A/N: You see this? This is a second chapter in one day. Do you know how much focus that takes on my part? Even with a break for painting tester pots in random patterns on my wall. I'm awesome. Now, this chapter we've got Kaito and Ryoga interacting, Shark Drake kicking ass, Miki's being an idiot Haruto is trying to comfort Kaito and an Arclight. Thanks for the reviews, enjoy, keep reviewing and see you next chapter.
"Miki, be careful!" Rio called.
"Why?!" Miki called back, laughing to herself.
Rio frowned. She'd been worrying about Miki since the morning before when she'd told her she'd died. Honour was sitting behind Rio on the bank, laughing to himself, watching Miki on the lake. She was in pain… and he was laughing with the voice of her best friend? How cruel could he be?
"I'm dead, what does it matter?!" Miki laughed.
"Miki!" she cried.
Suddenly, the boat tipped and Miki screamed as she was tossed into the lake. Rio screamed for her and Hiro came running to the edge of the lake, staring out at the rippling water. After a moment, he seemed concerned enough to want to go in after her but the surface broke and Miki emerged, tossing her head back as she took a gasp of air. Rio let out a sigh and smiled slightly. It was an impressive sight in the dim evening light.
"Miki," Hiro snapped, stretching over and pulling her to the shore. She was laughing again and Honour was cackling to himself. Rio frowned, ignoring Hiro yelling at Miki and her yelling back. She was watching the lake. That's what Grace had said, wasn't it? That sometimes she still saw Miki in the lake?
"She's still in the lake," she murmured. Hiro frowned and glared at her and Honour fell silent. "Her soul is still in the lake."
"What?!" Miki snapped.
"The place she died," Honour laughed. "She left her soul behind."
"Then it can stay there," she hissed, storming away. "I don't want it."
"Miki!" Rio called, running after her.
"The doctors are starting to worry," Haruto said quietly.
Kaito nodded but didn't move. He wasn't even sure how long he'd been lying there, but he was in too much pain. It was killing him. Why?! That was all that was turning through his head. Why couldn't he be there for Ryoga? Why hadn't duelled better? Why hadn't he been able to finish it quickly and give Ryoga the strength he needed to pull through this? Why couldn't he save him?
Why did he have to have these feelings for a child?!
"Is Shark going to die?" Haruto whispered.
"I don't know!" he snapped, sitting up and glaring down at him. Haruto drew back slightly and Kaito sighed, gently reaching over and taking his hands. "I'm sorry, Haruto. I'm just… I don't want to lose him."
Haruto nodded. "I don't want to lose him either. You should come and see him, Kaito. Try to wake him up again."
"I can't, Haruto," he murmured, closing his eyes. "Please stop asking."
"But you love him," he whispered.
"No, Haruto…" He sighed and shook his head. "I don't."
"Yes!" he insisted. "Yes, you do! You love him! And he loves you and that's why he came to see us the other night! And that why he hurts when you two argue! And that's why you're so hurt by him being in hospital! You love each other!"
"Stop it!" he cried, shaking his head. "Stop saying things like that, Haruto! Please!"
Haruto fell silent, tears slipping down his cheeks. But he squeezed Kaito's hands and smiled. Kaito didn't know how he could smile after Kaito had snapped at him like that. But he did. And after a moment, he launched forwards and wrapped his arms tightly around Kaito's neck, crying into his shoulder as Kaito held him tightly, forcing away his own tears.
How long had Ryoga been in hospital now? He wasn't even sure but the longer he remained there, the less likely it was he was going to leave. The thought tore at his heart but his mind kept reminding him how wrong it was. He should have just been worried about him as a friend, not as anything more. And it was hurting Haruto. He held Haruto like a life line. Haruto was all he had left.
And finally Kaito barriers broke and a sob escaped him, tears sliding down his cheeks. He was losing everything, just because he wasn't strong enough. He brushed his tears away, trying to regain some composure before he sat up straight and brushed Haruto's away.
