Author's notes: no, the story hasn't ended yet. (insert sweatdrops) srry for the late update.

Read the last part of the side story (save the tears...) first before reading this chapter. If you don't, you won't understand some things said and explained.

I'm trying to leave the real Japanese in the chapter, so if you see boxes (or see nothing at all) instead of Kanji and Kana's, you probably don't have an IME support for Japanese. Sorry for that. I placed the romaji there too, plus ofcourse the translation.

Kitty 21

"Akira-sama?" stammered the blond, looking his former master in the eyes. Akira was dressed in dark blue western clothing, which made him look a bit strange in Milliardo's eyes
どうしてここにいる？"Doushite koko ni iru?" asked the blond forgetting the formalities he had to use while speaking Japanese. (why are you here?)
Akira ignored the somewhat disrespectful way of asking, and answered: "あなたのマースタ　は私に聞いた。Anata no maasuta wa watashi ni kiita." (you're master asked me). He explained calmly.

Treize, who was still watching the two of them gave a subtle cough and excused himself. "I'll leave you two alone, if there's anything you need, don't hesitate to call."

"Thanks." said Milliardo. He made his way to the couch, sat down and signalled his former master to do so too. They sat opposite of each other, neither speaking for a few minutes.

Milliardo was the first to break the silence. なぜ？"Naze?" (Why?) Why didn't you just tell me you were going to sell me that day instead of drugging me? I would've complied." asked the blond in Japanese, which wasn't as fluent anymore, but still above average.
"Because…" Akira paused for a moment. "If you were awake you would've found a way to persuade me, even if it was involuntarily. I cared a lot about you Milliardo-kun. I wouldn't have forgiven myself if I had brought you away while you were awake."
"I felt like I was dumped, like a drenched cat next to the highway, left alone, no explanation, no way to go." said the blond, feeling tears coming. He'd refused to cry back then, but he couldn't control his feelings now. He'd really felt miserable about the situation back then.
"I didn't mean it that way Milliardo-kun. You've got to believe me. I never wanted you to feel that way."
"Master…" interrupted the blond.
"Milliardo-kun, no. I'm no longer your Master. I lost the right to command you when I gave you away."

Still both men were staring at each other, not moving at all. Akira took the opportunity to switch subjects.

"How are you now Milliardo-kun? I've spoken with Treize-san, he seems a fair man…"
"He is." said Milliardo smiling slightly. "He means a lot to me."
"I also heard you've given birth to three kittens. Congratulations." added Akira.
Milliardo felt a lot better hearing the Japanese man congratulate him. Akira knew about his earlier kittens, and the congratulations now meant a lot to him.
"Thanks. Two girls and a boy. Innocence, Frannin and Phoenix. They, and Trowa are the best that ever happened to me. I'll introduce you to them if you have time." said the blond, his mood brightening with the second.
"I have. I'll be staying in Europe for a month before I go back to Japan." explained the man.
"A month? Where will you be staying?" wondered Milliardo
"I've got a hotel room in the city."
"If Master Treize allows it you can stay here!" offered Milliardo standing from the couch in excitement.
"Would you want that?" asked Akira slightly surprised. He hadn't suspected the blond would forgive him that quickly for 'abandoning' him and let him be nearby. He was surprised Milliardo even wanted to talk to him.
"You bet!" said the blond, completely forgetting formalities. He stood up, hanged into his lynx shape and jumped out of his bathrobe, in Akira's lap. "I've missed you Akira-sama." he said happily, licking the man's face.
"I've missed you too Milliardo-kun." said the man softly hugging the lynx in his lap.

