by Haruka

Kei stretched luxuriously the moment the cabin door shut behind her. "Aaahhhhh, what a relief! All that bowing and crouching and kneeling and crawling is exhausting!"
Yuri removed her hat and spun around to stare at her. "What are you talking about? You didn't do _any_ of those things! You were a terrible Pet! I'm surprised nobody saw through us already!"
"Hey, I 'heeled', didn't I?!" Kei said defensively. "I walked behind you and kept my mouth shut!"
"I had to _tell_ you to carry my luggage!" Yuri exclaimed. "Any Pet would _know_ that's their job! And when I did tell you, instead of saying 'yes, Mistress', you snorted at me!"
"It was a gut reaction," Kei retorted. "And I realized right away it was a mistake and I took the luggage!"
"You're just lucky no one was near enough to witness it," Yuri said frankly. "Kei, you _have_ to get it together. Remember what Fish Eye said?"
"Yeah, yeah," Kei said wearily. "I'll try harder."
"You can't just try, you have to _do_ it," Yuri said. "I'm going to freshen up a bit and then we'll go look around the ship, all right? It'll be suspicious if we don't."
"Sure, whatever." Kei flopped into a chair. "Hey, what do you think was up with that kid who got onto the boat all by himself?"
Yuri shrugged as she headed for the bathroom. "Who knows? But whoever he was when he got there, he was Quatre Raberba Winner's Pet when we left port!"

It feels strange, Duo thought as he fingered the new identification wristband he wore. Not so much the band itself, but the fact that it branded him as someone's 'property' was weird. Still, he thought, glancing around the luxurious cabin, I accomplished what I set out to do I'm the Pet of the Community leader.
As if on cue, Quatre put a hand on his shoulder and smiled at him. "Are you hungry, Duo?"
"No, I ate before I came onboard," Duo said, then hastily added, "Master."
"All right," said Quatre, "then I guess I'll just introduce you to my Pet."
Duo facefaulted. His _Pet_?! Quatre already had a Pet?! He wanted to kick himself. Well, _duh_. Of course he would have a Pet of his own, he's the Community Leader!
"Ryoga!" Quatre called. "Would you come here, please?"
"Coming, Master!" came a voice from another room. Footsteps were heard, but they seemed to be going further away.
"Follow my voice, Ryoga!" Quatre said. "We're in the living room! I have someone here I'd like you to meet!"
A boy appeared in the doorway and regarded Duo curiously. He had thick dark hair, wide blue-grey eyes, and while not overly muscular, possessed a solid build. A yellow and black bandanna covered his forehead, and he wore a yellow tank top as well.
"Duo, this is my Pet, Ryoga. Ryoga, this is my unexpect-but- nevertheless-new Pet, Duo."
Ryoga bowed. "Welcome."
"Uh, hi." Duo bowed awkwardly, and his cap fell off. His long braid unraveled and brushed the floor.
"Well! What have we here?" Quatre stepped forward as Duo straightened up. The blonde took the braid in his hand and studied it. "What beautiful long hair you have! Why do you conceal it?"
"Um, habit, I guess," Duo said. "My ... uh ...former Master never liked the long hair, but didn't have the heart to make me cut it. So I had to hide it instead."
"How strange." Quatre smiled and shrugged. "I can tell you that keeping your hair hidden won't be necessary with me. I can see the practicality of the braid for hair this length, but I'll want to see it down, as well." He looked over at the other boy. "Ryoga, could you show Duo to the spare room, and ...." He shook his head. "Never mind, _I'll_ show him to the room. Perhaps you could make tea for us?"
"Yes, Master Quatre," Ryoga answered, and headed for the bathroom. Quatre caught up to him and turned him around, giving him a gentle push toward the kitchen. Duo watched him go with a puzzled frown.
"What's with him?" he asked.
