You Found Me: a Heisei Kumi Fanfic (9/19)
Author: ryosukekoibito
Pairing: Takachii, Chiitaro
Rating: R/NC-17
Warnings: Consensual sex between minors, Violence, Minor Character Death
Genre: Slice of life/Coming of age
Disclaimer: I do not own anyone. The end.
Summary: This is the story of how little Chinen Yuri grew from a young, homeless boy to the leader of a faction of a growing Yakuza group; and learned a lot about life, love, who he was, and what he wanted in the process.
A/N: So this is another instalation in my Heisei Kumi AU! You do not need to have read any of the other fics in that AU to read this one, as this one introduces the world through Chinen's eyes. If you're curious about it however, I have written 6 other fics for this AU, 3 multi-chaps, and 3 oneshots. You can find them at my Lj, their titles are: My new Family, A Kumi-cho's Duty, The Kumi-cho is...me?, Gaining Your Love, The Christmas Acquisition, and Sequence of Upsets. Please take a look if you'd like! ALSO, if you have read some of my other Kumi fics, and are wondering where this one fits in the timeline, this one takes place a couple of months after The Christmas Acquisition, starting in the spring of 2006, and going on from there!
Previous Chapters: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8
After dinner, three of the boys were designated to clean up the kitchen and do the dishes, and the rest continued their conversation in the living room, sprawled out on couches. Chinen too moved to the living room, and he curled up in Takaki's lap. He felt safest there, in the older boy's arms, and Takaki didn't object, curling protectively around Chinen with a warm smile on his face. A few of the boys gave them confused and loaded looks, but none said anything, apart from a few murmurs about how cute Chinen was. Chinen smiled a bit when he heard that. He was cute.
Shoon plopped down next to them on the couch, leaning forward to see Chinen's face properly around Takaki's arm, striking up conversation just as Hikaru pulled a pack of cards out of his pocket, declaring that he was going to destroy Inoo in a game of poker. Takaki wasn't paying any attention to the Kumi-cho, yelling with Yabu and Yuto that he wanted in on this poker game. But it was no matter. Shoon wanted to talk to him, not Takaki, it seemed.
"So, Takaki's told me a bit about you." He said quietly. Chinen could barely hear the older boy over the ruckus the other kids were making. Shoon seemed to realize this, offering "My office is a much quieter place to talk, if you wouldn't mind, Chinen-kun." Chinen shook his head and pulled himself to his feet, despite the anxious buzzing in his chest. Takaki seemed to notice this, breaking out of his own conversation for a moment and leaning in, placing a quick kiss on Chinen's cheek. Shoon offered his hand, and Chinen took it, the older boy lightly guiding him to a door at the back of the room and opening it, ushering Chinen inside.
Shoon's office was bigger than Chinen had been expecting. The space was carpeted, with a large desk in the far right corner. On the immediate left of the doorway was a huge bookshelf, stocked full of books on what seemed to Chinen to be just about everything. Titles displayed that the subjects included child care, nutrition, law, mathematics, sciences, language, history, psychology, and martial arts among the bunch. An identical bookshelf was pushed up against the left wall, a standing lamp illuminating the titles on the shelves. The place held an aura of learning and peace, the glow from the lamps casting the room in a warm glow.
"Come." Shoon said, leading Chinen over to the desk, gesturing to an open chair before taking the seat behind its wooden surface. Chinen did, feeling tiny, his nerves heightening as he settled into the seat. Shoon smiled. "Chinen-kun, there are a couple of reasons I wanted to talk to you." Shoon said, the statement making Chinen swallow in anxiety. "I was hoping to just get to know you a bit, and gain a better understanding of your current level of education, as well as your fighting abilities, so that I can make sure that you're comfortable here, and so that you can continue to improve yourself." The Kumi-cho's big eyes held an understanding warmth in them, and Chinen felt himself relax slightly as the older boy asked "How does that sound to you?"
"Okay."
"Would you rather Takaki be here with you?" Shoon asked, and Chinen felt a slight offense at the suggestion that he couldn't handle the conversation they were having without support. He could take care of himself.
