To say that the party for the job was a bit overdone would be a understatement.

I haven't been that drunk in a while, and I've never been happier.

The money for that job was huge, enough to fund the Ultimate Vault job.

I was in the process of ordering some less than legal equipment from the black market when Kaz sluggishly woke up.

Kaz: Uh....my head....

Vesper: That is what's called a hangover. Drink some coffee, you will feel better.

Kaz: Sounds better than anything I got.

Kaz made a cup of coffee while I finished my order.

Kaz: Setting up the next job?

Vesper: Yes, I'm ordering a few things from a underground site.

Kaz: Like that Washington gang has?

Vesper: No, not Crimenet, though I'm no stranger to that site. I use the Thiefnet.

Kaz: Never heard of it.

Vesper: That's the point. It was created by the same guy who put together Crimenet, and it serves as a black market and communications service.

Kaz: Huh, cool.

Vesper: Indeed.

Just then, I heard a knock on the door.

Kaz: Someone else must have woken up.

Vesper: I will get it, sit down and regain yourself.

Kaz: Got it Boss.

Boss? I've never been called that.

I like it.

I stood up from my desk and opened the door.

And in walked a old adversary.

Vesper: Fuyuhiko.

Fuyuhiko: Vesper.

I noticed that Fuyuhiko carried a pistol under his jacket, and instinctively reached for my own pistol that I kept hidden in the doorframe.

Vesper: I certainly hope that you don't plan on causing a uproar.

Fuyuhiko: I'm not here for a damn fight. I'm here to negotiate.

Vesper: Negotiate what?

Fuyuhiko: Let me in and I will tell you, dumbass.

Vesper: Very well.

I let Fuyuhiko in, and pulled Kaz close.

Kaz: Wait....that's....

Vesper: I know. Go to the bar and gather everyone.

Kaz left nervously.

I sat at my desk, Fuyuhiko opposite of me.

Vesper: So, what do you want to discuss?

Fuyuhiko looked away, pulling his tie.

Fuyuhiko: I....I'm giving Peko to you.

I was curious as to what he meant.

Vesper: Pardon?

Fuyuhiko: Look, Peko is my bodyguard, she has served me and my organization since my dad found her and adopted her. As her boss, I have the ability to transfer her to someone else.

I gripped my chair in anger, trying not to pull the pistol I had under my desk.

How dare he treat her like some kind of toy he could throw away, this woman who reached into my soul and saw the person I once was.

She....

She understood me.

But I resisted my anger, and met his conversation.

Vesper: You speak of her as if she is some kind of object.

Fuyuhiko: That's how our relationship is. Master and servant, nothing more, nothing less.

I laid back in my chair.

Vesper: Do I need to sign any papers?

Fuyuhiko: No, just take this.

Fuyuhiko handed me a finely crafted sheathe.

Vesper: May I ask what this is?

Fuyuhiko: It's the sheath for the Thunder Blade. My dad gave it to Peko when we were little, he said that she was destined to wield it and....

Fuyuhiko paused.

Fuyuhiko: It has a prophecy.

Vesper: What does it say?

Fuyuhiko: That a thief with heart of darkness and name unknown would travel through the afterlife itself to rescue it's destined holder. And in his journeys, he would be rewarded with a treasure that cannot be stolen.

I thought on the prophecy for a moment.

Vesper: And you think that the thief is me?

Fuyuhiko: It couldn't be anyone else.

Fuyuhiko got up.

Fuyuhiko: Take care of her. Treat her right. She deserves it.

Fuyuhiko left, leaving me with the sheathe.

The prophecy....

Could it really be me?