A/N: Welcome back to When The Brothers Cry! Sorry for how long I've been inactive, but there's been two major factors keeping me from getting this chapter out. 1, my laptop actually broke, and I had to wait on a friend repairing it. 2, I've been suffering from a severe case of "Writer's ADD", and I couldn't write too much on this story, without changing to another story. Anyway, enjoy the new chapter!
Chapter 11 – A Different Path
After the brawl outside Angel Mort, and returning Rika and Rena home, Adam and Jamie had driven back to their home, and parked their cars, before they entered their house again, and packed away their shopping. Afterwards, they collapsed onto the couch, before Adam noticed something. "You alright? You're being uncharacteristically quiet." he asked Jamie, who chuckled. "It's nothing." The older brother replied, before Adam smirked. "Jamie, I can tell when you're bullshitting." He said, causing Jamie to suck his teeth. "Alright. I'll be honest with you. Could you ease off on backing me up sometimes? It's getting a tad tiresome." He asked, before Adam scowled. "What you on about?" he asked, before Jamie rubbed his jaw. "Don't get me wrong, I appreciate you backing me up earlier, but I've got to learn to handle myself sometimes." He explained, getting a sigh from Adam. "You sure?" the younger brother asked, causing Jamie to nod. "Alright. I'll back off next time. Just remember, you need me, don't hesitate to ask." He said, drawing a smile from Jamie. "Thanks bro." he said, holding up a fist. Bumping his against Jamie's, Adam pushed himself to his feet. "I'm going to bed. I'm fucking knackered!" he said, causing Jamie to chuckle. "Alright, I'll see you the morra, bro." the elder brother said, before Adam nodded, and went into his room. Closing the door behind him, he turned and fell backwards onto his bed. Almost immediately, he fell asleep, entering into the world of dreams…
The Next Day…
After getting ready for school, Adam met up with Jamie in the garage, smiling when he saw him working on his car. "You ready to go?" he asked, causing Jamie to look at him. "Yeah." The older brother replied, closing his hood. "Just making a few modifications." He said, before Adam nodded. "Let's get going." He said, opening his Charger door. Doing the same with the Skyline, Jamie smiled. "Ride or Die." He said, prompting a chuckle from Adam. "Ride or Die." He said, before sliding into the driver's seat of the Charger, as his brother entered the Skyline. Picking up the walkie talkie in his car, Adam said, "Race you there?", before he looked to Jamie, who nodded. "Just don't cheat this time, little brother." He said, causing Adam to smirk, as he placed his walkie talkie back down. "Gotta let that go." He said, igniting his engine, causing the Charger to roar, just as the Skyline did the same. Looking to Jamie, Adam nodded, and shifted his gearstick, before slamming on the accelerator. In a cloud of burning rubber, the two cars tore out of the garage, and down the street.
After remaining head-to-head for the majority of the race, the two cars reached the last leg of the race, as they came up to the road before the school gate. Looking to Jamie, Adam shifted his gearstick, causing the Charger to shift forward, overtaking the Skyline. As he smiled, Jamie shifted his gearstick, prompting the Skyline to regain the distance, as well as overtaking the Charger, just before they drove into the courtyard. "Yeah! Owned you! Owned you!" Jamie roared, as the brothers parked their cars. Opening and closing his door, Adam walked over to Jamie, and held up a fist. "Nice race, brother." He said, before Jamie bumped his fist against his. "Thanks, Adam." He replied, following Adam into the school.
When they entered the class, Jamie immediately split off to converse with Shion, while Adam sat down with Rika and Satoko, who smiled openly at him. "Everything okay with you and Jamie today, Adam?" Rika asked, smiling when he nodded. "Fine and dandy, Rika. Why'd you ask?" he replied, getting a shrug from his crush. "No reason. I just thought there was a bit of tension between you and Jamie last night." She stated, causing Adam to chuckle. "Yeah, there was. Turns out, he wanted me to back off from helping him in fights. I saw where he was coming from and agreed to lay off until he needs me. So, we're cool. No need to worry your pretty little head about it." He said, reaching over and patting her on the head. Smiling, Rika opened her mouth and said, "~Nippah!~" Smiling himself, Adam withdrew his hand. "So, what's new?" he asked, cracking his neck. "Well, the town shrine's getting ready for the Watanagashi Festival." Satoko said, causing Adam to adopt a confused look. "Watanagashi?" he asked, before the girls nodded. "It's also called the Cotton Drifting Festival. We set balls of cotton drifting down a river, which symbolises our letting go of our sins. And you wanna know something cool?" Satoko asked, before Adam nodded. Clapping a hand on Rika's shoulder, Satoko said, "Our very own Rika is the current shrine maiden.", causing Adam's eyes to widen, as he looked to Rika, who nodded.
