Adult-FanFiction.org : Anime

Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2560 -:- 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
- 30
- 31
- 32
A/N: WARNINGS; This chapter contains graphic violence. I hope I got the last of the errors resolved in this edition. *flashback thoughts within flashback.*

CHAPTER 31

Ryosuke nodded at Itsuke's comments, and turned back to him. "Samantha also reinforced the whole frame of her car. Its roof is a completely concealed roll cage, Fujiwara. It got heavier because of that modification. The only way she could control this much weight effectively is to amplify its horsepower and convert it, . . ." Ryosuke fell silent and looked around the parking lot that was visible.

Takumi registered the sudden stillness, and tension filling the hot, humid air. The upper lot's denizens seemed uneasy as they watched the Project D area with great interest. It made Takumi's skin crawl as he glanced at Keisuke. The blond frowned at him, and then looked at the newest arrivals with sharp intensity. Takumi stepped away from the van's rear, and moved closer to his feisty boyfriend.

Takumi jumped as he heard an all-too-familiar voice. "Takumi kun. I'm so happy to see you!"

Dreading that his hearing was correct, Takumi turned to face the source of that high pitched voice. Mogi was trotting toward him, waving as she smiled. A man in a black leather jacket, and a woman dressed like a magazine model, with looks to match, trailed behind his ex girlfriend.

Mogi had a handbag slung over her shoulder. Takumi had never seen her carry such an item. He noticed the woman who followed also had a purse. Perhaps it was a fad Mogi had picked up in Tokyo. Takumi tried to decide what to say as he stepped toward her. He felt his knees wobble as he faced his ex-girlfriend. Niggling unease sharpened dramatically into full blown dread. How was Singing Wolf related to Mogi Takumi wondered while staring at his ex. His inexplicable sense of knowing reared its head like a coiling cobra about to strike. Everything was dangerously wrong screamed from Takumi's core to fill his mind. For a moment he was disoriented by his intuition's overloaded clambering. Something very bad was happening and Takumi knew he could not prevent it.

"Uhm, doushite did you come here?" Takumi realized that Keisuke would react badly if he said Mogi's name, so he avoided it.

He prayed that Itsuke would not give her identity away, but doubted his best friend would be discreet. The teen began working on a damage control plan in his mind.

"Eh? Aren't you happy to see me after so long, Takumi kun? I wanted to see you since it has been so long."

"Gomen, this isn't a good time for chatting. I'm very busy with preparations for my battle tomorrow night. Once the adjustments are done, I have to get back to driving." Takumi hedged as he watched Keisuke's eyes narrow. He hoped Keisuke did not recognize her voice from his previous verbal spars with her on the telephone.

Itsuke butted in. "Mogi, Tak said this isn't a good time! Doushite don't you leave him alone?"

Keisuke's expression shifted from suspicious into furious within an instant. "So you're Mogi. I told you to leave Fujiwara alone. Get lost, you little troublemaker!" Keisuke barked the order while pointing to the car from which she had emerged.

"Shut up, you jerk! I don't have to leave, and I'm not going to before I talk to Takumi kun!" She stood with her little hands fisted at her sides as she yelled at Keisuke. Hatred filled her glare with hatred. Takumi knew she hated the man who had shown him how much of a lie she still tried to convince him to live.

The amber-haired teen found himself within a verbal war zone between his ex-girlfriend and current lover. He was a prize that Mogi and Keisuke were fighting to keep. Keisuke had him, and Mogi was unaware of that development. Yet Mogi was determined to convince him to take her back without knowing her rival's identity.

Thinking fast, Takumi tried to ease the situation. "Mogi, this isn't the time. We need to do this somewhere else, when things aren't so busy, or public. I honestly don't have time right now. I've got serious training to do tonight to memorize this course."

"iie! We're going to talk things out right now, Takumi kun."Mogi pointed at Keisuke as she ranted, "That jerk won't let Natsuki talk to you! You never listen to me when we talk on the phone either. Just listen to my side for once." She pleaded with him as she accused him of not listening to her.

"I told you I'm not the person for you, Mogi. I've asked you to stop hurting yourself because I know that we can't work." Takumi fought to keep his panic under control, along with his voice.

