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1 Pleasure Slave
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2
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3 By Capitalist
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4 peacewish@hotmail.com
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5
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6 Chapter 5
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7 ‘journey’
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8
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9 Midday sunlight blurred and dimmed in his vision, and angrily Touya shook his head to dispel the dizziness. It didn’t help, but somehow he kept upright and stumbled to the sound he’d been following. A few more steps and he could see them, the crystal clear springs of fresh water that were this town’s namesake. He couldn’t be far from civilization, but right now all Touya could think of was water. Gratefully he dropped to his knees at the edge and submerged his head, drinking in as much as he could. The cold water refreshed him, washed away the vague buzzing in his ears, and he sat back on the grass with a sigh. The walk from Hunter’s Junction to here, even downhill, had been like some kind of endless nightmare in his exhaustion. The stars traveled faster than he did, and then the sun rose and overtook him as well. Sleep and food were luxuries from a long, long time ago, he’d done nothing in his life but walk this road.
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10 The water helped. So much of it gave his stomach a temporary feeling of fullness, and the cold splash on his face brought his thoughts back into line. He’d made it, he was on the outskirts of Clearwater. Now his objective was Samuel North. Whether he was Trinlot’s buyer or merely knew him, Touya would find information about Sakura somehow and then he’d rescue her. Not until she was safe beside him would he sleep or eat.
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11 --
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12 He allowed his body a few moments’ rest, then rolled to his feet and started walking again. As he drew nearer to Clearwater he met more people, following directions from one to the next and gradually working out his way to North’s business. To his eyes, it was quite large and rich-looking, though Touya would come to learn how average it really was. It was a store and a merchandise trade center, where goods must have come all the way from Terriene so that dealers from small villages could purchase them for resale. Such a long journey made items incredibly expensive, and therefore quite rare in his home village of Eagle’s Path. But his father had once lived here, in his youth, and it was here that he’d acquired his love of books and his precious collection thereof. But when he first saw his mother, he’d told Touya often with a fond smile, on a visit from high up the mountain, he left Clearwater behind without a second thought. They spent the rest of their lives in Eagle’s Path, and never once had Touya thought it would be any different for him or Sakura.
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13 He pushed open the door and entered, feeling curiously calm in his resolve. The proprietor looked up and frowned slightly at his cheap and grimy clothing.
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14 “Can I help you?” he asked, tone of polite disinterest. Touya ignored it.
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15 “I’m looking for Trin.”
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16 “Oh? He left some hours ago, back on up to Hunter’s Junction.”
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17 Touya was fairly sure he hadn’t seen any wagons coming in the opposite direction, on the road, and wondered if he’d come along just when Touya went seeking the springs. Never mind, Trinlot did not matter anymore. Sakura was only headed in one direction.
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18 “He buys goods from you?”
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19 “That’s right, he’s one of my many buyers.”
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20 “Do you buy anything from him?”
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21 The just barely-visible start in his posture rang like a loud and clear alarm to Touya, and he tensed.
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22 “Er, I don’t know quite what you mean. Goods travel from Terriene through me to the villages, young man. Not the other way around.”
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23 “Are you sure?” Touya could never remember his voice sounding so cold and hard, so dead. Unconsciously he advanced on the shopowner, who backed away nervously. “You don’t buy anything from him, like the occasional young girl?”
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24 The other man flinched, then quickly covered it with an affronted expression. “I want you to leave my shop now.”
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25 Without even looking Touya snagged a mirror from its wall hook, and sent it to the floor with a loud crash. North jumped.
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26 “She’s about this tall,” he indicated with his hand, leveling it just under his shoulder. “Short brown hair, and bright green eyes that she got from our mother. Where is she?”
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27 “I don’t know what you’re talking about -”
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28 This time it was a crystal glass figurine, that must have been worth ten gold coins at least.
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29 “Try again.”
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30 North panicked and bolted, back to the rear doorway that no doubt led to his personal quarters. Touya leapt after him and tackled him to the floor, slamming him hard to the wooden planks without mercy.
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31 “Don’t you try and run away, you wouldn’t let her run away! Did you tie her up, huh? Lock her in your basement? Where is she, you son of a bitch? Where’s my sister?”
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32 Touya’s hand clamped over the man’s throat and squeezed as he spoke, until North’s face had gone white from lack of air. He couldn’t talk at all, and Touya realized he had to loosen his grip.
