'….' Spoken
"…." Thoughts
italics bitbeast/master talking

/italics/ - telepathic between Rei and X..

Chapter 7

Breakfast was boring...as usual... Mostly filled with small talk, and normally Kai would be polite and join the conversations, but he had different things on his mind.
'Kai? You're awfully quiet today. Is something wrong?' asked the king concerned. Or at least, he sounded concerned.
'I'm fine, don't worry. I was just thinking. May I be excused? I've got to prepare myself for the rest of today.'
'You may. Make sure you're ready at noon.'
'I will Grandfather. Thanks.' said the prince bowing slightly. He went to his room, almost bumping into Kenny when he entered his room
without looking.
'Whoa, Master Kai, you gave me a scare.' said Kenny smiling slightly. 'Are you okay? You don't look too good…'
'I need to talk with you Kenny, privately. Let's go to the bathroom.'
'Eh…sure, but may I give these to Master Rei beforehand? He asked me to get them.' said Kenny with one of Kai's black tops.
'What does Rei want with my clothes? A well, go ahead. I'll be waiting for you.' He was about to go to the bathroom when he saw Boris. 'On the other hand, I think I'll accompany you to Rei…' he said when he noticed that Boris had seen him.
'Thanks Kenny.' said Rei when he saw the teen enter his room. 'Kai? What brings you here?'
'Boris… I needed to avoid him. But now I'm here, what do you want with my clothes?'
'O, nothing.' said Rei smiling. 'I need something of yours for a spell I'm creating.'
'What spell?' asked Kai sceptically. 'Last time you made a spell with something that belonged to me it didn't end up that good…'
'But this time it's different.' said Rei smiling. 'And besides, I'm not going to do anything with your top, I just need something of yours. It's for something else.'
'What else?' asked Kai curious
'You'll have to wait until I'm finished.' teased Rei.
'You're a tease bro…' said Kai playfully.
'I know…'
'You'll find me when it's finished. I've got to prepare for later today…' said Kai. 'C'mon Kenny. Let's go to the bathroom.'
'Sure.' said the blond following the prince.

'Kenny, from the moment I've chosen a new salve I'll be a lot more strict. I need the new one to understand that I'm the only one he has to obey, and not Boris. To accomplish that I cannot go easy on you for a while.' said Kai while hi slipped into the warm water of his private bath. 'If you want to join me, by all means. You won't get another opportunity anytime soon.'
'I will, thanks Master Kai.' Kenny quickly undressed and followed the prince in the water. He didn't get too much opportunities to bath, so whenever he got the chance, he took it. Normally he would just wash himself.
'In what ways will you be more strict?' asked the brunette while washing the princes back.
'For you I only will make sure you do you chores. You know them already, so I won't remind you of them, but I will be watching more carefully. You'll have to spend some time with the new one too…Show him what you do, and what he has to do…'
'Which is?' asked Kenny tracing a few scars on the prince's back, making him shiver slightly.
'I'm not sure yet. You'll be probably relieved from some of your duties, but it all depends on who the new one is and how his behaviour is.'
'Ah, I understand…You're back is healing well by the way. There are hardly any wounds left.' commented Kenny.
'It doesn't hurt anymore. Thanks to Rei and Dranzer…Now let me wash your back.' said the prince teasing, pulling his slave in front of him.

After bathing Kenny, after taking some clothes on, went to Kais bedroom to get the prince's formal clothing.
'Master Rei.' he said surprised when he saw the black-haired teen in his Masters room.
'Just giving back his top. Where's Kai anyway?' asked the neko.
'Baths. I'm taking his clothes there now. You want to speak to him, don't you?'
'How do you know?'
'I've known you for six years now Master Rei, and it's my job to take care of you and Master Kai.'
'True.' said the Neko smiling. 'I'll accompany you to the baths then.'

Meanwhile in the city, in the inn.

