Beta'd by the dashing and sexy Fuusunshine

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Hajime stood panting in the midst of the felled men. Sure, he was notorious for his skills but even 20 against one was a bit much, thankfully Shinpachi and Kyo had arrived in time. He wasn't that bad off but he wasn't good either and the additional help from the two men was a welcome reprieve, though brief as his main concern was for Toudou and he quickly told them as much. Kyo immediately left to find the small brunette while Shinpachi stayed to assist him, they made quick work of the remaining assassins and that was when Hajime realized he actually was pretty rough. His adrenaline high had faded and he took stock of his injuries, a few nicks and scrapes nothing too serious except the throbbing sharp pain in his leg. Sucking in a breath he looked down to see a steady red stream snaking its way down his leg, Shinpachi growled and scooping him up despite his protests carried him down the hall to Souji's room. The brunette knocked on the door and it was pulled back by a worried looking Toshi, his violet eyes red and puffy from crying, his mouth pulled in a taunt line as he surveyed the big man and his slender cargo. He stepped back wordlessly to let them in and Shinpachi set him on the couch, the throbbing in his leg becoming stronger.

"Was it Yukimura?" Toshi asked in a low voice, Shinpachi nodded.

"It seems he sent assassins to do away with anyone he thought troublesome, mainly Souji and Toudou."

"Where is Toudou?" Toshi asked, eyeing the injured Hajime who was on the couch panting, his eyes closed.

"He told him to run, to get to Chikage's, Kyo is on his trail now and once he finds him they will seek shelter there." Toshi nodded, that was probably the best plan as Elysium was clearly not safe.

"And Sanosuke? Has anyone heard from him?" Shinpachi asked, the worry evident in his eyes.

"I have" a smooth voice intoned, turning both men saw Chikage standing there. "He has gone to deal with his father."

Toudou closed his eyes tightly as he held onto Kyo for dear life, the violet haired man must think he was a stunt devil or something because he swore they were going well over 100 mph. His arms wrapped tight around the trim waist of his rescuer as they sped toward the Kazama mansion. He only dared to open his eyes when he felt Kyo nudge the bike into its lower gears and slow it down, his green blue eyes cracked open and he drank in the sight. The Kazama mansion was quite a sight to behold, its great expanse still managing to look modest amidst all the land that surrounded it, the white brick structure rose up like a beacon in the darkness of night. He felt himself let out a breath he didn't know he had been holding as Kyo pulled up to the front and putting the kickstand down swung himself off the bike. Toudou just stayed seated, gaping at the simple yet extravagant surrounds before he remembered to dismount, and clumsily slid off the bike, Kyo smirking offered him a hand.

"Chikage is ok with this?" Kyo nodded.

"It was his idea, he figured you and Hajime would also be in danger, and Sanosuke did as well. This was the only safe place to go."

"He was probably right" Toudou said softly, wrapping his arms around his small frame as Kyo ushered him inside. "I'm just glad you found me in time."

The violet eyed man studied him, Hajime was taken with this small man who despite his size was quite brave. He could see he was beautiful, almost delicate in his features and he wondered what his lips would taste like, if they were as sweet as Shinpachi's or as spicy as Sanosuke's. Before he could get himself in check Kyo leaned over and gently pressed his lips to the smaller man's, Toudou's eyes widened in surprise at the action yet something registered in his mind that this was OK. Keeping his eyes open he returned the kiss without deepening it, they stayed there for a few moments, lips pressed together in comfortable silence before Kyo moved back.

"You are quite sweet" he said warmly, running his tongue over his lips. "I apologize for my action but I was wondering."

"It's nothing to apologize for" Toudou smiled as he understood the reason. Kyo did love Shinpachi and had a history with Sanosuke but that didn't mean he wouldn't appreciate beauty he found elsewhere. A chaste kiss was nothing that bothered Toudou as there was clearly nothing behind it, he smiled and nudged the taller man.

"You think we should go inside?"

"Yea, the other's will be joining us as soon as they can."

