And we're back. I know the monthly update is late, especially since I was trying to increase my output to twice a month, but I've been busy with school and work, and my health has not been optimal. ;w; But all that is said and done, and I can get back to this project now. YAY. Also, I don't know why FF isn't allowing me to insert line breaks now. It would make my life a whole lot easier if I could have to basic right to make understandable scene transitions. Merde.

Chapter 7: Good Intentions

When Karura awoke early that morning, she felt relaxed and satisfied, spending at least a half hour running her fingers over her naked body, reminiscing about her tryst with Sakuya the night before. Mmm… she wished she stayed. It would've been nice to wake up next to her due to her lousy current conditions, as well as her loneliness from a lack of a current partner.

Turning over, Karura switched her thoughts over to her, wondering what her friend could possibly be doing in her home country of Evinkuruga without her. Indeed, she was surprised when she refused her help, but she was prone to being reserved and secretive, so she was never given an exact reason why.

Yep, she was always lonely when she was like this; just her, and even when she was with other people.

Except Touka, her partner.

It made her gut churn through and through, like she hadn't eaten all day, but she knew better. Feeling a mist of depression washing over her, Karura reached for her bottle of sake, taking a deep swig. Gurgling it a little bit, she swallowed and wiped her lips, and took another drink. Gulping until every last drop was sipped away, she felt her gut fill up with warmth and then she didn't feel quite so bad anymore.

Shrugging off any potential blood poisoning, Karura pulled on her clothes and fixed up her messy braid the best she could, poking her nose out of the tent and inhaling the chilly morning air. She put on her boots, padlocked the tent flap, and hoisted her hulking sword across her shoulder. The Giriyagina whimsically thought to herself how a lock wouldn't do any good to protect her few belongings in a canvas tent, but then she decided that her possessions weren't worth taking anyway, so she relaxed, surveying the landscape.

There was the estate in the distance. It belonged to a very nice man and his family who allowed travelers to rent out parts of his land to sleep safely. It wasn't as good as an inn, but security staff regularly patrolled the area, so it gave her peace of mind.

Karura's eyes soon came to rest upon two silhouettes about a hundred yards away in front of her, whom she perceived to be the landlord and his wife. They were animated in conversation, and Karura schlepped over, pricking up her ears to maybe catch a snippet of whatever was so interesting.

Her eavesdropping wasn't very subtle, though, as the landlord waved her over.

"What ho, Karura!" he greeted her as she joined them.

His spouse only scrunched up her nose. She wasn't the type to appreciate so-called "riffraff" on her fields, but she tolerated it for need of money.

"Hello," said Karura as politely as possible, "what brings you out so early this fine morning? Is it a problem with my rent?"

"No, no."

The landlord shook his head.

"We were just on a stroll when we heard of some interesting news from security, and began to discuss it."

"Oh? News, you say? Is it exciting?"

The lady of the house diverted her gaze from Karura and began in a slow drawl, "Yes, exciting. Scary, also."

"What's the big scoop?"

"Late last night, so I heard," started the landlord, "a few employees from the castle went out to some lady's house based on charges one of 'em made."

"Rumors say even the emperor came!"

"Really? Sounds big."

"Murder attempt, I believe."

"Yikes."

"I know."

"What sort of employee did that?"

"A groundskeeper… no, that doesn't sound right…" droned the woman, flattening her ears. "Ah! Now I remember! A hunter!"

"Hunter!"

Karura's tail twitched in shock.

"Yes, one livin' alone in the forest," added the man, "but there wasn't any evidence to support the claim so they dropped it. Shook the townsfolk up something fierce, though."

"I imagine so. Well… thanks for telling me, I guess. I'll be heading out now."

"Where are you going?" asked the man to his wife's chagrin.

"Hunting."

"You hunt?"

"Figuratively speaking." Karura grinned feebly and then added, "it's rabbit season."

The palace was a force to be reckoned with. Its blue marble walls folded around her like a carapace, the only thing allowing her any sense of freedom the moonlight that filtered through the ceiling windows.

Sakuya slung her bag over her shoulder and pulled her cloak around her more tightly, so that she emulated the suffocation of her surroundings. She was alone, all alone, and everything was so silent that she could hear the faint mumble of her heart.

