Chaper 1 Updated: 6/15/21
Special thanks to my beta: MD1138

This is a rewritten version of an existing fic.
I am the author of the existing fic; information is in my bio.
This will not only be a better version that delves deeper into the story, but will also contain brand new scenes not in the original.
There are minor changes to the overall plot but these changes will add the the story in the best way possible.

Rated M for sex, BDSM activities and roles, and torture/bodily harm. Honestly, it should be MA. You've been warned.
And no, it's not possible to skip the explicit scenes and still grasp the story. At least, why would you want to?
I suggest finding another fic if this isn't your cup of tea.
I will mark the beginning of each chapter with triggers and rating warnings so you can be prepared.

AU Information
In this AU Seimei and Ritsuka are NOT brothers
All characters in this story are from the Loveless universe. Semei is, for lack of a better word, a Vampire. I will be following the outline of the Atlantian race from the Blood and Ash series by Jennifer L. Armentrout with minor adjustments. Explanations will be integrated into the story. In this AU, all atlantian/vampire raced characters do not, and have never had ears to signify their virginity.

If you made it this far and still want to read, I hope you enjoy the journey!

Chapter Warnings: BDSM Master/slave setup, minor fluff

Chapter 1

A small whine left Ritsuka's lip, his cat-like ears pressing against the top of his head as he heard yet another ring of the bells that signaled a customer's entrance to the shop. Instinctively, he lifted his head to look up to where he believed the door was, unable to actually see it due to the cotton blindfold secured over his eyes. His slender black tail curled itself around legs that were pressed against his chest, attempting to make himself as small as humanly possible. He'd be lying if he said he wasn't scared; for today was the day he'd finally been sold to a new master and it was said master that had requested he be blindfolded for pickup. Another set of bells rang, causing the boy's ears to twitch forward before resettling back into an anxious press against his raven colored hair. He'd been dropped off by his former owner some days ago and had spent the time since being inspected, cleaned, and photographed. He had gotten over having strangers move him around like a doll and jotting down gods-know-what on their clipboards. They'd dressed him in a plain pair of loose black shorts that hung to his knees and were a little too big in the waist. He'd had hopes for a shirt until he noticed every other slave was shirtless as well, even the women.

Today was different from the last few days. Instead of being discarded into a cage in the storage room with the other slaves he'd been placed in a considerably smaller one in the lobby. At least the cage in the storage room had been big enough for him to stand or stretch his limbs. This one most definitely was not. In the storage room, Ritsuka also had the perk of other slaves around to chat with to pass the time. Most of those in the other cages also had cat ears, their virginity being something that made them 'higher quality' and more desirable for those that would buy them. Those without their ears were only sequestered to the storage room on account of being labeled as 'delectable' by whatever demons had already tasted their blood. Arms wrapped around his legs, one hand holding onto the end of his tail, as Ritsuka set his chin on his knees and wondered just how long they'd keep him confined in this cramped cage.

Another set of bells went off, this time a pair of steps walked through the lobby instead of the usual one. Ritsuka could sense that they'd stopped before his cage, as many did, wanting to take a look at the slave on display.

"Hello there, I'm Soubi," a voice stated, much closer than Ritsuka had expected it to be.

He didn't bother to acknowledge the stranger's voice until a finger was felt, running lightly along the length of his tail. A low growl slipped past Ritsuka's lips as he attempted to press himself further back in the cage and away from the prying appendage. Was this man to be his new owner – or just another curious customer passing through?

"Well now, a fighter are we?" another voice asked with a dark hint of amusement. "I'm Seimei."

"He's a real good one if you ask me. The purest boy you'll ever find. His previous owner swears not a thing has ever been stuffed up that pretty little ass, nor had he ever been used for a feeding. Just an obedient little thing trained for household chores." Ritsuka recognized the voice of the shop owner and was visibly displeased by the other words, not that he could argue otherwise.

"And you confirmed his condition?"

"Yes sir, I'll have his paperwork ready to go in a moment."

There was a clinking of keys before the lock on the boy's cage was undone and a pair of hands scooped Ritsuka out bridal style, the boy's tail haphazardly flicking about as he struggled against the grip. A growl from behind him caused the boy to tense up for a moment, his tail moving to wrap around himself but instead getting ensnared around the arm that held his legs.

"I don't want any trouble. Understood?" A voie rumbled from across the room, leaving no room for questions or disobedience.

It was Seimei's voice… at least he thought, which meant Soubi must be the one holding him. Ritsuka bit his lip and gave a tiny nod. He felt the body holding him begin to move and he hastily gripped Soubi's shirt, burying his face between where the fabric was gripped in his fingers. He felt the warmth of the sun hit his skin for the first time in several days at the same time the long hair of his owner tickled his face, the locks smelling like sweet flowers. Controlling the urge to inhale the fragrant scent was difficult, owners weren't supposed to smell this nice, were they?

