HI! Sorry, I won't be updating as much (As you guys had already noticed. Sorry!) But once I start college it'll be better. My job is tiring, long hours, and yeah...

I'M SO SORRY! I MISSED YOU GUYS! ;.; SO DAMN MUSH!

I'll try to get at least two chapters updated a week. (I know. Horrifying right? I used to do more ;.; Damn job!) But that's all the time I'll have sadly. (I MISSED YOU GUYS!) Don't think I've forgotten about you!

Hope you enjoy! Much love!


-Three days Later...

"Takano! What the hell is up with you!?" Everyone in the office of Marukawa cringed as they timidly turned their heads toward a very frustrated and pissed off Yokozawa heading straight for a deadpan Takano Masamune.

Takano looked up from his paper work with an annoyed frown. "What?" he snapped. He had a huge headache coming on and he didn't think he would be able to hold his temper back with Yokozawa breathing down his neck like this.

Yokozawa came to a halt next to his desk and crossed his arms. "Stop spacing out! This is the third time I've caught you." He growled.

"Then how about you stop focusing on me and do your own damn work." Takano growled back. He leaned back in his chair with a tired sigh. It was Friday evening at Marukawa, three days after Ritsu's sudden disappearance, and he didn't want to deal with anyone right now. He's been on edge thinking about Ritsu and wondering if he got home alright.

Yokozawa growled low. "I would like to do my own damn work if it wasn't for the fact that three people are waiting for your documents and are pestering me about it."

Takano winced inwardly. Crap, was he really that behind? Takano looked at the stacks of paper on his desk with a frown. Which were they again? And how was it that there was more paperwork on his desk than there was a few minutes ago? His hand reached for a random paper with confusion.

Yokozawa shook his head at the hopeless display. "See? You've been spacing out."

Takano glanced at the clock in surprise to see that it was lunch and most of his group except for Hatori had already left. Takano turned his attention back to the funning bear at his side, "I wasn't spacing out, Yokozawa."

Yokozawa scoffed. "You're such a bad liar. You had that faraway look again. Don't tell me you were thinking of Oda again."

Takano winced at the mention of Ritsu. Was he alright? Did he find his way home? Did those men who were looking for him get him?

Takano gritted his teeth as his headache grew worse and snapped at Yokozawa, "And? What if I was? That has nothing to do with you."

Yokozawa's eyes narrowed dangerously. "It does when your work is getting behind."

Takano merely shrugged and turned his attention at the stack of papers. This was going to take days to finish. He'd better kiss his relaxing weekend goodbye. He picked up another paper and tried to focus what was on it but...

Takano inwardly sighed at his own hopelessness as his mind once again traveled to the small Cat.

Yokozawa shook his head when he saw the stubborn look in Takano's eyes. He was not letting the subject of Ritsu go as he had hopped. "Look," Yokozawa said with a calmer tone, "Oda's fine. He has his 'magic' thing to protect him. You shouldn't worry so much about the kid. He's not your responsibility."

Takano only nodded, his eyes refusing to meet Yokozawa's.

His mind wandered away from the conversation to the day he woke up to find Ritsu gone. He had gone into a panic. His mind raced with thoughts of Ritsu being captured while he was asleep and he had looked around his apartment twice before he saw the small pouch of gold coins on his nightstand.

A wave of sadness crossed filled his chest as he took that as a sign that Ritsu had left voluntary. He left the gold coins where they were since he cared for nothing of money. He'll keep them as a memento of Ritsu.

Yokozawa sighed drawing Takano out of his musings. "Hey, how about we go out for drinks tonight? It'll get your mind off of things."

Takano shook his head. "No thanks. I need to catch up on my work. Maybe some other time."

"You sure? You could finish this next time."

"Thanks but no." Takano leaned forward and started on his work clearly dismissing Yokozawa.

Yokozawa stayed quiet for a moment, studying the way Takano avoided eye contact with him before nodding and leaving the room.

Takano blew out a breath. Yokozawa was way too overprotective of him. He needed to find someone for the guy so he could leave him alone.

Takano chuckled. Maybe Zen Kirishima would do the trick. He'd seen Kirishima mess with Yokozawa during break and he swore he never seen Yokozawa blush so much.

Takano looked down at the amount of paperwork on his desk with an inward groan. He was going to stay late at work again trying to finish all this up.

He picked up a piece of paper, his eyes not seeing the information, instead his mind wondered on the sad expression on Ritsu's face when he said that he would remain for one more day. Was he sad at the thought of leaving? Did he secretly want to stay with him?

Takano shook his head. What was up with him? Shouldn't he be glad that the little Cat is finally out of his hair? He should be celebrating the fact that he has his apartment all to himself again.

But he wasn't. Instead he was worrying about Ritsu. Did he make it home? Was he still here in the Human world? Was he starving? Cold?

Takano scowled at himself. It was no use worrying like this. He should have more faith in Ritsu's ability to take care of himself. He didn't act like a child after all.

