Ari: And we're back! Just don't tell Daisuke I escaped his "prison". In any case, this is the last chapter of this fic. And you thought it would never come! Thank you Mie Ame!
Mie Ame:Yeah, the final chapter! I just want to know what everyone things about it. I am SO amazed with our teamwork. Looks like Ari and I, we both live in the same crazy world! (and we also have so much in common...it's a little scary... XD) Hope you guys have enjoyed this fic. I know I have (and also the unexpected collaboration). We may be seeing you again... Who knows? ;)
Continuing Existence
Chapter 11
It All Comes Down to This
It was a crisp night as Takeru walked through the empty campus. If he was of another mind he might have noticed how eerie the college seemed without halls filled with bustling students. However, his thoughts didn't allow for such trivial distractions. He was on a mission, and that was all that consumed his mind.
The blonde approached the back of the school's auditorium. Though there were light posts, most of the area was covered in shadows. Takeru was reassured of his decision not to tell Ken about the phone call. If Ken had come by himself, there would have been no one to hear him if there was trouble. Now there would be no one to hear Satomi.
The young man was already there, obviously waiting for Ken. Takeru smirked as Satomi spotted him. "What are you doing here?" Satomi growled. "Where's Ken?"
"That's really none of your concern," said Takeru coldly.
"It damn well is my concern!" Satomi yelled. "He is my boyfriend. How dare he send you! I told him we needed to talk!"
Takeru cocked his head to the side. "Oops. I guess I forgot to pass the message."
Satomi's eyes narrowed in rage. "You..." he said menacingly.
Without warning Satomi threw all his weight into a punch. He stumbled after his fist failed to connect. Takeru had entered that cold, calm state that he had only experienced a few times before. Everything around him seemed to slow down and he was able to react to Satomi's punches just in time to dodge them.
"You can't keep him away forever," Satomi said, panting heavily. "He's mine!"
"He's nobody's but his self."
They stared at each other waiting for the other to make the next move. Takeru waited patiently as Satomi tried to catch his breath. Finally Satomi grew frustrated with Takeru's calmness and threw himself at the blonde. Takeru stepped to the side and grabbed his opponent's arm, twisting it behind his back and forcing Satomi to his knees.
"You really shouldn't bother Ken anymore," Takeru said coldly. "It wouldn't be good for your health."
"Screw you, gaijin!" Satomi spat. "This is none of your business! You're just some spoiled brat who's trying to steal my boyfriend!"
Takeru made a face of disgust and threw the other man to the ground. He turned from Satomi and walked away without a word, effectively showing that the other man wasn't worth his time. He could feel Satomi's hate-filled glare on his back, but Takeru ignored it.
He shook his head as he exited the school grounds. He shouldn't have even bothered. If there was one thing his psychology classes had taught him, it was that you could not argue with a raving lunatic. They lived in a world of fantasy and would not even consider reality.
The following week continued without drama. Ken had no knowledge of Sunday's confrontation, and it seemed Satomi had learned his lesson as he never once harassed Ken. Takeru had even assured Ken that the raven-haired man's school friends supported him. They had completely turned their backs on Satomi and were able to help Takeru help Ken.
However, Takeru could not help but notice that something had changed between him and Ken. Ken seemed to be more spaced-out than usual. Often the blonde could sense Ken watching him when he thought Takeru wasn't looking. Anytime they brushed against each other, even if it was just a hand, Ken would blush.
Takeru worried that perhaps Ken knew the blonde like him. He thought he had kept any hints under tight wraps. Certainly Yamato wouldn't have said anything. He didn't want to make Ken feel uncomfortable after everything he had just been through.
Of course, there were other explanations. Ken's inattention could be caused by Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder from the rape. Takeru was nowhere near qualified to diagnose anyone, but he knew the symptoms of PTSD. However, that didn't explain Ken's staring at Takeru or the constant blushing.
