The cart bumped and creaked sluggishly along the crude road. For anyone else this would have been bothersome but Soma was grateful. The jostling and jumbling of the vehicle were all that was keeping her awake. 'So tired.' She shook her head aggressively. 'Only terrible things happen when I sleep.' Upturning her palms she looked down at her hands. Her wrists were shackled and raw, her fingers dirty and sore, she balled them up into fists. 'I let myself get captured for a reason! I'm a monster, a menace.' She let out a heavy yawn. Even monsters needed rest. Again she shook her head, this time more aggressively than the last. 'I can't fall asleep, she'll awaken! She'll kill and destroy and I'm in no shape to defeat her. I have to keep her dormant for as long as possible!' She squeezed her eyes shut, wetness creeping out at the seems. As glad as she was that the uneven earth kept the cart stirring, keeping her from dozing off her body was less appreciative. Every muscle ached, her head throbbed uncontrollably, she was starving for rest. She could feel the other presence pressing against the threshold, pushing to get through, to snatch control of her fatigued body. Her eyelids felt like led, it was taking immense concentration to begin to wedge them open. That struggle changed in an instant when a voice shot through the silence. She looked left to right, straining her stiff neck at each turn, she looked over her fellow prisoners, but they were lost in the luxury of sleep. 'From outside? Whose awake at this hour?' Her ears perked up.
"Maybe some rice? Or fish? Oh I could go for anything now, I'm starving!" Soma could feel the cart come to a halt, she bit her lip moving quietly against a wall peaking through a crack in the wooden frame.
"No! Now stop pulling at my horse you crazy girl!" That voice was familiar to Soma, it was the headhunter Roshan, the man at the helm of the cart. Soma could barely make out the image of a young girl being tossed to the ground. Soma leaned harder against the splintering boards.
"Miaka!" A handful of concerned voices shouted and a few men came in to Soma's field of vision kneeling over by the fallen girl's side.
'She has someone to protect her. That's good. Roshan probably would have nabbed her up if she was out here on her own.' Soma watched on in silence.
"You don't have to be rude about it!" They girl they called Miaka stood up angrily and dusted herself off.
"Loud." Soma grumbled, cleaning some wax out of her ear. She then let out a gasp retreating a few steps when she realized she had been spotted. 'Oh no! Please don't come over here, please leave me be! I don't want any trouble.' She closed her eyes, held her breath hoping it would make her invisible. Her hopes were not met.
"Hey! Are there people in there?!" Miaka trotted over to the body of the wagon, pressing her face up against the same point Soma had been resting. Soma was frozen in place, one eye still clenched shut, the other locked with the girl's bug eyed gaze. "Hey!" There was a long pause as if Miaka was trying to figure out what to say next. "Do you have any food in there?" Miaka exclaimed hopefully. Soma let out a relieved sigh.
'Just hungry, not nosey. Don't have any food to give her though.' Soma could feel her own stomach gurgle at the thought of a meal. She had no food, no water, not a single possession to her name. "No." Soma coughed out, her voice was dry and underused.
"Hey Miaka? Whataya doin? We can't stand out here all night!" One of the nameless voices spoke. His slang accent made Soma smile. Miaka turned to Tasuki then back at Soma, on this second glance Miaka finally saw the cuffs Soma wore and the heavy metal collar around her neck, Miaka gave a horrified gasp.
"You should." Soma had to take a minute to moisten her mouth, it really had been a long time since she had spoken. "You should listen to your friend and get going. No food here." For some reason it pained Soma to shoo the poor girl away. 'Stop being so selfish.' She had to quell her hunger for human interaction.
"Are you a. . . . if you don't mind me asking." Miaka ignored both Soma and Tasuki. "Are you a prisoner or a slave? Why are you all chained up like this?" Miaka felt bad for the woman, she had the misconception that the world was and should be happy and joyous for everyone, she really didn't understand the harshness of reality. There was a long silence before Soma responded.
"A bit of both I suppose." She gave s slight laugh, smiling at the girl who had taken an interest in her. "But don't worry." Soma didn't want Miaka's pity. 'A burden is a still a burden no matter how many shoulders you lay it on.' "I'm used to it." She still had a smile on her face as gave a shrug, metal clanking with her movements. Soma traded her smile for a contorted look of question as Miaka walked off in a huff.
