Title: Under the Skin - Chapter 14A

Title: Under the Skin - Chapter 14
Author: eprime
Rating: NC-17
Pairing: Asami/Akihito, Asami/OMC
Spoilers: None.
Contains: sexual situations
Summary: AU. Akihito and Asami run into each other a few years earlier and things play out a bit differently.
Word count: 2155
Disclaimer: These characters belong to Yamane Ayano, not me.
Author's Note: Please don't hate me. The next chapter will be Akihito's pov. I won't make you wait long. (Thank you, dear, ptw30 for putting up with me.)




"The cleaners will be here within five minutes, Asami-sama."

He grunted acknowledgement, doing up the last buttons of the fresh, white dress shirt and taking the tie to knot around his throat. His shoulder holster went on before he allowed Kirishima help him slip into the suit jacket, and then he stepped away from the bloodied pile of his old suit.

Accepting the cigarette that Kirishima offered, he surveyed the warehouse. The body count was less than he had expected. Tsukasa had underestimated him to bring so few men to a meeting where he hoped to double cross and out-muscle Asami's organization.

"Suoh's group?"

"Took out the headquarters with no causalities."

"On our side, I assume."

Kirishima allowed a tight smile at the gallows humor. "Indeed."

His lighter flicked open, the cigarette tip bathed in the open flame and sucked into life.

"It seems our early estimates were too conservative, Kirishima." He took another drag, relishing the hit of nicotine. "Factoring in our expansion from the Machii holdings takeover, this unexpected windfall has increased our territory by 20% over the past three months."

Kirishima tapped on his PDA. "If you'll forgive me, Asami-sama, I believe that the number will be closer to 35%. The latest reports are waiting in the limo, but Koga and Hidaka contacted us this evening. As a result of the Machii takeover, they wish to broker a deal with you. I've arranged a tentative meeting for the 29th."

"Like rats fleeing a sinking ship." Asami snorted, his expensive loafers clicking on the concrete floor as he made his way toward the exit of the warehouse, Kirishima trailing after him. "Next quarter should prove even more lucrative. I'm sure tonight's business will create favorable conditions for our upcoming negotiations."

"No doubt it will be as you say, Asami-sama."

"What else do you have waiting to spring on me at this hour?" Asami tossed a cool smirk over his shoulder. "Couldn't bear to leave your spreadsheets all alone until morning?"

Kirishima flushed. "Ah, well, if you prefer to wait until then..."

"It's fine," Asami waved a hand, the cigarette perched between his fingers. "What else?"

"The preliminary third quarter reports are complete. Our East Asian Fund is up twenty-two percent. Our North American holdings--"

A heavy sigh broke Kirishima's recitation. "I've changed my mind. I promise tomorrow you can bask in the numbers all you wish, but for now I want nothing more than a long, hot shower."

Looking rather crestfallen, Kirishima nodded, hurrying to open the heavy door that led outside. "Of course."

The limo was waiting for them, and they climbed in, Asami pouring them both a drink right away. A thick stack of reports protruded from Kirishima's satchel, which rested on the floorboard near his seat.

Asami regarded it with a jaundiced eye.

"There isn't anything I need to see now, is there, Kirishima?" Asami leaned his head back against the headrest and closed his eyes. "Do say no."

Kirishima gave a short chuckle, but quickly sobered. "Not quite, but..." His hesitation was enough to make Asami open his eyes and arch a questioning eyebrow. "There is the matter of Takaba Akihito's surveillance." Asami's expression became completely blank as Kirishima continued. "The original three-month period is up next week. If we wish to retain Sawada's services, then we need to discuss the renewal terms."

Stilling for a moment, Asami considered the situation, finally sucking his cigarette down to the butt and stubbing it out in the nearest tray.

"There has been no evidence that anyone else has been observing him? No unusual activity?"

"Feilong's known associates have stayed well away from your territories, and no other organization seems to be aware of his existence at all. Your trip to Hong Kong didn't seem to raise any suspicions."

Asami nodded. "I see. Good." Raising his glass to sip the smoky whisky, he watched Kirishima fidget with his glasses. "Was there more I need to know about the matter?"

"Nothing urgent, I believe, but...ah...Takaba seems to be visiting his acquaintances at the police station more frequently the past few weeks."

"Is there anything unusual in that, other than the increased frequency?"

"Well, our source says they seem to be just social visits lately."

"You mean he's stopped looking for tip offs?" Asami asked with a smirk, though there was little humor in his eyes.

