A/N: Hello. Yes, we have another new chapter for you. Part one of some dramatics. We have some hunters wandering around, Ryoga worrying and being accosted by kids, Ken sneaking off and Yuma getting into trouble. Thank you for your lovely reviews and enjoy.


Ryoga frowned, watching Ken's D-Pad light up with a new message. They'd stayed behind after class for more tutoring, and Ryoga was becoming less and less resistant of the idea. He was less resistant to the idea of class too.

Ken had wandered into the next room for some extra text books. Ryoga didn't want to read Ken's messages but it had been over a week since he'd lost his home with Mother Grace and Ryoga hadn't him so distracted. He'd been watching his D-Pad the entire time. Even during school he'd been on and off his messages. It had been making him act strangely. Like it was finally affecting him that his family had pushed him aside. Miki and Ken still hung out at school surrounded by their admirers and Ryoga didn't spend too much time with him during school. But he noticed. He saw the way it made Ken hurt.

And finally, Ryoga's curiosity got the better of him. He pulled over Ken's D-Pad and flicked through the recent history.

(10 days ago) Dishonourable Abyss: Are you in town?

Ryoga always found Ken's tag strange. Dishonourable Abyss. Abyss came from his deck, probably but the dishonourable part stumped him and Ken wouldn't talk about it.

(10 days ago) Fateful: Visiting home right now.

Fateful? Who was that?

(8 days ago) Dishonourable Abyss: I need your help.

Fateful: What's wrong?

Dishonourable Abyss: I've been kicked out of Mother's.

Fateful: What'd you do?

Dishonourable Abyss: Not sure if it was yelling at Hiro, sneaking in to see Mother, telling Ryoga about me hunting in public or making out with him.

Fateful: I'd be mad about the blabbing.

Dishonourable Abyss: When will you be back?

Fateful: Two weeks or so. I'll let you know if it's any sooner.

Ryoga frowned and leant his head on his palm. Who was Fateful? Why was Ken talking to him about being kicked out? And why the hell would he get in trouble for seeing his mother? Why did he have to sneak in to see his mother?

(6 days ago) Dishonourable Abyss: How are things back home?

Fateful: Home?

Dishonourable Abyss: I'm not welcome anymore?

Fateful: You're always part of the family. But until your powers return and you hunt again, you know Pride won't acknowledge you.

Dishonourable Abyss: I can't hunt. I gave that up. I had to give it up.

Fateful: Like Destiny.

Dishonourable Abyss: Her name is Hibiki and it's not the same.

Fateful: You gave up hunting for Glory but you certainly ignore your gift for the same reason she did.

Dishonourable Abyss: And what reason is that?

Fateful: Ryoga.

Ryoga glared at the screen. Pride… there was that name again. Miki and Hibiki's father. Did that mean, this was fate? Ken was talking to Fate? He suddenly felt horribly betrayed. Ken was speaking to the enemy. But then… if whatever they had right now kept Ken from hunting, wasn't that a good thing?

(Yesterday) Fateful: I'll be in Heartland in the next few days. Still want to talk?

Dishonourable Abyss: Yes.

Fateful: What happened when you spoke to Mother Grace?

Dishonourable Abyss: You know what happened.

Fateful: Then you're confirming my suspicions. Does Ryoga know?

Dishonourable Abyss: Stop bringing him up. He has nothing to do with this.

Fateful: If you intend to carry out your revenge than you will have to face the fact that you can not develop feelings for him.

Dishonourable Abyss: My revenge is my own. And my feelings towards Ryoga are none of your business.

Revenge? Ken wanted revenge and it was going to get in the way of them? He frowned. Why was he worrying about this? They weren't that serious. He and Ken were casual and it didn't matter. Neither of them had feelings for each other and they weren't going to develop feelings for each other and why the hell was it Fate's business anyway?

"How long are you going to be in there?" he called.

"I can't find the book," Ken replied as Ryoga found the most recent message. "Hang on."

"No rush."

"You can't escape learning forever."

(6 hours ago) Hiro: We're going to talk tonight.

Dishonourable Abyss: We are?

Hiro: Yes. Mother says we have to talk.

Dishonourable Abyss: Ok.

