Entanglement

Co-written with Aya Frost



Daisuike outlined the situation to Reiko on the drive over. As far as he could tell there was only one major problem area and it mostly involved a contested part of their territory. He had several guys there making sure that none of the Fudoka tried to claim it, but so far things didn't seem to be going that well.

Reiko frowned as she thought about the situation. "I need we need a few more guys than you sent and I also have an idea, but it's kind of risky." Her eyes darkened for a moment as she spoke softly in the silent car.

"We need to get the shop keepers involved. I know that they appreciate and like that their shops are on your territory. All we need is for them to be a mass of people. If the Fudoka believe that you have more numbers they'll back off. If we keep the merchants to the back they should be fine and the guys can be in front of them."

Reiko bit her lip as she spoke. It wasn't the best plan but it would have to do. She just hoped at least the Fudoka were stupid enough to not try and fight them any more than they had to.

"I also want to go with you Daisuike. I need to have immediate information of what's happening to make this work."

Daisuike nodded. "Alright, but I want you somewhere safe. Not out in the front. You can watch and evaluate things from a safe distance and let me know what needs to be done. When we get to the headquarters I'll introduce you to the guys you will be working with too. I want to get this over with as soon as possible."

Daisuike found a parking space a little ways from the recruitment building. He looked over at Reiko for a moment. He was going to say something but decided against it. He'd just remembered the look on Ruka's face as they'd left. A cold sick feeling settled in his stomach. He hadn't paid any attention at the time, but he knew that look.

Forcing the feeling down, he got out grabbing his stuff out of the back of the truck. He couldn't think about Ruka right now or he'd never be able to do what needed to be done. Couldn't think about those beautiful eyes or mind blowing kisses . . . he couldn't- even if that was all he wanted to think about. Even if he knew he'd probably never see Ruka again, and Daisuike wouldn't blame him in the least.

"Lets go."

***

Ruka glanced at Akira for a split second before a playful smile crossed his lips, "Want to go for a race?" Racing would be distracting for him. He really wanted to show Akira how much fun it was, too. He was taking a liking to Akira, he was a really cute kid.

Akira looked over at him grinning. "Can we? That would be awesome!" He looked at Ruka for a moment thinking. "You know . . . after that if you want to go check on them I know where the headquarters are."

Ruka nodded, "I'd like that. I don't want Suke upset with me. I was kind of. . . distant back at your apartment. It's just a side I've never seen of him and I was unsure before." Looking at Akira for a moment, he then started off towards where he knew the races would be.

"Looks like I'll be introducing you to the guys."

"That sounds cool. Just Ruka . . ." Akira looked over at him. "Don't let this side of Suke scare you. He would never do anything to hurt anyone special to him. He's mostly concerned about protecting the people in the territory, not the territory itself. He lets people think that the clan is his life, but it's not. I know it's not."

Ruka nodded, "It just shocked me at first, that's all. I know he wouldn't hurt me, even having just met him I know that." A sigh escaped him as he turned a corner towards a street seeing loads of cars and people. The sounds of cars revving up and screeching tires was heard clearly and Ruka smiled.

"Welcome to the Race."

Akira grinned excited at the prospect of watching a race. He'd never seen one before, not up close like this anyway.

"So do you drive this car when you race or do you have a different one?"

Ruka grinned patting his dashboard, "Well I use this one a lot. But I do have several that I use for racing. I'll show‘em to you sometime. They're absolutely beautiful and sleek. They weigh nearly nothing too which is amazing." Pulling the car to the side where several others were he stepped out of the car motioning for Akira to join him. Instantly two men came towards them looking excited.

"Ruka!"

"Ru-kun!"

Ruka laughed waving a hand at them as they approached. He grinned leaning against the hood of his car as Akira stood next to him. Reaching out he clapped hands with the guys giving them a hug.

"What are you doing here? I thought you were on a date- Wait. . . Don't tell me- Ruka! I knew you didn't care for age much but that's kind of wrong man!" The taller guy looked towards Akira looking somewhat disgusted.

