NOTES:
This fic is shown in its original ten-part format, but due to the brevity of each parts,
I've lumped them together to save you guys the trouble of having to click on five extra
links. (Thoughtful of me, huh?) Also, I've made some editing changes. Nothing huge, just a
phrase here, a typo there...
The comments between parts have been left basically intact so you can tell how
inexperienced I was when I wrote it. (Not that I'm a veteran now...^^;;)
Have mercy, and fun. ^_^
General Disclaimer:
All that stuff which is meant to say
Please dont sue me, Im just a j-rock
fan who loves to read fanfic and decided (too bad for you) to write one. Obviously I
didnt make all of these people up; excluding the fictional ones they belong to their
respective selves. Im sorry if I misrepresent them in character (which Im sure
I did) or biographical detail, including the yaoi premise of the story! Suggestions are
welcome, in fact any feedback would be appreciated.
Keep your flames to yourself though, thanks!
A NON-Lemon JXIno fanfic:
This story is about J and Inos past, starting from junior high through their indies
days--beyond that itll depend on feedback. This first chapter is kind of slow and
long, but be patient. It gets better, I promisse. After all, this is only the
...........................................
Chapter 1: Introduction
..........................................
Kiyonobu Inoue-- or rather, Inoran, as he had been nicknamed in elementary school-- looked
at the lanky long-haired boy lying on his friends couch.
Onose Jun, lying on his back listening to the sounds of the Sex Pistols through a beat-up
stereo, turned his head to the side as the door opened. His narrow eyes narrowed further
for a moment at the sight of the newcomer, then he swung his legs over and stood up.
Tall, thought Inoran. He hadnt looked that long horizontally.
The three of them: Inoran, Jun, and Shinsuke, were at the latters house. They used
it as a spot to hang out, its virtue lying in the fact that both his parents were absent
for most of the day. Shinsuke also had the largest music collection of any of them, not to
mention a brand-new CD player. Since their hobby was expensive and their allowances were
tight, they usually pooled their funds for CDs of the rock music that was their common
bond. This was the first time that Jun and Inoran had actually met, though they had been
listening to each others CDs for some time now. Both of them had known Shinsuke for
years; Inoran from elementary school, Jun because their families were friends.
Jun looked at Inoran as the introduction was made. There werent many boys in the
school with hair longer than his own, but it seemed that Inoran was one of them. No wonder
they called him Wolf Boy. As his vision filtered past the long bangs, and found that
Inoran's brown eyes were friendly and warm as he looked at Jun, albeit a little shy. He
could see why Shinsuke was envious of Inorans ability to attract girls; he had a
face which could easily have passed for a pop idols.
Hes not exactly what I expected, considering what Shinsuke told me, thought Ino. He
tried to burn down his house? He doesnt look all that wild. Sure, he has the dyed
hair-- which looks pretty good, actually, wonder if I should try it-- but he seems pretty
calm. Nonchalant, even.
But something gives me the feeling that even Akira and his friends wouldnt faze him,
though they scare everyone else so much
Just then, a screen door banged, interrupting Inorans train of thought.
Tadaima!
Its Okaasan! said Shinsuke. Shes home early. Sorry guys, but
it looks like we might have to clear out a little sooner than I thought. She hates it when
I play the music loud. Actually, she hates it-- period.
The three of them went down the stairs and were headed for the door when Shinsukes
mother grabbed him by the collar. Youre not going anywhere. You promised me
that you would clean the windows as punishment for stealing from your fathers
wallet. Its getting dark, so go and do it!
Hai, mumbled Shinsuke as he glanced sideways at his two friends. Wordlessly
they expressed their understanding and shuffled out the door, giving placating nods to the
angry parent as they left.
Outside, the two walked down the street aimlessly, Jun with hands jammed in his pockets,
Inoran swinging his arms. There seemed no point in going home so early just to be shunted
into their rooms to go study. Looking up shyly at his tall companion through
his long bangs, Inoran was the first to break the silence.
To his surprise, Jun responded amiably. Though he didnt exactly chatter, the
silences were short and friendly. Inoran heaved a mental sigh of relief. He hadnt
known exactly what to expect when meeting Jun. For a fleeting moment there had been a
bizarre feeling, too fuzzy to be a premonition, too distinct to be ignored, when they were
being introduced.
Well, whatever it was, it didnt seem like it foreboded any hostility. In fact, as
the topic turned to from rock bands to schoolmates and teachers, he soon began to feel
comfortable talking with the tall, silently energetic boy.
