A/N: So are we ready for a fun new chapter? In which Honour is very very mean to Ryoga and our little Shark is about ready to have a break down. So, thank you, enjoy and review, ok?
"That's impressive," Honour murmured.
Ryoga's eyes opened slowly. There was a dark energy field around him, tearing up the concrete around him. But he wasn't worried. He was smiling. Despite everything he was smiling.
"It's blind power though," Honour continued. "You don't have the skill or experience to control it yet." He sneered and pain flashed through Ryoga's chest again. "Compared to my focused power, you've not got much. Beside, I'm already in your head, there's no beating me."
Ryoga forced himself to his feet and lifted his head through the pain. When he looked at Honour, he was different now. A dark aura rippled around him. Pure dark power.
"Why?" Ryoga growled. "Why did you do this to me?"
"Oh? You think this is all I can do?" Honour laughed. "If you must know why, Ken asked me for help. He was always a dear friend of mine so I couldn't refuse him."
Ken… Ryoga's fists clenched and another wave of dark energy burst from the energy field. Honour laughed and stepped easily out of the way and clenched his fist. Again Ryouga's chest froze and clenched and Ryoga nearly fell to his knees once more.
"Look at that power," he teased. "Absolutely incredible, don't you think? I'm not entirely sure what it is about you that made him change his mind."
"He changed his mind?"
"Let's not worry about him," Honour replied with a shrug. "You should be worrying about me. But if you want to chat, tell me about your friend Kaito?"
"My friends have nothing to do with this!" Ryoga yelled. "I accepted this power so you lot would leave them alone! You stay away from them!"
Honour laughed. "You think I care about Pride's orders? Don't get me wrong, I'm loyal to the group. I'm still a hunter. But I don't care about his decision to make you one of us. I've been given a task and I won't stop until it's done, whether Pride dislikes that or not."
"A task?" he said Honour smirked. "This is because of Miki." He laughed and nodded. "What have you done to me?"
"Didn't you think it was weird?" he laughed. "Falling so hard for Ken so quickly? You think that kind of passion comes from nowhere?" Ryoga's eyes widened as it sunk in and Honour laughed. "It all happened so quickly. Didn't you find it strange how even the slightest touch made you go weak? It's basic knowledge. If you get a good reaction from something, you repeat it and try to get more. It's the basic principal of addiction really. And you know what happens when you can't have what you're addicted to?"
Ryoga's eyes closed and anger welled up in his chest again, the dark energy around him pulsing. "Then none of this was real? Everything that happened between us was because of you?! Nothing we felt for each other was real?!"
Honour smirked. "Hurts, doesn't it?"
Ryoga lunged for him and Honour laughed, moving to slam him into the wall of a nearby building. That warm heat filled him and Ryoga clenched his fists. It wasn't fair. This wasn't right. Ken had made him heart race and his mind hazy just like this. He closed his eyes, struggling as much as he could but feeling so good made it almost impossible.
"You see?" Honour whispered in his ear. "I made you two fall for each other, I can just as easily make you hate each other."
"Stop," Ryoga said weakly, his body refusing to work with him. He couldn't even struggle anymore. He didn't want to. He wanted to press closed to the person who made him feel so incredible. But it was all fake. It was all forced and unnatural. "Stop it."
"Say please," he teased, one hand sliding up under Ryoga's shirt. Ryoga twisted and gasped, wanting desperately to shove him away and put distance between them but his body automatically arching to his touch and wanting more. "Or are you enjoying yourself a little too much?"
"Please," he hissed, turning away. "Please stop."
"You're pathetic," Honour said, stepping away and all but dropping him. Ryoga almost collapsed against the wall, closing his eyes and struggling to regain his breath and stop trembling. The warm fuzzy feeling vanished and Ryoga was left cold and empty. "So, here's the question, what if I'm lying?"
"What?" Ryoga said, lifting his head.
"What if I'm lying?" he laughed with a shrug. "What if I'm wrong? What if your feelings for each other are real?"
