This chapter was fixed by the beta Jadedslave, Thank you so much!
The encounter of two different scents
It was Tuesday and Akihito was getting ready for the scoop of the night, however, he was still wondering which type of camera he should use tonight since fifteen minutes ago. Haruki was getting desperate, but his state wasn't the best since the morning, he was feeling weak but he refused completely to being left at home.
"Should I use the one with the latest lens that I bought? Or maybe the one with the best night vision just in case? What do you think Haruki?." Haruki moved towards him signaling with his paw the first option your judgment these days with all the meds that you have been taking buddy, you might have been high and I wouldn't notice. Haruki looked at him with the expression "Are you kidding me?", but Akihito just laughed at it and crouched trying to reach Haruki, but when he was closer to him Haruki lost his balance and was immediately caught in Akihito's arms.
Akihito said with concern in his voice, "Hey are you sure you want to come? I'll be fine on my own, you don't have to worry ok?.
"Haruki just meowed at him and Akihito gave up on changing the decision of his cat, he had a already tried the whole morning.
"Ok, but you'll be in my backpack just in case you felt too tired… you are so stubborn buddy, what am I going to do with you?."
Haruki licked his fingers, "I just can't leave you alone even if I'm in this state, you idiot." Thought the little cat with his hazel eyes looking straight into Akihito's, but his eyes were hiding something and Haruki knew it was bothering his stupid owner. The cat with blonde fur just purred at him trying to calm Akihito's concern, and the human suddenly smiled.
"Ne ne are you getting sleepy? Dummy cat just stop being so worried." Akihito placed him in his bed while he was getting ready for tonight's scoop.
It was finally midnight and Akihito was on the roof of the warehouse trying to find a comfortable position for himself and Haruki. He tried to hide behind some boxes that were located in front of a window, the only thing visible was the inside if the warehouse while Akihito's body was lying under some boxes along with Haruki by his side. Hours passed and it was 3 am, Akihito started to feel cramped because of being in the same position almost 3 hours straight, and Haruki was oddly quiet which Akihito found really concerning for his pet.
"Buddy are you ok? You are strangely quiet without hissing this time, do you feel ok? Do you want to leave? This is not important don't worry." But it was a lie, this scoop, in fact, was important for his job and because he needed the money for the rent and Haruki's medications. Trying to sound comforting he says, "Bear with me just a little more Haru, I think they'll arrive soon." Akihito was right apparently because 10 minutes later a black sedan was placed in front of the warehouse and Akihito found himself a little uncomfortable, no one was getting out of the car or at least not a person, it was, in fact, a black panther. The panther was at least 70 cm of height and with the shiniest black fur that Akihito had ever seen, along with a beautiful color of golden eyes that were big enough to swallow you in some kind of daze, the mouth of the animal was very big and his paws were big enough that with just one scratch you'll be in the hospital for a week or so Akihito thought.
The panther suddenly looked very anxious as if looking for something inside the warehouse, and Akihito's heart stopped, the panther was looking straight at him almost with the intention to jump to were Akihito was. Akihito started to get anxious about the panther that suddenly turned around and stared straight at him, almost moving from his place the panther started to walk in their direction. Akihito's heart was beating so fast, like it has never done before. Suddenly a man appeared on the entrance of the warehouse, Akihito didn't recognize him at first but after a close up with his camera he knew that man, "Asami Ryuichi" said Akihito breathlessly, almost like a whisper just only for himself to hear.
Asami looked perplexed when he noticed that his panther was walking around fast enough to confuse him with a dog that was happy to find the biggest bone on the whole planet, Asami tried to calm Shun because on the other side of the door there was another politician, the one who he was supposed to have the meeting with. Asami called Shun with a serious voice but with no hint of anger on it, "Shun come here and stay still." The panther obeyed the orders but was staring at the spot on the ceiling where his prey was hiding.
Akihito was frozen on his spot and his mind was no different. He was panting and his body was hot as if the weather had suddenly changed from winter to summer in a matter of seconds. The small golden eyes looking at him was making him shiver, however that look was not friendly in fact it was threatening and fear was creeping up Akihito's back. Akihito reached to the bag where Haruki was sleeping but the small cat looked uncomfortable.
"Hello Asami-san I apologize for being late, I hope you understand how a man like me needs to find time for this kind of meetings at this hour." Said the man with a grey suit that looked around 60 years old but not even with the slightest doubt of being a yakuza, the man had 5 men behind him carrying guns as if he were the owner of the warehouse which it wasn't, it was Asami's.
"This is dangerous… Why are there many men just for a meeting?." Akihito thought to try to pull himself together.
"I'm aware Mitsuke-san, I'm busy too and if I recall properly this was your idea for a meeting 'asap' as you said." Stated Asami not even looking at the men behind the politician, they were just a mere distractions that he didn't even bother to take into account while talking.
