Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction (not mine) and any resemblance to real persons is purely coincidental.

Warnings: This chapter may be a bit bloody. Just to let you all know.

Chapter Eleven: Fightless

Ritsuka furrowed his brow in concentration, trying to anticipate Zero's next move. Around him, the sky and ground were dark with battle.

Any other time, Ritsuka would have been worried. But this was just practice. Zero never actually hit. He was supposed to be doing the attacking while Natsuo defended.

He hadn't even come close to restraining either one and they had been at this for hours.

"Come on, L-Ritsuka. You won't have all day, you know," Youji called. He yawned. "If you're this slow Soubi-san won't even have to defend."

Ritsuka frowned. "I won't be able to compete against Soubi anyway," he said. Realistically, even if he could find the emotional strength to go against his l- his Fighter, he wouldn't have the sheer skill. Ritsuka's spells were slow in coming and rather incoherent. Zero could have wasted him by now, had they wanted to. Soubi wouldn't even have to speak more than two words to turn his spells back on him.

Natsuo shrugged. "You're right about that, Ritsuka," he said. "But you could at least…"

Ping

Soubi!

Ritsuka's heart skipped a beat.

Zero's eyes widened. "Soubi-san…," Natsuo whispered.

"That can't possibly be good," Youji said.

Ritsuka swallowed. His throat was suddenly very dry. His heart felt like it would pound itself out through his chest. "My school," he said. His voice was barely above a whisper.

Unbidden, an image of a half-dead Yuiko swam in front of his eyes.

No!

"I have to go."

Without waiting for a response from Zero, Ritsuka took off in the direction of his school. He ran top speed, ignoring the shouts of the other team behind him. He knew they were telling him to wait.

He couldn't though. Not when Yuiko was in danger. She was his first and best friend. If something happened to her because of him…

Soubi. Would he fight Soubi to save her?

No. Yes.

Ritsuka didn't know. He loved Soubi. Would Soubi ever betray Seimei…

No.

But he would die.

The school! Just in front of him.

Ritsuka skidded to a halt as he saw Seimei leave the gates of his school. Behind him came a very frightening Yuiko and Yayoi. They were clutching each other's hands and their faces were pale. Soubi brought up the rear.

"Ah, Ritsuka." Seimei stopped when he noticed his brother standing in front of him.

"Ritsuka-kun!" Yuiko's ears perked up. She was about to run forward, past Seimei, but Soubi's hand on her shoulder stopped her. That, and the look Ritsuka gave her. "Are you alright? Soubi-san said you wanted to see us?"

"I'm fine, Yuiko." Ritsuka tried to make his voice gentle. He didn't want to frighten the girl anymore than she already was.

"Ritsuka?"

"Everything's alright, Yuiko," Ritsuka told her. He turned to Seimei. "They have nothing to do with this. Release them." His eyes flicked to Soubi who had moved the two younger children back behind him. He bent and whispered something in Yuiko's ear. She hesitated, looking from Soubi to Seimei to Ritsuka and back to Soubi. Soubi offered her a comforting smile.

Yayoi tugged at Yuiko's arm. Reluctantly, Yuiko allowed herself to be pulled off back into the school.

"Soubi." Seimei's voice was as calm as frozen glass. "Did I tell you to release them?" he asked.

"No, Master." Soubi's voice was barely audible but it was strong. The Fighter looked like hell. He moved stiffly, as if he was sore. From his dream last night, Ritsuka could only imagine the pain Soubi was in. His face was swollen, black, and blue. Fresh wounds were across his cheeks. And those were only the wounds that Ritsuka would see.

Seimei would pay.

"Ritsuka. Will you come with me willingly?" Seimei asked. He seemed to know Ritsuka's answer already. He almost seemed to want Ritsuka to resist him.

Ritsuka shook his head. "I want no part of your plans. I only want my Fighter."

"Presumptuous, aren't you?" Seimei asked. He smirked. "If you want him, you shall have him." Without turning, he addressed Soubi, "Initiate battle."

The world around Ritsuka darkened for the second time that day. As the world faded to nothingness, Seimei slowly backed up until he stood just behind Soubi. His eyes narrowed as he studied his younger brother. "Soubi, don't hold back. If he won't work with me, I don't want him against me. Kill him."

"Yes, Master." Soubi nodded, his face holding the familiar, vacant expression he had while fighting.

Ritsuka's mouth was dry and his heartbeat rapid. His mind was drawing a blank on spells, attacks, defense.

He was doomed before he started.

"Wind turn to ice. Pierce."

Tiny, delicate ice shards sped their way towards Ritsuka's throat.

"Defense!" Ritsuka's voice was weaker than he would have liked but the spell sufficed. The ice shards glanced off the invisible barrier he had created around himself.

"Ice melts, seeps through defense."

"Defense impenetrable. Water unable to pass." Ritsuka felt his physical energy drain with his last spell. He couldn't go on much longer. He was short on sleep and had been training all morning.

"Water coats defense, freezes. Defense useless."

Ritsuka's mind froze like the water did around him. In an instant, he was surrounded by a bubble of ice.

"Shatter."

Ritsuka cried out as a thousand tiny needles pierced him all over. He must be bleeding from every inch of his body.

"Restraint."

Ritsuka fell to his knees as his air and the last of his energy was sapped from him. He raised a hand to his throat and gasped. He could feel blood trickling down his throat, his face, his arms.

"Wonderful, Soubi. Finish it." Seimei sounded excited.

Ritsuka watched as Soubi walked slowly towards him.

"What are you doing, Soubi?" Seimei asked.

"Finishing it, as you asked, Master," Soubi said. He stopped in front of Ritsuka and knelt down. A knife flashed in his hand. "Ritsuka, gomen." Soubi's voice was barely a whisper as he raised the knife and plunged it into his own chest, just below the neckline where the word BELOVED was inscribed.

Ritsuka's eyes widened as Soubi collapsed forward onto him. He tried to catch the falling body in his arms. Blood splattered onto Ritsuka's face and clothes. Ritsuka was pushed back to the ground by the weight of Soubi's body.

The world seemed to stop. Ritsuka stared at the lifeless form in his arms. He felt his resolve harden.

Seimei would pay.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

A/N: Before the nasty reviews come in, just keep in mind that Ember Silverly definitely believes in happy endings.

-Phaenilix RM-: I do like Final Fantasy 7. Have you seen Advent Children? Their version of One-winged Angel magically showed up on my playlist as I wrote this. And I don't mind randomness. Its what makes my life worth living (which is good, since it is also the definition of my life)

Teldra: Eheheeh….sorry? Didn't mean to give you one this chapter too…

Noone: I like Zero too. Especially since I added them to the story. They weren't originally going to have such large roles…

Nikkler: No, no luck; I'm going to school all week. Yeah, Yuiko has finally realized she doesn't stand a chance. Maybe now she'll finally realize Yayoi's right there…?

TheSilentSenshi: Yeah, I'll agree Yuiko can be unobservant. I actually kind of like her though, in spite of her many failings. Or maybe because of them…..