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33 “Not… here,” he gasped. “Terr…iene.”
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34 Touya’s heart thudded loudly in his chest. Oh, not that. Anything but that.
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35 “What?”
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36 “They’re gone,” North wheezed. “She was the fourth, so he took them to Terriene.”
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37 Touya bit back a scream of frustration. No matter how hard he tried it seemed he couldn’t go fast enough, it was as if Sakura’s kidnappers were flying down the mountain.
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38 “When?”
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39 “Yesterday morning.”
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40 Oh god. From what he knew of the distance to that far-off city, Sakura must have been in Terriene since last night. Anything could have happened already.
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41 “Who’s ‘he’, who took her there?”
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42 “My partner, Monroe. I buy them but he takes them…”
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43 “Where? Where would he take her?”
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44 North shook his head helplessly. “I don’t know, there are so many buyers. He sells them for the highest price, a different place every time.”
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45 Touya’s stomach curdled in disgust and he squeezed North’s collar within his fists. “Where does he stay?” There was no immediate answer and he slammed his victim’s head back against the wood again. “Tell me!”
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46 “The Royal Crown!” North cried out. “I’m sure it was that, that’s the inn he likes the most. Royal Crown, Royal Crown.”
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47 It would have to do. And now there was nothing for it but to get up and start walking again, for a distance that no one he knew had ever traveled and to a city that he knew nothing about. As for North –
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48 Touya cracked his elbow into his chin and watched the man’s eyes roll back in his unconsciousness. Clumsily he pushed himself upright and was surprised to see his hands shaking; that burst of anger and force had taken a lot out of him.
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49 “Yesterday morning,” he muttered dully. He had no time to rest, it had to be now. He turned and left the shop.
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50 --
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51 Somehow he managed to get directions to the main road, the one that would take him all the way down the mountain and to Terriene, and somehow he managed to follow them. Words buzzed in his mind, scraps of conversation and loose ends of memories fluttered around him, distracting him.
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52 How does it taste? Is it too salty?- You’re so mean! - Take good care of your sister, Touya, she’s counting on you. - Come see the kittens! - Father is gone now. Don’t be scared, I’ll take care of you. - Isn’t it beautiful? - What shall we read tonight?
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53 “I’m tired, Sakura,” he mumbled, “don’t go so fast. I can’t catch up… going as fast as I can.”
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54 He was lost – helped him – said thank you – gave him sunflowers.
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55 The earth was spinning madly around him, the road swirling and tilting under his feet. And then, inexplicably, it rose up to meet him just when night fell and everything went black.
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56
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57 The sensation of being moved filtered into his consciousness sometime later, vague and insubstantial as a dream. Gentle hands caressed Touya’s face and held his head up, cradling him in her lap.
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58 “Mama,” he murmured, trying to summon the energy to open his eyes. Why was he so tired? “Mama, don’t… let Sakura -”
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59 “Shh.” She tipped a cup of some lukewarm drink to his lips, and even drained as he was he tried to resist the bitter taste. She did not relent, however, and finally he subsided and gulped it obediently. The feel of her touch and the whisper of her voice faded away to nothingness, and he slept.
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60 --
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61 When Touya opened his eyes several hours later, he found himself looking at an unfamiliar white ceiling. This was not his cabin; confused, he rolled over onto his side to see that he wasn’t even inside, at least not technically. It was some kind of patio, the floor a creamy marble, and only a few pillars separated him from world outside. Flowers in carefully tended beds waved gently in the night breeze, next to a small pond that reflected the moon from above. A delicate cherry tree scattered its pink blossoms at the brief gust, littering the ground with petals. It was a peaceful scene, if unfamiliar, but Touya could not understand why he was there. Where was his home? Where was –
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62 “Sakura!” He gasped her name aloud and sat up straight, all the horrible memories flooding back. Gone, whisked away to Terriene, dangerously close to disappearing forever. It was afternoon when he set out for the city and now the moon was high in the sky; how much time had he lost? Where was he?
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63 “Up already?” a mild female voice inquired. “That wasn’t very much rest.”
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64 He’d been about to try and stand but turned his head swiftly at the sound. A woman in priestess robes smiled sweetly under his stare but didn’t say anything else, extinguishing the flame on a stick of incense in her hand. She arranged it in a small urn and placed it before an idol, either not noticing or ignoring his panic.