But Ryoga wasn't sure he wanted Ken to go. He liked having Ken around. He was something of an idiot and he blurted out stupid things and caused trouble and distracted him when he was trying to be serious but he wanted him there.

(2 hours ago) Hiro: Meet me after school.

Dishonourable Abyss: I'm tutoring Ryoga.

Hiro: You should leave that boy.

Dishonourable Abyss: He helped me when you kicked me out.

Hiro: Just hurry up.

What the hell did Hiro have against him? He'd not done anything against him, had he? He'd been nice to Miki, he'd saved Miki, and if Ken cared about him why didn't Hiro approve? It couldn't have been just because he'd been a bit nosey about their mother.

(10 minutes ago) Hiro: Miki's home.

Dishonourable Abyss: I told you I'm mentoring Ryoga.

Hiro: She wants to speak to Mother. What did you do?

Dishonourable Abyss: Nothing happened.

Hiro: Meet me in the normal place.

Miki was going to speak to their mother? That sounded like a bad thing. They acted like she was such a good person but the way they spoke gave Ryoga the chills. Something was wrong with the way that family was.

(5 minutes ago) Fateful: I'm in town for the weekend. Meet me when you're done with Ryoga before I go hunting.

Dishonourable Abyss: I'm meeting Hiro. And I want it on record I don't support your hunting.

Fateful: That's your prerogative. But I will hunt whether you approve and support me or not. Even though I will support you no matter what your intentions.

Dishonourable Abyss: If you understood my intentions you wouldn't question me.

Fateful: I'm well aware of your intentions and I support you fully as long as you remain on track. If you wander and cause more damage than good than I will step in and deal with this opportunity while we have a chance. I hope your meeting with Hiro goes well. I'll meet you afterwards.

Ryoga sighed and pushed the D-Pad back over to Ken's seat. He didn't want Ken to go. It wasn't fair. He'd taken Ken in and given him affection and care and Ken had given him affection in return. He'd never felt so content with anyone. He leant his head on the desk and closed his eyes. It was selfish. They were kids, they should be with their families, his mother's visit reminded him of that more than anything. But how was he supposed to let him go? He didn't want to be so… lonely again.

"Hey," Ken murmured, suddenly leaning over him and blowing in his ear. Ryoga jumped and lifted his head, staring up at him. "Ryoga?"

Ryoga couldn't stop himself acting without thinking. The thought of Ken returning to Hiro, of having to see him secretly and not being allowed to be near him whenever he wanted tore at his heart. He caught the back of Ken's neck and pulled him down, crushing their lips together. Ken gave a small noise of surprise and the books clattered to the floor but Ryoga was already taken by that warm numbing feeling.

Ken ended up sitting in his lap, his arms wrapped around his neck and Ryoga holding him in place. School chairs weren't as accommodating as his settee and if they moved a little too far the wrong way they'd end up on the floor but they managed. He never wanted to let go of this. If Ken returned to Hiro and Mother Grace, he'd spend his school days with Miki and their shallow bunch of followers and then he'd be dragged home before Ryoga got a chance to have any time with him. He loved him having Ken in his home, where he could reach other and pull him in whenever he felt like it.

"Ryoga?" Ken murmured, drawing back slightly. "What's wrong?"

"Nothing," Ryoga replied, smiling slightly. "It doesn't matter."

When it was finally time to leave, Ryoga hesitated. He didn't want him to meet Hiro. There had to be something he could do to make sure he could still be with Ken. He caught Ken's hand and pulled him back around, kissing him quickly.

"Come home early tonight," he demanded.

"Why?" Ken laughed. "Don't go getting all possessive and jealous just because I'm meeting someone."

"Do you know what tomorrow is?"

"Saturday?"

"Two weeks since you first kissed me."

"Oh, ok. And?"

"I just wanted to do something a bit different tonight. Promise you'll be home early."

"Sure," Ken laughed, nodding quickly. "I love a surprise. I'll see you soon then."

Well, if Hiro was meeting Ken, maybe this gave Ryoga and opportunity. He smiled and waved, watching Ken go. He hoped he came home tonight. Which meant Ryoga needed to hurry if he was going to arrange something before Ken was done.


"Nico!" Yuma called, running down the path. Nico didn't turn but Yuma ran over and grabbed her arm. "Where was Ken go- Ah! You're not Nico!"

