A/N: The chapter you've been waiting for. Whether Shark chooses Ken or Kaito. Things get complicated. Of course. Because I'm evil. So, thank you for your lovely reviews, keep reviewing and enjoy. Thanks.

Ryoga kept his head low as he walked through the school. His discussion with Kaito last night played on his mind, and he'd felt a little guilty for leaving Akina there and for leaving Kaio there tied up, but his mind had been a mess.

Of course, it wasn't long before Yuma and his friends pounced on him and he was dragged away to the steps where they sat and chatted. Ryoga was glad for at least some distraction. Until there were footsteps behind them and Nico plopped down on the steps next to Yuma, glaring at nothing. Ken and Miki stepped around them and Ryoga's mind wandered back to Kaito last night. He still didn't know what he was supposed to do with Kaito and Ken but he knew he had to make a choice.

The day passed uneventfully, and Ryoga was incredibly thankful for that. Ken stat quietly in class, apparently ignoring him. At lunch, Nico was complaining to Yuma about something or other and Yuma was, as always, sympathetic even if he didn't seem to understand the problem.

And then finally, it was the end of the day. Ryoga waited silently in his seat, playing absently with his pen. This was it. The moment he'd been dreading all day. He still didn't know who this was going to end. Ken got up from his seat and slowly made his way over to sit on his sat next to him. For a few moments they sat in silence before Ryoga lifted his head.

"Are you Honour?"

"What?" Ken cried, staring at him. "No! How can you even ask that?! Honour is… Honour would… I could never do that!"

"You act like I want to ask," Ryoga muttered. "I just need to know, Ken. I know you're a hunter and that you wanted to make me suffer but if you're Honour-"

"I'm not," he snapped. "My name is Despair."

"Then why does he act like you and look like you, and sound like you?" he argued. "How can he manipulate us if he's nothing to do with you?"

"Ryoga…" He sighed and reached up, stroking his cheek. Ryoga closed his eyes as that familiar warmth flooded his min. "Ryoga, I wanted to hurt you, Kaito must have told you that but I wanted this more. I wanted us. I let it go, Ryoga, because I care about you."

"But I…" He frowned and glanced away. "It's just… Kaito…"

"Kaito?" Ken frowned and grasped his hands. "Don't tell me you and him-"

"No," Ryoga said quickly, shaking his head and squeezing his hands back. "I care about you, Ken, more than you can imagine. I couldn't stop thinking about you. But Rio is missing and Kaito has been there for me and-"

"And I haven't…" Ken sighed and drew his hands away but Ryoga caught his hands tightly. "Ryoga-"

He was silenced as Ryoga pressed their lips together. Ken gave a small squeak of surprise before slowly wrapping his arms around Ryoga's neck, pulling him gently closer. And he was contented with the soft, slow kiss that Kaito hadn't given him. But he almost missed Kaito's roughness, the way he pushed him around and forced him to submit. Ken allowed him control though, he allowed Ryoga to be the more aggressive and dominant.

"What's wrong?" Ken whispered as Ryoga drew back. "You seem sad."

"It's nothing," he muttered. "Just thinking about… Nothing."

"About Kaito?" he said. He frowned and turned away only for Ken to lean in and kissed his neck softly. Heat flared up in Ryoga's chest and his fists clenched absently as everything went hazy. "You shouldn't be thinking about him when you're with me."

His eyes widened as Ken's voice changed. To Honour's voice. Ryoga's breath caught and he went to push him away but his body refused. Ken's attention just felt so good. He was being manipulated, he knew that, but it really did feel so good.

"Honour…"

"Of course, my dear Ryoga," he purred, nipping at his neck. Ryoga clenched his jaw and closed his eyes. "Ken hasn't been around for a long time. Not really."

"What have yo-"

"Don't get me wrong, it's still me," he replied, lifting his head and pressing their lips together in a soft kiss. And to Ryoga's disgust he kissed back before he could stop himself. "I'm just not so weak. I'm strong. You understand, don't you? As Wrath, you're strong. As Ryoga, you're a cheating, disgraced bully who can't protect anyone. It's the same with me. I'm Honour. I keep Ken locked away because he lets his feeling get in the way of his goal. When I'm done with you, I can let him go, but not until, my dear Ryoga."

He smirked and Ryoga shoved him away, but the second he did, his chest tightened and he gasped, doubling over. Ken laughed softly, getting up from his chair and moving around behind him. His hands fell on Ryoga's shoulders and the pain faded the second he did.

"You should be nicer, Ryoga," Ken murmured in his ear. "Or I'll make your suffering worse. I don't see why I liked you back then, why the softer part of me is so fond of you."

"Let him go," Ryoga hissed, turning to glare at him. "Let me talk to the real him."

"I am the real him."

"No, you're the darkness. You're everything that hurts inside him. You're not him. Now let me talk to him!"

Ken laughed and clenched his fists and again pain tore through him, making him almost yelp in pain. And Ken kissed his cheek softly. "You're in no position to be making demands, my dear Ryoga."

"How exactly does this help you?" Ryoga hissed as Ken's hand trailed through his hair. "You want to hurt me, why do this?"

"Because you care about my soft pathetic heart," Ken whispered. Ryoga shivered at the warm breath on his ear and the warmth spreading through his again. "And you suffer watching me, thinking you can save me, that maybe this is your fault. And it is. You made me turn back to hunting. You made me pick up that box. I'm not sure how I ended up with Honour's box and not Despair's but it's worked out rather nicely really."

He tilted Ryoga's head and Ryoga found himself unable to do anything under his own power as the kissed once more. It was so warm and loving and his body moved on his own, pulling Ken around and into his lap, knowing Ken's place was in his lap, wrapped in his arms. It felt so right having him there but he couldn't trust his emotions, could he? They were all being manipulated by Honour- by Ken.

He wished he'd listened to Kaito now. Kaito had only tried to protect him, why hadn't he listened? He wished he had Kaito with him now. To protect him and comfort him. If he closed his eyes, he could almost imagine it was Kaito in Ken's place, but Kaito would ever be so gentle, or so submissive. Or in his lap.

"You're thinking about Kaito again?" Ken murmured, stroking his cheek with the back of his hand. "Don't worry, I can erase all that. You know how I made you fall for me? I can train you to stop feeling for him."

"No," Ryoga breathed, shaking his head desperately. "Leave Kaito out of this. I became a hunter, leave my friends alone."

Ken laughed. "I really don't care about that. You're a hunter but you're not hunting, so who cares? You're not behaving. Besides, it's you I'd be working with, not them. Your friends won't be affected." He pecked Ryoga's lips and smiled pleasantly. "Don't worry. I'll look after you from now on. You can be my little puppet. It'll be easy. I'll teach you how. It's really simple."

The heat and darkness around Ryoga was so intense Ryoga couldn't even answer. He just closed his eyes and gave into his body's needs as Ken wrapped his arms around him tighter and he initiated another deep, torturously slow kiss. He couldn't stop himself anymore. He just pulled Ken closed and let his instincts take over.

When their hour was over, they'd accomplished almost nothing. Ryoga went to get away the second Ken was out of reach but before he reached the door, he collapsed in pain once more. Ken chuckled and his hands fell on his shoulder's once more, his lips brushing his cheek again.

"You're not going anywhere until I'm ready to let you go, Ryoga," Ken murmured, helping him up. The pain faded and Ryoga clenched his jaw as Ken took his arm, guiding him out. "We should go and see Mother. And I'm sure Akina will be pleased to hear that we've go back together."

"You expect me to just let you take advantage of me like this?" Ryoga snapped.

"You don't really have a lot of choice unless you'd like to end up in hospital," he replied with a soft smile.

"Just because you can control my feelings-"

"When you get worked up, angry or afraid, your body releases adrenaline. Too much adrenaline and you could do some serious damage to your heart, you know? Never heard of dying of fear?" Ryoga paused slightly but Ken tugged him on. "There are plenty of ways I could harm you, Ryoga. So, just play along and let me watch you suffering and we should get along just fine."

"You can't do this," Ryoga hissed.

They stepped out of the school and Ryoga scowled. "Look a bit happier, Ryoga. I'll make sure you enjoy it."

Warmth flooded through him again and Ryoga's heart pounded. He'd never felt so relaxed and content in the presence of something he'd grown to hate so much. But there was still Ken inside there, under Honour's darkness, right? There was still someone good inside. Outside, Yuma and the others were sitting around, apparently having just finished a duel. Ryoga frowned and Yuma waved.

"Hey!" he called. "You two happy again?"

"Yeah," Ken laughed. "Everything's just perfect again."

He smiled and leant his head against Ryoga's shoulder, squeezing his hand as Yuma bounced over. "I'm sure Akina will be pleased. Haruto and Kaito are picking her up from school and bringing her to meet us, let's go!"

They wandered off and Ken smirked guiding Ryoga along. This wasn't fair. If Kaito's admission last night, Ryoga wasn't sure how the older boy would take this. He'd either be furious or hurt or both.

When they arrived at the park, Ken pulled Ryoga around, wrapping his arms around his neck. Ryoga fell into his hold without argument, sliding his arms slowly around his middle and losing himself in another deep kiss. He didn't want to but his body wouldn't listen and his mind was spinning and hazy and nothing was right. His eyes slid closed as Ken pressed close to him. It was all so wrong but it felt so right.

"I should warn you," Ken murmured against his lips. "That you mustn't say a word of this to Kaito, or anyone else for that matter. Actally, just don't speak to Kaito at all."

"Or what?" Ryoga said quietly, clenching his fists.

"And you mustn't let him put his hands on your again," he continued, sliding a hand down to rest on Ryoga's heart. "I won't let anyone else interfere. This is between you and me, understand?" Pain flashed through him and Ken laughed softly and Ryoga lowered his head to his shoulder, panting heavily. "Break my rules and I'll be bringing you flowers in hospital. And then how would you save you sister?"

"Rio… Your probably is with me… leave them out of it."

"I will, my dear," he replied, stroking Ryoga's hair. "As long as you play by my rules. You my even save that weakness inside my heart."

Kaito barely remembered the last time he'd felt this betrayed. Image of Chris walking away flashed through his mind, the sting of that slap, the pain of being left in the storm… Only this was worse. Because with Chris, he had been the stupid little kid playing along with his older lover's games. But this time…

This time he'd been the one making all the first moves, he'd been the one in control. He'd been so reckless and now seeing Ryoga back with his arms around that boy tore at his heart. Akina and Haruto were walking a few paces ahead of him but Kaito paused seeing them locked in a deep, heated kiss. He wanted that to be him. He wanted to be able to hold Ryoga close and kiss him like that. And to have Ryoga understand that it was more than simply a distraction from who they really wanted.

Kaito wasn't even sure when he'd started feeling like this, just that it was killing him. Perhaps that was alright though, perhaps he deserved to suffer. After all, he'd taken so many souls, done so many bad things his own soul was stained with sin. Why should he have what he wanted? What on earth made him think he deserved someone who made him happy?

"They're really happy together," Kotori said with a smile, watching the two second years.

"Yeah…" Kaito breathed.

"Kaito?" Haruto whispered, looking up at him.

Kaito smiled slightly. "It's fine, Haruto."

Akina tugged gently on Miki's skirt and she leant down. They whispered to each other for a moment before Miki nodded and kissed the top of her head. Kaito frowned as Miki straightened up and petted her head before walking off. As she passed, she laid a hand on his shoulder and his eyes widened slightly.

"It'll work out," she whispered. "Don't act rashly. Things will work out."

Kaito nodded slightly. It wasn't that easy though. After Haruto, Ryoga and Yuma were the two most important people in his life. And seeing Ryoga with someone who was obviously only out to hurt him… He didn't trust Ken. Obviously Ryoga did though.

"Ken! Shark!" Akina yelled, hands going to her hips.

Both boys looked up and Ken smiled, turning slightly. Ryoga laid his head on Ken's shoulder and Kaito frowned; there was something so sad in his eyes. Was that because he felt guilty about pushing him away and choosing Ken? Or was it something else?

"Kaito," Ken murmured. "And Haruto. How lovely to see you." He stroked Ryoga's hair and Kaito's fists clenched absently. "I hear you looked after Ryoga this weekend. I should thank you both."

Haruto folded his arms and Akina scowled, pushing Ken away from Ryoga and wrapping her arms around his legs. Ryoga sighed and gently lifted her from the ground, letting her bury her head in his shoulder.

"He's mine," she muttered.

Ryoga chuckled and laid his hand gently on her head, accepting her nuzzling his shoulder. Kaito smiled softly. Ryoga was so good with children despite his supposed dislike of them. And Akina certainly loved him.

"Hey!" Yuma called, jumping up. "Let's go see if we can find some more hunters!"

Akina lifted her head and Ryoga frowned. Kaito knew why, of course. But it seemed Yuma didn't. He'd figured out Akina and of course he knew about Miki but hadn't Ryoga said all Mother Grace's children were hunters. That meant Nico was a hunter too. She looked slightly uncomfortable as well. Ken, however, looked completely unfazed by it.

"Sure," Ryoga muttered. "Let's goes."

"Yuma," Kaito called quietly. Yuma glanced back. "Keep an eye on Haruto for me. There's something I need to do."

Ryoga frowned but nodded and held out his hand for Haruto, who gave Kaito a quick hug before running over and grabbing Yuma's hand. Kaito frowned and turned away silently. Haruto would be safe with Ryoga and Yuma if nothing else. And Akina. She had already proven her dedication to protecting Haruto, no matter what the personal risk. Kaito appreciated that more than he could say.

Orbital was following him as he walked. He didn't even know how long he'd been walking for. He needed time. It was like the pain of Chris leaving all over again. Ryoga had made his decision, he couldn't blame him but it hurt. He'd admitted his feelings to Ryoga and been rejected. He supposed he deserved it. That was what he kept telling himself. That he deserved the pain, because of all he'd done. He deserved to feel like this. He'd never deserved Ryoga.

"Something wrong, handsome?"

He frowned and turned to see a woman a little older than him sitting on a wall. He frowned. Her long black hair had been swept back into a neat, fancy up-do and was in something almost like a cocktail dress. And dark glasses over her eyes.

