AN: Wow! I'd actually am making good progress. No hiccups in the update schedule. Here's a longer chapter for you. I hope I can keep up the momentum until finish. Please enjoy!
Part 7:
The amount of men present didn't surprise him. He knew it was more for the shop owner's benefit than to secure his own safety. Despite his annoyance, Asami decided to withhold all comments regarding Kirishima's not too tactful staging. The man knew how much he dislike being detailed by his own subordinates. He much prefer to keep his instincts sharp and his movement unhindered, not dulled and stifled by a false sense of security. He only permitted Kirishima and Suoh to accompany him because they are both an efficient and deadly combination.
Asami finds their counsel invaluable and their company calming, which as of late was much needed. He knew the tight rein he held on his anger have been lessening. The last time his temper was let loose entirely, he'd empty his clip on two different people. Although the first person received the brunt of his frustration, the second was duly to avenge Takaba.
It was the first death that reminded him of his lack of control. That night, despite all his careful planning in prepping his subordinates on the ships layout and highlighting Fei Long's security team, he'd made several miscalculations. Ones he never plans to remake.
The risk of entering his enemy's territory was high. Most leaders would have cut their losses and retreat. Most leaders would not account their lover as an asset. Most leaders would think he be a fool to trade a multimillion dollar deed for said lover. Asami was not most leaders. He didn't survive a decade of being in the business in order to crumble at such an adversity. He knew value and Takaba Akihito was worth more than that damn floating casino twice over. He didn't think others would see the same.
In that regards he was truly mistaken. Both Liu Fei Long and Mikhail Arbotov saw through his actions. He underestimated the appeal of his lover as well. Asami suspected Fei Long's intentions to manipulate both of them throughout Takaba's captivity. He was prepared for it. What he didn't expect was a genuine affection forming between the two. It was the duality of the Stockholm Syndrome played out to its fullest. He'd use that tactic on the kid initially and should have known the kid may be susceptible to another. Otherwise, despite this minor backlash from the whole sordid incident, Akihito is still firmly his.
As for that other brat, Arbotov, Asami's opinion of him still hasn't changed. The blonde Russian is still a business liaison he would deal again given the right incentives. His meddling in the whole incident was just that, annoying as always. The death of his uncle Yuri wasn't even a loss to the Russian. Not surprising, Asami didn't press on the man's offense against his lover either. So it was resolved with mutual satisfaction and no reprisals were made from either party.
Overall, there was much to be gain from the Hong Kong incident. Not in the amount of dollars, power and people per se, but in other matters that were worth more in the long haul. The Russians received their weapons and have begun strengthening their footholds in the Asian criminal market. One would think this would be a strategic disadvantage in aiding another contender, but by enabling them, Asami in turn benefits from the check and balance he created to counteract Fei Long's grasps on the smuggling routes to and from mainland China. While the Chinese is distracted by the Russians, the blockage is clear for him to pave through.
In spite of his ruthless reputation, Asami had no compulsion to wipe out his competitors. If he wanted to usurp Fei Long's rule, he would have done the deed seven years ago. At the time, Baishe was ripe for the taking. He didn't pounce then, nor will he ever liked to in the future. That is not if Fei Long pits their organizations against each other once more. Asami has no qualm of teaching the Baishe leader the meaning of boundaries once and for all.
That scenario though seems less likely more and more. For Takaba had managed in the manner of days what he'd striven to maintain for years, a truce build upon genuine friendship. With his own lover as ambassador no less.
A lover he had scarcely seen or heard from in two weeks.
Thus brings the present circumstances to light.
Asami gives a mental shake of his head, remembering all too clearly why most times he'd opt out of interrogations and defer the task to his subordinates throughout the years. When the occasion calls for it, he would dole out the questions and torment himself. Most times it was to reestablish order or efficiency. Oftentimes, nothing but shear boredom or perverse anger could have induced him to personally handle the varied situations.
It must have been the latter that such precaution Kirishima thinks is necessary this time around.
Asami thought it was overkill.
Truly, for how would one rate this lovely scenario placed before him? A trembling fat goose that is all too eager for his own plucking.
