Disclaimer: Yun Koga is the owner. I am appeasing myself by using her creations for my own dirty purposes. LoL

A/N: Wow, this chapter flowed forth easily. I usually have trouble writing every chapter for this story, as absurd as this might sound to some of you! XD Yup, it's up now because it practically wrote itself, and if I did have trouble with it, then it wouldn't be up today. ( - . -); I also found juggling two tasks help my brain juices flow better for some reason. Example: reading manga for a bit and then typing a bit . . . And of course I do not copy the plot of the manga I am reading (just so you guys know, and because it is completely irrelevant to what I am writing). O.o

Underneath Cyan Skies
Chapter 21: Skin Deep

"You know, this is the first time you're protesting against me," Kio noted, "and I'm not trying to say it's a bad thing, but this matter needs to be discussed. Really, Takara, have a seat."

"I'm sorry, Master, I will not do it again." She instantly went for the chair across Kio and sat down, staring avidly into his eyes. Deep down she was burning with fear, but on the outside she showed herself of someone with little indifference to anything. Her only protection was her self-control. "Ask me anything you want and I shall answer."

Kio could see the sudden change in Takara, and he wanted to tell her to relax, yet he knew right now probably wasn't the best time. "Ah, all right. Let's delve very far back - when were you sent to the shop to be sold? And then we can work our way up from there."

"When I was eight years of age. I began my training at the starting age of three - there were others besides me, but I don't recall any faces or names."

"Round them up! Put the smallest of the bunch in the back! We'll get to them last!"

"Yes, Sir!"

A small one, huddled up against herself was watching the scene with fearful eyes; she never asked to be separated from her parents. The parting was difficult, still so very fresh in her mind. Her ears, her tail, everything that made her a humanoid she wished to get rid of, just so she could go back to her parents.

"This one's not looking too good - should we get her examined?" someone asked.

"Wait, let me see her." Someone approached the small humanoid, sizing her up with his hands. "She's awfully small; it might not be worth taking her to the training camp. We'll get yelled at if she fails to meet the criteria."

"But we're not allowed to make the decisions around here; better ask Mr. Tateyama."

"Yeah."

"At the time I was taken to someone by the name of Tateyama Hisanobu, and if it weren't for him then I wouldn't have been taken in for training. More than that though, even if I was to be rejected I wasn't going to be returned to my family . . . The only other option was to terminate me; a useless humanoid wasn't fit to exist, he had said to me. I was deftly afraid of him from that day forth, putting my all into becoming a good pet someone would want to buy."

"Was your previous Master the only Master you've ever had aside from me?"

"Yes."

"The awaited day has come. Takara, little pet, you are finally able to go to the shop. You'll like it once you've settled into someone's home."

"Really?"

"Yes, really. At least it will be better than the shop. I've worked there for years now, and have seen many happy endings coming to the humanoids that have been sold off. I've been working there for so long, it isn't surprising that I am going to be replaced by someone much younger."

"Leaving that shop . . ." Takara wanted to say she was happy for herself, but rather she thought to comfort the sales clerk instead, ". . . you'll find your happiness. I just know it."

"Thank you, Takara."

Takara flushed, comforted by the man's warmth. "I'm ready to be auctioned."

"And I pray to the skies someone good and kind buys you."

"Did you understand the whole auction ordeal at the time?" Kio asked.

"I must admit I was a little daunted by it all, but the kind sales clerk helped me through most of the ordeal. Many of the people I met I did not like - I knew not of the true desires of most of the men who came into the shop."

Takara sat, ready at attention and trying her hardest to look composed. The very first person coming in to examine her was giving her goose bumps all along her arms. It wasn't that she was necessarily afraid of the person, but rather she was somewhat afraid of actually being sold and taken away from the shop. It was her lifelong dream thus far . . . However, she realized she wasn't ready to go.

'My happiness is coming for me . . . Yet, I am not ready to accept. Mother, Father, what should I truly make of this?'

"She's right over here. I must tell you she's quite the beauty among the female selections we have."

"Ah, is that so? How much has she been offered for?"

"No one's bid on her yet - you'll be the first if you decide you might want to purchase her."

"First, I shall have a look."

A man of average height and stature came to the cage Takara was sitting in . . . She stood to attention when she saw him coming, trying her best to look pleasing to the eyes. Yes, she was trained to please one's eyes, nothing more, really. What sort of effect would it have on men and women alike?