The girl snatched her arm away and shoved him off. Yuma blinked up at her. She was in a puffed up black dress with an ornate black mask over her face. Then it hit him and his eyes widened.

"You're- you're a hunter!"

She smiled. "My name is Charity."

"You…" His fists clenched absently. "Why are you here? Why are you stealing souls?!"

"Yuma!" Kotori called, running over with the others behind her. "Who is this?"

"She's a hunter," Yuma said. "Charity."

"Be careful, Yuma," Astral said, appearing next to him. "A hunter in broad daylight is suspicious."

"Huh?"

"They hunt at night," he replied. Yuma frowned and gazed up at him. "Why would she be out during the day?"

Charity was bouncing off and Yuma clenched his fists before running after her. He wasn't going to let a hunter get away. Charity hurried through the city with Yuma and the others on her tail.

They ended up in a small park, Charity standing on the railings of a bridge. Yuma paused at the edge of the bridge, watching silently. What was she doing? There was silent for a moment, the wind rustling the leaves the only sound. Charity smiled, her dark hair blowing softly around her face.

"Why are you out during the day?" Yuma called. "Astral's right, you hunt at night."

Charity smirked and tilted her head. "You're not that one we're interested in really."

"What are you talking about?!"

"Your friend Ryoga," Charity said. "He's the one who made Destiny want to stop hunting, so he'll pay her debt."

"Debt? Shark? What are you talking about?!" he called. "What's going on?"

"Ryoga caused Destiny to turn away from hunting," she said. "If she collected only 3 souls a week and hasn't been hunting for eighteen months, he owes us at least two hundred souls."

"Two hundred and sixteen," Astral said.

Yuma stared up at him and Charity laughed. "So someone needs to repay his debt."

"You're going to take his soul instead?!" Yuma yelled.

"Something like that," she muttered. Her smile softened and she held out her arm. "So, Yuma? Will you duel with me?"

"Fine, but if I win, you wipe clean Shark's debt!"

She smiled and shook her head. "That's not my choice. But if you win, I will tell you where to go to get closer to your goal."

"And if he loses?" Tetsuo called.

"Then your souls will come off Ryoga's debt."

Yuma's fists clenched and he shook slightly. To put his friend's lives on the line. How was he supposed to allow that? He couldn't back down then. A quick glance around revealed the place was deserted and silent. She'd led them here to duel.

He stepped out onto the bridge and it jerked suddenly. Yuma let out a yelp and Charity smiled. The bridge moved and swung, the raging river beneath it somehow flying up and forming a cage around them, not even allowing Astral to enter. He friends were calling for him but their voices were almost nothing. He glanced through the wall of water and saw Astral looking worried. He had to duel without Astral?

Charity stepped down from the railings and turned to face him on the opposite end of the bridge. Fine. If he had no choice he'd duel her alone. He'd have to win by his own strength. He'd save his strength and help Shark, one way of another. Whatever Shark had got involved in, he was Shark's friend.

"Alright, Charity," he called. "Let's do this!"

Charity nodded and a feather like duel disk appeared on her disk and a black feather like D-Gazer formed. Yuma grinned throwing on his own duel disk and D-Gazer.

"Let's duel!"


Kaito paused midstride, noticing Ken hurrying along alone. Every time he'd seen him recently, he'd been in Ryoga's company. The two seemed inseparable. So seeing him wandering around alone and so far from home was unusual. He frowned and followed silently in the shadows. What was he doing sneaking around here?

There was a quiet small woods in near the outskirts of town and Ken sat on a bench, leaning his head back on looking into the mottled shadows of the trees. Was he meeting Ryoga? That was the only reason he could imagine him being there. The two seemed far too taken with each other.

There were quiet footsteps and Kaito drew back into the shadows, watching silently a man in a hooded cloak approached. Ken frowned and tilted his head slightly.

"You're late," he said.

"I am?" Ken replied.

"We arranged to meet, didn't we?"

"I suppose…" He frowned and the man sat next to him. "Fate-"

"Do you want to return home?" Kaito frowned. It was Fate. He'd become aware that Ken had once been a hunter, and that he was aware of Fate and his connection to Miki and Hibiki, but why was he meeting Fate. "I would allow it under certain conditions."

