A/N: Holy Peaches! No, Holy Bobbles! Err, no, wait. Holy Chocolate Covered
Dinosaurs! Shoot. Uh... Holy crap? What can I say? A review! Watch the
movie again and analyze it.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sen To Chihiro No Kamikakushi (i.e. Spirited Away) I only own my baka OC and my plot. Nothing else. Well, I own Daisuke, Sakura, and Yamato, and the store manager. Otherwise, nada. Sheesh, I don't even own the triplets' names! Daisuke and Yamato I got from a totally far out anime called Digimon, which I don't own. Just the idea for the names, mind you. I lack Japanese name creativity. Sakura is a name I got from a show called Card Captors, i.e., Card Captor Sakura. Just the name idea, mind you. I don't own Card Captors.
Look at all this stuff I have to Disclaim. Aren't I pathetic? And there's still more and all. Sheesh. How many authors out there spend a page and a half disclaiming everything? I know I should unless I get caught up in a lawsuit, but come on! I have a First Chapter to write here!
Yep. I'm pathetic.
Chapter Started: 5/2/03
Chapter Finished: 5/2/03
Chihiro's POV
Maybe a day or two after the Prologue?
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When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I became aware of was the throbbing pain emitting from the back of my head. The next thing I noticed was that my hands were tied above my head, so I was unable to try and massage the pain away.
I whimpered.
I was in a completely and totally dark room, buried down under some deep covers in a soft bed. Except I was wearing some sort of night slip or whatever, my ankles were bound together at the foot of the bed, and my hands were tied together at the headboard.
I whimpered again, shifting my head so that I could feel the bump on my head. My pony tail was still firmly in place, and I guessed that it was the reason why I hadn't bled to death. Bled at all.
It didn't stop my head from thumping painfully, though.
Once more, I whimpered, feeling tears from in my eyes. I wished it wasn't pitch black.
Behind me, or, behind the head board, more accurately, I heard a door open, and a small light filled the room, flickering. I caught a whiff of smoke.
A candle.
And a person.
"Who's there?" I asked fearfully, voice cracking slightly.
"Don't speak." Came the reply, and I heard the door click shut.
However, I really was more interested in the voice.
It sounded so... familiar. It sounded like...
"Haku?" I asked softly, and the candle was set down - I heard a small thunk and it stopped bobbing so much. I didn't have the heart or strength (nor will) to lift my head and look around the room.
"Well, I've never been called that before. But if you like the name, I suppose I might make an exception."
It wasn't Haku.
My spirits dropped - this one spoke with a slight accent. I couldn't quite place my finger on it - but who cared? It wasn't Haku.
I was alone in a dark room with a stranger.
And that is a fate worst than death for any average reality-starved teen.
"Who are you?" I repeated, and started to twist my head slightly to try and see if I could see him. I couldn't. besides, it hurt my head. I bit back a groan of pain and frustration and gave up on trying to see him.
"Just... call me Kawago. I'm not certain other than that." He paused. His voice was slightly more gruff.
"I'm guessing that you're experiencing a rather painful headache?" he suggested. "want to take something for it?"
"Yes, please," I sighed in relief, willing to place all else aside in return for Advil or Tylenol or something.
"Hold on." There was some slight movement, then he sat down on the edge of the bed. He was wearing a dark robe of some sort, and his hair was the same as Haku's - in fact, he looked just like Haku, except that instead of a sparkling green eyes, like she remembered, Kawago's eyes were a piercing blue-gray that made me want to shudder.
"Eat this," he instructed, placing a small blue orb thing against my lips. It tasted like air and went down smoothly. Immediately, the throbbing and pain lessened to a dull ache, and I sighed as he reached up and began to untie my wrists.
"Where am I?" I asked, grimacing slightly as I realized that my wrists were raw and cut.
"Spirit World," he muttered, finally releasing my arms completely. I examined my wrists, which were matted with dried blood, then instinctively burrowed them in my night shirt - or whatever it was I was wearing - and I sat up after he freed my ankles.
"Where's my mom?" I demanded.
"She is in Earth, as far as I can tell."
"Oh. Then I'd like to go back, please."
He shook his head. "you can't do that," he informed me.
"Why not?" I demanded. "I know this bathhouse like the back of my hand, I-"
He cut me off by laughing. "You aren't in the Aburaya if that's what you mean."
"What? Then how did I get here? Does Haku know I'm here?" I thought a second. "are you Haku's brother?"
"Who's Haku?"
"Haku! You know, Kohaku River Spirit?"
"Oh. Yes, I suppose you could say he is my brother, in a manner of speaking."
