Author's Note: Sorry for the delay in this chapter. I've found myself distracted. I seem to have formed a pretty intense crush on an officemate of mine, and I've been spending the past weeks giddy and giggly and coming up with ways on how to flirt. And when I'm giddy and giggly, my writing sucks big time.
That said, I'm not fully satisfied with this chapter and I think the giddiness is still there . But I just forced myself to write this up as I was excited to see where this story was going to go, and to move forward there's no other way but to take a blind leap of faith and just do it, right?
Okay, I'm waxing poetic here. But you get the point. Enjoy this, it's right out of the oven!
Boys, Boys, Boys
Chapter 12: Utter Domination
In the dimness of the void, the moving pairs of Soubi-Ritsuka and Sumi-Nako approached each other, bodies languid and yet determined in their movement. There was a certain strength in the way they kept their chins parallel to the ground, and yet their eyes downcast as if in thought betrayed how they really felt. They approached each other slowly, calculating, knowing that if there was a time to back out from this fight, the moment had passed by many spells ago. There was no other choice but to face each other now, and somewhere in the back of Soubi's mind, he wondered if Ritsuka was strong enough, not to fight, but to finish the enemies when this was all over.
Soubi regretted not having the chance to explain everything to the boy; this meant that later, when he towered above his Kohai's bodies ready to make the mercy-kill, Ritsuka would take it as an act of unnecessary violence.
Moreover, he was sorry for not having the heart to retort that this violence was needed: going back to seven moons, defeated, failing in the absolute test, meant an even more horrible, honorless death for Guiltless.
He grasped Ritsuka's hand and closed his eyes, attempting to make the child feel his thoughts. But… there was something… heavy, between them, like a quilt draped over their bodies. Soubi blinked, then mentally investigated – he can see the rogue link, but only through a smoky mask…
Kurama? Was this Kurama? But the fox had relinquished control… Soubi's body then gave an involuntary chill: no, it couldn't be Seimei-
:Yo, Soubi:
Yusuke?
:Act normal, don't look- I said don't look! Turn around, there ya go. Continue walking… this is pretty cool, huh?:
How the hell-
:Learned the trick from you. Just added a flare of my energy to your Read spell and now I've gone Kuwabara-psychic.:
Who's Kuwa- nevermind, get to the point, I haven't got all day.
:Okay, okay –well, go easy on Ritsuka, will ya? Hiei doesn't like it much, and he's on our side… don't wanna provoke him, ya know?:
I knew it was something ridiculous.
:Listen, man, just do it. He's a great guy once you get to know him.:
Well I-
"Soubi," a velvet voice whispered, and as abruptly as it appeared the foggy feeling was gone, replaced by the sudden vision of Ritsuka's wide eyes. Soubi blinked and tried to refocus, like sobering up from a strong shot of tequila. Damn, that link was strong. If any, Yusuke's energy would have to be unimaginable to create an advanced spell like that.
And yet, he couldn't help but think, Ritsuka's was most likely even stronger, even more unthinkable in its potency… just untapped. Soubi gritted his teeth – he hoped that he was the only one who realized that. His gut told him that even if he just knew now, Seimei would have known ages ago. The fact that his former sacrifice didn't tell him didn't bother him as much as if there was anybody else Seimei told about it…
"What is it, master?" Soubi breathed, tightening his grip on his sacrifice's hands.
"I-I wanted to tell you something before we fight."
"… yes?"
"When you were gone, I formed a bond with Kurama," Soubi took a sharp inhale of breath as he realized that Ritsuka's voice was cracking. "I needed a fighter to find you… that was all there is to it, I'm sorry I wasn't strong enough, it's my fault you-"
Soubi silenced Ritsuka with a finger and a stern stare.
"Never apologize."
He saw the slow dilation in the child's eyes at his statement. But this was something he could not let go. For a moment they stood still, Ritsuka looking up at him, eyes wide and ears twitching, while Soubi looked down at him, eyes equally serious as Ritsuka's was shocked, a solitary finger pressed on small soft lips.
"W-what?" Ritsuka finally breathed, distress in his voice.
"You're my master. Always be strong. Command me, use me, do whatever you want, but never regret any of your actions."
"Soubi!"
"It's not a matter of loyalty. It's a matter of control. Do whatever it takes to save yourself. I'll do my part as your weapon. Command me, Ritsuka… please."
The child bit his lip, eyes watering as if in disagreement, but nodded anyway, as if in temporary consent.
