Masamune clenched his fist tightly.
He could no longer feel Ritsu's presence, couldn't smell his beautiful scent.
And it was killing him.
Go get him, his mind whispered. And do what? He was the sole reason Ritsu was suffering those memories. He was the one who brought him pain. How the hell was he supposed to work around that?
Masamune grasped his forehead. What is wrong with me? Was this his punishment for what happened two years ago? He remembered the idiotic man he once was who cared for nothing but what he wanted. He took Ritsu regardless of his foster family, his dreams, and his sanity.
And now his Ritsu was suffering. Because of him.
If this was punishment then he deserved this and so much more.
"Takano-sama?" Masamune lifted his head toward the woman standing by the doorway. She bowed once his eyes landed on her and announced, "The meeting is about to start. Yoshino-sama is waiting for you in the main hall."
Takano nodded. "You are dismissed."
The woman bowed again and left the room. Masamune grabbed the glass of whisky and drank it whole. He was going to need it to keep him awake during the meeting.
Masamune sighed. What he wouldn't give to ditch the meeting and sleep with Ritsu in his arms.
-Ritsu
Ritsu hunched over, hands braced on knees, and his breathing was coming in hard pants. It felt like a knife was stabbing his heart over and over again. It was difficult to concentrate. Without Masamune beside him his mind started to act up; conjuring things that weren't there.
What is wrong with me? Why was his body acting like this? Never had his body felt less like his own. Not even the first night he became a Vampire and all those urges attacked him at once. He was scared. Why couldn't he just be like any Vampire out there? Why was this happening to him?
His mind flinched at Masamune's presence yet his body craved him. Two sides fighting for dominance and the battle field was Ritsu's sanity.
My god, it hurt.
He was close. So close to shifting back to Masamune. The cold air hit him like a truck. Masamune's warmth was slowly vanishing and he felt like he was suffocating. All these emotions…they were making him dizzy, surly they would've killed a human by the sheer intensity of each emotion.
He wanted to go back; his body was ready to shift back to Masamune when a voice stopped him.
"Ritsu! There you are!" Ritsu jerked his head to the right to see Takeshi and Ryuki waiting just outside the Mansions doors. They waved him over and Ritsu had the feeling they knew he would shift in this particular spot. Was he that obvious?
Ritsu stood, torn by indecision. He started to shake from the effort it took to stay in place. The sight of his beloved uncles did not pull him as much as Masamune did. Maybe he should just stay with Masamune. It was better to be in his arms than out in the freezing cold-
Ritsu yelped as Ryuki suddenly picked him up in an embrace. He didn't even see him coming.
Takeshi walked up to them with a smirk. "Where have you been? We've been looking everywhere for you."
"Sorry I was-" Ritsu yelped again as he was suddenly taken into a different set of arms.
These arms did nothing to warm him from the cold.
Ryuki ruffled his hair playfully. "Let's get going before Suoh sends his warriors to fetch us."
Ritsu paled. The last time that happened Ritsu was in Ireland with Usami and the others and he lost track of time…well let's just say Usami was pissed and everyone was being interrogated as to why they were holding Ritsu captive.
Takeshi grinned at the face Ritsu made. "So let's get going, yeah?"
Takeshi Onodera was Suoh's older cousin, his face was absolutely flawless. Ritsu had heard women talked about how his cheekbones were delightfully sharp; his bottom lip plumper than his top, longer feathering lashes, and his black-as-night hair boasted the slightest wave. His shoulders were wide and his body thick, built for war. His eyes were a beautiful gold green that was odd to Ritsu. He had never seen such colors mix perfectly in a man.
Ryuki smiled lovingly. "Come on Ritsu, I heard Shou is going to take you to your father's home."
Ryuki Onodera was known as a ladies man, he was Suoh's half-brother, he had a similar build as Takeshi yet he seemed more imitating, he didn't just occupy space, he saturated it. He looked to be in his late twenties, six foot two or three, an inch taller than Takeshi; he had golden skin, royal blue eyes. He wasn't handsome, that was too calm of a word. He was intensely masculine. He was sexual. He attracted. There was power in the way he stood, in his eyes, the set of his full mouth; he was the kind of man no one would mess with.
The two were hard on others, unforgiving even. But with him, they were gentle, kind; they handled him as if he was a fragile flower to protect. He had to admit it was overwhelming just standing near them.
Ryuki pushed him inside the mansion and headed straight for the drawing room. Ritsu's heart ached as he remembered only hours ago Masamune sat there waiting for him.
What is he doing now? How is he feeling? Is he mad at me? Is he alright? Thoughts of Masamune distracted him, the walk to the drawing room becoming a blur. Is he hurting?
