Hiding Soubi in his room, Ritsuka slowly crept downstairs to inspect if anything or anyone was down there. Moving against the wall, he peeked around to see no one was there. Quickly sending Soubi a text message, he called the coast clear.

A few moments later, Soubi came quickly down the stairs into the kitchen, embracing the neko eared boy. Snuggling his face into the boy's raven hair, he sighed, relieved. he hated leaving Ritsuka's side, if only for a moment, in this house.

"Are you hungry, Soubi? We can make...Pancakes. I don't have any of that instant stuff so we'll have to make it by hand, if that's okay"

Soubi smiled and nodded, going to the fridge to get the ingrediants needed. Ritsuka went to the pantry to get the flour. Slightly overwhelmed by the weight, he waddled over to the counter, setting down the bag, apparently a little too hard. White fluff poofed out of the bag, covering both Ritsuka and Soubi, who had just came back with the eggs, milk and oil.

"Oops! Sorry, I guess I must've put it down to fast." Soubi chuckled lightly at the boys blushing cheeks, grabbing a moist paper towel and wiping some of the flour of his Sacrifice's face.

"It's alright, but we better get this cleaned up before we start to cook." After cleaning the rest of the flour mess, they continued to mix the batter for the pancakes. Patting his hands dry, Soubi smiled at Ritsuka.

"All done, now will you get the syrup out of the fridge while I set the table." Ritsuka nodded and wandered towards the kitchen. Soubi followed Ritsuka's every move with sad eyes. He couldn't understand why he wouldn't just leave with him, why Ritsuka won't leave this hell hole and embrace a life with only love and comfort.

As he was contemplating his jumbled thoughts he didn't realize Ritsuka had come back. The violet eyed boy stared at his fighter with curiosity, slight confusion and sadness. He didn't like the way Soubi was staring off into space. Slightly tugging his sleeve, Ritsuka brought Soubi back to reality.

"You ok? You seem...I don't know, sad.?" Soubi smiled lightly to hide the pain, pulling Ritsuka close.

"I'm fine, I was just thinking is all. Now come on, lets eat. I'm starving." Smiling he pulled Ritsuka into his lap. Picking up a fork, he carried a piece of the pancake towards Ritsuka's mouth. "Open up." Blushing, Ritsuka obliged, slightly parting his lips.

Soubi smiled "Is it good.?" Ritsuka smiled back and nodded, mimicking Soubi's actions. "Now you open up.'

The next hour they sat there, eating and talking, wishing it to never end. But all good things must have a climax or you wouldn't be able to tell the difference between good things and bad things.

After cleaning up the mess, they snuck back to Ritsuka's room, right before Misaki came was still early so Soubi decided to stay a little while longer, just talking to Ritsuka. Heck, Ritsuka didn't even have to reply to him, all Soubi needed to know is that he was listening.

"Ritsuka? Can I ask you something?" They were sitting next to Ritsuka's bed, huddled together in a loving embrace.

"Hmm?" Ritsuka moved his head slightly so he could look up at the taller man.

"If I ask you a few more times to move in with me,, will you ever say yes?" Ritsuka's ears went flat on top of his head. Move in with Soubi? But leave mother alone? Yes, he loved Soubi, but what about mother? Sighing he contemplated this for a few more minutes, then he came up with a conclusion.

"If you ask me now, the answer would still be no, but maybe in the future...maybe." This is all Soubi needed, just a sliver of a chance. All he ever wanted in his life.

Hope.