[fic] VF: The Key to it All: Ch4
Title: The Key to it All
Pairings, Characters: Asami x Akihito, Feilong, Tao, Yoh, Mikhail
Rating: R
Spoilers: up to NT8
Warnings/genre: Continuation from NT8, romance
Day 6
Feilong rose from his bed, late. He was feeling listless. The drugs always did that to him. He dressed, carelessly, the expensive red silks draped casually about him, then wandered into the study.
Asami was already there pouring over the night's reports and the morning papers. There were several dishes near him that looked like they held the remnants of a huge breakfast, as well as a coffee pot that was still steaming. He looked incredibly relaxed and sure of himself. A phone was at his elbow. Feilong knew just what he had done.
Asami glanced up, as if Feilong were entering his space rather than the way it really was. Asami's eyes wandered down his body, leaving him annoyed, though he wasn't sure if it was the arrogance behind the look or the fact that Asami got some last night and he didn't get any.
"Didn't you get enough of that earlier?"
"Can one really get enough?" His voice was still soft and hoarse. Feilong thought it was a little sexy.
"You should be thanking me, not usurping my place at my desk."
"Well, when you didn’t show up, I thought the drugs would have you out of commission for a while."
"I don't use that much. How did you know I was using any at all?"
"A sensitive nose. And a memory of your old habits. They die hard, don't they?"
A servant entered the room carrying a tray. "Asami-sama, your cigarettes and lighter. Liu-laoban, do you require anything?"
"I require that you stop treating him like he's your master, or I will forget that you are of any value to me."
The servant paled and bowed. "Yes Master. Do you wish for anything else?"
"Some tea. Some soup. That is all."
"Yes Master."
Asami was smiling as he lit up. He leaned back and closed his eyes as he inhaled, clearly experiencing a religious moment.
"Old habit?"
He laughed a little. "The oldest."
"Older than the sex?"
"Two years older. I had my first cigarette when I was nine. I didn't really smoke until I was fourteen, but it all started back then."
Feilong's mouth gaped. "Are you telling me that you were eleven when you first had sex?"
Asami really smiled then. "One of our maids. I caught her stealing. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. I think it's where I developed a passion for tears."
"You're unbelievable. And I suggest you don't tell Akihito that."
"He'd just laugh. I believe he may actually understand me, in some ways."
"I'll never understand you."
"That's probably true."
"But I'll use you anyway."
"Use away. I'm feeling generous this morning."
"Then tell me what you learned in the night's reports that made it imperative to contact your men against my wishes. And tell me how many you instructed to come here and to what purpose."
"Yoh was seen talking with the 14K, and on amiable terms. You know they're bad news. Even I don’t like to do business with them. He's taking this up a level, Feilong. He means to wipe you off the map, and soon. I think he's been puzzled by the lack of action and information, enough that he's waited to see what would turn up. But now, I think, he's going to move in a very few days. And he's enticing some powerful allies to his side. We need all the help we can get."
"Very well. You were correct to call in reinforcements. Though if he's using the 14K, the Wo will likely join us. I'll contact them. Continue."
"Wo? That would be a huge advantage if you could bring that off. And anyone else from the old school who doesn't like the upstarts. At any rate, I'm bringing in half my men. I won't leave the Tokyo districts unprotected, so that's all I can afford. However, I've also borrowed a number of men from ... a family that owed me a favor. They're highly trained, excellent fighters. They'll be an asset.
Feilong looked at him suspiciously. "What family?"
"That doesn't matter. You don't need to know. You only need to know that they'll follow my instructions even if it means death."
"I'd like to know what kind of favor warrants that."
"I'm sure you would. But one of its constraints is that no one ever does. If you learn, we lose the men."
"How convenient for you. And how convenient that it means that I won't get an accurate count of your men."
Asami smiled in acknowledgement. "What's important is that Yoh and the rest of the mafia can do nothing to make any of them turn against us. They'll be here this evening."
"You didn't think Yoh would turn against you either."
"I thought it possible. Just not in this way."
Feilong waited for more, but Asami only stared at the smoke he was exhaling. "We can't keep the arrival of that many men quiet. Yoh will hear about it immediately."
