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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2672 -:- 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-As the Smoke Clears
- 2-Smoke 2
- 3-Smoke 3
- 4-Smoke 4
- 5-Smoke 5
- 6-Smoke 6
- 7-Smoke 7
- 8-Smoke 8
- 9-Smoke 9
- 10-Smoke 10
- 11-Smoke 11
- 12-Smoke 12
- 13-Smoke 13
- 14-Smoke 14
- 15-Some 15
- 16-Smoke 16
- 17-Chapter 17
- 18-Smoke 18
- 19-Smoke 19
- 20-Smoke 20
- 21-Smoke 21
- 22-Smoke 22
- 23-Smoke 23
- 24-Smoke 24
- 25-Smoke 25
- 26-Smoke 26
- 27-Smoke 27
- 28-Smoke 28
- 29-Smoke 29
- 30-Smoke 30
- 31-Smoke 31
- 32-Smoke 32
- 33-Smoke 33
- 34-Smoke 34
- 35-Smoke 35
- 36-Smoke 36
- 37-Smoke 37
- 38-Smoke 38
- 39-Smoke 39
- 40-Smoke 40
- 14
- 15
- 16
CHAPTER 15

Hearing an English conversation as a door opened down the corridor, Keisuke stood again. Dressed in a crisp business suit, the older foreign psychiatrist was walking toward them. His thinning gray hair was styled over the top of his scalp in an attempt to hide Leamas Alexander's balding pate. The man's medium build slid into a portly girth. Piercing light blue eyes with a hawkish nose gave his angular face an observant, keenness. Another man walked beside the foreign psychiatrist. Also wearing a suit, the oriental stayed close to the American while they conversed in English.

Stopping before them, Leamas extended a hand to Takumi. "Hello, Takumi. Who's your friend?" The deep gravelly voice seemed too powerful for the man speaking as Takumi shook his hand.

"Leamas sama, this is Takahashi Keisuke. He's my, . . . uhm, . . . life partner, I guess. Saying he's my boyfriend doesn't fit since we've agreed to stay together permanently."

The American chuckled over Takumi's awkward introduction as the translator simultaneously spoke it. "Whatever you feel is most appropriate, Takumi. Significant other, spouse, husband, or lover is acceptable to me. I'm not here to judge you based upon antiquated moral codes. You've had a difficult time without me adding unreasonable prejudices to the weighty list."

Shaking the psychiatrist's hand while ignoring the disconcerting effect of the translator's voice weaving with the doctor's, Keisuke addressed him in English. "It's a pleasure to meet you, sir. Thank you for accepting that we're same gender spouses even if we can't get legally married."

"Always a pleasure to meet another English speaker. The gay community in American has the same difficulty, Mr. Takahashi. Some same gender couples are fighting for the right to get married with legal status in my nation. Many same gender couples hold wedding ceremonies with friends and family members despite the lack of legal status. I've determined that announcing their commitment to each other is emotionally satisfying for such couples. Perhaps in time, governments will legalize same gender marriage."

"That's something Takumi and I can only hope for, Leamas sama. Actually, I'm very concerned about Takumi and Takeuchi, so I insisted on seeing you today. Takumi stopped eating right after talking with Takeuchi several days ago, sir."

"Shall I assume that Itsuke lingering here is your doing, Mr. Takahashi?" He nodded. "If Takumi has no objections, I'll allow you both to attend his session."

Before Keisuke could ask Takumi how he felt, his mate was answering through the interpreter. "I hope that having Itsuke and Keisuke involved today will help me to work things out with them."

On the heels of the translator's words, Leamas nodded. "Thank you, Takumi. Group therapy it is. Do you mind if I call you by your first name, Mr. Takahashi?" The psychiatrist asked turning back to him.

"Keisuke's fine with me, Leamas sama."

The foreign psychiatrist motioned them to follow as he walked toward his office. Grabbing the handles of Takumi's wheel chair, Keisuke fell into step with the doctor. "Apart from Takumi's lack of appetite, has anything else alarmed you, Keisuke?"