"Thank you Asami-san for understanding but I can see that your pet it's a little uncomfortable, am I wrong?." Said the politician while looking at Shun that was still looking at Akihito with his tail moving side by side.
"Why bring your pet at this hour may I ask? It looks like it's not even interested in this meeting I dare say, Asami-san." At that statement, Asami narrowed his eyes.
"I'm aware that you are intimidated by him but rest assured Mitsuke-san, he won't do anything unless I say so, but something important has happened just now and needs my attention, we can postpone this meeting Mitsuke-san and I'll make sure to take into consideration your proposal for the dealings in Odaiba."
Asami said a little breathless and sweating briefly because the scent was getting stronger than yesterday. Asami had noticed the scent as soon as he started talking with the politician, how could he ignore Shun when he started to get anxious? His soulmate was close and apparently wasn't moving from their spot.
"I need your hand for this project Asami-san… I know that I'm the one asking you for help right now so I'll take my leave and wait for you to organize another meeting." Mitsuke lowered his hand as if signaling his man to retreat and not make a move on Asami or the panther that was growling deeply.
"Good night Mitsuke-san," said Asami while taking out his phone and dialing his personal bodyguard, Suoh. The politician exited the warehouse and Asami signaled Shun to search for their prey.
"Make sure to search around this place right now, Shun is looking for them as well and Kirishima..." Asami stopped, "...Do not let them escape."
Anger was rising in Asami's voice about the fact that his partner had run away while he was talking with the politician. "So you'll give me the pleasure of hunting you down." Thought Asami while exiting the warehouse trying to take in the sweet scent that was fading away slowly.
Shun was running as fast as he could, trying to catch the most delicious scent that he has ever smelled and he was sure as hell that his soulmate was with his human too. Shun was breathing hard while his nose was catching the scent that the human was leaving behind, "They are close but he is hiding very well" thought Shun while his nails were clutching the ground under him.
Akihito was breathless when he sensed in the warehouse that the reunion of Asami and the politician was coming to an end, he left the place and put Haruki inside his backpack still asleep because of the fever that he had.
Akihito ran through the streets smelling the scent that was chasing him faster and faster, he found a ladder and climbed it until he reached the end and stayed on the roof hiding, he was damn sure that the scent that he smelled yesterday was coming at him ten times stronger by each second that passed and suddenly he heard a meow from his backpack. The realization of the tight grip he had on his backpack lessened when Haruki struggled, he opened the backpack with worry in his eyes and with a deep frown on his face.
"Shit! Haruki I'm sorry are you ok? Did I hurt you?." Haruki suddenly opened his eyes looking at Akihito unaware of their surroundings but Haruki smelled something and jumped out of Akihito's arms, hissing with his fur standing straight even in his weak state Haruki turned around, he started to growl very loud not caring if the neighborhood was going to hear him, Akihito was on his knees on the rooftop watching how his cat suddenly had all this energy, he didn't know where that energy was coming from but Haruki knew something that his owner didn't. The heart of Akihito stopped when he saw the black panther landing on the rooftop from the other one beside them, he got closer to Haruki and Akihito was frozen on his spot when he realized that Haruki walked in front of the panther.
Akihito saw that the panther was in front of his cat with his claws out and his head low watching with amused golden eyes the small cat in front of him, none of them move until Akihito recovered from the shock of the scent that the panther was emitting.
"Get out of there Haruki!" yelled Akihito but stopped immediately when a baritone voice sounded in the silent night.
"Shun comes here", said the tall man in a black suit.
"what do you guys want? Leave us alone!" Akihito yelled, still scared of the panther looking menacingly straight at Haruki. Akihito couldn't stay still anymore and ran to his cat grabbing him tightly enough to hurt him.
The beautiful baritone voice said, "Don't worry we are not looking for trouble here… May I know your name? You were listening to the warehouse and I think this is your camera." Akihito realized that they didn't have the bag with his camera but at the same time he realized the scent that he felt was emanating from the man in front of him was stronger than the panther. Akihito was scared as fuck when he realized that he was cornered by 3 men, one on each side of him so he couldn't do anything else other than stay in place with Haruki in his arms.
"Look... I didn't take any pictures and I know what it was all about so what do you think about leaving us alone?." Haruki was staring straight at the panther sensing danger from it and from the tall man beside the panther.
"I'm afraid I can't do that but I would like to speak with you." Said Asami and for a second Akihito was amazed by the color of those eyes that were staring straight at hazel ones. Akihito said trying not to look afraid of the presence of the tall man in black suit, "I'm sorry I'm not interested in anything you have to say so if you excuse me." Suddenly the two men that appear to be bodyguards got close to Akihito, Haruki hissed at them loud showing his small teeth as if saying 'don't even think about coming closer'.
Akihito and Haruki were distracted by a deep chuckle that made them realized the fact that this was not a funny situation for them, trying to trust the words of the man with golden eyes Akihito said; "What do you want? I have no money the only thing I have it's my camera and my pet so if you-" Akihito was interrupted when Haruki suddenly made a painful meowl.
