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000

Taika found Ritsuka after lunch on their way to their next class, advanced English. He grabbed him gently by the arm.

"About what I said in class…you won't report me, will you?" He asked. "I didn't mean to come too close to the truth, Executioner, I promise."

"Ah, so you are one of us." Ritsuka adjusted his bag strap on his shoulder. "I was wondering if you were serious or just being funny. I won't report you, but you should watch what you say next time. You never know who could be listening."

"You're right, I'm sorry." He looked at him sheepishly from under his bangs. "I'm Tasteless."

"Loveless…that's quite a name."

"As is yours."

"I suppose they all are."

"Yeah."

"You have any further insights to share?"

"No, not really." He shook his head. "I just didn't want to get in trouble." His ears twitched. "Do you think today's thing is connected to Sensei's murder?"

"I can't say with one hundred percent certainty, but it looks that way."

"Damn…this is terrible. People are going to keep getting hurt. How long before one of the victims is a civilian? Your territory is a war zone."

Ritsuka chuckled. "It may as well be. Or at least a body dumping ground."

"I hoped Tamed is okay. I knew her back at the Academy."

"She's shaken up." He paused. "You're around here a lot. Have you ever encountered a unit named Flightless?"

"Considering that I live in the area, that's not a surprise." He laughed. "But no, I can't say that I have. Is that who did this?"

"It's classified."

"But they're a person of interest or you wouldn't be asking." He grinned a little. "I won't tell anyone, promise. Just catch the bastards."

"I intend on it."

000

Ritsuka paced in his bedroom, pondering the events of the day. Soubi had been waiting for him when he got home from school, and was currently smoking out on the balcony. Ritsuka heard him return and the curtains shuffle. The blonde simply stood there, staring at his younger not-yet-lover.

"You're concerned." He stated.

"Wouldn't you be? Three homicides within the span of two weeks." Ritsuka commented. "But this time, we don't have a surviving member of a Unit to get a lead from."

Soubi nodded. "I wonder if the first attempt was a mistake."

"You think she's in danger?"

"It's worth considering the possibility, yes." Soubi nodded. "They disposed of an entire Unit the second time, but only the Fighter the first time? Something just doesn't add up there, Ritsuka, and you know it."

"They probably tortured him to find out where she was, but he wouldn't tell them. If he had, she wouldn't have been there when we stopped by."

"I agree." Ritsuka nodded. "It explains the ligature marks on his wrists. Bound and tortured."

"But the paralyzing agent…"

"Is probably a red herring, if we're on the right track."

Soubi nodded. "Or a last-ditch attempt to scare him into cooperating."

"Only he and the false Flightless would know for certain, and we can't ask any of them."

Soubi nodded. "You have yet to talk to Seimei."

"Ritsu called you, didn't he?"

"No, Zero did." Soubi replied. "They knew you would procrastinate, and Ritsu and Nagisa are getting impatient."

"I don't answer to Nagisa; she can wait." Ritsuka rolled his eyes. "Ritsu, on the other hand, I will humor. This weekend."

"Whatever you wish to do, my love."

Ritsuka flushed. "There's something I wish to do, but you refuse."

Soubi pulled him into a hug, tilting his chin up to plant a kiss to his lips. Ritsuka threaded his fingers through Soubi's silky corn silk locks as Soubi's fingers dug into his lower back. Both males let out a moan, teeth clacking and tongues sliding together. Soubi pulled away first, pressing his forehead to Ritsuka's.

"Sukidayo."

"Sukidayo." Ritsuka agreed, pushing the blonde towards the bed.

"Ritsuka…"

"We can fool around. I won't lose my ears." Ritsuka nibbled on his pierced right earlobe. "Please, Soubi? You don't have to touch me anywhere…just…hold me…"

"Now, that, I can do." Soubi pulled him to lay on the bed together.

Ritsuka curled against him, head and a hand laying on his toned chest. He snuggled up to his Fighter and kissed where his neck met his shoulder on that side.

"Don't get me wrong, Soubi. I love our relationship as it is. I just…wish I could show you a little more."

"I do as well." Soubi pulled him closer for another kiss. "All in due time, kitten."

"You keep saying that."

"I know."

Ritsuka chuckled. "Stay the night?"

"Ritsuka, it would be my pleasure."

