ALTERING RULES
By: Chiki Yumeshisa

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin…all original characters/ideas are mine to claim. No stealing please.

AN: The last time I updated was on Christmas! I'm very sorry for the slow updates, but since the writer's block granted me mercy, here is the next chapter. I am EXTREMELY grateful to all those who read and reviewed as they lifted my spirits. I hope you enjoy.

Warnings: None.

Previously:

Sir Saitoh did not let his glare waver but he broke his gaze evenly as Shuzo was served a drink.

Sayo felt herself turn cold with dread. For a moment, she wondered whether all her insides had vanished as she stood up clumsily, straining to see.

I don't trust him…

"Don't!" She heard herself cry, as Shuzo took the cup and raised it to his lips. To her surprise, Saitoh grabbed the cup from his hands and pulled it away. Confused, Shuzo looked up as Saitoh forced the cup into the hands of the taste-tester behind them.

In seconds, the man lay dead.

CHAPTER 14

- The Stirring Of Trouble -

For a moment, no one spoke.

And then there was a collective gasp as well as a mad rush to see what had happened. Shuzo had gotten up, backing away, his face pale as he stumbled back into the table where he could not back up any further.

There were cries all around, and it sounded loud in Sayo's ears. Her knees shaking, she knew that she would not be able to get to Shuzo's side with all the commotion in the room. Soon, she lost sight of him, as a crowd soon formed over the dead body. Looking to her right, she saw her friends' horrified faces as they covered their mouths in disbelief.

Gathering her skirts in her hands, Sayo made for the door leading out. Her small legs carried her past the grand foyer and up the winding marble staircases, past the huge frames and down the red carpeted hallway. Ignoring the Lord Okina's cries of protest, Sayo threw her weight against the large heavy double doors of the throne room.

The room fell silent as she stumbled in. Hiko rose from his throne, indignantly, miffed to have been interrupted for the second time that day. "What is the meaning of this?" he asked, as all heads turned in the direction of the little girl. "Sayo?"

Gathering her breath, Sayo rushed forward, all court practices forgotten. "My lord! Your son! He was nearly poisoned!"

Hiko stared at her as if she had gone daft. "What?"

"Please, come quickly!" She cried, ignoring the looks of disdain on the faces of the gentlemen in the room. She grasped her father's hand, tugging at it. As she tried to bring her breathing back to normal, she pulled him forward. To her relief, he came willingly, having to bend a little as she drew him away from the crowd and out of the room.

"Your Majesty…?" Okina seemed confused.

"I'll be back shortly." Hiko told him. His voice sounded detached. "Please put this meeting on hold until I return." The man bowed deeply in acknowledgement and Hiko turned to his daughter.

"Sayo, what in all the goodness of the earth is going on?"

"Someone tried to poison Shuzo, my lord." She responded feeling tears come to her eyes. "Will you not see him?"

He knelt down, putting his hands to her cheeks. "Who?" He asked gently.

"I don't know." She said. "Father, I'm scared…."

He actually smiled. "Don't be, little one. I'll find out who it is, and I'll make sure it won't happen again."

Feeling much better after his reassurance, she led him back down the hallway, but he was faster. He scooped her up in his big burly arms and made his way down to the dining hall. As he had not finished his meetings from earlier that morning, he had had to dismiss lunch for that day and thus, had not been present when the incident had taken place. The thought that someone had tried to attack his son yet again unnerved him, and he set his daughter down once they reached the room.

The room was in an uproar, with people trying to get a better look as soldiers kept them back. But as the King entered, a wave of silence fell upon them, and everyone backed away, falling to one knee.

His voice was cool and authoritative as he took in the scene before him. "What is going on here? Where is my son?" He looked both powerful and intimidating that for a moment, no one moved. And then, Shuzo stepped out of the crowd, still looking visibly shaken.

Sayo was relieved to see that he was fine. Her eyes fell on Saitoh who was watching the whole thing intently, his golden eyes seemingly never blinking. She found herself pressing against her father's leg unconsciously at the stony look on his face.

