Disclaimer: I don't own it.
A/N: I hope you enjoy.
Kai leaned against the door frame, dark eyes fixed on the neko-jin. The Russian's grey slacks were perfectly pressed, black shoes shining in the low light. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of pale skin. The azure markings were gone, making him seem even more formidable.
"Rei." Arielle was right. Kai's voice was rich and soothing, sounding just as Rei imagined the Devil's would. The silence quickly became uncomfortable. Rei hastily licked his lips, trying to keep his eyes focused on Kai's. Now was not the best time to study his former captain like a fine breeding stud.
Zane stood on his tiptoes, just barely visible over Kai's shoulder. Zane wasn't exactly short, but next to Kai he looked small. "Rei, Mrs. Thelr is here for her willow bark." Rei got to his feet and slipped through the small gap between his desk and the file cabinet. He had been meaning to reorganize his office so that it was easier to get around, but the popularity of the store had not given him time.
"I'll be right back." The neko-jin managed to keep his surprise off his face as Kai stood up, allowing him to pass. Zane quickly glanced back at the Russian before moving next to Rei. "Who was that?" Rei pushed open the door that led back into the store. "That would be my former team captain, Kai Hiwatari."
"Kai Hiwatari, as in the billionaire Hiwatari?" Rei stretched up, grabbing one of the glass jars off of the shelf. "Yep. Hello Mrs. Thelr. How are you today?" Mrs. Thelr was a small woman, who could barely see over the counter. Her white hair was piled on top of her head in a neat little bun. When she spoke, her voice sounded like the wind through dried reeds. "Just fine Rei. I also would like some of your fabulous orange tea." The neko-jin opened the jar and pulled out several strips of dried bark which he rolled up in cheesecloth before slipping it into a small cloth bag. Zane handed him a second jar that had been on a higher shelf and Rei carefully scooped the tea into a bag. "Have a good day Mrs. Thelr." She took her change and shuffled from the store.
Rei climbed up the ladder, taking the jars from Zane. "I'm going to have to go deal with Kai, so I'm going to leave you in charge. I don't want to disturbed. Everything's labeled." The neko-jin jumped off the ladder and brushed some dust from his hands. "If I'm not out in two hours, I'd call the police, but since I'm sure Kai owns them...." Zane started reorganizing the counter, eyes darting to the door that connected the herb part and the antique part together. "I get the picture Rei."
When Rei reentered his office, Kai was standing in front of the picture of the Bladebreakers. Rei closed the door and leaned back against it. "Long time no see Kai. What brings you here?" Kai turned around, mahogany eyes sweeping over the neko-jin. "I just thought I would stop by and say hello to an old teammate." The neko-jin smiled wanly. "Kai, stop trying to feed me bullshit. I know you. You're not the kind of person that just stops by to say hi."
The Russian's eyes hardened and Rei suppressed a shudder. Kai stepped closer, his warmth and scent curling around Rei. "Fine, I'll tell you the truth. I've heard that your charming little store is having financial problems." Citrine eyes widened. "How could you. Only Zane and I know. No one outside of the store knows." A smirk twisted the Russian's lips. "It's not something you need to know. I do however, have a proposition for you."
Rei stood up, though the movement only brought the top of his head to Kai's nose. "What kind of proposition?" Kai stepped back, hands sliding into his pockets, eyes glinting with a disconcerting light. "A rather simple on. I will help you keep paying your bills and employees until you manage to discover who is raiding your funds." Rei nibbled on his lower lip, sure that there was a hook somewhere. In the entire time they had been on the same team, Kai had not once done something for someone without expecting some kind of payment.
"What's the catch Kai? I know that you're not doing this out of the kindness of your heart." Kai sat down on the edge of Rei's desk, long legs stretching out. "The only thing I require from you Rei is for you to do is become my companion." Rei didn't move from his spot, trying to absorb the information. Kai smiled at the shocked look on his former teammate's face. Within seconds a number of emotions had passed over the neko-jin's face. The most noticeable being surprise followed by anger. Black pupils shrank to barely visible slits, fangs slightly bared.
"I see how it is! You pay my bills and I become your whore. Next time just ask me to kill myself. I'd do it willingly!" Kai slowly got to his feet, entranced by Rei's show of anger. He moved closer, one hand falling to lie on Rei's shoulder. Rei looked up at him, eyes feral. "Rei, whore is such a horrible name for such a beautiful person. I much prefer the term concubine. It suits you. And think of all the people that work for you. What would happen if your story was to close? Would they slide back into the hells that you rescued them from? What is Arielle going to do to support her children? You have a week to decide." Kai disappeared out of the room.