Jun was somewhat surprised at himself. He didnt usually hold conversations with
people he didnt know very well, and usually preferred to hang around those who kept
talking to a minimum. However, with Inoran the words were coming with unusual ease--for
him, at least. He wondered if it was related to the odd pang he felt when Inoran had
stepped into the room.
Or maybe it was just the fact that they both adored rock music.
When Inoran mentioned his guitar playing, he reacted somewhat surprisingly. With the most
excitement Inoran had yet seen on his expressionless-bordering-on-sullen face,
he said in envious tones, So you play? Thats great. I want to learn, someday,
but my sister wont let me touch her bass.
A gleam lighted his eyes. "That won't stop me, though."
Inoran heard the wistfulness in his voice and felt it strike a chord of sympathy.
Hey, thats no problem. Ill teach you, he heard himself say.
Now what made me say that? he wondered. I barely know the guy
Jun, for his part, was equally startled at the offer. However, he couldnt help
hoping his long-cherished wish would really come true--just like that. It was a windfall,
too good to miss. If you dont mind
he said slowly.
No really, its no problem. Im not that good yet, though, replied
Inoran.
End Chapter 1
Chapter 2 ended up being the only heavily edited chapter, and all the fixing occured
chiefly in the first two paragraphs. I made an exception because believe me, the writing
needed it.
>_< All I can say in defense of myself is that I was probably in a really big rush
when I wrote it. Something on the scale of trying to type while running from a horde of
stampeding elephants.
Still, those of you who pray for the category "Jrock Trivia" to appear on
Jeopardy should enjoy this part, because it refers to something that Ino mentioned
(tersely) irl.
So who knows, perhaps a teeny tiny grain of this is based on the truth! At any rate we
know that there was some kind of an
........................................
Chapter 2: Abduction
........................................
Later Inoran often thought that it was funny how one of the most important days in his
life had been so ordinary, to the extent that he could barely recall any of it. All he
could remember was talking with Jun for maybe twenty more minutes, then returning home to
brush his teeth and sleep through dinner. All in all, a remarkably unremarkable day--and
the start of a highly remarkable friendship.
Now, in high school, they were still classmates. Jun had picked his school by standards
that his parents might not have approved of, had they known the real reason for his
choice. ("_____'s school uniform is way more kakkoii, plus they allow dyed
hair. Inoran: <shrug> Sure.) Time had worn his own shyness and
Jun's initial reserve down to the point where he could hardly believe how relaxed he was
in the other's presence. He often caught himself rambling on to Jun about something he
could barely imagine saying out loud. Oddly enough, he had come to trust in a safe
reaction from the taller boy. Nothing Jun said, no matter how crude or vehement, ever
caused him to shrink back from misunderstanding or derision. Far from it.
In fact, there were times when he had the distinct feeling that they agreed so strongly
that he could have put one finger
on Jun's forehead and read his thoughts.
It helped that they did everything together, from being officers of the Light Music Club
to starting a band. Lunacy made Inoran decide to pursue music as his life- well, Lunacy
and Ichiro san. He could still remember the way he felt the first time he'd seen
Derlanger perform. Nothing, not the distance or the frightening skimpily-dressed
women who leered at him from the corners, could keep him from going to see Ichiro again.
And again. Still, he appreciated it when Jun went with him.
One morning shortly after they had formed Lunacy, Inoran awoke to the fact that he was
late. Very late. Again. This happened fairly frequently since his mom had started working;
now no one was at home to wake him up and he frequently missed his alarm. He was starting
to get a name for tardiness at school. He grabbed his clothes and started to get dressed.
Meanwhile, Jun was looking at Inorans empty chair in class.
Late again, huh. Hope he shows up in time for band practice at least.
Inoran walked down the hall, not looking forward to walking in half-way through class to
face the teacher's glare and the giggles, smirks, and sympathetic faces of his classmates.
Absorbed in this unpleasant scenario, he completely failed to notice the two figures
lurking around the corner. He only had time to wonder briefly at the oddity of loitering
students when one of them jerked him off his feet abruptly and clubbed him on the head. He
was hauled up before he could even shout in protest, and a hand clapped roughly over his
mouth. Another set of arms grabbed his legs and started to drag him quickly.
He looked wildly at the person carrying his feet, the only one of his attackers that he
could see. To his amazement, he actually recognized him. It was a senpai from his art
class.
