Chapter 14: Breakeven
"You do not have to watch me every second of the day, you know," Sae grumbled irritably, digging her shovel into the dirt and heaving it with all her might.
The small little green kappa's feathers were immediately ruffled. "As if I would listen to the likes of you, you insolent woman!" Jaken said in his overly loud and high pitched voice. "I only do as my lord's bids! Though it may gale me to be looking after a lowly human such as you, the great Lord Sesshomaru must have a good reason for this task! Therefore, I will trust in my master's wishes and keep you in line!"
Standing up straight, Sae wiped the sweat dripping down her brow. The sun was high in the sky and the clearing was awash in its hot rays. Birds were happily flying by, chirping their happy tunes. The light breeze ruffled the leaves in the trees, a soft melody in the air. The day was a peaceful one, the scenery such a contrast to the grueling chore Sae was tasked with.
"It's not as if I can get away," Sae pointed out sarcastically, looking down at her chained ankle. Since her attempt to escape, the lord had seen it necessary to take extra precautions to keep her from trying it again. Thus, the heavy metal chained to her right foot.
Sae thought it was a bit extreme, especially considering that her other ankle was still healing from her encounter with the ravenous wolves, but the demon thought otherwise.
The irritated little imp began to wave his two headed staff threateningly. "Get back to your work, you impertinent girl!"
Rolling her eyes, Sae continued to shovel the dirt. Her arms were beginning to ache from the hours of labor she had spent doing that day. She could feel her palms becoming sensitive from the blisters forming from the wooden handle. And her back was starting to ache something awful. But all those things were nothing compared to the biggest pain of them all: Jaken, the noisy little kappa that had been entrusted to watch her as she did every single job the lord had given her before her left for his travels.
Sae supposed it was part of her punishment, having this annoying little creatures hounding her every few minutes as she worked. It was hard enough doing all these arduous and preposterous duties Lord Sesshomaru had set for her; add an irking imp with an inflated belief in his self-worth and life was almost impossible.
There were times when Sae took a moment to imagine snatching that Nintojo from his puny hands and turning its flaming power on him. Her lips turned up with dark glee, enjoying the image of his small frame scurrying away in alarm.
"Why have you stopped?! Do not make me bring A-Un over here, wench!" blustered Jaken, his voice reaching a new level of ear-splitting pitch.
Sae scoffed, glancing over at where said dragon demon was lounging. He was laying right where she had last seen him, his tail swishing playfully as Rin gathered the flowers around the meadow's clearing. Her girlish laughter floated back to where Sae and Jaken stood by the old wooden shed at the edge of the glade. "What is he going to do?" her voice was dry. "Bore me to death?"
"The nerve!" Jaken's large yellow eyes looked to be shooting out sparks. "That demon is ten times stronger than you will ever be, human! Why the master has kept you alive this long is beyond me!"
Feeling a pang, Sae looked away and into the horizon. Me too.
It had been only a week since her attempt to escape and she had only seen the lord once before he had left for his travels 2 days ago. She had been left unsure that night he had rescued her from the wolves and gently took care of her injury. After that, she understood that she was in some way indebted to the great dog demon. Perhaps that was why she had tried to return the favor and spare him injury as well. But that did not explain why her heart would suddenly race at the thought of seeing him or her stomach flutter whenever she recalled his long fingers wrapping a bandage around her ankle.
Sae kept trying to tell herself that he was still the same heartless lord that she had come to know since her enslavement in the castle. His one act of kindness did not cancel out all the cruel ones he had done in the past. But every time she would somewhat convince herself of that fact she would remember Rin's adoration of him, Jaken's devotion, Lord Sesshomaru's light touch, the odd gleam in his eyes that night, and she would once again begin to wonder.
Wonder if perhaps there was more to the Lord of the Western Lands than met the eye.
Why else would he keep a little girl under his care? Why else would he put up with an obnoxious demon such as Jaken in his company? And why else would he continuously spare her life when he was reputed to be a merciless demon lord?
Sae did not for one moment fool herself into thinking she was special to him. Not only had he made that perfectly clear but the jobs he had left her with were in no way glamorous or favoring in anyway. If anything, they spoke of his revulsion for her kind and what little he thought of them. She was pretty sure not even the men in charge of discarding the chamber pots had to do half of the things Sae had to do these past couple of days.
