A/N: I would say that I'm sorry about not being active here, but the truth is that I'm not. I went to England to see my two amazing partners, and it was the best experience of my life. Leaving them was probably the most difficult thing I have ever done, but they are now planning on coming down in October to meet my family. What's going to happen to my writing? Well, all of it is going back to no schedule as my work hours have shot back up and Guild Wars 2 has been my newest addiction. Deal With It has been put on hiatus with everything else as I have lost inspiration and drive for that one. I thank everyone for your patience, and I hope to continue writing up more frequently again.
A/N 2: This chapter is up a bit ahead of schedule as today, June eighth, is the birthday of one of my partners and both of them love this fanfiction. (I may have gotten them to start watching PGSM.) This story takes priority over all the others due to the fact that they both love it so much. That's right; if they love a fanfic of mine, I instantly will make an effort to write more of it more frequently. Te amo, my dearest love. And happy birthday.
WARNING: Contains prostitution, lesbians, bisexuals, slavery, violence, and drama. This chapter is very tame. TRUST ME.
With love,
Korrupted.
Shout Outs:
Tayo G: Thank you very much! I also ship Ami/Mako, but I can ship poor Mako with almost all of the Senshi. Minako and Rei are two of my favorites, along with Haruka. Anyways, have this chapter... AND READ IT! I hope you continue to love this story as it progresses.
DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Sailor Moon. If I did, I would be super rich and could easily move to be with my lovers right this very moment. Sucks, doesn't it?
"That whatsoever free-born [English] woman shall intermarry with any slave, shall serve the master of such slave during the life of her husband; and that all the issue of such free-born women, so married shall be slaves as their fathers were."
-Maryland Slave Code of 1664.
Minako was still in a jovial mood five days later as they entered a bustling city, grinning from ear to ear as they navigated the streets atop their mounts with minor difficulty. Though it was only two bells past midday, there was still an unusually high number of people milling about, making Makoto already wary of her surroundings. Only one guard stopped them to check on Makoto's arming notice, and after a quick wave of the paper, they were off again to reach the place the madam had been looking for; a small yet lovely looking brothel known as Red Moon Tavern. With a wide grin, Minako dismounted with her charge following suit as the two women secured their horses and entered, a young, heavily accented voice cutting through the quiet of the tavern.
"Minako! Good t'be seein' ye!"
Two sets of eyes were instantly drawn to a young woman with long red hair, pale yet flawless freckled skin, and green eyes a bit deeper tone of emerald come walking over with an impish grin, arms open to embrace the blonde. The madam hugged the younger female firmly with a happy chuckle, pulling away to inspect the girl Makoto glanced at warily. "Ranait, it's good to see you too. Where's Max?"
"Madam Aino, to what do we owe the pleasure?" A silky and seductive voice purred, all eyes drawn to the source.
A woman clearly in her mid-thirties was descending the staircase with all the fluid grace of a panther, her dark eyes filled with a smoldering humor that could easily set any spark of lust ablaze in anyone. Light skin was just barely hinted with the lightest of tans, her dark, medium length brown hair waved and styled smartly to accent her features. Her tight corset and very high slit skirt only heightened the powerful air of raw sexuality that she seemed to exude from every inch of her being. Even Makoto was blinking at her in mild awe, but the blonde madam simply smiled at her.
"Oh, just was travelling through the area and thought I would see you." Was her kind reply, the young redhead happily returning to her place behind the bar.
Max continued her slow, somehow sultry gait down the stairs to Minako, but her gaze halted on the Kishu woman to linger on the golden shackles. "Well now. I never thought you would stoop so low as to purchase a slave, Madam Aino." The brunette stated coolly, her tone condescending.
Makoto, however, instantly moved to stand in front of her master like a living shield, emerald hues full of anger. "Master Aino did not 'stoop' to claim me. She did so to save my life, and I will defend my friend from anyone who speaks ill of her." She snapped. "Even her so-called friends."
Minako's eyes went wide, afraid for her charge as she threatened her friend in no uncertain terms. Instead, the other madam laughed heartily, grinning at the pair of now confused women. "A fiery one, eh? I like her!" Her attention was pulled when a few of her employees were trying to wrangle the young redhead from the stash of throwing blades hidden below the counter. "Renny, put those down." Max firmly commanded.
