Love is Stronger than Pain - Part 5 (Final)
Title: Love is Stronger than Pain
Author: me and sakura_hime1212
Pairings : Sakuraiba, Ohmiya
Rating: +17, NC
Genre: drama, romance
Summary: Sho loves Aiba a lot. So much that he agreed to become his pet for him. Ohno is mad about it. Things don't look so pink but Sho belives that his love for Aiba can beat up the pain.
Disclaimer: I don't own Arashi, I just wrote the story
Warnning : This has BDSM, violence and Aiba being pretty much like nothing you've ever imaged him before.
Previous parts :
http://shokundaisuki.livejournal.com/6912.html,
http://sakura-hime1212.livejournal.com/4301.html.
http://shokundaisuki.livejournal.com/7387.html
http://sakura-hime1212.livejournal.com/4606.html#cutid4
Part 5
"So he's been abused himself, huh?" Ohno said, taking a long puff from the cigarette he was smoking.
"That's what he told us..." Nino said, nodding his head and staring at the floor.
They were both in the living-room of their house together with Jun, talking about everything that had happened. Though Jun and Nino felt very sorry for Aiba, Ohno still seemed to be mad and upset about everything. He was avoiding Aiba as much as possible, he was even avoiding talking about him.
"I really think you shouldn't have done that to him, Riida..." Jun said, playing with his hands in his lap.
"What? Me? When the Hell did I became the bad guy of this story?!" Ohno said annoyed, looking at both of his friends in disbelief.
"Is not that you became the bad guy, is just that... Aiba-chan is really suffering, teddy bear... He loves Sho, you know? If he wouldn't, he would not be so desperate. Since Sho got in hospital he has been like crazy. Not eating, not changing his cloths, I think he doesn't even sleep." Nino said, with real worry in his voice. "I think he deserves a second chance... Everyone does."
"What he needs is a psychologist. His problem is not Sho and the thing he does is not even BDSM." Ohno said coldly."After all this thing happened, I went online and researched all this BDSM stuff. Some call it a kink, some call it a lifestyle, some even call it a art. In any case, it says nothing about torturing someone against his will until that someone crushs. It says nothing about useing the love and trust of a person in order to break him and take him out of all his limits. It is supposed to be something beautiful and nice, in which both partenrs are having fun and enjoying themselves. If Sho was a masochist and found pleasure in pain, you guys know I wouldn't be against it. Everyone has a weird thing about himself, I would have agreed if that was the case. But is not. What Aiba does is taking revenge. He is filled of rage for the one who tormented him and tortured him. Being unable to take revenge on that guy, he used Sho to do it. Abuse is a serious matter that affects the brain of people in different ways, depending on the person in cause. In Aiba's case, he fights the memories and pain of his past abuse by becoming the abuser... Is dangerous and cruel and unfair.Is not his fault though. But he needs a doctor to help him get over it."
Nino and Jun had listened to Ohno's words carefuly, not having anything to object to what their leader had said. Though Ohno was sweet and looked like a innocent child, no one could deny his intelligence and his sense of observation. Nino knew how many books Ohno had read and he was sure of the fact that his boyfriend was, in 99% of the time, right about everything he was saying.
"I never knew you liked psychology..." Jun said, scratching his chin with his hand.
"When I was in high-school it was my favorite class. The human brain is the most complicated and complex computer. But is also very fragile. It is so easy to break someone's mind and make him lose it. That is why abuse is so horrible. It not only breaks bones and flesh, it destroies the brain. Cause though the outside pain goes away fast with medicine, the inside never actually heals.." Ohno said, rolling his cigarette in the ashtray. "You guys think I hate Aiba... I don't. I want to help him and you know that I've tried. From the moment Sho told me he will become his pet, I knew it was not a good idea and that the shit will hit the fence very hard one day. I tried to talk to Aiba, I wanted him to tell me what was wrong with him, I wanted to help him... He always pushed me aside and never trusted me enough to tell me the truth. If he will do the same with the doctor, in case he will accept to go see one, it will be useless. Guys, no one can help someone who doesn't want to be helped..."
"Is amazing how smart you can sound sometimes.." Jun said.
"Very funny." Ohno said, finishing his cigarette and leaving it in the ashtray. "Tomorrow Sho gets out of the hospital. I will take him here to live with me and Nino. Also, I will have a conversation with Aiba. If he really loves Sho and wants him back, I want him to prove it to me. I know some really good doctors that could help him. If he really goes to one and he shows me that he does want to change and he is accepting the help I want to give him, I will allow Sho to go back to him."
"As if you would be his dad..." Nino said, rolling his eyes.
"Sho means a lot to me, Nino. I've had a special love for him ever since I met him. I grew up with 3 sisters and though I love them a lot, I always wished for a brother. Sho was like my brother from when we were kids. He gave me the feeling of protection and safety that I've always been looking for. Now is my turn to take care of him... I do love Aiba, he is my friend. But I can't allow him to go back to Sho now. You know why? Because, though he is pained and sorry for what he did in this moment, after a week, 2 weeks, a month, he will forget. And he will start being the same again and again and again... I want to see him really changing, I want to see him trying to recover from his past trauma for Sho. Love means sacrifice, you know..." Ohno explained, looking at both his friends. "If you do want to help, just stay out of my way. And if Aiba really loves Sho, he will do as I say. I only want the best for the two of them..."
"I know you do, teddy bear..." Nino said, kissing Ohno's cheek. "We'll let you take care of this."
"We know you can do it, Riida." Jun said, slapping Ohno's shoulder friendly.
"Thank you for trusting me, guys... I really do hope Aiba won't fuck this up. Cause if he does, I doubt I will ever be able to forgive him..."
---
Sho thanked the nurse that helped him get dressed, smiling politely to her when she left. He layed back in bed again, waiting for his friends to come get him home. His body was still tired and some bruises still hurt, but it was sure much, much better than when he had come there. He had time to rest and he was feeling able to go back to Aiba. He missed him so much... He hadn't seen him in 5 days, it was the first time he was away from him for so long. Izumi had kept bringing him 3 meals cooked by Aiba every day and he was so surprised and touched by Aiba's kind gesture. It was so weird and yet adorable for his master to cook for him. Usually, it was the other way around. But he couldn't complain. It made him happy to know Aiba did care...
When the door opened, Sho almost jumped from the bed, smiling big to Ohno, Jun and Nino who enterd the room. He got up from the bed, getting next to them.
"Can we go now? I can't wait to see my master!" he said anxious.
"We are not going to Aiba's house, Sho. We are taking you to our house." Nino said slowly.
"What?! Why? I want to see him! I want to go home!" Sho said, disappointed and annoyed. "Please guys, let me go home! I want to see my master!"
"Stop calling him that, damn it!" Ohno said hard. "Look what, Sho... I know you love Aiba and I respect that. But if you go back to him now, he will not change. You don't want to be his slave, don't you?"
"Well... No..." Sho admited.
"I can make Aiba recover from his past trauma. I can make him be a good, loving man. But it needs time, patience and lots of therapy. I already explained it to Nino and Jun. If Aiba does love you, he will change for you. Then, I swear to all the Gods I know, I will give you my blessing for you two to be happy." Ohno said, looking at Sho kindly. He went closer to him, touching his cheek with his hand and caressing his face. "I don't want you to get hurt again... Please let me solve this, okay? Have patience..."
