Chapter 8: Undaunted

"Satoru, come back here!" Youhei's angry voice echoed throughout the tall, dark trees.

Sae continued to march, her steps picking up dust as she determinedly made her way back to the castle. The two full buckets of water sloshed over the rims as she walked, making it impossible to pick up a decent speed. But she was still a good lengths ahead of her brother.

"Satoru, did you hear me?! Come back right this instant!" Youhei shouted, sounding surprisingly closer.

"No!" Sae yelled over her shoulder, never breaking her stride.

"I am not kidding Satoru! There will be serious consequences when I catch you if you do not turn around right now!"

Sae snorted at that.

"SATORU!"

"You know yelling at her will not work," Touya's voice sounded much calmer, if a little wry. "She does not take orders well, as you already know."

"SATORU! FOR THE LAST TIME GET BACK HERE OR SO HELP ME-!" Youhei continued to holler, ignoring his companion. "SATORU!"

The clearing came into view, the bright rays of sun beaming down at the end of the path like a sign of freedom she was determined to obtain. Not just for herself, but for her brother as well.

"Give it up, Youhei," Touya sighed.

"Satoru!"

Sae stopped in her tracks, knowing that it had not been her brother's voice that called out this time. From the start of the path, she watched as a familiar face came striding briskly towards her. "Daichi," she said, slightly out of breath.

"There you are!" Daichi exclaimed, his usual carefree grin on his face. "That harpy of a woman was looking for you. Seeing as you were taking your time, they sent me to come fetch you."

"Oh," Sae grimaced. "I got caught up with-"

"SATORU!" Youhei roared, cutting her off.

Daichi looked past her shoulder in surprise. "Who's that?"

Sae sighed, hearing the stomping footsteps approaching. "My brother."

"Huh," Daichi's eyebrows rose. "No kidding. You never told me you had a brother."

Before Sae could respond, she felt a rough hand grab her shoulder and spin her around. She was met with the very hostile eyes of her twin.

"Why did you not stop when I told you to stop!?" Youhei growled, his glaring eyes shooting daggers.

His temper had little effect on Sae however. She shrugged. "Because I did not want to."

Touya made an appearance at Youhei's side, shaking his head. "Like I was saying Youhei, she-"

Sae kicked him in the shins.

"Ow!" Touya grunted, before turning to look at her in annoyance. "What was that for?"

Sae cleared her throat awkwardly as she nodded her head in Daichi's direction.

Touya arched a brow at the other servant boy. "And who are you?"

"Daichi," her friend said, proudly puffing out his rather small chest.

Sae rolled her eyes. Although compared to her, Daichi was much larger; He was still smaller compared to her brother and Touya. Especially now, after the other two had gained a good amount of muscle from being trained.

"Touya," he nodded in acknowledgment. "Did they send you to retrieve this little runt?"

Sae shot a glare in his direction.

Daichi nodded, glancing at Sae with amused eyes. "The housekeeper sent him for water over an hour ago. She is beginning to grow impatient."

"It was his fault," Sae automatically spoke up, pointing at her twin. "They interrupted me on my way back. But now that you're here, I can deliver the water post haste!"

"Hold it!" Youhei grabbed her elbow and hauled her back. "We still have many matters to discuss, you and I."

Daichi looked between the two brothers. "Can this matter not wait?"

"Yes."

"No."

Sae and Youhei spoke at once.

Daichi's eyebrows rose. "Alright then. I can take the water back for you, Satoru. But you mustn't dawdle. The housekeeper's patience does not extend very far."

"But-" Sae began to protest.

"Thank you, Daichi," Youhei nodded in approval. "I promise not to keep him long. I just need a few moments to discuss a small personal matter between siblings."

"Right," Daichi inclined his head, before grabbing a hold of the two half-spilled buckets of water from Sae.

"Thanks," Sae muttered, reluctantly letting go of the handles.

"No problem," Daichi winked. He turned to walk up the path, whistling a buoyant tune as he left.

Sae glared at his lean back, making a silent oath to get him back for his thinly veiled abandonment.

"Ahem," Youhei cleared his throat loudly.

Sae sighed and faced her twin.

"You are not competing in the tournament," Youhei stated bluntly, not mincing words.

But Sae stood her ground. "Yes, I am. Whether you like it or not."

A scowl began to form. "You will obey me in this Sae. I will not have you killed over a foolish notion and stupidity."

"It is not foolish!" Sae hissed angrily. "If you will not fight for our freedom then I will!"

"You fight for nothing!" Youhei yelled, getting in his sister's face. "You will be killed Sae and you would have fought for nothing!"

