The Endless Night - Part 2
“Guys, has anyone seen Keito?” Yabu asked worriedly as he walked into Yuto’s room. The other members shook their heads.
“No one’s seen him since that day?” Yabu asked again. Again the same response.
I don’t know where he is either…. Why can’t I find him?
“Well… I’ll take my shift now…. All of you go home…” Yabu sighed as he put his hands on his hips. Lately the boys had taken to staying with Yuto through the days, and one of them would stay during the night.
“Yabu-kun… I think you should switch with me and Chinen-kun…. you’re tired today aren’t you?” Ryutaro asked as he stood up.
“Iya…. It’s just a little…” Yabu’s voice trailed off. Before he knew what was happening Inoo and Hikaru appeared at his side, each grabbing the older boy’s arm.
“Eh?!” Yabu looked confused.
“C’mon, Ryutaro’s right… you haven’t been sleeping right…. You worry too much… Yuto will be fine…..” Inoo said as he picked up Yabu’s bag.
“It’s not jus-“ Yabu started.
“Keito will be fine too…. And Ryutaro IS right, let’s go, we have the YY shooting tomorrow morning anyway…” Hikaru gave his friend a look, and this time, Yabu knew defeat.
“Take care of him then…. Ryutaro….Chinen…” He nodded.
Quietly the other boys left the room leaving Chinen and Ryutaro alone to guard their friend. They had always shared their days together each worriedly looked at Yuto in bed for a while, and every time they heard a motion, they jerked awake only to find a nurse checking Yuto’s pulse or his blood pressure….
“Yuu-Chan… where are you….?” Chinen asked as he grabbed Yuto’s hand.
I’m right here…. I’m right here! Why cant I talk to you….? Why cant you hear me?
“Chinen… it’s okay…. Really… Yuto’ll be fine, he’s a fighter….” Ryutaro said as he grabbed Yuto’s other hand and squeezed tightly. He secretly hopped Yuto wouldn’t make him a liar.
Ryutaro….
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Keito awoke in his little cubicle as the small light in the building turned on. By now, he had grown accustomed to the ways the gang operated. Over the last two days… he had been in a few gang fights…. And his body had taken more abuse than he thought possible. Yet every time one of those punches landed…. One of those kicks hit…. He heard Yuto again…. And on some days it was the only thing that kept him going…..
“Keito Nii-Chan?” Souta poked his head in.
“I’ll be right there Souta…..” Keito smiled as he stood up. His once flawless body now had bruises along its side, a tribute to the many brawls he had taken part in…. his arm showed the last remnants of a healing cut, a present from one of the more nastier fighters. Slowly he slipped on his shirt and stepped out into the still darkening night.
“Today… I’ll find you….” Keito mumbled to himself. This was the day he had been waiting for… there were plans today to find the Reds… he wanted to find whoever did this… whoever did this to his Yuto… had to pay….
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“E-Eh?” Ryutaro blinked as he stared into space.
“What happened Ryuu-Chan?” Chinen asked, worried.
“I-I think I heard… Yuto?”
Ryutaro…Keito is in trouble…
“What?” Chinen’s eyes widened.
“He says…. Keito… Trouble….” Ryutaro tightened his grip on Yuto’s hand.
Why can’t you hear everything I’m saying….? I feel so stronger already…why cant I wake up yet?
“Keito…is in trouble?” Ryutaro asked worriedly but no response came.
“Yuu-Chan… please….” Chinen pressed his head against Yuto’s hand.
Find Keito!
Now both Ryutaro and Chinen heard this….. as their backs bolted upright and they looked at each other.
“Find Keito….” They nodded to each other as Ryutaro ran out of the room to call the others.
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By now, Keito was walking towards the small soccer arena that would serve as their meeting place… it was here that they would find fight… Tama had made it clear that they were fighting for dominance of the area…. But Keito was hunting for more….
As he got closer to the grounds he saw them.. standing across the field. They stood in stark contrast… dressed in red with the red wristbands, while across the field, Keito could see those bearing the green and white wristbands, they were preparing…..
“Souta…. Be careful okay?” Keito whispered as they walked slowly towards their gang.
“Keito…Nii-Chan?”
“I can’t protect you this time…I have to find someone….I have to find whoever did it…” Keito said, his voice fading rapidly. He still had the image of Yuto laying in the bed in his mind. He could hear Yuto calling to him, but right now… he couldn’t turn back…
“Is it…. Yuto Nii-Chan’s attacker?” Souta asked. Keito stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the boy.
“How did you…?”
“I heard it on the news… a boy who looks like the picture you have was attacked…by them..” Souta looked pitifully at the older boy.
“Yes…Souta… but you must not tell the others… okay? I don't want them to do anything about it…. I have to find him myself…” Keito warned.
With that he walked into the mire of boys and they knew the fight had begun as the first yells ran across the barren field.
Keito! Stop! Don’t! Stop! You don’t have to do this!
Keito ran forward and he watched as two larger boys ran towards him. He tackled one to the ground and as his head looked up another was charging toward him. He was stuck… there was nothing he could do except bear the blow he knew was coming. He braced himself and shut his eyes, but nothing happened… slowly he opened his eyes and watched as little Souta had tripped the charging attacker and was now busy punching the boy.
“You!” Keito shouted as he grabbed the boy he had tackled. He could tell the boy was still dazed from being slammed into the ground… but he didn’t care. Gruffly he shook him by the collar.
“A few days ago…. You and your STUPID gang attacked a boy…. A young boy….” Keito started.
“SO? What about it!? Was he one of yours!? GOOD! I hope we pummeled him good!” The boy spat. As he spoke a fury boiled within Keito as without thinking, his fist landed a heavy punch across the boy’s face.
“He was an innocent… boy… and you put him in the hospital…YOU PUT HIM THERE!” Keito screamed as he punched the boy again.
“What I want to know….. is which one of you did it……” Keito asked calmly as he held the boy’s shirt tightly.
“What do you care…?” The boy asked.
“He was my love….. my one love…… “ Keito felt tears begin to come again, but with a mass of sheer fury forced them down into himself again.
“I know… I heard from Seijiro he screamed in pain… and it was great…..” The boy laughed and Keito couldn’t hold himself back any longer. He felt all his anger surface as his entire body lunged forward and he landed blow after blow upon the pinned boy’s body. He lashed out at him with everything his body could offer….. this was the boy who laughed at Yuto’s misfortune… and this was one of those who had to suffer….
Keito…. Why are you so angry…? Why are you doing this? I don't… want this….
“Nii-Chan! It’s time to go!” Souta called as he ran towards Keito he pulled the two apart and grabbed Keito by the arm, pulling him in the direction of the other boys. It seemed the fight was over…. the police had come and nothing was decided….
Keito…. I’m scared…. For the both of us……..
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Later that night Keito lay awake in his small room, the night sky that had once soothed him was now tinted red with fury. He sat up, unable to sleep and he started to walk out of the small warehouse building. Aimlessly he strolled through the streets, trying to ignore the dull aching pain in his fists, and the sharp stabbing pain in his heart. When he finally regained his senses he looked up to find himself at the hospital again.
“Even when I’m lost… I find my way back to you don't I… Yuto?” Keito asked no one in particular, and for the first time in those few days.. he smiled. Slowly he walked towards the hospital and snuck his way past the nurse. Quietly he crept to the door that now bore Yuto’s name upon it. Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and pushed it open.