What if…? Honour laughed and Ryoga went cold, wrapping his arms around himself. This was all too much. Honour seemed to have complete control over his emotions and heart and he didn't know what was real or forced anymore. His heart was pounding and he felt the overwhelming urge to be sick. What he and Ken had could have been completely forced, completely controlled by Honour? Did Ken feel the same thing he did whenever they were together? What if their feeling had all been arranged by Honour just to hurt him? How could they ever fix things if that was the case? But then, what if their feelings were real? Would they be doubting themselves all the time? And if Honour could do all this, what else could he do?
The dark energy that had flooded him was fading and Ryoga felt weaker than ever, slowly sliding down the wall, struggling to breathe. He shouldn't have been so hasty, running away from Kaito like that. He should have stayed. At least he knew Katio was genuine and honest with what he felt. Or was he? If Honour could control this much, what if he'd been playing with everyone else too? What if Kaito's troubles making out his feelings was due to Honour playing with them? After all, it was a bit out of the blue.
Honour's laughter filled his ears and it was all he could think about. How could he even fight him if he couldn't control himself? How was he supposed to go against him? Even having sold his soul and accepted this power, he wasn't strong enough to protect himself, let alone the people he loved. But if he lost now, his friends were in danger again.
"Don't worry," Honour said. "I don't intend to finish you here. Not yet." Ryoga forced his eyes open, staring up at him. "I'm far from done with you. There's so much more pain in your future, Ryoga. I can't wait until you break once and for all."
"Why?" Ryoga panted. "Why are you doing this to me?"
"Because it was asked of me," he replied with a shrug. "And when I agree to do something, I see it through and do it thoroughly. So, what do you think we should do next, Ryoga? Shall we see if you and Ken can work without my help? Or shall we see if Kaito wants you more than your sister?"
"If you want to hurt me, come after me!" he snapped, glaring up at him weakly. "But leave them out of this!"
"Oh, but there's no fun in that, Ryoga," he said, leaning down to gaze into his eyes. "So, keep struggling and I'll keep driving you deeper into despair." He laughed cruelly. "You're not strong enough to protect what you love, and you're not worthy of the name Wrath or Mother's favour."
"Mother?" he repeated. Mother Grace? Did that mean… Honour was one of Mother Grace's kids? But there were only two boys. And this wasn't Hiro. That meant Honour could only be… Ken. "No!"
"What's with that look?" Honour laughed, cupping his chin and tilting his head up. Ryoga couldn't fight him anymore. He couldn't. He was emotionally drained. He couldn't handle this anymore. "What's wrong, Ryoga?"
Now he was listening, Ryoga heard something of Ken's voice. It was a little deeper and smoother, more mature but he couldn't shake it now. He couldn't ignore the similarities and it tore him apart. And Honour was just smiling down at him. His insides twisted and churned. It couldn't be real. This couldn't be happening. He opened his mouth weakly, trying to form some sort of coherent sentence but he couldn't.
Honour clicked his tongue and stepped away slightly, apparently bored with his inability to express anything. It couldn't be Ken. This sadistic, cruel hunter couldn't be Ken. He closed his eyes, wishing so much that he'd stayed with Kaito now. It would have saved him so much pain.
"Don't tell me you're broken already?" Honour laughed. "Then what am I going to tell Pride? We were going to have fun making you squirm as you sister suffered."
"Rio?!" All his pain was pushed aside and finally he was truly angry. Good. He'd rather be angry. He'd rather be able to access the wrath he'd been named for than sit there as a weak, hurt child. "What have you done to Rio?!"
"She's safe," he replied with a shrug. "For now. All your loved ones are."
"Where is she?!"
"Pride has her. You're aware that she has something about her that isn't normal, don't you? I'm sure he can find a use for her."
Ryoga clenched his jaw, finding the dark power inside him and focusing it all on Honour. And the dark energy hit Honour square in the chest, sending him flying back and slamming into the ground with a thud. Ryoga forced himself from the wall, striding towards him, nor caring about anything but destroying him. He'd threatened Rio, he'd played with his emotions and torn his heart out and he expected to be let off? He was going to tear him apart so Honour felt all the pain he'd been going through. He raised his hands, ready to throw all his power at him and destroy him, duels be damned.