Ritsu flinched at the thought. He knew what he was doing. It haunted him every day. But it was better this way, he reasoned with himself. Masamune would not see when he lost-
Ritsu blinked in surprise when Suoh's voice welcomed him with a tired smile.
Suoh Onodera looked much like his father Natsume Onodera, with wide-shoulders and powerful, all rippling muscle, topped by the dark, savagely beautiful face of an avenging angel. His startling green eyes seemed to pierce right through his soul and his red hair was tied back with a string.
"Sorry we're late," Ritsu spoke in English.
Suoh gave another small smile in Ritsu's direction before sitting down on the red chesterfield with a heavy sigh.
Ritsu frowned in concern. "Is everything alright?"
Suoh shook his head. "The meeting was a disaster."
"How so?" Takeshi asked. He, Ryuki and Ritsu sat down opposite of Suoh in another chesterfield, a table separating them.
"There were complications in capturing a high ranking criminal fugitive in the streets of London yesterday. One we've been haunting down for years."
Sebastien chose that moment to walk in with a tray holding cups of tea. Ritsu looked at him pointedly, hoping he'd get the message of how annoyed he was. As Sebastian gave him his tea he stressed out the words, "Thank you Sebastian."
Sebastian didn't miss a beat. He closed his eyes and smiled. "You're most certainly welcome Master Ritsu."
Ritsu huffed and pouted. He was so mean! Sebastian KNEW he had a soft spot for him. How dare he use that against him!
"Also Master Ritsu," Ritsu frowned when Sebastian set down a large glass in front of him. "Make sure you drink that also."
Puzzled, Ritsu glanced at the continents of the drink and blinked when he realized it was blood. He gave a questioning look to Sebastian whom mouthed out 'Takano-sama called'
Ritsu blushed. Masamune called!? He wasn't joking!? Ritsu looked away embarrassed.
Suoh took the cup from Sebastian and continued. "He disappeared without a trace."
"Why didn't you send out your warriors to captor him?" Takeshi asked with a puzzled frown. "Surly with them he wouldn't have a chance to-"
"I sent everyone out, my warriors, the human police, and he still managed to escape." Suoh put down his tea and massaged his temples, "He was sighted here in London, he looked to be in pain from what the reports say, and armed with a weapon."
Ryuki leaned forward. "Was he alone?"
Suoh nodded. "At first, but then witness reported that he ran into someone and that someone took off with him."
Ritsu frowned at this.
"Do you know who it was?" Takeshi asked.
Suoh shook his head. "No, his features were concealed."
Intrigued, Ryuki asked, "Who is clever enough to elude your warriors Suoh?"
"You know him Ryuki. His name is Saki Mackeltar."
The three Vampires spit out their tea in shock. Luckily for Ritsu the others were so preoccupied by the new they didn't notice Ritsu's panicked reaction.
"Yes." Suoh nodded grimly, "Him."
Takeshi stood up sharply and roared. "What the hell are we doing here talking about this? We should be out there looking for that bastard!"
"The trail went cold Takeshi. They got away somehow." Suoh rubbed the back of his head. "And now there is a meeting with everyone about what to do next."
Ryuki growled in frustration. "Why didn't you inform us of this? You know Takeshi and I could have handled it better."
Suoh's voice hardened. "The two of you were already on a mission. This was sudden, Ryuki. He was spotted an hour before he disappeared. There was no time."
Ritsu had not uttered a word throughout the conversation. He was paralyzed with fear. Was it really the same Saki he ran into yesterday? Had he really helped a high ranking criminal get away? By Takeshi and Ryuki's reactions, Saki was not favored by his uncles at all. His Uncles were honored toward the law and so for them to hate Saki this much would mean Saki had done something unforgivable.
And I helped him get away.
Suoh smiled sadly to Ritsu which made him flinch slightly at the sudden attention. "Sorry Ritsu. This meeting is really important. We'll discuss more tomorrow."
Ritsu nodded weakly. He had to clear his throat twice to say, "I understand."
Suoh got up, ruffled his hair, and shifted out of the room. Ritsu let out a breath a relief he didn't know he was holding.
What was he going to do though? When everyone finds out that he was the one who helped Saki get away he could be thrown in jail! He knew all the Vampires that were surely looking through this case and they were not to be underestimated. They would find out it was him with what clues they could find from the scene and tell Suoh. It was only a matter of time.
What would Masamune think of this?
Ritsu paled. What had he done?
"Well that was disappointing. I was really hopping Suoh would join us today." Takeshi muttered.
Ritsu shrugged weakly, "He's busy. He can't help it."
Takeshi chuckled. "You're so honest."
Ryuki smirked, his anger over Saki leaving him in a rush. "Not that honest."
Ritsu tensed at his tone. "W-what do you mean?" Did they know? Did they find out!?
