I could still feel his hands on my body. Rough, intrusive, impertinent hands. Hands that expected everything except what I had delivered.

When I finally came to my senses, I held still, my eyes flickering to Yura's still form next to mine. I was lying on my side, curled in the foetal position. Simply stretching out my limbs required an enormous amount of effort. So many parts of me hurt, it didn't seem worthwhile to make an inventory of them. Very, very slowly, I managed to sit up. I was trapped in a cage, a huge metal contraption, with a wheel, straw and food bowls. Only this one wasn't meant for pets. It was meant for humans.

How long was I out? It was early evening when I was attacked, and the stiffness in my joints suggests that more than an hour has passed.

A foul, rotten taste pervades my mouth, and I clapped a hand over it, determined not to throw up in a place like this.

"Yo, Ningyo-Hime," Rat-Man leered. "How does it feel? Knowing that you're going to be executed under the neon lights soon?"

"I-I have a name, you barbarian!" I huffed indignantly. "It is Yohime, understand?"

"Executed?" Yura groaned, sitting up and rubbing her temples.

"That's right. That is, if that kid, the third, breaks his promise." Rat-Man answered.

"Please do not get other people involved in this!" I pleaded. "It is me you want, yes?"

"I do admit that you smell luscious, but, no, it's the third heir we're after." Rat-Man yawned, a hungry gleam coming into his eyes. "But as long as I keep you alive… I should be able to have some fun with you first!"

I knew I was on a loser then. Rat-Boy was out for what he could get, and if he couldn't talk his way into my pants, he wouldn't draw the line at using force.

No. I promised Mother.

I put my misgivings behind me and focused on the present. Rat-Boy was opening the cage and was round my side half-pulling, half-dragging me out. I didn't put up a struggle, though Yura did, flying at him and calling him names. Experience taught me to conserve my energy. The only advantage I had was surprise, and I would use it when the time was right.

He came at me then, faster than I thought possible, grabbing me by the shoulders and pushing me over. Still, I didn't react, not even wincing in pain when my back hit the ground. We were lying side by side now on the ground and Rat-Boy moved across until he loomed over me. Then, slowly, he started undoing the buttons of my blouse. There was a smugness about him, a deliberate cruelty that put me in mind of someone pulling the wings off a butterfly.

As my blouse fell away, he started to take off my bra. Still I didn't move. For what I had in mind, I wanted Rat-Boy to be good and ready.

The sight of my bare chest slowed him down. His hands stopped in their journey downwards, hovered, undecided, until he finally couldn't resist. He heaved himself onto his haunches and started to close in on me.

Now!

I jerked my knee up sharply.

The moment off impact seemed to knock the breath out of Rat-Boy, for he let go of me and kneeled on his side, roaring in pain. I was on my feet then, pulling my shirt together.

"Ah!" I cried, falling back as a hand reached for my wrist and yanked me sharply down.

"YOU BITCH." Rat-Boy snarled, his eyes glowing a menacing red. "YOU'LL PAY FOR THAT."

I was out of ideas, and braced myself for the pain that was soon to come. But it never did. Warm and gentle hands replaced the rough ones, and there was a whoosh of cold air as I found myself in the arms of the same man.

Red… It's the same… As back then. He saved me again…

"Bastard. Don't you dare touch her." He hissed, the look in his eyes murderous.

"It's you…" I breathed, stunned beyond belief.

Surprise flashed in his eyes for a mere second before the usual cocky look returned. "That's my line."

Carefully, he set me down, and I was surprised to find my legs strong and steady. My glance flickered towards the cage, where Yura was watching with wide eyes.

"Oh, I'll take care of that," He said, as if reading my mind.

"E-Eh? H-How are you-"

As if on cue, a huge yokai crashed through the ceiling and ripped away the bars of the cage like it was wet clay.

"- Ah."

"You two should go now. It's not safe here. The rats won't stay down for long, you know." He nodded at Rat-Man, whose face was scrunched up in anger as he yelled for his subordinates to assist him.

Shooting him a suspicious glare, Yura nodded curtly, and grabbed me by the wrist, unceremoniously dragging me away.

"Will you be alright on your own?" I asked, jerking my wrist out of Yura's too-tight-grip.

A smirk. "I'll be fine."

I took a deep breath, and smiled as brightly as I could at my saviour, to show him that I really meant what I was about to next say.

"Then… Ayakashi-sama, thank you very much for saving us!" I swept him my best curtsey, and was rewarded with a chuckle from him.

"Yohime!" Yura called.

"I-I will be right there!" I called back, but I didn't move a step.

The larger yokai had already busted down the wall, which saved us from having to fight our way through the nest of rats.

I nodded at him shyly. "T-Thank you for helping us as well."

He looked surprised at being addressed by me, but waved my thanks away. "It's fine, since you're the Third's friend."

T-Third heir?

"Yohime!" Yura's voice. More urgently this time.

"Y-Yes!" This time, sensing that she meant business, I scampered over quickly. Yura scowled at me, as if to say, 'Finally! What took you so long?'

"Come on." She said at last, herding me out the hole in the wall. "We should go and tell your grandmother. The prophecy has begun."