Chapter five:

Kaoru is watching the front of the class so the teacher thinks that he is paying attention when his mind is miles away. He keeps playing that night in his head and how everything had happened. He can still hear the gunshots as clear as day in his head as if they are ringing throughout this classroom. He lets out a quiet deep breath. He feels as though this mundane life moments have become even more boring than before. He hears some soft whispering causing his head to tilt to glance to Haruhi and Hikaru who are quietly whispering something.

Hikaru seems to be the one that had started the whispered conversation as he is leaning a little closer to Haruhi while staying in his seat.

Kaoru turns away from them. 'Good.' He thinks to himself. 'Maybe if Hikaru grows closer to Haruhi then maybe he won't be too close if something does go wrong. He knows that the whole thing he has gotten involved in with could put Hikaru in danger. So if Hikaru hangs around Haruhi more then maybe it will protect him.

The bell rings and everyone starts to gather their stuff to get ready to head lunch.

"Hey Kaoru." Hikaru's voice brings Kaoru's attention to his brother who approaches him. "You ready to go?"

"You go ahead." Kaoru smiles to his brother. "I'll be there soon. Promise."

Hikaru nods his head okay trusting his brother to keep his word and even if he's late he'd still have trust in him. He heads off and Kaoru takes a little longer to put his stuff away.

Kaoru leaves the classroom and knows that Hikaru has already had plenty of time to head off. He pauses as his eyes end up meeting with Ritsu's. He sees the red headed man nod to a window as if to indicate that they should both go outside. He nods softly and the two head off keeping distance between each other for now. He follows Ritsu to one of the outside water fountains where no one comes at this time, plus its not easily seen from windows. He sits on the stone edge next to the red head. "Okay. So what is that you wanted to discuss away from everyone?" He does have a feeling what this is about though.

"The shooting." Ritsu confirms Kaoru's suspicions. "One of my family's members spotted you heading off with some others from the area. It was clear to them that you guys were involved. I was told to talk to you."

"Is this because people died?" Kaoru raises an eyebrow at the other.

"No. We could care less about the death." Ritsu shrugs his shoulders then meets Kaoru's eyes as they both stare at each other a little intensely. "That group you were seen with. It is a smaller Yakuza group. You really don't know what you're getting yourself into." He continues as the ginger haired male watches him while listening. "That small Yakuza group and a second one don't cause trouble for my family, even having a map of places they can't steal customers in, though they fight with each other. A lot. It is very dangerous. That other group could start hunting you now that two of them are dead. I can't guarantee that the group you were with will protect you if they do come after you. My only offer is that we can tell them to not touch you or try anything on anyone you care about. However that means that you will have to cut your ties with the one group. Never to talk to them again. You'll have to avoid them. I can only offer this now. Before you get yourself too involved with them. So before you become in too deep with all of this, think about what my family is offering. We won't be able to protect you if you refuse this offer. So when you consider this remember that this is your only chance to back out of this type of life."

Kaoru knows how serious this all is so he does really think into it. He glances to the sky as he thinks glad that Ritsu is letting him really think about this literal once in a lifetime offer. He didn't know he is involved with a small Yakuza group that clearly respects the bigger yakuza group Ritsu's family controls. Should he really continue along this darker unpredictable path or back out to live a simpler life his parents planned for him? Does he feel like it is worth it to stick with a group he had only met that night? He will be putting his life in danger along with those that he cares about if he isn't careful. He could protect them if needed and if he takes the right steps. He'd be walking that line though. He bites his bottom lip as he really takes it all in. He releases his bottom lip after a few moments as he does come to his own decision. He really feels like the path he has decided on is indeed the one that he wants to take this time is what he wants to do. He turns back to look to Ritsu who looks as serious as ever. He offers the other a smile. "Thank you Ritsu." He says and the other shifts as if to tell him how things are going to happen for his protection. "But I am going to have to say no." He adds truly surprising the other. "I understand the risk. Better now because you have shared some information that I was unaware of." He blinks at the other gratefully. "I accept that this is dangerous. However I have a feeling that maybe this is a path I have to take in life." He sees some understanding start to come to Ritsu's face, about why he had rejected the help in getting out of the life he's suddenly found himself in. "My parents were hoping I'd kind of help Hikaru. It was how they had planned my life. However they have always planned for Hikaru to be the one to take over the family business. So I feel like I need to find out why I am here. Hikaru can handle our family business just fine. I need to find myself and perhaps this is something I need to get involved with. To find that place in life for myself."

Ritsu nods his head then sighs heavily closing his eyes. He gets to his feet as Kaoru watches. He opens his eyes halfway then turns to look to the ginger haired male. "Well alright then Kaoru. If that is what you have decided to do then I will not interfere." He turns his body to face the other then offers a hand for a hand shake causing Kaoru to blink confused at him. "Then I would like to offer something else. If there is a message that needs to be shared then you will be added to the ways my family's group can get into contact with the group you have gotten into."

Kaoru smiles softly and gets to his feet. He grabs the others hand in which they shake on it. "Sounds good to me. And if I need to share anything I will let you know." He watches Ritsu nod in agreement to that.

"I'll share your decision." Ritsu adds as the two of them let go of each other's hands.

"Thank you."

The two make sure they have each others phone numbers then head their separate ways. They make sure that they enter the school in two different ways so no one actually sees them together.

Kaoru gets his lunch then joins Hikaru who is halfway through eating his lunch. "Sorry for being a little later than I thought." He apologizes in which Hikaru waves it off.

Hikaru swallows the food in his mouth before he speaks. "It is quite alright brother. I knew you'd come." He resumes eating as Kaoru begins to eat the food that he had gotten for lunch today.

'Yes.' Kaoru thinks to himself as he eats. 'This was the right decision about the path I want to take. It'll make my life interesting in ways I never thought I'd ever have to face.'