A/N: New chapter for you lovely people. In which Ryoga and Kaito talk. Of course. And they get a little cute and I always see Kaito and Ryoga of having a little bit of a brotherly relationship where they're only really open and sweet when they're alone. Because they're both so lonely and similar and I just love them so much. Also, let's not forget, Kaito is a fair bit older than Ryoga, and Shark is only 14. Poor dear is allowed to still be a little fragile. Anyway. Read, enjoy and review and thank you. Ok? Awesome.
Ryoga had always thought it was silly when girls on TV were shown curled up with ice cream and hurting over a break up. But it suddenly made sense. It hurt. He was certain he physically hurting over his break up with Ken. And with Rio gone and his parents working, Ryoga was alone to deal with it. He was complete alone for the first time in a long time.
He closed his eyes and slowly pulled his covers over his head. He'd been struggling to sleep all night but it all hurt too much. There was something, aching in his chest. He missed it all. It was empty. They'd sit together on the couch watching TV or on his bed while Ryoga played his guitar absently until they ended up making out or falling asleep together. When Ryoga woke up Ken would always be snuggled up close, often with his head of Ryoga's chest, just reminding him he was there the entire time.
Finally, deciding his room reminded him too much of what he'd lost, and he wasn't going to get any rest, Ryoga got up and headed out. Kaito had said to come over when he was ready. Ready? When was he ever going to be ready? Something had happened between Kaito and Ken and whatever Kaito had to tell him was something to do with why they broke up. The thought made his chest ache again. Why did it happen like that? In front of his friends, so suddenly. He just wanted to talk to Ken and figure things out. But whatever Kaito wanted, he had to heard it, didn't he? He had to listen to whatever it was that got Ken upset. If Ken thought what Kaito had to say would have finished them off anyway, then he'd have to hear it and prove him wrong.
"Shark!"
He was tackled from nowhere and stumbled slightly. Who the hell dared just tackle him like that? He glared down, a long way down, and his anger faded. Akina was smiling up at him, arms wrapped around his middle and blue hair a frizzy mess.
"Akina?"
"You didn't hunt last night," Akina said, gazing up at him. Ryoga sighed and shook his head. "That's weird."
"Why?" Ryoga muttered, resting a hand on her head.
"Because usually when someone is heartbroken they take out their pain on other people," she replied. Heartbroken? He wasn't heartbroken. "Will you duel me, Shark?"
"I told you Monday after school," Ryoga replied, petting her head before stepping away. "I have to go."
"Where?" Akina called, running after him. Ryoga frowned and she caught his sleeve, walking next to him. "Where are we going?"
"I'm going to see Kaito."
"Cool. Can I get a piggy back?"
"You're not coming," Ryoga said firmly, pulling his arm from her tiny hands. Akina huffed and ran along next to him, trying to match his strides with her tiny legs and just stumbling instead. "Ken's right. You're mean." Ryoga froze and Akina cheered, latching onto his hand. "You stopped.
"Ken… said I was mean?"
Akina's eyes widened and she stepped back slightly. His chest ached again. Mean? He was mean? He wasn't mean. He had been before but not now. Not since he'd met Yuma. What had he done to make Ken think he was mean? After what Grace said about Miki hating him and given how close they were… had this been before they actually met?
"He said a lot worse than that but Hiro would always tell him off for that," Akina muttered. "I didn't like seeing him that upset."
"Can you tell me more about what Ken said?"
Akina frowned and folded her arms. "Why? You didn't let me finish my story last night."
"I'll let you finish today," Ryoga replied. She shook her head. "I'll duel you today." Another shake of her head and Ryoga gave a frustrated sigh. "What will it take?" She held out her arms in what was obviously a demand to be picked up. Ryoga hesitated for a moment before he gave up and knelt in front of her. "Fine."
Akina grinned and wrapped her arms around his neck. Ryoga waited for a moment for her to get comfortable, before slowly straightening up and letting Akina lean on his shoulder. Well, at least she was little and light.
"So where does Kaito live?" Akina said.
"Heartland Tower," Ryoga replied, starting to walk again. "So, what did Ken say?"
"Oh, right," she said. "See, I only joined the family about a year ago, and it was only Ken, Miki and Hiro at that point. They said Hibiki left about three months earlier but she came back one night a month for a couple of months. I only figured out that it was the full moon recently."
"Makes sense," he muttered. "What's that got to do with Ken?"