At first, he was taken aback by the presence of two bodies sitting in the corner, but as he was about to leave….. his eyes focused and he recognized them as a sleeping Chinen and Ryutaro. After gently tapping on the door to make sure they were deep asleep he was satisfied…. And crept to the bedside.
“Yuto… I missed you…” he whispered as he leaned in and gave the sleeping boy a kiss.
Keito… you’re here…. Don't go… ever again… stay….
“I’m going to find him Yuto…” Keito said solemnly as he squeezed the slender boy’s hand.
“K-Kei…to…” Yuto’s body whispered weakly.
“Yuto? Yuto!?” Keito whispered urgently.
“Lone…ly…”
“I know…I’m sorry…but I cant live with myself…. If this guy who did this to you…” Keito looked away, feeling so ashamed of himself.
“Kei…to…..this….not..what I..wan…” Yuto’s voice was soft and quiet, and he struggled with every breath. The fragile body struggled with the last few sounds before it collapsed again and silence once again rang into the room.
Keito! This is not what I wanted! This isn’t what I want you to do! I just want you to stay with me! Be safe……! Please don’t go….
“this is not…. I don’t…. understand…. Yuto… come back… come back!” Keito begged.
“Yuto Nii-Chan?” A familiar voice sounded from the doorway. Keito turned to see Souta standing at the door, and the little boy walked over.
“Souta…. You shouldn’t be here…”
“I just followed you…. Because I was worried….”
“I'm just here….. to visit him….” Keito said, his eyes turning back to the beautiful boy resting upon the bed.
“He’s…. beautiful….. just like you said Keito Nii-Chan….”
“Thank you…. Souta…”
“I hope you two…. Will be together forever….. and I hope he wakes up soon…”
“Thank you…. Really….. Souta..” Keito whispered
For a few brief moments, Keito stared at Yuto, frustrated that he couldn't talk to him, that he couldn’t hear him call his name… and he cried on the inside, wanting so badly for Yuto to wake up.
He’s crying…for me… again. And I can’t do anything…
“It’s time to go…..” Keito turned and Souta nodded. As he turned, Keito noticed the small stuffed dolphin he had bought Yuto and he smiled as he grabbed it. He hugged it tightly for a few seconds….. it smelled like Yuto… he remembered how happy he was when Keito gave it to him…. how adorably he giggled when he squeezed the soft material against his cheek.
“Here… even if I’m not here…..” Keito put the dolphin in Yuto’s arms, and wrapped it tightly in the boy’s limp arms. With that he turned away and walked out of the room.
“Yuto Nii-Chan… I promise I’ll take care of Keito Nii-Chan for you….” Souta whispered as he gave Yuto a final look before walking out. As the door closed, Ryutaro and Chinen awoke with a start.
“Wha-what was that?” Ryutaro asked confused.
“I don't know…. Is Yuto okay?” Chinen asked as he rubbed his eyes.
“He’s……. did you…. Put that dolphin there?”
“No…..did you……?”
“Someone’s…. been here?”
“Who?”
“Keito?”
“Keito…..”
Keito wandered his way back to the small warehouse and he laid down in his cot again. Somehow… seeing Yuto… brought some peace… but he still felt pain whenever he thought of him just laying there….
“Seijiro…..I’ll get you…” Keito muttered as he turned to the side, and he winced from the pain of a still healing bruise.
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“Eh? Keito was here?! We spent the whole night looking for him after Ryutaro called…” Takaki sat down, he had been wandering the streets for the last few hours.
Guys…. Keito’s in trouble….. Why cant you hear me!?
“What are we going to do?”
“What can we do?”
“Yuto told me…. I know it was his voice…. That Keito is in trouble…but we can’t find him…” Ryutaro repeated, trying to gather the situation.
“Then… the only person who can help us…. Is Yuto….”
I’m the only person…..? Why cant I just wake up already!
Yuto’s body gave another jerk as his head flew to one side.
“Yuto!?” The boys gasped, but their excitement was short-lived. Nothing happened.
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Finally another night had come, and Keito was ready. He had managed to slip away from the main group and he wandered into the supposedly contested territory, hoping to find this….. Seijiro.
“Hey, look it’s one of them” a voice said, emphasizing the “them”.
Keito turned to see two boys looking back at him. Both wore the red wristbands and glared at him.
“Don’t you think you should be getting off our turf?” One asked as he folded his arms.
“I don't care… about your turf…. “ Keito replied coolly.
“Oh?”
“What I care about….is finding one of yours….. Seijiro…”
“Haa! This guy….. wants to find Seiji…. No chance in hell.” One of the laughed.
“Tell me where he is…. “
“I don’t think so…. now GET LOST!” The boy shouted the last part
“Tell me where he is!!” Keito shouted in return.
“Fine, if you wont get lost, we’ll make you regret it….” The two boys ran up to Keito and in an instant one of them had Keito’s arms, pinning them behind him, the other stood in front, preparing his fists.
“You shoulda left when I told you, but I guess that way I wouldn’t have been able to have some fun…..” The boy in front smirked as be leaned forward and slammed his fist into Keito’s abs, knocking the wind out of him.
“Te-Tell me…. where he is….” Keito panted as he tried hard not to pass out from the pain.
“Shut up!” The boy behind him yelled as another punch landed in Keito’s gut.
Stop! Please! Don’t hurt him! Stop!
“Tell me…” Keito kept repeating, but every time he received only a punch in place of an answer.
Stop! He’s bleeding! He’s hurt…. Stop….. please………
Keito had fallen to the ground now, as the boy behind him loosened his grip. Blood had started to trickle from his mouth and his entire body ached with the abuse it had just suffered.
“I know why you’re looking for Seiji….” One of the boys squatted down as he roughly grabbed Keito’s hair.
“And for what it’s worth….. I hear your friend…. Screamed in pain…..” The boy cackled evilly before dropping Keito back on the ground and standing up.
As the sounds of the two boy’s feet started to get more and more distant, Keito felt his anger boiling again as he jumped to his feet and tackled headfirst into the boy that had been punching him.
“You want to know what screaming is?!” He shouted as a rage coursed through his veins and he began to rain a fury of punches upon the boy. As he slammed furiously into the boy, the other boy watched in horror at the sheer rage that was taking place before him.
“You people did this do him! To my Yuto!” Keito screamed as he landed another punch.
“You tell me where this Seijiro is!” Keito shouted as he grabbed the boy’s shirt, but as he did the boy passed out. Now Keito turned his attention to the other boy, who by now was cowering on the ground.
“I’m sorry ! I’m sorry!” The boy yelled. Keito loomed before him, walking steadily. There was a dark aura around him….. and he shivered as Keito drew nearer and nearer. With a single grip, the boy was lifted up off the ground and his eyes reluctantly met Keito’s.
“Tell me……” Keito repeated.
“He’s at our base near the karaoke place on the edge of town!” The boy shouted as he braced himself. At this point, Keito didn’t know whether he felt more angry or relieved. He threw the kid back onto the ground and he walked off. The pain that radiated from his tired bones screamed at him but his mind was set.. he had to walk. To think clearly….
In a few hours… Keito once again found himself standing before the hospital doors.
“Looks like you brought me back here again didn't you?” Keito whispered.
