Chapter 9:: pain it the ass
Akihito was back, and the two were whole again. And tonight, they would start to make up for three hard years of separation. Asami actually hadn't stopped wearing a satisfied grin since their meeting that morning, so more than a few investors and others he had meetings with were perplexed over Asami's smug expression.
Soon after Akihito had left Japan, Asami was ready to go to Hong Kong and get him, once he had caught the men involved. But Feilong had insisted that if he were to come for him too soon, it might have been detrimental to Akihito's stability. Even with all the evidence Asami had gathered by then, the blond was still feeling hurt and betrayed, and most likely wouldn't have listened. Feilong had assured Asami that he would help them both, and would steer Akihito in the right direction.
Feilong could see it everyday, how much stronger Akihito had been becoming. His confidence and self worth were back; but in Akihito's eyes, his fire had dimmed down to embers. Anyone could see that he only wanted one person, but his stubborn pride wouldn't allow him near Asami. Feilong had had a hard time convincing Asami to have patience and let his lover come back to him, but today had been so very worth it.
Asami's mood had been darker, more feral before the capture of the men involved, but Kirishima and Suoh were good men, and had worked tirelessly for their friend. And after their capture, for the first time in Asami's life, he wasn't sure what to do with those two: whether he should butcher them, and slake his own thirst for vengeance, or await Akihito's return, and go from there. That they needed to feel agony, and had to suffer for the pain they had put his young lover through, though, had been beyond any question.
Asami's mind flitted back to this morning again, reliving the reunion with Akihito. He had to hide a bigger grin behind a cupped hand over his mouth. His boy had got the drop on him, not once but twice!; and then the bloodlust...where had THAT come from? Mmm, mental note: ask Feilong what exactly he had been teaching him…
Kirishima walked into the office with coffee and some sandwiches. As he ate, he sat musing at the thoughts now flooding his mind. What would happen to the two bastards that had nearly taken away everything that he valued was a moot point. Feilong had never asked what had happened to Suduo and Sakazaki. But Akihito, as always, was such a curious little thing, so when he started wanting Asami to tell him their fate in minute detail, Asami's golden eyes flickered with mischief. Humming contentedly to himself, he leaned back comfortably in his office chair, looking out over his Tokyo, and smiled again. Akihito was home.
Asami's mood shifted slightly, thinking back again. It had annoyed him greatly, with the media's constant hounding him in his personal and business affairs, so when a certain young man had offered his help, he had agreed against his better judgement; but really, what else could he have done? Asami's belly coiled as he remembered that particular long day. Most of those days were long, however, due to a certain somebody's appearance, that day became even more trying than usual. Asami rubbed his eyes, trying not to remember, but his braun ignored his command and brought back in Technicolor the morning his life got vastly more complicated after the photograph was first published.
*flashback*
Roughly a year after the newspaper article had come out, and still no Akihito. It had been another long day in what had been a very long eleven months since he had fled. But Asami knew he was safe where he was, and that was the main thing. With all the media attention and his not-so-friendly business acquiescences, Akihito would have been in danger, had he stayed. Asami also knew he was hurting, and it had taken an awful lot of control and determination not to go and bring him home.
The media were still in a frenzy. They had kept on digging and nearly everywhere he went, someone was there watching, so luckily he had managed to keep his illegal side of the business under some tenuous control. When it came to clandestine meetings that had to take place, Kirishima was an absolute genius.
He was alone in the penthouse, readying for another day of battle. He'd spent the day before putting to bed what he'd loosely call a small 'business associate'; more like young children trying to keep up with the big boys, making a play to take over some important business belonging to him. But, a bullet here, a conversation there, and that was that. It still hadn't stopped smaller groups from trying to undermine or overthrow him.
Asami was getting bone tried. It didn't help that every night he'd return to an lifeless condo, 'cause without Akihito, his penthouse was felt empty, and his bed was cold and barren. He knew that this had been his life before Akihito, and he had thought it had been fine, but then his little wildcat appeared, and just like a tornado, he had gone whirling through his life, stirring his emotions up, and making him feel complete. Sentimental feelings weren't a part of Asami's make up, but Akihito brought them out; and once they were out, they just didn't want be put away again.
