[Fic] - The Hard Way - chapter 4
Title: The Hard Way
Author: shiroakuma
Pairings: HayaRyu, RyuRen, YamatoRen
Genre: angst, romance
Rating: nc-17
Disclaimer: Do not own anyone or any of their lovely body parts…
Note: My first Fanfic and my grammar is not all that bright
Summary: With no Yankumi to bring them back together, Hayato and Ryu must go through the hard way to renew and refine their friendship. But clashing with Gokusen 3 boys, Ren and Yamato, they will find an unexpected perspective on their relationship along with new obstacles.
Chapter 4
Ryu opened his eyes in an unfamiliar surrounding with the sound of loud thump! Rising up on his elbow, Ryu looked around in the semi-dark. The first thing he noticed was the white wall, and turning around he was faced with a body lying motionless on the ground face down. Then he saw one extremely angry Ren, holding his fist up.
“Ren?” Ryu called out to the younger boy whose facial features softened and become more of a panicked one. “Whose body is this?”
“Umm...” the boy stuttered “Yabuki-Senpai?” Ryu had to palm his face.
“Ah. I knew this was gonna happen.”
“Sorry. He suddenly started knocking and barged in looking like a zombie with all the paleness and swallowed eyes. He abruptly stopped when he found you. I guess I took my chance.” Yes, he definitely saw that one coming.
“Does your hand hurt?” the older boy got up to check on the younger one.
“I’m fine.” Ren answered. “Shouldn’t you worry about him instead?”
“Let him be.” Ryu said coldly pointing at Hayato. “He deserves it.”
“You are cruel, even I can-”
“Whose side are you on?” Ryu held the boy’s neck lightly.
“I didn’t mean it, really.”
“Good” He returned his attention towards the ground after he massaged Ren’s hand gently, knowing how thick Hayato’s head can be.
Ryu poked the body rather harshly, earning a grunt. He wasn’t even surprised to see Hayato there. He felt a bit relieved though, to constantly be bugged by the boy; it meant he still cared, at least enough to bother following them to Ren’s place. A small smile formed as he whispered “Idiot.”
Ryu grabbed his cell phone from the night stand dialled an old number he used to know very well. “Hello, Take. Sorry to call you now but-”
“Hayato caused trouble, didn’t he?” Take asked. He was expecting it sooner or later.
“Sort of. He is unconscious, lying in the middle of Ren’s bedroom. You do the maths.”
“Oh God. I’m really sorry, Ryu. It’s entirely my fault.”
Ryu was glad Take hadn’t questioned why he was with Ren. “Just get him out of here. Here, I’ll give you the address...”
“Right I’ll take the guys along. You can’t expect me to carry that pig by myself.”
“Ok.”
Take grabbed Hyuuga and Tucchi, and led them to the address. Ignoring other two’s whining, he kept questioning his choice along the way. It wasn’t the brightest of ideas to let Hayato wonder on his own with his newly acquired knowledge. He was certain to create problems rather than answers for all of them.
And he already did. Didn’t need 24 hours to start as well thought Take blaming himself for allowing things to get this far. Maybe he should tell Ryu that Hayato now knew but it would be interfering with their already on thin ice relationship. One wrong move and they will all be left to freeze to death with Ryu’s cold attitude. Take was more afraid of the light brunette’s wrath than that of his leader’s.
He understood from the tone Ryu had used that he wasn’t happy to see Hayato, maybe not bothered with it too much but still annoyed. No one could blame him though.
Take sighed deeply upon arriving to their destination. There, Ren stood before them fully clothed, -way too much clothed for night time gears- and Ryu within a white sleeveless shirt and sweatpants - way too obviously not his-
“Thanks for coming guys” said Ryu shortly and introduced Ren to them. Before he can give an excuse Tucchi “We know. It’s alright, Ryu.” said easing the awkward moment.
“We carried him to the entrance. Tell him that I’ll talk with him when he is awake and can control his outbursts.”
“Understood.” answered Take. He decided to leave it as it was before jumping in and ruining it again. Ryu and Hayato would meet, argue, or fight, then begin to realize what they were doing, make up and everything will be same as it used to be. Or so did he believe. “I will welcome him in my house tonight. Taku was happy to hear that so we’ll be ok.” Ryu nodded to that simply with a small grateful smile.
Hyuuga and Tucchi carried Hayato out after saying goodbyes. Take bowed apolitically and followed them.
Ryu frowned. He was sure he heard Hayato mumble while he was carrying him. And so did Ren. His gaze met with the younger one, unsure of what to say.
“Look,” started Ren but as usual was cut off by Ryu. Soft lips touched his own gently at first, nibbling on them then the kiss got deeper. Ren wanted to object, wanted to stop Ryu from torturing himself being with someone other than him, yet he couldn’t. He felt too good, too safe and simply loved.
He responded eagerly. Arms circling the shorter yet stronger boy while hands stayed on his chest and body pressed onto his as if to say take control. Ren obliged. He held the other’s neck pulling to expose the flesh for his lips to taste.
