Chapter 2

By: Aztec999

Izana swirled his glass on his right hand and watched blankly at the red liquid circling inside of it before he took a sip of his wine idly.

His eyes swept over the skyline from the windows of his penthouse overlooking the city. A lot of things had been running through his head right now but funnily enough the flitting image of Takemichi looking dazed, pathetic and hopeless on his arms previously brought out the virulent smile on his lips, the grip on his glass growing a bit tighter.

At first, he didn't understand why Mikey was besotted with him. To him, Takemichi was nothing like a speck of dust in the society. A lowly citizen who was a mere crying doormat and possessed an ordinary presence among the sea of people.

At first, he didn't get it.

Even being compared to their late big brother.

Takemichi couldn't even compare to his greatness.

Hanagaki Takemichi was a cheap imitation of Shinichiro.

Izana would've laughed if it's not deeply insulting to his late memory and the legacy he left behind. Izana would've underestimated him and pay no attention to him if he didn't ruin Mikey's life and broke his heart by leaving him and disappearing on his life without any context.

He would've spared his peaceful life if he didn't kill his Mikey.

Izana spent the half of his life planning, analyzing, perfecting and creating his own dynasty in the world of delinquency as part of his revenge against his estranged brother who brought nothing but pain and misery in his life. Of course, he didn't forget the goal he formed with Kakucho in creating an era for orphaned people to live in their kingdom where they don't feel isolated and lonely anymore.

But…

Vengeance…

Is what keeps him going.

Mikey's anticlimactic and disappointing death made the half of his world seemed dull and monochromatic.

It felt suffocating yet at the same time it's not.

Of how he had waited for the time to come into Mikey's life when everything was perfect and slapped him the painful and harsh reality that he felt because of him.

Only to die a pointless death.

Only to perish under the cruel spell of worthless longingness and affection towards someone who wasn't even there for him except for his death.

Only to die into the arms of a fucking trash like Hanagaki Takemichi.

His initial impression of the raven-haired boy wasn't even good when he saw him. He was a pathetic, sniveling mess when they caught him and separated him away from Naoto before they could even be reunited successfully.

It made the dark thoughts swirled inside his head that time and he had an instinctive reaction on just to kill both.

Nevertheless…

He also realized that by just killing them it would be an easy way out for both especially for Takemichi who caused not only Mikey's suffering and anguish but also for destroying his plans and thwarting one of his goals that was a part of his life.

A quick death would've saved them from the wretchedness and misery that he felt because of them and he wouldn't let it.

He would make sure that Takemichi would taste the lingering pain and anguish he had caused not only for Mikey but to him as well.

He will never leave him unscathed.

The silent vibration of his phone inside his pockets broke him out of his malevolent thoughts and fished it out with his left hand. Seeing the name of Kakucho on the caller ID made him automatically swiped it on the call mode and answered it.

"What is it Kakucho?" He asked directly.

The line went silent for a while before Kakucho's voice resonated at the other end of the line again. "It's Takemichi."

Izana perked up slightly at his words. "What about him?" He asked.

He listened silently at the other's words before a wicked grin spread on his lips.

The soft whirring sounds are the only noises resounded inside the living room of the rest house that they were in. Kakucho could see Takemichi's hunched figure from one of the large windows of the room he was in that's adjacent to the living room he was in.

It's been three weeks since they had captured Takemichi. Kakucho quickly rectified his thoughts when he also realized that Takemichi made his choice that day and came willingly to them. But he had doubts on that day since Izana didn't left him much of a choice. It's either Naoto's life perishing away if he continued being stubborn or sparing the other's life if he complied with Izana's cruel wishes.

Although Takemichi was his childhood friend, it didn't erase the fact where his real loyalty lies. A lot of things can happen in a span of few years. He was never the same before ever since he was separated from Takemichi and live their own ways.

Kakucho didn't know if Takemichi was too oblivious or too naïve to think that he was still his 'Kaku-chan' from those elementary days and would still treat him the same as if nothing happened. He would still converse albeit in hesitant and softer tones that would make him frustrated and guilty at the same time.

