Chapter X: A new home

"Oh sweety, I will really miss you."

Soubi blinked at the attention his sacrifice was receiving. The boy was currently surrounded with arms cuddling him and hands ruffling his hair. The women seemed to have no intention to release their victim soon. When Soubi noticed Ritsuka's helpless glance he had enough.

"Excuse me, but we have to go now."

He swallowed when he received nothing but angry glances. Women…

Finally one of the nurses took pity of the poor boy. She sighed dramatically.

"But you will come and visit us, right?"

One last hug, then a motherly push towards Soubi who immediately grabbed the small hand once it was in his reach to pull him at his safe side, out of reach of deadly arms. He couldn't blame them for fussing all over the boy. Who wouldn't love to cuddle and hug such a cute child? But it was his duty to take care of Ritsuka's well-being. And the boy seemed to be very uncomfortable with all the attention he was receiving.

Yeah. That was it.

Soubi turned his attention back to the group of nurses.

"Thank you for everything. You have taken good care of Ritsuka."
The women returned the kind smile.

"It was our pleasure."

The young artist nodded once more before turning to lead the younger one towards the entrance. Together they left the building and approached the street. Soubi smiled.

"Look, Ritsuka. I've bought a car. Do you like it?"

They had stopped in front of a dark Mercedes. Even though the boy didn't show any reaction, Soubi knew he was surprised. He grinned and leaned down to meet his sacrifice's glance.

"So I was right."

Slowly, Ritsuka turned his head. He gave no sign that he was listening. Still, Soubi continued with that quiet and calm voice of his.

"I've bought it because it's colour matchs your eyes."

He saw something, deep inside those empty eyes stir and die. Or was it just his imagination? Normally, the boy would blush and yell at him, ordering him to stop saying such embarrasing things.

Not gonna happen.

Not this time, or any time soon, that is.

As usual, his expression hid the disappointment he felt. Instead, he reached out to open the door for the child, motioning him to climb in before closing the door behind him. Sobi took the opportunity to give a soft sigh, then turned to throw the boy's bag inside and climbed in, too.

Ritsuka's glance fell out of the window almost immediately, even though his eyes didn't see anything.

So it was true.

He could leave this horror-house and all those women who were always fuzzing over him.

That was good.

But that also meant, he had to stay with Soubi… who was always lieing at him...

That was bad.

Ritsuka didn't trust him. How could he? The fighter was just another adult who would promise to take good care of him before walking away and leaving him behind.

No.

Ritsuka couldn't let this happen. He wouldn't get abonded again. No one would hurt him ever again.

No one cared for him? Okay, so he just would have to take matters in his own hands.

Next to him, Soubi was completely unaware of his sacrifice's thoughts. In utterly silence he drove his new car towards Ritsuka's new home.

Finally their trip came to a halt when Soubi stopped the car in front of a house. He got out and opened the door for his little passenger. Once the boy stood next to him he took hold of his hand and smiled.

"You don't know this place, right? I had to buy a new house. My old apartment would have been much to small."

He laughed.

"It wasn't that expensive anyway and I think you'll like it."

His blue eyes shifted down to find the smaller one glance sceptically at the building. To give the teen a feeling of safety, he squeezed his hand gently.

"Let's go inside, Ritsuka."

The boy glanced down again but eventually took a slow step forward. While they walked towards the entrance door Soubi smirked.

"Don't be surprised. Natsuo was determined to make you a "welcome dinner", so he named it. So I can't give a guarantee that the kitchen is still as clean as I've left it."

He opened the door to let them inside. Once in the hall he dropped Ritsuka's bag and waited.

Slowly, carefully Ritsuka glaced up. He was just too curious to pretend he didn't care. Soubi had bought a new house? And a new car? Where did he get so much money? He surely hid something again…

Still, Ritsuka looked around.

A nice place.

A soft carpet was lying on the floor, portraits were decorating the walls, stairs lead a floor higher. Everything looked warm and welcoming.

Ritsuka was surprised.

Soubi smiled.

Suddenly one of the doors was opened to reveal a wide grinning Natsuo.

"See? I told you they're here!"

He ran over and immediately clung to Ritsuka.

"Welcome home."

Youji still stood in the door, a wide grin in his face.

