You're all That I Need

I tripped up, smacking my knees on the concrete. They were grazed and bleeding, but I couldn't feel the pain anymore. Not tonight, not ever again. I choked on my tears.

Wiping my eyes with the back of my hand, I stood again, knowing I had to move on. I couldn't stay there. I couldn't stay with my mother whilst I wasn't 'Ritsuka'.

I stumbled on, my tears mixing with the rain. The cold drops were soaking my clothes, making them heavy and also making it harder to walk.

Thunder clapped in my ears and I sunk to my knees again. I hated storms. I hated the yelling. I hated her hysterics. I hated how everything I did was wrong. I hated 'Ritsuka'.

And I hated him. So why was it that I could crawl to only him? Why was it that he was all I needed when my life was feeling low? Why was it… that I loved him?

I bowed my head, crying harder as the rain pounded down. "It hurts…"

I didn't know if I could get up this time.

"Ritsuka?"

I looked up wearily. My eyes focused and I saw a familiar figure – Soubi.

"It… hurts…" I muttered.

"Ritsuka, what's wrong?" He bent down to my level and held my shoulders with his hands.

"It hurts," I said again.

"Ritsuka, did you mother do this? Did she hit you again?"

"I..." I bent over, my head almost touching the ground, as my abdomen knotted with pain. "It hurts so much!"

I screwed my eyes shut tight. My head swam and I almost passed out. My stomach was in so much pain, it was unbearable.

Suddenly I felt myself being lifted from the ground. When I opened my eyes, I was in Soubi's arms.

"Put your arms around my neck," he ordered softly.

I did as he said and he walked in the direction I was originally headed with a brisk speed.

"A-arigatou," I whispered in his ear.

"Save it until we get home."

I barely even noticed what he said, as I passed out in his hold.

My eyes fluttered open as I felt warmth on my cheek. The sun was shining brightly through the window.

I turned my head the other and saw the blonde college student.

"Good morning," he greeted warmly. "Try to keep still for five minutes, okay?"

I nodded, looking down at his hands. He held mine and was wrapping a bandage round my palm. I relaxed, feeling safe in his presence.

"There. How's that?" he asked, giving one final tug on the end of the dressing.

I flexed my hand. "It's good."

He smiled gently. "Let's bandage your chest now then."

I looked down at the cuts and bruises my mother had caused. "Yeah…"

I brought myself to sit up, with the help of Soubi. He held me gently as he wrapped the dressing carefully around my wounds.

"Arigatou," I smiled weakly.

"You're welcome," Soubi replied.

Tears formed in the corner of my eyes and I swung my arms around Soubi's neck, ignoring the pain it caused me.

"Can't I stay here? I hate it! I hate living there! She's getting worse, Soubi! I can't take it!" I whimpered.

Soubi rubbed my back in a soothing manner. "Ritsuka, she's your mother."

"I don't care! She doesn't want me! I'm not 'Ritsuka'! She hates me for that! You're all that I need, Soubi!"

He hugged me tighter. "Honto ni?"

"Hai!" I cried. "Hai! Hai, hai, hai!"

"Well, in that case, you can stay here as long as you like, if that would make things better. I hate to see you hurt like this."

I nodded a thanks and nuzzled Soubi's chest.

He sighed, rubbing my back again. "Suki daiyo," he whispered. "Suki daiyo."

"I love you too, Soubi…" I looked into his eyes, realising I'd never told him that before. "Yakusoku yo."

OoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOoOo

I don't like the ending… Lol.

Translation:

Arigatou – Thank you

Hai ­– Yes

Honto ni – Really

Suki daiyo – I love you

Yakusoku yo - Promise