Can't Takemichi see that he's an enemy now? If Izana ordered to shoot him now, he wouldn't even hesitate and blinked an eye as he pulls the trigger.

Why can't Takemichi realized that horrible conclusion?

Kakucho still maintained his impassive stare and cool posture as he observed Takemichi from the glass windows even though there was a mild havoc going through his head right now.

His goal with Izana about creating an era and kingdom for orphaned children so that they wouldn't feel lost anymore was still there but he could see how Izana had been going more reckless, vicious and unpredictable ever since he found out about Mikey's untimely death.

He couldn't help but to grow concerned about Izana's innermost thoughts and recent actions.

Especially with Takemichi. Even if he was technically on Izana's side now, he couldn't help but to question on what he would really like to do with his childhood friend. Izana's intent wasn't even killing him and yet he didn't spare a single day on visiting Takemichi and doing God knows what. He wasn't torturing him literally, but he could see the cloudy gaze of Takemichi and how his eyes grew dimmer as each day passed by. There were times Takemichi would be like himself and would react instinctively the way he knew him in the past. He was ballsy enough to talk back to Izana and grew ferocious against him, expressing on how much he detested him. And there were times…

These were the times that he would grow perplexed about his behavior…

He was subdued, disinterested and…hopeless.

Like everything doesn't matter to him anymore.

He knew how Izana can be unpredictable.

Ever since learning upon his estranged brother's death, he grew more restless yet distant. He knew that there were a lot of things going on inside Izana's head right now. And when he's like this he's doesn't know what exactly to do with him.

He knew how much hatred and pain he had carried inside of him upon learning that Shinichiro wasn't his real brother and Mikey would inherit the Black Dragon's gang upon his Shinichiro's retirement from the world of delinquency. But he didn't know the extent of how much would it fester and grow so deep when he learnt about Shinichiro's untimely death and Mikey's demise at the hands of Naoto Tachibana because he had saved Takemichi.

…And that it would lead to this.

He feared that one day it would derail their original plan of expanding Tenjiku because of how focus Izana had in exacting his vengeance against his childhood friend.

Nevertheless, that was his least of his concerns right now. He needed to bring Takemichi his daily meals for the day and checked up on him to report anything unusual or progress about the raven-haired boy.

With a sigh leaving his lips, he went towards the kitchen and prepare his meal and put it into the tray.

Afterward, he went to his room and unlocked it by inserting one of the keys into the keyhole and turned on the knob, the creaking sound of it doesn't even made Takemichi moved from his own spot and stayed there hunched at the corner and hugging on his knees while he buried his face on them.

It was one of these times that he wasn't sure if he would pity him or grew frustrated at the boy.

"Takemichi." He called out simply and placed the tray into the bedside table.

Takemichi slowly raised his head, and it revealed the dark circles around his eyes and dull ache glimmering beneath his azure irises. "Kaku-chan…" He smiled tiredly at him.

"You looked like shit. You need to eat your lunch now Takemichi." He sighed as he watched the forlorn expression and lethargic smile thrown at his direction.

Takemichi just watched him blankly for a few seconds that span into a few minutes. Kakucho was about to repeat his directive when Takemichi finally stood up and went to the bedside table sluggishly, sitting at the edge of the bed and grabbed a spoon to scoop some soup and brought it inside his mouth.

This was one of his days that the clattering noises of the utensils and slurping sounds would reverberated against the walls of the room.

It's one of Takemichi's "quiet state."

He wasn't pestering him with his unwarranted bubbliness and pointless stories from the past.

A few more minutes of silence had passed between the two of them before Takemichi shattered it with his next words.

"Tell Izana that I would accompany him tonight at the business gala." Takemichi murmured with his eyes serenely downcast.

Kakucho nodded as a response before he brought out his phone and called Izana.

"What is it Kakucho?" Kakucho heard him asked as soon as Izana answered his call.

Kakucho just watched Takemichi for a while before he finally responded. "It's Takemichi."

"What about him?" Izana asked at the other end of the line.

"He finally agreed to go with you at the event tonight." He replied tersely.

Kakucho could feel the other's grin at the other end of the line when he told him this. Takemichi was against it.