"Okay, Riida... I will trust you..." Sho said, feeling sad but also very hopeful.
Ohno hugged him tight, caressing his back delicately. He was able to feel tears wanting to come down his face, but he stopped them before that happening, telling himself he needed to be strong. He took Sho's hand in his and kissed it, smiling to him kindly.
"I promise that I will do everything I can to make you and Aiba a normal and happy couple, Sho... This is not over yet..." he told him.
"Thank you for carring so much, Riida... You guys are the best friends in the world. I love you so much.." Sho said, with a innocent smile.
"Now! Before we all start to cry like idiots... You guys take Sho home. I will go talk to Aiba. This will be a damn long day..." Ohno said, opening the door for them.
They all walked outside of the room and outside of the hospital, Jun and Nino supporting Sho, being afraid their friend might still not be able to walk on his own without tripping. They got him in Jun's car, and Ohno watched till they drove out of his view before getting in his own car. All the way to Aiba's house he spinned words inside his mind, trying to find the best way in which to talk to Aiba. He really hopped that the man was going to listen to him...
He took a deep breath before knocking at the wooden door hard twice and waited patiently for someone to open up. Izumi did, not long after, bowing to him respectfuly.
"Master Aiba is in the living-room, sir... This way." she said, inviting him inside.
Ohno thanked her and got in, walking the small distance to the living-room and seeing Aiba on the couch, smoking a cigarette and looking in a empty space, looking as if he was thinking deeply of something. He was very pale and he had big black circles beyond his eyes and Ohno knew Jun and Nino have been right... He probably had no sleep for the past 5 days.
"Yo..." he said, sitting on the couch next to Aiba.
"Hey Riida... What do you want? To blame me some more? Tell me I'm an idiot? Okay, go on, I'm listening..." Aiba said, avoiding to look at the older man.
"I didn't came for that Aiba.. I didn't came as an acuser..." Ohno said slowly.
"You didn't? They what did you came as?" Aiba asked, sounding still kind of lost.
"I came as an old friend." Ohno said short. "I won't make this long and boring, I want to get straight to the subject. Sho got out of the hospital today."
"He did? Is he fine? Where is he? When will he come?" Aiba asked fast, suddenly sounding more lifefull.
"He is not coming here, Aiba.. He is fine, yes, he recovered almost completely. Jun and Nino took him to my house." Ohno explained.
"Your house..? Why?" Aiba asked confused.
"I don't trust you yet, that is why." Ohno said.
"And you said you didn't came as an acuser..." Aiba said, rolling his eyes and supporting his back on the top of the couch.
"Do you want him back?" Ohno asked, trying to get straight to his point.
"You know I do..." Aiba said, sadly.
"Nino and Jun told me about what happened in your past. And what you need is help.. Here." Ohno said, searching his pocket and taking out a piece of paper with a phone number written on it. "This is the number of a very good friend of mine who works as a psychologist at one of the best hospitals in Japan."
Aiba took the piece of paper and stared at it for a second, before starting to laugh hard and ironicly. "You think I am insane?"
"No, I don't think that. I just think you have a problem that needs to be solved." Ohno told him calmly.
"I don't need the help of any doctor. I am not crazy." Aiba said, throwing the small paper away.
"No one said you are crazy. Psychologists are not only for crazy people, Aiba. There are many people who go see one at some points of their life. They help you solve your problems and feel better. Aiba... What happened in your past was unfair and sad. You didn't deserved that... Sho doesn't deserve it either. If you don't care for yourself enough to do it for you, then do it for him. Sho loves you so much and I am sure you know that too. He deserves a peaceful and beautiful life... The pain you have suffered changed you into a monster. It made you do horrible things to Sho."
"I already said I am sorry for it." Aiba stopped Ohno, starting to feel annoyed.
"And I know you do! Is just not enough... Aiba, you were not like this. Because of what happened to you, your personality changed. Is as if you created yourself a new personality. A very evil, very filled of rage and hard feelings personality. I know you are not like that... I miss the old Aiba. Everyone does... Sho misses him most. My friend can help you bring back the old Aiba, the real you. You do want that, don't you?" Ohno said, putting his hand on Aiba's shoulder. "It is not you I am keeping Sho away from... It is your illness... I will be there for you whenever you need, I will help you with everything. We can make this, I know we can. Please, let me help you..."
"Riida..." Aiba said, his eyes filling with tears. He hugged Ohno tight, starting to cry for real. Ohno hugged him back, caressing his hair and trying to calm him down. "I feel so scared, you know... I don't want to lose him... I hate what I'm doing to him, I just can't control myself... I don't want to be like this, I don't want to. Please help me, Riida... Help me be a good man again..."
"I will help you, don't worry... It will all be fine..." Ohno said, kissing Aiba's forehead.
---
"It worked better than I would have thought." Ohno told everyone, when he got home. "He accepted my offer to help and he even called my friend right then. He made an appointment for tomorrow."
"Dose that mean I can see him?" Sho asked impatient.
"Not yet. We need some time for this. Is not that easy, you know. He made a first step, but the ledder is long. He still has a lot to climb." Ohno said. "But we are going well so that is a perfect start."
"I miss him..." Sho said, hugging the pillow he was holding hard.
"I know you do... Just let the time work, okay? It will soon be over, believe me..." Ohno said, caressing his hair. "By the way, did you heard the news? You were in Hawaii."
"Hawaii..?" Sho said confused.
"That is what our manager told the media and everyone else. That in this past 5 days you have been gone you were in Hawaii." Ohno said.
"No shit... That man sure has imagination." Sho said, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, he does. But is good, you know? Like that we won't have any explications to give..." Ohno told them. "I don't know about you guys, but I am damn tired..."
"Same here..." Jun said. "Could I sleep over?"
"Sure, you can stay with Sho in the guests room." Ohno said. "Tomorrow we have to get up early and go to the company. We have a lot of work to catch up with."
---
Aiba knocked at the door slowly, receiving a "Enter!" from the inside and opening it with his hands shaking a bit. He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for this. He had to be calm. He was doing it for Sho, after all. That doctor was young, probably of the same age as him, and Aiba started wondering if he was really that good. What if he was not able to help him? What if he was going to lose Sho? He didn't wanted to think of that... He needed to trust Ohno.
"Ah, you are Satoshi's band mate, aren't you? Aiba Masaki!" the man said, raising his head from the papers he was staring at and looking at him for the first time.
"Yes, that would be me..." Aiba said slowly.
"I am Yamamoto Kasai." the doctor said, making a respectful and politely bow.
"Is nice meeting you, Yamamoto-san..." Aiba said.
"Please, call me Kasai. And sit down." the man said, pointing at the chair from the other side of the desk.
Aiba smiled shily and sat down, looking at his hands and playing with them in his lap, unsure of what he should say. He was happy when Kasai talked in his place.
"Satoshi told me a lot about you. He really cares for you and he is so sure you can make big progresses."
"He is, huh..." Aiba said, with a sad smile.
"I am not aware of all of your story, but I know why you are here. You have been abusive to your boyfriend lately, am I right?" Kasai asked, looking closely at Aiba, inspecting each of his gestures and words.
"Yes, I have... I have been beating him really hard, telling him to do stupid things even when he was hurt, pushing him beyond his limits... Even in bed, I... I was so brutal that I think he might have felt raped..." Aiba said, unable to raise his head up to look at the doctor.
