Note: This is not a sequel to Lost Memories or Promises. These are not my
original characters, and this does not follow the FY Storyline either,
taking place some time after Suzaku was summoned for the second time by
Miaka and Taka in the OVA.
All of the Suzaku Seishi are going by their regular names. Here goes: Houjun=Chichiri, Kou= Tasuki, Oh Du'kun= Chiriko, Tamahome= Sou Kishuku, Hotohori= Seishuku, Nuriko= Chou Ryuuen, and Mitsukake= Myojuan. (Sorry, but I only know a little Japanese, but I'm beginning to learn more.) Also, this is a shounen ai fic (Tasuki/Chichiri). And language is PG. Enjoy.
New Beginnings
Part 1
By: A.J. Matthews
Ri Houjun walked down the street slowly, heading to his apartment building. His keen senses were alert, as he brushed his cerulean-blue bangs out of his eyes, for all the good it did him.
He was not an unpleasant person to look out, this boy with bangs that seemed to defy gravity itself. He had pale skin, mahogany eyes, and blue hair that hung down his back, to his waist. He had a good complexion, with intelligence showing in his eyes. He was short for being eighteen years old, which was a disadvantage. Right now, he wore teal pants, with a white shirt and green jacket. He had on his comfortable black shoes, which made it easier to walk home every day. All in all, Houjun looked young for eighteen.
Ri Houjun had a good sense of humor, and was, indeed, a very gentle person, who did not desire wealth or any other such personal gain. His friends, though few in number, could tell that he was special. Even with all the pain he'd been through in life, he still managed to smile. And Houjun never failed to cheer someone up when he could tell they were upset or hurt. He stood up for the underdog. That's just the way he was. Houjun knew what it was to feel pain, so he tried to comfort others. And his senses were never wrong about someone or something.
Right now, Houjun's senses were telling him that he was not alone. Someone or something was following him. He narrowed his eyes and continued walking. He casually swung his bag to one shoulder, as he stopped and sighed.
"I know you're there," he said, in a quiet voice.
The shadows seemed to shift, as Kou Shun'u's gang walked out to confront him.
The leader himself was not present, Houjun could see. He would have recognized the fiery red-haired leader any day.
"What do you want, no da?" Houjun asked.
"Ah, a polite boy," said the one who seemed to be in charge. "You know what we want, kid."
Houjun raised his eyebrows slightly. "Money? Revenge for stopping you from beating up poor Oh Do-kun? He's still got the bruises from that, you know, no da. And so do you." He spoke calmly.
"Revenge, of course," they all snarled. They lunged at him.
Houjun's senses served him well. He dodged, and let his bag fall to the ground. He then took up a defensive stance.
"Let's make this quick, ok? I have homework to do tonight, no da," he said. He wasn't being boastful. Though he had a severe disadvantage at being so much shorter, he was, in fact, not a bad fighter. He only fought to defend himself- or those who couldn't. Most had tried, and they had quickly learned their lesson.
Another jumped at him. Houjun stepped back, then leapt forward with a high kick. It caught the gangster squarely in the jaw. He crumpled to the ground. The others shouted angrily and jumped in the fight.
Less than five minutes later, over half of the gangsters were unconscious.
"Hold," a voice called.
Houjun and the others all looked up.
A red-haired nineteen-year-old boy flipped in the air and landed next to his mostly crumpled gang.
"You obviously can't handle him," Kou Shou'nu said. He eyed the boy. He was a good fighter, and not bad looking, either. He gazed at the younger man with reluctant respect. "He's mine." With those words, Kou whizzed forward, rushing towards Houjun in an amazing speed.
Houjun barely had time to dart right, before lashing out with his leg.
Kou deflected it, and jabbed at Houjun's stomach.
Houjun flipped over him and landed back beside his bag.
The leader was good. And he thought Houjun was good, too, Houjun thought. He'd seen the reluctant respect in Kou's eyes. He though the guy was pretty cute, especially in those black pants, with a red shirt and black jacket thrown over the shirt. Too bad they were trying to pound each other, he thought, as he dropped to the ground to avoid a blow to the head. Can I beat this guy, he wondered. He wasn't certain.
Man, he's an awesome fighter, thought Kou. I don't know if I can beat him or not. The boy showed no sign of getting tired, even though he'd been fighting with Kou's gang before Kou himself had showed up. His admiration grew.
