A/N: The robe Anji is wearing can be found at this site<> https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-2013-mens-sexy-sleepwear-silk-robes-for-men-pajamas-fantasia-dressing-gown-kimono-men-sexy/1499790384.html

*Wan-chan: it is a comforting sound to say to a scared animal...a cute way of saying Woof.

*Matcha tea: a Japanese green tea that is used to aid in treating cancer herbally.

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It must have taken Anji a few hours to rouse himself enough out of his stupor and feelings of hopelessness over hearing the sound of the automated service telling him that Mitch's number was no longer in service. He knew he should have tried sooner to call Mitch, but he kept putting it off ,each time he thought of him, by telling himself he was being considerate to the other man and letting him sleep. But Anji knew, even if he couldn't call at such late hours, he could have at least sent a text message to him to let him know he was still thinking of him...but, even that was denied to him now. When he tried Mitch's mobile phone, he got another message telling him that number was no longer in service also...which led to Anji staring in regret at his phone as tears silently fell from his eyes at the loss of something that might have been wonderful. So, now here he was trying another number in hopes of a friendly voice to ease his heart ache inside...he was calling his brother, Keiran...the phone rang for a few seconds before it was answered by a worried and sleepy voice.

"Anji...is everything alright with otousan (father)?" his voice was strained across the line as he worried about the reason of this call...while trying to rouse himself from bed.

"Yes, aniki (brother). Otousan is fine. He is resting comfortably right now. The surgery went well. They believe they got it all, so next week he will start treatments to ensure that it is beat back enough for it to go into remission." he heard a relieved sigh over the phone. "Mitch? Are you okay to talk right now...I...I need to talk. I need your advice aniki (brother)" he heard the surprise over the line before it settled into something serious.

"Oh. Of course Anji-san. For you, I will always have the time aniki (big brother)." there was the sound of movement as Keiran got out of bed...the sound of a soft muffled voice within his pillow could be heard from Jamie.

"Daddy...what's going on?" the young man murmured sleepily.

"Shhh...baby, it's Anji ...he needs to talk about something. Go back to sleep mo chroi (my love)...I'll be in the living room." there was a sweet murmur of ~okay daddy~ then a soft kiss before Keir left his husbands side to make his way into the living room..still naked and sat upon his couch to talk to his best friend who lay over 5,000 miles away. "Okay...what's wrong watashi no yujin (my friend)?" his voice was calm, deep and soothing to Anji's ears.

"I think I let something good get away from me. I told you about my date with Mitch before I left." he heard Keir's sound of agreement...both men knew Anji did not tell everything that had occurred that night for both men were not the kiss and tell type. "Well aniki...earlier I tried to call Mitch's phones and..." his voice trailed off as he felt a burning behind his eyes that told how much his heart was feeling the loss of this. Anji fought back the moisture trying to accumulate in his dark eyes when he heard Keir's soft voice of understanding echoing over the line.

"I know aniki...both lines are no longer in service because Ana and him moved to of all places, Japan." he could hear the gasp of surprise and he began to chuckle. "Hai (yes). It seems he got a promotion along with a transfer to one of their sister clinics. He went over to there nearly a week ago...he should be there now and about to start or already started his new job." as Keir spoke he could hear how Anji's breathing changed from despondency to one of hope and he smiled at the prospect of maybe easing his best friends misery. "They both were very excited about all of this...new life...a fresh start. Well anyways, they had to cancel their phones here and get new ones when they get over to Japan. As soon as they call with their new numbers, I'll pass it on to you or have him call you with it." as Keir spoke a yawn broke through, telling Anji that Keir was still tired. Hearing what Keir said eased Anji's pain and his old self rose up again where he felt like teasing his friend once more.

"You sound tired Aniki. Is that husband of yours wearing you out? Maybe you're getting to old to keep up with that young boy." he heard a growl coming across the line and Anji held back the chuckle bubbling up inside of him. It was a relief knowing why Mitch had not called him lately...he was to busy trying to get ready for his move. Anji did love teasing his friend like this...he knew he was going to miss doing this in person for several months he would be away.