"Could you tell me why you did this?" Kasai asked, on a serious yet warm tone.
"I am not sure... I was very mad at him always... Though he has done nothing wrong... He was always nice and loving to me... And even after I was beating him, he always told me he loved me..." Aiba said.
"How did that made you feel, Masaki?" Kasai asked, looking straight at him.
"Annoyed... Very annoyed..." Aiba admited.
"Why did it made you feel like that?" Kasai kept asking, trying to make him release and admit all his feelings.
"Because he shouldn't have said that! I was hurting him, he should have yelled at me! He should have hit me back or looked at me in hate and disgust! He should have been angry!" Aiba said loud, his voice sounding sad and revolted in place of mad.
"Why do you believe he should have done and felt all that?" Kasai asked, after a short moment of silence.
"That will lead to a completely different story that has nothing to do with him..." Aiba answered.
"It has to do with you, right?" Kasai asked, getting a small nod from Aiba. "We are not here to discuss his problems, Masaki. We are here to discuss yours. So could you please tell me that story?"
Aiba went silent for some few moments, looking as if he was trying to pick the perfect words for this. He breath hard and deep, closing his eyes.
"I was 18 years old when I made this guy... His name was Kenjiro... He was a friend of one of my cousins. He was 25 years old, my cousin introduced me to him... He was so beautiful... Tall, with red hair that got to his shoulders, a beautiful and perfect body, a smile that got straight to my heart. He seemed so kind and he was always nice to me... I felt in love with him so fast... I believed he loved me too. He was always bringing me roses and writing me poems. He was funny and gentle and he made me happy... When I agreed to move with him though, he started to change... Slowly by slowly, he became more mad... He was always screaming at me, calling me an idiot. Whatever I did or tried to do, it was never good enough for him. The time passed and before I knew it, I became his slave... When he started beating me I got scared, but I didn't had the power to tell it to my friends. I was hidding the bruises and faking smiles so they believed I was fine. I remember so good the silence that was taking over me after he had finished beating me... The sound of his hard breath as he was trying to calm himself down... My almost fainted breath as I was trying not to lose my conscience..."
'I... I still... I still love you... master...' Aiba heard his own, tired and pained voice inside his mind.
Tears started falling down his cheeks, but he didn't opened his eyes. "I still love you, master... That was what I was always telling him after..."
"What your boyfriend tells you now..." Kasai said slowly.
"Yes... I wanted to scream. To tell him that I hated him and that he was a jerk. I wanted to push him away and get him out of my life. I couldn't... I never could... No matter how much my mind was telling me to fight back, my soul was accepting it... And the only words that came out of my mind were 'I still love you, master...' Always..." Aiba said, trying to fight back the pain he was feeling.
"It made you mad that your boyfriend was telling you the same because he was like you, right? You wanted him to do what you were unable to do..." Kasai said, starting to understand Aiba's way of thinking.
"Yes..." Aiba said. "Without realizing it, I became like him... And Sho became like me... It made me angry to get to that conclusion. I tried to change but I couldn't... And the more he acted like me, the more I felt like Kenjiro... And my rage just grew... And..."
"And you started being unable to control your own self..."
"Yes..." Aiba said, finally opening his eyes, two more tears falling on his already filled of tears face. "Do you think that... That I could change..?"
"Of course you can change, Masaki... I do understand your problem and the first thing I have to tell you is that all this is not your fault. If you ever blamed yourself, stop doing it. You are as much of a victim as your boyfriend is. That is the problem of all people who have been abused and turned into abusers. They see themselves as evil, blame themselves and their problem just gets worse. Your rage and messed up feelings are perfectly normal after what had happened to you. The first thing we need to work on, is forgiving yourself... You must stop feeling guilty. I am sure that your boyfriend understands you and doesn't blame you."
"Am I insane..?" Aiba asked, still crying.
"No, of course not. Hey, I deal with people who hear voices from the walls. So believe me, you are far from being insane. Your only problem is that you had a lot of pain that your brain was not able to pass over yet... And that could turn anyone crazy. But we can solve this. You just need to trust in me. I want to help you..." Kasai said, gently.
"Ohno-san took Sho away from me... He said that if I don't change he won't let us be together again. I just want to start up again. To be a good man and a good boyfriend.. I want to make Sho happy..." Aiba said.
"I promise to you that you will soon be able to do so. Do you trust me?" Kasai asked, bringing his hand closer to Aiba's.
Aiba looked at him for a moment, then stared down again. "Maybe I shouldn't cause I don't know you... But for some reason, yes... I actually do..." He said, taking the doctors hand in his.
"That is a very good first step... Don't worry... I will do my best to help you up, I promise..." Kasai said, shaking his hand.
"Please, take care of me.." Aiba said, with a kind smile.
---
The weeks passed and Aiba had kept going to Kasai every day. He was meeting with all Arashi every day as well, as they had went back to their normal program. Him and Sho were mostly evoiding each other, but Aiba was amazed to see the change in Sho. Now that he was able to rest good and he didn't had to do useless work above the ones he already had, Sho looked better, more healty, more energetic.. His somehow looked even younger. It was hard for them to stay away from each other, but Ohno had helped them to understand it was the best like this. After almost 3 months, Ohno received a call from Kasai, late one night.
"He has done amazing progress. Also, the medicine I gave him keep him very calm. He stopped blaming himself and I really believe he is ready to get back with Sho-kun. I am not saying I am done with him, he still needs to come to me every day for some time. But we acomplished a lot in this 3 hard months." the doctor said.
"I see... Very well then. I will do my part of the job too. Actually, is almost done. I just need to solve some few last details." Ohno told him.
"Great then. Oh, by the way. He wanted me to help him with something. After I told him everything I had told you now, he said that he would like for you guys to have a live episode of VS Arashi. Do you think is possible?" Kasai asked.
"A live VS Arashi? But, that show was never live before. Why does he want that anyway?" Ohno said, confused.
"I am not sure, but I doubt is something bad. You are the leader so could you talk up to people and sattle this for him? I actually think it might be something usefull." Kasai said.
"Very well, I will do my best." Ohno agreed.
"I will leave it to you." Kasai said, before closing the phone.
"Who was it, Riida?" Sho asked, staring at Ohno confussed.
"Aiba's psychologist. Very soon you will be able to go back to him." Ohno informed Sho.
"Really?!" Sho said surprised. "That is the best news I ever received!"
"Yes. There are some things I need to take care of still, but I am very happy. Aiba has tried really hard for you, Sho... He does love you a lot. I know that I have been severe and mean to him and you, maybe even cruel at some points. But it did helped."
"I know you did it for us, Riida... Thank you." Sho said, hugging Ohno. "I am happy you are my friend."
---
"Are you guys ready?" their manager asked, while they were in the backstage of VS Arashi, waiting to go live. "I still don't get it why the Hell you wanted to go live! Is this a weird plan? If you guys will do something idiot I will kick your asses!"
"Will you chill out? There is nothing to worry about, believe me." Aiba said confident.
"I really hope so. Now hurry, go, go! You start in few seconds!" their manager said, pushing them to the studio.
They entered, in the aplauses of everyone from the audience, smiling brightly as always. Sho wanted to start talking but he was stopped by Aiba, who made him a short sign with his hand. Looking straight to the camera, he started talking.
