When evening came the girl was shaken somewhat gently, "Hmm?" Her ears were met by a gruff voice, "Wake up, it's time to eat."
Whimpering softly as he picked her up, fairly upset that it wasn't a dream after all…this was indeed the real thing. She wished it had just been some nightmare or daydream but just her luck it wasn't.
Kakuzu swiftly changed her into something more suitable, merely a fitted green dress that stopped above her knees; the brute even taking the liberty to do something with her hair.
Rei hissed from the sharp pulls with the brush and reached behind her to make him stop but thought better about it in case he got angry.
"Your hair is atrocious! Do something with it and be quick while I change." Sighing in relief, she just put it up into a bun, a few pieces dangling in her face but all she had to work with was a hair-bow.
Splashing cold water on her face to wake up she freshened up a bit as well and then headed back to him, rather shocked to see he was clad in a button-up shirt and trousers.
It's just dinner…or breakfast in his case, so why dress like that? I'd rather eat in my pajamas but considering the circumstances I rather not.
Glancing at her the brute muttered, "That'll do and I need to put this on you." He gestured her closer and turned her around, placing something around her neck and clamping it.
Feeling the soft material she gave him a questioning glance, which luckily he felt like answering her. "That's your collar which signifies you are my pet for the time being." "What!?"
Biting her lip she quickly mumbled an apology since his stare became a disapproving one. "Every human usually starts out as a pet for their master if they're unsure what to claim them as."
He held up his hand to silence the girl before continuing, "All this will be explained later but we need to go downstairs and remember. Do not speak unless you are spoken to and don't leave my side." "Y..Yes sir."
"Also, if you're a good girl I won't attach the leash just yet." Paling Rei nodded, terrified she was going to be walked and treated just like a dog now.
*Despite that thought, the girl couldn't help but ogle the elegance of the building; she's never seen anything like this except in movies. Being careful not to lag behind she immediately hung her head when the vampires she recognized from yesterday glanced their way.
They didn't pay her much mind as they entered the dining hall, but many others did…mostly with disgusted expressions. All that did was made her feel even more melancholy.
"Kakuzu! You finally came out have you?" Rei recognized that voice, and the man did look the part indeed. His skin was pure black and white, separating his body in half with the bold colors. The green hair and golden eyes made him more mysterious and yet quite handsome.
Kakuzu shook his hand with a small smirk, "Of course Zetsu." The other man looked at her with a kind smile, "So this is your new human is it?" "Yes she is. Greet the man Rei."
Cheeks turning pink she murmured, "How do you do sir?" "Isn't she cute, well not as much as my Tobi I'm afraid." "How is he by the way?" "The same. Tobi is still as energetic as always. May he show Rei around with your permission? I would like to speak with you in private."
The miser was hesitant about it, but his friend's pet was a good one none the less that could show her the ropes; highly doubtful he'd try anything lecherous.
"Very well." "Tobi! Come here please."
A boy about her age skipped over happily and clung to his master's arm smiling, "What is it Zetsu-sama?" "Will you kindly show Kakuzu's human around and give her pointers like a good boy?" "Of course Tobi will!"
The bipolar man nudged him towards her, the boy taking her hand and walking the girl the other way obviously having no fear of being surrounded by cruel vampires just eyeing them for their own evil intentions.
The girl did admit he was very cute, short spiky ebony hair with large dark eyes and long dark lashes. He was built but mostly lithe and taut.
"My name is Tobi, what's yours?" "…..Um….Rei." He pouted a little and patted her hand sympathetically, "Don't sound so glum, Tobi knows you're scared but it's not all bad once you get used to it. Tobi will help you out anyway he can."
She gave him a tiny smile, "Thanks but….I don't know." "Tobi knows exactly what you're feeling and it will be hard for you to cope with all this, but it will be ok if you behave and get on good terms with your master. Plus wouldn't you like a friend?"
A friend? That's something she never had before and for someone to willingly give her their friendship was a thrill and a complete shock.