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65 “I fell asleep?” he anguished, furious with himself. How could he have been so weak?
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66 “Fainted is more like it. Almost on the steps of the shrine.”
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67 “How long ago?”
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68 “A few hours before sunset, I’d say. Not very long.”
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69 Not very long? How could she say that so calmly, when every minute only meant a greater distance between him and Sakura?
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70 “So much time,” he groaned, and staggered to his feet. The floor was scattered with cushions of various shapes and colors, several of which had been pushed together to create something of a bed for him, but he trod over them impatiently in his mindless drive to get back to that road, get back to his pursuit of Sakura.
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71 “A caravan departs Clearwater in the morning for Terriene,” the priestess pointed out, but he shook his head.
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72 “I can’t wait that long.”
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73 “You cannot walk faster than those on horseback, they would catch up to you tomorrow anyway,” she said smoothly. “What is the point in suffering more than you need to?” Touya grasped one of the porch’s pillars and hesitated, looking back. There was a tender, understanding look in her eyes as she met his gaze. “You’re lucky it was I who found you and not some bandit. It might not be so next time.”
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74 Touya opened his mouth to say he wouldn’t faint again, but even as he did so his vision blurred alarmingly. Strong and healthy though he was, his body had taken all that it could and could give no more. He needed rest.
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75 “How did you know I’m going to Terriene?” he asked suspiciously.
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76 “You were on the road that leads there,” she answered practically. “Please do sit down, your face is pale. I’ll bring water.”
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77 She disappeared through a shadowed doorway before he could say anything, and he looked from the cushions to the shrine grounds and then back again, conflicted. It wasn’t right, he shouldn’t be taking the time to relax while Sakura was so far away and suffering god knew what. The thought of taking one more step was unbearable, though, and her words were logical. Frustrating as it was, there just wasn’t any point in leaving now.
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78 Feeling both relieved and guilty, Touya stumbled back to the pile and sank down into their softness gratefully. A few were stiffer and triangular shaped, and he used these to make a backrest so he could sit up comfortably. It made him easier if he could at least keep an eye on his foreign surroundings, though the grounds of the shrine were utterly quiet. The blossoms that were his sister’s namesake seemed almost silver under the moonlight, a sight he hadn’t seen often since he retired rather early in the evening. The picture brought an ache to his chest, and then throat, and his eyes burned with the threat of tears for the first time since he’d discovered she was missing. How could anyone be so cruel? Didn’t they understand he had nothing else?
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79 At her soft footfalls Touya turned to see her emerge from the doorway with a tray in her hands. On it was not only water but a bowl of steaming broth and some cooked greens, as he discovered when she knelt before him.
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80 Quickly he shook his head. “No, I can’t -”
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81 “You are human, you need nourishment as well as rest. Starvation will not solve your troubles.”
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82 He caught a whiff of the soup’s aroma and his stomach growled; the last thing he’d eaten had been a strip of dried meat with some bread for lunch… hours before he even knew there was anything wrong…
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83 Touya clenched his fists and looked away, struggling for control. “I can’t.” How could he have eaten so contentedly that day, when his sister had already been tied up and carried off? He should have felt something, he should have known that something was not right. And now, barely outside Clearwater with still so far to go, he’d fallen asleep. What kind of brother was he?
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84 “Then you will arrive in Terriene,” she predicted, “starved and too weak to even walk. Is that what you wish?”
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85 Damn, she had a point. Again logic warred with his conscience, and with another hungry growl he gave up.
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86 “Thank you,” he muttered, and lifted the warm bowl. She smiled, but said nothing except to caution him against eating too fast. It tasted wonderful and he was so hungry, but somehow he managed to pace himself. The moon’s reflection had left the pond by the time he finished.
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87 She’d left his side to rake up excess petals and stray leaves on the grounds, while he ate, and he watched her long red hair lift in the gentle breeze. He’d never seen hair such a vibrant color, and it was a vivid contrast to her ivory skin and calm demeanor. Strange, she’d found him collapsed in front of her shrine and brought him inside, offered him food and a place to sleep without even so much as a question.
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88 “Who are you?” he asked when she’d finished and returned to collect the tray. “Why are you helping me like this?”