Akihito looked with scared eyes the small figure of his cat, "Haruki are you ok?! Come on buddy don't pass out on me not right now" he touched the chest of Haruki feeling that his heartbeat was faster and wasn't normal, Akihito panicked when he saw his cat taking deep breaths of air into his small lungs. A deep voice was heard in the moment of distraction, "Let me take him to my hospital, my private doctor can take care of him." Akihito was so scared of the trembling in the small body of his cat, he nodded very fast when he saw that Haruki was panting really hard.
"Suoh get the car and Kirishima call yamazaki-sensei right now," Asami said with a calm face, his voice was serious as the men left the roof hurriedly to get the car, Asami saw how the young male was worried about his pet. Inside the car, Akihito was patting Haruki's fur watching the small chest going up and down faster than usual but it didn't seem to get worse than when they were on the roof. Asami said with a cigarette on his lips, "Don't worry about your pet, a fever is normal and with meds, it'll be ok." However silence was the only response to his words from the man in front of him, Akihito didn't want to say anything to the man because he didn't trust him and he knew that he was a crime lord and not any other yakuza, we are talking about Asami Ryuichi the boss of Japans underworld.
In the hospital, Akihito was explaining the situation to the doctor with worry in his eyes, but the doctor said with a reassuring tone to the blonde.
"It's just a fever with exhaustion, but the medication was too strong for the small body of a cat like him. I recommend some tests and a lot of rest, as well this medication that it's adequate for his size and weight."
"Thank you so much Yamazaki-sensei."Said Akihito looking more relieved and less troubled. watching from afar at the beautiful face that had a frown below the hazel eyes, he was good looking and Asami had found it difficult not to tease the young photographer.
"Takaba Akihito right? My name is Asami Ryuichi and this is my hospital, you are free to come here whenever you or your pet feels unwell." Akihito looked at him confused, he forgot that this man was with him and this was his hospital, however, he just nodded and said, "Thank you but we are ok on our own. Akihito said with Haruki in his arms while they were waiting for the doctor with the medication in the small room with a lot of equipment for pets as well for humans.
"I guess I should at least be grateful to this man for taking care of Haruki but… why is he staring at me so strongly? And the scent it's so sweet around him but it feels so different from before on the rooftop." His thoughts were interrupted when he noticed the concerned look in the panther eyes. The panther was trying to reach Haruki that was sleeping soundly in Akihito's lap.
Akihito said with a kind smile, "Want to see him? His name is Haruki and he is my soulpet as you can imagine panther-san." With a soft gaze he looked at the golden eyes of the panther, and Shun suddenly nodded at Akihito.
The panther got close to Haruki and smelled the small stomach of the cat, the sudden sound of a very loud purr made Asami watch with amused eyes at his own soulpet. He has never heard his panther purr at some other animal, the purr was only heard by him when he patted the black head of his pet. Akihito looked at the panther that had his eyes half-open smelling at Haruki.
The face of Asami changed when he noticed the surprise in his own eyes; he turned serious in a matter of seconds before saying with a serious voice. "He is Shun and he is my soulpet, he seems to be really interested in yours I see."
"Well nice to meet you Shun-san" said Akihito patting Shun's head. Shun licked his fingers showing himself grateful for the gesture of kindness towards him. Akihito was tired after waiting in the hospital for the last two hours, Haruki slept for a while in a private room before leaving with a thanks to the doctor again they exited the hospital with Asami.
"Thank you for your help today and goodbye Shun." Asami grabbed his wrist before Akihito could leave the grounds of the hospital walking to the train station.
"It was my pleasure Takaba Akihito, let me take you to your house." Akihito refused at least two times but nodded when he felt the trembling in Haruki's body. He felt that the scent of Asami was getting stronger again, almost suffocating him when they were in the car.
They stopped in front of Akihito's apartment, he wasn't happy with Asami at all. The bastard stared at him since they got in the car and didn't say a word to him, what was he going to do? The man seemed to have fun when Akihito struggled every time Asami raise his scent. Before leaving the car Akihito looked at Asami with seriousness in his eyes.
"I really appreciate your help tonight, but do not look for me. I'm not interested in jobs nor anything else to do with a person like you. Good night Asami-san."
However, Asami was having none of it and grabbed his wrist in a strong grip and said, "You can't run away from me Takaba-san." If Akihito wasn't holding Haruki in his arms he would have slapped Asami's hand off. He didn't say a word and fled from the car with his cheeks all red, he entered his house totally perplexed by the events of tonight. Asami said through the divider of the car to his bodyguard and assistant, "Do not leave him alone, put some people on shifts to watch him and investigate his background."
"Hai Asami-sama," said both men and Asami swears that Takaba Akihito will not escape from him again no matter how hard he tries.
