Chapter 8: The enemy of my enemy is my friend
Everyone else had left, only Feilong, Kirishima and Asami was still taking about the fine details of the plot. "So, we know how this was done with projectors, mirrors and a recording of us, but seriously, are you saying that those tech guys wanted Asami's business to fail?" Akihito asked, feeling somewhat left out of the discussion.
Asami sat down beside Akihito, gathered him up and pulled him onto his lap. "The main thing today was for you to know the truth, and to clear my name, both private and business, once and for all. Your editor has already written an apology and states we're still looking for the culprits behind the attack." Asami nuzzled Akihito's cheek, who blushed straight away. "Quit it" he muttered, looking at him from the corner of his eye.
"So, how did you know who was behind it, then?" Akihito continued, feeling like he was just going around in circles.
Feilong spoke up. "It was I who gave him the names. I don't know if you remember, Akihito, it must have been a week or so, after you had arrived in Hong Kong, and Mikhail had made an unplanned visit. I asked if you would keep a low profile around the house, for a little while." Akihito paused for a second, and then recalling the memory, he nodded.
Feilong's flashback:
Akihito was called into Feilong office. "Sorry about this, Aki, but Mikhail has announced that he is staying in Hong Kong for a few days while we conduct some business." Feilong looked concerned at having both Akihito and Mikhail here, in close proximity.
"Would you mind keeping a low profile within the house for a few days?" Akihito shrugged.
"Okay, for you." Feilong smiled as he watched Akihito leave.
Mikhail arrived that afternoon with a few of his men, much sooner than expected, to his surprised annoyance. 'Akihito is safely curled up in Tao's room, probably playing on the PS4'.
Feilong was always gracious to unwelcome/unwanted guests. Mikhail arrived later than expected, due to a layover at Tokyo. Feilong offered him dinner so they can discuss business, which Mikhail accepted immediately. It's not like Feilong hated him, he just knows Mikhail is much too smart for comfort. Feilong cannot figure out if he is a confidant, a con man, or both. That's why he gives Feilong headaches.
Feilong suspects Mikhail was infatuated with him, and tried to limit flirting to a minimum during their meal. Feilong wants to discuss business, and not what he is wearing beneath his clothes. He pretty sure that it's a tactic meant to lower his guard, in more ways than one.
"Mikhail, back to business, before I shoot you." Feilong says, feeling exasperated.
"Okay, okay." Mikhail chuckled, holding his hands in a mock gesture of surrender.
They were discussing trade routes, with a possibility of an alliance which could be beneficial to both Baishe and Russian stability. Slowly sipping wine and listening to some of Mikhail's stories, Feilong actually laughed at a few. He has to give him credit, Mikhail was a good story teller.
It piqued Feilong's interest when Mikhail mentioned that while in Tokyo, he'd seen the newspaper stories about Asami's scandal, and how Asami's lover had exposed his homosexual affair after alleged infidelity; such poetic justice. He'd heard Asami's empire was crumbling to the ground, a few sources mention there could be an attempt to remove Asami from power permanently.
Feilong set his glass down. "Tell me: how do you know all this?" he asks, as he attempts to extract some information.
Mikhail cocked his eyebrow, knowing Feilong was always interested in Asami Ryuichi. Mikhail concluded quickly that there would be nothing to lose by telling him, and maybe he might gain some insight into Feilong and Asami's relationship.
Mikhail kind of liked Asami. He's a good partner for business, reliable unless that pet of his is involved. He remembered Hong Kong: if bloody Yuri hadn't gone after… Akihito?, he thought the boy's name was, he would have been able to secure a permanent business partnership with Feilong long ago.
"I have a few informants around Tokyo, its good to know what certain people are up to. Anyway, I was introduced to a small time businessman called Sakazaki, who informed me that he had rescued a'friend'that used to work closely with Asami, and had inside information of how Asami's business works." He said, leaning back on his chair. "So, Sakazaki introduced me to one of Asami's ex-employees."
Feilong smiled. "You either want an idea of how Asami's mind works, or how to bypass him all together, is that correct?"
Mikhail laughed. "Feilong, you are as intelligent as you are beautiful, my flying dragon." He said, reaching for his hand.
Feilong merely picked up his glass; Mikhail laughed again. "Sakazaki introduced me to quite an attractive young man named Sudou Shuu. He'd been shot by a rival of mine named Aaron. I realised that he had been working with Aaron, by selling a few crates of goods without permission, to try and impress Asami. However, Asami was quick to realize his duplicity, and intervened." he related, swirling the wine around his glass.
"While this is fascinating, what has it to do with Asami?" Feilong asks, rolling his eyes.
"Sakazaki and Sudou are small fish in a big pond, however, there was no harm into looking into possibly using them in the future. Mostly, they were more mouth than anything else. But, Sudou is intelligent. He's misguided, but could be useful down the road."
Mikhail kept quiet on the mens' present whereabouts; namely, which one was in Russia. Mikhail hid his giggle behind another sip of wine. "Sudou has limited knowledge about Asami's running of his trade routes, but then Asami gives vital information to a very select few." Mikhail shrugged, laughing.