"Whenever Hibiki was home, Miki got worked up," she explained. "And so that got Ken worked up too. They argued and Miki acted all weird and Ken kept snapping about her about the child with a crush on her. You." So this was before they met. That made it a little better for Ryoga. If he had changed Miki and Ken's opinions on him, it had to be a good sign. "We were watching the WDC semi-finals when we figured it out."
"Figure what out?" Ryoga said.
"Who you were," she laughed. "Before that, we just knew that Ken was really rude about this Ryoga person and Miki got really upset whenever he did. But then we saw you up there. I was watching when Ken and Miki came in and Ken said you deserved to lose because you'd given your soul to a Number and it showed just how weak you really were. And Miki said that it was a poison."
"Poison?"
"Yeah, that she was glad it was finally coming through. That from the moment you took it you'd slowly be pulled into the darkness and ruined."
"Shark Drake and I get on just fine," he muttered.
"Maybe," she replied. "Or maybe she's right."
"Do they still think that about me?" Ryoga said. She sighed and leant her chin on his shoulder. "Akina?"
"I don't know," Akina said. "They argued about you last night."
"Yeah? What did they say?"
"Miki was mad," she said, tilting her head. "Said this was all this fault. That he had to be so stubborn and couldn't let things go."
"What was his fault?"
"You becoming a hunter."
"What couldn't he let go?"
"Dunno."
He sighed and gazed up at the tower. Picking up his D-Pad he sent Kaito a quick message to let him know they were there and waited until Kaito messaged back.
Kaito: We? Rio's with you?
Shark: Just open the damn doors.
Kaito did as he was told, although he would have done it whether Ryoga demanded it or not. Akina had gone silent, leaning on his shoulder and gazing up at the tower in awe as they went in. Ryoga frowned and they caught the lift up. He hoped Kaito didn't mind him bringing Akina. Perhaps she would do Haruto some good. And Kaito didn't know she was a hunter too. Or at least had been, he wasn't sure if she still was, so that wouldn't be a stumbling block. She was just an annoying little kid who wouldn't take no for an answer as far as everyone else was concerned.
And he was still Shark.
The doors opened and Kaito was leaning against the wall, as always, waiting. He opened one eye, then both. He stood straight and folded his arms.
"Ryoga, there's a girl on your back," he said.
Ryoga rolled his eyes and Akina giggled. "Really? I hadn't noticed. I did wonder what the weight was."
"Alright," Kaito muttered. "Let me rephrase. Why is there a girl on your back?"
"Haven't you met Akina?" He followed Kaito through and found Haruto sitting on the couch, watching curiously. He smiled slightly and knelt again, letting Akina slide off. She wandered over and looked up at Haruto. "Akina, this is Haruto and Kaito."
"I know who Kaito is," Akina replied, tilting her head and smiling back at him
"Of course your do," he muttered. "The WDC?"
"Nope," she said. Ryoga frowned and Akina smiled, lowering her voice. "Not for outsiders."
"Right…" He frowned and glanced at Kaito. "Akina is Mother Grace's youngest."
"And you bought her along?" he snapped.
Akina frowned and moved around to sit on the couch with Haruto. There was silence for a moment and the pair of teens watched them cautiously. This was either going to work or be a disaster. After a long moment, Haruto sat down a little more comfortably.
"Love," he said quietly.
Akina laughed and nodded as Kaito and Ryoga glanced at each other. "The most powerful thing in the universe."
"Really?"
"Your big brother is really cool," Akina said. "You gave him to power to summon that Neo Galaxy-Eyes, right?"
Deciding it was fine to leave them, Ryoga turned to Kaito. "You had something to tell me."
"Alright," Kaito said quietly, turning away. "You must understand, Ryoga, I don't want to hurt you. I understand you care for Ken. I don't want to come between you two."
"We broke up," he hissed.
Kaito frowned. "Was that what happened last night? I'm sorry, Ryoga. Perhaps it's for the best."
After a moment of silence and Kaito and Ryoga glaring at each other, Haruto piped up. "Wrath…"
"You see things in people's souls," Akina said.
"Ryoga's wrath is always explosive," Haruto said. "Wrath born of lost honour and broken glory."
Ryoga stiffened slightly at the words, staring at Haruto. Anyone but him and Ryoga would have put the choice of words down to mere coincidence, but not Haruto. The kids knew too much. He knew didn't he? He knew what Ryoga had done and what Akina was and Miki and this Honour person. He had to get Akina to tell him who Honour was, especially if he was behind this curse and… and he'd obviously hurt Miki somehow which meant Ken would be out for blood too.