Asami's eyes focused on him again. "And he'll think that I or one of my lieutenants is making a move. He has no idea that we're working together."
Feilong nodded. "It's a point in our favor that no one quite knows what's left of us. They'll all be cautious and cover their asses. In the meantime we'll act as enemies and out-flank him. An ancient trick, yet it works so well on the arrogant."
"Exactly. We'll play on their expectations." Asami stubbed his cigarette out in the remainder of his breakfast eggs, relaxing slightly, elbows on desk. "By the way, you should know that Arbatov was also seen in Yoh's company last night. Your man isn't sure if he's playing him to get information, or if he's chosen sides. Be careful. He's more dangerous than he appears."
Bloody hell. Mikhail. Feilong rolled his eyes. "He's a pest."
"He wants you to think that, because it makes you let your guard down around him and he can get closer. But I'm telling you, Feilong, in Tokyo I have a dossier on him that takes up a file cabinet, all his activities in Russia before he came here. He's ruthless, he's extremely intelligent, and he always gets what he wants. And I get the feeling he wants you."
"Hmmph. We'll see about that."
Asami looked at him a moment and shook his head. "That's all I'll say on the matter, but I wanted to say something, as a way of thanks for last night."
"I didn't do it for you."
"I gathered that. But why did you do it?"
Feilong sat quietly for a moment, then spoke softly. "Maybe I felt I owed Akihito something. Perhaps this pays him back in some small way."
"Ah. The Akihito effect. He seems harmless, but he has a way of affecting people, and before you know it you're doing things like apologizing. It's annoying."
Feilong laughed. "You're completely smitten."
"Don't be ridiculous. Now, we need to find places to house these men. Any suggestions?"
"You're not fooling anyone."
"On the contrary, I've managed to fool everyone I need to."
Feilong tilted his head. "Do you need to fool him?"
Asami's mouth curved slightly. "Not anymore."
--
When Akihito awoke the second time that day, he immediately thought of the first time he'd woken and he blushed. Then he stretched, reveling in every ache he felt from his abused muscles. Some things were just worth it.
He rolled onto his stomach, onto Asami's side of the bed, and buried his face in the pillow that still smelled of his lover. His face grew even hotter as his body responded to such a small thing. He wrapped his arms around the pillow and hugged it to him.
Last night had been everything he'd wanted and more. Asami's hands, battered as they were had played over his skin, sometimes touching gently, sometimes gripping possessively, pinching, stroking, teasing him to new levels of excitement. Asami's mouth, never speaking, yet saying so much as it moved across the lines of his tattoo, obliterating it with heat. Asami's eyes, saying everything, never leaving his, because last night Akihito had made sure they only faced one another.
His eyes...
Akihito squeezed the pillow as waves of happiness poured through him. Asami hadn't come out and actually said it, and probably never would. But everything in his actions had said it, so there was no need. He loved, and was loved. Was there anything better in life? He couldn't imagine it.
A soft knock at the door broke his reverie. A knock? Who would knock? He rolled to an upright position and sat on the edge of the bed, a sheet wrapped around him.
"Come in?"
The door cracked open and Tao peeked in. "Oh you are awake, Akihito? I did not wish to disturb you if you were not. Asami asked me to bring you some breakfast, but not to bother you if you were sleeping because you played all night. What were you playing? He said you would tell me, and that it is much more fun than PS3."
Akihito buried his face in his hands. He had this to look forward to. Then he grinned and looked up at Tao. "It sure is, Tao, loads of fun! It's called the stock market. Asami said he'd give you five million yen so you could play too. Run along and thank him. Make sure Feilong is there when you tell him, okay?"
"Wow... That's a lot. Maybe I was wrong about Asami like you were wrong about Master Fei, huh? I will go thank him now. Do you want this food?"
"Yes, thanks. You didn't eat any of it, did you?"
Tao blushed. "I do not do that any more!" He slammed the tray down. "But I still bite, so you just watch out." He stalked from the room.
Akihito called after him. "Don't forget to thank Asami!"
