Hello!

Thank you so much for the support for this new story, I was expecting a barrage of "wtf's" so thank you! :3 Thanks for the kind words and reviews, please please please continue to enjoy it.

I have been quite ill over the past week which surprisingly isn't conducive to either creativity or ones ability to spell so I apologise for any mistakes I have made! Sorry!

N.B: I don't own the characters, apart from the ones I have made up which in no way are as awesome as Yamane-sensei's ones as well all know. Sorry - rambling.

Warnings: Swearing, mentions of drug withdrawal symptoms which some people might find disturbing.

}xXx{

Asami throws Pocky and Yan Yan boxes by the dozen into his already crammed shopping basket and stops a moment in front of the Hello Panda biscuits, briefly debating which flavour to get before muttering a "to hell with it" to himself and just grabbing two of each anyway, jamming them into the basket too.

The detective is in uncharted territory, not ever having the inclination to buy disgustingly sweet things like this before, he figures he may as well just stock up on everything that's the exact opposite of his own personal tastes in order to shop for his new house guest. A twenty something brat.

It's early morning, around six thirty AM and he had pulled the car up to this convenience store just a few moments ago, it being now a few hours since the raid on Sakazaki's club. He had got out of the car, telling Akihito to "stay" sternly and leaving the boy still strapped in with his seatbelt (confident that the kid wouldn't be able to undo it himself even if did try to escape.)

Well, he did lock the doors as well though, just incase.

"…"

The man sighs to himself, thinking about the seemingly hopeless kid currently sat in his BMW and wonders just what the fucks he's got himself into now and really - what the hell made him even think for a second, that he can rehabilitate a mute, former sex slave and make a credible witness out of him?

Oh, that's right. A conviction on Sakazaki. And the whole 'I'll do anything' thing. Right.

The detective decides to swing by the pharmacy counter with his heaving basket full of food and fizzy pop to pick out a heavy duty antiseptic for the boy's red raw and weeping, infected wounds (and for some weird reason that even Asami can't figure out. A cuddly toy.)

He can't though, decide (as he stands, scowling down at the thing in his hand) whether the pink abomination is a puma, bear or a cat. But, he figures the boy will like it either way, as his only worldly possession right now appears to be that one little red view-master.

Asami shakes his head, noting to himself how intriguing the boy's predicament seems and makes a mental note to call the precinct when he gets home to ensure his men are doing all they can to find out about the boy's past. Notifying his family can wait for now (as they would more than likely attempt to interfere) but, it will certainly be to Asami's disadvantage if the boy turns out to have been some dope fiend or prostitute before he had become Sakazaki's rent boy...

A man in a white coat approaches the counter upon Asami setting down the toy in order to ring the bell.

"Your strongest Antiseptic cream please."

"Of course, for yourself sir?"

"No."

"Ah then, is the intended person allergic to chlorhexidine or cetrimide?"

"No." (Probably.)

…Well…Asami thinks with some small amount of trepidation, as the pharmacist disappears to get the cream, is that all of those facts about Akihito's past remain moot for the moment though as now. The boy is really in no position to testify at all at the moment - mostly as he has a whole host of problems and he can't even speak. So, Asami definitely has his work cut out for him in finding out more about this kid and preparing the boy for trial but in the mean time, he's going to have Akihito rest, adjust to new surroundings and oh - eat, his first decent meal in what looks like years...

The pharmacist draws Asami's attention, finally returning with the antiseptic cream which fits strategically into the piled up basket along with the cuddly toy and Asami's on his way once more, the check out is in sight and the man remembers one last very important item on his shopping list, perhaps the most important.

He plonks his basket on the counter in front of the blushing shop assistant and orders a carton of one hundred cigarettes.

He figures he's going to need them.

}xXx{

Akihito blows onto the car window and draws the lines onto the frosted glass, creating one of his favourite images in the whole world; the silhouette of Tokyo tower. He leans closer, savouring how the street light shines through the lines smoothly drawn into the fog before the image disappears completely, due to the nice, hot air being blasted from the cars air vents on this cold winter morning. He wonders for the umpteenth where his master is, having left the club with that strange man. Asami.

The boy closes his eyes when he hears activity of noisy shadows move near the car and sinks into his seat, using the darkness to aid his escape from any prying eyes.

"…We'll put one up here as well Koh!"

Koh runs along the sidewalk next to the Kwick go minimart to where Takato is stood looking at the community bill-board, that's usually advertised to sell people's unwanted goods and garage sales, but instead Takato holds up an poster; a photo of a cheerful, vibrant young man baring a MISSING label above as Koh brings up the staple gun to fix it to the board.

