Tears Of The Neko - 4. Chapter 4

Kayden was glad when they left him alone the next morning. Ysmenia checked in on him briefly to give him a bowl of food and more water, but from what he could tell everyone seemed to be frantically rushing around outside his little room. He could hear the shouts of the loud chef as he barked orders to other servants, as well as footsteps racing around to complete tasks.

He was attempting to doze in the corner, careful of the pain radiating up his spine, when the door opened and he was instantly alert, sniffing the air. His shoulders relaxed slightly when he didn't scent tobacco. It was the woman, Ysmenia again.

"Hey little one," she said. "I just thought I'd check on you. Do you want another bath today?"

Kayden started to nod, but didn't really want her to see the blood. He couldn't tell how much he'd bled after the man had left him, it didn't feel like much, but he could smell it still. They would know, he was sure of it. He ducked his head, turning away in shame and embarrassment. Somehow they would eventually find out anyway...

"Hmm," she smiled slightly at his shyness, "Maybe now that you know how to work the baths, you can take one by yourself."

His eyes darted up to her gratefully, pleading for the privacy, and he saw her nodding.

"Yeah, okay, but no darting off," she scolded as she grabbed the leash that she had set on one of the shelves yesterday.

Kayden rose stiffly as there was a tug on his collar. The pants clung to him and he hoped that the black fabric didn't betray his shame. To him, the cloying smell of his blood overwhelmed him, but the humans didn't seem to notice, especially with all the cooking spices wafting around the kitchen.

The older woman led him to the bathing room, which was empty again. She set out another pair of worn black pants, an oversized shirt, and a rough brown towel.

She dropped the plug in the drain hole and pulled the rope to start the water running. Kayden hovered next to her, hoping that she would leave before expecting him to undress.

"Okay," she said, unclipping the leash. "I'm going to wait for you right outside the door." She shook her finger at him. "No running off," she admonished again.

Kayden ducked his head and nodded quickly. His eyes watched her as she disappeared just out of sight, and he sighed in relief. Moving quickly, but stiffly, he stripped off his shirt and pants, grimacing at the soreness. He immediately stepped into the water, submerging his lower body in the running water.

It immediately became tinged with pink.

A quick glance back at the door told him that the woman still couldn't see him, and he sighed as the water washed away his shame. Grabbing the soap he scrubbed his body almost forcefully, removing the evidence of his humiliation.

He frowned at the pink water, the coppery scent still wafted around him. With another surreptitious glance at the door, he toed the drain plug free, allowing the contaminated water to drain out.

"Yas!!"

He jumped at the shout from the kitchen area.

There was a heavy sigh from the door. "Yes, Garin?" the woman called back.

"Did you finish whipping the cream?! I need it now!"

"I thought you wanted to wait--"

"Now!" the gruff chef sounded very frazzled.

There was a rustling at the doorway. "Hey, Ellis!" he heard her voice call, and he expected her to rush in and yank him from the bath. He quickly tried to rinse one last time.

But she didn't come in. Instead, he heard and scented another neko at the doorway--the one he'd run into yesterday.

"Can you stand guard here for a minute?"

"Guard?" And he could tell the other hybrid was poking his head into the bath.

"The new little neko--you know the one from yesterday--he's bathing, and he's a little shy. Just don't let him run off. Here's his leash. Take him back to the storeroom when he's done."

"Sure," the male voice chuckled, but then Kayden heard the voice call back to the woman. "Hey, Yas, is the kit okay?"

"Yeah, why?"

"I just..." the other neko paused and Kayden froze, knowing exactly what was wrong. The other neko could smell the blood in the air still.

"What?"

"Well, did someone cut themselves?"

"Not that I know of," And Kayden could almost see the woman frowning.

"Yas!" the chef shouted.

"Coming!" the woman yelled back. "Can you check on him?"

Kayden didn't hear a response, but knew he didn't have much time. He scrambled into the new pants and shirt, afraid they would come in to check on him any second.

"Hey, kit," the male neko's voice called. "You okay in there? I'm coming in, alright?"