Hajime was trying not to scream in pain as the dark haired doctor performed minor surgery on his leg. The doctor had stuck around given the nights events, a thing which all involved were grateful for at this moment; except Hajime. Grunting in pain he bit down on the towel in his mouth, he had refused to be sedated as he knew to make it through the night he would need his wits about him. The doctor had provided a local anesthetic, but it wasn't doing much other than slightly dampening the pain. He felt the man cut his leg open in order to get to the bullet, the wound he had on his leg, he had thought the bullet had gone the whole way through but it would seem that it was lodged in there fairly deep. Shinpachi's rather large paw of a hand was holding onto both of his as he squeezed for his life as the pain shot up his leg. Hearing a clink he relaxed slightly, the bullet was out. Then he felt a small poke, and that small poke quickly turned into a much larger and painful one, his eyebrows knitted together in confusion.

"It's too deep to leave open, it needs stitches" the doctor informed him, never breaking from his work. Hajime got out a muffled mmpffhh as a sort of consent and saw the doctors lips turn upward slightly. He worked quickly, Hajime would give him that, and soon his leg was all sewed up. Shinpachi motioned to Chikage and the two men talked quietly for a few moments before Shinpachi returned to Hajime.

"We are going to Kazama's. Toudou is already there with Kyo and you will be safe there."

"No" Hajime said, shaking his shaggy head his dark locks dancing; "I have to help Sanosuke."

"What help will you be with a bum leg? You can't stand on that." Chikage said, motioning to the wound that ran down the top of Hajime's thigh to right above his kneecap.

"I don't know, but it's our father I can't let him do this alone. " He saw Shinpachi raise his brows at Chikage in unspoken question.

"Fine" Chikage waved his hands "but I don't like this one bit."

"I'll go with him" Shinpachi offered, smiling he turned to Hajime "after all if something happens I can help." Hajime sighed, he knew this was the only way so he gave his consent before he was swept up in the big man's arms and carried out the door.

Koudou's eyes widened as the pipe dropped from his mouth. The sound of a gunshot still reverberating in his ears, his son's eyes narrowed and hard, the pistol in his hand pointed at him.

"The next one won't miss father" a voice that was his son's yet not said.

"You wouldn't kill your own dad would you?" He smiled. His elder son Sanosuke wouldn't kill him, no, if either of his boys could it would be Hajime. Cold, calculating, smart Hajime not his oaf of a son Sanosuke who was ruled by his heart.

"Wouldn't I? I see no father here. All I see is a man so blinded by greed and power he hurts those close to him."

"Sanosuke, you know everything I have done has been for you and Hajime's sake" he slapped on his most winsome smile, trying to placate his upset child.

"No it hasn't" his son said lowly "if it had you wouldn't have forced Kyo and I apart, or be trying to kill those we love."

"Son" he said, spreading his arms out "of course it has. You and Hajime will inherit all I have worked for, without distractions you both can bring our name back to the top."

"Is that all you care about father?" A soft, velvet like voice spoke from the back of the room. Both men turned to see Hajime, leaning on Shinpachi, his dark hair covering his face. Shock registered in their father's face as he took in the sight of his battered son.

"Hajime…" He started toward the man.

"Stay away father" he commanded in a low tone, his deep blue eyes flashing in the moonlight. "Don't come near me or I will shoot. " He straightened himself up and Sanosuke saw the cuts and scrapes and the trail of blood down his leg.

"Are you going to tell me this is for our own good?" Hajime gestured to himself, "that sending people to kill our loved ones and us if we get in the way is for our own fucking good?!" His voice rose as he continued talking, and Hajime cursing was like seeing a unicorn. Koudou took a step back, unsure of how to handle his younger son, Hajime had always been the calm and collected one and his father had no idea how to handle him in his current state.

"Hajime, come now" Koudou said warmly "you know I always looked out for you boys."

"Bullshit" his dark haired son spat out, "you only cared about yourself. We were shoved to the side the second our mother died" he leveled his pistol at Koudou "and now it's our turn to shove you to the side. We don't need your greed or ideals to be successful. Sano and I can take it from here."