Ripples in Red Water

Chapter 8: The Calm Before the Storm

Part 1

Turn Away from Pain

By: Empathic Soul

Disclaimer: Gravitation is a wonderful anime. It is sadly not mine.

PLEASE READ AT YOUR OWN RISK

Thank you once again to those who reviewed! I really love the reviews! Hehe! Helps me and makes me inspired to write the story again!

Thank you once again! Please read and review and as Ruruouni Sesshouhen remarked: Read with you heart!

Thank you! And please do try and read Education by Professor Tohma and One single action. It was meant to be a refresher for this story!

BE FOREWARNED: This chapter includes angst, drama, and a LOT as in a LOT of violence! Please do read this with care and understanding. Absorb it so that you would get some of the subtle hints for the plot and do so understand the characters as well. Thank you so much!

Sakuya muttered a few curses under his breath as he led the people into his office. He never thought that it would be a day that would see his most dreaded and feared, not to mention, only brother. He opened the door to his office and led them inside the grand room. Sakuya moved towards the tea table and prepared to make drinks for the people in the room. He busied himself with something so that his mouth would not wander off again—like what happened a while ago.

He could still remember those days that he had to spend with his brother when they were still children, him having an American father and Rin with a British father. Sakuya was a bit on the playful and artsy side while Rin was on the well, concrete aspect of life.

They were just like two very different people. It's a wonder how the two of them have at least half of their chromosomes appearing to be similar. But, at the same time, Rin and Sakuya were the brothers that some people considered as ideal.

Rin was strict, a disciplinarian, and somehow, over-protective especially about his younger brother. He always maintained a watchful eye and even protected Sakuya in various dangerous situations. The reason why he became a lawyer as a matter of fact. Rin wanted to become a lawyer because Sakuya became a businessman, it was something that struck Sakuya.

Sakuya stared at his laptop looking at the finished novel that he started to write about three months ago. He was glad to have finished it, but sadly though he could not publish it. His parents prohibited him from becoming a novelist and in addition the news about the bankruptcy of the Shindou company was bothering him. Somehow, he believed that he would have to help the Shindou's to maintain their wealth and power.

He sighed. But in exchange for that, he would have to give up his dream of becoming a writer or an artist. It was his lifelong dream. He wanted that but…

Sakuya was startled when he heard a knock. He turned and spoke.

"Come in." He was surprised to see his brother come in with a stern look on his face. Sakuya merely, or rather, nervously smiled.

"Hey." Sakuya greeted and Rin gave him a nod and sat on the bed. He stared at the wall for a while and everyone was silent.

Sakuya could not take it, so he stood up and stopped in front of Rin. He leaned on the wall and crossed his arms over his chest. Rin looked up to meet his eyes and Sakuya raised an eyebrow.

"Any problem, aniki?" Sakuya asked his expression complacent.

"Sakuya, what do you want to be when you grow up?" Rin asked and Sakuya's eyes widened even just a fraction but he remained neutral as he stared at the laptop for a while and then to Rin with a smile.

"A businessman of course." Sakuya smiled and Rin looked away.

"Why?" Rin asked once again, feeling that his brother is lying to him.

"Why? Well, because I want to help you and mom. She's really insisting that I become a businessman, and well, that's my college course anyway. At the same time, I might be able to help the Shindou business." Sakuya enumerated the reasons. "Well, that's three reasons."

Rin stood up and his towering height overpowered Sakuya but the younger one refused to be intimidated this time.

"Sakuya, didn't you want to become a novelist?" Rin asked looking at Sakuya with stern and yet very caring eyes. These are the kind of gazes that he reserved only for his brother, and only for his brother.

"Hmph." Sakuya smirked. "There's no money in being a novelist."

"Money?" Rin clarified. He knew his brother very well.

As far as he knew, Sakuya never wanted to live in splendor. He always dreamt of a simple life. It's precisely the reason why when they go to their cabin in the mountains of Switzerland, Sakuya is always hyperactive. He loved simple houses and simple lifestyles.

