Ai No Kusabi Fan Fiction ❯ Forever Caged ❯ Chapter 28 ( Chapter 28 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Ai No Kusabi nor do I make any money from this fanfic.
Rating: NC-17
Pairings: Iason/Riki, Raoul/Katze, Original characters and novel character pairings.
Parts: 28 of ?

 

~~**Forever Caged**~~

The pet glared at the merchant as he embarrassingly shouted like a fisherman's wife to come and take a look at him through the bars of the cage he had been shoved in before coming to this sad excuse of a town. After six hours in the city on the other side other the planet the merchant had threw his hands up and they had gone back to the ship in defeat but while they were tying to leave the planet someone had thrown a tool at the engine and they had to make and emergency landing.

After being forced to listen to the Captain and the merchant bitch and moan about him and the trouble he constantly caused he had been caged up and shoved into the back of a truck and taken to the town to try and be sold.

Two damn hours in the blistering sun being watched, talked about and visually poked at by strangers put the pet in a bad mood and just when the pet thought the freak show was over a tall muscular man with graying hair came up and asked the merchant series of questions that had him rolling his eyes, like "What kind of foods does he eat?" and "How much food does he eat?" "How strong is he?" and for the first time in a long while Marlgoul, the merchant, asked him to perform so like a good little pet he was A-93217 started to juggle the fruit he had in the cage with him.

"A-93217 as you can see sir has a very good sense of humor." Marlgoul laughed.

"Having to look at your face everyday I've had to have a sense of humor Ghoul."

"Silence!" Marlgoul hissed.

The man laughed. "Yes I can see he has a sense of humor."

A-93217 looked at the man. He was kind of handsome he thought. Older guy from the looks of the gray streaks in his hair and deep crows feet at his eyes. He had a kind face but then again who knows what kind of person he was. He'll lose interest just like the others and leave, A-93217 thought as he leaned against the bars of the cage and sighed.

"How old is he?"

"He's ten years of age sir."

A-93217 gave a little `piff' and grabbing the electric board he had stolen from the merchant earlier and wrote " Lie'n I'm turteen". Then held it up so the man could see.

The man gave him a startled look. "How much is he?"

"Six thousand sir."

"Six thousand, huh?" The man said with disappointment.

A-93217 looked at the guy again. Stupid Marlgoul. He should know just by being in this small town that a price tag like that no one here could afford it. Staring at the guy again he bit his lip, writing quickly he held it up, again behind Marlgoul's back, to the man. "He's ripn you off. U cold get me for cheeper." A-93217 quickly hid the board when at the man's surprised look made Marlgoul turn to look back at him.

"Huh...that's a pretty high price."

"This pet is of the highest quality sir. His face, and body has been created with perfection and he has been trained to obey his master no mater what the order may be. Even though the price is high let me assure you that one such as he is worth the expense."

What a turd, A-93217 thought. It was pathetic the way he was fawning all over the stranger. Erasing the board he quickly wrote again. "If I so god why try 2 sel hear."  The man smiled and nodded. Marlgoul looked at him again with narrowed eyes but A-93217 looked back at him with an innocent blink.

"He looks like he is of high quality, yes, but if he is then why are you trying to sell him here? I would have thought the big shots on Amoi would have snatched him up."

While Marlgoul scrambled to answer the man's question A-93217 couldn't help but wish the man would just leave already. The longer the stranger stayed the higher "The Ghoul" hopes would rise and the when it all came down to nothing it would he that would feel the backlash of the toad's anger. But whatever, at the moment this was the only entertainment there was. Sighing he held up a new sign "Rejet/ Prob pet".

"I-I assure you sir this pet comes with a certification from a prestigious pedigree. He would be a great addition to your household and also elevate your social status."

"Mmm...How do I know your not trying to sell me a rejected pet?"

"No, no he's a very good pet. A-93217! Lay this gentleman's fears to rest and tell him yourself how well behaved you are." Marlgoul glared at him with the promise of murder in his eyes when he answered him with a loud belch.

A-93217 looked at the stranger with surprised confusion when the man only laughed at his disrespectful manner.

"He seems like he might be a problem child."

"Ah, ah n-no sir. I-It's just been a long tiring day for the little pet. He is so delicate and must be very weary from our travels. He just needs some quiet time to rest his beautiful head." Unknowing to Marlgoul, A-93217, while he was going on and on with his little speech, he had hooked his knees on the bars above his head and started to do pull-ups.

Holding a hand over his mouth, the man's shoulders shook with laughter. "Umm...Yes he does seem very weak with fatigue"

Marlgoul whipped his head around but A-93217 had already dropped down from the bars. Yawning he gave him a dazzling innocent smile. Waiting until Marlgoul turned back around, after giving him a warning glare, he held up the board to the man. "Ass bout defekt."

The man gave him a confused look for a minute before nodding in understanding. "If I was to buy him are there any defects I should be aware of?"

"Umm...Defects sir? N-not t-th-that I-I've been i-inf-formed of."

A-93217 quickly held up another sign. "Law he ned to tel u."

"Are you sure? Remember that, by law, you are required to tell, truthfully, if any potential problems that might arise from a defect that the product may have so that the buyer can protect themselves. This law doesn't it also protect the  seller so that if the buyer does decide  to purchase said labeled defect they cannot turn around and sue the merchant or the company that manufactured the item when said defect becomes troublesome?"

