A/N: Looks like we get extra updates of this fic this weekend ^^ Annnnnd it all goes down at once!

Asami was fuming. Ueda had reported the incident with the police officer a few hours ago and he still couldn't calm the anger surging through his veins. Akihito had burned off his frustrations over the whole thing and was already tucked up at the penthouse for an afternoon nap. Unfortunately Asami was held up at the office an unable to join his little lover. Even Akihito finally treating the penthouse as a second home couldn't lift his mood.

Even worse was that none of his contacts within the police could confirm if something was about to happen. He knew Officer Mino and that man wouldn't confront Akihito unless they were about to make a move. Sudou was still on the loose as well.

A heavy foreboding feeling sat in his gut.

Akihito had a last minute stake out planned for tonight, having only just confirmed the location that morning. The warehouse location was one which they had scouted before so they had very good information on the area. And with the anonymous tip off on the meetings location being so last minute, no one would know where Akihito was barring a handful of Sion employees.

And yet Asami couldn't shake that bad feeling.

That feeling was the only thing dimming his rage over what was reportedly said to Akihito. Like hell he would take threats to his soulmate sitting down.

"Willing or not, you'll be helping me take that bastard down."

So far he had upped Akihito's escort tonight to four of his own guards and two of Asami's. The two men from his security team were there to watch Sudou if he showed as well as keep Akihito safe. They couldn't be certain, but it was the same location as the last meeting Sudou was seen at with Ichikawa and they were hoping to finally get some answers out of the man so he could be safely removed. This waiting and covert operations was wearing his patience thin. Asami would far rather resort to other tactics but there were still far too many variables in play.

Right now, Akihito had a far better security force than even the prime minister. He was as safe as he could possibly be.

It still didn't stop the anger at the threats or the thread of worry niggling at the back of his mind.

His phone buzzed in his pocket and he glanced at the time. Akihito must be up. He had messaged him earlier to let him know once he was awake. Asami fished his phone and sure enough it was a brief message from his soulmate to let him know he was up and awake. He would probably be grabbing a bite to eat before meeting up with his security force to go over the plan for the evening. He hit speed dial and didn't have to wait long before it was picked up.

"Yo."

Ah, it was confident Akihito today. He was usually a relatively confident person but every now and then he would answer phone sounding inexplicably shy. It was incredibly endearing, just a shame it didn't happen more often.

"Did you have a good nap kitten?"

"Don't call me that." He grumbled. "But yeah. Your bed is pretty comfy and three hours is more than enough to get me up and running again."

"I believe your guards are hoping to avoid more running if at all possible."

Akihito snorted. "It's not my fault they can't keep up."

"I would like to point out that your security team is comprised of highly trained and very specialised men however security guards are not normally required to have such an emphasis on speed or endurance. They have also all cut their course times in half since they were first recruited to be in your security team. Your speed is a marvel in itself."

"Wait, specialised? Really?"

"Of course, do you really think I would have just anyone protecting you?"

"But… They all seem so normal and well, friendly. Especially compared to your guards. They're so quiet and boring."

Asami let his amusement show in his voice. "Mine are only required to guard me, yours are apparently required to go grocery shopping and attend cooking lessons." Akihito gave an embarrassed splutter but Asami continued in a more serious tone. "For all that they are friendly, remember that it is their job to protect you. You'll have extra guards tonight as well, there will be four from your team and two from mine. If any of them tell you to do something, do not hesitate. Ichikawa and his associates are potentially dangerous on their own but Officer Mino wouldn't have targeted you unless they were about to make a move. You need to be very careful and listen to your guards."

"Yes, yes. I'm not stupid you know?"

"I never said you were but you're not the most careful person either."

There was a short silence before Akihito spoke quietly; "You're worried."

Asami didn't reply right away, not wanting to admit to the feeling. He sighed. "Yes."

"I'll be careful. It'll be hard not to be with six babysitters."

"Oh? Are you finally admitting to being a kid, Akihito?"

"As if." He snorted. "It's just what it feels like sometimes. But… You be careful too okay? You're a target too."

"Of course." Asami allowed a rare smile to grace his lips. "Kirishima and Suoh aren't about to let anything happen."

"Right. Your mother and your babysitter." His secretary walked into his office just in time to see Asami's eyebrows jump. "Anyway, I gotta go and help plan tonight's stake out."

"Be good kitten."

"Yeah, yeah. Later."

The call disconnected and Kirishima approached with a curious look. Asami noticed that some of the tension in his shoulders had lessened while he was speaking with his little soulmate. Sometimes he wondered if Akihito knew the effect he had on him. His secretary roused him from his thoughts.

"Asami-sama?"

"Ever since Akihito learned that I didn't know where the supermarket was, he's been referring to you as my mother." Kirishima actually looked speechless for once. "Apparently Suoh is my babysitter."

There was a moment of stunned silence before Kirishima cracked a smile. "I have to admit, Takaba is starting to grow on me." He chuckled. "And sometimes it does certainly feel like it." Asami huffed in mock indignation. "Although, I'm surprised you are letting him go out tonight considering the danger."

"It'll be safer if he is on the move and few people know where they are going to be tonight. Have you tracked down his editor's house?"

"Yes." Kirishima pushed up his glasses as he immediately put back on his trademark secretary seriousness. "Two guards have already been dispatched and I spoke with Yamamoto-san personally, he sounded relieved to have back up if the police try and force information from him."

"And Shinji?"

"Kuroda-san has reported that there have not been any warrants issued for the organised crime unit in the past forty eight hours. If they attempt to gain information from Takaba's editor, it will be using scare tactics with no legal back up. Kuroda-san advised that it would be too time consuming to get a warrant for such purposes and would most likely be rejected anyway."

"What of Sugita?"

"From observation made by those watching her, she is seemingly unaware of the proceedings. To be frank, any movement now speaks of another authority. There's too many loose ends, Sugita is cautious and careful. I am astounded that they would bother getting a mole in Sion and then disregard her."

"She is a very capable woman. It is possible that she managed to get hold of information other than what we have been feeding her and passed that back to headquarters."

"Any information that she could have found recently would not have been something critical enough to make such a hasty and frankly, sloppy move."

"Mino."

"I believe so, sir. Kuroda advised that he has heard rumours of possible transfer or demotion for Mino. He has not made any headway on any cases recently and has been becoming rash, to the point of recklessness. There have also been murmurs of discontent from his underlings."

"How did we not hear of this earlier?"

"We do not have a contact in the organised crime unit itself, such rumours can take some time to reach our sources. Especially from that department. They are usually an exceedingly tight lipped bunch."

"If anything happens I want Sugita under guard and escorted here. Regardless of her loyalties, I do not want her caught in the crossfire. Make sure everyone is notified that she is under my protection."

"Of course, sir."

"At most, what we should expect is a possible raid here or at the penthouse. Perhaps even Akihito's apartment. But I'm not about to ignore my gut feeling on this. Something is going to happen. I doubt anyone is in need of reminding just how important Akihito is?"

"Not at all sir. I'll see it is done."

Asami settled down at his desk as Kirishima bowed before slipping out of his office to follow his orders. Mino is in for a surprise if he tries to storm Sion headquarters. It is also almost impossible for him to know where Akihito is but he wasn't taking any chances.

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"Asami-sama."

Kirishima bowed as he entered his office once again. He had been back and forward periodically this evening keeping him up to date with all the proceedings.

"Sudou has lost his tail."

"How?"

"The two tracking him had not reported in on time and two men were dispatched to follow up. They discovered one of the clubs waitresses, Suzuki Siena, in the process of moving their drugged bodies."

"Where they able to get any information from her?"

"No. She has refused to say a word however the drug that she gave the two men is similar to that which was supposed to have been slipped to Takaba. Just stronger in potency. Both men have been rushed to hospital and had to have their stomach's pumped. The doses were such that it may have killed them had the entire dose been able to make it into their systems. I believe that is the link we were looking for between Sudou and Takaba. However we are unsure if there are others in the club working exclusively for Sudou at this stage."

"It's likely that he is heading for the meeting with Ichikawa. Send four more men as back up to Akihito and I also want the entire remainder of Akihito's security team along with my own personal team at on standby at Sion, ready to be dispatched at a moment's notice."

"Yes, sir."

"The investigation is off for Sudou, he is to be captured and brought in for questioning as soon as he is found."

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"Sir, Sudou has been confirmed at the stake out location and all ten men are in position around the perimeter of the premises. Takaba is inside the building with multiple guards close to his person. So far it is playing out much like the previous meeting."

"Keep me updated."

"Yes, Asami-sama."

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Kirishima all but threw open his office door and came striding in.

"Sir, we have a guest."

"Mino?"

"Yes. He has an escort of two others with him. It doesn't appear to be a raid but the timing is too coincidental."

"Send him up. Bring Sugita as well."

Kirishima made a few quick phone calls and took his place beside Asami's desk. Through the open door, the businessman could see two guards flanking his office door and more movement beyond. It wasn't long before Suoh was escorting a very smug looking Mino into his office. The officer's two escorts were flanked by two of Asami's own. The guards stood at the back of the office while Suoh escorted Mino to stand in front of his desk.

"To what do I owe the dubious pleasure of your visit?"

"Ah, you won't be taking such a high handed stance with me soon Asami." The man sneered. "We have a nice little surprise for you. I've come to personally make sure the favour is returned from five years ago."

Asami arched an eyebrow at the man's tone but did not rise to the bait. Suoh growled out a warning to be more respectful but they were interrupted by the arrival of a confused Sugita flanked by two of Asami's men. He had to give her credit, she didn't panic or show any outward sign of recognition upon seeing Mino and any of the tension she was displaying could easily be attributed to being escorted suddenly into his office. He gave a small gesture for her to sit in one of the visitor seats to the side before focusing his gaze back on the man before him.

"Do not mind Sugita, her being here is just a precaution." There was a small gasp and she stared at him wide eyed. He had used her real name and not the alias by which Sion employed her under. She knew that he knew. Unfortunately it seemed that Mino was going to force his hand and it was better that she be aware of where she stood before anything happened.

