Perrararii - Yaddihoo - hope you all liked the first chappy!
Sherkoni - Wow! Five reviews, you guys are awesome! Thanks to our reviewers - you guys are the coolest, thanks for all the advice too!
Subway saiyan: Sherkoni - Thanks for your very lengthy and helpful review Jar-chan! Perrararii - And your e-mail! ^_~
hiei/botan4ever: Sherkoni - I know who you are, you're the coolest! Thanks for reviewing! Perrararii - We're glad you like HieiBotan, we will enjoy writing for you!
Nobody really: Sherkoni - Aw, thanks - all the funny parts were Perrararii's though. Perrararii - Nah, it was both of us (Sherkoni - Was not!) but thanks for reviewing!
HieilovesBotan: Sherkoni - Eh - sorry, there is slight more "Keiko torturing" this chapter. Perrararii - But it gets better when she meets a prince that's actually charming! *wink, wink*
just a reader: Perrararii - Well I hope you will still like it, but this chapter won't help erase thoughts of HieiKieko..-_-;; Sherkoni - I can't help it! I make Hiei sound attractive to everybody! *anime tears*
Sherkoni - No more delays! On to the chapter!
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Chapter 2
Revenge is Sweet
Hiei glared moodily at a small flower lying in the flowerbed (A/N: Where else would it be?) and smirked as it burst into flames. Anger, even irritation, could make him powerful....uncontrollable. However, power included strength, so it was fine with him. But it also included outspoken emotions. Like happiness. Or (he smirked) the satisfaction of being an attractive prince. ((A/N: Especially in froggy boxers...sorry, had to put that cuz of Jar-chan...))
The prince looked at the balcony where a certain red-haired cousin of his was sitting with a certain scary-beyond-all-reason girl.
'Revenge will be sweet,' Hiei mused, heading off to the slave market, already plotting against the fellow prince for making him go down there in the first place. Though he did pity Kurama. Mimi was....well - can we say terrifyingly terrifying? (Very scary. ^^;;)
"Your highness? Are you ready to leave sir?" a big butler (who more resembled the kind of guy who could kill you with by just looking at you [A/N: Not ugly, just tough! *muscle pose*] ) questioned, standing near an awaiting carriage.
"I think I'll just ride Zouri if you don't mind Clauve," the demon called over his shoulder as he stalked towards the stables.
"Riding today?" Yusuke asked as Hiei came in. He had been in the process of brushing Zouri's coat until it shone more than Hiei's sword.
Hiei patted his horse on the neck. "Yes," he said, then frowned. "Kurama's making me go to the slave market."
Yusuke laughed. "I'd bet he'd trade if you wanted to stay with Mimi."
Hiei smirked. "You know I would, but it would be hard to make her death look like an accident."
Yusuke let out another hearty laugh before grabbing Hiei's saddle. Yusuke had been hired a little while ago. His mother was a drunk and he didn't have any money, desperately needing a job to support himself and her. After helping Kurama save someone dear to him, Kurama immediately hired Yusuke to work at the palace. Hiei soon took a liking to him as well when he found that, although human, Yusuke was just as strong as many demons.
"Ready to go your majesty?" Yusuke asked, leading the black stallion over to Hiei.
"How many times do I have to tell you to call me Hiei," Hiei commented curtly, swinging up into the saddle.
"Have fun at the market your majesty," Yusuke replied, a cocky grin spreading over his boyish face before opening the door to the stable for him.
* * * * * *
Kurama looked up towards the high marble ceiling. It had to have something more interesting to look at then the hag who was currently attempting to occupy the same space on the planet that he was. At least the marble didn't hurt his eyes so much...
Don't get the guy wrong, he liked women just fine. It was just figuring out whether or not if she was really ugly, extremely enamored with make-up, or really a drag queen, that wasn't attractive to him. The demon prince personally preferred 100% real, no plastic, all natural women. With sincere, pretty faces instead of 3 quarter of an inch of make-up on.
