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Chapter 8: Invitation

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Sounds filled his ears, the soft humming of the early morning rousing him from his sleep. He was vaguely aware that he was on his back, and he opened his eyes slowly to see a bright blue sky hovering over him.

He wanted to sit up, but found that his limbs seemed to be made of lead. He wondered dimly if he had died.

Nee-san…? Are you here?

"Hello! What's this?" a loud and obtrusive voice suddenly exclaimed. Enishi tried to look around, but found that his head ached whenever he tried to move it. Why was he so sore?

A large mass of hair was suddenly in his line of vision. It took a minute for the shock to dissipate, and another minute to discern the pair of glasses and crooked smile within the mass of hair.

That old man was here?

Damn, that meant he was in hell.

"I was wondering when you'd be up!" he exclaimed happily, and Enishi could see a pair of crinkled eyes glinting behind the dirty glasses.

"Wha—what?" Enishi asked, his voice as hoarse as if he hadn't spoken in years.

"You're probably wondering why you're still alive, aren't you?" the old man grinned. Enishi screwed his eyes shut, then opened them again to see that the old man hadn't disappeared.

That meant he really was alive.

"That's right, sonny!" the old man laughed at Enishi's obvious bewilderment. "You're alive! And you know why?" Enishi didn't answer, but simply gazed at the old man. Another crooked grin was on his face, and he pointed to Enishi's left. "That little Chinese girl there had the nerve to break through Rakuninmura's defenses to bring a doctor to help you! You should have seen it, boy; I mean, she was swinging that little sword around like her…"

But Enishi had stopped listening. He turned his aching head slightly to the left and found a bundle of clothes set against the wall of the old shack. He blinked a few times, and soon realized that the bundle of clothes had a head, and that head belonged to Mei-Mei.

She was curled tightly in a ball, her petite figure seeming even smaller in that vulnerable position. He could see the top of her head, her black hair dirty and unkempt.

He turned his head back and let his eyelids droop. Soon they had closed completely, and Oibore's rant was a distant sound in the land of dreams.

Dreams of women with pitch-black hair and snow-white kimonos covered in crimson blood.

Past

Swish.

She couldn't help smirking to herself; the sound of the large sword in her hands flying through the air gave her a certain sense of… freedom. She had never experienced what it was like to have power in her hands.

Swish.

The sword stopped abruptly above her shoulder as she gazed at the reflection of her eyes staring back at her. Those eyes, burning with determination and looking back from a face that was covered in sweat, were really hers. No longer were they indifferent to her surroundings. No longer would they simply watch as someone took advantage of her.

Swish.

This was power.

Swish.

This was freedom.

She let out a controlled breath as she finished the final kata, then shouldered the watou.

Wiping her forehead with the back of her hand, she gazed at the courtyard around her. A calm silence that was unique to the very early morning had settled comfortably around her. She was sure that only a handful of people were out in the streets this early, and they most likely were shopkeepers getting ready for another busy day.

She took in another deep breath, loving how the crisp air felt within her. As she let it out she glanced at the sword on her shoulder. It had been a few months since she had begun learning Watoujutsu, and she was sure it had been a little over a year since she had been delivered to Enishi.

She headed to the armory to put away her sword, her face darkening.

Yukishiro Enishi, the man she hated above all others, had spent the past few months teaching her how to kill. She smiled grimly, thinking about how foolish he was, teaching a servant the deadly ways of the sword.

Her smile faltered, however, when she considered the fact that she had been living with him for more than a year and yet had not succeeded in causing him true pain.

Unacceptable. Simply unacceptable.

-

Mei-mei stepped out of the bathroom, comb in her mouth as she toweled her hair, and made her way to the small dining room. Sure enough, a large breakfast had been set out for her and Enishi. She sat down in one of the chairs and helped herself to some soup just as Enishi himself walked in.

He glanced at her, but otherwise made no sign of noticing her as he walked through the room and to the door opposite from where she had emerged. She was sure he was heading to the bathroom, and sure enough, five minutes later, he was back with a towel around his neck.

"Heading out?" she asked politely, causing him to stop and look at her.

He nodded curtly as he headed to the door that led to his own room. He returned once again with the towel off and a jacket draped on his shoulder.

"When should I expect you back, Master?" she asked, smiling coyly.

He narrowed his eyes at her in annoyance, but she only smirked in response.