He quickly scraped at one of the small scratches he'd gotten from climbing the tree yesterday, ripping it open enough to cause a little bit of blood. Maybe they'd leave him alone if they thought ...

Kayden cowered as the larger neko stepped closer. He made a show of dabbing at the tiny cut on his arm with the towel.

"Hey, you okay?"

Kayden nodded quickly. He couldn't bring himself to look up at the other hybrid, his body was shaking in fear, worried they'd discover his debasement. He could tell the other neko had noticed the swipe of blood, and when he glanced up he could see the large hybrid frowning, trying to decide something.

Kayden suspected that the other neko didn't believe that the small, rapidly sealing scrape was the source of the scent, but as Kayden remained still under the hybrid's scrutiny, he sensed that the other neko couldn't tell where else the blood could be coming from. The neko eventually shrugged, grabbing up his old clothes and towel and throwing them in the large communal laundry basket in the corner to be washed by the laundress.

He flinched when the huge hybrid reached for his arm.

"I don't want to lead you like a dog with the leash," the hybrid stated softly, looking a little sad. "Will you walk nicely back to the storeroom?"

Kayden nodded slightly, allowing himself to be lead back to his tiny storeroom.

--Neko--

"He's been very calm and quiet, my lord. Doesn't speak at all," Ysmenia stated as the young count came to check on his gift the next morning.

Harrison nodded, knowing the boy didn't speak. He'd hissed at Roman, so he made noises, but obviously either couldn't speak or chose not to. So much had been going on yesterday, it was hard to remember which--maybe Farth hadn't known either. If the boy couldn't talk, it would make him an even better present for Damien.

"He seemed pretty tired all day yesterday," Ysmenia continued, "I sent him to bathe again and get dressed by himself, but I did have Ellis guard the bathing room door, just in case."

Ysmenia hesitated, "Ellis did mention he thought he smelled blood on the kit when he was standing guard."

Harrison frowned, "Blood? Is he hurt?"

Ysmenia shrugged. "Ellis asked him and so did I, but he only shook his head. We saw some cuts on his arms where he had scratches. It looked like maybe he picked at the scabs. That must be what Ellis smelled."

"Odd," Harrison mumbled, rubbing his chin. "Kayden," he said sharply to get the boy to look at him, and the boy only cast his eyes slightly up. "Are you hurt?"

The black mop of hair shook furiously.

Harrison shrugged. "Well, I guess he's okay then."

"He's been extremely cooperative, but he didn't eat much yesterday. He ate a little more this morning."

Harrison glanced down at the ebony haired neko kneeling at his feet, with the bowl of food now sitting next to him. He knew the boy wouldn't touch it until he was gone, unless he ordered him to eat then. He didn't like leaving the boy in the storage room, but he'd had no other place to hide him from his brother.

"Drystan!"

"Yes, sir?" the young man appeared down the hall.

"Is the room ready?"

"Yes, sir," John Drystan stated. "I was able to get it cleaned up while his grace was working in his study yesterday. I haven't yet been able to get a bed up there, but I placed a cot in there temporarily."

The young noble nodded. "That's fine. Damien may not even want to keep him long enough to make it worth getting a bed up there."

He barely noticed the small black ears droop against the fine black hair, the shoulders hunching in a little more.

"Well, good, everything is moving along fine for this evening. Ysmenia, get him bathed again and dressed to be presented to Damien tonight during the party."

"Yes, sir."

--Neko--

Damien forced another smile as he accepted congratulations and more birthday wishes. He didn't like large social gatherings but knew they were a necessary part of his station. In many ways, he wished King Eudon would live forever. He was perfectly content to manage the plantations and ports that they owned. He even didn't mind sitting on the legislative council for the king as he could voice his opinion for changes he thought were necessary.

He watched his brothers laughing and joking with the Baynards, Perretts and Druets. Roman loved the social aspect of being a Marquis, one step under Damien. He was only a year younger than Damien, but sometimes acted much too arrogant for his position. He'd often even offered to take over as Grand Duke for Damien, but Damien could tell the younger man was not settled and reserved enough for such a position. He hated when he had to step in and curb Roman's displays of authority when he went too far. Sometimes Damien thought that Roman didn't understand the difference between earning respect and trying to demand it.

