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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2635 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Initial D, nor the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 1-As the Smoke Clears
- 2-Smoke 2
- 3-Smoke 3
- 4-Smoke 4
- 5-Smoke 5
- 6-Smoke 6
- 7-Smoke 7
- 8-Smoke 8
- 9-Smoke 9
- 10-Smoke 10
- 11-Smoke 11
- 12-Smoke 12
- 13-Smoke 13
- 14-Smoke 14
- 15-Some 15
- 16-Smoke 16
- 17-Chapter 17
- 18-Smoke 18
- 19-Smoke 19
- 20-Smoke 20
- 21-Smoke 21
- 22-Smoke 22
- 23-Smoke 23
- 24-Smoke 24
- 25-Smoke 25
- 26-Smoke 26
- 27-Smoke 27
- 28-Smoke 28
- 29-Smoke 29
- 30-Smoke 30
- 31-Smoke 31
- 32-Smoke 32
- 33-Smoke 33
- 34-Smoke 34
- 35-Smoke 35
- 36-Smoke 36
- 37-Smoke 37
- 38-Smoke 38
- 39-Smoke 39
- 40-Smoke 40
- 6
- 7
- 8
CHAPTER 7

Detective Eiichi did not handcuff and stuff him into a patrol car as Keisuke had feared. Instead, several officers were escorting him, and his grandfather through the crowd as a protective measure. The crowd spilled across the hospital's courtyard in both directions. Keisuke had thought checking out early would prevent a spectator crush, but now understood it was a vain attempt.

Thick, heavyweight, long sleeved shirts bearing the "love conquers all adversity" mottos were worn by people of every age group. Someone was making serious money off of Takumi's suffering, Keisuke realized. Considering the overwhelming show of support because of the professionally designed shirts, seeking restitution could prove problematic, if not catastrophic. Deciding to have an in-depth discussion with his grandfather, and Senda about the logo shirts, the blond continued down the steps toward the parking lot where his grandfather's car was parked.

"Takahashi san, how do you think your emotional attachment to Fujiwara will affect your trial's outcome?" A reporter bellowed above the din while hopping in place, waving his arms wildly to gain Keisuke's attention.

"Ignore that baka. He's a known trouble maker that embarrasses the media frequently. He'll make a point of following and bothering you incessantly now that you've been released, Keisuke san." Impressively, the detective followed up by bellowing over swelling irritated crowd noises. "Takahashi Keisuke isn't being charged at this time. Nothing has been decided as to whether there will be any charges against him. Our presence today insures Takahashi Keisuke gets to his transportation safely. Let us through, yoroshiku."

Keisuke winced as pockets of loud cheering broke from spectator throats. Knowing how upset Takumi had been over his last interview, Keisuke felt he had to avoid talking about Takumi's involvement with him. He hoped that the reporters would not follow the first one's lead and focus on their relationship.

"How does Fujiwara sama feel about your recent revelation that he's involved in a forbidden romance with you, Takahashi sama?" Another reporter called, dashing his hope of avoiding another dose of Takumi's furious silence.

Detective Eiichi grumbled. "Naze must reporters pursue any gossip that they think will improve ratings?" Stopping, Keisuke let Detective Eiichi walk alone. The detective was startled to realize he was moving away from his charge. The older officer returned to his side grumbling, "If you say anything, you'll make things worse, Keisuke san."

"If I don't answer, the media might blame your men, Eiichi san. The kēsatsu are getting way too much flack over Kahori's crime spree! Ignoring the media could make things worse for my toddler's future because they'll slander my character on the airwaves. Hikaru can't afford to lose his last living ryōshin because of popular opinion going against me."

With Detective Eiichi stepping back after a shallow nod, the blond faced the reporters and the crowd. "I said everything relevant about my private life during the first interview I gave while in this hospital. I cleared up the lies circulating on the streets. There's nothing more to tell. Capturing, and bringing key members of the slavery ring to justice is all that matters."