The king strode forward, to the dead body that was still on the floor. It was a young man, just a little younger than twenty years. The medical aid was next to him, looking drained. "He's dead, Your Majesty. He took a poisoned cup from Prince Shuzo…"

"Who gave him the cup?" Hiko asked, stooping down to check the dead man's pulse for himself. There was none. He kept Sayo back, who had let her curiosity get the better of her and tried to see.

"I did, sire." Saitoh piped up, suddenly. "When I saw that the Prince was just going to drink it before he even checked…."

The King did not reply, but turned to Shuzo. "Are you hurt?" he asked.

Shuzo shook his head. "No, my lord…"

Hiko nodded slowly. "Good, that's the most important thing." He sounded very tired. "Thank you, Sir Saitoh. I'm thankful for your wit."

Saitoh bowed his head in acknowledgement. "It is my duty to serve, Your Excellency."

"What's going on?" A voice asked. It rang across the room, echoing off the walls. Sayo turned to see none other than her beloved Sir Kenshin, stepping into the dining hall, wiping his hands on a rag. His red hair looked disheveled and the side of his handsome face was smudged with what looked like dark oil.

Realizing that the King was present, he too sank to a knee, albeit quite confused. He had been sent into the dining hall to help collect dishes that were to be washed only to find himself stepping into a murder scene. His siblings looked pale and scared. His father grim and weary.

Sayo watched him, knowing full well that this was not the time for hugs or displays of affection. She stayed rooted in her spot next to her father.

"I want you to take Shuzo to his chambers." Hiko was saying quietly to Okita. "Sir Saitoh, you shall accompany them." He handpicked a few other soldiers to carry out the dead body, and then took Sayo's hand in his. "I want a word with my commanding officers."

At those words, people began to obediently file out of the room, Lord Akira, Kenshin and the Medical Aid staying behind. Sir Cyus was not present, having been brought to the infirmary after his punishment and was being cared for.

"Sayo, you must go up to Madam Myranda's." Her father said, gently.

"Might I stay, Father?" She pleaded. She did not want to go back to that woman's side. Not at a time like this. Not when Sir Ken was just steps away. Sir Kenshin seemed ready to object when her father suddenly sighed and said, "If it please you, then." He, on the other hand, seemed to think that arguing with her was in his lesser interests and had more important things on his mind.

She grinned, happily letting his hand go and running toward the soldier. She took comfort with Kenshin's hand on her head as she listened to them speak, remembering that it was not a lady's place to interrupt during a man's conversation unless asked to.

"What say you, gentlemen?" Hiko asked. "This has been the second attempt on my son's life just today. The first, Lady Trissen thought was a direct threat from your army."

"That's ridiculous!" Lord Akira said, shaking his head. "We took our vows on penalty of death."

"We swore to protect the Royal family." Kenshin agreed.

"Anyone?" The king stressed. "Sir Berik was executed this morning."

Kenshin stiffened and felt his blood drain from his face. "My King…"

Lord Akira did not seem to take that news very well either. "I…I…don't understand…" He began to say. "….Sir Berik…who…?"

"That is what I would like to know." The King sighed, picking up the cup which had held the poison. It sat on the table along with many other cups and plates that had been left behind. The cup was simple, non ornate and made of brass. "Sir Berik would not be the type to suddenly attack. But who would cough his name, or have such a grudge? Do you know of any animosity between your soldiers?"

Lord Akira shook his head slowly as did Kenshin. "I will keep my eye on it." Kenshin said.

"I as well, My King." Said Akira.

The medical aid stepped forward then. "The liquid was red, Your Majesty. No clear sign of poison."

"The alchemists, then." Hiko suggested, peering into the cup. Sure enough, the liquid was red, like any other wine. The thought that his son was being served wine so early in the day unnerved him. "Who sent this drink for the Prince?"