"What's your name?" Kou asked, to get a chance to catch his breath. He took in a couple of hard breaths.
Houjun panted. "Ri Houjun. I know who you are, Kou Shun'u, no da. Your reputation precedes you."
"So does yours, Houjun. But how did you come to be fighting my gang? They haven't said how you managed to incur their wrath," Kou said curiously.
Houjun narrowed his eyes. He thought it was a trick, but he wasn't certain, so he chose his words carefully. "I stopped them from beating up a child, no da."
Kou frowned. "No child goes to our high school." That was the most recent beating-up he'd heard of. At least, he didn't think so. Maybe this Ri Houjun was lying to save himself.
"Yes, one does," Houjun said calmly. "Oh Do-kun, no da."
Kou's eyes widened. "Oh yeah. That really smart kid, right?"
"Hai. They," and Houjun gestured to the rest of the gang, "were beating him up when I came across it."
Kou looked at his gang, frowning. "Is what Ri Houjun says is true?" If it was, some asses were going to be whipped. Kou had told his gangs they could not beat up children or people who didn't deserve. If Houjun was right, he didn't deserve to be hassled for it.
The gang denied it.
Kou eyed Houjun warily. Either the gang was lying or Houjun was. They couldn't both be telling the truth.
Houjun heard a frightened squeak, and saw Oh Do-kun running towards him.
Oh panted hard and looked up at Houjun.
"Houjun-chan, we have to get out of here, now!" he said urgently. "The Dragons are on their way here." Then he saw the gang and paled. The massive purple bruises on his face caught Kou's attention.
Houjun looked tense. The Dragons had tried to get him to join several times, but he refused. He wanted nothing to do with a gang that beat people like Oh Do-kun up for fun. Their leader was one of the best fighters he'd ever seen. Not even he could handle Nakago alone without getting hurt. Especially after the earlier fight.
Kou walked over and knelt down before the thirteen-year-old. He gently took his face in his hands, inspecting the bruises. He clenched his teeth angrily. He stood up and glared at his gang wordlessly.
An explosion sounded, a second after Houjun tackled Oh Do-kun to the ground. He took most of it, protecting the child.
"Houjun-chan!" Oh Do-kun exclaimed.
Kou saw numerous explosive devices being thrown at the two who lay there on the ground.
Houjun ignored the pain, and stood up. He grabbed the child around the waist and dodged most of them. Two were thrown closely together, and the backlash slammed Houjun directly into a wall.
"Oh-chan, are you ok?" Houjun asked, hiding his pain.
"He'd be a lot better if you'd just say yes, Houjun-chan," a cold voice taunted.
"Never, Nakago," Houjun said. "I would never join up with the likes of you, no da. Not with your black heart."
"Too bad, Houjun-chan. Then you die!" Nakago leapt out of the trees and landed right in front of Oh and Houjun.
"Oh-chan, get out of here, no da! Try to find Chou or Sou, no da." Houjun stood up.
Nakago was dressed all in blue. He held a sword pointed at Houjun.
Oh Do-kun nodded reluctantly and ran off. Kou and his gang, the Bandits, stood there and watched.
Houjun flipped to the left as Nakago slashed at him. It barely missed, and he dodged left and kicked at Nakago hard, who stepped back. Nakago stabbed at him and managed to draw blood from Houjun's left shoulder. Houjun retaliated with a crippling blow to the back of Nakago's right leg. He went down.
Desperation gripped Houjun. Nakago was barely standing; but so was he. The earlier fight had taken a lot out of him. And even if he beat Nakago, he still had to fight Kou, which he really didn't want to do.
Nakago sliced his arms as Houjun dropped down and tripped him. Nakago and Houjun both went down then. Blood was flowing from the shallow cuts on Houjun.
Nakago put his sword away and drew two daggers. Houjun's senses told him to duck, which he did, as one whizzed by him. He hissed in pain as the other landed directly in his right palm, which he threw up to protect his face.
Kou felt an urge to help Houjun. He couldn't explain where it came from, it was just there. He looked at the gang.
"Go home to your houses, everyone," he said. "I don't think I'll get to finish that fight with Houjun tonight." They left reluctantly.
