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Steps for Nakamura-sensei’s Love Triangle Cover
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Nakamura-Sensei’s Love Triangle Cover
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Here’s the art I had worked on for a while since I first saw the lovely title page for chapter 26 (waiting patiently for english translations.) I decided on a violet/indigo/blue tint for Nao’s hair color. Also, Takano’s body looked really awkward in the official art, if it looks better or worst I’m not sure.
I really love how this turned out and I’d like to draw more Sekaiichi Hatsukoi art. If anyone has any suggestions, send them in please! I’m not sure if this tumblr gives you the option to ask me stuff, but if it does go for it, or private message me or even reply to this piece! I’d really appreciate requests!
Ive had this blog for a few months and I just realized i had spelled Tsundere as 'tsunundre'. By time i realized, ritsundere had already been taken, so i had to add on 'takanonymous'.
Step By Step: Sekaiichi Hatsukoi Wallpaper ------------------------------- If you would like to use it, go on ahead. Please do not repost.
I wanted a new wallpaper for my computer and doodled this piece of art. ^-^ It’s free to use, just don’t repost please.
Ritsu's Demons (Second Installment)
I will update this second installment of Ritsu’s Demons by reblogging. This will probably turn into a long post, but it will be worth the read I promise.
If you are new, this is the second installment. Please revert to my blog and search “Ritsu’s Demons” to find the first 10 chapters. If you keep reading this post, you may run into some spoilers.
This is a warning that the fan fiction may contain some graphic things. Not to bad, as I am trying to keep it at a minimum. There might be some sex scene is all I am saying.
Read at your own risk.
Description: Onodera Ritsu is a photojournalist who is assigned a particular case on the cultists that are related to the killings that have occurred for several months now. When he thinks he has gotten the perfect shot of one of these criminals, he is kidnapped and under the mercy of the cult. What will happen to Onodera as he is faced with these demons? A photojournalist may live for theses thrills, but God forbid they die for them!
Chapter 11:
The sacrament failed. It was a big let down for both of them, but Ritsu didn’t blame Takano for it.
Ritsu thought again at what Takano told him moments ago. Takano had said Ritsu was experiencing some sort of seizure during the ritual and that revealed the worst case scenario; The demon was more attached to Ritsu than Takano originally thought. If Takano continued the sacrament, Ritsu would have died in the process, his soul being torn apart. Takano had stopped it before it could do any more damage to Ritsu’s body.
*…If he didn’t care about me, he would have continued…I guess I should have trusted this man more…
He slanted his eyes thinking about how he was wrong to ever think Takano was a bad guy. Although it failed, it just proved to Ritsu that Takano was only trying to help. Ritsu thought for a moment and before Takano could get up off the bed, Ritsu had grabbed his sleeve.
“Thank you. Although it failed, I really appreciate you trying your hardest to keep me alive.” Ritsu looked at Takano with a hint of gratitude in his eyes, “I expect you are only trying to help me, so the most I can do is put my full trust into you.”
Takano stared at Ritsu as he spoke. He looked kind of sad before Ritsu started talking, but as Ritsu said them words, the light in his eyes gradually got lighter, “…I do very much appreciate your words, young prince. Thank you for your gift of trust.” He bowed his head a little in respect, “I will try my hardest not to break it.”
Ritsu nodded and laid back on the bed, sighing out loud. “Anyway. Is there no hope now that this thing failed? Is it just a ticking time bomb now?” Ritsu didn’t sound worried at all, but that was just a mask. He was a bit freaked out in his mind. He was still shook up from earlier of what the demon had said.
*He said Takano was his “most prized followers”…What’s that suppose to mean? Takano was loyal to him or something? So what if he was. He seems more loyal to me, calling me “his prince” and things, so take that, idiot devil.
Takano thought for a moment, “Well, maybe not. There might still be a chance to remove the demon safely, but I may need help from my brothers…”
“Hold up! We aren’t getting any other cultists involved, Takano! I put your trust in you, not any of them!”, Ritsu declined.
“Please do listen before making hastily decisions, young master.”, he eased, “I have a close friend who is one of my brothers. I’m sure he will help me if I ask. But if you say no, I have no choice but to listen to your word. I just want you to be safe, Ritsu…” He sounded desperate, making Ritsu feel even more obligated to accept the offer.
“…Can I think about it? You go back tomorrow, right? Just give me till the morning…”, Ritsu closed his eyes, frustrated with thoughts running threw his mind. Takano nodded to Ritsu.
“As you wish, young prince Ritsu.”
—————————————————————
Ritsu laid in bed with Takano again for the second time. He laid awake, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. His hair still damp from the shower he took earlier, and the smell of Takano’s clothes made him anxious to even have them on. He had a particular scent, one Ritsu almost burned into his mind by now, it was nice. It was the same scent on every piece of cloth in the house; the bed sheets, the covers, even the pillow underneath Ritsu’s head.
He turned his gaze over at Takano laying on the opposite side, his eyes tilting. He suspected the older man to be asleep by now, but he wasn’t entirely sure. Tomorrow would probably be a big day. He had to think about that offer.
Is there anymore options? Maybe not, Takano probably would have mentioned it. He’d probably do anything to get the demon out now. He reviewed what had happened the last few days. He was on a mission to get a picture of the cultists who are linked to the murders that have happened all around for the past few months, but he ended up getting kidnapped. He wakes up in a alley, and finds he looks like shit and has no idea what happened the other night. It was at the hospital he found a particular phone number, and arranged a date just to get his hands back on his footage that he caught. Come to find out, the cultists sealed half of a demon inside him and now he is threatened to lose his soul and body to it if it were to wake from it’s slumber.
It was a lot to take in for Ritsu, a new experience, he had to admit. There were some lingering questions, such as where exactly the cut the worshippers had etched into his chest that night’s whereabouts, but he felt pretty knowledgeable about the situation. He didn’t know how to feel about Takano, but he has proven himself worthy of his trust, which must make him Ritsu’s friend.
Ritsu gave a long sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. He thought he could get rid of the problem but it seems to have gotten even more complicated. Takano wants one of his friends, who is also apart of this cult, to help them. Could Ritsu really say it was okay for that plan? For all he knew, the cultist might back stab them both and get the whole cult involved. What would they do then?
But, Takano seems really desperate, almost as desperate as Ritsu, dealing with trust issues from before, letting Takano do the sacrament on him.
*He seems to know what he is doing and he said he just wants me to be okay…
Ritsu slanted his eyes, thinking about it even more. The raven hair man who laid beside him has only treated Ritsu like a prince, making sure he felt comfortable and trying to save his life the best way he could. Even if it could possibly be for his own selfish pleasures, he was helping Ritsu, and Ritsu understood that completely. Takano only wanted Ritsu to be safe and free from the burden of the demon inside him.
*He is really a nice guy…Nothing like I thought he would be…
He closed his eyes again, shifting in bed to get more comfortable. He decided to put his life in the man’s hands once more.
————————————————————-
“You have accepted my offer to get one of my brother’s to help?”, Takano stared down at the brunet man, “Are you sure?”
“I trust your decision. If you think its a good idea, I do too.”, the emerald eyes of Ritsu glimmered with some sort of passion, which made Takano smile softly.
“You have changed in the past few days, you know. The other day you was preaching about you’d kill me if I tried anything. And now, you are putting your full trust in me.”
“Oh that still stands. Just because I trust you, doesn’t mean I won’t kill you if you try anything on me.”, Ritsu quickly responded in a almost serious way. This made Takano grin on impulse.
“That’s kind of erotic, young prince.”, Takano bowed, “I love threats, you know.” The look on his young prince’s face was priceless. He probably said something risky, but Ritsu just turned in response, holding his mouth.
“Weirdo.”, is all he responded, “I’ll go get dressed in my own clothes. You can drop me off at my workplace. Don’t be weird and wait for me after work though or I’ll kil—”, he stopped himself, “Just don’t come to my work and hold the door for me like I am some maiden!”
Takano chuckled lightly, “Yes, yes! I understand.” Ritsu was already walking out of the room in utter embarrassment. It was quite amusing.
*Wonder what the young brunet is thinking? Must be more arousing things.
He chuckled lightly once more at the thought. It was good to enjoy the little things again. But honestly today would be a big day. He would have to get a fellow cultist, who has been friends with him for years now, to agree to help him on the next step to remove Delta from Ritsu’s body. It will cause the man a lot of convincing, but Takano knows how to make him crack. He knows how to make all of them crack.
Ritsu came back in the room, dressed now in his own clothes, ready to get going with his day it would seem. Takano got up, ready to get going himself, when Ritsu spoke up.
“I probably should have told you this before. But I spoke with the demon that is currently ‘asleep’ back when you did that sacrament.” Takano looked at the younger man in surprise, shock even.
“…Ah, no that is not possible. It must have been a lucid dream. What your unconscious thought it heard wasn’t real, Ritsu.”
“Well, in my ‘dream’, he said some pretty ominous things to me..”, Ritsu looked to the side not so sure I’d it really was a dream, “The pain was all too real to be a dream.”
“What did he say onto you?”, Takano asked, curious and suspicious. Delta was asleep, sealed by him and his brothers. There should be no possible way Delta would have spoke with him. He watched Ritsu’s reaction to the question. Ritsu lifted a hand to his mouth and seemed to be thinking back on it.
“According to him, you were his ‘most prized follower’ or something like that”, he mumbled, “And…some other bullshit.”
Takano’s interest increased, his eyes widening, “Was he there with you, did he appear awake?”
Ritsu thought for a moment, “Well, I was laying on the bed, just like during the sacrament, and there was someone on top of me. But they appeared asleep. They resembled me so much it was kind of creepy looking down at them.”, he shrugged it off, “Why, what’s wrong?”
Takano lifted a hand over his mouth, “Was his mouth moving when he spoke with you?”, Ritsu shook his head, “What form did he communicate with you then?”
“I think…he was using my thoughts? It was as if I was thinking the things, but there was no possible way I would have been thinking those kinds of things…”, he looked down disgusted, “He can get under people’s skins the way that demon spoke to me…”
*…Thought transference…That’s one way to get into your host’s mind…
“Did he say anything odd?”
“…What do you mean?” The prince seemed to want to be asked a certain thing before he came clean of the demon’s thoughts.
“Anything worth mentioning to me.”, Takano slanted his golden brown eyes in a bit of frustration.
“…He specifically said the sacrament will fail because he was a part of me now…”, he mumbled, obviously hiding other things. Takano was curious, but there had to be a reason his prince wanted to keep away some things the demon might have said. The important issue is what he mentioned just now.
“He thinks there’s no way to remove him?”, Takano scoffs, “Idiot Devil, I may say so.” He grins, “By the sound of it, young prince, he would like to stay in your body. Which is actually very interesting…Why I wonder? Perhaps its the bonus for your soul, or do you think Delta has other intentions…It is very peculiar, cause the other day he cursed us all for sealing piece of him inside you…yet the piece inside of you has other views?” Ritsu was listening to Takano’s ramblings as if he was talking mad again. “Excuse me. I didn’t mean to chatter and open more questions, I am just highly curious now.”
“Well, I’m kind of scared now…”, Ritsu mumbled, “What if? What if the demon does take my soul? What then? What will happen?” He clenched the side of the chair he stood beside, looking down at the ground. Takano could see clearly that there was no time to gloat about the demon’s wishes. Ritsu was experiencing all of this, and Takano had to make sure his young prince was okay.
He suddenly grabbed Ritsu’s hand and bent down on one knee, “Don’t worry, Ritsu. I promise that won’t ever happen.”, Ritsu stared down at him, his lips departing in a mixture of surprise and heartfelt of his words, “I won’t let it happen. You’re going to live a long life, don’t you fret about it. If all fails, I’ll go for my last resort, but I promise it won’t even get to that. You are the prince that will save me from my darkness, and I am your knight to protect you from all your demons.” He lightly kisses the back of Ritsu’s hand, making Onodera go red in the face at the odd gesture.
He had meant every promise in his words.
————————————————————–
Ritsu sat in his office, staring at the ceiling again in frustration. Takano had dropped him off at work and now he waited for the day to be over. He had that lingering thought in his mind, though.
*“You are the prince that will save me from my darkness, and I am your knight to protect you from all your demons.”
This man had a odd attachment to analogies. Ritsu held a hand up to his lips. Takano was a strange guy.
*“He really wants to fuck you, you know.”
He blushed red from anger and embarrassment as the demon’s words suddenly struck his mind at the same time. What the hell was he thinking now? Idiot, Onodera! Keep your mind together. Demons just want to get under your skin!
But it was odd. The way that demon spoke was so memorizing, it gave Ritsu bad chills just thinking about him again. Although the demon was using Ritsu’s voice, he couldn’t pin point how it was so much different from his own. Ritsu sat back in his chair, irritated again, pinching between his eyes.
*I have to get to work and worry about this later.
It was then when Miyagi bursted through the door, “Onodera! I need you on the floor quick! There has been a sighting downtown and you have to get your ass over there to take some pictures!”
Ritsu looked up on impulse. One, that was so rude of Miyagi to bust through the door like that. Two, a sighting picked up Onodera’s interest, “On it!” He grabbed his camera, “Tell me the details as we walk.”
“Someone reported a mangled body, same as the others and there’s been another report to back up that it could be the cultist’s doings. Someone specifically said they saw ‘a hooded figure with a odd plague doctor masking’ practically right next to the the crime scene.” Ritsu’s heart sunk.
*A cultist…Could it be Takano?
“I’m on it…” He entered the elevator, turning and nodding at Miyagi as the doors shut.
Chapter 12:
“Masamune.”
Takano was greeted with the deep growl of his Pope, making him give a wave of respect. He had just returned to his headquarters to find himself in the presence of a familiar soul. “Greetings, brother Akihiko.” The bleach blonde haired man slanted his lavender gaze at Takano.
“Where have you been? It has been quite loud without you here…Brothers have been talking amongst themselves, spreading quite the rumor that you would not return. Some would have followed if you didn’t show up today.” Takano grinned at the flattery, but Usami didn’t find it quite amusing.
“That is quite the loyalty of Delta’s followers.”, he comments on their promises to follow Takano, a hint of humor in his tone, “I’ve been working, of course. It was I who suggested the idea, remember. I would not abandon my brothers or my god.”, Takano began walking, in which Usami followed.
“Do you plan on leaving again?”, the man asked, his tone bothersome.
“I might. For now I am here to check on my brothers, of course.”
“…and when you check on them?”
“I’ll go talk to Prophet, as respected.”
Akihiko gave a troubled face, “They won’t be happy to see you. They have been such a grouch since the accident the other night. I suggest you put on a helmet.” Although Usami wasn’t joking with Takano, all the raven hair man did was chuckle in response.
“Don’t you worry, my dear Pope. I always love getting threatened by our dear Prophet. No need for a helmet, you’ll see.” He waved his hand as Akihiko stopped in the hall, “Get back to your post, Akihiko Usami, before he sees you slacking off.”
Takano wandered down the hall, going downward into a corridor. He reached a area, wide open and full of cultists conversing with each other. Some lower class-men, the Recruits and Citizens amongst the crowd nervously waited to be blessed. The Blessing of Delta has been momentarily suspended for obvious reasons. Well obvious to himself and members of The Circle.
One cultist ran up to Takano as soon as he had him in his sights, “Takano-san! You’re back! We were so worried that you would not return!” The lad’s eyes glowed in respect for the taller man and Takano laid a hand on his head and ruffled his black locks.
“Ah, Kisa! Just the person I was looking for!”, Takano gives a comforting smile, “Tell me everything you’ve heard in the past few days, brother.” Kisa grinned at that. Takano knew this man loved to talk, especially about the gossip.
“Ah! So much has happened, Takano-san. There has been a wave of new Citizens and the ones who have been chosen to become recruits are halted from Delta’s blessing. I am not a part of The Circle, Takano-san, and only you and they know what happened for the cult’s blessing to cease like it has. You’d tell me, wouldn’t you?” The man’s eyes glowed as if puppy eyes would get Takano to spill the beans about Delta being split.
“You know the rules, Shouta. The Circle’s business is strictly prohibited to be spoke to brothers who are not apart of The Circle. I suggest you don’t temp me to break rules.” The look on the older man’s face is what Takano loved.
“Ah! No, sir! I do apologize for my insecurity about The Circle’s business.” He clears his throat, “Furthermore, Yokozawa-san has not been present as well. Some thought maybe he followed you.”
Takano’s eyes widened, “He what? Takafumi is missing? Where was he last seen?”
This wasn’t good. If Yokozawa had followed Takano, he might have figured out his plans before due time.
“Here at headquarters, sir. He seemed worried about Prophet’s moodiness and your absence sir. He is part of The Circle as well, sir, so I expect that to be another valid reason he must have went missing. I expected him to return the same day you did, but that has been proven false.”
Takano sighed, frustrated now. That sounded like his old friend. Yokozawa was the type to get frustrated and go looking for him in the end. “Kisa. I suggest you go straight to Kirishima’s post. Tell him you will need a search party, and tell him I gave you the orders.” The cultist looked surprised and nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir!” The lad hurried off, Takano was pleased he didn’t ask anymore questions. Takano continued, getting greeted by many of his brothers, the relieved sighs by some of his returning and friendly smiles made Takano smile back in return. The atmosphere was something special. Theses cultists seemed like good people to be around.
Takano knew better.
Some were sadists who were willing to become part of sacrificial ceremonies. Some were misanthropes who hated society and thought only their brothers could help them through the homicidal tendencies.
And some, were masochistic and wanted to see the suffering of others.
After some time has passed, Takano decided it would be a splendid time to go have a visit of the person he would love to see suffer the most; The Prophet.
—————————————————————
Ritsu had took a taxi into town. His mind was racing with thoughts of who the cultist might be. It couldn’t be Takano, could it? He didn’t want to think that. This was strictly work related. Takano had to be back at the cult’s headquarters, he just had to be!
Ritsu checked his camera. It was in the best condition, the SIM card back in it’s slot. The dials set off flash and ready at any moment to take a shot of a cultist. He ran down the sidewalk, his shoes taking him to a crowd and several cars parked including a ambulance and some police cars. He hurried up, panting but instantly smelling the gross stench that filled his lungs. At the sight of the corpse, he realized just by looking at it.
*Ugh…They definitely are not fresh. Someone killed them awhile ago by the looks of it. Seems to be a victim of mass amounts of torture…
He almost threw up taking a picture of the hideously mangled body. He soon backed away from the crime scene, wanting to get away from the horrid odor. By the looks of it, they had been dead for several days, maybe weeks? Unlike the last few mangled bodies, this one wasn’t fresh. Was this a new murderous fiend who was sick in the mind, or the same exact person as the other killings? It was hard to tell from just a picture, but Ritsu was gifted with looking at every detail.
This person had been tortured. Burned, gouged, possibly raped. It made him sick thinking about it. This person, god help their family, went through hell before they died. He thought he would end up just like these victims when he was captured himself, but here he was, walking, free, getting another snap of his camera for his job. Alive.
*Threatened by a demon that could wake up at any moment, but alive.
He snicked at the thought. Yep, still alive.
*Duck.
He was just passing a alley when he heard himself think that. Just as suspected hands reached around a empty space where Ritsu was before. His heel dug into the ground and he pushed his body upward, his head hitting straight into the chin of the man who had tried to grab him, making the guy probably bite his own tongue in the process. The man had tumbled down now, groaning in rising pain as he held his face. Ritsu stared down at him, kind of bored at his attempt, “For a cultist, you could have tried better in catching me.”
*Huh..?
Wait how did he do all of that just now. It was like he let go of his body and it just went bad-ass on this guy he had no idea had the intention to catch him.
The guy glared up, “How…” The deepest voice Ritsu had ever heard, he backed up at the sound of the harshness. He swallowed back his slight nervousness from attacking this stranger when suddenly he laughed a little, “Damn, you could really protect yourself with that kind of moving”, he rubs his chin, “That’s some reflex for a journalist.” Rather than a compliment, the guy scoffs it as if mocking Ritsu of his title.
“Uh…yeah, it comes with the dangers.”, he mumbled, “You’re a cultist, right? It’s kind of obvious with the hood. You took off your mask cause people got suspicious over you, huh?” Ritsu smiled, teasing the man who laid on the ground.
The man growled, his humor turning hostile, “Shut it, wise ass.”
“Calm your voice. Its a public place. Do you really want police that are literally a few blocks away to hear you? I would like to ask you some things.”
“I have no obligation to tell you the truth.”, the man said quickly.
“I don’t expect you to.”, Ritsu gives a smile, “But the answer may alter your future.”
The man’s eyes slanted and looked to the side, “Hmph…as if you can put such threats on me.”
“Are you in any way involved in the killings that have happened for the past few months?”
The man glared back and snickered, “Of course not. The way of Delta strictly advises not to leave behind evidence. Or else, assholes like you would be up our asses and we wouldn’t hear the end of it…”, he mumbled. Ritsu blinked.
“So, the cult does kill?” The question made the man slant his eyes.
“I haven’t killed anyone…not yet. My brothers however, don’t have as clean hands as I do.”
“Has Takano killed anyone?” The question slipped out and made the man look up quickly at Ritsu.
“How the hell do you know Masamune?!” He was up on his feet in a matter of seconds, “Tell me what you know!” Ritsu was so stunned to be against the wall, getting pinned so quickly. “I knew we should have offed you when we had the chance…”
“Yokozawa, that’s enough.”
The man who had Ritsu pinned, Yokozawa, turned slowly to see several men standing in the alley way. Ritsu followed his eyes. “What are you doing here, Kirishima…What are all of you doing here?”, Yokozawa sounded annoyed.
“Masamune ordered a search party for you, but I can clearly see this has gotten even more interesting.”
*Takano sent them…This is bad…
“Let go of Onodera, Takafumi…That’s awfully rude to pin the man to a brick wall like that.”, the man had a very handsome voice, smiling at Ritsu. As soon as the man, Kirishima, gave the order, Yokozawa had to obey and let Ritsu go. As soon as Ritsu was free, he rubbed against his wrists. They stung at how bad Yokozawa’s grips were on them. Ritsu wondered if he should run.
“Who’s that?”, one other cultist who was a part of the search party asked.
“Part of The Circle’s business. No need to get you all involved. Onodera. Shall we be off? I would very much appreciate a cup of tea and a conversation with you and Masamune. It seems you have already gotten acquainted with him?”
“Ah, no. That’s not–”
“You don’t have to lie, Onodera Ritsu. I am a friend.”, he smiles genuinely, but something about him made Ritsu uneasy, “I only want to talk. So come with us and we won’t have any trouble.”
Chapter 13
Masamune entered a long, broad, dim lighted room. Candles were lined along the walls in small circular cubbies symmetrical to the opposing wall. At the end of the room had a staircase that narrowed out to a grand throne where sat the man Takano was looking for.
“Prophet.”, he greeted.
The man turned his head down towards the end of the staircase. He slowly rises at the sight of Takano Masamune, his eyes glaring at him through his shadowed masking, “…”
Masamune got on one knee, placing a hand on his chest while grinning, “I expect you are happy to see me?”
“Idiot.” Takano could hear the man growl, “Where have you been? Delta hasn’t spoken to me since that night. What has happened to our God for his absence? What have you done?”, he sounded pissed, which made Takano grin, “Answer me, Masamune!”
“I did nothing, Prophet. If Delta hasn’t spoken to you, perhaps he’s turned a blind eye towards you.”
“He would do no such thing! I am his Prophet!”, he said in such a sinister tone.
Takano gave a shrug, a form of disrespect towards one of the most powerful men in the building, “It has happened before…Our last Prophet saw doom when he could not hear Delta’s word. That is when you had the order from our god to get rid of him, correct?”
The man looked a bit uneasy and glared down at Takano, “Has Delta spoken to you, Masamune?”
“What if he has?” Takano shrugged, “I don’t want to be The Prophet. Being The Paramount is way too much fun.”, he grinned, slanting his golden eyes, making The Prophet seem even more uneasy.
“Bastard. Did you come only to tease me like a child? I should have offed you when you were my apprentice.” He threatened, which didn’t phase Takano at all.
“Dear Prophet, you are so easy to pick on. I expect you to come at me with a knife at any given moment of the night. It would be a insult if you did not do so.”
The Prophet and Takano glared at one another in cold silence for a few moments. Then, expectedly, the man broke into a laughter, the air around him changing ever so suddenly.
“Masamune, you really are a scary fella.” The Prophet’s overall mood changed as he walked down the stairs to have a more direct conversation. Takano got up from his kneeling as the Prophet began untying his mask, revealing the man’s short messy maroon hair. “Much better!”
“Calling me scary, you’re pretty terrifying yourself, Haitani Shin.” Takano smiled at him like he was his best friend now, “The whole cult thinks your moody.”
“It’s always good to keep up a scary image.” He chuckles, “Makes you the dominate one!” He wraps his arm around Masamune’s shoulder, “Now, Masamune, what do you have to report? Why were you away so long?”
“I have nothing that is worth your time to report, my old friend. I just wanted a little alone time, me with my studies.” Takano also noted something he said earlier, “Ah, is it true Delta hasn’t spoken with you since that night?”
Haitani gives a long sigh, “Indeed. Our Delta hasn’t even growled. It’s as if the escaped false priest took him away from us. In time the cult will fall apart…” He looked worried about this putting a hand to his chin, “Have you any word of the False Priest’s whereabouts?”
“I have none.”, Takano lied.
“We need to locate him. He was such a fine priest when he came in. But who could have known that he was a imposter the entire time? It really struck a cord in our plans.”, he sighed again, a hint of aggravation in his tone.
“I wouldn’t worry much. I will locate and capture the young priest soon enough.”
Haitani gave a smile, “You see, Takano. This is why I love you.” He laughs, “You’re so loyal! I expect you to keep that word.”
—————————————————————
Onodera walked in between the two tall men, scared out of his mind. They had just arrived at the headquarters. For the most part, Kirishima has been nothing but kind towards Ritsu, not showing any sign that Ritsu was captured or was a prisoner. Yokozawa however was suspicious of Ritsu and showed only his hostile side the young man, which only made him more nervous.
*Fuck…Here I am, back at the cult…
They walked down some stairs down to a underground area, “I do very much apologize towards you, Onodera, but for the time being we must put you down here.” Kirishima looked over at Yokozawa, who looked as if he didn’t like the sound of his tone.
“…May I ask what you guys are going to do to me this time?”, Ritsu mumbled.
“Nothing yet.”, was the only thing Ritsu initially received as a answer, along with a smile from the dirty blonde male. Kirishima placed a hand on Ritsu’s shoulder and bent down a bit to his level, “Don’t worry, Onodera, you can trust me and Takafumi as much as you trust Masamune.”
“…I…don’t trust Takano…” Ritsu looked down as he mumbled the lies. He surely trusted Takano more than these guys. Kirishima seemed nice, but he is a cultist. He would have to prove himself like Takano in order for Ritsu to trust him.
“Is that so?”, Kirishima’s smile faltered, “That is a shame. He really is a loyal guy even with such a dark past.”
“…Could you tell me more about Takano?”, Ritsu curiosity got the better of him as they walked down a stoned hallway.
“Hmm, yes I think I could tell you about him, but we really are running out of time. So, let me give you a raincheck on that. I promise I’ll talk to you personally about Masamune later.” Ritsu slanted his eyes. He wondered if he was lying to make him hopeful. If these guys are like Takano, they all know how the mind works.
The next thing that came into Ritsu’s view was bars and small rooms. Prison cells? Should have guessed he was a prisoner the moment he walked in this damn cult again. He willingly went inside one Yokozawa unlocked.
“You seem willing to be here?” Takafumi noted towards him, “Used to getting captured? Are you sadistic?”
“No, just crazy. Sadism doesn’t go well with me. I hate pain.”, Ritsu replied sitting on a bench, “When will you two be back?” Yokozawa and Kirishima looked at one another kind of oddly. Ritsu thought maybe he himself was acting calm about this, but he could not understand why himself. He just sort of knew he wasn’t in any real danger. Not at the moment, at least.
