Chapter 14

I was thrown onto the ground and I let out a growl at the brute that had been carrying me this whole time. I looked around and noticed we were in some sort of clearing. I didn't care where I was just that I wanted to get away from these demons. I scrambled to my feet and took my first step to run. My vision blurred a little from standing too quickly and having the blood in my head for too long as we traveled.

"Oh I don't think you want to do that."

I looked up at Risho.

"Why the hell not, you killed Sejza. You have nothing holding me to you."

He tilted his head to the side a little.

"Isn't that obvious? I rescued you from that horrid place."

"You didn't rescue me. They were the only people who actually cared for me. Sejza loved me."

"She didn't love you. I love you. She kept you there. I freed you."

I reeled back, gaping openly at him. He said it so…casually. As if this was information I should have already had.

"Are you kidding me?! We knew each other for only a short time as children, you ACTIVELY made sure I knew you hated being around me at all times, and if that weren't bad enough, you just killed the only people who have ever shown me kindness!"

I started to take another step to, again, attempt to run. He appeared directly in front of me, I didn't even see him move. He put his hand on my shoulder, gripping hard. I didn't like having to tilt my head back so much to look him in the eyes. It left my neck very vulnerable. I already had one throat scar. I didn't want another, or worse a lethal cut. I didn't think I had someone here willing, if not able, to cauterize the vein and wound like I had last time.

"Only people to show you kindness?! You wanted to be rid of that place! You were always telling Jin of this! I rid you of that place, and it's Master so you will never be dragged back! You wanted your freedom! I have given this to you! All I ask is that you love me, do as I ask, and I shall be your slave!"

His hand tightened on my shoulder before it swung forward and hit me hard in the jaw sending me flying back, landing on my back, I cried out as my tail quirked at a bad angle. I crawled back, not taking my eyes off Risho before my back hit a tree and I pushed myself up against the bark as Risho walked slowly towards me.

"Look what you made me do. I don't want to harm you. I really don't. But if you won't love me I will do with you fearing me."

He sat down on his haunches so that I wasn't looking up at him quite so much.

"Let me make you a deal. You stay with me. With the shinobi. Do what I ask of you. We will protect you. I will love you and I will always wait for your consent."

I kicked my leg out in an attempt to kick him in the stomach. I thought I was quick. He was quicker. His hand gripped me on my bare ankle. It had been warm today and I had only worn a light top and shorts. I was regretting not covering every inch of skin with clothing just so in this minute he could not touch me.

"And what if I do not agree?"

I glared at him, baring my fangs as his thumb rubbed gentle circles over my ankle bone.

"I will take what I wish, not a care if you wish it or not. I will put you in chains and drag you around using you in whatever way I wish. I might even let a few stray demons have their way with you."

I stiffened at the thought. I didn't think I could run quick enough to get out of here. He had proven he was quicker than me, it was like he wasn't running, simply teleporting. I would need to find the opportunity to get away from him. If I could do that maybe I could run far enough, fast enough. I hesitantly nodded my head. A grin spread across his face that made me want to shiver.

"Wonderful. Now. I think it's time you meet our little group. This is Gama," he pointed to the creepy looking white man. He wore some sort of green bandana, a green skirt with a red and gold belt, golden plates on his knees and some grey knee high bindings. "And this is Bakken" pointing to the man who carried me. He had dark skin with numerous scars on his upper body and face. His black hair cut short. I looked down his mostly naked body and saw he was wearing an olive green loin cloth with a red belt with a black, round gem in the middle.

"Now come. To our current place to sleep." Risho stood up, letting my foot go. He offered me a hand up but I scrambled to my feet on my own. He put his arm around me, hand resting at my natural waist as if I hadn't just subtly rejected him. We walked down a path in the trees I hadn't noticed with Bakken and Gama following. I didn't like them being behind me, but I didn't think Risho was going to let them do anything to me. Not yet at least. As long as I followed his "wishes". I looked up to the sky absently and realized it was almost dark. It was useless of me to try to recognize where we were. I hadn't been in that many places of the Makai, the bandits only moved a few times and I had been so little I didn't pay much attention; so I simply tried to enjoy the scenery. The trees started to thin out and the sounds of the forest began to get quieter. We came around a bend and there in front of me was a large mansion like house. Risho stopped us and gave me a grin.

"Well. This is our home at the moment! Gama, set up the perimeter."

I took in the large windows, brick walls and the simple largeness of the building as Gama walked back into the forest chanting a little as he went. Bakken hadn't stopped when we had, walking up to the door and walking in.

"What do you think?"

He seemed to actually want my opinion.

"It's…large. And very pretty."

I was thinking of all the cleaning it was going to require if I was being honest, but I knew that's not what he was asking. His grin grew, eyes were still so cold. I wondered if he ever looked warm. The hand on my waist surely didn't get warm. It was as if he embodied the earth that was far below the surface, never experiencing the suns' warmth. With slight pressure Risho started to guide us up to the front steps. He stopped and motioned me to walk through the door before him. I hadn't moved much further in than the foyer as there stood a girl. She was at least a foot taller than me, a few inches shorter than Risho. Her brown hair was curly like mine, though it seemed the weight of it caused the hair on top to be almost straight. Even with the curls it fell to the middle of her back. She wore a black tank top and blue shorts of some material I wasn't familiar with. She sipped on some sort of light brownish drink with ice in it, her caramel colored eyes meeting mine as she sucked some of the drink with a straw. I saw her swallow and turn her eyes to Risho who I could feel standing behind me.

