....I love my Mistress, I trust my Mistress, I love my Mistress....

Koneko did not want to be in the elevator, but the thought of stepping out of it terrified her. As the car descended, and she continued to repeat the mantra in her head, her fears slowly began to abate. It also helped that her Mistress was gently stroking her hands, which were still clutching her arm.

"It's going to be okay, kitten," Akemi whispered, further calming the submissive's nerves. Koneko looked at her Mistress, half her face hidden behind the mask. She could still see her lovely smile and her beautiful eyes, and that was enough to warm her heart.

By the time the elevator came to a stop, Koneko's stomach had settled and she didn't feel at all like she had the last time she had been in the elevator. When the doors opened she peered out past the others to see a dimly lit hallway, not the expansive lobby that she had seen before. Looking up at the LED display on the panel she saw that they had descended to S1, a sub-level. A man dressed in a well-tailored suit stood outside the elevator.

"If you would follow me, please," the man said as he led the way down the hallway.

Opening a pair of double doors, he ushered them into a small room and then closed the doors as soon as Koneko had pushed the crate past him.

"Your guests are in the conference room through that door," he said, pointing towards the only other door in the room. "There's three men from Security in the room. They're not wearing the Company uniforms since your event is not officially sanctioned by the Association, but I'm sure you'll recognize them. They've already been paid from the funds you gave me."

"Thank you, Edward," Akemi replied, "and of course you'll receive your percentage, as we agreed."

"I'll leave you to it then." The man exited the room by the door leading out to the hallway, and locked it on his way out.

"Okay," Akemi said as she opened the crate. "You girls get everything laid out on the table and numbered and we'll go in and lay down the ground rules. Come with me, kitty."

Koneko followed her Mistress into the adjoining room. Most of the room was filled with rows of folding chairs, although only about thirty of them were being used. As Akemi made her way to the lectern at the front of the room, Koneko scanned the faces of the people in the audience. She was a little unnerved to see that many of them were watching her. Dressed as she was, in a practically see-though dress and a collar around her neck she could only imagine what they were thinking.  Blushing, she turned away to pay attention to her Miss. She was still unsure as to what her role would be in the auction.

"Thank you all for coming tonight," Akemi began. "I think everyone here has had some past experience with this type of sale. We'll be bringing each item out one at a time for your inspection and then the bidding will begin. If no one is willing to pay the amount that has been set for an opening bid the item will be removed from the sale. I can assure you that the prices are at least half the estimated value so I think you'll find them to be reasonable."

Akemi looked out at the attendees and recognized most of them from previous auctions. That was not to say that she knew their names or for whom they were acting as purchasing agents. All of her business was conducted through a local intermediary who made the appropriate contacts with potential buyers. It was rare for a buyer to attend an auction personally for both legal and security reasons. Everyone attending knew the items up for sale had been stolen, and because of that, and the high value of the items, no one wanted it to be known who actually ended up buying them. From experience, though, Akemi knew the man sitting in the second row near the aisle with the #7 paddle was buying for someone in the United Emirates. Likewise, two women on the other side of the center aisle holding the #9 paddle were buying for a wealthy American who lived somewhere in the Detroit area. Akemi recognized the woman in the fourth row with the #2 paddle as someone who usually showed up at her Canadian auctions which might indicate her sponsor was Canadian.

Most notable were the Kruella twins, July and June, who were there to represent the infamous Slaver whose base of operations was in Denmark. It was a bold move to send his two 'enforcers' to the auction, knowing full well that everyone would know who they represented, but then, only a fool would make any sort of move against them or their boss. Likewise, Sophia Rapaldi, was there as the agent of her father, Giovanni, one of the richest men in Italy and someone rumored to have close ties to organized crime.

Koneko saw her Mistress motion for her, and she stepped up next to her.

Akemi adjusted her pet's mask slightly and said, "Go into the other room and see Shinobu. She'll give you something to bring out and display."

"Yes, Miss," Koneko whispered. 