There was a smashing sound from the office causing Zane and Arielle to rush to check on Rei. They had both seen Kai leave and had assumed that everything was fine. Rei was standing in front of the picture of his teammates, blood dripping from his hand, glass scattered on the floor. Zane went back into the store to get the first-aid kit while Arielle got Rei to sit down. She took the gauze pad that Zane handed to her and carefully started cleaning off the blood.
"Rei, what happened?" The neko-jin however, was lost in his own world. "Bastard." Arielle gently rested one hand on Rei's leg, trying to pull him back to the real world. Citrine eyes lost their glazed look and he smiled slightly. "Sorry. I think I'm going to go home. I'm not feeling that well. Will you two be okay?" Arielle stood up and smiled. "We'll be fine."
As Rei was leaving the store, Arielle's kids, Chris and Shelby, dragged their baby-sitter in, intent on finding their mother. The tow headed children brushed past the neko-jin, smiling up at him briefly. Arielle came out from the office and hugged her children, giving each of them a piece of rose candy from a jar on the counter. Kai's voice floated through his mind, sounding dangerous and seductive at the same time. "What is Arielle going to do to support her children?"
***** Rei came awake to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He buried his head under the pillow, not wanting to answer it. Unfortunately, the person on the other end of the phone was persistent. "Hello?" The voice on the other end of the phone was bright and cheerful. "Hi Rei." He rolled onto his back, golden eyes scanning his ceiling. "Hi Max. How's it going?" Rei allowed his mind to wander as his friend told him everything. "Rei?" The neko-jin was brought from his thoughts by the worried sound of his friend's voice. "Yeah Max?"
"You seem a little preoccupied. Is everything okay?" For several seconds Rei considered lying to his friend, but something stopped him. He had to tell someone. "No Max, everything isn't okay. My business is failing and I have no idea why. Kai came by today and offered his help. But of course it doesn't come without a price. Kai...Oh Gods, Kai wants me to become his companion as he so elegantly put it." There was silence on the other end of the phone. Rei waited for his friend's comments.
"What are you going to do?" Rei sat up and leaned against the headboard. "I don't know. Part of me wants to say yes so that I can keep Zane, Arielle and the others from ending up on the street, but my pride is telling me not to give in, to find a way to help them without taking his offer." Max laughed. "Hey, I've got to go. Just remember this; I'll support you no matter what choice you make." Rei hung up and curled back under the covers, sleep claiming him once again.
*****
It had been a week since Rei had talked to Kai. And today was the day that Kai would require his answer. Rei leaned back in his chair, eyes drawn to the picture of the Bladebreakers. Arielle had taken the picture and had the glass replaced. "What I'm I going to do? My conscience is telling me that becoming Kai's companion is wrong, but can I really condemn Zane and the others back to their personal hells?"
Arielle came into the office, closing the door behind her. "Rei, your friend is back. But before you talk to him, are you okay? You've been kind of distracted this week." The neko-jin managed to drag his eyes away from the picture. "Don't worry Arie; I'm just stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tell me, if something was to happen to the store, how would you support Chris and Shelby?"
The woman leaned back against the door, dark eyes troubled. "I'd try to find another job as soon as possible. They've grown used to regularly having food and warm clothing." Rei remained motionless. "And if you couldn't find a job?" Arielle didn't answer for several minutes, taking the time to look her employer over.
What she saw made her want to cry. The normally happy golden eyes were dull, the only shine to them, unshed tears. The ebony hair was neatly bound, but it just served to accentuate the neko-jin's unusually pale skin. "I would go on welfare and continue looking for a job. Rei, why are you asking all of these questions? What's going on?" The raven haired man smiled slightly, one fang barely visible. "Just trying to make an important decision. Would you send Kai in for me?"
She nodded and left, leaving the door slightly ajar. "I'm doing the right thing. I can't let them suffer just because I'm feeling jealous." His head was brought up sharply as he heard the door creak open.
Kai was once again dressed perfectly, mahogany eyes not showing anything. "And your choice is?"
Rei's voice was steady as he spoke. "Yes."
A/N: I hope you enjoy.
