Title: Beginning of The Journey.

Author: Saku

Pairing: Ritsu/Ritsuka

Fandom: Loveless

Theme: 10. 10

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: I don’t own it nor do I imply that I do. I am only borrowing the Loveless characters and world for my fun, only to return them once I have had my fill of them. (Though they may be slightly more wrinkled/torn/disturbed/or whatever else then when I took them.) That means I don't make money off of them- or else I wouldn't write fanfics on free sites- I'd be sitting in a pool of money.

Warning: Just look at the pairing- shouta based pairing (yet I have a feeling this doesn‘t bother you since the whole series has shouta all over it). Uhm I guess some of the parts can seem to have a incest feel. I really did not mean it to come that way. But better to be safe then not…. Blood later on….more as time goes on I bet…

A/N: Alright so another chapter! Yays! Anyways sorry for the slight delay, it took me till just recently to finally work out just where they were gonna go. You know it was blurry but now it’s finally clear! I see the light! Halleluiah!

Also but let me say this, if disturbing material…well disturbs you and not in a good way…well why are you even reading something that hasta do with Seimei’s plot? I mean come on he’s a disturbing dude! But there is your warning. Onward now!

x-x-x-

My dearest, sweet Ritsuka.

If only I could still be there, to touch your soft hair, feel you lying beside me as you nap.

Do you remember all the stories I used to read you long ago about Heaven and Hell.

Ritsuka knew Soubi wasn’t going to take the letter good. He didn’t have to know what was in it, just knowing who it came from, he knew. Yet just how bad he would take it had surprised Ritsuka. The boy had just assumed that he had seen all of Soubi’s temper tantrums before, yet this one was new.

After being told about the letter, the fighter had just stood against the wall staring blankly across the room. It had taken several waves of a hand and Ritsuka almost kicking the taller man before Soubi broke the dazed stare, and they still had not read the contents inside.

Opening the letter and reading it had been torture for the boy, he almost was willing to go back to the worst fights he had battled and battle them alone. It had to be easier then this!

Even if it was torture, Ritsuka had to congratulate himself for not letting his voice crack. He had managed to read the entire letter without stuttering or stumbling over any of the words. Even when icy eyes were turned towards his direction, Ritsuka read the letter without backing away from the gaze. Instead he met it head on, as if daring Soubi to do anything about it.

Maybe part of him did. Part of him wanted the older man to just read the letter to himself. Maybe even burn or destroy it. Even give it to the Zero boys to play with.

…No…

That would only make it worse. They would have too much fun with that!

Reaching the end of the letter Ritsuka blinked confused. Just what did that whole thing mean? The sentences never explained anything, they carried on one thought, just to suddenly break to the next thought. Yet they carried a malice tone to them. A warning of danger to come if this path was ventured.

As the letter had continued, Ritsuka could almost feel what it said. Images flashed quickly through his mind, making the boy pause and wonder. Where these some of his missing memories. Was this the ‘Ritsuka’ he had lost? Or was it just another lie stacked atop the already growing pile. It was all just confusing the boy too much.

Fisting a handful of his dark locks, Ritsuka watched as the letter slipped from his hands. Lightly it floated to the floor, staring back at him mockingly. As if to challenge him. Fists tugged at his hair as he tried to keep the tears back.

Why? What were these images? Where they real? And why did all of this hurt his head so much! Pleading eyes glanced back at the other man, a silent plea for help. But instead of meeting his face, Ritsuka could only stare at Soubi’s retreating back.

Soubi walked calmly towards the small balcony, his emotions hid well as he stared at the setting sun outside. If the young boy had not known his fighter better, he would have believed that the letter had not affected the tall man. Yet he could see how the blond’s hands were fisted, nails digging into his soft skin.

“Soubi,” Ritsuka glanced down at the letter again, his hands trembling as he released his hair, “will you come with me? I don‘t want to do this all by myself.”

“Just order me to and I will.”

“Not this time,” black ears twitched slightly, “with everything going on this is your choice alone. You decide. I don‘t care if I‘m your master or not. None of that. You decide, yes or no!”

Bland hair covered Soubi’s face as he hung his head. “I‘ll be there. Just tell me when and where.”

Ritsuka only smiled as he watched Soubi walk outside. For the first time in a long time, the room seemed suddenly lonely and cold as he stood in the middle of the room orange rays covering him and the letter. Downstairs he could hear his mother running around, probably fixing his dinner, though Ritsuka knew he was going to have to hurt his mother when he denied the food.

