Disclaimer: I don't own Loveless or the thumbnails used, those belong to Kouga-san.

Darkness surrounding
Enveloping all the light
No longer shielded by
That everlasting beacon

Approaching Darkness

Soubi knew he was close to hyperventilating, he knew that Kio was most likely dead as well as the Zero pair. But he found his mind hazed with worry over them and over what could happen to Yaiyo and Yuiko, the remainder of his focus was on the painful short breaths of his lover in the back seat. He kept glancing back at him in the rear view mirror and had spotted the car following them as well.

His mind went on overdrive at the site of the headlights behind him, he knew this was the actions of Septimal Moon. He was disgusted by their underhanded tactics and their vulgar displays of violence. It eventually enraged him but it would dissolve into deep seeded concern towards Ritsuka when a whimper or gasp of pain left those pale lips. The paleness to Ritsuka's skin as well as the feverish appearance and the pained expression went straight to his heart.

He finally pulled up to the e.r. entrance and quickly got out of the car and picked Ritsuka up into his arms and walked up to the automatic doors. It never registered to him that he had blood all over him or that it was staining and ruining his pants and shirt. He heard the horrified gasp from the pale, lithe, blond nurse behind the nurse station and the hurried steps as she came over to him.

Soubi tightened his hold on Ritsuka when she reached up to touch a slender hand to his forehead and she directed him with a hand on his elbow towards the large blue double doors as she called out for a doctor.

Soubi finally managed to find his voice once a doctor and the nurse placed Ritsuka carefully onto a gurney. Ritsuka grasped his hand desperately as he was wheeled away towards surgery and the nurse grabbed his arm to keep him from following as she asked, "Sir, I need you to fill out some paper work. We need to know his name, blood type, and if he's allergic to any medication."

Soubi's mind went blank for a minute and he stared blankly at her. She offered a smile, "Sir, please come this way," she led him towards a small office room, with green walls and brownish furniture. It was a small room, like a waiting room really. She directed him to sit down and knelt down in front of him, "Sir, can you tell me what happened?"

Soubi swallowed and closed his eyes momentarily to calm himself down. He took a few deep breaths before opening his eyes and looking at her. Then he managed in a relatively calm, albeit slighty shaken voice, "He was shot, I didn't see who it was, but they followed us here."

She nodded, noting that she needed to call the police to come and speak to him and then asked gently, "What is his name?"

"Ritsuka, Ritsuka Aoyogi."

She nodded and quickly wrote that down on the clip board Soubi just noticed she was holding in her hand. It made it painfully obvious as to how out of it he really was. He tried to focus on the nurse still kneeling down in front of him as she addressed him once more.

"How old is he?"

"Sixteen."

She nodded, "And you sir?"

"My name is Soubi Agatsuma, I'm twenty-four."

She nodded and wrote everything down then stood, "Alright Agatsuma-san, one more question for you. What are you to Aoyogi-san?"

Soubi sighed, "I'm his lover."

She nodded with a sad smile, "Thank you, please remain here, we will have someone come and speak with you soon. I will also need for you to fill out some paperwork, which I will bring to you, along with a change of clothes."

Soubi just gave a slight nod and watched her exit the room. He took his phone from his pocket and dialed Kio's phone number. He called it at least five times and didn't get an answer. He then took Ritsuka's phone from his other pocket and with shaky hands opened it and scrolled through his contacts, Ritsuka had his name under butterfly and it brought a slight smile to his face. He paused over Kio's name and hit send on Yaiyo's. He felt relief flood through him when Yaiyo answered after the third try.

Yaiyo's voice was groggy and tired, "Hello?"

Soubi took a sharp inhale, "Are you alright?"

Yaiyo's voice was suddenly alert, "Soubi-san? Why are you calling me? Is something going on?"

Soubi cut off his questions, "Nothing to be concerned about, something happened and Ritsuka-kun was concerned and wanted to call everyone and check on them. He was concerned about being rude but I couldn't talk him out of not worrying."

Yaiyo was silent and then he said in a serious tone Soubi wasn't really accustomed to, "So something is going on then. Ritsuka-kun isn't usually all that concerned about calling me in the middle of night."

Soubi paused wondering if that was true and settled with, "Ah, well he wouldn't leave me alone about it, so I took the initiative."

Yaiyo hummed and said, "Right, well, how about I just call Kio-san, I'm sure he will tell me."

Soubi clenched his teeth, "Kio has the tendency to ignore his phone in the middle of the night."

Yaiyo sighed, "Well, thanks for waking me up Soubi-san. Can I talk to Ritsuka-kun"
"He's taking a shower, it was the only way I could get his phone and call you to make sure you were okay without . . . "

Yaiyo finished, "Invoking his wrath, I understand. Well, goodnight then Soubi-san."