Suddenly there was a knock on the door, and someone slightly opened it. Milliardo looked up."Love?" asked Trowa. "Master Treize asked if…hey, Phoenix! Wait!" he called when he sneaked in the room.
"Daddy!" said the little kitten running towards Milliardo and Akira.
Milliardo jumped off Akira's lap, and gave Phoenix a playful lick when hestood between his front legs. "Did you just say what I thought I heard you say?" asked Milliardo, not realising he was still speaking in Japanese. Trowa blinked, Akira grinned and Phoenix stared at his father.
"Daddy!" he meowed.
"Eh…Mil, love?" asked Trowa while picking Phoenix up from the floor. "What did you just say?"
"What do you mean?"
"You were speaking in Japanese Milliardo-kun." said Akira in accented English.
"I was?" he asked, smiling sheepishly. "I said…what did I say again Akira-sama?" he asked teasingly.
The Japanese man sighed. "You haven't changed at all." he said before answering the blond. "You asked Phoenix if you had correctly heard her."
"That's it." said Milliardo changing back to his human form and taking on his bathrobe again. "When did she..?" he added.
"Yesterday, when I was calling Master Treize."
"Have Frannin and Innocence…?""Not yet…They'll follow soon I assume." said Trowa. "Master Treize asked if you could pay Quatre a visit. He's awake, and asked for you."
"Of course. I will in a second. I've got to ask the master something first."
"Kitchen." answered Trowa before the blond could ask.
"Hey, stop reading my mind." teased Milliardo. He gave Trowa a small kiss and made his way to the door. "Wait!" he said to himself, turning around. "I haven't properly introduced you two yet. Trowa, this is my former Master; Nemushi Akira. Akira-sama, this is my love Trowa."
Akira, who'd stood up bowed slightly. 'Nice to meet you Trowa-san."
"The pleasure is mine." said the brunette, bowing too, only deeper.
'Good! Now I can ask Master Treize, Akira-sama, いっしょに　行こう？isshoni ikou?" (Shall we go together?)

Treize granted permission for Akira to stay with them how long he wanted to.

Milliardo spent the entire day talking with Akira or playing with the kittens and Trowa. He didn't give Treize any attention other than an occasional 'hi' when they happened to see each other.
Later that evening Milliardo lay in front of the hearth with Innocence, Frannin and Phoenix between his front paws. Trowa was helping Quatre with explaining the evening chores to the blond, and Akira went to bed early.
Treize was waiting for the blond in a specially adorned bed and bathroom. He'd lit dozens of aromatic candles, had changed the drapery to warm dark red colours. The bed was made up that day, and still smelled fresh. Treize had added a dozen pillows extra and was now waiting for his blond slave to appear.
Meanwhile Milliardo dozed off, completely forgetting he was asked in Treize's room.

When the alarm clock changed to 23:00 Treize turned of the lights and crawled under the blankets, feeling disappointed, reminding himself to take proper action the next morning.

When the coo-cooks-clock in the living room reached midnight Milliardo woke up because of the sound. He wondered why he had woken up, because normally he slept right through all kinds of noises.

Suddenly he remembered.

"Damnit...what should I do? He's asleep by now...I hope...If I don't go, I'll be in for it tomorrow, but I can't leave the kittens...and taking them to Trowa will probably wake them..." he said to himself.
He carefully got up and changed back into his human shape and took on a bathrobe. He smiled and felt relieved when he saw that the kittens were still sleeping, all bunched up on one pillow.
"If I lift them up carefully they won't even notice it..."
It took Milliardo some time to reach the bedroom Trowa was sleeping in, but he made it inside without the kittens waking up.

Afterwards he quickly made his way to the Master bedroom, slowly opening the bedroom door. The first thing he noticed were the candles, which some of them were still burning. He peeked at Treize and gave a sigh of relieve when he saw the man asleep. He blew out the candles that were still burning, slipped out of his bathrobe and carefully crawled in bed. He froze when his Master stirred, but relaxed when nothing happened.
Treize lay on his side, facing the blond. The blond carefully cuddled against his Master and fell asleep quickly.
Treize's eyes cracked open when he didn't feel the blonds tail move anymore. He sighed as he looked at the blond, peacefully asleep.
"I'll have to punish you Milliardo, you know that..." he whispered while running his hand through the blonds hair. Millliardo's ears twitched but he didn't wake up. Treize reached for the drawer and got out a pair of handcuffs. He gently moved the blonds arms a bit so he could chain them to the headboard.
"You're not going to get away this time." he added whispering, turning on his other side so his back would be facing the sleeping blond slave.

When Treize woke up the next morning Milliardo was still sleeping. He went downstairs for breakfast and found Quatre and Trowa already waiting for him.
"Good morning Master." both teens said in unison. "Sir Akira already had breakfast. He's in the training hall, practicing Kendo." said Quatre.
"I see..." was all Treize said.
"Where's Milliardo?" asked Trowa. "Wasn't he with you last night Master?" he added.
"Not the whole evening. He's still in the bedroom now though."
"That tired?" wondered Trowa, immediately regretting the question when he saw Treize's expression. "Sorry, I was out of line." he apologised immediately.
"Yes you were, but it was nothing compared to Milliardo, so forget it." the man said agitated. "I've got him chained to the headboard so don't expect to see him today." he added while taking a bite of his toast.
Quatre almost choked in his breakfast. "Master? If I may, you're not punishing Milliardo for what happened at Dermail, are you? He couldn't do anything about it and..." said the blond carefully.
"I've got him chained to the headboard for a reason you don't need to know, but it's not because of Dermail. But do tell me what happened over there. He hasn't told me yet."
"I...you didn't know Master?" asked Quatre surprised. "I said too much..." he said more to himself, hardly audible. "I'm sorry."
"Apology accepted if you tell me what happened."
"I...well...Milliardo...Dermail had him...sleep with a client..." the young blond said carefully, avoiding eye contact.

