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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
- 40
- 41
A/N: This is partially revised. I still need to finish my ongoing research to correct any wrong Japanese words used in dialogue. Thanks to everyone who gave me critical reviews over 2 years to correct this story's problem spots. I sincerely hope that everyone enjoys this final chapter. The web letter was put into a different font to make it stand out a bit more.

CHAPTER 41

Keisuke got out of Ryosuke's FC and walked up to his front door with a light step. After two months away, the blond was relieved to step into the home he had grown up in. The best reason to come home was the knowledge that Takumi was waiting inside. Keisuke walked into the main family room and sat down the smaller bag of books he had used during his long term confinement. He was surprised that his teenaged lover was not to be seen. The television was off. All was quiet.

"Hey, Aniki? Where is minnasan?" Keisuke turned back to his older brother with a frown.

"Most likely, they're in the study. Fujiwara had fan mail to answer, so otosān and I have been teaching him how to use a computer."

"Fan mail? How much fan mail are we talking about?" Keisuke watched his brother put the other two bags down next to the couch.

"Fujiwara decided to take a stance once negative rumors began circulating within the street racing scene. His tactics have proven quite effective at deflecting much of the backlash I expected. The downside has been the huge amount of email that has flooded the Project D website."

"Matte, Aniki. How did you and Takumi divert trouble?" Keisuke frowned at his brother with his hands on his hips.

"Go into the study and see the letter for yourself. I only helped Fujiwara put the letter he wrote onto the home page." Ryosuke smirked at him.

"Oh, and you should email Sammy san with an arigato note for several ideas Fujiwara expressed on Project D's home page. It seems your significant other learned plenty about her Native American Indian culture while he was in the hospital. Fujiwara's made very good use of that information."

Keisuke walked into his father's study to see Takumi and his father at the large desk that had been moved into a corner of the room. The large sleeper sofa that converted into bed was open and dominated the room. Takumi was in the leather chair that Keisuke's father always used, typing something. His father stood at Takumi's shoulder and pointed to something on the screen. The amber-haired teen nodded.

Keisuke was curious to learn whatever it was that Takumi had done. The blond also felt annoyed that Takumi had not told him about this stance taken online. "Hey, I'm back. I hear you've been busy, minnasan."

His father smiled and nodded. "Welcome home, musuko. You're going to be busy for a few days also."

"Doushite am I going to be busy, Otosān?"

Takumi answered as he continued pecking out a message. "A lot of people want to know how you're doing, Keisuke. Ryosuke san, has been updating the site, but the questions keep coming up in the emails we keep getting. You do know how to answer email, don't you?"

Keisuke nodded and put his hands on the desktop. "Aniki said you put something up on the home page because of the rumors that hit the street-racing circuit. He said you would give me all the details, Takumi."

"Just a minute, and I'll let you read the letter. I have to finish sending this reply first." Audible clicks greeted Keisuke's ears before the teen leaned back in the chair, releasing the mouse he held.

"I'll leave you shonen alone. I'm glad you're home, Keisuke." His father placed a hand on his shoulder before retreating. Keisuke moved around the desk to stand next to his boyfriend as Takumi closed out the email program. His younger lover navigated back to the home page for the Project D site, and pushed the chair back. He grabbed his crutches to get up.

"Stay there, Takumi. I can read the letter from here."

"It's long, Keisuke. I had a lot that I felt I needed to say to make people understand things in a way that would stop negative backlash without telling lies." Takumi stood and shifted to the side. "I need to get a drink, and use the furoba anyway. I'll be back in a few minutes." Takumi smiled at him and limped toward the door on his crutches.

Keisuke sat in the leather chair to read the letter dominating the site's main page. His picture and Takumi's were no longer at the top with links to various battles. In fact there was a new link to the battle page.