"Goodnight."

He hung up before Yaiyo could say anything else and hung his head, Ritsuka had made him hate lying and he knew that right now was not the best time to do so with everyone in danger. But he just didn't want to make Yaiyo worry because it would make Yuiko worry and then it would upset Ritsuka. But Ritsuka would also be upset that he hadn't warned his friends, especially if something happened to them.

Yaiyo closed his phone and fully awake now threw the blanket and sheet off him. He couldn't help but feel as though something very serious or at the least very big was going on. Soubi and he had never socialized, they said hello and acknowledged one another. But that was because he was always hanging around Ritsuka, which in turn he had become friends with because of his childish jealousy of Yuiko's infatuation with him and him with her. He considered them both to be childish now, considering that Ritsuka had no interest in Yuiko in a intimate or relationship way at all, he'd had eyes for only Soubi since the older man had walked into his life.

Yaiyo knew nothing of Ritsuka's older brother or of what his relationship entailed with the older man. He wasn't inclined to find out to tell the truth, but he did worry about his friend Ritsuka. The evident concern Kio had for the pair had made him feel somewhat concerned about Soubi, but mostly more concerned on his friend.

He'd grown to become good friends with Kio, his sense of humor and sarcasm, the way he goaded Soubi about Ritsuka, and his teasing towards, well, everyone really. In the past few years he'd come to see Kio as a valued friend and with his intellect the two of them often discussed what they believed was going on in this secret, unspoken life that Soubi and Ritsuka seemed to live in outside of what they saw of the pairs' daily life.

It had been through Kio that he'd learned somewhat of this Fighter and Sacrifice thing and the spell battles. But he far from understood any of it. He had never really thought much on it until the pair was gone for days at a time and came back battered and hurt. It wasn't until the past two years that Ritsuka had started coming back distant and more injured than the older man. He had noticed the guilty look Soubi had when Ritsuka winced, or he or they noticed the bandages. If was as though he was the one doing the damage, even though Ritsuka held no contempt or fear towards him.

Kio later went on that in truth, Soubi was truly very gentle and despised acts of violence towards another. It wasn't a pacifism ideal, but he would never hurt Ritsuka. It wasn't until Yaiyo had seen it personally that he'd believed it, he didn't know the older man well enough and he was always a mystery to him. It had happened one day at the park.

***Flashback***

All five of them had been enjoying at time at the park together, and Ritsuka had brought his camera. It had been when the summer before they started high school. He wanted to take pictures of everyone together to document how much they had changed over the years. He hadn't been taking a lot of pictures lately, but it had been because his life was more hectic than anyone other than Soubi knew. It had never been out of lack of interest. That was one of the few things being friends with Ritsuka often offered, he loved taking pictures and had become quite good at it.

Well, they were posed to take a picture together, stopping a passerby to take a full group picture. Then they took pictures of the three soon to be high school students, Soubi taking the pictures of course. Then a few of Soubi and Kio together, and Ritsuka and Soubi together. That had been a time where it was very hard to keep Yaiyo from bursting out laughing at the bristled way Ritsuka stubbornly tried to get out of it.

Then they'd wandered around for a while, enjoying the outdoors and Yaiyo and Kio had been talking with Yuiko about the different things to make using her favorite ingredient ichigo. (Couldn't resist, it does mean strawberries ^^) They'd been startled out of their chatter when they heard a loud splash and Ritsuka crying out Soubi's name fearfully.

That had changed Yaiyo's view of Soubi entirely that day. A group of Seniors had gathered around the pair. They had been sitting close to the fountain, being more open with their relationship by then they had been sitting close and Soubi had been whispering softly in Ritsuka's ear about something. At least the last time he had noticed.

They were shouting obscenities and insults at the pair and Ritsuka was seen helping Soubi get to his feet. The three of them had wandered over and of course Kio, had managed to get to the pair. Soubi wasn't against violence and was sporting a busted lip, to which Yaiyo later discovered was from a rock that had been aimed at Ritsuka.

Yuiko was clutching to his arm, but his eyes were trained on the dark gaze in Soubi's eyes. As well as the harsh glare Ritsuka was giving them. Then one of them had called Ritsuka something very vulgar that insinuated insulting him about clinging to Soubi. They made a few vulgar statements about their being male and together as well and Yaiyo thought he and Kio were going to end up hitting one of them.

Kio being a active pacifist aside, he looked like he wanted to murder them, but remained next to Ritsuka with his fist clenched. Ritsuka had a passive look on his face, which had truly concerned him. It was as though it was something Ritsuka was used to hearing. Soubi however had stepped forward, pulling his arm free from Ritsuka's hold. Kio had held Ritsuka firmly beside him even though he tried to tell Soubi not to do anything.

