WARNING: This chapter contains rape. Warnings from the previous chapter still apply.

Disclaimer: Tasuki, Chichiri, Nakago and the setting belong to Yuu Watase. No matter how much I want them, they are not mine. Well, she can keep Nakago...

Author's note: This fic is set after the failed summoning of Suzaku and before they set off for Hokkan.

"Fight me. If you can." He drawled, arms crossed over his chest; coldly gazing back and Tasuki, who was still shaking slightly from his experience with Tomo. Is he serious? Tasuki wondered. Looking back at Nakago's cold smirk and the surety of his gaze Tasuki realized sickeningly that he was serious and there was no way he was going to get out of it. He's gonna make me fight him. And there's no way I'm gonna win.


Rescue

Tasuki's reason seemed to desert him as he considered his opponent. Well, that's hardly fair. I'm wounded already and he has a ton of fuckin' chi abilities, plus he's wearin' armour. Not that he cares obviously.

Nakago saw the way Tasuki was looking at him and smirked, surprising Tasuki with his next words. "What if I even the odds?" He asked, before beginning to remove his armour and placing it in a pile on the floor.

Ch'. Fuckin' show off. He thinks he can beat me so easily he'll even stoop to my level. I know he's gonna cheat though. Under his armour Nakago wore a plain white shirt and trousers. Damn, he looks strong. Tasuki thought in silent admiration of his opponent as he appraised him.

"Heh. I suppose you still think it is unfair?" Nakago asked mockingly. "Very well. You have my word that I will fight without using my abilities, no advantages on either side." Tasuki laughed silently at the predicament he was in. As Kouji would say, "Genrou, only you can get into such deep shit."

"We fight man-to-man?" Tasuki asked, sounding a lot braver and more calm than he really felt. Shit, this guy is easily twice my size. I'm gonna get my ass kicked even if he keeps his word and doesn't use his chi abilities, which I doubt.

"Is the little bandit still scared?" The insult was delivered in a high, mocking tone and instantly riled Tasuki. Fine. I'll show him I ain't beaten yet!

Tasuki readied himself into a fighting stance, opting to take the defensive. He was going to have to fight whether it was fair or not. Well, let's see if I can't take a chunk outta him first. He decided, trying to stem the shaking in his legs.

Nakago struck without warning, moving so fast he was a blur, and knocked Tasuki backwards into one of the walls. Tasuki barely had the time to raise his arms to block his face; there was no way he could have stopped that blow.

As his vision cleared he roared with rage and attacked fiercely, all defensive urges gone, trying desperately to gain an advantage over Nakago. He struck out with his arms and legs, swearing in frustration as each of his attacks were blocked.

Nakago held him off easily and, when Tasuki began to tire, returned those kicks and punches with much more engery. Tasuki didn't block half as well as Nakago did. After taking several blows to the head Tasuki's vision narrowed and he fought erratically and slowly, while Nakago never seemed to tire.

After those first few attacks Tasuki's memory gave out and he remembered little of the fight with Nakago, other than the fact he was beaten incredibly easily and all but a few of his punches were turned back. It gave him a small amount of satisfaction however to know that he had landed a few punches and heard answering grunts of pain. He hadn't given as good as he'd gotten, but he had bruised Nakago and that was good enough for him.

Tasuki had known that Nakago had the upper hand from the start and was simply playing with him, letting him gain ground only to be smashed backwards again.

By the time Nakago tired of the game and knocked Tasuki out with a well-aimed blow to the head Tasuki was surprised that he had no broken bones. Nakago was able to be both frighteningly powerful and accurate at the same time, putting just the right amount of force behind a blow to send Tasuki hurtling away but not enough to break his toy.

Tasuki's last thought before the blackness took him again was one of despair. He could never beat this guy in his current condition, he didn't even think he could at full strength and he could tell Nakago was using barely half of his own strength.

Tasuki resigned himself to the fact he was going to die here. None of the other seishi was strong enough to beat this monster. Better only one dies... But I... will not... beg.

When he woke again he was once more chained to the wall, but with a little more freedom; he could now move his arms around in front of him. How long was I out? There's no sense of time in this place. He wondered as he glanced around.

"Here" A plate of bread and cheese was handed to him, along with a glass of water. He looked up at Nakago, his surprise showing clearly in his expression.
"Why?" He croaked, throat raw.
"I wouldn't want you fainting from lack of food, Tasuki. That would be no fun. Eat it, it is not poisoned."

Tasuki slowly began to eat, knowing bitterly that Nakago was telling the truth. He was enjoying playing with his 'toy' far too much to let him die at the moment. It hurt to swallow but Tasuki knew he would be given no other chance to eat. An' if I refused he'd probably shove it down my throat anyway.

