AN: I'm sorry I'm so late. I think I'm going to have to give in and... not update at the month change like I have been. It's painful for me to have to admit to this, but I'm just not where I need to be to be able to write these new chapters whenever I want. Mostly because a lot of what I'm doing is fluff and well... I just can't get down with that like I could in the beginning. I'm sorry, but I will continue to write. I just won't be so strict with myself about the new updates. Making the decision has already taken a load off my mind - especially since now I don't feel the need to create three 4000+ word chapters in one weekend. It's a pretty good feeling, and hopefully this will make my mind and fingers flow a bit more smoothly together. Here is Chapter 22 for your viewing pleasure. And thanks to all of you for your constant support through this rough patch, even if you don't know you've been helping me.

Rating/Warnings: NC17/Yaoi; harsh language

Pairings: RyōTaku; KeiKen

Disclaimer: I do not own Initial D.

VVVVV

Warm... soft... pain... Nakamura slowly blinked his eyes open and stared at the ceiling of the strange, unfamiliar room he was in. He looked around a bit and tried to move his head... and was stopped abruptly by the pain behind his eyes. It was immense and he groaned lifting his heavy hand to the sharp ache. Something was there... soft and woven... not too wide, but thoroughly padded. He looked around again and his head cleared. A hospital room? Why was he in a hospital room? Fujiwara and he had gone to pick up dinner for the team... and there was some sort of commotion... or something, right? What happened to him? He heard a door slide open and someone was calling for a doctor. It almost sounded like Fumihiro. Where was Fujiwara? What was going on?

"Nakamura, are you alright?"

"Nh..."

"I called the doctor. He'll be in to check on you soon."

"Fu... Fumihiro?"

There was a subtle rush and people surrounded him. The doctor assaulted him with a barrage of relatively simple questions and the woman on the other side of his bed gently spouted off numbers that didn't really mean much to Nakamura. Everything seemed fine, but he was still very confused. Where was everyone? What happened to him that landed him in a hospital room? Why was Fumihiro there instead of Keisuke? Keisuke...! The battle... His head ached again and he clutched for his brain.

"Fumihiro..."

"What is it?"

"Is something wrong, Nakamura-san?"

His narrowed eyes went from the doctor to his teammate. "Has the battle started yet?"

"I believe it will be shortly."

"Tell Keisuke-Senpai that I'm sorry I couldn't be there to watch him win tonight, please?"

Fumihiro smiled to him and nodded, then slipped out the door. The nurse fussed around with the bed dressings and the doctor wrote something down on the chart he was carrying. Kenta groaned again and brushed his fingers over the bandage just above his eyes. What happened? He and Fujiwara went out to get dinner... from the place he had gone to the evening before with Ryōsuke-Senpai. There was a lot of noise from the alley ahead and the two tried to hurry past. It was a fight... and the shouting kept getting louder... and closer... He couldn't remember anything more. His eyes clenched and when he opened them, the nurse was smiling to him. He felt the heat rise in his face and cleared his throat.

"Sensei...?"

"What is it, Nakamura-san?"

"Am I going to be alright?"

"You will be just fine. You have a mild concussion and some bruising, but there should be no long term damage. The swelling will probably go down in a few days and the bruise should be gone in a week or so."

"Thank you, Sensei, for taking care of me."

"Don't worry about it. Just get better."

"Yes, Sensei."

Kenta set his head back on the pillow and felt something in his left hand. He hadn't noticed until then and pulled the hand to his face. It was small... and felt a little thick. A photograph? His face lit up when he looked to his palm. It was the picture of Keisuke and him from when they had first started seeing each other... the one Keisuke kept in his wallet. Kenta smiled widely and brought his other hand up. His fingers played gently over Keisuke's smiling face then he brought the image to his lips and kissed the older man's forehead. Come see me soon...

-----

Takumi gripped the wheel and glared down the mountain pass. His opponent had screwed up at some point, leaving the Eight-Six in the lead. They were closing in on the finish line and Takumi narrowed his eyes. He hadn't won yet, but he needed to win for Nakamura's sake. That guy would never forgive himself if Takumi and Keisuke-san didn't win their battles that night. Takumi adjusted his feet, maneuvered the gear-shift and jerked the wheel around the final bend. Almost... just a few more meters... I can't lose...

"Eight-Six wins!"

