Chapter V: A dream came true…
Botan woke up hours later. Her body screamed from the pain. Her head hurt and her throat was so dry she could barely talk. She forced herself to sit and tried to see where she was. The first thing she noticed was that she was in carriage and it looked like she was being taken somewhere. With a groan, she sat up. The way the carriage was moving wasn't helping with her pain. She glanced around. The inside was small. There were three other women sleeping, huddled in the corners. They were in no better shape than she was. Her dress was torn and barely covered her.
Where was she? And where on earth were they taking her? The last thing she remembered was passing out in the forest. Who were these people? Were they going to harm her? She knew that she couldn't defend herself in her current state. She didn't have enough energy to heal herself never mind fight her life. The carriage went over a rock causing her to bunk her head and promptly passing out again.
Lady Ayame awoke early the following morning. She was worried about her daughter and was hoping she would be able to talk to her before breakfast. After bathing and dressing, she went to her daughter's room. She was surprised to find empty and the bed was still made. She frowned at that. She knew it was too early for the servants to be already doing their shores. Where was her daughter and why didn't she sleep in her bed. She sighed. It would seem that she would have to talk to her after breakfast.
However, the Rekai princess was still missing when breakfast came around. Kitana, her governess had looked everywhere in the palace for her. Not even her Shadow, Botan's pet could find her. The princess, it would seem, had vanished. Immediately, uproar began at the castle. Lady Ayame was hysterical about her daughter. The king was worried and shouting at everyone. The prince was the only that seemed to be thinking rationally. He immediately took action and fighting his missing sibling. If she was out there, he would found her. He dispatched ten soldiers from the Rekai Special Defense Force. They were the top soldiers, trained to deal with any circumstances. They were used only for special cases and the prince considered this event to be special.
"Find my sister and bring her home."
With that order, the soldiers vanished to carry out their mission.
The next time she awake, it was by a painful jabbing from her ribcage. Someone was shaking her, trying to wake her. Botan slowly opened her eyes and try to acclimatize to the sudden darkness. She had slept the whole day she realized. She didn't feel any better. She was still sore and her head still hurt. Moreover, she was famished. She had not eaten since yesterday night.
Once she managed to sit up, a gruff-looking man shove a piece of bread and cup of water in her face. She took them and all but devoured them. The water felt good against her parched throat. It alleviated the pain and gave her back the use of her voice.
"Where am I?" She asked.
"We're in the northern forest." One of the women from earlier said.
"What are we doing here and where are we going?"
"I heard one of these men said we were heading to the northern kingdom." Another informed her.
"Why?"
"To sell us." The last one said.
"Sell us?" Botan asked.
"Yes. We are slaves."
She could not ask further questions. The man from earlier came back. He had a small container in his hand and he headed straight to her.
"We can have you looking half dead, now can we? No one would want to buy you."
She kept silent as he applied the sticky substance to her wounds. It stung and it smelled just as awful. She was glad when he was done. She couldn't stand to have neared her and touching her as if she was a piece of meat.
She was given a thick blanket, for which she was grateful, to sleep with. The night was a little chilly. She found it difficult to fall asleep despite her tiredness. She could not help asking what was going to happen to her next. From what she learned tonight, she was going to be sold as a slave. Her life had gone bad to worst in less than a day and no matter how much she tried, her efforts were futile. Fate was working against her.
She finally felt asleep hours later. She got a few hours of sleep before her captors were up and getting reading to leave. Once again, she was given a piece of bread and a cup of water. She ate breakfast quickly. Her night of rest and the healing balm that was applied to her wounds had proved to be helpful. She found that she could move more easily and she had a bit more of energy.
Soon they were back on the road and heading toward their destination. She wondered how she was going to get herself out of this one. She had run from home because of her freedom. She had no desire of being a slave but she couldn't do much in her condition. It was in these circumstances that she cursed the elders for biding her powers.
The journey lasted for another three days. During those days, she tried to rest her body as much as possible and think of a way to escape. So far, she came up with nothing mainly because she spent more time thinking about her family. Heaven knows how she missed them and could only pray they were safe.
They arrived at the northern kingdom mid morning. The streets were bustling with people going about their business. Merchants were unloading the merchandise getting reading for the market day. Her captors did the same after finding a spot to their liking. All four women, herself included, were given some water and soap and were told to clean their faces. They did as they were told. Soon they were all lined up in front of the cart. People came, people go and soon only she remained. No one wanted to buy because she looked to fragile. No one wanted a servant that wasn't strong. If only they knew. The rest of the morning went by and no one had approached the carriage. She was happy that no one wanted her. Maybe if she couldn't be sold, her captors would let her go. Just as before, fate went against her.
A man on a horse came strolling by. People stopped what they were doing to bow to him. He paid them no mind. His eyes were focused on her. He came to a stop in front of her.
"My Lord." Her captors said.
He was still staring at her as she was staring at him.
"Bow, you foolish girl." One of the captors hissed.
She did not obey. She intently focused on him.
"A thousand pardons, my lord…"
"How much for her?"
"I…Uh…"
"I shall give you twenty gold pieces for her."
"Hai, my lord."
That was one offer they could not refuse. He was paying three times the price for a female slave.
"What's her name?"
"You heard him. Tell him your name."
"My name is Botan. And who might you be?"
He grinned.
"Kurama. Youko Kurama."
Her heart sunk. She had dreamt of meeting the famous Youko Kurama but not like that. Not as his slave. She had suspected that it was him when she first saw him. She recognized from the description her mother had told her. She just didn't want to believe it. And despite the situation, she realized that her mother had been right. He was indeed beautiful with his long silvery hair and golden eyes. His body was lithe not overly muscled. He looked almost delicate. She couldn't but think that he was just like the flower he favored. He was as delicate and as beautiful as a rose. She could only hope he didn't have any thorns.
Author's Note: This is the lastest chapter. Hope you liked it.