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89 “My name is Kaho Mizuki and I am the shrine maiden here. It is my duty to aid those in need.”
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90 “I’m not helpless.”
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91 “I didn’t say you were. Accepting kindness does not make you weak.” She reached for the tray and Touya realized that he’d eaten everything without even an offer of repayment. His pride recoiled at the thought; as poor as he was he’d never accepted charity in his life.
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92 “Wait, let me pay you something for it.” He remembered the purse of gold and patted underneath his shirt, then saw it slouched on the floor just an arm’s length away.
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93 “I don’t want that money any more than you do,” Kaho said sharply, and swept through the doorway with tray in hands. Taken aback, Touya watched her go without even trying to argue the point.
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94 Did she know? How could she? But the way her eyes darkened so angrily, dropping for just a moment that placid expression, it was as if the very notion of touching that gold disgusted her like it did him.
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95 Touya stood again, not with any intention of leaving, only wanting to move his legs a little. He was pleased to discover that the dizziness and trembling had essentially vanished; she was right, it was stupid not to eat. He stepped off the porch and turned his face up to the night sky, comforted by the familiar stars overhead. Soft petals scattered over him, and he inhaled the garden’s sweet scent mixed with the smoke of incense. This place was calming, he could feel the anxiety that had been tearing away at him for so long start to subside. Maybe things would be all right after all.
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96 --
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97 She appeared again with a thick and fluffy drying cloth, clean clothes, and an offer to let him bathe. The shrine had been built around one of the springs that gave this town its name, and in the privacy of the bathouse he was able to wash free of all his accumulated grime. It did feel strange bathing in a manmade and marble-lined pool instead of the river, and even though the water was cold it was crystal clear. Touya thought it must be like one of those palaces in the fairy tales Sakura was so fond of, and how much she would have enjoyed this. She would probably be dazzled by the shrine, and its priestess, and talk wistfully about how beautiful Kaho was.
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98 He swallowed the lump in his throat and dried himself off, donning the clothes she’d brought to him. They were cheap, undyed cotton, but very soft and probably meant for sleeping in. The clothes he’d been wearing she had taken, and when he stepped outside the bathouse he found them wet but clean, draped over her clothesline to dry overnight. It did feel strange, to be taken care of like this, after so many years spent taking care of Sakura. How could a world have both people like her and Sakura’s kidnappers?
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99 Touya returned to the porch where he’d woken and she materialized again, steaming cup in hands.
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100 “I’ve brewed you some tea.”
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101 “Thank you,” he said quietly, and settled himself back on the cushions. “You always go to this much trouble for the strangers on your doorstep?”
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102 “It’s no trouble,” she denied, smoothing her skirt once she’d arranged herself comfortably on a cushion. “It is my duty to aid those in need.”
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103 “Yeah, you said. But it’s more than that.” He sipped his tea, gaze flicking back to the unwanted money on the floor. “You know something, don’t you?”
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104 At that she shrugged, an evasive look in her eyes. “It is also my duty, at times, to know things. I feel them more than I think them, but I know in my heart that they are true.” She turned her head, gazing out into the cool night. “There is a dark practice, growing here in the mountains. Those without conscience prey on the weak, but I have never met one who fought back. You are unusual.”
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105 Touya flushed a little, strangely pleased at the somewhat veiled compliment. “My sister is the only family I have left, she’s… everything. I don’t really have a choice.”
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106 “Oh, there’s always a choice. You’ll discover that soon enough.”
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107 “Hmm?”
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108 “Are you finished?” She extended her hand for the cup that he’d drained; nonplussed, he relinquished it. “Let’s see.” Brow creased in concentration she studied the tiny leaves plastered to the bottom, lips moving silently. “You have a long journey before you.”
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109 “I thought we both already knew that.”
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110 “Not the physical kind,” she corrected, which prompted him to arch his eyebrows in confusion. She did not elaborate, so he asked the most important question.
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111 “Will I find my sister?”
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112 “Oh yes,” she answered, without missing a beat. “But that’s when the journey begins.”
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113 Now what was that supposed to mean? Touya surprised himself with a yawn, beginning to feel strangely mellow. That tea had left a rather odd aftertaste in his mouth, come to think of it.
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114 “Did you put something in that drink?”
