Chapter Three

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"Takahashi-Sensei?"

Ryouichi looked up from his paperwork "Nozomi-san! Welcome."

The orthopedic surgeon looked at his boss sympathetically through the doorway. "I just came back in for my night shift from home. My wife brought some miso soup for you. Please take a break and have some. The nurses tell me you haven't eaten since noon."

The director sat back in his recliner and felt his stomach begin to retaliate. "I guess so. Please thank you wife for me."

The doctor nodded. "I hear that your eldest son has just graduated from Gunma University."

Ryouichi beamed. "Indeed. That boy has finally grown up."

"I understand that both of your sons are quite fond of racing." Nozomi mused in a questioning tone, knowing full well what the answer was going to be.

The director laughed in spite of himself. "It was a small indulgence I allowed both of them when they were old enough. Keisuke took advantage of it and now is most likely headed to the professionals."

Nozomi dug in his memory from the conversation with his nephew the week before. "Isn't he the driver of the Mazda RX-7 FD?"

Ryouichi raised an eyebrow. "The what?" He laughed softly. "I have no idea what they drive; Ryousuke chose his own vehicle, Keisuke most likely based his judgment on his Aniki's, and all I did was pay for them both. Keisuke's car is an obnoxious yellow color though, suits his personality better."

"I thought that your older son, Ryousuke was the team's leader."

Ryouichi grunted and shrugged. "I wouldn't doubt it. Ryousuke has enough logic, intelligence, and ability to do whatever he wants extremely well. Keisuke inherited a hot temper, from my wife's side of the family of course," he grinned. "It's just good that Ryousuke made the right decision to go to medical school and become a cardiologist.

Nozomi half-smiled. How odd that Takahashi Ryousuke was not pursuing a career in racing. What a shame. He had met the elder son during his volunteer shifts in the hospital. In Nozomi's opinion, Takahashi Ryousuke had the temperament and knowledge to handle emergency situations better than a handful of the staff at Takasaki Hospital; he would make a very impressive physician. His nephew, however, could never stop talking about the great Takahashi Brothers of the Rotary Engine. Nozomi shrugged it off. It was none of his business what the director's sons did with their lives.

"It was nice speaking with you Takahashi-Sensei," sand Nozomi, exiting the room. "I must return to my duties."

"Likewise," said Ryouichi, looking with bleary eyes at the clock on the wall.

The phone rang on the wall and he went to answer it. It was his wife.

"Good Ev –" he started.

Kiyori's anxious voice stopped him cold. "Have you heard from either of the boys?!"

Ryouichi sighed. "They are not boys anymore Kiyori, and no, I have not. They often don't come home until morning, if at all."

"Ryousuke didn't come home at all and now Keisuke is gone too and he left his door wide open! He never leaves his door open!"

He could tell his wife was on the verge of hysteria. Women. "Please, Kiyori, calm down. I am sure they are fine. Ryousuke probably called Keisuke to go out for a drink or a drive or something." Even as the words left his mouth, he could taste the lie and he knew his wife would not buy it either. In this weather, he doubted that Ryousuke would have been the instigator behind nightly activities.

As predicted, Kiyori didn't buy it.

"Look Kiyori, I only have a little more work left and I will come directly home. If you get restless, I'm sure Tsugumi would love to keep you company."

Ryouichi heard her holding back tears as she said goodbye. His wife was not the type of person to overreact except when it came to Keisuke's misbehavior or bad wine. "I wonder what's wrong."

"Hmm," he thought to himself. "Back to work."

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Kobayashi Manaka groaned as she folded her forty-seventh towel. Having switched emergency room volunteer hours with her roommate to put in some extra hours at work last week, she was left with the much hated midnight shift. She looked at the clock – 3:00AM. Two more hours.

"Forty-eight…" she muttered under her breath. Oato-Sensei's organic chemistry class was more interesting than this. She was in the university to become a physical therapist, not a housekeeper. After working a twelve-hour shift at the restaurant earlier, all Manaka wanted to do was go back to the apartment she shared with two other friends and go to sleep.

Truth was, volunteering wasn't so bad during the day. There were times last year when Manaka even was able to run errands to the cardiology lab where the director's eldest son spent his mandatory volunteer hours. She had seen him around at the university, but never in classes; he was two years older and enrolled in formal medical school.

