[Multichapter] The beginning (6/20)

[tsuchi8562]

Title: The beginning
Author: tsuchi8562
Beta: syunikiss1990 <-- Thank you so very much!
Banner: andreja1989 <-- Thank you a lot~!
Pairing: SakurAiba
Rating: PG-13 (this chapter)
Genre: AU, psychological, romance, drama
Disclaimer: All I own is plot.

*MASTERPOST*

Sakurai sighed and put down the script he had in his hand. How could he allow it? This thought was haunting him for three days already along with other questions. Why Masaki acted different than before? He talked more, cuddled and showed an interest in learning. After the event the younger one seemed to be happy and... grown up? The worst thing is that Sho didn't have anybody to talk to about all of this. Ohno was way too much carefree and probably he would say that if he liked it, the editor should do it again. Nagayama was out of question as well. This could end with jail. Ninomiya? Sakurai chuckled on the thought. Asking this insane writer was even crazier. Who knows, maybe Satoshi was right and Kazunari was in love with him? The editor shook his head and got up, laughing quietly from the place his thoughts had brought him. When he was in the kitchen, pouring water in the glass, he saw the smiling teenager in the door.

"Guardian happy." It was a statement, not a question. Before Sho managed to open his mouth and say something the younger one clapped his hands and jumped on the latter, hugging him tight. Sakurai smiled and hugged the boy back, moving away after few seconds. He still had in mind the attempts of doing something more than what they have done before. Masaki tried to tempt the editor to have sex with him, failing of course and getting frustrated each time.

"Are you happy?" Sho asked just to erase the pout from the other's face. The teenager frowned and after a while he shook his head. "Why?"

"Masaki can't please his guardian. Masaki is bad."

"That's not true. You are not bad..." Sho didn't know how to explain the same thing all over again. It seemed that no matter how simply he tried to show the boy that what they did was wrong, it won't work. Probably that's why the editor changed the subject and decided to spend some time teaching Masaki. Sakurai noticed that the teenager had to go to school before or at least had a tutor. The younger one had basic knowledge of Math, Japanese and History. You could say he was on an elementary school level.

The editor tried to teach the boy reading and writing and he was surprised how fast he learned. Sometimes he thought that Masaki pretends to be more stupid than he really is, just to get more of Sho's attention. Whatever it was, Sakurai felt responsible to "raise" this teenager and also felt needed for the first time in ages. The thought of finding Masaki's real family faded with each day until some dramatic event which threw a whole new light to the teenager's past.

Sho met with his friend, as usually at his place. Masaki was with them for the first part of the evening but then he excused himself politely and went to bed.

"You surely raised him for a real nice pet." Satoshi giggled and finished the beer he had in his hand. The actor was clearly tipsy and in quite good mood. It was strange, taking under consideration the fact that an hour ago he was cursing some rude paparazzi for spying on him. Guess few beers can make one feel better...

"What are you talking about?! What pet?!" Sho frowned and sighed, knowing that any quarrel has no sense. He drank less than the latter, as usual. Ohno was known as a heavy drinker but recently everything seemed to change.

"Come on, he blew you, you liked it. Now he looks at you as if you were his master. Isn't that obvious? Listen, I know you didn't want that and that the situation is difficult. It may sound harsh and unbelievable but many normal men would just take advantage of the situation."

"You want to say I am not normal?" Sho wasn't even mad. He didn't know how to feel in the first place.

"Of course you are not normal! You are incredibly good. That's why you feel guilty even though there is no reason. Did you think about your future with him? It's already six months since he got here..."

"I don't know. Police said they have more important things to do than chasing ghosts. I think he will stay under my custody..." Sakurai sighed and closed his eyes. He was sad and at the same time happy. Masaki will stay with him, but probably never meet his biological parents. But was it that important after all?

"Hey! Earth to Sho! Ugh, it got boring here, I'm going home!" Ohno whined and tried to get up, which ended with total fail.

"You can stay here, there is a room."

"Nah, I love my bed too much. Call me a taxi, will ya?" The actor smiled and with quite a lot effort he got up and even managed to put on his shoes.

"Are you sure you can go home like this?" Sho frowned and tried to make sure his friend won't hurt himself. Sakurai helped his friend put on the jacket and quickly put on his shoes, getting ready to walk latter to the cab. When both of them were about to leave, Masaki peeked out of the bedroom, pouting while seeing his guardian go.

"I will be right back Masaki, go back to bed." The editor smiled and at the same time he tried to gently push the teenager back to the room and hold his friend.

"Masaki will go with Sakurai!" The youngest one put on some T-shirt and shoes, despite all protests that came from Sho's side.