"Then can I see him? And the others? Please?"
"Maybe, if you're a-" he wrinkled his nose. "-if you're a good girl."
"Can I go home? Back to The Human World?" I thought a second. "don't I smell like Human?"
"Not necessarily."
"Then can I go home now?"
"No."
"Can I see Haku and the others?"
"Didn't you just ask me that?"
"........................... Yeah, I guess I did."
"Then you know the answer." He paused, and cocked his head as if listening. There was a slight shuffle outside as though somebody was there. "I'll be back soon," he murmured, and faster then I could say or do anything, he had my wrists and ankles tied up again, just as a man walked in. he froze when he saw Kawago.
"What are you doing here?" the man demanded.
"Nothing," Kawago replied smoothly. "she's got quite a mouth for a young lady. I've pretty much taken care of everything."
"Oh?" asked the man. I wished I could see him - he sounded so cocky, and I had a very un-Chihiro like urge to jump up and smack whoever he was. "and I suppose you'll finish what you've started as well?"
"I suppose, if you wish it,"
"Good. It'll save me the trouble."
"Of course."
"in fact, you take care of her - she's yours. I have a lot of things to attend to, so I'll check on your... progress, in three days or so."
"Yes sir."
"I suggest you get started right now - I hear human teenage girls can be a bit tougher."
"Yes Sir."
"oh, and Kawago?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"I know you've already untied her - do that again and I'll have to do it myself and you'll feel every bit of it."
I saw Kawago tense up slightly.
"Yes, Sir."
"Good boy," the man said. I heard footsteps - from boots? - coming over, and a dark shadow was leaning over me. I tried to see any facial features, squinting, but it was only a black shadow.
"Mm, I chose well," he said, reaching down, and something cold and clammy and slimy ran down my cheek. I shivered and jerked my head away, beginning to shudder madly. I could still feel it, and it washed over me. he chuckled. "yes, she is a bit tough, but I'm certain you'll have something done three days." The shadow disappeared, but I could still feel the coldness, becoming colder and colder by the minute.
"I expect a job well done in three days," the shadow man said, then started to ca-thunk out, but Kawago said, "Sir? If I may?"
"What is it?" came the irritated reply.
"I promised her I would take her to the Aburaya."
"As long as she is obedient." There was a pause. "fine. If I deem her ready in three days, then you can take her. Anything else?"
"No, Sir."
"Good. Three days, then. Understood?"
"Yes Sir."
The shadowed man left, and the door clicked shut. I listened to his boots ca-thunking away until they completely disappeared. Slowly, inaudibly, Kawago let out the breath he had been holding, and glanced pointedly at me.
I was more interested in inwardly seething at this guy's lack of manners - couldn't he even take his shoes off? I was also well aware of my shivering madly, and I tried to wipe the clamminess off my cheek on my bare shoulder, but it didn't help. And whatever I was wearing didn't help either, nor did the cold sheets.
"Who was that?" I demanded.
"The Master of this place. he's called 'Sir' because nobody knows his name." Kawago set his icy eyes on me, and he reached over and touched my cheek. His fingers tingled against my skin.
"What did he mean, by getting started on me and being tough and not untying me and a job well done and your progress with me?" I babbled.
"You were brought here, among others, to... serve a certain purpose." He sat back down on the edge of the bed. "he put a spell on the ropes. I can't untie them."
"What's that purpose? What's that cold stuff all over my body?"
"Your purpose is - I'll explain it later. That "cold stuff" was a poison, and should have put you in some pretty intense pain."
I shivered.
"that's what he meant by 'tough,' though that was a rather small dose."
"explain my purpose, because I don't plan on staying a day here." I demanded, feeling goose bumps rise on my skin. Kawago sighed heavily, and I found myself shivering under his cold stare once more. I knew inwardly that I didn't like him very much.
"It's very difficult to explain. Um, okay: each Human has their own spirit. If their spirit is broken, then whoever broke it gains a certain amount of power, and that power is automatically filtered through to whoever hold them in contract. If they aren't in contract, then they get the power. It's very, very illegal."
"So... you're supposed to break my spirit." I stated flatly.
He nodded. "Basically. I've heard it's painful if you fight it."
"Well I don't plan on letting that shadow guy touch me!"
"Of course, Chihiro. He gave you to me, remember?"
"Like a slave???"
"Yes, something like that."
"No way! And I don't intend on letting YOU touch me either!"
He sighed heavily once more. "Don't make this difficult for me, Chihiro. The I'll get more pleasure out of that, and I understand it's harmful to a human's pride should their tormentor be getting satisfaction out of tormenting them."