"Are you trying to deny everything you said after admitting to being in a forbidden romance with your male teammate?" An indignant female reporter shrieked at him.

"I'm not denying anything I said the last time. Street rumors were purposefully twisted to sell yaoi manga featuring myself and Fujiwara on the Heaven's His Hotrod web site. The longer these criminals are free, the higher the probability that more people will be kidnaped and sold, brainwashed, mutilated or outright killed in new cleansings if that slavery ring's members set up new compounds."

"When will you disclose the duration of this illicit tryst between yourself and your teammate?"

Under his breath, Keisuke growled, "Nothing will get me to piss Takumi off that badly again." Swiping a hand through his hair, Keisuke lifted his voice to be heard. "There is nothing new to tell you about my interest in Fujiwara Takumi. Is it too much to ask that the media focus on helping to find the vicious and deranged individuals running loose in this country and preying on the general public? Minasan is in danger so long as that slaver and her henchmen can kidnap more people and set up new slave compounds."

Several shocked moments of silence greeted his harsh reprimand. Suddenly an explosion of questions rained like hail against his eardrums. Keisuke had to shout to be heard. "Matte! One at a time, kudasai!"

Pointing at a petite raven-haired woman, Keisuke waited for her question. "I understand your concerns, and they are valid, Takahashi sama. Still Project D fans want to know how long this forbidden relationship between you and Fujiwara sama has been going on, and whether it will continue. How do you respond?"

With her microphone turned in his direction, Keisuke took a bracing breath to control his anger. "Do not try to pin your personal fixation with selling my private life on the street racing community. I'm sure that touge fans are more worried about the repeated attacks on Project D members being an indicator that other highly skilled, and equally popular drivers will also get targeted by these criminals. They would rather get reassurance that other touge elite drivers remain safe to continue driving on their home courses. Talk to any Project D fan standing out here in this cold courtyard, and you'll discover that Project D fans want to know when Fujiwara and I will start driving again most of all."

A shrill female voice screamed, "Way to tell off these nosy wretches, Keisuke-sama! When will Project D race again? Seeing Fujiwara Kami sama's awesome drift, and your inspiring uphill battles is everything to Project D fans!"

Keisuke grinned at the young woman who bounced in place as she waited for him to answer. "Domo for proving my point, Ojosan. There's zero chance of Fujiwara or me returning to the touge until these criminals are in kēsatsu custody. Consecutive kidnaping attempts have already been documented so Project D members have been sent into hiding by the authorities to insure their safety, and continued survival."

Seeing distressed faces, and hearing questions screamed about his team mates health, moved Keisuke to answer fans directly. "Minasan, calm down so I can answer Project D fan questions." His shout took several moments to get crowd cooperation. More fans began to take an active part in silencing their neighbors. Soon near silence returned. "Domo arigato for calming down. I appreciate it. I'll answer Project D fans directly if a few of you will come closer so I can better hear your questions."

Several individuals pushed and elbowed their way into the ring surrounding Keisuke and the officers protecting him. Two men, and three women managed to squeeze through the reporters to face him. Pointing to one of the women, Keisuke asked, "Nani is your question, Ojosan?"

"I would like to ask if you know how your teammates that were kidnaped are faring, Keisuke sama?" Her voice rang with sincere concern.

"Matsimoto Shuichi, our hachi-roku mechanic, was released earlier in the week from this hospital and sent into hiding with the rest of our teammates. Project D's battle coordinator, Fumihiro Shiko, will be in this hospital for another month before getting released. He was seriously injured during the fight that ended in his abduction. His wounds got badly infected so he needed surgery to remove gangrene. Our part time helper, Takeuchi Itsuke, was viciously tortured and physically mangled while he was a prisoner. When he will be rehabilitated enough to be released is unknown. As to Fujiwara's medical condition, . . . These slavers seriously underestimated Fujiwara Takumi's mettle until he brutally beat down several slave compound guards to protect others. Their leader ordered that Fujiwara be kept chained and heavily drugged around the clock to preserve her remaining guards. Because of the vicious fighting, Fujiwara required emergency surgery to repair internal injuries. He's on antibiotics to get rid of the remaining infection. He came out of the drug overdose coma on the ninth day in this hospital. Additional problems were caused by the drugs used to control him. His lungs are fully functioning again, but there's still residual congestion in his chest cavity that is causing some concern. His isha san is keeping Fujiwara on complete bed rest until he regains enough weight, and the last of the congestion is gone from his chest."