"Oh, come on, let him come!" Satoshi said and then started to laugh uncontrollably, just as if he said the funniest joke in the world. The editor sighed and just let the boy follow him. Ohno was mumbling something incoherently, seems that the alcohol hit him quite hard. When the taxi arrived, Sakurai wondered for a moment is it really okay to let the latter go home alone, but then he remembered that the actor is a grown up man and there were times when he was even more wasted than this. Ohno managed to crawl in the car and waved, telling the driver to go fast or he can't guarantee he won't make a mess. Sho didn't know should he laugh or be even more worried, but all his doubts fade away when the taxi disappeared and Masaki pulled his sleeve, trying to show him something.

"Look! Look! Master, look!" The teenager was pointing on the sky, smiling like never before. Somewhere between the buildings Masaki found a tiny piece of a clear sky and pointed on few shining stars. The editor couldn't care less about them at this time though. Something made his heart freeze in fear and guilt crawl up to his throat.

"What did you call me?" Sakurai's voice wasn't louder than a whisper. Did Masaki hear his conversation with Ohno? Did he really believe that this is what Sho really wants? The older man frowned, worried. All alcohol he had in his veins, even if it was just a bit, disappeared, making him feel heavier. This went too far, he has to talk with somebody about it, even if it means accepting the consequences, no matter how harsh they can be. The teenager stood there, staring at the blinking little lights, smiling as if he saw stars for the first time. Sakurai let him stay like that, until the cold wind chased them back to the apartment. That night Sho couldn't sleep, thinking about the best way and best person he could share his thoughts with. The doctor seemed to be the only one who could be able to understand everything; except him Sho didn't have anybody who knows Masaki's story. Of course, he will have to talk with the boy himself, trying to understand his behavior, but he will do it tomorrow. Right now it was too late for such serious conversations anyway. The editor didn't know that all disturbing thoughts and dilemmas he had are nothing comparing to what happened the next day.

His friend called him in the morning, sounding very upset and talking chaotically. The editor didn't understand a thing and because usually quiet Ohno didn't let him utter a word.

"Satoshi-kun, calm down. I don't understand anything from what you are saying. Simple sentences, please?"

"Sorry Sho-kun, I am just mad. I won't accept it.. How people can be so damn cruel and awful? I swear, when he comes here I will kick his balls up to his throat!"

"Satoshi, please... What happened?" Sakurai sighed and frowned. He had never seen his friend so angry before and that could mean that whether he soon will become a father or his career is over. Sho wasn't that far from the truth.

"Yesterday when I was leaving your place, this clown appeared and took pictures. But that's not the worst! He imagined some stupid story that I am having some kind of disgusting S&M games with teenage boys! And you are the pimp!"

"What?! What are you talking about?!" Sho stood with his mouth wide open, not knowing how to react on the revelations he just have heard. It was so incredibly stupid and unbelievable that the editor doubted for a while that anybody will catch on that, but the actor buried his hopes.

"People are stupid, they will trust in everything the mass media will sell them, even if it's a Jesus face on somebody's cheeseburger. I know this is maybe a bad idea but... I need you here. My manager and lawyers from the agency will try to talk with that guy and buy the pictures. It concerns you, but it's not the reason why I want you to be here. I just need somebody who will stop me from ruining my life more than it's already damaged. Can I count on you, my friend?" Ohno pleaded and it was clear that he really hopes Sakurai will agree. After a very short while, the younger one wrote down the address and promised he will be there within an hour. Guess the conversation with the boy will have to wait. Sakurai explained to Masaki that he has to leave and this time the boy accepted it well. He just nodded and asked if he can watch the movie Sho bought not so long ago. The editor promised that he will be back before the movie ends and left the apartment, thanking god that Ohno's agency office is quite close to his house. When Sakurai arrived to the place, he got inside the quite small conference room. Satoshi was there already, along with his manager, Kamenashi and a lawyer Sho didn't know and didn't even catch his name. The actor smiled when he saw his friend, hugged him and shortly briefed everything that happened this morning. It was clear he was fighting with huge hangover.

"It seems that he doesn't want to sell that story to tabloids. Probably they don't want to pay as much as he wants. Guess I am not that popular..." Ohno tried to joke but only he laughed. Soon the door opened and a young man, with big sun glasses on his head came in, smiling widely and politely greeted everybody in the room. The editor saw veins on his friend's neck and that could mean only one - Satoshi is holding himself not to throw himself at the paparazzi. Meanwhile the lawyer pushed a contract towards the photographer without a word. As it occurred later, the manager was from talking part.

"Here's the deal. We'll give you the money and you will keep your mouth shut. I think this amount will be accurate, mister..."

"Matsumoto Jun." The paparazzi leaned and took the document in his hands. He read it carefully for few minutes and then he started to laugh quietly. Sakurai thought that the agency didn't offer that much after all, seeing the latter's reaction. He decided not to interfere, it wasn't his business after all.

"You think than I will gladly keep those dirty details for myself for the lousy ten thousand? I don't think you seriously understood what I saw yesterday..."

