Asami watched the two meetings going on in the VIP rooms from the monitor room. As soon as the rooms emptied out, he glanced at his watch, 10:30pm. He sighed. All the reports, calls, and meetings could not tear his mind away from his kitten.

He could picture Takaba sitting on the bed sulking. The kid looked so sad and miserable when he had left earlier. There was also that look in the kid's eyes, a dismal look. Takaba asked him to wait but then he didn't fight back. Takaba always fought back, it was like the kid knew he had been defeated.

When Asami had devised his little plan, he had not anticipated on suddenly feeling guilty about what he was doing to Takaba. He had no intention of breaking the kid's spirit and he sincerely hoped that was not the case.

He had a point to make and he was going to make it no matter what. So why did he feel like such an ass as he stood in the middle of the monitor room. Asami shook his head in disbelief at how much he had changed since one Takaba Akihito came into his life.

That young troublesome photographer had turned his world upside down causing him all sorts of problems but at the same time he had loved every minute of being with him. If not for all the bad situations that they had been through, they would not be together now. In a twisted way, all of it had helped them to end up together in the end.

Much to his confusion, Asami found himself at the entrance to the club and Kirishima had Akira waiting with the limo. Asami smirked and got in the vehicle. He didn't even have to say his destination, Akira knew, probably because Kirishima told him.

By the time he arrived at the penthouse, Asami found himself suddenly nervous, which was highly unusual for the man. He knew Takaba would be there waiting but what concerned him was what mood Takaba would be in. He was worried that Takaba would not be crouched with his claws out ready to fight.

Asami, completely out of character, went first to his bedroom and changed. In the back of his massive closet, he found his royal blue, white, and black flannel pants and put them on. He held the shirt up but in the end decided against it, the pants were enough.

The room was pitch black when Asami entered the room. Having memorized the room layout long ago, he made his way to the bed and laid down, feeling the smaller body all curled up in the blankets.

Instinctively, Takaba rolled over and snuggled into Asami's broad chest. One arm went around his kitten and he wondered if he could continue to punish the kid. At first he had planned days of cruel play but would it help their relationship, really?

"Mmmm…" Takaba moaned. "Please…no more….don't hurt me…" His body tensed and he started thrashed about.

Asami held him close, "Akihito," he said softly.

Apparently, Takaba didn't hear him so he repeated the kid's name louder and louder until he was shouting, "Akihito! It's ok. I'm here."

Takaba's body froze. Even though it was dark in the room, he felt the naked chest that was his pillow while his body was encased in strong arms and inhaled Asami's scent.

"Asa-Asami…" he stuttered pushing away from the man.

Asami reached over and turned on the bedside lamp. His eyes met with fear filled hazel ones as Takaba slowly backed up, climbing off the bed and continuing until his back was against the wall as he slid down it, hugging his knees to his chest. The only sound in the room was the clanking of the chain attached to Takaba's small ankle.

Every clink of the chain penetrated Asami's once hard resolve. He had caged his lover up like an animal. He had stripped him and locked him away and for what? It was all to show Takaba that the young man belonged to him and only him, that he could not run again but by doing that, the first thing Takaba would do is run.

Asami wanted to see that smile Takaba bestowed upon him on the island when he gave the young man the camera. He wanted Takaba to fight for what he believed in, and to blush when he was touched.

Takaba had been having a nightmare in which he was being tortured by the older man but not in the secret room. He was in a warehouse tied to a chair and Asami was punching him repeatedly for his betrayal as he begged for the older man to stop.

When he woke with Asami next to him, he freaked. He was losing his mind. After all that he had been through, his emotions were running rampant in his mind and he could not control them. Somehow, the events of the past several months collided all at once making it hard to dicifer between reality and his inner fear.

Asami grabbed his arms and pulled him up off the floor. Takaba felt the wet tears on his cheeks and he snapped. His fight or flight instinct took over and he thrashed about, kicking and screaming but could not escape the tight hold Asami had. Like a wild animal, trapped, he fought for his freedom.

"Calm down Takaba!" Asami shouted but the empty look in the kid's eyes told Asami that he hadn't heard the command.

Finally, Takaba seized the only opportunity he could grasp and with all his might, kneed Asami in the groin. He was released instantly while the older man fell to his knees with a shout, "FUCK!" and made a run for it only to be yanked back by the chain he had forgotten was there.

With what little strength Asami had left, he lashed out and successfully backhanded Takaba who was sitting stunned nearby. Takaba's head hit the floor with a thud.

After a couple minutes of regaining his composure from Takaba's knee, he rushed to the younger man's side and cradled Takaba's head in his hands, holding him in his lap.

Then the unfamiliar words tumbled out of their own accord,"I'm sorry," Asami choked out, "I'm so sorry."