Chapter Text
Three days I was trapped. Three days I was stuck in that 'game'. I was completely spent after the first day, but he kept the game going until he had to get back to business. His final parting words still ring heavily through my head.
'Remember this; the pain and the pleasure that only I can give you.'
He was right in a sense; only he has ever made me feel like that. Granted, no one else has ever had the chance to, but that doesn't change the fact that it happened. Those nights have been plaguing my mind constantly since I slipped from that room. I painstakingly slowly made my way home, and didn't even realize that I had forgotten to get my camera back from Kirishima until I found a camera bag with a note attached to it in front of my door. I looked at it confused before slowly kneeling down in front of it and pulling the note off of it. I opened it and read it twice before believing what was written.
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
Kitten,
You forgot to take your camera this morning.
I hope you will be pleased with your prize
from our little game.
Until next time.
yours,
Asami
**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**~~**
My prize? What prize? I haven't gotten anything aside from lower back pain and all kinds of marks adorning my neck, shoulders, and torso. I looked around folding the note back and placing it in my pocket before pulling the bag closer to me. When I opened it I saw my camera, new lenses and attachments that I hadn't already owned, and an envelope that barely fit in the bag. The smile that graced my face couldn't be helped as I pulled the camera out and hugged it to my chest. I don't know what I'd do if I'd lost it. I let out a sigh of relief as I put the strap around my neck and let the camera rest in it's normal spot. I finally pulled out the envelope and opened it. I gasped, shocked, and the envelope fell from my hands.
"These-" I stared at the few pictures that fell out of the envelope when it fell. "These are the pictures." I whispered picking them up. "The pictures I didn't want deleted." I flipped through the pictures in the envelope and realized that every family photo that was still on the memory card was now sitting here in this envelope. Including the most important one; only this one is covered in plastic. Extra protection? "Asami?" I chuckled and shook my head when I finally saw the front of the envelope. 'Your prize, Kitten'. "Thank you, Asami." I said quietly knowing he'd never actually hear it from me.
I put the pictures back in the envelope, put the envelope back in the bag, and placed the bag strap on my shoulder before finally standing up again and unlocking my door. As soon as I made it inside I put my camera back in it's spot in the hidden cabinet that all of my photography stuff is in. After my apartment was broken into shortly after I'd moved in I built the cabinet so I never had to rebuy my cameras again. I had also turned my closet into a makeshift darkroom so I didn't have to pay to have my film developed. Financially speaking, it is cheaper to do it yourself; as long as you take care of the chemicals properly. I've since started to switch to all digital since film is getting so expensive now, but I haven't been able to bring myself to get rid of my dark room. I sigh as I glance at the doors of said dark room and back at the cabinet in front of me still standing open. I only have two film canisters left now. I supposed once they're both out I should be able to bring myself to be able to dismantle the darkroom. Once I've finished out what's left of the chemicals on developing these last two rolls of film. I sighed and put the canisters back in their place before closing the door again.
Making my way to my room I was more than ready to just go to sleep, but a hot bath was calling my name. I need to relax and try to get rid of some of this tension. I need to be able to move around freely or I won't be able to be as stealthy as my job calls for. I can't work right now I know that, but the longer I'm out of work the harder it's going to be for me to get by. I've already lost three days by getting caught up in Asami's little 'game', but I'm hoping that I can find somewhere for a temporary job to make up for it.
I settle on bathing and going to bed. I'm so exhausted that I couldn't tell you if it's physically or mentally to save my life. I think it's safe to say it's more physical since I nearly fell asleep in the bath. I might have actually fallen asleep if I'm being fair. Once I'd decided that I was clean enough I dressed in my dare minimum and dragged my feet to my room, and just plopped down on my bed face first; just ready to fall asleep.
***
I woke disoriented to a pounding on my door. I tried to ignore it, but it only seemed to get more rapid, and possibly rougher too. I sighed and finally willed my body to move.
"Hold your horses!" I called out and the pounding stopped. "What do you-" My question was abandoned when I noticed who was standing in front of me. "A-asami?"
"That's how you answer your door?" He asked eyes trailing my body.
"When I'm sleeping, yes." I answered confused.