"I will win." Sae said with determination. "I am better than any man."

Youhei jeered mockingly. "These men that tower over you by more than 3 feet, you mean? That is laughable! How could you possibly believe you could win?"

Sae's chin rose haughtily. "Fighting has more to do than just brute strength. Sensei taught us that."

"Yes, but he did not mean to use his teachings as a way to win a tournament!" Youhei barked, throwing up his arms in frustration. "Why are you not listening?! I am not trying to hinder you in any way Sae, I am just trying to keep you safe!"

"You can't protect me forever, brother," Sae spoke quietly, feeling a twinge of guilt. The last thing she ever wanted was to worry Youhei, but she could not walk away from this opportunity. If there was any way that her and her brother could be set free than she had to at least try. "And no matter what you say or how much you yell, I will not change my mind."

That seemed to take the wind right out of her twin's sails. "Stubborn idiot," Youhei sighed, running a hand threw his black hair.

"Hey," Sae protested lightly, making a face.

"That is the least I could call you," Youhei snapped, still very irritated.

Sae wisely choose not to argue with that statement.

"Now that the sibling rivalry is temporarily at an end," Touya inserted himself between the twins and patted them both on the back. "We can begin discussing the details of Sae's training."

"Training?" Sae looked her question.

"For the tournament," was Touya's simple reply.

"I don't need any training," Sae said, crossing her arms.

"Oh yes, dear sister," an evil smirk tugged at Youhei's lips. "You do."

It wasn't long after that when Sae made her escape and returned back to the castle. Not before, however, a thorough idea of what the next couple of days would be like. Youhei and Touya were both in the same frame of mind when it came to her '"training".

No mercy.

Sae shuddered, wondering if perhaps she might be in over her head.

"And just where have you been boy?!" the plump housekeeper demanded the minute Sae walked into the kitchen. "I sent you to fetch water not lounge about for over an hour! It is already nightfall!"

"I'm deeply sorry, ma'am," Sae bowed, trying not to roll her eyes.

"Humph. Lucky for you, Daichi brought us the remaining water you were supposed to bring." The housekeeper raised her hands to her hips. "I will not tolerate this kind of behavior again, you hear?"

"Yes, ma'am," Sae muttered.

"Away with you," she shooed with her hand, a dismissal air about her. "I don't want to see your face in my kitchens for the rest of the evening. I have enough to worry about then some disobedient scrap like you."

Bowing one more time, Sae walked briskly out of the kitchen. When she entered the great hall she was met with silence. She knew that most of the servants were either in the dining hall with the guest or upstairs getting the chambers ready for the night. Since she really had nothing better to do, seeing as Lady Fukui was not to be disturbed for the rest of the evening, Sae decided to find Asumi and see if perhaps she could be of assistance.

It did not take long for Sae to find her friend.

"There you are," Sae said as a greeting, smiling.

Startled, Asumi looked up from her scrubbing of the tile. "Satoru, you scared me."

"Sorry," Sae said with a bit of chagrin. "I didn't realize you were so into your work."

With a tired sigh, Asumi put down her brush and leaned back on her legs. "I wasn't. But I've been doing this all day, so no one but me has been up here."

Sae's eyebrows scrunched together. "Why are you doing this alone? I thought it took 3 or more people to scrub the staircase?"

Asumi blushed. "Yes, well the other girls … said I would be better at it than them so they left me in charge."

Sae automatically felt her temper rise. "And you let them do this to you? Why did you not go tell the housekeeper?! She is horrid but at least the witch is fair. You cannot do this all by yourself!"

Asumi's red head was hanging low, no doubt covering her mortification. "I just … I just want them to accept me. Perhaps if I do this then the other girls might …" Asumi shrugged. "I don't know, like me?"

Sae sighed, her ire instantly gone. "Oh Asumi, they are just jealous of you," Sae took a seat next to her green eyed friend. "Do not lower yourself to their standards. You are better than they. Why would you want girls like that as your friends anyway?"

"Because …" Asumi gazed out into the great hall, her eyes longing. "I do not have any friends. A few less-than-worthy friends is better than no friends at all."

Sae scoffed, slightly insulted. "I am your friend."

Asumi blushed. "Yes, but Satoru you are a boy, I can hardly talk to you about everything. Although you are surprisingly insightful about the female mind, I still feel embarrassed to speak to you about things only women would understand."

"Like what?" Sae challenged, even though she felt that familiar twinge of guilt for hiding her true identity from Asumi. She had never taken into consideration that Asumi really had an issue being friends with only one boy. Sae had just been grateful to have made a friend when she had not known anyone. The fact that Asumi had been a girl had just been an added bonus.

But Asumi being unaware that she too had a female companion was a tricky situation.

"Don't make me say them Satoru," Asumi begged, looking mortified. "It is humiliating."

Sae raised an eyebrow. "Then why do you want to be friends with those girls so badly? If it is too humiliating then of what use are they?"

"You just do not understand!" Asumi threw up her arms uncharacteristically, her tone exasperated. "I cannot tell you, that is why it is awkward! You are a man, you could not possibly begin to comprehend the concerns of a woman!"

Narrowing her eyes, Saw seriously considered admitting the truth to her friend. Sae knew she could trust Asumi. She would never betray her trust. But could Sae confide the one secret that could get her killed –and thereby killing her brother- who would no doubt die trying to save her?

Sae stared straight into the honest aqua blue eyes of her friend. "Asumi I-"

"Satoru!" a high pitched voice called out.

Sae looked down from her place on top of the stairs and saw Kagami, one of the maids assigned to the lord's guests, standing at the bottom of the stairwell. Sae wasn't sure if she felt relief from the interruption or annoyance.

"Lady Fukui has demanded your services right away," Kagami continued, looking slightly disheveled, as if she ran to deliver the message.

Sae looked confused. "But she informed me that she would not be needing me for the rest of the night."

Kagami rolled her eyes. "Yes well she has changed her mind, apparently. You know how the nobility are."

"Yeah," Sae exhaled. She turned to Asumi. "I'll see you later."

Asumi just nodded, grabbing her brush and going back to washing the tile.

When Sae made it to the bottom of the stairs, she placed her hand on Kagami's shoulder and gave her a hard look. "Find the girls who were assigned to clean the staircase immediately and let them know that if they do not help Asumi finish, someone might let it slip that they snuck out after hours to the hot springs last week."

Kagami eyebrows rose up high but she nodded. "I'll let them know."

"Good," Sae smiled and continued on her away, ignoring Asumi's groan of embarrassment.

"Faster Sae," Youhei barked, giving her another shove on the mid of her back.

A muscle ticked above her temple. "If you push me one more time Youhei so help me-" Sae growled through gritted teeth.

"You'll what?" Youhei challenged harshly, giving her another shove –this time harder. "You've already got us killed, seeing as you cannot even keep a decent pace! How do you expect to win if you cannot even handle running up a damn hill!" Youhei's voice rose an octave with each word.

Sae was panting as she tried regaining her equilibrium while she ran. Sweat was dripping down her face and all along her back. Her harsh breathing could barely be heard over her rapidly beating heart. The muscle in her legs and arms were aching with utter exhaustion. Yet none of that mattered as her temper hit its peak. "I have been running all day! Of course I cannot run as fast anymore Youhei!" Sae yelled, her voice coming out raspy. She could barely speak through her shallow pants of breath, her lungs straining to catch enough air. "Give me a goddamn break!"

"You think those men are going to GIVE YOU A BREAK?!" Youhei roared back, running alongside her, sweat also dripping down his enraged features. "THEY'LL SOONER SLICE YOUR HEAD OFF BEFORE LISTENING TO A PLEAD OF MERCY! WAKE UP SAE, THERE ARE NO BREAKS!"

Finally, after two day of what seemed like endless torture, Sae snapped.

"SHUT UP!" Sae shouted right before turning and swinging her fist at her twin's face with all the strength she possessed.

Her knuckled connected with his jaw before Youhei had time to react. A searing pain ran straight up her arm at the contact, her bones feeling as if they were vibrating from the hit.

"What the f*ck!" Youhei bellowed stumbling back, shocked.

"It's no less than you deserved!" Sae hissed furiously, her knuckled throbbing in pain. "I've been putting up with your constant abuse and snide attitude for two days! All in the name of your so called training! And I'm sick of it! If you did not want to help me then you shouldn't have come! I can win this tournament on my own! I don't need you or your bullshit!" Her chest moved up and down rapidly with her harsh breathing.

Looking aggravated, Youhei moved his jaw side to side, gingerly touching it with his fingers. Sae noted with malicious satisfaction that he winced when he touched the bruise that was starting to form on his skin. "Sae-"

"I don't want to hear anything you have to say!" Sae spat, immediately turning on her heel and stomping back.

"Sae wait a min-!"

"Shove it up your ass brother!" Sae shouted resentfully, deciding to run before Youhei retaliated.

Youhei cursed savagely and took off after his sister.

