The black-and-white tuxedo tom wandered a little aimlessly through the streets of Ikebokuro City, his long-fingered hands stuffed in the pockets of his oversized and holey black hoodie. On the front of it was a chibi cat-skull in pink and white with black stitching around the edges -- one of his favorites, even if it was a girl's shirt. Kiba didn't care; he was skinny and lean with long legs and a high waist, giving him an almost girlish appearance. Add that to an androgynous face with short-cropped, white-blond hair and a few earrings? He could almost pass for female. Almost--he didn't have tits, of course. Didn't have tits, and didn't like tits. The thought made his lip twist into a small sheepish smile. That he was growing certain of by the day, as he saw pretty guys all around him. Not that women weren't beautiful--they were! He just wasn't attracted to them that way.

His olivine green eyes lingered on a large school system, a college of sorts he was going to guess; he knew college from his second owner: his boy's mother had taken art classes at a place called Ongaku University. And as Kiba passed the sign, he realized that this was the place--did cats even reside here? Perhaps in the basement, like termites in the floorboards? His ears pulled back in uncertainty; he wasn't the most...social of creatures. But still...he was hungry. His stomach rumbled for good measure and with a deep but slightly shaky breath, he headed forwards, keeping low to the ground and stealthy.

---

Dio had been wandering around the grounds of the school looking for a good place to practice his Violin. He smiled to himself as he found a good spot. Near the fountain. He sat down with his lunch bag his mother had made him and his violin. He hummed as he looked for a song to play. He wanted to work on that one he had found and tried to play for that male a while ago…Nemesis he thought his name was. He smiled and remembered how the cat had run from him cause he thought his music was magical and that Dio was trying to control him with it. He just didn’t know that he enjoyed slow sad classical songs. He had played two for the male and he had all but fallen into a trance. Something he had seen in cats before when his master played and when he played the songs that he had played then. He was good at them but he wanted to be better at everything with the violin.

He closed his eyes and started playing the music. If he got lost or confused he would open his eyes and read the music again while he played but for most of it he played with his eyes closed. Smiling as he played happily he caught something on the wind. Opening his orange eyes he glanced around and saw a thin tuxedo male walking over towards the area. He smiled and kept playing while he watched the male wondering what he was looking for.

---

As Kiba neared closer to the University, his ears picked up the soft, lilting sound of music. They pricked up, his head lifting, eyes lifting from their lock-on on his scuffed tennies. He was into the habit of watching his feet, to keep him from meeting another's gaze. People made him nervous...yet he craved their affection. Talk about a fickle cat.

But that music... As he walked, it got stronger. It was simply...beautiful. It made him close his eyes for a moment as he followed the sounds, though the sound of running water made him open his eyes. There was a boy sitting by the fountain, reading sheet music and playing a gorgeous violin. Kiba himself wasn't musically inclined, but he found himself wishing he could play. And the boy... Kiba smiled gently. He was beautiful too. He crept a little closer, feet shuffling. A few feet away from the cream-pelted cat, he looked up and met his striking orange gaze, then blushed lightly. "You play beautifully..."

---

Dio smiled as he kept hearing the steps getting closer to his spot. He closed his eyes for a moment longer and just started improvising the music since the song on paper was done. He smelled the male now and opened his eyes again seeing the tuxedo male eveen better now.

Smiling at him he finished what he was doing and then put the violin away next to him. "Thank you." He said a little lost as to why the other male was blushing. "Do you want to listen to more?" He asked even as he was nervous since the last time someone had listened they had freaked out and said he was evil. The Tuxedo's hair was very pretty! Ruggling his own pale cream hair he smirked a little. "I promise im not going to possess you." He said with a giggle as he pat the spot next to him. "I'll even share my food with you!" He said with a smile as he waited.

---

Kiba looked down at him, hesitating when the stranger met his eyes, but the smile set him at ease. His short tail flicked back and forth and his ears pulled back gently against his head, but he managed to control his flight instinct. When the boy put his violin down, Kiba felt a small tug on his heart; he'd hoped the other cat would continue playing. "You're welcome," he said a little shyly, running both hands through his pale hair. "I'd love for you to keep playing," he admitted, though he frowned when the cat said something about 'possession'; it was lost on him. He eased into the spot beside the other boy and crossed his legs at the knee. "When...how did you learn how to play so pretty?"

---

Dio smiled at him and nodded as he walked over. "I don't get to talk to many others who arnt in my class so i don't hear that im good. Just how to get better." He said with a smile as he opened his food and offered the male an riceball his mother had made. "I'll start playing again. I just didn't want to seem rude." he said with a smile as he thought about the question. "Why i go here. I have a teacher here who shows me how to play and i learn to get better. I love it alot. My mother and siblings dance but i don't like to dance, i like my music.
"

---

Kiba watched him curiously. So...the boy went to this college? He glanced over his shoulder to the large building, then returned his gaze back to him. Huh. "I didn't know cats could take classes here," he admitted, reaching for the riceball the boy gave him, holding it in both hands as if to cherish it; it was beautifully handcrafted! Kiba smiled gently, nibbling. "Mm... No, no. Don't let me stop you from playing. It's very...relaxing," he said. He leaned back and slowly ate the riceball, listening to the lilt of violin music.

