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All For Love 3rd in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2173 -:- 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-All For Love
- 2-AFL 2
- 3-AFL 3
- 4-AFL 4
- 5-AFL 5
- 6-AFL 6
- 7-AFL 7
- 8-AFL 8
- 9-AFL 9
- 10-AFL 10
- 11-AFl 11
- 12-AFL 12
- 13-AFL 13
- 14-AFL 14
- 15-AFL 15
- 16-AFL 16
- 17-AFL 17
- 18-AFL 18
- 19-AFL 19
- 20-AFL 20
- 21-AFL 21
- 22-AFL 22
- 23-AFL 23
- 24-AFL 24
- 25-AFL 25
- 26-AFL 26
- 27-AFL 27
- 28-AFL 28
- 29-AFL 29
- 30-AFL 30
- 31-AFL 31
- 32-AFL 32
- 33-AFL 33
- 34-AFL 34
- 35-AFL 35
- 36-AFL 36
- 37-AFL 37
- 38-AFL 38
- 39-AFL 39
- 40-AFL 40
- 41-AFL 41
- 42-AFL 42
- 43-AFL 43
- 44-AFL 44
- 45-AFL 45
- 46-AFL 46
- 47-AFL 47
- 48-AFL 48
- 49-AFL 49
- 50-AFL 50
- 6
- 7
- 8
A/N: This is temporarily an older draft of this fan fiction that I am posting here. I will revise to correct inconsistencies ASAP. Please have patience with my weird schedules that have made uploading revised chapters an ongoing hassle. The addition of previously deleted scenes in story 2 will cause some odd moments but those will get corrected also.

CHAPTER 7

Creating the largest drug syndicate in Japan was his greatest achievement. A Chinese merchant introduced Shimoda to the drug trade during the second world war. He had been a crippled, and destitute younger man fighting for his family's survival in a topsy turvy world. As he had vowed, Shimoda saved his three sisters from the degradation of whoring. Finding buyers among the suffering masses was easy. Only whores entertaining occupational forces, and opium peddlers had truly prospered during those bleak times.

Shimoda felt no remorse in selling drugs. As a dealer, he had given his clients the temporary escapes that they craved. He hated weak character with a passion so helped the fools fulfil their self-destructive destinies. Fear and self loathing dominated the addict's character. Weak characters chose drugs so they could refuse to face consequences for actions, or change when confronted by truth. Hordes of drug addicts had reinforced Shimoda's belief that character weakness was a grave sin.

Lazy minds and bodies, whining, deceit, and scheming always defined the addict's character to Shimoda. Addicted people also lacked honor. Their character weakness made them unwilling to improve their lives. Those with weak characters loathed hard work. Such people always avoided responsibility. Denial was their most contemptible trait. Cultivating sympathy was how addicts preyed on those naive enough to try and save them. They sucked others into their self created little hells on whims. They reduced compassionate acts to a crime in Shimoda's opinion.

Shimoda's greatest challenge to date was his henchmen's willful destruction of his hard won empire. Because of the pressure his top officers put on him to accept Quai Tou, Shimoda was watching the collapse of fifty years brilliant, and difficult work. He should have abandoned his underworld creation when his men thrust Quai Tou down his throat three years before. However, Shimoda enjoyed deciding the fates of cowards and fools. He had also been coerced by three very powerful Yakuza lords to remain. He had several chances to break ties with the criminal world over the years. Power had become his Achilles heel. Age, his greatest enemy. Only his famed cunning had protected Shimoda and his family for so long.

Shimoda's mind strayed to a hungry, and cocky street fighter. Kurou's predatory grace, strength, and dispassionate personality had captivated his attention during an illegal fighting match he had seen a decade ago. Immediately recruited as an enforcer, Kurou's character earned him Shimoda's top security position within three years. The younger man proved his meddle often. Shimoda promoted Kurou to the position of his right hand after the fourth year.

