Title: Emotions
Chapter: Three
Rating: R overall
Pairings: Kyo/Yuya
Warnings: Ooc-ish, language, violence, adult situations, intense situations
Disclaimers: Don't own, don't sue!
Author's Notes: Sorry this chapter took a little longer...I was away on vacation and had absolutely no time to write. But I'm back now (where it is freezing...grrr…I liked the warm weather!) and I've got my hammer and pick to chop away at the writer's block slowly building in my mind. So, I hope you like this chapter, and feedback is greatly appreciated! Thanks!
They began their journey at an easy walk, Kyo leading his horse rather than riding it. He wanted to believe that it was because he didn't want to tire the beast, making it carry more weight than necessary. But beneath that, he knew it was because Yuya was riding his horse, and he didn't know if the control he had on his body would last.
"How long will this journey take?" Yuya asked, watching as the scenery passed slowly. Kyo grunted, shrugging a shoulder.
"However long it takes." He paused, thinking for a moment. "My guess is three days at the pace we're going."
"Oh."
Silence spread between them, neither of them knowing what to say. Kyo was quiet by nature, so he was unaware of the discomfort Yuya was experiencing because of his silence. But Yuya felt it keenly, and soon she began to squirm. The horse beneath her, irritated by Yuya's movements, began to prance around nervously.
"Sit still, woman. You'll spook the horse." Kyo's voice was a growl as he glanced back with narrowed eyes.
"Sorry." Yuya spoke through gritted teeth.
It had barely been more than two hours, and already she was feeling the strain of the travel. She had never cared for horseback riding, and now she found herself on top of one of the beasts. Oh yes, it would be a long trip.
The day wore on, and there were several tense moments that involved Yuya getting off the horse and walking. Kyo, however, always remained at the reins of the horse, never mounting it, even to ease his weary legs. He had struggled through worse, he figured. A little walking wasn't going to kill him.
By the time the army started to settle down for the night, Yuya was prepared to just collapse on the nearest soft surface. She had places on her body that she never even knew about aching in protest, and she winced as a particular muscle in her lower back spasmed in pain. Her hair was a matted, sweaty mess, and bug bites covered the exposed flesh of her arms and neck. All in all, she was messy, grumpy, and ready for sleep, food, and a bath in any kind of order.
Kyo pulled his bedroll from one of the side bags on the horse, placing it on the ground and glancing at Yuya. "I will go get some firewood. Stay here." He pointed at the rolled bedding. "You can set that up while I am gone."
He turned on his heel and headed towards the wooded area on their right, grabbing small branches on the way for kindling. Yuya looked at the bedroll, glanced around the camp, and made her decision. He had left her alone, even though he knew she would run away. It was a sign from the Heavens! She would make her escape, avoid the rest of the troops, and get back to a safe place where she didn't have to worry about soldiers or horses, or both.
She glanced around again, studying the other warriors amongst the army. Most were minding their own business, intent on picking the lint from their toes rather than pay attention to a stray slip of a girl. Earlier that day Kyo had removed her wrist restraints, and kept them off so she would be able to hold onto the horse beneath her. Now she was able to use that freedom to her advantage as she began to edge her way to the opposite side of the clearing.
Every few moments she would turn her head and glance back at the bedroll still on the ground. Kyo would be back soon, she thought. What would he do when he saw that she wasn't there? A shiver ran down her spine when she thought about the anger he would feel. She was, in fact, betraying him. He had told her to stay put, and she was breaking that fine thread of trust he had placed in her.
She gulped hard as she moved further away. There were more soldiers around, more than she first thought there was. And the further she moved away from Kyo's bedroll, the more unsavory the warriors became. They weren't just getting ready for bed, she noticed. There were other women about, and some of those men were engaged in questionable behavior with them. Their hands were in places that no respectable woman would allow, but the women didn't seem to care. They were, in fact, enjoying it.
