Based on the AI No Kusabi novels. I do not own the characters, I am merely borrowing them. CONTAINS GRAPHIC AND MATURE SCENES. DO NOT READ IF THIS OFFENDS YOU!

This is a sequel to Blondies Have More Fun (To Be Or Not To Be A Pet) because so many of you asked for it, so thank you. This story will focus on other characters, as well as Riki and Iason, so I hope you will enjoy it. Takes place about three-four months after Riki and Iason return to Tanagura. If you like it, please, please review, and thank you all for your wonderful and continued support.

CHAPTER ONE

"Ngh!" Riki gripped the arms of his chair in pain as Jupiter entered his mind. Why did it always have to hurt?

You perceive that it should cause you pain, therefore it does.

Riki couldn't get used to this…this creature being able to read his thoughts during these sessions. This was his third, and he didn't like it any more than he did the first time, but he had agreed to it because Iason had explained that it was by Jupiter's grace he was alive and whole again.

He could feel himself start to sweat and tried to relax as Iason had shown him, but how could he when it felt like someone using a laser scalpel on his brain?

Think of something pleasant. A memory or feeling and I will suppress your perceived pain with this.

Riki didn't like the word suppress, it sounded too much like control. He grit his teeth, shook his head. He may be forced to do this, but he'd be damned if he'd give the AI more control than he absolutely had to. He glared at the hologram Jupiter projected of itself.

You are very a very stubborn mongrel. You are making this more difficult than it must be.

"You…sound like I…Iason."

You need not speak. I can understand your thoughts.

"Wh…whatever. Just…can we just get this…over with?"

There was blissful silence in his head and he tried to clear his mind of any thoughts. A machine that could read your mind was unnatural and obscene.

Explain.

He jolted. "W…what?"

What is obscene? I understand the literal reference, however not how it applies to myself. Explain.

Shit! He didn't dare! It might piss it off.

Explain.

"AHHH!" he cried. "Stop that!"

What is it you wish me to discontinue?

"It…I don't like you reading my mind, okay! I can't even finish a thought before you fu…before you're demanding an explanation." Iason had warned him about using profanity in Jupiter's presence. "I have random thoughts, they don't always have meanings attached to them, they're just…random."

Why do you have these random thoughts?

"Oh God."

Yes?

Riki would have rolled his eyes if he'd had the ability. "Obscene means something that isn't right or natural." So you're not right or natural, he finished silently.

Correct. I am not natural. I was not born in blood from the womb of a female as Humans are. The concepts of right or wrong is a defective human condition. It has caused war, death and disease for centuries. Logic is linear and can be applied to any situation or decision to indicate a proper solution. There is no choice or discussion, there is only the truth.

"Are we d…done yet?"

You have still not allowed me proper access, pet.

"Don't call me that!"

Then allow me access.

"You're already in my head. What m…more do you want?"

The was a moment of silence, as if Jupiter was consider the question.

Riki allowed himself a small sigh of relief and closed his eyes as the pressure in his brain receded a bit. Why did he have to do this alone? Iason had come in with him the first time, but was apparently advised that Riki had to come on his own for future visits. He wished Iason was here anyway, to lend him moral support at least. Shit! What was he doing wishing for the Blondie? What did he expect Iason to do, hold his fucking hand? He swore at the idea and despised himself for his own weakness.

Why do you perceive your affection for Iason to be a weakness?

Jupiter's voice in his head startled him, the AI had grown so quiet he had almost forgotten it was there.

"What do you mean?"

You wish Iason to be beside you, yet you are angry that you have this feeling. Explain?

Riki smirked, if he could explain how he felt about Iason, to anyone, the world's problems could easily be solved.

Explain how feelings would solve ecological and social issues?

God, he couldn't even be sarcastic. "Nothing. Never mind."

Explain your reasoning for the conflicting emotions I feel in you.

"It's complicated!" he snapped.

I understand all. I am the greatest Artificial Intelligence in the universe.

"You can't even understand random!"