"What is she, your lawyer? That's not going to help you now Asami."

"She is none of your concern right now. What I would like to know is why you are barging into my office late at night and taking such a tone with me."

"I told you, I'm just returning a favour to the great Asami Ryuichi from five years ago. I think it's been a long time coming."

Asami's phone rang before he had a chance to reply and Mino's grin widened. Kirishima answered and froze on the spot.

"Asami-sama, we have lost contact with half of Takaba's security team. There has been gun fire heard through the channel as well has loud crashes. Multiple men are not responding but their lines of communication are open. Those that are, are pinned down by gunfire and unable to confirm the status of the others."

Asami stood up, looming over his desk when Mino laughed. Kirishima was still talking rapidly into the phone and the officer looked almost gleeful.

"Such a shame for a police raid to take a turn for the worst and end up in a shootout. But what can you expect when dealing with such shady individuals? Slave traders no less. I found out where your little fuck toy was off to tonight and-" He was cut off with a wheeze when Suoh punched him in the stomach.

"You do not speak about Takaba-sama with such disrespect."

"Asami-sama, Takaba has been confirmed to be wounded but is currently missing. His ear piece has potentially been removed and broken as his line has gone dead. His GPS marker has also dropped off our radar. Ueda and Fujioka are unresponsive, presumed badly wounded or worse. Both were in close proximity to Takaba. There are multiple injuries to the men that will require hospital treatment and there a number of reported civilian casualties. They cannot discern who started the gunfire or who is being targeted. Sudou also cannot be located and it is possible he is responsible for Takaba's unknown location."

Asami slowly stalked around his desk. Each step felt thunderingly loud. Suoh quickly knocked Mino to his knees and forced his hands behind his back. Mino's escort was treated similarly when they tried to step forward. He could feel the rage building again but far greater than before. There was no room left for worry or panic.

Every step felt like it tolled out Mino's sentence.

'Takaba has been confirmed to be wounded but is currently missing.'

Asami pulled his gun from its holster, revelling in the feel of the heavy metal. He wasn't seeing red just yet, but oh, he would be soon. The red of Mino's blood dripping onto the carpet in exchange for Akihito's wounds.

He finally stood in front of Mino and lifted his gun. There was complete silence and Mino had finally lost his smug sneer. He was pale and staring wide eyed down the barrel of the gun. There was a small click as Asami removed the safety lock and watched the last of the colour drain from the officer's face at the sound.

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't blow your fucking brains out right here, right now."

Mino stared, mouth opening and closing but no words made it past his lips. Impatient, Asami refocused his aim on the man's shoulder and fired.

The agonised scream was like music to his ears. A sound to soothe the fire of his rage.

"Not so full of words now are we?"

"P-please…" The man sobbed and one of his escort peed themselves much to the disgust of the guard forcing him down.

"Begging already? How pitiful. You came in here all high and mighty. Full of talk. Yet the tables turn and suddenly all that back bone is gone. I heard what you said when you walked in here. Pay back. Revenge. My soulmate in retaliation for your partner, is that right?"

"S-s-soul-?"

"Oh? Didn't even do your homework right. You think I'm about to let you get your filthy hands on my soulmate? You underestimated me and overestimated yourself. Even if he was just my lover, do you really think I would let you waltz in here like that and just let you leave once you were done gloating? Are you truly so desperate?"

"I-I didn'tt… P-plea-ase." Mino sobbed openly now and Asami sneered.

"I know who you sought revenge for. Furuta Hirosige, hired by Sion under the alias Fukumoto Teika. Labelled missing in action after he never reported in. Interestingly enough, I had nothing to do with his death. The only thing I did was not place him under my protection. Unlike Sugita here, he was rash and over confident. He thought far too highly of himself. All of his undercover success must have gone to his head because he decided he could pull off a one man drug bust. He caused the deaths of two of my men and put three others in hospital. I did not order anything but my men look after each other. I find it rather amusing how similar you both are. Rash, arrogant and idiotic."

He raised the gun back to point at Mino's forehead while the man sobbed uncontrollably. The other men behind him cried quietly.

He looked over at Sugita who was staring at Mino with wide eyes.

"Unfortunately you time at Sion has come to an end, Sugita. You will be escorted to collect your things and then be driven home. You are a highly capable and resourceful woman, I admire your loyalty to your department and cause. If you ever decide to change those loyalties, Sion will always welcome you."

She stood and gave a trembling bow. "Thank you, Asami-sama." They waited in silence as she was escorted out.

Kirishima stepped forward with a small bow. "I apologise for my interruption sir, but Takaba has just resurfaced on our GPS tracking. His current location is an abandoned building in the commercial district. It is highly likely that whatever vehicle he was transported in was somehow interfering with the signal."

"I want all units on standby to be deployed to that location and bring a car around, I'll be going myself. And you. You have earned your ticket to hell, as recompense for Akihito's injuries."

He pulled the trigger without hesitation.

The sticky splatter of red painted gory artwork across the lush carpet but the sight did nothing to soothe his burning anger.

Tokyo will burn if anything happened to Akihito.