Chapter Three: Lost and Found

Two Weeks Before:

"Ritsuka-kun!"

"Kaidou-san."

"Kaidou-san? Kaidou-san? After all we've been through together, you and I – I'm still Kaidou-san?"

"I'm sorry," laughed Ritsuka. "Kio-san."

"Just Kio, please," said Kio, motioning Ritsuka inside the apartment. "I almost didn't recognize you, Ritsuka-kun. How long has it been?"

"Eight years." The words sounded empty, hollow.

"Please, Ritsuka-kun, come in," said Kio, putting his hand on Ritsuka's shoulder. "It's been way too long, you know."

Once inside, Ritsuka was immediately confronted by an overwhelming sense of loss. The place looked almost exactly the same as he remembered it – almost the same, but for the unmistakable presence or, more accurately, absence - of Soubi. This apartment was devoid of anything of Soubi's, with the exception of a single canvas that hung on the wall over the eating area: a sea of blue and two butterflies.

Ritsuka took a deep breath. How many nights had he spent here as a child, asleep in Soubi's arms? At the end, when he had ordered Soubi to leave him alone, he had come to think of this place as his home – a refuge from his mother's abuse and the pain of Seimei's betrayal.

"Brings back memories, huh?" asked Kio, kindly.

"Mostly good ones," Ritsuka replied with a smile.

"He hasn't been back, either," Kio offered. "Not since graduation."

Ritsuka sighed.

"You did the right thing, Ritsuka-kun," Kio continued.

"I hurt him," said Ritsuka sadly.

"Sou-chan is a child," Kio replied. "More than you ever were."

"He's been hurt, Kio."

"You've always been kind, Ritsuka-kun."

"How is he?" Ritsuka asked, walking over to the painting and smiling.

"When you told him you wouldn't see him again, I thought he'd become what he was before – empty, barely alive," Kio said, softly. "And maybe he has, in some sense." Ritsuka ran his fingers over the rough surface of the painting, drawn, as always to the aching beauty of Soubi's art. "But there's something different this time, too."

"Different?" Ritsuka asked. "How?"

"I'm not sure I can explain it," Kio replied. "After you two met Seimei and Nisei that last time, he just…shut down."

Ritsuka frowned. So did I. It was as if Seimei twisted my heart and ripped it in half.

"He still thinks he betrayed me," said Ritsuka, his voice low with emotion.

"Didn't he?" asked Kio. The words were harsh, but his voice was gentle and there was sorrow in his eyes.

"He didn't want to," Ritsuka answered, turning away from the painting. "I understand now. He's been…"

"Abused," Kio supplied, with a sigh.

For a moment, Ritsuka said nothing. Kindred spirits, he thought, Kio and I. Understanding Soubi but helpless to do anything for him.

"Where is he, Kio?" Ritsuka asked, finally.

"Kyoto," Kio replied. "Got a job as a graphic designer with some big advertising company there. It works for him – he can fade into the woodwork, he doesn't run into people he knows. I saw him about six months ago."

"I want to see him, Kio," said Ritsuka, realizing that speaking those words had made his shoulders and jaw tense involuntarily. You can do this, he told himself. You're the only one that can save him.

"Do you want me to go with you?" asked Kio, clearly intrigued at the prospect.

"No," Ritsuka answered, wishing he could take Kio with him, "but thanks for offering. This is something I have to do by myself. And if what I have in mind works, I'll bring him back here soon."

Kio's eyes lit up and he smiled gently. "He's lucky to have you, Ritsuka," he said.

Ritsuka returned the smile. "I was just about to say the same - that he's lucky to have you, Kio. I guess we both need him, don't we?"


The Present:

Soubi stared at Ritsuka, still holding Ritsuka's hand.

Ritsuka smiled and pulled Soubi towards him away from the table, taking Soubi in his arms in much the same way Soubi had held Ritsuka, hundreds of times before. "I told you, Soubi," he said. "I made a choice. I chose you."

"I don't understand," said Soubi, clearly stunned at Ritsuka's gesture.

Good, thought Ritsuka, I've caught him off-guard.

"There's nothing to understand, Soubi," Ritsuka replied, still holding Soubi, his arms laced around Soubi's waist. "When I was a child, you loved me. Now it's my turn to love you."

Ritsuka reached up and ran one hand through Soubi's ash-blond hair. It felt like silk between his fingers. Soubi's blue eyes met his own, and Ritsuka was struck at how childlike those eyes seemed – full of surprise and wonder. Ritsuka felt his heart race again. You've known this might happen for years, he thought, and yet you're still afraid.

