I am SO sorry for the delay. I was busy with Kitty, and I just moved from home to the city where I'm studying Japanese in a few days, so the moving took a lot of my time. And not to forget, the first few days I didn't have internet, so I couldn't post a thing at all! I don't like making excuses for myself, but I'm really sorry!
Save the tears for the right moment Part C
'Master?' asked the blond teen carefully.
'Not now. I'm busy.' said Dermail working on his computer. Milliardo stood behind him, and started giving the man a massage.
'You work too hard Master.' he said softly. He read over his Masters shoulder what the man was typing.
Sanc-Kingdom scandal? Child of King and one of the slaves found after she was put up for adoption eleven years ago…
Dermail noticed that Milliardo was doing more than just giving a massage. 'Did I give you an order to give me an massage?' he snapped to the boy.
'No Master. I'm sorry.' apologised Milliardo quickly. He knew Dermail had noticed him. The only reason why the teen had given him a massage was because he wanted to know what he was doing. He didn't like the man at all. In fact he was close to hating the man. Not as much as Allen at the moment, but Dermail was close. Milliardo knew not all people were gentle and good for their slaves, but Dermail was definitely someone who didn't care about the welfare of slaves. He only used them for his own desires, which was quite often.
Milliardo wasn't the only slave of Dermail, and he also wasn't the only one who didn't like the man. The old man owned over thirty slaves, about five he used for his own pleasure. Milliardo was one of those five. As soon as Dermail had laid eyes on the blond he just couldn't resist buying him. He didn't even complain about the sum of money that had to be paid. Normally he didn't buy a slave with less than a fifteen percent discount.
Milliardo quickly took another look on the screen and saw something that looked like a biological text, with several images of a DNA string and more.
DNA? Why is he interested in DNA? wondered Milliardo.
'Milliardo!' warned Dermail.
'I'm sorry.' he apologised immediately. Dermail clicked away the page he was looking at and he turned to his slave.
'You know I don't like it when you pry in my stuff.' he said annoyed.
The blond dropped his gaze to the ground, avoiding looking at the angered man. He knew he shouldn't say anything now, not unless he asked him a direct question.
'How long are you here now Milliardo?' asked Dermail.
'Three weeks, and a couple days. I do not know exactly.'
'But you still don't know the rules I set up?'
'Of course I know the rules Master. The rules are perfectly clear to me.'
'Then why don't you follow the rules?' he asked making him look up at him by pulling his head up with the blonds hair.
'I just thought you would appreciate a massage Master.' lied the blond swiftly.
Milliardo was slapped in his face.
'Don't lie to me!' snapped the man angry. 'What were you doing?'
'Giving you a massage Master.' continued the blond.
'I want another answer!'
'I do not have another answer Master. I've got to pleasure and take care of you, don't I? That's what I was doing Master.' said the blond. He tried to look away again, but his Master still had a few strands of hair in his hand.
'That's it! You're in serious trouble now!' said Dermail practically yelling. He pushed the blond on the ground, settling himself on the teens legs. He had Milliardo's hands pinned above his head with one hand.
Milliardo coughed as air was forced out of his lungs with the fall on the ground. He gasped for air.
The teen knew what was coming. He also knew that Dermail wanted him to beg not to.
'Master…' started the teen.
'Yes!' he snapped with a smirk on his face.
Milliardo spat Dermail in his face.
'You insolent…! You will pay for that.' the man said wiping his face with his sleeve. 'Prepare for pain boy, 'cause you will not know anything else after this.'
The blond sighed.
Again… I know I forced it out of him this time, but I just can't stand the man! And I don't think It'll be any different from the normal "nights"…
Milliardo wasn't really wrong with his line of thoughts. The punishment wasn't different, except for this time he called someone after he was 'done.' He told Milliardo that he had called for a doctor to take care of him. The teen didn't trust the man and stayed on his guard. The punishment had tired him, and he was sore all over, but nonetheless, he was on his guard. A few minutes later a few men came in the room where Dermail and Milliardo were.
One of the men in white lab coats approached Milliardo, holding his hand out for Milliardo to take it.
'No, Stay away from me! Don't touch me!' he said. He didn't like doctors at all, and moreover he didn't trust anyone who worked for Dermail. He knew something bad was going to happen. Another man approached the blond. He had something in his hand what didn't look too good for the blond boy.
Looks like sedatives…I'd better watch out…
Milliardo tried to avoid coming close to the men, but there were six of them, and he was alone.
'Master?' he tried.
Dermail didn't react. He just watched how his little slave tried to escape the six-full grown men, armed with stun-guns and sedatives.
'Master, please.' tried the blond. Save me from them…' he pleaded
'Milliardo, don't you understand? I can do with you what I want, and I gave these men orders to make you something which only a dozen are over the whole world and colonies.' he finally spoke.
'Master? I don't understand. What do you mean?' said Milliardo avoiding a jump from one of the men.
'How could you understand, you're only a slave…But I'll explain it to you in a few words. I gave them orders to make you a neko-jin.'
'A what! Never!' Suddenly Milliardo felt a little sting in his upper arm. One of the six men had given him a shot with a very fast spreading drug.
Damn…I dropped my guard…
'No! Please! D…o…n't…' he said and fainted.
The unconscious blond was carried away to a part of the mansion that was reserved for medical stuff. They undressed him to his boxers and tied him to an operation table.
'Okay men, let's go. The sedative should stay in his system for four hours, so let's hurry.' said one of the doctors.
'Duke Dermail? Could you please leave the room?' asked the doctor in charge. 'We'll be needing absolute concentration, and we can't have the wrong bacteria entering the teens body whilst operating.'
'As long as you make sure it works. I'm counting on you Doctor Noin.' he said to the man.
