Second Life - Chapter 12
Title: Second Life
Chapter: 12 - In the Heart of Tartaros
Character: Aoi Ryosuke, Ryuzaki Shinji
Fandom: Orthros no Inu
Rating: PG13
Summary: Fear, it was such an ominous feeling. To continue living, with the unknown fear remained unresolved... what kind of life would that life be?
A/N: Finally caught up!
----------------
He didn’t know where he was, where everybody was. All that he did know was that he was alone, again. Somehow, that thought scared him.
He wasn’t always such a scaredycat like this. He might be a bit shy at times, but never so timid. Yet right now, saying that he was a bit scared was pushing it very lightly. He was not scared; he was terrified. Very. Yet he was not sure what was it that scared him.
He couldn’t breathe! That might perhaps be one of the reasons why he was very scared right now. He couldn’t-please someone! Could someone help him right now? What was this overwhelming scary feeling? He did not like it, he did not like it one bit! Stop it! Stop it right now!
Suddenly something-a hand? Grabbed his shoulders for one moment. Ryo felt his heart almost stopping as the pressure on his shoulder gave him the most unspeakable feelings of horror. He turned around as he suddenly overcame with a strong desire to scream his lungs out…
xxx
Shinji suddenly jerked himself awake towards a sound of sobbing. He glanced around in alarm to see that there was no one around. And the room was dark.
He hurriedly turned back towards Ryosuke as sure enough, the sobbing came from him. Something was wrong. Why was it Ryosuke-Shinji hurriedly sat beside Ryosuke to see what was wrong.
Ryosuke was still sleeping, yet he was sobbing very heavily. Shinji frowned as he gently patted Ryo’s shoulders to calm him. But it didn’t seem to work, Ryo’s breathing seemed even more ragged-or didn’t it look like Ryo appeared to not be able to breathe right now?
Shinji frowned as he hurriedly lifted his brother and gently shaking his body, while also patting Ryosuke’s back to help him breathe. His eyes searched wildly around for the device that was supposed to be used to call the doctors in case of emergencies. His attention went back towards Ryo as his brother started coughing.
“Ryosuke? Ryosuke… do you recognise me?” Shinji spoke as he noticed the tears on Ryosuke’s cheeks. He leaned closer to kiss his cheeks as that prompted Ryosuke to wrap his arm right away around Shinji’s body. Shinji gasped before the sounds of Ryosuke sobs drowned his own. He continued patting his brother’s back as Ryosuke continued to cry.
“It’s scary… Aniki! I’m so scared… so scared!” Ryosuke cried again as Shinji held his brother tightly.
“It’s okay… Ryo. I’m here… I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you…” he said as Shinji started rocking himself back and forth in order to comfort his very distraught younger brother…
xxx
“There should be no other complications, isn’t it? Doctor?”
“Yes. But right now… it was best that you or any one of the family to keep by Aoi-san’s side at all times in case things like this happened again. Panic attacks are not something that was uncommon for patients that had experienced post-traumatic syndromes. Even more… such attacks can prove to be dangerous if left unattended. You did say that your brother had difficulties breathing, right?”
“Yes, but-“
“For now, it’s better to not have your brother undergo any kind of emotional stress. At least, until his conditions were better…”
Shinji heaved a long sigh before dragging himself into Ryo’s room. He looked up to see Mrs. Aoi smiling back at him as Ryo was peacefully sleeping on her lap. Shinji dropped himself onto a nearby stool as he felt his strength drained out of him.
“You’ve worked so hard ne… Shinji-kun.”
Shinji glanced back towards the older woman as he shook his head.
“It’s nothing…”
“You know dear, you would always be welcomed in our family. You are after all, Ryosuke’s real brother… and this child had always been a precious son to me…”
Shinji just had to smile. Ryosuke’s foster parents had been such kind people…
“Thank you, I-“ he started to say before noticing how comfortable Ryosuke had looked, sleeping on her lap. “Ryo… had been so close to you guys, hadn’t it?”
The older woman smiled as she fondled her beloved son’s face before letting her hand rested on Ryosuke’s shoulders.
“Ryosuke… had always been attached to me. Back then, this child had used to cry a lot… when he had to part with his real mother. Because of that, this child… I never left him away from my side. In a way, as much as this child had grown to accept me as his mother; this child had saved my soul.”