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115 “Of course. Troubled thoughts do not let the body sleep easy. Don’t worry, I’ll be sure to wake you before the caravan passes this way.”
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116 Valiantly Touya tried to keep his eyes open but found it was difficult; lying down and drifting off seemed far more attractive. “You’re strange…” he mumbled, and her only response was a light laugh.
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117 “So I am often told. Sleep well, Touya.” She moved a sitting cushion out of his way and directed him to rest his head on a softer, plusher pillow. Her touch was pleasing and he did not fight it, but as he closed his eyes and drifted away he wondered when he’d told her his name.
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118
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119 ---------------------------------------------
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120
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121 There was another brief bout of disorientation, the next morning, when he opened his eyes again. The eastern sky blushed pink and he shifted, ready to roll out of bed and head next door for the morning milking. Then his eyes fell on the cherry tree, as pink and fluffy as the scattered clouds overhead, and he remembered. Touya was not home, and neither was Sakura, but he was going to get her back.
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122 For the first time his thoughts traveled backward instead of forward, and he wondered how his home was faring. It was three full days now since anyone had seen him, there must be all kinds of speculation about what was happening. Did anyone come to check on the cabin, clean out the fireplace? Did they find his pathetic and insignificant birthday presents?
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123 He swallowed and redirected his thoughts to the future. Get to Terriene and find the Royal Crown, find Monroe, find his sister. That was the proper order, that was how it would happen. She would cry, but she would be all right and so happy to see him. And then they’d come home, and one day far in the future this ordeal would be nothing but a short black mark in their lives. Touya was looking forward to that day.
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124 He heard footsteps and sat up, just before Kaho appeared with another tray in her hands. This time it was a steaming cup of tea, bread with a slab of white cheese on top, and what must have been one of the first spring peaches. They weren’t ripening yet back home, but here at a lower elevation they’d already come to fruition.
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125 He sniffed the tea warily, and she smiled. “There’s nothing in it but peppermint and a little honey,” she assured him. “It will energize you. I’ll just go fetch your clothes, I’m sure the other travelers won’t be long.”
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126 She departed as quietly as she’d arrived and he consumed his breakfast, both tea and bread. The peach he saved, in Pierce’s purse, for later. He splashed his face and rinsed his mouth out with fresh water, and changed when she returned with his clothing. He could feel his goal settling itself within him, calm and purposeful compared to his earlier frantic desperation. She’d done that, he knew, her and the tranquil shrine. She might have saved his life.
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127 The sun rose over the trees, molten gold and pink. Under the archway of the shrine they waited without speaking, and he watched her hair light up like strands of fire in its light. She was beautiful, heartstoppingly beautiful in a way he once thought only his mother and sister could be. Entranced, he watched her raise her arm to flag the attention of the oncoming caravan. They slowed and she turned, that hint of a smile on her lips and in her eyes. He wanted to kiss her. It would have been his first.
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128 But somehow, there was a distance between them. It was partly worry for Sakura, and partly something about her manner. Even kind as her eyes were there was a reserve about her, and he held back.
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129 “Thank you,” he said again.
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130 “It was nothing.”
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131 “When I’ve found my sister, and we’re on our way back, I’ll come see you again.” As soon as he said it he realized what a good idea it was. It would be better, to be with Kaho once he didn’t have to worry about Sakura anymore.
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132 The lead wagon in the small party slowed, horse’s hooves beating at the dirt beneath. Kaho smiled politely, but did not reply. Something lurked in her eyes, like she knew it would never be.
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133 “Your ride is here,” is what she finally said. “Good luck on your journey.”
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134 He didn’t say thank you again, it wasn’t needed. He raised a hand in farewell and approached the driver; quickly bargained a lift in exchange for three gold coins. By the time he’d climbed up onto the hard bench beside him and turned, she was gone.
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135
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136 -----
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137
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138 Sakura giggled uncertainly, groping blindly in the darkness, and took a step forward.
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139 “Nope,” Tomoyo teased, “getting colder.” Quickly Sakura turned to the sound of her voice and tried to reach out, but found only empty space.
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140 “Ooh, that was close. Almost there.”
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141 “Tomoyo, you’re moving too fast! I can’t find you!”
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142 “Silly, that’s the point of the game.”
