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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
- 28
- 29
- 30
CHAPTER 29

It was dark by the time Keisuke returned to the flat. He parked hachi roku and headed for the elevator. Tokyo rush hour traffic was horrific the blond thought pushing the floor button. A trip that should have taken under three hours ended up costing Keisuke five. Disembarking, Keisuke strode to the flat's door and let himself in. Kicking off his shoes, Keisuke headed into the apartment. His grandparents were sitting together in the living room.

"Where's minasan, Ojīsan?"

"Ah, welcome back, Keisuke. Erika wanted to show Hikaru off to her four relatives that came down for the ceremony. I gave Takumi my keys since Hikaru's car seat is still in the back seat. Itsuke kun went with them."

"I see. Speaking of my musuko, . . . any new information on how I'm going to finish getting his custody changed over, Ojīsan?" Keisuke asked as he dropped onto the edge of the large sectional.

"Senda's colleague is still going over the original ruling and current regulations. However, Hikaru's lack of a legal birth certificate is still causing problems. The blood test was conclusive proof that Hikaru's your musuko. However, the court doesn't consider the paternity test conclusive evidence that Hikaru is Akiho's biological kodomo. The hospital she vanished from sent in a sworn statement that Akiho would never give birth, Keisuke. Without a birth certificate, the court has difficulty accepting that your musuko exists. My temporary custody will have to suffice. While I have that, you don't need to fear losing Hikaru."

"Did the custody lawyer say anything about the documents where I appoint Takumi to take over Hikaru's care if anything happens to me?"

"He mentioned having a blood relative listed as Hikaru's alternate care giver would have been a better choice, grandson."

Keisuke pulled a cigarette out of his pack growling, "Takumi's seen as much hell as Hikaru. He knows more than anyone about helping Hikaru grow into a decent man. I won't change my mind about Takumi's appointment to placate a pack of homophobic old men."

"Good heavens, Keisuke. Naze are you getting so angry with Ojīsan? He's only giving you the answer you requested." Obāsan pointed out looking uneasy.

"Gomen for snapping at you. I'm grumpy from getting stuck in Tokyo rush hour traffic. How people can adapt to getting stuck in traffic that only moves a quarter of a meter every ten minutes is beyond me." Standing, Keisuke headed toward the balcony. Pushing the sliding door open, he stepped outside and closed the door to reduce icy drafts. Lighting the cigarette, the blond inhaled deeply.

He heard Ojīsan's footfall as the door slid open, so turned to watch as Tatsuhiko stepped out and closed the door. Keisuke searched the older man's eyes. "I'd say there's much more to your moodiness, Keisuke. Care to get it off your mind?"

"Hearing that the Gunma courts are demanding proof that he's Akiho's before they'll follow up. . . . It's like . . . Am I right to try and take care of Hikaru? I'm still stupefied that I have a musuko some days, Ojīsan. Somehow it doesn't feel real even when I'm looking straight at him. It's like I'm looking at an old photograph of myself that got made into a moving three-dimensional image. Kami sama, I feel horrible admitting that!"

Takahashi Tatsuhiko shook his head. "None of us were aware of Hikaru's existence except Yukiko and Ryuunosuke. For most people, having kodomo is a daily process where you're involved from the beginning, grandson. Where's the natural routine to help establish emotional ties with your musuko?"

"My ryōshin and Akiho hid him from me. He's my musuko, and I didn't even know about him until Kurou said something. Having your worst enemy throw something like that in your face really bites. It makes me mad as hell that a man who'd love to kill me knew more about me that I did."

"I'm sure it did. Most men would have accused their enemy of lying. I don't understand naze you didn't."

"I'm not sure myself, Ojīsan. I called the American phone number to keep in touch with my ryōshin and Ryosuke. Once I started talking, Okasān began flipping out. Things got too damn real to handle. I thought Akiho couldn't have kodomo. She was on birth control to regulate her cycles because of her uterine damage too. It doesn't make any sense. Was everything Otosān told us a lie? That same question keeps racing through my mind until I'm sick of it!"