"But Maaaaaax!" The Irish teen whined, tossing one about with the certainty of one well versed with that weapon.
"Renny, don't make me tell you again."
The Gaelic girl huffed as she deposited the item back where it had come from daintily, then walked with a similar, though far less seductive gait than the brothel owner's to the trio. On her way, a few of the male and female workers mildly scolded her for playing with the blades, but none had any sort of actually anger or force behind their words. The smaller female stood next to Max, the older woman shifting on her feet to lean closer to the ginger at what seemed to be a subconscious level, leaving Makoto a bit confused. But before she could open her mouth, the older madam spoke loudly to her staff.
"It's nearly half past two bells, and we will be opening shortly. Make sure all is ready for our guests to arrive."
Murmurs of acknowledgement echoed around as the finishing touches were put into place, Ranait going to the door and leaning around it to light the glass housed candle to mark that the establishment was now open. Just as the final cups and expensive glasses were set on the bar, a few men dressed in fine silks were already making their way into the brothel, the staff greeting them in their own fashion as they sat down and selected their entertainers. Within minutes a few more arrived, one slipping one of the young male workers several gold coins and whispering into his ear, finally allowing himself to be lead upstairs to a bedroom.
Minako watched Ranait deftly serve drinks to the patrons, noting their roaming eyes but the obviously not grabbing hands. It was clear that the patrons all knew better than to make any advances on the young woman. "So, Madam Max." She heard Makoto begin. "Is Ranait your daughter or something?"
The blonde woman couldn't help groaning and sinking her face into her hands as her friend grinned savagely, a blushing yet giggling Renny walking over after she was beckoned with a crook of her boss' finger. Max stood, and smoothly glided to stand behind her moments before sliding a hand down the front of her dress to grasp one pale breast as the other wrapped around her waist possessively, her lips kissing from the ginger's left earlobe to the crook of her neck lewdly. "I can assure you that Ranait Ó Conghalaigh is not my daughter." She nipped the tender area a few times, the girl in her arms biting her lower lip as a quivering whimper escaped her. "After all, mothers do not engage in acts like this with their daughters."
Shockingly enough, the blushing Kishu woman looked only mildly discomforted, shrugging absently. "Well, you both are in a brothel and it's clear that they treat her with a sort of respectful desire. I've seen stranger things to be honest."
Though the still filling bordello was now loud with lusty patrons at the display, the owner could only laugh as she released the panting redhead, helping her to fix her clothing. "Well, I assume that's fair enough then."
When the blushing girl once again went off to her task of serving the patrons, Max's gaze was sure to watch any of the men who leaned a bit too close to her. "She is not my daughter, but rather my apprentice of sorts. I," she smirked and amended herself. "All of us here raised her from five years of age until now. She's much like the prize of the brothel as she is still a virgin. Though I have had many very wealthy men offer obscene amounts of money to change that."
Verdant orbs blinked. "Any particular reason for you not allowing them? No disrespect, but I would have thought anyone who would be an apprentice to a madam wouldn't be a virgin."
Hazel eyes narrowed slightly as the woman sat up, the body language subtle yet telling. "Because right now isn't the right time. I will be sure of her being taken care of properly when that time comes. I have taught her all that I can while keeping her physically innocent, but Renny chose to be my successor. And as such, I am fulfilling my role as mentor."
Minako looked back at the young redhead as the girl cast the patrons impish winks, adding a stretch to her motions that gave them a more tempting view down her dress. She was flirtatious, mischievous, playful, vibrant, everything that her mentor typically wasn't. It was hard for the blue eyed madam to recall watching her grow up as a young girl, to see Ranait blossom into a very beautiful seventeen year old girl, but she could. And yet, there was a certain kind of tension between them. Something that they both knew shouldn't be there.
Hours of chattering eased the air between Makoto and Max, the two women talking with gentle jabs to each other. It was good to see the slave relaxed in a public setting and hear her laughing freely, green eyes bright with humor. It had just chimed the half six bell mark when the now drunk patrons began to cry out for a song, which caused the auburn haired woman to quiet, ready to pounce should things get out of hand. However, Ranait instead laughed and called for order as she made her way to a small raised section of the bar, the patrons cheering happily before obeying.
