A dull ache pulsated through his head and brought Kenshi back to awareness. Slowly regaining consciousness, the blind swordsman groaned, still feeling the effects of the chloroform. Trying not to throw up, Kenshi focused on his breathing. Eventually, the sickness in his stomach started to fade away. But then, a sharp pain shot through his body. Someone must have patched the bullet wound in his arm, but that pain was almost unbearable. Kenshi continued to breathe through the pain as much as he could. Pain dims to a bearable level in time, and Kenshi can now focus on his surroundings. Struggling against the haze in his mind, Kenshi attempted to move, only to discover the cold reality of his situation, his hands and feet were securely bound to a chair.
Opening his eyes behind the blindfold, Kenshi found himself in a dimly lit cellar. The floors and walls were covered in concrete, and there were no windows except for a door on one wall. Two lights illuminated the small cellar.
Across from him, another form was slumped over and similarly bound to a chair. Kenshi's eyes widened behind his blindfold when he saw the pink dress shirt on the figure. Recognition struck Kenshi's core as he called out for his husband, "Johnny?" He said, hissing in pain.
Unconscious and battered, Johnny Cage remained unresponsive. Blood trickled down the side of Johnny's face from the impact of the blow to his temple. The sight heightened Kenshi's concern, and he called Johnny's name again, desperation creeping into his voice. The rise and fall of his chest reassured Kenshi that Johnny was alive and breathing. The Yang half of the yin-yang necklace still hung around Johnny's neck, resting on his sternum.
" Johnny. Wake up." Kenshi tried calling his husband again, but the actor still didn't respond, " Damn it." He cursed. Kenshi looked around to see if there was anything he could use to help him get out, but there was nothing.
A groan could be heard across the blind swordsman's body. Turning to the source, Kenshi saw that Johnny was slowly regaining consciousness. " Johnny?" Kenshi called the actor. " Come on, Johnny. Open your eyes."
Johnny groans again in pain, feeling his throbbing head pulsing. As Johnny slowly opened his eyes, the dim surroundings came into focus. His gaze fell upon Kenshi, who was bound to the chair. Kenshi... ughh w-what happened?" Johnny mumbled, his speech slurred as he fought against the lingering effects of the blow to his head.
Relieved to see Johnny regaining consciousness, Kenshi quickly explained the situation. "We were ambushed in the parking garage by the Yakuza. You took a nasty hit on the head." Kenshi shuttered, picturing Johnny vulnerable on the ground, " They chloroform me, and I woke up here."
" Explains the headache," Johnny slurred, shaking his dizziness. As his vision continued to focus, the actor could see the bandage wrapped around Kenshi's arm. " Oh my god, Kenshi. Are you okay?" Johnny's voice had a hint of concern to it.
" It's not the most comfortable feeling but I'll be fine, Johnny," Kenshi said
Johnny tried to move his arms and legs bonded to the chair, " Fuck!" He hissed, frustrated from not being able to move. Gazing at Kenshi's restrained form, Johnny's determination began to surface. "We need to find a way out of here," Johnny suggested, a spark of defiance in his eyes.
"Yeah. But we need a plan." Kenshi said, looking around before turning his attention back to the actor, " I looked around while you were out, but I couldn't find anything."
" Don't worry, we wi-" Johnny was interrupted by the sound of the door opening next to them, causing Johnny and Kenshi to turn their attention to the source.
As the door swung open, the ominous figures of Yakuza members entered the room. Yuri strolled in with a sinister grin playing on his lip, " Ahhh looks like our guests are finally awake." He chuckled, " Welcome to our humble abode. I'm sure you can find everything here that meets your standards." Yuri greeted Johnny and Kenshi with a chilling nonchalance.
Johnny wanted to make a sarcastic remark, But when he glanced at his husband, Kenshi shook his head, telling him not to say a word. So Johnny decided to remain silent.
Knowing that he wouldn't get a response, Yuri turned his attention to the blind swordsman. " I'm impressed, Takahashi. All these years, you avoided us." Yuri said, walking around Kenshi. We lost countless men because of you and your pet." Yuri glanced at the actor, who remained silent.
Despite wanting to say something, Johnny continued to remain silent.
"No witty remarks, Johnny Cage? I expected more from a movie star," he taunted, relishing the discomfort his words elicited. Seeing Johnny wincing from his words, Yuri smirked.
Kenshi wanted to cut Yuri's tongue out. He knew what the gangster was trying to do. But he kept a stoic look, not wanting to give Yuri what he wanted.
Knowing that his captors were not going to talk, Yuri cut to the chase, "Let's not waste time, Takahashi. We know why you left. The question is, are you willing to cooperate or make things difficult for yourself and your friend here?" the leader taunted, his words laced with malice.
Kenshi, resolute in his refusal to bow to the Yakuza's demands, met the leader's gaze with unwavering determination. "I'm not going back. I already have blood on my hands doing your dirty work. I will not anymore. " Kenshi declared, his voice carrying the weight of his past struggles and his sacrifices to break free from the criminal organization.
Undeterred, Yuri issued a warning, "Stubborn as usual. But you don't have a choice. If you don't cooperate, you'll regret it." The threat lingered in the air, a palpable reminder that the stakes were high.
