Title: In This Life
By Darkestforever
Disclaimer: All characters and rights of the Junjou Romantica world belong to Shungiku Nakamura and her publishers Blu. This fanfiction is written with no intention of earning any profit. It is for the sole purpose of free enjoyment for the Junjou Romantica fangirls and boys.
Author's note: Apologies to all my readers for the sudden changes. I was not completely satisfied with my recent updates. I decided therefore to address some of the unexplained jumps in my story. I hope it flows with more consistency now between chapters 6 and 7. If you kindly reviewed either chapter, please I encourage you to relist your thoughts, as they would have been erased when I uploaded the newer versions.
Thank you again for your ongoing support!
Chapter Six: Falling Into Place (The Afters)
The fishermen know that the sea is dangerous and the storm terrible.
But they have never found these dangers sufficient reason
For remaining ashore.
~ Vincent van Gogh~
The old store with a shop with the red awning stood alone, abandoned to the ravages of time. The red acrylic sheet was torn. Tickled by the breeze it wafted in the cooling night air. A secret monument illustrating the change of time that separated the past and the present. Staring up at the fluttering canopy, dubiety slithered into the sempiternity regions of her heart.
Was her quest a foolish flight of fantasy?
Too often, she felt this doubt trouble her thoughts. As an impertinent teen, she neglected to consider life changes. Eighteen years had transformed this alley into a desolate space, trashed by time. The torn red awning was a metaphoric reminder that she inhibited an altered world.
A world where feelings could rewritten.
A clamorous crash spooked her.
Crude voices echoed in the passageway beyond the rail bridge.
The urge to flee rose in her.
A gang indolently sauntered the street. One criminally strutted along emptying a can of spray paint across the alley's walls. Others vested a keen interest in an unfortunately placed car. The crunch of glass signaled the pack had found prey. Electric wails succumb to the aggressive onslaught of the mob.
Tears prickled in her eyes.
The bitter memories of the good neighborhood that had been the precursor of this dilapidated pit rattled her memory. Her shoulders drooped defeat. Venturing forward would yield unnecessary trouble. Turning to leave, Hiroko bumped into a steely chest dressed in leather. Towering over her hundred and seventy three centimeters stood the owner of the torso that hindered her path. The brutish, bestial muzzle of the face, which peered down at her wore a malicious sneer. Shadowy salacious eyes profanely probed her person.
Snaking back, a sliver of trepidation unnerved her.
"Well, hello gorgeous." He smirked advancing on her. "Are you looking for a good time?"
"Don't touch me!" She hissed shrinking backwards.
"Play nice," he murmured frostily. "And you won't get hurt."
A hand shot out to ensnare her wrist.
Clammy fingers enclosed her flesh with a painful grip. Hiroko struggled against the vice-like hold of her captor. Their hustle wrangled the attention of his other odious comrades.
"Looks like your having problems wooing that filly." A voice interjected.
Group laughter rang out in the alley.
Four fierce faces surveyed her.
"Too much woman for you, Kato?"
"Screw you!" Her captor snarled.
"She's a fine looking piece of meat."
"This should be entertaining."
Her tumultuous heart beat pumped in fear.
Whilst her abductor was distracted she wrenched free of his hold.
Spinning velciously on her heels she fled.
Thunderous footsteps rang out the alley.
Frenetic, furious breaths heaved in her chest.
"Get that bitch!" A ferocious growl commanded.
Manic howls of laughter dogged her footfall.
Staggering through the dark unfamiliar territory, trepidation drove her onwards seeking the shelter in neon lit streets. Footsteps of her pursuers gained up her. Skidding sideways, she darted through a constricted gap in a wire fence. A paw of her predator swiped at the thin air she escaped from.
Growling, he leapt up to climb the panel in pursuit.
Agilely retreating, she dashed onto the main street. Narrowly avoiding clashing with pedestrians, she continued to sprint desperately. Cries of annoyance echoed as she carelessly, blundered against the natural ebb and flow of the sidewalk traffic. Piqued, indignant voices provided a breadcrumb trail for her stalkers to track her.
