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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
- 36
- 37
- 38
A/N: Another chapter revised, and shortened by half a page. Hope everyone likes the in depth exploration about the lack of a mom in Takumi's life is a good read for all. It is one of the biggest questions in the Initial D series. It begs for exploration. The live Action movie says she left when Takumi was little. I went with that angle even if the live action smashes 2 stages together.

CHAPTER 37

"Sammy san, we need to talk." Ryosuke was furious over the foreign woman's lack of compassion. She told Takumi Fujiwara that Keisuke was on the verge of death. Commenting on the charges to be pressed against Mogi was cruel.

"Speak softly. I must insure that Fujiwara Takumi is safe. You informed his otosān of the truth. I see much anger in him now that he's aware of his musuko's difficulties." She maintained a cold, emotionless facade as she answered him. They stood in the hallway outside Fujiwara's room.

Yukiko Takahashi interrupted before he could unload his displeasure on Samantha. "Ryosuke, Sammy-chan, I think this discussion needs to wait."

"Nevertheless, Okāsan, Fujiwara's can't cope with Keisuke's current condition. Sammy san did a lot of damage by telling him indirectly that Keisuke may die. The way she said things was outright cruel. Fujiwara will fall apart because of her comment about the type of charges his ex girlfriend will face once she's stable."

Samantha Singing Wolf snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. "Once truth comes out, people see liars as unworthy of their time. Good intentions pave pathways to hell when we try to protect others through underhanded means."

Ryosuke gritted his teeth at Samantha's monotone reply. He growled at her impertinence. "Don't lecture me, onna!"

Ryosuke clenched his hands at his sides. He wanted to grab the woman and shake her for her cold attitude. The dark-haired Takahashi brother was baffled that any person could change in such an extreme way, or so fast. The night before Samantha Singing Wolf had radiated a passion that enthralled the whole Project D crew as she sought to sway the angrier Red Suns to accept the idea of balance in relationships without considering genders. Earlier that morning Samantha had entertained her step mother, step siblings, blood siblings, guests, and father. Now, Singing Wolf was robotic, wooden, and lifeless. One moment she showed a passionate nature, and intelligence that intrigued Ryosuke, and the next she was a wooden statue turned on and off by an unseen switch.

Okāsan intervened. "Both of you have distinctive ways of seeing this issue. Sammy chan, I made my musuko inform Fujiwara Bunta of the truth. I know Ryosuke didn't want to discuss his otouto's situation. Don't blame Ryosuke for my demands that he cooperate. Now, I know how Keisuke feels about Takumi which allows me to decide how to behave. Ryosuke doesn't have any say in my decisions, or actions."

"Understood, Ma'am." Sammy nodded once.

Singing Wolf maintained a militant stance at her self-appointed post beside the hospital room door. Her head remained at an angle as she listened for any sign that the two men inside needed to be separated. Her posture combined with her lack of emotion made Ryosuke feel an unwelcome desire to explode.

"Onīchan, let's check on your otouto. Sammy chan, I know you'll keep things calm here." Sammy nodded again like a puppet on a string.

His mother turned on her heels and pulled Ryosuke's arm to make him follow. Ryosuke did not dare make Yukiko Takahashi any angrier than she already was. Ryosuke followed her into the elevator. Once they boarded, and she had pushed the button that would take them to the ICU unit, his mother spoke.

"Onīchan, I can see you're upset with that Gaijin onna. You need to recall that someone who has trained to throw their lives away shuts off their emotions whenever they are working as a body guard. Sammy chan must do so to do fulfil her duties. She's not showing disrespect, nor intending to anger you, or hurt Takumi kun. Keep that in mind whenever you deal with her."

"I know, Okāsan. However, I think Sammy san needs to learn something about acceptable bedside manners."

"I think Sammy chan feels responsible for Keisuke being in intensive care. She believes she failed to protect others. Otherwise, doushite would Sammy chan have bothered getting the kēsatsu report and the other details for us? She doesn't have any legal obligation to us. Yet Sammy chan is going to great lengths to give us her help."

"Don't call her Sammy chan, Okāsan. It's not proper. We don't know Singing Wolf very well." Ryosuke snapped in a quiet voice.

His mother turned her regal head toward him with a look that made him wonder about the thoughts she entertained. A moment later her lips turned up in a marginal smile that radiated confidence.