"NO!" I shouted, trying to scoot away. But my ankles and wrists burned painfully, and I grimaced, biting my lower lip.
He smirked, and I felt my eyes grow wide.
"What are you going to do?" I whispered, still trying to get away from him without ripping my hands and feet off.
"Whatever it takes to brake your spirit," he replied smoothly, getting up again. I gasped and whimpered as he ripped the covers up and away, exposing my night gown clad body. I was wearing a silk under dress, is what it looked like, that wrapped around my neck thinly in a fasten and dipped low on my back. It was more roomy and ended at my thighs (that is, it was tight on top where it could be and was loose and spread out at the bottom). I had a pair of what looked like spandex pants on that ended just above my ankles. Everything was blood red.
"And just what do you think will brake my spirit?" I demanded, but my voice broke.
I was scared.
"That depends," came the reply. "on how strong and tolerant you are. That's what I'm going to test right now."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"By seeing how much it takes to make you scream in pain and beg for death."
Now my eyes were really wide, and I twisted, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. He glanced over his shoulder at me.
"And I suspect it won't take too much," he said dryly.
"And what exactly are you going to do that's going to be so painful??!?"
"Scare you so that you're running on adrenaline and fear, then do whatever strikes my fancy."
"HOW?!?" what part of 'what are you going to do *SPECIFICALLY*' did this guy NOT understand?!??
"Stop shouting, you'll want to save your strength. This won't take too long. And when I'm done, that blue pill I gave you will kick into affect at my will and everything will feel better again."
"A- and how do you plan on scaring me? nothing scares me!"
"You're already scared and you've always been slightly paranoid. I won't have to do much there."
He came back into view again and shrugged off his robe, wearing just a pair of slightly baggy pants.
They were black, and hanging from his belt were all sorts of fun trinkets; knives, rope, a coiled whip, another more elaborately-shaped knife (or was that a short rapier?), and a few different colored bottles of whatever. The candle light threw shadows across his features, (and though I'm not about to admit he might be cute or anything), and he looked like a reaper, or something freakish like that. My eyes lingered for quite a while at his waist, examining the equipment that I KNOW would - could - do more then just pain.
Noticing where my eyes were, he laughed a little bit. I was trying valiantly to stop my shuddering from fear (the cold had worn off) and keep the wonder and fear out of my eyes. He noticed anyway, however.
"Want to know which toy I might use?" he offered, walking smoothly over and sitting on the bed on one knee. he reached out, and twisted my body in a quick movement, so that I was on my back. The ropes burned against my wrists, and I buried my face in a pillow momentarily, not wanting to look at HIM while a pain-filled "Mmmm!" filtered through my lips, which I was biting closed.
When I heard/felt him moving, I instantly became aware of my exposed back, and turned my head to the side to watch him fearfully, still trying to get away.
"Stop that," Kawago scolded. He ran his fingers down then up my back lightly, making me shiver uncontrollably. I KNOW I had goose bumps now.
"This should only take a second," he murmured. I watched him reach behind to the back of his waist and pull out a tiny, tiny little knife. It was cute - and sharp.
I watched him lean over with it, and I felt the flat end of the cold metal against my back. I never went more still then that moment there. I took a deep breath, and prepared myself for the bite of metal into flesh. I tried to tell myself that it would be just like a shaving cut, since the knife thing was so small.
It still hurt, though, as he turned it to the edge, lifted it slightly, and dragged the tip from one end of my middle of my back to the other end horizontally. I flinched wildly, and buried my head in the pillows, only able to make little squeaky noises. 'think of Haku think of Haku!' I tried to imagine him there, comforting me, but his image twisted and warped into that of his brother, and his comforting turned into a hit pain across my back, and I screamed hoarsely.
I twisted madly, deciding that the pain in my wrists and ankles was less then that of the small horizontal line across the middle of my back. I turned my head to watch Kawago replace a small red bottle with a small black one, and he dabbed the black bottle's contents onto my cut. I screamed, and tears were definitely abundant by now. He replaced the black bottle and sat back, watching my cry and squirm madly.
"Yes you are a bit tough," he said, a scary sort of hunger in his voice. "this'll be... fun."
"Please, no," I cried, voice muffled. He looked up at my face and turned my head so that my tear-strained eyes connected with his cold ones. He wiped the tears and sweat away as I had begun to perspire heavily after the first dose of poison or whatever had been in the red bottle.
"Oh, but I've only just begun," he said, and the pain in my back lessened to a dull ache. Like my head. "good girl," he purred. "three days. I think I can have you done in three days."
