Almost a week had passed since Akihito had fled to Russia and since then there had been four more incidents of Akihito's other personalities making themselves known, Death had made one more appearance and Little had made three.

No one had been hurt but it had surprised Mikhail when Akihito had drawn all over the condo walls in Sharpie marker, Akihito had been trying to find ways of centering himself or regaining control when one of them had taken over but so far there was no success.

Yuri's training seemed to hit a stand-still since the day they had first started training no matter what they did Yuri never seemed to be able to find his center like he did then to his endless frustration. As Akihito got to know Yuri better he started calling him Neko because of his love for cats although he had never bothered to tell Yuri what it meant.

Yakov was beginning preparations to announce Akihito's return to skating to the media as well as the other people who skate under Yakov. Akihito had started meditating a lot more trying to get his other personalities under control and Mikhail had started chaining his ankle to the bed when he went to sleep since Death had appeared in the middle of the night and Mikhail had found him standing over him with a steak knife raised in a stabbing position.

Mikhail had also given him the satellite phone he had used to call Asami even though Akihito hadn't gotten the nerve to try calling him again yet.

Akihito was sitting in bed one morning still chained waiting for Mikhail to come in with the key when he finally got up the courage to call again. He dialed Asami's number and waited for it to connect smiling when he answered on the first ring.

Asami's urgent voice echoed through the phone "Akihito is that you!"

Akihito chuckled "Hi, Ryuichi, how are you doing?"

"Never mind me Akihito, tell me where you are!" Asami said desperately.

Akihito just shook his head "We've been over this Ryu it's too dangerous, he would come for you."

Akihito could hear Asami's frustration "Who would come Aki, what hold does this guy have on you. Just tell me who he is!"

Akihito shook his head "I know what you're thinking Ryuichi and you can't stop him, he would kill you. Actually he would probably kill us both."

Akihito froze when he heard Asami start crying "Please Akihito."

Akihito thought for a moment he could feel Death waiting to see what he would do hovering like a silent threat. He thought for a moment more only to see Mikhail standing in the doorway nodding his head.

Akihito sighed "Fine but you play this by my rules ok?"

Asami smiled "Anything, thank you."

Akihito shook his head "I'm in St. Petersburg, Russia."

Akihito hung up tears in his eyes he could hear Death chuckling and Death quietly whisper in his ear "I knew you would do it, you've always been weak, do you honestly think you can protect him Aki?"

Akihito shuddered before ironing his resolve he wouldn't let Death hurt Asami that's all there was to it.

Mikhail smiled "I'm proud of you Aki, I think he might be able to help you."

Akihito shook his head "Could you call Dimitri in here please, I need to speak to you both."

Mikhail looked confused but nodded and called Dimitri into Akihito's room. Akihito looked at them both sadly "Well Miki, I took your advice and called Asami, but if I can't stop Death and Asami is in danger. I want you to shoot me."

Mikhail blanched "What are you talking about!?"

Akihito shook his head "I refuse to allow him to be hurt if I slip and am about to hurt him, I want you to kill me."

Mikhail teared up "Never, you know I wouldn't do that!"

Akihito looked at him sadly "Sorry Miki, but this time I wasn't talking to you."

Mikhail was confused until he saw Dimitri kneeling beside the bed his gun drawn and held out in front of him offered to Akihito, tears welled in Dimitri's eyes "If that is your wish, then I will serve you."

Akihito nodded gently placing a hand on the gun and the other on Dimitri's shoulder "It is, thank you my friend."

Mikhail glared "Dimitri, what are you doing I will not allow this!"

Dimitri shook his head "You seem to forget that I don't serve you, I serve Akihito, and if there is no other option and Akihito wishes it then I will kill him."

Mikhail shook his head and Akihito pulled him into a hug allowing Mikhail's tears to wet his shirt collar, they sat there for ages Dimitri curled up behind Akihito with Mikhail in the front and cried.

Two hours later Mikhail, Dimitri and Akihito were waiting with two cars to pick Asami up from the Airport. Akihito had butterflies in his stomach as he waited for the plane to finish landing.

Akihito was wearing a chain around his neck that Mikhail had the other half of the hope being that if Death took over they would be able to pull him away and lock him in the enclosed backseat of the other car. Dimitri had also spent two hours at the range practicing head shots hoping that if the worst came to pass Akihito wouldn't feel any pain.

The private plane had lowered the ladder and Akihito smiled and stepped out of the car to meet Ryuichi on the tarmac.

Akihito heard Dimitri load the Glock 45 that was his sidearm and the slack on the chain in Mikhail's hand get a touch tighter waiting to have to restrain him. Akihito saw Asami for the first time in a week and smiled he looked exhausted but Akihito missed him so much that he hardly noticed.

Mikhail seeing the happy look on Akihito's face decided to take a risk and unhooked the chain leaving only a collar around Akihito's neck.

Akihito didn't even notice as he ran into Asami's waiting arms both of them were sobbing and taking in the others scent, until they saw Akihito still, Akihito reached around seeming to want to embrace Asami only to reach for the gun on his waist band Dimitri immediately brought his gun up "Don't move!"

Akihito stopped for a moment before quickly grabbing the gun and pushing back immediately bringing it to aim at Asami's chest a cruel sneer painted across his features "Akihito was stupid for allowing you to come here, and now I'll make him pay for it."

Asami was puzzled but raised his hands none the less "Akihito what's wrong?"

Akihito looked into Asami's eyes and for a moment the gun wavered a flash of blue fighting back the grey before the gun steadied again. "I'll kill you for what you've done Asami Ryuichi!"

Asami looked at Akihito with saddened gold eyes "Ok."

One of Akihito's dead grey eyes turned back to blue and wrenched the gun down his face furrowed from the strain he panted tears in his eyes before shouting "I can't, I can't hold him!"

Akihito looked up at Asami sadly "I'm sorry, I love you."

Akihito looked at Dimitri and nodded "Take the shot."

Dimitri nodded tears in his eyes and Akihito closed his eyes as the sound of a gunshot echoed around the tarmac.