"Shut up...you're just as old as me, so you have no room to talk." he snarked with very little heat at his friend. "And, I am able to keep up just fine...thank you very much, so mind your own business." that deep voice griped at him...both hoping that one day it will be Anji's turn to be on the receiving end and Keiran couldn't wait for that day to arrive.

"Hai (yes)...I hear you Ojisan (old man)...I hear you." the laughter in his tone incited Keir's own to join in and they both basked in their bond for a few moments before Anji's laugh trailed off...it seems there was still doubts in his mind that could be heard over the line. "Uhmm...aniki..did Mitch...uhmm, talk about me at all?" he hated how uncertain his voice sounded even to his own ears. "I mean...ugghh..." he let out a loud gust of frustrated air as he began to blush while rubbing the back of his neck. "Damn. I guess I'm sounding like some chick, huh?" there was a soft chuckle on the other end of the line.

"Hai, but you are forgiven this time." Anji snorted loudly at Keir. "Hey, aniki, I am happy you like him...he's a good man and pretty decent. The way he takes care of his family is admirable and...hai, he did talk about you. Lord have mercy, you both...I had to listen to him talking to Jaime about how sweet you were...how handsome you were. Dhia (God), it was funny and frustrating to hear how worried he was that you may have not been interested in him all because you had not called or sent a text...all because you told him that You would call. He wanted to call you many times, but he knew you were extremely busy with everything...so he waited for you to contact him like you said you would. Now, YOU, are worrying about the same thing...I swear, I should become a part time relationship counselor from all the assistance I'm giving to you both." Keir huffed for a moment ...rubbing a hand down his face before sitting forward in his seat. "Look aniki, he is still waiting to hear from you, so as soon as he gets his new number to give to us...I'll tell him to send it to you also. Call him aniki...or better yet, go see him where he works...it's at Zenshin Rihabiri, the Whole Body Clinic, there in Kyoto. Go there and offer to take him out for lunch...we both know he would love that." he could hear Anji softly sigh before chuckling which told Keir that he had calmed his friends worries for now. Keir knew the cause of Anji's worries and fears and they were valid, judging from what had happened in the past to him. He understood how much Laurel Tavers actions that night had damaged his friend and left more scars that was not visible to the eye...how this once dauntless man now suffered from PTSD (post traumatic stress syndrome) when it came to allowing anyone close again. It took over eleven years for Anji to steel his nerves enough to accept a date with Mitch which spoke volumes to Keir about how strong the attraction was between the two men. Then for him to be worrying about how Mitch felt about him told Keir that Mitch was going to be the best thing to happen to Anji...maybe this man would be able to finally heal his friend where no one else had been capable of doing. "Anji...aniki...please say you will try to give him a chance and not letting your past prevent you from seeking happiness. You deserve all the love you can get in life, so don't let your fears stand in your way of it. She is gone and can never hurt you anymore..the universe is granting you this opportunity, so grab it and don't let that kurutta bichi (crazy bitch) win anymore." Keir's voice was filled with such passion and belief in what he was saying that it flowed down the line to wrap around Anji...giving him the same belief in what his friend said.

"Yes..you are right. I know in my heart he would not hurt me...but it is hard to not look over my shoulder...but you are right, it is time to let go...Mitch is worth it...worth me trying for him." the last part was said on a whisper, but Keiran heard and smiled. In that moment the door to the bedroom opened and out walked Jamie...naked, as he padded over to turn on their coffee pot while Keir and Anji began to make casual conversation. Keir's eyes tracked his husbands movements...the way those long slender legs moved so gracefully..the way those beautiful globes of his backside flexed with each movement that made Keir's hands itch to caress and squeeze those plump mounds. He could feel his mouth watering and his "buddy" below responding to this gorgeous vision tantalizing him. As he gazed at his blond boy, he saw those blue eyes glance his way as a smirk touched those lips...suddenly a twinkle of mischief was dancing in those blue eyes as Jamie began to sensually move towards where Keiran was still sitting upon the couch...his lower lip between his white teeth. With no words and not making a sound he came over to stand in front of his beloved...then slowly sank down to his knees in front of his husband that was speechless. He watched as his lover got a wicked look on his face as he placed a finger to those tempting lips...telling Keir to be quiet. Those lips twitched up in a smile whenever he saw the older man shake his head ~No~ .... Jaime nodded in disagreement, then before Keir could stop his love, the young blond swooped down and engulfed his thick shaft into that wet haven of his mouth...swallowing him down to the root. During that time Keir was trapped between heaven and hell as he fought to not make a sound while watching those lush lips wrapped around his thick girth sliding up and down along his thick length, giving him such sweet, exquisite pleasure...all while Anji chattered in his ear about what all had happened in the last few weeks. He could not tell you later what the man said as his resolve to not utter a sound was breaking down bit by bit until finally it snapped whenever Jaime did something with his agile tongue that made a sharp cry of ~Dhia (Oh God)!~ burst from his lips...suddenly Anji's voice stopped and silence echoed across the line.

