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All For Love 3rd in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2173 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Initial D, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-All For Love
- 2-AFL 2
- 3-AFL 3
- 4-AFL 4
- 5-AFL 5
- 6-AFL 6
- 7-AFL 7
- 8-AFL 8
- 9-AFL 9
- 10-AFL 10
- 11-AFl 11
- 12-AFL 12
- 13-AFL 13
- 14-AFL 14
- 15-AFL 15
- 16-AFL 16
- 17-AFL 17
- 18-AFL 18
- 19-AFL 19
- 20-AFL 20
- 21-AFL 21
- 22-AFL 22
- 23-AFL 23
- 24-AFL 24
- 25-AFL 25
- 26-AFL 26
- 27-AFL 27
- 28-AFL 28
- 29-AFL 29
- 30-AFL 30
- 31-AFL 31
- 32-AFL 32
- 33-AFL 33
- 34-AFL 34
- 35-AFL 35
- 36-AFL 36
- 37-AFL 37
- 38-AFL 38
- 39-AFL 39
- 40-AFL 40
- 41-AFL 41
- 42-AFL 42
- 43-AFL 43
- 44-AFL 44
- 45-AFL 45
- 46-AFL 46
- 47-AFL 47
- 48-AFL 48
- 49-AFL 49
- 50-AFL 50
- 9
- 10
- 11
A/N: This is temporarily an older draft of this fan fiction that I am posting here. I will revise to correct inconsistencies ASAP. Please have patience with my weird schedules that have made uploading revised chapters an ongoing hassle. The addition of previously deleted scenes in story 2 will cause temporary incongruities which will get corrected.

CHAPTER 10

An email from Kiyo Asada, captain of team Roaring Falls startled Takumi as he opened the program. He remembered the classy man with shoulder length black hair. Asada had a similar air to Ryosuke's about himself. Mogi had caused a lot of trouble for them all before their battle with Asada's team. A flash of remorse rose as Takumi opened it and began to read.

'Greetings,

Inoue, and I are watching Project D's website for updates. As we have seen nothing new of late, I am contacting you directly. How are both of you doing? Sam called and said she has sent a translation with the official Iron Will's entry forms so that you can participate next year. Due to her information, we believe you are serious about the North American Iron Will Endurance. If you have time, Tohru and I would appreciate a chance to speak with you in person. We would appreciate a reply with when would be a good time for us to come to Gunma to give you a proposal we wish to discuss.

Sincerely,

Asada Kiyo.'

"Keisuke, Asada-san sent us an email. He wants to meet with us. Nani should I tell him?"

Keisuke looked up from his magazines, printouts, Iron Will pages, and notepad, with a focused expression. "Which cars do you have information on?"

"Eh? I printed out the Subaru, and Evo series sites already. Even though I know you hate them, GT-R's meet lots of the battle's safety criteria, so I printed those pages too. But, I'm not familiar with driving pickups, which Toyota's main page focused on when I typed in four wheel drive. It looks like most of those are sold in America."

"We're traditional F-R drivers. Pickups are front and top heavy. That kind of weight distribution will be harder to master. Pickups aren't worth investigating because we don't have enough time. I have even more skills to master than you do. I have to learn to control four wheel drives, on top of learning dirt techniques."

"I know. Nani about Asada-san's email, lover?"

"Who?" Keisuke frowned.

"Asada-san was here with Sammy-chan during that meeting we had before we went to battle Asada's team. Don't you think it's strange that Asada sent us this email?"

"Oh, right, that guy. He's just checking on us because we were shot on his turf, Takumi." Keisuke's confusion cleared with a small shrug.

"He says that he talked to Sammy-chan and is watching the website for updates on the Iron Will. His email says that he has a proposal for us, lover. He's offering to come here so he can meet with us in person."

Keisuke's eyebrow rose as he twirled a pen around his fingers. "So, answer it. It doesn't hurt to listen to him."

Takumi answered the email. They were started by a knock on the door, and a muffled voice. "Takumi-kun, Keisuke, you have visitors. Will you come to the living room?"

"Hai. Give us a minute, 'Kāsan Yukiko."

Keisuke frowned at the pages strewn across the hide-a-bed's surface. "Was Takeuchi supposed to come by today?"

Takumi moved the mouse to exit the email program. "Can't be Itsuke. He's working until Thursday."

"Iketani, and Kenji both know our address now."

Takumi started the computer shut down sequence as he shook his head. "They would've called first. How about Kenta, or Fumihiro? We haven't seen them in a while. Although, Fumihiro usually comes to see Ryosuke-san."

