Akihito forgot all about his dislike of Azumi Ryouko.

When they had returned to the party, Akihito had used the information Ryouko-san had given him. He kept a full two inches between him and Asami at all times. He kept his hands to himself and shrugged off Asami's hands anytime the man touched him. Once home, Akihito had thanked Asami for the wonderful evening then wondered off into the spare room. Where he had spent the remaining evening and the following days.

The morning after the party; Akihito, or rather Akira, met with Ryouko-san at the agreed upon restaurant for breakfast. They talked long in ate morning. From there they went shopping. Ryouko-san helped "Akira-chan" pick out clothing that would be suitable for future functions. They were all very conservative and a bit plain. However Akihito never complained. He ate up every word Ryouko-san spoke.

After shopping for the party clothing, the stopped by a little café for lunch. It surprised Akihito to learn that Asami owned it. Ryouko-san reprimanded him for that. "How can you be living off his money, and not know anything about him?!"

Akihito's eyes widened. "I'm sorry Ryouko-san."

"You should be."

After lunch, the two finished their shopping spree. This time buying "Akira-chan" normal everyday clothing. The shopping took up the rest of the evening, and Akihito arrived to late to have dinner with Asami. So the boy simply skipped the meal altogether.

~ DEVIL'S LOVE ~

The night of the party…

Asami frowned as Akihito once again shrugged off his hand. His Kitten had been acting so weird since returning from the restroom. Keeping distance between them and shrugging his hand off whenever Asami tried to draw him back to his side.

He sighed as Azumi Ryouko once again settled a hand on his arm, batting her eyelashes up at him. She had been hanging onto him all night. He looked down at his Kitten. Akihito looked very unhappy. That's when Asami was hit with the realization.

Asami shrugged off Azumi Ryouko's hand. Said his goodbyes and escorted Akihito from the party. Akihito remained quiet throughout the ride home. Even sitting as far away from him as the limo would allow for it. At home, Akihito remained quiet in the elevator. Not bothering to engage in his usual banter with Kirishima and Suoh. "Shit! I'm really in the dig house this time." Asami realized.

Inside their penthouse apartment, Akihito thanked him for a wonderful evening. Then left him standing in the middle of the living room, watching the spare bedroom door closing behind his sexy Kitten.

"What did you do?!"

Asami spun around at Kei's shouted question. Both Kazumi and Kei were standing with their arms crossed over their strong chests. Both of his best friends had taken Akihito beneath their wings as their little brother. Becoming very protective of the blond and leaving Asami on his own with no one in his corner. Not that he would complain. He was more than had that his friends and Kitten had become so close.

"A female guest was flirting with me."

"Hmph. Would serve you right if he kept you in the dog house for the next year." Kei replied

"I agree." Kazumi shook his head. With that, Kei and Kazumi left the apartment. Leaving Asami alone with an upset Kitten.

~ DEVIL'S LOVE ~

Akihito avoided Asami at all costs. He skipped out before Asami woke, leaving the man to eat breakfast alone. While school was on winter break, Akihito ate out with his friends and he always returned to late to have dinner with Asami.

Asami wasn't happy and considered returning Akihito back to his training days. However, the anger he remembered in his Kitten's eyes that night of the party, held him back. Akihito loved to flirt and rile him up, resulting in a long night of harsh punishment and pleasure for his Kitten at Asami's hands. However, the reverse could not be said. Akihito was always unbearably crushed if he saw Asami fitting with someone else.

Asami could still recall the day he had returned home from an overview of one of his clubs. He had taken the daughter of one of his business partners as an escort. When he returned home, he had found Akihito huddled in a corner sobbing. A knife in his hands. He had taken Asami being with the woman as a sign that his Daddy no longer wanted him. That was two months ago.

That had been Asami's first clue that his Kitten wasn't fully okay. Professional help just told Asami to give Akihito all the love and care he needed. And reassurance. Lots and lots of reassurance.

To achieve that, Asami stopped taking anyone as an escort to any social meetings. The night of the Christmas party was his way of bringing Akihito out into the open and let his Kitten know that he was the only one for him. Then that woman, Azumi Ryouko, had hit on him. Repeatedly.

Akihito hadn't just been angry. He had been hurt. Deeply. And Asami was at a loss as to how to fix it. Sighing Asami scrubbed his hands over his face. Only his Kitten could make him feel insecure.

A knock sounded on the office door, knocking Asami free of his thoughts. He gave a low "come in". The door opened and in walked Kirishima, multiple reports in his arms. He placed one down in front of Asami. Without a word, Asami picked it up and began to read.

Asami dropped the file to his desk and looked up at Kirishima. "Is this correct?"

"Yes sir. For the past month, beginning the morning after the party, Akihito-sama has been meeting with Azumi Ryouko."

Asami's hand shook as he lit a cigarette. Anger and worry filtering through him. "I want to know what they are doing at all times. I also want to know what they are taking about. Get a man as close as possible to them. Use Takato and Kou if you need to."