Ryuki leaned in and took a whiff of him. Ritsu leaned back in confusion and fear.
"Yuck!" Ryuki pulled back and playfully covered his nose. "You smell like that bastard."
Ritsu blinked. "H-huh?"
Takeshi laughed. "You smell like Takano. Lucky for you Suoh wasn't paying attention to your scent." Takeshi frowned suddenly. "And why are your clothes wet?"
"Ah, nothing!" Ritsu waved his hands around nervously. "Nothing, I, uh, fell in a fountain and uh…"
Ryuki shook his head. "Honestly Ritsu, you're a warrior, you should always be vigilant."
"I know, I know." For the past year these two had been training him in military combat. Apparently he was good enough to be recruited into a warrior. Of course Masamune doesn't know about this. If he found out that he took on dangerous missions all around the world he was sure Masamune would have a heart attack.
Ryuki punched Takeshi's shoulder. "I win the bet by the way. You owe me-"
"Hell no! You said Ritsu would go to Takano in a month. It's been two weeks-"
"I said within a month, you betted two months."
Ritsu gawked at them. "You guys betted on me?"
Neither opaid him any attention.
"I win." Ryuki smirked.
"Bull!"
"Not!"
"Too," He spat.
"Not!" He fired back, and then exhaled explosively. "Bloody hell. You drive me insane man."
"Right back at you asshole."
Ritsu shook his head at their antics. "I can't believe you guys bet on me."
Ryuki grinned in his direction. "How could we not? You do a lot of crazy stuff Ritsu."
Ritsu paled. Oh, if only they knew.
"Anyway, we should get going. If we leave now we can find a great hiding spot." Takeshi smirked, mischief twinkling in his eyes.
Ritsu frowned. "Hiding spot?"
Ryuki grinned sheepishly. "We're going to sneak into the meeting and get more information on what's going on."
Ritsu shook his head quickly and got up from the chesterfield. "Oh no. I'm not getting involved into another of these-"
"Aw, come on Ritsu. It'll be fun." Takeshi said.
Ritsu scoffed. "You said that the last time you took me to a bar to assassinate a Rouge Vampire."
Takeshi frowned playfully. "What was wrong with that? It went well."
Ritsu sent him an unimpressed look. "They thought I was a performer going to entertain them."
They snickered. "It was funny how the guy was trying to flirt with you."
Ritsu scowled. Thank god Masamune didn't know about that either! "I'm not going. Forget it." Who knew what else they would force him to do while there. A bored Takeshi and Ryuki is a dangerous Takeshi and Ryuki.
Ryuki smirked. "If you don't go then we'll have to tell Suoh about your little trip with Takano."
Ritsu paled. "You wouldn't."
Takeshi grinned evilly. "Oh, we would. You know us." Oh, they would. Shit!
Ritsu suddenly smirked taking both males by surprise. "You have no proof." Ritsu quickly shifted to his room just as the two jumped out of their chairs and lunged for him. They weren't fast enough to catch him. He hurriedly discards his clothes and ran a hot shower.
Ten minutes later, as Ritsu came out of the bathroom and changed into fresh clothes, they came charging in the room. "No fair Ritsu!"
Ritsu shrugged. "Serves you two right." He turned his attention to the large dresser beside his bed. His bedroom was big enough to fit two bedrooms; marble floors, a white hearth, a four poster bed was draped with black sheets that were sleek, sensual to the touch, all the walls were tinted windows showcasing the garden outside.
"I'm not going with you guys." He called over his shoulder.
Ryuki sat down on the bed next to him. "Like you have a choice."
Ritsu growled but they ignored him. "I'm serious guys. I'm not going. I need to meet with An-Chan later."
"She can wait another hour or two." Ryuki waved it away.
"No."
"You're no fun Ritsu."
"That's why we're here to change that Ryuki." Takeshi smirked.
"Guys seriously, no means-Hey!" Takeshi and Ryuki made a grab for him. "Let go! I said-god damn it Takeshi!" Ritsu kicked out. "I'm not going-Hey!" Uppercut. "Where the hell are you touching-Ryuki! Stop it!" Punch. "That's what you get-Shit!" Kick. "Where the hell did that come from? Don't you dare! Ack!"
Takeshi and Ryuki grinned at their handiwork. Ritsu was cuffed and slung over Takeshi's shoulder. "Hey Ritsu, you can have those cuffs after this." Ryuki laughed.
"Screw you guys!"
Ryuki pouted slightly. "Sadly we can't, we're related."
Takeshi shrugged causing Ritsu to bounce on his shoulder. "You have Takano for that."
Ritsu blushed. "I hate you guys."
"Aw, we love you too~"
They summoned a Vampire and shifted to the meeting.
just saying, this made me laugh writing it xD hoped u enjoyed! Much love!