Keisuke pointed to one of the men that had come forward. "Will Fujiwara sama ever race again, or has he been permanently crippled, Keisuke sama?"

"Fujiwara has not been crippled. After he fully recovers from this set back he intends to complete his physical therapy regiment and get back behind the wheel of hachi roku. Fans that love Fujiwara's drifting technique will get to see it again. As to when you'll see his hachi-roku in action on the touge, . . . that depends upon how long it takes the kēsatsu to apprehend these dangerous criminals that keep targeting our team."

Keisuke acknowledged the next fan, a young woman who looked flustered. He noticed that she was wearing one of the love conquers all adversity jerseys. "Keisuke sama, is there an appropriate way available to fans that wish to send flowers, fruit baskets, or get well cards to minasan in Project D?"

That question startled Keisuke. "Another excellent question. I'm not certain how to answer you, Ojosan. Give me two or three days to work something out with the hospital staff, and the security officers on that issue. With all the security measures in place to protect the compound victims, I may need to set up a temporary place here in Tokyo for fans that wish to send in cards, . . . if nothing else is considered safe."

Detective Eiichi followed up on his remark. "If Project D fans are willing to limit their support to get well cards that include all Project D members within their sentiments to help keep the volume of mail down, I'll get authorization for a drop box to get set up in the lobby of this hospital. I'll be happy to insure the cards get to Project D members. Fruit and flowers are out of the question due to potential security risks."

The second man was given his chance to ask a question. "Because you have shown us that it's possible to stand up to these criminals, I would like to ask for advice on how we can prevent this slavery ring from harming other drivers and average citizens, Keisuke sama."

"Although I acted out of desperation with the help of very experienced street fighters to get minasan free, I don't condone anyone becoming self-appointed vigilantes if they can avoid it. The kēsatsu need to know how funds were transferred to freeze this slavery ring's assets to prevent future disappearances and killings. Without the public's active cooperation in uncovering and locking down the money, this slaver and her higher ranked associates have access to enough funds to create more compounds like the ones being talked about on the nightly news. Those who bought manga from Heaven's His Hotrod should contact their local kēisatsusho with the information about how funds were transferred to that web site. If someone gets sent a suspicious link to another web site involving other well known top class touge drivers, alert the kēsatsu immediately to help protect them."

One reporter chose to ignore the last woman who was patiently waiting to ask a question. "Are you refusing to answer questions about your personal life because your romance is in jeopardy, Takahashi sama?"

Glaring at the pushy man, Keisuke answered. "I said everything there is to say about my private life in the first interview because minasan needed to know the truth. Project D fans have questions worthy of getting answered, and I will answer them because they have earned my respect by standing out in this freezing cold keeping a candle light vigil for the four Project D members who were hospitalized here."

Facing the last fan, Keisuke smiled at her to remove the sting of his set down for the professional. Her nervousness was palpable as she wrung her hands and fidgeted. "Gomen for the interruption, Ojosan. Nani is your question?"

"Ah, well, actually I want to help stop these criminals too, Keisuke sama. Anyway, my questions are actually for the Detective. There are so many very embarrassed fans that didn't realize we were getting duped into helping criminals hurt Fujiwara Kami sama by going to that site. I'm very ashamed of being one of the fans that thought it was a link to new battle sequence videos that other fans were recording during Project D's out of Prefecture expeditions. I only went the one time and found out it wasn't fan made videos, but I did accept the terms the one time I visited it. Gomen nasai gozaimasu to you and Fujiwara sama for my being such a baka, Keisuke sama!"