"Wow, honestly I'd so do that too Ru-kun and you know I'm straight. Damn dude, are you trying to turn me gay?"

Ruka blinked at them then laughed rolling his eyes, "This isn't my date guys. This is my boyfriend's little bro. I wanted to show him a race."

"Little bro? I thought he was a-" The shorter guy elbowed the taller one in the gut hard making him double over some.

"Shut it Fuji."

Ruka shook his head motioning for Akira to come closer. "Akira, meet Fuji-" Ruka motioned to the taller guy and then to the shorter one, "And Masa. Guys, meet Akira. Be nice or I'll own your asses on the road and rub your faces in it."

"You do that anyways. . ." Fuji muttered quietly.

Akira wasn't quite sure what to think of Fuji and Masa and kept his distance a bit making sure to stay close to Ruka. It was funny to hear Ruka call Daisuike his boyfriend but made Akira happy.

"Ano, hi." He glanced around. "So what kind of cars do you guys race?"

Masa grinned almost puffing his chest out, "My car? See that beauty over there?" He pointed towards a red Mitsubishi Eclipse GT, "That's my car. God I love it! I've won seven races with it and never been caught!"

Fuji rolled his eyes, "My car's next to his, it's the Nissan Skyline R34 GT-R."

Ruka laughed slinging an around around Akira's neck, "And you've seen my car, though I usually use my Corvette Z06. It's quite nice. I'll take you in it sometime."

"OI!!" Ruka lifted his head seeing another guy run over, "Come on! We need to get to the highway. Oh- Ruka you're here? Fuck! I'm dropping if you're racin’." Ruka just grinned looking down at Akira.

"They don't like racing against me. Come on, you're gunna get to experience a race first hand." Parting from him, he smacked the hood looking at Fuji and Masa, "Let's roll."

Akira was amazed at all the different cars. They all looked very fast and very expensive. He followed Ruka getting more excited by the second. Unlike Daisuike he enjoyed the feel of speeding down the road. At least it seemed that Daisuike didn't enjoy it. He wondered how things were going for them and thought about texting him, but didn't want to bother him. Maybe after the race he would.

Ruka grinned almost playfully as he buckled up, glancing at Akira. "Buckle up. I don't want your brother castrating me if you get hurt." He smiled watching as Akira buckled up. Once they were secure, he revved the car taking off towards where the other cars were following them to the highway.

"This is gunna be fun. Though if you start to get uncomfortable Akira, let me know. I'm not afraid to pull out of a race."

Akira did as he was told grinning as Ruka headed to where the other cars were waiting.

"I seriously doubt he would do that to you, Ruka." He glanced over at Ruka smirking slightly. "Although it's not like he hasn't done that before to people who pissed him off."

Ruka blinked tilting his head some, "Oh. Yeah, he might not like it if-" Ruka let his sentence die realizing who he was talking to. That might've been too much information for his Ouji-sama's brother to know. Smirking he pulled onto the on ramp looking around. Lining up with the other cars, he grinned. He was glad that they had cleared this area. No one drove here when they knew that there was going be race. Luckily the cops didn't know.

Revving the engine more he laughed a bit, "Wanna listen to music? Or you wanna hear the tires screech against the ground?"

"We don't have to listen to anything if you don't want. I don't care either way." Akira was excited to see what it was going to be like. He'd only even ridden with Jiro or Daisuike and they both drove slow.

Ruka smiled reaching over and turning the radio on to some hard rock music. "Turn it to whatever volume you can stand. I usually turn it until the vibration is in my chest." He smirked seeing the race starting up. Glancing over he saw Masa grinning at him and he threw a thumbs up.

"Ready Akira?" Ruka smirked as he heard the signal and instantly hit the gas enjoying the sounds of the screeching tires from all the cars.