It had been by pure chance Koh had ended up in Shinjuku a couple of weeks ago, having to wait around to meet his girlfriend after she got off work in the department store. He had been browsing the clothes concessions to kill time when he had spotted what he had initially thought was an Akihito lookalike loitering in the soccer wear section and couldn't help but approach him, wanting to confirm whether it was his friend or not. It was. The brunette couldn't believe his eyes and he hates, hates himself for letting Akihito slip through his fingers that day - but he had just been so shocked from what he had seen.

But since that day he hasn't been able to sit still, knowing. That he's definitely out there some where.

Yes Akihito had been alive all these years and Koh feels almost cheated knowing they had been searching all this time, he and Takato. For three long and incredibly uncertain years after their dear friend Akhito had just disappeared suddenly one day on his way to university. Since then, the boys had been juggling both a search for a missing person and their shaken, daily lives. It was so painful for them, going to work, continuing/ starting new relationships and maintaining the cheerful facade all the while trying not to think the worst and trying not to let the fear take over them.

What do you do when your closet friend just ups and disappears?

Now the twenty somethings spend their free time these days pursuing leads on Akihito, also before and after work like this morning (and on weekends) planting posters and searching hospitals or police missing persons lists in for any hints of unidentified young men, also often trawling through photo's of unclaimed bodies.

Three damn years, three years they have been undertaking this morbid routine but they had no idea that their very best friend was just minutes away, living in Shinjuku all this time.

The boys step back, admiring their work before turning to once more walk down the street towards the metro station, to go to work - once again trying to maintain their 'normal' lives. They are satisfied for now but they're already planning to meet again tonight to visit their usual haunts on the off chance someone might recognise Akihito's photo, though Takato can't stay out for too long as his new wife is expecting their first child any day now.

Because that's something else that Akihito has missed and where he had been missed. He was supposed to have been Takato's best man.

}xXx{

Asami comes out of the Kwik go convenience store and casts his sharp gaze immediately on the car, breathing a sigh of relief that the boy is still there sat safely inside. It wouldn't do to have his star witness go missing, would it?

He unlocks the automatic doors and opens the passenger side, placing the two shopping bags on Akihito's lap with a "look after these" and waits until two gentle, tentative hands raise to cradle the heaving shopping bags and hold them close before letting go and slamming the door, getting into the drivers side so he can take the boy to his new but temporary home.

Minutes later they arrive to the suspiciously luxurious apartment (not at all what cops can afford with their meagre salary) and once out of the elevator, Asami opens the door to let Akihito into the open plan apartment first as he's got his hands full with the shopping bags. The first few morning rays of sun shine in weakly through the large windows and the boy exclaims, eyes going impossibly wide and he breaks into a run once he sees the incredible view. As soon as he sees it. There, in the distance.

"Nh! Ngh! Nnn! Eah-eea!..."

He stammers and stutters, tapping on the window and pressing himself up against the glass while Asami looks on, watching the boy closely with a quiet fascination as he pops the shopping bags on the kitchen counter and removes his suit jacket. He notes how the boy's face is lit up, so bright. And displaying utter enchantment and joy as he gestures to the iconic red tower framed perfectly and contained within the fantastic view from the detective's apartments window. It's Tokyo tower. His Tokyo tower!

"...Aa! E-ea a -"

The boy though, as he looks back at Asami in his moment of utter unguarded excitement, jolts. Stopping suddenly as he catches himself in a most unauthorised display, because he knows, his master hates it. Loathes it when Aki makes a fuss and when Aki is noisy. How could he have forgotten?!

Akihito admonishes himself and looks stricken as he steps away from the window hastily, crossing his hands, lowering his head and now muttering out a cacophony of nonsensical whispers, apologies to Asami who he assumes is Sa-sans good friend.

Asami watches on still silently as he can't quite believe it, once again the boy is physically withering pathetically before his very eyes and once again transforming into the mindless broken doll he had seen all those weeks ago. It's fascinating really how the programmed behaviour, beaten and pounded into him over-ridies even the boys own pure nature and character.

His eyes darken as a deep set irritation eats away at his gut, he can't stand how piteous, how spineless this kid is and he can't quite help in wanting to drag the personality, the fight. Out of him. He's what stands in the way of him getting a conviction on Sakazaki after all.

"Akihito. Come."

Asami plucks the plush toy out of a bag and walks a forlorn Akihito to the apartments spacious spare room. He enters and places the cuddly toy on the bed, gesturing Akhito to enter, which he does, though while also casting a timid yet curious, wide eyed look over the plush single bed, wardrobe, windows and chest of draws before landing those huge, brilliant hazel eyes back on Asami. The man chuckles darkly, he can tell the boy's expecting punishment.

"This room is yours. I'll take you to the bathroom, have a shower and go to sleep until breakfasts ready. I'll lend you some clothes to wear as pyjama's."

He goes to walk around Akihito to go and collect some clothes but is stopped by a familiarly small voice.