Left in Kurou's hands, beatings made certain most delinquents payed off their debts before they became large. Those who still refused to pay died painfully. The rest paid off their debts faster whenever Kurou made someone an example of how bad retribution could get. Kurou maintained very rigid discipline over all the enforcers in Shimoda's syndicate. Overlord Kumagai was thrilled that rampant violence did not exist with his operations.

Shimoda's syndicate usually passed contemptible souls to the old whore that pretended to be a geisha. Once the addicts paid off their debts, Kahori was supposed to release them. Those addicts could change, or return to their previous poor choices. Lady Kahori ruled the Red light district after clawing her way to the top with Shimoda's help. In some ways, Lady Kahori had benefitted most from their long-standing pact.

Wretched wastes of humanity had even thrown their children into Kahori's hands to preserve their worthless existence. Children were little better than their addicted ryōshin, unless they were very young. A few had proven themselves valuable as more than prostitutes, although that was rare. Older children were extensions of the diseased half-wits that created them. Their degradation was inevitable to Shimoda's thinking. That was business as usual. Takahashi, however, was guilty of no crime involving weak character. Kahori had crossed the line into the realms of insanity because of pride.

Shimoda vividly remembered the charismatic, strong willed teenaged gang leader. The resentful, angry youth he had grudgingly admired had evolved into a man with strength to burn. Takahashi had grown into a compelling, self-assured man. An inconvenient foe when younger, Takahashi's grainy image now radiated a charismatic, and powerful leadership quality. That aura blazed around a man who knew exactly what he wanted in the photograph Shimoda looked upon.

Even now, Walking Man's defunct membership still curtailed syndicate expansion. Takahashi, without realizing his achievement, had set the long term stalemate into motion several years ago. Takahashi's vow to protect the streets from the syndicate's influence remained. The strongest among his original gang had formed their own smaller gangs. Yet, most still upheld Takahashi's ideal.

Kurou's last trip to the Akagi area had resulted in cracked ribs and other injuries. The reality that Kurou had met his equal had shocked Shimoda. Few ever fought on equal terms once Kurou unleashed his internal torment through fists. Takahashi had been the exception. He fought Kurou as an equal the last time there was a conflict. Kurou advised undermining the teen's power before he learned how to use it effectively.

Upon that advice Shimoda asked Lady Kahori for ideas. She sent a slave girl she controlled to break Takahashi's authority over Akagi's most powerful fighters. The girl did her job well. She distracted Takahashi, and eroded his power over several months. Takahashi's domination faltered according to Kahori's plan. Shimoda's syndicate entrenched on the fringes of Akagi's area, though it had yet to gain solid control.

The ongoing stalemate slanted syndicate lieutenants' feelings toward revenge. Kahori convinced them to take their self created financial troubles, and frustration out on Takahashi by mentioning her prior win over an untried youth. Those who had fared the worst remained fixated on punishing the dangerous and unpredictable man. The smell of fast profits while tormenting Takahashi played into Kahori's favor.

Media coverage once the two racers vanished would increase Kahori's business as she promised. However, Kahori's initial increases would lead to her downfall once Takahashi found a way to fight back. The votes allowed Lady Kahori to meddle with an older and wiser version of the young gang leader. Gouhara, her perfect puppet, was taking over Shimoda's place because Kahori's proposal had seduced the majority into putting Gouhara in charge.

The family butler entered the study. "You have visitors, Shimoda-sama. Kurou-san said you expected him to report when he returned. He said he has brought the person you requested. Shall I send them away for the evening?" The rail thin man asked with a bow.

Shimoda answered. "Show them in, and bring them refreshments." The butler strode from the room. It was only a few moments before two men were shown into the room. Shimoda extended courtesy with a warmth he did not feel. "I'm pleased that you've returned safely, my friend." He stood and shook Kurou's hand as he stopped in front of his desk.