Ryu moaned. He found himself lying on the bed with Ren on top. The younger boy continued his ministrations so that Ryu would forget the pain and need he felt for Hayato. He was aware, Ryu was not his. Yet, he kissed him again, felt his smooth skin under the top as his fingers moved and suddenly he drew back.
“What?”
“Not tonight, Ryu. Not like this.” It hurt Ren to say it, or worse to acknowledge the fact that Ryu had someone else in mind but it was a different kind of pain when Ryu actually agreed to it.
“I’ll be in bathroom.” Ren said as he got up but was stopped with Ryu holding his wrist.
“Ren, I do like you. It’s just...”
“Shh” the boy kissed him on the forehead “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Relax and rest. You are confused, I can understand so you really need to take it easy.”
“Thank you, baby.”
“You cannot always be the confident, strong one. Rely on me until you fix your relationship with that guy.”
“Ren” worry was evident in Ryu’s eyes but Ren brushed it off with a sad smile.
“Sleep.”
~~~~~~~~~~
For Hayato it wasn’t a good morning. He had woken up with a terrible headache in Take’s living room. It was a complete mystery as how he made it there but explanation came from the shorter boy. That moment Hayato knew he had to kick Ren’s butt for real.
In the classroom, the annoying teacher never stopped talking and had an unfortunate obsession against Hayato’s head which happened to be resting on his desk. In first warning, the leader ignored him and in second one he had thrown the desk across the room, almost towards the teacher. With sending a single glance to where Ryu would be sitting if he was there, Hayato had left the room, sending threats to everyone in his way.
His own class was scared of him nowadays; blaming it on absent boy, he wasn’t sure how to ventilate his anger. He was wrong and Ryu was right, as usual he had been the one to blame. After all Ryu was always ahead of him being the smarter, more considerate one...
Hayato stomped on his feet annoyed. He wanted Ryu back and he was going to get him back. He was the leader of 3-D which included that smartass as well, Hayato concluded. Yet, his head fell low rather quickly unable to decide his next step; was he to crush Frentzen? Or his house? Both were risky considering the bodyguard in Frentzen and the father factor in the house. Calling his cell phone would have to do.
The phone went busy showing clear signs of “jog on. Not gonna talk to you” from Ryu. Making funny faces at the screen he sat down on the grass and with the cool breeze, Hayato drifted into past memories.
He was at the entrance to their classroom, his mates wondering around being the usual ignorant pupil. Then he entered the room and silence followed making the Sawatari-monkey in red jerseys to gasp and take a few steps back. It was weird to see him wearing such bright colours causing Hayato to want to make fun of him even more but before that, his eyes landed on a light brunette watching his every move as if assessing him. Despite the indifferent gaze on him, Hayato felt like smiling.
He stepped forward just to fall down and find himself in the park they sometimes gathered; Ryu’s form was just before him, at the nearby bench somehow looking gloomy and deep in thought. Hayato frowned and called out to him. The boy was surprised but still flashed a bright smiled. It was obviously done to cover whatever he was actually feeling.
They greeted each other silently and he had to ask why he was out there when he knew Ryu’s father could be an ass about him being late. He simply answered as wanting to be alone and clear his head. Hayato nodded in understanding and bid his goodbye but Ryu asked him to remain, that he wasn’t a bother.
They sat next to each other, Ryu handing the other right one of the earphones of his mp3. The music was rock-pop type, which managed to calm them down. Only their racing heartbeats were heard for a while other than the song. ‘Gackt’ said Ryu and had to elaborate that he was the singer of the song ‘Orenji no Taiyou’. Despite listening it with interest, Hayato found the song too sad, lyrics about a crying love and eternal farewells.
By the time the song ended Ryu was leaning on Hayato, his head almost on the taller boy’s shoulder. It only needed a little bit moving to have his head leisurely resting by Hayato’s. Why was he so tired? thought Hayato. They were together a few hours ago and Ryu was completely fine; Up until the agreement of the fight with the Ara high.
The brunette said it was bothersome but they had fought before. It was his first time to witness a lonely and fragile Ryu. Then it hit the real Hayato; he remembered what happened next. Panicked, he hold onto the hand next to him. He was too late though. He got up just to meet with the face of a pissed and arrogant boy, challenging him in the class. Heartbroken; Hayato swung his fist towards the boy who stumbled back and countered the same way where they both only meant to keep each other either safe or together.
Hayato was shaken up and woke up teary eyed. Someone was yelling at him. Disorientated he had to turn his head around a few times to find the source of the voice.
“Hayato-nii” said the approaching figure.
“Yamato?” he questioned and was right; though he wasn’t expecting to see his younger cousin around his school. “What are you doing here, brat?”
“Ahh, just ahh you know, hanging around.” Yamato answered insecure of his lie.
“Right, hanging in MY school.” Hayato murmured “Where are your annoying little followers?”
