Tokyo Japan- 1991
Kaji was tired. The flight from London had been hell. Golden hair and brilliant blue eyes had danced in his mind for thirteen hours. Turbulence hadn't helped either. There had been a little blonde haired boy in a window seat who had done nothing but cry. Kaji needed several aspirin and a bottle of sake. Narita was jam packed, as usual. At least he wouldn't be having problems in customs. Being a Japanese citizen did have some perks. Kaji pulled out a pair of dark sunglasses and put them over his bloodshot eyes. He really didn't want to deal with his father tonight. Or actually today, with the time change. He picked up his bags and headed for the nearest cab. What he needed right now was a clean room and sleep.
He paid for several days, and asked for the housekeepers to ignore the room. He slept, dreamlessly, deeply, for the entire two days. Kaji woke up feeling much better, and more ready to take on the world. He pulled a suit out of his bag. He hadn't worn a suit in four years. Actually he only had this one left, the rest had been thrown out or sold. He almost growled at the thought of stuffing himself inside one again. He had never wanted to return to days of behind trapped in a tiny cubicle with a too tight necktie and a suit that never seemed to fit across the shoulders. But fate seemed to have a sense of humor. Either that or fate just liked to torture him. Kaji pulled on the old suit, not surprised at all at how tight it was. He paid for another day's use of the hotel room on his way out the door.
Hikaru Incorporated looked exactly the same. The building was an old fashioned skyscraper. Kaji doubted it would last through even a tiny earthquake. He walked through the lobby slowly, grimacing at the tacky furniture and the subservient female receptionist. This place had always been locked in the past. The lobby was practically deserted, the building deadly quiet. Kaji felt like he was in a tomb. He pressed the up button for the elevator, chuckling a bit when the light didn't change. The elevator dinged once and the doors slid open slowly with a loud creaking sound. Kaji looked at the dingy interior and headed for the stairs.
Sixty floors until he reached the top. Not a huge building by any means, just adequate. Kaji moved up the stairs swiftly, his breathing slowly speeding up. He had missed his morning exercises. The impromptu stair climb would have to work. He pushed all his nervousness out, attempting to clear his mind and soul. He concentrated completely on putting one foot in front of the other, lost in the physical action. And then the climb was over.
He opened the doorway and stepped into the lobby. Everyone immediately became silent. Kaji ignored the stares. He looked up at the wall on the right. There his picture was, right beside his father's. Probably still up by his grandfather's request. Kaji allowed a small smile. Always locked in the past. Obsessed with honor and family tradition. Kaji didn't believe in tradition. He headed for the executive office, past the rows of staring employees. His father wouldn't have changed much in four years. He'd still be at his desk at eight, and stay there until noon. And Kaji wasn't one to hesitate or wait patiently. The time had come to confront his demons.
He didn't knock. Kaji turned the knob, knowing it wouldn't be locked, and moved into the outer office. His father still had the same ancient secretary, pecking away at an antiquated typewriter. She looked up and her eyes went wide. Kaji put a finger to his lips. The woman's face remained white but she made no move to warn Kaji's father. Kaji opened the door quietly. His father's chair was turned toward the window.
"I knew you'd come back." The voice was soft, cultured. Kaji stood in front of the desk, his hands clasped behind his back. His father turned around slowly in the chair. The man's steel gray eyes were hidden behind gold-rimmed glasses. His hair was almost as long as Kaji's, but black. Kaji continued to stand, waiting silently.
"You've grown, I see." His father stood slowly. Kaji was now much taller than his father, a fact that seemed to surprise both of them. The older man circled like a hawk. Kaji didn't falter. He hardly even breathed.
"I hope you've grown as much in spirit as you have in body. I told you that one-day you'd return. Your grandfather even named the day." Kaji stared straight ahead. He felt a strange conflict of shame at having to return, and warmth from the familiar surroundings. Kaji had never intended to return, and yet somewhere in his heart, he had missed this place. He had missed his cantankerous, locked in the past grandfather and his stern, over demanding father. Kaji's father smiled slowly, the man's body relaxing. He chuckled.
