Feel My Heart Beat

Insane

It was a little unsettling having such a large escort. Akihito had somehow managed to get use to have three people tailing him at all times but to suddenly double it? Six people felt like way too many. They were approaching the warehouses on foot and slowly different people were peeling off to take up their positions. Three were maintaining look out locations outside and three escorting Akihito into the building. The third guard accompanying the photographer inside disappeared off to the other side of the warehouse, leaving Akihito with Ueda and a guard called Fujioka, who he had apparently met before, to make their way to the unused second story walkway that ran along the warehouse walls.

Fujioka was one of Asami's guards who had been originally assigned to his security team before they changed tact.

"Takaba-sama, I'm not sure if you remember me but we've met once before. I was originally assigned to your security team but was put back into Asami-sama's team once we realised you were scaling buildings. I was there that first day when you lost us in less than half an hour. You caused quite an uproar within Sion's security division. No hard feelings though, I'm not really cut out for that kind of manoeuvring. But you'll be safe with us as long as you stick close okay?"

They climbed up onto the walkway and carefully constructed a place for all three to hide before settling in to wait. They have arrived well over an hour early to try and ensure they got in unseen and without a hitch. It would be a long and boring wait but it was something Akihito was used to. What he wasn't used to was the thick feeling of tension that hung over them. Everyone was on high alert and none of the usual playful banter sounded out over the communications channel.

Akihito thought back to his conversation with Asami earlier in the evening when he had admitted to being worried. There had to be more to it than just Officer Mino's threats. Asami wasn't one to show such obvious concern over nothing or over something as vague as 'I'll get you'. This was just an ordinary stake out. Nothing fancy, nothing too dangerous.

Yet the tension choked the air and Akihito couldn't help but feel on edge.

It was just under an hour later when Nakahara's voice crackled out through the line, startling Akihito enough that he jolted.

"You've got four more men incoming to help secure the perimeter. Kamiya, Teiji, Hayashi and Kogara. Sudou's lost his tail and the boss thinks he might come here to meet up with Ichikawa. Teiji is going to join the group inside and the rest have locations posted around the building. Be sure to advise if he's spotted. Boss want's Sudou captured and brought in for questioning if the opportunity arises. I doubt I need to remind anyone that that objective is secondary to seeing Takaba-sama safe?"

There was silence over the channel and Akihito cast a look over to Ueda whose face was set in grim determination.

"Good. Make sure Takaba-sama has been extracted from the location and given the all clear before even thinking about going after Sudou. Keep me updated on any arrivals and their locations."

Silence descended once again and Akihito let out a long breath. The tension was really fraying his nerves. He fiddled with his camera lens, trying to will time faster. Soon enough quiet voices sounded over the communication channel to indicate the four's arrival and Akihito watched as Teiji entered the building before swiftly disappearing at the back of the warehouse.

It was only fifteen minutes later that the first vehicle could be heard approaching. Confirmation sounded in his ear. Akihito clutched his camera and focused his sights on the large doorway.

"Shit. It's a fucking sale."

He only had a second be confused before the doors opened and Ichikawa waltz in, loudly throwing orders over his shoulder. A number of men followed, herding in women of varying ages and even a few young boys. They were chained and dressed in rags. More than one with visible bruising on their bodies. Suddenly the words meaning hit home. Sale. They were selling human flesh. Looks like Ichikawa had truly taken over Kikkawa's human trafficking circuit.