All three men shook their heads and shrugged. The King looked at a loss, and he drew his cape off the ground, setting the cup back on the table with a bang so that the liquid inside it frothed. "We must get to the bottom of this. I will not allow traitors to roam within the castle. I will leave it to you to make sure every possible loop in the army is watched. I can't stand a botched job."

His gaze fell on Sayo, who was watching him, pale-faced. "I cannot allow my family to be involved."

All three men bowed as the King left the room, no doubt to go speak with the young prince.

Sayo's legs had turned to jelly by that point and she toppled over. If Kenshin hadn't been standing right next to her, she would have ended up in a heap on the floor. His hand was on her arm, hoisting her up and steadying her as she rocked in place. "Your Highness? Are you okay?"

Gasping, she nodded, holding onto his proffered arm for balance as she tried to compose herself. Already the Medical aid looked worried.

"Did you drink anything?" He asked.

"Do you feel feverish?" Akira demanded at the same time, putting his hand to her forehead. Sayo squeaked in protest to his roughness, and managed to say no.

Kenshin sounded anxious. "What is it then? Did you eat something bad? Oh, dear spirits, tell me you weren't poi-"

"- I wasn't!" Sayo cried, knowing full well what the three men thought. The tears that had come to her eyes earlier and that she had kept away, now flooded her vision again. They escaped their unseen prison and began to roll down her face. "I-I'm scared…I don't like this…I don't like this at all…."

Visibly relaxing, Kenshin drew her into a tender embrace, motioning for the others to leave.

"I'd best be off then." Akira told them, hastily, trying to ignore the scene before him. "I've got a few questions I'd like to ask my troop. It would do you good, Sir Kenshin, to do the same."

Kenshin nodded, and the older commanding officer stalked away, his blue cape billowing out behind him as he left the dining hall.

Genzai brought a chair up so that the princess could sit. "Gently now." He instructed, as she plopped herself in it, rubbing her eyes in an embarrassed way. "I'd best see to the alchemists and his highness. Strength to you, sir."

"And to you." Kenshin replied, and only when the aid had left, did he turn to Sayo. For a long moment, he just stared at her. His gentle blue eyes roamed her features before he sighed. "My princess…"

"Will I be targeted too?" She cried out, eyes growing round.

Startled, he leaned back. "Of course not."

"But we don't even know who it is!" She insisted. "It could be anyone! And Mother says - "

"-I know what your mother says." Kenshin interrupted quietly. "But it would be wise to keep whatever you heard here to yourself, do you understand that, Sayo?" He stroked her hair absently. "It would not do to have the palace in a panic. Sir Cyus may know something, yet." He waited until she had nodded obediently, before he pulled up a chair to sit opposite her.

She swung her legs, making her dress swish. With Sir Kenshin, fashions could be dropped and courtesies overlooked. He did not scold her for her actions, but rather, allowed her to do it, as it seemed to ease her troubled mind. "Why did you not come to me sooner?" She demanded.

He smiled, wringing the rag in his hand. "I was disgraced earlier, if you must know." He sounded rueful. "Nevertheless, I was going to come and see you – when I was cleaned up."

She peered at his dirty hands and face. "What happened?" She asked. "Where did you go? Shuzo says that you disgraced Sir Cyus!"

He sighed. "It is a long story…but it doesn't matter. I'm serving in the kitchens with the Master Iwanbo. How are you, my princess? Keeping up your studies, I hope?"

Sayo hopped out of her chair, restlessly swinging her arms this time, and walking around. "It's boring! I hate learning fashions and I hate doing needle work! I hate it that everyone else seems to be such a woman grown and I cannot seem to do anything right!"

When she turned to face him, she was surprised to see Kenshin frowning. "It makes me sad indeed that you are unhappy." He murmured at last, studying the rag in his hands before setting it down in his lap. "But you can do many things right, my princess. Why, I believe you are the most intelligent of them all. And even if you can't fight a battle outside of the palace, you can fight one on the inside."