"I would love to have a friend but why Tobi? You don't even know me." Giggling he murmured, "Tobi wants to get to know Rei-chan and he already likes you."
She couldn't help but like him too, he was so different and optimistic, but she wondered why he was like this none the less.
"How…Why are you so cheerful? The other humans I see are miserable!" The boy frowned and whispered seriously, "Not everyone gets a good vampire as a master. It's sad but it can't be helped. Tobi is just fortunate he got a kind one and he knows Zetsu cares for him."
Nodding, she knew he had a point, just like humans there are good and bad….vampires are no different apparently.
"Is Kakuzu an evil one? So far he's been very strict with me." Glancing around as in fear of being overheard the boy shrugged, "Tobi doesn't know. From what Zetsu told me you are Kakuzu's first human so there's no telling."
The girl frowned but the boy pinched her cheek playfully, "We can talk more about things like that some other time Rei-chan, but Tobi has to do as requested. First things first, don't ever talk back or anger a vampire; they would love to have an excuse to punish the human in any form they see fit. If their master intervenes, they will have to do it."
"You..You mean we'll get punished regardless?" The boy hung his head sadly, "Yes, in terrible ways you'd never imagine depending on the crime. The main ones you need to avoid Tobi will point them out."
Nodding his head politely to a passing vamp, the girl following the action, he pointed to the blonde that caught her. "That's Deidara, he's an artist that creates explosives and no doubt will ask you what art you'd prefer. His view of it is fleeting and gone in an instant; definitely not eternal. He loves to play with emotions, trick humans into trouble, and even seduce when someone strikes his fancy so be careful."
He gestured to the red head next to him, "Sasori, he's an artisan as well but makes puppets. His view is eternal and long lasting so try not to mix him and Deidara up. He doesn't say much but if he does speak to you don't look him in the eye…he hates that. Other than that he's not that bad."
Gulping, Tobi pointed to that platinum-haired foul mouth that said she was ugly, "That's Hidan, you should really try to avoid him at all times. He has a short temper and is a known nymphomaniac so you'll have to be very cautious."
Rei tugged his sleeve with a horrified face, "What does that have to do with me?"
"Let Tobi put it this way. If he wants to have sex with a human he will do anything, and Tobi means anything, to get it and nine times out of ten succeeds. Tobi shouldn't mention this either but Rei-chan need to know….he's a sadist and masochist so there will be pain."
The girl felt like collapsing right then and there, but the boy steadied her shaking form and taking note to NEVER go near that vamp to be safe.
"The others are basically straight forward, not likely to mess with someone else's human but those three are the most notorious for punishing humans. Don't get Tobi wrong, Kakuzu is a bad tempered vampire who doesn't like to be questioned and is a known miser."
Rei nodded in understanding, but knew she wouldn't try to anger him on purpose so maybe he would be nice to her if she behaved….reluctantly.
*The girl jumped when someone grabbed her from behind, Tobi giggling as the servant told them it was time to eat...which was breakfast for them too.
He lead her to a long table on the opposing side of the room and sat next to Tobi who whispered what was going on as their meal was served.
"We pets eat before our master's because of their own purposes." "What do you mean?"
Taking another bite he leaned closer, "We have to eat first because when they begin we are to sit under the table at their feet, and definitely won't get anything to eat afterwards. It's a tradition, a degrading one, but we are pets."
Rei muttered sarcastically, "This just keeps getting better." "It's not that bad, sometimes we're allowed to get intimate with some other pets during this time."
The girl choked on her drink and stared at the boy incredulously, "Pardon!?" "Oh…Tobi shouldn't have said that, but you don't have to if you don't want to. It's not mandatory but it's real fun."
"I rather not." "Tobi understands; he was the same way but there's something else he really needs to tell you what to expect when our master's eat…."
He never got to finish when the vampire's called for them, everyone rushing and making a lot of noise to get to them posthaste.
Tobi guided her to towards Kakuzu, not being able to tell her the rest regretfully as they were directed under the table cloth by their masters.
He sincerely hoped the usual wouldn't happen to her since it's her first day….and almost certainly first time.
TBC: