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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
- 23
- 24
- 25
AN: So sad! I am unsure whether you can be 'Sacked' from the Yakuza (I very much doubt it...) But I had to use a bit of artistic license so please forgive me! Anyways, reviews? Please? :)

Chapter 24: Ejji-jō (over the edge)

"Shacho!" Sakano fell to his knees beside Tohma. He was lying face down, his hat had fallen off and lay by his hand.

Slowly his eyes opened, he gasped and coughed slightly with a wince. His hand covered the hole in his shirt and K ripped it open, he sighed with relief. "Good...I'm glad my bullet proof jacket worked..."

Slowly Tohma sat up with a groan. "Still, it hurts..." He muttered.

Sakano looked as if he was about to faint. "Shacho..." He muttered. "I-I thought..."

Tohma smiled weakly. "You surely didn't believe I would actually allow Ryuichi to die here, did you?"

Sakano opened his mouth in shock. "I..."

K laughed and helped the president to his feet. "I guess this means you're good at hiding things, even from your own men!"

"So it would seem..." Tohma turned and looked towards Ryuichi.

The singer was lying unconscious on the stone floor. His face was pale, his lips blue and he had stopped shivering. He had fainted after using the last of his strength to kill the American.

The hospital entrance was crowded as Tohma pulled up in a large car. He could see the press converging, bright flashes half blinded him as he slipped on his sunglasses and Sakano opened the door for him. He stepped out into the crowd and was instantly assaulted by microphones and cameras.

"Excuse me, Seguchi-san..."

"Seguchi-san..."

"Takahashi Kana for TBS News..."

Tohma took a slow breath before speaking. "I will be making an official statement concerning the Kidnapping of Shindou Shuichi and Sakuma Ryuichi this evening, you will be invited to attend but until then I will not be making a comment. Please excuse me." He marched towards the doors as the press parted like the red sea. Once inside he sighed with relief. "Sakano-san?"

"Yes, Shacho?"

"Please pick me up in one hour, I wish to see Ryuichi alone."

"Of course."

He walked over to the desk and the nurse told him where to go. He found Ryuichi's door and opened it slowly, he saw the bed and the man lying in it. His heart clenched and he stilled his shaking hands before stepping in and closing the door behind him. He sat down in the seat and watched his sleeping friend with sad eyes. "Ryuichi..." He sighed.

The doctor entered and stepped up to the president. "Seguchi-san?"

"Yes, Sensei?"

"He is suffering from Severe Hypothermia..." The doctor looked down at Ryuichi who was unconscious. "We have treated it using a Cardiopulmonary bypass to regulate his internal body temperature, as well as giving him warm intravenous fluids..."

"What is the prognosis?" Tohma asked softly.

"Well, we got to him in time. His internal organs had begun to shut down, however, I think we were able to counter act that. Normally the mortality rate for this severity of Hypothermia is high, but I have hope. He is strong and normally healthy. It is his other wounds I am concerned with...He has been tortured and that in itself can take a very large mental toll, his body has been subjected to forced drowning and we have yet to discover the long term effects of this. His external wounds will heal, but may leave permanent scarring. I'm sorry I cannot be of more help."

"No...You've done well. Thank you." Tohma muttered distractedly. The doctor nodded and left the two alone. "I'm so sorry..." Tohma whispered, his fingers tightening on Ryuichi's hand. He looked down at his unconscious friend and saw the mask over his face that helped him breath. There was a bag of clear fluid on a pole and he had a heart monitor attached to him, it beeped softly in the background and Tohma sighed heavily. "Why must you put me through this? This is why you must return to America...I refuse to even wait for the current situation to blow over. I-I'll get you away from me. Away from everything..." He reached up and swept hair from his friend's eyes. "Just...get better."

Tohma sat behind the desk, the press sat before him in orderly rows as he leaned forward. "Shindou Shuichi and Sakuma Ryuichi were kidnapped by thugs. They are currently recuperating in hospital, details of the case are unavailable for the public eye, all you need know is that both are recovering well and are now safe. The men behind the kidnapping have been punished accordingly. Both will be unavailable for comment." The questions were detailed as the press drilled Tohma for details he refused to tell. He began to feel the stress building again and he stood abruptly. "I...I have to go now." He muttered. "I apologise..." He bowed once before walking out the door. Once free from prying eyes he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes.

"Shacho?" Sakano muttered from his side, concern obvious in his voice.

Tohma rubbed his eyes tiredly. "I'm fine. I just wish to get this over with..."

"Uh...we have just received word that your wife is here..."