000

As promised the following Saturday, Ritsuka stood just outside his brother's property line, sans Soubi. The blonde was on their side of the border, checking out some shops and talking with Tamed when he could. Ritsuka sighed, gingerly touching the black metal fence that surrounded a lush green lawn and typical two-story tan colored house with a slightly darker roof. He couldn't believe his brother lived somewhere so normal, yet here he was, standing outside the home of Aoyagi Seimei and his crew of miscreants. Akame wasn't the only one on his side that took up residence with him, though Ritsuka wasn't familiar with anyone else but Chouma, a former Septimal Moon member and the sister of Kio. He barely opened the gate when the front door swung open. Akame practically danced down the steps, pulling Mimuro with him.

"Come on, senpai." He begged. "I just want to go see if I can get the latest Yokai Hunter manga. Please?"

"Alright, alright. Stop pulling on me like I'm a dog." Mimuro ordered, glaring at him. "We have company, it would appear."

Ritsuka stood there, arm out from pushing open the gate, the gate slowly coming to a stop just before closing. The three of them stood there, staring but not speaking. Mimuro broke the ice first, clearing his throat and smiling gently at the younger Aoyagi brother.

"Hey, Ritsuka, long time no see." He greeted with a slight wave. "You're here for Seimei?"

"He did invite me, after all." Ritsuka offered slowly, hoping Akame remembered.

"Just in time for us to leave. How convenient." Nisei snorted. "You'll find him in the study. First floor, down the hall on the left, second door on the right."

"Thank you…"

"Don't thank me, brat. I just sent you to hell." Nisei huffed.

He pulled Mimuro with him past the neko and out through the gate. Ritsuka waved a goodbye over his shoulder when Mimuro called out to him, but continued walking to the house. Once inside, he could feel the crushing aura that was Beloved's power signature coursing through his veins, pressing down on him and making his legs heavy. He wondered if Mimuro ever felt it when he was in the home. How someone as gentle as him ended up being with someone like Akame, he would never know. He was one of the last people Ritsuka expected to move in with the guy, simply because they hated one another more than Nisei and Soubi did. Ritsuka didn't bother taking off his shoes as he continued into the house. There was a TV on somewhere, and he could hear Chouma and another woman laughing about something on TV. He saw someone pass by on the hallway upstairs, blocked in by a banister, but they didn't seem to see him. He hoped he had clocked himself well enough that his presence wouldn't be known until he entered the room his brother was in, if Akame was giving him a proper location. He found the room and didn't bother to knock as he entered.

"Don't you have any manners?" Seimei asked, not looking up from a book his nose was buried into.

"Of course not. I'm an Aoyagi." Ritsuka countered after a moment's pause.

Seimei's head shot up. "Ritsuka, you've come!" He dog eared the page and sat it down on the table next to him with his reading glasses. "What a pleasure, indeed. Can I get you anything?"

"I'm fine, Seimei."

Seimei gave him a hug, but Ritsuka gingerly pushed him away. "I'm not here to exchange pleasantries, Beloved."

Seimei sighed deeply, sitting in the chair behind the desk. "When did my sweet little brother grow so cold?"

"Shut up. You wanted the real me, you got it. Stop complaining already."

"Not complaining; musing."

"Tomato, tomato." Ritsuka shrugged.

"Please, have a seat." Seimei motioned to a chair.

"I'd rather stand."

"I'd prefer not to be talked down to, if you don't mind."

Ritsuka sighed, sitting to appease his brother. His arms folded over his chest protectively and his legs crossed. "Better, Seimei?"

"Much." Seimei offered him a grin. "Now, to what do I owe the pleasure? I was made aware that you got my note."

"This isn't a formal meeting, Seimei, I'm not one of your attack dogs."

"How rude."

"You made me this way."

"I suppose I have no one to blame by myself." Seimei sighed, putting his cheek in one hand. "Well, what is it? About the murder?"

"Murders."

"Ah, the double the other day?" Seimei asked. "Tragic. Best be careful, little brother. I wouldn't want you to be next."

Ritsuka snorted. "Soubi wouldn't let anyone hurt me."

"Even Agatsuma can't protect you from everything…how are you two doing? I see you've retained your ears." He smiled gently.

"Not by my own choice, I assure you." Ritsuka snorted. "I'd just as soon get rid of these pesky things, but Soubi won't. Not that it's any of your business, but I'm the one that wants to go further."

Seimei's lips pressed into a fine line. "He had better retain that stubbornness until you're eighteen."

"That better not be a threat, Seimei. No one is in the mood for your intimidation tactics."

Seimei sighed. "Pardon if I'm protective. As I said in my letter, if you bothered to read it, I just don't want you hurt. But since you're here, I'm most likely correct in guessing that you did and know I intend no harm. I merely want to help."

