Blood of Devils, Blood of Angels

Chapter Three: "Hello kitty, my names Bryan. I'm the one who will be executing you if you're naughty."

As they travelled further into the town, Rei became more unsettled. The noises of a bustling town made him extremely nervous, having been in the quiet slave jail for a few years up until a few hours ago. Rei glanced up pleadingly at Kai, as the driver informed them they were a few minutes away from the food markets.

"What is it, neko? You don't like crowds?"

Rei shook his head violently, whimpering loudly.

"It's okay… You can stay here with the driver guarding you while I buy some fruit and bread, and maybe a sweetmeat. Then we'll eat in here while we travel to the slave markets. Then when we've finished eating, because I'm Lord and rule over this town, they put the slave auctions on hold and we look at all the slaves and pick one out in privacy. The only people you'll see today are the slave dealer, the guards, and the slaves we can pick from."

Rei relaxed at that, but put a slightly tighter hold on Kai's pants leg. When he had touched the Lord's leggings before, he hadn't moved his fingers from it. So the Lord had bunched up a bit of his leggings and pushed it through the mesh of the cage, giving Rei something to hold onto and play around with if he got bored. Rei had lain comfortably in the cage since then, half curled, with his cheek resting on the forearm that held the bunch of material.

For about ten minutes the two sat in silence, until the carriage stopped and the driver informed them they were at the entrance to the food market street, and couldn't take the carriage any further. Rei whimpered softly as Kai pulled his leggings from the cage and stood, smoothing the creases out of his clothing.

"I'll only be gone for a little while neko, and you'll have the driver to keep you company." With that, Kai hopped from the carriage and quickly vanished into the crowded marketplace.

Rei meowed slightly as the driver climbed into the back and closed the door to the carriage. The driver settled himself comfortably onto the seat, then poked a finger through the mesh of the cage.

"Hello kitty, my names Bryan. I'm the one who will be executing you if you're naughty."

Rei stared in terror up at the noble with purple hair. Bryan laughed and grinned at him, shaking his head.

"I was joking. I'm actually the driver and the master of the stables, not the executioner. Executing is Spencer's job, and even then there are not many people to behead."

Rei nodded slowly and relaxed quietly in the cage. There was silence for a little while, then Bryan leaned down and said gently, "That wall isn't as thick as Kai likes to think it is. I've heard what he's said to you, and I must say I am impressed. Usually he's a cold tightass that never speaks a word unless necessary."

Rei glanced up at the lilac haired boy, unable to keep a smug smile from coming to his face. The driver smiled back at him, but before he could say anything, there was a knock at the carriage door. Bryan quickly clambered out and Kai slid in, a basket of food under one arm.

"What are you looking at like that, neko?"

Rei quickly ducked his head down, trying to stop his smile. Kai grumbled something under his breath and set the basket down on the seat, starting to dig through it. Rei perked up slightly as the scent of fresh fruit attacked his nose and stomach.

Kai pulled out a plum and carelessly tossed it up into the air and caught it, glancing at Rei. "You hungry, neko?"

Rei nodded furiously.

"To let you eat, I have to let you out of your cage too. Promise you won't try anything naughty?"

Rei pointed at the compartment, then pretended to slit his own throat.

"Bryan's not allowed to touch you unless I give orders. He can't just jump back here and grab you."

Rei nodded slowly, then poked his fingers through the cage in the direction of the basket, looking pleadingly up at Kai.

"Promise?"

Rei nodded quickly, and held very still as Kai slowly detached the numerous latches on the top of the cage. When he leaned back and flipped the lid off, Rei carefully climbed out onto the seat, then sat still anticipantly as Kai divided the food between them and then gave him his portion. Rei began wolfing down the food like there was no tomorrow, not noticing the slowly getting louder street noises.

Unfortunately, he also didn't notice the fond smile Kai gave him, or the light pat on the head.

End

Yay! Update the next day! Aren't you people proud of me? Thanks much to my lovely reviewers, I promise to update soon again!