A/N: Hello, peoples. How lucky are you to have a new update? So, we have more Shark Drake being adorable with his human, Akina being adorable with Shark Drak's human, Kaito and Ken bickering, Yuma being oblivious and The Truth. After this you will get a bit of a rest before the pain starts again, so we can all look forwards to a small breather next chapter. So, thanks for reading, enjoy and review? Ok? Awesomes.


Wrath was growing bored of Shark Drake. He was getting sick of wandering through the darkness with him as well. He scowled and folded his arms, glaring at the monster. How he'd become human was beyond him but he supposed it was something to do with where they were. The sooner he found Ryoga's true consciousness and was able to get into the conscious world, the better.

Suddenly Shark Drake shot forwards and Wrath growled to himself, running after him. Now what? Suddenly, he saw it. A boy was lying in the darkness, bubbles coming from his mouth. Wrath clenched his fists, looking over him. They looked the same. This was the true consciousness? A frail looking boy in a tattered school uniform?

But Shark Drake had hurried over and was pulling the boy into his arms, nuzzling into the crock of his neck.

"Ryoga," he murmured. "My Ryoga."

"So that's him?" Wrath muttered. "How can I come from such a pathetic creature?"

"My Ryoga is far from pathetic," Shark Drake snapped, stroking the boy's hair. "No one has been worthy of me before him."

"How pathetic," Wrath hissed.

"I would only give my power to someone desperate to take it but strong enough to refuse it through sheer force of will." He almost purred, reminding Wrath of an over grown house cat. "My Ryoga."

Ryoga stirred slightly and Shark Drake nuzzled against him again, leaving a bitter taste in Wrath's mouth. How sickening. How did he come from such a child? And how did that pathetic child tame a beast like Shark Drake?

Ryoga's eyes opened slowly and he pushed Shark Drake away slightly. "Yuma."

"Don't be stupid," Shark Drake hissed. His eyes widened slightly and he turned, gazing up at Shark Drake, who smiled and nuzzled into him again. "My Ryoga."

Without warning, Shark Drake gripped one arm around Ryoga's arms and chest, keeping his still and he pulled the teen's head aside and bit down on his neck. Obviously still groggy, Ryoga did nothing to fight, just gasped and choked out something. Shark Drake's eyes glistened and he licked up Ryoga's neck, taking his time and purring again as he reached the boy's ear.

"You promised."

"I didn't think we'd ever be in the situation," Ryoga panted as Shark Drake nuzzled him again. "Stop it."

"You said I could taste you when I small enough not to swallow you whole."

"I really should have known better," he said. Shark Drake hummed and Wrath scowled as his double squirmed under his tongue. "Enough."

"You're all flustered, Ryoga," Shark Drake murmured. "My Ryoga. At least it's not just that boy who gets you worked up."

"What boy?" Wrath snapped.

Shark Drake glanced up, glaring at him, no doubt because he interrupted his play with his human. "That hunter boy."

"Ken."

Wrath frowned. That was a familiar name. Shark Dark returned to exploring what his new body could do to his human pet. Wrath was disgusted by it. How could he be the darkness formed inside this boy? He was so weak and possessed by a Number?

"Honour…"

"What?" Ryoga called. "Hey, no more ga- ah!" Shark Drake grinned but this time Ryoga seemed to have changed. He caught Shark Drake's wrists and shoved him off, eyes flashing. "What did you just say?"

"I said…"

"Honour," he snapped. Wrath frowned and took half a step back, staring at the boy who suddenly seemed a lot more intimidating. "You said honour. Why?"

"I don't know," he replied. "I just… It just came out." He frowned and folded his arms. "What does it matter anyway?"

"Because Miki said I was cursed," he said as Shark Drake came up and held him from behind again. "She said one of the other hunters had put a curse on me and it was doing something strange to me and she said Honour had a gift for these things. Now tell me why!"

"You're not even curious who he is?" Shark Drake purred. "Why he looks like you?"

"This is my unconscious and he's a manifestation of the darkness I just took on," Ryoga replied. Shark Drake frowned and Wrath folded his arms. "I watch enough TV to know something as basic as that."

"My Ryoga," the monster murmured, squeezing his arms around him. "So smart."

Wrath rolled his eyes. "Now we've found the child, what do we do?"

This time Ryoga rolled his eyes and looked at him like he was stupid. Wrath certainly didn't appreciate that from some stupid kid. Shark Drake smiled and Ryoga smirked. Wrath took another step back, glaring at him suspiciously.

"You become a part of me and become my power," he said.

"You think I'll give into you?"

"I've tamed Shark Drake," he snapped, reaching up and lying a hand on Shark Drake's cheek. The monster nuzzled into his hand, leaning his chin on Ryoga's shoulder. "He's an ancient powerful being from the memories of an alien. You're nothing more than an image of what's already inside of me."

