Stay Tuned As Life Continues

Updated: More Story hopefully.
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Yamato stood there looking at his band mates. “What? I don’t sound that horrible do I?”

Akira gave him a weak smile, “No no…you just sound like…” Akira stopped as he
tried to find an accurate comparison.

“A drowning cat.” Yutaka suggested.

“Not quite that bad.” Akira said, “More like a…”

“A lighter in a blender, hot but damaging.” Yutaka suggested. The band just gave him a strange look.

Akira continued, “No Yutaka. He sounds like…”

“Somebody that hasn’t played in a while.” Takashi answered.

Akira pointed to the other blonde in the band. “That’s it.”

Takashi nodded, “Don’t worry though Yamato, you’ll pick it all right back up. Once more from the top guys.”

****

It had been a long week of band practices for Yamato. He was tired, he hadn’t really spent that much time out of the apartment in a while. His fingers and hands were sore, not only did he have to break them in again to playing guitar, he found that the pain lasted longer and even at the beginning of practice his fingers hurt. Here it was months later and he still was feeling negative repercussions from cutting himself.

The good news was that he was playing music again. Once he had played that song for his brother a week earlier, Yamato continued to play. With music once again back in his life he found himself smiling more. He didn’t realize how much music was a part of him, until it came back into his life after a while without it.
So to ease the pain in his hands, and to relax the rest of him, Yamato curled up in his chair with a small blanket, a hot cup of tea and one of his band’s early albums.

While things were starting to turn around for the better for Yamato, the same thing could not be said about his little brother. His world had turned itself upside down and shook itself into pieces a week earlier. His brother had revealed to him what he already had suspected, that he was gay and even had a boyfriend before his accident. But what he found out later that night was more shocking, life changing in fact. Takeru had found a picture, a picture that gave him a clue to who his boyfriend was. That boyfriend was his own brother.

He now stood outside looking at a door that belonged to a man he didn’t even really know. A man that he had been told that he could trust by one person and was told by another that he was as untrustworthy as they come. But he didn’t have much of a choice now; he had nowhere else to turn. As he stood there trying to gain enough nerve to knock, he tried thinking back over the week to try and find the reason why he should knock.

***********Flashback**********

As he got closer to the picture his eyes quickly picked up three things. Himself, Yamato, and what looked like a hippopotamus in the background. As he got closer he noticed something else, that Yamato and him were standing very close to each other. So close in fact it looked like their faces were touching. Takeru gave a loud gasp as he realized their faces were indeed touching. Their lips were pressed together, and both of them looked lost in the kiss. Takeru felt his knees began to shake and weaken, his heart rate began to speed up and his breaths started to quicken.

Takeru’s legs gave out from underneath him, sending the thin blonde to the floor with a slight thud. He sat there trying to calm himself down, but whenever he tried to, the picture came to mind and his body began to go into overdrive again. He needed to get away from that picture, otherwise it felt as if his heart would explode. Thinking quickly, he decided that a shower would help him relax and clear his mind.

As Takeru stood up he found his eyes betrayed him and looked at the picture again. He saw the two happy blondes with their lips locked together. Suddenly Takeru’s lips tingled as if he had just been kissed. That was too much for him, he quickly grabbed his pajamas and headed for the shower.

As Takeru reached the bathroom he quickly closed and locked the door. He then looked in the mirror, his cheeks were burning a bright red. He quickly stripped down and hopped into the shower. He stood there as cold water poured over his body. He felt his body calm down from whatever kind of state it was in. He then turned the hot water on as his body was beginning to shiver. As the warm water hit him, he closed his eyes and began to allow himself to relax. Once he was calm and relaxed he began to suds his body up. But as he did so, he noticed that his lips began to tingle again, as well as parts of his body feeling warmer than others as if someone was in the shower touching him, helping him get clean. He also got an added bonus to the bizarre happenings, he was being turned on by all of it. Takeru grabbed his hair in a mix of frustration and pleasure. What was happening to him?

