"And then he's all like- 'Keep your peasant hands off of ore-sama!' I couldn't breathe, I was laughing so hard!"
"Seriously?! He called himself 'ore-sama'? How arrogant can that moron get?"
"No doubt, what a loser."

The teens walked off laughing, never noticing the tiny form hiding behind the trashcan they passed. Black hair was dirty and matted and emerald green eyes dead to the world. Oversized clothing hung off his tiny frame, the collar of his shirt falling off one shoulder entirely. Empty orbs turned to the left when he picked up a series of 'crack's coming from further down the street. A small frown started to cover his lips, it was those people…again. Tucking himself further behind the cold metal he closed his eyes and wished that they would never find him. As they drew closer, one of them muttering about "the damned Potter brat" the child felt a warm shiver run down his spine and a sudden sting in his eyes. Biting back a cry he sighed when the sensations stopped and a tall figure appeared in his view.

Severus Snape's brows furrowed together as he looked down at the child on the ground. Bright red, almost pink hair was in dozens of braids that fell to a slim waist. Rich indigo hued eyes stared at him from beneath thick lashes and eyebrows that matched their hair. The child seemed quite comfortable in what looked like a dress made from a tee-shirt in the same shade of purple as their eyes, white and black candy cane stockings and black boots. The child stood up, brushing dirt from their dress and began walking away, the purple, black, white, and red bracelets covering slim wrists banging together. A backpack shaped like a heart with bat wings hung off of tiny shoulders resting against the child's back right below their hair. He had to make a double-take when he saw the red-pink ears planted in the locks, and a matching tail curling beneath the backpack.

FATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESS

His throat had been hurting for nearly a week and he had added a black and white candy cane scarf to his outfit to hide the scars wrapped around his neck that were becoming clearer each day. It was at a small café that the child bumped into the man that would change his life forever. All it took was a hot coffee spilling onto the scarf and removing it without thinking.

Ritsu stared at the symbol marking the child's neck. He had seen the exact same scar on one other person, and they were back at Septimal Moon. The blond man thought the situation over quickly and handed the child a few napkins. They looked up startled before violet irises narrowed slightly.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't paying attention to where I was going. Allow me to give you something as forgiveness."
"Ore-sama wants nothing of yours."

A brow quirked up, ore-sama? What reason would this child have to refer to themselves as ore-sama?

"Are you sure miss-"
"Ore-sama is male, peasant!"
"Ah, forgive me. It seems I've made another error."
"Humph, what do you want?"
"Those are interesting marks on your neck."

The fabric was quickly rewrapped around the slender column. The dark indigo orbs narrowed even further.

"I've seen them before, would you like to meet the person who shares your name?"
"Shares…ore-sama's…name?"
"Yes, you are one of the special ones, there is only one person in the whole world who carries the same name as you. You could meet them, if you'd like."
"Hmmm."

Ritsu didn't say anything more, just took in the young boy's appearance. Bright colored hair, just breaching the pink shades of the red hued spectrum in tiny braids; ears and a slightly longer than average tail covered in fur of the same eye catching shade. Dulled irises danced on the border between royal purple and rich plum. The slender androgynous frame was cloaked in a lavender t-shirt dress, black and white candy cane stockings, black boots, and red, purple, black, and white bangles. A black and white striped scarf draped over his shoulders, trailing to a red heart backpack with mini bat wings.

"Are you finished staring at ore-sama? It's getting annoying."
"Merely intrigued, have you decided?"
"Ore-sama will go with you, but if this is a lie or trick: ore-sama will rip out your throat."

The blatant honesty coming from the child was enough to make Ritsu pause. The blond only nodded and headed away from the café, the child close behind.

FATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESSFATELESS

The halls of Septimal Moon were quiet, but that had never meant much. Ritsu strolled past the white walls and occasional door uncaringly. He noticed from the corner of his eye that the child was rubbing at his chest every so often the closer they got to where the Sentouki were roomed. Stopping outside the room he knocked once and opened the door. A single light was focused on the only furniture in the room. Perched in the chair was a young boy, older than the child. Black ears perked up at the sight of the sudden visitors rustling pitch black hair that fell in messy curls and waves to lightly muscled shoulders, framing startling emerald orbs. Emerald studs winked from his ears, three on one side, five on the other. All he wore was a pair of baggy blue jeans and an open white button up t-shirt. Bare feet were braced on the legs of the chair but what caught the child's attention instantly, were the scars wrapping around a tanned throat. Ritsu watched the child delicately touch the scarf around his own neck as purple eyes widened.

"Why…do you have…the same scars as ore-sama?"
"You share my name?"
"And why -here the orbs darkened and narrowed- does ore-sama's heart pull ore-sama towards you?"

The other boy stood up and walked closer, big hands pulled the fabric away his dark green eyes flashing. The child gasped, pink staining his cheekbones when the other licked at the brand. Green eyes latched onto violet and tanned arms pulled the slim body close. An onyx furred tail curled itself around the redheads' waist.

"My name is Itachi Hiruma, I'm your Sentouki. I've been waiting for you, for so very long."
"You've been waiting…for ore-sama?"
"Yes, yes."
"Hiruma…kun?"
"Yes, anything for my Sacrifice."

Ritsu met a gleaming purple gaze, a small smile dancing over the child's face.

"Ore-sama thanks you for this gift as an apology. And ore-sama has decided."
"Hmm?"

A slim finger was pointed at him, the smile growing.

"You shall give ore-sama a name!"
"A name?"
"Yes, ore-sama does not have one. You gave ore-sama Hiruma-kun, you shall give ore-sama a name as well."
"I see…very well. Your name shall be Millions Zaraki."
"Acceptable, what is your name?"
"Mine?"
"Yes, Zaraki-sama must know who to thank."
"Ritsu-sensei."
"Thank you Ritsu-sama for spilling coffee on my scarf. If you hadn't, Zaraki-sama would never have gone with you."

Hiruma's eyes widened, the verdant depths lacing with fear. He had never thought that he would have never met his sacrifice if not for the blond man. Keeping one arm on his sacrifice the brunet bowed deeply to the man.

"Thank you Ritsu-sensei-no, Ritsu-dono. Thank you Ritsu-dono."

All he received was a nod, but it was more than enough. Hiruma pulled his Zaraki closer, tongue darting out once more to lick at their name. To prove that it was real. Zaraki leaned into the warm body, sighing softly in relief. For as long as he could remember he had always been cold and alone. But not anymore, all thanks to Ritsu-sama.

In the doorway Ritsu's eyes gleamed darkly as he looked upon the newly formed pair, he could use this to his advantage. Beloved was becoming unruly, the Sacrifice no longer taking orders. As he shut the door the light caught on their name, casting the deep marks into light. A set of broken shackles, the chain wrapping around their necks twice; like charms a word hung from the chain, a letter to each link. It was the word that had him planning anew.

FATELESS.