"Haruto…" He smiled weakly. Protecting Haruto had to be where all his energy went. He had to focus on Kaito, not the others… not Ryoga. "I know you're scared. I know you're worried about Ryoga but no matter what happens to him, I need you to know I won't let you down. I'll look after you."
"But what if he doesn't wake up?" he whispered.
Kaito smiled weakly. "Then… it'll hurt and we'll struggle and it'll be really hard, but we'll keep moving forwards and we'll stick together and we'll get through it."
"But-"
"No buts," he said, stroking Haruto's cheeks. "It'd be a tragedy but we'll make it through. Now… it's dark, you should sleep."
Haruto nodded weakly and hurried out, letting Kaito fall back to his bed, tears sliding down his cheeks silently as he realised he'd been in bed since yesterday morning. Ryoga's life was slipping away the longer he was here and he could do nothing to help him. He couldn't even be at his side. He shouldn't want to be by his side as anything more than a friend. He shouldn't feel this way for him.
"Kaito," came his father's voice. He scowled and pulled his covered up over his head. The bed dipped at his side and his father's hand fell on his side through the blanket. "Kaito… you shouldn't hide yourself away."
"I want to be on my own," Kaito replied through gritted teeth. "I just want to stop feeling."
"You can't stop feeling altogether," he replied.
"Watch me."
"Kaito…" He sighed and Kaito closed his eyes. "Do you remember when Christopher left us?"
"Of course."
"And you remained in your room for nearly a week sulking because he didn't love you anymore?" Faker said. Kaito frowned and pulled the covers away slowly. Faker smiled. "You thought I didn't know?" He nodded slightly. "I always knew. I saw you once or twice when you thought you had everyone believing your lies. You two were mad about each other, that was plain to see."
"What's the point of this?" Kaito muttered, folding his arms.
"The point is you have that exact same pout right now," Faker said. "You're suffering from a broken heart again."
"No I'm not. We're not talking about this. Leave me alone."
Faker sighed. "Ryoga has been here a lot recently." Kaito flinched no matter how he tried not to, and Faker patted his side. "Tell me what happened?"
"Why?!" he snapped. He hadn't really meant to snap but everything was just getting too much. It all hurt and people kept trying to help him and they just made it worse and everything was wrong. It was all so wrong. "You've never been a father to me before! All you've ever done is use me! So why do you suddenly get to act like a father now?! I've had to deal with this alone before, I can do it again!"
"Of course," Faker said, getting up again. "I apologise. I simply wanted to offer support."
"I don't want it! I just want to be alone…"
"You should let people help you, Kaito. We care about you."
The door closed and Kaito buried himself in his bedding again. He needed to be alone and isolated until the pain went away and his feelings for Ryoga faded. That was how he dealt with things. When things happened with Chris, he'd shut himself always until things stopped hurting and only Haruto had interfered but he was too young to understand. Why couldn't people let that happen with Ryoga too?
"Ryoga…"
The soft deep voice echoed around him and he frowned slightly. He was going insane. He was probably just exhausted from not sleeping for so long. He'd have to sleep again. He closed his eyes taking slow deep breaths. He just needed rest.
"Kaito…" He opened his eyes slowly and found himself in a dark hall way in front of a door. That voice was calling to him again. "Kaito… he needs us…"
"Who?" Kaito said quietly. "Who are you?"
"I'll need to borrow your strength," the voice replied. "Taking any more strength from him could kill him."
"Who?" Kaito snapped. There was a muffled scream from inside and begging and Kaito instantly recognised the voice. "Ryoga!"
He forced the door open and stumbled inside, stunned by what he saw. Ryoga was half on the floor, half in Ken's lap, his wrists chained and held up above his head and a gag in his mouth. Ken's slender fingers were wrapped around his jaw, holding his head back as he kissed his exposed through and his other arm was wrapped around Ryoga's body, holding his obviously weak body still. Ryoga seemed too weak to even fight, and what little strength he had was draining fast. What were Ken doing to him? Why was his mind showing him these horrible things in his dreams?