After quickly rinsing himself off Takeru leapt out of the shower, toweled himself off and changed. He then made his way back to his bedroom. As he entered the room his eyes were drawn to the picture once again. This time not only did his lips
tingle, his tongue did as well. He stood there and trying to think with his
clouded mind. He then came to the only logical conclusion that his mind could
grasp. His body was remembering things while his mind couldn’t. Takeru picked up
the picture and stared at it, hoping that his body would share information with
his mind. After several minutes of looking solely at the picture, he crumbled it
up in frustration and tossed it in a corner. “Why can’t I remember!” He threw
himself on his bed, and soon found himself crying in frustration through closed
eyes. He felt arms wrap around him and pull him close to a warm body of heat. But
for some reason this felt more real than the other feelings. He opened his eyes
and found his mother was gently rocking him.

“It’s alright Takeru. Just calm down I’m here.” Nancy said in a very calming
voice.

“I can’t remember.” Takeru sobbed.

“What are you trying to remember sweetheart?”

“Who I was. What I did. Who my friends were.”

“Does it really matter. Don’t you like who you are now? Don’t you like the
friends you have?”

“I like who I am, and of course I like my friends. But what about my old ones?
Don’t they deserve to get to know the new me? Or should I shut them out of my
life?” Takeru asked. Nancy didn’t answer. So Takeru took it further, “And what
about Dad and Yamato. Shouldn’t they get to know me also? They’re family after
all.”

Nancy suddenly stopped all comforting motions and let go of Takeru and stood
up. “We’ve been over this Takeru, those two are not your family. They’re mean
hurtful people.”

“That’s may be how you feel, but aren’t I old enough to decide that for myself?”
Takeru asked?

Nancy just looked at her son coldly, “No, you are not.”

Takeru returned the look, “Get out of my room.”

Nancy turned and slowly walked to the door. “We’ll discuss this and your attitude
in the morning. Now go to bed, it is late.”

Takeru just gave out a humph and followed his mother to his door and slammed it
shut as soon as she walked out. Takeru then turned off the lights and returned to
his bed. As he laid on his bed staring up at the ceiling he thought about the reactions his body had to the picture, how his previous life could have been, and about his brother. He remembered what Yamato had told him earlier that day about his boyfriend. Could he really have been talking about himself? It wasn’t until a couple hours before sunrise that sleep came over Takeru.

When Takeru awoke, he still felt very tired. The reason why was explained when he looked at the alarm clock. He had only slept a few hours, but his mother was making loud noises and he couldn’t get back to sleep. Takeru slipped out of bed and changed into his now typical loose fitting clothes. Once he was dressed he went out to face his mother.

“Good morning Sweetheart.” Nancy said with a smile.

Takeru just gave a grunt as he walked passed her and into the kitchen. He grabbed a soda from the fridge and cracked it open and started to drink it.

“That better not be a soda you’re drinking in there.” Nancy called from the living room.

Takeru made a few faces at his mother through the wall before chugging the rest of the soda. He then disposed of the evidence and went to join his mother in the living room.

“Takeru, sit down Honey we need to talk.” Nancy said.

Takeru sat down as far away from his mother as he could.

“Takeru, is everything going okay at school? You’ve been acting different recently. If it is because you’re not adapting back to school, you can take a break, or just switch to home school. I’m sure all your teachers would understand.”

“School is going fine, just a lot of homework is all.” Takeru responded.

“Then what is bothering you?” Nancy asked, her voice still rather chipper.

“Gee, I wonder. Could it be because I still have no idea who I am? Or could it be that my mother doesn’t think I’m old enough to make my own decisions. Or wait, could it be that my mother lies to me every chance she gets. Duh! It’s all three and then some!” Takeru said, his voice full of spite.

“Now Takeru, if you would just lower your voice, we can discuss this in a
civilized manner.” Nancy said, straining to keep the chipperness in her voice.

Takeru just glared at his mother.

