A/N: What's this? Two updates in the same month?! Well, I had my birthday on the eleventh, and since Yule is coming up, I was feeling generous. Super thrilled about this chapter. Let's hear it for stubborn as hell Makoto! WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Warning: This chapter contains slavery, prostitution, violence, language, slave abuse, slave beatings, and possible triggers? Not sure. Read with care.
With love,
Korrupted
Shout outs-
auriumflame: I'm so glad you enjoy this! It's not an instant love/one pining for the other. It's a slow, staggering battle for trust in a world where the youma are other humans, and the senshi as we know them don't exist.
WeirdRaptor: BWAHAHAHAHAHA! Is that your final answer? *is cackling wildly at this one* You sure? *keeps cackling for a weird amount of time*
Disclaimer: Still don't own anything of Sailor Moon.
25:44 As for your male and female slaves who may belong to you, you may buy male and female slaves from the nations all around you.
25:45 Also you may buy slaves from the children of the foreigners who reside with you, and from their families that are with you, whom they have fathered in your land, they may become your property.
25:46 You may give them as inheritance to your children after you to possess as property. You may enslave them perpetually. However, as for your brothers the Israelites, no man may rule over his brother harshly.
-The book of Leviticus (Bible) on the slavery of 'bondsmen', foreigners.
Minako had always hated executions. They were messy affairs, and sometimes the executed man would have his unfortunate wife there with him, forced to watch. The soon to be widow always screamed and sobbed, pleading, begging, raging, and shaking. As she passed the platform, she could hear one such woman pleading for her husband to be released, the crowd cheering on the scene that she had no desire to look at. She couldn't imagine how painful it must be to be forced to watch the one you love die, hearing the horrible screeching grow in pitch as the execution axe hit the wood with loud whunk!, followed by the tell-tale thu-thud of the head hitting the surface shortly after. She instead entered the seamstress shop as the cheers of the crowd roared, rubbing the bridge of her nose as she tried to forget the screaming and wailing she had just heard. "Madam Aino! Pleasure to see you this morning. I take it you aren't interested in that spectacle either?" A rather soft yet kind voice inquired.
Blue eyes looked up to meet set of green a set of brown, the two women's faces edged with gentle concern. "You know how much I loathe them Calaveras. Anyways, how are you doing, Petz?"
The seamstress sighed and smiled tenderly at the younger blonde. "As well as can be. Berthier just was accepted as an Oracle for the Royal Court."
Minako beamed at the news. "That's wonderful! You must be so proud of her."
Calaveras nodded. "We are. Koan is at the apothecary to get more ingredients for her cosmetics. I think your order is over here... Ah! Here it is." The brunette lifted a bag of clothing. "One kogi and seventeen dimuts, please."
The blonde woman retrieved her pouch and happily extracted two kogis, handing them over to the sisters in exchange for her small bundle. As much as the four women bickered with each other, they were close and incredibly fond of each other. Why, Minako could recall that one poor waif who had made Koan cry in front of Petz. She had never been able to look at goat hooves the same again.
Her hands carefully opened the bundle and touched the clothing inside gently. A gold and green tunic with elegant floral patterns embroidered in pink along the sleeves, leather trousers, and several ribbons for hair and sashes; all clothes for Makoto. "How is she managing? Makoto." The brunette inquired softly.
A frustrated sigh escaped the blue eyed female as she refolded the clothes. "She seems to still hate my existence, but she's gentler with Ami, Serenity, and sometimes listens to Haruka." Her expression turned sullen. "I just wish she wouldn't be so cold to me. I'm not a horrible person, but it was become her master, or let her die."
Deep green eyes turned thoughtful. "Mina, she's been a slave. She's seen the very worst of humanity. How can you expect her just to forget that? And what do you even know about who she is?"
The madam blinked, taken aback. "Well, she's stubborn, and crass, and closed off-"
A shake of Petz's head quieted her. "That's her personality. What do you really know about Makoto? What's her favorite color? Who is her family? Where is she from? Who was she before she was a slave? What does she enjoy doing? How old is she? When is her birthday?" Ocean eyes looked at the floor as she realized that she knew none of the answers to these questions. "Maybe she's so closed off because you are forgetting that while she is a slave now, she still has dreams, likes, dislikes, and everything from before she became so jaded."
