HI everyone! XD You guys have been asking (Demanding) me to update quicker. I WILL! Keep it up or I'll get lazy XD

Just letting you know that I'm a fun type of person, I don't get offended at all; I love to read anything and everything from you guys. :D So don't think that you're being mean or anything :D I love to mess around myself and have fun. ^.^

So go ahead and demand more from me XD

Ok so I thought about making this story last a year for the plot. So this is the first Month Misaki stays. Which is January. The story will end in December :3 I'm going to include all the holidays :D What you think?

Much love! Enjoy!

Misaki widened his eyes as Usami towered over him, his arms were around his waist holding him up from his suddenly weak knees, and his mouth was set in a straight line as if in disappointment.

Misaki blushed, "I'm so sorry!" He quickly stepped away from Usami's and bowed.

Usami said nothing for a while as he studied Misaki. He had crossed his arms and cocked his head to the side in wonder.

Misaki looked up at him. He was tall with silver hair; he wore a white color shirt with a light blue vest and a purple tie. His mask looked even more menacing in the light than it did last night. The mask was cut off so that Usami's mouth was visible; it was white with long horns, and sharp red eyes.

Misaki frowned. There was a tiny purple balloon flower on the side of his face, the petals stretched out until it was sharp lines around the Mask. Misaki didn't see that since it was dark last night. It was both beautiful and scary at the same time.

It had Misaki wondering how they could see through the mask in the first place. It didn't look like there was an opening to see…so how…?

Misaki blinked when he finally noticed that Usami was holding a small stuffed bear in his arm. The bear was old, missing an eye, and a beautiful purple ribbon was tied around its neck. It looked so out of place with the man.

Misaki looked up to Usami's face to see that Usami was still staring at him.

Uncomfortable, Misaki looked down. Why was he studying him so intently? Was there something wrong with him?

Misaki could hear the smirk in his voice when he said. "You and Takahiro are nothing alike."

Misaki blinked up at him. What did he just say…?

Usami sighed tiredly. "If only Takahiro wasn't sick then I would have him here all to myself."

"Ha!?" Annoyed Misaki glared at him. What the hell did he mean by that? He was not having Takahiro!

"I bet you're not as smart as Takahiro either." Usami murmured to himself.

Misaki growled. "How would you know? And any way that's none of your damn business!"

"Bad manners too."

"Shut up!" Misaki was breathing hard. He never knew such anger before; it surprised him that he was even acting this way. It was his fault, Misaki thought then, he brought out the worst in him.

Usami ignored him and looked to Ritsu. With a gentler tone he asked, "I need to talk to you Ritsu."

Ritsu nodded. "I'll be right there Usagi-san." Ritsu turned his attention back to Misaki. "Misaki, go back to the dining room. You need to eat."

Misaki didn't hear Ritsu. He continued to glare at Usami. His hands were clenched into fists. Usami's mask failed to intimidate him at the moment.

Ritsu tapped his shoulder gaining his attention. "Misaki?"

Misaki jumped at Ritsu's voice. He turned his head toward Ritsu and the others who were watching silently from the door. "Ah, Ritsu." Nerves came back when he looked at everyone. Their masks were back to normal but the memory of those masks somehow moving was still fresh in his mind making him cringe slightly.

Ritsu noticed and turned to Usami. "I'll be there in a few minutes Usagi-san. Is that alright?"

Usami nodded. He also noticed Misaki's discomfort. "That's fine Ritsu. Just make sure to bring your breakfast with you."

Misaki's eyes widened as the streaks of red from Ritsu's mask started to brightened a little. Was this what the others were saying about Ritsu blushing?

Ritsu nodded his head and Usami turned back to his room.

"Misaki?" Ritsu called out, touching his shoulder softly.

Misaki couldn't help but flinch. He didn't mean to but he was still spooked at what just happened earlier.

Ritsu instantly held up his arms hoping that would calm Misaki down. "Misaki, we won't hurt you. Never. Would you give me time to explain?"

Ritsu's gentle voice reminded him of a friend, someone who he could put his whole trust into. Misaki was helpless not to answer him. "O-ok…"

Ritsu shoulders sagged in relief. "Come back to the dining room." Ritsu held out his hand giving Misaki the choice to take it or not. Always, Ritsu was carful of his feelings, always he was gentle.