"It's rare when birth control fails, but it does happen. Ryuunosuke said that he and Yukiko were also stunned when they learned that Akiho was pregnant. My thoughts are that Kami sama has given you a little miracle, Keisuke."

"Hai. Hikaru is a great little guy. It's kind of funny though."

"How so?" Ojīsan asked.

Keisuke snorted as he recalled the night when Takumi's heartbroken state reduced him to tears in his Hachi-roku's passenger seat. "Right after Takumi and I got together, Itsuke-kun found out about us, and flipped out. Takumi was very upset about how my family would react if they learned about us. I said my ryōshin would be more upset about not getting any grandchildren out of me than they would be about his gender."

"Without knowing it, you had given Ryuunosuke a grandchild before meeting Takumi-kun. Considering your wild ways, I suppose it was inevitable. Let's just hope you remain calm from now on, grandson."

"My wild ways ended the moment Takumi embraced me. Nothing can convince me to jeopardize everything I have with him. Only when Takumi, or Hikaru are in real trouble will I do anything insane, Ojīsan."

"So I've noticed. Takumi-kun has really changed your attitude, grandson."

"By accepting my flaws without complaints, Takumi gives me plenty of incentive to change for the better. He rarely mentions having any problems with anything I do. Because of that, I want to be perfect strangely enough."

"Receiving unconditional love helps people to evaluate their lives to better satisfy loved ones capable of giving such devotion. Takumi-kun's influence has caused more changes in you than Masako and I ever dreamed was possible. He seems to have quite the knack for changing the lives of minasan he touches."

"I'm hoping that his knack for changing lives works for Hikaru like it has for me. Hikaru desperately needs Takumi's magic."

"Give it time, Keisuke. Slavery left Hikaru very traumatized. You saved him from a terrible ending, so he is accepting your presence faster than normal. He may withdraw when you least expect it because you're still a stranger. That stage will pass faster if you continue dealing with him the way you are now."

"True. The psychiatrist warned me that Hikaru will have major tantrums once he feels secure. It's supposed to be a good thing, but I'm dreading it. How am I supposed to cope with a screaming kodomo throwing things? Following Takumi's lead should get us through that stage easier. Takumi said telling Hikaru the truth is the best way to teach him that he can trust us. He said we have to be honest even when the truth hurts."

The blond flicked an ash into the outdoor ashtray he kept on the patio table. Lifting it to his lips, he listed to his grandfather's response.

"Being overwhelmed is normal when you have no idea how to proceed. Speaking the truth is a goo place to start with building a solid relationship with Hikaru. Patience is not one of your natural strengths, but it's necessary for Hikaru to make the transition. Keep that in mind when he starts showing extreme emotions. Wanting to do the right thing by Hikaru is an admirable foundation to nurture deeper attachments. Try to recall that emotional attachments are currently lacking in your relationship because you recently met Hikaru. Your willingness to accept his existence is a very good start, grandson."

With those words, Ojīsan retreated into the warmth of the apartment. A sigh heaved from his chest as Keisuke considered the advice. All too familiar in the root meaning, Keisuke found no peace in hearing the same things Hikaru's counselor said. Feeling like he was already failing as a parent, the blond lit another cigarette and frowned at Tokyo's high rise lights.

For patience, he needed Takumi's unflappable calm. The quiet man he adored had enough patience for both of them. However, he worried about the uneasiness in Takumi when he was with Hikaru. Neither one of them knew how to handle the small child.