"I don't want to go back to Pride," Ken hissed. "I have things to do here. I have to stay with Miki. I have to be here."

Fate laughed softly. "Have you still not figured it out, after so long?"

"Figured what out?"

Fate smiled and leant in, whispering something in Ken's ear Kaito couldn't make out but the look of absolute horror crossing Ken's face was enough to make him worry. Ken jolted back, trying to shove Fate away but Fate simply caught his wrists and slammed him against the back of the bench, holding him there until he stopped struggling.

"How could you have lied to me for so long?" Ken hissed. "I looked up to you. I saw you as a big brother-"

"And haven't I always been that for you?" Fate replied smoothly.

"Bastard!"

"Hasn't my interference helped your plans?"

The tension faded and Fate stepped back, leaving Ken staring up at him. There was silence for a few long moments before Ken curled up, drawing his knees to his chest and closing his eyes. Fate sighed and sat down once more, gently stroking his hair.

"Your plans and ours can easily become one," Fate said softly. "You can have all you've ever wanted. You can make Miki happy again."

Making a sibling happy. Kaito knew all about that. He'd done terrible things for Haruto, so perhaps he could sympathize but still, this sounded like trouble. Kaito wasn't sure how to continue now. This was Ryoga's boyfriend- and no matter how Ryoga protested Kaito was all but certain that was what they were- and someone who had made it clear he wanted to cause trouble. If Ken was involved in this, willingly or not, Ryoga needed to know, didn't he? Wasn't that the right thing to do when you were worried about your friend and the person he seemed to care about? But… if Ken was really involved willingly, wouldn't it hurt Ryoga?

Would Ryoga even believe him? He was so mad about Ken, it seemed to blind him to all else. It was strange. The first night, when he'd walked Rio home, they'd been so engrossed in each other they hadn't even noticed their presence until they spoke up. It was strange to see Ryoga so affectionate towards anything and when Ken took his hand, Kaito couldn't deny there was a strange change in him. Sometime he was sure there was something in his eyes. But they were happy together. That was what mattered, wasn't it? Ken seemed as taken by Ryoga was Ryoga was with him. Ken might have been a hunter, but he didn't seem to hold any malice. He just loved his sister above anything. Something both Ryoga and Kaito understood.

"What if it's not that easy?"

Fate sighed and stroked his hair gently. "Ken? Ryoga has to pay for what he's done."

Kaito's eyes widened. Ryoga had to pay? For what? Ken turned his head away. Was this about Hibiki? Ryoga was blamed for Hibiki stopping her soul hunting?

"Or are your feelings getting in the way?"

"What you did to Miki was-"

"Necessary."

"She's your sister!"

"I am not going to argue with you over this," Fate snapped. "Whatever has to be done, will be done, no matter how much it hurts! No matter who gets in the way! And you have your own role to play so don't get ahead of yourself!"

"You crossed a line when you used Miki for your sick plans!"

Fate smiled. "What about how I used you?"


Ryoga took a deep breath, gazing down the street. If Hiro wasn't out with Ken, or if Ken caught him here, he was going to be in serious trouble. Hopefully he could get in and out and back home before Ken arrived home.

He climbed the steps slowly and knocked quietly on the front door. The door opened and Akina was there, smiling up at him, eyes shining.

"Hi…" Ryoga muttered.

"Shark!" Akina cheered, latching onto him. "Ken's not here and Hibiki's out shopping but Miki's here."

"That's great," he said quietly. "She's exactly who I want to see."

"She's up with Mother though…" she said, lowering her gaze. She frowned and pulled him inside, shutting the door behind him. "You can wait in here, I'll make you a drink."

"Thanks."

She led him through to the sitting room and pushed him into an armchair before hurrying off. When she returned, she offered him a glass of warm milk and a plate of cookies. Ryoga smiled and took the offerings slowly. Well, she was only young, he couldn't bring himself to tell her he'd prefer something else. Akina sat on a footstool and gazed up at him.

"How is Ken? Is he lonely? Does he miss me?"

"He misses you a lot," Ryoga replied. "But I try not to let him get lonely."

"You're like his knight in shining armour," Akina laughed. Ryoga frowned and his cheeks began to heat up. "You swept in and saved him. You two are so cute together!"

