Chapter Four- Rewarded

"You made a new friend? Oh, honey, that's great," Shiori said, hugging her son. "What's his name? Where's he from?"

"His name's Hiei and he's from a city."

"I see. Well, I'd like to meet him."

"Of course, Mother. I told him where the village is so he could visit whenever he wants."

Lovely, he thought several minutes later as he began to polish the black pearl. Any merperson would love to own such a rare jewel. I bet even humans would covet this pearl. Kurama paused in his work to dwell on Hiei. He took a chance telling me he was human, but it worked out. I think it's cool that he can shapeshift, to become anything you want. Who wouldn't want that?

The only sad thing is that he's a slave. He has to obey someone and punished if he doesn't. He didn't mention punishment, but it goes without saying. He doesn't mind being a slave as it gives him a home, food, and money. A shame he can't go where he wants or do what he wants whenever he likes. He gets off days and wants to spend his next one on land with me. Kurama smiled as he resumed polishing. He had been human once before and found he didn't care for it much. It was hard to walk on legs, there seemed to be too many rules, and money was required to purchase anything. He had returned home after spending a few hours and feeling hungry. Life was simpler in the sea and he felt that humans were lucky to survive in such a complicated society. He hoped Hiei could help him understand it better.

Hiei was walking up to the open doors of Mukuro's bargaining room when he heard the woman from the boat say, "Please, my lady. Give me another chance. I know I can win his heart."

"I'm sorry, my dear. You agreed to one try should the spell break. Now, you must pay for failing. I think you'll make a nice rat."

"No!" the woman screamed and Hiei saw a flash of light. He quickly became a cat and saw a gray rat run past him. He sprang after it, taking advantage of having been a cat before. He pounced and his paws landed on the tail. The rat squeaked in fear and Hiei lowered his head.

"I'm sorry about this, but I must bring you to her," he whispered before picking her up and carrying her back to Mukuro.

"Good job, Hiei," Mukuro said as Hiei presented the rat and she dumped her in a holding cage. Hiei changed to human and sat beside the chair. "I am also pleased with you breaking the spell."

"When I identified it, I knew what to do. I was already a shark, so it was easy."

"Just as the bargain was easy. The others over the next week may not be so easy."

"I understand, Mistress."

"And once the deals are finished, you will be rewarded with two off days."

"Two, Mistress?"

"Two straight days. I daresay I will need to recover my powers and brew some potions before resuming business."

Hiei kept the joy off his face. Two whole days off! I could spend one with Kurama as a merman and the other on land with him. And on the second day, I'll tell him that I love him. Hiei had thought on the bus ride home that loving Kurama wouldn't be difficult after all. Yes, his off days were few and sporadic in when he got them, but that would just make their time together very special. I can hardly wait for my time off.

Mukuro dismissed Hiei to prepare for dinner and she carried the cage to where she kept her other transformed clients as well as her other ingredients. She put the rat with two others before checking on the brewing status of a couple of potions. One was ready for the next step. She sprinkled some mint into it and then stirred it to insure a smooth mix. She nodded in approval. This one is almost done and then I'll have a stock of it to last awhile. She double-checked the other one. I will need to add an eye of newt in a couple of days. Her eyes darted to her newt cage and saw a newt with only one eye among the almost half a dozen newts she had. Yes. He will die when I'm ready for the eye. She checked her other ingredients and was happy with the supplies. She would be able to brew quite a few potions over her two days off from work. I will enjoy my time and I know Hiei will as well. But first, we have a lot of clients to trick.

Hiei found himself taking lots of forms over the next week: Cat, dog, fly, bat, seagull, and fish. He would spy on the people and plot how to ruin their dreams. All failed and became servants or animals. Mukuro was very pleased with the results and she had the cook prepare a celebratory dinner for her and Hiei. Hiei was appreciative of this as his meals were modest and more for his health than simply being good.

"A toast," Mukuro said, holding up her wine. "To our success which I owe to you, Hiei. Your power is a blessing to me. May we continue to succeed for a long, long time."

"Yes, Mistress." Hiei held up his wine and Mukuro clinked her glass to him. Both drank, Mukuro doing so deeply and calling for more. Hiei nursed his as he knew he would not get anymore for a long while. His thoughts dwelled on Kurama as he ate. He looked forward to seeing him again and spending the day with him in the sea. He was curious about life in the sea and how merpeople lived. What do they eat? Did they have shops and if so, how did they buy the things they wanted? I have so many questions and I know Kurama will answer them.

"Let me get this straight," Yusuke said. "You met a merman in open waters last week and you haven't seen him since?"

Kurama nodded. "His name's Hiei and he's got an important job that keeps him busy. He does get time off every now and then and he said he would come by to let me know when that is. We plan to spend the day as humans."

"Really? You spent a few hours on land once and swore to me you'd never do it again."

"I know, but Hiei spends all his off time as a human and I feel his expertise will make it more enjoyable."

"Huh. Well, let me know how it goes and maybe we can hang out on land sometime."

"I'll tell you," Kurama promised. Yusuke left and Kurama sat at his desk as he pulled out a seashell box and opened it to reveal the black pearl that was shining and it gleamed in the light of electric eels and moss. I'll present this to Hiei during our time and tell him how I feel about him. He knows I like males more and I will tell him why I love him. It's not his power I love. I do like his looks, but it's his personality I love. He's friendly, inquisitive, and attentive. It's clear to me that he dislikes being someone's slave, but having a place to live is nice. But still, on one should be a slave. Hmm, Hiei said that he has a deadline of twenty-four hours before being human again or taking another form. I wonder if he would be willing to give up his power and live with me to escape his boss.

If I were in his situation, what would I do? Kurama pondered the scenario for several long minutes. Well, naturally I would love the ability to become anything I want. I would use it constantly. It would cease to be a blessing if I became a slave because of it. What does this Mukuro have over Hiei to get him to do her bidding? If I was being coerced into serving someone, I would do whatever it took to escape. So, yes. I would give up my power. I would take a form I love and let the deadline elapse.

Perhaps I can convince Hiei to give up his power. He can be a merman and still be able to be human. Yes, that would be perfect. Of course, I'll ask what Mukuro's got over him. Kurama nodded as he closed the box and left the room to help his mother with dinner.