The warmth of the sun was quickly replaced by the cushioning sensation of a seat beneath him and two bodies situated themselves on either side, a seat belt clicked into place around him. He must be in a car now. He could feel the rumble of the engine as it hummed to life beneath him. But with two owners, instead of one. Was this normal? He'd been careful not to talk with the other slaves in the storage room about what was to be expected and what wasn't when it came to being sold. His previous owner had told him enough and he wasn't interested in learning more about how these new people would hurt him. Some of the earless slaves had already shown a glimpse into his future; their skin bruised and scarred, most having bite marks still fresh and bleeding in various places.

Ritsuka's thoughts were interrupted by a hand playing with the ears atop his head. He did his best to sit as straight as a statue, trying to be the obedient slave he was taught to be.

"Your ears are so soft. And you've got a beautiful face." The hand on his ears slid down the side of his face, over the blindfold, before a finger grazed along the curve of his neck. He thought the voice belonged to the one named Seimei, goosebumps threatening to break out across his skin at the touch.

"Yes, such beautiful skin and slender body. You'll be perfect once we've trained you properly."

Yes, the first voice must have been Seimei. He could tell. There was a calm sense of power in Seimei's voice that made it almost... sultry, while Soubi's seemed to be softer and almost submissive in tone. He almost laughed out loud at the thought of an owner having a submissive voice – almost.

"Now, you'll keep the blindfold on for a few days, depending on how quickly you learn. You will become proficient in your knowledge of our voices before you learn us by our appearance." Seimei? He wasn't certain this time as the finger at his neck continued its downward path, a sharp nail brushing over his collar bone before making a lazy circle around his exposed nipple.

"Once we feel you've got it under control, we'll take off the blindfold." Soubi. Maybe? Another hand tangled it's fingers in Ritsuka's hair, two of the digits allowing his twitching ears to slip between them, distracting him from deciphering who was speaking.

"Rewards will be given when you are good." The finger at his nipple gave a gentle pass over the nub. "Punishments when bad." Ritsuka let out a small gasp as the nipple was quickly pinched between two fingers before their touch was just about gone, slowly moving their way downward yet again. Seimei.

"Even our touch is a reward." The hand in his hair began massaging at the ear between its fingers. Soubi.

The finger trailing down his skin stopped at the loose waistband of his shorts, hooking under the material as a pair of lips ghosted near the shell of his ear. "As is our affection." The finger at his waist and the lips near his ear disappeared all together. Seimei.

This was hard. Ritsuka felt like his head was already spinning trying to keep track of who was who, his body sending too many signals for him to properly keep track of. Hearing a snicker, he felt the car stop and tried to look around, but still couldn't see. Soubi's arms picked him up again, or was it Seimei? He needed to learn their touch too, it seemed.

The air turned a little cooler as they entered the house. After what seemed like several long minutes of walking Ritsuka felt a bed under him as the arms around his body released him. He was confused for a brief moment before the thoughts of his previous owner's words reminded him of what he was sold for. His legs quickly pulled into himself as a soft whimper escaped. He'd overheard the other slaves talking of how much it hurt when their masters didn't care to be gentle.

Ritsuka heard an amused laugh before a body was next to him on the bed. Was the laugh Seimei's? He wasn't sure yet. His tail flickered nervously as a pair of arms wrapped around him, soon followed by another pair from his opposite side. Confusion settled over him at the almost loving touches. He'd never been hugged or held in such a way which only added to his highly strung nerves.

"There's no reason to be afraid, kitten. We won't hurt you unless you deserve it. Besides, we don't believe our punishments have to necessarily hurt, just be... uncomfortable." Seimei.

He felt a kiss planted on his neck from the other side and took a guess that it was Soubi. He bit his lip, confused, but liking the contact. It felt…good. Compassion wasn't something he was given very much of, and not something his previous owner spoke about in terms of his future owners. It was new but he couldn't deny that it was nice.

"Now," he thought it was Seimei's voice speaking as the arms pulled away, leaving him feeling colder than before. "Tomorrow we'll brand you. After that we can start your training."

"You can sleep for now and food will be brought later." Soubi.

Ritsuka merely nodded, "Y-yes.. Um.." He paused his speech, not sure how to address them and not feeling ready to see if he was correct in his assessment of their voices.

"For now, you may address us both as 'Master'. When the blindfold comes off I will expect to hear our names on your lips as well kitten." Seimei. Definitely.

"Yes Master."

A moment later he heard the click of the door closing and let out a quivering breath. When the silence lasted long enough that he was sure he'd been left alone, Ritsuka allowed himself to stretch his sore legs out, his tail doing the same, before he scooted back along the bed and slipped under the covers to curl up. The bed was much more comfortable than what he was used to, feeling soft to the touch and fluffy enough to sink into. His old sleeping arrangements were not much more than a cot and a thin blanket. Letting his thoughts wander to the possibilities of what the branding could be, he slowly drifted to sleep.