Why is he attacking me?
Though Inoran had once caught him and a friend of his eyeing him in a strange way, he had
never offended them in any way. But when the two dumped him in the bathroom, shoved a gag
in his mouth and started to pin down his hands, Inoran started to get a terrible
premonition of their intentions. It was then that he really started trying to scream.
Jun squirmed in his chair. Usually restless and bored in class, he was practically
twitching now. He couldnt shake this feeling that was starting to overwhelm him, a
feeling that someone needed him very badly--now. Finally, he jumped up, partly
involuntarily. Heads turned in the classroom.
Umm
sensei, I have to..to use the restrooms. Eyebrows raised, the teacher
dismissed him. Not waiting for permission, Jun practically tripped in his race to the
door.
Must need to go very badly, commented Shinsuke under his breath.
Not even knowing where he was headed, he ran through the empty halls following his
instinct. Finally, he burst through the doors to the bathrooms, where he saw, to his
shock, Inoran. Gagged. And standing over him were two older boys, who were evident intent
on assault. He didnt even want to think what kind of assault they had in mind.
Inoran stared up at Jun in shock, then pure relief. He was a heaven-sent savior. But what
would he do now? The two boys were temporarily frozen in surprise, but that would wear off
and then--
They're both older than Jun and he's outnumbered--they surely wont let him spread
this story.
Jun thought fast. Pulling on his calm, he said, "Better watch it. Nakamori sensei is
headed this way, and hell be here in a minute."
The two boys looked at each other, their doubt palpable. One of them stood up, saying,
"If I look out the door and dont see him..." He didnt have to finish
his sentence. The other boy remained facing Jun, eyeing him suspiciously. Jun looked
around him at Inoran, partly to see if he was ok, partly to signal him with his eyes. The
minute the first boy reached the door, Jun crashed into him from behind, slamming him into
the wall. Simultaneously, Inoran lurched to his feet and kicked the other boy in the back
of knees. Then he scrambled to his feet and, grabbing Juns arm, bolted. They ran
down the corridors, not even bothering to check if they were being pursued, and got out of
the school at the first exit.
Panting, they collapsed on the steps. Inoran buried his head in his hands and breathed out
a muffled, Thanks, to Jun. He didnt say anything for a few minutes, and
Jun started to worry.
Inoran? You
okay?
Finally Inoran looked up. "I think you saved my virginity..." Relieved, Jun
burst out laughing. They stood up.
"Somehow, I dont feel like going back to school."
Later, when they were walking around, Inoran asked, "So how did you know that I was
in trouble? Dont tell me they let you in on it." Jun's intervention had been
too timely to be coincidence, and yet he couldn't quite believe that there was a
connection.
There is _no_ way that he'd have anything to do with a set-up.
Jun had no answer. How could he explain the incredible pull he had felt? He didnt
believe in all that psychic crap, and he doubted that Inoran would.
"It was a coincidence," he lied.
Inoran, thinking about the way Jun had burst in, shook his head but let it pass. You
must have had to go pretty badly, he
joked, unknowingly echoing Shinsuke. Anyway, thanks again man. I really owe you
one.
"Hey, what are friends for?"
End Chapter 2
Oddly enough, I don't have an intro for this chapter. So I guess I'll write one now. This
chapter is where I actually started to get creative, meaning that it actually contains
original plot. I think that's what makes this fic different
from the others. When I started writing it, I had an entire storyline worked out. With my
latest fics I've ended up grabbing a random (well, not so random--I can't seem to stop
writing JXIno ^^) yaoi couple and making them cut random capers until I throw together a
cheesy WAFFy hhappy ending. ^_^ Naturally they all experience various degrees of angst
first though. Don't you just love it when characters get into dramatic and exagerrated
fights? Especially when it's just
..................................
Chapter 3: All a Misunderstanding
..................................
Jun rolled his eyes. Where the hell was Ino? Off with his new girlfriend, no doubt. Well,
that was fine with him--except when he skipped practice to hang out with her. Just what
were his priorities, anyway? He could feel himself gettingg angrier. The rest of the
members, seeing that the guitarist was absent again, had decided to take the day off. He
was left alone, waiting for Ino to show. He resolved to actually yell at him if he did.
The first few times, he had let him off the hook. Somehow, it was too easy to do that. All
Inoran had to do was look at him innocently and beg for another chance.