Aware that few patients would be English proficient, Keisuke launched into his concerns in a quiet voice. "Takeuchi and Takumi spoke a few days ago, and Takeuchi said he can't be around Takumi because the compound changed his feelings. Both believe I'll have a jealous rage and think they cheated on me during Kahori's coerced sex test. I went to the evidence review and saw their cell videos. Unlike Takeuchi, I could escape the review and recover whenever the footage got too painful. I thought knowing more of his nightmare would let me help Takumi sort out his confused surfacing memories, Leamas sama. From all the videos I saw, everything combined was enough to unhinge a far stronger, and completely healthy man's mind, much less Takeuchi's immature one. I saw Takeuchi get subjected to nonstop gay activities involving Takumi. I'm aware that he has homophobia issues. Coerced sex with Takumi might push him to attempt suicide. I think Takumi's thinking the same thing, and has become so alarmed that he stopped eating."

Leamas motioned for them to precede him into the office. Pushing Takumi's chair into the room, Keisuke paused in his explanation. The psychiatrist waved them into the chairs facing an impressive oak desk. Placing Takumi's wheel chair between his and the chair Itsuke sank into, Keisuke dropped into the other seat. Leamas's interpreter pushed a tallish roller stool near Takeuchi's chair and spoke softly.

After a moment of hesitation Itsuke spoke. "Keisuke san told me that he'd find out everything anyway. Sometimes, he's a lot like Sadami."

Startled by the resentment in Takeuchi's voice, Keisuke frowned at him while the interpreter relayed Takeuchi's words with identical inflections to Leamas. The American doctor pulled a manilla folder from the filing cabinet beside his desk. Setting it on the top, he thumbed through other files and tugged another free. Sitting in his office chair, Leamas began flipping through both.

"Thank you for your cooperation, Itsuke." Turning to face him, Leamas spoke. "Confidentiality ethics make specific diagnosis off limits, Keisuke, and Takumi. Due to your being Takumi's significant other, discussing his specific medical and treatment plans when Itsuke isn't present is up to Takumi's discretion. I follow privacy laws from my own nation unless Benito tells me of Japanese laws that counter those I uphold. With that in mind, I believe Itsuke's experiencing a normal reaction to traumatic memories. People often avoid individuals and triggers involving upsetting recollections. Withdrawal is not necessarily an indicator of suicidal tendencies."

Keisuke launched into his conclusions as the interpreter relayed the information to Takumi and Takeuchi. "There's no way that Takeuchi cutting Takumi out of his life is normal. They've been inseparable since kindergarten. Takeuchi has always been with Takumi, especially whenever he's in trouble. Maybe his blind belief in Takumi being an indestructible savior got destroyed in the compound, so he's lashing out at Takumi. All I know is Takeuchi's suddenly adamant that he's dangerous to Takumi. That's why I'm getting so stressed out over them both."

With a lifted hand, Leamas interrupted him. "I understand that you have genuine reasons for alarm. Calm down so I can verify some things. I see notations on Takumi's file that you're paying his medical expenses. You are also listed as his emergency contact. Is this correct?" Keisuke nodded confirmation. "Thank you. Can you give me a concise encapsulation of your relationship to Itsuke, Keisuke?"

Watching as Leamas grabbed a notepad and a pen, Keisuke launched into his concerns. "After Takumi agreed to date me, I got to know Takeuchi since they're so close. Takeuchi's literally been my husband's unofficial, doted upon, and an indulged younger brother their whole life. Therefore, I've accepted Takeuchi as a permanent part of my life despite our differences of opinion. To be blunt, I find that Takeuchi gets very loud, and extremely obnoxious whenever he's excited. During highly emotion periods, he seems prone to irrational thinking to me. He acts recklessly. Takeuchi doesn't notice how his actions affect Takumi which does annoy me. Still, he's family, so I do all I can to help him calm down and stay out of trouble. He had a severe homophobic reaction to learning that Takumi and I are together. Getting coerced into gay foreplay with Takumi has done serious harm to their relationship. Because he told Takumi he thinks he's in love with him, I'm afraid he'll do something extreme as everything settles down."

Looking up from his scribbling, Leamas spoke. "I see. They mention each other frequently so I'm also aware of how close they are. Is there anything else you can add that might bring more new insights to my attention?"

"Takeuchi said disturbing things to me recently."

Leamas asked, "How are his comments disturbing?"

