Sacrifice or Fighter?

I lay in my bed once more, it had been a week since that fight in the park, a week since I saw him again. I fell asleep with him on my mind unable to think of anything else while he was gone. I could only think of the words we had said, that day in the park, how strongly he fought for me, to protect me.
When I awoke that morning I quickly showered and readied for school in the annoying green skirt and white polo shirt that was required of girls. This small town was run almost like a Japaneese town, except we spoke in English and didn't have to address each other with honorifics. I knew that Ritsuka was Japaneese when he addressed people as such and when he referred to Soubi as Soubi-san.
The junior high was grades seven through nine while the elementary was grades one through six. Much like in Japan the schooling was harsh and tough, high school was not mandatory, getting into high school was like getting into college and the school work in high school was just as hard as it was in college. I grabbed my back pack and headed out of my room.
I walked towards the front door and heard my mother's voice, "Azumi, where are you going?"
I turned to face my five foot seven inches tall mother with the same brown hair as I. Her eyes were blank, yet blue, the missing emotion in them making them look grayish. I looked into her eyes and smiled, "I am going to school mom, I will see you this afternoon."
She smiled, emotion still not meeting her eyes, "Okay Azumi, please be sure to come straight home today, I want to show you something."
I nodded, "I will mom, have a good day."
I turned and left the apartment building feeling as though something were wrong. I continued down the sidewalk and to the street. I normally walked to school considering it wasn't very far from my home. I sighed deeply and thought of the work I had to do in school and spending time with my friends.
I came up to the school courtyard and sure enough, Jason and Halani were there to greet me. I ran over to them and smiled at Halani as she said hello.
"Hello, so how are you today?"
She smiled, "I should be asking you such a question," she reached up to touch the bandage on my face. I backed away and shook my head, "That's nothing, I was clumsy was all. So, don't we have a test in math today?"
She smiled, "Yes, why must you remind me of that, I hate math."
I sighed, "I know, as do I, but we still have to take it."
Jason laughed, "I have to get to my class, lets go before we're late."

After school was over I stood waiting at the door for Halani with Jason. I turned feeling a chill run up my spine, I looked out the window. I noticed that when I looked at the sky it was suddenly cloudy where it had been clear once more. Jason looked over my way and said something, but his voice was unaudible. I closed my eyes and when I opened them everything was back to normal. I felt someone shaking me, it was Halani, "Azumi, Azumi are you okay?"
I nodded and snapped back to my senses looking at her with a smile, "Yes, I'm fine, I have to get home, my mom had something she wanted me to do."
I ran down the hall and then down the stairs away from them thinking, 'What is going on?' I ran down the street and up the stairs to my apartment and stopped just outside the door. I opened the door and walked inside putting my back pack on the floor inside the door, "Mom?"
I felt it then, once again the chill passed through me. I walked into the apartment taking off my shoes considering how Japaneese our apartment was designed to be. I walked across the wooden floors and looked into the living room, she wasn't there. I called out as I walked past the kitchen, "Mom?" I walked to the back of the house where her room was, "Mom? Mom are you in here?" I knocked lightly on the door and opened it a little. I could tell that candles were lit and I could see her kneeling in front of a altar of my brother and sister. I opened the door and walked inside seeing her and stopping once inside, "Mom?"
She stood up and turned to face me, her eyes empty as usual. I looked at her, "Mom, are you okay?"
She smiled, "Yes, come here Azumi."
I walked closer feeling the chill growing stronger. She reached out for me and I allowed her to grab my hand. The chill ran all the way through me at her touch. I closed my eyes a memory of the fights with her, the fights with her when I was younger. Memories that I did not want, they were flowing in my mind. I saw my brother and sister when I was younger, fighting with her, trying to keep her from getting to me. I opened my eyes and saw that she had a dagger in her other hand. I pulled away and backed up, but she still held my hand tightly, "You are not my child, you are not Azumi!"
I shook my head, "Mom, no please, I am Azumi, I am your daughter."
She shook her head and moved the dagger above her head and brought it down. I pulled back once more breaking her hold suffering only a cut across my arm. I turned and ran out of her room, but she came after me picking up the dagger. She screamed out, "You are not Azumi!"
I tripped and fell on my own two feet. I felt her close in on me and turned over to face her scooting away with my hands. She walked closer to me until she stood over me and raised the dagger above her head. I shook my head, "Please mom, it really is me, it is Azumi."
She knelt down and brought down the dagger aiming it for my chest. I moved back and felt it strike my leg and cried out. I grabbed the dagger and pulled it out of my leg then moved back and got to my feet as she sat there saying, "You are not my child, you are not my child, you are not my child." I forced myself to my feet and moved past her carefully. I made myself walk up the stairs and made my way to my room. I sat down in my chair at my desk and looked down at the stab wound in my leg. I placed my hand down and thanks to my chair having wheels I moved it to my dresser and took the first aid kit from my top drawer.
