Ai no Kusabi Series by Rieko Yoshihara

The Man’s upturned blue eyes were so unimaginably beautiful that they could make anybody tremble with awe. In this moment, however, they also glimmered with an icy fire—perhaps revealing the fury of his wounded pride, or rather, a manifestation of his uncontrollable obsession.Ceres: a city without ethics or taboos, ruled by instincts and lusts. These are the slums—immutable, eternal, home to those poor, caged souls stricken with a perpetual melancholy... moreThe Man’s upturned blue eyes were so unimaginably beautiful that they could make anybody tremble with awe. In this moment, however, they also glimmered with an icy fire—perhaps revealing the fury of his wounded pride, or rather, a manifestation of his uncontrollable obsession.Ceres: a city without ethics or taboos, ruled by instincts and lusts. These are the slums—immutable, eternal, home to those poor, caged souls stricken with a perpetual melancholy. After three years, Riki unexpectedly returns to Ceres, but all is not well. The “Charisma” of the slums is a changed man. Faced with growing suspicion that he’s lost his spark, and haunted by the memory of what happened during those three years away from the slums, Riki finds himself pulled into the escalating gang warfare as rivals attempt to wipe out his pack before they can regroup under their newly-returned leader. And then there is the frighteningly cold, regrettably familiar man he meets by chance one day: the beautiful Iason Mink. What secrets lie behind the smile of that bewitching Blondy?Rieko Yoshihara’s classic yaoi story comes reimagined since its original incarnation, revised slightly but still as dark and relevant as ever. Ai No Kusabi remains Yoshihara’s exemplification of the vision of Juné, and is certain to enthrall those new to the series and well as long-time fans! less

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A Blondie takes a street mongrel as a pet, and the entire city buzzes with the scandal. However, Riki, ever the defiant pet, appears to be losing his master's interest. Is he on the verge of being abandoned?

Seeing Guardian's dark side in full, the pursued Kirie escaped to Riki's place. But Guy handed him over to the visiting Katz Leading to discord between Riki and Guy, Riki left the slums behind to seek out Iason's approval.

The feelings of anger and jealousy surrounding Riki's status as Iason's pet continues to fester, both amongst the Blondies and their pet. Riki is feeling more and more isolated, as he suffers from a serious stabbing and remains confined. Will Iason be able to keep hold of his beloved Riki, or will Blondie's society tear them apart? And what about Guy? Is he willing to walk away?

Riki's stumbled his way into the upper class's neighborhood?! Guy, who's hot on his trail, is shocked to discover that Iason is Riki's patron. However, before Riki's eyes, Iason announces "Riki is my pet" in a display of dominion over him. Blinded by his jealousy, Gai kidnaps Riki and challenges Iason to a no-holds-barred confrontation. Master and pet.. moreRiki's stumbled his way into the upper class's neighborhood?! Guy, who's hot on his trail, is shocked to discover that Iason is Riki's patron. However, before Riki's eyes, Iason announces "Riki is my pet" in a display of dominion over him. Blinded by his jealousy, Gai kidnaps Riki and challenges Iason to a no-holds-barred confrontation. Master and pet...love forged in the bonds of a twisted relationship - this is the stunning conclusion of Ai no Kusabi!---Taken from back cover:"When I was in Eos I thought I would never back down, never give in. Even in the last three years in Eos, I was a slumdog to all of them, but that was what I had pride in. ...But since coming to Apatia... I thought it was meaningless to keep holding onto that. And when I'm with Iason, my head spins and I can't help it."It dawned on Katze at last. The one who changed wasn't just Iason. It was Riki as well. "So you love him," Katze said matter of factly.Riki, the Ceres slumdog, has a new cage: Apatia, the place where the elites of Midas hide their mistresses--and their human pets.Iason Mink has allowed Riki to live in Apatia under the watchful eye of Katze. Determined to earn a measure of freedom by working as Katze's assistant in the underground again, even while remaining Iason's sexual pet, Riki tries to leave the past behind.But unknown to him, forces are at work that will make this impossible.Word is leaked to Bison that Riki has been spotted in Apatia, and once Guy hears this, nothing will stop him from going after Riki. As the Bison members reunite to try to take back their former leader, Guy makes a final desperate attempt to turn back the clock--to change things back to the way they were when Riki and Bison ruled the streets of Ceres.And what happens next--changes everything forever. less