"Cmon J-" Inorans nickname for him- "Im sorry. Really.
Ill be there next time."
The problem was, he really meant it. But Kaori kept wheedling him to go places with her
instead. As he thought about the girl that Ino seemed to like so much, he found himself
getting angry with her too.
All he ever does these days is talk about Kaori and how pretty, how nice, how great she
is.
Just as he started thinking about Inos girlfriend, Kaori herself walked into the
music room.
Well, speak of the devil.
"Wheres Inoran?" he demanded.
"I told him that there wasnt practice today."
"Well its true now, thanks to you-- you did what?!?"
"I wanted to talk to...you."
Me? What the hell is going on?
"He calls you J, right? Thats so...cute." She walked up to him, smiling.
"You know, Inoran talks about you all the time. You two must be really close."
Where is she taking this, J wondered.
"I bet you have a lot of common tastes. Music, for instance. Or maybe girls?"
God, if I didnt know any better Id swear she was hitting on me. Where the hell
is Inoran?
"Actually, in some ways youre way cuter than Ino. Hes definitely not as
muscular as you." Kaori ran her hand up his arm.
"Hey, whose girlfriend are you, anyway?" J asked, not entirely joking.
"That depends," she replied, "on if you want me to be yours."
What?!?
"You didnt notice? Ive had a crush on you for a year."
To tell the truth, he hadnt noticed. Aside from music, smoking, drinking and Inoran,
he didnt pay attention to too much else. "But...what about Inoran," he
said slowly, fighting to understand what was going on.
"Hes your friend, and I could tell that he liked me. So I thought it was a good
way to get you to notice me."
Something clicked. "Youre just using him?" There was something in those
words which should have told her to stop. But Kaori continued blithely with a flip of her
hair,
"Hes nice and sweet, but hes not the one I really like."
"Do you know how much he cares about you?" J asked in a low voice.
She shrugged. "I cant help that."
He turned his back on her. "Inoran, I cant believe your lousy taste in
girls," he said, barely hiding his anger. Taken aback, she stared at him for a moment
as the words sank in. Then she stiffened, turned around and left the room. He
couldnt muster any sympathy for her, even after his harsh words. He only wondered
how he was going to tell Ino.
Later that week, he asked Ino to stay after practice. "I...need to tell you
something, Ino."
Inoran shot him a puzzled glance. J hadnt been acting like himself lately,
especially around him, the person with whom he was usually the most relaxed. "Need a
cigarette?" he asked, seeing J look at
bit uptight.
"No. Ino, listen to me."
Wow, he really is serious, thought Ino. J was always intense, but...
"Its about...Kaori."
"Kaori?" Inoran was utterly clueless. Suddenly he remembered calling her a few
days ago. She had been upset for some reason, and hung up on him. He hadnt bothered
her about it then, preferring not to invade her privacy, but now he wondered.
"I...I dont think she cares about you the way you think she does." J tried
to choose his words carefully, not wanting to hurt Inoran although a part of him was
shouting in outrage, Dump that bitch, she isn't worth it!
"J, what are you talking about? Shes my girlfriend, of course she cares about
me."
"No, listen! I-- I just mean that shes...shes..."
Another voice cut him off.
"What hes trying to say, is that Im actually seeing J. He asked me out a
few weeks ago. Im sorry, we didnt
want to hurt your feelings, but he thought it was time to tell you."
J twisted around in shock. Kaori?!? What was she doing? Why would she say--suddenly he
remembered the way he had rejected her advances, and understood. That BITCH! he thought
inside. He whirled aroound to Ino and started to explain. "Its not that,
shes lying to you, Inoran, listen--" The words died on his lips when he saw the
hurt look on Inorans face.
Shit, did he hear _anything_ I said?
"J...you and Kaori?" My best friend betrayed me, he thought in shock. And here
Ive been telling him how much I cared about her. I cant believe it--he must
think Im an idiot. He looked up at Kaori, as she walked over to J, who pushed her
away. "Its ok," Inoran said sllowly. "You dont have to hide
it." As he spoke he got up. He looked at their faces, Js showing anger and
confusion, Kaoris full of guilt. Unable to stop himself, he ran out of the room as
quickly as he could.
Thats the end of Chapter Three. If you think its worth continuing, drop me a
note. My e-mail is aki2000@xpres.net. Thanks for bearing with me! Once again, suggestions
and comments are appreciated.
End Chapter 3