A/N: I am sorry for the belated upload, but life has been insane. This chapter had been so difficult to write since I am planning my trip to England in a few months and stuff. A LOT of my fics are now on hiatus, and Deal With It may be the next to be put on hold for now if chapter seven doesn't start cooperating. Next chapter will be a lot on Makoto, so be prepared.
WARNING: Contains violence, gore, slavery, prostitution, language, and fighting. Really tame.
With love,
Korrupted.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Sailor Moon. Because really. Do you honestly fucking think I would be writing on here if I did? Yeah. I didn't think so.
"If any slave resists his master correcting such a slave, and shall happen to be killed in such correction the master shall be free of all punishment as if such accident never happened."
-Virginian protective law 1705
Minako woke slowly, her leg stiff from sleep as she hissed in pain, gingerly moving her still tender appendage. She gently rubbed around the bite, avoiding sensitive area on purpose to keep away any more agony, her lips set in a tight frown. Slowly she moved the limb, hissing as a dull throb ached on her thigh.
"Don't move so much, you damn idiot. Here, let me clean it." A stern voice scolded from behind her.
Turning her upper body, the blonde watched as Makoto deposited a freshly dead rabbit onto the ground, her emerald hues hard. After a few moments of cleaning her hands with water from a wine skin, the slave took up the other skin and took a swig before handing it over to the Madam, using the grey salve from one of her belt pouches. "An old Kishu remedy for rat viper bites. It will help your leg more than my arm." She stated as she slathered it on.
"Thank you." Minako whispered kindly. "For saving my life."
The auburn haired female rolled her eyes, her focus still on the wounded limb. "You saved mine first, so it's fine. Besides, I promised to keep you safe, so that's what I'm going to do, Mistress Blondie."
They remained in a comfortable silence as Makoto wrapped the leg once more, her hands gently tugging down the loose breeches. Minako wondered if she had dressed her in her own clothing. Judging by the size, the answer was yes. As the taller woman remained kneeling beside her, the Madam couldn't help but notice her nervous fidgeting, her furrowed brow tight as she finally spoke in a voice that was barely above a whisper. "Minako, may I ask you something?"
"Sure."
The stronger slave took in a deep breath, running her hand through her hair; something Minako had come to learn was a sign her charge was trying to put her words into careful order. "Back... back when you were delirious that first night, you started going on about..." She stared at the golden wrist cuffs blankly. "What happened with your parents."
The blonde winced, shuddering at the mention of one of her darkest moments, verdant orbs meeting ocean blue hues cautiously. "Do you want to talk about it?"
The whip wielder felt a wave of relief hit her at the phrasing. Makoto wasn't asking what had happened, or to retell it, she was asking if Minako was willing to consider doing so. Worrying her lower lip, the shorter woman moved her legs slowly to keep from cramping before nodding. "I... I guess it can't hurt if you've heard some of it already."
She could hear her charge changing positions to sit more comfortably. Minako took in a slow, steady breath to prepare herself moments before her throat threatened to close on her, trying to keep back the terrible memories from being voiced. Swallowing the painful lump in her throat, the Madam looked at her slave's face nervously. Makoto sat quietly; calm, reserved, waiting patiently yet clearly willing to back off. That alone helped give her the strength to begin. "I was the youngest of seven. A mixed lot before me, and both Mother and Father were already struggling to support the others. When I was about eleven, they just couldn't support all of us anymore."
Ocean hues slid shut, hands gripping the fur blankets tightly. "So, that year during the Flower festival, they took me into town to see it. I had never been so far into that part of the city, and everything was so pretty so I didn't see them slip away from me."
She could hear the sharp inhale of breath from Makoto, almost sense the stronger woman stiffen in rage as tears burned at her own eyes. The blonde could still smell the roasting meats, the flowers. Still hear the laughter of the other people, the cheers from the ale houses. She could still feel the panic when she realized she couldn't find her parents. "They left me there, and then left the city with my siblings. I was alone, scared, hungry, cold, and lost. For weeks. A f-few people would give me food, but I just... I was so scared, Mako." She hid her face in her hands, still recalling the lewd offers from men for warmth and food at the cost of her company in their beds as tears ran down her cheeks. "A-after a while, I started being a pr-rostitute to survive."