"Don't, please, stop," I said, crying again. I shut my eyes tightly, tried to focus on Haku's image, not Kawago's.
He trailed a finger down my cheek.
"Now, why would I do that?" he asked, and stood up. I saw him pull the coiled rope off, and uncoil it, and I cried out even before the first lash hit me. he did this three times, three agonizing times he hit me with that whip, and three, agonizing times, I screamed out into a pillow, writhing painfully, feeling something warm on my back. Blood. I knew it was blood.
"No!" I cried. "please, I'll do anything, stop!"
shockingly, he did. He recoiled the rope around his waist, thought a moment, then took the "Toy Belt" off completely, dropping it to the floor with a heavy clatter. He got back on the bed, and once more, wiped the tears and sweat off my face.
"Stop it," I whimpered/whispered.
"That was the beginning," he said sweetly. I couldn't believe that he was Haku's brother.
He passed a cool, wet cloth over my back a few times until all of the blood was washed away.
There," he purred once more, flipping me back to my back on the bed. My wrists and ankles once more screamed, and I arched my back slightly, expecting a terrible stinging sensation. He placed his hand on my stomach and pushed me down. Just a dull throb. Why couldn't that blue pill of his be affective all of the time?
"Five minute break."
I groaned. How long would they be doing this? Two days? Three?
He chuckled. "Chihiro, it is one thing to break a human physically, and/or emotionally. To break their spirit takes careful work to the point of no longer feeling - anything. No emotions, nothing physical." He seemed to ponder over this, and lay down next to me. "I am not sure if three days and two nights will be enough. But I can try."
"Please," I whimpered.
"Do you want to see the bathhouse or not?"
"Yes, I do! And all of my friends, especially, especially Haku!"
Kawago snorted. "I don't see how you can be so interested in him."
"Well, why not?" I demanded, wondering how I could scoot away from him without burning my wrists and ankles so much. "I can't seem to make myself believe that you and Haku - Kohaku, whichever - are brothers. You must argue a lot." My voice became bitter, and I forced myself to settle with just having to NOT look at him.
"Oh, I've never met him," Kawago said dryly, sitting up and stretching. "and he doesn't know I am alive. Or if he does, he of course wouldn't consider us brothers. I know I certainly don't."
He looked at me, and I forced my eyes closed, now beginning to hate his gaze - and Kawago in particular and general.
"Do you hate me, Chihiro?" the question caught me by surprise, and I glanced at him, startled. He took my roped on my wrists, and untied them from the post, retying them higher so that I was in a slumped/sitting position. He made the rope holding my ankles big enough so that I could siit with my back almost touching the head board.
I gave his question serious thought.
"Yes, Kawago, I do hate you," I said coldly at last. To my amazement, he smirked.
"Well then, I can guarantee that you'll be dreaming of the day you kill me slowly by the time I'm through with you."
"Wha...?" I asked, and my eyes went about the size of dinner plates when he straddled me and pressed his lips against mine, forcing his tongue inside.
I squawked, or as best I could when my mouth is cut off, and struggled, hitting my head against the headboard painfully. On instinct, I bit down hard on his tongue, and he withdrew, cursing. I tasted blood; tears streaked my face; I breathed heavily.
Kawago didn't seem discouraged in the least, however, and calmly wiped a drop of blood from the corner of his lip, smirking. "My, being feisty are we?" he taunted. "I am afraid you are in no position to be "biting back" my sweet little Chihiro."
I quaked and twisted beneath him, but in vain; he just kissed me again and again like that until I had no more energy to fight back with.
Finally, he pulled back, satisfied, smirking.
"Why?" I squeaked in my shaky, tear-strained voice. "I'm only thirteen... why did you choose me?"
"Because you are a perfect target," Kawago murmured, cupping my cheek. "you would make a good consort."
"Please, no," I whispered, breaking into sobs again that wracked my body. "if you want to kill me then just kill me, I'd rather just die. . . why are you torturing me so much? Why *me*? I'm not smart or pretty or popular, and I come from a broken down and poor family, after that stunt that Oni pulled. What did I do to deserve this?"
"You were chosen because you were chosen," he said, beginning to sound angry. I squeezed my eyes shut as he reached behind my head for my ponytail, and snatched his hand back with a hiss. "Oh, a protective spell, hmm? Easily handled." A few moments later the hair band that Zaniiba and No- face and Bou and Yu-bird had made for her was just threads on the sheets.
Kawago ran his fingers through my hair.
I knew what was coming next.
I wondered if this was how mom had felt when the triplets were conceived? I prayed I wouldn't have child by the time this night was over.
I fought.
To no avail.