"Ritsuka," whispered Soubi. "You don't need to do…"

"Shhh," said Ritsuka, putting his fingers to Soubi's lips. "Don't speak. Just let me love you, Soubi."

Soubi opened his mouth to speak again, but this time Ritsuka silenced him with his own lips. Soubi moaned softly as the kiss deepened and Ritsuka, in spite of himself, felt his body respond to Soubi's. It had never been like this before; before, it had always been something chaste, innocent. In truth, Ritsuka had not meant this to be anything but innocent. Still, he found himself thinking about how beautiful Soubi was…

This isn't about you, Ritsuka thought once again, taken aback by his body's reaction, this is about him.

Soubi pulled away, looking slightly stunned. "No," he said, his voice barely a whisper. "I don't deserve this."

Ritsuka took a deep breath. You knew this wouldn't be easy, he reminded himself.

"It's alright, Soubi," he said out loud, smiling warmly and now looking directly into those cool blue eyes. "Just remember that I love you and I will not leave you. I have chosen you, Soubi."

Ritsuka's cell phone rang.

Inwardly relieved at the distraction, Ritsuka pulled the phone out of his pocket and tapped it. "Youji-san," Ritsuka said, studying Soubi's reaction at hearing the name with some amusement. "Outside Tokyo? When?"

Soubi frowned slightly.

"Good," Ritsuka replied after a pause, "we'll meet you there in a few days…. Yes, I'm here in Kyoto with him. ..Yes, he'll be coming, too. Thanks, Youji-san."

Ritsuka tapped the cell phone once more and replaced it in his pocket. "Still not interested in why I've asked you to fight for me?" Ritsuka asked playfully.

Soubi peered at Ritsuka over his round glasses. "No," he replied.

"You're lying, Soubi," Ritsuka said, smiling. "But I'll play along. You'll know soon enough anyhow."

They will find me soon – they know I've been asking questions, thought Ritsuka.

"We're going to Tokyo, then?" asked Soubi, walking over to the kitchen and beginning to clean up. Ritsuka thought he saw Soubi touch his hand to his lips for just an instant. Was it possible, then, that Soubi had felt it as well?

"Hmm," Ritsuka replied, watching Soubi and grinning. "Youji and Natsuo are meeting us. They've been working on something for me."

"Nagisa-san let them?" Soubi asked casually as he washed the dishes.

"Does that surprise you?"

"Nothing about you surprises me, Ritsuka," Soubi replied. "I have never doubted that, if you put your mind to it, you could accomplish a great deal."

Ritsuka laughed softly. "I'll take that as a compliment, then, that I'm beyond surprising you."

"When do we leave?"

"Tomorrow morning," Ritsuka replied. "I was hoping you might show me Kyoto today. That is, if you don't mind."

"I would do anything for you, Ritsuka," Soubi incanted over a sink full of soapy water.


Four hours later, Ritsuka lay back on the grass in Gosho Park, on the grounds of Kyoto's Imperial Palace. The spring sun was warm on his face, and the air was filled with the scent of blossoms from a nearby grove of cherry and plum trees. They had wandered the city together, talking little, enjoying the companionable silence of old friends. From time to time, Ritsuka had held Soubi's hand, ignoring the surprised looks of some passers-by.

"It's beautiful here, Soubi," Ritsuka said, smiling up at Soubi who sat, his knees pulled up to his chest, watching Ritsuka.

"I come here after work sometimes," Soubi said, pulling a cigarette from his shirt pocket and lighting it.

Ritsuka frowned, waving the smoke away from his eyes with his hand. "I thought you quit," he complained.

"I did," Soubi replied, "for a while, at least."

Ritsuka didn't need Soubi to explain; he knew why Soubi had started smoking again. Soubi always smoked when he was under stress. Even after Ritsuka had commanded him to stop, Ritsuka had caught Soubi smoking after Seimei's return from the dead.

So many promises broken, Ritsuka thought sadly. So many promises he truly wanted to keep.

"I suppose if I order you to put that disgusting thing out, you will," Ritsuka said, with obvious frustration.

"Of course," Soubi replied fervently.

"I won't do it, Soubi," Ritsuka replied. "I understand that when we fight someone must give the orders, but I won't order you about like some sort of pathetic dog."

"I want you to order me about," Soubi replied, simply, smiling coyly. "I live for you to command me, Ritsuka."

Ritsuka jumped up, his face flushed, angry. "Damn you, Soubi!" he shouted, causing several onlookers to glance in the other direction and speed up their steps. "I've told you, I'm not like Seimei or Minami-san. I won't be like them."