A-93217 while starring at the man with absolute amazement started to applaud.

Marlgoul snapped his mouth shut, which had fallen open, once he heard A-93217 clapping. Quickly he stepped backwards to him and hissed "Your helping him aren't you!?"

"How dare you sir!" A-93217 said with pretend outrage. "I have been silent this whole time. How could I have been helping this kind man when not a peep has left my perfectly shaped lips?" A-93217 gave Marlgoul an anguished look. “Your accusations wound my heart deeply." Marlgoul gave him a suspicious look and when he turned his back A-93217 look of grief turned to evil, wicked glee.

The man was shaking his head and chuckled. With his decision made he turned to the poor merchant. "I'll buy him for fifteen hundred not the six you are asking for."

"Fifteen hundred!? But sir that is too low an amount! As I said before this pet comes with a certificate of the highest quality! It would be an insult to the company to know that their master piece was sold for such a sum. Five thousand, sir, I beg you. That's the lowest I can go!"

A-93217 mind was racing. With all his playing he never once thought that the man would actually buy him.

"Two thousand."

“SOLD!" He shouted.

"Shut-up pet!" Marlgoul hissed.

A-93217 angrily looked at the Merchant. "Are you stupid Ghoul? Take the offer his giving you, you twit! This is the fifth world we've been to and the only offer we've ever gotten! Stop being greedy because if you don't take it the moment we get back to Amoi you bet your ass the first chance I get I'll tell the Director how you failed, FAILED to accept a price for me! Remember what the Dean said "Sell him Merchant. It doesn't matter how much the price is as long as it is a respectable amount" Two thousand is more the acceptable!"

"This is the fifth world you've been to and the only offer you've gotten huh?"

A-93217 beamed happily at the man for picking up and using that piece of information like he had hoped he would. He looked wickedly back at Marlgoul. “What's it going to be Ghoul? You can fatten your pockets a little or have the Dean strip the flesh off your sorry hide for not taking this lovely gentleman's credits." A-93217 could see Marlgoul's will flattering all he needed was a few more pushes. "It took two years but all in all you've done it. The Academy called you for this task because of your record, your reputation for being able to sell anything was impeccable." A-93217 purred. "Now all you have to do is take that wonderful, handsome, mans money and sign me over to him." A-93217 winked at his, soon to be, owner who in turn gave him a low extravagant bow.

Turning his attention back to the still undecided Marlgoul,  A-93217 emitted a scent and wrapped it around the Merchant. One of his special, secret, blends that seduced the unknowing into doing what he wanted. It was still a work in progress, which was why it didn't work on any of the planets they'd been to so far, but he'd been with Marlgoul so long that he knew his body's chemistry, that and he'd been using him and the entire crew as his lad rats.

His eyes slightly glazed Marlgoul stepped closer to him. "But for two thousand credits...."

Humm...He was really fighting it A-93217 thought. Reaching out he pulled Marlgoul as close as the bars would let him. He made the blend a little stronger and blew it onto his face watching him inhale deeply and waited until his eyes were fully glazed over before speaking to him softly, seductively. "It's a great price Marlgoul isn't it?"

"...Yes...A great price...: Marlgoul mumbled.

"Wont it be wonderful to have all those lovely credits in you pocket?"

"...Yes...Lovely..."

"Once you sign ownership over to him you'll proudly be able to say that you can sell anything. Your record will remain spotless." A-93217 continued to woo Marlgoul with his words while caging him with his scent. “An unmarked record. Unmarred and perfect."

"...Yes...Perfect..."

Time to bring it home, A-93217 thought shooting another wave of scent around Marlgoul. "It'll be wonderful to tell the Captain I'm gone, yes?"

"...Wonderful..."

"Then go. Take that gentleman's money so that you can stand up straight and tall and with pride tell one and all that you can sell the un-sellable." A-93217 turned the scent drunk fool around and gently pushed him to the bags that had the paperwork that was needed to turn him over to the stranger.

With the papers in hand Marlgoul stumbled to the man and while signing document after document A-93217 watched a the man kept shooting questioning glances back and forth between Marlgoul and him but A-93217 with just an innocent little shrug mouth "I don't know what's wrong with him".

Credits now in his hand Marlgoul gave the man a wobbly little bow. "Thank you for...your purchase, Sir. I'll have...your merchandise cleansed and...delivered to you later...this evening." Marlgoul said while already turning and walking towards A-93217.

"That's quite alright I can take him now. If you would please deliver anything of his to my home I'd appreciate it."

Marlgoul slurred his agreement and continued to fumble as he tried, unsuccessfully, to unlock the cage door.

"Poor Marlgoul" A-93217 cooed. "This has been a long and stressful day for you hasn't it?” He surrounded Marlgoul with another little douse. My way for saying good-bye A-93217 thought with wicked amusement.

"...Yes...Stressful..."

"Here give it to me." Taking the key from the now obedient merchant he turned made quick work on the lock and swung the cage door open. Climbing out, he stood and, with his eyes closed, stretched his aching back. "Ahh that feels good," He said sighing with pleasure. Opening his eyes he smiled at Marlgoul. "You heard my master. Go get my stuff." A-93217 gave Marlgoul a pat on the rear and pushed his to the front of the vehicle. "That's a good boy. Go on now and don't dawdle on your way back." A-93217 wiggled his fingers in good-bye.

