Chapter Text
Gojo Satoru froze in his movements, when his eyes fell on the man, who was casually getting out of the black fancy car at the entrance of Tokyo Jujutsu High. This could not be for real? What was he doing here? Last time Gojo checked, this son of a bitch was not allowed to be on the school´s premises – for a good reason. How could he have missed this? Who decided that? If the Higher-ups insisted to keep this sadistic prick around, they should mingle with him somewhere else – soaked in shame for ignoring all the lives this man had ruined. Why here, right in front of Gojo´s nose, knowing that… ooooh. It clicked. This was on purpose. Maybe a little power play, after the incident with Yuji? Possible. Someone must have snitched that he had an appointment with Yaga, so he could run right into that bastard. Tempting him to cause a huge scene. But Gojo pulled himself together, put on his wideth grin and observed the new arrival.
The man was the same height as Gojo but double the muscle mass, still his suit was fitting perfectly, making him look handsome and despite the price of his clothes, he appeared approachable. He must be in his early 40s, a winning smile, smooth unthreatening movements, a real socializer – Zenin Taro. Oh, how Gojo hated him and his deceptive appearance. This man was a predator, taking what he wanted from whom he wanted. He was savage, abusive and got away with it every time, because he was one of the valuable Zenins the sorcerer world couldn´t risk to lose. The acceptance of men like Taro was one of the main reasons why Gojo despised the Higher-ups so much – sacrificing everything and everyone for power. They were save from Taro´s cruelty. The man was smart enough not to bite the hands, that protected him. His atrocities were directed towards lower ranks and even students. It infuriated Gojo to an extent, it made him tremble. All of them were going out there, exorcising curses, facing constant mortal danger – they did not need a threat lingering in their own ranks. Did Yaga know, he was here? Definitely. Leaving him in the dark would go too far. It might have been almost10 years ago, but Gojo had not forgotten, what this man had done to Haibara and his former sensei shouldn´t have, too.
Gojo tried to loosen up, when he saw Taro breaking away from his little ass licking greeting committee, walking straight into his direction. With both hands in his pockets upper body tilted back casually Gojo strolled towards him. Hiding his disgust behind an arrogant and mocking smile.
“Well, well, well, if that is not the devil himself. Why do we have to endure your presence?”
“Gojo Satoru, strongest of them all. How nice to see you again. I missed you.” Taro´s voice was thick with irony. He offered Gojo his hand to shake and Gojo took it, letting go of his Limitless-Technique, knowing he will disinfect his hand at least 10 times afterwards. But better to invest in excessive hygiene, than showing a sign of fear. The moment their skins touched Taro pulled the slenderer man towards him. Gojo had no other chance than to give in. When it came to raw physical strength, the other man had undoubtfully the advantage and Gojo hated it. He also hated the malicious smile on Taro´s face, when his gaze fixated on something in the distance.
“Look at that,” Taro exclaimed cheerfully, not matching the evil spark in his eyes.
Gojo followed the demand and flinched, when he discovered, what Taro referred to – or better to who. Now his own grip on the other man´s hand tightened and this time it was Gojo who closed in voluntarily, warning in a threatening voice: “Don´t you come near him.”
“Oi, oi, oi, Gojo-kun. Why so sinister? I only wanted to greet my old friend Nanami as well. It has been a very long time, since I talked to him. He grew up quite a bit, wouldn´t you agree?” Taro freed his hand and took a step aside, as to have a better look at Nanami. He tilted his head a little bit and continued: “With this physique he might have a chance, if he tries to teach me a lesson again and I don´t have to beat the crap out of him instead like last time. What do you think?”
Gojo stepped in front of Taro, blocking his view. “Stay, the fuck, away from him.” He growled, losing the easy-going demeanour, he was trying so hard to maintain in this monster´s presence. When he recognized the pinching looks from the Higher-ups, Gojo broke away from Taro, grinning at him widely and clapping his upper arm with a little too much vigor. “And for how long can we count on your pleasant company?”
