Soubi and Seimei walked into the park, an exact week since they had seen the other pair. The park was abandoned.

Seimei's eyes glared as he took in their surrounding. Without his ears, he seemed more mature and handsome. Power radiated off him as if it belonged to him, in every sense of the word. He fit the darkness as if he was born for it. His stance showed pride and power, as it waited, tense for the battle of his life. Today, he would gain this little brother back and kill Soubi. And if his little brother didn't want that- he always had such an kind and warm heart- the Seimei would give his brother what he wants- on the condition that he let Soubi watch as Seimei fucked him into the matrice, hard, every night, all night.

The thought brought a cruel smile to his lips.

XxXxXxXx

Soubi's form was straight even as the sight of him made people think of someone who wanted to die. He simply gave off the sight of a man who has given up on life; his frame slouched unnoticeably as if he had the weight of the world on his shoulders. And in a way, he did. His love was in another's arms and his master had torn him apart in the harshest way possible. A bond that was supposed to be happy, loving, and sacred was turned into a punishment that ripped any pride from his body and tore apart his soul.

His only hope was to gain back his Ritsuka- and even he knew he had only a small chance. But small as it may be, he would fight for it until the end.

The sound of leaves cracking alerted Beloved of a presence to their left. Looking, they spotted Loveless about one hundred and fifty feet from them, standing still and calm. If they saw Seimei's ears, they made no reaction to his lack of ears. However, Beloved couldn't do the same.

Soubi gasped. "Ritsuka…" His hand came up to cover his mouth, shock rocking threw his frame.

To his side, Soubi heard, "Oh, Ritsu… Your ears!" Seimei's eyes were wide as he stared at the place the proof oh his little brother's innocence once stood. Suddenly he glared at Yuki. "You will PAY FOR THAT!"

Yuki were cracked an evil smirk as he leaned down and wrapped his arms around the other's shoulders and licked his human ear. He said, "He liked it."

Before he could explode Yuki stood erect and said in a powerful voice, "I declare a spell battle."

As if in a rush to subdue his sacrifice, Soubi quickly called, "I accept!"

The world around them morphed before their eyes. Green grass and colorful flowers gave way to a black cold abyss of nothingness. Stewing in tension, Seimei stayed behind his fighter, firsts clenched in outrage as he stared at Yuki who did nothing.

Ritsuka only gave a glare at Seimei before walking calmly behind his fighter, brushing against his arm in an intentional momentary caress.

Soubi glared at this and shot a spell at the other, not waiting for introductions and an order. He was beyond his mind in anger. "Hell's fire! Burn those that turn love against us!"

Yuki shot his arm up in a quick motion reflexively, yelling, "Block!" Once the spell dissipated, both members were left staring at Soubi with disbelief.

Seimei's foot connected with his knee from behind and knocked him to the ground. "Soubi! What the fuck are you doing! That could have killed Ritsuka!" He slammed his leg down on the other again. "How dare you attack without my order!"

A forceful voice said, "Seimei."

Said man looked up and saw it was his Ritsu that had spoken. "That spell wouldn't have hurt me. My fighter is too well trained- so much so that you don't stand a chance. Attack!"

"Vortex of birds! Suffocate and mutilate them!"

Soubi, who had been coughing up blood, shot up from his place and- although clearly injured, yelled, "Break! One thousand storms to throw them off their course!"

The spell shattered around them, leaving only hundreds of feathers in their wake.

Ritsuka only smirked. "Besides, we're in a battle for life an death. You definitely won't leave victorious if you won't even hurt me."

The man slouched, giving him the most pitiful look he had ever seen. It even made Yuki cringe back. "But… Ritsu… you're my brother. I love you."

A harsh snort was his immediate reply. "You LOVE me? Ha! You don't know what love is! We're brothers. It's unnatural to think as you do. I wouldn't soil myself with such a disgusting relationship." He deliberately looked at Soubi. "And look at your fighter Seimei. Is this how you treat someone who is a part of you? I quiver with fear at what you would do if you actually had me." He smirked.

"And dear Soubi," he called getting the man's attention. "How sad and pathetic you are." That earned him a grim look from the older man. Blood dripped from his chin as he met the other's eyes.

"Ritsuka.. I-" he started.

"You what?" the sacrifice interrupted, a smug smile on his innocent face. "You love me? Care for me? Want me?" He gave a cold laugh and pulled Yuki in his direction and stood on tip toes before placing a passionate kiss on his lips, tongue and all.

Pushing the man away who once again faced them, a smug smile on his face, Ristuka continued. "I don't care what you want from me. I don't care about you. You a pathetic weakling who could never go for what he really wanted. You never stood on your own two feet when faced with problems. It's ridiculous! Attack!" He threw a quick demand, hoping to catch them off guard. He continued, even as Yuki threw a curse at them.

"Ring of flamed! Circle them and burn their flesh! Keep them chain in pain even after death!"

"When it came to Seimei, Soubi, you were weak!"

"No!" Yelled Soubi at the younger man, as he took the hit full force, having the ring of flames encircling his neck, wrists, and ankles.

"Yes!" Yelled Ritsuka at him. "Yes, weak and pathetic! You loved him! Oh yes, you loved your tormenter once. Be it the bond or your true feelings, you loved him. And desired him."

"Attack!" He yelled, once more catching them off guard and continuing.

"Shattering rocks! May you perish and be pierced through you unloving hearts!"

"Break! Beloved is loved and loves true! Your spell it worthless!" Soubi cried out desperately. Only barely able to break the spell, his mind side tracked completely.

"You wanted him bad didn't you?"

"No, I didn't! I've only ever wanted you Ritsuka!"

"Liar!" The youngest once yelled back, even as he felt a harsh punch to his back by Seimei. "Soubi! Stop talking to him! He's mine and you need to fight! He's right, you are fucking pathetic! I Order you to attack!"

With tears in his eyes, Soubi yelled, "Tsunami! Drawn the life out of them!"

A tidal wave formed before them, rising as it moved swiftly towards Loveless on the other side of the field.

"It's about time." Ritsuka said with a smirk.

"Block! Earth forms to protect what it here!" As Yuki finished the description, a wall of rock grew from the blackness beneath their feet and protected them at the wave collided with it.

Once both had disappeared, Loveless saw Seimei breathing hard, face red from anger and Soubi torn between misery and anger. This amused them both greatly.

Ritsuka continued anyway, more then happy to let their minds to the fight for them. "But then he disappeared, still not giving you what you've always wanted. And with an order to protect his brother no less! How… unfeeling of him." The last part was said with a cruel tone as he threw a look at Seimei behind him. "But wait! The little brother looked a lot like Seimei didn't he? And with ears too. Maybe You'd get what you wanted after all…"

"No! Ritsuka, it was never like that, I swear! I've only ever wanted you, as you! Please, believe me!"

"Why should I? I have no reason to. After all, you only liked me because of the resemblance and relation to Seimei. The sacrifice and fighter bond just pushed it. But then, lo and behold, My real fighter arrived in time to save me. To make sure you never made me yours."

"He didn't save you! He ruined you! Tainted you!" The desperation was so clear in his voice that that even the echo was able to replicate it.

"Taint me?" Came the sudden whispered words. Ritsuka's eyes had suddenly darkened. "Ruined me?" His eyes grew a violent deep purple as he side stepped Yuki and ignored him when he made to protest. Standing with a determination, he rolled up the sleeves of both of his arms and showed them to beloved. There were over forty scars on each arm.

They both gasped. "Ritsu!" cried Seimei, taking sudden steps towards his brother.

"Don'!" He yelled at them, his eyes hard. "You… you both drove me to this! The mere thought of you caused me so much pain! I was able to stay away from it with this!" He motioned to his arms. "And you know what? I almost died from blood loss! Ha! What an idiot I was! I'm only alive because of Yuki. He didn't taint me! He SAVED me. And now you will both die!

"Yuki, kill them!"

With a nod, Yuki began making rapid movements with his hands, random lights shooting from the darkness towards him, a ball of light forming and rapidly growing between his hands. He was muttering some sort of incantation beneath his breath, his words never faltering.

Seimei, feeling the power and intent behind the power felt his self preservation win out over his love for his brother. "Soubi! Hurry! Counter with da-"

Before he could finish, Ritsuka's eyes snapped to his and his face grew innocent and vulnerable. His eyes and voice lost all malice and ill intent as he said, "Seimei, I lied. I love you. Please take me now, right here."

The words screwed with his mind as did the image that was laid out before him. Completely lost, Seimei sidestepped his fighter and took quick and weak knees steps towards his brother. "Of course Ritsu…" Before he go there he watched as the eyes turned evil once more, the most horrid smile he had ever seen played on brother's lips as if it belonged there.

"Got'cha."

The spell his body full force as he dropped in agony, crying out in pain. Soubi joined him moments later, having run after his sacrifice in an attempt to protect him. Seimei threw up blood all over himself as his bones made snapping sounds around him, his body being forced into odd angles every few seconds. He shrieked as the pain grew immensely, his eyes frantically darting around, even as tears clouded his vision.

