Track 3: Truth

“And you say your name’s… Tian Shi?” Tatsuha raised an eyebrow as he finished the beer from the can in one gulp and crushed it with his fist.

“Mm.” She nodded shyly, her pale hands clasped together on her lap.

“Well, all’s good – fuck, Nishi, stop staring at her like that!” Tatsuha muttered irritably, giving Nishi a not-too-gentle nudge in the ribs. Nishi, undaunted and barely even noticing him, kept his eyes on her. He loved her voice; this soft windry voice of hers but it was the hazel gray of her eyes that held her to him. He was about to speak when Tatsuha cut him off again.

“Anyway, as I was saying, it was weird that you were at that place just as Nishi’s car was coming, don’t ya think? What’s a girl doing in the dark middle-of-nowhere place like that?” He asked lightly, as he popped open the ring of another beer can.

“Uh… I did say that…” Tian Shi looked a little flustered, a small pink blush creeping up her face.

Nishi, noting her discomfort, scowled at his friend and forcefully pulled him up, muttering an apology to her before dragging him to a dark corner.

“Tatsu, stop picking on her.”

“Ch’. When have you become so wishy-washy? We’ve got to make sure it’s not a hoax-“

“Her appearing on the scene was merely coincidence. She took care of me, Tatsu. Those days… don’t you think that’s enough?”

“Just because of that? She’s just feeling her conscience, man. What’s wrong with you?” Tatsuha grabbed Nishi’s collar and shook him roughly. “You’ve been this way ever since you got out of the hospital! All you think is her. You’re being brainwashed!”

“I believe her. Because. She’s my angel. And who cares? Everything washed out are just bad memories.”

“Fuck you, man! You believe her, someone who made you crash into that tree, rather than believe your own best friend?!”

“I didn’t say anything about not believing you.”

“You’re implying it, man! Just wait… I’ll find out the truth about her and we’ll stop this stupid illusion of y--- oof!”

Tatsuha felt the breath knocked out of him as Nishi slammed him into the wall.

“Shut the fuck up. Do anything to her, and you’re the one I won’t forgive, Tatsu.” Nishi snarled in a low tone, his eyes blazing with a green fire. Suddenly, as though realizing what he’d just done, he stepped away and turned, walking without a backward look into the hypnotized crowd dancing with the flashing lights.

“You’re walking away from our friendship, Kiratachi! If you don’t turn back, it’s over. I swear…” he trailed off as Nishi paused a moment, before moving off again.

“…Shit. He’s really done it.”

~*~

“Ne, Kiratachi-kun. Are you sure it’s okay, us leaving your friend behind like that?” Tian Shi breathlessly asked as she hurried to catch up with Nishi’s long strides. After he’d returned alone, he’d asked her to accompany him outside which she had readily obliged. But something seemed clearly wrong as Nishi strode ahead silently, barely conscious that she was there with him.

“Kiratachi-kun…” she tried again, biting in the pain her small-toed sandals were succeeding in giving her. Suddenly, her foot collided with something sharp and hard, and she stumbled forwards a few steps before she lost her balance, falling to the ground with a small cry.

Long arms that wrapped around her at the last moment blanketed her fall. Already bracing for the fall, she opened her eyes slightly and saw Nishi’s sparkling green orbs looking down at her. Trying to smile, she instead elicited a groan as her bruised foot gave out warning signals. Nishi gazed down and gently pulled out her foot, holding it in his hand. Under the yellow streetlamp, they could see the red bleeding that stained her toes flowing freely.

“That’s a bad cut.” He murmured, his breath hot on her face as he leaned down for a closer look.

“It’s okay… it doesn’t hurt so… anyway…” she whispered back, before wincing a little as his finger swept lightly across the broken nail of a toe.

Without a word, he gathered her in his arms, one arm holding her knees up and the other cradling her weight, and stood up,

“W-What are you doing?” she gasped out.

“Just hold on.” Nishi answered, before he took off in a run towards the dark twinkling sea, to where the soft waves lapped the shadowy beach.

~*~

She winced in pain, her hands outstretched, trying to restrain his hand from touching the wound.

“Kiratachi-kun… I….”

He shrugged her hand off as he tore a piece of cloth from his shirt and bandaged her foot before tying a knot messily.

“That’ll have to do for now.” He told her as he leaned backwards on his toes, sinking into the soft sand.

