Disclaimer: I don't own it.
A/N: I hope you all enjoy this chapter. And the computer lives so, updates might be more frequent.
"Yes."
Kai's smirk widened. He pulled a key from his pocket and tossed it to the neko-jin. Rei caught it, citrine eyes confused. "And I need a key why?" The Russian didn't even try to look innocent. "It's the key to my penthouse downtown. For the duration of our deal, you will live at the penthouse." Rei could once again feel the anger building up. "I'm sure you know where I live. Why the penthouse?"
"I like having my concubines living in comfort. A limousine will pick you up after work and take you to the penthouse. I'll see you later tonight." Rei watched as his former captain left, moving with the liquid grace of a hunting cat.
Arielle and Zane watched as Kai left, waiting until he was out of the building before going back to the office. They were worried that Rei might do something more drastic then break the glass on the picture. They stopped in the doorway, eyes widening in surprise. Rei was holding a simple brass key in his hands, looking at it like it was the final step to hell.
Arielle closed the door behind them. "Rei, are you okay?" The neko-jin nodded. "I'm fine. I sold my soul, but everything is okay. Arielle glanced at Zane, but the blonde was just as confused as she was. Rei stood and pocketed the key. "Come on. We need to finish inventory." They followed him out, confused by his random jumps from topic to topic.
*****
Arielle was closing the curtains on the front windows when a long, sleek black limousine pulled in front of the small store. She pulled down the last curtain, hoping that it wasn't Hiwatari returning. It seemed every time the billionaire returned Rei became more and more depressed.
Rei came down the small dark hallway that led to the office, pulling his coat on. "Well, we survived another day." Rei locked the front door behind them. "I'll see you guys tomorrow. Have a good night." Arielle and Zane were shocked for the second time that day when the chauffeur opened the door for Rei. The neko-jin murmured a soft thank you as he slipped in.
Arielle unlocked her car door watching as the limo pulled away. Zane opened the door as soon as he heard the lock click. "Something weird is going on." Arielle nodded and started the car. "And it all has something to do with Hiwatari."
*****
Lying on the seat across from Rei was a folded piece of paper, his name written across the paper in looping handwriting, the ink blood red. He picked the paper up and unfolded it, quickly reading the note
Rei
3-13-29 is the combination for the number pad into the foyer. I hope you enjoy your new home.
Kai
Rei folded the note back up and pocketed it, already feeling dirty for accepting Kai's offer. When he read the note, he could almost hear Kai's deadly, seductive voice. He drifted into his thoughts as the chauffeur skillfully wove through the rush hour traffic.
The neko-jin was pulled from his thoughts when the door was opened by an elderly, smiling doorman. The smile was so bright and happy that Rei almost forgot what had happened. "Mr. Kon, welcome. Mr. Hiwatari asked that I take you up." Rei slipped from the car, moving with almost robotic stiffness. Right now he wanted to do nothing more than take several painkillers to get rid of his headache and sleep for the next three days.
The foyer of the massive apartment was decorated entirely in cream and gold. Groups of well-dressed people stood around talking looking like animated adornments. Rei felt extremely out of place. The ride up in the elevator was silent. With a final ding the elevator came to a stop. The doorman smiled again. "Welcome to your new home Mr. Kon."
Rei stepped out of the elevator, feeling the doors shut behind him. The front door to the foyer was massive, the dark wood glinting in the recessed lighting. The number pad was next to the door, resting on a small ornate pedestal. Rei put in the combination and a light at the top of the pad blinked once, followed by a clicking sound as the door's lock disengaged.
He pushed open the massive door and stepped in, golden eyes amazed by the wealth displayed in the foyer. A massive crystal table sat in the middle of the room. Gold floor lamps stood in each corner; their light highlighting the golden speckled marble floor. A closet ran along one wall, brass handles standing out against the dark wood.
Rei hung his coat in the closet and after several seconds of deliberation decided to take his shoes off. The door into the house was the same type of wood as the front door save for the fact a huge phoenix had been carved across the front. Rei took the key from his pocket and unlocked the door.