Treize fell silent. He'd expected Dermail would force Milliardo to sleep with him, but he'd never thought Dermail would use Milliard in such a way.

"Master?" asked Trowa when Treize rose from his chair. He'd hardly eaten, which was very unusual for the man.
"Please continue breakfast without me. I've got some...things to settle. Do not disturb me."
"Yes Master." both teens said shortly after each other. Trowa swallowed. He hadn't seen Treize this upset, this angry in a long time, and he feared the possible punishments waiting for his lover.
"He'll be fine Trowa." assured Quatre. "He's a strong young man."
"Yeah... I hope so."

Milliardo slowly woke up, for a second not remembering where he was. He lay on his back and stretched himself, immediately feeling and hearing the chains. He tugged them softly to be certain.

'Damn.' he hissed. 'He's angry...' he thought. His ears suddenly twitched. He heard someone coming, and soon recognised the footsteps as Treize's. He swallowed. He tried to pull himself up a bit but with his hands tied up above his hands he couldn't.

Suddenly the door was opened and Treize practically stormed in.

'Uh oh...' thought the blond. "G...Good morning Master." he carefully said.
"Where were you last night?!" demanded Treize to know, locking the doorbehind him.
"I...I fell asleep in the living room..." Milliardo confessed.
"Fell asleep?!"
"I'm sorry. I was trying to get the kittens to sleep and..."
"You fell asleep while doing so?!" reacted Treize, disbelieve in his voice.
"No. Yes...Sort of...Master. I..."
"Don't." said Treize, slowly nearing his slave. "You disobeyed me." he stated. "It was just a simple order to come to my room on time."
"I'm sorry Master. I was just..."
"Silence! I didn't say you could say anything yet." Treize said sternly while sitting on the side of the bed.The blond swallowed again, his tail quickly curling around his waist. His instincts kicked in, and his body tried to get as far away from his Master as possible.
"Don't move!" added Treize while his hand softly roamed Milliardo's abdomen, giving the blond shivers. "I'm going to punish you..."
"I know." said the blond softly, closing his eyes.
"But first..." said Treize, his voice somewhat calmed down. "Tell me what happened at Dermails?" he asked.

The blond's eyes shot open, fear apparent in the blue orbs. 'Damnit. How did he find out? I slept with someone else, I didn't fight him...If master Treize finds out he'll kill me for giving myself to someone else!' he panicked.

"Milliardo!" warned Treize, not trusting the blond's silence one bit.
Milliardo's ears hung down. "Dermail..." he started but he couldn't continue.
"Dermail...what?!" said Treize, getting on the bed, sitting on his slaves legs.
"He...made me...he made me sleep with one of his customers."
"Who?" demanded Treize to know.
"Who? Why do you want to know Master?" wondered Milliardo. He hoped Treize would just let it rest. He didn't want Michael to be taken care of by Treize. He knew his Master was very protective, which he liked about Treize, but now it was dangerous for Michael.
"Why do I want to know?!" echoed Treize, sarcasm in his voice. "What do you think?! I won't let anyone get away with the fact they touched you, claimed you!"
"Master." tried Milliardo carefully. "He...couldn't do anything about it. Dermail expected..."
"I'll definitely 'talk' to Dermail. The only thing I want to know is the name of the man who raped y..."
"He didn't." interrupted Milliardo.
"Excuse me?"
"He...I wouldn't say he raped me..." said the blond softly, almost whispering. He turned his head away from Treize, not wanting to look him in the eyes.
"Explain." ordered Treize, sounding very confused.
"I...he...I..."
"Tell me!" snapped Treize. He'd had enough of waiting for answers.Milliardo's ears twitched because of the volume of his Master's voice.
"I...I know him. I...he's taken me before." said Milliardo finally, realising that if he stalled any longer it would only add up to his punishment, which he was getting anyway.
"You know him? And you...Tell me his name!"
"He was one of my previous Masters. You can find his name in my records." decided the blond to say.
"Why are you goddamnit defending that man?! Don't you understand I don't want anyone else but me and Trowa to touch you, to be intimate with you?! I don't want..." Treize stopped, realising he was starting to rant. "I don't want to loose you Milliardo. Ever." he said, sounding somewhat nicer than before.
"I know Master. You won't. I promise." the blond said.
"Then tell me his name."
"I..." Milliardo was silent for a while. "I can't." he finally said.
Treize's anger flared up again. He slapped Milliardo on the cheek. "That was an order!"
"I...I still can't say..."
"Fine! Soot yourself. But don't think I won't find out!" Treize got off the bed and opened a cupboard drawer.

