Prologue

	It rained like hell.  Water came from all sides.  It fell from above in
an unforgiving stream that struck the Earth in some heavenly
punishment.  Purgatory created by the forces of nature, raw and
untamed.  It soaked the ground in Nerima and turned loose dirt into mud,
and small streams in gutters to miniature torrents.  The water that
wasn't coming from above splashed into the bloated soil and sent
droplets of mud and spray up back to the sky in some kind of mute
retaliation.
	Clouds blocked out the already black sky.  People scurried to and fro
as makeshift barricades of sandbags were put up around low-lying regions
in the city underneath muted lamplight.  It was dreary and the air was
filled with an indescribable smell.  A dank, decaying, fetid odor
surrounded the sandbagged areas and extended unseen tendrils towards the
innermost parts of the city.
	A few small 'hurrahs' could be heard as sandbags were heaped onto
streets and sidewalks.  Louder 'huzzahs' were few and far between, but
signaled the end of a wall's birth into the dark night.  Police waved
people around while they took time from laying down bags of sand.
	"Sir, the last of the sandbags are being put down as we speak."
	A thoroughly covered, yet soaked head peered out from under the plastic
mat on it and a dismissive grunt could be heard in response.
	"As long as I get out of this damned rain.  Seven and a half inches in
the past five hours!  Chikusho!  When will it stop?"
	"Can we go home sir?  It's only four, but it looks like it's midnight
out here!"
	"No we can't, Hyubusa.  Not until the last of the fire department and
volunteers and the rest of the people helping here are done.  Flood
warnings and even typhoon warnings have been issued.  Nobody's seen this
much rain for a long time and we want to make sure everyone's safe.  I
want to head home, but it's our job."
	"Yessir..."
	Lightning struck three times on a hill over looking the city.  People
began to disperse quickly.  Others simply scattered.
	"Sir, we need to get going.  That didn't look good.  It just lingered
there.  I don't think lightning is supposed to linger..."
	As if on cue, lightning struck thrice more, in the same spot on the
hill.  One after another until trees and bushes in the area caught
fire.  Smaller flashes of electricity spewed forth from the ground and
struck the growth around the hilltop.  People stood still for the
shortest of moments; but a silence hung in the air for what seemed like
eternity.
	"Sir-"
	"Let's go."
	The wind picked up and blew through the cars, fire engines, and
sandbags as people scampered into cars and hurried home.  People stopped
as a sad howl carried out through the wind; but nobody could tell if it
was simply the wind or the cry of one who had just lost.  It died, as
did the wind, and people quickly returned to their homes as the rain
continued unrelentingly.  A punishment from heaven to wash the sins of
the Earth.