She stopped her pacing and cocked her head. "What do you mean?"

He wrung the cloth once again, and then scratched at the oil lining his cheek with disdain. His punishment had only just begun and there was already so much still to do. "You must be brave." He said, bringing his voice down some more so that she had to come forward to hear him. "And you must use every skill you have to help me."

"Help you?" She asked. "I don't know how to wield a sword."

"No, dear child….no." He said. "You must keep your ears listening, and your eyes open. And you must keep your mind alert." His eyes seemed to dig into hers, with the urgency of his words. "You must listen to the court talks, to the boys' jests, to the girls' chatter, to the women's gossip. You must watch the men train, and above everything, remember." By this point, he was whispering, and he raised his finger for emphasis. "No one will suspect you because you are young. But I never estimated you." A smile took his handsome features again, that Sayo quite forgot his face was still dirty. The look on it was what she loved to see: pride.

She nodded. "I'll do it." She whispered back. "I promise I won't get caught. But what if someone finds out?"

"They won't." Kenshin replied, assuredly. He put his hand on his sister's shoulder.

"You must keep everything you do a secret."

"A secret?" She repeated, incredulously.

"You cannot risk telling anyone in the army: for all we know, the Queen may be telling the truth about someone infiltrating. And you dare not risk letting your secrets reach the wrong ears – you must be certain that those who do hear are those who are faithful to the crown."

Now she was starting to get scared again. "But Sir Ken…"

He squeezed her shoulders to get her to concentrate on what he was going to say. "You can do this Sayo. I know you can. And you must – there is no one else. That is your mission from me. Do you understand?"

She bit her lip, contemplating. What he was asking her to do was dangerous, but she had never felt so needed before. And with the way he was staring at her, she could not refuse. Gathering her resolve, she nodded again, remembering her earlier words. "I'll do it." She said again, clapping her small fist to her heart in an imitation salute.

Kenshin planted a kiss on her forehead. "I want you to promise me that you won't try to fight by yourself."

She nodded. "I promise."

"I believe in you, my princess. May the Ancient protect you."

She stepped away from him then, performing a perfect curtsy. When she lifted her head, she seemed older for her age. "Strength to you, my lord."

He got to his feet, all smiles, bowing deeply. "And to you, Your Highness."

They were interrupted by a sudden booming voice. "Master Himura! Whatever happened? The dishes are needing to be washed!"

Heaving a sigh and casting an apologetic look to the little girl, Kenshin nodded. "My apologies, sir. I'll get to work on that right away." He turned quickly to Sayo as he put the chair back into the proper place from where it had come. "You should go now." He said, winking.

And so she did.

0-0-0-0-0

A week staying in the barracks with the other soldiers and Kaoru felt like she'd go insane. She did not like the way that they snored and the way that they joked with each other. Sometimes, she would come into her part of the barracks only to find that several of the soldiers had taken some women to bed and were having their way with them at full force in front of all eyes to see. It would cause her to freeze and remind herself not to panic – that stuff did not happen to her anymore.

True to her word, Consolence had not let Kaoru out of her sight until all the changes had settled into place. A full grown beard now adorned her jaw line and her chin. Her voice had changed into a deep monotone that, surprisingly, fit her slightly built body. Consolence's drink was working and well, though it tasted horrible every time she downed it, it had helped her disguise immensely.

As it was normal for men to wear their hair long, she kept hers in a ponytail and her only concern was that the changes would be permanent. The changes in her body made it so that binding her breasts for hours on end was a very painful experience. Every time she spoke, it hurt, and so, for the most part, she stayed quiet.

Occasionally, Prince Kaiden would come to check on her, and eventually, the two became good friends. He had been very amiable, keeping her secret to himself. Although she had other secrets and chose to stay quiet, the young Prince did not bother to question her. Instead, he confided in her all his plans and his dreams while she sat and listened.