"I hope you'll feel welcome in my home, Shitamura-kun. I also hope you find your meal satisfactory when it arrives." His greeting and hand shake were equally hearty.

Shitamura answered. "It's an honor to be here, sir. You need not trouble yourself for my benefit. How may I be of assistance to you?"

A knock at the door alerted Shimoda of the butler's arrival. The heavy door opened and Shimoda waved the man into the room. "All in good time, my young friend. First, you need something on your stomach. Unless my old eyes deceive me, you're fresh from the road."

His manservant bowed out of the room leaving Shitamura and Kurou with plates and drinks. Kurou began to eat with little ceremony. Shitamura looked alarmed, but caved to the smells wafting from his plate moments later. They ate quickly as Shimoda poured three glasses of port, placing amber liquor next to their plates. Shimoda took a seat behind his desk as he waited for his company polish off their meal.

Shimoda began, "I asked Kurou to bring you here because I need to get your expert opinion on matters of consequence, Shitamura-kun."

"I didn't know I was an expert on anything, Shimoda-sama." Shitamura seemed perplexed as he looked up from his plate.

"Someone mentioned that you monitor Takahashi Keisuke's movements. He was shot roughly two and a half months ago. Unfortunately, Quai Tou had syndicate ties. Therefore, I need to know more about Takahashi."

"Oh. I do know a fair amount about Keisuke-san, sir. Nani would you like to know about him?"

"Start with a general overview of his actions since the Walking Man gang splintered."

"Let's see. After Walking Man, and dumping Akiho, Keisuke-san got serious about street racing with his onīsan's blessing. Ryosuke-san's a racing legend in Gunma, so Keisuke has gotten extensive personalized training. You could say that Keisuke-san went from leading the strongest gang, to leading Gunma's most elite street racing team, Shimoda-sama."

"You refer to this Project D he was with when Quai Tou instigated that asinine shooting spree?" Shimoda swirled the port in his glass as he watched the younger man.

"Um, actually, I meant the Red Suns. Project D is his onīsan's pet project. It's designed for outside prefecture racing. Project D paired Keisuke-san with the best specialized downhill racer inside Gunma Prefecture. Keisuke-san got extra exposure and fans needed to gain interest from professional teams. Keisuke-san's obsessed with becoming a professional circuit racer. He trained every night at Akagi Pass, all year round, even in heavy snow before he was shot. He almost mastered every driving trick of the professional circuit."

"How about Takahashi's maturity? I seem to recall quite a volatile youth. Has he learned self control yet?" Shimoda sipped his drink and waited.

"Keisuke-san has more confidence, and restraint now. He definitely controls his temper now. He doesn't go around starting trouble anymore, Shimoda-sama. When it's thrown in his face, Keisuke-san finishes anything forced on him. Otherwise, I'd say he's actually been quite content."

"Content? . . . Takahashi?" Shimoda blinked as he tried to digest that news.

Shitamura smiled. "It's hard to believe but true, Shimoda-sama. His downhill racing teammate beat him on Akina's downhill just over a year ago. Fujiwara's determination to always win forces Keisuke-san to work harder. Finding a perfect rival in Fujiwara is the reason Keisuke-san's so content with his life. They make an incredible team, and Keisuke knows it."

Shimoda mulled over this news with a frown marring his brow. "Can you describe Takahashi's activities since they released him from the hospital, Shitamura-kun?"

"I heard his family's babysitting Fujiwara. Keisuke-san visits his Otosān's medical clinic twice a week. My two insiders with the Red Suns team will inform me when he returns to training. I hear he lost part of a lung and damned near died, Shimoda-sama. If you're worried about retaliation from Keisuke-san, it won't happen for several more months. It's not like he knows that baka Quai Tou had any connection to your Syndicate."

"I've heard that Takahashi's romantically involved with his teammate. I'd like to hear your take on the rumors." Shimoda shot Kurou a quick glance as he spoke to the younger man in their midst.