“Now we’ve been over this many times Takeru, before your accident you were…”

“STOP! JUST STOP IT! You’re just going to fucking lie to me again.” Takeru
shouted standing up.

Nancy stood up, “TAKERU! Go to your room.” Nancy ordered.

“Gladly.” Takeru remarked before heading to his room.

After locking himself in his bedroom for the rest of the weekend Takeru was all
too happy to leave for school Monday morning. He was tired, his mind was still wracking itself over Yamato and the picture, but at least he was away from his mother. The beginning of that Monday was fine, just a typical day at school. It was when he returned home that all hell broke loose.

Takeru walked into the apartment and instantly knew something was wrong, as the tv was off. His mother was always watching one of her favorite shows when he got home. As he switched into his slippers and took off his jacket he could see his mother was sitting on the couch looking at something. He made a beeline to his bedroom but his mother called to him before he made it there. He stopped and joined her in the living room. As he got close to her he could see what she was looking at. There on her lap sat two photo albums and at the bottom off them sticking out from the side was a crinkled picture.

“Takeru we need to have a talk.” Nancy said, her voice was hard.

Takeru gave off a light sigh, this wasn’t going to be good. He went and sat down,
and tried to prepare himself for the worst.

“Where did you get these?” Nancy said indicating the albums on her lap.

“You went through my room.” Takeru said bitterly.

“Of course I did. I was cleaning.” Nancy said with a smile.

“Those were tucked away in my closet. What were you even doing there?” Takeru
asked.

“I’m your mother, do I need a reason?” Nancy answered.

Takeru thought about saying something but kept his mouth shut.

“Now, where did you get these?” Nancy asked, her voice became very stern.

“Wouldn’t you like to know?” Takeru responded.

Nancy’s eyes flared with rage, “I already know where you got them Takeru. I was
giving you the chance to save yourself from lots of trouble. Why did you talk to
Yamato? I explicitly told you never to talk to him.”

“He’s my brother. You just can’t tell me not to see him, and expect me to follow
it.”

“But I’m your mother, you’re supposed to listen to me.”

“Not when all you ever tell me is bullshit.”

Nancy’s eyes narrowed, “Language Takeru. How long have you been talking with him?”

“Little more than a week.” Takeru answered truthfully.

“And what did he tell you?” asked Nancy.

“The truth about myself.”

“Which was?” Nancy dug.

“That I was special, different from the other kids. Not just some nobody, as
you’ve told me.” Takeru said.

“Anything else?”

“Yeah. That I was gay, not the uptight straight guy that you wanted me to be.”
Takeru answered.

“What about you and him? Did he tell you the truth about that?” Nancy asked.

Takeru paused, “No, he didn’t.”

Nancy pulled out the crinkled picture “Since I found this wadded up in a corner
in your room, I assume you already know.” She looked at her son, he didn’t move,
she continued. “You only think you know what went on, but let me tell you what really happened. He forced himself on you, he came to you spouting off that he loved you. You’re still young, and so naïve. He took advantage of that and the fact that you would do anything for him. So when you were staying a couple weeks there, he raped you.”

Takeru couldn’t help but give a slight grin at the absurdity of his mother’s story, “You really think I’m going to buy that shit?”

“LANGAUGE!” Nancy shouted. “And you should, it’s the truth after all.”

“Have you even looked at that picture?” Takeru stood up and walked over to his
mother and snatched the picture out of her hands and shoved it in her
face. “Looks like we’re both enjoying that kiss to me. Both of your gay sons
happily sucking on each other’s face.”

“Even if that’s true, that doesn’t mean he isn’t the terrible person I said he
was. Did he tell you what caused your accident?” Nancy asked pushing the picture out of her face.

Takeru didn’t answer.

“Funny how he keeps these things out, that’s no better than lying I’d say.” Nancy
sneered. She ignored the glare that her son was giving her. “He caused the accident Takeru.”

“You’re lying.” Takeru said weakly.