"Maybe. He might need input with the Red Suns training routine. I'm the leader since Aniki retired. Come to think of it, Hiroshi might be here for the same reason." Keisuke pulled the door back into the wall and made room for Takumi to limp past.

"Nani would Hiroshi-san want with me?" The amber-haired street racer shuffled into the hallway with Keisuke following. Takumi was stunned to see his otosān and another vaguely familiar looking well-dressed man sitting on the couch in the living room.

Yukiko-san went through hostess duties that good manners dictated. "Now, now, don't be so shy, Bunta, Tsuchia-san. Allow me to make you something to drink at least. I make an acceptable cup of tea."

"Truly, you are a most gracious hostess, Takahashi-san. We have no wish to impose upon such a generous lady's hospitality." The stranger she had identified spoke the traditional words in a melodic voice. Keisuke gasped aloud next to Takumi's shoulder. He stopped and turned his head to look up at his taller partner. Keisuke in turn grabbed his shoulder to stabilize him as their bodies bumped together. The tall blond's features mirrored disbelief.

Takumi whispered, "Are you upset Oyaji's here?"

"Baka, Tsuchia-sama's with Oyaji-san." Keisuke whispered back in a fierce tone.

Takumi frowned, running a finger alongside his cheek and chin as his mind started to race. Takumi found the situation difficult to comprehend. Tsuchia had to come from Tokyo to see him. And, that was a very long trip to make without a very good reason.

Yukiko looked up and toward the hallway where she spotted them. Her big smile proved that she was pleased. "Takumi-kun, Keisuke, do come in."

"Oyaji, I didn't expect you to visit." Takumi lurched into the room, and sat in one of the chairs. Yukiko left with a spring in her step. "Naze are you here?"

Takumi refused to flinch when Oyaji gave him a dark look. "I doubt you remember the last time you saw Keiichi. Keiichi, my brat, Takumi. Takumi, meet Tsuchia Keiichi."

"I'd say you've gotten a bit too big to call a brat, wouldn't you, Takumi-kun? You were only slightly taller than my knees the last time we saw each other. You've really grown up." The friendly smile, and amused question disarmed Takumi. He glanced up at Keisuke, who stood next to him.

Takumi looked back at the man sitting next to his Otosān and bowed his head. "Gomen that I don't remember ever meeting you. But, uhm, . . . it's an honor to meet you again, Tsuchia-sama. This is Takahashi Keisuke, Project D's uphill ace." Keisuke gave a quick bow and murmured his own greeting before dropping into another chair.

"Nice to meet you also, Keisuke. No more sama, by the way. As for you, Takumi, I don't want to hear anything but my name from a member of my own family. I hope you both will forgive my rude intrusion. I wanted to see how you've been doing since I learned you were so very badly hurt. You've made a very big impression this past year, Takumi-kun."

Takumi tilted his head as he looked at the stranger. "I don't understand your meaning about my making a big impression, Tsuchia-s . . . Would you explain so I understand you properly?"

"You've beaten most of the top street racers in the nation. Then, you placed a letter at the Project D site that blew people's minds. You've even posted information about a possible foreign endurance race you want to get into. The course looks quite difficult from the link that was put up recently. I want more information about it. But, tell me about your leg first. That's much more important."

Yukiko reappeared with an elegant tea set on a tray as Takumi answered. "My leg's getting a lot better. The orthopedic surgeon said the bone is filling in faster than he thought it would. I lost some small bone fragments so he thought it would take up to nine months for it to fill back in. Okamoto senumon-i does a test twice a month to figure out how fast the empty spots are filling in. I'll be out of the brace sometime between late December and mid February."

"That's very reassuring news, Takumi. I'm relieved to hear you're doing so well. I was under the impression you were about to lose your right leg." Tsuchia smiled again.

Yukiko handed Oyaji a cup of tea. She handed another cup to Tsuchia. Takumi waved off her offer of a drink. Keisuke followed his lead. Yukiko turned back and held up the platter with the honey, cream, and sugar containers for them to choose between.

Takumi continued, "I'm not losing my leg, Tsuchia. Uhm, as far as the race, Sammy-chan told us the Iron Will trains the best professional drivers. Project D was destroyed because of my ex girlfriend going insane. Since it takes several days to complete the Iron Will course, we thought it might be a good finishing race if we can get there. If we do well, we'll know we have the kind of skill needed for the pros."

"Nani makes you think this foreign competition's the best way to find out if you have the mettle to become professionals? There's rally, autocross, and gymkhana meets open to the public right here. You could enter those and dominate the open roster to catch professional scouts' attention without going to so much trouble." Tsuchia pointed out.