Without thought, she leapt perilously into the road.
Car horns stridulously screeched.
Wayfarers of walkway wailed and whooped at the madness.
Dodging bonnets, Hiroko tergiversated the tarmac road.
Her mind raced: thoughts screaming in reparation over and over…
Reach the platform.
Safety with others.
Escape.
Stumbling up the station steps, she perched at the top listening to the echoey passages of purgatory she navigated. Sweat trickled down her brow; she stood waiting for reverberations of warning. No clink of the turnpike sounded out in the cool underground world. Glancing down the platform, she studied her companions waiting for the next train.
Several commuters stood curiously observing the attractive disheveled young woman, panting harshly at the entranceway. Two high school girls clutched oddly shaped cases of musical instruments. A couple stood twitterpated on the concourse. A young child laughed. A middle-aged woman cast a condescending, cursory peek towards her.
Silence.
Her heart rated reposed itself.
With one step further onto the platform, a sound turned her blood to ice.
Thud of lumbering, beefy boots.
Calamitous crow of the approaching gang.
An authoritative voice boomed from the depths.
Frightful faces stared at the hell mouth from where a chilling commotion carried. The mother clasped her hands over her child's ears to hide the bloodcurdling shrieks of the station guard. A station alarm was silenced. Disheartened passengers shivered. Each retreating to seek secret, shadowy corner.
Overhead, the automated voice announced the impending arrival of the cavalry.
Scared sepia orbs sprung to the arrivals board.
Ten minutes.
Adrenalin surged in her blood as the lumbering, galumphed strides drew closer to the stairs. A cold shiver descended her spine. She had to hide. Sprightly steps searched out a secluded spot at the end of the platform to shelter her.
Nine minutes.
Shielded behind the concrete pillar, Hiroko prayed. The goby gobble of the wild Boryokudan grew closer. Motivated by greed, the devious youths mounted the platform primed to terrorize the innocent and unleash their banditry.
Eight minutes.
Eerie creep of the phantasmal air signaled the impending locomotive.
Seven minutes.
Stationed behind a concrete pillar, she listened to the carnage.
Acrid voices exploited and extorted the vulnerable. Glimpsing around the curvature of column, she witnessed the vilified villainy as the gang snatched away valuables. The Boryokudan on the platform were a gang of five individuals. Dressed in dark, non-descript clothing, holding menacing weapons of two intimidating knives and crackling electric Taser. They stood threatening to shoot and shank the passengers. With malevolent coercion, they educed possessions from their owners.
Savage orbs gleamed with wicked bloodlust.
A gaunt, gangly youth riotously reached for the twitterpated man, headbutting him savagely in the face repeatedly.
Blood bespatters the ground.
Six minutes.
Clattering wheels were approaching.
Caterwauling of an injured woman peaked at her heart.
Guilt consumed her.
This was all her fault because of her egotism whim.
Urgent hails warned the pack of the encroaching train.
The alpha male snorted.
A venomous gaze set upon the young mother quivering with her sobbing child. Manically, he unsheathed his knife as he strode purposely towards distressed parent. Wide-eyed, she pleaded for protection and mercy. Petrified passengers watch in dismay, restrained from aiding her.
Snarling, he demanded. "Give me your purse lady!"
Boldly the woman spat at him.
Skirting around her pillar, there was one chance.
Temerity plucked at her pulse. Perspiration dampened her palms, as they clung tightly to the straps of her cumbersome rucksack. The leader stepped loomingly forward on his target. Pivoting quickly, Hiroko aimed her bag to clobber the face of the rapacious ruffian. Her prey distracted, she landed a further kogeki blow to disarm the knife from him.
The knife sheered away to the edge of the platform.
Five minutes.
Wheels of time cranked into motion…
"You little…." He growled. "Your gonna pay for that!"
