Chapter 10: Sae, Revealed
In a dark room where a white linen bed stood in the corner, lay the body of a young woman. Her breathing was even, her skin as pale as new fallen snow and her lips as pink as a cherry blossom. She rested motionlessly, bandages wrapped around her right shoulder, torso and neck. Bruises covered her skin, striking against her paleness.
"She is female," said an emotionless voice. There was not a question in his statement.
"Y-yes, my lord," the village doctor responded nervously, he looked back at his patient apprehensively. "She was wearing men's clothing when she was brought into my care but she is most certainly female."
"She will live," another statement.
Again, the doctor answered anyway. "Oh yes, m-my lord. She dislocated her shoulder and her back was heavily damaged but she seems to be making an excellent recovery. It is in my opinion that she will be perfectly well with plenty of rest."
"Is that so," Sesshomaru glanced over at the corpse like body. His eyes grew colder as he studied the female form on the bed. He, and everyone else it seemed, had been fooled by this one tiny woman. She had deceived and lied about who she was. And Sesshomaru did not permit being fooled. Not by the likes of a pathetic little human woman. His lip curled in disgust. There would be punishment.
Sensing the icy mood overtaking the lord, the other male took an anxious step back. "My lord?" he ventured skittishly, as the room remained in silence.
"When she awakens, I want her brought to me immediately," Sesshomaru said in a tone that could freeze ice.
"O-of course my lord," the doctor bowed as the lord walked out of the hut and into the afternoon light.
When it was just the doctor and the girl, the older man adjusted his round spectacles on his nose and gazed down at the young female in wonderment. When he had been bandaging her up and treating her wounds, there had been clear evidence that the woman had been a servant in the lord's castle. Her hands were calloused from work and her arms were toned from daily labor. So it had mystified the old man immensely that the Lord of the Western Lands had come to deliver the girl personally into his care.
What was it about this girl that made her different?
As the girl lay comatose for the next 5 days, the old village doctor busied himself with talking to her. Asking her questions about her relationship to his lordship. In all his years of serving Lord Sesshomaru, never had he seen him give any true attention to any human, other than the little mortal girl named Rin.
It was on the sixth day early the next morning, after the old man had stepped out to help with the delivery of a newborn, in which the girl in question had awoken.
"Urgh," Sae moaned in agony, her mind beginning to stir with the first moments of consciousness. At first, all she could see was darkness. But as her brain began to comprehend a little at a time, she was able to lift her heavy eyelids.
Sae blinked up at the dark, brown ceiling. "Where am I?" she mumbled out loud, turning her aching head to the side. She took in the table covered in metal tools, linen soaked in blood, and cups of water laying around the room. It looked like a patient's room in the village doctor's hut.
She had survived!
A minute of euphoria over took Sae's emotions. She could have sworn that she had been a goner as she felt her breath slowly slip away from her. She had even said her goodbyes in her heart, hoping it would reach those who had become dear to her. But right before she had gone unconscious, she could have sworn she heard someone say the lord's name.
Had he stopped the soldier from killing her? But … why?
Her temple began to throb and Sae let out another pained moan. Her throat felt dry so she slowly sat up. Sharp pains shot throughout her body but still she managed to lift herself. A few seconds of dizziness passed before she could lean over and grab the cup of water that lay by the bed. She sipped, relishing the feel of cool liquid running down her throat.
Cup empty, she laid it back down where it had been and took another gander at the room. She saw a chair standing against the wall, a pill of folded clothes sitting on top.
Gasping, Sae looked down at herself. Her men's clothing were gone! All she wore was a pair of thin pants and bandages that covered her breasts and torso. They must know. She may be able to hide her true identity underneath men's baggy clothing, but with her whole top half being bare it was evidently clear that she was not male.
"I have to get out of here," she said to no one in particular, lifting herself up from the bed. First she had to find Youhei and make sure he was alright. And then, they would come up with a plan to escape. She knew her secret would not stay a secret for long. If the village doctor knew, then everyone would know. Thus were the ways of a small village.
Sae made a slow process of shrugging on her clothing. She was thankful to discover that someone had taken the time to wash them. They smelled clean and it would have been horrid if she had had to go days in the bloody, smelly attire.
"Ah, you're awake," someone said, in a croaky voice.