Also, Sakuya may be thought to be a tactless person. However, it only appears that way because he comments on the most trivial things. When it comes to serious matters, Sakuya rarely comments and sometimes, he even hides to himself. He could comment on the hairstyle, the fashion taste, the insults, but when it comes to expressing his feelings, he refuses to talk at all.

And that's why Rin loves his brother so much.

He was so distinctly unselfish.

"Yeah, money. Ni-sama, being a novelist is just some childhood dream. It's just not meant to be…" Sakuya smiled up to Rin who stared at him.

Rin was very much aware of the conversation between Sakuya and their mother. She told him to stop his childish and immature fantasy and start thinking of the bigger picture. But to Rin, it did not matter, he would be the breadwinner if needed so that Sakuya would fulfill his dreams.

"And…" Rin was surprised to see Sakuya continue. He listened.

"And besides, I don't think it's wise for you to be the businessman between the two of us. You could barely even budget!" Sakuya laughed and has known for the longest time the extravagant way his brother lives.

"Excuse me. I most certainly know how to budget." Rin blushed a little and sat on the bed once again, but did not look at Sakuya.

"Right." Sakuya dismissed him with a wave of a hand. "My decision is final, ni-sama, I'm going to be a businessman. I'm going to fulfill, mama's dreams."

Mama's dreams…

Of fame

Wealth

Fortune

And Extravagance…

"I want to tell you something also Sakuya." Rin spoke and Sakuya looked at him. Sakuya noticed that Rin's now looking at him directly.

"Alright, what is it?" Sakuya smiled and welcomed the comment.

"I'm going to be a lawyer." Rin informed and Sakuya's brow formed a knot. He knew his brother's dreams and becoming a lawyer was not one of them, or rather was the last in his list.

"A lawyer? Aniki, you don't want to become a lawyer." Sakuya countered looking at his brother with a bewildered look. "I thought you wanted to become a marine biologist!"

"Hmph, where's the fun in staring at fish tanks and diving in the ocean only to be bitten by a shark?" Rin insulted his own dream.

"I think when I asked you that, your answer was…" Sakuya thought deeply. "I remember, it is only in the ocean that you see the forms of life that existed since the beginning of time. It is the only place where people can realize that life can indeed exist amidst the turmoil in this planet and at the same time, realize that life has it's different forms."

Rin's eyes widened. It was indeed the answer that he gave to Sakuya when the brat laughed at his dream. Sakuya looked back at him with a smirk.

"I told you I have good memory skills. So why the heck back down on your life preserving ambition?" Sakuya asked and Rin shrugged.

"What is it to you? You threw away your ambition in becoming a novelist too, didn't you?" Rin countered and Sakuya sighed.

"That's different." Sakuya argued. "And you know it."

"And so the same here. I want to become a lawyer because…" Rin stood up and prepared to step out of the room. "Someone has to cover-up any of your blunders when you become a businessman. And besides…"

Sakuya's eyes widened.

'It's the only way I can still keep a watch at you." Rin gave a slight glance at his brother's shocked form and left the room leaving his brother to look at him in shock.

Suzu, on the other hand, sat down and kept quiet like she did during the entire meeting. In the meeting, she was totally bored with all the senseless talks and arguments. Only the two youngest officers were interesting because of the staring contest that they kept on during the span of the meeting.

But this time, in this specific room, she was preoccupied with something else. This Shinji guy is bothering her almost to the limits of her sanity—which mind you is quite near to breaking. This guy looked a lot like her brother, Shun and also had their father's name. It was too much of a coincidence if you ask her.

But she's known for being the planner and the no-risk taker. That is why recklessness or any actions that may be a result of lack of control and emotions are definitely not a positive thing to do, therefore, not accounted for.

Shun felt awkward with the situation as of the moment. There are two people here that actually have the chance to know who he is and one of them is a murderer. He feared this moment like he feared remembering that day of the incident. But as always, he kept a smile plastered on his face just to make sure that no one would even be able to recognize him as Shun.

Shun was known, especially during the last years that he was present in the Shindou household, with his scowl and intimidating gestures. But this time, he smiles a lot and most of all he has a different name. But something in his gut nags him that Suzu has her own doubts and he did not like that at all. Suzu of all people is a very perceptive and cunning person. And therefore, it is hard to avoid anything that she sets eyes on.

Meanwhile, Rin knew the predicaments of each person in the room, and he's getting real annoyed with waiting. For one, he only wanted to talk to Sakuya with Shun but it seems that this Suzu girl is not budging from her position anytime soon. Rin had to find a way to drive her out of the room so that they can actually talk in private. If worse comes to worse, he wo0uld have to bring Shun back home and then talk to Sakuya personally. This is the one person who Rin believed and thought would understand if he explained the predicament and the mystery about Shinji Tsuchiya's character.

So then actions should be done.

Rin stood up and headed towards the direction of his trembling brother who suddenly flinched as if noticing his arrival. Sakuya looked up at him nervously and smiled.

"Coffee?" Sakuya tried so hard to cover up his shaking but his brother just drives him to extreme fear levels and sometimes insanity levels in a matter of a stare.

"Had enough to keep me awake the entire night." Rin replied. "Sakuya I have two favors to ask of you."

"A favor? From Rin?" The look in Sakuya's face is surprisingly difficult to comprehend. But then again, the impatience in the expression of his brother as of the moment is definitely readable and very much understandable. He immediately replied. "What is it? As long as I can do it, very well."

"If you act this mature all the time, we won't have problems." Rin complimented and then continued. "Can you please ask Shindou Suzu-san to leave us for a while. The thing I am about to tell you is very confidential."

Rin could still remember the reason why he took interest in the case of Shindou Shun. It was that one fateful day in the company that he suddenly had the urge to help the said boy.

"Suzu, I just want to see Shun at least once. I want to know what happened from his point of view. I still believe that it's unfair not to hear his side." Sakuya prepared to leave towards the prison house.

"Why? Is my statement and my narration of the event so unbelievable?" Suzu grunted and looked at Sakuya like she was scrutinizing his expression and even making him feel a bit awkward with the situation.

"I did not say that. All I want to know is, how he is there? What made him do it? Why? I have so many questions Suzu, and I need answers." Sakuya replied with a sad expression.

"Ask them to me. I'll give you answers." Suzu stood up pointing to herself to emphasize her point.

"Suzu, talking to Shun and talking to Shuichi, and even talking to you gives me three different perspectives in a situation. It's like in a business, talking to my product manager, my marketing manager, and my hr manager, about the effect of a product, are three different perspectives."

"Shuichi's useless and would not be able to handle that. Shun's crazy and you yourself know that!" Suzu shouted and Sakuya was a bit taken aback.

"I don't know. That's why I want to understand. Suzu, what are you so afraid of?" Sakuya asked looking at Suzu's frightened expression. "You're not even coming to see him so you're not going to get harmed in any way."

"I…" Suzu bent her head forward and was about to say something when the secretary came in. Rin looked from his seat at the corner of the room and knew somehow the two forgot that he was there. All the better for him…

"Sir, a phone call outside for you…it's from Seguchi Tohma-sama."

"Tohma? Alright, I'll be out in a while. Suzu, I'll be back." He replied and ran out of the room.

Rin looked at Suzu and was surprised to see her smile.

"Hmph, you can't find out the truth Sakuya. I'll make you sorry if you do…" Suzu's smile was scary even to Rin's point of view. He merely kept quiet and decided that somehow, a gut instinct or a brother instinct told him that he should not let Sakuya go either.

Their thoughts were interrupted when Sakuya entered. He spoke once again.

"Suzu, I have to go to…" Sakuya stopped when Rin spoke to him.

"Sakuya, you have to stay here today. Mom's going to check up on us." Rin argued and Sakuya looked at him bewildered.

"What? How?" Sakuya's mouth gapped and Suzu looked to the back and stared at Rin.

"She's calling us in a while." He lied but he sent a message from his palmtop to his secretary to call their mother to check on Sakuya. Rin stood up. "I have to do something. So you have to talk to mom."

"Eh?! That's unfair!" Sakuya wailed.

"Hmph, I'm older, so you obey me." Rin stepped out and closed the door and headed for the prison house.

