He didn't know how long they had been sitting there on the floor. Ritsuka still had not reacted in any way. Soubi's hand was gently stroking the boy's back while the fighter himself gave his best to keep his calm. Everything had happened so fast.
Soubi's heart felt heavy. Mrs. Aoyagi, Ritsuka's mother and only relative, was dead. Had he seen it? Was this incident the reason he was in this shock? Of course… the boy was pretty sensible and caring. Such a horrible scene just had to break his soul. Soubi sighed and looked down at the trembling teen in his arms. How he wished to just take the pain to deal with it himself… his sacrifice was too young… too sensible… to innocent. It was not fair. What would happen now that Ritsuka had no longer someone to take care of him? Again he sighed and placed a soft kiss on the younger one's forehead. The boy was finall safe from the woman that had always hurt him. But to what costs?
He turned his head when he heard the door open and the Zero- boys stepped in. While Youji closed the door Natsuo walked up to the two siiting on the floor and dropped a bag he had been carring.
"Here. That's everything we could find."
His voice changed to a softer tone.
" … how is he?"
Soubi was still surprised. So Ritsuka had managed to change Zero, too… The once careless and pain-loving fighter held so much pity in his eyes that the student had to smile, which quickly faded once he glanced down.
"Ritsuka?"
Still no reaction. He sighed and shook his head. The fighter with the curly hair nodded sadly. Youji came up to them. His purple eyes held no emotion.
"We've looked everywhere for his things. But in the kitchen… what happened there?"
Soubi's face darkened when he remembered the horrible sight of the dead body. Plus, his sacrifice may be in a kind of shock but he still could hear every word they said. So he hushed the unsensible teen with one single look and declared with a determined tone:
"Not now. No more questions."
Normally the two boys were no one to simply obey, but Natsuo understood. So he grabbed his sacrifice's hand and tugged him over to the tv where a game console was installed.
Soubi silently thanked him before once again turning his attention to the young boy in his arms. Gently he stroked the dark hair and whispered soft words.
"Ritsuka. I know this is very hard for you. If only there was a way I could help you and ease your pain. But I'm afraid there is none."
Again his lips touched the other's forehead.
"I'm here for you. If you need me… maybe you want to talk about what happenend last night… you can always come to me. Ok?"
He wasn't surprised when he got no answer. The teen didn't even flinch. Soubi sighed.
"It'll be alright. I promise. I promise…"
He closed his eyes and buried his face in the dark hair of his sacrifice. This way he couldn't notice the dark shadow that appeared for the slightest second in Ritsuka's eyes.
The sounds of the video-game Natsuo and Youji were playing brought the fighter back to reality. The boy was still wearing his shirt… and only his shirt. He couldn't walk around in this. The student reluctantly released his sacrifice to seat him back down on his bed. Then he grabbed the bag Natsuo had dropped beside him and searched through the things Zero had packed. Finally he found what he had looked for. He handed the pair of jeans to Ritsuka.
"Here! Please put these on. We don't want anyone to see you now, do we? What would they think of me?"
His lame attempt of bringing Ritsuka's mind back to him failed. Normally the boy would blush furiously and scream at him, especially with the Zero-boys in hearing distance. But now the dark eyes didn't even blink. As if he hadn't heard the suggestive words… Soubi frowned but dressed the boy nevertheless himself. With great relief he noticed that Ritsuka was still wearing his under-wear. So Kio hadn't undressed him completely, he had just taken of the bloody clothes. After finishing he smiled softly.
"There. All better."
He threw a glance towards the door and muttered mostly to himself:
"I wonder where they are…"
Loud cries were filling the room. Youji was pouting over the game he just lost.
"Hey! That's not fair!"
Natsuo laughed.
"I won!"
His sacrifice crossed his ams and turned away.
"Just because you cheated!"
"Liar! It's absolute fair to throw your opponent into the lava-sea. Look… there! They say it themselves! No cheating, I've won. Sometimes you're such a crybaby."
Youji turned red.
"I'm not a crybaby at all!"
"Yes, you are!"
"Am not!"
And on they went to rent at each other. Soubi couldn't help but smile. If those two weren't in a fight they could be really childish and innocent in their own twisted way… just like his own dear sacrifice… who would have ranted with the other boys if he only had been himself. Again Soubi sighed and turned to the teen seated on his bed. Gently he stroked his cheek.
Suddenly the door flew open and Kio came in. He was followed by a young woman with short brown hair. She immediately headed to the bed and knelt next to Soubi. She took one glance at Ritsuka than turned to the student beside her. Her soft voice was just a whisper, only audible for Soubi, so that the teen couldn't hear them.
"I'm Dr. Shouko. I don't know how you got my number. Ritsuka surely didn't tell you that I'm his Psychologist. But that is not important at this time. Your friend over there told me already what has happened so please leave me alone with him. I need to talk with him in privacy."
The blonde fighter nodded.
"Of course."
He took one last glance at Ritsuka before he stood up and walked towards the small group. He urged them all out and closed the door of his apartment.
While Natsuo and Youji sat down on the stairs to coninue their little rant Soubi leaned against the railing. For the first time since he had found out about Ritsuka's absence he allowed himself to relax. Even though the situation was still the same he was very relieved to know Ritsuka was in professional hands. Never ever had he felt this helpless in his life.
For the first time there was absolutely nothing to change things. He had to let this stranger handle the situation for him.
She knew what she had to do.
She had to.
After all, she was a Psychologist, right? She would help his dear little boy and make him come back to Soubi.
Everything would be alright.
Kio leaned against the wall with his arms folded. His eyes were fixed on his friend. Finally he had enough of the other ones depressed feature. With his usually big smile he nudged the other male.
"Ne, Sou-chan. Don't let yourself be down. Sensei knows what she does."
Soubi absently nodded before giving his class-mate a strange look. Kio laughed nervously before blushing slightly.
"Öh… she… she has to know… that's… her job… right?"
When Soubi's face didn't change Kio quickly shook his head.
"No no! I don't know her! Really! Oh…"
His head dropped. Soubi chuckled qquietly and placed one hand on the other's shoulder.
"Thanks, Kio."
He sighed.
"I just hope that Ritsuka will be ok. He's just too young to deal with such a situation…"
Kio turned serious again and nodded. They waited in silence for the doctor to finish her session. Finally the door opened and the young woman stepped out. She threw one look back before turning to the men in front of her. Soubi's eyes immediately lit up and quietly asked for an explanation. Shouko-sensei sighed and closed her eyes.
"I'm sorry. I can't tell you the details. I'm under the obligation of secrecy. All I can say is that I'll take Ritsuka with me."
Soubi's face darkened.
"What?"
The doctor was surprised but quickly found her smile again.
"No need to worry. He has now no one left to take care of him so I'll take him to a hostel where people can help him. He needs professional mental help to overcome this new trauma. You surely understand this."
Soubi was torn. His heart told him to argue, to walk back into his apartment to cradle the small boy in his arms while his mind knew better. Ritsuka really needed help, help he couldn't give. So he sighed but nodded. Shouko-sensei smiled and turned to walk back in the building. Seconds later she came back out. One hand was holding the bag which held Ritsuka's belonging. The other one was tightly wrapped around Ritsuka's.
"We'll go now."
Soubi sighed again but managed one of the soft smiles he only held for Ritsuka. He bent down to look in the dark eyes.
"I'll come and visit you. I promise. Goodbye, Ritsuka."
He got no reaction but didn't let his sadness show. The boy was in no state to react. No. Soubi had to be patient. The other three also said their goodbyes before watching the doctor guiding the teen down the stairs to a car that was parked there. She opened the door for the boy to get in before slipping in the driver-seat.
Soubi was emotionless yet his blue eyes darkened while he watched the car slowly driving out of his sight. His heart felt more heavy than ever and he himself felt totally lost.
What would happen now that his scrifice was no longer with him?
End of Chap. III
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Yet another chapter is done. I'm quite surprised that it goes so fast. Also I'm not sure about one thing... does Soubi know about Ritsuka's meetings with a psychologist? It wouldn' t surprise me. I know for sure that Kio sees her, too. Anyway... this chapter is a present for my birthday. Jay I love birthdays… ;-)Alright, enough. Thanks for taking your time and reading this. I hope you like it.
To reviewers:
SoraSakura: Thank you for keeping your loyalty. I really appreciate it. I'll check your stories, too.
Promised. Thanks for taking your time. hug
eternalsailorsolarwind: Yes, it was suicide. She had to do it, I don't need her for the plot. ;-)
Normally I don't like suicide but otherwise this story wouldn:t work. Thanks for taking your time. hug
Random Irony: Thanks for the welcoming. bows I still feel a little bit unsure but I think I'll manage. You know… you kind of inspired me
for my RM- story. And don't worry, I always finish my stories. They are like… my children. ;-) I feel responsible for
them. Anyway, thanks for taking your time. hug
darkangel36: Thanks for taking your time. I kind of feel bad for Ritsuka, too. He always has to
suffer… and he's still so young… I hope you liked this chapter, too. hug