“You can relax, Gojo. Not even the night.” Taro smiled diabolically, while sounding disappointed. “Or maybe a little longer, if I find myself some pleasure.” He winked and Gojo needed all his composure not to punch him in the face in front of everybody. Aaah, who was he kidding. Gojo didn´t want to punch him, he wanted to peel the skin off his face, slowly – making him suffer. As much as Gojo wanted to punish Taro, he needed these old bastards to cut him some slack to keep Yuji alive as long as possible.
Taro backed away. While he walked, he turned around and laughed: “If I can make some room, I´d like to play some Baseball with you, old friend. I would really enjoy to throw you a curve ball.” With these words, he joined the others.
Gojo turned around searching the lawn for Nanami, but his favorite associate was nowhere to be seen. Luckily Nanami was going on a mission for a few days. That would spare him from running into Taro by accident, or worse – a provoked confrontation. Sure, Gojo would bet on Nanami nowadays. A lot had changed, first of all the fact, that Nanami wouldn´t be a Teenager fighting a grown man this time. But beating a Zenin to a pulp often came with a price, he did not want the other to pay. It was for the better. So, as the only sensei around, it was on him to deal with the situation. Gojo fumbled his phone out of the pocket and started to make a few calls. Slumber Party at his place. Yuji and Nobara would be delighted and the others had no choice. No student of his would spend the night alone on this Campus.
The party turned out to be a huge success, Gojo didn´t expect any different to be honest. He was a fantastic host, with a good sense for pleasure. The food was amazing and plenty and Gojo happily ignored the fact, that none of them was above drinking age. Even Megumi laughed from time to time, especially when Inumaki and Panda paired up for Karaoke. It was nice to hear, because he almost expected the boy to not have fun on purpose, just to piss him off. It had been a good choice to bring Yuji to the school – for more reasons than being Sukuna´s vessel. He had a good influence on Megumi, making him appear like a real teenager from time to time.
But Gojo couldn´t relax. The unpleasant pinch in his stomach persisted, even though everybody was visibly save and sound. He couldn´t get rid of the feeling, that he forgot something. Something did not add up. All this was too easy. Taro was vicious, something was going to happen, otherwise this bastard wouldn´t be satisfied. Plus, why the fuss after all these years? Why come here? Certainly not for this mediocre power dominance chitchat this afternoon. Gojo didn´t need a reminder that Taro existed, he remembered him and his own failure very clearly. Maki was leaning against the wall with crossed arms, apparently, she shared the uncomfortable mood. She seemed nervous and on edge, reinforcing his anxiousness, this lingering certainty that he was fucking something up. That he had overseen something earlier. Gojo´s thoughts trailed back to the conversation with Taro. Throwing him a curve ball? So, his students might not be the ones in the direct line of danger after all? Judging from the degree of hatred Gojo had to admit, that he would have expected Taro to attack Nanami in the first place anyway. He could deny it as much as he wanted, Gojo swore, that Taro envied Nanami. For his strength, his determination and his talent. Everybody respected Nanami – was he boring? For sure. Still, his integrity was striking. Reliable, kind, smart… Nanami was a better man by all means and did not even come from a fancy pansy bloodline. But Nanami had no students to target, Nanami only had… and then it struck him. The picture of Nanami earlier that day reappeared in his mind and with it the detail Gojo hadn´t paid attention to. There he was, standing on the lawn laughing and saying his Goodbyes to sweet, cheerful and carefree Ino Takuma. Haibara 2.0. No student no more, but not yet a grown man, nor a grown sorcerer. The one he left unprotected. The curve ball. Gojo had completely forgotten about him.
Kind-hearted, joyful, optimistic and full of life.
“Shit!” Gojo whispered as fear and guilt wrapped around his heart. Exactly Taro´s type to shatter and break.
“Maki, I need you to take care of everything.”
The fierce young woman, looking alert but not surprised, straightened up and nodded in agreement. Gojo was already half way out the door. He fucked up, he fucked up big time. Self-centred, egomaniac Gojo Satoru only saw what was precious to him and stabbed his closest colleague in the back. Nanami would never forgive him.
