No Money, No Love

By: Witch Baby

A/N: I am really really REALLY sorry to everyone who is reading 'No Money, No Love'. I know it has been awhile since my last update but I needed to seriously take some time off. I had some personal issues to deal with and then I really wanted to take a moment to rework some issues I had in the story plot. But I'm back now and giving you a new chapter! Once again, thank you and enjoy the latest chapter of 'No Money, No Love'!

"I wanted you to know I love the way you laugh
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain away
I keep your photograph; I know it serves me well
I wanna hold you high and steal your pain

'cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away..."

Chapter Seven: Trying Your Hardest

Ayase was glad that at least the walk to Someya's shop was uneventful. It wasn't easy though, with his nerves so frayed and his body still feeling wound up. It was almost enough for him to want to hate Kanou, if he didn't already wish for the man show up and make him forget why he was hurting in the first place. It was all so confusing and painful, that the poor blond was desperate to talk to Someya. Maybe the okama would help him sort through the endless circle of his thoughts.

He waved to a few of the shop girls who were picking out dresses and getting ready for work. It wasn't often that Ayase actually dressed up and worked the main floor, most of the time he stayed in the kitchen to help Hida. But Someya always payed more when he entertained the bar customers, and seeing as how he was working to provide for himself now, his figured the extra pay would help.

"Wah! Aya-chan! I'm so happy you get to work with us!" one of the girls gushed, "You always are so adorable! But are you sure Shacho will be okay with it?"

Ayase physically flinched at the mention of Kanou. "I'm sure it will be fine."

He prayed that he would be able to avoid any more conversation until he could compose himself a little bit better, as he stored his stuff away and hurried upstairs to Someya's office. On the way he traded hello's to a few others, and even ran into Skyler, who he was surprised to see already dressed up in a short black pencil skirt and white blouse with matching black vest. He knew, of course, that if Skyler was working at the shop, he would play along with the weekly themes, but it still didn't prepare him to see his new friend dressed in such a way. "What are you wearing?" Ayase asked in surprised.

Skyler did a little turn, giving the shocked blond an impish grin. "What? Isn't the shop theme 'office worker'?"

"W-well, I think so but... I just didn't really think..."

Skyler laughed, giving Ayase a playful shove on his shoulder. "Don't think too much about it Aya-chan, just have fun with it. Besides, I'm sure you've got killer legs when you wear heels."

The blonde's cheeks flared, the red color startling against his pale skin. Skyler just laughed harder. "D-don't say something like that!" Ayase squeaked with wide eyes.

"Well, I will say this, seeing you flustered is much better then seeing you sad. You walked in like you were half dead."

Ayase quieted, realizing his friends teasing was just a way to make him feel better, and it had surprisingly worked. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to be so-"

"Don't worry about it. You're a good person Ayase and don't deserve to look so down. Whatever is eating at you, just don't think too hard about it and I'm sure it will fix itself."

The blond nodded. "You're probably right. Thank you Skyler-kun for your help."

"No problem," the younger male said with a smile, "And remember, it's Sukai-chan at work!"

Ayase smiled slightly. "All right 'Sukai-chan'. Do you want to walk home together later?"

"Sure!" Skyler agreed, and with a little wave disappeared downstairs.

Ayase breathed a sigh of relief, actually feeling a bit better after his conversation with Skyler. The younger blond was definitely not what he had originally expected, but still a good person over all. Ayase was feeling much better as he knocked on Someya's office door. "Come in~" the okama called.

Ayase smiled and greeted the okama who was meticulously putting on her make-up. "What can I do for you Aya-chan?"

"Well..." he started hesitantly, settling in one of the office chairs, "I saw Kanou the day before yesterday..."

Someya gave Ayase a shocked look, putting down the tube of lipstick she had been about to apply. "And you're still here? Able to walk?"

Ayase gave her a confused look. "Why wouldn't I be able to walk?"

The okama giggled evilly. "Oh, no reason. Now, tell me what's wrong."

With a sigh, Ayase explained all that had happened. Kanou's sudden appearance, their argument, and then his just as sudden departure that had left Ayase's head spinning even after two days of not a single word. "I don't know what to make of it Someya-san!" Ayase exclaimed in exasperation, "He tells me he will never let me go, then doesn't contact me at all!"

