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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series	By : kurahieiritrJIO Category: +G to L > Initial D Views: 2634 -:- 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
- 1
- 2
"As the Smoke Clears" 4th in the Rivalry Series.

After Kahori's downfall, Legal problems, parenthood, Takumi's illness, and an unthinkable rival stress Keisuke out. Pressure to enter the Iron Will escalates while retaliation threats' traps part of Project D in America. Sam Haters Avoid! Tags not in main view, Voyeur, Homo-erotica, and Rape Flashbacks/ Video footage.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Initial D cannon characters, nor make any money from this series. Shuichi Shigeno created the Initial D series. Please note that the cannon manga starts in 1996, and Project D starts in 1997 in the cannon story. This story has bridged '97, and is moving into 1998, with a quasi-alternate realm involved.

Author's Note: I do frequent updates, once or twice a week average. Thanks much for any reviews. The two stories I have yet to get revised and posted here for the series in chronological order are Alternate-Tracks-Revised-Edition, and All-For-Love. I am working hard to get those completely posted here. I started a Review thread in the forum for anyone who wishes to talk to me about this series. It is fan fiction-anime/manga(all)-Anime-Yaoi-Male/Male Initial D Yaoi Keisuke x Takumi Rivalry Series

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CHAPTER 1

Keisuke's Christmas was spent wondering if Takumi would actually live to see a new year. Takumi was very weak the first couple weeks after awakening from the coma. Having come so close to death before he awoke was nerve wracking for Keisuke. Takumi's primary care physician was cautious about his chances until Takumi rallied enough to remain awake for more than a few minutes at a time.

The plans made before Takumi's abduction were on hold. Instead of putting a wedding ring on Takumi's finger, Keisuke asked his very ill mate to consider becoming Hikaru's step parent on Christmas eve. After an adorable lower lip gnawing session, Takumi agreed to help raise Hikaru if he got custody away from his own parents.

Getting to know Takumi was important for Hikaru. Twice a day, Keisuke took Hikaru to his and Takumi's private hospital room. Hikaru spent half an hour with Takumi during each visit. Takumi was honestly trying to get to know the toddler. Still, every uneasy action proved he was uncomfortable to Keisuke. Tiring quickly, Takumi often fell asleep mid-visit. That was the signal to head back to the pediatric ward.

Keisuke spent the extra time he had on his hands getting acquainted with Hikaru. Seeing his young son overwhelmed by the simplest things, such as real meals, was painful. Hikaru found it difficult to understand toys, or having his own pajamas once he took the gifts that his great grandparents had brought him for Christmas as they sought to get to know the small child also.

Even though clueless about children, the blond understood that Hikaru's extreme caution was not normal for a child of his age. Such care with every movement made meant Hikaru needed to heal from serious, if not physically obvious injuries. Everything about his child screamed of the abuse he had survived. That realization kept Keisuke feeling guilty about his new found toddler.

The wheat haired man's thoughts returned to the present. A glance showed him Takeuchi was still teaching Hikaru the basics of playing. As obnoxious and overwhelming as Keisuke found Takumi's adopted brother, he was proving very valuable. For some reason, Hikaru had attached himself to the immature nineteen-year-old. Takeuchi had discovered Hikaru's toy cars. Enthusiasm over the find made Takeuchi's immaturity conspicuous. It also made perfect sense that he would be attracted to the cars. His love for the real thing was well known. Takeuchi made off-key car sounds as he tempted Hikaru to join in the game.

The scene was hilarious. Keisuke stifled laughter as he focused on the situation. The dark-haired teen's antics were enough to get anyone snickering. Listening to Takeuchi talking all about how most drivers had fun in their cars had finally caught the child's attention. Two other youngsters were in the same room with Hikaru. They had climbed out of their small beds, and crept closer while Takeuchi talked.

"Would you like to play with Hikaru too?" Keisuke asked them.

The smaller of the two shrank back. He was one of the young slaves from Kahori's high security compound. Takeuchi knew him. He had been the food and bucket carrier on one of the lower levels. Norihiko could barely speak. Gen was younger, yet larger than Norihiko. How the nurse found out the smaller boy's name remained a mystery to Keisuke. Gen may have told them. The younger boy was a recent addition to Kahori's slave labor force, and not yet beaten into blind terror. He still spoke to others and seemed fairly normal. At nine years, he was the one that did all the speaking for both boys.

