Author's Note: I don't claim to own jack.

Note: I condensed the first chapter. It may seem vague, but with each chapter, hopefully something small will be revealed. I didn't want to put all reasoning and facts into the first chapter.

Entrapment: Chapter 1

At this hour, the university library was very quiet. This early in the morning, most students were immersed in their morning classes, and the library usually didn't start to get busy until the first lunch hour began.

Ayase preferred not to snub his obligations, but skipping lessons gave him free time. It was time that he wouldn't have an excuse for otherwise. He would have to fudge up some boring recap of his classes for Kanou-san in order to ensure the older man would be appeased and to not arouse suspicion, but it was a necessary burden to bear.

Besides that, Ayase's education plan was about to be derailed, so whether or not he missed classes was irrelevant at this point. The ball was already rolling, and as such, Ayase had been sure to review the syllabi for each class carefully and work ahead of schedule to avoid failing his classes, should he have to drop out.

And he was going to have to drop out. When the time came for Ayase to flee, dropping from the face of the earth, he was going to have to give up everything he had learned to hold dear and start over.

This time was necessary for Ayase, because he had to plan. Formulating a foolproof plan was crucial, because he had to be very careful. There could be no evidence. He had to be smarter than Kanou-san, stay one step ahead of him. Any scraps of paper left in the trash, any notes or lists left in his schoolbag, any phone calls he made, any sent or received e-mails, any text messages, any internet searches, and any careless meetings with any individual would be found out, assuredly. In addition, any extra brooding or change in Ayase's mood would put Kanou-san on alert. He didn't take anything for granted, didn't write anything off. And if Kanou-san didn't notice, he would be notified by Misao-san or Homare-san since either one of them followed his every move unless he was in class, hence his need to skip. Every person currently a part of Ayase's life also reported to Kanou-san. He had no allies, no friends made of his own choice.

He felt alone already. As he sat huddled in an armchair located in the corner of the reference area, a Styrofoam cup filled to the brim with hot tea that was more to warm his cold fingers than for use as a beverage, he pondered the conclusion that he was about to truly be alone.

The term could be defined differently, depending on the stage of Ayase's life one was referring to. Ayase had experienced varying types of loneliness. There was the loneliness he felt when he lost his parents but still had his extended family. There was the loneliness he had felt after Kanou-san had rescued him and he'd learned of his cousin's betrayal. There was the loneliness he felt now, even while surrounded by people that cared for him.

No matter what the situation, Ayase would always be solitary to some degree.

He was a slip of a man, small in stature, quiet in nature, and gentle in doings.

He had worked hard since he had lost his family, fighting to remain in school and improve his odds in life. In his dealings with others, he was always fair, polite, and caring. He was a firm believer in karma, and assumed that if he was kind to others, that it would come back to him tenfold. At the very least, he had hoped that no harm would come to him in turn.

His efforts had gotten him absolutely nowhere. He had clung to his remaining extended family, taking comfort in the fact that he still had people of lineage to depend on, assuming that family would always take care of family. A cousin, who he had thought would never entertain the idea of doing his own family harm, had betrayed him. It wasn't a forgivable betrayal, although Ayase had a hard time accepting what had been done and had given Tetsuo the benefit of the doubt until the truth had become too obvious to ignore.

Ayase still couldn't hate Tetsuo, or anyone, for that matter. He supposed his cousin had done what he felt was necessary to ensure his personal and financial safety. Dooming his own flesh and blood to a life of sexual slavery was intended to save himself from a lifetime of debt, or certain death, and Ayase couldn't imagine doing something like that to another person, he supposed that when faced with either or both of those two fates, that anyone would take a drastic effort much like his cousin had.

Ayase knew, without a doubt, that he could have fallen into a much more dangerous life than the one he lead living with Kanou-san. Much, much worse. Ayase had learned how evil individuals could be since then, and was grateful that even though Kanou-san was overbearing and angered quickly, that he always ensured Ayase's safety and comfort.

