Disclaimer: I do not own Viewfinder, Yamane-sensei does.
Warnings: Angst.
Pairings: Asami/Akihito
Chapters: 10/11
Summary: Sequel to Past. After the confession, everything seems fine. Asami and Akihito know they are trap into each other. What happens when a force comes to take them on? Will they be strong enough to stay together?
Notes: Thanks for the comments/reviews on the story. Hope you like this chapter. Please tell me what you think.
Chapter Ten:
Asami looked down at the small boy. He rubbed his hand through the dark brown locks. The child smiled up at him with questions in his eyes. Before he could say anything, he was pulled inside by the little boy. He gave an amusement look before he closed off his emotions. He saw some children playing in their rooms. Akari walked around the corner and stopped. As she saw his hand being held by the boy, she smiled. He spoke calmly, "I came…"
"Yes, yes, I know." Akari responded. As she knelt down, she spoke to the boy, "Chikao, what are you doing?" She noticed those golden eyes soften and show sadness. She knew the children were only reminding Asami of his own son that he lost. She didn't want to see sadness in those eyes.
Chikao replied happily, "I want little Raina to be adopted. I'm trying to get this man to adopt her." He tried to pull the man that had eyes like the sun but he wasn't moving an inch. Turning around, releasing the hand, he tinted his head and asked, "Don't you want to adopt her?"
Kneeling down in front of the child, Asami ran his hand through the brown locks, messing it up as he answered, "Do not worry about her. She will be adopted." Chikao smiled hugely at him and it was breaking his heart. Would Kai be like this if he lived? He missed those smiles that his son would give him when he came home from work. He stood up and watched Akari walk down the hallway toward the office. One last time, he messed up the child's hair. He followed Akari. As they enter the office, he saw the boy running in circles around his guard that stayed in the hallway. He sat down and pulled out his check book. He came here to make sure the orphanage doesn't close down.
Akari questioned as she watch the man write out the check, "Are you adopting Raina?" His golden eyes looked up from writing and stared at her for a little while. He didn't say anything. She sighed, "At least answer me, Ryuuichi. It is rude not to answer a question when asked."
"If I remember right, I never answered questions asked." Asami retorted as he tore out the check and slid it across the oak desk. He smirked at Akari when she sighed. He glanced out the small window to see Chikao pulling at his guard's arms. He felt his smirk soften to a small smile. Without turning around, he asked, "What is the boy's story?"
"What do you mean?" Akari responded back with her own question.
"Do not play dumb with me. Everyone here has a story." Asami retorted as he turned around to face the woman. He stared into her eyes and demanded, "I want to know his story."
"Why?"
"I never saw a child give up their own desire to have a family for another. It doesn't happen here, but he would give it all up if the baby gets adopted." Asami answered as he glanced back to the hallway. The boy pulled at his heart just like Raina did. Maybe because Chikao reminded him of himself when he was young or the boy reminded him of his son filled with happiness.
Glancing out the window to see the boy jumping around Kirishima, trying to make the guard play with him, Akari thought about what to do. Asami was part of the underworld and he would need an heir. She didn't want Chikao to go through what Asami did. She turned to look straight into golden eyes and knew that Chikao staying here for long might make him colder too. Asami was like that. She sighed, "When he was an infant, his parents were murdered by a robber. There was no other family to take him in. He was sent here. He says he is Raina's big brother and has to make sure she gets a home." She saw Asami staring out the window at the boy. She slid her hand over the desk and laid it on top of his. When golden eyes glanced to her, she whispered, "Do not bring him into your world. I won't allow…"
"Is that what you think I'm trying to do?" Asami cut her off. He stood up and hissed, "Then you do not know me that well." He walked toward the door, slamming it open. How dare she say that he was here only for an heir? He would never do that. He walked down the hallway, waving off his guard. He headed toward the nursery. Chikao ran after him and grabbed his hand. He glanced down to see those eyes filled with sadness. Suddenly, Chikao pulled him inside the nursery. He looked down in the crib to see light brown eyes staring up at him.
Chikao leaned up on his toes and looked inside. He whispered, "I got you a family, little Raina. You will be happy and won't have to suffer here, waiting for someone to adopt you." He ran his finger across the smooth skin and sighed sadly. He was going to be alone.