"I can forgive you for not sharing your food. Though I am still hungry though." Miaka glanced down at her stomach, she had nearly a one track mind. "But I demand you let her go!" Miaka felt a goodness in the mystery woman as she had with all the Suzaku warriors she had found. 'Maybe she's just dressed like a woman. You can never tell with these people!' An eyebrow twitched as she glanced back at Nuriko.
"What? Who? Soma I'm sure. That girl never sleeps." Roshan had an immense distaste for Soma. "Always trouble." He spoke loud enough for her to hear. He hadn't broken her spirit, she was hard headed, tricky, and had escaped him for days at a time on several occasions. Each time she would return, as quiet and as stoic as before, seemingly un-phased by the punishment she would endure for escaping in the first place.
"Hotohori please help me! She's not a bad person. I know, I can tell!" Miaka was shouting.
"No!" Soma with her vocal cords finally loosened up boomed, making herself known to all. "I am not a good person, not even a decent person! Trust me, I've known myself my whole life and I'm downright awful I swear!" Soma scrambled for words.
"Hey! Here Miaka is, tryin to help you out. You could try and show some appreciation." The voice that had made her smile before addressed her directly.
"I . . . I do appreciate it . . . trust me I do! But she is . . . . she doesn't understand, I'm not safe to be around." Soma's head hung low.
"What are you? A murderer or somthin? What's your deal?" Tasuki was now the one pressed against the cart in curiosity, he took several large blinks to get adjusted to the dark. He studied her features intently. 'Not exactly terrifying.' He strained his eyes further. In front of him was a lanky girl, unhealthily pale, dark sleepless circles under her sunken emerald eyes and long matted green hair framing her face. 'She's a mess.' As his stare lingered he saw something beneath her disheveled appearance, maybe it was the goodness Miaka had seen that shone through or something else entirely. Whatever it happened to be cause Tasuki to smile at her, without another word he too stormed off. "Tell me. Why do you keep them like that? Even criminals don't deserve to be treated like livestock! Explain yourself!"
"What's happening?" Another prisoner elbowed Soma in the rib, slowly but surely the wagon was coming alive. Soma didn't answer, lost in thought a mortified look on her face.
'Why are they doing this? They need to stop they need to leave!' The glimpse of that man's face, the bit she could see it was stuck in her head. 'I'll just end up hurting them.' She couldn't understand what was going on. Panic for the well being of others sloshed around Soma's mind along side another feeling. 'It's only natural' She reassured herself. 'To feel lust and captivation, just so long as nothing comes of it'
His brilliant orange hair and fang toothed smile were vivid in her mind. 'It's only natural.' She repeated to herself. 'And nothing will come of it.' And she neatly folded away the unwarranted feelings for the ruby eyed stranger.
"Well? Are you gonna say somethin or do I have to beat it out of you?" Tasuki was quick to let anger take hold of him, his only goal was to inflict harm on this man, to get that girl out and to find out how something so fragile could proclaim herself as so dangerous. 'Then we can get goin. We can't take her with us. I hate girls and the last thing we need is one more taggin along.' It was unknown to him why he cared at all, why he wanted to know anything about this prisoner or slave or whatever she was but he was in too deep now, he had set his eyes on freeing her and nothing would stop him from that.
"Tasuki don't do anything rash" Hotohori did not want to lose one of the Suzaku warriors over something as trivial as this. 'Though I love Miaka sometimes I wish she didn't poke her nose in business that is not her own.' But he shook his head. 'No it's one of the things that make her who she is, who I love. She has such a large heart and cares so much for others no matter how inconsequential they are' He smiled as he stared longingly at his beloved.