Kai leaned against the door frame, dark eyes fixed on the neko-jin. The Russian's grey slacks were perfectly pressed, black shoes shining in the low light. The top two buttons of his shirt were undone, offering a tantalizing glimpse of pale skin. The azure markings were gone, making him seem even more formidable.
"Rei." Arielle was right. Kai's voice was rich and soothing, sounding just as Rei imagined the Devil's would. The silence quickly became uncomfortable. Rei hastily licked his lips, trying to keep his eyes focused on Kai's. Now was not the best time to study his former captain like a fine breeding stud.
Zane stood on his tiptoes, just barely visible over Kai's shoulder. Zane wasn't exactly short, but next to Kai he looked small. "Rei, Mrs. Thelr is here for her willow bark." Rei got to his feet and slipped through the small gap between his desk and the file cabinet. He had been meaning to reorganize his office so that it was easier to get around, but the popularity of the store had not given him time.
"I'll be right back." The neko-jin managed to keep his surprise off his face as Kai stood up, allowing him to pass. Zane quickly glanced back at the Russian before moving next to Rei. "Who was that?" Rei pushed open the door that led back into the store. "That would be my former team captain, Kai Hiwatari."
"Kai Hiwatari, as in the billionaire Hiwatari?" Rei stretched up, grabbing one of the glass jars off of the shelf. "Yep. Hello Mrs. Thelr. How are you today?" Mrs. Thelr was a small woman, who could barely see over the counter. Her white hair was piled on top of her head in a neat little bun. When she spoke, her voice sounded like the wind through dried reeds. "Just fine Rei. I also would like some of your fabulous orange tea." The neko-jin opened the jar and pulled out several strips of dried bark which he rolled up in cheesecloth before slipping it into a small cloth bag. Zane handed him a second jar that had been on a higher shelf and Rei carefully scooped the tea into a bag. "Have a good day Mrs. Thelr." She took her change and shuffled from the store.
Rei climbed up the ladder, taking the jars from Zane. "I'm going to have to go deal with Kai, so I'm going to leave you in charge. I don't want to disturbed. Everything's labeled." The neko-jin jumped off the ladder and brushed some dust from his hands. "If I'm not out in two hours, I'd call the police, but since I'm sure Kai owns them...." Zane started reorganizing the counter, eyes darting to the door that connected the herb part and the antique part together. "I get the picture Rei."
When Rei reentered his office, Kai was standing in front of the picture of the Bladebreakers. Rei closed the door and leaned back against it. "Long time no see Kai. What brings you here?" Kai turned around, mahogany eyes sweeping over the neko-jin. "I just thought I would stop by and say hello to an old teammate." The neko-jin smiled wanly. "Kai, stop trying to feed me bullshit. I know you. You're not the kind of person that just stops by to say hi."
The Russian's eyes hardened and Rei suppressed a shudder. Kai stepped closer, his warmth and scent curling around Rei. "Fine, I'll tell you the truth. I've heard that your charming little store is having financial problems." Citrine eyes widened. "How could you. Only Zane and I know. No one outside of the store knows." A smirk twisted the Russian's lips. "It's not something you need to know. I do however, have a proposition for you."
Rei stood up, though the movement only brought the top of his head to Kai's nose. "What kind of proposition?" Kai stepped back, hands sliding into his pockets, eyes glinting with a disconcerting light. "A rather simple on. I will help you keep paying your bills and employees until you manage to discover who is raiding your funds." Rei nibbled on his lower lip, sure that there was a hook somewhere. In the entire time they had been on the same team, Kai had not once done something for someone without expecting some kind of payment.
"What's the catch Kai? I know that you're not doing this out of the kindness of your heart." Kai sat down on the edge of Rei's desk, long legs stretching out. "The only thing I require from you Rei is for you to do is become my companion." Rei didn't move from his spot, trying to absorb the information. Kai smiled at the shocked look on his former teammate's face. Within seconds a number of emotions had passed over the neko-jin's face. The most noticeable being surprise followed by anger. Black pupils shrank to barely visible slits, fangs slightly bared.
"I see how it is! You pay my bills and I become your whore. Next time just ask me to kill myself. I'd do it willingly!" Kai slowly got to his feet, entranced by Rei's show of anger. He moved closer, one hand falling to lie on Rei's shoulder. Rei looked up at him, eyes feral. "Rei, whore is such a horrible name for such a beautiful person. I much prefer the term concubine. It suits you. And think of all the people that work for you. What would happen if your story was to close? Would they slide back into the hells that you rescued them from? What is Arielle going to do to support her children? You have a week to decide." Kai disappeared out of the room.