"Oh…" Ken purred, glancing up at Kaito. "Just in time to watch you become ours."
Ryoga's blurred gaze turned to him and Ken laughed, gesturing downwards. Kaito's gaze moved downwards. Ryoga's legs were sprawled out on the floor and between the, the floor was torn up, revealing water underneath. And sticking out from the water, moving slowly up Ryoga's lower body, was a very familiar blue snout.
"I can blindfold you, if you like, Ryoga," Ken murmured. "I wouldn't want you to be scared."
Kaito didn't know what to do. Nightmare Shark slowly lifted from the water, its blind head slowly moving higher, still sniffing his body as it went. Terror filled Ryoga's eyes and he struggled once more as the Number spread its wings to hover over him. Ken grinned against Ryoga's skin, tilting his head as Ryoga's squirmed. Moments later, there was a crack and Ryoga gave a weak cry. Kaito realised after a moment that Nightmare Shark's long whip like tail had wrapped around Ryoga's thighs, holding them forcefully still and the sharp razor like fin on the edge was pressed along his spine. Ryoga couldn't move. Any movements he could make under his own strength would injure him.
"Isn't that just perfect?" Ken said, nipping at his neck. Ryoga gasped and shivered visibly, scrunching his eyes shut. "What do you think, Kaito? Isn't he just stunning when he's forced to behave? You can have a go afterwards, if you like. He'll be the best puppet."
That snapped Kaito out of his trance. Whatever the hell was going on in his head to produce dreams like this, it didn't matter. He had to save Ryoga. If he couldn't have him in real life, he'd have his dreams until the pain faded. Nightmare Shark raised a bladed arm, the tip just above Ryoga's head, right between his eyes.
And Ryoga screamed through the gag. Kaito knew exactly who he was screaming for even with the gag and Ken and Nightmare Shark did too. Ken's face twisted in rage and Nightmare Shark's blade plunged forwards. Kaito was only a few steps away but suddenly his legs gave out. He felt weaker than ever before but there was a roar and Nightmare Shark's blade stopped resting delicately between Ryoga's eyes. The tilted floor exploded and Shark Drake came tearing out, it jaws clamping down on Nightmare Shark's body and shaking violently.
Ryoga screamed in agony and Kaito realised in horror Nightmare Shark still had its tail wrapped around his thighs and his razor sharp tail had torn across his back. There were droplets of blood on the floor and Ken sneered, his hand sliding over Ryoga's stomach and around to his back. Ryoga gave a small, uncomfortable whine, arching his back away from him. Kaito struggled back to his feet, ignoring how weak he suddenly felt. It must have been what Shark Drake meant when he said he'd have to take his energy. He was right. In the state Ryoga was in it would have killed him.
Shark Drake released Nightmare Shark, obviously aware of Ryoga's position now and instead moved to cover Kaito as he hurried forwards. He managed to knock Ken away, slamming him to the ground as Ryoga gave another scream. Kaito glanced back. Without Ken's support, his body had fallen back, only supported by the chains around his wrists so his shoulders jolted, and Nightmare Shark's tail sliced into his back once more.
This was when Shark Drake went for Nightmare Shark again and this time Nightmare Shark all but released Ryoga as they plunged into the water. Kaito pushed off the ground, leaving Ken lying there and hurried over to Ryoga, doing his best to unwrap Nightmare Shark's tail before he or Ryoga got cut again. The blade on its tail sliced across Kaito's cheek but he got Ryoga free and both Numbers disappeared into the depths of the water.
