Their extraction from Umeji's office building had been uneventful. His headquarters were rumoured to be offshore, leaving that one building as his main foothold in Tokyo. Asami was certain the only reason he was so lightly guarded was because Umeji thought there was no ties back to him. He didn't count on Sugita being a mole and overhearing two of his guards running their mouths.

Luck. There was too much luck involved in his rescue for his liking.

Unsurprisingly, Umeji hadn't been in the building went they had undertaken their mission so he was still at large for now. Asami was keen to get his hands on him and get him back for the painful bullet extraction then the searing of his wounds. He would be left with ugly scorch marks where they cauterised the bullet wounds even once they heal.

The only problem now was that they had much larger targets on all their backs. Akihito was still the biggest target, even more since the rescue, but Asami also. By having his prime flesh escape, Umeji would lose face with the underworld. They would also never take him by surprise again. He was a mad dog that needed to be put down but it would be no easy feat.

That was thought for another time, however.

Asami had been proud of how well his soulmate had done since his capture. Going off his pale, withdrawn face and the dark bags under his eyes, he hadn't been sleeping well but he was calm and steady during their escape. There was only a few tears on finding them then he was all down to business. Asami couldn't help but laugh when Akihito came storming in all fiery eyed and demanding his confession and apology just like he had envisioned.

Perfect.

He was perfect.

Akihito had held on right until they reached the hospital and the doctors had tried to take Asami away for assessment. Then he broke down and refused to leave. Thankfully Asami's private doctor took it all in his stride and let them stay together. If he was being honest, he didn't exactly feel like being away from Akihito for a second longer either. They doctors weren't particularly happy with their current arrangement but had yet to say anything. Not all wounds were physical, after all.

He had finally awoken after a long sleep. Akihito was exactly where he had left him, stretched out on top on him. His face was buried into his shoulder and neck on the non-wounded side with his body pressed against him until his legs straddled his waist, trying to avoid the wound on his thigh. If he moved, it would no doubt jostle the wounds but Akihito was dead to the world and hadn't moved at all once he had passed out from sheer exhaustion. Almost as soon as he had carefully maneuvered himself in place at Asami's urging, he was out. He stayed awake just long enough to make sure his lover was comfortable.

Having his soulmate close after what he learned was four endless days was better than any drug. Fuck, he missed him. The knowledge of his location had been a comforting presence at the beginning but had soon fanned his longing and made their separation worse. The more time that dragged out, the less chance of their rescue. That knowledge pained him.

Until he had noticed the rapid movement of his location. Across and back above him. That's when he realised they were sweeping the building and had asked if Kirishima was ready to be out of that hell hole. He had never been prouder to see his soulmate come stalking in, his own gun in his hands. The picture of his burning eyes and confident stride would be a treasured memory. He had not only helped coordinate his rescue but had put his life on the line to come into enemy territory just for him.

Asami once again felt undeserving of such an extraordinary soulmate but he would go through hell and back before he let anything happen to him. Nor would he ever let him go. Not now, not ever.

Akihito stirred and he brought his good hand up to stroke through his hair. Using his left hand brought spasms of pain from the marred flesh on his shoulder but his right hand was fine. He was very lucky it wasn't the other way around. He remembered Akihito saying the same thing after having his left arm in a cast for six weeks. At least he could still feed himself. Although, he would be tempted to let his little soulmate take over that duty if he wanted to. Kirishima wasn't the only mother hen.

The hospital room was quiet and dark, he wondered if it was actually night or if it was darkened just for their benefit. Kirishima was located in the bed across from them, although their curtains were drawn at the moment, while Suoh was to his left. It was a somewhat bittersweet reunion of good friends; a bar would have been better than the hospital.

Still, it was a relief to know that Suoh had made it through.

Asami wrapped his arm around Akihito, drawing a breathy sigh from his sleeping lover as he held him tightly. There was so much to think about and do but not right now. He was just going to enjoy this closeness for a while longer. He didn't care that his body was demanding food and water, didn't care that the weight on his chest was constricting. All that mattered was having Akihito here with him again, held tight in his arms.