Takeru rarely let himself consider the other reason. But as the blonde continued to observe his friend, he couldn't help but start to think it was the best explanation. Could Ken really like the blonde the same way Takeru liked him? As the week wore on Takeru began to let the hope creep in. He would not act on his suspicions though. He would wait patiently until Ken was ready to even think about a relationship. Until then, he would continue to be the best friend he could.
Takeru was not the only observant person in Ken's life. Mr. Ichijouji didn't know exactly what had been going on, but he had some suspicion. He suspected that the "Satomi" friend had been more than that. And by Takeru's sudden persistent presence in Ken's daily life, Mr. Ichijouji suspected Satomi no longer held that position. By Ken's distress no more than two weeks ago, he suspected it had been a messy break up. What he did not know was whether or not Takeru was the new Satomi, or if the blonde was just offering support to his son. He did know that whether or not they were officially together, but he could clearly see they both felt strongly about one another. He remembered that his wife had said something about wanting Ken to find a nice girl to give her grandchildren. She would be sorely disappointed. Let it never be said that Mr. Ichijouji lacked gay-dar.
However, if Mr. Ichijouji new the extent of the details he did not know, Takeru would be the least of Satomi's problems.
It was a Saturday night as Ken walked down the streets. He was on his way to meet Takeru at a local coffee shop. Takeru had insisted he pick Ken up, but Ken explained that the night air would be good for clearing his head. Oddly Takeru hadn't argued, but Ken was too relieved to question it. He enjoyed having the blonde around all the time, but it gave Ken little opportunity to think about his new found crush. Ken was a logical person by nature, and he liked to examine every angle of his emotions.
Ken was so absorbed in his own thoughts that he failed to notice that a car had begun to follow him. The car pulled up beside the young man. Ken finally noticed when two hands grabbed him and pulled him into the car.
As Ken untangled himself in the passenger seat, he looked around, wide-eyed. His heart stopped as he realized the driver was none other than Satomi. He looked around again to see if there was any chance for escape, but the car was moving far too quickly for him to jump out of the passenger door.
"What do you want?" he demanded, deciding that if he couldn't get away, he at least wouldn't show how frightened he was. He tried to sneakily grab his cell phone out of his pocket, but at soon as he pulled it out Satomi snatched it and threw it to the back seat.
"I just want to talk to you," he answered. "I tried to do things the easy way, but that little blonde brat just keeps getting in the way. So I had to take a more dramatic approach."
"By kidnapping me!" Ken asked in shock.
Satomi frowned. "I just want to talk. I want you to know it's okay. I know you love me."
"I don't!" Ken insisted. "I don't love you."
"Of course you do," Satomi said matter-of-factly. "You told me how much you loved me before we made love."
Ken felt a wave of nausea. "I told you I cared about you. Before you forced me! Being forced to have sex is NOT making love!"
Satomi snorted. "I see that blonde has convinced you that his lies are the truth."
"What are you talking about?" Ken asked. "You know what it doesn't matter." He stared straight ahead at the road and attempted to calm himself. "I don't want to be with you anymore, Satomi. I don't like you anymore. I certainly don't love you. You have hurt me so badly. I'm sick of being threatened. I'm sick of going anywhere by myself. It's over." He turned back to the driver. "Do you understand me? It is over."
Satomi's eyes narrowed as he watched the road. "I'm sorry you feel that way, Ken." He turned down a dark, narrow street. "I've tried. I've given you everything I have and you still reject me. You throw me away for that stupid blonde."
Ken was silent.
Satomi sighed as if reaching a decision. "You don't even deny it." He frowned and pushed the gas pedal to the floor. The speeding car drove faster.
Ken's eyes widened as the docks of Tokyo Bay quickly grew closer. "What are you doing?" he squeaked.
"If I can't have you, no one can."
The calm statement was the last thing Ken knew before everything went black.