It was definitely humbling.
"… nothing but a plain human! You do not deserve to be in the lord's presence let alone breathing the same air!" Jaken was ranting on, unaware that Sae was paying little attention. "He is the most powerful demon lord of his time! To think that he has to lower himself by trifling with deplorable humans such as yourself! I would spare him the company of you wretched creatures if I could!"
Sae let out a long-winded sigh. It was nothing she had not heard before. In a way, it was interesting to know that it was not just Lord Sesshoumaru who thought of humans as he did. He was just one of many demons who thought of humans as an inferior species. He was not the only one with such a prejudice view of her kind.
Still …
She would not take their insults like it was her due. "So Jaken, since you are such a devoted servant to the lord and you have the benefit of being a demon yourself, why is it that he left you behind?" Sae paused significantly. "Again?"
The little green creature exploded into a fiery and physical protest.
Sae smirked, feeling just a little satisfied for causing her irksome slave driver desolation. It was nothing less than he deserved. She had been hearing it for 2 full days now, Jaken warranted a bit of his own medicine. She understood, just slightly, that the lord earned his well-known arrogance, but Jaken was another story. He was just as powerful as the next human.
Ergo, not very.
"It's okay Master Jaken, I'm sure Lord Sesshomaru just didn't want you to get hurt," sweet little Rin was consoling the distraught Jaken, using her small hand to pat his shoulder sympathetically. "That's all."
Jaken sniffed, his eyes glistening with unushered tears, "Surely it was because of you, Rin. Lord Sesshomaru would never have left me behind otherwise."
Sae snorted with laughter, unable to help it.
"Sae!" Rin exclaimed happily, her attention deterred from the distressed imp. "I found this flower! And it made me think of you so I wanted to give it to you!"
Sae stuck the shovel into the dirt and bent down to the adorable girl grinning up at her. "Thank you Rin," she smiled genuinely, taking the lovely red flower from her hands. She lifted it to her nose and inhaled deeply. It smelled sweet. "It's so pretty."
"It means humility," Rin said shyly, her hands clasping behind her back. "And the perfect love."
"The perfect love?" Sae echoed, blinking down at her innocent face. "Why would that make you think of me?"
An endearing blush spread across Rin's small cheeks. "I don't know …"
As her voice trailed off, Sae got a sinking suspicion of what was running through her naive mind. "Rin … you don't think that the lord and I … ?"
Rin ducked her head, but her blush was telling.
"Rin," Sae began, wondering how to explain to this charming little girl that whatever she thought was between herself and her beloved Lord Sesshomaru was nothing but a figment of her imagination. Sure, he may have been somewhat merciful in his treatment of her, but Sae would never mistake that for any type of favor or affection for her. She took it for what it really was: an intriguing interest in why humans acted the way they did.
Nothing more.
"Rin," she began again, taking in the girl's familiar and youthful features. "Lord Sesshomaru does not er- The lord is not um-" Sae was not exactly sure how to phrase it without coming off cold towards the demon Rin had come to admire and trust in so much. "He will not-"
"It's okay," Rin interrupted, her tiny hand coming to rest on Sae's hand. "You don't have to say anything, Sae. I know things are not always what they seem."
Taken aback, Sae opened her mouth. "I-"
"Enough!" Jaken's shrill voice pierced the air. "Rin, get away from that servant girl! And you, insubordinate wench, get back to work!"
Sae shot him a look that could kill. "I have finished with the task, if you just took the time to actually look then you wouldn't be wasting your energy shouting like a fisherman's wife!"
Rin giggled, both females watching as the small kappa looked around in bewilderment.
"I think A-Un is hungry," Rin noted wisely, looking over at the dragon. "I think I better take him to a fresh patch of grass."
As she sauntered away, Sae gazed after the petite child in astonishment. How was it that a mere 7 year old child was able to talk of romantic love so confidently, yet Sae was unable to even fathom the concept? It boggled the mind that perhaps Rin saw life in a way that was so very pure compared to hers. But it was perhaps because young naive little Rin still believed in fairytales that Sae knew would never come true. Rin had faith in a happily ever after. But the truth was that Sae knew what the realistic outcome would be.