Akira gasped as he was pressed back into the seat. It was exhilarating and he was shocked at how quickly the car gained speed. He looked over at Ruka watching him, he really hoped that Daisuike would ride with him sometime. It might make him change his mind about speeding.

Ruka's grin widened as he shifted gears, the car speeding faster. Masa and Fuji were swerving in and out of each other's lanes and it looked beautiful. It was something they always did and Ruka decided to join in.

"Oi! You gotta passenger Ru-kun! Be responsible!" Masa's voice cut through the music through the speakers and Ruka frowned hissing.

"Akira, open the glove compartment and take the handset out and speak into it for me. Tell Masa he can shove his foot in his ass and he might actually drive better. Oh and that he might wanna get his jaw off the floor." Ruka smirked as he shifted again speeding off faster as he pressed the pedal harder flying past both Fuji and Masa.

Akira grinned as he dug out the headset waving out the window as they passed Masa. "Oi Masa-san, Ruka says you'd drive better if you'd get your foot out of your ass. Personally, I don't think that is going to help since your head seems to be there too." He covered the mic looking back at Ruka a huge grin on his face. "Think that will get him fired up?"

Ruka laughed as he heard a car behind them seem to speed up, tires squealing against the pavement.

"Oh yeah, I think you did a very good job." He chuckled again shifting gears as he sped up even more, weaving in and out of cars. New cars were starting to appear and Ruka frowned.

"Damn traffic. Looks like we're going to have an obstacle course now." Smirking he started to weave in and out of the normal cars, loving the thrill it was giving him.

"Feel free to insult Fuji too. Both of them are fun to rile up."

Akira was amazed at how easily Ruka navigated through the traffic. There were a couple of close calls but it was way too much fun. He turned around looking out the back glass. He grinned seeing Fuji trailing them.

"I don't think I need to. He can't seem to keep up as it is."

A chuckle escaped Ruka's lips as he continued to speed along. It was too much fun to race. He had missed it during the time he had stopped and lately he hadn't been able to.

"That's very true and his car is technically made for racing more than mine. I'll take you sometime in my Corvette it's really fun." Shrugging a bit he then switched lanes glaring as he saw someone in the race pass him, "Damnit. Fucking idiot thinks he can just do that?" Ruka grinned, "We'll show him."

"His car should be the faster car, must be the driver then." Akira grinned knowing Fuji could probably hear them. "Oi! Oi! Ruka! Don't let them pass you!"

"Definitely the driver- Fucking hell! Hold on." Ruka started curses, shifting the car again and weaving through some cars to catch up to the car that passed them. It irritated him that he was easily passed and he wished he had his racing car, but this one would have to do.

Akira grabbed the dash as Ruka swerved to avoid cars that were in the way as he tried to catch up. If Ruka was this good in a bigger slower car he knew he had to be nearly unbeatable in his racing car.

Ruka laughed as he passed the car, shifting once again his gears and smirking. It had been Tsutei.

"I really hate that bastard. He's always so smug that he's got himself an illegal racer. Tch, you don't need illegal stuff to win." He shook his head weaving again to avoid another racer who tried to pass them.

"Fucking hell! Are they insane!?" Ruka was getting worried. Some of the drivers were getting desperate which lead to things getting dangerous. This is why he stuck to races he knew who ran them. He didn't know the guys for this one and it bugged him.

Akira watched suddenly scared as one of the other racers ran a car off the road. "What are they doing? They don't have to take it that serious."

Ruka bit his lip backing off some. "This is getting too dangerous Akira. I'm not feeling so hot on this race anymore. Even if I'm almost winning I don't want to endanger you. Normally I'd still gun it, but. . ." This is why he didn't take passengers. He didn't want to risk it.

"Tell Fuji and Masa I'm dropping the race."

Akira put the headset back on, "Fuji-san, Masa-san we are dropping out, these guys are fucking idiots."

He glanced over at Ruka, "Did you want to go check on Suke?"

Akira gave him the directions. They had ended up not to far as it was and soon they were pulling up near the building. Akira got out seeing Hayate coming out of the building.