His mother…
“Umm… auntie-“
“You could call me mother, if you want.” She said as Shinji nodded.
“Mother… back then, my mum-our real mother… what had happened after she gave Ryosuke away to you?” he asked, suddenly his curiosity got the better of him.
Mrs. Aoi sighed.
“I didn’t know what happened to her. After she told us to take care of Ryosuke and about his dreadful power, she had just stood by beside the lake staring at us. My husband and I couldn’t do anything else-we had offered to lend her a hand but she refused-so we walked away. When Ryosuke cried again, I turned around… but your mother had disappeared from view. We would have stayed longer to look for her but your mother had told us to leave quickly. She mentioned something about it’s dangerous if we were seen with Ryosuke by the village people…”
Shinji nodded his head. He understood his mother’s intention fully. The villager wouldn’t have let the Aoi couple take Ryosuke just like that. That time… must have been when his mother had drowned herself into the lake…
He smiled weakly. If either of them hadn’t got those powers… what kind of happy life, they could have had? He shrugged.
“Thank you… mother. For taking care of Ryosuke all this time…” he said suddenly as Mrs. Aoi laughed at him.
“Don’t mention it. In fact, it was me who should be grateful to your mother. For giving birth to an adorable child like Ryosuke. For giving birth to both of you.”
Shinji blinked at the unexpected reply. He shrugged.
“He is adorable, isn’t it?” said Shinji, having nothing else to say. Mrs. Aoi smiled.
“Indeed he is…”
xxx
“Shiho! You’re cruel!” cried Ryosuke as he eyed his sister jealously.
They were at the hospital’s cafeteria... and while the four of them-Ryosuke, Shinji, Ryosuke’s adoptive mother and his adoptive sister, Shiho-had been eating, Shiho had ordered a bowl of ramen. Coincidentally, a particular ramen that had been one of Ryosuke’s favourite dish. Ryosuke, having not being allowed to eat oily and spicy food for the time being; had been restricted to eat rice soup by his adoptive mother and looking none too happy about it-seeing how his cheeky little sister was tempting him with his favourite food. Shinji laughed as he ruffled Ryosuke’s hair fondly.
“Don’t be so spoiled-I’ll treat you to all kinds of ramen you’d want to eat later once you recovered your health. So don’t go all pouty now-“ he said as Ryosuke smiled at him.
“Sankyuu!” Ryosuke chirped as Shiho slapped him.
“Hidoi! Can’t I bully you properly anymore… nii-chan?” Shiho whined as Ryosuke coaxed her to settle on a truce. At which later Shinji found himself being amused over the two openly fighting with each other over him as well as them arguing over whether or not, if he now officially becoming both of their older brother or just Ryo’s. Soon, the argument turned into a debate and later a tug of war with him in between the two as they fought over whom rightfully ‘owned’ him. Shinji counted himself blessed when later as noon passed by, both mother and daughter excused themselves to return home, leaving both Ryosuke and him by themselves again.
Ryosuke smiled to himself before turning towards Shinji.
“Did you like my family… aniki?”
Shinji glanced at him, surprised as he shrugged.
“A bit, I guess. They really loved you like you're really a part of their family…”
Shinji turned towards Ryosuke as his brother had a longing expression on his face.
“Yeah… they do. Perhaps that was one reason-one time-I had felt sorrow, knowing that I’m not really blood related to them. But then, even after everything… dad said that I’m still their son. Mum too… Shiho too. I’m so glad to have them as family…”
Shinji sighed.
“You deserved it. It’s not that our lives had never been so happy; but that kind of happiness was short-lived. You were better off alive and away from the village and lived in a better family. In a way, I guess… mother and father had protected you. I’m glad that you had lived well all these time.”
Ryosuke glanced up towards him as another thought ran through his head.
“Today… you called my mum to come visit me, didn’t you?”
Shinji shrugged as Ryosuke got his answer. “Thanks. I actually did miss mum… even if she did come visit the other day.” He glanced back to his brother. “You knew… isn’t it? Why did you never tell me I’ve been having these kinds of nightmares and panic attacks for quite some time?”
Ryosuke had looked so hurt, Shinji couldn’t help but knelt down to embrace him.
“You always had no recollection of it the next day, and you’ve been down lately… I just didn’t want you to worry about it. That’s all-“
“But I’ve said such harsh things to you, despite all these time… because of me, you-“
“It’s okay silly. I didn’t mind it-“
“Ryo-san!”