"So you want him to come?"

"Well... yes... kind of... I don't want him to yell or hurt me. I just want to talk to him normally..."

Someya didn't miss the way Ayase circled his hand around his wrist, gently rubbing the fading bruises there. "I want him to approach me as an equal, not as someone he 'owns'. That was always the hardest part of being with him. I always felt like he never saw me all the way, just this frail stupid version of me."

Someya's eyes softened at the hurt expression on the blonde's face. Sometimes it felt like even she didn't see the blond all the way. There was so much more hidden behind those bright blue eyes. "I'm sure Kanou doesn't think you're stupid. He just wants to protect you from everything that would hurt you."

"He can't protect me from everything." Ayase said, almost bitterly.

Someya frowned at the hint of anger in Ayase's tone. She had never seen Ayase truly angry before and it was surprising to see his eyes darken in genuine rage. "What do you mean Ayase?"

"He didn't protect me from himself." he said venomously.

The moment he uttered the words, the color drained from his face, his hands covering his mouth as if be some way he could take them back. "I...I'm sorry...I didn't mean it..." he whispered, eyes filling with tears, "It never used to bother me the things we did but... I just don't know. I'm not sure about anything..."

Someya sighed, wondering how many more times Ayase would have to come crying to her office before Kanou finally got a clue. "Don't t feel bad for being angry Ayase. Its all right to feel this way. Hell, I'm happy that you do!"

"Really?"

"Yes! It's about time you say that you're angry! Kanou is a jackass and brute. Nothing you can say or do will ever change that. Its his nature to be the biggest and baddest of everyone. But do you know why?"

The blond gave a tearful shake of his head. "To protect you. To use any means necessary to make sure that you are taken care of. Does it make it right? Probably not. But he knows no other way."

A knock on the door interrupted them as Buruko poked her head in. "Someya-mama? It's almost time to open up!"

"All right!" she called back, giving Ayase a smile. "Why don't you go clean up and think about what I said."

"All right Someya... and thank you. For everything."

"Don't mention it." she said, picking up her make-up to finish quickly, "Just get ready and give it your all today Aya-chan!"

"_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_-_"

Kanou couldn't believe that he was back here so soon. Someya's betrayal cut deep and he wasn't sure he would be able to contain his anger, but he was quickly becoming a desperate man. He knew that at least this way, Ayase would feel obligated to speak to him, and in a public place Kanou would be less likely to cause a scene. He had to stop himself from the guilty shudder he felt at the memory of the bruises around his angel's wrist, the hurt look in his eyes.

He had swore never to hurt Ayase like that again. And for the last three years he had thought he had made good on that promise. The first year had been hard yes, tip toeing around each other, stumbling through heart break and tragedy. But an equilibrium had been reached, or so he had thought. Others had learned not to endanger his angel, and the threats had ceased. Kanou too, had thought he had figured out what made Ayase tick, the things that he liked and how Kanou could make him happy.

Understanding had been coming home each day, seeing Ayase's face, and feeling like despite the hell of the outside, here he could be at ease. He had never even seen the storm brewing in his very own home. Kanou had been too wrapped up in his own little world, thinking that every touch and kiss meant something deeper for Ayase. It had meant everything to him after all.

But now he didn't know what to think of anything. He was reduced to playing a paying customer at Someya's disgusting okama bar just to pay for Ayase to talk to him. He had been forced to sneak around and stalking because he wasn't sure what else to do. If the last three years hadn't allowed him to keep Ayase, then he really didn't know anything about the blond after all.

Any normal man would retreat from battle when in unfamiliar territory, but he didn't have that kind of time. Even know, as he walked into the bar, Homare following, he felt a hum of excitement settle within him. Like his very blood was singing for the angel that he knew was somewhere in that very building.

