Chapter 3 - Powerful Like a Tiger

As the door quietly slid open, Tomomi stepped across the threshold and entered the dimly lit lab. Arriving at the office the same time as the dark-haired enforcer, they discovered that their inspector was not present. Immediately, they assumed that she would be in the lab. Luckily, Kougami had entered the room first, allowing him to outmaneuver the man. He was closer to the door and they didn't need two people to check. As he left the office, Yayoi and Shuusei headed out with him, leaving Kougami with their male inspector who was still working on a report.

Approaching Shion's workspace, he frowned because she was nowhere to be found. Even so, his eyes caught sight of a small head resting against the couch - Akane. He knew she would be here, even if he couldn't figure out where their analyst had disappeared to. About to call out to his inspector, he suddenly stopped, changing his mind. She wouldn't have heard his entry and he didn't want to startle her.

Stopping near the couch, he glanced down at her and was surprised to find that she was actually fast asleep. It wasn't like her to sleep on the job and he couldn't imagine Shion condoning such actions if she were present, which meant Shion was already away when Akane first arrived. Though she griped about the amount of work that was placed on her shoulders, Shion was still a diligent worker and expected everyone else to carry their own weigh.

Watching as she slumbered peacefully, Tomomi was conflicted by the options for his subsequent action. He should wake her, but he felt reluctant to do so. If she was truly as tired as she seemed, then he wanted to make sure she received the rest she needed. It was their first night on a shift change and she wasn't accustomed to it yet. For him, it wasn't a bother because he found he didn't need as much rest as he used to. With age, his sleep pattern had become erratic and because of it, he was capable of sleeping at any time and almost anywhere; ultimately he preferred his bed, but he would take whatever he could get.

Unable to make a decision, he noticed that her head began tilting to one side. It started from the top down as her entire body slid sideways. She would only land on the sofa, but his body moved of its own accord to stop her descent. In one fluid motion, he had leapt to the couch and scooped her into his arms. Considering how harmless her situation had been, it seemed an exaggerated response on his part. Yet now that he had done so, there was nothing he could do. In that sense, he had made his decision - he would let her continue to slumber until something required their attention, or she had received enough rest and woke on her own.

He should have placed her back on the sofa, but now that he was holding her, he found he didn't want to. Rather, he sat down himself and carefully settled her on his lap where her head rested against his shoulder. As he listened to her soft, even breathing, he smiled to himself. In her sleeping state, she seemed as fragile as she appeared, but he knew better. The girl had guts, willing to take whatever risk was necessary to get the job done - even if it put her in a tight situation. She regularly stood up for herself against his uptight son where a lesser person might quake from his intimidating stare and harsh tone of voice. All in all, he was both impressed and pleased with their new inspector.

Unexpectedly, he heard her murmuring in her sleep and he stiffened, never imagining what she might think when she found herself sleeping within his embrace. At that thought, rather than loosening his hold on her, his response was the exact opposite. His right arm served as the support for her back and his hand curled around her waist to rest against her abdomen. His mechanical arm had been lying by his side on the sofa, but he brought it up and wrapped that around her tiny body as well. He had done nothing wrong; there was no reason for him to feel guilty.

Relaxing his body, he felt her shift against him to find a more comfortable position, her head resting along his collarbone. She didn't seem inclined to wake anytime soon which was completely acceptable to him. Though his behaviour may seem strange, he didn't question his actions as they had been made on gut instinct. Since long ago, first as a detective and further solidifying that practice as an enforcer, he learned to follow his impulses. He didn't have to know an exact reason for something prior to acting as long as his intuition was guiding him.

Suddenly smirking, he was relieved that he had been the one to come in search of her instead of Kougami. The man was good at what he did, but he couldn't always be trusted; at least he felt that way regarding his relationship with Akane. Shinya was always the one she went to first for advice and that annoyed him. Feeling piqued, he subconsciously tightened his hold on his inspector, only reining in his strength when he heard her sigh.

As a member of their three-person team, he was usually the one left out. Sure, he tried to keep himself out of trouble as much as possible and acted only where necessary, but it seemed like Kougami was the one who always took the final action. Inwardly grumbling to himself, he couldn't help it when he was already beyond the prime of his life physically. Even so, he was still mentally sharp, if not sharper than his younger counterpart. After all, wisdom was something that came with age. But did she ever seek him out if Kougami was available...?

Letting out a huff of air, it mussed her bangs and he tilted his head so he could gaze down at her. Grinning, he tried to envision what Akane's reaction would be when she woke up. He couldn't recall a moment where she had been flustered so he couldn't imagine that. Would she be upset, especially because he didn't wake her? If so, he didn't mind that; it would be better than her unusual calm. Whatever it was going to be, he was going to wait contentedly as this was his opportunity to claim her attention.

Releasing a yawn, Akane felt the iron chains of slumber slowly loosening its hold on her. Mostly because she felt uncomfortably warm, she shifted, trying to break free from the heat. As she struggled, she could feel something holding her captive; something wrapped around her back and her torso. Her arms were pinned to her side. Still clouded with sleep, the vision of her eyes was blurry and she couldn't even rub away the weariness. As she moved her head around, she bumped it against something pointed and hard.

