Chapter 2

When I came to I was bound. I wasn't sure where I was, but I was willing to bet those two men had something to do with my current location. I began to move my wrists and winced, the rope beginning to cut into my flesh. It would appear that I had been unconscious for quite some time. I sighed and realized I had a gag in my mouth. Perfect. I swung my legs around and used my torso to get me into a sitting position and then stood up. The room I was in was plain, hardly worth remembering. The door opened and I looked over.

"Oh my, you certainly are a spirited one aren't you?" the man said smiling. I looked at him confused. Did killers usually smile at their pray? Maybe I wasn't as informed in swordplay as I thought. "Oh my, Okita seems to have bound you quite tightly. He seems to enjoy doing that."

"What is this place? I've never heard of a den of killers who know hospitality," I said as the man untied my arms. He left the bindings on my wrists and I cursed. I could still feel the concealed knife in the small of my back and was itching to use it.

"Oh, we're not a den of killers," the man replied. I followed him into a different room, this time with a group of men. And every single one of them had swords. The two men that attacked me, in a matter of speaking, were sitting side by side. I was beginning to seriously doubt this wasn't a den of killers.

"I demand to be set free," I said pushing past the man. Scanning the room more thoroughly I noticed a girl on the other side of Saitou. I looked at the three men in front of me, one of which having a sling on his arm. What a shame his enemy wasn't as generous as I was.

"You are in no position to be demanding anything," the man with the longer hair said coldly. I glanced at him and glared.

"Would you like me to duel you? I'm sure your subordinate can tell you how well I fight," I hissed.

"I'm sure he could. Now tell me, why did you attack them?" he asked.

"Because he was aiming his blade at me. What you do with your men is none of my concern, but when I am threatened the least I could do was defend myself. I don't care if you send some of your men to kill the crazed ones and I don't care why their appearances were abnormal," I explained. The man flinched slightly, but I didn't care. "I was just walking when those things attacked me. And although my skills are far superior than any of yours I wasn't just about to kill two crazed men. They probably had no idea what they were doing."

"Where were you headed?" the man in the middle asked.

"I don't know, just anywhere," I replied. That's all they needed to know on that subject.

"Why are you dressed like a man?" the man in the sling asked.

"Because I was never raised as a woman. My father was a harsh man and didn't get the male child he wanted. He settled with me." Everyone nodded and I felt a tug at the rope. The man who had led me here was now pulling to take me out. I yanked back and the rope fell out of his hands. All the men in the room stood, drawing their katanas.

"Stop," the man in the middle ordered. They all paused and obeyed. So he was the leader, he seemed easy enough to take down. "I would hate to waste such talent. If she can wound Saitou then she would be an excellent asset. Unless, of course, she prefers death?"

"As long as none of you get in my way it wouldn't be horrible to stay here," I replied dryly. It was away from my father and that's exactly what I wanted. It wasn't the ideal situation, but it wasn't a bad offer. I looked at the man I wounded. "I'm sorry." I bowed my head slightly and looked away. The bindings on my wrists were cut and I rubbed the raw flesh left from the rope.

"Chizuru, take her to a room," the man with the long hair ordered. A second in command perhaps? Was this a military operation? The girl stood and I turned to leave. "Wait." I turned around and caught my katana before it hit me. "I believe that belongs to you." I nodded and followed the girl to a room.

"So what are you doing here?" I asked, not really caring. I was never a people person.

"The same thing happened to me," she said brightly. I rolled my eyes. How can people be this happy? I've never seen it. Although, if the same thing happened, then she should be able a decent fighter as well. Once we got to the room I drew my blade and pointed it at her. "What are you doing?" I didn't ask as I thrusted the katana toward her. She tripped and fell, screaming as she did. Had she no honor? She put her hand on the hilt of her short sword, but didn't draw it. Was she playing with me? I allowed her to stand, but once she was on her feet, I charged at her. I was stopped by three men. I looked at the girl and she still hadn't pulled her blade out.

"That's enough," one of them growled. I snorted and sheathed my blade.

"What's the use of keeping a girl around that doesn't even know how to draw her weapon?" I asked coldly. I looked at the girl and glared. "These people may be able to protect you here, but they can't on the battlefield. If you rely on them during a real fight you and they will die." I walked into the room and closed the door. This was going to be interesting to say the least.

A/N: Yay chapter two! The part with Chizuru I just had to put in. It always bothered me in the anime that she never drew her sword, just had her hand like she was going to. Happy Fourth of July everybody! Please review!