A/N: Right so today was less panicky than I thought so I had time to do this for you. More Kaito and Shark, more from Rio, and more Haruto and Akina before idiots and adorable and Yuma and the gang turn up. So yes, thanks for the reviews, keep them coming and enjoy.


Waking up in bed with Kaito for the second time in one day was certainly interesting. It was nice. Kaito's bed was comfortable and warm and really just what he needed with all that had happened recently. Despite Kaito constantly trying to wind him up and then holding him until he submitted to his control, it was interesting.

And different.

When he'd been with Ken, despite being inexperienced, he had control, he was stronger and the more assertive of the pair. Kaito didn't allow that though. Kaito was the boss and he made sure Ryoga knew it. He found himself wondering if this was what it was like with an older lover, if this was what Chris and Kaito had been like.

"You're awake then?" Kaito murmured. Ryoga nodded slightly. "Are you feeling better now?" He nodded again and Kaito stroked his hair, sending shivers through him. "Sometimes grumpy kids just need a nap."

Ryoga jerked away but Kaito smirked and gripped his wrists, forcing him down on his back and leaning over him. There was silence for a while and Ryoga twisted his wrists, trying to break his hold but Kaito held him as firmly as ever.

"Have you really not understood this yet?" Kaito said.

"Get off me," he hissed. Kaito smiled and tugged him up. Ryoga thought for a moment he'd be able to slip away but Kaito's arm wrapped around him and his wrists ended up in one of Kaito's hands and before he knew it, he'd landed sitting in Kaito's lap. "Kaito! Get it through your head, this is not happening."

"And you get it through your head that you're sending me a lot of mixed messages."

"That's no excuse to-"

"It hurt finding out you were one of them," Kaito said. Pain flashed through him and he scowled, pulled furiously at his wrists and struggling desperately but instead of escaping, he ended up just falling closer to him. He closed his eyes, gripping Kaito's shirt, his hands resting over Kaito's pounding heart as his warm breath brushed his ear. "And that you didn't trust me enough to tell me."

"I tried, I told you that," Ryoga replied.

"I won't let him hurt you." Another shiver bolted through him and he clenched his eyes tightly. "Ryoga, no matter how much he tries to hurt you, I won't let you end up like Yuma. I know how much it hurts, believe me, and you won't end up like that as long as I'm around."

"Maybe it's easier to let go and stop trying."

"When Chris left, it tore me apart, you know," Kaito said gently. Ryoga's fists clenched a little more as soft kisses move along his neck. "I spent months trying to figure out why, what I'd done to make him hate me. Ryoga, this is not your fault. You're so strong and they are blaming you for something someone else decided to do. I won't let you suffer for something someone else did."

"Why are you doing all this?" He struggled to get loose again but Kaito tightened his hold and pulled him tighter against his chest, holding him still. "Stop trying to make me feel guilty."

"I'm not," he argued. "If you must know, I began to treat you civilly after we duelled my father because I felt guilty about taking your soul when you were obviously only protecting someone who meant a lot to you." Ryoga's eyes cracked open and he lifted his head to find Kaito smiling slightly. "You have nothing to feel guilty about. You haven't taken a soul, you've protected the people you care about and perhaps helping you, all other feelings aside, will make up a little bit for everyone I've hurt."

Ryoga stared up at him for a long moment before leaning up and pressing their lips together. It was all so wrong. He still wanted Ken. He wanted that softness and tenderness and… that warm, hazy feeling that came with his touch. And maybe Kaito was nothing more than a way for him to vent his frustrations and distract himself from how painful this was. But Kaito was there and offering him everything he needed. Who was he to turn it down?

And what happened when they figured out what they really wanted? It would all be so awkward. He could lose one of his closest friends. He jerked back and went to scramble away before Kaito could stop him but it didn't work. Kaito squeezed his wrists until Ryoga was sure he was going to have hand shaped bruises and forced him to remain in place until he sat still.

"Don't back away from me, Ryoga," he said firmly.