"Nani?" Ryosuke demanded as the elevator halted with a small jolt.

"I believe you need to think about the reason you're so irritated, and recognize your position. Refrain from dragging others into your confusion in the mean time." His mother's voice was amused as she stepped out of the elevator.

Ryosuke followed with his brows dropped at a dangerous angle. Her words rebuked, and taunted simultaneously. Ryosuke's temper blazed hotter. If she was insinuating what he thought, he would have to disabuse her of her fanciful hopes. Obviously, his mother liked Samantha Singing Wolf. Still, Ryosuke did not feel that her use of a familiar endearment was appropriate since the woman was still a stranger.

Ryosuke trailed after his mother, Yukiko Takahashi as she swept through the hall and entered the main ICU station to ask about Keisuke. Her poise was admirable, although the chances of Keisuke's survival dropped the longer he remained unconscious. Ryosuke wondered about what kind of decision his mother had made about Fujiwara. Things were indeed out of his hands.

Because his mother had forced him to explain that Keisuke was in love with his teammate, Bunta Fujiwara had an excuse to do serious damage to his son. Ryosuke had evaded Fujiwara's position in their relationship, but doubted that it would protect the younger man from his father's wrath once the hospital released him. With a shattered thigh bone, Fujiwara could not defend himself if Bunta's rage spilled over.

Ryosuke knew his mother was a force to reckon with, once she chose action. He, Keisuke, and Otosān had been subjected to her willful side repeatedly through the years. Ryosuke leaned against the wall near the visitor lounge's entrance. He watched his mother with a wary eye as she pushed a graying strand of temple hair behind an ear. She spoke to the nurse. Ryosuke waited as she conversed in quiet tones. A nod of her head as she continued to listen, caught the tired man's attention. Relief washed over her features as the nurse gave the latest report. Ryosuke felt his hopes rise. It might mean that Keisuke was improving. He stepped closer to listen in on the conversation.

Okāsan's voice drifted to his ears. "Arigato. When will they allow my musuko visitors?" Ryosuke moved closer to verify what he heard.

"The isha sensei has not yet removed any restrictions. I believe his respiratory senumon-i is in the room at this time. She will decide whether the ventilator is still necessary. If Takahashi Keisuke san can breathe without the aide, the respiratory senumon-i will remove the ventilator. We might move him to another room by this evening. Whether his isha sensei will allow him visitors if we move him to a new room will get decided later today."

Ryosuke's knees nearly crumbled beneath his relieved weight. He had to grab the counter to remain standing. Keisuke's chance of survival shifted to the positive with the nurse's report. His younger brother was recovering.

Ryosuke watched his mother's smile blossom. "Is there any chance that we can speak to his senumon-i when she's done?"

"Of course. If you'll wait in the visitor's lounge, I'll have Yoshifumi isha sensei meet with you once she completes her examination."

Ryosuke followed his mother to the waiting area. "When did Keisuke wake up, Okāsan?"

She sat, urging him to do the same. "The nurse said Keisuke woke roughly two and a half hours ago. They have placed him on a mild pain killer. The isha sensei on duty noticed that Keisuke's heart rate monitor was erratic so went to check on him. Keisuke woke while he was there, and the isha sensei explained that he had to leave the ventilator in for now. Keisuke fell back asleep within a few minutes, but he has awoken both times they checked on him to insure he's still responsive."

"Arigato, Kami sama. I was afraid Keisuke'd never awaken." Ryosuke pushed a shaky hand through his hair.

"Yoshifumi isha sensei plans to see if Keisuke's left lung can handle the strain of breathing on his own. They're waiting on the equipment to insure that Keisuke' responses are all in the normal range before they take him off it, Onīchan."

"That's good news, Okāsan. Keisuke's on the way off the critical list if he can breathe on his own. They'll want to be certain his lung doesn't get any form of infection, so they may not allow him visitors for several days, even if he gets off the ventilator. We should make sure that he knows Fujiwara's all right. I think we should have the staff relay our message, if they won't allow visitors."

Yukiko looked at her eldest son with a genuine smile. "I see you're two steps ahead of your otouto as always."

"Keisuke's easy to understand, Okāsan. His one track mind makes it obvious that he's obsessing over Fujiwara. Knowing him, Keisuke's probably glaring at everyone that bugs him. He doesn't care about anything but Fujiwara, and they haven't told him anything he wants to know yet."