"We've made you dinner! Come see!"

With no other choice left Ritsuka let himself be dragged into the kitchen where the plates were already set. Soubi, who had followed the teens, stopped in amazement. Despite his worst premonition the kitchen was quiet clean. No smoke, no remains of food, the dirty dishes were nowhere in sight… He frowned. That was unexpected. He turned to throw them a suspicious glamce. He just knew them too well… both couldn't be trusted. Especially with such an innocent gleam in both their eyes…

"Be careful, Ritsuka."

His sacrfice had just reached out for the rice, but stopped now. Natsuo seemed to be very offended, for he pressed his hands in his hip and glared as hard as possible at the other fighter.

"Hey! It's not like we put poison in it or something!"

Youji shook his head and grabbed the other's arm to drag him out of the room. Soubi couldn't help but grin. Those two…With his usual smile he sat down next to the boy.

"I wasn't serious, Ritsuka. Just go ahead and enjoy their food."

Ritsuka hesitated but finally reached again for the plates. He didn't want to but his body forced him. Also, Natsuo had told him this was his "welcome dinner". So all of this was just for him. For no one else, just for Ritsuka. It tasted wonderful.

The artist watched with relief. He had been told that the teen refused to eat most of the time. It felt good. Very good.

After Ritsuka had finished, Soubi once again took hold of his hand.

"Now… was it good?"

No answer. Of course. Still, he smiled.

"Come with me. I want to show you everything."

Ritsuka didn't look up but allowed Soubi to lead him through the rooms. He didn't listen to his fighter. That was useless, right? It meant nothing to him. Finally they walked up the stairs. Soubi opened one of the doors and lead him inside.

"This is your room, Ritsuka. I'll sleep next door and Youji and Natsuo over there."

Slowly, Ritsuka looked up. This was his room? Well… it definitive seemed so. He recognized his things standing in the room. His computer, his bed, even his cupboard… everything was there. Ritsuka's eyes widened.

Soubi bent down to look in the boy's dark eyes.

"I didn't know how you liked you room. So I've decorated it just like your old room…"

Instantly Soubi regreted these words. Ritsuka's eyes lost their expression. He broke free from Soubis's grip and dashed into one corner, slipping down onto the ground. The blonde artist cursed himself for being so tactless. Watching Ritsuka once again in this state, vulnerable and helpless, tore at his heart. Slowly, carefully, he walked towards the teen to kneel beside him. His hand found it's way into the dark locks of soft hair.

"We can always rearrange everything, Ritsuka. Just like you want it. Okay?"

Silence. Soubi sighed.

"We'll do it tomorrow. Right after breakfast. It's my free day, so I have all the time in the world. Just for you. Good night, Ritsuka."

One gentle kiss on the boy's forehead, then Soubi raised up and turned to leave the room. Softly the door closed behind him and he let out a quiet sigh.

This would be hard.

Three teens, two of them being completely carefree and without any respect for other beings while the other one was traumatic and completely closed up.

And he was responsible for all of them. Well… at least for Ritsuka. He had to work hard, so that no one would have a reason to take the boy away from him. Also, he had to be more careful with the thhings he said. Just like Shouko-sensei had said… Ritsuka was very sensible to words, even more now than he had been before. Even though Soubi wanted nothing more than for his boy to return to his normal self, he knew he had to take things slow. He had to be patient, patient and careful. Maybe he should have a little chit-chat with ZERO… He couldn't trust them with Ritsuka's sanity. They were just too tactless… more than Soubi himself… The blonde artist sighed once again before turning to one of the other doors.

End of Chap. X

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Hello everyone!

I'm late, aren't I? Sorry for that. I was quiet busy these days. I hope this chapter makes up for that. Was it good? Was it bad? Too be honest, I don't like it that much. The Zero-boys are very hard to write. And I had to cut it once again...Hehe... I guess I have to work on that.Oh, and thanks, Tattered Quill, for your tip with the beta reader. Unfortunately, I don't know anyone in England. And my friends all live here.Too bad... anyone up to it?I don't know...

Anyway, thanks everyone, for taking your time and for all the reviews I have received. They are all welcome and treasured. ;-) I love you all. See you next chapter and have a nice day!

Bye, your Nico