A/N: A trifecta of updates! Don't expect to get three updates a week going forward, you all just happened to get lucky this week :P That and I have had some serious writing withdrawals haha
Akihito grinned as he packed up his camera equipment. It felt so good for everything to be nearly back to normal. He still wasn't allowed to be particularly active and holding a camera for too long made his arm ache but he was determined to ignore that for now. Being back at work was refreshing after so long being bored and he found he didn't even mind the models attitudes that much now. No doubt the shine would wear off soon enough though.
Everything was so back to normal that Asami was going away for a business trip. For two weeks. Akihito understood that he would have to turn his attention back to his business properly at some point and that his lover had been neglecting his duties while Akihito was recovering. He understood that but he was still dreading being alone in the penthouse for two full weeks. In the time they had been together, the longest Asami had been away all at once was only a few days. He usually chose to go during the week as well so Akihito had barely even noticed.
He felt silly to be so apprehensive of the coming trip but it would be the first time being on his own in the penthouse. More than that though, Akihito had gotten so used to Asami always being around. Even when he was working, he could come home at a moment's notice if he needed to. Akihito kept trying to tell himself that it was good that Asami was able to go away, because it meant that he had healed enough to be independent again. It wasn't like he was some clingy housewife that needed constant attention. Right?
Akihito's grin faded into a frown as he waved goodbye to the other production staff before hightailing it off the set. They were just finishing up and he wasn't keen on getting roped into helping dismantle the set or explaining why he was still barred from heavy lifting. It was surprisingly awkward having to explain his long absence and serious injuries to his work colleagues. News of the shootout and his hospitalisation had been publicized, along with Mino's fall from grace, but he found that he got an uncomfortable amount of attention when he mentioned it. He didn't know how to feel about people calling him brave or saying how scary it must have been. Especially as he wasn't able to mention the whole Sudou affair. What could he say?
'Yeah, it was all just an elaborate set up by a crazed lunatic who kidnapped me with the intention of murder just to get my soulmates attention.'
Akihito knew the man was dead but all the guards, and not just his own security team, had been very closed lipped about what had happened. All he had been able to get out of Asami was that Sudou would never bother him again. Only once had he directly referred to Sudou as being dead. It hadn't been quite as reassuring as his lover probably meant it to be. It wasn't like Akihito was a child that needed to be protected from the truth. The very thought irritated him. He was a grown adult dammit, independent and strong. He didn't need to be coddled.
He waved off one of his guards, Kamiya, who had approached looking concerned. His thoughts must have shown on his face again; one day he would learn how to be a little less obvious with his feelings. Everyone being able to read him like a book while he was unable to do the same in return was beginning to get a little old.
"Takaba-sama, is everything alright?" Kamiya said, undeterred by Akihito's attempted dismissal. His security team had been extra careful and mothering with him since his failed mission. It had been starting to drive him crazy once he needed less care and was trying to be more independent again. That was until Asami explained the reasoning behind it.
"They feel guilty that you got so injured while they were there and supposed to be protecting you. Not just you, but other members of their team too. Logically they know they all did the best they could and none of them were at fault. I've said as much to them myself, but they are only human Akihito. Be as patient with them as they are with you. They are only trying to protect you."
Akihito was trying to take the words on board, adding Asami and his actions to the same sentiment, but it was hard. There was nothing he hated more than feeling like he was being treated like a child.
"It's fine," he replied with a forced cheerful tone. "I just need to go shopping but I'm not looking forward to dealing with all the people."
It wasn't exactly a lie, he really wasn't keen on dealing with the rush of people, but he also didn't want to admit to already dreading missing his soulmate. The best and worst thing about his security team was like they were one big family, with himself included. And while they would never be unprofessional, if they found out about him moping over Asami then he would be subjected to those knowing grins and gentle teasing. It was like an entire group of the big brothers that he never had. Ueda was the worst of all, once he found out then Akihito would never hear the end of it.
Kamiya nodded understandingly before moving to lead the way. Akihito had planned out the trip in an effort to avoid most of the weekend shopping rush but it would still be bad. He was going to a more upmarket shop than he would have preferred but it would be the best place to find what he was looking for. Thankfully the photoshoot, which had started obscenely early in the morning, had ended on time so they would avoid the worst of the shopping rush. Even better, the set location was within walking distance of the shopping area. Doing the odd photoshoot for the more upmarket Tokyo brands had perks some of the time.