"How confidential?" Sakuya raised an eyebrow. "You see aniki, Suzu always hears everything that goes on here. She's my most trustworthy companion ever since the incident in the Shindou household."

"It's as confidential as the day you peed in your pants while singing twinkle, twinkle little star in your kindergarten performance." Rin answered not even bothering to listen to a word that Sakuya was saying about how trustworthy the woman in the room is.

"Well, if you put it that way, then I'll be glad to." Sakuya nervously answered as he felt that if he did not do what his brother asked him, he would have to put up with the exposure of his deepest, darkest, and most embarrassing moments in his entire life. And he was sure Tohma and Mika would have the greatest days of their lives.

"Good." Rin merely gave ONE nod as Sakuya prepared to scramble away.

"Alright, wait here." Sakuya muttered and proceeded to walk towards Suzu who simply sat there on the sofa directly across Shinji as she placed her hands on her lap while merely staring at the person in front of her.

Suzu looked up to Sakuya with a questioning look, almost knowing already rather than questioning. Sakuya merely smiled at her perceptiveness and continued going forward to her. She smiled towards him with a soft and gentle smile that Shun and Rin turned away with a slightly disgusted look.

"Suzu, could you leave us for a while. My brother needs to tell me something very private and personal." Sakuya asked and Suzu merely nodded.

"You should have said so in the first place. I wanted to go home already." Suzu pouted and Sakuya laughed a little.

"Go on. I'll be home in a while as well." Sakuya assured and watched the girl move towards the door and left the room without that much of a noise. He then returned his attention to his brother who stood by the window of his room gazing at the city.

"Okay, first favor done. What's the next?" Sakuya inquired looking at his brother curiously.

"Listen to this thing that I have to tell you first. Then you can only speak after I said I'm done. Are you ready with that?" Rin asked and Sakuya raised an eyebrow.

"Are you underestimating my control ability that much? Aniki, I can very well keep my mouth shut for as long as I like and…" Sakuya stopped after hearing an exasperated sigh from his brother who removed his coat to the rack.

"And you're not doing it." Rin shook his head. "Just this once Sakuya. Please control your mouth and not to mention your feelings as well. Understand this with your whole heart."

"I have a feeling that this is some sort of bad news." Sakuya sat down on the couch directly across his brother who sat to the right of Shinji Tsuchiya. "I hope that this news is not going to give me a heart attack."

"It depends on what perspective you take." Rin explained and Sakuya raised an eyebrow to show Rin that he was confused. Rin shook his head. "Then just say yes, if you're willing to do the favor if not then there's no point into staying here."

Sakuya seems to deliberate about not talking but simply nodded anyway. As much as he wanted to speak, if he wanted to hear this out then he has to sacrifice his freedom of speech for a while. And since he already heard the worst news of the day, about Shuichi raving and all, then he suspected that there won't be any more news that would bother him to that same degree as the previous bad news did. Nothing could be worse. Even business bad news was not that important to him.

"Yes." Sakuya finally decided to say the word that his brother wanted him to say. With that, he saw Rin relax a little and sigh as well. "So what is this all about that it even had you so nervous?"

"Okay, I'll begin. From now on, only movements are permitted from you." Sakuya nodded in agreement to the condition given by his older brother.

Rin breathed deeply and took a slight glance towards the man beside him who tensed up and yet gave him a slight nod. Sakuya cannot help but think something is between that two and somehow if that were the case, the news would be thrilling for him. So he presumed that it would be good news, for him at least.

"In case you're thinking if the two of us are hooking up, then, no we're not." Rin started and actually saw Sakuya sigh with dejection instead of relief. "Weird younger brother of mine…"

Sakuya made a hand gesture for Rin to know that he should continue. The man simply nodded in recognition of the gesture and started to continue his talk.

"Remember the case that I have worked on and successfully won a year and a half ago?" A nod came from Sakuya to acknowledge and give Rin the go-signal to continue. "This is the man I helped during the trial."

Sakuya nodded and then looked at Shinji, completely unaware of his true name and only understanding that this is Shinji Tsuchiya. Sakuya smiled at him and then nodded enthusiastically towards his brother to express his joy and congratulations towards the man only to receive an awkward look from his brother. Sakuya cannot help but talk this time.