“Well, Onodera, we will be back momentarily. First things first, Yokozawa, you have been missing for quite a bit!”, Kirishima scolded the man, “What have you to report?”
Yokozawa locks the cell containing Ritsu as the brunet listens to the two’s conversation, “I was looking for Masamune! He could have gotten killed and I would have been the first to report about it.” The man pauses than glares over at Ritsu, “Although, I guess he wasn’t in any trouble…” He mumbles and walks onward, “Isn’t the false priest our main objective! We need to report we captured him already!”
Kirishima only smiled at the grumpy man, “It is far more fun to get the pieces of the puzzle, Takafumi. Don’t you want a explanation from your dear old friend? Don’t you think Masamune has his reasonings to not tell us yet?” He looked over at Onodera who still sat looking over at the men, “Although, I find it rather odd for you to come willingly, Onodera. You were the one who escaped in the first place.”
Ritsu blinked. He escaped? What was he talking about? He woke up in a alley with no recollection of his memories of the night before. Takano himself didn’t mention that he escaped?
“I…don’t remember escaping?” Ritsu gave a honest answer, “Not that I wouldn’t have if I had the chance…”
“…You still don’t remember that night then?”, Kirishima asked curiously. Ritsu looked at him in confusion. So he was amongst the men in the bird-like masks on that fateful day. He was another man who has seen him in his nudity. He curled his lips at the thought and shook his head in response. Kirishima nodded, “Thank you for your time, Onodera. We shall be back momentarily.”
The men left. Ritsu was alone now. Or, he thought he was. He could clearly hear breathing in the other cells and he slanted his eyes in sadness. So they have prisoners? Innocent people being held against their will? He didn’t know.
*Takano wants to make the cult perish. Or at least that’s what he said when I first met him. If the cult perishes, these people will probably go free again.
He closed his eyes in deep thought. Now he wondered how he escaped. No, he couldn’t have escaped? He woke up in the alley with a long jacket covering him up.
*Wait.
It hit him like a rock.
*Masamune…
It was his number he left in the jacket. He had covered him up with a jacket to hide his nudity. He had probably told the cult that he escaped.
*“Well you see, you created some major trouble in our organization…We were suppose to properly dispose of you, but I convinced them there was another way.”
That could have been a lie right there. Was Masamune protecting Ritsu when he said that? Hiding the truth that it was he, Masamune, who had saved Ritsu from the cult and brushed it off as ‘convincing them there was another way’?
*“You actually owe me, beautiful prince.”
Ritsu’s chest hurt at the quoting thought. He reached up and bowed his head in his hand. Was Masamune actually doing this for his own selfish reasonings? Or is there more to the story?
—————————————————————-
Takano felt a strange presence waver his return. He turned to see Kirishima and Yokozawa approaching him.
“Ah, good, you found him awfully quick. Where have you–”
“That can wait, Masamune. We need to talk about some more important things.” Kirishima looked serious, which made Takano give a altered smile.
“…So be it.”
They led Takano away, to a more private quarter of the establishment. They entered a room and closed the door behind him.
“What is on your minds, my brothers?”
Yokozawa slammed his fist on a table top and let out a deep angered voice, “Explain!”
Takano blinked and grinned at his hostility. It was rare for Yokozawa to be pissed towards him, “Hold on. What is this about? I will explain.”
Kirishima placed a hand on Yokozawa, “Perhaps you should sit down and be more quiet.” He suggested which infuriated the man more, “Yokozawa, Masamune is above both of our ranks. We can’t just disrespect him.” Yokozawa looked even more aggravated.
“The Paramount is just a towering title. It’s as if no one remembers I was here before I suggested he join. And now that he’s here, everyone treats him like he is Delta.”, Yokozawa challenged.
“I earned my title here, Yokozawa.”, Takano defended, “You earned your title as well. You are no longer a pawn, but a Bishop.” Yokozawa’s lips curled and eye twitched at the familiar saying as Takano said that and Kirishima responded by bursting out in laughter.
“Takano! You are too much…hahaha…you and your humor.”, Kirishima held his face in his hand.
“Shut up! Tell us why you kept the secret about The False Priest!”
Everyone went quiet.
“Oh dear.”, Takano lifted a hand and generally looked surprised, “You didn’t have to blurt that out. I suspected you must have followed me and found out about him. But Kirishima was one person I didn’t want to let know of the situation.”
“What have you know of Onodera?”, Kirishima asked, “Was that reasoning why you left for the short period of time like you did?”
“I have to answer yes to that.” Masamune nodded. Kirishima nodded as well.
“Why?”
Takano looked at Yokozawa, wondering if he honestly knew what he had been up to, “Well, you see…” He paused for a moment, “Onodera has proven quite the token.”
They were both taken aback at the comment, “A token?”
“He is not a ‘False Priest’ but a masked Prince.” They both looked intrigued at this, “The Prince hidden amongst the normal people, a photojournalist who has such a brave trustworthy soul. He is aware of his situation, and yet he seems calm. But he will bite, oh he will bite.” He chuckled, “Brothers, he is a key.”
“A key? What are you talking about, Masamune?”, Yokozawa’s eyebrow went up.
“Delta. Delta is attached to this brave, and trustworthy soul I speak of. He plans to take this key. I myself have attempted to free this key soul from Delta, but it has proven unlucky. I must attain another one of my brothers, perhaps you two will be up for the job?”
Takano has silver tongue worth some profit for how good he was at persuasion.
“You mean, you want us to release Delta from a living body?”, Yokozawa asked, “Delta very much prefers to do a proper sacrificial sacrament, doesn’t he?”
“I have spoken to our god, through Ritsu.”, Takano quickly added, “On one hand, Delta wants to be free of his accursed prison. However, Delta, the one inside Ritsu, plans to take the key for it’s in his knowledge. That is why we must stop him. If he gets holds of this key, our god will suffer without his other half, resulting in the death of our god, the downfall of our clan, and this key will be gone forever.”
They both seemed to be thinking now that this ‘key’ Takano is referring to is of great importance.
“So we need to extract him from Ritsu? We need to perform the forbidden exorcism?”, Yokozawa asked, “Are you sure this won’t backfire?”
“Would you rather see the death of our God and clan?”, Takano challenged.
“How long do we have to decide?”, Kirishima asked, “It really is a big decision.”
Takano thought for a moment, smiling, “Well, perhaps three days? Delta seems to be under our seal for now. He won’t wake up until Ritsu is under extreme amount of one’s feelings. I’ll keep a eye on him.”
Kirishima chuckled and opened the door, “You heard our Paramount, Yokozawa! We have three days to decide!” Yokozawa walked out, scratching his chin in thought. “Ah, Takano.” Kirishima said as he was about to leave.
“Yes, Cardinal?”
“If you want to keep a eye on Onodera, perhaps you should visit the basement first.”
Onodera stared at the stone wall, waiting patiently for the arrival of someone. He had been in deep thought and wondered about many topics while he spent his time there in the cell. He thought about his job, his current situation. He thought about Takano, a lot. It was only till beside him someone broke the silence.
“They said you were the ‘false priest’ everyone’s been talking about.” Ritsu’s eyebrows raised at the sound of the feeble voice in the neighboring cell.
Chapter 14
“I guess I am.” Ritsu replied to the prisoner, interested in conversation over thought.
“What does that mean exactly?”, barely a whisper from the guy.
“Uh, well, I was captured impersonating a priest. They, of course, didn’t know I was actually a photojournalist, and used me for some sort of…uh, ritual.”, Ritsu tried to explain, “And, uh, it didn’t go well when they found out who I actually was. Guess that’s why they dubbed me 'False Priest’ I guess?”
The person in the neighboring cell was silent for a while as if thinking, “I was trying to keep an eye on someone, but I got too close, saw something I shouldn’t have. They caught me and are planning on using me for their…uh…experiments…” The guy sounded scared, “I’ve seen it time and time again, a cellmate leaves, and never returns. The cell is then occupied by the next prisoner… The guy who was in the cell you’re in has actually visited twice before never coming back and he was in such a shape I couldn’t get a word out of him.” He laughed, a bit pitifully, “…I just wish I could go home.”
Ritsu felt a pang of guilt for the guy. He wondered how young he was, but he didn’t dare ask. He just sat against the wall listening to him, “I think the cult is going to crash soon, to be honest with you. Their leader, the god, is sort of split right now because of me. With no god, the cult will collapse, and you guys will probably all go free.”
There was a pause. Ritsu was only trying to make the lad feel a bit of hope, but there was only silence from the cell.
It was then when there was a loud slam of a door swinging open from above them and the rushing of feet down the steps of the staircase alerted all the prisoner’s ears. When Ritsu seen the raven black hair, he knew who had came for him.
“Takano!” He blurted out when he seen him.
Takano was pale face and panted as if he ran all the way here. He scrambled and unlocked the cell’s door and quickly grabbed Ritsu’s wrist, pulling him up. Ritsu gave a soft grunt at the sudden jerking of his body and how quickly they were walking up the stairs. He didn’t even get a chance to say bye to the cellmate.
“Hey! I can walk on my own, you know!” Ritsu complained at the holding of his wrist. But Takano was deaf it would seem. He did not listen to the demands to let Ritsu go.
Somehow, just as easy as Ritsu getting into the place, they exited the headquarters of the cult. It just seemed way too easy, Ritsu noted. Takano sped-walked the entire time, making Ritsu’s legs hurt as they made it to a parking lot area. Takano swung open the passenger door, threw Ritsu in there, and slammed it. Ritsu scrambled in the seat, kind of scared at being tossed in a car like he was. The driver seat door opened and Takano got in as well, and by this time Ritsu had slowly reached over his shoulder to buckle himself up.
*What gives? I’ve never seen him look so aggressive.
Takano put the car in reverse and practically power drives the vehicle out of the area as fast as he could. In this case they were safe. Ritsu sat there looking at the dashboard and mat under his feet, wondering if he should say something.
“You should start explaining. I didn’t get a chance to ask Kirishima.”, Takano sounded calm but his face said otherwise.
*Kirishima told Takano where I was then…
“Well you see, I was doing my job. I was assigned downtown and had to take some photos. Some witnesses said there was a cultist near by, and well, of course I ran into one. Yokozawa I think his name was?”
“Yeah, I know him.”, Takano nodded, “How did he find you?”
“Well I was walking and he tried to grab me, but I went bad-ass on him with my new sudden reflexes and ended up knocking him on his ass. I asked him some things…” He stops for a second, “…Have you killed anyone?”
Takano blinked and looked at the side at Ritsu’s sudden question. “…Do you think I have?”. Ritsu looked to the side and shrugged.
“It’s not like I think you have, its just…Yokozawa said the cult does kill, and I wonder if you have been ordered to kill someone innocent?”
Takano fell silent for a moments notice, “Will you think less of me if I said yes?” Ritsu clenched his fists in response. How would he feel if he knew Takano murdered someone? “My dear prince, I told you in the beginning I would never lie to you. I am the Paramount of our cult. They have given me such a title because of how much suffering I have put others through, including death. So yes, I have murdered innocent people, some by choice, some by order.”
Ritsu just stared at the dashboard in silence now. Takano has killed someone. Has murdered more than one. It really puts a dent in Ritsu’s thoughts about Takano, and the demon’s words struck in his mind.
*“You will “save him from his darkness”, right? I’ve never seen a mortal’s soul so dark.“
“So what if you killed someone.”
Ritsu could not believe he just said that and this made Takano himself look at him in surprise.
“…I mean. You’re masochistic, right? It’s in your nature to love other people’s suffering. I mean, that’s not a good thing at all, but it is just how you are, I guess. You can’t change something you don’t understand.” Ritsu tried to make sense of Takano’s past behavior, “…Just don’t kill anyone anymore, okay?” He coughs nervously and looks out the window.
*Why am I so calm? It’s strange…
Takano stared in the corner of his eyes, his lips slightly parted in a bit of surprise, “…I promise I won’t, Ritsu. No more killing for these hands. I swear.” He sounded genuinely scared he’d lose Ritsu, but all Ritsu could do was nod in response.
The rest of the ride was silent.
——————————————————————
“What’s the plan now?”, Ritsu asked as he sat on the couch. Finally some dialogue from the brunette to Takano’s relief.
“Today’s experience has warped my original plan, young prince. Instead of just one friend, we have the possibility to have two participants help you. You have met them. I seem to have convinced them to think about the value of your soul. They believe the only way to save our organization is to perform the forbidden exorcism.”
“What’s that?”, Ritsu laid against the couch’s arm rest and slanted his eyes. A common question.
“The 'forbidden exorcism’, as dubbed, is a taboo ritual that consists of at least two conjurers to banish a demon out of someone’s being. The ritual is 'forbidden’ because it shouldn’t be used on a god, like Delta. However, it is the possibly the only known solution to our problem at hand.”, Takano explained. Ritsu nodded slowly, understanding Takano.
“Alright, when will we, uh, participate in this 'forbidden exorcism’?” Takano smiled at Ritsu.
“I have given them three days to decide if they want to participate, my dear prince. On the third day I will return to my headquarters to receive an answer. I suggest you put off work during the next three days. Say you are terribly ill and going to a doctor.”
“Yeah, ill as in I have a sleeping demon inside me and masochistic cultists are my doctors.” Ritsu said sarcastically, “I guess I can get Miyagi to give me three sick days.” Takano smiled and stood up.
“It is awfully late, call him tomorrow morning.”, he stretched, “I’m going to bed. Are you planning on sleeping on the couch or in my bed again?” Takano noted at Ritsu’s reaction.
“Is it okay to sleep in your bed tonight as well?”, Ritsu sounded like he was a child asking permission to sleep in their parents bed. Takano gave a chuckle at the thought.
“My prince, I’d feel honored if you slept by my side.” Ritsu’s face lit up a bit at that and he turned his gaze down.
“Fine, but…” Ritsu stopped his train of thought, his eyes seemed to glaze over and he shook his head, “Never mind.” He got up and walked towards the bedroom. Takano wondered exactly what he was about to say.
——————————————————————–
Ritsu laid in Takano’s bed for a third time. Takano laid beside him staring up at the ceiling.
“…Hey Takano, can I ask you some things?”, Ritsu asked also staring up at the ceiling in the dark room.
“Proceed, Ritsu.”, Takano responded.
“Could you tell me about yourself? Like who you are, or who you were?”, curiosity had been bugging him and he had asked himself who Takano exactly was while locked up in the cell.
“It is an odd request, and I’d rather not make you think less of me, Ritsu. Please understand that my past is in the past and I rather not repeat it.” Takano had such a way with words, almost like he talked in riddles. Ritsu thought he was weird, but nodded in response.
“I understand. Sorry for mentioning it.”, Ritsu apologizes, sounding disappointed.
“No, don’t apologize.”, he sighs then pauses for a brief moment, “I will tell you some things. I was requested into the cult when I was in high school by Yokozawa, the scary man you met today. We go back to the end of middle school, so I knew him as a true friend. The only reason I accepted was because I loved to see others struggle and the cult seemed to be my only outlet to let out some of them horrible feelings. I was then apprenticed to a man who is now named Prophet, the leader of our cult.”
“I was intrigued to be around people like me, but soon enough I became much vastly different to the rest of them. I came to be far more masochistic than most. Delta wasn’t lying to you when he said I was one of his most prized followers. I absolutely envied his power to make others suffer and I once believed he was someone who could not suffer.”, Takano explained.
Ritsu listened, both intrigued and open-minded about Takano’s feelings. It was hard to imagine Takano’s true self but he oddly felt sympathy for him. “So you made people suffer, huh?”, he thought for a moment, “Did you torture them?”
“Yes. Plenty.”
Ritsu stared at the ceiling, “…Does your cult have a torture room by any chance?” Takano turned his head towards Ritsu and nods. Another topic had raised in his mind.
*A torture room. The last victim had undergo mass amounts of torture and suffering before they took their last breath…
The thought crossed his mind to ask more about it, but for some reason he just didn’t care about the topic after a brief moment. He looked at it as news on a TV screen now more than a job. He closed his eyes, “I was just wondering. Thank you for telling me them things. I don’t think any less of you. Truthfully I feel closer. Goodnight Masamune…” He shifted to become more comfortable in the bed, the scent of Takano’s sheets clouding his mind.
He could feel a something lift from the air and Takano sounded like he was smiling when he whispered back to Ritsu, “Thank you, goodnight my Ritsu.”
Chapter 15
Day one.
Ritsu shifted between the sheets of Takano’s bed, waking himself up bit by bit. He blinked open his emerald eyes slowly and wiped away the sleep. He looked around and seen only himself in the mass of white sheets and wondered where exactly Takano had gone. His bare feet landed flat on the cold polished wood floor as he went to retrieve his phone from his bag.
Nine in the morning. It was odd for him to wake up this early to have gone to bed so late, but he felt rejuvenated. He sighs and dials up the office. He knew Miyagi would be at work by now. The phone clicked and Miyagi spoke a greeting.
“Ah, yes, good morning, Miyagi-san. Ah, yes, sorry about that. I did get the pictures of the corpse from yesterday…Did I see a cultist?”, he paused for a moment, “No, I don’t think I did. Ah, I will email you the pictures. I am actually going to the hospital today. Ah, no, just under the weather. Yes, thank you Miyagi. Bye bye.” Click. He stared at his phone and frowned. He didn’t like lying to the man like that. Miyagi has done nothing but be kind to Ritsu. But how else was he suppose to get off work today?
Ritsu was quick to notice Takano standing at the door watching him. He wondered if he had been standing there for the entirety of his phone call. Takano just lent out his arm and offered Ritsu a coffee cup, which Ritsu gladly accepted. Just how he liked it which made Ritsu smile, “Thanks.”
Takano sips his own mug and nods, “You’re welcome, Ritsu.”
Ritsu sipped at his coffee, “Why did I take a day off anyway? Kirishima and Yokozawa have three whole days. What’s wrong with killing time with work?”
“I want to keep an eye on you. With each passing day, Delta is becoming more and more accustomed to your soul. I don’t want you to have some sort of accident at work. I can’t even be in the parking lot because you told me not to be.”, Takano pointed out.
“No, I said don’t hang out there all day and hold the car door as if I was a maiden.”, Ritsu corrected, “It’s alright to come pick me up, just let me open my own door.” Ritsu mumbled.
Takano nodded, “Ah, alright. Still, I don’t want you to have an accident. Work can be stressful.”
Ritsu agreed with that. Ritsu sat down on the bed, setting his coffee down on the nightstand in a sigh. “What if the plan fails?”, Ritsu seemed to speak on his own, not giving the thought process before speaking. He wondered why he, himself, asked that question.
“What do you mean? How will it fail?”, Takano asked.
“What if Kirishima and Yokozawa realize that the forbidden exorcism will damn their cult?”, Ritsu was surprised at what he was saying himself, “That’s a good question…”
Takano stared at Ritsu for a moment, then turned to face the floor in thought, “If both decline…I am afraid there is nothing I can do. I have promised you before, and I’ll promise you again, my dear prince Ritsu, that it will not get to the point where Delta takes your place.” Takano looked up at Ritsu, making eye contact as he said them words.
*He looks serious.
Ritsu couldn’t help but smile, “Thanks, Takano. I need to hear that sometimes. The 'I’ll help you’ type words reassures me.” Ritsu thanked him and Takano slightly bowed in response. There was a silence that entered the room as they both sipped at their coffees.
Ritsu paused for a moment before getting Takano’s attention, “…Hey Masamune?”
“Yes Ritsu?”
“I’ve been thinking…”, he began, unsure for a moment of what to say to the raven hair man, “You aren’t exactly who you say you are, are you?” Takano looked over surprised and looked like he would ask what did Ritsu meant, so he continued, “You say you are this masochistic person, yet I don’t see it. All you’ve done is be one of the only persons in my life to make me feel the way I do. From the very beginning…you were the one who gave me advise to pass out before I could feel any pain from that damn ritual, you covered me up instead of leaving me bare ass naked in that alley, you are the person who has done nothing but save me during this entire ordeal.” He clenched the sheets of the bed.
Takano shook his head at Ritsu’s passionate words, smiling a bit at it, “You are wrong, Ritsu…”, he said in a practical tone, “I am who I said I was. I am doing this for my own selfish reasonings, remember?”
“That’s not true either!”, Ritsu suddenly sprung forth, stopping Takano’s train of thought, “It is not at all selfish what you are doing for me! If it was, you would have let my soul get ripped to shreds during that sacrament. I wouldn’t be alive if it was for your own selfish pleasures. Your god would have suffered if you let me die, so why would you let me live instead?”
Takano was quiet, his parted lips closed into a tight squeeze. He lifted a hand and covered his mouth, looking deep in thought now as his eyes slanted. “You are way too sharp, Ritsu Onodera…” He comments, the mood in the air changing, along with his tone, “But answer your own question if you know it…”
Ritsu began guessing, “You’re just being nice, right?” Takano snickered at Ritsu’s aloofness and shook his head. “You…care about me?”
“True. But not quite it.”, Takano comments.
Ritsu looked down for a moment. He didn’t want to say the last thing that was on his mind, but he couldn’t be so sure of something now.
“…You love me.”
It wasn’t stated as a question, it was stated as though Ritsu was sure of it. They were both quiet for a few moments before Takano whispers a “Yes” confirming Ritsu’s guess. Ritsu sat in silence as he stared at the polished floor. So Takano does love him? What did that mean exactly? Did he love him platonically or romantically? “I thought I was incapable of it, at first. Incapable of such a feeling. I could not love my family or friends, or even my brothers…”
*…Masamune…
“Ritsu I have been waiting for someone for so long to come around and teach me something I’ve never experienced…
*My heart beat is picking up…I’ve never had a confession before…
“It started with a flash of a camera…”
Ritsu looked over at Takano and blinked at the thought. His mind running quiet.
“I did not understand it at first but something struck inside me when I seen you for that split second back at the church. It terrified me and it felt like a presence had washed over me. I stood there and you flashed it again and it got me out of my dazed state and I ran, what I was suppose to do the first flash.” Ritsu turned his gaze and almost let out a laugh.
*That sounds familiar…
Takano sighs, “Ritsu, I have been doing this because I love you. That is my only reasonings. Something inside me is telling me, 'protect him’.” He was finally quiet for a moment, “I…don’t expect you to return my feelings, of course. You were the one who persisted to know.” He smiles kind of sadly.
“Thank you for telling me that.” Takano looked up at Ritsu who sat on the side of the bed and was looking down at the floor, “I don’t see what’s so good about me, though. Why would you love someone like me, I wonder.” He laughed a bit, “I’m not that special.”
Takano snicked at that and Onodera looked up to see what he was laughing about, “Ritsu, you have no idea…”
Ritsu frowned. He honestly seen himself as a normal person. Some ordinary guy in a sea of other ordinary people in a ordinary world. Although he himself thought Takano as a generally nice human being, he wondered if it ever crept across his mind that he himself had been naturally getting attracted to this man. Now that he thought about it, instead of thinking about a the crisis inside him, or his job with the murder cases, all he’s been thinking about for the past few days is Takano Masamune.
Takano went over to Ritsu and sat beside him on the bed, the gravity of his weight making Ritsu slightly lean towards his way, “I want to protect you, Onodera Ritsu. Please let me do that much.”, Ritsu looked over at Takano, wondering what he was saying now, “You have stuck by my side these past few days because you think this is the only way to help you, right?” Takano closed his eyes, smiling kind of sadly, “If you had a alternate route, you probably would have took it. I will depart from your side after this, no need to have any ties after I free you from this demon.”
“Why would you do that!?”, Ritsu reacted negatively, “You don’t have to do that! It’s true I need you to help me out with this, but…”
Ritsu paused and Takano wondered what he was going to say. Ritsu could feel his cheeks heat up. He was going to say this before the other night, but he chickened out.
“I have to save you too…and I can’t do that if you just disappear after this…I have to save you from the darkness, remember.”, Ritsu sounded cheesy as hell, but to Takano those words meant the world to him by the look in his eyes. Ritsu felt his cheeks heat up even more as he turned and looked at the ground, “Stick by my side, idiot…”
Ritsu could feel the bed beside him shift and he felt arms wrap around him in a tight squeeze. His eyes instinctively widened at the action of Takano hugging him, “…That means the world to me, Ritsu…thank you so much for saying those words…”
Ritsu slanted his eyes, and looked to the side out of embarrassment, his eyebrows arching, “Idiot…don’t get sentimental on me…” But in truth, he was happy to hear that. He wanted to stick by this man’s side for as long as he could.
*He loves me, huh?
His eyes closed and he leaned on Takano who was still hugging him tightly.
He wondered if he felt the same…
————————————————————
He never thought he would ever admit to Ritsu his true feelings. But somehow during conversation it came out.
*“…You love me.”
Even though he himself didn’t say them exact words, that was indeed exactly how he felt. Although it hasn’t even been a week yet, Takano was sure of what he was feeling. It was an odd occurrence meeting Ritsu, something he had never experienced in his entire life. It was as if something inside him snapped when he met Ritsu’s emerald gaze. Something he thought he was incapable of doing.
Love at first sight. Needing to protect a stranger. Not wanting to do harm onto this person. This foreign feeling in his chest suddenly filtered all his feelings towards suffering and made him suddenly regret his sins.
*This is the power that will save me from my darkness…
He held onto Ritsu as if he was afraid his prince would disappear. The love for this man would surely slip from his grasp. As long as he soaked in Ritsu’s presence, it was enough to satisfy him. He would go no more than the confession. He promised himself that.
——————————————————————
They decided to go on with the day. They spent time together, talking about a few topics such as food types and if they had habits. Ritsu found out Takano used to smoke, but he quit a few years prior to meeting Ritsu. It was interesting to learn the little things about Takano and it strangely made Ritsu happy.
Now they sat on the couch, eyeing the news on the television screen. No new news to report about the murders, but Ritsu could care less about them anymore. Yeah, there’s always going to be murder, why try to stop it?
Ritsu laid back, deep in thought about what happened earlier. He found out that the only reason Takano is doing what he’s doing is because he loves him. Isn’t it painful to have one-sided feelings like that? It’s not like Ritsu could say the exact same at Takano. He couldn’t possibly love Masamune, it has only been a few days!
But he had a feeling creep across him. A burning desire in the pit of his chest.
*It is true I have been constantly thinking about this man…but that doesn’t mean I am actually in love with him! But, this odd feeling in my chest…
His eyes slitted and a thought crossed his mind.
*Does that mean he wants to have sex?
His face lit up red and he smacked it with his hand to cover it, making Takano look over at him questioningly.
*What was that just now?? I am unsure of my own feelings and suddenly /that/ crosses my mind??? Am I an idiot?
His mind was frantic trying to get that thought out. Takano stared at him, tilting his head at Ritsu’s silently odd behavior. “Sorry, I just had a weird thought haha…” He laughed nervously and went to retreat before Takano could ask, “I’m going to lay down for a bit…” He hurried out of the living room and went straight to the bedroom.
He closed the door and sighed out loudly. Why did he just think that just now? He was irritated with the thought.
*What the hell is wrong with me…
He was flustered and he grabbed his face as he leaned against the door in confusion. He felt odd and swallowed.
*I feel hot…maybe it’s a fever…
He slowly lifted himself up and went to the bed, laying down on it and wrapping himself up in the white sheets. He wasn’t at all tired, which made him even more irritated. He became short with breath after a few moments of laying there and he felt like he was burning up. He began shifting nervously in the bed and parted his lips, feeling himself began pant.
*What’s wrong with me….?
—————————————————————
Takano had continued watching the news when he heard the sound of Ritsu yelling for him to come to the room. Masamune reached for the remote, switched the TV off and went to open the door to his bedroom.
He found Ritsu sitting on the edge of the bed, his legs crossed as he stared at the floor. Masamune went towards him a bit worried, “Are you alright, my prince?”