“My friends are in MY school,” the younger answered “Got a question for you, if you don’t mind!”
“What?” how he hated that teasing voice.
“About this man called, Kudo, you acquainted with him?” The dark brunette hadn’t heard that name in a while.
“He was my senpai; A drop-out. Heard he had a gang somewhere in the city.”
“Is he dangerous?” Yamato sounded curious rather than worried and Hayato knew he should have been the latter considering it was Kudo.
“Stay away from him, kid. He is dangerous enough for you.”
“Don’t underestimate me, old man!”
“Old man?!” Hayato yelled “You are overestimating yourself, brat!”
“You sure? I’ll show you overestimation!” Yamato was ready to jump into fight when a taller guy grabbed his arms and pulled him away, apologising as he disappeared with the arguing boy.
Hayato followed his cousin and his brother-look-a-like with his eyes before crouching down by the tree; Returning to his dream.
He simply felt like being miserable.
~~~~~~~~~~
The same morning, Ren dropped Ryu to his home. He felt like walking around instead of just going to school. He had too much to think about and meeting with Yamato wasn’t going to help him. He took the road to his school in order to reach the bridge by the small river. He liked sitting there; the green of the nature had always soothed him along with the splash of the water.
Lying on the grass Ren involuntarily wished Yamato was by his side. That wasn’t betraying Ryu, was it? The young boy couldn’t tell the difference anymore. Whether he loved Yamato or only still attached to him, unable to let go.
He sighed. When he was about to doze off, he heard yelling from nearby.
“Ren?!” A voice said, panic evident in his tone.
“Satoru?”
“We are in trouble, Ren. Come with me, quick!” the boy chirped pulling Ren to his feet. “Quick, Yamato needs help.”
“What do I care?”
“Don’t be like that! It’s an emergency! Come on.” Seeing no way out Ren went after Satoru. It didn’t take them long to arrive an old warehouse. Noises of baseball bats and fists hitting echoed in the empty place. They leaned into the dirty door and Ren peeked into it.
In the large area there were at least ten men who circled Yamato, ganging up against him and mercilessly kicking him. The boy had fallen down and was barely managing to protect his head from the furious hits he was getting.
“What the hell?” Ren snarled.
“Rest of the gang is coming. Wait for them” Satoru said behind him. Ren faced him angrily and kicked the doors open without hesitation.
“Oi! You scumbags! Who do you think you are playing with?” he taunted the men while approaching Yamato slowly. Satoru was holding on to the door frame as if glued to it and didn’t dare move.
“Stop it, Kazama!” he whispered but Ren was already half way across the room.
One of the men with bat stopped before the others clearly amused by Ren’s action. “Why? You wanna play with the big boys too, kid?”
“Play with you? I’ll show you playing with my fists, old man!” He yelled running towards the group. In mere seconds Ren was surrounded by them with him throwing kicks and punches around. He knocked one of the bare handed guys with his kick but received two in return. As he pulled himself together fast, he landed another punch.
Swinging his arm forward, Ren was able to clear the road and reach Yamato’s side. He stood in front of the wounded boy and took the harsh beating instead. When the rest of the gang has arrived, he ducked the incoming attack and pushed the guy with the bat out of the way. Five boys, with taking turns in protecting Yamato somehow managed to create an opening for them to run away.
Honjo dropped Yamato from his back as they found themselves in their classroom. “That was tough! Good thing we can out run them”
“Yeah” agreed Ren while observing Yamato and his new wounds.
“Why did you come, Kazama?” asked the injured boy with a mocking voice “Weren’t you having enough fun with your boyfriend?”
“Don’t drag him into this, Ogata” when you are the reason I am with him “Ryu, is nothing like you”
“Ouch, now it’s Ryu?”
“Ren, Yamato. Don’t start again!” pleaded Satoru trying to calm the fuming boys.
“Why are you telling me to stop? Kazama is the one decided to take it cool all this time and just because he returned with his tail between his legs, doesn’t mean I will accept him.”
“You little...!”
“What? Wanna start a fight?”
“I am not as weak to fight with an injured ass!”
“Enough!” yelled Honjo “If you can’t stand each other, isn’t it better to keep some more distance? Otherwise you’ll only cause another fight between grades.”
“Honjo’s right” said Satoru while placing his hand on Ren’s arm “We’ll hang out together and when you both cool down, we’ll talk again, right Ren?” Ren shrugged the hand off of him easily.
“Keep your sympathy,” he answered in a cold voice before leaving the gang’s side again.
~~~~~~~~~~
P.S. I wanted to post it yesterday but just managed to finish the last bit. At last, Yamato makes an appearance and yes, he is Hayato’s cousin in the fic, couldn’t help but put it that way. His character seemed a bit off to me while writing yet it fits in for the time being. I am not sure how to continue from this point on so it will take longer to post but it will be as long or so I plan. Thnx for reading even up to this point!
Chapter 5;
http://shiroakuma.livejournal.com/2723.html