"Mika-san!" Tohma's eyes flew open suddenly. "Why is she here?"

"She wouldn't say, sir."

"Where is she?" Tohma pushed himself away from the wall and straightened out his suit.

"Your office."

The president nodded his thanks and made his way slowly up to the executive floor. When he got there he saw his wife standing outside his office door, she heard the lift as it opened and watched Tohma step out into the hall. "Good evening Mika-san." He said politely as he walked towards her.

"Tohma!" She said and followed him as he unlocked his office door and went inside.

"Please, take a seat." He indicated the sofa and she sat down before lighting a cigarette and blowing the smoke out with a sigh, Tohma handed her an ash tray before leaning on his desk. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?" He asked softly.

Mika looked at him through her heavy fringe before running her fingers through it in an imitation of her younger brother. "I heard from Tatsuha what's been happening here..." Tohma stayed silent. "I just wanted to know if there was anything..."

"You cannot help." He said immediately, suddenly regretting his harsh tones. "I apologise...it's been...a hard few months."

Mika nodded and looked down at her hands for a minute before returning her eyes to her husband's. He closed his eyes and tipped his head back for a moment before turning his back on her. Mika stood and stepped over to him, she rested her hand on his shoulder. "Tohma, why can't you just...open up to me a bit more...I am your wife, you should share things with me! You can tell me anythi..."

"No!" He snapped suddenly. He turned and faced her, his blue eyes hard and cold. His hands grabbed her shoulders tightly. "I have told you a thousand times, Mika-san...Family business is my business! You have nothing to do with it!"

Her own eyes darkened in response and she pulled herself free. "And yet you allow Noriko in on all your sordid secrets! You would think that being your wife would afford me more privileges but obviously I was mistaken!"

"Noriko is..." Tohma struggled for a moment before sighing. "She is different. I have known her for a very long time...she is more like a sister to me than anything else. However, even she does not get involved with certain...things."

Mika bristled. She had been planning on spending the evening with her absentee husband but suddenly she wanted to hit him. "I understand that you have a certain image to uphold and inviting a woman into your inner circle would look bad on your part, but you know I am more than capable of listening to your problems, if nothing else, all I want is for you to allow me to get to know you better! Is that so wrong?"

"Yes." Tohma replied, feeling anger rise rapidly. He tried to push it away roughly but was failing. "You forget your place." He whispered as his eyes narrowed.

Mika took a step back, her own fury rising to match his. "How dare you?" She muttered, her hands clenched into fists. "How dare you speak to me like that?"

"Your place is to be at my side only when I need you, you keep your mouth shut and stay out of family politics! This is your role, nothing more!"

Mika let out a sharp bark of humourless laughter. "I have been doing that for far too long, Tohma! I am sick of the way I am treated by you! As your wife I deserve your respect! Ryuichi-san treats me better than you do! My place is by your side at all times! I have more right to be there than that fucking singer! I came here because I was worried...obviously that was a mistake..." She turned and grabbed her bag from the sofa. "I am not a trophy wife, nor am I one of your comfort women...I have no wish to be a part of your life if I am to be nothing more than that. Good bye, Tohma."

Tohma made to stop her but she shook herself free and slammed the door in his face. He stood there for a long time before shoving his fingers into his hair. "Why do I say things like that?" He hissed furiously at himself. "I-I...didn't want to drive you away..." He closed his eyes and sighed. "Shit..."

Shuichi sat in the hospital feeling fidgety. He was bored mindless and yet also feeling lonely. Yuki had only been in to see him once since he had arrived and even then they hadn't spoken. He sighed and lay back in the pillows, he wasn't allowed to get up even though he was more than capable of walking. His injuries were relatively minor compared to those Ryuichi had suffered except for the scarring...he covered his eyes as he remembered looking into a mirror for the first time since his kidnapping. With a shiver he tried to banish the horrible memory, but he couldn't. Slowly he lifted a finger and traced the long, awful scar that trailed down his face, his neck and ended on his chest. He hardly remembered them doing it, everything was just a long, blurry nightmare involving lots of pain and blood. He was scarred now and even though he had been offered plastic surgery he wasn't sure if he should, what if that went wrong and he was left in a worse state than he was now? Yuki had taken one look at him before turning away, which had made Shuichi want to die. He was ugly. He was disfigured and now Yuki would never love him again. Even though he had cried a lot since his rescue he seemed to have now run out of tears, so he curled on his side and covered his head with his arms. He hardly remembered them doing it, everything was just a long, blurry nightmare involving lots of pain and blood. He was scarred now and even though he had been offered plastic surgery he wasn't sure if he should, what if that went wrong and he was left in a worse state than he was now? Yuki had taken one look at him before turning away, which had made Shuichi want to die. He was ugly. He was disfigured and now Yuki would never love him again. Even though he had cried a lot since his rescue he seemed to have now run out of tears, so he curled on his side and covered his head with his arms.