Nakago was back in his armour and Tasuki knew that he had only fought with him on an honest level to show him how powerless he really was. The only thing I can hope for now is that he gets bored when I refuse to submit and kills me. He realized with a shudder.

Tasuki let the empty plate fall from his hands and looked back up at Nakago, who had stood over him the entire time. Nakago hauled Tasuki to his feet by his hair and held him there, his head titled back, arms pulled tight at his sides by the chains.

Tasuki grit his teeth and hissed as Nakago pulled loose several strands of hair but still stared rebelliously at him. Nakago searched his face and smiled coldly. "So much defiance left still. So much spirit left to break." He said with a sneer as he threw Tasuki back against the wall, his head striking it and dazing him for several seconds.

Nakago strode several paces away before turning back to Tasuki. His seishi symbol glowed blue on his forehead and gave Tasuki a moment of warning before the wave of malicious energy hit him.

Fuck! He brought his arms up to his face but they had no effect on the blue light that surrounded him. He screamed as the light tightened, bringing with it the feeling that his entire skin was on fire, burning white-hot. He shut his eyes as tiny needles of pain stabbed him. No! I can't show him how much this hurts.

Weakly, Tasuki managed to open his eyes and lock gazes with Nakago again. Any tears that may have been forming dried instantly at that cold glare. I have to... Have to... Looking down with an effort he was surprised to see his skin looked normal, although he could feel the searing heat. Where are the flames?

The light dissipated, slowly taking with it the feeling of being on fire. Tasuki breathed heavily, looking back up at Nakago with fear in his eyes.
"It is a torture of the mind, not of the body. You can feel the flames and the pain yet it leaves not a mark upon you, draining your ki instead of your physical energy." Nakago explained coldly, enjoying the fear in Tasuki's gaze.

Tasuki wasn't sure he could take much more of that kind of torture. It's bad enough when you can see what he's doing to ya. But when he starts messin' with yer mind... He didn't let Nakago see that though, instead he grinned, showing his fangs in the most insolent way he could. "Aw, is Nakago afraid to draw blood? Afraid he'll break his new toy? Hah, I don't break that easily, ya know!"

Nakago watched Tasuki's efforts with a faint smile before raising his hands in front of him and drawing them together. Their centre began to glow with a deep blue light and seconds later a ball of blue energy shot straight at Tasuki's left arm. It hit the top in a spray of flesh and blood, instantly creating a terrible wound. Tasuki cried out and paled, staring at the blood pouring out of his arm.

Nakago laughed coldly. "I'm afraid you do." Glancing without interest at the wound he negligently released another ball of energy. This one hit the same place and disappeared into the skin, sealing the wound and stopping the bleeding but causing incredible pain as it burnt.

Tasuki doubled over, hugging his wounded arm to his body. Shit, look at what yer big mouth gets ya into! He struggled against the darkness crowding his vision but he had lost too much blood too quickly and slumped over, unconscious once more.

XxXxXxXxX

Much of the rest of the day was a blur of repeated tortures and black outs. The whip was Nakago's favourite to use and although he used the blue energy more than once, he didn't fire another direct ki blast. Tasuki was given food at least once more and Nakago left him during what he guessed was the early evening.

After he was sure Nakago wouldn't come back, Tasuki had given in to the blackness again and hadn't woken until this morning. At least... At least I didn't cry. He didn't break me.

As he finished his mental recap of yesterday, Tasuki heard the door swing open with a loud clang. He opened his eyes hurriedly and watched as Nakago entered the room. He wasn't wearing his armour again and did not carry the whip. Tasuki didn't know if that meant good or ill for him.

He drew on reserves of strength he didn't know he possessed to sit up straight and look Nakago in the eye as he crouched down beside him.

Nakago touched Tasuki's mangled arm and laughed as he hissed and recoiled. "Still hurts Tasuki? You behave yourself today and we wont need to repeat what happened last night." Nakago whispered into Tasuki's ear, his voice showing the first hint of emotion Tasuki had heard from him. What the hell? Nakago slowly unchained Tasuki and pulled him away from the wall, laying him out on the floor in the middle of the room.

Damn, don't tell me this perverts gonna try... Tasuki's unspoken thought was answered as Nakago straddled him, leaning down to brush away the hair that had fallen in Tasuki's eyes. Shit! No... Not… NO!

"You're covered in blood, Tasuki." Nakago whispered as he ran his tongue over one of Tasuki's cheeks. Tasuki's tensed as Nakago began trailing kisses down the edge of his neck and over his chest. He could feel the older man's arousal but, far from arousing him, this was horrifying and paralyzing Tasuki.

The fact he was with an unwilling partner didn't dissuade Nakago; it seemed to excite him further. Tasuki desperately tried to struggle away from him but his chin was caught in Nakago's fingers and Nakago kissed him brutally.

