I don't own or make any money from the Finder series it and its characters belong to Yamane Ayano.

Chapter 10 – Beyond Price.

"That can't be possible" Exclaimed Akira. Before anyone could say anything else the phone in the crate began to ring and it was Asami who answered it "Hello"

"Hello since you answered this phone I assume that my little parcel has reached you."

"Sanada don't you think it's a bit melodramatic sending a corpse in the post and then claiming its you? Don't you think it's time to put this farce to an end?"

"This is no farce it's a serious business. And would you kindly stop referring to me as Sanada you have him right there. His usefulness came to an end the minute you found out who he was. I take it you managed to identify him through his sister? Once Kirishima got hold of Sanada's DNA I knew that it would only be a matter of time before you tracked down his sister and put the pieces together. I take it you know about Obata then?"

"Yes we think he killed Yoko and then her brother killed him and faked his death."

"That's almost correct you see it was actually Daisuke that killed his sister he was very fond of her perhaps a little too fond if you catch my drift. He then killed Obata probably out of jealousy. He blamed that second rate Yakuza for what she had become."

"Are you saying that Sanada wasn't Suzumebachi?"

"Well he was not and he was"

"So he pretended to be Suzumebachi?"

"It's not so much he pretended. It's more like he was one of me."

"You're the real Suzmebachi you used Sanada to cover your tracks."

"That's not true."

"Well if you didn't do that then the only explanation is that there is more one of you and your all using the title Suzumebachi."

"Bingo Asami you're the first person to ever discover that."

" So Sanada was just one of many. Are you the original or just another copy?"

"Original, copy does it really matter? But you are so keen to know I'm the progenitor the swarm leader if you will. Since Sanada failed I'll have dispatch another drone

"You'd send your subordinates to their death so causally?"

"They know the risk and no war can be won without some blood spilled. Anyway it's not like I'm not watching over them."

"Are watching me?"

"Of course a good hunter keeps an eye on their prey."

"Well shouldn't you be careful after all even hornets have hunters."

Asami filled in Suoh, Kirishima and Akira on these new developments. The idea of a group or organisation being Suzumebachi had been predicated by Akira but to tell the truth they all thought it was too farfetched. The corpse, the crate and its contents were taken away for autopsy and forensic examination. The DNA proved the body was that of Sanada Daisuke. And the partially healed wounds corresponded with the injuries inflicted by Kirishima. Suoh pointed out that Suzumebachi's activities began 2 years to day of Sanada Yoko's death. It was Asami who said that this was most likely just a coincidence Suzumebachi said that they had used many names, so it was possible that Suzumebachi and the others had been active a long time before Sanada joined them and they had probably used a different name or names to mask their activities.

That night they all sat in Asami's office looking over the files on the Sanada siblings, Obata along with the forensic and autopsy reports. Kirishima read the autopsy report "Sanada Daisuke died of asphyxiation. It's predicted that he died 2-4 days ago, however the body was frozen which has made an exact time of death harder to determine. He's been scrubbed down with industrial strength cleaners, his hair and nails have been cut. And the contents of his stomach was unremarkably."

"What about the shipping company? Did they have any information Suoh?" Said Asami

"None what's so ever. No one could give a detailed description of the man that brought the crate in. They said he was man of average height in jeans and a hooded top. He paid with a credit card but we have since found out that the card was reported stolen three days ago. The security footage is no good because he because he avoids the cameras. I say he knew exactly where they were. As to the phone it was cheap pre-paid thing purchased on line. Kirishima has men trying to track down the seller."

"Akira what do the forensic reports say?"

"They turned up nothing the inside of the crate is clean, and outside everything has been contaminated we've taken DNA samples but we can't match them to anyone. There was some trace evidence,carpet fibres but they come from a cheap polyester carpet they could be found in thousands of places across the country"

"So even now we still have nothing." Said Asami.

At that moment the door flew open. There are few people in this world that would dare to enter the office of Asami Ryuichi unannounced Suoh Nana was one of them. She was weighed down by Bento boxes and a large plastic bag. "Akira-kun take these bento boxes from me." Akira stood up and took them from her, she then thrust the plastic bag which contained flasks towards Kirishima "What is all this Nana?"

"Its food Kirishima-kun the thing you all don't see enough of. Between the four of you, you smoke too much, drink too much, don't get enough sleep and don't eat enough. You boys would be skin and bones it wasn't for me." She sighed and wrapped her arm around Suoh. Suoh Nana nee Hinamori had known both Asami and Kirishima since they were children. And even then she had the personality of a freight train she would run you over and then reverse keep doing it until she got what she wanted. Nana was an only child, her mother died when she was young so she was raised by her father a tattooist who had done work for Asami's father and his men. She was rather spoilt but Asami and Kirishima had come to think of her as a younger sister. Nana first set her sights on Suoh when he accompanied Asami on an inspection of a hospital he owned, and Nana worked as a nurse in the same hospital. It was love at first sight, she decided that she was going have Suoh and nothing was going to stop. Asami was rather amused by Nana antics. And when Suoh and Nana got engaged two years later Asami made sure to have a little chat with Suoh. Neither man had ever spoken about that conversation but the content was easily guessed. Nana stood at about five foot three inches with her short cropped dark hair, heart shaped face and big eyes she had been likened to a Pixie more than once in her life. However a wise man would not underestimate the twenty eight year old nurse. Nana was from a dual Japanese/Thai background, her father was skilled in Muay Thai as well as Boxing both arts he taught to his daughter and her taught her well.

"Now Nana-chan don't scold."

"Oh Asami-kun if I don't who will?" Akira-kun remember to come to your appointment tomorrow."

"I will."

"Kirishima we need to find a nice girlfriend well maybe not to nice. I'll get going no doubt there are things you need to discuss. Night Asami- kun, Kirishima-kun, Akira-kun."

She kissed Suoh "Good night Nana."

"Good night Big Bear." She said as she blew a kiss and went out the door.

"Big Bear?" Said Asami with a raised eyebrow.

"Don't ask."

Akihito couldn't believe that he was sitting in a booth across from Sudoh. He'd bumped into Sudoh coming out of a shopping centre and Akihito was amazed that he convinced Sudoh to meet him the next afternoon. They sat in a quiet corner booth in a coffee shop. Akihito couldn't but help examine Sudoh looking for any similarity between them. They both had the same slim build, Sudoh was a little taller though. In the summer he remembered how he would tan whereas Sudoh went as red as a steamed lobster. And they both had died blonde hair. "So what is it Takaba?"

"Thanks for coming with your father dead and my mother gone I thought maybe we couldn't bury the hatchet."

Sudoh smirked "After all you've done to me do you think I would forget that so easily?"

"That isn't fair. It wasn't me that handed you a raw deal it was our idiot parents."

"But you knew what they were up to and you didn't tell me!"

"Because I thought you knew! Everybody else did. I didn't want to rub your face in it."

"You didn't want to rub my face in it! I thought you enjoyed doing that."

Akihito looked at Sudoh incredulously "I have no idea what you're taking about."

"Asami."

"What about him?"

"He's mine."

"I have a feeling that Asami Ryuichi doesn't belong to anyone but Asami Ryuichi."

"Joke all you want but since he met you he hasn't looked at me. But no wonder you got his attention I mean the son of a whore has to know a few tricks of the trade."

"I'm not a whore and coming from you that is rich. Don't think I don't hear about all the things you get up to. Doesn't Asami care that all you're interested is his bank balance?"

"So all he wants is my arse it's a fair trade. You have no idea how hard it is not only to get the attention of a man like Asami but to keep it. You said you wanted to make up didn't you?"

"Yes of course."

"Well there is some you can do for me."

"What?"

"I want you to stand up Asami . I know you have a date with him tonight. All you have to do is not turn up I'll go in your place. You want to be friends again don't you? And it's not like you actually like him." Takaba shook his head. "Good then it's settled no harm done. Now where will Asami be taking me?"

Asami had offered to pick Akihito up but he said that he would make his own way to Noir. Asami looked at his watch it was twenty past seven Akihito was nearly half an hour late. Asami was beginning to think something had happened to him. "Asami-sama." Asami looked up and there was Sudoh "I'm sorry I've kept you waiting."

"It doesn't matter but then you're not the person I'm waiting for."

Sudoh sat down "I know but he won't be coming I talked to him. Asami-sama he is dangerous. He's killed once he could do it again. He says he doesn't like you anyway not like me, you know what I feel for you I'm nothing like him."

"No you're not." Asami got up and walked away his men followed him to the door and Sudoh trailed after him. As he made it through the door Sudoh grasped his arm Asami didn't say a word or even look at him he just shook him off. At the same time Asami felt a sharp pain pierce his shoulder his men closed ranks around him. Another shot was fired but it missed and hit the wall.

Asami got himself patched up quickly. By the time they had begun searching for the sniper they had fled but a shell casing had been left at the scene. Akihito sat on his bed watching a rerun of a sitcom but he couldn't bring himself to laugh. He didn't want to stand up Asami but it was for the best. Akihito lived on the fringe of the world that Asami operated in. Sudoh was deeper into it than he was, and he was right he was more suited to Asami than him. There was a knock at the door he hauled himself up and opened it. "Asami "

Asami stalked through the door "Why did you let Sudoh talk you out of coming to night?"

"Because he is right he is more suitable for you than me. I don't think we should see one another Sudoh is right."

"I don't care what Sudoh thinks I decide for me who is suitable."

"Look please leave me alone! Why are you trying to destroy my piece of mind? I was happy before I met you."

Asami cupped Akihito's face "It was you who took me in. You do want me but you've convinced yourself you don't. For the first time in a long time you're feeling something you can't control and it terrifies you."

"I'm not terrified and I don't feel anything."

"Oh really. Prove it." Asami pulled Akihito close Akihito tried to push him away but to no avail Asami mouth and tongue had a hypnotic quality. Instead of pushing Asami away Takaba found himself gripping the man's shoulders for dear life, arching his body trying to get closer. One of Asami's hands locked around Akihito's neck keeping the boy in place, the other meandered towards his rear and began to fondle him Asami fingers teased the entrance of the place that deep down yearned for him. Asami pulled away he had a smile on his face, he looked so smug to Akihito like a man who had just conquered the world. Asami looked down at his boy and Akihito was his. "I will not take you until you beg me." Akihito looked away and his face went even redder than before. Asami's thumb stroked at his throat. "What happened to your shoulder? I felt the bandage."

"I was shot who did you tell that you were meeting me? And did you tell them where?"

"I didn't tell anyone not even Aya-chan."

"Then how did Sudoh know?"

"I don't know I asked he just said that he had his methods."

Asami thought carefully he believed Akihito when he said he hadn't told anyone, and only Kirishima, Suoh, himself and Akira knew where he would be tonight. How did Sudoh know? How did the sniper know? Asami had an idea but it was almost fantastical but stranger things had happened.

Ten minutes later Akihito little apartment was full of Asami's men when he asked Asami what they were doing he said sweeping for bugs. In total five listening devices were found. Akihito was shocked who would want to listen in on him? "Akihito who has had access to your place?"

"Me, Aya , my friends and the landlord. No one out of the ordinary."

"Pack up I'll book you into a hotel for the night."

"No this is my home I will not be chased out of it."

Asami ran his hand through his hair "Akira did you get them all?"

"Yes Asami-sama."

Asami turned to Akihito "Fine but you go straight to your Aunt tomorrow. I'll station two men outside and Akira is going to stay here." Asami knew he could trust Akira with Akihito not only was he one of Asami most trusted men, Akira was totally asexual.

"Are you sure that you're comfortable?"

Akira was sat at Akihito's kitchen counter "I'll be fine Takaba-sama."

"Akira-san you don't have to call me that ."

" Takaba-sama I have my instructions."

Akihito turned out the light and got into bed "You are very devoted to Asami I can tell."

"Yes I am." You didn't need to see Akira's face to know he was smiling

"Why? I'm sorry I don't mean to pry."

"No its ok. Asami Ryuichi-sama gave me something that most people take for granted but for me is beyond price."

"What was it?"

"He gave me a name."

Ok folks I'm done for the day. Let me know what you think I love hearing from you all. But if you nothing nice don't bother to say it at all. In next chapter I'll be revealing the secrets behind Akira's past. Until next time .

A/N: The predator of Hornets in Japan is the Crested Honey Buzzard. I know it preys on Yellow Hornets but I'm not sure if it preys on Giant Japanese Hornets.