Hisoka yawned stretching out on the huge bed. It was certainly large enough to hold at least four adult men and while Hisoka had just reached the age of adulthood his body was still rather small leaving him to get lost in the bed. Green eyes scanned the thin, pale, frail-looking arms as he let out a sigh. The young prince was more than frustrated with his appearance and how fragile he looked. He was next in line to become king and as his father constantly reminded him a king must always look strong to keep his subjects in line and to project the strength of his country to foreign dignitaries. At this rate Hisoka was sure he wouldn't last a week. His blond cat ears flicked and his tail swayed betraying his irritation.

"Hisoka." The calm deep voice of his brother interrupted his thoughts. After a few moments, which Hisoka knew his brother had waited to give him time to dress or cover himself if he wasn't decent, the door opened and he walked into the room. Tatsumi was the same age as he was (plus or minus a few minutes) and yet he had the body of a king—Hisoka really was jealous. All the other neko had to do was stand there and he exuded power and strength. Most of the servants were terrified of him and he didn't have the temper Hisoka was known for. That wasn't to say Tatsumi was a pushover, he had threatened and followed through with those threats on a few occasions. Hisoka often wondered what would have happened to them if Tatsumi was the legitimate child instead of Hisoka.

"Are you going to stay in bed all day? Your mother was upset that you missed breakfast. She threatened to replace your wardrobe while you were asleep if you weren't awake soon." Tatsumi said his tail swaying with a hint of mischief. If that wasn't enough Hisoka could tell his brother was looking forward to someone else having to deal with the queen's enthusiasm. Hisoka knew his mother had a penchant for driving nearly everyone up the wall. The only person worse than his mother was his Aunt Yuma, her sister. Getting those two together was like setting off a time bomb. Hisoka shuddered throwing the blankets off and getting out of bed.

"It's my birthday. I'm entitled to sleep in as much as I want." He continued to grumble as he made his way to his wardrobe. "Besides I'm an adult now. I should have to get up just because she wants me to." His ears flicked and he growled hearing Tatsumi's chuckle. "You better be grateful. This is your birthday gift." He pulled off his nightclothes and began getting dressed.

"I appreciate it." There was still a bit of a laugh in his voice, but Hisoka decided to ignore it for now. "Your mother is excited. There is a dinner tonight so I assume she wants to fuss over your clothes until she has rejected everything in your wardrobe." He hated the truth in that statement. Sometimes he guessed that his mother thought of him as her own personal doll. There was no way he was going to wear a dress.

"I don't see why she hates all of my clothes. She's the one who picked them out for me." He continued to grumble until he was completely dressed. A few years ago he had refused the servant his mother sent to help him change. Only Tatsumi knew this, but Hisoka could feel feelings and if something was strong enough he could even see a person's thought. When the servant would undress him Hisoka hated the feelings and one night he caught a thought that he knew was definitely not his own. That was it for the servant. He told his mother he would dress himself. To help him make a stand Tatsumi had agreed to do the same. "Is that what all mothers do?" He asked and instantly regretted talking without thinking. Tatsumi was always so hard to read with his strange powers, but he'd learned to read the physical signs from his brother.

"She's afraid she will soil the clothes by touching them." His tone was a bit haunted and Hisoka made his way over. He set his hand on his brother's shoulder having to reach a bit to get up to it. "However she is constantly fussing with my hair." The brown tail flicked in annoyance and Hisoka chuckled. Whenever Tatsumi came back from visiting his mother in town he would have ribbons and a different hairstyle. When she wasn't around it would be tied back at the base of his neck and nowhere else. He resisted using any ribbons save for the first one his mother had given to him when he was younger. "So yes, fussing is exactly what mothers do."

"Good to know I'm not alone in my misery." Hisoka smirked then walked out the door. "We should go before she starts playing with the servants uniforms again." He laughed. They walked down the halls following their mental maps to navigate through the maze that was the palace and into the sitting room they used for 'family' gatherings. Hisoka pushed the door open. "Good morning, Mother."

"More like afternoon, Hisoka. You're an adult now. You should start forming good habits. Do you think your father sleeps in everyday now that he's king? No, he's up at the crack of dawn. The country's problems don't sleep in." It seems like his mother was in one of those moods. He let out a deep sigh and felt the tension in the air. Tatsumi took a few steps back to avoid getting caught in the crossfire.

Luckily for everyone in the room and probably within the palace walls a large hand dropped to his shoulder and a deep voice interrupted the silence. "Now Hisoka, your mother is only trying to look out for you." Hisoka turned around his ears lowering slightly. While Tatsumi exuded power their father was power. It vibrated through is body and echoed in his voice. It always made Hisoka feel small and insignificant in comparison. "Of course, Father." Why did his voice have to sound so small?