“Oh but he did. Because of him that car hit you.” Nancy said with a slight smile, Takeru didn’t trust her anymore, but at least she could try and take Yamato down with her.

“You’re lying.” Takeru repeated, this time louder.

“Why don’t you ask him yourself, he’ll admit it.”

“YOU’RE LYING!” Takeru shouted.

“I’m sorry Takeru but I’m not.” Nancy said reaching out a hand to touch her
emotional son.

Takeru jumped out of his mother’s reach. “Get away from me!”

“Takeru, calm down.” Nancy said standing up.

“I will when you stop lying and tell me the truth.” Takeru shouted.

“But Takeru Sweetie, I am telling the truth.” Nancy said.

Takeru grabbed his hair in frustration and screamed. He then made his way to the
front door.

“Takeru where are you going.” Nancy demanded, still remaining in the living room.

“Away from you.” Takeru yelled, he slipped his shoes on grabbed his jacket,
backpack and left. He knew what his mother had said about Yamato was a lie, but
why then did it seem that what she said about his accident seem to have a ring of truth to it?

***End Flashback***

Not long after Takeru’s fist left the door, the sounds of locks could be heard
unlatching. And much to Takeru’s surprise large arms pulled him inside and into a warm loving hug. “Thank God, Takeru your okay.”

Takeru stood there oddly as a man he didn’t even know was hugging him. “Ummm…Ishida Hiroaki?”

Suddenly it clicked in Hiroaki’s brain, the kid he was hugging wasn’t quite the Takeru that was in his apartment last. He also realized how awkward Takeru must be feeling. Hiroaki quickly released his youngest son and stood to the side gesturing Takeru to come further inside. “Sorry about that. I’m not normally that physical when people walk through the door.” Hiroaki gave a slight forced laugh as a he shut the door.

As the door clicked closed Takeru paused. Was this a good idea after all? Takeru soon found himself sitting on the couch in the living room looking around the room. On one of the wall he noticed a picture of Yamato and himself when they were much younger. They both had such large smiles that could only be obtained from laughing. Above two of Yamato’s fingers were stretched out above his head, giving him bunny ears. Takeru couldn’t help but smile at how cute and happy and innocent they looked, but things were much different now.

“I’m sure you know your mother has been looking for you. She’s already been here several times accusing me of kidnapping you.” Hiroaki said sitting down on the other end of the couch.

“You’re not going to tell her I’m here are you?” Takeru asked, unsure just which story to believe about his father.

“Of course not. You left for a reason, so why would I make you go back against your will. After all, you can go back anytime.” Hiroaki said. He then pointed into the kitchen, “I don’t have much, but you can help yourself to anything in the fridge.”

Takeru nodded that he understood, “Thanks.”

Silence came over them as neither one felt like talking, they were happy just to have company with each other.

“Don’t tell Yamato I’m here either, okay?” Takeru said.

Hiroaki looked at his youngest soon, trying to read why Takeru would ask such a thing. But after getting very little answers, Hiroaki agreed.

Yamato had just sat down with a large bowl of popcorn, to watch a movie with
Taichi and Hikari when he heard a knocking sound. With a sigh he stood up and
handed the bowl to Taichi who began to scarf its contents down. Just as soon as he opened the door he saw a figure take a few steps in and started
yelling, “Takeru? Are you here Takeru?”

“What the hell are you doing Nancy?” Yamato asked angrily.

“You know damn well what I here for, you monster.” Nancy growled, “Takeru, if you
can hear me, just yell.” There was no response.

“Wait…Takeru? Where is he? What have you done with him?” Yamato asked urgently.

“Me? What have you done with him is more like it. I know you’ve been brainwashing him so you can force yourself upon him again. TAKERU? CAN YOU HEAR ME?”

“Ms. Takashi?” Hikari asked, poking her head into the hall.

“AND YOU!” Nancy turned to Hikari. “You put ideas in my little baby’s head. You
started this mess all over again.”