She felt strong arms slip around her shoulders, pulling her against the other woman firmly in a protective embrace. The limbs were trembling, as if struggling to hold back the urge to pummel her parents as she had done to Gaven, Toddrick, and possibly many others. "Minako, I am so, so sorry." Long fingers ran through blonde locks in a soothing gesture. "No parent should abandon their child. No Kishu would ever do that. Even if one family died and left a child, the entire village would help raising them."
The tall slave continued to hold the blonde, letting her cry out her buried pain, cling to her tunic as she trembled with sobs that should never have needed to be voiced. Once upon a time, she would have given anything to see her master cry like this, and been content to smirk at her misery. But that wasn't her anymore. Makoto hated seeing these tears, feeling how the smaller frame was wracked with powerful sobs, and it made her so desperately want to hurt anyone who ever hurt Minako. She tucked her master's head under her chin as she cradled the distraught woman, humming some nameless tune she had picked up in her travels quietly. Never had she even dared to think she would be comforting any of her masters and truly meaning it, but Minako was more of her friend now; she might legally own her, but she was anything but a slave owner to her.
Minako finally calmed down, but remained curled into Makoto's body, taking solace in the warm comfort that the strong woman offered her. It was nice to be held, to not have to be the strong one as she did at the brothel, to be able to break down and have someone else be the stronger person. She didn't know how long they remained like that, nor if she dozed off, but the next the she knew was that the green eyed slave was grunting slightly as she shifted positions.
Makoto was stiff from remaining in her crouched position for so long, but her master had dozed off for some much needed rest; she hadn't had the heart to let her go. When she felt the whip wielder stir, verdant hues turned down to gaze at her kindly, a small smile on her lips at the relaxed, but sleepy expression she found there. "Hey. How's the leg?" She inquired.
The madam moved the stiff limb slowly, wincing. "Sore, stiff, a bit ache-y. But, I'm sure I'd be dead if not for you."
The brunette shrugged off-handedly and looked around intently. After several moments, a grin broke onto her lips. "Know what would help you feel better?"
Before the blonde could even consider an answer, Makoto was already giving her one.
"A soak in a hot spring."
Minako hadn't known that Makoto was strong enough to carry her on her back to the horse, but she had discovered that fact rather quickly. Camp broken down, things packed, her own horse still on a lead to her charge's, they started on the short trip to the spring. She found herself nestled rather comfortably against the tall slave's chest in side-saddle, lightly gripping the thick tunic for support as the large beast lumbered along. The air was getting cooler, but the madam was still bundled in furs to help keep her warm, watching the trees slowly march past them.
She took the time to notice how sure Makoto was in her saddle, how her eyes were both focused and roaming for danger, how strong the frame was below the clothing. It was a comfort to know that she was in such good care, but Minako's curious thoughts were interrupted by the other woman chuckling. "Still remembered..." Was the soft murmur before she spoke louder. "We're here."
Blue orbs turned to take in the area they now were; rocks, trees, moss, and a very large hot spring. The water shone clear, the steam thick and heavy in the chilled autumn air, the entire scene almost mystical. The whip user let the stronger woman climb down first before being helped down next -furs and all- and carried over to a large rock. The moment the Kishu woman began stripping off her boots, Minako stiffened up with a red face, stammering as Makoto gripped the hem of the tunic on the lighter skinned woman. "I-I-I can disrobe mys-self, thanks!" She squeaked, completely mortified at the idea of her clothes removed by someone else as if she was a child.
Instead, the firm hands continued, ignoring the protests. "Shut up and let me help you, you damn idiot. You're more injured than I." Her companion scolded sharply.