Being displayed like a trophy wife.

Feeling like a laughingstock.

But Izana was anything but patient. He knew how to make Takemichi say yes to his whims and cruel wishes.

"Okay. You know what to do. I've left the number of the finest dresser and designer in the city for you to call. I want Takemichi to be in his best when we arrived there later tonight Kaku. Since I'm bringing him in, I don't want my name and reputation to be tarnish because he would appear gaudy or weird looking."

"Got it Izana."

Izana ended the call and he proceeded to leave Takemichi alone in his devices, not sparing him a glance. But he could feel his stare. The stare that would fester within him like a spindly guilt wearing down his nerves.

Racks of clothes and two fashion designers greeted Takemichi's line of sight upon getting inside one of the spacious rooms in the rest house where he was in currently.

Takemichi had a vague idea about the event that they were going into, but he didn't realize on how extravagant and meticulous it could be until he saw dozens of clothes in a neat racks that would probably costs more than his entire year of salary as a worker in a DVD rental shop.

One of the fashion designers who wore an oversized eyeglass and a brown leather coat eyed him from head to toe critically. "So, this is the one huh? We can dress him up in no time since we still have a couple of hours before the event later tonight."

"Right. I'll leave it to you then. I'll just be here at the door. Call me if you need something." Kakucho replied and left.

Takemichi gulped, unnerved by the intense critical stares that the designers were throwing at him. "Come over here Mr. Hanagaki. I'll give you these clothes to try it on."

Takemichi complied and accepted the bundles of clothes placed on his hand with an awkward smile on his face. "I'll try all of this?"

They arched a brow at him. "Yes, all of them Mr. Hanagaki. Now off you go to the dressing area. We don't have much time left before the event."

Takemichi nodded and went hurriedly inside.

After a few minutes of waiting, he went out dressed in a standard three-piece black suit with a red tie. "How's this?"

"Nope. Try the other one."

After several times of trying more clothes on, the fashion designer's eyes lit up at seeing him in an orange and beige checkered dress shirt patterned with glistening pearl buttons and a Peter Pan collar coupled with a white satin bowtie at the waist. He was also wearing a pair of black pants that fit snugly into his form and accentuated his shapely thighs and legs.

"Here. Try this on." A pair of black stilettos had been given to him coupled with small ivory gemstones at the side of it. Takemichi complied and put it on his feet. And he finally stood in front of them trying not to appear slouching and nervous.

"Perfect. Not too redundant and overly formal. The clothes suit you." The designers complimented him in a matter-of-fact voice.

Takemichi tried to stay still as a mannequin fearing that if he made one false move, a harsh berating from these experts would be thrown at him. Even though that the clothes he wore felt soft and velvet against his skin, an uncomfortable itch prickled within him since he wasn't used in donning clothes that cost more than his measly life. He remembered back then when he jumped into one of those timelines and was part of the Toman's admin and was highly successfully and rich, the fashionable and high-end suits that he was wearing gave a suffocating feeling like it felt wrong on him just like now.

They made him face the mirror and what he saw was like a stranger looking right back at him. The dress shirt fit seamlessly on his petite figure and the glistening pearls gleamed against it and the color of the fabric made his blue eyes pop out and jet-black hair gleamed.

It seemed that he was somebody else and was playing a role…a role of what?

Izana's plaything? A trophy malewife in a party?

His lips curled in slight derision and he swallowed back the bile that was rising in his throat.

Although he agreed to his terms and conditions that was more like following on his whims and personal wants, it didn't erase the fact that he was just doing it to demoralize him and diminished his worth as a person. His misplaced hatred against him made him do questionable things directly to him.

But was it really misplaced hatred?

Although he wasn't the one who killed Mikey directly, Izana didn't miss a day to made him remember on who's the root cause of it all. He made Mikey suffer when he left him which made him resorted in killing all his friends when they tried to stop him from searching for him and then ending up with him threatening and pleading him at the very end to just kill him and stop his suffering.