Misaki studied his outstretched hand. Human fingers, a human palm, the skin pale yet he could see Ritsu's veins. Ritsu wasn't a monster. Those hands were small, fragile, and kind.

"Misaki don't think we would ever hurt you!" Kisa chimed in.

"Yeah, don't think that way about us." Chiaki wined.

Misaki instantly felt guilty. "I'm sorry…I just…got scared."

Ritsu nodded in understanding. "We're used to it. But just know that we don't hurt anyone especially you. We want to make sure you feel at home here."

Misaki couldn't help but smile at that. They were so nice to him and here he was being rude. Misaki slowly put his hand in Ritsu's.

Ritsu gently pulled Misaki back into the dining room and sat him down. Everyone was careful not to spook Misaki as this happened. Misaki felt like they were trying to be careful around an injured animal.

Ritsu sat next to him and explained. "Our masks are…alive."

Misaki frowned in confusion. "Alive?" How? That wasn't possible in the real world. Masks don't just suddenly come alive.

Ritsu nodded. "We can control it at will. It's as if it were our own faces."

Yukina spoke up. "We only do it when we're eating."

Misaki turned to Yukina who sat across from him. "Eating?"

Kisa came behind Misaki and grabbed his shoulders in support. "Watch Yukina."

Misaki looked at Yukina. "Don't look away ok? I know it'll look creepy but just keep watching."

Misaki nodded slowly. His nerves were already sending shivers down his spine at the thought of seeing the mask move again and the fact that Yukina was the one who was going to do it wasn't helping him calm down. All those sharp teeth could easily make him jump from the table and run out of this place.

Yukina slowly opened the mouth; the sharp teeth looked like they were gleaming in the light sending sharp shivers down his spine which in turn make him shake a bit.

Ritsu grabbed his hand in support. Misaki tighten his grip on Ritsu's hand. He was grateful that Ritsu did this. It reminded him that he wasn't alone and that Ritsu would protect him should anything bad happen.

Misaki didn't look away. He didn't let himself. He was going to stay here for who knows how long it took for Takahiro to get well and picks him up.

Misaki blinked as the teeth soon reviled smooth skin and lips.

Yukina pointed. "This is my own mouth. See?" Strait even white teeth, not a fang to be seen.

Misaki felt his cheeks light up. He saw now, this was how they ate.

"How is it that your masks could move? Why do you guys wear it? Why not take it off?"

Ritsu shook his head sadly. "This is our curse. We cannot take off the masks; we are made to look terrifying."

"But why?" What horrible person would do this to Ritsu? Or Yukina? Or anyone in this room? They were so nice to him, none of them deserved this.

Yukina closed the mouth of the mask and said sadly, "About ten years ago a witch came to our door and asked to stay here for the night. Usagi-san doesn't like visitors or people much since he's always in his room. So he didn't let her. She then reviled herself and put a curse on Usagi-san and the Castle."

Misaki didn't say anything. So it was Usami who brought it on himself. Misaki scowled. "Why do you guys have to suffer the curse? You guys weren't the ones who made the witch mad." That wasn't fair to them!

Yukina shrugged. "Doesn't really matter."

"Ha!?"

"Even if it was only Usagi-san we would still be there by his side." Chiaki said.

Misaki blinked at them. They were so loyal to Usami. Why?

Kisa turned to Ritsu. "Ritsu you should go now, we'll explain more to Misaki."

Ritsu nodded. "You're ok Misaki?"

Misaki nodded. "Thank you Ritsu."

Ritsu nodded again. "No problem. I'll be back soon." Ritsu waved to everyone and left the dining room.

A second later Chiaki stood up sharply. "He didn't eat!"

Everyone groaned. "Crap! How could we forget?" Yukina said.

Kisa laughed. "Don't worry we'll get him later."

Chiaki sat down disappointed. "But…"

Yukina waved it away. "So Misaki do you have any other questions for us?"

"Um, I was wondering how they could see thought the masks." He pointed to Kisa and Chiaki.

"The masks are also a part of us, we can see what the mask sees, feel what the mask feels." Kisa shrugged. "It's part of the curse."