So catching the fuckers that had planned this and making them pay were what his life was about now. It was a painfully slow process, but he'd would get them eventually; and when he did... This thought was interrupted by Kirishima entering the kitchen with today's agenda. A new group of investors were threatening to pull out, and some other small vermin was trying to get up to 'whatever' in his territory. So, with any luck, he was going to get to kill someone today. Kirishima was back to making his breakfasts. They had returned to what he privately thought of as his 'pre-Akihito days', which made him miss his brat even more.
Drinking his coffee, not really listening to Kirishima talk, while paying no attention whatsoever to the day's schedule, Asami's mind wandered a little to how the investigation was going so far. It had taken a few days, but he had that young man from the hotel room, who, due to his drug confused mind was completely unhelpful with his inquiries. But, he had taken pity on the youth who had vaguely resembled his cute Kitten, and did the unthinkable: he'd helped the young man out with rehab and a job. When had he become so soft?
Then the fingerprint that was lifted from the room led him to the computer geeks who had made a semi-hologram of him in the hotel room. They were just out of work graduates who needed money, and they weren't helpful, either. They gave a description of their client that came out to an "ordinary business man" that requested help for a prank for a colleague's bachelor party. They had been suspicious, but the money that was offered, they really couldn't say no to. The techno geeks were bright and intelligent enough, so he'd hired them on at Sion.
Some days where longer than others, and their investigations were sometimes painfully slow.
Feilong had called with two names a few days after Akihito had left that made his blood simmer: two men he needed to be catch and make bleed very, very slowly. Thinking of way to torture them had kept his mind sane, so to speak.
Then, another day without Akihito would pass by. Knowing that Feilong was looking after him and protecting him had allowed Asami to be able to concentrate on saving his business interests. But wondering how far he could trust Feilong from try anything with his Kitten again could drive him crazy. The few conversations he'd had with Feilong about Akihito were the bare minimum: he knew that Akihito was badly hurt, emotionally, but Feilong never divulged anything more than 'today was better than yesterday'.
He was under no illusions that, if Akihito were with him now, he would have tried to help solve the problem and either gotten kidnapped or injured, or even worse, dead. Asami had chuckled to himself: 'in Feilong we have to trust'; but when this was all over, Akihito was coming home, no. matter. what.
Kirishima had plated some food and placed it in front of Asami, bringing him back to reality. As he slowly started eating, he thought: 'The names that Feilong gave us will require looking into. We should be hiring more men for the search.' He commented on this to Kirishima, who nodded, as he had already taken care of it.
Asami drank his coffee, while listening to his gut tell him that the pair must have left Tokyo. But, his also had a feeling that the growing number of upstarts trying to infiltrate his business and undermining his stability was related to them, so possibly one or both had returned. Contemplating his next move, he knew someone was still trying to break him. 'Well, let them try' he inwardly chuckled. 'Soon, I will have the room I need to breath, and the tide will turn.' For right now, though, he wasn't getting enough rest, and really didn't have much of an appetite, so even trying to finish breakfast was a chore, each mouthful more difficult to swallow than the last.
Trying to even get to work was so tiring, having to avoid the paparazzi every damn day. He had mentally gained some relief, though, when Kirishima had told him that he'd already started taking down the reporter's names, "for future reference". His best friend really was indispensable.
Akihito was training with Feilong every day, and was a very quick study. He had been resting after a session when, from out of nowhere, he had remembered the Russian bodyguards' conversation, and the mention of the name Izaya; so he had just asked Feilong about it. Feilong had looked confused at Akihito, when it had dawned on him that this must have been how Mikhail had gotten the information on Sakazaki and Sudou.
Akihito wanted to ask more, but Feilong had just said "That has to do with Asami", and Akihito froze on the spot. God, he wished that Feilong hadn't mentioned him. Akihito didn't want to know anything about him, or even hear his name. He turned cold, and had started shaking. Feilong quickly held him, rubbing his back gently, calming Akihito down.