"You try to absorb me and I'll become the dominant force-"

"Shark Drake tried that too," Ryoga hissed. His eyes flashed and seemed to glow and Shark Drake growled. "I am stronger than you can imagine because of all the people who care for me. Because I fight for Rio, because I have Yuma and his friends encouraging me and pushing me forwards, because I have Kaito challenging me all the time… and now I have Ken and Miki and their family there for me too. So I won't lose my heart to anyone ever again! I'm different now. I'm not fighting to satisfy a need to vengeance and nothing more this time! I'm doing it to protect people! The people I care about! And that's why I won't lose to the likes of you!"

Ryoga's hand whipped out and he caught the dark manifestation's collar, yanking him forwards so they were eye to eye, Shark Drake still happily pressed against his back, murmuring about eating him. But this dark power was for him to have, not Shark Drake. Ryoga sneered at the sudden flash of fear in the double's eyes.

"The only reason I agreed to this power was so I could take souls when I duel," Ryoga said quietly. "I've already come to terms with all the darkness you represent."

The dark double screamed as his body faded in tendrils of energy, striking Ryoga's heart and knocking him back a step, only for Shark Drake to brace him gently. It hurt, he wouldn't deny that, but when it was done he felt no different. Although once the adrenaline wore off, Ryoga's legs gave on and it was only Shark Drake's arms holding him up.

"My Ryoga," he murmured. "While I agree whole heartedly that you shouldn't let anyone else have you, perhaps you're not so correct about there being nothing left to come to terms with. That curse worries me. I won't let you go."

"I know," Ryoga replied quietly. "We need to find out who this is, we should find this Honour and see what he knows, they the two of us will get rid of this curse the way we know best."

Shark Drake nodded and suddenly pressed his their lips together for a second before vanishing into the darkness, leaving a very confused Ryoga behind. Why had he…? What had just happened?

"Hey!"

"Isn't that what you humans do to show you care for someone?" Sark Drake's voice called from the deep. "You humans are funny creatures but you are my Ryoga. Always my Ryoga. Now wake up so we can deal with this situation."


"Rio?" Kaito called, glancing around the apartment. It seemed Thomas has been right. The place didn't seem disturbed, just empty. "Ryoga?"

"Ryoga?" Ken said, disappearing into one of the bedrooms.

"This isn't what I was expecting," Kotori said quietly.

The apartment was completely empty, as comfirmed by Ken coming out of Ryoga's room and shaking his head. Rio D-Pad was still on the table, still turned on, and the door had been wide open. Ryoga didn't look like he'd been home from school but Rio school bag and shoes were on the floor.

"Now what?" Astral said, glancing around.

Ken frowned, leaning against the wall and playing with his D-Pad. Kaito scowled. "What are you doing?"

"Nothing?"

"Nothing?" Kaito repeated. The others were watching them and Ken glanced away. "What are you doing?"

Ken scowled and glared at him for a moment before pushing off the wall and striding away. Kaito clenched his jaw and caught his wrist, dragging him back and slamming him against the wall, snatching his D-Pad from him.

"Give that back!" Ken snapped.

Kaito frowned and slammed him back against the wall, making his hiss and groan. Deciding the boy wasn't a problem, Kaito turned away, turning his attention to the D-Pad and the messages.

(15 minutes ago) Dishonourable Abyss: You seen the twins?

Tarnished Glory: Twin.

Dishonourable Abyss: Which?

Tarnished Glory: There's been a little Shark circling.

Dishonourable Abyss: Circling where?

Tarnished Glory: The boxes.

Dishonourable Abyss: Did he pick one?

Tarnished Glory: Are you happy now?

Dishonourable Abyss: No. Not yet. Not until I see him.

Kaito scowled. He and Miki were talking about things that were beyond him. The code of siblings he supposed. He turned to Ken caught his collar again.

"Where's Ryoga? What are you two talking about?"

"I don't know."

"You obviously do, now stop lying and answer!"

There was silence for a moment with everyone else watching them silently, before Ken sighed. "I don't know where he is now."

"Where was he?" Yuma said, leaning over.

"With Miki," he replied. "At ours."

"Let's go then!" Yuma called.

"I'm going to stay here," Ken muttered, turning back towards the hall. "I need to pack, since I'm going to be heading back home."

"I'm not leaving you on your own," Kaito snapped. "Who knows what you'll get up to?"

"That's mean, Kaito," he whined. "I've not done anything wrong."

Kaito scowled and Ken tilted his head. "You're one of them, so no. Pack now and you can go home."

