A/N: Sorry for the wait, life gets in the way. Hope you enjoy.

Disclaimer: Don't own nothing but Reiko, Keiko and my own creativity

Lost The Battle, Begin The War

Soubi was nervously pacing the room outside the office of Ritsuka's doctor. He knew, he could feel, that Ritsuka was now strong enough to leave the academy. Soubi was worried that he may still be weakened during battle. Being able to run and jump is one thing but enduring the pain, agony and targeting of battle is something else entirely. Ritsuka emerged from the door to the physiotherapists office.

'Thanks doctor.' Ritsuka said closing the door.

Soubi closed the distance between them and wrapped his arms tightly around his shoulders.

Ritsuka lightly lifted his arms to Soubi's back.

'What is it?'

'Ritsuka I don't want us to do this. Not yet. I don't think we are ready.'

Ritsuka pushed Soubi away sternly.

'More like you don't think I'm ready.' he scowled

Soubi turned to hide his expression. Ritsuka was angry. Probably because he thought Soubi didn't believe in him. Didn't believe he was strong enough. It wasn't that he was trying to knock his confidence, he just wanted Ritsuka safe.

'Ritsuka. Being able to walk without a limp is one thing. But the endurance and pain you will need to go through in battle is completely different. I just want to be sure.'

'Soubi I am ready. Let us go.'

Soubi readied himself.

'No Ritsuka.'

'What?!'

Ritsuka was in shock but he was clearly irritated by his sudden defiance. Especially as his sacrifices orders were all he ever lived for.

'I am sorry Ritsuka but for the first time I feel strongly enough about something that I just know I need to disobey. '

It felt unnatural to Soubi. Made him feel uncomfortable. Ritsuka was stood speechless so Soubi continued to offer a compromise.

'I just want to be certain is all. Let us stay here and participate in some of the exercises with some adult pairs throughout the academy. If you can truly endure the harshness of battle then we will leave. '

Ritsuka was in thought. He didn't want Soubi worrying about him all the time. He knew this compromise was the only way. If they left when Ritsuka wanted to and Soubi went into battle thinking that he was at a higher risk than usual he could end up trying to hard or be distracted.

'Alright. We will stay for another week. It will give us time to train and devise a plan of action.'

Soubi smiled and thanked Ritsuka for understanding.

The next day was an early start. Ritsuka groaned as he stood in the hallway. They were doing a search and battle exercise. On the first alarm the fighters and sacrifices were to locate one another. Once they had they were to battle the other pairs. The exercise was an hour long. Ritsuka was leaning against a wall talking to another sacrifice who happened to be a teacher at the academy. Turned out all the staff had to do the exercises early in the morning before classes. To keep them strong and knowledgeable. An extremely loud ringing sounded for a few seconds that made Ritsuka jump. A voice on the speaker announced the start of the exercise. Ritsuka felt confident. At the very least he will have a head start. He believed no one had a bond stronger than that of his and Soubi's. He could find Soubi far quicker than anyone else. He turned to the teacher beside him.

'Good luck.' he said shaking his hand.

The teacher nodded his head in appreciation and agreement.

'You too. Got to run.' And with that she bolted quickly in the opposite direction.

Ritsuka took a deep breath and closed his eyes. Searching for his bond. Searching for Soubi. He called as hard as he could.

Soubi

Ritsuka struggled. He opened his eyes and saw his bond line. It is still the piano wire that it once was but it seemed jagged. Ritsuka was heartbroken. Although their bond is stronger than ever, the scars on their names still left their mark. It was then that Ritsuka finally understood. Yes they can battle as easily and as strongly as they could before the attack. But they can't detect one another from a large distance. Their bond line connection has been permanently damaged. That was why Soubi didn't find him as quickly when he was kidnapped. It was why Ritsuka couldn't hear Soubi until he was nearby.

I will have to start searching the old fashioned way until we are close enough

He began chasing after his bond line but to his horror it slowly began to fade until he couldn't see it. He thought hard about Soubi and the line reappeared. It seemed that he could only summon it for a short period of time. Doing so was sapping at Ritsuka's energy too.

'Soubi!' Ritsuka called trying to speed things along.

The bondline faded again. Ritsuka was losing hope. All that he was doing now is proving Soubi's argument to be true that they aren't ready to leave the academy again. Ritsuka tried calling once more.

SOUBI

He felt a connection. He was near. Ritsuka ran past couples already battling and turned the corner. He had run straight into someone and fallen back onto his sided. He winced and groaned in pain as he gripped his hip and leg.

'Ritsuka, are you alright?' It was Soubi.

Damn, now he knows Ritsuka wasn't ready.

'Give me your hand.' Soubi said, holding out a hand with a concerned expression.

Ritsuka looked up at him.

'Together.' Soubi said confidently.

Ritsuka smiled and reached out for his hand. Grasping it he felt a new energy come over him. Soubi lifted Ritsuka up and into his arms. They held eachother tightly. They could feel strength pooling within them. Their bond line encricled them and a cool breeze lifted their spirits.

'Together.' Ritsuka confirmed.

Both now far more confident since Ritsuka's accident.

With the search complete they then began to look for another pair to battle with.

It was time for Ritsuka to prove himself.