AN: Surprising this chapter wrote itself. I have no hand in it except for the actual typing. My muse definitely deserves full credit for the ease of prose. Somewhat short chapter, but I thought the ending here was fitting.


Part 14:

Kirishima's confounded look didn't surprise Asami. He hadn't expected an answer.

His own instinct rarely fails short. From the moment he saw footage of Takaba at the pawn shop, his mental flags have been raise. Dealing with the boy face to face only confirms it. Yet, he finds himself reluctant to enact the consequences an imposter would receive.

Given how Liu Fei Long and Mikhail Arbatov both have exploited Takaba as bait indicates the boy's unknowing status to the crime syndicates worldwide. Even though he has no intention of announcing an official lover, his coming into enemy territory to rescue Takaba clearly defines that role has been taken. In that endeavor he has no regrets except perhaps not following his initial intentions of blowing up that damn casino ship. The matter would have been brief and to the point in sending out the 'fuck you' message to Fei Long that the man longed for. It would have been his one and only suggestion to the deed sent to the Baishe leader. It would not have been an invitation. However, having Takaba on the ship had dampened his inner pyrotechnic for such flares. He much prefers this current unexpected truce with the temperamental assassin.

Alas it was a matter of time, before another would be challenger takes the metaphorical prize in the form of Takaba and makes a clone of him. Two Takabas may have been kinky. The thought does tantalize his libido, however human cloning hasn't been established yet, as far as the law abiding type of laboratories are concern, let alone accomplishing such a feat in such a short time period. One doesn't simply put his Takaba into a copy machine, press the button, and out comes an exact replica. If not cloning, then such artisan plastic surgery was extraordinary. The candidate to undergo such an extreme measure has to have the right physique, musculature, and bone structure. No matter how good the surgeon is, one can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear or so that American saying goes. The chances were slim, but he was prepared for such an event or so he thought.

He'd never thought it would be this soon after the fiasco with Fei Long. His reports never hinted at such an unknown enemy on the horizon with such intentions. Asami prided himself in knowing whether a potential enemy even scratches an itch. He should know. He paid top yen to be omniscience. It would seem an inquiry need be made. He took a mental note of that task before continue his internal dissension.

The imposter they've sent was good. The young man waited for Asami to make the move in bringing him into the fold. The song and dance had a different tempo, it intrigued him; then Takaba's added confidence aroused him; whereas the game they played amuse him.

Asami had his reasons for his so called boon he'd chosen from the imposter. Each of his requests had a function. The first served two purposes. He had seen how fast the imposter can move on surveillance, it would have been easy for the thief to cheat the game. The first case was to prevent or at least limit the boy's capabilities. The second case allowed him to examine the boy's body thoroughly. Being intimately familiar with every inch of Takaba's skin, Asami had to approve of the craftsmanship. From head to toe, the imposter had all the imperfections and flawlessness his Takaba composes of. There was no scar out of place, any freckles misplaced nor curves and arches exaggerated. Even the timbre of his voice was spot on. The resemblance was remarkable. No plastic surgeon living or otherwise and or any talented special effects makeup artist could have render such a flawless replica. If there was, he may have use of such a person in his organization.

However it was blatantly clear that that boy wasn't Takaba.

Why would someone bother to carry out such an expensive counterfeit only to forget a full immersion course on the real Takaba's mannerisms, quirks, and patterns of speaking? Perhaps it was more believable to pretend amnesia than it is to be a thespian.

There were too many contradicting factors. Per his keen observation, initially and throughout their meeting the young man truly seem not to recognize him as a lover, target or interest even. It was only the mention of a game did the imposter shown some signs that resemble the real Takaba's enthusiasm. Added to that, the blatant sexual confidence exuding off of the other had been great encouragement of Takaba's potential. It tempted Asami to want an exploration of the possibilities regardless who's wearing the skin.

The imposter's allure didn't threw him off the scent though. The mediocre conversation he conducted and Kirishima's thoughtful introduction of alcohol via the dealer had a purpose as well. Asami was able to extract several key observations from their brief exchange. Firstly, the boy never got drunk and his over confidence made the other sloppy. Asami found the fool's lack of recognition, assumptions, and arrogance, annoying. Lastly, Asami care not how the other did it but the boy cheated despite giving his word not to. If the imposter was trying to get into his good graces, he failed miserably. There was more to the real Takaba than the sexual attraction between them.