VFVFVFVFVFVF

"I brought bentos!" Anita bustled into the hospital room with large containers of food in her arms. Ueda followed behind with more and Sugita accompanied them.

Akihito shifted against him but it was telling that he didn't move even at the mention of good food. Asami was sitting up in bed now, the mattress angled to support him and his soulmate was still firmly attached to his front. The curtains had been drawn back so that he could see and talk with the other two. It had been a quiet morning.

Kirishima was reading, Suoh talked quietly with Mae, his soulmate, who was visiting while Asami half watched the news on the small TV at the end of the bed. Barring an interruption for food and the odd nurse visit, they were left to rest. Asami didn't have his phone or he might have checked up on a few reports to give him something to do in between napping.

Anita fussed about, pulling out their removable tables and distributing the containers accordingly. She had even brought a bento for Akihito and Mae. Ueda watched with a soft smile and dutifully helped rearrange the room. It was nice to see how close they had become in the short span of time they had known each other. Soft touches and traded smiles were common and Asami was glad that his old friend had been able to find such happiness. Her past held just as much pain as his own.

"You both need to eat as well," Anita scolded gently as she opened the two containers she set on their rolling table. She pulled it over the bed and smiled down at them.

"While you were eating, I thought I'd give you a brief report as well," Ueda chipped in and pulled up a chair. "I figured neither of you would cooperate to resting for long if you were left in the dark." He shot a look at Kirishima as well who frowned back. "But after that, you are staying here until the doc says otherwise. I've already had words with the guys on security for your room."

"We won't be here long," Asami said dismissively then grunted as Akihito jabbed him sharply in the ribs. The blonde finally moved back just enough to look at him with a glare in place. He honestly was beginning to wonder if he was actually still asleep, he still hadn't moved until then.

"You need to rest," Akihito said flatly. There was no room for negotiation in his tone.

"We aren't as badly injured as you were, we won't be needing to stay so long," he pointed out.

Akihito's expression turned mulish as he continued to scowl at him. "You aren't leaving until you're allowed. Don't even think that you'll get out early because you won't rest once you are home."

That was true. Already he itched to know what Ueda was reporting on, to know what had happened to his business while he was away. But he could check reports while he was 'resting'. Or more likely, cuddling with his very clingy soulmate.

"You aren't getting a new phone or your laptop until you are allowed home," he continued and Asami blinked at his lover in shock.

"You can't-"

"I already organised it."

"When?"

"He messaged me and I put it into action," Ueda replied smugly. "None of you are allowed to work until you are given the all clear. If you try to borrow Takaba-sama's phone to access anything, you'll find it's all blocked. Even email. Nakahara programmed a special profile so that he can access his phone as normal but no one else can add anything. Mae's as well."

Asami narrowed his eyes at his lover but his gaze didn't waver, he wasn't backing down. His glare didn't effect Ueda either who just raised an eyebrow in silent cocky attitude. Logically, he knew that it would be only for a few days but he was certain that he was going to be bored out of his mind very quickly. He honestly couldn't remember the last time he didn't at least check his work email during the day, even if he wasn't working as such.

"You don't need to go that far, we can still rest even if we have access to look at work related things," Kirishima protested.

"Technically true," Ueda agreed, "but you are both workaholics and would end up spending hours of your designated rest time working. Stress is bad for recovery and we all want you to speedily recover."

"It's more stressful not knowing what's going on!"

"You both put very solid emergency plans in place with very talented people supporting Sion during your temporary absence, do you have that little faith in your staff?"

There was silence as neither Asami nor Kirishima could refute that.

"Now that's settled, I expect you all to eat up!" Anita said, taking over once again.

Akihito grumbled as he detached himself from Asami's hold and moved to curl up on the bed beside him instead, giving them room to eat. While he started slowly, Akihito was soon digging into the food making happy little sounds of pleasure as he ate. Asami ate more slowly, savouring the taste. Not that the hospital food was bad, but you still couldn't beat a bento made by a highly-acclaimed chef.