He could feel his lips bruising as Nakago tried to gain entry to his mouth. Tasuki refused, clenching his teeth but he was forced to gasp as Nakago elbowed him in the ribs. As Nakago's tongue slipped into his mouth, Tasuki gagged and tried to break away to breath but was held there. He's gonna suffocate me! Tasuki reacted instinctively and bit down hard on Nakago's tongue.

The Shogun cursed as he jerked backwards, blood beginning to appear in a small line along the middle of his tongue.
"You taste wonderful Tasuki, but those fangs are more of a nuisance than I had thought they would be." Nakago's voice was lighter and he tilted his head as if considering a problem. "No matter, you will learn." Nakago slapped Tasuki hard enough to draw blood along the inside of his cheek where it grazed across his fangs.

"You will obey me." He stated coldly. Tasuki froze and he was back there. The strong arms holding him in place as his clothing was ripped off, blows raining down on him as he fought to escape, and that same cold voice flushed with desire ordering him to stay still. NO! He screamed and violently wrenched himself back to the present, but this offered no escape as Nakago had slid the remains of his trousers from him and thrown them far away.

I thought I'd worked this through! I never expected it to haunt me again! ... Never expected it to happen again... Kouji, ya said... You promised! You'd protect me...

Tasuki lay limp as memory warred with present experience. He was somehow experiencing this twice, old memories filling his mind along with what Nakago was doing to him in the present. He didn't protest as Nakago turned him over and lay with his cheek pressed to the cold stone floor.

Ya tried fightin' last time an' what did that get ya? Nothin' but bruises. Kouji couldn't really save me then either. No one can save me now. Tasuki shivered as Nakago, now naked as he, knelt behind him and positioned himself.

"I was going to go slowly." He snarled, voice barely above a whisper. "But, you were so defiant." He left it hanging and Tasuki suppressed a sob. He's gonna make it hurt just as much as they did. Suzaku help me, I don't think I can stand that again.

True to his word, Nakago was violent and unmerciful. He pounded into Tasuki forcefully and continually, drawing higher and louder cries from Tasuki each time. He tried desperately to curl into a ball, to get away, but an invisible force kept him held to the floor.

As the memories surfaced again, tried to drag him away, Tasuki gave in to the dark feelings and cried, tears running freely down in face. His memories of before gained dominance for only a short time though and he was soon dragged back to the present.

Suzaku, can't I stay there? Even then it was better than now. Then I had a chance of rescue. Suzaku I... His thought trailed off as Nakago drove himself inside him as far as he could and held still. Tasuki sobbed soundlessly as Nakago released inside him. When he finally pulled out, Tasuki distractedly realized that something was wrong, he was bleeding and he hurt far more than he did before. Somethin' bad must be wrong inside, because before... Before... Kouji stopped 'em...

"I do not think you will underestimate me again, Tasuki." There was cold triumph in Nakago's voice as he left the room, satisfied that Tasuki would not defy him again. Tasuki pulled his legs up and wrapped his arms around them as he cried.

The tears wouldn't stop, no matter how hard he tried, and he stayed wretchedly conscious. Please, take the pain away. Please, let me die. I can't live like this anymore. Rescue isn't an option. I can't face anyone. I could never ask Nakago, but please, Suzaku. Let me go.

Chichiri entered the underground dungeon in a flash of red ki. He scanned the walls quickly and looked surprised when he saw nothing. He stopped still as the sound of harsh sobs coming from a small huddle at the centre of the room reached him.

A person only cries like that when they have lost everything. When they're ready to give up hope. The treacherous thoughts wound their way through his mind, no matter how hard he tried to repress them as he turned slowly.

He froze in shock and he could have sworn his heart stopped for a second when he saw the small form curled up in the centre of the floor. Tasuki. Suzaku, don't let me be too late! Hurriedly he crossed the room and knelt at Tasuki's side.

"Tasuki?" He asked softly and heard nothing but a whimper in reply. "What has he done to you Tasuki?" Chichiri reached out and gently brushed Tasuki's shoulder, trying to give comfort, but jerked back in shock as Tasuki flinched and cried out at his touch.

Tasuki looked up at him unseeing and terrified, eyes devoid of the life that usually flared within them. "I... It's me Tasuki. Chichiri!" Tasuki shook his head and tried to back away but let out a strangled yell and lay still. "We don't have time for this Tasuki. Nakago will be back at any moment."

Chichiri couldn't hide the pain in his own voice as he tried to coax Tasuki up. As Tasuki uncurled in a futile attempt to move, Chichiri gasped as he took in Tasuki's state. "Tasuki, please tell me he didn't." The blankness in Tasuki's eyes was answer enough. Chichiri's heart tore as he saw the extent of Tasuki's wounds. Yet the worst aren't visible.

Tasuki stared at him blankly for several seconds, as if wondering why he wasn't attacking him, and then Chichiri saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes.

"That's right, no da. It's me, na no da." Although Chichiri's heart was breaking he put on his cheerful accent in an attempt to bring Tasuki back. His voice cracked near the end but Tasuki didn't seem to notice. Tasuki began to reach out to Chichiri but drew back into a ball as heavy footsteps approached.

"No." He moaned quietly, able to put up no other resistance. The door swung open with a clang and Chichiri instinctively leaped to his feet, placing himself protectively between Tasuki and Nakago, who had appeared in the doorway looking incredibly angry.

"I thought I sensed Suzaku's ki. You are the one who broke Seiryu's wards before." It was not a question but Chichiri glared at him and answered mockingly, pulling his Shakujou from the air and placing the golden staff in front of him.
"That's right, no da. I could beat you then and I can do it now." Nakago smirked and walked more fully into the dungeons, letting the door close behind him.

"Confident, aren't we? You weren't able to save him." He wasn't wearing his armour and didn't seem to care. The confirmation Nakago's voice held tore at Chichiri, making him want to scream in rage and torment. He struck his Shakujou against the floor, causing it to ring out in warning.
"Not another step." With effort he managed to keep his voice even and cold.

To his surprise, Nakago stopped. "I didn't think any of you would be so foolish as to try and rescue him. You do not need him and he will most likely get you killed." Nakago smirked and Chichiri almost shuddered at the evil in his eyes. "Besides, he is useless now." He gestured to Tasuki who was again sobbing silently.

"The Suzaku seishi are bound by bonds of friendship that you wouldn't understand. Tasuki is stronger than you because of that and he will not let this beat him." Chichiri sounded calm but underneath he was seething with rage at the man who had caused Tasuki this much pain.
"You seem very sure of that. Look at him, he will never recover from this."
"That's what you think. I am taking Tasuki, by any means necessary." Nakago spread his arms and grinned mockingly at Chichiri.
"You are welcome to try, monk."

"I warned you." He sighed quietly before channelling his ki down through his Shakujou. The staff began to glow with a red light that quickly spread to Chichiri, who had closed his eye in concentration; one hand on the staff, the other tangled in his prayer beads.

"Impossible." Nakago hissed, sensing the incredible power building as Chichiri's eye snapped open and glared at him. "You are not that strong!"

Nakago hurriedly raised a barrier but Chichiri just shook his head. His kesa flaring behind him in the wave of his power, he lifted his Shakujou and, swinging it around in a semi-circle in the air, directed the energy at Nakago.

The red smashed through the blue and sent Nakago flying into a wall with a sickening thud. Nakago weakly raised his head but he was not able to stay conscious for long and slumped forward, defeated for the moment.

Chichiri winced as he lowered his Shakujou, but one glance at Tasuki dispelled his pacifist urges. The younger seishi was watching in wonderment but even as Chichiri smiled at him, he cried out once more as a spasm of pain wracked him.

Chichiri looked back at Nakago, rage again rising within him. He stepped closer and raised his Shakujou once more, wanting to make Nakago feel the pain he had inflicted on Tasuki.

"Chiri." The weak call caused Chichiri to turn and step back towards Tasuki. "Don't... Chiri. Don't stoop to… that bastard's… level." Realizing instantly what Tasuki was trying to tell him, Chichiri stepped back away from Nakago.
"I understand, no da."

Chichiri knelt beside Tasuki, laying his Shakujou to the side for a moment, and frowned at the wounds covering him. I'll have to get him to Mitsukake as soon as I can. But… Not like this.

Chichiri undid his kesa and carefully draped it over the younger man's broken body. Tasuki was breathing heavily but he was lying still and no longer looked afraid of Chichiri.

"Yer... fuckin' scary... sometimes, Chiri." Tasuki rasped, voice hoarse and rough.
"Shh, it's okay now. I'm here now Tasuki and I'll never leave you again." Chichiri said quietly, his voice almost as broken as Tasuki's.

A ghost of a smile flitted across Tasuki's face as he glanced up at Chichiri, a little life returning to his eyes.
"That... could be… a little… inconvenient." He whispered before he closed his eyes and gave in to the blackness, safe now that Chichiri had beaten Nakago.

"I don't care." Chichiri whispered back before gathering Tasuki in his arms and teleporting back to Konan, leaving Nakago unconscious in his own dungeon.

My first attempt at writing both a rape scene and a fight scene (sweat drop). How'd I do?
Rescue comes at last, but is it too late? Will Chichiri be able to help Tasuki heal with the unexpected help of a friend.
Cookies if you guess who the 'friend' is before reading the next chapter.