Grumbling in irritation, Minako had to admit that she had a fairly good point. She never really tried to ask the woman about herself in the last week and a half; their already shoddy relationship had hit a new low after the woman had been forced to wear the golden slave shackles and collar that marked her as the businesswoman's property. The new wrist cuffs were more like thick golden bracers that encased her forearms with intricate designs etched in, the collar hanging lower with the ring resting at the base of her throat. They looked beautiful, but still were damning.
With a sullen wave, the blonde left the establishment and headed back to the brothel, pointedly ignoring the sobbing woman who remained by the execution platform. Her mind was whirling, her thoughts on just how little she truly did know about her own employee. Everyone else she knew almost everything at bare minimum, but Makoto kept her secrets well-guarded, which made it incredibly difficult to even ask anymore.
Just who was Makoto Kino?
The young woman finally made her way back to her establishment, opening the door to see Serenity cheering on Haruka and Makoto as they arm wrestled, the slave and guard both shaking with the effort of remaining in a dead-lock. Other workers were laughing and placing bets, Ami reading a book and glancing up from time to time. "Both of you should be careful. You can injure yourself doing that." The bluenette stated calmly, pointedly ignoring Rei taking all the bets down dutifully.
A tiny smile lit Minako's features at the sight. Before the sound of four bells past midday, when the brothel was still closed, she found it most peaceful among the lighthearted noise. No patrons for them to mind, no one exchanging money with them for sexual favors or their company, just a bunch of women bonding over simple joys. Haruka started gaining a lead, Serenity trying to goad Makoto to a victory when the butch guard finally won, half of the girls cheering, and the other half groaning. As Rei started doling out winnings, the tall blonde clapped her competitor on her back, both grinning. "Good match, kid."
Green eyes were humored, the slave shrugging happily before spotting her young master, her expression once again hard and cold. "Yeah, same to you. Gotta go. Mistress Blondie might need me."
The busty woman crossed her arms over her chest, scowling down at the female that held her life in her hands; the clueless brothel owner that she loathed and resented. "I am here to serve, O great Master Minako." The auburn haired slave drawled in an overly dramatic and clearly condescending tone.
Blue eyes scowled, but only a weary sigh was voiced when she half expecting something cruel. After a moment, Minako handed her the parcel and spoke. "I really wish you wouldn't call me that. Here's some clothing for you, so you don't have to keep borrowing Haruka's."
Instantly, she found the package shoved back at her, a confused and guarded expression on the shackled woman's face. "I can't afford these. I have no way to repay you, and I am a slave."
The Madam grunted, shoving it right back. "Makoto, you don't need to repay me. It's a gift. Stop being so damn stubborn."
Once more, it was shoved back into her arms. "Everything has a price. Even 'gifts'."
Just as Minako was reaching her exploding point, Ami came over to take charge of the bundle and the grip the taller woman by her bicep to pull her away. "Mako, really. She got them for you as a gift, just take them. I promise you that she won't use it against you later." She heard the bluenette state.
"Well, I don't trust her. Anyone who has slaves can't be trusted."
The blonde let out a growl of frustration, turning on her heel to stomp away towards her room before she lost her own temper. That woman was so infuriating! No matter what she did to attempt to prove she wasn't cruel, or had an ulterior motive, the emerald eyed slave still hated her with every fiber of her being. She flung herself onto her bed, grabbed one of her pillows, and began swearing quite spectacularly into it, screeching in rage at just how irritating her charge was.
Haruka stood beside Makoto as the brothel began to slowly fill, both women watching the growing crowd with level gazes. It had just chimed five bells, and by now most of the usual patrons were entering, glancing about for their favorites or any free girls. At a smile from Duchess Michiru, the butch playfully winked at the green eyed woman and joined her usual customer with an easy grin.
Makoto looked at the ceiling, her brow a bit furrowed in thought. Ami had gone up with a patron about a half hour ago, and while she was certain that the prostitute wasn't finished, she still was hoping she would be done soon. It was a bit lonely and the young healer proved to be good company; almost as good as Serenity, but nobody could match the blonde in cheer. With a heavy sigh, she leaned back against the wall, absently touching the golden ring attached to her collar.
