by Haruka

Kei paced back and forth across the floor of their dorm room. "_When_ are they going to tell us what our punishment is?! It's been hours!"
"Maybe our punishment is to worry about what our punishment is," Yui remarked.
"Why are you in such a hurry to get punished, Kei?" Chihaya asked. "They can wait weeks to get around to it as far as I'm concerned."
"It wouldn't bother me if we didn't have to stay in this stupid room until they told us!" Kei snapped. "I _hate_ being caged up like this!"
"I'm surprised it would take this long," Kurama admitted.
"Why are you hanging around here, Signal?" Yuri asked. "You aren't part of this chain gang."
"I know, but when I went out looking for something to do, none of the teachers were around." Signal shrugged. "I asked one of the maintenance staff and they said something about a private meeting."
Chihaya groaned. "Great, they're having 'private meetings' to decide our fate."
"Meetings that last all day long?" Kurama said skeptically. "There must be something else involved."
The door opened and Nuriko walked in. "All right, you're to come with me."
"Hi to you, too," Kei retorted.
"Can you give us a hint, Nuriko-sensei?" Chihaya asked nervously.
Nuriko ignored him and motioned to the robot. "Signal, you too."
"Why Signal?" Yui asked. "He didn't do anything wrong."
But Nuriko had already walked out. The recruits exchanged puzzled glances and followed him in silence.

Setsuna looked up as Nuriko led the recruits into the conference room. "Please sit down, all of you. Nuriko, close the door."
The recruits took their seats at the table with their instructors. Signal glanced at Pulse for any clue as to what was going on, but his brother didn't look at him. Chihaya avoided looking in Kagetsuya's direction altogether.
"We have a very serious situation on our hands," Setsuna began. "I hope you're all prepared."
"For _what_?!" Kei exclaimed. "You haven't even told us what you're doing to us yet!"
"I can't believe you're making this big a deal out of a little wine," Yuri remarked.
"Can't you just punish us and get it over with?" Chihaya whimpered.
"This has nothing to do with that, Chihaya," Kagetsuya said gently.
"Then what's this about?" Kurama asked.
Setsuna folded her hands. "One of our agents is trapped in a bad situation. We need you to go in, finish the mission, and get him out."
The recruits blinked in surprise.
"You mean _now_?" Kei asked. "Before we've hardly started training?"
"This isn't ideal, certainly," Setsuna said with a sigh, "but we have no option. Van is in serious danger. Others may be as well."
"Who's going?" Yuri inquired.
"All of you, and some of your teachers," Setsuna replied. "I'm determined that we're going to cover all the bases this time. I don't want a repeat of Van and Fish Eye's experience."
"So what's the assignment?" Signal asked.
"You're going to board a cruise ship that is chartered by a number of Pet Communities. It was the inner workings of these Communities that we were originally trying to determine whether the people involved were volunteers or captives. From what Fish Eye told us, we now know that they're a mixture of both. That means the assignment now is to convince the Leaders of the Communities that only volunteer Pets should be permitted. Failing that, you have to get yourselves safely away _with_ Van, and then we'll shut them all down."
"Forgive me, but I don't understand what a Pet Community is," Kurama said.
"Good, now _I_ don't feel so dumb," Kei muttered.
Setsuna regarded them seriously. "In a Pet Community, there are both Pets and Masters. Each Master may own one or more human Pets which serve he or she in any way they see fit. A Master may want nothing more than a servant to bring him his tea and slippers, or he may want a sex slave. He may want both in one. A Pet obeys his or her Master without question or is subject to punishment of the Master's choosing. Fish Eye tells me one hard and fast rule is that there is to be no permanent injury made to the Pets that includes anything that may scar. Other than that, Masters may use their imaginations."
"How do people _get_ these Pets?" Yui asked.
"There are auctions private, of course but there are also Masters who desire a change yet don't want to leave their Pet's new ownership up to chance. In those cases, they seek out their own buyers. Unfortunately, it would now seem that some young people are simply stolen and forced into the Community as Pets. That's one of the things we must put a stop to."
"And the cruise ship?" Chihaya mentioned.
"It's an annual trip the Communities sponsor for themselves. Everyone on the ship is in on the same way of life, so there's no need for secrecy. The only people allowed to board at ports-of-call are other Community members. We'll be splitting you into two groups to board at two different ports. We can provide the necessary proof so that you'll be admitted without question, but after that, it's up to you to convince them that you belong by your words and actions." Setsuna picked up the sheet of paper in front of her. "Now, for your individual roles in this assignment."
The recruits exchanged looks ranging from curiosity to apprehension to excitement.
"The first group to board will include two Masters and their Pets. These roles will require a lot of trust between you, and therefore I'm pairing up agents who have worked together previously in other capacities. Hiei, you will be a Master and Kurama, your Pet. Yuri, you will be Mistress to Kei."
