Chapter Seventy: Questioned

"Hey," Ash nudged Eiji's shoulder, causing him to startle awake.

Eiji squinted up at him with sleep-ridden eyes. Ash stood, looming over him, freshly showered and dressed.

"It's time to get going."

Eiji groaned. He rolled over, burying his face in his pillow.

Ash turned on the bedside lamp. "We need to get going," he repeated.

When Eiji opened his eyes again, he saw Ash's face in the soft light. He gasped at the swollen, discolored sight. Impossibly, it looked worse than the night before.

"I know," Ash said before Eiji could speak. "But it looks worse than it feels."

Eiji huffed, finding the statement hard to believe. "Did you take anything?"

"Yeah," Ash said absentmindedly. He began fiddling around the room, tidying the space he kept immaculately clean by default.

Eiji raised himself into a sitting position, with a yawn. "Have you been up a while?"

Ash simply nodded. He began making his side of the bed.

"They are waiting for us," Ash said in reference to the two officers who spent the night in a squad car outside their home. "They want to leave within the next half hour."

Eiji glanced at his phone which read seven-thirty. He groaned and flopped back, head hitting the pillow again. The day prior had been eventful and both physically and emotionally exhausting. Time had already crossed into the next day by the time they had fallen asleep. All Eiji could think of was sleep.

"No, no, no," Ash started. He walked around to Eiji's side of the bed. Eiji could see the stiffness in his gait, thanks to yesterday's injuries. "There's no time for more sleep." He gripped Eiji's shoulders and tugged him forward. Chin to the sky, Eiji's head hung below his shoulders, as if his neck was boneless, as Ash attempted to right him into a sitting position. A sleepy smile tumbled across his face as Ash reflexively adjusted his hands to support Eiji's heavy head as one would do for a baby.

Ash tried, but failed, not to smile. "I'm serious, Eiji," he sounded stern, but his face was soft, "you need to get up."

"Alright, alright," he groaned. He engaged his muscles, Ash loosened his support. "I'm up," Eiji said with an exaggerated stretch.

"Good." Ash motioned for him to stand.

But Eiji didn't stand yet. With delicate fingers, Eiji encircled Ash's wrists. "Are your ribs worse today too?" Eiji asked gently.

Ash looked guilty, shameful even, as his eyes found the floor. He nodded. At the very least, he owed Eiji the truth.

"Can I see?" Eiji asked, hands still on Ash's wrists, not at all threatening to reach for the hem of his shirt. "Ash?" Eiji ducked his head to meet Ash's eyes. "Can I take a look?"

But he didn't owe him that.

Ash shook his head. "No," he whispered.

"Okay," Eiji whispered back. "Looks that bad, huh?"

Ash closed his eyes and nodded. "It looks pretty fuckin' rough." He huffed. "Hurts like a bitch too." In his mind's eye, Ash could picture what his side had looked like that morning in the bathroom mirror as he stepped into the shower. New pools of deep purple, just a shade lighter than black, now joined the red and lighter purple swollen skin. The bruising pattern was distinct to injured ribs, which, unfortunately, Ash was not unfamiliar with, pooling in such a manner that allowed one to see the vague outline of his ribs.

"Is the ibuprofen helping at all?"

Ash slipped his wrists out of Eiji's grasp. "Barely," he answered gruffly. He motioned again for Eiji to stand. "We really need to get moving."

Eiji ignored him. "Would it really be so bad to take something stronger for pain?"

"Yes," Ash answered instantly.

"Because I know there are some leftover pain pills from my ankle surgery back at Mom's—"

"Yes," Ash repeated. He pinched the bridge of his nose, fighting for composure. "Yes, it would be so bad. I may be in pain for some time. I've seen boys become addicted to those damn things even in a short amount of time. I will not risk it."

Pain danced across Ash's face and Eiji could tell he was remembering those boys from Club Cod who would do as Dino asked because they were chemically subdued into obedience, or, worse yet, promised a fix.

"'Sides, I don't feel like myself— I don't feel fully in control of myself when I take that shit. So, no, I won't take it. Now, please don't ask me again, Eiji."

Eiji finally stood from the bed. "I won't ask again," he said softly.

Ash nodded. "Thank you," he said quietly.

Eiji began to change into clean clothes. "I can tell you're very stressed," Eiji spoke as he pulled on a fresh shirt.

