A/N : Not mine. All Kouga Yun's. I don't own Loveless. I don't make any money out of it.

Chapter 20

Time flied as they holed themselves up in Soubi's flat. They spent it talking, training and enjoying their time together. But their little bubble of happiness had to burst; neither had mentioned Seimei but he was very present in their mind. And Ritsuka's holidays were almost over.

"Soubi, we need to address the issue of Seimei."

"I know," he replied and his head bowed slightly, in fear as much as deference.

"Soubi." His voice was clear and calm, reflecting no apprehension and no irritation. "I won't abandon you. I won't ever let you go back to Seimei. Do you hear me, Soubi?"

"Hai." But he was worried and he had trouble controlling his heart rate and distress. He had no wish to disappoint his Sacrifice or to give him cause to leave him. If Ritsuka was really his and he lost him, he would be crushed.

"Soubi," he said, laying a hand on his arm. "You are mine as much as I am yours. Don't doubt our bond. It's the reason we're stronger together." He kissed him, which he had refrained to do the previous days. He kissed him fiercely, with all the intensity he kept bottled up for when the time would be more appropriate. "Call him Soubi, and be mine once and for all."

"You'd better have a good reason for calling me," he declared as he unceremoniously opened the door and strutted in.

"See for yourself," Ritsuka answered. "Aren't you happy to see me, brother?"

Seimei swivelled towards the voice and found his little brother sitting comfortably at the table, nestling a cup in his hands. He noticed Soubi stood near him and arched an eyebrow.

"Hello Seimei," Ritsuka greeted blandly. "Please, have a seat."

"You're being awfully at ease, here. And here I was, thinking you were in Gōra."

"Ah, yes. Breathless. It's convenient to have friends who can spread out rumours for your little rat's ears. Still spying on me, brother? Such a useless loss of time and energy all considered."

"Your point, Ritsuka?"

"I wanted to talk to you. I have much to tell you."

"Do you really?" he said, clearly not interested in an answer. "Have you come here alone, Ritsuka? I don't hear any ringing."

"Yes, I've come alone. But when we're done, Soubi is leaving with me."

"And why do you want a loan?"

"You have no idea, do you?" he smirked, a sly and somewhat lascivious grin spreading on his lips. "However, I'm not talking about a loan, as you so elegantly put it. At the end of this conversation, Soubi is mine."

"That might be a problem. What makes you believe I will agree?"

"I don't think you'll have much choice."

"Ah. You've become arrogant, Ritsuka."

"And you're still the same uptight prick."

"I'm losing my time. Spit it out, Ritsuka," he sighed in false exasperation.

"I've waited six years. Surely you can manage an hour or two in your oh-so-busy schedule."

"Sure. If what you have to say is interesting enough."

"Were you aware, for example, that I've known where Soubi lives for over four years?"

"Does it matter? You've only chosen to come now."

"Do you know why?"

"Yes. You believe you can win over me."

"True. But don't get big-headed; it's never been about you."

"Soubi here I assume."

"Naturally."

"Hm. Tell me, what do you see in him?"

"Honestly? You wouldn't believe me. Not that you could, either."

"What do you mean exactly?"

"You're smart, Seimei. You're intelligent and a good strategist, always planning ahead. How could you overlook that?"

"What are you talking about?"

"You sent him to me. You commanded him to keep me company. You ordered him to love me. I wasn't even twelve and I was all alone. I was scared. I was beaten at home. I went to a new school and everyone thought my brother had been murdered in my chair. I had no Fighter and Septimal Moon was trying to recruit me. What did you expect?"

"I wanted you to be protected."

"I've never doubted it," he said with a ghost of the fond smile he once saved for his brother. "But did you ever considered that I might love him back?" The smile disappeared.

"No." He looked briefly at Soubi. "He's nothing but a Fighter. A tool, a servant. Nothing more."

"I beg to differ but to each his own. You know I've spent time training at Seven-Voices Academy. I won't make a stand against you. I won't be your ally either. Nor will I be theirs. Over there, I've formed my own opinion and decided you don't use your Fighters like you should. Honestly, I don't give a damn about Akame. You can do as you wish, however wrong it is. But Soubi? Soubi is mine. And I won't tolerate he be under your yoke anymore."

"Listen to you, little brother. You've grown, haven't you? And still, you're so very naive and childish. You should know I will never abandon him."

"And you should know I will never give up," he gestured to his cup, silently offering one. Seimei nodded. "Do you know what I find most interesting about the bond between Fighter and Sacrifice?" he asked from the kitchen. "It is mutable. Did you know that?" he continued as he poured him a cup of tea.

"A name can't be changed. It's a constant."

"You can be so narrow-minded sometimes. Take Soubi, for example. You named him Beloved. But that clearly doesn't reflect him very much. He has nothing of Beloved but the name. How can he be Beloved if the name truly is a mirror of our nature?"

"Please. Elaborate. You're dying to do so."

"Patience, Seimei. I've discovered also you're the reason I lost my memories. And that you had mom trying to kill me. No thanks to your precious Nisei by the way. Ah, but he doesn't seem very reliable by the way, does he? Does he ever manage to carry out your orders properly? No wonder you won't depart from Soubi. After all, I'd be disappointed too if he were my true Fighter." He smiled widely, daring his brother to be less than polite.

"You won't get a rise out of me, Ritsuka. This is all rather foolish. They are only empty words."