His mother chuckled at his observation, and nodded in agreement. He continued. "Okāsan, I think I'll go back to Fujiwara's room. He'll appreciate knowing that Keisuke's awake. I'll be back after I calm his nerves."

"That's an excellent plan. Personally, I think they're quite an odd combination. Still, if it makes Keisuke happy, I won't complain. I suspected Keisuke would swear off onnas after Akiho. Seems I was correct." Yukiko tapped a finger against her chin.

"Okāsan, doushite didn't you say anything? Keisuke's been a basket case because he thought you and Otosān were going to disown him over his falling for Fujiwara."

His mother startled Ryosuke when she patted his knee. "Otosān will be upset, Onīchan. However, I told him when Keisuke was in the hospital after Akiho put a bullet in his shoulder that I doubted he'd ever let another onna get so close to him. I informed Otosān to accept the probability of Keisuke choosing someone of his own gender. I've made sure Otosān is prepared for the inevitable."

"That's a relief. You said you'd decided something about Fujiwara when we were outside his room. Would you share the game plan?"

Ryosuke watched as his mother absently pushed straying gray tinged hair behind her ear. He had grown up with that gesture. Somehow when she was most thoughtful, it always ended with her pushing that thick section of hair behind her ear. The gesture was as familiar as breathing. Ryosuke wondered how much he would miss that gesture once he moved.

His mother pursed her lips for a moment as she considered his request. The sly look that crossed her features reminded Ryosuke where his younger brother had gotten his formidable cunning. Their mother was the only person around whom Keisuke could not get. She had wits and manipulative abilities to outmaneuver him, and Keisuke knew it.

"Since you think Fujiwara san's an abusive alcoholic, I've decided that Takumi kun's situation needs firm handling." Her tone was strong, if quiet. His mother's expression was so like Keisuke's when he made his mind up that Ryosuke had to smile.

"I assumed that when you said you had come to a decision. However, Okāsan, that doesn't tell me much about the plan you're devising."

Ryosuke watched Yukiko's eyes narrow as she smiled. "Very true, musuko. Since I have another musuko now, I plan on being a good Okāsan-in-law. First off, I'm going to make certain that I have neutralized Takumi's otosān. Even if the abuse has tapered off with Takumi having grown enough to defend himself under normal circumstances, I won't risk his getting harmed. Bunta san won't get the chance to do anything abusive or destructive because he's angry about Keisuke when they release Takumi kun. Takumi kun's going to stay in our home. We already know Takumi kun needs care until he's fully recovered so his injury won't cripple him. I've got all the qualifications necessary to do the job."

Ryosuke felt his brows climb to his hair line. He had expected some kind of plot to contain Fujiwara Bunta's anger, but this was unexpected. "Uhm, Okāsan, are you sure you want to go to such an extreme? Otosān might not agree with you moving Fujiwara into our home."

"Leave Otosān to me. Bunta san doesn't have any choice but to agree with my plan. He cannot handle such a demanding job. I can. End of discussion."

Ryosuke knew that particular tone. Even his father would bow his head once she told him of her decision in that tone of voice. "Hm, I wonder how Fujiwara will handle learning that he's a member of our household without getting consulted, Okāsan."

"Leave Takumi kun's objections for me to handle, Onīchan. I'll speak with him about this once I receive word about your younger brother. Go tell Takumi kun that Keisuke's awake, and the isha sensei is going to remove the ventilator. It should help him to let go of his guilty conscious. I'll make certain the isha sensei tells my contrary musuko that his darling is fine, and where they have Takumi. I'll even make certain they tell Keisuke that Takumi's only injuries are a broken leg. If I know Keisuke, he's on the verge of tearing up his room although he can't move yet. It would be his normal response since he doesn't know Takumi kun's safe. Tell Takumi kun that otouto's awake while I work out arrangements with the isha sensei."

"Arigato, Okāsan." Ryosuke stood at Yukiko's dismissal.

The dark-haired street racer headed for the elevators with a much lighter stride. The situation was in his mother's care. Ryosuke stepped into the elevator as he considered the newest developments. It was a relief to have their mother's approval of Keisuke's problematic love life. Even if he did not resolve the difficulties, due to the Red Suns return to Akagi, Ryosuke could clean up the mess. He could leave a large part of the worrisome details to his cunning mother.