When she entered the barracks, she was relieved to find it empty – living the life of a soldier meant that you were surrounded by people all the time. They ate together, bathed together, slept together – it was difficult to keep her secret hidden. In truth, she was scared. Megumi was right: she didn't know anything about being a soldier. And she hadn't yet spoken with Sir Kenshin as she had originally planned.

She saw him working in the kitchens every day. Rumor had it that he had displeased the King and was serving his punishment. Whatever it was, she had not yet found the time to tell him what she knew.

The information she had, deemed true after all – with the Prince having been attacked twice in the same day, he now had a very tight security around him, picked out personally by the Lord Akira himself. The attacks had ceased…or so it seemed. Kaoru knew that there was not just one spy in the castle, and she had to let them know.

The day was cold and dreary, with the rains deciding to come down at last. The soldiers had been practicing outside for hours on end, and by Consolence's word, Kaoru had joined. Everyone had seemed engrossed in what they did that she could barely keep up. Luckily for her, Prince Kaiden had assigned one of his own men to help her, with the excuse that she was still ill and recovering.

It was not all that far from the truth. Her already aching body was now feeling even worse after such a strenuous sword practice and since she had never wielded one in her life before, she felt quite embarrassed.

Sitting down on her pallet in the far corner, she put down her sword. It was easier said than done to wield it properly. The pages and squires were much better than she was, and it was disheartening. Her arms were not accustomed to the weight and were awkward and clumsy.

Kaoru ran her fingers over the hilt of her sword, the slender instrument staring mockingly up at her. If she could not master it, she would not be able to accomplish her mission. She made up her mind that she would practice at every moment she got.

So late that night, she crept out of the barracks, in nothing but the shirt and breeches she was given to wear, her hands clutching the sword and scabbard as she strode into the back gardens.

Smoothly, she brought the sword down despite her aching muscles, repeating in her mind the instructor's words that day.

Her hand wobbled under the force of her overhead strike. Frowning, she tried again, only to get the same results.

'That can't be right,' she thought, frustrated. What was she doing wrong? As she tried again, this time, her sword clashed with another, the ring of steel against steel making her head spin and her arm shudder violently. Choking back a gasp, she looked up and behind her, only to see Kenshin, who had deftly parried her blow.

"Better be careful there, sir." He said, grinning. "You are like to take someone's eye out with a swing like that."

Feeling her frustration build, Kaoru swung at him again, only to be smoothly parried off like the first time.

"You won't be able to hurt a fly like that," Kenshin jeered. "You must always lean into your strike. Don't you know that?"

She never answered, flexing her palm over the pommel of the sword and doing as he said. "Step into it." He instructed, "And bring it down into an arc. That's the way."

Kaoru performed a perfect swing and felt the frustration slide. When he parried it, he was smiling. She stepped back, letting her sword drop to her side and breathed hard. "Sir Valis, was it?"

She nodded, consciously bringing her hand up to her jaw line, feeling the thick hair beneath her fingers. "You seem to be recovering nicely from you sickness." He said. "But you're not quite fully healed it seems." He swung his blade down experimentally, causing the grass to flatten momentarily before he sheathed his sword.

"Not quite fully." She agreed, gravely. She had to play the part. She was glad for the darkness overhead, and the moon was hidden behind clouds so its light was muffled.
"I thought to continue practicing…"

"And you need it too." He said, ruefully. "I came here to do the exact same thing. Should you like, we can spar together. I will go easy on you." For some reason, she hated the way he teased her subtly.

Tucking away her pride, Kaoru nodded. "Very well. I should appreciate it, my lord."

Kenshin pulled back, his hair blowing in the wind. "Shall we begin then?"

0-0-0-0-0

The cart that Soujiro lay in rattled him around so much that his numbed body began to ache in protest. Tightly bound were his wrists, and he was crouched in the most uncomfortable of positions. His head swam as he tried to take in air, only feeling as if he were breathing fire instead.

The wounds lining his body were sore and puffy, most likely starting to get infected, but he could do nothing about that. He was at the mercy of….

The mercy of….