"Darling," giggle, ":these teacakes are divine!" Mimi stated in a raspy voice between annoying shrill giggles. Frankfurt and bunny rabbits! ((Sherkoni - O_o;;; Perrarari - It's an expression of annoyance! ^^;;)) Could this person get any more annoying?! She draped her arms around the red-head's neck.
Yes.
He didn't think his question would be answered so quickly. Actually, he was hoping it wouldn't be...
She tried to sit on his lap, succeeding in shoving implants up by his nose. 'Great Inari-sama! What are you thinking wench?! This must be a new form of murder where she comes from...' Kurama panicked.
Finally his brain cells were slowly able to deliver the message to his legs (lack of oxygen from being suffocated does that to you.) and he stood up, sending the bottle blonde tumbling to the floor. Today's mental torture chamber ((A/N: Heh, heh, MTC! - Koni, d'you remember that?)) session was officially finished! A guy could only be forced through so much.
* * * * * *
Botan watched as an empty slave wagon waltzed out of the palace gates. Slave market today, no surprise there. She tried to ignore the them, after all, not one of them would notice her - why should she give them the privilege of her thoughts?
Yet she kept glancing over at the rider on the black horse, trotting alongside the wagon with perfect poise. From the looks of him, he appeared to be (at the very least) a high ranked, loyal servant. From his classy, leather tan boots to his very cute, arrogant and masculine face. The man was already annoying Botan with his haughtiness. He had an aura around him demanding everybody's attention and was silently shouting, "Bow down, I own you and this place!"
This was infuriating because only Koenma and his two parentless nephews did.
As the rider passed, he didn't even glance Botan's way. Which was good as it reminded her that she was too good for that kind of person. She turned around again. "Would you like a flower ma'am?"
* * * * *
Keiko looked down at her dirty shorts which showed way more leg than it encased and the too, tight, too short ragged shirt. So this was what she was supposed to show off in? Not that it mattered, she wasn't going to prance around in front of anyone anyway. Especially not some spoiled rotten hippo who would probably be better entertained with his own jewel encrusted belongings.
Oh she'd give him entertainment if she had to though. She'd show that chauvinistic pig what woman really was and that peasants may be dirt, but dirt was at least higher and more useful than the disgusting bugs that crawled over it. In fact, part of her plan was to show some of the slave overseers what dirt really was. Show those arrogant vermin what hate was really about.
Suddenly, she felt a large hand enclose over her bare shoulder. "Come on wench. It's time, Prince Hiei is here."
"Get your grimy paws off me you slimeball!"
The overseer grinned, showing off crooked, yellow teeth. "I like slaves fiery, maybe I'll bid terya. O'course, only if the Prince ain't interested."
"I said get your hands off me peabrain! Hey - what do you think you're doing!?" Keiko screamed as the guard promptly tossed her over his shoulder like a bag of potatoes, despite her kicks, threats and screams. Until she was able to elbow his kidney, hard.
"You lil' witch!" he shouted, almost dropping her on her head (not that she would've minded).
"Next time it's be lower, I suggest you let me go!" she demanded.
"If the Captain weren't so sure that the Prince would pay a hefty price for you to become part of the royal staff, I'd whip some respect inter ya!"
"Oh you can have my respect if you really want it sir - you just have to do something for it."
"An' that is?"
"Die and burn in hell!!"
The man laughed darkly. "Is that so missy? Well I don' need yer respect!" He walked toward the door as she pulled violently on his hair. "Argh! Haki - get in here, this ones fightin'!" She finally felt his arms loosen and she flipped her feet over his head, breaking the hold and landing flat on her butt.
Unfortunately, another thug showed up behind her and pinned her arms expertly against his chest. "What's going on? You ain't called me for help with a slave in three years Taruto - I thought you were tough enough now...."
"You'll understand when we're through with this wench!" the overseer, now known as Taruto explained, rubbing his sore head. Keiko struggled, trying to break Haki's hold. Taruto, grabbed her kicking legs savagely and they headed out the door.