"Awake now?" she heard a voice ask from above her head.

Blinking her eyes to refocus them, she tilted her head back to find herself staring up at Masaoka. For reasons unknown, she had been resting against his chest as she sat snugly on his lap. That was when she realized that it was his arms around her which held her hostage. It was also the reason why she felt overheated; his body warmth seeping into her. Though she was awake, he made no indication that he was going to release her. Fighting to break free from his hold, it was a futile act that only served to make her sweaty from the wasted effort.

"Masaoka-san, you can let go of me now."
"No," he said in reply.
"No?"
"I'm quite comfortable where I am," he stated simply.
"That's not the point," she argued. "I'm quite warm now and I would like to cool off. Also, we should be working. Kougami-san must be waiting for us."

Not only did she show no response to their current situation, she had to go and mention that name. While she slept, he had the opportunity to analyze the situation and came to a conclusion on what the issue was. As childish as it seemed, the obvious answer was jealousy. Just like Shuusei felt that way regarding the fact that they were teamed up with her, he felt that way in response to her transparent favouritism of Shinya. He did not have to be the first thing she mentioned.

He wanted Akane to trust him and rely on him in the same fashion. This was his chance to monopolize her attention since his rival wasn't around; he was not about to relinquish it. Tomomi fanned out the fingers of the hand on her belly, increasing their intimate contact. When she was about to say more, he pressed his metallic fingertip to her lips to silence her. There was no doubt in his mind that it related to work somehow and he didn't care to hear it.

Akane frowned as her enforcer was behaving strangely. It was already irresponsible that she had slept on the job for an indeterminate length of time. Now he wouldn't release her when they needed to get to work. He still didn't explain how she had come to be sleeping on him. Since she couldn't use her arms which were restricted by his arm around her, she struggled for freedom with her feet. Pushing against the sofa, that attempt was equally unsuccessful. The softness of the cushion did not provide good leverage. At the same time, he already predicted her next move. His free arm wrapped around her legs to control her movements. Perhaps it was perverse, but the more she struggled against him , the more determined he was to hold her hostage. If he let her loose, she would immediately rush back to his side.

"Masaoka-san, let me go right now!" she exclaimed.
"I would prefer it if you just called me Tomomi," he said, ignoring her request.

Her eyes widened in surprise at his words before she blinked a few times. The informal use of his given name implied a certain closeness to their relationship. Since he was older than her, it was only proper that she addressed him with formality. The only person on the team who she had dropped formalities with was Shuusei because he himself had done so with her; also because he was only one year her senior.

"I will not," she answered firmly. "It would not be appropriate."
"Even if I have given my permission?"
"No, it just isn't right."
"You call Shuusei by name," he pointed out.
"He took it upon himself to use mine."
"So if I also call you Akane-chan rather than Ojou-chan, you'll do the same?"
"... That's not the point."
"It is very much so the point."

With that, he said no more as he gazed into the distance, leaving Akane to feel confused by his cryptic behaviour. Only when they stopped arguing did she realize that his hand was pressed against her stomach. His fingers would repeatedly tighten before they relaxed, creating a ticklish sensation. Thinking she had a chance to break free now that he had loosened his hold, she put all her effort into kicking free. Unfortunately, his reflexes were faster and he once again stopped her.

"Tsk, I don't think so," he said as he turned to look into her eyes. "That's the problem then isn't it?"
"Huh?"
"If I rewound time so I was his age, you wouldn't even be born yet. You refuse to use my name even when I said it was fine. The only thing left to do is convince you. I won't let you go until you do," he warned.
"W-What?"

Before she understood what he meant, he had lifted her while standing and resettled himself. He sat down diagonally where one leg was propped up on the sofa, hers pinned beneath it, ultimately freeing his hand. The one on her torso stayed exactly where it had been the entire time. When he stared into her eyes, she could see that he was utterly serious; she just didn't know what he would do.

She quickly found out when he held her chin between his thumb and forefinger, tipping it up towards him. His lips came down on hers and when she tried to pull away, the arm around her waist loosened its hold, travelling to her back. Pressing her body into his, he was going to carry out exactly what he said he would. Unless she willingly called him by name, he was going to enjoy every moment of this. Her arms pushed against his chest, but she was no match for him in strength; his one arm had the same amount of power as all of her combined.

Pulling away from her with lingering reluctance, he gazed at her to determine her resolve. She could give up and submit to his wish or she could continue to resist. Personally, he hoped she challenged him a little while longer. He was a world-weary man to which she was that fresh breath of air; her defiance his reason for holding her in captivity and his excuse to partake of her honeyed sweetness. She was his and his alone.

"Ma..."

With a smirk, he silenced her, not wanting to hear the rest of it. He should have known she wouldn't give in so easily. She repeatedly opposed Nobuchika when she felt a situation or decision wasn't right. It wouldn't be any different with him, except he wasn't his son. In a battle of wills, he wasn't going to lose to Akane. It was time to stake his claim.