Akihito walked in surprised to see his lover standing there with the little boy from earlier. He walked over to see the infant. He glanced down to see the little boy, holding onto Asami's hand. Asami didn't seem bothered by it but he saw sadness in golden eyes. Grabbing a hold of Asami's other hand, he squeezed. Golden eyes glanced to him but Asami said nothing. He didn't expect the yakuza to say anything. He knew this must be hard for the other man. He released the hand and walked over to the crib. Light brown eyes stared up at him. His heart was pulling for the girl. He was going to gain a family but would Asami be part of it? Or would Asami be cold toward them to prevent being hurt again? He didn't want that. He knew that Asami had to move on. Asami had to let go of the past.
Asami saw a small smile on Akihito's face. Akihito's eyes were lighting up in happiness. That was all that mattered. He glanced down to see the little boy, holding onto his hand tightly. He petted the boy's head and pulled his hand free. He spoke, "I need to see Akari again." He walked out of the nursery and back to the office. When he entered, Akari quickly stood up ready to apologize for her behavior from before. He waved her off before she could. He sat down and demanded, "I want everything on Chikao and Raina. Akihito wants to adopt Raina." He wasn't going to beat around the brush. The files were pushed in front of him and Akari left the room. She knew him well enough to know he wanted to be alone. He looked at Raina's file again to see the same information from before. Chikao was different. He noticed that the only child he connected to was Raina. Chikao stayed away from the other children. He closed his eyes, remembering he was like that too.
'Come on, Ryuu. Play with us.' Some girl said.
He glared at her and walked pushed her. He didn't want to be around anyone. Some boys stood in his way. They were smirking at him. He didn't care for anyone here.
'Should we all call you, Ryuu now?' One boy snickered.
As his lips turned into a smirk, Ryuuichi threw a punch, breaking the boy's nose. The other boys backed up. He sneered, 'If you ever come near me again, I will break every bone in your body.' He was tired of everyone. He didn't want to be bothered with the other children.
He didn't want to see someone else like that. Once they adopted Raina, the boy was going to be alone. Asami tossed the files onto the oak desk, rubbing his nose. He stood up and sighed. He didn't know what to do. He wanted to spare the kid pain but how could he do that? He walked out of the office to see Akari talking to Suoh and Kirishima.
Inside the nursery, Akihito held Raina in his arms, rocking her back and forth on the rocking chair. He saw the little boy close by him. He felt horrible for the little one. He asked, "Will you be adopted?"
Chikao sat down on the floor beside Akihito and Raina, shaking his head sadly. He spoke, "But that is all right. As long as little Raina has a home, I will be happy. Are you with that big guy?"
"You mean Ryuuichi?"
"The one with eyes like the sun. Are you two dating?" Chikao asked as he played with his hair.
Akihito blushed and looked away from those green eyes. He stuttered, "Yeah… yeah. You can say that."
"You two make a perfect match." Chikao remarked. He noticed the man didn't say anything else but continued to rock Raina. He leaned his head against Akihito's leg, feeling warmth that he hasn't felt in six years. He doesn't remember what it was like with his parents. He was too young to remember them. He had a photo of them but one of the children ripped it up. He was so sad then. He closed his eyes, feeling very tired.
Akihito glanced down when they boy laid his head on his knee. He stopped rocking so he wouldn't disturb the child. Raina was fast asleep in his arms while Chikao was asleep leaning against him. He felt horrible for the boy. He sighed sadly. He wished he could do more for the orphans. Maybe he could help out around here. The place seemed they lacked caretakers.
In the hallway, Asami sighed, "Akari, please." He didn't need to hear about closing himself up. Akari gave him a dirty look. She sighed and he had to gain some fresh air. As he walked by the nursery, he stopped to see Akihito holding Raina and Chikao leaning against him. He walked in and knelt down. Picking the boy up without waking Chikao, he mumbled, "It wouldn't be too comfortable for him to be sleeping on the floor." He remembered doing that for his son. Kai would fall asleep on the floor, waiting for him to come home. He would always pick him up and tuck him into bed. He stared down at the sleeping Chikao.
Akari walked in and called, "Ryuuichi. Oh." She stared at Asami holding Chikao. She glanced down to see the child was fast asleep. She smiled and sighed, "I guess I should show you his room. He has one by himself." She looked at Akihito and mumbled, "I'm glad you are here to adopt Raina. Once the papers are straightened out, then you can take her home." She walked out the door with Asami following him.
As the entered a small bedroom, Asami stared down at the small boy in his arms. What would it have been if Kai grew up? Kai always smiled and was filled with happiness. Once again, he thinks that Chikao will be left alone. He laid the boy down in the bed, pulling the blankets up.