With a furiously blushing grumble, the madam yielded and let the slave undress her, holding one arm over her breasts with the other positioned modestly between her thighs to hide her womanhood; which was comical given her line of work. Makoto said nothing as she began to undress herself, blue eyes glancing at her covertly to spy at the form of the taller woman. In the months since she had taken the green eyed female as her slave, the brunette had filled back out to a healthy weight, her skin a rich olive tone in place of the dirty pallor, muscles clear below the surface. Even the scars that stood out on her flesh looked better, though the ones on her back from the whipping were just a touch darker due to being newer. Minako casually glanced at the large bust, the long legs, the golden shackles that were all the other woman now stood in as she leaned close to carry the smaller female in her arms.
As Makoto scooped her up, Minako pouted and shifted to cover herself again, blushing as the slave gingerly made her way into the water of the spring. The initial warmth made them both hiss, but slowly, the brunette walked deeper in, and the heated water began to soothe the viper bites as promised. After several minutes of simply soaking, the blonde began to wriggle free of the careful grasp, wanting to try standing on her own volition in the spring. However, the very moment Minako tried to put pressure on her limb, she felt the leg give out under her, only saved from dropping under the surface by the assuring grasp of her charge. "Th-thanks." She whispered with a cautious smile.
A broad grin flashed back at her. "No problem, Mistress Blondie." She teased.
Minako rolled her eyes, letting the tall slave walk her towards a tree root hidden area, sighing in content as strong hands began to wash her body gently free of the sweat and dirt that was on her. The woman relaxed under the the touch, her leg in far less discomfort as time wore on in the spring. It was nice to be cared for, to not have to be the one that was relied on for once.
Makoto gently helped her back more to let her sit on a bench of roots, under the water, the younger woman hidden by the overhang of dirt. "Feel any better?" Was the soft inquiry.
Minako hummed in content, still relishing in the soak when a male voice broke through the quiet.
"Neh, wei ga haitar? Haitar, cou pei astar."
Instantly, the brunette slave stiffened, her eyes hardened as more male voices joined the first, the tone jeering. Her lips barely moved when she spoke. "Furaji men. Stay here, okay? They... Are being men, to put it lightly." Her expression darkened. "They came opposite of the horses, at least."
Blue hues met emerald orbs sternly. "Makoto, whatever you are planning, I don't like it."
"Haitar! Cou pei astar!" The male voice called out again.
"Minako, listen to me. They only have seen me. If you want to help, stay hidden. I can handle this."
"Haitar!"
Makoto turned abruptly, her body language shockingly shy and afraid, the posture submissive. The madam watched as her charge took a few hesitant steps closer to the source of the voices, hearing murmurs of approval. "I... I d-don't speak Raji..." The tall slave lied in a very nervous voice.
The blonde was stunned at the amazing control her charge had over her own body language, only the tensing between her shoulder blades a sign that she was not as innocent as she seemed. "Neh, slave girl." The male voice taunted in a thick accent. "Come here and entertain us."
"I... I'm out here with my master. He would be v-very unhappy if he saw this."
A hushed breeze of an arrow loosed followed by a sharp thunk sounded from somewhere above the hiding woman on the roots, anger building in her chest. They dared to threaten Makoto?! That was unacceptable, but she had no weapons in which to fight with, her eyes darting about to hunt for something, anything. She would even these odds, one way or another.
Makoto had to fight the fury that was welling up inside of her at the arrow being shot at her as a threat. They were truly pathetic. "Come here." The light skinned man commanded impatiently, his amber eyes narrowed.
Her limbs trembling in hate, not fear, Makoto complied slowly, gauging up each of the seven men as she moved. She could feel their eyes on her body, hear them appraising her in their native language. One had his sword on his right hip, a dagger in his boot, and knives on his wrist guards. The archer had a small blade on his waist as well, but his quiver was on his back sloppily. She could use that. Another sword, more knives, blades poorly concealed by clothing, on and on Makoto sized up her targets. When she shakily climbed out of the spring, strong hands roughly grasped her to haul her up, murmurs of glee at her being so tall.
