Pt 3

It felt like she was sleeping on a cloud. A rhythmic swaying was soothing; she didn't want to open her eyes. Gentle sunlight caressed her face and warmed her.

Perhaps she was dead. Perhaps this was the afterlife. It sure seemed peaceful enough.

Curiosity got the better of her and against her will her eyes fluttered open.

"You're awake. Good." A cold, quiet voice reached her ear. She tried to get up but couldn't. Her body wouldn't respond to her mental commands. "It's the drugs we used. They'll wear off soon enough." The barest echo sounded beside her head as the person moved closer. "I am intrigued though. What are you doing in my land? You are neither slave nor servant and I honestly doubt one of the other lords would send a spy that stood out so much. So tell me," he finally came into view, stern, commanding features painting an ominous picture, "what business have you here?"

She started to answer but immediately realized that she had no idea where 'here' was!

"I…I don't know. I can't remember."

"Then can you at least tell me who the hell you are?" Slowly she shook her head.

"I…my name…" She stopped and shuddered as one claw ran down her neck. It wasn't until that moment that she discovered her nudity.

She gasped in embarrassment and her arms moved to cover herself but he easily caught both of hers in one of his.

"I don't recall giving you permission to move." He pulled her up against him, hand roughly gripping one of her breasts. She tried to struggle but a sharp pain in the back of her neck froze her. His uncaring hand gruffly explored her body. "You have a perfect body; it's nothing to be ashamed of. It would seem that I do have a use for you."

"Damn bastard, get you filthy hands off me!"

"You have got absolutely no pride, you know that?" The lord looked up and glared at the newcomer in the doorway.

"If it bothers you so much then why don't you try knocking before you enter?" The other man snorted.

"You wanted to know when the soldiers recaptured the guy. Well they have."

"Such awful timing!" the lord sighed and shoved her away. "I'll just have to finish this later." There was a shake as the lord climbed out. Apparently they were in some sort of carriage.

"Damn that Shikijou!" The other man stepped in, muttering under his breath.

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It was getting damned annoying, not being able to move. For a moment she was scared then she became angry. No matter how hard she tried to break free from his grasp, shockwaves of pain jolted down her neck and spread through her body. The pain almost seemed familiar and the combination of not being able to tell where she remembered it from and drugs clouding her mind only served to make her angrier.

Then suddenly someone appeared in the doorway and moments later she fell back to the bed-like seat. The moment I can move I'll break his damn neck for touching me!

"Hey, don't be scared," her rescuer said quietly as he moved closer.

"Believe me," she said through gritted teeth, "I'm the farthest thing from scared!" He chuckled and a moment later she felt a blanket cover her.

"You're a tough one, that's for sure. Sorry about that. My brother thinks through his pelvis. He won't be back for a while." She pulled the blanket closer, grateful for the simple privacy it provided. The second lord looked quite like the first but with a more open expression. His eyes sparkled with repressed mischief. He was obviously the younger. "Most slaves are in a panic by now; you're the first one I've ever seen cussing!"

"I don't whimper!...at least, I think I don't."

"Definitely not a pleasure slave. I'm Hikari. Now, what is your name?"

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"Would you prefer that, little Kirai? Would you rather be a sex-toy than a fighter?" Kirai shook his head. "Who knows, I may just change my mind but you'll have to convince me. Now," his voice grew stern. "What is your name?"

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Kirai…the memory came out of nowhere.

"It's…I think it's Kirai."

"That's a weird name for a girl! I'm guessing that was some lord's idea of a joke."

"I'm not really sure. I don't remember anything." Pulling the blanket close to her she tried to sit up, but to no avail.

She fell back, fighting to hold the scream that the pain induced. Hikari was instantly alert.

"What is it?" She hurt too much to answer. Gently he pulled her up and moved around behind her. She stiffened as his fingers ran across her shoulders, the closeness unnerving. There was absolutely no sensuality in his touch but it did nothing to reassure her. Men on a whole were asses and she didn't want one anywhere near her. She vaguely wondered where the male-trust issues came from. Probably years as some lord's slave.

"Damn!" Hikari swore. "Looks like good old bro trusts nobody but himself. He put a Control Plate on you. He usually only puts them on potential traitors or fighters. I don't see why he would put one on you. Hold on a sec, lemme see if I can turn it off." Her eyes saw white as pain flooded through her and an instant later it vanished. "There, it's off. I can't detach it though and it can be activated at any time." Gingerly she reached up and tapped at the metal on the back of her neck.

"Thank you."

"No problem." As if he didn't sense her discomfort he gave her shoulder what was probably intended to be a reassuring squeeze but did nothing more than set her even more on edge. She pulled away him and pressed her back against a corner, pulling her knees up to her chest.

Hikari stared at her for a moment or two. He was pretty sure he had done something wrong but he couldn't figure out what it was.

"I didn't mean to offend you." Her eyes widened slightly. He was apologizing! He raised his right hand in a form of mock salute. "I swear I'll never touch you without your direct consent again." She looked directly at him. His eyes reflected sincerity. He was serious. She nodded slightly, as if in assent. Her 'thank you' was barely audible this time. "Well Miss Kirai, lets get you some clothes. Then we can get out of here before Shikijou gets back."

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A/n Yes it was a short chapter and no I'm not running out of ideas. It's amazing what skipping three meals will do for your writing. The brothers Lust and Light (Shikijou and Hikari) were not in my original plan but things changed. It's an intriguing thought: which one can be trusted? What the hell happened to Miya? I'm a sucker for cliffies so until later, sayonara!