Passing through another corridor, she suddenly stopped in her tracks. Blinking to make sure her eyes weren't deceiving her, she trembled and stared down in building fear at the trail of dark liquid snaking across her path.

Unable to muster the strength to cry out for help, Sakuya followed the liquid to its source, where a shadowed object was crumpled up in a corner. Staggering up to it, she gasped and fell to her knees, tears dewing her eyelids.

"No!" she breathed. "No, no, no, no! You were serious…?"

Sakuya awoke with a jolt, sweating profusely. Wincing as her skull made contact with the headboard, she slunk back into bed, hyperventilating.

"Damn," she muttered, nursing her head and rolling over.

Clearing the sand from her eyes, Sakuya focused on the cage at the corner of the cabin, her captive nowhere to be seen. Getting up once again, slower this time, she draped over the footboard, hair hanging down in Kuuya's face. The stupid thing was tightly chained and fettered, bound so firmly that she couldn't move or vocalize at all. There were a few scratch marks back, and she lay in a puddle of a thick, clear liquid, slightly odorous, some of it dried and caked across her.

Sakuya smiled, delighted. She seemed to have learned her lesson from her misconduct last night, and she hadn't slept, so she'd be perfect for the hunt today!

"Good morning, pet," she crooned. "You're exceptionally pathetic, you know that?"

Ripping off her mottled bandages, Sakuya grabbed her crutches and swung out of bed.

"Well, we're going to have a very fun time today. Today's the end for you and me, love."

She kicked the bedpost, causing Kuuya to reel back in fear.

"That Aruruu's bound to be back sometime, so I'm afraid it's grown… difficult to keep you. But don't worry; I'll always keep my promise to you first priority. Now, be good. Mommy's out to sharpen her sword, okay?"

Sakuya gave Kuuya her signature pat on the head and let her be, shutting the door behind her as she went to the grindstone, located not far out from her house.

She only got to start, though, as she heard something tumble through the trees.

"You know what happens to trespassers?" she chirruped, brandishing her sword.

"Sakuya?"

Karura's voice rang out loud and clear, and Sakuya turned her head just enough to glance at her.

"Oh, it's you. You know, when I say visitors aren't allowed, that includes you as well."

"What's with the attitude?"

Karura crossed her arms and scowled.

"I've been searching for hours in this forest for you! Really, I just heard about last night and wanted to see if you were all right."

"And you couldn't wait until tonight?"

"Um…"

"Exactly. Look before you leap, Karura. Oh… that."

Sakuya peeled her attention from the grindstone and approached Karura, giving her a superficial smile.

"Since you're here now, I might as well answer. That was supposed to be kept secret, but I guess some idiots eavesdropped and now everybody and their dog is going to try and investigate."

"Is that any way to talk to me?"

"I suppose not. Brilliant sword, by the way. Is that what you use to cull humans with?"

Karura's brow furrowed at the odd comment.

"What do you mean?"

Sakuya shrugged.

"Oh, look, you also have to work on your language skills along with your math. Cull. You know the word; take out the weak and leave the strong. In your case, when you go to war, aren't you supposed to kill your enemies? Aren't they weaker and therefore not worth living?"

"I don't follow…"

"But when you cull, it could theoretically be an act of love. You kill them to take pity on them. Save them from humiliation."

"Well… yeah, I've killed, but that's not what I believe…"

"Nonsense!" Sakuya cut her off. "Is it thrilling?"

"What?"

"Culling?"

"No, it's…"

"Don't lie to me. What will it take for you to leave?"
"You're acting suspicious, Sakuya. Never, by the looks of it."

"All right."

She breathed deeply through her nose.

"Would you like to meet my pet, then? I think you'd be one to appreciate her. Due to the fact that people like you will be visiting more often, I've decided to take her on a little hunt with me."

"Hunt? What do you mean? Do you keep a wolf or something?"

"You'll see. Wait here."

Karura bit her lip as Sakuya disappeared back into the darkness of her house. She had a feeling that Eruruu's words were about to become painfully true. She stood out there alone for a minute or two, until there was a scuffle and Sakuya emerged, dragging something with a rope.

"Like her?" she asked.

Karura stared dumbfounded at the naked woman lying in front of her, whimpering.

"Sakuya… is that…?"