"Sudou is in love with Asami. Even though he double-crossed his boss, he thought he would gain influence and somehow become his lover."
Feilong scoffed. "Seriously, taking someone into your bed who double-crossed you. That doesn't sound too clever to me."
Mikhail just mused. "I will have to keep my eye on that personality trait." He had a slightly colder tone in his voice, the first time this evening.
"Asami thinks he's dead. Sudou kidnapped Asami's plaything and tried to kill him. No wonder Asami ordered a hit on him. Sakazaki rescued him before that happened, I think, to use his limited knowledge as well."
Feilong frowned at the thought of Akihito being kidnapped again. Mikhail noticed Feilong's reaction as he spoke about Asami's lover.
"Feilong. Are you in love with Asami, or is it his Akihito?" Mikhail asks with a curious and slightly vexed tone.
Feilong just glares at him. "What business is that of yours?"
Mikhail smiles. "Nothing really, just curious about you two. You seemed… close."
"I don't have to tell you anything." Feilong states, making it clear that Mikhail is on thin ice.
"Well, if we are to have a "business relationship", I do need to understand the competition, Feilong." Now Feilong's head is starting to hurt.
"Look, Asami and I are business partners. He is trustworthy to a degree, cunning as a fox, and one can never safely underestimate him. But no, it's just business with us. Once, I had wanted personal revenge, but someone told me it would lead to my own destruction, so now it's just business. He is a loyal partner, but, if you betray him, he'll show no mercy."
Sighing, Mikhail says: "It doesn't seem to pay, to mix business with pleasure."
Feilong looks at Mikhail, and queries: "What has that to do with me?"
Mikhail shrugs. "I've learned that Sakazaki has someone in Sion ready to kill Asami while he is distracted with saving his company." Mikhail watches Feilong carefully.
"Well, that would be unfortunate for my business interests. Better the devil you know…" Feilong trails off, frowning slightly.
"Fei, are your concerned?" Mikhail mocked. Oh, that made Feilong mad.
"DON'T call me 'Fei.'"
Mikhail smiled, amused. "Understand that I actually agree with you; Asami is the far better party to deal with. Sakazaki is not even close to my, your or Asami's caliber, so if I tell you names, would that suit our business relations, and maybe earn some trust between us?"
Feilong smiled to himself, finished his wine, and glanced over to Mikhail. "Who introduced you to Sakazaki?" Feilong had felt a coiling in his gut, there was something Mikhail hadn't told him. Whether it was important or not, he didn't yet understand.
"Feilong, you know better than to ask." he replied, frowning as he look at his host. Mikhail's usual persona is jovial, so Feilong felt he had hit a nerve.
"Mikhail. I know we need to keep secrets, it's essential in our business." Feilong chose his words with care. "Again, I'm only asking due to the concern that if someone is trying to take Asami, then it will affect my business, too. So, how did this person know you'd be interested in some small fish?"
"I will say this to you as gesture of good faith, then: this man is like Asami. He's a broker of sorts, living under the radar. He can get information on just about anyone. And, he came to me with a name." Feilong could feel Mikhail's tension.
"...He gave you a name, freely..." eyes narrowed, he now looked suspiciously at Mikhail.
"Yes, which is still bugging me. His information was correct at the time, but truth be told, he isn't someone I would like to get to know further. Now, that's all I am willing to say at the moment. So, let's celebrate the start of our profitable business relationship." Mikhail's grins, grabbing his drink.
Feilong eyes looked down, then he smiled, finished his wine, and glanced back at Mikhail. "Actually, this would be the beginning of the start of a profitable business relationship." Feilong says smugly.
Mikhail starts laughing. "Fei-sama, you are delicious."
Feilong glares at him, not rising to his bait.
Feilong started thinking: if Asami was taken out, then there would be war. Small factions would try to claim the crown, and it would all fall apart. That's why Mikhail told him: he needs a foothold in Tokyo and his best chance was through him to Asami. 'Fuck, he played me. Crafty bastard.' Feilong's thinks. Better to have him as a friend than an enemy.
Feilong had been mulling over his conversation with Mikhail, and couldn't decided if he should tell Asami or not. Well, at the least, he'd owe him a few favors, which was never a bad thing. His thoughts went back to Akihito. He was slowly starting to heal. Mentioning Asami right now might set him off again. It had only been a few days, and Tao was the only one to get through to him, somehow.
'I will keep Akihito out of it for now, while I prepare for war. It looks like Mikhail doesn't want there to be in any disruptions, either; it's bad for business.'
"Asami here." The voice answering sounded rough.
Feilong replied, using his smoothest tone: "Asami, a little information, and you will then owe me two favors."
"Feilong, don't play games. I am NOT in the mood." He was aggravated as he had been speaking to ignorant investors for most of the past week. Luckily, he had a silver tongue, and Sion was slowly stabilizing.
"A little bear has told me 2 names that would interest you. Sudou Shuu and Sakazaki..." with that, he heard Asami swear, and the sound of glass shattering.
"Feilong, I do owe you 2 favors." Oh, Asami was angry.