"Cute?"

She nodded quickly. "You two love each other right?"

"Love?"

"You're boyfriends, right?" she reasoned. "That means you love each other."

Ryoga smiled weakly. She was starting to sound like Haruto. Children and their logic. It wasn't quite that simple but he didn't want to spend long explaining it to her. There were more important things on his mind really.

"Akina."

"Hmm?"

"Can you tell me about your mother?" Ryoga said carefully.

Akina paused and lowered her head, playing with the hem of her skirt before shaking her head. "Mother wouldn't approve."

"Your mother," he muttered. "Tell me. At least tell me why Miki's gone to see her."

"Because she's been funny without Ken and since Hibiki returned." Ryoga frowned and got up slowly. "Where are you doing?"

He called up the stairs and Akina ran after him. "If you won't tell me, I'll have to see myself."

"You can't see her!" she cried. "It's dangerous!" Dangerous? He paused and turned. "I mean… I mean, Miki's in with her."

"Why is it dangerous, Akina?"

She frowned and lowered her head, shaking slightly. Ryoga turned away and climbed up into the attic, knocking softly on the door.

"It won't open," Akina said. "It's locked. Mother doesn't like people disturbing her." The locked snapped and the door creaked open. Ryoga stepped forwards but Akina caught his wrist. "Don't go in there, please!"

"I'll be fine," Ryoga said, gently taking his wrist from her little hands and resting his hands on her shoulders. "Nothing will happen."

Akina shook her head, tears filling her eyes. "Ken said that too."

"He did? What happened?"

"She made him scream."

Ryoga frowned and petted her head, slowly turning back to the door. He pushed it open slowly and gazed into the dark room. As he stepped in, he peered through the darkness, trying to get a sense for what was happening. The door shut and locked behind him and he turned quickly, rattling the handle in the darkness but it didn't budge.

As his panic passed and Ryoga's eyes grew used to the darkness, he turned and glanced around. There was a soft crying from the distance. Inside the room was a double bed that looked like it hadn't been slept in for a long time. A desk and wardrobe were on one side and there was a small adjoining room. He could vaguely make out a shape in the next room.

"Mother Grace?" Ryoga called softly as he approached.

The crying stopped and the shape moved. Now closer, Ryoga could make it out. There was a woman in black in a chair, a veil and hat over her face. She reminded him of a Victorian, in mourning. And sitting bolt upright, having been lying with her head in Mother Grace's lap as she cried, was Miki. She was staring over at him and Ryoga paused in the archway between rooms. This room was different. There was the chair at the window but the far wall was covered in shelves and boxes and the desk on the opposite side had a large book, resting open.

"Which one are you?" Mother Grace said.

"Which… one?" Ryoga said, taking a step closer.

"What's your name?"

"Kamishiro Ryoga," he said.

Something under the veil flashed and glowed and she turned to him, stroking Miki's hair. After a long moment of silence she returned to comforting Miki, but pointed over to the wall full of boxes. He frowned and walked over, slowly looking over the boxes. They all had tags beneath them. Little brass plates engraved with names and numbers. Some of the boxes were missing.

"What is you desire, Kamishiro?" Miki said quietly.

"What I… desire?" Ryoga repeated. "I want to keep the people I care about safe. I want to protect them." His fists clenched absently. "I want to be with Ken without interference."

Mother Grace chuckled hoarsely. "You remind me of one of my sons who came in to see me not long ago."

"Ken came to see you, I know." He paused, his fingers hovering over a name plate, looking at the box. "Glory…" He turned to gaze at her. "What is this? What's going on?"

Miki got up slowly and walked over, taking the box from the shelf. "Ken is out of your reach."

"What?"

"He always was."

"Miki-"

"You're being dragged into the abyss," Mother Grace said quietly. Ryoga gazed over at her, his heart pounding. What was going on with this place? "If you can't escape the currents soon you'll drown."

"What's she talking about?" Ryoga snapped.

Miki smiled softly and Mother Grace continued. "What would you do to protect those you love?"

"Anything," he snapped.

Miki smirked. "Then you only have once choice. Pick a box, Kamishiro."


In the Next Chapter: Ryoga is faces what he has to do to protect the people cares about.

Virtuous Grace, Honour and Glory