 "Is it safe to let him drive?"

"He'll be fine." A-93217 said dismissively looking up at the man with a sideways glance. He really was a good looking guy, A-93217 thought. Silver mixed in with his dark, wavy, brown hair that framed a square jaw. Pale green eyes that looked at him under a straight brow and for an old man he had a visibly muscular body.

"Do I pass?"

"Meh...It could have been worst," A-93217 said with a shrug. "So why'd you buy me old man"
 
"One if you don't call me old man I wont call you pet. Deal?"

A-93217 eyed the "Old Man."

"Deal son?"

"It's a deal Master."

"Don't call me master either. The names Harold."

"Ok...So Harold why did you buy me?"

"Well I wasn't going to at first. I came over because I was curious."

"Saw the crowd and wondered what all the fuss was about huh?"

Harold chuckled. "I was visiting a friend at his shop when I over heard a few of his customers talking about a pet that couldn't be sold. They were saying that if "it" didn't get sold in this town then sadly "It" would be terminated when they got back to Amoi. To see such dismay from a pack of harden men, no doubt use to that kind of proceedings on unwanted pets, made me venture out to see want kind of creature you were to warrant such feelings from a crew of cut throats like them."

Looks like using them as my lab rats really did come in handy in more ways then one. A-93217 lifted a brow. "Your verdict?"
 
"At first I thought you were just a just a smart ass little punk, which you are," Harold said with a grin. "I damn well almost fell over when I saw that you could write. This reminds me, we need to work on your spelling.”

"Well it's not like I had any help or encouragement when I was reading."

"What kind of books have you read?"

"Umm...Sexual intercourse 101. How to suck and lick with enjoyment. How to hold a coc-"

"OK!" Harold shouted blushing. "Is that the only kinds of books you've read?"

"What other books are there?"

 

Harold shook his head at that answer. "I need to show you our home library the first chance I get," He said.  

"Defect number one."

Harold looked at him in confusion. "Pardon?'

"It's one of my defect, as well as being able to write." A-93217 tilted his head. "I can probably count that as only one defect since reading and writing go hand in hand right? Yeah, I'll count that as one." he said with a nod.

"Being able to read and write is considered a defect?" Harold said with disbelief.

"Ah hello. pets aren't created to discuss what authors they like to read with their masters."

"Absolutely preposterous."
 
"A-93217 looked at him in confusion. "Huh? What's that mean?"

"Preposterous...It means absurd, foolish. Saying, because of that, your in a way broken is ridiculous." Harold put his big hand on the boys head and gave him a little shake. "All it shows me is that you are a smart kid." Harold gave his head a gentle pat. “Follow me." Then turned and started to walk away.

A-93217 stood there stunned for a second before running after his new owner. Walking beside him he kept his face lowered to hide his smile with his shoulder length hair. No one had ever called him smart before. Sexy, sensual etc. but never smart. They walked in silence for a while before he looked up and noticed they had left the town and were now in a residential area. “Where are we going?" He asked.

"I'm taking you to meet someone."

"This "someone" isn't going to do something freaky to me are they?" He asked eyeing Harold up and down.

 "Nothing like that. The person I want you to meet is very special to me. You could say she's the very air that I breathe. In a world filled with darkness she is my shining light. My one and only reason to live."
 
"Holy crap, are you always this sappy?"

Harold let out a booming laugh, "When it comes to my darling wife then yes I am always this sappy."

A-93217 blinked at him in surprise. He was introducing him to his pairing partner? Wow...

They stopped in front of a white picket fence that held back a lawn of deep green grass. Looming ahead stood a light blue with white trim, two story house with many large, dark, intimidating windows. As they walked through the gate A-93217 took in the beauty of the simplicity that was Harold's landscape.  Rows of blue and white flowers seemed to escort them to the front door. They stepped onto the wide pouch and A-93217 looked around, looked anywhere besides the intimidating blood red door, and instead looked curiously at a bench that was held up in the air by chains connected to the ceiling.

"How old are you really child?"

"Thirteen."

"You don't look like a thirteen year old boy. You look younger, if I had to guess I'd say 8 or 9."

"Umm...amazing what science can do now days huh?" A-93217 said preoccupied in studying his find.

"What's your name?"

A-93217 continued to eye the strange hanging bench that swayed back and forth when he answered. "A-93217."

"No not your pet identification number but you name son."

Unable to take it A-93217 walked and pushed hard at the bench which came back and hit him sharply on the thighs. "That is my name," He said glaring at the assaulting pieces of wood.

"Umm... Well we'll have to change that then. Come let's go in."

A-93217 backed up keeping the still rocking chair in his sight when he felt two hands on his shoulders turning him around.

"About your earlier comment about someone doing something to you, you meant sexually didn't you?

A-93217 tried to keep turning his head towards the offending bench that Harold had to give him a gentle shake to gain his attention. "Well I am a pet you know. That's what I would be used for." he said.

"I want you to know that you'll never be used like that ever. If anyone touches you I want you to tell me do you understand?"

A-93217 slowly nodded his head. "If I'm not to be used like a pet then why did you buy me?" he asked. "You're not planning to use me for some psycho experiment then bury me in the backyard are you?" Laughing the man put his hand on his head and messed up his hair.

"I don't think I've laughed this much in years."  

Glaring up at Harold, which made him laugh more, A-93217 tried to smooth his hair back in place.