Takano realized Ritsu was breathing heavy, he couldn’t see his eyes under his brunette bangs, and his overall body language seemed odd, his shoulders lifting with every breath.
“…Ritsu?” He went to put a hand on the younger man’s shoulder.
It happened way too fast. Ritsu had grabbed onto the collar of Takano’s shirt and had pierced their lips together. Before Takano could react, Ritsu had gotten him on the bed with a pull and a push and was on top of him in seconds, their lips locked. Masamune felt his heart skip a beat at such a daring act, closing his eyes and kissing back for a bit. He didn’t expect Ritsu to be able to kiss like this. The brunette had flickered his tongue inside his mouth and made Takano lust for the man even more than before.
*I will not go no more than a confession…
His eyes opened wide and he pushed Ritsu away, both gasping for air. Takano stared at Ritsu and shook his head, “Ritsu, what do you think you are doing?” Ritsu stared at him, his emerald eyes were now dark orbs as he panted and looking sort of like he was in pain.
Takano’s lips parted in confusion. What was with that face? “Are you alright?” The brunette shook his head. “Are you feeling sick?”
“I…I feel hot..”, Ritsu comments between pants, “Damn it! What is wrong with me, Masamune?…”
Takano looked confused, “I don’t see nothing wrong with you. What do you mean by you feel hot?”
“I don’t know!” Ritsu clenched onto Takano’s shirt, “It sort of…hurts…”
Takano looked worried, “What hurts?”
Ritsu turned his gaze down towards his chest and laid down between his neck and shoulder. Takano was unsure what Ritsu was doing until his lower half began rubbing against him, in which Takano realized the situation.
“Ritsu, you are…”
“Hard? Yeah I know damn well…” Ritsu panted against his neck. Takano jolted when Ritsu bit down and he could hear Ritsu muffle a groan, or try to. This was a strange behavior. Almost like an animal.
Ritsu proceeded to grind on Takano, rubbing the hardness of his pants against Takano’s crotch. The raven hair man began getting really aroused, which made him really uneasy.
*If this continues…
“Ritsu…you should not do that.”
“I can’t help it. You’re getting hard too, you know” He panted against his neck as he continued. Takano clenched his teeth a bit as he felt himself get hard just as Ritsu had noted.
“Yes, and that is why I am afraid you should stop. If you continue, I will not be able to stop myself…” Takano warned. Ritsu seemed to not care.
“Are you really going to tell me no?”
————————————————————-
Ritsu felt Takano’s inhuman strengths again. He was forced into a change of positions, now Takano hung over Ritsu and pinned him by the wrists against the bed. Ritsu stared up at him, noticing the golden brown eyes in the dim lighted room. Ritsu, still panting, swallowed back a gulp.
*That got him to react…He looks serious…
Masamune bent down slowly, Ritsu noting his eyes were staring at one particular spot; his lips. He opened his mouth just before Takano pierced their lips together, his half lidded dark orbs staring into golden brown ones. He closed his eyes and his body began softly shivering at the way Masamune could kiss. The older man had softly nipped at the bottom of his lip which made Ritsu get chills running down his spine.
*So this is how it feels to be kissed..? I’ve never done it before…
It was nice. Gentle before it became rough, Takano pressing against him and reaching under his shirt for something to touch. Ritsu could feel his hands against his bare chest now, making him shake even more.
*Its like my senses are heightened…his touch feels really good…
Takano pulled away from the kiss to gasp for air, continuing to rub his chest and instinctively going for the younger man’s nipples. Ritsu felt his cheeks heat up, but he didn’t tell Takano to stop. He made a small noise when Takano pinched it, tilting his head to the side and inviting Takano to do some neck play as well. The raven hair man began softly pecking his skin, sending signals through Ritsu’s entire core. He sucked in a breath from the attention, letting out a soft moan when Takano began licking up his neck and ending it by biting his ear lobe.
*Fuck…
Ritsu half lidded gaze stared at the man’s shoulder. He became impatient and his legs wrapped around Masamune’s waist, bringing his crotch closer to his ass. Takano stopped his licking to sit up and stare at Ritsu’s face, panting slightly. Ritsu gave a bit of a irritated face.
“I already told you, it sort of hurts…”, he turned his gaze to the side out of embarrassment in which Takano slanted his eyes.
“Is what you have on too tight?”, Takano suggested, “Should you take your clothes off?”
Ritsu’s cheeks flared up at the suggestion. Although it was true that his groin felt pretty tightly packed, it was still embarrassing.
“…c-can…you do it?”, he said his voice slightly shaking. Takano slowly nodded, glad to be allowed access to strip him. He slid down off him and began undoing Ritsu’s slacks. Ritsu couldn’t help the relieved sigh that seemed to come out from his lips when he was peeled of his clothing, a bit of pressure lifting. “…the b-boxers too please…”
Takano gripped the band of Ritsu’s boxers and slid them down until his erection popped back onto his belly. Ritsu let out a bit of a whimper at begin exposed, but he felt a whole lot better now that the clothing wasn’t suffocating his dick. Ritsu noted Takano eyeing it as he slid Ritsu’s pants and boxers off his ankles. Now his lower half was bare and he just stared at Masamune. He craned himself up on his elbows and gripped his shaft, rubbing it a bit.
“It feels a lot better, now. But it’s not going to go down if you don’t help me out…”
Takano’s reaction made Ritsu look away embarrassed of asking such a thing. Honestly he couldn’t help it, and he thought it would feel a better if someone else did it for him. The raven hair man slowly nodded and reached forward and slowly rubbing his fingertips at the top of Ritsu’s dick. Ritsu gritted his teeth, closing his eyes a bit, his hand stroked at the base for a bit before letting Takano take his hand’s place. His gritted teeth opened up instinctively after a few heated strokes from the cultist.
“Ha…ha…” He swallowed and stopped Takano for a moment before lifting himself up and sitting on top of Takano’s crisscrossed legs. He held onto his shoulders as he leaned into his neck to pant, “Keep going..” He instructed.
Takano gripped his length again and began slowly rubbing at it. Ritsu held his mouth open the entire time, his moans would occasionally spill out from time to time and he felt himself throb in Takano’s hand. Takano began pumping, softly panting himself from how arousing Ritsu was making him with his sweet moans. Ritsu gritted his teeth again as he leaned into his neck, his hips making him thrust into Masamune’s hand. He felt pressure rising and…
He did not think he could come so quickly.
His breath escaped him when his back arched and he felt the orgasmic feeling. His eyes flash white, his grip on Takano’s shoulders tightened and his sweet moan enticed Masamune to slow down into a stop. Ritsu felt himself collapse onto Takano, his body shaking from the aftermath of his climax. It had been a while since he had came so he had forgotten just how good it actually felt.
After a few moments of recovering his breath, he felt Takano shift into a tight hug. Ritsu felt exhausted and wrapped his arms around Takano’s neck as well in response. “Has it gone down now?” Ritsu nodded at Takano’s question, sort of embarrassed.
The feeling that had taken over him was immediately out of his system after climax. He felt Takano lay him down, in which Ritsu shifted to get comfortable, not caring to put his pants back on but Takano insisting him at least put his boxers on, which he complied. Ritsu had finally got his breath back and Takano seemed to not ask any questions as he laid beside him in silence. That was some odd behavior just now.
*What the hell was that..?
Chapter 16
Day two.
What the hell was that last night? Ritsu had been asking himself the same question over and over again all day.
He was fully conscious during the whole 'experience’, yes, but it just was not like him. He would have never did something like that if it was not for that feeling that had came over him. All he remembered was the urge.
*I really wanted to have sex…
He shook his head, ruffled his hair, and looked annoyed. He was so confused. He didn’t even know his true feelings with Takano yet. Did he love him? No, he couldn’t possibly do that. It had only been less than a week.
*I’ve never been in love. Maybe I’m just lonely. I am confusing this feeling with lust, perhaps. There’s no way I love Masamune at this pace of time. Maybe I just think he’s attractive?
He shook his head, ruffled his hair, and looked annoyed once more. Get these damn thoughts out of his head already. It was as if it wasn’t his own thoughts anymore.
He laid his head back on the pillow he was laying on in Masamune’s bed. Honestly, he shouldn’t be thinking about love (or sex in general) and should focus more on the problems he is facing.
*Today and tomorrow. Then Kirishima and Yokozawa will have their answer and I’ll either be freed from Delta’s influence, or have to go through hell figuring out plan C.
What if they decline? There’s not much hope then. Ritsu will have to play the waiting game.
He slanted his eyes, now thinking of a new subject. If Delta takes his body, what does he plan to do with it exactly? He’s just this stupid normal everyday guy. It is not like Delta can spread his influence in this sort of body of Ritsu’s. He would be waisting his time, so what does he have to even gain from it.
"It is an odd motive without a reasoning.” He said, thinking out loud.
“What is?”
He didn’t realize Takano was at the doorway again, two cups of coffee in hand just like yesterday. Ritsu’s emerald eyes met golden brown ones and he pulled back his hair with his hand, “I was just thinking out loud without meaning to.” Takano walked over and handed him his coffee mug, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“What’s on your mind, Onodera?”
Ritsu stared at the blackish brown color of the liquid in the cup and sighed aloud, “Well, I was just thinking about what Delta thinks he will gain if he actually succeeds in taking my body. I’m nothing special, so its not like he can 'spread his influence’ through me. I’m just a idiot with a camera.”
Ritsu caught Takano staring at him as if he was upset, a odd expression for Takano indeed. “Ritsu, don’t talk about yourself as if you are a face in a crowd. Delta is this deity who loves to see others suffer.” He explained something Ritsu already knew, but continued, “…Delta knows the mind as much as I do, probably even more than I do. He won’t just take your body, Ritsu. He’s taking your being, your identity, your soul…” Takano looked uneasy, “He’ll be taking you, Ritsu. And if he does, you won’t be the only one who suffers for it. 'You are the prince who will save me from the darkness’ remember?” He gives a bit of a sad smile, “I’ll be devastated if he took you away from me…”
Ritsu felt his heart beat pick up at the sound of Masamune’s voice just now. His widened eyes softened and he looked down and didn’t know how to respond to that. For a moment it was silent before Ritsu’s mouth twisted and he began to softly laugh. Takano stared at Ritsu and wondered why the sudden mood change.
“I’m not going anywhere. I will save you. So, stop looking so sad and cheer up already.” Ritsu responded, “This idiot devil is not going to take any of things from me. I won’t let him.” Ritsu tried to cheer up Takano, in which he could see Masamune smile at the response he gave.
“Confidence will take you far, my Prince. Save me and I’ll be sure to save you.” Takano reached over and ruffled Ritsu’s hair a bit, “I love you, after all.” Ritsu gave a bit of a look at that. He turned away embarrassment hinting his face now.
He thought about them words. He knew Takano meant them. He loved Ritsu.
But he does not love Takano.
*Not yet, anyway.
————————————————————
The day went on longer than yesterday despite having the same amount of time. Ritsu had started working on things he needed to do, for the sake of his job and Miyagi’s stress. Onodera had sent the pictures to Miyagi through email and almost instantly got a “Thank you ;)” back from the professional editor-in-chief.
Ritsu stared at the screen of his laptop for a long bit after closing all the programs. He clicked on a folder to view the pictures on his camera again, the new photos of the victim at the very top. He scrolled down to see the pictures he took during his time at the church and the pictures that someone took while he was spread on the table.
He clicked on the picture of Takano back at the church. He stared at him and remembered what he had told him yesterday.
*“It started with a flash of a camera. I did not understand it at first but something struck inside me when I seen you for that split second back at the church. It terrified me and it felt like a presence had washed over me.”
He looked into Takano’s eyes staring into the camera lenses. Originally looking at the photo, Ritsu thought he looked kinda scary. But now that he had got some insight on how Takano felt during then, he realized he was in fact feeling something that terrified him.
*I did not expect this to be the face of someone experiencing 'love at first sight’. But I mean for a masochistically, emotionally damaged guy like Takano, I guess the expression is spot on.
He clicked a arrow key a few times, going through the photos when the bedroom door opened and Masamune peaked in, “Hey, you alright, Onodera?” Ritsu instinctively went to put a hand on the laptop as if to close it, but did not.
“Ah, yes. I am fine. I am just looking at some pictures.”, he replied with a nervous smile, “Work related, you know.”
“May I sit with you, Ritsu?” He asked standing at the door for a reply. Ritsu felt unreasonably nervous for some reason. Why would he want to hide pictures that Takano probably already seen anyway? He slowly nodded and scooted over to make room, in which Takano closed the door behind him and sat on the bed. Ritsu could feel his cheeks heat up for some reason. He was okay to be around Takano earlier, why now was he experiencing this odd behavior.
He quickly began clicking the arrow button until the pictures from inside the cult’s headquarters showed up. He stopped and stared at the red room in the photo, the light shining on his bare skin. He slanted his eyes, disgusted to see it again, “Who the hell took these perverted photos of me anyway..?”
Masamune took a look at the photos. “Well, it could not possibly have been me. I was up front right next to you. This looks like it was taken in the crowd, off to the side. There is no telling who took them. I found it with the rest of your stuff after the rite in a room we keep evidence in.”
*So he was unsure of who took them then, huh.
*Delta tried to make me think Masamune took these vulgar photos of me during that time, didn’t he?
“I…never thought it was you.” He spoke up making Masamune look his way, “Delta tried to make me think you were a bad guy like that, though.” Ritsu mumbled in thought, “Idiot devil thinks he can trick my mind, but he can’t do shit. He’s all talk at the moment.”
He could see Takano smile at that enthusiasm in the corner of his eye and he felt his cheeks heat up more at the feeling of his gaze. Ritsu quickly closed out the program and shut down the laptop just to do something other than look at vulgar pictures of himself. He felt the bed shift beside him and before he could realize it, Takano had gave him a soft kiss on his cheek.
He sat there frozen looking at the blank laptop screen wondering why he would do such a thing at this moment. What Takano did honestly caught his words in his throat to where he could not speak. Masamune hasn’t even mentioned the situation from last night.
“My Ritsu’s cheeks were of crimson color. Your appearance was greatly flirtatious and I could not help myself. Although that may have pushed my limitations too far. I do apologize if I have invaded your personal space.”
“What’s with that?”, Ritsu’s words slipped from his lips, “Don’t apologize for something you just did. At least do it right.” His face was redder than before and he just stared at the sheets he had clenched in his hands below. Takano seemed a bit stunned at the suggestion.
“You mean…I have permission to kiss you on the lips?”
“Don’t ask…idiot…”, Ritsu was irritated now, his emerald eyes glared into the sheets. He felt the shifting again, Takano getting closer to his body. He felt the dark haired man lift Ritsu’s chin and close the gap between them by connecting their lips. Takano’s hand glided from his chin to his cheek and both of them closed their eyes at the same moment. It was a gentle kiss, one you see in chick flixs, Ritsu guessed. It was different from last night’s kiss.
*Our mouths were open last night…
He parted his lips to guide Takano to kiss the way he did the night before. Takano got the invitation and opened his own mouth, sucking on Ritsu’s lip to induce arousal into their activity. Ritsu’s body began getting hot in response. He had to admit that Takano was a great kisser. Like a fucking wonderfully great kisser, to put more emphasis into how impressive his kissing skills were.
Ritsu’s arms wrapped around Takano’s neck and he began laying down, Takano following his lead as he continued to ravish his mouth, their tongues intertwining. Ritsu unconsciously sighing during the session, he did not want it to end too quickly. He sucked in a breath after Takano released their lips, panting as they stared at each other.
Ritsu slanted his dark emerald eyes, his lips parted as he caught his breath. His cheeks had a soft blush and he stared up at Takano. It was odd, Takano seemed to be glowing now. Perhaps his eyes were playing tricks on him from the heat.
He felt hot. He shifted and bit his lip, getting into that mood again. He blushed deeper and put his hands on Takano’s chest, “Takano, get off.” He tried to fight the urge to continue, “If we continue I won’t be able to stop…”
Masamune reached up and gently carcasses his cheek, “It is alright, I will not go farther than this even if you wanted me to.” Ritsu looked at him and slitted his eyes.
“What do you mean?”, Ritsu asked, fighting the heat rising in his chest. Takano made a bit of a look as if wondering the right words to say.
“I do not want to go further than this because it will only end horribly.” Ritsu gave a sort of odd look and Takano continued, “Remember what I told you before about the bindings on your body?”
Ritsu was confused now. What was he going on about now? What bindings on his body?
*Oh, wait..
“You mean the seal that is keeping Delta asleep, right? Yeah, what about it?”
“It is not a permanent binding, young prince. I have mentioned this to you before, but the bindings can be broken when you experience too much of your own emotions.” Ritsu blinked and stared at the golden brown eyes that stared back at him. “Ritsu, I do not want you to fall in love or in lust with me just yet for that reason.”
That sounded bad.
“Ah, no…I wasn’t trying to seduce you or anything…”, Ritsu apologized, “Sorry, I guess I pushed you too far to do that stuff last night…”
Takano shook his head quickly, “No, I could not hold myself back last night. It was not your fault.” Ritsu looked down a bit, the heat of arousal had longed vanished from his body and now he felt a pain of disappointment. He guessed this meant that even if he decided he wanted to sleep with Takano, the raven hair man had the mindset that he would not go farther than simple make-outs.
*Why does that annoy me?
“It’s fine. Just forget it.”, Ritsu mumbled as he turned, shifting to pull the sheets above his shoulder, “I’m going to sleep…You should too…”
“And,…”, he added, “just to be safe, don’t kiss me anymore from this point on.”
“What made you change your mind, young prince?”, Takano questioned.
“You said you did not want me to fall in love with you, so let’s remain mutuals. Just acquaintances. Lets go back to the beginning of the week, where this relationship was solely job related. If you kiss me, I will surely consider falling for you and Delta will wake up, right? So I don’t want to fall in love with you…”
Ritsu felt the bed shift and Takano laid beside him, “Really?” He sounded sort of saddened, but Ritsu’s face remained like stone.
“Yeah, really…”, Ritsu answered looking frustrates at the man. He shot a glare over his shoulder at him, “So don’t do it, or I’ll kill you.” He sounded like he meant it.
For the first time, Takano Masamune didn’t even bare to smile at the threat.
Chapter 17
Day three.
Ritsu opened his emerald gaze towards the light struck wall before him. Blankets covered him up to the shoulder and he felt no presence of Takano. He laid there for a moment before reaching up and wiping the sleep out of his eyes. He looked at the alarm clock beside Masamune’s bed. 10:37 am. Early again.
He was expecting Takano to open the door and bring him a coffee at any given moment, but the dark hair man seemed to be absent. Ritsu’s lips parted, suddenly getting a eerie feeling.
His bare feet met cold polished floor, slowly walking towards the door to investigate. He went through the house, all seemed untouched. No smell of coffee. No breakfast.
And no sign of Takano Masamune.
Now he was worried. Takano left him alone? Where has Takano gone at such a early hour anyway? He thought maybe he should call him, but his mind rejected the idea almost immediately. If Takano was out, he had to have had a good reason to be.
"Maybe he ran out of eggs or coffee beans?”, Ritsu spoke up to convince himself out loud. “I am sure he will be back soon. No need to worry about him…” But even if he said that out loud, he could not help feel anxious about Takano not being with him. He did not like it one bit, but it really could not be helped.
He sat on the couch and his head laid back against the head cushion. His mind began wandering again, to the things said yesterday. He slitted his eyes, dilating in thought.
*He’s probably upset about the things I said last night…He was the one who confessed to me two days ago…It must have hurt when I told him I don’t want to fall in love with him…
He reached up and pinched between his eyes in frustration. Not towards Takano, but towards himself. This demon inside him was preventing himself from falling in love or having any sort of relationship with Takano. It was irritating. It was infuriating.
Abruptly, Ritsu felt his body temperature rise, his heartbeat quickened and his breath shortened in a matter of moments. He gripped the collar of the shirt and fisted it in his hand as if to hold onto something. He wondered what triggered this urge as he gasped out. What was wrong with him now?
He looked down at the shirt he was wearing, his eyes softening as he remembered who’s shirt he was wearing. He lifted the shirt towards his nose. Takano’s scent was fresh on it, he had been wearing his shirts for the past few days, but he could never get used to the smell. He closed his eyes and his heart beat could be felt now throughout his entire body, heat picking up and he fell down onto the couch to lay down. He clenched harder against the shirt in his hand and panted, his chest rapidly rising and falling. He didn’t like how quickly he could get in this sort of mood, but he was alone at least and he could finally do something about it.
He reached down and rubbed at his crotch. He wondered if it would really help if he touched himself. He gripped the band of his pants and boxers at the same time and slid them down to his knees. He took hold of his hardened cock and gently rubbed at it, his expression becoming more aroused as he felt bare hands against himself. It had been awhile since he touched himself, he thought. Although he came the other day, the precome was practically rising already as if he had not came in a week. He sucked in a breath when he smeared the precome across the crown of his hard-on, making the palm of his hand slip across it.
He gritted his teeth and his hips distinctly thrusted forward. His hand slid from his head down to the shaft, stroking it a few times. He felt a frustration suddenly rise in his thoughts.
*I can’t do it well myself…
He tightened his grip around his dick, creating more pressure. This is how Takano did it, right? He unconsciously groaned as he stroked at it more, the friction made it so much more intense. His sweet noises escaping his lips, his hips thrusting into his own hand. His instincts were to smell at Takano’s scent even more, his hand that gripped the shirt lifted it up and into his face. He closed his eyes and images flash his mind of the dark hair man.
Masamune was here with him now, the raven hair man stroking at Ritsu. The man was on top of Ritsu, increasing the strokes on Ritsu’s cock. He gasped out and looked up at the golden brown eyes filled with lust and felt his body tremble. He gripped the shirt in his hand and his voice escaped him as he felt himself coming. His vision flashed white as he shook, his hand wet as he held at the top of his dick.
He collapsed and had his eyes closed. He enjoyed the feeling of his orgasm for only a moment. He tried to calm himself down by breathing now, the orgasm fast at fading into nothingness. The illusion of Takano had longed disappeared and he realized he was still all alone. His body trembled when he released his crown and he swallowed back his spit to wet his dry throat.
He sat up, pulled up his pants and went to clean up the mess he made on his hands. He turned on the sink water, the heat had disappeared from his body and all he felt now was a pang of guilt and a gross longing.
He did not want to admit that he was hoping Masamune would have walked in on him doing something like that.
He shook his head, irritation rising as he washed off his hand kind of harshly. He did not want to fall for Takano, he told himself that yesterday.
*Then why was I fantasizing about him just now…
He felt a pain in his chest from thinking about how his mind and body are contradicting each other. He has to try and control himself next time.
*It’s just…hard to overcome those damn urges I get so suddenly. It’s like something takes over me and I am in a trance or something. It is annoying.
He was frustrated now as he turned off the water and stared down at the reflection of the metal in the sink. He stared at himself, slanting his eyes, deep in thought at all that just happened when he heard the front door open. His alertness went towards the door and he bounded out of the kitchen to greet Takano’s return.
“Takano! Where have you..?”
Ritsu didn’t see it coming. Something cloaked over his face hastily, covering his airways. His eyes dilated in sudden fear as he felt arms on him to keep him from struggling. Ritsu muffled a scream into the rag against his face, a chance for the man to shove it in his mouth more. He began thrashing and trying to break free, but the men around him held him down with unspeakable strength.
He remembered this awful taste in his mouth from before, back at the church. The man above him practically rung the liquid down his throat, coating his esophagus with it. Tears came out from his eyes and he tried with every will in his body to fight the drug. But soon enough his thrashing stopped and his muscles went limp.
Ritsu’s body was useless once again. He didn’t think he would be in this same situation twice. His eyes shot around the room at the men with the iconic masks. The man above him pulled the rag out of his numbed mouth, Ritsu’s saliva slightly dripping down his chin.
Two cultists emerged from the bedroom. “The Paramount is absent, sir! It seems only the False Priest is present!”
The man gave a bit of a disappointing nod and petted at Ritsu’s brunette locks, “This is fine. Come now, children. Take him to the vehicle. Masamune will soon follow…” The man above Ritsu ordered.
He could not feel the hands of the kidnappers on his body lifting him up. He could not feel anything at the moment. They must have given him a high dosage of the liquefied drug this time. Ritsu was terrified now, not as much as before but pretty damn close. He wondered how they found Takano’s residence. Or how they figured out that Ritsu would be there.
*…The only people who knew was Kirishima and Yokozawa, right? Did one of them rat Takano out? That’s possible. We were idiots to believe they would help…
His cheek was leaning on a cultist’s chest as they took him into their vehicle’s back, laying him down. He limply stayed in place as if he was a ragdoll or perhaps dead. This really sucked.
He wondered what they were planning now. They were hoping to take Takano prisoner as well? He could see water filling his eyes, but he couldn’t tell if he was crying. Did he feel like crying? He doesn’t even know.
“Are you upset?”, one cultist teased, wiping away Ritsu’s tears on his cheek with his thumb then proceeded to lick said thumb, “I did not get a chance to have introduced myself to you before. Although I did see you in your nudity.” Ritsu just sort of glared at the perverted guy, irritation clear in his eyes. “I get the honor to host your funeral and to enjoy spilling alcohol on your wounds once more. That will be a pleasant evening.”
“Do not make the False Priest upset, Akihiko. The Prophet is the only one of us who has such a blessing. We are only a part of a grand design.” Ritsu recognized that voice. Kirishima was here then. He wondered if Yokozawa was too. “Today is a beautiful day.” He could see Kirishima petting at his hair, in which Ritsu wanted anything to pull away from him. He was a traitor. “Ritsu.”
Onodera blinked and looked at him.
“This is perfect. Now I can tell you more about Masamune like I promised. Although you can not ask questions, I am sure this will satisfy your needs for information.” If he could speak, he would have told him he already knew some things about Takano now. “Did you know that Masamune has a high title in the cult?”
*Yes…
“It really is a bother when one of the highest officials betrays the entire cult. However, I can not say I blame him.”, Ritsu blinked and stared at the man with the mask over his face, “I suspected him to be a rebel, I just did not know when he would pursue that nature. Takano wants to make everyone suffer. Not out of revenge, but out of lust.” Ritsu could hear the grin of the man under the mask, “Did he tell you what he told me and Takafumi? He said you were 'a prince hidden in a crowd of ordinaries’ or something like that.”, he mocked Takano’s voice, “Once I heard those words, I knew his act was bullshit and he was just being desperate. I have never seen him stoop so low.”
Ritsu glared at Kirishima, silently cursing the man.
“Do not look so scary, Onodera. You must understand that I did not give away your secret. I did not plan to either. The Prophet came to me after both of you left. It was as if Takano himself told The Prophet about your whereabouts. Do you think Masamune would do such a thing?” Ritsu closed his eyes as if to end the conversation. He did not want to hear something like that. Kirishima continued, “He is known as the Paramount. The only one above him and the only one who can punish him is his mentor, The Prophet. How do you think he will punish Masamune if Masamune is absent?” He smiles, “With a substitute of course.”
Ritsu got a eerie feeling and his eyes opened wide, looking up at Kirishima, suddenly getting more terrified.
*….
The ride was from then on silent, driving closer and closer to his fate.
——————————————————————
Kirishima carried Ritsu in, the limp man could not control his limbs as they swayed as if unconscious. Ritsu was crying again, although he still did not know it, tears rapidly rolling down his cheeks. He still could not feel or move his limbs. He wondered how long it would last this time.
*Masamune gave me a small dosage of this drug last time, it started waring off as we arrived here. But this time it’s showing no sign of waring off. It really is bothersome to not be able to fight back.
Kirishima held Ritsu and surprisingly took him someplace new. Ritsu has not been anywhere other than the downstairs cell, the red room, and the room with the candles in cubbies. Now they walked down a corridor, lined with red drapes with a odd symbol on them. Only two others were with Kirishima, one who was in front of him and someone trailed behind.
