Legal: I do not own Power Rangers or the associated names, characters, places, events etc. Anything not covered by the above rights is to be considered purely the creation of the author.
Rating: T – there will be adult themes.
Dayu was sitting in Master Xandred's chambers, playing her harmonium for him as she had now for longer than any human had a right to live. With the exception of the medicine which Octoroo made for him, it was the only thing that could control his rage. It was a deadly and endless cycle. As a result of the seal, his rage caused him intense pain, and of course, that pain just heightened his rage. It threatened to destroy him with his own power, something that was perhaps the Red Rangers' intention when he sealed Master Xandred in this accursed place, but that was not the main concern. What always troubled Master Xandred's followers was the destruction his rage caused him to visit on others. It was far from the first time that he had almost sunk his own junk in one of his fits of temper, taking everyone aboard with it.
Right now, he was sleeping. Her music had sent him into a peaceful slumber, something she was thankful for since, once again, Octoroo was nowhere to be found, and supplies of medicine were running low. As she strummed away on the instrument, it brought her back to a time long ago, back before she was brought to the Netherworld to serve her new master.
It had now been two years since she had come to the house. She now looked a lot healthier than the starved sack of skin and bone that had been sold into their service by her own father. Regular meals, combined with exercise she got from the many chores she did had shaped her into a beautiful young woman. She was dressed in fine silks to accentuate her beauty. One of her duties was to play her shamisen for her masters. One of the reasons she had been purchased was her father's promises that she would entertain them with her masterful music. It had been her only escape from the realities of her poverty in her youth. Now though, it was something of a curse.
On this occasion, she was playing for them as they ate, something she did every night to entertain them during meal times. She was allowed to eat once they left the table, but until then, she was there to entertain them.
The brothers sat around the table, Yarrick at his father's right hand as they ate. They all talked and laughed as they spoke about their exploits of the day. The progress in their training, what they did in town, they spoke of everything they could think of that would impress their father and curry his favour. While Yarrick was the eldest, and therefore the heir to the family name and estate, they all knew that the remainder of their father's fortune would be distributed among them based upon his favour. Of all the brothers, only one did not clamour for his father's attentions.
Dekker sat, eating silently at the end of the table. He fumbled a little with his chopsticks, his numerous injuries making handling them difficult. He rarely spoke, much like her; he was discouraged from engaging in conversation, since his family had little interest in what he had to say. From what she had learned in the time she had been here, she knew that he had always been mistreated by his father and the others. Another of her duties was to clean and tend to the injuries they suffered in training, meaning that she saw Dekker regularly. His brothers would often beat him far more viciously than was necessary, and she had helped repair his body many times. He never complained though. He was used to the pain by now.
Dayu could identify with him, and she knew somewhat about his lot in life. She knew better than to let on the fact that she knew, but she had heard the servants talking, and knew the scandal of the family secret. Dekker was not a legitimate son; he was the result of a drunken fumble his father had with one of the serving maids that was no longer among them. It was something that was never allowed to leave the house, but Dekker was reminded often, and painfully that he was his family's shameful secret, and that he would never be accepted among his brothers. Seeing her looking his way, he forced a little smile to indicate that he was alright, before continuing with his meal wordlessly.
She had also known some of the cruelty within this family. Most of her first year in the house had been spent learning her place, a lesson that Dekker's father found most effectively taught by the whipping cane. She had since come to accept her lot in life, and while she had dreamed on occasion of leaving this place, the one time she had tried, she had just been caught and brought back. Now, her only release from the misery of her life was the times that she spent with Dekker, tending to his wounds. Of all the brothers, he was the only one that treated her with any kind of dignity, grateful for her care.
She felt Yarrick's hand on her thigh, stroking it under the table as she played. She no longer reacted to such touches, but she still hated it. Since she had started to grow into womanhood, her beauty also carried with it, something of a curse. When she learned her place, one of the things that they made perfectly clear was that she was expected to do anything that was asked of her without question. Of course, as she grew into the beautiful woman she was now, the brothers' desires also grew, and she was expected to satisfy them if that was what they wanted. She looked over to Dekker, and felt her heart breaking again as he turned his attention from her back to his dinner. Of all the brothers, he was the only one that treated her with dignity. He was the only one that never ordered her into his bed chamber.
In the present day, in England, Serena was sitting by a computer, her bags packed ready to go. Kat and Keith had been happy for her to stay for longer, but after a day of rest, Serena had decided that she wanted to be on her way. Until Mentor Ji and Hayley came up with a new lead on Kasamune, there really was no need for her to be away from home. Kat came up behind her, placing a Tupperware dish next to her.
"I packed a couple of snacks for your journey." She told her. "It's nothing special, just a couple of sandwiches and such. Just remember you'll have to get rid of them before you hit US customs."
"Thanks." Serena replied. Kat couldn't help taking a little look at what she was doing, and smiled to see she was on a greetings card web site.
"I just wanted to send Emily something for graduation." Serena told her. "I know it's not much, but I found a teddy bear I know she'll like, and I made a card."