He felt like throwing up on just remembering the onslaught of tragic memories of it. Maybe Izana was right…

Maybe it was his fault…

And he deserved this punishment…

A clearing of their throat from the background made Takemichi jolted out of his spiraling thoughts and brought him back to the reality.

It was Kakucho.

And beside him was Izana.

Who was studying him from head to toe as if he was specimen under a microscope.

A tingling sensation ran down on Takemichi's body and he stood there rigid, his heart almost jumping out of his throat. He was always unnerved by Izana's stare and a strange yet unknown feeling always creeping up in his chest whenever their eyes meet. With Mikey, his stare was always blank, unfathomable and disinterested whenever his coal irises swept over through them. But with Izana it's different. His deep, pomegranate orbs always held a certain intensity and glint whenever his attention was focused on a person. He wasn't even doing anything yet to him but Takemichi could feel his stare burning and penetrating right through his soul.

He inaudibly gulped as Izana sauntered towards his direction and stopped right in front of him. "It looks perfect on him. Now I'm sure that I won't be humiliated when I come into the event with him in tow." His voice came out as smooth and silky as Izana's hand made its way to his collar and fix it. His proximity made Takemichi's knees jelly and pulse skyrocketing through his chest. Nevertheless, he resisted the urge to grab into his shoulders for support, the embarrassment and humiliation from the other people preventing him from doing anything foolish.

For sure, Izana wouldn't let an opportunity to pass in humiliating and degrading him further once he saw his weakness and exploit it for the other people to see and for his own wicked amusement.

"Of course, sir Izana. We offer the best for our clients." He heard one of the designers preened at Izana's comment.

Izana then left his side like it was nothing. "We still have a few more hours left before the event. Kakucho you know what to do with his hair. Also, prepare the car that we'll be using and call the valet."

Kakucho merely nodded. "Got it."

Izana shot him a brief yet intense glance which made a shudder ran down his spine and a strange yet unknown feeling fluttering inside his chest. "I'll waiting for you Takemichi." Izana stated before he left the room.

"Okay…" Takemichi's voice came out as a faint whisper after he left and he found himself looking down on the ground, his blue eyes racing with too many emotions.

"If you're done now Takemichi then come now with me. The hairstylist is at the other room waiting for us." Kakucho's voice made him looked up at him again and nodded silently, following him outside of the room.

Nighttime came and Takemichi finally stood up from the stool after the hairstylist gave him a thumbs up and told him it was finish. He didn't understand at first on what was happening and thought that he was simply going to receive a simple haircut and wash.

But it turned out that aside from trimming his hair, some highlights were added to his jet-black hair by coating some strands then putting some foils on it and left him for an hour. Afterward, his scalp was washed again and blown dry as if the short texture of his hair had a shape and certain lightness yet gravity around it.

The hairstylist made him stare right into the mirror afterward and Takemichi resisted the urge to gasp out loudly. His raven locks were styled in a simple, tousled waves that framed his face perfectly but what was more shocking was the burgundy highlights at the tips of his hair, some wisps and short curly strands fell into the side of his face and it brought out the dazzling hues of his blue eyes, the stark contrast of the colors bringing out the intense deep shade of his eyes. Takemichi felt like it was weird in a good way and would made him stand out in the crowd because of the eccentric yet rich tones of both colors.

"It's not hard to find a suitable style and hair color for you Mr. Hanagaki. Because you've got cool undertones, blue eyes and black hair any color can easily blend you in. But I think burgundy highlights suit you best since it accentuated your eyes more and added a uniqueness to your features."

"R-right. T-thank you for doing this…" Takemichi rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly.

"No worries sir. It's part of my job. Sir Izana only wanted the best and we don't want to disappoint him now do we?"

Right. It always circled back to Izana's wants and whims and he doesn't have a say on this. A prickling sensation hit him, but he quelled it down. Now's not the right time to be wallowing in self recriminations and pity. He'll probably do it after all of this was over and he can be alone in his room with his own pitying thoughts and feelings.

"Ah of course. Uhm, maybe I should go out now since Izana and the others are waiting for me?" Takemichi replied haltingly.

"Yes sir." He bowed to him and opened the door for him. Takemichi also bowed back and went out. He saw Kakucho leaning on the side of the wall.

