Author's Note: Uh… yeah. Another chapter! 2 for the price of 1!!! __O
The world was throbbing, red and deafening. Icy finger traveled over sensitive flesh, sending daggers of cold through the nerves beneath.
The slave girl shuddered, muscles twitching involuntarily, and opened her eyes to a room. It was so dark that the only things blacker were the shapes that stood in the middle of the sea of gray.
Naga mentally checked herself, hazily making sure her limbs were all accounted for and functioning; one the figures made a sound that might have been a laugh as she found and tested the bonds that held her. She was lying on a floor, cold and rough; the room was of indeterminable size, the walls and ceiling hidden in the darkness beyond.
A rasping sound drew the human's attention; she stilled herself as she saw the gleam of metal rise above her, gleaming like the sliver of a new moon. Without pause, the tall shape advanced silent though Naga felt every footstep that closed the distance between her and the figure.
The sword hung above her for a moment, as if frozen in the chill air. Then it dropped, singing through the air and she knew no more.
"…You are a fool, Yoma." The voice was dry and threaded with controlled malice.
"My lord, I--" The simpering reply was cut short by the first.
"You have underestimated this foe of mine, this lord. Why do you waste my time with such idiot mortal trivialities as this?"
"--But, I can assure you, my great lord, that I am quite certain of his ….ah, affection for the woman."
A chill silence.
"I would not believe for a moment that he-- or any youkai-- could even bring himself to even lay eyes on such… My foe despises the whole race with more feeling than even I." The first voice was cool, calculating in the dark room.
"What--- But, my great lord, I have proof! His eyes, the way he--"
"Enough, Yoma," the lord ground out. "I will now consider what you have just told me… If I find anything credible that might be of use, of some relevance to me. And if it is so, you may yet live to see at least another dawn."
Tension filled the air, the stillness stretching the seconds into hours.
"What of the woman,…my lord?"
"I have a use."
With a deep bow, the lowly youkai recognized his dismissal and fled.
She was breathing… somehow still alive.
Slowly, she opened her eyes; they had moved her to another room while she was unconscious. Nag touched the front of her robe, fingers catching on the smooth silk. She was still whole.
She seemed to be safe for now, but how long would it last?
Author's Note: Yes, its very short-- I will update soon!! Please shower me with attention in the form of very many reviews!!! O__^