"Then tell me what you know."

"About what?"

"Flightless."

"I'm not familiar with this Unit." Seimei answered, leaning back in his chair. "Person of interest?"

"To a degree." Ritsuka shrugged. "Someone is masquerading as a dead Unit."

"Ah, well, isn't that interesting."

"My first thought was faking death, but that appears to be your department."

Seimei glared. "Tread lightly, little brother."

Ritsuka shrugged. "I'm not wrong, and both you and I are aware of that."

"I suppose so." Seimei all but snorted, leaning back in his chair. "So, what are you thinking? Impersonation?"

"That seems to be the most likely case…unless they found the fountain of youth…"

Seimei chuckled. "Wouldn't that be something? Though, in our world, nothing would quite surprise me anymore, if I were being honest."

"I expect you to be anything but."

Seimei snorted. "The jokes have gone far enough. I did not summon you here for you to mock me."

"Summon me?" Ritsuka laughed. "Surely, you are joking. Unless you are behind the murders…"

Seimei chuckled. "I sent a letter to you, did I not? You wouldn't have decided it was safe to come here if I hadn't made the first step."

"You really do plan things through, don't you, Seimei? It's how you've remained as untouchable as you have for so long."

"That, and those fools of Septimal Moon are too afraid of me to make a move."

"Those fools include me." Ritsuka's eyes narrowed.

"My point still stands, Ritsuka."

"I'm not afraid of you."

"You're not?"

"You're more afraid of me than I am of you."

"How do you figure?"

"You know I'm the only one capable of taking you down. That's why you tried to take Soubi back from me for so long. Well done, might I add."

"Back to your case here." Seimei rolled his eyes. "I hate to tell you, but faking an identity is not an easy feat. One would have to adapt the fighting style of the unit and whatever their strength is. Can you imagine another unit becoming stronger under a night where the moon is invisible, like Moonless? The very idea is laughable."

"But not improbable." Ritsuka stated. "Surely you are aware that anything is possible in our world, whether or not the rules apply."

"The rules are a basis. People defy the rules on a daily basis; that is nothing new. But adapting power and fighting style is just a base. Copying a name isn't simple. Someone can't just tattoo it."

Ritsuka pulled up his shirt to expose his name. "If the right color is used, it can look like a scar like mine does." He put his shirt back when Seimei's eyes lingered just a second too long. "And yours is just blocky black lettering. That's not hard to fake."

"No two tattoos are exactly alike, Ritsuka." Seimei smiled gently. "If two people were to get the same word tattooed on their skin, even if by the same person, the names won't be perfect copies."

"They attacked an untested unit that is barely trained." Ritsuka informed. "It wouldn't be hard to fool a few armatures, you know."

"I suppose you have a point. Regretfully, I know nothing of this unit before or after their supposed death that could help you. The name is familiar as something I have heard in passing, but that's about it. Whatever records Septimal Moon gave you are all that you're going to get in this case."

"So, my being here is pointless. You just led me here for a visit?"

"You're the one that chose to come here." Seimei stated. "I can keep my eyes and ears open. The first time I hear even the word 'Flightless' whispered in passing, you will be the first to know."

"Thanks…" Ritsuka deadpanned. "I'm glad I came here just for you to promise to keep me informed. You already did that with your letter."

Seimei shrugged. "At least now I can say it in person."

Ritsuka felt the hairs on the back of his neck prickle like someone was filling the air with static electricity. He recognized it as Seimei's battle signature.

"Akame didn't leave…did he…"

"Of course he did. Why would you ask?"

"I recognize your battle signature, Seimei. If this was a trap…"

"Ritsuka, do you think I would risk what little interaction we do have and this weak sibling bond we maintain by having my Nisei waiting in hiding to start a fight as we talk? Perhaps he ran into something."

"I never know with you."

"That hurts, Ritsuka."

"I know it doesn't, but I wish it did." Ritsuka turned towards the door. "I'll trust you on this, Seimei, but not for long. I have some real investigating to do. If you think of anything useful for once, do not hesitate to call me."

"I shall keep that in mind. Oyasumi, Ritsuka. I regret I couldn't be of further assistance."

Ritsuka left, not saying a word. Either his brother was playing ignorant and just hoping he was too stupid to figure it out, or he really didn't know anything. For now, he's play along with his brother's manipulations and let him think he was in control. Just like he always did. Aoyagi Seimei always was the predictable one.