"I won't give up, Takumi kun. We belong together, and Natsuki's going to make things right if you'll just let me." Mogi spoke with vehemence.

The upper level was still silent, Takumi discovered. His face flushed as her words rang on the heavy air. Takumi felt his annoyance jump several notches. "Mogi!"

Itsuke snorted at her loud declaration. "This is a public place. Do you mind, Mogi? Now, I understand Tak dumping you! You blew it! So, stop harassing him already!"

"Shut up, Itsuke kun! Takumi kun won't talk this out unless Natsuki makes him, . . . here and now. I'm not leaving before we work this out!" Mogi stared him down as she whined at Itsuke.

Takumi's hand ran along the back of his neck as his muscles knotted. He felt Keisuke's angry presence next to him, and sighed. He had no choice but to tell Mogi off in a very public setting to get rid of her he realized with a pang of regret.

"There's nothing to work out, Mogi. I told you I'm with someone else. You need to let go of this fixation you have with me. Go back to your Benz daddy since he invested huge sums of money on your family. I'm not available, or interested in you! You lied, and hid things you shouldn't have. I don't hate you because I know your reasons, Mogi. I can't trust you, even if I wanted to give you a second chance. Don't make me say anything else!" Her unacceptable drama fed up Takumi and let his irritation leak into his voice.

"Natsuki knows I screwed up. I'm changing to make up for my mistakes, Takumi kun. Let me prove that I'm changing for you. I'll do anything if you'll just give me a second chance. I know that I can earn your trust if you'll let me prove that I'm changing for you."

"Mogi, I love the person I'm dating now. Sumimasen for being brutal, but I've tried to be nice so I wouldn't hurt your feelings. I understand that you did those things because of your okāsan's health problems. However, you need to stop trying to force me into taking you back. I'm not going to change my mind. I've tried to tell you nicely time and again so you wouldn't fall back into your old ways. I'm getting tired of you ignoring, or twisting everything I say." Takumi noted how harsh his voice had turned. Yet he could not back down, or be considerate with so many witnesses around.

Keisuke's voice throbbed with fury as he jumped into the conversation. "You heard Fujiwara. He doesn't want you so get lost! I'll put you back in that car to get rid of you if you continue making a scene!" Takumi glanced over and saw that Keisuke looked ready to get violent. "You aren't going to fuck with his head, or his focus any longer. You've done way too much damage already!"

Keisuke stepped forward with a snarl on his lips. Takumi felt a twist in his gut at having to be so close to the angry man he loved and yet he jumped between the two combatants. Keisuke was an accomplished street fighter. Takumi wondered if he could handle Keisuke if he lost control of his righteous rage. "Matte, Keisuke san, calm down!" Takumi said as he imposed himself between his angry boyfriend, and Mogi.

Takumi heard raw hatred in Mogi's voice as she screeched, "You're the one that poisoned Takumi against me! You're probably the one who pushed Takumi kun into dating that new onna too! I can prove I've changed. Natsuki's the only one for Takumi. So stop interfering with us!"

Mogi reached into the purse she had on her shoulder, Takumi saw from the corner of his eye. He sought to keep Keisuke from doing physical harm by placing his hands against the angry blond's chest. He was startled when Keisuke's hands wrapped around his upper arms. The blond shoved him hard to the side bellowing, "Get behind something, Takumi," in a panic-laced voice.

A sharp eerie cracking sound rent the air as Takumi tumbled on his side across the asphalt. Keisuke had flung him aside was all Takumi knew. He understood from the noise level that both lots were exploding in panic.

'What was that loud noise? Doushite is everyone screaming?'

Takumi could not understand the situation. He knew things had gone sour because of the screams he heard. He twisted his upper body to see his surroundings. His eyes noted a dark metallic object in Mogi's hand. She pointed it toward the area where he and Keisuke had stood moments before.

Intuitive knowing crystalized into genuine comprehension. He had sensed that this was going to happen the first time he met Singing Wolf. On some level Takumi always knew things he could not put into words. When he saw the lines cross during a race, he was able to get hachi roku in front of his opponents to win battles. Every time he got these strange gut deep knowings, they came to pass.