"Tasuki." Soma muttered as she put a name to the face that had lingered with her. 'No matter who he is, no matter who they are, no matter what happens I simply can not allow myself to get close to them. I can't stay awake forever and she'll be sure to hurt them the second she gets the chance.' She gave a deep frown, her emotions were betraying her, she was falling hard, she wanted companions, she yearned for friends. 'Some people are meant to be alone.' Soma tried to be rational. "I am . . ." She shook her head as she realized she had overlooked something. 'I am never alone, that's the problem, she's always with me.' That recognition brought a bitter taste to her mouth, a sinking feeling to her gut. 'And that is why I must keep myself in check. I am unsafe' She told herself what she had told the others, the difference being she knew it to be true and it seemed that it hadn't gotten through to them at all. The entire cargo of prisnors was now awake pushing and kicking to get a view of the confrontation, Soma did not move from her seat, gone in her own world. The only thing that cleared the glaze off her lost stare was rattling coming from the door. It felt like a gust as stale air was swept out refreshed with crisp night air, on the other side of the now open door stood a smiling Miaka.
"Ow! Hey! Watch it!" Miaka had to bob and weave eventually being shoved out of the way and onto the ground by the heard of prisoners who were scrambling for freedom, fleeing into the darkness of the forest. After the last straggler, Soma stood walking tentatively to the doorway. she reached down a helping hand, her other one not far behind seeing as they were linked by iron. Miaka gladly let herself be helped up.
"Can't blame them for running I guess. But they should've at least said thank you" Soma gave as warm a smile as she could produce.
"Why didn't you run?" Miaka was confused the one person she intended to save had not taken her chance to flee.
"Well someone had to say it." Soma shrugged. "That and. . . ." She paused trying to figure out a way to get through to this girl. "Like I said I shouldn't be let out, I'm a real menace I swear" Soma's was still smiling, for someone who swore up and down that she was a threat she seemed so appeasing and good-natured.
You don't seem so scary to m-" Miaka was cut off as Soma roughly grabbed her and brought them both to the ground with a thud.
"Look out!" Not a moment too soon, the cart shattered to pieces flying over the two crouching women.
"Miaka!" The group quickly ran to the priestess's side.
"Miaka are you alright?" Hotohori knelt next to the girl still sandwiched against the ground.
"Just peachy." Miaka's muffled voice announced.
"Tasuki you dolt! You could've killed Miaka!" Nuriko shouted angrily at the bandit who stood at the other side of the collapsed cart, having heard enough of Roshan's explanation and derogatory description of his prisoners, Tasuki kicked him straight through the vehicle, the man was now unconscious in a patch of bushes behind them.
"Well if she hadn't gone running off asking the first idiot going by for food, and then demanding we save some random green haired criminal we wouldn't be in this mess." Tasuki scoffed. "Now she's free can we get goin? We've wasted enough time here. I want to find an Inn or somethin I'm beat" He let out a large yawn, his fangs on full display. 'Girls nothing but trouble.'
"Certainly don't see that every day." Soma finally got her first real view of the rag tag team, she would have studied them further but she realized she still had Miaka pinned under her. She quickly jumped up and after a hop or two for balance she reached out and for a second time helped Miaka to her feet. "He's right you guys should get going. I'm not super familiar with the area but I think there's an-"
"Your arm!" Miaka gasped pointing to Soma's left arm, a piece of shrapnel had grazed her, leaving a long but shallow gash. The bleeding had all but stopped and it looked worse than it was.
"It's nothing." Soma poked at the cut wincing ever so slightly at the touch. "I'll survive to see-"
"Oh Mitsukake please heal her!" Miaka pleaded but Soma shook her head in refusal.
"You've done enough. I thank you all" She gave a bow to the group then turned to Tasuki who was still separated from them and bowed to him as well. They both locked eyes for a moment, a long moment, they just stared at each other, there was a spark there though the two were oblivious to the fact that the other was trying their best to suppress even the smallest brewing connection. "But it'd be best if I got going. It was very nice meeting you" She gave her now famous smile, Tasuki could see it from where he stood, arms folded his face chiseled with a look of aloofness but his eyes softened a bit. Before when he was nitpicking her appearance, that initial view was washed away, her smile overshadowed all of that.
'What the hell? Sure she's pretty or whatever His eyes widened why did he think she was pretty, only minutes before he decided she was a mess. 'But she's just a girl, and a criminal at that the sooner we lose her the better.'
