Pt 4
"It does happen. Sudden trauma can affect the mind. The mind doesn't want to remember certain painful incidents so it merely erases them. Well, suppresses might be a better term. No doubt some sort of shock caused her to lose the baby. She probably is suppressing the memories."
"That still doesn't explain the fact that she remembers nothing about herself. She's not even sure of her own name. Usually only the painful memories are suppressed; it takes too much to suppress all memories."
"Not all." The young doctor flipped through the sheets of paper. "Obviously the basics are still there. Speech is up to level, all mental development seems normal. When a yokai loses all their memories they practically have to start life over. They have to be taught how to walk or talk properly since their mind has forgotten how to do all these things. That's just how the yokai mind works."
He sighed.
"Judging from the scars she had I'd say that her entire life was one hell of a nightmare. Obviously she had to get the name 'Kirai' from somewhere. If I had to make a guess I'd say…"
Hikari's eyes left the red-headed kitsune to glance back at the doctor.
"You'd say?"
"I'd say that this memory loss was induced. All evidence seems to show that it was deliberately caused by an external factor."
"Meaning…?"
"Meaning she's got probably something in that head of hers that someone doesn't want anyone to know about."
The young okami turned back to look at Kirai. She knelt at the edge of the clearing and played with some small animal, apparently oblivious to the fact that she was the main topic of conversation.
"Kitsune, they talk to animals, right?"
"Some of them. On a whole they're closer to nature than any other species. Some of them control earth, plants or animals. On a rare occasion you would find one that controls water and even rarer are the ones who control weather. Unfortunately she wouldn't remember how to use most of her radical powers, if she had any."
All around people were setting up camp; it was too dark to safely travel anymore. From across the area two steely gray eyes were fastened onto her as he shouted orders. It didn't go unnoticed by Hikari.
He glared and growled silently as Shikijou made no effort to hide his apparent infatuation.
"Tell me Toukei, could that be the reason for my dear brother paying so much attention to her, the fact that he wants what she knows."
"Well that's a naïve view if I ever heard one!" Hikari smirked over at his friend who doubled as his doctor.
"Then what would you suggest?"
"Permission to speak freely."
"Of course!"
"Frankly I think your brother is more interested in getting between her legs than getting in her head." The okami-lord couldn't help but chuckle.
"You should be careful how often you say that Toukei. I'd rather not have to rescue your arse from my brother. I'm going to have enough trouble with him and Kirai as it is."
"It's not like it's a secret you know."
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The lord…Hikari…had asked her to stay right there while he spoke to the doctor for a few moments. They had walked far enough away that she would have to strain to catch a few words of what they were saying. She decided that she didn't want to know. It was probably bad.
In her mind she hummed a tune that didn't seem to follow any music. Within moments she was humming out loud. It was just a single note, low and barely audible above the bustle around her. After a moment or two she looked down, somehow sensing something strange.
Curled around her feet was a jeweled snake, its beautiful brown and black patterned scales blending in perfectly with the dry leaves and dirt that looked like its home. She had disturbed its nap.
Move! Move now! Her mind screamed out of instinct. Why? Why should I be afraid? She didn't understand why she was both fearful and calm at the same time.
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The little boy shook with fear, not daring to move lest he cause the snake to bite him. The others froze too, all eyes locked on the small creature that posed such a large threat. It was poisonous; everybody knew that these kinds were.
Languidly, as if quite enjoying the tension, the snake slithered further up his arm. "Don't move Case, I'm coming." The red-headed kitsune crept closer. The snake's head shot up, its eyes narrowed in a natural glare at the newcomer.
She swallowed, having no idea what she was doing. From her mouth tumbled an eerie tune. She stepped closer. The snake watched her but made no effort to move. She kept humming and moving closer until her fingers could reach it. They closed around it, near to the head, effectively trapping it. It didn't struggle as she unwound it from her friend's arm and pulled it towards herself.
