Circle of Friends
" Tasuki-san! Tasuki-san!!" Chiriko screamed at his friend desperately. Omiji's gang had dragged Tasuki out after they were done, and dropped him in the courtyard, leaving Chiriko crying and alone. The young boy was on his knees next to the fallen Tasuki, who was covered in ugly bruises and numerous cuts. Blood, running down Tasuki's mouth and head was now dry, and his breath was shallow. Chiriko was heart-broken to see his older friend beaten so cruelly, and didn't know what to do. He looked around frantically for help, but no one was around. He didn't want to leave Tasuki, but forced himself to get up and head towards the school. Maybe he could use the phone inside. As he past the front door, he saw Tasuki's things lying on the ground. Chiriko ran to them and started digging through his bag, hoping that-yes! His phone. It was here. Chiriko beamed happily, and carried the rest of Tasuki's things back to where he was knelt beside Tasuki, and put them back down. Then he opened the phone. I have to get the others, and they can help Tasuki-
He dialed the number and hoped they were home. The phone rang, then again. Again. Chiriko was beginning to think no one was home-then-
" Hello?"
" Ah! Nuriko!"
" Chiriko? This is Tasuki's number. What are you doing with his phone?" Chiriko would have smiled at the purple-haired teen's curiousness, but quickly reminded himself why he was calling.
" Nuriko, never mind. Tasuki's got in a fight, trying to rescue me and-"
" A fight?! Is he ok?" concern was thick in Nuriko's voice.
" No, he's been hurt badly-he needs help! Can you-"
" Yes, of course, we're coming! Where are you?"
" The courtyard of the school. Hurry!"
" Don't worry we'll be there right away-" Nuriko hung up, and Chiriko followed suite. He put away the phone, and moved back over to Tasuki.
" Hang on Tasuki-san…"
Not too much later, Nuriko, Tamahome, and Hotohori came running through the gate. Chiriko looked up, and wiped his tears away. Nuriko let out a small strangled cry, and sank to his knees by Tasuki's side. Tamahome and Hotohori both gasped and paled at the condition of their friend.
" Chiriko, how did this happen?"
Chiriko was shaking by now, with grief and distress.
" He, was just trying to protect me-" Hotohori placed a hand on the boy's shoulder, trying to help him to feel reassured. Nuriko sighed sadly, and gently shifted Tasuki, and lifted the beaten form of his friend into his arms, cradling him. Tasuki made a small pained noise, and Nuriko wrapped his arms more securely around him.
" Shh, daijobu Tasuki, I've got you-you're ok now."
Tamahome felt his stomach drop in sympathy.
" Who could have done this to him." his voice was tinted with anger. Tasuki was one of Tamahome's best friends, and to see him in such pain, made something deep inside of Tamahome boil.
" It was Omiji and his friends." Chiriko stated sadly, and Hotohori frowned.
" Not a good crowd."
" They'll pay-" Tamahome snarled, and clenched his fist. Nuriko looked to his teal-haired friend, and sighed.
" We'll worry about that later Tama. Right now Tasuki needs to be taken care of."
Tamahome growled under his breath, but calmed down.
" Hai, your right." Hotohori nodded, and sighed.
" Where are we going to bring him?"
Nuriko looked down at Tasuki in his arms.
" I'll take care of him, he can stay at my house."
" Are you sure Nuriko? We could just bring him to his own house-"
" Don't be stupid Tama! You know as well as I that we can't do that!" Nuriko quickly regretted his yelling, for Tasuki cried out a bit, and tensed. Nuriko quieted, and rocked the body against him. "Gomen ne Tasuki, daijobu-" Tasuki shook weakly and slowly relaxed again. Tamahome sighed.
" Alright, lets get Tasuki over to your place, and get him cleaned up." Hotohori nodded, and stood, carrying the distraught and now exhausted Chiriko in his arms.
" I'm going to bring Chiriko home."
Tamahome nodded, and offered his help with Tasuki, but Nuriko didn't need it as he gently stood, Tasuki's form in his arms.
" Lets go Tama-it's getting late."
Tamahome nodded, and began walking with Nuriko toward his house.
At Nuriko's house, Tamahome opened the door, as Nuriko carried their friend inside with gentle and utmost care. They went to Nuriko's room, where Tamahome turned on the light as Nuriko walked to the bed. He slowly, and carefully lowered the red-head onto the sheets, slipping his arms from under the teen once he was down. Tamahome ventured over, and watched Tasuki for a moment.
" What now?"
Nuriko sighed. He stood, and turned to Tamahome.
" I'm going to get some supplies. You stay here and see if you can get some of his clothes off." Tamahome nodded, as Nuriko walked past him and out of the room. Tamahome went closer to the bed, and sat, careful not to disturb his injured friend. Then he shifted, and began to undo Tasuki's shoes. While he undressed his friend, he saw Tasuki's brow furrow every once and a while, and it made Tamahome's blood boil. Omiji and his gang were going to regret this. Moving up to his friend's shirt, Tamahome hesitated, afraid of hurting Tasuki. As concern for his friend became greater, Tamahome slipped his hands under the beaten junior, and, supporting his head, lifted Tasuki against him. Then, slowly, with a free hand, began unbuttoning Tasuki's shirt, and gently slipping his arms out. Through the whole process, Tasuki only made a few pain-laced moans, and Tamahome quietly hushed him, rubbing his friend's shoulder. Once the shirt was off, Tasuki was laid back down onto the sheets. Tamahome placed the clothes to the side, as Nuriko re-entered the room, with supplies. He went over and placed the tray of various medicines and wraps on the table by the bed and stole a glance at Tamahome.
