Pt2 – bought and broken
Shikiyo sat comfortably in his overstuffed chair counting his money when the windows to his room blew open letting raging winds blow through. He struggled to get his grossly oversized body to its feet and with great difficulty managed to close the windows. He turned and was only a little surprised to find Hiei sitting in his chair.
"Damn Hiei, don't you ever use a door like normal people?" Hiei smirked.
"I heard you have something for me." Shikiyo nodded.
"Downstairs. Never in all my years have I seen a fighter like this kid, took out twenty of my best. I heard you had some trouble with the guys you have up at the palace, figured you might consider it. He's pretty decent looking—not necessary for a gladiator, I know, but it's pretty easy to under-estimate him."
"I'm not buying any of your used goods Shikiyo. I know how your sick mind works when comes to slave-trade. Very few 'pretty decent-looking' things pass through your hands without tampering." Shikiyo chuckled as he led the way out the door.
"Your barbed tongue wounds me deeply, Hiei. I prefer girls. Besides, I couldn't make a sex-slave outta this guy if I tried! Can't get anywhere near him much less mess around. Mean-spirited little thing, actually he's more your type. You could have some serious fun in breaking this kid. Too bad the slaves you buy are usually already broken. You're missing out on the best part." The spiky-haired Lord snorted.
"I need something that'll help me win this tournament, not to warm my bed. I don't have time to teach a creature worth next to nothing its place. That's what I pay you for. But I suppose if this one's as bad as you say I might have to do it myself."
"Well if you're taking care of this one yourself I almost feel sorry for the brute."
He pulled open the double doors which led to a large, dark room. Inside were hundreds of empty cages. "Doesn't look like you're doing very well Shikiyo."
"You'd be surprised. I'm doing better than I ever have; in fact I just sold out. Kept your guy reserved though, figured you'd kill me if you found out I sold the thing to someone else."
"You speak as though you're certain I'll take him."
"You will."
In the back of the room were cages smaller than the others. Hiei knew that this was the isolation section where Shikiyo put slaves that could potentially damage the other stock. In the furthest corner a pale blue light shone, surrounding an immobile figure.
"We had to freeze him." Hiei didn't hear him; he was too busy staring at the young man. The first thing he noticed was the gorgeous Crimson hair that would have touched the middle of his back had it not been pulled into a severe pony-tail on top of his head. His slim build could easily fool anyone into deeming him scrawny but this close Hiei could see the hard muscle that he had developed. Immediately he recognized him, and the promise he had made to Kurama just before his daughter had been born. This was just too perfect.
"A kitsune?" Shikiyo nodded.
"Probably, maybe something else too, could be mixed with okami."
"No, this one's a pure breed."
"How do you know?"
"I'm pretty sure we've met once before. There can't possibly be two of them, not looking like that. You say it's a boy?"
"Yep. We can't 100 sure but hey, ain't it obvious?"
Hiei looked over the figure and nodded slowly. Interesting! I'll go along with it for now. To Shikiyo he said, "Lower the field."
"You sure about this?"
"Yes." Hiei looked him over and thought 'gorgeous' and then added, "I want to see just what Kirai can do."
"Kirai? I guess the name kinda fits. Well he will be your property so you can name him whatever you like." Shikiyo shrugged and put a good bit of distance between them.
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Who knows just how long he had been in stasis? He could hear people saying things, voices he couldn't place speaking with words he couldn't quite hear. Then out of the swirling color and chaos came a single voice carrying authority. "I want to see just what Kirai can do." Somehow he knew the voice was speaking about him. Suddenly everything around him changed. He could move again!
He fell to his knees, his legs momentarily unable to hold him from lack of exercise. Slowly everything came into focus. In front of him stood a short man with spiky black hair and piercing red eyes. He knew that this was the man who had named him 'Kirai – Hate'. And evil smile flitted across the man's face as he moved until he stood blocking the door.
"Come Kirai, you only have to get past me." Rage built up in him as he forced himself to his feet and flew at the man.
Hiei nodded to Shikiyo, and he knew that the Lord had decided to take the slave.
Hiei slid one foot back slightly and braced himself, hand closing around Kirai's neck before the red-head hit him. His fingers tightened and drew the slave close. "I own you now Kirai. You'll learn to obey me." With the only breath he could manage he growled "Kasu" and spit on his face.
Hiei snarled and punched him in his stomach. Kirai gasped as his world seemed to explode. The evil fingers tightened momentarily around his neck then released, dropping him. He got to his feet in time to receive a sharp kick to the ribs.
The slave flew across the room and crashed into the bars opposite.
"How much?"
Shikiyo did some quick mental figuring.
"He's worth at least two hundred gold."
"I'll pay one ten."
"One eighty."
"Deal." Shikiyo was shocked. Hiei never settled so quickly. He must really want this one.
Hiei walked to Kirai and knelt down beside him. He stroked his hair and tilted his head up until their eyes met. Anger shone clearly in the green eyes but it was tinged with a whiff of fear. Gently he wiped away the blood that gathered at the edge of Kirai's mouth to which the slave responded with another insult and tried to bite his new master's hand. "He keeps fighting, even though he knows he's defeated. He will be perfect."
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Kirai, the very name repulsed him but he at least knew better than to say anything. His body was still sore from the beating Hiei (he refused to think of him as his lord) had given him. Through the black night cutting wind stung his skin. Nothing was familiar yet he took comfort in the fact that somewhere Hana was surrounded by people who could protect her. His steps subconsciously slowed but he was startled back into awareness by a violent tug on the chain bound to his hands, tossing him to the ground. Covered in mud and barely repressing a shiver he hurried to his feet, only to be knocked over again when Hiei drew his horse to a stop.