The young girl sang clearly, sweetly, her voice high and light, heavy with her accent as words flowed from her lips. The bar was full of song as she went through many drinking tunes, unruly voices slurring out their own tone-deaf renditions of Irish melodies as the ginger continued, deep green eyes gentle and full of a relaxed light. She seemed at home on the stage, singing away the trouble and toil of the day with a playful smile and a beckoning voice. Even her fellow employees were calm and happy at the sound; the young woman seemed to unite every walk of life under that roof through her song, linking them together when life tried so desperately to keep them divided.
Minako watched as her friend smiled warmly at Renny, tapping her fingers lightly on the table and humming along with her faintly. It was strange to see Max connected to the crowd as well after so many tales from Dalila of her being somewhat of a black sheep among her own staff. It was just another credit to the small Irish woman and her ability to bridge folks together, even one who enjoyed lingering unseen in the shadows. And yet here Max sat, more relaxed and content than the blonde could recall, and clearly at ease with her life. And her charge.
Finally, the songs drew to a close, the last one starting with a solemn tone.
"Oh, Danny boy. Th' pipes, th' pipes are callin'."
The older woman smiled contently, a happy sigh escaping her as she sipped at a glass of wine a worker had brought her. "Hmmm... I always love this song." She murmured, watching Renny as the youth's verdant hues swept over the crowd.
"From glen t'glen, an' down th' mountain side. Th' summer's gone, an' all th' roses fallin'. It's ye, it's ye must go, an' I must bide."
Renny took a deep breath in, her voice gaining a bit of power to it.
"But come ye back when summer's in th' meadow. Or when th' valley's hushed an' white with snow. Tis I be there in sunshine or in shadow. Oh Danny boy, oh Danny boy, I love ye so."
Minako was about to applaud when she realized that the song wasn't over, unfamiliar with there being a second verse to the song. Renny's body seemed to soften a bit, wilt even as she went on, her voice soft and a bit sorrowful as she looked directly at Max now, as if ignoring all else in the world and singing to her alone. The younger madam could swear that she saw her eyes welling up, but it could be just a trick of the light.
"But when ye come, an' all th' flower's are dyin'. If I am dead, as dead I well may be. Ye'll come an' find th' place where I am layin'. An' kneel, an' say an Ave there for me."
A few tears fell from bright green eyes as the girl continued, all of the occupants of the establishment silent, her voice now soft, serene, and full of a pained, resigned longing, Max's own expression somber and saddened as well.
"And I shall hear how soft ye tread above me. And all my grave shall warmer, sweeter be. For ye will bend an' tell me that ye love me. And I shall sleep in peace until ye come to me."
When the last note had finished flowing from her lips, the bar erupted into roaring applause, the girl snapping out of whatever trance had held her captive to grin at the rowdy patrons and curtsy politely before scurrying down and back to the bar. Max had quickly pulled back up her mask of polite distance, watching everyone slowly returning to their previous tasks before she looked at her wine solemnly. The liquid seemed to be filling slowly with shadowy oil, tendrils moving silkily in the crimson drink to draw Minako's attention, her expression full of confusion that turned into concern.
"Max." She hissed warningly, tilting her head sternly down to the glass the moment their eyes met.
Instantly, the shadows vanished and the blonde released a small breath that she had been holding. Yet a quick and sharp whisper hit them both hard from Makoto.
"The hell was that in the wine just now?"
The elder Madam frowned and took a casual sip of her beverage, looking at nothing in particular before responding just as quietly. "My shadows. Nothing to fear, my dear."
"'Shadows'?"
A weary sigh escaped Max. "Yes. Shadows. Some of us have gifts in this kingdom." Another sip. "I am guessing you are wary of such power, correct?"
Emerald eyes narrowed a bit, a suspicious posture adopted by Makoto as she sat back. "We don't like to meddle in power we know nothing of. A gift like that can also kill when used wrong. Even someone you wish to aid. Kishu learn that young to keep from wanting to abuse power."
