Disclaimer: I don't own Loveless or anything in this story. Except for Soubi…well, I wish I owned Soubi…

Chapter Three: Comfortless

Ritsuka waited outside impatiently for Soubi to return from the school. He wanted his phone back, his lifeline to Soubi. At the same time, Ritsuka wanted Soubi to take a long while in the school, to put off the questions he would certainly have about Ritsuka's late night phone call.

It seemed like a long time before Soubi finally appeared at the doorway to the school. Ritsuka forced himself to wait patiently for Soubi to come to him. He squirmed and wished Soubi would walk faster.

Soubi arrived outside of the school's gate. "No luck, Ritsuka. Your Sensei insisted that your parents be the ones to get your phone back for you. Gomenasai." He bowed his head. "If Ritsuka would like to punish me…"

"I'm not going to punish you! I've told you before not to ask that of me!" Ritsuka felt his heart sink at Soubi's words. There was no chance that his parents would come and get his phone back from the teacher. His ears drooped.

"Ritsuka." Soubi placed a hand on Ritsuka's head. The younger boy looked up at his Fighter. "I'll get you another phone. I'll have it for you tomorrow."

Ritsuka nodded, still not thrilled. "What about ice cream?" he asked.

Soubi nodded. "Of course." He grabbed Ritsuka's hand and started walking.

Ritsuka let Soubi hold his hand as they walked. He would have a way to contact Soubi tomorrow. He could certainly last twenty-four hours without a direct line to Soubi. But with the new team in the area…what if they initiated a fight and Soubi couldn't reach him…?

"Soubi," Ritsuka said. He stopped and pulled his hand from Soubi's grasp. Immediately, Soubi stopped, turned, and looked at Ritsuka. "You know you're not supposed to fight alone, right?"

Soubi nodded. "Yes, Ritsuka. I promise I will not fight alone. I will wait until you are with me."

Ritsuka nodded. "Good. Don't forget it." He stepped up to Soubi and took his hand again.

"Ritsuka, the same goes for you. I do not want you to initiate a battle without me by your side," Soubi said. He studied Ritsuka.

Ritsuka looked up at him. "How could I do that, Soubi? I'm not a fighter. I can't fight."

Soubi nodded. "I know." He squeezed Ritsuka's hand once and started walking again towards the nearest ice cream parlor.

Ritsuka stared up at Soubi in puzzlement but let the matter drop. He still hadn't learned to get information out of Soubi that Soubi didn't want to give. One of these days, he would figure out how to get Soubi to answer him, but for now, Ritsuka knew the conversation was closed.

Soubi, on the other hand, had no such problems getting Ritsuka to open to him. It wasn't long before, while sitting at a booth in the ice cream shop and enjoying a cup of ice cream each, that Ritsuka was telling Soubi about the dream last night.

After he finished, Ritsuka sat staring at his empty bowl and playing with the muddy swirls in the bottom of his cup.

"So that was why you called," Soubi said thoughtfully. He licked his final bite of ice cream off of his spoon.

Ritsuka nodded, still staring at the liquid chocolate swirls at the bottom of his cup. "Sorry for waking you up. It really wasn't something to worry you about. I shouldn't have called…"

Soubi's strong fingers lifted Ritsuka's chin up. "Ritsuka, I love you. You can call me anytime. No matter how silly or stupid it is you think it is. There is no reason that Ritsuka can not call me."

Ritsuka nodded. He couldn't tear his eyes away from Sobui's blue eyes.

Soubi smiled and sat back into his seat. Ritsuka blushed and went back to staring at this ice cream dish.

"Was there anything else you wanted to talk about?" Soubi asked.

Ritsuka shook his head.

Soubi stood up and gathered up the trash that was on the table. He walked over to the trash can. "Does Ritsuka need anything else today?" He asked.

Stay with me, Ritsuka thought to himself. But he wouldn't ask that of Soubi. Not when Soubi had stated earlier he had things to do. If Ritsuka asked, then of course, Soubi would stay. That was a given. But Ritsuka wasn't that selfish. Soubi had his own life to live, apart from Ritsuka.

Ritsuka shook his head. "Walk me home?" he asked.

Soubi nodded and held out his hand to Ritsuka. Ritsuka took it and stood up. Together, they left the ice cream parlor and walked back to Ritsuka's house. Soubi left him at the door.

"I'll be back to visit you tonight, Ritsuka."

Ritsuka nodded. "I'll be waiting," he replied.

Soubi smiled and patted his head. "I'll be there." With one last smile, Soubi walked off, leaving Ritsuka alone at his doorway.

Ritsuka took a deep breath and let himself into his house. It was dark and silent. Ritsuka could smell something cooking in the kitchen. Quickly, Ritsuka walked upstairs, hoping his mother wouldn't hear him come in.

"Is that my Ritsuka?"

Ritsuka froze. "Mother?" he asked.

"I've made some snacks for you, Ritsuka. Would you like some?"

"Of course, Mother." Ritsuka let his school bags slip to the foot of the stairs and walked into the kitchen, a sense of dread upon his shoulders.

- - -

Ritsuka lay down on his bed, fingering the new bandage on his cheek. His face was still sore from the flying porcelain his mother had broken, but the pain would fade by tomorrow. It usually did.

Idly, Ritsuka wondered what would happen if his mother ever hurt him severely.

Ritsuka rolled over onto his stomach and reached for his schoolbag that had been thrown next to the bed. Without looking, Ritsuka stuck his hand in and pulled out his books. After ruffling through them, Ritsuka settled in to do his homework. Soubi wouldn't be by for another couple of hours. He usually waited until everyone in the house of asleep.

Downstairs, Rituska heard the door open and close. Voices. Ritsuka's father must be home. He was early tonight.

Ritsuka pushed the voiced from his mind and concentrated on his homework. It was remarkably easy to do, even when the voices started shouting. Eventually the voices gave way to the sound of shattering objects. Soon enough, even that died out, leaving the house in its typical silence.

The moonlight shone through the open window. A figure appeared outside of his room.

"You're early," Ritsuka said without looking up from his homework.

"I wasn't aware you were expecting me."

Ritsuka looked up at the startling familiar voice into a face that was a reflection of what his would be in a few more years. "Seimei…"

- - -

A/N Sorry for the long time between updates. I blame Christmas and a new addiction to an MMORPG. Hopefully, it won't be that long until chapter 4.

Nikkler: I'm sure other people have some of my ideas, but I haven't found anyone with this exact idea, so its all good. And yeah, Yuiko has grown up a bit since the series. Thanks for reviewing in both places!

Bob, the Fluffy Pink Bunny: I should write when I'm slightly intoxicated, should I?

Jicky: Yeah, angst in store. Its what makes a story good.

Sadil: Glad you like the story! I usually mark scenery changes, but takes them away when I post. But I found away around it.

Lyerial: Thanks for the compliments!