Chapter 42 - 27 Hours

A/N: I apologize to anyone I scarred with the last chapter. We continue with Kas in this chapter. Enjoy!

. . .

Three days of torture was all it took. I ended up begging to speak to the "boss." I learned that his name was Konstantin. He was a lord that presided over some city called Aelhaven. He'd come upon his fame and fortune by monopolizing the slave trade in Gandara. He traded in humans and demons alike. But while he was best known for his various crimes...he also ran an underground fight club. Which, was more like dog fighting than anything.

I was the first human and woman he'd ever picked to be his prized fighter.

And unbeknownst to him, while torturing me had been a great plan...it hadn't worked in his favor. A cold, calculating, righteous anger had settled within me. It waited there...biding its time. As soon as the opportunity arose...I would have Konstantin's head. He'd regret the day he'd decided to keep me alive.

Currently I was curled up in my cell. I'd eaten a meager breakfast of stale bread...some kind of vegetable that looked like a beat but tasted like blood and a glass of water. I'd been told by the head bastard that I would be let out today. For "evaluation" he'd said. He wanted to see how I fought.

Like that judgement would be fair considering how injured I still was.

Heavy footfalls alerted me to the arrival of tall, dark, and assholish. I didn't get up from the floor when he unlocked my cell. In fact, I didn't even acknowledge his presence.

He kicked my booted foot hard and in return I shot out and nailed him in the shin with a kick of my own. I'd stopped being a pathetic crybaby after the first night I'd spent in this rotting place.

"Your insolence will get you nowhere," he rumbled.

I scoffed at him, "Playing nice won't either."

"But it will not get you killed."

After three long nights of this bastard finding new ways to torture me I held no love in my heart for him. Except I couldn't hate him. I had tried talking to him, each time he came to get me and each time he tossed me back into this pit. I sensed that he didn't so much like what he was doing, as he was doing it for reasons he couldn't disclose.

"You gonna tell me today?" I asked.

He grunted, his way of telling me to fuck off.

"Will you at least tell me your name?"

"I do not see why it is of importance to you."

I sat up and glared at him, "You should at least have the courtesy to tell the girl you're torturing what your name is!"

"So you may find me someday and slay me?"

I rolled my eyes. "If I was going to do that I would have already."

He raised an eyebrow. After the third night of me heckling him he'd taken off the mask and never put it back on. He was pleasant to look at for a demon. He had long obsidian hair, his skin only a few shades lighter than that. His gold eyes stood out in stark contrast. I'd assumed by the forked tongue and slitted pupils that he carried some kind of snake blood in him. I'd been right.

When I'd asked for his name previously he'd only told me to call him Adder.

"You could not injure an insect in your condition."

I sneered at him, hating to admit that he was right. Today would be the first day I would not be tortured...if I did as I was told anyway. Even still, I was stuck in this warded cell. Even if I picked a fight with him he'd just use one of his drugged needles on me again.

Adder gestured for me to come. I rose from the floor, not bothering to brush myself off or adjust my ruined clothing. The only thing that had remained semi-intact was my leather jacket. I praised whatever god would listen for that small mercy.

It hurt to move, but I knew the serum Adder continued to administer did more than stop my bleeding. Each morning I would awake with my wounds not quite as bad as the night before. Of course...if I moved even an inch too far in the wrong direction I'd regret it.

We walked in silence down the halls full of cells containing screaming victims. I wondered if they were like me...trapped here to be thrown into a ring and slaughtered...or if they'd be sold off to other slavers.

I looked away from them and stared straight ahead. "So, Adder. How'd you end up in this line of business anyway?"

He ignored me again, as I expected.

I sighed. What a fucking wet towel this guy was. I need something to keep my wits about me in this place. Perhaps it was a bit of Stockholm Syndrome, but it helped keep me in the now. It gave me a type of motivation I never knew myself capable of.

I'd never dreamt about flat out murdering another person, demon or human. But if given the chance to annihilate Konstantin...I would take it without a second thought. The only other being in all three worlds that I held at the same regard was Hideki.

So that was saying something.

Adder led me through the labyrinthine like alleyways below Konstantine's keep. Cell after cell, prisoner after prisoner...slave after slave. I couldn't look at their faces. I didn't want to know one single thing about them. Feelings of remorse for their well being would only drag me down.

Wow...Hiei would be proud, I thought.