The evening air was mild and smelled a little bit like honey, when Ino walked home from the Cafeteria after Dinner. His face beaming, he felt a little over the moon today, although he ate alone as none of the students had been present tonight. Well, no company was better, than the wrong company. He had figured that out a while ago and had started to accept the fact, that he was more of a loner. It didn´t bother him too much, if the others treated him at least with decency. Unfortunately, his former classmates were either ambitious pricks or dead by now, leaving Ino with no close friends at all. Sometimes he wondered, how it would be to go to school with this generation. They seemed kinder and more solidaric with each other, no elbows or jealousy, like in his class. It was nice to have them around. Especially Yuji. They shared the same goofy energy and Ino was sure, that the boy would accept him no matter what with all this kindness. He even called him Senpai whole-heartedly without hesitation. Was it a little inappropriate? Yes, Ino was too old for it, but it made him feel like he belonged with them. Maki was his other favourite. Straight forward as fuck, what a blessing. No in between the lines or ironic jokes like with Nobara. Megumi was a particular problem for Ino with all these buried emotions… Aahh don´t worry, he tried to catch his dropping mood. You are not part of their little group anyway, you don´t have to figure him out.
That thought was an unfortunate failed attempt for a mood-catching purpose, because somehow, he didn´t seem to belong to any group ever. But this should not matter today, because Ino had had an especially lovely and successful day. Training with Nanami from dawn until his mentor had to leave for a mission in the afternoon. What a bliss. Ino loved those days, when Nanami Kento poured all his attention on him. His skin was still warm, the muscles still hurting, but in a way that made Ino feel strong and persistent. He liked making progress. Not to become one of the greatest sorcerers of all time or some bullshit like that. But to be useful and of help, to protect others. Ino liked to do things right and he had the impression that Nanami liked that about him.
Ino lived in a spacious room at the outskirts of Campus. It was bigger than the students´ ones, leaving room for a Couch, a Fridge, rice cooker and so forth. All these things that made him a little more independent than the others. An own Toilet, but no shower… no real kitchen. Well, it was time to move to the city. Ino knew that, still he was anxious, that leaving the Campus could mean seeing Nanami less frequently and he wasn´t ready to risk that. He shushed his worries and bounced happily up the stairs to the second floor, humming a song he had stuck in his ear from the last concert he had been to. Nothing would ruin his mood today, not even the man in the dark suit, who was waiting in front of his room. Ino sighed audibly. An assignment at that time of day? That was weird. Despite his confusion Ino greeted the man politely. Although he was certain, that he never saw him before, the man still looked like the average assistant.
“Good evening. Can I help you with something?”
“Yes, I am sure you can. I am looking for Ino Takuma.”
“That´s me. What can I do for you?” Ino got his keys out of his pocket, while talking to the stranger. He started playing with them to give the other one the hint, that he preferred to be inside.
“Well young man, I am here to pick you up.” The tone was between casual and formal, Ino did not know where to put it.
“Pick me up for what?” he asked back.
The man smiled politely. “A little get-together for aspiring young sorcerers.”
An incredulous laugh, spiced up with rising nervousness, escaped Ino´s lips. “I am sorry,” he apologized. “I don´t mean to be rude, but you are at the wrong door. I might be young, but I am not an aspiring sorcerer for sure. I am a sorcerer doing his job and I am no good at get-togethers, so nobody ever invites me. Really sorry, you made the way, but I am the wrong guy.” Ino turned towards his door and wanted to unlock it, when the man in the suit said patiently: “But you are Ino Takuma?
„Yes, I am.“
„Then, I am here to pick you up.”
“But…” He didn´t get any further. The man raised his hand with a kind smile and signalled Ino to be quiet.
“A little advice, young man. The people waiting for you are quite important. You might not see yourself as aspiring, but they do. Making them wait - that I would consider rude. So, if you like to avoid this, please follow me.” The man gestured towards the stairs. Ino´s mouth was dry. He did not like to socialize with superior sorcerers. They were often arrogant and condescending and Ino was simple and friendly, not a good combination in his experience. Furthermore, his gaze fell on his clothes. He was wearing his loose sweat pants and his black oversized shirt, mask folded beanie shaped on his head.
“Can I change?” Maybe it was time to wear the clothes Mei Mei helped him to pick for special occasions.