"We are done here for the day, now go find Tao, and eat." Akihito nodded. Feilong knew he wasn't ready to hear anything about Asami yet. Still too hurt and stubborn.
Maybe Asami knew who this Izaya was, and he might be able to help him. Once in his office he made a few calls to see if he could gather any information on the name, it but was difficult to find anything out about the man. He decided that he should just phone Asami.
After checking the caller ID, the first words out of Asami's mouth were "How is he?", concern colouring his voice. Looking at his breakfast, he pushed the plate away. Kirishima knew then that the call was from Feilong. Asami walked into living room with his coffee.
"Better today than yesterday" was all Feilong told him. It hurt, but he knew Akihito would bounce back like he always did, once he'd collected all the pieces and players in this mess, and presented his case.
Asami felt an odd pause from Feilong, he could sense some uncertainty."What aren't you telling me, Feilong..." fearing it had to do with Akihito.
Feilong sighed, then said: "I have found out who supplied Mikhail with the names and information." Asami relaxed a little, his eyes flickering between anger and hope. Feilong might have some good intel, and they'd hopefully be able to move this investigation forward with it.
"Feilong, my patience is..." before he could finish growling out his sentence, the Chinese crimelord continued.
"Someone named Izaya." Silence fell over the call as Feilong could feel Asami tense.
"Who is he?" Feilong asked. The only thing he'd found out about the name was that it had belonged to a retired man with ties to the Underground, who was based in Tokyo some years ago. He had moved away, but was still known to be an information broker. Cold as biting steel, Asami clipped his words, the news fraying away at whatever hold he had on his anger.
"It's not important who he is, but at least now I can prepare for him. " Asami did not sounding too convincing.
"Keep him safe, I mean SAFE, Feilong." Since he heard the name, Asami seemed more concerned, those last words showing he was deeply worried over Akihito's safety.
With that, the line disconnected. Feilong huffed at his phone. "Imperious bastard, a thank you might be nice."
Asami sat in his living room, glaring at nothing. 'Izaya, of all the god damned people'. Shit, he felt a migraine coming on. Kirishima, standing by and expecting orders, received nothing. Asami was dripping with an aura he'd never seen before: like he had seen a ghost, but mixed in with it was a hint of amusement. He stood and waited, wondering to himself what could have this effect on the boss.
Asami got out on the top floor of Sion. Opening his office door, he was greeted with a most unexpected surprise: a huge, very huge, Russian flag taped to the window behind his desk. As his eyes traveled downwards, he saw his office chair spinning in circles, and sitting in it was a young man wearing a Russian hat, and waving Russian flag sticks in each hand. Asami raisesd his eyebrows with the most unamused expression imaginable. "When, why and how the fuck did you get into my office."
The younger man stopped the chair and faced Asami. "Now, wouldn't you like to know~" the mystery person said in a playful conspiratorial tone while leaning forward on the desk, resting his head on his hand and lazily waving one of the flags with a close-eyed smile.
Asami walking over to his bar and poured a very much needed double whiskey. Could his life get even get more complicated…?
.
"Why am I not surprised, you must have heard me thinking about you only the other day" he said in a monotone. Asami's mind was whirring, trying to work out which question to ask first.
"Awwww, Asami… not even going to say hello to your sweet, loving baby brother?" Asami sighed, and turned to the other person with murderous intent.
"Don't give me that bullshit, Izaya. Now, tell me why you thought it was a brilliant idea to redecorate my office. Also..." as Asami walked over to Izaya, who looked up at Asami with curiosity as to why he hadn't finished his sentence. Asami yanked him harshly off of his chair and took his place.
"Don't come to my place of business unannounced. I have important matters to take care of." Asami said, lighting another cigarette. "Most days I don't have time to babysit." Izaya was now sitting cross-legged on the floor, pouting.
"How mean. Here I am, trying to help you keep 'OUR' precious little kitten alive, being the kind-hearted person I am."