"Iron Will is one of the world's toughest competitions. If we do well in it, we'll know we have the stamina that gymkhana, autocross, and rally circuits can't really prove we have. Keisuke-san's competed in gymkhana and rally before, so he knows."

"It's going to take great effort to get to America. Do you two understand how difficult it's going to be? Do you realize how expensive this task really is?" The older professional looked between them as he asked his question.

Keisuke began to speak. "Hai, we know, Tsuchia-san. Unless we overcome several obstacles, it won't be possible. Our cars can't pass the Iron Will Foundation's inspections because of the off-road section. We were doing research on cars that meet the official rating's criteria when you arrived. Subaru's line up meets roughly fifty percent of the listed criteria in stock form. Evo's only meet thirty eight percent of the criteria."

Tsuchia looked at Bunta with raised brows. The sleepy-eyed man shrugged with a shake of his head. Takumi saw the furrowed brow his Otosān had and swallowed hard. "I don't expect Oyaji to loan me his car, minasan. Keisuke-san hates the Skyline GT-R which also meets the highest percent of the Foundation's criteria."

Yukiko spoke. "I told Tsuchia and Bunta that you wanted to be in this Iron Will race because of how many people have won some other prestigious race attached to it."

Takumi latched onto the new topic before Oyaji could explode. "People from all over the world compete in the Iron Will because a few drivers that placed in the top twenty went on to win the World Championship."

"So, that's the reason for your interest in this foreign battle. You have the World Championship in your sights."

"Well, that's only because it might help us get to the professional circuit, Tsuchia-san. But, with everything that's happened to Project D, . . ."

"Cheer up, Takumi-kun. If you miss this race, you can still make the next. It's only three years away. It might even be better to wait since you've got therapy to complete."

Keisuke's voice throbbed with frustration. "Okāsan, we can't wait. We have to get into the Iron Will this time, before all of our hard work with Project D fades. Oyaji-san's Impreza is a car that can at least handle normal dirt roads. That's naze I hope he'll let Takumi borrow it."

"Matte, Keisuke. Ryosuke-san said it would have to be modified to become a viable entry. There's no way I'm letting anyone mess with Oyaji's Impreza." Takumi glared as he snapped at his boyfriend.

"I'm not suggesting using his car as a race entry, Fujiwara. Think about everything Ryosuke said. He said we have a handicap. We don't have experience with off road conditions. We'll never win without off-road training. If Oyaji-san's willing to help you train, then you can overcome that handicap. You'll do well in the real competition because you'll have the understanding of dirt and mud driving before we go to America."

"Baka, I'm not about to see my car trashed because Takumi's trying to drive with a broken leg. If he wants to ruin a car, he's got the hachi roku." Bunta snarled.

"Oyaji-san, I meant after his leg's well. I don't want your car damaged either. Without driving time in dirt to master those conditions, it's a waste of any sponsor's money even with a suitable car for Fujiwara to drive in the battle. Che. Naze am I bothering to argue with you? It's probably useless since we have roughly six months to get everything lined up before the entry forms have to be turned in, and we're having difficulty finding off road information. We can't even find dirt and mud to train off-road once the isha-sans give us the clean bills of health to start driving again."

"I'm surprised that you're giving up already. I'd thought you more determined from everything I've heard about you." Tsuchia's tone sounded neutral, but Takumi's heart stuttered over hearing it said.

"Erm, we're not giving up, Tsuchia-san. We're frustrated. We've discovered that most Japanese four wheel drive cars can't qualify even with lots of upgrades. We have to find the cars that come closest to meeting all the criteria. Then we have to get them both upgraded to meet the requirements in under six months. We have to find sponsors before the entry form due date also. All sponsors have to be listed when we send in the entry forms, or we get disqualified from the battle. We also have to find information on how to race on dirt. Construction sites are about the only dirt we have in this area to practice on once we find off-road techniques. That's a lot to overcome in only a few months."

"Changing cars might make your fans angry, Takumi. I don't know about Keisuke's fans, but, . . . people feel your accomplishments in an antique are noteworthy."

"Ryosuke-san's thinking about doing a survey to get fan input about different cars for this race once he posts the regulations and safety guidelines. We have lots of fan email asking about the race that might convince sponsors to pay for shipping the cars. We should be able to find and modify two cars in time. But, it wouldn't be right to get there, then get disqualified because we don't know off road techniques."

"So, you're concerned about doing right by sponsors, and your fans. That's impressive, shonen." Tsuchia smiled and nodded.