Standing just inside the door was a small woman, dressed entirely in black. Her grey hair was cut short, her bangs pulled back from her face with small silver clips. She bowed her head. "Master Kon, welcome. I'm Clare, the housekeeper. I arrive at seven in the morning and leave at eleven. Come, I will show you to your room.
She started off down the hall, not stopping to let Rei look. Instead she gave him verbal tour. "The house has three bedrooms, you have the master. There's the kitchen, dining room, living room, the weapons room."
Rei had to ask about that. "Weapons room?" Clare looked over her shoulder at the neko-jin, thin lips twisting into a smile. "Master Hiwatari collects medieval weapons and practices with them. He is quite proficient with them." Rei nodded. "I'm sure he is."
Clare stopped in front of a set of massive black doors. "This is your room. Dinner will be done in an hour." She disappeared down the dark hallway, leaving him alone. Rei opened the door and was shocked again for the third time in ten minutes.
The room was massive and paneled with the same dark wood that made up the door. A huge bed sat against one wall. A dark green comforter and matching pillows adorned the wall, complementing the dark wood perfectly. Dark green curtains framed the windows. A couch and chair of the same color as the comforter sat in front of the fireplace. The carpet was black and so thick that Rei could feel himself sink.
A piece of paper sat on a dark dresser. Rei crossed to it and picked it up, not surprised to see the same looping handwriting and blood red ink.
Don't worry about your clothing. I provide for those who work for me
Kai
Rei crumpled the note up in disgust and threw it in the garbage can. With a sigh he opened one of the drawers. Sure enough the dresser was filled with enough clothing for a small country, all of it his size. Next to the dresser stood a wardrobe, also full of clothing.
A door on the wall caught his attention, though he was sure he knew where it led. The bathroom was done in the same color as the bedroom, green and black with silver highlights. The towels were green and black, hung over a silver towel bar. A recessed tub sat in the floor and a shower stood in one corner, it's frosted door open.
Rei flopped on the bed, intent on taking a short nap before dinner. He was just about asleep when Kai's departing words made them selves known. "I'll see you later tonight." The neko-jin jumped to his feet, landing silently, before beginning to pace. "I can't see him. I won't be able to control myself."
He looked around the room, the luxury still overwhelming. "This place is nice but it still seems like a gilded cage. And neko-jin do not do well in cages." Rei slipped made his way down to the kitchen.
Clare was in the kitchen, making dinner as she said she would be. "Clare." She looked up from the stove. "Yes?" Rei tried not to sound snobbish. "I will be eating in my room tonight." She nodded. "Of course Master Kon. I will bring it to you in fifteen minutes."
*****
When Arielle and Zane entered the store the next morning, Rei was already there, balanced precariously high on the ladder, taking inventory. He smiled down at them. "I trust you both had a good night?" They nodded and Arielle took their coats back to the office to hang up.
A crashing sound reached her ears, and fearing the worst ran back. Zane was still in front of the door, staring in shock. Rei was standing on the floor, a jar in hand, the ladder lying on its side on the ground. "What the hell happened?" Zane just shrugged, not able to explain it. The neko-jin righted the ladder as he began explaining.
"The ladder lost its grip on the top shelf and fell, with me on it." Arielle glanced up. She could see on the top shelf where the jar had rested. It had been a ten-foot fall but both Rei and the jar were in one piece. "That doesn't explain why Zane is so shocked." The blonde finally found his voice. "As he fell, he kind of twisted like a cat and landed on his feet. No human could do that."
Rei smiled as he climbed up the ladder again. "That's the thing, I'm not human." He replaced the jar on the shelf and jumped down, landing lightly on the balls of his feet. He picked up a clipboard from the counter, making a quick note about ordering more herbs. "I'm a neko-jin."
*****
Rei rolled out of the bed, wincing as his back popped. He had taken the day of, deciding that he needed a break. He grabbed a pair of boxers from the dresser, unwrapping his hair with one hand as he went. Once in the bathroom he made the shower as hot as he could stand.
Dimly over the sound of the water running he could hear someone in his room. He automatically decided that it was Clare straightening up. After spending fifteen minutes in the shower he got out and rapidly dried himself, leaving his hair free to dry naturally. He pulled on his boxers and left the room, freezing in his tracks at the sight on his bed.