'Don't worry Duke Dermail. We'll do everything we can to make it work. But there'll always be the change it will fail, you know that, don't you.'
'Yes, I know.' said Dermail irritated. 'Just make sure it doesn't fail.'
The head doctor nodded and Dermail left the room.
'Okay men, clean yourselves. We're going to make this young man a Neko-jin…'
Milliardo woke up. He felt dizzy, and he couldn't focus on the area around him.
W…what happened…where am I…why does my body hurt so much?
He blinked his eyes and heard someone speak. He couldn't understand though. His mind was too foggy, and his sight was only a blur to him.
'Doctor Noin? He's waking up.' warned of the other doctors.
'He's awake? That can't be. He should be out for at least another half hour…Give him some more sedatives. I haven't done enough to close him again. It'll be too dangerous if we stop now.'
Dangerous..? What's going on? I… and Milliardo was sleeping again.
He woke up a few hours later in a not so comfortable cage.
What…where…I…where am I…looks like…a cage…o, no, I'm gonna be sick…
Milliardo prepared to throw up, but nothing came.
Damn…I really don't feel too good…My stomach…
The blond held his hand on his stomach, covered with bandages. He then noticed he was only wearing boxers… slowly he began to remember what happened earlier that day.
"I gave them orders to make you a neko-jin…" Then he vaguely remembered lying on a table, with a lot of people around him. He still didn't remember what they had said, but it was clear to him now. The process of making him a Neko had begun.
Why did they have to cut my stomach open? And what are they going to do after today? How long will it take…I sure hope it won't hurt any more than it does now…
The blond licked his dry lips, and tried to find out in which room he was at the moment.
It doesn't look familiar…Looks like a lab or something like that? Am I still in Dermail's mansion?…is there anybody around? I want to drink something…at least…if I can keep it in…I'm thirsty…
Suddenly he heard a door close behind the cage he sat in.
Strange…normal I don't hear things like that…did they change my hearing?
'You're awake?' asked a blue haired girl, standing in front of the cage.
Milliardo blinked.
Who is she? One of Dermail's people?
Milliardo tried to talk, but no sound came out of his mouth.
'You must be thirsty. Just a second. I'll get you something to drink.' she said and left the blonds sight for a few seconds. The teen heard water running, and short after that the girl returned with a cup of water.
'Here, drink. You look like you need it…' she said giving the cup through the bars of the cage. 'How do you feel? I hope better than you look…I really don't understand how people can do such things…' she said nicely.
Milliardo took a few careful sips. When he'd emptied the cup he asked: 'Who are you?'
'Ah, you have strength to speak. I'm Lucrezia, Lucrezia Noin. What's your name?' she asked sitting down in front of the cage. 'By the way, sorry, but I'm not allowed to let you out of the cage, though I really want to…'
'Thanks, I guess.' said Milliardo. 'Don't you know my name? I mean, hasn't Dermail told you?' asked the blond feeling a lot better after he had something to drink.
'No, he rarely tells a thing, especially about one of his slaves.' she said with disgust in her voice.
Milliardo somehow started to like the girl. She was kind to him, and she also was another person who hated Dermail. He also felt at ease with her around.
'My name's Milliardo…You're name…Noin…it sounds familiar, though I do not know from where I've heard that name before…' he said. He tried to sit in another position, but it hurt too much.
'Be careful, don't overstrain yourself. Your body is still very weak…About my name, maybe you heard my fathers name…he was one of the doctors…' she said. 'I'm sorry.' she added immediately when she saw the look on Milliardo's face. 'Those weren't happy memories, right?'
'Not exactly no.' he said sarcastic. 'Why are you here? Are you also a doctor?'
'In learning. My father asked me to take care of you when he isn't around. But I'm not going to go my fathers direction…' she answered, her fingers removing a few strands of hair out of her face. It didn't help, her hair fell back in place.
Milliardo smiled. 'If you find your hair annoying you should cut it.' he said grinning. 'I don't complain about my hair…' he teased.
'I'm not complaining.' said Noin back, smiling also. 'Though it's good to hear that you can make jokes again. Do you need another drink?'
'No, I'm fine. Thanks for offering though. I don't think I can get something to eat, can't I?'
'Nope, sorry. Your stomach is still weak from the operation. You'll probably wont keep it in anyway…'
'True…so…you sure you can't get me out of this cage? I feel like a lion in a zoo at the moment…' he said eyes casting to the ground.
That's what I'm going to be…a locked up animal…
'Don't worry too much. It'll all be okay.'
'I'm sorry, but I don't think I believe you miss Noin. If I know Dermail, and I do, I can be certain that it won't be okay.'
Lucrezia smiled sadly. 'Just Lucrezia is fine Milliardo. No formalities when it's just the two of us…I don't like it…I don't think it's fair for someone to be stripped of his freedom to serve others.'
'I wasn't stripped of my freedom.' said Milliardo sadly.
'You weren't?' she asked surprised.
'I have never had freedom from the day I was born. I'm one of the few born in slavery…Do you know people called Odíons?' he asked her.
'I heard of them. People who had their genes adapted, right?…why do you ask?'
'I'm half. My mother was a full-blooded Odíon. I was condemned to slavery even before I was born…'
'O, that's so sad…I'm sorry.'
'Don't be. You can't help it…' he said looking away. 'Why are you here anyway? Did Dermail send you?'
'No, I came here on my own. I wanted to see how you were doing.'
'But you didn't even know me until a few minutes ago…' said the blond surprised.
'No, I didn't, but that doesn't mean I don't care for people who are going through hell at the moment. As I said, I don't agree with Dermail, and I don't agree with my father, but what can I do? I'm just a kid…but that doesn't mean I can't take care of you. I'll be there when you need me. I'll be taking care of you after the operations, I'll be treating your wounds, if you have them. I'll be with you a lot from now on. I'll take care of you.' she said assuring.
