Walking towards the door, I gripped the cup in my hands; knowing that if even one drop was spilt that I would be punished for it, regardless of the cup being filled to the rim. Just the slightest wrong move and it would go everywhere. Remembering why I even did this even more, I bit my tongue and gracefully walked closer in order to grab the handle of the door and carefully swing it open; most of my concern focused on the cup of wine I was delivering to the master of the castle. No one was standing in front of me as I walked into the room slowly, somehow managing to close the door behind me while the wine in the cup shifted slightly. Holding my breath, I watched as the liquid settled back into its flattened state at the rim; sighing, I moved further into the room while barely being able to see anything because of it being so dark.
"You're late." A deep voice said in a low growling like noise, holding out his hand for the cup as I pushed my feet forward more and lifted the cup to rest it in his outstretched hand. My own hands shook after they removed themselves from around the cup and gripped each other instead to try in vain to keep them steady and still while the demon in front of me sipped at his wine in silence; not moving until he told me otherwise. "Have you met my new pet yet? Her name is Yukina; I do believe… she's much like you: an ice demon." I felt my eyes moving on their own as they landed on a girl huddled in the corner on the far side, a light reflection off the walls as I thought about moving forward to touch it and confirm my suspicions. I wanted to feel the cold touch of ice again because of not being able to use my own powers because of metal bands on my ankles and wrist, as well as one wrapped around my neck, each one of them bounding my powers from use.
"Her friends will come for her soon… I know this. I want you to watch after her until they do." His voiced said lowly as my mind briefly thought about fear being in his voice as he mentioned them. Moving his yellow-green eyes in my direction, I lowered my head in apology at the thought; knowing he had heard it by the way he looked at me in that one instant. "Show her to the room the two of you will share and show her the job she will be doing now. I expect her to fit right in here…" his lips turned up in a wide grin with his pointed canines glittering in the dark as I felt a shiver of discomfort run up my spine at the show of happiness I was going to guess it was… I had no idea what he felt or even if he felt at all… the only thing I could do is nod my head and turn towards the girl – Yukina – as she remained curled up in the corner as if not wanting to move from there for anything.
But I knew I had to get her out of this room for more reasons than one… To obey the demon sitting in the throne-like arm chair behind me and to get her as far away from him as I could. I knew how unnerving he was. I knew how painful his punishments were. I knew she was kidnapped. I had to get her away from here… and especially away from him. I moved closer to her and felt a chilling breeze on my face from the ice she was surrounding herself with in hopes of keeping people away from her, much like what I had done the first time I was here. The demon hated ice but he managed to find a way to get to me without ever landing a hand on me… obviously he didn't care enough to do the same to Yukina.
"Come with me," I said to her in a whisper, moving my hands to lightly touch her shoulders as I glanced behind me at the demon still sitting there; silently thankful that he was more focused on the computer screens in front of him than the two of us. He was waiting for something… like he always was. He wanted a worthy fight. Which was the main reason he continued to kidnap people: hoping someone strong enough and worthy enough to fight with would come to try and rescue them. No one came for me… no one came for a majority of the other girls here… He was obviously hoping someone would come for Yukina. Yukina's shoulders tensed under my light touch, moving her head up after a moment and looking at me; her blood red eyes shocking me because of the odd color. I had never met an ice demon with red eyes before… They were mesmerizing.
I must get you out of here, I tried to sign to her, not knowing if she could understand it or not because it was the only way I could talk to others without getting into trouble. Speaking with each other was usually banned because of the demon lord not wanting us working against him. He would put down our 'rebellion' before it would ever take roots; even if we were only trying to lighten our hell by making some form of a friend in these walls. Yukina just stared at me as I tried to think about what would get her to trust me long enough to get her out of this room… She's an ice demon just like me – so said the demon lord – which made me remember the gem my mother had cried for me that I had tied around my neck like all the other ice demons in the Makai. Lifting the chain around my neck to show her the sparkling white gem, I watched her eyes widen slightly before she nodded her head and slowly stood to her feet with my help; the unshed tears in her eyes gradually receding while I took her hand in mine and made my way towards the door that would get us out of the room he was in.
Just standing in that room would make the strongest of us shiver in discomfort.
"Who are you?" I heard Yukina ask after a moment of me walking down the hall with her hand in my own, enjoying the cool feeling that came off of them. "Where are we going?" she questioned, obviously looking around the hall as we continued down it; stopping outside a door as I turned towards her and practically repeated the orders the demon had given me. Obey or be punished… those were our only options. And – at first – I ended up choosing the second because of not wanting the first.
