Random my loveprize in viewfinder stories.

Its the climb by AlexRT

* This takes place during Aki's stay at the temple in the mountains when Asami sends him into hiding.*

"Why did you bring me here again?" Aki asked Michihiro.

"It's part of your training. This will help you reflect while also making you stronger". Michihiro replied.

"It's a giant staircase in the middle of nowhere...." groaned Aki.

"Yes, this is the longest stone staircase in Japan and it leads to a very old temple. As it's the rainy season and the middle of the week no one else is here so you can climb it alone and maybe find some peace with yourself." Michihiro said in his sage like way.

"Can't I find peace at the temple we're already staying at, instead of having to climb all the way up to this one?" Aki complained.

"It's not really about the temple, it's about the climb and journey to it. You'll see what I mean later but for now off you go". Michihiro then got back in the car.

"Hey, where are you going?!" exclaimed Aki.

"As I said, it's best that you climb it alone. I'll meet you at the temple at the top later this evening". With that, Michihiro drove off leaving Aki at the staircase's base. A giant plaque explained that the path consisted of 3,333 stairs and that it had been built with granite from 7 different countries, over the span of 9 years. There were numerous rest spots listed and an advisory that only those in good physical health should attempt it.

Aki kicked the dirt on the ground and then made his way up the first section. Small shrines greeted him but he largely ignored them. What am I supposed to find out about myself from climbing stairs, he wondered. True, it was a good workout but beyond that he didn't see much point in this exercise.

The moist air that had followed them on their drive here now converged to make rolling fog banks all over the mountain. As Aki continued up the stairs he couldn't see more than a few flights up. As he looked behind him he found that the fog also swallowed the stairs he had already completed.

Typical, ever since I got involved with Asami my view seems to be constantly obscured, he thought. No matter what I do it never seems to bring me closer but at the same time seems to swallow up more and more of my past. Stupid Asami, he ran up the next flight.

Slightly out of breath from the exertion he stopped at a rest stop, a weather worn bench next to a small jizo shrine. A guardian of woman and children, this one did not look particularly cared for and was covered in moss, slowly becoming part of the forest. The fog had gotten heavier and the tall trees around him dripped water as it started to mist.

Great, now he was going to get wet too. There was a reason people didn't come here during the rainy season, not to mention it was a bit cold too, still being spring time. He got up and continued walking. A memory came to him of how Asami would tousle his wet hair when he got out of the shower and sat next to him on the couch. Asami's fingers running through his hair, invariably gripping harder at some point to pull him in for a kiss. Their lips locking, the smell of cigarettes mixed with Asami's cologne and the taste of bourbon tickling his senses. He shook his head as he felt his lips puckering and heart racing, bringing himself back to the present.

So much for "finding himself" when he was surrounded by fog and thoughts of Asami. He tried to shift his focus to the nature around him: the birds chirping, the rain falling through the trees and lightly hitting the ground, the far off sound of rushing water from the river. What was he doing here in this place so far removed from the cities where he use to hunt down celebrities and politicians, camera in hand. God he hadn't touched a camera in more than a month and a half now. It wouldn't make him any money but he would like to have captured some of the sights he'd come across while here. He continued walking.