"Sa…Sa-san?"

"I told you, he's not coming back. You won't be seeing him again."

Akihito casts his eye back down to the floor with an "u-ok" and wrings his hands together. Faintly aware that Sakazaki had never told him he would be leaving Akihito with someone else and he hash't been out of the club without him for a long time, maybe ever.

Asami sees this, his patience wearing thin as he needs to get this kid quickly, into a state where is relatively normal so he can testify - and just look at him. He's a mess. He turns around, levelling a sharp gaze on the boy.

"Akihito. Sakazaki asked me to look after you from now on. You will do what I say. Do you understand me?"

Akihito stills and slowly nods to answer Asami's question. So, his master and asked this man to look after him?

His eyes start to water at the prospect of never seeing the one person who has been a constant for him. A comfort. But he won't misbehave, he would get his new master upset with him.

"Follow me…."

He does walk out of the room now and heads straight to the bathroom, figuring he'll get the kid started in the shower before he grabs clothes for him. Asami starts the water, his chrome power shower heating up fast and the man rolls up his shirt sleeve, testing that it's OK before he turns to Akihito who is stood behind him looking at the shower in pure wonderment.

"It's warm now, go ahead and wash yourself…"

Aki jolts again and nods, moving to remove the coat immediately and tongue stuck between his teeth in concentration as he folds the mac the best he can to place it on the counter top. Naked, he steps in the shower, wincing when the warm water hits his wounds but adjusts to the pain quickly (mostly because pain is all he knows these days) while Asami leans against the door frame and watches the boy absentmindedly, taking in the slender figure that he can finally get a proper view of now Akihito is washing away all that caked on dirt -

And even Asami is close to gasping.

For almost every inch of the boy's body, under the initial brown grime is black and blue. Faint and fresh track marks, varying depths of scratch and teeth marks totally mar, all over, his once pale and undoubtedly perfect skin. Until almost no inch is left unspoiled.

Asami pushes off the door frame and reaches inside the shower cubicle, his hand brushing over the boy's arm and fair shoulder gently and he looks around. Questioning eyes looking to Asami for any possible orders but Asami just points, showing Akihito an array of hair and and body products on a shelf beside the shower head. The boy looks at them asking in a small voice what they are but Asami just laughs, suggesting he use the 'shampoo' for his hair and 'body wash' for the rest of him.

So Akihito takes one, mouthing the products title to himself slowly before raising the bottle in his hands and squirting fat blobs directly onto his head, making Asami chuckle some more. The boy smooshes the gel into his hair, technique lacking somewhat from lack of practice over the past few years but he smiles to himself, a little happy that he's experiencing something new and that feels so alien to him. And that feels so good.

The suds wash away and Akihito closes his eyes, the pain from the sting of water and soap against his raw nerve endings nothing new to him. It's nice though, showering is one of his favorite things to do and even better now he has actual, bubbly soap to use. He faces up and lets the water run over his features, relaxing into the warmth and Asami watches him for just a moment more, eventually moving to make a phone call to the precinct after placing a towel beside the shower and going to get clothes and the first aid items to leave them on the counter too, swapping them for the coat (that no offence to Akihito, will have to go now either in the trash or to a really, really good dry-cleaner…)

}xXx{

"...Asami-san, your recording certainly helped with getting Sakazaki to admit that he was looking into opening up Human trafficking routes, however…The witnesses won't or can't say anything and the ones who will. Well - one of them has gone into withdrawal and is in hospital. That just leaves the one you're looking after."

"Yes, don't tell his family yet though Kuroda, I want to ensure he'll help the case before I hand him over to his legal guardian, if he has one.."

From where he stands in his bedroom, Asami hears footsteps behind him so he hangs up the phone, turning in time to see Akihito walk up to him and swiftly fall to his knees and before Asami even has time to ask, the boys mouth starts to nibble at Asami's cock through his trousers, hands on the mans muscular thighs. Asami's eyes fly wide in surprise and he fists the young mans damp hair, pushing his head back a little more roughly than intended.

"Don't."

Annoyed, Asami pushes Akihito's head again before releasing him and walks around the boy, heading to the bathroom to stop the shower that he assumes the kid couldn't figure out how to turn off himself. Meanwhile Akihito sits on the floor of Asami's bedroom still, confused and unsure as this has been his post shower routine for months...

"Akihito, get in here!"

He gets up to join Asami in the bathroom then and sees the man waiting for him impatiently next to the pile of clothes, towel and antiseptic cream.

"Put salve on your wounds and dress yourself."

Akihito looks at the tube that Asami hands him with wide eyes. Wounds?

"Your ass Akihito, put the cream on the cuts."