Tao poked his head back in and grinned. "Oh, I will not forget. I cannot wait to see the look on his face when he hears what he offered." He stuck his tongue out and left.
Akihito started laughing. Never discount the intelligence of a twelve year old.
Okay, breakfast, shower, then the study. Maybe things would get moving today so they would be closer to going home.
--
When he reached the study, Feilong was at the desk on the phone speaking Mandarin. Asami was across the room on a cell issuing orders in Japanese. Akihito went to his side and took a nearby chair, waiting.
"Good. Once they're aware that I'm still alive your problems should disappear. They won't want to fuck with me, especially knowing I'll be in a bad mood when I get back. As for the rest, start in at the top of each group and work your way down. When their leaders are found decapitated and dickless, I have the feeling the rest won't feel quite so aggressive anymore."
He listened a moment, his eyes turning to Akihito and sweeping along his body. "Yes, tell her she has nothing to worry about. We'll care for her and the boy for the rest of their lives. Tell her he died with honor, and that his last words were of her."
There was a short query from the phone.
"No, they weren't. They were 'I'm sorry, Asami-sama', but she doesn't need to know that. She was a good wife to him. We owe her this, Kirishima, at the very least. And I owe him this, for his years of service. He never once failed me, especially at the end, and I won't fail him now."
Akihito heard another faint reply, then Asami disconnected.
"Who died?"
"Suoh, when they took me. You know him, the large blond man who was my bodyguard. He was by my side for many years. I will miss him. And I will pay for his death tenfold with the blood of Yoh and his men."
Akihito looked carefully at Asami's face. He rarely heard Asami express any sentiment about anyone, and his eyes were deadly cold. He took Asami's hand between both of his, wanting to share some warmth. "You're a good friend, to take care of his family."
Asami blinked and his eyes seemed human again when he glanced down at their joined hands. "You're a good friend too, to give your friend Tao such a gift."
Feilong was there all of a sudden. "Yes, Akihito, thank you for your generous gift. I'll put it in his college fund."
"But it's from Asami..."
Asami shook his head. "I told him how it was really a gift from you, but you'd been too shy to say so. I couldn't let your generosity go unthanked though."
"But I don't have that kind of money..."
Asami smiled. "Oh, but I loaned it to you. And you'll be paying me back in small increments for years to come. So to speak."
Akihito smiled sweetly back. "Oh you can bet I will."
Feilong smiled too. "It's so nice to see two people so in love."
They glared at him. He ignored them. "The Wo Group has agreed. But they wish to meet with me and the other families to seal the deal. They will not fight for a "bird in a cage, no matter how beautiful the plumage". I must go, if only to convince them that all my strength was not lost with Yoh's defection."
Asami frowned. "Do you think it's a trap?"
"I think the chance of that is low, at least on their part. They hate 14K, so they won't work with Yoh if he's associated with that group of thugs. The other families though... one of them might try to betray me to him."
"And you've not told them about me?"
"On the contrary. I told them about your near-death comatose state, and how I've been using you to keep your men in line, but that I'm afraid they may attempt a rescue."
Asami's smile turned cruel. "Perfect. When is this meeting?"
"Tomorrow night. They'll keep the location to themselves until shortly before, so that no one may plan a trap. That might work to an extent, but Yoh is quick."
"My men are quicker. We will know when you know, and we will be there en force."
"Surely you will not...."
"Asami, you can't!"
"I'm not a fool. I'd only be in the way in this condition. I'll stay here in case they have a two-pronged attack. They won't know where the meet is, but they certainly know where Baishe headquarters is and you'll be leaving it unprotected as far as they know. But I'll be in constant contact by phone. It would help if I could hear what was happening at the meeting though."
Akihito leaned forward eagerly. "I can go and be your eyes and ears."
"No. "
"That's not a bad idea he has. It would look like a show of power on my part, having your boy at my feet like a dog. They'll search us all for wires, but would ignore a piece of jewelry on a whore. You could hear everything that went on."
"No. He will remain here, at my side."
"Asami, I'm useless here. Let me do this to help."
"You're not useless. You..." Asami's jaw clenched. "You will not go. If you went I'd spend half my time worrying about how you were getting yourself into trouble. If you stay here, I'll have no such distractions."
