Rising- Chapter 3- Surprise, Surprise

"Saburo, what's the meaning of this?" The youkai swallowed heavily and looked up. His clan head's irked expression did nothing to sooth his nerves and his ears flattened in shame. "Saburo, explain!"

"I..." the guilty neko suddenly had a dry mouth and he licked his lips in an effort to stall. "I..." No words came forth. He yowled as his back was shoved by an insisting hand. Saburo glared at the one who was the cause of all this trouble.

Richiki Kou.

"Hello!" Startled, Saburo slowly inched his head around and was met by large blue eyes. They sparkled mischievously. "How are you?"

"H-Hi," he stuttered by reflex. "I'm fine." The person leaned back with a smile.

"Good," was said. "Now, do you want to tell me why you've been stealing Andy's sake?" Saburo was extremely confused by this sudden turn of events.

"Andy?" he parroted. "Andy?" There was a nod.

"Yep, the owner of this restaurant, and he's really mad at you for taking his drinks without his permission." The blue eyes narrowed and glinted in the light from the window. "Want me to call him over?" The neko laughed the threat off, trying not to show the inner turmoil his brain was suddenly geared into.

"N-No, it's fine. I wasn't stealing anyways. I just wanted to check out the drinks here." His smile twitched at his stuttering. He made his way back towards the door casually, hands in pockets. Thankfully, the traditional robes hid his unsheathe claws and spasming hands. "I should go back upstairs. Excuse me." He gave an unbecoming squeak when a hand slammed against the doorway, blocking his escape.

"Ne, I have a few questions for you. You'll answer them for me," Rikuo's smile was blinding, but his gaze told a different story. "Right?" Saburo bobbed his head up and down, frantically thinking of a way out of this situation.

"Y-Yes, I'll do anything! Just please let me go! Don't tell Ryoto-sama I got caught!" The boy's grin sent shivers down the youkai's spin and Saburo clamped his hands down on his mouth, eyes wide. He hadn't meant to say that!

"Ryoto-sama, was it? Isn't he the head of the Bakeneko clan?" Knowing it was futile to lie, the neko hung his head low, tail drooping around his feet.

"Yes. We run a restaurant in the First District. I was stealing sake because we ran out." Rikuo's eyes narrowed at the statement and crossed his arms. The youkai shrunk under the others frown and glare. His eyes darted to the door, wondering if he could escape, but his hopes were crushed when the boy leaned against the door, blocking the way again.

"The youkai I knew of this area never would stoop to this level, going so low as to steal almost daily from a human's restaurant just to supply their own." Saburo glanced to the side, ashamed to have eye contact with the disapproving figure in front of him. However, he had to say something.

"Usually we wouldn't have to steal so much, since we have connections with the Youkai Merchant Confederation, but it's hard to import such delicate drinks from another province and it takes time." He raised his head and looked the other straight in the eye, gritting his teeth. "We're losing our supplies faster than we can replenish them. If it weren't for those Kyuso rats," he hissed. "Everything would be much better."

"Kyuso?" Rikuo asked, his brow drawing together. "Wasn't that clan expelled from the Nura's main house a few years ago?" The neko shook his head, eyes glittering in frustration.

"No," he bit out bitterly. "They were going to, but something happened during the process and the expulsion was never finished."

The boy's eyes were cold. "I see." There was a long pause before Saburo ventured another statement.

"So... what are you going to do now?" Rikuo gave him a bright smile and with lightning fast precision, got a hold of the others arm.

"I'm going to visit the First District, of course." The youkai paled at the ramifications and tried to reclaim his arm.

"I have an idea. Why don't we go upstairs and have a drink? The bill's on me," he said in an effort to distract the boy. "You can order anything you want." His heart skipped a beat when Rikuo seemed to consider the offer.

"That is tempting, and I do have a craving for a Neko Neko's Delight right now, but I have more important things to do right now," the brunet nodded his head. "Don't you agree?"

So that was how Saburo Neko found himself humiliatingly dragged all the way across town from the Fourth District to the First District. By the time they reached Bakenekoya, he wanted to crawl into a dark hole and never come out.

