Gokusen 8
loser94: thank you very much:)
Disclaimer: Don't own Gokusen characters or Gokusen plot. But I think I own everything and everyone in this chapter.
Takeo Kurosawa holed up in his dojo for the first few months after his wife died. He didn't leave his room often and when he did, it was mainly to eat, teach, or use the bathroom. Taka and Mari gave him his distance and allowed him to grieve in as much peace as possible. Taka took over business and Mari took over doing most of the household chores. Both girls were extremely busy, but in the summer they got a chance for a little peace. While the girls slowly recovered, their father seemed to get worse and worse. He started disappearing for days at a time, not telling them where he went or even warning them that he was leaving. The first time it happened the girls were so worried they searched all over Nagasaki for him, calling everyone they knew to help them look for him. One of his friends, who he hadn't seen in a few years, had come by earlier to see him and then the two had left together a few hours later. The incident happened a mere week after Taka had turned twelve and had just started Junior High School. The girls had thought something had happened to him. It was the first time he had actually left the dojo since his wife's funeral and they were really concerned about him. After three days of frantic searching, he finally came home, and when he did, the girls ran up to him to hug him and demand to know where he had been. He pushed them away, but not before they smelled the strong reek of alcohol that drenched his clothes.
"Dad, what's wrong? Where have you been?" Taka had never seen her father get drunk before. She had never even seen him consume alcohol.
"L-leamme all-one…" he brushed her hand away and kept heading towards his room.
"Father!" Taka's voice lowered and became almost threatening, "Where were you? We looked all over for you. We've all been hit hard by mom's passing but Mari and I have moved on. You need to too. You can't just hole yourself up in your room all day and expect us to take care of everything for you."
"Shuddup…Iz none uv yer bizznuss…" He tried to shake her off again, this time using a little more force.
"It is too my business! This is your dojo and if you don't pull it together soon, its business will be gone. You're playing around with Mari's life and mine if you allow that." She reached up to grab his shoulders and forced him to face her. "If this dojo fails, so do our finances. We'll be kicked out on the street with nowhere to go, you too." Although this wasn't necessarily true since her father had retained a lot of money from his days as a professional, but Taka had completely forgotten about that. Her father's face, already flushed from the alcohol turned an even darker red with rage.
"I SAID SHUT UP, DAMNIT!" He swung and punched the side of her face. He had never hit either of them before. When they were disciplined, physical violence had never been used. Taka staggered back, shock and pain in her eyes. The tears that had refused to fall at her mother's funeral made a threatening appearance. She choked them down and stood up as she heard his slurred demand that they leave him alone once again. It was soon followed by a slamming door and a heavy silence. The next time he left, not one call was made.
"Don't look her in the eyes. I heard she's the leader of a gang downtown…"
"No way! I heard she works for the yakuza and shakes people down for money…"
Taka shook her head and kept walking. The first time she had come to school with a black eye after her father hit her, she got looks of sympathy. She had tried her best to disguise it with make-up and her hair, but after having to pull her hair up for P.E. class, it was no secret that something had happened. When black eyes and other bruises became a normal thing, rumors started to spread. Her bright red hair, height, fearless attitude, and muscle build never helped her combat the rumors of her delinquency either. But her mom had taught her to walk with her head held high no matter what happened, and that's exactly what she did. She ignored all of the gossip and when bad things just "happened" she took it in stride. She still protected people who got bullied by others, but now when she offered the victims her hand, they ran away terrified that she might do something worse. Her reactions towards others were already slightly jaded and cynical, but with how they were acting now her uglier side emerged and people truly began to fear her. She still protected the weak and innocent, but her treatment of them became rough and cruel as opposed to kind and sympathetic.
Teachers became wary of her and avoided her as well. She'd often get put into detentions she didn't deserve merely because the other students had started something and blamed her for it. Teachers always believed them. It wasn't too long before she was being challenged by some of her braver classmates who wanted to show-off. Taka tried her best to ignore them, but when they started bothering Akira to get to her, she quickly put an end to it. Akira and Taka grew ever closer during these years. Akira, who was never a social butterfly, was soon avoided as well due to her association with Taka. Akira didn't really mind it, she actually had fun threatening some of the people who annoyed her, but she was really worried about Taka.
Akira was well aware that her friend wasn't getting those bruises because she enjoyed fighting and beating up on other people. Taka never told her about her dad's degeneration, but Akira soon figured it out through asking Mari. Mari wasn't a blabber-mouth, nor did she tell anyone else about what was going on, but Mari was just as worried about Taka as Akira was. Mari couldn't really do much because every time their father came home in a drunken rage, Taka always chased her upstairs and told her to lock her door. Mari thought that since Akira was older, maybe she could help in a way that Mari herself could not.