"She is very beautiful indeed. Such lovely ivory skin, and those piercing gentle eyes . . . Quite unusual for a female hybrid humanoid to possess. Yes, I think I would like to bid on her."

"Your offer, Sir?" the sales clerk asked. From a side long glance he looked to Takara worriedly, but it didn't seem like the humanoid noticed his unease.

'My happiness . . . within the palm of my hands.'

"Four-hundred-thousand; do kindly tell me if someone else raises the auction price, all right?"

"Yes, Sir."

From then on several other people came to view Takara, though there were more men visitors than females.

"Ooohh, look, Narumi, wouldn't she be a nice accommodation to your collection of all things beautiful?" a young-looking female beamed. She seemed no older than twenty. "I heard within a few months or so a male hybrid humanoid similar in appearance will make his debut in the shop! If you buy her now and get that one later, they would make a perfect set!"

"I'll have to think about it, Chiharu. The auction price is awfully high; it shames me to say that I might not be able to afford her, beautiful as she may be." This woman herself also looked no older than twenty. "Says Dodai Keisuke has the highest bidding. In other words, I'd say he has the best chance of winning her."

"Yeah, since he's so damn rich compared to the rest of us. What I wouldn't give to be making the same amount of kupos that he does. Although I wouldn't feel proud to be running a job like him, of course. "

"Speaking about kupos, Narumi, I do believe the humanoid coming within a few month's time is going to be expected to sell for a high price."

"Eh? And why's that?"

"Not sure if it's because of his upbringing or his looks. I've seen a picture of him in a pet magazine, and he is gorgeous."

"Name, Chiharu?"

"Hmmm . . . I think the name was Ritsuka. Yeah, I think that was it."

"That settles it, I will definitely bid on Takara. Just look at her! Her expression is completely begging me to buy her!"

"Yeah, that's the spirit, Narumi!"

"Dodai Keisuke, huh? I'll have to say I've never heard of that man before."

Takara slightly smiled, somehow happy Kio wasn't familiar with the name. "That's all right, Master, with a profession like his, it is not startling to know you've never heard of him."

The deaden weight within her chest was still quite heavy - nothing felt lifted or removed.

"Oh . . .?"

"The auction ends at last, Takara, and it seems like you're sold to the lucky man Dodai Keisuke. I'll have to get you ready before he gets here later this evening to pick you up."

"So that means I am leaving this shop now?" Takara felt a little sad at the thought. "I won't be able to see you anymore?"

"Life outside of this shop is going to be much better, trust me." The sales clerk pulled out a ring of keys and fumbled with them for a while, looking for the one that belonged to Takara's cage lock. "Mr. Dodai doesn't seem like a bad person at all. I've heard many people say you're very lucky to have been bought by him."


"Why's that?"

"Well, he runs this brothel of some kind . . . Though I can't be too sure what sort of merchandise he is housing behind closed walls, but that should be the least of your concerns, right?"

"Brothel of some kind?"

"Beats me, Takara. I find it funny it isn't illegalized around here."

". . . it must be a scary place."

"Enough of that." The cage door clicked open when the key was inserted and turned in a circular motion. "Come now, you need to take your final bath." The small humanoid was ushered out and taken towards the bathroom. Once inside the sales clerk closed the door behind them, and he made sure to lock it, too. "All right, take off all your clothes."

"Ah," one small foot touched water, "it's cold."

"Is it? I must have took too long, then. Wait just a few minutes . . . I'll reheat it."

"How were you feeling? You said you didn't really want to leave the shop, didn't you?"

"The sales clerk . . . He was the only person I didn't want to part from, but I remembered him saying he was going to be replaced soon, and that was what helped steel my heart."

"Do you know his name, Takara?" A few seconds of silenced followed suit, and this made Kio shift in his seat uncomfortably. Takara's expression was proving to be hard to read, and upon this speculation he kind of regretted asking the question that he did. "Ah, maybe I shouldn't have asked. Sorry."

"Sodeoka. His last name was Sodeoka."

"And his first name?"

" . . . I can't remember."

The sound of a bell . . .

"Oh, he must be here." A worried look came to the man's eyes when he looked at his wrist watch. "If it is him he's here a bit early, I'll have to say."

"Is something wrong?" Takara looked up into his eyes. " Should I get out of the tub now?"

"No, hang on . . . I'll be right back."

The man went towards the door, opened it, stepped outside, and closed it behind him. Takara remained in the tub, ears drooping ever so slightly.

