Nine

Author: princessgolux

Title: Nine

Fandom: Naruto

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I gain no profit from this story.

Chapter Pairings: Mizuki/OFC, Ibiki/Gantetsu

Story Pairing: Many and varied

Chapter Rating: R

Story Rating: NC-17

Chapter Warnings: AU/AR; cussing, (a little) rough oral sex, dub con, drugs.

A/N: I had planned a whole bunch of graphic stuff for G-chan, but I got here and realized that it just got in the way of the rhythm of the plot. Since (spoiler!) next chapter is pretty much the end of this particular arc, I decided to shelve it and try to write it up later as a side-story. He actually gets a pretty happy ending, so I’d like to give it to y’all someday. But he’s not a main character, so sadly, he doesn’t get too much face time here and now.







Chapter Eleven: Opportunity







Kado City, Steel Country

519 A.T.D







Mizuki groaned in annoyed disbelief as his intercom buzzed insistently. He kept one hand on the head between his legs and slapped the button with the other.



“What!”



“Himawari Daisuke-san to see you, sir.” Mizuki clenched his teeth against a hiss of annoyance.



The Bastard’s early.



“Tell him I’m on a call. I’ll be with him in five minutes.” Disconnecting the intercom he pulled the whore’s face up so he could see her teary eyes. “You got four minutes to make me come, bitch. If I don’t get off before this meeting, you’ll be fodder for Iron G and his boys. And he takes his time before he kills you, understand?”



She nodded, terrified, and began sucking with fear-driven enthusiasm.





***** ***** *****





Mizuki studied the man sitting across from him. Blond, green-eyed and casually pretty, Himawari Daisuke was already becoming something of a myth in the local underworld. By day he was the pampered houseboy to the ultra-rich Lady Dan, owner of the largest casino and brothel in the entirety of Steel Country. But in the dark of night he had a reputation as a fixer and procurer par excelance, a thief that ghosted into the most secure homes and took anything he was hired to take. He was very expensive, apparently, but nevertheless he was much sought after by those desperate and rich enough to hire him.



He also performed the occasional assassination.



Himawari had a quixotic and finicky reputation. He wouldn’t take just any case, and no one had as yet figured out his personal criteria for accepting a job. Twice now Mizuki had attempted to hire him, only to have his emissary politely refused an audience by the man’s secretary. The first had been a minor robbery, meant as more of a test of the man’s skill than an actual job. The second had been totally false, a daring escapade with the promise of tremendous gain. That one had been meant to lure Himawari into a trap, either to gain him as an ally for the Company or to dispose of him.



Although neither job was even considered, the first one had been carried out without Akatsuki’s contract. To be honest, Mizuki was impressed. The Daimyou’s security was legendary and Himawari had managed to sidestep the sticky question of loyalty while proving his skill with no room for question. Even the act of avoiding the second job entirely granted the thief a modicum of respect. It took brains and a healthy sense of self-preservation to pass up that much money.



But it didn’t get Mizuki what he wanted ultimately, which was some sort of hold over Himawari Daisuke.



Mizuki thought that the problem was largely due to the strained truce that existed between Akatsuki and the Pearls and Swine Pleasure Palace. Lady Dan was an institution in Steel country, and had been for years before Akatsuki had arrived. Akatsuki ran the streets and left the Pearl alone. In return, the authorities did little to disturb the Company’s interests, out of deference to Lady Dan’s untouched status.



Lady Dan was Steel Country royalty and Akatsuki was not interested in a typical underworld turf war.



They had a larger war to plan.



Mizuki decided that he needed to show his power in a more direct-yet-subtle way. An invitation to his office would carry the correct tone of acquiescence to Himawari’s refusal to allow his people into the inner sanctum of the casino. It also had the advantage of bringing the reclusive criminal into Akatsuki territory, where Mizuki controlled the very air he would be breathing.



The last, best part of the plan was that it got Himawari away from the Pearl for a bit, long enough for Mizuki’s favorite boy, Iron G, to scope out the territory and set the real plan in motion.