Minako carefully studied her charge as the elder woman excused herself, knowing that she should wait a while before attempting to prod at the subject. Makoto was a woman of many secrets, and Minako had learned that she earned the right to know on the former warrior's terms. And so her gaze fell once again to the young Irish girl, Ranait laughing heartily at whatever the male patron in front of her had said. Another handful of workers sat beside chatty clients, all wearing kind expressions and subtly desire-filled gazes; the longer you kept a paying patron talking, the less time you spent on your knees or back. It was a useful tactic to ensure that they also remembered them so they would get return clients.
Red hair moving towards the stairs caught Minako's attention, and she too excused herself to follow Ranait, curious about the emotion behind her final song. They had reached the landing before the girl spoke without so much as glancing back at her. "What d'ye need, Mina?"
A smirk tugged at the whip wielder's lips. "You're even better than me these days, Renny." She went on, a bit softer. "What's going on, though? That song... You made it feel different. It felt sad, and..." Minako paused before finding the word she had been searching for. "Hopeless."
The girl seemed to sag slightly, beckoning her companion to follow her into her room and closing the door.
It was a simple room, mostly furniture with only a few elegant touches that clearly had been gifts from her mentor. A small bed sat against the far wall, an old and clearly well-loved stuffed wolf nestled amid the pillows. A few pots of powders and sweet smelling oils lay atop a small vanity, bits of jewelry next to them, and several semi-precious stones that had likely been fished out of a stream. Minako returned her attention to the form of Ranait slumped slightly against the door, waiting for her to speak; it didn't take much longer.
"Minako, ye know I'm nothin' special. I just... Keep breakin' my own heart like a bloody fool."
Ocean orbs carefully watched downcast green, the pieces falling into place before her. "Renny... You love Max, don't you?"
Pale hands flew up to hastily brush away tears, the teen almost seemingly infuriated with herself for crying. "Aye. I know I shouldn't, but... Aye..."
"But she is devoted to-"
"Th' Queen, aye! I know!" More vigorous wiping. "Max loves th' Queen, and I have t'forget about it."
The blonde madam carefully walked over to the stubborn girl, tenderly pulling her into an embrace. After a bit of weak struggling, Renny relaxed and cried into the shelter of her friend's shoulder, a hand gently stroking her hair in an attempt to soothe her. "Renny, I know what your duty is, and I know that it hurts, but have you spoken to her about this?"
Renny shook her head. "No, I... I can't Mina. Don't ye get it? I can't love her, an' tellin' her is fair pointless." She stated in a slightly choked voice, pulling back to wipe her face clean. "I don't even think she cares for me in th' same way. She loves Her Majesty, an' Her Majesty loves her back."
Minako watched the younger girl sadly sit on her bed with a graceful fluidity that many trained workers her age still struggled to master, her green orbs still swimming with tears. It wasn't fair that Ranait had to carry such a burden on her shoulders, but to her queen there hadn't been much of a choice; Renny could still recall being taken from her family by the royal guard with nothing but Adulfo when she was five after she was discovered. The tale still left a bitter taste in the older woman's mouth, but it wasn't her place to challenge a queen, let alone one that wasn't hers. Still, Renny was doing less than no good by bottling up her feelings for her mentor and caretaker. "But you'll never know unless you say something, sweetie." Minako tried in a very gentle voice.
There was a bitter, watery chuckle of defeat. "Minako, I'm nothin' but a country peasant girl. Max is th' lover to th' Queen." Tears spilled over once more as their eyes met. "What could I possibly offer that she can't?"
To this, Minako could find no hopeful words, no soothing thoughts to voice for her saddened companion. With a disheartened sigh, the woman pat Ranait's shoulder and left the room, making it only seven yards before she all but ran into Max. Who seemed to have appeared out of the shadows that curled around her. "Is something wrong with Renny?" The tone was clearly concerned.
"Yes." Was the simple answer. "She's in love and knows that her duty to your Queen won't allow anything to come of it."
The elder madam bowed her head. "I... Know. I have known for some time now."