"Oi! Hayate!"

"Akira, what are you doing here?"

"We came by to see how things were going. Is Suke here?"

"No, him and Reiko left to go meet with Kimura from the other clan. They are on the other side of the park, but you shouldn't go over there right now, things are pretty tense. Kimura and his men are basically holding a bunch of shopkeepers hostage and you know how Suke gets about stuff like that."

"Yeah."

Ruka frowned not liking that idea much, "Then I guess we need to get to the apartment and get things set up. Do you need any supplies Akira? We can stop by the store and get things. Do we need food? I can get stuff delivered to the apartment."

Ruka was so out of his element and he wasn't sure what to do about it either.
Akira looked up at Ruka not sure what he was talking about at first. "Well, I guess we could."

"There's not been any fighting just yet if that is what you guys are worried about. Suke went to go negotiate with the Fudoka's wakagashira. Everything should be alright if they can work things out." Hayate tried to reassure them. "Ano . . . who is your friend Akira?"

"Oh sorry. Hayate this is Ruka, he's Suke's boyfriend. Ruka this is Hayate."

"Wait . . . what?" Hayate looked confused. "Did you just say boyfriend?"

Ruka was about to nod, but the look on Hayate's face bothered him. Would him being Daisuike's boyfriend make things difficult for him? He didn't want that. Daisuike was already having a difficult time with things and he wasn't about to be the cause of another problem for him.

Chuckling Ruka shook his head, "Naw it's just what I've been callin' myself! Daisuike's gone out for a few drinks with me, that's all." Looking at Akira he smiled, "Ne, let's go get some dinner for everyone and some stuff in case there's a few fights." He nodded heading back to his car keeping the same smile on his lips even as he turned away, his old mask slipping on a bit.

Akira was quiet in the car as Ruka drove. Had he done something wrong? Ruka didn't seem quite the same since they'd left the recruitment center and he'd corrected him about being Daisuike's boyfriend. Was Ruka changing his mind about being with Suke? It worried Akira, he didn't want to see Daisuike get hurt and he had a feeling that Ruka was one of the very few people who could.

"Was . . . was I not supposed to say that Ruka?"

Ruka was silent for a minute thinking about what Akira had said. Was he suppose to say that? Ouji-sama had never really agreed to be his boyfriend. They had said they were dating but being boyfriends were a different thing entirely. Biting his lip he shook his head.

"I don't know. Daisuike and I have never spoken about that. Sure I've said it, but he never said if he wanted to be boyfriends. I also don't want things to get difficult for him if I am indeed his boyfriend." The last part was quiet barely heard in the silent car.

Akira frowned. "You should definitely ask him then. If he thought it was going to cause problems he would never have agreed to meet with you again. No one is going to give him any problems about you, they'd be stupid to."

Ruka nodded a bit not saying a word. He didn't want to admit it, but he was afraid to ask. If Suke didn't like him as much as he loved him, it would crush him. Sighing he just headed towards the store focusing on what needed to be done.

Akira gathered up the few things he knew they were short on. He didn't like that Ruka was being so quiet. It was very different from the fun smiling man he'd been just a little while ago.

"Ne Ruka, when we get back to the apartment I'll have to show you my guitar. It's not as cool as racing but I enjoy playing it."

Ruka smiled seeing the effort Akira was putting in to try and make him lively again. He hadn't meant to get so gloomy but thinking about such heavy subjects bothered him.

"Really now? I still haven't gotten to hear your band play so that'll be exciting." Gently smiling Ruka helped Akira put away the things in the trunk before starting the car again. Exhaling slowly he pushed all negative thoughts away and only thought of Daisuike. Which made him think of his withering body for a moment. Though that was a bad idea and he tried to think of anything but his Ouji-sama.