“T-Thank you.” She smiled gratefully up at him. She could swear she saw something cross his face before her eyes widened in surprise as he abruptly stood up, brushing sand off him. “Where are you going?”

“Stay here. I’m going back to the club to get the car, and get you to a hospital.” He answered without looking back, striding forwards.

To tell the truth, I don’t know what to say. Thank you for being there for me? Thank you? When has Nishihara Kiratachi used hat word, if ever? Huh, that’d be a laugh. And I know maybe.. just maybe what Tatsu said has some truth in it.. but I don’t want to know. After seeing her grateful face, that slight tint of rose coloring her cheeks… I….

Soft steps pounding on the sound made him turn around. He saw Tian Shi, half running, half hopping on her good leg to catch up with him. Her expression was one of pain and determination, he noted with surprise as he paused without even noticing he did.

“Kiraaa-taaa--- Ohhwwwa!” Her loud cry turned into a surprised yell as her foot dug into the soft sand, sending her off balance. She flailed wildly, hopping closer before she finally fell unto the astonished Nishi, causing them both to crash to the ground, her on top of him.

He took in a sharp intake of breath when he realized her face was just inches away from her.

“Oi…”

A blush slowly crept up her cheeks. “A-ano… I’m so sorry…. I didn’t mean.. I’ll get up right now…”

She hurriedly placed her two hands on either side of him, as she tried to pull herself up. A gentle hand on the back of her head sent her sprawling onto him again, this time her lips landing smack on his.

He didn’t resist. Instead, Nishi wrapped both his arms around her, deepening the kiss as a soft wind blew around them, ruffling his hair, and sending shivers of pleasure down their spines.

~*~

They didn’t need words to express their feelings. It was mutual…. Almost destiny-like…. And the question of her being used as bait by Hosaka to make him crash had faded entirely out of Nishi’s mind. All that mattered was that he’d spent three lovely weeks in that fleeting summer with her.

The only thing that was wrong… was Tatsuha. They’d never greeted each other, even, since that day. Their group had disbanded into two sides, each following the one they respected more. Hosaka, of course, took this opportunity to build up his own group and reigned, as he waited for the day he could finally gain ultimate revenge over the one he’d hated most, Nishi.

A ringing tone from a cellphone rang out clearly in the still air of the busy street of Tokyo, but mingled with the other sounds. Nishi dug into the pocket of his brown leather pants, pulling out a small palm-sized phone before flipping open the cover.

“Yo.”

“Nishi, it’s me. Mou~, what’s taking you so long?” Tian Shi’s voice floated in from the other line.

“They couldn’t get me something I wanted on time.” He replied into the phone, a smile forming on his face as his other hand gripped a small red box.

“You’re always so picky! Come here soon! I can’t wait to tell you the good news!” she whined.

“Wait, just a little more. I’ll be there in no time.”

“Aw… okay… I’ll wait. But you’ll have to give me something for my patience.” She teased.

“I’ve got just the very thing.” He laughed before snapping back the cover and weaseling through the crowds to where his gleaming red Supra was parked.

Just a little while more. I won’t let my angel go anywhere from me.

Minutes later, the red Supra braked to a stop, on the soft yellow sands. The same beach they had been that night before.

He jumped out of the car, holding the little red box tightly between his fingers as he took quick steps to the spot where they’d agreed on, barely noticing the shiny silver car some distance away.

A high-pitched scream froze him in his tracks. Tian Shi! He broke into a run towards the scream, his heart hammering against his chest. If anything happened to her….

He suddenly stopped, out of breath.

Just a few metres away, he could see Tian Shi. An arm wrapped around her waist, someone’s lips grazing hers…. the ones he himself had kissed so many times before….

He suddenly snarled an animal-like snarl as he leaped forward. “Hosaka!!!!”

A heavy bat knocking him in the stomach stopped him and he fell to the sands, the breath knocked out of him. But he couldn’t say he felt any pain because he was blinded by the sight of him touching his angel. His hands were roughly restrained and pulled behind his back as a fist collided with his stomach again, bringing him to his knees.

Hosaka finally looked up, even had the nerve to look surprised as he saw Nishi.

“A-ah.. Kiratachi-kun. Luvly of ya to visit me. What brings ya here?” He asked casually as his hands blatantly stroked Tian Shi’s cheek, another hand holding ehrs.

“Get your fucking hands of her right now!” Nishi yelled, straining against the hands that held him.

