The Devil and the deep blue sea

To trust the one you hate

2

Kanda stepped from the room. He meant to go straight to the bathing tub. But what he saw froze him. The boy was naked, hanging from the door to his chambers. His pale thin arms held out to either side. His legs weighted down tied to a cinder block. It was breathing, head down chin on its chest. Kanda moved toward it. He reached out to touch the face. The slave jerked awake. It's head lifted. There was something jammed into its mouth.

The magician swore under his breath. He didn't search for a key. He was pretty sure Tykki would have not left him one. Placing one arm around the wretches waist he waved his other hand. The things arms loosened. The chains clattered to the floor. He moved his hand down, not meeting the boys eyes. He undid the chains at his feet. Kanda caught the boy as he slumped into his arms.

Kicking the door open he stormed inside. Fury was racing through his veins. He couldn't let anyone see him caring for the thing. He dumped the boy onto a cot tucked under a sheet. Not many knew what was here. Often Kanda hid Tykki's slaves from him. Most were greatful for this.

As he looked at this one he saw fire in those silver eyes. Kneeling down he pulled the make shaft gag out. The boy stared at him. No sound escaping the chapped and burned lips. Kanda reached down to the ladle in the bucket beside it. He lifted it. The thing looked at him like he was crazy.

"It's water, drink." He held it to the boys lips. The thing didn't even try to sip from it. Kanda groaned. "There is nothing wrong with it." Lifting the meatal cup to his lips he sipped it. Showing the boy he swallowed it. He held it back to the boy. It tried to lift it's arms to take it they wouldn't obey him.

Leaning forward Kanda pressed it to the lips. He allowed the boy several sips before with drawing it. Too much would make him sick. Looking over the bone thin thing he asked.

"When was the last time you ate?" The thing just shrugged. Covering the boys lap up with a thin blanket, Kanda stood. In a back corner he kept hidden supplies for times like this. Taking out some dry bread cheese and raw vegetables he brought them back to the boy. They were fresh from the last port. He placed them on a small tray. The boy watched his every move.

Kneeling back down he filled a cup with water. Placing it on the tray he held it out to the boy. It took it. "Go slow. You will only vomit back up if you eat too fast." The magician warned. The boy nodded picking up the cheese. He nibbled at it. The magician sat and watched him eat. He took his time savoring every bite.

"You're not like him." The boy said when he only had a few hunks of bread left. The cup was empty. Kanda refilled it.

"Glad you noticed." Sarcasm dripped from his lips. The slave finished his bread. Sipping the cool water.

"What is he going to do with me." Keeping his face turned away Kanda told him.

"He will use you as he had tonight. He will abuse you torture you in any way he sees fit. For his amusement he will pass you around to the others. This will continue until he ends up killing you."

Looking out of the corner of his eye he saw the tears from in the boys eyes. Laying a hand gently on the thin shoulder he asked. "What is your name?"

The boy sniffed wiping his face on his hand. "Why so you know what to put on my tombstone?" there was an edge to the voice.

"You won't have one." The boys head rocked back to look at the man. "We are at sea. He will just throw you over board when he is done with you." Kanda explained.

"Well aren't you a fucking delight." The boy snarled. Kanda pulled away from him. Leaning against a pillar he covered his bare chest with his folded arms.