*grumble* Yo. Sooo, sorry this is a little late. I was having a little trouble forming how I wanted this chapter to go, and where I wanted it to stop. Hehe, also this is where a portion of my master plan is revealed. Of course I do not want to give anything away so lets get this show on the road! ^_^

Disclaimer: I do not own Loveless or Kyou Kara Maoh!...doesn't mean I can't tamper with their lives!

Finding Loveless

They were running, running as fast as they could in order to catch up with the general that had charged ahead. Conrad glanced over his shoulder, looking at his old mentor and his long time friend before focusing on the trail of blood that they were assuming to be Gwendal's.

Conrad's mind wandered back to just a few moments, praying that Yuuri was okay.

The small group had finally been able to get into the main part of the stone castle and began their trek down the halls. But as they rounded a corner, they came across what looked to be a fight site. But as they entered the room they were ambushed by twenty White Ravens.

A battle broke out, but when one of the members of the White Ravens tried to use Yuuri as a bargaining chip, he snapped and went Maoh mode. Knocking out all of their assailants by causing a massive earthquake. But then Yuuri passed out from the stress and Conrad order Wolfram to run Yuuri and Murata back while the three of them continue on ahead. There had been some protests from the blonde until he finally declared that his fiancée needed medical attention.

Conrad withdrew from his thoughts as he spotted a set of double doors before him and the trail of blood leading towards them.

Conrad ran at the double doors, throwing them open with ease and scanning the vast hall that lay before him. His eyes instantly falling onto his brother's sword before his eyes turned to the pile of rocks, his heart plummeting instantly.

"Gwendal…" Conrad whispered the name, running instantly over to the looming pile and began to move the rocks.

"Conrad, what are you doing? We need to catch up to Gwendal." Gunter called, watching his one time student shifting through the rocks.

"Think about it Gunter!" Conrad called over his shoulder, his focus utterly on the rocks right before his eyes. "Gwendal's sword is right there on the ground. There is no way he would ever leave it behind. Plus the trail of blood we were following ends here in this room, right here at this pile. And look at some of the rocks, it looks as if they were scorched with houjutsu. So there is a good possibility that Gwendal…" Conrad trailed off, unable to finish the thoughts that were consuming him.

But it seems as if he did not have to, for within moments Yozak and Gunter were there next to him digging through the pile as well.

It took the better part of an hour before they had reached any sign that there was someone under the rocks. Conrad spied a leg, but it seemed way too small to have been Gwendal's. Then the realization hit him.

"Ritsuka!" Conrad called, digging more fiercely, trying to unearth the boy, his two comrades increasing their pace as well.

Before long they were able to unearth all of Ritsuka's body, Conrad lifting him gently from his hunched over position, and exposing his crumpled elder brother underneath. He spied a book and golden sword next to where Ritsuka had been shielding his brother and snatched them up with his free hand before moving away and allowing the other two to get his brother. He carefully tucked the book into his jacket and strapped the sword to his side, before positioning Ritsuka so that he could carry him more bridal style. He walked over and retrieved Gwendal's sword from where it lay forgotten on the floor, also pushing it through his belt to keep it in place. He turned to his comrades, seeing that they were sharing the weight of his brother and began to run back the way they came.

*~*~*~*(Back on the Ship)*~*~*~*

Conrad clattered up onto the deck, out of breath and his limbs cramping from the exertion. Instantly he was surrounded by solders all questioning what had happened, before a voice was able to pause all of their activity.

"If all of you are able to just stand there and talk, than you are obviously not working hard enough…" an icy voice spoke calmly, causing all eyes to turn to a woman with green hair. "You better all get back to your posts NOW!"

Everyone scrambled away, giving pitying glances at the new arrivals who were still carrying the two injured individuals.

"Follow me, we need to get those wounds looked at." the woman turned on her heel, leading the three across the deck and to a door that lead to a lower level.

"How is Heika?" Conrad questioned the girl, his hands unconsciously clenching around the small boy he was carrying.

"Yuuri-Heika is okay, he is just exhausted from that little stunt he pulled. His Excellency though is furious and shouting once more. Geika is trying to calm him down." The woman reported, holding the wooden door open and allowing them to pass her before following after them.

She forced her way past them and opened another door to their left allowing them to enter the room that had become a sort of hospital room.

Conrad crossed over to one of the cots, setting the boy down before plopping down on the one right next to it, turning his gaze to his elder brother who was also being laid down onto a cot that was across the small room, the woman instantly turning to him first.

Conrad watched, not listening when Gunter and Yozak both excused themselves so that they could prepare the ships departure. His eyes took in his brother's burnt flesh, feeling his stomach tighten into knots at the very sight of it. He vaguely took in the woman placing her hands onto Gwendal's chest gently and a soft green glow enveloped her hands.

He heard the door open and close, but he did not look over until he heard his name.

"Weller-kyo, what happened to them?" came a calm voice, tearing Conrad's eyes away from his brother's scorched form and to the glasses wearing Geika.

"I am not really sure…" Conrad's voice coming out in a small rasp, "When we arrived, they were both buried underneath a pile of rocks. Most likely Gwendal was in a fight and the wall collapsed on them. This book and sword were buried with them."

Conrad removed the sword from his belt and extracted the green book from within his jacket, handing them over to the black haired teen. Murata looked surprised at the book, a look of recognition crossing his face. But before Conrad could question him about it, there was a small groan from the bed next to them, causing both of them to instantly look over.

Ritsuka's eyes fluttered open, a look of pain clouding his innocent features.

"How are you feeling Ritsuka? Where does it hurt?" Conrad questioned moving closer to the boy and sitting onto his cot, trying to smile encouragingly.

Ritsuka groaned in pain before his small voice escaped his lips, "I guess I should just be happy I am alive, but my legs… and my chest are killing me. And my head hurts…" Ritsuka whimpered in pain, his cat ears flattening to the sides of his head, showing his distress. The only thing Conrad could do to comfort him was pat his hand gently.

"Gisela will be here in a moment, she is just patching up Gwendal-"

"GWENDAL! Is he okay? Where is he?" Ritsuka instantly interrupted Conrad, shooting off questions and trying to get up off the bed before a hand rested onto his shoulder and forced him gently back down.

"It is okay Ritsuka. Gwendal is right over there and he will be fine soon. Now you need to rest as well." Murata stated reasonably, lightly pushing again for Ritsuka to lie down once more.

"Now can you tell us what happened?"

"W-well," Ritsuka began, taking a deep breath before continuing, "Jenus tried to carry me off with some woman when Gwendal first arrived. But Gwendal caught back up and he tried to save me. Then Jenus charged up this ball of energy and it hit Gwendal square in the chest. He went through a pillar and hit the wall! And when Jenus tried to kill him with his own sword… I rammed him and tried to protect Gwendal. Then there was an earthquake and the wall fell on us..."

Conrad felt a small swell of guilt float up his chest but stopped himself from saying anything.

"Ritsuka, do you know the meaning behind this sword and book?" Murata questioned, a strange spark within his eyes.

"I don't know about the sword, they tried to make me draw it but I couldn't." Ritsuka answered, a look of concentration crossing his face as he recalled the events of the past day. "But they were interested in the book because I was about to read it in the library when they captured me. Is it wrong to be able to read it?"

"Not exactly, it is just that the language is really old, about seven thousand years old give or take." Murata spoke, absently flipping the pages in the book as if to prove his point.

"R-Really?" Ritsuka stuttered, a small amount of awe coating his voice.

"Yes, the verbal language has not changed much throughout the years but the written has changed drastically."

There was a moment of silence as they all digested this little bit of information. Conrad watching Ritsuka's face flash with different emotions.

"How strange…," Ritsuka murmured, "I could only read the books that were in the back of the library, anything written in what you call the ancient language…"

Just then, there was a groan from across the room, drawing all three of their attentions to the bed that held the only other patient in the room.

Gwendal stirred and sat up, making the woman panic slightly.

"Von Voltaire-kyo!" the woman spoke just below a shriek, her hands flailing before landing onto his chest and trying to push him back down. "Please lay back down! I am not done healing you yet!"

"I am fine, Gisela." Gwendal tried to reason, trying to swing his legs off the bed and stand up.

"No, you are NOT!" Gisela spoke, an edge to her voice now, shoving her injured patient back to the bed.

"Gwendal…" Ritsuka squeaked out, pushing himself up into his own sitting position, before collapsing against his pillows a look of pain covering his face.

Hearing Ritsuka's voice, made Gwendal pause for a moment, his eyes locking on the boy.

Finally, he simply sighed before leaning back so that he was in a sitting position but no longer trying to escape from the worried woman. Gisela muttered under her breath about crazy patient as she shifted his shirt. She let out a gasp, her eyes widening in shock and drawing all eyes to her.

"What is it, Gisela?" Murata questioned coming over and looking at the general's exposed chest.

There was silence for a good few moments, thoroughly annoying Ritsuka and driving him to struggle up into a sitting position, his own eyes widening in utter shock. For there, written on Gwendal's chest was a something Ritsuka never thought that he would see on another person's body, and had him reaching up to his own heart.

"What does it say?" Gisela questioned, her fingers reaching out to the writing but quickly withdrawing her hand.

"I think…" Murata began but stopped before turning to Ritsuka and locking eyes with the boy, "Do you know what this means Ritsuka?"

Ritsuka fidgeted under the intense gazes of all who were in the room.

"Are you asking me if I can read it?" Ritsuka questioned back, avoiding everyone's eyes in the room by focusing on his fingers that were fiddling with the blanket that he was sprawled across.

"Somewhat." Murata spoke in his even voice before continuing, "That is a portion of it, but I am able to read this language for myself. What I guess I am really asking, is if you know the meaning behind it or not."

There was silence throughout the room, as Ritsuka tried to think up what would be the best way to phrase what he wanted to say. But soon gave up and sighed tiredly.

"It means… I've found my fighter…" Ritsuka whispered, looking up at last and locking eyes with Gwendal. "It says 'Loveless', one without love."

*~*~*~*(BREAK)*~*~*~*

WHOOT! So how was it? Those that know the story Loveless, now you see why I named my sotry/chapter the way I did. And those that have not read Loveless yet, no fear! I will be explaining another portion of my masterplan next chapter! ^_^ I will most likely not update for a week due to the holidays. So Merry Christmas all! Please share the love and leave me a review! I will love you forever if you do! ^_^