Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2635 -:- 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
- 16
- 17
- 18
CHAPTER 17

Rising before the cowboys awoke, Ryosuke dressed and walked to the main house. He entered the kitchen by way of the back door. Twylah was already busy making breakfast for everyone.

"Morning. You sure got up early today. What's the special occasion?" She asked as she measured flour into a large metal bowl.

It took his sleep laden mind a moment to recall English and translate her words as he watched her systematically measure out and mix other dry ingredients from various containers into the same bowl. "Good morning, Twylah. I need to call home and find out how Fujiwara's doing? Might I trouble you for a cup of coffee?"

"Forgot where the pot's s'posed to be this mornin'?" Twylah asked as she dumped fresh milk into the big bowl. "Grab a mug. Coffee's on the stove."

Taking no offence at her good-natured tease, Ryosuke did as she said. Pulling down a mug from the cabinet, he made his way to the stove and picked up the first antique black speckled metal coffee pot. Pouring himself a liberal helping, he set the pot back on the large range top. Watching as she lit two burners under the large cast-iron griddle she used, Ryosuke commented, "I see your making flapjacks this morning. Must be Sunday." He spoke with a smile.

Twylah only made pancakes every other Sunday morning. On the other sundays, she made French toast. For the ranch, breakfast the rest of the week was standard fare. Eggs cooked in a variety of styles, bacon, sausage or ham, and hash browns with several jam selections took priority. Twylah often served her home-baked bread as toast to finish off whatever remained from the previous day's meals. Fresh hand churned butter had become Ryosuke's favorite part of eating the high carbohydrate and protein rich meals. With their arrival and frequent purchases of fresh fruit, Twylah placed fruit on the table most mornings to give variety to their morning meals.

"Yep. Monday evenin' in Japan, isn't it?" She kept the conversation going as she whisked several eggs into the bowl.

"That's right. It should be about eight o'clock in Tokyo. I'll get an update from Keisuke, or my grandfather about how things are going."

"I 'spect you'll be askin' how your brother's faring with all that trouble he got his self into. Most folk don't have sense enough to 'preciate good men these days. He done right by saving them people if you ask me." She commented as she sloshed chunks of butter over the grill's long surface. Coming from the middle-aged Indian woman, Ryosuke knew it was a very expansive compliment.

"I'm hoping to get an update on everything happening at home. Finding out how Fujiwara's doing is one priority. Plus I have to tell Keisuke about the G-TR's arriving Thursday. He's going to be furious about that I'm afraid."

"If it has wheels and gets you where you need to go then he ought to be grateful for it." Twylah's no nonsense tone made him smile again. She had no idea about Keisuke's hatred of the R-32 and R-34 Nissans from their country. Twylah would have met his prejudice toward the vehicles with a head shake and muttered 'bunch o' hogwash'.

"I'll be sure to pass along your advice, Twylah." Ryosuke replied before walking to the living room. Picking up the telephone, he punched in the number.

Taking another sip of coffee, he listened to the crackling static and rings. At five his grandfather answered. "Moshi Moshi."

"Ojīsan, it's Ryosuke."

"How are you doing in America, grandson?"

"Everything's fine here. By the time we return, all of us will be competent carpenters, and I'll speak English like Keisuke."

"Carpenters? How is that possible?"

"We've learned how to repair roofs, porches, and even a hanging swing to help Samantha's aunt Twylah with several overdue repairs. Kenta, Hiroshi and I finished getting Twylah's driveway fences repaired and painted last week. We're learning about shingle work this morning after breakfast. A massive storm drove a tree limb through the outer corner of her porch roof several years ago, and nobody has had the time to fix it. My only complaint about working outdoors every day is the blowing sand that gets into everything. It's always very dry and windy here. Grass doesn't get enough water to grow and curb the dust."

"My goodness, it sounds like you've been conscripted, grandson."

"Not at all, Ojīsan. Twylah's four full time cowboys are so busy keeping her cattle alive and healthy that they've gotten behind on the more cosmetic type repairs this year. Because of her Apache heritage, Twylah doesn't believe in letting us purchase food or give her money to pay for our upkeep. The Apache have a strong code of ethics. She believes it is her duty to provide everything. Paying for ourselves while staying in her home is a mortal insult. This way we can do something to repay her generosity, and save her a lot of money without insulting her culture."

His grandsire's voice crackled on a wash of static. ". . .long as you're enjoying the work you're doing. It all sounds quite fascinating to me. You'll have to tell me all about your hostess's culture when you return."