We reached a long staircase, one I remembered from my trip down to this cesspit. A heavy wrought-iron door barred our way at the top. Adder produced a key from the inner folds of his tunic and with a great clang, sprung the lock free. The door groaned open on old hinges...and I found myself within the keep's proper.

There was a surprising amount of activity. I shrunk behind Adder, hiding in his shadow. I did take notice when he angled himself just right to assist in my endeavor. I would not find a single friend in this place. Everyone was a foe. It was just a matter of which one would attempt to take my life first.

"No harm will come to you now," Adder said.

"Says the guy who spent three days torturing me," I said out of the corner of my mouth.

"Under orders," he replied.

My eyes narrowed at his back. Under orders or not, it didn't mean it was right. And until I knew his reasoning behind his "job" here I would not trust him as far as I could throw him. Considering Adder's size, it wouldn't be all that far.

My dark, broad shouldered body guard escorted me through the main floor of the keep. I was taken through a side door - small, red in color. A long, lavishly decorated hallway greeted us. Reds and golds and silvers clashed for dominance. Paintings lined the walls. I was shocked to see such decoration in a place like the Makai...it looked...well, human.

"He has an odd taste, huh?"

Adder's lips twitched. "He thinks himself a human king."

"Why?" I asked.

Adder shrugged a shoulder and ushered me along. I made it a point to touch every expensive looking item my hands could reach. Have some dirt encrusted fingerprints, you bastard.

The hall ended at another door...this one also made of heavy iron. But it differed in a significant way from the door leading to the dungeons. It had ornamentation. Countless hours would have been spent at a forge to create such a massive display.

I couldn't help the laugh that escaped my throat just before Adder pounded a fist on the door - directly over Konstantin's smug face.

Yes...you heard that right. The bastard had a visage of himself molded into the iron of the door. How much of a narcissist was this man?

"You may enter."

By the sound of his pompous voice I had my answer - there was no limit to his narcissism.

Adder turned the ornate handle on the door and allowed it to swing open. He stepped through first and then stood aside to allow me to enter.

I didn't hesitate. I stepped into the room like I owned the place, a glare already set on my face

Konstantin wasn't fazed. In fact, the smile on his face only grew. He dragged his eyes down, down, down until they ended at my toes. Then he ran his gaze back up, slow and deliberate. It made my stomach roil with revulsion. He'd done the same exact thing the day before...after ordering I be tortured one final time for "good measure."

"Adder, you may leave now," he said.

Adder hesitated...just long enough to make Konstantin narrow his eyes, before walking out the door. I could taste a fresh wave of panic on my tongue. I didn't want to be left alone with this man, even if my only protection also happened to be my torturer.

Konstantin snapped his fingers and through a door I hadn't bothered to notice came two demon females. One had the facial features of a rat, while the other at first seemed normal enough - until she turned around. A pair of torn, ragged bat wings rested at her shoulder blades. And like many demons I had met, their eyes were of odd colors. Ratfink's eyes were black, much like a regular rat's and batgirl's were a dark purple. They reminded me of the color of a fresh bruise. I disliked both of them instantly.

I said as much when they each took hold of one of my arms and began to drag me off. I heard Konstantin chuckle from behind me and say, "See you soon my pet."

As I was hauled through the door the two demons had entered through I demanded to know where I was being taken. Neither answered me, or even acknowledged that I had spoken, as if they were both deaf.

I soon realized that was the case for batgirl...her pointed black ears looked just as destroyed as her wings. But ratfink had heard me loud and clear. As I continued to rant and rave her look turned increasingly more sour.

She put a little more force than necessary behind shoving me through the door to a bathing room. Before I could utter a single protest they worked together to efficiently strip me. I yelped when they tossed my clothing aside, diving for my leather jacket.

They shared a look but didn't take it from me. I kept it within reaching distance the entire time they bathed me and tended to my wounds. It was neither pleasant nor relaxing. They were rough and utilitarian in their methods. I was scrubbed with rough brushes, my wounds were treated with some stinging, as well as horrible smelling, salve.

After that was completed they wrapped my injuries, as well as my chest, in itchy bandages. I didn't understand the need for the chest binding, but I didn't argue. Hiding the fact I was a woman here might work to my advantage - or so I hoped.

I was given a threadbare pair of underwear which ratfink chucked at me and gestured I should put them on. I obeyed, if only to hide my total nudity.