I took out the gauge and pulled the skirt up so that I could address the wound properly. I reached into the drawer and took the bottle or peroxide and opened it. I poured the peroxide on the wound and had to bite my lip at how much it burned. I felt tears touch my eyes from the pain and place the gauge on the wound. I took deep breaths to keep myself from crying out and taped the gauge down onto my leg. I made sure it was tight to keep the bleeding down.
I sighed and closed my eyes tears in my eyes, "Why can't I remember everything? I know she hates me, I'm not the Azumi she knew." I jumped when I heard someone knocking on my bedroom door. Then a chill passed through me when I heard her, "Open this door!"
I shook with fear hoping she wouldn't break into my room, I got to my feet, my leg throbbing so bad I had to put my hand on it. I felt the warmth of my blood seeping through the gauge. I stepped back towards the window. I leaned back against the sliding door. She continued to beat on the door. I covered my ears and slid down the door. I almost fell back when someone opened the door. He caught me and grabbed me under my arms and lifted me to my feet. I cried out upon the pain in my leg when my foot hit the ground.
He turned me around, it was Ritsuka, "Are you okay Azumi?"
I nodded, "Yeah . . . I just . . . fell . . . "
He sighed and picked me up in his arms and looked at me, "I know you're lying. How about you come to my place for the night?"
I closed my eyes, "I . . . your place . . . "
He smiled making me blush, "I won't do anything, it is just to get away from your mom for the night."
I sighed, "Okay, but you can put me down, I can walk." He looked at my leg and saw the still bleeding wound, "It doens't look that way, I can carry you to my apartment, but I live in the city."
I sighed, "The city, are you a college student?"
He nodded, "Yes, I am nineteen Azumi," he backed away from my door and turned around. He jumped off the balcony and landed on the street. He walked down the street to the bus stop by the school still carrying me. He set me down on the bench at the bus stop and sat down next to me. He looked at the wound on my leg, "What happened, really?"
I sighed, "She was having one of her episodes, she tried to kill me but missed."
He looked at me, "She missed?"
I nodded, "She had a dagger, she was trying to stab me and I moved away so that she hit my leg instead. But I have to go back to her, she's my mom and I'm only fifteen."
He nodded, "I know, you can go back to her after she calms down."
I sighed and heard the bus pull up. He helped me get on the bus and take a seat as he paid the fair. We rode the bus to the university and got off. He helped me walk down the street and we came up to a four story apartment building. I noticed someone wave at us from afar and say, "Hey there Ritsuka."
Ritsuka waved back and led me to the elevator at the end of the hallway. He smiled as we got on and held me around the waist as he led me on. He leaned back against the wall of the elevator and held me close to him. I sighed and enjoyed the moment, the warmth and security I felt when I was around him. We stopped on the third floor and got off then as he held me around the waist we walked down the hallway. I noticed a young man with long blond hair, tied back at the base of his neck walk over to us. Ritsuka stopped as the young man smiled, "Hello there Ritsuka."
Ritsuka held me tightly to his side and I looked into this young man's eyes, he looked to be in his late twenties. His eyes were dark blue and I noticed that he had a bandage around his neck. He peered through his glasses and said softly, "Are you okay Ritsuka?"
Ritsuka shook his head as though he was unable to speak upon seeing this man. I looked up at him, his face was pale and his eyes were lighter blue, it was as though he had seen a ghost. I thought in my head, "Is this possibly Soubi-san?"
Ritsuka looked at me and said softly, "No, that isn't possible . . . " then both of us looked to the man as he said, "Yes it is." He reached up as we looked at him and ripped off the bandage showing a carving that said Beloved and had what looked like barb wire carved into his neck. Ritsuka took a step back forcing me with him as he said, "No, it can't be, I saw him kill you. I was right there when he did it."
Soubi took a deep breath, "Ritsuka, he is deceitful, and I will do as you wish to prove that I am really Soubi."
Ritsuka sighed, "I . . ." he adjusted his arm to hold me more firmly to his side and then walked past Soubi and stopped at room 345 and took keys from his pocket. He opened the door to be greet by a young man his age. This young man had short brown hair, green eyes, pale skin, he was wearing a white muscle shirt and a pair of blue jeans and looked very atheletic. He looked from Ritsuka to Soubi then to me and said as he looked back at Ritsuka, "What is this then?"
Ritsuka smiled and reached behind me to close the door, but Soubi reached as well brushing his hand across Ritsuka's. Ritsuka closed the door and Soubi backed away as I looked to Ritsuka's face to find him blushing. Ritsuka led me to where his bed was and sat me down while Soubi and his room mate looked at each other. Ritsuka turned and stood next to where I sat on his bed. I looked around the room, there were two beds on opposite sides of the room, in the center was a long nighstand with two lamps and a book next to the lamp close to Ritsuka's bed.
I also noticed a tall dresser on each side of the room and two computer desks. Ritsuka sighed and said to his room mate, "Michael, this is Soubi-san and Azumi."
He smiled and looked at me once more then looked to Soubi, he seemed to have a look of jealousy when he looked at Soubi. Soubi smiled to him and looked to Ritsuka, "So, what is it that I shall do to make you believe it is me?"