Nakago ran forward and grabbed Houjun by the throat. He hauled him off the ground. Houjun kicked Nakago directly in the face. Nakago roared and threw him into a brick wall. Houjun lay there in a heap for a few seconds, then stood up.
My God, Kou thought. How much more can he take?
He could hear Oh Do-Kun urging people to hurry, that Houjun needed them right away.
Kou also knew they were going to be too late.
Blood dripped out of Houjun's mouth as Nakago grabbed him by the hair.
"No one does that to me!" he bellowed. He threw Houjun onto the ground, head first. This time, he didn't move.
Nakago advanced on the fallen Houjun. He kicked him several times in the face and chest. After the last one, Houjun coughed up blood.
In that split second, Kou made his choice. He drew his tessen; his magical metal fan, which had been handed down for generations.
"Back off, Nakago," Kou said.
"Kou-chan, you would seek to interfere with me? That isn't your style," Nakago purred softly. "This boy has defied me numerous times."
"So. I was fighting Houjun before you showed up and interfered with me," Kou said, through narrowed brown eyes. "And your little toys hurt some of my men," he pointed out.
"An oversight, naturally." Nakago looked at Kou, his own blue eyes widening. "Unless this particular boy means something to you." He drew a knife and looked down at Houjun.
"Of course not!" Kou snapped. "But this is my territory, got it?"
"I see. But I have plans for this boy." Nakago said coldly.
"Houjun-chan!" Oh Do-Kun ran over to him. Houjun was barely conscious. His senses were still sensing danger.
Nakago stabbed down at Oh with his drawn knife. Houjun pushed the smaller boy out of the way. The knife tore deep in his right shoulder. Blood spurted all over Oh Do-kun as the blade entered into Houjun's right shoulder. Houjun stood up and back-kicked Nakago into a tree. At the same time, Nakago lashed out at Houjun. Both attacks connected and each went flying.
"Houjun-chan!" Oh cried.
Sou and Chou ran up. They saw Oh standing there with blood all over him. Nakago ran off, very sore and agitated.
Kou walked over to where he'd seen Houjun land. Man, the boy was a mess. He figured that Houjun wasn't too badly hurt. He'd taken worse hits from Nakago earlier. But Kou's face went pale as he saw Houjun lying in a pool of blood, face down.
"Shit!"
Kou knelt beside Houjun and turned him over gently, almost lovingly. Houjun's face was covered with welts and blood.
"Houjun! Houjun-chan!" Chou called.
"Houjun-chan!" Sou called.
"Houjun-chan," called Oh in a choked voice.
"He's over here," Kou said finally. He was holding Houjun's head on his lap. He'd removed his jacket and was tearing long strips off his red shirt and bandaging the cuts. For an unknown reason, being next to Houjun felt so right to Kou. But Kou had to concentrate on helping him first.
Sou, Oh, and Chou ran over. They were surprised to see that Kou was actually helping Houjun, and ruining his shirt. Houjun's head rested on Kou's lap, which caught Sou's attention
"Why, Kou-chan?" Sou asked in a surprised voice. He and Kou hung out occasionally, but he'd never seen anything like this. Kou had never helped another before, except for Sou himself. His eyes took in Houjun and he hissed. He kneeled down as well.
"Because I admire him. He does not hesitate to help those who are in trouble." Kou looked at Chou. "I respect that. And he also is not afraid to say what he thinks. Even to me." He looked back at Houjun and used a strip of cloth to remove some of the blood. "But he needs a hospital. Nakago's good. So's the kid, but not that good."
Houjun moaned softly.
Chou and Oh knelt beside Kou and Sou.
"Damn," Chou said. "I wish we'd gotten here sooner."
"What's going on here?" asked Myojuan, a first year medical student. He saw the blood and sighed. "Another gang fight, hmm?" he said, looking pointedly at Kou.
"Not mine," Kou snapped. "The Dragons. They just about killed Ri Houjun."
Myojuan looked at the kid, who looked terrible. His color was funny and he wheezed when he took in a deep breath. He took out his cell phone and called an ambulance, and sat down next to Kou.
"Good work in tying off the cuts, Kou," Myojuan said. He inspected Houjun carefully. "Hmm. I don't like his color or the way he's wheezing." He picked up the bloody knife, which Kou had removed from Houjun's shoulder, and used it to cut Houjun's shirt in half, careful not to cut Houjun. He then put the knife down, and moved the shirt slices so he could see Houjun's chest.