'Is that, . . . a gun? Matte . . . Mogi, . . . has, . . . a, . . . gun?!' Takumi knew he had to get to his feet. The thought that he needed to find Keisuke, and fast took hold.

"Keisuke?!" The name ripped from Takumi's throat. They were in serious trouble, part of his mind pushed past the surreal impressions clogging his impressions. He rolled onto his stomach.

'Did Keisuke get behind something, . . . before she pulled, . . . that thing, . . . out of her bag? Where the hell, . . . did Mogi, . . . get, . . . a gun? More important, . . . where's, . . . Keisuke?'

Images of the man who had restored his faith in emotional bonds focused in his mind's eye. Various expressions and words since meeting the volatile man rose to alter Takumi's perceptions. "Race for the sake of your pride. There's your reason, if you need one." The angry looking blond snapped at him. Takumi glared back at the cocky stranger that he had already beaten on Akina's downhill.

Takumi shook his head to rid himself of the fog enveloping his mind. He heard an eerie inhuman cry that shot jolts of fear careening up and down his spine. He had one hand on the pavement to shove himself upright as he gathered his muscles to stand. Another wave of images overcame his senses.

'Who's Takahashi Keisuke to demand that I take on another driver's challenge? It's none of this arrogant jerk's business what I do, or don't do. I have nothing to prove because I'm not a racer like him.' Confusion tinged Takumi's thoughts with irritation. He was not interested in getting lectured during Oyaji's tofu deliveries. Takumi wanted to get done so he could get another hour's sleep before he had to get up to go to school.

Takumi saw a black blur flash past beneath the pool of fluorescent light from the street light, as he surged to his knees. A silver streak whizzed through the air in front of the blur that headed at high speed toward Mogi.

"You can't lose to anyone but me, or Aniki. You got that." Takahashi Keisuke was again in Takumi's face, and space, as he pointed a finger at him. The weird blond acted like he knew him. This was becoming a familiar four a.m. scene. 'Doushite does this rich guy keep showing up to harass me? IS there a reason that he's always lecturing me? Doesn't he have anything better to do at four a.m.? If I was him, I'd be at home asleep.'

Takumi's vision focused on the two women. Samantha Singing-Wolf was charging his ex-girlfriend in slow motion. Time still frame advanced as the Gaijin's legs left the ground and her body twisted into an arrow straight projectile. 'What is Singing-Wolf san, . . . doing? If that's, . . . a gun . . . ? Can anyone stop this, . . . if Mogi's got a . . . gun?'

'Takumi resented that angry glare on the spiky haired blond's face. He found that he wished he could figure the older man out. 'What the hell is wrong with this guy? Damn, I'm going to be late making the deliveries again this morning thanks to him.' Takumi sighed as he got back into his car and headed to the resort while the image of the annoyed man who continued to badger him flashed in his mind's eye.'

Mogi's cry as she dropped the dark metal object that did resemble a gun. Her other hand reaching to clutch her wrist slid into sharp relief. Takumi's vision noticed something bright sticking out of her Gaijin was inviting disaster by charging so recklessly at an armed opponent. The dangerous atmosphere bothering Takumi from the beginning was replaying before his eyes.

"So, are you coming? I know Aniki invited you to join Project D. I'm giving it my all so he can let go when he leaves street racing for good. Aniki will teach you everything you need to know to become a real street racer. After the year's done, we'll battle again. I want to know you learned how to think like a racer before I demolish you once and for all. Then, I'm going on to the pros. How about it?" Keisuke gave him a smirk that made Takumi wonder what the rotary brothers had asked him to get involved with when Ryosuke Takahashi proposed his driving as the downhill specialist for Project D. The teenager felt a twinge of remorse that he would never be the older man's friend. Keisuke san had incredible goals.

The gun hit the ground with a flash of light. It felt like Takumi was viewing the scene upon a movie screen. The boom of the second firing rocked his senses long after he saw the light.

