The Color of Chinese Bellflowers
Chapter four: The sweetest taste

Disclaimer: I do not own Loveless.
A/N: This is an original AU fic. I've tried my best to keep everyone in character. There's a lot of Youji/Natsuo in this fic but the main couple is definitely Soubi/Ritsuka. The fifth chapter will be released on October 12th (and my b-day is October 2nd so send me goodies :3)
WARNING: This chapter contains almost-smut.
1 Rickshaw - A two wheeled cart pulled by a human that seats one to two passengers.

"Mmpf." It was late. The kind of time that Youji would normally be sleeping. Tonight though, the chorus of the crickets outside of his window were too loud. The light from the lamps in the street was too bright. No matter how long he lay in his futon with his eyes closed, sleep refused to come. Resting his hands behind the weight of his head he stared out of the open window to the moon above. It was a waxing crescent tonight, reminding Youji of someone smiling. He fiddled with the soft fabric of his under kimono between his right pointer finger and thumb. His thoughts wandered freely. How long is it going to take me to fall asleep? The thought impatiently. He tried not to move, hoping that the stillness could help him find sleep better. Youji hated sleepless nights. For what he thought was hours his eyes traced patterns on the ceiling.

Rolling to his side, he caught side of Natsuo's maturing face in the moonlight. Youji gasped silently. Natsuo, unlike him, was sleeping soundly. The pale moonlight lit up alabaster highlights and dark grey shadows on the planes of his face. When he slept, his hair was even more rebellious. Wild curly locks framed his face, bent and twisted with kinks caused by sleeping. In his sleep, his left ear twitched a few times and a smile spread over his face. At least he can sleep. And on top of that, it looks like he's having a nice dream. I wonder what it's about? The expression on Natsuo's face changed slightly, to one that looked almost like pain. Youji couldn't tell what it was. The sleeping one's effeminate rose colored lips opened absent mindedly. "Youji..." Youji's heartbeat sped. His name had fallen out of Natsuo's mouth mixed with a sigh. A devilish smile flashed across his face. He's dreaming about me then. And the real thing has to be better than a dream right?

Propping himself up on his right elbow he struck a match, lighting a candle nearby so he could see better. He was surprised, Natsuo's usually still and polite sleeping position was instead curled up with his hands holding onto the blanket. He slid out of his futon and sat on his knees next to Natsuo's, debating in his head on whether or not to wake him. Unsurely his hand reached out and grabbed Natsuo's blanket. Gently he pulled it back, just enough for him to wriggle inside and lay in the free space of Natsuo's futon. Natsuo stirred, his face squeezing into a frown but he didn't wake up. Youji stilled, after a few minutes it seemed his maroon haired counterpart had resumed his dream as he now wore a much more pleasant face. Again the name tumbled off of his lips, "Youji." He wasn't sure what dream Youji was doing to Natsuo, but he himself snuck his arms around to encircle around the others warm waist.

Quietly he whispered, "Wake up, Natsuooo." He laughed when Natsuo shifted slightly and then it froze.

"Y-Youji?"

"You were calling my name in your sleep, it was so cute, and I thought the real deal would be nicer." Placing feather light kisses on the others throat, Natsuo's blush stung as the rosy color dusted across his cheekbones. He sighed deeply, taking gently care to run his thin fingers through the silky aquamarine locks of the cat boy devouring his throat. "It is nice ... especially when I wake up to something like this."

As an example, Youji's teeth nibbled at the soft skin beneath Natsuo's right ear. His tongue reached out, lapping along the small patch of skin that tasted faintly of salt. He blew his warm breath on it, then took it into his mouth again sucking gently. Natsuo's breath hitched in his throat, unable to get it out. Youji chuckled from pride, partially due to the hicky he had just made "and nice is fine. But it could be great." As he spoke the words, he rolled over top of Natsuo straddling his hips. Their hearts beat wildly at the same pace, as if they were in sync with each other. Elbows pinned to the futon on either side of Natsuo's head ensured that he couldn't escape anywhere.

