From East to West Chapter 5

In an old crumbling stone building they secured me to a post dug into the middle of the wide-open room. In one corner stones were piled haphazardly against the wall. All of them were about fist-sized, and most of them had sharp edges, as though they had been ground down on a whetstone. It was from there that the boys chose weapons.

There was nothing I could do to protect myself. In yoki form I had no magic, I was the equivalent of a normal dog. And the only way I could return to my normal form was if I slept or became unconscious. So I cowered against the post, protecting my broken foreleg with my body as the stones rained down upon me.

Hour after long hour passed. I didn't count them; it would have been pointless. Eventually the boys tired and left me alone in the dark, broken building. But they soon returned with new strength and Futaru had a knife as well.

After all those long hours in the shower of stone my body was a prisoner to its pain. Strength had long since left my legs and every muscle in my body was numb. Blood rushed in my ears and trickled out of my mouth and nose. A haze of pain obscured my vision and even my tail sported bruises. Not long after my captors had returned I collapsed in a heap on the hard-packed ground. Thankfully my pain and hunger kept me from slipping into oblivion and reverting to human form.

Faintly I heard their laughter, but I couldn't care, all that existed for me was pain. Reality seemed so far away until a sudden calm in the stone hail snapped me back. Somehow I gathered the strength necessary to lift my head off of the ground.

Knife in hand, Futaru approached with an arrogant tilt to his head and a malevolent glint in his eye. About two feet from me his knife hand moved in a blur of speed and white-hot pain sprung from a point in my stomach where the knife's hilt now protruded. I howled in pain and Futaru laughed. Putting a hand on my side he yanked the knife from its place and more of my blood rushed forth. Sight dimming, I knew that if I should pass out it would be the end.

"Youkai bitch, you're going to pay for what you did to my hand, as well as what your kind has done to mine."

An evil smile crossed his face and he grabbed my muzzle, lifting his blade. Just then a deep, angry rumble reverberated off the walls. Futaru's eyes widened and his head whipped around to face the person who had spoken. The rumble came again and he turned back to me.

"Bitch." He whispered and cut the rope that had held me captive. Dropping the knife he ran.

From the very seat of my being I drew strength. Instinct urged that I move to a safe place to heal, but a more practical part of my mind spoke out, my wounds wouldn't be much if I had obtained them in human form but if I take human form with them they will be much worse. I'll likely die either way. Still I stood and dripping blood, stumbled over the scattered stones that not too long ago had been thrown at me.

The bass rumble lowered to a drone and was joined by a soft baritone hum. They seemed to be discussing something as I slowly made my way to the base of the stone pile in the corner. I curled up in a small space between the rocks and the wall of the building. Any energy I had had was gone and I didn't even bother to try cleaning my wounds. I just closed my eyes and waited for the blackness to come.

"Yuri, Yuri, come here girl, come to me."

The bass spoke so gently. I lifted my head and whined weakly before I could no longer hold my head up. The baritone whispered something and suddenly strong arms were lifting me gently and pulling me out of my safe spot. I whimpered until a large hand touched my nose. The familiarity of its scent sparked hope in me and I licked the hand feebly. A baritone chuckle emanated from the man's chest and the hand caressed my forehead gently, coming to rest at the place where my star again shone its silver.

"Sleep, little Yuri, rest and recover. We won't let you die."

I sighed and curled into his warmth, as sleep grew heavy on my eyes. He continued his caresses on into my sleep.

A/N: Please don't hate me! I don't condone animal cruelty in the least and only the worst sort of people (and stupid little kids) stone puppies. If you think I need to change the rating, please tell me! I don't want to mislabel this!