"P-please, my master will be along shortly..." She lied, trying to gauge reactions, using her arms to cover herself modestly.
"We'll be your masters now." One man sneered from her shoulder height.
In the flash of an eye, the woman snatched up one of the arrows from the quiver and burrowed it into one of the men's eyes, turning swiftly to pull free the long sword from the smallest man's scabbard in the same motion. "I don't think so." She growled, emerald hues burning in calculating rage, her would-be assailants crying out in shock as they drew their own weapons.
All at once the six remaining men attacked, blades sweeping at the slaves as they loosed roars of anger. Swiftly, Makoto blocked one of the short swords with her left wrist shackle, the blade marking the golden item before glancing off while a deft thrust sank her own blade into the stomach of the archer, his innards spilling out to paint his trousers and boots the scarlet of gore. She ducked, twisted, and lashed out again to slash into another's thigh moments before a knife grazed her right bicep, creating a thin red line of blood on the tan surface. She dropped low and flashed her blade up into the offender's chest, the tip protruding out from the nape of his neck before the slave pulled it free to sweep it in an arc to give herself distance.
The men watched her warily as she hoisted a short sword in her left hand, both blades poised to strike as the brunette glanced between the four males. A dagger was parried with the short sword, the longer weapon snaking out to slash into the offer's arm just before she turned to block another attack. Makoto kicked out to land a powerful strike in one of their stomachs to send the man reeling, but another took the opening it had left. A steel blade swung at her throat to catch her golden collar, leaving a shallow gash on her shoulder and a chip out of the metal. She stabbed both blades into his body, wrenching them free to remove the head of another one, and finally stabbing one more in the throat.
Just as she pressed her right hand to the wound on her chest, a furious bellow sounded from behind her, causing the injured slave to face the final threat as he charged her with two swords of his own. However a root whipped out to catch his left arm, spinning him around just as a dagger was thrown deftly into his face. The hilt jutted out of his eye socket as the man dropped like a sack of flour to reveal Minako glaring angrily at the corpse, panting as she stood shakily by the tree that had been hiding her.
Makoto stood straight as she released her weapon, still holding the bleeding gash on her chest while watching her master, an auburn eyebrow arched in approval. Using a long root in place of her whip? Pure genius. "I sw-swear to Heildar, Mako... That was one of the most dangerous things I have ever seen. You could have been raped!" The blonde protested as she threw her makeshift weapon aside.
The slave simply scoffed at her words. "Been there, and I would not have given them the chance."
Blue eyes rolled in annoyance. "You and Haruka, I swear... Come on, let's take a look at your wounds." The Madam stated irritably, limping slightly.
Makoto followed in complete silence as they both made their way back into the water, the slave still on high alert for more foes to appear. The smaller blonde coaxed her charge into standing close, washing the blood gently away from the tan skin while grumbling angrily. It was clear that the older woman had upset her by putting herself into harms way, but when slender fingertips brushed the golden restraints, Minako halted her motions, looking rather distant. "Makoto...? I... I'm glad you're safe, but please... Don't do that again." Her gaze and hands dropped to the water. "I couldn't stand it if I was the reason something happened to you. You've been through enough."
A strong hand was placed under Minako's chin, tugging her attention back up to emerald orbs set in a firmly concerned face. "Minako Aino, you listen to me." The slave spoke in a very stern voice. "What I did was because you are a good person, and I care about your safety. Not because of a promise, nor because of being your slave. In fact, these probably saved my life just now." She touched the collar softly to indicate the restraints.
The smaller woman shifted, moving her weight off of her still healing leg as she sighed, glaring at the gash before returning to cleaning the wounds. "Still. You should be more careful."
Silence dragged on between them as the young madam gently splashed water onto the wounds, finally speaking again. "Why did you leave your village?"
