Kingdom of Lies

The night was rather cold and only the stars shone in the darkness. Fuji lay in the barrack concentrating hard, trying to hear any sounds that would let her know, that somebody was still awake. But there were none. As quietly as possible she tried to get up ignoring the pain it sent through her arm.

Maybe I overdid it a little. Anyway, I have no time to linger.

"Fuji?"

She froze.

"Wher-ya-goin?"

Fuji tried to relax staring at the yawning Oishi.

"Shh. Just some business I need to take care of."

Oishi looked at her startled, but his confused expression turned to a smile soon. "You better hurry and make sure nobody sees you. Or they'll tell you there are extra times set up for that, too."

"True. You'll see I'll be back before anybody notices I was gone."

"You better be. Go."

Taking in the fresh and clean air of the night, Fuji suddenly felt free again. It was new moon and the camp lay in a peaceful silence. But she didn't have much time to enjoy it and hurried into the black shades of the woods nearby. She took of the first three layers of the bandage.

I wonder why he cut it into two parts. The first two layers would have been good enough for my arm… And if he knows? What if he took a closer look this morning? … Don't be silly. Not even Oishi realized it. Or at least he doesn't show it. Or Oishi never took a closer look, for he knows that all women and girls were killed. But this guard ought to know, too.

She took of her shirt and started to cover her breasts with the bandage.

On the other hand he's acting different from all the other guards. Not like a guard at all. Well, I shouldn't question his actions, after all I don't have to look for something to cut the bandage.

The bandage slipped down.

Damn it. How am I supposed to ever finish this? It's much harder than I thought.

After what felt like the hundredth attempt it worked out right. Happy about being blessed with a small chest Fuji pulled on her shirt again. Examining the sight of her chest she sighed.

I hardly doubt anybody will ever again think I'm a girl as long as I do this.

Walking back to the barrack she already realized, that life was going to get even harder now. She felt as though she was no longer able to take a deep breath.

After all it's making my life a little safer, doesn't it?

Back in the barrack lying beside a sleeping Oishi she was happy to be too exhausted to care about the uncomfortable feeling in her chest. She fell asleep as soon as her body relaxed on the thin mat that was replacing her bed.

In her dreamless sleep Fuji had no idea how right she had been about her life getting tougher. When the guards woke them the next day, her muscles were sore.

"I don't think I can move ever again."

"Don't say that. I don't want to know what they'll do to those who are no longer able to work."

"But my whole body's hurting like hell. Yesterday I thought it would only be my arm, but this stiffness is even worse."

"I know what you mean."

Oishi knelt beside her, looking at her with concern. Most of the other captives had already left the barrack and the guards outside shouted for the others to come out for they wanted to start the examination.

What am I supposed to do? Leaving him alone might be his death. Does he not understand its dangerous to provoke the guards? I wonder if I should…

"Uh, listen, sometimes it helps if you massage the muscles a little."

"Are you sure? I never heard about that."

"Let's try it anyway."

He helped Fuji to sit up, and let his fingers glide over her legs and arms, kneading parts here and there. He took some more time for massaging Fuji's shoulders. She sighed.

I don't know, what he's doing, but it feels good.

Enjoying the warm touch of Oishi's fingers, Fuji smiled at him. "Thank you."

"Never mind. We better hurry."

They were the last in there line. Fuji was already picturing there punishment would be. Standing at the very same position they had been standing yesterday there was already a guard waiting. Coming closer Fuji realized it was none other than the guard that had helped him yesterday.

You're becoming my guardian, aren't you?

When they arrived Fuji and Oishi bowed simultaneously. "Excuse us."

"It's all my fault." Fuji added. "Stop it!" Oishi hissed.

Is he insane? Taking the whole matter on his account! How can anybody be so reckless? I helped him out in there and now he's getting himself into trouble again.

The guard looked at Fuji raising a brow. You're definitely thinking I won't punish you, aren't you? It's dangerous to think so. For the sake of both of us. He didn't voice any of the words flooding his mind. Instead he simply stated with a cool voice: "Is that so?"

Fuji looked up and nodded. The next thing she realized was a sudden pain on her cheek. The guard had slapped her right across the face. Staring at him in disbelieve as he moved on, she put her hand on her now burning cheek.

Maybe I deserved that. But I didn't expect it anyway.

---

About two weeks passed, without Fuji catching any attention. Instead she simply started to watch their guard attentively and was soon able to see behind his cold expression. She discovered, that his eyes were the only part of his body showing his feelings. But he rarely looked at her directly, which was no problem for Fuji, for she also liked the way his light brown hair tickling the back of his neck.