"Uhh Keir? Are you alright? Is something wrong aniki?" that deep voice was a bit worried and hesitant about what caused Keir to cry out...Jaime heard Anji's words and could not stifle his giggle at how red his Irish lover got at being caught with his so called "pants down". Suddenly there was a loud yelp on the other end as Anji figured out what was going on. " Ahhhh...I've got to go...have to talk to someone about...uhmm...something...bye aniki...uhhh..bye." then the line went silent as the man hung up quickly which made Jaime laugh. Keir narrowed his eyes at his impish lover as he pressed the end button on his phone...Jaime gave him an innocent look as if he wasn't being naughty seconds ago.

"You have been such a bad boy that I think you need to be punished." he growled deep at the innocent looking man between his legs.

"But Daddy...I'm so hungry. I'm practically starving." he batted his big blue eyes at Keir that made him look so young...so angelic that Keir had to bite back his lustful groan.

"So...you're starving, huh?" he leaned close to the younger man as those blond fluffy strands waved when he nodded. " Then, I guess I have no other choice then to feed you until you are full. Can not have my baby going hungry." he was pleased at the sound of those breaths speeding up in his desire of what Keiran was promising him.

"Yes Daddy. Please fill your baby boy up." a pink tinge began to spread across his body as it flushed in desire.

"It seems I have no other choice but to feed my baby since you asked so prettily of Daddy." he reached out to stroke a finger along those lips that had swollen from his administrations upon Keir's member moments before. He heard the whimper as it ghosted across the pad of his finger and his smile turned wicked. "But first...you need to be punished for your actions. I think twenty swats to that plump ass is reasonable for your disobedience ...don't you think so?" those blue eyes lowered from his hazels in submission, but Keiran knew it was to hide how much that idea turned him on. " Stand and present yourself for your punishment." he sat back to allow room for Jamie to lay across Keir's lap...presenting those sweet plump globes for the stinging swats his love was going to administer to them. It was no secret to either of them that Jamie loved to be spanked...he loved the way Keiran heated up the flesh to the point where the pain made it extra sensitive which had the ability to heighten Jamie's pleasure. To Keiran, this was foreplay to reduce his baby boy into a mess...begging for Daddy's hard cock to fill him just the way he loves it. "Now count each swat...out loud."

By the next morning, Jaime was sore and well fucked, but he was content at the same time as he watched his older lover waiting on him hand and foot...pampering his baby boy in every way...remembering how full his Daddy made him the day before.

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*MIDDLE OF NIGHT*

A deep boom of thunder shook the ground and woke up several of those slumbering within their rooms...one of which was Anji who was sleeping fretfully upon his shikibuton ( Japanese style futon bed). hearing that sudden boom made him jerk awake from the bad dream he was having only moments ago. In his dream he was walking along the major streets of Kyoto with Mitch by his side, but this Mitch was nothing like the warm one he saw the last night he was in the states...this one had cold cruel sea blue eyes upon a smirking face. He could feel his heart pounding in his chest as he tried to keep up with this once beautifully warm man, dodging the crowded walkway filled with faceless pedestrians.

"Mitch...Mitch, what is wrong? Talk to me please." he huffed for breath as his legs burned in his attempts to keep pace with the Latin man. They both made it to a cross walk that had a red light before Mitch suddenly spun around to face Anji...a sneer of disgust was on his lips as he spoke.