“You are good to go. Don´t worry, everyone has your best interest in mind. You are with colleagues after all.” Ino felt the man´s hand on his lower back, as he gently guided him to the exit and then to the car. It was the standard school vehicle for missions. Something familiar, that made his doubt grow smaller. What was the worst, that could happen, that he hadn´t experienced before? Nothing would ruin his mood today.
Gojo ran as fast as he could, hoping to be capable to undo his mistake. He reached the building Ijichi looked up for him. Shit, shit, shit… he didn´t even knew where the boy lived, lost maybe important moments on the research. So little attention had he spent on Nanami´s protégé, just because Gojo hadn´t considered him outstanding. His damned striving for grandeur had put him in a bad position. Normally he would have laughed the guilt away, his Ego ready to flatter him back to normal. But since he had seen Taro´s eyes searching for prey, Haibara continued to pop up in front of his inner eye and how little he was capable to help with 17.
He reached the corridor, sprinted down to the last door and knocked against it with full force, shouting: “Ino-kun? Ino? Are you there?” No answer. A part of Gojo panicked and repeated the procedure, well knowing, that everybody in the building must have heard him by now. He took a few deep breaths, took out his phone and called Ijichi again. As soon as the waiting sound stopped he blurted out: “Is Ino assigned for any missions tonight?” What a delusional hope.
Ino was playing with his phone, while the car was taking him far away from the Campus. They were driving for more than 45 minutes and Ino was getting nervous again. For the 6th time since they´ve left, he wondered, if he made the wrong decision. It was a school car with a mission assistant, but something felt off. Who would invite him to something like that? He almost knew any first-grade sorcerers personally. Well, he knew Gojo, but Ino wasn´t sure, if Gojo knew him. And Mei Mei, but she wasn´t around very often lately. Ino was regretful about that, because he liked working with her a lot.
Was it his intuition telling him that something was wrong? Or was it his social anxiety? Sometimes he couldn´t tell them apart – fear and intuition. So for the 6th time he thought about calling Nanami and for the 6th time he decided against it. Nanami was on a mission having other things on mind, than taking care of Ino´s little problem. Some things he had to figure out by himself. Ino couldn´t rely on his mentor for everything. And this situation was not supposed to be a big deal. It only was a big deal, because it was Ino, who was in it. It was a social gathering and some Small Talk. He would survive that, even if he made a fool out of himself. Stop whining, he scolded himself.
Ino looked at his phone again. His battery was running uncomfortably low, as he hadn´t had time to charge it. He leaned forward and asked his driver: “Do you have a charger for my phone?”
“Unfortunately not. But I am sure someone can help you out later. Maybe you turn it off to save some battery? Just in case?”
The suggestion confused Ino. It did sound like a smart idea, but what would he need his phone for more urgently later that night? Bewildered he asked: “Aren´t you taking me home, whenever I want to go?” The eyes of the driver shot to the rear view mirror fixating Ino for a short moment. But Ino didn´t notice, because his phone started buzzing, showing a number that was not in his contacts. The moment Ino accepted the call and said hello, the battery died. “Fuck…” Ino cursed.
“Don´t worry, we are almost there.” The driver said with relieve in his voice.
“Shit!” Gojo screamed in frustration. This was not possible, this was not fair. He had heard Ino´s coy voice for a short instant before the connection broke off and since then he was going straight to voice mail. The boy was in a car, so nothing had happened yet. “Call Ijichi.” He ordered his phone, while hitting the accelerator. “Yes?”
“Anything on his last location?” There was still hope.
The moment Ino stepped through the wooden door and into the cabin, he knew that he made a mistake. That was neither fear, nor intuition. It was obvious. He did not belong here and he wondered whoever got the idea he would. A part of him wanted to turn on the spot and walk back to the car, but there was his shy part, the polite part and the `needing a moment´ part, that prevented him from moving.
Ino wasn´t a quick thinker. The world never had had the decency to stop telling him that. And he had believed them for most of his life. Nowadays, he knew, that he was neither dumb, nor naïve. (The latter was the reaction he got for trying to look at the wonderful small miracles the world had to offer, instead of focusing on death and despair.) It just took him a moment to put all the cues together, all the information that was presented in a single situation. Quick judgement, that was his weakness, deciding what was important and what wasn´t. Apparently there were rules of judgement Ino´s brain did not have to its disposal. It took him quite a while to figure that out as well. And Nanami played a big role in this revelation, which finally opened up the opportunity for a new self-narrative to Ino. He was not stupid, he had a different way of thinking.