Takumi skidded to a stop and heaved a sigh as the other driver opened his door. He wasn't sure how the pressure had gotten him so determined, but he was grateful that it worked. The door pushed open and Takumi's seatbelt came off. Ryōsuke was standing by the other driver's team talking to them with a light smile on his face. He was probably relieved that Nakamura was going to be fine. Takumi ran his fingers through his hair and looked down at the dashboard. Fumihiro had called just before the uphill race had started and delivered the good news. It took some pressure off the battle, but not a lot. They had gotten through successfully though, and that was all that really mattered. He smiled and stood. The group was walking toward him, Ryōsuke and Keisuke both looking in high spirits, and the opponents surprisingly cheerful.

The lot congratulated Takumi on an amazing win and they stood around and chatted for a few minutes afterward. He stood beside his proud team leader and lover with a smile and had to bite his lip to stay the urge to squeeze the man tightly in his arms. He wanted so badly to hold Ryōsuke... to kiss him and make love to him... just to make sure they were both still alive and able to do those things. His eyes shifted around a bit and he dropped his head. Nakamura's accident affected him more than he thought it would have. He wasn't really sure why he was in such a state when they had gone to the hospital, but he knew that he needed to reaffirm the fact that he was still able to do all the things he was doing the day before.

He adjusted himself beside Ryōsuke and subtly brushed his fingers up the back of the strong tan hand. He felt Ryōsuke stiffen a bit and pulled his hand away quickly. Takumi stepped back and faced the group again putting the smallest bit of distance between himself and his lover. It was almost agonizing waiting for the social post-battle events to be over. They still had to stop by the hospital to see Nakamura before they went back tot he hotel... plus they wouldn't be alone when they got there anyway. Takumi thought for a bit on that... it wasn't entirely true. Keisuke would more than likely want to stay in the hospital until Nakamura was discharged... but there was no telling when that was going to be. He sighed again and dropped his head, completely unaware of how much time had passed.

"Fujiwara..."

He looked up into worry-laden eyes. "Hm...?"

"Are you alright?"

Ryōsuke's voice was as gentle as ever and it made him smile. "Yes. I was just feeling a little tired, I guess."

His lover returned the smile with a light sigh of relief and rested his hand on Takumi's shoulder. "You've had a tiring day. Let's go back to the room so you can get some rest."

His eyes widened a bit and he looked around. He bowed softly to the other team and spoke humbly. "Thank you for this opportunity. Please take care." He turned back to Ryōsuke and raised a brow. "Shouldn't we go see Nakamura though?"

"I'm sure he's fine." Ryōsuke sounded a bit hurt suddenly. "Although... we could if you really want to."

"No... I just..." Takumi lowered his eyes and shifted them a bit, nervously.

"Keisuke is going to see him now. I thought we could give them some privacy."

"Y... yeah. If you are sure it will be alright..." His eyes shifted back to his lover's, "Could we just go back to the hotel?"

"I'm sure it will be fine. We can go visit in the morning."

Takumi nodded and they headed back to the Eight-Six. When Takumi looked around, there was no one left from their team... just the two of them. Had he been that spaced out? When did everyone else leave? He stood in front of the closed door to his car and looked across the roof to Ryōsuke. Everything drifted from his mind when their eyes met. He inhaled deeply and pulled open the door. Acting as relaxed as he could, Takumi fastened his belt, slipped the key into the ignition and revved the engine. He made sure his partner was secured in his seat before throwing the car into gear and peeling out of that place. There was nothing more to think about – save for the drive back – but being with Ryōsuke.

About half-way back to their room, Takumi's head cleared and his eyes widened. What was he doing? He shouldn't be driving like a street racer when there was no one he was racing... right? His body relaxed a bit and his foot eased off the gas. His hand loosened around the steering wheel and there was gentle pressure on his knee. Ryōsuke-san had noticed... Was he angry? He looked down to the hand, then glanced over to the passenger seat and back to the road. It was going to be a chore to not glomp onto the older man as soon as they got out of the car.

-----

Keisuke rushed from the parking lot of the hospital to the front doors. He took a deep breath before walking in trying to calm himself... but it wasn't really working. Kenta was not only awake, but he was going to be just fine... and Keisuke couldn't wait to hold him in his arms. The woman behind the reception desk seemed to recognize him when he approached and smiled. She said the doctor would be right out to take him back, but didn't know how long he would be able to stay. His mind was racing. He never would have thought that such a short period of time could be so completely nerve wracking for him, but it was Kenta.

