Snowie awoke abruptly from his dream. As he looked around at the cell that still held him he pondered to himself if that was a dream, or his mind just tormenting him to things he now believed he would never see again. The water still dripped in the corner and the screams still pierced the air. The pungent smell from the water outside continued to fill the room leaving his nose with no escape. The young leopard sighed and admitted to himself that if he wanted his mother to survive, he would have to submit to the kings' demands. 

Sitting up from the pile of damp straw he shuffled over to the bucket again, just to huff in disappointment. He couldn't' imagine having to use something as crude as this. They couldn't give him a bed pan, or at least something to clean himself afterwards? Or even a clean bucket? The feline's questions were cut quick as the cramping in his bowls intensified. 

A grimace of disgust crossed the young snow leopard's face as he realized in order for the pain to subside he would have to use the bucket. The bucket, he realized, that would only make the stench worse in his dimly lit hell. He slowly squatted over the bucket, moving his long tail out of the way. A tear fell from the feline's eye as he started to relieve himself. A voice softly spoke out from the dark corner of the room. 

"It get's easier when you just give up" the soft voice spoke. "It wasn't my intention to watch, but there is only one bucket."

The snow leopard froze, now not knowing he was alone. He shuddered at the thought that someone else was watching as his clothes were torn from him and then burned. How could he have not seen that the cell was not empty. Was the person invisible? Magic? Maybe he snuck in while the leopard was asleep?

"I can see you, but you can't see me I'm guessing" the soft voice spoke again. "It's the torch outside. It sheds light on only one half of the room. I think it's to drive us crazy."

"I'm kind of busy, can you at least stop talking? Oh, and stop staring at me!" The leopard snapped. He huffed as another cramp hit him. He barred down as he emptied himself, hanging his head in shame and embarrassment. His shame was only deepened by the sound of metal jingling and footfalls in time with each other. Someone else might see him exposed like this. The now too familiar cougar stood at the door. 

I can see you survived your first two nights. If  you are ready, I can take you to the slave's chambers, you can get cleaned up, and you can start your new life serving the royal court. Or, you can stay here, continue to wallow in your own filth, and put your dear mother in danger." The cougar huffed as he turned, "It's your choice child, and no skin off my back to let the Sherriff know to take care of your mother." He looked back at the cub in the cell, piercing into his eyes, "She won't have as nice of a cell as you do, it might be a bit smaller." The guard starts to laugh. "Who am I kidding? Knowing this law system, for your disobedience, she may only have to spend the night in it, as they prep the gallows." 

The young feline lunges at the cell bars, only to be choked and thrown to the floor by his collar that still is fastened to the wall. "Don't you dare lay a hand on my mother" Snowie gasps, as he tries to stand up. I am going to"

"Going to what?" the cougar snaps, glaring at the spotted feline in the cage. "It's a simple choice. Accept slavery and work off your mother's debt, or force her fate of imprisonment or death. This is the final time we are giving you this choice. Step back to the wall if you want her to live. Otherwise, I have a lunch date with the Sherriff. 

"Stop!" Snowie exclaimed, slumping his shoulders down in submission. "What do I have to do?"

"First you need to learn how to listen. I told you to stand next to that wall if you are ready to submit."

"But what do I have to do as a slave? Who am I a slave to?"

"One." the cougar shouted.

The snow leopard stomped his foot and shouted back. "What do I have to do?"

"Two." the cougar said firmly, not acknowledging the young feline's requests. "If I get to five, I'm leaving."

"But what am I agreeing to?" the snow leopard asked unrelentingly

"Three." The cougar said impatiently. "I'm not sure if I want stew, or a nice meat pie. I know the Sherriff will want some drinks though, so it better go good with ale."

"What do I have to do for you? Stop counting and just answer me."

"Four." The cougar put's his keys away and turns from the cell. 

"Just do what he says. They had the body rotting for a week last time in here that someone didn't go with them" the mysterious voice inputs from the dark corner of the room. 

The snow leopard takes a step back as a tear falls down his already damp cheek. His mind races with what he will be forced to do, but he would go to any lengths to save his mother. As he takes another step back he hears the cougar speak up.