In the beginning, when he was assigned to missions with Nanami, the older sorcerer had scolded him for his supposed hesitation and slowness like everybody before him and as Ino had liked his mentor right from the start, it had hurt differently. But Nanami understood and he did not leave Ino, he stuck around. Even more, he granted him time, allowed him to learn in his own pace and focused on teaching him things other expected him to understand right away, just because they did. No judgement, no annoyed looks or grunts, no punishments for things that were considered basic for others, but were challenging for Ino. Instead there was acknowledgement, praise and companionship – Ino was not stupid, he saw the world with different eyes and Nanami appreciated that. They had become a very good team. Nanami only had to frame Ino´s thinking a little bit and once he figured it out, Ino was unstoppable. And after all the patience, Ino was getting quicker. But only with missions and curses, social situations were a whole different thing.
So Ino stood at the door, unsure what to do. His mouth was dry and he tried to steady his breathing. Keeping the fear under control was the most important thing, Nanami had said, because fear was a bad adviser. But what if fear was the appropriate response? He should have called, he should have called, he should have called… Ino pushed the thought away, this wasn´t helping. Nanami was not here, he was on his own, so Ino started to gather information. There were only three other men present. One of the facts that made him nervous. Where were the other so called “aspiring sorcerers”? All three were dressed in expensive, still casual looking clothes, indicating that they were men of influence, but not here to show off. Friendly smiles greeted him, still they were only somehow friendly, there was more to them, that Ino didn´t get yet. Somehow, the way the men looked at him made him feel vulnerable and exposed. He never felt this way before, so he didn´t know, which conclusion he should draw from it. Would everybody feel like this in this particular situation?
The men were handsome to different degrees, all taller than Ino and by far more muscular and heavier. Two men were sitting on a comfortable appearing Sofa, big seating area, lots of space to sink into the cushions. Both were drinking Whiskey, one was puffing a cigar. A small wooden coffee table, a nice carpet on a wooden floor. The interior of the cabin was actually nice. Different elements seemed to be chosen with care and thought. Whoever lived here, appeared to like it warm and cosy. That wasn´t a bad thing. Ino could come to ease in this place, if it wasn´t for the men´s energy. The third man was standing at a kitchen counter to Ino´s right, leaning casually against it. Even though he seemed to be the most relaxed, he was definitely the one in charge. His whole composure telling a story of power and influence. This man scared Ino the most, because he confused him. On the outside, for everyone visible, there was friendliness, politeness, he looked like he cared, but Ino was somehow sure he didn´t. There was something self-righteous, egocentric, that made Ino think of Gojo Satoru. Still, this man had a vicious energy, that Gojo didn´t.
“Welcome. Fancy something to drink?” the voice was warm and smooth as silk. The tone was inviting. “Whiskey? Or something lighter for the start? A beer maybe? You are over 20, right?” Ino did not manage to answer any of these questions. He just stood there and watched the man do his thing, unsure what he wanted for himself. The man opened a fridge and took out a bottle of beer, opened it smoothly at the edge of the counter and approached Ino. “Yeah, something soft for the start is always the best. I hope you don´t mind, that we already moved on to liquor. We have been waiting for a while.” Was this an accusation for Ino being late? He did sound irritated in the undertone, but smiled warmly passing the bottle to Ino. He offered his own glass to toast and Ino joined in, despite his feeling of discomfort. At least the beer would help with the dry throat. Now, as the man was standing right in front of him, Ino realised that he was much taller than he thought. He could only glimpse over the man´s shoulders and said shoulders were so brought that Ino vanished in between them – a realisation the intimidated him.
“Do you like what you see?” The man asked softly.
“Yes.” Ino answered, being sure, that the man was referring to the interior, because it was what he himself was paying attention to.
“Yeah? Me too.” The man said, not focusing on the interior at all, but allowing his eyes to wander up and down Ino´s body lustfully. “The painting above the fire place is my favourite.” He winked and offered Ino a greeting handshake: “I am Zenin Taro, by the way. And I am certain you must be Ino Takuma?”