"Well, I hope you like it. I only joined a few months ago and we just got a new drummer too, but everything seems to be coming together really well. I bet you and Ryuu would get along really well. You kind of remind me of him, but it might just be the hair." Akira smiled at Ruka as he drove. "Can I ask you a question Ruka? What made you go for Suke anyway?"

Ruka blushed a bit smiling as he thought of his beautiful lover. Just thinking of him made his body go hot. The moment he could he was going to make him scream in pleasure. He didn't care if they were at Daisuike's apartment with Akira and Reiko over, he was getting him to scream in that sexy voice of his.

"To be honest. . . Everything. He was at the bar and I went to order a drink. The moment I saw him I- . . . I was drawn to him. As cliche as it sounds, it was love at first sight for me. The more I got to know him the more I knew I had to be with him." Licking his lips he sighed a bit.

"He fills a void inside me that no one has before and I want to fill his. . ."

Akira nodded. "You know, it's kind of weird but even though the four of us live together we are all lonely. I have Reiko now though and she fills that void for me, but until now Suke hadn't even seemed interested in anyone. Our other brother, Haru, he's a year older than Suke. He tried to set Suke up with this girl at the bar but Suke just ignored her. It's always been like that with him. He's been a lot happier since he met you."

Ruka smiled as he listened to Akira, "I really do want to fill his void. Him and I are quite alike yet opposite. I have always used fleeting pleasure as a way to temporarily fill it, and Suke uses pain." A sigh escaped him, "I want to do everything in my power to ease his inner pain." There was a smile on Ruka's lips as he pulled up to their apartment.

"As I said. . . I fell in love with him at first sight."

Akira grinned as they took the stuff up to the apartment. "I know how that is. With Suke . . . he and I are really close. He helps me a lot when I'm having a hard time with stuff."

He paused to open the door, and turned to look at Ruka becoming more serious.

"Something you'll learn about our family . . . it's pretty messed up. Our mom, Chiyo treated us all pretty bad but Suke and I got the worst of it. Suke doesn't talk about it, but I think that is where his pain comes from."

Ruka nodded, "That's what he meant then." Smiling sadly he looked at Akira as he helped set things out about the apartment to get ready in case there were injured people.

"My family also wasn't the kindest. Then again I can't really call them family at all." He smiled though in spite of it all, "It's why I was really happy when Ouji-sama said he would bring everyone and cook at my place. To. . . To have everyone together would make me happy." Looking at Akira he tried to push the pain from his eyes, "I envy Daisuike in a way. He has a family now at least and the now and here is only what matters."

Akira nodded as he put things away. "It's kind of strange but when I was in juvie there were a group of us that formed a type of family. Your family can be anyone as long as they are people important to you. People you want to protect, even if it's just from being sad."

To hear that Akira was in juvie surprised Ruka but he didn't let it show. He wondered if that was part of what Daisuike had meant about knowing Akira better. Biting his lip he nodded and sat down.

"I'd really like being part of Daisuike's family if he'd let me."

Akira went and picked up the remote before going and sitting on the couch. "You are here now, aren't you?"

Looking at Akira, Ruka smiled whole heartedly for the first time in a while.

"Yeah. Yeah I am. . ."

Akira was relieved to see the smile again. He was starting to understand why Daisuike seemed to like Ruka so much.

"Oh! Reiko and I wondered at lunch. How old are you anyway?"

Ruka laughed a bit as he looked at Akira, "I give you alone time with a hot chick and you talk about what my age is?" The laughter didn't stop for a moment until he relaxed and settled against the couch.

"I'm 19. Why?" Thinking on the subject he blinked then cringed. He didn't know how old Daisuike was, but then again he really didn't care.

Akira shrugged. "We were just wondering cause you act older than some of our other friends is all. Daisuike just turned eighteen so you guys aren't too far apart age wise. I kind of wish he was here to cook. He doesn't allow me in the kitchen."

Ruka laughed, "Yeah, I still haven't gotten to taste his cooking. I'm excited for it." What he was more excited about was seeing his beautiful Ouji-sama and pushing him against a wall. His hands were itching to touch that beautiful skin so badly.