Ritsuka looked at Soubi, "I shall discuss that later, for now," he looked at Michael, "If you could leave us alone for a moment."
Michael scoffed, reminding Soubi of Rio from Japan. Michael turned to leave saying, "I hope these two are not thinking that you are their's to have."
Soubi looked at Ritsuka and Ritsuka smiled as he said to Michael, "I am no one's to have Michael, my heart belongs free."
Michael turned at the door, "But oh, you know how I wish, and what I wish."
Ritsuka laughed, "Michael, if you please, I need a moment alone with them."
Michael scoffed once more and opened the door, he walked into the hall closing the door behind him as he said, "That damn boy . . . "
Soubi smiled and looked to Ritsuka, "He reminds me of Rio."
Ritsuka went pale at the mention of Rio, he looked at Soubi who was still smiling. Soubi stepped over to him and leaned down, considering he was still a few inches taller than Ritsuka. He whispered in his ear and as I looked at Ritsuka I saw him blush and then Soubi stood up straight. Ritsuka looked away from him, "You say that even now, I have had much more practice."
This time as I looked at Soubi I noticed a blush touch his face, "I know you have, but does this prove who I am?"
Ritsuka smiled and then his eyes met me and the smile faded. I took his hand and said softly, "I am not one to deny you love, nor am I one who will stand by to watch someone who will deny themselves love."
Ritsuka smiled and moved to kneel down in front of me, "Azumi . . . I . . . "
I sighed and looked at Soubi, "You two love each other very much, there is no dening it. I don't want either of you to deny yourselves of the right to be happy because of me." Soubi smiled and looked at me, "I doubt that it is such an easy decision for Ritsuka, he loves me and I would die for him. But he also loves you, so much that he would die to protect you and keep you safe."
Ritsuka looked at Soubi and quickly looked away shyly trying to keep from meeting eye contact. I smiled and said to both of them, "The two of you are adorable. Ritsuka can make me blush as easily as you make him."
Ritsuka blushed and Soubi looked away with a blush touching his face as well. I took Ritsuka's hand and kissed his hand lightly. I moved to get to my feet and flinched from the pain in my leg. Soubi came over to Ritsuka's side and knelt down next to him. Ritsuka sighed and placed his hand over my wound then looked to Soubi, "In my dresser there are some bandages, could you . . . "
Soubi stood up and ruffled Ritsuka's hair playfully then got up to get the bandages. He opened the top drawer and took out some bandages and some peroxide. Ritsuka took the bandages from him careful not to brush his hand with Soubi's. Ritsuka took his hand from my still bleeding wound and quickly removed the tape making me jump from the pain. He carefully pulled off the gauge and then took the bottle of peroxide from Soubi.
Soubi sighed and said softly, "I could use hypnotisim to . . . "
Ritsuka shook his head as he opened the peroxide, "No, scars are reminders, they help you remember things. I don't want her to forget anything, she needs to remember it . . . "
I touched his hand and finished his statement, "To remember who I am, just as you need them to know who you are."
Soubi smiled and reached to touch my head, I felt him ruffle my hair and say sweetly, "Little Azumi, always so pure and innocent."
Ritsuka looked at Soubi while I closed my eyes. Soubi smiled and I saw it finally, memories flashing across my mind; I saw my brother the day before the accident, the very night before. When I looked at him I saw Soubi's face, younger, without his ears, he had suddenly appeared after years of being gone. I remembered my sister's face that day when he had come to take her to the school, a guy that looked like Ritsuka stood next to Soubi saying that they had to go. I opened my eyes and said softly, "Eric . . . "
Ritsuka poured the peroxide carefully on my leg and I hissed in pain as it stung. Ritsuka carefully put a clean bandage then took a bondage on my leg and lifted my leg careful to keep his eyes on my wound. I hissed once more when he secured the bondage to keep the bandage on my leg. He let go of my leg and got to his feet then turned to Soubi, "You have some explaining to do."
Soubi looked at him innocently, "What do you mean?"
Ritsuka shook his head, "I know when you're lying by now, you lied enough in the past."
Soubi sighed, "Okay, the truth is that I am American, this young lady Azumi, she is my sister."
Ritsuka sighed, "I figured that much, but you had a twin sister."
I sighed and nodded, "Yes, her name was Elreka, our family is very Japaneese. But what suprises me is that you changed your name to Soubi."
Soubi nodded, "Yes, well my name was changed by Sensei to Soubi. I later found out that my name meant something other than Beloved."
Ritsuka looked at him, "Other than Beloved?"
Soubi nodded once more, "Yes, my name translated actually means honor, Jin."
Ritsuka sighed, "Okay, but Azumi knows you now . . . "
I looked at him, "Of course I do, when Eric touched my head the memories came flooding back, but I still don't have them all."
Soubi moved to kneel in front of me and touched my hand, "Azumi, if you truly wish to remember everything, I can do so. But tell me what you do remember."
I nodded, "I remember the day you returned with . . . "
Soubi finished, "Seime, that was only days after we had been paired together. I was there to take Elreka to the Seven Moons to train as a fighter. It was an order by Seime to go and retrieve her, at that time I couldn't deny his orders."
