Crimson: First thing first, I have to say that I apologize for that huge lapse of time that you had to wait for this chapter. Second, I have a warning for this chapter. It is rated PG-13 for a reason. There is a major factor in this chapter that some people may find unacceptable. So if you are against homosexuals, please do not read. Thank you for your time.

Noel's POV

When I finally had Sky's hair brushed, we left the room to meet up with the others for the first day of chores. I instantly perked up at the knowledge that we only had kitchen duty. All we had to do was serve food, wash dishes, and clean up.

And we get the leftovers

There are 5 main duties for children; kitchen, laundry, garden, sweep, and mop. All of them had their advantages and disadvantages. Kitchen duty meant that you had minimal work all day, and while the others work was harder, once they were finished with their job, they were done.

Each duty has a…squad if you will, a team of people who are assigned to that task. Each squad is marked by a color. My squad is blue. Not surprisingly, Steph, Tina, Sierra, and Sarah are in my squad. How else could we have met?

Anyway, each squad has a leader, usually the one who has the Lord's favor. How perfectly ironic to think that that person is me.

I shook my head and followed Sky down the hallway to the edge of the four-way turn. As usual Steph and Tina held vacant expressions. Neither of them were morning people. Kurama and Sierra were having some conversation or another, Yusuke and Kuwabara looked like they could have been considered the living dead, Hiei was trying to stop Sky from giving him a hug, and guess who was left to greet me?

"Hi Noel!" Sarah's bubbly voice exclaimed. I cringed. How can anybody be that perky in the morning? It should be against the law. I waved back to her anyway, and clapped my hands to get the others attention.

"Alright, I'll go to Kenneth to get our work card punched while you guys start lunch. I shouldn't be too long." Everyone but the Tentai nodded, and I sighed.

"Can you guys explain the punch card to new slaves while I am gone? It would definitely make my life a little easier." Sarah nodded.

"Sure thing Miss Noel."

I sighed with relief, and went straight as the others went to the right. It bothered me a little that my friends had to call me Miss Noel during the work week in order to signify myself as the squad leader. But there was nothing I could do about it. It was the rule, and they always called me Noel on Sundays anyway. Now if only I could get Sky to do that…

I continued to go straight for four more intersecting hallways before the hall gradually widened into a huge room. Three of the other children squad leaders were all ready in line to get punched in, and I filed in with them.

Kenneth was a lucky child at the age of 20, who was assigned early on as Assignment Manager. He was tall for a slave, about 5'7, with golden brown hair and dark emeralds for eyes. He was devilishly handsome, and had an aura that screamed of charm. But I never had to worry about him taking an interest in me.

For he was also slightly gay, preferring guys over most women. Not many people knew about his preference, and I felt honored that he trusted me enough to confide in me. All of the squad leaders knew though. I walked up to the desk when it was my turn, and he gave me a heartwarming smile.

"Hello Miss Noel. How are you doing this morning?" he asked. I shrugged, and handed him a blue punch card.

"Fine I guess." I replied. He nodded, and put the card under the hole puncher.

"I heard that you got yourself some new slaves under your command" he remarked interested. I couldn't help but laugh.

"I am pretty sure that none of them agree to your views Kenneth." I remarked. He sighed, almost sadly, but I knew he was joking.

"Had to make sure," he replied, as he slammed down the hole puncher on the card. He took it out and handed the card back to me.

"Have a nice day Miss Noel. And if the new slaves turn up weird…" I laughed again, and leaned over to kiss his cheek.

"Kenneth you're impossible." He gave me a cheeky smile.

"I try my best Miss Noel." He replied, and I laughed again. It was impossible to not smile in front of Kenneth, and he was too sweet to hate. I waved Kenneth goodbye, and headed off for the kitchen.

"Hello Miss Noel." I stopped and turned around slowly. Damn. I was hoping to miss him today.

Cyril, the gold squad leader

Cyril, if it was even possible, was even more handsome than Kenneth, and he knew it. He was slightly shorter than Kenneth, with short, ivory black hair and fiery amber eyes. He was the Lord's most precious child slave at the age of 18. He had an interest in me for some reason, and if it weren't for his annoying ego and pride, I think that I would go to him in a heart beat.

As it were, however, I still found him annoying. Why couldn't he have been the gay one?

"Good morning Mr. Cyril." I replied stiffly, remembering to add his title of respect in last minute. "If you will excuse me, I have to return to my squad." He pretended to look wounded.

"No goodbye kiss? And here I thought that we were finally getting along." I glared at him, but said nothing. Talking back would only make it worse. He ignored me, and threw his arm around my shoulder.

"You don't have to work at all you know. It's the privilege of being the squad leader." He suddenly twirled me around to face him directly.

"I heard about the new slaves." He began. "You got yourself the infamous tentai. I must say that that is very impressive." I narrowed my eyes in suspicion. Why was he being so nice?

"I also know that they are all males." He whispered dangerously. "If any one of them even thinks of you, I'll personally kill them myself."

I felt a surge of anger flare through me and, on sudden inspiration, raised my hand and slapped him hard across the face. His head whipped around, and I happily noted that I left a red hand mark on his cheek. He reached up and touched the spot with his hand, and his eyes narrowed in anger.

"You little bitch." He growled, and yanked my arm fiercely. I quickly bit him hard, causing him to withdraw in pain. I turned and ran as fast as I could, not stopping until I was in the kitchen. My lungs burned, and I fell down on my knees breathing hard. I didn't even care that the others were watching me.

"Miss Noel! What happened?" Kurama asked worriedly. Thank god that the others told him to call her with respect. He walked over and helped me up. I was only partially aware that I was shaking badly.

I toke a shuddering, and motioned for everyone to stand back and give me some room. They complied, and they stared at me with confused faces. All except one. I decided to ignore him.

