The Color of Chinese Bellflowers
Chapter seven: All Alone in Tokyo

Disclaimer: I do not own Loveless. The song "Geisha dreams" belongs to the band Rollergirl. I've used their lyics as the title for this chapter.
A/N: This is an original AU fic. I've tried my best to keep everyone in character. This chapter was rather hard to write ...


A week later, Ritsuka hadn't dared to tell anyone about his little midnight excursion with Yuiko. And lately, he had had a hard time looking Soubi in the face. Every time he did, the sounds of his love making with some other woman clogged his ears and the only vision he could conjure in his head was that of Soubi's pale back. Even worse, when he remembered those events they reproduced the memories of Yuiko in his head. The feel of her lips, the soft feminine tenderness of her- well let's not go there.

With a grimace, he lazily chewed on his breakfast. Strangely enough, a feeling of guilt had been welling up inside of his stomach that seemed to keep his appetite from surfacing like usual. It confused him. He'd done nothing wrong, right? He wasn't cheating on anyone. What he felt worst about was toying with Yuiko like that, she was only there to make him feel better about himself. Nothing he had done, not one body movement or whispered moan had his heart behind it. However what was behind it, was a loaded gun of jealousy. Now he sat across the breakfast table from his mystery with the piercing eyes, and next to Kio. The tumultuous whirlwind of emotions openly displayed in Ritsuka's pupils didn't go on unnoticed by Soubi.

"Ritsuka, is something bothering you?"

His answer was short and rough, "no."

"I don't believe you. For almost a week now you've been keeping something pent up in that head of yours. I want to understand it." Piercing eyes flickered to Kio, "do you have any ideas?"

Kio placed a finger to his bottom lip in thought, "ano... one week ago? That's right! He did the most hilarious thing."

Ritsuka's eyes slitted harder than usual, throwing a nasty glare to the messy haired adult.

"What was that?"

"Real late at night, he just up and left the okiya! Trying to act like an adult he looked me straight - straight in the eye mind you and said 'I'm going to find a woman.'" When he quoted Ritsuka his voice became deep and manly. Remembering the event, Kio began chuckling again.

Soubi's face was completely dumbfounded, his smoldering cigarette almost slid out of his mouth but thankfully he caught it at the last second. Hoping that he didn't have to ask for an explanation he looked at Ritsuka with eyes the cat boy had never seen him use before.

"Well, I ahh," A deep scarlet colored his overall face. He wasn't about to tell the man who bought him and cared for him that he'd snuck out late at night to find a girl. "I was only joking! I really went to a meeting place down the street to catch up with Natsuo and Youji." He was surprised at how easily the lie tumbled from his lips. As soon as it did though he felt a pang of guilt.

Soubi's eyebrows raised in interest, "you're acquainted with those two?"

Ritsuka nodded eagerly, "actually I wanted to ask you something about them! See, recently their owner uhm," pausing a moment he thought up another lie. If Soubi heard about their relationship he might not want them either, "has been having financial troubles so she disowned them. I met the two at their last performance in a teahouse one week ago."

Pushing his glasses further up the bridge of his nose he looked troubled, "anyone in their right mind would never disown those boys. They are two of the most popular entertainers in all of Gion. But, what did you want to ask me about them?"

"Can you buy them please?!" pushing himself to his knees and out of his seat, he leaned forward over the table. His hands clasped together in a begging position and his tail wagged thirstily.

Soubi smiled, pushing forth one of his large hands to pat Ritsuka adoringly on the head. "I will meet with them first. I may not have to buy them, if they have already been disowned."

Large, thankful eyes raised to meet the piercing ones. "Arigatou!" running around the table from his seat to Soubi's, Ritsuka glomped the older man with full force. Somehow he'd forgotten the guilt, if only for that moment. All he could think about was the mixture of musk and cigarette smoke that was Soubi's scent, and the warmth that emanated from his body. They both assaulted the cat boy's senses. "Arigatou." He said again, this time in a quiet breathy voice.

"Aww how cute. Now out of my way I need to get to these dishes before Soubi makes me double wash them. Again." Kio interrupted the moment by reaching in front of them grabbing the dishes and clacking them together a little too loudly. When Kio had gathered them all and left the room, sliding the door closed noisily behind him the two looked at each other's faces. Soubi's hands slid underneath of Ristuka's arms, lifting him to sit on the low table. His feet planted comfortably on the floor, toes nervously fidgeting together Ritsuka's eyes stayed downcast. Soubi placed his hand beneath the younger one's chin, lifting it and wordlessly demeaning he look him in the eye. Just like those first nights they met three months ago, when Ritsuka was not accustomed to Soubi's soul prying questions.