Only suddenly Glory was right in front of him, blocking his shot. He clenched his jaw and went to shove her out the way, but Glory caught his wrist, holding her ground and glaring at him.
"Move!"
"Get a hold of yourself," Glory snapped. "You're honestly going to end his life? Souls can be returned, life can't!"
"But Rio-"
"Would hate seeing you like this! You leave him to me." She turned and Ryoga clenched his fists. Honour was already walking away. "Go back to Kaito or something."
"Miki!" he called, the anger fading slightly. She paused and glanced back. "Is he- I mean is Honour-"
"Spit it out, Kamishiro."
"What was Ken called?"
Miki frowned and Ryoga didn't want to be right. He just wanted to be wrong. He wanted Kaito to be wrong. He wanted Ken to be a good person who honestly cared about him. He didn't want to admit he'd been so naïve.
"He's retired, Kamishiro," Glory said, walking away. "I would have felt him return, and you will too now your powers are active. And he misses you."
"What was he called?" he asked again.
"Despair." Ryoga let out a small breath. "However…"
"However?" he insisted.
She frowned and stopped again. "However, you're not the first Wrath. There are very few first generation hunters left. Most of us are teenagers before we're more likely to be willing to do Pride's bidding, right? Teens are so dramatic and just think of the present, not the future." She frowned and laid her hands on her hips. "You picked Wrath's box. I don't know what would happen if Despair opened Honour's box."
She turned and carried on before Ryoga could question her any further. It was all too much. He couldn't handle it anymore. It hurt too much. His powers were too much. He'd given up everything to protect them and it all seemed to be for nothing.
With the hunters and Barians around, Kaito didn't feel right leaving Haruto unguarded at night. So he was searching Heartland on foot, trying to track Ryoga before he put himself in danger. Why had Ryoga come behind their back and become a hunter? And worse, why hadn't he trusted them enough to tell them?
As he ran, a pair hunter wandered past in the opposite direction. For a moment, Kaito considered going after him, but he needed to find Ryoga. As long as the hunter hadn't seen there for Ryoga. Moments later, Glory came running passed. This time Kaito did stop her. He reached out and caught her wrist, tugging her around only to nearly take a slap for it.
"Oh, Kaito," she said drawing her hand back from his hold. "I thought you were someone else."
"I noticed," he muttered. "Who was that who just went by?"
"Honour," Glory replied. Kaito frowned. He'd heard that name somewhere. Who was Honour? Why did he know that name? "Don't worry, I'm sorting him but Ryoga needs help."
Now she had his undivided attention. "Where is he? What happened?"
"I don't know I only caught the end of it. But he was pretty shaken up. He was about to kill Honour and then he looked completely broken. Just go down there. He's not too far away."
Kaito nodded, thanking her quickly before running off down the road, praying that he'd find Ryoga safe and well. And finally, he saw him, huddled up in the darkness. He thanked whatever deity it was out there that Ryoga was unharmed and ran over. Poor Ryoga looked completely broken, sitting on the floor and leaning on the closest building, his knees drawn up to his chest and his head buried in his arms. His first instinct was to comfort him and drag him home but he paused now he was closer.
He'd thought it was just the light but it wasn't. Ryoga's hair had been turned black, like all the other hunters, and there were strange markings on his face. The younger child boy showed no sign of even noticing him.
"Ryoga?" Kaito said gently, kneeling in front of him. He sighed and reached out, gently laying a hand on his shoulder. "Ryoga?"
"My name is Wrath."
"What?"
Ryoga lifted his head and Kaito's eyes widened slightly. There was something so different in his eyes. Something darker and hurting and angry. Ryoga glared up at him for a moment and Kaito squeezed his shoulder but a sudden dark energy flared up and threw him away. Kaito hit the ground with groan, struggling to open his eyes. What the hell was that? He forced himself to sit up. Ryoga was on his feet, slowly walking out into the road to face him.