Project D Home Page

From: Fujiwara Takumi

To: Visitors of Project D's website

Due to the shooting that led to the hospitalization of my teammate, Keisuke Takahashi, and me, Project D ended prematurely. My failure to understand that a dangerous person was following me caused unacceptable turmoil for many people. My own ignorance placed my teammates, and spectators in danger which resulted in Takahashi Keisuke getting seriously injured. I wish to say moushiwake arimasen to my teammates for my unwitting contribution to minnasan's suffering. Gomennasai onegaishimasu to every team Project D was scheduled to battle. Many have supported Project D, and I feel I should also apologize to minnasan that was looking forward to future battles.

Several rumors were brought to my attention upon my release from the hospital. Ryosuke san told me that people are questioning my relationship with Takahashi Keisuke. It seems that the Red Suns members present when my ex-girlfriend tried to kill Keisuke san have complaints about my actions that night. They are making assumptions, and spouting accusations that I should be ashamed. Until people began attacking my relationship with Keisuke san, I never thought about putting my most valued friendships into words.

Complete strangers have decided I did something wrong because I honestly care about my friends. Doushite should I be embarrassed about my actions, or my friends? I refuse to be ashamed of caring about the awesome friends I am proud to have. If having genuine love, and respect for my closest friends is wrong, then I will continue offending strangers. Real friends always cherish the lives of others. Rules made by strangers who want to judge me without knowing me are meaningless. None of them even know me, or my connection to Keisuke san.

Keisuke san and Takeuchi Itsuke are very important to me for many reasons. Without their friendship, I would never have remained active in touge racing. It was Itsuke and Keisuke san who kept me focused and arriving at every battle on Akina's slopes during my first year of street racing. Both taught me to care about racing. Itsuke and Keisuke argued with me when I was adamant that I was going to ignore all challenges I received from street racers. Their main argument was that I would never have learned the techniques I use if I was not also a street racer at heart. Both men have earned very unique places in my life. Without them, I would not be the person I am today.

The bullet that hit Keisuke san in his lower lung area would have gone through my heart. Keisuke san will be in the hospital for two months recovering from the loss of his lower left lung. While he was not obligated to save me, Keisuke san chose to shove me out of the way when my ex girlfriend was aiming an illegal gun at my heart. Keisuke san is considerably taller than me, and knew he had the better chance of surviving because of our height difference. He made a split second decision that saved my life. Gangster wars obviously taught Keisuke san how to judge dangerous situations accurately.

Out of all my friends, Keisuke san is the one who points out everything I do not want to hear, but need to face. Keisuke san turned my world upside down and made me rethink everything I believed. Meeting someone as focused and determined as Takahashi Keisuke has dramatically changed my life. He is my toughest rival, strictest task master, genuine mentor, and one of the best friends I could ever have. Keisuke san yells at me whenever I doubt myself. Before Project D began, he lectured me about accepting other racer's challenges, and taking pride in my driving skills. If I falter, or lose focus, Keisuke san demands that I work harder. It was Keisuke san who forced me to accept that I have any talent as a street racer. Whenever I feel worthless, Keisuke san smacks the back of my head and tells me to stop ignoring my strengths. He was the one that told me that I earned my place in Project D with each battle I won.

Keisuke san has taught me how to make goals. None of my achievements would exist without Keisuke san's unwavering faith, advice, and support. Everything, including Keisuke san's harsh lectures, and infrequent yet honest praise, have helped me become a better driver, and person. Because of Keisuke san, I am alive to explain my views on genuine friendship. Due to his reaction that night, I can continue honoring our racer's rivalry. I will always strive to help him evolve into a stronger driver, the same as he pushes me. Does Keisuke san deserve all the respect I have to give in return for his faith in my abilities when I could not believe in myself? I believe so. Keisuke san is one of two close friends who understands me better than I often understand myself.

If Takeuchi Itsuke had gotten shot, I would have been equally panic stricken. Itsuke is the other person who truly understands me. In my eyes, Itsuke is my otouto despite our not being biologically related. Itsuke knows my different types of silence. He understands me completely without my needing to talk about my concerns. Since we were young kodomo, Itsuke is the one who pulls me out of my darkest depressions and self destructive thoughts. Only Itsuke can get me laughing when I get that way. I hope I have returned some small measure of everything Itsuke gives me. Whenever Itsuke needs my help, I gladly give it. Being there for my closest friends is like breathing. The same goes for several other people who have my deepest respect and genuine friendship.