Mizuki didn’t doubt that Himawari would refuse the job he was about to offer. It wasn’t the kind of job of which someone as elusive and proud of his autonomy as Himawari Daisuke was rumored to be would be attracted. Himawari was, no doubt, expecting an attack when he (inevitably) refused, and the lack of any such attack would lull him into a false sense of security, make him believe that he was protected by Lady Dan’s mantle of authority, that Akatsuki would never touch him as long as he was her slut.



And it was true. As long as Himawari serviced the old cow, he was untouchable.



But Lady Dan was famous for her temper, and she demanded absolute fidelity from her toys. She had gone through two others since Mizuki had ascended to the directorship of this branch of the Company, and both had been tossed out for straying. It was rumored that at least one of those hapless lads was now doing penance in the underground rooms, serving as slut service to some of the Pearl’s rougher clientele.



But if the rumors were true, the Witch of Steel Country had already picked her next lover. Himawari was obviously on the way out. All Mizuki had to do was grease the slope.



Lady Dan did not forgive betrayal. And Mizuki was going to orchestrate and document Himawari’s enthusiastic infidelity, using his best enforcer and some an immensely potent aphrodisiac. It was odorless and tasteless, consumed the victim with virtually unslakable lust, and best of all, disappeared from the blood almost immediately after the fever had run it’s course, leaving the victim’s faculties and memories intact. The chosen mark would be driven by his or her own appetites to participate fully in his or her defilement, would beg for more, would come over and over again, and would remember everything.



It was a perfect weapon for blackmail.



Smiling his most charming smile, he laid out the particulars of the job. It was a real job, an important and vital job, and Akatsuki was determined to have Himawari Daisuke take it on. Even if they had to force him. Even better, actually.



The response was unexpected, to say the least.



“Sounds interesting.”



Mizuki gaped for a moment, thunderstruck. “You’re interested? You’ll take the job?”



Himawari scratched his head, his green eyes thoughtful. “I can’t say for certain till I talk it over with the Lady. This would affect her, obviously, and I wouldn’t go ahead without her blessing. But I kinda like the idea. It’s different. And Akatsuki is quickly becoming a serious player in the work that I do. Nothing wrong with a little goodwill.”



“I do have to warn you, though.” Himawari’s voice cooled. “I may take the job, but at the end of the day my loyalty is with Lady Dan. I’ll work for Akatsuki, but I’m not ready to join up quite yet. Understood?”



“Understood, Himawari-san. An exclusive contract would not be necessary, although a short period of seclusion at the beginning is, unfortunately, essential. Oh, and of course, a standard confidentiality agreement would have to be executed, for the Company’s protection.”



“Of course.” Himawari said, nodding and looking pleased. “Then, I’ll take this back to the Lady and contact you in a couple of days with our decision.”



“I look forward to it.” Mizuki smiled gently.



As soon as the door closed behind the thief, Mizuki picked up the phone.



“He’s headed back now, G. Go as planned.”



Himawari Daisuke wouldn’t simply work for the Company, Mizuki had decided. He would belong to the Company.



Whether he wanted to or not.











Gantetsu swaggered through the Pearl’s barroom, enjoying the flickers of recognition he could see here and there as patrons caught sight of him. More satisfying were the occasional glimpses of fear in hastily averted eyes. The acknowledgement, here in the enemy stronghold, of his reputation, of his power, made his spine tingle.



He spotted an empty booth and slid into it, turning to overtly survey the layout like an advance scout preparing for an invasion.



It was an impressive sight, to be sure. The room was huge, with a massive oaken bar at each end of the space. Crystalline chandeliers with music chips spread both light and sound in all directions. There were open tables in whimsically random clusters, booths were tucked away at strange intervals along the walls, and there were at least six balconies and four private drinking suites that he could spot. At the southeast corner there was a staircase with a velvet rope barring entry to another room, larger than the other suites, that reflected the whole bar in the depths of it’s floor-to-ceiling wall of mirrored glass.



