"K-Kougaiji, what's wrong?! Where are you taking me?!"

Ritsuka could only question desperately at the strong man that was pulling him along by his small wrist in a seemingly random direction. Knowing all too well how strong the man was, and not knowing at all what a demon prince might be capable of, Ritsuka decided it was best not to fight and allowed himself to be pulled along. It was the silence from the dark skinned man however, that was truly beginning to irritate the boy.

"Kougaiji! Answer me!" This outburst finally caused the man to at least look over his shoulder with a glare to respond to his distraught captive, never slowing his pace even a bit.

"I don't know what's wrong ok! We just have to go."

"Well can you let go of my arm please? I'll come with you."

"No." This blunt answer only irritated the boy further and he began to strike an annoyed tone.

"Well can you at least slow down?!"

"Fine." The boy's tone seemed to get through to the man as he looked over his shoulder once more before finally slowing down and allowing Ritsuka to walk at his side, but not releasing the boy from his grasp even for a second.

"Thank you…now can you tell me where we are going?" Kougaiji kept his gaze fixed ahead as he replied.

"My place." This caused Ritsuka to cock his head to the side slightly with a curious expression.

"Your place? I didn't know that you were staying somewhere. I thought you were banished here?"

"We were banished here, but we happened across some money and were able to rent a small apartment last night." This sounded very suspicious and Ritsuka couldn't help but to question further.

"How did you just happen across money?" This finally caused Kougaiji to turn his gaze to look at the boy with a stern expression.

"No more questions." Ritsuka then just let out a defeated sigh before giving in to the man's strong and stubborn personality.

"Fine."

The duo then walked in a somewhat tense silence for roughly ten minutes before they arrived in front of a small apartment complex just on the outskirts of town. The demon didn't miss a beat however and began walking briskly up the metal stairs of the complex with Ritsuka still firmly in his grasp. After three flights of stairs, Kougaiji finally stopped in front of a door at the end of the hallway and only then did he release Ritsuka's arm. Ritsuka then looked up just in time to see Kougaiji turn to him with a slightly softer expression and the demon spoke to him a much calmer tone.

"This is where Lirin and I are staying. I um…I apologize for being so forceful but I just…well I still don't know." There was then a short pause as it seemed like Kougaiji was struggling just to act calmly. "So you wanna come in?" Ritsuka was completely confused as to what was going on with the strange man but just as the day before, he couldn't seem to shake the overwhelming urge to comply with him.

"S-sure."

Kougaiji then turned the door knob and pushed the door open before motioning for Ritsuka to step inside. Ritsuka again complied without question and entered the apartment. Kougaiji was quick to follow and even quicker in shutting and locking the door behind them. Once inside Ritsuka took a good look around and quickly noticed that the small dwelling was completely bare, with no furniture of any kind anywhere to be seen.

"Well it definitely looks like you moved in last night…where have you two been sleeping?" When Ritsuka turned around to look at the older man, he could see that his attitude and demeanor had now become much calmer and he ran a large hand through his hair before replying.

"Yeah…we haven't really got much. We sleep on the floor though." Just the thought of this was enough to break Ritsuka's heart and his expression clearly showed that.

"I'm sorry…that must be uncomfortable."

"It's really not a big deal. Lirin and I have had to deal with much worse conditions." Again Ritsuka could feel his chest grow heavy with pain and he slowly took a few steps towards the man until he was close enough to look directly up into crimson eyes with a sincere expression.

"Kougaiji…if you ever need anything, I hope you'll let me know. I could always bring you two some food and help you find furniture."

Kougaiji's eyes then grew wide in shock at this statement. He had never had someone say such things to him before and had never been treated in such a way, like he mattered. For his whole life even his own family, with the exception of Lirin, had always only treated him as a means to an end of some sort. He could then only stand in complete silence for a moment before Ritsuka reached out and touched his hand softly.

"Kougaiji…?" The sensation not only snapped Kougaiji out of his daze but caused something inside his very being begin to bubble and he let out a low growl against his will, causing Ritsuka to pull away from him slightly. This in turn made Kougaiji force himself to remain calm in an attempt not to frighten the boy.

