Yay! My own storyline finally shows up! And it only took 11 chapters! *brick'd* sorry to putt you all through the first part of the game all over again, but I promise that there will be mch less of the game's original plot and more focus on Iris and who this "Ayame" that she's been hearing about is. So, sit back, relax, heat up some popcorn, and prepare for a very confued Iris. Thanks for reading, and reviews are love!

Chapter 11: Kidnapped, Escaped, Annoyed

Freezing, Iris thought as she struggled to get out of the black bag she was trapped in, with only a small hole for her to breathe from. I was not expecting freezing.

The good news, at least, was that she had almost won – the short one was still bleeding – when the tall one had suddenly pulled out an ice attack and frozen her solid. The other good news was that magic ice didn't last very long, and she was now struggling and screaming through her gag as the two carried her out of Shinshu Field. She could tell from the way the ground moved beneath her that they were now on a boat, and the two were bickering as they paddled through the water.

"D'you have the barrier spell?" The taller one whispered as he paddled.

"Yeah, but you're gonna have to use it – that wench ruined my hand," the second one responded, and Iris smirked inside her gag as she remembered the high-pitched squeal he'd let out when she'd knocked the dagger from his hand with her own blade. Honestly, how had Kushi slept through that? How had Ammy slept through that?

Iris kicked the taller one again. "Ow! Patience, Ayame, we're almost to Agata Forest. After that, you're be at Sei-An City in no time." Iris struggled against the rope tying her arms behind her back, and felt them loosen with each squirm. If she could just reach her sword…

Iris was hoisted off of the boat, and felt herself dropped onto solid ground. The first man lifted her again, and began walking. "Close the entrance," he said to the second man, who muttered something as he followed, and Iris heard what sounded like rock crumbling behind them. After a few minutes of walking, Iris was dropped. "Give me the barrier spell."

There was a bright flash of light that Iris could barely see in the bag, and she felt herself lifted up again. The two began running. "How much time do we have?" The shorter man said.

"A few hours, at best," the taller one said, and Iris realized they were going downhill. "Enough time to get to Taka Pass, then we'll use it again." Iris continued to pull at her ropes, and felt one snap. Yes!

"Stop kicking!" The shorter one snapped as her heel dug into his stomach, and then, when he tried to grab her ankle, she kicked his face. "Stupid wench! And this is supposed to be the reincarnation of Lady Ayame!"

Iris grabbed her sword the instant the last rope broke, and sliced the bag open, causing the two to drop her. Tearing her gag off and gasping for air, Iris stood up and glared at them. "My name is Iris!" She growled, and brought her sword across the taller one's hand, slicing into his palm.

"AGH! My magic!" He growled, grabbing his wrist. "This is the hand I use magic with!"

"I know," she said as the second one pulled out a sword. "That's to keep you from cheating again." Iris quickly turned to the second one, and blocked his attempted blow to the side. She twisted her own blade and knocked the shorter man's sword out of his hand, sending it into the murky depths of the lake near them. She held her sword out. "Now, I'd suggest you turn around and run away, unless you want another taste of Poet's Wrath." Poet's Wrath? She'd made that up, but the sword in her hand gleamed, seemingly with approval at its new name.

The two men, now bleeding from the previous fight and disarmed, stared at her for a moment before running down the nearby road, towards a river. "You won't get away so easy next time!" The taller one called. "Our master will show you what happens to those who try to escape their duty!"

Duty? What does that mean? Iris shook her head as she sheathed her sword, turning to face the tainted forest. And where am I?

"Not bad, for an escaped kidnapping victim," she heard somebody say, and quickly pulled out her sword again.

"Who's there?" Iris demanded. "Who's messing with me now?" She looked around, but saw nobody, save a man donned in Demon Fangs – but he was pure stone.

"Up here, ma cherie," the voice called, and iris looked up at one of the trees.

What, Iris thought, have I gotten myself into this time?

The first thing she noticed was that there was no way he could have climbed up that tree that fast, and without some sort of special equipment that hadn't been invented yet. The second thing she noticed was that he wasn't made out of stone.

"I must say, you put up more of a fight than I expected you would," the man said, turning to face her from where he leaned against the tree trunk. "I'm impressed. The original Lady Ayame wasn't nearly as stubborn."

"My name is Iris," she grumbled under her breath. "And you were watching? And it never occurred to you to help me?"

"Oh, it did," he responded, jumping down from the tree – no, floating down – and landing on the surface of the toxic lake, calmly striding over to the land and crossing his arms. He tapped the flute in his hand against his nose thoughtfully. "But you seemed to regain control of the situation rather well, so I thought, "let's see if she can get out of this herself first". And you did, but I will admit that you were rather sloppy about it."

"Sloppy?" Iris scowled. "I was tied and gagged! Just who do you think you are, anyway?"

"Hm? I think I hear your friend the wolf over there," he said, glancing up the path to where Amaterasu and Issun were standing. "I'd suggest you go assure them that you're okay. Au revoir, baby." And with that, he jumped off.

"Weirdo," Iris grumbled, and ran over to where Ammy and Issun headed, towards a waterfall that hid what Iris could see was a hidden door. "At least that barrier spell thing is letting me breathe this time."