The blond eyes followed his Master. He swallowed when he realised that Treize was going to fully restrain him.
"Master. No...Please...Don't tie me down completely...please." he begged. He didn't have pleasant memories of being tied down. Dermail used to do so right before he would forcefully claim the blond.
"Please Master...I..."
"Not another word. You brought this upon yourself." said the man gently but firmly holding Milliardo's ankle still.
Tears started to fall.
"Please Master...I...really, please don't..." begged Milliardo starting to toss and turn, trying to break free from the restraints.
"Lay still!" ordered Treize as he shackled the second ankle to the bed.
"No...no...no please...take them off...please..." cried Milliardo softly. "I'll do anything, but please...don't restrain me...please Master."
It was difficult for Treize to ignore his blond slave, but somehow he managed not to show his concern.
"Think about all you've done and what you haven't done. I'll come back later today." Treize announced as he left the bedroom, locking the door behind him.
"Master.." whimpered Milliardo. He cried himself asleep

When Milliardo woke up again he was still alone. He tugged at the chains agian feeling like he hadn't felt for a long time. He really felt like being a slave again, a feeling he hadn't had ever since Treize had bought him. He had felt more like a part of the family before, but now, those feelings were gone. He was broken once again.

He didn't want to cry anymore. It wouldn't help. He just waited for Treize to come back and do whatever he had planned for the blond.

The blond wasn't aware of the time it took for Treize to come again, but it felt like ages. With the chains still immobilising him he couldn't even turn on his stomach. He'd managed to pull the sheets over his legs and abdomen with his tail even though he wasn't really that cold. He didn't feel comfortable at all. He couldn't help but compare Treize with Dermail, something he really didn't want to think about. He knew Treize was different but at this moment he couldn't think positive about his Master.

When he heard Treize coming he curled his tail around his waist again and closed his eyes, pretending to be asleep. He even held his tail still, knowing Treize would take that as a sign he was really sleeping.

He heard Treize enter the room, but didn't hear him lock the door behind him. When he felt his master pull away the blankets his eyes shot open and he growled, his teeth somewhat longer than normal. His pupils disappeared for a second, starting his transformation. He wasn't going to let Treize have his way with him. Not if he could prevent it. While changing into his lion shape the chains broke because of the size of Milliardo's wrists. He could easily slip out of the chains around his ankles without having to break them. He shot up and jumped off the bed, hissing, his tail thick and swirling behind him.

"Milliardo." said Treize nicely, though Milliardo heard an warning tone. The lion growled again, refusing to say anything.
"Milliardo, calm down. I'm not going to hurt you."tried Treize approaching the blond carefully. The blond didn't want his Master any nearer and bared his teeth. Still Treize kept approaching him.
"I won't hurt you Milliardo."
"You already did." said the blond eventually, backing a little, He didn't want to be in the mans range for the time being.
"I will not punish you for what happened at Dermail. Please calm down and change back Milliardo." added Treize, hardly on an asking tone.
"I don't believe you. Why would you pull the sheets away while I was chained down then?" spat Milliardo, adding a hiss.
"I wanted to free you form the chains around your ankles. Did you really think that I was going to rape you?" asked the man
Milliardo didn't answer the question. "What are you planning with me?" he asked instead.
"In which case? Dermail? Nothing." said Treize while still trying to approach the lion slowly.
"Promise?" asked Milliardo, suddenly sounding much more insecure.
"Promise." repeated Treize.
Milliardo gave a sigh of relieve.
"But..." started Treize.
Milliardos ears twitched again. " What?" he asked defensive.
"You will not get away with disobeying me."
"I was dead tired!" defended the blond.
"I don't care." reacted Treize, a bit too fast, a bit too harsh. "Milliardo..." he added on a somewhat nicer tone. " You are and will stay my slave."
"I know!" spat Milliardo. " I fell asleep before when you ordered me...You didn't do anything back then..." he tried to defend himself.
"Back then you were already in my bed. You disobeyed me Milliardo, and you know how I handle that.
"Just...leave me alone!" cried Milliardo. He slowly made his way to the door. Treize anticipated it and got between the blond and his destination. "You're not going anywhere unless I tell you."
"Get out of my way." hissed the lion, jumping up to Treize, placing his paws on his shoulders and pushed him down. Unintentionally he pierced Treize's skin while doing so.