One of the bulkier looking brutes stepped up and hit Soubi in the face. Then it all happened so fast Yaiyo barely kept up. In one moment he saw Soubi move, in the next all five of the guys were on the ground. Ritsuka had cried out and broken free of Kio's hold to run to Soubi.

Soubi's tense stance relaxed as soon as he looked down at Ritsuka. Soubi offered a apologetic smile and then Kio and Yaiyo had shouted look out as one of them came up to stab Ritsuka, whose back was turned to one of them. Soubi had pulled Ritsuka back but not before the blade grazed Ritsuka's forearm.

Soubi had then kicked the knife away and then kicked the guy right in the face knocking him out cold. Ritsuka was clutching his bleeding arm and Soubi turned to him. That guilty look Yaiyo had seen on several occasions was back and something snapped in Yaiyo's head.

He came to understand why Ritsuka held no fear or contempt towards Soubi about his wounds. They were never inflicted from him, they happened completely out of his control. The guilty look was purely because he hadn't been able to prevent.

***End of Flashback***

Yaiyo sighed and he gripped his phone in his hand. He'd come to have a lot of respect for Soubi after that. Ritsuka and he weren't the best of friends, but he'd come to admire his maturity, though he did have a very short temper. He'd also come to be able to see why Yuiko had become infatuated with him. He was a mystery, hard to read, far more intelligent than he let off, though naive about a lot of things, he wasn't entirely sure about what all he was naive about, and he had a kind heart.

He'd thought that for a long time and had seen the subtle sweet side to Ritsuka on numerous accusations. But he had seen the fierce, determined, and inner strength his friend possessed as well. He didn't give in to peer pressure, let others comments concern him at all, fought for his independence and his beliefs, and was adamant about being himself and never swaying to popular beliefs or society.

He'd become out of reach to both of them over the past two years and it deeply concerned him. Ritsuka was a good friend and he'd grown attached to him. He would worry about him if anything happened to him, and he couldn't help but feel concerned about what Ritsuka and Soubi were into or what it would entail for his best friend Yuiko.

She could be overbearingly naive and had a tendency to listen far too much to what others said. But she was kind hearted, and her sweetness and cheerfulness never went unnoticed or unappreciated. He'd sorely missed those qualities to her in the past few days. Though he no longer felt inclined to be in a relationship with her, it didn't mean he didn't still adore her and value her as a friend any less.

That of course made him think of Kio and how Soubi had tried to brush off the idea of him trying to call Kio. Kio answered his phone in the middle of the night . . . Yaiyo froze from heading to his bathroom as a chilling shudder passed through him leaving his pale, shaky, and feeling frightening feverish. He wasn't aware that he'd fallen to his knees or that the phone had fallen from his hands to the ground.

Yaiyo couldn't think, it felt fuzzy and hazed, his eyesight blurred. The only thing going through his mind was the earlier conversation and what his quick thinking had immediately led him to think.

It was them that night . . .set my home on fire . . . killed Yuiko's parents . . .

They'd killed before, what would stop them from doing it again. If they were willing to go to such lengths to get Ritsuka before, then there was nothing stopping them from doing so again.

Yaiyo thought of Kio and he felt his fear and his anxiety fuel him to get to his feet. He grabbed his phone and dressed quickly then headed out his bedroom door. He grabbed his father's car keys and silently walked out of the home. In his state, he hadn't noticed a dark shadow on the side of his home.

Soubi sat in the waiting room, his head in his hands, not really knowing what to do. He knew he couldn't risk leaving the hospital, he needed to know Ritsuka was going to be alright. He also couldn't risk Septimal Moon showing up and trying to take Ritsuka from the hospital. But his heart was heavy about Kio, Natsuo, and Youji. He knew from the last words he'd heard desperately rhasped as dying words from Kio that his best friend was dead.

They were efficient, they always were. His mind flashed to past memories and he shook his head trying not to think about the past. Right now, the present was enough, having the past pile on top of it would be too much to handle. He felt like crying, but he hadn't in so long he wasn't sure he knew how.

He felt as though the world was crashing around him and secretly wished he was as distant as he used to be. But once you opened that door, it was so hard to close it again. Ritsuka had pried it open through the years and put a door stop in it. He'd opened up his heart and brought to him emotions he never allowed himself to feel. He'd brought him to think for himself, no longer needing someone to tell him what to do with his life or controlling him. He no longer had the need and did what made him happy.

That entailed allowing himself to fall in love with his assigned charge and stay by his side out of that love. He'd also come to become closer to Ritsuka and Kio than he had even been to anyone in his life once he'd arrived at Septimal Moon. He wasn't completely new to dealing with emotions, especially such things as loss and worry. But it was knew to him as to what to do with those emotions, how to deal with them, how to express them. He only ever opened up around Kio and Ritsuka.