That were too many contradictions at once. Was the man mocking him? Was he teasing? Flirting? Just kidding? The detail that stuck was the name, though. The Zenin family. Fuck. That was too big for him without guidance. The biggest and most powerful sorcerer family clan. At this point, Ino was certain, that he could only mess it up. His throat again too dry to speak, he just nodded timidly at the question. A gesture that seemed to please the other.
Cheerfully Taro continued: “Why so shy? I heard so much about you, Ino-kun, that I couldn´t resist to get to know you in person. Come on, let´s have a little chat.” He put an arm around Ino´s shoulders, a move that made him feel at ease, when Nanami did it. But this was different. Taro guided him towards the Sofa to seat him right between the two other men. There were other options available, two armchairs to be specific. Ino would have preferred to get up and change, but at this point he was so overwhelmed, trying to keep track with everything happening and putting the social puzzle together, that he didn´t dare. The men framing him did not bother to introduce themselves at all. Ino did not mind. He was planning on getting out of here as quickly as possible, hoping the driver would be waiting outside, even though it did not really matter at this point. The situation made him so uncomfortable that he would be fine finding his way home by foot, if needed.
Taro sat down in the armchair opposite of him, still smiling brightly and inviting. Ino slid forward to the edge of the Sofa, ready to get up and announce his Goodbye, when both men grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him back into the cushions. The beer bottle still in hand, Ino tried not to spill anything while tumbling backwards. “Relax.” One of them ordered in a deep, frightening voice. Too close, that was all too close. Panic started to build up in Ino´s stomach.
“You know, Ino-kun.” Taro continued casually. “You and I we share the same friends.” Ino doubted that. Seeing the scepticism in his face, the other one added: “It is true. I am friends with Nanami Kento.” Eyes shot wide open. That was impossible. Nanami was kind and caring, honest and trustworthy, loving and loyal. Lately, Ino even managed to make him laugh more and more often, like today before he left for his mission. It always made Ino glow with pride. Nanami´s laugh was wonderful, it was only heard too rarely. The man opposite him was all, but that. He looked nice and handsome, but there was something mean and evil about him, a lust for power and a coldness that made Ino shiver inside.
“Oooh, you don´t believe me? Am I so different to your precious Nanami?” Taro said in an exaggerated offended tone and then laughed joyfully to defuse the tension, he had created all by himself. “Well, and how would I know so much about you otherwise, Ino-kun? For example,” Taro nodded towards the man on Ino´s left, who lifted his arm from the back of the Sofa and dragged the mask from his head, throwing it to Taro in one continuous movement. Ino´s hands shot up in shock way too late. His fingertips could only feel his fuzzy brown hair and he flinched under the exposure. He felt naked without it.
“You need this for your cursed technique.” Taro stated, playing with the fabric in his hands, sticking his fingers through the eyeholes. “Without it, there is no summoning of beasts, isn´t there? So, you are practically helpless now.” Ino gulped heavily. “I am not helpless. I can do more than this.”
“That is a relief.” Taro smirked. “It would be very unfortunate, if you were depending on one item and so incapable of protecting it. You would get yourself killed in an instant out in the field. And wouldn´t that be a tragedy?”
There it was. The devaluation he always expected to occur at a certain point. Taro might have tried to disguise it as before, but Ino´s ears were sharp for this tone. He had had to listen to it too often.
“Thanks for your concern, but I know, what I am doing.” Ino answered with all his confidence. “Can I have it back?”
“Do you? Is your Nanami Sensei teaching you well?”
“For sure, but he is not my Sensei, because I am no student. Now give it back.” Ino slid forward to the edge of the Sofa again, holding out his hand to Taro. When the men moved to pull him back again, Taro told them off with a quick shake of his head. He leaned back in the armchair, crossed his legs and looked at Ino with a new, different curiosity.
“Look, who is suddenly not so shy anymore. I like that.” He ignored the demanding gesture completely, placing the mask on his upper leg instead.
“So, tell me, Ino-kun. When Nanami is not your Sensei, who is he then?”