"Anji, you are naive. Look at you, just standing there looking so pathetic as you whine ~ What's wrong? Talk to me.~" his voice went high as he mocked the stunned Asian man in his face. "Fine....you want to know what's wrong, well this is what's wrong, you little okama (gay man). I'm tired of you...tired of seeing your face as you follow me around , like a little lost puppy with your tail wagging. I'm bored kuso (insulting word)...with you. I was only interested in getting in your pants once...and I did. I got to fuck that ass of yours. Now I'm done with it...I don't want it anymore." he let out a cruel laugh at tears forming in Anji's dark eyes. " Well, it was a sweet one, especially knowing I was the first one to plow it ...but I have no use for it anymore, its been used and no longer fresh like, so....thanks for the experience of popping your cherry and goodbye." with those devastating parting words, the light turned green and Mitch walked away....his tall figure disappearing in the sea of people crossing the streets quickly before it was not safe once more . Anji stood there as tears poured down his face from the pain in his chest at those hurtful remarks...suddenly a cruel laughing voice carried upon the wind to his ears.

~Do you really believe anyone would honestly want to be with someone like you? So naive...so eager to let himself be mounted like a bitch in heat?" the laughing got louder before blowing away...only to be replaced by the sound of tires screeching as a car barreled towards him...then-BOOM!- where he bolted up in bed panting heavily...clutching at his heart as some tears dropped from his eyes. The flashes of light beyond his room heralded each thunder clap outside and for some reason that calmed his nerves enough..the knowing it was the storm outside fueling his nightmarish dreams. He reached up to wipe the sweat and tears dotting his face, when the sound of a high pitched shriek of fear close by pierced the night over the sound of the falling rain outside. It was almost chilling in it's sound and yet it touched something inside Anji where he bolted out of his rich amber brown bamboo patterned futon bed upon the floor to seek out the cause of that frightened sound. Reaching down he grabbed up his white short style sleeveless hooded robe from the floor and wrapped around his body as he slid the door to the outside open. The moment that door eased open a blast of wind whipped across his naked flesh, making it pebble from the chill caressing along it as his white robe whipped out behind him before he could belt it closed to shield his body. A shiver raced along his spine as he gazed out into the stormy night in hopes to see what caused that scream moments ago...hoping it wasn't one of the Ryoken guests and seeing nothing but inky darkness. Suddenly a bolt of lightening lit up the sky and a flash of movement caught his attention as another cry of fear rang out from where he saw the motion coming from. There was a sudden urge to help the owner of that voice and with no other thought in his mind, he flipped up the hood of his robe before he grabbed the large water ladle that was resting upon the stone water basin right outside his door which was used to gather a drink of fresh water from. Brandishing the wooden ladle in his hands he quickly stepped out into the rain with the sole intention of helping whomever was crying out in distress...his feet squelched into a water puddle as the torrential rain quickly soaked through his thin robe to reveal the tanned flesh beneath it...the chilly rain made his nipples upon his chest harden instantly. He carefully made his way through the dark rain in search of the poor soul caught in this storm...treading cautiously so not to lose his footing upon the rain slicked stony path...suddenly the sounds of whimpering could be heard coming from in front of him and he slowly approached.

"Hello? Where are you? I am Kai-Anji Sakata, one of the owners of this place ...I mean you no harm...I want to help, but I need you to show me where you are." his deep voice gently called out to whomever was making those pitiful sounds close by in the night. With slow cautious steps he shifted closer ans saw a grove of bamboo that was trembling a bit next to a small pond with small waterlilies floating upon the dancing surface. "Hey...don't be scared. I won't hurt you. C on out and let me help you." his voice was calm as he attempted to coax the trembling individual out from behind the bamboo stalks. Just as he reached out to part the thin trees to see the poor soul within, it suddenly burst open as a tiny flash of white leaped out from it..startling Anji as he yelped and stumbled back only to fall into the pond backwards with a loud splash...the wooden ladle flying out of his hand to land on the head of his tiny attacker who yelped loudly. The moment he fell into the water his hand shot out to try and stop his fall but he failed and got a sprained wrist for his attempt. He sat there in the water clutching his hand to his chest in pain when a soft pitiful whimper drew him back to the reason he was here in a pond...outside in the pouring rain...in the middle of the night. Looking over, Anji saw a small black and white puppy that looked pathetic as it shivered from the cold rain...whimpering pitifully as it's big eyes gazed at him sitting there in that pond. Anji began to laugh as he realized his attacker was none other than a lost puppy...the poor little creature seemed scared standing there and Anji did not have the heart to keep laughing as he slowly reached out a hand towards the poor puppy.

