A/N: So, here we go. Our little road trip gang arrive at their destination after some bonding and Kaito and Chris are not impressed by the children and Haruto is being adorable and stubborn because he always is. They're little cuties. All of them. And Chris actually gets pretty strict with Rio. He takes charge sometimes. And he gets rather protective other little Thomas. Thank you for your reviews. Thank you so much, and please keep them coming at enjoy.
Kaito was woken by voices outside his door. Chris and his father. Why hadn't his alarm gone off? Where they handling Haruto? Had they decided he needed a lie in? But he'd wanted to slip into Ryoga's room and snuggle up with him for a little while before anyone else woke up.
"-can't expect me to sit here and do nothing," Chris was saying.
"I understand, Christopher," his father replied. "But perhaps it's too early to be worry."
"Why would he vanish in the middle of the night?"
Kaito frowned. Someone had vanished? He got up slowly and pulled on his clothes before heading out to find them. They fell silent as he entered the sitting room and Kaito scowled. What was going on? He frowned and sat at the breakfast bar, noticing even Haruto pointedly looking away.
"Where's Ryoga?"
"Still sleeping," Chris replied. "Michael too. I'd wake him but that would disturb Ryoga and he needs his rest." Kaito nodded. Perhaps there was still a change he could slip into bed with him for a while. "His mother's coming over with Rio."
"Oh?" Kaito murmured.
Faker frowned. "Apparently he finally came clean and told Rio everything."
"At least he's finally talking through," he said, nodding slightly. "Perhaps this is a good thing. If Ami knows, maybe she'll be able to save him."
"I wish I'd know sooner, Kaito," he said. "You should have told someone when you found out."
"I got him out of there as quickly as I could once I knew." He sighed and closed his eyes for a moment as Chris set a cup of tea in from of him. "I just didn't get him out of there fast enough."
"It's not your fault, Kaito," Chris said gently, patting his head.
"I know. Anyway, I assume it's Thomas young were worrying about?" Haruto stiffened slightly and Kaito frowned. Faker and Chris noticed too and gazed down the bar at him. "Haruto?"
"Do you know where Thomas has gone, Haruto?" Chris said. Haruto shook his head. "But you do know something." He nodded. "What is it Haruto?"
"I'm not allowed to say," Haruto replied.
"Who told you that?"
"Shark did!"
"Ryoga?" Kaito frowned and got up slowly. "I think I'll go and visit Ryoga."
They didn't argue and Kaito picked up his cup, wandering back towards the bedrooms. He knew Ryoga was struggling, he knew that tell Rio about what had happened must have been tough. He wished Ryoga had come to him and let him be there and comfort him and help him through it but Ryoga was never the kind to ask for help or admit weakness.
He opened the door slowly and stepped in only to freeze. Bothe beds were empty and unmade. They looked like they'd been empty for a while. The boy's night clothes were on the bed and floor and their duelling equipment was gone. He whipped around and hurried back to the kitchen.
"Where are they Haruto?" he said, gripping his younger brother's shoulder. "Please, Haruto, where did they go?"
"Kaito-"
"They're gone, Father," Kaito snapped. "Michael and Ryoga are gone as well. Where did Thomas take them, Haruto?"
"I'm not allowed to tell you," Haruto said, folding his arms. "Shark said I'm not supposed to say."
"It's alright, Haruto, you won't be in trouble," Faker said gently. "But Ryoga isn't very strong at the moment. He needs to be looked after."
"Please, Haruto," Kaito insisted.
Haruto frowned then pointedly turned to Chris. "Akina called last night. The man holding her said she had to talk to Shark."
"What man, Haruto?"
"I'm not allowed to tell you," Haruto said, pushing Kaito away and turning back to Chris.
"What man, Haruto?" Chris said with a small smile.
"Pride," Haruto replied. "He's the leader of the hunters and he has Akina and he hurt her so Shark would pay attention and he said that Shark had to meet with him."
Kaito sighed, running a hand through his hair. How could Ryoga be so stupid? What was he doing this alone? Thomas and Michael were all very well but Ryoga was in no condition to be duelling for his soul. Why hadn't he told him around this? Why had he kept his secret? Did Ryoga still not trust him? Did he still trust and connect with Thomas more than him?
"And then I told Thomas and Thomas went to see Shark."
Kaito nodded and patted Haruto's head. "I suppose we'd better go after them then."
Chris nodded and strode out to fetch his coat. When he returned, Kaito was ready to go and Haruto was pulling on his own coat but Kaito fixed him with a not quite glare. He couldn't actually glare at Kaito but he tried his best to look stern.