Takeru looked at his watch again and grew more worried as the hands indicated it was getting later. He had been sitting at the cafe for an hour. Ken was supposed to meet him there forty-five minutes ago. He had tried Ken's cell phone, but it kept going straight to voicemail. Takeru got up from his table and walked outside for the twentieth time. He looked down both ways of the sidewalk, hoping to see his friend walking toward him. He could not get rid of the feeling of dread that was beginning to settle in his stomach. He knew he should have been more insistent that he pick Ken up, but he wanted to give his friend some space.
After getting the answering machine at Ken's house again Takeru decided to make a desperate call. As he was about to dial the police he received a text message. Hoping it was from Ken he almost dropped his phone as he hurriedly opened the message. He growled his frustration as he read the message from Taichi: Where are you?
He typed a hurried answer: Waiting for Ken at a cafe.
The response was immediate: Text me the directions and stay there!
Confused, Takeru texted Taichi the directions. He entered a near panic state as he thought of why his brother's best friend would be so cryptic. Not two minutes later a car sped around the corner and rushed toward the blonde. It screeched to a stop right in front him.
Taichi opened the passenger door from inside. "Get in." Takeru had barely closed the door when the car took off.
"What is going on?" asked Takeru, gravely concerned.
Taichi never slowed down or took his eyes off the road. "There's been an accident."
Takeru's stomach dropped. "Is Yamato okay?"
The brunette glanced at him in confusion before turning back to the road. He shook his head. "It's not Yamato, it's Ken. He was found in a car halfway submerged in Tokyo Bay. He's at the hospital. I came to find you as soon as I dropped off Daisuke and Hikari."
"How did you find out?" asked Takeru, now wishing they could magically transport themselves to the hospital.
"Ken's parents called Daisuke as soon as they found out. They thought he might know something."
"He didn't." It was more a statement than a question.
Taichi shook his head. "Of course not, but Ken's parents wouldn't know that. Daisuke figured you might have some idea, and Hikari knew you would want to be at the hospital."
Takeru didn't answer. If this had anything to do with Satomi, there would be hell to pay.
The car blew through the parking lot of the hospital and swung into an emergency spot. They both jumped out of the car and ran to the entrance. They ignored the nurses yelling at them and flew into the elevator just as the doors were closing. After indicating the floor, they both waited impatiently for the doors to open. As soon as they entered the lobby Takeru spotted Daisuke and rushed to him.
"What happened?" he asked breathlessly.
Daisuke shook his head. "They found Ken and his...ex-boyfriend in a car in the bay. The car was upside down and the police arrived just in time before the car was filled with water. Someone was walking along the docks and called it in. Otherwise..." he faded off, not needing to finish the sentence.
Takeru's breath hitched when Daisuke mentioned Satomi was also in the car. Adrenalin was still pumping through his blood and he was pretty sure he could easily rip Satomi's head off if the other man was in front of him.
After what felt like hours, Ken's parents came out of the room and walked toward the group. Mrs. Ichijouji's eyes were still red with tears. Mr. Ichijouji looked twenty years older. His eyes connected with Takeru's and he gave a forced smile. "Ken's asking for you," he said quietly. "You go ahead while we talk with the doctors." Takeru nodded and moved quietly to the room. He vaguely heard one of the doctors mention broken ribs, whiplash, and a concussion.
He tapped lightly on the door and walked in. Ken turned toward the sound and gave a half smile. He lifted his hand in a pathetic attempt at a wave.
"Hey," Ken said. His voice sounded far away and scratchy.
Takeru frowned. "Hey. How are you feeling?"
"Like hell." He chuckled and then cringed as pain wracked his sides.
Takeru ran to the bed. "The doctors said your ribs are broken."
"Yeah. I can't really feel...anything because of the morphine." His speech was slurred. "I guess I just can't laugh."
The blonde shook his head. "There's hardly any reason to laugh."
Ken frowned. "I have to laugh. Otherwise I might lose it." He gently shook his head. "I can't believe he tried to kill me."
Takeru growled. "I'll kill him myself."