"Taka!" Akira ran after her friend as the last bell rang. "Why didn't you tell me?" Akira was furious with Taka. The fact that Taka hadn't trusted her with something like this, after all of the things that they had gone through together, it just pissed her off. "Taka! Answer me!" She finally caught up with her and grabbed her arm. Akira didn't miss the fact that Taka winced slightly as she did. "Why didn't you tell me about why you got those bruises?"
"It's none of your business, Akira." Taka pulled her arm away and kept walking. Akira just followed.
"The hell it isn't! You're my friend Taka, and besides I have to put up with all the same shit you do since I'm associated with you at school, and all that shit happened because of these," Akira pulled back Taka's sleeve to reveal a black and blue arm. Akira hissed in sympathy and looked up as Taka pulled her arm away again. "Mari told me what's happening. You can't just ignore me again."
"This is nothing, my father and I just got a little too into practicing, that's all." Taka looked away when Akira tried to catch her eyes.
"Taka… what if he doesn't stop after you next time? What if he starts 'practicing' with Mari? Will you still brush it off as 'nothing'?" Akira placed herself directly in front of Taka and forced her to look her in the eyes. "You honestly think a locked door is gonna be able to stop a professional fighter?"
"…no…but don't think I've been completely irresponsible. I've thought about this as well, and I'm saving up my money. I pilfer some of the profits from the dojo, and I take on every odd job I can find." Taka had now stopped walking and looked straight at Akira, "I won't allow him anywhere near her until I've got enough to be able to leave. It's strange though; when he's sober he begs us for forgiveness and promises he'll never do it again each and every time. I used to believe him, but now…" Taka shook her head and looked away.
"What about you Taka? I know you like to act tough, but you've even missed school recently and I know it's not because you're playing hooky. You could get seriously injured," Akira had noticed that every time she missed school, her injuries were worse than normal. One time, her arm had been in a cast, the next her ribs were taped due to fracture.
"You may have forgotten, but I'm also one of his best pupils. I'm not the only one gaining bruises at night, and as time passes, I'm gradually improving." Taka smiled and shrugged off Akira's concern.
Akira almost smiled when she heard that. It was so like Taka to turn this into some sort of competition. "Well, at least you're smart enough to fend for yourself. How's business at the dojo going anyway?"
"It's alright. Only my sister and I know about father's…condition. We've covered it up pretty well, and when he is there during the day, he still carries on with his classes, just not quite with the same enthusiasm as before. Any 'apprentices' he took in left after the incident with my mom and we don't have to worry too much about anybody seeing him drunk when he comes home so late that practically everyone else is sleeping." Taka and Akira had almost reached the dojo now.
"But if you're fighting back, doesn't it show when he's teaching?"
"I know where to hit so it doesn't." Taka smiled and Akira winced in mock sympathy.
"Well, it's not like he's going to make anymore children…" Akira winked at Taka and threw her backpack down on the ground outside the dojo. "Oh yeah, did I tell you? I've recently met up with this really great guy and we've been meeting up online after school recently."
"Ah, so that's why I haven't seen you around lately… but I never pinned you for being into internet dating…" Taka shot her a questioning glance.
"He's 28 years old, extremely overweight, and he wears glasses with rims thicker than your pinky finger… oh yeah, and he also has a wife. He's really not my type," Akira looked slightly exasperated at the fact that Taka even thought that she would do such a stupid thing.
"Then why…?"
"He's actually a colleague of my dad's, otherwise I never would have met up with him. He's a super genius Taka! He can hack into anything. He's the best computer maniac they have and he's teaching me his trade!" Akira looked so starry eyed, she might as well have been in love.
"But why do you want to learn about hacking into other people's information? Why did he even share this with you in the first place? And why on earth are your dad and his company ignoring the fact that what he does is illegal?" Taka was very confused.
"I already know a little bit just from messing around on my computer, and besides I want to learn from a 'professional.' You know how obsessed I am with learning this stuff, it keeps me from getting bored and the adrenaline rush I get from rebellion is exhilarating! And he decided to share his information with me because I promised him that I could teach him how to dance and-"
"Wait a minute…you can dance? Since when?"
"Since my mom paid for ballroom dancing lessons for me every year since kindergarten."
"How on earth did I not know about this?" Taka's mouth visibly dropped open and she stared in wonder at her friend.
"It's not like I took any pleasure from it, besides it wasn't a topic interesting enough to talk about…Anyways My dad and the company know he's a genius but they don't know about his darker side. I once saw him hacking into his wife's bank account, they hadn't combined them after their marriage, to see whether or not she was staying at love hotels and I threatened him to teach me. He threatened to tell my dad that I was into hacking and then we came up with our mutually beneficial solution. I offered to teach him how to dance so he could better romance his wife, and he's teaching me some BAMF computer skills." Akira looked so proud of herself that Taka almost laughed.
