Disclaimer: I don't oooowwwwnnn…. Though I did watch the opening of the anime aaannd… uh… who owns that madness?

A/N: WOO! Here I am again after a finished drabble and a slight break from NMC… It's nice to be able to get back to this story, cause I kinda missed it, but I definitely needed the time to figure some things out plot wise… It's waaay longer than I intended it to be because I couldn't... stop… the… angst! XD

Anyways, I've been running left and right for school, so I usually spend my lecture classes writing on this story in my notebooks… You guys should see, I've already filled two. XD BUT! Between the stories and school and other things I've been a little… erm, like Ryu. I kinda wanna crawl into a corner and hide. Still, I will say this: out of everything, writing on Gokusen is what I always look forward to.

I love you guys!

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No More Cry

Chapter Twelve: Lessons About The Past

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"…eehhh?" Yankumi breathed, looking at Shin in confusion. The other sighed and stuck his hands in his pockets.

"Ryu and I… are family."

There was a moment of stunned silence.

"Wait, wait, wait," Yankumi said, shaking her head. "How does that work? You're Sawada and he's Odagiri…"

"Ryu's birth mother was my father's sister," Shin said. He sighed and shook his head. "I probably have some explaining to do…"

"Damn right, you do," said a tired yet firm voice from behind Hayato and Yankumi. All three looked back to see Ryu standing with his fists clenched. "And just what are you doing here?" he asked, his voice like acid. Shin didn't respond at first. Yankumi just kept glancing between the two. Finally, Ryu took a step forward and leveled an angry glare at Shin. "I asked what the hell you're doing here!" he shouted.

"Ryu," Shin began, but he paused. Silence. "Ryu," he said again, this time a bit more quiet. "Listen, I'm sure you're angry with me-"

"Angry?" Ryu seethed. Suddenly filled with strength Ryu started towards Shin and sent a fist flying towards his face.

"Odagiri-kun!" Yankumi shouted, reaching for him. Hayato quickly jumped in and helped her restrain Ryu. Shin was rubbing his jaw.

"You knew!" Ryu shouted, struggling against his holds. "You knew and you still did nothing!"

"Ryu!" Hayato said urgently. "Calm down! You'll wear yourself out!" Ryu ignored his commands.

"Let me go!" he shouted, further struggling. Yankumi attempted to push him back down the hallway, but Ryu sent a punch flying for her face. Luckily, she was no amateur and easily dodged it. Still, it took both her and Hayato by surprise. Yankumi realized then that Ryu was serious; he wanted to get to Shin and kick the crap out of him. Thinking quickly, she grabbed Ryu's arm, twisted it around behind him, and pressed him up against the wall. He gave a small cry in protest, but that didn't stop him from struggling against her.

"Odagiri!" she shouted. "Stop this nonsense right now! You're in no condition to fight anyone and Sawada came here out of the goodness of his heart! I know you're confused right now, but that's no excuse for violence!"

"My condition is just fine!" he growled, pushing against her. Yankumi had no choice but to further twist his arm. With a cry, Ryu dropped to his knees.

"You're condition, may I remind you, is post-overdose and badly beaten," Yankumi said, her voice low and serious. Ryu's eyes widened and he glanced up at Shin. The other's expression matched Ryu's.

"Overdose… Ryu, you didn't," Shin said, his usually bored-sounding tone containing surprise. Ryu didn't say anything; just looked away. Shin took a step forward. "Ryu-"

"Why can't you just go away," Ryu said, his voice back to being weak again. "Just like you've always done… why can't you just leave me alone?"

Yankumi released Ryu's arm and stepped away. He made no move towards Shin, towards Yankumi, towards anyone. He just stayed there, on his knees, staring emptily at his hands. Hayato, finally unable to bear it, sent a glare towards Shin. "I think you should go," he growled. He knelt down to help Ryu up, but the other just pushed him away. Slowly, he stood and used the wall to steady himself.

"I'm fine, Hayato," he said, his voice full of defeat. "I'm just gonna go lie down for a while. I'm a little tired, that's all." As if to reassure him, Ryu gave a small smile.

It was one of the most painful things Hayato had ever seen.

"Okay, Ryu. I'll be by in a while," he replied. Ryu nodded and slowly made his way down the hallway and into the spare bedroom of Yankumi's home. Hayato watched until Ryu was no longer seen before turning back to Shin and Yankumi. "Explanation. Now."

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Yankumi set down the tray of snack before Shin and Hayato at her dining table and took a seat at the head. "Alright… I know it's not much, but it's all I have on such short notice."

"It's great," Hayato replied, greedily digging in. Shin just stared at it, his dark eyes swirling with thoughts. Yankumi glanced between the two and waited patiently; hoping one would say something in regards to Ryu. However, after a minute of Hayato stuffing his face, nothing was said. Just as she was about to ask, Shin held up his hand.

