I don't own NANA or its characters and plot. c:
"You're a chained up bird, aren't you, sweetie? He's got you locked up, and he's got the key." -Kyoko
-7 Years Later-
It's finally over for tonight. My bare body laid on the torn mattress, enduring the harsh pain.
A fresh gash rested on my thigh, a burn on my side. Multiple cuts and bruises ran down my limbs. A few bite marks lingered around the neck and chest, where he had hungrily devoured my soft skin.
At least it wasn't one of his bad days.
My bones creaked as I slowly sat up. My muscles screamed as I made my way to my pills. "Birth control," He growled, "will keep any interferences from occurring in your jobs. And from me."
I toppled over, my body giving out. The aches from him were too unbearable. I extended a shaky arm, hoping to reach the bag, my nudity bringing the utter coldness of the concrete floor straight into my bones. The plastic slipped, and tablets spilled in every direction.
"What was that?!" A sudden boom echoed from the room beside me. The towering silhouette appeared. It was him. He squeezed my arm, yanking me to my feet. My thin legs trembled, unable to keep the rest of me steady. He let go, making me crumple back onto the freezing ground, "What is this mess you've made again, you little bitch! I'll bet my ass that it was on purpose! These pills cost money, you know!"
A blow to the stomach. The knife comes out.
"N-no please, not the knife again," I tried to muster out a sound, but nothing came out of my raspy, dry throat.
Swish. Blood trickled down the pale shoulder.
Slash. Crimson escaped the flesh on the frail calf.
The ring of the whip filled my ears. He rammed it onto the arch of my back, slicing the bottom of my shoulder blades. A tiny whimper was all that escaped.
"You. Little. Bitch. Don't think you can get away with anything!" His cackle was perfectly in time with his hits. The whip was thrown aside as he unzipped his pants. Quickly, he rammed into me, back and forth.
The scream built up in my throat, but it was never released, for protests only made him angrier.
He sighed and pulled away, slipping his trousers back on, "You'd better watch out, bitch. Any sort of funny business is going to lead to the end of you." He forced a pill down my throat before leaving the room and slamming the door shut. Click. The door locked.
I remained silent, collapsed on the filthy ground. All I could do was wait for another day of hell.
The very next evening was special. He had gotten me a job. One in which he wasn't in charge. The required age was 18 years. I was merely 14. Even then, I was small for my age, possibly due to the lack of nutrition and excessive physical activity...
Even then, there were ways. There were ways to slip past the law. Many ways.
I was introduced that night to the employees, wearing an outfit that no regular 14 year old girl should be seen in. The man was clever enough to use heavy make up on my scars that were revealed while wearing the dress. Still, a few were merely lightened, not completely hidden.
They whispered, the other show women did.
A child, a mere child, to be hired for such sinful work. But they didn't know my experiences. That I'd probably been in bed with as many men as they have. That had become my life ever since he took me away. Sex was a part of life for me now, a way for me to survive. It was how I supported him, the man who first bribed me with candy, renamed me, then showed me the ways to please a man. He was my first, after all.
I began to rebel eventually. That's when he brought in the blades. The tazers. The cuffs.
"This is Ariasu," The owner's fingers slid down to my puny waist as he gently pushed me forward to the others, "Treat her well, please. She needs to get the hang of this place. Ah, what about you, Kyoko? You can be her mentor for the night."
A woman with thick sandy curls rolled her eyes as she breathed out smoke from her cigarette, "So I get the kid, huh?" I silently swayed next to her, my eyes fixated onto my strappy heels. Her sharp eyes studied the doll-like features of my face, the shiny locks of hair, "Come on then, darlin'."
I followed her into the changing room. She began tossing different pieces of clothing at me, "Who chose your outfit, darlin'?" The cigarette dangled from her cherry lips.
"My... my father," My soft yet clear voice echoed in the confined room.
"No father in his right mind would let his daughter wear that, hon. But that man you came with, you mean him, right sweetie?" Kyoko's raspy voice murmured as she ran her long red fingernails through the rack.
"Y-Yes," I replied.
Kyoko gazed at me for a moment before sighing, "Hurry and change into these. We've only got half an hour before the club opens." She leaned again the wall, waiting.
I gulped, slowly removing my heels. The scars and injuries would be revealed if the dress was taken off, "Please can you... close your eyes?"
The woman rolled her eyes, "We're all ladies here. You gotta get used to changing in front of everybody if you wanna work here, darlin'." Her eyes met my uneasy ones, and she sighed, squeezing her eyes shut, "Alright, hurry up."
I stripped quickly, then slid into the dark velvety miniskirt. I jumped at the sudden gasp.
"Oh my God, darlin'," Kyoko twisted her cigarette into the ashtray before making her way to me, "What is this?"
Although I had my back turned to her, I knew what she was referring to. The giant X that ran across my small back. A scar that would never truly fade away.
"Answer me, sweetie."