Milliardo smiled at those words.
'May I ask your age?' asked Noin suddenly.
'Sure. I'm fifteen…I turn sixteen in a couple of months…how old are you?'
'Also fifteen. I've gotta wait another half year before I turn sixteen.'
Suddenly Milliardo heard something
'Someone's coming…you sure you're allowed here?' he asked quickly.
'Yes, I'm allowed, and how do you kn…?'
Dermail and Doctor Noin entered the lab.
'Father, Mr. Dermail? I didn't expect you here yet. I thought you were busy…' she said standing up.
'We were.' said Lucrezia's father. 'Duke Dermail wanted to check on Milliardo, then we'll be leaving again, 'cause we've got a lot to discuss…Is he awake dear?'
Lucrezia looked at Milliardo. Dermail and her father were out of his sight. The teen shook his head, and pretended to be asleep.
'No. I tried to wake him, but he's still asleep.'
'That's too bad…' said her father. 'Maybe you should come back later on today your excellency. I'm sure he'll wake up soon. There isn't much to see anyway.'
The man nodded and left the room together with doctor Noin.
When Lucrezia was sure they were far away she directed herself to the teen again.
'You really hate him, don't you?'
'From the bottom of my heart.'
Lucrezia smiled. 'Me too. I'll get you through this all. Don't worry. I'll lie for you. Everything to make life for you more bearable.
'Thanks.' said Milliardo sincere. 'I appreciate it.'
'You're welcome.' she said smiling. 'I've gotta go now, sorry. I'll be coming back before I go to bed, okay?'
'Sure. It's not like I'm going anywhere.'
Lucrezia gave Milliardo a sad smile and she left.
Hell it will be…I hope she can help me…
Not so long later Milliardo fell in a restless sleep. He had nightmares, and the pain in his stomach didn't make it any better. He woke up when he heard the door in the lab thrown shut. He heard someone nearing him, but he didn't open his eyes. He could hear by the way the person was walking that it was Dermail. Someone was following the duke.
Probably Lucrezia's father…
'Still asleep eh?' teased Dermail.
Milliardo's ear twitched involuntarily. He couldn't stand the mans voice.
'O, so you are awake…' said Dermail. 'Those cat-ears are quite useful.' he said.
Cat's ears? They cut my stomach open…how can I have cat's ears?…then that's why I can hear that good…I've got the hearing of a cat now…
Milliardo slowly opened his eyes. He blinked a couple of times, pretending to be still sleepy.
'..M…Master…' he whispered.
'You can talk already? This is going better by the second.' said Dermail with an evil smile. Noin agreed with the duke. 'I didn't think his body would change that fast. This is good. We might make it in a couple of weeks less…'
Milliardo cringed at the thought…
A couple of weeks less…that means it's going to take a very long time if they think a couple of weeks less is good…damn it…
'I don't really care how long it all takes.' said Dermail standing again. 'As long as you make sure he becomes a Neko, I'm fine with it.'
'Don't worry your excellency. We'll make it work.'
'You'd better. When is the next surgery scheduled?' asked the blonds Master while walking away from the blond.
'Tomorrow…I'm not sure about the exact time, but……' they talked as they left the lab.
Tomorrow…I don't think I'll survive that long…I feel even worse than before I slept in…
The blond shifted a bit and fell asleep after a long time of thinking. No crying, 'cause he knew if Dermail would come in he would hear that the rest of his time with Dermail.
"Crying is for the weak. And I don't want my slaves to be weak, understand?"
Keh, I hate him…damn it…why did I end up with him? Why didn't someone else pick me out of the line…someone like Michael…but then without a little brother…Why Dermail? Why make my life hell? Don't even slaves have rights for at least a 'normal' life? Why?
Lucrezia dropped by at 22:00, but Milliardo was asleep. She left a bottle of water in the cage and went to bed herself.
When Milliardo woke up the next morning he didn't feel as bad as he had felt the day before. He could sit up again, though he had to move slowly. He saw the bottle of water and took a few sips, knowing if he drank too much he would probably have to throw up. Milliardo held his hand on his bandaged stomach to feel, and suddenly noticed his fingernails.
They grew? This is interesting… he thought. He pretended to slash someone with his hands, and suddenly his nails grew in length.
What the hell…cool…maybe I can get out of this cage…
Milliardo let his fingernail grow a bit more and tried to stuck it in the keyhole. He moved his finger, but as he did that, he received a small shock. He jerked his finger back in reflex, and in process he broke his nail.
'Ouch!' he yelped. He stuck his finger in his mouth to ease the pain.
'Now I know that I don't have to try that anymore…'
'Don't do what anymore?'
Milliardo jerked up.
I didn't hear anyone come in…I probably was too much distracted…
Milliardo crawled to the back of his cage and cuddled himself in a ball.
'Hey, you don't have to be scared of me.' said Lucrezia appearing in the blonds sight.
'O, it's you.' remarked the blond sighing. 'I thought you were Dermail…' he said relieved. He carefully came closer to the bars where Lucrezia was sitting on the other side on the ground.
'Didn't you hear me come in then? With those ears you should be able to hear much better than you've ever done.'
'True. I hear better, but I was a little bit very distracted.' he said softly, looking down, his finger going back into his mouth.
'Distracted? With what? And what's wrong with you finger? Can I take a look?' she asked nicely when she notices Milliardo's finger in his mouth.
'If you make sure you won't hurt me.' said the teen with sarcasm in his voice.
'Don't worry. I'll never hurt you. I told you before, and I keep my promises. Now let me see that finger of yours.' she said. Milliardo held his hand through the bars so the girl could take a look.