I have improved because of so many of my friends. First Itsuke, then Keisuke san, and Ryosuke san became my greatest allies during my growth as a driver, and as a person. Their advice and faith gives me reason to push harder than others, and to reach farther than I ever thought I could. Therefore, I refuse to be ashamed of the genuine feelings I have for them all. I am grateful for everything they have done for me.

Few people are fortunate enough to have such awesome people in their lives that give honest respect, and unconditional faith. Such friends inspire me to improve myself and I know that I am very blessed. Nothing will stop me from believing in my friends as they believe in me. All my friends are integral to whom I have become. Without my friends, I would not be a street racer. The way I see things, all my friends unconditionally deserve my love, and respect, the same as members of my biological family.

The greatest shock from the shooting is finding out that only a Gaijin named Singing Wolf Samantha understands how important my friends are to me. She told me that Native American Indians we have seen in movies are nothing like the real tribes while I was in the hospital. Most movies ignore the very diverse cultures of several hundred unique American Indian tribes. The reason I am including this is because Singing Wolf's tribal ideas about friendship is the perfect description of my feelings for my friends.

Singing-Wolf's tribe acknowledges a person's friends are a chosen spiritual family. Singing Wolf's tribe calls this spiritual family, a blood brotherhood. Blood brotherhoods are made up of people who sometimes understand us better than we understand ourselves. Every person who inspires each of us to grow into a better person will always be part of our chosen spiritual family. Friends always push us to grow and change for the better whether they ask us to change or not. A friend's faith can do more to push us into improving beyond anything we dream is possible than a million threats or punishments. A blood brotherhood contains our friends who believe in us, and stand by us, despite hardships. In return, we stand by them, and return the help, and support in any way we can without hesitation. A blood brotherhood contains all the friends who make us who we are, above and beyond our bloodlines, or our social status.

Singing Wolf's blood brotherhood concept plays an important role in how every individual sees himself, or herself, within tribal culture. In Singing-Wolf's tribal code, the might of an enemy dictates the strength of a warrior's heart, and real abilities. The greater the enemy's power, the more honor that the warrior, who defeats their enemy, gains. The reverse is also true in measuring a person's greatness, and self worth in Singing Wolf's culture. The more willing a person's blood brotherhood is to bleed for them, the greater their measure in the eyes of others. To bleed means to make some kind of sacrifice that helps another without concern for getting repaid. It is not about literal bleeding as a general rule, although Keisuke san did bleed while protecting my life. For his courage I am eternally grateful. Singing Wolf said that Keisuke san's actions are proof of deeply ingrained respect. She said that there obviously is a spiritual family or blood brotherhood that I have earned for myself.

Several other people fit Singing-Wolf san's definition of a blood brotherhood. Each member of Project D have given me so much to be grateful for during the time I have known my teammates. Each of them have become people who matter to me. All my friends and teammates are people that helped me to become stronger. Takahashi Keisuke is at the top of the list of people that matter to me. So are Takeuchi Itsuke, Takahashi Ryosuke, Matsimoto Shuichi, Fumihiro Shiko, Nakamura Kenta, and several sempais from the Speed Stars.

Takahashi Ryosuke has put a great deal of time, and effort into teaching me how to become a better driver. Ryosuke san has my sincerest gratitude and respect for everything that he has given me. Few people gain such an awesome mentor as Ryosuke san. He has made great sacrifices in the time he has spent teaching me. Explaining how to improve as a driver takes considerable time, and effort. Ryosuke san is a medical student with a heavy schedule, and

has little time to spare. However, Ryosuke san invited me to join Project D because he felt I had enough talent to deserve sacrificing some of his valuable time. Ryosuke san has shown me how to think like a racer, and use driving strategies. Due to Ryosuke san's instructions, I can finally tackle any course, and most opponents, with common sense. Rysouke san has pointed out my driving weaknesses, and helped me solve them. Therefore, I am honored to call Ryosuke san my mentor, and friend.

