Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

仁義	By : Kimmimaru Category: Gravitation > AU - Alternate Universe Views: 1234 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Gravitation, the characters or settings and of course i make no money from writing this.

Chapter List
- 15
- 16
- 17
Chapter 16: Higeki (Tragedy)

The three men moved through the docks, using the night time shadows as cover, Ryuichi's eyes glittered in the moonlight as he peered around corners, his fingers ever close to the knives that were strapped to his person. Yuki felt tension between his shoulders and he had a very bad feeling, it wasn't just the fact that he couldn't get rid of the idea of Shuichi and Ryuichi together, it was something deeper. He knew his little singer was in trouble and urgency filled him, they had to find him, before it was too late.

Tohma stood before the doors of the warehouse. He had got there before the others, he knew they would arrive soon. K stood at his back, his fingers on the handle of his gun, he hated this situation, more than he would ever let on. He couldn't understand what the president was thinking, the man had hardly spoken a word to him since they had left the boat, merely giving him instructions. He licked his lips nervously, there were noises coming from within the warehouse...noises that made chills creep up K's spine. Shuichi was in there. He knew he was, what he couldn't understand was why Tohma was just standing there when he could go in and rescue the little kid before anything really horrible happened.

Tohma was haunted by Ryuichi's face, he wanted to understand what the assassin was thinking. He wasn't acting right, he was breaking the vows he had taken and he was doing it all for the pink haired boy beyond the doors. Finally he heard what he was waiting for, a soft footstep coming from behind him. He turned and saw Ryuichi, cloaked in shadows so that only his eyes shone in the light. "Finally." He whispered. He stood where he was in front of the doors and folded his arms across his chest. Now he would give his friend the ultimate test of loyalty.

Ryuichi stepped forward, his eyes went blank as he realised what Tohma was doing. "No..." he whispered.

Tohma said nothing and the two men stared at each other. Yuki made a rude noise and stepped forward, Ryuichi stopped him. "What are you...?"

"Wait." He said softly. "Tohma...please don't." He said turning to the blond. "Let me past!"

"I cannot do that, Ryuichi." Tohma replied.

"Why? Why are you doing this?" The desperation Ryuichi's voice made K turn to the president, what was the man thinking? "I-I don't want to! No! I won't do it!"

Tohma raised an eyebrow. "So, you'll let the boy in there get hurt...all because you were too weak to get to him?"

Ryuichi flinched visibly. The cracks in his composure became ruptures and he covered his face in his hands. "I-I can't!" he cried and fell to his knees. "I don't know...what to do...Tohma!"

"You do not seem as committed to saving Shindou anymore." Tohma continued in that same gentle voice. "Do you remember, Ryuichi? Can you remember what it was like to give yourself to men who used you like a toy? Do you remember the pain? Because I seem to remember your tears at night, you cannot hide what you say in your sleep."

Ryuichi slowly let his hands drop from his face, they shook violently as he reached to his belt. His eyes met Tohma's. "Don't...please don't..." He said softly. "I don't want to!"

"Do you have a choice?" Tohma said.

"Woah! Hold on a minute!" K said suddenly. He had an inkling of what was happening. "You can't make him do this! It's not fair!"

"I decide what is fair and what isn't, K-san. This is between us, stay out of it." Tohma replied coldly.

Yuki watched as Ryuichi took hold of a knife. He lowered his head and watched the light glint off the sharp blade. He had to save Shuichi, but Tohma would not allow him to enter unless he got him out of the way...and the only way past was if he hurt the one person he had sworn to protect. "That's...too cruel...Tohma." he said softly as he stood. His eyes were dead; two black pools of nothing. "Are you even going to try and fight? Are you even going to attempt to defend yourself?"

Tohma relaxed his arms so they fell to his sides. "No." He said simply. "I...have done terrible things. I have made too many mistakes...At least this way...maybe you can be free?"

"I never wanted to be free." Ryuichi replied, his voice a monotone. He raised the knife and a single tear slipped down his cheek...

