Note form the Author:

You guys, I'm SO thankful for your wonderful comments! They've really helped inspire me, and helped me keep writing. I've taken a while because it turns out I have a pinched nerve on my spine, so writing on a notebook is pretty uncomfortable and painful, as is typing on the computer. Also, my arm is pretty shaky. =___= It's hard to keep it steady. So, ^^;; If you find any typos, please, excuse me. I'll try as hard as I possibly can to clean it up, but.. ehehehe. ^^;;

But, again! THANKS SO MUCH! Keep up the lovely comments!! They make me feel MUCH better!

A Soubi plushie for everyone! *throws them out* … :3 *huggles her own*

-Ritsuka-chan

I DON'T OWN LOVELESS. BLAH BLAH BLAH..

*~*ICE*~*

A quivering moan escaped Ritsuka's lips as soon as he regained consciousness. He tensed up automatically, as If bracing himself for a wave of pain, but relaxed as soon as he felt no piercing shot of pain at his throat. With a small sigh of relief, he worked on opening his eyes and found difficulty in the task. But, upon finally managing to achieve it, he found a bright light blinding his view. At this, he groaned.

"Nngh," he moaned. "It's bright."

"Oh! I'm sorry!" responded a mature female voice. A soft click follower her voice, and in brevity, she spoke again. "Is that better, Ritsuka?"

As Ritsuka tried opening his eyes again, he questioned in a quiet whisper, "K-Katsuko-sensei?"

His eyes helped little to none as he tried to figure out where he was. The little raven scanned the room with a sore gaze. The room wasn't very decorated, and gave out a dull aura. A white door was situated to his left, leading to a Picasso-styled paining. And in the dim light he made out an orange color to the walls. Again, he groaned in frustration but stopped abruptly as he felt a hand at his forehead.

"Oh, my!" Katsuko chided. "Your fever's running up again." She shook her head in disapproval and set down her notebook and mumbled, "I'll go tell the nurse to give you more Ibuprofen. I'll be right back."

"I do- what?" Ritsuka echoed but she was gone before any questions could be asked and answered. This left the young Sacrifice some time to think. He finally figured out that he was in a hospital for injuries. His subdued soreness at his limbs told it all. Just then, Katsuko's words hit him again. Ibuprofen. Yes, he remembered. Medicine used to reduce fever and pain. Ritsuka contorted his features in confusion, furrowing his eyebrows. How could he know? He hadn't used painkillers with the injuries inflicted by his mother. Something in that speculation shot a signal of pain of fear up his spine. How could he remember such a thing? Moreover that fear, his mother sprung out to his thoughts. Where would she be now? I his guessing as to what had happened was correct, she was probably in solitary confinement by now. And, his father was with Misaki, no doubt. So, where did that leave him?

Ritsuka cringed, holding back a tear.

Alone.

The boy's breathing quickly became cut up and hitched. Ritsuka's little chest rose up and down at no real pace of rhythm. That word alone tore his mind to shreds. So many questions bloomed in his mind, so many that he could not concentrate on a single one. Quickly, though, the sound of the door caught his attention. His head snapped up to see who it was.

"S-Soubi!" he cried out, between mewling sobs.

The blonde offered a sensitive smile and turned up the lights a little. Just enough for his present to be visible. "I'm glad you're up." Soubi stated in his usual deep tone of voice. He presented a bouquet of crimson roses and set them down on the table. "I was worried, you know?"

The raven paid no mind to Soubi's last sentence, and threw himself into a desperate hug as soon as the blonde sat on the bed. "Soubi! I-I …" he gasped between tears. "I don't want to be alone!" Echoing the word made a jolt of pain hit his heart. Ritsuka's breathing was mildly calmed as large warm hands made soft rubbing patterns on his back. Soon, his breathing was no more than ragged and little tears speckled his face.

"Ritsuka." Soubi whispered as soon as the boy had calmed down. "You're not." The blonde refrained from stating that word that word that so clearly pierced his heart. "I'm here. I'm here for you. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you before, but I promise you it won't happen again. I'll never leave your side again." The Fighter unit his face between little Ritsuka's ears and blew out a small amount of air through is nose. It was a sigh of both shared anguish and comfort. "Listen. How mad would you be at me if I told you I was trying to get things settled for you to live with me?" Soubi asked, painting his head voice with modest glee and love. The ma pulled back a little as his Sacrifice raised his head to match gazes. A speckle of surprise and hope sparkled in Ritsuka's violet eyes and a breath of relief escaped his parted lips.

"With you, Soubi?" Not until then had he noticed that Soubi's smell was different than the norm. The elder's favorite cologne caught his senses first and then the faint smell of acrylic paint, but never any cigarette smoke. "Soubi! D-Did you stop smoking?" Many times he had heard that stopping the habit of smoking was nearly impossible.

"For you, Ritsuka, I can do anything." Soubi smiled sincerely, cocking his head to the side. "So, what do you say? Can you stand seeing me every day?" He brushed a strand of onyx tresses out of Ritsuka's pale face.

Ritsuka sniffled and nodded slowly. "Every day is fine."