Hiro sat in the cafeteria in the hospital, he frowned into his cooling coffee and tried to think of a way to cheer Shuichi up. But, no matter how hard he thought he still couldn't get that look out of his head. The way Shuichi had stared at his reflection with horror in his eyes, the way his heart had shattered all over again when Yuki had turned away from him...The guitarist sighed heavily and sipped the drink. He would have to find a way to bring the two back together again, he had to make Shuichi smile...

Tohma stood outside the door to Ryuichi's hospital room. He had been told the man was awake and recovering faster than they had anticipated. He could hear that soft, beautiful voice as Ryuichi sang to his rabbit. He sighed and pressed his head against the door, he closed his eyes and just sank himself into Ryuichi's voice. He despised himself for what he had to do, he hated it even if he knew it was for the assassins own good...all he wanted was for him to be happy and safe...all he wanted was to keep him forever away from harm.

"Shacho?"

Sakano's surprised voice made him jump slightly. He turned and saw the man holding a bag of clothes for Ryuichi. "Ah, Sakano-san...you scared me." He muttered.

"Why don't you go in, sir? Sakuma-san has been asking after you."

Tohma looked away. "Because...I'm afraid." He whispered.

"Afraid?"

"Yes...I'm going to have to be cruel to him. I'm going to have to break his heart so that he may be able to find happiness." He took a breath and steadied himself. "I have to send him away."

Sakano nearly dropped his bag, his mouth hung open slightly as he stared at the president. "Sir? Y-You're joking...right?" When Tohma shook his head Sakano stepped back slightly. "But...forgive me, but if you...do that...there's no telling what he will do! Shacho...you'll kill him!"

Tohma closed his eyes. "Maybe..." he whispered. "But if he stays by my side he will end up dead more surely than if I let him go! I...I will kill him! My words will destroy him more surely than any sword!"

Ryuichi sat on his bed with his legs crossed, he was talking to Kumagoro who sat in his lap as he flapped his ears and smiled happily. "Kuma-chan...you best be good! Tohma will be angry with us if you're a bad bunny! No! Stop saying things like that, he'll get mad! Now, I wonder where Sakano is with your clothes...I need to make you look good for Tohma. I'm sure he'll visit us, he saved us after all." He paused as he heard soft mutters outside his door, slowly it was opened and his grin widened as he saw Tohma. "Tohma!" he cried and made to get out of bed, the president pushed him back down roughly.

"Stay." He muttered and Ryuichi went still at the order. He blinked up at his boss with huge eyes but Tohma refused to look at him.

"Tohma? What's wrong?" Ryuichi asked, he tipped his head to the side as his hands stilled on his rabbit. "Are you sick?"

"No, I am fine." Tohma replied and sat down in his chair. "How are you feeling, Ryuichi?"

The singers smile was huge. "I'm fine! I'm happy that Tohma saved me! Thank you." He said it with such innocent affection that Tohma had to force his face blank to stop the grimace of pain when he thought of what he was about to do.

"Good, I'm glad. The doctor says that you'll be able to leave in a few days." Tohma watched the singer nod. "This will benefit all of us." He said as he settled into his business attitude. "I wish to discuss with you your conduct of late..."

Ryuichi's eyes widened and he froze. Not a muscle moved in his body as he listened to Tohma speak, his eyes simply got wider and wider until he felt his world shatter around him...Like the executioners axe Tohma's words cleaved through him with deadly accuracy, his cold voice, his body language, everything about him said that his decision was final and there was no other way.

"I am disappointed in the lack of respect you have shown me and your family recently." Tohma said firmly, still unable to look Ryuichi directly in the eyes. He couldn't watch the man's heart break...not again. "You have disgraced me...and for this, you must be punished. I was obviously too lenient on you and you have taken advantage of that..."

Ryuichi lowered his head in shame, he should have expected this. "What can I do to make it up to you?" he asked gently, his fingers curling into fists. "How can I apologise for what I did? Tell me...Please..."

Tohma closed his eyes, now for the final blow. "I will not ask you for the ultimate punishment." He began slowly. "Because I know that this will not remedy your behaviour...Instead...I have decided that I..." It was harder than he had expected, but he had to do it...he had to save him. "That I no longer need your services." He said it in one breath, as if ripping off a plaster in the hopes it would be easier for the singer.