Chikao cracked his eyes open. He saw the sun again and smiled. He whispered as he rolled over, half asleep, "Dad."
Asami pulled back quickly, staring at the boy that just called him, dad. He glanced back to see Akari have a shock look on her face. He figured that Chikao has never done that before. He made sure the blanket was on the child and walked to the door. Glancing back, his heart was screaming at him. He walked out the door and leaned against the wall. That one word shocked him to the core. It reminded him all over again of Kai. He closed his eyes. Akari touched his arm and he snapped his eyes open, showing the world his emotions. He held back the tears wanting to shed. He refused to go that far. He glanced inside to see the boy lying there asleep with a smile on his face.
Akari saw the pain within golden eyes. She felt for the man. She leaned against the wall next to him and sighed, "He has never done that before. Even with parents that came to look at the children." When she got no response, she asked, "What are you planning, Ryuuichi?"
"What makes you think I'm planning anything?" Asami responded back with a question. His eyes kept on the sleeping boy. He would find a way to keep the child happy. Maybe a family wasn't a bad idea after all. He had to do other things. He walked down the hall with Akari racing after him. There was paperwork to be filled out.
"Ryuuichi, do not walk away from me. What are you up to?" Akari questioned as she tried to keep up with the yakuza. She grabbed Asami by the arm, making the other stop. She stared into those eyes and spoke, "If you are going to adopt him too, please make sure you are adopting him for the right reasons. Chikao needs a loving home with loving parents."
"You think I wouldn't love them?" Asami asked.
"Ryuuichi, you feel for him because part of it is because he reminds you of yourself and another part because he reminds you of Kai." Akari retorted. She stepped in front of the man. She continued, "I want to see Chikao with a good family and I know he can gain that from you. But I don't want you to adopt him because he reminds you of yourself and your son. Adopt him for him."
"He will become me if he continues to stay here. I read the file. He is starting to be like me." Asami responded. As Akari stared at him, he continued with his words, "I will not let him be like that. I will make sure he keeps that smile and happiness. Once we take Raina he will be alone here. Do you wish to see another me?" Akari gasped and started to open her mouth. Holding his hand up, he spoke, "I will have a family and I will protect all that is dear to me with my entire being. I will give up my own life to protect them."
Akihito leaned against the wall, holding back a gasp. He heard everything. Asami wanted to adopt the boy as well. He turned to find Suoh standing there, looking worried. Quickly, walking away, he headed back to the nursery with Suoh following him. He whispered before he went inside the nursery, "Best if you don't tell him we over heard what he said." Suoh gave him a look and spoke, "Ryuuichi will be upset if he learned we over heard him. You know him as much as I do. Don't say a word." He walked inside the nursery, staring down at the baby. Raina was asleep. He whispered, "Looks like you will have an older brother."
Suoh leaned against the wall, thinking over what he should do. He sighed when he realized Akihito was right. Asami would be upset if he learned they over heard his speech. Family was always a touchy issue with the yakuza and he wasn't about to have Asami pissed at him. He folded his arms in front of his chest, not moving an inch. Children came out of their rooms, gave him a look and ran. They were always like that. Chikao was the only one who wasn't afraid of them.
In the office, Akari sat down with Asami sitting across from her. She stared down at the papers, still thinking. She glanced up to those eyes. She spoke, "I can't let you do it."
"Why not?" Asami asked in a growl.
With soft eyes, Akari answered sadly, "Because you are seeing Kai in him. Chikao isn't Kai; he is not your son. Your son is dead." She stared into those cold eyes. They became much colder since Hako and Kai were killed. Asami stood up and slammed his hands onto the oak desk. She also stood, laying her hands over Asami's. She continued to stare into those golden eyes and mumbled, "Think about it, Ryuuichi. He reminds you too much of Kai. What will that do to Chikao when he figures it out?"
Asami narrowed his eyes at the woman who raised him. Was that the reason? He knew Chikao wasn't Kai but the boy did remind him of his son. He tried to contain his anger but it wasn't working. Akari slid over the paper for Raina but not for Chikao. He knew Chikao would become like him if he stayed here, left behind. Chikao was already showing signs of it. He sat down, staring at the paper. He replied, "I know Chikao is not Kai. Kai died because of my failure. I lost him forever. Chikao can never replace Kai. Chikao is Chikao. But if he stays here that sweet boy will disappear just like I did." He didn't understand why he was speaking with his heart but he had to. He had to make sure Raina and Chikao had a good home and his home was good.