Rin would live out her life by Lord Sesshomaru's side while she, Sae- mortal human servant- would eventually die of old age and exhaustion from the coarse toil that was her lot as a slave of the lord's castle.
"Fine! Now that you are done with that you can move onto cleaning out A-Un's urinal chambers!" Jaken rallied, his movements vigorous for such a small form. "Lord Sesshomaru's demands were very specific. You must finish every single task before you are free to rest for the following day's chores."
Huffing in annoyance, Sae choose not to say anything this time. She only had one more chore to accomplish before she was released from Jaken's watchful eye and allowed back into her lonesome solitude in the lord's chambers. Before, when all she had was her own company to keep in Lord Sesshomaru's wing and nothing more to look forward to, she dreaded being cooped up in that room. But now, after accomplishing every single chore the lord had seen to grant her, Sae was more than happy to be locked up into Lord Sesshomaru's chambers for the night.
The sun was setting by the time Sae was able to finish clearing up all the manure that A-Un had left behind. The smell had bothered her at first, but after standing in it for so long, she believed she had become accustomed to the stench. That, or the odor was so bad it had burned away her sense of smell. Either way, she completed that task fairly quickly by the end and was more than happy to say goodbye to Jaken, whom noisily escorted her back to the lord's bedroom.
"Do not forget woman, you are to be ready at the crack of dawn!" were Jaken's parting words, right before he slammed the heavy door behind her.
Letting out a weary sigh, Sae looked around at the large bed chamber. She remembered the day she had first been locked in it. Nothing would have stopped her from trying to escape and take the lord down with her. It was strange, really. How much things had changed in the months that had passed since then.
Sae slowly made her way to the bench by the fireplace, the heavy copper chains clinking as she walked. Exhaling an exhausted breath, she laid down on her back and gazed up at the ceiling.
There was certainly a large part of her that still wanted to escape. And resented being cooped up in this luxurious cell like some pet. But with Youhei free … the need to extract revenge from the lord no longer felt so crucial. Particularly when Lord Sesshomaru had not carried out his threat about hunting down her brother. The news had come as a welcome if not perplexing surprise. Apparently the lord had deemed the ordeal unworthy of his time and had let the young man go … With the sole condition that she forgo any more plans to escape.
In a way, with Youhei free and her still imprisoned, Sae had repaid him the folly of being discovered. And the torture he had suffered for trying to save her.
It was a steep price to pay but she wouldn't have had it any other way.
But there was still another part of Sae, a very small part, which was somewhat curious about the lord. In the months that she had been cooped up, she had watched him act in ways that beguiled his character. He was still as cold as ever but … there was something else there too. Although she would loath to admit it, it had started to soften the side of Sae that had come to despise this particular dog demon.
Now that was a truly frightening concept.
How was it that a heart, so filled with bitterness and hatred, could change? There was still anger and most certainly distrust there but it wasn't as … black as before. Sae thought perhaps that was why Lord Sesshomaru even had a remote interest in her. Her human heart was something that the lord would never understand. Therefore, he kept it close to observe and study it. Perhaps to use it to his advantage in the future.
"Don't be so stupid," Sae muttered to herself, rubbing her temples. It was no use fretting about why Lord Sesshoumaru did what he did. Even if she wanted to believe that maybe there was something there, her cynicism would always remind her of the truth she knew deep down. The lord only cared about one thing and one thing alone.
Power.
Sighing, Sae closed her eyes and let the sweet oblivion of sleep overtake her.
"Satoru."
Sae's eyes twitched behind her closed eyelids.
"Satoru."
She grumbled in her sleep, snuggling into the warm cushion.
"Um …S-Sae?"
Sae's eyes flashed open, recognizing that voice all at once. "Daichi?" she mumbled, rubbing her hazy eyes. She sat up carefully, aware that her muscles still ached from the physical labor.
The sky was still dark, moonlight spilling in through the balcony windows. The rays illuminated the room in a serene and soft glow. In it, she could make out Daichi's crouched form by the fireplace.
"What are you doing here?" she asked in confusion, looking around. "How did you get in here?"
Her old roommate grinned, his features spreading into that familiar mischievous expression. "If I told you that, I'd have to kill you."
Sae snorted, "You could try."
"Ah," Daichi nodded solemnly. "That's right you almost won the tournament. Of course you have a big head."