"Hai. We've learned a lot about the Native Americans' diverse belief systems. Anyway, I called hoping for an update on Fujiwara, Ojīsan."

"Takumi's going to need several months to regain all of his strength. Those drug leaches have taken a brutal toll on his body. He still has some very mild heart congestion, but that's diminishing at a steady rate. His lungs are fully functioning again. Still, Keisuke's very concerned about Takumi because he isn't eating enough. Most likely that's due to Takumi's depression."

"Nani? Are you certain Fujiwara's lack of appetite isn't a side effect of the intestinal damage?" He took another sip of his coffee as he waited for an answer.

"I don't think Takumi's appetite has anything to do with his surgery, grandson. Takumi is remembering things that happened to him while he was a prisoner. Senda gave Keisuke several security camera video transcripts that the Evidence Review Panel has considered after he insisted on going to the actual viewing session. The few pages I've read are disturbing. The Gaijin senumon-i that our government imported to deal with the indoctrination victims prescribed an antidepressant to counter the emotional upheaval Takumi's experiencing. My newest grandson's courage has impressed me. After reading the horrific tortures he endured in that slave compound, I think he's a very strong young man, Ryosuke."

"If Fujiwara doesn't get better soon, Keisuke's going to become increasingly volatile, Ojīsan. His temper will spill over. That poses several problems for you and his toddler."

"I wish Keisuke would finally have one of his infamous rages. Instead he's sulking and repeatedly reading the transcripts on Takumi's captivity. That concerns me more than his tantrums ever will."

"Would you tell me more about how Keisuke's behaving? I can give you ideas to stop his obsessing on things he can't change."

"It isn't that simple, Ryosuke. The Evidence Review Panel was considering all the security camera's feeds for Takumi and Takeuchi kun's cell. Senda said the videos badly shook Keisuke. Watching Takumi getting tortured has distressed your onīsan. I looked over a few pages of the transcripts thinking I could ease Keisuke's mind if I knew the circumstances. Never in seventy two years have I been horrified, . . . until this last week."

"Nani? I don't understand, Ojīsan."

"I barely read five full transcription pages of the graphic and violent abuse Takumi endured before I had to stop reading, Ryosuke. Those five pages had me crying over Takumi's undeserved suffering. The videos are all about Takumi getting gang raped repeatedly by the guards, and other prisoners. They chained Takumi's hands and feet to cell bars and the floor so they could violate him with ease. Keisuke's been quiet, and very somber since he saw scene after scene of such footage. He has every right to grieve, grandson."

Shaken by his grandfather's tone, Ryosuke found that his stomach lurched when he lifted his mug closer to his nose. Takahashi Tatsuhiko was a calm man that nothing disturbed. To hear a quaver in his grandfather's voice as he spoke of the things he had read was a shock to Ryosuke. Reading a few pages of information had shaken his grandfather very badly. For Keisuke, seeing the actual videos of Fujiwara's mistreatment was the greatest cruelty of all.

"Naze didn't you stop Keisuke from going, Ojīsan?"

"Keisuke's determined to help Takumi, Ryosuke. He's a grown man. Senda and I warned him how difficult viewing the recordings would be. After we had our say, he chose to pursue the truth. Takumi's mental health is deteriorating. His decision was based upon Takumi's distress over his resurfacing memories and the remaining gaps."

"Is Keisuke still at the hospital with Fujiwara?"

"Hai. Takumi's developed a low grade fever. Keisuke won't leave his side until he's certain this isn't a serious complication. Your onīsan asked the isha san in charge of Takumi's care to make certain the fever isn't due to a new infection, or his getting an unexpected chill. The isha san has told Keisuke that it is most likely a symptom of Takumi's ongoing drug withdrawals."

Ryosuke sighed, shaking his head over the grim news. He set the mug on the coffee table and dropped into the lazy boy chair. "The last thing Fujiwara needs is another medical complication." Ryosuke gave a nod when Matsimoto stepped into the living room with a coffee cup in his hand. The black-haired mechanic dropped onto the couch and sipped his own coffee in silence.

"Developing a cold with his immune system still recovering after fighting off the systemic cavity infection could prove fatal." Ryosuke pointed out.

His grandfather's answer came across the line with an odd inflection attached. "Perhaps, but waiting for a diagnosis is better than jumping to conclusions, grandson. Other patients that have gone through the same drug withdrawal process have experienced a low grade fever. If the fever is due to the drugs, then Takumi's in the last stage of systemic cleansing. This fever will be a blessing if that's the case."