The moment he was free Case jerked away, putting a good bit of distance between them. Carefully the kitsune placed the snake in a tree and stepped back, watching it until it disappeared in the brilliant foliage. The boys breathed a collective sigh of relief, although Case was still pale.
"Koji, I really, really owe you big this time! How'd you do it?" The kitsune shrugged.
"It's kinda like talking to a lord. Just say what they want to hear." There was rampant snickering as they made their way back to the castle.
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Still humming, Kirai knelt down and reached out, fingers brushing against the dry scales. It made no attempt to strike, merely regarded her stonily. Snakes couldn't be trusted but for some reason she knew that though it wouldn't hesitate to bite anyone else, she was safe. In fact she was probably safer there than anywhere else.
Without warning it struck, grabbing her hand in its mouth. Their eyes met and a smile tugged at the edge of her mouth.
It hadn't even broken skin. Its fangs brushed against her hand, reminding her why other's feared it. Its venom sacs were full and threatening but it did nothing to hurt her. Her other hand stroked its head as they regarded each other, Kirai mentally laughing at the empty threat. It couldn't hut her; she was stronger.
Suddenly a chill ran up her spine and the hair on the back of her neck stood on end. Slowly she looked around and her eyes met lord Shikijou's. She felt her body go numb with trepidation. His dark gray eyes were precise replicas of the snake's. She shuddered; this was one snake she would need to watch out for.
He smirked and started walking toward her. Rage swelled in her as she calculated the chance she would have if she attacked him. Conscious thought was suppressed as her muscles tightened for instant speed if she needed it. He closed the distance between and was less than eight feet from her when suddenly a shadow fell over her and a figure stepped in front of her, blocking him from her view.
She looked up. Hikari smiled.
"Come on, I'll show you where you're going to stay tonight." She noticed he didn't try to help her up, true to his word about not touching her. As they walked off Kirai could feel the elder lord's glare burning into her back.
"It seems like I keep having to thank you." Hikari shrugged.
"Don't worry about it." He glanced over his shoulder smugly at his brother. "Anyway, Kirai, was that a snake I saw you playing with?" She nodded. "Isn't that a little…dangerous?"
"Look at it this way. It's better to have a snake than a lamb. Both have teeth and can bite you, but if you are attacked a snake is more likely to bite your enemies too; a lamb will run."
"Your logic is kind of scary Kirai."
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Beware the wolf in the flock.
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Kiete's eyes followed the young kitsune. 'She's unaware. This will be too perfect.' He watched as she moved, memorizing every curve. She would be a perfect addition to his collection. She disappeared from sight and he slid silently into his carriage. In a few seconds everyone disappeared to their different tents to sleep.
He lifted the seat, shifting the cushions to reveal a secret compartment built into the hollow of the seat.
She waited for him there, eyes wide with fear but not daring to make a sound. Her arms and legs were bound so tightly it cut into her flesh. She was gagged and her face was swollen from his beatings. Even in her agony she was beautiful, dark brown hair framed her face making her eyes seem even bigger.
"Humans are such delicate creatures," he whispered, stroking her face gently. "But they are just so beautiful. It's almost like…the fact that they are so easily damaged makes them so much more…appealing." She gasped when he touched her and tears spilled from her eyes. "None of that, my dear. It makes you look horrible. I enjoy beautiful things. You could even say I'm a collector and humans are like art to me."
From the open window a raven flew in and circled around her, only to be waved off.
"Not just yet Karasu. I wouldn't want to be too hasty." The raven perched on the handle of the door as the windows slammed shut as if by some invisible breeze and the curtains drew together. "So we don't have any interruptions." Gently he lifted her out, her school uniform skirt bunched up, showing off more of her legs. One of the twin buns in her hair shook loose and spilled dark locks down her face. He closed the compartment and lay her down on top of it. His fingers loosened the other bun and teased out the plaits. "You look much more mature when you let your hair out." His blue-black hair piled beside her face as he leaned close. "This is going to be your last time dear. It would be to your advantage to enjoy it." His lips brushed her cheek softly. 'Dearest Kirai, I cannot wait until I have you.'