Languages Spoken In this Chapter: {Russian}; [Japanese]; Arabic."Whispers"; Thoughts.

Chapter 4

She had been a little withdrawn and shy when she'd first met Kanae and Chiori. Just because Kuon had told them to watch over and protect her, didn't mean they had to be nice to her or even like her. She knew what it was like to be on the receiving end of a woman's jealousy before Sho had sold her like an unnecessary piece of property. She supposed she kind of was exactly that.

She wondered if these two women were Kuon's concubines or wives. They certainly weren't dressed like it and most men didn't allow their women to roam freely and carry weapons, and they most certainly didn't speak to them as equals. Well, at least Sho and his father didn't or she couldn't remember a time when they did, if they ever did. It was all very new and strange to her. These two women were dressed the same as the men they traveled with, and they seemed to speak at least two other languages than her own, as did the men with him.

She really didn't know the impressiveness of their skills or that they were even truly women, until they accompanied her to the baths. Indeed Kuon had reserved the entire bath for her and her two companions. When all three were finally disrobed and divested of a majority of their weapons, Kyoko discovered that the two had very similar features to hers. Both women had the raven-black hair, fair skin, and similar in facial features as she. She definitely felt that they were both very beautiful and she supposed that their bodies would be very pleasing to the male eyes.

["We were followed."] Kanae glanced at Chiori as they sat comfortably in the large, warm bath, appearing to relax. ["Did you bring your weapons?"]

Chiori nodded with her eyes closed and head on a small cushion near the edge, with a sly grin, and Kanae could see the silver glint of her shuriken under the water.

["Mo... I really thought we'd be able to relax."] Kanae groused as she fingered one of the three small throwing knives she had secured to her thigh.

Chiori giggled. ["What did you expect? Three women in the bath, unaccompanied, and seemingly helpless. I almost feel sorry for them."]

Kanae snorted a little. ["They probably think to sell us on the market. Savages."] She slipped in next to Kyoko and smiled. "Do you need help with your hair, Kyoko?"

Just as Kanae had finished asking, their five unsuspecting stalkers slipped into the room.

Reino smirked. "This is going to be a whole lot easier than I thought. I wonder how much you two lovely ladies with fetch on the auction block."

No words were exchanged between the males and the females. The only startled scream had been Kyoko's just before she dove under the bathwater to hide her naked form. THWIP, THWIP, THWIP, THWIP, THWIP... and the yelps of pain from his compatriots. Reino turned to find his little gang of men pulling little star-shaped weapons, and little black knives from their shoulders, limbs, and chests. He wondered where they'd come from and hoped that they hadn't been poisoned. He suspected that they weren't, seeing that they had come from the women in the water. Well, the women that had been in the water. The same two women that were now rendering all, but he and Miroku unconscious with a jab and a chop. He was startled at their lightning-quick speed, and distracted by their lack of attire.

Caught so unawares by the situation, he soon found himself slipping into darkness next to his best friend. What a way to go. He chuckled inwardly.

"It's okay Kyoko, you're safe now!" Kanae called back to the water, with one foot on the unconscious Reino, and Chiori binding the others with their own clothing.

["We should let Kuon know... That one sounded like he didn't plan on selling her... Just us."] Chiori commented as she trussed up Reino with his own head-scarves.

Kanae nodded in agreement. ["We're going to need to be more mindful of our surroundings. There may be more."]

["We should probably teach her to defend herself too. Weak, pampered women do not survive where we're going."] Chiori voiced her thoughts.

Kanae nodded once again, as the three began to dry off and dress. She turned to Kyoko. "Would you like to learn to do that?" She nodded her head in the direction of the five men laying on the floor, bound and gagged.

Kyoko's eyes went wide. "Am... Am I allowed? Would that be permitted?" The thought of being able to protect herself without restrictions was exciting.

Chiori smirked. "We'll teach you everything we know... I'm sure Kuon has a few things he'd like to teach you too." Chiori said slyly, and watched their new charge blush from head to toe.

Kanae shoved Chiori playfully. "Stop that hentai! What she means," She turned to the blushing future bride. "is that he has weapons training too. His father and mother do as well. His own mother had been in many battles before the treaties were made, and trade routes were established."

Kyoko spent the rest of their time together, as they made their way back to their lodgings, in quiet contemplation on all that she'd learned. She wondered exactly where she would be traveling to and why those men seemed to want her and her new bodyguards. Well, why they would sell the other two and not her.

Kuon shook his head at the news. Kanae and Chiori had told him what had happened in the bath as soon as they returned. Fortunately Kyoko didn't witness his anger and worry. Chiori had sat her down and began distracting her with a beauty routine, while Kanae informed him.

{"Yes, I think it would be a good idea for you to teach her everything that you two know. I want you to instruct her on her native tongue also."} He told her as he removed his scarves and over-clothes, then sat roughly on the lounge.

{"I think that boy is responsible."} Kanae commented. {"I would like to apologize for allowing the gap in security."} She told him, bowing deeply.

Kuon chuckled. ["That's not necessary, Kanae-san. I apologize for not sending Hidehito or Yuki with you to guard the entrance. The safety of the three of you is my top priority."] He finished with a serious tone. ["But I do think you're correct. I believe that boy is having second-thoughts about selling her at auction."] He leaned back in the lounge and bit into a fig from the tray of food that had been brought in. ["He's not getting Kyoko-chan back. She doesn't belong here, and she doesn't belong with people that have no concept of her status or value, that treat her as a servant."] He quietly growled.

Kanae nodded. ["I agree. Kazushi-dono would be infuriated. He would probably send troops just to slaughter the boy and his entire family."]

Kuon chuckled. ["Well, that won't be necessary. We won't be sending word until we reach the border, then we'll send word to everyone to prepare for our arrival."]

She glanced at him and popped a grape into her mouth. ["Are you sure it's her?"]

Kuon nodded. ["Golden eyes, raven hair, the stone, she looks like Saena-sama. The only thing that would fix everything firmly, beyond doubt, would be a small, dark, moon-shaped birthmark on her backside."] He laughed at the last part and noticed Kanae's serious look. He cocked an eyebrow.

Kanae smirked. ["I suppose you'll just have to wait until your First Night before you can confirm anything such as that."] She laughed at his frozen state and flounced away to where Chiori and Kyoko were primping.