“You can’t mean… her?” Hosaka feigned surprise as he ran his gaze up Tian Shi’s figure. “Why should I? She’s my…--“

“Shut up, ‘Saka! Nishi, please don’t fight… just get out of here….” She begged, tears falling down her face.

Nishi’s heart stopped beating. What the hell? She knew him?

Noting his shocked expression with satisfaction, Hosaka grinned maliciously. “You’re wondering how she knows me, Kiratachi? It’s obvious isn’t it? From the time she ‘magically’ appeared to stop you….” He stroked her arm as he continued, “She agreed to help me… it was a sign of love wasn’t it, dear? What we didn’t account for were those sparks between you and him.” The hand continued on to her abdomen and stroking it lightly.

“I-I’m sorry… Nishi… I meant to….” Tian Shi’s voice cracked. “I meant to tell you… but….”

“But she was too cowardly to. And besides, “ Hosaka’s fingers pinched her stomach. “My luvly ‘tian shi’ went off and got this!”

Nishi’s eyes widened as he looked at Tian Shi’s tear-stricken face. “You mean….”

She nodded sadly. “It was the news… I wanted to tell you today….”

“Fuck! Hosaka, just let her go! I’ll do whatever you want, just let her go!” He yelled, straining against the hands angrily.

Hosaka’s face turned ugly. “Why should I?” he mocked, his hand moving to his back pocket before swiftly pulling out something.

The ‘something’ was a newly polished black metal gun, which glinted harshly in the sunlight.

“H-Hoi… you’re not for real…” Nishi gasped.

“Try me.” The pistol’s head was buried against Tian Shi’s stomach. His finger, curled around the trigger, released the safety catch. And he pressed.

“No!!” Nishi yelled as the shot rang out. He was about to jump forward when he noticed that apart from looking terrified, nothing had befallen Tian Shi. Yet.

“Oh my… someone must’ve loaded a blank inside here.” Hosaka grinned. “Lucky you are, beautiful.”

“Stop it, Hosaka. Don’t do it.” Nishi begged.

“Oh? Not that easily…. Unless… the great Nishihara Kiratachi would actually drop to his knees and bow to me before eating sand… I would consider that.”

Tian Shi gave a cry. “Nishi, don’t!:

I have no choice.

He did as he was told, before stuffing sand into his mouth, almost spitting it out again with disgust.

“I’m afraid….” His heart stopped again at the malicious tone, “That’s not how I want it.”

Another shot rang out. This time, accompanied with a high pitched scream that would forever haunt his memories. Something wet splatted against his bowed head. In a daze, he touched it and brought his hand down, slowly, slowly, not daring to look. Almost. His fingers were covered in sticky, red blood that was still warm.

His thoughts stopped there. He couldn’t think, he couldn’t breathe, he wasn’t sure if he had actually lived through that moment either.

And he barely heard the maniacal laugh as Hosaka yelled out, “Isn’t this fun? You’re next, Kiratachi!”

Several shots rang out, but Nishi was too distraught to even notice, paralyzed by the sight of the blood, before a heavy weight slumped against him.

“Oi… you fucking dim wit… get out of the way.” Tatsuha’s voice rang out, but dully.

Nishi looked up, just in time to catch a falling Tatsuha. “Tatsu…! What the fuck you doing…. Shit!” his hand which had been supporting Tatsuha’s waist felt the same warm liquid.

“Y-you didn’t…” he said in horror.

Tatsuha managed a devilish grin up at him as he shut his eyes for a moment. “Never knew I’d be the first one to die before you. Fate… huh?” he coughed, spurting out blood.

“No… stop it… why did you come? How did you know..? Tatsuha!” he almost sobbed out.

“Told you I’d check up on her, didn’t I? I kept my promise. “ he coughed again. “Listen now… keep our gang together would you? It was getting a little too lonely being splitted.” Tatsuha chuckled sotly, his hand gripping his own chest, making himself go on. “And I’m keeping you to that promise, kid. If you die before your time, I’ll kill you again when I see you up there.”

“Tatsu! It’s idiotic…. Don’t…”

“It’s too painful now… remember to keep our promise. We’re friends, just because….” Tatsuha gave a final smile as his eyes rolled to the back of his head. Blood streamed from his mouth. “Go…. to her….”

“Tatsuha!”

