The Sound of a Beating Heart
Chapter one: Kodou

Disclaimer: I do not own Loveless, any other characters are purely fictional.
A/N: This is an original AU fic. How have you all been? I'm so excited to start this new story! By the way, if you liked the last story find me on facebook or myspace. I'd love to talk to the people to read my story! Go to my profile for more info. Also, there's an important A/N after the chapter.

"Ritsuka! Ritsuka!" Yuiko's shout echoed down the upstairs hallway. "Ritsuka!!"

The dark haired cat boy let out a hysterically hushed giggle. "S-soubi, please stop that!" more giggles. "Yuiko will come up here soon. Ah! Quit that!"

Soubi's golden eyes flashed up to Ritsuka's mischievously. "So? It's just innocent fun." He grinned and nibbled lightly at the skin of Ritsuka's throat.

Yuiko's clumsy steps bounded up the stairway quicker than usual, and she fought to keep her giggles to a minimum.

"Soubi!" Ritsuka choked out. Once light and airy giggles had now given way to silent heaves, and the geisha's face likened to a tomato. It had been almost half a year since Daisuke's attack and Ritsuka's confession. In those few months Soubi had discovered many of Ritsuka's tickle spots. That delicate pale neck just happened to be the most sensitive. Ritsuka managed to break through the heaves and gasp for a breath. "Please... Soubi... quit!"

A ghost of a pout graced the older man's face, but only for a moment. "If I must."

Just as Soubi drew away Yuiko excitedly threw open the door. "Oops!" she jumped. "I forgot to knock!" It wasn't until she took a closer look that she observed the crumpled and rosy faced geisha lying on his side in the floor, arms over his stomach recovering from the vicious tickle attack. "Ritsuka you look like a wrinkled peach! Soubi what did you do to him?"

The blonde smiled sheepishly, never once looking his young maid in the eye. "Not a single thing. Why is it that you've come?"

Yuiko blushed. "There's a festival tonight further down the river, it's supposed to be the last one of the summer! All of us are going and we wanted to know if you'd come too?"

Ritsuka's ears perked up and his tail wiggled wildly. "You want to go, right?" He pleaded to the older man with large eyes. A deep chuckle rumbled out of his throat, "of course." Ritsuka purred as Soubi petted his head between the ears.

Kio snuck up like a fox, wrapping a protective arm around his kitten's waist. "You're going to wear one of the okiya's kimono right? All the better for advertising."

Soubi frowned at the nonchalance with which the mop top suggested it. "You don't expect him to enjoy a festival all caked in make-up do you?"

"No, no! I only suggested the hakama! Besides it's too hot outside even if I did suggest make-up, it would drip straight off of his face!"

For a brief moment Ritsuka's brows knotted in confusion. Soubi had been acting a bit strange lately. Besides having transformed in to a man of great warmth and love there would be some moments when he took the form of a great protective bear. Soubi had set up his own 'this-might-cause-harm-to-Ritsuka' zone. If any poor bastard made the mistake of crossing a single toe in to this zone Soubi would jump on the defensive. At times it made Ritsuka feel special, that someone actually cared for his well-being and wanted to protect him. But Soubi could be dead scary when provoked. Often times Ritsuka prayed this never happened to himself, but of course it never had.

Kio shook off Soubi's intensity. "Oi! We'll be downstairs when it's time to go okay?"

Ritsuka rose to his feet, walking towards the door. "In the mean time why don't you guys prepare a snack for us so we all don't fill up on festival treats. Youji's going to have a watermelon belly!" He shooed the couple away with his hands.

Kio left the doorway to prepare the kitchen and Yuiko held on to the door frame. "The usual right? Onigiri?"

"Haaaai." Yuiko scampered off just in time to avoid Ritsuka sliding the door shut on her fingers. He wasn't angry, he was just ready to get back to his uninterrupted love-love time with Soubi.