Ritsuka and Yuki got out of their battle position and walked over to them. The youngest of the four stared down at his brother with no sympathy and smiled. "Poor poor Seimei. Does it hurt? Maybe I should have Yuki look it over for you, hmm?"

His only answer was another cry of pain and another bone broke, this time in his spine.

Ritsuka looked up at Yuki and said, "You'll take care of him won't you?"

Yuki raised an eyebrow. "Of course." His voice held a twisted amusement.

"Good." And with that, he walked over to the other form who lay, body bloody on the ground. He was silent a moment before he sighed and kneeled down next to Soubi and carefully maneuvered his head onto his lap.

As the pain grew, Soubi fought it harder, keeping his eyes and mind focuses on the only person he had ever loved. He felt himself begin to slip away piece by piece and was determined to watch him until he was no longer conscious and breathing.

"Wha-" he tried, but blood spilt from his mouth down his chin and he coughed hard, feeling himself slip faster.

"Shh…" Ritsuka soothed as he used his thumb to wipe away some of the flowing blood from the red pained chin. "It's okay now. Relax."

Soubi was confused and panicking. He wanted to understand what was happening, but as more time passed, the less of the chance he had to hear it.

As if seeing the look in his eyes, Ritsuka's own eyes saddened. "I saw what you did."

Soubi's eyes widened. It was true. At the last moment, Soubi hesitated in grabbing Seimei and pulling him back to safety. In that moment he fought against his bonds to have what he really wanted- Seimei gone and to be with Ritsuka.

Ritsuka's eyes moved over his face tenderly and lovingly, wanting to memorize his every feature. "Soubi… I know what I said wasn't true. I know you truly cared about me."

Even as death burned through his body, fighting to take him, he fought it, spilling out a word as it was the most important thing right now. "C-care."

Ritsuka smiled sadly, eyes soft and regretful as he stared into Soubi's eyes. "Right. Care." He saw the darkness building behind the fighter's eyes and said, "I love you too Soubi." And with that, he leaned down and kissed the lips of Soubi, his once fighter, friend, and almost lover. He didn't care that Soubi's blood covered his cloths and now his mouth, he didn't care that he was dying, he only cared that Soubi was here and in his arms for the moment, his lips pressed firmly but gently against the injured man's. When he pulled back, the surprise, hope, ad love rose in Soubi's dying eyes so quickly and powerfully that Ritsuka knew he would never forget it.

He brought his left right hand up and placed it against Soubi's face, framing it and gently caressing his cheek. "And I always will." He whispered the last part and as the words finished, Soubi's eye grew dull and his body began to cool. Even so, the smile on his lips was eternal.

XxXxXxX

Ritsuka didn't move Soubi, even after his heart had long since stopped beating. He simply stayed there, still caressing his face as his fighter tore Seimei limb from limb, both enjoying his screams of pain. When silence enveloped them, Yuki walked over to Ritsuka and laid a hand on the trembling boy's shoulder.

"Did you say your goodbyes?"

Letting out his first cry in two years, Ritsuka sobbed and turned his body into Yuki's careful not to dislodge Soubi's head from his lap.

He simply pressed into his fighter's legs and cried.

The minutes may have turned into hours and the hours into day, but Ritsu didn't know how long it was until he heard a softly spoken, "Return."

A cool breeze brushed against his hair and he wanted to yell and scream. There shouldn't be happy things when someone has died. No laughter, or fun. Flowers, or joy. Everything should be dark and desolate like the battle realm.

Even as the sky darkened around them, they both refused to move with the exception of the sacrifice's shaking shoulders.

When, finally, his sobs quiets, and his tears stopped, he pulled away from Yuki slowly and turned to stare into the face of the man he once loved and still did. "I love his Yuki."

The man kneeled down beside him and wrapped his arms around his sacrifice. "I know, Ri, I know."

They stayed like that for another long moment before he sighed and stood, pulling his fighter with him. He never took his eyes off Soubi until the rustling of leaves drew his attention. In a tree surrounding their small secluded part of the park, dozens of beautiful butterflies swarmed around them, creating their own surreal breeze.

Ritsuka closed his eyes to his, taking in the peaceful feeling. When he opened them again, he saw Soubi's body burst into light before forming hundreds of their own butterflies.

A smile of awe touched Ritsu's lips and as the butterflies encircled him before flying away with the rest into the night. He stared a moment longer, a loving smile on his lips.

"Ready to go home?" Asked Yuki.

Ritsuka looked up at him and nodded. Grabbing the outstretched hand, they walked home, ready to start a life together anew.