Mist 22

Soubi had never gotten over his depression after encountering Seimei at Seven voices. The effects of actually seeing Seimei and opposing him, by asking him not to harm Ritsuka and telling Ritsuka not to listen to his brother, were intense. A similar but much greater effect than when Nisei had introduced Seimei's living voice on the phone to Soubi. Ritsuka had tried had to cheer Soubi up, things such as making him the "fight" omelet and providing reassuring words that he could tell Soubi craved. Sadly it wasn't long before the attacks started, causing the sadness to deepen and Soubi's emotions to come to a breaking point. At the beginning of it all, Ritsuka and Soubi never would've guessed that Bloodless was just the start of all the terror. They had been attacked by two other teams since then and the treat still continued.

The main question everyone wanted to know was… why?

The pair knew very little.

A message.

/-/ "I trust Ritsuka is doing well in your hands. I'm sure he is safe and not injured. I may have to come check on him. If he is harmed I could just take him back sooner than planned, it would be troublesome, but it just won't do to have my precious baby brother in the care of someone who can't even protect him. I will have to test your abilities to protect him, consider how kind of a master I am for warning you ahead of time. Never forget that you are my property, Soubi. You are my fighter. By the way, I hope you realize that Ritsuka's ears will be mine." /-/

A short conversation, mid battle.

/-/ "We're helping out Seimei, he did us a favor. Showed us the truth. He asked us to defeat you and said to pretty you up with a bit of blood while we were at it." /-/

The events happening had been explained to Soubi in short. That Seimei wanted to ensure his brothers safety. That he wanted to test Soubi.

Only Seimei knew the entire truth.

X

Seimei missed the sweet nights, spent fondling his younger brother's hair, face, lips- even. He held a true love for the boy. The pure, innocent boy. Innocent and intellectual, two traits that Seimei himself was quite familiar with. He also possessed those same admirable traits. He was someone to look up to, someone to be revered and feared. He could have control but not quite alone. No one desired singleness, loneliness. Not even Seimei. He knew that he could be together with the one person as great as himself. Ritsuka.

The fateful day they met- even then- Seimei knew Ritsuka's destiny. To belong to Seimei. The boy would be his most precious honored possession. On that day, in all of his youngness Seimei had thought, 'This boy, this brother of mine.. The child, he was born for me. She had him so that she could give him to me. So we could be together. Ritsuka, the only person alive that is exactly the same as I.'

But Seimei had a goal that didn't include his brother, actually it was much too dangerous to include his brother in. Taking down Septimal Moon's ministry. The only facility idiotic enough to try and control him. To stop him. Those bastards would pay.. to think they could actually try to execute Seimei. He would let them know just how wrong they were. Until Seimei could properly take care of the Fighter school and its controllers and workers he needed to hide from those out to get him and he couldn't hide with Ritsuka at his side. So as much as it pained him, Seimei left his brother behind. Leaving the boy with knowledge of Seimei's name Beloved, and a Fighter. That was what worried Seimei. The Fighter.

Soubi was obedient. Seimei was very much aware of that, it was one of the few praises Soubi ever received under his care. "Seimei's orders are absolute" That sweet, sweet phrase, the only thing the brute could say properly. Despite his past obedience's, Seimei was wary of letting his dog go. He was still on a tight leash even once released to Ritsuka but it was a terrifyingly long leash. He worried Soubi would lose sight of him. And that it seemed he had. That thing and Seimei's beloved brother had gotten much too close. Seimei had forgotten that his brother hadn't learned yet. He hadn't been fully conditioned. The innocent boy was much too caring. He had thought Soubi would be clear with the boy about their positions but Soubi had obviously failed there.

