Chapter 1- Mystery Boy

"Hey, let go of me! Ouch! That hurt! Stop it! I said, let go of me!"

Soubi heard someone yelling about a block away. He tried to follow the voice as best he could, and it ended up taking him to the park. "How can trying to find some new inspiration, lead me on a wild goose chase? Why not send me a butterfly, I always like painting those. But I guess that's the main reason I'm out here. Apparently Professor Scott doesn't appreciate my work and told me to find something 'new' and 'fresh'. I guess I could see where this takes me." Soubi continued on through the park and eventually came upon a small swampy area. He looked across the water and saw a kid lying face down in a puddle of water and mud. It didn't look like he was breathing, so Soubi rushed over to check on the small boy.

When Soubi reached the boy, he gently turned him onto his back and saw the numerous scars on the porcelain like face. He also noticed the scrapes and bruises that covered the feeble boy's body. Soubi looked around for the culprit behind the boy's attack and screams for help, but found no one else around. Since he couldn't just leave him there, Soubi carefully picked the boy up, bridal style, and carried him to his apartment.

After finding his keys and trying to open the door, while carrying a body, Soubi placed the boy down on the couch and started a warm bath. Once the bath was ready, he collected the boy and took him into the bathroom, where he undressed and washed him. When Soubi finished draining the tub, he dressed the boy with some of his clothes, which were a tad big, and laid him on his bed. Soubi got the first aid kit and started wrapping up the boy's wounds. Finally finished, Soubi tucked the mystery boy in, and waited for him to wake up.

Since the boy was in a deep sleep, Soubi decided to get some work done and maybe clean up the house a bit. He had been so busy lately, with his final project being due soon, and hadn't been home, resulting in a dirty apartment.

Five hours had passed and Soubi cleaned every room, did the laundry, and even sat down and paid all his bills. He was currently deciding on what to paint for his final project, when he heard soft footsteps behind him. He turned to see the mystery boy walking towards him cautiously. "So, I see you're awake. Did you have a good sleep?" The boy nervously made his way over to Soubi, but still stayed a good distance away. "Um, who are you? Where am I? And did we, um…" The boy reached up, looking for his ears. Once he found them, he sighed in relief and looked back over to Soubi, wanting an answer to his previous questions. Soubi chuckled at his innocence. "I'm Agatsuma Soubi. You're at my apartment. And no, we didn't have sex, if that's what you're worried about. Can I ask your name?" The boy blushed slightly upon hearing Soubi's blunt answer. "Um, I'm Aoyagi Ritsuka. If we, um, didn't have, um…" Ritsuka looked around the room instead of at Soubi. "Sex." Soubi answered for him when he saw how embarrassed the boy was. "Yea, so what happened?" Soubi got up and lit a cigarette. "Well, I was hoping you could tell me. I heard you screaming, so I followed you. When I found you, you were alone and face down in muddy water. I couldn't leave you there, so I took you back here and cleaned you up. Sorry about invading your personal space, but I had to clean you and your wounds somehow. I swear, it wasn't anything perverted, if that's what you're thinking." Instantly, memories of earlier rushed back into Ritsuka's head. Soubi saw the look of terror on Ritsuka's face and decided to change the subject by asking if he was hungry. Ritsuka looked up and nodded innocently, his ears flattening against his head and his tail swaying back and forth. "What would you like to eat?" Soubi yelled from the kitchen. "I don't care. Whatever you want, I guess." Of course, the child-like response that never helps any situation. "Well, are you allergic to anything?" Soubi popped his head out of the kitchen, so that he could hear Ritsuka better. "No, not that I know of. Please, whatever you make is fine." Soubi nodded and went back to cooking dinner.

About 30 minutes later, Soubi came out with an assortment of sushi, some fish, noodles, and of course, rice. As Soubi was setting the table, Ritsuka sat there in awe. Never, had he seen this much food all at once. It was a feast fit for a king. After adding the finishing touches and bringing out some drinks, Soubi called Ritsuka over. Ritsuka didn't need to be told twice that it was dinner time and raced right over. He took his seat where the coke was and waited for Soubi to grab a beer. When both were seated, Ritsuka served the rice (he insisted) and then they dug in. Soon enough, most of the food had been consumed and they were currently sitting, thinking about what to say next. Soubi had a few questions for Ritsuka, but didn't know if now was the best time to ask him. He did feel the need to ask him one very important question, though.