But standing in lines on the square was taking the smallest amount of time a day. And when they started to work, Fuji had other things in mind. It was hard for her to work with her torso being bandaged that firm. She told herself, that she had gotten used to it, but deep insight she knew she would never really fell comfortable that way. The temperatures that rose drastically from day to day didn't make it easier and the fact that they were only given little bread and water didn't help either.

One day – when the humidity was much higher then usual – Fuji was hardly able to take it any longer. It was due to Oishi's help that she showed up for the examination in the morning. She stood in silence feeling the morning sun already heating up her skin and waited for it to end. Unlike usual she didn't spend her time trying to learn new facts about the mysterious man that was their guard by observing his every movement. She simply stood there trying to hold her balance.

Just like the previous day, Oishi and Fuji were told to help carrying stones from the camp to the other end of the road. It was a hard thing to do, if you were hardly able to breath. But Fuji was glad to see Kawamura again, whose group was ordered to help carrying as well. She envied him for his strength for he didn't seem to have any problems with the weight of the stones.

The sun shone merciless burning their skin and it was close to their lunch break, when Fuji felt the world starting to twirl. Gasping for air she tried to make it stop, tried to free her mind. She dropped the stone and was only vaguely aware of the fact, that it hadn't hurt anybody. Oishi and Kawamura were at her side, asking what was wrong, but she couldn't find the words to answer them. Instead she knelt down holding her head. Suddenly she felt as though the world had gotten a little darker. Looking up she was staring at a guard, who blocked the sunlight from her. She could hardly make out his features, but from his silhouette she assumed it to be him.

"You ought to pay more attention."

"I'm sorry. I – I felt dizzy. Could – Could I have some water? Please?"

She looked at him pleadingly aware of Kawamura and Oishi who froze in their movements holding their breath in anxiety. Waiting for a reaction she heard the blood rush through her ears.

Was it a good idea to tell him? But I really need something to drink if they want me to work on.

After a while the tall man simply nodded. "I see." I reached at the left site of his belt loosening a flagon, opened it and gave it to Fuji. She lifted the flagon and warm water poured her throat. It felt great.

"You two get back to work. Now." When Fuji gave him the flagon back his attention was back on her again. "And you'll go to the front helping the others to roll the ground in the front."

"You can't do this. The stone mill is far to heavy for him!"

"Didn't I told you to get back to work? I won't allow captives criticise my orders."

"But –"

"Stop it, Taka-san."

"Thank you for the water."

Fuji stood up and walked to the front as he was told. Arriving there he realized why the man might have sent him here.

I ought to remember to thank you for everything one day.

Tall tries shadowed the path in front of her. Kawamura might have been right about the stone mill being too heavy, but working here was much easier then in the hot sun and not wanting to make the guard regret his decision Fuji decided to simply give her best.

---

"Tse, tse, tse. Are you getting soft again?"

"I already told you it's none of you business. Atobe said he didn't care about how I treat the captives."

"As long as they work to their full potential, yes. But sending that boy to the front working at a place he's far too weak for, is something else."

"Taking the weather we had today, there was nothing he would have been good at."

"Or maybe he is not good for anything at all?"

"I wouldn't say that."

"Of course you wouldn't. Because it would mean he'd loose his right to exist."

"…"

"I wonder what your impression might be like, if we killed your precious right under your nose."

"You wouldn't."

"Or if we forced you to kill him."

Hatred was sparkling in his eyes, when he looked at Kirihara with disgust.

"Anyway, let's see how your back is doing. Too bad your wounds will tear open again…"

He reached out for the whip that was tied to his belt.

--- --- ---

Na, here I go again. I think I have done nothing but sleeping, eating and writing today. Oh, I did practise writing hiragana symbols in the morning, but I think that's all… drop

Same procedure as every chap: I'd love to read what you think about it and what you would like me to improve.

maldita08 – Well, I won't tell you (yet). If I did, it would no longer be a secret, right? About the other suggestion: Gakuto can be whatever he likes to be, but I have different plans for Eiji. Sorry. ;)

Moonlight-sama – Nya, I won't answer that question now. oO( I cannot even tell you to read my other pot fics, because you already did. thx ) Well, I'm afraid you'll simply have to wait a little…

saya – I didn't make you wait too long for this one. But I'm afraid the next one will take a little longer… :-/ (Studies to take care of)

Animestar73 – Again I won't be able to answer the Tezuka-question. At least not yet. But I read your comment right before I wanted to post this chap and went through it again. I think it got about additional 300 words now. ;)

Dodo – Love to hear you still like it. And thanks for reporting the mistake. I corrected and reuploaded the chap. :-)