A/N: This is the last official chapter of Wildcat which I'm now marking was complete. There actually may be more but this is what was planned so I'm marking it off, anything extra is not guaranteed and purely a bonus because I feel like it haha. Also this took me forever to write because it was so hot here today (36 degrees or 96.8 fahrenheit) and I don't have air conditioning so it was very hard to focus!

Akihito sighed. He knew today was going to be a long day, working with animals was always hard and time consuming. It was one of those times that he really wished the whole shifter thing wasn't better known. It would make it so much easier to work with a human in the guise of a cat than a trained wild feline. It was so difficult that he was one of two photographers required for this shoot. The idea was that they would try to capture multiple angles at once to increase the likelihood of getting the required photos but it made it hard to not get in each other's way. Akihito had worked with Arita before and they shared a similar style which meant they didn't impede the other too much. But with the difficulties they were facing with the rather reluctant tiger model they were both beginning to struggle. He glanced over at Arita who gave him a despairing look in return. The tiger's trainer was looking rather apologetic and the tiger himself was now completely refusing to cooperate.

It was never going to be an easy shoot but Akihito loved the challenge. Usually. There was a line between an exciting challenge and just plain frustration. The director of the photoshoot looked like he was about to burst a vein. This was a pretty high profile shoot and to have it go so dismally wasn't good for anyone. Enrapture was one of the top designer brands in Tokyo right now and was starting a new line of clothing in the 'urban jungle' style. And so they have a tiger model. But after two hours they still had very few photos of decent quality and everyone's patience was starting to wear thin. The tiger was hard to work with at the best of times but the complete lack of cooperation and the restrictions around using a wild animal on set made it impossible. The director waved the two photographers over and they handed over their memory cards. They watched as the director flicked through first Arita's and then Akihito's photos on their laptop. There were some okay at best photos and the rest were barely usable. The director sat back in his seat and ran a hand over his face. He looked completely at a loss.

"Umm, does it have to be a tiger?" Akihito flushed as everyone paused and turned to look at him in surprise. He cleared his throat before he continued; "Like, could it be a different big cat? Like a black panther?"

There was a pause before the director spoke. "There's no real reason why we couldn't. Do you know someone?"

Akihito nodded. "I might be able to get a favour, no promises but maybe."

The director eyed him with interest. "It's a shifter right? You know a shifter?"

Well, that was unexpected. Akihito gave another small nod and received a hopeful smile in return. Most of the people around them were looking a little confused. Akihito was pretty sure some of the models in the industry were shifters, particularly for all the pet ads. Clearly this director had worked with them before.

"I can give him a call and see if maybe he can help. But no guarantees, he's usually pretty busy." Akihito was waved off to make the call and he slipped past the tiger trainer desperately trying to get the tiger to move. He wasn't sure he was going to be able to get Asami to say yes to helping him out but at the rate they were going he would be so late that he might have to cancel their dinner plans. He pulled out his phone and quickly dialled the number. A smooth voice answered.

"Hello kitten. Are you so excited for tonight that you couldn't wait to talk to me?"

Akihito huffed and felt his cheeks heat up. "Not exactly."

"Oh?"

"I was hoping to get a favour…"

"Really now." He could hear the tones of amusement and curiosity in his voice. "And what kind of favour would that be?"

"Well… We are having some trouble on this shoot. At this rate it'll run so late we'll have to cancel tonight's plans but…" He cleared his throat before blurting out. "It's a super high profile photo shoot for one of Tokyo's leading brands, Enrapture, and the tiger model wasn't cooperating but they said it doesn't have to be a tiger and a panther would match the urban jungle theme and uh, yeah..." He trailed off weakly and waited with baited breath.

"I see. You want me to fill in for your uncooperative feline model so that you don't have to cancel our plans for tonight? And just what do I get in exchange for such a favour?"

"Anything." Wait. Shit. That wasn't what he meant to say.

"Well then." Oh god, he sounded so smug and ever so slightly surprised. Akihito could feel his cheeks heating up even more. No doubt that would be a slip of the tongue he would regret. Possibly tonight. "Just what would I be required to do?"

"Just sit there in your cat form looking all majestic. Much like normal." He muttered and then paused. He said that aloud as well, didn't he? He coughed and hoped that maybe Asami didn't hear the last bit.

"Seeing as you think so highly of me, I think I can manage that." Well, it was a nice hope to think he didn't hear it. The man will probably be incredibly smug later. Still, if it meant not being stuck here for hours more then maybe he can put up with it for one day. "Luckily I have no more meetings for today, just some paperwork that can wait. Send the address through to Kirishima, we'll be there soon."

And just like that, the photoshoot might yet be saved. Akihito pocketed his phone and went to tell the director the good news.

It was only thirty minutes later when Asami arrived already in his feline form with a resigned looking Kirishima in tow. Akihito quickly jogged over to great them.

"If you had told me you had arrived, I would have come down to get you." He knelt down to scratch Asami in that one spot behind his ears. May as well go along with his needy tendencies just this once in thanks. He got a deep chirp in greeting. The man was still looking a little smug and managed to convey that even in his cat form.