"Let go."

"No. Not until you calm down. When you're struggling, I want you right here," Kaito replied. "I want you here with me, Ryoga. Whether you're angry or scared or frustrated or hurting, whatever it is, I want you to be able to come to me with everything. If you need to lash out, I'll take it, alright. I want you to be honest with your emotions. I want you to be completely honest with me from now on. I don't care if you keep secrets from Rio and Yuma and everyone else, but you're going to be one hundred per cent honest with me from now on. Understand?"

"Don't tell me what to do."

"Do you understand, Ryoga?" Ryoga clicked his tongue and turned away but Kaito squeezed his arm around him. "Ryoga? Answer me."

"What is wrong with you?"

"This is the only way to get anything out of you," Kaito snapped. "You just run off every time things get hard so I have no option but to keep you in one place by force. Now, are you going to be honest with me or not?"


Rio let a small smile come to her lips, looking slowly around the water garden. She couldn't escape. She'd tried to but there was a strange energy around the house stopping her leaving. But she could wander the grounds. Pride seemed uninterested in her but Hiro and the woman, who she now knew to be Envy, kept an eye on her. Even they refused to go near the water gardens though. It was quiet and beautiful.

There was a bridge over the lake to a small island just off the shore. She frowned and crossed quietly, listening to the waves lapping at the shore and her footsteps on wood. The island was shaded by a few weeping willows and in the dappled shade grew beautiful flowers, just coming into bloom. It smelt so pretty and felt almost magical. And in the middle of the small island was a little fairy statue. She frowned and glanced down at the golden panel on the stand.

This fairy garden marks the grave of Tsukikage Miki.

Grave? This was Miki's grave? But she went to their school. She was alive. Rio frowned and gazed down at the dates. Ten years ago. She died when she was just a child. How was this possible?

"What are you doing in my garden?" Rio flinched and glanced over her shoulder. Miki was there, hands on her hips, glaring at her. "What are you doing here?"

"You…" Rio paled slightly, glancing back at the grave. "You're dead."

"Don't threaten me," Miki hissed. "I was just asking a question."

"No, I mean…" Rio didn't know what to say so just gestured to the statue. "You…"

"That's just a statue."

"Haven't you read the plaque?"

"What plaque?" Rio pointed down at the golden plate and Miki frowned, stepping closer but stopped as Hiro called from the gardens. "Never mind."

"Miki," Rio cried.

"I can't help you," she muttered. "I'm sorry."

Rio frowned as she walked away. Did Miki really not know that she'd died? Or had she? Was it just a joke? Some ridiculous, unfunny joke. That seemed like something more likely. Miki couldn't be dead.

"H-hey, wait, Miki," Rio called, running after her. Miki paused and let her catch up. The pair walked quietly over the bridge and Rio frowned. She didn't know if she could get on and be civil with Miki but she had to try. "Is… is Ryoga alright?"

Miki frowned. "He's playing a dangerous game."

"But Ken's looking after him?" Miki laughed bitterly and Rio frowned. "What's happened?"

"Ken made some bad choices as well, although I wonder if his choices have been influenced by other people more than they should have been."

"I don't understand."

Miki lifted her head and Rio followed her gaze to Hiro up at the top of the bank. "He disliked Kamishiro more than anyone. He didn't approve of Ken wanting to play with him, he'd rather just make him pay his debt and then remove him. If Ken started to change his mind and care about him, perhaps he did something."

"You think he'd do that?" Rio whispered.

"All I know is that I haven't felt Despair and Honour seems far too much like Ken." She frowned and folded her arms. "He swears he opened his own box, that Honour isn't in control but… it's hard to tell."

"I still don't get it."

Miki turned to her and she took a slight step back. "Honour can't be controlled. It's usually a good force but it takes complete control when something needs to be dealt with. It won't stop and it's after Kamishiro and if it really is in control of Ken it will destroy him."

"Then we have to save him!"

"There's no saving your brother," Hiro said, adjusting his glasses. "Come with me, Rio, Pride wants to see you."