"I'm fine, Kumi-cho." He declared, and Shoon nodded, immediately diving right in. They started with simple things; when was his birthday? How old was he? Did he have any allergies or health conditions? What grade had he been in the last time he'd attended school? They discussed education for a long time. Shoon was obviously extremely serious about education; he told Chinen that he held lessons for the kids middle school age and younger in the mornings after breakfast, and Chinen in return told him about his own self tutoring, before promising to attend. After schooling the conversation drifted into fighting, and Chinen told Shoon about his gymnastics training, the older man explaining to Chinen that he'd like to spar with him sometime, to see for himself just how prepared Chinen would be in the event of an attack. The thought of being attacked made Chinen slightly uneasy, but he didn't let it show, just nodding.
It was surprisingly easy to talk to Shoon. He asked just the right questions at just the right moments to keep Chinen talking, and Chinen felt he could trust him. The older boy had this aura of perfection; as if he could be trusted with anything. As if he could handle anything without faltering. He seemed invincible, and yet kind and gentle. And while with Takaki Chinen always felt like the smartest person in the room, sitting here with Shoon he knew that this boy was smart. Just as smart as him, if not-although Chinen would never admit it-smarter. He immediately emulated this leader, his respect for Shoon only growing throughout their conversation, and he felt himself already starting to care-just a little-about him.
They both grew comfortable, and once they'd settled into the conversation they talked enthusiastically, time passing unnoticed to Chinen there in Shoon's warm office, until there was a soft knock on the door. Shoon glanced over at it, Chinen following his lead, and the Kumi-cho said
"Come in." Takaki pushed the door open, asking
"Will you be needing Chii much longer, Kumi-cho? I was hoping to go to bed soon."
"Just a few more minutes. I have one last question, and then I'll return him to you." Shoon assured him, and Takaki nodded, exiting and shutting the door behind himself. Shoon glanced over at the clock resting on his desk, and he sighed. "It is late. But before you go, Chinen-kun, is there anything you'd like to ask? Anything at all." Chinen thought for a moment, searching his mind. He found one thing. The scars on Hikaru's arm; the suspicious ones. But when he asked about those, Shoon frowned.
"Hikaru's past is his own private business. I can't tell you how he came about those scars. What I can do is promise you that the use of drugs is not condoned here, and that every one of us is drug free. We do not associate with drugs in any manner. We aren't into that type of dirty business. Do I make myself clear, Chinen-kun?" While not aggressive, his words were spoken with a stark finality that could not be disputed. Chinen nodded. Shoon's tone softened. "If you'd like, you can ask Hikaru. But just like with you, any of my knowledge of this Kumi's members lives is kept in confidence." Chinen nodded again.
"Thank you, Kumi-cho." Shoon smiled, standing, and Chinen too stood, the older boy putting a warm hand on top of his head.
"You sleep well, Chinen. I'm sure Takaki is sick of waiting for you." Chinen nodded, and with a small bow he left, slipping out of the room to be greeted by Takaki, the bigger boy scooping him up at once. Chinen was surprised, but he hugged Takaki back as his friend set him down on his own two feet gently. Takaki yawned, his whole pretty face scrunching up with the action, and Chinen mirrored him, yawning back and rubbing his eyes, suddenly realizing just how tired he was.
"C'mon, let's go get in bed." Takaki muttered, and Chinen nodded, falling into step behind the older teen as he climbed the stairs. It was pitch black up there, the only window one right across from the landing, a thick curtain covering it. Takaki seemed to know his way despite the darkness, taking a right down a hallway and opening the first door he came to, Chinen simply following behind him. "This is my-our-room." Takaki declared, flicking on a light.
It was bigger than Chinen had anticipated, a full sized bed taking up most of one wall, while a twin was pushed into the opposite corner. In between the beds was nothing but dressers; the room had obviously not been originally intended as a bedroom, as there were no closets, or overhead lighting, Takaki going around to multiple floor lamps and flicking them on one by one until the space was bathed in light. The lack of a bright overhead light gave the room a slightly romantic feeling, Chinen thought. Like a room for a couple. That notion made him feel slightly uncomfortable. He and Takaki weren't a couple. They were friends.