Kanou-san wasn't a bad man, but he was in the business of making money, and he handled all issues regarding funds in the same manner. Those issues ranged from runaways who were trying to escape their debt, or Ayase himself, who had fallen into his own debt unconsciously and against his will. That method was to get his money or compensation for that money, no matter what the means. In this case, Kanou san sought compensation from Ayase through a non-conventional and less logical payment plan than any shrewd but well meaning and honest business man would never even consider.

Ayase couldn't even complain much about that anymore. While he hadn't chosen his current situation, he was living a luxurious life. To most that weren't familiar with Ayase and his predicament, the boy had it made. He was escorted any and everywhere he went, never had to worry about money, was clothed in the finest brands, had his schooling financed, and had a very close circle of people known as his extended family. However, that fluffy lifestyle came at a price, and no one except those in that circle were able to see the shackles that confined the innocent blonde.

This was Ayase's predicament. Nearly two years had passed since he had moved into Kanou-san's home, since he had become contracted indefinitely to the life he currently lived. Within those two years, Ayase had experienced a great deal. He had learned not to trust everyone, to question motives. He had learned that he far preferred silk over cheaply made fabrics. He liked plush carpeting, French cuisine, and a well-heated apartment. He liked walking without being accompanied by the soundtrack of floorboards creaking, working appliances, large bathrooms, and luxurious beds. Above all else, he had learned to anticipate Kanou-san's touch. While he had yet to fully admit this to Kanou-san, he had long ago admitted this to himself.

Ayase had fully settled in and accepted his fate. His way of life had completely changed, and he was now accustomed to the best. The Ayase he had become had learned to shut his mouth and simply accept Kanou-san's gifts and pampering. He hadn't behaved this way because he felt that he was owed, rather because he felt obligated. Now he could accept a gift graciously, as well as Kanou-san's rough handling.

But Ayase wasn't spoiled. He didn't simply take. He showed his gratitude by keeping the luxury apartment spotless, seeing to Kanou-san's needs after he returned home from a long day at the office, prepared his breakfast, lunch, and dinner every single day, and tried not to make a nuisance of himself. He never asked Kanou-san for anything, rarely left the apartment unless it was for work or class, and made a minimum of noise at all times.

It was all to keep his owner happy. The last thing Ayase wanted at this point in his life was to be viewed as a burden. While Kanou-san continued to encourage Ayase to speak his mind and let more of his personality out into the open, Ayase simply didn't try. He was fully conscious that at any time, he could be thrown onto the street or given to another owner if Kanou-san grew bored of him or didn't approve of the way he was behaving.

The thought brought tears to his eyes. It wasn't an ideal life, but it was one that he recognized and understood. Ayase didn't have much in the way of choices: he never had. Losing his parents, his abysmal financial situation, the auctioning off of his body, and his contract with Kanou-san were all out of his hands. It seemed that any time he became comfortable with his life, the carpet was ripped out from underneath him, and he was left, scratching and frantic, to pick up the pieces and begin adjusting once more. He couldn't bear to be lost again.

His main obstacle to overcome had to be his debt. Also incurred against his will, Ayase didn't question the fairness or the logistics of it. It was just a way of life. The loneliness he faced was inevitable, but he had to learn how to make decisions for himself and have control over his own life.

While in debt, his position in Kanou-san's life would always be precarious. While in debt, he would never be able to make his own decisions, choose his own friends, buy his own items, rent or own a domicile again, or make any sort of move without repercussions. While in debt, he would be surrounded yet alone. While in debt, he would always have only a shaky hold on his sanity.

So there he sat, huddled in an oversize coat, head down, fighting to steady his breathing. This was a huge undertaking, and one that could bear disastrous consequences. Anyone who knew Kanou-san would doubt Ayase's mental well being in planning such a feat.

But at this point, Ayase was like a wild animal-albeit a tiny, nondescript one, ready to gnaw at his bindings or limbs to escape imminent danger, desperate for freedom. Although Ayase was well aware that no one outsmarted Kanou-san successfully, he had no choice but to try.

The only problem was that Ayase was planning to escape, with the intention of plunging headfirst into another dangerous situation. And this one could be even more dangerous than the last. Ayase had lucked out in being trapped with the arrogant, domineering, rich, and wonderful man known as Kanou-san.