"I'm happy for you. But why do you look so sad as if it is not an accomplishment at all?" Sakuya asked completely unknowing of what kind of emotion is running through the body of his brother. "Isn't any victory in the courtroom a great accomplishment for you, being a lawyer never beaten at court?"

"I have to tell you that I had no intention of knowing that this might probably hurt you as a matter of fact, I thought this might aid you." Rin started once again feeling a nervous choke coming out of his throat.

"What are you talking about? You're totally confusing me!" Sakuya leaned back looking incredulously at his panicky brother. The brother that he knew was always calm. But this unnatural nervousness, is what makes him doubly worried about the news. "How can you possible hurt me when you just saved a person's life from being spent in jail?"

"Sakuya…this person is not who he seems to be." Rin sighed looking at the boy who nodded at him.

"Okay, maybe so, but how in the world can that hurt me? I've known people with a fate worse than him." Sakuya leaned on his hand as he looked exasperated at his brother's senseless nervous wrecks not to mention uncharacteristic.

"If you would only listen than you would know why." Rin raised his voice catching Sakuya's attention this time. It appears that Rin is more serious about this man than Sakuya thought. The other boy merely nodded for his brother to continue.

Rin sighed and relaxed as he sat back on his chair while looking at the redhead who is simply staring at him.

"You see, this man beside me has two younger siblings, a boy and a girl. His father dies of a presumed car accident when he was 18 years old and almost nearing his 19th birthday. He lost his mother six months after because she was killed." Rin recounted.

'Okay, so who killed his mother?" Sakuya asked raising an eyebrow interested this time. But he sounded skeptical still.

"His sister." Rin answered seeing Sakuya look in fright towards him and his client.

"He saw the murder but had full intentions of not letting his sister go to jail. His sister threatened to place all the blame on their younger brother for killing their mother. Of course, this man beside me did not agree to it, therefore a deal was made between him and his insane sister. The deal was that he could take the blame in order to save his younger brother from eternal damnation in jail and also to save his sister from going to jail as well. He accepted the deal willingly."

Sakuya became silent staring at the two and intently listening to the story that his brother is telling him. It was somewhat familiar, only the circumstances were a bit different than what he thought. Rin continued with a breath of nervousness coming out of his lips as he noticed his brother's change in posterior and character at the same time as he tried to reveal the true details of the crime.

"Then as he did what he was asked with perfect pretense in front of his younger brother, the best friend of his younger brother arrived with the police seeing a perfectly set-up murder. This man beside me took the blame because the girl looked beaten-up, when as a matter of fact, the girl merely did all those damages to herself, you may call it self-inflicted injuries. The only thing my client was guilty about is hurting his younger brother in hope to make him unconscious and due to the deal and the threats of his sister to hurt the younger one if he fails to cooperate." Rin said and then started to point out the descriptive facts of the murder.

"He was placed in jail. Evidences were actually going against him and some for him. First it was he who stood in the center of a bloody room, painted in white covered with red blood. The knife had his fingerprints, although it also had his sister's prints, which was a result of the knife being deftly handed to him by his sister. He is also the one that was caught in an attempt to slash his sister and his brother to pieces, when all of it was merely part of the setting and the main plot of the story." Rin gritted his teeth as if anger is starting to radiate from his body.

"He took the blame, hoping that his two other siblings are fine…only to find out…" Rin stopped to catch his breath.

"Only to find out what?" Sakuya insisted on knowing, seemingly absorbed in the story.

"That his sister threw away his younger brother by giving him to a new family, that his brother lost his memories, and most of all, that his younger brother's best friend is being used and manipulated to handle the family business until she can manage it on her own. There would be possible elimination of threats in her way. That is why…I needed to inform you, Sakuya." Rin looked at the man whose eyes suddenly widened in shock as the recounted story took its toll in his mind.

Silence reigned the room for quite some time after the narration. Sakuya merely stared at them with wide eyes as the story triggered in his mind. It was not the story was different, it was that this time, instead of Suzu's point of view, it was Shun's. It was a view of the story that he never even imagined before. It was always Suzu that told him the story of what happened to honestly say he believed her so much.

