Ch.13-Empowerment
Brianna and Risha headed towards Valentina's house outside of town after lunch. Risha could tell Brianna was nervous to face these people. As she approached the house, she could see Valentina and Catalina in the front yard looking around anxiously. They came running up to her as she approached. They hugged her, overjoyed to see she was alright.
"Where are Dominic and Senju?" she asked them as they led her and Risha to the house.
"Looking for you, of course!" replied Catalina. "We were so worried that someone took you!"
"Took me?!" she asked in disbelief. "Through the tiny window I don't even know how I slipped through?!" The sisters looked between each other confused. "I ran away!" exclaimed Brianna. They stood on the steps of the house looking confused. "I don't want to do this! I can't get married right now! I'm not ready!"
"Brianna, why didn't you just say something?" asked Valentina.
"I did!" retorted Brianna. "At the restaurant?! I asked why we are rushing it and all of you just went ahead with the plans!" Brianna took a moment to breath and calm down. "Risha, please go inside and pack my things." she said to Risha. She nodded then pushed her way passed the sisters.
"Are you going back to Lord Yomi's estate?!" asked Valentina about to cry.
"Yes." said Brianna. "I'm not marrying Dominic. All of you expect me to be the Brianna you used to know, but I can't. I'm just not that person anymore. If all goes well, I'll be governess of our province soon, answering to Lord Yomi directly. I can't have people trying to run my life anymore with the excuse being that they care for me." Catalina walked down the steps towards Brianna. She was about to slap her when a hand grabbed hers.
"No, mother!" snapped Dominic. "Brianna made her choice. We have to respect that." Valentina came to pull her sister away. Brianna looked at him.
"I'm sorry." she said. "I hope you know I will always care about you."
"I know." he stated. "You told me the truth last night and I just didn't want to believe it." He rubbed the back of his neck. "I will always care about you too. I hope we can remain friends." Brianna nodded in agreement. Risha came out of the small house with Brianna's bag. As she approached, he looked between them.
"I better get going." she said turning. Senju stood behind her, arms crossed looking disappointed.
"We only want the best for you." said Senju. "Does he?"
"Yes." she replied coming closer. "He does." Then Brianna walked around him and walked away.
"You did well." said Risha. "Stern and precise. Maybe a bit emotional in the beginning but standing up for yourself to family is a hard thing to do." Brianna sighed heavily.
"I'd rather be in battle right now." she said.
"In some ways, you are, deary." Risha replied.
At dinner time, Brianna and Yomi sat together at his table. He had a small smile on his face but said nothing. She glanced to him a couple times as they ate.
"What?" she asked. He took her hand in his.
"I missed this." he stated.
"I did too." she admitted.
When the meal was over, they went upstairs together. They entered his room and locked the door behind them. She noticed a few changes before being grabbed passionately by Yomi. There was a mirror on the wall by his desk and one full mirror in the bathroom. Her night gown and robe hung by his closet.
"I suggest that I help you out of these clothes." he whispered. She turned in his arms to face him. As he kissed her, he began to loosen her dress. She unbuttoned his shirt in return. After the dress dropped to the floor, he picked her up and carried her to the bed. He nearly came crashing down on her as he laid her down. She giggled in response. He stood and took off her shoes. Then he took off his pants after kicking off his own shoes. He removed her undergarments before getting back on top. Brianna pulled his shirt up. He sat up and took it off to appease her. He resumed his position, kissing her neck and lips. She moaned softly as his hands ran all over her body. Soon he was inside her again.
The next day she woke up next to him in his bed. He seemed to be sleeping so peacefully. Brianna noticed that she was well rested herself. She had no nightmare, nor was she anxious or panicked about the journey and fight before them in the coming days. She got up as quietly as she could. She crept over to her night gown and put it on. Then she put on her robe. She headed to the door.
"Get your beautiful body back in this bed, Brianna." he said still a bit sleepy. She looked back and smiled. She took off her robe as she sauntered back. She crawled into bed to be greeted by his lips on her. He pulled her down into his arms. He just held her against him for a long moment.