"Not quite," she answered, yanking her "pet" closer to her. "Her name is Kuuya, but she doesn't act like Kuuya."

"So you were the one who kidnapped her so many years ago?"

Sakuya nodded.

"Did Eruruu tell you about that? I'm going to have to tell her not to snitch on other peoples' business! But yes… I was the one who got her out of that horrible place. It took me all right to do it, but I saved her."

"Saved her from what?"

Karura's voice rose with agitation.

"Sakuya, look at her. That's wrong."

"Eh?"

"Don't you see she's suffering?"

Karura gnashed her teeth together, balling her fists.

"You can't confine a person against their will like that. Take her back to the castle right now!"

"And have her put in an asylum?" Sakuya hissed.

"Maybe that would be better! For you, too…"

"You're just like everyone else!"

Sakuya screeched and lashed out at her, but Karura tripped her, causing her to fall to the ground, still holding onto the struggling Kuuya's leash for dear life. A switchblade fell out of her sleeve, and Karura picked it up, sighed, and snapped it in half, throwing the remains into the bracken.

"Trying to kill me so no one else will ever know about what you did? Really, Sakuya? If you're going to murder me, be more subtle."

"Everything must die, Karura," was Sakuya's simple reply.

"Everyone was right about you… you're absolutely insane… I should've listened…"

"I'M NOT INSANE!" she hissed, bounding to her feet in one fell swoop. She staggered a bit on her bad legs, but used Kuuya's body as a crutch, staring daggers at her. "How dare you! HOW DARE YOU! I saved her, Karura—how much will it take you to see that? We're happy together… see?"

"She's not happy."

Sakuya's resolve faded, and she cast her gaze to the ground, firm expression unraveling at the seams as she fought to make up a reply.

"If you really loved her, you'd do what's best. I promise no harm will come to you or her. Just trust me."

"All right, I lied."

Sakuya's ears fell and her grip on the leash went lax.

"Karura, let me explain this to you. It's true that she's unhappy… I know that… but all animals suffer."

Her voice hitched, and Karura offered a hand out to her.

"There. You can fix this mistake now, Sakuya. Kuuya can get the proper care she needs…"

"That's not what I meant."

"Huh?"

"You didn't let me finish. She's not sentient, Karura! Not worth it!"

"How dare you…!"

"Don't question me! I have looked after this… this thing everyday for ten years, Karura, thinking that somehow she'd recover. But she just got worse. She can't recognize faces or talk, she can't feel joy or true sadness or love or hatred anymore. Sure, she can mimic sounds and words like a myna bird, but she's really just a vegetable. And… and… she doesn't even care about me in the slightest… and I sacrificed everything for her; I threw my life away for her because I loved her. I promised to protect her, but then I finally realized that everything's a lie! Lies! They're all lies! And now every second I have to look at this retard… It makes me sick."

A few tears rolled down Sakuya's cheeks and she tried her best to avert her contact with Karura.

"Did you… did you know that Kuuya was once a human being?" she whispered at last, forcing a distressed smile. "Bet you didn't. I'm the only one who ever did… maybe Eruruu, but Eruruu's stupid and understands nothing. I can't believe I just tried to paint myself as a martyr back there," and she really laughed this time, brushing away her tears, "I'm so selfish. Humans are fucking hypocrites. Every single one. I don't want to be human anymore. See, Karura, all these years I've just been keeping her alive for myself. I just thought that I could take care of her and keep her happy… but I was wrong. I failed. Even you saw my lapse of judgment just now."

"Sakuya…"

The huntress knelt down and looped her arms around her captive's neck.

"Her Majesty always wanted to be helpful, to be looked up to and independent. She couldn't wait to grow up. But then the war happened… and… and I don't know what broke her… but… but whatever it was… it was too cruel. You all think of her as some sick monster, but that's not true at all. She was the sweetest, kindest little thing. She gladly would've been executed in the most horrible ways in place of her people; she was suicidal anyway, you know that?"

Sakuya's grin wavered and she brought her hand to her broadsword, sheathed at her side.