Sadly, Manaka realized that he graduated this year. Takahashi Ryousuke fascinated her; his intelligence in the classroom was renowned throughout the university and at one time, he even helped her with a difficult physics problem. News traveled around the school that he was quite a driver, but was becoming a physician out of his family's wishes. She fully understood the meaning of sacrificing for family and was a strong defendant in the virtue of giving up one's own dreams for the sake of family.

At least he's sacrificing for a family that's still with him. Manaka could feel the tears burning jealously behind her eyes. Subconsciously left hand went to cover her right forearm, where a deep, hand-shaped bruise was burning below the cotton sweater.

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Kiyori placed the phone in is holder and walked down to the kitchen for some hot tea. Ryousuke not coming home was one thing, but Keisuke rushing out the door was the trigger for the warning bells in her head.

Ever since they were little Keisuke had practically worshipped his Aniki. Ryousuke was surprisingly patient with the hot-headed and impulsive little boy, knowing exactly when to indulge him and where to set limits. They had become extremely close growing up together, especially though their shared passion for road racing.

She had discovered only a couple of years ago how famous her sons actually were. Tsugumi's school friend had brought a racing magazine to their house in hopes that Ryousuke and Keisuke would sign the cover. It had fallen out of her backpack when Kiyori went to move it off the couch. Driven by her own curiosity, she read the extended articles covering their successes and fan followings.

It came as no surprise to her the extent of their talent, especially Ryousuke. Parents weren't supposed to play favorites with their children, and she didn't when it came to measures of love, but Kiyori always felt more protective of Ryousuke because his father was so much harder on him than Keisuke. Everything her first born did, he had to do well, and to Ryouichi, well was never good enough. Ryousuke always strove to be the best and as a mother, she never had to worry about any aspect of his life except his racing and the potential dangers of the sport.

Ever since he was a child, Ryousuke would try to please his father. Ryouichi, she knew, was secretly very pleased with everything his son did. All of their acquaintances would hear the legendary stories of the brilliant Ryousuke, but the compliments stopped when the person himself was within earshot. Somehow, the need to please his father, which failed time after time, transferred to every other aspect of his life. Ryousuke now demanded perfection from himself and the greatest effort of those around him.

"He had to grow up too quickly," she sighed and rolled her eyes at the thought of her other son. Keisuke had taken advantage of Ryousuke's brief childhood and prolonged his own, happily indulged by his father.

When Kiyori had read to the part of the article covering their different personalities, she couldn't help but smile to herself. Ryousuke was her husband through and through, practically emotionless, proud, driven, and in almost all respects perfect. Ryouichi didn't begin talking openly with her until they were engaged to be married.

"I guess Ryousuke will have to meet a girl who he can love before he begins to thaw that icy exterior," she mused.

Keisuke, on the other hand, was energetic, hot-headed, and always in rapt attention of whatever his Aniki said. When they were young, he probably would have jumped off of a bridge if Ryousuke had told him to do so.

"They've both done so well for themselves," she sighed and turned to look out the window. Where were they at this hour? And what was this unshakable feeling in her stomach that kept telling her to get dressed?

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Keisuke had no idea how long he had been kneeling over Ryousuke's form. He hadn't bothered to put on his watch and refused to leave his brother to check the one in his car. The clock in the FC was damaged and in his panic, he had no sense of elapsed time. His only concentration was on finding the evasive pulse.

Keisuke was once told that in death, people looked serene and peaceful. This was welcome information because Aniki looked anything but. Ryousuke's eyebrows were slightly knitted and his lips still held shadows of a grimace.

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Pain. Pressure. Consistent pressure.

Ryousuke felt something poking at his neck. It was annoying and painful. He could feel the edges of consciousness coming back to him through the poking and tried his best to grimace, hoping that it would make whatever it was stop.

The poking stopped, mercifully. Just as he was about to relax, excruciating pain shot up his right arm. His body screamed in agony. Whatever had been poking at his neck had now moved to bigger bait.

"Uhhgg…st-t-top…" he whispered.