"Asami..."
"I'm just guarding my investment. I have no desire to lose five million yen."
Feilong looked at Akihito. "Is he fooling you?"
Akihito looked at Feilong. "Nope. You?"
Feilong shook his head. "No. Whatever. I don't need Akihito there, though I think he'd be helpful. But if that would turn you into a quivering mass of custard than we'd best leave him here holding your hand."
"I will go, Master Fei." Their heads turned to see Tao, setting a tea tray on one of the tables. "I can go in Akihito's place."
Feilong's eyes softened. "Thank you Tao, but that wouldn't work. It would have to be Akihito, the Japanese they know is Asami's boy. Besides, I don't think you'd make a very convincing wh - uh boyfriend. You're a little young for me."
"Oh. Well then, it will have to be Akihito." Tao handed a cup of tea to Feilong, then turned to Asami. "You must let him go, because you owe it to Master Fei."
"And just how do you figure that?"
"Whether you meant it or not, your showing up here seven years ago resulted in the deaths of his father and brother, and his being thrown into prison. You owe him for that."
Asami regarded the young boy silently. "I think that I am more than paying him back now, helping him despite what he did to Akihito for months, despite what has been done to me, despite the loss of a friend."
Tao shook his head. "You are doing this for yourself, for revenge. And for your freedom."
"Nonetheless, he benefits. He could not do this on his own. You do not think he owes me for his treatment of Akihito?"
Tao again shook his head. "He owes Akihito, a debt he has partially repaid. He owes you nothing."
Asami sat, mulling this over, while Tao passed out the remainder of the tea and some biscuits. Feilong and Akihito said nothing, merely watched, as the wheels turned inside that complex mind.
"Perhaps you are right. I will allow it if you understand two things. The first." He looked at Akihito. "You will wear a transmitter and receiver, and you will obey my every command. If you do not, I'll beat your ass black and blue when you return."
Akihito swallowed. He knew that wasn't an idle threat. Any threat coming from Asami wasn't an idle one. "And the other?"
"Is for Feilong." He looked Feilong in the eye. "You will keep him safe. If you do not I'll beat your ass black and blue. Right before I put a bullet through your head. Am I understood by both of you?"
Feilong didn't appear to be impressed. "Of course I'll keep him safe. It wouldn't look good if I couldn't, would it? You know, I think I liked you better the other way, before you were lovesick."
"Feilong, when this is over..."
"What? What scary plans do you have for me? I'm already shaking."
"I'm going to hand you over to Arbatov with a bow on you and my blessing."
Feilong's eyes narrowed. "That's not funny."
"Oh, I think it will be hilarious. And he's already dressed in white, as if anticipating the wedding. Think of your fingers running through that unnaturally curly hair."
"You're dead. As soon as I don't need you, you're dead. And your little dog too." He turned to Akihito. "Come Toto. We need to suit you up in clothing as befits your station. I'll get a nice shiny collar for you." He swept from the room, Tao at his heels.
Akihito sighed. "We're not back to that dog thing are we? Can't you guys be a little more creative?" He turned to leave, but Asami had caught his wrist. "Eh?"
"Akihito, be very careful. I don't trust him not to use you for his own benefit. He may try to give you into the keeping of another group to ensure my behavior. Stick to him like glue, and don't eat or drink anything that isn't communal. If you sound like you're in any trouble, I'm sending men in. Period. If you say 'Help', they'll be there in an instant. Got it?"
Akihito had sobered through this speech. "I get it. I'll be careful. Thank you for watching out for me." He held a hand up to Asami's mouth to keep him from talking. "I know. It's just because I'm an investment."
Asami pulled the hand away. "No, it's because you're important to me."
Akihito melted onto Asami's lap, their lips joining in a promise when Tao barged in demanding that he hurry.
Akihito reluctantly arose and went with him. When he looked back, Asami was just sitting there staring at him. He blushed. "Tonight?"
The corner of Asami's mouth lifted slightly. "If you can last that long."
He stuck his tongue out and dashed after Tao.