"Ryoga is afflicted with the world's worst sense of direction." Quatre sighed. "He's the sweetest Pet I've ever had, but I have to keep him from wandering off on his own." He led Duo to a bedroom and walked into it. "This will be your room when I don't have need of you. I am the Leader of Community A, and therefore frequently occupied with business." He smiled at Duo. "I'm actually glad to have you here. I try to take Ryoga with me whenever I can, but when I can't, he's lonely and liable to get lost. Now you can keep him company and make sure he doesn't wander away."
Things are going from bad to worse, Duo thought. First I find out I'm not the only Pet here, and now I've got to be the other Pet's babysitter! What next?
Quatre beamed suddenly. "Oh! And now that I've got two Pets, I can finally engage in voyeurism without having to borrow a second one!"
Wish I hadn't asked, Duo groaned internally.

All eyes were on them, but that was hardly surprising to Hiei, considering the beauty behind him that was Kurama. They had only stayed in their cabin long enough to unpack, and now Hiei wanted to familiarize himself with the ship. He knew Kurama was taking it all in as well, despite his pretense as a submissive Pet.
"This must be the relaxation deck," Hiei remarked, glancing around at the pool surrounded by lounge chairs and tables with umbrellas sprouting from their centres.
"Very relaxing, Master." Kurama nodded. Hiei glanced at him, wondering if the mischievous kitsune was being a smart aleck or trying to sound agreeable.
"Oh good!" came a voice to their left. "We're in time to watch the sun set!"
Hiei and Kurama watched as another pair approached the railing beside them. The one in the lead stopped by Hiei and breathed deeply of the cooling salt air, a happy smile on his handsome face. Rich, purple hair cut pageboy-fashion blew lightly in the breeze, as did the cape he wore that billowed into the face of the Pet kneeling behind him. That one had a dark cap of hair and a sweet, boyish face highlighted by a smile of his own.
"Isn't it lovely, Soujirou?" asked the purple-haired boy as he watched the waning sun.
"Yes, Master," answered the dark-haired one.
The one with the pageboy turned to Hiei. "Don't you agree?"
Hiei stared up into the face of the young man whose smile seemed a little _too_ happy. "Hn," was his response.
The purple-haired freak chuckled warmly. "A man of few words!" He bowed. "My name is Xelloss." He swept a hand toward the other freak. "This is my Pet, Soujirou."
"I'm Hiei," the fire demon replied, without attempting to smile. These two were smiling enough for all four of them, anyway. He hooked a thumb over his shoulder. "That's Kurama."
"A pleasure to meet you," Xelloss said. "And what a beautiful Pet you have! Do you loan him?"
"No," Hiei retorted in a tone that brooked no argument.
Xelloss sighed heavily, the smile still plastered to his face. "Ah well! My loss, I suppose!" He stroked the dark hair of the young man at his side. "However, if you have an interest in borrowing Soujirou, I wouldn't mind."
"Why would I want to when I have Kurama?" Hiei asked, his expression not changing.
"Why, voyeurism, of course!" Xelloss said as if it should be the most obvious thing in the world. "Doesn't the idea of watching the two of them together do something to you?"
"Yes, it makes me angry," Hiei said, his tone just a touch cooler than it's usual degree of frigidity. "No one touches Kurama but me."
The last of the setting sun disappeared into the horizon. A bright flash of light from a nearby corridor made Hiei frown. What was that, he wondered?
"I do hope you'll change your mind," Xelloss said, bringing Hiei's attention back to the conversation. "These trips are always much more fun when everyone shares."
"I won't change my mind," Hiei said firmly. "Kurama is off- limits."
Xelloss' smile spread further as he glanced past Hiei. "Oh, really?"
"Yes, really!" Hiei said impatiently, turning to see what Xelloss was looking at. His ruby eyes widened at the sight of a tall, attractive boy with long black hair holding a startled Kurama from behind.
"You're new here!" the boy declared excitedly. "You're the prettiest thing I've seen on this cruise yet! We're going to have all kinds of fun together, Beautiful!"
A whip cracked by the boy's feet. "Unhand that boy, Maze!"
The boy scowled over his shoulder, not loosening his death- grip on Kurama a bit. "Aw, Master Rascal! I just found him! You never let me have _any_ fun!"