"Come," Harold said opening the red door. "This is your new home." With a little bow Harold motioned him to enter.

With a nervous little, but noted, swallow A-93217 hesitantly stepped over the threshold and entered.

"My love, I'm home!" Harold shouted making him jump.

"I'm in the garden sweetheart." Said a soft voice that came from the back of the house.

"Come," Harold said closing the front door.

A-93217 watched the door shut in panic. "It's alright son." Harold said softly. "You're safe here. Nothing bad is going to happen to you."

A-93217 eyed Harold's, maybe, six foot tall frame and bulging biceps. "Yeah…so says you," He mumbled.

Laughing again Harold pushed him to the back door and in less then a minute A-93217 was back outside. Harold quickly stepped away from him. A-93217 made a scared little noise but fell quiet and the hand that reached out to Harold went slowly back to his side as his glaze took in the splendor around him.  Hills of flowers he had no names for swayed with the breeze. Colors upon color he'd never seen before overwhelmed him and the smells...sweet lord it all rushed at him so fast that he started to hyperventilate.

"Son? Son!"

A-93217 vision became blocked by a face of angelic beauty. "Oh...umm...I'm sorry...I just," He tried weakly to explain. The angel's smile was so gentle A-93217 calmed instantly.

"Come child." Her voice was so sweet that if given the option A-93217 would have curled up at her feet and slept contently. His angel led him toward Harold, who gave him a knowing little look, which he in turn answered with a curl of his lip. That only got him a wide grin.

"You must be the one that's caused my beloved to sing with laughter weren't you little dove?" The woman gently led him again to sit with her amongst the flowers and next to a basket of gardening tools. "It wasn't on purpose." He said respectfully then curled his lip again at Harold, who gave him a thumb's up sign.

"Ah but that's what has endeared you to me already. To hear the one I love's laughter. To hear the happiness in his voice upon the wind swirl around me and on such a beautiful day is the best gift on can give."

Holy crap she's just as sappy as the old man! A-93217 thought. But who cares she's lovely.

"My love, just knowing that my laughter affects you so makes me want to hold you in my arms." Harold said leaning down and taking her hands, bring them to his lips and kissing each one of her fingertips. 

"Oh beloved just knowing that you feel this way about me after so many years of marriage fills my heart with gladness."

A-93217 rolled his eyes and pretended to gag as Harold pulled the angel into his arms.

"Okay, enough Harold, we're making the poor boy sick with all this mushy sweetness," Untangling herself from her husband's arms she gave Harold a swat on the stomach when he gave a mournful protest.

"It's alright ma'am I find it adorable when you do it," A-93217 said strongly emphasizing the last word.

"You are a darling boy aren't you? But please call me Angel, not ma'am."

Wow she really is an angel. So that's what the annoying little knowing look Harold gave him was, he knew exactly what I was thinking, A-93217 thought shooting Harold a disgusted look and damn if the bastard didn't give him a "I was right wasn't I" look in reply.

"So Harold... who is our guest?"

"He's not just a guest, my love. I'm sorry I didn't discuss this with you first but I've adopted this child."

A-93217 looked at Harold with shock as did his wife.

"Adopted...?" Angel said quietly. “How could you do something like this with out asking me first?" Angel pushed Harold's hands away that tried to pull her to him. "Would you excuse me please?"

A-93217 watched her walk way from them. Their earlier playfulness forgotten as was the bells of her laughter. She wouldn't even look at me, A-93217 thought sighing. Rejected again, hell he should be use to it by now after all they'd met only ten minutes ago but...in this short time he had opened himself up, unknowingly dropped his guard and just like every other rejection it hurt.

"It's alright son... She just needs some time. Lets go in I'll show you which room will be yours."

A-93217 numbly took one last look at the slim form nearly out of sight and let Harold steer him back into the house. "Its getting dark....Will she be all right alone out there?"

"Yes she will and don't worry son...she was just surprised. It's not good to shock someone at our old age....She'll be alright."

Sure she will, A-93217 thought. Well it was fun while it lasted, I'll probably be back on the ship tomorrow so I might as well enjoy the only night I've had in two years of not wearing chains to bed...

 

Before A-93217 knew it he was sitting at the dinning room table and a bowl of stew in front of him. Harold had showed him around the house and to the room that he said how be his but he really didn't pay him any attention. Why bother? He was leaving wasn't he? So there was no point in being curious or getting excited...No point.

"Not to your liking son? I know it doesn't come close to Angel's cooking but it's not that bad."

"It's fine..."

Harold looked at the boy, who was pushing his food around with his spoon. When he was talking to Marlgoul he could help but notice the desolate look in his strange beige colored eyes. A look that clearly said, why bother, what's the point in trying. The boy still had spirit but it was only a front to hide the hopelessness he was feeling. It was look he knew well one he's seen everyday. "Son-"

"When will you be taking me back?"

Harold was confused for a second. "You're not going back son. I told you that this is your home now."

"Mmm...So you said but..."

"But?"

"She doesn't want me here..." A-93217 said softly lowering his face to hide his tear filled eyes. "She's your mate so if she tells you to take me back you'll do it."

"Its not that she doesn't want you son. It's-"

"She was angry that you said you adopted me. She couldn't bear to look at me..." A-93217 pushed his bowl away from him.