They ushered me out of the bathing room and into an adjoining room. The walls here were stone like everywhere else, but it had a rug and a single chair set in the center of the room. A booth made of wood sat across from the chair, large enough to fit a few people at least. I was curious as to what was inside it, but didn't bother to ask.

Batgirl led me over to the chair and pulled on my arm until I sat down. I did, but not without sneering at her first.

What was Konstantin on about, doing all this? I couldn't deny the bath, as rough as it had been, was needed. After a week of no shower I'd grown ripe. But I doubted he was doing it out of the kindness of his shriveled fish heart.

I was left alone. I twiddled my thumbs for a while. I rubbed my dry eyes, once again wishing I had my bag if just to moisten my contacts. I stood from the chair and paced the four corners of the tiny room. If I thought I had a snowball's chance in hell I would have made a run for it.

After what felt like hours, but was probably less than fifteen minutes, another demon walked in. This one was a man with such pale skin he might as well have been an albino. He wore far better clothing than many of the other creatures I'd witnessed scuttling about this place. A deep red tunic, with gold accents around the cuffs and neckline. He had on brown leather pants, a belt that held a thin rapier like sword, and black boots. He had a handlebar mustache, thick brown eyebrows, and cold brown eyes.

The man's hands were well worn - a tradesman's hands. I was curious about the way he was dressed...but considering his build, the roughness of his skin, and the smell of woodsmoke about him - he was probably a blacksmith.

"I am Mikail. I am Lord Konstantin's personal armorer."

His introduction complete, and not giving two shits who I was, he proceeded to the wooden booth. He pulled a key from his pocket, fitted into a keyhole I had not seen, and pulled open a hidden door.

I realized the booth wasn't really a booth, but some type of wardrobe. Inside sat four sets of armor. Each set had a sword to match.

My mouth practically salivated at the sight of those weapons. Oh the damage I could do…

My eyes flicked towards Mikail. He was busy eyeing me up and down. His gaze held no perversion such as Konstantin's had. It held only calculation. His eyes narrowed and then he looked back towards the wardrobe.

"No...no. None of these will do…" he mumbled. Then he turned to me. "You are too damned short."

I just stared at him. Did he seriously mean to place me inside one those metal monstrosities?

"Sorry pal, but my fighting style doesn't work well with armor."

He eyed me up and down again. "Hm. As that may well be, it matters not to me. I was ordered to fit you in proper protective gear. I shall not fail."

He slammed the wardrobe shut and then he swept from the room, his steps hurried and light.

So I spent more time waiting, my weary body unwilling to do anymore pacing. I sat in the chair, my head hung between my knees, arms draped over my thighs, like a forgotten marionette.

I once again wondered where Hiei and Yusuke were...if they were safe…

I was sure they were. Those two together would be unstoppable. I had faith.

I imagined Hiei spurning Yusuke on to complete what they had come here for. He'd kill the dragon and find the heart. They'd move on without me...do what mattered...what was important.

I shouldn't be a priority.

But...I hated to admit that I wished I was. I wanted to be enough...wanted to be worthy of that kind of devotion.

I didn't deserve it. I knew that…

But that didn't mean I didn't want it.

I was selfish, self-centered, and downright stupid. I wanted to pretend I didn't regret what I'd done...but I did. I should be punished for it. Perhaps this latest hell was my divine punishment.

Speaking of divine...Chronos where the hell are you?

I wasn't given the time to try and goad the god further. Mikail came striding back through the door with several other demons scuttling behind him. They were lesser demons, four of them, all of them looking like fish that had grown legs. I couldn't help staring at them but they didn't seem to mind. They seemed too simple to even notice.

Each one set down another piece of armor on the floor. When the first of the bunch dropped it Mikail hollered at the poor bastard in that strange Russian like tongue again. The other three didn't make the same mistake. I didn't want to know what the armorer threatened them with.

Their job done, they scuttled back out on their flipper like feet.

"Stand," Mikail ordered.

"I'll tell you one more time, I do not wear armor."

"And I do not care. Stand."

I did so, begrudgingly. Mikail hurried over, forcing my arms up and out. He kicked my feet apart and then stood back, a hand at his chin.

"It'll do," he said.

Then he selected the first piece from the floor.

I was fitted with a breastplate, a plackart, a pauldron, two vambraces, a pair of greaves, and a set of sabatons. Beneath these were leather pieces to protect the parts that weren't covered. The armor itself was well made, as far as I could tell. It was made of a dark metal, one that looked almost black. It had been polished into a pretty sheen. I'd admit it was rather beautiful.