In the middle of the room was Chinen's suitcase, all of his belongings still packed inside. He considered unpacking it for a moment, before dismissing the thought. He was tired, today had been rather stressful. He could deal with that in the morning; it wasn't going anywhere. Takaki, throughout this thought process, had stripped down, dug through one of the dressers for sweatpants to sleep in, and was now sitting on the edge of the full sized bed.
"Is that one mine?" Chinen said, pointing to the smaller of the two beds. Takaki shrugged.
"Well, yeah. Technically. We bought it for you, but I was thinking that if you'd like you can just sleep over here with me." Chinen nodded, immediately preferring Takaki's suggestion.
"But no sex tonight Yuyan!" He declared, as he took off his shirt, the older boy pouting a bit. "I'm exhausted!" Takaki giggled at that, and Chinen shook his head in mock exasperation, throwing his clothes to the floor and climbing up onto the mattress. Takaki shut off all of the lights, and they were once again doused in darkness. They got into bed together, Takaki automatically curling around him, the older boy's body cocooning him along with the sheets, and it was something that Takaki had only done once or twice before. But it was nice. After a few minutes of silence, Chinen thought that the bigger boy had fallen asleep, but then he murmured
"Are you happy, Chii?" Chinen blinked in surprise at the question, and then he spent a few moments considering it seriously. He shut his eyes, tugging Takaki's arm just a bit higher up on his shoulder, and he said quietly
"Yes." He heard Takaki chuckle, his voice deep and warm in his ear, and the older boy just said
"Good."
The next morning Chinen woke to a bony knee bashing him in his ribs. He jumped up, startled, and a voice right above him in the darkness cursed sharply, the slightly husky tones squeaky. There was a lot of commotion, the knee disappearing, and Takaki rustling around in the bed, as then suddenly a light was flicked on and everything made sense. Yuto had thrown himself onto the bed, obviously intending on waking Takaki up, but had instead landed on an unsuspecting Chinen. Scared by the surprise, Chinen's heart was pounding in his chest, and Yuto looked at the two of them in shock, his eyes wide as Takaki wrapped a comforting arm around Chinen's shoulders, Chinen leaning into his friend's side.
"What the hell, Yuto?!" Takaki asked, glaring at the younger boy. Yuto frowned defiantly.
"Breakfast is ready! Hikaru and Taiyo made waffles. They told me to get you up, and ask if Chinen wanted any." His gaze dropped to the floor for a moment, his voice growing softer. "I didn't realize you two were..." He gestured vaguely to the two of them, as Chinen felt his heart returning to its normal rate. "...like that." Chinen immediately recognized this as an opportunity.Yuto was embarassed and afraid of a negative reaction from the two of them. He could make Yuto like him right now, if he played his cards right. He smiled, pulling away from Takaki and saying
"It's okay, Yuto." Internally he was grumbling just a bit at being woken up, but Yuto seemed slightly relieved by Chinen's easy forgiveness for having been jumped on, and he smiled back at Chinen, before announcing his departure with a cheerful
"Well, I'm going to go eat! Come and join us, it's really good!" With that he skittered out of the room, and Chinen flopped back into the pillows, groaning a bit. Takaki laughed at him.
"Hikaru makes damn good waffles." The older boy informed him, and Chinen sighed. He knew he was going to get up, but that didn't make him want to any more. "C'mon Chii. Let's go." He put a hand on Chinen's shoulder. "Before they send Daiki to get us." Chinen pulled himself to a sitting position, and Takaki leaned in, kissing him. When he pulled away, he was smiling. "I'm really glad you decided to come here, Chii." Chinen just nodded, still tired and a little bit grumpy, and he slid out of the bed, falling to his knees by his suitcase and unzipping the beast, throwing on the first things he could find.