"I'm sure she'll love it." Kat replied. "You really miss her don't you?"
"Yeah, I really do." Serena said with a smile. "I know she calls me now, but I just wish we could see each other more often."
"Your plane ticket takes you back to your home state doesn't it?" Kat asked her.
"Yeah?" Serena asked her. Kat just put a hand on her shoulder.
"Well your parents aren't expecting you back at the farm are they?" Kat asked. "There really is no reason you couldn't take the scenic route back from the airport. You know, go and see her for a little bit."
Serena just smiled as she heard Kat say this. She had a point. While the farm was quite a distance from the city, it wasn't so far that she couldn't drop by the Shiba House to visit for a day or so before going home.
"I'm not sure Mentor Ji would like that." Serena answered.
"You've been across half the world, and been attacked by a ghost, a Nighlock, and a bunch of rich sickos with shotguns for him." Kat reminded her. "The way I see it, I think he kind of owes you."
"I suppose if I stop by unannounced it's not like he can complain." Serena said with a little shrug. "Thanks Kat."
"Any time." She replied, hugging her new friend. "Just remember, if you're ever in England..."
"I'll look you up." Serena assured her. Just then, Keith showed up and picked up Serena's bag.
"Alright, the plane won't wait forever." He reminded her. "Are you ready?"
"I'm ready." Serena replied, picking up the Tupperware dish and following him to the door. As she left, Kat just shook her head and laughed.
"At times like this, I wish Rangers could still teleport." She commented. "Sixteen hours on a plane? I don't envy her."
Back on Master Xandred's junk, Dayu stopped playing as she checked on the Lord of the Nighlocks. He was now soundly asleep, and by the looks of things, he would be for some time. She just put her harmonium aside, and headed for her own chambers to be alone with her thoughts. For once, there were no Nighlocks walking in to speak with Master Xandred and be a part of his next invasion. Octoroo was nowhere to be seen, and the moogers never concerned her anyway.
As she got into her chambers, she sat on her bed, allowing her thoughts to take over. She knew that once Master Xandred was awake, eventually the subject of her failure to eliminate Dekker would come around again, and she would be sent after him once more. She had no desire to go after him, not when she knew the truth.
In the distant past, Dayu was sent to Dekker's chambers, finding him sitting on the bed, stripped to the waist. His torso was covered in dark, nasty looking bruises. That wasn't the one that concerned her though. He was holding a rag to the left side of his face, which was covered in blood. She sighed as she approached him, taking a seat next to him on the bed.
"Let me see." She beckoned him. Dekker removed the rag, showing her a long, deep cut down the side of his face. It pained her to see this, to see his face, the one that had been the closest thing to a friend she had in this place being tarnished by this slight. She took a bowl of water and a cloth and started to clean it up to get a better look.
Dekker never flinched as she worked, he never did. Pain was a constant companion for him. The discomfort of her treatment was far from the worst thing he had felt. She finally got a good look at it.
"It does not appear to be deep." She told him, looking out a needle and some thread. She pulled a candle over and held the needle over it to sterilize it. "It will still need to be closed though."
Dekker didn't say a word though, instead just waiting for her to begin. She took a deep breath as she held the needle, steeling herself to plunge it into his flesh. She finally managed to do it; she was the only one that was uncomfortable.
"I'll try to keep the stitches small." She whispered to him. "If I do it right, it will not leave a scar."
"Why would that concern me?" He asked her curtly.
"Your face holds a certain appeal." She said, before realising what she had blurted out. Realising what she had said, she almost fumbled the needle. She took a breath before continuing. "I'm sure your future bride will appreciate the effort."
"What future bride?" He asked in a little snort. "The only appeal such a thing has to me is the opportunity to leave this place."
"You desire to leave?" Dayu asked him. In some ways it was no surprise that his thoughts had turned to such things. Given his treatment, it was perhaps only a surprise that he had not even attempted to leave before now. "Would you?"
"Where would I go?" Dekker asked her. "If I flee, I will never attain honour in the eyes of my family."
She hated to hear him speak this way. It pained her every time she heard him speak this way. In the few times they had spoken, Dekker had told her of his desire to prove himself to his family. It was an impossible task. No matter how hard he trained, they always ended up showing him his place, and reminding him of his low birth. He had always hoped that some day he would accomplish something, some feat of arms that would make it impossible for them to ignore him any further. Unfortunately, there had been no call for warriors as of late. He was trapped training for a war that may never come. With no war, he would never have his moment of glory.
"Surely it is only your own honour that matters." She suggested. "Perhaps if you left, you could have a better life."
"A better life?" He asked her, sounding a little taken aback. "I have no means. No money of my own. What sort of life would you have me have?"
"Others seem to manage." She told him. "They find work..."
"They till fields and clean horse droppings." He scoffed. "What sort of life is that?"
"It depends on who you make your life with." She answered as she finished stitching his wound and cut off the excess thread. She came round in front of Dekker as she got some ointment and started to rub it into his bruises. She caressed his toned, hard body with her hands, her heart jumping in her chest. She looked into his eyes as she worked on his wounds. "Perhaps you will find a bride who will make you happy."
