The first thing Kazune noticed as he came out of his deep sleep was the taste of old blood in his mouth. Then came the waves of pain of his wounded side and the still lingering heaviness from his fight with the guards. As his eyes creaked open, he found himself in a well decorated room. It was clean and spacious. The bed was more comfortable than anything he had ever slept on. Struggling, Kazune managed to sit up and take in his surroundings more efficiently. He was also very confused as to why he was not put in a dungeon for killing off two of the guards. Maybe the governor thought he would be useful in some way. As if he would give his power to someone like him.

Feeling bolder, Kazune decided to try to stand up. If he could do that, he could search the house before the sun came up and possibly find Karin and Suzune... if the guards took him too. His feet hit the cold ground and his own weight shocked him. He had to try to keep himself up despite being lighter than he remembered.

"How long was I sleeping?"

One foot at a time, Kazune managed to walk to the dresser on the other side of the room.

"Very good, but you won't be able to fight like this." Kazune scoffed at himself.

Raising his hand, he was able to create a fireplace sized fire, but that soon went out. It was exhausting to sustain. Kazune was not happy but if Karin was getting the same treatment as him, he might not mind letting the governor take care of them for a little while, at least till he could torch the place down. Kazune walked to the window and looked up at the stars to try to gain some idea of how long he had been asleep. They were slightly dispositional from the last time he checked so he hadn't slept for more than a week. That was still a big time gap though. Then, as if it were a gift, the moon was revealed from behind the clouds. It was in the 3rd stage of waxing.

"3 days?!" Kazune nearly screamed.

"You useless sack of bones, they could have been sent across the kingdom by now if they traveled by carriage!" Filled with new found rage, Kazune gained his legs back and stormed over to his door, swinging it open and briskly striding into the halls. Standing in silence, Kazune listened for any sound at all. Everything seemed quiet except for the faint clatter of silverware being put away. He bolted down the corridor towards the sound and took a very shocked and scared maid by surprise.

"Where is Karin?" He demanded as he loomed over her with darkened features.

"Ah-ah, I'm just the night time service... I don't know who comes to visit..."

"Don't screw with me! Tell me where the governor is, you should at least know that!"

The maid broke from Kazune's fierce stare and ran off crying, leaving the unattended dishes in the sink. By this time, Kazune could see the light from outside setting the distant mountains ablaze. As he stood there in the kitchen, the whole manor slowly came to life with servants crawling out from their sleeping quarters and the sweet smell of the day's preparations were taking place. A very stern looking woman came up to Kazune bearing a fresh set of clothing for him.

"If you are well enough to make my subordinates cry, the governor will see you now." The sourness in her voice make Kazune bitter. He roughly took the clothes and walked back to his room. The clothing was very nice but he wanted to check it in private. Whispering words to the cloth, he cast a spell to tell the properties of the fabric. To no surprise he found that they were comprised of flame retardant threads. If he wore this, his fire abilities would be greatly diminished, or not work at all. If he were at full strength he might have been able to override this garment but he was still far too weak. The spell he just cast made him a little breathless.

"If I don't wear it, that bastard will catch on that I knew how to figure out this fabric's make up. All he knows is that I control fire, not my wind or wizard abilities." Kazune thought. Regardless of his wishes, he put the clothes on. They were heavy and hurt a bit. The retardant ability affected him through the skin. He went to the door and opened it to see the same stern woman.

"If you are ready, we have breakfast waiting for you down in the dining hall."

"I don't want your food! Take me to the governor like you said." He demanded.

Kazune was greeted with boney fingers pinching his ear and dragging his face down to meet the old woman's eyes.

"If I say that you are to eat first, that is what you will do. It is terribly rude to demand when you have been nothing but a burden for the past few days. Honestly, we have so much to do, taking care of a grown man like a baby is disgraceful." The old lady pulled his ear to make him walk. It hurt more than he would have liked but she would not let up on her grip. She dragged him that way all the way to the table where he was very glad that Karin wasn't there to see him.

"Mister!" cried the familiar voice.

"Suzune, I was wondering if you were alright. How are you, did they hurt you at all?"