Shitamura snickered. "Takahashi may be a swinger, but Fujiwara isn't the type Keisuke-san finds attractive. Arai told me it's Fujiwara, not Keisuke-san, that's interested in starting a romance. He was there when Fujiwara's ex showed up and started shooting people. The streets are still buzzing about the possibility that they're an item because Fujiwara flipped out. Fujiwara's been living at the Takahashi condo since he was released from the hospital a month and a half before Keisuke-san. Some say that's proof positive that they are fags. The thing is, a friend of Takahashi's ryōshin claims Fujiwara's there because some kind of experimental surgery done to save his leg. Because it involved some new drugs and a glue that's still in the testing stages, Fujiwara's being monitored for side effects."

Kurou cleared his throat. Shimoda turned to look at his second in command with a lifted eyebrow. "Takahashi knocked Fujiwara out of the way of the onna's aim so he'd be sure to survive. The hidden monitoring equipment and camera Kahori got someone to put in place picked up several discussions that lead one to think Takahashi's actually involved with his teammate also. We can't ignore that evidence. Shitamura, did you remember to bring that printout you showed me?"

"You mean the web letter Fujiwara put up to counter the rumors that he and Takahashi are together?" Kurou nodded once. The young dark-haired dealer pulled an envelope out of his jacket and tossed it onto Shimoda's desk. "It's right here, Kurou-sama. Are you telling me this letter's some kind of elaborate lie? I mean it seems pretty damned sincere. . . . At least it does if you ask me. Fujiwara doesn't strike me as the lying type."

"Arigato, Shitamura-kun. I have no idea if this is a lie or not. We know Kahori smuggled in equipment to get images of the second shonen, Fujiwara. There are a few telling conversations that happened while Takahashi and Fujiwara were sharing a room a couple of days before Fujiwara was released. More than one of the conversations involved Takahashi's Okāsan. The recordings have been released to the public for a purchaser's fee." Shimoda picked up the envelope and pulled out the stack of pages. He began to scan the printout with avid interest.

PROJECT D HOME PAGE

Letter from Takumi Fujiwara to the readers of this site:

Due to the attack that led to the hospitalization of my teammate, Keisuke Takahashi, and myself, Project D was forced to shut down prematurely. I feel that I am, in part, responsible for the terrible occurrence, and wish to apologize to the followers of this site. Gomen nasai gozaimasu to those teams we were supposed to race, but must cancel on. Many have supported our efforts as drivers, and I apologize to you as well for my failure to recognize the dangers involved in my own private life that caused so much turmoil, and stalled our team's races.

I wish to address the rumors that have been brought to my attention upon my release from the hospital. Those who are on the Takahashi brothers' main team, The Red Suns, have the most complaints. I was told that people have begun to question my relationship with my teammate, friend, and mentor, Keisuke Takahashi. Those Red Suns members who were present when my ex-girlfriend shot both Keisuke and me, have made assumptions, and spouted accusations that I have something to be ashamed of involving Keisuke-san.

Shimoda looked up at the men sitting across from him. "Something bothers me about this letter already. How could Takahashi fail to recognize his teammate had such a serious problem? He always struck me as being very observant. If the recordings are true, naze didn't Keisuke safeguard his, erm, . . . friend, . . . better than the situation indicates?"

"Fan pressure to post course information was so strong that the Project D web-server crashed four different times as fans flooded the site with requests, Shimoda-sama. Ryosuke-san caved to the pressure and began to post advance battle information against their better judgement, Shimoda-sama. Fujiwara's a quiet person, so he might not have told Keisuke-san there was any problem. Fujiwara doesn't strike anyone that has met him as being the whiney type either. I've heard that he's very tight lipped about everything." Shitamura answered without hesitation.

Shimoda read more of the letter while listening to his subordinate's prattle.