"What are you doi-"

"Shh." Youji hushed him by resting a finger over his moistened lips. Natsuo's large eyes stared up at him with just a hint of worry, "calm down," he reassured him, "It's not like I'm wanting to defile you."

That made Natsuo giggle, the look of worry replaced with abundant joy. "I trust you." They sometimes had times like this, where they felt so close they wanted to take in each others bodies, the feel, the taste, the scent. With careful consideration though, they never went that far. Loosing their ears could damage their career terribly. Youji's delicate fingers caressed Natsuo's long neck, sliding downward to play on the dips of his collar bones. Receiving a smile, Youji knew it was permission to feel further. His open hands pushed their way to open up the kimono that was only loosely tied to Natsuo's slender frame. The top half fell open, and Youji's palms traced over every inch of the skin of Natsuo's chest or stomach. Lazily his fingers traced designs trailing downward underneath of Natsuo's belly button. Involuntarily his back arched, underneath of his belly button was a weak spot for him. Youji took the opportunity and slid his arms behind Natsuo's back in an embrace. Natsuo giggled, wrapping his arms around Youji's neck. Their lips closed in on each other, taking in the sweet taste. The movement of their lips made the both of them shiver.

They hadn't noticed, but the door to their bedroom was slightly ajar. Suddenly it snapped open with a loud clack!

Both of their hearts exploded in a fury of heartbeats, their lips separated and their widened eyes stared at the dark figure standing in the doorway. They stared into the face of a furious Nagisa.

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

"This has got to be more than just a coincidence." Ritsuka had just finished at the only teahouse he had scheduled for the night. Now, as he opened the door trying to leave he stared into the smiling face of Soubi.

That face was molded into a way-too-angelic grin. "Oh my! Here I was just on my way to this teahouse for a drink and chat and who do I run into but the adorable Ritsuka?"

The cat boy was thoroughly unconvinced. "You know if I didn't know better I'd say you were following me around."

"Nonsense. I don't waste my precious time stalking geisha."

A remark like that wasn't one Ritsuka had expected, and strangely enough it hurt him.

"But since I've already run into you we should go somewhere. That seems like much more fun than sitting in a room full of drunks." He finished his sentence with a smile.

Immediately Ritsuka's ears perked up, and his tail waved back and forth creating winding shapes. "If you really want to."

Soubi nodded, "Ok then."

Ritsuka led the way, bidding goodbye to the teahouse owner and stepped out onto the street. The sky was darkened into an ink blotted night, with starbursts of spotlights shining through. He wasn't quite sure why he's gone along with Soubi's sudden plan, even though he was positive Mieko would scold him when he came home late. But it was a new flicker of desire in his chest, he wanted to be with Soubi. Before it was unnerving to be around someone who could dip into his soul, as if he were a bucket of water and Soubi were a ladle. Even so, he liked the feeling of being around Soubi. So this should be fun. "What should we do, Soubi?"

Adjusting his glasses on the bridge of his nose, his eyes scanned the lantern lit street. "Do you like gardens?"

He nodded, "I love them!" his mind traveled back to his first meeting with Yuiko, over a flower on the side of the street. Realizing how informal he was being, he did his best to take on the polite tone of a geisha. "Might there be any public gardens open at this time of night?"

"Not a public one but mine is always open for you Ritsuka."

That polite tone shattered into a thousand pieces and his boyish excitement took over. "You have a garden in a crowded place like this?"

"Well I don't live inside the district of Gion, but just outside of it. There's more room to have gardens where I live." He smiled, but something underneath of it made Ritsuka think he was being sarcastic.

"I don't believe you."

The smile remained, "come with me then. I'll have you believing soon."

Soubi placed a gentle hand to hover over Ritsuka's small back. They walked along the length of the building, when Soubi directed Ritsuka around the side of it. It made Ritsuka a little nervous, which Soubi had sensed. His whisper came out as a soft coo, "Don't worry, I'm not taking you back here to hurt you." Within the next second that made itself apparent, and Ritsuka's young eyes bulged with disbelief. "You have you're own personal-" "Rickshaw(1) and driver? Not really. I just pay this man extra to take me around at night and wait for me until I'm done visiting the teahouses." He nodded to the man leaning against the wall. "Is it ok for me to ride with you like this Soubi?" He looked at Soubi who had already stepped in and sat down. "You're perfectly safe with me Ritsuka," extending his hand out to help Ritsuka up he continued. "As long as you're with me, I promise no harm will ever come to you." Ritsuka nodded, and in awe with no words to say he stepped up into the rickshaw. Soubi gave a signal to the man, who was basically his personal driver, and they rode off into the night.

