Loveless Fan Fiction ❯ Fearless ❯ I'll Give You Men Who Want to Rule the World ( Chapter 3 )

I'll Give You Men Who Want to Rule the World

 

Ritsuka went to school the next morning as if nothing had transpired the night before. All questions directed at him for the first half of the day from Yuiko and Yayoi were about the foxy boy, well Yuiko supplied that label, and what he could have possibly had to talk to him about for all those hours.

 

“Aw! You two looked so cute and cozy! I wish you both would have made out or something, and of course me being there to witness it.”

 

“Yuiko-san!” Yayoi yelled after he finished choking on his juice. Ritsuka was used to such comments and only shook his head in bored annoyance. After all, when she got over not being the one with him, she wouldn't shut up about possible yoai moments between him and Soubi.

 

“What?” She asked him, eyes big and shiny as a cartoon bunny's. Her look of surprise turned into naughtiness and she traced Yayoi's jaw line with one manicured nail until she was holding him by his chin. “Don't worry, Yayoi-kun I've fantasized about you kissing Ritsuka-kun too.” Yayoi nearly slithered to the floor in a blushing puddle of goo but thankfully Ritsuka chose then to step into the conversation.

 

“We talked about things, Yuiko-chan, just normal every day stuff that your hentai mind would find boring.” Finally it was time for class to start again. Yayoi darted up, clutching his bag to him, and walked ahead.

 

“So, are you going to get together with him again?” She asked as they walked into the classroom to their seats. He only rolled his eyes but Yuiko saw the twitch his mouth wanted to turn into a smile and squealed her joy before leaving him alone to study for their test.

 

“That's it! Who's for studying abroad with me?” Yuiko fumed when she met up with the two boys waiting for her outside the school.

 

“A C is still passing, Yuiko-san.” Yayoi lectured with a smile knowing she had just received her grade and also knew she hadn't studied as much as she should have. “These moments are chances to remind us all to try hard, aim high, and not slack off.” He put his arm around her shoulders as she continued to look at her paper.

 

“It's not too late to study in America. I bet I'd graduate at the top of the list there, huh?” She asked and both boys laughed.

 

“Yuiko-san, that is the easy way out. Don't you want to challenge yourself?” The conversation died away from Ritsuka's ears as they left the yard of the school and he saw a familiar figure up ahead.

 

Oh my God. As they left the gates, he was turning the corner toward them. Ryu must have just got out of school as well for he still had his traditional black uniform on. However he wore it with ease and his shirt was unbuttoned to reveal a simple white t-shirt underneath and his sleeves were rolled up to his elbows. At least he's not in college. Having the label “jail-bait” attached to your relationship really bites! Ryu lifted his head so his thick hair blew away from his face and instantly his eyes found him. Ritsuka didn't notice that they were now standing face to face.

 

“Ritsuka.” Ryu nodded and smiled to him.

 

“Hey, you're the guy from yesterday!” Yuiko beamed and Ryu laughed while Ritsuka cringed and sighed in quiet defeat. “Did you come to take Ritsuka-kun away so soon?” She added and Ritsuka knew his cheeks were now visibly a tad pinker.

 

“Would you three like a ride home?” Ryu interjected.

 

“Wow, Ryu-kun! This is very chic!” Yuiko piped up from the back seat. Yayoi was much more subtle in his admiration of the other boy's fine automobile. When they turned the corner with Ryu leading them their jaws dropped at the sight of the glacier blue hybrid parked at the curb.

 

“Thank you, Yuiko-san. I'm glad you approve since you'll be taking rides in this often.” Ryu smiled as he started the engine. There was no hint of jest in his voice, only honest amusement and kindness and Yuiko clapped and hugged Yayoi who was sitting beside her. “Where to?” He asked with his eyes looking to the review mirror.

 

“My house.” Yayoi said and then turned his scolding gaze on the girl next to him. “You are studying tonight and I don't want to hear another word about it.” Yuiko eeped her surprise at Yayoi's forcefulness but didn't dare argue as he turned to give the directions.

 

Ritsuka and Ryu hardly spoke but the atmosphere was far from silent. On the way to Yayoi's house, Yuiko gabbed on and on about anything and everything and Ryu listened and replied with enthusiasm. The girl was too energetic to ignore.

 

“You know, you're much more talkative than Ritsuka-kun's last guy friend. I find it refreshing, Ryu-kun.” She said and Ritsuka wanted to hide under the seat.

 

“Guy friend?” Ryu asked with a raised eyebrow, no one noticing the playful glint in his eyes. Not that Ritsuka was even attempting to look at him now.

 

“Well yeah.” Yuiko said with a slight frown before perking back up. “Oh but don't worry Ryu-kun, Ritsuka-kun's been on the rebound for a little over a week.”