Keisuke Takahashi has proven to be my toughest rival, and hardest teacher in the time I have known him. Keisuke-san has made many sacrifices in time and effort, the same as his older brother to help me become a better driver. He has fought with me whenever I have doubted myself. Keisuke-san has told me to get off my lazy butt, accept other racer's challenges, and work harder whenever I made mistakes. He has smacked me in the head and told me to stop tearing myself down whenever I have been negative about myself. He reminds me I'm not worthless when I think I have obscene faults. He has pointed out that those flaws are not as major as I sometimes think they are. Keisuke-san often points out things I may not like to hear, but which I need to face. I have been very fortunate to have someone as focused and determined as Keisuke Takahashi in my life to shift how I see the world around me.

"Did that shonen really write this? From the image I saw, he looks like he's lucky to have any thought processes. This letter is already beyond anything I imagined, much less expected."

Shitamura answered. "They say Fujiwara's really smart even if he looks spaced out. They say he picks up things at an unbelievable rate as a racer. Whenever he opens his mouth, Fujiwara floors whoever is listening. He's described as humble, very observant, quiet, and impossible to unnerve. D's support crew claims that no matter how jittery they feel at a battle, pressure isn't in Fujiwara's vocabulary. The more they feel like collapsing under pressure, the better he performs."

"Is that so?"

Shitamura nodded. The old man looked at Kurou again. "Takahashi always has been unpredictable, Shimoda-sama. I know he likes strong people. If this shonen's that strong, he would choose him for that characteristic, if not for personal taste in looks."

A sense of even greater alarm skittered along his ancient spine. Shimoda returned to reading again as his interest in the younger man gained strength. Much of the letter he scanned for any mention of the name he needed to see. With all of his concentration, Shimoda read another passage concerning Keisuke Takahashi.

Do I care that some people have decided that I have something to hide, or be embarrassed about in knowing Keisuke Takahashi? I refuse to be ashamed of any of my friends. I am honest enough to say outright that Keisuke-san has turned my world upside down and made me rethink everything I thought was possible to achieve. He has taught me several of the most valuable things I have ever learned. I have learned to make goals, and to accept that I do have a talent to offer this world because of his support. I hope in some way I can repay everything I have been given by Keisuke-san's frequent, hard lectures, and infrequent, honest praise. I hope I can return the genuine friendship, and respect I have received from Keisuke-san.

I am alive because of Keisuke-san's genuine friendship. I was aware that Keisuke-san had been involved with gangs during his highschool years, but before I learned the truth, I never realized how much gangs taught Keisuke Takahashi about survival. Singing-Wolf-san explained that the bullet that hit Keisuke-san would have gone through my heart had it hit me. Keisuke-san knew he had the better chance of survival because of our different heights. He thought well enough of me to shove me out of my ex-girlfriend's gunfire. I am humbled to know that I have someone in my life with the kind of strength and character that Keisuke Takahashi has. That first bullet she fired put Keisuke-san in the hospital where he will remain for two months recovering from the loss of a portion of his lower left lung.

Because I am still alive, I can still honor my racer's rivalry with Keisuke Takahashi. I hope I succeed in pushing him to become an even better driver for many more years, the same as he has pushed me already. Does Keisuke-san deserve all the respect I have to give him and his brother for their faith in my abilities when I thought I had no skills? I believe so. I know I would be lost if Keisuke had died because of my ex-girlfriend. Keisuke-san is actually one of the two people who understands me better than I understand myself sometimes.

Shimoda looked up from his reading again. "Kurou, I feel this letter is sincere as Shitamura-kun says. However, it makes my very bad feeling about Lady Kahori's plans even stronger. I just finished this youngster's description of Takahashi. Lady Kahori's plan to get overdue revenge on him is a very big mistake. Takahashi hasn't forgotten anything he learned as a street fighter. I get the impression that, if anything, Takahashi's improved because he has learned to control and focus all of his energy where he wants it."

"I know, Shimoda-sama."