A young man with long, fluffy purple hair approached carrying a bullwhip. "Do as I say! Don't make me use this!"
"When do you ever _stop_ using it?" the black-haired boy reluctantly let Kurama go.
"Good evening, Xelloss," said the one with the whip. He looked at Hiei. "Are you this boy's Master? If so, I apologize for Maze. He has absolutely _no_ self-control around pretty boys and girls."

"He'd better learn some around Kurama or next time he's charcoal," Hiei growled, holding up his right arm. Subtle hints of black fire crackled up and down its length.
"Rascal, this is Hiei," Xelloss said. "He doesn't loan his Pet. Hiei, this is Rascal and his Pet, Maze."
"I apologize again," Rascal bowed. "Maze can be a trial, but he means no harm."
"Is that why he's fondling that orange-haired girl over there?" Hiei replied dryly. Rascal turned in time to see Maze taken out by a roundhouse punch to the jaw.
Xelloss chuckled. "He should know by now not to try his tricks on Lina!"
Rascal shrugged and smiled. "Well, you know Maze grope first, ask questions later." He nodded at Hiei. "It was nice meeting you, but now I must go retrieve my fallen Pet." He walked away, striking out with the whip, which neatly wrapped itself around the unconscious Maze. Rascal proceeded to drag him away down the corridor.
"Well, it's almost time for dinner," Xelloss said cheerfully. "Will you and Kurama join us?"
Hiei scowled. "I suppose so."
"Wonderful! Let's go!" The purple-haired weirdo walked away, followed by his equally weird, smiling Pet.
"It's going to be a long trip," Hiei muttered. Kurama stifled a giggle.

"Kei, you could at least kneel like a proper Pet," Yuri scolded as she glanced down at the bronze-skinned girl at her feet. Kei was sitting cross-legged, glancing around at all the dining tables which were just starting to be filled.
"Aw, leave me alone. I'm on the floor, aren't I? No one's gonna care if I'm sitting or kneeling." She nudged Yuri's leg suddenly. "Hey, you think that's Fish Eye's Master over there with his Pet?"
Yuri stole a look at a nearby table where a beautiful demon with long white hair and pointed ears was being seated. An equally attractive younger boy with fuzzy puppy ears and a nose that hinted of canine origin knelt beside him with a frown. Both had gold slitted eyes.
"Yes, that must be Sesshomaru and Inu Yasha," Yuri said in a whisper.
"Don't look now, but a gorgeous redhead is heading this way."
Yuri looked up just as the girl Kei described stopped by her table. "Would you mind if we shared your table? It's become very crowded already."
"No, not at all. Please have a seat." Yuri graciously gestured to the other chair. The redhead's Pet, an underdeveloped girl with long flame-coloured hair, pulled out the chair for her Mistress.
"Thank you, Lina." The lovely redhead smiled in Yuri's direction. "My name is Scarlet."
"I'm Yuri." She pointed to the spot on the floor beside her. "This is Kei."
Scarlet and Lina both glanced down at Kei curiously. She looked up at them and waved. "Hi!"
Yuri coloured. "Excuse her, please. Despite all my hard work and training she still sometimes forgets her place."
"Don't apologize, I have the same problem." Scarlet ruffled Lina's orange tresses. "My little Lina is a spitfire, always in trouble. I can't bear to part with her, though, and she doesn't mean any harm."
"Still," Yuri said, "there comes a time when you have to draw the line." She gave Kei a withering look. "I try not to let her get away with _too_ much."
"Oh, absolutely not. A Pet with total freedom will soon be your Master." Scarlet signaled the waiter. "I'll just have the caesar salad, thank you. For my Pet, please bring two of the specials."
"Two?" Yuri questioned.
"She's a big eater," Scarlet explained. "I've learned from embarrassing experience that if I don't feed her enough, she'll start grabbing from other peoples' plates."
"And for you, Mistress?" inquired the waiter, turning to Yuri.
"Um," Yuri quickly skimmed the menu, "I'll have the special as well, and so will my Pet."
