Initial D Fan Fiction ❯ Rush ❯ Adrenaline Rush ( Chapter 2 )

As the ambulance drove away with Takumi, Ryousuke wanted to find out what had happened. Had he heard things correctly? Had Takumi just fallen or was he pushed? So many emotions, conflicting and raging, wanted to come out, but being the person that he was, he would not give in. Ryousuke Takahashi does not give in to what may be warring within him.

The policeman that arrived pulled Ryousuke aside and let him know the history behind the Fujiwara's. The secret was this, Bunta love his son. There was no questioning that, but there were not alcoholic rages or blackouts from anger. Bunta suffered from an inoperable brain tumor. Whenever the man became stressed, a switch would suddenly go off in him. One minute he would lovingly give advice to his overly shy son; another minute, he would suddenly turn on him and beat him senseless. Medications and treatments were only delaying the inevitable by the end of the year Bunta would surely die.

The only victim in the situation was obvious. The emotional baggage that Takumi was carrying did not affect him the way that Ryousuke thought it would. What could not escape him, how long had this been going on? Did Takumi even know what was going on with his father?

“Thank you, officer,” Ryousuke replied.

“No problem, we have been keeping an eye on them because of the situation. After something happens to the boy, his father never remembers and goes through bouts self-loathing and guilt,” the officer explained. “Because of the age, we have never asked if we could remove the younger Fujiwara from the premises. Today is the first time that we have been notified about this taking a dramatic turn like this.”

“So, when this happens, the neighbors just ignore it? What about Takumi?,” that was all Ryousuke could manage.

“Well, my guess would be that everyone thinks that he can take care of himself. They never even mentioned concern for his well-being,” the officer replied sadly.

“Thank you again officer, I will go to the hospital now,” Ryousuke replied as he went to his white FC. As he turned the ignition, he could not help but think about what he had been told. Bunta was dying from a tumor. He was in constant pain every day. To make matters worse, the pain he was in caused mood swings that were uncharacteristic. The uncharacteristic behavior affected Takumi in the way that he was pretty much defenseless. That was what made the situation heartbreaking, Takumi could not defend himself because he knew his father could not help what he was doing.

On the way to the hospital, it was impossible to go the speed limit. Ryousuke had only felt this way once, it was when Keisuke was born. They were close in age, but not that close. Ryousuke figured that it would be the best way for him to stay calm. He pulled out his cell phone to talk to Keisuke.

“Keisuke, yeah it's me. Listen, Takumi had an accident,” Ryousuke began. He could tell that his brother was not going to like the circumstances, but the truth can be stranger than fiction.

“He was not in a car accident, he was pushed down the stairs in his house. Listen, just meet me at the hospital. I'll explain everything then, okay,” Ryousuke answered. The borage of questions that Keisuke was hammering him with was intense but he had managed to avoid a dilemma.

Once he arrived Ryousuke met the attending physician and found out that he had saved them a world of trouble by setting the leg himself. He, of course, should have waited, but the heat of the moment makes one do strange things. By Ryousuke setting the bone, it had prevented the wound from getting any serious infection. The ribs that they thought were broken were only cracked. The rest of the injuries were just minor cuts and bruises sustained during the fall. He was going to be staying overnight for observations. The doctor advised Ryousuke to stay with him because the medication would not wear off until late at night.

After what seemed like forever, Takumi finally stirred from his peaceful slumber. He was groggy and knew the pain he was going to be in. He could not believe the look on his father's face. It was tinged with shear agony and blind hatred. He had no idea what was going on with him. Every time Takumi tried to help Bunta, be it with a headache or dizzy spell, his father shrugged him off. It was almost like he didn't love him anymore.

Slowly Takumi turned his head and Ryousuke's sleeping for came into view. The leader of Project D was asleep on his stomach slumbering peacefully. Takumi smiled a shy smile and stroked his hair. The sleeping head leaned into the touch and stirred ever so slightly.

“Takumi, you had me worried,” Ryousuke replied sleepily. “Keisuke will meet us here in the morning to take you back to our place.”

“Your place, why? What happened to my father?,” Takumi asked shocked. “Who's going to make the tofu delivery runs?”

“Takumi, your father is going to be all right. You just need to rest okay,” Ryousuke soothed. He really wanted to tell the young driver what was going on, but though against it. He figured that it would be best if he found out from Bunta himself.

“But, why do I have to stay at your place? My father needs me to go home,” Takumi replied in a defeated and small tone. He knew that Bunta was going to be mad.

