WARNING: SOME SEXUAL SUGGESTIVE THEMES ARE FOUND WITHIN THIS CHAPTER AND SOME GORE. READER DISCRETION ADVISED.

++++++Chapter 2+++++++

The blood red of dawn greets us as we make our way to the home of the Lord who massacred my village. My feet and body ache from the nonstop walking and from Jakotsu's previous beating. My head throbs from the growing light, and my eyes are heavy with exhaustion.

"Let's go, woman!" Jakotsu snaps glancing behind him.

I glare at him, "Well excuse me for not having the freak stamina that you two possess to be able to walk through the whole night unfazed, but I am tired, and this is as fast as I'm going to get."

Jakotsu stops and turns, "Did ask for your life story? No, I said move it!"

"Fuck. You. Girly-Man."

Jakotsu unsheathes his sword, and I tighten the grip on my bow unsure of what damage I could do, but willing to try anything.

"Stop!" Bankotsu says annoyed from our constant off and on bickering. He looks at me and snaps his fingers before pointing to the spot next to him.

I glare and point my bow at him as if it were a sword, "I am NOT a dog for you to order around."

He lowers his halberd and folds his arms across his chest not bothering to hide the amuse look on his face, "Oh, and what are you going to with that? Pluck me to death?"

My eye twitches, "No….but I could strangle you with it."

He chuckles, "Oh really?!" He begins to walk towards me, and I grasp my bow with both hands.

"Do you even know what that feels like?"

I step back.

"To press down on someone's airway and hear them strangle and struggle under you."

My body shakes slightly as I watch his face take on a darker form as he speaks. The end of my bow hits his chest, and it slips out of my grasp from one clean pull by him.

He grabs me by the collar of my grey yukata, "To feel their nails dig in to your flesh as you feel something under their skin give way allowing you to press harder than ever."

I struggle to pry his fingers loose from my clothing wanting nothing more but for him to stop talking.

"3 minutes. That's how long it takes for them to finally stop moving." He pulls me closer to him, and my hands jump from his wrist to his chest as my feet dig in to the ground trying to keep what little distance there is between us, "Can you really watch me die for 3 minutes…..because I can watch you. Oh, I'm quite certain I'd enjoy feeling you struggle under me." He lets go, and I stumble backwards landing on my bottom.

I continue to scoot myself further from him, and he laughs. Not a dark laugh….but….a friendly one, as if he had just finished telling the punch line to a joke. His laugh intensifies as Jakotsu joins in.

"Look at her face," Jakotsu says doubling over and clutching his stomach, "OOoo, I thought you were so tough hahaha you're so pale hahahaha."

Bankotsu's laugh dies to a chuckle, "You've gotta lighten up there, Yaruki." He walks over to me and squats down. A cheerful smile, as if we have been friends for years, rests on his face. "Learn to take a joke, huh."

He holds out his hand to help me up.

What. the actual. fuck?

Rage replaces my fear as I slap his hand away from me, and he dodges my kick to his shin. I stand and scream at him as I try to shove him as hard as I could to the ground, but he catches my wrists and twists my arms behind me placing me in a hold against his chest. He moves me forward and with his free hand lifts his halberd.

"Let's go, Jakotsu."

I jerk away from him and immediately regret it as the pain shoots up and down my arm. He pulls up on my arm, and I cry out.

His grip held firm the rest of the way to the Lord's castle despite my painful attempts to break free.

The guards shout out commands to one another upon our arrival, and the gates open.

"Well done, Gentleman! Well done indeed. I got up early to see the show only to discover that you have done it during the night."

I direct my glare to the approaching fat man in blue silk garments.

"And I see you've collected a lovely little toy, yes?"

The Lord's fat eyes travel down my body, and a cold shiver runs through me.

"She peeks my interest." Bankotsu says casually. He shifts his foot quickly to avoid my stomp and in response, he jerks my arm up again.

The Lord laughs, "I see she is very fond of you. Well come in, come in. I have your money ready and waiting for you, but I do insist that you stay the night and relax." The Lord's eyes find their way back to me, and he smiles. "You've certainly earned it."

"Much obliged." Bankotsu says cheerfully as he pushes me forward.

"Let go." I whisper.

"Behave." He whispers back.

"Bite me."

"Don't tempt me."

I feel his grip loosen, and I snatch my arm away. He gives me a warning glance before following the Lord and Jakotsu deeper into the manor.

Rubbing my arms, I look back to see the guards shut the gate and return to their post. I sigh before following the three men in to the building.

And to think that a few hours ago marrying Shinjou was the worst possible outcome for my life.

"Ah, there you are my dear."

I see Jakotsu and Bankotsu pocket healthy looking pouches in to their respective places on their person before turning towards me.