"I'm sure that the other patients didn't have intestinal tears that contaminated their abdominal cavity, Ojīsan. Nor did they have multiple deep wounds that weren't properly treated. Keisuke's right to demand the isha san double check to be certain Fujiwara's fever is only a symptom of withdrawals. If there's any trace of fecal matter that they missed, or the systemic infection in his abdominal cavity and blood stream has returned, Fujiwara could die."

"Calm down, grandson. I'll know more when Keisuke calls to check in, or comes home. I'm simply relaying the information Takumi's isha san gave Keisuke this morning. He called to tell me that he was going to Takumi's counseling today. He wanted to talk to the senumon-i about how he can get Takumi eating again."

"Will you inform me when you know more, Ojīsan? It's early morning here, so you can call me anytime over the next eight hours."

"I'll be sure you get an update when Keisuke gives me one. Hopefully he'll be home in another hour or two and can give you the information personally."

"Domo, Ojīsan. I appreciate it. Have Keisuke give me a call from the hospital if he checks in to give you an update instead of returning to the apartment. I have some news that I need to discuss with him."

"All right. I'll call Takumi's room and relay your message."

"Domo, Ojīsan. Tell Fujiwara that minasan is hoping he feels better soon."

"That I will. Ja na, grandson"

"Ja na, Ojīsan."

With a final click the phone began to buzz. Ryosuke got up and put the cordless handset back into its cradle before facing Matsimoto. He picked up his coffee mug and drained it. "Did you sleep well, Matsimoto?"

Looking up at him with a grim expression, Matsimoto nodded. "Hai. It sounds like Fujiwara is still very ill from the things I heard you say, Ryosuke san. How is Keisuke san holding up?"

"Keisuke's very worried. I'll explain the newest information on Fujiwara when we're all present. Perhaps Keisuke will call before then so I'll have the correct information to share." He answered, and turned on his heel to get another cup of coffee.

The smell of cooking food and the familiar sounds of clattering pots and sizzling greeted his return to the kitchen. Hiroshi and Etsuya were pouring themselves coffee from the large metal pots on the side table. Chappy and Roan were sitting at the large plank table. Both had mugs in front of them. Kenta was dunking a tea bag in his cup farther down the table's length. Hiroshi and Etsuya dropped into chairs near Kenta.

Sky tromped into the kitchen from the back entrance. He gave a taciturn nod to everyone else. The dark skinned older man went to the side table and grabbed himself a mug of coffee. The only cowboy missing was Dave. As Ryosuke took a sip from his newly filled mug, Etsumi stumbled into the room yawning, Samantha following her by a few steps. Neither woman took time to pour coffee into mugs from the side table. Both went into the kitchen and began helping Twylah by bringing plates and silverware to the table. Once they achieved that, the two women made their own beverages.

Matsimoto wandered into the room and took a seat with his teammates. Dave came in, pale hair damp from having taken a shower to wake himself up. He sprawled beside his coworkers with a mug of coffee.

Taking a seat with his team, Ryosuke decided to give the others the news he had gained. "I spoke to my ojīsan this morning. I'm waiting for Keisuke to call with a more concrete update on Fujiwara's health. However, I did learn a few things."

"So how's Fujiwara doing? Will he be getting out of the hospital soon, Ryosuke san?" Kenta asked as he sat straighter in his chair.

"I don't think Fujiwara will get released any time soon, Kenta. The good news is that Fujiwara's lungs have resumed full function. The heart congestion has decreased significantly also. The bad news is that Fujiwara's memory is returning now that enough of the drug has drained from his system. The Gaijin senumon-i that specializes in prisoner rehabilitation placed him on an antidepressant to help with the emotional upheaval those memories are causing." Ryosuke answered.

"That's understandable. My captivity wasn't nearly as brutal as Fujiwara's and I've had nonstop nightmares about that place." Matsimoto offered.

Several of their teammates made sympathetic comments. Bringing the group back to order by clearing his throat, Ryosuke continued. "The drug withdrawals have taken a terrible physical toll on Fujiwara, minasan. He isn't eating very much, possibly because of deep depression, or the drug withdrawals. Ojīsan didn't specify. The hospital staff agrees that he'll need several months to regain his strength once he begins eating normally again. Fujiwara has a low grade fever as of this morning. It could be a symptom of the drugs leaving his body. Or the antibiotics did not cleanse all the infection from his system. The last possibility is that Fujiwara has taken a chill. Overall, Ojīsan's report gave me the impression that Fujiwara's health is actively deteriorating."