Ryosuke walked down the hallway to Fujiwara's room wearing a relieved smile. He wondered if Fujiwara senior had completed his talk with his son as he turned down the side hallway of the tri wing floor plan. Fujiwara did not yet have a roommate. The older rotary brother wondered if their mother would arrange for Keisuke to get moved into Fujiwara's room as he stopped in front of the door. It would fit her personality to do something so underhanded to help Keisuke spend time with his beloved. It also insured that Keisuke calmed down to prevent his care takers' unnecessary misery.

Singing Wolf was nowhere in sight. Ryosuke wondered whether Fujiwara senior had finished his talk peacefully, or made Sammy san angry enough to remove him by force. Ryosuke frowned, but heard no noise coming from the room. He knocked on the door frame and stepped inside. Fujiwara looked at him, clearly confused.

"Fujiwara, I came down to tell you that Keisuke's awake. They're waiting for the respiratory senumon i to decide whether they can take him off the ventilator."

"Then Keisuke's going to be ok?" Takumi asked in a cautious voice.

"It looks that way. He may be kept in the ICU wing for two ro three days because of concerns about possible infection settling in his damaged lung. I won't know any details until Okāsan tells us their decision. Once he's past the quarantine period, you can see Keisuke any time you can use a wheelchair."

"I'm glad Keisuke's going to make it, Ryosuke san. You must be relieved too."

"True. Okāsan asked me to tell you that she would make certain the isha sensei tells Keisuke how you're doing before he gets frustrated. She also said she wanted to talk to you once she settles things with Keisuke's treatment plan."

Takumi nodded his head. "I don't understand, Ryosuke san. Doushite would your okāsan want to talk to me?"

"She knows about Keisuke being in love with you, Fujiwara. In fact, she has been suspicious about you for two months. Keisuke gave her all the evidence she needed because he never cleans his bedroom. The night you stayed over, he picked up his room, and has managed to keep half the floor clear ever since. Okāsan assumed Keisuke was determined to settle with you from his change in attitude."

Takumi flushed bright red. "Uhm, you mean, . . . your okāsan's going to chew me out once she knows Keisuke's off the ventilator."

"iie, Fujiwara. Okāsan genuinely likes you. She told me upstairs that she already knew Keisuke would never settle with an onna because of everything Akiho did three years ago. She said you made a strange couple, but she doesn't see any reason to complain about you being together."

Fujiwara chewed his full bottom lip as Ryosuke dropped in the visitor's chair. "Keisuke said she wouldn't make any judgements until she was sure about things. I'm the reason he almost died. Shouldn't your 'Kāsan hate me for that?"

"Okāsan knows how volatile Keisuke's temper is, Fujiwara. She knows Keisuke protected you because Mogi's very much like Akiho. Yukiko Takahashi is an onna who sees things very clearly. In fact, Keisuke got his cunning, and manipulative talents from our Okāsan."

"I know Akiho san used to play head games with Keisuke. Kenta said that she made him really miserable. I promised myself to make sure I never did that to him. Yet I guess I failed. I mean, . . . Keisuke got shot because of me. Your 'Kāsan has every right to hate me for his getting so badly hurt."

Ryosuke assumed Fujiwara was still unaware of all that Akiho had done to his younger brother. "Keisuke never told you about Akiho, did he?" Takumi shook his head. "You've seen the scar on his right shoulder by now. Haven't you, Fujiwara?"

"Hai. I figured Keisuke would tell me about it if he felt like it."

"It's an old bullet wound, Fujiwara."

"Nani?" Fujiwara stared at him.

"Akiho showed up at Akagi two weeks after Keisuke left her. She tried to kill him. Keisuke finally got fed up with her, and refused to do the things she wanted. Sound familiar, Fujiwara?"

The teen's hazel eyes shifted from brown toward grayish-blue as the color drained from his face. "Keisuke never said anything. Guess that explains his reacting the way he did whenever anyone mentioned Mogi's name. Now, I understand Keisuke's reason for being so angry when Mogi arrived."

Ryosuke nodded. "I remember the look on Akiho's face when she showed up at Akagi that night. Mogi had an identical expression when she demanded to talk to you, Fujiwara. Keisuke realized you made the same mistake he made the night Akiho tried to kill him. The main difference was that you tried to step between him and Mogi. Keisuke froze when Akiho pulled an illegally smuggled gun out of her bag. Otouto thought he could talk Akiho into putting the weapon away. He was wrong, and nearly died because of his mistake."