Instead he slowly, numbly, walked towards his bed and without even bothering to change his clothes the boy fell into the bed, his eyes closing immediately.

x-x-x-

A shrill tone caused the boy to start from his deep sleep, one of the deepest he had been able to have for months. Moaning he turned his head towards the small nightstand beside his bed to glare murderously at the small cell phone that was still chirping.

Sighing he reached out, grabbing the smooth phone in a tight grasp. For a second he thought about tossing it against the wall, hoping it would break, before flipping it open. Only to stare at a number he had never seen before. Slowly he hit the enter button, waiting as the text message appeared on the screen.

‘If you do decide to continue, meet me at the park at 10 in the morning. If you aren’t there I’ll take it you’re out.’

Blinking Ritsuka sat up, rubbing a tired eye with the back of his hand. Rereading the message a second time, the young boy hit the forward button to Soubi’s phone before collapsing. Yawning he buried under his blankets, hoping to be able to fall back to sleep again.

x-x-x-

Standing under the thick Oak tree, Ritsuka could not help but feel a little off watching the mothers play with their children on the oversized, colorful slides. When he had first walked in, the boy had not felt uneasy, or not until he looked around only to see mothers and babies running around. Only then did he realize just how much he stood out; a grade school kid standing in the middle of a park on a school day, and not even bothering to hide it either.

Let alone the fact that he was standing to an obvious adult, who at the moment, looked to be of very dubious nature- especially with how he stood now off to the side, a cigarette hanging from his lips, eyes darting around before settling, only to dart around again.

Sighing the boy smacked a hand against his forehead. Really he was starting to second guess this whole deal.

“I see you made it.”

Jumping slightly Ritsuka glanced up to see the same man from before walk to where he was standing.

Walking closer, Ritsu smiled brightly, his eyes focused solely on the cat eared boy before him. He continued until he was well into Ritsuka’s personal space, something that made Ritsuka twitch, before stopping, his eyes taking in the boy from head to toe, as if seeing him for the first time.

A scoff was heard off to the side, causing the teacher to glance over, a new smile spreading across his face as he watched his former student snuff out the cigarette butt on the ground. “And Soubi decided to come too. How have you been?”

Instead of answering, Soubi glanced off to the side, shaking out a new cigarette, lighting it quickly. He continued to look away, never meeting Ritsu’s glance.

Shrugging lightly the blond turned his glance back at Ritsuka, his eyes suddenly turning serious. “Did you read the letter?”

Ritsuka could only nod, his heart suddenly clenching at thought of it.

‘It had to be written by someone else! That was not my brother! It could not be! It just could not be!’ Ritsuka screamed silently once again, remembering his silent argument with himself yesterday.

He wanted someone to explain! Soubi had remained silent after the letter, refusing to answer anything! And now Ritsu standing here, he wanted answers! Yet he could not find the energy to voice his inner turmoil. He found himself unable to speak as he stared into the blue eyes before him. All he could do was nod.

“And by standing here, I assume that you are ready to continue.”

Another nod.

Ritsu glanced over at Soubi, eyes still as serious as before. “What about you? Are you ready to continue on?”

“I‘m staying as long as Ritsuka does. When he decides to leave I will to. Otherwise I‘m staying here.”

“Perfect, shall we start?”

Ritsuka could not help but to notice that the smile that had been pleasant and warm before suddenly turned cold and cruel. A shudder ran down the boy’s spine as he tried to ignore the ominous feeling that had suddenly passed through him. Slowly, shakily even, he followed behind the retreating back, as he forced himself to keep breathing.

Pausing in mid-step, the boy glanced over his shoulder one last time in the direction of his house and school. He may never see his friends again, may leave them forever. Yet, he had to do this. He wanted the truth, the answer!

A small breeze swept across the small park, making the green grass of the playground rustle. Gently it brushed across Ritsuka’s face, soft as a mother’s loving kiss. His hand reached up to his cheek, cupping it softly, a smile finally crossing his face. He would come back to his friends, he just knew it!

x-x-x-

I’m so sorry for the delay! If anyone is still reading this. I really am, but I was stuck at first on where to go. And then life just kept getting in the way, but now I see the path perfectly! …kinda….Haha

Next time the real fun starts! I just kinda had this chapter as a- here is who is coming! YAYS! ….no….yes…

So did you see how I used the theme! Haha! HEY It’s a stupid theme! Really, 10. I mean come on! So yeah I figured time worked for it! Yeah and I shortchanged the kiss…But I SWEAR a better kiss is coming up later! I mean I WILL make it work even if I hafta tie down all the characters to do it!

Anyways! Uhm if I got anything wrong, just gently poke me. I could not remember Ritsu’s eye color for the life of me, so if they’re wrong just poke me and I’ll change it!

Reviews are LOVED! Please?