"Are you hungry? Do you want me to order food?"

"He's a really good cook. He'll probably want to cook when he gets home actually, but if you want to order something that would be fine with me."

"Then we'll wait. I really wanna taste his cooking." Though Ruka's mind kept wondering and he was suddenly picturing Daisuike in an apron. Only an apron. Running a hand through his hair he wondered if he was going to have to go jack off in the bathroom just to keep his need in check. He might jump Ouji-sama the moment he walked through the door.

"S-So. . .you're guitar?"

"Yeah, I play guitar and Ryuu is trying to get me to do back up vocals too. I can't wait to see what you think of us! I didn't even realize Suke came to the concerts. He never said anything about it."

"Sounds good. I'll get to hear you guys this weekend, right? So you play at clubs right? Aren't you a bit young to be at clubs Akira-kun?" He smirked at him raising an eyebrow at him playfully. Talking with Akira seemed to help his burning desire. As long as he didn't think about Suke.

"Ano . . . yeah Ryuu got me a fake ID so I can get in. He gave one to Reiko too so she can come to all of our concerts." Akira shifted slightly uncomfortable. He hadn't told anyone else about the fake ID's though he figured Daisuike already knew.

Rolling his eyes Ruka looked at Akira seeing him look uncomfortable. "How do you think I get into clubs? I've been going since I was 13 though. Hell, you seem at least a bit more mature than I was at 16." He grinned ruffling Akira's hair.

"It's not like it can be helped. Would you rather have your band play at kiddie parties?"

"No, Sora would scare the shit out of little kids." Akira laughed thinking about it. "You'll know Sora the moment you see him. He's really, really tall with long red hair. He's our bassist. Actually I think you guys are the same age."

Ruka tilted his head to the side thinking, "Tall? Like how tall?" A playful smirk was on his lips, "Anything can be tall for you, ne?" He knew he probably shouldn't tease Akira but he didn't care. Akira was good kid and he liked him.

"Oi! I'm not that short! I'm taller than Reiko. Besides Sora is over six feet! You can't tell in a lot of the pictures cause they make him sit or we can't all be in the photo." Akira was enjoying the chance to talk with Ruka. He was really nice even if he did tease him about his height.

"Right right, but you know. Reiko is a girl. She's supposed to be shorter than you. Or do you like your women tall? I could introduce you to a few if you'd like- oh wait. You like Reiko-chan, ne? So when are you gunna confess to her? I bet she has a lot of admirers." Tilting his head to the side he smirked at Akira.

"You know, she's actually my type. . ."

Akira stared at Ruka for a moment. "I can't confess to her, she'd hit me. Again. I don't even know if she likes me that way or not. I don't really want to ruin our friendship." He grinned suddenly. "She's way too young for you and Suke would kick your ass anyway."

Ruka grinned then smirked at Akira, "You never know until you try. Life is about chances and if you don't take them you lose them."

They both looked over as the front door opened.

"Tadima."

"Okaeri!" Ruka climbed off the couch moving to see Daisuike and Reiko in the doorway. He was relieved to see them both unharmed.

"I was worried. How did everything go?"

"I got to bring a bunch of guys to warehouse to scare Kimura and Chad! And I think Daisuike beat the crap out of him too!" Reiko turned and started to tug and pull Suke to the kitchen.

"Food! Come on! Ne! Will you make sukiyaki?" It sounded so good and she was hungry!

Ruka raised an eyebrow at them but didn't say anything. Looking at Akira he then looked back at Reiko.

"Ne, Hime-chan, why don't you and Akira go discuss what happened. Akira-kun why don't you tell her about what we did. I want to talk to Ouji-sama alone for a bit."

"Okay?" Reiko frowned then looked at Akira, "Come on, I'll tell you all about it!"

"Cool! Wait till I tell you what we did!"


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Tadima: loosely translates as "I am home"
Okaeri: "Welcome home" "Welcome back"