--
tbc
Chapter 5
Pairings, Characters: Asami x Akihito, Feilong, Tao, Yoh, Mikhail
Rating: R
Spoilers: up to NT8
Warnings/genre: Continuation from NT8, romance
Day 6
Feilong rose from his bed, late. He was feeling listless. The drugs always did that to him. He dressed, carelessly, the expensive red silks draped casually about him, then wandered into the study.
Asami was already there pouring over the night's reports and the morning papers. There were several dishes near him that looked like they held the remnants of a huge breakfast, as well as a coffee pot that was still steaming. He looked incredibly relaxed and sure of himself. A phone was at his elbow. Feilong knew just what he had done.
Asami glanced up, as if Feilong were entering his space rather than the way it really was. Asami's eyes wandered down his body, leaving him annoyed, though he wasn't sure if it was the arrogance behind the look or the fact that Asami got some last night and he didn't get any.
"Didn't you get enough of that earlier?"
"Can one really get enough?" His voice was still soft and hoarse. Feilong thought it was a little sexy.
"You should be thanking me, not usurping my place at my desk."
"Well, when you didn’t show up, I thought the drugs would have you out of commission for a while."
"I don't use that much. How did you know I was using any at all?"
"A sensitive nose. And a memory of your old habits. They die hard, don't they?"
A servant entered the room carrying a tray. "Asami-sama, your cigarettes and lighter. Liu-laoban, do you require anything?"
"I require that you stop treating him like he's your master, or I will forget that you are of any value to me."
The servant paled and bowed. "Yes Master. Do you wish for anything else?"
"Some tea. Some soup. That is all."
"Yes Master."
Asami was smiling as he lit up. He leaned back and closed his eyes as he inhaled, clearly experiencing a religious moment.
"Old habit?"
He laughed a little. "The oldest."
"Older than the sex?"
"Two years older. I had my first cigarette when I was nine. I didn't really smoke until I was fourteen, but it all started back then."
Feilong's mouth gaped. "Are you telling me that you were eleven when you first had sex?"
Asami really smiled then. "One of our maids. I caught her stealing. It was too good an opportunity to pass up. I think it's where I developed a passion for tears."
"You're unbelievable. And I suggest you don't tell Akihito that."
"He'd just laugh. I believe he may actually understand me, in some ways."
"I'll never understand you."
"That's probably true."
"But I'll use you anyway."
"Use away. I'm feeling generous this morning."
"Then tell me what you learned in the night's reports that made it imperative to contact your men against my wishes. And tell me how many you instructed to come here and to what purpose."
"Yoh was seen talking with the 14K, and on amiable terms. You know they're bad news. Even I don’t like to do business with them. He's taking this up a level, Feilong. He means to wipe you off the map, and soon. I think he's been puzzled by the lack of action and information, enough that he's waited to see what would turn up. But now, I think, he's going to move in a very few days. And he's enticing some powerful allies to his side. We need all the help we can get."
"Very well. You were correct to call in reinforcements. Though if he's using the 14K, the Wo will likely join us. I'll contact them. Continue."
"Wo? That would be a huge advantage if you could bring that off. And anyone else from the old school who doesn't like the upstarts. At any rate, I'm bringing in half my men. I won't leave the Tokyo districts unprotected, so that's all I can afford. However, I've also borrowed a number of men from ... a family that owed me a favor. They're highly trained, excellent fighters. They'll be an asset.
Feilong looked at him suspiciously. "What family?"
"That doesn't matter. You don't need to know. You only need to know that they'll follow my instructions even if it means death."
"I'd like to know what kind of favor warrants that."
"I'm sure you would. But one of its constraints is that no one ever does. If you learn, we lose the men."
"How convenient for you. And how convenient that it means that I won't get an accurate count of your men."
Asami smiled in acknowledgement. "What's important is that Yoh and the rest of the mafia can do nothing to make any of them turn against us. They'll be here this evening."
"You didn't think Yoh would turn against you either."
"I thought it possible. Just not in this way."
Feilong waited for more, but Asami only stared at the smoke he was exhaling. "We can't keep the arrival of that many men quiet. Yoh will hear about it immediately."
