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Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2493 -:- 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
- 38
- 39
- 40
A/N: This is the pre-revised version. I will get this revised ASAP. So if you see this tag, this is the older FFnet version, not the review helpful revised edition. The missing marks etc will be fixed and replaced soon.

CHAPTER 39

Keisuke ran a hand through his hair as he tried to comprehend everything that had happened while he was unconscious. His throat was raw from the ventilator's removal, so speech was painful. He was not given many opportunities to speak when Okasan visited him. Keisuke was uncertain how to deal with Okasan's rapid fire breakdown of what had happened while he hovered between deep sleep, and a coma. Yukiko Takahashi had made decisions once she learned that he had been shot. It was the number of decisions that staggered Keisuke as he tried to comprehend it all. Four days had brought far too many changes to comprehend in a few hours.

Bunta Fujiwara had come to the hospital to visit Takumi. The two were at odds with each other because his relationship with Takumi had become common knowledge. Aniki was in trouble with Okasan, and Oyaji san for his attempts to protect Takumi's privacy through evasions when asked about Takumi's half of their relationship. The Red Suns had gone ballistic when they realized that Takumi was attached to him. Aniki still had to contain that particular mess once he returned home.

To keep the peace, Okasan ordered both Aniki, and Oyaji san to drive the FD and AE-hachi roku back to Gunma to make both men leave. It made sense to send Ryosuke back since he had clinical at the university to complete, on top of the Red Suns disaster to clean up. However, Bunta san was no pushover. Keisuke wondered how Okasan had twisted the older man's arm to make him leave before Oyaji san could confront him. Keisuke knew he would have to face Bunta over his attachment to Takumi, but his Okasan had intervened to buy him enough time to recover from his injury enough to survive Oyaji san's wrath.

Okasan had convinced the medical staff to move him into the same room as Takumi. She had even made arrangements with Oyaji san to be in charge of Takumi's hospital stay. Keisuke's okasan told him that once released, Takumi would stay with them due to his being in a special brace where a frame was attached to his leg by screws that were drilled into his shattered bone through his skin. Okasan told him that neither Fujiwara had a trained eye to prevent an infection from costing Takumi his leg once he left the hospital's care.

Keisuke looked at the ceiling and groaned. He recalled Okasan's cheerful tone when she informed him of her knowledge that he had decided to settle down with Takumi. His mind ran over several ways to apologize to Takumi for the blow up he had with Oyaji san. That was the most obvious reason Takumi was going to be in their home. He wondered if Aniki had convinced Okasan to take care of Takumi to protect the teen from Oyaji san's wrath.

The blond decided that it would make it easier to spend time with his boyfriend once they were released. With Takumi's leg broken, he would not be able to drive for several months. In the same household, they could be together every day. Keisuke started to daydream as his mind conjured an image of waking up near his beloved on a daily basis.

"Ah, Takahashi san?" A deep voice at the door to Keisuke's room called with a soft knock. Keisuke turned his head to see who spoke. An orderly stepped into the room with a clipboard in hand. "Oh, good you're awake. I'm here to move you to your new room."

"Fine." Keisuke croaked. His throat would be sore for at least another day which annoyed him. It would be much harder to talk to Takumi once he saw him.

The man bustled around the room as he made certain any cords were away from the wheels of the bed. The head of the bed was raised so that Keisuke could sit up during the trip downstairs. The orderly put the IV bag on a long hook he attached to the side of the bed and placed in its new home.

Keisuke felt his anticipation rise as they went down the hallway and toward the service elevator. He wanted to see Takumi even if the younger man was furious with him. Keisuke was confident that he would find a way around Takumi's annoyance. He knew Takumi must have had a difficult time because of Oyaji san's knowledge about their being a couple. Keisuke figured he could find a way to console his beloved once they were in the same place.

The ride in the elevator was over in a minute or two. Keisuke looked around the floor he was being pushed down. They stopped at the nurses station so the orderly could hand over his chart. The nurse smiled as she led the way down a side hallway and pushed open a door halfway down the passageway.