Free from Nightmare Shark's grasp, Ryoga pulled his legs up under him, finally able to take his own weight somewhere other than his arms. He struggled weakly with the chains, attempting to at least get them in a more comfortable position, Kaito guessed but instead of loosening, they tightened. Kaito hurried up to him, glancing around for Ken but he'd vanished. Only Ryoga to worry about then. He caught Ryoga's wrists and held the chains, stopping them from pulling up any further.
Kaito's gaze moved over him, checking him for any more serious damage, until finally, his gaze fell on a bite mark on Ryoga's neck. He frowned and before he could stop himself, he leant down and his lips fell over the mark, kissing it softly for a moment, loving the way Ryoga shivered and gasped through the gag. His free arm wrapped tightly around him, the blood from Ryoga's back coating his hand as he pulled Ryoga up closer. This was what his dreams were for. He had to be able to find his release for his frustrations in his dreams until the pain faded.
Ryoga tilted his head slightly, even encouragingly, giving a small moan as Kaito licked his neck. He smirked and moved slightly, releasing the chains once he was sure they weren't pulling Ryoga's wrists anymore and too his surprise, Ryoga almost instantly moved his still bound arms around his neck, watching him with a coy sparkle in his eyes. Kaito's smile softened and he reached up absently, stroking the younger boy's hair. How was he supposed to let him go? It hurt too much. But he had to do it, for Ryoga's own good.
He groaned slightly as Ryoga shifted in his lap, their hips rocking together at the movement. He lifted his head slightly and Ryoga was watching him, obviously curious about what had taken his attention from him. Kaito smiled softly, stroking his cheek.
"I want you," he whispered. Ryoga's cheeks flushed slightly and Kaito smirked. "I want you badly. I want you in sinful ways. In ways it's so wrong to want a boy your age." Throughout his confession, Ryoga just watched him silently, apparently not at all bothered by the way he was bound. "And everyone keeps telling me it's wrong but…" He reached up slowly and tugged the gag from the boy's mouth. "But I don't care. I want you. And at least for now, I can have you."
Despite all their passionate arguments and yelled out confessions, Kaito had never quite said this much. Not about this. He pressed his lips to Ryoga's in a deep, meaningful kiss. Even as a dream, he wanted to pour everything into it, he wanted Ryoga to know how much he truly adored him. And needed him.
"Tell me more," Ryoga pleaded. Kaito smiled, brushing their lips softly. Blushing and begging, he had Ryoga completely submissive. How cute. "Tell me more about how bad you are, wanting me so desperately."
"I… think you are the most beautiful creature I have ever seen," Kaito murmured against his lips. "And no boy your age should be so appealing. Everyone tells me I should be away from you, I should let you be and that I'm taking advantage of you. I've been banned from your side." Ryoga's eyes widened slightly and his hands closed around Kaito's coat. "And I would never abandon you willingly. But anyone who knows us, should know that I could never take advantage of you. They should know everything will be on your terms because I could never hurt the people I care about so much."
"Not such a little brother anymore," the younger boy teased.
"No…" he replied softly. "And I will be protective of you all my life, even though this is the only place we can be together now. I would never let anyone hurt you but someone has to make you happy where I can't."
"You make me happier than anything ever has," Ryoga argued. "I… wanted you to know… that I… I want this. Us. You."
"Ryoga…"
He kissed him deeply, reaching up and untangling the chains as quickly as he could. Ryoga's arms wrapped around him, one hand buried in his hair, pushing the kiss deeper. It was the perfect. Everything he wanted.
"Kaito…" called a soft voice. A familiar voice. He pulled Ryoga closer, struggling to ignore the voice. "Kaito, wake up."
No, he didn't want to wake up. He wanted to be with Ryoga. He wanted to stay with him, to be with him like he desperately wanted. To be able to hold him and be intimate with him without fearing what other people might think or how they would react.
"Kaito!" Haruto called.
Finally, he drew back from Ryoga. "What? What is it?"