 

“Really now?” Both Yayoi and Ritsuka noticed the mischievous air to his words but of course Yuiko was never that fast on the uptake.

 

“Mm-hmm. That's okay though, Soubi was too much of a moody artist type and he was older and didn't have a cool car like you.”

 

“Yuiko, please!” Ritsuka was dying in the front seat. Yayoi leaned over and clamped his hand over the smiling girl's mouth.

 

“Oh look, we're here.” He said with a nervous laugh and slung his bag over his shoulder while pulling Yuiko out of the car with him. “Thanks for the ride, Ryu-kun, see ya around.” Yayoi finished and started up the walk hand-in-hand with a giggling Yuiko.

 

“Thanks.” Ritsuka mumbled and turned to open the door when a hand on his arm stopped him.

 

“Actually, I was wondering if you'd want to go somewhere else with me, more private.” Ryu asked looking hopeful and nervous as he waited for an answer.

 

Of course he said yes. Since he had actually done what he said he was going to do, Ritsuka was anxious to get Ryu alone so he could talk without bothering if someone else could hear them. He needed answers and if Ryu really was whom he said, he couldn't deny him the truth. Ryu turned the stereo on to erase the need to fill the silence and Ritsuka was grateful, he couldn't bring himself to say anything yet. Minutes later, Ryu drove to a secluded stretch of land near the roadside and got out of the car without a word. He only walked a little ways with Ritsuka following and sat down in the brittle grass.

 

“Thank you for coming today.” Ritsuka said and sat facing him.

 

“I said I would, don't seem so surprised.” Ryu shrugged.

 

“I'm constantly being promised things and constantly being lied to, it's not my fault I have trust issues now.” He scoffed and played with a rock he found by his shoe.

 

“That was then and with him. Beloved had their own sorted little agenda going on. I am Loveless, never doubt me.” It surprised Ritsuka to hear the slight slip from his earlier tone as hints of anger came through. Thrills flew down his spine when he heard the barely contained jealousy too. Don't be stupid! Why am I feeling this way, I barely know him.

 

“Ryu, we need to have a lengthy conversation about a few things.”

 

“Of course, but first things first, why do you hold such disdain for our name, Ritsuka?” The question surprised him but his answer was quick, he didn't have to think long to come up with it.

 

“Because it is a horrible name and a horrible fate. To be without love? That is cruel but I guess it is true. I live up to my name, I am worthless and unloved and—“

 

“Is that what you've been told?” Ryu's eyes were wide.

 

“Not that I had to be told but yes, it's been hinted at over and over again that to be Loveless is to be hated, to be alone, to be weak, to not be loved by anyone.” A small smile crept to Ryu's perfect mouth.

 

“Unloved? Ritsuka, I'm going to tell you the truth about us and many other truths afterward so sit back and get comfortable. Our kind - Fighters and Sacrifices, have names given to us when we are born—no, before we are born even it is decided what we are and will be. You've met others and of course you know Beloved. If it was Fate or something else that made you and Seimei brothers and that you are Loveless I do not know but this is momentous, Ritsuka. You say to be Loveless is to be unwanted and weak, do you know the meaning of Beloved?” He paused but he didn't receive a reply. “Ritsuka, when Soubi came into your life you were exposed to people that knew your brother differently than you. How he was described, does it sound like he was the epitome of all things worshipped and loved? How people respond to you, does it feel nothing less than a strong likeness toward you?” Ritsuka didn't know what to say. “We are Loveless, sans amour, to be loved by thousands but only one will be loved in return.” Ritsuka's eyes widened. “That is our name's meaning Ritsuka. That is why we are special, among other things, and that is the first reason, although the most petty, why Seimei wanted to destroy you if he could get away with it.”

 

“What do you mean?”

 

“Oh please, you must have had some life to make you so self-conscious and humble! He used spells in the beginning but Soubi really did start to care deeply for you Ritsuka.” Ritsuka shook his head but Ryu didn't give him a chance to speak his doubt. “It should be impossible, even if a Sacrifice loaned out their Fighter but it's true, Soubi fell hard and having a slave as powerful as him not being a loyal little lap dog anymore must be a thorn in Beloved's side.”

 

“Why else would he want to kill me, Ryu?” He almost didn't want to know. Only seeing a small bit of Seimei's jealousy was scary enough he couldn't imagine making him any angrier.

 

“Because of what you are.” Ryu had a wistful type of pride in his voice and eyes. “Soubi most definitely thought it best to keep you in the dark but I'm here and no one will touch you so I'm just going to tell you. Loveless are blessed with being both Sacrifice and Fighter. The last inheritance of our name is that we have the ability to stand alone and are very powerful. Together there is none better. So you see why Seimei thinks of you as a threat?” Ritsuka's jaw dropped.