Feeling as though he was twelve years-old again, Ritsuka stormed off into the grove of flowering trees. Once there, he leaned back against the gnarled bark of a particularly old sakura and closed his eyes.

I swore I wouldn't do this, he thought angrily. I swore that this time I'd know better, that I'd be more patient, that I…

A sudden chill interrupted his thoughts. A feeling he had not experienced in eight years: the presence of a fighter nearby.

They've found me already? Damn. We're not ready.

He ran back over to where he had left Soubi. He was gone.

No you don't, Ritsuka screamed in his mind. Soubi! You will not fight without me!

And then he saw Soubi, standing in an open field, face to face with two scruffy-looking boys, sixteen or seventeen years old. Immediately, Ritsuka felt slightly dizzy, sick.

Something is different about these two. They're not from Seven Voices. But how…?

"I declare a battle by wordspell," said the older of the two boys, a dark-haired, lanky boy nearly as tall as Ritsuka, wearing all black, his nose pierced with a single silver hoop. "Fighter systems engage."

The world around them all but vanished. Ritsuka ran to Soubi's side, his eyes narrowed. All around them was nothing but bright light - an absence of color and form. Ritsuka had seen many backdrops for fights before, but nothing like this. Nothing so empty.

What are they? he wondered, fighting a renewed bout of dizziness.

"You were expecting them?" Soubi asked, eyeing the newcomers warily.

"Yes," Ritsuka replied. "I figured they'd show up sooner or later. I just hoped it would be later."

"Cut the yapping," said the boy who had spoken before. "Defend yourselves."

Ritsuka nodded almost imperceptibly to Soubi, who raised a hand, palm facing towards the pair, and frowned in concentration. "Who are you?" he asked.

"We are Three," replied the second boy, looking Soubi and Ritsuka over with obvious disdain.

"Three?" asked Soubi. "I have never heard of such a name."

"What difference does it make to you, old man?" demanded the first boy, angrily. "It's just a stupid name, anyhow. Names mean nothing to us."

"I am only curious," replied Soubi, "that's all." He glanced at Ritsuka, who took a deep breath, but said nothing.

"Let's do this, Akira," said the second boy. "We have our orders."

"Orders from whom?" asked Soubi, intrigued.

"None of your business," replied Akira, his dark eyes flashing almost red. He waived his hand in the air and shouted, "Capture the light and render it darkness!"

"Surround the light and deflect!" replied Soubi, watching the other fighter with interest. It was immediately clear to Ritsuka that Soubi had never seen such a fighting style before – cold, calculated, almost mathematical in its precision. Heartless.

"We once believed that we could program our fighters with spells, that we could use spells in much the same way as the weapons of war. It was from this thought that the Zero were born." Ritsu's words, spoken to Ritsuka only months before. "But it became clear that to manipulate the fight in such a scientific manner meant sacrifice far beyond what we imagined. If was because of this that some of us left Septimal Moon, renounced it. But there were others…"

Despite his attempts to force Ritsu to explain, the older man had simply changed the topic or ignored Ritsuka's questions. In the end, Ritsuka had left Seven Voices knowing not much more about Septimal Moon than he had before. What did Ritsu mean?

Ritsuka felt himself bound by heavy metal shackles, doubled over and panting. Soubi's defense had not worked.

"Ritsuka," said Soubi with concern.

"I'm fine," Ritsuka replied, gritting his teeth and standing up straight once again. "But these guys…" His words were cut short by another attack from Three's fighter.

"Blood becomes ice, arresting life!"

Ritsuka dropped to his knees, clutching at his chest. The pain was overwhelming. He felt his heart skip a beat, then another.

"Ristuka!"

Damn, thought Ritsuka, taking in deep gulps of air, trying to steady his heartbeat. He's trying to kill me.

"Fool!" shouted the sacrifice of the Three pair. "You cannot protect your sacrifice by worrying about his safety."

"Whirlwind push through the clouds," said Soubi, forcing himself to look away from Ritsuka. The white background shimmered slightly as Soubi's hair flew about his face. "Erase the gateway!"

The blinding white backdrop now dripped with shades of blue and green – colors Ritsuka recognized from Soubi's art. He understands, thought Ritsuka, still struggling not to lose consciousness. He knows it's something about this place itself that is preventing his spells from reaching their target.

"Nothingness returns, the air is still," parried Akira. The colors vanished once more, bathing them all in an even brighter light.