"Ryoga," Kaito said quietly. "About Ken."
"Yeah?" Ryoga muttered.
"He was once a hunter, you knew that, didn't you?" Ryoga nodded and Kaito frowned. "He met Fate yesterday."
"I know," Ryoga said quietly. "I checked his messages. I knew he was going there. I tried to stop him, tried to convince him not to and to come home early so he wouldn't meet with Hiro. I didn't want him to leave."
Kaito nodded slowly. "They spoke about plans."
"What plans?"
"I don't know," Kaito replied. "They argued and something came up. He said something about how Ken looked up to him and then about how Fate's interference has helped Ken's plans. How their plans could become one."
"You have no idea what plans they're talking about though," Ryoga snapped.
"He's a hunter, they're bad news," he snapped back.
"Ken's a good person," Akina cried. "He loves Miki."
"And that's why he's using you, Ryoga!" Ryoga's stomach dropped. Using him because of Miki? He knew what they meant. Kaito didn't have to say it. Because he made Hibiki stop hunting, she'd hurt Miki and Ken would be furious. He knew that but weren't they over it? Hadn't he changed their minds on that? "Ryoga, I'm sorry."
"Shut up," Ryoga hissed. "It's not like that anymore."
"You knew?" Kaito snapped.
"I knew that they blamed me but since then-"
"He was using you, Ryoga. His goal from the start has been to hurt you. He would have used Rio just for you."
"Shut up!" he yelled, fists clenching furiously. "Just shut up! He's not like that!"
"Shark must really care for him to be so naïve," Haruto said.
"Everyone loves Ken," Akina replied. "He's super charming."
"If Kaito wasn't dating Rio, Shark would make a good girlfriend," he agreed.
Ryoga and Kaito turned to him and the pair of kids nodded at them. They were aware that he'd just said girlfriend, weren't they? He frowned as the kids grinned.
"You mean boyfriend, Haruto," Kaito said. "And I'm not dating Rio."
"No," Akina said. "Definitely girlfriend."
"So Kaito can swoop in and save him like a hero," Haruto agreed.
"And Ryoga always gets possessed or brainwashed."
"And Kaito's older and taller."
"Just."
"Alright, alright," Kaito said, shaking his head. "Ryoga and I are not, and will never be, interested in each other. Understand?"
They sunk down, out of sight, behind the back of the couch and Kaito turned back to Ryoga, who folded his arm, glaring furiously. Why was Kaito so against Ken? So there were mistakes but Ryoga and Ken could work that out, and it seemed they had. Why did Kaito suddenly make things so awkward?
"It's not a big deal," Ryoga muttered.
"They all want to make you hurt, Ryoga," Kaito said, actually sounding concerned. It was the same tone Ryoga used when he wanted to get Rio to listen seriously. He frowned and gazed up at Kaito. He must have thought it was important. "You have to understand, Ryoga, I'm not saying this because I want to hurt you or because I don't like him. After what Vector did to Yuma, I don't want to see you go through the same."
Ryoga's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't even considered that. Ken and the entire lot could be Barian, or at least being used by them. How did they even hunt souls? Didn't Kaito's powers to steal souls come from the alien worlds too? And the Arclights. Did that mean they did too? That aching in his chest returned at the thought.
"Shark looks like he's in pain," Haruto whispered.
"Ryoga-"
"Save it, Kaito," Ryoga hissed. He didn't want Kaito's pity or anything like that. "I know that they were angry and if someone had made Rio turn on me I would be too but… that doesn't mean people can't change their minds, right? Like you and your dad."
"That's different."
"Hardly."
"Ryoga-"
"Just drop it!"
He turned and stormed away, ignoring Akina calling after him and striding into the lift. Akina would be fine with Haruto and Kaito for now. He just needed to go for a walk. He needed to think and calm down. Only the elevator didn't go down. It went up, no matter how many times Ryoga pressed the ground floor button, and stopped on the balcony floor. It was a little overcast but not cold, just fresh. He supposed there was no harm in being outside. The air would clear his head, perhaps.
Ryoga frowned, gripping the rails and looking out over Heartland. What if he was right? What if Ken only intended to hurt him? What if he was growing so attached to someone who only wanted his heart and his trust just to tear it away and destroy him just like Shingetsu- Vector had with Yuma? Was he really being so naïve?