It had even been Ritsuka's persistence that he open up to his best friend that had led him to open up to him. But with the bonds he had with Kio and Ritsuka so strong, he didn't feel as though he could handle loosing them both at the same time. And losing either one of them hurt more than he could describe. Right now he didn't know if Ritsuka was going to be alright and he knew he'd lost Kio.

How was he supposed to handle that? Kio was his best friend, had been the only friend he'd had his entire life. He was a brother to him as well, after he'd gotten over his infatuation with him and accepted that Soubi was Ritsuka's lover. Soubi confided in him about things he wasn't sure he could express to Ritsuka. He also found himself turning to Kio about concerns and thoughts of Ritsuka he couldn't exactly say to him.

In the last four years, he'd grown to truly become best friends with Kio in more than Kio just bandaging his wounds when he couldn't and just hanging around him and watching him from the background. The two had come to poke and prod at one another, concern each other with their lives, share concerns, thoughts, how they felt, and just about everything about their lives. It had been refreshing to have someone to support him and confide in him, and in return he'd tried to do that same.

You haven't told anyone everything Soubi, no one knows about the life you led before Septimal Moon.

Soubi hung his head and tightened his hands in his hair, No one ever will if it can be helped.

Why, is it really that bad? The question sounded much like Ritsuka's voice in his mind. Soubi looked up and stood upon realizing that it was Ritsuka's voice. He vaguely remembered that once the fighter and sacrifice were truly connected, they could communicate with one another using just their connection.

Ritsuka's voice came back, slightly stronger than the weak whisper from before. Soubi? How is Kio?

Soubi paled and trembled, he hated to hurt Ritsuka and knew from his weakened voice that he really needed to worry about himself. Kitten, I don't know, I haven't been there yet.

Oh, go then, I want to know if he's alright . . . Ritsuka's voice faded and Soubi felt a jolt of momentary panic, but he didn't feel the usual tear from the broken connection, so he sighed and calmed himself. In his frantic state he'd forgotten that the connection between the two would let him know if the worst should happen. He'd remembered it slightly from Seime, but it hadn't been quite as strong as he knew it'd be from Ritsuka . . .

He sat down to have the nurse enter the room again with another clipboard with her other one, two pens, and behind her two police officers. Soubi tensed and stood to greet them trying desparately to find a way to tell them what had happened. In his foggy state of mind it suddenly occurred to him that he could send the police to check on Kio.

He looked at them after they all introduced themselves. One was as tall as him but more muscular, the other no more than an inch taller than the nurse. They had black hair, pale skin, what Soubi would say was the typical Japanese male, well despite the height of one of them.

The taller one had addressed himself as Officer Yuy.

"Yuy-san, a friend of mine . . ." Soubi fought for the words, he knew his voice was still shaky. Plus he often hated the idea of asking for help or giving explanations. But he had to know, there was always that very slight hope that Kio was alive and well. Not to mention, he had a feeling that Yaiyo would go and check, since he'd called him. The police would keep Septimal Moon away from everyone, for long enough for him to do something about it at the least.

"Yes," he glanced at the nurse who mouthed 'Agatsuma' to him. "Agatsuma-san? You were talking about a friend."

"He called saying that he'd had someone lurking around his apartment."

The officer nodded, "Yes, was that why you were out so late. You were going to check on your friend?"

Soubi nodded curtly, I can't stand talking to people who can't use simple logic. Yes, why wouldn't I if he'd said something like I told you. I did say he was my friend. Soubi shoved his irritation down, but it did manage to provide him with a calmer and steadier voice.

"The conversation was cut off when there was a lot of violent noises and I heard yells. My . . . roommate and I were headed towards him to see him. Before we could think to do anything else, calling the authorities or call back to check on him. My roommate was shot and I rushed here . . . I . . . "

The officer nodded and gave a understanding, sad smile, Soubi suppressed the glare he wanted to give him at the pitying look he was receiving from the other officer and the nurse. The officer told him to sit down and then asked.

"His address?" Soubi quickly gave them his address, name, and number. Then Officer Yuy directed his partner, Soubi assumed, to contact the station and head to the address. The man left with a salute and a bow of his head as he formally said a quick, short farewell.

Officer Yuy then turned back to Soubi and he and the nurse took seats in the couch and chair across from him. Then Soubi relayed what the phone conversation entailed and what had happened. He left out his suspicions of Septimal Moon being involved and the incidents from before. But he did tell them that they had been followed to the hospital by a black car with two unidentifiable people in it that vaguely looked like the ones that had run off after shooting Ritsuka.

After that was finished and a few routine questions about his name, address, age, number and Ritsuka's information the nurse turned to him with the clipboards as the officer thanked him and left.