A moment later she returned to the room holding a velvet covered tray on which lay a book. She walked to the lectern but was directed to walk down the aisle between the rows of chairs and so the attendees could see the item.

"Oliver Twist," Akemi said, looking at her notes. "First edition, first issue, 1924, with an autographed letter by the author, Charles Dickens. The bidding will open at six thousand dollars."

Walking down the aisle, Koneko lowered the tray so that those sitting in the seats could get a look at the book. It seemed that more attention was being paid to her than to the book, and she felt a twinge of arousal as she noticed the man from the UE staring at her body through the thin fabric of the dress. It made her wonder if she was a exhibitionist? Why else would she prefer to be naked at home? The few times she wore any clothing she had found them to be very uncomfortable and had shed them as soon as she was allowed to. The thought of stripping down now crossed her mind, but that was a silly idea, and, of course, her Miss had instructed her to wear the dress. She pushed the idea from her mind, but could still feel its lingering effect.

As she walked around the room, bidding on the book began. Three people towards the middle of the room seemed interested, and the bidding war that ensued pushed the bid up to $14,000 where it remained until Akemi announced it to be sold to the woman holding the #10 paddle. 

Returning to the other room, Koneko emerged with another of the antique books which sold for $9,000. In all, the books that were auctioned off brought in close to $40,000.

Next up were the paintings. It seemed that certain people were there for specific items, and three of the paintings, including Preston Dickenson's 'Flowers in a Vase' which went for $80,000, were sold to the man from the United Emirates.

He also bid on a pre-Columbian Jade God pendant, but lost it to June Kruella when the price went over $10,000. Koneko wondered if he had spent all of his money on the paintings but that didn't seem to be the case when he outbid Miss Rapaldi with a $75,000 bid for a 3-carat round cut Blue Nile diamond. The woman from Italy didn't seem too upset as she settled for a $8,000 2-carat oval cut diamond that went for far less than it was probably worth. The woman with the #2 paddle also scored some gems at what seemed to her to be bargain prices and she appeared to be very happy.

After a rather robust bidding war over the crucifix's, Akemi announced, "Our final item is a 15th Century, two-handed, Danish sword." Koneko emerged from the other room with the long sword laying across her palms. "The bidding will open at twenty thousand dollars."

July Kruella motioned for Koneko to bring it over for her inspection and when Koneko stepped next to her she felt the woman's hand on her waist. It didn't stay there long as the tall, well-toned, woman ran her hand over Koneko's rear end. She raised her marker.

A man behind July raised his paddle, and as the the price was raised again one more man entered the bidding. The bid had risen to forty thousand dollars and the first man had dropped out after the bid was raised to forty-two thousand. July raised her paddle and said, "Ninety thousand dollars, and throw in the girl." She nodded towards Koneko.

The room was quiet as everyone waited to hear Akemi's response. As for Koneko, she felt as though her knees were made of rubber. That was a lot of money! Would her Mistress actually sell her to this Amazon?

At the lectern, Akemi smiled and then shook her head. "Fifty thousand is now the price, but the girl is not included."

The Kruellas looked at each other and shrugged. July nodded and lifted her paddle. Akemi looked at the other bidder but he discreetly shook his head. He wasn't willing to bid any more against the Kruellas.  Akemi nodded and said, "Sold."

Instructions were given to the bidders who had purchased items to contact Akemi's intermediary to arrange for payment and to receive their merchandise. Three men who Akemi recognized as 'representatives' for a local millionaire remained in the room after everyone else had left. They hadn't bid on a single item during the auction.

"We were expecting a particular dagger to be included in this sale," one of the men said as they approached Akemi and Koneko.

"I'm sorry if that's the case," Akemi replied. "I can only present the items I'm given to sell." At her auctions she always presented herself as an agent of the item's owner so that she could be less flexible with pricing. Besides, she didn't want anyone to know that she was the thief responsible of stealing the artifacts.

"So you're saying you're not in possession of the dagger?" the man pressed as the Security men started to head their way. "Our benefactor is very interested in acquiring it."