He probed at her lips with his tongue, trying to gain access. She resisted. Even so, she was inexperienced in the art of kissing, forgetting to breathe in her struggles. Her lips instinctively parted for a gasp of air and Tomomi took the opportunity he was provided. Plunging his tongue into the warm, moist cavity of her mouth, he touched it against hers, causing her to flinch at the unfamiliar sensation. She pushed back as her form of retaliation, not realizing it only served to inflame his ardor.

His fingers buried into her hair, angling her head for better contact. Teasing her, he brushed the tip of his tongue along the side of hers and pulled away. When she followed his movement, he captured her tongue between his teeth, grazing it lightly before he released her. Then he focused his attention on her lips, drawing the lower one between his to suck gently.

He was doing strange things to her that she had never experienced before; creating sensations within her that she had never experienced before. Though she had tried to resist him, she found her strength being drained away with every taunt, every tease. If it wasn't for his arm around her waist, she was certain she would have collapsed into a puddle of nothingness. It took everything out of her to cling to him, her fingers clutching at the lapel of his suit.

Eventually, he broke contact to groan against her lips and they both fought to draw air into their lungs with ragged breaths. Their current positioning was a hindrance to their situation.

He slid his hands down her sides, resting them on her hips. As he stared into her eyes, he lifted her and repositioned her so she was straddling his body. Caressing her through her clothes, his hands cupped her cute little derrière to draw her closer. As he did, her knees bumped against the sofa; her skirt hiking up around her hips. She has no choice but to rest her arms on his shoulders for balance, a blush colouring her cheeks. They were so close her breasts pressed up against his firm, brawny chest and something hard prodded her from below.

The sound of his chuckle rumbled in his chest as he wrapped his arms around her waist. She had no idea how delectably delightful she was; only now showing any awareness regarding their intimate encounter. He resumed what he started, leaning in as he gentled his kiss. He knew he should stop but he wasn't able to; he wanted this to last a little while longer.

Seduced by the feathering touch of his lips, Akane sighed softly as her arms slipped around his neck. His kiss caressed the corner of her mouth before he sought the graceful line of her jaw, marking a delicate path towards her ear. When his lips brushed against it, the tickling of his warm breath sent shivers down her spine.

"Ojou-chan," he whispered huskily before giving her earlobe a playful nibble.
"Mm...?"
"Are you going to use my name?"
"... Eh?" she replied, incapable of comprehending his question.
"Did you really forget or did you just want more?"

When he pulled away to glance at her, her eyes were half closed and her lips were pouty red from his kisses. As she opened them to look at him, her gaze was unfocused. Grinning to himself, he was satisfied with that answer. If he teased her much longer, he was going to tempt himself beyond a place of no return and he knew this was the end of their sweet interlude. Leaning back against the sofa, he freed his right hand to straighten out her hair, indulging in the caress of its silky smoothness.

"My name."

She shook her head in response, not understanding what he was talking about. He purposely mistook it as the response to his request though he knew it wasn't. Lazily stroking his hand up and down her back, they remained in silence; Akane still confused about the situation while Tomomi's thoughts had been drawn inwards. He couldn't help but be amazed that such a dainty woman could invoke such strength of emotion; emotions he thought he had relinquished with his acceptance of his position of enforcer.

"Tomomi," he finally said, drawing their attention back to the issue. "I think we've now reached a point where it's acceptable for you to use it?"

At the reminder of what just transpired between them, a blossom of colour infused her cheeks as she was still clinging to him; her arms wrapped around his neck while her body was flattened against his. She had completely forgotten about the conversation that had led to this point. The tender warmth of his touch along her back had been, and still was mesmerizing - reminiscent of the man she knew.

"... Tomomi," she whispered shyly.

It felt strange on her lips, but she supposed she could grow accustomed to it when she saw the smile that graced his lips; his entire face lighting up with pleasure. As he had accomplished what had been his original goal, he slowly released her. With his hands at her waist, he lifted her off of him and planted her feet on the ground in front of him. The blood rushed to her legs and she wobbled to and fro before they gave out. He was instantly concerned that he had taken his selfishness too far.

"Ojou-chan..."
"I'll be okay," she murmured.
"... Are you sure?"
"Yes, I'm fine. We should get back to work, Mas... Tomomi-san," she corrected.

He preferred the sound of it without the honorific as she had said it the first time, but he accepted it. Standing, he held his hand out to help her up. After giving her a gentle tug and steadying her, he immediately released her hand. While her innate sense of calm had once again reasserted itself, the same could not be said for him. His hormones still raged within his system, like any healthy person's should. It really was astounding that she seemingly could turn off her emotions with the flip of a switch. Just minutes ago, she was like putty in his hands and now she was back in full out work mode.

"Coming?" she questioned when she noticed he wasn't with her.
"... Yes, of course," he answered, the only response he could give.

AN

... I guess stuff that might disturb you doesn't feel so disturbing after you write about it... Lol! For obvious reasons, I was questioning where to go with this pairing, yet it turned out to be more heated of an encounter than the previous chapter. And while I still don't particularly care for it, especially in a canon setting, it's not quite so "eek!" of a scenario anymore.

Hopefully the ending didn't seem too anti-climatic though.