He filled out what he could and cursed himself for not knowing much of anything other than the general information a boyfriend should know. The nurse had quietly left and came back a few hours later to find him lost in thought. She'd informed him that she'd located Ritsuka's previous information and that the surgeon would be with him shortly.

It wasn't until twenty minutes later when she'd returned to inform him that Seime Aoyogi was there. As he walked into the room with a passive look on his face, Soubi felt the urge to slit his former sacrifice's throat. Anger, resentment, and an inner fear boiled inside him to top off the anxiety, worry, sadness, and the guilt he was already feeling. Soubi stood tensely and suddenly realized he'd found his reserve of restraint and closing off his emotions as Seime greeted him.

"Soubi-san, so how is my younger brother?"

"He'll be fine."

Seime smirked, "Of course he will. But you still failed to protect him countless times Soubi-san."

Soubi growled low in his throat at the suffocating guilt washing through him. He remained silent now, letting Seime continue on.

"You lost a battle that cost Ritsuka a lot of pain and allowed that school to take him and hurt him even further. Then you let him get injured enough to have to be hospitalized. You were always weak Soubi, never worthy of Ritsuka. You never will be, which is why I will be the one to take care of him now."

Soubi hissed, "The hell you will."

Seime smiled, "There is nothing you can do to stop me. With both of our parents dead Ritsuka is to be given to me. I have custody of him now Soubi and there's nothing you can do to change that. But since their is evidence that Ritsuka was living with you, I can arrange that you be persecuted if you continue to fight me."

Seime then turned and left the room, Soubi clenched his hands into fists, he knew Seime was right and he was powerless to stop him. Soubi walked over to the door and walked out of the room to be greeted by two police officers as the nurse from earlier lead Seime towards where Soubi knew was most likely Ritsuka's room.

One of the police officers addressed him, "Agatsuma-san, we need to ask you to leave the hospital."

Soubi took a deep breath and turned away from them, he couldn't start a war with the police, it would serve no purpose and rend him incapable of getting to Ritsuka ever again. He turned and headed back towards the hospital entrance the police officers following him. Soubi tensed when he saw the black car coming around towards him. He looked up at the sound of glass shattering and the police officers drew their guns and ran past him to look up at the room on the third floor where the glass had shattered.

Soubi felt his blood run cold at seeing Ritsuka appear in the window looking like he was ready to jump. Soubi acted on impulse, turning and running away from the building before turning around and running back to jump up and grab the low roof over the E.R. entrance. He pulled himself up and ran across the roof. He then managed to grab the ledge above him and pull himself on top of the two story building out front before making his way toward the ledge, using the window ledges to move across the building until he was one window to the left and under Ritsuka's window.

Ritsuka looked at him briefly before he let go of the window just as Seime reached out to stop him. Soubi caught Ritsuka's wrist and held him deseperately. Ritsuka looked up at him and smiled as he grabbed Soubi's arm with both hands. Soubi felt his heart pounding in his chest.

Why did you have to do something like that, scaring the hell out of me?

Ritsuka smirked, "Desperate times call for desperate measures. We have to get going before they get to them."

Soubi nodded and pulled Ritsuka up to grab onto the ledge. He could see blood through Ritsuka's clothes, he'd apparently been preparing to leave as soon as he woke up. It looked as though Seime had startled him and he didn't have any shoes on. Soubi managed to guide Ritsuka to the roof of the main building and then he helped Ritsuka down and onto the ground.

The police officers were there waiting for them, but before they could say or do anything someone opened fire on them once again. Soubi pulled Ritsuka to him and hit the ground making sure to keep Ritsuka from hitting the ground. The gunshots echoed around them and Ritsuka covered his ears to try and block out the noise. Once it stopped Soubi got up and pulled Ritsuka to his feet and they ran across the parking lot, Soubi guessed the police had moved his car. He saw it three rows down and they made a quick, crouched run to the car. Soubi found that the car was locked and he luckily still had his keys. They must have just towed it.

He unlocked the door and hit the unlock button to let Ritsuka in. Ritsuka quickly got in with Soubi and they put on their seat belts. Soubi glanced at Ritsuka and the bloodied spot on his clothes as he started the car. Ritsuka glanced at him, his hand going to his stomach, "It looks worse than it is."

Soubi threw the car in reverse and pulled out of the parking spot then put the car in drive and slammed on the gas, his tires squealed behind him as he drove out of the parking lot. He glanced in his rear view mirror in time to see the black car making a U-turn and heading straight for them. The passenger pulled himself to sit on the door of the car, a gun in his hand.

"Duck," Soubi said as he pushed Ritsuka's head down. He had to crouch to see and avoid the shower of bullets that came over them as he headed for the freeway. He sped up, pushing his car to do at least ninety and zigzagged through the cars. The passenger had gotten back in the car and they were tailing them closely.