I said nothing, just continued to put on the metallic belt. Her fingers wrapped around my tiny arm, so tiny in fact, that her nails were able to reach each other. I winced, feeling the crush of my various bruises and cuts. Instantly, her hand left my sensitive skin.
Pitying eyes.
"You gotta free yourself, darlin'. You can't stay with that man forever. I don't know who he is, but he isn't good for you," Another cigarette was lit.
Did she really think I was that stupid? That I hadn't tried to escape in the past? Did she really think I didn't realize that he was ruining me bit by bit?
No, she knew. She wasn't stupid either.
But what could she do?
"You're gonna escape. Tonight," Her confident voice turned me towards her.
"How?" I murmured, "He has complete control over me."
"You're a chained up bird, aren't you, sweetie? He's got you locked up, and he's got the key. But listen here, darlin'. I don't help people often, but when I do, I make sure it counts. I'm gonna unchain you when he's not looking. You're a smart enough girl to escape with just that, or he wouldn't have chained you up in the first place," A smile crept onto her crimson lips.
I tried to speak up, but Kyoko cut me off, "We'll talk after the show. He's gonna come get you, right?" I nodded slightly, following her out into the main room. Some employees were setting up the lighting on the stage, others were preparing the bar. Smooth music played softly.
Kyoko sat me down on a bar stool and ran her long fingers through my locks, "You're a beautiful young lady. Remember that, darlin'." She applied her very own signature color onto my soft lips, "Come on then, I gotta show you the ropes to this place."
Soon, it began.
Men in suits, fatigued from their days of work. Younger boys, sneaking in with fake identities. No one stopped them.
Beverages poured. Glasses clinked. Empty laughter. The same smooth, monotonous tune.
I stood in the corner, eyes highlighted by the liner Kyoko suggested. My lengthy slips of hair were twisted into a sophisticated bun. A few men approached, but were ushered away, as I was only allowed to observe on my first day.
The night sky reached its peak, a bit of light beginning to wake. Kyoko, now back into normal attire, waved me over, "He's gonna be here soon?"
I nodded, releasing the complicated updo.
The door opened, and there he was, "Ariasu! I'm here!" His upbeat tone caught me off guard, "Come to Papa!" He held his arms out.
I hesitated, but then allowed him to embrace me, letting out a squeak as he crushed me, reminding me of my bruises.
"Hey hey, why don't you drink with us?~" Kyoko held up a bottle and seductively ran her fingers down his beefy arm.
"Awh honey, I'd love to, but I don't think Ariasu would like that!" He chuckled heartily.
"I don't mind," I murmured, studying my toes. His smile morphed into a frown.
"It's okay!" Kyoko slid herself against his side, turning his full attention to her, "Just a few glasses won't hurt, will it?" A playful grin emerged.
"Alright, alright," He smacked her rear end before making his way to the bar stools.
The first glass. Gone. More began to build up.
"Have another, good sir!"
Chink.
A bottle landed in the trash. And another.
Clank.
"Just a few more!" He roared, slurring horribly.
It was over. Kyoko slipped into her coat as she hugged me close, "Take care of yourself, darlin'. I'll help you get him into a taxi."
A tear slipped from my eye, "Alright."
We hauled him into the vehicle, him obliviously swaying in his seat. Kyoko's red lips brushed against my forehead as she slipped some bills into my hand, "This should get you back to your place. You know what to do." The amount she handed me was more than enough, but she knew that.
I eased myself into the backseat, and Kyoko shut the door. "Thank... you," I urged out, but she was gone.
He happily flicked on the lights as he pulled off his sweaty clothes, "C'mere, girl." Hiccup.
I obeyed, allowing him to take pleasure on my body. It was his last chance anyways. Finally, he passed out, half of his nakedness on the sofa, the other half sprawled on the ground. I hurried into my room, stashing in my clothing(mostly intimate), pills, brush, and makeup into a large bag. The toiletries from the bathroom were stuffed in as well. I eyed his shirt, slowly pulling out the rusty ring of keys, careful to keep them from jingling. My fingers landed on the outline of his wallet, so I grabbed that too, stuffing Kyoko's money inside.
The key creaked into the doorknob of his room. I cracked open the door, then slithered in. Dirty clothes spread among the carpet, and the stained walls with peeling wallpaper seemed faded. My hand immediately met the large jar containing wads of bills and coins. I dug them out instantly, cramming them deep into the worn leather bill holder. The remaining money was slipped into a small bag instead. His wallet was overfilled already.
I changed briskly, littering the skanky dress onto the floor, then crawled into a miniskirt and blouse, the most modest thing I own. A series of snores filled the apartment.
The front door met my gaze as I stood awkwardly with my belongings and non-belongings. Finally, I forced myself to step forward. And again. And again. My pace quickened, then my hand twisted the doorknob eagerly. It swung open.
My pumps were yanked on, and the fresh breeze caressed my face as both of my heels reached the other side of the doorway.
I was free.
That's the end to her backstory. The next chapter is where she actually connects with some NANA characters. Sorry for the long wait! -Alice xoxo