Even if Ino blushed a little with the following words, he meant them: “Unlike your false claims, he is my friend.” It felt right to say so, after they had started spending time together outside of work in the last months. The lingering panic in his stomach was finally joined by anger. Zenin or not. Fuck that guy, he did not mean any good. As Ino feared from the beginning, he had been only invited to be made fun of. Taro´s deep condescending laughter was the last cue he needed.
“Are you sure of that?” Taro leaned forward again, fixating Ino sharply. “Aren´t you a cutie for being so naïve. Nanami Kento would never be friends with a simple-minded, semi-talented boy like you, who brought himself into such a delicate situation. Alone in the woods, with three strangers.” Taro´s demeanour got more malicious: “Does he pretend to adore you? Yes. But do you know why? You remind him of a former lover. That´s all. Let me ask you one thing: has he ever told you about Haibara Yu?” Ino tried to keep breathing – slowly in and out- but the air got stuck in his windpipe, almost not reaching his lunges. He withstood the cold, heartless eyes piercing into his. “Of course, he did not. You really thought, he liked you for who you are, didn´t you? That is so sweet of you, but believe me, he is just using you for his own satisfaction. Maybe that´s all you are good for.” Another cruel laughter and this time the other men joined in.
“Sorry to break it to you, but I worried you never figure it out on your own. You are not the fastest thinker. It shows, Ino-kun. Always half a step behind catching up with the situation, aren´t you? You still have no idea, why you are here.”
That was it. Fuck hierarchy, fuck politeness and respect, he was leaving. The anger won. Ino pushed himself of the Sofa. Taro could keep the mask. But he froze immediately the moment Taro´s fist smashed on the coffee table so violently it almost broke in two, growling aggressively: “Sit down.” As Ino did not react, Taro bellowed: “Sit down, Takuma.” Ino flinched, nobody called him by his given name. Only his dead mother had used it. It did hurt to hear it out of this man´s mouth.
“Don´t call me that.” His voice was clear and determinate.
“Are you talking back to me, Takuma? In my own house? Where are your manners?” Taro snarled.
Stepping over the same line twice, tipped Ino off. What an asshole. “My manners?” he exclaimed, now raising his voice himself. “Where are your manners treating me like that?”
Taro inhaled sharply “Careful. You better be a good boy now, Takuma. Don´t get me mad and sit down.”
“Fuck you.”
“Oh no my pretty boy.” Taro gave back, incited by Ino´s resistance. “All wrong again. I am going to fuck you.“
Run, a voice inside Ino´s head screamed. This man was insane. Without any further hesitation he jumped over the coffee table, circled Taro in a safe distance and headed for the door.
Behind him he could here one of the men complaining: “I told you 21 is too old. It will be so much work to make him obey.”
“Naaah, it will be extra fun” the other gave back.
Ino sped up, the door was close, when he heard Taro say: “You better start using that little brain of yours. Otherwise this is going to be a long night for you, Sweetheart.” The nickname made Ino shiver. He reached the door and turned the door knob.
The driver was sitting on the porch, nervously sucking on his third cigarette. They had paid him a lot of money to bring the boy here, way more than usual. He was supposed to wait and bring him back home, after they were done. The harsh rattling on the door knob almost made him jump. This time they were starting quickly. No Foreplay.
Then he really was on his feet, when door cracked under a firm pull, followed by laughter. The driver´s hands were shaking. Poor boy, this was going to be rough. A second pull almost ripped the door out of the frame. “Oi, oi, oi, where do you think you´re going, Sweetheart?” An angry voice shouted, amused laughter in the background. The driver made a step back from the house, when the pulling and rattling continued. Nobody had ever tried to get away with such determination. The next sound was a body slammed against hard wood. He could hear a moan of pain, fists meeting flesh and then the pleading started. The boy had made the wrong man angry.
“No, leave me alone. Don´t touch me. What do you want from me?”
Laughter, more fighting sounds, angry grunts from the older men and more devastation in the voice of the boy.
“Please, no, please. Not this, please. Don´t do this to me.”
He had tried not to look at him during the ride. The boy seemed kind and genuine, an innocent cheerfulness around his eyes, that would not be there anymore in the morning.
Better to wait in the car.