Seimei knew it. At Septimal Moon when he had that terribly failed meeting with his brother, Seimei could tell they had become much too close. Soubi wasn't doing his job properly. Seimei had said to love the boy, not adulterate him with impure emotions. That was why he warned that his brother's ears were no more Soubi's possession than any other part on that boy's body. All of Ritsuka belonged to Seimei. A lowly dog like Soubi would surely taint Ritsuka's innocence. But he should be able to protect the boy no matter what.

Seimei now had an "army" to train. A group of Units that were faithful to him. If the teams under him couldn't learn to beat Soubi then they wouldn't be suitable.

x

"Ehhcuu." Ritsuka sneezed

"Are you alright Ritsuka?" Soubi asked, concerned over a small sneeze.

"Somebody's talking about you!" Kio warned half-jokingly.

Ritsuka brushed it away. "I'm fine.." The boy sat huddled in a mass of blankets on Soubi's bed, Soubi was sitting up drinking tea. Ritsuka frowned at the man. "Soubi.."

"Yes, Ritsuka?"

He huffed. 'Yes, Ritsuka.' His mind mocked. "You should be resting. Kio had to practically drag you up the stairs and now you think your healthy enough to.. –to sit about and, and …all!"

Soubi was making no move to heed Ritsuka's behest.

"Souubi!" He whined.

"Ritsuka, I've told you I'm fine now." He walked over to his young Sacrifice, cupping soft cheeks in his hands. "Kio wrapped me up quite well."

Kio smiled in triumph to his teacup.

"And I've slept enough to-" His sentence was cut off.

Ritsuka pulled on Soubi's arm. "You haven't." He insisted. "No way was that enough to heal anybody. You should sleep more, and aren't you hungry? I could make you something."

Soubi smiled. He climbed into the bed with Ritsuka still holding his arm. He pulled the boy by his wait close to his side. "Just stay here with me."

x

The days passed by quickly and, Soubi and Ritsuka had to head back to lives outside the battles they were fighting. That was the hardest part for Ritsuka, hiding things from everyone.

He missed his mother and couldn't help but wonder what was going through her head, he was really worried about her. Ritsuka had realized that he couldn't be mad at Soubi and, even worse, that he had placed a terribly wrong blame on the man. He didn't understand at all why Soubi didn't hate him. Why he kept saying, 'I love you.'

For Soubi he had things weighing very heavily on him as well. Mostly, he was extremely worried about Ritsuka. Misaki had been very harsh in kicking Ritsuka out and Soubi was worried about how the boy would suffer because of it.

Waking up to Ritsuka in his arms was the best feeling for Soubi. Waking up to Ritsuka leaving his arms was not so great.

"Ritsuka.." His strong arms reached out and grabbed the boy's waist.

Ritsuka emitted a cry of protest. "Let go, Soubi!"

He did the opposite and pulled Ritsuka back onto the bed, into a sitting position and curled around him from behind. Comfort.

"Soubi..."

"Mmn?" Soubi wasn't going to give up easily.

"I have to get ready for school Soubi.." Ritsuka pouted in Soubi's strong hold.

Soubi curled around him tighter. Love.

Ritsuka placed a hand on the head that had come to nearly rest on his lap. "Sooubi.." He brushed the hair out of his Fighter's closed eyes.

'Would it matter, would anyone notice or care if I just kept this boy to myself? Couldn't he just stay here in my arms forever?'

"Ritsuka?" Soubi mumbled. "Do you want to go to school?"

"Yes!" The boy said earnestly. "That's why I'm trying to get up isn't it?"

Soubi wanted to sigh. He held it in and sat up. From behind he wrapped his arms around Ritsuka and squeezed him into a hug. "I love you, Ritsuka."

Ritsuka's arms fell limp to his sides instead of hugging back. He laid his head back into the crook of Soubi's shoulder. He replied unexpectedly, a whisper of Soubi's name, "Soubi.."

It sounded so right.

Soubi gave a tight squeeze and then released the child in his arms.

Ritsuka got up grumbling and nearly pushed Youji and Natsuo out of their bed as he tried to wake them.