'Why, why, fucking why did I have t

'Why, why, fucking why did I have to choose this assignment. It's fucking freezing. And to top it off I can't see shit through this rain.' Akihito mumbled miserably to himself as he pulled his coat more securely around his shivering body, for once wishing Asami, the perverted fucker was here to warm him up. Scoop of a life time, ha. He had received a tip from a very reliable source that a very important 'business meet 'n' greet' was going down involving some very influential government officials connected to the words 'drugs' and 'bribery.' And of course he had to come running. Into this freezing shit storm. Asami's gonna have a field day with this one. He could just see that smug, self-satisfied smirk on that too good-looking face. Akihito scowled before he sneezed.

'Just fucking great.'

He did not need a cold right now. Whatever. Akihito could deal. He wasn't a pussy. Or Kitten like Asami liked to call him. He palmed his trusty camera and brought the lens up pointing it down towards the short strip of roadway where his story would surely travel down, making sure he couldn't be seen from his hidey hole and sure enough after waiting another five, maybe ten freezing minutes later, a car's headlights appeared through the heavy rain. Akihito peered down at his watch. 'Right on time.'

The limo came to a stop and the headlights were turned off. Another set of headlights came from the other end of the small strip of road and rolled slowly towards the limo, this one a sleek white Porsche. 'Damn, men of the underworld sure knew how to spend it.' Two men emerged from both cars, their bodyguards at the forefront holding up the umbrella so those nice rich suits wouldn't get ruined, and approached each other. No handshakes were given. No 'how are you's' or 'How's your mother.' Just straight up business. The government official Akihito was to photograph, a tall, thin man who resembled a stick insect with glasses, traded a black brief case for a yellow envelope. Akihito had to wipe his lens before he took a few snap shots of the exchange. 'Smile for the camera, asshole.'

The business men did there thing and went their separate ways. When he knew both cars were gone, Akihito emerged from his hideout into the rain and quickly hightailed it out of there, least he should be seen. His white puffs of breath faded into the air and the icy rain poured down on him in relentless torrents. What was the use of a hood when it provided no cover? He ran past the many people, holding useless umbrellas, trying to shelter themselves from the rain and almost sobbed in relief when he saw the high rise apartment up ahead. Warm bed. Dry clothes. If there was one upside to living with Asami, aside from the mind-blowing sex, it was the awesome shower with about a gazillion shower heads.

The doorman scowled at him, Akihito couldn't remember his name, for his appearance when he approached, Akihito scowling right back as he was in no mood to argue, he reluctantly opened the door for him. Akihito dragged his wet, miserable body inside, leaving trails of water in is wake and shivered as the warmth of the lobby tried to warm with up. He sneezed again. Yep, there was no doubt in his mind he was getting a cold. Resigned to his fate, he haled himself over to the elevators, too tired to even raise his arm to press the button though he managed to and the doors opened. He rode up to the top, of course Asami had to have the top penthouse, and the doors opened to the small lobby. 'God why does the door have to be so far away.'

Finally opening the door, Akihito fell to the floor, exhausted, the feel of the soft carpet feeling rather nice. He was defiantly leaving a nice wet patch on the pristine white carpet. He opened his eyes after a moment and glanced around the darkened lounge room; suddenly remembering Asami was gone on a 'business trip' and wouldn't be back until tomorrow night. 'Well, so much for snuggling up to a nice warm body to take the chill away.' Akihito muttered into the darkness his throat starting to feel a little scratchy.

Pulling himself up, he made it into the bedroom, Akihito stripped of his wet clothes, throwing them into the hamper and walked on shaky legs to the marble white bathroom, thankful that the maid had the foresight to turn on the thermostat before she left. He turned on every shower head to high and after a moment steam filled the room. He remained under until his skin turned to wrinkles and turned the water off. He halfheartedly dried himself and exited the steam filled bathroom. Using the light from the bathroom, he fumbled around and managed to find a pair of boxes and one of Asami's shirts, probably thrown to the floor during one of their sex-fests. Man, Asami always smelt so good. He barely managed to put them on and literally fell onto the bed, just managing to wrap himself up in blankets before it was lights out.

….

Asami climbed elegantly out of his limo, Souh waiting silently on the curb for him holding his umbrella up for him. He was thankful this little business adventure was over and done with, freeing him up to spend some very…pleasurable days and nights with Akihito. It was still quite early so Akihito was probably just hanging around the penthouse, 'veging out' as his kitten likes to call it. Striped down to his boxes with knee high striped socks was Asami's idea of a welcome home after a long day at the office. He did mention he had a story lined up before he left, but Asami couldn't remember the poor bastard's name or what he did to warrant the attention of a budding freelance photographer. As long as Akihito kept out of trouble and it didn't involve him and his business, he could let it slide.

'Welcome back, Sir.' The doorman, Nigel, his name was, said and nodded, opening the door for him.

'Thank you.'

'I hope Mr. Takaba gets better.'

Asami stopped and turned his head, his eyes narrowed. 'I beg your pardon.'

'He rang front desk early this morning Sir, requesting cold medicine.' He bowed lightly.