He opened his eyes to see that he was alone in the back of a covered wagon, thankfully shielding him from what looked like scorching sunrays. Still, it unnerved him that he heard no other sounds but the trotting of the horses that were pulling the contraption he was in and the rusty wheels turning in the dirt.

They had probably cast him out to die by himself, alone, or to be eaten by the wild animals.

Whatever they planned, he wished he had just died. The pain was starting to come back and he was tired of it. He found he could not lift himself up, no matter how hard he tried. He thought, perhaps, to jump off the moving wagon and try to get away, but found that that option too, had been denied him as his legs were chained stubbornly to the floorboards beneath him. With no use of his hands it would be impossible to tug himself free.

Resigned, he closed his eyes again, cursing the spirits which had evidently failed to protect him.

'I'm still alive…'

He fell in and out of sleep then, but it was hard to keep either one consistent because of the lingering pain. If he fell asleep, he'd awake because of it. If he woke up, he'd eventually get knocked out because he could not stand it anymore. Already he had soiled himself twice, and the smell was near to suffocating.

As hours passed, he felt his life slipping and although a part of him was terrified, he felt mostly relief. At last, he would be free from everything.

Just as he was about to go unconscious again, the back of the wagon was pulled down and a man came up, his hat lopsided on his bald head. His breathing was heavy as he moved toward Soujiro, a disgusted look on his face.

It was then, that Soujiro realized he could hear things faintly. Voices were speaking and he could hear footsteps. Many footsteps. He felt panic come back so strongly he desperately tried to bring back that unconscious feeling that had tried to overcome him earlier.

But once again, luck was not on his side as he was dragged to sit up forcefully, his chains being removed and his body being passed down to waiting hands. He tried at first, to squirm out of their grasp, but he could not, for the life of him, find the strength to move. The pain was unbearable, his wounds protesting against the hands against his skin.

And then, he saw the whole world turn blindingly white as pain laced through every fiber of his being, before it turned an endless black.

For an eternity, he hung in darkness, not hearing, not feeling, not seeing….nothing. It was bliss. But at the same time, it was torture. Was this what death was supposed to feel like? If that was the case, he seriously regretted asking for it. Was the Ancient so cruel as to keep him in an eternity like this?

Yet, he knew that he deserved it after all those people that he had killed and whom he had made to suffer without their loved ones. He knew he had been condemned to something unpleasant for the rest of his life.

So he lay, waiting for something to happen. Then, up ahead, he could see a small light. It came toward him, at such an agonizingly slow pace, that after a while he grew uninterested. It was only when it hovered in front of him that his eyes returned to it curiously. As he was about to touch it, he suddenly felt himself falling a long distance at such a great speed.

Disoriented, he tried to scream, but it only resulted in him groaning.

"He's coming to."

Voices…

"Hold him up." Another voice commanded.

He felt himself being propped up, and a disgusting liquid being forced down his throat. He gagged against it, spewing it back up, pathetically. His eyes opened a crack, the dim light in the room almost blinding, and he could not make out the figures in front of him.

He felt strangely warm. It was due to a number of blankets that had been heaped on top of him, and he was lying down in a comfortable bed. They let him put his head back against the pillows.

"Kamatari, make sure he does not fall back to sleep." The voice belonged to a woman. Her image was blurry to his eyesight, and he could only make out that she was tall and slim, but nothing more. "I'll call the medical aid right away."

Another face bent down over his, and he saw it was another woman, inspecting him closely. "Do not close your eyes." She was saying. "You must keep them open."

Soujiro ignored her. Where was he, and who were these people? He felt his eyes start closing on their own, the smell of the room and the warmth of the blankets making him feel very comfortable indeed. Surely it wouldn't hurt to close his eyes for just a moment?

But the woman sitting next to him slid her fingers down over his bare chest, squeezing at his nipple rather hard and bringing his eyes open again, in pain.

"Sorry, love." She whispered. "But you can't go to sleep. Not yet."