Keisuke spoke. "We have lots of training to do. If we can buy cars that are rated to handle the off road section of this battle, we'll do our best to get permission to train in construction sites before we have to leave. But, as Fujiwara said, getting disqualified because of ignorance isn't an option. Project D's bigger than we are. All of the support crew's reputation depends on our performance."

Oyaji pulled his cigarette pack out of his shirt pocket, looked at Yukiko, and returned it to his shirt. She stood and walked out of the room with a brisk stride. In moments she returned with an ashtray. "It seems you two are pretty fired up about this." Oyaji sounded thoughtful as he took out a smoke and lit it.

"They are, Bunta. Such a difficult race might even force those who speak poorly of our musukos to hold their tongues. Sammy-chan's offered to be a limited sponsor, even though she's defending her current title as the champion. Her home is in a desert area. Because she has already offered them a limited sponsorship, I wonder if she might help them by sending them information they need on dirt racing, instead of loaning them vans and giving them car parts for the actual race."

"Shonen, do you think your Gaijin friend would be willing to help you find temporary lodgings in her area? I know someone in Tokyo that might give some tips about driving on dirt roads. You'll need to be in America anyway. You could leave early if you get the details ironed out in time to send in your entries, and complete your training there."

"Really?" Takumi heard Keisuke's hopeful tone as the blond came half out of his chair.

The Drift King held up his hands. "I said I might be able to get some tips. An acquaintance lived in Australia for a few years. He had to drive on dirt roads in all kinds of weather. You may have to figure out how to alter any information I can get to race, if he's even willing to share his knowledge. First, as you pointed out, you need the right cars, and a way to get to America. If we can get those problems resolved, the rest will be easier."

Keisuke sat back in his chair. Oyaji turned to look at his friend with a hint of annoyance. "Are you sure you want to stick your neck out again, Keiichi? Helping me find the engine for Takumi's hachi roku was a big deal. Seems you'd be more concerned about your rep if word got out that you helped them."

"We went over this already, Bunta. I have good reasons to help Takumi. Because of the unforgivable things Kimiko did when he was a small child, if I can help him, I will."

Takumi looked closer at the tailor dressed man sitting on the European styled couch across from him. The last piece of the puzzle fell into place. "Tsuchia-san, naze should you feel obligated? 'Kāsan did those things, not you. It's not your responsibility."

"I introduced your ryōshin. You and Bunta have paid dearly for that, Takumi. I'm aware of the problems you and Keisuke have to overcome. Talking to you has helped me decide. I like your attitudes. I think it's worth helping you achieve your goals, even if I find your circumstances uncomfortable, Takumi." Tsuchia's words were somber.

"Nani? . . ." Takumi felt irritation flash through him as his heart rate increased dramatically.

"Ryosuke-kun said you refused to turn on Keisuke over the feelings he has for you. You get angry when people decide Keisuke's wrong because he developed feelings you believe he has no control over. That's a refreshing way to view a rather uncomfortable predicament." An expansive gesture accompanied Tsuchia's words.

Takumi glanced at Keisuke. He suddenly felt cornered. Takumi had expected censure, not the pity he sensed in Tsuchia's comment. Anger curled in the pit of his stomach. There was no reason for pity. Love was not something to be pitied. "I never thought about men being attractive, or anything like that, so I panicked when I first found out that Keisuke loves me. But, Keisuke's changed my life in important ways. Turning on him isn't an alternative I can consider. I don't expect you to understand."

"I got that impression from your website letter. So, I'm willing to help you both, despite your sticky situation."

"I can't let you do that, Tsuchia-san. There's no need to involve yourself. It would be wrong for me to let you to help because of how you feel." Takumi shook his head as he spoke. His emotions were painful. It was a useless argument Takumi knew, and yet, he would argue to be understood, if not accepted.

Oyaji turned his head away, and held his temples between his thumb and fingers as he leaned his arm against the couch's back. He remained rigid as a statue while Takumi gritted his teeth. Keisuke's hands gripped his chair arms as he sat frozen, watching. Yukiko fidgeted with her skirt in the remaining chair. The Drift King looked shocked at being turned down flat.

"Naze? Is it because I feel responsible for Kimiko's behavior, Takumi?"

"iie. I doubt you can get this situation, or how it's changed in the last couple of months. The web letter is a small part of how I view Keisuke, Itsuke, Ryosuke-san, and all of my closer friends. The Gaijin onna that saved our lives is the only one that really understood my reaction, and everything going on between Keisuke and myself. She even realized that I wouldn't be able to work this out with any man except Keisuke, Tsuchia-san."