"Sorry…I don't know what's come over me." The soft tone of the man's voice did indeed comfort Ritsuka and he relaxed once again.

"It's ok….So Kou, why did you bring me here anyway?"

"I'm not entirely sure…I…can't remember why I brought you here actually." Ritsuka was becoming very puzzled once again but was desperate to try and figure the man out.

"Well you said Lirin was missing again and we were going to go look for her but when my ears fell off, you just started pulling me off."

Ritsuka's eyes then grew wide when Kougaiji's attitude shifted once more and he let out another, longer deeper, growl. The boy then took a small step backwards but in the blink of an eye, both wrists were captured and raised above his to the point that he was almost being lifted off the ground. He then found himself literally face to face with a serious faced and still growling demon prince.

"K-Kougaiji…?"

"I remember now…" The demon's voice was low and serious but for some reason Ritsuka wasn't scared but instead listening intently. "Your ears are gone."

"Y-yeah…" Kougaiji then placed his free hand on the small of Ritsuka's back and pulled the boy forward gently so that their bodies were pressed together and their faces now only inches apart.

"That means…someone else has touched what is mine."

Ritsuka then saw a spark in the man's eyes and he bore his elongated canine teeth behind a grin before pressing his lips firmly against his own. As soon as their lips connected, Ritsuka's body felt as though it had caught fire and without hesitation he eagerly returned the demons kiss, moaning slightly just from the feeling of the strong hands on his wrists and back and heated lips locked with his. Kougaiji then used his fangs wisely to bite down gently on the boy's bottom lip causing him to gasp allowing Kougaiji to slip his tongue inside and begin to explore every inch of the boy. Ritsuka desperately tried to keep up but as the seconds past, his stomach became aflutter and his knees soon buckled beneath him so that he was now supported by only Kougaiji's strong arms. Ritsuka couldn't help but to marvel at the man's strength and it only made his desire burn stronger to the point that he could feel the heat building in his groin and much to his distress, he was quickly becoming hard just from their kiss. Luckily Ritsuka was given some sort of relief when Kougaiji finally broke free from their kiss and they were both left panting and staring into each other's half-lidded eyes. Once he was able to catch his breath and able to plant his feet shakily back on the floor, Ritsuka couldn't help but to pry further into the man's previous statement.

"W-what do you mean, 'yours'?" He then stared intently into serious crimson eyes in silence for a short moment before Kougaiji finally released his arms, but kept a hand on his back, to answer in a low tone.

"I have a theory…" Kougaiji then used his free hand to take Ritsuka's chin gently in-between his fingers and tip his head back and out to the side, fully exposing the soft flesh of his neck. Despite being slightly confused as to what was going on, Ritsuka remained calm and quiet as the demon took a deep inhale through his nose before using his tongue to lick gently at the sensitive skin just beneath the boy's ear; causing him to shiver slightly. The demon then released Ritsuka's chin and the boy simply looked at him curiously before speaking.

"Ummm….well?" The man then replied in an even, calm yet serious tone.

"It would seem that yesterday when I kissed you…well I imprinted on you." This odd answer was enough to draw a slightly flustered expression from the small boy.

"You what?!" Kougaiji then let out a short sigh and his eyes softened, acting as if he was a dog being punished.

"I imprinted you. I didn't mean to…" The look on the man's face caused Ritsuka's chest to grow tight once again and he lower his voice and spoke in a much softer one.

"No, I mean…what does that mean exactly? I think I've heard of that before in biology class but I thought only animals imprinted on their mothers?"

"Well it's similar. Most demons in my world have lost the ability to imprint but purebloods like Lirin and I still have the capability. Except we don't imprint on our parents…we only imprint on our mates." Ritsuka's eyes grew slightly in a mild state of shock as to what he was hearing.

"So…you claimed me as your mate?"

"Yes."

"How can you be sure?"

"Mostly the way you smell but also your taste. Once I imprinted on you, your smell became registered in senses as well as the way you taste."

"Then why weren't you acting this way before?"

