'Slap!' Kaoru's cheek turned to face the window. The place where Reivan had slapped her, hurt with pain amongst other emotions and feelings that flowed through her mind and thoughts.
Reivan stared stoically then released her. Tears came to her eyes.
"I hope I won't have to do that again" said Reivan softly, "I do not enjoy hitting women. However, I hate being insulted more."
She glanced at him tearfully. She could feel her soba starting up. A moment more and her cries will be vocal. Her shoulders are starting to shake. He glanced down at her in disgust.
He started breathing heavily out of anger, "You're only a girl, not a woman. I realize that now, although you have the body of a young woman. A woman wouldn't ever cry."
Then he left the room.
For days, Kaoru was fed stale bread and out-of-date water. Until he came back. He came in whilst I was eating the food specially prepared for me out of the bowl.
"Have you changed your mind yet, little girl?" smirked Reivan. His arrogance after the last time I saw him seemed to be renewed in spades.
I swallowed, "What do you want to know?"
"Hmm, your name for one thing…your age for another thing?" said Reivan
She said nothing.
He sighed, "Very well. You will tell me what I want to know eventually even if I do have to resort to torture."
She narrowed her eyes at him.
"I'm sure you're bored with staying in here all day. I will let you visit the gardens and offer you my protection in exchange for your details and information."
She thought over it carefully 'What harm could it do? If he knew her identity…it wasn't like he was the heir to the 'Foe'
"Very well, I am Nigihayami Kaoru, spirit of the Kaoru River, daughter of Nigihayami Kohaku Nushi and Sen Kitakami"
"Hmm, I'm afraid I cannot tell you where she is but know that she is safe where she is. In fact, she will be more safe there than she will be in the Kohaku River," said Zeniba
'Really?" asked Haku, not believing Zeniba
"Yes, the Heir's Foe expects your family to be together"
'This is an interesting development to my master plan. Oh well, May the best man win' thought the wise man dressed in gold.
"Indeed it is, brother," said the foolish man dressed in scarlet.
"May the best man win," said the dreamer dressed in dark blue robes.