Code: NNM-EOTH-CH.01

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the featured media, the rights go to their respected owners.

Title: Ears of the Heart

Medium: Nurarihyon no Mago

Chapter: 1

Rating: "T"

Hinata-sensei had a lot of patience, hence why his wife trusted him enough to go into teaching when his temper could be equal to a natural disaster but today that famous patience was slightly frayed. He had a student transferring to his class; late in the year for admissions admittedly and he hadn't asked the principle why he had accepted so late into the year, but he had an awfully good idea.

Talking to...the student had been challenging though that was no fault of the child's but seeing such a goodhearted boy so...not injured, that would be wrong; he hadn't been and had even greeted him with a small smile and low bow. It was just his disability that had worried Hinata - as it obviously worried the boy's father as well.

Hinata could see the resemblance between the two of them as soon as he went to reception to collect his new charge (though if he had to guess, he'd probably wager the boy looking more like his mother than father), especially with parent and child stood so close together, the pre-teen pressed tightly against his father's side with a large, protective hand keeping him there; it would have worried the teacher slightly if he hadn't been told that the boy couldn't speak a single word.

It was understandable for any parent to be weary about a child with a disability out of their reach and into strangers hands, even more so when this was an ordinary middle-school and might not have the resources to help said child properly (not that Hinata wasn't going to give his damnedest).

'Kita, Hinata' he had introduced as soon as he had digested that a parent had stayed for the pick up (which wasn't too common) and bowed his head slightly, keeping his eyes trained on the dark figure who had a serious expression and a calculating glint in the one open eye before a smirk spread across those thin lips.

'Nura, Rihan' the man allowed, back stiff and head barely bobbing, his hand patted the brunet that was at lest three hands smaller than his father 'And this is my adorable -' said brunet elbowed the man in the stomach, Rihan coughing slightly as he used his free hand to rub his torso mockingly 'Very adorable - pointy elbows and all, son; Nura, Rikuo'

The brunet glared slightly but the pout on his lips took the bite out of it as he glanced back at Hinata before stretching into a polite bow for a man that was his senor and above his station as a student. Well Hinata thought At lest the kid's got more manners than his dad, watching with a raised eyebrow, equal parts amused and confused as Rikuo's hands came up briefly and started to sign.

It lasted but a second before the boy's hands was once again settled against his sides, Hinata's eyes flickered up to Nura senor, seeing the mirth lighting in the ebony slant 'He said you look like a rubber duck with - Ouch!' Hinata winced along with Rihan as Rikuo's foot stomped on top of larger counterparts, the boy looking slightly indignant and annoyed all into one as he crossed his arms, as if waiting for something.

'Alright, Alright!' Rihan exclaimed, done with massaging his smarting toes to glare back childishly back at his son, the duo now no longer joined at the hip and seemingly more relaxed in the teacher's presence which was a get relief for Hinata who watched the pair as the man turned to him wearing an exaggerated put-out expression 'He said "Nice to meet you"' before Rihan turned back to the brunet 'Better you little imp?'

Well, Hinata shouldn't have to worry too much if Rikuo had this level of backbone with everyone else, Hopefully. The brunet nodded, happy with the results of his torture as he smiled slightly at his teacher.

Hinata returned the gesture 'Oh, I like you; your going to be fun' he snorted slightly when the brunet coloured slightly, before he glanced at the clock on the opposite side of the wall, completely missing the expression on Rihan's face as he did so 'Time to go, Rikuo-kun' he informed, he was going to be slightly later than normal but at lest the time had been spent putting the new student (and student's father) more at ease.

Rikuo nodded slight, swallowing as he turned to his father, stepping forward and into the man's warm arms before pulling away a moment later, long fingers sweeping into his hair for a little ruffle 'Have a good day, Rikuo' Rihan said before a dark smirk pulled on his lips again, giving Hinata a shiver 'And remember, anyone giving you trouble, break their faces'

Fun? Why do I have a feeling that that's going to turn into trouble? Hinata thought with a slight grimace.