"…Wow, that's rather convoluted. So, why tell me this now? Why not earlier?"
Akira raised her head and looked at Taka mockingly, "It was none of your business."
"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. I just didn't want you to get involved or hurt," Taka got down on her knees and bowed in an almost derisive manner, "Will you forgive me?"
"Get up you idiot! Of course I forgive you. But you have to promise you'll never keep another secret from me."
Taka looked up and grinned broadly, "Deal!"
"Alright, now, as for why I told you about this… well, I've been wanting to tell you about it for quite some time, I just never really had the chance to talk to you. And too, if you ever need any help finding information, or fudging data, or even false documents, I can get it all for you." Akira was whispering now, even though no one else was really around. "Through this guy, I have lots of connections, so if you ever need help, let me know."
"…Thanks, but I think you're getting a little bit carried away here. Besides, why would I need any of that? I'm glad you're finally getting excited about something, but don't you think all this is a little much? Isn't it dangerous to become too involved in all this?" Something about listening to her friend talk about this so nonchalantly bothered Taka. She knew that Akira had always had different tastes, but getting into all of this just to get rid of boredom didn't seem all that great to her.
"Isn't it dangerous for you to go around beating up all of the idiots who challenge you? Admit it. You like the rush as much as I do, maybe even more. That's why we always got along so well." Akira smirked and pulled out her laptop.
"…True… but still, I never did anything illegal. Besides, what I'm doing isn't technically dangerous for me because I have the skills to handle those situations." Taka was more worried for Akira's safety than anything else.
"Hmph. Goody two-shoes. Just because we go about getting our thrills in slightly different ways doesn't mean what we want isn't the same. Besides, you think I don't have the skills to handle the situations I put myself into? You use brawn to remain safe, I use my brain. What I'm doing really isn't dangerous either if you look at it that way. I'm a lot smarter than most people and I've never really applied myself to anything before this, but now, I'm gonna give it my all and eventually become the best computer hacker there is! This is the most fun thing I've ever done, partially because it's dangerous." Taka had never really seen Akira excited about learning anything and she was happy her friend had found something that she genuinely enjoyed, even if it was a little...dangerous.
"I guess I get what you mean... Alright, well then, if I ever need your skills, I'll make sure to hook up with you, although I honestly can't imagine what I would use them for," Taka smiled at Akira and Akira returned it.
"Never mind that, I'm sure I'll think of something… By the way, what are you going to do with that money you're saving up? You never said what you planned to do with it."
"Well… I was thinking of moving… to Tokyo," she looked down at her toes and an almost sheepish expression crossed her face.
"Tokyo? Why Tokyo? Isn't it really expensive and crowded and…too far away?" Akira looked down and mumbled the last part, but Taka heard it all the same.
"Well, it's far enough away from our father to give us true independence-"
"Fukuoko, Saga or even Miyazaki is easily far enough to give you independence, and I could still visit you if you lived there. Why Tokyo?" Taka was Akira's one close friend and Akira didn't want to lose her.
"My mom used to work at a school in Tokyo, and I think I can find someone there who'll help us transfer. I've always wanted to go to Tokyo too. My mom used to tell me about it and well… I figure it's as good a place as any to find a fresh start. Besides when I looked, I found a cheap apartment for only 35,000 yen. I know it's still a bit expensive, but if I can protect Mari until I'm old enough to work full-time at a regular job, I can probably pull it off. I can also be paid for tutoring other students in English, since my mom was American, I'm relatively fluent. I may have to give up high school, but so long as Mari can get an education and be safe, it should be alright," Taka glanced up at Akira to gauge her reaction.
"No... I'm going to make sure you get an education too. My skills with the computer will get me a good job that will pay well, even without formal schooling. I'll help you pay the bills so long as you promise me you won't skip out on high school," her voice was firm leaving almost no room for argument.
"I don't want you to have to worry about me like that, and before you protest hear me out. I really would like to go to high school, so… maybe we can compromise. Why don't you teach me everything you've learned and everything you will learn, so I can provide for myself better?... Please allow me to be as independent as possible in this." Akira understood that Taka didn't like accepting help from anyone. Even at twelve, she had a pride in herself and her abilities, so much so that Akira had known that she would resist the offer.
"…I know you're smart Taka, but if you honestly think you can ever even begin to match my computer skills, you're crazy…but I'll try the best I can to teach you enough to be able to provide for yourself and your sister. Computer expertise is in high demand these days so it should be fairly easy to get a job with really good pay. First things first though, we've got to get you a quality piece of machinery!" she smiled and laughed as Taka's expression fell. "Don't worry about the price. I've already started helping my dad and I have plenty. Consider this my gift to you, as thanks for saving my ass all those years ago." Akira smiled and whooped for joy. "Alright! Let's do this!"