"I'll be back early tonight," he stated as he grabbed a roll off the table.

"Really now?" she said, arching her eyebrows in surprise. He usually didn't come back until late at night. She watched him scarf down the roll, watching for signs of uneasiness or foreboding.

As he finished the roll, he stepped to the door once again, but this time he stopped before it, as if a thought had suddenly occurred to him.

He turned his head to consider her with one eye. "There will be another annoying banquet tonight. To avoid dealing with all the whores, I've decided to take you with me. Be ready by eight-o-clock." And without allowing her a chance to object, he strode through the doorway and disappeared.

She was left with a morsel of food halfway to her mouth, looking at where he had been standing seconds ago with shock.

A banquet? He was inviting her to a banquet? She had hardly stepped out of this wing since she first arrived, and now he was suddenly inviting her out to a banquet?

"What the hell!" she suddenly exclaimed, dropping her chopsticks into the bowl of soup.

"What is it, Mistress Mei-Mei?" a small voice suddenly asked, and Mei-Mei realized that Lindo had entered the room. Mei-Mei couldn't help smiling at Lindo's obvious apprehension, probably thinking that Mei-Mei found something about the food unacceptable.

If Lindo would stick around whenever Enishi was around, she would've heard why Mei-Mei was so shocked.

"Well," Mei-mei began, looking back to the doorway, "I guess I've got a party to get ready for."

-

"You look lovely, mistress," Lindo smiled nervously, as she usually did when giving her opinion. "I think the Master will be pleased."

Mei-mei couldn't help frowning at the thought.

She looked at the full length mirror before her, examining her meticulously prepared appearance. Her hair was up in an elaborate bun, quite different from the simple two buns or braid she usually gathered it in, and was decorated with a few different clips and ties. She was wearing a midnight blue dress that almost looked black, a silver crane stitched into the bottom corner as light petals of white snow fell around it. She had on makeup for the first time in a year, her lips blood red and her eyes rimmed in black.

The eyes she remembered from that morning, gazing back at her from the blade of a sword, were gone, replaced by the hard and chilling apathy of her old gaze.

"Are you ready?" she heard him say. She turned her head, glancing at him as she realized he had just stepped into the room. She looked around, and, sure enough, Lindo was gone.

"I suppose," she replied, turning to face him.

She watched as his eyes traveled from the top of her hair, taking in each ornament, and down her face, noting the makeup, and to her body. She couldn't suppress a shiver, thoughts of her previous life coming back to her.

He was, after all, still a man, and all men could be tempted by lust.

"Let's go," he said, turning away from her and her obvious discomfort.

-

They sat in silence in the small carriage as it made its way down the busy streets of Shanghai, heading to the red light district. Mei-Mei had compressed herself in the corner, trying to get as far away from him as she could while still trying to look indifferent. She hadn't forgotten how the look in his eyes had changed as he had taken in her appearance. She refrained from biting her lip, not wanting to ruin her lipstick, but clenched her fists into the fabric of her dress instead.

Enishi studied her from the opposite corner, following her thoughts with the expressions that surfaced on her face. Something had made her truly cagey, and he easily noticed how she was trying to avoid him, even if they were packed into the same little carriage.

He knew what was bothering her, and it bothered him, as well.

They had been living for over a year together, and he had never laid a finger on her. Why would he now?

And, why would she dread it so much, when he had hundreds of women to chase after the skirts of his clothes?

He turned his line of vision away from her, and stated simply, "You can stop worrying; I'm not going to do anything."

His eyes flickered to her surprised expression, illuminated by the lights of the city around them, and a small grin grew on his lips.

"Don't flatter yourself," he said, "Besides, I'm not that weak." He could see that she was frowning now, her perfect lips in a stern line as her painted eyebrows crinkled together. "And all that makeup looks ridiculous on you."

She was truly angry now; he could feel the white heat of her indignation radiating off her, even though her face was now a calm and stoic mask.

They felt the carriage jolt to a stop, and Enishi sat up straight, looking out of the small, curtained, window.

"We're here," he said as the door opened. He stepped down, then waited for her to emerge. She shuffled to the door, and realized he was holding out his hand to help her down.

He grinned at her surprise, then said, "It's all about appearances, you know that."

She gave him an icy look, then took his hand in silence as she stepped down, feeling the noise and life of the red-light district flood her.