He didn't know what to think anymore. Ryoga couldn't forgive someone who'd hurt his sister, could he? No matter how he felt about that person, if they hurt Rio they'd suffer. If Ken had really intended to use Rio, could he forgive that? He didn't know what he was supposed to think or feel.
There were quiet footsteps from behind him and Ryoga closed his eyes as the only acknowledgement of Kaito's presence, his chest pressed against Ryoga's back and one hand resting in his hair. Ryoga's breathing slowed, he hadn't even realised it had been racing until now, to match Kaito's steady breath against his ear. This happened only when it was just the two of them. Yuma and Rio and everyone else would never be permitted to see how close they really were, how vulnerable Ryoga let himself be for Kaito and how Kaito would comfort him. They'd never live it down. It had been an accident at first really, Kaito's big brother instincts kicking in once when he saw Ryoga hurting. Ryoga had resisted at first but when he finally gave in he found Kaito's hold reassuring.
"Tell me," Ryoga whispered. "Tell me exactly what he said."
"He said he'd wanted you to suffer for what you did to Miki," Kaito murmured. Ryoga's fists clenched around the railings again and Kaito's free hand gently closed over one of them, relaxing him slightly. "When you met Hibiki, she changed, apparently. She hated the hunters, she turned on Miki and supposedly it broke her, it made her hate herself." Ryoga's eyes opened slowly. Miki had hated herself because Hibiki did? How was that right? "And naturally, Ken blamed you and Hibiki."
Ryoga nodded slowly. "Do you think it was my fault?"
"Is it Yuma's fault I stopped hunting souls and turned on my father during the WDC?"
Ryoga frowned. Kaito was trying to offer comfort really, but it wasn't working. It was Yuma's fault really. And that made this Ryoga's fault. Kaito's hand moved slightly in his hair and Ryoga sighed.
"When he realised you were in his class, and so was Rio, it was too much of a good opportunity," Kaito said. "He was going to capture Rio's heart and hurt her. He wanted you to watch her hurting like he had Miki. But when he saw the opportunity to use you, he decided to hurt you more directly."
"He's only doing this to hurt me?" Ryoga breathed, his throat suddenly hurting and his chest aching. "He never cared about me at all?"
"Ryoga-"
"Kaito, there are times when I'm sure I'm physically in pain," he snapped. "Like there really is something hurting my heart. Because of him!" He tugged away from Kaito's hold, turning to glare up at him, fighting down the lump in his throat. "Is this what he wanted?! For me to feel like this?! He makes me care about him and want to be with him and genuinely like him and then he finishes me just so I feel like this?!"
Kaito sighed and Ryoga lowered his head. He shouldn't act so weak in front of Kaito, in front of his rival, but he needed someone to vent to and Rio wasn't around, she was probably having a great time while he was in pain.
"He did also insist that after all you'd done to help Miki, his hatred wasn't so strong," Kaito continued. Ryoga's eyes widened slightly. Maybe there was still hope. "He said, when he kissed you the first time it felt right. He said he couldn't hate you anymore. That he genuinely cares about you and he'll fight his entire family to protect you if he has to."
There was a long while just in silence while Ryoga thought it over. Finally, he lifted his eyes and gazed up at Kaito. "Do you believe him?"
"It doesn't matter if I do or not," he replied. "You opinion matters."
But he didn't know what his opinion was. He'd never had to deal with anything like this before. He was confused and hurting and alone again and talking to Yuma wouldn't help because he had no idea about this kind of love and Kaito was older so he should know, shouldn't he? Why wasn't he telling him what to do? He didn't have any experience here, he didn't know what to do.
He barely even noticed when Kaito murmured his name and pulled him in gently, letting him bury his head in his chest. What was he supposed to do? He wanted to trust Ken and believe that he honestly cared about him, but what if he didn't? What if he was just being stupid and naïve? He closed his eyes and clenched his fists around Kaito's coat as the older teen stroked his hair, murmuring something Ryoga couldn't make out. It sounded like another language entirely. But it was soothing.
"They're right, you know," Kaito said, as Ryoga calmed slightly. There was something soft and teasing in his voice that eased Ryoga's bad feelings. "I think, in the right situation, we could have been a good pair." Ryoga's head snapped up and Kaito offered him a small smile. "Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying I'm interested. From a purely objective point of view, we would be a compatible couple."
"Why do you have to talk like that?" he muttered. "Stop using such big words. It doesn't make you sound clever."