He followed the doctor, trying in vain to keep from screaming at him to walk faster... it was a hospital after all, and running was probably not the safest thing to do in such a building. When the doctor turned and stepped aside, he pointed with a clipboard and Keisuke hurried inside. His eyes widened and time froze when he saw Kenta. The back of the bed had been propped up and the younger man was flipping through the channels on the television in a corner Keisuke didn't really care to see. It seemed to take Kenta a few seconds of Keisuke staring at him to realize that he wasn't alone in the room anymore.

When their eyes met, Kenta smiled. It was a heavily medicated smile, the kind one normally could only achieve with copious amounts of illegal substances, and Keisuke chuckled. He walked to Kenta's side and gently placed his hand on that smooth cool cheek. His eyes darted around Kenta's face and head and he smiled. He slipped an arm around the younger blonde's neck and the other around his back and tried with all his might not to squeeze. His lips brushed the shell of Kenta's ear and he kissed gently. The words were mumbled into the dark skin as Keisuke ran his fingers over the soft hair below the bandage.

"You scared the shit out of me, know know that?"

Kenta's small arms wrapped comfortably around Keisuke's back when he spoke. "I'm sorry."

They embraced for several minutes. Keisuke kissed the younger man tenderly on the side of his head over and over trying to reassure himself that his lover was still whole... still alive. He heard the door slide closed and clenched his eyes shut. His breathing became heavy and almost labored. He clenched his fists and tried not to think of the tightness in his chest... He couldn't break down like this... his pride would not allow that. It didn't work though. His eyes started to sting and as the warm ribbons ran down his face. He was shaking and felt Kenta bury his face in his weeping soul. There were quiet soothing words coming from Keisuke's arms as the song of relief spilled out through his moistening eyes.

-----

The door to the elevator closed softly and Ryōsuke stood beside Takumi as they ascended to the floor they were staying on. Ryōsuke looked to the younger man by his side and turned back slowly. He'd been acting a little odd since after the battle, even though Fumihiro had reported that everything was alright. It was worrying him, but he wasn't sure if he wanted to say anything. Did he really want to go see Nakamura that badly? Had Ryōsuke upset him when he said to let the two of them have some time alone together? Was he starting to see something in Nakamura that Ryōsuke didn't have?

He closed his eyes and breathed deeply. What the hell was wrong with him? It was ridiculous to think there was anything between the two of them. Takumi was madly in love with Ryōsuke and Nakamura was madly in love with Keisuke... so there was no problem... right? He smirked a little just as the doors opened and ushered his lover out. They walked side by side down the hall to their room and Takumi entered the room first. Ryōsuke watched him kick his shoes off rather hurriedly and move toward their bed. He ran his fingers through his hair and slipped out of his jacket and shoes. Maybe Takumi would just go directly to bed. He'd had a very long evening with the hospital then with the battle... he must be exhausted.

"Would you like me to prepare the bath for you?"

Ryōsuke walked to the bed as he spoke and Takumi looked up to him with young, innocent eyes. He shook his head lightly and smiled a bit. Ryōsuke's heart skipped a beat and he felt his cheeks heating up. No... he couldn't take advantage of Takumi in this situation. The guy's head was all messed up from the accident and he just finished an important race... No. Ryōsuke would clear his head then the two of them would go to sleep. They would go to the hospital in the morning, then do a little sight seeing... and then they would go home. Fumihiro had told him that the doctor should be releasing Nakamura the next day if he seemed strong enough, so that was the plan. Keisuke would not have any objections to that, so it was decided.

"I'll go take a shower first, then come to bed, ok?"

"Ok."

He kissed the pale forehead and smiled again, then ruffled the light brown hair before turning and heading for the bathroom. The door closed behind him and his shirt was pulled over his head. Ryōsuke reached over and turned the nozzle. The rush of the warm water soothed his ears and he sighed heavily again. Why was he so worked up? Maybe because Takumi was feeling uneasy? Or that there had been so much excitement today – both good and bad – that he was just looking for an outlet? That must be it... He was flustered and off center by all the events that happened that day and didn't know what to do with himself. That was no reason to take advantage of someone that had been through such an ordeal like Takumi had... So they would sleep G-rated tonight and save the H-stuff for a time when Takumi was feeling more... normal.

