that produces both medicine and weapons.