He looked to her, and realised by the look in her eyes where her thoughts were going. He had to admit finding her beautiful, and in their time together, he found that he was drawn to her. As she rubbed the ointment into him, soothing his bruises, she took another deep breath.
"Perhaps there is someone here." She suggested. "Maybe you could leave together."
"Do not think I don't know how you serve my brothers." He stated flatly. "I have seen you in their bedchambers many times. I believe I saw you leaving Yarrick's chambers only this morning."
She looked away, feeling ashamed by what he had said to her. It was true that she serviced his brothers that way.
"That is not by choice." She assured him. "The first time I was asked, I refused. I was whipped and tied outside overnight. I have no desire for your brothers."
"But you do for me?" He asked her. Dayu just drew in closer, pressing her lips to his in a long, passionate kiss. As they parted, he could see tears in her eyes.
"It is only you I desire." She told him. "The only one who will not have me."
"How am I meant to believe you when you continue to lay for my brothers?" He asked her. She just wept a little louder as she heard him ask this.
"If you doubt the words of my lips, you can believe the tears in my eyes!" She begged him. "Please, you must believe me."
Dekker finally relented, and cupped her cheek with his hand. He drew in, kissing her softly. It made her heart soar to feel him return her gesture of love. She knew she would never be free of this life by herself. There was nowhere in the world for a woman with no means and no family to back her, or at least nowhere she wanted to go. At least here, she knew what was expected of her. However, now with Dekker by her side, it was looking a lot more bearable.
Over at the airport, Keith placed Serena's bag on the carousel as she got back to him with the ticket from the desk.
"My flight's boarding in an hour." She told him. "This is the worst part about airports, all the waiting around."
"Yeah, that sucks alright." Keith agreed. "Still, I got you a little something that should help pass the time."
Serena just laughed as he handed her a comic annual.
"Oor Wullie?" She asked him, inspecting it. "What's that?"
"It's a Scottish comic strip." He told her. "I've read it for years. I think you'll like it."
"I'll check it out later." She told him. "Thanks for the ride."
"Take care." He said, hugging her, before she turned to head through the security gate. She didn't notice a little distance away, Kenzo was watching her. He checked the board, finding the flight she was taking and smiled.
"Well I know where you'll be for the next sixteen hours." He commented as he walked away. "Air travel can be so...hazardous."
Dayu lay in her chambers, a little way from sleeping as she cast her mind back to another time, back to the time before Dekker had forgotten her.
They lay in his bed, swathed in blankets. On this night, she had not been requested by any of his brothers, and was free to sleep in her own room. She had gone to Dekker earlier in the night. Over the last few months, they had fallen deeply in love with each other. On this occasion, she had stayed. He had never ordered her, for the first time she chose to go to a man's bed. She felt his arms around her and smiled as she imagined a life where they could be like this every day.
"We can leave this place." She told him. "We do not need to endure this. I cannot bear to see you hurt, my heart breaks any time I see your brothers treat you this way."
"As mine does when they treat you as they do." Dekker admitted. "However, we cannot. We still have no means to support ourselves."
"But, we can find somewhere and..."
"We can live a life of poverty and die in the gutter." He told her. "If I can earn my father's approval..."
"You will never earn your father's approval, can't you see that?" She asked him. "He treats you like an animal. All your brothers do! If we leave, we can live as humans!"
"We can live as beggars!" He stated, stroking her face tenderly. "Belay such thoughts for now. Perhaps one day we will leave this place, but for now, we must secure the means to do so."
He smiled at her as he gestured to his sword in the corner.
"My father has already given me a true blade." He told her. "There is talk of a force marching to the east. If I am part of that force, then perhaps I can make my name in battle."
"And if your father does not send you?" She asked him. Dekker's jaw just clenched as he heard her say this. He didn't want to think of this eventuality. He needed an opportunity, any opportunity to earn his honour. "Even if you do go, do you think that will impress your father?"
Just then, Yarrick came into the room. He saw Dayu and Dekker sitting on the bed together and smirked at the image. He knew that Dekker never asked her to lay with him, a fact he had teased him about many times.
"Well, it looks like the little bastard has finally grown up." He taunted Dekker, before looking to Dayu. "If you're quite finished, we would like to teach our brother some more."
Yarrick came closer, stroking her hair. She did not flinch at his touch, knowing he would take that as a reason to have her whipped, but she looked apologetically to Dekker. As much as they felt for each other, she was still a servant. She had no rights. "He will need it if he is to march east."
"He will be with you presently." She told him. Hearing this, Yarrick just shrugged and left the room. Dekker turned her to face him and smiled to her.
"You hear that?" He asked her. "I will have my opportunity."
"It is a fools' errand." She said regretfully. "Your father has made his opinion very clear. I doubt he would care if you defeated The Cursed Warrior himself."
"I tire of this conversation." He told her, pulling on his jacket and tying it closed. He picked up a bokken and kissed her cheek softly. "We can only play the cards we are dealt in this life."
With that, he left the room, closing the door behind him, leaving her alone once more.