Rikuo rolled his eyes but nodded with a tiny small despite himself, signing "Goodbye" quickly, before going over to his new teacher's side. Both about to leave before a heavy voice made Hinata's footsteps falter slightly 'Take care of him, sensei' the teacher turned, to reply only to find that Nura senor had vanished

That had unnerved Hinata slightly as he showed Rikuo the way to their classroom on the second floor, class 2-B and left the brunet there, telling him that he'd call for him once the class was settled and slid the door open.

The noise that had been slightly louder than normal quietened as he settled his brown-leather shoulder bag onto his thankfully document free desk, allowing a tired smile to tug at his lips as he looked over his students 'Well, looks like all my monster got themselves here this morning. Good' he nodded, the students, turning in their seats so their sat straight ahead, giving their teacher their full attention 'We've got a new student joining us today. Now for whatever reason he missed the first year but the school has been reassured that he was up to being put into his own year group; you will not push to find out those reasons'

Hinata saw the curious expressions 'I mean it; no bothering the new guy, if I see - or hear of any harassment then I'll start handing out lines' his eyes narrowed slightly 'Than it's detentions' the man cleared his throat slightly, cutting through the small murmurs and his own discomfort as he continued 'I will also be writing letters home if any of you give him a hard time for his disability'

That got their attention, Hinata thought and gestured for Kimiko who had raised her hand in the front row to speak 'What's...his disability, sir?'

Hinata swallowed 'I'm...afraid that he can't talk, though he seems to know sign language if anyone else in here can speak it as well than I would suggest using it. Now -' he was just about to call the brunet in when Jin, a boy with only half a brain raised his hand 'Yes?' he signed.

'Why can't he talk?' obviously wanting to know the gory details that Jin thought was included in someone else's personal story.

'That's rube and not something you simply ask. If you bother the kid for it than I'll skip the parent's letter and report you, understand?' Jin shrugged, obviously not taking him seriously - few students did until they got on Hinata's bad side.

'Right' Hinata grunted 'Rikuo-kun? Come in please' there was slight hesitation as the door opened, but opened it did and the teacher watched with a strangely pleased smirk as some of the girls blushed and most of the boys swallowed. Maybe this would be interesting.

Hinata stood him in front of the class, absently writing the boy's name on the board behind them 'Now this is Nura, Rikuo-kun who just moved back into the area. Questions?' Hinata asked, introducing the boy for him.

The students were weary, perhaps taking his warnings to heart? That thought came crashing down however when someone's chair went screeching across the floor before it was toppled over 'Rikuo?.!' one of his student's exclaimed, shock obvious on his face as both his hands were planted firmly on the top of his desk, back dent as he leaned over it.

Rikuo had flinched from the loud noise but nodded unsurely to his name, eyeing the other male unsurely as the rest of the class watched on, wondering what had Kiyojuji shouting about this time when the investigator pointed to himself, expression growing disappointed and pensive 'It's me? Don't you remember?' he had always kept in mind the small but muscle built brunet who had protected their little group from the bullies, even when some of the aggressors had been heads taller.

Then Rikuo had just suddenly up and vanished one day; police had been sent around to the school - that's when he and their group knew that their friend wasn't just sick. Missing, that's what Rikuo had been called in the newspaper and he had thought...

But than a-still-too-small-for-his age group brunet had walked through with the same caramel tressed hair, the same almost-golden honey eyes and the same deceiving body... . It could have been no one else and that had sent Kiyojuji into shock because he had spent years thinking that Rikuo was - had been dead.

But those now jaded eyes, hidden beneath glasses that Rikuo had never worn before, were looking at him and - and there was nothing. Barely any warmth for a childhood friend and no realisation, no recognition.

And than Rikuo was in front of him - and it was worse because he was at lest a head, if not a couple of heads taller than his friend and his smell wasn't the same as before; it was gentler, less noticeable. Kiyojuji suddenly wished more than anything that he could break eye contact but couldn't even as he tried, his finger still pointing to himself as something flashed through honey orbs, his frown becoming more apparent before Rikuo's eyes widened noticeably and his mouth opened in shock.

