Disclaimer: I do not own Soubi, I do not own Ritsuka, I do not own Zero, I do not own any characters making their way into this chapter.
Chapter Four: Masterless
"Are you sure about this, Ritsuka-kun?"
Ritsuka looked over at the blue-haired Youji-san. "Of course I am," he said. "You said I'm his Master, right?"
Youji-san looked uncomfortable. "That's…" Natsuo-san shut up when Youji-san glared at him.
The trio stood outside of Soubi-san's apartment. Ritsuka had been about to go in when Youji-san had asked him the question.
Katsuko-sensei had been nice, but ultimately useless, the way Ritsuka had come to see many of the adults in his life. She had told him to do the best he could adjusting to the way things were now, asked him if he was alright, and offered some not very helpful suggestions. Like, taking it easy, reacquainting himself with friends, old and new. To accept his life now as best he could.
Ritsuka hadn't been able to get out of their quickly enough.
He did decide to take one part of her advice however. If this 'master and servant' thing were true, then it couldn't possibly be all bad.
Ritsuka smirked and opened the door to Soubi-san's apartment.
Soubi-san looked up when the door opened and Ritsuka walked in. The blond man's face betrayed a hint of surprise before settling into a blank mask. "Ritsuka-kun?" he asked. The pen in his hand dropped to the table and he was instantly on his feet.
Ritsuka studied the man coolly. He only came to the man's chin, yet Ritsuka felt nearly in control.
"Soubi-san! We're heading off to school." Natsuo-san was gone before either Soubi-san or Ritsuka registered his statement. The apartment door closed with a click.
"Did you go…"
"I went home. Youji-san and Natsuo-san took me out to breakfast. Explained things. Took me to Katsuko-sensei. You know the name?" Ritsuka fired off his statements rapidly, testing his control over this stranger before him.
Soubi-san shook his head. "I did not." His voice was bland.
"She's my psychologist."
Soubi-san didn't blink. It was impossible to tell if he had known he was seeing one or not. Hell, it didn't really matter if Soubi-san let on that he had known or not. Ritsuka couldn't remember if he had told him.
"I want to know if what Youji-san told me is true. Are you my servant?"
Soubi-san was quiet for a moment. "Yes, Master." His voice was soft.
"And you're the one who I gave my ears to?" Ritsuka asked.
Soubi-san nodded his head once.
Ritsuka felt his face break out into a smile. "I suppose that you are not 'Soubi-san' then. That would be inappropriate. Soubi-kun?"
"As you wish, Master."
Ritsuka decided he liked being 'Master'. "Wonderful. I think we're going to get along perfectly. Now, why don't you tell me about this 'Sacrifice' and 'Fighter' thing that Youji-san was telling me about?"
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
It hurt Soubi to admit it, but when the apartment door had closed behind Ritsuka-sama on his way out, he had been relieved.
Soubi almost never wanted to see Ritsuka-sama again. He hoped that, since Ritsuka-sama did not actually need him, he would be brushed aside. It would be less painful then seeing his Ritsuka…
Seimei had not been lying when had bragged about his brother. Ritsuka-sama was far too much like Seimei for Soubi's comfort.
Sighing, Soubi stood up from the table and pushed his artwork aside. He wouldn't be painting today. Or going to his job at the local museum.
Soubi wondered if Kio could cover for him but then remembered that Soubi had Kio's cell phone. Ritsuka had thrown his away a two days ago.
Had it really only been two days ago? It felt like a lifetime. A lifetime since Seimei had returned, since Ritsuka had taken him, since Seimei had died.
How quickly it all changed.
A knock at the door startled Soubi from his thoughts. "Come in," he called.
"Ne, Sou-chan…you coming to work today or what?" Kio poked his blond head through the door. "I know its been an eventful day, but you gotta show up at some point. And can I have my phone back?" Kio entered the room fully while he spoke.
Soubi reached into his pocket and held the gray phone out to the blond boy. "I was just leaving," he said. He would go to work today, perhaps it would take his mind off of things.
Kio blinked as he took the phone. "Sou-chan? What's wrong?"
"Nothing." Soubi swept past his friend and out the door. "Are you coming?" he asked.
"What's wrong with Ritsuka-kun?"
Soubi froze at mention of Ritsuka. He wanted to tell Kio that nothing was wrong, but the words stuck in his mouth.
Kio knew about his relationship Seimei and about Ritsuka. Zero had informed him a bit of what had been going on the past couple of days. Kio knew enough maybe to give Soubi…
No. To draw strength from this man, friend though he was would only weaken Soubi. His duty was to Ritsuka-sama and everything belonged to him. He had longed for Ritsuka-sama to take control and now he had done so. What did Soubi have to complain about?
"Ritsuka-sama is none of your concern."
"Ritsuka-sama…?"
Soubi slipped on his shoes and started to walk out the door. He stopped when he felt Kio tug on his arm. He glared at the man.
"Sou-chan. I don't know what's going on, but you know I'm here for you, right?" There was no hint of flirtatiousness in the man's voice.
Soubi's gaze softened a bit. "I know, Kio," he said. He met Kio's blue eyes with his own.
Kio snorted. "I know you know, but you never take me up on it," he said. Kio sighed and hung his head. "Right. Whatever. Let's go to work." Kio dropped the hand on Soubi's sleeve and walked out the door to Soubi's apartment without looking back.
Some distant part of Soubi's mind felt sorry for Kio as he followed him out the door. The more prevalent part of his mind was to busy convincing himself that Ritsuka-sama was everything he had wanted and more.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long to get up. My life has been sort of crazy.
Kimper: Glad you like it so far!
SetoKaibaWheeler: Sorry about the wait! Thanks for the review!
Noone: No, Soubi doesn't get a break. It makes me sad too.
Gaiaguy: Thanks for the review!