Across the field, Guiltless seemed to have ended a small discussion of their own. The two pairs faced each other now, waiting for the other to make the first move.
"Engage," Ritsuka said stonily.
"Yes, sir," Soubi whispered as he slowed down his breathing. "We declare battle against Guiltless," he said a little louder, yet with the same flat tone.
"We accept," Sumi replied in matching calmness. "Systems, on."
There were no actions or movements from the two pairs, there were only words. And yet a malevolent energy descended around them, like a dark swan song. There was no wind, there was no energy flare, there was just terrifying silence and the weight of an impending storm. Soubi closed his eyes for a moment of peace, a moment of pretending they were far away, a moment of denial. He knew nobody would believe him, but every fight, he did this; pull away, pull away, pull away from the madness and the burning earth. And right when he was at the farthest point, he would rush back in, like a bullet aimed to his doom. Most people would say he was suicidal, but Soubi just liked to think he was just mentally preparing himself for whatever might come his way.
Soubi breathed, and finally before he opened his eyes again he brought his hand up, focusing Ritsuka's energy on his fingertips as he cast his first spell.
"Ruination!"
He was tired, he couldn't breathe, and there was sticky blood spilling from his temples. Ritsuka struggled to maintain his stand, even if he felt like his knees were already buckling from his own weight, which wasn't really much in the first place. But no way was he going to show Soubi he was hurt. No way was he giving in to weakness. No way was he going to make Soubi think he was a helpless child, relying on nothing but his fighter.
In his mind, Soubi's cold words replayed itself like a broken tape.
Never apologize. Command me, Ritsuka.
That arrogant… bastard!
In a way, he hated himself for this, the way it seemed like he set himself up for being absolutely embarrassed, and by Soubi no less! It was only because Soubi had been away, that was it, there could be no other reason why he suddenly forgot what an asshole he was. Or he must have gone soft under his partnership with Kurama; it was only now that he realized that the two were so very different.
It's now about loyalty. It's about control.
He had often wondered why Soubi was like this, promising control and yet yanking it back just when Ritsuka was about to take it. And yet, he wanted to be dominated, didn't he? He wanted to be a slave.
For the first time, Ritsuka wondered if the way Soubi acted now was because of his brother. Did Seimei treat him like a dog, treat him with such pain, and now Soubi's addicted to it? Ritsuka fought the urge to argue but later, he would correct Soubi; of course it's about loyalty. It's about trust and blind dedication… isn't that what love is all about? How could he even say he loved him when all he wanted was to be a puppet?
Ritsuka tried to hide his cough from behind Soubi as the tall teen blocked an attack that had been coming at them unrelentlessly since the start of the fight. Ritsuka was surprised; this was the first battle they had where Soubi showed uncertainty, difficulty almost, as if he didn't know how to win this. Their enemies knew all the countermoves to Soubi's attacks, and somehow had spells that Soubi had trouble defending from.
What was even stranger was how Soubi did not attempt, nor ask, Ritsuka to connect with him or give him strength. No kisses, no holding hands, even the eye contact was very minimal.
Did his lack of control earlier disgust Soubi like this? But… he really did feel sorry, and all he wanted was to see Soubi again and connect with him and hold his hand and touch his lips to his…
Was he wrong? Didn't Soubi want him? Was being controlled only what Soubi wanted?
"Frost, ice essence, form into swords and strike the enemy!" Sumi screamed from across the field, bringing Ritsuka back from his thoughts.
"Dissolve!" Soubi replied quickly.
"Reform!" Sumi supplied just as fast.
And there was no time to respond again as the icicles streaked towards them.
Ritsuka gripped Soubi's coat, bracing himself, but the ice shards never reached him. He looked up, trembling, and saw that Soubi had absorbed all the spikes.
In the early part of the fight, Ritsuka had been shocked that Soubi used one of his stronger spells, Ruination, as an opening attack. It was the spell Soubi used to defeat Sleepless, but this time, Guiltless had defended from it like it was… basic.
"In the darkness, in the void, there is nothing to ruin," came Nako's strained reply as Soubi cast the initial spell. Ritsuka had peeked from Soubi's back and saw the ruination spell dissolve into nothing upon reaching their enemies.
And they'd been struggling ever since.
"There is no hope for you, accept your defeat," Sumi said coldy. "Fires use up the air. Nothing to breathe. Absorption!" Sumi shrilled now.