Takaki just grabbed a t-shirt, leaving on the sweatpants he'd slept in, and Chinen took the older boy's hand, letting himself be lead back downstairs into the kitchen. He yawned, the action taking up his whole face, and he noticed once he got downstairs, that the boys sitting around the table were in the same seats they'd been in the night before. Perhaps it was an assigned thing. He climbed into the seat he'd sat in for dinner, and Yuto smiled at him from across the table, waving, his mouth full of waffle. In front of the stove, Hikaru whacked Taiyof with the spatula he was holding, and Takaki laughed, grabbing two preprepared plates and setting one in front of Chinen.
Some of the boys it seemed, had already eaten, and they were lounging around in the living room. Shoon and Daiki were in a fierce chess match, Inoo and Yabu commentating slightly obnoxiously throughout the process. It became apparent that breakfast was no longer being served when the chefs sat down with their own plates, heaping quantities of food mounded onto the surfaces, which they scarfed down magnificently. Chinen's eyes caught on Hikaru's scars again, and this time the older boy noticed, his own gaze growing rather hard as he sent Chinen a look. Chinen turned away.
After breakfast Shoon shooed the older boys out of the kitchen, and in a group they all left the house, chattering on about practicing, whatever that meant. The other, younger boys were all sent to get their books, and Shoon explained to Chinen that they were going to study now. Chinen ran back up to his room, retrieving his own textbooks and joining the rest of them. There were three other boys, aside from Shoon, seated around the table. Yuto and Yamada were side by side, Yamada's katana sheathed, its strap hooked over the back of his chair, it's owner looking much more at peace than he had during the dinner. Across from them was Daiki, the older boy frowning, flopped in his chair. Chinen didn't dare make contact with Daiki.
Throughout the study session Chinen learned that he had advanced in his schooling way beyond the rest of the boys. He abandoned his own books halfway through, distracted by a question Yamada asked about simple algebra. He ended up tutoring the other boy for nearly the rest of the allotted study time, Yamada and Yuto commenting on how amazingly smart he was. The awe with which they said those things made Chinen smile, and in the days to come he became more of a tutor and less of a fellow learner. It made him feel important, and powerful. These kids thought something of him. He was to be looked to for help. He always looked forward to the study sessions.
After the study session ended, the older boys all tromped back into the house. They were all half naked, their bare upper torsos slick with sweat, their faces flushed but their expressions satisfied. They all bustled around the kitchen, talking and getting themselves snacks and drinks, and Chinen gathered his books slowly, watching and listening to everyone. His broad observation narrowed in more specifically when Hikaru plopped down in the chair next to Shoon, wiping sweat away from his face with one hand and saying
"Mayo, I have to talk to you." Shoon looked over at him in mild surprise. There was a small pause, Hikaru laying his right arm out on the table, displaying his scars. "I really want to do it. I want the tattoos. I'm sure of it." Shoon's eyes wandered over Hikaru's arm, his face serious, and after a few moments of consideration he nodded. That simple action put a huge smile on Hikaru's face.
"We'll discuss this in detail tonight, after dinner." Shoon decided, and Hikaru just nodded as the Kumi-cho stood, turning his attention to Chinen. "Are you feeling well today, Chinen-kun?" Chinen felt his face redden slightly at the direct question in front of the older boys, but he nodded. He felt great. Shoon smiled. "Good. If you're up for it, I'd like to spar with you." He paused, as if sensing Chinen's unease. "It's not a fight, Chinen. It's just practice. I won't hurt you." His grin grew. "You can try to hurt me, but...I don't anticipate sustaining any real injury." Chinen looked up at the Kumi-cho, flicking his bangs out of his eyes, and his resolve hardened. He was going to show them just how strong he was. Just how powerful he could be. He was going to make Shoon pay attention. He was going to make them all pay attention.
"I'm up for it." He declared, and Shoon nodded.
"Put away your books and meet me in the alley. No shirt, no weapons. It'll just be the two of us." He put a warm hand on Chinen's little shoulder. "This will be fun." He declared. Chinen wasn't so sure about fun, but it would be interesting; and so it was with great anticipation that he went to meet the Kumi-cho out in the alley in front of his new home.
Next