"Does this mean you are done having your tantrum? Are we getting ready to go, or should I just end this now?" The guard put his hand on the sheathed dagger, just like he did when the snow leopard first entered the cell. You don't have any clothes to cut off, so other parts will have to suffice. I don't have all day, so unless you are playing games, I want to see you paws against that wall now." The cougar points to the wall just above the bucket.

Snowie shudders, knowing he has to stand over the source of the burning stench of the room. The bucket of his shame and embarrassment. He looked over at the dark corner of the room where the stranger was, praying that the source of the strange voice couldn't see the tears staining the young feline's face. He put his hands on the wall, and his feet spread on ether side of the bucket. "Now what? Will you answer my questions?"

The cougar slowly unlocked the door, "You will do what your master says. That's what you will be expected to do." The cougar continues as he enters the cell "I am not your master, nor can I know what they will expect of you. I just hope, for your own safety and that of your mother's that you don't decide to change your mind. She is a very pretty feline after all."

"Don't talk about my mother that" Snowie tries to threaten but interrupted by being struck in the back of his knees, bringing him down to the ground, face only inches away from the putrid stench. He could feel a foot firmly on the back of his head. 

"I don't know about you, but I would love to shut you up real quick. Keep running that mouth, and it can be full easily. Or we can head upstairs now to the slave quarters, and get you cleaned up. Now put your hands behind your back."

Snowie does what he is told, knowing that without a way to wash, this might be the last thing he ever smells. As his tail tucks between his legs he can feel two cold heavy shackles being put around his wrists. The new added weight brings his arms down, only to have the chain connecting them fall across his back. 

The cougar releases his foot from the snow leopard's head. "It's tempting to just take advantage of this situation, but you need a wash, and I have some standards." A cough comes from the darkened corner, before the snow leopard is lifted up upon his feet. As the chain hits the wall, the snow leopard turns to look at it. He is met with a bite on his ear, followed by a whisper "Hopefully we can find a good use for you." The cougar pauses, before pushing Snowie towards the cell door. "Your stench is getting to me already, start walking." The guard ordered as he pointed to the darkened corner of the cell. "And you... Clean that shit up."

"What shit Sir?" the voice quivered.

The guard kicks the pail into the corner. The pail crashes as it hits the wall, and rolls back into the light, now empty. "That shit. Now move cat." The cougar takes a leather lead from his pouch and attaches it to the iron band around the leopard's neck. Follow me, and hurry up."

Snowie was lead down the hall along cells that were like his. He could hear the screaming of young men, pleading for the parents and shouts of vulgarity towards the guard. The young leopard only hung his head in shame as he padded softly in the nude on display for the other captives. A cheetah, about his age, whistled and made thrusting motions with his hips as a white fox, covered in what the leopard would assume was mud bent over in his direction and raised his tail. Snowie shook his head in disgust at the presentation and finally spoke to his captor. "Could I at least get something to wear?" He tried to cover himself, but the restraints on his wrists prevented him from any such action. The white fur on his face showed almost pink from the blushing. He felt more exposed then he had before.

"If you cover yourself up now, you will only spread your stench elsewhere. You are covered in the filth of this dungeon, and I don't think their highnesses will approve of such filth in the upper levels. After you bathe, they will dress you appropriately. I'm not sure how much they will let you wear, with" the cougar pauses and looks at the feline's thin frame "well, your figure." 

"As long as I'm not on parade for everyone to see my parts. I don't like this" the young boy stated as he started walking, trying to hurry his humiliating show. "Are we almost there?" the snow leopard asked as he looked at a set of stairs at the end of the corridor. "I don't like these other boys advances."

"Modesty isn't going to get you anything here. His Highness Rajhal enjoys the male body to look one's worthiness as a solder. His Highness Hotaru enjoys the variation in the male form from an artistic sense. You may not have the chance to hide much, since your spots cover most of your body. They both enjoy the unique, and by far, snow leopards are a few and far between in this castle."

"But I get cold easily." the boy huffs, as he starts to feel the draft coming down the stairs. The air smelled different than the stagnant odors that filled the dungeon. It was like a relief that his nose cherished more than it did before. Almost that of meat charring, or vegetables. All he could figure out is that it was food that was calling him. He had not eaten in two days, and the odors quickly became more torturous than the stench of excrement in the dungeon.  The pain in his stomach started to increase, soon becoming more intense than the cramps he had before. He soon grabbed the cougar's tail that was just in reach. 