"Your grandfather isn't as forgiving as I am, and he won't be as easy to win over. I'm grateful to see you've come to your senses." Kaji winced a bit at the gloating in his father's tone. "Welcome home. Here's the key to your old office. I'll expect you to get a suit that fits, and enroll in some classes to finish the degree you abandoned. Dinner is at seven. Don't be late." Kaji's father moved back behind his desk and sat down. "You're dismissed." Kaji's momentary burst of warmth faded under his father's cold mask. Kaji bowed stiffly and left the room.
Kaji was being haunted. He rolled over on his old bed, the past still conspiring to defeat him. He could hear his father moving around in the early morning light. All Kaji could think of was a golden haired angel. This was the third night in a row he'd spent locked in erotic, sweaty dreams. He hadn't slept since he had left the hotel. Kaji groaned and stood up. Exercise would help, he hoped. He pulled on a robe and moved through the quiet house and into the garden.
His grandfather was sitting on a bench, eyes closed tightly. The morning sun was filtering through the leaves of a cherry tree behind the old man. Kaji bowed politely to his grandfather.
"Good Morning, Grandfather." The man acted as though he hadn't been spoken to. Kaji sighed and move to and open grassy area, taking his opening stance. Kaji moved through his exercises, mind focusing inward, and outward. He felt the fatigue and lust slowly draining away. He felt his grandfather's eyes, but Kaji ignored the careful scrutiny and concentrated on his form. He finished the exercises and bowed again to his grandfather. The old man averted his eyes. Kaji sighed loudly and headed for the kitchen. His grandfather took the idea of a grudge to new heights.
"Good morning, Father." The older man was reading the newspaper. He looked up and frowned.
"Have you gotten a new suit yet?" Kaji stifled a groan. The man really needed to step out of the past. Kaji nodded slowly and grabbed a bag of coffee from the cupboard. He'd acquired a taste for the stuff in London. His father scowled. "You should drink tea." Kaji shrugged and continued brewing the thick black stuff.
"Coffee is stronger." He sat down at the western style table across from his father. This was the only room in the house western style. The chrome refrigerator and tacky cupboards looked like they stepped out of and old 50's TV show. Kaji felt a smile creep across his face. He could just imagine his angel in a yellow dress and apron, singing to herself as she tried to bake a cake, failing miserably and burning down the house in the process. A low chuckle escaped Kaji's lips. His father glanced over the paper.
"Something amusing?" The man's eyes narrowed at the faraway look on Kaji's face.
"No, just thinking about something." Kaji closed his eyes for a moment. Now she was haunting him while he was awake as well as asleep. Kaji leaned back and sipped at his hot liquid. The house, the way his father and grandfather dressed, the Hikaru building. They were hopelessly trapped in the past. And from the papers he'd looked over yesterday, the company was too. Kaji gritted his teeth. There wasn't any way the two would let him change things. But he'd make suggestions every chance he got. A ray of sunshine dropped across the table. Kaji closed his eyes, the sight bringing back the feelings he thought were locked away for the day. He hadn't realized she'd bury herself so deeply in his heart. He reached into his pocket and rubbed his fingers over the red satin ribbon. Maybe she had been there from the moment he first saw her in the sunshine. The cat clock in the kitchen meowed. Kaji swore and stood up quickly. He still had to take a shower and get dressed. His father's admonition to not be late rang in his ears.
Kaji glanced at the picture on his desk and yanked at his new suit. At least this one fit properly. Mina's face smiled from the metal frame, her fingers raised in the trademark V and her hair whipping in some unseen wind. She was with him every day. Kaji wished he had a picture of her special smile. The shy innocent one that made his heart race and his knees collapse. He turned to the papers on his desk. He resisted the urge to pound his fist on the table in frustration. Hikaru was in trouble, and his father and grandfather were too locked in the past to see the problems. He opened the top drawer of his desk and pulled out a plain manila folder. He flipped it open and looked at the pictures.
Three pictures, three men, three mysteries. How was he supposed to find these three with nothing more to go on than three grainy black and white pictures? He needed help, and he needed it immediately. Kaji picked up the phone on his desk. There had to be someone he could call.
Ace Saijou was tempted to let the phone keep ringing. He looked at the stack of papers on his desk and sighed loudly. Running an investigative service didn't exactly thrill him, but it kept the bills paid while he worked on his dream. Some day he'd be able to leave behind the sneaking around and finding lost people and concentrate solely on his career. And then he'd use his stardom to attract people for his talent agency. But right now the phone was ringing and he had two appointments with unhappy spouses who wanted proof of their partner's infidelity.