"I…see." It was still so odd though. Misaki didn't know if he could get used to this over time.

The door opened to reveal a tall man. He wore blue jeans and a white color shirt. His mask was a tiger. Luckily this mask showed no teeth whatsoever, it was just a regular orange tiger with black stripes and ears.

"Tori!" Chiaki ran to him and hugged him. Hatori looked down at Chiaki and gently caressed his hair.

"Tori?" Misaki wondered.

Yukina explained. "This is Hatori, he's Yoshino's lover."

Misaki blushed. "Oh, uh. Ok." He could kind of see the affection in the way the older man gently handles Chiaki.

"Why didn't you wake me up?" Hatori asked Chiaki.

"Ah, I wanted to let you sleep in."

There was a smile in Hatori's voice as he said. "Idiot, wake me up when you do. I don't like to wake up alone."

Misaki blushes and looks away. He felt rude just staring at them. He didn't want to ruin their moment like that.

Yukina noticed Misaki's embarrassment and grins. He hugged Kisa from behind making the smaller man tense. "Kisa-san is my lover."

"Y-Yukina! Don't say that!"

Yukina's laughing eyes looked at Misaki's embarrassed ones. "Any way go ahead and eat Misaki, we'll show you around when you're done."

Misaki nodded and filled his plate.

"Who's this?"

Misaki looked up at Hatori. "Ah, hello I'm Misaki Takahashi. It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ah, you're the one who traded with Takahiro."

Misaki nodded slowly. How did he know?

Hatori didn't say another word as he sat down next to Chiaki and filled his own plate. It was Yukina, Kisa, and Misaki on the left side of the table and Hatori and Chiaki on the right side.

Misaki had to look down at his plate as they started to eat. He still wasn't comfortable at seeing those masks move. He supposed it would take time to get used to them.

It was a sweet silence as they ate. Everyone was comfortable with each other's presence and sometimes Yukina would stop and tell stories.

One was about a Demon who wanted peace from the war and an Angel who knew no emotion. One day they met and the Angel knew the Demon before him was his soul mate. But their love was forbidden since the Angels hated Demons. But that didn't stop the Angel, he wanted his true love but the Demon was wary. He had loved before and had ended badly. He swore never to love again. Yet the Angel was cunning and managed to make his Demon fall for him.

Misaki found it fascinating how true love conquered all in the end. Yukina was really good at telling stories.

Kisa looked at Misaki. "You should see Yukina's drawings. He's actually drawn the Demon and Angel."

"You're an artist Yukina?" Misaki asked.

Yukina nodded. "If you want I'll show you later."

Misaki nodded excitedly.

Chiaki leaned back in his seat and asked out loud. "I wonder what Usagi-san wanted to talk to Ritsu this time?"

"Who knows? Those two are always plotting something." Hatori shrugged.

"Ritsu's really close to Usami isn't he?" Misaki asked.

Kisa nodded. "It was Usagi-san who saved Ritsu ten years ago."

Eyes widening, Misaki leaned forward in his seat. "Ritsu? What happened?"

Hatori sighed. "He was only a teenager, he was wondering around the woods when bandits attacked him. Usagi-san and Hiroki happened to be around and saved him. Usami let Ritsu stay here for as long as he wanted."

Usami helped Ritsu? The he wasn't the cold man Misaki thought him to be?

Everyone went back to eating leaving Misaki deep in thought. So far Usami is both kind and mean. In his own experience Usami was a selfish man who took anything he wanted. But then Usami was so kind to Ritsu and even saved him when Ritsu was attacked by bandits. Misaki wasn't sure. He needed to get to know this Usami more.

Once everyone was finished with their meal Kisa and Chiaki grabbed him. "Come on, we'll give you the tour."

Misaki looked at the other men who were going their separate ways. Weren't they joining them?

Kisa waved at them. "They will join us later; they have work at the moment."

Chiaki pulled at Misaki's arm. "You'll see them later. Now lets' go!"

"You're going to love it!"

Misaki smiled. He was surprised they were so excited to have him here and he was a bit curious about the castle. Everything was big and filled with gold. He wondered what other exciting things he would find.