The guard turned, drawing his knife and put it to the child's throat. "You never touch me, a guard, or anyone for that matter. Do you understand you disgusting little slave?" The younger feline started to sob again, his breath becoming short and labored. "What is wrong with you? You seem to have bravery, until you are called upon to answer for it."

"I'm, I'm" the snow leopard stutters. "I am just hungry Sir."

"Sir?" the cougar asks back. "You just called me sir." The guard turns and starts up the stairs. "There might be some hope for you yet. They will get you some soaked bread while they are cleaning you. You may want to cover your eyes when we get to the top."

The two stood before the solid locked doors at the top of the stairs. A sliver of light pierced into the darkness around the edge. The guard turned towards the snow leopard, bringing a rag to the leopard's eyes. "If you don't want to be blinded, let me cover your eyes. We need to travel through the lower yard to get to the slave's quarters. The change in light can hurt you eyes, and we need you to see tonight."

A exaggerated sigh escapes the leopards mouth. "I know it's really because you don't want me to know where I was. You just don't want me being able to help the others out."

"The others will just try to have their way with you." the older guard stated as he tied the blindfold behind the feline's head. I'm doing this for your safety. If you want to be blind and sick, go ahead. That won't help your situation."

The young leopard could hear the door creak open as the smells of food intensified. There were strong tones of burning wood, shouting, clashing of metal. He cowered down from the overload, the plethora of inputs in stark contrast from the dingy cell he only recently inhabited. He could feel his neck being tugged on by the leash. As the environment overwhelmed him he could hear a voice speak. "You may want to move quickly with me." the cougar said while tugging on the leash. Suddenly the couple stopped.

"And just where do you think you are bringing that tasty little treat?" A gruff voice said. The snow leopard could feel something cold lifting his tail. "Is he the new toy for the third regiment? We wore out our last one. Poor thing couldn't handle our mounts after we were done." The younger feline hissed as a hand grasped his buttocks, fingers spreading his cheeks apart. "A bit messy, but looks like it's never been truly used. The captain is going to have a blast in this one." He heard a slap, the cold being removed from under his tail, letting it tuck back between his legs."

"You know Jasper that only the Kings themselves get to make that decision. He has not even been to the quarters yet and you are already trying to get a piece. I don't think they will be very happy to find out that you were trying to take food from their plate. Do you?" The cougar sighed as Jasper grunted. "Kid, we need to move you now. That was one of the more gentle ones, the others will just take what they want."

"Will I be used as" Snowie shuddered as he held back a dry heave. Moving in the direction he was led, he blindly stumbled across the yard. He felt a arm push against his back. He let out a shriek at the possible violator. "I don't want to be your mount's breeding stock!" 

"Relax kid, we got ya." A soothing voice said as the blindfold was removed. The snow leopard found himself standing in a tent with a lion in front of him. He pondered to himself looking at the slender frame covered in a light golden fur what the lion wanted. Or was it a lioness? Snowie looked at where the mane should be and only found short golden fur. "I am here to wash you up. You smell, well, kinda ripe. I don't mind at all, but I think it's getting you some unwanted attention. Those brutes outside can be kinda grabby"

"Yeah, tell me about it." the snow leopard replied. He looked around as his eyes adjusted to the brighter lights. He found himself in a tent, covered by tan canvas. A gentle breeze circulated the air around him, bringing his own scent to his nose. "Please, can you help me out? I really don't want them chasing me like flies." He ears laid back on his head as he sheepishly asked. "What is your name Sir?"

"My name is Jessie." the lion replied, and stated. "Don't call me Sir, just call me Jessie. Sir is too formal for me. I'm a servant to the Kings, and a nurse to the slaves. I would rather you see me as someone you can talk to."

"But are you a Mr. Jessie, or a Mrs. Jessie" the snow leopard prodded as Jessie moved behind the snow leopard and unlocked the cuffs. He couldn't stand this ambiguity.

"Just Jessie. I don't do labels. Should it really matter sweetie?" Jessie said as he ruffles the hair on Snowie's head "It's not like you are going to be doing anything with me that matters. I know you are a boy though. It would be obvious to anyone with two eyes. Or even one eye with what you seem to be blessed with."