"Ritsuka, prepare yourself," Soubi looked back and nodded. Ritsuka's breath got caught in his throat: Soubi's neck was bleeding again, but this time it bled like there was no waking up tomorrow. In fact Ritsuka feared Soubi's throat got slit just with the volume of blood gushing from it.
"R-respond!" Ritsuka whispered, unsure if this command will do any good in this fight they were terribly losing.
All of a sudden Soubi dropped down to his knees, hands holding his throat. My god, was he… was he going to faint? Ritsuka pushed the blonde hair away from his face and took note of Soubi's pale skin and cracked lips. Oh god…
"Soubi?" Ritsuka whispered, voice trembling. "Are you okay?"
There was no answer from Soubi, and as the spell took effect Ritsuka could actually feel the air thinning around them.
"Soubi?" Ritsuka said again, this time grabbing his hair. "Respond," he choked out, as he found himself inhaling but getting no air.
Soubi looked at Ritsuka, opened his mouth as if to speak something, and then collapsed on the floor, blood still gushing from his throat.
"Soubi!" Ritsuka yelled, slumping down with the fighter and lifting his head. "Please, please respond," Ritsuka whimpered, tears gushing almost as freely as the blood. He shook Soubi and touched his face, pressing his hand close to the cheeks and trying to give warmth; Soubi was so cold, he almost felt… lifeless.
Ritsuka's heart pounded, and as he tried to inhale he realized there was absolutely no air around them anymore. And since Soubi absorbed most of the attacks, he must have not been breathing much earlier on…
There was terror in the realization, and there was no hesitation in Ritsuka as the child grabbed Soubi's face, pressed his open mouth into Soubi's, and breathed air into him.
Ritsuka pulled away, but Soubi was still unresponsive. Undaunted, he dove in again, pushed air, and then pulled out.
"Break," Soubi whispered, struggling as he formed the words, his lips the only part of his body moving. "Glass, shatter."
There was a loud breaking sound, and just as Ritsuka thought he was going to faint because of airlessness, lovely oxygen gushed into his lungs and he inhaled in gratitude. He noticed Soubi's moving body, and realized that the teen was standing up. He stepped back to give his fighter room.
"This is enough," he said, facing their opponents. "You do me pride for holding out as long as you had," Soubi breathed as he pushed himself to stand straight. "But it ends now."
Ritsuka narrowed his eyes in thought, a habit he seemed to have picked up from a certain redhead. What was Soubi talking about?
"You're right," Nako replied, smiling at Soubi despite himself. "We did try to impress you until the very end. Thank you for everything, Sempai."
Sumi opened his mouth to speak but no voice came out, and Ritsuka's eyes widened as slowly, part by part, Guiltless' bodies turned into ashes, from their feet to their trunks and finally their heads, slowly dissolving into the wind, until finally, the last remaining images of their smiles were gone.
They've been gone for a long while before Ritsuka finally moved, and then he realized that they were back in his front lawn, the battle system having disengaged.
What- what just happened? Was it over, just like that?
"H-how?" he heard Yusuke ask quite incredulously as he and Kurama approached them slowly. Ritsuka immediately strained his ears to listen, he didn't want to admit it but he was as clueless as Yusuke.
"Ruination had been working since the beginning of the battle," Soubi said simply. "They dissolved it with their counter attack, but it just dissipated and went inside their bodies as they inhaled it, then worked on burning them from the inside out."
"You could have blocked the final absorption spell, but you didn't because it would protect you and Ritsuka from inhaling the same ruination spell at its most potent stage," Kurama said with a quite surprised tone. "Brilliant, just… brilliant."
"What's even more brilliant?" Yusuke inserted. "Is how Hiei disappeared on us again."
Ritsuka looked around; indeed Hiei and Yamato had gone, at which point after the fight he didn't really notice.
"We'll see him again," Kurama replied. "Let's heal ourselves first and get some rest."
As Kurama fawned on treating the wound on Soubi's neck, Ritsuka looked down in deep thought. Even after this fight, and Soubi's long absence, and everything that's happened including how he felt so… empty, when Soubi was gone… he still couldn't understand the fighter, nor whatever kind of relationship they've somehow formed. But inside, tangled in a mess of feelings he was too young to define, he felt like something had changed since he met the teen. Something important and something crucial. Something that's neither related to control nor loyalty nor lust.
He just couldn't put his finger on what.