"Ace Investigative Services. Can I help you?" Ace listened to the man on the phone with half an ear. He made affirmative noises every so often while he finished filing the latest batch of pictures. "Why don't we make an appointment to discuss this in detail?" Ace finished the filing and moved on to the missing person case he had recently finished. That venture had landed him a nice bonus. And then the conversation was finished. Ace leaned back in his chair. Always work to do. He really needed a secretary or some help, but every penny went into his other ventures.
"Kaji, 11:30 lunch date, tomorrow."
Kaji sat quietly in the crowded restaurant, checking his watch every few moments. Mr. Ace Saijou was late, although that didn't surprise Kaji too much. The man had sounded distracted over the phone.
"Mr. Hikaru?" Kaji turned to the voice. A young man stood beside the table. Kaji estimated the blonde was several years younger, but the eyes reflected a good deal of maturity.
"Mr. Saijou. So kind of you to join me." Kaji inclined his head slightly and waved a hand toward the seat beside him. "Shall we get started?" Kaji pulled the manila folder from his briefcase and handed it to the young man. Ace flipped through the pictures, his forehead wrinkling slightly in concentration.
"You'd like me to find these three men?" Kaji nodded slowly. Something about this Ace seemed a bit phony, but he had come highly recommended.
"Yes, as soon as possible." Ace flipped the folder closed, laid it on the table, and leaned forward.
"Then all that's left to discuss is my fee." Kaji stood impatiently. The predatory look in Ace's eyes did not escape notice.
"I'll pay all your expenses, and ten thousand American dollars after each man has been successfully located. If you are as good as the rumor say, there may be more work for you eventually." Kaji turned his back on the now speechless Ace and left the restaurant. He resisted the urge to smirk at the astonished look on Ace's face. The slippery devil was used to naming his own price, not having orders dictated.
Ace left the restaurant slowly; rage bubbling just beneath the surface. Kaji Hikaru was an arrogant son of a bitch, but he was also very wealthy, and not the kind of man to double cross. Ace glanced down at the folder in his hand. Three grainy pictures weren't much to go on, but he'd found people with less information. It was simply a matter of knowing where to look, and who to ask.
The office was dark when he entered. Ace slid behind his desk, his mind moving quickly. Information was a precious commodity in his line of work. He laid the photos on the desk and picked up the phone. Ten thousand a person was great money, and he'd be sure to rack up plenty of "expenses" for the arrogant Mr. Hikaru to cover. He chuckled under his breath. Mr. Hikaru might be the key to getting out of investigation completely.
Hisame Kasumi looked at the information on his computer one last time. The formula seemed to be correct, but something was still missing. Somehow the final product was still a bit off. He turned back to the tiny petri dish lying on the table. Nanotechnology was so difficult to experiment with. Just developing the procedure to create tiny machines had taken him almost four years. And now when it seemed to be coming together, something was standing in his way. A knock sounded at the door. Hisame swore loudly, resisting the urge to bang his hand on the table in frustration. Visitors always made him loose his train of thought.
"I'm coming." Hisame grumbled the entire way to the door. His grant would run out in three weeks. He needed uninterrupted time with his work, not people annoying him. The door swung open. Hisame adjusted his glasses. "Can I help you?" One of the two strangers stepped forward.
"I have a proposition for you, Mr. Kasumi."
Ace grinned at the stack of bills on his desk. Mr. Hikaru had paid in cash. And he had been extremely happy with the speed of Ace's first discovery. He glanced down at the other two pictures in the folder. He picked up the paperwork and filed away the first picture.
"Why was Kaji Hikaru looking for a talented but slightly eccentric university student?" Ace glanced over the information on Hisame Kasumi again. One older sister and one younger sister, raised in Japan outside Kyoto, middle class parents, extraordinary mind, Hisame seemed like a strange risk to be taking. So far he hadn't finished any of his projects, but they were quite ambitious with the opportunity for great pay-offs. Ace shrugged again. Perhaps he'd understand Mr. Hikaru's search after the other two were found. Ace slammed the file drawer closed and turned to the second picture. Time to call in a few more favors. Ace glanced at the stack of money on his desk. He smiled. This would be his last case.