"For the current state of affairs," Ueda said, starting his report, "while we were able to successfully rescue both yourself and Kirishima-san, we were not able to obtain any more information from the raid. Nakahara was unable to hack into their security systems beyond accessing their cameras and alarms. He was also unable to wipe the recorded video's so it will provide the enemy information about who conducted the raid. We suspect that while Takaba-sama remains the priority target for Umeji, yourself, Kirishima-san, Sugita, and any one recognised from the raid will become targets."

Asami nodded. "We've caused him losses now, men and also reputation. He'll have to retaliate."

"We've increased security around everyone with more people on any given shift. All the guards live in either of the two Sion houses so they should be safe enough there with some additional security changes, however Sugita's apartment is outside of that."

"We'll relocate you into the guard apartment building," Asami said, addressing Sugita who sat next to Ueda. "Sion will pay for the rent of both locations until you are safe to move back home."

"Thank you, but you don't need to go that far!" she immediately interjected. "I'm not particularly attached to my apartment, I'm happy to move. There's no point paying for the upkeep of two properties and I live alone. I can also pay my own rent."

"You are in danger because you gave information that was instrumental to our rescue, it's the least I can offer."

"I believe she has another request…" Ueda prompted as she didn't initially reply. She seemed a little lost for words.

"Ah, yes." Sugita gave her head a small shake and sat up straighter in her chair, face set in determination. "I would like to take you up on that job offer, if it is still available."

"Of course," Asami said, lips curving into a satisfied smile. Here was one that he knew he would never have to doubt the loyalty of. A perfect addition to a certain team. "Although I will be changing the position I originally had in mind." He turned to look at Ueda. "She's yours."

"Huh?"

"Welcome to Team Takaba!" Ueda said with a grin as he clapped her on the back.

"What? A guard? But I'm not-"

"Don't worry, you'll fit right in!" Ueda interrupted.

"A strong female to keep all those boys in check, that's just what's needed! I'll make you all a treat to celebrate your new position! It's a very prestigious team!" Anita exclaimed. "I would know," she added with a wink.

"I'll get Komi-san to draw you up a contract and we'll run through the details later, okay?" Ueda waited until Sugita nodded looking bewildered before turning around to Kirishima. "Speaking of Komi-san, you really don't need to worry, your assistant is doing great."

"Of course she is," he muttered, his pained look betraying his worry. "I trained her."

Suoh, who had been quietly eating the entire time, chuckled. "It wasn't that long ago that you were bragging about great she was and how you could always count on her to get things done without you even asking."

"That's different."

"Uh huh. She's probably enjoying being able to do all the work without having the biggest micromanager breathing down her neck every five minutes."

Asami had to chuckle at that. It was true, Kirishima was excellent at what he did but he could be a little overbearing at times. He wasn't sure there was a single person in their section of the office that hadn't been subject to the man's micromanaging. It was just that for his line of work, the efficiency and attention to detail served him well even with that annoying cost.

"That aside," Kirishima said hurriedly, obviously trying to change the subject, "what on earth are going to do while we are here? I can assure you I won't be sleeping for twenty-four hours."

"I can bring a book or a maybe a puzzle book?" Ueda replied and they all laughed at the horrified look on Kirishima's face. "Nakahara is profiling up some tablets, I'll bring them in later once they are ready."

Asami didn't particularly care as long as Akihito was here with him but he would have to return home at some point without him. He had barely finished up his food when his lover was climbing into his lap again and Anita helped rearrange the blankets so that they could be more comfortable. Akihito was never so clingy but after what he must have been through the last few days, he couldn't blame him. He hadn't been able to let him go for over a week in the hospital, climbing into bed with him every time he visited.

And Akihito had only been missing for an hour.

He honestly didn't know how he could hold it together for four whole days while not knowing if he was hurt or being tortured. He had to admire his soulmate's strength of will.

They would take it quietly for now but later, he would take great pleasure in hunting Umeji and putting him down like the dog he was for threatening Akihito.