'Ryosuke Takahashi asked me to join Project D although he must know Keisuke hates me. Now Keisuke's in my face demanding that I move forward with his onīsan's plan. Keisuke's ambition is awesome. I'm not even in the same class as the rotary brothers. How the hell did I beat either one of them when I raced against them? What the hell have I gotten myself into? Doushite would they want me to drive with them anyway? I'm not that good.'

Takumi's body registered an odd, forceful punch that combined with a popping that bored into the skin of his upper thigh. The Gaijin's foot connected hard with Mogi's face as her dark clad body twisted so she could land.

'Takumi wondered if working with the focused and intense man might change the blond's mind about him. Keisuke Takahashi might not like him, but for some reason the blond was determined to chase him down at four a.m. to snap at him regularly. Perhaps he could help to ease Keisuke's wounded pride if he was on the same team.'

Another hard impact threw Takumi's balance. He glanced down to see something dark arcing into the air around the point in his right thigh where the odd sensation started. His leg jerked out from under him. The strange impact continued to dig deeper into his thigh. A crackle deep inside his thigh shifted to bizarre grinding as he tumbled back onto the asphalt.

'Keisuke smoked a cigarette as he rested between practice runs. He had parked the yellow FD across the lot from Takumi and his hachi roku. The blond leaned against his car's front fender flanked by Kenta. The teen tried to listen to Ryosuke san's advice before he made his next practice run, but was distracted by the feel of Keisuke's dark blue eyes burning holes through his back. Takumi felt a familiar tug of sorrow over Keisuke's obvious hatred. The blond's animosity had gotten stronger since they became teammates. He had no idea how to change the situation. Time had not eased the annoyance that the older man felt every time he looked at him. A fierce anger over a race had happened months before. Takumi knew it was a hopeless situation. He tried to focus on his mentor's words as he struggled to ignore the glare directed at him. His thoughts continued to shift between Ryosuke san's information, and the dagger-sharp glower digging beneath his skin.'

Takumi discovered that he was on his stomach again. The invisible punch's force knocking his leg out from under him. What had sent him sprawling? His mind registered surprise as he looked around while trying to rise a second time. 'I really have to, . . . find Keisuke, fast.'

"Keisuke?!" The name ripped from Takumi's throat. 'Shit. This is, . . . very bad. I'm in, . . . serious, . . . trouble!' ran through Takumi's mind like the strange splash of dark color that he could see spreading across his upper thigh.

"Takumi, give me a chance. I'll make it worth your while." Takumi tried to reconcile the raw toned desperation he heard in Keisuke's voice, with the past's sarcastic bite he knew so well. He failed. 'Who is this person that looks like Keisuke san?' The kiss Keisuke had leveled him with registered as nothing short of mind-blowing intensity. 'Matte. One week ago we went from heated rivals, to friends, to . . . What in the world are we becoming? This is crazy. He's another man.'

Takumi felt disconnected from the scene as Mogi slammed hard into the pavement to slide along its surface.

'Takumi felt how empty his life had been before this moment with an acute sense of shock. He could not ignore the truth. Keisuke had stripped away every illusion he had ever harbored with a kiss. Takumi knew what he had to do before the thought formed. He no longer cared what Itsuke, Kenji, or Iketani thought of his choices. Oyaji would kill him if he found out, but that no longer mattered. Takumi needed that raw, honest love he had felt from Keisuke. A single kiss had made him aware of everything he had missed. Takumi's soul craved the sense of acceptance, warmth and other things he was unaware he had never experienced, but felt the presence of in an unexpected brush of lips.'

Samantha's heavy silk fan was open as her hand swept up a second time. She appeared to yank something from it while turning on the people with Mogi. The onna screamed and fled toward the car.

'Keisuke slid off the hachi roku's hood and moved away saying, "I pushed too hard. Gomennasai onegaishimasu." 'Reach out and try to make things work no matter the consequences, or stay in the rut my life consisted of before Keisuke declared his feelings?' Those had become the only choices Takumi had left. The teen closed the gap between them without conscious thought. He reached out to the older racer in a daze. Takumi leaned against the taller man's back, and wrapped his arms around Keisuke's waist. "Matte, Keisuke."