Ritsuka found it increasingly difficult to breathe, let alone think clearly. I'm missing something here, he thought. This is about manipulating the environment.

"Open the portal, enter the night sky!" shouted Soubi. The blinding white of the fighting space was interrupted by stars overhead.

"Vanish life from this place, bring eternity," countered Three's fighter. And again, the white light returned and Ritsuka found himself gasping for air.

Vanish life? Bring eternity? What the hell…? And then it struck Ritsuka, what the other fighter had done, what was so different about this fight than the others.

"Soubi," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, the pain in his chest intensifying. Ritsuka grabbed Soubi's hand and pulled to get Soubi's attention. "Soubi," he said, between gasps, "you need to substitute your own imagery for their fighter's. They're using the images, the nothingness of this place, to attack."

Soubi's eyes burned a fierce blue, turquoise, like the ocean. He took a deep breath and closed his eyes.

"Fill the void with life," he intoned. "The hues of sunset, the smell of the earth, the warmth of clouds."

The pressure on Ritsuka's chest began to abate, the pain began to fade. He was still shackled, but he could breath once more. He opened his eyes to see the entire space filled with color.

"Empty this place of death, bind it in nature!" shouted Soubi, as the wind once again began to blow about them. There was a sound like the rustling of wind through the trees and the Three sacrifice fell to his knees. "Teeming seas abound with color, wrap your arms around the emptiness."

The Three sacrifice screamed and fell to the ground, bound by chains that appeared to shimmer like glass prisms, splitting the light into myriad colors. The boy moaned and Ritsuka felt the chains around his neck and arms fall away. The late afternoon sunlight replaced Soubi's surreal imagery as the real world around them reasserted itself with quiet grace- the sound of children laughing mingled with the scent of cherry blossoms.

"Should I kill them?" asked Soubi, evenly, his face unreadable.

"Dammit, Soubi," Ritsuka snapped, "you know how I feel about that. I want to talk to them."

Soubi smiled, but said nothing, as Ritsuka ran towards the Three fighting team. The fighter, Akira, looked at Ritsuka with pure loathing. "Damn fool, Takki," he hissed angrily. "Why the fuck did you have to get so beat up? You know I can't take you back like this."

"Sorry," mumbled the sacrifice, looking quite gray in the face.

Ritsuka now stood only feet away from the pair, Soubi several steps behind him, watching Akira warily. Akira, whose face now looked almost as ashen as his companion's, bent down over Takki and, without saying another word, pulled something from his pocket. There was a glint of sunlight on metal and, before Ritsuka could do anything, Akira had plunged the blade into Takki's chest.

"Stop!" yelled Ritsuka, horrified. Soubi reached for Akira, but he kicked Soubi hard in the shin and took off into the park, disappearing behind a high stone fence. Soubi would not leave Ritsuka, instead watching the boy run off.

Ritsuka, on his knees at the injured boy's side, pressed his palms against the bloody wound in a valiant effort to stem the bleeding. The boy called Takki looked up into Ritsuka's eyes and opened his mouth to speak. "Sorry…," he said, his voice barely audible, "…Akira." His body went limp.

"Ritsuka," Soubi said, his hand on Ritsuka's shoulder. "We have to get out of here. Now."

"But we can't," Ritsuka stammered, still pressing his hands against the wound, "he's..." Ritsuka's voice trailed off.

A crowd had gathered around them, muffled voices, expressions of shock at the sight of the still body of the boy, and the blood.

"He's dead, Ritsuka," said Soubi. "We can't stay here." Soubi pulled Ritsuka to his feet, even as Ritsuka stared at his bloody hands. "Come on, Ritsuka. Please."

The sound of sirens, a woman's scream – Ritsuka heard nothing but the pounding of blood in his own ears and Soubi's voice. "Please, Ritsuka. Let me keep you safe."


Author's Note: Thanks to everyone who reviewed the last chapter – I really appreciate it! It means a lot to know that the story has struck a chord with people other than me. ;-) So, a hint of things to come with Ritsuka's confession of love, as well as the first fight-sequence of the story.

As you can see, the 'Three' pair is different from the type of fighter we've seen in the past, but vaguely reminiscent of the Zero fighters. To them, a name is something superfluous that has no deeper meaning. And what of their fighting style, which manipulates the framework/backdrop for the fight and, in doing so, causes damage to their opponent's sacrifice? Ritsuka clearly expected he would encounter fighters, but who sent them? Septimal Moon? Seimei? And why would a fighter kill his own sacrifice? All will be revealed in time. -Lex