Minako wanted to throw her hands into the air in frustration. "Then why don't you tell her something?!" She hissed. "That you do or don't want her back?! Max, you have to do something about this!"
Shadows curled a bit closer to the woman. "Because she is needed by the Queen." However a coy smirk touched onto her scarlet lips. "I did, however, grant Renny her first kiss. Foolish girl was going to get herself into a mess of a situation if I hadn't stepped in that day. She was hell-bent on at least being kissed."
"And? Do you care for her?"
Dark eyes met azure, serious yet secretive. "I care for her deeply. How I feel exactly, I do not know. But I must do as I am bidden. And whatever the Queen wants, I will give."
"Why am I constantly surrounded by stubborn women?!" She cried out, walking away several steps before halting. "These are not my affairs, Max. But mark me well; say what you must while you can. We both know that Renny's days might be numbered, and there might come a time where you can no longer tell her anything again. Remember that."
With a frustrated huff, Minako descended the stairs, looking at the brothel to try to locate her charge. She found her talking in a corner to an older male worker, the man hugging her firmly as she spoke into his ear, apparently trying to console him. She had no idea who the man was to her, but it seemed that others knew a great deal more about the slave than she did. Once, that thought would have irked her to no end, but now? Now she could accept that there might be parts of her friend's life that she may never know.
Makoto glanced up to see her master approaching slowly to give her time to finish up with what she was doing. Pulling back, she glanced the scant inch up at the former soldier and gave him a stern nod as she clasped his forearm. "Now, dry up and get back to work. And not a soul can know that you have seen me."
"But, Hens-" He began, but a glare silenced him.
"Not. A. Soul. Understand, Harris? Who I was no longer exists."
With a weary nod, the male submitted, wiping his face and returning to his previous task of giving out drinks while Makoto began her walk towards her companion. The moment they were face to face, the auburn haired woman spoke. "An old friend. He was military with me, and I never knew what became of him after I was enslaved." A small chuckle. "Never thought he would choose this after the troops."
Before Minako could close her wide-open mouth, -Makoto suspected that she hadn't expected to hear such an honest answer to easily- she went on.
"It's too dark to continue on tonight, Minako. I suggest that we find lodgings and leave for Landenholt in the morning. What do you think, Mistress Blondie?"
Minako furrowed her brow and thought deeply for a good bit. Her charge did look rather work from travel, it was late, and they both were still recovering from a mix of would-be bandits and snake bites. Staying the night in Raitloche was looking better and better by the second.
"I suppose you're right, Mako. If I can swing it, we might be able to grab a decent room at the inn." She admitted.
A voice behind her spooked her slightly. "Or, you and your friend are welcome to stay here." They both looked at Max as she sipped at another glass of wine. "I won't hear of either of you lodging at that filthy inn. It's a matter of pride that my friends know they are free to reside under my roof."
"Before my Master can shove her foot into her mouth, we accept your very generous offer."
Even as Minako glowered at her from a cherry red face, Max was already grinning and motioning up the stairs. "We do have an empty room. It's the second to last one down the second corridor. But be warned that there is only one bed."
At this point, the blonde took charge of the conversation by ending it. "We'll figure something out, thanks. Night, Max."
Taking a firm hold of Makoto's wrist, Minako all but dragged the taller woman up the stairs, eliciting whistles and cat-calls from both residents and patrons alike down below. Pressing on through the structure, Minako located the room with relative ease (and some directions from Jessica) and looked at the twin sized bed fondly. It had been a few weeks since she had last slept on one, and she was ready to weep with relief.
But there was that pesky issue now of sorting out who would sleep where, which quickly became a non-issue.
"You take the bed. I'm quite comfortable with sleeping on the floor." The Kishu woman stated in a tone that left no room for debate.
Swiftly she gathered up a blanket from the foot of the bed, a pillow, and made herself as cozy as possible on the woven rug on the floor after pulling off her boots, trousers, shirt, and changing the wrapping on her mostly healed shoulder wound. Minako sighed before undressing as well, crawling into bed with a cooing sigh of sweet relief of the soft comfort that only a proper bed could give. The sleeping furs were well enough, but a bed was unbeatable. Settling in, Minako nestled herself into the blankets, the cool pillow under her cheek beckoning her to the slumber she craved.