"Good evening, how can I... Saburo-san?" The greeter blinked in surprise at the defeated looking youkai. "What are you doing here?"

"What does it look like?" Saburo snapped with crossed arms. "I was..." His mouth was covered with a firm hand. He was tempted to bit a few fingers off, but Rikuo tightened his grip in warning.

"It's nothing," the boy smoothly said. "Could you get Ryoto-sama here? I have some business with him." The waitress was clearly confused at the sudden turn of events, but nodded and left. "It is Ryoto-sama, right?" Rikuo asked to the irate neko next to him and Saburo resisted the urge to snarl loudly.

"Of course it is," he bit out. "Or are you that hare-brained?" The brunet smiled and nodded forward, ignoring the blatant jab.

"Good evening, Ryoto-sama. I have one of your employees here, I believe?" The head of the Bakeneko clan narrowed his eyes at a cowering Saburo and crossed his arms.

"Saburo, what's the meaning of this?"

Eventually, they had moved to a more private place and after Rikuo had explained the situation, Ryoto was apologizing profusely to the human for all the trouble they had caused his friend. Saburo was completely forgotten in the conversation and the youkai felt miserable for all sorts of reasons.

First, was the fact that he was completely embarrassed in front of all of his fellow clan members with the sudden and abrupt return to Bakenekoya, dragged by a human no less!

Secondly, was the situation that he had caused Ryoto-sama to be in, putting the clan head in an uncomfortable wedge between honor and pride.

Thirdly, was the realization that his reputation for being the stealthiest youkai in the entire district was completely void now, due to his recent capture. He nursed his dented pride at the loss of prestige.

Saburo picked up his head when his name was called.

"Yeah?" Ryoto gave him a saccharine smile and set a hand on his shoulder. The neko leaned forward to whisper in the others ear.

"You're lucky to have a friend like him." Ryoto's eyes flashed to the boy behind them, too far away to hear what they were saying. "Don't hold a grudge against him." Saburo jerked back, surprise on his features.

"He's not my friend!" he recoiled, clenching his fist and glaring daggers at Rikuo. "As a matter of fact, I hate him! I hate him with everything that I have!" At this harsh statement, the other youkai only smiled sadly, patted him on the shoulder, and left the two alone. Saburo gaped at the neko's retreating back. How had things turned this way?

"Ne, do you really hate me?" The shocked youkai yowled in surprised and hopped away from the boy. He pointed a claw at the other, sputtering.

"You-you... How did you get so close to me!"

"What?" Rikuo asked teasingly, a mischievous gleam in his eyes. "Do you mean... like this?" And he suddenly disappeared and reappeared by Saburo's side and the neko jumped away again, defensive. The boy smiled at the reaction. "Does it make you that nervous?"

"Yes! Would you like to have an enemy pop up behind you all of a sudden?" the youkai hissed aggressively. "It's disturbing." The brunet decided to antagonize the other a bit more and lightly pouted, using his younger age to his advantage. It had been a while since he felt this amused.

"But Sa-bu-ro-kun..." he ducked under a clawed hand and spun on his heel. "I thought we had something going on here! I'm hurt!"

"Good," Saburo snarled, getting ready for another attack. "And for the count, we don't have, and never will have, anything between us!" He sprung forward, nails outstretched. "Just go away!" Rikuo beamed and nodded.

"Okay!"

The neko stumbled when his target disappeared and looked around wildly, trying to get to the bottom of the boy's disappearing act. "Where are you? Stop hiding and come out, coward!" Silence greeted his shouts and he growled. "Are you that afraid of me? You must be as weak as a newly born kitten then!" The room was quiet still and Saburo was getting the feeling he was talking to the walls. "Stupid human couldn't even tell me he was going," he muttered, quieter. He kicked a random pebble on the ground, grumbling. He was feeling like a fool, acting like a child in front of his superior.

Also, he was beginning to feel guilty for what he said to the other. Maybe he would apologize next time he saw the boy. "I guess he really did leave..." he said, scratching his head. His eyes widened and a vein appeared on his forehead, all remorse disappearing in an instant.

"That idiot took my headband!"