Just then a pair of police officers entered the room. "Mr. Ichijouji. We need to ask you some questions." They turned to the blonde. "Will you give us a minute?"
"He can stay," said Ken softly. The officer looked like he wanted to argue. "Please?"
The second officer's face softened. "If it's all right with you he can stay."
The first officer sighed. "Fine. But you need to keep quiet. We need to hear the story from the victim."
Both boys frowned at the word "victim" but nodded that they understood.
One officer took a chair while the other moved to stand over the bed. "So, the young man in the car with you. He was your friend?"
Ken hesitated. "Kind of...not really."
"What do you mean?" the officer pushed.
"We hadn't talked in a while. We had...gotten into a fight."
The officer nodded. "Did you notice any odd behaviour? Had he been drinking or maybe taking drugs?"
Ken struggled to remember the conversation before the crash. He shook his head. "I don't know. I don't think he had. But he was really angry."
"Mmhm," said the officer distractedly. "Do you know if he's ever shown signs of depression?"
Ken looked at the officer in confusion. "Not that I know of. But he has been really...angry. And he wasn't making much sense in the car."
"Do you remember what happened right before the car entered the bay?"
Ken blushed as he remembered Satomi's last words.
The officer saw the blush. "Mr. Ichijouji, if you know something, it is important that you tell us, no matter how embarrassing it may be."
"My parents," Ken protested.
The second officer spoke up. "Everything you say here is strictly confidential. It will only be used in determining what happened, and in court if necessary."
Ken began to panic at the word "court".
The first officer stepped in to reassure him. "You are not a suspect. We are approaching this situation with you as a possible victim." He looked at the blonde. "Would you like your friend to leave before we continue?"
Ken shook his head. "He knows." He took a deep breath. "Satomi was my boyfriend. We broke up two weeks ago."
"Why did you break up?"
"He...he raped me," Ken stuttered.
The officers looked up in surprise. "Did you file a report?" asked the second officer.
Ken shook his head. "No. I, I just wanted to forget about it."
The first officer looked like he was going to press on, but his partner sent him a look and gently shook his head. He sighed softly and redirected his questions. "Do you think this had to do anything with the break up?"
Ken nodded. "He confronted me last week, but I was able to get away from him. I hadn't heard from him since, so I thought he had finally decided to leave me alone. Then tonight I was walking to meet Takeru," he nodded toward the blonde, "when suddenly a car drove up and I was pulled inside. When I realized it was him I wanted to get out, but we were driving too fast. We argued and I told him it was over. And then..." Ken shuddered.
"And then what?" the officer pressed.
"He said that if he couldn't have me, no one could," Ken said quietly. "And then he drove into the bay."
"When he said that," began the officer, "what was his emotional state?"
Ken struggled to find the answer. "I don't know. He was angry. But then he was calm. It was weird." The officer nodded and a nurse came into the room. "I'm sorry officers, but it's time for another dose of drugs. He needs his sleep."
The officers nodded. "I think we have what we need."
The nurse looked at Takeru. "You too. Out."
Ken grabbed Takeru's hand as the nurse shot a drug into an IV. Ken could feel the immediate effects of the drug. "Don't leave me," he mumbled as his eyes began to feel heavy.
Takeru looked at the nurse. She sighed and shrugged her shoulders. "Fine, you can stay." She left the room muttering to herself.
The officers looked at the pair. "Thank you for your cooperation Mr. Ichijouji." The first officer looked pointedly at Takeru. "We would like to talk to you once he's asleep." Takeru nodded and they left the room.
The blonde pulled his chair closer to Ken's bed. "Oh Ken," he sighed. "I'm so sorry I wasn't there."
"S'not your fault," Ken slurred. Soon he was snoring.
Takeru smiled softly and the noise. Ken would never believe him if he told the young man he had snored. He sighed and continued to sit with Ken, never letting go of his hand.