In an odd twist of fate, Takeuchi was making the quickest connection to his son. Blowing out a stream of smoke, Keisuke considered his other biggest problem. Knowing how much pride, and self respect Itsuke had thrown away without hesitation trying to save Takumi was worthy of his highest regard. The sacrifices the younger man had willingly made for Takumi's well being had almost literally destroyed Itsuke. Keisuke understood Itsuke had gone through hell, and then some because he also loved Takumi. Resenting his finding a new place in Takumi's life was difficult once Keisuke factored that into their current dilemma. Takeuchi suffered with a serious medical condition so he had to get the darker haired man healthy without angering Takumi.

Because Takeuchi trusted him enough to place himself under his control, Keisuke had already begun transforming the other man's image to insure he could remain comfortable with this new version of Itsuke. So far, things were going very well. Keisuke was glad he had remained in contact with Nishikawa after leaving Walking Man. A phone call to Nishikawa asking for advice on the right clothing had produced an immediate visual improvement in Takeuchi. Nishikawa was a similar sized powerhouse with good instincts for looking great.

Keisuke had got the right style of clothing purchased before the hospital released Takeuchi. The change from baggy T-shirts and pants to polos and tailored slacks made an immediate difference in Itsuke's overall image. The blond already had Itsuke doing basic weight lifting and flexibility exercises to fill out his raw boned frame with the needed muscle. Nishikawa had given him ideas of how to enhance Takeuchi's less attractive looks. Nishikawa had given him suggestions to insure Takeuchi stayed trimmer and gained enough definition. Powerhouses in peak condition had beautifully sculpted muscle definition that always appealed to Keisuke's aesthetic tastes in men.

Due to Itsuke's heavy weight loss, Keisuke saw potential for a happy medium if Takumi never discarded his emotional attachment to Itsuke. Takeuchi's personality was much calmer now that he was on medication. He got along with Hikaru so well that Keisuke found himself relieved to have the other man involved. Once Itsuke got into peak physical condition, Keisuke knew he was have even fewer reservations about accepting him in Takumi's life.

Fervently, Keisuke prayed Takumi would build a strong attachment to Hikaru. He had signed the legal papers that gave Takumi control of his trust fund and all of his property if anything happened to him. Still, Takumi was not happy about having complete access to his seventeen million yen trust fund, and Keisuke knew it. It was his request to look after Hikaru if he went to prison that forced Takumi to agree. Getting pushed into doing anything never settled well with Takumi, and this was no exception. Pushing Takumi to sign onto his bank account was definite coercion on his part. Linking Takumi's trust fund to his after he took complete charge of it was the next important step to consolidate Hikaru's future security, and Takeuchi's also. Much as Keisuke hated to admit it, Takumi needed Itsuke's emotional support to remain stable if he was sent to prison.

Keisuke was learning that protecting the toddler who so desperately needed them was stressful. Emotionally, Hikaru was a stranger. No matter how alike they looked, being a father was much harder than Keisuke expected. The upheaval required to make a stable home for Hikaru was abrading Takumi's nerves also.

'Hikaru's definitely mine, so naze is it so hard for me to get used to him? Now that my anger's under control, I'm starting to really freak out over being a ryōshin. I really hope Ojīsan's right about my getting more attached to Hikaru the longer I'm around him. He's better behaved than other kodomo I've seen. Maybe my problem does come from not having Hikaru around when he was a new born like Ojīsan thinks.'

'Part of me hates this because I didn't ask for it. Changing all my life plans to take care of Hikaru means giving up damned near everything I've ever wanted. Even without Aniki starting his residency this year, Project D's over because of my responsibility to care for Hikaru. I can't be gone every weekend racing on some distant mountain with Takumi. Going pro depends on staying in the racing scene, but I have to retire because Hikaru is way too young and vulnerable. Hopefully, I can keep Takumi on track. If I don't go to prison, Takumi might get into the pro circuit. Although Takumi's against it, I have to sell FD and buy a family car. Hachi-roku's still Takumi's ticket into the pros.'