He looked up at the window of Yuto’s room. And he sighed. Slowly he walked into the building, following the same pattern he had just a few nights before. As he walked into the room, he looked around to see Daiki sitting in the chair, his head resting against the wall as he dozed. Quietly, he walked to the bedside again and he knelt down.
“Yuto…I promise you… I’ll find him…”
Keito! That’s not what I want! I just want you to stay safe! I just want you to stay here!
“K-Keito…..” Yuto whispered.
“Yuto? Yuto!? Say my name… please.. say my name..I need to hear it….. I need it….please….” Keito begged.
“K…eito…”
Keito stay with me…… please…….
“Tomorrow Yuto….. tomorrow I’m going to go get those guys that did this to you….. I promise you….”
“Keito!? What- where have you been!?” Daiki had appeared beside the bed.
“Dai-Chan… don’t tell anyone I was here….I don't want them to stop me…”
“Stop you from what?”
“Don’t ask me”
“Keito? Where have you been!? We’ve all been so worried about you…. We hav-“
“It’ll all be alright soon….” Keito cut him off as he gently brushed aside a lock of Yuto’s hair and leaned over. He planted a single kiss upon the sleeping boy’s forehead. Now he turned his attention to Daiki.
“You understand me… ? Daiki?”
“Keito…. Are you okay? Whats wrong? Where did you get all these cuts…. Those bruises…. Your shirt’s all torn….”
“Daiki! Don’t….. tell ANYONE ….. do you understand?” Keito repeated.
“Keito… here….. at least…. Take my shirt… it’s a little big on me anyway so it should be fine on you..” Daiki offered.
“It’s okay… give it to me after tomorrow…for what I’m going to do… I wont need it….”
“Keito…. Tell me what you’re going to do… please?”
“I’m sorry Dai-Chan….. about…. Everything.” Keito turned and he walked out as Daiki stood there, stunned.
“E-Everything?” The tone in Keito’s voice one that the boys in JUMP had seldom heard. It was the tone that meant Keito was about to do something… something bad….
“Mmnnh….Keito…..” Yuto groaned again.
“Yuto?!” Daiki’s eyes widened. He darted out to the hallway and flagged down a nurse.
“He talked! He talked!’ Daiki jumped happily as the nurse nodded.
“This could be a sign that Nakajima-Kun here will wake up soon... you should talk to him…. you could encourage him to come out of the coma faster. “ she smiled before doing her regular checks and walking out again. Immediately Daiki pulled out his phone and messaged everyone. He didn’t really expect a response….. but much to his surprise just a few seconds later messages flooded his phone. They were all awake…. And now they were all coming…..
As the sun started to rise and the bleak darkness began to fade into shades of orange, the door to the room opened and in walked the last seven members of JUMP. They stood there quietly as they turned to Daiki and he explained the events of the night and what the nurse had said.
“Yuto? Can you hear me? It’s Me… Yabu. Yuto you need to wake up now okay? Keito needs you…. We all need you….”
Yabu-Kun… I can hear you… I’m trying.. I’m trying…. But its so hard… and I’m so tired…
“Yuto~! Yuto~! Snap out of it…. You and I we’ve always gone for the prankster position in JUMP, and if this is one of your jokes, if you wake up, I’ll let you have it…..just come back….”
Hikaru…I miss competing with you….I’m trying…. I can feel everyone around me… everyone except… him…..
“Yuu-Chan…. I have some Pocky sticks with me…. didn't you always like to share them with me? They’re here….. waiting for you… I’m waiting for you……”
Takaki… I want to share them with you too…. Just wait for me… a little longer….
“Yuto… it’s time to get up now.. you said you wanted to follow me into college didn't you? It’s time for the first class….. you can’t sleep anymore…. Why wont you wake up and look at me?”
Inoo-Chan… class has started ne~ I maybe a little late…..but wait for me a little… I’m trying… I’m trying…
At this point, Yuto’s hand began to tingle as it began to move slowly, his fingers stretched. His head turned slightly as indistinguishable sounds came from his mouth.
“Oi! Nakajima! Wake up already! It’s not enough that you have to outgrow me… couldn't you at least wake up and look me in the eye while you do it? Come back to us Yuto… come back and I’ll knock you back down to size for making me worry..”
Dai-Chan….I’m sorry for making you feel short… I want to see you….. I want to see all of you… and I’m sorry for making you worry….
“Yuto! When will you be coming back? I’ve been waiting patiently for you…. We have to finish our game! You can’t leave me without a partner…… wake up already… “
Yama-Chan…… I know…. Its my turn… I remember…. I’m trying…
“Yuto, you’re supposed to dance with me, you’re supposed to teach me how to tap-dance remember!? You promised and I’m waiting! Get up!”
Chinen… I remember…. I’ll get better soon… and I’ll teach you…
Yuto’s body began to stir as his mind began to reassert itself back. Slowly his legs moved, his fingers twitched and stretched.
“Yuu-Chan… you’re like my big brother… I’m waiting for you to come back… I don't want to lose you… the Heisei Family can’t go without its eldest son you know… come back to us….. please?”
Ryuu-Chan, you’re like my little brother too…. I’m coming… I’m coming…
“Yuto!” The boys called as the body gave its last few motions and finally, Yuto’s eyes opened slowly, they fluttered opened and he grimaced at the bright light of the room.
Everything was so disoriented…. Blurry. He could see the people around him, sense them, but he couldn’t focus his eyes just yet.
“Yuto? A-Are you okay?” Daiki asked as he helped the boy sit up.
“D-Dai-Chan…KEITO!” Yuto gasped as his memories flooded his consciousness.
“Keito.” Daiki repeated.
“Keito…. Is in trouble… he’s going to get hurt…” Yuto gasped as his lungs became reacquainted with the large gulps of air.
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“Keito Nii-Chan? Where are you going?” Souta asked as he watched Keito.
“Nowhere, stay here okay?”
“Keito…. Nii-Chan..”
“Stay here….” Keito replied firmly as he stormed out of the warehouse.
“But I want to go with you! You can’t possibly be thinking about going to get that Seijiro guy by yourself!” Souta grabbed Keito’s hand.
“I said stay here!” Keito threw him off, shoving the boy to the ground.
Souta stared as Keito walked off. Just as he reached the corner of the street, Keito turned and looked over his shoulder at the boy who was still on the ground.
“I’m sorry…”
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“Yuto’s awake! Keito!? Check your messages!” Hikaru shouted into his cell phone.
“Guys… my head still… is kinda… foggy…. You’re sure Keito is okay?” Yuto groaned as he tried to reach out for a cup of water.
“Er…. Yeah… Here…” Ryutaro grabbed the cup and held it up to his friend’s lips.
“Thanks…”
“Yuto Nii-Chan!” The door burst open and a boy ran into the room. He dashed to the bed, evading Takaki’s grab and Hikaru’s arms. He ran to the bed only to be caught by Chinen.
“Do…. I know you? I… just… woke up and…” Yuto blinked.
“N-No you don’t know me… you don't… but….my name…. is Souta..” The boy panted as he tried to catch his breath.
“Souta….?”
“Keito Nii-Chan is in trouble… he’s going to go fight someone… the guy who put you in here!” Souta piped.
“Keito is?”
“He’s in trouble! They’re bad bad guys! They’re dangerous! Someone’s gotta come! Please! I know where they are!”
The boys exchanged looks before nodding.
“Lead the way…….”