"I'm sorry… I just… Well, I guess I was expecting that reaction, I just wasn't as prepared for it as I thought I was," he stated. Hayato scoffed.

"You obviously did something," he said. He glared icily at Shin. "Care to share?"

Shin sighed and, after another long, thoughtful moment, he began. "I said before that Ryu and I are related as cousins. Our fathers were fairly close before his mother died. I don't know why, but I suppose their similar natures had something to do with it."

"What, your father was a psychotic, controlling, abusive freak too?" Hayato asked, taking another bite. Shin's jaw tightened.

"Yabuki," Yankumi said, but Shin shook his head.

"No, he's right. My father was never like that, but he was narrow-minded, controlling, and very… insistent. He got what he wanted and you did as he asked," Shin said. "The thing is… I've known Ryu since he was young. I know I'm not that much older than him, but enough that I should have done something about his situation." He paused and took a drink of water that Yankumi had provided. "I don't know how much you think you know, Yabuki-kun," he said, glancing at Hayato, "but this whole situation isn't something that just happened all of the sudden, you got it?"

Hayato blinked for a moment. "But… Ryu told me that it was only recently that… that his father…"

"That his father started being physical?" Shin asked. He smirked, but it was bitter, a lot like Ryu's. "Ryu's been a victim for a very long time… A very long time."

"Impossible," Hayato said, feeling a bit embarrassed and disgruntled. "Or else I would have noticed it. We went to grade school together!"

Shin's expression remained neutral. "If that's so, then you should know better than anyone just how far Ryu's willing to go to hide something… and to keep his friends safely in the dark." Hayato went silent. He… was right. Suddenly, Hayato felt more like an idiot than ever. Always assuming that Ryu was just the 'strong and silent type' had been a horrible mistake.

"I knew his father was a little on the controlling side all those years, but…"

"Ryu's abuse wasn't always physical. If it wasn't a push here or a backhand there it was a constant reminder of how inadequate he was. His father did everything he could to make sure that Ryu's mental stability and self confidence remained in pieces; he was always easier to control that way. Of course, when you're young you hardly know any better anyways. As long as Ryu was doing what he was told and remained in constant fear of his father then his life would always be more bearable.

"Well, we all know what happens when you hit high school; that's when you start to really figure out who you are." Shin paused and looked meaningfully at Hayato. "Can you imagine what that's like? Here you have all of these other kids who've gone about their lives with confidence and are starting to find their place in the world and then there's Ryu… The kid hasn't had an identity his entire life. He has no idea how to react to a situation like that… and so he retreats within himself, the only safe place he's ever known, and puts forth a persona that he knows no one will question; cold, fearless, and independent." Shin fell silent and lowered his gaze.

"Ryu," Hayato whispered. He felt like an anvil was pressing down on his chest. All the years he'd known Ryu… He had always known that Ryu's emotionality was fragile, but he never questioned it for fear of making it worse. He wished he had seen all of this madness sooner, said something before Ryu was hurt… again.

"I don't see how you fit into this," Yankumi stated, breaking the silence. "Why did Ryu want to attack you?"

Shin gave another bitter smirk. "We saw each other often, usually because his father and my father would meet for political reasons. We got along." He took another drink of water. "One day… I saw the evidence on Ryu's skin and asked him about it, but he flat out denied that anything was happening, even though I saw the fear in his eyes when he was around his father. Actually," he paused and faced Yankumi, "that's part of the reason why I moved out of the house."

"And started living in that apartment!?" Yankumi asked with surprise. Shin nodded.

"When I brought it up to my father he said that there was no possible way that something like that could happen. I knew he knew that was a lie and often pressed the matter. He kept trying to distract me with his own expectations. Eventually I moved out and was unable to do a thing for Ryu," he said, looking away from Hayato and Yankumi. Hayato slammed his fist on the table.

"That's a lie!" he shouted. "You could have said something to the police!"

"You really think so?" Shin asked, sarcasm in his voice. "Who do you think owns the police? Eh? Think about his father, my father, and their positions. Think about Ryu! Like hell he'd just open up and say to someone that his father beats him and he's falling apart at the seams!" Shin argued. This silenced Hayato. Shin sighed. "What we need to do now is think about Ryu's situation. He can't go back to that man, not from the sound of things… not if he'll… overdose again."

"Ryu's not like that," Hayato said defensively. "He called me when it happened. I don't think he meant to."

"Regardless," Shin said. "If he's careless enough to make the mistake once then he just might do it again and this time… it could be intentional." Both men lapsed into silence. After a moment, Yankumi clapped her hands once, startling the other two.

"Right! Well, it seems that our safest best is to get Ryu to admit to the charges, yeah? If we can get him to tell someone who has a good heart and an open mind and won't be paid off with money… I think we can work something out."

"And who do you have in mind?" Hayato asked. Yankumi fell silent again, only to have her eyes widened and a grin appeared on her face.

"I know just the man," she stated. "Hayato," she said, looking at her student with determination. "Please go get Ryu. We can tell him what has to be done. With all of us here to support him, I'm sure he'll go along with it."