"Please, Matsumoto-san. Enlighten us!" Ohno got up from his chair and Sho grabbed his wrist, shaking his head. The venom in Satoshi's words was almost physical and probably if not the editor, he would kick this Matsumoto's ass.

"I saw one if the most famous actors, drunk, leaving a weird building and two guys helping him. One of them, a teenager, called this one here..." Jun pointed at Sho. "...a Master. If that wasn't a brothel, then..."

"How dare you?!" The actor moved closer to the paparazzi but this time his manager stopped him.

"You have whether very weird experiences or too wild imagination, Matsumoto-san." The lawyer smiled and leaned forward. "How much do you want for those revelations of yours?"

"One hundred thousand dollars. In cash." Matsumoto leaned back and had a face if very pleased cat. Ohno gasped, not able to utter a word and Sakurai frowned, wondering what he is doing here in the first place. Of course he was making sure that his friend won't do anything stupid, but right now Sho thought that maybe it would be better if the actor decorates that scumbag's face with few bruises. The manager laughed, trying to relax everybody and shook his head. He talked for the first time since that paparazzi came.

"You are out of your mind sir, if you think we will pay that much for the pictures. We don't even know what is on them. So first show them to us, and then we will pay. Or not..."

"Of course..." Matsumoto wasn't smiling anymore. Probably he wasn't that experienced in such situations after all. Jun threw few photos on the table and bit his lower lip. Before Sho could even see a glimpse of the pictures, Satoshi grabbed them and started to watch nervously, giving them to the editor later.

"You seriously think that anyone will believe it's me? My face is not clear, the photos are dark, all you can see it's a guy getting inside the cab and two other standing in the shadow. Seriously, are you a moron?! Did you even look at them before you came here?!" Ohno shouted, pushed the photos towards Matsumoto, got up and left without even waiting for his friend. The lawyer just shook his head, looking at Jun pitifully and disappeared as well. Just then Sakurai looked at the watch and cursed quietly. It was later than he thought and he should be on his way home right now if he wants to keep the promise he made with Masaki. The editor rushed towards the elevator and when the doors were closing slowly somebody's hand block them and sneaked inside. Sho sighed loudly, seeing it was the pseudo-photographer and moved in the furthest corner of the lift.

"I am not leprous." Matsumoto said coldly. He didn't seem to be angry or upset, just... indifferent. The editor sighed again and looked at the latter.

"I know. I just don't like scumbags who want to destroy people's lives."

"Come on, if they would pay me I would shut up. Besides, it would only bring him even more popularity."

"I am not talking only about Satoshi-kun. Did you think about the boy you saw? Or me? You don't know or understand anything yet you judge!" Sho was mad. Not only because that... guy... believes that he forces Masaki to prostitution but also because in a tiny little part he was right. Maybe Sakurai doesn't have any profits from there, but he took advantage of the teenager. Wasn't it the same then?

"I don't care about other's lives." Jun said with the same cold tone and wanted to say something more, but the editor pushed him against the elevator's wall and pressed his forearm to his throat.

"Maybe you should start then? Before somebody someday won't care about yours?" The quiet ding of the bell broke the silence and at the same time brought Sakurai back to his senses. Without wasting his time, still having the teenager in the back of his head, he rushed to his car and drove off. There was no reason to waste his energy for that idiot; he had more important things to focus on than that. Sho needed to talk with the boy, explain again on what terms they live in the same apartment. And tomorrow, he has to go to the office, to talk with his boss and Ninomiya about some things in the contract between the writer and publisher. From all those thoughts Sakurai got an ache, pulsing in his temples. He took few deep breaths and went inside the apartment, rubbing his face.

"I am home."

"Late!" The teenager was sitting on the floor, in front of the door, pouting.

"Took more time than I thought... But I am at home now, so it's good...?"Sho smiled apologetically. Masaki smiled too and got up, rushed to the living room and sat on the couch.

"Masaki hit pause, so Master will keep his promise." The editor frowned, not understanding at first, but then he realized that the boy stopped the video, just so he can back before the end of the movie. Sakurai couldn't help but smile and relax, but he didn't forget that he still has to talk with the younger one. The word he already started to hate reminded him about that very well.

"Masaki, can we talk?" Sho started shyly, and when he received a nod as a reply he waited a bit, trying to find the best way to start. "Why are you calling me like that?"

"Masaki just states the truth." The boy frowned, probably not understanding why the editor is asking such questions.

"No. I am not your master. Not guardian... Well, I am but that's not the point. Just call me Sho, okay?"

"No! No!" The teenager shook his head. "Masaki pet, Sho master!" Sakurai frowned and sighed. Masaki had to hear his conversation with Satoshi and he took it as a truth. The editor was tired and seriously didn't have any clues how he can explain the latter their relationship. It seemed that no matter what he says or does will misfire comparing with the younger one's stubbornness. Should he give up then? Should he let Masaki be and touch him in the most improper and sinful way?