"We should probably be getting up soon." she said.
"Everyone can wait." he replied. "I'm the king of Gandara. I want a few more moments to hold the princess of thieves." She giggled in response. "We won't be able to do this once we leave. I enjoy holding you."
"Among other things." she added for him.
"Well, yes, but holding you is the best part." he stated. She looked into his face as her chin rested on his chest.
"It is rather enjoyable." she replied. He chuckled then pulled her in for a kiss.
By mid-morning, they were ready to go. The militia and well trained Gandara soldiers began to march out. Yomi got in his carriage. Brianna mounted a hell horse she had been presented by Sachi. It was jet black with four eyes, big hooves and three pointed horns on its head. As Brianna passed Valentina's place, she stood out there with her sister waving the militia members farewell. Catalina turned her back to Brianna as she passed to shun her. Sachi rode next to her laughed.
"I don't think she's over you calling off the wedding." he said.
"Well, that's her problem." replied Brianna. "I simply did what was right for myself….for once!" She felt a hand on her shoulder briefly. She looked to Sachi.
"You did good, little fox!" he said. "Joanna would be proud. We fought together. She always said you were why she fought so hard. My deepest regret is the day our forces were divided by Mukuro's and she was captured." Brianna read his face.
"You loved her, didn't you?" she asked. He looked surprised by her intuition. Then he smirked.
"About as much as you love Lord Yomi." he jested softly. She looked away unsure of how to respond. "I didn't mean to offend you." he said after a moment. "I am only pointing out what I have witnessed."
"What is it you've witnessed?" she asked.
"The way you look at him." Sachi replied. "It's the same way I used to look at Joanna. Nothing happened between me and Joanna. Her heart belonged to another that she refused to speak of, but I loved her so much I resigned myself to being merely a friend to be in her presence outside the battle." There was another moment of silence. "Do you know who her heart belonged to?" he asked. She looked at him. She could see the hurt in his eyes.
"Yes." she replied sadly. "He didn't desire it. I hoped she would have moved on to someone like you. I guess when you love someone as deeply as Joanna loved my brother, you don't move on."
"Your brother?" asked Sachi. "The wretch that chose Mukuro's rule over Lord Yomi's."
"One in the same." she confirmed. His face became stern. They rode on in silence for a while.
One the second day, they began to approach the front lines. They met up with another branch of Yomi's evening fell and they made camp, the soldiers and militia members were given orders for the next day. Brianna knew this was where she would part from her militia members to follow Yomi in the morning. She came to their area where they were camped to be among them. She received coldness and distance from most of them. She came over to Dominic, who had been playing a fiddle for some of the other men. He looked to her lovingly, the way he always did. He put the fiddle down causing the men to grumble.
"Sorry, gents." he said. "I need a break." He came over to Brianna and hugged her. "Good luck tomorrow." he whispered in her ear. He pulled back sensing the awkwardness. "I hear you were chosen for a mission by Lord Yomi personally."
"Yes." she replied. "I came to tell you to take care." He beamed.
"Brianna!" called Sachi over the group.
"I will." he said. "You too."
"I will." As she started towards Sachi, Dominic grabbed her wrist. He pulled her into a kiss. She quickly jerked away, freeing her wrist. She tasted the whiskey on his tong. That didn't save him from the scowl she gave him. "Don't ever grab my wrist again!" she snapped. "And don't ever kiss me again!" He looked taken aback by her anger.
"Sorry!" he exclaimed. By now, Sachi was among them.
"Lord Yomi has requested you to join him for dinner." said Sachi interrupting the scene. Brianna broke her glare and quickly left. Sachi looked at Dominic. "She has made up her mind and put you in your place more than once." he said before turning away.
"Is she with Lord Yomi?" Dominic asked boldly. Sachi turned back to him.
"I do not know." he replied. "Nor would it be my place to tell you if I did." With that he walked away.