There is nothing I cannot comprehend with a proper explanation.

"But you can't comprehend it, that's the point. You know what emotions are, but you can't comprehend them. Isn't that why Iason and I have to play this stupid game with you?"

Why do you feel anger towards Iason?

"Because."

Your reply is unclear. Why do you feel anger towards Iason?

"I just do."

Why do you do?

"Because he kidnapped me, took away my freedom and made me into a fucking pet, okay!"

You were given a choice of freedom and you chose to stay with Iason. Why did you do this?

Riki almost laughed at the irony and frustration. "I don't know."

Do you still wish for freedom?

"Yes!"s

Do you wish to leave Iason?

Riki paused, lowered his eyes as his heart skipped a beat. Finally, grudgingly he replied. "No."

I do not understand. You wish for your freedom, yet you remain a captive. Explain.

"I can't explain. I…I just…I just want to stay with Iason, okay? I'm still mad about what he did, I still want to be free, but…but I know I can't be."

Can't? What holds you here?

Iason held him here. The way he touched him, the way he smelled. Riki depended on Iason now, he hated that but it was true, and his body was addicted to the Blondie. Besides, it didn't matter where he went, Iason would find him.

I can make you disappear.

Riki's eyes flickered open again, he couldn't move his body because of the link, but if he'd had the ability, he would have fallen out of the chair. "What…what do you mean?"

If you truly wish for your freedom, I can give it to you.

A surge of…excitement? Need? Fear? Something rose inside of him at the idea of getting out of here, away from Tanagura. Away from the pets and the Elites and all the crap he had to deal with.

You may take some time to reflect later. Now you must allow me to go deeper.

"What do you mean?" Riki groaned. "I don't understand what you mean."

Jupiter's hologram changed to and a stone cavern seemed too wrap around Riki and caused the stark white room to fade away. A massive iron gate appeared in front of him, then swung open and Riki could almost feel himself moving forward through the gate, into softer grey walls, only to come up against an even larger stone door.

"What…is this?"

A simulation that your simple mind can comprehend. You have allowed me through the first gate, so that I am able to read your thoughts, yet there is another, stronger barrier beyond it.

Riki watched, fascinated despite himself, as the second door started to crack, he could hear the sound of it and shivered as it crumbled and fell away with a loud boom. Inside the grey walls grew into a brilliant white, and sparkled with multi coloured gems.

This is the place I require; it is called The Sanctum or Inner Eye. A place where I might understand not just your thoughts but also your emotions, your memories and what makes you an individual.

Naked fear spiked through Riki. "No." Was it even possible for the AI God to get that kind of access? Wouldn't such a thing allow it to turn him into a mindless sex doll?

Iason does this for me, he understands why I request it. His Inner Eye has always been more complex than his brother's. He has evolved exponentially since meeting you, Riki.

Hearing it use his name made Riki uncomfortable, but it was better than being called a pet and the voice in his head seemed softer so his pain also lessened.

"Why do you need to be here? What is it you're looking for?"

Knowledge. You and Iason have a unique relationship. I wish to understand it further.

"Why? So you can use it against us later?"

This is why it would be better to allow me access. Humans are a suspicious lot and the length of time it would take to arrange an explanation simple enough for you to process would be a waste.

"I'm not an idiot!"

Correct. Your IQ is well above that grade. Why would you suggest such a title?

"You just said I was stupid!"

Incorrect. Explaining that your mind is simple is a logical and true comparison, not a slight. How does this offend you?

"Would you want to be called stupid or…or simple?"

Neither term can be applied to me, so would be a falsehood. I am a very complex Artificial Intelligence.

"But wouldn't it offend you if someone said it?"

I do not understand your reference. If you would allow me access, I may glean the meaning of your words more easily.

Fuck it, Riki thought. He just wanted to get this over with. "Do whatever you want."

You must give your permission mentally as well as verbally. I can probe beyond the barrier using force, however I told Iason I would not harm you or cause you undue pain.