'Your fingernail broke? How did you do that?' she asked letting go of the blonds hand again.
'I…I tried to unlock the cage…' he admitted.
'But there's voltage on the cage…not much, but enough to severely hurt you!' she warned.
'I found that out, yes.' he said sheepishly.
Lucrezia smiled faintly. 'Well, seeing you, it didn't do much harm. Do you want something more to drink?'
'Nah, I'm fine. Tanks for offering though…'
They both were quiet for a while.
'Miss Noin?' asked Milliardo.
'Lucrezia.' she said.
'Fine…Lucrezia?'
'Yes?' she asked grinning.
'You…do you know what will happen with the next surgery?' he asked carefully.
Lucrezia's eyes widened a bit. 'Why do you want to know?' she asked. She couldn't think of a reason why someone would want to know the torture which was coming.
'I just wanna know what I can be expecting when I wake up…I think…do you know?'
'No, I'm sorry. My father doesn't inform me with the plans. He only asked me to take care of you between the surgeries. Sorry.'
At that moment Dermail and Lucrezia's father entered the lab. Milliardo immediately crouched back in the cage, and hugged his knees.
'Father, Duke Dermail.' said Lucrezia standing up.
'Lucrezia, I was searching for you…Have you been here for long?'
'About ten minutes. Why do you ask father?' she asked eyeing Milliardo in he corner of her eyes.
He really is scared…I've got to help him…somehow…
'So he's awake?' asked her father nearing her.
'Yes.'
'Do you know for how long?' he asked as Dermail followed him.
'No, he was already awake when I came, and he didn't tell me. I don't think he even knows…he doesn't have a clue of the time at the moment…'
'That's normal for persons who've been under surgery.' explained doctor Noin. 'I think we can start with the second phase your excellency.' he said turning to the duke.
'The sooner the better.' the man said. 'I'll leave everything up to you. If you need me, you know where to find me.' he said and left the lab.
That bastard doesn't even have the guts to be present when they cut me open…damn him!
'Honey? Could you leave the lab?' asked Lucrezia's father.
'Can't I stay? I've got to learn how to operate…seeing it in real would really help me…' she tried.
'I'm sorry dear, but not today. We've got some major important operations scheduled for the next few days, and I'd rather have no one else but the doctors and the boy in the operation room at the moment.'
'I promise I won't get in the way…please?'
'No stays no Lucrezia, you know that. Another time.' said her father with a firm tone.
'Okay.' she said, knowing her father couldn't be persuaded.
'Do you need my help with something before the operation then?'
'No thanks honey. I'll be fine.'
But I won't! thought Milliardo.
'Okay then. Make sure you keep him alive father. I'd hate it if he died.'
He doesn't deserve these operations, but he doesn't deserve to die either…make it through this Milliardo. I'm sure you'll make it, and if you do, I'm sure it'll get better…someday…
'Don't worry honey. I'll make sure he won't die.'
I can't afford him to die. Dermail would kill me if he did!
Just let me die…stop the surgeries…stop the pain…the torture…just let me sleep forever…
'Well, I'll be going then. Good luck daddy.'
'Thanks honey. Could you call in the other doctors?' he asked while taking his surgery clothing on.
'Sure.' said Lucrezia and left the lab.
I'm so sorry Milliardo that I can't help you. I'll try and make it up to you one day…
'So little fella, time for some sleep.' he said. Milliardo tried to get away from the man, but the cage didn't give him many options to hide.
'Hey hey, calm down little one. The sedatives don't hurt you. And I f I don't put you to sleep you'll definitely know the meaning of pain. Now c'mon.'
Milliardo didn't want to be operated again, but he knew he would be. He wanted to be in less pain as possible, so in the end he decided to let Lucrezia's father put him to sleep for a while, knowing he wouldn't survive the operation if he was awake.
'That's a good boy…' said doctor Noin just after he gave Milliardo a shot, while patting him on the head. 'It'll be okay.' he said nicely. The blond didn't believe him. He knew it wasn't going to be okay, and he didn't like the way Noin had said it.
I'll kill him when I've got the change…I'll probably be executed for that, but I don't care!
When Milliardo woke up after the operation he didn't feel anything at all.
I think I must be happy I don't feel a thing…
Milliardo observed his body again. The bandages around his stomach had been changed, but they hadn't done the incision there. He now noticed that they had done something just above his buttocks. He could see a little bulge forming beneath the bandages.
I'm growing a tail? They're not serious, are they!…the next time I wake up, will I be covered in fur?
That night Milliardo couldn't sleep at all. Growing a complete tail in just one night was very, very painful. Also the earlier places that had been changed still hurt as well.
When he woke up and opened his eyes he saw Dermail in front of the cage. The teen quickly crawled back and accidentally sat on his own tail. He yelped and went on hands and knees. Milliardo looked over his shoulder and saw a fluffy blond tail, which had gone right through the bandages. He tried to move the tail, but found out that he had little control over it yet.
Dermails hand went through the bars and grabbed the tail not too firm.
Milliardo made a sound what was just like a hissing cat. He turned to his Master and struck him with the long nails, making the mans hand bleed. Dermail let go and backed off.
'Noin!' he snapped. 'You could've told me he had grown long nails already!'
'I didn't know that your excellency. I'm even surprised the tail came out completely in one night…Shall I call Lucrezia to take care of your hand your excellency? I need to examine the boy.' he offered, calling for his daughter.
'What happened?' asked Lucrezia as she took care of Dermails hand.
'He happened.' said Dermail annoyed.
'Milliardo did?' she asked looking at him. 'Dad!' she yelled when he was about to sedate Milliardo. 'Why sedate him? There isn't a operation scheduled for today, is there?'