Asami's eyes focused on him again. "And he'll think that I or one of my lieutenants is making a move. He has no idea that we're working together."
Feilong nodded. "It's a point in our favor that no one quite knows what's left of us. They'll all be cautious and cover their asses. In the meantime we'll act as enemies and out-flank him. An ancient trick, yet it works so well on the arrogant."
"Exactly. We'll play on their expectations." Asami stubbed his cigarette out in the remainder of his breakfast eggs, relaxing slightly, elbows on desk. "By the way, you should know that Arbatov was also seen in Yoh's company last night. Your man isn't sure if he's playing him to get information, or if he's chosen sides. Be careful. He's more dangerous than he appears."
Bloody hell. Mikhail. Feilong rolled his eyes. "He's a pest."
"He wants you to think that, because it makes you let your guard down around him and he can get closer. But I'm telling you, Feilong, in Tokyo I have a dossier on him that takes up a file cabinet, all his activities in Russia before he came here. He's ruthless, he's extremely intelligent, and he always gets what he wants. And I get the feeling he wants you."
"Hmmph. We'll see about that."
Asami looked at him a moment and shook his head. "That's all I'll say on the matter, but I wanted to say something, as a way of thanks for last night."
"I didn't do it for you."
"I gathered that. But why did you do it?"
Feilong sat quietly for a moment, then spoke softly. "Maybe I felt I owed Akihito something. Perhaps this pays him back in some small way."
"Ah. The Akihito effect. He seems harmless, but he has a way of affecting people, and before you know it you're doing things like apologizing. It's annoying."
Feilong laughed. "You're completely smitten."
"Don't be ridiculous. Now, we need to find places to house these men. Any suggestions?"
"You're not fooling anyone."
"On the contrary, I've managed to fool everyone I need to."
Feilong tilted his head. "Do you need to fool him?"
Asami's mouth curved slightly. "Not anymore."
--
When Akihito awoke the second time that day, he immediately thought of the first time he'd woken and he blushed. Then he stretched, reveling in every ache he felt from his abused muscles. Some things were just worth it.
He rolled onto his stomach, onto Asami's side of the bed, and buried his face in the pillow that still smelled of his lover. His face grew even hotter as his body responded to such a small thing. He wrapped his arms around the pillow and hugged it to him.
Last night had been everything he'd wanted and more. Asami's hands, battered as they were had played over his skin, sometimes touching gently, sometimes gripping possessively, pinching, stroking, teasing him to new levels of excitement. Asami's mouth, never speaking, yet saying so much as it moved across the lines of his tattoo, obliterating it with heat. Asami's eyes, saying everything, never leaving his, because last night Akihito had made sure they only faced one another.
His eyes...
Akihito squeezed the pillow as waves of happiness poured through him. Asami hadn't come out and actually said it, and probably never would. But everything in his actions had said it, so there was no need. He loved, and was loved. Was there anything better in life? He couldn't imagine it.
A soft knock at the door broke his reverie. A knock? Who would knock? He rolled to an upright position and sat on the edge of the bed, a sheet wrapped around him.
"Come in?"
The door cracked open and Tao peeked in. "Oh you are awake, Akihito? I did not wish to disturb you if you were not. Asami asked me to bring you some breakfast, but not to bother you if you were sleeping because you played all night. What were you playing? He said you would tell me, and that it is much more fun than PS3."
Akihito buried his face in his hands. He had this to look forward to. Then he grinned and looked up at Tao. "It sure is, Tao, loads of fun! It's called the stock market. Asami said he'd give you five million yen so you could play too. Run along and thank him. Make sure Feilong is there when you tell him, okay?"
"Wow... That's a lot. Maybe I was wrong about Asami like you were wrong about Master Fei, huh? I will go thank him now. Do you want this food?"
"Yes, thanks. You didn't eat any of it, did you?"
Tao blushed. "I do not do that any more!" He slammed the tray down. "But I still bite, so you just watch out." He stalked from the room.
Akihito called after him. "Don't forget to thank Asami!"