Both of them turned towards the voice to see Detective Hasebe smilingly, walking up towards them. Shinji smiled.
“Here comes the girlfriend…”
Nagisa stopped on her tracks to stare at Shinji incredulously for that comment as she turned towards Ryosuke.
“I got off work early today…” said Nagisa as Shinji murmured to himself that it was pretty impressive for her to actually manage to dress up pretty well for the visit. She probably got off work very much earlier than what she might have implied. Motives should be questioned fufufu…
Ryosuke rolled his eyes at his brother as he greeted the detective casually.
“How’s Mio-chan?” Ryosuke could only say, with his brother nearby… hard not to feel a bit self-conscious. Nagisa grinned as she understood his nervousness.
“She’s fine. She had been very lively lately, her school would be holding an autumn festival celebration in a few weeks time. Her class would be doing some sort of a stage performance, Mio was very excited.”
Ryosuke grinned. “Ah! I heard about that. Mio-chan had told me about that the other day. How nice… I wanted to see that-“
“You should!” said Nagisa, smiling openly now as Shinji snickered. The two did make such a cute pair. Just that, he never expected Nagisa liking younger men or his younger brother liking older women. Despite their ages weren’t so far apart.
“Mio-chan actually wanted you to come and see her perform. That’s why she was so glad that you’re getting better every day…”
Ryosuke grinned bashfully at the retort. It was clear that he was getting too fond of that little girl. But as soon as the laughter ceased, Ryosuke assumed a serious expression as Nagisa stiffened.
“Hasebe-san… can I ask you something?”
Nagisa frowned. What could he want to ask that would give him that kind of serious expression? Shinji also frowned as he stepped closer to listen better. Ryosuke just shrugged.
“Hasebe-san, I’ve heard before this that Sawamura had been taken to an asylum. Would it be troublesome for you if I ask you-if I ask you if you can let me see him in person?”
Shinji stared at him in disbelief. He couldn’t be serious! After what that maniac had done...!
“Ryosuke! What are you thinking? Have you gone mad?” he exclaimed as Ryosuke remained quiet. His eyes were dead-set on this decision, he could see it very clearly. But honestly... why?
Chapter: 12 - In the Heart of Tartaros
Character: Aoi Ryosuke, Ryuzaki Shinji
Fandom: Orthros no Inu
Rating: PG13
Summary: Fear, it was such an ominous feeling. To continue living, with the unknown fear remained unresolved... what kind of life would that life be?
A/N: Finally caught up!
----------------
He didn’t know where he was, where everybody was. All that he did know was that he was alone, again. Somehow, that thought scared him.
He wasn’t always such a scaredycat like this. He might be a bit shy at times, but never so timid. Yet right now, saying that he was a bit scared was pushing it very lightly. He was not scared; he was terrified. Very. Yet he was not sure what was it that scared him.
He couldn’t breathe! That might perhaps be one of the reasons why he was very scared right now. He couldn’t-please someone! Could someone help him right now? What was this overwhelming scary feeling? He did not like it, he did not like it one bit! Stop it! Stop it right now!
Suddenly something-a hand? Grabbed his shoulders for one moment. Ryo felt his heart almost stopping as the pressure on his shoulder gave him the most unspeakable feelings of horror. He turned around as he suddenly overcame with a strong desire to scream his lungs out…
xxx
Shinji suddenly jerked himself awake towards a sound of sobbing. He glanced around in alarm to see that there was no one around. And the room was dark.
He hurriedly turned back towards Ryosuke as sure enough, the sobbing came from him. Something was wrong. Why was it Ryosuke-Shinji hurriedly sat beside Ryosuke to see what was wrong.
Ryosuke was still sleeping, yet he was sobbing very heavily. Shinji frowned as he gently patted Ryo’s shoulders to calm him. But it didn’t seem to work, Ryo’s breathing seemed even more ragged-or didn’t it look like Ryo appeared to not be able to breathe right now?
Shinji frowned as he hurriedly lifted his brother and gently shaking his body, while also patting Ryosuke’s back to help him breathe. His eyes searched wildly around for the device that was supposed to be used to call the doctors in case of emergencies. His attention went back towards Ryo as his brother started coughing.