But that didn't mean I wanted to wear the shit.

I knew I wasn't wearing full armor, but for how heavy it was it might as well have been. It was stifling and uncomfortable and all around horrible. It restricted any fluid movement.

I didn't know how anyone could fight in this getup.

Mikail frowned contemplatively. "Fits better than expected. No sword until your first fight."

What a pity, I thought. I would have loved to stab him for forcing me into this thing.

"Now take it off."

The process of taking the armor off was just about as long as putting it on. When finished Mikail returned to the wardrobe, opened the door, and then pulled out a drawer beneath the sets of armor. Inside were a few outfits.

He threw one at me.

"You are to pretend to be a man until Lord Konstantin deems it unnecessary."

I unfolded the clothes I'd caught out of mid-air. It was a male's tunic and soft leather pants. The tunic was long sleeved and sturdy, if a little bland. The forest green matched well with my hair I supposed.

I pulled both pants and shirt on. By the time my head popped through the opening Mikail had disappeared. In his place was Adder. He stood in the doorway, stalwart and expressionless.

"I am to take you to the training ring now." He tossed me my boots, which I had forgotten about. I let them hit the ground and then pulled them on over my bare feet. I swept up my leather jacket from the chair and pulled it over my shoulders.

"I've never seen such craftsmanship in a piece of clothing before." It was the first time he'd shown any interest in me whatsoever.

I tried to think of a plausible lie. I don't know why I hadn't worn clothing that was a little less suspect. But I never had to come up with anything. The interest he'd shown disappeared just like that and then he was turning from me. "Come," he said.

I followed Adder back through the keep. This time I was brought outside, the smell of saltwater and death hitting my nose and making me gag.

He directed me across the courtyard to an area I hadn't seen upon first arriving. It was cordoned off, a dirt ring with training dummies and several pale blue skinned men fighting. I realized it was some of the brutes that had kidnapped me in the first place.

The men on the sidelines noticed me and smirked in my direction. I flipped them off. A few chuckled but others looked as if they would rather rip my finger off and shove it up my ass.

"Here is where you will show your prowess."

I looked up at Adder. I didn't want to do this. I was sure he could see it in my eyes.

"Do well...and you will be safe."

I didn't know what "well" was. What would Konstantin consider worthy of his prized fighter? There was also the matter of me not even wanting to be involved in this operation in the first place. But I knew if I didn't do as I was told I would either be killed or sold. Outside of my cell I could feel my energy returning, but it wasn't enough to put a dent in the demons that flooded this place.

Let alone Konstantin and his sinister energy.

I still couldn't tell how strong he was. That irked me on a level I didn't understand.

Speak of the devil and they will appear. Across the training ring Konstantin had taken up a spot outside the fenced in area. He stood in all his faked regal glory. Batgirl from earlier kneeled at his side, prepared to wait on him hand and foot no doubt.

A smile bloomed across his face, those sharp teeth flashing in the strange light from the Makai sky. I looked away only to spot something just as unpleasant.

The brute leader was climbing into the ring and his grin spread wide as he saw me staring. He had a broadsword in hand, fully armored and ready for battle.

I should have guessed this bastard would be my judge and jury.

I stepped forward, prepared to get this farce over with when Adder spoke. "What is your name?"

I paused, turning to look at him in surprise. For a moment I contemplated giving him a fake name, but chose not to at the last second. "Kasumi," I said.

He stared at me, those gold eyes boring deep into mine. And then, "I was known as Caius."

I stared at him a moment, shocked he'd told me, and said, "It's nice to meet you Caius."

He snorted. Not believing me I was sure. And he was right, it wasn't nice to meet him. I'd spent hours in his chair being burned, bruised, and cut. He'd watched my blood spill to the floor and said nothing. But I knew there was an ulterior motive there and if I could get him to trust me...maybe I could help him.

Christ...I was sick in the head.

I turned from him and back towards my impending doom. "Let's get this over with."

I marched up to the ring, my show of bravado faked. I lacked any confidence in this situation. I knew the brute would be slow...he was big and laden with armor. I would have to use that to my advantage.

I vaulted over the fence and landed in the dirt. I wasn't even given a chance to figure out a plan. The brute's leader charged me the second my feet hit the ground.