Tao poked his head back in and grinned. "Oh, I will not forget. I cannot wait to see the look on his face when he hears what he offered." He stuck his tongue out and left.
Akihito started laughing. Never discount the intelligence of a twelve year old.
Okay, breakfast, shower, then the study. Maybe things would get moving today so they would be closer to going home.
--
When he reached the study, Feilong was at the desk on the phone speaking Mandarin. Asami was across the room on a cell issuing orders in Japanese. Akihito went to his side and took a nearby chair, waiting.
"Good. Once they're aware that I'm still alive your problems should disappear. They won't want to fuck with me, especially knowing I'll be in a bad mood when I get back. As for the rest, start in at the top of each group and work your way down. When their leaders are found decapitated and dickless, I have the feeling the rest won't feel quite so aggressive anymore."
He listened a moment, his eyes turning to Akihito and sweeping along his body. "Yes, tell her she has nothing to worry about. We'll care for her and the boy for the rest of their lives. Tell her he died with honor, and that his last words were of her."
There was a short query from the phone.
"No, they weren't. They were 'I'm sorry, Asami-sama', but she doesn't need to know that. She was a good wife to him. We owe her this, Kirishima, at the very least. And I owe him this, for his years of service. He never once failed me, especially at the end, and I won't fail him now."
Akihito heard another faint reply, then Asami disconnected.
"Who died?"
"Suoh, when they took me. You know him, the large blond man who was my bodyguard. He was by my side for many years. I will miss him. And I will pay for his death tenfold with the blood of Yoh and his men."
Akihito looked carefully at Asami's face. He rarely heard Asami express any sentiment about anyone, and his eyes were deadly cold. He took Asami's hand between both of his, wanting to share some warmth. "You're a good friend, to take care of his family."
Asami blinked and his eyes seemed human again when he glanced down at their joined hands. "You're a good friend too, to give your friend Tao such a gift."
Feilong was there all of a sudden. "Yes, Akihito, thank you for your generous gift. I'll put it in his college fund."
"But it's from Asami..."
Asami shook his head. "I told him how it was really a gift from you, but you'd been too shy to say so. I couldn't let your generosity go unthanked though."
"But I don't have that kind of money..."
Asami smiled. "Oh, but I loaned it to you. And you'll be paying me back in small increments for years to come. So to speak."
Akihito smiled sweetly back. "Oh you can bet I will."
Feilong smiled too. "It's so nice to see two people so in love."
They glared at him. He ignored them. "The Wo Group has agreed. But they wish to meet with me and the other families to seal the deal. They will not fight for a "bird in a cage, no matter how beautiful the plumage". I must go, if only to convince them that all my strength was not lost with Yoh's defection."
Asami frowned. "Do you think it's a trap?"
"I think the chance of that is low, at least on their part. They hate 14K, so they won't work with Yoh if he's associated with that group of thugs. The other families though... one of them might try to betray me to him."
"And you've not told them about me?"
"On the contrary. I told them about your near-death comatose state, and how I've been using you to keep your men in line, but that I'm afraid they may attempt a rescue."
Asami's smile turned cruel. "Perfect. When is this meeting?"
"Tomorrow night. They'll keep the location to themselves until shortly before, so that no one may plan a trap. That might work to an extent, but Yoh is quick."
"My men are quicker. We will know when you know, and we will be there en force."
"Surely you will not...."
"Asami, you can't!"
"I'm not a fool. I'd only be in the way in this condition. I'll stay here in case they have a two-pronged attack. They won't know where the meet is, but they certainly know where Baishe headquarters is and you'll be leaving it unprotected as far as they know. But I'll be in constant contact by phone. It would help if I could hear what was happening at the meeting though."
Akihito leaned forward eagerly. "I can go and be your eyes and ears."
"No. "
"That's not a bad idea he has. It would look like a show of power on my part, having your boy at my feet like a dog. They'll search us all for wires, but would ignore a piece of jewelry on a whore. You could hear everything that went on."
"No. He will remain here, at my side."
"Asami, I'm useless here. Let me do this to help."
"You're not useless. You..." Asami's jaw clenched. "You will not go. If you went I'd spend half my time worrying about how you were getting yourself into trouble. If you stay here, I'll have no such distractions."