But for some reason, sleep refused to come.
Minako tossed, turned, and fluffed her pillow before giving up and laying still, listening to the sounds of the room. Max must have warded the room against noises, because not a sound from the busy bordello below could be heard. Tiny whispers of the breeze outside met her ears, the even breathing of her friend on the floor by the foot of the bed mingling with the wind; how did she manage to fall asleep so easily?! No matter how much she wanted to drift off into the peaceful abyss of dream, it seemed to always slip through her fingers like smoke.
"Mako?" She finally whispered, hoping she wouldn't wake the slumbering woman. "I can't sleep."
"You too, huh?"
Minako sat up in shock, her vision having adjusted to the darkness of night. Sure enough, Makoto lay on her side, eyes wide open and searching the room for dangers. "Maybe we should try sleeping together again. We've been sharing a bedroll for a while now, and it could help."
The madam couldn't dispute the logic, shifting aside a little for the former soldier. "Would you please join me then?"
In a voice barely above a whisper, Minako could have sworn she heard the slave mutter under her breath a single sentence.
"I thought you'd never ask, Mina."
In a flash, the stronger frame eased in behind her, the familiar weight against her back melting away the last few powerful knots of worry. As sleep finally began to drag her into it's depths, Minako smiled and snuggled back to lay flush against her guardian, feeling safe in the loose embrace.
"Night, Mistress Blondie. Don't snore too loudly."
Max knelt before a woman with golden wheat colored hair, feeling those stern hazel eyes upon her. The advisers in the room held no meaning to her, only her beloved Queen mattered to the madam.
"Spy Master." A detached female voice stated from the right. "How goes the training of the Beacon?"
Her jaw clenched slightly. "It goes well."
"Good. Then we need to prepare for the next step. Her Royal Majesty will send pulses through the Beacon to test how much power she can handle. Small pulses to start, but gradually increasing."
The woman on the throne spoke, her voice soft, sweet, but full of latent strength. "What if something goes wrong?"
"Then the Spy Master will alert you so you are able to stop. The death of the Beacon is only an acceptable loss when it's on the battlefield."
Max snapped, her head jerking to look at the advisers in fury. "Renny. Her name is Renny. For the love of God, you could call her by her name instead of her purpose!"
Cold silence met her ears for a good few moments. "Do not tell us you've become attached to her. You're a brilliant spy master and unparalleled Shadow Master. Don't tell us you've forgotten her purpose to the Queen and country."
She could still picture the five year old standing between a troop of armed guards, her freckled face streaked with tears, thumb firmly in her mouth, and stuffed wolf tightly pinned to her chest via her arm. The tiny child who had been torn from her family and thrust into the highly reluctant care of a brothel owner; Ranait's saving grace that moment had been how cute she had looked. "No. I am not attached." She lied defiantly.
"Good. The new training begins in three days. Good night, Spy Master."
In a flurry of arrogance and gaudy clothes, the advisers left, the Queen and Max alone at last. When tender hands cupped Max's cheeks, she glanced up into the adoring gaze of her ruler, rising to her feet fluidly. "Don't worry." The Queen whispered. "I've grown fond of her too. I'm not willing to risk her life. Not for a war. Not unless I have no other choice."
Leaning down to close the three inch height gap, Max kissed the woman deeply for several seconds, pulling back to reply, in a playful voice, "That little shit sure knew how to get under our skin. I'll keep a close eye on her, my love. She's important not just for her role as your Beacon, but as our friend too."
The small Queen huddled close, almost hidden against her lover. "A war is coming, though. I just hope it's not the one that calls us to us our power." She buried her face in Max's bosom. "I couldn't stand losing you, Renny, or any of the circle."
Max stared at the wall behind her lover, frowning. The circle was comprised of three people; the General, the Mage, and the Spy Master. They were there to protect the queen at the closes level and were her most trusted friends. While Ranait wasn't part of the circle, she was close to them all. Too close by the standards of the council. They felt that she should be treated more like the weapon she was destined to possibly be one day.
"I hope not too, my dear. For all of our sakes, I hope not too."