"Are you in a hurry about something?" Soubi asked. The man had his hair pulled back into a ponytail, as he had seen in the latest western fashions. Slowly he pulled off his glasses and lay them beside him on the tatami. A slight smile sat upon his lips. "Come, sit in front of me. I'll massage your shoulders for you."

Ritsuka blushed momentarily but he didn't dare let his beloved see it. He sat delicately and properly, before Soubi and facing away from him, as a well trained geisha should. "I'm not worried about manners, I know your legs are begging to come out from underneath of you." Soubi noticed. Ritsuka sighed a sigh of relief and let his legs flop out before him lazily. The cat boy was glad to know that the one person he ensnared with manners didn't necessarily care about them. Soubi's large hands wrapped themselves around Ritsuka's petite shoulders. "You're so delicate" he commented. His fingers began to push into the muscles and knead them, releasing the knots of tension buried deep inside of them. Ritsuka smiled. "I may be delicate, but I trust you not to break me." As he spoke the words his lover's massage took on a more sensual quality, taking care to feel and absorb every inch of body it was allowed to touch. Ritsuka felt the electric energy that Soubi's fingers sent through his body and shivered. Soubi smiled in triumph.

"Why do you trust me with such a precious thing?" The older man asked. Ritsuka replied with a mere "hmm..." he was succumbing to the comfort, and was seemingly unable to answer. His eyes rolled back into his head as his eyes closed, mouth parting oh so slightly. A small and stifled moan rose out of his throat, mingled with a warmth that heated the room. Sense returned to him long enough for him to manage an answer. "You're the only one I've ever trusted, Soubi, you're so important to me." Soubi paused. Giving in to the cravings of his lips Soubi leaned closer to the neck he so desired. Using his nose he nudged Ritsuka's stray hairs out of the way. Gently he rested his mouth against the delicate even flesh of that delicious neck. He took great care not to lick or bite, and even ignored his screaming desire to kiss it. He simply absorbed the strong feeling he derived from simply having their flesh in contact.

Another shiver went through Ritsuka, this time it traveled up the entire length of his body. He tilted his head slightly to the side, allowing Soubi access to more skin. The inactivity of his lovers lips was sweet and torturing. In his body the electricity begged it's host to ask, "lick it, kiss it, bite it, suck it, anything please. Devour me," but he stifled it before he could say it. Instead he managed a mere plea, "Soubi, tell me what I want to hear."

Soubi removed his lips from the young neck and let his cheek rest against it, still maintaining that skin to skin contact. "What you want to hear?" he contemplated aloud. Soubi's right hand snaked it's way up from Ritsuka's shoulder and nestled into his dark locks, massaging the delicate scalp with his nails. "Could that be I love you?"

Ritsuka's mouth curled into a smile. A rich giggle rose from his throat and he tilted his head back into Soubi's hand, directing it to itchy spots. "Yes... it makes my ears very happy when you say that.

However Soubi never indulged Ritsuka for too long, after all he might get used to it. "Do you still have the yukata I bought you a few weeks ago? The one with the orchids on it?"

Ritsuka pouted a secret pout, not letting the older man see his disappointment. "Hai."

The older one smirked. "Forget Kio's idea of using you as an advertisement. I want those silk orchids draped over you."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Delicate lips frowned. She was certain her heartbeat was even louder than the creaking boards beneath her feet. She tip toed down a long narrow hall with tall ceilings. Paintings of little baby cherubs in the styles of Michelangelo adorned the walls and ceilings molded with golden trim. She reached her destination, the final door on the hall. Big blue eyes took a peak around the door frame and about the room to ensure no one was there. She walked freely into the room, scanning it for money or anything valuable laying out. Her eyes came to an antique hair brush resting on a vanity. She moved gracefully with the natural skill of a dancer to her prize, and began to comb out her difficult blonde locks. Her sapphire eyes studied herself carefully in the mirror before her while she brushed.

Why look at me, I'm just as pretty as Mr. Semei! She mocked inside of her head sarcastically. Delicate and frail like a dying flower in autumn.