He doubted Soubi could, either.
Kurama took a big drag of cigarette and puffed wantonly into the night. Everybody had been healed and put to bed, but he just couldn't make himself sleep just yet. After treating Soubi's wounds with his seeds (Yusuke looked away once again, as he transferred the juice by mouth) and making sure the broken rib would be just fine, he decided that a walk was what he needed. It always helped him think freely, the repetitive step of putting one foot in front of another. After a while, he eventually found a nice park near Soubi's house and turning left, he settled on parking himself there.
He sat down on a bench, crossing his legs as he took another puff.
"Those things will be your death," a voice said from the shadows above him.
"I'm partly convinced that either you or Yusuke will give me a heart attack first," Kurama replied gently, but still taking one last drag before dropping the half-finished stick and stomping at the butt with his boot.
"Don't compare me to your detective," the voice spat. A soft, almost noiseless thud was heard from behind the redhead, but he didn't turn around.
"Which I have to thank you for," Kurama said softly. "Although I can't help but notice the anger at the height of the bonding. I must say, Hiei, the burn marks you left on me still sting."
The sharp intake of breath barely registered, and if not for Kurama's trained senses it would have gone undetected. But there it was, unmistakable, a reaction to the bait he had been waiting to spring since the fight and the trip to memory lane earlier in the night.
"I guess I have nothing to hide anymore, do I?" Kurama proceeded to ask flatly.
"Your mind talks too much. I doubt I would have heard whatever it is you wanted to say."
Kurama clenched his fist. In reality, he was still in admiration for Hiei and how he set up the fight earlier today. Yusuke had filled him in on the tiny but absolutely vital fact that whenever Ritsuka uses his energy, he absorbs a bit more from the Kekkai, causing the barrier to weaken further. The fight with Guiltless could have drained so much from the child, and anytime now the Kekkai could've given way. They needed a solution that would not arouse suspicion on the Flame's loyalties, and though Kurama thought the solution was a bit roundabout, he couldn't deny its potency: Hiei had thought of ensuing in a doubles match so he can have an excuse to put them all in the jagan's void. Under the jagan's domain, Ritsuka will not be able to connect with the Kekkai.
It was a brilliant plan, but it had a hole that Kurama had to fill in himself later on. Trapping Ritsuka in the jagan was genius, but without his connection with the Kekkai he would be extremely weakened, with almost no energy to give Soubi. He didn't know whether they could trust Soubi to disclose the fact fully yet, so Kurama cooked up some ploy to prevent Soubi from tapping into Ritsuka's energy.
That was why Yusuke told Soubi to not to try to connect with Ritsuka during their own fight. And Kurama couldn't help but be impressed by how Yusuke was able to communicate with the blonde. God knows what Yusuke told the cunning wolf, but whatever it had been, it as mind-blowingly effective.
But there was another thing, of course. Another thing that he and Hiei needed to settle. Kurama closed his eyes and swallowed. Being put under the jagan's space, and surrendering himself to its power, meant opening himself to Hiei in a way that he had never done before. To anyone.
He gave Hiei access to his memories.
"Hiei, you know exactly what I mean," Kurama sighed.
During the fight, Hiei had to help Kurama and Yusuke bond so they could win the fight convincingly. Having them all contained in the jagan allowed him to push Kurama and Yusuke's consciousness in a shared memory. One that he had to search for in both Kurama and Yusuke. One that he had to view, access from start to finish, a memory that was both private and raw.
"Was it true?" Hiei said cautiously, almost whispering.
Kurama could have laughed. There was no denying the fact that Hiei had seen the full memory of how Kurama professed his love for the demon to Yusuke at the onsen. And yet… yet Hiei was giving him the chance to deny; a chance to pretend it was a lie and perhaps go back to the way things were, when this was all over.
Every word of it, Kurama wanted to say. He wanted to throw this silly attempt at denial out, and just grab the fire demon and hold him close and whisper into his ear that every emotion he saw, every word he felt, every detail in that memory was so true… he loved Hiei like no other.
He was close, so very close, but he just… couldn't. Not yet anyway, when they were in the middle of a mission and shouldn't compromise Hiei's bond with Yamato or his own with Yusuke…
Swallowing the lump that had formed unconsciously in his throat, Kurama turned around and faced Hiei fully.
All for Ritsuka.
"It wasn't."
He barely got the last word out when Hiei vanished into the night once again.
To be continued
