Chapter 3
Not Just a Damsel In Distress
Kari's body was still hidden in the shadows. She was looking around the cave, searching for Youko's men. Strangely, none were in the cave. Kari sighed with relief. She would've hated to be alone with them again.
Suddenly a small gasp came from inside the cave. Kari jumped with surprise and twirled her head around. She saw no one around but yet she was sure she had heard someone's voice. "W-Who's there?" Kari asked shakingly.
The cave went completely silent. Kari listened for the slightest sound. She heard nothing. She shook her head. "It must've been my imagination," she concluded. Yet she wasn't completely sure.
Then, gliding out of the shadows like a phantom, a man came into view. At first Kari was downright scared of him but the man wore a friendly smile. He looked somewhat like Youko. He had ears, similar to the fox's, and a tail. Instead of silver hair he had black hair. The thing that really caught Kari's eye was a huge gash on the man's side. He winced every time he took a step.
Kari gasped, "Don't move! You'll make the wound worse." With that she jumped to her feet and walked over to the man.
The man put his ears down, close to his head, and backed away from Kari. "It's okay," Kari said softly. "I won't hurt you. I just want to help."
The man continued to step back. His tail ducked between his legs in fear. His smile was gone and was replaced with a frightened look. "Y-You are not Y-Y-Youko!" He stuttered.
Kari stopped and realized that she hadn't seen this man in with the group of men that had attacked her. This man didn't act like any of the others had. He was shy and frightened. Kari's expression softened and she outstretched her hand slowly. "No I am not," she replied softly. "My name's Kari Hagashui. You're leader "invited" me here."
The man stared at Kari and then looked at her hand. Kari watched his nose start to twitch uneasily. "He's checking my scent," Kari thought.
After an uneasy silence, the man finally spoke. "My name's Toboe. I'm a wolf demon and a good friend of Youko's," he said quietly.
Kari smiled and walked towards him. This time Toboe did not back away. He unsurely looked at Kari's hand as she reached it towards him. He jumped in surprise as Kari's gentle hand touched his cheek. The hand wasn't firm or hard but kind and soft. He allowed her to stand in front of him and touch his wound.
Kari didn't see any major organs that had been damaged as she examined the gash. She took some of her shirt and tore it off. She then pressed it on the bleeding wound and applied pressure to it.
"What are you doing?" Toboe gasped in pain. He pulled away from Kari.
Kari looked up at him and said calmly, "I'm just trying to make the bleeding stop. Hold still for me, would you?"
Toboe nodded and Kari continued her medical attention. A few minutes passed in total silence. "So how do you know Youko?" Kari asked Toboe. He jumped again in surprise and Kari had to, once again, relocate the center of the wound. She looked at the cloth, which was now full of blood. She set it down to her side and tore off some more of her shirt. She returned to her job.
Toboe smiled. "Well, Youko and I had known each other for a long time. About 50 years, I think." His smile faded. "My pack had been slaughtered and I had no kin. Youko felt sorry for me and asked if I'd like to join his gang. I agreed, having no where else to go, and here I am!"
Kari said softly, "I'm sorry about your pack but it's good that Youko helped you when he did. Or else who knows what you'd be doing, where you'd be, or even if you would be alive."
Toboe nodded in agreement. "Yes," he replied. "I suppose you're right."
"Hey! The bleeding's almost stopped," Kari announced happily.
"That's good. Correct?"
"Yep! It will be fine. You're lucky the wound didn't go further. But I'm still worried about infection."
Toboe let out a small whine. Kari looked at him and removed the cloth. "Where did you get this wound?" She asked, picking up the other cloth that was lying on the floor.
Toboe had feared that she would ask this. "I-I-I got this wound f-from…"
He was interrupted by Sakyou's voice. "Another gang is attacking! Toboe get out here now!"
Youko was returning to the cave. A plump rabbit over his shoulder and some vegetables in his hand. "I hope Kari can cook. I'm starving," he thought.
He dropped all the food when he saw the horror at the cave. His men were fighting another gang of thieves. Youko let out a growl of frustration and anger. He lunged into the battle. "Leave this territory!" He demanded as he tackled down one of the strangers.
"Youko's back!" He heard one of the other men scream.
"Retreat!"
With that the other gang began to flee. Youko ran after them in rage. He suddenly stopped when he came to his senses. "Kari could be in danger!" He shouted to himself.
Youko spun around and dashed towards the cave. "Be there! Be there!" He panted. When he got inside he was shocked.