There was a smashing sound from the office causing Zane and Arielle to rush to check on Rei. They had both seen Kai leave and had assumed that everything was fine. Rei was standing in front of the picture of his teammates, blood dripping from his hand, glass scattered on the floor. Zane went back into the store to get the first-aid kit while Arielle got Rei to sit down. She took the gauze pad that Zane handed to her and carefully started cleaning off the blood.
"Rei, what happened?" The neko-jin however, was lost in his own world. "Bastard." Arielle gently rested one hand on Rei's leg, trying to pull him back to the real world. Citrine eyes lost their glazed look and he smiled slightly. "Sorry. I think I'm going to go home. I'm not feeling that well. Will you two be okay?" Arielle stood up and smiled. "We'll be fine."
As Rei was leaving the store, Arielle's kids, Chris and Shelby, dragged their baby-sitter in, intent on finding their mother. The tow headed children brushed past the neko-jin, smiling up at him briefly. Arielle came out from the office and hugged her children, giving each of them a piece of rose candy from a jar on the counter. Kai's voice floated through his mind, sounding dangerous and seductive at the same time. "What is Arielle going to do to support her children?"
***** Rei came awake to the sound of his cell phone ringing. He buried his head under the pillow, not wanting to answer it. Unfortunately, the person on the other end of the phone was persistent. "Hello?" The voice on the other end of the phone was bright and cheerful. "Hi Rei." He rolled onto his back, golden eyes scanning his ceiling. "Hi Max. How's it going?" Rei allowed his mind to wander as his friend told him everything. "Rei?" The neko-jin was brought from his thoughts by the worried sound of his friend's voice. "Yeah Max?"
"You seem a little preoccupied. Is everything okay?" For several seconds Rei considered lying to his friend, but something stopped him. He had to tell someone. "No Max, everything isn't okay. My business is failing and I have no idea why. Kai came by today and offered his help. But of course it doesn't come without a price. Kai...Oh Gods, Kai wants me to become his companion as he so elegantly put it." There was silence on the other end of the phone. Rei waited for his friend's comments.
"What are you going to do?" Rei sat up and leaned against the headboard. "I don't know. Part of me wants to say yes so that I can keep Zane, Arielle and the others from ending up on the street, but my pride is telling me not to give in, to find a way to help them without taking his offer." Max laughed. "Hey, I've got to go. Just remember this; I'll support you no matter what choice you make." Rei hung up and curled back under the covers, sleep claiming him once again.
*****
It had been a week since Rei had talked to Kai. And today was the day that Kai would require his answer. Rei leaned back in his chair, eyes drawn to the picture of the Bladebreakers. Arielle had taken the picture and had the glass replaced. "What I'm I going to do? My conscience is telling me that becoming Kai's companion is wrong, but can I really condemn Zane and the others back to their personal hells?"
Arielle came into the office, closing the door behind her. "Rei, your friend is back. But before you talk to him, are you okay? You've been kind of distracted this week." The neko-jin managed to drag his eyes away from the picture. "Don't worry Arie; I'm just stuck between a rock and a hard place. Tell me, if something was to happen to the store, how would you support Chris and Shelby?"
The woman leaned back against the door, dark eyes troubled. "I'd try to find another job as soon as possible. They've grown used to regularly having food and warm clothing." Rei remained motionless. "And if you couldn't find a job?" Arielle didn't answer for several minutes, taking the time to look her employer over.
What she saw made her want to cry. The normally happy golden eyes were dull, the only shine to them, unshed tears. The ebony hair was neatly bound, but it just served to accentuate the neko-jin's unusually pale skin. "I would go on welfare and continue looking for a job. Rei, why are you asking all of these questions? What's going on?" The raven haired man smiled slightly, one fang barely visible. "Just trying to make an important decision. Would you send Kai in for me?"
She nodded and left, leaving the door slightly ajar. "I'm doing the right thing. I can't let them suffer just because I'm feeling jealous." His head was brought up sharply as he heard the door creak open.
Kai was once again dressed perfectly, mahogany eyes not showing anything. "And your choice is?"
Rei's voice was steady as he spoke. "Yes."