Yes, she did know that.

She was back.

Present

"Are you going to eat this time, or will I have to force-feed you once again?" she asked simply as she sat down before him, another bento box in her lap. He recalled her stuffing food into his mouth, but everything after that was blurry and dark. He figured that was when he passed out.

"What? So you can nearly kill me again?" he snapped irritably. She broke the chopsticks apart with a dangerous look, then handed them to him without answering. He studied them for a moment, then glanced up at her, and finally took them.

She gave an approving smile and handed him the bento box.

As he began to eat (he didn't notice or care what he was eating—food was all the same to him) he realized Mei-Mei had sat down to his left, resting against the wall. She closed her eyes, and Enishi took the opportunity to take in her ragged appearance.

She had gotten thinner, her cheekbones more prevalent, and her hair, which was usually combed into a series of hairstyles, was gathered in a thick and dirty braid. Her clothes were covered in dirt as well, and he could tell she hadn't bathed in a while.

He chewed his food, thinking about how frail she had seemed as she slept in a tightly curled ball, gazing at the dirt floor ahead of him with a blank expression.

After he was done with half of the bento, he set it to the side and lay back down, picking up the old diary he had set down while he ate.

"I'm tired," he said to no one in particular as he shut his eyes. "I don't want the rest."

She gazed at him, her blue eyes wider than usual, as he willed himself to sleep. She looked down at the half-eaten bento box, then back at the white haired man who was now falling into sleep.

She took it silently, picking up the chopsticks and beginning to eat.

Past

"Master Enishi!" a short, pudgy, man exclaimed jovially as Enishi and Mei-Mei walked in to the large hall. "We were almost certain you had abandoned us once again!" He bowed humbly, though the wide grin never disappeared from his face. "We are so honored by your presence!"

Enishi smiled as well, ignoring Mei-Mei's look of disgust at the hordes of men who were stuffing their faces as hired women wooed and flirted with them. To think she could be one of them.

She glanced at Enishi's shallow smile, and sighed silently to herself, wondering who was better off.

-

"You haven't eaten much," she said simply, not looking at him as they both sat side by side (rather closely, in order to appear comfortable with each other) at a large table they had to themselves in the front of the hall.

"When do I ever?" he replied wearily as he watched his men/buffoons drink and be merry.

"It's all about appearances."

She played with her napkin, picking at the edges as she considered the possibility that maybe the life he led wasn't so different from her own.

"Master Enishi!" another loud and vexing voice exclaimed. After bowing, a large man sat down at the table by Mei-Mei. Enishi flashed another hollow smile, only slightly different from the one he had been wearing all night, at the man as he sat down.

"Good evening, Cheng," Enishi said rather cheerfully. "Are you enjoying yourself?"

"Of course I am, Master Enishi!" Cheng laughed heartily, "You spoil us with these parties you throw!"

"Anything to keep my comrades happy," Enishi smiled.

"Happy we are!" Cheng grinned, exposing large, square teeth. Mei-Mei couldn't help staring at how big they were, especially when he flashed them dangerously like that. She wondered how many people had those teeth imprinted as their dying image.

"After all," Cheng was saying, "Business is going well, we have a good grip on the market and on our rivals, and--" for the first time his gaze flickered to Mei-Mei "--the women here are beautiful."

Enishi's look of amusement didn't shift, even though Mei-Mei felt a flicker of uneasiness.

"Look at them, Master Enishi!" Cheng laughed, waving at all the women scattered about the tables, most of them in the arms of red-faced men. "They're healthy, vibrant women--" his eyes flickered to Mei-Mei once more "--beautiful and full, not to mention so willing to please, as any woman should be."

"Quite," Enishi replied, his aquamarine gaze steeling, even though the cheerful smile stayed in place.

Cheng grinned at Enishi, then lowered his voice slightly, "What I love about these banquets, and the women, is how willing everyone is to share them among their comrades."

Enishi took a sip of his tea, still smiling, and casually put his hand around Mei-mei's shoulders.

"I suggest you go find someone willing, then, Cheng," he said, still smiling, exposing his cold, livid, eyes by tilting his head down.

Cheng took the hint, and quickly changed the subject.

Mei-Mei sat in silence, picking at her napkin, now out of nervousness and not boredom, as she mentally thanked Lindo for putting so much white powder on her face.