"Oh wait please don't leave" Miaka grabbed Soma's injured arm prompting a hiss of pain. "Sorry" Miaka pouted as she released Soma who now had a slightly annoyed look on her face. "Won't you come with us?" Miaka truthfully had not only wanted to set Soma free because it was the right thing to do but because since her loss of Yui, she hadn't felt the same, she needed someone at her side. She knew the Suzaku seven were all loyal friends and she loved them each dearly but they had been destined to be with her, she wanted a friend that would stand by her because they wanted to not because they were compelled by some god. She thought maybe if she proved herself a good person, who cared for others maybe someone not bound by the stars would befriend her.
"How many times do I have to say it?" Soma was growing frustrated. 'Lack of sleep is getting to me' She let out a sigh, collecting herself before continuing. "I'm not safe to be around. It's better that I'm caged up at least then-"
"Yeah you keep sayin that you're not safe blah blah blah. What the hell do you mean by that?" Tasuki took a step towards her and Soma quickly took three steps back. 'She's afraid of me' He scrunched his face in confusion. She looked at him, her tired green eyes so frightened and skittish. It wasn't that she was afraid of Tasuki, she was afraid that she wasn't strong enough to distance herself from them.
'You're being selfish again' But she ignored her own observation and artfully avoided the question. "The reasoning is not important all you need to know is that being around me is not a good idea. I don't want to hurt you and I don't want to be hurt-"
"We won't hurt you Soma I swear!" Miaka quickly protested. Soma went to let Miaka down easy but before she could open her mouth Tasuki spoke. "Please? Just for a little while?" 'I just need some time to win her over!'
"I went through all that trouble of savin ya. And if we don't take you with us Miaka will never let it go. She's like that you know" There was a flat bothered tone to his voice.
"Hey!" Miaka objected.
"So we'll take you with us, to the next town, Mitsukake will heal you up but then you've got to scram got it? I can't stand girls and I've already gotta deal with one and half-"
"Half?" Soma questioned how there could be half a woman with them. There was some nervous laughter as everyone's gaze settled on Nuriko. 'What kind of characters have I gotten myself mixed up with?'
"We clear?" Tasuki put a hand on Soma's shoulder she nearly jumped out of her skin she quickly moved out of arms reach. "I didn't hurt you did I?" He didn't understand why she was so afraid of him. 'I didn't send that cart flyin at her on purpose. I was protecting her honor. 'Maybe she knows I'm a bandit, we are some notorious folk and with this fan I am a fairly intimidating guy' He couldn't help but smile proud of his bandit background. Soma smiled too.
'He's not as scary when he smirks like that, I'm not used to smiles, maybe I could get used to it though maybe this time things wont go bad-' She sighed knowing one way or the other this would all come crashing down. 'But why spoil the moment. Just because it wont last doesn't mean I can't enjoy it, just or a while, just this once'. Miaka caught the happy look on Soma's face. 'She likes Tasuki I know it. If I can get those two together she'll be sure to stay. I don't have much time though' Miaka began to ponder and plot how to get the two together.
"Nope I'm pretty tough" Soma shrugged. "You don't like girls? Well I don't like boys so we'll get along just fine dontcha think?" And she began to lead the way into town.
'This may be harder than I thought' Miaka sulked, but she would not be deterred.
"She's was just kidding I'm sure of it. In fact Tasuki I think she likes you" She studied Tasuki's face to judge how he felt about that.
"Ain't nobody listening? If I've said it once I've said it a thousand times I hate girls! And she's no different. You fall in love with some goon and now you think everyone will fall head over heals for the first person they meet" He followed after Soma without another word. 'Sides she's afraid of me last time I checked you don't go for what scares ya.' Miaka sulked further.
' It's doomed. My days as a matchmaker are over'
"Miaka are you alright?" Hotohori saw the sad look on his loved one's face.
"Love is so complicated" She sighed. Hotohori blinked stupefied did she really think that Soma and Tasuki were meant to be together. 'Maybe it's normal in her world. To fall in love so quickly, so deeply' He just nodded as they walked off.