"Kaku-chan I'm done." He announced.

Kaukucho glanced at him, his eyes sweeping on his current appearance before nodding quietly. "C'mon now then. Izana is waiting at the car." He put his hands on his pockets and started to walk. Takemichi followed suit, silence reigning in them as they walked through the corridors going outside of the house.

Takemichi wanted to say something, anything just to break the deafening silence that surrounded them. But he also felt like just shutting up his mouth. Kaku-chan was still the childhood friend that he knew but at the same time he didn't.

Even though 12 years had passed, Takemichi still held onto their memories, the good times that they had when they were still kids before they got separated abruptly.

Nevertheless…

Wasn't this kind of mindset that had always put him in trouble as well? He remembered Akkun's appearance when he first saw him in the first timeline. Of how ecstatic he was to see him…it didn't matter if he looked gaunt and his eyes haunted despite living a rich lifestyle.

Akkun was still Akkun.

But at the same time, he wasn't. Of how he confessed everything from pushing him into the rail tracks and how afraid he was of Kisaki. Of how he had his suspicions of him being a time leaper. Words and accusations that cut like a deep knife. He refused to listen. He refused to acknowledge the fact he changed for the worst. He didn't learn his lesson the second time around…

…because Akkun was the one who killed Hina when he got back from the past again.

…until it wasn't.

…until he did.

…until he met Mikey in the ruins under the sweltering heat and humidity of Manila.

Mikey was still the same. Even if he cut his hair and dye it black. He had the same effervescent smile and that teasing lilt in his voice whenever he cried at the simplest of things.

He was still his friend right…?

Not until those words came out of his lips. The admission of his sins and how he killed each of one of them in front of him. And how he pointed his gun right into his face and threatened him with a tinge of exhaustion and desperation to end it all here…

All because he left Toman.

And for God knows what he didn't know exactly why he even did that in the first place.

Takemichi felt like drowning and wilting like a dying flower at the same time.

Then with Kakucho…his childhood friend…

Takemichi desperately wanted to relive the happy and simpler times that they spent together as children. He wanted to see him as he was before.

But wouldn't that make of him ignorant and repeating his grave mistakes again?

Even if they're walking side by side together, it felt like there are impenetrable walls between the two of them and they were miles away from each other.

Kaku-chan was not the same Kaku-chan as before.

He had to accept that fact even though it made his lungs constrict with bitterness.

"We're here." Kakucho's deep voice jolted him out of his ruminations and Takemichi stared at the valet waiting for them and the sleek, platinum car right in front of them.

The valet opened the door of the car for him and gestured for him to come inside where Izana was sitting cross legged looking disinterested until his eyes landed on him.

From his bored gaze, his lavender orbs gleamed when they roamed over Takemichi's form. He wasn't doing anything but he can see the blatant and undisguised covetousness swirling beneath them.

Takemichi tried not to tremble but he could feel that his knees started to shake slightly as he approached his direction. He steeled himself as he finally went inside the car and the valet finally closed the door.

He sat rigidly beside him and didin't spare him a glance. The car was extravagant and spacious enough and there was a leather wall in front of them separating them from the driver with a small window at the top just to see the slight view of the driver's seat of the car.

Takemichi wanted to slap himself for feeling sheepish and awkward beside Izana suddenly. Why the hell was he feeling like this over this asshole? He should be angry and mad at him for making his life miserable and tormenting him, right?

But why did this bastard was making him feel things that he shouldn't feel?

'Calm the fuck down Takemichi and think happy thoughts like Izana not existing in your life.' He thought bitterly as he stared silently at the window of the car, passing by the buildings.

Just as he was able to calm down now that he felt his hand caressing his thigh casually that made his heart almost leaped out of his throat.

His head snapped towards Izana who was sporting a lax expression on his face as he stared straight ahead of the car. "What the fuck are you doing Izana?" He ground out.

"What ever do you mean?" Izana finally turned his attention on him with a lazy grin on his face but he could see the challenging look on his face.