“Takumi, your father is the one who put you here,” Ryousuke told him gently. “I don't think going home while you are in this condition is a good idea. If you want, Keisuke and I will help with the deliveries while you heal and rest yourself.”

“I guess that would work. My father is really picky about how they get done, but if you and Keisuke are going to help he should not be too upset,” Takumi replied. He tried to sit up but his body protested greatly. He knew that he should rest, but this was going to be difficult.

“Takumi, would you like me to leave you alone,” Ryousuke asked seeing how restless Takumi was becoming.

“No, I don't want to be alone here,” Takumi said with a hint of fear. “The last time I was here I was left alone. My mom and dad had gone to see the doctor. She was going to have another baby. While she was giving birth, an aneurysm in her head ruptured. When that happened, she was not able to keep pushing and the baby choked to death on the umbilical cord. I was three when that happened.”

“So you have a fear of hospitals,” Ryousuke guessed. “I would too if something like that happened to me. The only thing that I can promise you is that I will not leave you tonight. If you would wish it, I will stay as long as you let me.”

As Ryousuke spoke, he had grabbed Takumi's hand. How he so wanted to tell the boy he desired him. He knew how scared and alone he must feel. Ryousuke felt somehow he should confess at some point. Takumi had to know why he was always around and cared so much. The time that they had spent together in the morning was something that Ryousuke would remember for the rest of his life. His heart yearned to be courageous enough to confess his true feelings. Though, he knew that now would not be the best time because Takumi still had not received the information about his father.

“Yeah, I uh, have a fear of hospitals,” Takumi said after a short but comfortable silence. “Are they letting me go in the morning? I thought I overheard them saying something about having to keep me longer.”

“Well, I spoke to the attending physician, he said that they would not mind releasing you in my care. They said that because I volunteer here when I have the time. It has been awhile due to the success of Project D,” Ryousuke explained. He saw the look on Takumi's face change from anxiety to shear relief knowing that he would not have to stay longer. “Unfortunately, the Project will have to be on hiatus till you can drive again.”

“I'm sorry,” Takumi said in a defeated tone. “I should have been more careful.”

“You should not have to apologize for what happened. I understand that it was not your fault and Keisuke was ready to start World War III when I told him. You're not at fault,” Ryousuke commanded in the sincerest tone that Takumi had ever heard him use.

As Ryousuke spoke, Takumi tentatively put his hand on top of the hand that held his own. Takumi secretly pondered what life would be like if he were to tell Ryousuke his true feelings. Would things change, or would they continue to stay the way that they were now? Because of the relationship that he now had with the Takahashi brothers, all of his other friends soon realized just how little they knew of racing and Takumi. He did not mean to distance himself, but Project D always had him racing in other prefectures.

Ryousuke noticed what was going on when Takumi put his other hand on both of them. His heart soared knowing that his feelings were being reciprocated at this very moment. It would take more than just holding hands to convey their feelings, but that single gesture was enough hope for Ryousuke. Not much time had passed since Takumi awoke from drugged slumber. The moon was full and shining just enough light for Ryousuke to see the look on Takumi's face. The longer he let his hand linger, the more courageous he was becoming.

“Takumi, there is something that I had wanted to tell you this morning, but I never got to tell you. I created Project D for you and my brother. I wanted to be close to the two of you and watch your racing mature. In the process, I started finding things out about myself,” Ryousuke explained not once taking his eyes off of Takumi's face to see the look. “I secretly wanted to get closer to a certain racer that happens to be the only one who managed to beat me.”

“You wanted to get closer to me? I am…I…,” Takumi could not finish what he was saying because Ryousuke finally managed to convey his feelings the best way he knew. His lips were stolen sweetly in a short, passionate, yet gentle kiss. Their tongues touched timidly, both of them holding back for fear of hurting the other. The moon light played off of Ryousuke's shoulders and into Takumi's eyes. The moment lasted a lifetime in the few seconds that they were together.

“I will never leave alone, if you'll have me,” Ryousuke whispered huskily in Takumi's ear. He was no longer afraid because Takumi shyly kissed him in return. Both were lighter shades of pink than they thought. Ryousuke did not have to wait long for his answer, Takumi slowly wrapped both arms around the taller man's waist.

“I don't want to be alone anymore,” Takumi whispered as tears slowly trickled down his face. He buried his face in Ryousuke's chest, afraid that somehow he would wake up to nothingness once more. This one moment seemed to make all the years of existential loneliness mean nothing.