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A/N: uh, okay, yeah. Whatever.
Disclaimer: I do NOT own Sen To Chihiro No Kamikakushi (i.e. Spirited Away) I only own my baka OC and my plot. Nothing else. Well, I own Daisuke, Sakura, and Yamato, and the store manager. Otherwise, nada. Sheesh, I don't even own the triplets' names! Daisuke and Yamato I got from a totally far out anime called Digimon, which I don't own. Just the idea for the names, mind you. I lack Japanese name creativity. Sakura is a name I got from a show called Card Captors, i.e., Card Captor Sakura. Just the name idea, mind you. I don't own Card Captors.
Look at all this stuff I have to Disclaim. Aren't I pathetic? And there's still more and all. Sheesh. How many authors out there spend a page and a half disclaiming everything? I know I should unless I get caught up in a lawsuit, but come on! I have a First Chapter to write here!
Yep. I'm pathetic.
Chapter Started: 5/2/03
Chapter Finished: 5/2/03
Chihiro's POV
Maybe a day or two after the Prologue?
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When I opened my eyes again, the first thing I became aware of was the throbbing pain emitting from the back of my head. The next thing I noticed was that my hands were tied above my head, so I was unable to try and massage the pain away.
I whimpered.
I was in a completely and totally dark room, buried down under some deep covers in a soft bed. Except I was wearing some sort of night slip or whatever, my ankles were bound together at the foot of the bed, and my hands were tied together at the headboard.
I whimpered again, shifting my head so that I could feel the bump on my head. My pony tail was still firmly in place, and I guessed that it was the reason why I hadn't bled to death. Bled at all.
It didn't stop my head from thumping painfully, though.
Once more, I whimpered, feeling tears from in my eyes. I wished it wasn't pitch black.
Behind me, or, behind the head board, more accurately, I heard a door open, and a small light filled the room, flickering. I caught a whiff of smoke.
A candle.
And a person.
"Who's there?" I asked fearfully, voice cracking slightly.
"Don't speak." Came the reply, and I heard the door click shut.
However, I really was more interested in the voice.
It sounded so... familiar. It sounded like...
"Haku?" I asked softly, and the candle was set down - I heard a small thunk and it stopped bobbing so much. I didn't have the heart or strength (nor will) to lift my head and look around the room.
"Well, I've never been called that before. But if you like the name, I suppose I might make an exception."
It wasn't Haku.
My spirits dropped - this one spoke with a slight accent. I couldn't quite place my finger on it - but who cared? It wasn't Haku.
I was alone in a dark room with a stranger.
And that is a fate worst than death for any average reality-starved teen.
"Who are you?" I repeated, and started to twist my head slightly to try and see if I could see him. I couldn't. besides, it hurt my head. I bit back a groan of pain and frustration and gave up on trying to see him.
"Just... call me Kawago. I'm not certain other than that." He paused. His voice was slightly more gruff.
"I'm guessing that you're experiencing a rather painful headache?" he suggested. "want to take something for it?"
"Yes, please," I sighed in relief, willing to place all else aside in return for Advil or Tylenol or something.
"Hold on." There was some slight movement, then he sat down on the edge of the bed. He was wearing a dark robe of some sort, and his hair was the same as Haku's - in fact, he looked just like Haku, except that instead of a sparkling green eyes, like she remembered, Kawago's eyes were a piercing blue-gray that made me want to shudder.
"Eat this," he instructed, placing a small blue orb thing against my lips. It tasted like air and went down smoothly. Immediately, the throbbing and pain lessened to a dull ache, and I sighed as he reached up and began to untie my wrists.
"Where am I?" I asked, grimacing slightly as I realized that my wrists were raw and cut.
"Spirit World," he muttered, finally releasing my arms completely. I examined my wrists, which were matted with dried blood, then instinctively burrowed them in my night shirt - or whatever it was I was wearing - and I sat up after he freed my ankles.
"Where's my mom?" I demanded.
"She is in Earth, as far as I can tell."
"Oh. Then I'd like to go back, please."
He shook his head. "you can't do that," he informed me.
"Why not?" I demanded. "I know this bathhouse like the back of my hand, I-"
He cut me off by laughing. "You aren't in the Aburaya if that's what you mean."
"What? Then how did I get here? Does Haku know I'm here?" I thought a second. "are you Haku's brother?"
"Who's Haku?"
"Haku! You know, Kohaku River Spirit?"
"Oh. Yes, I suppose you could say he is my brother, in a manner of speaking."
"Then can I see him? And the others? Please?"
"Maybe, if you're a-" he wrinkled his nose. "-if you're a good girl."