"What happened?" Touya asked, his eyebrows shooting up the minute he spotted Sae dashing down the hill and into the clearing –without Youhei.

"Nothing," Sae snarled, her temperament foul. She could not exactly place her animosity. It either had to do with the fact that her brother was treating her like trash or that he did not believe she could win the tournament. Both stung.

Touya raised his hands in an acquiescing manner. "Hey, I am not Youhei, remember? I am just trying to help. I do not want to see you hurt either."

"I bet you think I won't win, either." Sae snapped, running her sleeve over her sweaty face.

"No," Touya started slowly, as if weary of a caged tiger about to pounce. "I actually believe you have a good shot at winning. Despite the fact that you are a girl and most of the men entering are twice your size."

Slightly mollified, Sae took a second to try to calm down and inhaled a deep breath. Touya was not the source of her anger. She should not try and bite his head off. He had been helping. The one who had actually tried keeping Youhei from running her into the ground.

"I … I am sorry Touya," Sae exhaled wearily, plopping herself against a tree. "I know you are only here to help."

Touya walked over and sat next to her. "That was a close call. I think I almost wet myself," he said jokingly, an impish smirk forming on his mouth.

Sae snorted, shaking her head.

"Sae," Touya instantly becoming serious. "What happened?"

Sae sighed, resting her head on the tree and looked up at the sky. "Youhei just … pushed me too hard this time. I cannot take his malign treatment anymore. I do not understand his problem. He was the one who said he wanted to train me but all he does is degrade me at every turn. If he did not want to help then he shouldn't have said he would. And if he didn't truly believe he could help me win this tournament then Youhei should have just left me to my fate."

"How could he possibly do that?" Touya shook his head. "You are his sister. And although it does not seem like it, he is putting all his faith in you. He is just scared for you, Sae. Just like you would not like to see your brother hurt, he cannot bear the thought of you being wounded in a fight."

Sae looked away from the clear blue sky and glanced at Touya. "Then why has he been so hostile these past two days?"

"All this," Touya gestured to the clearing, where all the training materials were scattered all over the ground. "Is just to make sure you are prepared for anything and anyone. Youhei may have been harsh but he is merely trying to get you ready for the obstacles you are about to face, Sae. You may not realize that being a female gives you a distinct disadvantage but Youhei and I know what these men are capable of. So trust me when I say that they will stop at nothing to get that money."

At his bleak words, Sae looked over the clearing once more, worrying her lip. "I know this," Sae finally spoke softly, fisting her bloody knuckles and taking some relief in the sting of pain that ran up her hand. "But I cannot just give up. If there is even a slight chance that I can win our freedom, I have to at least try. Youhei and I have already been through so much in our short life time, we deserve the right to be free. And I will not rest until we can have our own families, free of slavery or confinement. I refuse to believe we will die here before we even get the chance to live."

"Are you ready to die for that belief?" Touya asked solemnly, his face grim.

Sae felt a spike of fear but she nodded gravely. "Yes. If I die at least fighting for our freedom, I will rest in peace knowing I died honorably."

His grey eyes stormy, Touya reached over and squeezed Sae's hand. "For Youhei's sake, I hope that never comes to pass."

Sae half smiled, feeling ill at ease.

"For pity's sake Touya can you not keep it in your pants for five minutes?!" Youhei's aggravated voice entered the clearing. "That is my sister!"

A twinkle entering his eyes, Touya leaned back casually, throwing an arm insouciantly around Sae's shoulder. "I don't know Youhei, now that I get a better look at her face I think I'd risk a duel with you just for a night with your sister."

Sae made a sound of disgust, trying to shrug off his arm. "As if I'd ever be interested in a pig like you."

Touya made a feigned look of hurt. "You wound me, Sae. I thought what we had was something special."

Sae scoffed, finally dislodging his arm and standing up. "Hardly. You'd have a better chance at bedding Youhei than me. How about you aim for the twin you actually have a chance with?"

"Excuse me?" Youhei's indignant tone rang clear.

Touya laughed, standing up. "Your brother is a little on the hairy side for me, but …" He gave his friend an appraising look up and down, devilish grin in place. "I can see the possibilities."

Youhei sputtered.

Sae couldn't help but crack a smile.

"You were joking, of course," Youhei asked a few minutes later, eyeing his fellow comrade mistrustfully.

"Of course of course," Touya waved away his friend's question airily, picking up another sword from the ground. But when Youhei visibly relaxed, he added calmly, "You are too high strung for my taste. If you'd just relax every once in a while you would be perfect."

His foot catching on a rock, Youhei stumbled and fell onto his face.