I continued not giving Ritsuka time to say anything, "That was all I could remember. But I remembered when mom tried to kill me, small moments when all of us were fighting with her. You and Elreka trying to keep her from getting to me. But the day after you left there was an accident, I lost my memories and mom is more violent now."
He looked at my leg, "I can tell, she stabbed you in the leg."
I sighed, "She was aiming for my heart, I moved. But I have to go back."
Soubi sighed, "No you don't, now that I'm back, you can come live with me."
I smiled, "Really, where do you live?"
Soubi looked at Ritsuka, "I live here."
Ritsuka laughed, "No you don't, there is no way I could live with you again."
Soubi got to his feet and said with an innocent smile, "I won't do anything with my sister here."
Ritsuka sighed, "What about my roomate? Where will he go?"
Soubi sighed, "I am sure he has family, or if you are so concerned her could live here. We could get a bigger apartment, I will get a job."
Ritsuka sighed, "Yes, you will get a job, but move to where, a four room apartment?"
Soubi shook his head, "No three bedrooms should be enough."
I laughed as Ritsuka blushed, "Three rooms should be enough. But how about discussing this tomorrow, I have school tomorrow."
Soubi nodded, "Yes, well . . . I believe that four people sleeping in one bedroom and then coming out of this small apartment in the morning will be suspicious. I have enough money to rent a room . . . "
Ritsuka nodded, "That sounds fine, but Azumi . . . "
I looked at him, "Don't be silly, I will go with Soubi, I want to talk to him more."


In the morning Ritsuka sat up in the bed and looked to find Michael sleeping peacefully in his bed facing the wall. Ritsuka sighed and got out of the bed, he had slept in his boxers, which were black and cotton. He walked to the door on the far left side of the room and turned on the bathroom light. He then closed the door, after about twenty minutes he stepped out of the bathroom and walked to his dresser taking out a pair of jeans and a T-shirt, both black. He sighed and put the towel on the dresser as he pulled his jeans on. He looked at Michael's bed and noticed that he had gotten up and was dressing on the other side of the room.
Ritsuka sighed and walked into the bathroom once more brushing his hair and tying it back at the base of his neck. He sighed and reached for his toothbrush. He was brushing his teeth when Michael came into the bathroom.
Ritsuka looked over at him and mumbled, "Morning," Michael smiled and said, "Morning, hand me my toothbrush please Ritsuka."
Ritsuka smiled and spit out the toothpaste then rinsed out his mouth. He took Michael's blue toothbrush and gave it to him. Michael grabbed his hand and said, "Why, why him and not me?"
Ritsuka smiled once more, "Michael, I'm sorry . . . "
Michael smiled, "Then tell me why can't we be together? I knew that you liked me when we met, so why?"
Ritsuka pulled his hand away, "I love him, I love her, it's confusing having them both in my life. I'm sorry Michael, I value your friendship I really do."
Michael sighed and began brushing his teeth as Ritsuka walked out of the room and put his shirt on. He grabbed his back pack and headed out of the apartment, "We are going to be moving to a bigger apartment, Soubi and Azumi need a place to stay."
Michael walked out of the bathroom as Ritsuka opened the door, "Am I moving out as well?"
Ritsuka turned at the door and smiled, "Of course, but you going to live with us. I would never leave such a dear friend out to dry."
Ritsuka headed out of the apartment closing the door behind him and leaving Michael with a smile on his face. Michael walked back in the bathroom, "I know that, but us being only friends isn't what I want."

I stopped outside my junior high school and looked at Soubi. He looked at me and knelt down in front of me letting go of my hand, "You are very honorable Azumi, I am proud of you for staying alive all this time. You must have endured a lot of pain in all this time."
I smiled and nodded, "I am happy to be alive," he hugged me then and said softly, "You love him as much as I, but you are his soulmate not I. It pains me to give him up, but you diserve him far more than I."
I hugged him back and said back to him, "No, I don't, you have known him longer, fought for him. He fights for me, I cannot fight for him."
He let me go and held me by the shoulders out in front of him, "You can support him, love him, and make him happy where I cannot."
I nodded and sighed, "Okay, if you believe that, you can. I have to get to class."
He stood up and let me go, I turned and started to walk towards the school. Halani and Jason walked over to me and Halani took my arm and asked, "Who was that hunk? Why do you always get the attention of the hot ones?"
Jason scowled and I sighed as I said, "Don't be silly, that is my older brother. Ritsuka is a good friend of his and that is how I know them."
Jason sighed as Halani exclaimed, "You're older brother?! Ritsuka looks a little young to be friends with your older brother, Eric is like six years older than you. Didn't your friend Ritsuka say he was nineteen?"
I looked at her, "Yes, I know how old both of them are. I said they were good friends, what are you emplying?"
Jason sighed, "She is emplying that she read files on your brother. She found them on the internet and found out that Eric changed his name to Soubi."
Halani giggled, "Yeah, I was bored, I was going to show you what I found after school today. If you're interested."