As soon as Izaya finished talking, Asami glowered at him and snarled "'Ours'? He belongs to me and me alone, so you keep your slimy self away from him, understand." Izaya just giggled, like being threatened by Asami Ryuichi was a normal, everyday occurrence.
"Oh, Ryuichi, you are so amusing to tease. I just thought that you'd like to know where two troublemakers are hiding, but if you're not interested, then I'll just go." Izaya stood up from his position on the floor and sauntered towards the door, his arms crossed behind his head in a nonchalant manner. "And to think, I came ALL the way out here to see you, too… how boring." Asami rose, and within nine angry strides he grabbed Izaya's arm with enough strength to leave a bruise, and spun him around to slam his back against the door.
"Izaya. You aren't leaving this room without telling me everything you know about those two."
Izaya huffed. "So impatient! You should know I won't give this up information for free." Asami's annoyance was rising due to the smug look Izaya was wearing. Asami let go of his arm and proceeded to walk back over to his bar and poured more alcohol into his glass. Izaya caught himself before he landed on the floor, and walked to the front of the desk.
"What is it that you want..." Izaya's expression turned serious, the most serious Asami had ever seen his face. Considering his brother almost always had a smile or a smirk on his face, this turn of events piqued his interest. As Asami sat back down, Izaya marched towards him, and leaned forward so that their noses were almost touching and said in a most deadly quiet voice:
"You know exactly what I want. You have taken someone important from me, now I want him back." Asami frowned, perplexed, and somewhat unsettled, due to the seriousness of his usually playful younger brother.
"I don't remember having something important of yours."
Izaya growled and pushed himself up off the desk and shouted "Don't lie to me, you know exactly who I'm on about. You took him from me, my only friend, you heartless bastard. Now, give him back" he moaned, distress emanating through his voice and posture.
Asami raised an eyebrow and thought to himself 'Izaya had never bothered with friends, who the hell is he talking about?" He then remembered to whom Izaya was referring to, and an unimpressed look took over his face. "You have got to kidding me, Izaya... This. Is stupid. You do know a deal is supposed to be equitable to both sides…?" Izaya once again slammed his hand down on the desktop.
"This is a fair deal. Shut up!" With that, Izaya stormed out of the office, slamming the door hard enough that it sounded like it cracked, deep inside the wood, leaving Asami in utter disbelief.
He had nearly forgot, for all of his brother's intelligence, how Izaya could be. Asami pondered how he could be so childish sometimes. 'I'll call him, or find him later to finish this deal once he's calmer' he thought. But then he thought better of it, remembering how Izaya was also very good at hide and seek. And he was already inside Sion. Sighing, he went to the door and opened it, calling him back into the office, before he could reach the elevator. Kirishima sat at his desk, blinking. Who was this, and more importantly, how did the young man get into Sion undetected? Asami, though tense, seemed somewhat relaxed, so he obviously knew this person.
Izaya had a skip in his step as he returned to the office, giving a cheeky wink and a grin to Kirishima as he passed by his desk, probably indicating that Sion's number two man wouldn't be able to find out how he got in.
Sitting down in one of Asami's visitor chairs, Izaya's mood was playful again, feigning innocence and attempting to convince Asami of his "pure" intentions. "Ryuichi, I am shocked that you would think for one instant" he pouted "that I would harm one hair on 'our' oh sooo cute little Aki. I would never, ever think of... say, oh, I don't know, keeping him for myself, and maybe persuading him to never ever see you again."
Asami growled, his patience snapped right there. In one blurred motion, he did a flying tackle over the desk, knocking both his annoying shit of a brother and his chair over backwards. Asami was on top, Izaya was pinned beneath him on the floor. Grabbing his throat only made Izaya laugh boisterously.
"Aw, I knew you'd like it rough. If you wanted to have a little sexy time, Ryuichi, you only had to ask… Of course, I'd insist you shower first as I don't relish the thought of smelling him on you while we do it; but then again, the sweet scent of 'our' Boo might add some spice to the experience."