The Lord walks towards me, "You look as if you've been through hell and back."

I move away from his approaching hand, and he laughs it off.

"Why don't you follow Mei to the bath house, yes?"

The Lord snaps his fingers, and an old maid with salt and pepper hair approaches me. She bows before taking my hand. I glance behind me to see the Lord guiding Bankotsu and Jakotsu in the opposite direction speaking in soft voices.

In the silence and emptiness of the large bathing room, I cry.

My body shakes with every passing sob as my mind replays the scene of my village, Kiku, and father over again. Feelings of guilt, hatred, and loneliness swirl around me, and my mind jumps between plans to murder and plans of self-harm, but there was nothing I could do.

I did not possess the courage to end my own life, nor did I have the strength or skill to take on Bankotsu and Jakotsu, and certainly the Lord does not go anywhere without skilled guards around him at all times.

I wash my face in the warm water after finally being able to collect myself and my thoughts. There was the option of running away, but how would I get past the guards? I softly chewed on my nail as I ran several scenarios through my head. Running would be the best option, but I could not just leave without seeing due justice for my family and friends. But with nothing but a bow, how could that be done?

Sighing, I stand and grab something to cover me. My head throbs from all the crying and plotting, and my eyes wanted nothing more but to rest. I reach for my worn yet familiar yukata only to see a dark blue western style dress in its place. I lift it up and examine the frills around the sleeve and collar in disgust.

"My Lord wishes for you to wear this to dinner."

I take a minute to steady my startled heart before turning to see Mei. "Where is my yukata?"

"My Lord requested that it be destroyed."

"Who is he to destroy something that is not his!?" I snap, but the old woman shows no sign of remorse or regret.

"My apologies miss." She mutters out of formalities.

I glare down at the dress before shaking my head, "Just take me to my room please."

"As you wish."

Mei slides the door open, and I walk in taking the first open seat I saw. Bankotsu wore his usual outfit minus the armor, but Jakotsu wore a more elaborate yukata with silver dragons against a red background. He seems very pleased with his new outfit as he sips on some sake.

"Oh! I'm so glad you got my gift, dear. Doesn't she look stunning? It's the lasted fashion out West, but wasn't there lace around the collar and sleeves?"

"It itched, so I ripped them off." I say flatly as I pour myself something to drink.

The hefty Lord clears his throat as the maids begin filling the table with dishes and delicacies that I didn't even know the name of.

"It must be nice being a Lord and all. You eat like this every day?" Bankotsu asks shamelessly filling his plate.

The Lord laughs, "Not just me, my dear boy, but everyone employed under me eats like a king."

I catch the hint, but Bankotsu is far to engrossed in the food to notice.

"Then I probably should have asked for more money, huh?"

The Lord laughs again, and I glare at my empty plate.

Suddenly, a roasted fish lands on my plate, and I direct my glare to Bankotsu. He leans over while Jakotsu snares the Lord in to a lively conversation.

"I suggest you eat now. There is not telling when we'll eat like this again."

"It's funny how seeing your family and friends murdered right in front of you can keep you from being hungry."

"Are you still on that? Geez, talk about holding a grudge."

My hand twitches as I envision ramming my chopsticks in to the side of his neck, but I settle with violently glaring at him.

"You know Yaruki, you're surprisingly cute when you're angry. If you're not careful with those glares, you may force me to do something you'd might not enjoy all too much."

I look away, but not before muttering 'Do and I'll castrate you with the first sharp thing I see.'

Bankotsu chokes a little on his food, and a small chuckle escapes me.

I pick up a piece of grilled fish and freeze as the irony of the situation hits me. It was hard to believe that literally only hours ago, I was eating this same meal with my father….and now…..

I sit the piece back down and sip on my drink.

"Banktosu tells me your name is Yaruki. A strong name for a young woman. 'The will to do something', am I correct?"

Bankotsu looks over in my direction when my silence runs a bit longer than what is polite. His glare holds all the violence that a verbal threat could contain, and I sit up a little straighter. "Yes," I begin flatly, "….sort of. Motivation could be another possible translation."

"And are you motivated, my dear? Do you have any goals you would like to achieve?"

"Despite my current situation…..yes….I do have a goal…..one that I feel motivates me greatly." My tone became a tad darker than expected at the end of my sentence, and I casually life my drink again.

The Lord smiles, "May I ask what the goal is?"

The cup hovers close to my lips. "No." I take a sip and set my cup back down, "Only because it's very personal, you see. No disrespect intended."

The Lord nods engorging himself on some food before turning his attention back to me, "Would you like to hear my goal then? It's not as personal, but still something that gets me motivated."

I finally gain the ability to peck at the now cold fish on my plate and carefully begin to eat it.