Akari sat there, listening to the yakuza open his heart, pouring out his soul. She thought about how the yakuza became what he was today. So much pain in Asami's life lead him to be the man he was. She remembered the day he came back from the man who adopted him.
'Oh my! Ryuuichi! What happened!' Akari ran to the teenager's side. He had a spit lip and a bloody nose. He had bruises on his face and he was limping. She helped him down the hall even though he kept pushing her away. When they got to his single bedroom, she made sure he sat down on the bed. She knelt in front of him and questioned, 'What the hell did they do to you?' To her horror, there was a smirk on the teenager's face.
Ryuuichi wiped his nose with his sleeve and chuckled, 'I had fun.'
'What are you talking about? You look like you were run over by a truck!' Akari screamed, worried sick about the teenager.
'They wanted to teach me a lesson and see if I could handle anyone against me. I did get some of those guards to eat dirt.' Ryuuichi chuckled as he fell back to the bed, staring up at the ceiling.
'I do not want you to go near them again. They are dangerous.' Akari ordered.
'I have a meeting with them next Friday. I plan to go. I will become as powerful as that man. I will make the world notice me.' Ryuuichi promised.
Akari snapped out of her memories as she watched Asami sign the papers for Raina. Back then, Asami left with them that night and when he came back, he was never the same. He refused to tell her what he did but she had a feeling that he killed someone. He had blood on his clothes and it wasn't his. She slid her hands over those strong tan ones. When golden eyes glance at her, she smiled sadly and whispered, "What happened that night?"
Giving her a puzzled look, Asami questioned, "What night?"
"That night Mahito Asami came for you." Akari explained. She watched those eyes become even colder. They showed nothing. She stopped asking him back then, knowing he would never answer.
"Do you really want to know?" Asami asked. He never thought she would ask about that ever again. He refused to answer her when he came back. When she nodded her head, he told the truth, "I killed a rival in front of them."
She knew that was the answer but it still shocked her. She mumbled, "Oh, Ryuuichi." He was only fifteen then. He killed to gain what he desired. She shook her head sadly and muttered, "That should have never been asked of you."
Asami snorted, "Do not start to pity me. I became what I wanted." Akari stood up and walked around her desk, hugging him. He chuckled, "I never thought you would hug me again." Akari pulled back but kept giving him sad eyes. He leaned back in the chair and sighed, "I did unspeakable things to get where I am today."
Akari whispered, "If that all happened, I am surprised you ever let Hako in."
Asami laughed, truly laughed. Yes, it was surprising that he let Hako in. She was beautiful when she was in college, trying to become a business woman. She flirted with him when no one dared to go near him. He couldn't stop flirting back and slowly she was opening his cold heart. He did unspeakable things back then as well. He wasn't loyal to her. Fei Long was proof of that. Even if he made Fei Long think he had a relationship with a man. When he came home after that trip, he confessed to Hako. Hako left for a little while to think for a while. Yes, he didn't sleep with Fei Long but he had thoughts about it. Hako came back, forgiving him and making him promise to never do it again. Then a year later, she and Kai were taken from him forever. His heart became ice and refused to let anyone else in. He took on lovers and tossed them aside. Then came Akihito who was meant to take him down. Oh, Akihito was good. Akihito lied well and fooled him. If Akihito didn't fall in love with him, then he would have brought him down. He stopped laughing and glanced to Akari. He admitted, "I almost cheated on Hako. I was so close to sleeping with someone else. Then a year later, I lost her and Kai for good."
Akari sat down at the desk again and stared at Asami. She sighed, "It would seem maybe you are ready for a family again."
"I'm doing this to make Akihito happy." Asami responded.
"Is that what you think?" Akari questioned. Asami stared at her confused. She mumbled, "You want to truly move on. You want a new life. Your heart has been made of ice and that boy has melted it." She could see it even if Asami couldn't see it himself. She couldn't stop it and she didn't want to. She slid over the other paper. Those golden eyes continued to stare at her. She knew Chikao would become like Asami if he stayed here. She also could see the signs. Chikao was acting like Asami when he was younger. Chikao was becoming cold toward the other children. There was no hope for Chikao here, but there was hope with Asami and Akihito.
Asami stared down at the paper. Chikao would be with them too. He had to protect what was now going to be his family. He would make sure the past didn't repeat. He signed the paper, knowing it was the right thing to do. He would make sure Raina and Chikao grew up with happiness. He refused to watch them suffer. He pushed the papers back. He didn't even asked Akihito about it, but it was his lover who wanted a family.