However, Serenity waved her over to her table, Elizabeth and Molly sitting with her. The tall slave walked over, casting quick glances around as she went, and sitting beside the grinning brothel worker. "Mako, don't look so down. Would you like Liz to make you a drink?" The redhead waggled a single eyebrow. "It could help you relax."
In spite of herself, the green eyed woman smirked. "No, I'll pass, thanks."
The bartender feinted hurt. "What? Do my drinks offend you that much?"
"Liz, the last time I let Serenity talk me into having you make me a drink, you used no less than three of your strongest liquors."
"Hey, you looked so serious. Loosen up a bit, Mako! You're among friends."
Shaking her head, the auburn haired slave still declined, looking around the room. She was no longer so harsh looking about the patrons since they had started leaving her alone, but was constantly on guard just in case. Just then, Ami descended the stairs, her eyes hidden by her bangs as she moved slowly, and Makoto stood with a frown. Ignoring the others, and even Minako who had joined the table, the brunette strode to the foot of the stairs, looking up at the bluenette. The moment that the small prostitute had stepped to the main floor, the slave took gentle hold of her chin and tilted her face to look up at her, emerald eyes hardening at the sight.
Ami's right eye was a bit red, a mark along her cheek bone. She was sniffling, telling of crying from pain, anger burning in the taller woman's heart. "Is he still upstairs?" Was all she could inquire, fury half choking her.
"M-mako, please. Don't. Y-you can't!" The smaller girl pleaded quietly, only to find herself ushered in the direction of a now concerned looking Minako.
"I'll just be a minute. Stay with them."
Minako's brow was furrowed as the busty woman gently pushed Ami in their direction before climbing the stairs with her eyes alight with rage. The second the small woman was next to her, she saw the marks moments before the sound of a door being violently kicked in silenced the entire establishment. "Ami, what- MAKOTO!" She yelled as the pieces fell into place.
The sounds of a struggle echoed from the upper levels, a male and a female voice garbled before the male one cried out in shock. Suddenly, the crowd swiftly parted with cries of fear as a patron slammed into the floor from being thrown over the balcony, groaning in pain as he rolled around in an effort to get back to his feet. Heavy footsteps moved down the stairs to reveal the enraged woman sporting a bloody nose, bleeding lower lip, and disheveled hair as she moved to stand in front of her target. "Don't you EVER lay a hand on Ami again!" She roared, reaching down to grab his tunic as Minako pushed her way through the patrons and workers.
The man kicked his attacker in the chest, sending her stumbling to allow him to right himself, the brothel owner reaching for her whip. When he pulled back his left fist, the blonde lashed her weapon out to wrap around his wrist, using the leather item to yank him off balance. "THAT. IS. ENOUGH!"
Haruka, Luna, and Elizabeth surged through the crowd to restrain the injured man, Minako furious. "You are banned from this establishment, Gavin Thatcher. You will pay for the damaged door, and if you ever set foot in here again, I will have the Magistrate lock you up faster than you can sneeze."
"Your slave attacked me!"
"You attacked one of my girls, and so Makoto defended her. Get him out of my sight." The young businesswoman snarled, the three guards roughly hauling the man from the building while she made her way over to her charge.
Makoto wiped her bleeding nose on the back of her hand, leaving a crimson steak in it's wake, the blonde looking up at her in worry. "You okay?"
"Yeah. Bastard got a few lucky punches in. Ami okay?"
"Yes. Now, let's get you to the kitchen so Arianna can take a look at your face." Minako urged, guiding the tall woman through the doors to the warmer room.
"Minako, what on earth was that? Makoto, are you alright?" A woman with long, tied back reddish blonde hair and stunning hazel eyes questioned as she took in the battered appearance of the brunette. "What happened?"
"A patron decided to rough up Ami, so I casually helped him over the balcony." The slave supplied in a bored voice.
"Makoto, he might press charges. If he goes to the Magistrate, you could be whipped, or executed! Oh, why didn't you let me handle it?" The short woman questioned in dismay.
"Because I could handle it." Was the terse reply, taking charge of a piece of meat Ari handed her for her eye. "Thanks."
"What you think you can do and what the law will let you do are two very different things!" Minako half shouted in exasperation. "Why do you always act like I'm the same as anyone else who had you in their charge? Why won't you give me a chance?"