“Ryosuke? Ryosuke… do you recognise me?” Shinji spoke as he noticed the tears on Ryosuke’s cheeks. He leaned closer to kiss his cheeks as that prompted Ryosuke to wrap his arm right away around Shinji’s body. Shinji gasped before the sounds of Ryosuke sobs drowned his own. He continued patting his brother’s back as Ryosuke continued to cry.
“It’s scary… Aniki! I’m so scared… so scared!” Ryosuke cried again as Shinji held his brother tightly.
“It’s okay… Ryo. I’m here… I won’t let anything or anyone hurt you…” he said as Shinji started rocking himself back and forth in order to comfort his very distraught younger brother…
xxx
“There should be no other complications, isn’t it? Doctor?”
“Yes. But right now… it was best that you or any one of the family to keep by Aoi-san’s side at all times in case things like this happened again. Panic attacks are not something that was uncommon for patients that had experienced post-traumatic syndromes. Even more… such attacks can prove to be dangerous if left unattended. You did say that your brother had difficulties breathing, right?”
“Yes, but-“
“For now, it’s better to not have your brother undergo any kind of emotional stress. At least, until his conditions were better…”
Shinji heaved a long sigh before dragging himself into Ryo’s room. He looked up to see Mrs. Aoi smiling back at him as Ryo was peacefully sleeping on her lap. Shinji dropped himself onto a nearby stool as he felt his strength drained out of him.
“You’ve worked so hard ne… Shinji-kun.”
Shinji glanced back towards the older woman as he shook his head.
“It’s nothing…”
“You know dear, you would always be welcomed in our family. You are after all, Ryosuke’s real brother… and this child had always been a precious son to me…”
Shinji just had to smile. Ryosuke’s foster parents had been such kind people…
“Thank you, I-“ he started to say before noticing how comfortable Ryosuke had looked, sleeping on her lap. “Ryo… had been so close to you guys, hadn’t it?”
The older woman smiled as she fondled her beloved son’s face before letting her hand rested on Ryosuke’s shoulders.
“Ryosuke… had always been attached to me. Back then, this child had used to cry a lot… when he had to part with his real mother. Because of that, this child… I never left him away from my side. In a way, as much as this child had grown to accept me as his mother; this child had saved my soul.”
His mother…
“Umm… auntie-“
“You could call me mother, if you want.” She said as Shinji nodded.
“Mother… back then, my mum-our real mother… what had happened after she gave Ryosuke away to you?” he asked, suddenly his curiosity got the better of him.
Mrs. Aoi sighed.
“I didn’t know what happened to her. After she told us to take care of Ryosuke and about his dreadful power, she had just stood by beside the lake staring at us. My husband and I couldn’t do anything else-we had offered to lend her a hand but she refused-so we walked away. When Ryosuke cried again, I turned around… but your mother had disappeared from view. We would have stayed longer to look for her but your mother had told us to leave quickly. She mentioned something about it’s dangerous if we were seen with Ryosuke by the village people…”
Shinji nodded his head. He understood his mother’s intention fully. The villager wouldn’t have let the Aoi couple take Ryosuke just like that. That time… must have been when his mother had drowned herself into the lake…
He smiled weakly. If either of them hadn’t got those powers… what kind of happy life, they could have had? He shrugged.
“Thank you… mother. For taking care of Ryosuke all this time…” he said suddenly as Mrs. Aoi laughed at him.
“Don’t mention it. In fact, it was me who should be grateful to your mother. For giving birth to an adorable child like Ryosuke. For giving birth to both of you.”
Shinji blinked at the unexpected reply. He shrugged.
“He is adorable, isn’t it?” said Shinji, having nothing else to say. Mrs. Aoi smiled.
“Indeed he is…”
xxx
“Shiho! You’re cruel!” cried Ryosuke as he eyed his sister jealously.
They were at the hospital’s cafeteria... and while the four of them-Ryosuke, Shinji, Ryosuke’s adoptive mother and his adoptive sister, Shiho-had been eating, Shiho had ordered a bowl of ramen. Coincidentally, a particular ramen that had been one of Ryosuke’s favourite dish. Ryosuke, having not being allowed to eat oily and spicy food for the time being; had been restricted to eat rice soup by his adoptive mother and looking none too happy about it-seeing how his cheeky little sister was tempting him with his favourite food. Shinji laughed as he ruffled Ryosuke’s hair fondly.