Waving them closer, Keisuke spoke softly. "Hikaru, would you like to play with your roommates? I think they would like to be friends. I promise, all of you are safe to play. Takeuchi and I won't get angry about you having fun. Kodomo are supposed to play. Gen and Norihiko are welcome to join you if they want."

With wide eyes, Hikaru looked at him and Takeuchi. Meeting his young son's eyes, Keisuke could see the toddler's wariness. Very quiet, shy, and far too anxious, Hikaru had no idea how to respond. He was looking for a trap Keisuke realized. An ache unfolded in Keisuke's chest for his newly met son.

"I think it's good for you to play, Hikaru. Making mistakes isn't a crime either. All I ask is that you take responsibility for learning how to correct your mistakes when you make them. You don't have to be afraid of everything around you anymore."

Takeuchi began coaxing the other youngsters closer in a soft, cheerful tone. "Come on over. The more shonen playing with cars, the better. I bet Hikaru would like having friends his own age too. He hasn't had any friends before. Kahori's goons wouldn't allow any of you to be friends, or have fun. That changed when Keisuke-san got minasan out of there. Everything's fine now. You'll see."

From Takeuchi's descriptions of the smaller shonen, Norihiko had been filthy when Takeuchi first saw him. Matted hair, and a fabric bag cut out for clothing had made it impossible to tell his gender. The long matted hair was gone, as was the filth, bugs, and bag. He wore hospital pajamas like the others. After several baths, Norihiko was now clean enough to squeak when touched. Like all the children except Niita, and Hikaru, Kahori had severely starved Norihiko. His size was that of a seven-year-old. All of the compound children had been hospitalized to recover from malnutrition of varying degrees.

Gen asked, "Can we really play again? Kahori-sama says we don't have time to play. The nurses all say we don't have any chores to do here. I miss playing. I don't think Nori even knows how to play. I think he was born at Kahori-sama's compound, like Hikaru."

Keisuke kept his voice gentle. "You don't have to work like dogs any longer. You aren't slaves because you've been rescued. How do you know Hikaru was born at the compound, Gen?"

"I heard about it after my otosān sold me to Kahori-sama. Overseers talked about Hikaru a lot. Kahori-sama always treated him different from the rest of us. He even stayed in a different place at night. Niita is the other one that's different." Gen answered with a glance at the floor.

Takeuchi hummed, picking up on Gen's uneasiness. "That wasn't Hikaru's or Niita's fault. Don't think they're any different from you, yoroshiku. Kahori-sama was always determined to capture Keisuke-san, . . . or so she said to me. She said she wanted him in the compound too. She planned to lock him up, and make him work for her. Kahori said she'd make Hikaru into an obedient Keisuke-san before he grew up. But, you know, nobody's as strong and determined as Keisuke-san when he's angry about stopping mean people. Kahori made a huge mistake when she stole me and Tak. She made Keisuke san mad enough to go after her. When he promises you're safe, you are. Nothing bad's going to happen with him around to protect you."

Norihiko looked at him, still afraid, but listening to Takeuchi with an odd expression. In answer, Keisuke pointed out several things to help the children feel comfortable. "I think these kodomo are all very brave, Takeuchi. Without their help, we never would have found the lowest levels to rescue minasan. Norihiko, Yet-Kwai, Niita, and Gen made a huge difference when we attacked the high security compound. They're the real heroes in my eyes."

Takeuchi's lips pursed into a fish faced closed o. "I hadn't thought of it that way. You're probably right. Yet-Kwai escaped the overseers that were killing minasan in our cell block. She came back with you a few minutes later. I was only there for eight weeks, and I almost lost my mind. Tak nearly died. They all lived there a whole lot longer than Tak or me. It's true that all these kodomo are really tough."

"Hai. That's naze I asked Ojīsan and Obāsan to pick nice gifts for each of them to say arigato, Takeuchi. Each deserves my gratitude for all of their help. Other adults may not recognize how smart and brave they are, but I do. They've earned something nice. They looked after all of the prisoners in Kahori's compound. I'm making sure they get a real domo arigato for their efforts."