Karura was frozen to the spot, unable to pacify Sakuya and her hysterics. Well, turned out Eruruu was MOSTLY right…

"But Karura, losing her mind and reverting back to the mentality of an infant—that childhood she so longed to escape—is the ultimate humiliation. She's no longer helpful, no longer a productive human being. As her servant, I simply cannot stand to not end it all anymore. Today, I'll give her one last time to be useful as my prey. It'll be an interesting hunt."

Karura's face wrenched up, and she threw a punch at Sakuya, but she dodged, spittle frothing from her mouth in mocking laughter.

"You're going to murder her?"

"It's not murder," hissed Sakuya, undoing the knot to Kuuya's halter. "Murder is for people I don't like. I'm simply fulfilling my master's wishes. Really, Karura, if you hadn't taken away my knife so early I could've spared you the trouble of being the morality police. But really, nobody's allowed to make it out of here alive today. Even me. You honestly think my blade was originally meant for you? Don't flatter yourself. It's not you—don't take it personally."

"That's it, you're insane! Sakuya, drop the sword. Don't make me use mine on you…"

"I'm not insane! If milord really wants to live, she'll survive this hunt and escape."

"Stop…!"

A raucous shout drowned out her words, and Sakuya drew her blade in a flash, hitting Karura with the blunt side of it in the gut and winding her. Her smile was wide and her eyes maddened, and she swiped out at Kuuya, who dodged and bounded off as soon as she realized she was free, a few drops of blood running down her neck from where the blade nicked her.

"I've finally seen the truth, milady!" she cried. "I'm sorry it took so long for me to do what I should've done years ago!"

And then she was gliding away on her crutches faster than Karura could gather her senses, swinging her sword like a maniac.

"Damn! The cripple's fast!" snarled Karura, and righting herself, grabbed her sword and sprinted after Sakuya.

Sakuya was having the best of fun. Although the rough terrain made it difficult for her to maneuver, Kuuya was terribly clumsy and out of shape, so she could keep up her pace.

It was a wonder Kuuya held out this long, though. Adrenaline was an interesting thing, Sakuya mused, and she hide behind a tree trunk, trying to sneak up on Kuuya as she slurped water from a stream and panted from exhaustion. She would make the most beautiful trophy she ever caught, and Sakuya took a few more moments to observe her before pouncing.

Giving a shriek, the Shakukopulu lunged out at Kuuya, only to be grabbed by the hair and yanked back.

The idiot woman, alerted by the noise, bounded off at breakneck speed, disappearing into the bowels of the forest.

Restraining her, Karura punched Sakuya in all her pressure points so she was incapacitated, and she hit the ground, reopening the cuts Mukkuru gave her the night before.

"Sakuya, as a top mercenary and former general of Tusukuru, I will use what influence I have to arrest you for attempted murder and abuse!"

"Oh?" Sakuya smirked, still unable to regain control of her muscles. "Didn't I tell you it wasn't murder? Since when did you care about Kuuya's fate? Wasn't she from the same family that completely destroyed your race so many years ago?"

"Shut up!" Karura screamed, kicking her to the ground just as she struggled to get back up. "Don't you dare talk about that! I made the effort to learn to tolerate your kind, but if you say another word I'll cleave off your fucking limbs!"

Sakuya's eyes brightened.

"And that, Karura, is the real you. You're just as horrible a person as I am. You just make more of an effort to cover it up. So, you're joining in the hunt, too?"

"Stop your nonsense! Look, I'm sorry I said that… I don't get angry that much, but…!"

"So you're NOT going to cull me?"

Sakuya frowned.

"I don't understand you. With these faulty legs of mine and me weak at your feet, it's the opportunity of a lifetime. Go ahead and kill me. Give in to your hate. It's wonderful."

Karura sighed and set down her sword. Taking off her sash, she tied Sakuya's hands behind her and searched her for more weapons. Finding none, she picked her up and slung her across her shoulder, taking her own sword in her other hand.

"I'm not gonna kill ya, all right? You're not worth it. Look, retrieving Kuuya is our greatest priority right now, so let's get lookin'. I know you probably hate me right now, but seriously, I like you, and more than anything at the moment I want you to get better. You need to get help."

"I don't…"

"Yes, you do."

And, biting her upper lip, Karura took off in a moderate trotting pace to where the trees gave way to nothing but darkness.

And… dénouement. Sakuya sure likes making monologues, doesn't she? Next time, things somehow get even worse! Ciao for now.