I smiled, "Yes, I'm interested, not to mention it will give the two of them time to catch up with each other better."

After school was over Halani, Jason, and I walked out of the courtyard and Soubi and Ritsuka were there waiting. I looked at Soubi and said, "Hello. I am going to go spend time with Halani and Jason, do you mind?"
Soubi smiled and shook his head, "Of course not Azumi, Ritsuka and I would like to do some catching up."
Ritsuka sighed and looked at me, "I guess we will see you later, be careful."
He walked over to me and handed a cellphone attatched to a lanyard, "Next time, call me if she gets out of hand. I know you will go back for now."
I smiled and closed my hand over the cell phone, "Thank you Ritsuka, I will, I promise."
Halani and Jason headed towards the end of the street Halani grabbing my arm. I opened the cell phone as she dragged me behind her. The first number on my contacts was lable Ritsuka, the second, Soubi, and the third was Michael. As Halani led me to her house I smiled and closed the phone and put it in my pocket.

Ritsuka sighed, "She's as hopeless as I was, never wanting to actually leave her mom even though she tries to kill her."
Soubi smiled, "Yes, but you used to be a pascifist, she never was. From what I found out on her school files she is actually a martial artist, the top of her class."
Ritsuka sighed, "It must drive her crazy to not be able to fight."
Soubi nodded and grabbed Ritsuka's hand then pulled him behind him leading him in the direction of the park. Ritsuka sighed as Soubi pulled him behind him with a blush on his face, "The park, this is going to be interesting."
Soubi laughed and pulled him through the park until he found a secluded table surrounded by tall trees and away from prying eyes. Ritsuka sat down at the small table and sighed, "How did you get out of there?"
Soubi sighed as he took his seat across the table, "The same way as before, I fought my way out. Sensei has sent more fighters to find me, he even went as far as to send them after you."
Ritsuka nodded, "I know, last week we were attacked. Normally fighters only start fights to prove their strength or grow stronger. These two were trying to kill, it was their intent. I am sure Seven Moons knows that I am here, they probably know that once you escaped you would come to me. It is dangerous, but luckily I have two fighters to fight with and will not be left defenseless."
Soubi smiled and reached for Ritsuka's hand, this time Ritsuka allowed him to take his hand and bring it to his lips. Ritsuka looked at Soubi and smiled, "I remember the first time you did that, I hated it so much when you said those words back then. I hated that you kissed me, and then you kissed my hand."
Soubi smiled, "I remember that deep red blush on your face when I did so. I also remember your disgust at that time."
Ritsuka sighed, "You are too much sometimes," Soubi leaned over the table and stroked Ritsuka's cheek. Ritsuka didn't hide his blushing face nor did he turn away when Soubi moved closer to him and kissed him. Ritsuka kissed him back but then he broke the kiss upon feeling Soubi's tounge breaking apart his lips.
Soubi smiled and backed away, "Is something wrong Ritsuka?"
Ritsuka's face was redder than ever but he looked into Soubi's eyes, "No, it's not that . . . it's just that . . . "
Soubi sighed with a gentle, understanding smile, "Memories, or would you prefer somewhere more private?"
Ritsuka laughed, "Soubi, you're really too much."
Soubi stood up and walked over to Ritsuka's side and grabbed his hand and pulled him to his feet. Soubi looked at him and smiled, "You did get taller, you're still shorter than me, but I think that five foot eleven is pretty tall."
Ritsuka sighed, "Yeah, but Seime was taller than I am now."
Soubi ruffled his hair and then pulled him behind him as they walked out of the park. Ritsuka walked up beside him and held Soubi's hand tightly, "I'm happy you're back Soubi, I missed you."
Soubi blushed, "I missed you too Ritsuka."

I sat at the computer and read all the files from Ritsuka's junior high and high school. I read the file carefully; 'Ritsuka was seen with a university student, though friends said that it was nothing other sources said different. In all truth Soubi was often wanted for questioning about his relationship with the much younger boy. Then it was reported that Ritsuka went missing and his mother had commited suicide. Other reports of these two were reported years after the incident and neither could be found for questioning.' I sighed, "This tells nothing but lies or things I already know."
Halani sighed as she looked up from her spot on her bed. Jason was sitting next to her watching t.v. She looked at me and said, "You mean to tell me that all of that wasn't true?"
I nodded and turned in the chair to face her, "Of course not, Soubi is a good friend of Ritsuka's dead brother. Ritsuka's mother was a shitzofrentic, she was very violent. When Ritsuka went missing she commited suicide due to the sorrow. She had lost her husband, her oldest son, and then her younger son, she died from depression and her own hands after a long battle with a disease she couldn't fight against. Everything that is said about Soubi and Ritsuka isn't true anyway. And when they went missing . . . " I felt a shock pass through my head, then I heard Ritsuka's voice, he seemed a little out of breath, "Don't, if you mention them they can erase your memories."
I looked up and looked at Jason and Halani, "I don't know, but they were taken. This file is nothing but lies."