"Hello, everyone, I am Aiba Masaki. You guys probably know that already if you're watching this, though... This will be a special edition of VS Arashi because I have a special and very important thing to tell you. Actually, to share with you... I always saw our fans as our friends, since you guys read everything about us, you buy our cds and magazines and try to be there for us as much as you can. You guys, with your love, made us who we are today... We are very grateful for it. That is why, we always smile to you, whenever we know you will see us. We are always happy and cheerful, trying to make you all believe we are happy. Our company has a strict policy against us talking about our private live... Maybe because idols shouldn't be as normal people. We should be like a dream that is always beautiful. But we are normal people... Like everyone else. We suffer and we cry and we make mistakes... I myself, made a lot of mistakes..." he said, turning around to look at Sho, who was staring at him. Everyone was staring at him, even their manager from the backstage. But no one tried to stop him, so he keept on. "To be honest with you guys... I am in love. Is anyone from here in love?" he asked, making most of the people from the audience clap their hands and scream 'Yes!' "Well..." Aiba continued, going closer to Sho and taking his hand in his. "I am in love with him..."
"Ehh?!" the audience said, everyone amazed.
"The love I have for Sho is bigger than anyone could believe... Even so, I have hurt him a lot. I have misstreated him, and took his love for granted. I made many mistakes for which I repent dearly. But, when I was doing those bad and horrible things, I was not thinking they were wrong... Riida, who is the best friend anyone could ever have, made me realize the mistakes I was commiting. A true friend doesn't walk by seeing you doing something wrong. A good friend needs to hug you and be there for you when you cry, be gentle and loving to you, indeed. But a true friend is the one who give you a hard slap when you are being an idiot and helps you be better. Riida did that for me... Thank you, Riida.." he said, turning to look at Ohno, who just closed his eyes, smiling gently and nodding his head in a aproving way. "He pushed me to seek for help, which I did... And after fighting for 3 months on this hard and difficult game vs myself, I think I have won. I feel like I was reborn. And there is one more thing I need to do, so this story can be over..."
He got in his knees in front of Sho, still keeping his hand in his and giving it a kiss. "Sho-kun... I can not promise you that I will be there for you always, cause there might be times when I won't be able to do that... But I swear that I will do my best to be there for you whenever you really need me... I can't promise you that from now we won't have anymore problems... But I swear that we will solve together any problem that appears... Also, I can't promise you that I will love you until I will die, cause that would be a lie... Because I swear that I will love you even after death..." he said.
"Aiba-chan..." Sho said, his eyes filling with tears.
"Being both boys, I don't think we could actually marry but... Would you accept this and stand by my side forever..?" Aiba asked, taking a ring from his pocket and putting it on Sho's finger.
"Yes... Yes, yes, totally yes!" Sho said, happily.
Aiba got up from his knees and hugged him tight, as everyone from the audience started clapping hands. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" They started screaming, as Sho and Aiba started to laugh. Aiba kissed Sho, in the powerful aplauses of everyone, as he was caressing his hair with his fingers. He removed the tears from Sho's face when the kiss was done, turning to look at the camera.
"Guys... Life is not easy for anyone. There are times when we do mistakes and there are times when we wish we would die... There are times when we don't even understand our own selves. The pain, be it from the past or present, can hurt so much that is too hard to explain in words... Walking along a path made of suffering, we can sometimes lose ourselves... But I have learned this... As long as there is still love inside you, you can make it... Because love is stronger than pain..." Aiba said, as everyone started clapping again.
"And as long as there is friendship, you will never have to fight alone..." Ohno said, getting closer to them. "I didn't expect this Aiba, but I must admit it was a beautiful surprise... You really did change. I feel very proud of you..."
"Thank you again, Riida... I wouldn't have been able to do this without you..." Aiba said, hugging Ohno.
"I am happy you did it..." Ohno said, slapping his back friendly.
"Group hug!" Nino said happily, him, Jun and Sho jumping on Aiba and Ohno, all 5 of them falling on the floor.
Everyone laughed and the emotion started passing. They went back to the normal VS Arashi programe, everything going fine as long as it lasted. When they finished and went in the backstage, their manager was smiling big to them.
"Johnny will be mad about this, but I will solve it. What you did was really beautiful, Aiba-chan!" he said, tapping Aiba's shoulder.
"I am glad is finally over." Aiba said, hugging Sho tightly from behind and kissing his head.
"Oh, is not over yet." Ohno said.
"What?" Aiba and Sho asked together.
"I can't go back to Aiba's house..?" Sho asked sad.
"No, no, you can. Actually, that is where we are going now. I have a surprise for you two." Ohno said, with a smile.
"A surprise? In my house?" Aiba asked confused.
"You will see. Come on, let's go for it." Ohno said, leading the way out.
"Do you have any idea what this is about?" Aiba asked Nino, when they were in the car, going to his house.
"Not at all." Nino said. "I am just as curious as you two."
Izumi opened the door for them when they got to Aiba's house, by her smile everyone being able to realize she had been working with Ohno on this. They looked around, trying to see something changed at the place, but it was all normal.
"Where is this surprise?" Aiba asked.
"Upstairs in your room, master." Izumi said, pointing to the stairs.
They didn't waited for anything else. They all went there kind of fast, as Ohno was giggling and fallowing them. Aiba opened the door and turned on the lights, seeing a small baby sleeping in his bed. Him, Sho, Nino and Jun blocked for a second, before getting closer to him.
"His name is Hagime, he is 3 months old. I took him from an orphanage. You guys said you wanted a clean and fresh start, right? I think he will be able to give you this... Also, he will give you a reason to keep fighting for, Aiba. Now you have a husband and a child to take care of. Your new family. If life felt too fucked up and useless to live before, now you have a reason to enjoy it and always keep going on." Ohno said to them.
"Riida..." Aiba said, his eyes filling of tears. "Thank you... He is so beautiful..."
Sho took the baby in his arms, kissing his head and slowly swinging him. Aiba watched him with his mouth slightly opened, as tears started falling on his face. Suddenly, all the hard and bad feelings from his heart stared to disappear, along with the painful memories. He went and hugged Sho from behind, putting his arm on the baby's face, caressing him delicately.
"We have a son..." he said, between the tears. "There is no reason for me to keep stucked in the past... I have a reason to look up at the future now. His future.. Our future..."
"I am so happy, mast..."
"Shh..." Aiba said, putting his finger on Sho's lips, stopping him from what he was about to say. "Is Aiba.. Or Masaki... Or anything else you wish to call me. Except that..."
"I am so happy... my love..." Sho said, kissing Aiba on the lips.
"This is not the end, guys... This is just were it begins..." Ohno said, with a big smile whild hugging Nino, looking happily at his two friends, knowing that they will be fine from now on.
A/N: That is all of it! Damn, this is the first story I finished XD As a final note, I wanted to say that this thing begin, as you all know, from a request a friend of mine gave me. But I spinned it up a lot while writting on it. At first, I wanted to keep it hard and brutal from start to end, the way she likes it. But the name being "Love is Stronger Than Pain", I wanted that to be the final message for this. I hope all of you enjoyed it and also, that you learned something from it. Everyone can do mistakes, is in the human nature. But not many people can accept their mistakes and fight with all they have to correct those mistakes and turn them into something good. And the people who can do that, deserve a lot of respect... Comments are loved, as always. Have a nice day, everyone ^^
Author: me and sakura_hime1212
Pairings : Sakuraiba, Ohmiya
Rating: +17, NC
Genre: drama, romance
Summary: Sho loves Aiba a lot. So much that he agreed to become his pet for him. Ohno is mad about it. Things don't look so pink but Sho belives that his love for Aiba can beat up the pain.