They arrived to a giant iron door, fit with many locks on it. He wondered if this was the torture room Takano mentioned. He closed his eyes as the first cultist began unlocking the locks. He did not want to see what was in this room. He heard the giant door click and opened with a slight booming sound. He would have flinched if his body was able to, but he stayed still. He held his eyes closed and he could not even tell they had walked into the room.
“You may open your eyes. There is nothing to be afraid of, Priest.”, a voice spoke to him that he sort of recognized but did not know where. He slowly opened his eyes, a new color entering his vision. Gold. Golden covers around him. He was laying on this king-sized bed in this huge golden room. Translucent yellow drapes hung around the bed. It honestly looked like a room fit for a king.
Why he was laying comfortably on this bed in this room was unknown to him.
The man who spoke earlier spoke again, “I expect you to behave while you are in this room. I will come back shortly, without these two of course.” That voice. He did not know where he had heard it before. The man lifted the covers and tucked Ritsu into the bed, “You may sleep if you need to.” The man instructed.
Kirishima and the other cultist went out of the room first, waiting by the door for the other cultist. The cultist smiled at Ritsu and gently petted his brown hair, “Do not worry. I do not plan to kill you. Just rest for now. I’ll be back in an hour tops.”
The man left the room, the door shutting with a big booming sound and the clicking sounds of the locks locking. He expected this to be a torture room. Hasn’t he cause this cult trouble? He blinked a few times, his eyes getting heavier. He wondered if Takano noticed he was gone yet.
—————————————————————–
He opened his eyes. He must have drifted off. The cultist seems to not be back yet. But something about this room was oddly off. His body was unable to move and there was a great weight on his chest.
He realized he was in a lucid dream when he seen the mirror version of himself resting on his chest. Delta Ritsu seems to be more sunk into his chest, a wave of pain shot through him.
“Why are you so damn heavy…”
*That’s just the weight of my sins…
“Why am I here now? Takano had to do a ritual to get me here last time.” Ritsu’s confusion was hinted on his voice.
*You can always access this plane. It is mostly a random encounter, though..
Delta sounded awfully cold.
*It seems we are faced with the cult once more. How infuriating. I wonder what they are planning out now…
Ritsu blinked. It seemed Delta was distraught that they were back at the cult, “Why do you sound so upset? Isn’t this in your favor what they are doing? You are their leader.”
*I am only half their leader, idiot. They can not hear me. They can only hear him…
Ritsu blinked again. Delta has changed from last time. He sounds more…human. More like Ritsu…
*What are you thinking about now?
“Why the sudden mood change. Last time you were all deceiving and playing tricks on me, but now you just seem…different.”
*I am becoming more like you. I am currently mimicking your soul as we speak. Why do you think we have the same voice, or the same exact soul? Do you not see that you have become different as well? Think about it.
He guessed that does explain everything.
*We have been influencing each other for the past week. The longer I stay asleep on your soul, the more my influence takes over. It is a plan B if the seal is not broken before time allows it. It is a matter of time before you become just like me.
—————————————————————–
He sucked in a breath as his eyes shot open. A strong odor was getting waved in his face and he felt his limbs were able to move again. He sat up and the man at the end of of the bed smiled at him. “Sorry to keep you waiting, priest.” Ritsu stared at the maroon haired man and glared at him. “I woke you up, I hope you were not dreaming.”
“…ho…” He could not speak barely. His throat was dry and he coughed harshly, grabbing at his neck in pain.
“Ah, here! Some water.” The man handed him a bottle he had been holding. Ritsu slowly took it, eyeing the man as he opened it up and swallowed it down. He breathed in a breath of refreshment. He swallowed and took a deep breath and started again.
“Who…are you?”, he asked slowly.
“My name is Haitani.” He said gently, “And Kirishima told me your name, so there is no need to introduce yourself.” Ritsu wasn’t going to.
“Have we met before?”, Ritsu asked, slanting his eyes. He wanted to know where he heard that voice.
“Yes.” Is all he got initially for an answer. “Now let me ask you a question. Do you hear him?”
Ritsu looked at the guy sort of funny, “What are you talking about? Hear who?”
“Delta, of course. Do you hear him?”
“At the moment? No. I only hear your voice.”
Haitani gave a grin and nodded, “When can you hear him?”
“I’m not sure…” Ritsu responded, confused by the questions, “Which Delta are you talking about?” It was to his knowledge that Delta was split into two.
“The one who is angry and wants his other half back.”, Haitani answered with a comical tone, “The one who is speaking at this very moment.” The man looks up with a grin at the ceiling.
“I can’t hear him then, no. I don’t think he’s ever talked to me personally. But the other one has made conversation with me a little…” Ritsu answered.
“Then it is the way it should be.”, Haitani smiled, “I was hoping you could not hear his voice. But more interestingly, you can hear his other half. What is he saying to you?”
“Nothing at the moment.”, Ritsu answered, looking to the side. “What does it matter what he says to me?”
“I do not think you understand.”, he began with a bit of a cheery voice, “You are the only outlet for him, Ritsu. If he wants to speak, you have to deliver his word. If you do not, you will be disobeying my order. Now no more questions. I want answers.” He seemed kind of scary now with that smile of his.
“…He is mimicking my soul, he told me. He said something about influencing my soul. I am not entirely sure what you want to know.”
Haitani gave a smile at that, “That is interesting. I can definitely tell he has influenced you. You are showing so little emotion. It seems he has already tied knots into your mental state.”
Ritsu looked confused at that, “What are you talking about now?”
Onodera did not see it coming when he felt the man push him down on the bed. The man pressed against him and showed he had unspeakable strength as well. Ritsu struggled underneath him, the hairs on his skin stood up.
“Let me ask you one last thing. Have you and Masamune got intimate yet?”, he gave such a hideous smirk.
Ritsu stared up at him with fear hinting his eyes, “Get off of me..!” Ritsu commanded. The smile on Haitani’s face altered and the grip on Ritsu’s wrists tightened.
“Who do you think you are talking to?” Ritsu grunted in pain at the tightening of his wrists as Haitani bent down into his face, “You are my property now… You can not command me to do anything.” He said harshly as he grinned at Ritsu’s struggle to break free.
“It…hurts…”
“I own you, my beautiful sacrificial lamb…and I expect you to behave.”
Chapter 18
10:37 am.
The store opens at 7:30 am on Mondays through Thursdays and 8:00 am on weekends. It never truly got busy until noon. It was just the way it was. People would scan the aisles, probably having a grocery list in hand, and buy what they need. Some, with their guilty pleasures, would sneak a sweet for later into their carts. Most were here with their kids, the children eagerly point at what they want in particular.
Some comply and buy them what they want.
Some are strict and do not.
This was what modern human beings did. They go grocery shopping so they can provide for their families. They buy what they need, and probably some things that they want. They do it to survive.
Or they just ran out of eggs.
The raven hair man picked up the carton of a brand he always got and stood over it. He just sort of stared as if deep in thought. There was a hint of hurt, confusion and anger in his brown gaze towards the carton of eggs.
People came to the Food Market to buy food. For whatever reason they have, their personal lives do not matter in the least unless they did not have money in hand, in which they would not be present in the store at the moment. Masamune stared at the carton of eggs in hand before placing it in his own cart.
Takano could hear voices in his head. Dangerous voices repeated his prince’s words from last night’s conversation.
*”…I don’t want to fall in love with you.“
The voices were his voice. The voices were Ritsu. But something seemed off about them. Something was wrong about them, as if they were drilling into his head and draining the fluid out. It was painful to endure, yet he walked normal, he talked normal, he bought groceries like any other human being. Yet the pain was there.
And the pain was unbearable.
*Although I was the one who said it first…hearing it from him made me uneasy…I could not sleep laying next to him and ended up keeping my mind awake the entire nighttime hours…What was I expecting him to say anyway? "I’ll wait for you.”
*“I don’t want to fall in love with you.”
The voice again. It seemed to echo in his mind like a water-drop falling in a cave. Speaking of a water-drop, he felt one roll down his cheek when a thought came to mind and tore him down even more.
“How else are you suppose to save me then..?”
——————————————————————–
An hour went by before he decided he needed to go home. He had not informed Ritsu of his trip and he wondered if maybe the man had woken up by now. He felt like an idiot to have broke down like that in the middle of the store, but he thanked that the woman ringing his items did not mention or notice his puffy red eyes.
He felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket and, keeping his eyes on the road, went to retrieve it. It was probably the prince, waking from his slumber to find a empty house. He unlocked the phone to view the new message and when he read the text, his pupils constrict. His heart halts and he goes completely deft, a high pitch ringing blocked all sound. He stares at the two words on the screen and fear embeds itself under his skin. He drops his phone in all the excitement and his foot instinctively steps on the pedal, escalating the speed of the vehicle.
Two words struck him with absolute terror.
“He knows.”
——————————————————————-
The door busted open and a frantic Masamune called out to his prince, “Onodera! Onodera we have to go!” He felt himself already shaking when he got no reply as he entered the bedroom. The bed sheets were scattered but empty. The shower room showed no evident of Ritsu taking a bath. No Ritsu. No Ritsu…
His heart was racing. He knows. He knows, “Damn it!” He cursed out loud, anger getting a hold to him. He knew what he had to do now. He had to go. He has to save his prince. He had to go save Ritsu.
He felt his mind racing with all the options. He did not know what was expected when he returned to the cult. He did not know if his head was on a spike or not. He did not care. He just wanted Ritsu to be safe. He did not care rather he lived or died returning, as long as Ritsu is safe from the fate that is bestowed onto him.
He had to save Ritsu.
Even if doing so meant damning himself.
———————————————————————
Do you know why our bodies feel pain? Pain is created to help you understand that the body is experiencing something harmful. In a way it is a warning to tell you “Stop hurting yourself!” But sometimes you are not in control of your own pain. Others will get on top of you, inflicting pain onto you. And even though your body is telling you to stop, it is not in your control and you struggle and find yourself at the mercy of the person who is harming you.
Ritsu gritted his teeth as his face was smothered into the pillow, his head throbbed from his brunette locks being yanked close by the scalp. “O-ow…” He managed in a hushed, pained tone. Haitani pulled Ritsu’s hair and smiled.
“You should not have done something so…uncivil..” His face wore a smile, but his voice was sinister. Ritsu felt goose bumps crawl along his skin at the very tone and he gave a cry as Haitani’s grip grew tighter.
How he got in this situation was moments ago after Haitani stopped talking, Ritsu had spit right in the cultist’s face. It was a stupid thing to do, in all honesty, given the fact that Ritsu was in no position to fight back and this very mistake could have cost him his life.
The maroon headed man gave a huge ass grin as Ritsu felt tears form in the corners of his eyes, “…G-Get off…of me..!”
“You are flustered. If I knew better, I would say you are sadistic and like the position you are in.” He gave a bit of a chuckle, “You enjoy this, huh?” Haitani yanked his hair and Ritsu let out another yell of pain, fearing if the man gave any more strength he would rip the scalp.
“St-op..! I hate pain!”
“You just have not experienced me giving you the pain, my dear sacrificial lamb. You would absolutely love it.” He licked his lips as if getting off by seeing Ritsu struggle. Ritsu clenched his teeth, wishing for the man to stop already. “You have proven yourself a fighter, I must say. Masamune probably loves to shut you up…”
“Fuck you..!”, Ritsu said between gritted teeth. Haitani found it amusing and suddenly released Ritsu. The brunette plummeted to the pillow he was laying on, out of breath, relieved the pain he was enduring finally began to cease instead of escalate. Haitani hastily got off of him.
“Yeah, yeah! I know. That will just wake the other you up, wouldn’t it?” Haitani said in a mocking tone to himself. It seems Delta, the one that is not inside Ritsu, wanted Haitani to stop what he was doing. “But you said it yourself when I asked you earlier! I asked 'how much pain’ and you said 'enough’.” He chatted as he went to the door as if he was talking to someone on the phone, “Be good now, Onodera-kun~ I’ll be back in a while!” And that was that. Ritsu was alone on the bed in an empty room.
He stared at the golden sheets and clenched them in his hand. He hated that man. He wanted to kill him. He did not know what the man had planned out for him.
*“How do you think he will punish Masamune if Masamune is absent? With a substitute of course.”
Kirishima’s words went through his mind again. Punish Masamune with a substitute, huh? Just his luck that he was that said substitute. He wanted to cry. He was honestly scared to death by such thoughts. Haitani had plans for Ritsu. To endure more pain in the future, he shuttered at the thought.
*What sort of pain?
He thought about the worst amount of pain he had received. When he was young, he had fell out of a tree he had climbed and broken his ankle. He could not stand or even walk even if he wanted to it hurt so bad. He cried for an hour or so before his parents found him and took him straight to the hospital. He remembered telling the nurse “10” when she asked how much pain he was in, although that may have been exaggerated a bit.
He hated pain ever since that day. Who wouldn’t hate pain even without that sort of experience?
His stomach ached thinking about pain.
He lifted himself up, his hair falling from his face towards the bed. He needed to find a way to escape at least. Although that itself sounded idiotic, he had to try. He did not want to submit to the cult’s wishes. He needed to fight back. He got off the bed and searched the room. There was two doors. The exit door that was iron, and this wooden door that seemed to be a closet inside the golden room. Of course checking to see if the exit was unlocked proved idiotic to begin with, but Ritsu tried anyway, proving it to be locked and that Ritsu was an idiot. The other door, however, was unlocked, the door knob turned as Ritsu twisted it. He opened the door quickly, in order to find some sort of object to use as a weapon, just to be greeted with the color of candy red.
He almost screamed at the sight. This really was a torture room after all. He placed one hand over his mouth, his eyes shaking. He grabbed hold of the tool in hand and shook at the sight of it. He wondered if its been used before.
It was a sex toy.
“Perverts! Fucking perverts! All of them!” He cursed out loud as he swung the thing around in hand. He wanted to murder the person who put this here. The closet was otherwise empty without this tool of torturing inside it. He glared down at the rubbery dong and cringed at the thought of what they had been planning to do with it.
*…I have to get the hell out of here…
He was reminded of why he searched the closet in the first place. This sounded silly, but honestly he had no choice in the matter. The room had little resources for weaponry and truly this thing won’t be much help with his escape. But maybe, just maybe he can smack Haitani so hard with this to get him out of the way for a clear run.
He imagined the scenario of a Ritsu making his escape after he smacked and successfully knocked out Haitani, now laying on the ground as Ritsu charged his way swinging the candy red dildo at anyone who tried to stop him.
*Like hell…
“I am truly an idiot for coming up with such a stupid scenario.” He was irritated at his way of thinking. As soon as he would swing the weapon, Haitani would have probably grabbed onto Ritsu’s wrist with a grin and say something sinister.
*“Oh what is this? I did not know you were so eager to be punished.”
The thought crawled across his mind of the sort of punishment he would get if he were caught. His head shook so fast, it was spinning. He did not want that to happen and he placed the toy back where it was originally and shut the closet door.
He leaned against the door and thought for a moment.
*Think, Ritsu. Plan B, come on. Maybe I should wait for Takano? No, he would not be able to face the cult by himself would he? Does Takano even know I am here yet?
He wondered what time of day it was. The room had no windows to see outside and he frankly did not have any source of clocks around the golden room. He sighed, annoyed as he pinched between his eyes, “Damn it.” He was out of options.
*Ritsu.
His eyes opened a bit wide, “…Delta?” Had the influence start its way into his mental state?
*I know Haitani, Ritsu. He is a pretty rare mortal to find. One that likes to borderline disobey me. I do not know what he is planning to do, but I do know of his history. Most likely, he will hold a ceremony and right after, a ritual. They will probably kill you during this, Ritsu, if that is their plan, which I highly believe.
Ritsu listened. His eyes shook at the thought of death, “So why not just kill me now, while Takano isn’t here to save me?”
*You honestly think Masamune is coming to save you?
Onodera looked down. He hoped Takano knew and had a sense to do so. But there was a painful doubt in his mind. What if Takano gave up on him? Feared for his own life and let the cult have Ritsu?
He would not blame him. It was scary to think that you were going to die.
“I don’t want to die.” He whispered. The demon inside seemed to be quiet for a moment before speaking up again.
*…Maybe I could help you? We can switch places if you want. Then you won’t have to feel the pain that Haitani will give you later and if you die, you will just a numb soul and go off into the afterlife. No pain, no death.
Ritsu blinked. Switch…places? Can they do that? “Do you mean you take control? Cause I’d rather not–”
*No, I mean just switch. Your soul will go into dormant while I take over the body. It would be like I woke up, but you will still be present in your own body. It would be how it is now, but switched. Then, if we get saved, I will let you have your body back.
The demon’s voice rang in Ritsu’s head. He wondered if that were true. He was tempted, but he just did not know. Could he really trust this demon’s words?
*…Just think about considering it when you can not endure the pain. Close your eyes and retreat into your mind and your very will will allow us to switch roles. But you are going to have to want it in order for it to work.
Delta was giving him the option to switch whenever Haitani starts inflicting pain onto Ritsu. It was a golden ticket to use when he wanted to escape. When he did not want to experience pain.
“I hate pain…” He whispered to himself, “Why would you offer to take my place like that?” He heard the demon chuckle in his mind, the laughter echoing.
*I have never experienced pain, so I think it would be fun. I just want to be amused by the human tendency to feel pain.
“Its not enjoyable.”, Ritsu countered.
*I know.
“What are you to gain from it?”
*Momentary control. To feel human for a while.
“Being human isn’t exactly the experience a demon would want…” Ritsu mumbles. He did not understand. Delta seemed to smile and him in response.
*Being a devil, I think I would.
Ritsu went quiet. He slid down the closet and he wondered if this was genuine offer. Was it really too good to be true? Was there a catch that he was unaware of?
This devil honestly could not be trusted. Giving up control over your own body meant so much more than escaping from the pain. It meant letting Delta have his way with it.
But if it all goes to hell, that offer will be in the back of his mind.
Chapter 19
Humans are simple creatures..
They are cursed with an inescapable, reckless thing. In the human race, it has become the most common used 'logic' amongst their kind; inexplicably dire. It has become the main source of downfall; and without fault, it never ceases to allow them any source of escape.
This curse-this, insignificant thing has been come to be called emotion.
Emotion takes control of the human mind, and figuratively their hearts. It brings out their inner demons, violent, depressed, or furiously irreproachable.
Humans are known for their logic becoming mixed with emotion instead of reason. They stop thinking with their minds, and allow their inner cursed souls to take wing.
Suicide. Homicide, manslaughter. These things-these sins, they are from this curse. And humans still have not come to understand the small lifespan they are given from their 'god.' It is already a short life, and yet, humans- men, women, children- they all being to wish for one thing and one thing only..
And that is death.
They will pray for strength to carry on, but they never stop dragging a razor across their flesh. They continuously open wounds that have no need to be visited. They hurt themselves and others to achieve a pointless goal.
Humans minds will forever be engraved with thoughts of suicide as an escape, or homicide as a release. And that is why they are ignorant. Insects, tools, insignificant old toys..
They are human. And they are simple..
It was a mindset of mine that I had come to know and accept very well. That is until..until my prized possession..
He wore the rage beneath his never faltering pokerface. I had began to take interest in this particular human, taking note of his hidden emotions.
It had been the first time, of many centuries, that I had come to know the complexity of humans. They were so complex, in fact, that it was fairly simple to understand their outside, but it was their inside that was the so confusingly intriguing part of them.
This child was dark. He was different-special. He too had wished for death, but solely for a different reason.
And this wish had started with revenge.
"I feel I will have a greater purpose if I die." he gave a small grin at his words, continuing to speak his reasoning. "My parents will not have to worry about me if I am dead."
It was at this moment that my interest had reached its peak. I was determined to know more, and to keep him as my prodigy.
"But wouldn't they be upset if you died?" I asked, anxious to hear so much more from him.
He responded with a smile, chuckling at my question as if what I said was a joke, "I wish for death, because I want to see them suffer as I have suffered. A front row seat."
I was definitely taken aback by such inhuman words from a child no less..
"Child. You have interest me. How about I make a deal with you? If you continue to live, I will promise you a blessing."
The child had agreed rather quickly to the deal I proposed..And at that moment we shook hands, I knew it was bound to become an interesting road.
The suicide attempts came to an end. He grew up to be a handsome man; I watched him become this person..
He stuck with the idea that soon he will receive some sort of blessing from me, what mortals call a demon or a devil..or a god. He was loyal to me, even without truly knowing my intentions for him.. He did not even know what he had initially agreed to all those moons ago, he was just filled with excitement for what I had to offer him. I had no intention to hurt him. I wanted to raise him up to his full potential.
For his already black heart to be developed in even more darkness.
He became more to me than just some prodigy.. In all my centuries, I have never took anyone under my wing like Masamune.. I have never wanted to harm Masamune, or make him suffer like I do with all other humans..
But a god does not have emotions. I do not love Masamune.. But he is truly like a son to me..
Years passed before I sent him a particular blessing; An invitation to my holy grounds.. At first, he was thankful for my blessing getting along with the other humans who were gathered.
But that little thing, that insignificant thing called emotion took control of him.
He felt abandoned and lonely after a short period of time. He would get aggravated with his brothers and lash out at them. Then he would yell at me when I tried to speak to him.
"This is what I have been waiting for?" He sounded disappointed, "I thought at least I would be with people like me, but look at them, Delta...They aren't nearly as deep as me."
Ah...I understood his reason.
His brothers all had grey hearts, but he was the only one with a black one.
"My dark child, you are my prodigy. You must understand the reason why you are here? You are destined to rule over these people. To make their hearts black as yours."
My words struck a cord inside of Masamune. It was as if..I gave him the answer he had been looking for.
He went on to become the leader of these people, although none of them really knew. The more Masamune interacted with these humans, my followers, their hearts became darker and darker in gradation.
But they never turned black.
It was a failure. I thought all I needed was for him to interact with others for them to evolve like him. However, that was not the case. I would ask myself the same question repeatedly.
How can someone like Masamune come to exist?
It was like an experiment for the two of us...
Until finally Masamune so abruptly changed his mind and his loyalty for me vanished as if it was never there to begin with.
I was nothing but a fool to have believed that even with Masamune's heart developed in complete darkness, that he would be incapable of having what all humans are cursed with...
Emotion.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fast paced footsteps.
Akihiko looked up from his position just to be met with Takano walking past him. "Ah, Masamune! Looking for someone?" He chuckled, knowing exactly why Takano was here.
Takano shot a scary glare at Usami and in a matter of seconds, Akihiko was being pinned against the ground, his face crushing against the marble floor.
"If you do not want your skull crushed against this god damn floor, I suggest you tell me where the fuck he is, understand?" Takano was dead serious, an expression not many see, and said this between clenched teeth. Usami, struggling underneath him cursed at the pain from hitting the floor so suddenly.
"You looking for the False Priest? Or our dear Prophet?" Usami glared up with his lavender irises, a strained smirk from the pain he was enduring. It pissed Takano off and he slammed him against the marble again.
"Ritsu, damn it!" Takano was about to just book it and try every room to find his prince. Usami shrugged underneath the raven haired man, recovering from the pain.
"I only went for the ride...I do not know where they have taken your False Priest. Go ask Haitani, I am sure he knows..."
*"He knows"
Takano clenched his teeth, pushing on Akihiko's head again before he gets up and dashes down the hall. "Hai-tan-i!" He yells, creating a disturbance in the cult's walls. "Where the hell are you, you damn bastard!"
He comes out to the court yard, several faces peered up at the sight of the raven hair man. Most of them were trying to figure out why the Paramount was so angry but Kisa went towards Takano in enthusiasm, "Ah, Takano-san! Where do you keep going off to?! People keep wanting to follow you out every time they don't see you."
"Kisa! Where is Haitani."
"Hai–uh–You mean the Prophet, sir?" It was rude to call the Prophet anything but the Prophet to underlings like Kisa.
"Yes!"
"Have you checked his room?" Kisa pointed out the obvious. Takano felt like an idiot to not have checked there first. He did not expect his mind to be clouded as much as it was. Clouded was not the right word.
More like storming.
He left the court yard without an explanation to Kisa and went straight to Haitani's room. As he entered, he was greeted with members of the Circle standing around as if waiting for his arrival.
There in the great throne only meant for the Prophet, sat Haitani.
"Ah! Takano-kun!" Haitani set down his wine glass and stood up, "I am so glad you finally joined us! But where is your ceremonial garb! You are wearing casual clothes in a sacred room, you know!" He began walking down the stairs as everyone watched Takano. Someone behind Masamune closed the great doors, sealing them inside, to which Takano turned and seen Usami. He turned back to the maroon headed man.
"Haitani! Where is he?" Takano said calmly through clenched teeth towards the Paramount who inched closer each step he took.
"Who are you referring to, Masamune?" Haitani teased, obviously knowing who.
"You know who! Ritsu."
"He does not have that name anymore, Masamune. Now, he is known as Lamb-kun." Haitani smiles as he stops a few feet away from Takano. "And I will be taken care of Lamb-kun from now on, so there is no need to feel abandoned. We are making preparations, Takano. And it will start very soon! So I expect you to go put on your ceremonial garbs at once."
Takano had the most pissed off glare at Haitani. His blood was boiling, "I will kill you if you hurt Ritsu..." He began to say when Haitani lifted his palm.
Haitani sighs, "Masamune. Listen.", his comical tone turned into a serious one, "We, as your only known family, are not the slightest bit angry at your betrayal. You are confused and we understand. Delta still thinks of you as his mortal son, and he wants to give you a second chance." Takano blinks, a surprised 'huh?' coming from him, "With no penalty or punishment, you may remain Paramount. However, Masamune, you must be the one to. participate in the sacrificial offering of Lamb-kun to your father. You must be the one to hold the knife."
Masamune's eyes widened and his body ran cold. Everything stopped when he heard that. This...This was an agreement...
"But...I..."
"'I don't want to fall in love with you.' That was his words, right?"
Takano flinched, his heart stopped when he heard them exact words come out of Haitani's mouth. The words that kept him up all night, the words he had on his mind all day at the market. The raven hair man who was looking at the ground now slowly raised his head, body noticeably trembling.
*How...did you...
"Delta told me. Our little Lamb-kun has a piece of our God inside him, you understand. When he escaped, or when you escaped with him to be more precise, our God stopped talking to me altogether. It was like the False Priest took Delta away from the cult. It was not until Ritsu, brought in by Kirishima and Yokozawa, was in the close proximity to me that I realized that was true.
Delta only spoke to me for a moment after you left the room. But he told me everything I needed to know. Where you lived, where I could find the False Priest, your plans. It seems Delta can only speak to me if Lamb-kun is in a close proximity because his voice soon disappeared. I went straight to Kirishima and he admitted everything Delta had told me. You have been fighting a already won battle, Masamune"
Haitani smiled in amusement at the distraught look on Takano's face as he looked at the ground. Their plans had been ruined from the start then. For a moment the room was silent, everyone stared at Takano and Haitani.
As Haitani was about to continue talking, however, Takano did something unexpected.
He laughed.
Everyone stared at the sudden mood change of Takano's expression. A once terrified look now masked a maniacal smiling expression trying to contain his excitement by covering his face with his hand.
Masamune's laugh grew louder, which made the men present in the room less and less comfortable, taking looks at each other. They just could not see what was so damn funny.
Haitani took a step back, confused at the action. He was starting to enjoy seeing Takano in the distraught state, but now Masamune looked like a lunatic, "Did something inside you finally snap?"
"How stupid..!" Haitani was taken aback by the words, confusion in his expression, "How did I ever think he would be able to save me..? I could not even save him from the demon inside him...How could he possibly save a demon from himself!? Hahaha!"