Samantha dropped into a chair commenting, "Fujiwara's a tough man, so I'm sure he'll bounce back as we say here in America. We both saw how bad off he was when Keisuke carried him out of the compound, Ryosuke. We agreed he'd be dead before he got to the hospital, but he proved us wrong. I think Takumi's got the mettle he needs to get back on his feet. Sure he's having a hard time getting there. Takumi's probably having a patch of bad days because of having so much damage. Anyone would have a hard time getting healthy from so many different kinds of serious injuries, Ryosuke."

Hiroshi tilted his head to acknowledge the woman's comments. "I hope you're right, Sammy chan. Fujiwara didn't deserve the things done to him. How's Keisuke san's coping with everything, Ryosuke san?"

"Ojīsan informed me that the slaver kept complete video records of all the prisoners on the site. The Evidence Review Panel has been considering them, and making written transcripts of everything that gets viewed. Trying to discover the truth, Keisuke ignored Ojīsan and Senda san's advice to stay away. He went to the review that focused specifically on Fujiwara's captivity. They viewed videos of very graphic physical violence. Ojīsan said that Keisuke's grieving deeply after seeing several gang rapes that Fujiwara endured while drugged and chained so he couldn't defend himself. Keisuke has thirty transcribed pages of the compiled videos. Considering how horrifying Ojīsan finds the first five pages of documentation, it isn't surprising that Fujiwara needed so much surgery to repair his colon. If anything, it's a miracle that he lived long enough to get medical treatment."

The mechanical team stared at him with various expressions. Disgust, disbelief, and horror dominated. Kenta alone looked openly angry by the news. Stirring after several moments of stunned silence, Matsimoto spoke. "I heard rumors about the violent rapes happening on the upper level, but I honestly can't believe it happened to Fujiwara. I saw Fujiwara beat down several guards with dozens. He did so with deep bleeding gouges covering his upper body, Ryosuke san."

"Fujiwara has physical limits just like the rest of us, Matsimoto. Blood loss, infected wounds, and getting drugged all contributed to weakening him enough that they did restrain him effectively. Keeping Fujiwara chained in a prone position made it easy for any guard nursing a grudge to get even for their humiliating defeats at his hands. Keisuke saw enough of the video footage that he's struggling with profound grief."

"Wasn't Itsuke kun kept in Fujiwara's cell, Ryosuke san?" Kenta asked with a troubled look.

Twylah minced into Ryosuke's sight carrying a heavy oval platter with a mountain of pancakes. Etsumi followed with a platter containing sausage and ham slabs in one hand, a large crock of syrup in the other. Setting the large platter in the center of the table, Twylah moved back to the kitchen stove to pick up another platter. Etsuya's younger sister quickly followed Twylah's lead.

"Hai, Kenta. If Keisuke returns my call soon, we can find out how Takeuchi's also doing. It didn't occur to me to ask Ojīsan if he knew anything. Other than the amputated fingers and bruises on his back, Takeuchi seemed relatively healthy when he followed Keisuke out with Hikaru. If he was in the cell with Fujiwara during those assaults, it's safe to assume that he's having frequent nightmares also."

The platter Twylah set on the table next contained hash browns and fried eggs. Etsumi returned carrying a large wooden bowl and a honey container. The bowl Etsumi set out held cantaloupe and honeydew melon wedges.

Chappy grabbed the pancake platter and dumped three of the large fluffy disks onto his plate. He passed the platter to Sky. Hiroshi grabbed the melon bowl. Dave was the first to the hash browns and eggs. The sausage and ham began circulating from Kenta's place at the table. As the noise of serving themselves rose in volume, Ryosuke found himself marveling at how quickly everyone had adapted to the American routine. Taking each dish as it came his way, he filled his own plate and passed the container to his right.

Looking around the table, he again noted that Dave and Chappy placed their fried eggs between the flapjack layers before applying syrup and eating the odd concoction. He was getting used to their strange habit. Soon everyone was eating despite the mild gloom. Having gotten accustomed to eating twice a day, everyone made sure they were full before taking their plates to the kitchen sink. After a quick rinse to insure that Twylah had less work, they retired to the living room to select which yard work and lingering repairs they would undertake. Everyone quickly divided into teams to complete their tasks and headed outdoors.

-oo0oo-
- 16
- 17
- 18
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series