Indeed it was another one.
He'd dealt with the store owner's kind before. Whether be it men or women, eyes filled with greed or lust, they wore all the same shade of fear. Each one readily begs to bargain their valuables.
Takaba was one of the few that were exempted from total annihilation. The kid had shown tremendous courage in spite of the pain, pleasure and humiliation he endured. His fighting spirit never wavered. There was fire behind those brown eyes and a passion that ignited between their bodies since the beginning. That was unexpected. From the moment on, Asami knew he was drawn to his own captive.
As soon as he finds his errant lover, whom reappeared out of nowhere and none the worse for wear, Asami plans to teach a different kind of lesson. The kid needed a reminder of their relationship. And it is a relationship whether he likes it or not.
It was an eventuality. The boy can't escape him. And whatever links or obstacles that stand between them better connect and flatten themselves before he makes way towards Takaba.
Today was no exception. The worry he felt long replaced by irritation. He's waited long enough.
Asami scans the store with a peripheral once over and begins the process of methodically removing his gloves and over coat. He hands both articles over to Suoh who then takes the items and smoothes them to hang over his large forearm. He takes a pause and decides to forgo removing his suit jacket. The situation didn't warrant the display of his .45 Glock.
Five bodies visibly relaxed their stance while one clueless owner continued gaping. Kirishima immediately loosen the death grip he had on his briefcase.
Asami's face remains stoic. Perhaps he shouldn't disappoint his audience.
Fixating a glare on the owner, his steps brought him a table's width from his target. One of his enforcers, Kenji, sets up a fold out chair with his gloved hands. Asami unbuttons his suit jacket and sat down. He crosses his legs then takes a few drag of smoke. Kenji immediately places a porcelain fruit bowl before him as a make shift ash tray.
The store owner tenses up in outrage and an ugly grimace graces his pinched features.
A hint of a smirk barely shows when Asami takes a final drag and toss the butt in the bowl. The glowing embers at the tail end held for a scant before it breaks off and fizzles out, marring the white paint.
The owner opens his mouth several times as if to say something. Asami didn't think the man was that stupid. He arched a brow to encourage him to try.
Instead the man finally closes his mouth and bide his tongue.
Disappointed, Asami lit up another Dunhill and takes a few more puffs before he sits the rest on the lip of the bowl, allowing it to burn itself out.
The other chewed his lip but continue to keep his mouth shut.
Without further ado, Asami began after ensuring he had the owner's rapt attention, his tone light as if talking about the weather.
"How did the boy came into contact with you?"
Though hesitant about the lead in, the owner sits forward then remembers himself and leans back just a tad before he volunteers the info.
"He… he came in here. Not long. Just… just over an hour ago."
Not a trace of his thoughts visible, Asami turns his gaze to Kirishima and nods. He then rests his hands to cross lay on his thighs, his gaze deliberately absent.
His secretary promptly steps forward to present a head shot of a smiling Takaba that is still kept on file from their first initial investigation.
"Is this the fellow?"
Recognition clearly lit the man's face. Asami had his answer.
"What was his business with you?"
The pause between them was much longer than anticipated. His hand flew across the table and thrashes the owner with the back of his hand.
Six bodies visibly tenses.
Asami releases a cruel smirk. He picks up the forgotten cigarette and takes a long drag then fixates a dull expression on the owner. He returns to his previous position and repeats himself, his tone remains light.
"What was his business with you?"
Flinching from the underlying threat of more violence, the owner quickly wipes the blood from the corner of his mouth with his sleeve and began tripping over words to get them out.
One had to only stick a pig once to make it squeal.
"Th— th— that… that th— thief came in here and… and s— said he… he got st— stuff to unload. So… so I looked them over and p— paid for them. He left through the back alley. Th— that's all! I.. I swear!"
Unsure and doubly unhappy about the owner's choice of words, Asami allows a frown to mar his brow.
"Show me the items."
The owner was more than happy to get up and go get them, anything to create the distance between them, however a gloved hand pushed him back firmly on his seat.
The shop owner gulp then pointed a shaky finger to the countertop, where he last left them.
