AN: Harem got finished. :) This means that I have more time (or actually dedication to work on this…)
Takeru walked into Ken's study. Koushiro had told him that Ken spend most mornings working in his rooms, so that was the most logical place to find him. Takeru was fearful of what Ken was going to do. Even though Koushiro and Jyou seemed really nice, Takeru knew that his life was in Ken's hands. Ken was his master and owned him.
Ken looked up as he heard the door open. He was sitting at his desk looking over some documents that had come. Takeru came in hesitatingly. "You wanted to see me, Master?"
Ken shook his head at Takeru. "I'm Ken, remember? Let's go sit down and talk." Ken walked over to a settee and motioned for Takeru to sit beside him. "Can you tell me what happened last night?"
"I don't remember. What I know is what Koushiro and Jyou told me this morning," said Takeru.
"So you don't remember screaming?" asked Ken.
"No, ma…Ken," Takeru answered. "I do know that I have been doing it for a long time. My last masters had me tied and gagged so I wouldn't wake up the household anymore."
"I'm not going to do that here," responded Ken. "You did calm down last night when I came in to help. Do you know why?"
Takeru shook his head. "I don't know."
Ken studied Takeru carefully. Takeru was lying about something, but he wasn't sure what. There was more going on than Takeru was willing to admit, but Takeru was still too scared and jumpy to tell Ken what it was. Ken knew that he needed to wait before pressing any further.
"We'll think of something, I'm sure." Ken smiled at Takeru. "Did Koushiro tell you about the harem?"
"He told me that I had the run of the harem, and that I could leave it if I told him. He also said that I couldn't leave the palace without getting your permission. But I'm confused about something. What is a harem?"
Ken cleared his throat. "A harem is a place where a high ranking noble keeps his wives and concubines. It is usually run by eunuchs who make sure that the women are faithful to their lord and kept away from the outside world."
Takeru's eyes got wide. "You mean that…" Takeru realized what the other slaves thought he was going to be doing for Ken.
"No. I don't mean that. I don't want anything that you aren't willing to give. But the best place to have you stay is in the harem. No one can enter there without my permission."
"Why am I that important to you?" asked Takeru.
Ken smiled gently at Takeru. "You just are."
Takeru was a little startled when a small black cat with green eyes jumped into his lap, turned around a few times, and then settled down to sleep purring.
"Where did he come from?" asked Takeru.
"That's Sting," responded Ken. "He just followed me home one day and usually stays in the same room I am. He's also called 'That Pest' by Koushiro and Jyou."
"Why Pest?"
"Koushiro keeps unique and rare beetles and Jyou likes to keep rare fish. Both are things that Sting likes to stalk. I've never seen Sting actually attack the beetles or the fish, but you never know," said Ken winking, "he is a cat."
"I like cats," said Takeru. "I hope that I can see him more often." He started petting the cat in his lap. "He's very warm and soft."
And reminds me of you, thought Ken. And I'm sure that you've never had one before. Maybe I can get you a cat of your own. Sting wouldn't mind the company.
"So what do you plan on doing today?" asked Ken.
Takeru shrugged. "I don't know. I've never just had a day for myself. I've always had tasks to do."
"What did you used to do?"
"I've done various things. Usually I've worked in the kitchen, washing dishes."
"Will do you want to do that?"
Takeru shook his head. "Not really. It was just a job I had to do."
"What do you want to do? If you could do anything?"
"I don't know. I've never thought about it."
"Well, take time to think about it. Just tell Koushiro or me what you want, and we'll try to make it happen."
Takeru didn't know how to take what Ken was telling him. He had never met a master who was as nice as he was. He wasn't sure if this could last.