'What is that, . . . crazy, . . . fearless, . . . American, . . . ? She going to, . . . get killed.'

'Keisuke smiled. "I love you, Takumi." He flush to his toes as he squirmed in his own passenger seat. Keisuke had caught off guard and kissed him without any warning. Takumi wasn't certain whether he should feel exasperated with this flirtatious side, or flattered that Keisuke was so determined to turn him on, and forget what they were supposed to be doing.'

The leather-clad man with Mogi was turning something metallic on Samantha Singing Wolf with a Speed that Takumi's eyes could not track. Another metallic missile left Sammy's hand. 'Is that . . . a knife? Where did Sammy san get, . . . knives? Was that what I saw, . . . in Mogi's upper arm? Matte. The fan . . . She pulled, . . . a knife, . . . out of her fan? I don't, . . . understand. Nani the hell?'

'How does Keisuke make sure I know his feelings every time he kisses me? Damn, we're supposed to be working on his braking skills. I promised Ryosuke san I'd get him to focus on driving. I'm not ready to deal with this side of Keisuke. I mean, I can't forget that we're both men. What the hell am I doing? What kind of power does Keisuke have over me?'

"Keisuke, you need to focus on driving right now, not me. I promised Ryosuke san you'd keep on track to becoming a pro racer, remember? I can't let you out of practice."

"I know. That doesn't change the fact that the only body mine is aware of is yours, Takumi."

"You're supposed to be focusing on sensations from hachi roku, not me!" Takumi felt hot waves of embarrassment at his teammate's remark. 'How am I going to help him master the water trick if he's focusing on me? Damn it. This is our third practice together. Can I even help Keisuke by training with him? Is being around me going to prove a huge disaster because it's me?'

Takumi was determined to get under cover after he checked on Keisuke's last known position. The blond had told him to get behind something. His older boyfriend would shred him if he did not find a safe spot to sit this insanity out.

'Keisuke had a gentle expression as he looked down on him. 'Few ever see this kind of look on Keisuke's face. I doubt Ryosuke san even knows Keisuke can be like this. I'm the only one who knows this side of Keisuke.' "Speaking of life altering experiences, I'm going to change your life so much that you can't ever think of being with anyone but me. Think you can handle that?" Keisuke's tone was earnest as he made the declaration. Takumi looked up at Keisuke from his unexpected place in the blond's lap as he raised a hand to trace the other man's features while he sought the words to make the blond understand him.

Takumi heard a third distinct peal's echo that he knew was another gunshot. He thought it might have come from behind him. 'Nan da? . . . This is, . . . crazy! How could this, . . . be happening?' The youth tried to focus on his surroundings. Screams reverberated through the night as he tried to get his bearings.

"I'm going to make you forgive me." Takumi found himself, and his seat in a reclined position before he could even spit out his apology. Keisuke leaned over him with a seductive expression that left Takumi wide-eyed and tongue tied. He had no chance to speak as Keisuke's lips covered his in a kiss that stole all reason.

Takumi's hand went to his leg as the area began to burn with sensation spreading and increasing through his system. Agony began radiating from the location of dark color that continued to grow around the upper portion of his pant leg. The teen fought to get control of his thoughts. 'Have I, . . . been shot? Holy shit! I've been . . . shot! How, . . . , Kami-sama, . . . What about Keisuke?!' Horror flashed through his mind as he tried to piece everything together.

'Keisuke glared at him with a cigarette hanging from his lips. "Stop saying that bull shit! Damn, it makes me want to kick your ass when you tear yourself down! You're already my equal. You do everything right. So knock it off already." Keisuke flicked his forehead as he growled. Takumi wondered if he looked as startled as he felt over the unexpected rebuke.

Takumi twisted to see where his lover was. His eyes found a body crumpled on the ground where Mogi had pointed the gun she had earlier. 'iie! Oh Kami-sama, . . . don't let, . . . Keisuke, . . . ?' The thought slammed through his mind as Takumi screamed again for the other man to respond. "Keisuke, answer me!"