Rio frowned, following Hiro silently while Miki hung back with Envy. "I hear Akina destroyed Fruy this morning."

"Wrath saved his soul," Envy replied. "But he won't be so lucky when Fate goes after him."

"He'll have to go through me first," Miki laughed.

"I think he's already proven he's got no problems there."

There was silence for a while and Rio walked at Hiro's side. She had no idea what to do but wait now. Would Ryoga be able to find her here or would she have to do this all herself? And what about Miki?

"She doesn't know she's dead."

"Would you tell your brother something like that?" Hiro replied. "It will tear her apart."

"What happened?" Rio asked quietly.

"She and our mother were out on the lake," he replied, lowering his head. "The boat tipped over and she drowned."

"I'm sorry."

"Pride became obsessed with bringing her back," he said, pushing his hands into his pockets. "And he succeeded."

"You really can't tell," she said, frowning slightly.

"You can. You didn't know her back then. Those sea monsters used to scare her. She used to love fairies and princess and stuff little girls should love. Then, when she came back, she was obsessed with monsters from the deep. She became bonded to them. And her cuteness was replaced by hideous creatures."

"That can't be such a bad thing. Tastes change."

"Yes, and so did her duelling. She improved over night. But it's not the same. You'll see."

She frowned and Hiro led her down into the cellar. It was strange. There was hundreds, maybe thousands of fireflies inside a glass container on one side, and lots of tubes on the other. Capsules like from people. It was almost right out of a sci-fi movie. And one the side was a picture of Miki and Pride.

Pride was sitting at a computer screen, typing quietly. Hiro cleared his throat and Pride turned. "Hello, Rio."

"Pride."

"Tell me, Rio, your powers, can you control them?" Pride asked.

"What powers?" Rio snapped.

"Don't think I'm stupid, Rio," he replied. "You can see things, sense things. I want you to use that power."

"I don't know, I don't control them, I just get feelings and know things and… I can't use them and even if I couldn't I wouldn't for you."

He smiled and stood as Hiro laid his hands on her shoulders from behind. "I'm sure if you helped Father, he could see his way to helping your brother."

"Her brother?" said a boy from the corner. Rio glanced over. He was a tall, well built boy with dark brunette hair and burning red eyes. "Someone else pathetic?"

"You felt his power," Envy snapped coming in. "He's the new Wrath." The boy's eyes widened and Rio glared up at them. Wrath? They kept mention him. And he was… Ryoga? "His power is incredible."

"We all felt it," Pride snapped. "You're aware of Honour's re-emergence?"

"Yes," Hiro replied. "I made sure Honour was around in case Ken changed his mind."

"What about Ken?" Rio snapped.

Hiro sneered and leant down, whispering in her ear. "He only ever wanted to hurt you dear big brother. And Honour will make sure it all happens. But if you help us, we can help you two."

"Don't hurt him," Rio cried, turning to glare at him. "You leave him alone! I don't care what you do to me I won't let you hurt him!"

"Then we have a deal," Pride said, opening up a capsule. "The more helpful you are, the more helpful I will be for you and your brother."

Hiro caught her arms and pulled her over to the capsule and Rio struggled weakly. The other boy came over and caught one of her arms and the shoved her into the capsule, strapping her wrists into place. She twisted and struggled to pull away but they quickly had her completely restrained. Hiro smiled and shut the lid as Pride came over.

"Now, just relax," he said quietly. "And everything will be ok. You're going to bring my daughter back."

"I don't like the sound of that," Rio whispered.

"Don't worry. It won't hurt much."

"Much?"

He smiled and turned to his computer, typing for a moment before something above her head whirred. Rio stared up at it for a moment before something shot through her and a scream tore from her lips. It was agony. Worse than anything she'd felt since that fire. At least there were painkillers in the hospital.

"Ryoga!"


"Rio!"

