Chapter 7:
It was two days before Asami had gotten the call that Akihito would be put back in his room that day. For the past two days Asami had tortured Arkedy until he received every last bit of information he thought the man could produce and then finally pulled the trigger. The word remorse did not even enter his mind. What they had done to Akihito was more than he thought that bitch Mika was capable of. Asami made it his mission to find her and bring an end to her life. There would be no escape for her.
"Akihito," Akihito hadn't changed. His body seemed just as lifeless as before. The only difference now was that there were no pools of blood, and there were now wraps around his wrists. Asami knew he had to do something. Asami walked over to him and touched his hand only to have Akihito pull away. "Akihito," Asami tried again. He was getting desperate. "Akihito, look at me dammit," Asami took his hand and this time he was not going to let go. "Akihito, I know what they did to you." I need to make him understand, Asami thought.
Akihito felt a chill up his spine, and he caught his breath. But he didn't know. How could he? "I know all of it. So please, just look at me." Asami used his other hand to grab his face but Akihito swatted it away. "I know how they touched you. How that man touched you. I know that you got off from it." That did it, Akihito turned and looked at Asami for the first time. Asami felt a pang in his heart. He was looking at him with anguish and anger, but he was finally looking at him, so he tried to cup his face again only to have it pushed away. He wouldn't give up! He took Akihito's face by force. "I know that he touched you, that they somehow managed to get him to seem like me, my scent. Don't close your eyes! Didn't I say to never turn your gaze from me!" Tears started to fall down Akihito's face but Asami kept going. This was the emotion that Asami was looking for. Any emotion. "I know about the drugs. I know how they beat you. I know how they raped you, and how they also caressed you. How they made you feel with pleasure that was unbearable until you let go. I know how you made love to a man that wasn't me. I know all of this!" Asami wiped the tears away as they continued to fall. Akihito was fighting him now. His breath was shaky and filled with exertion. Asami climbed on top of the bed. "You think I don't know, but I do. You think I wouldn't forgive you?! Is that it?" Asami was on the verge of yelling.
"Stop it!" Akihito couldn't control it anymore, his throat was raw, and his voice raspy from disuse.
"I forgive you! I forgive everything. The one that should be sorry is me. I- I am so sor-"
"Stop it! Stop!" Akihito cried out as he pushed with all of might, he tried to turn away from him, but it was no use.
"I'm sorry! I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you. I am sorry that you are in this state because of me. So please don't turn your gaze from me. I can forgive everything except that. I decided long ago that I would always forgive anything you could possible do to me."
"Asami," Asami let go of his arms and placed his hands beside Akihito's head. Akihito grabbed at his shirt with trembling hands. "I don't deserve you! I'm dirty! I am so dirty!" He voice raising. "And I am broken! And- And I can't forgive myself!" Akihito's whole body shook as he yelled, his throat scorched. "I remember everything! I can't close my eyes without remembering all of it! I-I'm so a-ashamed. You don't know! You don't have any fucking clue how much I want to die!"
"Then tell me! Dammit, Akihito! Fucking tell me!" Asami couldn't take it anymore. He leaned down and kissed Akihito's wet mouth.
"No-" Akihito tried to turn his head away, but Asami moved with him. "Asa-," Akihito's voice was muffled against Asami's lips. Asami forced his tongue pass Akihito's barriers and went to twine his tongue with his. His mouth was dry, and his tongue resisted the urge to engage with Asami's.
"Stop!" Akihito shoved, but it was Asami that let up until he was an inch from his face.
"Akihito," Asami said softly between breaths. "Please. I need you in my life. We'll get through this together. You can't leave me. Not ever. I won't let you." Asami caressed his cheek.
Akihito was now holding onto Asami's shirt for dear life. The words Asami spoke seeping in, and suddenly he crumbled. "I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" Over and over again Akihito said this as he wept. Akihito brought his head up a bit to rest it against Asami's chest. He had moved his arms to Asami's back, the fabric wrinkled in his firsts. Asami moved so he was now lying next to Akihito and he brought his shaky arms around him, so he could curl better up into his chest.