"That's awesome, Keisuke-san. When did you decide to do that?" Takeuchi asked as Gen pulled Norihiko closer to the spot on the floor where he and Hikaru were sitting.

"At Christmas. Since their ryōshin sold them to Kahori, any still living ryōshin are facing prison. The same applies for the kodomo in Kahori's other compound. A detective told me about the arrests because I asked the psychologist if I could do something for them. She must have passed the request along. I understand one of the detectives plans to be here when I give them their gifts."

"So, the counselor said getting each a gift is fine, although it's almost New Years?" Takeuchi asked.

"Hai. I think it's the right thing to do, Takeuchi. Someone needs to show these kodomo the respect they deserve. I can't leave the hospital. That's where Ojīsan and Obāsan come in. They got a list of things from the psychologist. They're bringing the gifts today."

Takeuchi was nodding with a smile. "Maybe I can do something nice for Yet-Kwai after I get out of here. She watched over me and Tak. She couldn't stop Tung-Tzu from drugging Tak, but she did all she could to help him. I doubt she understood Tung-Tzu drugged the water and food Tak got. Norihiko brought water and food to me when I was on the lower level. I should do something nice for him too. I can't do anything for other kodomo though. I have to go back to work soon, or I can't do anything nice for them."

"I think Yet-Kwai, and Norihiko will appreciate you being grateful for their efforts. Even if Yet-Kwai doesn't know our language, Takumi told me that she was always trying to help minasan in her care." Keisuke agreed.

A soft knock on the door frame distracted Keisuke. Ojīsan stepped into the room holding three bags. "We picked up the gifts on the list, grandson."

Setting the bags near Keisuke's chair, Ojīsan smiled at his great grandson."How do you like your new toys, Hikaru? Are they fun for you?"

"Itsi's showing me how to play cars. He says I can drive a real one when I'm all grown up. He says that cars are fun because you can go places when you want. He told me cars can make extra things happen. Itsi told me right now I'm too little to drive, but I can get a license once I get a lot bigger." Hikaru parroted the older teen's earlier lecture.

Ojīsan smiled at his great grandson. "Itsuke-kun is right, Hikaru. The older you are, the bigger you'll get. That helps you do more things. For now, you need us to watch over you so you can grow and learn how to do all those many things we find much easier to do. Driving a car is one of many things you will learn as you get older."

Hikaru looked down at his die-cast car. It was obvious the youngster was thinking. Hikaru nodded after a few moments with a solemn expression.

A nurse brought the recently liberated child slaves into Hikaru's room. They were all staying in this hospital. Yet Kwai and Niita came in with other youngsters that helped his gang find the other levels. The head psychologist, two nurses, Detective Eiichi, and another adult dressed in slacks and suit coat were among the children. The psychologist and nurses sat the children on the floor near Hikaru. Soon they were ready to receive their gifts.

Keisuke started talking to the group of youngsters. "I asked Suzuki-san to bring all of you here so I can say domo arigato gozaimasu for everything you did to save minasan. I know some of you were not able to do much when we got there, but you deserve rewards for all the brave things you did before escaping the compounds. Few kodomo could have lived in the places you stayed in for so long. Because I know all of you are helpful, and very strong, I hope you will accept a gift I would like to give each of you. It's only right to do something to show appreciation for all you have done."

Several children glanced at each other. The slacks wearing adult, a translator, repeated his words for Yet Kwai, and two other youngsters. One of the older girls spoke up after a few moments of hesitation. "You're giving us something for leading the adults to the lower levels?"

The girl must have been from the other compound because Keisuke did not remember seeing her. "Hai. That took a great deal of courage to do. Most adults won't realize how brave all of you were that day. You endured unimaginable things each and every day. You also saved many of the adults locked in Kahori's cells. Even if overseers told you to do those things, each of you made a real difference. So many prisoners are healing in hospitals across Tokyo because of everything you did."

Detective Eiichi began shaking his head as Suzuki-san spoke. "Takahashi Keisuke-san told me about how Yet Kwai's courage especially impressed him. She showed the way through the cell blocks so minasan was found and saved. Keisuke-san said it took rare courage to do that after watching overseers' killing the prisoners on her level."