"I apologize for anything you may have seen or heard that night. It was wrong of me to do that."

Large, glossy eyes stared back at him. "Wha, how did you know?"

"Just a hunch. But if you really want me to get Natsuo and Youji, I have to get going and find them then. If it's been a week, they could be anywhere. I know the owner of their okiya. She's in no financial trouble at all. Whatever they did to cross Nagisa, it must have been big. She doesn't turn so easily on people but once she does it isn't very pretty."

A look of shame spread across Ritsuka's face, Soubi had caught one of his lies. Maybe, he thought. But the older man still was completely unknowing of the biggest part of his first lie, they way he'd gone out shamelessly and find Yuiko in the darkness of night. He didn't know Soubi as well as he should, but also he didn't think that Soubi would go out and take in two former geisha without a second thought using the reasoning 'because Ritsuka wanted me to.' Maybe it was to make it up for the other woman? And then again, why would Soubi feel the need to make up for something like that? He didn't know, the thoughts over flooded his mind and he placed his head in the support of his hands.

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

Youthful and round grey orbs traced every wall and floor. "Uwahh! What a huge place! I didn't know a man like you could own an okiya like this, Soubi." Youji's loud voice rang through the halls.

"And just what do you mean a man like me?"

"Hey!" Natsuo jabbed Youji in the side with one of his elbows. "Don't act like that to the person who just took us in off of the street. Save that attitude up for Ritsuka!" Natsuo gave his counterpart a devilish smile and a wink.

"Ugh. Why am I so different?" Ritsuka formed a fake pout. "I'm the one who begged Soubi to take you guys in. He might even have to put up with Nagisa's badgering if she suddenly wants you two back."

Both of their faces fell, to a mix of solemnity and lack of emotion they were taught to have. "She won't want us back."

"What makes you think that?" Ritsuka asked innocently, his feline ears bending slightly.

"Nagisa is too convinced that we're both starving to steal each others ears." Youji explained, while rolling his eyes. Soubi chuckled, and Kio who was sitting on the nearby stairs made a face of mild disgust. "You guys are both kids, what did she find you two doing to make her think that anyway?!"

Natsuo scowled at him. "That's none of your business."

Youji however was more occupied by Kio's earlier comment, "we aren't kids! Were the same age as Ritsuka!"

"Yeah, and Ritsuka's a kid too." Popping a piece of candy in to his mouth his head gestured over to Ritsuka, who smiled sheepishly.

"Anyway, instead of standing in the hallway I'll show you both you're new room." Soubi announced, he paused to get any luggage they may have brought but started up the stairs when he realized he'd found them sleeping beside a building beneath some newspapers. So obviously, they didn't have anything with them. Kio and Ritsuka watched them disappear onto the second floor. Without any explanation Kio ruffled Ritsuka's hair with a smile, then began walking to his room down the hall. The cat boy watched, and before Kio stepped into his room he looked back. "You're a good kid, Ritsuka. I'm glad you came into Soubi's life." And then he was gone. Those kind words startled Ritsuka. What did he mean, about coming into Soubi's life? An uncomfortable feeling spread over him. Kio knew something that he didn't. A something that now bugged his mind, he wanted - no he needed to know. His speculations were interrupted when he heard a rap on the front door. Sliding it open, he was surprised by the young but still taller than him face in the doorway.

"Ritsuka!" Yuiko called out. Immediately she wrapped her arms around him, pushing a cold kiss onto his lips. Although he didn't kiss back this time, his eyes remained open in shock. "Y-Yuiko!" he managed to speak into the kiss. She pulled away, bringing her hands to rest on his shoulders. "I'm sorry about running away the other night, but I promise anything you want to do with me you can do now I'm ready!" Her face was flushed red.

"No, I'm sorry Yuiko."

Yuiko's expression fell, leaving a confused face. "Why?"

"The other night, I don't know what I was thinking. It was all on impulse." Again he found himself staring at the floor.