"Ryoga?"
"My name is Wrath," he repeated.
"Wrath…" Kaito said, slowly climbing to his feet. What was that dark energy? Was this the power those hunters had? "No, you're Ryoga. You know that."
"What's the point?" he murmured. "That's weakness."
"Weakness?"
"Kamishiro Ryoga is weak, and always has been," he replied. Kaito frowned. He remembered how Ryoga had shut himself off and become known as Shark to hide his perceived weaknesses and failures. Was that happening again? "That's why Rio's in danger. That's why he was used and hurt. That's why everyone Ryoga loves ends up hurt."
"That's not true, Ryoga, you're strong," Kaito argued. "You're not weak! And if Rio's in danger, we'll save her! Didn't I tell you I'd support you though this no matter what?! Stop being so stupid and stubborn and let me help you."
"Don't get involved," Wrath hissed, turning away. "I'll sort this out on my own."
Kaito frowned and ran forwards, catching Ryoga's wrist and pulling him around. "You're in no state to be doing anything on your own."
Ryoga tried to yank his hand from Kaito's hold, glaring up at him furiously. He wasn't going to let him go like this. He wasn't thinking straight. He needed to be kept calm and safe. They struggled for a moment before Kaito managed to force Ryoga to his knees, kneeling with him, wrapping his arms around him to hold him still and stroking his hair as he had earlier. In the end, Ryoga was struggling and yelling so much Kaito had no choice but to cover his mouth with a hand as gently as he could, murmuring to him as reassuringly as he could given the situation.
"Come on, Ryoga," he sighed. "I know you're still in there. If you keep this us it's only a matter of time before someone sees and sticks their nose in." Finally, Ryoga began to stop struggling and just sat there trembling. "There, that's better. That's better, Ryoga. Just calm down."
The markings on Ryoga's face began to fade and his hair lightened to its normal colour. Content that Ryoga was more relaxed, Kaito slowly removed his hand from his mouth and returned to stroking his hair.
"Kaito…"
"I'm here, Ryoga," Kaito said gently. "I'm here. I'm not going anywhere. I'm going to take you home and look after you."
"No, Rio's in danger," Ryoga argued, trying to squirm loose. "I have to find her."
"No," he said firmly. "I will do my best to find Rio, and I'll help you but right now you need rest and I'm not taking no for an answer." He pulled Ryoga up gently and, as expected, Ryoga tried to break free but Kaito kept a tight hold on him. He was weakened somehow so it wasn't hard. "Stop that, I'm not letting you go and in the state you're in I'm not sure you'll make it very far anyway."
Ryoga groaned and gave in, letting Kaito take his weight and guide him away. He was surprisingly light. There were a few trips and stumbles but they made it back to the tower before it got too late. After quickly checking in with Obital and being reassured that Haruto was still alright, Kaito took Ryoga through to hi bedroom. The younger teen was obviously struggling to stay with him and desperately needed rest, so Kaito doubted he'd be any more hassle that night.
By now, Ryoga could barely keep his eyes open and was going to drop out of consciousness any second but Kaito insisted he at least took off his shoes before getting into bed and before he knew it, Kaito was helping Ryoga out of his purple shirt. His gaze trailed down to the tattoo, half hidden under Ryoga's top. It marked him out as theirs. As a hunter.
He frowned and turned away, only pausing when Ryoga called to him. "This is your room?"
"Yes."
"Why and where are you going?"
"I want you somewhere I can keep an eye on you," Kaito said, folding his arms. "You're going through something difficult and I need to find Rio for you. Go to sleep, Ryoga. I'll be back soon. I'm just going to check on Haruto."
In the Next Chapter: Kaito struggles not to let his feelings of betrayal push Ryoga further in the hands on the hunters. Yuma struggles to understand why things are so tense between Kaito and Shark and Haruto and Akina are causing trouble.
Love Duels