Curious, Asami turn his gaze to see what they were and spotted a familiar device. The lines between his brows deepen.
Kirishima caught on so he hands the briefcase over to Suoh and promptly signals Kenji to follow him, They both walk up to the counter and grab all the items before placing them on the table top. Kirishima takes especial care in retrieving the black camera and lenses before handing them directly off to his boss.
He took a long look at them as he inspected the items carefully. Asami was puzzled to say the least. He couldn't fathom Akihito ever parting his beloved camera willingly, let alone sell it. He even sold his newly acquired mobile.
His thoughts swirl with likely scenarios, none of them seem plausible. Asami raise his eyes and scan the other objects on the table with shrewd eyes. An electronic dictionary, pocket cameras, a handheld gamer, some music players, and few laser pointers? It was a motley crew of electronic knick-knacks. It was as if someone raided an electronic store and…
Now he knew what the owner meant.
The description didn't sit well with him, even in reference. He then nods at Kirishima and the secretary removes the camera and accessories back into its holder. His task completed, the man place the worn camera bag over his shoulder as if it was his own.
Meanwhile, Asami had picked up Takaba's phone and touched the dangle with a soft touch before he flips it open to check its log. There were some recent missed calls from two of his friends. Other than that, the phone was last used two weeks ago.
He absently places the phone in his inner breast pocket.
Asami then redirect his thoughts. Given the information thus far, the only conclusion he came up with is that Takaba was in desperate need of money, yet he didn't want to involve his friends and lover. The last part of his conclusion seem typical of the kid's past behavior, however it was the first half that didn't fit the mold.
A thought suddenly occurred to him.
"Where are your security tapes?"
Not wanting to be hit again, the owner tries to get up once more to show them but was promptly pushed back down again. He eagerly replies instead.
"It— it's in my office, at the back. Th—the feed streams a live copy into a back up hard disk. "
Asami recall from memory the layout of the store earlier and rose from his seat. He gave a nod to Kenji to follow. The guard at the back door straightens up as they both move pass him.
Kenji rattled the knob. It was locked.
Not bothering to waste more time, Asami waves Kenji to step aside moments before he thrust a forward kick and splinter the beams holding it up. The cheap door cracks, gives way and falls to the floor with a thud. Bits of wood and plaster splatter downward and dust the interior with a fine coat of white powder.
The security was deplorable. The four-by-four meter space was a sorry excuse for an office. It had enough room for a beaten old desk, a large metal file cabinet and an entire wall of shelves filled with what Asami assume as the more expensive items the owner had acquired. An ugly portrait of a woman, possibly the owner's mother or wife, hung behind the desk.
Asami succinctly brushes off his suit and walks to the desk. He eyes the computer and shakes his head in disgust at the further lack of security monitoring. The damn thing wasn't even user-locked.
He waved Kenji over to deal with it.
A few minutes later, his subordinate was able to retrieve the requisite file that had the time frame mentioned by the owner.
Asami signal Kenji to play the feed, his keen eyes never once leaving the face of his missing lover.
When Takaba moved off camera and disappeared towards the back exit, Asami was quick to direct Kenji.
"Check the feed from the camera on the back door."
The man quickly did as told. He closed the present file and launches another video segment continuing from the previous time.
Sure enough, it was as Asami suspected. A whole minute elapsed before Akihito exit through the door.
He gave Kenji further instructions.
"Now check the feed here using the previous time segment."
A mouse click later. Asami's eyes sharpen upon what he saw. He caught the look of astonishment on Kenji's face and tried to school his own features.
"Download those segments then scrub all traces of him and our time here."
"Yes, Asami-sama."
Asami gave the man a nod of approval before he turns around to walk back outside.
The rush of anticipation in the recapture of his lover was back. From what he'd seen in that few seconds, there was certainly something to be said about the amount of relish a person can enjoy in the hunt, especially when he wonders what other hidden talents has the kid managed to withhold from him.
To Reviewer:
Chickie434- Those are all great ideas but I have other stuff in mind. You'll have to read the next chapter to see how the meeting turns out. Thanks for reading.