Takano sighed loudly bringing the attention of many in the room. There was no point in this. He looked down at his paperwork and picked up another piece of paper, the black ink on his palm drawing his attention.

He put the paper down and inspected his palm. When he was looking for Ritsu three days ago he had found a mark on the door, it was so small he would have missed it if he wasn't inspecting the door so closely thinking that someone had broken in.

It was a Star inside of a circle with two cresset moons outside of it. He had touched it and somehow the mark transferred to his skin. He had freaked out at first when he realized this was probably Ritsu's doing.

He tried doing research on the mark but none came up to exactly what he was looking for. There were similar ones and he found out that most of them were a sign of protection.

Takano smirked. Ritsu was smart. Sometimes he wondered if he was a child at all. Sure he acted like a kid around him but his actions speak louder than words. His body was always tense as if he ready for an attack, his gaze would study everything around him; planning, plotting.

Takano frowned. What kind of life did he have? He was mentally too old to be that of a child. So what-

"Damn it Takano!"

Takano easily evaded a stapler thrown his way. Takano noticed that everyone in his department came back from lunch. He looked at the clock and groaned; he had missed two more hours of work lost in thought.

Sighing again he looked out the window for a brief second.

Are you alright Ritsu?

-Ritsu

Ritsu's gasping breathes were broken by voices coming from the ally next to him. He covered his mouth and willed his heartbeat to slow down. Using his magic he produced a black cloak and wrapped it around himself. His feet were shaking from the hours of running, his throat felt scratchy, and his clothes were drenched in his sweat.

It's been three days since they've been chasing him. Ever since he left Takano's apartment Ritsu has been on the run.

So far he was only able to detect three Felis after him, two of them felt familiar but the other one is foreign to him.

He's been cloaking his magic, giving him an advantage of getting away from them but these men were skilled. They hunted him down with vigor. He had no way to get home, no way to trust anyone that held magic, and his magic has not reached its full strength yet. Not even close to half.

Ritsu clenched his teeth in frustration. His plan was to store up as much magic as he could and take one of these guys down. Each of these men had a key to get home. But with his current state he knew that was impossible. He wasn't strong enough, he was weak.

Ritsu growled. How the hell did he end up this way? The proud prince stoops so low. Gah! He hated it! The feeling of helplessness, of being weak, he never wanted to feel this again, his mind always thinking on training until he collapsed from exhaustion.

How was he supposed to protect those he loves otherwise?

Ritsu's heart stopped when the voices came just above him. His whole body tensed, his breathing stopped, and his heart picking up speed. Ritsu scowled at this. He forced his heart to stop, his breathes even, and his magic almost non-existent.

Ritsu strained his ears to hear the conversation. He sensed two Felis coming his way. Luckily they didn't sense him in the ally. Ritsu suppressed his magic more.

They would not find him.

"-Not here." A voice sounded.

Ritsu's eyes widened. He knew that voice...it couldn't be...Ritsu shook his head. No, it was a trick. That voice couldn't be here...Unless they were sent by his father?

"Kyo sensed it just outside the city. That brat has to be there."

Ritsu's heart squeezed painfully. He knew these voices. They were his father's friends. They were considered as family.

"We shouldn't underestimate the kid. You've seen him in battle. He'll easily defeat you." Ritsu imagined Kyo as his voice caressed his ears; red hair, blue eyes, tan skin, strong cheek bones and a strong frame from war.

The other man snorted. "He's been given poison. I doubt he'll be able to do anything now." This one's name was Nagato; black hair, black eyes, tall muscular frame and an expert in fire. He was also a strong warrior.

Ritsu gritted his teeth. Another traitor. How could they? His father trusted them. They were highly praised back home; heroes. How could they betray their home like this? How could they turn their backs on his father?

How dare they betray me!?

A memory arose of them clasping him on the shoulders on a job well done. It was his first mission, his first fight and he had shocked them all with his power. They celebrated that day with a meal made for kings.

Ritsu's anger spiked as well as despair. They would pay.

They helped protect their home from the last war and now they would see it destroyed?

Never. Not as long as I still have breath.

The voices grew distant. Ritsu peaked out of the ally to see that he was near a park. He could easily hide there among the trees.

Ritsu glanced at the sky. It was getting darker by the minute. Soon the streets will be deserted and darkened. He would be able to blend into the darkness easier.

Ritsu shivered. The wind picked up, nearly blowing his hat away. What was he going to do for now? He was starving; he hadn't eaten since he left Takano's apartment. He couldn't ask for help, he wouldn't do that to humans, even if they were worthless to begin with he couldn't place them in danger.

Ritsu thought of Takano and his heart squeezed painfully.

No, he wouldn't do that to them. He wouldn't bring disaster to their lives for his selfishness. He'll do this on his own.

Just as I have always done.

Ritsu waited until it was completely dark and no one was walking down the street before running toward the park. Just as he was about to enter it the wind picked up and blew his hat away in the sky. Ritsu cursed but didn't stop as he ran into the park and in the shelter in the dark blossom trees.