The members of the Circle stared at the raven in confusion of his words until finally they saw just what he meant. Masamune's eyes were glowing in this dim lighted room as his eyes traveled to each of his brothers then landed on Haitani's sight. His body was radiating a black aura as he was shaking slightly.
Haitani stared at Masamune in utter astonishment, "What...the hell are you?"
"Is that fear on the Prophet's tongue?" Masamune challenged wearing a huge grin, "Out of all of them, I would have expect Delta to have told you? Ha! How loyal!"
Haitani looked up, "What the hell is he talking about?" He spoke up to Delta, who was silent up to this point.
"He is my prodigy.", Delta admitted to Haitani.
"So, what? Is he a demon or something?"
"Not quite.. He did this to himself. He is something new to this world. Although I may have gave him guidance, he was the one to have existed."
"Did you tell him or any of these guys our initial plan that I came up with?" Takano challenged a silenced Delta, "Even after I became disloyal with you, you kept our secret? How sweet of you..." He says sort of sarcastically. Takano turns to Haitani who glared at him with confusion. He takes a step forward and Haitani takes a step back.
"Technically, I am the first of my kind. An evolved human is Delta's own words for what I am. I was human, back then, but now I am just ...not." Takano explains, "The Rite of Delta was a lie to the cult. Delta wanted to recreate something like me, not live and spread corruption among humans. It was my plan to begin with. To capture a holy man, a priest, and make their heart black as mine. Ritsu was not a holy man and Delta panicked during the ritual. I saw it was a mistake when Ritsu's body began reacting and in an instant I ordered everyone in the Circle to seal Delta inside."
"...Why would you do something like that?", Haitani asked, slanting his eyes.
"Because moments before, I had experienced something that I thought I was incapable of experiencing... I fell in love with this False Priest. I did not know him, but when he flashed his camera, something inside me shifted...For the first time, when I seen this person, I wanted to protect him rather than make him suffer.. And when I seen Delta retreating from his body, I had to do anything to stop him from killing my Prince.
'Ritsu will save me from my darkness', I thought... 'If he were to fall in love with someone like me, it would cure me from this dark disease that plagues my heart.' I told myself"
He was quiet for a moment and looked down sadly.
"However, he has already made his decision 'I will not fall in love with you.' He said." Masamune smiled, pained at remembering the words, "I do not know if he really meant them, but oh how they hurt me like they were meant to be true..."
"Masamune..!" The god's voice spoke up finally, "I told you before. Your attachments to this human will cost you great suffering, remember?" Takano, remembering, widened his eyes. It was back during the rite to remove Delta. Takano clenched his fists, "Humans are cursed with a thing called emotion. I believe, if you really put your mind to it, you can let go of this. Become logical instead of emotional. Love, like other emotions,... is not real. Get rid of it already!"
Takano was guilty to have kept onto human emotion. He may be less human than others, but he did not want to just freely let something like emotion go.
Takano pierced his lips together and his eyes shook slightly, "But, how do I know that? How do I determine if I need emotion or not?"
Everyone was now in complete silence. They kept their eyes on Takano until finally someone broke the silence with a small voice.
"Takano..."
The voice made his heart sink and he turned to see the familiar brunette standing behind him. How long had he been in this room with him? He swallowed a lump back. "...Ritsu..." He took a step towards the brunette.
Ritsu took a step back in response, his pupils already constricted. "I thought you said you were not lying to me.."
He sounded hurt.
"I did not lie, Ritsu, I–..."
"Did not tell me the entire truth..?" Ritsu responded, cutting him off by finishing his sentence. He shook his head and chuckled in disbelief. He bites his lip, on the verge of tears by the look of it, "You know, now that I know the truth, even if it was not meant for me to hear just now... I'm going to tell you something. I did not tell you the truth either. I fell in love with you ...before you told me not to. But now...n-now..."
Takano stared at Ritsu, something inside him was breaking. Ritsu stared at him as tears began to roll down his cheeks.
"Idiot!" He suddenly screamed, choking down his anger as he sobbed, "I fucking hate you!"
Takano stared in shock as Ritsu hit his knees. He wanted to run towards the brunette but his words glued to his mind and he could not do anything but stare.
"You see, Masamune?", Delta's voice rung in Takano's head, "Emotion is a toxic thing. You broke his heart hiding the truth...And now he does not love you no more. You probably feel more human now than you have felt in a long time."
"How does it feel, Masamune? To be the one is suffering?"
Ritsu's Demons (Discussion)
Okay guys. We are honestly at this fiction's end. It is in its twilight years and will be ending soon in the next few chapters. It will end with a third installment, just as I told you before, but it will probably not make it to 30 chapters. The ending happens at the cult, and they are at the cult. That tells you how close we are for the ending. Even with the fics ending, there will be a follow up story afterwards. It will be a look into what ends up happening after the events of Ritsu's Demons. You guys really want a happy ending, right? Not really a spoiler, but no one is going to die in this story. I promised you guys that in the very beginning. I don't know if my current ending is considered good or bad really. I guess you guys can judge it when you read it. The next chapter, 19, is going to consist of probably mostly Takano's point of view. We may not even see Ritsu's POV until the ending or the next chapter. I hope you guys are enjoying it. It has been fun to write it and see you guys get all excited for it. Like thank you guys for being supportive. Without you guys, Ritsu's Demons would have never been made.
Ritsu's Demons (Second Installment)
I will update this second installment of Ritsu’s Demons by reblogging. This will probably turn into a long post, but it will be worth the read I promise.
If you are new, this is the second installment. Please revert to my blog and search “Ritsu’s Demons” to find the first 10 chapters. If you keep reading this post, you may run into some spoilers.
This is a warning that the fan fiction may contain some graphic things. Not to bad, as I am trying to keep it at a minimum. There might be some sex scene is all I am saying.
Read at your own risk.
Description: Onodera Ritsu is a photojournalist who is assigned a particular case on the cultists that are related to the killings that have occurred for several months now. When he thinks he has gotten the perfect shot of one of these criminals, he is kidnapped and under the mercy of the cult. What will happen to Onodera as he is faced with these demons? A photojournalist may live for theses thrills, but God forbid they die for them!
Chapter 11:
The sacrament failed. It was a big let down for both of them, but Ritsu didn’t blame Takano for it.
Ritsu thought again at what Takano told him moments ago. Takano had said Ritsu was experiencing some sort of seizure during the ritual and that revealed the worst case scenario; The demon was more attached to Ritsu than Takano originally thought. If Takano continued the sacrament, Ritsu would have died in the process, his soul being torn apart. Takano had stopped it before it could do any more damage to Ritsu’s body.
*…If he didn’t care about me, he would have continued…I guess I should have trusted this man more…
He slanted his eyes thinking about how he was wrong to ever think Takano was a bad guy. Although it failed, it just proved to Ritsu that Takano was only trying to help. Ritsu thought for a moment and before Takano could get up off the bed, Ritsu had grabbed his sleeve.
“Thank you. Although it failed, I really appreciate you trying your hardest to keep me alive.” Ritsu looked at Takano with a hint of gratitude in his eyes, “I expect you are only trying to help me, so the most I can do is put my full trust into you.”
Takano stared at Ritsu as he spoke. He looked kind of sad before Ritsu started talking, but as Ritsu said them words, the light in his eyes gradually got lighter, “…I do very much appreciate your words, young prince. Thank you for your gift of trust.” He bowed his head a little in respect, “I will try my hardest not to break it.”
Ritsu nodded and laid back on the bed, sighing out loud. “Anyway. Is there no hope now that this thing failed? Is it just a ticking time bomb now?” Ritsu didn’t sound worried at all, but that was just a mask. He was a bit freaked out in his mind. He was still shook up from earlier of what the demon had said.
*He said Takano was his “most prized followers”…What’s that suppose to mean? Takano was loyal to him or something? So what if he was. He seems more loyal to me, calling me “his prince” and things, so take that, idiot devil.
Takano thought for a moment, “Well, maybe not. There might still be a chance to remove the demon safely, but I may need help from my brothers…”
“Hold up! We aren’t getting any other cultists involved, Takano! I put your trust in you, not any of them!”, Ritsu declined.
“Please do listen before making hastily decisions, young master.”, he eased, “I have a close friend who is one of my brothers. I’m sure he will help me if I ask. But if you say no, I have no choice but to listen to your word. I just want you to be safe, Ritsu…” He sounded desperate, making Ritsu feel even more obligated to accept the offer.
“…Can I think about it? You go back tomorrow, right? Just give me till the morning…”, Ritsu closed his eyes, frustrated with thoughts running threw his mind. Takano nodded to Ritsu.
“As you wish, young prince Ritsu.”
—————————————————————
Ritsu laid in bed with Takano again for the second time. He laid awake, staring at the ceiling in deep thought. His hair still damp from the shower he took earlier, and the smell of Takano’s clothes made him anxious to even have them on. He had a particular scent, one Ritsu almost burned into his mind by now, it was nice. It was the same scent on every piece of cloth in the house; the bed sheets, the covers, even the pillow underneath Ritsu’s head.
He turned his gaze over at Takano laying on the opposite side, his eyes tilting. He suspected the older man to be asleep by now, but he wasn’t entirely sure. Tomorrow would probably be a big day. He had to think about that offer.
Is there anymore options? Maybe not, Takano probably would have mentioned it. He’d probably do anything to get the demon out now. He reviewed what had happened the last few days. He was on a mission to get a picture of the cultists who are linked to the murders that have happened all around for the past few months, but he ended up getting kidnapped. He wakes up in a alley, and finds he looks like shit and has no idea what happened the other night. It was at the hospital he found a particular phone number, and arranged a date just to get his hands back on his footage that he caught. Come to find out, the cultists sealed half of a demon inside him and now he is threatened to lose his soul and body to it if it were to wake from it’s slumber.
It was a lot to take in for Ritsu, a new experience, he had to admit. There were some lingering questions, such as where exactly the cut the worshippers had etched into his chest that night’s whereabouts, but he felt pretty knowledgeable about the situation. He didn’t know how to feel about Takano, but he has proven himself worthy of his trust, which must make him Ritsu’s friend.
Ritsu gave a long sigh, closing his eyes for a moment. He thought he could get rid of the problem but it seems to have gotten even more complicated. Takano wants one of his friends, who is also apart of this cult, to help them. Could Ritsu really say it was okay for that plan? For all he knew, the cultist might back stab them both and get the whole cult involved. What would they do then?
But, Takano seems really desperate, almost as desperate as Ritsu, dealing with trust issues from before, letting Takano do the sacrament on him.
*He seems to know what he is doing and he said he just wants me to be okay…
Ritsu slanted his eyes, thinking about it even more. The raven hair man who laid beside him has only treated Ritsu like a prince, making sure he felt comfortable and trying to save his life the best way he could. Even if it could possibly be for his own selfish pleasures, he was helping Ritsu, and Ritsu understood that completely. Takano only wanted Ritsu to be safe and free from the burden of the demon inside him.
*He is really a nice guy…Nothing like I thought he would be…
He closed his eyes again, shifting in bed to get more comfortable. He decided to put his life in the man’s hands once more.
————————————————————-
“You have accepted my offer to get one of my brother’s to help?”, Takano stared down at the brunet man, “Are you sure?”
“I trust your decision. If you think its a good idea, I do too.”, the emerald eyes of Ritsu glimmered with some sort of passion, which made Takano smile softly.
“You have changed in the past few days, you know. The other day you was preaching about you’d kill me if I tried anything. And now, you are putting your full trust in me.”
“Oh that still stands. Just because I trust you, doesn’t mean I won’t kill you if you try anything on me.”, Ritsu quickly responded in a almost serious way. This made Takano grin on impulse.
“That’s kind of erotic, young prince.”, Takano bowed, “I love threats, you know.” The look on his young prince’s face was priceless. He probably said something risky, but Ritsu just turned in response, holding his mouth.
“Weirdo.”, is all he responded, “I’ll go get dressed in my own clothes. You can drop me off at my workplace. Don’t be weird and wait for me after work though or I’ll kil—”, he stopped himself, “Just don’t come to my work and hold the door for me like I am some maiden!”
Takano chuckled lightly, “Yes, yes! I understand.” Ritsu was already walking out of the room in utter embarrassment. It was quite amusing.
*Wonder what the young brunet is thinking? Must be more arousing things.
He chuckled lightly once more at the thought. It was good to enjoy the little things again. But honestly today would be a big day. He would have to get a fellow cultist, who has been friends with him for years now, to agree to help him on the next step to remove Delta from Ritsu’s body. It will cause the man a lot of convincing, but Takano knows how to make him crack. He knows how to make all of them crack.
Ritsu came back in the room, dressed now in his own clothes, ready to get going with his day it would seem. Takano got up, ready to get going himself, when Ritsu spoke up.
“I probably should have told you this before. But I spoke with the demon that is currently ‘asleep’ back when you did that sacrament.” Takano looked at the younger man in surprise, shock even.
“…Ah, no that is not possible. It must have been a lucid dream. What your unconscious thought it heard wasn’t real, Ritsu.”
“Well, in my ‘dream’, he said some pretty ominous things to me..”, Ritsu looked to the side not so sure I’d it really was a dream, “The pain was all too real to be a dream.”
“What did he say onto you?”, Takano asked, curious and suspicious. Delta was asleep, sealed by him and his brothers. There should be no possible way Delta would have spoke with him. He watched Ritsu’s reaction to the question. Ritsu lifted a hand to his mouth and seemed to be thinking back on it.
“According to him, you were his ‘most prized follower’ or something like that”, he mumbled, “And…some other bullshit.”
Takano’s interest increased, his eyes widening, “Was he there with you, did he appear awake?”
Ritsu thought for a moment, “Well, I was laying on the bed, just like during the sacrament, and there was someone on top of me. But they appeared asleep. They resembled me so much it was kind of creepy looking down at them.”, he shrugged it off, “Why, what’s wrong?”
Takano lifted a hand over his mouth, “Was his mouth moving when he spoke with you?”, Ritsu shook his head, “What form did he communicate with you then?”
“I think…he was using my thoughts? It was as if I was thinking the things, but there was no possible way I would have been thinking those kinds of things…”, he looked down disgusted, “He can get under people’s skins the way that demon spoke to me…”
*…Thought transference…That’s one way to get into your host’s mind…
“Did he say anything odd?”
“…What do you mean?” The prince seemed to want to be asked a certain thing before he came clean of the demon’s thoughts.
“Anything worth mentioning to me.”, Takano slanted his golden brown eyes in a bit of frustration.
“…He specifically said the sacrament will fail because he was a part of me now…”, he mumbled, obviously hiding other things. Takano was curious, but there had to be a reason his prince wanted to keep away some things the demon might have said. The important issue is what he mentioned just now.
“He thinks there’s no way to remove him?”, Takano scoffs, “Idiot Devil, I may say so.” He grins, “By the sound of it, young prince, he would like to stay in your body. Which is actually very interesting…Why I wonder? Perhaps its the bonus for your soul, or do you think Delta has other intentions…It is very peculiar, cause the other day he cursed us all for sealing piece of him inside you…yet the piece inside of you has other views?” Ritsu was listening to Takano’s ramblings as if he was talking mad again. “Excuse me. I didn’t mean to chatter and open more questions, I am just highly curious now.”
“Well, I’m kind of scared now…”, Ritsu mumbled, “What if? What if the demon does take my soul? What then? What will happen?” He clenched the side of the chair he stood beside, looking down at the ground. Takano could see clearly that there was no time to gloat about the demon’s wishes. Ritsu was experiencing all of this, and Takano had to make sure his young prince was okay.
He suddenly grabbed Ritsu’s hand and bent down on one knee, “Don’t worry, Ritsu. I promise that won’t ever happen.”, Ritsu stared down at him, his lips departing in a mixture of surprise and heartfelt of his words, “I won’t let it happen. You’re going to live a long life, don’t you fret about it. If all fails, I’ll go for my last resort, but I promise it won’t even get to that. You are the prince that will save me from my darkness, and I am your knight to protect you from all your demons.” He lightly kisses the back of Ritsu’s hand, making Onodera go red in the face at the odd gesture.
He had meant every promise in his words.
————————————————————–
Ritsu sat in his office, staring at the ceiling again in frustration. Takano had dropped him off at work and now he waited for the day to be over. He had that lingering thought in his mind, though.
*“You are the prince that will save me from my darkness, and I am your knight to protect you from all your demons.”
This man had a odd attachment to analogies. Ritsu held a hand up to his lips. Takano was a strange guy.
*“He really wants to fuck you, you know.”
He blushed red from anger and embarrassment as the demon’s words suddenly struck his mind at the same time. What the hell was he thinking now? Idiot, Onodera! Keep your mind together. Demons just want to get under your skin!
But it was odd. The way that demon spoke was so memorizing, it gave Ritsu bad chills just thinking about him again. Although the demon was using Ritsu’s voice, he couldn’t pin point how it was so much different from his own. Ritsu sat back in his chair, irritated again, pinching between his eyes.
*I have to get to work and worry about this later.
It was then when Miyagi bursted through the door, “Onodera! I need you on the floor quick! There has been a sighting downtown and you have to get your ass over there to take some pictures!”
Ritsu looked up on impulse. One, that was so rude of Miyagi to bust through the door like that. Two, a sighting picked up Onodera’s interest, “On it!” He grabbed his camera, “Tell me the details as we walk.”
“Someone reported a mangled body, same as the others and there’s been another report to back up that it could be the cultist’s doings. Someone specifically said they saw ‘a hooded figure with a odd plague doctor masking’ practically right next to the the crime scene.” Ritsu’s heart sunk.
*A cultist…Could it be Takano?
“I’m on it…” He entered the elevator, turning and nodding at Miyagi as the doors shut.
Chapter 12:
“Masamune.”
Takano was greeted with the deep growl of his Pope, making him give a wave of respect. He had just returned to his headquarters to find himself in the presence of a familiar soul. “Greetings, brother Akihiko.” The bleach blonde haired man slanted his lavender gaze at Takano.
“Where have you been? It has been quite loud without you here…Brothers have been talking amongst themselves, spreading quite the rumor that you would not return. Some would have followed if you didn’t show up today.” Takano grinned at the flattery, but Usami didn’t find it quite amusing.
“That is quite the loyalty of Delta’s followers.”, he comments on their promises to follow Takano, a hint of humor in his tone, “I’ve been working, of course. It was I who suggested the idea, remember. I would not abandon my brothers or my god.”, Takano began walking, in which Usami followed.
“Do you plan on leaving again?”, the man asked, his tone bothersome.
“I might. For now I am here to check on my brothers, of course.”
“…and when you check on them?”
“I’ll go talk to Prophet, as respected.”
Akihiko gave a troubled face, “They won’t be happy to see you. They have been such a grouch since the accident the other night. I suggest you put on a helmet.” Although Usami wasn’t joking with Takano, all the raven hair man did was chuckle in response.
“Don’t you worry, my dear Pope. I always love getting threatened by our dear Prophet. No need for a helmet, you’ll see.” He waved his hand as Akihiko stopped in the hall, “Get back to your post, Akihiko Usami, before he sees you slacking off.”
Takano wandered down the hall, going downward into a corridor. He reached a area, wide open and full of cultists conversing with each other. Some lower class-men, the Recruits and Citizens amongst the crowd nervously waited to be blessed. The Blessing of Delta has been momentarily suspended for obvious reasons. Well obvious to himself and members of The Circle.
One cultist ran up to Takano as soon as he had him in his sights, “Takano-san! You’re back! We were so worried that you would not return!” The lad’s eyes glowed in respect for the taller man and Takano laid a hand on his head and ruffled his black locks.
“Ah, Kisa! Just the person I was looking for!”, Takano gives a comforting smile, “Tell me everything you’ve heard in the past few days, brother.” Kisa grinned at that. Takano knew this man loved to talk, especially about the gossip.
“Ah! So much has happened, Takano-san. There has been a wave of new Citizens and the ones who have been chosen to become recruits are halted from Delta’s blessing. I am not a part of The Circle, Takano-san, and only you and they know what happened for the cult’s blessing to cease like it has. You’d tell me, wouldn’t you?” The man’s eyes glowed as if puppy eyes would get Takano to spill the beans about Delta being split.
“You know the rules, Shouta. The Circle’s business is strictly prohibited to be spoke to brothers who are not apart of The Circle. I suggest you don’t temp me to break rules.” The look on the older man’s face is what Takano loved.
“Ah! No, sir! I do apologize for my insecurity about The Circle’s business.” He clears his throat, “Furthermore, Yokozawa-san has not been present as well. Some thought maybe he followed you.”
Takano’s eyes widened, “He what? Takafumi is missing? Where was he last seen?”
This wasn’t good. If Yokozawa had followed Takano, he might have figured out his plans before due time.
“Here at headquarters, sir. He seemed worried about Prophet’s moodiness and your absence sir. He is part of The Circle as well, sir, so I expect that to be another valid reason he must have went missing. I expected him to return the same day you did, but that has been proven false.”
Takano sighed, frustrated now. That sounded like his old friend. Yokozawa was the type to get frustrated and go looking for him in the end. “Kisa. I suggest you go straight to Kirishima’s post. Tell him you will need a search party, and tell him I gave you the orders.” The cultist looked surprised and nodded quickly.
“Yes, sir!” The lad hurried off, Takano was pleased he didn’t ask anymore questions. Takano continued, getting greeted by many of his brothers, the relieved sighs by some of his returning and friendly smiles made Takano smile back in return. The atmosphere was something special. Theses cultists seemed like good people to be around.
Takano knew better.
Some were sadists who were willing to become part of sacrificial ceremonies. Some were misanthropes who hated society and thought only their brothers could help them through the homicidal tendencies.
And some, were masochistic and wanted to see the suffering of others.
After some time has passed, Takano decided it would be a splendid time to go have a visit of the person he would love to see suffer the most; The Prophet.
—————————————————————
Ritsu had took a taxi into town. His mind was racing with thoughts of who the cultist might be. It couldn’t be Takano, could it? He didn’t want to think that. This was strictly work related. Takano had to be back at the cult’s headquarters, he just had to be!
Ritsu checked his camera. It was in the best condition, the SIM card back in it’s slot. The dials set off flash and ready at any moment to take a shot of a cultist. He ran down the sidewalk, his shoes taking him to a crowd and several cars parked including a ambulance and some police cars. He hurried up, panting but instantly smelling the gross stench that filled his lungs. At the sight of the corpse, he realized just by looking at it.
*Ugh…They definitely are not fresh. Someone killed them awhile ago by the looks of it. Seems to be a victim of mass amounts of torture…
He almost threw up taking a picture of the hideously mangled body. He soon backed away from the crime scene, wanting to get away from the horrid odor. By the looks of it, they had been dead for several days, maybe weeks? Unlike the last few mangled bodies, this one wasn’t fresh. Was this a new murderous fiend who was sick in the mind, or the same exact person as the other killings? It was hard to tell from just a picture, but Ritsu was gifted with looking at every detail.
This person had been tortured. Burned, gouged, possibly raped. It made him sick thinking about it. This person, god help their family, went through hell before they died. He thought he would end up just like these victims when he was captured himself, but here he was, walking, free, getting another snap of his camera for his job. Alive.
*Threatened by a demon that could wake up at any moment, but alive.
He snicked at the thought. Yep, still alive.
*Duck.
He was just passing a alley when he heard himself think that. Just as suspected hands reached around a empty space where Ritsu was before. His heel dug into the ground and he pushed his body upward, his head hitting straight into the chin of the man who had tried to grab him, making the guy probably bite his own tongue in the process. The man had tumbled down now, groaning in rising pain as he held his face. Ritsu stared down at him, kind of bored at his attempt, “For a cultist, you could have tried better in catching me.”
*Huh..?
Wait how did he do all of that just now. It was like he let go of his body and it just went bad-ass on this guy he had no idea had the intention to catch him.
The guy glared up, “How…” The deepest voice Ritsu had ever heard, he backed up at the sound of the harshness. He swallowed back his slight nervousness from attacking this stranger when suddenly he laughed a little, “Damn, you could really protect yourself with that kind of moving”, he rubs his chin, “That’s some reflex for a journalist.” Rather than a compliment, the guy scoffs it as if mocking Ritsu of his title.
“Uh…yeah, it comes with the dangers.”, he mumbled, “You’re a cultist, right? It’s kind of obvious with the hood. You took off your mask cause people got suspicious over you, huh?” Ritsu smiled, teasing the man who laid on the ground.
The man growled, his humor turning hostile, “Shut it, wise ass.”
“Calm your voice. Its a public place. Do you really want police that are literally a few blocks away to hear you? I would like to ask you some things.”
“I have no obligation to tell you the truth.”, the man said quickly.
“I don’t expect you to.”, Ritsu gives a smile, “But the answer may alter your future.”
The man’s eyes slanted and looked to the side, “Hmph…as if you can put such threats on me.”
“Are you in any way involved in the killings that have happened for the past few months?”
The man glared back and snickered, “Of course not. The way of Delta strictly advises not to leave behind evidence. Or else, assholes like you would be up our asses and we wouldn’t hear the end of it…”, he mumbled. Ritsu blinked.
“So, the cult does kill?” The question made the man slant his eyes.
“I haven’t killed anyone…not yet. My brothers however, don’t have as clean hands as I do.”
“Has Takano killed anyone?” The question slipped out and made the man look up quickly at Ritsu.
“How the hell do you know Masamune?!” He was up on his feet in a matter of seconds, “Tell me what you know!” Ritsu was so stunned to be against the wall, getting pinned so quickly. “I knew we should have offed you when we had the chance…”
“Yokozawa, that’s enough.”
The man who had Ritsu pinned, Yokozawa, turned slowly to see several men standing in the alley way. Ritsu followed his eyes. “What are you doing here, Kirishima…What are all of you doing here?”, Yokozawa sounded annoyed.
“Masamune ordered a search party for you, but I can clearly see this has gotten even more interesting.”
*Takano sent them…This is bad…
“Let go of Onodera, Takafumi…That’s awfully rude to pin the man to a brick wall like that.”, the man had a very handsome voice, smiling at Ritsu. As soon as the man, Kirishima, gave the order, Yokozawa had to obey and let Ritsu go. As soon as Ritsu was free, he rubbed against his wrists. They stung at how bad Yokozawa’s grips were on them. Ritsu wondered if he should run.
“Who’s that?”, one other cultist who was a part of the search party asked.
“Part of The Circle’s business. No need to get you all involved. Onodera. Shall we be off? I would very much appreciate a cup of tea and a conversation with you and Masamune. It seems you have already gotten acquainted with him?”
“Ah, no. That’s not–”
“You don’t have to lie, Onodera Ritsu. I am a friend.”, he smiles genuinely, but something about him made Ritsu uneasy, “I only want to talk. So come with us and we won’t have any trouble.”
Chapter 13
Masamune entered a long, broad, dim lighted room. Candles were lined along the walls in small circular cubbies symmetrical to the opposing wall. At the end of the room had a staircase that narrowed out to a grand throne where sat the man Takano was looking for.
“Prophet.”, he greeted.
The man turned his head down towards the end of the staircase. He slowly rises at the sight of Takano Masamune, his eyes glaring at him through his shadowed masking, “…”
Masamune got on one knee, placing a hand on his chest while grinning, “I expect you are happy to see me?”
“Idiot.” Takano could hear the man growl, “Where have you been? Delta hasn’t spoken to me since that night. What has happened to our God for his absence? What have you done?”, he sounded pissed, which made Takano grin, “Answer me, Masamune!”
“I did nothing, Prophet. If Delta hasn’t spoken to you, perhaps he’s turned a blind eye towards you.”
“He would do no such thing! I am his Prophet!”, he said in such a sinister tone.
Takano gave a shrug, a form of disrespect towards one of the most powerful men in the building, “It has happened before…Our last Prophet saw doom when he could not hear Delta’s word. That is when you had the order from our god to get rid of him, correct?”
The man looked a bit uneasy and glared down at Takano, “Has Delta spoken to you, Masamune?”