Ash huffed in agreement.

"Sometimes you act like a dick when you're stressed. You acted like a dick to me yesterday. And you've already been pretty tense today. And I get it, Ash, this is stressful." Eiji met Ash's eyes. He buttoned his pants. "Just try to remember we're on the same side." He reached out and touched Ash's face lovingly. "And I'm scared too."

Ash's hand joined Eiji's, sandwiching Eiji's hand between Ash's face and hand. "You're right. I'm losing my head." He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "I'm sorry." Green eyes reemerged. "I will try to keep my cool today."

Eiji nodded. "Me too."

They parted. Eiji continued dressing.

"Can you wake Akira?" Ash asked.

Eiji looked at him with confusion.

Ash blushed with embarrassment. "I… don't know how?" He said with great uncertainty.

Eiji's face softened. "It doesn't have to be scary." He grabbed Ash's hand "Come on." He led him down the hall.

The door creaked open and Eiji tip-toed inside.

Ash remained in the doorway. His heart was pounding. The last thing he wanted in all the world was to harm the sweet child sleeping merely feet away. And yet, he was terrified that, somehow, he would hurt her beyond repair. It was illogical, sure, but it was also paralyzingly real. He wasn't brave like Eiji; he couldn't bear to cross the threshold. He couldn't fathom what he saw Eiji doing now: kneeling beside the bed and placing a gentle hand on the girl's shoulder. He couldn't imagine a world in which he would be able to wake a sleeping child without the threat of imminent danger. But Eiji could, because Eiji was braver, in this respect, than Ash could ever dream of being.

Though perhaps it wasn't bravery, he reminded himself. Not everyone had been through what he had. Not everyone was scared to death they would hurt the people they loved. He no longer felt such fear around Eiji, but in New York, he had been terrified harm would befall Eiji because of him. But Akira? The fear still lingered.

But Eiji wouldn't be scared of such things. Normal people aren't scared of such things his brain told him.

And even with all of Iku-san's help thus far, Ash was still far from what he considered normal. And doing what Eiji was doing now was still an unthinkable task.

He watched as Akira startled awake. Eiji put a calming hand on her shoulder. She looked around the room, clearly disoriented, then back at Eiji.

[Ei-chan,] she said. Ash could hear tears in her voice. His brows furrowed in confusion.

She wrapped her arms around Eiji's neck. She said something to him Ash couldn't quite make out. Whatever it was, Eiji held her tighter because of it. Eiji looked up to Ash, still standing in the doorway. Eiji beckoned him into the room with a wave.

Ash wasn't brave.

He retreated downstairs.

Dressed and ready to go, they made their way single file down the stairs, Akira leading the trio. Ash, who trailed behind Eiji, put a hand on his shoulder.

"You ever been questioned by the police?" He asked quietly.

Eiji shook his head.

"Well, it's real easy." He patted Eiji's shoulder once.

They reached the landing. Eiji looked over his shoulder to Ash, hoping he'd reveal more information, but Ash was already opening the door to the younger officer, Sato.

"We're all ready," Ash said.

The officer raised his brows at Ash's English.

[Sorry. We're ready.]

The officer nodded.

They began making their way to the vehicle.

"Anyway, it's real easy," Ash said to Eiji, continuing what he wanted to say. He noticed Officer Sato's subtle, though not so subtle that Ash didn't catch it, backward glance. Perhaps, the foreign language simply caught his attention, or perhaps he understood. Perhaps he only pretended to not understand the language. Ash decided to proceed with caution. "Simply tell the truth." He watched as Officer Sato looked straight ahead, perhaps pretending not to listen. "And maybe try not to bore them with a million details. A police interrogation isn't exactly the time for one of Eiji Okumura's grand stories."

He saw the same subtle backward glance from the officer. There was the smallest hint of humor in his expression.

He did understand, Ash decided.

Eiji's lips began to form the word 'what,' but he saw the intensity of Ash's eyes. Be vague. He realized that's what Ash was getting at. The questions they might ask of how Eiji and Ash knew each other, of what they were to each other flooded his brain. Of course, he would need to be vague. Being caught in a lie could be detrimental. And since they'd likely question them separately, it was vital their stories synced up, hence, omitting a million details.

Eiji played along, shoving Ash playfully. "Jerk," he laughed.

They approached the car.

"You make it sound like I ramble on and on."

Ash smiled widely. Eiji could tell it was fake, and yet, if you didn't know him, it looked so convincing; he made sure to crinkle his eyes and even his nose. "Ha!" he laughed, "hate to break it to you, but sometimes you do."

[Gentleman,] Officer Sato opened the rear door and gestured for them to climb inside. [Miss,] he said to Akira.

The three of them piled into the car.

Ash took a deep breath, preparing for battle.

[How is it you know the American?]

[Ash,] Eiji corrected.

[Right.] Officer Sato nodded. [How is it you know Ash?]

He remembered Ash's advice to be vague. [I met him when I first went to America a few years back. We've been friends ever since,] he replied casually.

[What brought you to America? Did your family vacation there?]

Eiji gave his head one solid left-ward shake. [I went there with Shunichi Ibe— Akira's uncle— actually. He was going on business. He took me because I was having a rough year.]

[Why the rough year?] The older officer, whose surname they learned to be Harada, asked.

Eiji shook his head lightly. [Is that really important for the investigation?]

Officer Harada inclined an eyebrow. [Is there a reason you can't tell me?]

Eiji sighed. [No, it's just— well it's a little embarrassing.]

Neither office spoke. Eiji continued.

[Before the trip to America, I was in the running for Japan's Olympic pole vaulting team.] He rolled his eyes, still insecure about his shortcoming even after all this time. [But I was injured and ruined my chances at that. I had to give up the sport altogether and became very depressed.]

[Eiji Okumura!] Officer Sato gasped, breaking his serious facade. [I knew I'd heard that name before!]

Eiji blushed with embarrassment. [Oh, great.]

[I used to vault, myself, back in the day! I still like to watch those live events and—]

Officer Harada cleared his throat, silencing Sato. [So, Shunichi took you to America with him to take your mind off everything?]

Eiji nodded.

[And that's where you met this Ash.]

He nodded again.

[I see.] He made a note on his page. [And what is he to you?]

[My friend,] he said as casually as he could. [And my roommate.]

[Is he here legally?] Harada asked.

[Yes, of course,] Eiji answered, sounding slightly offended at the assumption.

[So, why'd he leave America?] Officer Sato asked.

Eiji thought a moment. [He never really liked it there, I guess. He didn't have a good relationship with his own family and we had become so cl— such good friends, that I said he should move to Japan.]

[And he did? Just like that?]

Eiji shifted nervously in the cold, metal folding chair. [I mean, I was there quite some time, it wasn't like we became friends overnight.]

[Still, that's some friendship] Harada said.

Eiji nodded and bit back a smile. [Yeah. Yeah, I guess it is.]

Ash and Akira sat in a small waiting room whose size was more akin to that of a closet. The room was flooded with sterile, white light that filled the room with an off-putting buzzing. There was a handful of chairs and a small table that housed magazines. Besides the buzzing lights, the simple clock on the wall was the only sound in the quiet place. A security camera in the corner of the room reminded them of their lack of privacy, despite the closed metal door. It made the room feel more like a prison cell than somewhere to wait for their own interviews.

Ash flipped mindlessly through a magazine about luxury homes in the Bahamas. He briefly wondered if Blanca now resided in such a paradise, but mostly, he thought of Eiji and what they might be asking him.

They had nothing to hide as far as Akira was concerned, but he did worry they'd be discovered as a couple. After all, Japan still lived in the past regarding such issues.

[He's been in there a long time,] Akira said, breaking the silence.

Ash broke from his trance. He closed the magazine and flopped it back on the stack with the others. He sighed and scrubbed a hand over his tired, swollen face. [Yeah,] he said simply in response to Akira.

[Will they talk to me that long?]

[Mmm,] Ash nodded. [Probably longer,] he told her truthfully.

She narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms. [I don't want to answer all their stupid questions,] she huffed.

Ash huffed along with her, though his contained humor, [I know. No one ever does.]

[Are they gonna ask you questions too?]

He nodded.

[But you're an adult,] she pointed out. [They can't make you answer questions if you don't want to do.]

[Mmmm, they're the police… so they kinda can,] he said with a half-smile. [It sucks, but I'm happy to answer their questions.]

Her face scrunched in disgust. [Why?] She asked, her voice sounding like she'd just eaten something sour.

[Because they're asking us questions to make sure you're safe, and to find out what happened. I'm happy to help with that.]