"Takumi-kun, I already know you're firm in your resolve to protect your friendship, and resolve this difficulty. I admire your courage in attempting something so troublesome." Tsuchia's tone was conciliatory which made Takumi angrier.

Takumi's voice rumbled from his chest as he sought to control the fury felt. "I almost lost a huge part of myself when I saw Keisuke covered in blood. He almost died because he accepted that he couldn't change his feelings! He protected my life because to Keisuke, . . . losing me isn't an option! It took that nightmare of Keisuke dying in front of me to drive home just how important he is to me! It doesn't matter that Keisuke's a man anymore! I stopped caring about gender, and all the crap I was taught to believe that night. I had to accept that Keisuke's been the person I rely on most for a while." The emotional pressure churning in his heart forced Takumi out of his seat as he continued putting feelings into words.

"Keisuke's important enough to take a chance on, even if I haven't always been comfortable! Everything he's done for me, . . . and become to me, . . . is naze I started to love him at some point. I couldn't tell anyone here when that happened, because I don't even know. But, we've become more than friends, Tsuchia-san. Can't handle that? Then you have no reason to help us. This isn't some stupid crush that will fade! These feelings aren't something either one of us wanted. Keisuke fought his feelings with everything he is for months! It took the most painful lesson possible to make us both understand how much we need each other! Sammy-chan said that Kami-sama sends lessons like we got to make us give up our stubborn resistence, and beliefs that conflict with his plans. It works too!"

Yukiko's eyes had tears in them as she smiled. Oyaji stared hard at him with his mouth hanging open. Takumi did not avoid his otosān's shocked gaze. Takumi felt more tremors slide along his spine as thoughts crystalized. Keisuke had become the center of his world. He had no life without the feisty wheat haired man.

Keisuke was also standing, looking as if he was ready to catch him if he lost his balance. "Take it easy, Takumi. You're shaking like a leaf in a strong wind. Stop pushing yourself so hard. You're backing yourself into corners. You've got to calm down, and sit down before you strain your thigh again."

"I can't keep letting people misunderstand, Keisuke. I can't let Tsuchia-san do something he'll regret later. I don't want Oyaji, or anyone else to blow us off anymore. Itsuke doesn't like it, but, he's at least trying to accept that this is real. Unlike Oyaji, Itsuke took the time to listen to us, saw the truth with his own eyes, and has thought about everything. He didn't write us off because he knows we aren't joking. You became the center of my world without me knowing it. I found that out when you ate a bullet meant for me."

Keisuke had him by the shoulder before Takumi understood his intentions. "I know. You're everything to me too, Takumi. Otherwise, I wouldn't have done something that insane to protect you, now would I?"

"I told you Tak's stubborn, Keiichi. Now you see naze I said to leave this alone." Oyaji's voice grated on Takumi's nerves. His otosān glared accusations at Keisuke, whose answer was a happy smirk. Takumi waited to see how Tsuchia would respond.

"Takumi doesn't sound like he's being stubborn to me, Bunta. He's more like you than you want to admit because the person he loves is another man. Kimiko's still the center of your world even though she vanished years ago. I clearly understand that Takumi didn't want to fall in love with his teammate because of his being a man, Bunta. The big difference between you, and Takumi is rather obvious on this point. It seems to me that Keisuke became the center of Takumi's world because of his character and personality, . . . and in spite of his gender, my friend." The man's voice was thoughtful, as was his expression.

Takumi blinked several times as he found himself nodding in agreement. "I owe you an apology for saying you couldn't get it, Tsuchia-san. That was wrong of me. Gomen nasai gozaimasu for yelling at you."

"Don't apologize. You spoke the truth. This isn't a simple affair that you found yourselves involved in. I owe both of you an apology for making certain assumptions also. You have a way of expressing yourself that is quite powerful, and will serve you well any time you choose to use it, Takumi. I think you might even be able to find a way to accomplish everything Bunta set aside for your okāsan when you were a newborn because of your ability to express things eloquently when you get angry."

Bunta frowned at them both in return. "Do you really think they can possibly overcome society's rules, Keiichi?"

"Call it a gut feeling, Bunta. If Takumi always explains things the way he did today, and with the same spirit, it will be much harder for people to be critical of them. If Takumi explains their situation in the exact same way to Project D fans, there's a possibility of gaining solid support from a large enough segment of the fan base to make a lasting difference. Solid fan acceptance of their relationship over a couple of years could give professional team owners and management the evidence needed to make exceptions for them."

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All For Love 3rd in Rivalry Series