Ryōsuke pulled the closures of his pants apart and pushed them to the floor along with his underwear. The steam felt good on his tense body, so he stood soaking in the hot vapors for a minute before stepping under the water. It pelted his chest soothingly for a bit before he dipped his head to wet his hair. He grabbed the small bottle of shampoo the hotel had provided and lathered his hands. His eyes closed slowly when he started massaging his scalp and Takumi appeared in his head. The boy was smiling brightly to him, then started walking... to Nakamura? The two placed their arms around each other and their lips closed in... Then there was warm water on Ryōsuke's face and suds retreating from his head along with those ludicrous thoughts.

Water slid over his face and down his ears as he rinsed the shampoo from his hair and he shook his head lightly with a soft chuckle. That was just stupid... He was getting jealous and insecure because his lover wanted to visit a close friend of theirs – not just his, but theirs – in the hospital. There was definitely something wrong with him, and he reached for the soap. The bubbles covered his hands and ran all over his body... the tight muscles in his back and legs started to loosen a bit, but he still couldn't relax completely. It was a little irritating, to say the least, but he would have to endure. He stood in the water again to wash the new set of suds from himself and there was a rustling. Ryōsuke's eyes flew up to the door just as Takumi stepped into the cascading water with him.

The younger man was completely naked... and had been completely silent. How long had he been in there? Takumi met Ryōsuke with his lips roughly and he stumbled back to brace himself. An almost frantic tongue forced it's way into the taller man's mouth and Takumi's hands were roaming all over... caressing the newly cleaned flesh with hot anticipating fingers. Ryōsuke couldn't think. He'd been blind-sided – once again – by this kid, and the hands stopped. There was pressure on his suddenly erect penis and a hand squeezing his ass... The hand kneaded around the fleshy part of Ryōsuke's bottom and the other began moving back and forth slowly. He groaned into his lover's lips. Takumi's fist tightened around his arousal and he couldn't help but pull away with clenched eyes.

"Nnh..."

Takumi's lips moved quickly, but sensually, across his face... down his neck and along his collar bone. The hand on his butt slid around and cradled his testicles, and the lips were moving south again. Ryōsuke's nipple was surrounded by wet heat as Takumi sucked the small bud. He moaned a bit more and placed his hand into the partially dry hair. The pull at his chest got harsher, then more pressure...

"Uhn...!"

The boy loosened his teeth and was southward bound as before. Ryōsuke felt a strange series of nips over his chest and stomach and then... heat. A hot ribbon lapping at the head of his desire and wrapping around his wanting shaft... Takumi had gotten so much better at sucking him off over the past months, and it was greatly appreciated. The older man's mind was blank. All he could do was feel and groan. A hand ghosted up his side and massaged at his chest. The fingers played with his nipple and Ryōsuke let his head fall back to the wall. He groaned to the ceiling and the other hand was moving back from his sac... Takumi sucked gently at the older man's head and Ryōsuke's knees buckled.

"AAAHN! Ahh... hah... haa...!"

At once, the fingers on his nipple clamped, the hot ring engulfed his now throbbing dick, and two fingers were roughly inserted into his anus... Ryōsuke couldn't control the sounds he was making and slammed the side of his fist into the tiled wall beside him. He barely felt the hair between his fingers and the mist spraying his face through the immense and overwhelming pleasure. Takumi moved roughly and almost expertly and he couldn't take it anymore... there was too much. Ryōsuke thrust into Takumi's mouth and felt a third finger press into his rectum. He cried out again and desperately tried to stop something from happening. With everything he could muster, he tightened his grip in the wet mane and yanked back removing Takumi's mouth from his crazed manhood.

Their eyes locked for only a brief moment before Ryōsuke was on his knees flipping the younger man to his stomach. He reached out to Takumi's discarded trousers and felt around for it... It was easily found, opened and applied, and without missing a beat, Ryōsuke held on to the slender wet hips in front of him and stabbed into Takumi with his covered member.

"Nnngh!"

"Ah... ahhh!"

Ryōsuke tried to open his eyes, but the pleasure engulfing his heart did not allow it. He tightened his fingers around the slick form before him and pounded into the tight hole. The sounds filled the small wet room to the point where Ryōsuke wasn't sure who was making which anymore... So good... can't... stop... It was consuming him, the small opening sucking at him like a starved animal, the water raining down on the younger man's back just above where they were connected. Ryōsuke's arms started pulling Takumi onto him harder and harder, then it was almost too hard. He slid a hand up the curved spine when the boy started grinding back against him and gripped a shoulder. Harder... harder... more...! Ryōsuke braced his feet and widened his and Takumi's legs. He thrust faster and felt the arm by his hand move. So hot... so wet... so...!