Harrison, being five years younger, still didn't seem to get all of his responsibility yet. He reminded Damien of himself before he'd turned twenty. He'd been young and carefree, and sometimes a little foolish. He sighed. That seemed like a lifetime ago.

It sometimes didn't seem to occur to Harrison that some of his impulsive actions had more far-reaching consequences than he'd thought through. Both of his younger brothers often lived in the moment and didn't consider what effect their actions would have long term.

Damien smiled as Miss Penelope Winters appeared next to Harrison and his brother immediately offered his arm to her. The young woman smiled up at his brother as Harrison tucked her arm under his and curled his fingers over hers. She was radiant with her auburn curls pulled back with a silver comb, the rest cascading over her back. Damien saw the sparkle in the light gray eyes and smiled. The woman loved his brother. He vaguely wondered how his brother felt, feeling a sense of regret that he'd been so distant with both of his brothers lately.

Even if he'd been so distant and ignorant of their lives lately, he loved them both dearly, and he smiled genuinely as he approached them, taking a deep swallow of his whiskey. The noise of the hundred or more celebrants around him drowned out their voices until he was very close.

"... now that he's of age," Harrison was saying.

"I bet you'd love to be king someday," Oliver Druet commented.

"Do you know who would have to die for me to become king?" Harrison scoffed. "My uncle and my brothers. I have no desire to wish anything to happen to any of them. Right, Roman."

Roman lifted his glass jovially as they all chuckled. "Of course. Long live the king."

"Yes, well, even if the king is on the upper side of life, Damien is much too young for either of you to worry about it," Lady Perrett giggled.

"Neither of you will have to worry about the weight of the crown on your head. I'm sure Damien will outlive us all," Edward Perrett toasted with his glass. "Ahh, here comes the birthday boy now."

Damien was greeted with the usual thumps on his broad back. He smiled and turned to the servant passing by with a tray, placing his empty glass on it.

"Happy birthday, your grace," Lady Perrett smiled at him.

"Thank you, madam."

"So, Damien, what do you think of the debate over the proposal to change the slave law?"

A slight furrow in his brow appeared. He didn't want to discuss politics, but it was usually unavoidable. "Which one would that be?"

"The one that punishes an owner who kills a slave."

He nodded, "Ahh, yes, well, I don't think anyone should have the right to kill another human being."

"But what if they aren't able to be useful?" Roman argued.

"Then they should be freed," Damien stated.

"You know most slaves can't survive on their own," Oliver Druet stated. "They rely on their owners to survive."

"Then they can stay with their owners," Damien said thoughtfully.

"So, what, the slave owner has to keep paying to take care of a slave that is no longer useful?" Roman growled back. "That's a waste of resources."

Damien watched Harrison and Roman exchange an odd look.

"I think all slaves are useful, even if they may not still be strong enough as they grow older. And if a slave has served his owner well over many years, then the slave deserves to be taken care of by his owner when he's too old to work."

Harrison smirked and glanced at Roman, who rolled his eyes at his brother. "You know what? I think it's time I gave you my birthday present." He turned to Lady Penelope, removing her hand from his arm and kissing the finger tips gently. "Excuse me a moment, my lady."

The dark-haired Duke frowned at his brother, while the young lady blushed profusely. Gifts were gathered in the parlor and were not usually opened in front of the guests as a courtesy. He didn't like the guests seeing what others had brought, as that resulted in competition to see who brought the best gift.

Roman grinned at his brother's discomfort. "Oh trust me, brother, this gift is not about expense. In fact, you'll probably toss it aside."

Harrison glared at Roman. "You don't know that."

Roman chuckled as he sipped his bourbon. "We'll see."

Now Damien frowned at both of them, who were looking extremely amused. "What is it? Some gag gift?"

Roman nearly spit his drink back in his glass as he burst out laughing. "You could say that."

But Harrison had turned and made his way over to the huge hybrid who was standing guard at the doorway, quietly giving him instructions. When the hybrid left, Harrison took up a glass and spoon and loudly clanged them together. Damien was frowning at his brother, wondering just what the hell was going on.