"I… it's time for me to go," Kaito said softly, stroking his cheek. "I'm sorry. I wish I could stay longer, it feel like so little time."
"I don't want you to go," Ryoga said softly. "I want to be with you. I've been alone for so long."
"I'm sorry, Ryoga," he murmured. "I'm sorry. I need you to stay with me."
"Kaito!"
"I'm sorry," he repeated. "I'm sorry. I would never leave you willingly."
Ryoga clung to him and Kaito wrapped his arms around him, closing his eyes and burying his head in the boy's hair. He didn't want to lose him again. He didn't want to wake up and be forced to be away from Ryoga again.
"Kaito!" Haruto called. Kaito opened his eyes and found Haruto staring down at groaned and closed his eyes once more only to be shaken. "Kaito, guess who's here!"
"I don't care," Kaito said, rolling over and pulling the covers over his head. "You woke me up."
Haruto was lifted away and the door shut only for the bed to move. "Were you having a pleasant dream then?"
Kaito opened his eyes once more, pulling the covers away. Chris was smiling down at him. Why was he here? Why was he in his room? He sat up slowly and Chris' smile grew slightly. Why was he here? Why had he turned up what was going on?
"I'm sorry to have disturbed you, Kaito," Chris said gently. "However, I was worried about you. I was on my way here, I was going to make sure I was in the vicinity should you need me, but when Haruto and your father called, I decided to come straight away."
"Why?" Kaito muttered. "What are you really here for?"
"I was told you're suffering," he replied. "You were dreaming of Ryoga, weren't you?" He nodded weakly. "You care about him deeply."
"Yes. But… his parents had banned me from seeing him…"
"Oh, Kaito…"
"And they're right," he whispered, drawing his knees up to his chest. He closed his eyes and brushed away the tears he hadn't even realised had fallen in his sleep. "He's fourteen. What kind of person am I to have fantasies about being with a fourteen year old boy?"
"We were around that age when we began our affair."
"Yeah, but you weren't an adult," he argued. "We were both kids. I'm an adult now. I'm supposed to be responsible and mature and look after the kids and not- and not- not lusting after a kid!"
Chris sat silently while he continued to vent his frustrations. And Kaito was so grateful that someone for once just sat and listened and let him talk rather than telling him what he was supposed to think or feel in the situation. He just nodded and sat silently until finally Kaito couldn't go on and just curled up.
Chris' hand fell on his shoulder and squeezed gently. "It's alright. It's alright to feel like this."
"No it's not," he whimpered. "It's not."
"Yes, Kaito," Chris said gently, cupping his cheeks and tipping his head up. He smiled and brushed his thumbs over his cheeks, wiping away his tears. "Yes, it is. You're still young and you've hardly had a lot of experience with social situations. You and Ryoga are both outwardly mature but you're both- and I mean this with the greatest of respect- mal-adjusted when it comes to social situations."
"And?"
"And let's face it, you hardly look eighteen, and Ryoga doesn't really look as young as he is," Chris continued. "The two of you are practically the same age."
"That doesn't change anything. And it doesn't change how much this hurts!"
Chris sighed and nodded. "Would you like something to take your mind off it?"
"Yes," Kaito pleaded, gazing up at him. "Please! Anything to get my mind off of him and how much I need him!"
Chris nodded slowly and Kaito realised what was going to happen moments before it actually happened. Their lips met slowly and it was like he was thirteen again, being kissed for the first time by his stunning older mentor. Like he was throwing a silly tantrum and now he'd explained the problem he got his reward.
He reached slowly around Chris' shoulders and let himself be pushed back to the bed, Chris' hair falling around them. Something in the back of his mind told him this was wrong if he cared so deeply for Ryoga but he couldn't be with him. He could never be with him again. And he needed something- someone- to take his mind off of the pain.
In the Next Chapter: Rio takes the journey home as Ryoga beings to wake up and Kaito does all he can to forget about his feelings.
The Cold Light of Day