The red-haired waitress that took his drink order could barely conceal her distaste and Gantetsu deliberately brushed their fingers together when he handed her his money, delighting in the tremble he caused.



His drink was aromatic and clear, Rain Country sake warmed to the perfect temperature. Gantetsu dipped a finger in his glass and dropped a bit on a specially treated piece of paper, checking for drugs. When the color of the paper didn’t change, he raised the cup ironically toward the mirrored wall in a silent toast and then sipped the heated liquor appreciatively.



Halfway through the flask of sake Gantetsu spied Himawari Daisuke entering the bar. The blond looked troubled as he came in but quickly covered, masking his initial frown with a toothy smile for the waiter who intercepted him. Gantetsu watched the boy hand Himawari a drink and Himawari knocked it back swiftly and headed for the southeast corner.



Excitement mounting, Gantetsu slipped a hand into his pocket, fingering the little vial of liquid inside. He’d never before been given so much of the drug to use. He had an eyedropper usually. Once Mizuki-sama had given him a syringe with an infinitesimally small, carefully measured dose. But in this little glass bottle Gantetsu controlled more liquid lust than he’d ever seen before.



The blond would have no chance.



Himawari hopped over the velvet rope and mounted the stairs, his tight ass swaying. Gantetsu smirked slightly, envisioning that ass spread out before him like the centerpiece of a banquet.



Itadakimasu. he thought, draining his cup.



A shadow fell over him and he looked up, startled. Foreboding welled in his gut as he took in the masked man standing next to him.



That’s gotta be the Witch’s watchdog, Marco.



Fuck.



“Good evening, Iron G-san.” Marco said, his deep baritone smooth and polite. “The Lady wishes to speak to you. Please follow me.”



Gantetsu wanted to refuse but found himself standing anyway. Bemused, he followed Marco through a door with an etching of a rose on it. The room they entered was cozy and intimate. A wrought iron table stood in the middle with two steel chairs designed to look like intricate rosebushes positioned to either side. The wallpaper had raised roses on it, and Gantetsu brushed one with his fingers, discovering that they were velvety and soft.



“Please sit.” Marco said, indicating a chair.



Gantetsu sat.



“May I have the vial in your pocket?” Marco asked.



Gantetsu pulled out the vial and was holding it out before he realized it.



Fuckfuckfuck. What the hell...



He froze, his hand outstretched, and Marco plucked the vial from his fingers.



“Thank you.” Marco said courteously, adding, “Please. Relax. Don’t get up.”



Gantetsu felt his muscles relax and he fought the sensation, willing his body to disobey. He managed to tighten his fingers on the arms of the chair and strained, intent on forcing his sluggish legs to lift him up.



“Please relax, Iron G-san.” Marco said again, pulling out a hypospray, “I’m almost ready for you.”



“F...f...f...” Gantetsu stammered out, his throat seemingly unwilling to form words.



“No?” Marco said, surprised. He sighed. “I was hoping we could do this without force.”



“F...f...fu...ck...y...y...you...”



Without replying, Marco unstoppered the vial and poured a third of it into the bottom chamber of the hypospray. He set the vial down carefully, closed the hypospray chamber, and set the hypospray down next to the vial.



Gantetsu had managed to lever himself up about half an inch by now, his eyes fixed on the glass bottle. His shoulder and biceps twitched as he managed to lift himself another quarter inch.



Marco picked up the vial again, holding it up to the light. “I have to thank you for this.” he said, almost respectfully. “We’ve been curious about it for a while, but we’ve never been able to get a sample to work from. This will help our work tremendously.”



He closed the bottle and slid it into a pocket, ignoring the anguished exhalation of his captive. He picked up the hypospray again.



“Now. The drug you ingested in your sake is fairly new and totally organic, which is why your Krysh paper didn’t pick it up. It induces a state of pretty total suggestibility on the subject, which does make things easier, I have to say. Unfortunately...”



The heavy laxity began to ease.



“...it does tend to wear off terribly quickly.”



Gantetsu gathered all his strength and lurched up growling, aiming for Marco, saki swelling as his body began to obey him again.