"We'll camp here."
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Kirai was hungry but That Yokai said he would only eat if he got on his knees and begged 'his lord'. Kirai chose to starve. Soon after the rain came down, hard. Hiei sat inside a cave watching and admiring Kirai's resolve. Not once had he complained at he remained unmovable – he refused to submit. With a sigh he rose and moved to the drenched figure.
"You do remember how to stop all of this right. I've been called a mercenary but no one has ever deemed me stupid. I've spent a lot of money on you for the Lord's tournament and it would be quite a waste to let you die. On the other hand a rebellious slave is of no use to me. Personally it is refreshing to watch you and I'd rather you not die, especially of something as mundane as a cold. You have the power to stop all this, and believe me, it can get worse." Kirai remained stubbornly silent. Hiei shrugged. "Have it your way." He turned and went inside. Long after Hiei was asleep, Kirai tossed in the rain.
'The lord's tournament! Could that be the same tournament that … No it was impossible, too much of a coincidence, wasn't it?'
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Hiei looked down at the wet bundle. Even in sleep it shivered. He wondered what things would be like if Kirai was a person, not a slave. Sternly he forced himself to stop thinking about the slave's body. He reminded himself of his duty, of his promise to Kurama made so many years before.
He delivered a sharp kick to bundle, drawing blood again. Kirai's eyes shot open, but he made no sound.
"You should be more alert. Get up!" With that he roughly yanked on the chain jerking Kirai to his feet. His stomach growled and Hiei heard it but chose to ignore it. He would beg when he was ready to eat.
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For four days Hiei kept him in the woods without food or water. Although he was anxious to start training he needed to make sure this slave was submissive. Not a single hour passed when Hiei did not hit or kick him. Kirai's body was covered in cuts, slashes and bruises. Surprisingly Hiei also bore a few marks where Kirai had managed to hit back. Very rarely was Kirai able to catch Hiei but when he did he made sure that He remembered.
Hiei saw to it that every moment for Kirai was spent in constant pain. He'd shove him into the river more than once until Kirai finally understood that he couldn't get away. No matter how fast or far he swam, Hiei was always there when he managed to pull himself out of the water. At times when he thought the koorime wasn't alert he would try to slip away but never managed more than a few steps before He found him. These attempts were always met with a beating and occasional kicks. Once he broke into run, not caring about stealth. Then Hiei had pulled his sword and delivered a slash to his retreating back. Kirai fell, the sting felt like a fire burning his entire body.
Hiei found that for some reason he couldn't telepathically control the kitsune. Kirai had incredible mental walls and no matter how much pain he suffered never once did his shields waver. On more than one occasion Hiei had even risked touching the slave's temple hoping that he would be able to establish a mental connection through the physical one. These attempts were done while Kirai slept but once he wakened and angrily broadcasted a telepathic blast, throwing Hiei backwards. Hiei swore and slapped him, but never tried it again. It was almost starting to feel like he would never get through to this one. Every other would have begged for food by then.
"How the hell does Shikiyo do it?" Suddenly Hiei got a cruel idea from remembering the conversation he and Shikiyo had. So that was how the cheating bastard managed to tame slaves so quickly!
"Kirai, come here." The kitsune glared and walked over to the cave. Cautiously he sat where Hiei indicated, wondering just what He was up to. "You've done enough today. Get some sleep." Hiei caught his disbelieving gaze and smiled. "You are much too stubborn, Kirai, I can't use a fighter like that. The moment I turn my back you'll try to cut my head off. And don't worry; I'm not going to kill you. That would be a perfectly good waste of one hundred and eighty gold. I'm just going to use you for a different purpose. Lady Akurei will officially take control of her father's kingdom in one month and protocol requires that every lord in the vicinity send her a gift, whether we like her or not." One of Hiei's claws grazed Kirai's shoulder. "You would be a perfect addition to her harem. I hear that she likes them feisty." Disbelief changed to shock and then horror when Hiei added, "One month should be just enough time for me to whip you into shape. It looks like you could use the…shall we say experience." Kirai shuddered when Hiei ran his claw over his shoulder and to his neck. "This is not how I usually work but I might make an exception…for you Kirai. Although Akurei will probably change your name to something like Cuddles. I'll just have to…cherish our time left together." He smiled. Kirai was obviously repulsed by the very thought. So he didn't fear pain or death but he did fear violation. Slowly Hiei stroked his neck, also slightly repulsed but not showing it. His hand moved until it touched his ear. "Would you prefer that, little Kirai? Would you rather be a sex-toy than a fighter?" Kirai shook his head. "Who knows, I may just change my mind but you'll have to convince me. Now," his voice grew stern. "What is your name?"
At first when Hiei had demanded the slave say his name he was met with glares of hatred. Now the young man allowed the word Kirai to slip from his lips but still Kirai did not call him master. Slowly they had made progress.
Hiei hit him a few times then sent him off to cut wood.
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The next day Kirai was unable to get up when Hiei called him. He gasped when he felt Hiei bury his fingers into his hair and he felt the tip of the canteen brush against his lips. With some difficulty he focused on his face.
"You can end this torture. Just beg for water and I will give it to you." A tear escaped the kitsune's eyes and Hiei actively resisted the urge to wipe it away. Kirai's body shook and slowly he whispered,
"Master…please…" Hiei nodded and tipped the canteen back, sending a stream of blessed water into the slave's mouth. The Lord smirked, knowing he had won. Shikiyo was right, this was fun. He leaned forward until he was mere inches away. Feeling like a weakling, the slave drank from Hiei's canteen and as he drank His Master stroked his hair and whispered, "Good boy!"