Riki chewed on his lower lip. Will I still be me afterwards? He thought, unable to say the words out loud, for fear hearing them would cause him to change his mind.

Yes.

Okay. Do it.

Close your eyes, Riki.

Its voice had softened again and Riki felt almost instant relief inside his head. He complied and tried to steady his breathing.

Think of a good memory. One that you have carried with you for a long time.

Riki tried, but most of his memories were ones that he would rather forget.

You have had a hard life.

Was that….sympathy in its tone? And why did it sound more male now, more human than mechanical? Was that his imagination? Why did the voice sound familiar?

Let yourself drift, Riki. The memory will come if you relax.

Riki tried to do as Jupiter asked and a tingling sensation prickled inside his head. A voice, a man's voice. There was something…the scent of…what was that? Chocolate? Was that chocolate? Was he thinking of the cake that Cal used to make him?

You must go deeper Riki. You are almost there, reach for it.

Reach for it….Reach for it… A man's laughter, the smell of chocolate, and the delicious feel of a warm sun on his back.

No! No, he didn't want to be here! He couldn't be here!

He felt the moment that Jupiter released the mind sync and he quickly stumbled out of the chair. The cavern faded away and they were in Jupiter's inner quarters. Riki put a hand to his stomach and was having trouble getting off his knees. Was he going to be sick?

"Are you well?"

Hearing Jupiter's voice aloud startled him, but before he could manage a reply the door opened and Iason strode through.

"Why…" he began as Iason gathered him into his arms. "Why are you here?"

"Jupiter called me." Iason glanced at the hologram of his God. "What happened?"

"He has a significant block that may damage him should I push further. I must contemplate on how to penetrate it."

"Understood." Iason caressed Riki's sweating face. "Let's go home."

"Sorry. I…I tried but…sorry."

"I will call for you when I have found a solution, Riki. Until then, rest and relax. Do not let this trouble you."

"Yeah. Kay." He felt so weak, even more than he had from the other sessions, yet they hadn't even been at it that long.

"I will take care of him. Thank you, Jupiter."

"You may go."

Iason and Riki stepped out of the inner chamber, crossed the outside room and then through the door to the main corridor. Riki almost immediately straightened and moved away from Iason.

"Are you feeling better already?"

"I feel fine." He didn't, he was shaky and his head was pounding, but he didn't like to show weakness in public and there were too many people wandering the corridor.

Iason understood his pet well and fell in step behind him. "I will contact Kanin to come and look at you."

"You don't have to…"

"Out walking your mongrel, Iason?"

Riki's hand fisted at his side but he remained silent as a tall Blondie stopped before them, with two other elites, a Sapphire and a Ruby. It had been several months since they had returned from the dead, so to speak.

Their return to Eos had been heralded as a sign from Jupiter that Iason was the favored son, even more so when he came out of an audience with their God wearing her colors. But, there were still some people who could not accept their relationship, and some discrete supporters of Orphe that had to be weeded out.

"Careful," Iason replied mildly as he affectionately caressed Riki's hair, then gave a discrete tug to warn Riki to behave. "He bites."

"Then you should put him back on a leash," the Ruby scoffed. "It's offensive to have a mongrel wandering the streets of Eos as he pleases."

"Trust me, I don't want to be here either," Riki growled.

"It is good you are so concerned about the appearance of EOS, Marin. I've been concerned recently about our recycling program and I believe you may be just the person to assist me."

"I don't deal in trash, Iason." The Ruby smirked. "Why not use your pet? I am sure he is used to picking through filth."

Iason felt Riki tense beneath the hand he placed on his shoulder, he squeezed lightly. "Riki's talents lie elsewhere, and he is not familiar with our complicate systems. For example, were you aware that we recycled twenty percent less Thylision this year than we did the previous five years?"

Riki watched, curious as the Ruby's face changed from smug to impassive.

"I was not."

"Nor was I, until I requested a comparison report. However, now that we know, we must find the cause immediately. Thylision is far too dangerous to not have it all accounted for. Don't you agree?"