Marco flowed forward in the blink of an eye, his unoccupied palm settling in the middle of Gantetsu's chest and pushing. Gantetsu reeled backwards, sitting heavily in his chair again. Marco moved with him, ending his rush with one knee pressed between Gantetsu’s thighs and his empty hand high up on Gantetsu’s chest, palm resting on the collarbone and long fingers curled around his neck.



“I...I...w...won’t be...tray...M...M...Mizuki-s..sama.” Gantetsu forced out, staring into the blank mask above his face.



“You already have.” Marco stated bluntly, and pressed the hypospray into his neck.



Gantetsu cried out as heat coursed through his veins, spreading out from his neck and beginning to infect his nerves. He pushed Marco off violently, staggering to his feet, and made for the door.



Inches away from his goal long arms wrapped around him from behind.



“Leaving? So soon?” Marco’s voice was different, clearer, and Gantetsu moaned as a hot, wet mouth closed on the juncture of his neck and shoulder. Desire rushed up, weakening his knees. He struggled against the sudden lassitude in his bones, desperately reaching for freedom. But when long warm fingers slid up his chest and pinched his nipple gently he gasped and swayed, pleasure bursting from the touch.



I’m sorry, Mizuki-sama. I’m...



“Stay a while, G-chan.” Marco purred in his ear, and his thoughts fractured.



Gantetsu shivered and moaned again, pressing back into Marco’s caressing hands, his control over his body lost once more.











Mizuki paced the luxurious confines of his office.



Three days and no word from Iron G.



I need him alive, moron. he thought furiously. If you damage him I will fucking flay you.



His intercom buzzed.



“Himawari Daisuke on line one, Mizuki-sama.”



“Finally.” Mizuki breathed. He picked up the phone. “Himawari-san, good day. I hope you have a good answer for me?”



“Yeah.” Himawari’s voice was clear and strong and Mizuki frowned at the phone. “The Lady agrees.”



“Really?” Three days? He should be hoarse from screaming. “I’m...surprised. Pleasantly, of course.”



“Yeah.” Himawari sounded disgruntled. “She’s...complicated. Says she needs ‘space.’ I mean, what the fuck, you know?”



Mizuki blinked. “That sounds...difficult, Himawari-san.” He probed delicately. “Has anything...changed...recently?”



“Yeah...I don’t wanna talk about it.” Himawari said. “There’s this girl, and the Lady...well...fuck it. It’s not important.”



“The important thing is that I’ll take the gig. Can you send over the paperwork and stuff? Just have your guys page me at the front desk. I got some shit to do if I’m gonna be gone for a while.”



Mizuki agreed and exchanged a few pleasantries before he hung up. Then he pushed back from his desk and stared at the phone.



The girl? This is about the girl? What about...



He picked up the phone again.



“Get me Iron G!” he snapped. He brooded, turning over scenarios in his head until his secretary buzzed back.



“I’m sorry, sir. No one has seen Gantetsu for a few days.”



“What?”



“According to his second, Chouseki, he went to the Pearl on a job for you. He hasn’t returned.”



Mizuki stared at his intercom.



“Hasn’t...returned? What the fuck does that mean?”



“He...hasn’t returned, sir.”



“I heard you the first time!” Mizuki screamed. “Just...find him! Now!”



Mizuki picked up a heavy crystal ashtray and hurled it across the room, scattering cigarette butts, and ashes everywhere. It hit the wall, cracking the plaster.



Mizuki’s hands curled into fists. The sensation of powerlessness was one he hated more than anything in the world. He’d betrayed his village to gain power, and no one and nothing was going to take that away.



He needed Himawari Daisuke, badly. The Council was demanding it.



But Mizuki never moved without an ace up his sleeve. Therefore he also needed to have power over the man.



Now it seemed he was to have one without the other.



Instead, Himawari was going to waltz into the Company unleashed, was going to gain access to Akatsuki’s most important project without Mizuki having the upper hand.



And all because somehow Iron G had failed.



What the hell in going on?