"Say WHAT?!" Kei exploded, leaping out of her chair.
"Heel, Kei," Yuri told her calmly.
"YOU shut up!" Kei shouted, then whirled on Setsuna. "You can't be serious! Me, a Pet?! A slave?! _Yuri's_ slave?!"
"Yuri has refinement that you are lacking. She will be believable as a Mistress while you would not."
"Yeah, I'm sure she'd make a perfect Mistress!" Kei snapped. "She already thinks she's Queen of the entire galaxy! Bossing people around and looking down at them is her specialty!"
"Exactly," Setsuna agreed. "And as her 3WA partner, you know you can trust her, even in a situation like this where she could easily take advantage."
"Oh, but she'd never think of doing _that_, would she?!" Kei shot Yuri a suspicious look, but the lilac-haired girl only smiled sweetly in return.
"Don't be so upset, Kei," Kurama told her. "I'm going to be a Pet, too."
"Yeah, but for some reason you _like_ that skunk-head!" Kei waved a hand wildly in Hiei's direction. "You'll probably _enjoy_ this!"
"Watch how you speak to Kurama," Hiei warned in a deadly monotone.
"May we _please_ continue?" Setsuna interrupted. "Time is of the essence here."
Kei dropped into her chair, folding her arms and pouting.
"Our second group, the one that will board the ship two days later, will be more unusual," Setsuna said. "We'll send in some of you as a family two parents, two children, and the Pets of the parents. Your reason for joining the cruise is because the parents are in the market for their childrens' first Pets." She referred to her paper. "Pulse, Nuriko, you two will be the parents."
"Hey, Nuriko, you finally scored!" Duo chirped, and was rewarded with having his chair legs kicked out from under him.
"Who will our children be?" Pulse asked.
"Chihaya and Signal," Setsuna answered.
Signal's eyes widened. "I ... have to be ... Pulse's SON?!"
"Quiet or I'll spank you," Pulse replied.
"Stop that!" Signal yelled. "We haven't started the assignment yet!"
"Just practicing."
"You said Pulse and I would have Pets?" Nuriko prompted Setsuna.
"Yes, we want them to believe you're long-time Pet owners who are now ready to give the same opportunity to your kids," Setsuna said. "Your Pets will be Kenshin and Yui."
"Oro?" Kenshin piped up.
"That's a good way of putting it." Yui smiled nervously.
"Couples in the community often share their Pets, or they each have one that is theirs alone. You may decide which way would work best for you." Setsuna put her sheet down and regarded the group. "I wish we had the time for all of you to rehearse and become comfortable with your roles, but all we can give you is the rest of the day for intensive training in these areas. Tomorrow, we fly you out to where the ship will pick you up. Those of you in the second group will have those couple of days before the ship arrives to practice, and I suggest you do so. One slip in front of these people can have fatal repercussions for us all. You're dismissed."
"Kurama," Hiei said abruptly, "come with me for training."
"Yes, Master." Kurama smiled and got up from his seat. He followed Hiei to the door, at which point the smaller youkai paused and gave him a deliberate look.
"What are you waiting for?" he asked. "_Open_ it."
"Forgive me, I should have thought of it myself." Kurama quickly opened the door and stood aside.
"Hn," Hiei snorted as he passed through. "I'll overlook it this once."
Everyone watched them go in amazement except for Setsuna, who nodded. "That's exactly the way it is in these Communities, so the rest of you take note. Although he's still recuperating, Fish Eye has insisted on stopping in on your training sessions today. He will advise and inform you with tips on your proper roles, and it would be wise to take his advice. Your lives may depend on it."

"All right," Nuriko said as he sat on the sofa in the recruits' lounge, "we have to make ourselves look like a believable family to those people, which I personally don't think should be so hard."
Pulse glanced at him dubiously from the other end of the couch, then looked even more doubtfully in Signal's direction. His little brother rewarded his gaze with a view of his tongue. Chihaya sighed and looked over to where Kenshin and Yui stood patiently nearby.
"It may not seem like it now, Pulse and Signal," Kenshin said softly, "but this was really the best way they could have set you up. It's best if no one discovers you two are robots, and for that, you'd have to avoid being Pets or engaging in the sex games at all costs. With Signal as your son, Pulse, no one on the boat will touch him, and because you're supposedly married _and_ have your own Pets, it's less likely anyone will question you for not borrowing."
Pulse nodded acceptance. "Yes, it seems Setsuna's decision was a good one." He shot Signal a glare. "_If_ he can learn to obey me as his father."
Signal tossed his considerable hair. "I'm going to play the part of a typical cocky teenager who _never_ listens to his father."
"Oh no, you're not!" Pulse shouted.