Before he could release it there was a sudden sharp report. It echoed off the buildings making people wince. Hiro turned to see K holding his gun, the tip still smoking then his eyes darted to Ryuichi who was looking down at his hands. Blood covered them and he looked up, a small smile curled his lips before he stumbled backwards. Hiro caught him and gently lowered him to the ground. K dropped his gun and ran to Ryuichi's side, he roughly shoved Hiro out of the way and tore open his shirt. He could see the wound, a hole surrounded by crimson.

Tohma stared with wide eyes; he looked as if he was dreaming. Yuki glanced from one to the other before dragging Hiro to his feet and roughly pulling him towards the warehouse. Hiro managed to shake off his shock as they ran to the doors and Yuki took out his own gun, he aimed at the lock and fired. The bang seemed to shake Tohma free of his paralysis and he turned in time to see Yuki and Hiro disappearing into the darkness beyond. He hesitated, not sure what he should do before suddenly turning away from the doors and falling to his knees beside Ryuichi. He looked down at the blood as it pooled around his best friend, covered in crimson and his eyes on the stars. Guilt and fear tore at him until he couldn't fight it anymore; his emotions overwhelmed him and broke into hysterical sobs.

Ryuichi looked up at the sky, marvelling at its beauty. He could feel the hot blood running over his hands, he knew he was wounded but he wasn't sure how badly. There was pressure on the wound in his chest, it hurt but that didn't matter. He could hear soft sobs from his side and he blinked sluggishly and turned his head with great difficulty. A small smile lit his face as he saw Tohma at his side, he had his face hidden by his hands and he was crying helplessly. He wanted to let him know that everything was fine now, it didn't matter anymore...but talking was too difficult. He was suddenly glad that he could die in the arms of the person he loved most, he sighed quietly and let his eyes fall closed...

Yuki entered the warehouse and found himself face to face with several people. Each of them had guns and they were all pointed at himself and Hiro. His eyes scanned the shadowy area until they alighted on a small figure lying on the cold ground. Shuichi's clothes were little more than rags, bruises covered his delicate body and he lay with his head on his arm and his eyes closed. Yuki's attention returned to the men and he allowed his anger to overcome his fear for his lover.

"Who are you? What do you want?" One of the men said.

"Give us Shuichi and we'll all get out alive!" Yuki declared in a voice that echoed through the warehouse.

The men laughed. "What can you do? We've got orders, we can't hand him over."

"You've just signed your death warrant!" Yuki hissed through his teeth and his finger squeezed the trigger.

Hiro dived behind a stack of boxes as the world exploded into rapid gun fire. He took a breath and lifted his own gun, peering around a corner he saw a man concentrating on the author, he took aim and squeezed the trigger. The man's head exploded in red mist. He dived back again and tried to still his rapidly beating heart. "Shit!" he swore loudly. He hated doing this. He couldn't stop his mind from wandering if the man he'd murdered had a child or a wife somewhere, he wandered if he had family who would miss him...he pushed it away and gritted his teeth. It was for Shuichi!

Another man went down with one of Yuki's bullets in his chest, the author re-loaded with fast fingers before opening fire again. Slowly the amount of men decreased.

Tohma ignored the sounds behind him. He only had eyes for the man lying in his blood. Ryuichi's breathing was erratic and K was desperately trying to stem the flow of blood. He was muttering to himself distractedly while Tohma gripped Ryuichi's hand. "I only meant to shoot him in the hand!" K muttered, his eyes wide as he put pressure on the wound. "I only wanted to stop him! I didn't...I didn't want this! Ryuichi...stay with me! Come on...Stay alive! If you give up on me...I-I'll..." He trailed away as tears threatened. "Damn it to hell!" K said in English. "You...You stupid fuck!"

Ryuichi opened his eyes. He realised he was floating! He hovered above what appeared to be his own body, covered in dark liquid as it oozed from the hole in his chest. He wasn't sure what he felt about this scene, or if he felt anything at all. He sighed as he saw Tohma with his head bent as he cried silently, the crystalline tears falling into Ryuichi's hair. "Am I...dead?" Ryuichi muttered to himself. He floated down and surrounded his best friend, his lover, his only family in his arms and whispered softly. "It's not your fault, Tohma. I love you...I always will."