The uncovered emerald eye blazed with a furious fire as she remained sitting. "You want to prove that you are different that the other three?"
"YES!"
"Then FREE ME!"
The two women went silent at the outburst, the slave on her feet, glaring down at her master with her good eye. "Don't just act like you're better than them, because as long as you have me, you're exactly the same in my book. You know nothing about me, and you have no idea what I have been through. You want my trust? Then don't just talk about hating slavery. Free. Me."
The angry woman turned her back to her owner, taking slightly labored steps towards the door when a soft voice halted her.
"Five years."
The amazonian turned back in confusion. "What?"
Minako took a deep breath in through her nose before continuing. "You have to be in service of the same person for at least five years to be eligible for the trial. Then you need one hundred and ten kogis, the word of your master, and the approval of the Magistrate. I looked. I've been looking for the last three days."
One emerald hue turned to the floor, her eyebrows slightly furrowed in proper embarrassment, her posture a bit less tense as the blonde stepped closer. "Just because I'm not shouting it aloud doesn't mean I'm not looking into how to free you. I didn't want you to get your hopes up, and I certainly didn't want you to be lied to." She looked up into the now averted green iris, the woman stubborn to the end, it seemed. "I never tried to force my hand with you because I won't try to make you feel cornered. I won't do that to you, or any of my girls. I wanted you to open up to me on your terms, not mine. And I still do. You don't have to trust me, but you can't assume that I'm doing nothing."
Makoto shifted uncomfortably, flipping the meat over before saying in a hushed voice. "Alright. I don't trust you... But I guess I owe you a chance." She submitted at long last.
Minako smiled. "That's all I ask for. Now, you should get someth-"
"Arrest that slave!"
The door to the kitchen was thrown open as five soldier swarmed in, grabbing rough hold of Makoto by her arms and twisting them behind her back, one of them striking her hard in the gut. "Oommff!" She wheezed, her legs going a bit slack as she doubled over, only to have an armored hand grab her by her long horsetail and tug her head backwards.
Minako surged forwards as a slap across her charge's face caused even the blonde to flinch, both she and Ari trying to pry the men off of the winded woman. "What are you doing?! This is private property! Get out!" She yelled only to find herself shoved away.
"This slave assaulted a man. She is to be detained, and executed." One of the guards growled back, throwing another punch into the restrained brunette's stomach that lifted her off of her feet for a moment.
"She was defending one of my girls! You have no right to do this!"
"If you want, take it up with the Magistrate. Now move!" He barked, the group roughly hauling the battered woman along with them, the business woman hot on their heels.
"TWENTY LASHES?!" Minako half screamed at the greying man, her ocean hues wide in horror. "But she was defending Ami!"
The man behind his desk sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "As you have stated several times. She is lucky not to be executed, Madam Aino. The only legal reason I had to grant her this leniency is because Duchess Kaioh was more than willing to state the same as you have." His tired grey-blue eyes met hers. "It boils down to a slave attacking a free man, Madam Aino. As much as I dislike it, I must follow the law the same as I must with everyone else."
The blonde looked at the Magistrate desperately. "Then let me take them!"
He laughed at her words. "I can't allow that. The best I can offer is if you have another slave, or a former slave who is willing to take half of her lashes."
"But I don't have any other slaves. I didn't even want to own a slave to begin with!" She protested.
"Then I am sorry, but I can't help you more than that." The Magistrate informed her sternly as he rose to his feet, looking down at the small businesswoman. "Please, understand that I must obey the laws. If I bend for you, then I must bend for all. I can grant you a minute or two to see to her before her punishment must be carried out."
With a seething growl of frustration, Minako turned to leave the building, forcing her way through the densely packed crowd to the raised whipping platform Makoto was standing upon. She climbed the steps swiftly, the brunette chained with her arms around the thick wooden post in the middle by the rings on her wrist shackles, her cheek pressed flush against the tall post. Gingerly, the bordello owner stepped around the whipping post the left of the tall woman, halting when she was standing in her line of sight to take in the current state of her charge. Her face was covered in drying blood from her abused nose and lips, her right eye swelling shut from a mix of the soldiers and Gavin's attack. "How many?" Was the only question the chained woman asked, her voice a bit on the pained side.