Kari was not there. Her scent was mild and it was mixed in with the other gang's. Toboe was lying in a heap at the very back of the cave. His body was a bloody mess. "Toboe!" Youko screamed. He ran to his fallen friend. "What happened?" He asked gently touching his shoulder. Toboe's older wound looked like it had been properly cared for but he had new, fresh, bleeding ones. They looked like they had been made only a few minutes ago. They still gushed out blood and they reeked with the scent of a dingo youkai.
Toboe opened his eyes. "Y-Youko," he muttered weakly. "I tried t-to stop them b-but they… they took Kari and… and…" Suddenly Toboe coughed and blood spilled out of his mouth. His head (which had been forced up with the cough) fell back to the cave floor. "I-I'm sorry," he gasped. "I tried Youko. I really did."
Youko stared at Toboe in disbelief. Kari had been kidnapped. He couldn't believe it. "Where did they go!" Youko shouted in frustration and fear.
Toboe winced in pain and coughed again. More blood came shooting out of his mouth and now his nose had begun to bleed. "Toboe!" Youko cried.
"I'm fine Y-Youko," Toboe lied. "They went back to their territory and that dingo demon, Sakuban, he took Kari. He said, 'You will be my mate'. When I tried to stop him he tore my body into pieces with his katana. I'm so sorry. I let them go."
Youko growled, "Now don't go blaming yourself for that Toboe! You did your best. As soon as I get back, with Kari, we'll take care of your wounds. All right? You just hang tight until I get back."
Youko gave Toboe a final look and then took off in search of Kari. He barely heard Toboe gasp, "Good luck, Youko."
"Let me go!" Kari screamed trying aimlessly to get free from the youkai's strong grip. "Let me go you baka!"
Sakuban threw Kari down on the small mat in the hut. Kari glared at him with hatred. "If you touch me I'll kill you!" She threatened, eyeing the collection of katanas in the corner of the small house.
Sakuban laughed and struck Kari across the face. She was flung to the floor. Sakuban kneeled down besides her and turned her head so he could see her face. Her eyes burned with rage and fear. Her lip was bleeding a bit and a few droplets of blood escaped from her nose.
Sakuban ran his fingers over her cheek and the back of her neck. "You are quite lovely but you have the spirit of a warrior. I will break this spirit within you and you will become my mate," he snickered.
"Go to hell!" Kari shouted. She felt his hand hit her in the face again. Her body started to tremble in pain and fear. Yet she refused to give in. Kari attempted to stand but Sakuban kicked her down.
She gazed up at the youkai. He had pointed ears, his hair was a brownish, blondish color, and his gaze was frightening. Like most youkais he had fangs and claws. His eyes were the most unusual of all; they were like snake eyes, tiny little slits.
Kari felt his hand drag across her side. He was taunting her. Kari narrowed her eyes and clenched her teeth. Sakuban smiled and went to kiss her but Kari had other ideas. She let the bloody spit fly out of her mouth and watched happily as it hit Sakuban in the face.
He was surprised at first. It quickly was faded and was replaced with an enraged expression. His hand once again struck Kari. This time, the force was so strong it flung her across the hut and she slammed into the wall. Her body fell in a heap to the floor. Sakuban walked towards her. Kari looked up and saw a blue handled katana lying just a few feet away. She reached for it but quickly brought her hand to her stomach as Sakuban's foot struck her there.
He began to hit her over and over again. Instead of the palms of his hands he was using his claws. Slowly ripping her clothes and flesh. "Stop it!" Kari cried. "Leave me alone!"
She tried to kick him between the legs but he caught her foot. In one swift movement Sakuban twisted it. Kari let out a scream and tried to pull away. "Let me go you baka!"
Sakuban smiled. "Why would I let such a pretty female go?" He snarled. He took his claws and ripped Kari's shirt right down the middle.
Kari gasped and looked down at her nearly uncovered upper torso. "Please help!" She cried. Sakuban began to move his hands to her waist and rip at her pants. Her eyes squeezed out a few tears. Instinctively, Kari's hand flung in the air in her attempt to smack him but it was caught. He pinned her hand down and moved to get on top of Kari. "Youko!"
The screams and shouts all made Youko go faster. "Kari!" He cried as he busted open the door of the hut. Sakuban was over Kari and had his fangs in her flesh. She was struggling to get free but his weight was too heavy for her. When Sakuban heard Youko he jerked his head up.
