A/N: Inuyasha and all characters belong to Rumiko Takahashi, this story is the brainchild of Kajatk8, and belongs to her. No profits are being made from this, it is just a fun way to pass the time and expand my writing capabilities.

Thanks to Ariel-Mystic-Siren for Beta-Reading!

Chapter 13. Chains for the Road

Ena had been surprised at the drastic change in circumstance. What a difference a week and a few arrows made…

She found herself sitting on her own beautiful horse, riding directly behind Nao. She traveled with him, almost as an equal. Regrettably, it was a complete façade. She was still bound, however, this time in chains, but she tried not to focus on that…

Her new trappings had been shackled to her wrists the morning following her triumph over the beetle. In between the shackles lay a length of chain about four feet long. It gave her the echo of free uninterrupted movement, but as soon as she tried to move regularly, she stumbled or tripped, knocking something over. She hated it, how its uneven weight brought her imprisonment to a new level. Now, she was clumsy. And don't even get her started on the continuous clinking. Everywhere she went, the sound of the chains followed, punctuating her every step with the sounds of imprisonment.

Still, she had her own horse to ride, which was a nice touch. It at least gave her a semblance of freedom, and lightened her heart. Plus, he was beautiful. She was uncertain she'd ever seen a steed with more grace than her white beauty. She'd decided she'd name him Ozuru, after the graceful stork and their peculiar mating dances and lithe movements.

The convoy had stayed in the sacked village for another week before leaving. This was done mainly to allow the men to heal from the severity of wounds they'd sustained. While many had received minor cuts or lacerations from taking the village, several were at death's door after the beetle's deadly attack.

When Ena had woken that first morning, following the attack she had been frog-marched into the smithy's hut. There he had sweatily hammered the shackles to her wrists, and after the final stroke, the smith had collapsed. Without a single thought, she jumped into action. She poked and prodded him in an attempt to find out what was wrong. It was just as stupid and foolhardy as her failed escape attempt had been, and the recesses of her mind had told her so. But, she had hoped that if she could get at least one of these men on her side, sympathetic to her imprisonment, then perhaps she could escape? Somewhere within she kept hearing the same advice: to bond with her tormentors.

And so, that is what she did. Amari, the smith, had taken a hoe in the leg, and he'd almost bled out from a stray villager's aim the night before. He'd bound the wound, but apparently not very well. Then before he'd had a chance to recover, he'd re-opened his wound when the beetle had attacked. A cart carrying several bales of rice had landed on him in all the chaos. Ena was amazed he hadn't been trodden on by a horse or eaten by the unruly beetle. Yet, despite all the odds, somehow he'd survived. Nevertheless, it had meant that his wound had been showered in dust, dirt, rice, blood and general tomfoolery. As such, the wound was inflamed a sharp pink, leaking puss, possessed a slight odor and Amari had a fever.

She'd immediately called for boiled water, clean bandages, and medicine, and to her complete surprise, the villagers and bandits alike had jumped at a chance to help the 'gift from the gods' living in their midst.

She'd cleaned the wound, drained what puss she could applied medicine and had bound Amari up in no time flat. She told the villagers to get him to drink small amounts of water upon waking and when he was feeling up to it to eat broth with a small amount of rice to settle his stomach, and help him regain his strength.

Without even thinking she'd found herself in a position of authority, doling out instructions. It had seemed so natural to her, and she filed that piece of information away for later use.

Of course news of her new abilities traveled fast, and she was then required to visit all of the bandits who were still alive, but just barely. She'd hoped that more of them had died, or suffered serious wounds at the hands of the beetle, but only three were in desperate straits, and ten required simple attentions.

After she'd finished with the bandits, they had allowed her to administer to the village. Here is where she spent most of her remaining week in the village. She'd wake locked away in her room in the mansion, eat, and then leave to administer aid where she could, giving comfort to those she couldn't. She would work from dawn until dusk, and then retire again to her prison in the mansion, eat and then pass out in a heap on her futon alone.

Wherever she went during the day, she felt Nao's presence follow, but she never laid eyes on him. Each night she went to bed in terror that he would come to her, but so far he hadn't. In fact he hadn't touched her at all after that first night. Somehow she'd developed the idea in her mind that she'd intrigued him, and he almost seemed sorrowed by his earlier actions. He gave her the impression that he was guilty or remorseful that he'd taken her in such a manner that first night.

But Ena didn't focus on that, if she ever escaped, she would deal with the consequences of his actions. She just prayed that she wasn't pregnant, that would be the last of her strength she knew. Since she couldn't remember the last time she'd bled, she counted every day, like it was her last.