"It's not like what you're thinking son it's-"

"It's alright. I'm use to it. I'm sure Marlgoul will let me come back so you don't have to worry. He'll undoubtedly be trilled to see me." A-93217 said with soft, weak, little laugh.

Harold put his spoon down at stared at the boy. "If you go back you'll die child. You'll be signing your own death warrant."

"Maybe...”

"There is no maybe about it!" Harold said now angry at the boy.

"Its ok Harold....I'm disposable. I've learned and accepted that a long time ago."

"Son your not-"

A-93217 stood stopping Harold from what he was going to say. No point in listening. "I'm very tired so can I take a bath and go to sleep. We'll have to wake up early to get back to the ship before they take off." Without waiting to be excused A-93217 turned and walked away. With his head down and his mind far away he never noticed the shadowy figure, which had been listening, as he passed by.

Normally A-93217 loved taking a bath. Especially in this washroom which had the largest private soaking tube he'd ever seen. The tiles that covered the floor shimmered like that of polished pearls and when he turned the knob water cascaded from an opening high above him just like a waterfall. It was breath taking but he couldn't see it. It was funny; he had always pissed Marlgoul off by refusing to get out of the water. It calmed him, made him feel like he was flying when he flowed in the pool of water. But no matter how hard he tried he couldn't get that feeling. The water wasn't washing his troubles away like it normally did.

"I really did want to stay..." A-93217 whispered then dunked his head under the water to wash away the tears that had started to fall.

After dressing in the night shirt Harold had given him, since the clothing Marlgoul dropped off while he was in his bath was too indecent, A93217 entered his room only to stop short when he saw Angel sitting on his bed.

"Come child, you'll catch a cold with your hair dripping wet still, come." Angel motioned him to sit in front of her on the floor. "Give me the towel child."

A-93217 lowered his glaze and did as he was told. "Yes Ma'am."

 ”I told you to call me Angel didn't I," She `tasked' at him.

 "Sorry."

Angel started to gently rub his hair with the towel. "I'm sorry for the way I acted this evening. It's not that I don't think you're a wonderful boy. It just came as a shock that Harold did something like this."

A-93217 kept silent after all what could he say really.

"We had a daughter once. She was a beautiful girl full of sunshine and laughter." Angel whispered pausing in drying his hair. Putting the towel aside she reached over and picked up a hair brush from the night stand.

"Where is she?" A-93217 asked resting his head on his knees and closing his eyes as the brush gently combed threw his blonde streaked locks.

"She died a few years ago from a sickness. She was a miracle for us since my body cannot hold a child within my body to full term. After she was born I was told that I could not breed anymore but I didn't care since I had her. One day she got a cold that got worse day by day until finally her body just gave up."

"…I'm sorry."

"It's alright child. I am sorry also, you see when Harold said he adopted you I thought he was trying to replace my Aimi since you looked to be around her age when she passed away...it made me angry."

"I would never think that I could replace her."

"I know child, I know..."

Unwittingly A-93217 emitted a scent and enveloped her with it, a scent to comfort and ease the pain form the memory.

"Beautiful...Is that you?"

A-93217 looked up in guilt. "I'm sorry I meant no harm I assure you."

Angel looked at the child's yellowish brown, beige, colored eyes and smiled. Cupping his soft face in her hands she caressed his cheeks. "Soft, like a baby's." She said softly. “I know you meant no harm child in fact I find it comforting, your smell, reminds me of the scent of a lily. I've always thought the lilies had the most beautiful fragrant, calming, and soothing."

A-93217 breathes a sigh of relief when Angel started to brush his hair again.

"Harold said you didn't have a name, is that true?" A-93217 nodded his head. "Then, if you don't mind may I call you Lilly? A beautiful name for a beautiful child."

"Lilly? That's a girl's name." Harold said leaning on the door.

"No I like it!" A-93217 shouted. "Please, I really do love the name!"

Harold threw his hands in the air. "Fine, fine but when you start getting bullied for having such a girlie name don't come running to me."

Angel laughed "Don't worry," She said when "Lilly" gave Harold a disgruntled look, "You can come running to me and I'll protect you. Besides your so beautiful all the boys won't notice now girlie your name is. And you're thirteen so I'm sure we'll soon be getting suitors knocking on our door. "

"No, absolutely no suitors! He maybe thirteen but he has the face and body of a seven year old! If I find any boy or girl coming to our door the only thing they'll be getting is a foot in the ass."   

Laughing Angel kissed Lilly on the head and even while he teased the now blushing Lilly he couldn't help but sigh in relief that everything had worked out. The healing towards his beloved and soon to be loved son had already started.

 

“Go to sleep son, tomorrow will be a bright new day and the start of your new life.”

 

“We will wake you in the morning little Lilly. Goodnight.”

 

Lilly…Wake up Lilly….Lilly.

 

Lilly…

 

Wake up…

 

Lilly snuggled deeper in the warmth around him. “Five more minutes Angel…”

 

“Five more minutes my fucking ass. Wake the fuck up Lilly!”

 

Opening his eyes slowly Lilly blinked his eyes in confusion, half expecting his beautiful mother to be leaning over him as she always had done in the past.

 

“Wake up!”

 

Reality was quick to return making Lilly gasp and he panicked when he found that he couldn't move. Looking around him he saw that his naked body was weighted down by numerous arms and legs. To his left sat V and Fidget was not far away being scolded by his brother.