The blond knew he had been cruising through life without knowing he owed a responsibility to a child. That knowledge increased his irritation over previously cavalier actions he had taken. Keisuke honestly wanted to give his son a safe, secure, and loving home after seeing the nightmare place Hikaru had always known. Ending his nights of racing through the mountain passes was mandatory. Nevertheless, Keisuke concluded that his love, hate passion for becoming the greatest of elite drivers made facing premature retirement painful.

'Akiho wasn't even supposed to be able to have brats! Deranged bitch really has gotten her revenge for my dumping her with this fucking stunt. . . . Damn, I've got to stop thinking like an immature, worthless prick. If I know one thing, it's that Hikaru isn't a brat. I should be seriously grateful for finding myself saddled with such a well-behaved kodomo. Knowing I have to sell FD, and retire from street racing is creating these sick damned flashes of resentment. None of this is Hikaru's fault. '

'Bunta abusing Takumi all of his life royally pisses me off whenever I think about it. Now I'm starting to understand Takumi's otosān far better than I want. Giving up my dreams despite being so close to having them that I can taste their reality is hard as hell to swallow. Oyaji san threw away his dream right before he reached the finish line to raise Takumi. Retiring before he was ready to let go left him spiteful. Will I fall into the same disgusting trap? Could I start resenting Hikaru the same as Bunta still resents Takumi?'

A new wave of fury blasted through his mind as Keisuke stared at a panorama of twinkling skyscraper lights while smoking a third cigarette. Pain and anger writhed in Keisuke's chest as he faced the reality that he was the one to blame most of all. His mother's argument that she had lied to protect his feelings, and future still rankled every time he saw his son. Keisuke appreciated that a completely defenseless toddler had paid dearly for her lies, and his cavalier stupidity. An innocent, and powerless infant who had no choice but survive as best he could through constant pain, terror, and hunger. Hikaru had paid for his ignorance of the mistakes Keisuke knew he had made.

'Where should the lines be drawn when trying to protect someone you love? I'd do anything for Takumi to make sure he's safe. Hell, I've already done some pretty insane shit to protect him. I killed a man trying to get Takumi back. I didn't think anything of it when I did it. Finding Takumi so badly injured and close to death made me wish I'd killed more of the bastards before I found him.

'Does that kind of mind set justify how Okasān and Otosān reacted to learning Akiho was pregnant? I was in the hospital recovering from that bullet she put in my shoulder. I almost lost my arm too, so I know Okāsan feels justified in pulling such underhanded bull shit. Yet, my guts are screaming that they should have told me about Akiho getting knocked up. I needed to know something as important as having an unborn kodomo on the way. Unlike myself, my ryōshin knowingly abandoned their own flesh and blood. How could they write off their grandson like that?'

A siren wailed somewhere beneath his feet. Traffic noises filtered into his awareness as Keisuke searched himself for a forgiveness he doubted he would ever find. His mother's strident words swamped Keisuke's thoughts.

"Akiho tried to kill you, but you would have tried to find her if you had known! You were recovering from injuries that she gave you. We left everything to the kēsatsu because it's their duty to find criminals, not yours! They should have found that lunatic onna and returned her to the hospital so she could serve her time."

'Man, the older I get, the more I see how much Okasān hated Akiho. It's better that Takumi and I are out of my ryōshin's home. Even if Hikaru is damned near a carbon copy of me, he's still Akiho's baby. Keeping him away from Okasān is a smarter move than I was thinking when I first started fighting for custody. How bad would things be for Hikaru if Okasān was raising him?'

The glass door sliding open broke the wheat-haired racer from his thoughts. A blast of hot air brushed his cheek. "Naze are you out here in the cold chain smoking, Lover?"

Turning his head, Keisuke looked into Takumi's jewel toned eyes. "I was thinking about some things. When did you get back, my own?"

