Author's Note: Phew! Finally cranked it out! I meant to have this done by last Monday.... GRRR. I dislike school. And work... Anyways, I've gotten some very great ideas for the end... and its going to be like nothing you never did see.... o__O* yeah. 'Nways, enjoy! (p.s. what's wrong with Aikonaga's name???)
Special Notice: Please check out the site! I uploaded I new picture that I myself drew! J I swear its worth the time!
It was beautiful. Naga ran disbelieving hands of the soft sleek material laid out before her, fingers trembling slightly. It was the most beautiful garment she had ever seen, nothing like her own peasant's garb, rough and clumsy. Carefully, she lifted the kimono up to the light, eyes widening with appreciation. He honors me with this gift... What does he mean to suggest? ...How could any man-any youkai-- have such an eye as my lord's for beauty?
Fantastic dark clouds seemed to float amid a bright sea of fiery crimson sky; a phoenix flew proudly amid the seemingly turbulent winds with fierce yellow eyes. With a faint smile, Naga stepped out of her ragged robe and lifted the red silk; the silk fluttered and settled around her bare shoulders, warm and weightless.
Pressing the kimono to her, she turned to the sliver of glass; her eyes widened with appreciation at the image it revealed to her. The cloth clung to her curves almost perfectly... as if he had known her shape. Thoughts came to the slave as she mulled over the notion; was this gift a random gesture, or an attempt to placate her? Could it be a parting gift, something so she would not forget him? Or had he only noticed the disgracefully threadbare state of her garb and thought to clothe her in something less shamefully ragged? Naga turned her thoughts from the unhappy road they were traveling.
Suddenly, there was a draft of cool air on the back of her neck; she felt the hairs on the back of her neck prickle as she shrugged the silk closer around her shoulders. In the dimly lit room, the candle flickered wildly, then stilled. The door stood open, but no shadow stood outlined in its frame she saw as she turned.
In the now throbbing silence, ears and eyes straining for a glimpse or noise to explain, Naga walked to the door intending to look to see if anyone waited outside. Perhaps my lord requires something or does he wish to see me? Kami--!
Hands encircled her mouth, effectively silencing her gasp, cutting off her air. In a panic, she squirmed in her captor's arms and bit the hand over her mouth; she was rewarded with an enraged curse and the sickly sweet tang of blood filling her mouth. Abruptly the attacker loosed her; Naga whirled with a silent cry, adrenaline pounding through her veins as she trembled a sudden with rage. How dare you attack me! Who dares attack me in my master's house? Coward to attack his slave!
Her fist connected with the assassin's face with a muffled smack and Naga felt something give way as he staggered under the half wild blow. Turning to flee while the man was still stunned, she underestimated his injury; she paid for her mistake as pain shot down her spine as the creature snagged her trailing long hair. The slave bit back a sob as he clamped fingers around her neck, crushing her already nearly useless throat.
Then, though she could not remember how it came to be, a blade like pin was in her fist; she hesitated for a split second, then buried it in the joint of her foe's shoulder and felt the crushing grip on her throat lessen instantly as he staggered back, an inhuman scream issuing from his lips.
With a gruesome clarity, Naga plucked the jeweled weapon from his flesh. With a silent sound part shriek and half sob, she sunk the slim dagger deep into the foe's chest.
As if in a dream, Aikonaga watched his death throes, her stomach threatening to empty itself as she watched in morbid fascination. Even as she willed herself to avert her face, the man... youkai, stilled and his eyes clouded as a widening pool of blood spread around him. He turned his face to her and Naga gasped as she recognized one of the general's followers. Then the light faded from his stare as he let out a death rattle, his body seeming to collapse in on itself as life left him. Naga saw her vision darkening as she lost consciousness...
...Then, she was running, tearing down the silent corridors, trying to put distance between her and the-- I killed Oh, Kami, I am not a murderer... not a murderer... I do not destroy. Forgive me...I must find my lord before--
Someone stood in the middle of the hall, blocking her escape. Even as she turned to dodge, Naga knew she was too late; with apparent ease, the general plucked her from the air, like a hawk falling upon a sparrow.
"Ah? What is this; a slave girl who has lost her way?" The youkai's voice was dripping with feigned innocence. He forced her towards him, malice gleaming in his eyes. "But what is this blood that I see covering your hands?"
Holding her hands before him, he leaned forward and licked her blood-slicked palm, hands grasping at her wrists as his mouth worked greedily to remove all the traces of blood. Naga shuddered in disgust as his tongue laved at the crimson staining her hands, his throat working as he swallowed. When he finally drew away, the general's face was blank, white, and almost blissful as he seemed to mull over the sharp metallic taste as though it was a fine wine.
"My lordling... Such a short time he has walked the earth in this life, " he looked strangely at Naga. "...So. He wished to pluck the rose as no other would dare, to enjoy its lush virtues for himself.... But in his hurry, his lust to posses it, he became careless."
Naga felt chill fingers trail down her spine at the eyes that bored into hers, assessing her reaction, calculating and cold.
The youkai's voice grew dangerously soft as he circled her like a predator, falling in and out of shadow as he moved with an inhuman, disjointed grace. "Careless enough to forget that even the most ardent flower posses thorns. And he paid the price, did he not?"
The slave turned her face, reviled at the blood showing brightly on his mouth, wet and gleaming. With obvious pleasure, the youkai trailed a gore-encrusted finger across her cheek, leaving a trail of something-she dared not wonder what-warm and wet.
"And I? I desire to taste all of this exquisite, spined thing of beauty. Like my unfortunate slave, I lust after it..."
Turning from the weird light gleaming madly in the youkai's eyes, Naga felt herself fighting the urge to wretch. His hands slid down the red silk, claws catching in its smooth surface. The general seemed to gloat at his captive, smile mirthful as he let his eyes rove her body.
"But unlike my late disciple, I shall posses it entirely."
Author's Note: Was that enough graphic death for one chapter? I could be ever so much more detailed!! __ I ain't that far gone, thank you. Thanks for all the AWESOME reviews! Only all your support keeps me going! Unlike other author's I ALWAYS read every single review, even if it's short! I love you all to death for taking the time to review!