Treize cried out in pain, but still tried to stop Milliardo. He reached for the blonds' tail, holding it firmly. It paralysed the blond, making him lie down. His legs couldn't support him anymore.

Suddenly the door burst open and Nathan and Akira stormed in.

"Treize!" cried the butler, wanting to approach the man when he saw he was wounded, but Akira stopped him. " Let me." he said. He carefully approached Milliardo, who was glaring daggers.

ミリラード君、何があったか？"Milliardo-kun, nani ga atta ka?" asked Akira. (Milliardo, what happened?

何でもない。彼に言て下さい　「はなせ！」　私に聞いてないから。"Nandemonai. Kare ni iite kudasai, Hanase! Watashi ni kiitenai kara." answered Milliardo. (Nothing. Tell him to let go of me. He won't listen to me.)

彼が訳があるだろう？これはほんとうに君のせいじゃなかった？"Kare ga waku ga aru darou? Kore wa hontouni kimi no sei janakatta?" (He's got a reason, hasn't he? Is it really not your fault?)

もちろんだ！"Mochiron da!" (Of course not.)

ミリラード君！"Milliardo-kun!" said Akira. 君は奴隷です。トレーズに聞いかなければならない！あなたのせいじゃなくても！。。。

"Kimi wa dorei desu. Treize ni kiikanakerebanaranai! Anata no sei janakutemo!" (You're a slave. You've got to listen to Treize, even if it's not your fault!) 今には日本にあったら、　どうしましたか？"Ima ni wa nihon ni attara, doushimashitaka?" asked Akira. (If this were Japan, what would you have done?)

あなたに聞いて。。。と思う。。。多分 "Anata ni kiite...to omou...tabun..." (I would've listened to you...I think...probably.)

じゃ～　どうしてトレーズに聞くない？"Ja doushite Treize ni kikunai?" (Then why won't you listen to Treize?)

分からん。"Wakaran" (I don't know) answered the blond, falling silent. His ears relaxed and he lowered his head.

"You can let go mr. Treize." said Akira switching to English. "He won't move."

Treize carefully let go of the blonds tail, hissing when the movement made his wounds bleed some more.

Milliardo, who was regaining some of his strength curled himself up as much as he could, but leaned gently against Treize. "I'm sorry." he whispered, his tail curling around his Master's wrist.
"Mr. Akira, could you call 911 please?" asked Nathan. " I'll try and stop the bleeding."
"No. Wait!" said Treize softly. "No hospital." he said.
Milliardo's ears twitched again, and he raised his head in surprise. "だが。。マースタ。。。"daga...maasuta" (but Master...) "I mean..." started Milliardo switching back to English. "You've got to get yourself treated Master!" said the blond concerned.

Treize smiled. " Personal Doctor...Nathan, call him." he said before he fainted.
"Master!" cried Milliardo.

ミリラード君。大丈夫です。 "Milliardo-kun, daijoubu." (It'll be fine Milliardo)

ですが、どうして　病院へ行きたくない？ "Desuga...doushite byouin e ikitakunai?" (But, why doesn't he want to go to the hospital?)

あなたに。。。"anata ni." (Because of you...)

私。。。？どうゆいみ ？"watashi...douyu imi(Because of me...what do you mean?)

Akira switched to English so Nathan could understand his answer as well. "If he gets treated in the hospital he'll have to give a reason for the wounds. The wounds he has are not common. He can't lie. If he tells he was attacked by a lion, his slave nonetheless, you'll be euthanised."

Milliardo's eyes widened.

そんな！私はバカです！ "Sonna! Watashi wa baka desu!" (No way! I'm an idiot!) He scolded himself.

大丈夫です、ミリラード君。　医者が来ると。。。彼は強いから、心配しないで。。。"Daijoubudese, Milliardo-kun. Isha ga kuru to... Kare wa tsuyoikara, shinpaishinaide." (It'll be okay Millairdo. When the doctor comes... He's strong, so don't worry."

ですが。。。私。。。"Desuga...watashi..." (But...I...)

Meanwhile Nathan had called the private doctor of the Kushrenada's.

"The doctor will be here in twenty minutes. Mr. Akira, could you help me get Master Treize on a bed and clean his wounds?"
"Of course. Milliardo-kun, perhaps it's better if you went to Trowa..."
The blond nodded and silently left the room.

TBC

Sorry for the late update, I haven't been in much of a writing mood lately -:S-" Please review?

//yume