Tokyo, Japan- 1992
Hisame stared for a long moment at the remains of Kaji's once pristine office. It had been torn apart. Hisame could see Kaji still panting from the exertion. Hisame took a step into the office and crossed his arms over his chest. He knew that Kaji might rip his head off, but Hisame had no choice, he couldn't wait until Kaji calmed down.
"Long day?" Kaji was staring out the window, his hands clenched tightly into fists.
"What do you want, Hisame?" Kaji's voice cracked a bit on the words. Hisame resisted the urge to creep away. Kaji did have a temper, but he rarely let it out, and when it did run free Kaji was careful to direct it only at those who deserved it.
"The tests on the new chip just came back. It works. Your father wants it in production in two months." Kaji nodded slowly.
"And my grandfather?" Hisame laughed a bit.
"He insists that all this new technology is a fad and that nothing will come of it. Your father overruled him, however." Kaji let a grim smile spread over his face. His father was slowly coming around, and the company would soon be back on its feet. But his grandfather still refused to speak to him.
"Any news from Ace?" Hisame's grin faded, replaced by a sneer. He never understood why Kaji would use such a sneaky bastard, even if the man did get results.
"Nothing yet. He swears he's getting closer though." Kaji ran a hand through his hair. It had been over a year and Ace still hadn't found the second person on the list.
"I'm about ready to kill the bastard. If he doesn't come up with some results very soon I think I'll beat the information out of him." Hisame resisted the urge to shiver at the coldness in Kaji's voice.
"Are we still on for dinner?" Hisame perched on an overturned file cabinet, his mouth pulled into a mocking grin. Kaji slowly turned around. His features were once again twisted into the stone mask that Hisame was used to.
"I don't think so. I'll just head to my place." Kaji left the office slowly. Hisame watched the taller man leave with a curious expression. The door closed softly. Hisame glanced back at the window, noticing a crumpled magazine lying half underneath spilled papers. He picked it up slowly, his green eyes scanning the page. They opened wide, surprise lighting up his face. Hisame stared at the beautiful blonde for several long moments. Then he read the article, exhaling loudly at the birth announcement.
"Minako Aino. Well, Kaji. I think you've been keeping some secrets."
Tokyo Japan- 1993
Ace handed the paper to Kaji Hikaru, feeling a great sense of relief. It had taken him two years. Two years of scraping by, two years of Kaji breathing down his neck. But the second man was found.
"Ikusa Hono. Politician. Two younger brothers, all raised in Tokyo, father active in politics as well. You'd think he'd be easier to find considering how visible he is." Ace stiffened at the censure in Kaji's voice.
"I probably would have found him faster, but he's been out of the country for four years now completing his education. He's been to dozens of countries, and now he's set on making it in Japanese politics." Kaji nodded and glanced at the paper again. Then he turned his icy gaze back to Ace.
"Well, I suppose I'll have to pay him a visit then. Try not to take another two years with your next assignment." Ace swallowed loudly as Kaji stalked from the office. Then Ace collapsed into his chair and picked up the telephone.
Tokyo, Japan - 1994
"The numbers for Hikaru Incorporated are looking great. I'm very pleased with the turnaround you've accomplished." Kaji stood silently, his father's approval seemed rather anticlimactic at this point. He glanced down at his watch. He had an appointment with Hisame and Ikusa in twenty minutes and didn't want to be late.
"I'm glad you approve, father." A soft shuffling sounded from the door behind Kaji.
"I think that you have finally matured enough to take your place, young man." Kaji turned in surprise. His grandfather stood in the doorway. Kaji bowed respectfully. The old man moved forward and sat down. "You have proven that even the most wayward son can take his proper place and bring honor to his family. Today I end my position as CEO." Kaji's eyes grew a bit wide. The old man cackled. "Did you really think I'd let your father have that position? He makes an excellent president, but the final decisions have always been up to me. Now I give my power to you, young man. I have but one final stipulation." Kaji's eyes narrowed a bit. His grandfather leaned back in the chair, his silver eyes twinkling with mischief. "I want grandchildren. Within four years." Kaji's mouth opened a bit, and then snapped shut. He turned and left the office slowly, ignoring the sound of his father and grandfather's laughter.
Tokyo, Japan- 1995
Arashi Ryujin and Kaji Hikaru stared at each other for several long moments.
"Arashi. Isn't that a bit of a feminine name?" Kaji crossed his arms; his silver eyes boring into Arashi's brown ones.