"I won't ever let you go," Asami said and kissed Akihito's head as he listened to him weep. It didn't take long for him to pass out from exhaustion. "I love you." Akihito was too fast asleep to know that Asami murmured this into his hair.
Asami hadn't realized he had also fallen asleep. His body felt warm and a bit cramped. When he woke up it was dark. The curtains had been closed and a dinner tray had been left for Akihito to eat. Asami looked down at his chest. Akihito was snuggled up against him. His forehead finally held no wrinkles. Asami couldn't help but bring his hand to his hair and slowly stroke his head. Gently, he brushed the back of his hand to his cheek. How long had it been since Akihito was able to have this good of a rest? When Akihito stirred, Asami let up his hand and moved it down to his arm. He stared at the wrist that rested against his chest. He would never let Akihito leave him again. No matter what.
"Akihito," Asami hated to wake him, but he knew once he himself started to move then Akihito would wake anyway. Besides, Akihito needed to eat something. "Akihito, wake-up," he said softly.
Akihito opened his eyes to find himself staring at Asami's chest. He had to raise his head to look up at Asami.
"What?" His said groggily. This response for some reason made Asami smile.
"You need to eat something. And I need to use the bathroom," Asami said.
"Oh," there was disappointment in his voice.
"We can continue this after you eat," Asami said reassuringly, and started to move his arm out from under Akihito's head. He winced as the nerves in his arm pinched at the sudden movement. He hadn't realized his arm was asleep. He welcomed the numbing pain.
"Where did the food go?" Asami said as he walked out of the bathroom.
"I asked the nurse to heat it up," Akihito was sitting up in bed. Asami had just sat down next to him when there was a knock at the door. It was the doctor.
"I just heard that you are talking?" he said and walked over to Akihito, standing next to Asami.
"Yes," Akihito said it as if to confirm the hesitation in the doctor's inquiry.
"Well that's wonderful! Might I ask how this was brought about?" Akihito just turned his head and looked at Asami. "I see," was the doctor's response. Just then another knock was at the door and the nurse with Akihito's dinner tray came in. "I guess I'll let you eat, and I will come back later." He excused himself and walked out.
"Hold up, doc. I'll be right back," Asami said and followed the doctor out. The doctor turned around when the door to Akihito's room was shut.
"You must be a pretty amazing man, Asami," the doctor said with a smile. Asami replied with an invisible one in return, but the doctor could tell from his eyes that he was in lighter spirits.
"How much longer do you think he will have to remain here? He has already been here almost a week."
"I would like to keep him here another week. His body still needs to be cared for by our staff. We will see how he is doing then. He still has trouble moving, and there is still the problem with his rectum. I am concerned about the stitches, and tissue."
"What if I got a nurse to stay with us, until he fully recovered? He seems to be doing so much better. I would like for him to come home."
"I understand your enthusiasm, especially since he is now talking again, however, I still think he should be in a hospital setting for a bit longer."
"How about half a week?" The doctor stared at him, hesitant to answer. He understood Asami, and his desire for Akihito to be back in a house setting. The doctor had nothing against this, however, just because Akihito was speaking again did not mean that his body was physically ready for the move, nor was he perhaps mentally ready as well. He didn't know what Asami did to finally get Akihito to come around but he was still unsure. Akihito had only said one word to him. He needed to talk with him when Asami wasn't around. The man standing before him was determined, who the doctor speculated, always got his way.
"Why don't we give him three more days, and I'll assess him again tomorrow and on the third day. I know you are eager Asami, but you need to be patient and really think about what Akihito needs." With that, the doctor turned and walked away.
Asami knew he was right. He was right about all of it. But he honestly thought that the best way to get Akihito to recover more quickly was to be back at home. He couldn't force his way into this though. He had to think about what was best for Akihito.
"Not hungry?" Asami said as he re-entered the room to see Akihito push his tray away. He had only taken a few bites.
"Not really. I have a stomach cramp."
"Do you want me to get a nurse?"
"No, I'll be fine."
"Are you sure?"
"Yes," Akihito was getting annoyed. Just then there was a knock on the door. It was Kurishima.