Startled, Sae snapped the unbuttoned shirt closed and whipped away from the intruder. "Don't look!" she yelled over her shoulder, finding her voice hoarse.
"Oh, my apologies my dear!" the old doctor exclaimed, turning around as his face flushed a deep red. "I didn't think you'd be recovered this quickly."
Sae hastily buttoned up the rest of the shirt. When done, she cautiously faced the old man. "It's alright Dr. Yamada, you just startled me."
His face still flushed, Dr. Yamada turned around. "You remember me," he beamed, adjusting his glasses on his long narrow nose.
Sae nodded. "You helped me patch up Youhei a few times."
"Ah yes," his face took on a faraway look. "I recall that. Your brother always did seem to find himself in trouble quite a bit. He was able to get away with most of it. But that time, I recall a particular farmer taking a great disliking for the lad and slicing his arm quite badly."
"Yes," Sae shook her head in exasperation. "Youhei never did learn how to quit."
"He is a strong boy," Dr. Yamada said, with a nod of approval. "He did what he thought best for you both. After your parent's death, many did not think you two would make it at such a young age."
Sae swallowed a lump in her throat. Dr. Yamada was one of the rare people to have known her parents. Most of the villagers had been either too young or did not remember them. They had been a poor family. A happy one, given. But still unworthy of true remembrance. The death of the mother and father of two orphaned twins had went on without much notice.
Dr. Yamada caught the look of sadness on her face. "Ah well," he cleared his throat awkwardly, having forgotten himself. "I'm sure they are watching down on you both. I daresay, they must be. Both you and your brother seem to have a knack for cheating death."
Reminded of her battle, Sae lifted her hand to her right shoulder and rubbed. The pains were more potent when reminded that they existed. So the agonizing achiness seemed to intensify as she stood there. She closed her eyes for a moment, breathing through the discomfort.
"It will be painful for a few more weeks before you feel free to move around comfortably," the doctor advised, going over to the corner with the medical supplies and rummaging around. "Ah, here we are," he proclaimed before turning back and gesturing towards the bed. "Please sit my dear, I need to recheck those wounds."
Already Sae was shaking her head. "No, it's alright Dr. Yamada I have always recovered quickly from my injuries. I'm sure they will be fine in a few days. I really must be going now."
The doctor stopped mid-step, a strange look entering his eyes. "Going?"
Sae was inching towards the door as she nodded. "Yes, Youhei will probably be worried. And I'm sure they are expecting me back at the castle," Sae lied, knowing that although this man was a doctor, she still could not trust anyone. A lesson she learned long ago.
The older man gently put down the fresh linen of bandages he held on the table by the bed. "Sae," he began softly, looking concerned.
Something in his voice made Sae freeze. She stopped herself from sprinting towards the doorway and gazed back at Dr. Yamada. It had been the first time in what felt a very long while that she had been called by her name from someone other than her twin. It actually felt a little strange after being called Satoru for so long. "Yes?" she said cautiously, suddenly getting a feeling of unease. She didn't like his abrupt stillness.
"I know you and your brother have been through quite a lot in your short life," he said, not without kindness. "I was there for your birth, did you know that?"
Sae nodded, unsure where he was going with this.
"I'm sure your mother or father would have told you the story," he continued, sitting down on the chair by the bed with a tired sigh. "Since the moment you entered this world, I could tell you were a fighter. The cord had been wrapped around your throat as your mother tried to give birth to you. Somehow, after all those hours, we were able to get you out. And as healthy as ever. I believe since then, I knew you would somehow end up causing a villager or two some trouble. How tenacious you were since you came into this world-"
"Dr.-" Sae began to say, wariness beginning to become trepidation. The longer she stayed, the less chance she had to escape.
He held up a hand, ignoring the small sense of urgency in her voice. "So as you and Youhei grew up, I watched you bloom into quite a strong young pair of adults. I must admit, I even doubted your strength after the tragic death of your parents. However, to my surprise, you were both able to survive well on your own. Although I did hear a few rumors about stealing," He looked over the top of his glasses at her.
Even after all this time, Sae still blushed with shame.
He shook his head. "But who is really to judge. You both were too young to really know better. And still you grew up to be determined and fought for your survival. So when you disappeared those months ago, I had hoped that you had found a place to begin again." The doctor exhaled wearily, rubbing his temple. "Imagine my surprise when Lord Sesshomaru brought your unconscious body to me a week ago."