* * * * *
Hiei peered at the sad looking bunch of nine boys and girls between the ages of 5 and 19. Each appeared ready for anything life brought them, but preferring death. Since any boys he would get were either going to the furnace room or the livery stables, they would need to be ready to perform labor...
Hiei's eyes fell on an elderly man who had apparently seen too many winters to be doing any labor. Hiei doubted he would even be able to manage feeding Permigiai, the palace's giant Persian cat, who couldn't hurt anything bigger than a mouse.
Quickly finding a few suitable boys, he moved on. Now he had to find a new personal maid for Kurama. Oh goody, this would be THRILLING.
"Ladies and gentlemen. Your royal highness, Prince Hiei - it is time for our auction, so please stay to see our prime collection of the strongest and healthiest slaves we have. Prince Hiei, if you would like to sit up front?" a magnified voice sounded throughout the crowd. Hiei nodded before making his way through the separating crowd
"Our first selection today is a young man about 19 years old..."
*
"Now, our 37th selection and my personal favorite, a young maiden of about 18 years of age." There was a rising volume among the crowd as two giants brought out a flailing, insulting woman with amazing chocolate colored hair that fell in every angle, normally landing in chunks just below her chin.
"Lemme go creep! Gerroff me chicken brain!" the maddened female shouted, lashing out, blinding catching one of the big guys across the nose.
"Quit it you slut!"
"Er - heh, heh... Sorry folks, for having to watch this. We do assure you she is well trained," the announcer hesitantly claimed. Hiei doubted this statement and was about to sit back in boredom as he had for the other 36 slaves when a thought passed through his mind again. 'Revenge will be sweet.'
That was it. The girl was pretty, well, in all honesty, she was breath-takingly beautiful. And she definitely had passion and personality. He snickered, Kurama wouldn't get bored with her.
"I'll take $70 on her!" a bearded man called out.
"$75!"
"$90!"
"$100!"
Various male characters called out. Hiei sat back, watching the banter, knowing he would win when he chose to call out.
"$350." Hiei said calmly when the bidding got to $230.
"Any higher?" the auctioneer squeaked out. Hiei glared at the crowd, daring them to challenge him.
"SOLD! To your royal highness, Prince Hiei!" the announcer shouted over the battle that was still taking place on the platform.
Keiko tried not to gape. The prince didn't even have to shout, it was as if he knew he would win the bet - and whenever he saw fit. His whole presence just screamed intimidation. She could not go with this arrogant jerk, he was the WORST type of royalty and she herself was feeling overwhelmed by his sadistic manner. "I won't be sold to some royal snob that just waltzes in here and stops all the bidding like he's king of the world!" she shouted as she bit one of the guard's hand, preparing to run.
Hiei swiftly jumped on the platform and intercepted her. "Then it's a good thing you'll be my cousin's isn't it?" he said cooly.
She gasped at his amazing speed, but quickly tried to collect herself. "I - I don't belong to anyone. I spit on the thought," the brunette whispered, trying to match the demon's fierce gaze. Gathering her courage, she spat at the prince's feet.
Hiei didn't even acknowledge her. "Shackle her up men and put her in the wagon. But don't hurt the poor vixen, Prince Kurama likes his women - his maids - unmarked and comely." Hiei stated before glancing down at the girl again in a descending manner. He turned and walked away listening to the slave yellling obsenities at his back. He smiled, Kurama was going to have his hands full. Revenge really WAS sweet.
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Sherkoni - So did you like? We'll try to update soon. Email us-
Perrararii - Like I said last time, give us ideas, critiques, your e-mail, your pic (cute boys only), etc. Thanks have a great day! (Only if you read this)
Sherkoni - *reading off of a piece of paper* Uh...P.S. Perrararii really isn't boy crazy, no matter how much she acts like it.... o_O;
Perrararii - ^______^