Tohma stiffened. He could have sworn he heard a voice. He looked around, the gun fire from the warehouse had gone silent but he wasn't looking for that. He felt a soft whisper of air on his neck and a shiver ran through his body. He stood suddenly and turned in a circle, his eyes scanning the silent docks. But he could find no sign of the disturbance. "Ryu...ichi?" he said slowly. His eyes moved to the body on the floor. K's phone lay at the singer's side; he had just called an ambulance.

Shuichi's eyes opened slowly, he found himself looking up at a white ceiling. A face peered down at him. "Nng..." It was the only sound he could make, the person hovering above him chuckled.

"Shu-chan is still sleepy!"

"Ryuichi?" Shuichi muttered, his brain slowly grinding into gear. He sat up with difficulty and looked at the singer. It was then he realised Ryuichi was actually making no dent in the bed sheets where he sat. "What...?"

Ryuichi giggled. "You mean this?" he waved his hand through the bed posts and laughed. "We're in a coma!"

"By we...you mean...?"

"Yup, Shuichi as well." He laughed again.

"What...happened?"

"They gave you an overdose." Ryuichi said, his serious side emerging suddenly. "You're unconscious..."

"What about you?"

Ryuichi smiled softly and Shuichi noticed that he looked perfect. His clothes were entirely white, his hair immaculate and shiny and his whole body almost glowing. "I was shot." He said slowly. "The doctors are convinced I'm not going to make it..." He shrugged as if it didn't bother him then his eyes took on a faraway look.

"Am I...dreaming?" Shuichi asked, it was meant to be rhetorical but Ryuichi turned to him and smiled. He leaned close and brushed hair from his face with his finger tips.

"Do you want to be?" he whispered softly.

Shuichi closed his eyes and let out a soft breath. "That depends on what I have to go back to..."

Ryuichi giggled, he leaned close and captured Shuichi's lips with his own. When he drew away his smile was almost angelic. "It can be whatever you want it to be, Shu-chan."

"Then..." Shuichi sat up straighter and took Ryuichi's fingers in his own. "If I go back...you should come with me."

Ryuichi's eyes darkened and he looked pained. "It's...different for you." He began slowly. "You have so much to return to!" His voice sounded harsh and he looked pained. "You have Yuki! You have a family and friends...I have...Nothing." he sighed and closed his eyes. "Maybe it's time I really did move on..."

"No!" Shuichi moved towards him and took his hand in his own. "Y-You can't! What about Seguchi-san? What about Ukai-san? You can't just give up!"

Ryuichi opened his eyes and looked into Shuichi's. He saw the earnestness and smiled, he leaned in and kissed him deeply, unable to help himself. When he drew away his smile changed to one of regret. "I wander if...if things had been different, maybe we could have been happy together?"

Shuichi stared into those electric eyes, eyes that sucked in his soul and stole his breath. "Maybe..." He said slowly.

Ryuichi smiled and moved away from him. "Yuki hasn't left your side for nearly a week." He said and turned his head, Shuichi followed his gaze and he saw the blond author sat in a seat. He looked down and saw that Yuki was gripping the hand of his living body tightly.

"Yuki?" Shuichi muttered, he reached out and went to touch his hair. His fingers passed right through his lover.

Suddenly Yuki flinched violently. He released Shuichi's hand and jerked his head up. For a split second he looked directly into Shuichi's eyes and his own went wide. "Shuichi?" He gasped.

"Yuki!" Shuichi said again.

The author blinked and returned his gaze to Shuichi's body, he frowned for a second before shaking his head. He reached over and stroked hair from the unconscious singers face. "I'm seeing things now..." he whispered. "You're driving me nuts! Just...wake up! Please..."

Shuichi's eyes filled with tears and he looked over at Ryuichi who was watching the scene with a tiny smile. "He...he saw me...didn't he?"

"I don't know." Ryuichi replied. "I think...that maybe if you try and contact your loved ones they may be able to pick up on your emotions but...whether they can see us when we're like this..." He shrugged.