The photographer still felt a little awkward going into shops, with the exception of the supermarket, with three people in tow. One of them was far enough away that you could easily mistake their presence as an accident but the others less so. On the plus side, they all wore nice casual clothing that was easy to move around in. None of those stuffy, attention grabbing suits that Asami's security team wore. At least it looked more like Akihito was going shopping with an older friend or relative rather than so very obviously being babysat.
Akihito walked quickly into the desired store and started searching down the row upon row of clothing. He had gotten the idea from one of the models last week and they had even suggested a few different shops to visit for the item. He passed by fancy jackets and artificially weathered jeans with too large price tags before finally spotting exactly what he wanted. Dark blue with the thickest, fluffiest, softest material. No buttons, no zips, nothing to take away from the luxurious comfort of the cloth it was made from. He dug around until he pulled out the largest hoodie on the rack and help it up for inspection.
Perfect.
The price tag made him wince but it would be well worth the cost. Now all he had to do was somehow convince Asami to wear it without asking why he wanted him to. He wasn't sure he could handle the embarrassment of the teasing he was sure to get if Asami found out what Akihito had planned but he was determined to see this through. Maybe he could butter the man up with his favourite dish for dinner so that he's full of enough good will to let Akihito's demand to pass without question.
As they made their way to the counter to pay, Akihito noticed his guards behaving oddly. The two in his view were very tense and seemed to be talking lowly on their ear pieces. As he was paying the cashier, Kamiya came right up beside him to talk but his attention was clearly on their surroundings. A foreboding feeling settled in the pit of his stomach. All of his guards were always very alert to their surrounds but in a far more subtle, natural way. The sudden drop of pretence had him worried.
"Takaba-sama," he said and Akihito inwardly cursed as the woman behind the counter's eyes went wide and she started appraising him as though in a new light after hearing the formal honorific, "Would you mind if we changed our route for the way home?"
"Uh, no. That's fine. What's wrong?" Hurriedly, Akihito accepted the bag with his new hoodie and let himself be ushered quickly from the store.
"We appear to be being followed. Nakahara has instructed our ride to pick us up from a slightly different location than planned but we may need to move quickly and change more plans on the fly. How is your knee?" Kamiya gestured at the third guard who seemed to appear from nowhere. He looked worried as well as he shook his head back.
"I'm fine. I'm still not supposed to run but I can if we need to." Akihito replied confidently as he clutched his camera bag and purchase closer to himself in case they needed to run.
"We will avoid that unless absolutely necessary." His guard frowned before guiding him suddenly into a nearby clothing store. Akihito ducked down and peeped out behind Kamiya who was crouching behind some racks. He couldn't make out anything in the rush of people but the other man swore softly. "Yeap, they are definitely following us. Shit. Alright, stay close Takaba-sama, we are going to outwit them without straining your injury. Consider it a tactical exercise like the rooftop runs you put us through from time to time." He shot a wry grin over his should at Akihito who couldn't help but grin back.
Adrenaline was starting to pump through his veins at the prospect of a chase and Akihito found himself struggling to stay still while they waited for the other two guards to confirm how many people were possibly following them. The shopping mall was starting to fill up as the time progressed closer to lunch and the possibility of an altercation with harmless passer-by getting involved set him on edge. However on the flip side, the amount of people meant that it would be more likely that an actual attack would not take place and make it easier to lose them. Whoever was following them was probably intending to use the mass amount of people in their favour, to do whatever they were intending then escaping without anyone paying them any attention.
Akihito was virtually bouncing on the spot by the time they were given the all clear to start moving. It can't have been any longer than a few minutes but time seemed to drag out while they were forced to wait. Two men appeared to be following them with another three that met up with those once Akihito suddenly disappeared from sight with his guards. They stepped out of the shop and walked quickly towards the far exit, keeping low and serving around the mass of people.
"They've spotted us," Kamiya said lowly as they moved. "Oshiro is going to try and create a distraction while we leave. Nakahara is trying to hack into the malls systems to see if maybe he can get access to the security feeds to help us out manoeuvre whoever they are."
He nodded, unable to form a reply above his racing heart. He was nearly out of breath just from their swift pace and his knee was starting to throb a little with the vigorous movements. It was appalling how out of shape he was after only a few months of forced rest. The other man started to slow down, looking at him in concern but Akihito shook his head and kept moving at the same pace.
"We need to just go. My knee is going to be the least of my problems if they catch up," he forced out through gritted teeth. "Are they even after me? That's why we are running, right?"