"How much hair bleach do you invest in a year?" Kaji's eyebrow lifted at the nasty crack. His head turned sharply at a muffled laugh.
"What do you find so amusing, Ikusa?" The blonde man turned his head, a smirk visible on his face. Hisame rolled his eyes.
"It's so nice to see that you two get along so well." Arashi snorted.
"Considering the fact that you just bought my company for half its worth, I'd say I'm being fairly cordial." Hisame rolled his eyes. This Arashi would probably prove to be more trouble than he was worth.
Tokyo, Japan- 1997
Kaji Hikaru added up the figures one last time, and got the same answer. There was money missing, a good deal of it. He furrowed his brow in concentration. Then he noticed the name by the side. Adonis Enterprises. Kaji quickly pulled up records on the computer. He turned the computer off with a nasty smile. It was a fake company, headed by an employee at Terran Eclipse. Kaji didn't take betrayal well. He cracked his knuckles. He'd been missing out on some practice. He'd take care of this new assignment personally.
London, England-1997
Ace Saijou looked at the picture one last time. He stared up at the apartment window, his eyes making out the image of a small boy and a woman dancing in front of the TV. He let a smile curve his sensual lips. It was she, it had to be. Ace balled the letter in his hands one last time. If Terran Eclipse ordered a job, he had to do it, but for now he was on a year long unpaid vacation. He'd find other ways to survive. And his idiot boss Kaji didn't even know what a prize he'd let slip away. Ace pulled the picture from his pocket. He'd swiped it from the desk the day they beat him. While he'd still been broken and bleeding on the floor of Mr. Kaji Hikaru's office. He'd foregone prosecution for a bit more, old-fashioned punishment. Ace looked at his left hand. He only had four fingers now. He still felt twinges of pain, in a pinky that no longer existed. He lifted his hand to the scar on his cheek. Kaji had carved that with the same blade. Ace felt the old anger and jealousy roll through his gut. But the fever had helped him enormously. He remembered the past. Ace looked down at the picture. Minako Aino, dressed as Sailor V, complete with the little hand gesture.
Ace dropped the politely worded letter from the CEO on the ground. He knew Kaji didn't like him very much, but Ace didn't care. The picture was carefully stuffed in his pocket, beside the paper clipped stack of newspaper articles. Sailor V was alive and well, working in London. Ace smiled. Sailor V. V-babe. He hadn't called her that in over one thousand years. He whistled softly to himself and headed for his new home, a hotel room overlooking the Thames. Minako Aino would remember him, and then they would be together as they were meant to be. He had a year before they'd come after him and the money.
Venus felt the teleport almost immediately. She looked up from her work and sighed loudly. She quickly put away the sword she was sharpening and headed towards the teleportation room.
"I told her not to go down there again. She can't keep sneaking off, no matter how gorgeous that prince of hers is. I'm going to drag her back up here and lock her in her room." Venus stepped onto the teleport pad. "Earth, Golden Palace."
The trip to earth was instantaneous, rather like blinking, but it still made one want to check all their body parts. It was dark in the gardens of the Earth's Golden Palace. Venus headed out into the night, feeling for Serenity's aura.
The two were in the gazebo again, climbing roses entwined over the structure. Venus marched up behind the two, unable to stop the pang in her heart at seeing them together, entwined like the roses around them. But Queen Selene had given orders. Serenity was not to see the Earth Prince.
"Serenity, we need to get home this instant. You're in so much trouble." Venus grabbed onto one of the girl's long white pigtails. A deep voice echoed out of the darkness.
"Must be hard to have such a bundle of curiosity for a princess." Venus turned to see the stranger. He was leaning against a bench, arms crossed over his chest.
"Kunzite!" The prince sounded shocked. Venus felt her head pounding loudly. He was gorgeous. Long white hair, steel gray eyes, and an arrogant smirk on his face. But his eyes were scanning over her short skirt and long legs. Venus felt her face grow warm.
"We need to leave. Excuse us Prince Endymion." Venus bowed to the blushing young man. Then she turned on her heel and started off through the gardens pulling a protesting Serenity behind.
"Aren't you going to say goodbye to me?" The voice came from in front of them now. Venus was used to having people around who could just teleport when they wished. She brushed past the figure. Serenity called out a farewell.