"I knew something was odd immediately after I imprinted on you. I could already smell you no matter how far away I was. Then when I saw you today and found out that someone else had touched you, my instincts kicked in and I became defensive; this also struck me as odd. But it wasn't until just now that I am positive." Ritsuka took a short silent moment to take in all this information, still being held gently by the demon, and it was only now that all his strange feelings started to make sense. He didn't fully understand how the process worked but could only figure that this was the reason that he never felt afraid around the demon and always seemed so sensitive to his emotions and movements.

"So then…what happens now? I mean, I'm not really sure what I'm supposed to do or how this will affect my life you know?"

"Well I haven't exactly had this happen to me before…all I know about imprinting is what I have read; all I know for sure is that I can't fight these feelings no matter how much I try."

"I think I know what you mean…I've felt strange since then too…but I have a Sentouki…I just don't know what to do, I love him." This caused a small growl to escape from deep in the demons throat but it was quickly choked away as Kougaiji replied in a very defeated sounding tone.

"Well from what I have read…you have a choice."

"I do?" Kougaiji then released the boy from his strong arm and took a small step back before averting his gaze away from him while putting his hands in his pockets, making him look like a man torn down.

"Yeah…the imprint won't become permanent until the bond in consummated in flesh."

"You mean if we don't…"

"Yes. If the bond isn't sealed within two days of imprinting then the bond will be permanently broken." Ritsuka's stomach was turning and the pain in his heart deepened as he looked at the man before him. He wasn't sure if the feeling was because of the imprinting or if these feelings were truly his own, but deep down he felt as though the feeling in his chest was his own which only made the words weigh heavier on him.

"Kougaiji….I…I have no idea what to do…I can't deny that I feel really strongly for you…" These kind words caused the man to finally turn his gaze back to look deep into slightly teary purple eyes. He then simply waited in silence for the boy to continue. "…But I'm so confused. I still love S-" Ritsuka's words were then violently cut off by the demon prince.

"Don't! Don't…say his name."

"Huh?"

"It…it just makes my body burn to think of other's touching you. So I'm not sure if I will be able to control myself if you say that name." There was then a very tense silence as Kougaiji awaited his answer and Ritsuka thought very deeply as to what he would do. He could barely hold back the tears any longer as he felt like he was being torn in two. He knew how much he loved Soubi and how much they had been through together but he also couldn't simply ignore the strong feelings that he already had for the crimson haired man. After a short moment, Ritsuka clenched his fists slightly as he decided that the fact that he could feel so strongly, from the pit of his very being, for this person that he had only just met had to mean something.

"Kougaiji…this is all strange and new to me but…I just can't fight this." Ritsuka then watched as a hopeful spark lit up crimson eyes and the sight only confirmed his decision. "I will just have to worry about the rest later…"

"The rest?"

"I mean So-"

"I said don't!" Ritsuka then took a very deep breath before continuing with his resolve fully set.

"I mean figuring out what to tell…Soubi."

Ritsuka had braced him for what he thought might be coming but he truly had no idea what he was in for. Once the words had left his mouth, before he could even react at all, Ritsuka heard the man let out a deep growl before lunging at him with lightning speed. Kougaiji came at him with such force that before he knew what had happened, Ritsuka was forced hard into the wall behind him, causing him to wince slightly in pain, with his arms once again held high above his head; this time having them pinned against the wall. The man pinning him down was now panting slightly in between deep growls and he took a short moment to gather himself just enough to speak only a few words.

"Are you sure…?" Ritsuka was then overwhelmed by the pure power and primal nature of the man and he could no longer try to hold himself back as he moaned his answer almost desperately.

"Y-yes."

Without any further notice or word, Kougaiji gave a wide grin proudly displaying his fangs and licking his lips slightly before pressing his lips roughly against Ritsuka's locking them in a fiery and desperate kiss. The effects of the imprinting quickly over took the demon and he was reveling in the sweet flavor of his captive. Kougaiji's instincts then began to take control and he suddenly ripped the boy's shirt from his body, tearing it to shreds as he did. The sudden rush of cold air mixed with the heat of their kiss caused Ritsuka's knees to once again buckle beneath him. Kougaiji easily felt this and slipped his free hand beneath the boy's rear end, squeezing it as he did, and lifted him up. As soon as he did, Ritsuka instinctively wrapped his legs around the man's well-toned waist and Kougaiji released his arms so that Ritsuka throw them desperately around his neck, their lips never parting. Kougaiji then shifted his weight to keep the boy firmly pressed against the wall so that he could move one hand to run down the soft skin of the boy's chest, making a mental map of every inch of him. Ritsuka then gasped and finally broke away for air as he felt long nails run perfectly against his back, leaving long red marks as they did. The demon prince then gave a small smirk before sinking his fangs into Ritsuka's neck causing him to throw his head back as he cried out.