"Fujiwara san, you get a new roommate today. I've heard that you already know each other."

The orderly pushed him halfway into the room before the nurse halted their progress. Keisuke heard the distinct sound of chair legs scraping against tiles. A deep voice, spoke with slow precision. Keisuke knew he should recognize the voice.

"Leave it to the ill-mannered likes of me to be a space hog just when you fine people need me to be considerate."

The nurse chuckled behind her hand as she shook her head. "It's no trouble. Domo for moving the chair over so we can bring in Fujiwara san's new roommate." The nurse replied as she flashed another smile into the room. The nurse waved the orderly to move the bed into the room. Keisuke caught sight of the American onna who had been at the battle the night of the shooting. She gave him a nod as he was wheeled into place. The deep voice clicked in Keisuke's mind when he saw her.

Samantha Singing-Wolf greeted him with a dip of her head. "Welcome back amongst the mending, Keisuke san."

Keisuke nodded and turned his attention to Takumi. The smaller man was tense as he made eye contact. Keisuke wanted to jump out of his bed and wrap him in a hug. He could see that Takumi was upset. His eyes looked tired as they locked gazes. "Keisuke, how are you feeling?" Takumi asked.

"I was about to ask you the same thing." Keisuke refused to wince even though his throat hurt. "I'm doing a lot better. My throat's still a bit sore from the tube they had shoved down it."

Takumi spoke as the orderly moved Keisuke's bed into place. "You do sound raspy."

Keisuke didn't miss how slow Takumi spoke. He recalled that Sammy san was not yet fluent in Japanese so required time to translate in her head. Sammy san moved the chair between the two beds once the orderly finished with his duties. She straddled her seat so her arms were across the back as the medical staff left the room.

"Takumi san, I know you found the latest update pretty hard to swallow." Samantha shook her heavy mane of braids as she spoke. The smirk was gone and concern took its place.

"Keisuke, did Ryosuke san or anyone else tell you what happened when we both got shot?" Takumi turned to him and asked. Keisuke shook his head.

"Sammy san has been informed of every detail as the police have learned them. She can explain it all far better than I can." The teenager raised a manilla folder to show him. "It's all in this file. Ryosuke san asked me to return this to Sammy san before he left for your home this morning."

Keisuke watched as Sammy san stood and took the file, which she passed to him. Keisuke turned to the dark-skinned American. "Nani do you know about the shooting that isn't in this file, Sammy san?"

"It is easier to give you all the story in one shot. The police identified the man in the leather jacket as Quai-Tou. He was a known Black Market fence. Maori, Tou's girlfriend, roped Mogi in to amuse Quai-Tou's twisted ideas on gratification. Quai-Tou's hobby was getting women to murder people so he could amuse himself. They told Mogi the gun was a prop that fired rubber stun rounds. Maori said Mogi thought she could stun you, and talk to Takumi san without your interference. Maori is still spilling information that has led to seven women's bodies being recovered. Mogi was already dead, and didn't even know it when she showed up at your practice site because Quai-Tou always killed the onnas he convinced to commit murder afterward."

"Mogi's dead?" Keisuke asked Sammy san as he glanced at Takumi. Sammy nodded.

"She died yesterday. I broke her neck, and damaged her windpipe when I took her down to prevent her from firing more rounds."

Takumi flinched as she spoke in bland tones. Keisuke turned his head to face his lover. The blond was worried by the pained expression the younger man wore. Keisuke sighed. "Takumi, Mogi may not have known it was a real bullet in the chamber, but ignorance doesn't excuse her. She was a very sick young onna. She might have killed us both if not for Singing-Wolf san's actions."

"Mogi died because she became obsessed with me. Sammy san did what she believed she had to, but, it doesn't make this any easier. I still feel like everything's my fault."

"Takumi san, Mogi died because I used too much force. I was a few millimeters off on the knife work so her thumb didn't lock, and then I used a take down that should be reserved for assassins. I botched everything. The Embassy has every right to send me back to my country."