Halani smiled, "It seems as though you're very defensive of them, I understand your defensiveness for Eric, but why Ritsuka? You just met him, but he gives you a cell phone, and the two of you look at each other as though you've known each other forever."
I smiled, "I feel like I have, who knows, maybe I have. I don't have all my memories."
Halani smiled and leaned over towards me, "I can assure you that I am about the only one you have known forever Azumi. But if you think you can trust him, then that is your decision, he would have to prove himself trustworthy to gain your trust to begin with."
I sighed, "Yeah, well he has, several times."

Ritsuka shuddered as Soubi kissed his neck and moved him against the wall of the hotel room where he and Azumi had stayed the other night. Ritsuka closed his eyes and ran his fingers through Soubi's hair as he bit at his neck.
Soubi loved the taste of Ritsuka's smooth skin, he could feel Ritsuka shudder with every move of his mouth, every swipe of his tounge and the brush of his teeth. Soubi moved his hand to Ritsuka's hip and slowly pushed his hand up under his shirt feeling Ritsuka shudder once more. Soubi slowly brushed his fingers across Ritsuka's skin as he moved his hand around to his back and pulled him away from the wall. He moved his lips to meet Ritsuka's mouth and Ritsuka responded as he wanted him to, kissing him back and not breaking the kiss when Soubi forced his toung into Ritsuka's mouth he was instead met with Ritsuka's.
Ritsuka felt Soubi's hand dig into his back and then he withdrew his hand and started to take off his shirt. Ritsuka broke their kiss long enough to take off his shirt then Soubi did the same. Soubi then kissed Ritsuka once more and then grabbed his wrist and pulled him over towards the bed. Ritsuka pulled back for a moment unsure if he could go through with this, the painful memories flashing in his mind.
Soubi felt the reluctance and knew what signaled it. He turned and faced Ritsuka and pulled him to him. Ritsuka looked up into his eyes, "I'm sorry . . . " Soubi kissed him and when he broke the kiss he stepped back slightly and ran his fingers down Ritsuka's neck and his chest, "Don't Ritsuka, don't apologize."
Ritsuka shivered from the caress of Soubi's fingers across his chest and then across his stomach. Soubi stopped at his waist and as Ritsuka looked at his hand Soubi used his other hand to turn up his face and kiss him. The hand that had stopped at his waist now wrapped around his waist and then he slowly led Ritsuka to the bed and laid him down. Soubi held himself over Ritsuka still kissing him as he moved his hand to Ritsuka's leg and over his jeans started to rub his hand up and down Ritsuka's leg.
Ritsuka couldn't keep his leg still at the feel of Soubi's hand it was making him feel antsy and restless. Soubi reached up with his hand that had been caressing Ritsuka's leg and started to unbutton his jeans then he undid the zipper. Ritsuka broke the kiss and almost muttered, 'wait,' but stopped himself as Soubi pulled on his jeans and moved his mouth to Ritsuka's neck once again. Instead of igniting bad memories Soubi reignited the forbidden desires he had for Soubi when he was only twelve. Ritsuka suddenly felt helpless to Soubi's touch, his kisses, his very existence. Every kiss, every touch, every little brush of one another's skin fueled a passion, a un- extinqusihable fire that could never die out.
Soubi could feel the heat coming from Ritsuka's skin, his very breath, he knew that he was getting a strong reaction and all he wanted to do was fuel it even more. He finally stopped kissing Ritsuka and pulled his jeans from him and threw them to the floor then removed his own. Ritsuka looked up at Soubi as he stood over him in only his boxers; his shape, his very being was driving him insane with lust. He really wanted this, even after every time he had tried to tell himself that he didn't when he was younger.
Soubi laid back down this time allowing himself to lie down fully on top of Ritsuka. He kissed him several times and kissed his very sensitive neck that he had been continually working on since they closed the hotel door. Ritsuka flinched when Soubi ran his fingers down his side, he shuddered when he felt Soubi touch his leg lightly, he blushed red with heat in his skin when Soubi moved to kiss down his neck, down the middle of his chest and to his stomach.
Ritsuka let out a small cry once Soubi was back at his tender neck once more. He cried out in longing when Soubi brushed his hand against his . . .

I took a deep breath as I stopped outside the apartment, I reached into my pocket and took out my house key and unlocked the door. Then I removed my key and turned the doorknob cautious of where my mother was as I walked inside and closed the door. I stopped and removed my shoes then walked straight to the stairs and up to my room.
I closed my door silently and set my back pack on the floor next to my door then crossed the room and sat down on my bed. I looked out of the sliding glass door and saw a small amount of sunlight coming through the bottom. I laid back on the bed with my arms crossed behind my head and sighed, "I really hope he can be happy. I don't know why, why I feel so strongly for him after only being with him for a few days."
I rolled over on my side resting my head on my left arm and my right across my side. I closed my eyes and fell into a deep sleep. In my dream I awoke to find myself in a place filled with only light, nothing else was around me. I looked to my right suddenly hearing my name, it was my sister Elreka. She looked the same as the day she left, the day before the accident.
