Feel My Heart Beat

Preparation

Akihito stood outside Mae-san's office building, large letters marking the entrance with the name of the magazine, Soul. He had just dropped off the USB stick with all the photos he had taken from the nurse interview just over a week ago and apologised for the delay. Mae-san had waved him off once she found out that he was the one who had uncovered the Kikkawa scandal. With a small lecture about his safety being first and next time he goes underground he needs to just email her, Mae-san had kicked him out of the building with a promise of a catch up over coffee next time when she wasn't so strapped for time. Akihito was not really looking forward to being drilled for all the details about his new found soulmate and their relationship but at the same time he almost wished she might have had time to talk now. He was still upset over Asami brushing off whatever that nightmare thing was and he wasn't sure why he was so upset. It was irritating him that he couldn't figure it out and the man himself was avoiding the topic anytime Akihito tried to raise it.

He sighed. No point stressing about it now. Akihito tried to push it out of his head and set his focus on his next task. He needed to scout out the location from a tip off he had received from one of his sources. His source thought that it seemed to be related to Kikkawa and the scrabble to take over his position in the underground after his imprisonment. It didn't seem to be that dangerous of a job, most likely the people in a rush to secure deals and alliances after the fallout would be small time players in the underworld. But it was still going to be a problem with his guards. He still had the three tailing him for now and it seemed a bit excessive. Akihito suppressed another sigh and headed towards his scooter. The deal was supposed to be taking place at some of the warehouses not far from his last stake out. It was a good location for him, the warehouses were old with lots of broken windows, bad lighting creating lots of shadowy alcoves and plenty of hiding spots. It was also an incredibly shady area and considered dangerous enough even in broad daylight. Both Asami and Takato had told him to co-ordinate with Ueda and get them to help with his stakeouts instead of dodging the guards and he supposed that he would have to in this case. He had grumbled when Asami had told him to do that and was planning to escae anyway until he let it slip in front of his friends and Takato wacked him over the head telling him not to be stupid.

He reached his scooter and the guard, Kamiya he thought it was, was standing beside his own motorcycle, casually guarding both vehicles. He held out Akihito's helmet with a respectful head nod. He took it but didn't put it on straight away.

"Ah, Kamiya-san?" The guard nodded slightly in encouragement, confirming that he got the name correct.

"Yes Takaba-sama?" Akihito resisted rolling his eyes. One of these days he would get them to drop the honorific but now wasn't the time for that argument.

"When is Ueda-san's shift?" If the guard was surprised by the question he didn't show it.

"He's on the afternoon shift today, did you need me to pass on a message?"

Akihito nodded, it was still mid-morning so he wouldn't see him for a few hours yet. "Yeah, I have a stake out to plan for and need to scope out the location. I was hoping he would help me plan." Now the guard looked surprised. And very relieved for some reason. Akihito raised an eyebrow when Kamiya didn't reply straight away.

"Of course! I'll pass it on and let him know." He spoke in a rush.

"Thanks..." Akihito trailed off and stood looking at the guard sceptically. He was positively beaming in relief at him now. "Is that really so surprising?"

Kamiya grinned and looked a little embarrassed. "I'm just really glad you're relying on us Takaba-sama. I uh... Heard about the um... Incidents from before I was promoted to your detail. Please rely on us!" He bowed and it was Akihito's turn to be embarrassed.