Seeing there was no hope but not willing to let go, he pulled Tatsuha by the collar. “Wake up, you fucking idiot.. just wake up… I’ll let you call me anything you want…” he growled heartbrokenly as they skimmed across the sands. He almost dropped Tatsuha when he saw the dark patch of red sand. He saw Hosaka, lying sprawled in a strange angle, blood oozing out from a perfect mark in the middle of his forehead. Without realizing what he was doing he picked up the gun and stared at it blankly.

“Nishi…” a small voice called out.

Tian Shi!

At the same time he saw her, lying in a bloodied heap just beside Hosaka. Her hand was gripping her stomach as fresh blood pumped out of it, staining her pure white dress, turning it into crimson red. He rushed to her, cradling her head gently as he held her, the gun slipping from his hold.

“Nishi… “ she smiled through her tears, lifting a hand haltingly. He held it, an expression of pure dread now.

“Don’t leave me… don’t… “

“Kurushii nda yo…. Nishi…. He killed our baby…. See… his blood’s streaming out…. I wanted, did so wanted to tell you.. about him….”

“We’ll get another! Please, don’t leave me!” he held on to her hand tightly.

“But…. It’s so painful… I’m suffering… I can’t take it… Nishi… gomen ne..” her hand had somehow sneaked around him to pick up the gun he’d dropped, and before he could stop her she’d already pressed the trigger.

And once more, another shot rang in his ears.

~*~

They found me there later, soaked in blood, with my two best friends. Of course, after seeing such a gruesome sight, they automatically thought I was the murderer. The fingerprints on the pistol only served to strengthen that. Father managed to cover it up… by his bribes, so that his business wouldn’t get affected.

But I am their murderer… in a way. If only I had bothered to find out more….

I never returned to that beach again… until six years ago. Life for me… I couldn’t stand it anymore. I wanted to join them. Before that, I’d always imagined, no dreamt, always thought that the sands would be forever stained red. It still was too, as I returned there. I was just sitting on the sands, I still remember my finger running across the blade to test the sharpness… when she came. I saw her before she did… as she tripped over something, and she lost her balance. Flailing her arms like that, so unlike my graceful Tian Shi, but yet alike.

Those hazel gray eyes that I saw when I pulled her up. Just like my angel.

I thought they’d both sent me a sign…. That it was okay to live again.

I must’ve got a little obsessed… seeing Karegawa was like seeing Hosaka again… it was like a vicious circle started again… I didn’t want it to…

Blinded by illusions, as Tatsu would mock.

But it’s okay now. I’ll be joining them in a while. Just have to wait a little more…

The heart monitor beeped weakly. Nishi, his eyes shut, took a straggling breath before he forced them open again to stare up at that pair of hazel-gray eyes.

“Don’t .. let your love die… Suriin-chan….”

There…. He could go now. Already… I can see them… they’re waiting for me….

~*COMPLETED*~

Glossary:

Kurushii nda yo – It’s painful/I’m suffering…

· the last flashback comes from chapter 6 of 2gether 4 Love, where Suriin chanced a meet upon Nishi in a not-so-conventional way and .. and .. *zips mouth * I assume those who read this already know that story *^^* if not, go read it! ((pimping I am))

· And the current scene is from chapter 19 of 2gether 4 Love !

· By the way, I was in a crappy mood that couldn’t think of any names, so I decided on Tian Shi. It means angel in Chinese XD How Hosaka knew what tian shi meant is beyond me… unless because it does sound like the Japanese ‘tenshi’….

A/N: *_* I finally did it! I finished it! *claps self on back * This wraps up the take on Nishi’s past (wanted to say arse X.x), those of you who requested for it originally, hope you’re happy now XD! What made me continue… hm… I read back through the two chaps, and I got ‘inspired’… I actually like this writing style a lot but I’d forgotten how to use it until now… ^o^ Enough with my ramblings! Thanks to the reviewers (though most of you guys might’ve probably forgotten about this fic and not visit again.. whatever! I love you guys! *^^*)

Mint, ^o^ hope you like it! *^^*

BlueDragon11, yay! And the plot ends XD!

Black Dragon Eyes, I love Tatsu-kun a lot in this chapter! His convo seems actually to be the most interesting there is XD, most… real y’know? ^^ ‘Cept it was a bit irritating when I found out my fave character was also… never mind XD

Stars and Ashes, thanks ! ^o^

Shadowgirl619, XD thanks !

Schwarz, “wipes sweat * hope you approve XD! And I hope you haven’t forgotten about Nishi kun!! *^^*