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Keisuke thought he heard a ghost. Did Ryousuke just speak? He grabbed his hand harder, this time eliciting a louder exclamation from Ryousuke.

"Ot-tou-t-to…bro-k-ke-n…"

Perhaps the relief of hearing Ryousuke's voice was only upended by the sound of the ambulance siren from around the corner.

"Aniki, you're alive!" Keisuke felt his entire body relax and didn't even realize the ambulance personnel dragging him away from his brother. "Wait, no! I need to go with him!"

The man nodded as he wheeled a stretcher to the scene. "You can ride in the back with him. Are you family?"

"Yes, he's my Aniki."

He paramedic nodded. "That will make it easy. We're going to Takasaki Hospital. Could I have your names?"

Keisuke wanted to tell him that it wouldn't be necessary if they were going to Takasaki, but figured not to waste time. "Takahashi. He's Ryousuke, I'm Keisuke."

The paramedic's eyebrows shot up in recognition, but appropriately ignored the reference. He couldn't resist, however, shooting a fleeting glance at the wreckage in front of him, the full realization of the significance of the event hitting him like a rock in the chest. Could that really be Akagi's White Comet?

"Have you informed your parents?"

Keisuke shook his head and ran to his FD only to find that his phone, along with half of the car's interior, was soaked because he hadn't remembered to close the door in his rush.

"I'm sorry, but my phone –" he started but the paramedic quickly handed him his own.

As he walked back towards where Ryousuke lay, he dialed his uncle's cell phone.

"Moshi moshi?"

"Ojichan, please listen carefully," Keisuke started.

"Keisuke? Is it you?" Takahashi Toshiko, upon hearing the strain in his nephew's voice, was suddenly wide awake.

Keisuke was getting impatient, having just heard a low moan from where they were slowly adjusting Ryousuke's body to move him onto the stretcher. "There's been an accident. I need you to bring my mother to Takasaki Hospital immediately. She won't be in any condition to drive herself."

Toshiko felt his heart sink. "Is it Ryousuke?"

"Yes, please hurry." Keisuke hung up, knowing that his uncle would get his mother safely there.

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So many hands. They all felt like knives stabbing into his body. Ryousuke knew they were there to help him but that didn't make them feel any better. Breathing was already incredibly difficult and painful. His entire right side felt disconnected, especially his leg. Ryousuke wondered how badly it was damaged.

"Oxygen mask, now!" Shouted one paramedic.

He heard another order a traction splint on his leg.

"Auughh…" the pain was unbearable. As he slipped back into darkness, he opened his eyes slightly to see Keisuke's windblown and wet face looking anxiously at him. Gathering his strength, he managed a slight nod, trying to convey the message to his brother that he was going to be fine.

He heard the countdown of the paramedics preparing to lift him onto the stretcher.

"San…"

"Ni…"

"Ichi…"

The pain ran through him like a knife without mercy and left his entire body in silent agony, begging to be put out of its misery. Ryousuke fully welcomed the comfort of unconsciousness as he slumped against the stretcher.

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"One hundred forty-three…"

She was now counting to stay awake. Manaka tugged at the sleeve of her white shirt. The darkening bruise around her forearm was again peeking out from under the soft, cotton material and she didn't want anyone to become suspicious. How had things come to their current situation? Would anything have been different if her parents were still around?

She remembered the happy summers of years past when she would bathe under the sun with her little brother while their mother fussed with them about sunscreen. And then in an instant, it all went away. She remembered getting up for school, slightly jealous that her brother was able to stay home with a cold, and returning him to the worst day of her life...

A nurse's urgent voice shook her back to reality. "Manaka-chan! Quick! We need you to bring these towels into the Emergency Room!"

Shutting the door on her inner demons, Manaka nodded, grabbed an armful of towels, and quickly followed the nurse in the direction of the elevator but instead took the stairs.

Doctors and nurses were already gathered in the entranceway as the ambulance pulled in. "Why so many?" she wondered. "How serious was it?"

Manaka was clearing the last four steps as the patient was wheeled in. Her breath caught at the battered sight of the man she had been thinking about only a short while ago.

Suddenly, her feet met air and she stumbled forward, almost dropping the towels, and would have fallen had someone not caught her. Manaka gasped as she looked up and saw the strained face of Takahashi Keisuke.