 

Lilly groaned as he forced his aching body to sit up, removing the heavy appendages from the unconscious female bodies that had held him down.

 

“Fucking idiots! I told the fucking three of you to stay out of trouble! The whole fucking market is alive with the knowledge that there are three males here!”

 

Lilly flinched as Riki yelled at them, throwing their clothes at their feet. “…Riki…I'm sor-“

 

“If you apologize to me I'm going to kick your ass Lilly.” Riki said, he was so angry he was shaking. “As I speak the Queen of this world has posted a reward for your capture! If it wasn't for Jade your asses would be dragged off already! Get the fuck up and get dressed we are leaving now!”

 

“I can't find my boobs.” V grumbled as he gently lifted bodies out of the way to look for the silicone.

 

“…Use these…” Sky said putting two apples in V's palm.

 

Lilly dressed quietly and once he was done walked up to Riki with his head bowed. “I…I know you don't want to hear me apologize but I am sorry Riki…”

 

“Do you want us to get caught?”

 

Snapping his head up Lilly backed up a step. The pigmentation drug was wearing off on Riki and his read eyes were changing back to it original midnight color. But the way it was changing back was what was startling. From the center of his eyes the black looked like it was bleeding back in making him look much more intimidating then before.

 

Lilly swallowed loudly. “N-o. I swear I don't want us to get caught.”

 

Riki's red-black eyes narrowed as it looked at the pet collar Lilly still wore. “Really?”

 

“I know this doesn't look good but there is a reason I did this.”

 

Riki turned away. “Not now. Save it till we get back to ship.”

 

“I swear Riki. There is a reason.” Lilly felt horrible. He hadn't thought of anything but the need and because of his single mindedness, his inability to think clearly until he feed his cursed body what it needed he endangered all of them. “Riki…”

“I said not now! None of you seem to understand the severity of what you have done!” Riki looked at Lilly then at V and Fidget's ashamed faces. “As we stand Jade is out there by himself dealing with crowd control, Jade is! If you got all your shit then let's go.” Riki `tsked' in disgust and turned away, reaching for the door to leave.

“I'm sorry Keito…I don't know what happened. I was just going to play around, just a little, but then I smelled this unbelievable beautiful scent and it was like all rational thought flew away….”

Riki froze with his hand on the door knob and slowly looked at Fidget's ashamed face as he looked at his twin then with anger Riki looked at Lilly.

Seeing the look on Riki's face Lilly flinched. “I can explain….”

“Yeah you damn sure will and it better be a fucking good one.” Checking to make sure the coast was clear Riki motion everyone to follow closely behind him. Riki hadn't taken three steps when they saw Jade running towards them.

“I'm sorry!” Jade panted once he skidded to a stop next to them. “They kept coming and coming and touching me. I couldn't concentrate and I got scared so I ran.”

Riki cursed. “We gotta make a run for it then.”

“Wait we can't go that way. “ Jade pulled at Riki's arm turning him in the opposite direction. “Quickly!”

Cursing again Riki glared at the three idiots tat got them in this mess. “Fidget, where do we go?” Riki yelled behind him as they ran.

Tearing off his wig Fidget ran to the front of the group, happy to put his talents and only true duty to work. Fidget had studied meticulously every street map of every town and city on the planet he could find for where they were going and might go, just in case, until he permanently committed them to memory. There wasn't any where he couldn't escape from.

Leading the group down abandoned streets and alleyways, Fidget held his hand up to stop everyone and put a finger over his lip to silence any questions they may have. Peeking around the corner of the street they needed to take Fidget swore under his breath and motioned everyone to back up.

The largest females Fidget had ever seen, that were obviously Royal guards by their clothing and weapons were everywhere and physically making sure every marketer were in fact female. Sneaking pass was not an option they cold take, not if they didn't want to get caught.

Turning back Fidget had the group run back the way they came and lead them down a road they had previously passed, a road he had decided against taking since it would have taken them farther away from the ship instead of closer. There were only three ways to get to the port. The first had been the one Jade came from; the second was they one they just turned away and third was the one he hadn't wanted to take. In a dead run it would take them a half an hour but with their stop in go they would be lucky if they got to the ship in under an hour…unless they took a short cut. 

Opening a shop door on a nearly empty street deep in the middle of the town that's back exit would cut twenty minutes off their time and to the wall where all they'd have to do next was climb over it and that would take them to the far end of the port where their ship was docked.

The last to enter the shop Fidget grunted when he hit V's back who had stopped suddenly. “What are you doing!? Keep moving!” Fidget shoved V out of his way but stumbled to a stop when he saw what made everyone freeze in their spots. Over a dozen robbed figures turned their hooded heads towards them.

“Shit…this place shouldn't have anyone here until tomorrow night.” Fidget whispered to Riki's sweat drenched back. “I swear. I made damn sure of it when I studied every shops schedule.”

“It's alright Fidget.” Riki whispered.

“What do we have here?”

 

Riki turned his nearly completely black glaze to the old woman, the only one that didn't have a hood covering her head that spoke and walked slowly, with a cane, to them.

 

“Riki?”

 

Riki shook his head to silence Jade who tugged at the back of his shirt.

 

“You males can go but we will be keeping the female.” One of the robed figures said behind the old woman, pointing at Jade.

 

Snarling Riki shoved Jade farther behind him. Sky, Fidget and V boxed the smaller boy in while Lilly took his place next to Riki.