Continuing to mock her prey she strutted about the room slowly and almost catlike, as Semei was known to do. Dramatically she flipped her wild curly locks over her shoulder and batted her eyelashes. While doing this she caught, out of the corner of her eye, an opened letter laying on the bed. Oh goodness! It must be from one of my many love slaves, I hope it's Mr. Ritsu. His muscular chest just sends shivers down my spine! A fake wave of shivers ran through her and she giggled in spite of herself and the man she was making fun of. She trotted to the bedside and picked up the letter. Ooh it IS from him! Her childish smile from before dropped to a flat face dripping with sarcasm. She decided she was already trespassing in the room and using Semei's things, she might as well read his mail.

My partner,

I have discovered a delicate new flower and much to my surprise it is one directly related to you. He reminds me of you very greatly. Very witty and crafty. I know as I sat with him in a tea house some odd month ago. Your relative is a talented dancer. His body is slim and delicate, a bit late to mature so he is still valuable to us. Then again, after he matures he will still be valuable.

The girl stopped reading and frowned. So, their dragging someone else in to this mess. She took a look around and smacked the letter back onto the bed rather spitefully. The place she was in was not a place she wanted to be. If she had her choice she'd run away, but that was impossible. She stood in place as her blood began to boil, while angry and regretful thoughts tumbled around in her head. It was only the sound of shattering glass that brought her out of it.

"Charlotte."

Like a soldier she whipped around and stood at fearful attention. "Yes, Mr. Semei!"

He looked down at the vase he had pushed into the floor with a dismal expression. "Why are you in my room?"

"I- I was just looking for you."

"I told you I would be out attending to business. What is wrong with you?"

"I don't know sir it must have slipped my mind, I'm sorry."

"Where are you supposed to be?"

"With Yayoi, at the Danseur." Internally Charlotte grimaced. That club was a place of filth.

"Go. Now."

Without a response she lowered her head and made for the door. Semei stepped aside to let her through. "And before you leave call someone in here to clean up this vase."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

A throaty groan. "Please Youji," he struggled, "not here not here! We can't do this here!"

The mint haired deviant grinned. He had Natsuo pinned to a tree behind a goldfish catching booth, shrouded in shadows and hidden from the eyes of the many festival goers. His tongue and lips tortured the neck of his other half. "Don't worry we won't do it here, I just love teasing you."

As much as he hated to admit, the thrill of being ones prey excited Natsuo. "Your teasing is mean!" he complained playfully.

"This isn't mean. What would be mean is if I bit you."

Natsuo giggled and indulged himself by baring more of his neck. He suddenly yelped. "Ow!"

Youji played dumb. "What's wrong my sweet?"

"You bit me!"

"I'd do no such thing to my precious Natsuo. Here let me kiss it and make it better." He gave the bite mark a peck.

Natsuo pouted and babied his minor wound. "Sometimes I'd swear your out to get me!"

"You sound like a crazy old woman!"

Feigning old age Natsuo hunched forward and curled his lip inward. "Here listen now to what I have to tell you, a dark night four moons ago I saw that geisha girl - you know the one with the bucked teeth? - as soon as the town bell rang at midnight, those teeth of hers turned into the most terrible fangs! Almost like a wolf!"

Youji had hunched over too, playing the role of the old woman's equally as crazy friend. "You don't say?! Well I'll make sure to keep my grandson away from that tramp. He's a good boy."

The two snickered then burst into laughter, earning strange looks from a few people who had wondered in to their area.

Natsuo straightened up and regained his composure. "In all seriousness, it's been calm lately."

"Calm?" Youji asked, his brow furrowing. "What do you mean calm?"

"Haven't you noticed since that lecher went after Ritsuka we haven't had much trouble?"

He nodded. "You worry too much. Anyway, I wouldn't call everything happening around the okiya 'trouble'." That classic mischievous grin spread across his face. "I've been a good boy lately."

The redhead laughed, "just like your grandson?" He scratched the back of his lover's ear. "Whose a good boy? Whose a good boy?"

Youji's ears bent downward and he frowned, however his tail wagged back and forth happily. Natsuo giggled. "C'mon, I want something to eat."