"Well, I'll be damned." He said, just as the door to the class opened, and Miss Rumiko walked in. "Okay, class, settle down!" she said, causing the class to fall silent as they got into their chairs. "Alright, now we can get started." She said, before passing out the work for the first class of the day…
A Few Hours Later…
"Alright, class, you can do what you want. I'll be in the office with Principal Kaieda. If anything happens, come and get me." Rumiko said, before the class echoed, "Yes, Miss Rumiko!", and she left the courtyard. Immediately, the majority of the class went to playing a game of football, but the Games Club were called together by Mion. "Okay, so, here's what we're going to do today. We're playing a round of Zombie Tag." She said, before Adam raised a hand. "Yes, Adam." Mion said, before the boy nodded, and lowered his hand. "How does this game work?" he asked, before Rika spoke up. "One person acts as the Zombie, and whoever they tag, becomes a Zombie as well. The winner is the last one uninfected. Get it?" she explained, as the brothers nodded. "Got it. This is gonna be fun." Adam said, cracking his shoulder. "Who's it?" Jamie asked, before the Club smiled. "Rock, Paper, Scissors to decide?" Keiichi suggested, before Mion nodded. "Let's do it." She said, before all the members held out their fists. "Ready?" she asked, flashing a Cheshire grin when the rest of the Club nodded. "Alright then…" she stated, raising her fist…
"Rock, Paper, Scissors!"
After a few games, it was decided that Satoko would be the first zombie, and as she started to count down, the Club took off running. Immediately, Adam and Jamie turned round the corner of the school. Kneeling down in front of a tree, Jamie clasped his hands together. "Ready." He said, before Adam nodded, and ran towards him. Stepping on his brother's clasped hands, he used them as a launchpad to propel himself into the treetop. Securing himself onto the branches, he turned round, and extended a hand down to his brother. Leaping up, Jamie grabbed the hand, and allowed Adam to pull him up into the tree as well.
"So, would this be classified as cheating?" Jamie asked, as he and Adam settled themselves into their branch. Shrugging, Adam looked down at the ground. "They didn't make a rule against it." He said, before Jamie nodded. "Oh, heads up." He said, lightly slapping Adam's shoulder, before pointing to the ground. Following his brother's finger, Adam saw Rika walking over. As she stopped under the tree the brothers were in, the pair fell silent, but they were shocked when she looked up into the tree, and locked eyes with Adam. Raising a finger to her lips, she walked off, before Adam looked to Jamie. "How the fuck did she know we were here?" He asked, before Jamie shrugged. "Let's stay up here for now. If she rats us out, let's move." He suggested, getting a nod from Adam. Settling back down, the brothers kept a vigil over the school grounds…
After an hour…
"Alright, that's the bell!" Mion said, collapsing against a tree, causing the Club to gather round her. "Who was tagged?" Shion asked, before Satoko, Rika, Keiichi and Rena raised their hands. "Hang on. Where are the brothers?" Rika asked, although she knew exactly where they were. "Look up." Jamie's voice said, causing the Club to look up into the trees, where the brothers were sitting, smiling evilly. "How long have you two been up there?" Hanyuu asked, before the brothers leapt out of the tree, landing next to the Club. "About an hour. You didn't say we couldn't." Jamie said, before Mion shrugged. "Alright, you got me there." She said, before turning back to the Club. "So, Hanyuu, the brothers, Shion and I were uninfected. We win!" she said, before the losers clapped their hands. "Well played, guys!" Rena said, before they started to follow the other students inside…
After getting changed, Adam saw Rika hesitating before he entered the class. "You alright, Rika?" he asked, snapping the girl out of the trance she was in. "Oh, sorry, Adam! Yeah, I'm alright. I'm just thinking I'm gonna be late." She said, before Adam scowled in confusion. "Late? For what?" he asked, before Rika smiled. "I'm needed for helping prepare the shrine for the Watanagashi Festival." She said, before Adam nodded. "Alright, I'll ride you over there." He said, before leaning into the class. "Jamie!" he called out, drawing his brother's attention. "Yo!" he replied, before Adam jerked his head towards Rika. "Rika needs to get to the shrine to help with Festival preparations. If Miss Chie asks, I'm driving her." He said, before Jamie nodded. "Got your back, bro." he said, before Adam nodded, and disappeared back round the door.
"Alright then. Let's go." Adam said to Rika, who nodded, and gestured out the door. "Lead the way." She said, before following him out of the school. As for Jamie, he had gone over to Shion and Mion. "What Festival was Adam talking about?" he asked, before the sisters began to explain Watanagashi to him…
Back with Adam, he and Rika were in the Charger, which Adam was making drift round various corners. "So, why you being called to help prepare the shrine for this Festival?" he asked, before Rika smiled. "I'm the current shrine priestess, I'll have you know." She said, before Adam's eyes widened. "Seriously?" he asked, before Rika chuckled. "I'm willing to bet you just fantasised me in some robes. Right?" she demanded, causing Adam to chuckle. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't." he said, before Rika smiled, and placed a hand on top of his on the gearstick. "Well, ease up there. Now, how about you show me how fast this car can go?" She said, before Adam looked to her. "As m'lady commands." He said, before shifting to a higher gear, but he kept his eyes on Rika, performing the same "Stare & Drive" manoeuvre from the previous day. As the Charger gained speed, Rika raised an eyebrow, while not breaking eye contact, before Adam slammed on the brakes, bringing the car to a stop outside their intended destination. As Rika laughed, Adam released the wheel.