"We were in the wrong place at the wrong time," Sae was apologetic. How could she not? Although she or Youhei had never been particularly close to the doctor, he had been one of those rare adults who had not pretended that they did not exist. He was respected because he respected. And Sae had never forgotten all the times he treated their wounds.
"Stealing, no doubt," he accused, his voice laced with disapproval. But almost instantly, his face and voice softened. "Ah, well it does not matter now, does it? It is best to leave the past in the past. No, what I am trying to explain to you Sae is what may lay ahead for you."
"W-what do you mean?" Sae looked her question, the sense of dread building higher as he spoke. The doctor may have been kind to her and her twin but he never spoke more than a few words. Mostly those of disapproval or reproach, but never longer than a sentence or two. And definitely not talks about the future.
"There was a time when I would have risked letting you go, my dear," he answered, his voice a contrast to what he was saying. His tone was soft and kind but his words gave Sae a chill. "But those days are gone. I am an old man and can no longer fight for fruitless causes. Therefore, I cannot go against the lord's wishes."
"Wishes?" Sae whispered, knowing but still asking anyway.
Dr. Yamada looked straight into her dark eyes, any sign of warmth vacant in his expression. "I'm afraid my dear this is the last time we will ever meet. Lord Sesshomaru has requested you be delivered back into his care the moment you awoke."
"Dr. Yamada please-"
"And as we both are very aware," he continued as if she hadn't spoken. "When the lord takes a special interest in a human, the outcome is never a good one."
Her heart in her throat, Sae started taking steps back. "You traitor," she spat, feeling betrayed by a man she respected. Although she knew this kind of behavior was to be expected, especially when the alternative was risking his own life, she still harbored hope that those who knew her would not turn their backs.
Obviously, she had hoped too much.
"It was either you or I, Sae," he adjusted his glasses again, his benevolent appearance misleading. "I choose me."
"Coward," she said with disgust. "At least I will die having fought for what I care for. This will not be said about you doctor."
Sae then turned around and ran.
Straight into the arms of the Lord of the Western Land's soldiers.
"Let me go!" Sae screeched, thrashing and shoving with all her might. But the iron clad grips on her arms seemed unbreakable.
"You better settle down woman," one of the soldiers threatened, tightening his hold to an almost unbearably degree. "Or I'll be forced to knock you unconscious."
"Try it then!" Sae hissed, using her whole body weight and knocking into him from her side. A searing pain shot through her shoulder but Sae just gritted her teeth.
As the soldier stumbled, his clasp on her arm loosened.
Sae took advantage and yanked her arm away. She then turned towards the other soldier and swung her free hand at his face. Her bruised knuckles made contacted with his nose.
He howled in pain.
"You b*tch!" the soldier yelled, pouncing on her before she could make a run for it. He grabbed her shoulders and pushed her to the ground, kneeling on her back.
Sae grunted from the impact as the dirt kicked up around her face.
"I'll teach you a lesson about respect, gel," he snarled, fumbling around with the button of his pants.
"Get off of me!" Sae shouted, jerking and thrashing. He grabbed her wrists roughly and held them above her head. "You sick son of a-"
"Let her go," a male voice spoke with lethal command.
Sae and the solider stopped moving and looked up. Into the familiar face of General Nagasaki.
The man kneeling over her body protested. "But sir she-"
"I said now."
Immediately Sae felt the agonizing weight lift off her.
"She is not to be touched," the general grated, his dark scowl staring down the five soldiers surrounding Sae. "The lord had specific orders. The girl is not to be harmed. Only delivered. Alive. Is this understood?" There was a steel note in his tone.
All spoke at once. "Yes, sir!"
Sae was pulled up abruptly by the scruff of her shirt. When she was upright -again with two soldiers on either side of her- she shot a glare at the man who had attempted to violate her. "You're dead."
He took a threatening step towards her-
"I suggest," General Nagasaki spoke quietly, but no less deadly. "You get back to the front boy, before you do something you'll regret."
With a furious look at Sae, the soldier stomped away to do as he was bid.
"You best take that look of satisfaction off your face, woman," the general warned, looking down his nose at her. "We may have been given orders not to harm you but I doubt that is because the lord cares for your well-being."
Sae's glare was transferred to the general.
"I must admit," he continued, coming to stand right in front of her. "You fought well in the tournament … for a woman."