This time a body stepped into the hall. It was a very angry Taichi. “Nancy, I’m
warning you this one time. Leave now.”

“Not without my son.” Nancy said, stomping one of her feet.

While Taichi started walking towards Yamato and Nancy, Hikari grabbed the phone
and started dialing. Nancy turned to Yamato, “You can’t hide him from me
forever.” Nancy was then forcibly removed from the apartment by Taichi and Yamato.

“What the hell is her problem?” Taichi asked.

“Takeru is missing. She thinks I have him tied up on my bed.” Yamato answered.

“Well let’s go look for him, hopefully we’ll find him before the Wicked Bitch of
the West finds him. Any ideas where to look first?” Taichi suggested.

“I’m pretty sure I have an idea.” Yamato said.

Yamato soon found himself looking at a door that years before he would have sworn
had a face hidden in it. Now all he saw was a painted door, void of any facial
characteristics. Soon his father opened the door and looked at the three people standing in front of his door. “I honestly thought you would have been here earlier.” Hiroaki said.

“Nancy has already been here then?” Yamato asked.

“Yes. Several times.” Hiroaki answered.

“So is Takeru here then?” Yamato asked.

“No, I’m afraid he isn’t.” Hiroaki said.

Yamato just looked at his father. “He asked you to lie to me didn’t he?”

Hiroaki didn’t respond.

“Can I see him at least?” Hikari asked.

“I don’t know.”

A voice then came from within the apartment, “Just let them in Dad. No sense of
keeping them out in the cold when they know I’m here.”

As the group walked into the apartment and into the living room, Yamato noticed
that Takeru wouldn’t look at him. Yamato knew something was seriously wrong, and
he was at the middle of it somehow. “Is there someplace private I can talk with
Yamato?” Takeru asked his father.

Hiroaki nodded, “Down the hall first door on the left.”

Yamato and Takeru walked down the hall and entered into what once was Yamato’s
room. The room now had a small bed and dresser in it and a few other odds and
ends. Takeru went straight to the bed and sat on the edge of it. Yamato however
remained standing and looked around at what had been his room, he could tell his
younger brother had been living in it. Takeru’s old clothes were hanging up in
the closet, as well as various hats were scattered throughout the room.

Another thing Yamato noticed was that his brother was still not looking at
him. “What’s the matter Takeru? Why won’t you look at me?”

“I have so many questions.” Takeru said shakily.

Yamato tried to reassure his little brother, “Then ask them, and I’ll try my best
to answer them. Just like always.”

“I can’t”

“Why can’t you?” Asked Yamato.

Takeru’s voice began to crack, “I’m so confused.”

“Just try, I can help you. You know I can.” Yamato said sitting down next to his
brother.

“I can’t” Takeru said, sounding on the verge of tears.

Yamato placed a reassuring hand on his brother’s back, “Yes you can.”

Upon feeling the warmth of Yamato’s hand on his back, Takeru’s whole body warmed
up and pleasantly shivered. It felt so much like what he had felt days earlier
from his body’s memory. However it only drove Takeru frantic as he scooted away
from his brother. “Don’t touch me. Please.”

Yamato couldn’t help but show the hurt on his face and in his voice. “I’m sorry.”

They sat there awkwardly in silence for a few minutes, before Takeru said, “I’m
sorry Yamato.”

“For what? You haven’t done anything wrong.”

“Mom found your photo albums. She still has them. I’m sorry.” Takeru said weakly.

“It’s okay Takeru. They’re just pictures, I can get copies from other people.
Don’t worry about it.”

Takeru then asked, “Do you still love me?”

“You’re my brother, of course I love you. You really think I would quit, over a
couple lousy books.” Yamato answered.

Takeru rephrased his question, and looked at his brother “I meant, are you still
in love with me?”

Yamato blinked, “How did you…”

“There was a picture of us kissing in one of the albums.” Takeru answered.

“Oh.” Yamato said, no other words coming to mind.

“So do you still love me?” Takeru asked.