"It's too dangerous, Haruto."
"But Akina's in danger!" Haruto argued. Kaito sighed and glanced at his father. "Please!"
"It's up to you, Kaito," Faker replied. "If you think you can keep him safe…"
Kaito sighed and nodded, holding out his hand to Haruto. As if he'd ever let anyone hurt Haruto. "But you're not coming close enough to get in danger."
"Yes!" Haruto cheered. "I'll be good, I promise."
Chris smiled and waved goodbye to Faker as they went. Harutp grasped his hand and they went down to the elevator, bumping into Rio and Ami as they went. Haruto caught Rio's hand and pulled her back into the elevator with them. Ami frowned and Rio went to tell Haruto something, no doubt she needed to be with Ryoga, but Chris pressed the button to shut the doors. They were moving within second and Kaito hoped Ami wouldn't be too mad that they'd stolen Rio. Or that Ryoga was missing.
"You know the way back to the hunter's base?" Kaito said. Rio frowned and nodded slowly. "Good. We'll pick up Yuma on the way. He'll complain for months if he's left out."
"Where are we going?" Rio said quietly.
"To stop Thomas and Ryoga doing something stupid," Chris replied.
"I- I see," Rio said quietly, lowering her head. Chris frowned and Kaito got the distinct feeling there was something wrong with the situation. Haruto smiled and patted her arm. Rio put on an obviously forced smile. "Let's get going then."
The doors opened and Chris led them over to a sensible care obviously meant for family purposes but Kaito suspected Chris used the space to fit in all the parts. The more sporty car he assumed was Thomas' had vanished. If they were driving who knew how far they could have gone, especially since he'd seen how Thomas drove. Rio and Haruto climbed in the back and Kaito sat up front with Chris. The sooner they got Yuma and went after them, the better.
He just hoped Ryoga would be ok when they got there.
When Kaito went to fetch Yuma, Chris turned to her with a small smile. Rio frowned and sank back into her seat, trying to hide. She had the feeling she knew was what coming. Haruto was watching her too.
"Is there something wrong between you and Thomas?" Chris said gently.
Rio shook her head and Chris scowled. It was easy to see why Chris had such a handle on both Kaito and Thomas. It was so hard to keep secrets from that stern gaze. She sighed and shook her head, finally giving in.
"I just think we want different things from each other."
"I don't think so," Chris replied. "I think you want exactly the same thing and are just unable to express it properly. So I will. Thomas is mad about you. He sits around waiting until it's an acceptable time to call you. He pouts and mopes when you don't call him back. He smiles at the mention of your name. He in madly in love with you, Rio and tries incredibly hard to tell you and just doesn't seem capable."
Rio's cheeks flushed and she frowned, turning away as Haruto beamed up at her. "He's right!"
"No," Rio murmured. "I think it's pretty obvious that Ryoga is the one everyone wants." Haruto pouted and Chris folded his arms. "Thomas wants to be with Ryoga, so did Kaito. I'm just the one people have choose when he's taken."
"That's not true," Haruto huffed. "Thomas was moping about you liking someone else. He was really sad. He really likes you."
"Believe me, Rio," Chris agreed. "The only person who knows him better than me is Michael and I know he cares about you. He cares about both of you. He used to joke that if he could have both of you he would. But I know he loves you. He wants to be with you." He smiled and Rio glanced out the window as Yuma came down the path with Kaito. "Give him a chance, Rio."
"I don't think-"
"And be careful with him Rio," Chris said with all seriousness. Rio drew back slightly, getting a sudden feeling of dread. She knew Chris was a highly protective big brother sometimes. Was there more to this than just a complicated relationship? "He's been through a lot-"
"He put me through a lot."
"He's not a tough as he likes to act. And you'll be lucky if he ever actually tells you that given how you're acting towards him. All your ranting and raving to Kaito about how delicate Ryoga can be, Thomas is not all that different. Ryoga is not the only one who's suffered, you know. He and Ryoga are too similar, that is why they're so close and why there's a tension. Because they're the same. And until you can understand that, you're not going to get everything you want from him."
"Wait. Are you saying…" She didn't even want to finish and Chris turned away. "Chris?"
They fell into silence as Kaito and Yuma joined them and Kaito gave Chris a little frown. "Are we ready to go?"
"We have to get Kotori too," Yuma said.
"Alright," Chris said with a sigh.