Ken hesitated for a moment before nodding and turning away to pack up. Perhaps getting him away from Ryoga was a good thing. It would give Kaito a chance to talk with Ryoga alone. Even if they had to be together at school, at least they weren't together at home now. Whatever Ryoga decided, that was his own choice, but Kaito was determined to do all he could to look after him.


There was a soft weight against Ryoga's chest and he smiled softly, running his hand through Ken's hair without thinking. So much for their night together, but they had the entire weekend to make up for it.

Something was wrong. Ryoga frowned slightly. It wasn't heavy enough to be Ken, or big enough. Usually when they were stretched out together like this Ken would be as tall as Ryoga. Whoever was with him was a lot small, their feet barely reaching passed his knees. He forced his eyes open and glanced around. He was in a little girl's room. It was actually a little girl's room. He glanced around at the creepy dolls on the shelves and strange pictures and horror books mixed with pink drills and cuddly toys.

Then it hit him.

"Akina."

She jolted up from his chest as gazed down at him. Ryoga smiled, the tears tracking down her cheeks and red puffiness of her eyes striking at his big brother's instinct. The poor little thing. He smiled gently and reached up weakly, stroking her cheeks and brushing the tears away gently.

"What's wrong?" he said quietly.

"You wouldn't wake up," she whined. "I was scared. Some people can't handle Mother's power."

"Wait?" He groaned and pushed himself up onto his elbows as Akina plopped down onto her knees in front of him. "You know about your mother's powers?" She nodded. "And you know what's happened to me?" Another nodded. "Can you explain?"

Akina giggled and nodded. "Shh, it's a secret. Not for outsiders."

"But I'm not an outsider anymore, am I? Your mother spoke to me." He smiled and moved away his collar slightly showing her the newly formed mark. Akina's eyes widened and she smiled. "See?"

"Alright," she said, nodding quickly. She sat and crossed her legs as Ryoga sat up, leaning on the headboard. "Years ago, Grace married Pride. They were happy together. And they had three kids; Fate who was big and strong and wanted to be head of the house and protect everyone, Destiny who was beautiful and elegant and smart and acted like no one could ever hurt her because she could believe in herself… and Glory."

"Miki…" Ryoga muttered.

"Glory was the princess. She was sweet and naïve and looked up at her siblings and loved her father and adored her mother. She was destined for greatness but she put her family on such a pedestal she couldn't see herself." Ryoga frowned. That didn't sound like their Miki. "But then there was an accident. Glory was out with Grace and Pride on the lake when the boat tipped over. Grace tried to save her but barely saved herself."

"Save her?" he said quietly.

Surely she couldn't mean- "Glory drowned."

"But she's alive," Ryoga snapped. "Miki's alive!"

"Grace held Glory in her arms and screamed for her daughter," Akina continued. "The paramedics had to force her to let her go so they could take her to the hospital but it was too late. Grace was forever in mourning after that."

"How can she be dead?" he said, shaking his head. "She's right here, she lives here, with you. She's not dead, Akina, you know that. She goes to my school."

Akina just smiled slightly. "That's how the story goes."

Ryoga frowned, closing his eyes for a moment. How could Miki have died? Just what had he got himself into this time? He'd only agreed to this so he could save everyone he cared about. Rio, Yuma and Ken were all in danger because of something they thought he'd done and he had to put that right. So he'd sold his soul, hadn't he? His eyes snapped open suddenly. His friends!

"I have to go," Ryoga said, staggering up to his feet but falling back to the bed when his legs gave way. "No…"

"You need rest," Akina said, pushing him back to the pillow and tucking him in. Ryoga sighed and gave up fighting. "You're really strong so it'll take a while, your power hurt people."

"It did?" Akina nodded. "How?"

"Hunters can sense others, when you became a hunter, it resonated through the others. Some of them would have been hurt by the intensity of it."

"How do you know all this?"

"Because Mother takes in hunters who are breaking," Akina said with a sad smile. "She gives us a place to retire and to figure out our feels and to decide what we really need."

Ryoga looked at her silently for a moment before closing his eyes. This was all getting too much. Miki had died, he'd sold his soul and the entire family were hunters or former hunters? What was going on?

"I need to help my friends," he said quietly.

"You need rest," she said firmly.

"Akina…" He sighed and opened one eye. "Who's Honour?" Akina frowned and folded her arms, pouting slightly. "Akina?" She shook her head. "I'll duel you if you tell me."

Akina's eyes lit up and Ryoga smiled slightly. She was adorable. "He's a boy who has a gift for curses and manipulating other's emotions. He stalks his prey for months, slowly trapping them in his web of magic until they can't even fight when he finally goes in for the kill."

"Do you know his name?" She nodded. "Will you tell me?"