"Boss, sorry to interrupt but you have a meeting at ten at the club Sion."
"Right," he had completely forgotten. Asami turned back to look at Akihito. His thumb and pointer finger clung to the bottom of Asami's shirt. He turned his face away, not wanting Asami to see his disappointment. "Do you want me to stay, Akihito? I can reschedule."
Akihito quickly let go of him. "No," he answered.
"Takaba!" Kurishima said incredulously. They both turned to look at him. "You're speaking?" Akihito didn't answer though. "That's incredible. I'm so happy." Relief washed over Kurishima's face. He suddenly felt like a great weight had been lifted off his chest.
Akihito realized then that not only Asami cared for him. Kurishima had also gone through a lot to help him, Akihito realized as he looked at the crutches once again.
Asami turned back to Akihito, "I'll be back in the morning. We can talk then. Try to eat more if you can." Asami leaned in close to Akihito and gave him a quick peck on his lips before grabbing his coat that hung across the back of the chair he was using and walked out the door. Akihito watched him go, and this time his heart ached a little.
Kurishima moved then to sit on the couch, he didn't say much more to Akihito and focused on the work in front of him. Akihito tried to take another bite of food, but quickly spat it out. His stomach was really getting upset. He called the nurse in to take the tray away. The only sounds in the room was the heart monitor connected to Akihito and the sound of keys being typed on Kurishima's laptop.
I should say something, Akihito thought. Kurishima had lifted his leg up on the couch to help with elevation and his back rested against the arm. Akihito saw the furrow in his brow as he struggled to use just one hand to type.
"Kurishima," Akihito started but then his head went back to looking down in his lap, and he picked at his nails.
"Can I get you something, Takaba?" He stopped typing and looked up. Takaba's voice had startled him once again, but he smiled none-the-less.
"Eh, uh, no. I…" Akihito struggled with the words. Kurishima deserved better, Akihito thought. "Th- Thank you."
"Eh?"
"For helping me, back there. Thank you. You know… I probably would have… would have-"
"It's okay Takaba. I'm just glad you are getting better." He didn't want Takaba to finish the sentence for he knew all too well that Takaba almost did die.
Takaba looked up then to see a soft smile. Kurishima really did have a kind face. He did not return the smile but put the head of the bed back down and lay on his side as his backside and back started to ache. He watched Kurishima work, too awake to try to sleep. It was around ten p.m. when the nurse came to give him his medication to help him sleep. It took about an hour for it to kick-in until he finally fell asleep.
He was being chained up again. Her devilish smile was all he could focus on as she sprayed salt water on his body. His body shivered when suddenly, without even realizing it, someone had taken him from behind and Akihito was being thrust into. He couldn't breathe. He couldn't move. It was like all the joints in his body were locked. His head was pulled back at a painful angle and he saw the eyes of Yuri. He squeezed his eyes shut but it didn't stop the noises of Yuri's dick lapping against Akihito's backside, nor did it drown out the sound of Mika's laughter. She came up to him, a knife in her hand. Ever so slightly, she brushed the blade against Akihito's nipple. He couldn't move, nor could he speak. His body was shaking. Suddenly, he felt a blinding red hot pain against the middle of his chest and he cried out, screaming for them to st-
Asami was halfway down the hall, on his way back when he heard the screams and ran. He found Kurishima shaking Akihito's body vigorously, trying to get him to wake-up. Akihito's body trembled but he wouldn't move and his eyes were squeezed shut.
"The nurse is on her way back," Kurishima said, his body was tense. He had been trying to wake Akihito for the past ten minutes. A nurse had ran into the room then, she had a syringe that she poked into the IV, inserting the liquid.
"Akihito! Akihito! Wake up!" Akihito's eyes suddenly flung open and he bolted into a sitting position. He was heaving, and he clutched at his chest. His gown clung to his skin as his body was covered with sweat. He couldn't catch his breath. "Akihito. Are you okay?" Asami hesitated to sit down on the bed, his shaking hands tried to find some way to grab hold of Akihito. He had never heard Akihito scream like that.