"That's naze Yet-Kwai gets her gift first, Suzuki-san. Hikaru mentioned that she and Niita were always kind to him, so I'm grateful for their kindness to my musuko. Will you come and get your gift, Yet Kwai-chan?"

As the interpreter finished speaking, Yet Kwai stood and walked to him. Keisuke found the package with her name on it, and held it out to her. She gave him a deep bow. Tears sparkled in her eyes as she took the wrapped package with reverence, and bowed yet again. She walked back to the interpreter and sat, holding her gift close to her heart.

"Niita-chan, where are you?" Another very pretty girl stood and walked over. He handed her a larger gift wrapped package. She bowed with a soft arigato, and went back to her place and sat.

Neither girl tried to open their packages Keisuke noticed. "You can open your gifts. I promise nobody will take them away."

Both looked around for confirmation from Suzuki-san who nodded. They began to undo the wrapping paper with tedious care.

Keisuke reached into a bag and called another name. "Norihiko? I have something for you also. Domo for all you did to help Takeuchi-kun."

Keisuke held the package out to the frightened boy. Shrinking back, Norihiko seemed paralyzed. Gen took his hand and tugged him up from the floor. Threading their way through the group, Gen got the smaller boy in front of Keisuke. "I know you're frightened, Norihiko. Still, I think you're brave because you survived in Kahori's compound. Take your gift because you have honestly earned it, shonen."

Keisuke watched as Gen got Norihiko to accept his package. With slow hesitant hands, the older boy took the box, and looked at it. Staring up at Keisuke, he seemed to struggle with something. His mouth opened and a small sound came out, yet it was a nonsense noise. It was tragic to see. Whatever had happened to him, it was beyond comprehension Keisuke thought. "It's all right. Go ahead and open it, Norihiko-kun. I hope you enjoy your gift for a long time. Nobody will take it from you." The boy dropped in front of his chair without warning, small body shaking.

"Keisuke-san's right. If anyone tries to take away your gift, they'll answer to me, shonen." Detective Eiichi told the small, shaking boy. "You can open it, Norihiko-kun. Let's see nani you earned by doing all that hard work in a miserable place."

As if the detective's gentle reassurance broke Norihiko out of his daze, the half-starved youth began unwrapping his gift. His small hands revealed a toy truck set a few moments later. He showed his gift to the detective who gave him a big smile in return. "That's a fine gift, Norihiko-kun. You'll have lots of fun playing with that truck set while you get well."

Gen was grinning at him. Keisuke smiled back at the more outgoing boy. "Let's give you your gift, Gen." He found it in the third bag by his legs. "Here it is." He passed it over.

"Domo arigato, Keisuke-san." He also bowed, and grabbed Norihiko to get them out of the way.

Keisuke pulled another gift from a bag by his feet as he heard Hikaru speaking to Norihiko. "Itsi says the fun in playing with cars is that you make pictures in your mind about them being real. You move them around making noises like cars are supposed to make. It's like we're driving real cars. Want to play with us, Nori kun?"

Norihiko looked sideways at Hikaru. He looked back at the toy truck still within it's box that he clutched. Seeing a toddler explain to an older kid how to play felt unreal. Keisuke fought down his dismay. Wanting to do something more for these children ate at him. No child deserved to be so terrified of everything. Yet, many of these children were as frightened as Norihiko. Heartbreaking did not cover the painful reality of seeing their fear.

"Take your time, Norihiko-kun. Holding your toy is a very good start. You'll get used to being able to play with, and keep your things." Suzuki san comforted the child. "Will you show us your gifts, Yet Kwai, Niita chan?"

Yet Kwai and Niita were both holding up their gifts. A jewelry set, and a beautiful doll were their rewards. The little girls looked awed by their gifts. Gen had opened his gift once he was settled.

Yet-Kwai was crying as she looked at her new jewelry. She stood and bowed again, saying in very slow Japanese. "Domo arigato, Keisuke sama." Another spate of words left her mouth as she looked at the interpreter.

"Yet Kwai says she will always cherish her gift from you because it's the most beautiful thing she has ever seen. She wishes to say that she will cherish it with all of her heart for the rest of her life."