"I don't know anything about it," Akemi said, buying time as she saw the three security men close in on them. "I can look into it, though, and get back to you."

The Security team finally stepped in and, after a somewhat tense moment, the men were escorted out of the room.

Once in the elevator, Shinobu dialed a number on her mobile and said, "We're coming out in just a moment." She listened for a second and then hung up. "Everything's set," she said to Akemi.

"Well this is goodbye, then." Akemi reached over to give her friend a hug. Misa stepped over to join the two. "I'll see you both in Tokyo next week. We'll go out on the town."

"It's a date," Shinobu grinned. "And bring your pet!" They all laughed while Koneko stood quietly against the wall of the elevator. She didn't want to go out on the town, and she hoped they wouldn't make her.

The elevator door opened at the parking garage level and the women pushed the crate out to where two men were waiting. Four more men, wearing Kevlar vests and brandishing assault rifles, stood looking out into the garage as the crate was loaded onto a lift gate and then pushed into an armored Brinks truck. Shinobu blew Akima a kiss as the elevator door closed and the car rose to the top level of the building. Akemi held out her arm and pulled Koneko against her.

"You've been a good girl tonight, Koneko-chan."

Koneko hugged up against her Mistress, happiness filling her at the praise.

"The apartment was spotless, the dinner was delicious, and you were a big help at the auction. I think you deserve a treat, don't you?"

A treat! Yes! But did she 'deserve' a treat? Her treat was pleasing her Mistress. Nothing made her happier. She was expected to answer, though, so she simply said, "If that would please you, Mistress."

The door opened onto their foyer, and Akemi led the way across the polished floor to the hall leading to the bedroom. As she walked she began shedding clothing and Koneko dutifully picked them up as she followed.

Laying the discarded clothing on a table in the bedroom, Koneko asked, "May I get undressed, too?" The dress she had been wearing was very light-weight, but she still felt inhibited by it.

"Yes, of course, dear," was Akemi's response.

Relieved, Koneko stepped out of the heels and then stripped off the dress and laid it on the table. Looking up, she smiled when she saw that her Mistress had reclined on the bed and was inching her way back towards the center of the king-sized mattress. Wearing only her costume mask, Akemi's eyes were locked on hers. She licked her lips and let her knees fall to the side, exposing herself to Koneko's view. No further instruction was needed, as this was a clear invitation for Koneko to claim her treat. Naked now, except for her own costume mask, she knelt down on the plush carpet and slowly approached the bed.

This was the hardest part for the slave-kitten. Every inch of her being wanted nothing more than to rush to her Mistress to savor her treat. But rushing would not please her Mistress. No, she knew her Mistress enjoyed watching Her pet control her urges; to demonstrate her submission. That control had been instilled in her through the frequent use of Mistress' little flogger. The stinging pain of that, even though it had been over a month since her last 'lesson', still resonated in Koneko's mind as she crept forward on her hands and knees. 

Approach slowly. Sneak up on your treat, pretending it's not what you are craving. This was quite often done while her Mistress 'pretended' to be occupied with something like reading a book or magazine, or talking on the phone. It was a game, but one that they both found to be very stimulating.

Koneko had been taught how to approach her treat if she expected to receive it. Her mouth watered at the sight of Mistress' bare flesh, her nether-lips held together like a rosebud in the morning. She could already envision her tongue tracing along its length, gently pressing inward to separate the petals. The slight scent of Mistress' nectar floated gently in the still air as Koneko leaned in to kiss her inner thigh. Glancing up at Akemi, Koneko stifled a moan as she saw that her Mistress was not pretending to be otherwise occupied at all. She was watching her kitten with intent. The rise and fall of her bare chest betrayed her arousal and Koneko entertained the idea that she might circumvent the foreplay this time.

It was a thought that increased her own arousal, but she easily pushed it from her mind as something she knew she didn't want. Pleasing her Mistress was the most important part of receiving her treat in the first place. She could not have one without the other.