Ryoga groaned, stretching slightly in his seat. They'd pulled the car over under a tree when both he and Thomas were both too tired to drive any longer. They'd reclined their chairs and Ryoga had offered to switch places with Miki but she and Michael seemed to actually be perfectly content curled up together under Thomas' cream coat, which he'd taken from the trunk. Thomas himself had pulled out blankets for himself and Ryoga. Ryoga had offered his to the older pair but they insisted they were fine sharing Thomas' coat and he needed it more than them.
Sleeping in car seats wasn't exactly comfortable although Thomas seemed perfectly comfortable. As if he was used to it. Thomas smiled slightly, noticing he was awake and Ryoga shifted in his seat to face him, still half asleep.
"How's your back?" Thomas murmured.
"Sore," Ryoga replied with a soft smile. "Stiff… but I've slept on worse."
"They don't seem to have any problems," he chuckled, nodding to the back seat.
Ryoga glanced over. Michael and Miki were snuggled up together under Thomas' coat, seemingly perfectly comfortable together. Miki's head was tucked under Michael's chin and his arms were draped loosely over her. No wonder Miki hadn't wanted to swap with him and sleep on her own.
"Cute, aren't they?" Thomas whispered.
"I guess," Ryoga replied. "Maybe Haruto's right about them."
"Are you missing Kaito yet?"
"We're not joined at the hip. I did perfectly well for fourteen years before I met him."
"I remember," Thomas purred.
Ryoga scowled. "What happened last night-"
"I know, I know," he laughed quietly. "But I'd like to point out you started it this time."
"I know. But it has to stop. I really like Kaito."
"I shouldn't have told you about him and Chris."
"No. He should have." He frowned and shifted slightly. Was it right to be so affected by it? Thomas had told him it was just for fun, that as long as things didn't get too serious it was alright to mess around. And it had made sense. He was fourteen, what was he doing going involved in a serious relationship like this? There were kids his age swapping relationships every other day. Why was it wrong for him to want to mess around with Thomas a little? "Do you think things are too serious with me and him?"
"You told me you were happy with him," Thomas replied, gently taking his hand. "That he was everything you ever wanted. Why are you doubting that now?"
"Because it's confusing. And he has Chris and I don't know what I'm supposed to do anymore. I know that Kaito makes me feel incredible but sometimes I wonder if things are getting too serious too soon and maybe I just need to slow down and have some fun."
"That's because you're a stupid young kid," he said with a smirk. "Everyone gets worked up when things get serious. Because you're opening yourself up to get hurt."
"I've been hurt enough," Ryoga murmured. "I don't want things we me and Kaito to end badly too."
"Hey." He smirked and brought Ryoga's hand to his lips. "Didn't I tell you? If he breaks your heart he was never worth you to begin with. And I will happily ease your pain."
"I'm sure Rio will appreciate that."
"How many times do I have to tell you that's not going to happen."
"Come on," Thomas said, pulling off his blanket and tossing it over the two in the back. "Let's get going. They can keep sleeping."
"They don't have to be here," Ryoga said quietly. "We can let them stay in the car. This isn't their fight."
Thomas nodded. "Yeah. No doubt Chris and Kaito will be after us any time now."
As if on cue, Ryoga's D-Pad lit up with a message from Kaito. Thomas nearly laughed and started up the engine again, heading back out onto the road. The last instruction Miki had given them was to follow the road until they saw the blue tower so they figured they weren't going to need to wake her until then.
Kaito: Where are you? You're in no condition to be running off in the middle of the night and your mother is here. Where are you?
Shark: I'm with Thomas. We're going to save Akina.
Kaito: That's not what I asked.
Shark: It's fine. Thomas is looking after us.
Kaito: That's not reassuring either. Please just pull over and wait for us to catch up. We're not going to make you come home or anything, I know you want to save her, but you can't do this alone.
Ryoga hesitated and scowled at the screen. Thomas glanced over and Ryoga knew he was resisting asking what was happening. He frowned as the screen lit up again. Kaito prompting him to answer him. But there was an anger bubbling his Ryoga's chest he couldn't fight. They'd named him Wrath for a reason and sharing Kaito was something he wasn't prepared to do. Playing with Thomas was fine. There was a line. It was teasing and joking and Thomas wasn't seriously trying to steal him away from Kaito. Not that he thought Chris was but… he would never sleep with Thomas. At least not while he was interested in Kaito. Especially not while Kaito was sick in a hospital bed. And Thomas wasn't his ex.