Fortunately, the women had supplied her with herbs to prevent pregnancy. For that she had been extremely grateful, the women hadn't asked questions, but all had seen her trembling when Nao had cut her hair in the square. They supplied her with the herbs quickly, and quietly assured her of their potency.

Ena had kept what they were doing hushed up, but had quickly and quietly administered the same herbs to all the women they could find that had been violated by the bandits. She was grateful at their tact and expedience. At least no bastards, or hopefully no bastards, she amended in her mind, would be forced into this village after they'd left. For that she thanked the Kami's gratefully.

Over the week that everyone recovered, she could tell that the men's opinions of her changed. The men didn't outright worship her, as the villagers had started doing, but they definitely changed. They spoke to her in calm tones, and the man who'd manhandled her before had been especially courteous. He offered her his meal, flowers or medicines he'd found — or whatever he had to hand. She of course, denied his advances, but she relished in the feeling of superiority. It was the only thing she had to herself, and she held onto it desperately.

She had almost fallen into a normal routine when one morning it was shattered. She woke up at dawn like normal, and hearing a knock on the door, expected to see Chou bringing her breakfast. She'd ambled to the door heavily, rubbing the sleep out of her eyes, but instead when she'd slid the door open she came face to face with Nao, and his symmetrical black eyes. She'd looked down in fright, trying not to meet his gaze, and instead stared at his pointed black greaves.

"We will be leaving shortly, prepare yourself." He said.

She was startled, he'd sounded almost…cordial? That couldn't be… She dared to look up to his face and he seemed sincere. She quickly looked away.

"Alright, who will I be tied to this time?" She asked trying to keep her voice even, but failing. Her voice had cracked and she grimaced, she didn't want to appear weak in front of him. She'd already proved that she wasn't.

"No one, you will have your own horse."

If she'd been startled before, this almost knocked her off her feet.

"I'll what?" She thought she'd misheard him perhaps, because there was no way he'd just said what she thought she'd heard.

"The villagers are gifting you with their best horse; they say it is fit for a princess."

"I… uhh…" She stuttered not really knowing how to respond or even what to say.

"You still have time, if you wanted to make a final round amongst the villagers," he said before he turned and left her there standing with her mouth agape.

She probably would have continued to stand there if it hadn't been for Chou wishing her a good morning and briskly shoving a tray of food in her hands.

It appeared that the villagers had outdone themselves at her farewell. Her breakfast was the size of a feast; she had several different dishes of pickled vegetables, onigiri for the road, chicken, eggs, and two different styles of rice. She wolfed everything down that she possibly could before she stashed the rest in a bundle of cloth.

She rose, clinking as she got to her feet awkwardly with the tray in one hand and her wrapped food in the other. The chains tended to throw her off balance with their heavy forward momentum. She hoped she would acclimate to their weight and at the same time, regretted the day when it would happen. To her, that would mean that she'd finally become accustomed to her imprisonment.

She found Chou at the end of the hall and handed him the empty tray. He nodded her off, and she left the mansion to see to the last of the villagers.

The children had been particularly heart-wrenching. Many of their mothers and fathers had been murdered by the convoy, or the beetle, ofttimes in front of them. Several were so young, they didn't understand what exactly had happened and kept asking her for their mothers, fathers, brothers or sisters.

A small five-year-old girl named Yuka had scraped by with only a cut on her wrist, but she was perhaps the most pathetic case. She constantly asked where her mother was, said that she'd just gone out for some rice from the stores and she'd be right back. Each time Ena spoke with her, Yuka was sure that her mother would be returning soon, and asked Ena if she'd seen her coming down the lane. Ena didn't have the heart to straighten out the girl after the first day of trying; Yuka had adamantly refused to believe that her mother wouldn't be returning.

When someone had brought up that Yuka's mother hadn't been seen since the beetle attack however, Ena again had tried again to make Yuka see reason, but, she vehemently refused.

"Mother said father didn't return, but she promised that she'd always return. Always! She promised she wouldn't be like father." Yuka had cried.

Ena grabbed her in her arms and hugged the child tightly. She looked up at the circle of women who had gathered for Ena's last day of ministrations. She looked at one of the older women who'd said she'd take care of Yuka when they'd left. The older woman nodded, and Ena decided to cheer the girl up.

"Okay Yuka, she'll return, and when she does, you tell her what a good girl you've been for me, okay?" Ena said.

Yuka looked up at her, and her face broke into a wide smile that seemed to brighten the whole yard.