Taka was about to refuse but when she thought about Mari and their future lives, she conceded without protest. She loved Akira and longed to tell her that by just being her friend she had long ago paid that non-existent debt, but after seeing how happy Akira was, she just decided to let it go. She was very grateful that Akira was there for her.
Akira and Taka began working together every day, especially on the weekends. Taka still kept up with her training and school work, but she left most of the dojo business to the new manager she had hired. He was a smart man and now knew what was expected and how things were run. She only ever checked in with him once in a while. She grew stronger and smarter, and she was eventually subduing her father before he could leave too many marks. Although, even after the bruises had somewhat dissipated, the rumors and her reputation were already fixed into people's minds and there wasn't much she could do about it.
After two years had passed in this way, thoughts of being forced to move were pushed to the back of Taka's mind. Even so, she studied about living alone in Tokyo almost as much as she studied for school. The routine that had developed became almost normal. She was now fourteen and her father had seemed to have calmed down a little bit. She had grown strong fast, mostly out of necessity, but even most of the high school boys who knew her name feared her. She had already grown most of her 5'11 frame. She got bullied and ostracized because of her height, attitude, and hair color as always, but she never once hunched her shoulders, unless it was so she could fit in a door, and she never once dyed her hair brown or black. She still had to deal with her father's violence, but she thought she had a relatively good handle on it now. She forced herself to look at it as training and as a learning experience. Her father still beat her, after all, he had been a professional fighter for most of his life and she was merely fourteen years old. However, she was a quick learner and he was often so besotted with alcohol that his reflexes weren't as good as normal. She could now dodge the attacks aimed at the parts of her body that would be visible at her school, and if she ever needed to go to the hospital, the doctors merely took in her appearance and came to the same conclusion her fellow students did. Delinquents only get what they deserve.
After her last year of Junior High, the week after summer break had started, Taka's father was out late as usual and Taka was up doing her homework with Mari. It was a particularly hot summer night and they were both glad for the a/c. When their father came home he was even more irritated than normal. They could hear his cursing and drunken shouts all the way down the street.
"Mari, you know where to go, get out of here," Taka got up and put away her homework. As she got up to go downstairs Mari reached out a hand to stop her.
"No, you come hide with me. Don't face him this time," Mari was older now and though she had never liked what was happening, this was the first time she'd done this.
"I can't do that. If I do, he'll come to our room looking for a fight and I can't protect you if he does that," Taka shoved Mari towards her room, but Mari still resisted.
"Please don't go Taka, please!" Mari clung to her arm as Taka dragged her towards the room they shared. Taka opened the door and placed Mari down inside.
"I don't have time for this Mari! Just stay here and I promise I'll come back and read a story or something later alright? I'll make it up to you, I promise," Taka ran out and shut the door behind her as Mari heard her father enter the dojo downstairs. Mari couldn't stand it that her sister always did this, but she was also terrified of her father. Mari didn't know what to do. She'd never taken an interest in fighting like her sister had and she knew she would only get in the way, but she couldn't stand not doing anything. Mari crept out of her room and slowly slunk down the stairs.
"STUPID BITCH! GET BACK HERE!" As Mari peeked around the corner, she saw Taka scrambling away from her father holding her stomach. Apparently he'd gotten in a lucky kick. Taka's breathing was irregular as if she had just gotten her breath knocked out of her. As her father caught up to her and was about to kick her again, Mari ran out and jumped on his back wrapping her arms around his head and putting pressure on his eyes. She had been taught basic self-defense moves and she knew that this was painful and effective. Unfortunately her father was also well-versed in self-defense, much more so than she was. He was the one who had taught her. He reached back, grabbed her small body, and threw it against the wall.
"MARI!" Taka jumped up and viciously started to attack her father with everything she had.
"Haha! Now the bitch gets serious huh?" Taka's anger at seeing what he did to Mari gave her a strength she didn't know she had. She used his hampered reflexes and his over-confidence against him. Eventually she got in close enough to give his jaw a hard blow and twist his head sharply to the right. It knocked him unconscious and she ran over to Mari.
"Mari! You idiot! What the hell were you thinking?" Taka quickly and gently checked her sister for injuries, but finding nothing seriously wrong breathed a sigh of relief.
"I can't do this anymore Taka! I hate waiting for you to come back hurt and having to clean your wounds! I hate knowing that's there's nothing I can do! I HATE IT!" Mari broke down and sobbed on Taka's shoulder.
"ShhhShhh, calm down Mari... I'm sorry; I didn't realize how much it bothered you... Mari come up to my room, there is something I wish to discuss with you, away from him."
A/N: I didn't realize that the backstory would take this long to write. I honestly thought it might take one chapter, two tops, but it seems that I need one more to finish. Sorry it's taking so long to get back to the original plot. Promise it'll come back at either the end of the next chapter or the beginning of the chapter after next:) Thanks for your patience.