"I like it." He smirked. "Though it makes self-control difficult."
"Huh." I glanced down and realized what he meant. "Ah!" I jumped away from the doorway and grabbed a hoodie that was laying on the floor by the door. "What are you doing here?" I asked sitting on the couch.
"No one has seen or heard from you in days." He responded stepping in and closing the door behind him.
"Who's fault is that?" I crossed my arms. "I was with you for three straight days." He looked at me with a blank look before stepping closer.
"What day do you think it is?" He asked quietly.
"It's Monday." I answered and for a split second he looked surprised before his blank look came back. "Why?"
"Akihito, it's not Monday." He clarified. "What have you been doing?"
"I already told you I was sleeping." I pointed out grabbing my phone off the table in front of me. "Wednesday, ten o'clock?" My eyes widened. "I've been asleep for nearly three days?"
"So it seems."
"I haven't taken a job in six days." I mumbled. "I need to find something or I'll lose my apartment." I started calculating how long I had left before my rent was due, and how many jobs I could pick up between now and then to get enough money. 'If I cut out any photography expenses, junk food, and get cheap foods I should be good.'
"Kitten!?" Asami was nearly nose to nose with me.
"Huh."
"What are you doing?" He asked sitting next to me.
"Math." I looked away from him. "I'm not making you tea or anything since you invited yourself." That just earned me a chuckle. My phone picked that moment to start ringing. "Takaba." I answered.
"Where have you been?" A fellow photographer yelled through the phone at me.
"I have to take this." I covered the phone so he didn't hear me and ask questions. "I've been at home." Asami decided to leave then.
"I haven't seen or heard anything from you in days." He never seemed to stop.
"I'm sorry." I apologized. When he reached the door Asami turned to face me. "I caught a cold during my stakeout and couldn't shake it." I lied staring at Asami making him smile at me before he left.
"If you're feeling better I have a story for you."
"Of course!" I practically yelled at him. "Where, when, and what's my target?" I asked.
"The Fixer, seven on Saturday, and the target is anyone and everyone you can get pictures of during the charity even going on." He answered.
"I'll be there." I stated hanging up on him.
I sighed and leaned back rubbing my temples to prevent the headache I could feel forming. I set to work trying to find a way to discreetly get into the event. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there was a part time position available for event staff. I filled out the application and hoped to hear back soon. The event is Saturday so I need to hear back before then. Just in case; I was fully prepared to have to sneak in, or call in some favors.
Waiting seemed to be the worst thing for me to do. Asami seemed to invade every single thought in my head; no matter what the thought was about. I did get a phone call to let me know that I'd gotten the job. That was a welcome distraction. Short lived, but welcome all the same. I didn't have to waste any of my favors on this. Now, I just need to prepare myself for the job at hand. After spending most of the day Saturday preparing I felt more than ready for the job; both of them. I had to be both a waiter and a photographer tonight.
I had to be at The Fixer and hour earlier than the event to get briefed on how things were going to be ran. I'd already been told the event protocols Friday when I came in for an interview and Orientation for the job. My excuse for why I was only applying now was that I needed a job to support myself since I'm living on my own. The interviewer seemed to buy my reasoning. I'm not complaining; It gave incentive to put me on the event tonight. The only difference this event has that the others didn't. Conveniently, for me at least; we actually got to mingle with everyone else; as long as we had a tray with some kind of food or drink on it at all times. I can work with that.
I was exhausted by the time that the event started to wind down. Nothing really seemed out of the ordinary for a posh charity event. At least not until he made an appearance. There's no way he's been here the whole time because I'd made rounds and talked with everyone here, and I know he wasn't one of them. I can't ever seem to get a word out without stuttering when I'm near him. I was offering a woman a glass of champaign when he appeared behind me and took one of the glasses off the tray.
"I'll take one." He'd stated making me freeze in place. "So, I see that you needed to get a part time job to support yourself." He remarked before raising his glass towards me and walking away.
'Was he just taunting me?'
He is the reason that I missed so much work in the first place. Well, mostly his fault. I was the one who slept for damn near three days, but that was a result of his 'game', so it's still his fault.
