Ok, time doesn't really exist so it's like I never really stopped updating at all!

I needed to take a few mental health days and those days turned into weeks and....well you know the rest.

Don't hate me too much, Lovies!                     (人ゝд∩)

"Tell Ume that we'll be sleeping in the same room.Katsu leans over me. A stray shadow filtering in through the windows covers half his face in a sinister fashion. I can't help the sudden shiver that runs down my back. with Ryuu, I always felt safe and comfortable but with Katsu, my heart begins to beat against my chest. I can never tell what he'll do next and his unpredictable nature both excites but scares me at the same time.

Ryuu. I wonder how he's doing. Did Astrid find he? Is he with the doctor now? A wave of guilt washes over me making my eyes close in regret so when Katsu reaches up to touch my face a flinch.

" (Y/n) you're not still thinking of that pathetic little servant of yours, are you?" I can hear Katsu grind his teeth together, refusing to say Ryuu's name aloud.

I pull my face away from his hand and turn toward the bookshelf again. Trailing my finger along the well-worn spines I find a familiar title. Peter Pan sits an inch out from all the other books, its felt cover spotted with dirt and finger smudges. Clearly, it must be someone's favorite.

I go to pick it up when a hand clamps down on my wrist and I'm pushed down on the bed next to me.

Katsu looks down at me. His legs on either side of my waist to keep me in place and one of his hands hold both of mine above my head.

" (Y/n), I helped you escape Ryuu so you'd only think of me." Before I could respond his lips dominate mine. The kiss sucks all the air out of me. The heat of it is almost too much. His free hand stays right above my belly button but I can tell he's restraining himself.

He stops just long enough for me to breath. His lips trail down my collar bone, sucking on the sensitive spot below my throat. I'm about to let out the moan I've been barely holding in when there's a knock on the door and Katsu lets out a growl.

" Mistress (L/n), dinner has been prepared for you and your servant. I can't seem to find Ryuu though. Do you know where he might be?" The voice of Ume sounds from behind the door.

"Yeah...I may k-know w-where he is." My voice comes out airy as Katsu continues to kiss me. I listen as Ume walks farther away.

"Katsu. Katsu! Stop!" He hesitant but eventually stops his kissing ,though stays on top of me.

"Promise me that we'll sleep together and I'll get up." Mischief dances in his eyes as he puts more of his weight on me.

"No."

For a split second, I swear I see something snap behind his emerald eyes but it was gone before I can truly say that I saw anything.

"Yes!" He puts all of his weight and locks me in place by laying down against my body. I can feel a blush rush to my face. His face mere inches away from mine.

"No. Now get off!" My hands are still in his grip when he pinches my nose closed and covers my mouth with his again. At first, I don't understand what he's doing but after a few seconds, the need for air gives me clarity.

I try to tell him to let me go but it's muffled. Black dots swirl in my vision. I'm going to pass out if he doesn't let me breathe soon.

In defeat, I end up shaking my head up and down since I can't verbally tell him. He pulls away just enough so I can take in air again.

"Great! I knew I could change your mind. See you tonight, then." Katsu slowly gets up after kissing the tip of my nose one last time. I hear the door quietly shut behind but don't hear any footsteps afterward. He must be waiting for me out in the hall to take me to dinner.

My lips tingle in the weirdest way. I bring my fingers up to touch them. The sensation is similar to the way my stomach would feel if I was around Ryuu. I know now that what I felt was the beginnings of a crush but could I be feeling the same for Katsu?

No. I can't be.

I wait about ten minutes before I exit my room. Katsu leans against the wall to my left. Once he sees me a wide grin takes over his face and... is that a blush? His cheeks turn the lightest shade of pink as I notice him staring at my lips. He holds out an arm for me to take and we walk down the hallway to dinner.

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A cherry oak table sits in the middle of an open space I can only assume to be the dining room. The layout of this whole house confuses me. I've never seen an entire floor not separated by doors and walls before.

Ume is nowhere to be seen but the table is set for two at the far corner so Katsu and I make our way over. Katsu pulls out my chair before sitting on his own. I guess he's still pretending to be Ryuu even if no one is here.

About halfway through dinner, I start to finally relax. Katsu hasn't brought up what happened in my room and I'm not willing to ask him about it.

Ume stands behind a well-dressed man in his late twenties. It takes me a couple seconds but I realize that the man is Youko. I immediately get up and run over to hug him.

"Youko! I thought you were in Germany. What are you doing home so early?" He hugs me back, kissing both of my cheeks.

"Well, when Ume told me you were staying with me I couldn't help but cut my meeting a little short." He smiles down at me but there's a certain sadness in his blue eyes. He seems to have cut his red hair a few inches, as well.

(Author's note: Listen, I know this guy may not look older than you but do you know how hard it is to find a cute, older, business-looking anime character?? Almost impossible!) (╯‵□′)╯︵┴─┴

The sound of Katsu's chair scraping against the hardwood floor makes both of us look over at him. He stares at Youko pointedly.

If looks could kill...

"Who is-"

"Youko! You didn't forget what Ryuu looked like already, did you?" I quickly interrupt him before he says anything in front of Ume. wouldn't want anything to reach my parents. Not that they would be listening to servant gossip but I would rather Katsu be as much a secret as long as possible.

Youko gives Katsu a confused look but says nothing else about it.

" Oh. My mistake. Are you just finishing dinner?" I shake my head, yes, even though I'm still a little hungry. I to talk with Youko alone so I can explain my situation more than I want to finish the odd pineapple and fish meal.

"Good. I already ate. Do you want to talk in my study?" I open my mouth to reply but suddenly Katsu is beside me.

"We would love to, sir." Taking my hand in both of his, Katsu doesn't break eye contact with Youko.

"Perfect. This way." He narrows his eyes as a smirk crawls up his face. In one move Youko breaks Katsu's hold ad wraps an arm around my shoulders. I'm forced to start walking when Youko does. I hear Katsu's breath become harsh and his teeth clench. I don't dare look back but Youko does.

"Follow along, servant."

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In Youko's study, I sit in one of the over-stuffed leather chairs across from the huge marble desk. This room is completely different from the rest of the house. It's dark and cramped with book shelves.

"So, (Y/n) would you like to tell me why this boy is pretending to be Ryuu?"

I look over at Katsu, who stands as close to me as I would allow with Youko in the room. Youko sits behind the desk glaring at him.

"His name is Katsu. He helped me escape from Ryuu." Youko turns back to me, clearly surprised.

"What? But Ryuu-"

"Knocked her out and locked inside a storage closet for days." Katsu suddenly yells. Youko stands up and walks over, getting up in Katsu's face.

"You dare speak to someone like that in their own house. You're lucky I don't kick you out!"

"Youko! Please! He's telling the true." I get up and place a hand on Youko's shoulder, which Katsu grabs and pulls me away.

"Don't touch him."

It becomes deathly quiet as Youko watches us. Katsu holds my head to his chest, his other hand wrapping tightly around my waist.

"Katsu. Stop." I can't help the blush to creep up my face. I try to push away but he keeps me locked in place.

"She said stop. Let her go." Youko is strangely calm though anyone would see how angry he really is.

"No! She's mine! Mine! I won't let another leave me!" Katsu brings his head down to meet my eyes. He looks frantic, scared even.

"Another?"