Yuya was so intent on studying the soldiers and their behavior that she didn't see the shadow behind her. She didn't feel the presence of another person until a thick, beefy hand gripped her shoulder and pulled her against a solid chest. "Well, well, missy. What do we have here?"
For the first time since she'd been in the care of Kyo, icy fear gripped her heart. Now, more than ever, she wanted Kyo to be there. She wanted his strength, his protection. Her green eyes widened in panic and her voice refused to come out. The man laughed deeply, spittle flying from his mouth as his foul breath washed over her face. "Come on, sweetheart. Show Manny here what you've got..."
He placed slobbery kisses on her neck, wet slurping noises making her grimace. Teeth scraped her skin, and his arms tightened around her. She whimpered quietly, sobs beginning in the back of her throat as tears cascaded down her cheeks. Oh, Kyo, she thought, where are you?
Kyo returned to where he'd left Yuya, frowning at the still-rolled bedding and the empty space around it. Where was Yuya? He'd told her to stay there, didn't he?
He shrugged a shoulder, figuring she must have wandered towards the bushes to relieve herself. He gathered some small branches and began to start a fire, rubbing a piece of flint against his murumasa to create the necessary sparks. Once the small flames grabbed the twigs, Kyo began to place larger branches on top until he had a good size fire going.
He frowned as he stood up, kind of worried that Yuya had not returned yet. There were a lot of men who had no qualms about taking a woman against her will, and he did not want her to have to meet any of them. He would not wish those men on his worst enemy. Nobody deserved that much humiliation.
After ten more minutes, he decided to walk towards the edge of the clearing, his interest piqued by the commotion going on by the huddle of small tents. Women were common amongst these warriors, strong-willed and brutal in their own kind of way. They were prostitutes to some of the most violent people imaginable. They would have to be pretty strong to be able to stand a single night with any of them.
But now, Kyo could see some of the women huddled in a group, their eyes flashing anger and hatred in the direction of the main campfire centered between the tents. Kyo's brows came to a 'V' between his crimson eyes. What could spawn the hatred of the women, he wondered.
He meant to walk towards the group of women, inquire about Yuya and go on his way. But as soon as he glanced at the center, where the commotion was going on, fire raged through his vein and his world became tinted in red.
Yuya was in trouble!
AN: sorry for the long wait, guys! I didn't realize how much I was stressing over this chapter until I realized it has been what, a month, since I last posted? Eeeekk! I didn't mean to, honest. I am just a little nervous about this chapter...Please let me know if you feel it is moving too fast, kay?
Thank you's:
Ayume: your intuition is strong! I hope this chapter is up to your liking!
Wolfwoods: I'm glad that you like the detail!
Luna-magic-2005: I hope this chapter is as good as you hope!
Genjy0-Sanz0: Hehehe…I figured that, as a princess, she had to get used to seeing things that might not always be proper, so his nudeness would be a shock, but nothing to scare her out of her wits
Mimi-san: I'm glad that you're enjoying it!
Bailong and Kasuhiro: Here ya go! I hope you like it!
Starbrat: True, but where would be the fun in writing it if it didn't have a chance! Hehehe...It's fiction, what can I say?
AngelsWarmth: Unfortunately, I've only seen the anime, although I would eventually like to get the manga's. I enjoy writing the softer-ish side of Kyo, too. From the tiny (and I mean miniscule) hints in the anime, he truly does have a softer side, but it's buried beneath all of the battles and wars. I hope this chapter is up to par!
GoogleGal: Here ya go! Fresh from the folder! Hope you liked it!
SloverPink: I hope to never stop...well, until it's finished, that is. Hope you like this chapter!
Kede Diem: Patience is a virtue, my friend. Unfortunately, I too suffer fro mthe same problem. I want to write the good stuff, but first I must write the necessary stuff...grrr! Hope you liked it!
Next chapter should be out in about two or three weeks (will most likely be on a weekend) Thanks to you all for reading and reviewing! I can't even begin to tell you how much it makes me smile to know all of you are reading this and letting me know! It truly makes my day! Thanks again!
Midnight Anonymous