“Don’t be so spoiled-I’ll treat you to all kinds of ramen you’d want to eat later once you recovered your health. So don’t go all pouty now-“ he said as Ryosuke smiled at him.
“Sankyuu!” Ryosuke chirped as Shiho slapped him.
“Hidoi! Can’t I bully you properly anymore… nii-chan?” Shiho whined as Ryosuke coaxed her to settle on a truce. At which later Shinji found himself being amused over the two openly fighting with each other over him as well as them arguing over whether or not, if he now officially becoming both of their older brother or just Ryo’s. Soon, the argument turned into a debate and later a tug of war with him in between the two as they fought over whom rightfully ‘owned’ him. Shinji counted himself blessed when later as noon passed by, both mother and daughter excused themselves to return home, leaving both Ryosuke and him by themselves again.
Ryosuke smiled to himself before turning towards Shinji.
“Did you like my family… aniki?”
Shinji glanced at him, surprised as he shrugged.
“A bit, I guess. They really loved you like you're really a part of their family…”
Shinji turned towards Ryosuke as his brother had a longing expression on his face.
“Yeah… they do. Perhaps that was one reason-one time-I had felt sorrow, knowing that I’m not really blood related to them. But then, even after everything… dad said that I’m still their son. Mum too… Shiho too. I’m so glad to have them as family…”
Shinji sighed.
“You deserved it. It’s not that our lives had never been so happy; but that kind of happiness was short-lived. You were better off alive and away from the village and lived in a better family. In a way, I guess… mother and father had protected you. I’m glad that you had lived well all these time.”
Ryosuke glanced up towards him as another thought ran through his head.
“Today… you called my mum to come visit me, didn’t you?”
Shinji shrugged as Ryosuke got his answer. “Thanks. I actually did miss mum… even if she did come visit the other day.” He glanced back to his brother. “You knew… isn’t it? Why did you never tell me I’ve been having these kinds of nightmares and panic attacks for quite some time?”
Ryosuke had looked so hurt, Shinji couldn’t help but knelt down to embrace him.
“You always had no recollection of it the next day, and you’ve been down lately… I just didn’t want you to worry about it. That’s all-“
“But I’ve said such harsh things to you, despite all these time… because of me, you-“
“It’s okay silly. I didn’t mind it-“
“Ryo-san!”
Both of them turned towards the voice to see Detective Hasebe smilingly, walking up towards them. Shinji smiled.
“Here comes the girlfriend…”
Nagisa stopped on her tracks to stare at Shinji incredulously for that comment as she turned towards Ryosuke.
“I got off work early today…” said Nagisa as Shinji murmured to himself that it was pretty impressive for her to actually manage to dress up pretty well for the visit. She probably got off work very much earlier than what she might have implied. Motives should be questioned fufufu…
Ryosuke rolled his eyes at his brother as he greeted the detective casually.
“How’s Mio-chan?” Ryosuke could only say, with his brother nearby… hard not to feel a bit self-conscious. Nagisa grinned as she understood his nervousness.
“She’s fine. She had been very lively lately, her school would be holding an autumn festival celebration in a few weeks time. Her class would be doing some sort of a stage performance, Mio was very excited.”
Ryosuke grinned. “Ah! I heard about that. Mio-chan had told me about that the other day. How nice… I wanted to see that-“
“You should!” said Nagisa, smiling openly now as Shinji snickered. The two did make such a cute pair. Just that, he never expected Nagisa liking younger men or his younger brother liking older women. Despite their ages weren’t so far apart.
“Mio-chan actually wanted you to come and see her perform. That’s why she was so glad that you’re getting better every day…”
Ryosuke grinned bashfully at the retort. It was clear that he was getting too fond of that little girl. But as soon as the laughter ceased, Ryosuke assumed a serious expression as Nagisa stiffened.
“Hasebe-san… can I ask you something?”
Nagisa frowned. What could he want to ask that would give him that kind of serious expression? Shinji also frowned as he stepped closer to listen better. Ryosuke just shrugged.
“Hasebe-san, I’ve heard before this that Sawamura had been taken to an asylum. Would it be troublesome for you if I ask you-if I ask you if you can let me see him in person?”
Shinji stared at him in disbelief. He couldn’t be serious! After what that maniac had done...!
“Ryosuke! What are you thinking? Have you gone mad?” he exclaimed as Ryosuke remained quiet. His eyes were dead-set on this decision, he could see it very clearly. But honestly... why?