The dank musty smell of the dark room was coupled with the scent of unwashed bodies and other filth as the large cramped cell's occupants did their best to stretch within their bonds. The cell contained various species of aliens and humans who were looking about in terror. Many had been captured during the skirmish along the border and some had been taken from conquered planets.

In the corner, curled into a miserable ball of fur, was a child sized kitten. The kitten mewled pitifully as she looked about for a family she did not see.

"Quit ye yowlin'!" a man snapped and aimed a kick at the female's ribs, connecting soundly and sending her crashing into the nearby wall.

She let out a yowl of pain but instantly quieted when the man crawled over to her and grabbed her by the nape of her neck and shook her violently.

"Shut up!" he snarled.

"Hey leave her alone!" a younger man said as he stepped over people and came up next to the man. "Put her down now. She's just a kid and she's scared. Quit being such a feckin' bully!" he snarled, balling up his fists as he got ready to fight.

The older man looked at the younger one and then with a curse he dropped the female into his arms. "Fine ye babysit the furball. Just keep her quiet. We dinna want to hear her!" he snarled and stomped off.

"Shh, shh. It's ok," the younger man said, rocking the shivering kitten. He headed for a corner and sat down, still cradling her.

"Poor thing, I'll try and take care of you," he promised. "My name's Jym. What's your name?" he asked.

The female didn't respond, instead she shivered uncontrollably in his arms. "Hmm no name. Well how about we call you Senona after my twin sister who died? You remind me of her," Jym said as he continued rocking the kitten until she fell asleep.

Time lost its meaning for the inhabitants of the cell but slowly they were taken out in groups of ten, none returning. Every day Senona would hide curled up against Jym's side as he warily watched the others being taken away. Eventually there were only fifteen inhabitants left, including the man who had bullied Senona.

The guards came, weapons ready and opened the cell. "Alright you louts, up and at'em. You have an auction to attend," the leader said with a sneer.

Senona wrapped her arms tightly around Jym's legs, almost tripping him up. He had to untangle her and then held her in his arms while she clung to him, her breathing ragged in fear.

"It'll be okay little one," Jym murmured over and over. He didn't like the way the guards were staring at Senona and he tightened his hold on her possessively.

Senona didn't even whimper. She was tired, half-starved and was running a fever. She did shiver several times but her dull, matted fur was providing her little protection against the cold.

They were ushered into a brightly lit room which made them all flinch and close their eyes. It took several moments for their vision to adjust and when it did they looked about in horror.

The room was filled with well dressed aliens. Sitting next to several of them were other aliens with chain collars and studded leashes. Jym looked about angrily. So they were part of a slave market and were going to be auctioned off. He had to do his best to keep Senona with him, otherwise, she'd die.

The auctioneer began the auction and one by one the captives were sold until only four remained including Senona and Jym.

Jym held on to Senona as first the woman and then the man who had bullied Senona were sold. Jym tensed and looked about at the buyers who seemed to suddenly be very interested in Senona who had her head buried against Jym's chest.

"Now what we have here is a pair. The female cat is not much to look at but she is exotic and the male is a strong healthy breeder and work. Let the bidding start at 20 GPLs," he called. "Do I hear 20?" he asked.

"20!"

"35!"

"55!"

"155!"

Everyone including the auctioneer gasped in stunned silence and turned to look at the petite richly dressed brunette who was lounging amongst her four shirtless male slaves.

"Do I hear 160?" he asked. "160?" he looked around again. "155, going once, going twice, sold to Miss Lanleah!" he crowed.

Jym turned to appraise their new owner. The woman didn't look threatening but looks could and were deceiving. The guards came and poked at him with a prod forcing him to go through the same side door as the others had gone.

He murmured soothingly to Senona as they were pushed through the door. He let out a yell when he was hit in the knees, dropping him to the floor.

Senona yowled in fear as Jym was grabbed in a headlock and his arms jerked behind his back.

"Senona!" he cried as he fought against the guards holding him.

A fourth one walked up and with a vicious tug, jerked Senona free of Jym's shirt. He swung her around and let out a bellow of pain when she clawed his face, hissing and spitting, her fur puffed out in defiance and fear.

"Why you little hellcat!" He raised back his fist and punched the struggling female in the stomach eliciting a howl of pain from Senona.