But this time, it started to get foggy. The truth was getting confusing. His memories about the incident are but only a fraction. He was not there when it happened but he was there at the end. He was there to see the last picture of the murder, and it etched a very clear image in his mind. He would never forget that image that he saw in his entire lifetime.

And yet…

What was the truth?

Who was he going to believe?

What was he going to believe?

TBC

Thank you for reading and reviewing

Well now what to do…harharharharharharharhar!

The end?

A.N. Well, I am quite amazed with myself. Hehe, I'm already in chapter 8a and well there are only about...a few more to go. I might say, it's only up to chapter...10? hehe, well that's a few chapters from now! So hang in there coz the ride's gonna get rough and I hope you'll all still be here till that time! I was planning on updating until I get my 200th review, but..well, I don't want to risk getting hit by stones because of not updating sooner! hehe, so I guess I'm getting soft...sigh...

ddz008: hehe, yes, it has been a while since you have reviewed and yet I do understand that school does things to hinder us from our 'recreational' activities. Sigh, but school IS necessary! Anyway, yeah Rin is scray, he's a lawyer so I presumed that he should be. And having a hyperactive brother, one needs to be really strict to some extent!

Angeria: hehe, wish fulfilled! Nice to meet you! see you in the next review!

MC-88: Thank you! Thanx that you think my story is great. hehe, well, this IS my first finished fic. And well, my first fic all in all. The others were really rough starters...I don't know. So I'm really really honored you think that way! Thank you for the support!

Silver on the Tree: I don't mind reading reviews that are done while the reviewers read...uh...okay that confused me, but you got what I meant right? hehe well, I really do feel happy about any review so feel free to do whatever you want! hehe, as a matter of fact, it's really fun the way you reveiwed! It made me feel the expressions of my readers as they read each part of my story! hehe, so no worries! Thanks again! About it's my sembreak! hehe that's why I can update! Then when school starts in about 10 more days, I'm going to update after another month! (Ryuichi goes after author crying...)

insanechildfic: hiya! thanks that you think of my fic as such! hehe, it's really rough on the edges but I'm really glad people are reading it! Continue to do so, okay? hehe!

Mistress of Anime: Ah the love-d french!! I really adore it when you speak in french! hehe! heh, I'm quite amazed at how I managed to turn about your POV on how you liked Suzu before and hated Shun and now loved Shun and hated Suzu! hehe! You're working! Whoohoo! that's so cool! actually I'm working also, well not exactly now, but worked. I had a part time job just to pass time for my breaks and even during school as well, so that's the reason I couldn't update! Keep up the good work!

Clari-chan: your wish is my command, here's the new chappie!

Reiannah: hehe, you said I should update so I fulfilled thy wish! heheh! Hm, about Shuichi, it's more like in the series, he has tendencies to feel something wrong and at the same time cannot understand why. He does not really bother to ask rather he waits right? So it's kind of the same here in the fic, he kind of feels like there's something wrong and at the same time some gut instinct tells him that there is something wrong. It's not just a matter of perception rather it's also a matter of his unbelievable instincts and probably the trauma itself. Like if you had a trauma attack in front of a person, you'd be awkward to face that person again. Almost similar. Shuichi had problems facing Sakuya also anyway even Shun to an extent. It's just that he's not entirely aware of Shun being Shinji! hehe, hope that clarifies that...without spoiling anything! And I'll slack off if my 10 day break is over...hehe, probably another month or so...hehe let's wish I finished typing by then...TT

Silverhaze2: shun, shuichi, and suzu would be on chapter 9. hehe, that's the second to the last chapter anyway. Well, 8 would serve as a build up. Okay, now that was a spoiler, well I won't bother erasing it...hehe...

i love athrun: yes I did update! hehe

kanilla: hehe, thank you so much for the kind and the nice words that you have given me! and don't worry, I'll still update at least twice this week...hehe, that means after that, it'll be another month...waaaaaaa!

tangerine-asuka: hehe, here's more! hehe!