I glared at his back until one of the managers called out my name getting my attention. He just wanted me to help take out the trash. Helping turned into me actually making multiple trips to take out the trash on my own. I was on my way back out side for the fourth time when I was roughly shoved to the side and rudely told to get out of the way. I was going to retort back until I saw him hit the wall and a trail of blood being left behind. I rushed up to him trying to offer some assistance. He thrust a disk in my hands.
"Ryuichi, get this to Ryuichi." He struggled to speak.
"Ryuichi? Do you mean Asami?" I questioned.
"Asami Ryuichi, from club Scion, I was supposed to meet him here." He pushed the disk against my chest. "Hurry!" His hand fell from mine and landed on the floor at my feet.
"Help! Someone!" I called out hiding the disk and leaning towards the man. I checked for a pulse but found none which made me jump back landing hard on the tile floor.
I was frozen in shock when a police officer hauled me to my feet and started asking me questions. I didn't hear a word he was saying to me. He finally gave up after taking the camera I had on me and telling me to just head home. I don't even know when I put the camera in my pocket, but that's where he found it. I went into autopilot mode for the remainder of my shift before going home.
'What am I supposed to do with this?' I held the disk up and flipped it over a few times. I can try to get it to him tomorrow I suppose. If the man was trying to be secretive about it then it must be important. I hid the envelope with my photography equipment and tried to fall asleep. Tried being the definitive word.
***
When I saw that it was after nine o'clock I decided it was time for me to go to Scion. I wanted to get rid of this disk as soon as possible. I'm not a courier, and I'll be damned if Asami uses me as a pawn in anymore of his games. Getting dressed quickly I rushed to get this over and done with. I opted to leave my camera, phone, and backpack at home because I didn't plan to be out long.
I knew I was going to end up arguing with the men at the doors of Scion when I saw the look they gave me as I walked up.
'Great, just my luck.'
I tried to approach them as calmly as possible, but they still found a reason to be hostile towards me. My clothes. I'm not dressed richly enough to enter Asami's precious Club Scion. Even if I'm bringing him something he's expecting.
"Maybe I'll just throw it away!" I yelled throwing my hands up, one holding tightly to the envelope. "Don't blame me if you get fired, stupid gorilla!" I yelled at the man who threw me down the six steps.
I peeled myself off the sidewalk and started walking away. The contents of this could hurt Asami, so throwing it away isn't actually an option. Why do I even care about if this can hurt him? I walked all the way to his apartment building and conveniently ran into the mailman just outside of the building. After a small pleading match with him I finally got him to deliver the envelope for me. I thanked him, and attempted to compensate him for the extra trouble I'd caused him, but he wouldn't take it.
I now just had to get back home, meaning I had to walk past Club Scion again, and it's going to be dark before I make it back home since it's already mid-afternoon.
'God, I'm going to be feeling this tomorrow.'
I didn't eat today, I’ve been walking all over town, thrown off the steps of Scion, and I'm exhausted. I'm not even halfway home yet. This walk seemed much longer today then it did the morning I left here. I thought about waiting for Asami here, but I didn't want to get arrested for loitering around the building. Taking a deep breath I set out towards home.
Unbeknownst to me I wouldn't be making it home. Just after sunset a black car pulled up to the side of the road letting two burley men out. One stood in front of me while the other hovered by the car.
"Takaba?" The man in front of me asked. "Takaba, Akihito?" I didnt respond so he looked between the man next to the car and me. "Asami, sent us to bring you to him."
"You don't look or act like Asami's men." I pointed out. "I will see him tomorrow, like I told him, hours ago."
"We have orders to bring you back." He answered after a second.
"That bastard can just wait." I growled.
"Mei." The man in front of me raised his hand. "You know what to do."
I attempted to bolt, but this Mei guy grabbed the back of my shirts, and tugged nearly strangling me with the tee shirt, and ripping the button up I had on over it.
"Let go of me, you asshole!" I screamed. "I'm going home!" I reached behind me and grabbed his hands trying to pry them off of my shirts. "Fucking ape, let me go!" I clawed at his wrists until he pulled me into his chest and covered my nose and mouth with a cloth until I collapsed against him.