" You don't have to stay-plus it's getting late." Tamahome frowned, and looked towards his violet-haired friend.
" Are-you sure? If you need help-"
" No, Daijobu. I'll be fine. Go on. I'll keep in touch with you."
Tamahome finally sighed, defeated. He stood, and managed to smile for Nuriko.
" Alright, I'll go. Take care of the baka, ne?"
Nuriko smiled a bit.
" Hai, I will. Goodnight Tama."
" G'night." Tamahome left the small house, and shut the door behind him softly. Nuriko sighed, and let his smile fade. He looked over to the bed, where Tasuki laid on his back, his face weakly furrowed in pain. Concern quickly made Nuriko go to the bed, and place a cool hand on Tasuki's forehead. Feeling warmth made Nuriko worry even more, and he reached over, grabbed a towel from the tray, folded it, and placed it in the tub of water he had brought out. Ringing some out, he leaned back over Tasuki and laid the wet cloth across his forehead.
Now he needed to start on the cuts and bruises. Nuriko took another towel and dipped some medicine on it. This medicine was going to sting, and Nuriko didn't want to hurt his friend, but he knew it was necessary. He sighed, and sat next to Tasuki on the bed, and started to dab at the more serious cuts the face. Feeling the sudden stinging, Tasuki gasped, and tensed. But not having any strength to fight, just furrowed his brow. When the purple-haired teen was done, he pulled the covers over Tasuki, and rewet the towel on his head, this time stroking Tasuki's face, and hoping to calm his friend. "Shh, Tasuki. You're ok…" Tasuki tried to move away from Nuriko's touch, which made Nuriko worry. He must have been beaten pretty good. Thinking about how their friend was played with stirred something inside of the purple-haired teen. He furrowed his brow and growled. Those jerks were going to pay, and Nuriko was planning on being right there with Tamahome when they did. Nuriko clenched a fist, and was about to connect it with his other, when a small cough and moan from the bed pulled him out of his angry thoughts. "Tasuki?" Tasuki had managed to grip the sheets in his hands. His face was furrowed in pain, and he turned his head to the side. Nuriko rewet the towel on his friend's forehead. Tasuki's body stiffened for a moment, eyes shut tightly. Slowly, his eyes fluttered open to reveal Tasuki's bright amber eyes. They were tired. Nuriko let out a happy gasp. "Tasuki! You're awake!" Tasuki blinked, and remained quiet for a while. It seemed he didn't quite know what was going on around him. His gaze finally locked on Nuriko. His face furrowed, his pupils focusing.
" N-Nuri-ko?" his voice was rough and tired. Nuriko smiled.
" Hai…it's me." Tasuki swallowed, and took a deep breath. He tried to recall what had happened. Chiriko was in trouble…down in the school basement. Omiji and his friends…and his damned little brother. He had to let the gang do what they wanted to him, or they'd hurt Chiriko. His thoughts were interrupted, as Nuriko bent over him again, and brushed some bangs out of his eyes." How're you feeling? You're chest is bruised pretty bad, breathing ok?" Tasuki shifted a bit, but quickly regretted it as his breath cut off. Must be the bruising…
" Tasuki? Daijobu?"
" H-hai…" that was all he could manage. Nuriko sighed, and sat quietly for a moment.
" Need anything? Thirsty?"
" Yeah…a bit…" Nuriko nodded, and got up.
" I'll get you some water. I'll be right back…"
Tasuki watched Nuriko walk off. He wondered how long he was out, or…how long his long-haired friend had been watching over him. His thoughts were darkened when he thought of Chiriko. What if he had been hurt?! What if the gang wasn't satisfied with just him, and had gone after his small friend. Nuriko reentered the room. Tasuki blinked and turned to him.
" Nuriko…is Chiriko ok? Was he hurt?!" Nuriko looked shocked at the sudden outburst, but quickly recovered,
" Oh-no! Tasuki-Daijobu…Chiriko was fine. A bit distraught, but not injured."
Tasuki breathed a sigh of relief. Thank Gods…Nuriko sat back on the bed. " Here…I brought you something to drink…can you sit up? Or do you need help…?" Tasuki thought about that. Was he strong enough? He eased his arms up on his elbows and started to prop himself up, but the bruising on his ribs ached with a vengeance, and Tasuki gasped and fell back. " Tasuki!" Nuriko gently bent down and lifted his friend to a sitting position. "Daijobu?!" Tasuki winced, and put his hand to his chest where numerous bruises were still appearing.
" I-I'm alright. Just forgot." Nuriko smiled.
" That was fast." the smile faded. " You're lucky you got away with just bruises and a few cuts! They could have really hurt you!" Tasuki sighed, knowing it was the truth.
" Hm, yeah. But I couldn't let them hurt Chiriko again!" Nuriko nodded.
" Good thing you were there to rescue him. who knows what they might have done to him if you hadn't..." Tasuki frowned deeply at that. Nuriko picked up the water glass and handed it to Tasuki. "Here, drink, then rest..." Tasuki sighed, and took the glass, drinking it. Nuriko patted his back after he was done, and took the glass from Tasuki. He helped the red-head lay back down, and arranged the pillows around him. " Comfy?" Tasuki nodded and thanked him. "If you need anything, call ne? I'll be nearby." he turned, taking the tray and glass. he closed the door behind him. Now, he could figure a plan of revenge...cause no one got away with hurting Nuriko's friends...
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Second chap done,- third in the making. I need some ideas on how Tama, Nuriko, and Hotohori (perhaps Chiriko) get their sweet revenge for hurting poor Tasuki-san...and please review! You guys are great! -