"Our esteemed guests!" Harrison called, getting the attention of the large crowd. Slowly, the chattering and gossiping stopped and everyone turned toward the archway. "I would like to present my brother, His Grace, with a gift on this wondrous day of his birth twenty-five years ago."

Several people murmured, and the crowd moved so that there was a small path between Harrison and Damien. The young count moved into the hallway to the side to retrieve his gift. Damien could see Geoff Brenner, the guard captain, hovering at the edge of the archway, carefully scanning the crowd as always for problems.

When Harrison stepped back through the archway holding a long chain, there was an audible gasp as they took note of the tiny young hybrid at the end of the leash.

Damien's eyes widened in shock at the sight of the thin creature being led toward him. Oh, fuck, he thought. The pale boy kept his eyes on the ground, midnight locks falling forward, obscuring his face. His black ears twitched in agitation, and Damien could see the sleek black tail tucked against the baggy green pants that had obviously been cut shorter, even as they still pooled around his feet. A linen shirt hung on the narrow shoulders, with a green silk sash tied at the waist loosely.

The boy never looked up as he was led forward amidst the murmurs and giggles that had started through the guests. Damien's eyes narrowed at his smirking blond brother who strode forward with the little neko. Then he cast a glance at Roman, who stood to the side with a sly grin, toasting his glass towards Damien as if to say 'I told you so.'

--Neko--

Kayden trembled as he stepped into the crowded room. He tried to control his breathing and kept his eyes down to avoid seeing all the people. There were so many, and he shook just to think what all those people could do. He was led forward, and when he felt the slight tug on the chain when the blond stopped, he dropped gracefully to his knees out of habit. He focused on the shoes of the man in front of him. His nose twitched, catching the sharp lemon-tobacco scent of the sandy-haired master called Roman, and his body tensed. But then a new scent, a woodsy scent, of sandalwood and fresh soap, caught his attention. He breathed deeply, and for some reason, he felt himself relaxing slightly.

Until he heard the tightly controlled, deep voice, barely containing his anger. "Harrison, what is this?"

The blond grinned widely. "It's your birthday present, of course!"

"It's a slave, Harrison," Kayden heard the voice in front of him clip his words, and Kayden pressed his clipped claws into his thighs in fear. "What do you expect me to do with him?"

Oliver chuckled next to him. "Oh, but Damien, you must have some use for him."

"But there's hardly anything to him," Lord Perrett smirked. "What could he possibly do?"

"Told you, Harry," Roman gloated. "That thing is useless. Trust me, Damien, it's too weak and skittish to be of any use to you."

Kayden felt the tears burning in his eyes. He knew that voice too well and knew that man was eager to be rid of him. He focused on the scent of sandalwood and the deep rumbling voice of his new master and tried to keep the tears from falling. He failed miserably.

--Neko--@

"Oh, come on, Damien," Harrison goaded, "be a sport and accept my gift. He could keep you company while you work, be a companion."

"I don't need company," Damien stared down at the little creature, noting the slight trembling in the tiny hands. He noticed the long tail was wrapped tightly around his body. "I'm just fine alone."

"I bet the little kit doesn't last a week with you," Lord Perrett chastised, and there were giggles and murmurs around them at the rebuke. "You don't have the patience. He'll drive you crazy."

"Oh, I don't know," Harrison grinned, "I think Kayden would grow on him."

"Kayden, huh?" Damien raised his brow.

"I know," Roman said suddenly, raising his glass, "A bet."

"A bet?" Harrison queried, and Damien narrowed his eyes at his brother.

"Yes, I bet Damien here tires of the little tiger before the month is out," Roman announced.

The men gathered in the hall buzzed with excitement and started making their own wagers amongst themselves.

"A month," Harrison agreed. "Damien, you make it a month, and we both owe you a thousand pounds," he paused as the voices rose at the high stakes, "otherwise, you owe both of us a thousand pounds each."

A couple thousand pounds wasn't much to Damien, but his pride was worth more. He wasn't about to show that he couldn't do something as simple as keep a little neko locked up in his room for a month.