Moving to Mistress' other thigh, Koneko's lips gently grazed the soft flesh, exhaling her warm moist breath as she edged ever closer to the vaginal vertex. Movement above caused her to glance up to see that Akemi's eye lids were now closed and her head had fallen back. A slight sheen of perspiration coated her lovely breasts as they rose and fell with her increasingly heavy breathing. A wicked thought crossed the kitten's mind; one she instantly decided to act upon. It was a gamble to toy with her Mistress and change their routine because she knew the flogger was in the nightstand drawer, but she couldn't resist.

What Akemi was expecting was a continuation of the gentle kisses, culminating with attention being given to her center of lust. Instead, Koneko's hands came up to grasp the outside of Akemi's bare legs, firmly holding them in place, while her tongue darted from her mouth to lick the tender flesh of her upper thigh. This was combined with aggressive, forceful, kisses as her mouth approached Akemi's crotch. Akemi groaned, surprised, as Koneko's lips pressed against the flesh beside her slit, and then began to lick and roughly kiss the tiny, neatly trimmed, batch of black hair just above her vagina. Koneko's attention was then directed along the opposite side of her sex, and down onto her other thigh. Akemi attempted to lift her ass off of the bed, but she was held in place by Koneko's hands.

"Oh God!" Akemi gasped. "Koneko-chan....please!!" she whimpered, her hips thrashing like Koneko had never seen. The reaction to this treatment was even better than Koneko had imagined and the pleasure her Mistress was displaying was making her feel hyper-aroused herself!

Koneko's tongue continued to lick the soft flesh of Akemi's thighs as she slowly traced a wet line upward along her leg until she was once again at her Mistress' crotch.

"Meow!" she cried, and then plunged her tongue between the dew moistened petals, soaking up the abundance of moisture that was laying underneath. 

"Hai!!" Akemi cried out, her hands coming down to grab onto Koneko's shoulders. "Stroke yourself, kitty!" she said in labored breaths.

Koneko held onto her Mistress' leg with one hand which allowed her to free her other hand and reach down to her sex. Her pussy was as hot and wet as Akemi's and her fingers slid easily inside herself. She was so aroused she feared she would climax before her Miss, so she eased off her own pleasure as she continued to focus on that of her Miss.

Mixing kisses with probes of her tongue into Akemi's hot canal, Koneko was determined to extend her Mistress' pleasure as long as possible. Akemi was not having that, though, and she brought her hand behind her pet's head and forced her forward against her sex. Koneko sought out Akemi's shrouded rose bud and diverted her attention to it causing her Mistress to cry out some string of Japanese words she didn't understand. The meaning was somewhat understood, though, as Akemi climaxed. Having achieved her goal, Koneko increased the speed of her fingers down below, and easily brought herself off in unison with her Miss.

Bringing her hand back up to Akemi's leg, Koneko held onto both legs again as she continued to savor her treat. It wasn't clear whether Akemi's original orgasm was still rocking her, or if she had been driven to a second, but Koneko's grip on her legs was the only thing keeping the gyrating woman grounded. Finally, Akemi pulled off her mask and pushed away at Koneko's forehead, "Enough!"

Licking her lips, Koneko saw that her Mistress was holding her arm out for her to come to her. Removing her own mask, Koneko snuggled into her beautiful Miss' warm embrace. The two cuddled together as the effects of their love making slowly ebbed. The only sound in the room was their combined breathing.

It was that quietness that allowed them to hear the faint 'ding' of the elevator arriving at their door.                                                         

Akemi sat upright. "Nante kotonano?!" Akemi whispered. "Someone's here. Get my robe, quickly." She motioned towards the closet and Koneko slid off the bed and padded quietly across the room. Meeting Akemi at the bedroom door, she helped her Miss slip into the short silk robe.

"Stay here, Koneko-chan," Akemi said as she slipped silently out of the room.

Her heart pumping with fear, Koneko watched from the door as her Mistress crept down the hall towards the elevator foyer.