"My name… is Ami." I said to her quietly, looking around the room briefly before ushering her in and closing the door behind us; knowing the room didn't seem like much but the rooms you were given became your only sanctuary here, if nothing else. The room was in perfect condition, as to expect within a castle, but it was small and crammed. There were two beds on either side of the room, two of which currently not being used. The other two had identical neko demons lying in them; their tails unmoving as they stared either stared sadly up at the ceiling or at the back of their eyelids, both trying to sleep while they could before they had to get to work as well. The castle worked in shifts: one for the day and one for the night. I worked the night shift… which meant Yukina was going to be working the night shift as well. The guards had three different shifts to make sure that none of us were switching out at the same time. One morning, one noon, one night.
"He said for me… to show you around." I answered her other question as I gestured for her to follow me over to the bed so that we were both standing in between the two being unused. "Do you… want the one close to… the door or further… away from it?" I asked her, my voice being quiet once again because of not only not wanting to wake the two nekos but also because of not wanting any roaming guards to hear me speaking. They'd punish me without the demon lord ever needing to know about it. Yukina just looked at me silently as if she wasn't sure how to answer so I just gestured for her to take a seat on the bed furthest from the door so that my bed would be between it and her.
"Were you taken too?"
I thought about her question before I was able to explain the castle to her… thinking back to the memories I had suppressed while being here. The memories I didn't want to think about. "It was… a long time ago…" I said to her before shaking my head to rid myself of the thoughts before they all had resurfaced, reaching over to the end table between our beds to pull out an old worn-out map that had been looked over many times by everyone that had passed through this room during their service. Some didn't live too long… others were moved to different rooms. None were ever rescued. Pointing over it a few times and telling her short names of the rooms, I gestured for her to take it with her as I began to stand to my feet once more.
"You're a Korime, too… aren't you?" I heard Yukina's soft voice ask as I closed my eyes at the name. It seemed to have been years since I had ever even heard of that title. Korime… Ice Maiden… how I missed those words. I nodded my head back at her shortly and gestured for her to follow me as I made my way towards the door, feeling her hand slip into mine before I moved my fingers around her hand just as she had done to me. I continued to hold her hand – glad the guards didn't punish us for doing that – and led her into the kitchen on the far end of the castle; where I had retrieved the demon lord's cup of wine before delivering it to him. Yukina stayed close at my side, obviously having trust and faith in me to take care of her from the people here that would do her harm. I would for as long as I could because of not wanting her to end up like the others. She was a Korime… an Ice Maiden, like me… but she hadn't been damaged yet… she still had a pure look in her gaze… I wanted her to keep it for as long as she could.
"We clean… deliver… and cook, at times." I explained to her as I thought about what else I would need to tell her. I couldn't think of anything else unless she didn't know how to cook or couldn't cook well. I could handle her share of cooking if I had to… and delivering wasn't hard… neither was cleaning. It was just tiring because of the quantity they gave you. "Can you… cook?" I kept my voice low in hopes of avoiding getting punished today because of trying to show a new girl the ropes… which I hoped deep inside that would only last a very short time.
She nodded her head slowly, shortly. "A little." I nodded my head in return and looked over at the head chef that the demon lord had taken when she was very young. She couldn't remember her old life… the only thing she knew anymore was the demon lord smiling at her and taking her here to his castle. She was one of the first he had taken… and one of the few that were completely loyal to him; which saddened us as much as frightened us. Some believed they could talk freely in the kitchen since the guards rarely came in because of the faint smell of burning meat, but they soon found out that there were ears in the kitchen as much as there were in every other room. The head chef would inform the demon lord or the guards of the incident and it would be taken care of. Quickly. Efficiently. Without pause. I would keep Yukina out of trouble for as long as I could… at this moment, the only thing I could do is try to get her to talk as little and as quietly as possible without telling her exactly why.
It wouldn't end well for me if I told her what would happen while standing in front of the head chef, who thought of him as a love interest for some odd reason that none of us seemed to understand. She didn't tolerate people talking about him unless it was in praise… which didn't happen. Ever. "Come." I whispered to her quietly as I held out my hand for her to take once more as I quickly maneuvered her out of the kitchen and back to the room we were to be staying in, finding the two nekos lying in bed completely still; hopefully finding the sleep they so desperately needed and desired. I crouched down to sit on my knees in front of the end table and open the bottom drawer to reveal a small worn black leather book to her. It was how I communicated with others… even if it was mostly used as my diary.