Ryuichi fell silent. He stared at Tohma with unblinking eyes for a very long time. Neither spoke and the president felt the oppressiveness of the silence begin to get to him. He risked a glance in Ryuichi's direction and saw those gorgeous blue eyes boring holes into him, he felt shudders run up his spine as he realised just how dangerous Ryuichi actually was. There was an awful emptiness in the singer's eyes that terrified Tohma more than anything he has ever seen in them. Finally Ryuichi broke the intolerable silence with a soft breath. "I understand." He whispered.

"Ryu-Ryuichi?" Tohma muttered cautiously.

"I...Understand..." Ryuichi said again. He turned back to Kumagoro and stared into those black eyes, completely ignoring Tohma.

"G-Good...Then you can return to America and go back to concentrating on your career..." Tohma stood shakily. He had not expected this reaction...it was terrifying.

"Sure." Ryuichi replied in that same blank, emotionless voice. "Farewell, Seguchi-san." He whispered as Tohma reached the door and pushed it open.

He gasped softly and turned to the singer who had his head low so hair fell into his eyes. He bit on his lower lip but Ryuichi said nothing else, so he left.

Finally Shuichi was released from hospital. Hiro took him home and they discussed the possibility of plastic surgery to remove, or lessen the horrible scarring. Shuichi still wasn't sure what he wanted so he decided to rest and think before deciding. When they got home, they noticed the door was open. When Hiro stepped inside he saw shoes by the door and frowned, as they walked into the living room they saw Yuki sitting on the sofa and smoking, he looked up and met Shuichi's eyes. "We need to talk..." he said quietly.

Ryuichi was released a week after Tohma's dismissal of him. He refused any contact with anyone, even ignoring Noriko. He walked home, not caring that it was raining and caring even less that the hospital was miles from his home. As he walked through the rain, slowly allowing it soak into his clothing and chill his skin, he thought about what Tohma had said. He was surprised when he searched his feelings and found nothing. He knew he still loved Tohma, he always would, but his emotions had abandoned him. His hair stuck to his face as he walked and ignored the random squeal from people who recognised him. He kept up a steady pace and kept his head down. The rain was refreshing and the walk gave him a chance to think. He had no idea what to do...he had nowhere to go except America...but he had no wish to leave Tohma's side. He didn't want to leave him vulnerable. He was now free to do what he wanted, but he didn't want to do anything that didn't involve his lover.

After a long walk he finally reached his house, he was confronted by masses of press. He stared blankly at them as they surrounded him, camera's flashing and confusing him. His eyes stung and he winced, he took a step back as microphones were shoved in his face.

"Sakuma-san! Suzuki Yuuta for the Daily Yumimori...Can you tell us what happened to you? Who were the men who kidnapped you? Were you as seriously hurt as people say? Are you in any condition to be walking around? Have the doctors released..."

Ryuichi muttered something incoherent, normally he was good at manipulating the press but he couldn't make his voice work. He tried again, but nothing happened when he opened his mouth. He felt sick. His stomach churning as the cameras flashed at him and the press pushed him for information. He stepped back again. His head began to hurt. His bag fell from his shoulder and he kept trying to speak, to make any kind of sound but couldn't. He shook his head and turned away. He couldn't cope with this yet, so he ran. He sped through the streets, dodging cars and hopping fences until he had left the press far behind. Once a good distance away he fell to the floor. He was sitting down an alley way, the rain water pouring around his feet and soaking his clothes but he didn't feel cold. He felt empty. He felt sick and worst of he felt lost. Where could he go? What was he supposed to do with his life? He pulled his knees close to his body and wrapped his arms around them, he hid his face and simply sat there.

Tohma watched as the press chased the mute Ryuichi through the streets until teh singer had lost them. His eyes were wide as he was haunted by Ryuichi's extreamly vulnerable expression, he felt his hand shake slightly as Sakano turned off the television. "Shacho, I think you should return home and rest..."

Tohma shook his head before looking up at Sakano. "No, I need to do too many things. I have to continue negations with Satou and I need to promote someone...I need a new Wakagashira..."

"Yes sir, but I really think..."

"I said no!" Tohma snapped irritably.

"As you wish." Sakano replied with his head lowered. "I'll go inform everyone to attend the meeting..."

Tohma nodded and turned away to stare off over Tokyo. When the door closed quietly behind Sakano he sighed. "Ryuichi...I-I'm so sorry..."
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仁義