"Can I go home? Back to The Human World?" I thought a second. "don't I smell like Human?"
"Not necessarily."
"Then can I go home now?"
"No."
"Can I see Haku and the others?"
"Didn't you just ask me that?"
"........................... Yeah, I guess I did."
"Then you know the answer." He paused, and cocked his head as if listening. There was a slight shuffle outside as though somebody was there. "I'll be back soon," he murmured, and faster then I could say or do anything, he had my wrists and ankles tied up again, just as a man walked in. he froze when he saw Kawago.
"What are you doing here?" the man demanded.
"Nothing," Kawago replied smoothly. "she's got quite a mouth for a young lady. I've pretty much taken care of everything."
"Oh?" asked the man. I wished I could see him - he sounded so cocky, and I had a very un-Chihiro like urge to jump up and smack whoever he was. "and I suppose you'll finish what you've started as well?"
"I suppose, if you wish it,"
"Good. It'll save me the trouble."
"Of course."
"in fact, you take care of her - she's yours. I have a lot of things to attend to, so I'll check on your... progress, in three days or so."
"Yes sir."
"I suggest you get started right now - I hear human teenage girls can be a bit tougher."
"Yes Sir."
"oh, and Kawago?"
"Yes, Sir?"
"I know you've already untied her - do that again and I'll have to do it myself and you'll feel every bit of it."
I saw Kawago tense up slightly.
"Yes, Sir."
"Good boy," the man said. I heard footsteps - from boots? - coming over, and a dark shadow was leaning over me. I tried to see any facial features, squinting, but it was only a black shadow.
"Mm, I chose well," he said, reaching down, and something cold and clammy and slimy ran down my cheek. I shivered and jerked my head away, beginning to shudder madly. I could still feel it, and it washed over me. he chuckled. "yes, she is a bit tough, but I'm certain you'll have something done three days." The shadow disappeared, but I could still feel the coldness, becoming colder and colder by the minute.
"I expect a job well done in three days," the shadow man said, then started to ca-thunk out, but Kawago said, "Sir? If I may?"
"What is it?" came the irritated reply.
"I promised her I would take her to the Aburaya."
"As long as she is obedient." There was a pause. "fine. If I deem her ready in three days, then you can take her. Anything else?"
"No, Sir."
"Good. Three days, then. Understood?"
"Yes Sir."
The shadowed man left, and the door clicked shut. I listened to his boots ca-thunking away until they completely disappeared. Slowly, inaudibly, Kawago let out the breath he had been holding, and glanced pointedly at me.
I was more interested in inwardly seething at this guy's lack of manners - couldn't he even take his shoes off? I was also well aware of my shivering madly, and I tried to wipe the clamminess off my cheek on my bare shoulder, but it didn't help. And whatever I was wearing didn't help either, nor did the cold sheets.
"Who was that?" I demanded.
"The Master of this place. he's called 'Sir' because nobody knows his name." Kawago set his icy eyes on me, and he reached over and touched my cheek. His fingers tingled against my skin.
"What did he mean, by getting started on me and being tough and not untying me and a job well done and your progress with me?" I babbled.
"You were brought here, among others, to... serve a certain purpose." He sat back down on the edge of the bed. "he put a spell on the ropes. I can't untie them."
"What's that purpose? What's that cold stuff all over my body?"
"Your purpose is - I'll explain it later. That "cold stuff" was a poison, and should have put you in some pretty intense pain."
I shivered.
"that's what he meant by 'tough,' though that was a rather small dose."
"explain my purpose, because I don't plan on staying a day here." I demanded, feeling goose bumps rise on my skin. Kawago sighed heavily, and I found myself shivering under his cold stare once more. I knew inwardly that I didn't like him very much.
"It's very difficult to explain. Um, okay: each Human has their own spirit. If their spirit is broken, then whoever broke it gains a certain amount of power, and that power is automatically filtered through to whoever hold them in contract. If they aren't in contract, then they get the power. It's very, very illegal."
"So... you're supposed to break my spirit." I stated flatly.
He nodded. "Basically. I've heard it's painful if you fight it."
"Well I don't plan on letting that shadow guy touch me!"
"Of course, Chihiro. He gave you to me, remember?"
"Like a slave???"
"Yes, something like that."
"No way! And I don't intend on letting YOU touch me either!"
He sighed heavily once more. "Don't make this difficult for me, Chihiro. The I'll get more pleasure out of that, and I understand it's harmful to a human's pride should their tormentor be getting satisfaction out of tormenting them."
"NO!" I shouted, trying to scoot away. But my ankles and wrists burned painfully, and I grimaced, biting my lower lip.