Kou flushed slightly, as he saw the well-built muscles on Houjun's chest. They were just the right size, he thought. He could also see bruises forming, which made him angry for some reason.
Ri's rattling breath drew Myojuan's attention. He laid his head flat on Houjun's bare chest and listened.
Kou was struck with jealously. "What are you doing?" he demanded, in a not- so-quiet voice.
"Listening to hear if he has cracked ribs." Myojuan said absentmindedly. "I think he does, judging from that raspy breathing."
The sounds of the ambulance were getting closer. Kou was still holding Houjun's head on his lap.
Sou was looking at Kou funny. His eyes widened suddenly, and he suppressed a smile.
"Mmmmm.." Houjun moaned softly
"Houjun-chan?" asked Kou, wondering if Houjun was conscious.
Houjun drew another wheezing breath in answer.
The ambulance screeched to a halt. The paramedics jumped out and ran over with a stretcher.
Myojuan looked at them. "What we have here is an eighteen-year-old by the name of Ri Houjun, who was apparently attacked by the Dragons. Suspected injuries; broken or crushed ribs, possible internal bleeding, and severe head trauma." He stood up. "The victim has been unconscious for." he looked at Kou, who supplied;
"Fifteen minutes."
The paramedics jotted it down, and gently moved Houjun to the stretcher. He moaned anyway, which drew a glare from Kou.
They loaded him into the back of the ambulance, and Myojuan climbed in as well, giving instructions as to what to do.
As the ambulance raised away, the sirens blaring, the four people standing there looked at each other.
Sou, Chou, and Oh looked really upset. Kou hid his concern. He yawned, instead.
"C'mon, Oh-chan," said Chou gently. "I'll walk you home." He placed an arm around the slender, younger boy. His long violet hair was pulled up into an intricate design. He wore his school uniform, which now had some of Ri's blood on it.
"Ok, Chou-chan," Oh replied. "Bye, Sou-chan. Bye.Kou." His youthful voice trailed off, as he and Sou walked away.
Sou looked at Kou. "Thank you for helping him, Kou-chan."
Kou shrugged. "Not sure why I did, Sou-chan." He sighed and looked at Sou. "To tell you the truth, Chou, I'm kinda burned out on bein' a gang leader. I know the boss wanted it but." His dull and tired brown eyes met Sou's compassionate gray ones. "They never listen to me, anyway." Kou shook his head.
"So. you did not know what they did to Oh-chan, did you?" Sou asked.
Kou shook his head. "Houjun told me. I didn't believe it until I saw it for myself." He gritted his teeth. "I can't handle it any more, Sou-chan. I'm leavin' the Bandits."
Sou raised his eyes in surprise.
"Kouji can take care of 'em, no problem."
Kou sighed.
"The winds of change are sweeping through," mused Sou. "Houjun has helped with that."
Kou looked at him. "Think the kid'll be ok?"
Sou laughed slightly. "He's not a kid, Kou-chan. Houjun is eighteen. He's just short for his age. He's just a year younger than us."
"Oh." A blush crept into Kou's face. "Oops. I thought he was younger."
"Naw. But he's gentle. He can't stand to see people getting hurt," Sou said. He looked at Kou seriously. "Houjun's been through more in one life- time than anyone should have to go through.
"Whaddja mean?" Kou asked curiously.
"His folks died shortly after he was born. He was raised in foster care. Remember 'bout three years ago when a major flood hit Kyoto?" Sou asked.
Kou nodded. A lot of people had died then.
"His entire town was flooded. He lost his neighbors, girlfriend, and brother in the same day. 'Course, many were surprised at how upset Houjun was when his brother Hikou died."
"Why?"
"He'd just found out his girlfriend was cheating on him with Hikou," Sou explained. "But he was devastated anyway."
Kou's respect for Houjun went up even more.
"I gotta get going, Kou-chan." Sou looked at him. "See you later." He walked off.
Kou sat down on the grass, looking at the late afternoon sun. Then he saw Houjun's bag was still laying nearby, so he picked it up and looked down at it.
He flushed again remembering what it felt to hold Houjun's head on his lap, and see his bare chest. He remembered the feel of Houjun's smooth skin as he'd moved the bangs out of Houjun's beautiful eyes.