"Yes," was the terse reply. "They have been following us since leaving the photoshoot this morning and have now given chase. We couldn't be certain until they started to move in on the shop we went to but it does appear that they are after you, Takaba-sama. But I can assure you, we are not about to let them get their hands on you."
There was grim determination in Kamiya's tone and Akihito found himself believing in the words. The man looked like he would die before he failed in his task. It left an odd feeling in his gut that someone would go so far for him. He wasn't sure he liked the feeling but it was somehow reassuring all the same. Out of breath and slightly lost, Akihito stumbled slightly as they entered an empty elevator. The guard hit the button for the bottom level of the underground carpark and held his hand to his ear as he listened to whoever was talking on the other end.
"Bah, it's cut out. I would have preferred to take the stairs just in case," he muttered, glancing down at Akihito's knee, "but I wasn't about to risk you falling." He pulled out his gun and checked the safety. "Ueda is bringing a car around but they haven't cleared the elevator exit as safe yet and we don't know how many more people there might be. So stay behind me, okay?"
Akihito nodded mutely and let the other man move in front of him. It was funny to think that this was the same person that didn't know how to cook beyond microwaving things, the same person that Akihito had been giving cooking lessons for months. For all their easy banter and friendly appearances, his security team were the best of the best. They weren't to be messed with and knew what they were doing. He wondered if that meant Asami's team were the same. The thought certainly made him feel better.
The elevator pinged to signal a stop and Kamiya quickly hid his weapon as other people entered. He stayed carefully positioned in front of Akihito as they descended through the mall floors then finally onto the carpark levels. The last person got off so they were left to go the last floor by themselves and they waited tensely for the elevator to stop and the doors to open. The guard brought out his gun again and held it ready but lowered in front of him.
"If only the damn comms lines didn't get cut out by the elevator," the man muttered to himself. "Hopefully Ueda has arrived with the transport but I can't be certain until we are out. Be prepared to run if you need to, alright?"
"Got it," Akihito replied as he adjusted his grip on his bags again. He clutched them tight to his chest just in case he needed to bolt. He was not about to part with his precious camera's if he could help it. Nor with his rather expensive clothing purchase.
The doors flew wide after a happy sounding ding and Akihito's entire body tensed as he waited for a few seconds to take in what was happening. Two large vehicles were idling just outside of the elevator shafts but Akihito immediately recognised the people heading towards them as other members of his security force. Relieved, he let himself be ushered into the back of a large, sleek black car with tinted windows. Ueda was in the driver's seat and Kamiya jumped into the front passenger seat after closing Akihito's door then they were taking off.
"Do you know what's going on or who they are?" Akihito asked Ueda as he buckled himself in.
"Nope. No signs of affiliation on the men and no active threats against you that we are aware of. But you are Asami-sama's soulmate, something that is now public knowledge after the Sudou affair, and you've personally taken out Kikkawa Naoki and Ichikawa Kinmochi. We are not taking any chances with this. Being followed right after finally going back to work? There's no way in hell that it's random. Whoever these people are, they might have been waiting weeks for this chance. Shit," Ueda swore as he glanced at the rear view mirror before speeding up. "We've got cars on our tail and they don't look civilian."
Kamiya was barking into his phone and Akihito craned around to stare out the back window at the other car. He paled as he caught site of a gun before another car suddenly cut off their pursuer. Tires screeched and the two cars just barely avoided a collision. People with shopping bags were walking through the car park just talking and laughing, going about their day and it seemed so surreal that there was an almost car chase going just before their eyes but no one seemed to notice other than a few frowns directed their way.
Ueda manoeuvred them as quickly as he could through the car park and out into Tokyo traffic. From what Akihito gathered from listening to Kamiya's one-sided conversation was that two more cars and a van had been blocked by Sion staff from following them. The vehicles had all retreated once Akihito's car had clearly gotten away and it left them with no answers as to what was going on.
"And here all I wanted was just a normal day," Akihito muttered sulkily, feeling grouchy about the whole affair now that the adrenaline had worn off leaving him feeling tired and done.
Ueda chuckled before replying over his shoulder, "It's a fairly normal day for us. Took you to work, then to the shops, and finally did a random chase around Tokyo. The only difference this time was that we were being chased rather than chasing you!"
Akihito stuck his tongue out childishly in retaliation earning himself laughter from the two men in the front. It was true he supposed, he had ran them around Tokyo enough that he could probably give them that one. Just this once.