Keisuke looked at the woman. "Nani the hell are they deporting you for? You saved lives. How can your Embassy deport you?"

Takumi sighed. Sammy wrinkled her nose as he explained the reason. "Our government demanded that Sammy-chan be removed, Keisuke."

Keisuke stared at her in horror. "Are they going to press charges on you for Mogi's death?"

"I'm pretty sure the international code covers part-time guards under international agreements. Therefore, I don't believe they'll file charges."

Keisuke huffed in frustration. "Are you going to be re-stationed?"

"From what Yukiko san said earlier, Sammy-chan's career with her government is ruined. She protected us, and all of Project D's crew, and now her dreams of following on her ryoshin's footsteps are ruined." Takumi interrupted with obvious distress.

"Hey, I've got Wild Child Triple R, and the Iron Will Continental Endurance to prep for, Takumi san. I'm itching to do real antique restoration and retrofits again. Your people just don't have the same kind of passion for old cars, or extreme modifications that challenge me. I miss building something that can drop four stories and drive away. Know what I'm saying?"

"But you wanted to be a ramrod driver for the Embassy like your otosan is." Takumi reminded her.

Sammy san's eyebrows rose to her hairline as she dipped her head at an angle. "Hey, don't you start, Takumi san! If I want to get shot at that badly, I'll take on the private bodyguard's sector back home. There's tons of lunatics to keep me real busy. Rock stars, movie stars, and big business tycoons are always needing people to take bullets for them. I'd be a hell of a lot busier, and better paid working in the private sector too."

The way she waved her hand as if she had no cares in the world caught Keisuke's attention. She was trying to ease Takumi's sense of guilt, but Keisuke saw through the bluff. Samantha Singing-Wolf was anything but unconcerned about the outcome.

"Takumi san, tell your otosan, domo arigato gozaimasu for the letter when you talk to him next. My dad said both letters your ryoshin wrote mentioned that I saved your lives. Both letters included genuine appreciation for my high end first aide training also. They also said my presence kept you from bleeding to death, and helped keep you both stable long enough to get to the hospital's emergency facilities."

"Oyaji actually wrote a letter?" Takumi looked surprised.

Sammy shrugged and propped her chin up with her palms. "That's what I was told when my otosan called my cell. The letters will be used in an argument with the Prime Minister's aides tomorrow. I doubt it will change the outcome. I'll be having a blast in the Southwest's high plateau deserts challenging bottle neck canyons in another couple of weeks. But, who knows, it may get me off the hot seat for killing someone over here too."

Keisuke shook his head over how hard the woman worked to make Takumi comfortable. "Okasan told me that you kept Takumi from bleeding to death that night. I also want to say domo arigato gozaimasu, Sammy-chan." He held out the file to her. Samantha surprised him by waving it away. He sat it on the table between the two beds.

"Well, Takumi san was flipped out over your condition. He was in no mood to let anyone help him. I had to knock him out and then untangle him from you long enough to put the tourniquet on him. That started an even bigger ruckus. Ryosuke san held meetings to calm down those Red Suns shonen until the kesatsu said they could go home. I had to wade in and knock some teeth loose to make the bakas shut up for Ryosuke san to get a word in."

Takumi covered his eyes with his hands as he groaned. "Sumimasen. I caused you so much trouble in your own home. I was trying to help Ryosuke san hold Keisuke down so he could pack his side before Keisuke died. I didn't realize I was hurt very badly."

"Takumi san, you did what anybody that sees someone they really love get dropped. You had guts enough to show you give a damn in a place that can get you into very big trouble for loving another guy. You've got my respect. I'd be glad to cover your back any time you need help."

"Arigato, Sammy-chan." Takumi fidgeted as his ears got red to the tips from what Keisuke could see of his partially covered face. The teenager seemed shaken by the praise. It sounded as if Takumi's panic had given their relationship away. Keisuke was pleased that Takumi loved him so much. Once he was able to get around, Keisuke decided he would silence any additional trouble before Takumi had to face it.

"Oh, if you two get sick of the bull shit, come over to my country for a visit. I know someone with a private jet. Yukiko san said you'd both be going home soon. Maybe you could come see the Iron Will Continental Endurance, and America's historic Cannonball Run. They're races that cater to regular street racers."

Keisuke turned back to her and noted her worried expression. Takumi had not uncovered his face as she made the offer. "I'm sure we could fly commercial if the isha senseis agreed that it's fine to fly. You don't need to trouble yourself, Sammy san."

"It's no trouble, Keisuke san. You shonen think on it. Well, it's time for me to skedaddle as we say in America. You two got some catching up to do I'm pretty sure." Samantha stood and gave them both a saucy grin.

"Domo arigato for everything, Sammy-chan." Keisuke gave the woman a smile which was the only thing he could do for her. She nodded and left the room. Takumi looked up and gave her a small wave. Keisuke saw how Takumi watched the onna who left.

"Takumi, look at me." Keisuke ordered. The younger man turned to face him. "Don't blame yourself. Sammy san doesn't, and I certainly don't. You had nothing to do with Mogi's choice. You didn't have any control over her actions, and you should never forget that fact."

Takumi looked down. "I know. Ryosuke san, Sammy san, and even Oyaji and Yukiko san all said the same thing. They say Mogi had some kind of mental illness. Ryosuke san said this was his fault because he posted our next battle on the website to stop fans from flooding the server. But, I still feel responsible too."

"Aniki told me to be careful when I mentioned how often Mogi called to bug you. I ignored his advice. I'm also responsible for us both getting hurt, Takumi. I refused to accept that Mogi was dangerous."

Takumi looked up with a frown. "Ryosuke san told me where you got that scar on your shoulder, Keisuke. Doushite didn't you tell me about Akiho? If I'd known, I wouldn't have gotten in the way, and made it so easy for Mogi to shoot you."

Keisuke stared at his lover. Anger and hurt warred on Takumi's face as he waited for an answer. "I didn't want to stress you out any more than you already were, Takumi. You had too much to get used to for me to add to your anxiety without any proof."

Takumi's hands balled into fists. "Keisuke, you baka! If you had explained it properly, I would have understood that you felt you had a good reason to hate Mogi. You saw that Mogi was acting like Akiho, and you didn't tell me. I needed to know the real reason you were so adamant that Mogi was your problem. I thought you were being jealous because you said you hated her for trying to break us up. Doushite didn't you tell me the damned truth? If I'd known about Akiho, we never would have had that stupid argument!"

Keisuke was stunned at his shy partner's outburst. He wondered if he looked as shocked as he felt. Keisuke ran a hand through his hair as he tried to figure out how to calm his very angry boyfriend. The only other argument they had was nothing compared to the potential blow up this one could become.

"Takumi, Gomennasai onegaishimasu. I didn't think it would help you if I said anything. I thought I'd save you from being any more worried than you already were, in case I was over reacting."

Takumi's voice got harsher, though not louder as he vented. "You almost died! I swear I'm going to kick your ass as soon as we both get out of this damned hospital! I woke up in this hospital thinking you were dead. Itsuke finally told me you were alive. Don't you ever dare think that I need a break from stress! You almost dying in front of me is the only stress I can't handle. Do you understand, Keisuke?!"

Takumi's eyes had turned pure emerald and glowed with an inner light. Keisuke felt his eyes widen over the rage in Takumi's voice. He had suspected since the night the teenager had yanked his arm out of his hold before his wreck that Takumi had a savage temper buried beneath the surface. This was a genuine demonstration of that anger.

"I screwed up, Takumi. I won't do something like that again."

Takumi's voice got deeper as he bit off each word. "You better believe you won't. I won't give you the chance to scare me that way a second time. If I ever hear you say you won't make waves you can't control again, I'm going to make you regret thinking about doing anything at all! I'm going to know the things going on in your head from now on! No more secrets, or trying to protect me! I'm not a stupid kid, or weak, Keisuke."

Keisuke understood that he had scared his lover badly. Sorry was not going to make this better. He would be a fool if he tried to placate Takumi. He mulled over his options. Keisuke felt like he was on a tight rope that had begun to burn at both ends as he met Takumi's eyes. Honesty was his only chance to get through this with his hide unscathed Keisuke suspected. "I kept quiet because I know I have problems with being jealous. I wanted evidence that she was capable of the same kind of insanity that Akiho was before I said anything. I didn't have anything but a gut reaction and that wouldn't cut it."

"I don't want excuses, Keisuke. I want to know the things you were really thinking. Doushite were you trying to protect me from the truth?" Takumi leaned toward his bed as he demanded an answer.

Keisuke was perplexed by his tone and attitude. He had thought he had given an honest answer. "I told you what I was thinking. I wasn't sure that I wasn't being jealous, so I kept my mouth shut so I wouldn't stress you out. That's everything I was thinking."

"I think you decided to protect me, and you thought you were able to deal with Mogi which was what got us both in trouble. Am I wrong?" Takumi was not going to relent Keisuke realized.

Keisuke found himself in a very bad situation. He had thought to protect Takumi from several things, on numerous occasions. Takumi seemed to understand that about him and to deny it would get him into even more trouble with his partner. What the teen lacked in cunning, and deceptive tactics, he made up for with a scary kind of intuition. Takumi knew what had motivated him even though Keisuke had tried to keep his protective tendencies well hidden. "I do want to keep you from getting hurt if I can. I know I get overprotective of the people I care about. I tried to not push you into corners to get answers, but you don't tell me enough for me to know what your thinking either, Takumi. I try to figure things out from what little I can get you to tell me, and what I see!"

Keisuke felt cornered, and snapped in return. He was not used to anyone but Okasan seeing his motives. Still, Takumi demonstrated a strange talent when it came to how easy it was for the younger man to outmaneuver him.

Takumi tilted his head and his features softened. "Was that so hard, Keisuke?"

"Nani?" Because he was annoyed Keisuke snarled. Takumi broke into a smile. Keisuke crossed his arms over his chest as he watched his lover with complete confusion at the change in expression.

"This is doushite you can't figure me out, Keisuke. You find my soft spots, and get things backwards because you decide what I can handle based on things I let you get away with."

"How the hell else can I figure out what to do?"

"I know I don't talk much, and I've got to work on that. But, you need to ask what's going on before you try to figure things out, Keisuke. You also need to stop judging what I can deal with because of things I let you do."

Keisuke tried to catch up with Takumi's change in direction and focus. The good side was that Takumi was no longer as angry. The down side was that Keisuke had no idea what was going on in the younger man's head that had made him go from pissed off to happy with a simple admission that he was trying to protect him. Keisuke stared at his lover as he tried to understand the abrupt change in tone.

'When did Takumi switch gears?'

Keisuke raised his hands. "Matte. First, you're pissed that I kept my mouth shut because I know how jealous I get, and wanted to make sure I wasn't over reacting. Then you want to know what I'm thinking so I told you, which you didn't accept. Now you've got a smile on your face because I said that I'm overprotective and I know it. What the hell am I missing, Takumi?"

"Keisuke, you try to figure me out based on the soft spots I have around you. It didn't occur to you that those spots are only soft around you. I'm a hell of a lot stronger than you realize. You don't really understand me. You're ignoring half of the person I am. Until you understand that I'm not weak around other people, you're going to keep missing the real picture, and we both are going to have a lot of trouble, Keisuke."

A soft chuckle on the other side of the door interrupted their argument. Keisuke rolled his eyes. He knew that soft laughter. "Okasan, get in here, and quit eavesdropping. I hate it when you do that."

Okasan walked into the room with two shopping bags in hand. Her shoulders shook as she tried to calm her laughter. "Gomen, I walked up to your door in time to hear Takumi kun force you to admit your being overprotective, and then sent you to floundering. Congratulations, Takumi kun." She sat the bags down as she started to chortle again. "Now I understand the reason Ryosuke seems to think you're a good match for my stubborn musuko."

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Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series