So the 'winds of change are sweeping', mused Kou. I can live with that.
To be continued.
All of the Suzaku Seishi are going by their regular names. Here goes: Houjun=Chichiri, Kou= Tasuki, Oh Du'kun= Chiriko, Tamahome= Sou Kishuku, Hotohori= Seishuku, Nuriko= Chou Ryuuen, and Mitsukake= Myojuan. (Sorry, but I only know a little Japanese, but I'm beginning to learn more.) Also, this is a shounen ai fic (Tasuki/Chichiri). And language is PG. Enjoy.
New Beginnings
Part 1
By: A.J. Matthews
Ri Houjun walked down the street slowly, heading to his apartment building. His keen senses were alert, as he brushed his cerulean-blue bangs out of his eyes, for all the good it did him.
He was not an unpleasant person to look out, this boy with bangs that seemed to defy gravity itself. He had pale skin, mahogany eyes, and blue hair that hung down his back, to his waist. He had a good complexion, with intelligence showing in his eyes. He was short for being eighteen years old, which was a disadvantage. Right now, he wore teal pants, with a white shirt and green jacket. He had on his comfortable black shoes, which made it easier to walk home every day. All in all, Houjun looked young for eighteen.
Ri Houjun had a good sense of humor, and was, indeed, a very gentle person, who did not desire wealth or any other such personal gain. His friends, though few in number, could tell that he was special. Even with all the pain he'd been through in life, he still managed to smile. And Houjun never failed to cheer someone up when he could tell they were upset or hurt. He stood up for the underdog. That's just the way he was. Houjun knew what it was to feel pain, so he tried to comfort others. And his senses were never wrong about someone or something.
Right now, Houjun's senses were telling him that he was not alone. Someone or something was following him. He narrowed his eyes and continued walking. He casually swung his bag to one shoulder, as he stopped and sighed.
"I know you're there," he said, in a quiet voice.
The shadows seemed to shift, as Kou Shun'u's gang walked out to confront him.
The leader himself was not present, Houjun could see. He would have recognized the fiery red-haired leader any day.
"What do you want, no da?" Houjun asked.
"Ah, a polite boy," said the one who seemed to be in charge. "You know what we want, kid."
Houjun raised his eyebrows slightly. "Money? Revenge for stopping you from beating up poor Oh Do-kun? He's still got the bruises from that, you know, no da. And so do you." He spoke calmly.
"Revenge, of course," they all snarled. They lunged at him.
Houjun's senses served him well. He dodged, and let his bag fall to the ground. He then took up a defensive stance.
"Let's make this quick, ok? I have homework to do tonight, no da," he said. He wasn't being boastful. Though he had a severe disadvantage at being so much shorter, he was, in fact, not a bad fighter. He only fought to defend himself- or those who couldn't. Most had tried, and they had quickly learned their lesson.
Another jumped at him. Houjun stepped back, then leapt forward with a high kick. It caught the gangster squarely in the jaw. He crumpled to the ground. The others shouted angrily and jumped in the fight.
Less than five minutes later, over half of the gangsters were unconscious.
"Hold," a voice called.
Houjun and the others all looked up.
A red-haired nineteen-year-old boy flipped in the air and landed next to his mostly crumpled gang.
"You obviously can't handle him," Kou Shou'nu said. He eyed the boy. He was a good fighter, and not bad looking, either. He gazed at the younger man with reluctant respect. "He's mine." With those words, Kou whizzed forward, rushing towards Houjun in an amazing speed.
Houjun barely had time to dart right, before lashing out with his leg.
Kou deflected it, and jabbed at Houjun's stomach.
Houjun flipped over him and landed back beside his bag.
The leader was good. And he thought Houjun was good, too, Houjun thought. He'd seen the reluctant respect in Kou's eyes. He though the guy was pretty cute, especially in those black pants, with a red shirt and black jacket thrown over the shirt. Too bad they were trying to pound each other, he thought, as he dropped to the ground to avoid a blow to the head. Can I beat this guy, he wondered. He wasn't certain.
Man, he's an awesome fighter, thought Kou. I don't know if I can beat him or not. The boy showed no sign of getting tired, even though he'd been fighting with Kou's gang before Kou himself had showed up. His admiration grew.