"Why the hell is your hand on my goddamn thigh? Did it develop a mind of its own and made its way there?" Takemichi snarked back.

"Do you have any problems with it Takemichi-kun? Last time I checked you don't seem so repulsed by me touching you during our "lessons" and as per our agreement—."

"Shut up!" He hissed, his blue eyes flashing in anger. "I know what we agreed upon! But really in a car Izana-kun? Are you that desperate that you don't mind the place on teaching me on how I should please you in bed?" He cut him off with a sardonic smile on his face.

Before he could even blink, Izana closed the remaining gap between the two of them and was right beside him in an instant. His hand was on his nape, cradling it in a gentle yet vice grip that made him winced slightly. "Don't test me Takemichi-kun. You should know your place. You don't get a say on what, where and when I should do things with you whether you like it or not." He smiled coldly at Takemichi that almost made him shake like a leaf against his arms but Takemichi held his ground and stared defiantly at him. If there was one redeeming quality about him, it was that he doesn't back down easily and face whatever obstacle on his way head on.

Even a menace like Izana himself.

"And if I don't Izana-kun? What're you gonna do to me hmm? Punish me? Torture me again until I feel like I'm not seeing the next sunrise again. Would that satisfy you? I bet it would cause that's what you're good at, punishing people since that's the only thing that you can probably do to instill fear on them and control them fully." Takemichi spat out, the growing hatred for this bastard turning into spiteful words and hitting like a dagger to Izana directly.

Something flashed within Izana's eyes upon hearing his harsh words and before Takemichi could backtrack instantly, the silver haired man was much faster in his actions and locked him in place, cornering him without any chance of escape.

"What a pity Takemichi-kun. Because that's not the only thing that I'm good at. I'm also good at putting people on their place where they should be by any other means." He replied icily before he claimed his lips in a ferocious kiss, lacking the usual passion within them but only containing the venomous punishment directed to him.

"Mmpphh…!" Takemichi tried to struggle and kept his mouth closed while Izana assaulted him with an igniting kiss that meant to pour out his anger and contempt within them. One of his hands had squeezed on his thigh suggestively which made Takemichi trembled slightly against his arms, but he still refused to open his mouth as he didn't intend to lose this fight that they had on.

Few minutes had passed before Izana's hand had encircled around his waist and pulled him on his lap, his kiss was less ferocious and violent. Takemichi's numb lips started to feel a tingling sensation and a delicious shiver ran down his spine. Izana coaxed him gently as he tried to pry his lips open, his body grinding teasingly against him which made him gasp and made the other took advantage of it and sought entrance inside his mouth. His tongue snaking in and licking the sensitive crevices in the deepest interior of his mouth.

Takemichi couldn't help the moan that escaped him which was swallowed by Izana's sensual kiss. He just found himself reciprocating his kiss ardently and grinding harder on his lap which earned a grunt from the other male.

The blinding anger that he felt against the other was slowly melting and was being replaced by a delicious sensation of lust and want that's clouding his judgment and lucid mind.

Takemichi didn't want to let go and want to drown himself in the sweet, sinful pleasure that Izana was making him feel and—.

The car finally stopped.

The driver's voice that reverberated from the car's speakers cleared his head and hazy thoughts and he felt as if a cold water was doused on him in an instant as Izana casually pushed him away and put him back on his seat.

"We're here sir Izana and sir Takemichi. Please wait for a valet to open the door for you to get out of the car."

"Got it. Thanks." Izana's cool and steady voice permeated against the walls of the car before he turned off the speaker and turned to his direction again, licking his lips slowly in front of me.

"Fix yourself Takemichi-kun. Wouldn't want you to appear sloppy and get the attention of the wrong crowd." He stated simply before he finally went out of the car as the door was finally opened by the valet.

Takemichi felt crying but at the same time he couldn't.

He lost this battle and gave in to Izana easily.

He wanted to scream, cry and punch himself for giving into his weakness easily.

If Izana can easily separate his emotions from his logical thoughts, then Takemichi was starting to doubt himself if he could ever win against him in an enemy's territory to which he's an expert at.

Takemichi had never felt this wretchedness engulf him throughout his life until now.