This way her flushed cheeks were not visible.

Even though Cheng had backed down, and Enishi had clearly marked her as his own, he didn't move his hand from her shoulders.

-

She sighed heavily, letting the drape of darkness fall around her shoulders as she stepped outside into the courtyard. She had managed to get away from the horny chaos that was taking place in the banquet, and was now filling her lungs with the crisp air of the night.

She walked around the small courtyard, savoring the silence before she had to return to his side.

She shuddered as she thought about him, wrapping her arms around herself.

The look of intense anger he had given that man when he asked for her, what did it mean? Did he consider her his sole property…or was there more to his hostility?

She didn't have time to consider, however, as she was swept off her feet and dragged off in a matter of seconds. She tried to scream, but they--whoever they were--kept a firm grip over her mouth as they dragged her into a door leading out of the courtyard.

She found herself in a dark room, feeling as if she was slowly suffocating in the inky black atmosphere, as hands tied her limbs with binds and quickly gagged her with a rag.

She flinched when she felt a clammy palm on her cheek, even though she couldn't see her nose, let alone her captors.

"Shh, calm down," she heard a man on her right whisper. "We don't want to hurt you."

"That's right," a second man on her left cooed. "We just want you to listen."

Listen? How could she listen when her heartbeat was pounding in her ears and her ragged breaths were echoing through her head?

"Calm down," one of them said, stroking her cheek. They continued to stroke her for a few minutes until she had finally regained herself, although she scowled at them for treating her like an animal.

She didn't need to be stroked; she just needed to be un-gagged so she could breathe normally again.

"You belong to Enishi, don't you?" one of them asked.

"We know you do, even though you don't get out much, do you?" the other said.

"Even Enishi's manor is home to a few rats," the other stated, answering Mei-mei's unasked question on how they knew about her.

"Like we said, we don't want to hurt you."

"We just want to put some options out for you."

"We know you must hate him, because he uses you and doesn't let you leave the house or enjoy yourself like most men would."

"He's a tyrant, only happy when he has complete control over everything he touches."

"You can overthrow him."

She felt her bonds slip away, even though her gag remained in place. The invisible hands clasped her wrists gently, preventing her from reaching up and taking it out of her mouth.

"You're not the only one that hates this man."

"He's a wanted criminal the police haven't managed to indict."

"And he's a fearsome rival to the other syndicates."

"But they don't really matter."

"Only you matter."

"If you manage to get rid of this man for us, we will make you the wife of the richest and most powerful man in eastern China. You will have a whole household at your feet, along with everything you could ever want or need."

"If you don't, you'll continue to be his tool, and you'll continue to allow his regime of hatred." The gag was taken gently out of her mouth, but she clenched her teeth and remained silent as she breathed heavily through her mouth.

"Think about that as you return to his side."

Without another word, she was picked up and shoved out the door. She found herself standing in the courtyard. The breeze stirred gently and insects chirped as if nothing had happened.

She didn't turn around, she didn't open the door again. All she did was walk out of the courtyard and back to Enishi's side.

"We'll be leaving soon," Enishi said as she sat down. She glanced at him, noting how tired and annoyed he looked. She said nothing as she sipped some of her tea, but then realized he was staring at her.

She set down her cup and said nothing, avoiding his gaze, as he frowned at her.

"What's wrong?" he asked, furrowing his eyebrows suspiciously.

"Nothing," she replied simply, "Everything is all right."

He didn't put his hand back on her shoulder, or put on the fake, cheery smile that had been present all night. Instead, he simply got up. He offered her his arm, which she took silently, and they walked out of the clamorous hall.

They said nothing on the ride back.

Ahh, well, okay then, yup………………………

My author's notes are gonna be awfully short without my reviewer responses… T.T

So, I'll be working on those responses.

It's been forever since I've updated. I know, I know, and I'm sorry, as usual. What can I say? I've been in an artistic slum all year. All my artwork looks like shit and inspirational bursts are few and far between. Still, I love this story and am planning to keep writing it.

So stick with me, please, I really do appreciate it. I do. Really. Believe me.

AND DO NOT FORGET THE REVIEWS! XD. If you leave an anonymous review, I won't be able to reply to it. So…DON'T LEAVE ANONYMOUS REVIEWS! I want to tell you how much I love you!