"Tell her that she helped Takumi and Takeuchi survive until I could rescue minasan. I believe she deserves far more than I can ever repay. Without her help, people very dear to me wouldn't be alive today. There's nothing half so precious to me as knowing my friends and family are still alive."

Takeuchi nodded vigorously. "Tell Yet-Kwai that after I get out of here, I'd like to do something nice for her. She tried so hard to help me and Tak. I hope to get my okasān's help in picking out a nice dress to go with that pretty jewelry. Would she like a dress?"

Wide eyed, the Chinese girl watched Takeuchi as the interpreter spoke. After several moments she bowed to Takeuchi. In a hesitant voice she answered. "Takeuchi, domo arigato. I like much."

Keisuke called the name on the package he held. "Daigo?"

This time Keisuke saw no hesitation. Daigo was another too thin waif. He stopped in front of Keisuke at military attention. Attentive, intelligent eyes in a pale face rounded out the child's features. "Hai, Keisuke sama?"

"I heard you led some of my friends to the lower levels at the medium security slave compound." Keisuke spoke to him.

He nodded. "Hai. Some day I hope to be strong enough to do the same things your friends did, Keisuke-sama. They were awesome when they stopped the overseers' from killing minasan."

"You should talk to Detective Eiichi then. He's the one who knows the most about saving others. My friends and I did things to save minasan that were wrong. We made mistakes that shouldn't have been made when we rescued minasan. Detective Eiichi san can tell you how to do things the right way, Daigo kun. It takes a lot of determination to become a kēsatsukan. This nation needs strong kēsatsukan to protect minasan, so you're making a very impressive goal for yourself that deserves praise."

"Really? I guess I should talk to the kēsatsukan that are here and find out more. Arigato for the advice, Keisuke-sama." Keisuke handed him his package.

"Good luck getting to your goal. I think it's a very good one to have." The young shonen gave him a deep bow and returned to his place.

"Masami?" Another girl stood and made her way closer.

She bowed low before he had a chance to say anything to her. "Domo arigato gozaimasu, Keisuke-sama. Because of you, we're free. My okasān's getting well. I should be giving you a gift for all that you've done for us." She lifted her head and stood in front of him. For a moment, Keisuke was speechless.

"Myself and my okasān were prisoners this last four years, Keisuke-san. I'm thirteen now. You saved me from prostitution. Okasān was handed over by otosān to serve out a term as a prostitute first. I was sent to Kahori a few months later." The pretty girl explained as he tried to recover his wits.

"I'm glad I could help, Masami-chan. You did a lot to help others. You deserve this gift. Your actions helped save lives long term. That's far more than my friends and I achieved." With another bow, Masami accepted her package and returned to her place.

"Hidefumi?" Another very small boy sidled up to his chair. The interpreter came with him. Like Norihiko, he seemed frightened of his own shadow. Giving him his gift, a stuffed dog toy, Keisuke found himself wondering if he could do anything of value for these children beyond small, inadequate gestures.

Takako?" Another older girl was bowing to him with genuine gratitude on her face.

"Domo, Keisuke-sama." She bowed and turned away with her gift in hand.

"Erika-chan?" Seeing his Sobo's name on a package, Keisuke smiled. The very pretty girl that stopped in front of him would grow into a true beauty. "My Sobo's name is Erika. Sobo is the best cook ever. She makes incredible spring rolls and cookies. Do you like to cook, Erika-chan?"

"I've never cooked anything, but maybe I'll try after I get out of this hospital. Domo arigato, Keisuke-sama." Her voice was very soft, hesitant, similar to Takumi's in a way. She bowed, and fled with her package.

"Asayo?" One of the older girls brought a very young girl to him. She was perhaps six-years-old. Again, Keisuke noticed refined facial features. Every girl had a remarkably pretty face. Would this small girl also grow into a rare beauty? "Here you go." He handed her a stuffed cat. Turning to the older girl Keisuke asked, "And, you are?"

"Uran des, Keisuke-sama." She bowed as the little girl looked up at her. After a moment the tiny little girl also bowed. Rummaging in the bags, he found her gift. Uran accepted it with reverence. Both moved back to give room to the last gift recipients.