"Ryō--... ha! Aah... Aah! A—AAAAH!"

The ring tightened when Takumi ejaculated, his back arched impossibly, but Ryōsuke kept moving. He couldn't do anything at that moment except slam endlessly into that meek, but surprisingly seductive, younger man. A hand was on his lower back... gripping, massaging... urging him to keep going and he needed to open his eyes. It was a trial, but Ryōsuke knew the reward of seeing Takumi impaling himself with the older man's love would far outweigh the burden of having to do it. All he could manage though, was a sneak peek through one half-open eye... but it was plenty. The boy had one palm planted firmly against the tile wall, the muscles in his arm clearly defined and in use. His head was lowered and the damp hair was split messily at the back. His back was arched and curved in ways one could only appreciate from behind and Ryōsuke lost his mind.

"Oh... Uunh...! Aaah... AANH!"

"Ryōsuke... san...!"

The fluid rushed from his body and he froze for a moment as he came. Ryōsuke placed his hand next to Takumi's on the wall and slumped forward a bit. He slipped the fingers from the abused hip around and played with the gifts Takumi had for him. The younger man was hard again and tightened when Ryōsuke wrapped his long slender fingers around the thick stiff member. Takumi started grinding into him once again when he started stroking and the sounds resumed, but much softer. Ryōsuke leaned back a bit and felt the hand on his back tense. He flopped onto the shower floor and Takumi's weight came crashing down on him. They groaned, Takumi lifting his head to the ceiling and Ryōsuke bowing his to the pale back. He kissed the shoulder blades and wrapped his arm around the heaving chest, his hand still working at the younger man's second round.

The water flowed over Takumi's head and trickled onto Ryōsuke's face as his lips trailed over the muscles in his lover's shoulders... then they were gone... and there was clenched rotation in Ryōsuke's groin. He grunted and opened his eyes to that beautifully erotic face. Those hypnotically dark eyes seemed to yearn for him and Takumi leaned forward. Their lips joined and the young hips began to move... grinding and gyrating against Ryōsuke's broken will. He moved his hands over Takumi's back. His fingers stiffened when Takumi dragged his teeth down Ryōsuke's bottom lip. Their faces brushed together and Ryōsuke throbbed inside the snug rectum as the lips brushed his ear, intensifying the words whispered from that sensual mouth.

"Do it again... Ryōsuke-san..."

"Takumi..."

Their arms tightened around each other and both were rocking into the other. Takumi's breath was labored in Ryōsuke's ear. Oh... god...! His back was pressed firmly against the wall and Takumi started to lean back. The water danced over the milky chest and down his belly. The boy's hands brushed Ryōsuke's feet and planted themselves. The legs at Ryōsuke's sides widened and he looked to the man riding him again. It was amazing that Takumi could get himself into these positions and still have enough energy to give them both an amazing climax... but Ryōsuke found his strength...

He widened his legs and grabbed the slim waist. His stance was set unwavering and he started to thrust... faster... harder... more... again...! Takumi's eyes widened and his body tensed a bit. Ryōsuke lifted himself into his partner and felt the water battering down where he and Takumi connected. The sensation was unbelievable... almost surreal. Takumi shoved his body over Ryōsuke's and cried out with pleasure... His entire body was splayed out under the concentrated rain, moving back and forth over his heated arousal... it must feel incredible. Ryōsuke couldn't take it anymore. He pulled his feet under him and rested on his knees. The hole was still gliding over him when he slipped his hand under Takumi's shoulder and slammed in. Takumi's hands hit the wall and he pushed back. Yeah... yes! Do it!

"Ha—Aah!"

"Yaaah!"

They finished almost simultaneously that time... the expended fluids instantly washing away, but Ryōsuke hadn't stopped yet. He needed more... more of this kid that had turned his world upside down... more assurance that they were still together.... more time to feel that they were still alive. His lack of stamina won out over his desire to continue and collapsed onto the young man's chest. There were fingers in his hair and he looked up to Takumi. They smiled to each other. Takumi leaned down and pressed his lips gently to Ryōsuke's head. How did they ever get anything done acting the way they did around each other...?

TBC...

VVVVV

Just for you, Zla ;-) I'm so happy I finally go this chapter done. Now Nakamura can start recovering and things can go back to normal... with hot steamy liquid sex of course. Let me know what you think. I always appreciate hearing from the readers... and thanks again for being there :-) - Lima