"Keisuke gets so jealous about anyone that pays too much attention to me. So, I thought I had to calm things before something bad happened that would get Keisuke into a lot of trouble. I honestly thought his jealousy was the reason he was acting that way." Takumi shuddered.

"I believe Keisuke noticed the similarities to Akiho that Mogi exhibited, and chose to keep his mouth shut, Fujiwara. He wanted you to assume his concern was a simple case of jealousy because he thought it would lessen your stress long enough to get well."

Takumi rubbed his cheek with an index finger. "I wish Keisuke had told me the truth. I would've been more careful. One afternoon I told Keisuke that I thought Mogi would do something weird before giving up on me. I figured she would show up at my home, and refuse to leave until I managed to convince her to forget me. It never occurred to me that she could do something like this, Ryosuke san. I mean, even if she thought it was a toy gun, I can't quite believe that she shot Keisuke." The amber-haired youth shook his head as Ryosuke felt his brows dive toward his nose.

He answered the younger man as best he could. "Keisuke never mentioned that particular observation to me. He only spoke of Mogi's frequent phone calls demanding that you give her a second chance. Had I known you'd said Mogi was capable of such irrational action, I would have left all information about upcoming battles off the website without fail."

"Should I say something to Keisuke once he can have visitors, Ryosuke san? I didn't know that Mogi would try to kill anyone. I owe Keisuke a huge apology for his getting shot. But, I wouldn't have gotten between them if I'd known that Mogi was acting like his ex girlfriend."

"I suggest you inform Keisuke of his mistake in hiding the truth. Make clear to my otouto that you needed that information to decide correct actions concerning Mogi. It'll have the correct effect. I intend to make Keisuke aware of his foolishness soon."

"Ryosuke san, I'm sure Keisuke had a good reason for hiding his past. I can't get angry about his choice to keep quiet. He must have some reason to doubt that I'd listen if he had explained how Mogi seemed like his ex."

"To be perfectly honest, Keisuke feels you won't rely on him. He said you were under a lot of stress because you were trying to get used to dating him. This shooting probably wouldn't have happened if you two openly communicated, Fujiwara."

Fujiwara looked down at his knees while listening. "I don't want to be a burden, Ryosuke san. I've never been good at talking to anyone about things that bother me either."

"Fujiwara, I've noticed several things in the time I've known you. Some of your actions reflect your fears very eloquently. I'm not surprised that you avoid being open with others. However, your defensiveness causes Keisuke to do insane things. He is determined to make you realize he isn't going to change his mind about you. You're probably rather difficult for him to manipulate which also frustrates him, I suspect."

"Uhm, I don't understand your meaning, Ryosuke san." Takumi lifted his head looking confused.

"I doubt you've had much experience with relying on others. You also seem very afraid of rejection. To avoid rejection, you keep people at arm's length, Fujiwara. It's your tendency to close yourself off that prompted Keisuke's over protectiveness."

The amber-haired teenager's eyes widened. The murky, gray tones increased in his eyes. Ryosuke was confronting him before Fujiwara could shut down. Ryosuke had to make the younger man understand that his instinctive tactics would backfire again, if other problems arose that he tried to deal with alone.

"Uhm, never thought that it was a big deal. My problems are mine to deal with, and I shouldn't bother others when I can handle them."

"Fujiwara, Keisuke excels at worrying over your welfare. His biggest worry is that you don't have faith in him. I believe he'll continue to do reckless things unless you tell him when something bothers you. He's quite observant where you're concerned. Keisuke doesn't want to alienate you, but he'll intervene with only a small portion of the facts to keep you from getting hurt anymore."

"Matte! I should solve my own problems, Ryosuke san." Takumi sounded irritated.

"Fujiwara, have you considered that you feel that way because you think that causing a problem means losing the people you like? You go to extremes to insure that nobody sees your misery. You won't allow people close enough to be concerned about their possibly leaving you behind. Gomennasai onegaishimasu for saying things in such a rude way. However, you do act that way. Your defensiveness is the main reason you have difficulty seeing the genuine talents you have. If you down play strengths enough, perhaps others won't feel threatened by your skills. Am I right, Fujiwara?"