"You are cruel," Sae chuckled as her twin cursed loudly and nudged Touya with her elbow. "But I like it."

Touya grinned in her direction. "That will teach him not to eat my left over beef when I'm not looking," he shrugged before picking up another item off the grass.

Shaking her head, Sae silently watched her brother dusted himself off, all the while muttering to himself as he shot daggers at his happily humming friend. Now that her anger had finally died down, Sae could admit to herself that her brother was not at fault for most of her aggravation and unease. She knew that she had been holding on to a very tight rope these past few days. The closer the tournament got the easier it was for her to snap, feeling as if she was dangling off the cliff ready to fall into the desolate abyss. And although Youhei had been rather callous with his training, she had not truly thought he did it to be unkind or vindictive. Deep down Sae knew her twin did it because he cared, however misguided it was.

"Youhei," Sae said, striding towards her sibling.

Hair the same midnight black as her own rustled in the wind as he turned towards her. His dark eyes automatically narrowed suspiciously. "If you plan to hit me again, I will be forced to tie your hands together until we return you to the castle."

Even though a smile tugged on her lips at the memory, Sae shook her head and raised both hands. "I come in peace."

Youhei grunted, his only response to that.

"You owe me an apology," Sae said, crossing her arms.

"I owe you an apology?" Youhei repeated incredulously. "May I remind you it was you that hit me!"

"Can't handle a punch from a girl, my friend?" Touya called out mockingly.

"You stay out of this!" Youhei barked back warningly.

Sae rolled her eyes. "Honestly, it was not that hard-"

Youhei began to scowl. "I-"

"But," Sae interrupted, holding up her hand to silence him. "I do owe you an apology as well."

That silenced him.

"I understand why you drove me so hard," She continued, staring straight into her brother's eyes. "But what I do not understand is why you had to be such an ass about it."

There was a few moments in awkward silence. In which both twin's stared at each other, the calm breeze sweeping past them.

"Sae …" Youhei finally began, running a hand through his jet black hair before blowing out an audible breath. "I do not want you to do this."

Sae saw the anguish that fell over his features, an answering ache beginning to pulse in her chest.

"I do not want you to compete," Youhei said solemnly. "I cannot sit by and watch you get killed. I refuse to let that happen."

Sae swallowed a lump in her throat. "I have to do this Youhei," she replied softly, staying resolved although a part of her wanted to reassure him. She knew better than anyone what her chances were of actually winning. But her determination to win their freedom would not allow her to back down. "I've told you time and time again, no matter what you say or do you cannot stop me."

Youhei was in front of her the next instant, grabbing her shoulders. "Do you not understand?" he demanded urgently, shaking her. "You. Can. Die."

"I know!" Sae shifted away from him, breaking his hold. "I know. But I am willing to risk my life for this chance. For you and for me."

"But I am not willing to risk that!" Youhei exploded, throwing up his arms in frustration. "I would rather spend the rest of our lives serving Lord Sesshomaru than have you die trying to save us from it!"

"Well I'm not!" Sae shouted back. "I do not want to be a servant forever! I want to be free!"

Her voice echoed in the clearing, filling the peaceful air. So out of place with the warm tranquil landscape.

Abruptly, Youhei's shoulders slumped as a look of defeat crossed his face. "You are my only sister. I cannot lose you," he said sorrowfully, his eyes filled with grief. "You are the only person I have left."

Her owns eyes filling with tears, Sae rushed towards her brother and threw her arms around his waist, hugging him. "You won't lose me, Youhei. I promise," she whispered fiercely, her emotions pressing down onto her chest. "I will win this tournament."

"You better," Youhei murmured, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. "Or I'll kill you."

Sae chuckled into his shirt, taking comfort from his presence for a second longer before letting go. She looked up into his face, scanning his features. "I will win brother."

Youhei sighed. "Of course," He nodded, unable to keep the hint of doubt that clouded his eyes.

Touya suddenly appeared in the middle of them. "Can I get in on a little of this action?" He asked, his arms open wide.

Sae rolled her eyes, waving a hand at her sibling. "Go right ahead, I'm sure he wouldn't mind."

Youhei narrowed his eyes dangerously at his friend. "Don't. You. Dare."

Touya grinned.

*Disclaimer: All publicly recognizable characters, settings, etc. are the property of Rumiko Takahashi. The original characters and plot are the property of the author of this story. Any violence, perceived abuse, or negative behavior should not be taken literally. The plot is for entertainment purposes only. This author is in no way associated with the owners, creators, or producers of any previously copyrighted material.