Takao an Max had send their horses back to their country. The horses were trained to go back where they were born if they couldn't find their Masters, or when send away. Takao had hidden a cryptic note under his horses saddle, and just in case he'd also send a pigeon with the message not to worry. They sold most of their belongings, but hid their weapons, and the money. Takao wasn't planning on loosing an sword giving from father on son for centuries. Now the only thing they had to do was make sure they got in the castle.
'So…now we've ditched our belongings…' said Max sarcastic. 'What's your plan my lord…?' Even though they had agreed not to quarrel about it anymore, Max kept doubting the princes plan.
'I'm not sure yet…' said Takao.
'NOT SURE! We've only got a few hours!'
'I know, I know… I was just thinking…what if we attack a slaver, or something like that, and make sure we loose…'
'That could be a plan…' agreed the blond.
'But…' said the blue haired teen. 'That guy could also rape us and leave us just like that…'
Max shivered. 'If you're trying to convince me, you're desperately failing buddy.'
Takao smiled sheepishly. 'Sorry, I was just going through a possibilities of what could happen…'
'There's also a possibility we DO get through, but that the prince will flip again…what then?'
'Now you're scaring me Max…' teased Takao. 'I dunno. I guess we have to risk it…'
Max wanted to say something but refrained from it.
'Let's go get ourselves get caught then. I don't think I can think of another plan…' said the blond after a while.
Takao smiled sincerely, and gave Max a hug. 'You're the best friend I could ever have.'
'I now, and you'd better not forget that your highness.'
'I won't.' said Takao, kissing the blonds neck.
Max closed his eyes. 'Takao… I thought we decided we shouldn't do this anymore…' he said, but his body reacted differently.
'Did we decide that?' teased Takao, softly nibbling the blonds earlobe. 'Yeah, we did…' moaned Max. 'It's been more than a year a go that we shared beds as lovers, and you know it Takao.' said the blond, trying to stay serious. But Takao's hands already found Max's weak spots. 'Taka.' he said, his breath quickening.
'Mm…will you let me max?' asked Takao kissing the blond softly on his lips.
'I…' Max wanted to decline, his mind knew he shouldn't start their relationship again, but his body didn't cooperate. He nodded and let himself fall on the bed. 'You know…' said Max between kisses and undressing the prince…'We're loosing precious time of getting caught…'
The bluenette hmmed but ignored that remark.

'Rei? What brings you here?' asked Kai while he was brushing his hair when he saw his brother follow Kenny. He only had a towel around his waist.
'I got something for you. But I'll let you dress first.' teased the black-haired teen.
'You're making me curious Rei…' said Kai while he took his clothes from Kenny.
'I know.' said the neko grinning.
The dual haired teen shrugged and dressed. It took him a bit longer than normal 'cause he had to take on his formal clothing. Two layers of clothing, crests of the kingdom, several rings, his sword on his hip and a cape around his shoulders, beautifully decorated with a phoenix on it. He didn't take on the cape yet though.
'What is it?' asked Kai while he walked to the garden together with Rei. Kenny had went to the bedroom to give the two teens some time alone.
'I found out a way to communicate with someone who can't use magic, and without having to say a word.'
'You mean, like our telepathy?' asked Kai interested.
'Yeah, something like that. I needed something of you to be able to make the link, but if someone is wearing this, you can use your magic I gave you to talk to him or her.' said the Neko holding up a sort of collar. It was a simple thing, made of leather with a buckle to make sure it could be taken off.
'Interesting…' said Kai. 'Will I be able to read his/her mind?'
'I'm not sure bout that yet…It's harmless, you could try it on Kenny. I'm sure he wouldn't mind…'
'I'll ask…Can I have it for a second?'
'Sure.' said Rei giving it to his brother.
'Oo…I feel the magic… you put quite a lot work in it, didn't you?'
'O no, it was easy…well, once I knew how to… Besides, my magic is back to it's normal level again, so it's not a problem…'
'A… I see. But…I could use this on the new slave…right?'
'Yes. Everyone who doesn't use magic like I do can use it. I can block it, so it would be of no use on someone with the same level of
magic as I have…'
Kai thought about something suddenly. 'Rei…could you perhaps change something?'
'Sure, if it's not too complicated.'
'I'd like to….'

