A/N: I'm not used to writing AU fics so I hope you enjoy.
Pairing(s): Mainly Katakura/Akechi (non-romantic) with mentions of Katakura/Date (romantic)
Warnings: BDSM (in later chapters), Dominance/Submission, Dub-con
Disclaimer: I don't own Sengoku Basara or any of the characters.
Long, slender fingers gripped the small, silver phone currently ringing.
"Hello?"
"Mr. Akechi?"
"Yes."
"My name is Katakura Kojuuro, vice president of Date Finance. We have reviewed your application, and would like you to come in for an interview if you're still interested."
"Yes, I am."
"Good. Is tomorrow at nine too soon?"
"No."
"I'll see you then, Mr. Akechi."
Mitsuhide closed the cellphone, seething internally. The job prospects after his last stunt at Oda Financial had not been the best, and now to slither to a rival company, the hot-headed man's stomach churned uneasily. He gathered the last remnants of his pride in a brown leather, designer portfolio, and mentally prepared himself for the next day. He knew how to get what he wanted, and if bowing to the dogs at Date Finance got what he desired, he would play the part of loyal, eager-to-please underling once again.
#
He sank into the plush, black leather chairs in the waiting room of the finance company, looking at the sparsely decorated room before thumbing through a recent financial magazine. His heart dropped in his chest when he stared into his own visage on the cover and read the title of the story detailing his less than successful overthrow of his former employer, Oda Nobunaga, and his own short thirteen day reign as executive of the most powerful finance company in the nation. The article ascertained two things in the man's mind. The Date company already knew of his treachery against his former boss, and this was most likely a pity interview, or Date's idea to humiliate him further.
Heavy strides echoed down the hall, filtering into the room, signaling the arrival of the company's vice president.
Akechi stood and bowed deeply to older man. "Most prestigious Katakura, I humbly thank you for this unexpected honor."
"Keep your forked tongue inside you fanged mouth, snake," the new arrival growled threateningly. "I do not particularly approve of Masamune's decision to interview you, but I will obey the boss' orders without fail."
Mitsuhide inclined his head in acknowledgment, following the stoic man Date Masamune trusted with his company. Once in Kojuuro's office, Akechi took the chance to learn a bit more about the man who would shortly be doing the same with him. The newspaper articles, awards, and personal pictures outlined the type of man Katakura Kojuuro happened to be. He was loved by the community for his numerous charity events and donations, loved by the company for his hard work and dedication, and loved by his life-partner for his devotion and faithfulness. Of all the things that Katakura was that he wasn't, Akechi despised the image of the devoted partner the most. The endearing picture of Date Masamune with a happy smile in place of his usual smirk as Kojuuro lovingly wrapped an arm around the younger man's waist sickened Mitsuhide. He could not explain the feel of bile rising in his throat while he gazed into the smiling face of the big boss of Date Finance.
A sharp click as the picture was pushed down onto the desk, broke the spell over him and drew his attention to the other person in the room.
"The sooner we get this over with, the sooner we can both pretend like this unpleasant interaction never happened."
#
A clichéd farewell of "Don't call us, we'll call you," and Mitsuhide was on his way home. A waste of time, he thought as he loosed his long silver hair from it confines.
"A waste of time, Masamune," Kojuuro said, standing in front of the boss' desk while the one-eyed man watched the town from his perch in front of large bay windows.
"I hear he's a brilliant financer, Kojuuro."
"But, sir, didn't you hear what he did to-"
"Oda? Yes, I know, but a dragon can always bite off the head of a snake." He turned to smirk at Kojuuro. "Besides, wouldn't it be better to keep a close eye on him instead of letting him roam around, and risk him becoming a rival again?"
"Masamune, this can't end well."
"Trust me, Kojuuro. Everything will be fine."
#
Back to a cubicle, the silver-haired man groaned internally as the vice-president showed him to his new desk.
"And don't even think about trying anything, Akechi." Kojuuro rounded on him, narrowing his eyes.
"I wouldn't dare comprise this chance you have so graciously given me, Mr. Katakura."
"Didn't I tell you already to keep-"
"My forked tongue in my fanged mouth? Yes, yes. I'm sorry."
Stepping aside for the newest hire of Date Finance, Kojuuro growled out a warning, "I'm watching you, Akechi."
#
A tentative knock on the door to Katakura's office fell on deaf ears, and despite his better judgment, Mitsuhide pushed open the door.
"Dammit, Masamune! Answer your phone." A frustrated sigh and the slamming of receiver reverberated in the room, followed immediately by the ringing of the phone. Kojuuro answered quickly, still unawares of the man at his door. "Masamune?" A sigh of relief passed the vice president's lips, and then the cool façade broke. "God-dammit, Masmune! Are you with Takeda's men again? How many drinks have you had?" Unamused grunts, and fluttering eyelids betrayed the agitated storm brewing beneath the calm mask which was once again firmly in place. "You've lost how much! Where the hell are you, Masamune? You know what? I don't think I want to know. Just make certain Sanada gets you home in one piece." He slammed the receiver down again, and flopped back into his chair.
Mistuhide knocked once again.
Kojuuro sat up, inhaling sharply. "Akechi," he said, smoothing his hair back. "What do you want?"
"Just turning in that report you asked for, sir." He held up a file folder.
"What are you waiting for? Just put it on my desk."
He obediently walked over to the desk and laid the folder in front of the still frazzled man, noticing the relief in the other's eye at such a show of obedience. He turned and walked towards the door, intent on leaving for the day, uncharacteristically choosing to not comment on the scene had witnessed.
"How much did you hear, Akechi?" Kojuuro asked, his voice low and threatening.
He turned and smirked at the man behind the desk. Shrugging, he asked, "Hear of what?"
"Don't play, Akechi."
"Be more specific. Jog my memory."
"How much of my phone conversation did you hear?"
He chuckled, swaying like a snake ready to strike as he sauntered over Kojuuro's desk. "Enough." He sat on the edge of Kojuuro's desk, his mind already grinding out a plan for his rise to power within Date Finance. "What? Boss Date giving you trouble? Poor under-appreciated Katakura, never receiving any praise for his hard work, always watching out for a reckless man-"
"Shut up, Akechi."
He stopped mid-sentence, and closed his mouth, once again demonstrating his willingness to be obedient; always watching Kojuuro's eyes as the other man struggled with some inner demon that Akechi planned to release.
"You can leave any time."
"As you command, Katakura." A twitch for the other spurned Mitsuhide further. "I'm here to serve." He stood and walked away, his plan already in motion.