Ryosuke saw every subtle flinch his words caused. Fujiwara looked away as his face darkened.

"I thought so. I don't know anything specific, but the clues you've left behind reveals your motivation. Your reaction tells me that you're aware of your reasons for keeping things to yourself. However, stopping shutting Keisuke out is advisable for you, Fujiwara. He's not going to leave you. If anything, it might calm him enough that he explains his concerns. Otherwise, this won't be the last time I have to visit my otouto in a hospital. Keisuke won't retreat if there's any perceived threat to your happiness or well being, Fujiwara."

Ryosuke fell silent as the younger man closed his eyes. Ryosuke felt he had to force the issue. The worst case scenario repeated seemed the only useable option. He had to make Fujiwara examine his self preservation attitude, and the possible damage to come if he continued to build walls Keisuke would not tolerate. The room remained silent as the teenager fidgeted. Ryosuke watched Fujiwara's hands grip his bedding.

Fujiwara's voice held a harsh note. "My only clear memory of 'kāsan was the day she left. I was really little and I begged her to take me with her though I couldn't say some words right. She told me that I had to stay with Oyaji because I'd ruin her life. 'Kāsan kept saying she wouldn't take me because I'd cause too many problems. I can still hear her telling me that, although I was really adorable, I was her worst mistake. All I knew was that whatever a mistake was, it was something really bad. Since I was a mistake, I was the worst. I promised I'd be a better musuko if she'd give me the chance to prove I could be a better kodomo."

Ryosuke felt a surge of horror clamping onto his chest over Fujiwara's words. He sat frozen in the chair trying to comprehend such a cold attitude. "Gomennasai onegaishimasu, Fujiwara. I never dreamed, . . ."

"Things got worse after that, Ryosuke san. Oyaji started drinking right after 'kāsan left since he couldn't handle the way she left. Every time I got into any kind of trouble, or needed anything he'd get really stressed because the tofu shop has never made much profit, and money's usually tight. I ruined Oyaji's life even if he never said it out loud. By never wanting anything, or telling Oyaji something was wrong I helped keep Oyaji from getting as irritated. So I got good at handling everything by myself so he didn't lose his temper as often. The older I get, the more I look like 'Kāsan."

"You favor your okāsan?" Ryosuke interrupted as he tried to piece how that information was relevant.

Fujiwara nodded and continued with his narrative. "Hai. I remind him of her because I have her eyes, and hair color among other things. I've seen pictures of her. Oyaji never considered finding someone else because he still misses her, Ryosuke san. I sometimes think that when I get my own place, Oyaji might finally let 'Kāsan go. I won't be there to remind him of her all the time."

Ryosuke stared at the younger man. Thinking of anything to say was hard. Fujiwara had adapted to things he would have found unendurable. The younger man had been far more resilient than he or Keisuke, if caught in similar circumstances. The lack of bitterness in the everyday attitudes Fujiwara exhibited made him even more enigmatic in Ryosuke's eyes.

"You think that the harsh childhood you've had came from the way you look, Fujiwara?"

"Ryosuke san, I'm not sure how to explain Oyaji. There were a few times when I was little that he got blind drunk. He'd yell that I look too much like 'kāsan whenever he got that drunk. I don't think Oyaji knows he's ever said anything because he was so drunk he didn't know where I got the bruises after he got up the next day. I couldn't tell him that he blew up because I reminded him of her. He hasn't drunk like that since I started working part time and got into street racing. I guess between my working so I can buy things I need on my own, and racing, Oyaji isn't as depressed as he was when I was little."

Ryosuke spoke after a pregnant pause. "You're as amazing as Keisuke thinks you are, Fujiwara. To think you could grow up the way you have and not be bitter. Perhaps, if Keisuke knew that you shut down because it's a habit, then he could remind you that you don't need to close off with him. No matter the situation you're trying to resolve, telling Keisuke about your worries will have a positive effect overall."

"Well, I did tell Keisuke that I stopped wanting anything because it always made things worse whenever my life fell apart. He knows I got tired of being disappointed when things didn't work out, and people I thought were going to stay with me, left. I thought that was enough information for him to understand the reason I act this way."

Ryosuke rested his elbow on the chair arm and propped his chin on his knuckles. "So, you did tell Keisuke about your okāsan abandoning you. That means he knows the reason you shut down. I wonder, . . ." Ryosuke let his voice trickle off, closing his eyes while considering the new possibilities presented.