“What if he has?” Takano shrugged, “I don’t want to be The Prophet. Being The Paramount is way too much fun.”, he grinned, slanting his golden eyes, making The Prophet seem even more uneasy.
“Bastard. Did you come only to tease me like a child? I should have offed you when you were my apprentice.” He threatened, which didn’t phase Takano at all.
“Dear Prophet, you are so easy to pick on. I expect you to come at me with a knife at any given moment of the night. It would be a insult if you did not do so.”
The Prophet and Takano glared at one another in cold silence for a few moments. Then, expectedly, the man broke into a laughter, the air around him changing ever so suddenly.
“Masamune, you really are a scary fella.” The Prophet’s overall mood changed as he walked down the stairs to have a more direct conversation. Takano got up from his kneeling as the Prophet began untying his mask, revealing the man’s short messy maroon hair. “Much better!”
“Calling me scary, you’re pretty terrifying yourself, Haitani Shin.” Takano smiled at him like he was his best friend now, “The whole cult thinks your moody.”
“It’s always good to keep up a scary image.” He chuckles, “Makes you the dominate one!” He wraps his arm around Masamune’s shoulder, “Now, Masamune, what do you have to report? Why were you away so long?”
“I have nothing that is worth your time to report, my old friend. I just wanted a little alone time, me with my studies.” Takano also noted something he said earlier, “Ah, is it true Delta hasn’t spoken with you since that night?”
Haitani gives a long sigh, “Indeed. Our Delta hasn’t even growled. It’s as if the escaped false priest took him away from us. In time the cult will fall apart…” He looked worried about this putting a hand to his chin, “Have you any word of the False Priest’s whereabouts?”
“I have none.”, Takano lied.
“We need to locate him. He was such a fine priest when he came in. But who could have known that he was a imposter the entire time? It really struck a cord in our plans.”, he sighed again, a hint of aggravation in his tone.
“I wouldn’t worry much. I will locate and capture the young priest soon enough.”
Haitani gave a smile, “You see, Takano. This is why I love you.” He laughs, “You’re so loyal! I expect you to keep that word.”
—————————————————————
Onodera walked in between the two tall men, scared out of his mind. They had just arrived at the headquarters. For the most part, Kirishima has been nothing but kind towards Ritsu, not showing any sign that Ritsu was captured or was a prisoner. Yokozawa however was suspicious of Ritsu and showed only his hostile side the young man, which only made him more nervous.
*Fuck…Here I am, back at the cult…
They walked down some stairs down to a underground area, “I do very much apologize towards you, Onodera, but for the time being we must put you down here.” Kirishima looked over at Yokozawa, who looked as if he didn’t like the sound of his tone.
“…May I ask what you guys are going to do to me this time?”, Ritsu mumbled.
“Nothing yet.”, was the only thing Ritsu initially received as a answer, along with a smile from the dirty blonde male. Kirishima placed a hand on Ritsu’s shoulder and bent down a bit to his level, “Don’t worry, Onodera, you can trust me and Takafumi as much as you trust Masamune.”
“…I…don’t trust Takano…” Ritsu looked down as he mumbled the lies. He surely trusted Takano more than these guys. Kirishima seemed nice, but he is a cultist. He would have to prove himself like Takano in order for Ritsu to trust him.
“Is that so?”, Kirishima’s smile faltered, “That is a shame. He really is a loyal guy even with such a dark past.”
“…Could you tell me more about Takano?”, Ritsu curiosity got the better of him as they walked down a stoned hallway.
“Hmm, yes I think I could tell you about him, but we really are running out of time. So, let me give you a raincheck on that. I promise I’ll talk to you personally about Masamune later.” Ritsu slanted his eyes. He wondered if he was lying to make him hopeful. If these guys are like Takano, they all know how the mind works.
The next thing that came into Ritsu’s view was bars and small rooms. Prison cells? Should have guessed he was a prisoner the moment he walked in this damn cult again. He willingly went inside one Yokozawa unlocked.
“You seem willing to be here?” Takafumi noted towards him, “Used to getting captured? Are you sadistic?”
“No, just crazy. Sadism doesn’t go well with me. I hate pain.”, Ritsu replied sitting on a bench, “When will you two be back?” Yokozawa and Kirishima looked at one another kind of oddly. Ritsu thought maybe he himself was acting calm about this, but he could not understand why himself. He just sort of knew he wasn’t in any real danger. Not at the moment, at least.
“Well, Onodera, we will be back momentarily. First things first, Yokozawa, you have been missing for quite a bit!”, Kirishima scolded the man, “What have you to report?”
Yokozawa locks the cell containing Ritsu as the brunet listens to the two’s conversation, “I was looking for Masamune! He could have gotten killed and I would have been the first to report about it.” The man pauses than glares over at Ritsu, “Although, I guess he wasn’t in any trouble…” He mumbles and walks onward, “Isn’t the false priest our main objective! We need to report we captured him already!”
Kirishima only smiled at the grumpy man, “It is far more fun to get the pieces of the puzzle, Takafumi. Don’t you want a explanation from your dear old friend? Don’t you think Masamune has his reasonings to not tell us yet?” He looked over at Onodera who still sat looking over at the men, “Although, I find it rather odd for you to come willingly, Onodera. You were the one who escaped in the first place.”
Ritsu blinked. He escaped? What was he talking about? He woke up in a alley with no recollection of his memories of the night before. Takano himself didn’t mention that he escaped?
“I…don’t remember escaping?” Ritsu gave a honest answer, “Not that I wouldn’t have if I had the chance…”
“…You still don’t remember that night then?”, Kirishima asked curiously. Ritsu looked at him in confusion. So he was amongst the men in the bird-like masks on that fateful day. He was another man who has seen him in his nudity. He curled his lips at the thought and shook his head in response. Kirishima nodded, “Thank you for your time, Onodera. We shall be back momentarily.”
The men left. Ritsu was alone now. Or, he thought he was. He could clearly hear breathing in the other cells and he slanted his eyes in sadness. So they have prisoners? Innocent people being held against their will? He didn’t know.
*Takano wants to make the cult perish. Or at least that’s what he said when I first met him. If the cult perishes, these people will probably go free again.
He closed his eyes in deep thought. Now he wondered how he escaped. No, he couldn’t have escaped? He woke up in the alley with a long jacket covering him up.
*Wait.
It hit him like a rock.
*Masamune…
It was his number he left in the jacket. He had covered him up with a jacket to hide his nudity. He had probably told the cult that he escaped.
*“Well you see, you created some major trouble in our organization…We were suppose to properly dispose of you, but I convinced them there was another way.”
That could have been a lie right there. Was Masamune protecting Ritsu when he said that? Hiding the truth that it was he, Masamune, who had saved Ritsu from the cult and brushed it off as ‘convincing them there was another way’?
*“You actually owe me, beautiful prince.”
Ritsu’s chest hurt at the quoting thought. He reached up and bowed his head in his hand. Was Masamune actually doing this for his own selfish reasonings? Or is there more to the story?
—————————————————————-
Takano felt a strange presence waver his return. He turned to see Kirishima and Yokozawa approaching him.
“Ah, good, you found him awfully quick. Where have you–”
“That can wait, Masamune. We need to talk about some more important things.” Kirishima looked serious, which made Takano give a altered smile.
“…So be it.”
They led Takano away, to a more private quarter of the establishment. They entered a room and closed the door behind him.
“What is on your minds, my brothers?”
Yokozawa slammed his fist on a table top and let out a deep angered voice, “Explain!”
Takano blinked and grinned at his hostility. It was rare for Yokozawa to be pissed towards him, “Hold on. What is this about? I will explain.”
Kirishima placed a hand on Yokozawa, “Perhaps you should sit down and be more quiet.” He suggested which infuriated the man more, “Yokozawa, Masamune is above both of our ranks. We can’t just disrespect him.” Yokozawa looked even more aggravated.
“The Paramount is just a towering title. It’s as if no one remembers I was here before I suggested he join. And now that he’s here, everyone treats him like he is Delta.”, Yokozawa challenged.
“I earned my title here, Yokozawa.”, Takano defended, “You earned your title as well. You are no longer a pawn, but a Bishop.” Yokozawa’s lips curled and eye twitched at the familiar saying as Takano said that and Kirishima responded by bursting out in laughter.
“Takano! You are too much…hahaha…you and your humor.”, Kirishima held his face in his hand.
“Shut up! Tell us why you kept the secret about The False Priest!”
Everyone went quiet.
“Oh dear.”, Takano lifted a hand and generally looked surprised, “You didn’t have to blurt that out. I suspected you must have followed me and found out about him. But Kirishima was one person I didn’t want to let know of the situation.”
“What have you know of Onodera?”, Kirishima asked, “Was that reasoning why you left for the short period of time like you did?”
“I have to answer yes to that.” Masamune nodded. Kirishima nodded as well.
“Why?”
Takano looked at Yokozawa, wondering if he honestly knew what he had been up to, “Well, you see…” He paused for a moment, “Onodera has proven quite the token.”
They were both taken aback at the comment, “A token?”
“He is not a ‘False Priest’ but a masked Prince.” They both looked intrigued at this, “The Prince hidden amongst the normal people, a photojournalist who has such a brave trustworthy soul. He is aware of his situation, and yet he seems calm. But he will bite, oh he will bite.” He chuckled, “Brothers, he is a key.”
“A key? What are you talking about, Masamune?”, Yokozawa’s eyebrow went up.
“Delta. Delta is attached to this brave, and trustworthy soul I speak of. He plans to take this key. I myself have attempted to free this key soul from Delta, but it has proven unlucky. I must attain another one of my brothers, perhaps you two will be up for the job?”
Takano has silver tongue worth some profit for how good he was at persuasion.
“You mean, you want us to release Delta from a living body?”, Yokozawa asked, “Delta very much prefers to do a proper sacrificial sacrament, doesn’t he?”
“I have spoken to our god, through Ritsu.”, Takano quickly added, “On one hand, Delta wants to be free of his accursed prison. However, Delta, the one inside Ritsu, plans to take the key for it’s in his knowledge. That is why we must stop him. If he gets holds of this key, our god will suffer without his other half, resulting in the death of our god, the downfall of our clan, and this key will be gone forever.”
They both seemed to be thinking now that this ‘key’ Takano is referring to is of great importance.
“So we need to extract him from Ritsu? We need to perform the forbidden exorcism?”, Yokozawa asked, “Are you sure this won’t backfire?”
“Would you rather see the death of our God and clan?”, Takano challenged.
“How long do we have to decide?”, Kirishima asked, “It really is a big decision.”
Takano thought for a moment, smiling, “Well, perhaps three days? Delta seems to be under our seal for now. He won’t wake up until Ritsu is under extreme amount of one’s feelings. I’ll keep a eye on him.”
Kirishima chuckled and opened the door, “You heard our Paramount, Yokozawa! We have three days to decide!” Yokozawa walked out, scratching his chin in thought. “Ah, Takano.” Kirishima said as he was about to leave.
“Yes, Cardinal?”
“If you want to keep a eye on Onodera, perhaps you should visit the basement first.”
Onodera stared at the stone wall, waiting patiently for the arrival of someone. He had been in deep thought and wondered about many topics while he spent his time there in the cell. He thought about his job, his current situation. He thought about Takano, a lot. It was only till beside him someone broke the silence.
“They said you were the 'false priest’ everyone’s been talking about.” Ritsu’s eyebrows raised at the sound of the feeble voice in the neighboring cell.
Chapter 14
“I guess I am.” Ritsu replied to the prisoner, interested in conversation over thought.
“What does that mean exactly?”, barely a whisper from the guy.
“Uh, well, I was captured impersonating a priest. They, of course, didn’t know I was actually a photojournalist, and used me for some sort of…uh, ritual.”, Ritsu tried to explain, “And, uh, it didn’t go well when they found out who I actually was. Guess that’s why they dubbed me 'False Priest’ I guess?”
The person in the neighboring cell was silent for a while as if thinking, “I was trying to keep an eye on someone, but I got too close, saw something I shouldn’t have. They caught me and are planning on using me for their…uh…experiments…” The guy sounded scared, “I’ve seen it time and time again, a cellmate leaves, and never returns. The cell is then occupied by the next prisoner… The guy who was in the cell you’re in has actually visited twice before never coming back and he was in such a shape I couldn’t get a word out of him.” He laughed, a bit pitifully, “…I just wish I could go home.”
Ritsu felt a pang of guilt for the guy. He wondered how young he was, but he didn’t dare ask. He just sat against the wall listening to him, “I think the cult is going to crash soon, to be honest with you. Their leader, the god, is sort of split right now because of me. With no god, the cult will collapse, and you guys will probably all go free.”
There was a pause. Ritsu was only trying to make the lad feel a bit of hope, but there was only silence from the cell.
It was then when there was a loud slam of a door swinging open from above them and the rushing of feet down the steps of the staircase alerted all the prisoner’s ears. When Ritsu seen the raven black hair, he knew who had came for him.
“Takano!” He blurted out when he seen him.
Takano was pale face and panted as if he ran all the way here. He scrambled and unlocked the cell’s door and quickly grabbed Ritsu’s wrist, pulling him up. Ritsu gave a soft grunt at the sudden jerking of his body and how quickly they were walking up the stairs. He didn’t even get a chance to say bye to the cellmate.
“Hey! I can walk on my own, you know!” Ritsu complained at the holding of his wrist. But Takano was deaf it would seem. He did not listen to the demands to let Ritsu go.
Somehow, just as easy as Ritsu getting into the place, they exited the headquarters of the cult. It just seemed way too easy, Ritsu noted. Takano sped-walked the entire time, making Ritsu’s legs hurt as they made it to a parking lot area. Takano swung open the passenger door, threw Ritsu in there, and slammed it. Ritsu scrambled in the seat, kind of scared at being tossed in a car like he was. The driver seat door opened and Takano got in as well, and by this time Ritsu had slowly reached over his shoulder to buckle himself up.
*What gives? I’ve never seen him look so aggressive.
Takano put the car in reverse and practically power drives the vehicle out of the area as fast as he could. In this case they were safe. Ritsu sat there looking at the dashboard and mat under his feet, wondering if he should say something.
“You should start explaining. I didn’t get a chance to ask Kirishima.”, Takano sounded calm but his face said otherwise.
*Kirishima told Takano where I was then…
“Well you see, I was doing my job. I was assigned downtown and had to take some photos. Some witnesses said there was a cultist near by, and well, of course I ran into one. Yokozawa I think his name was?”
“Yeah, I know him.”, Takano nodded, “How did he find you?”
“Well I was walking and he tried to grab me, but I went bad-ass on him with my new sudden reflexes and ended up knocking him on his ass. I asked him some things…” He stops for a second, “…Have you killed anyone?”
Takano blinked and looked at the side at Ritsu’s sudden question. “…Do you think I have?”. Ritsu looked to the side and shrugged.
“It’s not like I think you have, its just…Yokozawa said the cult does kill, and I wonder if you have been ordered to kill someone innocent?”
Takano fell silent for a moments notice, “Will you think less of me if I said yes?” Ritsu clenched his fists in response. How would he feel if he knew Takano murdered someone? “My dear prince, I told you in the beginning I would never lie to you. I am the Paramount of our cult. They have given me such a title because of how much suffering I have put others through, including death. So yes, I have murdered innocent people, some by choice, some by order.”
Ritsu just stared at the dashboard in silence now. Takano has killed someone. Has murdered more than one. It really puts a dent in Ritsu’s thoughts about Takano, and the demon’s words struck in his mind.
*“You will “save him from his darkness”, right? I’ve never seen a mortal’s soul so dark.“
“So what if you killed someone.”
Ritsu could not believe he just said that and this made Takano himself look at him in surprise.
“…I mean. You’re masochistic, right? It’s in your nature to love other people’s suffering. I mean, that’s not a good thing at all, but it is just how you are, I guess. You can’t change something you don’t understand.” Ritsu tried to make sense of Takano’s past behavior, “…Just don’t kill anyone anymore, okay?” He coughs nervously and looks out the window.
*Why am I so calm? It’s strange…
Takano stared in the corner of his eyes, his lips slightly parted in a bit of surprise, “…I promise I won’t, Ritsu. No more killing for these hands. I swear.” He sounded genuinely scared he’d lose Ritsu, but all Ritsu could do was nod in response.
The rest of the ride was silent.
——————————————————————
“What’s the plan now?”, Ritsu asked as he sat on the couch. Finally some dialogue from the brunette to Takano’s relief.
“Today’s experience has warped my original plan, young prince. Instead of just one friend, we have the possibility to have two participants help you. You have met them. I seem to have convinced them to think about the value of your soul. They believe the only way to save our organization is to perform the forbidden exorcism.”
“What’s that?”, Ritsu laid against the couch’s arm rest and slanted his eyes. A common question.
“The 'forbidden exorcism’, as dubbed, is a taboo ritual that consists of at least two conjurers to banish a demon out of someone’s being. The ritual is 'forbidden’ because it shouldn’t be used on a god, like Delta. However, it is the possibly the only known solution to our problem at hand.”, Takano explained. Ritsu nodded slowly, understanding Takano.
“Alright, when will we, uh, participate in this 'forbidden exorcism’?” Takano smiled at Ritsu.
“I have given them three days to decide if they want to participate, my dear prince. On the third day I will return to my headquarters to receive an answer. I suggest you put off work during the next three days. Say you are terribly ill and going to a doctor.”
“Yeah, ill as in I have a sleeping demon inside me and masochistic cultists are my doctors.” Ritsu said sarcastically, “I guess I can get Miyagi to give me three sick days.” Takano smiled and stood up.
“It is awfully late, call him tomorrow morning.”, he stretched, “I’m going to bed. Are you planning on sleeping on the couch or in my bed again?” Takano noted at Ritsu’s reaction.
“Is it okay to sleep in your bed tonight as well?”, Ritsu sounded like he was a child asking permission to sleep in their parents bed. Takano gave a chuckle at the thought.
“My prince, I’d feel honored if you slept by my side.” Ritsu’s face lit up a bit at that and he turned his gaze down.
“Fine, but…” Ritsu stopped his train of thought, his eyes seemed to glaze over and he shook his head, “Never mind.” He got up and walked towards the bedroom. Takano wondered exactly what he was about to say.
——————————————————————–
Ritsu laid in Takano’s bed for a third time. Takano laid beside him staring up at the ceiling.
“…Hey Takano, can I ask you some things?”, Ritsu asked also staring up at the ceiling in the dark room.
“Proceed, Ritsu.”, Takano responded.
“Could you tell me about yourself? Like who you are, or who you were?”, curiosity had been bugging him and he had asked himself who Takano exactly was while locked up in the cell.
“It is an odd request, and I’d rather not make you think less of me, Ritsu. Please understand that my past is in the past and I rather not repeat it.” Takano had such a way with words, almost like he talked in riddles. Ritsu thought he was weird, but nodded in response.
“I understand. Sorry for mentioning it.”, Ritsu apologizes, sounding disappointed.
“No, don’t apologize.”, he sighs then pauses for a brief moment, “I will tell you some things. I was requested into the cult when I was in high school by Yokozawa, the scary man you met today. We go back to the end of middle school, so I knew him as a true friend. The only reason I accepted was because I loved to see others struggle and the cult seemed to be my only outlet to let out some of them horrible feelings. I was then apprenticed to a man who is now named Prophet, the leader of our cult.”
“I was intrigued to be around people like me, but soon enough I became much vastly different to the rest of them. I came to be far more masochistic than most. Delta wasn’t lying to you when he said I was one of his most prized followers. I absolutely envied his power to make others suffer and I once believed he was someone who could not suffer.”, Takano explained.
Ritsu listened, both intrigued and open-minded about Takano’s feelings. It was hard to imagine Takano’s true self but he oddly felt sympathy for him. “So you made people suffer, huh?”, he thought for a moment, “Did you torture them?”
“Yes. Plenty.”
Ritsu stared at the ceiling, “…Does your cult have a torture room by any chance?” Takano turned his head towards Ritsu and nods. Another topic had raised in his mind.
*A torture room. The last victim had undergo mass amounts of torture and suffering before they took their last breath…
The thought crossed his mind to ask more about it, but for some reason he just didn’t care about the topic after a brief moment. He looked at it as news on a TV screen now more than a job. He closed his eyes, “I was just wondering. Thank you for telling me them things. I don’t think any less of you. Truthfully I feel closer. Goodnight Masamune…” He shifted to become more comfortable in the bed, the scent of Takano’s sheets clouding his mind.
He could feel a something lift from the air and Takano sounded like he was smiling when he whispered back to Ritsu, “Thank you, goodnight my Ritsu.”
Chapter 15
Day one.
Ritsu shifted between the sheets of Takano’s bed, waking himself up bit by bit. He blinked open his emerald eyes slowly and wiped away the sleep. He looked around and seen only himself in the mass of white sheets and wondered where exactly Takano had gone. His bare feet landed flat on the cold polished wood floor as he went to retrieve his phone from his bag.
Nine in the morning. It was odd for him to wake up this early to have gone to bed so late, but he felt rejuvenated. He sighs and dials up the office. He knew Miyagi would be at work by now. The phone clicked and Miyagi spoke a greeting.
“Ah, yes, good morning, Miyagi-san. Ah, yes, sorry about that. I did get the pictures of the corpse from yesterday…Did I see a cultist?”, he paused for a moment, “No, I don’t think I did. Ah, I will email you the pictures. I am actually going to the hospital today. Ah, no, just under the weather. Yes, thank you Miyagi. Bye bye.” Click. He stared at his phone and frowned. He didn’t like lying to the man like that. Miyagi has done nothing but be kind to Ritsu. But how else was he suppose to get off work today?
Ritsu was quick to notice Takano standing at the door watching him. He wondered if he had been standing there for the entirety of his phone call. Takano just lent out his arm and offered Ritsu a coffee cup, which Ritsu gladly accepted. Just how he liked it which made Ritsu smile, “Thanks.”
Takano sips his own mug and nods, “You’re welcome, Ritsu.”
Ritsu sipped at his coffee, “Why did I take a day off anyway? Kirishima and Yokozawa have three whole days. What’s wrong with killing time with work?”
“I want to keep an eye on you. With each passing day, Delta is becoming more and more accustomed to your soul. I don’t want you to have some sort of accident at work. I can’t even be in the parking lot because you told me not to be.”, Takano pointed out.
“No, I said don’t hang out there all day and hold the car door as if I was a maiden.”, Ritsu corrected, “It’s alright to come pick me up, just let me open my own door.” Ritsu mumbled.
Takano nodded, “Ah, alright. Still, I don’t want you to have an accident. Work can be stressful.”
Ritsu agreed with that. Ritsu sat down on the bed, setting his coffee down on the nightstand in a sigh. “What if the plan fails?”, Ritsu seemed to speak on his own, not giving the thought process before speaking. He wondered why he, himself, asked that question.
“What do you mean? How will it fail?”, Takano asked.
“What if Kirishima and Yokozawa realize that the forbidden exorcism will damn their cult?”, Ritsu was surprised at what he was saying himself, “That’s a good question…”
Takano stared at Ritsu for a moment, then turned to face the floor in thought, “If both decline…I am afraid there is nothing I can do. I have promised you before, and I’ll promise you again, my dear prince Ritsu, that it will not get to the point where Delta takes your place.” Takano looked up at Ritsu, making eye contact as he said them words.
*He looks serious.
Ritsu couldn’t help but smile, “Thanks, Takano. I need to hear that sometimes. The 'I’ll help you’ type words reassures me.” Ritsu thanked him and Takano slightly bowed in response. There was a silence that entered the room as they both sipped at their coffees.
Ritsu paused for a moment before getting Takano’s attention, “…Hey Masamune?”
“Yes Ritsu?”
“I’ve been thinking…”, he began, unsure for a moment of what to say to the raven hair man, “You aren’t exactly who you say you are, are you?” Takano looked over surprised and looked like he would ask what did Ritsu meant, so he continued, “You say you are this masochistic person, yet I don’t see it. All you’ve done is be one of the only persons in my life to make me feel the way I do. From the very beginning…you were the one who gave me advise to pass out before I could feel any pain from that damn ritual, you covered me up instead of leaving me bare ass naked in that alley, you are the person who has done nothing but save me during this entire ordeal.” He clenched the sheets of the bed.
Takano shook his head at Ritsu’s passionate words, smiling a bit at it, “You are wrong, Ritsu…”, he said in a practical tone, “I am who I said I was. I am doing this for my own selfish reasonings, remember?”
“That’s not true either!”, Ritsu suddenly sprung forth, stopping Takano’s train of thought, “It is not at all selfish what you are doing for me! If it was, you would have let my soul get ripped to shreds during that sacrament. I wouldn’t be alive if it was for your own selfish pleasures. Your god would have suffered if you let me die, so why would you let me live instead?”
Takano was quiet, his parted lips closed into a tight squeeze. He lifted a hand and covered his mouth, looking deep in thought now as his eyes slanted. “You are way too sharp, Ritsu Onodera…” He comments, the mood in the air changing, along with his tone, “But answer your own question if you know it…”
Ritsu began guessing, “You’re just being nice, right?” Takano snickered at Ritsu’s aloofness and shook his head. “You…care about me?”
“True. But not quite it.”, Takano comments.
Ritsu looked down for a moment. He didn’t want to say the last thing that was on his mind, but he couldn’t be so sure of something now.
“…You love me.”
It wasn’t stated as a question, it was stated as though Ritsu was sure of it. They were both quiet for a few moments before Takano whispers a “Yes” confirming Ritsu’s guess. Ritsu sat in silence as he stared at the polished floor. So Takano does love him? What did that mean exactly? Did he love him platonically or romantically? “I thought I was incapable of it, at first. Incapable of such a feeling. I could not love my family or friends, or even my brothers…”
*…Masamune…
“Ritsu I have been waiting for someone for so long to come around and teach me something I’ve never experienced…
*My heart beat is picking up…I’ve never had a confession before…
"It started with a flash of a camera…”
Ritsu looked over at Takano and blinked at the thought. His mind running quiet.
“I did not understand it at first but something struck inside me when I seen you for that split second back at the church. It terrified me and it felt like a presence had washed over me. I stood there and you flashed it again and it got me out of my dazed state and I ran, what I was suppose to do the first flash.” Ritsu turned his gaze and almost let out a laugh.
*That sounds familiar…
Takano sighs, “Ritsu, I have been doing this because I love you. That is my only reasonings. Something inside me is telling me, 'protect him’.” He was finally quiet for a moment, “I…don’t expect you to return my feelings, of course. You were the one who persisted to know.” He smiles kind of sadly.
“Thank you for telling me that.” Takano looked up at Ritsu who sat on the side of the bed and was looking down at the floor, “I don’t see what’s so good about me, though. Why would you love someone like me, I wonder.” He laughed a bit, “I’m not that special.”
Takano snicked at that and Onodera looked up to see what he was laughing about, “Ritsu, you have no idea…”
Ritsu frowned. He honestly seen himself as a normal person. Some ordinary guy in a sea of other ordinary people in a ordinary world. Although he himself thought Takano as a generally nice human being, he wondered if it ever crept across his mind that he himself had been naturally getting attracted to this man. Now that he thought about it, instead of thinking about a the crisis inside him, or his job with the murder cases, all he’s been thinking about for the past few days is Takano Masamune.
Takano went over to Ritsu and sat beside him on the bed, the gravity of his weight making Ritsu slightly lean towards his way, “I want to protect you, Onodera Ritsu. Please let me do that much.”, Ritsu looked over at Takano, wondering what he was saying now, “You have stuck by my side these past few days because you think this is the only way to help you, right?” Takano closed his eyes, smiling kind of sadly, “If you had a alternate route, you probably would have took it. I will depart from your side after this, no need to have any ties after I free you from this demon.”
“Why would you do that!?”, Ritsu reacted negatively, “You don’t have to do that! It’s true I need you to help me out with this, but…”
Ritsu paused and Takano wondered what he was going to say. Ritsu could feel his cheeks heat up. He was going to say this before the other night, but he chickened out.