The rational part of him said they were very on and off back then but he'd made his dislike of Kaito being with Chris clear long before he ended up in hospital. He'd made it plain that he didn't like it and he was going to be jealous and possessive if Kaito got too close to his ex. And he'd rather walk away than be in a relationship like that.
Shark: Is Chris with you?
Kaito: Of course. You've run off with his younger brothers. Why does that matter though?
Shark: Did you sleep with him?
Kaito: That's not a fair question.
Shark: Did you or didn't you spend the night with him while I was in hospital?
Kaito: Yes. But you have to understand I thought I was never going to see you again. I thought things were over for good between us. I never would have done it if I'd know how things would go. I never meant to hurt you by it. I just needed some comfort. I needed him to take my mind off of you and how much I wanted you. You have to understand that.
Shark: Why did I have to find out from Thomas?
Kaito: Because I didn't think it was a big deal. I didn't mean to keep it from you. If I'd known that it'd hurt you like this, I would have told you. I never would have done it if I'd known it would end like this.
Shark: You're mine.
Kaito: I am, Ryoga. I'm completely yours. I promise. And you're mine. And I can make you believe that when we're face to face again but I need to and Thomas to stop and wait so we can do this together.
Ryoga shut off his D-Pad so he could ignore the other messages that would come through as a result of him not replying. Thomas glanced at him again and Ryoga shot him a warning glare. He didn't say anything. He just turned his gaze back to the road.
Just when Ryoga was starting to settle back and drift off into his thoughts, Thomas slammed on the breaks. Ryoga yelped and nearly hit the dashboard in front of him and there was a thud from the back. They turned to find Michael and Miki now in the foot wells, limbs tangled and Michael on top of Miki, both blushing furiously.
"Morning kids," Thomas laughed. Michael glared up and him and scrambled off of Miki, back onto the seat and offering Miki his hands, helping her up as well. "Blue tower, Miki. Where now?"
"Off at the next chance," Miki said quietly. "You'll see the house."
Thomas nodded and Ryoga sat up slowly, waking himself up properly, ready for whatever was to come. He was going to get Akina back no matter what it took. He was going to save her.
Miki was right. They saw the house and the large grounds. Thomas slowed and drove along a narrow country road running along the edge of the grounds until he found the imposing iron gates. They stopped for a moment and Ryoga wondered how they'd get in but there was a camera swivelling up above the gates that was now focused on their car. After a moment, Ryoga opened the car door and stepped out. Thomas caught his hand to stop him but Ryoga just stood up out the door, letting the camera see him. There was a moment of silence before the gates swung open.
Ryoga glanced at Thomas, who nodded and went to shut off the engine. "You two stay here. Wait for Kaito and Chris. Look after each other."
"We're coming with you," Michael insisted.
"No," Ryoga said. Thomas shut off the engine and handed Michael the keys. "If something goes wrong… he's obsessed with you, Miki, with having his perfect little family back. If we let you walk in there, we lose a valuable bargaining chip."
"I'm not to be traded!" Miki snapped.
"I know, but he doesn't know that."
Thomas nodded. "Lock the doors, stay safe, wait for Chris. Whatever you do, don't go through those gates. If they come out here after you, you drive. Alright? Back up to the main road and wait for them there."
"Fine," Michael said, nodding slightly. "But be careful."
"I will, kid," Thomas said softly, kissing his forehead. "I promise."
He got out and they slammed the doors, which locked behind them. Thomas glanced back, Michael was watching worriedly through the window, and Ryoga smiled weakly, taking his hand and giving it a squeeze. Thomas turned to him and frowned.
"It'll be ok."
Thomas nodded and they walked through the gates together. The closed behind them and they glanced back again at the car. They were on their own now. Ryoga picked up his D-Pad. There were several messages from Kaito, slowly growing more desperate. Some from Rio too, and his mother, even Yuma. He sighed and sent one back to them all.
Shark: Stop worrying. We'll be home by bedtime, damsel in distress and all.
Despite his bravado, Ryoga was worried. What was he leading Thomas into? He was allowed to be here. He was a hunter. Thomas was an innocent bystander here to save Akina. She'd touched their hearts in such a strange way. They had to save her.
They approached the house and the doors opened in front of them revealing three figures in black. Thomas dropped back slightly, letting Ryoga take the lead but sticking close. Ryoga recognised all three of them. Honour and Fate were flanking a tall, elegant man. Pride. Even with his face obscured by shadows, Ryoga knew it was him.
Pride smiled and opened up his arms wide "My dear Wrath. Welcome home, son."
In the Next Chapter:
Pride