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Keito walked towards the edge of the city, no longer aimlessly, he had a purpose now. He had to find that person, that one person who did this… and he had to make him pay….
The loud cars honked as annoyance over the long lines of traffic fueled his own rage. The sounds of children crying as their frustrated mothers tended to them hounded his ears, and he knew the great sadness that had haunted him the past few days. Now…. His mind was clear of everything, everything except the pure anger that drove him now.
“Hey! Kid, this isn’t the place for you to be…” A gruff older boy yelled at him as he turned the corner and saw the small run-down store that served as their base.
“HEY! We were talking to YOU!” A second boy repeated as he grabbed Keito’s shoulder. The moment his eyes met with Keito’s, he froze. In a flash he felt what seemed to be a fist and a knee land against his body and when he opened his eyes again, he was on the ground, his body writhing in pain.
Inside the abandoned store a mess of boys in different types of rags looked at him as he walked in. They noticed their two friends outside on the ground, and their eyes flashed to the green and white wristband around Keito’s wrist.
“Get him!” Someone yelled as the boys grabbed whatever they could find and ran towards him.
Punch after punch landed as body after body hit the ground. At the end of the quick few minutes, Keito stood before tens of bodies, he himself unaware of how he had managed to get through it.
“Which… one of you… is Seijiro…..” He asked quietly, and despite however soft, he knew everyone had heard him.
One of the few boys left against the walls shivered as Keito’s eyes locked upon him. Quietly he walked towards him watching as the boy cowered until he tripped on a can. He fell and his eyes bespoke fear as Keito loomed closer.
“You…”
“L-Listen, whatever I did… I’m sorry I’m sorry!”
“You… did this…” Keito felt the culmination of everything he had been feeling for the last few days surface. He was so angry… and so sad…
The boy, Seijiro crawled out a door in the back and as soon as he heard the door close behind him, he knew Keito wasn’t far behind.
“KEITO!” Someone called.
Whirling around Keito stared in the direction of the voice. There, a car had pulled up to the end of street, and out of the passenger seat Yabu had stepped out. The doors of the van slid open as the other boys stepped out, and Keito wondered what they were doing here, until he noticed that Souta was one of them.
“Keito… it’s time to stop…..” Inoo approached slowly.
“Keito Nii-Chan… Yuto Nii-Chan is okay” Souta said.
“This…. this KID…. He caused me.... he caused us…. So much pain….” Keito struggled to control himself.
“Keito…” A voice came out of the van.
As Keito watched, Daiki and Hikaru helped the last boy out of the car.
“Yuto…” Keito gasped.
“Keito…. It’s enough…..isnt it?” Yuto asked quietly, his legs were still trembling, his body was still weak and fragile.
“I-“
“Keito… it’s enough…. “ Yuto repeated as he reached out, trying to grab Keito across the vast distance between them.
“It’s enough….” He said a final time as he broke free of the arms that held him and stumbled forward. He walked on shoddy steps, before his knees buckled and he fell to the ground.
“Yuto!” Keito ran to catch him. The moment he felt Yuto’s slender frame in his arms again, everything…. Melted. His anger disappeared, his sorrow, his pain… gone.
“I was so… worried about you… you kept hurting yourself… and I couldn’t do anything but watch… why….” Yuto asked as his breath grew sharper.
“I’m sorry…. I’m sorry…”
“I called for you…. To stay…. I was so alone… in the darkness of my mind….”
“I’m sorry……”
“Keito…. You’re cheeks… what happened to you… you’re so different now… you’re still hurt… “
“I’m sorry…….”
“Is that.. all you can say?” Keito looked at the boy in his arms, and through his tear filed eyes he could still make out the weak smile that Yuto showed.
“Hello there…. Long time no see…” Keito half cried half chuckled as he tried his best not to cry anymore.
“Long time….” Yuto gasped as his eyes widened. Behind Keito the boy Seijiro appeared. No one had noticed the thug sneak up behind the two and now he prepared to deliver his attack.
A loud and audible thud rang through the small street and the sound of a body falling upon the ground followed.
Keito opened his eyes to see what happened. Souta lay on the ground behind him, his body crumpled upon the rough pavement as Seijiro looked at who he had hit. His fist was red with pain but his eyes were focused on the little boy he had just punched.
“HEY!” Takaki yelled as he grabbed the thug before he could run. He kicked the boy’s legs out from beneath him and tackled him to the ground, pinning him there.
“Souta……” Keito murmured as he turned around.
“Keito… go…” Yuto whispered as he nodded.
Gently Keito set his boyfriend on the ground as he turned his attention to the younger boy.
“Souta… where…. where did he hit you…. Are you okay?”
“I’ll…. Be…. Ok….okay….Keito Nii-Chan…..” The small boy replied as a small amount of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, and more of the crimson red came from his scrapes from falling onto the pavement so hard.
“Why would you do such a thing! I told you to stay safe! I told you…. I told you…. To stay back….” Keito repeated, his own head a jumble now.
“I wanted to protect you…. And Yuto Nii-Chan….” Souta said as he turned his head, and his eyes met Yuto’s. They shared a brief and quiet moment of understanding. Yuto smiled weakly as he whispered.
“Thank you…”
With that, the light in both their worlds dwindled until darkness came again. Yuto returned to where he had been these last few days, and Souta joined him.
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A day later, Yuto awoke to the sounds of a door closing. He looked around to find himself back in the hospital, except this time… there was somebody beside him… He turned his head to see Keito, laying in one of the hospital’s beds, he was fast asleep, his head sporting a bandage to help heal the cuts on his head and his cheeks. Their beds were pushed together and from where he lay, he saw the tightly bound ribbons around Keito’s body, the firm bandages that would help heal his bruised ribs.
“Oh Keito…” Yuto felt himself tear up as he looked over his hurt boyfriend. He felt so guilty…. He had done all this for him…. Quietly he sobbed to himself, every gasp of air filled his body with pain, both from his own injuries, and from the stiffness his body still suffered through.
“Mnnh… H-Hey… why are you crying……?” Keito asked.
“It’s all… because…of me….” Yuto replied.
“What is?”
“You’re like that… all because of me…. I didn't want to be one of those boyfriends, you didn’t have to do anything for me… but because you did, you’re hurt…. And and-“
“Hey… This…. isn’t your fault… okay? Now don’t cry anymore… we’re here now.. aren’t we? We’re together? Didn't you say that so long as two people in love have each other, that’s all they would need?” Keito smiled was he reached out across the small gap that separated their beds. For a brief moment, Yuto stared at his hand, and in a few moments, a trembling hand joined Keito’s. They clasped their hands together. For the first time in what seemed to be an endless night of suffering, they were at peace…
“nnh…” A moan came from across the room. Gently the two boys lifted themselves up to look where it had come from. Souta was laying on the bed opposite them, the young boy had managed to kick off his blanket and he tossed and turned on the bed, hugging his pillow. He was mumbling into the pillow, his words barely audible.
“Leave… Keito Nii-Chan… and Yuto Nii-Chan… alone…”
Seeing the boy, the pair smiled to each other.
“I love you…..” They whispered in the still of the moonlit room.
“Keito.. Nii-Chan…… and Yuto Nii-Chan…. Are finally… together…..”
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Uwa…. Okay I know this one was bad……. GOMEN! I will make it up to you somehow! Until then, please let me know what you thought!
~Emmie
“No one’s seen him since that day?” Yabu asked again. Again the same response.
I don’t know where he is either…. Why can’t I find him?
“Well… I’ll take my shift now…. All of you go home…” Yabu sighed as he put his hands on his hips. Lately the boys had taken to staying with Yuto through the days, and one of them would stay during the night.
“Yabu-kun… I think you should switch with me and Chinen-kun…. you’re tired today aren’t you?” Ryutaro asked as he stood up.
“Iya…. It’s just a little…” Yabu’s voice trailed off. Before he knew what was happening Inoo and Hikaru appeared at his side, each grabbing the older boy’s arm.
“Eh?!” Yabu looked confused.
“C’mon, Ryutaro’s right… you haven’t been sleeping right…. You worry too much… Yuto will be fine…..” Inoo said as he picked up Yabu’s bag.
“It’s not jus-“ Yabu started.
“Keito will be fine too…. And Ryutaro IS right, let’s go, we have the YY shooting tomorrow morning anyway…” Hikaru gave his friend a look, and this time, Yabu knew defeat.
“Take care of him then…. Ryutaro….Chinen…” He nodded.
Quietly the other boys left the room leaving Chinen and Ryutaro alone to guard their friend. They had always shared their days together each worriedly looked at Yuto in bed for a while, and every time they heard a motion, they jerked awake only to find a nurse checking Yuto’s pulse or his blood pressure….
“Yuu-Chan… where are you….?” Chinen asked as he grabbed Yuto’s hand.
I’m right here…. I’m right here! Why cant I talk to you….? Why cant you hear me?
“Chinen… it’s okay…. Really… Yuto’ll be fine, he’s a fighter….” Ryutaro said as he grabbed Yuto’s other hand and squeezed tightly. He secretly hopped Yuto wouldn’t make him a liar.
Ryutaro….
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Keito awoke in his little cubicle as the small light in the building turned on. By now, he had grown accustomed to the ways the gang operated. Over the last two days… he had been in a few gang fights…. And his body had taken more abuse than he thought possible. Yet every time one of those punches landed…. One of those kicks hit…. He heard Yuto again…. And on some days it was the only thing that kept him going…..
“Keito Nii-Chan?” Souta poked his head in.
“I’ll be right there Souta…..” Keito smiled as he stood up. His once flawless body now had bruises along its side, a tribute to the many brawls he had taken part in…. his arm showed the last remnants of a healing cut, a present from one of the more nastier fighters. Slowly he slipped on his shirt and stepped out into the still darkening night.
“Today… I’ll find you….” Keito mumbled to himself. This was the day he had been waiting for… there were plans today to find the Reds… he wanted to find whoever did this… whoever did this to his Yuto… had to pay….
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“E-Eh?” Ryutaro blinked as he stared into space.
“What happened Ryuu-Chan?” Chinen asked, worried.
“I-I think I heard… Yuto?”
Ryutaro…Keito is in trouble…
“What?” Chinen’s eyes widened.
“He says…. Keito… Trouble….” Ryutaro tightened his grip on Yuto’s hand.
Why can’t you hear everything I’m saying….? I feel so stronger already…why cant I wake up yet?
“Keito…is in trouble?” Ryutaro asked worriedly but no response came.
“Yuu-Chan… please….” Chinen pressed his head against Yuto’s hand.
Find Keito!
Now both Ryutaro and Chinen heard this….. as their backs bolted upright and they looked at each other.
“Find Keito….” They nodded to each other as Ryutaro ran out of the room to call the others.
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By now, Keito was walking towards the small soccer arena that would serve as their meeting place… it was here that they would find fight… Tama had made it clear that they were fighting for dominance of the area…. But Keito was hunting for more….
As he got closer to the grounds he saw them.. standing across the field. They stood in stark contrast… dressed in red with the red wristbands, while across the field, Keito could see those bearing the green and white wristbands, they were preparing…..
“Souta…. Be careful okay?” Keito whispered as they walked slowly towards their gang.
“Keito…Nii-Chan?”
“I can’t protect you this time…I have to find someone….I have to find whoever did it…” Keito said, his voice fading rapidly. He still had the image of Yuto laying in the bed in his mind. He could hear Yuto calling to him, but right now… he couldn’t turn back…
“Is it…. Yuto Nii-Chan’s attacker?” Souta asked. Keito stopped dead in his tracks and stared at the boy.
“How did you…?”
“I heard it on the news… a boy who looks like the picture you have was attacked…by them..” Souta looked pitifully at the older boy.
“Yes…Souta… but you must not tell the others… okay? I don't want them to do anything about it…. I have to find him myself…” Keito warned.
With that he walked into the mire of boys and they knew the fight had begun as the first yells ran across the barren field.
Keito! Stop! Don’t! Stop! You don’t have to do this!
Keito ran forward and he watched as two larger boys ran towards him. He tackled one to the ground and as his head looked up another was charging toward him. He was stuck… there was nothing he could do except bear the blow he knew was coming. He braced himself and shut his eyes, but nothing happened… slowly he opened his eyes and watched as little Souta had tripped the charging attacker and was now busy punching the boy.
“You!” Keito shouted as he grabbed the boy he had tackled. He could tell the boy was still dazed from being slammed into the ground… but he didn’t care. Gruffly he shook him by the collar.
“A few days ago…. You and your STUPID gang attacked a boy…. A young boy….” Keito started.
“SO? What about it!? Was he one of yours!? GOOD! I hope we pummeled him good!” The boy spat. As he spoke a fury boiled within Keito as without thinking, his fist landed a heavy punch across the boy’s face.
“He was an innocent… boy… and you put him in the hospital…YOU PUT HIM THERE!” Keito screamed as he punched the boy again.
“What I want to know….. is which one of you did it……” Keito asked calmly as he held the boy’s shirt tightly.
“What do you care…?” The boy asked.
“He was my love….. my one love…… “ Keito felt tears begin to come again, but with a mass of sheer fury forced them down into himself again.
“I know… I heard from Seijiro he screamed in pain… and it was great…..” The boy laughed and Keito couldn’t hold himself back any longer. He felt all his anger surface as his entire body lunged forward and he landed blow after blow upon the pinned boy’s body. He lashed out at him with everything his body could offer….. this was the boy who laughed at Yuto’s misfortune… and this was one of those who had to suffer….
Keito…. Why are you so angry…? Why are you doing this? I don't… want this….
“Nii-Chan! It’s time to go!” Souta called as he ran towards Keito he pulled the two apart and grabbed Keito by the arm, pulling him in the direction of the other boys. It seemed the fight was over…. the police had come and nothing was decided….
Keito…. I’m scared…. For the both of us……..
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Later that night Keito lay awake in his small room, the night sky that had once soothed him was now tinted red with fury. He sat up, unable to sleep and he started to walk out of the small warehouse building. Aimlessly he strolled through the streets, trying to ignore the dull aching pain in his fists, and the sharp stabbing pain in his heart. When he finally regained his senses he looked up to find himself at the hospital again.
“Even when I’m lost… I find my way back to you don't I… Yuto?” Keito asked no one in particular, and for the first time in those few days.. he smiled. Slowly he walked towards the hospital and snuck his way past the nurse. Quietly he crept to the door that now bore Yuto’s name upon it. Taking a deep breath, he turned the knob and pushed it open.
At first, he was taken aback by the presence of two bodies sitting in the corner, but as he was about to leave….. his eyes focused and he recognized them as a sleeping Chinen and Ryutaro. After gently tapping on the door to make sure they were deep asleep he was satisfied…. And crept to the bedside.
“Yuto… I missed you…” he whispered as he leaned in and gave the sleeping boy a kiss.
Keito… you’re here…. Don't go… ever again… stay….
“I’m going to find him Yuto…” Keito said solemnly as he squeezed the slender boy’s hand.
“K-Kei…to…” Yuto’s body whispered weakly.
“Yuto? Yuto!?” Keito whispered urgently.
“Lone…ly…”
“I know…I’m sorry…but I cant live with myself…. If this guy who did this to you…” Keito looked away, feeling so ashamed of himself.
“Kei…to…..this….not..what I..wan…” Yuto’s voice was soft and quiet, and he struggled with every breath. The fragile body struggled with the last few sounds before it collapsed again and silence once again rang into the room.
Keito! This is not what I wanted! This isn’t what I want you to do! I just want you to stay with me! Be safe……! Please don’t go….
“this is not…. I don’t…. understand…. Yuto… come back… come back!” Keito begged.
“Yuto Nii-Chan?” A familiar voice sounded from the doorway. Keito turned to see Souta standing at the door, and the little boy walked over.
“Souta…. You shouldn’t be here…”
“I just followed you…. Because I was worried….”
“I'm just here….. to visit him….” Keito said, his eyes turning back to the beautiful boy resting upon the bed.
“He’s…. beautiful….. just like you said Keito Nii-Chan….”
“Thank you…. Souta…”
“I hope you two…. Will be together forever….. and I hope he wakes up soon…”
“Thank you…. Really….. Souta..” Keito whispered
For a few brief moments, Keito stared at Yuto, frustrated that he couldn't talk to him, that he couldn’t hear him call his name… and he cried on the inside, wanting so badly for Yuto to wake up.
He’s crying…for me… again. And I can’t do anything…
“It’s time to go…..” Keito turned and Souta nodded. As he turned, Keito noticed the small stuffed dolphin he had bought Yuto and he smiled as he grabbed it. He hugged it tightly for a few seconds….. it smelled like Yuto… he remembered how happy he was when Keito gave it to him…. how adorably he giggled when he squeezed the soft material against his cheek.
“Here… even if I’m not here…..” Keito put the dolphin in Yuto’s arms, and wrapped it tightly in the boy’s limp arms. With that he turned away and walked out of the room.
“Yuto Nii-Chan… I promise I’ll take care of Keito Nii-Chan for you….” Souta whispered as he gave Yuto a final look before walking out. As the door closed, Ryutaro and Chinen awoke with a start.
“Wha-what was that?” Ryutaro asked confused.
“I don't know…. Is Yuto okay?” Chinen asked as he rubbed his eyes.
“He’s……. did you…. Put that dolphin there?”
“No…..did you……?”
“Someone’s…. been here?”
“Who?”
“Keito?”
“Keito…..”
Keito wandered his way back to the small warehouse and he laid down in his cot again. Somehow… seeing Yuto… brought some peace… but he still felt pain whenever he thought of him just laying there….
“Seijiro…..I’ll get you…” Keito muttered as he turned to the side, and he winced from the pain of a still healing bruise.
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“Eh? Keito was here?! We spent the whole night looking for him after Ryutaro called…” Takaki sat down, he had been wandering the streets for the last few hours.
Guys…. Keito’s in trouble….. Why cant you hear me!?
“What are we going to do?”
“What can we do?”
“Yuto told me…. I know it was his voice…. That Keito is in trouble…but we can’t find him…” Ryutaro repeated, trying to gather the situation.
“Then… the only person who can help us…. Is Yuto….”
I’m the only person…..? Why cant I just wake up already!
Yuto’s body gave another jerk as his head flew to one side.
“Yuto!?” The boys gasped, but their excitement was short-lived. Nothing happened.
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Finally another night had come, and Keito was ready. He had managed to slip away from the main group and he wandered into the supposedly contested territory, hoping to find this….. Seijiro.
“Hey, look it’s one of them” a voice said, emphasizing the “them”.
Keito turned to see two boys looking back at him. Both wore the red wristbands and glared at him.
“Don’t you think you should be getting off our turf?” One asked as he folded his arms.
“I don't care… about your turf…. “ Keito replied coolly.
“Oh?”
“What I care about….is finding one of yours….. Seijiro…”
“Haa! This guy….. wants to find Seiji…. No chance in hell.” One of the laughed.
“Tell me where he is…. “
“I don’t think so…. now GET LOST!” The boy shouted the last part
“Tell me where he is!!” Keito shouted in return.
“Fine, if you wont get lost, we’ll make you regret it….” The two boys ran up to Keito and in an instant one of them had Keito’s arms, pinning them behind him, the other stood in front, preparing his fists.
“You shoulda left when I told you, but I guess that way I wouldn’t have been able to have some fun…..” The boy in front smirked as be leaned forward and slammed his fist into Keito’s abs, knocking the wind out of him.
“Te-Tell me…. where he is….” Keito panted as he tried hard not to pass out from the pain.
“Shut up!” The boy behind him yelled as another punch landed in Keito’s gut.
Stop! Please! Don’t hurt him! Stop!
“Tell me…” Keito kept repeating, but every time he received only a punch in place of an answer.
Stop! He’s bleeding! He’s hurt…. Stop….. please………
Keito had fallen to the ground now, as the boy behind him loosened his grip. Blood had started to trickle from his mouth and his entire body ached with the abuse it had just suffered.
“I know why you’re looking for Seiji….” One of the boys squatted down as he roughly grabbed Keito’s hair.
“And for what it’s worth….. I hear your friend…. Screamed in pain…..” The boy cackled evilly before dropping Keito back on the ground and standing up.
As the sounds of the two boy’s feet started to get more and more distant, Keito felt his anger boiling again as he jumped to his feet and tackled headfirst into the boy that had been punching him.
“You want to know what screaming is?!” He shouted as a rage coursed through his veins and he began to rain a fury of punches upon the boy. As he slammed furiously into the boy, the other boy watched in horror at the sheer rage that was taking place before him.
“You people did this do him! To my Yuto!” Keito screamed as he landed another punch.
“You tell me where this Seijiro is!” Keito shouted as he grabbed the boy’s shirt, but as he did the boy passed out. Now Keito turned his attention to the other boy, who by now was cowering on the ground.
“I’m sorry ! I’m sorry!” The boy yelled. Keito loomed before him, walking steadily. There was a dark aura around him….. and he shivered as Keito drew nearer and nearer. With a single grip, the boy was lifted up off the ground and his eyes reluctantly met Keito’s.
“Tell me……” Keito repeated.
“He’s at our base near the karaoke place on the edge of town!” The boy shouted as he braced himself. At this point, Keito didn’t know whether he felt more angry or relieved. He threw the kid back onto the ground and he walked off. The pain that radiated from his tired bones screamed at him but his mind was set.. he had to walk. To think clearly….
In a few hours… Keito once again found himself standing before the hospital doors.
“Looks like you brought me back here again didn't you?” Keito whispered.
He looked up at the window of Yuto’s room. And he sighed. Slowly he walked into the building, following the same pattern he had just a few nights before. As he walked into the room, he looked around to see Daiki sitting in the chair, his head resting against the wall as he dozed. Quietly, he walked to the bedside again and he knelt down.