Youko saw the blood trickle off of his fangs. "Leave her alone!" Youko demanded in rage. Sakuban had always feared the great fox youkai. He never did like him and when he watched Youko leave the cave, he and his men had attacked Youko's gang in an attempt to weaken him.
"Why should I, Youko?" Sakuban snarled.
Youko took a step towards the dingo. Sakuban took out his katana and held it up to Kari's throat. "I'll kill her Youko!" He threatened. "Take another step and her throat is slit."
Youko halted. He stared at Sakuban with hate in his eyes. He reached for one of the katanas but Sakuban's voice once again stopped him. "Don't even think about it! If you touch that handle, I'll kill her."
Youko turned his head to look at Sakuban. He smiled and asked calmly, "Why are you such a coward, Sakuban?"
Sakuban's eyes widened. "I wouldn't be calling names, Youko. After all I have your mate," he snarled.
"Are you afraid to face the truth, Sakuban?" Youko questioned. "You are hiding behind Kari. You are a pathetic excuse for a leader."
Sakuban growled. "That's it Youko! She dies now."
Kari, however, wouldn't be killed that easily. She flung her leg upwards and kicked Sakuban right between the legs. He screamed and toppled off of her. Kari grabbed his sword and jumped to her feet. She pointed it at him.
"Impressive," Youko gasped. He had been taken by surprise as much as Sakuban, by Kari's attack.
Kari smiled. "Thank you!" She then turned her attention to Sakuban. "Leave and never return or die a slow and painful death!" She ordered. "Your choice, youkai."
Sakuban looked at the sword and then at Kari. "A woman could not kill me!" He snarled.
Kari narrowed her eyes and pressed the blade to his throat. "Oh, I believe I can," she retorted angrily.
Sakuban trembled a bit with fear. "Y-You wouldn't dare!" he snapped.
"Try me!"
Sakuban's eyes went wide. He looked at Youko, whom was enjoying the show happily. "What will it be?" Kari asked.
Sakuban's head swung back around to face Kari. "I-I-I agree that I shall leave and never return, if you spare my life," he muttered softly.
Kari smiled. "Good. Then leave now!"
Sakuban nodded and got to his feet. Kari watched him as he ran for the door. Youko stopped him. "Give me your treasures!" He ordered.
Sakuban stopped. "I-I have none," he answered.
Youko narrowed his eyes and picked him up by the collar of his shirt. "Tell me the truth you swine!" He growled.
"Youko!" Kari gasped.
Youko turned his head and looked at her. "What?" he asked. "After all I am a thief."
"Let him be, Youko," Kari demanded softly. "Let him be."
Youko looked at her. He sighed and looked at the frightened youkai. He dropped him to the floor. "Get out of here before I change my mind!" He snapped.
With that Sakuban fled out the door. Youko looked at Kari in confusion. "I could've killed him," he snorted.
"I realize that but he was scared for his life. I think that is enough to punish him," Kari explained. "Besides… he doesn't really have that much."
Youko looked around the hut and laughed, "I guess you're right."
Kari walked over to Youko and took his hand in hers. Youko looked surprised at first but then his tail began to wag, telling Kari he enjoyed it. Kari smiled and caused Youko to blush badly. "Shall we?" Kari giggled.
Youko smiled and together they left the hut. "So how did you learn to use a sword like that?" He asked.
"When I was younger my father taught me. He was in the war and could wield one like the back of his hand. It was so cool to watch him practice with his katana," Kari said remembering her father's warm voice, friendly smile, and strong yet gentle arms.
"He sounds like a great man," Youko replied.
Kari's expression saddened. "Well, he was," she said softly.
Youko stopped and looked at Kari. She was staring at the ground and was trying to hide the look in her eyes. Youko decided to leave the subject alone and changed it. "What of your mother?" He asked.
Kari did not continue to walk with Youko. She brought her head up and stared into his eyes. "She died when I was little. Cancer."
Youko looked surprised. "So you have no family?" He gasped.
Kari began to walk again. She answered, "I have my little brother, Sakan. He's only eight, half my age, and I'm the only family he has."
Youko squeezed Kari's hand, wanting to comfort her. Kari then asked, "What about you? Do you have a mother or father, Youko?"
Youko stopped and looked into Kari's eyes. She had stopped as well. "I have no family. Just my gang, that's all."
Kari nodded and the two just stared at each other for a while. Then Youko broke their gaze and continued to walk towards the cave. "Oh Youko. What are you keeping from me?" Kari thought, staring at his expressionless face. "What are you hiding?"