The Fighter With No Name
Speechless
Pairings: AsamiXAkihito, SoubiXRitsuka, NatsuoXYouji
Ratings: NC-17 for later chapters
Cross-over type Loveless and Viewfinder
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except Akihito's parents and my imagination! ^_^
Warnings: language and smex in later chapters! ^O^

(AN: this is the first chapter of the sequel to A Name Without A Name sorry it took me so long to get up I have AP Lit soooo yeah. Enjoy and merry Christmas as this is my present to you all and sorry to Radcat who's been waiting on this for about 3 months. ^_^")

Speechless

"Don't say a word…"

~*~*~*~

Asami exited the bathroom calmly, now dressed and dry, determined to gain answers from the group in his living room without giving anything away. The hushed whispers stopped completely as he entered the room. Akihito rose to meet him.

"Hey, Asami." He chirped happily. Asami raised an eyebrow at the younger's behavior, he'd been unusually happy a lot since the previous week's events.

"Hi." The yakuza replied, aware of Soubi's gaze scrutinizing his every action. The zero twins smirked together.

"It's time." They chorused and Akihito's face grew even brighter.

"Really?" He asked looking at Soubi for confirmation, the blonde painter nodded. Ritsuka cheered and Kio stood shouting that he'd get the drinks; Asami watched the scene before him analyzing ever detail.

"What's going on?" He asked Akihito and the boy smiled.

"Ask Soubi." Asami looked away from the photographer toward the painter and Soubi crossed to him.

"Follow me; we'll talk in private."

~*~*~*~

Asami sat in the chair behind the desk in his office, Soubi sat in the chair in front of him.

"Please explain." Asami invited all business now and Soubi grew serious in return.

"You asked about Akihito's name remember?" It was not a true question as Soubi didn't stop long enough for an answer. "We told you what we could then and informed you that we could say no more. That was true, but that's no longer then case." The painter paused, allowing Asami to speak if he wished; Asami said nothing as he continued. "Why, today, did you enter the room and say nothing? Normally you ask what we're talking about but today you didn't/. Why was that?" Soubi didn't continue, he waited for Asami to confirm what he believed and finally the yakuza relented and spoke.

"Nameless is written under my hair; why?" His voice was calm and Soubi was visibly relieved.

"The topic of conversation for the past week has been about how you knew where Akihito was when Tenji took him and who we collided with when you went after him. We determined that we collided with you and therefore that would make you Nameless. We weren't going to tell Akihito but Kio decided to do it for us." Soubi leaned back in his chair relaxing as the 'conversation' progressed.

"Why weren't you going to tell him?" Asami asked, eyes narrowing, although his knowledge was limited he had already observed that Loveless, Soubi and Ritsuka, and Zero, Youji and Natsuo, were dating. It seemed obvious that sharing a name was important. Soubi sighed.

"Because what if we were wrong? Akihito has been told his whole life that no one shares his name, for people like us it's basically saying you'll be alone all your life. Do you even realize what it would have done to him if we were wrong?" Soubi asked and Asami knew instantly. Akihito had always treated their relationship as if it was either fake or on the verge of disappearing, and for the photographer it always had been.

"So what now?" Asami asked softly now having realized why Akihito was so happy.

"…I think that's for you and Akihito to decided. There are three options from here and no matter what the two of you decide; Akihito will be hurt by it." Soubi stood and left the room. Asami remained in his seat and lit a cigarette and smoked it to the butt before leaving his office.

~*~*~*~

In the living room the celebration was in full swing and even Soubi had begun drinking. Asami accepted a beer can as Kio thrust it into his hands; the stud-pierced man's face was already quite flushed.

"Drink! Drink!" Kio cheered before stumbling over to Ritsuka who was also already drunk and sitting in Soubi's lap. Asami took a sip from the can and moved into the kitchen to find Akihito.

~*~*~*~

Akihito sat on the kitchen counter staring at the beer in his hands. Asami touched his shoulder gently and when Akihito met his gaze he saw the pain that echoed in the younger's hazel eyes.

"Akihito?" Asami was answered by Akihito throwing his arms around his neck. The yakuza folded his young lover into his arms. "What's wrong?" Akihito shook his head violently against the elder's neck and Asami felt warm tears against his neck. "Akihito."" He held the boy calmly, waiting for the photographer to calm down enough to speak. Finally Akihito pulled back just barely and whispered so softly Asami thought he might have imagined it.

"I'm sorry."

~*~*~*~

Asami watched Akihito from across the room as the boy laughed and drank with Ritsuka and Kio, both adults urging the minor to have 'just one more' drink. Akihito had left the kitchen quickly and, though unspoken, it was understood that they'd discuss it later when they were alone.

~*~*~*~

Asami glanced at the clock as Akihito locked the door after ushering the last of their guests out; 1:320 a.m. Akihito slipped past Asami, back into the kitchen, and began making coffee immediately.

"Drunk?" Asami inquired, he'd seen how much Akihito drank and knew his limit was much less.

"I wish." Akihito turned to face him; his drunken personality had completely disappeared.

"An act." It wasn't a question, Asami had already guessed the answer, with how often Akihito went drinking their alcohol tolerance should be perfectly matched. Akihito placed two cups of coffee, one black and one with cream and sugar, on the small table in the kitchen. They didn't use the table in the dining room, it was used for Asami's business conferences with his staff and Akihito had gently refused to eat in a room where murder was discussed. Asami took his seat opposite of Akihito sat and took a breath and began to explain.

"How much did Soubi tell you?"

"Not much, he seemed to think you should tell me." Asami answered, carefully keeping his voice calm. Akihito nodded and paused before speaking again.

"When Kio told me that Soubi thought you were my fighter I was ecstatic." Akihito laughed softly. "Soubi's usually right about this kind of thing." Akihito paused and then began again. "But when I had time to think about it, after it was confirmed, I realized I didn't want you to be." Akihito continued to speak quickly so Asami wouldn't be upset. "It's not because I don't want you to be my other half it's because of what has to happen now that you are." Akihito finished in an almost whisper and Asami gripped his hand lightly.

"Explain." The soft order was gently issued because Asami didn't want to upset his lover further. Akihito nodded and continued.

"Soubi has told you about our schooling, hasn't he? Now that you are Nameless you must also go through the training program." Silence filled the small room and finally Asami asked.

"Soubi said something about options?" The yakuza watched his lover carefully as he spoke, making sure not to pressure him. Akihito nodded slowly.

"Yeah, you have three choices but only one's a real option."