 

“Touch and die bitch.” Riki growled.

 

“Calm yourself dark one. We will not take her.” The old woman said smiling gently at Riki.

 

“But Grandmama!”

 

“Shh Amelia.”

 

“But she is obviously of the Ancient Ones! The voice that was reported to us is hers! To find her when her kind should be no more is a miracle. We can't leave her with these sinners and that savage!”

 

“I guess we are the sinners and you're the savage Riki.” V whispered with humor ringing in his voice.

 

Riki watched as the old woman sighed and waved the upset robed female to be silent.

 

“If you can not see what is before you then you are not read to take my place Amelia.”

 

“But-“

 

“I said to shush yourself child and look closely at him.”

 

Riki tensed when the old woman came closer. He had never seen someone as old and wrinkly before. Ceres wasn't a very loving community and old timers, if they didn't have the muscle or brain power, were picked off as easy prey to predators in the slums and Midas? Age was unattractive and thus removed. Even Tanagura held the same opinion. Elites never kept a pet pass their eighteenth year, not counting himself that is, and had them recycled or sold to whorehouses in the red light district in Midas.

 

The old crone made Riki uncomfortable in her fragility but it wouldn't stop him from attacking her if she proved to be a threat to him or his gang.

 

“Calm yourself honored Ancient One. We mean you no harm.”

 

Riki said nothing, just growled a deep menacing sound in warning.

 

“Grandmama! Don't any closer to him!”

 

Slapping the back of his hand on Lilly's chest, stopping the ex-pet from advancing forward when the one named Amelia rushed to the old woman to stop her from coming closer to him.

 

The scent Riki smelled around Lilly fueled his aggression and it must have showed on his face because the other robed figures mumbled amongst themselves and sifted around nervously.

 

“Please, what harm can we, as females, be to four males?”

 

Trying to fight the urge to attack Riki narrowed his eyes at the old woman. “The fact that your females mean jack shit to me, I haven't survived as long as I have by dropping my guard just because someone appeared weak or harmless.” Riki said, warning all of them with the tone of his voice he used, making sure that they knew he had no qualms about doing them bodily damage if they made a wrong move against them.

 

“…Riki…”

 

Riki tilted his head towards Sky but kept his full attention on the mystery females in front of him.

 

“…I hear someone coming Riki.”

 

Riki nodded, he could also hear the heavy foot steps outside. Three maybe four people were almost upon them and considering how empty the streets were outside he could only conclude that they were guards looking for them. Potential threat in the front actual threat in the back, Riki smiled cruelly when he made his decision, dropping his hand that held Lilly back. “Lilly-“

 

“Wait!”

 

If Riki had a mirror he would have been shocked at the Iason like glacier expression and eyes that fixated at the snapable wrist connected to the surprisingly young looking ringed fingers and hand that shot up. Riki looked up at the old woman and arched a black brow in question.

 

“Amelia, give the Ancient One, his female child and the others robes.”

 

Shifting his glaze to the angered female Riki smiled mockingly. “You heard her Amelia.”

 

Catching the scarlet robes that were thrown at him, Riki took one and gave the rest to Lilly to pass out. Never taking his eyes off the old woman and her granddaughter Riki slipped on the robe and drew the hood up and over his head.

 

“Everyone please sit. Please Ancient One, we will assist you and keep you from being detained.”

 

“Be forewarned. If you betray us…” Riki didn't have to finish for them to understand.

 

“To meet one such as you when my journey in life has almost reached the end, believe me, Ancient One, I would do nothing to cut my time with you short.”

 

“Guards are almost here Riki. I see them.” V whispered. “What do you want to do?”

 

“Sit.” Riki said as he lowered himself to the floor. Riki was confident that he, Sky, Fidget and V could take everyone in the room out, plus the guards, and from the way Lilly was about to jump in when the girl made a sudden move made him think the ex-pet could hold his own in the fists department. It would have been easy enough to tie and gag them and take the robes if not for the trembling boy that huddled against his back that was protectively boxed in by everyone. Riki didn't want to take the chance that Jade would get hurt.

 

Everyone held their breath when the door opened behind them.

 

“By order of the Queen we are conducting a search of all establishments to locate males, outsiders, which have disguised themselves as women. We strongly advise you not to interfere.”

 

Hidden deep within the hood of the robe, Riki watched as the guards yanked the hoods of the others off their heads.

 

“We can do this if we work together Jade.” Lilly whispered.

 

“Is that ok Riki?”

 

Riki didn't need to ask what Lilly was talking about or what Jade was asking permission for. “Do it.”

 

“You there talking! Remove your hoods!”

 

“Everyone's hoods are already down. Looks like they aren't here.”

 

Using that special voice loud and clear, Riki shivered and grit his teeth when he heard it but it was the new scent that emanated from Lilly and his repeated echoing of Jade's last three words that had him panting and clenching his hands into fists on his thighs until he felt his sweaty palms sting from the salt as his nails cut and dug into his flesh. Riki would hear the twins and V swearing as they also resisted the urge to be controlled by Lilly and Jade.

 

“Looks like this place is clear. Thank you for your cooperation. We will be taking our leave but please remember that if you see anyone that you suspect be sure to contact the nearest guard.”

 

Riki stood once the guards left and took down his hood.