"You are expected in the meeting room. Kaze says you were supposed to be there an hour ago."

Risho growled at the girl.

"You think I care? I am the leader. I will be where I want when I want."

He wrapped his arm around me pulling me in close to his side. I stiffened at his touch but didn't pull away.

"I still think you should let him be the team leader. Then everyone will think that he is the more powerful one between you two."

I felt him more than saw him nod. He flexed his muscles and I rolled my eyes. The girl saw me and hid her smile by sipping more of the drink.

"I need you to show Kohana to her room and get her some food. She has had a long day."

"Anevay isn't done cooking. 'Kohana'", she made air quotes around my name as if it weren't really my name, "can eat when everyone else does. Deal with it."

I looked to Risho and saw him sneer at her. Risho didn't seem to be her biggest fan.

"Fine, Anastacia. Show her to her room and entertain her until dinner is finished. Anevay should've had food done by the time I was home."

I saw Gama slip in behind us, heading through an alcove to the right. Because I was watching him I didn't see Risho bend down, so the kiss on the cheek startled me. My mouth hung down as he stood straight.

"Anastacia will take care of you. Let her know if you need anything. I will see you at dinner."

I watched Risho walk through the alcove Gama had disappeared into. My gaze fell back to the girl. Anastacia. I tried taking a subtle sniff to try and detect what type of demon she was. I choked a little on the smell of burnt beans. Anastacia simply smiled as I got control of my breathing. As I took the deep breaths to breathe, I smelled something floral, but so subtle I probably wouldn't have smelled it if I hadn't been breathing so deep.

"You done dying?"

I took one last deep breath and nodded. She seemed to debate something, before sticking her hand out at me. The ice in her cup rattling around with the movement.

"Tacia. Please. Only people I hate call me Anastacia." I tentatively took her hand and shook it. Mistress had taught me the gesture one day when we were having some unusual dignitaries over one night.

"Come on. Let's go see the room Risho gave you."

I nodded and followed her. We walked towards an archway that was behind her. She set her cup, now empty but for the ice, on a small table just inside the archway and disappeared to the left. I quickly followed and found her walking up a set of stairs. We walked in silence for a little while, walking down hallways that I tried to memorize. Finally we arrived at a door. There wasn't anything special about it, except a small sign seemed to be attached to it. I squinted at the incredibly messy handwriting. "Kohana."

"K, so Risho is just down the hall from you, that door, " she vaguely pointed at the only other door in this hallway, "No offense but you smell like Bakken and that is disgusting. There is a wash basin in your room, and I think some clothes that might fit you in the dresser. The people that own this place seem to be all your size, the shrimps. So go ahead and get washed up. I'll come get you when dinner is ready. My sister is kind of behind right now, so just relax."

With that she turned back around, and headed back the way we came. Leaving me in the hallway by myself. I kind of sniffed my arm and pulled back with a face full of disgust. She was right. I smelled like Bakken and that was no compliment. I turned the handle and pushed the door in without taking another step. The room was beautiful! I was surprised as I took my first step into the room. I let my fingers play against the walls that seemed to have some sort of paper. I wasn't sure exactly but it seemed to even have gold interwoven in it. The whole room was colored in light gold, pinks, and whites. I wasn't too much a fan of pink normally, but it seemed to suit this room. I almost walked to the bed to lie down, I was so tired, but remembered I didn't smell good. I found the basin with the water already steaming hot. I set the light pink cloth in the water and let gravity take it to the bottom of the bowl as I stripped my clothes. I cleaned myself with the wet cloth, rung the cloth out and set it too dry on a little bar that seemed intended for that purpose. I looked through the dresser and found mostly dresses. I wasn't really a fan of them, only having to wear them when I had to serve the Mistress and guests in a formal event. I managed to find some loose pants and a tank top. Both were the most pristine white I had ever seen. I was almost afraid to wear them but I didn't have anything else. I quickly changed and went to the bed. My eyes barely able to stay open, I crawled onto it, not even pulling the blanket up. I fell asleep before my head even hit the pillow.

Author's Note: Hey all! This is a bit of a shorter one (not the shortest, but still shorter than normal), but I didn't want to end on another cliffhanger-type thing (similar to last chapter...so not cliff hanger just...le gasp! type thing?!). Either way! Here's chapter 14! I am will be posting what Anastacia and Anevay look like on my tumblr! OH! Tacia is pronounces Toz-ya fyi. I want to thank all my readers, followers and favoriters! It makes me so happy! I also love getting reviews! So please whether it's criticism or a simple thumbs up I'd love to hear from y'all! Thank you for reading and I hope you have enjoyed!

Special thank you to my reviewer of the last chapter: LadyEllesmere! I hope you enjoy this chapter!