Refusing to rise to his bait, Sae kept her mouth clamped shut. If it hadn't been for that abnormally huge man and his deathly choke hold, Sae would have won that tournament. Something, both she and General Nagasaki knew well. But no reason to taunt him with that knowledge any more than need be. She was better than most of those trained in his army and she could take satisfaction from that.
"I wager you thought to win the money and escape with your brother, did you not?" he continued, beginning to walk around her. "To buy your freedom and live happily ever after, hmm?" there was a scoff in his voice. "And your brother let you go on believing that did he? I bet he regrets those ridiculous notions now. No one, absolutely no one has ever left the servitude of Lord Sesshomaru. Serve or die. Those are the only options. But do you want to know where your brother has been since the last time you saw him? Do you want to know what's been done to him?"
Her heart picked up its tempo. "Where's Youhei?" she demanded, worry immediately making her stomach twists into knots. "What happened to my brother?"
General Nagasaki took pleasure in the desperate way she asked. His face took on a smug smirk. "He is getting what he deserves for deceiving our lord. Just like you will."
"He didn't do anything!" Sae shouted, fighting against her hold once more. "It was all me! I planned it all! He knew nothing about it! He doesn't deserve any punishment!"
"General," one of the men restraining her grunted, after receiving another kick in the shins.
His head held high, smug expression still present, General Nagasaki nodded his head. "Knock her out."
Sae felt a sharp sting in the back of her head and fell limp into the soldier's arms.
"Sae."
Her eyes twitched behind her heavy eyelids.
"Sae, wake up."
She moaned, trying to comprehend what was happening.
"Sae, wake up!"
With a jolt, Sae's eyes shot open.
"Thank goodness," came Youhei's relieved sigh. "I thought you weren't going to wake up."
"Youhei?" Sae said groggily, shaking her head. She felt a heavy weight on her arms as she tried to lift herself up from the murky floor. The clear sound of metal scraping against stone reached her ears. "What is this?" she gazed down at her chained wrist and ankles in confusion.
"We're in the lord's dungeon," Youhei said grimly, his silhouette becoming clearer as she gained back her sight.
When she was finally able to see lucidly, Sae gasped at her twin's appearance. "What did they do to you?" she whispered hoarsely, gazing in horror at her sibling's condition.
Youhei shrugged his shoulders and attempted a smile through his busted lip. "It looks worse than it is, Sae."
She shook her head. "Don't lie to me Youhei. I can tell you are injured badly. Did they … did they punish you?" Sae swallowed her emotions back, trying to be strong. It was her fault that her brother was in this situation.
"There is no use worrying about that now Sae," Youhei said harshly, lifting himself onto his knees. The clang of metal echoed through the dark, gloomy dungeon. "We have to get you out of here before Lord Sesshomaru comes back."
Sae couldn't help but give a bitter laugh. "Another escape plan brother? Didn't we learn from the last one that there is no escaping this place? We're doomed to die in this hellhole."
"Don't talk like that!" Youhei barked, although his face was bruised and swollen he still had an air of determination. "We will get out of this! You must continue to fight!"
Finally, hot tears filled her vision. "It's already too late Youhei. You told me yourself, the people who come to the dungeons never return. Our fates are sealed, Youhei. I-I just …" her cheeks became streaked with tears. "I just want to say I'm sorry. I'm sorry, this is all my fault. I should have listened but I was such a fool. I thought that if I tried hard enough, we could gain our freedom. I'm just s-sorry." A sob caught in her throat.
"Sae, listen to me," Youhei's face was blurry but Sae could still sense his concern. It was not normal for his younger twin to give up. Out of the both of them, Sae had always been the one with hope. It's what balanced them so well. She was the light to his dark. "It isn't your fault. You did what you thought you had to do. No one can blame you for that. I am sorry that I did not believe in you sooner, Sae. Maybe things would have turned out differently if I had. We can discuss that later. But right now, we have to get out of here."
"How?" Sae all but wailed, unable to keep the emotions of the past from bubbling up to the surface. Her bones ached, her muscled felt ready to give in, and her emotions were all but spent. All in all, Sae felt hopeless. After all they fought for, she still ended up in Lord Sesshomaru's dungeon.
"I … don't know yet." Youhei admitted, rattling his shackles as if testing their strength. "But I'll come up with a plan."
