Chapter 37

Izuma tried to chew through the nasty piece of cloth that was in between her teeth. It was tied so tight she couldn't even close her mouth. The blood from her wrist soaked her pajama sleeve and she was starting to get a little light headed. Her ankles were throbbing and burned when she tried to squeeze the free from the ropes. Her eyes snapped up when she heard noise at the entrance of the cave.

She watched as that boy Komaru walked hesitantly inside, holding what looked like some food and some bandages. He gave her a smile gulped. "Hi." he said. He kneeled down next to her and set hiss stuff down. "I don't want to harm you, we both know I'll be the one getting hurt." he said with a slight grin.

If she wasn't tied up and dizzy from lose of blood, that would have almost been funny. "Go way fore I ki wu!" she said, her voice muffled by the gag.

"Hold on, let me tack that gag off." he said.

The moment his fingers got the rag free, she yelled in panic. "HELP ME! AHHHHHH! MOM! DAD! IM IN HERE, HELP!" she screamed.

"Shhhh! Dammit, be quiet! I'm trying to help you!" he said placing his hand over her mouth. He hissed in pain when her fangs dug into palm. "Ow! Stop it before my dad hears you!" he cried desperately, trying to shove the gag back in her mouth.

She jerked her head away from him. "Go away! Don't touch me!" she screeched.

"Alright, I tried to be nice." he said. He tackled her down and climbed on top of her. She struggled, still screaming and thrashing. She growled when he finally was able to gag her again. She bucked and threw him off, worming against the cave wall.

"Calm down, please Izuma." he begged.

She rolled her eyes and decided to hear what this jerk had to say. Her yes drifted down to her mouth and she let out an annoyed noise.

"Okay, let's try again." he said slowly. She remained still as he inched over to where she was. His hands approached her but he stopped. "Only if you promise not to scream again, okay?" he said.

She nodded and he reached up to untie her gag. She thought about trying to bite him again, but let him take it off without a fight. She remained silent as he threw the rag aside. She sat still as he picked up the stuff he had brought with him and sat it between them both.

He took towel that the guy who brought her here had found and dipped the corner of it in some water. "Here, let me clean your face up." he said. Her body was covered in deep scratches.

She winced and pulled away as he dabbed some on her face. "That burns." she said.

"Yeah but it will keep those cuts from getting infected." he said. What was this guy, a health expert? He finished and looked at her hand, which still was bleeding heavily. "Let me see your hand." he said. She held up her bound arms and he gave her a stern look. "Don't try anything." he said.

"Don't worry, I'm too drained to kill you now." she said, trying to keep from passing out.

He grasped the rope and snapped it with ease. Blood still flowed as he held her wrist firmly. "This is gonna hurt." he said.

"What do you …" she said but didn't get to finish. He yanked her hand roughly and her scream of pain rang out from the cave, followed by a gush of blood. He held her arm in place and pushed a white bandage on the wound and wrapped it fast. Tears streamed down her face as he tied it tight and secured it.

"Here, want something to eat?" he asked, holding out a piece of boar meat.

She snatched it from him and devoured it violently. It tasted weird, but she didn't care, she was starving.

'I'll take that as a yes." he said with a laugh.

"Hey, um … could you untie my feet, they hurt." she said, playing the sympathy card. He nodded and snapped them free. The rush of blood to her toes was almost painful. "Uh, thanks." she said.

"Sure." he said casually. He sat down and just stared at her.

"What are you looking at?" she snapped as he handed her a cup of water. "Just go away, please. I'm not going anywhere, I'm just waiting for my dad to come here and kill your father, I'm gonna enjoy watching him die." she growled as she gulped down the cool liquid, which soaked her dry throat.

"I had nothing to do with this." he insisted, holding his hands up in defense.

"Why am I not convinced?" she asked.

"What can I do to show you no part in this?" he said.

"Let me go stupid." she said dumbly.

"I can't do that." he said.

"Why not?" she asked coldly.

"My dad got in a pact with this man. He just showed up and I heard dad talking to him." Komaru explained.

"Wait, what guy?" she asked.

"I don't know, but he looks mean." he said.

Izuma scoffed and grabbed an apple that was in the bowl on the ground. She tried to push herself of the ground with her good hand, but stumbled against the wall and slid back down. "Dammit!" she said.

"What are doing?" he asked.

"Relax hotshot, I'm just standing up. Trust me, if I try to run away, you'll know it." she assured him.

"Here, let me help you." he said reaching for her arm. She refused and tried to shove him off but he just ignored. She was too weak to put up much of a fight and he didn't want her to get hurt. The push she gave him was so weak. Then it occurred to him that if she would have been fine, he'd probably be on the ground by now. He helped her to the cave entrance, where she washed her face with her good hand. This girl was brat and she smelled awful, but he liked her.