"What's your name?" Kou asked, to get a chance to catch his breath. He took in a couple of hard breaths.
Houjun panted. "Ri Houjun. I know who you are, Kou Shun'u, no da. Your reputation precedes you."
"So does yours, Houjun. But how did you come to be fighting my gang? They haven't said how you managed to incur their wrath," Kou said curiously.
Houjun narrowed his eyes. He thought it was a trick, but he wasn't certain, so he chose his words carefully. "I stopped them from beating up a child, no da."
Kou frowned. "No child goes to our high school." That was the most recent beating-up he'd heard of. At least, he didn't think so. Maybe this Ri Houjun was lying to save himself.
"Yes, one does," Houjun said calmly. "Oh Do-kun, no da."
Kou's eyes widened. "Oh yeah. That really smart kid, right?"
"Hai. They," and Houjun gestured to the rest of the gang, "were beating him up when I came across it."
Kou looked at his gang, frowning. "Is what Ri Houjun says is true?" If it was, some asses were going to be whipped. Kou had told his gangs they could not beat up children or people who didn't deserve. If Houjun was right, he didn't deserve to be hassled for it.
The gang denied it.
Kou eyed Houjun warily. Either the gang was lying or Houjun was. They couldn't both be telling the truth.
Houjun heard a frightened squeak, and saw Oh Do-kun running towards him.
Oh panted hard and looked up at Houjun.
"Houjun-chan, we have to get out of here, now!" he said urgently. "The Dragons are on their way here." Then he saw the gang and paled. The massive purple bruises on his face caught Kou's attention.
Houjun looked tense. The Dragons had tried to get him to join several times, but he refused. He wanted nothing to do with a gang that beat people like Oh Do-kun up for fun. Their leader was one of the best fighters he'd ever seen. Not even he could handle Nakago alone without getting hurt. Especially after the earlier fight.
Kou walked over and knelt down before the thirteen-year-old. He gently took his face in his hands, inspecting the bruises. He clenched his teeth angrily. He stood up and glared at his gang wordlessly.
An explosion sounded, a second after Houjun tackled Oh Do-kun to the ground. He took most of it, protecting the child.
"Houjun-chan!" Oh Do-kun exclaimed.
Kou saw numerous explosive devices being thrown at the two who lay there on the ground.
Houjun ignored the pain, and stood up. He grabbed the child around the waist and dodged most of them. Two were thrown closely together, and the backlash slammed Houjun directly into a wall.
"Oh-chan, are you ok?" Houjun asked, hiding his pain.
"He'd be a lot better if you'd just say yes, Houjun-chan," a cold voice taunted.
"Never, Nakago," Houjun said. "I would never join up with the likes of you, no da. Not with your black heart."
"Too bad, Houjun-chan. Then you die!" Nakago leapt out of the trees and landed right in front of Oh and Houjun.
"Oh-chan, get out of here, no da! Try to find Chou or Sou, no da." Houjun stood up.
Nakago was dressed all in blue. He held a sword pointed at Houjun.
Oh Do-kun nodded reluctantly and ran off. Kou and his gang, the Bandits, stood there and watched.
Houjun flipped to the left as Nakago slashed at him. It barely missed, and he dodged left and kicked at Nakago hard, who stepped back. Nakago stabbed at him and managed to draw blood from Houjun's left shoulder. Houjun retaliated with a crippling blow to the back of Nakago's right leg. He went down.
Desperation gripped Houjun. Nakago was barely standing; but so was he. The earlier fight had taken a lot out of him. And even if he beat Nakago, he still had to fight Kou, which he really didn't want to do.
Nakago sliced his arms as Houjun dropped down and tripped him. Nakago and Houjun both went down then. Blood was flowing from the shallow cuts on Houjun.
Nakago put his sword away and drew two daggers. Houjun's senses told him to duck, which he did, as one whizzed by him. He hissed in pain as the other landed directly in his right palm, which he threw up to protect his face.
Kou felt an urge to help Houjun. He couldn't explain where it came from, it was just there. He looked at the gang.
"Go home to your houses, everyone," he said. "I don't think I'll get to finish that fight with Houjun tonight." They left reluctantly.
Nakago ran forward and grabbed Houjun by the throat. He hauled him off the ground. Houjun kicked Nakago directly in the face. Nakago roared and threw him into a brick wall. Houjun lay there in a heap for a few seconds, then stood up.