'You're as good as ever…' said Max, cuddled up against Takao. The blue haired teen smiled.
'Sorry if I rushed it…I know we planned not to, but this could've been our last chance to … you know…'

'My Lord. Your grandfather told me to get you.' said Tala. 'I think it's time to go and get a new slave.'
'Thanks Tala. Will you joing me Rei?'
'Sure.' said the black-haired teen smiling.
'Kenny, I want you to wait in my room.' said Kai when he saw that Tala had also told Kenny.
'But I…'
'Kenny…' warned Kai.
'I'm sorry.' apologised the brunette. He bowed slightly and left.
'In a bad mood?' asked Tala teasing.
'Does it matter?'
'Nope. Just asking.' teased the redhead.

The three teens made their way to the main gate. Just outside the gates people had gathered to watch.
'What's so special about having to pick a slave?' asked Kai to no one in particular. He sighed and went to his grandfather who was
already waiting for him.
'Just in time. The slaver said he was ready.'
Kai nodded. He stepped forward and watched the slaves who were kneeling on a line. They looked abused…badly. The were skinny, dirty, and so afraid they almost jumped when hearing someone in the crowd cough.
'Are these all you have?' asked the prince after he'd taken a good look at each one of the slaves. Although he didn't want a new slave, if he had to choose one he would want one who could at least serve him without dropping dead by doing so.
'These are all trained slave I have at the moment.'
'Trained ones? You mean you have more?'
'Yes, but they aren't trained yet. They do not know their status yet, and refuse to obey.' explained the slaver.
'Show me them.'
'O…of course my Lord. One moment please.' the man said nervously, quickly getting the two he mentioned.

'So now what!' asked max, trying to get rid of the ropes around his wrists. 'We didn't even get a chance to see the prince!'
'How should I know Max, I…'
'Shut up you two.' said the slaver. 'Get up, it seems the prince hit his head or something like that for wanting to see you two. GET UP!'
The two teens stood up and were pushed forward.

'It's sure taking long…' complained Tala, standing next to Rei.
'Yeah..wait…there he is again…with two te…' said Rei, suddenly going silent.
'Rei? Yo, buddy!' said Tala waving his hand only a few inches from the nekos head.
'Grandfather….' said Rei turning to the king. 'I want the blond one.'
'What!' reacted Tala. The readhead knew Rei hated slavery…then why would he take one?
Meanwhile Kai couldn't believe his eyes.

"Those two from yesterday? What are they doing here?"

Suddenly he heard his grandfather speak. 'My other grandson wants the blond one.'
Kai was stunned.

"What?Reiwants…?" He suddenly noticed Rei standing next to him.

'Rei…' said Kai.
'I'll explain later bro…'
'No, wait…those two…those are the ones I talked with yesterday…'
'What! They are…'
'Yeah, it's them…Give me the other one.' said Kai turning to the slaver.
'As you wish my Lords.'

On Kais room.

'Stay put, and get on your knees.' ordered the prince. 'What the HELL are you doing here!' snapped Kai. 'I thought I told you I didn't want to see you anymore!' he said the Takao, who was standing in the middle of the bedroom, his hands still tied on his back. 'Besides, didn't you hear me earlier? I said kneel!'
The bluenette sighed and kneeled. 'If you never wanted to see me again, then why did you buy me?' he remarked instead of answering
the question.
Kenny, who was watching, swallowed. He had never seen Kai this mad before, and he knew how 'fond' he was of obedience when pissed. He wondered how Kai would react on Tysons behaviour.
'You…!' Kai took a deep breath, trying to calm himself. 'Kenny!'
'Yes My Lord?' he quickly said.
'Bathe him and give him new clothes. I need to speak with Rei.'
'Yes My Lord…' Kenny said and quickly helped Tyson on his feet. 'This way…'

TBC

Yay finally another chapter done. Sorry if it took a bit longer than normal. I'm also busy with the sidefic on kitty at the moment…seeing that it's been AGES since I last updated that…

Comments and criticism are very welcome, everything to help me improve!

If you find grammar or spelling errors, please tell me. My native language isn't English, but I'm doing quite well in classes, so it shouldn't be too bad, but even so…

Tnx!