"Uhm, sirs, could I ask a question?"

"Nani, Shitamura-kun?" Shimoda turned to look at the uneasy man on the opposite side of his desk.

"Should I be worried? I'm on the front lines here. Keisuke-san kept key members of his old gang as solid friends. No amount of work has ever really consolidated Ideguchi-san's operations in Keisuke-san's turf for that reason. I'd like a bit of warning if his friends are going to show up on my doorstep, if you don't mind." Shitamura swallowed hard on the heels of his question.

"Shitamura-kun, I think it wisest to advise you to take a long vacation. Kahori plans to kidnap these shonen. She's been waiting for the right opportunity to present itself. It's her intention to strike once Takahashi's well enough to not require elaborate medical care as I understand things."

"Nani? Has that old whore lost her mind? This is Takahashi Keisuke, as in the original creator of the Walking Man Gang. Even if he's mellowed out, I wouldn't want anything to do with pissing Keisuke-san off. That's very unhealthy."

Kurou snorted. "We're aware of how dangerous he still is. Kahori's arrogance since she undermined his power base the last time is indescribable now. Kahori believes she can control him by using some toddler, a drug, and her slave, Akiho, a second time."

"Drugged out of his mind or not, messing with Keisuke-san is my definition of suicide! Akiho's also on Keisuke's permeant shit list. There's no way Kahori can use her to get anything out of Keisuke-san. Keisuke-san will probably kill Akiho if he sees her. If he's really involved with Fujiwara, that won't stop him from fighting back if Kahori tries to use that shonen as a weapon either. Takahashi won't let attachments get in his way once he's pissed off. I really feel sorry for Fujiwara if Kahori tries to use him for leverage. Keisuke-san won't hold back to protect Fujiwara even if he is banging Keisuke-san." Shitamura shuddered.

Shimoda pushed Kahori's proposal toward the frightened younger man. "Read this. It will answer your questions, Shitamura-kun. Most of the syndicate leadership voted for this insane plan, including your sector lead. The leadership ousted me over objecting to it."

As Shitamura opened the folder and began to read, Kurou's soft gravel laden voice caught Shimoda's attention. "Shitamura-kun's not the only one that should take an extended vacation before Kahori acts, Shimoda-sama. It's time for you to break Syndicate ties no matter the Yakuza Overlord's complaints. The lieutenants have ousted you for Gouhara. You need to make certain the main connection is aware of that."

"Nani about you, Kurou? None of the new leadership appreciates you."

"I'm my own faction. Most of the enforcers are loyal to me, not Gouhara or Kahori. Yuasa and Hakugi are thinking about bailing. Those hidden video cameras that were installed at the first hospital did increase profit margins, but the idea of tangling directly with Takahashi has left a bad taste in their mouths."

Shitamura's disgusted tone broke their eye contact. "So, that old hag's pushing the rumors through this damned manga of hers. I hope to hell Keisuke-san never gets wind of this. Keisuke-san also has friends in Walking Man's remnant gang, and splinter groups. There's no way they'll ignore Keisuke-san disappearing. Short of Takahashi calling them together personally, his disappearance will reunite the original Walking Man gang, plus all of the splinter groups' additional members. If the old bitch does this, they will go after me. Hell, even my two enforcers that ran with Keisuke-san will go after my ass. With your permission, Shimoda-sama, I need to pull out the area immediately."

"I understand, Shitamura-kun. I'll have my personal car brought around to take you to my client penthouse for the night. I'll also make sure you have transportation home in the morning. You've earned my gratitude this evening. I have a much better idea of how to proceed. I need to discuss some details with Kurou, if you will excuse us?" The old man hit the button that summoned his butler and frowned down at the letter.

"Of course Shimoda-sama. Arigato for telling me the truth. I appreciate this." Shitamura stepped to the heavy door and gave a second bow before he let himself out.

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All For Love 3rd in Rivalry Series