"What happened Miss Noel?" Kurama repeated. Embarrassed and flustered, I decided to just glare at him. He immediately backed off, and I felt a pang of regret in taking my anger out on him.

"Sorry," I apologized. "But I don't want to talk about it."

I glanced up at the nearest clock, and nearly cursed aloud.

"We've got to get lunch made." I began. "No more interruptions. Let's get to work."

I looked around to see how much the others got done while I was gone. The water was already beginning to boil, and the vegetables were washed and ready to be chopped. I nodded, mildly pleased with my squad. Steph and Tina grinned and did a high five, congratulating themselves for, if I don't say so myself, a job well done. They did quite a bit in 5 or so minutes.

Then again, there are a lot of people to do the work

I decided to begin with the boiling water. I grabbed the salt from the overhead shelf, and threw a generous pinch into the water, repeating this action with the other 6 pots. I glanced over my shoulder to see Kurama, Hiei, Sierra, and Sarah.

"Can you guys go chop up the vegetables while Sky and I work on the pasta?" It was actually more of an order than a request, now that I think of it. Oh well.

Kurama and Sarah nodded automatically, and Sierra shrugged, but Hiei glared at me. I narrowed my eyes dangerously.

"Do you have a problem?" I asked, well, more like hissed. He snorted.

"Why should I waste my time cutting up useless vegetables, Miss Noel?" My name sounded like poison through his lips. I felt my anger flare up again.

"Because I told you to Hiei." I replied with dreadful calm. "And, like it or not, your life is dependent on me, so if I tell you to cut some God damn vegetables, then by God, you better cut some God damn vegetables!" I shouted. He snarled in rage, but joined Kurama and Sarah anyways. I toke a deep breath.

"The rest of you," I continued, addressing Steph, Tina, Kuwabara, and Yusuke. "I need you guys to start wiping off the tables, and getting the dish water ready."

They did as they were told, but I wasn't sure that I liked the evil smirk that Steph gave. I sighed, and took out the pasta. Sky would take care of three of them, and I would look after the other four. It seemed best that way.

I dumped a box of pasta in each pot and, knowing that it toke about 15 minutes to cook, I told Sky to stay put and went to check up on Steph and the others.

I really wish I hadn't

They were cleaning, don't get me wrong. But….oh Kami what are they doing? Were they racing across the tables with rags on their feet? This could only be the mastermind work of two people.

"Stephanie! Tina!" I was trying really hard not to start twitching. They both stopped simultaneously, but because of the slickness of the tables and rags, they slipped, crashed into Yusuke and Kuwabara, and went flying off the table.

Oh forget not twitching! I am going to go nuts!

"WHAT IN THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?" I yelled, throwing my hands up in the air. They groaned in pain, and I glared. Suits them right. Why can't they clean off the tables the NORMAL way? They slowly got up.

"Sorry Miss Noel, we were just trying to make it a little more interesting." Steph replied, rubbing the back of her head. I doubted it was because she was bashful. Tina nodded in agreement. I toke a deep breath, rubbing my temples.

"Just go and get the dish water ready," I muttered agitatedly. The tables were plenty clean. They nodded, not seeming to be remorseful in the least, and walked past me into the kitchen. I just hope they don't try anything else.

Well, at least the tables were clean

I went back to the pasta pots and stirred them so the pasta wouldn't stick. It still had about 8 more minutes to go. I sighed, knowing I was completely bored. I decided that I might as well check up on how the vegetables were doing, and then make sure that Steph and the others had the drainers ready for the pasta.

Hiei did not seem happy, and he cut the pieces sullenly. I still felt bad for yelling at him. I never was good at making other people miserable. I walked up next to him, picked up a knife, and helped him cut the carrots. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye.

"What are you doing?" He didn't sound grateful to me. I scowled at him.

"It looks to me like I am helping you." I replied, not taking my eyes of my work.

"Why?" He seemed honestly confused. I looked up, and tilted my head sideways.

"You act as if you have never had help before Hiei." He shrugged.

"I don't need help. Help is for the weak." He replied. I sighed angrily.

"Where in the Worlds did you hear that? Everyone needs help at one time Hiei, even the strongest of people are weak at something." He scoffed at my statement.

"I never heard it, I just recognized the truth. Those who always beg for help are the ones who end up dead. To live is to suffer." I shook my head.

"I am sorry you feel that way Hiei." I replied softly. "Life can be wonderful sometimes, and I think that those good times are better than the bad." He snorted.

"You sound just like the fox." I smiled.

"Then Kurama is a very wise man." I replied. I put down my knife on the cutting board, and added my vegetables to his. I hadn't expected to talk with Hiei so long, and I had to hustle in order to make sure the drainers were ready, and to make it back. I waved to Hiei, and jogged to the dish room.

I really wish I hadn't

Soap and Water was everywhere, and when I say everywhere, I mean it. Now, I can understand how it got on the floor, and I can even understand how it got on the walls. But the CEILING? It was even dripping of the over head light for Kami's sake! Tina was about to throw some soap suds at Kuwabara when I entered, and when she saw me, she chuckled nervously.

And hit Kuwabara anyway. Steph smiled widely at me, soap suds dripping down her hair.

"Hey Miss Noel, how are you this glorious morning?"

I just turned and walked away.

Crimson: So what did you think? Yes, my friends are really like that. This is tame compared to what they can really do in real life. You don't even want to know. Thanks to my reviewers, who have been waiting so patiently. I have written 8 pages of story just for you!

ShadowRenaman

Kitsune Kit

daria1376

Jessica

animegrl!5

Dolphingirl32173

TheBlackFox01

I would like to add a special thanks to ShadowRenaman for prereading my story. Thanks a bunch!