1 Chapter One: Busty Redheads

Silence holds a variety of meanings, fear, disbelief, or even anger, but today the still that hung within the room was not that of a rag hung out to dry, no not wet and suffocating, but that of respect, like a fresh apple joyful and crisp.

Every face within the crowd looked up with smiles and adoration, and the atmosphere within the room was almost magical. If the young man, perhaps in his thirties, had been a bit more spiritual or mystical, even he would have sworn he saw the aura of their very souls that day. Alas, he didn't have the time to deliberate upon the soul or energy he could feel within the room.

No, he had a speech to give and a retirement to enjoy. He let his pause drag on, enjoying it like the slow burn of a cigarette.

"This man you see before you today, I was not always him." The man scanned the crowd before him as he spoke, making eye contact with various people within the large restaurant they had rented for this very occasion. "The power, success, and even the kindness I display are a result of my actions, the result of hard work and dedication to a cause I truly believe in." He breathed deeply before letting out a somewhat defeated sigh.

The man would miss this place, these people, most of which he had hand selected to run his business, to save people. It felt like he had stepped off the battlefield only a few weeks ago with a goal and a passion. All good things must come to an end.

"It was only ten years ago I sat alone and defeated, grumbling to myself over how the world was unfair and if I just had one more chance! How, if I just wasn't starving, homeless, and beaten bloody in a rain-drenched alley, I could do something with myself." The man gave a half laugh brushing down the length of his tie, letting a bit of sheepishness creep up to the surface of his well-crafted mask. "Well, to be fair, I probably deserved the beating; I had slept with that man's wife."

A few knowing smirks traveled around the crowd, but the well-dressed man wasn't satisfied with the room's mood, so he continued.

"And perhaps it was on more than one occasion, but can't a young man live?!" He pleaded to no one in particular before raising his hands in defense. "Okay, I slept with the man's ivy league attending son; huh, maybe I did deserve that beating." The man's habits were well known by now. He had never distinguished between genders; beauty was beauty in his eyes, but the joke had the desired effect, and he could feel the last of the room's tension melt away as if it had never been there.

"The point is I was in a sorry state. Luckily, I met two people in that alley. One was a beautiful redhead with promises of salvation." He chuckled, scratching in cheek in mock embarrassment. "I'm pretty sure I made her up, but in my defense, I did have a severe concussion." His smile went serious before he continued. "The second was a man who saw my potential, my talent. He saw a young man who desperately wanted to live and gave him a chance to use that desperation."

The well-dressed man made eye contact with some of the higher-ups within the company—people who would soon be doing his job.

"I tell, no, I urge you to not chase after busty redheads with promises of an easy life, instead find your talent, hone it to the point that no one can best you. If you do that, I believe this company will reach heights I couldn't even fathom." He signed as if in regret. "With these words, I, Akatsuki, leave the company to the next generation and announce my retirement." he gave a cheeky smile. "Who knows, maybe my next chapter will be full of beautiful redheads?"

And with that last joke, he walked down the stage.

Even the higher-ups who knew what this party was for stood in shock. No one had expected the 34-year-old Akatsuki to retire. He was in his prime, and so was the company. To Akatsuki, the stunned silence was music to his ears. He had fought his battles, was tired and wanted a break. He made his way to the bar just in time for the frantic whispering of concern within the crowd. He sighed in satisfaction, taking a seat at the bar.

"What will ya have, boss... I mean, erm." The man started but thought better of his words. It only made Akatsuki chuckle.

"Akatsuki is fine," He spoke kindly, holding up his hand. The man nodded. "Something strong. I have a feeling I'll be answering a lot of questions here soon." The man nodded and poured a brown liquid into a glass. "Thank you."

"Akatsuki, ah, sir, question." The man was clearly nervous, and Akatsuki wondered if this was his first time ever running the bar for an event like this. Akatsuki simply waited for the man to respond, swirling his spirit.

"Military, sir?" The man had conciseness to his words that Akatsuki appreciated.

"That easy to spot?" Akatsuki looked down at the cufflinks, adjusting them. "I thought the suit and fancy cufflinks covered it well." he looked back up from his musings.

"Ah... Well, the way you walk, present yourself..." The man trailed off as he wiped a glass with a rag. "The way your eyes never linger on one person. It's as if you're always ready to spring forward, ready for a threat." The man explained before looking up from the glass. "Don't see it much in civilian folk." He laughed to himself before looking back down at the glass. "Was a recruit back before the wars ended, before everything got all split up. Got an eye for it, suppose."

"Old habits," Akatsuki explained, and to his surprise, an almost nostalgic feminine voice he couldn't quite place answered crossdressing statement.

"Diehard."

Akatsuki downed his spirits as he tried to put a face to the voice, but his memory came up short. The liquor went down smoothly, and he was sure a soft buzz would follow shortly. He decided not to turn quickly as his past was filled with more than one person who'd kill a man for sudden movements. So instead, he pushed his glass forward, tapping the bar for another pour as he let the statement linger in the air. The girl gave half a laugh.

"You didn't paint me in the best of light up there. I have to say I'm almost hurt." Her voice purred, and Akatsuki did his best to try and follow with her what she was saying, but perhaps the liquor was stronger than he thought. When no liquid came pouring down into his glass, Akatsuki looked up, but as his eyes met with the bartender, his mouth went dry.

The man was frozen stiff, his eyes filled with mirth as he looked at Akatsuki's new neighbor. A face popped into his mind as he saw the frozen form of the army's recruiter, and Akatsuki's head jerked to the side. Icy blue was met with spring green as Akatsuki's eyes locked onto the woman's own. As if the ice in Akatsuki's blue eyes spread like creeping frost, his body slowly locked into place, unable to move in the presence of the fiery redhead. A playful smile mimicked the creeping frost as it grew across the woman's face.

"Where I come from, Busty Redhead is a compliment." Luckily Akatsuki's voice still worked, and he used his most powerful tool, his sharp tongue. He was always one to joke when the odds were stacked when faced with something he didn't or couldn't understand. Akatsuki could see men and women frozen around the restaurant as if time had stopped. Akatsuki had only seen this once before. He could still vividly remember cold raindrops frozen mid air as a busty redhead came into view.

"It's about time I save you, don't you think. I am teen years late, after all." The women moved forward, and Akatsuki strained against his invisible bonds. Soft pink lips pressed against his, and a voice echoed inside his head. 'Sleep'

'Ah, I guess I didn't make her up.'

And with that final thought, the world around him flickered to black.