Brianna came to Yomi's big tent and entered after announcing herself. There was a set table at the entry way. The tent stretched back. He had a nice bed towards the back. The curtains that separated the space were open. On the bed was one of her night gowns. She felt hands around her from the back. He kissed her neck.
"I've been missing you so much!" he exclaimed softly. She smiled and melted into his embrace.
"I've missed you too!" she replied sincerely. He turned her around to face him. He cupped her face and kissed her lips.
"Stay with me tonight." he insisted. She rested her hands on his sides and looked into his face.
"I thought we couldn't do this outside the privacy of your home." she replied with concern.
"Not couldn't." he corrected. "Shouldn't but at this moment, I don't care. Everyone can think what they will. I need you in my bed tonight." He kissed her again.
"Okay." she conceded between kisses. He backed her up to the bed as he continued to kiss her.
The next morning, Brianna readied her hell horse as the militia prepared to move out. Dominic watched her. As several men warned him not to go, he began to walk her way. He stopped dead in his tracks about twenty feet away as Yomi came over to Brianna. He stood close and spoke to her softly. Dominic clenched his fists as Yomi's hand brushed down Brianna's back and rear. He heard her giggle as she tried to discreetly push his hand away. Then he helped her into her saddle. She looked over to Dominic, who still stared at them. Brianna looked into Yomi's face. He wore a smirk. She looked back to Dominic, who was now walking back to his group.
"Was that intentional?" asked Brianna.
"He needs to know his place." said Yomi. Sachi brought Yomi a hell horse too. Yomi mounted and stayed next to Brianna. She was silent as her mind and heart battled within her. She knew she didn't want Dominic, but she didn't want to hurt him anymore than she already had. She knew she wanted to be with Yomi but couldn't discern if his sudden decision of less discretion was because he wanted her more or simply wanted to hurt Dominic.
They rode all day towards the fort. Since Brianna's escape of the place, the battle front had changed. Yomi's men had pushed back Mukuro's almost claiming the forest and fort. As night began to fall, they could see and hear the fighting in the distance. Yomi led the group around the fighting to a corner of the forest in the cover of night. They dismounted their hell horses as they approached the trees. They moved and creaked a bit in response to their presence. Brianna took the lead, raising her hands to the trees. They stopped moving for a moment. Then they moved, enough to make a small path. Yomi could feel her energy pulsing.
"Go ahead, my lord." said Brianna. "I'll take up the rear and close the path behind us." He nodded and led the group. There were only six in the group including Yomi and Brianna. As they walked through the path, the trees closed in behind Brianna. When they entered the remains of the village, Yomi stopped them.
"Someone is here." he said softly.
"That's impossible!" replied Brianna softly. They began to walk again cautiously. Approaching the fort, Brianna saw her vines were cut and the doors were wide open. Suddenly bamboo shot out of the ground, impaling three of the men. Two were immediately dead. The other was wounded. Sachi grabbed the soldier as Brianna forced the bamboo to wither. Yomi was on the steps where he had jumped to as he felt the ground tremble. Brianna noticed movement behind him. "Behind you!" she exclaimed. She rushed to him. He had already turned and put up and energy barrier that covered Brianna as well. The rose petals disintegrated at the touch of the blue force field. Yomi walked into the fort still surrounded by the force field. Brianna followed and looked to the second floor. Mials was up there trying to stay out of range.
"Mials!" called Yomi. "Surrender and no harm will come to you! You have my word!" Brianna grit her teeth at that.
"Why?" he called back. "So, I can be your pet like my sister?"
"I am not his pet!" snapped Brianna.
"If you do not surrender to me, I cannot protect you!" warned Yomi.
"I don't need your protection!" Mials announced. "I will reclaim this land for Mukuro and take your head as a trophy!" Yomi laughed. In an orb of light Brianna appeared behind Mials. He was stunned. Brianna used a strong gust of wind to blow him over the rail. He hit the stone floor hard.