Sae automatically scowled. "I did not-"
Daichi held up a hand, smirking. "Still so easily offended, I see. Nothing has changed much, has it Satoru? Or should I be calling you Sae now?"
Sae opened her mouth then closed it. "Sae," she finally ventured in a mutter. "My name is Sae."
"Sae it is then," he nodded once, his grin back. "It'll take a bit getting used to but I'll manage."
"Great," Sae replied ironically, rolling her eyes. But she couldn't help the small smile that spread across her lips. It had been such a long time since she'd been around Daichi's carefree demeanor. She couldn't help but feel a little lighter when he beamed so easily. "Now that that's covered, how did you get into the lord's chambers?"
"The secret passageway," Daichi replied easily, shrugging. "I learned of them from one of the old men working down in the fields. He said he had discovered it when he was a boy, working in the kitchens. But hadn't been able to find again it for years. They have apparently been in the castle for centuries now, but no one can find the main passageway. Find that and all the rest are revealed to you."
"Oh," Sae said dumbly, wondering why she had never heard of these secret tunnels before.
As if reading her mind, Daichi's face became sly. "It's usually only told to the men in the castle. It is said that the person who built these passageways had been a man who had fallen in love with a woman whom was forbidden. So he spent years, working in secret, night after night, building the tunnels so that one day he could secretly sneak into her chambers and confess his love."
"I see," Sae's eyes narrowed. "And it's told only to the men so …?"
"Exactly," Daichi's grin was almost a leer.
"Disgusting," she scoffed, but felt her cheeks flush with heat. Leave it to Daichi to discover hidden corridors with a debauched tale tied to it.
Daichi shrugged, unabashed.
"Now that I know how you got in," Sae continued on, deciding it best not to question him further on that topic. "I'm wondering why. NOT that I am not glad to see you, of course."
"I've been trying to make sure you were alright since the tournament," he answered honestly, his hazel eyes gleaming with sincerity. "You had me and Asumi worried. Especially Asumi."
Feeling a tightening in her chest, Sae swallowed hard. "You mean, you are not … angry with me?"
Daichi tilted his head. "Why would I be angry with you?"
"For …" Sae gestured helplessly with her hands. "Everything. Deceiving you. Not trusting you with my secret. Putting you at risk with my friendship."
"Sae." Daichi finally moved away from the fireplace and came to sit by her on the bench. When she moved back to give him room, the echo of metal dragging on the floor was a loud noise in the otherwise quiet room. His eyes zoned in on the chains and his face took one of deep sympathy. "I understand why you did what you did. You had to. We learned the truth after you were discovered. It is you who should be angry," he ran a hand through his dark locks. "When you needed your friends most, we were not there. Now look at you-" He gestured to her legs "-you are like a bird in a gilded cage if I ever saw one."
Feeling her eyes sting, Sae rubbed at her eyes firmly; willing herself not to cry. It may have been out of old habit, but Sae was averse to showing any weakness in front of her old male friend. Men did not cry. Even if he now knew she was a girl, it was still hard to change from that frame of mind.
"I am definitely not angry," she finally said, pulling herself together. "That's ridiculous. What could you have done? It is not your fault that the lord treats his servants like things he can do with as he pleases."
His hands clenched into a fist. "I knew the lord to be cruel but seeing it first hand, well, it's deplorable."
It was Sae's turn to shrug. "He is not the kindest of demons but in a way things could have been worse. I am alive, after all."
"How can you say that?" Daichi's face took on a fierce look. "We figured out why you wanted to enter the tournament in the first place. You were trying to gain your brother's freedom and yours. You were willing to risk your life for the chance of getting out of here. That doesn't sound like someone who would settle for just being alive."
Sae was startled. She had never seen her friend so serious about anything. He always appeared so easy going all the time. It was startling to see him this aggressive on someone's behalf, let alone hers. "I'm not settling," she said, a bit stung by that. It was not as if she was just a doormat whom the lord walked all over. "I am just being realistic."