"Domo for showing such rare courage, Ojosan. You deserve all my respect and gratitude for coming forward, and you most certainly have it." Keisuke reassured her.

Detective Eiichi gave the woman a head bow of acknowledgment. "Keisuke san is correct. You have my respect and gratitude for stepping forward also. You may be the very person that helps us to stop these criminals Nani are your questions, Ojosan?"

"How should people who received private messaging links to Heaven's His Hotrod direct information they have about that web site to the kēsatsu? Is there a special phone number, or specific department that should be requested to take down the information?"

"Minasan can call in information to any kēisatsusho. Ask that your information be forwarded to the Tokyo Division in charge of the Slavery Ring Compound Cases. We need all available information about where individuals were browsing when contacted. How was contact made? Nani was the address you were directed to visit? Do you still have the web site information on your computer? That information may be the key to finding where this group is hiding their illegal server system so we can dismantle it. Were you ever sent an email by a representative that opened access to the web site for you after receiving payment? Which method was used to transfer funds? Were you asked to supply a credit card, or provide banking information to gain access to Heaven's his Hot Rod? With that information we can contact the affected credit card companies and banks to find where the money was deposited and freeze those accounts so these slavers can't build new compounds."

Some impatient reporter barked at Keisuke on the heels of Detective Eiichi's answer. "Naze did you convince Walking Man gangsters to presume they had the right to attack a highly organized slave operation which triggered a slaughter, instead of leaving things to the kēsatsu as you should have?"

Detective Eiichi touched his arm. With a small nod, Keisuke let the detective answer. "There is evidence that the Drug Syndicate war currently happening to install new leadership triggered this latest cleansing. Takahashi's vigilante group stumbled onto this cleansing after it had already begun and saved roughly two hundred lives. This slavery operation's affiliation with the Drug Syndicate was based on the sell of easily brainwashed and exploitable youths who were related to drug addicts with outstanding debts. There is clear evidence that many teenagers and kodomo were forcefully taken to the compounds to be brainwashed. Afterward they were placed in this slaver rings active prostitution houses to work off their relatives' outstanding drug debts."

Keisuke smiled at Eiichi for having saved him from an argument. "Domo, Detective. Minasan, listen to me for one minute. Street level kēsatsu deserve our utmost respect. The kēsatsu rule book's major flaw pushed me to undertake desperate actions that I fully acknowledge were extremely dangerous and foolish. Good men were trying their best to do their duty within the flawed rule book's guidelines. Regulations prevented detectives and street level officers from getting permission to act in time. Blame their supervisors for the unacceptable lack of action when an anonymous tip arrived that said there was only one week left until Project D captives would be killed. These men were told they couldn't do anything before all redundant protocols were met to their boss's satisfaction. Walking Man and other gangsters only interfered because the current kēsatsu hierarchy prevented willing officers like the ones standing here today from doing their jobs. The public needs to know and understand that difference. These men should not be blamed for having to follow unfair orders to keep their jobs."

"Do you believe the kēsatsu should be exonerated for ignoring so many cruel murders taking place under their noses for several years, Takahashi sama?

Keisuke let his anger show even more as he spoke to the professional reporter. "How can anyone believe these officers actively ignored this problem? The corpse pit images I saw on the news the other night means these men were as ignorant as the rest of us about this situation. It's hard to know that there are mass murders going on if there aren't any bodies to find. These men standing around me today sought permission to act from their superiors. Their superiors blindly make decisions based on a rule book that says to get concrete evidence that a murder will be happening before they are allowed to investigate a named location to prevent it. Public outrage needs to be focused on removing that one flaw which ignores life threatening situations from an otherwise excellent rule book. If detectives believe lives are at stake during an investigation, they need to have the freedom to act without completing mountains of redundant paperwork just so they can get some superior's permission to act on information!"

Pointing at another reporter whose hand shot up, Keisuke waited. "Would you mind explaining Walking Man gangster strategies for attacking the compounds to us? Or is that out of bounds also?"