Not wanting her to touch him again, he tried to keep his eyes open obediently, but his overwhelming fatigue was strong and he felt that he could not fight it any longer. His eyelids began to close again, against his will.

He felt her hand over his chest again, but before she could do anything, the doors to the room opened and in walked a man with the first woman. Once more, he was propped up and forced to down a disgusting concoction, which felt like they were filling his chest with flames.

"Stop!" He heard himself cry. His voice was hoarse and small and he shook in pain. His world had come crashing around him again, startlingly clear and sharp that he winced as he looked around.

There was a fire in the hearth, its flames leaping merrily. Standing next to the bed he lay in, were two women. The one dressed in a beautiful dress of deep crimson had been the one to enter with the medical aid. She was both daring and modest with the way her dress hung off her shoulders, revealing cleavage but nothing else. Her hair was done up into a simple but elegant bun, the most attractive thing about her was the mole that graced her chin by her lower lip.

The other woman was just as strikingly pretty, but was not in any way as alluring. She had big brown eyes and was wearing an elaborate robe of green. This was the one who had inflicted pain just moments before.

"Sorry about earlier, love." She said, winking. "I didn't mean to do that." His chest throbbed in response and he glared dolefully at her.

The medical aid moved forward, brandishing the flask of the foul-tasting liquid again. "Here. Drink this."

And he could not refuse because he was too weak to. This time, they didn't force large amounts down his throat, but it was just as bad as if they had. He was soon vomiting all over himself and the bed.

"Oh dear, this won't do." The crimson lady said, clucking her tongue. "Dear Kamatari: do go and find him a change of clothing." She clapped her hands and in rushed two servant girls, dressed down in brown woolen dresses. "Please attend to the mess. Medical aid, if you would be so kind as to change his bandages."

Things were starting to get blurry again, and Soujiro looked up at her, tiredly. "W-who are you?" He asked, faintly, as the medical aid began to peel the bandages cover his body back. Soujiro could have cared less right then if his courtesies sounded terribly unrefined.

Her hand was surprisingly gentle as she stroked his hair back from his face. "My name is Komagata Yumi daughter of Komagata Yuuichi." She told him. "You look a right mess, sir. Please concentrate on getting better."

"Y-you saved me?" He asked, head lolling to the side. That drink was preventing him from sleeping and he stared at her through a hooded gaze.

"Yes, I did." She said, watching as her girls peeled back the soiled cloths and whisked them away. Kamatari soon re-entered holding onto a fresh pair of clothing.

Soujiro tried to recoil as the medical aid and the green-robed woman began to change him while Yumi looked away. He felt his cheeks color as Kamatari grabbed his breeches and pulled them off him without a second thought.

"I'm used to the sight." He was told, coyly, before a new pair was pushed up onto his legs and firmly clasped at the waist. He could find no answer but to sputter in dismay as Kamatari winked at him.

When all was finished and settled, Yumi sat by his side once more. "You've been unconscious for more than two weeks, sir." She said. "I had despaired that you would not come to ever again."

"Where am I?" Soujiro asked, warily.

"In the capital of Torr." She told him. "You were abandoned by soldiers and I had you brought here." She smoothed his hair back again. "Rest assured: you are safe here."

He tried to push himself up, but he found he still did not have any strength. "I must go back…." He whispered, feebly. "I cannot stay here…"

"Go back?" She asked, confused. "You mustn't go anywhere in your condition. I told you to concentrate on getting better." She pushed the furs up under his chin again and brushed her fingers lightly over his cheek in a motherly fashion. "You may rest now."

His only answer was a sigh, and his eyes drifted shut against his will.

Yumi smiled.

Kamatari stepped closer, once he was certain that the soldier was fast asleep. "What do you plan to do to him?"

Her smile did not disappear off her face. "I have my plans."

AN: The next chapter should be out soon, in about two weeks! I hope you guys liked it and again, please do me the honor of a review before exiting the window. Thanks for reading,

-Chiki