Soubi had let go of Ritsuka's head to drive and Ritsuka glanced back at the car, he wasn't able to see much considering it was night and his vision was swimming from his injury. He clutched his wound focusing on using the hypnotizing Soubi had taught him. He had to heal the wound or he was going to be a burden. Soubi placed his hand lightly over Ritsuka's causing Ritsuka to look at him.

"You shouldn't have pushed yourself with that injury."

"I'm fine."

"You're not a good liar Ritsuka."

"Shut up and drive Soubi."

Soubi smirked and moved his hand to lightly brush over Ritsuka's cheek. He focused on driving again and felt Ritsuka stiffen as the air around them suddenly became very cold. Soubi looked briefly at the sky to see snow falling, making the road slick. He kept his focus on the road and didn't dare to slow down with the car still following them. Ritsuka was feeling uneasy and more and more worried by the second but Soubi had to stay focused on the road so that they didn't crash.

They were pulling off the freeway and back towards Ritsuka's neighborhood. The streets and buildings were covered with snow, and they were forced to stop not being able to drive in the thick snow. Soubi got out of the car and Ritsuka followed. Soubi walked over to the trunk and opened it taking out a thick wool jacket for both of them. He also had a pair of shoes that would fit Ritsuka. The car tailing them had lost them when they pulled off the freeway, for now.

Once they were both ready Soubi grabbed Ritsuka's hand and led him towards the home where Yaiyo and Yuiko were. Ritsuka's uneasiness continued to grow with each step he took and it weighed heavily on Soubi's heart. The neighborhood was looking dead, like a wasteland, much like how it had looked when Ritsuka had described his dream to Soubi.

Ritsuka felt his stomach knotting and that didn't help his wound any at all, it only made his body protest in throbbing pain with every step. He knew his heart was pounding at his hand over the wound was feeling warm as the wound continued to bleed out. He was already feeling very light headed but he refused to not see this through, he had to know.

They stopped just before the walkway leading up to where Yaiyo lived, Ritsuka took a deep breath and tightened his hold on Soubi's hand. Soubi squeezed his hand back and looked at him, "Ritsuka I can . . . "

Ritsuka shook his head, "No, I have to know."

Soubi nodded, he hated that the feeling of uneasiness had set in him, telling him what they would probably find wouldn't be present. But he couldn't disobey Ritsuka, not now, not with him so determined and driven to know the fate of his friends. They stepped forward together, the building coming into view.

Ritsuka froze, his breath hitching, there from the tree, the very way he had seen Yaiyo in his dream, he made to rush forward, but Soubi held him in place. Ritsuka found it hard to breath, hard to think, the nightmare was coming true, right before his eyes. Ritsuka couldn't look away from his friend, couldn't block out the feeling of loss, of emptiness washing through him. That emptiness, the feeling of being one without love. Soubi squeezed his hand and the heartache rushed back through him, he would have given anything to feel that emptiness other than the suffocating realization that Yaiyo was in fact dead.

Soubi pulled him towards Yaiyo, but Ritsuka shook his head, "No, I know he's . . . let's go find Yuiko-chan."

Soubi looked at him and turned to head away from Yaiyo, Ritsuka glanced over his shoulder at Yaiyo once more before he was led away and towards the school. He looked at Soubi as they walked in silence towards the old school, walking to where Ritsuka was certain Yuiko was. They came up to the remains of the school, and Ritsuka pushed himself on, ignoring the pain pulsating through him, the pounding and clenching of his heart, the twisting feeling in his gut.

Even if Ritsuka knew in his mind that Yuiko was most likely already dead, he still had to see her to believe it. They made their way into the school, Soubi making sure to assist Ritsuka so as not to aggravate his injuries further. They made their way towards what hadn't fully caved in since their last visit, a single classroom on the first floor near where they entered.

Soubi pried open the door and Ritsuka stepped into the room. He stopped in the doorway to see a very much alive Yuiko being held with an arm twisted behind her back, a knife to her throat and tears streaming down her face as she whimpered helplessly.

Soubi put his hand on Ritsuka's shoulder before moving to stand in front of him and then take his hand in his with his arm behind his back. The person with the knife to Yuiko's throat was grinning evilly at them, it was none other than Jace. There was someone else standing a few feet to the side and behind Jace, their face shadowed by the black cloak they wore.

Jace pressed the knife into Yuiko's throat emitting a wine from her and Ritsuka clenched his fist in his shirt and made to shout out. Soubi squeezing his hand stopped him. Then Soubi addressed Jace, "Let the girl go."

Jace laughed, "I don't think so."

Ritsuka glared at Jace, "She has nothing to do with this, let her go."

Jace smirked and cut a small, thin line along Yuiko's colar bone, she turned her head away and clenched her eyes closed. She opened her eyes and looked at Soubi and Ritsuka, a small smile curling her lips.