"No, Mister, the people here have been very kind to me! They even let me help with the dishes... although I am not supposed to tell." He whispered.

Kazune was glad to hear that Suzune was alright and that he was being treated well. As they sat down for breakfast, Kazune noticed that one of the maids brought Suzune a big bowl of fruits with cream. She left it for him and walked off with a giddy smile on her face. He guessed it was because she thought Suzune was just the cutest thing. Compared to his breakfast, hot oats with no sugar, Kazune was jealous of the little boy's special treatment.

They sat in near silence while they ate except for the chatter coming from the little boy with the other maids. When Kazune was done he stood and took his dish to the kitchen. The maids all looked at him as if they wanted to take the dish for him, like it was their job to do, but they were all too scared to do so. Probably the night service maid told them about him. Kazune reemerged from the kitchen and went straight to find the old woman again. He wanted to meet the governor and take Karin back as soon as he could. The old woman was waiting for him at the end of a long hall in front of a large door.

"The governor will see you now." as she stepped back, bowing the doors creaked open to reveal a grand golden room. It was adorned with golden lions and a beautiful hand carved mural above the governor's chair. Kazune's eyes wandered down to where the governor sat and there his eyes burned with rage. The raven haired governor was sitting there with taunting golden eyes. He smirked as he stroked Karin's beautiful hair. She was dressed in a dress made of belts, just covering her nipples and highlighting her curves as they wrapped around her body. Her hands were bound by very tight wrist restraints and she wore a collar that had its leash pulled taught. A very short black skirt covered her hips and upper thighs and tall stockings held in place with guarders completed the outfit she wore.

"Well, well, It was certainly very nice of you to bring my this lovely goddess for free." The governor purred. "And to not only bring her to me, but offer her up as a sex slave too? How wonderful."

Kazune glared at the man who was touching his possession. Every stroke of his hand down Karin's hair and back made him cringe in disgust.

"But you know, she is a rather, cold woman." The governor shot his eyes into Kazune's.

"She nearly froze this place had I not made the air dry and dessert-like. Once she is tamed though, she makes a very wonderful pet as I am sure you know."

" Enough of your shit! Give Karin back to me, she was never yours to begin with!" Kazune spat his poisoned words towards the man he hated enough to murder thousands of times over.

"Hey now, is that any way to talk to someone who gave you their hospitality for the last 3 days even after you killed two of my men and wounded two others? On top of that, you didn't even bring me a virgin slave! Pretty bad business move if you ask me."

Kazune's eyes widened and he looked to Karin with a pained look. She glanced down with tears in her eyes that she was fighting desperately to hold back. She looked ashamed and very unhappy to be where she was.

"You didn't..." Kazune murmured slowly.

"Well that is what you gave her to me for wasn't it?" The governor smiled wickedly.

"Feisty as she is, she really is very beautiful, I can almost forgive her lack of innocence."

Kazune tried to charge at the Man but he was restrained by guards. he snarled at the bastard sitting on his throne.

"KARIN IS MINE! I swear to god, if you don't return her to me right now I will torch this kingdom and make certain it's ashes the last resting place you ever know!" Faint flames were hazing around Kazune's body as his eyes went ferial like a wild animal's. His voice grew raspy and demonic and he struggled against the chains that were holding him back. The metal was glowing red, but not hot enough to melt.

"I see you are angry. I expected as much. Allow me to consol you for a bit. I am the governor of this kingdom, next in line for the throne. Are still listening?"

Kazune's eyes were white and glowing, his teeth were bared in a snarling curl. But his eyes were fixed on the man.

"Anyway, I have the ability to control weather, I see yours is fire. I will make a deal with you and if you fulfill my requests, I will give this lovely whore back to you.

Karin was pissed at that comment.

Kazune calmed down enough to speak coherent words.

"Fine, but if you go back on it, I will kill everything you hold dear."

"Good to hear. Now for introductions. Who might you be?"

"Kazune Kujyo..." He said with a scowl.

"Pleasure to meet you. My name is Jin Kuga. I look forward to our agreement."