"Nnnn..."

The seductive sound of the boy's voice only fueled Kougaiji's need to completely claim the body in his hands and he moved his hand once more, this time to completely rip away the rest of the pesky fabric that separated him from his goal, throwing the tattered pieces to the floor. Ritsuka was quickly becoming more and more lost in the passion and heat of the situation he now found himself in and in a desperate need for contact, pressed his lips firmly back against the older man's. Kougaiji as well could barely hold himself back any longer and he slyly undid his belt and pants with his free hand, releasing his very large erection. Ritsuka was then forced to break away to cry out as he felt the man's hard member rub perfectly against his own.

"A-ahhh!" Kougaiji gave a large grin at this before leaning in to whisper in Ritsuka's ear in a gruff tone.

"Mmm…I will make this body mine Ritsuka…."

Ritsuka was then taken very much by surprise when the man abruptly and quickly pushed himself inside the small boy causing him to grit his teeth and wince at the pain as well as tighten his grip firmly around the demon's neck, burying his face into the nape of his neck. Kougaiji didn't say a word of comfort however, but instead did Ritsuka the small kindness of being very still for a brief moment. Once the pain began to subside, Ritsuka loosened his grip slightly and his ears were then filled with the sound of deep growl before feeling the man pull back almost completely out of him and then thrusting roughly back into his tight entrance.

"Aah!"

Ritsuka was astounded when the demon hit his sweet spot perfectly with that very first thrust. The feeling sent a wave of warmth through his whole body and he instantly craved more and his body reacted by tightening his legs around the man and bucking his hips hard against him. Kougaiji quickly got the hint and moved his hips back before crashing back into the boy once again.

"Y-yes!"

The air was then quickly filled with the mixing sounds of pants, moans and deep growls as Kougaiji quickened the time of his thrusts. Ritsuka's head remained buried helplessly in the nape of the man's neck until he felt a cool long fingernail run very gently along the length of his very erect member, and he threw his head backwards, almost smacking it into the wall. Kougaiji took advantage of this and placed teasing licks in all the right places along the boy's neck and ears, never stopping the assault of the boy's soft insides. The licking and nipping added to the perfectly placed thrusts were quickly becoming too much for Ritsuka's and he could feel his stomach start to tighten.

"A-a-ahh! K-Kou…I'm…I'm..nnn…AHHH!"

Ritsuka's could barely speak as the pleasure fully overtook him and with one last deep thrust, he was driven over the edge into ecstasy that spilled onto the demon's hand and chest. Ritsuka's climax caused all of his muscles to tighten around Kougaiji's member and he immediately followed suit with a long deep growl, releasing himself fully into his now fully bonded mate.

The duo remained right where they were panting and gasping for air for a few minutes before Kougaiji could feel Ritsuka's now very weakened body begin to shake in his arms. Now that the demon prince had calmed down, he was able to slowly pull himself out of the boy and gently lay his now limp body onto the soft carpet of the floor. Kougaiji then suddenly remembered the comment Ritsuka had made about the floor being uncomfortable so he quickly lifted the boy's body slightly so that he could slide beneath him and laid down so that his head and arms were resting on his chest. Ritsuka then happily buried his face into the man's arm that was now wrapped around him and laced his legs together with Kougaiji's. They remained in this peaceful silent state for a short moment before Ritsuka finally looked up at the handsome prince with a smile before speaking an exhausted voice.

"Kougaiji…"

"Yes?"

"What am I going to do about my clothes?"

Kougaiji let out a small laugh at this before placing a delicate kiss on the top of the boy's head and watched as his fluttered closed and he drifted off into a peaceful sleep.

TBC