I fumble through my scattered clothing, looking for the cell phone he gave me. He promised always to answer. He promised. I press speed dial one and wait for him to pick up. Barely holding back the flood of tears that threatens to overwhelm me. "This number is currently unavailable, you will be connected to the voicemail of-"I throw the phone across the room, collapsing into myself and letting the tears flow. "Y-you LIAR! S-soubi…liar…why didn't you answer? Why aren't you ever there when I need you?!"

I'm not sure how long I lied there on my bed, crying, but as soon as I got up I made my way to the bathroom. I didn't look in the mirror. I couldn't, not yet. I stepped into the shower, running the water straight hot. As the water scalded my skin I began to scrub away the filth covering me, leaving scratches over the bruises that already colored my skin. I sat in the bottom of the tub watching red tinted water spinning down the drain, rubbing carefully at my blood-stained inner thighs. I knew she hated me- I wasn't "her Ritsuka"-but I never expected this. Never. After I spent hours scouring my flesh in an effort to feel clean again, I turned off the shower. As I pulled back the curtain I looked up into the mirror. I no longer had my ears. What will the people at school say? I'm twelve, how do I explain this? "What do I do?" I whispered to myself. I got dressed, pushing through the pain like I always had after she hurt me somehow.

When I got back to my room I tore the sheets from my bed and threw them into my closet, out of sight. I curled up on the ground and waited. I couldn't leave the house like this…Earless…hurt. I wouldn't. The sky lightened and the day came, and went. I assume my mother called the school or I'd be in trouble right now. I heard a knock on my balcony window. I didn't move. Soubi opened the door, I'm sure I locked it but that's not important I suppose. He always does what he wants anyway.

"Ritsuka? I waited for you at the school. Where were you?" He asked as he closed the door behind him. I didn't answer. What was the point? I was tainted now, as soon as he saw my ears were missing he'd leave. He took as step forward into my darkened room and reached for the light switch. I wrapped my arms tighter around my body as the room flooded with light.

I heard a gasp, I didn't look up. Even when he knelt in front of me, I didn't look up. "Ritsuka…tell me what happened." He commanded softly. I refused, shaking my earless head quickly. "Ritsuka." His voice was stern. He grabbed me and yanked me forward onto his lap. I panicked. I beat at his chest, scratched at his face, tried so hard to twist away. "Ritsuka!" He whispered into my skin. "Please Ritsuka…" I felt wetness fall onto my skin. Soubi…was crying? I looked up and saw his eyes tightly shut. "Soubi…" He looked into my eyes as soon as I spoke. I looked away again. "You…liar…" My throat hurt from all the crying I'd done last night. And from when he…when he…My breath caught in my throat at the memory of him. The memory of his taste and the way he felt in my mouth. I bit my lip hard enough to taste blood. "I called you…for help." I rasped quietly. "You lied…you didn't answer. You liar. He…he…m-my ears…and I- I couldn't stop him...paid my m-"I cut myself off before I said anything more.

I felt Soubi stiffen and pull me closer. "I'm sorry Ritsuka. I'm sorry I didn't answer. I'm sorry." He pet the place where my ears used to be and asked me what he looked like. I shook my head. "Take me away, Soubi. Get me away from this p-place." I mumbled, trying not to cry. He lifted me into his arms and started to walk out of the house…instead of off the balcony like usual. My mother was in the kitchen. When she saw him, she lunged with what looked like a small steak knife in her hands. Soubi sent her flying with a word-spell. Once upon a time I would have felt guilty for her being in pain. But I didn't care anymore. Nothing mattered anymore. Finally, here in Soubi's arms I felt safe enough to sleep.

He is dark haired and beautiful-like a woman you'd see on a magazine cover. He seems nice when he sits in the kitchen and eats with us. My mother did not cook today. He brought food with him so I know this is not a test. He watches me closely. So closely that I squirm in my seat and something in his eyes reminds of Soubi. He looks at my mother and nods. She smiles and accepts an envelope from him. "You are going to listen to this man Ritsuka. He's paid good money for those ears of yours."

I run for my room. If I can just make it there and lock the door I'll have enough time to call Soubi. He'll save me. All I have to do is get there! He has hold of me before I make it out of the kitchen. "You said he was obedient Misaki. Did you lie to me? You know how I feel about lying." His voice is no longer kind. It is cold. Terribly cold. He holds me against him. One hand around my throat and the other pinning my arms to my sides. My mother sighs softly. "You disappoint me Ritsuka…my Ritsuka would do this for me." She shook her head sadly. "His room is upstairs on the left." He kisses my temple and maneuvers me over his shoulder. I fight. I kick and scream and I wonder why no one has come to help me before I remember the neighbors are used to hearing me scream. No one will come. No one will save me. He kicks the door to my room closed as we enter and he pins me quickly to my mattress. "I'm going to be honest with you. This is going to happen whether you want it or not. I don't like hurting my boys more than necessary, but how much pain is necessary depends entirely on you Ritsuka. You're a virgin, so even if I'm gentle this will hurt a little. You'll have to be punished for trying to run, and for all the damage you tried to do on the way up here. But if you're good for me and take your punishment then after that I won't hurt you anymore. How does that sound, Kitten?" He moves his free hand gently along my sides as he says this. Like rape can be anything but painful. What a joke. I turn my face away and refuse to answer. He sighs and taking my silence for acceptance tries to kiss me-with tongue like Soubi does and it feels wrong. Not at all like Soubi's kisses. I bite down on his tongue but he pulls away quickly enough that even though I draw blood there's been no real damage. He snarls at me and his eyes harden. "Fine, we'll do it your way."

I woke with a start to hushed voices. I choke down a sob and cover my mouth. I willed away the dream-memory as I curled up under the covers listening to the argument that was going on just outside the door. "How could you Soubi?! He's twelve for christs sake. I thought you were better than that."

"It's not like that."

"Then what was it like? I come to see you and I find you and an earless kid in your bed. What am I supposed to think?"

"I didn't do this Kio! I found him at his house. That bitch sold him! She fucking s-" I hear something like breaking glass and call out softly. "Soubi?"