"The protection was from your sister." said Yomi as Mials slowly got up. He was already a bit battered and beaten from breaking into the forest and fort. His powers were waning. Brianna jumped down landing on him, slamming him back into the stone. She stepped off and grabbed him by the scruff.
"I told you to leave and never return." she hissed. She began to drag him out. "I told you the penalty if you return."
"Brianna!" Mials begged as he struggled against her weakly. "Please!" Yomi lowered his force field. As Brianna tried to pass, he grabbed one of her arms.
"Your mother wouldn't want this!" he urged to Brianna. She released Mials. She looked angry and vengeful.
"Do what you will with him then!" she snapped. Then she walked out. Mials looked up to Yomi.
"Remember that I saved your life this day." said Yomi. Before Mials could process it, Yomi had his hands cuffed behind his back. He began to drag Mials upstairs. Brianna went out to Sachi and the other man, who were on the steps.
She knelt down before the wounded man. He was tall and thin framed but was well built. He had dark skin, red eyes and some nodules on his broad forehead. He was lucky to have only sustained one wound to the leg, but it was bleeding pretty bad. She undid Sachi's wrapping and put her hands over it. It slowly healed. The men looked shocked.
"We need to wrap these bodies." said Sachi about the other two men. Brianna led him inside to a linen closet.
"I'm going to find Lord Yomi." said Brianna. Sachi nodded as he pulled out sheets. She hurried off following the trickles of fresh blood up the stairs. The office door was cracked open. Inside was Yomi at the desk and Mials cuffed in a chair across. The two seemed to be arguing. Brianna barged in after a moment. She pulled out a rag and stuffed it into Mials mouth to quiet him. Then she went to Yomi, who had fallen silent. She leaned in and kissed him on the lips. Mials moaned and grumbled in disgust. Brianna sat in Yomi's lap. "If I can't kill him," she whispered into Yomi's ears, "then I need you to fuck me on this desk right here, right now." A chill went through Yomi. It was a mix of excitement and nerves like never before. "Let him watch." she added before he could make mention of Mials. Yomi chuckled. It was followed by a kiss from him onto Brianna's lips. Mials struggled and moaned angrily.
"How do you want it?" Yomi asked softly but it was loud enough for Mials to hear. Brianna stood up and undid her pants. Then she put her hands on the desk to face Mials in the chair across the desk. Yomi stood and undid his pants behind Brianna. He was halfway up. A few grinds against her with her tail in one hand got him hard as a rock. Brianna jerked a little when it went in. She wasn't as lubricated as normal. He ran a hand up her back pushing her down a little. With that hand he grabbed a fist full of her hair in the back of her head. She moaned in pleasure as Mials fought against the cuffs and made muffled attempts to scream his disapproval. She looked right into his face at one point. Their golden eyes locked. As much as she hated him for all he'd done or let be done under Kok-Lir, the tears streaming down his face hit her like a sack of bricks. His eyes were filled with pain, regret and lose. He hung his head at that point and quick fighting. He fell silent. Yomi stopped and pulled out. Brianna trembled a little but then she turned to him.
"Did I say I wanted to stop?" she asked confidently.
"No, Brianna, but I think you got what you wanted." Yomi replied. She shook her head. Yomi could hear Mials softly cry. His shoulders shook with every shaky breath. Yomi redid his pants. "You are your father's daughter." Yomi stated. Mials lifted his head a little. As Yomi walked by, he removed the gag.
"You made her a monster." cried Mials. Brianna was putting her pants back on.
"No." said Yomi. "Don't blame me for something that's in both of your veins." Brianna began to feel a bit of guilt and shame. Yomi walked out. Mials looked at Brianna.
"You win." he said somberly. "Release me and I will leave never to return. You did worse than kill me. If I come back, I will welcome death. I can never look at you the same again!" She picked up the keys from the desk.
"Good." she replied. She came over and removed the cuffs. He slowly got up and limped out.