Thus the conundrum. The body and the personality did not match.

The likeliest of explanations would be Takaba is suffering from amnesia. His adventurous lover was known for getting into trouble. Perhaps he's taken a blow to the head. It would explain the different characteristics embodying the form as well as the unusual disappearance act. Logic would deem it possible, however, his gut says otherwise. As with all things in dealing with Takaba Akihito thus far, Asami has always follow his gut. Odd how it was his logic that stayed his hand in dealing with this imposter.

For if one had woken without memories of his past, wouldn't one be asking questions instead of acting like an ass? The fellow he met seem to know precisely what he was doing and what he wanted. Even the casual mentioning of his return from up North didn't cause any traumatic memories to accost him. Bottom line is the boy did not look like he suffered from a concussion. If anything, the evasive skills he'd seen earlier on screen showcased otherwise.

With his mind made up, Asami tosses back the rest of the bourbon and turns to face his two most trusted associates.

His eyes, unaffected by the drink, shone bright and clear with purpose.

"Kirishima, prepare the fastest route to Nikko tonight. Ensure half dozen men await my orders upon my arrival. Suoh, stay here to coordinate the efforts in securing that imposter. I want names and the real Takaba's whereabouts. I give you leave to use force if necessary."

The secretary look stricken by his edict. He saw hesitation than determination cross those clearly control features and waited patiently for the other to voice the matter.

"With all due respect sir, it did not occur to me this Takaba-san is a counterfeit. If anything, a split personality would explain his dissociation."

Asami rewarded the secretary with a smirk. Leave it to Kirishima to be one step behind him.

"One simply doesn't learn martial arts overnight, Kirishima."

That leap of realization cause the secretary to reluctantly nod his acceptance of his decision. From this silence, a deep baritone interrupted.

"Asami-sama."

Surprise by the normally taciturn bodyguard's request to speak, it took the crime lord a moment extra to address the issue. He remember at least to give a nod of consent for the other to continue.

"I would like to request your permission to bring in a few associates of mine to aid the hunt, sir."

Finding the request odd, given that it was spoken at all. Asami has given no cause to not trust these two to make certain decisions without his specific consent. His face must have relay his confusion for Suoh continue in explanation.

"These… professionals… may have eccentric payment requirements, sir."

Asami caught on to the brief hesitation and found it to be suspicious, however Suoh has never given him cause to doubt his judgment. He knew the payments some bounty hunters, assassins and skill surgeons had exacted before. The fact that Suoh is asking beforehand means the sum or other form of payment may have legal ramifications. He didn't think there was a need for them. The imposter may have escaped, but Asami believe in his men.

His decision was soon changed by an unexpected knock on the door. Normally he would have reprimanded whomever it is for such interruptions, however the frantic pace caught his interest. He motioned for the bodyguard to open the door.

Without pause the Club Manager gave a deep bow of respect before entering and closes the door. The man looked nervous, enough so to give Asami pause. He had appointed the fellow to manage Club Fetish mainly due to his unflappable will. What could have cause the old Manager such trepidation? The suspense was short lived.

"My apologies Asami-sama. I have urgent news I thought you would wish to hear as soon as possible."

He gave a nod for the other to continue.

"As you may know, Unit three left in pursuit. I have receive word from one of them. My senior officer, Fujimiya Mamoru, called in for a medical assistance. Two of his teammates suffer from severe lacerations. One is pronounced dead, sir."

The grave silence that follow couldn't have been more felt. Asami's narrow eyes spoke clearly of his resolve. He turn to Suoh and gave his instructions without hesitation.

"Do what is necessary. Make sure he talks… And if my Takaba is no longer among us, make sure that son of a bitch never see the light of day again."

"As you wish, Asami-sama."


Response to the Readers:

anielle le fey - Don't worry about Aki, I'm not through with him yet.

chickie434 - Sorry about the cliffie. Don't worry about Aki, I still have plenty of story yet that involves him.