"Wan-chan...come here. It's alright...wan-chan." he used his gentlest voice as he tried to coax it closer to his outstretched fingers of his uninjured hand. Slowly it came closer...timidly step by step, whimpering in trepidation until finally he stood close enough that Anji could delicately gather the poor thing up into his hand to bring close to his chest in comfort. The poor puppy whined as it buried itself into his body heat while shivering from the chilly water soaked into its bedraggled fur. Slowly Anji extracted himself from the pond without dropping the pup or causing himself more pain than what he already was in and made his way back to his room to get out of this atrocious weather. As he walked back to his warm, dry room lightning cracked above in the sky, making the precious cargo in his arms bark in fright as it cringed into the safety of his hold...he crooned softly at the poor thing to soothe it the entire way as he walked until finally he made it.

With a sigh of relief he entered and shut the door as droplets of water fell to the polished wood floors covered by tatami mats behind him...making his way to a cabinet where he had a few towels in. He had to shift the puppy around to hold with his injured hand...gasping in pain as he did so, but he managed and retrieved two towels out to dry them both off. With guarded movements he was able to wrap the puppy up in one of those thick towels and set down onto the floor so he could remove his rain saturated garment to tend to his own sopping wet body. To his relief and amazement the puppy did not move from its dry enclosure which allowed Anji to briskly rub himself dry and put something warm and dry on himself before moving back to attend to his new found companion. He gently rubbed the sodden puppy down with its towel as he examined the poor creature for any tags or such in hopes to identify the puppy's owner...he found nothing but wet fur that could not mask the hungry state the puppy was in. The little creatures actions of sighing happily at the warmth of Anji's touch and how fast his tail wagged all gave testament to how starved the poor thing was for affection and for food. Soon as the puppy was dry, Anji lifted the pup up and looked into those sweet brown eyes...his heart gave a jolt of sympathy for this tiny thing. He knew this poor thing had been through a tough patch to be this neglected looking and he vowed to find the owner, whomever they may be, to either return the puppy or give them a piece of his mind at the treatment of this sweet baby...but it seems before he sought the person out he needed to feed this yipping baby.

"Well, little guy , what do you say to some nice warm milk before we go to bed?" he got a tiny bark and a rapid wagging tail as his answer which made Anji chuckle. "You like that, huh boy? Alright...uhhh...what am I going to call you? Can not call you puppy or dog all the time. You need a name...a nice proper name." as he spoke, he walked out of his room down the hallway towards the kitchen to find something for the little boy...the whole time he whispered softly so not to disturb anyone sleeping in their rooms that he passed, names that sounded good. "Hmm, how about Daiki?" the puppy didn't make a sound and he kept on. "Isamu? No...uhmm...Mamoru? Takehiko, since I found you in the bamboo grove. No? Ugghhh, come on little guy, help me out here." As he kept whispering out some names the puppy would either whine, growl or his tail would droop but nothing promising until finally with a sigh Anji blurted out a name of one of his favorite anime/manga characters from Clannad which is about a young delinquent man who ends up befriending five women that strive to revive the drama club at their school. His favorite character happens to be a young man who owns a bakery...he speaks rough but the heart of him is filled with kindness and sympathy for others. One of the things that makes this character his favorite is how hard Anji laughs every time the character is made to eat his wife's bread to soothe her hurt feelings because he doesn't like her bread. His name happens to be Akio Furukawa, so Anji just blurted it out and the reaction he got let him know he found the right one. "How about Akio, it means bright man." suddenly the puppy happily yipped as his tail began to wag again, making Anji chuckle. " Then, I guess that means I shall call you Akio from now on, for you are a bright boy...so smart and such a sweet boy."

In no time at all the bowl of milk was consumed and both of them could be found curled up in Anji's bed with little Akio snuggled up into Anji's stomach...full belly and very content as they both drifted off to sleep.