'It makes sense that Keisuke would go overboard to compensate for things that make Fujiwara unhappy. It's how Otouto is trying to shift how his significant other thinks. Keisuke is focusing on how to change his boyfriend's belief that he should suffer alone.'

"I didn't really go into details, Ryosuke san. I told Keisuke that I got tired of losing everything, and everyone that mattered to me. I didn't think I had to get all that detailed about the reasons I have for feeling this way. He knows I expect to lose everyone I get attached to and really hate it when it happens."

'Keisuke became overprotective, and adamant to place himself in the perfect place to insure that Fujiwara leans on him. He probably uses subtle manipulative pressures to draw Fujiwara into a dependant position within their relationship so he can break down the barriers between them.'

Fujiwara asked after several moments had stretched out. "Uhm, Ryosuke san?"

Ryosuke's eyes snapped open again. "Nani?"

"Keisuke said that you were determined to make sure that he and I work out. Is that the reason for you talking to me about this?"

Ryosuke smiled at the bedridden teen. "I know you and Keisuke are good for each other. I've noticed that you've had difficulty getting used to the idea of giving Keisuke a chance to prove you belong together. I can see how hard it is for you to see Keisuke getting wounded so badly, Fujiwara. I know you do care about him. Though I can't say that I know the depth or scope of your attachment, unlike Otouto's side."

"Everything has been kind of weird at times. When I woke up in this room, I remembered someone saying Keisuke had a punctured lung when he was on the ground having the convulsions. I thought Keisuke had died. He was in such bad shape when I was trying to keep him on his back like you needed so you could help him. I flipped out because I thought I'd never hear Keisuke tell me to stop being a baka ever again. It felt like I'd lost a huge part of my existence until Itsuke told me he was alive."

"Your friend, Takeuchi, said you believe you should have broken off all contact with Keisuke when you found out how he felt. Takeuchi also said you told him that you should have left Project D so Keisuke wouldn't have gotten shot. That foolish idea will cause you both severe grief in the future unless the air gets cleared."

"But, it's the truth, Ryosuke san. If I had left Project D, Mogi wouldn't have had any reason to show up at the battle. I wouldn't have been there to catch her attention. Keisuke would have been safe, because he wouldn't be around me. None of the things that make Mogi hate Keisuke would have happened if I hadn't agreed to work through everything with Keisuke by giving him a chance to prove he was right. I messed up everything, and I failed Project D again. There won't be any rescheduled races to make up for this screw up. How will Keisuke get into the professional racing circuit now that I've ruined Project D's reputation?"

"You don't understand how Keisuke's mind works. Had you refused to work things through with Keisuke and left Project D, your connection wouldn't have ended, Fujiwara. Keisuke has a strong will when he wants something. He would have fought your decision to cut all ties by changing tactics. My otouto gets the things he wants. In this case, he would win by placing formidable conditions in front of you, Fujiwara. You wouldn't even realize Keisuke had placed them there. Had you turned away, and left Project D, Keisuke would've made it impossible for you to avoid him."

Fujiwara frowned. "But, Keisuke said it was fine if I couldn't feel the same way about him when we talked about his falling in love with me."

"I don't doubt he meant it when he told you it was fine if you couldn't love him in the same way. But, Keisuke would have felt compelled to make it impossible for you to ignore him, Fujiwara. Otouto lacks patience. Yet, he makes up for that lack by finding soft spots to exploit to his advantage. I sometimes worry that Keisuke uses his talent for manipulation on you to insure he gains your cooperation."

"Doushite would you think Keisuke's manipulating me?"

"Keisuke said he doesn't try to manipulate you when I reminded him his spoiled personality could cause him to lose all connections to you. He said he knew you would leave if he used those tactics, and he doesn't want to back you into any corners. He knows that you aren't a pushover, Fujiwara. However, I also know that Keisuke does manipulative things without realizing that he has."

"I don't see Keisuke doing anything underhanded, Ryosuke san. Keisuke gets impatient sometimes, but that's only because he's an intense person. He doesn't make me feel like I'm getting pushed around unless I'm being negative about myself. Then he chews me out because he says I'm ignoring the things I'm good at, and smacks me in the forehead."