 

“That can't be. I've never cast spells. I'm weak, Ryu, I am. I wasn't a good master to Soubi and I will be worthless to you too.” His temper was getting the best of him and he clenched his fists against his thighs; this was all too much to take.

 

“Never doubt me, Ritsuka.” Ryu smiled sadly. “You just haven't had training but I'm here now and I'm going to help you through this. I know you hate fighting and killing is appalling to you - it is for me too, but I need you to understand and accept that we are strong. Together there is little we can't do and spells for fighting doesn't even cover half of our power.” He came closer to him and brushed the bangs away from his face. “And another thing, I am not your slave and you're not mine.” He smiled and took Ritsuka's hand and pressed their palms together as their fingers interlaced. “We are on equal ground. But that won't stop me from doing whatever you ask of me.” Ritsuka rolled his eyes at the wink he got from the other boy.

 

“What exactly are we, Ryu?” Ritsuka asked and he didn't mean Fighter/Sacrifice stuff. Ryu laughed and pulled away.

 

“Anything you want us to be. I can be your best friend if that's what you wish, if you want me to be as if I was a big brother, no problem. By the way I'm only a year older than you.” Another wink and Ritsuka again blushed. Yuiko and her big, fat mouth! “But if you should decide that you want us to be more than that, I wouldn't object at all.” Ritsuka's heart thumped loudly, Ryu was so cute! He had to mentally slap himself to regain his composure.

 

“Ryu, why do we fight? Soubi would never tell me. Is it some kind of population control?” They both laughed at that.

 

“Honestly I don't know.” His mood darkened when he saw the look of disappointment on Ritsuka's face. “Would you like to hear how I got involved in all this?”

 

“Yes please.” Ritsuka brought his knees up to his chin and gave all his attention to the other once again.

 

“My family comes from a very traditional lineage and my father had me home-schooled since I was able to begin my education. My parents had hired a new teacher when I was twelve and she was a little on the strange side. She knew right away of my potential and soon talked my father into sending me to study under some elite group of teachers. What we didn't know was that this school was really for Fighters. I still did regular work but most of my day was spent training in spell craft and battle prep.”

 

“I'll never forget my first fight. It was suppose to be an exercise of concentration, to make me remain calm as my Sacrifice took hits. Imagine our surprise when I not only dealt them pain but also when my opponent's blows got through my barriers I took my Sacrifice's damage as well. No one knew what was going on. When I was thirteen I got my name and it made sense to Mitori-sensei but I was clueless. He helped hone my skills, Ritsuka, and he allowed me extra years with him to better myself. I owe him so much; perhaps I will take you to him someday. To make myself the best, to be the best for you I stayed and trained for four years non-stop. That's why I didn't come to you before, I wanted to be able to protect you from powerful Fighters like Soubi and I know we have nothing to fear now. I don't wish to fight anyone but I will protect you. You have me now and I will help strengthen your powers.”

 

Ryu wouldn't say much else about his time at the school but he did answer all questions thrown his way. To Ritsuka's surprise he found out that he wasn't from the Seven Moons nor had he any dealings with them. He was taught under the order of the Fourth Phoenix, a prominent group that held just as much power as Seven Moons but stayed in the shadows and many teams hardly ever had any run-ins with groups from that school. They were as close as you got to pacifists within the Fighter/Sacrifice society and Ritsuka now understood the gentle calm Ryu exuded. This boy was very well trained and if he had to, it was clear he could be dangerous but it was all contained and no one saw anything but his warm smile and sparkling eyes - too harmless to not be wary of.

 

“Come on, it's getting cold and you have homework.” Ryu said after a few more hours of idle chat. He stood and held his hand out to Ritsuka who didn't hesitate to take it. On contact, Ritsuka felt as if a feather rubbed against his mind and heart. He could hear soft whispers of thought, too quiet and fast to understand, and another heart beating in time with his. So, this is the connection those Zero brats went on and on about. A smile came to him when Ryu turned his back for his car, he'd have to gloat to them some time when they next saw each other.

 

Again the ride was silent but a different kind of atmosphere filled the car. Ritsuka finally had some answers. To say he was delighted would be an understatement but he kept his expression stoic and watched the scenery whiz by. Before long, they were parked outside his house.

 

“Can I see you again tomorrow?” Ritsuka asked before he opened the door.

 

“As much as I'd love to I can't. This is my first year of normal school and I'm swamped with upcoming exams. But, how about Saturday afternoon?”

 

“Saturday it is then.” Ritsuka was tempted to lean forward and hug Ryu or perhaps give him a quick peck on the cheek but he still wasn't sure of his feelings and didn't want to rush himself. Besides, his mother might be watching.

 

“Good night Ritsuka.” Ryu smiled and soon watched as his Equal darted across the leaf-choked lawn and disappeared inside his dark house.