 

“Absolutely amazing. All the stories of your females were not exaggerated and that one there.” The old woman pointed to Lilly. “An Alasozian…As a male Alasozi you should not be able to do what you can do…But then again a long time has passed that you could have evolved which isn't surprising considering who it is you are following.”

 

Not liking the way the old woman looked at him when she said that Riki motioned everyone to the door.

 

“It had been told that “they” had wiped out both of your species existence in their greed.”

 

Riki looked at the old woman. “I think you have me, us, mistaken for someone else.”

 

“Please stay for a while longer…I apologize for my rude and disrespectful manner towards you. But if my Grandmama is correct and believes you to be of the Ancient Ones then we have many questions.”

 

“You and your daughter must also have questions for us and we have much to tell you.” The old woman lifted her hands in plea for Riki to stay.

 

Riki looked at Jade, who stepped to stand next to him, tickled at the boy's disgruntled look at being called a female repeatedly. “Daughter? Lady do I look old enough to have a kid her age? That would mean I would have been in nappies when she was conceived and I would have been still in them when she was born.”

 

“The blood that flows in her veins does not lie…She is of you, she is of your seed. Can you not see that?” The old woman said smiling gently.

 

Riki stepped in front of the boy, blocking the woman's view of Jade. “Look I don't know if you're just senile or plain crazy because of your advanced age but there's no way she could be mine.” Pushing Jade towards V, Riki pulled the hood back over his head. “I'm grateful for your help, not that I asked for it, we could have taken care of the problem ourselves, but thanks for the robes they will come in handy.”

 

“Please come to our planet. Callesdran in the Bearna galaxy. Our High Mother would have all the questions you have. I know you are an Ancient One and you could be in grave danger if “She” were to find out of all of your existence.”

 

Riki pushed everyone out of the door. “Like I said you have the wrong person.”

 

“You must be careful child. My people have kept the history of your kind and all the ones you've changed for the better or worst and if she or more accurately “It” finds out about you then your days are numbered. It was because of her and the children she created that your kind, the Alasozi and the Ura'zen were all destroyed.”

 

“I don't know who or what Alasozi or Ura'zen's are. Again you have the wrong people.”

 

“Our kind has never been able to tell how old your kind is. You could be well over a hundred years old but look no older then twenty. You could be close to your first change and if you do not have an elder to guide you your rebirth will be frightening. Please, Ancient One, if you are close it would be best to stay with us so we can tell you what we know.”

 

Only the sound of the door closing behind him was the answer Riki gave the mystery women. He had questions, loads of them, as did Lilly he had seen by his slight reluctance to leave but at the moment they had more important problems on their hands then stopping off at some temple worshiping back water planet that's people no doubt sat around a camp fire talking about the excellence of a butterflies life or some crap like that.

 

The foot march back to the ship went nice and easy with the robes they wore and even as they took off and orbited above the planet before they jumped to the next worlds Riki couldn't help be feel worried by what the old woman had said and from the concerned looks from everyone he could see that they were worried as well.

 

Riki didn't feel unmanly at all when he thought how he wished Iason had been with him to stop the frightening tremors that filled him and the storm clouds that rolled within him. The words the old woman had said in parting had struck a cord because he could feel something within him what wanted to awaken and it freaked him out.

 

oOoOoOo

 

Jupiter opened her eyes when the connection with Riki broke. With a simple thought she summoned her servants to her side.

 

“Jupiter?”

 

Waving her hand Jupiter brought up a hologram of stars in front of her servants. “Go to this planet and find the one they call High Mother and take all of her memories. Take anything of our history as well as Riki and Katze and Lilly's history that they might have and bring them back to me.”

 

“Is there anything else Jupiter?”

 

Jupiter looked down at her loyal servants and smiled. “Make an example, a large one, of what should happen if they ever try to give Riki sanctuary and if they dare to go against me.”

 

“Yes Jupiter.”

 

Looking at her main android that stayed behind after the others bowed and left, Jupiter floated down from the great highs in her dome like quarters. “What is it child?”

 

“The scientists that created the pet Jade are still waiting for you Jupiter. And one of your Blondes, Sir Orphe Zavi, has been whispered as a failure by others.”

 

Jupiter frowned. “Has Iason not taken measures to stop the slanders words against Orphe?”

 

“He has but, forgive me for saying so, the whispers will not stop completely and if it were to continue Sir Orphe's standing will fall.”

 

“I will send out an announcement. Is there anything else?”

 

“His Excellency has submitted requests for an audience with you.”

 

“Deny him entrance for now.”

 

“Yes Jupiter.”

 

Jupiter tilted her head as she studied the satisfied look on her android's face. “Why are you pleased?”

 

“Forgive me, I mean no disrespect…I just am strangely satisfied in being able to supply you with information.”

 

“Ahhh yes.” Because she had withdrew from everything to be able to follow and listen to everything Riki said she had to rely on her androids to keep her informed of the going on's, on Amoi. “I will speak to the scientists now and there is another thing I want you to do after you escort them to me. Find out all the information on Sir Mikhale's pet, Lilly. I want to know how my beautiful Blondie was able to hide a wild creature like an Alasozi in Eos for over two years without discovery. “

 

After her loyal servant bowed to do her bidding Jupiter gave herself a smile. Allowing Mikhale's pet to leave with Riki had been a very good decision and she couldn't wait until she brought them all back.

 

TBC…..