"Asami..."
"I'm just guarding my investment. I have no desire to lose five million yen."
Feilong looked at Akihito. "Is he fooling you?"
Akihito looked at Feilong. "Nope. You?"
Feilong shook his head. "No. Whatever. I don't need Akihito there, though I think he'd be helpful. But if that would turn you into a quivering mass of custard than we'd best leave him here holding your hand."
"I will go, Master Fei." Their heads turned to see Tao, setting a tea tray on one of the tables. "I can go in Akihito's place."
Feilong's eyes softened. "Thank you Tao, but that wouldn't work. It would have to be Akihito, the Japanese they know is Asami's boy. Besides, I don't think you'd make a very convincing wh - uh boyfriend. You're a little young for me."
"Oh. Well then, it will have to be Akihito." Tao handed a cup of tea to Feilong, then turned to Asami. "You must let him go, because you owe it to Master Fei."
"And just how do you figure that?"
"Whether you meant it or not, your showing up here seven years ago resulted in the deaths of his father and brother, and his being thrown into prison. You owe him for that."
Asami regarded the young boy silently. "I think that I am more than paying him back now, helping him despite what he did to Akihito for months, despite what has been done to me, despite the loss of a friend."
Tao shook his head. "You are doing this for yourself, for revenge. And for your freedom."
"Nonetheless, he benefits. He could not do this on his own. You do not think he owes me for his treatment of Akihito?"
Tao again shook his head. "He owes Akihito, a debt he has partially repaid. He owes you nothing."
Asami sat, mulling this over, while Tao passed out the remainder of the tea and some biscuits. Feilong and Akihito said nothing, merely watched, as the wheels turned inside that complex mind.
"Perhaps you are right. I will allow it if you understand two things. The first." He looked at Akihito. "You will wear a transmitter and receiver, and you will obey my every command. If you do not, I'll beat your ass black and blue when you return."
Akihito swallowed. He knew that wasn't an idle threat. Any threat coming from Asami wasn't an idle one. "And the other?"
"Is for Feilong." He looked Feilong in the eye. "You will keep him safe. If you do not I'll beat your ass black and blue. Right before I put a bullet through your head. Am I understood by both of you?"
Feilong didn't appear to be impressed. "Of course I'll keep him safe. It wouldn't look good if I couldn't, would it? You know, I think I liked you better the other way, before you were lovesick."
"Feilong, when this is over..."
"What? What scary plans do you have for me? I'm already shaking."
"I'm going to hand you over to Arbatov with a bow on you and my blessing."
Feilong's eyes narrowed. "That's not funny."
"Oh, I think it will be hilarious. And he's already dressed in white, as if anticipating the wedding. Think of your fingers running through that unnaturally curly hair."
"You're dead. As soon as I don't need you, you're dead. And your little dog too." He turned to Akihito. "Come Toto. We need to suit you up in clothing as befits your station. I'll get a nice shiny collar for you." He swept from the room, Tao at his heels.
Akihito sighed. "We're not back to that dog thing are we? Can't you guys be a little more creative?" He turned to leave, but Asami had caught his wrist. "Eh?"
"Akihito, be very careful. I don't trust him not to use you for his own benefit. He may try to give you into the keeping of another group to ensure my behavior. Stick to him like glue, and don't eat or drink anything that isn't communal. If you sound like you're in any trouble, I'm sending men in. Period. If you say 'Help', they'll be there in an instant. Got it?"
Akihito had sobered through this speech. "I get it. I'll be careful. Thank you for watching out for me." He held a hand up to Asami's mouth to keep him from talking. "I know. It's just because I'm an investment."
Asami pulled the hand away. "No, it's because you're important to me."
Akihito melted onto Asami's lap, their lips joining in a promise when Tao barged in demanding that he hurry.
Akihito reluctantly arose and went with him. When he looked back, Asami was just sitting there staring at him. He blushed. "Tonight?"
The corner of Asami's mouth lifted slightly. "If you can last that long."
He stuck his tongue out and dashed after Tao.
--
tbc
Chapter 5