And just like that, Rikuo's finger was pointing at him as well, surprise an understatement as Rikuo stared and stared hard. Kiyojuji, Kiyotsugu the brunet thought as his mind was assaulted with the same messy hair, the same dark slanted eyes ... they had been...friends... good friends...investigators of... no, he didn't know... but they spent time together... they had played together... hadn't always believed him, but always stood beside him...

Kiyojuji couldn't help the excitement as he asked 'Remember?' unknowing of the spectacle they were making as the brunet snapped out of whatever trance he had been in and nodded enthusiastically though not once did his lips open. And of course Kiyojuji notice 'Rikuo... can't - can't you...'

The smile of...amazement that had been growing across Rikuo's face that made his lips stretch and eyes glitter start to fade slightly and grow sad as his fingers grazed his throat, orbs not focused for a moment before he shook his head "No. I can't" it seemed to say as Kiyojuji grew slightly paler.

Kiyojuji went to speak - open his mouth but just as he was about to, Rikuo was whisked away back to the front of the class by Hinata who coughed slightly 'Right, questions. Then we're moving on' the teacher said, eyes flickering to Kiyojuji for but a second 'And Kiyotsugu-kun? Sit down' as he tried to prevent anymore drama from occurring. Hands raised and he picked the most sensible person first.

The brunette stood and Hinata felt a headache coming on; now what was she up to? 'Um...' she sounded, obviously unsure now she had everyone's attention 'I - I'm Ienaga, Kana' she said, lips thin 'I... do you - do you remember me? We used to play together, me, Kiyojuji-kun and Shima-kun, Maki-chan and Torii-chan... so...do you remember me...as well?' she asked, the people mentioned shifting in their seats, dying to get up and pounce on their friend.

Rikuo's brows drew together again, eyes confused again as they once again flickered from Kana to Kiyojuji - trying to make a connect but when seconds tick by in silence and the confusion only grew Hinata-sensei was about to intervene and move on when Kana laughed a dead laugh and shook her head, 'It's fine Rik - Nura-kun if you can't; don't force it... I - we could talk later...'

Rikuo looked at her in concern and Kana tried to smile brighter as Hinata waved for someone else to ask a question, leaving her with an unsettled stomach 'How old are you?'

Rikuo answered by holding up the right number of fingers "12" before something else was asked 'What's your favourite colour?' Rikuo had pointed to Hinata's tie for a representation 'Do you like to read?' a smile and a nod 'When's your birthday?' Rikuo once again used his fingers, giving "9" first and flashed "23"; that seemed to stump most of the class, teacher included as they looked around each other unsure of how to intemperate that until a snort drew their focus.

'Idiots' the pre-teen muttered from his place at the back of the class from where he had his feet up on the surface of his desk and his hands hanging back from the back of his head, long ebony hair trapped between his fingers 'Well it's obvious isn't it? The little guy's saying that it's September the twenty-third, nine being the ninth month - September and the twenty-third being the date since, to my knowledge, there's only twelve months.' silence greeted that and some blushed thinking of how obvious it was.

Rikuo felt himself take a step forward on instinct and blinked when he realised what he had done, looking intently at the smirking teen in the corner of the room, tilting his head when he saw that the desks that had been aligned in straight lines until that point had been moved as far away as possible, the seats aside him was empty and the seat in front of him pushed so close to the one in front of that one that the student sat there wouldn't be able to get out without some serious breathing in.

But there was something about the boy... the hair, attitude, that cocky but dangerous expression, his flippant air... the eyes - something about those maroon eyes...

Rikuo shook himself when he realised that the person he had been staring at had started to talk, lips moving '- And aren't you too short to be in our year?' though it was annoying, Rikuo had to agree, he was probably one of the shortest if not the shortest person in this class but as soon as that had been said the nameless pre-teen was give numerous glares, whispers starting before the volume grew and soon insults were flying towards the boy who hadn't taken his eyes off of Rikuo and didn't seen all that bothered by what his classmates were saying about him - to him.

Rikuo frowned and looked towards Hinata who had sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose; this was probably not something new than... but before the teacher could take control of the class Rikuo had made his way down to the Outsider, taking in easily his slouched position and his...varied uniform before pointing to the his name on the board and bringing his finger to turn to himself.