Akihito swallowed empty air in his dry mouth, he nodded his head as best he could. Asami wrapped his arms around his shivering body, and waited for him to calm down, all the while shushing him softly. He had tear stains on his cheeks.
The nurse after feeling a bit confident that Akihito was under control went out of the room to grab Akihito a fresh gown, and bed sheets.
"I need to use the bathroom," Akihito said. The nurse that had come with the fresh sheets helped him into the toilet. Akihito had almost collapsed when he stood up and he clung to the nurse, which proved to be complicated as she also had to carry his IV. She had left Akihito in the toilet with the fresh gown he could change into, only to come out and strip Akihito's bed to replace it with new.
They all knew what happened, but they all didn't say too much. It was a nightmare. Asami mentally prepared himself, fearing that Akihito would most likely have many more of those.
"They will go away eventually. They will get less and less, until finally, one day, he won't have them anymore," the nurse said this suddenly as she went about her business with the room. Asami assumed she was talking to him. "Just be there for him, like you were today." She fluffed the pillow, looked up into Asami's eyes and by then Akihito was calling for her.
"Can I get you anything Takaba?" She said as she pulled the bed sheet up for him, her face soft and caring.
"Water, please," Asami was pleased to hear him still talking. He was afraid that… well, he would go back to how he was. Asami was standing by his side, and he noticed just how worn out Akihito looked. It wasn't an exhausted, tired look, but a look that expressed he was finished.
Kurishima had left the room before she could come back with a fresh glass of water for him.
Asami opened his mouth to speak when Akihito beat him to it.
"I don't want to talk about," his throat felt raw, and it stung to speak. He drank the cool liquid slowly.
"Okay," Asami said hesitantly and he grabbed Akihito's hand. He didn't shove him away, so he sat down next to him. The room was silent as Asami used his thumb to stroke it across the top of his hand. Akihito turned away from him after a bit but still clung onto Asami's hand. The silence dragged on.
"I can't forget her. Every time I close my eyes I see the smile that haunts me. She watched almost everything. Even… even touched herself while Yu- Yu-, while the others r-ra- did things to me." Asami didn't say anything but his hand tightened in Akihito's grasp, letting him know that he was listening. His voice wasn't shaking, but he struggled to say words.
Asami got up from his chair and climbed into bed behind Akihito, wrapping his arms around him.
"I still hear her laugh sometimes. She was laughing in my dream. I was ch-chained to the ceiling," Akihito couldn't stop talking. He didn't know why he was saying any of this. Asami didn't want to know these things. He didn't need to know these things. After all, it was just a dream, but he couldn't seem to stop. He told Asami everything that had happened until he ran out of words and he suddenly was not just telling him his dream, but also bits and pieces of what had happened. Asami said nothing during all of this. He only clung to Akihito's trembling form. He suddenly seemed so small, and fragile. At some moments his arms would tighten around him. Eventually Akihito's words faded, and he stopped.
"It's over now, Akihito. It's just you and me. And I won't ever let you get hurt like that again," Asami said this after a minute. Akihito turned so he could bury his face against Asami's chest.
"Don't make promises you can't keep," he mumbled. Asami didn't respond. He was right after all. Already his life and position had affected Akihito far more than just once. He couldn't have both, he reflected, without the other interfering with the opposed. This terrified him the most. Yet, he couldn't let go.
"You'll still never leave me though, right?" If possible, Akihito buried his face even more. He wanted more than anything to stay with Asami.
"Never."
Akihito didn't sleep for another day, and he fought the doctors against giving him the drug that made him sleep. The doctor and Asami always won though by saying it was the best way to heal the body. Akihito disagreed. He never wanted to sleep again, especially when Asami wasn't there. He woke up startled and screaming, and his body would be covered in sweat each time.
It had been a week after he had started to speak. He still didn't openly discuss much and answered people curtly. He was slowly gaining his strength back. He could walk now without having someone to support him, the bruises on his neck were almost invisible, and the wounds were healing nicely. The bandage on his bottom was still there though. He wasn't able to see what was carved into him and Asami wouldn't tell him. He took the bandage off in the bathroom one day and traced the scabs with his finger. He figured it out. The doctor said that would mostly disappear. Mostly.