Ten minutes later the officers walked back into the room. "We'd like you to step into the hallway so we don't disturb the patient," they told Takeru. He sighed but let go of Ken's hand and followed the officers into the hallway.
"Were you aware of this situation?" The second officer picked up the interview and immediately jumped to the questions. The softness with which he treated Ken was absent.
Takeru nodded. "Yes, I knew what had happened."
"Did you ever confront Mr. Tashima?"
Takeru blinked in confusion. "You mean Satomi?" The officer nodded with a frown. "Sorry, I never knew his last name. But yes, the night after the...incident," Taker knew Ken's parents were down the hall, "I went to Satomi's house and told him to leave Ken alone. After Ken saw him at the train station, Satomi tried calling him on the phone while I was at Ken's house. Ken was out of the room and the phone kept ringing. Finally I answered it and before I could say anything, Satomi was telling me—well, he thought I was Ken—to meet him behind the auditorium at the college. I never told Ken about the call and met Satomi myself. He tried to attack me but I was able to defend myself and told him again to leave Ken alone."
"And after that?"
Takeru shook his head. "I never heard from him again. And he seemed to have finally left Ken alone."
"How was his emotional state that night at the college?"
Takeru sighed. "To be honest, officers, he was really delusional. He was convinced that he hadn't done anything to hurt Ken and kept saying I was taking Ken from him. He was really possessive."
The officer nodded as he wrote down more notes. "In your opinion," he asked, "do you think that Mr. Tashima attempted to kill Mr. Ichijouji along with himself."
"Himself?" asked Takeru.
The officers looked at each other. The first officer spoke up. "Mr. Tashima died of a brain contusion. He died almost on impact."
Takeru let out a breath. His shock only lasted a minute, and then he became angry. That could have very easily been Ken.
"Do you think Mr. Tashima drove into the bay with an intent to kill himself and Mr. Ichijouji?" the officer repeated.
Takeru blew his hair out of his face. "I wouldn't put it past him. He was crazy and obsessed."
The officers could see the emotional toll the recent revelations were taking on the blonde and decided to ease up. "Those are all the questions we have right now. Will you please write down you contact information in case we have any other questions later on?"
Takeru did as he was told. Once dismissed he walked back into the lobby toward his friends.
"Are you okay?" asked Hikari when she saw the look on his face. She hadn't seen her best friend this furious in a very long time.
"I hope that bastard rots in hell," he said dangerously. Daisuke and Taichi looked at the blonde in shock, but Hikari just placed a supportive hand on his shoulder.
"Who?" she asked.
"Satomi." With a growl of frustration he turned around and punched the wall. "First he hurts Ken multiple times and then takes away the satisfaction of killing him myself!"
Someone cleared their throat behind him. He whirled on his heel, ready to strike out at the person, but stopped as he realized who it was. He blanched. "What, exactly, has been going on?" Mr. Ichijouji looked at Takeru seriously.
Takeru's anger faded away and was replaced by embarrassment. Everyone in the room was looking at him in surprise. Takeru allowed himself to fall against the wall and slide down to the floor.
"Takeru?" Mr. Ichijouhi prompted.
The blonde ran his fingers through his hair and sighed. "I really think Ken should tell you himself."
Mr. Ichijouji looked at him levelly. "My son's condition is very fragile at the moment. I would prefer not to put him through any more stress. I know Ken was dating that Satomi kid." His wife gasped in surprise. He turned to her. "Yes, dear. Our son is gay. It was really quite obvious." He turned back to Takeru, who was just as shocked to learn that Mr. Ichijouji knew as much. "I also assume that they broke up, if Ken's short lived depression is anything to go off of. So tell me. What was he doing in a car with that boy that was floating in the Tokyo Bay?" He tried to stay calm but his voice rose at the last sentence.
Takeru flinched at the older man's tone of voice. He mentally asked for Ken's forgiveness for what he was about to tell his parents. He relayed everything that had happened over the past few months. "I thought he had gotten the hint after I confronted him, since Ken didn't hear from him. I should have known better."