In the commotion, the other gang members blinked in astonishment of the bold action of the slip of the girl dancing with their leader. A couple of the gang pushed back their hostages to distill any emboldened hope. Another individual stepped forward to assist his boss, only to be shouted down.
"Stay there!" The leader barked. "I can handle this baita!"
A glint of a penknife was her only warning of the attack. Shifting sideways, her attacker missed his intended target. Fingers snatched at her hair, dragging her into close contact with him. Vicious words were whispered into her ear. She struggled against his hold. Pain sliced through her cheek as cool steel connected with her. Trickles of blood meandered down the contours of her face.
In retaliation her foot connected with his shin. The scuffle continued briefly. Biting, scratching and kicking: she fought with all the feistiness she could muster. Seizing his wrist, she threw her weight into disarming him. He slapped her hard as she knocked the penknife from his hand. Her head hit the floor with a crunch. Dazed, the world and her vision wobbled.
"You're a tough manko." Her assaulter callously pronounced as he grasped her chin forcing her to look him eye. "Shame I didn't catch you in the alley, I would've enjoyed teaching you a harsher lesson."
Four minutes.
Thrusting her back, he turned to reclaim his fallen knife.
"NO!"
The electronic clattering chatter of the Taser rang out…
Terrified shrieks and shouts cried out in chaos…
Lights in the dark tunnel unnerved the gang…
Three minutes.
A vicious hand grasped her…
She clawed at her attacker with fierce strength…
A knee collided with her stomach winding her…
Agony imploded from the back of her head.
Two minutes.
The world spun again…
Blurriness crept into her vision…
Queasiness spun from the pit in her stomach…
Angry voices…
"Boss! We gotta go!"
One minute.
Gush of cool air.
Echoing heavy footsteps retreated.
The usual routine commute was exorbitantly eventful that evening.
Drawing into the Kabukicho station, the metro train arrived to a scene of blood, violence and savagery. The maladroitly of the moment astonished, scandalized and traumatized the alighting passengers.
A flurry of activity animated the platform.
The conductor and driver disembarked to pursue the absconding assailants.
Several passengers rushed to assist the injured.
Strangers poured out round her…
One Good Samaritan, a dark-haired doctor greeted two young women and a hysterical child. He crouched down to examine each member of the small group. The mother and child were shaken, but unharmed. Turning to access the extent of the dazed brunette's injuries.
A distant voice addressed her.
"Miss? Miss? Can you hear me?" The doctor spoke softly in a reassuring tone. "I am doctor…"
That voice.
Symptoms of concussion were apparent in her profile from the confounded countenance and hints of hesitation. A painful laceration marred her cheek. Spit spots of blood dripped to ground. The other woman eased a clean tissue from her handbag for him. Thanking her, the good doctor returned to address his patient. Easing her jaw upwards, the doctor and patient's gaze met.
A disbelieving utterance fell from her lips.
"Nowaki?"
The doctor's eyes grew wide in surprise.
The Good Samaritan was staggered by the young woman's breathy remark. Beguiling cobalt orbs were transfixed by the disorientated tawny eyes that collided with his. Her eyes flittered across his features in a loving assessment.
"Nowaki?" she murmured deliriously to the darkness.
How did she know him?
Cinnamon sepia eyes grew confused and opaque.
Slumping forward, she collapsed into him. Reacting swiftly, the doctor caught his mysterious lady. Cautiously, he observed the cataleptic form in his arms. Young, slender and strikingly beautiful. Brushing locks of her short hair from her face, his heart twinged as he noted a resemblance of the person he had once loved. Drawing her to rest against his chest, his heart throbbed bizarrely.
Dabump.
Dabump.
Dabump.
His mind cast back to a distance moment of the past. A vision of that first moment he met his adorable lover. Startled, distraught teary sepia eyes met and married his ocean blue. The fizzle of electricity in the glance. The curious tightening and erratic rhythm of his pulse. His brows furrowed thoughtfully, as he leant in closer to study the young woman in his arms.
How on earth did she know his name?
To be continue…