He smirked, and I felt my eyes grow wide.
"What are you going to do?" I whispered, still trying to get away from him without ripping my hands and feet off.
"Whatever it takes to brake your spirit," he replied smoothly, getting up again. I gasped and whimpered as he ripped the covers up and away, exposing my night gown clad body. I was wearing a silk under dress, is what it looked like, that wrapped around my neck thinly in a fasten and dipped low on my back. It was more roomy and ended at my thighs (that is, it was tight on top where it could be and was loose and spread out at the bottom). I had a pair of what looked like spandex pants on that ended just above my ankles. Everything was blood red.
"And just what do you think will brake my spirit?" I demanded, but my voice broke.
I was scared.
"That depends," came the reply. "on how strong and tolerant you are. That's what I'm going to test right now."
"And how are you going to do that?"
"By seeing how much it takes to make you scream in pain and beg for death."
Now my eyes were really wide, and I twisted, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes. He glanced over his shoulder at me.
"And I suspect it won't take too much," he said dryly.
"And what exactly are you going to do that's going to be so painful??!?"
"Scare you so that you're running on adrenaline and fear, then do whatever strikes my fancy."
"HOW?!?" what part of 'what are you going to do *SPECIFICALLY*' did this guy NOT understand?!??
"Stop shouting, you'll want to save your strength. This won't take too long. And when I'm done, that blue pill I gave you will kick into affect at my will and everything will feel better again."
"A- and how do you plan on scaring me? nothing scares me!"
"You're already scared and you've always been slightly paranoid. I won't have to do much there."
He came back into view again and shrugged off his robe, wearing just a pair of slightly baggy pants.
They were black, and hanging from his belt were all sorts of fun trinkets; knives, rope, a coiled whip, another more elaborately-shaped knife (or was that a short rapier?), and a few different colored bottles of whatever. The candle light threw shadows across his features, (and though I'm not about to admit he might be cute or anything), and he looked like a reaper, or something freakish like that. My eyes lingered for quite a while at his waist, examining the equipment that I KNOW would - could - do more then just pain.
Noticing where my eyes were, he laughed a little bit. I was trying valiantly to stop my shuddering from fear (the cold had worn off) and keep the wonder and fear out of my eyes. He noticed anyway, however.
"Want to know which toy I might use?" he offered, walking smoothly over and sitting on the bed on one knee. he reached out, and twisted my body in a quick movement, so that I was on my back. The ropes burned against my wrists, and I buried my face in a pillow momentarily, not wanting to look at HIM while a pain-filled "Mmmm!" filtered through my lips, which I was biting closed.
When I heard/felt him moving, I instantly became aware of my exposed back, and turned my head to the side to watch him fearfully, still trying to get away.
"Stop that," Kawago scolded. He ran his fingers down then up my back lightly, making me shiver uncontrollably. I KNOW I had goose bumps now.
"This should only take a second," he murmured. I watched him reach behind to the back of his waist and pull out a tiny, tiny little knife. It was cute - and sharp.
I watched him lean over with it, and I felt the flat end of the cold metal against my back. I never went more still then that moment there. I took a deep breath, and prepared myself for the bite of metal into flesh. I tried to tell myself that it would be just like a shaving cut, since the knife thing was so small.
It still hurt, though, as he turned it to the edge, lifted it slightly, and dragged the tip from one end of my middle of my back to the other end horizontally. I flinched wildly, and buried my head in the pillows, only able to make little squeaky noises. 'think of Haku think of Haku!' I tried to imagine him there, comforting me, but his image twisted and warped into that of his brother, and his comforting turned into a hit pain across my back, and I screamed hoarsely.
I twisted madly, deciding that the pain in my wrists and ankles was less then that of the small horizontal line across the middle of my back. I turned my head to watch Kawago replace a small red bottle with a small black one, and he dabbed the black bottle's contents onto my cut. I screamed, and tears were definitely abundant by now. He replaced the black bottle and sat back, watching my cry and squirm madly.
"Yes you are a bit tough," he said, a scary sort of hunger in his voice. "this'll be... fun."
"Please, no," I cried, voice muffled. He looked up at my face and turned my head so that my tear-strained eyes connected with his cold ones. He wiped the tears and sweat away as I had begun to perspire heavily after the first dose of poison or whatever had been in the red bottle.
"Oh, but I've only just begun," he said, and the pain in my back lessened to a dull ache. Like my head. "good girl," he purred. "three days. I think I can have you done in three days."
"Don't, please, stop," I said, crying again. I shut my eyes tightly, tried to focus on Haku's image, not Kawago's.