"Hunter," he hissed.

She laughed softly and tilted her head. "My my, straight to the point, my dear. Tenjo Kaito, correct?"

"Yes, and you would be?"

"Envy," she replied, getting up slowly. She smiled pleasantly and offered her hand. Kaito frowned but accepted the handshake. "You're hurt." Kaito scowled and she smiled. "Honour's doing, no doubt."

"How would you know that?" he hissed.

"I know that Honour is trouble," she said with a shrug. "He does annoy me, that one. And I would assume you're hardly fond of him."

"After what he's done to Ryoga-"

"We can help each other then." Kaito frowned and she smiled, slowly circling him. "You've taken souls before." He nodded silently. "And you are so desperate to own that boy."

"I don't know what you're talking about," Kaito snapped.

"Oh, you do. I can feel the jealousy raging inside you. You desire Wrath. You want to make him yours."

"But with Honour's curse-"

"There are ways around it, my sweet," Envy purred. "I can help you. If you help me. Then we can both get what we want."

"What would I have to do?" Kaito said, watching her warily.

"Master Kaito-"

"Quiet, Orbital," he snapped. "Well, Envy?"

"Wrath has yet to hunt," she whispered in his ear. Kaito's eyes widened slightly and he drew a sharp breath. "If you can convince him to hunt tonight, I will give him to you."

"Manipulating him just like Honour is, you mean."

"Perhaps. Or perhaps just giving him the nudge he needs to realise what he truly wants."

"How am I supposed to convince him to hunt with me if I can't get near him without Ken?"

"I can handle that," she replied. "Consider it a show of my gratitude. You get Wrath hunting and Honour is disgraced. We both get what we want. Then… as a reward, I'll give you the girl."

"Girl?"

"Rio was it?"

"Rio?!" He nodded. "You've got-"

"Take a soul tonight, and we'll return Rio to you when we've got what we need from her. Do we have a deal?"

Kaito frowned and hesitated. To get Ryoga away from Ken and into his arms… That was so tempting but the idea of doing it through the hunter's powers? Wasn't that just as bad as Honour? And convincing him to hunt? But one soul to help Rio? He needed to save Ryoga for Ryoga but…

"Yes," Kaito whispered. "Yes, we have a deal."

"Perfect," Envy purred.

She moved around and caught his chin, pressing their lips together. Kaito's eyes widened and he went to jerk back but her hold was surprisingly strong until suddenly she was pushed away by someone else. Kaito took a deep breath and found Ryoga between them, glaring up at her, fists clenched and head low.

"Ryoga?" Just how long had he been walking for Ryoga to have slipped away from the group- and Ken. "Are you-"

"You stay away from him," Ryoga hissed up at Envy.

"Or what?" she teased.

"Or I'll destroy you," he replied.

"Ryoga…" Kaito reached for Ryoga's hand but Ryoga jerked away and spun to glare at him. "It's not what it looked like." Ryoga bit his lip before turning away and stalking off. "Ryoga!" He followed him quickly and again tried to catch his hand but again, Ryoga flinched away like he'd been hurt. "Ryoga? I- what's wrong? Why are you ignoring me?" Still, he got no reply. So he whipped out hiss Duel Anchor and caught his wrist. Now he had no chance. "No more running off, Ryoga. Talk to me."

Ryoga pulled away as quickly as he could but they both knew he was trapped. But he still refused to talk, or even look at him, and he backed away from Kaito as he approached. And it hurt more than anything. More than seeing him with Ken. He reached pulled in the Duel Anchor, forcing Ryoga close.

"Ryoga, you've chosen him, I can accept that," he said quietly. He raised his hand slightly, tempted to stroke his cheek but he hesitated for a moment as Ryoga flinched away, wincing as if expecting to be hurt. As if Kaito would lash out because of this. "I don't want what happened over the weekend to change things between us. You're my friend, I don't want to lose you. Just say something." But still there was silence. Kaito sighed and slowly released the Duel Anchor. He wasn't going to force Ryoga to be around him if he really didn't want to be. "Fine…" He walked away slowly and Orbital followed. "If you hunt tonight, they'll give us Rio."

He heard the gasp from Ryoga and his heart wrenched. But Ryoga didn't want to be anywhere near him so there was nothing he could do. There was silence for moment before he heard what sounded like a muffled sob. He turned slightly and saw Ryoga's shoulder's slumped, his hand over his mouth and eyes tight closed. He couldn't turn his back on that. No matter what, he cared for Ryoga. Before he could stop himself, he strode back over and wrapped his arms around Ryoga's shoulders, holding him tightly.

And the moment he did, Ryoga's knees gave out and he collapsed in Kaito's arms.

In the Next Chapter: Kaito struggles not to let his feelings for Ryoga get in the way of keeping him safe and Rio goes hunting for a soul.

At Death's Door