"Oh. Well, uhm. It's ok! Really. It's almost a relief. I was so confused after you did that, I didn't know what to do with myself! But if you didn't mean anything big by it then that's ok. I was just worried that I had upset you by running away."

Oh Yuiko, poor naive pure hearted Yuiko.

"I was confused too, I mean it's not that I didn't mean anything by it. But don't misunderstand me I wasn't using you just for that, and," in frustration he stopped to pull back the ebony locks from his face. As if the words he were trying to put together were written on the walls around him his eyes darted to and fro. Things on the inside of his head were so flip flopped he didn't know the meaning of anything he was saying anymore. "I'm sorry Yuiko. I'm very confused right now."

Her lips drew into a pout or they were pursed, he couldn't tell. After a brief moment of silence, much to his relief she smiled. "I understand perfectly! It should have been obvious to me when we went to eat ice cream that one day, you and Soubi are secret lovers and that night he denied your deepest desires so you had to come to me as an outlet!"

Ritsuka's eyes shot open wider than he knew they could, his mouth dropped open. "L-l-lovers?!"

Kio's nasal pitched laughter sounded from behind him, surprising Ritsuka into a twirl around to face him. "Kio! How long have you been listening?" Rushed words stumbled awkwardly over Ritsuka's lips. The cat boy took a stance in front of Yuiko, almost like he could hide her.

"Enough to know that you did something stupid, kid." Kio poked Ritsuka on the forehead with a pointer finger. The words may have been harsh but he said them in a kind and joking way, like a big brother. "So who's this girl that you apparently molested?"

"I did not molest her!"

"My name's Yuiko! And Ritsuka is right he didn't molest me, I'm just fine. Are you one of Mr. Soubi's geisha?"

It seemed Kio was always laughing, as he was again. "Me? A geisha? That's funny, I wouldn't be able to stand keeping up with polite conversation and all that. I'm his only maid, Kio."

"It's nice to meet you Kio, and you're they only maid here? It must be nice, only having to clean up after Soubi and Ritsuka."

"I clean up after myself..." Ritsuka stood off to the side watching their conversation with a flat face.

"Well it was just Soubi and Ritsuka up until this morning. Just before you got here actually, we took in two new geisha named Natsuo and Youji. Anything Soubi can do to please Ritsuka, he will."

"Wow, Ritsuka Natsuo and Youji! Mr. Soubi must be trying to build a super dream team of geisha. And I was right, Ritsuka and Soubi are lovers!"

Ritsuka couldn't stand the chatter anymore, when he felt the heat creep up his neck. "We aren't lovers!" His cat ears folded back flat on his head and his face formed a scowl.

"Oh! I'm sorry Ritsuka. But, I've been here too long I need to go or my owner will be angry with me. It was nice meeting you Kio, and goodbye Ritsuka!" She gave one of her too bright smiles and waved, drifting out of the doorway and running into the haze people of the crowded streets, blending in perfectly. As soon as Kio slid the door shut behind her, the two of them paused. His hand remained on the doorframe. Ritsuka wondered if he was rethinking the comment he made earlier. The I'm glad you came into Soubi's life comment. Kio's head slowly turned to face Ritsuka, his face blank yet his eyes full of judgment. He was speculating on something. Sure enough a sly grin spread across his face. "Ritsuka has a girl friend." He taunted.

"Yuiko isn't my girlfriend! She's a girl and she's my friend but she's just a friend." Ritsuka pouted childishly, he didn't like being teased like that.

"I'm just kidding with you. Besides if she was," he paused to wipe a non-existent tear from his eye and sobbed dryly, "Soubi would be devastated!!!"

Ritsuka took the nearby newspaper and clobbered him over the head with it.

Again Kio laughed, "don't worry! I'm still glad you exist, for Soubi's sake even if your last name is Aoya-gi..." when he realized he let the name slip, his voice sank to a whisper.

"Even if my last name is Aoyagi? What is that supposed to mean?"

Quickly the youth regained his timeless smile. "Nothing! Nothing at all." And with that, he ambled back to his room


I smell a secret that Kio's hiding :3 Oh yeah, today is my boyrfiends 17th bday. Happy bday Casey!

PREVIEW FOR CHAPTER EIGHT - November 23rd, 2007
"That Ritsu person, I think you've told me about him before." Kio crossed the room to sit cross-legged infront of Soubi.

"I have, do you remember?"

"Yeah. Humm, was he the one you lost your ears to?"