He trailed a finger down my cheek.
"Now, why would I do that?" he asked, and stood up. I saw him pull the coiled rope off, and uncoil it, and I cried out even before the first lash hit me. he did this three times, three agonizing times he hit me with that whip, and three, agonizing times, I screamed out into a pillow, writhing painfully, feeling something warm on my back. Blood. I knew it was blood.
"No!" I cried. "please, I'll do anything, stop!"
shockingly, he did. He recoiled the rope around his waist, thought a moment, then took the "Toy Belt" off completely, dropping it to the floor with a heavy clatter. He got back on the bed, and once more, wiped the tears and sweat off my face.
"Stop it," I whimpered/whispered.
"That was the beginning," he said sweetly. I couldn't believe that he was Haku's brother.
He passed a cool, wet cloth over my back a few times until all of the blood was washed away.
There," he purred once more, flipping me back to my back on the bed. My wrists and ankles once more screamed, and I arched my back slightly, expecting a terrible stinging sensation. He placed his hand on my stomach and pushed me down. Just a dull throb. Why couldn't that blue pill of his be affective all of the time?
"Five minute break."
I groaned. How long would they be doing this? Two days? Three?
He chuckled. "Chihiro, it is one thing to break a human physically, and/or emotionally. To break their spirit takes careful work to the point of no longer feeling - anything. No emotions, nothing physical." He seemed to ponder over this, and lay down next to me. "I am not sure if three days and two nights will be enough. But I can try."
"Please," I whimpered.
"Do you want to see the bathhouse or not?"
"Yes, I do! And all of my friends, especially, especially Haku!"
Kawago snorted. "I don't see how you can be so interested in him."
"Well, why not?" I demanded, wondering how I could scoot away from him without burning my wrists and ankles so much. "I can't seem to make myself believe that you and Haku - Kohaku, whichever - are brothers. You must argue a lot." My voice became bitter, and I forced myself to settle with just having to NOT look at him.
"Oh, I've never met him," Kawago said dryly, sitting up and stretching. "and he doesn't know I am alive. Or if he does, he of course wouldn't consider us brothers. I know I certainly don't."
He looked at me, and I forced my eyes closed, now beginning to hate his gaze - and Kawago in particular and general.
"Do you hate me, Chihiro?" the question caught me by surprise, and I glanced at him, startled. He took my roped on my wrists, and untied them from the post, retying them higher so that I was in a slumped/sitting position. He made the rope holding my ankles big enough so that I could siit with my back almost touching the head board.
I gave his question serious thought.
"Yes, Kawago, I do hate you," I said coldly at last. To my amazement, he smirked.
"Well then, I can guarantee that you'll be dreaming of the day you kill me slowly by the time I'm through with you."
"Wha...?" I asked, and my eyes went about the size of dinner plates when he straddled me and pressed his lips against mine, forcing his tongue inside.
I squawked, or as best I could when my mouth is cut off, and struggled, hitting my head against the headboard painfully. On instinct, I bit down hard on his tongue, and he withdrew, cursing. I tasted blood; tears streaked my face; I breathed heavily.
Kawago didn't seem discouraged in the least, however, and calmly wiped a drop of blood from the corner of his lip, smirking. "My, being feisty are we?" he taunted. "I am afraid you are in no position to be "biting back" my sweet little Chihiro."
I quaked and twisted beneath him, but in vain; he just kissed me again and again like that until I had no more energy to fight back with.
Finally, he pulled back, satisfied, smirking.
"Why?" I squeaked in my shaky, tear-strained voice. "I'm only thirteen... why did you choose me?"
"Because you are a perfect target," Kawago murmured, cupping my cheek. "you would make a good consort."
"Please, no," I whispered, breaking into sobs again that wracked my body. "if you want to kill me then just kill me, I'd rather just die. . . why are you torturing me so much? Why *me*? I'm not smart or pretty or popular, and I come from a broken down and poor family, after that stunt that Oni pulled. What did I do to deserve this?"
"You were chosen because you were chosen," he said, beginning to sound angry. I squeezed my eyes shut as he reached behind my head for my ponytail, and snatched his hand back with a hiss. "Oh, a protective spell, hmm? Easily handled." A few moments later the hair band that Zaniiba and No- face and Bou and Yu-bird had made for her was just threads on the sheets.
Kawago ran his fingers through my hair.
I knew what was coming next.
I wondered if this was how mom had felt when the triplets were conceived? I prayed I wouldn't have child by the time this night was over.
I fought.
To no avail.
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A/N: uh, okay, yeah. Whatever.