Disclaimer: I don't own Arashi, I just wrote the story
Warnning : This has BDSM, violence and Aiba being pretty much like nothing you've ever imaged him before.
Previous parts :
http://shokundaisuki.livejournal.com/6912.html,
http://sakura-hime1212.livejournal.com/4301.html.
http://shokundaisuki.livejournal.com/7387.html
http://sakura-hime1212.livejournal.com/4606.html#cutid4
Part 5
"So he's been abused himself, huh?" Ohno said, taking a long puff from the cigarette he was smoking.
"That's what he told us..." Nino said, nodding his head and staring at the floor.
They were both in the living-room of their house together with Jun, talking about everything that had happened. Though Jun and Nino felt very sorry for Aiba, Ohno still seemed to be mad and upset about everything. He was avoiding Aiba as much as possible, he was even avoiding talking about him.
"I really think you shouldn't have done that to him, Riida..." Jun said, playing with his hands in his lap.
"What? Me? When the Hell did I became the bad guy of this story?!" Ohno said annoyed, looking at both of his friends in disbelief.
"Is not that you became the bad guy, is just that... Aiba-chan is really suffering, teddy bear... He loves Sho, you know? If he wouldn't, he would not be so desperate. Since Sho got in hospital he has been like crazy. Not eating, not changing his cloths, I think he doesn't even sleep." Nino said, with real worry in his voice. "I think he deserves a second chance... Everyone does."
"What he needs is a psychologist. His problem is not Sho and the thing he does is not even BDSM." Ohno said coldly."After all this thing happened, I went online and researched all this BDSM stuff. Some call it a kink, some call it a lifestyle, some even call it a art. In any case, it says nothing about torturing someone against his will until that someone crushs. It says nothing about useing the love and trust of a person in order to break him and take him out of all his limits. It is supposed to be something beautiful and nice, in which both partenrs are having fun and enjoying themselves. If Sho was a masochist and found pleasure in pain, you guys know I wouldn't be against it. Everyone has a weird thing about himself, I would have agreed if that was the case. But is not. What Aiba does is taking revenge. He is filled of rage for the one who tormented him and tortured him. Being unable to take revenge on that guy, he used Sho to do it. Abuse is a serious matter that affects the brain of people in different ways, depending on the person in cause. In Aiba's case, he fights the memories and pain of his past abuse by becoming the abuser... Is dangerous and cruel and unfair.Is not his fault though. But he needs a doctor to help him get over it."
Nino and Jun had listened to Ohno's words carefuly, not having anything to object to what their leader had said. Though Ohno was sweet and looked like a innocent child, no one could deny his intelligence and his sense of observation. Nino knew how many books Ohno had read and he was sure of the fact that his boyfriend was, in 99% of the time, right about everything he was saying.
"I never knew you liked psychology..." Jun said, scratching his chin with his hand.
"When I was in high-school it was my favorite class. The human brain is the most complicated and complex computer. But is also very fragile. It is so easy to break someone's mind and make him lose it. That is why abuse is so horrible. It not only breaks bones and flesh, it destroies the brain. Cause though the outside pain goes away fast with medicine, the inside never actually heals.." Ohno said, rolling his cigarette in the ashtray. "You guys think I hate Aiba... I don't. I want to help him and you know that I've tried. From the moment Sho told me he will become his pet, I knew it was not a good idea and that the shit will hit the fence very hard one day. I tried to talk to Aiba, I wanted him to tell me what was wrong with him, I wanted to help him... He always pushed me aside and never trusted me enough to tell me the truth. If he will do the same with the doctor, in case he will accept to go see one, it will be useless. Guys, no one can help someone who doesn't want to be helped..."
"Is amazing how smart you can sound sometimes.." Jun said.
"Very funny." Ohno said, finishing his cigarette and leaving it in the ashtray. "Tomorrow Sho gets out of the hospital. I will take him here to live with me and Nino. Also, I will have a conversation with Aiba. If he really loves Sho and wants him back, I want him to prove it to me. I know some really good doctors that could help him. If he really goes to one and he shows me that he does want to change and he is accepting the help I want to give him, I will allow Sho to go back to him."
"As if you would be his dad..." Nino said, rolling his eyes.
"Sho means a lot to me, Nino. I've had a special love for him ever since I met him. I grew up with 3 sisters and though I love them a lot, I always wished for a brother. Sho was like my brother from when we were kids. He gave me the feeling of protection and safety that I've always been looking for. Now is my turn to take care of him... I do love Aiba, he is my friend. But I can't allow him to go back to Sho now. You know why? Because, though he is pained and sorry for what he did in this moment, after a week, 2 weeks, a month, he will forget. And he will start being the same again and again and again... I want to see him really changing, I want to see him trying to recover from his past trauma for Sho. Love means sacrifice, you know..." Ohno explained, looking at both his friends. "If you do want to help, just stay out of my way. And if Aiba really loves Sho, he will do as I say. I only want the best for the two of them..."
"I know you do, teddy bear..." Nino said, kissing Ohno's cheek. "We'll let you take care of this."
"We know you can do it, Riida." Jun said, slapping Ohno's shoulder friendly.
"Thank you for trusting me, guys... I really do hope Aiba won't fuck this up. Cause if he does, I doubt I will ever be able to forgive him..."
---
Sho thanked the nurse that helped him get dressed, smiling politely to her when she left. He layed back in bed again, waiting for his friends to come get him home. His body was still tired and some bruises still hurt, but it was sure much, much better than when he had come there. He had time to rest and he was feeling able to go back to Aiba. He missed him so much... He hadn't seen him in 5 days, it was the first time he was away from him for so long. Izumi had kept bringing him 3 meals cooked by Aiba every day and he was so surprised and touched by Aiba's kind gesture. It was so weird and yet adorable for his master to cook for him. Usually, it was the other way around. But he couldn't complain. It made him happy to know Aiba did care...
When the door opened, Sho almost jumped from the bed, smiling big to Ohno, Jun and Nino who enterd the room. He got up from the bed, getting next to them.
"Can we go now? I can't wait to see my master!" he said anxious.
"We are not going to Aiba's house, Sho. We are taking you to our house." Nino said slowly.
"What?! Why? I want to see him! I want to go home!" Sho said, disappointed and annoyed. "Please guys, let me go home! I want to see my master!"
"Stop calling him that, damn it!" Ohno said hard. "Look what, Sho... I know you love Aiba and I respect that. But if you go back to him now, he will not change. You don't want to be his slave, don't you?"
"Well... No..." Sho admited.
"I can make Aiba recover from his past trauma. I can make him be a good, loving man. But it needs time, patience and lots of therapy. I already explained it to Nino and Jun. If Aiba does love you, he will change for you. Then, I swear to all the Gods I know, I will give you my blessing for you two to be happy." Ohno said, looking at Sho kindly. He went closer to him, touching his cheek with his hand and caressing his face. "I don't want you to get hurt again... Please let me solve this, okay? Have patience..."
"Okay, Riida... I will trust you..." Sho said, feeling sad but also very hopeful.