Unwilling to crush her twin's hopes, Sae just nodded. She lifted one heavy wrist and wiped her wet face. If there was one thing Sae knew how to do well was putting on a brave face. Even when facing her doom.
It seemed hours that past, as both twins sat in silence. The orange afternoon light soon dimmed into the black night sky. The air was soon filled with the sounds of owls hooting and crickets chirping. They were sounds Sae had come to lull herself to sleep by, after long hours of hard work and deep conversations with Daichi. At the time, most of her thoughts had been filled with dreams of life outside the castle. Now, sitting in the cold bleak dungeon chamber, she'd give anything to go back to those days.
"Was Touya taken too?" Sae asked, trying to steer her miserable thoughts elsewhere. She'd drive herself slowly insane with what-could-have-been's. Why deprive Lord Sesshomaru the privilege of her death?
Sae shook her head. Enough.
"No," Youhei replied after a small pause. He had been spending his time testing out his chains and the distance between himself and the window with bars. No doubt trying to think of a plan of escape. "He tried to hold me back after the lord stopped that bastard from choking you to death. But when they started carrying you away, I couldn't prevent myself from trying to go after you. I wasn't sure if you were okay or not. I had to know for myself that you were going to survive. That is when Lord Sesshomaru commanded I be taken to the dungeons." He shrugged, wincing slightly at action. Undoubtedly he moved an injury that was worse than he let on. "I may have fought the guards harder than necessary to reach you. That is why my punishment was probably harsher than it could have been."
"Oh Youhei," Sae sighed wearily, she had known that her brother would try to come after her. What she hadn't counted on was him doing it right in front of the lord –"Wait, so it was Lord Sesshomaru that stopped the fight?" Her tone was incredulous.
"Yeah," Youhei starched his head. "I was shocked too. As was everyone else in the castle. Especially when he killed that guy on the spot. Lord Sesshomaru hadn't even asked any questions. Just pulled out his sword and sliced his head off."
"But …" Sae still couldn't process it. "Why?"
"Your guess is as good as mine," Youhei shook his head. "Why does the lord do what he does? Maybe he doesn't like cheaters. But why he would waste his time saving you just to have you chained in the dungeon is beyond me. He asked me questions about us, you know. Especially about you." There was a hint of animosity laced around his last words.
Sae's eyebrows scrunched together. "He did?"
"Yes," Youhei's eyes narrowed on an invisible foe opposite of him. "But I refused to tell him a thing. What if he used it against us? The fact that they know we are siblings is enough to use it to their advantage."
"Youhei," Sae said with reproach. She admired his loyalty and spirit but considering where they were now, it seemed rather pointless for him to keep anything to himself. Especially when Sae knew they were in for another session of punishment. He could have saved himself a bit of pain had he just given the information the lord asked for. It wasn't much to tell, anyhow. Sae didn't know why Lord Sesshomaru even cared but what she did know was that he didn't take insubordination well. "Why did you not just tell him? It doesn't matter anyway."
"It does too," Youhei protested fiercely, his eyes ablaze with emotion she couldn't really interpret. "I will do whatever I can to protect you Sae. You are my sister. No matter what happens, I will always be there for you."
"How touching," a cold voice interrupted, a chill instantly running up Sae's spin.
Youhei's whole body shot up straight, tension immediately overtaking him.
Sae struggled to sit up, her previous injuries still preventing her from moving around efficiently.
Lord Sesshomaru stood outside the bared chamber, his eerie gold eyes glowing in the pitch blackness that filled the room. The night sky outlined his silhouette, his long white hair shining in the moonlight. Sae couldn't prevent a stutter that affected her heart. She could still not understand why someone who looked so outwardly beautiful could be so cruel on the inside.
"It's Sae, is it?" a sardonic brow rose, mockingly. "Or Satoru?"
A leap of fear made Sae inhale sharply. It was the first time he had ever looked at her straight in the eye and with that much intensity. "S-Sae, my l-lord," she gulped.
"I'm curious," he continued on, his voice calm. It was probably the most intimidating quality Sae had come to discover about his lordship. In the face of anything, Lord Sesshomaru was serene –even relaxed –when he was about the strike. "Why you or your brother thought that deceiving me was the best course of action? After all that I've done for you, this is how you repay me?"