Marin nodded. "Yes. Of course."

"Good. I shall leave the matter to you then, and I'll expect a report within two days."

"I…may require more time to ascertain the problem."

"I'm sure with your investigative skills you will manage." He put his hand on Riki's back and prodded him forward, the Elites stepped out of their way. "Two days, Marin. Do not disappoint me."

Riki waited until they had reached the main landing before speaking. "He's selling it, isn't he?"

Iason nodded, stopped at a drink cart and ordered two Sparking Tropical's. "He is." He handed one of the drinks to Riki before they moved on. "And now that he knows I know, he will need to find a way to replace his stock within the next twenty-four hours."

"Or, he could just some random Human to use as a scapegoat, and you'll have to kill the poor bastard for something he didn't do."

"Ah, that is a possibility, however as Humans only process the regular recyclables and waste, they have no direct contact with the Thylision stocks, so to accuse a human would first mean that an Elite allowed a Human in a place he was forbidden. Such a revelation would cause an Elite to lose their position, which is akin to being shunned from any future high-ranking offices."

"And Merin is in charge of the Thylision?"

"No, Sojar is, however they are very close and so I am sure that Merin would not wish Sojar to be affected by this either. They are both involved in selling the Thylison on the black market."

"How long have you known?"

"I have always known. Katze keeps me well informed on what products are requested and sold and as you know, I have my hand in…how would you say…many pies. There are always backdoor dealings that go against Jupiter's rules, but most turn a blind eye."

"Okay," Riki sipped his drink. "So. If you already knew about this, and it seems no one else really cares about it either, why bother bringing it up now?"

"First, one must always keep their hand hidden, until it is the proper time to show their cards."

"What if the other person calls your bluff?"

He lifted an eyebrow. "I never bluff, Riki."

"Okay, what was the other reason?"

"Other reason?"

"You said first, so there must be a second reason at least you were getting to?"

"Ah, of course." Iason looked down at Riki with a cold, dangerous look. "Because he insulted you."

Riki forced himself not to shiver and suddenly felt a very tiny sliver of sympathy for the Ruby.

"At any rate," Iason said as they continued to walk. "The only real choice is to replace the stock. Then he can claim that there was an error in the record and that he magically found the extra Thylison."

Riki smirked, he knew how much Thylision could go for on the black market. "It's gonna cost him, big time."

"It will, and it will also make it more difficult for him and Sojar to continue their endeavors, as he is aware I shall be watching the count more closely now."

"What if he can't replenish it on time?"

They entered Iason's building. "He will. I'll make sure that he can get his hands on the amount he needs." They stepped into the lift and Riki pressed their floor.

"Wait. Hold on. Where are you going to get the Thylission?"

Iason simply stared at him.

"You…you're a buyer? You're gonna force him to restock the Thylision he illegally sold, by selling him back the same Thylision you bought from him on the black market?"

"Yes, for a significant profit, of course."

"But….Does he know he was selling to you?"

"Of course not, that is why I employ people like Katze."

"But…" Riki scratched his head as they stepped into Iason's condo. "Then, you're just as guilty as he is!"

"One is only guilty if they get caught, Riki."

Riki gaped at him as their new Furniture, a boy named simply Bean, appeared to take his jacket and Iason's cloak.

"Shall I begin dinner, Sir?"

"No, just wine."

"Yes, Sir." The boy disappeared as Riki continued to stare at Iason.

"Does your head still hurt, pet?"

"Huh?" Riki lifted his hand to his head, forgot he was holding the drink container and winced as it conked off his skull. "Ow."

Iason took the bottle and bent to kiss the impacted area. "You are still not yourself, are you? Would you like to take a nap, or a bath?"

Riki was tired. "A nap sounds good." He stepped down into the living room and started across, then turned back to Iason. "Are you coming?"

Smiling at the invite, Iason quickly followed. Riki seemed more comfortable with their relationship now. He still had his tantrums of course, but for the most part he was accepting of the fact that they needed each other.