---

Dio smiled at him glad to see he was happy with the riceball. "Oh well we kind of have to hide and what not but my teacher is a cat i think he visits with the music teacher there and learned watching him teach the people. So he taught some of us. I love it." he said as he smiled. "My name is Dionysus but everyone calls me Dio." He smiled as he took up his violin, turned the page and started playing again with a smile. He was glad the male was relaxed by it and not freaked out by his music. He had been really upset with that male who had run away from him all crazy.

---

Kiba finished up the riceball, savoring its flavor as the stranger--Dionysus, his name was--began to play again. As the music swirled around him, blending with the soft trickle of fountain water, Kiba let himself relax, closing his eyes and swaying gently to the music. Dionysus... Wasn't that a Greek god of...something? He frowned, trying to recall his first Master's book teachings, but unable to pull up any more information. Perhaps he'd ask this boy about it. Once Dio had finished his piece, Kiba's eyes fluttered open and he offered a small, shy smile. "I like it. I'm Kiba... It's not short for anything, but...that's my name."

---

Dio loved this song. He loved playing fun classical things for people. And When they really enjoyed it he was even more happy. He smiled as he stopped and looked at him with a smile. Why did he think the other was so cute? It...it was odd he didn't know what to do with it but he filed the feelings away to think about later. "Thanks. Its ok you don't need a shorter name. Kiba is a wonderful name. I like mine alot and i hope i can live up to the wonderful god i'm named after. I'll be a party animal when i'm older." he said with a smile.

---

Kiba crossed and uncrossed his legs, his hands placed in his lap as he regarded Dio. At the mention of his name, he smiled. "Thanks. I know some cats change their names when they...become a stray, but I couldn't give up the name my Master gave me." He frowned, looking down at his hands and picking at a hangnail. "I...was close to him. Before he died," he said softly. He reached up to touch the black leather collar hanging tightly around his throat; before too long it would suffocate him... He frowned, then glanced over at Dio, finding a collar around his neck as well. "Have you...given any thought to taking yours off? Your collar, I mean?"

---

Dio looked at him as he pulled a polishing rag from his pocket and began cleaning his violin. "Oh yes i know some who changed their names. Most of them live with my dad in the anbu territory." he said with a smile as he looked over at the other one. He smiled at him softly. "I'm sorry your owner died. The one who had me wasn't too horrible of a human. But then i saw my dad looking for me in the neighbor hood and let him know i was there and he freed me. I wanted to be with my family more then the nice humans." He said with a smile as he looked at the blue collar on his neck. "No but i'll need to take it off soon. Im not worried about it though cause it doesn't bother me too much yet."

---

Anbu? Kiba frowned, not knowing what these people were, but wasn't surprised that alot of cats did change their names. Well, who could blame them... What if your Master named you Snookums? Kiba grimaced and flicked his tail, watching as Dio began to polish his violin. Strange... It looked almost relaxing. Kiba considered picking up music sometime. He flushed a little. "It's okay; I'm sentimental," he admitted sheepishly. "I can understand though. Your decision, I mean..." Heck, he didn't even remember his mother... He could vaguely recall a tuxedo face...green eyes...but beyond that? Nothing... He frowned. "At least you -have- family. I have..well...myself. Nothing more."

---

Dio smiled as he ran the rag over the polished wood. "I'm sure. I would have been sentimental about my family too if i had been with them long enough." he said with a smile as he looked over him and frowned. "Alone? Oh well that cant be had. We cant have you thinking like that. Why not come here and see me alot? there arnt alot of other cats my age here and...though you seem a little older then i am i'd like to spend more time with you. I like having friends to talk to and play for. And you seem to like my playing right?" he said with a smile. "What do you say want to be friends?" he asked with a bright smile.

---

Kiba looked up, meeting the orange-amber eyes of the younger boy. He imagined him in a few years and grinned, blushing at the thoughts. He would definitely be a looker, that's for sure. Kiba...Kiba himself was plain-- pale skin, blond hair, nervous green eyes. He wore pants too tight, shirts too big, and his hair was always in his face, but he couldn't bring himself to change. He was himself and, for the most part, comfortable with that.

He perked up at Dio's words. "R-Really?" His mouth made an 'o' of surprise. "You'd like me visiting you?" He paused. "I-I do. Your music is beautiful... Maybe I could meet your teacher? I wouldn't mind...trying, yanno? Playing something?" He blushed again. He'd be too embarrassed to play for the public til he knew he was good though.