Kaito's head snapped up. He barely managed to get to Ryoga in time to catch him when he stumbled and fell. His eyes were clouded over with pain and he was panting heavily, clutching his chest. Haruto gave a surprised yelp as Akina gasped and fell to her knees and Kaito struggled to get Ryoga to relax.

"Ryoga," Kaito said gently, gripping his shoulders. "Ryoga, are you alright?"

"Rio," he panted, his fists clenching around Kaito's collar. "Rio's in pain. I can feel her."

"It's ok," he murmured. "It's ok. Here, sit down." He pulled him over to a park bench and Ryoga closed his eyes, still hanging onto him tightly. "What's going on, Ryoga? What's happening to Rio?"

"I don't know," he cried. "I've never felt anything like this before."

"Kaito!" Haruto called. Kaito glanced over and found Haruto kneeling with Akina, who was obviously in pain too. "What's going on?"

"It must be something to do with you two being hunters," Kaito said. "Akina, do you know what's happening?"

"Pride is drawing power from us all," Akina whispered. "I don't know why. This hasn't happened in a long time. Usually one of his experiments."

"Experiments?" Ryoga said, his voice hoarse and rough. "What's he doing to Rio?"

"I don't know!"

"Akina!" Kaito glanced up and found Yma and his gang running over. "Akina, are you ok?"

"Yuma," Haruto called. "She's hurt. Someone's draining her and Shark's energy."

"Shark too?!" he cried, turning to Kaito and Ryoga. "Well, we have to find the people doing it and stop them!"

"Just stay out of this Yuma," Ryoga snapped, glaring over.

Kaito frowned, stroking his arm gently and trying to reassure him. He knew he'd said Ryoga could keep secrets from everyone else if he wanted but sometimes it felt like Ryoga didn't trust any of them. Yuma frowned and gently knelt with Akina, holding her and trying to comfort her in the same way as he did Ryoga.

Noticing Yuma wasn't paying at attention, Kaito leant down slightly and kissed Ryoga's cheek. "He's just trying to help, don't be rude."

"I'm in pain I'll be rude if I want to!" Ryoga snapped, tugging back.

"Ryoga," he snapped as Yuma glanced over. He gripped Ryoga's shoulder and caught he chin, forcing him to sit still. "Don't think just because we're in public I won't treat you exactly the same as I do at home."

"I'm in pain, you asshole," he argued.

"Kaito? Shark?" Yuma said, looking lost and leaving Akina with Kotori. "What's wrong with you two?"

"You think that'll stop me?" Kaito hissed.

In all honesty, it wouldn't. He didn't really care what Yuma or his friends thought of him. He wanted Ryoga. He wasn't even going to deny that anymore. Whether it was going to last or was just a phase brought on by Ryoga's pain, he wanted him badly. And his mind said it was wrong, that Ryoga was a child and he was using him and hurting and just wanted comfort and he was being a little rough with someone he cared about but it didn't matter anymore. He needed more than friendship from Ryoga.

"I dare you," Ryoga growled.

"Stop it!" Yuma yelled, pushing in between them. "Stop fighting!"

"No," Haruto said, folding his arms. "Chris said you have to let them argue."

"Chris?" Kaito said with Ryoga. "You've been talking to Chris about us?"

"Yeah, now we're done," Ryoga said, getting up.

"Ryoga," he snapped, following him. Yuma quickly got in between them and pushed his hands against Kaito's chest. "Don't walk away from me, Ryoga."

"Not so tough when you can't force me down, right?" he sneered.

"Yuma-"

"Stop fighting with him," Yuma cried. "He's hurt and so is Akina, stop arguing."

Kaito clenched his jaw. He wasn't going to let Ryoga walk away now. Not now. He had to keep Ryoga pinned or he'd calm down and clear his head and put up barriers again. Kaito was starting to wear him down. He couldn't let him regroup.

"Ryoga-"

"Just leave me alone!" Ryoga yelled, something almost pleading in his voice. "I need to be alone!"

"It'll be ok," Yuma said gently. "He just needs time."

"Yuma, you don't understand," Kaito hissed. "Get out of my way."