The form below her hand stiffened, but then relaxed. "You'll find out in a few days. So, ask a different question."
Minako blinked in shock; had Makoto just willingly admitted that she would reveal a secret to her later? Instead of pressing her luck, she did as she was told and picked another question. "Were you a soldier?"
An odd, barking laugh escaped the auburn haired woman. "In a way. I fought for many years under the King's banner." A devilish smirk crossed rosy lips. "Maybe one day I'll tell you more."
The smaller woman smiled very softly at the teasing, already thrilled that she was getting this much from Makoto. When she had finished cleaning the brunette free of the blood and grime, they slowly made their way back to their clothes, and then horses. After a short debate, Minako was once again sitting atop her own steed, reins in hand as the duo headed out, their eyes roaming in case of more attackers.
After several hours, they finally reached a level area to set up camp, Minako minding her leg as she dismounted. The soak had improved it substantially, but she refused to over use it now. She could see the other woman favoring her injured arm and stepped closer to her, breath clearly visible in the frigid air. "Hey. Why don't you focus on hunting, alright? I'll work on the fire and setting up camp." She offered with a small smile.
The doubtful expression she gained made her worry for a moment before a heavy sigh was voiced. "Fine. Just... don't kill yourself, got it?"
Minako chuckled and waved her hand dismissively. "Yeah, yeah. I got it." How hard could setting up a camp and doing the fire herself be?
As Makoto walked away with her wooden spear, the madam started in on her tasks, limping as she pitched the tents and dug the privy. Next, she began to hunt for dry wood for the fire; a good amount was still damp from some light rainfall, so she found some dry vine-like bushes that looked fairly decent to use. Chopping the thick limbs down with the axe her charge had left behind, the blonde made short work of setting up the fire, striking the flint and steel to ignite the fluff she had placed below the kindling. After blowing on the tiny embers gently, the kindling caught, quickly followed by the vines, the fire slowly growing as she added more to keep it fed. She heard footsteps, turning to see Makoto carrying a few dead rabbits over her shoulder, a look of shocked approval on her face. "Hmm. Not bad. Looks like you've-" The brunette cut herself off quickly before dropping the rabbits the moment she saw what the blonde was burning. "Jakli's spear, Mina, GET AWAY FROM THERE!"
In an instant, strong arms were wrapping themselves around the smaller frame and dragging her away from the warmth of the fire, kicking dirt onto it with her left foot as well. Though Minako protested, Makoto's grip held firm, waiting several long moments after the fire had died down to release her master, breathlessly chuckling. "S-sorry about that, but that was wei'nyah, or 'death cloud'." She looked at the put out fire nervously. "Perfectly harmless normally, and the roots make a tea that is very good against many illnesses when steeped or grated, but if burned, it emits a scentless toxin into the air. It kills anyone who breathes in too much of it."
At this point, the small blonde was shaking in fear, staring at the pit in horror. She had opted to burn something that had the potential to kill her, and if Makoto hadn't come back, she probably would have died. "Why haven't I heard of this plant bef-fore?"
"Because it only grows in high altitudes in the cold seasons. My village is surrounded by clumps of it to keep attackers at bay. It dries very quickly, so most think to use it for firewood." Makoto chuckled a bit nervously. "I ask you to do one thing, Minako. Just one."
The blonde found herself joining in the anxious laughter in spite of herself, still held in her charge's arms from being pulled away. It was luck that Makoto cared about her, otherwise she would have been dead a few times now. "Y-yeah. Looks like I'm a hazard to myself, aren't I?"
They both laughed at themselves, utterly relieved that they both had avoided catastrophe once again that day. After making a new fire pit and Makoto teaching her what was safe to burn, they cleaned and cooked the rabbits before bedding down for the night. Minako pulled her furs close as the chill bit through them, her teeth clattering from the cold; perhaps she should have heeded Makoto's advice on bringing more furs with her.
