Chapter One: Battered Memories.

"Ritsuka, I love you" Soubi called out to the little boy.

"Soubi…" Came his casual reply.

Don't say that, I won't believe you. Never, once I do, you'll leave me. They all do. They all leave me. The blonde met his sacrificed halfway, as Ritsuka walked away from the school.

This was how it usually went: Ritsuka would wake up, get dressed, run his fingers through his black raven hair a bit, and rub the sleep out of his eyes. Then he'd escape the house before his mother could catch him, which usually spared him of a few more cuts and bruises. He'd walk to school as he'd slowly be joined by the overly-hyper Yuiko and the slightly moping Yayoi. The day would go by with lessons as Ritsuka hardly paid attention to them. He spent half the class time staring down at his cell; Debating weather or not to text the elder Soubi first, or to wait till Soubi texted him. Normally not paying attention like this came back to bite him in the butt. Most likely with pop-quizzes or homework that he had no clue how to solve. Well, that's one good thing he could get from Soubi - Free tutoring. Then at lunch, with him having no food packed; Would sit and stare at his phone some more, then picking up a higher grade level book to read. He'd whine a little when his stomach would rumble from hunger, because of lack of breakfast: And Yuiko would jump into action to share before Ritsuka could ask. Not that he would, he always denied, crushing a little bit more of her spirits. At the end of the day the boy would walk alone out to the school gates to meet up with his adult fighter.

"How was school?" The older tried sparking a conversation; which Ritsuka wasn't up for.

"Fine." He lied. School wasn't fine, it was never fine. In all honesty, the cute kitten hated school with a white, fiery, burning passion. The elder draped his arm around Ritsuka's shoulder, in an attempt to lighten the mood.

"Would you like something to eat?" Soubi asked with a smiling face. The child wrapped his arms around his lower abdomen. He hadn't eaten anything today, and it was Friday. So he could either let Soubi fix him something to eat, or, risk going home and being beaten by his mother in a crimson rage. Ritsuka took his first option. He gingerly looked up at the adult and nodded. The taller peeled his arm away, letting it fall limp at his side. He brushed his hand up against Ritsuka's trying to hold it, but the younger re-crossed his arms over his stomach area, blushing.

"First we have to get some things from the store. I'll make a nice dinner." He said, a bit metallic. He didn't mean for it to sound as if he was upset, but his feelings were dampened at Ritsuka's little gesture. Soubi could really pout like the kid at heart that he really was. Nonetheless, Soubi did love Ritsuka. Not because Seimei had told him too, he could care less about the dead man - that is if he really was dead - But he really does care! If only Ritsuka could see. No, Ritsuka was blinded. He was blinded the day his whole life crashed down around him. The day all his trust was broken. The day that he had gone to school, and everyone had found Seimei's body, charred from fire, face and body disgustingly disfigured and crumbling apart, sitting in his desk. Those sick bastards could only stare as Ritsuka fell apart, piece… by piece… his trust diminishing… the light in his eyes dimming… shock setting in… all of them… Despicable, is what they were, for lack of a better word. Even as he continues to coo to the boy that he loves him; Ritsuka shoots him down. But not ever would he stop, and not ever would he be discouraged by harsh words. He also knows how hard it is to trust. Just thinking of the whip… the pain… the chants… it sent shivers down his spine. He preferred to think of Ritsuka as a little blue and black butterfly. So beautiful; Impossible to catch, but ever so taunting. So jittery and sensitive to touch. So pure, yet tainted with staining colors of blood. Life, Death, all revolved around Him. His little Loveless.

Ritsuka's ears twitched at Soubi. "What are we going to have?" His child's voice asked. Soubi was glad he didn't frighten the boy. He smiled again.

"Pasta, with shrimp."

"Alright." Ritsuka said, dropping his hands back at his sides, wondering whether or not the old Ritsuka liked pasta or not. Ritsuka hates forgetting. That's why he takes all those photo's, for memories! He doesn't want to forget, not ever, not anymore. He always wants to stay happy… always, always…

Soubi took his chance to quickly tangle his fingers in the boys. The black haired boy's ears perked up, and a light pink dusted his pale cheeks once more. They were too pale for Soubi's money. He'd have to ask if Ritsuka was eating enough- or getting enough sleep. It was easy to see little bags underneath the youth's eyes. The older man still, however, smirked at the reaction Ritsuka gave him. He loved how his minor reacted to the innocent action. Ritsuka, as well, couldn't help but feel giddy, his heart prancing around in his chest.

They walked their way down the street to the nearest grocery store. They walked in, hand in hand, and as soon as they did, they earned some nasty looks from the people around Them. They looked at Soubi funny, like he was a pedophile. Others: deemed him as his father. The pair wasn't something wrong, right? Soubi promised he would wait, he wouldn't try anything Ritsuka didn't want. But others still didn't approve. Others thought it was vile, that an adult shouldn't be romantically interested in a child- that there were laws against it. Who, though, was enough to deny Soubi? Not Ritsuka, that's for sure. Though, it IS his place to say 'no' isn't it? If the blonde really loved him, even though Ritsuka denies it all, then he would listen. Ritsuka's not scared, not of Soubi in the least bit. So all in all, what was wrong?