"I'm glad that Keisuke hasn't manipulated you on purpose. Had you refused to consider his perspective that morning, Keisuke would have reacted, even if he didn't realize he was doing things to manipulate you into seeing things his way. One challenge Keisuke can't leave alone is hearing the word iie tossed in his face."

"Matte. You're saying Keisuke lied to me that morning at the lookout." Fujiwara again frowned at him.

Ryosuke shook his head. "He didn't lie, Fujiwara. Keisuke would have tried to accept your answer. He would have tried to talk himself out of how he feels about you a second time. Remember how Keisuke tried to convince himself that he wasn't in love with you by starting that stupid rivalry?"

"Hai. I honestly thought he hated my guts because I beat him on Akina's downhill twice." Fujiwara bit his lip.

"We all saw that his attempt to convince himself he didn't love you failed spectacularly, and made minnasan miserable as he fought with himself. It's inevitable that Keisuke would fail as spectacularly again, Fujiwara."

"I don't understand. Doushite would Keisuke say he was fine with it, if he couldn't deal with me saying iie. We wouldn't have any reason to speak to each other if I had refused to give him a chance to convince me that getting involved with him could even work. I would have refused to be around him if I hadn't given him my word to try and understand his feelings. I would have repaid my share of Project D's expenses as fast as I could to tie up any loose ends."

"Once Keisuke gets emotional, he can't accept failure from himself. He would have found ways to make his presence acceptable to you. Any place Keisuke could worm his way into would have become his sole objective and priority. Otouto will always find a way to make sure you keep in touch. Once in position, Keisuke would have exploited any weaknesses you have to change your mind about having said iie. Do you understand the difference, Fujiwara?"

"I think so."

"Keisuke would have kept things platonic, Fujiwara. He would have made certain you didn't feel threatened by his presence. However, he would have made it difficult for you to keep things platonic. One of Keisuke's greatest strengths is finding ways around obstacles that don't suit his objectives."

"Keisuke made me aware of how empty my life was before he turned it upside down, and forced me to rethink everything I believed. I guess in a way he has made a friendship only relationship kind of difficult. Maybe Keisuke might have manipulated me in a way when he started showing up at four a.m. to yell at me to have pride as a racer, and accept challenges that I didn't care about a year ago. The idea of Keisuke not being in my life is something I can't handle anymore, Ryosuke san."

"Keisuke didn't have a clue that he was already in love with you when he started chasing you down to deliver those lectures, Fujiwara. I'm aware that you often pissed Keisuke off at first. He complained about you frequently before we started Project D."

Fujiwara squirmed as he sat in bed. Ryosuke chuckled at the younger man's reaction. "Keisuke told me he thought I was arrogant because he didn't know I was using Oyaji's car when I raced him and Nakazato. He'd show up at Akina, and get in my face to tell me I couldn't lose to anyone but you, or him after I beat him. He'd show up just to snap at me that I wouldn't have learned the techniques I did if I didn't love to drive. Keisuke always told me to have pride in my skills. I didn't know what to think when he said things like that. I thought he hated me, but he was the first person, other than Itsuke, that really believed in me. Wrapping my head around everything was hard, but I know I can't stand to lose Keisuke now, Ryosuke san."

"Keisuke had to find acceptable ways to explain the reason he couldn't ignore you from the first moment he laid eyes on you, Fujiwara. Telling himself that he was obsessed with beating you was easier. Otouto wasn't ready to admit that he was in love with you. I think he had a bad case of love at first sight that he fought with everything he has in himself until you got into the wreck." Ryosuke smiled as he spoke.

His observation obviously shocked the younger man. The way the amber-haired youth furrowed his brows as he mulled over the idea of love at first sight was reason to smile. Fujiwara seemed confused by the notion.

A cough at the door made both men swivel to see who had arrived. Yukiko Takahashi, and Bunta Fujiwara stood in the doorway. Ryosuke's mother had her arms crossed at her chest level and radiated a quiet fury. From the look on Fujiwara Bunta's face, Ryosuke understood that the two of them had heard a fair amount of their private conversation.

"It appears that I have much more to discuss with you than I realized, Takumi kun." Yukiko Takahashi spoke.

Ryosuke cringed as he looked at his mother. He had evaded any discussions that made clear what Fujiwara's position was in the relationship with Keisuke. He had sought to protect the younger man's privacy. He had a bad feeling that his attempts were blown because of a half-open door, and his own mother's very good hearing.

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Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series