---

Dio wiggled happily. "Oh good! I'd like you to spend more time with me tour really nice! I like it alot when i meet people that like my music. I play a litlte piano too but i have to work on that when im inside cause the piano cant come out. Too big." he said with a smile as he put his rag away. "You want to learn? Oh that would be so fun! Then we can play together! I can show you some things now!" he said as he scooted over behind the male and handed him the violin gently. "Here i'll show you how to hold it." he said as he took his hands to show them from behind the other.

--

Kiba smiled at Dio's eagerness, then laughed at the idea of the skinny boy dragging a piano outside to play for everyone to hear. Dio just seemed so confident in himself, radiating a strength that Kiba didn't have. Maybe he was faulty. But Dio thought he was nice. He blushed and nodded when Dio asked if he wanted to learn, though his eyes widened in surpirse as he moved behind him and handed him the violin. The instrument felt foreign in his hands, and Kiba was afraid he might break it. Flushing heavily, he followed Dionysus's guide and tried to get comfortable with the violin. "O-Okay..."

---

Dio smiled at him and rested his head on his shoulder. "Relax. Drop this arm here. Breath. Hold it gently. Relax your hand." He said with a smile as he moved his arms and hands. He folded his hand over the others hand and showed him where his fingers went. He was too young to know that this was a little too much closeness for the shy male and that if he was older it would be be considered flirting. But at his current age he just thought he was helping.

---

The heat in Kiba's face only intensified as Dio showed him what to do...but he was too close for the shy male for comfort. Kiba felt the urge to pull away, to apologize profusely and flee...like always...but he didn't want to lose this new friendship. He was glad that Dio couldn't see his blush... He told himself that the boy was too young to realize what he was doing--and took a deep breath. He very softly played a very flat note, then snorted with nervous laughter.

---

Dio laughed a little. "That was Good!! Relax some more. Don't let the shaking show in your stroke. Just slide it like this." he said as he held the males arm holding the bow and stroked the bow along the strings softly. A nice long note came out and he smiled. "See! You try again." he said with a smile as he rested his hands next to Kiba, chin still rested on his shoulder.

---

Kiba smiled at the younger boy's laughter, though he was embarrassed. After the cue of the nice notes, he attempted again. And again. Until he got the hang of it. Still, it was far from a song...and it wasn't like Kiba could read music. Still... He played, experimenting with different strings and positions, some of them coming out a little flat, but some...not bad. He smiled and relaxed a little, aware of the boy's chin on his shoulder and wishing -just wishing- that he would someday do that in the future...when it wasn't so innocent. He flushed again; hell, Dionysus probably wasn't even gay. He stiffened and pulled away, handing the violin back with a strange smile. "Maybe I'd be better at the flute?"


---

Dio smiled as he watched him play around with it. Cueing him on how to hold his fingers to make a few of the simple notes. He purred. "You did good!" he said as he took the violin and put it in its case. "The Flute? Why you looked good with the violin. And it doesn't take air to do so you don't have to break for breath. And it sounds nicer, sometimes a flute can get a little...ehhh..." he knew it sounded pretty. He had tried it when he was desciding what to play most. But he hadn't liked it. and if he tried to play it outside it got so cold that it grew flat too often. "You should come back tomorrow and i'll teach you to read music!" he said with a smile as he swished his fluffy tail.

---

Kiba laughed a little. Flute was also a little girly... But what about piano? Or guitar...he could see himself playing long, acoustic ballads for his boyfriend. He blushed and then nodded at Dio's words, a little surprised. "How'd you know I can't read music?" he asked, head tipped to one side, blond hair falling into his green eyes. He brushed it away with the back of his hand, but it merely fluttered back. "But...okay. I'd like that. Here? Tomorrow?"

---

Kiba was funny. "Of course i was sure you didn't read it. You don't seem to know much about the instraments ingeneral so i figured you didn't know much about reading the music." he said with a smile as he nodded. "Yes i'd love to have you come here again tomorrow. Right here at...ummm what ever time this is..." he looked at the school and the large clock on the front sat 2pm. "At two in the afternoon! Sound ok to you or are you busy?" He needed to get back to his mother so she didn't worry.

---

Kiba was funny. "Of course i was sure you didn't read it. You don't seem to know much about the instraments ingeneral so i figured you didn't know much about reading the music." he said with a smile as he nodded. "Yes i'd love to have you come here again tomorrow. Right here at...ummm what ever time this is..." he looked at the school and the large clock on the front sat 2pm. "At two in the afternoon! Sound ok to you or are you busy?" He needed to get back to his mother so she didn't worry.

---

Kiba laughed lightly, pink tinting his cheeks. "Of course," he mused. He followed Dio's gaze to the clock, nodding as the boy spoke to him. "N-No. That works, that works! I'm not really doing much of anything..." Except wandering; at least this would give him something to do. He smiled. "2 works. I'll...see you then?" He backed up a few steps, then turned and began to walk away. His stomach gave a low growl and, remembering Vega's teachings, headed to the market for some fish.

-- Fin