"Realistic?" Daichi shook his head. "I will admit, at first I thought your attempt to gain your freedom had been ill advised. Insane, actually. But then … I thought about it. Your courage against someone as strong as Lord Sesshomaru made me hope. Hope for something better than just serving his lordship for the rest of my life. And it made me think that maybe it would be possible to escape-"
"What do you know about escaping?" Sae demanded harshly. He did not know what he was talking about. He knew nothing. "You haven't tried leaving this god forsaken prison time and time and time again! Only to have each attempt crushed every single time!"
His jaw ticked. "And I suppose you know?"
"Yes!" she shot back hotly, thinking back on all those times her chances had been thwarted by the lord. "I know exactly how it feels to have your hopes squashed by a heartless creature. To have a tiny ray of it then watch it wither away right in front of you."
Slowly, Daichi's face softened. "I heard about Youhei's disappearance … Did you have something to do with that?"
With a small sniffle, Sae nodded.
Sighing, Daichi rubbed the back of his neck. "I apologize, I sometimes get carried away. I know you have been through a lot Sae. I did not mean to imply that you are merely accepting your fate."
"It's fine," Sae mumbled, wiping her nose with the back of her hand. "I'm still sensitive about it, I guess."
Daichi chuckled, earning a sharp glare from his female companion. "I'm sorry," he grinned, unrepentant. "You just never looked so much like a girl as you did just then."
"I am a girl," Sae retorted, annoyed. "If you haven't noticed.
"Oh," he said airily, looking at her petite frame up and down. "I noticed."
Disliking that look in his eye, Sae went to punch him on the shoulder. "Stop that."
"Okay," Daichi lifted his hands in surrender. "Sorry."
"Um," Sae began hesitantly after a moments pause, thinking on the words. "How is … how is Asumi?"
"Good," he confirmed, then lifted one rueful shoulder. "Well, as good as any kitchen maid will ever get. She has been worried about you, though. She was actually one of the main reasons I went searching for the hidden passageways in the first place. Asumi, for being such a shy chit, can be a pretty determined thing when she sets her mind on something."
"So," she looked up to meet his eyes. "She is not angry with me either?"
He, in turn, exhaled in exasperation. "No, she is not angry. She too understands why you hid your true identity. That does not change the fact that you are her dear friend, boy or girl. And that goes for me too."
Feeling a wave of emotion and powerless to fight the impulse, Sae launched herself across the bench and hugged her friend. "Thank you," she whispered, blinking away tears. Along with losing her chance at freedom, there had been a part of Sae's heart that felt as if she had lost Asumi and Daichi as well. It was such a relief knowing that she hadn't.
"Um," her companion was saying awkwardly, patting her back lightly. "You're welcome?"
"Sorry," Sae pulled back, rubbing her eyes. "I'm just a little emotional."
"Ah-ha!" he snapped his fingers, trying to lighten the mood. "That's why you were cranky a certain time of every month."
Scowling, Sae pushed him away, "Was not."
Daichi choose not to comment further but his knowing grin said much.
Sae shook her head but a smile lingered on her face.
"I should get going. It is close to day break and everyone will be getting up for morning chores soon," he said, looking towards the balcony windows.
Glancing in the same direction, Sae saw the sun beginning to peak over the horizon. "Yeah," she agreed sadly, not wanting to see him go quite yet. She hadn't had companionship other than Jaken and Rin for the past few days. Rin was a refreshing person to have around but she talked more than she listened. As for Jaken … well there was not much to say about that maddening demon. Plus, Sae wasn't sure when she'd be able to see her friend again.
Daichi stood up, stretching his back as he did so. "Hopefully I won't get stuck carrying the crates of vegetables today," he commented mildly, flexing his shoulders. "It gives me an aching back."
Nodding in sympathy, Sae lifted herself up slowly; knowing exactly how he felt.
Hearing the rattling of chains, Daichi looked down at her feet. "He really is as cold-hearted as they say he is, isn't he?"
Three and half months ago, Sae would have readily agreed. But now … although she wanted to say yes, she still hesitated. And for the life of her she couldn't figure out why.
"Does he allow you to leave the chambers?" Daichi was asking, striding over to the fireplace.
"He used to," Sae admitted, following him. "But then I helped Youhei escape and so now I'm not allowed outside this room."
Daichi paused. "He knows you were the reason your brother escaped and he … let you live?" There was an incredulous note in his voice.
Sae shrugged.