Overbearing, brutish and arrogant. That was his owner. Sweet, caring, and awkward. That was his owner as well. The decision to leave would have been easier if Kanou-san wasn't a mixture of both good and bad attributes. In attempting to give Ayase what he'd never had, what he deemed as normal, he resorted to some pretty abnormal tactics. But he was caring. Even so, despite the fact that Ayase couldn't deny he was treated very well in some aspects, he couldn't ignore the very reason that he was caught in the man's grasp, which was a debt that he shouldn't be responsible for and was desperate to absolve at any cost.

The sound of feet dragging themselves across the carpeting caught Ayase's attention and he raised his head.

"Tetsuo." Finally.

Testuo was late. Understandably, his cousin had balked at Ayase's proposal, but at the promise of financial compensation, he had agreed to hear Ayase out, with no promises. He was also aware that Ayase's plan had some holes in it that could potentially ruin their chances for success, but the promise of reward had won. His sandy-haired accomplice was still extremely nervous, and he had every right to be. He himself was also under Kanou-san's thumb and if caught, would most likely pay even more dearly than Ayase.

As Tetsuo occupied the chair next to his own, Ayase took a moment to study him carefully. He was a calculating, selfish opportunist, but he was the only individual that Ayase had a relationship with that wasn't forged through his owner. In addition, Testuo had his own reasons for wanting to make a success of this deal; he was currently working off his debt to Kanou-san himself, and the sooner that was resolved, the better for him. Testuo wasn't used to labor, and the only factor keeping him from fleeing his situation was the threat of punishment.

Back breaking work hadn't humbled his cousin at all; it actually resulted in a bitterer attitude, as if the punishment hadn't fit the crime and he had been victimized. He remained immature and illogical, mind always focused on the best way to maximize his earnings. To this day, he still showed absolutely no remorse for committing Ayase to his current life, although he had stopped vocally blaming Ayase for his own predicament.

At least these past two years had taught him that his cousin was not to always be trusted. It was a sad revelation, but one Ayase accepted now. Making Tetsuo his accomplice was something Ayase agonized over for weeks, because he knew that at any time, his plan could fall through due to his cousin's negligence or greed.

But though he was shady, he was the only person Ayase could depend on, even just a little.

Even as Ayase sat there, studying his cousin quietly, Tetsuo fidgeted in his seat, hands tightly clasped, messy hair covering his eyes.

"Yukiya." He braced his hands on his knees, and Ayase found it difficult to read his expression, but he got the feeling his cousin was excited. The problem was with Tetsuo, that could be both good and bad. The man was so fidgety and nervous on principle that all of his expressions were a variant of one. "I only got a minute. We'll have to meet again tomorrow."

Ayase didn't reply; he merely waited for his cousin to continue. If he'd had nothing to report, it was more than likely he would have simply stood Ayase up. He wouldn't have made the trip on campus to tell Ayase he had absolutely nothing for him.

"Your demands were ridiculous. Your price was too high. Your proposed payment plan, split into three separate payments sent to three different people every ten days is too much work, especially for someone sight unseen."

"So what you're saying is," Ayase started carefully, eyes downcast, "is that I need to re-think my plan?" Truly, Ayase was being rather ballsy in his demands. He'd had to aim high if he was to ever achieve his goal. The terms that he'd set, assuming he'd went over all calculations correctly, were related to his outstanding debt and the interest that would accumulate on his debt to Kanou-san, as well as Tetsuo's debts.

If he didn't aim high, there would be no point in doing this. If the only deal he could swing was comparable to his payments to Kanou-san, then the effort wasn't worth his time. He might as well live out his days spread-eagled in Kanou-san's enormous bed, delightfully naked, tangled in the silken sheets and make that his full time occupation.

"No." Testuo answered, tapping his fingers lightly against the armrest. His eyes began to gleam. "But it was hard to find someone who was willing to meet your requirements."

Ayase sat up in his chair. "But.. you did?"

"I found a bidder, Yukiya."