"Chizuru?" Another preteen girl stopped before him with a bow. "I understand you tried to save a friend of mine. Fumihiro's his name. Matsimoto told me how you cleaned his wounds, and got beaten for your efforts."

She looked startled as he spoke to her. After a moment of hesitation she nodded. "Hai, Keisuke-sama. I wanted to help him. He seemed gentle to me, so seeing him suffering so much was hard."

"You have my respect. It takes courage to see someone suffering and try to help them when it hurts you too, Chizuru chan." Keisuke pointed out.

In a shyer voice she answered. "I was thinking about how the nurses here help hurt people. I wish I had known the things they do. I could have done something really useful for so many of the prisoners if I had known more."

Suzuki-san spoke. "Perhaps you'll become a nurse, or isha-san after highschool, Chizuru-chan. I think you would be a very good one."

Chizuru blushed fiercely, and accepted her gift. "Maybe I will. I have lots to learn."

Keisuke smiled. "I think that would be an excellent thing to do with your life, Chizuru-chan. Most of my family are in the medical field. Ojīsan here can tell you about healing people. He's an isha-san." He watched as she looked at his grandsire with wide eyes.

"It's very satisfying to help others. You must have a good heart to consider such a career move, Chizuru-chan. You'll make a fine medical person if you study very hard." Tatsuhiko Takahashi encouraged her.

"That leaves, Naruho-chan?" Keisuke spoke as he pulled the last gift-wrapped package from the bags. She was a mousy girl in the preteen range. Unassuming in posture, the raven haired girl bowed to him also.

Giving her the gift, Naruho surprised him with her exquisite voice when she spoke through the interpreter. "Domo arigato gozaimasu for saving us, Keisuke sama. We are forever in your debt"

"iie. Detective Eiichi-san would have done the same if he had known you were in trouble, Naruho-chan."

All of them were showing their gifts to each other. The smallest ones had stuffed animals, or dolls. The boys had received gifts that would boost their sense of play, and acceptable competitive instincts. Toy car sets, games, and construction toys dominated the gifts for the boys. The girls received things that they would need to feel pretty and valuable after their escape. Small trinkets like hair accessories and jewelry dominated. Only Yet-Kwai had received a complete jewelry set. Her gift included a necklace, bracelet, ring, and earrings with vibrant blue stones in silver settings. A ring and bracelet set, or a necklace alone went to the other older girls. One girl received a card of earrings. The raven haired Naruho now owned very pretty barrettes and stylish clips to contain her thick hair. Keisuke hoped her hair accessories would help her overcome her obvious shyness.

As the group left after additional bows to him, Detective Eiichi came over. "Because of your masterminding the slave compound raids, those kodomo can look forward to a better life. Naze did you go to all this trouble? Wasn't rescuing them enough?"

Keisuke looked up at the detective. "When I was a kodomo, the things I did well were often overlooked, Detective Eiichi. I won't ignore the guts it took for Yet-Kwai and the others to help us save so many people. Those kodomo knew the kind of punishment they'd get if we failed, Detective. They worked themselves into stupors every single day before we got them out. I won't treat them like other adults because I'm not blind. These kodomo know too much already. I know they deserve respect. It always made me mad when adults ignored things I said. Nothing I said was worth listening to because of my age, despite how observant I was, and still am. Those kodomo are going to hate being treated like bakas in orphanages, or wherever the government sends them."

"You may be right. They have seen things a lot of adults never will. By the way, there's a court order to keep you in Tokyo when you get released next week. We can't let you out of sight until the review panel decides how to act on the evidence my team's still tagging and bagging. Officially, I have to say you're a law breaker. Still, . . . just between us, . . . you're one hell of a man, Takahashi san. If you'd stay out of trouble, you would make a great Kēsatsukan that would be appreciated in our ranks."

"Even without your court order, I wouldn't leave Tokyo. While Hikaru and Takumi are here, I'm staying. As ill as Takumi is, transferring him to a Gunma hospital is out of the question. Until Takumi's much stronger, I'll be here with him, and Hikaru every day. I'm filing for custody of my musuko here in Tokyo also, Detective."

