A/N: This is another Kio experiment, but this time I'm adding more than just Kio into the mix. Leave a review if you like this and want me to post more!

Chapter 1: Kio

Finally, I can continue what I had intended to finish. Sou-chan discovered my earlier writings, and I was afraid that he was going to strangle me! Sou-chan is a strong person. I mean, I've held him before, and it takes a lot to make him feel pain. But, he didn't kill me, so I can keep going.

Sou-chan and I have been sharing an apartment since we became friends. The rent's not too bad, and our place makes for a nice makeshift studio. But, sometimes I get lonely while Sou-chan is with Aoyagi Ritsuka. Sometimes I think he likes the kid better than me, but I know that's not right because only a little kid would say something like that.

On my way to work, I often pass by a small pet shop. It's so adorable! In the front window there's always little puppies that sit by the window and beg for me to take them all home. I've gone inside a couple times, and I nearly bought every animal I saw. In the back corner, there was a small display of kittens. One was a golden color, like Sou-chan's hair, and it had the same icy blue eyes that Sou-chan has. I held it for a while, and it took a liking to me. But, I didn't buy any of them because I need to pay the rent so that Sou-chan and I can keep our apartment.

Hey, how come I'm the only one paying the rent! I deserve to treat myself once in a while. Sou-chan does that every day by slacking off until the last minute. So, I then decided that I would buy that little golden kitten that reminded me of Sou-chan. After all, I deserve it.

I just can't do anything 'irrational,' as Sou-chan says, without talking to him about what I want to do. Geez, does he sound like a mom or what?

"Sou-chan," I said. Sou-chan looked up from his newest painting from over the worn rims of his glasses.

"Yeah?" he replied, a paintbrush in his mouth. Aw, he looks even more like a kitten when he does that!

"Well," I began, nervously fingering my sleeve, "I was thinking about getting a pet. I mean, we have the space for one, and you're always here while I'm at work—"

"No." Sou-chan's reply sliced the air like a knife. The echo of his response stabbed me hard, almost to the point that I couldn't breathe. Was he ever this cold toward me?

"B-but," I stammered. "The little cats are inexpensive, and they're easy to take care of."

"I said, no, Kio," Sou-chan replied quickly, this time a little colder than before. Damn, is he trying to freeze me out? Then I realized why Sou-chan was in such a bad mood. He hadn't seen Aoyagi for several days now. I remember overhearing a heated argument between the two one evening when Sou-chan was talking on his cell phone. Aoyagi had pissed him off big time. Sou-chan hadn't spoken about Ritsuka for days, and he always seemed ticked about something.

"Fine," I muttered. "I feel sorry for any little cat you get, Sou-chan." I don't think he quite understood the meaning of my joke. He just sat there, his gaze fixed on his beat-up, worn cell phone. I think he was waiting for Ritsuka to call him. If the kid's that mad at him, Sou-chan shouldn't hold his breath waiting. He probably won't get a call for days after their spat. Poor Sou-chan…

Come to think of it, Sou-chan was calling Aoyagi by some sort of pet name, 'Ritsu-something or other.' Ritsuka might just be angry about the pet name. Geez, he's easily pissed off for a twelve-year-old kid.