"What is it?" Kei asked. Yuri's left foot caught her against the thigh. "OUCH!"
"I must apologize ... again." Yuri sighed.
Scarlet raised an eyebrow. "I don't mind, dear, but there are others who think less kindly of those with outspoken Pets. Lina knows who they are and is usually very careful."
"Kei will learn as well, I'm sure." Yuri said, giving her 'Pet' a warning look. Kei's forest-green eyes shone defiantly for only a moment before she lowered her head.
"Yes, Mistress. I'm sorry."
Yuri beamed. "Good girl." She patted Kei's wild hair and turned back to Scarlet. Only Lina saw Kei stick her tongue out at the back of Yuri's head and she snickered.
"I don't see many female Pet owners here," Yuri remarked, using the opportunity to glance around the room. She spotted Hiei and Kurama coming in with another Master and Pet and watched them sit down together.

Scarlet followed her gaze and smiled. "I see it's Xelloss' turn today."
Before she could ask what Scarlet meant, she saw Sesshomaru slap Inu Yasha across the head sharply, catching him on one of his furry ears. His brother snarled, showing pointed fangs.
"Sit!" Sesshomaru commanded.
Inu Yasha suddenly fell forward onto his face, arms and legs splayed out.
"What on earth?!" Yuri gasped.
"That's Sesshomaru in the chair the other is his younger half- brother, Inu Yasha," Scarlet explained. "Those beads around Inu Yasha's neck are bespelled. That command enables Sesshomaru to control him."
The magic word is 'sit'?! Kei thought, trying not to laugh at the ridiculousness of it all. Of course, Inu Yasha _is_ part dog ....
"Isn't it rather ... odd ... for someone to have their own brother as a Pet?" Yuri asked Scarlet.
"He doesn't use Inu Yasha for sex at least not to my knowledge. He had another Pet for a while, but the poor thing jumped overboard and drowned."
"How sad," Yuri remarked. "There must be many interesting stories on this ship."
Scarlet laughed good-naturedly. "You don't know how right you are!"
"We even witnessed one as we were boarding," Yuri said. "Quatre-sama acquired a new Pet unexpectedly someone tried to sneak on the boat."
"Really?" Scarlet looked surprised. The waiter returned and gave them their plates while she began scanning the dining area. "I wonder if he'll bring him to dinner oh, there he is! What beautiful long hair that boy has!"
Yuri frowned. "But he had short " She turned to look and her jaw dropped at the same moment Kei gasped. Several tables away, Master Quatre was sitting down at a table flanked by two Pets. One of them was a boy with a cocky grin and a very long brown braid.
Duo-sensei!
"He's cute," Lina approved, and received a warning tug of her orange locks for speaking out of turn.
"Lina, behave yourself," Scarlet said. "But you're right. He and Ryoga will look good in bed together."
Kei's head popped up over the edge of the table. "They'll _what_?!"
"Kei!" Yuri said sharply. "Bad girl!"
Kei sighed and sank back down, picking up her fork.
"I wouldn't worry too much about your Pet," Scarlet told Yuri comfortingly. "She's probably just over-excited about the cruise she'll settle down."
"She'd better," Yuri said grimly.
"Has she never been involved in performing with another Pet for your benefit? It seemed to surprise her."
"The ... uh ... opportunity has never presented itself," Yuri flustered. "There were no other female Pets in our Community and I didn't want to watch her with a male "
"I've had the same problem." Scarlet smiled. "Isn't it fortunate that we met? How soon do you think we should put the girls together?"
The clatter of fork against plate was heard at Yuri's feet. She wasn't sure if it came from Kei, Lina, or both. Scarlet ignored it, waiting expectantly.
"Um, let's give it a couple of days," Yuri said, hoping she didn't sound as panicky as she felt. "I want Kei to myself for a little while now that we're here."
"That's fine," Scarlet said agreeably. "It'll give us time to plan the details."
Or to figure a way out of it, Yuri thought, exchanging an anxious glance with Kei.