Before she could answer, his D-Pad light up with several missed messages and calls. He frowned and picked it up, flicking through. Rio, Kaito and Ken had all left messages. He frowned, checking them over briefly. It seemed they were all ok. Rio was huffing about him not being home and Kaito wanted to know he was ok and they had to talk because he'd found Ken with Fate and Ken worrying over why he wasn't home early like he promised.

They were ok. They were all alright. Ryoga let out a sigh and Akina smiled. "Everything ok?"

"All fine," he replied. "I was worried for a minute, but it's ok."

At least that's what he thought until he found another message from Kaito.

Kaito: We really have to talk. Let me know you're ok.

What was up with Kaito? It wasn't like him to act like this. He should probably call him back. Groaning slightly, Ryoga forced himself up, much to Akina's obvious displeasure. His knees threatened to buckle any moment but he managed to remain on his feet, slowly climbing down the stairs with Akina right behind him. He needed to get home. Akina snapped at him about duelling and he quickly promised they would duel after school Monday.

As Ryoga stepped out the door, he was stunned to find Ken, Kaito, Yuma and Kotori just stepping in the gate. A small smile came to his lips as Ken ran up the steps. Before he could stop himself, Ryoga caught his collar and pulled him in, kissing him softly.

"I was worried about you," Ryoga murmured. "They said you were with Fate and I… I'm glad you're ok."

"You too," Ken said, stepping away. Ryoga frowned, he looked more awkward than normal. What had happened? And he was holding his bag. Noticing his gaze, Ken put on an obviously forced smile. "Hiro's letting me come home."

"Oh." He wasn't going to lie, he wasn't impressed. He really did want Ken to stay but he supposed Ken did need to be with his family. He cared for Miki, he probably needed to be with Miki to help her with her newly reacquired power. But he wanted Ken near him. "I'm glad."

"Ryoga…" He sighed and glanced at the group but Ryoga caught his chin and pulled him back around. Ken's focus belonged on him. No one else. Only him and Ken's family. "Miki's hunting souls-"

"So am I," Ryoga hissed.

Ken frowned, gently taking his hand. Ryoga's stomach churned. Something was wrong. Something was really, really wrong. "Two weeks… that's a pretty good run."

"Don't say things like that," he snapped, tugging his hand away.

"I'm sorry."

"Why? Because Hiro doesn't approve?"

"Neither do your friends." Ryoga's eyes widened slightly and he shook his head. "It wasn't going to last anyway."

"How can you stay things like that? You're just giving up?" he snapped. "I want this. I want you."

There was a moment of silence and Ryoga was aware that the others were watching and he wished they wouldn't. He wished he could be alone with Ken to talk to through, to figure out what was going on and how to maybe part on better terms if there were no other options. Ryoga knew it was stupid, this was his first relationship really, but Ken made him feel so warm and content and fuzzy he didn't want to let that go.

"Alright…" Ryoga raised his eyes slowly to meet Ken's. "Look, talk to your friends. Talk to Kaito. Think about it. After school on Monday, if you can honestly say you're still alright with me- with us, then we'll see where this can go."

It was something but what about Kaito? What did Kaito have to do with any of this? He frowned and glanced at Kaito. Was that why he was acting so strangely and worrying about him constantly? He was snapped from his thoughts by Ken's hands on his cheeks and his lips on his. Letting his eyes slip shut, Ryoga pushed back into the kiss. One of those deep, slow and soft kisses Ryoga had grown fond of. Even if he was obviously less experienced than Ken, he'd figured things out quickly. And if this was going to be the last kiss he and Ken shared it was going to be a good one.

Finally their lips parted and Ken smiled, slowly stepping away. "Not a bad way to end things, as far as ending things goes. I'll see you at school, Shark."

The nickname sounded so wrong from Ken but Ryoga nodded and watched numbly as Ken disappeared into the house. Why did this make him feel so empty? He knew people said teenage romances were always emotional and too involved and dramatic but it did feel like something had been torn from him.

Ryoga turned and glared back at Kaito. "What did you say?"

"Ryoga-"

"If you've got something to say to me, say it!"

"There are more important things to think about right now," Kaito snapped. "Rio is missing."

Ryoga rolled his eyes and pulled out his D-Pad showing him a message. "She's staying at a friend's. They jumped her and dragged her off, practically kidnapped her for some dumb boys birthday and going to see some idol in concert."

"Why didn't I get invited?" Kotori cried.

Ryoga shrugged, returning to glaring at Kaito. "So?"

Kaito sighed. "Tomorrow. It's been a tough day for all of us. Let's talk tomorrow."


In the Next Chapter: Kaito and Ryoga clash over Ryoga's involvement with Ken and Ryoga struggles to keep his new power secret.

L for Love, H for Heart