"Fine," Damien growled.

"But," Harrison grinned after his brother had agreed to the bet, "You actually have to keep him with you."

Roman smiled deviously. "You may want to lock him up and keep hold of that leash."

Damien's eyes widened at the thought of locking up a slave permanently. They never had to chain slaves to keep them from running away because they just didn't want to leave. Damien had always run a fair and consistent household. "He's tried to escape?"

Harrison burst out laughing. "Not so much escape, as just running."

"And keep him away from trees," Roman smirked again, knowing it was going to be amusing to watch his brother deal with the little creature.

Oliver Druet laughed at the look on his friend's face as he studied the little neko. "Well, he looks pretty quiet. I think it'll be good for you to have him around."

"Don't worry, he doesn't talk," Roman added. "But, he has run and attacked, so be careful."

"It was an accident," Harrison tried to placate again.

Damien's brow raised in shock. The little thing didn't look like it could cause any trouble at all. "He has?"

"Yes," Roman growled, "If he misbehaves or hurts you in any way, just let me know. I will make sure he's taken care of."

Damien noticed the flattening of the ears of the tiny creature in front of him.

"He'll be fine, Damien. He's just nervous. I've taken the liberty of having the old study next to your room prepared for him to sleep in," Harrison announced gleefully, now that his gift had been accepted, however grudgingly. He handed the leash over to his brother.

Damien's eyes widened when he realized he hadn't thought about where the boy would sleep when he agreed and was glad that Harrison had thought of it. It was unusual for his brother to be the one to think that far ahead. "That was very thoughtful of you."

Oliver Druett laughed as he clapped his friend on the back. "Good luck, my friend. I'm betting on you to win."

Damien grunted. "I think maybe I should let...what was his name, again?"

"Kayden."

"...Kayden here settle down in his room. Drystan," he called over a servant, "take Kayden to his room. It's apparently the old study next to mine."

"Yes, sir, I know," the young man's eyes gleamed mischievously, and Damien knew that he'd been in on the preparations. He glared at his man-servant for being in on the whole thing.

"But, Damien," Roman protested, "You have to keep him with you."

He glared at his younger brother as he watched the young neko rise to his feet shakily. "I think tonight might be a little overwhelming for him with so many people here. I think it would be best to begin this little foray tomorrow, when we can all be a little more settled."

"Very well," the Marquis agreed.

Damien turned to his little charge as the boy rose fully to its bare feet. The top of the little thing's head barely reached his chest. He grabbed the arm of the boy to lead him toward Drystan and was shocked at how thin it was. The boy's head shot up at the abrupt movement, flinching, and Damien saw the young neko's face for the first time.

Thick lashes framed eyes that were impossibly large and green. The gaunt cheeks hollowed out to a narrow chin and thin pink lips. What struck Damien's heart, though, were the trails of tears glistening on the pale face, before the head dropped again and silky black locks hid his face again.

Fuck, he cursed under his breath. He couldn't deal with this now, and he briefly wondered what he'd gotten himself into. He let go of the boy's arm and gripped his neck to guide him towards Drystan.

He felt his hand nearly wrap all the way around the thin tendons, but he kept his grip light and guiding. He squeezed lightly, reassuringly as he handed the leash over to his servant. He briefly felt the shoulders under his hand relax before he let go.

He turned quickly away, forcing a grin as he turned to his friends. "Well, shall we indulge in the delicious cake that Garin has made?" he asked jovially, suddenly weary and ready to be done with the party.

--Neko--

When Damien finally made his way to his room, it was well past two in the morning. He'd drunk much more than he usually did after Harrison's spectacular presentation. With a glance at the closed door to the small study, now bedroom, he grunted as he ripped off his tie. Stripping out of his shirt and pants, he made his way to his washroom to relieve himself and wipe a cool rag over his face. After brushing his teeth, he stripped back the sheets and thick comforter on the bed and fell in.

He knew the boy was probably sound asleep, and he could deal with him in the morning. Right now, all he wanted to do was collapse in the bed and forget for now that his brother hadn't just added one more stressor to his plate by gifting him with a slave he didn't want or need.