Ohno hugged him tight, caressing his back delicately. He was able to feel tears wanting to come down his face, but he stopped them before that happening, telling himself he needed to be strong. He took Sho's hand in his and kissed it, smiling to him kindly.
"I promise that I will do everything I can to make you and Aiba a normal and happy couple, Sho... This is not over yet..." he told him.
"Thank you for carring so much, Riida... You guys are the best friends in the world. I love you so much.." Sho said, with a innocent smile.
"Now! Before we all start to cry like idiots... You guys take Sho home. I will go talk to Aiba. This will be a damn long day..." Ohno said, opening the door for them.
They all walked outside of the room and outside of the hospital, Jun and Nino supporting Sho, being afraid their friend might still not be able to walk on his own without tripping. They got him in Jun's car, and Ohno watched till they drove out of his view before getting in his own car. All the way to Aiba's house he spinned words inside his mind, trying to find the best way in which to talk to Aiba. He really hopped that the man was going to listen to him...
He took a deep breath before knocking at the wooden door hard twice and waited patiently for someone to open up. Izumi did, not long after, bowing to him respectfuly.
"Master Aiba is in the living-room, sir... This way." she said, inviting him inside.
Ohno thanked her and got in, walking the small distance to the living-room and seeing Aiba on the couch, smoking a cigarette and looking in a empty space, looking as if he was thinking deeply of something. He was very pale and he had big black circles beyond his eyes and Ohno knew Jun and Nino have been right... He probably had no sleep for the past 5 days.
"Yo..." he said, sitting on the couch next to Aiba.
"Hey Riida... What do you want? To blame me some more? Tell me I'm an idiot? Okay, go on, I'm listening..." Aiba said, avoiding to look at the older man.
"I didn't came for that Aiba.. I didn't came as an acuser..." Ohno said slowly.
"You didn't? They what did you came as?" Aiba asked, sounding still kind of lost.
"I came as an old friend." Ohno said short. "I won't make this long and boring, I want to get straight to the subject. Sho got out of the hospital today."
"He did? Is he fine? Where is he? When will he come?" Aiba asked fast, suddenly sounding more lifefull.
"He is not coming here, Aiba.. He is fine, yes, he recovered almost completely. Jun and Nino took him to my house." Ohno explained.
"Your house..? Why?" Aiba asked confused.
"I don't trust you yet, that is why." Ohno said.
"And you said you didn't came as an acuser..." Aiba said, rolling his eyes and supporting his back on the top of the couch.
"Do you want him back?" Ohno asked, trying to get straight to his point.
"You know I do..." Aiba said, sadly.
"Nino and Jun told me about what happened in your past. And what you need is help.. Here." Ohno said, searching his pocket and taking out a piece of paper with a phone number written on it. "This is the number of a very good friend of mine who works as a psychologist at one of the best hospitals in Japan."
Aiba took the piece of paper and stared at it for a second, before starting to laugh hard and ironicly. "You think I am insane?"
"No, I don't think that. I just think you have a problem that needs to be solved." Ohno told him calmly.
"I don't need the help of any doctor. I am not crazy." Aiba said, throwing the small paper away.
"No one said you are crazy. Psychologists are not only for crazy people, Aiba. There are many people who go see one at some points of their life. They help you solve your problems and feel better. Aiba... What happened in your past was unfair and sad. You didn't deserved that... Sho doesn't deserve it either. If you don't care for yourself enough to do it for you, then do it for him. Sho loves you so much and I am sure you know that too. He deserves a peaceful and beautiful life... The pain you have suffered changed you into a monster. It made you do horrible things to Sho."
"I already said I am sorry for it." Aiba stopped Ohno, starting to feel annoyed.
"And I know you do! Is just not enough... Aiba, you were not like this. Because of what happened to you, your personality changed. Is as if you created yourself a new personality. A very evil, very filled of rage and hard feelings personality. I know you are not like that... I miss the old Aiba. Everyone does... Sho misses him most. My friend can help you bring back the old Aiba, the real you. You do want that, don't you?" Ohno said, putting his hand on Aiba's shoulder. "It is not you I am keeping Sho away from... It is your illness... I will be there for you whenever you need, I will help you with everything. We can make this, I know we can. Please, let me help you..."
"Riida..." Aiba said, his eyes filling with tears. He hugged Ohno tight, starting to cry for real. Ohno hugged him back, caressing his hair and trying to calm him down. "I feel so scared, you know... I don't want to lose him... I hate what I'm doing to him, I just can't control myself... I don't want to be like this, I don't want to. Please help me, Riida... Help me be a good man again..."
"I will help you, don't worry... It will all be fine..." Ohno said, kissing Aiba's forehead.
---
"It worked better than I would have thought." Ohno told everyone, when he got home. "He accepted my offer to help and he even called my friend right then. He made an appointment for tomorrow."
"Dose that mean I can see him?" Sho asked impatient.
"Not yet. We need some time for this. Is not that easy, you know. He made a first step, but the ledder is long. He still has a lot to climb." Ohno said. "But we are going well so that is a perfect start."
"I miss him..." Sho said, hugging the pillow he was holding hard.
"I know you do... Just let the time work, okay? It will soon be over, believe me..." Ohno said, caressing his hair. "By the way, did you heard the news? You were in Hawaii."
"Hawaii..?" Sho said confused.
"That is what our manager told the media and everyone else. That in this past 5 days you have been gone you were in Hawaii." Ohno said.
"No shit... That man sure has imagination." Sho said, rolling his eyes.
"Yes, he does. But is good, you know? Like that we won't have any explications to give..." Ohno told them. "I don't know about you guys, but I am damn tired..."
"Same here..." Jun said. "Could I sleep over?"
"Sure, you can stay with Sho in the guests room." Ohno said. "Tomorrow we have to get up early and go to the company. We have a lot of work to catch up with."
---
Aiba knocked at the door slowly, receiving a "Enter!" from the inside and opening it with his hands shaking a bit. He took a deep breath, trying to prepare himself for this. He had to be calm. He was doing it for Sho, after all. That doctor was young, probably of the same age as him, and Aiba started wondering if he was really that good. What if he was not able to help him? What if he was going to lose Sho? He didn't wanted to think of that... He needed to trust Ohno.
"Ah, you are Satoshi's band mate, aren't you? Aiba Masaki!" the man said, raising his head from the papers he was staring at and looking at him for the first time.
"Yes, that would be me..." Aiba said slowly.
"I am Yamamoto Kasai." the doctor said, making a respectful and politely bow.
"Is nice meeting you, Yamamoto-san..." Aiba said.
"Please, call me Kasai. And sit down." the man said, pointing at the chair from the other side of the desk.
Aiba smiled shily and sat down, looking at his hands and playing with them in his lap, unsure of what he should say. He was happy when Kasai talked in his place.
"Satoshi told me a lot about you. He really cares for you and he is so sure you can make big progresses."
"He is, huh..." Aiba said, with a sad smile.
"I am not aware of all of your story, but I know why you are here. You have been abusive to your boyfriend lately, am I right?" Kasai asked, looking closely at Aiba, inspecting each of his gestures and words.
"Yes, I have... I have been beating him really hard, telling him to do stupid things even when he was hurt, pushing him beyond his limits... Even in bed, I... I was so brutal that I think he might have felt raped..." Aiba said, unable to raise his head up to look at the doctor.