Duo could practically feel Hiei's glare when he knelt by Quatre's seat. He knew Yuri had spotted him as well, and down on this level, he could see both Kurama and Kei giving him questioning looks. There was no doubt he'd surprised them all and no one had expressed their shock in a way that aroused suspicion. His troubles were over.
Well, almost, he reminded himself, giving Ryoga a sideways glance.
The other boy hadn't said much to him so far, and he was having trouble gauging exactly how Ryoga felt about his presence. He certainly knew how he felt about _Ryoga's_ presence. Having the other Pet around would make everything more difficult, especially searching Quatre's room. Would there ever be a time when he was left alone in their cabin? More importantly, would that time come before Quatre expected he and Ryoga to sleep together for his viewing pleasure?
"I hope you're both hungry," Quatre said, handing his menu back to the waiter. "I want you well-fed and full of energy tonight."
"Yes, Master," Ryoga answered politely. Duo forced a smile.
Soothing dinner music started up in the form of a blonde boy with a violin strolling amongst the tables. The violin was the size of a cello. Duo looked around, but no one else seemed to notice. Maybe that kind of weirdness was commonplace here.
"There were some nice additions to our cruise today," Quatre said, smiling and nodding to neighboring tables. "Look over there, where Scarlet and Lina are they're the girls with the red and orange hair, Duo, see? The Mistress and Pet with them are both new. Yuri is the Mistress and Kei is her Pet, remember their names so you can greet them properly. Isn't Kei a beauty? Rather wild-looking for such a refined young Mistress, but she seems to be handling her well. And over there across from us are another long-time pair Xelloss and Soujirou with newcomers Hiei and Kurama. That Kurama may be the most beautiful boy ever born. I wonder if Hiei loans him."
"Doubt it," Duo piped up before he could think about it.
Fortunately, Quatre didn't seem to mind. "You may be right, he didn't strike me as the type to share." His eyebrows shot up. "Well! This is an unexpected surprise." He waved. "Hello, Nakago."
Duo's head snapped up and he stared at the man whose eyes could freeze lava. Big, blonde, and handsome, Nakago was nevertheless a fearsome presence. That much was evinced by the sudden hush of the dining room, including the weird violinist, who hastened out of Nakago's path.
The tall blonde stopped by Quatre's table, his gaze boring down into Duo's wide eyes.
"You've a new Pet, Quatre-sama?" he remarked in a questioning tone.
"I just got him today," Quatre said, and peered around Nakago. "Is your Pet here?"
"What? Oh yes, of course." Nakago moved aside, and Duo inhaled sharply.
Van looked very different from the last time he'd seen him. Thinner, with a haunted look of despair in eyes that were fixed on the floor. He'd always been small, but appeared even more diminutive alongside Nakago's imposing presence. A fresh bruise marred one cheek.
Quatre hesitated a moment, then said, "You're welcome to join me."
"Thank you, I shall." Nakago seated himself and Van quickly dropped to his knees beside him, putting him directly in front of Duo.
"Van," he whispered.
The dark-haired boy's head came up, his eyes wide with shock. He mouthed Duo's name, then Nakago pushed his head back down.
"Eyes on the floor, boy, you know better than that," he said in a casual tone that carried an underlying threat.
"How are you enjoying the trip, Nakago?" Quatre asked.
The violin music started up again, as did other conversations around the room. Duo stole another look at Van and felt his stomach twist. Fish Eye had been right they needed to come here. He didn't want to think Van's spirit was broken, but it had obviously taken a beating or several. But he was still alive, and at least now he could hold out some hope. We're here, he thought in Van's direction, wishing with all his heart he had the power of telepathy. No matter what it takes, we're getting you out of here.
Van didn't look up, but slowly, the fingers of his right hand in his lap drew into a fist, save two that formed a 'V'.
Yeah, man, Duo smiled to himself, blinking back tears. Victory.

End of Chapter 9 Story contents (C) 1998 Tenou Haruka Character copyrights are too many to mention, just know that none of are mine.