A/N : Not mine. All Kouga Yun's. I don't own Loveless. I don't make any money out of it.
Promocat, I really hope you'll be satisfied with this one.
Chapter 19
Soubi. Come. I need you.
Calling again? That wasn't often that he would be called upon so soon after a Battle, especially a hard one. Still, he would go. He hastily put away his brushes in solvent so that the paint wouldn't dry and ruin them and left his painting unfinished. It was a shame really because it would have been a nice one if he hadn't been disturbed. Ritsuka would have liked it.
He followed the call, relying on the light that was his Sacrifice to guide him through the city. The urgency abating, he slowed down. There was something off to his flow. Should he text him? If Seimei was waiting, that wouldn't be well received. He had no wish to anger him so he went on, a slight frown firmly in place, until he reached a park. Seimei never chose parks to fight. He stopped and concentrated. There was no ringing heralding another Fighter nearby. It was odd. And still Seimei's signature was amiss. Something in its rhythm, in its feel, in its intensity. Maybe in its urgency. It wasn't from Seimei. He was sure of it.
Something stirred inside him, wanting out. It strengthened, causing him some mild alarm. He stopped again. It felt like a call but it was unusual. Stronger. More imperative. It called differently. True, he felt the need to meet the one calling. True, he felt the urge to follow it. True, he felt compelled to do it. True, he felt glad to be called. But it wasn't the obliterating or subjugating call he associated with Seimei. It was a soft call, like a siren song, luring him on. It felt soothing. But the oddest was that it seemed to radiate from himself, as if he were its focal point. It was unsettling to say the least.
He would get to the bottom of this. His resolve hardened and he propelled himself onwards until he met the one who had called him. Of course. He should have known. Maybe he did and only fought it back to the recess of his mind. There he was, calmly sitting on a bench, looking all too smug to be attractive, hands clasped in his lap and light dancing in his dark hair.
"It took you so long I thought you haven't heard me." He was exulting. "You gave me a fright." He smiled widely and he was handsome again. "Have you felt the pull?"
"The pull?" he repeated, a hand ghosting over his stomach.
"Your hand tells me you have. It's surprising the first time, hm?"
"The first time, Ritsuka?" he was out-of-his depth and felt completely dazed.
"Ah, yes. Since you've finally accepted that you're my Fighter, you'll feel it when we're together. You'll get used to it. I know I did. I assume it will abate or disappear when we will share a name."
He was stunned. He was voiceless. He couldn't move. He stayed there, rooted on the spot and tried to process the implication of Ritsuka's words. He wasn't dumb. He was educated and had a critical mind he could very efficiently use. But right there, right then, he found it especially difficult to absorb it all. What he could sense however, was Ritsuka's happiness and thrumming energy. He was containing himself, that much was obvious. Somehow, he felt it too. The hope. The relief. The elation. The affection and love. The pull was still there too, receding softly. He itched to touch Ritsuka. He looked at him; not as a person he had missed but as he stood, tall and proud. His back straight. Benevolence written on all his features, with the stance of rewarded patience. He was waiting for him, waiting for his response, trying to not push him one way or the other. Hell, he was far too gone for any choice to be possible. He would never be able to resist him. He felt warm and strong and unbeatable. He looked at him and understood what this meant. Not just Ritsuka. Not Seimei's brother. Not only someone he loved. Not only a young man, hardened by life and all he had to bear but who had remained caring and good at heart. No. He looked at him and felt it in his soul. He looked at him and felt jubilant. His Sacrifice. HIS. He saw the shimmer around him. He saw the light that was his aura, his signature. He felt the shift that was his flow. He looked down and rejoiced at the string linking them.
"You see it now, don't you?" Ritsuka asked, nodding towards their bond. "Its existence is proof that we belong together."
"Yes," he answered and his voice was surprisingly strong. But a hand mechanically went to his throat. What about his scars now?
"Soubi." Ritsuka was demanding his attention. He struggled to level his eyes to his. He had come nearer. "Don't be scared. Don't worry." He held him tight. "I'll take care of it."
They stood embraced for several minutes, neither talking, savouring the moment that wouldn't last. It was a milestone, it had to be treated as such. After all the adversity, the trials and tribulations, they had found each other again and had linked themselves so inextricably they would not be done apart again. Loveless they were named but Loveless they were not, as they stood silently revelling in the other's love.
He sighed. He had finally broken through Soubi and won him over. He had had his doubts. It certainly hadn't been a smooth undertaking. Soubi had been reticent. He had always been under the yoke of a cruel and perverse master. It had been hard to break his mindset long enough to allow him to glimpse another way. It took him seven years. Seven years, of which six had been long, depressive, heartbreaking years. But he did it. He did it and Soubi was his. He was his and Soubi was willing to chain himself to him. He was not only willing but thrilled about it. He would protect his Fighter now. Gone were the days his Sentouki would fight alone. And soon, the days when they fought with a disadvantage would be gone too. They would bear an ugly name but at least, they will share it. Better be Loveless with Soubi than unnamed without him. His. His heart soared.
There still was Seimei to take care of. He felt Soubi's fear and queasiness about it. The confrontation will not be smooth nor will it be easy. It distressed Soubi and he wasn't happy about it. But it was unavoidable. They both needed, for different reasons, the closure it would bring. And despite the hardships to come, he was looking forward to it. He had so much to tell his brother. So much to keep him apprised of. So much to hold him accountable for. Indeed, he couldn't wait to meet him. And this time, he was ready.
I'm coming Seimei. You should have met me. I haven't forgotten. No, I haven't forgotten a single dirty trick.