Youhei instantly spoke up before Sae could. "She had nothing to do with dressing as a boy, my lord! That was my idea alone. She didn't-"
"Silence," the lord commanded, slicing a hand through the air.
Youhei looked as if it took a lot out of him to close his mouth. Every instinct, Sae knew, was screaming to protect one another. Even now, when she had thought she had lost all hope, her anger was again rising to the surface. The lord had nerve to say that he had done something for them? As if slavery was anything other than a cruel injustice. For him to imply otherwise, really was starting to give Sae a new sense of willpower.
"I was asking your sister," he said coldly. "Well?"
Sae lifted her chin. "Considering what you do to the women of this castle, yes I think it was best. I didn't want to become another one of your whores."
"I see," there was a moment's pause, in which Sae felt her heart beating loudly in her chest. "Many would consider sharing my bed a privilege, wench. But not you, is that it? Are you, a lowly servant girl from the village, too good for the Lord of the Western Lands?"
Seeing no way to answer that correctly, Sae just stayed silent.
"I must admit you do have some impertinence to think so, wench," Lord Sesshomaru's eyes flashed dangerously. "To think that a pathetic young human such as yourself would have the audacity to lie to me and then tell me she'd rather risk death over sharing my bed, well it's … laughable. Let us see how you feel about all this after a few lashings, yes?"
Two guards opened the door, the screeching sound of rusty steel being scraped against the floor filled Sae's ears.
"No!" Youhei protested, standing up and reaching for his sister. "Please my lor-!"
One off the guards punched him right in the gut, silencing him.
"Youhei!" Sae cried, reaching a hand towards her brother.
"Shut up woman!" the other guard snarled, slapping her across the face.
An explosive burn instantly spread across her right cheek. The blow rendering her incoherent for a few moments, enough time to allow the guards to unchain her and drag her to the next room. Where they proceeded to chain her limp body to the shackles hanging from the ceiling.
When Sae finally came to, she was looking straight into the emotionless eyes of Lord Sesshomaru.
"Anything to say now, wench?" he asked coolly.
Unable to keep her temper in check, Sae spit at the floor at his feet.
A brow rose. "Your audacity knows no bounds, does it? I have to say, I have not met a human quite as stubborn and pig headed as you. Perhaps a few whippings will teach you exactly who your lord and master is." He nodded at the guard standing behind Sae.
The first lash of the leather whip caught Sae by surprised. She cried out. The second, third and fourth flog did not hurt any less. If anything it intensified as they went on. The leather soon began to feel like razors against her flesh. Sae could not prevent herself from screaming out from the agony.
"Stop," she heard the lord command.
Breathing hard, Sae looked up and glared daggers at the man who was to blame for all this suffering; even as tears ran down her pale cheeks. She refused to give him the satisfaction of her defeat. Like Youhei had said, she must continue to fight. Even to her death.
"Have you learned your lesson, woman?"
Sae spit blood at his face this time. "You will never be my lord and master," she retorted fiercely, with all the resentment she had bottled up inside her.
What he did next, was unexpected.
With surprising gentleness, Lord Sesshomaru raised a long fingered hand under Sae's chin. "Why do you continue to fight?" he asked, a small hint of curiosity in his eyes. The most emotion Sae had ever seen in his expression. "When there is obviously nothing else to fight for? You have lost. You and your sibling are as good as dead. Why not just give up?"
"Nothing is ever lost until you decide to give up," Sae said vehemently, tearing her chin away. "It is nothing a demon would ever understand. You know nothing about true struggle or what it means to fight for those you care for. So forgive me my lord but explaining anything I do would be pointless."
Lord Sesshomaru took a step back, looking colder than she had ever seen him. "You presume to know what I have been through, do you human? If death if what you seek, then I will put you out of your misery. You may now die for what you care for. "
Sae felt another bite of the whip at her back, feeling it rip skin. "Ahh!" she screamed, unable to hold back the sound of anguish.
"One day, you will regret this," Sae chocked out with gritted teeth as she watched Lord Sesshomaru's back disappear into the darkness. "One day, you will pay."
Another lash came down onto her raw skin. The strike of the whip echoing off the dungeon walls.
And another.
And another.
Until finally, blissfully, Sae went unconscious.
Never knowing that it was the very man of her torment that carefully removed her from her chains and carried her back to his chamber, holding her against his chest.
*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.