'No, I want to test some few things. Take a sample of his blood…'
'Then you don't have to give him a shot…just a second. I'll help you out.' she said finishing bandaging Dermail. 'There you go your excellency. If you remove the bandages tomorrow the wounds will be healed enough.' she kneeled down in front of the cage. 'Milliardo?' she asked while she held her hand in the cage.
'Lucrezia!' warned her father.
Lucrezia ignored him.
'Milliardo. It won't hurt today. Dad just wants to check if everything is okay. The bandages will be removed and the stitches will be checked, but that won't hurt.' she said looking Milliardo in his eyes. A little blood will be taken, but you won't feel that at all. And if you promise to lay or sit still the whole time, and don't do anything rash, your tail will be left alone for today, okay?' she asked. She looked at her father and gave him a if-he-works-along-you-have-to-as-well look.
'It won't hurt?' asked Milliardo carefully.
'No, it won't. I promise.'
Milliardo looked at Dermail who was glaring daggers. He looked at Lucrezia's father and saw he would keep the promise if he also kept the promise.
'Okay…' he said.
Lucrezia smiled. 'Dad? Can I have the key?'
She opened the door and helped Milliardo up. He couldn't walk on his own. He was still weak from the operations and his tail unbalanced him. Lucrezia helped him up the examine table.
'You okay?'
'No, but don't worry.' said Milliardo.
'Hold my hand.' offered Lucrezia. 'It'll distract you a little bit.'
and if he decides to attack I can try and stop him in time…for his own good…
Lucrezia's father kept his promise and so did Milliardo. Dermail had in the meantime left. Lucrezia helped Milliardo back to the cage.
'Do I have to?' he asked, almost begging.
'I'm afraid you have.' said Lucrezia.
'I promise I won't run away.' Milliardo said.
'It's not that.' said doctor Noin. 'I don't know when your body is ready to shift. And until I'm sure I can't take any risks. You would hurt yourself the first time. And others if you don't have control over yourself.'
'Shift?'
'I'll go get you a pillow and a blanket, okay?' asked Lucrezia
Milliardo nodded. Lucrezia's father helped Milliardo in the cage but didn't close the door yet. Lucrezia returned with a pillow and two blankets and gave them to Milliardo.
'Here.' she said handing them over.
'Thanks.' replied Milliardo, quickly adding 'Miss Noin' when he noticed her father was about to make a comment.
'No problem' she said smiling. 'I'll be back tonight after dinner…hang in there Milliardo.' she said nicely and left.
Milliardo lay the pillow against the bars and leaned against it. He closed his eyes. When he heard a click nearby his ears twitched and forced him to look where the sound came from. Lucrezia's father had locked the cage after he put a bottle of water and a few pieces of chocolate inside the cage.
'Don't chew the chocolate.' he said. The blond nodded and ate a piece. 'By the way, how long ago did your nails grow?' asked doctor Noin.
'I don't know the days, but it was two surgeries ago.' he answered.
'Thanks.' said the man. He worked on his notes and left the lab.
Milliardo sighed.
How much longer…
The surgeries of the next three weeks went perfect, and with every surgery they won time on schedule. Milliardo's body accepted it all quickly. Lucrezia helped the teen with keeping his head together. Every time Milliardo woke up Lucrezia seemed to be there. He more or less accepted the fact that he was going to be changed on wishes of Dermail. He hated the man more than ever, and ignored him much to ignorance of Dermail. Milliardo only talked to Lucrezia and so now and then answered doctor Noins questions.
On the outside Milliardo didn't change anymore. His eyesight improved, as did his feel for different scents. The changes took place inside his body. After another three weeks Milliardo's condition got worse. He had a fever, and if he wasn't sleeping he was hallucinating.
Doctor Noin thought it was hopeless to keep going. The first weeks went good, but the most important phase had yet to come, and if Milliardo was sick he couldn't operate the boy. He'd developed special medicine for Milliardo, for his half Neko blood, but it didn't help much.
Lucrezia gave Milliardo around the clock care, hoping it would help.
After another two weeks Milliardo condition finally improved. His temperature was still a bit too high, but he didn't hallucinate anymore, and the little amount of food he ate stayed inside.
After another week Milliardo's condition was good enough to continue with the changes. They were back on schedule again, though Dermail wasn't happy with it at all. He was pleased when they were ahead on schedule, but the last few weeks were "awful" for him. He kept pushing doctor Noin to continue, but doctor Noin didn't want to fasten it up at cost of Milliardo's health. After the first few operations he had grown a sort of sympathy for the teen. He began to realise that he was wrong, wanting to change someone just for someone else's pleasures, but he couldn't turn back now.
Four operations later Milliardo woke up not long before midnight. (though he didn't know that). He rubbed his eyes and felt something furry. He immediately checked his tail, but it was around his middle. Then he suddenly noticed his hands. They were covered with a blond like fur.
'What the hell is going on? Doctor Noin didn't say this would happen…'
He looked down and saw that his feet were also furry.
'Am I shifting? But don't know what to do…'
Milliardo didn't remember anything of the few minutes after. The first thing he remembered again was that he was walking circles in his cage, wanting to go out. He'd changed into a lion, and the cage was too small for the cats liking.
Just after midnight Lucrezia came to check on Milliardo because she's heard sounds coming out of the lab.
'O my God….Milliardo!' she said astonished. 'Wow…' she said approaching the cage. The lion stopped and stared at Lucrezia with a pleading look.
'You want to get out, right?'
Milliardo nodded and sat down, his tail swishing slowly.
'I've got to ask my father first. I'll be right back.' she said and quickly left. Lucrezia returned with her father right behind her. He wore his lab coat inside out and his hair was still a mess. He immediately got out of bed when Lucrezia had told him Milliardo had shifted.
