Hello everyone! My name is Shadowwolf1345 (you can just call me Yami, Yami-chan, or just SW if you're lazy.) This is my first story, so I would absolutely love comments and reviews. I'm telling you right now: I am not one of those authors who updates every other day. I take time writing my stories, so if you're willing to wait a few weeks to update the next chapter, then feel free to do so. I rated this story 'T' just in case, but in truth I have no idea what it would be. I have almost no idea what I'm doing. There is a bit of language, just to warn the folks out there that are sensitive to curse words. Well, here it is:

Key:

"..." = Talking

'italized words' = Thinking

* = referenced word/Japanese that is translated at the bottom if you don't know what it means.

Master of Shadows

Prologue

Normal POV

"Sir, you may want to take a look at this," the guard stated. The Director walked up to the many television monitors and examined the one that the guard was pointing to in earnest.

"What is it?" the Director inquired.

"Look closer," he instructed, zooming in. "The door to cell A-19 is open, and he's not in there."

Sure enough, the subject wasn't there.

"Chikushou,*" the Director swore. "Where is the guard that was stationed there to guard him?!"

"Let me check…" the guard trailed off. The atmosphere in the room grew tense as the seconds ticked by.

"Hurry up!" the Director cried, losing his patience.

"Uh, sir. Apparently he's knocked unconscious on the floor of the cell that he was being held in."

"Well, get somebody down there to help him, and get the rest of them to go find the bastard!" his voice rose.

"Right away sir!" he saluted, then went over to the control panel that activated the alarm. A loud blare filled the hallways and red lights flashed all over the place. Idle guards swept through the building like a swarm of ants. Doors to the cages that held the Dobermans were unbolted, and they streaked over the front and back lawns in vicious pursuit of the escapee.

The runaway continued to dash through the white windowless hallways, his lungs gasping and heaving for oxygen. Bare feet met the white linoleum tile with a continuous 'thump, thump, thump' while bright lights buzzed above his head, leaving very few places to hide. His heart seemed to pound at a hundred miles an hour as he sped through the vast maze of labs and cells, filled with test subjects just like him, exhaustion draining his strength; but still his legs continued to move on against his desire for rest.

He continuously hid behind walls as guards scurried past, and then he would start running again. There was no time for rest. He would have to keep going if he was to ever make it outside. Rounding a corner, his eyes lit up when he saw a door at the end of the hallway with a red Exit sign above it.

Flinging open the door, he came face to face with a very large Doberman, probably the leader. Cursing under his breath, he sprinted to a scrawny tree that was conveniently placed near the tall chain-linked fence. The Doberman followed along right at his heels, barking like mad. Just as the hellhound was about to take him out, the escapee sprang up and barely grasped the lowest branch. The Doberman was still within reach of him, so he clawed his way up as high as the tree allowed. Two more of the vicious beasts arrived and together the three dogs barked and howled in frustration as the tree groaned from the boy's weight.

The runaway turned his attention to the fence; he did not have much time left. The chain-link fence was tall and had barbed-wire coiled around the top. 'Kuso,'* he thought. 'There's no way I can make it…'

In the distance he heard voices and soon saw flashlights; he had to try. He backed up as far as he could until his back hit the trunk, and he tensed his muscles. "Here goes nothing," he breathed, and with that he ran to the edge of the branch and leaped. For just a split second, he was soaring freely almost like a bird. He landed on his back with a thud on the hard ground, although his fall was cushioned by the green grass. Grass… he hadn't seen that in years.

He was yanked back into reality when a searchlight passed by his foot by mere inches. He winced as he tried to get up. He looked down only to find that his left leg was bleeding; the barbed-wire must have scratched him when he jumped. Ignoring the stinging the injury brought, he scrambled up the hill towards the darkened trees, away from all of the chaos.

Finally hidden in the safety of the forest, he used the last of the strength he had to haul himself onto a sturdy branch of a strong evergreen tree. He looked back at the institute, glowing brightly below him, the sounds coming from it only a gentle hum in the breeze. He'd done it. He was the first person to ever escape from the dreaded place. He leaned his head against the trunk and sighed softly, still panting from his escape. The last thing he saw was the stars twinkling brightly in the night sky before slipping away into unconsciousness.

The Director was pissed; he had escaped. His most important project had escaped from his grasp. But at least this proved that this subject was indeed the best yet. The Director suddenly started to chuckle and it soon turned into an evil laugh. From the corner of his eye he saw his subordinates cower in fear.

"He's good, that one. He's the first to ever escape from me. But he won't be free for long. You win this time, you black cat. I'll let you run around for a little while and let you believe that you're free. It won't last, though. You'll always be mine. No matter how much you struggle, you cannot escape from me!" the Director exclaimed. "Isn't that right, Ms. Bounty Hunter?" he shifted his attention to the young female at the other end of the room. She was hidden in the shadows, unseen until then by his subordinates. She stepped into the light with her eyes closed and smirked because of the impression she gave towards the subordinates. She knew she looked innocent, yet deadly at the same time. She knew she was one of the most lethal bounty hunters out there.

She flipped her strawberry pink hair over her shoulder and opened her eyes, revealing pools of golden amber. "You've got that right boss, as long as you remember to pay me." She said with a glint in her dangerous eyes. "You can count on me. I won't fail you. I guarantee that you won't be the least disappointed."

The Director faced the window in his office once more and smirked. "Good," he told her. "You're dismissed."

"Hai*", she bowed and then gracefully walked out of the room.

'Enjoy your freedom while it lasts, my little black cat. Because it will soon disappear.' He thought.

There you have it everyone! Please tell me what you think! R&R if you have a heart (that or I'll give you a cookie of your choosing)

Dictionary:

Chikushou= damn it

Kuso= shit

Hai= yes/ yes sir