"Arigato," she said quickly, but he was already gone, racing after the stretcher carrying his brother.

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"Moshi moshi?" A fatigued voice answered.

"This is Nakamura Kenta," the speaker paused, "I need to speak with Takumi. It's an emergency."

Bunta raised his eyebrow. What kind of emergency could these kids possibly have at this time of night? He walked across the hall to Takumi's room and shook his son awake. "Tell your stupid friend if he calls this late again, I'll drive to his house and beat him until a more appropriate hour."

Takumi slowly dragged himself out of bed and down the hallway. "Hai…"

"Wake up, it's Kenta," his voice was louder and more urgent now. Takumi tried to rub out the ringing in his ears. "You need to come to Takasaki Hospital immediately."

This woke Takumi up. "What happened?"

Kenta seemed nervous. "It's Ryousuke-san. I don't know anymore than that, but Keisuke-san said it wasn't looking good."

"I'm on my way."

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Ryouichi lifted his head at the sound of hurried footsteps to see Nozomi run toward the stairs, followed by a string of nurses.

"Must be an emergency," he thought to himself. Other personnel followed and he decided to go down to take a look himself and try to lend a hand. The auditing papers were done and just needed to be organized into their proper envelopes; no more than ten minutes of work.

He walked down the stairs to the emergency room and was startled to see his brother at the base of the stairs. "Otouto! What are you doing here?"

The stricken look on his face told Ryouichi everything he needed to know. He walked into the corridor and saw his wife, pale and silent, being comforted by Keisuke. His youngest son looked at him with tearful eyes as he approached and took his wife's trembling form in his arms. "How bad?"

"I don't know, Otousan," Keisuke replied, his voice shaking. His entire body, still covered with wet clothing, was shaking.

"Can't you go in and look?!" cried Kiyori. "You're the director, for God's sake!"

He stroked her hair and tried to calm her with a steady voice, though his insides were churning. "The doctors here are well-trained and know what they're doing. Going in now would only disturb their work."

She wanted to slap her husband. How could he be so calm at a time like this?! Inside, Kiyori knew that he was right, making her blood boil even hotter.

"Where was he?" Ryouichi questioned.

His wife nodded towards his son, not trusting herself to speak.

"He had an accident on Akagi. We don't know very much more; the police are analyzing it right now," replied Keisuke.

Ryouichi frowned. "Where there any other cars involved?"

"There was another car on the scene, but the damage to Aniki's car seemed to have come mostly from the guardrail."

"Is the other driver here as well?"

Keisuke looked down at his feet. "Yeah," then paused, "he's in B4."

Ryouichi began suddenly comprehending the seriousness of the event. B4 was the pathology laboratory. He looked up at his youngest again and saw that he was struggling against the urge to cry.

"Keisuke," his uncle's voice interrupted him. "You'll catch a cold if you remain in those clothes."

Keisuke didn't hear him. He slowly slid down the wall of the waiting room and buried his face in his hands. Ryousuke would have known exactly what to do and say in situations such as these. Instead, all he could do was hold in tears. Even Tsugumi could do that much.

He looked around. His uncle was now on the phone with his aunt telling her to not come unless they called. "Do not wake Tsugumi, she won't let you stay in the house and I know you can't drive a manual transmission. We'll call you if…" he glanced at the grief-stricken family. "I'll speak with you later."

Keisuke knew what his uncle was going to say. "If something bad happens and you need to be here." The tears came then. He felt so ashamed of himself. His brother was lying injured in a bed somewhere and all he could do was sit and cry like a schoolgirl.

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Thanks for reading and please review! The reviews have been strongly encouraging (especially since I'm a first time fic writer). I head back to college on Sunday so I'm posting this now and will get Chapter four our when I'm settled in. I know I left a lot of stuff kinda ambiguous, but I promise that eventually, they will be resolved. Once again, reviews are gold!

CelicaChick: Haha...I know what you mean...I had a similar reaction during my proofreading and thought about deleting that line (or at least changing it) but I kept it in (among others) for the sake of comic relief (glad to see it worked:P).

Ryopon: I wish we could ALL latch onto the organic form of the hottie...sigh...imagine the catfights!