" I said no," Kenshi said, unwilling to give in to Yuri's demands.
Unfazed by Kenshi's defiance, Yuri issued a warning, "You're not in a position to make demands, Takahashi." He said roughly, grabbing Kenshi by the gunshot wound on his arm.
Kenshi couldn't hold the agonizing cry of pain escaping from his lips. He could hear Yuri laughing in the background.
Johnny, simmering with suppressed anger, couldn't hold back any longer. "Enough of this crap! You can't treat Kenshi like some pawn in your twisted game, you fucking coward," Johnny interjected, his voice edged with anger.
Kenshi's eyes widened behind his blindfold, " Johnny, don't." He hissed, feeling his arm pulsing.
The leader's gaze shifted to Johnny, amusement flickering in his eyes. Releasing his grip from Kenshi's arm, Yuri turned his attention to the actor," Ah, so he does speak, Takahashi." He said, getting close to the actor. Before Johnny could react, the leader's hand shot out, grabbing Johnny by the neck and squeezing, cutting off Johnny's air supply, " I commend your bravery, Mr. Cage sticking up for your buddy over there. Too bad he won't do the same for you."
As the Yakuza leader tightened his grip around Johnny's neck, the room echoed with the desperate gasps for air that escaped Johnny's struggling lungs a fierce battle waged within Johnny, the physical assault testing his endurance and resolve. The sinister laughter from the Yakuza leader reverberated, an unsettling soundtrack to Johnny's struggle.
Witnessing Johnny's struggle to breathe, Kenshi clenched his fist, trying to break from his bond to no avail, " Let him go!" Kenshi asked sharply, " It's me you want, not him."
Continuing to squeeze the life out of Johnny Cage, Yuri, seemingly amused by the plea, replied with a sadistic grin, " Now, where's the fun in that Takahashi?" Watching as life drained away from the actor.
Johnny can feel himself slipping away. The sound of him gasping for air and wheezing filled the cellar. Johnny's eyes glazed over, the lack of oxygen taking its toll. Drool escaped from Johnny's lips, a humiliating testament to the brutality of Yuri's grip. Just as Johnny's consciousness seemed on the brink of slipping away, Yuri abruptly released his grip. Johnny, coughing and gasping for air, struggled to regain composure.
Yuri, displaying sadistic amusement, taunted Johnny, "Can't have you dying on us yet, Cage." He said, tapping the side of Johnny's face, " We are just getting started." Turning to the blind swordsman, Yuri dropped the smile, " This will only get worse for the two of you, Takahashi. It's your choice how much you are willing to let yourself and Cage suffer."
Despite Yuri's ominous words, Kenshi couldn't help but let out a defiant roar, "You pathetic Yuri! Your twisted games won't intimidate me!"
Unfazed by his words, Yuri replied, " Perhaps," He said as he raised his hand, he delivered a brutal punch to Johnny Cage's stomach.
The force of the blow doubled Johnny over, pain radiating through his body. Johnny was gasping for air, his face contorted in agony.
Satisfied by Johnny's suffering, Yuri announced, "The boss is going to have some fun with both of you." The chilling words hung in the air, an ominous prelude to the torment that awaited Johnny and Kenshi. Yuri gestured to his men, and they began to file out of the room, leaving the captives alone with their dread.
As the door closed behind them, Kenshi's worried gaze shifted to the actor, " Johnny?" The concern could be heard in Kenshi's voice, " Are you okay?"
Still recovering from the brutal punch and choked out, Johnny lifted his head to look at the blind swordsman. "Oh yeah, fantastic. I've always wanted to be a punching bag for the Yakuza." He winced, trying to catch his breath. " Seems like your old friends are happy to see you."
" I wouldn't call this..." Kenshi gestured around the room as best he could, "a way to show friendship."
" Depending on what you're into," Johnny said, trying to add humor to their current situation.
" Shut up, Johnathan!" Kenshi snapped, "Instead of joking around, how about we find a way out of this hell hole."
Johnny, usually quick with a retort, fell silent, sensing the gravity of Kenshi's frustration.
The room echoed with the weight of their situation, the walls seemingly closing in on them. Kenshi caught between concern for Johnny and the urgency of finding an escape route and tried to mask his anxiety sternly.
"I'm sorry, Johnny," Kenshi eventually muttered, a genuine apology for his outburst.
Understanding their strain, Johnny nodded, "I get it, Kenshi. We are in deep shit."
However, Kenshi refused to let the tension linger and added, "It's no excuse. I shouldn't have snapped at you like that." Kenshi sighed.
" Don't worry about Kenshi." Johnny reassured his husband, " We'll get through this, babe."
The silence that followed was both comforting and unnerving. Kenshi, working to find a way out of the cellar, maintained a sense of urgency. Johnny, recovering slowly but surely, observed Kenshi's determined efforts, grateful for his husband's resilience in the face of adversity.
As they navigated the uncertainty surrounding them, Johnny and Kenshi's unspoken connection remained unwavering, a silent promise that they would face whatever challenges ahead. In the dimly lit cellar, their journey to escape the clutches of the Yakuza continued, each moment fraught with the unknown yet marked by the enduring strength of their bond.