"I will need both your and Mikhail's help sometime in the near future. Who'd have thought that the enemy of my enemy is my friend." He said, tiredly rubbing his face in disbelief.
"Feilong, this would mean that I now owe you three favors, and I owe Mikhail one as well." Asami says, shaking his head.
" I know this course of action may come back and bite me in the ass someday, however, you 2 are my safest options to avoid all out war." Asami started chuckling at the idea of his 2 dangerous crimelord rivals closing ranks with him.
"I will contact you soon." Asami said before the call ended. Feilong got annoyed at Asami's assumption that he and Mikhail would help.
'I fear the wrath of Asami's vengeance on those who mess with what is his.' Feilong contemplated for a moment. 'Serves them right. It will send a strong message that would ripple throughout Southeast Asia, not to mess with any of us.'
'Shit!' Feilong realised. 'I've got to ask Mikhail for his help. Uh, he's good: Asami owes him a favor, and now I'll have to owe him one, too.' he thought as he banged his head on the table.
Akihito hated being cooped up in this room, not knowing how long Mikhail was here for. He remembered that perverted Russian. The bastard had touched him, and that fucking Yuri guy had tried strangling him. He still had the odd nightmare about that. Asami had helped to take the bad dreams aware, but he not here anymore.
'I'm all alone' his thoughts began to spiral. Akihito hunched into himself, arms wrapped around his knees, rocking back and forth, with tears running down his face. Luckily, Tao came in, saw Akihito's state and started shaking him, trying to make him realize he was in the room. Finally, Akihito slowly came out of his trance. Tao was anxious.
He pleaded "Akihito, Akihito. Remember what Robin said: center your thoughts, and breath slowly." Akihito looked like a lost lamb. Tao hugged him. "It's okay, it's fine, I'm here for you."
They sat together like that for awhile, before Tao broke off with "Come, let's get something to eat", pulling Akihito to his feet. Tao and Akihito were walking by the balcony when they heard a couple of Russians talking. Akihito hated and feared Russians, especially Mikhail, but he woundn't have a meltdown in front of Tao. Tao was quietly listening, but Akihito was oblivious to the conversation, except he had heard the name Izaya.
Akihito's shoe brushed against a potted plant, and started it rattling. Russian guards started shouting and pointing upwards. Tao looked over the edge of the balcony and waved his hand slightly, and the guards relaxed. When Feilong and Mikhail came out, Feilong quickly sent Tao back to his room, knowing instinctively that Akihito was nearby.
As soon as Mikhail had left his estate, Feilong went into Akihito and Tao's room. "Well, what was that about?" Feilong scowled, trying to be all authoritative, which made Akihito laugh. Tao explained he'd thought that the 'guests' had left, and Akihito needed some fresh air and a meal. Feilong hugged him. "Akihito, I promise you, while you are here, you will not be harmed. Understand?" he asked, kissing his mop of blond hair.
Present day, Sion:
Asami could feel Akihito's fatigue, and decided to call it on this meeting. Feilong smiled, Akihito looked contented.
"I will return to my hotel, to rest. Tao will be anxious."
Akihito looked up at him, then turned to Asami. "I think I need to go too; there are things that I need to work through." Akihito yawned.
Asami froze, and squeezed him tighter, in an unconscious response. Akihito could feel Asami not want to let go, he understood as he felt he wanted to stay here with him, as well.
"Ryuichi" Akihito said, in a honeyed voiced. "I will go with Feilong now, Tao will be waiting. Let me sort my shit out, you can get on with your business day, then maybe tonight we could have some more sushi together." Akihito beamed. Asami relaxed slightly, and whispered "But, I don't want to let go" into Akihito's ear.
Akihito watched his face; he seriously, sincerely meant it. Asami's arms embraced him tighter. Sighing, he kissed his neck. "I know. Now, sushi: take out or eat in?" Akihito could feel Asami smiling into his neck.
"Pick me up at 8, okay?" He whispered against Asami's temple. "We'll eat in; happy?" Asami purred and kissed Akihito lightly on his mouth. "Very."
Akihito quickly gave him a peck on the cheek, then slipped away from his grasp so Asami couldn't grab his waist again, leaving Asami gobsmacked.
Akihito reluctantly pulled away from Asami and walked towards Feilong. "Well, shall we go, Fei ?" Feilong was rather surprised, he thought Asami wouldn't let him out of his sight.
Feilong put his hand on Akihito shoulder. " Yes, lets go back. Tao wants to talk with you, and I have to return to Hong Kong tonight."
Akihito nodded. He glanced back, Asami was talking to Kirishima about business for the rest of today, and about having their reservations made, meal ordered and having an exit plan ready for picking up Akihito up 8 p.m. When he caught Asami's eye, Akihito winked and said "See you tonight."
As Feilong and Akihito walked out of the office, Feilong gave a nod to Asami, an unspoken agreement that he would be leaving Aki in his care. Asami nodded back, thankfully acknowledging it was Feilong who had made today possible.
His Akihito was mentally stronger, and physically much quicker and more agile than he was before. Asami smiled, amused. This was going to be much more fun than he'd thought...
T.B.C...