"Is she ready yet?"

"Mr. Dodai, good evening, Sir - you're here a little early. I apologize; she isn't ready yet."

"I'll wait. I did come early after all."

During the time Takara was waiting for the sales clerk to come back, she had the audacity to cry . . . With the hour being so close to her departure she couldn't help but let tears flow. And at this precise moment the bathroom door opened, Takara was gingerly rubbing at her eyes, hiccupping at the same time.

"Takara, why are you crying? He's here . . ." A hand reached out to the trembling creature. " . . . don't cry. It's not good to have red puffy eyes at the time you are to meet your Master."

"I'm sorry. Yes, I need to be more composed. I'm very sorry."

"Okay, let's wash your face and how about you come on out and get dressed, hm?" The humanoid nodded. "Mr. Dodai is waiting at the front of the shop for you; when you see him give him your best smile, make him see that you are worthy and very proud."

"I understand."

By the time Takara was properly dressed and ready to leave, it had all but been twenty minutes. The sales clerk was quite nervous, what with Mr. Dodai, the costumer waiting at the store at an unexpected time slate.

Takara was timid, bashful in her movements and gestures. Mr. Dodai, at first glance, was breath-taking. She recalled seeing him once before, but hadn't bothered to pay much attention to him at the time, since there were so many people coming to visit her anyhow. However, she remembered her training and all that she had to endure. It did not take long for her to regain complete focus.

"Heh, I see she's been trained well. I like that."

"Will you accompany her with a leash or freely, Sir?" the sales clerk asked, going behind the counter.

"A leash. It won't do to have her running away once we leave the shop."

"True, Sir. What sort of leash would you like?"

"Hmmm . . ."

"I've heard the leather-bound ones are the most popular these days, and they come in the most assorted colors possible, though their reliability is not as good as steel-bound ones."

Mr. Dodai smirked, asking, "in what sizes do the steel ones come in?"

"Usually two to five pounds, eight at the most, for the burly type of pets. Though there are ones that can be custom-made."

"I'll take a steel one, three pounds."

"Might I say something about that, Sir?" The sales clerk looked to Takara, studying her face for a moment. When he was given permission to speak further, he stated, "she's a bit small, so I believe the three pound one might be heavy even for her."

"Three pounds is good - she'll build neck and shoulder muscles that way. I do things like that at the brothel all the time."

"Ah, I see. I suppose it shall be all right then . . . We have them in silver, black, bronze, and gold - which color would you prefer?"

"Black. It'll match her hair perfectly."

"Black it is. Please wait here for a moment while I go retrieve the requested item." He disappeared behind a door, leaving Takara and Mr. Dodai alone.

"You're really cute, did you know that?" Mr. Dodai suddenly said, catching Takara by surprise. "What I wouldn't give to have you writhing beneath me under the sheets."

"Excuse me?"

"Ahahaha, little hybrid humanoid, I would just love to eat you up."

"Eat me, Sir? I am to be your food?"

Mr. Dodai laughed even louder. "You don't get it, do you? No need to worry; you'll find out once we get home."

"From that point I saw him in a completely different light . . . My happiness came in a twisted form, one I wanted to believe I could come to terms with."

"He used you like a sex slave . . ." Kio felt an overwhelming sense of anger coursing through himself, and it took all his might to not look crazily angry in front of his pet. "It's no wonder you're so afraid of disobeying me, only thinking to please and not caring for your own welfare. It was him who made you this way - Dodai Keisuke."

"No, I am trained to please. I may have been mistreated, but all pets can be treated in any fashion their Master desires. My happiness shaped itself into him."

Kio was near his boiling point; he was about ready to throw chairs, sending them flying across the room if he willed it. "You call that happiness? Who in earth told you your happiness had to be that way? Happiness is something that makes you feel warm inside, not pain and torture . . . not mistrust, not anything needing crying over."

"Master, have I angered you? I am sorry." Takara bowed her head, portraying a defeated look. "You aren't experiencing happiness right now."

"I should have been more clear. I should be the one apologizing. Happiness is only skin deep, after all, because it can't be truly defined in the sense of adjectives. I might not have bought you, and picking you up off the streets may seem low on my end, but I'll continue to provide you with shelter, food, water, and the warmth of my love, I swear to it."

The warmth of love . . .

Takara blushed, head still bowed. Just by a little her leaden weight lifted up off her in small amounts . . . Slowly, but surely.

Chapter 21: END