"Not exactly," Kirishima said neutrally. "He's hit up other departments for leads as long as they don't have anything to do with the organized crime division."

"I see." Another swallow, and most of the drink disappeared. "Well, it appears we won't have another Feilong on our hands, at least. Takaba seems not to be the spiteful type."

"No. Indeed, he seems to have a strong sense of perseverance and loyalty." Asami shot him a sharp look, but Kirishima had pulled a folder from his case and busied himself with it, going through a stack of photos that accompanied the documents. "One rather odd thing--Sawada reported that he tailed Yamazaki for a few hours last week."

"Tailed him? Where did Yamazaki go?"

"He interviewed a shop owner in a robbery case and ran a few personal errands. Nothing that seemed in any way suspicious or noteworthy."

"Hm. Anything else?"

"He went to a bank and spoke to a loan officer."

"He wanted a loan? Why?"

Kirishima frowned. "To keep a low profile, Sawada didn't investigate, but left it to my discretion. Shall I have someone make inquiries?"

Asami was silent a moment. "Find out how much he asked for and what he wants it for. I'm sure he was turned down. I want to know what he does next."

"I'll take care of it, Asami-sama."

"Contract Sawada for another three months."

Kirishima nodded. "Yes, sir." He tucked the photos back inside and reached down to put the folder back into his briefcase.

Asami turned to look out the window, the night lights of Tokyo streaking by. "You can leave the report with me."

The dark glass reflected the image of Kirihisma's head turning toward him, though he sounded perfectly neutral as he gave an affirmative grunt. "Of course, Asami-sama."

He lit up another cigarette. "And forget about taking me home. Drop me off at Sion. I'll work at my office there. You can take off."

"Oh, but if you're working," Kirishima exclaimed, chagrin clear in his voice, "then I will--"

"Go home," Asami said firmly. "It's been a long night."

"If that's the case, shouldn't you--"

"Kirishima."

Kirishima's lips pressed together and he leaned forward to speak to the driver. The corners of Asami's mouth lifted slightly for a moment until his eyes fell on the folder that lay on the seat between them. One of the photos had slipped partially out from the folder's edge, exposing a shock of light-colored hair.

His eyes turned back toward the window as Kirishima leaned back, and he forced himself to think of business as the lights of the city--his city--streamed by. He'd carved out his kingdom inch by inch, using those advantages that luck and nature and his insatiable drive had given him. He created himself as he envisioned, his will to power not to be denied.

Everything was coming together almost exactly as he had planned, and he'd been able to roll with the unexpected punches, as evidenced by his success tonight. He only had to reach out to take anything he wanted. It shouldn't be so difficult to set aside thoughts of one troublesome boy.

But it was. This failure in his discipline was frustrating. It was unacceptable. No matter how he had immersed himself in work, in his world, pushing the envelope of what even he could manage without unreasonable risk, he hadn't been able to beat his thoughts into submission for long.

He heard the slide of papers as the car hit a bump, and his eyes turned, seeing the picture that had slid free of the folder. The shot wasn't very good. It was slightly out of focus, and half of Akihito's face was cut off, and the contrast was too dark, but the blood surged thick in his chest as he was caught by the fierce, determined glint that blazed in the boy's face. Akihito's vibrancy couldn't be disguised.

His fingers twitched, actually moved off his lap before he curled them tight, then released, his other hand bringing the cigarette to his lips.

"Change of plans. Take me to Okami House."

Only the slight widening of his eyes gave away any surprise on Kirishima's part. The unaccustomed inconsistency in his boss's behavior didn't affect his own smooth service. He murmured first to the driver, then made a swift call, speaking softly before turning back to his boss.

"They're awaiting you, Asami-sama."

Asami gave a nod of acknowledgement, his eyes on the passing lights once more. In the end, Akihito was just a boy; cute, amusing, certainly. But there were millions of boys like that in this city. Ones who would understand their place and his position. Boys who were disposable, interchangeable...

He ruthlessly squashed the insidious voice that whispered just how irreplaceable Takaba Akihito really was. This kind of useless sentiment was exactly what he despised. He wouldn't allow it to dominate his thoughts. It would be relegated to the periphery of his mind and left to fade away; a natural death.

The discrete, private establishment was situated on a quiet street, and the impeccable staff ushered him to a sumptuous suite. The boy was already waiting, tastefully, but lightly dressed, respectfully kneeling in the center of the opulent room,