"Again Izaya, I am warning you, he is 'MINE', period. Plus," he continued, with a disgusted look on his face "I'm not trying to have sex with you, you aren't even close to being amusing. I'm am thinking about breaking that scrawny neck of yours. You really need to understand how very serious I am. You are treading on very, very thin ice."
He pulled himself off, straightening the chair as he stood up. Izaya reached out his hand, expecting Asami to help him up. His older sibling just scoffed at him, turned around and walked back to the bar again to fix himself another drink; smoothing down his shirt and jacket as he lit his cigarette and felt the nicotine hit.
Asami counted to ten in multiple languages. Izaya was the only one who could ruffle his feathers… well, except for his Akihito. This time, Asami walked back to his desk with the bottle, and crossed his legs as he sat back down, drink in his other hand, and chuckled.
Izaya was still lying down, scowling at him. He was starting to lose his patience with Asami."Do you want my help, or not?"
"The only way you could help me, Izaya" he said, trying not to sound too venomous "is to get the hell out of my life and never, ever show me your face again." Asami paused on that thought. "Or, I could just shoot you, ending both of our misery"he finished, a scornful look gracing his face.
Izaya sat down opposite Asami."Listen, if you don't want to hear how I can solve your little crisis, without putting yourself at risk, and allowing you to keep 'our' little toy among the living", from this, Asami surmised that either Izaya thought Akihito was in the wind, unprotected, and was using this to try and bait bait him; or else, he knew that he actually was in danger.
"Well, I guess I can just leave you alone to figure something out, and all the while you'll have to exhibit a level of self-control", Izaya got up "that I personally think is even beyond your capabilities, Ryuichi." Izaya grumbled, and headed back towards the door.
"Anyway, I have places to visit and people to torment... I mean 'have friendly conversations with'. Bye bye~." Asami breathed out a defeated sigh, making Izaya stop in his tracks.
"Wait. If you are serious about helping me, then I want you to stay. But, if this is another one of your unending games, or you're trying to weasel your way back into my good graces, it's not going to work. So, which is it? Because to be honest, I really don't feel like playing with you today."
Smirking in victory for a moment, Izaya turned to his elder brother with an innocent smile.
"Well, to be totally honest... it's a little bit of both. Quid pro quo, as you will. I help you if you promise to help me with one teensy, tiny thing."
Asami rolled his eyes. "It's always an angle with you. Well, spit it out, what do you really want from me now? And why are you now coming to me after all the these years; you are more than capable of manipulating any situation… You left years ago. You stormed out and swore never to return, which I am totally grateful for. You no longer have any control over of me."
"Oh, I don't need to control you, Ryuichi. That's a completely separate issue, in and of itself. All I have to say is one word, really… You should be grateful that it's only me who can control you." Izaya replied mockingly. "It really is that simple."
"Well, then I guess I have to work on breaking the part of me that still actually cares for you, and kill you." He said emotionlessly, all the while thinking'two can play this game".
"Now, where's the fun in that, dear brother? You know the type of person I am, and you know you can't really stop me from whatever it is I truly want; and I don't see anyone who really can. How amusing."
"See, that's always been your problem, Izaya. You always seem to underestimate me, especially when I want something done. Do not doubt my resourcefulness, Izaya: one day you may regret it."
"It's not that I doubt you in any way; in fact, it was your ability to make things happen at the drop of a hat was one of the reasons I chose to be like you in the first place... just better." Izaya shrugged, then started to hum a Russian song
"You mean it wasn't so you could kill our parents, and play with my emotions, then intentionally turn us into enemies these past years?" Asami realised that he had crossed a line which could cause him serious problems. Izaya glared at him, ready to leave once again.
"Alright, I shouldn't have said that. It was..."Asami winced"cruel of me to say that. Please accept my sincerest apologies."
Looking not at all convinced of his sincerity, Izaya states acerbically:"You're forgiven... this time. Now, shall we get down to the business at hand, and let me tell you just what I have in mind for keeping your little playmate among the living?"