The "delinquent" had been turning off and centering his focus on the small brunet who had stopped, staring back. The boy however tiny he seemed, didn't look scared - could even meet his gaze unwaveringly.

Nura appeared to be observing, even glancing back to Hinata-sensei before he surprised everyone in the class into quietening down as he walked over, just for Nura to give a small gesture to the front of the class to himself.

'Oh!' the taller boy whistled 'Your introducing yourself, huh?' the brunet nodded, a grateful smile on his lips, probably relieved to be understood 'Guess...you're used to this' Nura paused before shrugging and he wondered for a moment what it was like to go day-by-day without making a sound. Nura changed the subject for him by pointing a finger into his chest.

Rikuo broke into the other's thoughtful expression by asking a question of his own and he didn't have to wait long for an answer either; 'Ryuu.' Ryuu replied 'Otome, Ryuu' he added, cautious as to the brunet's reaction into hearing his surname and though the brunet appeared to pale, the smaller teen still stuck out his hand.

Ryuu smirked slightly, taking the others appendage into his own and jolted slightly when a shock travelled up his arm, straightening instantly as his slanted eyes widened, barely aware that Rikuo was having a similar reaction. Ryuu wetted his lips as his skin settled, though his palm was still tingling, something growing heavy in his chest while his stomach started to churn and ignored the ringing in his ears as he tried to concentrate.

'Welcome to prison, Nura' he tried to smirked, tilting his head and allowing his bangs to flow into his right eye though used to the feeling of it there.

Rikuo blinked as if just realising something before he brightened, fingers tightening moderately as he didn't quite contain the snort 'Right, prison; I'll have to remember that one. Otōsan'll like that' he angled his head, not seeing how in that split second how alike he looked to the boy across from him 'Ryuu, huh?...I guess it's nice to meet you than'

The electric was back tingling on his skin and shooting up his arm again only more apparent now as it sent words - a voice with it, buzzing in his ears like a whisper on the wind, there but not quite heard - not quite there. Ryuu grit his teeth as a sudden wave of dizziness hit him, forcing him to drop his feet on to the floor and to slouch as he tried to keep his lunch. He brought his free arm to rest on the surface of his desk that his legs had just left, not knowing that he brought the transfer tripping into the edge of that very desk, the hand that he was still holding, he gripped onto tighter; trying to anchor himself as words slipped across the electric again only this time it was panicked and... worried?

Why would it be worried? But before he could think about it, before he could even think about what it was, his vision faded as did his thoughts.

A/N (26.05.13) -

Now I've been really meaning to do this for awhile now but...just haven't I suppose. Now for most of my patient, beautiful readers who have been with me since I first posted it what seems like a decade ago (possibly a year) than you'll be wondering why I'm editing (now that's getting to be a dreaded word if there ever was one) - AKA rewriting and not updating.

I'm not updating because I can't - not because I don't want to, not because I'm bored (though I am) and not because I find this enjoyable (having to admit to mistakes is ego stomping) but because I am not capable with what I have to work with anymore; my writing styles changed since I started; it's different now and I'm no longer happy with it anymore which makes it harder to write for, I have also lost my enthusiasm for it but since I don't leave stories unfinished I can't with this one so I'm trying to add...context and more emotion since before it was very...dabble-ly.

However adding context and emotion when I, myself don't have much to spare at the moment (understatement I assure you) and have complete and utter writers block which is why in the first place I'm working on edits instead of updates, which is why I'm not sure I've succeed at all, I hope I did because I just want to get on with it now.

Upside; there aren't many chapters to edit.

On a reminder: This is NOT yaoi. Not. Not. Not Yaoi. I'm not trying to be rube but unless I state it bluntly (slightly too much for my tastes) it doesn't get read and I get reviews saying things that I've denied which can be...frustrating. But this is not a yaoi, there will be no lemon or anything and won't really be focused on romance, there might be a gay pairing but NOT the one you'll immediately think of; I'm not into selfcest/ incest. That's just... - no.

I Apologise if there are any mistakes in my spelling/ grammar, or if you find anything I have written offensive.

Thank you to everyone who added 'Ears of the Heart' to their favorites/ alerts or who took the time to review, you also have my gratitude for reading this chapter.

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