"Good. Now I came to give you two your gifts. It's bribery to make sure both of you attend your birthday ball tonight." The man announced without a hint of remorse. "Your mother was upset when you disappeared after the banquet." Hisoka tried hard not to bristle hearing the statement. He hated it when his father acted as though his mother was Tatsumi's. It hurt Tatsumi, too because the other didn't want to think about how his mother had simply been used and tossed aside. It also hadn't been Tatsumi's fault they had disappeared. Crowds made Hisoka's head swim and he had passed out. Tatsumi had gotten him to his bed and made sure he was okay since Hisoka couldn't tell his parents about his powers.

"We will be there, Father." Tatsumi answered with a bow. Hisoka frowned knowing that Tatsumi had just taken responsibility if Hisoka left early again. Why was his brother so self-sacrificing? All he could do was nod in agreement. His father brightened seeing them agree.

"Perfect! Bring them in." He ordered to the two servants standing at the door. Hisoka wasn't sure what it was and he was beginning to get a bit nervous when he saw the two of them pulling at chains.

The air in the auction house was hot and stifling. There was too much smoke, too many people and no windows. Watari was beginning to feel suffocated as he sat on the pillow with only a collar on. The collar had a spell on it so Watari couldn't remove it and all someone had to do was say the right word and his body would be paralyzed. Despite this spell there was a chain linked through the collar and attached to a hook on the wall. His eyes scanned the crowd, as there was a lull in the biding. The next auction had the blond concerned. His ears were low and his tail wrapped around his stomach.

"Our next bidding is on this young neko. Born and raised in this slave house we can guarantee his training. This one has a unique eye color guaranteeing he is one-of-a-kind." The caller announced as the auction house workers pulled his friend onto the stage. Tsuzuki, like all slaves, had been stripped of everything, but his collar as he was paraded out on stage. The workers ordered him to turn around and allowed the crowd to inspect every inch of him. Tsuzuki did exactly as he was told without even token resistance, just as he had been trained to do.

Once the parade was over he was ordered to stand in front of the caller's podium as the bidding began. Watari nervously listened to all of the bids that were called out. Despite the callers positive spin on Tsuzuki's eyes they were seen as a defect. Tsuzuki was always trying to make up for his eyes to the people his time was sold to. He'd taken his training seriously in the hope he could make them forget about his eyes. It made Watari sad every time he saw that haunted look in his eyes.

"Sold!! Two hundred silver!" The caller announced with a shout. Watari was startled by not only the shout, but also the price. For two hundred silver Tsuzuki couldn't have ended up in a good home. His friend was too gentle to end up in a home like that. Worried amber eyes watched a man step out from a crowd. He snatched the chain from the worker's hand and pulled Tsuzuki off the four-foot high stage with a harsh jerk. As Tsuzuki landed on the concrete floor he couldn't hold back the yelp and whimper of pain. It only took a second for the man to pull Tsuzuki over by the chain roughly and give him a hard backhanded slap. "You don't make a noise without my permission!"

The entire crowd winced at the sound of the slap as it echoed leaving the room silent. Everyone knew slaves were treated as property, but such abuse was done out of the public eye. Public punishment was reserved for grave offenses such as theft. Watari wanted to run over and protect his friend from this new master, but he was himself a slave and it would only get Tsuzuki in more trouble and he would feel guilty for getting Watari in trouble as well. The crowd began murmuring as they parted. His eyes followed the part until he saw the owner of the slave and auction house. The man made his way over to Tsuzuki and his new owner.

"Sir, I believe it is time for you leave the premises." He held out his hand expectantly. "I will take my property and these gentlemen will escort you out." Watari couldn't help, but wince seeing the man wrap the chain around his wrist and pull Tsuzuki roughly behind him.

"It's my property now. I paid two hundred silver for him." The man growled his eyes narrowing at him. His tail was puffed out and he looked ready to fight. It didn't seem to faze the owner and his calm eyes kept the man's.

"You are mistaken. First of all, you haven't paid. Secondly, you have forgotten about our silent bidders. If they make a bet and the auction winner's is lower they override the auction." He snapped his fingers and the chain unhooked from Tsuzuki's collar. The owner reached over grabbing the hook on the collar and pulling him gently over to the workers who quickly secured a new chain around his neck.

Watari's attention was pulled away by a hard jerk of his own chain. The worker hissed. "Pay attention! We're taking you for your inspection." He dragged Watari back through the network of halls. "A bidder offered a high enough price to bypass the auction." The explanation shocked Watari as he stumbled after him. He was left in the decent-looking sitting room where the better customers would inspect their purchases.

"Tari!" The second the door closed Watari was suddenly tackled by a shaking neko. He sat down on the floor bringing Tsuzuki with him. Gently he hugged him calming some of the shaking before he guided his head up so he could look at his cheek. His ears lowered seeing the bruise forming.