"Could you tell me why you did this?" Kasai asked, on a serious yet warm tone.
"I am not sure... I was very mad at him always... Though he has done nothing wrong... He was always nice and loving to me... And even after I was beating him, he always told me he loved me..." Aiba said.
"How did that made you feel, Masaki?" Kasai asked, looking straight at him.
"Annoyed... Very annoyed..." Aiba admited.
"Why did it made you feel like that?" Kasai kept asking, trying to make him release and admit all his feelings.
"Because he shouldn't have said that! I was hurting him, he should have yelled at me! He should have hit me back or looked at me in hate and disgust! He should have been angry!" Aiba said loud, his voice sounding sad and revolted in place of mad.
"Why do you believe he should have done and felt all that?" Kasai asked, after a short moment of silence.
"That will lead to a completely different story that has nothing to do with him..." Aiba answered.
"It has to do with you, right?" Kasai asked, getting a small nod from Aiba. "We are not here to discuss his problems, Masaki. We are here to discuss yours. So could you please tell me that story?"
Aiba went silent for some few moments, looking as if he was trying to pick the perfect words for this. He breath hard and deep, closing his eyes.
"I was 18 years old when I made this guy... His name was Kenjiro... He was a friend of one of my cousins. He was 25 years old, my cousin introduced me to him... He was so beautiful... Tall, with red hair that got to his shoulders, a beautiful and perfect body, a smile that got straight to my heart. He seemed so kind and he was always nice to me... I felt in love with him so fast... I believed he loved me too. He was always bringing me roses and writing me poems. He was funny and gentle and he made me happy... When I agreed to move with him though, he started to change... Slowly by slowly, he became more mad... He was always screaming at me, calling me an idiot. Whatever I did or tried to do, it was never good enough for him. The time passed and before I knew it, I became his slave... When he started beating me I got scared, but I didn't had the power to tell it to my friends. I was hidding the bruises and faking smiles so they believed I was fine. I remember so good the silence that was taking over me after he had finished beating me... The sound of his hard breath as he was trying to calm himself down... My almost fainted breath as I was trying not to lose my conscience..."
'I... I still... I still love you... master...' Aiba heard his own, tired and pained voice inside his mind.
Tears started falling down his cheeks, but he didn't opened his eyes. "I still love you, master... That was what I was always telling him after..."
"What your boyfriend tells you now..." Kasai said slowly.
"Yes... I wanted to scream. To tell him that I hated him and that he was a jerk. I wanted to push him away and get him out of my life. I couldn't... I never could... No matter how much my mind was telling me to fight back, my soul was accepting it... And the only words that came out of my mind were 'I still love you, master...' Always..." Aiba said, trying to fight back the pain he was feeling.
"It made you mad that your boyfriend was telling you the same because he was like you, right? You wanted him to do what you were unable to do..." Kasai said, starting to understand Aiba's way of thinking.
"Yes..." Aiba said. "Without realizing it, I became like him... And Sho became like me... It made me angry to get to that conclusion. I tried to change but I couldn't... And the more he acted like me, the more I felt like Kenjiro... And my rage just grew... And..."
"And you started being unable to control your own self..."
"Yes..." Aiba said, finally opening his eyes, two more tears falling on his already filled of tears face. "Do you think that... That I could change..?"
"Of course you can change, Masaki... I do understand your problem and the first thing I have to tell you is that all this is not your fault. If you ever blamed yourself, stop doing it. You are as much of a victim as your boyfriend is. That is the problem of all people who have been abused and turned into abusers. They see themselves as evil, blame themselves and their problem just gets worse. Your rage and messed up feelings are perfectly normal after what had happened to you. The first thing we need to work on, is forgiving yourself... You must stop feeling guilty. I am sure that your boyfriend understands you and doesn't blame you."
"Am I insane..?" Aiba asked, still crying.
"No, of course not. Hey, I deal with people who hear voices from the walls. So believe me, you are far from being insane. Your only problem is that you had a lot of pain that your brain was not able to pass over yet... And that could turn anyone crazy. But we can solve this. You just need to trust in me. I want to help you..." Kasai said, gently.
"Ohno-san took Sho away from me... He said that if I don't change he won't let us be together again. I just want to start up again. To be a good man and a good boyfriend.. I want to make Sho happy..." Aiba said.
"I promise to you that you will soon be able to do so. Do you trust me?" Kasai asked, bringing his hand closer to Aiba's.
Aiba looked at him for a moment, then stared down again. "Maybe I shouldn't cause I don't know you... But for some reason, yes... I actually do..." He said, taking the doctors hand in his.
"That is a very good first step... Don't worry... I will do my best to help you up, I promise..." Kasai said, shaking his hand.
"Please, take care of me.." Aiba said, with a kind smile.
---
The weeks passed and Aiba had kept going to Kasai every day. He was meeting with all Arashi every day as well, as they had went back to their normal program. Him and Sho were mostly evoiding each other, but Aiba was amazed to see the change in Sho. Now that he was able to rest good and he didn't had to do useless work above the ones he already had, Sho looked better, more healty, more energetic.. His somehow looked even younger. It was hard for them to stay away from each other, but Ohno had helped them to understand it was the best like this. After almost 3 months, Ohno received a call from Kasai, late one night.
"He has done amazing progress. Also, the medicine I gave him keep him very calm. He stopped blaming himself and I really believe he is ready to get back with Sho-kun. I am not saying I am done with him, he still needs to come to me every day for some time. But we acomplished a lot in this 3 hard months." the doctor said.
"I see... Very well then. I will do my part of the job too. Actually, is almost done. I just need to solve some few last details." Ohno told him.
"Great then. Oh, by the way. He wanted me to help him with something. After I told him everything I had told you now, he said that he would like for you guys to have a live episode of VS Arashi. Do you think is possible?" Kasai asked.
"A live VS Arashi? But, that show was never live before. Why does he want that anyway?" Ohno said, confused.
"I am not sure, but I doubt is something bad. You are the leader so could you talk up to people and sattle this for him? I actually think it might be something usefull." Kasai said.
"Very well, I will do my best." Ohno agreed.
"I will leave it to you." Kasai said, before closing the phone.
"Who was it, Riida?" Sho asked, staring at Ohno confussed.
"Aiba's psychologist. Very soon you will be able to go back to him." Ohno informed Sho.
"Really?!" Sho said surprised. "That is the best news I ever received!"
"Yes. There are some things I need to take care of still, but I am very happy. Aiba has tried really hard for you, Sho... He does love you a lot. I know that I have been severe and mean to him and you, maybe even cruel at some points. But it did helped."
"I know you did it for us, Riida... Thank you." Sho said, hugging Ohno. "I am happy you are my friend."
---
"Are you guys ready?" their manager asked, while they were in the backstage of VS Arashi, waiting to go live. "I still don't get it why the Hell you wanted to go live! Is this a weird plan? If you guys will do something idiot I will kick your asses!"
"Will you chill out? There is nothing to worry about, believe me." Aiba said confident.
"I really hope so. Now hurry, go, go! You start in few seconds!" their manager said, pushing them to the studio.
They entered, in the aplauses of everyone from the audience, smiling brightly as always. Sho wanted to start talking but he was stopped by Aiba, who made him a short sign with his hand. Looking straight to the camera, he started talking.