Akihito cottons on finally and follows the command in haste to try and please Asami after the failed blow job, he opens the tube but struggles to put the salve on himself though because he can't quite see his butt cheeks as he looks at them over his shoulders, which has the cop laughing out loud. (Asami would tell tell the boy to just look into the mirror in order to easily apply the cream, but. Watching Akihito spin around and around like a little kitten chasing his tail like this is just too damn entertaining.) So Asami looks on, smirking to himself and looking with an increasing interest at how the boys hands glide over his scarred skin until eventually, all of the yellowish, weeping marks are covered with cream.

From there, Akihito is told to get changed into the casual jogging pants and T-shirt Asami had left for the boy and he waits in the front room, eager to get Akihito to bed so he can have some peace and quiet. As babysitting is surprisingly tiring.

Soon after, theres a soft pitter pattering of feet behind him and sure enough here comes Akihito, looking brighter and definitely more refreshed but his face is decorated with a most adorably distinct pout. He's wearing a far too big shirt and far too long trousers and Asami smiles widely now, not bothering to hide his amusement.

"You really are hopeless."

He stoops down to tuck in the shirt a little and roll up the waist band and trouser legs so the pants don't drag along the floor anymore, before getting up to take Akihito's hand loosely to lead him to the bedroom. The smaller hand squeezes his own which surprises Asami but he finds he doesn't mind and he opens the door, leaving Akihito in the doorway as he pulls back the covers of the memory foam bed.

"Get in."

He does and Asami puts the teddy bear on Akihito's chest when he has laid down obediently.

"Hold."

Two unsure hands place themselves either side of the teddy bear, holding it as instructed and Asami tucks both of them in.

"Sleep."

Akihito mumbles out a "hai" and closes his eyes.

Now Asami just watches the boy a few seconds more and draws the blinds, turning to leave the apartment to go buy clothes and extra food supplies for his new house guest after running a small errand…

}xXx{

Asami pulls up his car at another luxury apartment block and gets out to go and see the woman he's been dating on and off for the past two years, it's a volatile relationship and the two are often at war as she is the top defence attorney in Tokyo. Hiruki Aiko. And he the top undercover detective.

It's safe to say the two don't have much in common but their bodies are at least compatible so they had settled quickly into a routine of meeting up for sex and not much else since the time they had first met. But it suits their needs for now and the connection in the business sense is also useful as they had agreed long ago to not bring their private life into the court room, but often exchange information about each others cases when needed.

The elevator dings, signalling his arrival and he rings the doorbell to her apartment.

"Oh, Ryuichi. What a nice surprise – why the hell did you leave in the middle of the night again?"

"A raid."

"Oh really? Fine, but if I find out your sleeping with some stripper again I'll cut your balls off, I don't want to catch anything…"

Asami laughs and she moves in for a kiss, not getting too carried away though as it takes her so long to get ready for work each morning.

"I won't be able to see you for a while Aiko, I'm tied up in a big case. Though they'll probably call you if you're hired to represent the defendant."

"Right, name?" She enquires, turning to put in her earrings in while looking into the hallway's mirror, all the while smirking facetiously enough to rival even Asami. As the man walks away to press the elevator button again.

"Sakazaki."

Asami's back is to Aiko so he misses how the woman's eyes narrow and her hands still for a moment as she applies her blood red lipstick, eyes flickering to Asami as the man disappears behind the sliding doors of the elevator.

}xXx{

Akihito wakes up with a sudden, shuddering breath to escape from a nightmare about being torn in two by searingly hot, pounding, pulsing columns inside of him, his body not being able to help remembering it's past trauma. His body is hot, so unbearably hot which is weird because Akihito is shivering like he's in sub zero conditions, but he can't help how his limbs shake, tremble uncontrollably as his body breaks out in cold sweats as he clutches weakly at his damp duvet and gasps for air.

"Ssa…Sa-san…Ple….He….lp."

His breathing grows more and more erratic though even as he knows he should be calming down from the dream and realises that something, is wrong. Akihito's eyes water, perhaps from tears, perhaps as a symptom of whatever he's going through but whatever it is, it's getting steadily worse and now he is also overcome with a wave of nausea.

He tries to get up when he feels himself about to vomit but his body feels so weak that he barely makes it a step before he collapses, having no choice but to vomit when the foul tasting, yellow bile forces it's way up his throat and past his lips. Akihito whimpers, teeth chattering with sudden cold chills as he lay there in his own filth on the floor, not having any clue at what could be happening to him but angry at himself for dirtying 'A-sans' nice things.

He stays there in a heap for some time with ringing in his ears and his heart palpitating wildly, threatening to beat it's way right out of his chest when his body suddenly starts to convulse. He jerks rigidly against the carpet, his head banging on the floor and he has no choice as he's too weak to do anything about it. Anything but clutch the teddy bear tightly in a hand before his body spasms out of control completely.