Chapter 2

"Touched"

Chichiri

How did it come to this no da? I thought as I stood in a crowd of criminals. How did I end up here? Even disguised as a Kutou slave trader, I still felt uneasy. I blended right into my surroundings, but I worried that the look of horror on my face might still give me away.

Four months ago, I felt something strange from Tasuki's chi. I knew he was still alive, but I could tell something was very wrong. Immediately, I made the journey to Mount Reikaku to see what was the matter. When I arrived, Kouji was running around like a madman, trying to muster the men to go on a rescue mission. I managed to pull him aside and get him to tell me what happened.

Tasuki had been kidnapped by slave traders.

The feeling of nausea that accompanied that news has yet to fade, even after all this time. Kouji explained that he had a few clues, but he would need help in order to save Tasuki. I managed to counsel him that a small band of men would have a better chance of finding the traders than the whole number of bandits. Eventually, we decided that he and I alone would go after Tasuki. It was the right decision. We've had to make quick and stealthy movements to stay on the slave trader's trail. A few times, we nearly caught up to them. Other times, the clues nearly ran dry altogether.

From the information we gathered, we knew they still had Tasuki with them. He had not been sold. However, it seemed as if he had been . . . rented to some of the richest families along the way. The thought still makes me ill. I had a feeling I knew what they might be "saving" Tasuki for, and it filled me with dread.

Kouji has weathered the journey well. The stress of Tasuki's situation has caused him to crack under the pressure once or twice. But he managed to pull himself back together in order to save his friend. I know he feels a measure of guilt for what happened, and nothing I say can assuage it completely.

My worst fears came true when we followed the traders into Kutou. As I had thought, they were going to auction the Suzaku Seishi as a war criminal. Kouji wanted to attempt to rescue him before the sale. I pointed out that with the size of the slave operation, it was simply too risky. Most likely, all three of us would wind up on the auction block together. Our plan was to find out who would buy him, follow them, and then rescue Tasuki.

My heart was lightened slightly at the thought of finally ending our terrible journey. But I was also worried; there was so much that could go very wrong.

Kouji wanted to attend the auction. I had to remind him that some of the traders had seen him when they took Tasuki and might recognize him. He eventually relented and was waiting anxiously for me back at the tavern.

I gazed around the grounds surreptitiously, trying to gauge who might bid enough to get the Suzaku Seishi. Only the richest could afford him; they had probably sent servants to do the bidding for them.

However, no one in the crowd stood out at all. Everyone seemed to blend in, so that no one would be recognized. I sighed inwardly. I just hoped there weren't going to be any more auctions before Tasuki. I couldn't stand the sight of another sobbing girl in chains, being sized up like a cut of meat.

Finally, a man who looked like he was fairly high in the slave trade command stepped forward. "Gentlemen, we thank you for your patience. I'm sure you have all been waiting anxiously for our main event. For your bidding pleasure, we have an authentic war criminal! Gentlemen, feast your eyes on a Suzaku Shichiseishi!"

I held my breath as two men led Tasuki onto the rough wooden stage.

I blinked a few times, trying to reconcile the picture of the slave on the auction block with the bright, vibrant companion I had known.

For a moment, I nearly started to laugh. This is all wrong no da! They've got the wrong person! That isn't Tasuki!

My legs threatened to give out from under me as I finally recognized the reddish hair. It was darkly stained with dirt, sweat, and dried blood.

"Tasuki-kun," I whispered as the crowd around me both cheered and jeered.

His eyes seemed to be utterly blank. His once handsome face was drawn and badly bruised. His clothes were in tatters. The violence that had been done to him was indescribable. I blinked furiously to keep the tears from running down my face. It was all I could do just to keep my disguise spell up.

This can't be happening. This isn't real.

"Well, he used to be a pretty sight," the announcer continued. He leaned closed to Tasuki's face and licked the redhead's jaw line slowly. "But I'm afraid we let a few people rent him for their own pleasure. I'm sure you'll agree that's a much more fitting punishment than a simple execution." The crowd roared in agreement. "Of course, whoever wins him will be able to finish him or keep him, as he pleases. Now, to prove that he really is a Suzaku Seishi . . ." He drew back his hand and slapped Tasuki viciously across the face.

The redhead dropped to his knees, wincing in pain.

The auctioneer grabbed his wrist and lifted it above his head, revealing the glowing seishi symbol on his forearm.

The crowd went silent for a moment and then burst into applause.

The auctioneer released Tasuki and let the two guards drag him back to his shaky feet.

It was a very good thing I had not brought Kouji.

How am I ever going to tell him no da?

As the auctioneer continued to rile up the potential buyers, an idea occurred to me. I had never tried such a thing before, but I tried to direct my chi energy to Tasuki. I hoped I could lend him some sort of strength or comfort.

Tasuki-kun, I'm here with you, I tried to tell him telepathically. You're not alone no da.

Tasuki's eyes remained completely blank, even as blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.

I worked hard to keep from crying once again.

Kouji nearly jumped me when I finally returned to the room we rented at the tavern.

"What happened? Is he all right? Who bought him? Where is he!"

"One question at a time no da," I said softly, letting my disguise melt and sinking gratefully into a chair. "He's been sold to a former Kutou shogun," I answered. "The price was astronomically high. I eavesdropped on the conversation between the buyer and auctioneer. The exchange takes place tonight. The shogun himself will be coming to pick up his prize. We'll be able to intercept them on the road. I only hope he doesn't bring too many guards no da."

"You saw Genrou?" Kouji asked hopefully. "Is he all right? Did you talk to him?"

"I couldn't no da," I replied as patiently as possibly. "I would have given myself away." I swallowed hard, suddenly glad for my mask.

"Did he look okay? Is he hurt?"

I tried to answer, but my throat began to close up.

Kouji sat down beside me. "Chichiri?"

"He's been hurt no da," I finally answered. My voice was wavering badly. "The information we gathered . . . about them renting him out was true."

"Fucking bastards," Kouji muttered.

I fervently hoped he'd leave it at that. I didn't think I could handle telling him any more.

I heard Kouji take a deep breath beside me. "How badly is he hurt?"

I decided I needed to prepare him for tonight. "Badly no da. I . . . I almost didn't recognize him."

Neither of us said anything for a few minutes.

Kouji slowly stood and walked over to the window.

"How did you do it?" he asked without looking at me. "How did you see him like that and not try to help him?"

"I wanted to no da," I answered patiently. I knew I wasn't the one Kouji was really mad at. "It took everything I had not to jump the stage. But I knew that wouldn't have saved him. The only way to do that is to continue with our plan. We will get him back, Kouji-kun."