He stared at her for a moment before shaking his head. "There must be something the lord wants from you. There is no other reason why he would spare you," Daichi's eyebrows were scrunched together. "It is still odd though."
Again Sae shrugged. She had been pondering on this for days. It wasn't worth the headache anymore.
After feeling around the brick fireplace for a few seconds, Daichi finally found the exact brick he had been looking for and pushed. Instantly the walls at the very back of the chimney lifted, the stone door revealing a dark corridor.
Sae's eyebrows shot up. How did the lord not know about these tunnels?
"Goodbye Sae," Daichi threw over his shoulder before he crouched down to enter the passageway.
"Wait!" she called out.
Halfway through the fireplace, he stopped and looked back at her. "What?"
Sae bent down, her hand on the cold stones framing the door. "Will you be back?"
"When I can," he promised, his eyes intent.
"Tell Asumi I'm alright and tell her thank you," Sae's throat felt tight. "Both of you."
With one last nod, Daichi disappeared into the dark tunnel and was gone.
Biting her lip, Sae kept herself from calling out to him again. Until that moment, Sae had not realized how lonely she had been. Having to do work all day and the exhaustion that came with it kept her from thinking too much about it. But after having spent time with an actual friend, Sae felt the aching need to be around other people.
People of her kind and age, that is.
Blowing a raspberry, Sae dawdled over to the window. She opened the balcony doors and stepped into the cool morning air. The creatures of the forest were once again awakening, their sounds filling Sae's ears. Her bare feet met the cold marble as she walked out onto the terrace, the light spray of water from the chilly night barely noticeable. She breathed in the fresh scent of morning dew.
It was always such a beautiful sight from up here in Lord Sesshoumaru's tower.
A bird in a gilded cage huh, Sae thought musingly, staring out into the orange tinted horizon. Couldn't have said it better myself.
The pain was excruciating. It traveled from the top of his head to the tips of his toes. The burning was even more agonizing. His skin felt as if it were on fire. It was torment laying on his back, so he rolled to his side but that was just as bad. He rolled back, and found himself tangled in woolen blankets. They had blankets laid on top of him, so many blankets.
"Water," he mumbled, hearing a voice.
He peered up, seeing a stout figure wavering far above him. The figure bent down and picked up his wrist. He watched his elevated arm with a kind of fascinated horror. His skin was covered in … blood. So much blood.
"I don't know Shippo, he took a nasty fall," came a voice from somewhere … somewhere by his feet. "But Kaede already gave him a remedy that should help with his wounds. All we can do now is wait. He seems strong. Hopefully he can pull through."
"My sister," he tried to croak. But they didn't seem to hear him. His throat hurt a lot, and his tongue didn't seem to fit in his mouth any longer. "Water," he tried again.
The figure holding his wrist put it down again and straightened up. "He is still very weak," an elderly voice stated, sounding far away. "But I feel his pulse growing stronger. We must continue feeding him the herbs and water. Plenty of water."
A second later he felt water flow into his mouth, cool and refreshing. But when the liquid continued to pour, he realized he could hardly swallow and his neck was now wet.
The heat was taking over again, lurking then coming back. Water, he thought, this time he managed to swallow more heartily.
"That's good Kagome," the raspy voice came again. "Make sure you can make him drink as much as you can. We must break this fever."
"Alright," another voice rang, close by his ear.
The unbearable heat finally took over, drawing him back into the feverish whirlpool where he couldn't hear or see anything. But still …
His sister's smiling face clouded his mind. Her laughter rang in his ears as if she were right beside him, teasing him as she always did. Her eyes, identical to his, looked up at him with the trust only he could understand. Her strong heart shining through every gesture she made …
Sae …
His sister shouting after him, an ominous howl overpowering her scream. Her fear. So much fear in her voice as she called after him. Sae, so very strong and brave yet so very fragile.
Sae …
"Is he saying something?" a young voice asked, an orange blur appearing before his foggy eyes. "I thought I heard him say something."
A hand -too warm- touched his forehead. "His fever is extremely high, Shippo. He's probably in the midst of a dream."
"But Kagome … I thought I heard him call out Sae."
Finally, Youhei began to fall into the black abyss that had been calling him since he awoke. But in his last moments of peaceful oblivion he could not help but try and communicate his urgency. "Sae … my sister … Save her."
Then nothing.
*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.