'Amazing.' he said. 'White manes is definitely a change. You can understand Lucrezia and me, can't you?'
'Yes.' said Milliardo and nodded.
'You can talk!' yelped Lucrezia.
'Shouldn't I then?' teased Milliardo. 'Doctor Noin can I get out of the cage? I want to stretch my legs. I feel strong enough.'
'I'm not sure.' said Doctor Noin. 'Duke Dermail would kill me if I did, but I'd love to take a better look. Do you promise you won't run or attack?'
'If you don't touch my tail, sure.'
Doctor Noin unlocked the cage and opened the door. Milliardo slowly walked out and jumped on the examination table to give doctor Noin a better look. He stretched himself and suddenly saw a bright flash.
'Hey!' he complained. 'You want me blind?' he teased after Lucrezia had taken a photograph.
'Sorry.' said Lucrezia in a teasing way. 'Can you lift your paw so I can take a picture of it?'
flash
'Sit down?'
flash
'Stand.'
flash
'Stay still'
flash
'Open your mouth? Wow!'
flash
'Ready? I've got stars in front of my eyes.' complained Milliardo.
'Ready.' she said smiling. She lay the photo camera down and approached Milliardo.
'May I pet you?' she asked carefully.
'Of course. Your father can examine me, so why couldn't you pet me?' he said smiling.
(can a lion even smile?)
Doctor Noin took a complete hour to check on everything he wanted checked. He measured every inch of Mils body and weighed him. He checked his teeth and felt his muscles all over his body. He didn't touch Mils tail though, as promised. Milliardo didn't run at all, though he had opportunities enough.
When Lucrezia's father was finished Lucrezia started playing with Milliardo. She was hugging Milliardo when Dermail came in the morning to take a look at his slave.
'What the hell!' he snapped. Lucrezia quickly turned around.
'Uh oh…' she whispered.
'NOIN!' he yelled 'Why the hell didn't you call me!' he snapped. Milliardo winced. His sensitive ears weren't used to the sound of Dermails voice if he screamed.
'And why the hell isn't he in his cage!' added Dermail not giving Doctor Noin the chance to answer even one question.
'I guess I was too enthusiastic your excellency.' he said sheepishly. 'I forgot to warn you when I heard he had transformed.' he added. 'And he isn't in his cage 'cause I had to examine him.'
'And your daughter! She was hugging him!'
'Milliardo isn't dangerous at all.' defended Lucrezia. 'And I was comforting him after the examination, that's all.'
'Fine!' he snapped. 'Don't do it again.' he added irritated. He went to where Milliardo and Lucrezia were standing. Dermail went on one knee and said. 'Open your mouth.' to Milliardo.
The lion obeyed and let the man take a look at his teeth.
'Good, good. You have all the information you need Noin?'
'Yes, I have.'
'No side effects?' added Dermail. Noin shook his head.
'Good, then back in your cage.' ordered the man.
'But…' protested Milliardo. He was having fun.
'You can talk in your Neko shape? Even better.' he said. 'How many operations left?'
'One.'
'When is it planned?'
'In two days, at night.'
'Do you need him in the lab?'
'No. Just make sure he doesn't get hurt. He's still quite weak.'
'That doesn't matter. I'll take him with me.'
Milliardo looked up surprised.
I don't want to go back in that cage, but I'd rather do that than go along with him! What does he want with me anyway? I cant do much for him in the shape I'm in now…
Suddenly Milliardo noticed that a rope was fastened behind his front legs and around his neck.
'Wait a second…' said Dermail. 'Where did his collar go?'
'He isn't wearing it? I didn't even notice.' said Lucrezia's father. 'It probably broke when he transformed…yes…here's what's left of it.' he said as he picked up the pieces out of the cage.
Dermail wanted to take Milliardo with him to show off when he was going to a meeting, but just after he'd had breakfast Milliardo suddenly changed back into his human form.
'What the…' he said when he saw his slave in his human form, sitting naked on the floor.
'I… I guess it's only for the night then…' said Milliardo.
Dermail sighed. 'I figured that already.' he said irritated. 'Take on some clothes. I want to take you somewhere.'
'Yes Master.' said Milliardo and quickly went to his bedroom.
It's been ages since I've been here…I hope I can spend the next few nights here, instead of in Dermails bed… I hope he realizes that it won't really help my condition…
Milliardo quickly took on some clothes and went back to his Master. Dermail was already waiting for him.
'Follow me. Don't stray.' he said as he went outside. The limo was already waiting.
When they arrived where Dermail wanted to go the man exited the limo as first. He was standing in the door when Milliardo wanted to get out. Dermail suddenly reached for his pocket and pulled the item out. It was a stun-gun. Milliardo saw stars and fainted in his Masters arms.
Dermail carried Milliardo inside.
When Milliardo woke up a day later he was back in his cage.
What happened? The last thing I remember is being in the limo…and then…it's all black…
'Hey, you're awake.' said Lucrezia kindly. 'How's your neck?' she added.
'My neck? Ouch…it hurts…what happened?' he asked.
'You don't remember? Dermail had someone make a tattoo. I'll get you a mirror…just a sec.'
A tattoo? But why? To replace my collar? I'd rather have my collar, though I hate it…
Lucrezia
returned with a hand mirror and held it in front of Milliardo.
'What
the hell! Why?' he asked, staring at his neck in the mirror. 'Why
a tattoo? Why not just a collar?'
'I think he did it because your collar broke during your transformation…Dermail is trying to get a new one, but I guess in the meantime he didn't want you 'collar-less'.' answered Lucrezia.
'Great…' he said sarcastic..