I dodged to the side away from his sword. It missed slicing my nose off by about a centimeter. I jumped back, putting some distance between us. He was faster than I had predicted.

I waited for him to come at me again. I dodged his sword again, then blocked the gauntlet covered fist he aimed for my head. Dodge...dodge...block - it went like this for quite awhile. I needed an opening. Just one would do.

It came unexpectedly. He swung his sword in a sideways arc and I ducked to avoid it. He'd left himself completely open.

I surged forward and jabbed as many fingers as I could fit between the tiny openings in his armor. I pushed as much of my electric like power into my fingertips as I could muster. The metal encasing his body acted like a conductor and next thing you knew he was on the ground - smoking.

I hadn't killed him. I could tell he was still breathing. But he was sure as hell going to wake up with some serious burns and a massive headache.

I pivoted to pin Konstantin with a cold stare. He still had that irritating smile on his lips. He snapped his fingers, the scales glinting. Five more men hopped into the ring.

They all charged me at once. I fought all five simultaneously, doing my best to be light on my feet. One wrong move, one misstep and I would be killed. I had too much at stake to die now. I would do what Konstantin wanted...until the time arose that I could kill him.

I jumped over a javelin, it stabbed the guy that had been coming at me from my right side. When he pulled it out and swung it back toward me I snapped my foot down on top of it. The end broke off and I picked it up and threw it. It struck the fool in the throat.

I snagged the javelin's shaft and used it like a bo staff. I knocked the third guy out by jabbing him in the stomach and then bringing the wood up to smash him in the chin.

Number four hit the ground after I swept is legs out from under him. I stabbed him in the chest with the broken end of the javelin shaft.

Number five wasn't so stupid. He backed off and I raised an eyebrow when I felt the spike in energy. None of them were particularly strong in that department, relying more on brawn than power. But this guy had just a tad more than the other four. I hadn't given their leader a chance to use his youki, I wasn't about to let this guy either.

I picked up a forgotten sword and charged the final guy. His energy was forming into some kind of water bubble, but I wasn't about to be caught up in it.

I lopped his head clean off his shoulders with one swipe of the blade.

It rolled grotesquely across the ground, towards where Konstantin was watching. When I looked back at him his smile had faded.

He obviously hadn't expected me to kill any of his men.

I did my best to keep the smirk off my face. I was supposed to be winning him over, not pissing him off. So I stayed standing in the ring, like an obedient dog waiting on their master's command.

But all he said was, "I think that's enough." And then turned to Adder. "Whip her as punishment for killing my men. Then put her back in her cell."

I lurched forward, arm outstretched. "Wait! I did as I was told!"

Konstantin turned to me, the smile returning. "Yes. But I didn't tell you to kill my men." He pointed a clawed finger at my face. "However, your prowess is certain. You will fight for me in three days."

He marched off, batgirl in tow and several of his lackeys chasing behind him. The rest remained around the ring, watching, laughing...smiling. That's when I turned to Adder.

He had a long leather whip curled in his hands. He walked to me slowly, preparing. As always he made the sign of the cross and then unfurled the whip. It hit the ground like a viper about to strike.

He didn't ask me to remove my shirt and he didn't wait for me to say anything.

The first strike of the whip felt like a lick of flame on my back. The next took my breath away. The third strike had me on my knees.

Adder hit me until my tunic was in shreds and blood turned the dust around me to mud. I knew I was screaming and that the laughter had gotten louder and louder. But I couldn't stop.

Adder took no mercy on me.

The beating ended when I was flat on my face and near the edges of unconsciousness. The last thing my tear filled eyes saw was Adder's anger filled face as he knelt beside me. Then the darkness consumed me whole and he was gone.

I dreamt of red threads, the fresh scent of pine and smoke and steel. I dreamt I was safe and he was safe and we were fine and everything was the way it should be. I dreamt of warmth and fire and heated conversation.

So when I awoke, freezing, covered in crusted blood and lying on a cold stone floor - I wanted to die.

Nothing was right, nothing was fine. I felt a crack in my shell. I felt what was fundamentally me tremble and shake and shrink.

That was when Chronos appeared…

And turned my world upside down on me once again.

. . .

A/N: I want to thank everyone for their continued support. The next chapter will be the first Hitomi chapter. There won't be many of them but I hope you will like them all the same. Until next time, thanks for reading!

P.S. How about them reviews guys? So I know yall still into this shit show lol.