“Yuto…I promise you… I’ll find him…”
Keito! That’s not what I want! I just want you to stay safe! I just want you to stay here!
“K-Keito…..” Yuto whispered.
“Yuto? Yuto!? Say my name… please.. say my name..I need to hear it….. I need it….please….” Keito begged.
“K…eito…”
Keito stay with me…… please…….
“Tomorrow Yuto….. tomorrow I’m going to go get those guys that did this to you….. I promise you….”
“Keito!? What- where have you been!?” Daiki had appeared beside the bed.
“Dai-Chan… don’t tell anyone I was here….I don't want them to stop me…”
“Stop you from what?”
“Don’t ask me”
“Keito? Where have you been!? We’ve all been so worried about you…. We hav-“
“It’ll all be alright soon….” Keito cut him off as he gently brushed aside a lock of Yuto’s hair and leaned over. He planted a single kiss upon the sleeping boy’s forehead. Now he turned his attention to Daiki.
“You understand me… ? Daiki?”
“Keito…. Are you okay? Whats wrong? Where did you get all these cuts…. Those bruises…. Your shirt’s all torn….”
“Daiki! Don’t….. tell ANYONE ….. do you understand?” Keito repeated.
“Keito… here….. at least…. Take my shirt… it’s a little big on me anyway so it should be fine on you..” Daiki offered.
“It’s okay… give it to me after tomorrow…for what I’m going to do… I wont need it….”
“Keito…. Tell me what you’re going to do… please?”
“I’m sorry Dai-Chan….. about…. Everything.” Keito turned and he walked out as Daiki stood there, stunned.
“E-Everything?” The tone in Keito’s voice one that the boys in JUMP had seldom heard. It was the tone that meant Keito was about to do something… something bad….
“Mmnnh….Keito…..” Yuto groaned again.
“Yuto?!” Daiki’s eyes widened. He darted out to the hallway and flagged down a nurse.
“He talked! He talked!’ Daiki jumped happily as the nurse nodded.
“This could be a sign that Nakajima-Kun here will wake up soon... you should talk to him…. you could encourage him to come out of the coma faster. “ she smiled before doing her regular checks and walking out again. Immediately Daiki pulled out his phone and messaged everyone. He didn’t really expect a response….. but much to his surprise just a few seconds later messages flooded his phone. They were all awake…. And now they were all coming…..
As the sun started to rise and the bleak darkness began to fade into shades of orange, the door to the room opened and in walked the last seven members of JUMP. They stood there quietly as they turned to Daiki and he explained the events of the night and what the nurse had said.
“Yuto? Can you hear me? It’s Me… Yabu. Yuto you need to wake up now okay? Keito needs you…. We all need you….”
Yabu-Kun… I can hear you… I’m trying.. I’m trying…. But its so hard… and I’m so tired…
“Yuto~! Yuto~! Snap out of it…. You and I we’ve always gone for the prankster position in JUMP, and if this is one of your jokes, if you wake up, I’ll let you have it…..just come back….”
Hikaru…I miss competing with you….I’m trying…. I can feel everyone around me… everyone except… him…..
“Yuu-Chan…. I have some Pocky sticks with me…. didn't you always like to share them with me? They’re here….. waiting for you… I’m waiting for you……”
Takaki… I want to share them with you too…. Just wait for me… a little longer….
“Yuto… it’s time to get up now.. you said you wanted to follow me into college didn't you? It’s time for the first class….. you can’t sleep anymore…. Why wont you wake up and look at me?”
Inoo-Chan… class has started ne~ I maybe a little late…..but wait for me a little… I’m trying… I’m trying…
At this point, Yuto’s hand began to tingle as it began to move slowly, his fingers stretched. His head turned slightly as indistinguishable sounds came from his mouth.
“Oi! Nakajima! Wake up already! It’s not enough that you have to outgrow me… couldn't you at least wake up and look me in the eye while you do it? Come back to us Yuto… come back and I’ll knock you back down to size for making me worry..”
Dai-Chan….I’m sorry for making you feel short… I want to see you….. I want to see all of you… and I’m sorry for making you worry….
“Yuto! When will you be coming back? I’ve been waiting patiently for you…. We have to finish our game! You can’t leave me without a partner…… wake up already… “
Yama-Chan…… I know…. Its my turn… I remember…. I’m trying…
“Yuto, you’re supposed to dance with me, you’re supposed to teach me how to tap-dance remember!? You promised and I’m waiting! Get up!”
Chinen… I remember…. I’ll get better soon… and I’ll teach you…
Yuto’s body began to stir as his mind began to reassert itself back. Slowly his legs moved, his fingers twitched and stretched.
“Yuu-Chan… you’re like my big brother… I’m waiting for you to come back… I don't want to lose you… the Heisei Family can’t go without its eldest son you know… come back to us….. please?”
Ryuu-Chan, you’re like my little brother too…. I’m coming… I’m coming…
“Yuto!” The boys called as the body gave its last few motions and finally, Yuto’s eyes opened slowly, they fluttered opened and he grimaced at the bright light of the room.
Everything was so disoriented…. Blurry. He could see the people around him, sense them, but he couldn’t focus his eyes just yet.
“Yuto? A-Are you okay?” Daiki asked as he helped the boy sit up.
“D-Dai-Chan…KEITO!” Yuto gasped as his memories flooded his consciousness.
“Keito.” Daiki repeated.
“Keito…. Is in trouble… he’s going to get hurt…” Yuto gasped as his lungs became reacquainted with the large gulps of air.
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“Keito Nii-Chan? Where are you going?” Souta asked as he watched Keito.
“Nowhere, stay here okay?”
“Keito…. Nii-Chan..”
“Stay here….” Keito replied firmly as he stormed out of the warehouse.
“But I want to go with you! You can’t possibly be thinking about going to get that Seijiro guy by yourself!” Souta grabbed Keito’s hand.
“I said stay here!” Keito threw him off, shoving the boy to the ground.
Souta stared as Keito walked off. Just as he reached the corner of the street, Keito turned and looked over his shoulder at the boy who was still on the ground.
“I’m sorry…”
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“Yuto’s awake! Keito!? Check your messages!” Hikaru shouted into his cell phone.
“Guys… my head still… is kinda… foggy…. You’re sure Keito is okay?” Yuto groaned as he tried to reach out for a cup of water.
“Er…. Yeah… Here…” Ryutaro grabbed the cup and held it up to his friend’s lips.
“Thanks…”
“Yuto Nii-Chan!” The door burst open and a boy ran into the room. He dashed to the bed, evading Takaki’s grab and Hikaru’s arms. He ran to the bed only to be caught by Chinen.
“Do…. I know you? I… just… woke up and…” Yuto blinked.
“N-No you don’t know me… you don't… but….my name…. is Souta..” The boy panted as he tried to catch his breath.
“Souta….?”
“Keito Nii-Chan is in trouble… he’s going to go fight someone… the guy who put you in here!” Souta piped.
“Keito is?”
“He’s in trouble! They’re bad bad guys! They’re dangerous! Someone’s gotta come! Please! I know where they are!”
The boys exchanged looks before nodding.
“Lead the way…….”
(>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<)
Keito walked towards the edge of the city, no longer aimlessly, he had a purpose now. He had to find that person, that one person who did this… and he had to make him pay….