"So that's why you always walked Ken home from school," Mr. Ichijouji said in realization.
Takeru nodded. "I was trying to protect him." He dropped his head. He had failed. He and Ken had both let their guard down and now his friend was in the hospital. He was startled when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to see Mr. Ichijouji crouched in front of him.
"This wasn't your fault Takeru. You have been such a good friend to my son, and have gone above and beyond for him. Thank you." They shared a look and reached a mutual understanding. The room fell back into silence as both men secretly cursed the fact that they could not kill Satomi themselves.
It was very early the next morning when Takeru got off the phone with his brother. He had tried to convince Yamato not to come home early. He had succeeded in that Yamato was not about to jump on the first bullet train home. The older blonde had insisted that he would talk with his manager and do some juggling to cut the tour short so he could be home weeks earlier.
Taichi and Hikari had fallen asleep against each other in the uncomfortable hospital chairs. Takeru could feel Daisuke's gaze boring into him. The redhead had been in out of a light sleep all night, but remained mostly silent even when he was awake. He heard Daisuke take a breath and prepared himself for the coming question.
"Why didn't you tell me any of this?" the redhead asked.
"It wasn't for me to tell," the blonde answered easily. He could feel Daisuke's glare and turned to him with a sigh. "Honestly Daisuke, I didn't feel it was my place. And a lot of it happened while you guys were fighting. I'm sure that's why he didn't go to you."
Daisuke dropped his eyes, defeated. "But he went to you."
Takeru shook his head. "No, I just happened to be there the day everything started going downhill. I saw him in the park and could tell something was wrong. He wouldn't have told anyone but I wouldn't leave him alone until he told me what was wrong."
"He trusts you now," said Daisuke sadly.
Takeru smiled at his friend. "You're still his best friend," he said earnestly. "Things have just been a little rocky between you two. Every friendship goes through a rough patch, just ask Taichi and Yamato." Daisuke smiled at that. "He still needs you, now more than ever."
Daisuke looked at Takeru in appreciation, but there was a realization that sobered the look. "Still, he'll turn to you first." Takeru didn't say anything, because he didn't want to tell Daisuke why he thought that was.
Their conversation was interrupted by Ken's parents walking into the lobby. "Have either of you slept?" asked his father.
"Not really," said Daisuke as Takeru shook his head.
"He's lucky to have such good friends," said Mrs. Ichijouji appreciatively. She seemed to be coming to terms with her sons newly announced orientation. She looked at Takeru. "He's awake and asking for you again."
Takeru nodded and glanced at Daisuke. The redhead's look seemed to say "I told you so", but he waved Takeru toward Ken's room.
Takeru walked in and smiled at Ken. "Are you feeling any better?" he asked.
Ken shook his head. "No. And now my head feels all blurry." Takeru chuckled at the description. "So my parents know everything now..."
Takeru looked at his friend apologetically. "I'm sorry Ken, but—" He stopped as Ken shook his head.
"You didn't tell them about the rape."
"I didn't think they needed to know."
Ken smiled at him. "You're a better friend than I deserve."
"You deserve everything," said Takeru earnestly.
Ken searched Takeru's eyes as the blonde leaned toward him, emphasizing his statement. Ken didn't know if it was the brush with death that made him so bold, or the drugs that made him careless, but he took Takeru's hand and pulled the blonde closer. After only a moment's hesitation he planted a kiss on Takeru's lips, damning the consequences.
He needn't have had to worry, as Takeru certainly wasn't going to complain.
Ari: Well, there you go! But before you guys throw rocks at me, there is an epilogue coming soon. And a bonus chapter that Mie Ame convinced me to write. ;-] So stay tuned!
Daisuke: *panting* There you are!
Ari: Eep! Mie Ame, help me! *running away*
Mie Ame: *at Daisuke* There YOU are! *opens a box that reads "Secret Weapon"* Hikari!