"A few minutes ago. Tatsuhiko san said you were in a bad mood. He told me to leave you alone. Since Hikaru helped me pick out minasan's dinner, I decided to ignore your ojīsan's request. Come in and eat before your meal gets cold." Takumi stretched out a hand to him. Taking it in his own and squeezing startled Keisuke at how hot his spouse's skin was compared to his. He crushed his fourth cigarette out and followed Takumi into the flat.

"How did Hikaru get along with Sobo's relatives?" Stepping into the living room, Keisuke shut the glass panel and locked it behind him. He had been outside longer than planned. After being in the icy air for so long, the living room felt stifling hot. He shed his jacket and tossed it onto the back of the couch.

"Things were really awkward until Itsuke got involved. He helped Hikaru open up to the strangers around him by making all the attention into a game of sorts. I didn't really know anyone but Sobo san, so I failed to help Hikaru feel comfortable."

Following Takumi into the dining room, the blond stopped short and watched Hikaru. His son was already in his booster seat, cautiously eating chicken satay. Tiny hands moved the kabob stick gingerly to insure that he got every crumb into his mouth. Seeing a tike scraping every drop of the mildly spiced peanut sauce off his plate tugged at Keisuke's heart. Such extreme care in a toddler was alien, and wrong.

His grandparents sitting with his son barely registered in Keisuke's head. A new wave of anger with his parents' well-intended deceptions exploded across his conscience. Unlike himself, Hikaru never had any opportunities to be normal. Because of his ignorance about Hikaru's existence, his toddler treated everything with the gravity of receiving something magical. Keisuke remembered balking at eating meals he did not like. He often at his fill, leaving leftovers on his plate at a similar age. The blond could not see Hikaru doing the same. Would Hikaru ever feel safe enough to act like a normal child?

Doubts ate at Keisuke. So much fear and pain had dominated Hikaru's short life. Undoing the damage would take titanic effort, patience, and time. That sobering thought curdled Keisuke's stomach. Failure was not an option he could accept. With Takumi's support, Keisuke believed that he would find a way to keep and raise Hikaru. resenting the deeply wounded little boy for getting thrust into his life and changing everything so drastically.

"Ne, Keisuke san, are you okay?" Itsuke's voice tugged his thoughts from his emotional turmoil.

The dark haired younger man was standing on the edge of the hallway that separated Hikaru and his grandfather's bedrooms. He looked worried. Takumi was also looking at him with genuine concern written on his expressive features.

Keeping his voice soft, Keisuke replied, "I'll be fine in a minute. Seeing the way Hikaru eats always reminds me of okāsan's lies. All of his life has been a never ending nightmare because my ryōshin hated Akiho so much that they insured I abandoned Hikaru before he was born."

"Calm down, Lover. 'Kasān Yukiko believed Hikaru was dead because that was the isha san's conclusion. She didn't hide the truth from you because she was being cruel. I honestly believe 'Kasān Yukiko was grieving over the loss of her first grandchild, but she didn't handle it very well. Grief makes people do terrible things, Keisuke."

Looking at Takumi's solemn expression, Keisuke knew he was being sincere. "Maybe so, but I can't forgive her yet, my own. Seeing the symptoms from how much Hikaru suffered when he shouldn't have really infuriates me."

"Norihiko kun's cringing all the time clearly bothered you too. You've really got a big heart for kodomo, Keisuke san. I think you're a good otosān already because you care so much."

"I'm not nearly good enough as an otosān yet, Itsuke kun."

Takumi forced his fisted hands to relax as he stroked his knuckles. "Now who's picking on himself? Guess it's my turn to stop you from being so hard on yourself. Eh, Lover?"

Looking into Takumi's clear tawny eyes, Keisuke saw the faith his spouse held for him glowing within those every changing kaleidoscope's depths. He nodded his head in agreement and looked back at Hikaru. "Let's eat before our meal gets any colder you two. I'll be certain to praise Hikaru for the Thai. Did you tell him I love satay, My own?'

Takumi smirked with a single nod as he tugged him into the dining room. "How'd you guess?"

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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series