The duo decided to part and search for the ingredients needed. Soubi sent him off to find something to drink, mostly because Ritsuka wouldn't really recognize what Soubi was going to get for the pasta: one of his own special recipe's. So down the cold isle, Ritsuka walked to find Pepsi. He knew his mother wouldn't appreciate the caffeine that would course through him, but it was last on his list to worry about. The kitten needed an energy spike. He's been up way too late recently, fearing the haunting nightmares that would taunt him when he drifted off. The burning flesh, smoke intruding his lungs, screams being drowned into the crackling fire. Of course, his fighter didn't know of these horrid visuals that plagued him. Soubi already wanted Ritsuka to move in with him, to escape his mothers abuse. Knowing about the nightmares would only drive him further.

Shaking thoughts away, Ritsuka kept walking forward towards the end of the isle to retrieve the Soda. He practically drug his body across the floor, for laziness that came without eating and sleeping was finally kicking in. Much to his dismay. Maybe Soubi would let him stay over tonight. Probably, he'd need to get clothes though. He wasn't going to sleep in the black turtle neck and dark denim skinny jeans- Jeggings to be specific. He sighed inwardly. He looked like a freaking chick: which meant this was the last time Yuiko would dress him up. Although, going home to get new clothes would mean dealing with his mother. He took the phone that was dangling around his neck.

The real Ritsuka would let his mother know where he is going.

He flipped the phone open, and started a new text message to his mothers cell, after going through the ignored 'I Love You' texts from Soubi.

Hey mom! :D Ritsuka's going to a friends house to stay the night.

He hit the send button, talking in a chipper third person, as he grabbed a liter, making his way towards the cashier stands. He found Soubi in line, waiting, and when there was a ding! From his phone, he flipped it open with the slightest bit of hesitation.

What about clothes, Ritsuka?

Great. Now no escaping his mother. He has to go home to get clothes, which is the last thing he wanted. Literally. Looking up, he gave a small tug on the others sleeve. Soubi's attention instantly flew from mid-paying to Ritsuka.

"Can I stay the night at your house tonight, Soubi, please?" He asked red faced; the girl behind the counter glancing awkwardly away.

"Of course!" He chimed with a smile.

"So after this, I, uh… Need to go home and get clothes." Ritsuka muttered closing his eyes, waiting for Soubi to snap that he wouldn't let Ritsuka go.

"Alright." Came a calm response. Ritsuka opened his eyes, blinking.

"…Alright?" He questioned. Soubi nodded.

"Yeah, alright. I'm sure it'll be uncomfortable to sleep in that… Cute… outfit." He smirked pointing to the boys attire, eliciting the boy into a deep blush. The two finished with the paying, and set off on the distance to Ritsuka's. On the way he texted his mother back.

Ritsuka's on the way home to get some stuff! Love you lots!

Another ding.

Alright Ritsuka!: ) See you soon. Love you -Mommy

He sighed That seemed too easy… Thought Ritsuka. Though, the distance to his house was too short for tastes. They walked up the porch steps as Ritsuka searched his bag for the house key. Pulling out the key, he inserted it, and twisted, cracking the door open just a sliver. Barely enough to see the shaded wall behind. He stopped as he saw Soubi inch forward.

"Soubi, please stay out here." He asked, well, ordered. Ritsuka hates the people who order other people around… He hates the people who takes the orders.

Ritsuka hates himself…

…And Ritsuka hates Soubi.

"No, I'm going to get your stuff. So sit out here." He only cared about Ritsuka's welfare, but Ritsuka knew Soubi would only get attacked by his mother. And Ritsuka could take care of himself! He started yelling.

"No! What will mother think! I'm sure her Ritsuka doesn't sleep over at an adults house. I'm sure her Ritsuka isn't a pretty little gay boy, so stay out! Let my get my own clothes!" Just as he kept his rant on, the front door slowly inched open, revealing a woman, being Ritsuka's mother. She stood in the doorway, a malevolent, Cheshire grin on her face.

"Welcome Home Honey."

[A/N:] Heyro. Yes, Yes, Yes. I should be working on my Kuroshitsuji Fanfic "His Butler; Loved". But Someone has writers blockP:
Lololol.
Wow…. This story turned out… darker… than thought. Well, I needed a little break from happy giddy humour. Eh? I note: I write weird things in the margins of my papers. The draft of this held many… many weird side notes 0-0
"Pg 3; One fluffy moment amongst the story of angst and depression."
"Pg 5; DX Scary nightmare! Gash~ LAWL^^ Whuut? Noe!"
"Pg 5; Russian Mafia? MELLY-JELLY!" Umm, Death Note much? Hee hee. Greeting from the sheep XD
"pg 4; The downfall: Soubi the Pedophile! XD hahhh."
See my point? Well, ill stop wasting time with this authors note!^^'

Disclaimer: I don't own the characters… I don't own loveless (so sad, see, tears.) and yaddayaddayadda.

Should I continue?
Heh Heh Heh.