"This is my life… from when I was taken here until now…" I explained to her as I held the book close to my chest while looking back as her and staring into the blood red orbs that showed trust, friendliness, and purity. It pained me to know the look wouldn't last forever but I gestured for her to crouch down in front of me after I turned my back to the end table and faced her completely; she obeyed without question and looked at me with a look in her eyes that I couldn't read, regardless of being able to read most. "Don't pity me… or the others. We don't need it… I just want you to be safe… and avoid the things I myself had done once before."
Yukina nodded her head in understanding as I looked down at the book in my arms before handing it to her, knowing that – even though I told her not to – she would pity everyone of us in this castle; she might shed her tear gems or actually find hatred for the first time in her life against someone else. I didn't know what all else she might do but I knew for a fact that she would not enjoy reading my story in the least. But I'd tell her to continue to read it if she stops… it's for her own good to know what happens whenever you do something wrong, whether knowing it was wrong or not.
"We work at night…" I said to her almost silently while moving my eyes over to a window at the top of the wall on the opposite end of the door, watching the sun slowly begin to rise through the thick iron bars. "And sleep in the morning… we should rest while we can." I gestured for her to stand up and nodded my head to her when she slipped my diary into the folds of her light sky blue kimono, smoothing out the fabric so it appeared as if nothing had changed. I stood to my feet and lifted the covers on her bed, waiting for her to climb in before covering her up myself and resting a hand on her head gently. A gentle touch is one she must've been used to before getting her… and I knew that nothing around would be gentle within these walls. Others cried at a gentle touch because of never having received one before.
"Sleep well, Yukina." I said to her softly, turning to climb into my own bed as a whimper was heard from one of the nekos as she had apparently opened her eyes to discover that the dream she had… was only a dream. And that this was the reality she had to wake up to for now on. I clenched my eyes shut and avoiding shedding a tear at the thought of a dream outside these walls… or even outside the castle itself. It seemed so perfect… it hurt me just thinking about it in any way whatsoever. I quietly hoped that Yukina's first day wouldn't be too difficult… but wanted to kick my own self because of the thought. I knew it would be.
~ / / / * | | | * \ \ \ ~
Rocking back and forth, I held Yukina in my arms; trying to soothe her cries; thankful they were almost silent because of the increased security after her arrival. Nothing had gone well for her today except for the cleaning. I had helped with the cooking part of her work and was somehow able to do mine at the same time. I didn't know what all had happened to her during the deliveries but I made it a point not to ask. I didn't like the deliveries… no one did. The only thing that was tolerable about any of our tasks here was the cleaning… and that was the simple reason because of everyone actually leaving you alone so you could do so. Even the guards left you alone while you were cleaning because of hating the messes we were cleaning more than hating us.
"Is it… always this hard?" Yukina asked through a quiet sob as I moved my face slightly downwards to look at her eyes and found her tears lining her eyes and a few gems lying in my lap upon falling there from her face. It hurt to know that – even if I did help her – it wasn't enough. She didn't belong here. None of us did. But it was something no one could help unless they could come here of their own free will and kill the demon lord to rescue whoever they had come for. I hoped Yukina had some form of family or friends or even a mate that would come for her. It was a long shot either way so I merely tossed the thought mentally out of my head as I slowly nodded my head in answer to her question.
"The more you do it… the quicker you get." I whispered to her as she sniffled and rested her head against my shoulder once more, slouching slightly in order to do so because of us being the same size in every way, shape, and form. I went back to my rocking as she seemed to quiet down at the soothing motion. I knew how to calm people down because of my motherly instincts taking over my body and automatically taking care of Yukina, trying to dry her tears. I knew she was no child by the way she appeared, even if she was as small as I was. She could've possibly been my age for all I knew. But, my mother side saw tears falling from pure eyes and ignored my better judgment.
I knew we would be in trouble if a guard caught her crying and both of us talking. "Try to sleep, Yukina… it makes it better." I said, knowing that going to sleep would be the only peace she would ever get out of this place unless she managed to finish all her work before dawn; and even then… they'd think over giving you more work just to keep you busy. Yukina nodded her head into the shoulder of my own kimono before lifting in order to wipe off the tears still clinging to her eye lashes and around her blood colored orbs. I reached over and wiped off the dried tears that were staining her cheeks as she somehow managed to smile at me weakly. It had been so long since I had seen a smile from someone other than the demon lord or one of his followers; I couldn't contain myself from smiling back at her and wrapping my arms around her in a short embrace. She didn't need to be here… I know I'd already thought that but I'd continue thinking so until she left alive and untouched.