Suddenly the room door opened and they heard a familiar voice. "Aniki?" Yuki turned to the boy in the door way, Tatsuha looked exhausted. "I'm going to get some food...want to..." he stopped and stared directly at both Ryuichi and Shuichi. He blinked a few times and opened and closed his mouth stupidly. Shuichi looked at his fellow singer before returning his gaze to Tatsuha. "Shuichi? Sakuma-san?"

"What?" Yuki frowned at his brother who simply raised his hand and pointed at the two slightly blurry figures sitting on the hospital bed. Yuki returned his gaze to the spot Tatsuha was looking at and squinted. "I-I..."

"They're sat right there!" Tatsuha said suddenly, his eyes going wide.

"You can see us?" Ryuichi asked.

"Yes." Tatsuha replied softly.

"Are they talking?" Yuki turned to his brother who simply nodded.

"Why aren't you in your bodies?" Tatsuha asked suddenly, his eyes wide with fear. "Y-You should be trapped! That's what happens when you're in a coma!"

"Well, Shuichi was just going to return." Ryuichi muttered and turned to the pink haired singer.

"I-I was?"

"Yeah." Ryuichi smiled and suddenly pushed him hard in the chest. "Live, Shuichi." He said.

Shuichi fell, it felt as if he was flying further and further away from the room. Noises faded out until silence and darkness surrounded him. Then, very slowly, he began to hear voices. It was as if someone was turning up the volume on a television, he could hear Tatsuha and Yuki talking quickly and slowly he began to get a sense of his body again.

Ryuichi watched with a smile as Shuichi's fingers twitched. Tatsuha watched the singer with a slightly worried frown, he had escaped his father to come all the way to Tokyo to see if everyone was alright only to discover that there had been fighting. The young Monk turned to see Shuichi's hands twitching and he groaned heavily, slowly the boys eyes opened and he blinked up at the ceiling. Then his eyes returned to the blurry figure of Ryuichi, he noticed the singer was wearing white, his shirt open at the chest. His jeans were also the same white, he felt sick when he saw the sad smile on the older man's face, it tore his heart to shreds. "Sakuma-san?"

Ryuichi looked at the boy. "Yes?"

"Come with me..." Tatsuha opened the door and Ryuichi followed him out the room. He was taken to another room, this one had two visitors. Ryuichi glided in through the closed door and realised it was his own room, he could see his own body lying in the bed. His brown hair splayed across the pillow as machines forced his body to breath.

"I'm in bad shape." He whispered to himself as he moved closer. He saw Tohma sat by the bed, his hat covering his eyes as he breathed slowly. He was fast asleep. Noriko stared down sadly at the man in the bed, her eyes glittering with tears. "Noriko...don't cry..." Ryuichi whispered, he reached out and touched her hair but his fingers glided straight through it. "I love you." He felt tears sting his eyes as he watched helplessly as Noriko broke down and began crying into her hands.

It was several days before Shuichi was released, he went home with Hiro as he refused to return to Yuki's. He didn't exactly know why he didn't want to go back to his lover's house, he just needed time to think things over. He needed time to recover and rest before he made any life changing decisions. He spent much of his time curled up on Hiro's sofa beside his friend, they sat in silence mostly but sometimes they would talk quietly about things. All the while Shuichi's mind would always return to Ryuichi...

Ryuichi lay beside his own body, he had no idea if he could return to it. The doctors who would come and go would always tell Tohma that they doubted he would survive, but they had yet to turn off the machine. As evening closed in around him and everyone had returned home, his spirit curled up beside his own body and cried silently.

One day Ryuichi opened his eyes to find himself looking at Tatsuha, the boy had a string of prayer beads wrapped around his wrist and he looked sad. Ryuichi had only had the company of Tatsuha as no one else could actually see him. He floated idly above the bed as he stared at the Monk and he sighed. "I'm dying...aren't I?" he whispered.

Tatsuha allowed pain to show in his eyes before he swallowed and nodded. "I think so...the doctors aren't being very specific..."