"Hello, everyone, I am Aiba Masaki. You guys probably know that already if you're watching this, though... This will be a special edition of VS Arashi because I have a special and very important thing to tell you. Actually, to share with you... I always saw our fans as our friends, since you guys read everything about us, you buy our cds and magazines and try to be there for us as much as you can. You guys, with your love, made us who we are today... We are very grateful for it. That is why, we always smile to you, whenever we know you will see us. We are always happy and cheerful, trying to make you all believe we are happy. Our company has a strict policy against us talking about our private live... Maybe because idols shouldn't be as normal people. We should be like a dream that is always beautiful. But we are normal people... Like everyone else. We suffer and we cry and we make mistakes... I myself, made a lot of mistakes..." he said, turning around to look at Sho, who was staring at him. Everyone was staring at him, even their manager from the backstage. But no one tried to stop him, so he keept on. "To be honest with you guys... I am in love. Is anyone from here in love?" he asked, making most of the people from the audience clap their hands and scream 'Yes!' "Well..." Aiba continued, going closer to Sho and taking his hand in his. "I am in love with him..."
"Ehh?!" the audience said, everyone amazed.
"The love I have for Sho is bigger than anyone could believe... Even so, I have hurt him a lot. I have misstreated him, and took his love for granted. I made many mistakes for which I repent dearly. But, when I was doing those bad and horrible things, I was not thinking they were wrong... Riida, who is the best friend anyone could ever have, made me realize the mistakes I was commiting. A true friend doesn't walk by seeing you doing something wrong. A good friend needs to hug you and be there for you when you cry, be gentle and loving to you, indeed. But a true friend is the one who give you a hard slap when you are being an idiot and helps you be better. Riida did that for me... Thank you, Riida.." he said, turning to look at Ohno, who just closed his eyes, smiling gently and nodding his head in a aproving way. "He pushed me to seek for help, which I did... And after fighting for 3 months on this hard and difficult game vs myself, I think I have won. I feel like I was reborn. And there is one more thing I need to do, so this story can be over..."
He got in his knees in front of Sho, still keeping his hand in his and giving it a kiss. "Sho-kun... I can not promise you that I will be there for you always, cause there might be times when I won't be able to do that... But I swear that I will do my best to be there for you whenever you really need me... I can't promise you that from now we won't have anymore problems... But I swear that we will solve together any problem that appears... Also, I can't promise you that I will love you until I will die, cause that would be a lie... Because I swear that I will love you even after death..." he said.
"Aiba-chan..." Sho said, his eyes filling with tears.
"Being both boys, I don't think we could actually marry but... Would you accept this and stand by my side forever..?" Aiba asked, taking a ring from his pocket and putting it on Sho's finger.
"Yes... Yes, yes, totally yes!" Sho said, happily.
Aiba got up from his knees and hugged him tight, as everyone from the audience started clapping hands. "Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!" They started screaming, as Sho and Aiba started to laugh. Aiba kissed Sho, in the powerful aplauses of everyone, as he was caressing his hair with his fingers. He removed the tears from Sho's face when the kiss was done, turning to look at the camera.
"Guys... Life is not easy for anyone. There are times when we do mistakes and there are times when we wish we would die... There are times when we don't even understand our own selves. The pain, be it from the past or present, can hurt so much that is too hard to explain in words... Walking along a path made of suffering, we can sometimes lose ourselves... But I have learned this... As long as there is still love inside you, you can make it... Because love is stronger than pain..." Aiba said, as everyone started clapping again.
"And as long as there is friendship, you will never have to fight alone..." Ohno said, getting closer to them. "I didn't expect this Aiba, but I must admit it was a beautiful surprise... You really did change. I feel very proud of you..."
"Thank you again, Riida... I wouldn't have been able to do this without you..." Aiba said, hugging Ohno.
"I am happy you did it..." Ohno said, slapping his back friendly.
"Group hug!" Nino said happily, him, Jun and Sho jumping on Aiba and Ohno, all 5 of them falling on the floor.
Everyone laughed and the emotion started passing. They went back to the normal VS Arashi programe, everything going fine as long as it lasted. When they finished and went in the backstage, their manager was smiling big to them.
"Johnny will be mad about this, but I will solve it. What you did was really beautiful, Aiba-chan!" he said, tapping Aiba's shoulder.
"I am glad is finally over." Aiba said, hugging Sho tightly from behind and kissing his head.
"Oh, is not over yet." Ohno said.
"What?" Aiba and Sho asked together.
"I can't go back to Aiba's house..?" Sho asked sad.
"No, no, you can. Actually, that is where we are going now. I have a surprise for you two." Ohno said, with a smile.
"A surprise? In my house?" Aiba asked confused.
"You will see. Come on, let's go for it." Ohno said, leading the way out.
"Do you have any idea what this is about?" Aiba asked Nino, when they were in the car, going to his house.
"Not at all." Nino said. "I am just as curious as you two."
Izumi opened the door for them when they got to Aiba's house, by her smile everyone being able to realize she had been working with Ohno on this. They looked around, trying to see something changed at the place, but it was all normal.
"Where is this surprise?" Aiba asked.
"Upstairs in your room, master." Izumi said, pointing to the stairs.
They didn't waited for anything else. They all went there kind of fast, as Ohno was giggling and fallowing them. Aiba opened the door and turned on the lights, seeing a small baby sleeping in his bed. Him, Sho, Nino and Jun blocked for a second, before getting closer to him.
"His name is Hagime, he is 3 months old. I took him from an orphanage. You guys said you wanted a clean and fresh start, right? I think he will be able to give you this... Also, he will give you a reason to keep fighting for, Aiba. Now you have a husband and a child to take care of. Your new family. If life felt too fucked up and useless to live before, now you have a reason to enjoy it and always keep going on." Ohno said to them.
"Riida..." Aiba said, his eyes filling of tears. "Thank you... He is so beautiful..."
Sho took the baby in his arms, kissing his head and slowly swinging him. Aiba watched him with his mouth slightly opened, as tears started falling on his face. Suddenly, all the hard and bad feelings from his heart stared to disappear, along with the painful memories. He went and hugged Sho from behind, putting his arm on the baby's face, caressing him delicately.
"We have a son..." he said, between the tears. "There is no reason for me to keep stucked in the past... I have a reason to look up at the future now. His future.. Our future..."
"I am so happy, mast..."
"Shh..." Aiba said, putting his finger on Sho's lips, stopping him from what he was about to say. "Is Aiba.. Or Masaki... Or anything else you wish to call me. Except that..."
"I am so happy... my love..." Sho said, kissing Aiba on the lips.
"This is not the end, guys... This is just were it begins..." Ohno said, with a big smile whild hugging Nino, looking happily at his two friends, knowing that they will be fine from now on.
A/N: That is all of it! Damn, this is the first story I finished XD As a final note, I wanted to say that this thing begin, as you all know, from a request a friend of mine gave me. But I spinned it up a lot while writting on it. At first, I wanted to keep it hard and brutal from start to end, the way she likes it. But the name being "Love is Stronger Than Pain", I wanted that to be the final message for this. I hope all of you enjoyed it and also, that you learned something from it. Everyone can do mistakes, is in the human nature. But not many people can accept their mistakes and fight with all they have to correct those mistakes and turn them into something good. And the people who can do that, deserve a lot of respect... Comments are loved, as always. Have a nice day, everyone ^^