"That's a fair question. I spoke to some friends from the original Walking Man gang which disbanded three years ago. We agreed to temporarily resurrect the original gang with the members of splinter gangs included in the lineup. Walking Man members recruited other fighters that are Project D fans to help free my team mates since the detective seeking to save my teammates was refused permission to act on the death threat tip. The plan we came up with was to form teams with enough fighters to split off members as we came across guards. We wanted to keep any guards we encountered busy while others searched for, found and released my missing teammates. Once Project D members were found and gotten out as fast as possible, the rest of the fighters were to disengage from fighting with the guards and follow the others out. Nobody knew so many people were prisoners when we designed that very simplistic plan. During the prolonged fight that we got caught up in, I discovered that Kahori has kept a member of my family in captivity for the last three years. My family believed that they were dead all this time."

"It sounds as if this slaver has a personal grudge against your family, Takahashi san. Naze would this slaver target your family and racing team specifically?"

"It appears that Kahori's slave ring is linked to a very specific drug syndicate that the first Walking Man gang went to war with just over four years ago. Since I came up with the strategy that ultimately got rid of the syndicate, they do have a huge grudge against me. I was actively involved in Walking Man's fight against the drug syndicate that this slaver answers to until we successfully routed Kahori's drug syndicate allies from my community and I retired from street fighting. Walking Man disbanded shortly after that."

"It sounds a bit far fetched that a person could be held hostage for three years. Would you elaborate on this relative who has been a captive for three years, Takahashi san?" The petite raven haired woman reporter asked him looking as perplexed as she sounded.

"During the last push to remove the drug syndicate, I was with an exceptionally beautiful onna named Mitani Akiho who vanished from the hospital she was in without a trace. My family never received any ransom notes about Mitani. Nor did the kēsatsu find any clues that suggested Mitani was abducted. The kēsatsu had no leads, and the senumon-i caring for Mitani said she had no chance of surviving birth, so the search for her and my kodomo was abandoned after a few months. Detective Eiichi san has discovered that Mitani was actually kidnaped and sent to Kahori's maximum security compound. Our kodomo has been Kahori's prisoner since he was born."

The crowd's shocked silence was deafening after all the chatter. The first reporter to recover spoke out. "Will you please explain this shocking development to the public?"

"Hai. Mitani's only chance to carry our kodomo to full term was to remain under full time medical care because she had serious medical problems. Five weeks before her scheduled delivery, Mitani vanished from the hospital without a trace. The medical staff said Mitani's life was in jeopardy, and our kodomo could never be born alive without their intervention. My family and I finally accepted that answer when Mitani was listed as presumed dead on the advice of the medical staff."

"How has this reunion with your previous lover, and kodomo affected your family, and your romantic involvement with Fujiwara san?"

"Discovering that my musuko somehow beat all the odds stacked against his birth and is alive is incredibly good news to me. I'm grateful for this chance to take care of him. I'm taking full custody as soon as possible."

"Nani about his okāsan's rights to have her kodomo restored to her since she has raised him until now?" One reporter shouted over the others to get heard.

"Mitani's body has already been recovered and positively identified from the maximum security compound. I'm his only living ryōshin. Several prisoners have confirmed that the slaver frequently had my musuko with her. He has seen far too much violence and understands that his okāsan's dead although he's only a toddler."

"Whom has custody of your musuko at this time, Takahashi san? Tell us how Fujiwara san is handling your decision to file for custody of your musuko!" Two reporters' voices proved louder than all the others.

"My ojīsan has temporary guardianship. He will retain guardianship until my musuko's permanent custody gets finalized. But, having found him again, I'll do everything possible to take very good care of him from now on." The blond smiled as he spoke.

"Do you honestly believe any court will give you custody of your obviously illegitimate kodomo in light of your recent, blatantly shameless flaunting of your taboo relationship in front of the public? There's nothing normal, safe, happy, or stable about a homosexual household!" The stocky reporter Detective Eiichi said was trouble shouted. He was waving his microphone in the faces of others standing near his location as if he planned on striking anyone who got too close.