"Alright, you're dying to tell me anyway." Asami said, resigning himself to the thought of listening to him, all the way, to the end.
When Izaya finally left, Asami was not happy. He knew 'way too much information, which irked Asami; but now, with Izaya's involvement… Asami shuddered. Izaya may be very talented and useful, but he can turn on a dime at any moment and stab one in the back, mostly because he was bored.
Asami looked around his office. Izaya always left clues, he could never just give a straight answer… then he realised something extremely important. Asami picked up his phone and pressed an auto dial number.
"Mikhail. I would like a few words with you, about a couple of your recent guests. I believe you tried to use them to maybe attack me…?"
Mikhail started to laugh. "Oh, Asami, not to attack you, but maybe to reserve them for future negotiations; but, it turns out that they were not worth my time." Taking a breath, he wondered 'how did Asami find out?' This was a surprise!
"You understand, Asami, business is business." Asami hummed agreement.
"So, where are they now, Mikhail?" he asked, animosity dripping with every word spoken.
"I dropped them back in Tokyo months ago." Mikhail said, his tone genuine. "I have no idea where they could be..."
"I believe you." Asami's playful tone returned. "Mikhail, I would be grateful if you could arrange a meeting with Sakazaki some time this month", the subtle threat left hanging in the air.
"I may owe you one, Mikhail, instead of just doing something you'll regret later on." The Russian laughed.
"Asami, you dog. I will be in contact soon."
"Some advice Mikhail, before you go: watch your back when involved with a man called Izaya. He wouldn't think twice" Asami hesitated, then said "postaviv, nozh v spinu (putting a knife in your back), if he got bored." With that, Asami ended the call. Izaya had been to the Russian or he knew of Mikhail's involvement. Izaya knew the whereabouts of the bastards who tried to destroy me. Asami was somewhat pleased. 'Sudou and Sakazaki would be his sooner than he thought; but there, lurking in the back of his mind, was the thought that Izaya may become a bigger threat than anyone could understand.
Mikhail put his phone down, his jolly persona dispersing, and frowned. He remembered bringing Suduo and Sakazaki back from Tokyo. They were too busy with there own agenda. Mikhail, didn't relish the thought of seeing them again, they were a waste his efforts. If they were behind Asami's current problem. then he's out looking for blood.
Asami's warning about Izaya… yes, he had had a feeling about that young man. He remembered his guts nagging him during his phone call before he'd landed in Hong Kong. While he spoke to Izaya over the phone, Mikhail had kept stealing puzzled glances at the passengers he had brought from Russian with him, but in the end, he had shrugged it off. 'What's the worst that can happen?' Izaya had been ecstatic; and he had the ability to gather any information, apparently at will.
Mikhail worked out quickly this Izaya could not only sort out and make use of information, but he had the added ability to make the right people do as he wanted. Mikhail certainly had been impressed with Izaya's ability to speak fluent Russian and English. "Don't sound so worried medvezhonok (baby bear)... trust me, my information is never wrong~" was the last thing he had said to him as the plane landed in Tokyo.
Asami was a cunning fox, but his piece of friendly advice for Mikhail to stay away from Izaya, because 'he wouldn't think twice postaviv, nozh v spinu (putting a knife in your back). The way Asami had said it, he was being clear and honest. Between that, and their shared history, if it came down to it, Mikhail knew he'd side with Asami.
Mikhail sighed. He thought that he'd never have to see or hear those two again. Now, he'd have to go look for them. Blyad' (Fuck). 'If Asami knows I brought Suduo and Sakazaki back to Tokyo, then he'd found out that I had rescued Suduo along with that dlya urodlivoy shlyukhoy (ugly whore) Sakazaki.
Blyad' (Fuck), which means that he knows that I managed to fake Sakazaki's death. I'd better get a move on. If I can bring Sakazaki to him fast, then Asami might just forgive and forget [snort] Yeah, right.' Amused by that thought, he still held onto the chance of getting that favor out of Asami. "Petrov, get my man in Tokyo to find that guy called Sakazaki; and make it happen, right now."
T.