Ritsuka's head turned upwards to the sky, he watched as the soft twinkling of the stars passed him by. Or was he passing him by? He couldn't tell. It was a temperate night, not too hot like summer and not yet cold enough to feel like winter. Things like this is what made him appreciate fall. An overwhelmingly calm feeling washed against the shores in his chest, and the soothing breeze lulled him into a peaceful trance. His hands rested on top of each other in his lap. Out of pure relaxation, he let his eyelids close slowly. Unknown to him, Soubi's eyes studied him. Taking in each curve of bone and flesh, studying the way that some of his dark hairs weren't long enough to reach up into his intricate bun. Noticing how cute Ritsuka was when he was so at peace he actually fell asleep there, sitting next to him.

"We've arrived at your house, Mr. Soubi."

"Thank you. Would you mind staying here a little while? To drive Ritsuka home later." As if he didn't need an answer he handed the man a yen bill. "Yes sir!"

Soubi leaned into Ritsuka's ear and whispered, "Wake up, are you too tired to visit my garden?"

Ritsuka's eyes fluttered open, and he looked around slowly taking in his surroundings. Remembrance gripped him though and he remembered. Even through his makeup his blush was still visible. "Oh no I'm not tired. Just became a little to relaxed back there, I guess. I really want to see this garden of yours." Taking care not to catch his kimono on anything, he gently stepped down out of the rickshaw with Soubi following. "So where is it, where?" Ritsuka tried hiding his excitement, but with the wild waving of his tail it was all too obvious. "Right past that gate." Soubi pointed a long finger to a gate about 20 feet away. Ritsuka raced forward, with surprising ease for wearing wooden geta. His loud gasp echoed off of the empty space around him, upon pushing through the gate and getting his first good glimpse at the garden.

It was everything a Japanese garden should be with winding pathways, bright red bridges that extended over a short network of waterways, and trees whose branches and shedding leaves drooped down to gently caress the ground or water beneath them. He felt as though he were a child seeing this for the first time, and he ran down one of the pathways clacking up the bridge to stand at the peak in it's arch. Soubi watched him, Ritsuka couldn't decide what the other was feeling though. He seemed to almost glow with a strange light, but Ritsuka knew it was emitted from the small smile he was wearing. Did him seeing Ritsuka happy make him happy himself? It was something else he didn't understand. Soon Soubi was standing next to him on the bridge, leaning forward on his elbows using the side of the bridge for support. In between his fingers he held a cigarette that he would take occasion puffs of. "So I'm guessing you like this garden then?" Ritsuka nodded like a happy child. "It's the biggest most beautiful garden I've ever seen." He noticed though, a medium sized building just beyond a border of trees. "What's that building?"

"It's where I live." Ritsuka remembered, this was Soubi's garden. Not a public one, not someone else's but his. "Are you ... rich Soubi?"

Soubi laughed very softly. "I wouldn't call it that. Someone else has paid for all of this in order to try and please me."

For what had felt like the 10th time that night, Ritsuka was in awe. What did Soubi do to make someone so rich that interested in him? He chased the thought away from his mind. Deciding not to spoil the peace of the garden, he remained quiet. He smiled gently with his eyes closed, he was truly loving every minute of the attention he received. A large hand rested on top of his head. He didn't need to open his eyes to know it was Soubi. Simply he sighed, and let soak into his soul the serenity of that clear fall night.

Thanks to all who read! Ritsuka is so adorable when he's in awe!!!

PREVIEW OF CHAPTER FIVE - October 12, 2007
"A man named Agatsuma Soubi."

He gained control of himself again, managing to swallow the saliva he had forgotten when all of his bodily functions seemed to have stopped still. "Soubi? Soubi bought me?"