"May I… stay with you? I don't like this place…" Yukina said, getting into the habit of talking in hushed voices because of taking notice of the others talking out loud in regular voices before guards hauled them off into another room. I had her look away from the door as a scream echoed behind it, telling her not to look before they would notice if we weren't working. She did, with tears of fear brimming her eyes as she stuck close to me and went back to cleaning the floor with the mop in her hands. Watching her eyes look over at me with hope, I nodded my head; figuring it would be a tight squeeze but not entirely caring since she needed to feel safe at some point in time. It might as well have been while she was sleeping.
I hope someone comes for you, Yukina… I found myself thinking as I stayed awake for a few hours longer so I could brush the strand of hairs out of her face as it held a peaceful expression glued to it. Someone like you has no place here with the rest of us… you had done nothing wrong… and had nothing to amend to. Please, I found myself praying to any higher power out there, let someone come for Yukina and take her as far away from here as possible. Pushing my arm under the pillow Yukina and I both had our heads rested on, I looked down at her when she turned towards me and moved closer; reaching out with one of her hands to grip a part of my kimono in her sleep. I wrapped my arm around her to prevent her from falling – as well as myself – and to soothe her while she slept. Knowing whatever kind of dream she was having, it would always be better than this castle.
~ / / / * | | | * \ \ \ ~
Days went by much of the same, with the exception of Yukina crying. I gave her back her tear gems the day after she cried them and had to explain to her how important it was to keep them out of sight. If the guards knew she could cry gems… both of us would never be able to walk free. Not even if someone did come for her. She memorized the map I had lent her and spent some of her sleeping hours reading my diary after I put in more entries late at night because of knowing where she kept it; I knew she knew I did but apparently she didn't mind because of it always giving her an insight on just who was watching over her. Someone like her in many ways and would do anything to keep her out of trouble.
It was almost a full week after Yukina's arrival that I noticed the guards seemed to be gaining in numbers and were practically posted at every corner, turn, and door in the castle. I found routes that minimized the times we went past guards and shared them with Yukina so she wouldn't have to walk past any of them as much either. They unnerved each of us with their prying gazes and wanting eyes, each one of them waiting for one of us to mess up on something – anything – so that they could take us off to the side for punishment. Which would be whatever they deemed fit… regardless of how minimal the offense might be. They took pleasure in pain.
"Lord Kokuei wants you to deliver his wine." The head chef said to me after she poured said wine into his trademark cup, not lifting it for me to take because of not being able to do so without spilling it when it was filled completely to the rim. She didn't dare try to lift it, regardless of thinking of the demon lord as a prince-like figure. I glanced back at Yukina shortly before walking over to the cup and carefully lifting it from its place on one of the many counters. This wouldn't be the first time I would've had to leave Yukina alone for a few minutes, because of having to deliver the demon lord – Lord Kokuei – his wine every day, only an hour or so before dawn and us having to switch out with the Day Walkers: the ones working during the morning hours.
Going back down the same path I had taken for years, I repeated the process I did the first day I had met Yukina; with exception of finding anyone but the demon lord in the room when I moved my eyes around shortly before lowering them to avoid him noticing my wandering gaze. Letting his hand wrap around the cup, I remained still a little ways behind his chair as I waited for him to dismiss me either verbally or with some gesture. He didn't for a very long time. "They're coming for her…" I heard his deep growl-like voice as I fought to keep my eyes on the ground instead of looking up at him in question. "They are actually coming for her." Another silence stretched out between the two of us that I was hoping would end shortly so that he could dismiss me from the room. I had nightmares long ago about this room… none of the others scared me more than this one.
Then again… no one had ever scared me more than this demon.
"Leave." Lord Kokuei said lowly while moving his hand in the dismissing motion that everyone recognized. I bowed my head again, in the off chance of him looking back to make sure I did so, and turned to walk out of the room quickly. Heading back towards the kitchen with my feet moving faster across the floor than usual, I wondered who he was talking about when he said that someone was coming for… Yukina. I walked into the kitchen and looked around, ignoring the mess on the floor as I made my way towards one of the guards that were leaning against the wall still moving. Unlike the others scattered across the room.