Signal hummed, ignoring him. Pulse leaned over and clocked him across the head. Signal jumped to his feet, taking a fighting stance, and Pulse leapt up as well. Nuriko made it a threesome and forced himself between the two.
"Stop it, both of you!" he commanded. "I will not have my husband and child brawling like drunks in a bar! This is going to be a _respectable_ family or I'll start banging skulls together!"
"Respectable?" Yui murmured. "They're on a shopping spree to buy slaves for the children."
"The people in these Communities have their own version of respectability, I think," Kenshin told her. "But it _would_ be a good idea if Pulse removed those blades before boarding ...."
Chihaya sank lower in his seat. "I must be adopted."
A soft knock came at the door and Fish Eye stuck his head in. "May I come in?"
Nuriko sighed and let his hands drop. "Please do."
Pulse and Signal gave each other warning looks before they sat down. Fish Eye walked over slowly, wearing a soft blue robe that wrapped around him closely. Kenshin helped him into a chair and the Changechild smiled at him.
"Thank you, Kenshin."
"I guess you're here to advise us," Pulse decided to get right to the point.
"This is a tricky situation you're going into," Fish Eye said. "I want all of you to be better prepared than we were. So starting now, I'd like to see you assume your roles as if you were already there. Try to get comfortable with them ahead of time. You'll be glad you did."
"I doubt that very much," Signal muttered.
"What should we do, Fish Eye?" Nuriko asked.
"Well, first of all, Kenshin and Yui shouldn't be standing as they are," Fish Eye said, looking over at them. If a Pet's Master is seated, the Pet should be kneeling at their feet unless otherwise instructed."
Kenshin immediately went over and knelt by Pulse. Yui slowly and awkwardly lowered herself into the same position beside Nuriko.
"Better," Fish Eye approved. "There are some rules that go without saying in these Communities and acceptable Pet behavior is one of them. Some Masters are more easy-going, but others are very strict, so when in public, it's best to observe all the proper Petiquette, as they call it."
"I have a question," Chihaya said. "How old are Pets supposed to be?"
"When a Pet reaches the age of twenty-one, his Master must give him his freedom. At which point, the Pet usually becomes a Master himself." Fish Eye looked toward Kenshin. "It's only because Kenshin looks much younger than he is that he can get away with playing the role of a Pet."
Signal blinked. "You mean Himura-sensei isn't our age? I thought he was."
Kenshin smiled. "I'm twenty-eight, Signal."
"TWENTY-EIGHT?!" the three young recruits cried in unison.
"He's the eldest of the instructors," Nuriko remarked. "Although he looks like one of the youngest."
"Hope I look that good when _I'm_ twenty-eight," Yui murmured.
"I will," Signal said smugly. "I'll always look sixteen."
"I won't change much, either," Chihaya remarked.
Yui sighed. "Being a plain old human sucks around here."
Nuriko gave Yui a light cuff across the head. "You're speaking out of turn!"
"Nuriko-sensei!" Chihaya gasped.
"No, Chihaya, Nuriko's right," Fish Eye said. "Yui _must_ learn to remember her place. Kenshin spoke out of turn as well, but Pulse let it pass. He shouldn't have. And as for you and Signal, you're the children of Masters. When dealing with your parents' Pets, you can't be so casual."
"We'll try to remember," Signal said.
"You have to do more than just try, it's crucial that you do so," Fish Eye said seriously. "Now Yui, your Master has corrected you. The proper response is to apologize for your error."
Yui looked at Nuriko. "I'm sorry, it won't happen again."
"No," Fish Eye said, "eyes down until he forgives you. Then you may look at him. And always use the term Master when addressing _anyone_ other than a Pet that would include Chihaya and Signal."
Yui lowered her eyes to the carpet. "I'm sorry, Master," she said softly. "It won't happen again."
"Better." Fish Eye sighed with relief. "Much better. Nuriko, as a Master, it's your option to let her know you've forgiven her or not. A gentle touch or word is acceptable, but you'll see other Masters and Mistresses and be able to see how they treat their own Pets. Not everyone is the same."
Nuriko stroked Yui's blonde hair affectionately, at which point, Yui smiled up at him.
"Good." Fish Eye approved. "It's really not so hard once you get the hang of it. The Pets have to give themselves over completely and the Masters have to be comfortable with their authority." He turned to Chihaya and Signal. "Now, you two are supposed to be looking for Pets of your own, so you should have some idea what you want. People are going to ask you, so it's good to have _some_ kind of answer prepared."
"We'll think about it," Chihaya promised.
"Are we going to actually have to _buy_ a Pet for them?" Pulse asked.
"Only if you feel cornered," Fish Eye told him. "But buying a first Pet for your children will be considered a major event, so people should understand if you want to take your time."