Matsimoto san, and Fumihiro san have taught me how cars work. They were patient with me as I learned about engines, and suspensions. They put great effort into resetting hachi roku for every battle. I felt foolish and disrespectful if the way hachi roku felt was off to me while I drove. They are expert mechanics, and I am not, so I thought I was insulting their skills if an adjustment hindered my driving style. They made me understand that I needed to tell them whenever something felt wrong during a practice lap. They tolerated my fear of offending them until I understood that they were relieved when I spoke about my preferences. How can I not cherish their friendship after they made so many sacrifices for my benefit? Both have earned my deepest respect, and sincerest loyalty.

One last note. Singing-Wolf san asked if Keisuke san and I would be well enough to drive next year. Although she was deported for killing our attacker, and helping to stop an actual mass murderer, she honors real friendship. We failed to battle her in this country. Perhaps we will get to battle her in the North American Iron Will Continental Endurance as she proposed before returning to her country. If we do manage to find a way, I hope we can post the news here as a farewell to Project D. Her request deserves to be honored. Her help saved the lives of several very dear friends that night. How better to repay the debt than to battle her on the roads of the United States, Canada, and Old Mexico. She is the only person that understood my panic over Keisuke san almost dying in my lap. I can't think of any better way to repay her gift to Project D, and my closest friends.

Fujiwara Takumi, Downhill Specialist with Project D.

Keisuke sat back in the chair trying to absorb the letter Takumi had written. Takumi startled him by speaking from the other side of the desk. "Keisuke, I don't know if I wrote things well, but Sammy chan's words hit me hard. She even told me an old legend from her Native American culture. Some of it didn't make much sense at first. But, once I got the gist of her legend, I wanted to explain everything, and this is the idea I had to insure you wouldn't have problems getting into the professional racing circuit."

Keisuke rubbed his face with a hand. He was speechless. To think that his quiet and shy life partner had masterminded something so elegant and emotionally charged was hard to grasp.

"Uhm, are you mad at me, Keisuke?"

"iie."

"Uhm, doushite aren't you saying anything?" Takumi fidgeted with his crutch grip as he looked over at him.

"I'm not sure there is anything I can say, Takumi. Aniki said you came up with this letter. Because you're so quiet, I expected something really short and simple. Your letter is beyond anything I would even expect from Aniki. For someone who says he's bad at saying things, you said more than I could ever get across." Keisuke got up, and moved around to the other side of the desk. He pulled Takumi into a hug. "I am very lucky to have you, Takumi."

"Uhm, well, I'm not good at saying things out loud. It took me more than a week to write that letter in first draft form. Ryosuke san corrected all the spelling errors I had, and posted it for me." Takumi wrapped an arm around his waist as he spoke. "You're too important for me to let down. If I can prevent people from causing you trouble, then I'll do all I can."

"Doushite did you describe our relationship that way?"

"Because you're all of those things to me. You are my friend, my rival, teacher, and all the rest that I mentioned."

"Do you want to go to North America and race in the Iron Will Continental?"

"Well, Sammy chan said it would make a historical impact, even if we don't win. None of the competitors have ever come from Japan. She also pointed out, the same as Itsuke, that several world champion drivers have finished in the top twenty."

"Maybe so, but that's a huge jump from touge racing, my own heart."

"The best outcome might be that if we do really well, our relationship might not destroy our dreams of getting into the pro circuit. That's the other reason I'm interested in this competition. Sammy chan said other countries would probably accept us if we place in the top twenty, if we can't get into the pros here. We could learn a new language and become citizens of whichever country accepts us being together. Sammy-chan said several countries are more accepting of gay couples than here."

"It seems you're several steps ahead of me, Takumi."

"Is that bad?" Takumi looked up at him with a tilt to his head.

"Not at all. It's one of the many reasons I love you." Keisuke kissed his younger lover with all of the conviction he held in his heart.

-oo0oo-
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Alternate Tracks 2nd Story in Rivalry Series