Disclaimer: See first chapter.

Akane in Chains

Chapter Nine: Kuno's Request

Kuno's face was locked in a grimace as he stepped out of his car, his eyes scanning over the guard towers and fences with barbed wire. This dreary place is where Akane Tendo has been confined! If the sight of her in chains hadn't been enough to convince him his beloved was suffering a grave injustice, this certainly was.

"You're Mr. Kuno?" a female guard asked as she approached.

"Yes," he replied sharply, his disgust at his beloved's situation leaking into his voice.

If she noticed his foul mood, she didn't show it as she continued in a cordial tone. "I am Officer Suzuki. I'm here to escort you to Warden Matsushita's office for your appointment."

"Very well," he turned to his butler. "Sasuke, stay with the car."

"Are you sure, Master?"

"I wish to meet with the warden alone. Stay here." His tone made it clear he'd broke no argument.

"As you wish, sir." the ninja butler bowed politely.

If you will please follow me, sir," Officer Suzuki said, gesturing for him to follow her inside.

Even as a visitor, Kuno had to pass through security. He walked through a metal detector and any items he carried on his person were run through an x-ray machine. He was only then handed a clip-on id tag that read 'Visitor' in bold letters. From there, he was led through the halls of the prison and brought to the finely-furnished administrative wing.

"The warden's office is right through there." The guard gestured to a set of double doors. "Let the secretary know you have an appointment."

Entering the waiting room, Kuno turned to what he assumed was the warden's secretary seated behind a desk. He paused for a moment when he saw her. She wore the same gray jumpsuit as Akane and the other women outside. The number T-34853 was imprinted on the breast. The 'T' at the beginning stood out to Kuno, who hadn't noticed it on Akane's uniform. Still, it seemed this secretary was a prisoner too.

"Hello, sir," she addressed him, "do you have an appointment?"

"Yes, for twelve o'clock."

She flipped open a schedule book. "Mr. Kuno?"

"Correct."

"Hold on, while I let the warden know you're here." She picked up a phone on her desk. "Warden Matsushita, Mr. Kuno is here for his appointment. Yes, I'll tell him." She placed the receiver down. "I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I'll have to ask you to wait out here for a few minutes. The warden is busy at the moment and can't be disturbed. She wishes to apologize for the inconvenience and asks that you wait out here until she can see you."

"Very well," he sighed in annoyance. He moved to seat down, but stopped and turned back to the secretary. "I don't wish to sound rude, but I am surprised the warden would allow a prisoner to work as her secretary."

"Yes, I can see why that'd seem strange," the secretary chuckled. "What you have to understand is that not all prisoners are permitted to work alongside the warden and the other prison staff," she gestured to the prison number on her jumpsuit, "This 'T' identifies me as a trustee. Other inmates are assigned a six digit number, but trustees have the 'T' replace the first digit. We've earned a degree of trust and can be counted on to help out around the prison without supervision. We work fewer hours and it is nowhere near as difficult as the jobs the other inmates have to do."

"I see. Are there any other benefits to being a trustee besides easier work?"

"Several. We have our own cellblock that's separate from the other prisoners. The guards are more lenient on us keeping personal possessions. We're allowed to decorate and furnish our cells. We even have our own rec area with television. All in all, life here isn't that bad for us."

"Isn't there a risk that a prisoner might only pretend to be trustworthy to take advantage of the benefits of being a trustee?"

"I doubt that'd happen. No one is assigned trustee status upon entry to the prison, even minimum security prisoners. Only prisoners who've spent at least six months here are eligible. Also, they have to have a clean disciplinary record and demonstrate an honest desire to repent and reform. It's unlikely troublemakers will go that long without being noticed by the guards," The secretary glanced at a clock on the wall, "I'm sorry, sir, but I really should get back to work. Please have a seat and the warden will see you soon."

Kuno seated himself and the secretary returned to her work. The sound of typing and papers shuffling were the only noises in the room. He became increasingly restless, as the minutes past and the warden did not call him in. All he could think about was Akane chained up and forced to slave away under the hot sun.

After waiting close to fifteen minutes, he'd had enough. "That's it!" he proclaimed, breaking the silence. He rose to his feet and began to stomp toward the door.

"Sir, you need to wait out here until the warden is ready to see you," the secretary beseeched. She rose from her seat and moved to stop Kuno, placing a firm hand on his shoulder.

"Out of my way!" he barked, shaking her hand off, "I'm not going to wait a second longer, not after what I've seen!" Before the secretary could stop him, he reached the door and wrenched it open.

Warden Matsushita looked up from the document she was reading, surprised at the sudden intrusion. Her surprise quickly faded and she couldn't help sighing at the sight before her. Years had passed since she'd last seen Tatewaki Kuno, but she still remembered quite clearly how impatient the boy could be.

