Title: Mea Culpa (My fault)
By: Amaniblue
Rating: pg-13
Warning: language
Disclaimer: Not mine despite my wish. The characters belong to Yamane Ayano. Not betaed, so pardon the grammar.
Summary: written for Club_Sion's Akihito Birthday theme 2009

AN: My lame attempt to write a sparring match from Akihito's POV. This was intended to be part of Undercover but I decided a different scene for that. So here goes. Enjoy!


If someone were to ask me several months ago whether I would be able to go up against not just anyone of Asami's goons, but the biggest one of them all (you know, that blonde oaf, Suoh), I would have laughed and said 'hell no.' But if that question was pose at me now, I won't hesitate and say, 'hell yeah, bring it on!'

In fact, that big lug is throwing a punch at me now. Don't let that oaf fool you. He's very smooth and light on his feet. But don't worry, before he could connect, I shift my body weight to my left hip and throw my right forearm at the side to redirect his force. He missed my face by a few centimeters. Phew! That was close.

Why the change in attitude you might ask?

I'll get back to the fight later, don't worry. Hn.

So won't you like to know? Well, since you ask so nicely.

Ever since that day I flew home to Japan with my lover (yeah, that's right I said it), Asami immediately insisted that I get around the clock protection. You can imagine my feelings on that. After a bit of tantrum throwing on my part and some subduing on his, we came upon a compromise.

Yeah I know I screwed up. He didn't have to go into details for me to realize the mess I left when I was abducted and the trouble for Asami to go through to get me back. Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for what he did. I mean he has two bullet holes on his body because of me. I can't get more warm and fuzzy feeling than that in knowing the extent of my importance to him.

People got shot at and died because of me, because I couldn't do anything. I was kidnapped, caged, beaten, molested, raped, beaten some more, and shot at because I couldn't take care of myself. Yeah, I shot back at the perverted Russian guy once I got angry enough. But man, I actually shot at someone! I missed, thank god, though he died anyways.

I actually cried for him when I heard the details. Even though the guy was crazy and super scary for wanting to kill me, I didn't think he deserve death. Asami said that he would do it again too. In fact, he said he would kill any man or woman who would threaten my life ever again.

That frightened me like you wouldn't believe. I know Asami cares for me, but to kill others because of me, I just can't comprehend that. I can't condone it either. So we compromised.

Since this whole kidnapping could have been avoided by my not gallivanting to danger without much thought, Asami demanded I learn how to protect myself. He simply stated that his enemies will certainly think twice in the future in thinking they can harm me or kidnap me ever again. By no means was he joking, even if he is capable of humor. I'm still searching for his funny bone that doesn't involve my ass. Now that's a different story. I'll tell you about that some other time.

So it's been about a little more than six months now. I've literally run through the gauntlet of martial arts style and weapons training like those old Bruce Lee movies. It was scary at first and I thought Asami must have been out of his mind to punish me beyond his normal means of fucking me to unconsciousness. That he still does (now more regularly) after I'm exhausted from my training and can't fight back of course.

He kind of likes it that way, he says. Me docile. My ass. That bastard.

I'll see how he likes my newfound skills used on him. Then we will see who will be the bottom in this relationship. Hn.

So back to the fight. Yeah, I didn't forget.

Suoh and I have been sparring for almost an hour now. Six months ago, I would have been KO within the first five minute. These days, he's the one who has to keep up with me. Hey, when you improve as much as I have, you're allowed to be cocky too.

The last punch he threw, I manage to block, redirect, and jab at his side before I step back to a safe distance. He backed off like nothing happened. Yeah right. We've been circling each other for an opening since. Normally, he would have completed a series of combination attacks intended to catch me off guard. But he didn't. He's winded. I know it. He knows it.

He's trying not to show, but he's been breathing through his mouth for the past fifteen minutes now, judging by the dry lips he's sporting and the tight shoulder tuck where I hit him last. I'm not doing so hot myself. He'd manage to sweep me off my feet earlier and I landed on my back. Got the wind knocked out of me, along with sporting a few bruises. It's beginning to make itself known. Even when I block him, it hurts. The oaf is built like a brick wall with wheels I tell ya.

Sweats dripping like rain on his forehead now. Hn. Maybe I can use that to my advantage.

Right when a drop dripped in his left eye, causing him to blink, I quickly roll forward and kick the inside of his left knee. Suoh crumble forward, throwing a branch of an arm outwards, trying to break his fall. Using his momentum, I grab his arm and threw him over my shoulders.

I couldn't believe it. The bodyguard's huge oversized body flew pass me and landed with a loud thud on the dojo floor. Game over.

I actually won!

I know I'm grinning ear to ear and gloating with pride on my face. But you don't understand. I. Takaba Akihito, who's eternally been eating mat dirt for the past months now, has finally beaten my trainer! That is a cause for celebration in itself.

I extend a hand out and Suoh begrudgingly grabs it to help himself up. He's huffing and puffing for air and I grin even wider (if that was possible).

Suoh fixes his rumpled white gi before he bows formally. I do likewise.

"Good work, Takaba-san. Please do not forget you have a marksmen session with Kirishima at 0600 hours tomorrow. That will be all for today."

With that last dismissal, the big lug limps off, leaving me to bask in my own glory.

That was intense. Never would I have thought that I was capable of defeating him. But now I know better. I do have the skills. I can think on my feet. I can count on myself. I will no longer endanger others on my behalf. Asami will be proud.

And wouldn't you know it, just when one speaks of the devil.

"Akihito."

I turn to the dojo's entrance and my eyes rounded in surprise. Then a returning smirk appears on my face.

There, Asami stood with his formal black suit jacket off minus the vest, tie, and black loafers. His white dress shirt splayed open to the waist, looking completely out of place holding a bokken lazily resting over one shoulder.

I immediately broke into a defensive stance with my palms in front.

"Bring it on," I say in that cocky way he loves.

Looks like I just might get my wish after all.