"Ritsuka, it's getting kind of late, isn't your mother worried?" Ritsuka wiped his mouth with a napkin before answering Soubi's question with a question. "Why should she be?" he asked stubbornly. "She should because she's you're mother and she loves you." "How do you know!? You met me today, so you don't understand! My mother shouldn't be worried because she doesn't know I'm here!" "Well, where does she think you are?" Ritsuka was almost on the verge of tears. "She thinks I'm dead! She's locked up somewhere and I haven't seen her for 2 years!" Shocked, Soubi looked down guiltily. Ritsuka saw that he made Soubi upset and felt really bad. "I'm sorry Soubi, I shouldn't have yelled. It's just that she's always been a sore subject to talk about. The truth is, I have no place to go." "And you're father, where is he?" Ritsuka looked downcast. "I don't know. He left 3 years ago, right after my brother died. That's when my mother got worse, and I guess he couldn't take it, so he just got up and left." "So, you've been living on your own for 2 years?" "Um, not exactly, but I don't really want to talk about that right now, or ever." Soubi decided not to push him into telling him everything. He'd let Ritsuka tell him when he was ready. Soubi watched Ritsuka swish his tail, back and forth, with a depressed look on his face. Shocking both Ritsuka and himself, he asked, "Well, if you want, you could always stay here. I mean, I know we just met, but I have a guest room you could use, and it beats sleeping outside somewhere. Plus, I have a fridge full of food.

Ristuka took his time thinking about whether or not it was a good idea and if he could trust Soubi. After pondering for an hour, Ritsuka finally made up his mind. "Um, Soubi, if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to take you up on your offer." Soubi looked up from his unfinished painting and smiled. "I'm glad, now the apartment won't seem so lonely. And Kio will stop asking to move in." Ritsuka looked at Soubi, confused. "Who's Kio?" Soubi grimaced at the name. Kio was a good friend, but there was only so much of him that Soubi could take. "Kio's my friend, sort of. I'm sure you'll get to meet him soon. He may come on a bit too strong, or be a little too over dramatic, but he means well. He might also have an objection to you living here, but that's only because he wants to move in himself, so don't listen to anything he says about that." Ritsuka nodded and moved a little closer to Soubi.

"Soubi, what are you painting?"

"It's a surprise."

"Aw, come on, tell me."

"Not until it's done. Then I will show you and hopefully you will know what it is."

"Fine, but it looks good so far."

Soubi blushed slightly while looking at Ritsuka's innocent face. Ritsuka was gazing at the colors that Soubi was going to use, and he noticed Ritsuka's ears twitch a bit. It was almost like Ritsuka was using his ears as a radar. All of a sudden, you could here someone running up the stairs, and throwing the door open. It didn't take Soubi more than a second to know who it was.

"Soubi, I've brought you some food! Maybe, I could help you eat it!? What do you say I-Oh, My Gawd!!!" Kio was now standing, dumbstruck, pointing at Ritsuka. "Hey, Soubi, where'd the kid come from? Are you one of those sick pervs that uses kids, and a boy no less? I mean, if you were bored and wanted some attention I would've been happy to help ease your anxiety." Soubi sat up rather angrily and aimed his notebook at Kio. He hit him in the back of his head and leaned back down in his chair. "No Kio, I'm not like that. This is Ritsuka, and he's going to be staying here a while, so be nice and don't scare him, I mean it." Kio was taken back by the tone of his voice when Soubi said, "I mean it.". He never heard Soubi talk that way to anyone. "I'm always nice, Soubi. But why is a kid staying with you? It's a little weird, don't you think? What if people find out? What will they say? Soubi, you could ruin your future, just remember that. I wouldn't want your career to end so suddenly because of some kid you found and took home." Soubi saw how uncomfortable Ritsuka was getting. He saw him fidget with his hands and flatten his ears against his head.

"Kio, leave."

"What, why?"

"You're bothering Ritsuka. And what did I say? I said NOT to scare him. So either shut up, or leave because honestly, I don't care what you're talking about. I wasn't even listening to you. So really, you being here is a waste of mine and Ritsuka's time. Make your choice before I'm forced to kick you out myself."

Kio just stood there and thought about his options. "Fine, if you're going to be mean, than I don't want to be here." Kio stormed off and left. Ritsuka continued to sit there, and felt bad for getting Kio in trouble. "I'm sorry, Soubi."

Soubi looked up, confused as to why Ritsuka was apologizing to him. "Sorry for what?" Ritsuka started to fidget with his hands again. "For getting you mad at Kio. I mean, he would've never gotten in trouble, had I not been here. You know, maybe this isn't such a good idea. Maybe, I should just leave. Ritsuka stood up and headed in the direction of the door, when he felt a large hand reach out and grab his small wrist. He spun around to find Soubi latching onto him via wrist. The more Ritsuka tried to get free, the tighter Soubi held on. "Don't leave. I want you here. No, I need you here."

Heyy everyone, just to let you know, this is my first Loveless fanfics, so I'd appreciate any reviews or criticism. Thanks for reading and tell me what you think!

Much luv,

XOiHeaRTMiLoOX