"For one, he keeps saying he's a weapon to use against Takumi. Takeuchi said he's Takumi's worst weakness starting three weeks ago. Another thing that concerns me is how different Takeuchi's been acting. He's normally a talkative person when he's having problems, but this strange silence makes it impossible to help him sort out his confusion and get him back on his feet."

Leamas flipped between the two folders, making additional notes and nodding. "I see. How do you feel about Keisuke's comments, Itsuke?"

The dark-haired youth was rubbing his knuckle stump as he answered. "Keisuke san's right. I'm nothing but trouble for Tak the way I am right now. Tak obeyed Tung Tzu's sick orders to protect me from getting tortured more. I was always used against him that way. If I hadn't been there, nobody could have trapped Tak because he would've fought his way free. Tak wouldn't leave me behind because he stands by his friends."

Keisuke waited for Leamas to respond. "Do you honestly believe Takumi would have escaped if not for your presence, Itsuke?"

Itsuke nodded. His face displayed Takumi's dismayed reaction to Takeuchi's agreement. The idea that Takumi could have escaped without help was absurd. Sighing, Keisuke responded. "As badly injured as Takumi was, there's not a chance he could have escaped such a heavily guarded facility. It's that kind of illogical thinking that frightens us. Even without Takeuchi there, Takumi would've had the same exact injuries. It took a large group of trained fighters to get them out of that place."

The psychiatrist studied Itsuke as the translator's voice fell silent. A clock on the back wall sounded off a staccato beat. Moments passed before Leamas responded. "Agreed, Keisuke. I've seen the medical records and concur that Takumi's injuries, blood loss, serious infection, undernourishment, congested heart and lungs, combined with drug lethargy made any escape attempt impossible. His very weakened physical condition prevented fighting effectively against the superior number of guards on site. After viewing the videos of Takumi's consecutive fight losses where Itsuke was present, it does seem as if he has an inflated view of Takumi's capabilities."

Hearing Takumi's voice turned Keisuke's head toward his mate. "During our captivity, Itsuke did whatever the slavers told him to, thinking that it would save me. He agreed to someone's insane plan because they promised him I'd be taken off the drugs, and they wouldn't treat me like a wholesale slut. Sadly, Itsuke trusts people he shouldn't, and I was too drugged to think clearly enough to protect him."

Frowning, Keisuke inserted his thoughts. "My rescue efforts only helped to save Takumi's life by getting him into surgery. Takeuchi has been openly degrading his own efforts that truly kept Takumi alive long enough for me to find enough fighters to rescue them. His negative attitude also has me wondering whether Takeuchi might commit suicide to balance the scales between the two of us in his own mind."

Tapping his pen against the folders, Leamas asked, "What do you mean by balance the scales between the two of you?"

Takumi touched his arm and prevented him from answering as the interpreter fell silent again. Looking at the doctor, Takumi spoke again. "Itsuke has literally been part of my daily existence . . . always. He's half my world. Keisuke knows how hard it was for me when Itsuke flipped out over finding out that we were dating. After he calmed down, Itsuke considered the changes that Keisuke's made in my life, and supported us. Since he was forced to be my partner in Kahori's sex test, . . . It feels like he's punishing me because I couldn't find a way out for him. When I talked to Itsuke a few days ago, he said that Keisuke's good for me, but he isn't, Leamas sama."

"I'm not punishing you, Tak. You've been really sick and need to focus on Hikaru." Itsuke protested.

"Please hold your thoughts for a few minutes, Itsuke. The person that I am questioning is Keisuke." Leamas interjected with a stern look at all of them.

"Like Takumi said, Takeuchi lists the positive things that have happened to Takumi since we got together. It sounds as if he thinks I'm the only one that Takumi needs in his life which is absurd. Whenever I confront him about how he's avoiding Takumi, he makes it sound like everything bad that has ever happened to my spouse is somehow his fault."

"How do you both perceive that Itsuke's defection has affected your romantic relationship?" Leamas asked, pointing to Takumi.

"Like I said, Itsuke and Keisuke are the two halves of my world. Because of everything that happened in the compound, I'm losing both people that matter most to me. Fixing the problem is impossible. I love them in very different . . . but equal ways. It feels like I'm losing my reasons for living . . . because I can't stop being so unfair and selfish with them." Takumi responded in a sincere voice.