"I… I am terribly sorry Warden," her secretary stammered, moving next to Kuno and bowing apologetically.

"It's alright, Yuka. I was planning on seeing Mr. Kuno now anyway. You can go back to your work."

"Yes, ma'am. Thank you." She bowed politely before quickly stepping out and closing the door behind her.

"Please, have a seat, Tatewaki," the warden gestured to a seat. As he sat, the warden flashed a welcoming smile. "Seeing you all grown up reminds me just how long it's been since we last saw each other. You've become a fine-looking young man."

"Thank you, Miss Matsushita. It's a pleasure to see you, again. I only wish it was under better circumstances."

"Yes, I imagine it can be difficult when someone you know and care for is incarcerated. I admit my opinion of Akane Tendo is somewhat colored by her crime, but if an upstanding young man as yourself has feelings for her perhaps she's a decent person after all."

"Akane Tendo does not deserve such a cruel fate," Kuno began in a somber tone. "To see my beloved confined to this place and endure such horrid indignities is beyond the pale! How could you possibly allow her to be chained like an animal and forced to work in the dirt all day?"

"I know it must seem harsh to you, but she is a criminal. This isn't one of those country club, minimum-security prisons. Here, all criminals are expected to pay their debts."

"But forcing her to work in shackles? It's barbaric!"

"The restraints are a necessary security measure. Akane and the other prisoners you saw working outside are assigned to what we call D-Block. The inmates assigned there are the most dangerous this facility houses. They have all committed violent crimes and have made the most escape attempts in the past. We need to take every precaution dealing with them. No exceptions."

"Akane Tendo is a beautiful and kindhearted young woman who would never do such a thing!" Kuno raged. "Can't you make her a trustee, like your secretary?"

The warden sadly shook her head. "I'm sorry, but everyone sent here for a violent crime is put on D-Block and subject to security precautions. If I were to make even one exception it would set a bad precedent. I can't do that for anyone, even if you are Mariko's son."

"But it's not even her fault she was sent here! It's the fault of that cursed Saotome! He is a conniving, treacherous, braggart, who no doubt tricked her into committing this crime. He made her chase him and perhaps used that poor child as a shield when he couldn't escape! I'll make him pay for it! I swear!"

"Um, yes, I'm sure you will," Warden Matushita answered uncertainly before deciding to steer the conversation back on track. "Regardless of whether she was at fault or not, I'm afraid I must adhere to procedure. She will be kept on D-Block and will be treated no differently than any other inmates." Matsushita raised a hand, forestalling a tirade from Kuno, "But, I've thought about your request to be hired on as a guard and I am willing to grant it. I owe Mariko a great deal and the least I can do is help out her son as best I can."

"You will?" The anger faded out of his voice, replaced with surprise that Matushita was willing to agree to his request. Now, he was getting somewhere on his quest to help his beloved.

"Yes, but there are a few things I want to be sure you understand before I agree to anything. I can't hire you if you are only going to fawn over Akane. As a guard at this facility, you will be responsible for keeping all prisoners in line and ensuring they follow the rules."

"I understand," he answered without hesitation. "I swear I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities."

"You will also be expected to dispense discipline to those who disobey the rules. That includes Akane Tendo."

Kuno starred with wide eyes for several seconds before replying. "You can't expect me to intentionally harm Akane Tendo!"

"Not at all," Warden Matsushita was quick to assure Kuno. "We use violence only as a last resort. The prisoners must be unruly and cause violence first for such a response. Still, she may have to be punished at times and you will have to accept that it could happen."

The aghast look on Kuno's face remained as the warden's words sunk in. "I will not stand by while Akane Tendo is suffering! No matter what!"

Warden Matsushita seemed thoughtful for a second, before speaking again. "Of course, if she follows the rules, it would not be necessary for her to be punished. As a guard, you'd be in a position to help her follow the rules and steer her away from punishment."

"…Yes," Kuno said as his face lit up. "Yes! I can protect her and comfort her in her time of greatest need!"

"Well, should I take it you are interested in accepting my offer?"

"Indeed," Kuno said as he rose to his feet and bowed deeply, "thank you, Miss Matsushita. You've provided me with a means to look after Akane Tendo. No doubt my presence will bring much relief to her troubled mind."

"Just remember that you will be expected to watch over all of the prisoners in this facility. I don't want you solely focused on only one."

"I promise I'll perform my duties to the best of my abilities!"

Kuno was ecstatic, having gotten what he wanted. Even his beloved's incarceration would not separate them. He was too engrossed in his success that he didn't notice Warden Matsushita's warm expression melt into one of regret.

Next: We return to Nerima where Ukyo receives a surprise visitor.

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