"No, you and Shark had to stop arguing!"

"You're supposed to let them argue," Haruto said again. "It's how they bond. Like competition."

Kaito was done with this. He pushed Yuma aside and threw out his Duel Anchor. The whip circled around Ryoga's wrist and the younger boy's eyes widened. He pulled away but the look in his eyes made it obvious he already knew even at full strength he couldn't escape. He gripped the red rope and tugged Ryoga back over. Ryoga stumbled within reach and Kaito ignored Yuma's protests and, reaching around Ryoga, forced his wrists back so he could loop the Anchor around them.

Now completely trapped, although not that it stopped him struggling and fighting, Ryoga glared up at him.

"Kaito, let him go!" Kotori cried. "Please, everyone's hurt, stop fighting!"

"I told you, didn't I?" Kaito snapped, ignoring them all. Ryoga was his only focus. "I won't stand for this." He jerked him closer so their bodies were pressed together and they were nose to nose. "Do not back away from, Ryoga."

"Kaito?" Yuma whispered. "Stop it, you'll hurt him."

"I won't do everything you tell me, Kaito," Ryoga snapped back, glaring up at him defiantly. Good, that was just what Kaito wanted most. "You want to keep your ex in the loop, you can forget about me."

"Ex?" one of Yuma's friends called.

"About Shark?" another muttered.

"He's my friend, Ryoga," Kaito replied. "You're so petty and jealous you can't see that."

"I'm petty and jealous?" Ryoga hissed, glaring up at him. "You only wanted me once I got a boyfriend."

"I won't let you suffer alone."

"So I have to put up with you?" Kaito jerked him up so he was on his tiptoes, pulling at his bound wrists and making him hiss in pain. "Let go."

"You're always constantly demanding things of me," Kaito muttered. "Learn to ask nicely."

"Please," Yuma said. "Please stop arguing. You're friends, you shouldn't fight."

After a long moment of glaring at each other, Ryoga tilted his head away. "Will you please let go?"

"That's a good boy," Kaito murmured in his ear. He felt the shudder run through Ryoga as he kissed his cheek once more, out of sight of the others. "Continue to behave and I'll treat you later."

"I'm not a child, Kaito," he whispered as Kaito undid the Anchor from his wrists. He didn't let him go straight away though, and Ryoga didn't put up any objections. "You can't bribe me with sweets."

"I was thinking something a little more enjoyable than sweets," he replied.

Ryoga flushed slightly, escaping from his hold and scurrying away, watching him warily. Kaito smirked and Ryoga turned away, folding his arms as Yuma sighed.

"No more fighting," Yuma said, getting between them. "Is Akina ok?"

"Better," Kotori said. "She just needs some time I think."

Kaito glanced over. Akina was now on Tetsuo's back, although Ryoga was striding over with the obvious intent of taking her from him. And Akina seemed all too happy to be in Ryoga's arms, murmuring his nickname softly and burying her head in his shoulder.

"Are you alright, Shark?" Yuma said.

"Yeah, fine," Ryoga replied, rather stiffly. It was obvious Ryoga was lying to Kaito but Yuma didn't seem to see it. Haruto ran over and took Kaito's hand. "We need to find Rio. Do you know where the hunter base is, Akina?"

"Why would Akina know?" Yuma said, running after them. Ryoga frowned and Akina glanced up. "Shark?"

"Akina? Are you a hunter?" Kotori said quietly.

"She's a good hunter!" Haruto snapped. Yuma glanced back. "She saved me. Just like-"

"Haruto," Kaito said gently. Haruto glanced up and he smiled. "Just let things come out naturally."

"Are you keeping secrets from us?" Yuma cried.

"Quiet, Yuma," Akina said. "I need rest, remember?"

Yuma's eyes widened but he fell silent and Ryoga smirked, laying a hand on her head gently. "She's brilliant."


In the Next Chapter: Ryoga faces the full version of Kaito's relationship with his mentor and Rio meets Grace.

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