"Tsu, I'm sorry." He gently licked the cheek nuzzling him. Tsuzuki's purr brought a smile to his face. They sat there comforting each other until the door opened again. When he looked up Watari was shocked. His eyes widened as he saw the king's representative walking into the room. The owner was behind him. They closed the door and the representative walked over. He grabbed Tsuzuki's chin turning it to look at the bruise. Despite his quick movements Watari knew he hadn't hurt his friend because Tsuzuki didn't even wince.

"The damage doesn't look too severe. His highness may overlook it. I need a sealed letter stating what happened. If he thinks I got an obstinate neko for Mast Hisoka he would punish me. He specifically ordered that Hisoka's is calm. His highness specified this neko for Master Tatsumi so there is no switching them." The man said as he released Tsuzuki's chin. The owner bowed his head.

"Of course. Tsuzuki is the gentlest neko in the country. He won't cause any trouble. Will you?" The owner's eyes turned to Tsuzuki who bowed deeply and apologetically. "No, master." Tsuzuki's answer seemed to appease the man's concerns and he walked to the door.

"I'll expect them cleaned and ready to go to the palace by the time I return." With that he walked out. The owner gave them both a smile then walked out locking the door behind him. Watari let the words sink in then his eyes widened and he brightened. "Tsu! We're going to the palace, together!!" This announcement caused Tsuzuki to jump up and hug him.

"Yay! I didn't want to never see Tari again!!" Tsuzuki purred nuzzling Watari with a bright smile. Watari was excited himself. It looked like they might both be able to at least see each other every once in a while to make sure the other was okay. He looked up when the door opened and the head mistress of the workers came in. Wakaba was a sweet neko who was able to keep the others in line while still being loved by everyone under her. Watari was grateful since she had become one of Tsuzuki's few friends during his years here.

"Looks like you two are moving up in the world. Let's get you cleaned up and presentable. His highness' representative told us you will need to be ready to be presented to the princes. They have just reached the age of adulthood." She walked over taking their chains. It was merely a rule of the house that had her picking them up. No one wanted to run away from her. Carefully she led them to the baths. Watari was feeling spoiled and knew Tsuzuki had to as well. All their lives they had been told to bathe once a day and it was in murky water with all of the other neko slaves, most of them who were quick to hurt anyone who looked weak as Tsuzuki and Watari did compared to some of the others. Now here they were in a bath with crystal clear water and bubbles and they had it all to themselves. With a purr he settled into the warm water.

"Tari, have you ever seen the princes?" Tsuzuki asked as he made sure the water got all of the dirt out of his tail. His amethyst eyes glanced over at his friend waiting for Watari's answer. Watari shook his head slowly as he began rinsing his long blond hair. "I haven't, but I heard from Chizuru that they are amazing. She saw them on the street the last time she was allowed out."

Watari ducked under the water to get his hair completely wet. He tried to keep the water out of his ears as he came up to the surface. Tsuzuki was suddenly much closer and he jumped somewhat startled. "Can I was your hair?" He asked nervously his tail swaying. Watari smiled and nodded his head. "Yay! This is gonna be a good day!" The neko announced jumping up then picked up the shampoo.

Their bath was thorough, but quick as they did have a limited amount of time to be in there. Wakaba returned with the clothes they were to wear traveling and another bag of clothes they should wear when they meet the princes. She explained to Tsuzuki that they needed practical clothes when they made the journey, but they needed to look their absolute best for the princes. It took him quite a while to understand what she was telling him. The furthest Tsuzuki had ever traveled was when a client had paid for him to go to the bathhouse down the block with him. "Tsuzuki, the palace is quite a ways away. You know how hard it is to go through the house in them?" Wakaba waited for his nod then continued. "The palace is much further away than a walk through the house."

"Oh! So we change our clothes before meeting our masters?" Tsuzuki asked making sure he understood. He didn't quite understand how the clothes he had been put in would show him off to his future master. When Wakaba nodded her head he beamed in understanding. "I get it now!" Watari pet him with a smile. Sometimes his friend reminded him too much of a child, especially with him growing up in a slave house. There were days he had to remind himself that Tsuzuki was only a few months younger than he was. "Are we leaving now?" When Wakaba nodded Tsuzuki hugged her. "Goodbye, Wakaba. I'll miss you." She gave him a gentle hug and then she and Watari said their good-byes. When the representative came back he took their chains and had them carry the bag of extra clothing.

Watari was a bit nervous not entirely sure about how things would go for them. He had not heard much about the princes and their personalities. He only hoped it would be a good place for them. The slave house had not been a good home and with Watari's few memories of a good home he knew Tsuzuki deserved that.