Ryuichi's eyes suddenly filled with tears. "I-I...I'm afraid." He whispered, he sat cross legged as he hovered above his body. "Please...I-I...don't know what's going to happen to me! I...I've done...awful things!" Tatsuha bit his lip but said nothing. The singer couldn't stop the tears, they flowed thick and fast down his face and he covered his eyes with his hand. "I've done nothing but murder and hurt people! I-I'm evil! Tatsuha! What's...what's going to happen to me? Where do people like me go?"

Tatsuha didn't want to say anything. He didn't want to make the singer any more upset than he already was, not even his father had told him how to deal with this kind of situation. He knew what to do for a person who was still in their body while dying...but he had never seen the spirit leave while the body died. He took a shaky breath and moved to the seat by the bed. "There are several things that could happen." He began slowly, he was unable to meet the singers eyes. "There are six paths..." he began slowly, he was frowning off into the distance. Ryuichi watched him intently, his eyes wide and childish. "These are called Rokudō. All living beings are born into one of the six states of existence. All are trapped in this wheel of life. All beings within the six realms are doomed to death and rebirth in a recurring cycle over countless ages...unless they can break free from desire and attain enlightenment. Further, upon death, all beings are reborn into a lower or a higher realm depending on their actions while still alive. This involves the concept of Karma and Karmic Retribution. The lowest three states are called the three evil paths, or three bad states." He sighed heavily and met Ryuichi's eyes, the singer was watching him while chewing his lip. The six paths are: Jigokudō, Gakidō, Chikushōdō, Ashuradō, Nindō, and Tendō. Jigokudō, is the lowest and most awful realm...these beings are tortured and characterised by aggression." Tatsuha closed his eyes. "Gakidō is the realm of hungry spirits, these are characterised by great craving and eternal starvation." Ryuichi visibly shuddered at the thought. "Chikushōdō, is the realm of animals characterised by stupidity and servitude...Ashuradō is the next and is the realm of anger, jealousy and constant war. This realm is for the Ashura, demi-gods who are similar to humans in that they are both good and evil." He rubbed his eyes as if he was tired, Ryuichi listened in silence. "Nindō, the next realm...is this one; the human one. Enlightenment is within our grasp, but many are blinded by the desires and greed of this world. Lastly is Tendō, the realm of heavenly beings filled with pleasure; the deva hold godlike powers; some reign over celestial kingdoms; most live in delightful happiness and splendour; they live for countless ages, but even the Deva belong to the world of suffering...for their powers blind them to the world of suffering and fill them with pride...and thus even the Deva grow old and die; some say that because their pleasure is greatest, so too is their misery."

Ryuichi lifted his eyes to the ceiling and considered it all. "I've...never been one for religion." He said softly. "But now...now I'm on the verge of death...I-I'm so scared..." he chuckled bitterly. "All this reincarnation stuff...it's complicated."

Tatsuha smiled weakly. "Tell me about it...When my father tried to teach me about it I kept trying to run off. Eventually I did learn it..."

"Where will I go?" Ryuichi asked slowly.

"I don't know." Tatsuha answered softly. He didn't want to even guess.

"I'm not even sure if I believe in what you just said." He looked down at his slightly see through hands, the light shone through them and he didn't leave a shadow. "I'd...like to think there was something...more."

Tatsuha nodded slowly. "Yeah..."

Silence descended as they fell to their own thoughts, it was soon interrupted by the door opening. They could hear people talking.

"Thank you Sensei, I really appreciate all the..." Tohma stopped as he entered the room and saw Tatsuha sitting in the seat beside Ryuichi's bed. "Tatsuha-san!" He said as he moved into the room, the doctor came in behind him and began checking the machines. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm talking to Sakuma-san." The boy replied simply.

Tohma's eyes moved to the unconscious form of his friend. Grief filled his eyes and he took a sharp breath. "Tatsuha..." He muttered as he took hold of Ryuichi's hand, he was cold and Tohma suppressed a shiver. "I-I...recommend you say your farewell's now..." He was finding talking difficult and he averted his eyes from the youngster. "Tonight...we will be turning off...t-the machine."