The next operation was three days later, and when Milliardo woke up he didn't feel much. He figured the medicine were the cause of that. He opened his eyes and saw he was in his own bed.
No cage? Wow…
Suddenly Milliardo noticed a pain in his neck. His tattoo didn't hurt anymore, so he wondered what it was. He moved his hand to his neck and felt something solid.
'A new collar? It's a bit bigger than my previous one…' Milliardo tried to tug it, but he suddenly felt a shock emitting from the collar.
'Ouch!' he yelped… 'Electric collar?'
Only a few minutes later Lucrezia came in Milliardo's room.
'Hey, how are you feeling?' she asked sitting down next to the teen on the bed.
'My neck hurts. New collar?'
'Yes, since last night, just after the operations. You were unconscious at the time, and you should be grateful for that. The person who made this collar said if you were awake, you could've died of the collar. It's really powerful. Don't do anything to anger Dermail, 'cause he has a remote, and if he pushes the button, you get a powerful electric shock.'
'Just great.' he complained. 'Can you give me something to eat? I'm starving…'
'No, sorry. No food for you today. Three days ago was the last operation, the most important. You've got to wait a day before you can eat again.'
'Something to drink then?' he asked.
'There's a glass of water next to you on the nightstand. Shall I help you?'
'No, thanks. I'll manage.' said Milliardo. He slowly sat up and took a few sips.
Then Dermail came in.
'Miss Noin, can you excuse us?' he asked.
'Of course your excellency.' she said politely and left the two men alone.
'Milliardo,
Milliardo.' He said teasing. 'I thought I had taught you not to
get close to anyone, except for me.'
'You did Master.'
'Then
how do you explain your 'relationship' with miss Noin?' he
demanded, positioning himself on the slaves legs.
'I…she's
my doctor Master. And with all the tests and operations she has to
check on me almost everyday.' Said Milliardo. He knew Dermail
probably wouldn't fall for that, but he could always try.'
'I
thought I also taught you NOT to lie to me!' he said slapping the
blond in his face. Milliardo held his hand on his cheek, avoiding his
Masters eyes.
'You know…' said Dermail devilish 'It's a
good thing the full moon was a few days ago, and the operations are
over now. You know why?'
'Because now…' Milliardo knew
what Dermail was going to do. He knew he had to finish his sentence,
or else Dermail would punish him even more, but he just
couldn't.
'Because now…WHAT!' said the man hitting the
blond again.
'You……can….'
'I can what?'
'Ra…punish
me on the way you like.' Decided Milliardo to say.
'That's a
good boy.' He teased. 'Take your clothes out.' He ordered.
Milliardo obeyed silently, trying to shift away from his Master, but
he couldn't, cause he had a full grown man sitting on his
legs.
'Master…' he whispered. 'I…if you want me to take
out my pants you have to get off me.'
'You insolent! Don't
speak to me with a tone like that!' Dermail tied the blonds hands
to the headboard with a rope he had already prepared. Milliardo
swallowed.
This is going to hurt for days… he thought, but kept silent.
Dermail
ripped Milliardo's pants off, following with his own.
…
Milliardo
finally fainted of pain, welcoming the black world around him. As
soon as Dermail noticed he stopped, dressed and went on with whatever
was on his schedule. He didn't take the time to cover the
unconscious slave with a blanket, he didn't take the time to send a
doctor to the boy.
When Milliardo awoke he felt someone washing
his body. His eyes snapped open when he remembered what had happened
before he had fainted.
'Whoa, calm down.' Said Noin
reassuring. 'You don't have to be afraid now. I'm the only one
in the estate at the moment. Dermail is out to some sort of
ball.'
Milliardo sighed in relieve. He closed his eyes and
relaxed.
'How do you feel?' asked Noin.
'Awful. How are
you? Did you get punished?' asked the blond remembering the reason
for his punishment.
'No, well, maybe sort of…I'm not allowed
to see you as often as we normally did, but I am allowed to treat you
when necessary.'
'You're not hurt at all?' he asked
concerned
'No. don't worry about me. I'll be fine.'
'That's
a good thing to hear.' Said the blond, with a bit of sarcasm in his
voice. 'The operations are really over now, aren't they?' he
asked.
'Milliardo, I already told you. Yes, all is done. You
only have to recover now.'
'But that doesn't mean it will be
less painful, right? Has my body completely adapted? Will it have
problems with the Neko side? It will definitely hurt the next few
days…I'm sure…'
'And it's not like the recuperation
are the only cause for your pain. What did Dermail do? Go
insane?'
'It sure felt like it. How long have I been
out?'
'Three days. I took care of your wounds two days ago,
and stayed here until you woke up.'
'You didn't have to do
that for me you know. I'm just a slave.'
'No you're not!
You're not 'just a slave' to me! I like you Milliardo, though
my father and Dermail must never know. There must be some reason for
you to live, other than pleasing filthy bastards.'
'Thanks for
saying that, but I was born in slavery, I don't think there's
another cause for my life…And by the way…I…' Suddenly
Milliardo had to throw up. Noin saw it in time and held a bucket
near.
'Here, drink some water.' Offered Noin
'Thanks.'
Said Milliardo weakly. 'Shit…I don't feel to well…have you
given me medicine?'
'No, only some lotion near you know
where.'
'The medicine I had to take after my transformation,
when it was a full moon, are they out of my system already?'
'Yeah,
they should've left your body a day ago. Why do you ask?'
'My
stomach feels very strange…And no, it's not that I'm hungry. It
feels like…like… I don't know…it doesn't really
hurt
though…just…strange.'
'Shall I examine you then?
Maybe you're coming up with a virus or something.'
'I don't
think so, but sure, go ahead. I'm used to being examined anyway.'