The crumpled figure came into focus. Takumi made out spiky blond hair. 'This is my fault. If I hadn't agreed, . . . to give you a, . . . a chance, you'd be, . . . safe, Keisuke . . . ! I should have, . . . left, . . . moment I knew, . . . should have, . . . done, . . . everything, . . . different. Doushite, . . . do people that I get, . . . attached to, . . . always leave, . . . ? Doushite did you, . . . fight so hard, . . . to make sure, . . . ? Damn you! I need . . . you . . . in my life!'

Ryosuke skidded to a halt beside his brother. The black-haired man dropped beside Keisuke with a pale face. Takumi ignored the burning pain and tried to get to his feet again. His injured leg would not support weight. The leg popped as something ground inside his body with a wet toned feeling that made his stomach do a crazed lurch. His right side failed to withstand his weight so he slid sideways onto the ground yet again.

Blood started to flow harder. Comprehending that he could not walk, Takumi changed tactics. He shifted to get leverage with his left leg to crawl to the blond's side. Using his good foot to push, and both arms to pull himself, the youth moved closer to his target. He managed to claw his way to the injured man's side and grabbed onto Keisuke's arm. He tried to get acknowledgment from the man who had fought so hard with him to change his mind about getting into a same gender romance.

A grimace of agony met Takumi's eyes as the blond he adored kept his eyes closed with his teeth clenched. "Keisuke?"

The teen felt his world shift and spin. His eyes were drawn to a strange pink foam bubbling from between Keisuke's lips. The color stood out against oddly colored skin beneath the various flood lights and street lamps. 'What is that weird pink stuff . . . coming out of, . . . Keisuke's mouth?'

Takumi twisted so that his good leg was under his hips to sit up. The teen let his right leg remain straight. He looked down on his injured boyfriend's face. 'Mogi was supposed, . . . my problem. Doushite, . . . did you, . . . , Keisuke, . . . ? Doushite . . . ? . . . You should've, . . . let me, . . . deal . . . Doushite did you throw me, . . . out of the way? I should be the one, . . . down, . . . not you.'

"Move, Fujiwara." Takumi knew the voice but could not grasp the situation. He could not fully understand the words. It took a moment to comprehend. "Keisuke, let me see your side!" was barked next to Takumi's ear. Eyes focusing again, Takumi noticed that Keisuke fought Ryosuke's hands. It appeared that Ryosuke was trying to pry Keisuke fingers away from his injury.

Takumi grasped that Ryosuke needed to roll Keisuke onto his back to help him. Determination flared as the teenager grabbed the blond's shoulder and bellowed, "Keisuke, you have to stop fighting. We have to help you!"

The teen shoved hard against Keisuke's shoulder, pushing the larger man over with help from his good leg. He grabbed Keisuke's arm and helped pry it away from his bloody side. Dark fluid and darker pink foam bubbled between Keisuke's fingers.

He was not quite certain how he had gotten himself into a new spot but Takumi had Keisuke's head in his lap. He held Keisuke's shoulders down to keep his injured lover from curling back into a ball. Ryosuke cursed as he ripped his phone from his pants pocket.

"I'm on it. Put your phone away, Ryosuke san. An emergency crew is on the way." Takumi did not know who spoke. He focused on Keisuke who was shot in his place because of protecting him.

"I hope the hell it gets here in time. I think Keisuke's got a punctured lung. If I'm right, then he's in serious trouble."

Takumi felt his body sway as pain and fear collided to short-circuit his brain. 'Punc, . . . tured, . . . lung?'

Keisuke began convulsing. Additional arms entered Takumi's view as he got help holding his thrashing man down. Words without meaning buzzed around Takumi's head. Ryosuke took something that he pushed against Keisuke's wound. Takumi tried to keep his larger lover on his back. The teen was determined to protect Keisuke's skull from the pavement as his boyfriend shuddered in his arms.

'I can't fix, . . . things, . . . not this time. I'm, . . . so, . . . moushiwake arimasen! . . . I failed you, Keisuke. I didn't know, . . . it could turn, . . . out this way. I didn't know Mogi could, . . . do something, . . . like this. Onegai, . . . don't die! . . . Damn it if you survive, . . . I'll do anything you want. . . . I'll move in with you, . . . or whatever, . . . name it, . . . Keisuke! . . . I swear I'll do it! . . . Just don't, . . . leave me, . . . Keisuke.'