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143 Sakura laughed again and edged forward, waving her arms in an attempt to make contact. She thought it was an odd game, especially since Tomoyo had her take off her robe beforehand, but fun nonetheless. By happy chance Sakura brushed a warm body and she shrieked victoriously.
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144 “I’ve got you!” Tomoyo laughed and made a pretense of tugging away, but Sakura wouldn’t let go and they ended up falling in a tangle on the bed. “I won, I found you. Can I take off the blindfold now?”
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145 “Yes, Sakura, you may. And since you’re a such a good girl for asking first, you get another treat.” Sakura tugged off the short black sash, eyes sparkling with delight, and opened her mouth. Earlier Tomoyo had discovered Sakura had never tasted chocolate, and promptly went out to purchase a box. The creamy sweet flavor was like heaven in her mouth, and Sakura was doing everything she could to please Tomoyo in hopes of another bite.
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146 Tenderly Tomoyo inserted the delectable square, her fingers sliding out from Sakura’s lips when they closed.
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147 “Mmm.”
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148 “Indeed,” Tomoyo agreed, though she wasn’t eating. Fondly she rearranged Sakura’s mussed hair and then let her hands fall, stroking her fingertips lightly over her flesh. Sakura was getting used to the sensation now, though it still made her squirm.
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149 “But why a blindfold, Tomoyo? Why cover my eyes?”
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150 “Er, well, sometimes that’s a game that masters like to play with their slaves. There’s a lot of different games to play, really, but everyone has their favorites.”
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151 Sakura lost her smile. She liked Tomoyo, she was a very kind and sweet girl. But every time she mentioned the words ‘master’ and ‘slave’ a fresh burst of anxiety bloomed inside her. She tried to cover it, not wanting Tomoyo to worry for her, but each time the feeling of dread pressed heavier on her heart.
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152 “Sometimes,” Tomoyo added delicately, “he may like to cover your eyes and tie your hands to the bed.”
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153 “What? But how is that a game?”
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154 “Ah, it is for him. Don’t worry, Sakura, it doesn’t hurt at all.”
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155 Something in Sakura twinged uncomfortably. “I still don’t think it sounds very nice.” She could imagine what her brother would have to say if he could hear all this. “I’m sure it isn’t right.”
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156 Tomoyo looked pained at her declaration. “Sakura, we talked about this yesterday. It is not your place to say such things, if you do so you will make your master angry. Is that what you want?”
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157 “I want to go home.”
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158 “Oh, Sakura, I wish you could. I really do. But you can’t, and you’re here now, and if you try to resist your master you could get hurt. Don’t you understand that?”
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159 A few tears welled up and spilled down her cheeks, and Tomoyo dabbed at her face with the sleeve of her robe. “Please, Sakura, I know it scares you, but you just can’t keep crying like this. It’s not helping anything.” Embarrassed, Sakura tried to sniffle them back. She’d never thought of herself as a crybaby. “You’ll find out soon enough; it’s really not bad at all. Trust me, most slaves are treated very well. Females, anyway.”
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160 That last part actually surprised Sakura out of her tears, and she looked up. “Females? You mean… there are boy slaves too?”
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161 “Yes. Silken Flowers doesn’t deal in them, but there is a market.”
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162 “Do women buy them?”
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163 Tomoyo had only been speaking absently, busy wiping at Sakura’s face, but at Sakura’s question seemed to become aware of herself. She also seemed distinctly uncomfortable.
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164 “Er, not exactly. Some men like to buy male slaves instead of female slaves.”
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165 “But why? They can’t…” She watched Tomoyo’s eyes skitter away to some corner of the room, looking more and more like she regretted starting this conversation. “Can they?”
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166 “It’s all right, Sakura, it’s got nothing to do with you. Come tomorrow, a very rich man will buy you and take you to his home, and dress you in more jewels and fancy gowns than you’ll know what to do with. Just be the sweet, polite girl that I know you are and he’ll be very happy. Everything will be all right.”
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167 And she would never see her home or her brother again. Sakura closed her eyes and rested her head on Tomoyo’s shoulder, who embraced her gently and began to hum.
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168 Everything will be all right. Sakura clung to that promise in spite of her better judgement, wishing away all her dark fears. Tomorrow she was to be sold… and everything would be all right.
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169
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170 -----------------------------------
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171 Disclaimer: I do not own these characters |