Rikuo merrily made his way back to O-Sake, hands in pockets and in high spirits. He wanted to whistled a happy tune, but alas, his whistling skills were lacking. He laughed when crossed the bar's threshold.

"Kou, dammit! Where were you? Everyone was getting worried! A search party almost went out to find you!" The boy laughed and patted Andy's arms in an effort to get out of the headlock.

"Sorry, sorry, but I'm perfectly fine, see?" He gave the blond man a quizzical look, quirking an eyebrow. "Who would go on a search party for me anyway? Nobody knows me here. Ow!" He flinched when Andy pounded a strong fist into his head. He rubbed the throbbing area and frowned. "What was that for?"

"You truly are an idiot if you think that. Lots of people know you from the bar." Andy pointed to the group of people behind him and some of them waved in response. "They volunteered to go out and look for you!"

"But Andy," Rikuo pulled the man to the side and glanced back. He lowered his voice to a whisper. "How did you know I was gone? I was only out for an hour or so." At this, Andy had the decency to look guilty and chuckled semi-nervously.

"All the customers really like your performance from last night. So..." he hesitated and the boy gave him a flat look to continue. "I sort of signed you up for another night to play. Then we couldn't find you. Forgive me?" The brunet gave the man an all-suffering sigh. He rubbed his face and adjusted his glasses.

"Really? Are you serious?" A blue orb carefully probed Andy's face for any hint of a lie. There was none. He crossed his arms, closed his eyes, and began nodding to himself, something Andy noticed when the boy was contemplating.

"Fine. I'll do it." Andy's face lit up and he ushered Rikuo over to the back of the restaurant where the stage and everything was. The blond waved to the other people with a smile.

"Everyone get back your seats before his gets on stage! It'll be just a minute!" There were multiple cheers and Rikuo allowed himself a small grin out of Andy's notice. As long as there was at least a person willing to listen, he would play. What was the frowning and reluctance for? All the more to tease Andy with.

"Alright," he said, striding on the wooden platform, shamisen on tow. "I hear there have been some people who wanted to hear me play again?" There were a round of clapping and voices. When they died down, he opened his mouth again to say one word. "Enjoy." And the first notes began to float in the air.

Saburo silently slipped into the restaurant, beanie hat covering his ears, and was unnerved by the unnatural quiet air of the bar. There were some conversations, but not enough to match the regular bustle of a bar. His ears twitched at the soft sound of gently plucked strings. But the feeling in the atmosphere, the presence of something other than air... His tail stiffened when the aura surged and he realized what it was.

Youki.

Warily, he swiped through the bar for the source of the demonic energy, wondering why a youkai would be in a human bar, of all places. As he searched through them, all the customers seemed normal enough. Another wave washed over him and he shivered, eyes drawn to the stage all the way in the back. The energy came from there. He was sure of it.

Making his way around the tables and people, he tried to discern what kind of demon the performer was. Thankfully, the youki was too gentle to belong to an aggressive demon. It was more like water from a creek, flowing around the room harmlessly; enough to be prominent, but not enough to be a major threat. Saburo could feel his body relaxing the more he listened to the youkai's playing. Surprisingly, it was calming his frazzling nerves and tense muscles. He began wondering if he could get along with this mysterious youkai. Perhaps they could get to know each other? The shamisen player didn't seem that bad.

When he got close enough to get a good look at the performer's face, he gaped, taking the previous words.

It was none other than Rikichi Kou. He wanted to scream.

"What are you doing here?"

I just noticed that there were a lot of line breaks and short segments here. Is the chapter choppy? It didn't seem like it when I going back through it, but things get a little warped when reading your own stuff. Saburo's been getting a lot of words, hasn't he? He's the only other neko other than Ryoto that's mentioned in the anime/manga...

Firehedgehog- I know you! I'm glad you're enjoying this fic. I hope it'll be as good, if not better, than OPAL or OMAM. Thanks for reading and reviewing! XD

In too deep- I was happy when I read your review. Thanks for reading~! ^_^

Darkkami- Here's another update. Took a little longer, but here it is! Ta da~! :) Thank you for reading.

C.- I am loving your name. Kuroshitsuji is an awesome anime/manga, ne? Ciel is just too cute... Thank you for reading. XD

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Shini