.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.-.

Ritsuka beamed a happy smile up at his beloved. The man had been telling him sweet nothings and the cat boy's face was rosy.

"What is your favorite flower, Ritsuka?" Soubi asked.

"Ah... I think it's the Chinese bell flower. They're the same color as my eyes, right?" Ritsuka's tail waggled behind him uncontrollably but he managed to keep his body mature and composed as he had been trained to. His smile curved gently and his eyes hit Soubi at just the right angle. This is Soubi's favorite 'look.' Ritsuka had learned to turn his body just so, reveal a tan stretch of neck and bat his eyes in a way that ignited his owner's flame.

"You're so..." Soubi's eyes scanned their surroundings and drew a breath, holding it in thought. Ritsuka had learned how to steal the words from his very mind and hide them. Resorting to body language the man drew Ritsuka close to him in a gentle embrace. His large hand placed itself on the back of Ritsuka's head, pushing it into his chest. "You know what I want to say."

Soubi's chest muffled the geisha's giggle. "I know. I look beautiful tonight right?" Ritsuka smiled inwardly to himself. In the past few months his relationship with Soubi had done a great deal of good for the way he felt about himself. The Ritsuka he used to be would never say that so confidently in a million years.

"Ritsuka you know ... that I love you very much."

"Of course, and I love you too."

"And you know that your safety is important to me?" The man's tone became more grave.

"I know. Is there something wrong?"

Soubi became rigid and quickly pulled the smaller one into a frightened kiss. A similar feeling to that horrible night many months ago returned to Ritsuka. He had had nightmares of the sickly thin and pale man that attacked him once before. The pit of his stomach dropped.

Someone was blindfolding him, and it wasn't Soubi.

"S-Soubi?" he asked, his voice trembling. Silence. Cold and bony hands grabbed him by the elbows and began to pull him away. Ritsuka screamed. "Soubi!"

The older man felt his insides twisting but his face kept flat. He didn't dare to make a move or call after him as he watched him being taken away.

Ritsuka's stomach hurt terribly and tears stung at his eyes. Why was this happening? Why wasn't Soubi protecting him? Had someone taken him away too? His feet stumbled backward as the now two sets of bony hands pulled him away from his life, love, and everything he knew. "What's happening? Who are you? Please, don't hurt Soubi! Where are you taking me?!" he panicked.

A deep rough voice much resembling a bears roar sounded. "I swear, this one is a loud one. Shut him up." At that command Ritsuka felt a hard hit to his head, and faded out of consciousness.

Soubi felt cold as the familiar figure next to him stood calmly, smiling. "You've made the right decision."

"I've done my part. And you?" He asked, pulling out a cigarette to calm his nerves.

"Don't worry. Your little bell flower will stay safe as long as you continue to do as I say."

Soubi's tone became sarcastic and bitter. "What's the next command, master?"

Suddenly the mans smile twisted into an angry scowl and he grabbed the side of Soubi's face, digging his long fingernails into the delicate flesh. "You like the pain don't you?" Soubi said nothing. "Don't you?" No response. "I can give the order with a snap of my fingers you know. Answer me the way I taught you to all those years ago."

"I do like the pain, Ritsu sensei. Please ... don't hurt Ritsuka."

"Like I said. Do as I say, and he will be fine."

LISTEN UP!!
I haven't finished this story yet at all, I've barely written any of it. I need feedback on it to decide whether or not to continue. If you read and don't review I'll assume you didn't like it and I can't update! I've been filling out college applications and doing essays for scholarships and working on my art portfolio to get into VCUarts, so I need to know if this is worth the time to write it. Let yourself be heard!

PREVIEWS FOR CHAPTER TWO - TUESDAY OCTOBER 7TH, 2008
"Dancers aren't for love."

The taste of blood in his mouth, the ache in his head, and the fear for his life in this strange metal room took a huge psychological toll on the boy.

"Life and everything it dictates is always changing. You know that."

"As expected, send him in."