"Okay!" She said, and quickly scampered off. As the girl ran off to play with the other children, she started singing and soon all the other children had picked up the song as well.

"Ena, Ena, Princess Ena, Ena,
She came and killed the beetle,
She saved us all from evil.
Ena, Ena, Princess Ena, Ena,
She can heal, she can kill, she can eat,
When she walks, everyone bows to her in the street.
Ena, Ena, Princess Ena, Ena,
Her arrows sing a pink song,
And the leaves make her strong.
Ena, Ena, Princess Ena, Ena,
She's dressed up like a green fish,
Plus, she can answer any wish,
But, right now she looks really grimy,
And they say she came from the Kami,
Ena, Ena, Princess Ena, Ena."

Ena quirked her brows at the ridiculous tune, and looked questioningly at the woman to her right, who turned out to be, in fact, the Lord's wife, just as she'd thought. Her name was Ran.

"Just let her sing, it seems to distract her. And it keeps the other children busy as well." Ran said.

Ena nodded and smiled. She liked the idea of leaving this village with a song.

"Did Yuka make it up?" Ena asked.

Ran nodded, "Yes, some of the other children tried to make up different lyrics, but Yuka wouldn't have any of it."

"She has a beautiful voice, with a little coaching, she could make a living," Ena said.

"I will see what I can do," Ran reassured.

Ena smiled at the stubborn-headedness of youth, but then her smile fell, because she realized that likely, this would be the only time the girl sang out of joy or happiness.

Ran noticed her smile fade and she said, "Don't worry; I will take care of her along with Majime-baa-chan."

Both women nodded and the pain that had begun forming in Ena's heart subsided somewhat. At least they would try to help her. Perhaps Yuka would soon realize that her parents were gone, and weren't coming back. Maybe she would even survive the realization. Maybe she wouldn't starve, if these ladies took care of her and turned her life to one of song instead of heartbreak.

She moved onto the rest of the villagers, listening to the song sung in her name from the lips of a five-year-old. No matter where she went, the song followed. It seemed that this village would never forget what she'd done for them.

She was glad that she'd turned back from the hill and saved them all. She was a little ashamed of her few moments of doubt after she'd had her hair shorn off. She'd been crying for the loss and the damage done to her body and her continued imprisonment. In retrospect, it seemed such a frivolous thing to get worked up over, especially when these villagers had far more than that forcefully taken from them.

When she'd finished with the last villager, she walked back up to the mansion where the men were assembling to leave. As she went the villagers continued to bow in deference and thanked her for saving their village. All the while her song sounded here and there from children's and adult mouths alike.

She smiled.

When she rounded the corner of the last hut, she stopped short. There waiting for her was the band of men, and instead of hurrying her along, or even pushing and prodding her, they were just calmly standing around waiting for her to join them.

Perhaps even more strange, was the large white horse that was standing next to Nao's black one. The horse was gorgeous and its might and power seemed too waft off of it in waves.

"Your horse," Nao said, nodding to the white beauty.

She looked around to make sure that she wasn't just confused and he was actually talking to someone behind her. She found no one there. That meant that he was serious, and she didn't know what to do. Somehow she forced her feet to move, and her chain tinkled faintly as she ambled forwards.

Getting atop the horse was a little difficult with the shackles and chain weighing her down, and the horse didn't seem to like the clinking at first, but he allowed her to mount him, and eventually she ambled on. He was beautiful, and a breeze to ride. He seemed to want to lead himself, yet he complied to any command she gave him. She had the distinct feeling that she'd learned to ride, but didn't do it very often. But still, somewhere she almost felt a memory of riding a great beast, but not exactly that of a horse. Confused by her thoughts, she stored the details away for later.

She was surprised that Nao had in fact been true to his word and given her a horse. Just because the villagers wanted to give her one, she was sure that he could have just taken their intended gift and never let her know one way or the other. She mulled this over. He was trying to be almost… kind. Or so it seemed…

Ena didn't like it. Not one bit. She tried to work out his motives, but without further information, she couldn't.

And this is where she found herself hours later, still riding along in the convoy as it started to get darker. The day was relatively calm and decent. It wasn't too hot, or too cold, and if it wasn't for the dark clouds that were beginning to form in the distance, she would have thought it the perfect day for a picnic.

It was around when Ena was imagining who she would invite to this picnic and exactly what they would be feasting on when Nao spoke, and she jumped. He hadn't felt the need to speak to her in a week, bar that morning. Needless to say she was perplexed.

"You are a priestess." He said. It was a statement, and since she didn't know how to respond, she didn't.