There was immediately a flurry of activity as he settled in a secluded booth in the back. He watched as a few of the 'girls' whispered and giggled to each other as he sent them the usual cold glare. His patience was wearing thin after his sleepless nights and arguments with Someya, Ayase, and then Gin. His sanity was slipping too with his angel so close, yet so far away. He needed Ayase, needed to feel his warm skin that was always so soft beneath his calloused fingers. Needed that open and honest smile to brighten his night and burn away the images of horror that made up his waking hours.

His inner lamenting was carefully hidden beneath a haughty grin when he spied Someya walking over to his table. The okama looked quite pissed as she stopped in front of him, hands on her hips as she glared. "What are you doing here Kanou?"

"What are you getting so defensive for okama? I'm just here as a paying customer."

"Forget that. If you're here to apologize then you would have come up to my office. What do you want?"

Kanou smirked, though his eyes where unforgiving and as cold as ice. "Just looking for a way to the spend the night. What kind of girls do you have here okama? I like petite blonds with blue eyes."

Someya looked to be contemplating scratching out Kanou's eyes with her blood red painted manicured nails. "You're being childish Kanou, playing games and sulking like a child."

"I wouldn't have to if he hadn't made me." he hissed.

"He didn't make you do anything, you're the one that insists hiding! Fine, you want a blonde, I'll get you a blonde."

Turning on her heel, Someya walked away from Kanou and into the back room the girls used as a dressing room. Inside most of the okamas where huddled around a shaking Ayase who looked close to tears. Upon seeing his friend, he all but threw himself at her feet. "What does he want? What is he doing here? Is he angry with me? Did he yell at you?" he babbled worriedly.

Someya grabbed Ayase by the shoulders and in all serious asked, "Do you want to talk to Kanou?"

Ayase froze, lookiing away in guilt before shaking his head quietly. "But I have too. I don't have a choice."

Someya smiled, releasing Ayase and guiding him to sit back down in a small director style folding chair. "Honey, we all have a choice. And if you don't want to see Kanou, no one can make you."

"But Someya-san," asked Ayase with concern, "What else can we do?"

The okama smiled, a mischievous glint in her eye. "Well, he asked for a blond... so we'll give him one..."

A/N: Watch your step! Its a cliff hanger! Well, not much of one but I decided to cut if off there. But seeing as how nothing really exciting happened, I will leave you with the promise that the next chapter will be later this week. I SWEAR BY THE YAOI GOD! This chapter was just here to be a cock tease and to let everyone know that I'm alive.

I have mixed feelings about this chapter. I feel pretty cool about Ayase showing anothersideof himself, and delving deeper into Kanou's mind... but at the same time,Ayase crying in Someya's office seems repetitve and I'm not always one hundred precent sure that I'm getting Kanou's character down right. We will have to see what happens.

Luckily in the next chapter, its a little less talk and a lot more action! Until next chapter!

The song for this chapter was 'Broken' by Seether featuring Amy Lee. AMAZING SONG!

Review Replies! YOU KNOW I ALL LOVE YOU!

Splitmercury: Aw while thank you for taking the time to read this! And I am always so happy to hear that I get Ayase's character right. Its hard to add in so much complexity into what seems to be such a sweet simple character! Glad for your support!

Tankyasue: Wow I am happiest with the reviews are long! I am so glad that Ayase is consistent. I work so hard to try and keep Ayase optimistic even while harboring such deep emotions. Kanou bought him at an auction, molested him, and emotionally abuses him all the time! You can't tell me there isn't some deep inner monologue going through Ayase's mind! I went out on a little limb when I showed his angry side,so I hope it was still in character. :)

Heh heh heh, sorry about the Skyler, but I do promise his role to play is essential. I hope everyone comes to like him enough as a character...

A Dangerous Notion: Your reviews are always a godsend! Seriously, you are AMAZING! I'm glad you liked chapter five and I hope you continue to keep reading!

I was unsure about the Kanou drinking part. I guess what I was trying to go for was a more vulnerable side to Kanou buuuuuuut... we all see how it went. I hope I did better this time around but I'm not really sure with the whole inner depression sort of thinking.

To me, Kanou is kind of a selfish brat. He just takes and takes from Ayase, thinking he knows whats best when in reality, does he really know Ayase at all? But I won't get into that now.

Thanks again for the advice! Until next time!