Snowie quickly covered himself with his paws, blushing deeply. "Can I have some clothes yet?" he asked sheepishly. 

"I need to make sure you are washed and groomed first. We can't have you tracking the grime and just" Jessie pauses while making a gagging motion with their finger. "Just you come over here and get you in this bath. Snowie was gestured over to a partition in the tent in the back. The smell of burning wood grew stronger the closer he got to the partition. A wide barrel sat on ground next to a stove. on the stove there was a large kettle, with a spout and a lever. He followed the spout to the barrel, and what must be for water. "I never know with you young boys if you can get yourself clean enough. Plus, the boss man says I gotta do my best to pretty you boys up in every way. You can have your modesty soon, but I just pretend I'm your momma for a few. I may have to touch you in some places you won't be too happy about. We just gotta do this, and it can be all over soon." 

The snow leopard started sobbing again, sitting down on the ground while refusing to move. "I want to see my mom!" Snowie shouted through his tears.

The lion quickly put her hand over the youth's mouth. "Shhhh, I know it hurts right now, but you need to get used to your new life. I'm sorry I brought up your mother, but I'm under the understanding that if you don't cooperate you will but both of you in jeopardy. I need you to relax so we can get you washed up. Sometime you can come and see me sweetie, and we can talk. Right now though, we have a task to complete. How bout you go over to that bath there, and we can get you prettied right up." The leopard reluctantly syombht over to the tub looking into it. The lion hefts up the young boy into the tub with a swift motion, surprising the leopard with her hidden strength.

"I can wash myself, you don't have to watch" the leopard protests as warm water starts pouring over his head. "Why don't you just let me." he starts, but quickly changes to a soft purr, a noise he has not let out in what seems to be ages. The lion starts to massage the soap into the leopard's fur starting at his head working down. "How did you learn to?" again being interrupted by gasp as the lion put her paws on Snowie's shoulders and started working the tension out from the long nights on the straw piles.

"I know what I'm doing because you aren't the first cat I've bathed. I know what us kitties like. Stand up for me, I need to get your chest and back now." She started working more of the soap into Snowie's back, interchanging the suds for the occasional flow of water. The snow leopard's claws dug into the rim of the tub as claws started separating the fur on his back, exfoliating him for the first time. His tail was grasped as it started to raise, being lathered in sections from it's tip slowly to it's base. "You may not be too happy about this next part, but it will feel better later. I promise sweetie." 

The leopard let out a growl as the paw not holding his tail slipped between his legs. Slowly it snaked between his cheeks and rubbed against his tight hole. He knew it had to be cleaned from the bucket incident earlier, but someone else touching there felt alien to him. Something started poking his hole, slowly sliding in with the slippery soap coating. "STOP!" he exclaimed as he moved away. "Don't touch me there, I'm not gay."

"Honey, I didn't say anything about you being gay. You just gotta be fully clean." The lion said as she removed her digit from the boy's rump. Looking at the young feline she made a motion for him to face her. "I told you that ya wouldn't like that, but maybe this might be a bit more soothing, yet equally as awkward." She placed her paw again between his legs and moved her lathered paw forward, caressing his balls. She grinned as he let out a small moan, blushing yet again while coving his sheath. 

"You sure you need to wash me there?" Snowie said sheepishly. "I think they are clean enough at this point." 

"You may be right, but I need you to move your paws now." the lion said, while lathering her paws again with the soap. "I promise I won't hurt you, but as I said, this may feel a bit awkward." As Snowie closed his eyes as he moved his paws away from his groin. He felt the light grasp around his sheath as it was pulled back, and a finger swishing around his tip as it started to poke out. "It's okay to get excited, no one enters here unless I let them." 

The snow leopard let out a sigh as he gave in to the stimulation of his tip. The gentle grasp was much softer than he had ever used. He finally opened his eyes to look down at himself, and noticed that he had became quite erect. The smell from not having had bathed made his head swim. He was used to smelling this from other adults, but not from himself. Snowie's head started to swim, not knowing how he felt about this new sensation as the lathered paw started to work up and down his shaft. He left out a soft moan before covering his mouth. 

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to..." the leopard tried to excuse himself. 

"It's okay, I'm used to you boys getting a bit of enjoyment. Just relax and live in this moment."