I smiled, "Elreka!"
She looked at me, "Who are you?"
The smiled faded from my face, "I am Azumi . . . "
She shook her head, "You are not my sister . . . my sister would never act as you do. She was never one to forget so many things."
I shook my head, "I'm . . . there was an accident . . . "
She shook her head and walked towards me, "No, they just tell you that. You don't even look like her, Azumi had red hair and green eyes, she was kind where you are not. She was devoted and innocent . . . you are not her."
She suddenly reached out and grabbed the front of my shirt then held me above the ground, "Where is Azumi?"
I felt tears touch my face, "I'm Azumi . . . "
Then she disappeared and I fell to the ground on my knees. I heard Soubi call my name saying, "Azumi, Azumi where are you little Azumi?"
I turned around and got to my feet, he looked at me and continued to call, "Azumi, where are you?"
I ran towards him and said, "I'm Azumi."
He looked at me, "No," he shook his head, "No you're not, my sister would never forget."
Then he disappeared and I turned to find my mother to my immediate right, she was screaming my name, "AZUMI! AZUMI!"
I ran to her and when she saw me she shoved me out of her way. She continued to call out, "AZUMI! AZUMI!" I fell to my knees and wept whipsering, "I'm Azumi, I'm Azumi, I just have to be."
Then I heard someone else whispering, "Azumi, Azumi wake up."
I opened my eyes and found myself in my room, someone was shaking me. I turned over to find Ritsuka and Soubi standing in my room. I started to shake and Ritsuka immediately embraced me and whispered softly, "It's okay, it's over now." I looked up at his face and saw a dagger in his other hand. I saw it come down to stab me in the back and then I woke up with a start, drenched with cold sweat and out of breath.
I moved to lean back against the wall and brought my knees up to my chest. I crossed my arms and rested them on my knees then burried my face in my arms and cried while whispering, "Am I really her?"

Ritsuka woke up suddenly feeling a pain in his very soul, a sorrow that ran very deep. He looked up at Soubi's peaceful face and sat up. He then moved to put his feet on the ground and reached for his boxers and jeans nereby on the floor. Soubi sat up and grabbed him around the waist kissing the back of his neck. Ritsuka stood up and pulled on his boxers and said, "Not now, something is wrong."
As Ritsuka pulled on his jeans and buttoned and zipped them he saw Soubi dress as well. Ritsuka looked near the small bathroom for his shirt and put it on then looked back at Soubi who was completely dressed. Soubi looked at Ritsuka, "So, what is it?"
Ritsuka sighed, "We have to go to her, there's something seriously bothering her and from the feel of it she will need you more than me."

I cried the tears falling from my eyes uncontrollably, "Why, who am I?"
I couldn't stop the tears, the doubt, the fears of being nothing more than a jeap imitation of the real Azumi. I heard my sliding door open but I couldn't stop crying an dupon knowing it would be Ritsuka I didn't want him to see me crying, the real Azumi would never question her identity.
I felt Ritsuka sit down next to me, he reached out for my hands but I shook him off moving to the the farthest part of my bed. I curled up against the wall and leaned my forehead onto the wall. Ritsuka looked at me and then glanced at Soubi, "You have to say something to her Soubi."
Soubi nodded and brushed his hand across Ritsuka's back, Ritsuka moved from my bed and I felt Soubi sit down. He put his hand on my head and said softly, "Azumi, look at me please."
I sniffed and looked up at him, he then embraced me breaking my defensive hold. He held me close to him and whispered in my ear, "Tell me what is bothering you, what is causing your tears little Azumi?"
I wrapped my arms around him and whispered to him, "Who am I? Why am I here?"
Ritsuka moved to sit at my desk while Soubi let me go and held me out in front of him by my shoulders, "What do you mean, you are my little sister, Azumi. That is who you are, you are yourself, you are Azumi."
I shook my head fresh tears leaving my eyes, "No, I'm not, Azumi is someone else, someone who remembers everything, I can't prove who I am . . . "
He smiled and reached to his back pocket and took out a picture, he held it out in front of him, "I have a wallet full of pictures, memories that prove that you are who you are."
I looked at him and reached out to take the pictures, I looked at them while I wiped away my tears with my other hand. He smiled and placed his hand on mine and then I looked up at him, "I . . . "
Soubi shook his head, "Don't Azumi, you are my little sister, no matter what anyone else says to you. I know who you are, and you should believe that you are Azumi."
I nodded, "Thank you Eric, I mean Soubi . . . "
He smiled, "You can call by the name you know me by."
I smiled and handed him the pictures, he shook his head and gave them back, "I have my memories, you keep the pictures for your own."
I nodded and moved to get up from my bed, he grabbed my hand and pulled me to my feet while standing up as well. I walked past him and then out of my room to the bathroom.

Ritsuka sighed as I walked out of the room and closed the door. Soubi turned and faced Ritsuka, "You two are far more connected than even you realize Ritsuka."
Ritsuka smiled, "I know that, I could tell when I first saw her. I never would have guessed that we had so much in common."