"NO!" Tatsuha stood and grabbed Tohma's shoulders. "No! Please...don't do that! He...he's afraid! He doesn't want to...die..."

Tohma's blue eyes widened slightly at the way the boy was man-handling him. "What...do you mean?"

The dark haired young man's eyes darted to the side and Tohma followed his gaze, there was only the uniform white wall. He sighed and put his hand on the monk's shoulder. "Look, you should return home and rest, leave the rest to us. I understand that you're upset but...it's time we let him go."

"You don't understand! Seguchi-san! Please, listen to me! He's here! He's here in this room...I've been talking to him..."

Tohma's eyes moved to the beads around Tatsuha's wrist and he frowned thoughtfully. He remembered hearing that gentle voice, a soft whisper of air against his neck... "I-is that...true?" he whispered, mainly to himself.

"Yes!" Tatsuha said forcefully. "There has to be a way we can get him back into his body!"

Tohma saw the determination in the boys eyes but he had no idea what to do. He stepped away and lifted his hand to his face, he rubbed his eyes tiredly. He had been working around the clock, mainly to try and take his mind off of everything but also because he had been plagued by police. Questions had been aroused when they had been called to the scene, questions that were jeopardising his family. He choked on a sigh and turned away to stare out of the window. Tatsuha could see Ryuichi's spirit hovering behind Tohma's back, his eyes big and full of that wonderful childish innocence.

"Tohma..." Ryuichi sighed and lowered his head. "I don't think it's my time to die...but...if it's what you want then...I-I'll go...just tell me! Tell me what you want! I'll do anything! Order it!"

"Tatsuha-san..." Tohma turned to the boy. "Can you do anything? Can you help him return?"

Tatsuha looked away thoughtfully. "I...I'll have to ask my father."

"Then do it." Tohma said firmly. "If there is a way we can bring him back...if there is a way he can return to me! Please..." He suddenly bowed low, making Tatsuha looked embarrassed. "Bring him home. Bring him back to me..."

Ryuichi's eyes widened suddenly. He took a deep, shuddery breath before leaping at his friend. He stretched his arms out but ended up flying straight through him. Tohma stood suddenly and shivered, his eyes searching the room, Tatsuha was looking at Ryuichi who was lying on the floor staring up at the ceiling with a frown of annoyance.

Shuichi lay on the floor, his arms spread to his sides as he frowned thoughtfully. Hiro had his guitar on his lap, strumming the strings gently as a cigarette hung from his lips. His long hair hung in his face and he allowed his friend to sit in silence. "Hiro?"

"Yes?"

"Do you...think Yuki left me because...because of what happened?" Shuichi voiced the thought that had plagued him for too long. "Did he leave me because I'm...dirty?"

Hiro nearly dropped his cigarette. He quickly put aside his guitar and moved to the floor, he lifted Shuichi into a sitting position and embraced him. "No." He whispered as he ran fingers through that soft pink hair. "Shuichi, you're not dirty! It's not your fault! I promise you...none of this is your fault!"

"B-but..." Shuichi pulled away from Hiro so he could look up into his eyes. "I'm...wrong. There's...something wrong with me...surely? I always end up getting hurt and I...I can't stop it! I'm so weak! Hiro...Yuki hates me! He hates me because those men...those men hurt me! The way he looks at me now! His eyes...they're cold!" Tears sprung to his eyes and he buried his face in Hiro's hair, he couldn't stop the sobs from escaping. "How can anyone love me? How can anyone say they love me...after...after that?" He cried. He had been holding it off for too long, his body shuddered with his grief and he sobbed desperately into Hiro's hair. "I-I can still feel their hands on me...I can see their eyes when I try and sleep at night...I can f-feel them...all over me! N-no matter how many times I wash...it never goes away!"

"Shu..." Hiro pulled the singer to him, wrapping his arms around him tightly. "Stop this...none of it is your fault! I promise you...you're the one who got hurt by this! Yuki is just...he's just...trying to protect you." He sighed and closed his eyes, feeling his friend's hair tickling his face. "You're not alone."

"Hiro..."
- 15
- 16
- 17
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

仁義