"You are more than just that though, I've heard of priestesses, but I've never seen one battle." He said looking at her.

She still didn't know how to respond. What she'd done the week before… she didn't even think, she'd just responded and she was just as surprised as he was. She'd not really expected to survive if truth be told when the beetle had charged her. How could she explain such things to a monster such as Nao?

She chose not to respond, and waited for him to look away. She started feeling uncomfortable when he continued to stare at her.

"You truly are a gift from the gods, the villagers aptly named you." He said, finally looking forward.

She was proud despite where the praise was coming from.

"I know you don't wish to speak, but I think you will when we get to where we're going." He said, this time, with a glint in his eyes. Ena felt compelled to respond to this coy smile. She felt emboldened by his statement, and ventured to ask a question.

"Where are we going?" She asked.

"To my castle." He replied simply, as if it explained everything.

"…Your castle…?" She inquired.

"Yes, there we will be married, and you will continue to join me in battle and conquest, protecting me from any unruly demons that want to get in our way. You shall see, we will be great, we will rule this land, you dominating the demons, me taking back the land that belongs to me," He said victorious. His face held a strange look, it was almost as if they had already conquered the country in his mind.

She didn't know what to say, so she remained silent. She was loathe to egg on her supposed fiancé. She cringed at the term. She could think of no other she'd rather be promised to. Perhaps Daku… Unfortunately, he'd survived the beetles attack. He was perhaps the only person who scared her more than Nao did.

Nao startled her out of her internal musings by asking another question.

"How do your arrows work?" He inquired.

She didn't know what to say, so she remained silent. She was feeling exceedingly stupid the more time that went by, she was unable to answer the simplest of his questions.

"I don't know." She replied. She had quickly decided that honesty might be the best policy when dealing with Nao.

"Hrmmmm." He replied. "Your quiver always has fourteen arrows. I saw you pull several arrows and string them against your enemies. Yet, no matter how many you loose, you always have fourteen in your quiver. Do you know why?" He asked.

"No," she replied honestly.

"Huh. I doubt you would tell me, even if you knew."

"No I wouldn't." She replied defiantly.

"Did you know that no one can pull one of those arrows out either? Well… No one but you it seems." He said.

"No." She replied surprised.

She hadn't realized that. She wondered when she'd been relieved of her gear what was to happen to it. It appeared that Nao had let his men attempt to use its power. She was happy and felt more secure that she was the only one able to draw an arrow out, however. She'd suspected that there was something different about it, but she hadn't been able to put her finger on it. It seemed to her to quietly hum. She'd thought that it had its own heartbeat or a will of its own. But she had dismissed the idea as ridiculous for how it sounded to her. But, perhaps that was premature?

"Who gave it to you?" He asked.

She didn't know what to say again, so she remained silent.

"I know you didn't craft it yourself, I've seen plenty of demon blades in my time, and I can recognize the work of demon-craft. So, who gave it to you?" He asked, this time with an edge in his voice that worried Ena.

"A friend." She ventured, she must have gotten it from a friend, right? It seemed to acknowledge her, she had thought upon shouldering them that they were hers, or had been made for her. They just felt so familiar. And the fact that no one else could use them, just confirmed that they were meant for her.

"Will this friend wonder where you are?" He asked offhandedly, but the threat was clear and obvious. Would anyone powerful enough to make a demon-crafted quiver and bow come after them, perhaps looking for Ena?

"No." She replied. She wasn't sure of course, but she wanted to alleviate that tone from his voice. It didn't matter if she told the truth or lied, she just wanted to get him to stop asking questions. She knew that if he got angry enough, he'd do something to hurt her.

"And what of the father you spoke of?" He asked.

"He thinks I'm dead." She replied, voice devoid of emotion. Hopefully Nao would think it was because of some imagined fight between her and her father, not the fact that she was lying outright to avoid his scrutiny.

"Good, then there will be no objections." He said. He sounded smug, and when Ena cast her eyes at him, she found him smiling. This didn't bode well…

"Objections to what?" She ventured.

"Why, our marriage of course." This time he looked at her.

As he spoke those words, somewhere deep inside of her, something cracked. True fear, like ice cutting its way down her back. When she'd felt fear before, this time it paled in comparison to this new prospect. She would become his wife, and he was dead-serious. She doubted he would let her escape if she was his wife. She'd always be within his clutches if she allowed that to happen. Her mind was reeling.

She noticed that he was still looking at her and she tried to keep her face devoid of emotion, but failed, and by his response she could tell her face had rested where her emotions were – in absolute terror.