"Its fine, my daughter models here fairly frequently so I know my way around. I'm going to visit her seeing as she is here as well, send me a message if you finish before I return." He inclined his head slightly and left the studio.

Akihito was left crouching beside Asami and blinked in surprise at the abrupt exit. He was pulled from his musing by a large, wet tongue rasping across his cheek. Akihito jerked back and scowled at Asami as he scrubbed at his cheek. "Don't even start that." He never understood how Asami could still pull off his trademark smirk in feline form. He stood up and led the way further into the studio. The director was watching them approach with an excited glint in his eye.

"Well, Takaba-kun, I'm surprised but I think this should turn out perfectly. What do we call your friend?"

"Oh, As-" He paused and looked down at Asami who was looking back at him with the appearance of a raised brow. "R-ryu." He corrected weakly. This was a bad idea. The smug look of pleased victory was back.

"Okay. Alright Ryu, let's get started." The director led the way over to the set where a female model was already waiting in position and explained what he was wanting and the ideas they were trying to capture. Akihito realised it actually made it easier, him knowing about shifters. They didn't have to try and pretend that Asami couldn't understand. Everyone in the studio had been given the run down on shifters by the director but there had been a few disbelieving murmurs. Those same people were now gaping as Asami- no, Ryu- obediently followed the instructions.

Akihito picked up his camera and approached Arita. "We shouldn't have so much trouble now so I don't know if they will need both of us but let's do our best." The other photographer nodded and soon enough they settled down to business.

Of course Asami was perfect. Not that he needed to do much other than look quietly powerful with a touch of feral. Which fitted Asami down to a T. Akihito and Arita were constantly on the move trying to get that prefect angle, weaving around each other and fiddling with the lighting. Asami had a tendency to follow Akihito with his eyes and they used it to their advantage. They stopped for a small break while the next set was organised and Akihito flicked through a few of the photos on his camera. They came out great and that's what he could see from the tiny display. Just wait till he got to see the high resolution picture on a bigger screen. He left that for now and walked over to where Asami was sitting off to the side of the set and sat down beside him. He rested his chin on his arms that were crossed over his knees.

"Thanks for helping me out with this." He didn't get a reply but then Asami was suddenly in front of him nudging his knees apart and forcibly trying to cuddle up to him. Akihito rolled his eyes and let Asami bulldoze his way into the circle of his arms. "I forgot how needy you are in this form but it's not like you stress shifted or anything. Do you just not hold back in this form or something?" His reply came in the form of a tongue rasping up his cheek again. He scowled and pushed him away. "I'll scratch your ears if you stop doing that." Asami chirped at him in that deep voice and Akihito found himself reaching out to scratch his fingers through the silky black fur behind his ears.

Asami leaned forward and pushed his head under Akihito's chin and leant heavily against his chest. The photographer wrapped his arms around him even more but still continued his attentions absentmindedly. He hid a small smile at the soft rumbly purr that vibrated out of Asami's chest but groaned when he felt Asami shift against him so that he leaning even more heavily into him. "Oi, you're heavy!" Asami shifted again and Akihito suddenly knew what he wanted. "I am not going to sit here and rub your belly." He hissed. Asami moved back to fix him with a challenging look that said 'you owe me, you should do what I want'. The photographer didn't back down and met the stare with a glare of his own. They were sitting so close that their noses were almost touching, blue eyes boring into gold with defiance.

They were both suddenly jolted out of their stare down by Arita exclaiming next to them. "Hey, that turned out great!" Akihito blinked at the other photographer who was kneeling barely a few steps away. He looked up and caught Akihito's stare. He gave a small laugh and rubbed the back of his neck as though a little embarrassed. "Sorry, I was just watching you two and I just had to take a photo. It just looked like a great shot. You know the feeling right?" Akihito nodded dumbly and then Arita was jumping to his feet and running over to the director. He looked back at Asami who just gave him a small shrug.

It was only a few minutes later that Akihito and Asami where being called over. The director was looking exceptionally pleased and was almost bouncing in his seat.

"Takaba-kun! How would you like to triple your pay for this shoot?"

Akihito choked and managed to wheeze out an "Ehhh?" He looked at Arita who grinned back at him. The director swung his laptop around to show Akihito the photo that was taking up the whole screen. It was a side on view of Akihito's and Asami's staring contest. It was a close up of their faces and both gazes showed a mirroring determination and challenge. All in all the image radiated a quiet power and strength.

"Just need to clear up the little bit of clutter in the background and it's perfect."

"But I'm the cameraman! I'm not supposed to be in the photos!" Asami rumbled out a small growl from the back of his throat and once he had everyone's attention he chirped. The director took that as agreement and that was that.

Which was how Akihito and Asami debuted together as Enrapture's latest models on a massive billboard in the middle of the Ginza shopping district. Of course his friends somehow found out and then someone told his mother. Akihito immediately swore that there would never be a next time.