Recalling as many detail as possible about the original custody battle with Akiho that he had forced his parents to tell him, Keisuke answered. "The courts decreed my musuko would ultimately go to me before he was even born. Mitani's deteriorating health prompted that decision years ago. The courts chose for me to raise my musuko despite knowing that I'm a bisexual, and was actively involved in Walking Man until the objective of getting rid of the drug Syndicate was completed. I'm financially stable to care for my kodomo, and willing to do so. My lifestyle has also stabilized greatly since the original decree was made. All the necessary documents that were originally required have been filed so that I can take full custody of my musuko now. Sumimasen, but I must insist that minasan let us get out of here. These officers have important duties waiting for them."

The crowd parted to let them move on. Cheers and good wishes followed his group as Keisuke began walking toward his grandfather's car. Keisuke thought about his mother's intention to interfere with the original judgement previously set down. His recent violence could cost him his son if she counter filed as his mother had threatened. Being with Takumi was a distinct disadvantage as the rude reporter had reminded Keisuke. His status as a famous street racer would not help unless a pro circuit team signed him soon. Being considered a heroic vigilante could also hinder Keisuke if he had to fight his parents for Hikaru. Only controlling his wealth completely was solidly favorable at a glance.

Eiichi-san sounded worried. "If not for the legal restraint that keeps you here in Tokyo, you'd be on your way to the airport. I don't like you staying in town instead of going to the United States with the rest of your team. You'd be safer until we get Kahori and her missing lieutenants into custody. We don't have enough manpower to keep a full time watch on you. That concerns me. The last attempt to protect your team failed, and a couple kēsatsukan were killed in Gunma. All of you are safer out of the country."

"You couldn't get me to leave Tokyo if you tried so long as my musuko and Fujiwara are stuck in the hospital, Detective. My release might just hand you an opportunity to capture some of these nut cases. This Kahori's so obsessed with me that her hit men had orders to capture me in good condition. With her raising Hikaru the way she was, I'll place odds that she wants to get her claws into me still. I kept the bastards busy chasing me through the hospital corridors so my teammates could escape on the emergency stairs during that attack where the kēsatsukan were killed. I'm sure I can hang on long enough to help you capture anyone stupid enough to attack me directly."

Detective Eiichi nodded. "Hm, maybe she will, and maybe she's too angry to care after your crazy stunt ruined her operations. Don't do anything reckless, and get yourself killed. Like you said, you have a musuko to raise. Get killed and that shonen's got nobody to protect him from that slaver."

"Very true, Detective. I'll be careful." Keisuke agreed with a quirk of his lips. "I'll do all I can to help you capture Kahori and her lieutenants. If anything comes up that talking to the public will help you resolve, let me know. I tried to get the message across. Street racers have a reliable communication network. They may help you find these monsters faster. They know her group was behind several attacks on Project D now. My racing team's popularity should give touge fans incentive to cooperate."

Detective Eiichi was shaking his head as he listened. "Don't step out of line, Keisuke san. The way the reporters were acting when you told them you wouldn't discuss your romantic interest in your teammate, the public may not hear your defense of us. You're already in enough trouble because of the compound fighting deaths. Interfering again will only insure you don't get your musuko because you'll go to prison. The authorities will put him in an orphanage before handing him over to anyone in your family if that happens. Let us worry about the slavers. Our superiors want them all found badly so we can save face. We're getting plenty of leeway these days."

"The offer still stands, Detective Eiichi. I want to help smooth things over if possible. I can still influence touge fans' opinions to take heat off the ranks that don't deserve all this hostility they've been getting. Take care of yourselves."

Keisuke opened the passenger side door to the Mercedes. Seeing the open smiles worn by the uniformed officers, he grinned back. Dropping into his grandfather's car, Keisuke made quick work of buckling his safety belt on and gave a final farewell wave to his escorts.

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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series