Yamato stammered, trying to find the words, but they were caught in his throat.

“It’s okay if you don’t.” Takeru said, turning back away from his brother.

Yamato finally found words to say, they may not have been the words his brother
was wanting, but they were the truth. “I still love you, and I always will. My
heart has been broken and in pain so much but the only person it wants, is you.”

Takeru turned back to his brother, “Are you sure?”

Yamato nodded, “Of course I’m sure.”

Takeru gave a little smile, before it was wiped from his face. “Then I want you
to tell me the truth about something. I want you to tell me about what caused my
accident.”

Yamato bowed his head. The room became eerily quiet, “I’m sorry Takeru, it was
entirely my fault.”

Takeru was taken aback from what he heard. His mother was right. But no, she
couldn’t be, there had to be another side to it. “There’s got to be more to it
than that!” Takeru shouted in anger. “Tell me the story of what happened, not
that you’re sorry.”

So with a sigh, Yamato told his brother the story of his accident. About how
after hearing how Nancy had kicked Takeru out, Yamato was on his way to chew her out. About how Takeru had begged and pleaded him not to go, and how he didn’t
listen. How Takeru had followed him down to the street, still trying to convince
him not too. About how when he had crossed the street, and when Takeru tried to
follow him a car had crashed into him.

The two blondes sat there, both unsure about what the other one was feeling or
going to say.

“I’m sorry.” Yamato said.

Takeru gently placed a hand on his brother’s arm. “You have nothing to be sorry
for. It wasn’t your fault.”

Yamato felt as if the air in his lungs had suddenly escaped. His body seemed to
relax, his heart swelled, and his eyes began to water. Takeru had told him words
that he had been wanting to hear for so long, but was sure would never come. That
it wasn’t his fault.

Takeru continued, “I can see why you would blame yourself, but don’t. It was an
accident, if anyone is to blame it should be myself.”

“But Takeru, If I…”

“Don’t.” said Takeru

“You don’t get it, you wouldn’t…”

“Yamato.” Takeru said raising his voice a little.

“You see none of it would…”

“Onii-chan!” Takeru shouted.

Yamato blinked and turned to brother, “What?”

Takeru didn’t answer with words, instead he answered with an action that felt
more of an instinctive action than a voluntary motion. An action his body had
been begging for, for a week. Takeru’s lips met his brother’s, the friction and
the warmth shared between the two was better than anything he or his body could
remember. As their lips moved over each other, all the fears and worries that
Takeru had melted away.

As the kiss broke Takeru could see that his brother was still blushing from the
unexpected kiss. Yamato then stood up and slowly made his way to the door. “I
should go now, I’m sure you’re tired. You’ve had a long and difficult week.”

Takeru was hurt from Yamato’s sudden urge to leave him and was silent. That is
until he heard the door knob turn. “Onii-chan wait. Stay with me until I fall
asleep. Please?”

“Anything for you Otouto-chan.” Yamato said, he then turned from the door and
walked back to the bed. As soon as Takeru laid down and scooted over, Yamato
squeezed onto the bed beside his little brother. After awhile Yamato heard a
change in Takeru’s breathing and knew he was asleep. Yamato felt the heaviness of
his eyelids, and any urge to leave the nice warm bed had left him. It wasn’t long
until both blonde brothers were fast asleep. Both of them laying next to each
other, both feeling happier and safer then either one had felt in such a long
time.
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Author's Note: Chapter 25! I thought about breaking this up into two different chapter's but it then it would have meant that it would have been a while till you got the later part of this chapter. Hope everyone liked the chapter. Updates may be even slower now because I have a "real job" for the rest of the summer. But I'll still try my hardest to write as much as I can.

So this whole chapter should have posted but for some reason it didn't. I didn't even know it until I checked the reviews and I couldn't figure out why people were calling it "Short" when it should have been the longest chapter yet.

Also YAY for being over 1000 views! Thanks to all of you who have read this story. As always please Rate and Review. It helps.