"And your simplistic mind is so much more fun," he replied. "Ryoga, be assured, that if Ken lets you go and if only doing this to hurt you, he's an idiot." He smiled and Ryoga blinked as Kaito cupped his cheeks, stroking his cheeks with his thumbs. "Not only for letting you go, because no matter what you think of yourself I know you're incredible, but because I will hunt him down and make him pay."
"Kaito…"
Kaito sighed and kissed the top of his head gently. "Perhaps I'm just a little protective of you kids, but whatever you decide to do I'll support you. I do honestly hope you're right and he genuinely cares about you."
"See, perfect couple," Haruto said. Ryoga and Kaito both glanced over the find the pair of kids in the door way to the tower, watching them together. "Like the prince and princess in my stories."
"Haruto," Kaito said.
"They're really cute," Akina agreed, nodding slightly. "But it's a brotherly thing, not a couple."
"You two go back inside," Kaito said. "You'll catch a chill, Haruto."
"I'll keep him warm," she laughed, pulling off her coat and wrapping it around Haruto's shoulders. "See? You can carry on now."
Ryoga raised an eyebrow and walked over slowly, lying a hand on Akina's head as she lifted her head too gaze up at him. "Inside, Akina."
"Are you and Kaito a couple?" she asked.
"Not for outsiders, Akina."
Ryoga knew Kaito was pulling a confused face at the words but Akina seemed to understand and nodded quickly, pulling Haruto back inside. The door closed and Ryoga turned Kaito, who looked concerned.
"Sometimes, when siblings are close, your feelings for one, can blur into your feelings for the other," Ryoga muttered.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kaito snapped. "Ryoga, my feelings for you are- You're not letting them get to you, are you? I thought you of all people would know better. And most you are a little brother to me, nothing more, that is why I will support you no matter what you do, but never confuse my feelings for you as anything more."
"Then why are you trying to protect me so badly?"
"Didn't I just tell you? Because you're my friend." Ryoga shook his head and Kaito sighed. "Are you saying you wouldn't do the same if you suspected I was in danger of being hurt?"
"I don't know!" Ryoga snapped. "I just know that I care about him and it hurts and I don't know what I'm supposed to be thinking or feeling right now!"
"Ryoga," Kaito said, suddenly very intimidating. Ryoga fell still and quiet and Kaito sighed. "You have good instincts, Ryoga. You should trust them. And you should know that if Haruto turns out like you, I'd be very proud."
"Without the delinquency?"
"Of course. You are strong and a fantastic duellist and one of the bravest most caring people I have ever met." Ryoga was sure his cheeks were heating up by now. "And that's why I'll be there for you no matter what or how you deal with this supposed debt. Although, if you tell anyone I've said any of this I will have to remove your soul once more." Ryoga smiled slightly and nodded. "Good. Now, come inside and deal with your kid."
Ryoga nodded again as Kaito strode back towards the tower. Did he mean it? Would he really be there no matter what? Kaito had hunted souls and been forgiven. Did that mean he could admit to his new power and Kaito would accept it? Would he stand by him and support him still?
"Kaito?" he called nervously.
"What, Ryoga?" Kaito replied, pausing and glancing over his shoulder. "Come on, let's make this quick so we can find a way to repay your debt without any more souls being taken."
Of course. Hunting souls was wrong, no matter why you did it. No matter who he was trying to protect, he was in the wrong, wasn't he? They wanted to find another way. They wanted him to find some other way but he'd done it for them. He sighed and pulled out his D-Pad.
Shark: I've spoken to Kaito. Is everything he said true?
There was silence for a moment and Ryoga wondered if he was getting the silent treatment now. Finally, after what felt like hours, his D-Pad lit up again. Only it wasn't Ken.
Fateful: He can't answer you right now.
Shark: What the hell have you done? What's going on?
Fateful: He's looking after his siblings right now, don't worry. For now.
Shark: What do you want?
Fateful: I was just thinking that perhaps you shouldn't trust your friend quite so much.
Shark: What? Kaito?
Fateful: Given you are now a comrade, let me share something with you.
A picture was sent over and Ryoga frowned. Just as he was about to open it, Kaito called to him again and his head snapped up. He couldn't let Kaito get suspicious. He shoved his D-Pad back into its place and ran after him into the elevator. Whatever it was, it couldn't be important right now. It could wait until he got home.
In the Next Chapter: Yuma is starting to worry about Shark, Kaito seeks advice on how to help him through, Rio is a little lost and Wrath's power is awakened.
Not For Outsiders