"Don't look so scared, you will want for nothing." He replied, brushing off her fears as if they were nothing.

"Why is that?" Her mind was spinning and she couldn't comprehend becoming this bastard's wife, not even for a moment.

"Because, you will live in the shiro, with my other wives. You'll find I take great care of what is mine."

For some reason, the fact that he already had a wife, not just one in fact, but multiple, brought her up short.

"You already have a wife…? Er… Wives?" She asked lamely.

"Of course, but none of them have your talents."

That information honestly didn't make her feel any better. In fact, in the event that she got to wherever they were going, it sounded like she would be just another to add to his harem. Yet, he already had special plans for her and she knew deep within herself that this would make her hated by his other wives.

"You will find that I can be a kind and noble husband, if my wife obeys." He said, likely in an attempt to rid her face of the pale pallor that had overtaken it.

"If you were indeed a noble man, you would court me in the proper way, and only when I've accepted you would we marry." She replied offhandedly, still deep in her thoughts.

"Very well, if you like."

"I…What?" She replied, taken aback.

"I will court you, and you will accept me." He replied, looking back to the road. "I have no doubt in my abilities to do so. You'll find yourself wanting me soon enough."

With that he confidently kicked his horse and trotted ahead of the convoy to scout the road before them.

Ena didn't know what to say or do, and she pulled Ozuru off to the side of the road to watch the convoy pass her and to think. She had been sure that he wouldn't agree to court her. In fact, she'd planned on him refusing her. Now, she'd have to deal with her rapist courting her. Taking her for long walks, presenting her gifts, perhaps even currying favor with her father, whom she was pretty sure she'd made up!?

She tried to think fast, but it wasn't fast enough, not for Daku. The end of the convoy came into her sight and Daku pulled his horse right up alongside hers. The large brown mare whined and sniffed at Ozuru, before calming and kicking at the ground.

She didn't want him to think she was attempting to escape, but she was curious as to all the men that Nao had in his entourage, why had it been Daku that had stopped?

"I'm to see you to the Shiro in one piece. Don't make me it difficult for me." Daku said evilly.

"I wouldn't dream of it." Ena replied, and kicked Ozuru into gear. Daku kicked his mare as well, and took up a slow pace alongside her.

Ena looked out of the corner of her eye at the man. He frightened her perhaps even more than Nao did. He just oozed evil and malice with every breath he took in.

"Why were you given the duty of my protection?" She dared to ask.

"Because, Nao trusts me, much more than the rest. Plus, he knows once I take on a job, I will see it to the end." He replied.

"What will be your payment?" Ena thought to ask, thinking back to the village and Daku's 'payment' of the youngest headman's daughter. The girl had been but a child, yet, Daku had still taken her.

"Well, he said that if you try to escape, then I get to have you for a night." He said licking his lips, and as he did so he looked her up and down as if he could possess her with just his eyes.

Ena saw the threat and understood it for what it was. If she were to attempt escape again, if she were caught, she would be given over to this animal for punishment. So, that made what she would have to do very clear. If she were to actually escape, and truly gain her freedom this time, she'd have to make sure that both Nao and Daku couldn't follow.

"Personally, I hope that you try the moment you get the chance." He said smiling, "I have a wonderful night planned for us."

"I think I'll pass, I wouldn't want to spurn my intended after all." Ena said, and kicked her horse faster to pass Daku. She couldn't stand the thought of riding next to him, any more than she could stand the thought of being Nao's arm candy, intended, priestess-in-his-pocket, whatever. She couldn't stand it.

So that left her one option, escape. But this time, she'd have to make it permanent. This time, she might have to kill Nao and Daku, to ensure that she didn't fall right back into their hands.

She didn't like this plan at all. She wasn't sure because she didn't know her own mind, but she thought she could put a pretty hefty bet on the table that she'd never killed anyone before. She didn't want to start now.

Yet, as she cantered up to the front of the convoy once more, to 'her rightful place,' or so Nao had claimed, she knew that it might be required of her. She wasn't sure what was worse, becoming a bride to her rapist and captor or becoming a murder. She truly didn't know.

A/N:

Sorry this took so long to write. This summer I took an internship, on top of that, I had NO TIME to write. Then, before you know it, a new semester started and I now have a roommate! A girl I work with is separating from her husband, and I took her in. Turns out he was been abusing her, so my life has been slightly complicated. =\ Ahh well, what's life without lemons exactly? No lemonade or avgolemeno, lemon drop martinis…. So… not worth living.

Please read and review,

Thanks,

KajatK8