At some point of the night, the blonde was roused by strong arms hoisting her up from her bedroll -furs and all-, groggily opening her eyes to see Makoto's face, the tall slave's breath visible in the night air. Without a word, Minako found herself gently deposited into her charge's bedroll, then pulled close before the many furs were tugged over the both of them. "Mako...? What are you doin'?" She sleepily inquired.
"Helping Mistress Blondie keep warm. Next time, maybe you'll listen when I tell you to bring more furs."
Too tired to argue more, and too warm to stay awake, Minako had no choice left but to grunt at her companion as sleep once again dragged her under it's influence.
The morning brought a new round of disorientation as Minako woke to someone softly breathing against her shoulder from behind her, arms holding her in a loose but firm embrace. It took a minute to remember that Makoto had pulled her into her own bedroll to help conserve heat again, slowly relaxing with that knowledge. It reminded her of the blurred memory of when they had both been feverish from the viper venom and they had shared a bedroll; comforting and almost reassuring. But after only a few more moments, there was a slow stirring from the auburn haired woman, a deep intake of breath accompanied by a groan as Makoto woke up. "Hmmmm..." Was the tired hum close to Minako's ear, the arms flexing as they were stretched in place.
The blonde shifted around to look at her companion, watching emerald hues blink lazily as sleep was rubbed from them. "Mornin' Minako." The amazonian woman slurred slightly, voice thick with sleep.
Minako grunted before stretching as well, sitting up to realize that Makoto's hair was down to allow auburn locks to cascade around her head freely. It was a different look for the slave than she was used to, but still it somehow suited her. However, it was still too early in her humble opinion for civilized conversation, the duo once more getting up to attend to their tasks before breaking down camp. As they mounted their horses, the Kishu woman took a moment to tie her hair back and say, "We'll reach my village in a few hours at most. So... Yeah." Before once more taking a loose, one-handed hold of her reins and leading the way.
It made the brothel owner curious about the guarded, almost melancholy way that Makoto had spoken of being so close to her home. Just what had happened that had caused the mountain dweller to leave her village in the first place? There clearly was some bad memory linked to it, and the desire to press for more gnawed at Minako like a hungry pup on a bone. Had there been a fight? A ritual? A disagreement? Had she done something terrible? So many questions threatened to bubble over from her lips and be asked, but with great effort were held at bay.
She had been so lost in thought that her horse had veered to avoid bumping her charge's steed when she had stopped in front of a carved stone. The blonde guided her horse around to stand beside Makoto, looking at the pained expression on the slave's face as she reached out one tan hand to trace the designs almost reverently. Just how long had she been gone? "Just past the next hill." Were the soft words thick with emotion as the horse started back up, Minako close behind.
In complete silence, they made their way up the hill, the only sounds being snorts and hoof steps from their mounts, both women tense with what was only a very short distance away now. The throbbing in Minako's leg was only light now, but it still pulled at her attention from time to time. The hill top was only a few yards away, ocean blue orbs trying to somehow gaze over it as Makoto halted her horse to wait for her, looking back with the saddest of smiles and tears in her eyes. "We're here." She stated, unable to stop the tears from falling as she turned back to look down the hill, her master catching up with her.
Minako felt her body grow cold at the sight that lay before her; a large village had once been here, but all that was left now were foundations long charred and over grown with plants. Stones clearly marked boundaries, but most of the wood had been lost long ago from exposure, leaving only the suggestion of this place being a once productive village. She felt her stomach twisting, her heart dropping violently as Makoto gently nudged her horse forward again, a pained joy on her lips, tears coursing down her cheeks relentlessly. "This... is my village."
Minako watched with horrified eyes as the woman continued towards the destroyed homes, her own horse following the other as the truth sank in. Makoto had known the state of her home, that she had left because of it. Not a soul had come through here in years, possibly decades, and yet the green eyed slave moved through places as if object were still there at times, making her way to a flat plot of land with stones poking out of the earth as if she had never left.
Makoto's home was a ghost village, and she was truly alone in the world. A woman enslaved and without a home.