"Twenty lashes. I tried to have him let me take them, but-" The bitter snort of laughter from the slave halted her words.
"You wouldn't last three lashes, and they would never allow a free woman to take a slave's punishment." Her face was grimly determined once more at the sounds of footsteps climbing the wooden stairs, the crowd goading on the man holding a whip. "I've had more than that. Go. You shouldn't watch this."
"I can't just leave you." Minako whimpered, clearly distressed.
"You have to." Was the terse rebuttal. "So, get out of my face and stand with the damn Magistrate so I can get this over with."
Minako flinched at the stinging words, walking sullenly to stand beside the Magistrate moments before a powerful voice announced, "I volunteer to take half."
The blonde turned to see none other than Travis Freeman shoving his way through the crowd. "As a former slave, I offer to take half."
The soldier on the platform nodded a bit hesitantly as the goldsmith joined both him and Makoto, three others moving to tie the burly man to the post on her left. After firmly securing his wrists with rope, the man turned to look at the already injured woman, his eyes stern yet compassionate. "Serenity told me about what you did. Thank you for defending Ami." He informed her.
A small smile touched her lips. "It would have been a crime to do nothing. A free criminal is worth more than an honest slave though, eh?"
"Indeed." He replied in an irritated tone.
"How long have you been free, Goldsmith?" She questioned quickly. "When was your last whipping?"
"Six years for both."
"Well, try to think of anything else. It dulls the pain." Makoto suggested.
"Ha! I was a slave longer than you, child. I know how to block it. I've had my share of lashings." He returned a bit haughtily.
"You've been free a while, Goldsmith. Freedom softens you, and you forget what whips feel like." The slave hissed back. "I bet you'll screech when the fourth lash comes."
Travis grinned as their punishment was being announced to the spectators. "First to scream buys the other a round from Elizabeth." He goaded, ignoring the crowd's cheers.
A wolfish grin crossed the woman's features as the whip was raised. "You're on."
"You screamed like a child."
Both Makoto and Travis were leaning in their chairs onto the tables in the closed brothel, Ami, Arianna, and Rei tending to their wounds, each with a tall cup of alcohol in front of them. The smith hissed in pain as the bluenette cleaned out one of the deeper lashes, the young prostitute apologizing softly. "It's alright, Ami." He assured before glowering at the auburn haired woman. "And my pride is wounded enough already. Nearly as much as my back. I request that you not remind me again, so my ego may find something to hold fast to."
The unswollen emerald orb was full of pain, soft sounds voiced as the former miko applied ointment to the deep wounds; the guard clearly went harder on the slave than the smith. Minako stormed in furiously, her eyes full of rage. "Irresponsible, pig-headed, clearly not even thinking about anything!" She ranted, her arms waving about wildly. "And don't even get me started on you, Makoto! That was one of the most horrible things I have ever had to watch!"
The woman sniffled slightly, her face red and splotchy from crying at the whipping of the two currently injured adults. She had never watched a beating before, and as Makoto's master she was required to be present for this one, though she was too mortified to look away. She had trembled with every terrible crack of the whip, crying before even the third stripe of red appeared across her charge's back through the torn shirt; she had no idea how the woman had kept from crying out, watching as her face screwed up more and more from pain, the beaten brunette gritting her red-rimmed teeth.
Travis had cried out by his sixth lash, pressing his forehead against the post harder and harder in some obscure bid to block the pain out. Both of them had been trembling, blood trickling down their backs as their white-knuckled fists shook almost violently, both showing incredible self-control by not crying. The moment that they untied the panting smith, he had caught the wounded woman when she was unchained to keep her from falling, the agony of moving clear on his features. While Minako stayed behind to file charges of her own, the large smith had gingerly helped the slave make her way back to the brothel. "You didn't have to watch, you know." The green eyed woman stated.
"Yes, I did. And light duty for you, Makoto. No lifting, no throwing people over balconies, and for Heildar's sake, no fighting! Escort duty only, and rest until Ami clears you." The woman ordered in a firm voice.
Instead of the scathing remark that Minako was expecting, she only heard a gruff agreement, followed by the woman taking a deep drink of the alcohol. It might just be the pain fogging the woman's mind, but at least for once, Makoto wasn't arguing with her.