“I have to save you too…and I can’t do that if you just disappear after this…I have to save you from the darkness, remember.”, Ritsu sounded cheesy as hell, but to Takano those words meant the world to him by the look in his eyes. Ritsu felt his cheeks heat up even more as he turned and looked at the ground, “Stick by my side, idiot…”
Ritsu could feel the bed beside him shift and he felt arms wrap around him in a tight squeeze. His eyes instinctively widened at the action of Takano hugging him, “…That means the world to me, Ritsu…thank you so much for saying those words…”
Ritsu slanted his eyes, and looked to the side out of embarrassment, his eyebrows arching, “Idiot…don’t get sentimental on me…” But in truth, he was happy to hear that. He wanted to stick by this man’s side for as long as he could.
*He loves me, huh?
His eyes closed and he leaned on Takano who was still hugging him tightly.
He wondered if he felt the same…
————————————————————
He never thought he would ever admit to Ritsu his true feelings. But somehow during conversation it came out.
*“…You love me.”
Even though he himself didn’t say them exact words, that was indeed exactly how he felt. Although it hasn’t even been a week yet, Takano was sure of what he was feeling. It was an odd occurrence meeting Ritsu, something he had never experienced in his entire life. It was as if something inside him snapped when he met Ritsu’s emerald gaze. Something he thought he was incapable of doing.
Love at first sight. Needing to protect a stranger. Not wanting to do harm onto this person. This foreign feeling in his chest suddenly filtered all his feelings towards suffering and made him suddenly regret his sins.
*This is the power that will save me from my darkness…
He held onto Ritsu as if he was afraid his prince would disappear. The love for this man would surely slip from his grasp. As long as he soaked in Ritsu’s presence, it was enough to satisfy him. He would go no more than the confession. He promised himself that.
——————————————————————
They decided to go on with the day. They spent time together, talking about a few topics such as food types and if they had habits. Ritsu found out Takano used to smoke, but he quit a few years prior to meeting Ritsu. It was interesting to learn the little things about Takano and it strangely made Ritsu happy.
Now they sat on the couch, eyeing the news on the television screen. No new news to report about the murders, but Ritsu could care less about them anymore. Yeah, there’s always going to be murder, why try to stop it?
Ritsu laid back, deep in thought about what happened earlier. He found out that the only reason Takano is doing what he’s doing is because he loves him. Isn’t it painful to have one-sided feelings like that? It’s not like Ritsu could say the exact same at Takano. He couldn’t possibly love Masamune, it has only been a few days!
But he had a feeling creep across him. A burning desire in the pit of his chest.
*It is true I have been constantly thinking about this man…but that doesn’t mean I am actually in love with him! But, this odd feeling in my chest…
His eyes slitted and a thought crossed his mind.
*Does that mean he wants to have sex?
His face lit up red and he smacked it with his hand to cover it, making Takano look over at him questioningly.
*What was that just now?? I am unsure of my own feelings and suddenly /that/ crosses my mind??? Am I an idiot?
His mind was frantic trying to get that thought out. Takano stared at him, tilting his head at Ritsu’s silently odd behavior. “Sorry, I just had a weird thought haha…” He laughed nervously and went to retreat before Takano could ask, “I’m going to lay down for a bit…” He hurried out of the living room and went straight to the bedroom.
He closed the door and sighed out loudly. Why did he just think that just now? He was irritated with the thought.
*What the hell is wrong with me…
He was flustered and he grabbed his face as he leaned against the door in confusion. He felt odd and swallowed.
*I feel hot…maybe it’s a fever…
He slowly lifted himself up and went to the bed, laying down on it and wrapping himself up in the white sheets. He wasn’t at all tired, which made him even more irritated. He became short with breath after a few moments of laying there and he felt like he was burning up. He began shifting nervously in the bed and parted his lips, feeling himself began pant.
*What’s wrong with me….?
—————————————————————
Takano had continued watching the news when he heard the sound of Ritsu yelling for him to come to the room. Masamune reached for the remote, switched the TV off and went to open the door to his bedroom.
He found Ritsu sitting on the edge of the bed, his legs crossed as he stared at the floor. Masamune went towards him a bit worried, “Are you alright, my prince?”
Takano realized Ritsu was breathing heavy, he couldn’t see his eyes under his brunette bangs, and his overall body language seemed odd, his shoulders lifting with every breath.
“…Ritsu?” He went to put a hand on the younger man’s shoulder.
It happened way too fast. Ritsu had grabbed onto the collar of Takano’s shirt and had pierced their lips together. Before Takano could react, Ritsu had gotten him on the bed with a pull and a push and was on top of him in seconds, their lips locked. Masamune felt his heart skip a beat at such a daring act, closing his eyes and kissing back for a bit. He didn’t expect Ritsu to be able to kiss like this. The brunette had flickered his tongue inside his mouth and made Takano lust for the man even more than before.
*I will not go no more than a confession…
His eyes opened wide and he pushed Ritsu away, both gasping for air. Takano stared at Ritsu and shook his head, “Ritsu, what do you think you are doing?” Ritsu stared at him, his emerald eyes were now dark orbs as he panted and looking sort of like he was in pain.
Takano’s lips parted in confusion. What was with that face? “Are you alright?” The brunette shook his head. “Are you feeling sick?”
“I…I feel hot..”, Ritsu comments between pants, “Damn it! What is wrong with me, Masamune?…”
Takano looked confused, “I don’t see nothing wrong with you. What do you mean by you feel hot?”
“I don’t know!” Ritsu clenched onto Takano’s shirt, “It sort of…hurts…”
Takano looked worried, “What hurts?”
Ritsu turned his gaze down towards his chest and laid down between his neck and shoulder. Takano was unsure what Ritsu was doing until his lower half began rubbing against him, in which Takano realized the situation.
“Ritsu, you are…”
“Hard? Yeah I know damn well…” Ritsu panted against his neck. Takano jolted when Ritsu bit down and he could hear Ritsu muffle a groan, or try to. This was a strange behavior. Almost like an animal.
Ritsu proceeded to grind on Takano, rubbing the hardness of his pants against Takano’s crotch. The raven hair man began getting really aroused, which made him really uneasy.
*If this continues…
“Ritsu…you should not do that.”
“I can’t help it. You’re getting hard too, you know” He panted against his neck as he continued. Takano clenched his teeth a bit as he felt himself get hard just as Ritsu had noted.
“Yes, and that is why I am afraid you should stop. If you continue, I will not be able to stop myself…” Takano warned. Ritsu seemed to not care.
“Are you really going to tell me no?”
————————————————————-
Ritsu felt Takano’s inhuman strengths again. He was forced into a change of positions, now Takano hung over Ritsu and pinned him by the wrists against the bed. Ritsu stared up at him, noticing the golden brown eyes in the dim lighted room. Ritsu, still panting, swallowed back a gulp.
*That got him to react…He looks serious…
Masamune bent down slowly, Ritsu noting his eyes were staring at one particular spot; his lips. He opened his mouth just before Takano pierced their lips together, his half lidded dark orbs staring into golden brown ones. He closed his eyes and his body began softly shivering at the way Masamune could kiss. The older man had softly nipped at the bottom of his lip which made Ritsu get chills running down his spine.
*So this is how it feels to be kissed..? I’ve never done it before…
It was nice. Gentle before it became rough, Takano pressing against him and reaching under his shirt for something to touch. Ritsu could feel his hands against his bare chest now, making him shake even more.
*Its like my senses are heightened…his touch feels really good…
Takano pulled away from the kiss to gasp for air, continuing to rub his chest and instinctively going for the younger man’s nipples. Ritsu felt his cheeks heat up, but he didn’t tell Takano to stop. He made a small noise when Takano pinched it, tilting his head to the side and inviting Takano to do some neck play as well. The raven hair man began softly pecking his skin, sending signals through Ritsu’s entire core. He sucked in a breath from the attention, letting out a soft moan when Takano began licking up his neck and ending it by biting his ear lobe.
*Fuck…
Ritsu half lidded gaze stared at the man’s shoulder. He became impatient and his legs wrapped around Masamune’s waist, bringing his crotch closer to his ass. Takano stopped his licking to sit up and stare at Ritsu’s face, panting slightly. Ritsu gave a bit of a irritated face.
“I already told you, it sort of hurts…”, he turned his gaze to the side out of embarrassment in which Takano slanted his eyes.
“Is what you have on too tight?”, Takano suggested, “Should you take your clothes off?”
Ritsu’s cheeks flared up at the suggestion. Although it was true that his groin felt pretty tightly packed, it was still embarrassing.
“…c-can…you do it?”, he said his voice slightly shaking. Takano slowly nodded, glad to be allowed access to strip him. He slid down off him and began undoing Ritsu’s slacks. Ritsu couldn’t help the relieved sigh that seemed to come out from his lips when he was peeled of his clothing, a bit of pressure lifting. “…the b-boxers too please…”
Takano gripped the band of Ritsu’s boxers and slid them down until his erection popped back onto his belly. Ritsu let out a bit of a whimper at begin exposed, but he felt a whole lot better now that the clothing wasn’t suffocating his dick. Ritsu noted Takano eyeing it as he slid Ritsu’s pants and boxers off his ankles. Now his lower half was bare and he just stared at Masamune. He craned himself up on his elbows and gripped his shaft, rubbing it a bit.
“It feels a lot better, now. But it’s not going to go down if you don’t help me out…”
Takano’s reaction made Ritsu look away embarrassed of asking such a thing. Honestly he couldn’t help it, and he thought it would feel a better if someone else did it for him. The raven hair man slowly nodded and reached forward and slowly rubbing his fingertips at the top of Ritsu’s dick. Ritsu gritted his teeth, closing his eyes a bit, his hand stroked at the base for a bit before letting Takano take his hand’s place. His gritted teeth opened up instinctively after a few heated strokes from the cultist.
“Ha…ha…” He swallowed and stopped Takano for a moment before lifting himself up and sitting on top of Takano’s crisscrossed legs. He held onto his shoulders as he leaned into his neck to pant, “Keep going..” He instructed.
Takano gripped his length again and began slowly rubbing at it. Ritsu held his mouth open the entire time, his moans would occasionally spill out from time to time and he felt himself throb in Takano’s hand. Takano began pumping, softly panting himself from how arousing Ritsu was making him with his sweet moans. Ritsu gritted his teeth again as he leaned into his neck, his hips making him thrust into Masamune’s hand. He felt pressure rising and…
He did not think he could come so quickly.
His breath escaped him when his back arched and he felt the orgasmic feeling. His eyes flash white, his grip on Takano’s shoulders tightened and his sweet moan enticed Masamune to slow down into a stop. Ritsu felt himself collapse onto Takano, his body shaking from the aftermath of his climax. It had been a while since he had came so he had forgotten just how good it actually felt.
After a few moments of recovering his breath, he felt Takano shift into a tight hug. Ritsu felt exhausted and wrapped his arms around Takano’s neck as well in response. “Has it gone down now?” Ritsu nodded at Takano’s question, sort of embarrassed.
The feeling that had taken over him was immediately out of his system after climax. He felt Takano lay him down, in which Ritsu shifted to get comfortable, not caring to put his pants back on but Takano insisting him at least put his boxers on, which he complied. Ritsu had finally got his breath back and Takano seemed to not ask any questions as he laid beside him in silence. That was some odd behavior just now.
*What the hell was that..?
Chapter 16
Day two.
What the hell was that last night? Ritsu had been asking himself the same question over and over again all day.
He was fully conscious during the whole 'experience’, yes, but it just was not like him. He would have never did something like that if it was not for that feeling that had came over him. All he remembered was the urge.
*I really wanted to have sex…
He shook his head, ruffled his hair, and looked annoyed. He was so confused. He didn’t even know his true feelings with Takano yet. Did he love him? No, he couldn’t possibly do that. It had only been less than a week.
*I’ve never been in love. Maybe I’m just lonely. I am confusing this feeling with lust, perhaps. There’s no way I love Masamune at this pace of time. Maybe I just think he’s attractive?
He shook his head, ruffled his hair, and looked annoyed once more. Get these damn thoughts out of his head already. It was as if it wasn’t his own thoughts anymore.
He laid his head back on the pillow he was laying on in Masamune’s bed. Honestly, he shouldn’t be thinking about love (or sex in general) and should focus more on the problems he is facing.
*Today and tomorrow. Then Kirishima and Yokozawa will have their answer and I’ll either be freed from Delta’s influence, or have to go through hell figuring out plan C.
What if they decline? There’s not much hope then. Ritsu will have to play the waiting game.
He slanted his eyes, now thinking of a new subject. If Delta takes his body, what does he plan to do with it exactly? He’s just this stupid normal everyday guy. It is not like Delta can spread his influence in this sort of body of Ritsu’s. He would be waisting his time, so what does he have to even gain from it.
"It is an odd motive without a reasoning.” He said, thinking out loud.
“What is?”
He didn’t realize Takano was at the doorway again, two cups of coffee in hand just like yesterday. Ritsu’s emerald eyes met golden brown ones and he pulled back his hair with his hand, “I was just thinking out loud without meaning to.” Takano walked over and handed him his coffee mug, sitting on the edge of the bed.
“What’s on your mind, Onodera?”
Ritsu stared at the blackish brown color of the liquid in the cup and sighed aloud, “Well, I was just thinking about what Delta thinks he will gain if he actually succeeds in taking my body. I’m nothing special, so its not like he can 'spread his influence’ through me. I’m just a idiot with a camera.”
Ritsu caught Takano staring at him as if he was upset, a odd expression for Takano indeed. “Ritsu, don’t talk about yourself as if you are a face in a crowd. Delta is this deity who loves to see others suffer.” He explained something Ritsu already knew, but continued, “…Delta knows the mind as much as I do, probably even more than I do. He won’t just take your body, Ritsu. He’s taking your being, your identity, your soul…” Takano looked uneasy, “He’ll be taking you, Ritsu. And if he does, you won’t be the only one who suffers for it. 'You are the prince who will save me from the darkness’ remember?” He gives a bit of a sad smile, “I’ll be devastated if he took you away from me…”
Ritsu felt his heart beat pick up at the sound of Masamune’s voice just now. His widened eyes softened and he looked down and didn’t know how to respond to that. For a moment it was silent before Ritsu’s mouth twisted and he began to softly laugh. Takano stared at Ritsu and wondered why the sudden mood change.
“I’m not going anywhere. I will save you. So, stop looking so sad and cheer up already.” Ritsu responded, “This idiot devil is not going to take any of things from me. I won’t let him.” Ritsu tried to cheer up Takano, in which he could see Masamune smile at the response he gave.
“Confidence will take you far, my Prince. Save me and I’ll be sure to save you.” Takano reached over and ruffled Ritsu’s hair a bit, “I love you, after all.” Ritsu gave a bit of a look at that. He turned away embarrassment hinting his face now.
He thought about them words. He knew Takano meant them. He loved Ritsu.
But he does not love Takano.
*Not yet, anyway.
————————————————————
The day went on longer than yesterday despite having the same amount of time. Ritsu had started working on things he needed to do, for the sake of his job and Miyagi’s stress. Onodera had sent the pictures to Miyagi through email and almost instantly got a “Thank you ;)” back from the professional editor-in-chief.
Ritsu stared at the screen of his laptop for a long bit after closing all the programs. He clicked on a folder to view the pictures on his camera again, the new photos of the victim at the very top. He scrolled down to see the pictures he took during his time at the church and the pictures that someone took while he was spread on the table.
He clicked on the picture of Takano back at the church. He stared at him and remembered what he had told him yesterday.
*“It started with a flash of a camera. I did not understand it at first but something struck inside me when I seen you for that split second back at the church. It terrified me and it felt like a presence had washed over me.”
He looked into Takano’s eyes staring into the camera lenses. Originally looking at the photo, Ritsu thought he looked kinda scary. But now that he had got some insight on how Takano felt during then, he realized he was in fact feeling something that terrified him.
*I did not expect this to be the face of someone experiencing 'love at first sight’. But I mean for a masochistically, emotionally damaged guy like Takano, I guess the expression is spot on.
He clicked a arrow key a few times, going through the photos when the bedroom door opened and Masamune peaked in, “Hey, you alright, Onodera?” Ritsu instinctively went to put a hand on the laptop as if to close it, but did not.
“Ah, yes. I am fine. I am just looking at some pictures.”, he replied with a nervous smile, “Work related, you know.”
“May I sit with you, Ritsu?” He asked standing at the door for a reply. Ritsu felt unreasonably nervous for some reason. Why would he want to hide pictures that Takano probably already seen anyway? He slowly nodded and scooted over to make room, in which Takano closed the door behind him and sat on the bed. Ritsu could feel his cheeks heat up for some reason. He was okay to be around Takano earlier, why now was he experiencing this odd behavior.
He quickly began clicking the arrow button until the pictures from inside the cult’s headquarters showed up. He stopped and stared at the red room in the photo, the light shining on his bare skin. He slanted his eyes, disgusted to see it again, “Who the hell took these perverted photos of me anyway..?”
Masamune took a look at the photos. “Well, it could not possibly have been me. I was up front right next to you. This looks like it was taken in the crowd, off to the side. There is no telling who took them. I found it with the rest of your stuff after the rite in a room we keep evidence in.”
*So he was unsure of who took them then, huh.
*Delta tried to make me think Masamune took these vulgar photos of me during that time, didn’t he?
“I…never thought it was you.” He spoke up making Masamune look his way, “Delta tried to make me think you were a bad guy like that, though.” Ritsu mumbled in thought, “Idiot devil thinks he can trick my mind, but he can’t do shit. He’s all talk at the moment.”
He could see Takano smile at that enthusiasm in the corner of his eye and he felt his cheeks heat up more at the feeling of his gaze. Ritsu quickly closed out the program and shut down the laptop just to do something other than look at vulgar pictures of himself. He felt the bed shift beside him and before he could realize it, Takano had gave him a soft kiss on his cheek.
He sat there frozen looking at the blank laptop screen wondering why he would do such a thing at this moment. What Takano did honestly caught his words in his throat to where he could not speak. Masamune hasn’t even mentioned the situation from last night.
“My Ritsu’s cheeks were of crimson color. Your appearance was greatly flirtatious and I could not help myself. Although that may have pushed my limitations too far. I do apologize if I have invaded your personal space.”
“What’s with that?”, Ritsu’s words slipped from his lips, “Don’t apologize for something you just did. At least do it right.” His face was redder than before and he just stared at the sheets he had clenched in his hands below. Takano seemed a bit stunned at the suggestion.
“You mean…I have permission to kiss you on the lips?”
“Don’t ask…idiot…”, Ritsu was irritated now, his emerald eyes glared into the sheets. He felt the shifting again, Takano getting closer to his body. He felt the dark haired man lift Ritsu’s chin and close the gap between them by connecting their lips. Takano’s hand glided from his chin to his cheek and both of them closed their eyes at the same moment. It was a gentle kiss, one you see in chick flixs, Ritsu guessed. It was different from last night’s kiss.
*Our mouths were open last night…
He parted his lips to guide Takano to kiss the way he did the night before. Takano got the invitation and opened his own mouth, sucking on Ritsu’s lip to induce arousal into their activity. Ritsu’s body began getting hot in response. He had to admit that Takano was a great kisser. Like a fucking wonderfully great kisser, to put more emphasis into how impressive his kissing skills were.
Ritsu’s arms wrapped around Takano’s neck and he began laying down, Takano following his lead as he continued to ravish his mouth, their tongues intertwining. Ritsu unconsciously sighing during the session, he did not want it to end too quickly. He sucked in a breath after Takano released their lips, panting as they stared at each other.
Ritsu slanted his dark emerald eyes, his lips parted as he caught his breath. His cheeks had a soft blush and he stared up at Takano. It was odd, Takano seemed to be glowing now. Perhaps his eyes were playing tricks on him from the heat.
He felt hot. He shifted and bit his lip, getting into that mood again. He blushed deeper and put his hands on Takano’s chest, “Takano, get off.” He tried to fight the urge to continue, “If we continue I won’t be able to stop…”
Masamune reached up and gently carcasses his cheek, “It is alright, I will not go farther than this even if you wanted me to.” Ritsu looked at him and slitted his eyes.
“What do you mean?”, Ritsu asked, fighting the heat rising in his chest. Takano made a bit of a look as if wondering the right words to say.
“I do not want to go further than this because it will only end horribly.” Ritsu gave a sort of odd look and Takano continued, “Remember what I told you before about the bindings on your body?”
Ritsu was confused now. What was he going on about now? What bindings on his body?
*Oh, wait..
“You mean the seal that is keeping Delta asleep, right? Yeah, what about it?”
“It is not a permanent binding, young prince. I have mentioned this to you before, but the bindings can be broken when you experience too much of your own emotions.” Ritsu blinked and stared at the golden brown eyes that stared back at him. “Ritsu, I do not want you to fall in love or in lust with me just yet for that reason.”
That sounded bad.
“Ah, no…I wasn’t trying to seduce you or anything…”, Ritsu apologized, “Sorry, I guess I pushed you too far to do that stuff last night…”
Takano shook his head quickly, “No, I could not hold myself back last night. It was not your fault.” Ritsu looked down a bit, the heat of arousal had longed vanished from his body and now he felt a pain of disappointment. He guessed this meant that even if he decided he wanted to sleep with Takano, the raven hair man had the mindset that he would not go farther than simple make-outs.
*Why does that annoy me?
“It’s fine. Just forget it.”, Ritsu mumbled as he turned, shifting to pull the sheets above his shoulder, “I’m going to sleep…You should too…”
“And,…”, he added, “just to be safe, don’t kiss me anymore from this point on.”
“What made you change your mind, young prince?”, Takano questioned.
“You said you did not want me to fall in love with you, so let’s remain mutuals. Just acquaintances. Lets go back to the beginning of the week, where this relationship was solely job related. If you kiss me, I will surely consider falling for you and Delta will wake up, right? So I don’t want to fall in love with you…”
Ritsu felt the bed shift and Takano laid beside him, “Really?” He sounded sort of saddened, but Ritsu’s face remained like stone.
“Yeah, really…”, Ritsu answered looking frustrates at the man. He shot a glare over his shoulder at him, “So don’t do it, or I’ll kill you.” He sounded like he meant it.
For the first time, Takano Masamune didn’t even bare to smile at the threat.
Chapter 17
Day three.
Ritsu opened his emerald gaze towards the light struck wall before him. Blankets covered him up to the shoulder and he felt no presence of Takano. He laid there for a moment before reaching up and wiping the sleep out of his eyes. He looked at the alarm clock beside Masamune’s bed. 10:37 am. Early again.
He was expecting Takano to open the door and bring him a coffee at any given moment, but the dark hair man seemed to be absent. Ritsu’s lips parted, suddenly getting a eerie feeling.
His bare feet met cold polished floor, slowly walking towards the door to investigate. He went through the house, all seemed untouched. No smell of coffee. No breakfast.
And no sign of Takano Masamune.
Now he was worried. Takano left him alone? Where has Takano gone at such a early hour anyway? He thought maybe he should call him, but his mind rejected the idea almost immediately. If Takano was out, he had to have had a good reason to be.
"Maybe he ran out of eggs or coffee beans?”, Ritsu spoke up to convince himself out loud. “I am sure he will be back soon. No need to worry about him…” But even if he said that out loud, he could not help feel anxious about Takano not being with him. He did not like it one bit, but it really could not be helped.
He sat on the couch and his head laid back against the head cushion. His mind began wandering again, to the things said yesterday. He slitted his eyes, dilating in thought.
*He’s probably upset about the things I said last night…He was the one who confessed to me two days ago…It must have hurt when I told him I don’t want to fall in love with him…
He reached up and pinched between his eyes in frustration. Not towards Takano, but towards himself. This demon inside him was preventing himself from falling in love or having any sort of relationship with Takano. It was irritating. It was infuriating.
Abruptly, Ritsu felt his body temperature rise, his heartbeat quickened and his breath shortened in a matter of moments. He gripped the collar of the shirt and fisted it in his hand as if to hold onto something. He wondered what triggered this urge as he gasped out. What was wrong with him now?
He looked down at the shirt he was wearing, his eyes softening as he remembered who’s shirt he was wearing. He lifted the shirt towards his nose. Takano’s scent was fresh on it, he had been wearing his shirts for the past few days, but he could never get used to the smell. He closed his eyes and his heart beat could be felt now throughout his entire body, heat picking up and he fell down onto the couch to lay down. He clenched harder against the shirt in his hand and panted, his chest rapidly rising and falling. He didn’t like how quickly he could get in this sort of mood, but he was alone at least and he could finally do something about it.
He reached down and rubbed at his crotch. He wondered if it would really help if he touched himself. He gripped the band of his pants and boxers at the same time and slid them down to his knees. He took hold of his hardened cock and gently rubbed at it, his expression becoming more aroused as he felt bare hands against himself. It had been awhile since he touched himself, he thought. Although he came the other day, the precome was practically rising already as if he had not came in a week. He sucked in a breath when he smeared the precome across the crown of his hard-on, making the palm of his hand slip across it.
He gritted his teeth and his hips distinctly thrusted forward. His hand slid from his head down to the shaft, stroking it a few times. He felt a frustration suddenly rise in his thoughts.
*I can’t do it well myself…
He tightened his grip around his dick, creating more pressure. This is how Takano did it, right? He unconsciously groaned as he stroked at it more, the friction made it so much more intense. His sweet noises escaping his lips, his hips thrusting into his own hand. His instincts were to smell at Takano’s scent even more, his hand that gripped the shirt lifted it up and into his face. He closed his eyes and images flash his mind of the dark hair man.
Masamune was here with him now, the raven hair man stroking at Ritsu. The man was on top of Ritsu, increasing the strokes on Ritsu’s cock. He gasped out and looked up at the golden brown eyes filled with lust and felt his body tremble. He gripped the shirt in his hand and his voice escaped him as he felt himself coming. His vision flashed white as he shook, his hand wet as he held at the top of his dick.
He collapsed and had his eyes closed. He enjoyed the feeling of his orgasm for only a moment. He tried to calm himself down by breathing now, the orgasm fast at fading into nothingness. The illusion of Takano had longed disappeared and he realized he was still all alone. His body trembled when he released his crown and he swallowed back his spit to wet his dry throat.
He sat up, pulled up his pants and went to clean up the mess he made on his hands. He turned on the sink water, the heat had disappeared from his body and all he felt now was a pang of guilt and a gross longing.
He did not want to admit that he was hoping Masamune would have walked in on him doing something like that.
He shook his head, irritation rising as he washed off his hand kind of harshly. He did not want to fall for Takano, he told himself that yesterday.
*Then why was I fantasizing about him just now…
He felt a pain in his chest from thinking about how his mind and body are contradicting each other. He has to try and control himself next time.
*It’s just…hard to overcome those damn urges I get so suddenly. It’s like something takes over me and I am in a trance or something. It is annoying.
He was frustrated now as he turned off the water and stared down at the reflection of the metal in the sink. He stared at himself, slanting his eyes, deep in thought at all that just happened when he heard the front door open. His alertness went towards the door and he bounded out of the kitchen to greet Takano’s return.
“Takano! Where have you..?”
Ritsu didn’t see it coming. Something cloaked over his face hastily, covering his airways. His eyes dilated in sudden fear as he felt arms on him to keep him from struggling. Ritsu muffled a scream into the rag against his face, a chance for the man to shove it in his mouth more. He began thrashing and trying to break free, but the men around him held him down with unspeakable strength.
He remembered this awful taste in his mouth from before, back at the church. The man above him practically rung the liquid down his throat, coating his esophagus with it. Tears came out from his eyes and he tried with every will in his body to fight the drug. But soon enough his thrashing stopped and his muscles went limp.