Soubi walked over to where Ritsuka sat down and knelt down in front of him, "I never would have wished for a better soul mate to my little sister. You two are truly meant to be . . . "
Ritsuka sighed, "You're so damn . . . "
Soubi took his hand in his and brought it to his lips, after he kissed it he said, "I know, but you do remember what they said; when you find the other part of your soul the bound will be stronger."
Ritsuka nodded, "I know, but I don't . . . "
Soubi shook his head, "Don't Ritsuka, you will have to let me go, you know that. You were lying with me when you felt her pain, your bound is already stronger with her and you haven't connected fully yet."
Ritsuka shook his head, "No, it isn't . . . "
Soubi reached up and touched Ritsuka's cheek and stood up, Ritsuka closed his eyes as Soubi bent down over him and kissed his forehead. Ritsuka opened his eyes and looked into Soubi's eyes, "Soubi, I can't . . . "
Soubi backed away and took Ritsuka's hand and pulled him to his feet. Ritsuka looked up at Soubi and met his eyes once more. Soubi smiled and bent down, "I will always love you Ritsuka, I will always be here for you. But you will have to let me go once you and Azumi have accepted your true destiny's."
Ritsuka reached up and touched his hand to Soubi's cheek, Soubi was startled by the action. Ritsuka turned his head up and using the hand that was on Soubi's cheek he gripped the back of his neck and for once pulled Soubi into a kiss. They both closed their eyes and then Ritsuka suddenly felt a pain in his chest, a chill running down his spine. He broke the kiss and stepped back from Soubi, he wouldn't meet his eyes.
Ritsuka looked to the door and suddenly heard Azumi's mother; "You devil child!"
There was a loud crash and a faint cry from Azumi, Ritsuka grabbed the back of his head suddenly. Soubi stepped up next to him to see blood on Ritsuka's hand when he released his hand from his head. Soubi watched Ritsuka as he heard another cry from Azumi, then watched as blood trickled down Ritsuka's mouth. Ritsuka touched the side of his hand to his mouth.
Ritsuka shook his head, "No . . . " he ran to the door and when his hand closed around the doorknob Soubi grasped his arm. Ristuka looked at him and then he felt something else, his leg was throbbing and when he looked at his arm where Soubi had grabbed him he noticed blood. Soubi let go of his arm and looked at the blood, "Ritsuka, let me, she's my mother."
Ritsuka nodded and grabbed the deep cut that had appeared on his arm, he knew deep down that this made it finalized. He and Soubi would be only the past, his destiny lied with her. He watched Soubi walk out into the hallway. He looked down the hall to find the bathroom door open and then he heard Azumi's mom scream. She screamed out, "Eric! Where have you been?!"
He saw Soubi back out of the bathroom and then he saw Azumi's mom follow him. When Ritsuka looked at her he saw a flash of his own mother's face. He shook his head and looked at her, her eye were the same as Soubi's, but so full of pain and depression. Her skin was pale, her hair was the same color as Azumi's with grey highlights in them.
Ritsuka watched as Soubi pushed past her and said, "What have you done? What have you done to Azumi?"
His mother stood there and shook her head then turned and pointed in the bathroom, "That is not Azumi!"
Soubi walked out of the bathroom and carried Azumi in his arms, Ritsuka felt his heart stop at the site of her. It was painful to have the same wounds, but more painful to see them on her. Soubi carried her into the room as Ritsuka stepped aside. Their mother walked over to the door of Azumi's room and she stopped and looked at Ritsuka.
I looked over at my mother as she looked at Ritsuka, Soubi set me down on the bed and stood in front of my bed while the two of us watched Ritsuka and our mother. She looked at him and raised her hand to point at him, "You, you're just a copy, a imitation."
Ritsuka sighed and I thought for a moment he was going to get upset. Soubi sat down next to me on my bed and took my hand, "Don't worry . . . "
Ristuka took a deep breath and smiled at her, "I know that, but I'm okay with that. But Azumi, she's not an imitation, her brother, your son can prove that to you."
She shook her head, "No . . . that's not my . . . "
Ristuka shook his head, "Yes she is, just ask your son . . . Eric, oh I give up," he looked at us, "I'm going to go to the park, see you two later."
With that Ritsuka walked off down the hallway and down the stairs. Soubi moved to go after him, but I grabbed his hand, "Wait, please . . . "
I could feel both of their pain, Ritsuka had always been called fake, an imitation, not real. I could feel his pain, it was radiating off of him, the same way it radiated off of Soubi to see him in pain. Soubi nodded and turned to face me. He looked at the cut on my arm, my busted lip and shook his head, "You're not supposed to let her do this."
I smiled, "Yeah, I know . . . "
My mother walked into the room, "Where have you been Eric, where is your sister?"
Soubi closed his eyes and stood up blocking her view of me. He looked right at her, "Mom, I want you to go to sleep now, please mom."
Soubi raised his hand in front of her and snapped his finger with one simple word, "Sleep." Then he stepped forward and caught her as she fell. He picked her up and carried her out of the room. I would have been horrorfied if I hadn't seen it before . . .