It was a very long time before Soubi could get his brain to work again. Ritsuka, his Ritsuka, was kissing someone else. More so, he was acting as if he didn't exist. That was not something he was prepared for. His hear ripped open with a force that could have blown him miles away. Has his love truly gave up on him? Was he hated? Was there no chance for love?

As he watched Yuki pull Ritsuka closer by wrapping his arms around his midsection, he was almost overcome with sadness and jealousy. It was not fair! He was the one who was always there for him! He was the one who love Ritsuka the most! This was all Yuki and Seimei's fault! if they had left them both alone who knows where they would have been at this point. And that was true. Thinking back to be fore Yuki, he noticed how Ritsuka had given him passing looks and was always glancing at him. He was positive that they would have been together by now if nothing had changed. who knows, maybe Soubi would have had Ritsuka's ears too.

What he didn't know, was that his sacrifice was having similar thoughts.

XxXxXxXxXx

Seimei was livid. Ritsuka was his! His by blood and by love! He loved Ritsuka with all his heart and now look at what happened? Some to bit piece of shit came barging into Ritsuka's life, claiming to have a claim on him just because of their bond! Ha! That was laughable! He had a bond with Soubi, you didn't see them all, 'I own you know and I will love you now like no one else can! You're mine! Mwahahaha!' Well...at least not completely like that...

But that wasn't the point! Ritsuka was his no matter what anyone thought! They were family. The love in his heart would say nothing else but what was his was being touched by someone else. He was having a hard time not ripping Yuki off his brother and killing him, before taking his brother and pounding him into a numb feeling of love and adoration where he would never think or touch another but himself for all time. On second thought, why wasn't he?

Many people often wonder why he kept his ears when Soubi would have to claim them anyway for their bond to become completed, and he would tell them all the same thing. 'They were powerful enough.' The thing was though, that the real and most important reason why he keep his ear was because of Ritsuka. He wanted to be his brother's first, and vice versa. Soubi was nothing to him and would never be. He was Ritsuka's. Just as Ritsuka was his. No one would ever take him away. Especially this Yuki. He would die in the attempt.

As the need for air became to great, Ritsuka pulled away to gulp in much needed breaths before looking back at Yuki. He could see that the older man was as much out of breath as he was and that brought a small- practically invisible- smile to his lips.

Still ever aware of the two pairs of eyes boring into his back he sighed and rose, as did Yuki. When they were both on their feet, back straight, standing with power and pride, they turned their attention to the two others in the park. His black eyes turned from cold to frozen over as his eyes met theirs. Not a word was said for a few tense moments before Ritsuka said, "What do you want?"

Shocked out of their stupor, Soubi was the first to react. "Ritsuka...you're back. You've come back." The words sounded as if the person was either about to cry and was relieved that their loved one was alive. That was probably the case. And Both Yuki and Ritsuka heard it as their ears were trained to catch such things. Ritsuka's eyes narrowed at the tone and he just nodded. Then he said in a cold, almost dead voice. "For now."

"For now?" Seimei asked perplexed. "What do you mean Ritsu?"

Ritsuka let out what sounded extremely similar to a hiss. "What I just said Seimei. I am here as long as I want to be after what I want to finish is completed." Yuki stepped closer to Ritsuka and was right behind him, though not touching him. He too glared down the other pair.

"What is it you are here for?" Asked Seimei. He was very suspicious. Even though this was his brother- and soon to be lover- he was a sacrifice, a fighting pair never the less.

"That is none of your business Beloved." Yuki stated. And if you looked close enough you could see the faintest hint of a smile on Ritsuka's lips.

"I didn't address you fighter! Hold your tongue!" How dare a low power fighter think to answer him with such disrespect! He, Seimei, the sacrifice of Beloved! He must be asking for death!

"Seimei, I have told you once already not to order my fighter around as if you rule him! The world does not bow at your feet. I will not tell you again. If you force my hand, it will not end pleasantly for you or your fighter. I advice you to keep your trap shut when addressing someone with more power then you."

Seimei was shocked at those words. His brother was speaking so coldly to him. And not to mention the disrespect. The challenge was clear in his voice as was the truth. He laughed out right at that. "Y-you...you think..-" Laugh "That you're-" Laugh. "Stronger th-then me!" Hysterical laughter. He doubled over, holding his sides while trying to stop himself. He couldn't help it! It was the funniest thing he had ever heard! Not only that, but it was coming from his brother nevertheless! It was priceless. Soon he was overwhelmed with hysterics and soon lost his feet and fell to his knees in the dirt and grass still laughing

Soubi was shocked and frightened. His sacrifice was laughing! He had never heard that before. Not to mention he had not even seen him smile. It was almost to much. Luckily he snapped out of it fast enough to see a shock of thunder shot at his sacrifice. Jumping in front of Seimei, he held out a hand and yelled, "Block!"

His eyes opened to an immeasurable size when the shot past his outstretched arm and shocked him. He fell to his knees in pain, though he didn't scream.

That little fact didn't escape Ritsuka's notice who frowned so slightly it was not even there and put that in the back of his mind.

Seimei had felt the thunder coming at him to late and when his head had snapped to see it, he saw his fighter jump in front of him to take the heat. His mouth dropped open when he saw it pass right by the barrier that should have erected at the moment the spell was spoken. When Soubi hit the ground he stood up and looked between Soubi and Loveless again and again. Loveless didn't seem to move though he knew the attack had come from them. When Soubi got over the pain and began to cough slightly before he stood- taking his place in front of his sacrifice-, Seimei glared at Yuki.

"How dare you Fighter! You attacked without warning and without order of your Sacrifice! That means death. How dare you!"

Yuki simply smirked at them and directed his words to Ritsuka. "It would seem their senses are even less then we assumed.

Ritsuka merely nodded, a contemplating and calculating look upon his face as he said, "It seems so."

"What are either of you talking about? Our senses haven't been matched and never will. As it is, you will never get a chance to see for yourself Fighter if that would ever change as you must be put to death for going against the code of fighters and sacrifices." He was smirking at the end and couldn't help but look to see his brother's face. His smile faded as he saw his brother looking at him like he was a complete baka with his eyebrow raised.

It was then that Ritsuka spoke. "Apparently Beloved's tail or power and rule is false." The words were spoke to nothing and everything. Then he locked eyes with Seimei. "You poor excuse for a sacrifice. You are more pathetic then I though possible. I would never think I would overestimate you." He sighed and continued before Seimei could retaliate with something. "Look around you Beloved. What do you see?" They didn't deter their eyes from their opponent and Ritsuka hadn't expected them to. It was simply rhetorical. "We are in the real world. There is not arena set around us you pathetic person. And you would have realized that had you been smarter. Not to mention that you are apparently to stupid to remember that both opponents must agree to the battle before a fight can commence."

At this, a small look of confusion settled on Seimei's face. Of course! How could he forget! It was impossible to fight outside the battle realm! And the only way to activate it is to have both sides agree to open it with their combined power. But then how...?

"I see you realize it now." Ritsuka actually smirked. And besides, Yuki didn't throw that thunder bolt...I did."

Soubi's eyes widened animatedly as did Seimei's. That was impossible! Sacrifices didn't have that power! They couldn't attack with power! Not to mention that it was outside the realm! There was no way that could ever happen. And Seimei said as much out loud.

At this Ritsuka's smirk became more pronounced. "Think again. I can tell that you need this explained, so I will use small words so I won't lose you. We all know why both opponents must agree to battle. Their combined power is needed to open the realm. But think, if one pair in itself was strong enough to open it by itself, then the other's agreement or knowledge of the attack is not needed. True, it is dishonorable, but I didn't mean it to kill you. No. I will do that very soon brother. And for that, I will have us battle in the right way. As for my fighter, as I am the one to one who attacked you, he is under no obligation to end his life."

At the end he shook his head at his brother's stupidity as he was still opened mouth and shocked. "I hate you. Both of you. Surely you don't hold onto any false pretenses of me? How idiotic. I told you before, I do not care for you. I have changed. I am not the same person I once was. I am not weak, I'm not the Ritsuka who came crying and running to you both for protection. I don't need it." And to prove his point, he put both hands up at chest level, about three inches apart. In the very center of his hands a blue light began to glow before growing in size and a solid sphere of power formed before lunching itself at Seimei who had yet to move from behind Soubi more then he was. And that part was what he attacked. Seimei didn't move, frozen to the spot and at the last moment Soubi stepped in front of the attack to defend his sacrifice. He took it full on and fell to the ground coughing up blood.

After a moment Yuki looked at Ritsuka and said, "If you wish to fight them Ritsuka, they need to be alive. If you keep that spell going Soubi will die and you will lose your chance." His voice was not above a whisper and held no emotion in it. He was not telling Ritsuka, he was simply informing him.

Ritsuka took it for what it was and nodded. With a sigh he dropped the spell and stared at them both with disappointment. "I had thought that Beloved was stronger then this. I was... mistaken." His eyes turned to Seimei and he sneered. "You are a horrible sacrifice as are the rest like you. You cower behind those who are forced to fight for you against their will. You take all the credit for being powerful yet you would perish so easily if you were left alone. I am disgusted by people like you. But not only do you hide and talk big. You punish those who protect you for every small detail. You, though, are the worst I have met. Seimei, you care nothing for your fighter. You use him and punish him. I know, as I'm sure Soubi does too, that you would be fine if he suddenly died. You are Beloved. There is suppose to be so much more between you. And look what you have done to him! He lays on the ground in pain for protecting a piece of scum. He will probably be punished later for not being strong enough. Do I guess right?" He didn't even pause for the answer he knew. " But you are weak, for you wouldn't have survived it at all. All your acts have driven your Fighter away from you in heart and mind. In body he is bound to you, but with out complete submission, you both will never bearable to defeat us. Your Fighter loves another. And it is your fault. You make yourself weak and we both know now after my little demonstration that you would not survive our battle."

"You have one week. During that time you must do what is necessary to become stronger of not even stand a chance with us." He gestured to himself and Yuki who was watching Ritsuka with love, lust, and yearning. His knowledge and power were something Yuki was gifted to see grow, and it only made him fall harder for the boy who was his master. "I won't give you mercy Beloved. You have not earned it and have only earned a slow death of pain. This is your only chance. Take it or leave it. Next Saturday, same time, here. The choice is yours." And with that, Ritsuka and Yuki turned around and walked back the way they came without even the slightest of glances back.

When they were out of sight, Seimei growled and kicked Soubi in the midsection as he was still on the ground. "This is your fault!" He continued to kick his fighter until his anger was all but diminished. So about an hour later and an almost unconscious Soubi, Seimei admitted defeat to himself. He really did only have one chance to win against his brother. He needed to be stronger and that meant only one thing.

He needed to bond with Soubi.