"My goal, dear Yaruki, is to have a lovely wife to spoil with all the fine things this life has to offer. A simple wife…from a simple village."

I choke slightly on the fish at his words.

"It's such a bore entertaining young ladies of the surrounding lands. They've seen and done it all, but village girls." He gives off a sick chuckle, "They are so entranced by the simplest things."

I reach over a take a large gulp of my drink already seeing where this conversation is heading.

"Tell me, Yaruki, can you imagine living in such a grand house like this? Eating food like this on a daily basis, wearing such fine clothes from distant lands on the regular?"

I look over to Bankotsu who seems completely oblivious to the conversation. He locks eyes with me for a moment before asking Jakotsu to refill his cup.

"I honestly can't say that I can." I say lowly keeping my eyes on Bankotsu.

The Lord laughs, "You see that is what I mean. Village women are so simple. The smallest things such as all this trivial grandeur confuses them. It's quite refreshing really."

I set my chop sticks down as a sickening feeling settles in my stomach. "I think I'm done for the night. Please excuse me."

I lay on my side quietly staring out at the small window of my room. My back was to the door, and my hand is under the pillow clutching the small knife I swiped from dinner earlier.

My heart was calm and steady as I waited. My muscles tight with anticipation as my ears strain to hear any nose from the other side of my door.

Finally, I heard them.

Slow lumbering footsteps that were trying to be quiet. His hard stifled heavy breath as he stops at my door.

I slide the knife out from under my pillow and brought it to my right hand holding it tight.

He slowly slides the door open. Slipping his large body through and shutting it firmly behind him.

I remain still; careful to keep my breathing as even as possible.

"Sweet, sweet, Yaruki." He moans as he crawls on to the mat with me, "I wonder how much you will scream tonight for your dead parents."

I hear him loosen his robes.

Just a little bit closer

"I want to hear you scream. All the village girls do." He inches closer to me, careful not to "wake" me.

Wait for it, Yaruki.

"I want to make you scream."

Almost…

"I want to make you cry."

He leans over me.

I twist my upper body towards him swing the blade. A startled gasp escapes him as he clutches the side of his face.

I missed…..I missed his throat.

He pulls his shaky hand away and stares at the blood. A chuckle escapes him as he looks over at me, "Clever, clever little girl." He grabs my wrist and twists it hard causing the blade to fall from my hands, "But I paid extra for you, and I will get what I paid for."

His other hand clamps tightly around my throat as he presses his full weight on me.

Immediately, I begin to fight. Thrashing, jerking, kicking, but the more I fought, the more difficult it became to breathe. I could feel his leg press and push between mine forcing them apart.

I dig my nails in to his arm, scalp, hand, searching for a soft point to bury them in. I feel his wet warm tongue slide up the side of my throat stopping at my ear where he bites down.

I scream.

His lower half struggles without the help of his hands to lift my hips up so that I am level with him. His lips find their way to mine, and he forces his tongue in to my mouth.

My body tenses as I feel it release a torrent of adrenaline through me.

I bite down as hard as I can on the wiggling appendage.

The Lord jerks back.

I feel it sever and warm blood gushes into me.

He screams as he rolls off me. Blood sputtering and spilling from his mouth.

I numbly rise and spit the warm slimy fleshy piece from my mouth and in to my hand.

I could hear the steady flow of blood rushing in my ears downing out his muffled screams.

I look over to see him stumbling towards the room door….but slowly, as if my mind had slowed time itself so I may accomplish whatever it was I wanted to do with him. I let the bloody flesh slip from my hand and slowly descend to the ground as I grab my blade and stand.

I calmly walk over to him all the while stunned that my movements are not affect by this shift in speed.

I grab the fleshy under portion of his arm lifting him up with very little trouble before pressing him against the door.

I push the blade in to his stomach, pull it out, and then calmly push it in to his side.

I bring the blade down repeatedly in to his throat, temple, eye, anywhere that gave the least bit resistance enjoying the power I had over him.

All too soon, it ended with a painful ringing in my ears.

His natural weight returned causing him to slip from my grasp and slump to the ground.

I collapse to the ground suddenly exhausted and gasping for air as my heart tries to pound its way through my rib cage.

Rolling to my back, I stare up at the ceiling listening to my labored breaths, trying to wrap my head around what happened. My arms ache, and I painfully relax my fingers that clutch the hilt of my blade for dear life.

After a few minutes, I manage to sit myself up and stare at the slumped silent form of the Lord.

Twenty-five.

That's how many times I managed to stab him before my high ended.

Twenty-five.

I flop back down on my back and exhale slowly closing my eyes.

What an odd number.

Just to clarify, Yaruki DOES NOT HAVE SUPER POWERS. I was trying my best to describe an extreme adrenaline rush. I might have done so poorly, so please forgive me.