"Then I best leave," Shine said, standing.

"No!" Yankumi shouted. "Sawada, if you want a chance to redeem yourself, now's the time!" There was another moment of silence between the two before Shin eventually nodded. "Right. Hayato?" Yankumi said, looking back to Hayato.

"Yeah, I'll get him," he said, standing and jogging from the room and down the hall. Yankumi kept her determined expression. She knew this would work… and she was certain the officer she had in mind would help her.

Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a few banging noises, followed by the sound of someone running. Suddenly, Hayato burst into the room, panic written on his face and his eyes wide.

"He's gone!"

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Ryu walked through the streets slowly, the city dark and wet with the heavy rain. Even though it was noontime the skies were still dark. He smirked emptily and continued onward.

It was cold, but he didn't have a jacket. Only his white button up, jeans, and boots clothed him. Rain dripped down his bangs, his clothes and hair soaked. He didn't care, though. Even when he started to sniffle and cough he didn't care. Walking through the streets like a homeless, soaking wet ruffian… and he didn't care.

The few people that passed him paid him no mind. His shivering frame brought on zero attention from strangers, but Ryu expected as much. What did he look like to them now? He was no longer the tall, cold, menacing Ryu who was strong, capable of defending his friends, and willing to jump fist first into anything if it was to help someone. Now he was pathetic, frail Ryu without a shred of dignity or an ounce of strength.

He passed by a few men who stopped and stared uneasily at the boy. "Oi!" one said, jogging around to face Ryu. "Whatcha doin' out in this weather without a coat?" Ryu said nothing. "Oi! I asked you a question!" the stranger shouted. Ryu remained silent. "Look at me!" Nothing.

Suddenly, pain exploded in Ryu's head as the stranger drew back a fist and gave Ryu a punch that sent him sprawling into the mud. "That'll teach ya! You think you're too good to talk to me!? Ha! Come on, guys… This nobody's just a worthless hunk of flesh. He doesn't even look like he has a few bucks for us… Hardly worth the trouble." Laughter followed the man's words and slowly faded as they walked away. Ryu just lay there on the ground, the cold rain pounding into his flesh as the headache chipped away at his mind. He'd been able to bear it before, but now the small dam had cracked and fallen away completely. Sound faded out and only the steady thud of his head roared in his ears.

Suddenly, a light was shown on his face.

"Oi! You there!" said an authorative voice. Immediately Ryu tensed, but even through blurry vision he could see that it wasn't who he thought it was… who he feared it was. It was just an ordinary patroller who was making his way towards him. As he neared Ryu began to right himself and made it to his knees. "What're you doing? Are you alright?" he asked, clearly confused as to what a kid like him was doing out in the rain with no jacket on a lying on the ground. Ryu wiped away the small amount of blood on his lip.

"I'm fine," he said, forcing himself to stand. The blood rushed to his head and made him dizzy, but he was able to steady himself before the pain killed him. The officer stared at him in disbelief.

"Are you intoxicated?" he asked, shining the light in Ryu's eyes. He winced in pain and looked away.

"No. I'm fine," he said, walking away from the officer.

"W-wait!"

"I mean it sir, I'm fine," he said, hating how having the raise his voice made his head hurt. He quickly turned into a tunnel, avoiding the rain for a moment, along with the officer, and emerged on the other side into a more rundown section of town. The buildings looked intimidating in the dank weather, but Ryu didn't notice. He only made it a few more steps before he finally collapsed in the alley. All his strength was gone, zapped out by the icy rain. He didn't mind, though. He was tired anyways. Maybe… if he closed his eyes for a little while and rested against the cold wall, then maybe he could gather his strength and keep going.

He wasn't sure where to, yet, but he knew it had to be far away from Yankumi and Hayato. He couldn't risk them… they were in danger when he was around. He wondered if they noticed his absence yet. Oh well, he thought, letting his mind drift behind his closed eyes. The ache in his brain seemed to lessen as he remained there.

"You make it too easy, Ryu," said a painfully familiar voice.

Ryu just silently prayed that they'd get it over with and kill him immediately this time.

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See??? I didn't forget about you guys! : D Here I am, once again! I was working on a drabble, actually… and desperately avoiding this story… I actually just wrote this all tonight in one single shot, which isn't usually my style. But, as writing goes, I wrote the opening scene about fifty thousand times and still wasn't happy. Finally, I closed the Gokusen drabble I was working on and said "Damnit! You'll write this chapter even if it KILLS YOU!" –insert violence and Chuck Norris-

Sooo… Yeah. Here it is. Oh, and I've SO been on a Chuck Norris run lately. I wanna grow up to be just like him! He's my effin' hero! –bought a poster yesterday- and, uh, those Chuck Norris facts? Yeah. They get me a gut rollin'.

"Chuck Norris doesn't sleep… he waits."

I wanna be THAT badass someday!