Leaning closer to Takumi, Keisuke spoke. "Selfishness isn't the problem, my own. Unconditional acceptance and loving people too much once you commit to them is. Nevertheless, I don't want you to stop being yourself because of how you fully accept all of our outrageous flaws." Once he saw Takumi's lips twitch upward in a small smile, he leaned back into his seat and spoke to the doctor.

"Obviously, Takeuchi's absence is draining Takumi's will to recover from the compound's abuse, or he'd be eating. They think they cheated on me. After seeing the rape videos, I don't agree with them. Although they're close, I don't feel Takeuchi's a threat to my place in Takumi's life. Trying to make them understand my viewpoint isn't resolving their guilty conscience."

Leamas lifted his hand to stop him. "Hm, that's an insightful stance, Keisuke. I need to ask Takumi something specific at this point. . . . Would you say your overprotectiveness evolved to offset Itsuke's acute chemical imbalance while you were young children, or was established as you got older?"

Frowning thoughtfully, Keisuke watched Takumi mull it over. "Uhm, Keisuke's right about Itsuke being my family since we were little. Helping clean up the messes he gets into is normal. Honestly, I'm not sure how to answer you because I've always helped Itsuke, Leamas sama. Lying won't change anything. I've always loved Itsuke, but I didn't know my attachment could change before the compound. Explaining the differences in how I love Keisuke and Itsuke is hard because of how different my feelings are for them both."

"Please try, Takumi. This is important." The psychiatrist urged.

"Loving Itsuke is calm, secure, an easy understanding, . . . it feels more familiar I guess. I'm content when I'm with him because he honestly needs me, and I believed our connection couldn't be broken. He's like a foundation piece of me. Whenever I get confused, Itsuke clears my mind just by being around me. He pulls me out of my dark spots and makes me laugh when I most need that. There's a real connection that doesn't need words. Those qualities draw me toward him. When Kahori started chopping off Itsuke's fingers, everything changed. Knowing that Kahori would kill him just to amuse herself made me admit just how important he is to me. Without Itsuke, I feel like I'll lose my grasp of who I am."

"How is your attachment to Keisuke different to the one you've just described toward Itsuke, Takumi?"

"Loving Keisuke gets really intense, Leamas sama. He's always surprising me in a good way. The way he thinks and does things keeps my attention focused on him completely. There's so much I've learned just by following Keisuke's lead. Our relationship has a competitive side that makes me feel more alive. Before Keisuke showed me I could, I never tried things just to see if they interested me. I'm learning that being more adventurous is acceptable. Our relationship has shown me things about myself that I didn't know were inside me. Keisuke's given me real confidence. Sometimes I feel overwhelmed by Keisuke because he's so confident, unshakable in his beliefs, smart, and he gets results whenever he does anything. Everything I can't see about myself, Keisuke notices. Pushing myself beyond every limit I had is the only way to keep up with him. Still, I'm afraid I can't meet his expectations, although they're good ones. Am I making any sense?"

Forgetting Leamas could not understand, Keisuke turned to Takumi. "Naze didn't you tell me about feeling overwhelmed, Takumi? Had I known there was a problem, we could have resolved it. Backing you into a corner is the last thing I want to do."

"Matte, Keisuke. I don't mean it in a bad way. You aren't pushing me into any corners. Your expectations are good for me, and I know that. Right now I'm feeling like a complete failure though. I hate having let you down like I have lately."

"The compound isn't your failure, my own. That one's mine. Recognizing how dependant Takeuchi's always been on you because he's threatening to run may be increasing your anxiety with me. I think surviving Oyaji san's alcohol abuse probably has something to do with your changing feelings toward Takeuchi too. After all, he was the only stable family you had before we got together. Now he's scaring the shit out of you. Still, you need to tell me whenever I get too demanding so I can back off and give you space to catch your breath."

Sounding panicky, Takumi hastened to speak. "I don't mean you're overwhelming me that way, Keisuke. Trying to explain this is going very wrong. Guess I should just shut up before I screw up even worse."