"So, will you be needing a ride back?" he asked, before Rika shook her head. "No. But, I have to ask, could you stay still?" she asked, before Adam nodded. "Alright. But if you plan to hit me, I warn you, I have good reflexes." He said, before Rika smiled. "Good." She said, before launching herself forward. A second later, she was locked at the lips with him. While his eyes widened, Adam eventually relaxed, and returned the kiss, before she gently pulled away from him. "I'm sorry for doing that, but I couldn't hold back anymore…" she said, before Adam silenced her by kissing her again. When he pulled back, he said, "Neither could I. But as much as I would love to keep this up, you've got work to do." He said, before Rika nodded. "Well, if you don't wanna part ways, you can always help out." She said, before Adam sighed. "Screw it, nothing better to do." He said, causing Rika to smile, before he turned off the engine, and exited the Charger. After locking it, he followed Rika into the shrine…
Back at the School…
"Right, shall we get going?" Mion asked, before the Club nodded, and got ready to leave the class. Looking over to Jamie, Shion asked, "You coming?", receiving a nod from Jamie. "Yeah, sure." He said, before packing up his books, and exiting the room with the Club. When they got outside, Jamie's attention was immediately drawn to the empty space next to the Skyline. "Wonder where Adam is." He said, before Mion smiled. "He's probably out with his girlfriend!" she said, before Jamie smiled. "Yeah, wouldn't shock me." He said, before walking over to the Skyline. "I'll see you all tomorrow." He said, getting a series of nods from the Club, before sliding into the driver's seat. As he went to drive off, he was shocked by the passenger door opening, and Shion sliding into the seat beside him.
"I wanted to talk to you, alone." She said, before Jamie smirked. "Let's get away from here, then." He said, drawing a smile from Shion. "What are you waiting for, then?" she said, compelling Jamie to shift gears, and speed out of the courtyard.
After driving for a while, Jamie slowed to a stop on a cliff overlooking Hinamizawa. Turning off his engine, he looked to Shion. "I usually come up here with Adam to appreciate the view." He explained, as both of them exited the Skyline, and sat on the hood. "Well, I guess this is as good a place as any." Shion said, drawing a questioning look from Jamie. "For what?" he asked, before Shion turned to him. "I have something to say to you, Jamie, and I want you to refrain from judging me." She said, a blush creeping up on her cheeks, before Jamie smiled. "I'd never judge you, Shion. What's up?" he asked. In answer, Shion nodded.
"I…I love you, Jamie." She said, looking down at the ground. A few seconds of silence passed, before Jamie chuckled. "Look at me, Shion." He said, lightly pushing her chin up. When she locked eyes with him, Jamie could see she was near tears. Catching her off guard, he lunged forward, and kissed her. After a few seconds, Shion wrapped her arms round Jamie's neck and returned the kiss, as her eyes fluttered shut. After a few seconds, the pair broke apart.
"I love you too, Shion." Jamie said, before the girl chuckled. "Well, only one question left; we a couple now?" she asked, before Jamie looked up at the sky in thought. "I guess we are." He said, causing Shion to laugh slightly. "Alright, then." She said, before checking her watch. "Damn. I need to get home." She sighed, before Jamie nodded. "Alright, I'll run you there." He said, getting a nod from Shion, who got back into the Skyline, him following afterwards. A few seconds later, the car was leaving a dust cloud behind it, as it turned away from the edge of the cliff and tore off down the road…
Later that Night…
As Adam parked at a set of lights, he smiled to himself, before a 2nd car pulling up beside him caught his attention. "Hey, bro." Jamie's voice said, drawing Adam's attention to him. "What's got you in such a good mood?" he asked, making Adam smile. "I think you already know, bro." he said, before Jamie chuckled. "So, Rika finally kissed you, huh?" he said, before Adam smiled. "How about this? Beat me home, and I'll tell you." He said, before Jamie scoffed while grasping his wheel. "I beat you this morning, I can do it again." He said, causing Adam to chuckle. "I let off the throttle at the line." He said, before revving his engine. "Oh, you wanna play like that?" Jamie said, before revving the Skyline's engine. After a few moments, the green light blared, and the two cars sped off…
A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! After how long it took, I'm not sure how it turned out. Anyway, I'll see you all in the next chapter, Watanagashi II. Madman out!