"I'm so glad you're alright, Soubi-san, Ritsuka-kun."

She yelped when the blade was pressed down onto her colar bone making it bleed deeply. Ritsuka moved to step forward, but Soubi still held him in place.

"What is it you want in exchange for her life?"

Jace cackled, "Nothing, I would enjoy killing the girl too much to except anything."

The man stepped up next to Jace and spoke, his voice menacing, sending a strong chill down Ritsuka's spine only to result in a sharp pain shooting up his spine because of his injuries.

"In exchange for this girls life . . . "

The man looked directly at Ritsuka, even with his face covered with the cloak and the shadow of it Ritsuka could feel his gaze. It sent another chill through him, but he couldn't pull his eyes away from the man. Just him looking at him made his skin crawl, his blood run cold, and he also knew what the man wanted. He pulled his hand from Soubi's and stepped in front of him. Soubi put his hand on his shoulder and Ritsuka looked sharply at him, his violet eyes reddened in his anger, in his determination.

Soubi knew Ritsuka didn't have a choice, but he wasn't going to hand him over to someone so easily.

The man laughed, the laugh making a tremble run through Ritsuka. "That's it boy, you know exactly what it will cost to save her life."

Ritsuka looked sharply at the man, his eyes burning with his anger that these two, who had tried to kill him and Soubi, who were responsible for Yaiyo's death, responsible for Kio, Youji, and Natsuo and now they were threatening the last of his friends. Anger, this level of anger wasn't something he usually felt, he normally never felt the urge to kill anyone, to make them suffer and now it repulsed him to feel it. He took a deep breath and forced the anger down.

He looked at Jace, "Let her go, let her walk to Soubi as I walk to you."

Jace looked at the man beside him and he gave a small nod and Jace pulled the knife away from Yuiko and spun it with his fingers before he threw the knife at the door, it stuck in the doorframe next to Soubi's head. Soubi reached for Ritsuka again, but Ritsuka shook him off and said, "Don't try to stop me Soubi."

Soubi glared at Ritsuka, the order in his voice rooting him to the ground. Ritsuka took one step forward and Jace let Yuiko go and was shoved away from him. Yuiko looked up at Ritsuka, but Ritsuka was looking straight at the cloaked man. Yuiko got to her feet having been knocked to the ground. She walked forward and as she walked Ritsuka walked towards the two.

Each step Ritsuka took away from Soubi pulled at his heart, but because of the order he couldn't move from where he stood, couldn't step towards Ritsuka. Jace moved to grab Ritsuka when he was within reach but his partner held up his hand and Jace stayed still. Ritsuka looked at Jace, his violet eyes having the dangerous red tint that signaled the rising anger in him, the power he possessed as a fighter.

The cloaked man smirked, He truly is the new generation of fighter, a strong sacrifice and powerful fighter. He could be either, but with the right training he could become a fighter even stronger that Ritsu-san's perfect fighter. What luck to have the two paired up together.

Yuiko was pulled to Soubi with a yelp and the gleam in Ritsuka's eyes returned to violet once more. Soubi turned on the ball of his foot pulling Yuiko into the hall with him. He held her against the wall and placed a finger over his lips to which she nodded.

He turned back into the room and the cloaked man growled and reached out for Ritsuka. Ritsuka smirked and jumped back far enough to stand within reach of Soubi. Soubi grabbed his hand and Ritsuka looked back at Jace. Jace snarled and Soubi glared at Jace, "Care to try to fight us once more?"

Jace made to step forward but the cloaked man put his hand on his shoulder and Jace stepped back. The cloaked man growled low in his throat and stepped in front of Jace, his glare felt through both Ritsuka and Soubi. He moved his hand up holding it in front of him and his lips moved but Soubi nor Ritsuka heard what he said. Then with a flash of light they were within the realm of the fighting sequence. It was a replica of what Ritsuka remembered from his first spell battle.

Ritsuka squeezed Soubi's hand and Soubi stepped in front of him again, Ritsuka focusing on his tall lover before his eyes shifted to their opponent, still cloaked. Soubi saw his lips move and held his hand out and said, "Defend."

The man said, "Denied, attack."

"Denied, defend," was Soubi's reply.

Ritsuka hiss when his wrists were seized from behind pulling him to the ground. Around his wrists weren't shackles, more like black tentacles that burned into his skin. Then in no more than a blink they became the shackles and chain connected to the ground, holding him down. Soubi glared at their opponent after looking at Ritsuka.

The man laughed once again, "What's the matter Loveless, too afraid to show your fighter your ability?"