Soma's feet hurt, her shoes were worn past their use and each pebble in the road shot through. "No good." With that assessment she kicked them off in frustration. 'Where am I going what am I doing?' Her feet stung more with each step. Her stride slowed as, her sleepy eyes threatened to take hold. Walking had proved to Soma how exhausted she was, she made it less than a mile more before her legs gave out on her. Close to falling unconscious, she fell to her knees, her hands clawing at the dirt as her vision blurred droplets of blood fell from her arm, that presence she dreaded was closing in waiting for it's chance to pounce. 'Not now, just a little longer I'm so close . . .to feeling happy again' Her hands gave way and she fell face first in the dirt. Just when she thought she would pass out she felt light, and the pain lessened a bit, she still couldn't see straight but she felt warm. 'What's happening?' She began to panic slightly, her breath quickened.
"Relax relax!" Tasuki was holding Soma bridal style, which proved to be difficult as Soma started to flail and squirm. "Stop movin will ya?" Tasuki finally pierced Soma's mental fog.
"You're carrying me." She stated the obvious, feeling Tasuki adjusting his arms to better hold her. 'Why is he doing this? He's an odd one . . . didn't seem to be my number one supporter earlier. But he saved me just there, he doesn't know it but he saved me.' She was still tired but this physical rest was allowing her mind to take her remaining energy.
"You think too much." Tasuki scoffed. He could see the conflicted look on Soma's face, her mind was obviously somewhere else. "You're completely wiped out. Couldn't just leave you there." He hadn't seen her fall but once she had come into his sight it had become clear there was something wrong. 'So I got a little concerned so what? Is that a crime? I ain't completely heartless. Plus Miaka woulda killed me if I let this girl die on my watch.' He cringed thinking of the verbal and physical lashing Miaka was able to pull out of nowhere.
"You think too much." Soma snickered back at him, followed by a long yawn.
"Never heard that before." Tasuki wasn't much the deep thinking type though of the bandits he associated himself with he was a regular scholar and philosopher. "When was the last time you got some decent sleep?"
"Bad things happen." Soma replied shortly, the weightless comfort of being carried, brought on sleepiness in another form, not aching not straining, just comfort and a sense of protection that was lulling her away from her constant state of vigilance and stress. "When I sleep. Can't sleep . . . just can't." Soma was trying to drill that mantra back into her head where it belonged.
"What bad things?" 'This basket case isn't making any sense.' A drop of sweat dripped down the side of his face. "Hey wait do you mean that idiot I took out back there? Did he do bad things to you?" Tasuki contemplated going back and giving Roshan a piece of his mind, and more importantly a piece of his fist. There was no reaction on Soma's face, her head kept nodding forward then snapping back up as she fought slumber. He could feel her twitch as her muscles went lax then tensed up. "You really ain't doin too hot. Go to sleep. I gotcha I won't let any bad things happen to ya I promise" She could hear just the slightest hint of genuine concern in his voice, though most of his tone leaned towards annoyed. She closed her eyes, once closed her entire body began to settle.
'He's being very nice for someone who hates girls.'
He looked down at her curled up in his arms, she had a smile on her now relaxed face.' The only time I can stand women, when they're not yappin' This serenity went on for a while, she hadn't moved or said a word in over an hour if he didn't feel her breathing he'd think she was dead.
"You can put me down now." Soma muttered as a second hour was approaching.
"You get enough sleep?" When he place her on the ground he felt a tugging at him he wasn't expecting, a sense of longing. He looked down at his hands dumbfounded. 'She's gotta be an enchantress or somethin.' The bandit would not remotely consider he himself had formed a slight crush on the girl. 'I won't let her pull one over on me, I'm no dummy.' His demeanor had quickly flipped from concerned to betrayed, not waiting or caring for Soma's answer he walked off ahead.
' What just happened? He figured it out? He knows? Knows I didn't sleep at all? I can't sleep . . . I can't trust him to protect me. I don't trust people, even ones I'm attracted to. He's mad at me now. Oh what a horrid day it's been. I'll apologize in the morning before they leave. I don't have the strength to say anything to anyone now. I'm done for the day.' Soma was more in tune with her feelings, yes she found Tasuki attractive but she would do the best to tuck those feelings away.
"Soma! Hey Soma wait up I need to tell you something" Soma turned to see Miaka galloping in her direction.
'I stand corrected' Soma took a deep breath and smiled waiting for the onslaught of words sure to come from her new friend.