"What if we offer to buy Van from Nakago?" Nuriko suggested.
"You can try, but unless you have a better Pet to offer him in exchange, he probably won't go for it." Fish Eye smiled a little. "One consolation is that this pretense of purchasing new Pets gives both you and your 'kids' the opening to talk to many Masters and Pets."
"As long as during the conversation they don't say anything stupid." Pulse eyed Signal.
"If I do, we can blame it on your genes, _Father_." Signal smirked.
"If you say anything stupid, none of you will live long enough to blame anyone because they'll throw you overboard," Fish Eye said grimly. "Now let's get to work and make sure that doesn't happen."

How could anyone be so beautiful and live? Hiei thought as he watched Kurama obediently prepare a bath for him. His ruby eyes caught every motion made, noting all detail. The effortless grace with which Kurama knelt by the bath, the way his bright, soft hair fell forward to frame his exquisite features when he leaned over to test the temperature. The warm expression in his luminous green eyes as he glanced over at Hiei.
This is going to be the hardest thing I've ever done in my life, the Koorimei thought miserably.
"It's ready, Master," Kurama said.
Hiei abruptly cut short his preoccupation and focused on the matter at hand. "Undress me," he ordered.
Kurama turned toward him, still on his knees, and began to remove Hiei's clothing. As all the Seigi instructors knew, he and Kurama had a long-time understanding, so this was nothing new for either of them. Hiei wished time could stand still, and he wouldn't have to turn this into a real training session as he knew he must. Seigi and its mission didn't mean as much to him as the others in fact, it meant very little. But Kurama meant everything, and he would only remain safe on that ship if he learned these lessons thoroughly. He tried to keep that in mind as he stepped into the bath.
"Now wash me," he said curtly.
The beautiful redhead leaned over and took the cloth in hand. The intoxicating scent of roses pleasured Hiei's olfactory senses as it did whenever Kurama was close to him. It came from his hair, that tempting mass of fiery softness that he suddenly wanted to bury his face in. But he didn't. He couldn't. I'm sorry, Kurama, he thought grimly, then splashed water into his beloved's face.
"You're too slow!" he accused, while Kurama blinked at him in shock, water dripping from lashes too long for a boy. "The water will go cold by the time you've even begun!"
Kurama averted his eyes and wiped the excess water from his face. "With your Fire Demon's body temperature, how would you even notice?" he murmured.
An opening, much sooner than he'd expected. Oh Kurama, you _did_ need training. "What was that?" he answered in a low, dangerous tone.
Kurama seemed to realize his mistake and tried to correct it. "I'm sorry, Master, I meant no disrespect "
"Oh, didn't you?" Hiei suddenly grabbed Kurama's sweet- smelling hair and twisted it in his fist close to the scalp. Tears sprang to Kurama's eyes.
"Hiei ...!"
"That's _Master_ Hiei to you, Pet, and don't you forget it!" Hiei tightened his hold, his chest aching as Kurama yelped in response. "For that little indiscretion you owe me another apology!"
"Hiei, you're hurting me!"
"What did I just TELL you?!" Hiei swung his arm and backhanded Kurama across the face. The redhead fell to the ground and lay there, weeping.
Hiei fought back his own tears. Not yet, he thought, we're close, so close. "You're pathetic, Kurama! Did you think this was a game?! I thought you'd rise above those other poor excuses for recruits but now I'm just worried you'll get us all killed with your stupidity!"
There it was the first streak of silver. Kurama's form began shimmering, changing shape, size, and colour.
"That's right, go ahead!" Hiei yelled. "Let Youko's will take over! You always do! He controls you completely and always will and _that's_ why you'll never survive this mission!"
Kurama faced him, his eyes an ever-changing blend of green and gold, wide and tear-filled one moment, narrow and full of hate the next. Furry, pointed fox ears appeared, vanished, then reappeared.
Fight it, Hiei pleaded silently, even as he sneered in disgust at Kurama. Fight _him_.
Within seconds that felt like decades, Kurama's hair, almost completely silver, began staining crimson. His eyes turned green and stayed that way. The fox ears disappeared one last time. He bowed low, hands flat on the tile.
"I'm sorry, Master," he said. "Please forgive my rudeness."
Hiei choked back a sob of relief, but couldn't stop a single tear from slipping down his cheek. A soft clinking sound was heard, and a black Koorimei teargem rolled over to bump against Kurama's fingertip. Slowly, the finger touched it, guiding it safely under the palm.
"I forgive you," Hiei said firmly, knowing with certainty that Kurama was thinking the same thing.

Fish Eye brushed away a tear of his own and silently closed the door on the scene. His help wasn't needed here.

End of Chapter 6 Story contents (C) 1997 Tenou Haruka Character copyrights are too many to mention, just know that none of them are mine.