Her face returned to its neutral default as she considered his answer. She said nothing further. She stared at the wall for a moment before seizing the magazine Ash had previously been perusing. [Do you have to be rich to live in one of these houses?] She asked.

[Ha, yeah. Yeah, I'd say so.]

[Thought so,] she grumbled. She flipped the page, with little patience, and stared at another stunning, multi-million dollar home that featured an infinity pool and the ocean just steps away. [Then when I grow up, I wanna be rich.]

Ash laughed, hand grasping his injured side involuntarily. He coughed. [What, so you can live in a house like that?]

She nodded. [And have a pool like that.]

Ash's face grew somber as he recalled Dino's palace-of-a-house and all of the joy it sucked from the world. [Naaahh,] he said, drawing the word out to add humor. She looked up at him. [You don't want to be that rich, trust me.]

Her brows grew close together. [Why?]

[No one that rich is ever really happy] he told her simply.

[I could be.]

[That's what everyone says.]

Akira looked at him and opened her mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the door opening.

[Ash.] An officer, they hadn't yet been introduced to, said from the doorway.

Both Akira and Ash turned their heads in his direction.

[They're finishing up with Eiji. Come with me, please.]

Ash looked at Akira. [Will you be okay all alone?]

She gave an uncertain nod.

Ash pointed at her magazine. [When I get back, I want a full report on the best house— the one you would buy if you had all the money in the world.]

She understood it was a distraction. Still, she smiled softly. ['Kay.]

Eiji exited the interview room looking sincerely drained; his face was pale with dark circles from stress and lack of sleep pillowing his eyes. He and Ash crossed paths in the hall, both led by a different officer. They made eye contact, and Eiji gave Ash a weak smile.

[Good luck.]

Ash simply nodded in response.

[This way,] Ash's escort said, keeping them moving.

They approached the interview room.

[Take a seat,] the officer began, [they'll be in shortly.]

Ash did so, settling into the uncomfortable metal seat still slightly warm from Eiji's time in it.

The door shut behind him, sealing Ash in the cold, sterile room that had no doubt held countless ill-intentioned, guilty men. The large two-way mirror on the wall told him he wasn't truly alone.

The room brought him back to America, back to corrupt officers who cruelly projected evidence of Ash's torment onto the white screen that lined the wall.

He pushed the thought from his mind and took a steadying breath; he tried to remain calm as he waited for the officers.

He watched as the clock on the wall ticked away five minutes, then ten, and then fifteen. Ash adjusted in his seat, growing impatient. He glanced at the two-way mirror, behind which, he was certain, someone must be watching him. He yawned dramatically before laying his face against the cool metal of the table at which he was seated. The chilly surface felt soothing against his inflamed face.

He continued to wait.

He thought of Akira, knowing she must be scared despite her tough exterior. He hoped they let Eiji return to the room she was in, though he knew it was unlikely.

The door burst open suddenly, causing Ash to jolt upright.

[Hope I didn't wake you,] Harada laughed.

Ash stretched dramatically, hands high above his head. He opened his mouth to release some sort of sarcastic quip before thinking better of it. He was supposed to be making a good impression, not acting like a moody teenager. His hands lowered lazily to the table.

[Ah, pulling punches?] Harada asked, humor still in his voice.

Ash shrugged. [Just decided not to treat you the way I'd treat an American cop.]

Officers Harada and Sato joined Ash at the table.

[You have experience with American cops?] Sato asked, pulling his chair closer to the table.

[I grew up in New York, of course, I've had a run-in or two with the cops.]

Sato raised an eyebrow. [What for?]

[Stupid, teenage things,] Ash began, [noise complaints, underage drinking at a friend's party.] It wasn't technically a lie, he and Shorter had certainly got into typical teenage shenanigans more than once, but he decided to leave out the more serious offenses. [But, that's behind me now. I'd like to think I'm more mature these days.]

[Momma was right, it was all a phase?] Harada asked.

Ash drummed his fingers against the table. [Momma wasn't in my life long enough to impart such wisdom.]

Harada clicked his tongue. [Ah, that's right. Eiji did mention that.]

Ash shifted in his seat, wondering how much Eiji had shared about his past. He scratched the back of his neck. [Yeah, my home life wasn't exactly functional.]

[But it sounds like the Okumuras have adopted you as their honorary son,] Sato commented.

Ash nodded, hiding the fact that the comment surprised him. [Yes, I'm quite lucky to know them.]

[And what is he to you? Eiji?] Sato asked.

[Family,] Ash said without hesitation. It was a question he knew, with absolute certainty, that they would ask.

[Family,] Sato repeated. [You left America for him.]

[I left America because of him,] Ash corrected. Because in Ash's eyes, and perhaps in reality, Eiji saved Ash, not the other way around.

[Is there a difference?] Harada chimed in.

Ash shrugged. [To me there is.]

[And do you love him?] Harada asked.

Ash didn't so much as flinch. [I said he's my family, not my boyfriend.]

Harada raised a brow. [Husbands are family.]

Ash narrowed his eyes and leaned forward. [That's illegal.] He pulled back. [Why on earth is it so hard to believe we're roommates.]

[It's a really nice house,] Sato chimed in.

Ash raised his brows. [Hence. Roommates.] He said the words patronizingly slow.

[The neighbor we spoke to this morning seems to think you're lovers.]

[I cannot be held responsible for what my neighbors think.]

Harada noted something on his pad. [Fine, fine. Now,] he huffed, a sound indicative of shifting gears, [let's talk about Akira.]

Ash straightened in his chair. [Finally,] he said bitterly.

[What's the scoop?] He asked, his question ridiculously broad.

[Should I be more specific in my answer than you were in your question?] Ash asked, unable to keep himself from the sarcastic comment.

[Please do.]

[The Ibe family and the Okumuras are friends, that's how I know Eiji, actually; Shunichi Ibe brought Eiji with him to America on business and that's how we met.] Both officers nodded. [I didn't meet Akria and her parents until I came here. Eiji and I babysat Akira a few times.]

[Instead of her uncle?]

Ash nodded. [It started because Shunichi was busy on a night they needed a sitter, so Shunichi suggested Eiji watch her instead. She enjoyed her time at our place and we started watching her occasionally.]

[And do you still continue to watch her?] Harada asked, despite knowing they did not; Akira had said as much the night before.

[No, not anymore.]

Harada raised a brow in question.

[I scolded them, to put it nicely, for being shi— bad parents.] He went on to tell them of the mark she'd shown them on her arm, as well as the neglect and verbal abuse they'd witnessed. [And, as you can see,] he gestured to his swollen, discolored state, [they aren't too fond of me these days.]

He had already been questioned about the incident at Shunichi's house, but they barraged him with questions again. Though Ash didn't know it, they had done the same during Eiji's interview, making him recount the entire story again.

[Her parents are here, being held. They answered those same questions. So did Eiji. Shunichi Ibe and Reina Iku were also asked for a statement back at his home.] With a sharp sound, he used the table's surface to straighten the papers in his file. [You all gave a very similar statement. No discrepancies. Although, Akira's parents said they were provoked toward violence. Though,] he gestured at Ash, [they couldn't exactly claim you had retaliated.]

Ash bit back a smile. Mission accomplished.

[Now,] Harada's hands slapped the table. [I already asked Eiji this question, and I plan to ask Shunichi as well.]

Ash braced himself for whatever it might be.

[What do you suppose should happen to Akira now?]

Ash was led to the station's lobby; Eiji was already sitting there waiting. Akira was nowhere to be found. He imagined it was her turn to be questioned.

Ash sat in the chair beside Eiji.

"You holdin' up?" Ash asked as he sat. They both stared straight ahead. The security camera on the wall held Ash's gaze.

"I'm fine," Eiji replied sedately, voice heavy with exhaustion. "How's your pain?"

Ash had been trying not to think about his pain. "I'm still alive."

Eiji rolled his eyes, but there was a smile on his lips. "That's not what I asked, asshole."

Ash turned his head, causing Eiji to do the same. "I wish I had some ice," he gave those brown eyes a soft smile, "but I'm alright."

Eiji reached out to touch Ash's face.

"Camera," Ash said under his breath and turned his head away.

Eiji's hand fell from the air before reaching its destination.

"They're calling Shunichi in later," Eiji said instead.

Ash nodded. "They'll want her to go with him," he said. There was no emotion in his words.

Eiji nodded. "Probably."

"How did you answer their question?" Ash asked.

Eiji's brows furrowed. "Which one?"

"About what should happen to her."

"I said it's her life, she should choose," Eiji answered.

Ash glanced at him. "That's what I said too."