Takumi knew he was babbling but could not stop. "Stay with me, Keisuke. Don't you dare leave me alone! You have to stay with me! Open your eyes, Keisuke! Look at me! Damn you!"

His words got through. Keisuke's eyes fluttered open and focused on his face. One of the blond's blood-covered hands grabbed his damaged thigh. Tears streamed down his face as Takumi grabbed the hand and squeezed it to give Keisuke emotional support. Wishing that his grip could give Keisuke an edge, Takumi tried to let his lover know that he was with him. He would have traded places if he could. Keisuke had done so much for him. The volatile man changed his life in so many ways since driving into his life. Takumi felt as if he would shatter when Keisuke again convulsed. More blood gushed out of his wounded side.

His damaged thigh's pain increased, agony burning through his conscious. Waves of nausea threatened to make Takumi puke. The smell of blood filled his nose. He tried to force his discomfort aside so he could focus on Keisuke's needs. Fighting the dizziness that threatened, the amber haired youth clung to his determination. He would do whatever he could to save the blond in his lap. He cupped the side of Keisuke's pale face in his one hand as the blond's body relaxed after the latest convulsion suffered.

Takumi heard a strange, hollow rattle emerge from Keisuke's throat as he struggled to breathe, or speak. Takumi felt a void opening in his chest while watching Keisuke's struggle.

"Ta . . . ku, . . ." Keisuke tried to force his name out of his mouth as he began to convulse again.

"Don't try to talk. I'm right here. Focus on staying with me, Keisuke. An ambulance is on the way. Hang on, Keisuke."

Takumi placed his fingers over Keisuke's mouth to keep him quiet. He ran his fingers along blue tinged lips to remove the strange foam that continued bubbling out from between Keisuke's clenched teeth. The blond's eyelids drooped as if he was falling asleep.

"Don't you dare leave me! You were the one who demanded that I stop shutting you out. You're the one who turned my world upside down. You can't die on me now that I don't even know who I am anymore, Keisuke." Panic laced his voice, but Takumi could not stop talking.

Takumi felt like he was descending into an impossibly painful dream. This was a nightmare that he wanted to wake from with deep desperation never before felt. Keisuke's grip tightened around his hand for a moment giving Takumi hope that his words were reaching Keisuke. Suddenly Keisuke began convulsing which shattered Takumi's optimism.

"Keisuke, focus on my voice, or something, . . . anything. Come on, don't pass out. Stay with me, Keisuke. Hold on a little longer, onegai! The ambulance is on the way. We're getting you to a hospital. You have to stay awake a little longer!" Takumi pleaded as tears dripped on the other man's face as he leaned down. He could hear the sirens in the distance. Leaning over Keisuke's shuddering figure, Takumi tried to protect the blond's head while restraining his shoulders during his spasm.

Words Takumi did not understand buzzed next to his ear. Someone grabbed his injured leg. Takumi's world started to break apart and collapse as Keisuke's ashen face shifted to a darker gray to bluish purple beneath the flood lights. The blond jerked harder than he had in his previous seizures. Takumi tried to knock the hand away that was pushing Keisuke's head off his lap. The teen was desperately focused on Keisuke because the blond's eyelids were sinking toward true closure as his body relaxed.

"Keisuke, damn it, don't you dare close your eyes! You can't die! Do you hear me?! Keisuke, focus! Don't you dare quit on me now!" Takumi was getting dizzier. He was freezing at the core of his being while looking upon Keisuke's face. The blond's eyes lost the last glimmers of sparkling life, lids fluttering as they slid closed. A sharp pain clicked in the base of Takumi's skull at the juncture where his neck began. His vision went dark.

'Not now. Keisuke's dying! I need to help him! I can't pass out. I have to make sure Keisuke's not dead,' flashed through his mind. His thoughts stuttered to a halt as Takumi tumbled into unconsciousness.

-oo0oo-
- 30
- 31
- 32
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series