My God, Kou thought. How much more can he take?
He could hear Oh Do-Kun urging people to hurry, that Houjun needed them right away.
Kou also knew they were going to be too late.
Blood dripped out of Houjun's mouth as Nakago grabbed him by the hair.
"No one does that to me!" he bellowed. He threw Houjun onto the ground, head first. This time, he didn't move.
Nakago advanced on the fallen Houjun. He kicked him several times in the face and chest. After the last one, Houjun coughed up blood.
In that split second, Kou made his choice. He drew his tessen; his magical metal fan, which had been handed down for generations.
"Back off, Nakago," Kou said.
"Kou-chan, you would seek to interfere with me? That isn't your style," Nakago purred softly. "This boy has defied me numerous times."
"So. I was fighting Houjun before you showed up and interfered with me," Kou said, through narrowed brown eyes. "And your little toys hurt some of my men," he pointed out.
"An oversight, naturally." Nakago looked at Kou, his own blue eyes widening. "Unless this particular boy means something to you." He drew a knife and looked down at Houjun.
"Of course not!" Kou snapped. "But this is my territory, got it?"
"I see. But I have plans for this boy." Nakago said coldly.
"Houjun-chan!" Oh Do-Kun ran over to him. Houjun was barely conscious. His senses were still sensing danger.
Nakago stabbed down at Oh with his drawn knife. Houjun pushed the smaller boy out of the way. The knife tore deep in his right shoulder. Blood spurted all over Oh Do-kun as the blade entered into Houjun's right shoulder. Houjun stood up and back-kicked Nakago into a tree. At the same time, Nakago lashed out at Houjun. Both attacks connected and each went flying.
"Houjun-chan!" Oh cried.
Sou and Chou ran up. They saw Oh standing there with blood all over him. Nakago ran off, very sore and agitated.
Kou walked over to where he'd seen Houjun land. Man, the boy was a mess. He figured that Houjun wasn't too badly hurt. He'd taken worse hits from Nakago earlier. But Kou's face went pale as he saw Houjun lying in a pool of blood, face down.
"Shit!"
Kou knelt beside Houjun and turned him over gently, almost lovingly. Houjun's face was covered with welts and blood.
"Houjun! Houjun-chan!" Chou called.
"Houjun-chan!" Sou called.
"Houjun-chan," called Oh in a choked voice.
"He's over here," Kou said finally. He was holding Houjun's head on his lap. He'd removed his jacket and was tearing long strips off his red shirt and bandaging the cuts. For an unknown reason, being next to Houjun felt so right to Kou. But Kou had to concentrate on helping him first.
Sou, Oh, and Chou ran over. They were surprised to see that Kou was actually helping Houjun, and ruining his shirt. Houjun's head rested on Kou's lap, which caught Sou's attention
"Why, Kou-chan?" Sou asked in a surprised voice. He and Kou hung out occasionally, but he'd never seen anything like this. Kou had never helped another before, except for Sou himself. His eyes took in Houjun and he hissed. He kneeled down as well.
"Because I admire him. He does not hesitate to help those who are in trouble." Kou looked at Chou. "I respect that. And he also is not afraid to say what he thinks. Even to me." He looked back at Houjun and used a strip of cloth to remove some of the blood. "But he needs a hospital. Nakago's good. So's the kid, but not that good."
Houjun moaned softly.
Chou and Oh knelt beside Kou and Sou.
"Damn," Chou said. "I wish we'd gotten here sooner."
"What's going on here?" asked Myojuan, a first year medical student. He saw the blood and sighed. "Another gang fight, hmm?" he said, looking pointedly at Kou.
"Not mine," Kou snapped. "The Dragons. They just about killed Ri Houjun."
Myojuan looked at the kid, who looked terrible. His color was funny and he wheezed when he took in a deep breath. He took out his cell phone and called an ambulance, and sat down next to Kou.
"Good work in tying off the cuts, Kou," Myojuan said. He inspected Houjun carefully. "Hmm. I don't like his color or the way he's wheezing." He picked up the bloody knife, which Kou had removed from Houjun's shoulder, and used it to cut Houjun's shirt in half, careful not to cut Houjun. He then put the knife down, and moved the shirt slices so he could see Houjun's chest.