VFVFVFVFVFVFVFVF

Akihito was walking past the Sion lunch room when he caught sight of a very large and dejected looking lion. It took him a few minutes to realise it was Suoh. It was the first time he had seen his in his feline form. Akihito had come into Sion originally planning to have lunch with Asami as he was free for the rest of the day but he had received a message that he was stuck in a meeting and would be running very late. He had suggested that Akihito go and get something to eat without him. Poor Suoh had obviously stress shifted and was now stuck here. He looked miserable and tense. He could see that there were others in the lunch room but they were all on the other side of the room and there was less people than normal for this time of the day. He felt a pang of sadness for Suoh, it was one thing to be pro-shifter but another to come face to face with a lion. He wondered who was going to look after him and flicked off a quick message to Asami.

The response he got back was short and to the point. Kirishima would be looking after Suoh tonight and will be organising lunch for him when they get back. But that was potentially ages away. Determined, Akihito got the details off Kirishima about the specialised butcher they went to for meat when he stress shifted and set off on a mission to pick up a few things.

It wasn't long before he was back at Sion with a few large bags in hand. He strolled into the lunch room and sat the bags on the little kitchen's bench before heading back to Suoh and crouching down in front of him. His eyes opened and he looked surprised to see a grinning Akihito in front of him.

"Hey! So Asami and Kirishima-san are stuck in a meeting and will probably be ages so I thought I'd cook us some lunch. I messaged Glasses and got all the info off him about the steak you like etcetera but I'm not sure how you feel like it today. So we'll play twenty questions until I know exactly how you want it okay?"

He waited until Suoh nodded at him and proceeded to run through all the options they had until he settled on a steak that was just cooked on the outside and still very raw in the middle. Satisfied Akihito stood up and proceed to the kitchen. He shot a smile to the staff members who were curiously watching him. Hopefully seeing him interact normally with Suoh would encourage them to do the same. It didn't take him long to whip up a light meal for himself and the steaks for Suoh. He walked over with a large tray for a plate for the meat and set it down in front of Suoh before zipping back to grab his own meal. Sitting down beside Suoh with a quick 'thanks for the meal', he proceed to dig in and after a few moments the bodyguard did the same. They ate in companionable silence and Akihito grinned when he got a rumble in what he assumed was thanks as he took away the empty tray.

Dishes down and the kitchen all tidied up, Akihito grabbed his last remaining bag before returning back to Suoh. The lion was eyeing him in suspicion and the photographer couldn't help but notice how stiff and tense he still seemed. He fished around in his bag and pulled out a large soft bristled brush. Akihito couldn't help the grin at seeing Suoh's eyes widen in surprise and the lion gaped at him.

"You seem pretty tense and uncomfortable so I thought this would help a little. I know how much is sucks to stress shift and get stuck waiting for someone to come babysit you." He sat the bag down off to the side and showed Suoh the brush again. "Is it okay?" He waited until he got a small, hesitant nod before he walked around the bulky form and started to gently groom his mane.

Akihito wasn't sure how long he had been brushing Suoh's mane but he had noticed that he was visibly more relaxed. He just chattered away about everything and nothing at him as he gently worked the brush through the fur. The fur that he had brushed seem to almost shine and Akihito had no doubt that when it was done Suoh would strike an impressive picture. The staff had seemed to relax as well and the chatter that had been rather strained before was flowing normally again. He was surprised however when a woman approached them looking a little shy.

"Hi…" She brushed a stray strand of hair back behind her ear before continuing. "That's Suoh-san right?"

"Yeap!" Akihito stopped his grooming and patted the top of the lion's head. "Although he can answer you too. He might not look the same as normal but he's still a person." He gave her a reassuring smile and nudged Suoh to get him to nod in agreement.

"Oh! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to be rude!" She looked mortified and Akihito had to hastily reassure her that it was fine as she didn't know any better. Finally sure that there was no offense taken, she tentatively asked if she could help. "I've seen Suoh-san stress shift before and be stuck in here for hours. He always looked so miserable but I didn't know how to help."

Akihito leaned down to catch Suoh's eye. "Is that okay?" There was a small nod in acceptance and Akihito beamed. He quickly got to work showing her all the good spots to scratch behind his ears and the best movements for the brush. It wasn't long before Suoh was so relaxed it almost seemed as though he was melting into a puddle on the floor with a purr as loud as a small motor engine. The woman was giggling over how 'cute' he was.

Movement at the door caught his eye and Akihito looked up. He found a large black panther stalking towards them. He tried and failed to suppress the giggle that bubbled up at seeing his miffed expression.

"Jealous?" Asami finally stopped in front of him and sat down with a small huff. "It's okay because I got you one too." Akihito fished around in the shopping bag and pulled out another, albeit smaller, soft brush. He sat down with his legs slightly apart and immediately Asami was there. Akihito carefully set to running the brush through the soft black fur and continued his conversation with the woman. He kept his strokes long and even and Asami was soon collapsing to lie on his stomach across his legs. Shortly after his own purr started up.

Kirishima came in not long after to find both Asami and Suoh boneless under the attentions. The secretary sighed, pulled out his phone and promptly left them to it. He returned relatively quickly to tell them that they were dismissed from work for the rest of the day. He sounded mildly annoyed but Akihito didn't miss the soft smile he shot both of them before excusing himself.