"Leave her alone you bastard!" Jym shouted and struggled but couldn't break free. For his efforts he was kicked in the stomach, doubling him over.

"What is going on here?" an imperious voice said, cutting above the noise and immediately silencing everyone involved.

"Mistress Lanleah, we were just loading your merchandise," the guard holding Senona stammered as he came to attention.

"Really? Looked like you were damaging my goods," she purred dangerously as she walked over to the guard who began sweating profusely.

"No Mistress," he squeaked.

"Better not or you'll feel the auctioneer's whip on your back," she added silkily as she looked at Senona. She turned and looked at one of her slaves. "Put the furball in the basket and seal it tight. Then load my slave in the main passenger area along with the basket. I want them both where I can see them."

"Yes Mistress," the male slave said bowing as he grabbed a basket and gingerly taking Senona by the nap of the neck, put her in the basket and then sealed it. There were breathing holes on top and Senona's yowls and mewling cries of fear could be heard.

Lanleah sashayed over to Jym, kneeling she spread her skirts out primly and grasped his chin firmly as she forced his head up and looked into his eyes. "Hmm just as I suspected. Intelligence. That will make you dangerous or useful. Trust me when I say intelligent things die if they are not useful to me," she told him, gently slapping his cheek before standing.

Jym glared at her retreating back as the guards forced him to his feet. "It'll be alright Senona," he called, his heart breaking at the pitiful frightened sounds she was making.

At the sound of his voice, Senona's cries stopped and Jym sighed in relief. He didn't want her killed and if she kept crying he was afraid that was what would happen.

The group wound their way through the empty corridors and out to one of the loading docks. Jym looked at the large luxury vessel and knew the woman had money. He only hoped she didn't have the cruelty to match that wealth. He had in his time met too many people like that and had no desire to be stuck in such a position again. If she was that way he would find a way to escape and take Senona with him.

Jym was led into a brightly lit, extravagant bedroom with a king-sized bed and white silk sheets on it. The obvious flaunting of wealth infuriated him for it reminded him of how far he had truly fallen in society.

The silent male slaves chained his leash to a hook dangling from the ceiling. One withdrew while the other turned on water, filling a bucket with a harsh smelling soap. Walking over the slave ripped what was left of Jym's shirt off and began washing him roughly.

Jym gritted his teeth and had to bite back his snarl of rage. He was a grown man and could bathe himself but he let the slave do his job lest the slave be punished for his anger.

Next the slave cut his threadbare, ragged pants and underwear off and finished bathing him. He was towel dried and left nude as the slave quietly left the room.

He stood there for a long time before he heard the door opening and spotted his new owner walking in.

Lanleah eyed him appreciatively as she trailed her fingers over his hardened body. "I see being cooped up didn't affect your muscles." Smirking she dropped her hands between his legs and caressed his cock.

Jym sucked in a breath and felt himself getting hard. He couldn't help it. He had been a year without a beautiful woman in his bed and Lanleah was a rare beauty at that. The perfume she was wearing intoxicated and tantalized his starved senses. He could almost taste the strawberry vanilla scent she was wearing.

"So Jym, how do you like my home? I hope it's enjoyable for you will be here for a long, long time. I don't do resells on my merchandise, especially not merchandise as fine as you," she purred stroking him a little, a smile playing on her lips when she saw his reaction.

"Been a while for you, hasn't it? Don't worry. By the time I'm done you'll be begging me to stop. First things, first."

She turned and walked over to the bedside table and retrieved a silver studded color. Jerking on the leash she forced him to lower his neck. She slipped it on and fastened it. Grabbing a small remote she hit a few keys and the collar tightened, stretched and readjusted once before fitting perfectly around his neck, below his Adam's apple.

"Mine, just like the female kitten. Bet you didn't know you were holding one of the last surviving members of the Felinious Empire and a royal at that. There fur tells you which family line they belong to. Not sure if she is a princess or not but she's high up in their feeding chain." Lanleah chuckled at the shocked look on Jym's face.

"Need to get out more my pet. And I will do that for you, broaden that mind of yours but right now there are other things I wish to broaden."

Tugging the leash free she led him over to the bed. "Dim lights."

~ === ~