"Expect a mob every time you visit then. A nonstop candle vigil has been going for you, Fumihiro, Matsimoto, and Fujiwara. We're concerned about the crowds. Seems as one set leaves, another takes their place. They've been pests at the courthouse, the kēisatsusho, and the government buildings too. They're determined your gang should be treated like heroes and are making quite a fuss."

Ojīsan entered the conversation. "I'm staying in Tokyo with my grandsons, and great grandson. I received temporary custody of Hikaru two days ago. I've rented an apartment with three bedrooms. I'll give you the address so you can keep in touch with Keisuke, Detective."

"Domo. You taking in Fujiwara also?"

"Hai, Detective Eiichi. He's now my grandson. Naze wouldn't he be included in my living arrangements?" Tatsuhiko's dignified answer got a startled look from the detective.

"Hard to believe you're gay, Takahashi. Not many have to guts to face that kind of disapproval. I mean, you've got a kodomo and all."

"I fell in love with Fujiwara's good qualities, not his gender. Before Takumi showed up, I never considered crossing the line into a same gender relationship. Sadly. . . the onnas I dated were bad choices. Had I known Hikaru's okāsan's siblings were Kahori's hostages, none of these people would be in the hospital. I would've handed Kahori over to you years ago, Detective Eiichi."

"I believe you. You're rather forceful, Keisuke san."

"Something bothers me, Detective. I don't understand naze Kahori ordered the slaughter of her slaves. Far as I know there wasn't any warning that we were planning to attack her compounds. The kēsatsu told me their hands were tied with triple validation proceedings. There wasn't any reason for her to do that. Or, am I missing something important?" Keisuke asked with a frown.

"You do deserve the truth. Keep this to yourself." With a glance at Takeuchi and Tatsuhiko the detective waited for nods of agreement. "Someone leaked information to that slaver during our joint investigation into your team's disappearance. The wrong people were seeing Detective Sugano's leads. Kahori was warned that we were seeking permission for taking action. We've uncovered two paid spies within Tokyo kēisatsusho ranks. We're closing in on a third. However, he's in the political circle. It will be much harder to arrest, much less charge him."

Keisuke shook his head. "I wish you luck. I know Sugano san was hindered by rules. If he could've acted on the information I gave him, I would've left everything to your people. Sometimes, the rules make it impossible for you to do anything, Detective. Maybe one of these spies you've discovered knows where Kahori's hiding. Stopping her from setting up a new operation is too important to let her slip through your fingers."

"Agreed. Bet the media will know about your actions today by tomorrow afternoon. Time for me to get back to work. "

"Detective, before you go. . . . Domo for telling Norihiko-kun you would protect his toy. He needs to learn that he can rely on adults. I can't imagine his existence before he was rescued. It's beyond me to comprehend how they lived. He'll need someone very patient to take care of him. Perhaps someone like you will take him when he gets out of this hospital." Keisuke extended his good hand. The detective looked surprised, and took it in a firm shake.

"I'll check on possible families for him, and give you an update after the compound kodomo are released since you're so concerned. I believe they're going to orphanages here in the city. I'll put in a word with my men and see if any of them will consider taking some of the kodomo if the government allows it. Speaking of the media, they're getting way too much information about the compounds. We have bodies to recover from the pits we discovered two days ago. That's one mess you should be glad you didn't find. I bet the news will mention it very soon if we can't find the tipper in time."

Ojīsan pointed out, "Detective Eiichi, perhaps it's better that the public knows the truth. Violent as Kahori and her followers are, minasan is a potential target. Our nation isn't accustomed to this kind of crime. Our citizens are not accustomed to being wary of strangers. For the moment, they should be. Believing they are safe is very dangerous while these criminals are free. It's unfortunate, but for the public's protection, it may be wiser to let the media cover this tragedy."

"I see your point. I'm sure the leaks feel the same way, but it's making our superiors very angry. My department head hasn't tried very hard to ferret out the tipper. We know the situation is serious with that lunatic at large. I'll see you soon, Keisuke san." With those words Detective Eiichi left the room. Keisuke glanced at Ojīsan as Tatsuhiko sighed with a slow head shake. The detective's parting quip furrowed Keisuke's brows.

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As the Smoke Clears #4 in Rivalry Series