I reached out in order to rest a hand on his shoulder. I didn't like the guards anymore than anyone else that stayed here… but I could never turn down someone in need when they were right in front of me; even if they were one of the ones that punished me throughout the years I had been here. The guard opened one of his clenched eyes in order to look over at me as I turned to the side quickly and found a cup in one of the many drawers we had in the kitchen, hurrying to my feet as I poured some cool water into it; crouching down back in front of the guard so that he could drink from it when I held it up for him to take.
He didn't say anything as he weakly reached up to grip my wrist and push it up so the cup would go higher and let more water into his mouth, spilling it on his clothes as well as gulping it down as if he was dying of thirst. I didn't argue with the motion because of taking notice of all the cuts and gashes over his body… I was surprised he was still breathing. He finally finished off the water when he pushed it away from his mouth and took in deep gasps of air while turning his gaze back towards me once more. "Give this… to Lord… Kokuei." The guard said with a slight grunt as he reached at his side and revealed a piece of green fabric, pushing it into my hands as I blinked down at it shortly before moving my gaze back up at him. But… there was nothing more that I could do for him; not as long as my powers were being blocked by the cuffs on my wrist, ankles, and a single thick one around my neck. None of them connected to the others unless Lord Kokuei used his own powers to cripple me completely.
I stood to my feet after the guard closed his eyes once more and moved his hand back to his side in order to cover one of the many gashes there. He was already gone. Moving my icy turquoise gaze around the room, I couldn't find any of the girls that worked in here except the head chef that was lying across one of the tables unmoving. Whoever had done this… didn't spare anyone that apparently attacked them. I didn't see Yukina anywhere so I took this as a sign of her making it out of here with the other girls. Hopefully… they escaped. Looking down at the green piece of cloth the guard had obviously tore from something or someone, I made my way back to the room Yukina and I had shared with the two nekos; not finding anyone there… not Yukina or even either of the nekos. It was beginning to seem as if everyone had disappeared.
I thought I heard a sound and turned in the direction of it, ending up looking down the hallway that took me to the demon lord's room; the very one I had walked out of before heading into the kitchen earlier. My hands shook slightly at the thought of walking into the room again… not wanting to go in there even when I had to. Yukina might be in there… she might be hurt. With that thought in my mind, I pushed myself forward towards the door and paused right outside of it; staying completely still as I heard Lord Kokuei's voice on the other end and another's voice. I didn't recognize the voice but I knew it was male and was very angry by the tone of it and how Lord Kokuei obviously had a mutual feeling for the person. Then a soft pure voice came to my ears as I felt my eyes widen and my hand to grip the handle of the door and push it open to find Yukina standing on the other side of the room with Lord Kokuei standing in front of her, his back to me.
"Ami!" Yukina screamed as I felt a sudden terror run through every nerve in my body when Lord Kokuei turned towards me so sharply with a wild look in his eyes that I had never seen before… It frightened me. He growled out my name lowly as I felt the cloth slip from my hands as I backed up slightly before taking notice of a guy holding Yukina back from running towards me. "No! Ami!" she screamed again as I took one glance at her before my eyes darting back over to Lord Kokuei and finding him moving back as if he was getting prepared to pounce on something… and his yellow-green eyes were orange now as they locked onto my figure that seemed to quiver under his predator-like expression. The only thing I could do is run… which was exactly what I did. Turning around sharply, I bolted from the room and heard a holler from behind me shortly before loud footsteps began clamoring down the hallway I was running down.
I knew it would be unlike any of the other times I had run from Lord Kokuei because of how animalistic he seemed and the fact he eyes were a bright vivid orange that seemed to be glowing whenever I had looked in them at the one time. I was going to die if he caught me. I reached out to grab the corner of the wall at the end of the hallway and swung myself around sharply in order to try and gain speed and some distance between the two of us. My body seemed to be moving on its own as it pumped more speed into my already aching legs, pushing me faster and faster as Lord Kokuei let out a loud shout of rage upon sliding against the floor while attempting to turn the corner as sharply as I had. I was only getting him angrier by running…
"Get down!" I looked in front of me instead of behind me at Lord Kokuei moving to his feet quickly and lunging in this direction to find one of the guys from Lord Kokuei's room standing in front of me with his hand stretched out in front of him with a glowing orb at the tip of his pointing index finger, like he was aiming. I thought of how Yukina seemed to trust him so I kicked my own feet out from under me and covered my head with my arms and held my breath by hearing Lord Kokuei's get closer and closer.
KM: Reviews Are Love. ^^ And Greatly Appreciated. No Reviews = No Story. ^^ Just Fair Warning.