The loud cars honked as annoyance over the long lines of traffic fueled his own rage. The sounds of children crying as their frustrated mothers tended to them hounded his ears, and he knew the great sadness that had haunted him the past few days. Now…. His mind was clear of everything, everything except the pure anger that drove him now.
“Hey! Kid, this isn’t the place for you to be…” A gruff older boy yelled at him as he turned the corner and saw the small run-down store that served as their base.
“HEY! We were talking to YOU!” A second boy repeated as he grabbed Keito’s shoulder. The moment his eyes met with Keito’s, he froze. In a flash he felt what seemed to be a fist and a knee land against his body and when he opened his eyes again, he was on the ground, his body writhing in pain.
Inside the abandoned store a mess of boys in different types of rags looked at him as he walked in. They noticed their two friends outside on the ground, and their eyes flashed to the green and white wristband around Keito’s wrist.
“Get him!” Someone yelled as the boys grabbed whatever they could find and ran towards him.
Punch after punch landed as body after body hit the ground. At the end of the quick few minutes, Keito stood before tens of bodies, he himself unaware of how he had managed to get through it.
“Which… one of you… is Seijiro…..” He asked quietly, and despite however soft, he knew everyone had heard him.
One of the few boys left against the walls shivered as Keito’s eyes locked upon him. Quietly he walked towards him watching as the boy cowered until he tripped on a can. He fell and his eyes bespoke fear as Keito loomed closer.
“You…”
“L-Listen, whatever I did… I’m sorry I’m sorry!”
“You… did this…” Keito felt the culmination of everything he had been feeling for the last few days surface. He was so angry… and so sad…
The boy, Seijiro crawled out a door in the back and as soon as he heard the door close behind him, he knew Keito wasn’t far behind.
“KEITO!” Someone called.
Whirling around Keito stared in the direction of the voice. There, a car had pulled up to the end of street, and out of the passenger seat Yabu had stepped out. The doors of the van slid open as the other boys stepped out, and Keito wondered what they were doing here, until he noticed that Souta was one of them.
“Keito… it’s time to stop…..” Inoo approached slowly.
“Keito Nii-Chan… Yuto Nii-Chan is okay” Souta said.
“This…. this KID…. He caused me.... he caused us…. So much pain….” Keito struggled to control himself.
“Keito…” A voice came out of the van.
As Keito watched, Daiki and Hikaru helped the last boy out of the car.
“Yuto…” Keito gasped.
“Keito…. It’s enough…..isnt it?” Yuto asked quietly, his legs were still trembling, his body was still weak and fragile.
“I-“
“Keito… it’s enough…. “ Yuto repeated as he reached out, trying to grab Keito across the vast distance between them.
“It’s enough….” He said a final time as he broke free of the arms that held him and stumbled forward. He walked on shoddy steps, before his knees buckled and he fell to the ground.
“Yuto!” Keito ran to catch him. The moment he felt Yuto’s slender frame in his arms again, everything…. Melted. His anger disappeared, his sorrow, his pain… gone.
“I was so… worried about you… you kept hurting yourself… and I couldn’t do anything but watch… why….” Yuto asked as his breath grew sharper.
“I’m sorry…. I’m sorry…”
“I called for you…. To stay…. I was so alone… in the darkness of my mind….”
“I’m sorry……”
“Keito…. You’re cheeks… what happened to you… you’re so different now… you’re still hurt… “
“I’m sorry…….”
“Is that.. all you can say?” Keito looked at the boy in his arms, and through his tear filed eyes he could still make out the weak smile that Yuto showed.
“Hello there…. Long time no see…” Keito half cried half chuckled as he tried his best not to cry anymore.
“Long time….” Yuto gasped as his eyes widened. Behind Keito the boy Seijiro appeared. No one had noticed the thug sneak up behind the two and now he prepared to deliver his attack.
A loud and audible thud rang through the small street and the sound of a body falling upon the ground followed.
Keito opened his eyes to see what happened. Souta lay on the ground behind him, his body crumpled upon the rough pavement as Seijiro looked at who he had hit. His fist was red with pain but his eyes were focused on the little boy he had just punched.
“HEY!” Takaki yelled as he grabbed the thug before he could run. He kicked the boy’s legs out from beneath him and tackled him to the ground, pinning him there.
“Souta……” Keito murmured as he turned around.
“Keito… go…” Yuto whispered as he nodded.
Gently Keito set his boyfriend on the ground as he turned his attention to the younger boy.
“Souta… where…. where did he hit you…. Are you okay?”
“I’ll…. Be…. Ok….okay….Keito Nii-Chan…..” The small boy replied as a small amount of blood leaked from the corner of his mouth, and more of the crimson red came from his scrapes from falling onto the pavement so hard.
“Why would you do such a thing! I told you to stay safe! I told you…. I told you…. To stay back….” Keito repeated, his own head a jumble now.
“I wanted to protect you…. And Yuto Nii-Chan….” Souta said as he turned his head, and his eyes met Yuto’s. They shared a brief and quiet moment of understanding. Yuto smiled weakly as he whispered.
“Thank you…”
With that, the light in both their worlds dwindled until darkness came again. Yuto returned to where he had been these last few days, and Souta joined him.
(>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<)
A day later, Yuto awoke to the sounds of a door closing. He looked around to find himself back in the hospital, except this time… there was somebody beside him… He turned his head to see Keito, laying in one of the hospital’s beds, he was fast asleep, his head sporting a bandage to help heal the cuts on his head and his cheeks. Their beds were pushed together and from where he lay, he saw the tightly bound ribbons around Keito’s body, the firm bandages that would help heal his bruised ribs.
“Oh Keito…” Yuto felt himself tear up as he looked over his hurt boyfriend. He felt so guilty…. He had done all this for him…. Quietly he sobbed to himself, every gasp of air filled his body with pain, both from his own injuries, and from the stiffness his body still suffered through.
“Mnnh… H-Hey… why are you crying……?” Keito asked.
“It’s all… because…of me….” Yuto replied.
“What is?”
“You’re like that… all because of me…. I didn't want to be one of those boyfriends, you didn’t have to do anything for me… but because you did, you’re hurt…. And and-“
“Hey… This…. isn’t your fault… okay? Now don’t cry anymore… we’re here now.. aren’t we? We’re together? Didn't you say that so long as two people in love have each other, that’s all they would need?” Keito smiled was he reached out across the small gap that separated their beds. For a brief moment, Yuto stared at his hand, and in a few moments, a trembling hand joined Keito’s. They clasped their hands together. For the first time in what seemed to be an endless night of suffering, they were at peace…
“nnh…” A moan came from across the room. Gently the two boys lifted themselves up to look where it had come from. Souta was laying on the bed opposite them, the young boy had managed to kick off his blanket and he tossed and turned on the bed, hugging his pillow. He was mumbling into the pillow, his words barely audible.
“Leave… Keito Nii-Chan… and Yuto Nii-Chan… alone…”
Seeing the boy, the pair smiled to each other.
“I love you…..” They whispered in the still of the moonlit room.
“Keito.. Nii-Chan…… and Yuto Nii-Chan…. Are finally… together…..”
(>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<) (>'_')><('_'<)
Uwa…. Okay I know this one was bad……. GOMEN! I will make it up to you somehow! Until then, please let me know what you thought!
~Emmie