He said. 'Sorry.' He added quickly when he saw the hurt look on
Noins face. 'That statement wasn't about you. Sorry.'
'It's
okay. I can understand how you feel. Anyway, let's get my bag, and
I'll look what is going on in your stomach.' She said smiling.
Noin
examined the blond stomach.
'Hmm…I can't find anything…is
it okay if I make a scan?'
'Sure, go ahead. Do you want me to
lye on my back or stomach?'
'Both. First stay put.' She said
making a scan of his stomach. 'Turn around please.'
Milliardo
turned, regretting it immediately. 'Ow…I think I won't be able
to walk for a couple of days.' He said while lying down
properly.
'Strange…' murmured Noin. 'I can't find
anything… Everything looks normal.'
'Maybe it's just my
imagination. Just let it be. If it's something severe I'll notice
soon enough. Thanks anyway.'
'No prob.' She said. 'Hey,
I've got to go now. Are you going to be okay?'
'Sure, I'll
manage.'
'Okay. I'll be back tomorrow morning. Take
care.'
'I will, thanks.'
Four
weeks later.
Milliardo had already forgotten the punishment by
Dermail, and the strange feeling in his stomach had disappeared after
a few
days. He was in the training room, when he suddenly felt his
stomach again, but now it really hurt. He somehow made it to his
bedroom without fainting, and laid down on his bed. He pushed on a
button hidden under his bed. Noin and he had placed some sort of
device there, that if Milliardo needed Noin's help, he just had to
push the button and she would come over.
A few seconds later she
came running in Mil's room.
'Milliardo? What's wrong?'
'M…my
stomach…it hurts…'
'Your stomach? The same like a few
weeks ago?'
'Sort of, but now it does hurt…'
'I'll
take a look again.'
…
'O…My…God…' she
said.
'What? What's wrong?' asked the Neko.
'I…I
don't know how to say this…Milliardo? You're going to
have…kittens…'
It
suddenly went silent.
After a few seconds Milliardo reacted:
'WHAT! Kittens? You mean…I'm pregnant!'
'Yeah.'
Replied Noin letting herself fall in the couch.
'This can't
be…how?…and why does it hurt then? Is something wrong?'
'No,
nothings wrong…they're just a little bit excited. I think they're
trying how to use their legs or something like that…they're just
playing.'
'No way…this can't be…How? I'm a boy!'
'I
know…that puzzles me…Maybe…I've gotta ask my father. Maybe
they used DNA from a female catlike to make you a Neko or something
like that…'
The blond didn't reply. He lay his hand on his
stomach, and now he knew what it was he could feel the little squirts
inside him.
'…How many are there?' he asked.
'Four.'
'Four?
Wow…'
'I'm heading to my father, okay? I'll ask what's
going on.'
'Wait! Don't tell your father about the kittens!
They'll just take them away.'
'Don't worry, I won't ask
him directly. I'll be back in an hour or so.' She said and left.
Milliardo stayed in his room, suddenly feeling no pain anymore, only a kid of happiness, combined with a feeling of grieve. He knew when Dermail would find out he would kill them immediately, and even when he somehow kept it away from his Master until the birth, Dermail would dump the kittens in a bag and drop it in the river. Either way he would loose them.
Noin
came back half an hour later.
'Your Neko DNA is male, just like
you.' She said while entering Milliardo's bedroom.
'Then how
can I be pregnant?' asked the blond.
'The medicine your
receive…they have a high doses of hormones in it…female
hormones.'
'Female? Why do they give me those medicine
then?'
'Because that's the only medicine you're body
accepts. Your Neko blood can only handle medicine with female
hormones.'
'Great. So some stupid pills made me able to get
kittens…By the way, I wanted to ask you, but I forgot, but how
long? I mean. How old are the kittens?'
'About four weeks I
think.'
'Four weeks…then…O no…the…punishment…great!'
he said sarcastic. 'Why does this happen to me?'
Noin sighed.
'I don't know. But I do know Dermail won't be happy with it…'
'Be
happy with what?' asked the blonds Master, who had just come
in.
'Master..!'
'Mr. Dermail!'
Milliardo and Noin were forced to tell. And as suspected, Dermail had let the kittens be killed. But he didn't let them be aborted. He waited for the kittens to be born, to kill them in front of Milliardo's eyes. Milliardo couldn't stand it and looked away, but that didn't help the screams from his three daughters and only son.
Only a few days later Dermail had enough of Milliardo. The blond was depressed, disobedient, and violent.
Dermail first wanted to send Milliardo back to the STI, but he suddenly thought about something better.
'Milliardo, follow me. We're going to make a trip.'
'Where to Master?' he asked.
'Shut up. You don't have to know where we're going. Follow me.'
'Yes Master.' he said softly and did as he was told.
The limo drove to Dermails private jet.
He told Milliardo to sit and sit still when he made a short conversation with the pilot.
'Take us to Japan. Quickly.'
'Yes your excellency.'
Dermail planned to go to Japan to sell Milliardo on the slave market. European slaves were rare in Japan, and worth a lot of money, like Asian slaves were in Europe. And Milliardo was double worth his money, because he was a Neko.
He was sold after a few days.
TBC
I'm so sorry for the late update. I also want to note something. The ones who read Kitty as well have probably noticed that Save the tears for the right moment is different than what I've written in Kitty. I've written this half before and half after I've written the chapters of Kitty in which I refer to his past. I wrote a big deal when I was on holidays, and I didn't have internet, so I had to try and remember as much as I could, and when I was finished, I realised it was almost completely different. I decided to just type it out, instead of revising everything. It would take me ages, and I really want to post this part, 'cause I already started with Part D.
Thank you all for reading, and I hope you will take a few seconds of your life and review. XD