Ritsu’s body was useless once again. He didn’t think he would be in this same situation twice. His eyes shot around the room at the men with the iconic masks. The man above him pulled the rag out of his numbed mouth, Ritsu’s saliva slightly dripping down his chin.
Two cultists emerged from the bedroom. “The Paramount is absent, sir! It seems only the False Priest is present!”
The man gave a bit of a disappointing nod and petted at Ritsu’s brunette locks, “This is fine. Come now, children. Take him to the vehicle. Masamune will soon follow…” The man above Ritsu ordered.
He could not feel the hands of the kidnappers on his body lifting him up. He could not feel anything at the moment. They must have given him a high dosage of the liquefied drug this time. Ritsu was terrified now, not as much as before but pretty damn close. He wondered how they found Takano’s residence. Or how they figured out that Ritsu would be there.
*…The only people who knew was Kirishima and Yokozawa, right? Did one of them rat Takano out? That’s possible. We were idiots to believe they would help…
His cheek was leaning on a cultist’s chest as they took him into their vehicle’s back, laying him down. He limply stayed in place as if he was a ragdoll or perhaps dead. This really sucked.
He wondered what they were planning now. They were hoping to take Takano prisoner as well? He could see water filling his eyes, but he couldn’t tell if he was crying. Did he feel like crying? He doesn’t even know.
“Are you upset?”, one cultist teased, wiping away Ritsu’s tears on his cheek with his thumb then proceeded to lick said thumb, “I did not get a chance to have introduced myself to you before. Although I did see you in your nudity.” Ritsu just sort of glared at the perverted guy, irritation clear in his eyes. “I get the honor to host your funeral and to enjoy spilling alcohol on your wounds once more. That will be a pleasant evening.”
“Do not make the False Priest upset, Akihiko. The Prophet is the only one of us who has such a blessing. We are only a part of a grand design.” Ritsu recognized that voice. Kirishima was here then. He wondered if Yokozawa was too. “Today is a beautiful day.” He could see Kirishima petting at his hair, in which Ritsu wanted anything to pull away from him. He was a traitor. “Ritsu.”
Onodera blinked and looked at him.
“This is perfect. Now I can tell you more about Masamune like I promised. Although you can not ask questions, I am sure this will satisfy your needs for information.” If he could speak, he would have told him he already knew some things about Takano now. “Did you know that Masamune has a high title in the cult?”
*Yes…
“It really is a bother when one of the highest officials betrays the entire cult. However, I can not say I blame him.”, Ritsu blinked and stared at the man with the mask over his face, “I suspected him to be a rebel, I just did not know when he would pursue that nature. Takano wants to make everyone suffer. Not out of revenge, but out of lust.” Ritsu could hear the grin of the man under the mask, “Did he tell you what he told me and Takafumi? He said you were 'a prince hidden in a crowd of ordinaries’ or something like that.”, he mocked Takano’s voice, “Once I heard those words, I knew his act was bullshit and he was just being desperate. I have never seen him stoop so low.”
Ritsu glared at Kirishima, silently cursing the man.
“Do not look so scary, Onodera. You must understand that I did not give away your secret. I did not plan to either. The Prophet came to me after both of you left. It was as if Takano himself told The Prophet about your whereabouts. Do you think Masamune would do such a thing?” Ritsu closed his eyes as if to end the conversation. He did not want to hear something like that. Kirishima continued, “He is known as the Paramount. The only one above him and the only one who can punish him is his mentor, The Prophet. How do you think he will punish Masamune if Masamune is absent?” He smiles, “With a substitute of course.”
Ritsu got a eerie feeling and his eyes opened wide, looking up at Kirishima, suddenly getting more terrified.
*….
The ride was from then on silent, driving closer and closer to his fate.
——————————————————————
Kirishima carried Ritsu in, the limp man could not control his limbs as they swayed as if unconscious. Ritsu was crying again, although he still did not know it, tears rapidly rolling down his cheeks. He still could not feel or move his limbs. He wondered how long it would last this time.
*Masamune gave me a small dosage of this drug last time, it started waring off as we arrived here. But this time it’s showing no sign of waring off. It really is bothersome to not be able to fight back.
Kirishima held Ritsu and surprisingly took him someplace new. Ritsu has not been anywhere other than the downstairs cell, the red room, and the room with the candles in cubbies. Now they walked down a corridor, lined with red drapes with a odd symbol on them. Only two others were with Kirishima, one who was in front of him and someone trailed behind.
They arrived to a giant iron door, fit with many locks on it. He wondered if this was the torture room Takano mentioned. He closed his eyes as the first cultist began unlocking the locks. He did not want to see what was in this room. He heard the giant door click and opened with a slight booming sound. He would have flinched if his body was able to, but he stayed still. He held his eyes closed and he could not even tell they had walked into the room.
“You may open your eyes. There is nothing to be afraid of, Priest.”, a voice spoke to him that he sort of recognized but did not know where. He slowly opened his eyes, a new color entering his vision. Gold. Golden covers around him. He was laying on this king-sized bed in this huge golden room. Translucent yellow drapes hung around the bed. It honestly looked like a room fit for a king.
Why he was laying comfortably on this bed in this room was unknown to him.
The man who spoke earlier spoke again, “I expect you to behave while you are in this room. I will come back shortly, without these two of course.” That voice. He did not know where he had heard it before. The man lifted the covers and tucked Ritsu into the bed, “You may sleep if you need to.” The man instructed.
Kirishima and the other cultist went out of the room first, waiting by the door for the other cultist. The cultist smiled at Ritsu and gently petted his brown hair, “Do not worry. I do not plan to kill you. Just rest for now. I’ll be back in an hour tops.”
The man left the room, the door shutting with a big booming sound and the clicking sounds of the locks locking. He expected this to be a torture room. Hasn’t he cause this cult trouble? He blinked a few times, his eyes getting heavier. He wondered if Takano noticed he was gone yet.
—————————————————————–
He opened his eyes. He must have drifted off. The cultist seems to not be back yet. But something about this room was oddly off. His body was unable to move and there was a great weight on his chest.
He realized he was in a lucid dream when he seen the mirror version of himself resting on his chest. Delta Ritsu seems to be more sunk into his chest, a wave of pain shot through him.
“Why are you so damn heavy…”
*That’s just the weight of my sins…
“Why am I here now? Takano had to do a ritual to get me here last time.” Ritsu’s confusion was hinted on his voice.
*You can always access this plane. It is mostly a random encounter, though..
Delta sounded awfully cold.
*It seems we are faced with the cult once more. How infuriating. I wonder what they are planning out now…
Ritsu blinked. It seemed Delta was distraught that they were back at the cult, “Why do you sound so upset? Isn’t this in your favor what they are doing? You are their leader.”
*I am only half their leader, idiot. They can not hear me. They can only hear him…
Ritsu blinked again. Delta has changed from last time. He sounds more…human. More like Ritsu…
*What are you thinking about now?
“Why the sudden mood change. Last time you were all deceiving and playing tricks on me, but now you just seem…different.”
*I am becoming more like you. I am currently mimicking your soul as we speak. Why do you think we have the same voice, or the same exact soul? Do you not see that you have become different as well? Think about it.
He guessed that does explain everything.
*We have been influencing each other for the past week. The longer I stay asleep on your soul, the more my influence takes over. It is a plan B if the seal is not broken before time allows it. It is a matter of time before you become just like me.
—————————————————————–
He sucked in a breath as his eyes shot open. A strong odor was getting waved in his face and he felt his limbs were able to move again. He sat up and the man at the end of of the bed smiled at him. “Sorry to keep you waiting, priest.” Ritsu stared at the maroon haired man and glared at him. “I woke you up, I hope you were not dreaming.”
“…ho…” He could not speak barely. His throat was dry and he coughed harshly, grabbing at his neck in pain.
“Ah, here! Some water.” The man handed him a bottle he had been holding. Ritsu slowly took it, eyeing the man as he opened it up and swallowed it down. He breathed in a breath of refreshment. He swallowed and took a deep breath and started again.
“Who…are you?”, he asked slowly.
“My name is Haitani.” He said gently, “And Kirishima told me your name, so there is no need to introduce yourself.” Ritsu wasn’t going to.
“Have we met before?”, Ritsu asked, slanting his eyes. He wanted to know where he heard that voice.
“Yes.” Is all he got initially for an answer. “Now let me ask you a question. Do you hear him?”
Ritsu looked at the guy sort of funny, “What are you talking about? Hear who?”
“Delta, of course. Do you hear him?”
“At the moment? No. I only hear your voice.”
Haitani gave a grin and nodded, “When can you hear him?”
“I’m not sure…” Ritsu responded, confused by the questions, “Which Delta are you talking about?” It was to his knowledge that Delta was split into two.
“The one who is angry and wants his other half back.”, Haitani answered with a comical tone, “The one who is speaking at this very moment.” The man looks up with a grin at the ceiling.
“I can’t hear him then, no. I don’t think he’s ever talked to me personally. But the other one has made conversation with me a little…” Ritsu answered.
“Then it is the way it should be.”, Haitani smiled, “I was hoping you could not hear his voice. But more interestingly, you can hear his other half. What is he saying to you?”
“Nothing at the moment.”, Ritsu answered, looking to the side. “What does it matter what he says to me?”
“I do not think you understand.”, he began with a bit of a cheery voice, “You are the only outlet for him, Ritsu. If he wants to speak, you have to deliver his word. If you do not, you will be disobeying my order. Now no more questions. I want answers.” He seemed kind of scary now with that smile of his.
“…He is mimicking my soul, he told me. He said something about influencing my soul. I am not entirely sure what you want to know.”
Haitani gave a smile at that, “That is interesting. I can definitely tell he has influenced you. You are showing so little emotion. It seems he has already tied knots into your mental state.”
Ritsu looked confused at that, “What are you talking about now?”
Onodera did not see it coming when he felt the man push him down on the bed. The man pressed against him and showed he had unspeakable strength as well. Ritsu struggled underneath him, the hairs on his skin stood up.
“Let me ask you one last thing. Have you and Masamune got intimate yet?”, he gave such a hideous smirk.
Ritsu stared up at him with fear hinting his eyes, “Get off of me..!” Ritsu commanded. The smile on Haitani’s face altered and the grip on Ritsu’s wrists tightened.
“Who do you think you are talking to?” Ritsu grunted in pain at the tightening of his wrists as Haitani bent down into his face, “You are my property now… You can not command me to do anything.” He said harshly as he grinned at Ritsu’s struggle to break free.
“It…hurts…”
“I own you, my beautiful sacrificial lamb…and I expect you to behave.”
Chapter 18
10:37 am.
The store opens at 7:30 am on Mondays through Thursdays and 8:00 am on weekends. It never truly got busy until noon. It was just the way it was. People would scan the aisles, probably having a grocery list in hand, and buy what they need. Some, with their guilty pleasures, would sneak a sweet for later into their carts. Most were here with their kids, the children eagerly point at what they want in particular.
Some comply and buy them what they want.
Some are strict and do not.
This was what modern human beings did. They go grocery shopping so they can provide for their families. They buy what they need, and probably some things that they want. They do it to survive.
Or they just ran out of eggs.
The raven hair man picked up the carton of a brand he always got and stood over it. He just sort of stared as if deep in thought. There was a hint of hurt, confusion and anger in his brown gaze towards the carton of eggs.
People came to the Food Market to buy food. For whatever reason they have, their personal lives do not matter in the least unless they did not have money in hand, in which they would not be present in the store at the moment. Masamune stared at the carton of eggs in hand before placing it in his own cart.
Takano could hear voices in his head. Dangerous voices repeated his prince's words from last night's conversation.
*"...I don't want to fall in love with you."
The voices were his voice. The voices were Ritsu. But something seemed off about them. Something was wrong about them, as if they were drilling into his head and draining the fluid out. It was painful to endure, yet he walked normal, he talked normal, he bought groceries like any other human being. Yet the pain was there.
And the pain was unbearable.
*Although I was the one who said it first...hearing it from him made me uneasy...I could not sleep laying next to him and ended up keeping my mind awake the entire nighttime hours...What was I expecting him to say anyway? "I'll wait for you."
*"I don't want to fall in love with you."
The voice again. It seemed to echo in his mind like a water-drop falling in a cave. Speaking of a water-drop, he felt one roll down his cheek when a thought came to mind and tore him down even more.
"How else are you suppose to save me then..?"
--------------------------------------------------------------------
An hour went by before he decided he needed to go home. He had not informed Ritsu of his trip and he wondered if maybe the man had woken up by now. He felt like an idiot to have broke down like that in the middle of the store, but he thanked that the woman ringing his items did not mention or notice his puffy red eyes.
He felt his phone vibrate in his back pocket and, keeping his eyes on the road, went to retrieve it. It was probably the prince, waking from his slumber to find a empty house. He unlocked the phone to view the new message and when he read the text, his pupils constrict. His heart halts and he goes completely deft, a high pitch ringing blocked all sound. He stares at the two words on the screen and fear embeds itself under his skin. He drops his phone in all the excitement and his foot instinctively steps on the pedal, escalating the speed of the vehicle.
Two words struck him with absolute terror.
"He knows."
-------------------------------------------------------------------
The door busted open and a frantic Masamune called out to his prince, "Onodera! Onodera we have to go!" He felt himself already shaking when he got no reply as he entered the bedroom. The bed sheets were scattered but empty. The shower room showed no evident of Ritsu taking a bath. No Ritsu. No Ritsu...
His heart was racing. He knows. He knows, "Damn it!" He cursed out loud, anger getting a hold to him. He knew what he had to do now. He had to go. He has to save his prince. He had to go save Ritsu.
He felt his mind racing with all the options. He did not know what was expected when he returned to the cult. He did not know if his head was on a spike or not. He did not care. He just wanted Ritsu to be safe. He did not care rather he lived or died returning, as long as Ritsu is safe from the fate that is bestowed onto him.
He had to save Ritsu.
Even if doing so meant damning himself.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Do you know why our bodies feel pain? Pain is created to help you understand that the body is experiencing something harmful. In a way it is a warning to tell you "Stop hurting yourself!" But sometimes you are not in control of your own pain. Others will get on top of you, inflicting pain onto you. And even though your body is telling you to stop, it is not in your control and you struggle and find yourself at the mercy of the person who is harming you.
Ritsu gritted his teeth as his face was smothered into the pillow, his head throbbed from his brunette locks being yanked close by the scalp. "O-ow..." He managed in a hushed, pained tone. Haitani pulled Ritsu's hair and smiled.
"You should not have done something so...uncivil.." His face wore a smile, but his voice was sinister. Ritsu felt goose bumps crawl along his skin at the very tone and he gave a cry as Haitani's grip grew tighter.
How he got in this situation was moments ago after Haitani stopped talking, Ritsu had spit right in the cultist's face. It was a stupid thing to do, in all honesty, given the fact that Ritsu was in no position to fight back and this very mistake could have cost him his life.
The maroon headed man gave a huge ass grin as Ritsu felt tears form in the corners of his eyes, "...G-Get off...of me..!"
"You are flustered. If I knew better, I would say you are sadistic and like the position you are in." He gave a bit of a chuckle, "You enjoy this, huh?" Haitani yanked his hair and Ritsu let out another yell of pain, fearing if the man gave any more strength he would rip the scalp.
"St-op..! I hate pain!"
"You just have not experienced me giving you the pain, my dear sacrificial lamb. You would absolutely love it." He licked his lips as if getting off by seeing Ritsu struggle. Ritsu clenched his teeth, wishing for the man to stop already. "You have proven yourself a fighter, I must say. Masamune probably loves to shut you up..."
"Fuck you..!", Ritsu said between gritted teeth. Haitani found it amusing and suddenly released Ritsu. The brunette plummeted to the pillow he was laying on, out of breath, relieved the pain he was enduring finally began to cease instead of escalate. Haitani hastily got off of him.
"Yeah, yeah! I know. That will just wake the other you up, wouldn't it?" Haitani said in a mocking tone to himself. It seems Delta, the one that is not inside Ritsu, wanted Haitani to stop what he was doing. "But you said it yourself when I asked you earlier! I asked 'how much pain' and you said 'enough'." He chatted as he went to the door as if he was talking to someone on the phone, "Be good now, Onodera-kun~ I'll be back in a while!" And that was that. Ritsu was alone on the bed in an empty room.
He stared at the golden sheets and clenched them in his hand. He hated that man. He wanted to kill him. He did not know what the man had planned out for him.
*"How do you think he will punish Masamune if Masamune is absent? With a substitute of course."
Kirishima's words went through his mind again. Punish Masamune with a substitute, huh? Just his luck that he was that said substitute. He wanted to cry. He was honestly scared to death by such thoughts. Haitani had plans for Ritsu. To endure more pain in the future, he shuttered at the thought.
*What sort of pain?
He thought about the worst amount of pain he had received. When he was young, he had fell out of a tree he had climbed and broken his ankle. He could not stand or even walk even if he wanted to it hurt so bad. He cried for an hour or so before his parents found him and took him straight to the hospital. He remembered telling the nurse "10" when she asked how much pain he was in, although that may have been exaggerated a bit.
He hated pain ever since that day. Who wouldn't hate pain even without that sort of experience?
His stomach ached thinking about pain.
He lifted himself up, his hair falling from his face towards the bed. He needed to find a way to escape at least. Although that itself sounded idiotic, he had to try. He did not want to submit to the cult's wishes. He needed to fight back. He got off the bed and searched the room. There was two doors. The exit door that was iron, and this wooden door that seemed to be a closet inside the golden room. Of course checking to see if the exit was unlocked proved idiotic to begin with, but Ritsu tried anyway, proving it to be locked and that Ritsu was an idiot. The other door, however, was unlocked, the door knob turned as Ritsu twisted it. He opened the door quickly, in order to find some sort of object to use as a weapon, just to be greeted with the color of candy red.
He almost screamed at the sight. This really was a torture room after all. He placed one hand over his mouth, his eyes shaking. He grabbed hold of the tool in hand and shook at the sight of it. He wondered if its been used before.
It was a sex toy.
"Perverts! Fucking perverts! All of them!" He cursed out loud as he swung the thing around in hand. He wanted to murder the person who put this here. The closet was otherwise empty without this tool of torturing inside it. He glared down at the rubbery dong and cringed at the thought of what they had been planning to do with it.
*...I have to get the hell out of here...
He was reminded of why he searched the closet in the first place. This sounded silly, but honestly he had no choice in the matter. The room had little resources for weaponry and truly this thing won't be much help with his escape. But maybe, just maybe he can smack Haitani so hard with this to get him out of the way for a clear run.
He imagined the scenario of a Ritsu making his escape after he smacked and successfully knocked out Haitani, now laying on the ground as Ritsu charged his way swinging the candy red dildo at anyone who tried to stop him.
*Like hell...
"I am truly an idiot for coming up with such a stupid scenario." He was irritated at his way of thinking. As soon as he would swing the weapon, Haitani would have probably grabbed onto Ritsu's wrist with a grin and say something sinister.
*"Oh what is this? I did not know you were so eager to be punished."
The thought crawled across his mind of the sort of punishment he would get if he were caught. His head shook so fast, it was spinning. He did not want that to happen and he placed the toy back where it was originally and shut the closet door.
He leaned against the door and thought for a moment.
*Think, Ritsu. Plan B, come on. Maybe I should wait for Takano? No, he would not be able to face the cult by himself would he? Does Takano even know I am here yet?
He wondered what time of day it was. The room had no windows to see outside and he frankly did not have any source of clocks around the golden room. He sighed, annoyed as he pinched between his eyes, "Damn it." He was out of options.
*Ritsu.
His eyes opened a bit wide, "...Delta?" Had the influence start its way into his mental state?
*I know Haitani, Ritsu. He is a pretty rare mortal to find. One that likes to borderline disobey me. I do not know what he is planning to do, but I do know of his history. Most likely, he will hold a ceremony and right after, a ritual. They will probably kill you during this, Ritsu, if that is their plan, which I highly believe.
Ritsu listened. His eyes shook at the thought of death, "So why not just kill me now, while Takano isn't here to save me?"
*You honestly think Masamune is coming to save you?
Onodera looked down. He hoped Takano knew and had a sense to do so. But there was a painful doubt in his mind. What if Takano gave up on him? Feared for his own life and let the cult have Ritsu?
He would not blame him. It was scary to think that you were going to die.
"I don't want to die." He whispered. The demon inside seemed to be quiet for a moment before speaking up again.
*...Maybe I could help you? We can switch places if you want. Then you won't have to feel the pain that Haitani will give you later and if you die, you will just a numb soul and go off into the afterlife. No pain, no death.
Ritsu blinked. Switch...places? Can they do that? "Do you mean you take control? Cause I'd rather not–"
*No, I mean just switch. Your soul will go into dormant while I take over the body. It would be like I woke up, but you will still be present in your own body. It would be how it is now, but switched. Then, if we get saved, I will let you have your body back.
The demon's voice rang in Ritsu's head. He wondered if that were true. He was tempted, but he just did not know. Could he really trust this demon's words?
*...Just think about considering it when you can not endure the pain. Close your eyes and retreat into your mind and your very will will allow us to switch roles. But you are going to have to want it in order for it to work.
Delta was giving him the option to switch whenever Haitani starts inflicting pain onto Ritsu. It was a golden ticket to use when he wanted to escape. When he did not want to experience pain.
"I hate pain..." He whispered to himself, "Why would you offer to take my place like that?" He heard the demon chuckle in his mind, the laughter echoing.
*I have never experienced pain, so I think it would be fun. I just want to be amused by the human tendency to feel pain.
"Its not enjoyable.", Ritsu countered.
*I know.
"What are you to gain from it?"
*Momentary control. To feel human for a while.
"Being human isn't exactly the experience a demon would want..." Ritsu mumbles. He did not understand. Delta seemed to smile and him in response.
*Being a devil, I think I would.
Ritsu went quiet. He slid down the closet and he wondered if this was genuine offer. Was it really too good to be true? Was there a catch that he was unaware of?
This devil honestly could not be trusted. Giving up control over your own body meant so much more than escaping from the pain. It meant letting Delta have his way with it.
But if it all goes to hell, that offer will be in the back of his mind.
I might make a master post of chapters I had rewritten in this story. Just to see a insight of what was planned but dropped. I don't know if I am going to stick with the dildo as a weapon thing yet but I am laughing so hard writing about it. It will either actually be in the story or be in this master post of writings that never were. It is just humorous as fuck though.
Yooo. That was fast and this makes me happy cause this is my creative blog ;w; Thank you guys so much!
Ten Days.
Author's Note: This is an interpretation one-shot. You guys decide who is who. Have fun~ ------------------------------------------------------------------ Day one. Silence. Nothing more than the sound of a fan turned on low. The lights had been off all day, curtains shut to show no sign of the heating rays of sunlight. The door was locked and the room seemed to be untouched for days, yet the man sat in the same exact spot. He did not even bother telling anyone he would be at home all day, despite having a job. They probably would not blame him. The man had no thought process. He could not hold conversation with himself either. He just wanted all the pain to go away. The throbbing to stop. The memories to cease. Heartache. Heartbreak. Heartache. Heartbreak. It was constant cycle. As this man, the life drained from his eyes, sat in this room of his all alone, he could feel the darkness swallowing him whole. He pleaded for it to end even though it was the beginning. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day two. The man could not hear the phone ringing. He just sat there, in the same position, in the same dark aura. His chest tightened and he wondered if he could die from just heartbreak. That would be purposeful. He thought "I love you so much." The phone ceased to ring and it fell silent again. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day three. There was banging on the door. The man did not notice. A muffled yelling on the other side of the door. He still did not notice. The fan had stopped working and it was silent again. It must have had a short in it. There was a flashing light across the room. Another missed call and urgent voicemail. The yelling ceased and the sound of angry footsteps seemed to disappear as they traveled farther from the door. The man did not notice. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day four. They somehow got in. A look of disappointment in their swollen eyes, "Why are you doing this to yourself? Don't you care how I feel?" The man did not respond. He just stared off into empty space, lips slightly parted. "Answer me, damn it! Don't ignore me!" But the man did not notice his presence. The man began to weep. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day five. They have not left yet. They are worried sick and have decided to sit right next to the man. They have not spoke sense their outburst yesterday and their eyes have become clouded with worry. If the man remained here, he will kill himself by thirst. His lips look dry and his body was cold to the touch. His eyes reflected nothing. He looked...dead. "Please..." They begged, "...Get up already...I need you..." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day six. The man was no longer against the wall. He was on the floor. He had fell there during the night. His body seemed to be shutting down. One by one, things began crashing. They remained there with him. They did not leave his side. They hated him so much. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day seven. He was sitting against the wall again. He did not know how it became like this. They left before he could tell him he was sorry. He stared at himself. He did not like to be alone. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day eight. The apartment had been opened and many people came in and searched around the room. The man remained against the wall, watching them. They took him away in a body bag. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day nine. "Why?" They sounded hurt, of course they were hurt, "You fucking idiot! I hate you! I hate you so much!" They came back just to say this to the man. "I'm...sorry...", he responded slowly, "I just...could not live without you..." "So you fucking die?! You let me watch you kill yourself?!" They screamed at him, and he did not know how to respond. He did not know how to make it right. "I'm...sor-..ry." He repeated, his words being caught in his throat. They stood over him, their eyes swollen from tears as they just disappeared. They did not want to see him. How could someone want death so much even though they were already dead to begin with? ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Day ten. The man is no longer against the wall.
That discussion I mentioned went for a lovely turn of events. Read tags.
I will update Ritsu’s Demons soon. The chapter is still not done and its almost past the due date! Sorry for the wait you guys!
Update: I didn't get started writing after I made this post so I just procrastinated and somehow wrote another fanfiction other than writing Ch.18 of Ritsu's Demons. 😅 I am discussing things out with my bf at the moment and he is trying to help me get onto it. I do apologize for the broken promises. The fanfiction I did write was this one-shot that I can't post until @ritsuluvstakano makes her fanfiction (a friendly competition between who can write a simple but sad fic.) I will get onto it, I swear. Sorry to you guys who have been urgently waiting to see if something bad happens. I know I left it on a cliffhanger and it must be killing people to wait. 😫
Give me art requests, nerds.
I want to draw my sons.
Ritsu's Demons Will Update A Week After Every Update.
That's what I am planning. I had a bit of a stick in the mud because I was facing a two path choice for story line. But I decided I wanted to go with one choice so its all good. I am excited cause these next chapters are probably going to have a lot of action. The whole story has been kind of chill, so it'll be excited the next chapters when shit hits the fan. What is going to happen? It makes me so excited to have plans and see you guys react to them. Don't just read, give me feedback. It really helps me think of questions to answer in the next chapters. So don't be afraid to reblog or reply to the post with a question. If its a spoiler, I won't answer back, but I will answer it in the actual story. Thanks to @curseyouikemen , @romanticalover , @patchang2015 and many others who have showed their support for this dumb fan fiction. Thank you guys!
Coloring Clothing and Eyes
I like to color Ritsu in green and brown attire usually, just because it matches his eyes and hair. I do the same for all of my characters. If they have a certain eye color, usually somewhere on there outfit is a similar color to that eye color. Takano looks good in black because his dark hair. I usually color the clothing a bit paler or darker than their eye color just so their eyes pop more. The eyes in a drawing of mine are the most important part to me. Usually I start a drawing with the eyes. When someone looks at a drawing of mine, usually their eyes go straight to the face, and initially the eyes. That's just how I color art, I guess. You guys can use it to your own knowledge now. Nakamura seems to do so too.
-Ritsu arrives at work- Takano: -scoffs- what the hell is that? Ritsu: -mumbles- Please don't mention it... Kisa: Looking good, Ricchan -both Kisa and Mino giving him a thumbs up- Ritsu: *I hate my job... -------------------------------------------- A lovely doodle of Ritsu in a penguin sweater I made for him. Yes the dialogue is between me and him. I originally wanted a cute sweater but it turned out tacky and stuff so I decided a more comical approach to it.