Disclaimer: The only thing I own about Loveless is this plot. But I wish I owned Soubi.
Chapter Ten: Vengeanceless
The door bell rang.
Soubi jerked up from his place at the table, startled. The feeling disconcerted him; it wasn't often someone could sneak up on the Fighter.
He walked to the door and opened it, knowing who it would be.
Sure enough, Kio stood in the doorway. He smiled tightly when he saw Soubi. "Sou-chan...can I come in?"
For a second, Soubi hesitated. Ritsuka-sama wasn't here, wouldn't know if he let Kio in, if he explained things properly, if he continued to see Kio. Immediately, Soubi banished the disloyal thoughts. "No," he said, closing the door. It hurt, to slam the door on his friend.
The door stuck on something before it clicked shut. Soubi looked down. Kio's foot was in the doorway. He blinked back at Kio.
"Fine, I won't come in," Kio said. If he was offended, he didn't show it. In fact, it seemed to Soubi almost as if Kio had half expected this betrayal of their friendship. "But I need to talk to you."
Soubi shook his head, knowing the other boy wouldn't understand his need to obey Ritsuka-sama. "No, Kio-kun," he said. He gently pushed Kio out of the doorway. At least, he attempted to. Kio didn't budge from his spot in the doorway.
"Good try, my friend," Kio said softly. It'll take more than that to be rid of me. I know Ritsuka ordered you to do this..."
Soubi frowned. "Leave, Kio," he said, more firmly than the last time. He waited, his face a mask and his eyes impenetrable. If gentleness failed, than Soubi would show the mask he Fighter wore. He would obey Ritsuka-sama.
Soubi watched Kio's blue eyes change from determined to defeated. They stood in silence for what seemed like forever. Kio seemed to shrink in on himself, starting into Soubi's cold countenance.
"Sou-chan...are you happy?" Kio's voice was a whisper.
Soubi considered the question. Was he happy?
He had what he desired- a Master to control him. Ritsuka-sama was everything Seimei had been. Soubi could give himself completely to Ritsuka-sama. Just as he had always wished he could do, since he had laid eyes on the young boy, three years ago.
As a fighting pair, the two were matchless. They could hold out against whatever the Seven Moons threw at them and more. Hell, they could even complete Seimei's original plan of taking over the school.
But was he happy?
Soubi thought back to his Ritsuka's hesitant orders, his sweet smile. The way he had felt when Ritsuka had said he loved him. Then, he had been happy.
His happiness did not matter. Ritsuka-sama's happiness was what did.
Ping.
Soubi froze, the words he was about to tell Kio dead on his lips. A Fight. Close. Ritsuka-sama. Soubi could sense his Master's presence. He could also sense Zero.
Soubi felt himself go cold. Ritsuka-sama was strong, but not strong enough yet, to take on Zero, alone.
"Sou-chan?"
"I have to go," Soubi said. He straightened and pushed past Kio without a word of explanation. Soubi walked off, almost ran, towards the source of the energy. He had to get to Ritsuka-sama before Zero could do anything. Fortunately, the duo would want to taunt the younger boy first. At least, Soubi hoped they did.
As he walked, Soubi was dimly aware that Kio was following him. Soubi didn't have time to worry about his friend. He would deal with the consequences of Kio's presence at the battle later.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
The world around Ritsuka swirled to black, just as it had that afternoon. He stood across a dark void from Youji and Natsuo. The two boys stood next to each other. Their grin was unwholesome.
"Do you want to know why we killed your brother?" Youji asked.
Ritsuka didn't answer their question. The best defense... "Fire burn away their flesh to nothing..."
Red flames licked out of Ritsuka's hands and began to dance around Zero.
"Smoke and flame don't touch us. Defense." Natsuo's voice was calm.
The flames began to lock ineffectively around a transparent shield that protected the team.
"Impulsive, isn't he?" Youji asked his partner. "Turn the spell back on him."
"Wind rise, blow the flames back to their source," Natsuo obediently intoned. He smirked.
Ritsuka had the time to shout "Defense!" before the flames were upon him. He glared at the team, his temper rising. They were toying with him. He heard Zero laugh while the flames licked away at his shield. Ritsuka could feel it start to crumble. He needed another attack and quickly. A way to banish the flames.
"Look, the great Loveless is going to fall so easily. We don't even have to do anything, Tsou-chan," Youji said.
"I guess he's doesn't really want to avenge his brother's death," Natsuo taunted.
Ritsuka's anger flared, giving his shield a burst of energy that expanded outwards, sucking up the flames in its path. The energy blast washed over Zero's shield without damaging it. Damn it! Something should have at least broken!
"Tsk, tsk, Loveless," Youji said. "Didn't Soubi teach you that unrestrained anger is futile?" The blue-haired boy laughed. "I think its our turn to attack now, Tsou-chan." Ritsuka snarled in response, ready to take whatever they dished out.
"Your wish is my command, Ji-chan. Glass shatter, a thousand needles of pain pierce!" Nearby, the glass to the shop window shattered. The shards raced towards Ritsuka and sliced red ribbons through his skin. He screamed in pain and fell to his knees. Ritsuka felt something cold and hard encircle his neck.
"Oh, this will be too easy, Ji-chan."
They were taunting him again. Ritsuka nearly screamed his anger and pain. Another blast of formless energy crashed out of Ritsuka and hurtled towards Zero. There wasn't time for Natsuo to put the shield back into place before the wave his them, knocking them both to the ground.
Seeing his advantage, Ritsuka screamed again, unleashing more of his anger upon the duo. They tried to stand up, but were knocked flat again with the force of Ritsuka's wave.
This time, they didn't get back up.
Ritsuka started laughing, half-hysterically. Seimei was avenged. If the duo wasn't dead, they would be by the time he was finished with them. He would rip them to shreds, vent his anger on their helpless bodies. They would pay for their taunting, their arrogance. They would be a message to everyone else that no one fucks with Ritsuka and gets away with it.
Ritsuka continued laughing as the blackness dissolved around him. The store faded back into view. Customers saw the lifeless bodies of Zero and screamed. Pandemonium ensued as customers and employees alike fled the shop.
"Ritsuka-sama," Soubi-kun's voice behind him was soft.
Ritsuka whilred. His violet eyes fixed on his Fighter. He should have been here sooner. Ritsuka had suffered pain because of Soubi-kun's absence. Soubi should be punished for making him fight alone.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
A/N: Once again, I apologize for the long time between updates. I blame graduating from college, moving in with my now-fiance, and just getting adjusted to life in general. Ideally, this won't happen again, as my responsibilities this summer are limited.