Kou flushed slightly, as he saw the well-built muscles on Houjun's chest. They were just the right size, he thought. He could also see bruises forming, which made him angry for some reason.
Ri's rattling breath drew Myojuan's attention. He laid his head flat on Houjun's bare chest and listened.
Kou was struck with jealously. "What are you doing?" he demanded, in a not- so-quiet voice.
"Listening to hear if he has cracked ribs." Myojuan said absentmindedly. "I think he does, judging from that raspy breathing."
The sounds of the ambulance were getting closer. Kou was still holding Houjun's head on his lap.
Sou was looking at Kou funny. His eyes widened suddenly, and he suppressed a smile.
"Mmmmm.." Houjun moaned softly
"Houjun-chan?" asked Kou, wondering if Houjun was conscious.
Houjun drew another wheezing breath in answer.
The ambulance screeched to a halt. The paramedics jumped out and ran over with a stretcher.
Myojuan looked at them. "What we have here is an eighteen-year-old by the name of Ri Houjun, who was apparently attacked by the Dragons. Suspected injuries; broken or crushed ribs, possible internal bleeding, and severe head trauma." He stood up. "The victim has been unconscious for." he looked at Kou, who supplied;
"Fifteen minutes."
The paramedics jotted it down, and gently moved Houjun to the stretcher. He moaned anyway, which drew a glare from Kou.
They loaded him into the back of the ambulance, and Myojuan climbed in as well, giving instructions as to what to do.
As the ambulance raised away, the sirens blaring, the four people standing there looked at each other.
Sou, Chou, and Oh looked really upset. Kou hid his concern. He yawned, instead.
"C'mon, Oh-chan," said Chou gently. "I'll walk you home." He placed an arm around the slender, younger boy. His long violet hair was pulled up into an intricate design. He wore his school uniform, which now had some of Ri's blood on it.
"Ok, Chou-chan," Oh replied. "Bye, Sou-chan. Bye.Kou." His youthful voice trailed off, as he and Sou walked away.
Sou looked at Kou. "Thank you for helping him, Kou-chan."
Kou shrugged. "Not sure why I did, Sou-chan." He sighed and looked at Sou. "To tell you the truth, Chou, I'm kinda burned out on bein' a gang leader. I know the boss wanted it but." His dull and tired brown eyes met Sou's compassionate gray ones. "They never listen to me, anyway." Kou shook his head.
"So. you did not know what they did to Oh-chan, did you?" Sou asked.
Kou shook his head. "Houjun told me. I didn't believe it until I saw it for myself." He gritted his teeth. "I can't handle it any more, Sou-chan. I'm leavin' the Bandits."
Sou raised his eyes in surprise.
"Kouji can take care of 'em, no problem."
Kou sighed.
"The winds of change are sweeping through," mused Sou. "Houjun has helped with that."
Kou looked at him. "Think the kid'll be ok?"
Sou laughed slightly. "He's not a kid, Kou-chan. Houjun is eighteen. He's just short for his age. He's just a year younger than us."
"Oh." A blush crept into Kou's face. "Oops. I thought he was younger."
"Naw. But he's gentle. He can't stand to see people getting hurt," Sou said. He looked at Kou seriously. "Houjun's been through more in one life- time than anyone should have to go through.
"Whaddja mean?" Kou asked curiously.
"His folks died shortly after he was born. He was raised in foster care. Remember 'bout three years ago when a major flood hit Kyoto?" Sou asked.
Kou nodded. A lot of people had died then.
"His entire town was flooded. He lost his neighbors, girlfriend, and brother in the same day. 'Course, many were surprised at how upset Houjun was when his brother Hikou died."
"Why?"
"He'd just found out his girlfriend was cheating on him with Hikou," Sou explained. "But he was devastated anyway."
Kou's respect for Houjun went up even more.
"I gotta get going, Kou-chan." Sou looked at him. "See you later." He walked off.
Kou sat down on the grass, looking at the late afternoon sun. Then he saw Houjun's bag was still laying nearby, so he picked it up and looked down at it.
He flushed again remembering what it felt to hold Houjun's head on his lap, and see his bare chest. He remembered the feel of Houjun's smooth skin as he'd moved the bangs out of Houjun's beautiful eyes.
So the 'winds of change are sweeping', mused Kou. I can live with that.
To be continued.