"Goodbye Endymion, I love you. Goodbye Prince Kunzite." A strong hand yanked at Venus's arm, stopping her in her tracks.
"You still haven't answered my question." The stranger bent down close to Venus. She felt herself drowning in his eyes. "I know you want to say something." Venus felt annoyance push away the feelings.
"I'll bid you farewell when arrogant jackasses learn to be polite." She yanked her arm free and jerked Serenity into an embrace. "The Moon." And the two were gone in a burst of white and gold.
Light began to take hold.
"It's been two days, Akira. Shouldn't we get her to a hospital?"
"There's one more monster she must face."
"She won't get hurt by falling in love, will she?" Venus felt the words echo in her head, a fortune of what was now coming to pass. Venus swung her sword downward yet again, slicing through yet another of Metallia's monsters. Venus had failed to hold the gates, but what good could one senshi and an army of untrained warriors do against an enemy that simply regenerated itself. Venus looked down at her ripped and tattered fuku. It was barely covering her body, and she was caked in blood. She was slowly making her way towards the palace, trying to stay ahead of the majority of the youma. But Venus knew this war was already lost.
She moved like an automaton, kill, slash, thrust, and throw the boomerang. The moon no longer shone with its white glow. Smoke floated over the battlefield, tickling Venus's nostril with its acrid stench. The sickly sweet smell of burning flesh mingled with sulphur, burning a path into her lungs. She stepped gingerly over the dead bodies, hoping that none would rise up. She had to reach the palace in time.
Then she reached the gates. The palace was slowly collapsing around her. Venus felt sharp pains rip through her heart, and knew her allies were losing ground. She was getting closer; she had to be getting closer.
"Serenity? Serenity." Venus screamed over the noise of battle. She felt her body complain a bit. Her magic powers had long since been depleted. This war had simply gone on for too long. They were outnumbered and outclassed. Venus had only one mission now.
"Serenity." Venus stepped into the throne room. The witch was there, her red hair billowing like flames. Venus stood frozen in shock. Endymion was lying on the ground in a pool of blood, Serenity weeping over his body. Venus could see the others lying dead in the room, and Selene was still inside the prayer spire.
"Holy sword of the moon, come to my hand." Venus felt the weapon appear. She wasted no time, plunging it into the witches black heart. She melted away to a pile of dust. Venus stood for a moment, out of breath, unable to watch her dearest friend mourn the loss of her love.
"It's over, Angel." Venus whirled around at the sound, her body still between the weeping Serenity and the new threat. But she knew that voice.
"Kunzite." He stepped from the shadows. His face narrowed at the bloody prince on the steps of the throne.
"I didn't think you capable of it, Angel." Venus gritted her teeth.
"You always did think the worst of me. Your queen was the one who ended the prince's life. And I've sent her to receive her reward." Kunzite smiled a bit.
"There's nothing left, is there. The others are all dead, and your Serenity cannot live without her prince. Lay down your sword and meet death." Venus stepped closer to the arrogant figure.
"She isn't dead yet. As long as Serenity and Selene live, there is still hope." Venus moved with the words, the thrust blocked only by Kunzite's amazing reflexes. Their faces were inches apart now. They fought. There was nothing but the sound of sword against sword. The two circled and came together. Venus drew first blood, taking a chunk of thigh from Kunzite's leg.
"You little bitch. You want to hack me apart piece by piece." Kunzite grabbed her hair and drew the girl up against him. He dropped his mouth to hers in a brutal kiss. "I would have given you the world. But I don't take betrayal well." Venus ducked under his arm, getting a wound across her left upper arm in the process.
"Betrayal? Who are you to talk of betrayal? You've betrayed your prince, your people, everything you ever had. What have I betrayed." Swords clashed again, around and around in an endless and deadly dance. They were both getting sloppier. A slice to Kunzite's sword arm, a cut across Venus's exposed stomach.
"You betrayed who you are Venus. You are love, and yet you sacrificed that for duty." Kunzite took a step closer, the ice in his eyes melting into tears. Venus took her chance and rammed the moon sword through Kunzite's heart.
"You always were a sucker for a pretty face." Venus leaned over and placed a kiss on Kunzite's lips, her face not surprised when a sword entered her own chest.
"And you never could stand tears." The two held each other as they entered the darkness of death.