Ritsuka pulled on the shackles, aggravated when they tightened around his wrists, his wounds were throbbing, blood sliding down his side. Ritsuka growled, clenching his eyes closed and concentrated on shattering the restraints. His hands were released and he immediately felt Soubi pulling him to his feet by grabbing his hands. Ritsuka stood next to Soubi and felt a change course through him, a sense of warmth, a sense of what was around him.

Then when the cloaked man spoke again he could hear it as if it was a whisper in his mind. He grabbed Soubi's hand and said softly, but firmly, "Repel."

A dome of just a blink of light formed around them as a power wave of energy came at them. Soubi looked at Ritsuka stunned and Ritsuka heard the whisper once more. "Denied, white as light, heaven strike out the abyss."

Soubi squeezed Ritsuka's hand trying to get his attention. But Ritsuka couldn't look at Soubi, he had to keep his concentration on their opponent, refusing to lose this battle, too much at stake. Ritsuka let the determination to save Yuiko, to stay at Soubi's side, to not become a tool driving him on, giving him the strength he needed to ignore Soubi's questioning, inquiring movements to call his attention.

He heard the whisper once more, this time louder, a whisper as though it was into his ear. "Curtain of darkness engulfed in flames."

Ritsuka felt a rush of cold air run straight through him with the next whisper, before it had even finished and he fell to the ground, the cold making his knees buckle, making his insides throb in protest. Soubi knelt down in front of him, "Ritsuka."

Ritsuka looked at Soubi, his eyes a brilliant violet red, a fiery look in his eyes. He blinked and they shifted back to violet and Soubi's piercing blue eyes darkened, a look of anger passing over his expression. Ritsuka would have been fearful of the anger, had he not seen the glare Soubi threw to their opponent, his cloak still over his face.

Ritsuka's gaze zeroed in on the man as his hand moved to the hood of the cloak and pulled it back, finally revealing his face. Ritsuka didn't recognize the man, his slight tan, his red hair, his cold, icy green eyes, those eyes were the coldest he'd ever seen. Ritsuka wasn't aware of it at the time, but as his eyes locked with those green eyes he got to his feet, and took a step towards him.

He felt entranced, his body moving towards his opponent without his consent, his mind in a fog rendering him unable to think, only to watch as he got closer. He heard a shout, but it was distant, not even understandable. Before he knew it he was standing directly in front of him, a wicked smile curling on the mans' face. Then everything came rushing back through him as an ice cold hand glamped onto his throat. Ritsuka's own hands shot up to grip the wrist of the hand holding him by the throat, picking him up by his throat until his legs dangled beneath him.

Now he heard Soubi yelling, a desperate tone in his voice, desperate and fearful, so much fear in his cry; "RITSUKA!!!"

The man smiled all the more and Ritsuka heard a sizzling sound and then felt a shocking, electric current as though he were being struck by lightning running through him, igniting his blood, his wounds, draining his strength as it ran through him two more times.

Ritsuka's hands fell from the man's wrist, his body going limp from the pain, the shock, the draining of his strength. The man released him and Ritsuka fell to his hands and knees his gasping letting him know that he couldn't breath. He looked up to see the man whispering something, and Ritsuka looked at Soubi to see him restrained and forced to his knees. Ritsuka jumped up, his desire to save Soubi driving him to his feet to try and get to him.

But the man caught him around the waist, all of Ritsuka's thrashing and struggling draining strength from him, but still he persisted despite the strain on his injured body. "Soubi, SOUBI!!!"

Soubi looked up at him, and the man cupped Ritsuka's mouth, his arm around Ritsuka's waist tightening and Ritsuka noticed where the man hand dug into his wound, sending a jolt of pain straight through him. A strong wave of dizziness swept through Ritsuka, but he stubbornly held onto his consciousness and twisted, trying desperately to get away. He was dropped to the ground suddenly, landing with a grunt and rolling away.

Then when he pushed himself to his hands and knees he was hit swiftly with a kick right to his wound forcing blood out of his throat. Ritsuka was then shoved with a foot to his shoulder onto his back and the man towered over him, a sneer on his face.

"Unless you wish for me to kill your useless fighter, I suggest you give in to your pain and rest. It will all be much quicker that way."

Ritsuka made to move and another kick to his side made a cry of pain pass through his lips. Ritsuka shook from the intensity of it, but he turned on the ground, this time grabbing the man's leg when he made to kick him again and pushing his leg back with all the strength he had.

Ritsuka then leapt to his feet, making another desperate attempt to get to Soubi. Soubi looked at him, wide eyed and tried to move only to be forcefully held in place a shock running through him through the restraints. Ritsuka was nearly within reach of Soubi who was trying his best to reach out to Ritsuka.

Then his ankle was grabbed and his feet were forced out from under him as he was pulled back violently. This time Ritsuka couldn't break the fall with his hand, not while reaching towards Soubi and his head struck the ground hard, knocking him out instantly.