"Ah, can't you humour me? I'm still young. And, contrary to you, I'm not so stuck-up. Maybe," he whispered conspiratorially, leaning towards him across the table "you should do everyone a favour and lose those ears of you. You're almost twenty-four, it's high time. I'm sure that Fighter of yours would be more than willing." He laughed out loud when he saw the disgust on his face. "Really? Maybe it would feel good." He felt Soubi perked up as he recognized the words.

"Hm. And why not Soubi, then?" Seimei contemplated, staring at his brother.

"Trying to rile me up with jealousy? So petty, Seimei," he chastised gently. "I know he's killed for you. I'm sure he could fuck you," he deadpanned.

"Such a coarse language, Ritsuka. You really should work on it. It's unbecoming."

"Don't be ridiculous," he scoffed. "What would you have me say? Make love to you? I'm not a liar. I say it as it is. Too bad you don't like it."

"Ritsuka, have you come all the way here to talk about my sex-life?"

"Or lack thereof?" he jeered. "You know, if the mere thought is so revolting to you, you could try wanking. It would do you a world of good," he rubbed in. Soubi tensed beside him.

"What do you want?" he asked, his patience waning.

"Well, each year, for six of them, you called me on my birthday and pretended to be nice. I thought I'd repaid the kindness. Did you know father is spending more time at home since I left?" When his brother didn't seem likely to answer and only looked at him blandly, he continued in the same polite voice. "By the way, have you ever been to my condo?"

"No I haven't. But I've attended your high school graduating ceremony. Took Soubi with me too." He smirked when he saw Ritsuka turn to the fighter abruptly. "He hasn't told you? So disappointing, isn't he?"

"So, you were there. Had fun?"

" Yes. The look on both your face that day— I wouldn't have missed it for anything."

"You're a jerk, Seimei."

"What happened to your hand, Ritsuka? That must be painful," he queried.

"Nothing I can't handle. Mother trained me efficiently, you know."

"So I've been told."

"Seimei, let's be serious. I've come for Soubi, not for you. Let's settle this matter."

"You're the one talking a lot of hot air. I have no wish to spend more time here than necessary."

"Then I declare Soubi as mine. I claim him as my Fighter. I state that you purposefully stole him and carved him so I would be left Fighterless."

"And what do you intend to do about it?" Seimei asked and Ritsuka blinked.

"Nothing. Soubi is already mine. I'm just notifying you."

"No, he's not," he laughed. "Soubi, get him out. I have about enough of my brother's antics."

The Fighter looked briefly at Ritsuka before turning his attention to Seimei. How he could seem both confident and afraid at the same time was baffling but his posture revealed those exact two feelings.

"No," he answered calmly. "I have renounced you, Beloved, and already pledged myself to Loveless. I no longer belong to you and I won't obey your commands anymore." He tore his bandages away and revealed healed scars on his throat, neither bleeding nor raw. For the first time since they had met, he defied Seimei. He defied his Sacrifice whom he had loved unconditionally and without ever reaping kindness from him. He defied Beloved whom he had set up as a God. He defied his former master, who had given orders that had made his skin crawl. He defied the man responsible for most of the hurt and injuries he had born. He defied the one who had torn his heart apart repeatedly and in so many ways. He defied him and felt perfectly within his rights to do so. "From now on, I will fight for Ritsuka and Ritsuka only."

"Then you are a fool. And a traitor. I don't need either," he spat at Soubi then got up and turned towards his brother. "You've cost me a Fighter, Ritsuka. You'd better steer clear of me."

"Or what?" he dared, getting up as well and closer. "You're going to hurt me? That's a bit too late."

"You won't win a fight against me. Don't push your luck." He saw Ritsuka sneer. "This expression doesn't flatter you. Drop it."

"I'm not a sweet, innocent, naive little boy anymore, Seimei. And you tend to forget you brought this upon myself. I've tried to make excuses for you. I've tried to find valid reasons for your behaviour. I've tried to make amends on your behalf. But the truth is, you're just a spoilt child with too much power. And I'm rather pissed off with you. Don't you go make threats on me. You believe yourself to be invincible. You believe yourself above all and everyone. You believe yourself stronger and mightier. You know what? I'm not impressed and you don't scare me. And you owe me so much that a lifetime of kindness wouldn't repay your debt to me. Don't threaten me. And leave Soubi out of your little games."

"Or what?" he asked, not impressed either and mirroring his brother's words to make a point.

"I was afraid you'd never ask," he said merrily. He smiled and it wasn't the nice and easy smile he bestowed on his friends. It wasn't the delighted and loving smile he saved for Soubi. It wasn't the indulgent smile for Kio. It wasn't the sad but lenient smile for his mother. It was a false, mirthless and harsh smile. The expression a ruthless opponent wears before dealing a final blow. "I thought you'd never ask," he repeated and suddenly punched his brother, his bandaged hand clenched in a forceful grip. His knuckles complained and the mending bones broke again. "That was so long overdue, Seimei. Never command, threaten or hurt Soubi again. He is mine and you'd better remember it."

"Ritsuka," he said, a hand touching lightly his broken nose. "You've grown. Keep Soubi. You've earned him. But don't underestimate me either. You'd better remember not to meddle in my business either."

"Then we're clear. Farewell brother."

"Hai Ritsuka. Till next time."

I really hope I did it right. It was difficult to write. I had a few pieces that turned round and round in my head until they were actually written but not the whole picture. It came with a lot of hard work. I'd like to know if it turned out right so if you have a few minutes, would you please leave a review? Thank you so much.