Chapter 3

The cool air blowing through the leaves usually helped to ease her nerves. The smell of the grass and the blooming flowers were a gift she could rarely receive. And the fresh caress of wind was a welcome change to the humid still air present on the confinement of her cage.

That night, however, the smell of flowers and leaves seemed bitter. The cold air was not soothing. It bit into her bones and made her shiver. Maybe it was her conscience bothering her. Maybe the presence of her companion was no longer tolerable. Kodachi wasn't scary that night. She disgusted her.

"Drink your tea, Ukyo."

Her hands were trembling as she reached for the cup of tea and drank. She grimaced at the bitter taste of the dark liquid. Everything in that place tasted bitter.

A newspaper sat in the center of the table, between a plate of cookies and the tea-pot. It contained the news of what had happened the day before yesterday. It talked of a gruesome crime that had shocked the residents of the calm residential neighborhood of Nerima.

Ukyo wasn't proud of what she had done. It had felt good. It had felt wonderful. Every scream and every drop of blood hitting the ground had brought release to her tormented mind. He had been the cause of all the misery in her life. Because of him, Ukyo had lost track of all that was important in her life. Because of him she had lost her father. She had lost herself to her anger. She had lost her heart to an ungrateful bastard.

Genma Saotome had being the cause of all her misery. He had ruined her. She did take pleasure on the slow torment she had put him through. But she did not feel proud. She felt disgusted with herself.

Kodachi, however, had laughed. It was a sound Ukyo despised and feared. Hearing that laughter was like having shreds of glass shoved into her ears. It was maddening.

"I, dear Ukyo, would have being unable to do a better job. And no one heard a thing! Either the Saotome patriarch was too brave to scream…or you did something to keep him quiet…"

Kodachi locked eyes with her. Ukyo did not look down this time.

"You stabbed his throat with the needle right here like I taught you? Did that keep him quiet?"

"Yes, Kodachi-samma."

"Did you enjoy it?"

"Yes, Kodachi-samma. Thank you for letting me have him."

"And you dropped what was left of him where I asked you despite the risks. You are a wonderful servant. I shall reward you again soon. But for now, let's get you back to your room." She laughed and Ukyo cringed. "I shall visit my Ranma darling tonight! He must be heart-broken!"

Shampoo was silent as Kodachi secured the chains around Ukyo's wrists and ankles. The Dark Rose was far too gone to pay any attention to her and she leapt out of the room cackling madly, her ribbon twirling behind her like the tail of a dragon. The door slammed shut and they were left alone.

Ukyo stared at the light. She didn't like it when it was on. It allowed her to see her trapped body and the empty cold room that had became her home. And now, it also let her see Shampoo. The girl was going through withdrawl and her eyes were a frightening sight. She shivered and sweated despite being naked in the cold room.

Ukyo pulled her legs to her chest and hid her face in them. She could not stand to see her.

"What happen to you?"

"Don't talk to me…"

"Ukyo great warrior…You I respect before but you is lap dog now..."

She flinched at that and finally found the strength to look up if only to glare at her.

"Oh, yeah? Well, how about you? Wasted all the time. And when was the last time you took a bath, anyway? You stink."

"Lap dog of crazy phsyco rose-girl..."

Ukyo shuddered as she glanced at the door. She was no lap-dog…She…was afraid of what Kodachi would do if she heard her retort. Fighting to control her anger, she glared at Shampoo again.

"Don't call her that. If she hears you…"

"You is disgusting….following her around like dog. Doing what she tell you like dog…I Joketsuzoku. I no afraid. I no break to psycho rose girl!"

Ukyo did not answer. What would be the point? Shampoo did not know what she was talking about. But Ukyo did. She had been defiant too. She had spit on Kodachi's face and challenged her to do the best she could. She had insulted and cursed her for months on end.

And here she was, letting herself be bound and locked. She had been running around Nerima doing her dirty work. Kodachi had broken her. It was true. She had just realized that. It was slightly disturbing but…what could she do? Resistance was futile.