Leamas took control of the conversation as the interpreter's words dropped away. "Discussing things is the only way to resolve normal insecurities, Takumi. If you retreat into yourself, your relationship will ultimately suffer because Keisuke won't understand you. Commitment requires frequent compromise to promote stability. My impression of Keisuke's response is that he wants to understand where the threat to your individuality lies."

"I don't feel threatened by Keisuke. That wasn't my meaning when I said I get overwhelmed."

"Can I explain this before things blow up, Leamas sama?" Takeuchi butted in.

"Please, Itsuke. Share your thoughts." A warning look from the psychiatrist kept Keisuke quiet.

"Letting Keisuke san take the lead because his plans always work aggravates Tak's feeling that he's not giving enough back to Keisuke san. He's awed by Keisuke san's ability to give him the things he wants or needs without having to ask. Making decisions, being responsible, and reliable are all things that Keisuke san does easily. Tak always had to make all the decisions and sacrifices to provide for himself before he moved in with Keisuke san. Now Keisuke san's wealth, and other outstanding qualities are hard for Tak to handle because he doesn't feel like he'll ever be Keisuke san's equal. Tak's comfortable with me because he gets to be the reliable one, and do things for me. Now that I'm trying to get my life together, Tak's freaking out that he's not needed by Keisuke san, or me."

"Domo, Itsuke. Wish I could say things like you do." Takumi's voice and expression mirrored his relief.

Knowing the other man understood Takumi better than he did stung. "I've never meant for Takumi to feel that he isn't needed, or reliable, Takeuchi. As far as I'm concerned, he's my equal. Without Takumi keeping me in line, I'd go back to being an arrogant prick overnight. Naze can't either of you get that through your thick skulls?"

"How can you say I'm your equal when I can't make a goal and see it through without your help, Keisuke? You've been paying for everything for months now! If I so much as try to pick up after myself, your whole family makes me stop. I've been completely useless since last summer!" His spouse snarled.

"That's temporary and you know it. You've had a bullet shattered leg that needed to heal, Takumi. Standing up to me whenever I get too focused, and stubbornly single minded about something is more important than you realize. You're the one that knows how to multitask. When I try to do more than one thing, I mess up horribly if you aren't there to keep me on track. How does that qualify as lacking in our relationship? Without you reminding me to shift mental gears to accomplish multiple tasks, I'd still be the messiest, single-minded bastard in Gunma Prefecture."

A soft snort of laughter from Takeuchi greeted his ears. "He's got a point, Tak. You keep me in line too. Between us, you've had your hands full even without a work schedule. You get me out of trouble, and still keep up with Keisuke san's training routine. He can't get out of cup training, and all the rest of the things that you've had him practicing. Nothing ever phases you, Tak. That's pretty amazing too."

"iie it isn't, Itsuke. Anymore, I feel like I'm always in need of saving. Most of the time Keisuke gets every problem under control before I know there is one. I can't stand knowing that Keisuke's saved me so often that I feel like a burden."

"Naze does that sound way too familiar, Tak?" Takeuchi's tone was sarcastic enough to lift the psychiatrist's head from his notes as he listened to the interpreter's voice.

Muttering under his breath, Leamas made several more notes as the interpreter completed his rendition of their conversation. "Well, this discussion is proving most productive. Combining everyone's input, I'm beginning to see a specific pattern. However, strongly I feel that I need to keep you in this hospital, you insist on getting released this Thursday, Itsuke. Will you please consider changing your mind?"

"My ryōshin can't afford the medical bills, and I have to get back to work or lose my job, Leamas sama." The brawny youth grumbled without heat.

Afraid that Takumi's health was on the line, Keisuke demanded, "What kind of pattern are you talking about, Leamas sama? Why not make Takeuchi stay if he's ill? The department head should back any recommendations you make."

"This isn't America. The department head rejected my recommendation that Itsuke be detained in the psychiatric ward for intensive therapy. His family cited financial problems so administration sided with them." Leamas sounded unhappy.

Frustrated, Keisuke shot back. "Then I'll cover Takeuchi's medical bills so his getting released won't be an issue. If I pay Takeuchi's medical bills, I can authorize you to keep him here until you feel he's well. Easing Takumi's mind so he starts eating again will be worth every yen to me."

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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series