Insanity

Koda turned to watch Damian and Dai disappear through the trees. "He's at the estate." She replied calmly. "We can walk you but when you get close you must tie us up. Don't you think it would be a little suspicious if we turned up with you and went in willingly?" Koda shook her head. "You're going to use us to barter for your life."

"He knows you guys helped me...so basically act as if I took you guys prisoner when I realised my only chance at survival was returning to him?" She asked, trying to make sure they had their stories straight. Narrowing her eyes, Kana asked Koda what exactly she meant. "How exactly do I use the three of you to barter for my life? You need something of equal or greater value to barter with someone...Your lives are worth much more then mine to me, I don't know what they're worth to him. I know he doesn't care about Sora, but he is iterested in some of his genetic traits..Obviously he's intrested in you..Besides his number of tails, I don't think Akio even knows Damian... I'm sorry, I realise I must be sounding like a naieve child at the moment, but I want to make absolutly certain that I know what the plan is. I don't want to get you guys hurt or even killed because I didn't understand something." Kana sighed.

"Why would he help you if the people who aid you are still out there? And he knows we can get you back. Having us in his confinement limits that chance." Koda told her, leading the horse through the woodland. "So you can offer us for your life." Koda stayed quiet for a while, nodding in acknowledgement to Damian who slipped into the group. Drawing the horse to a halt she held her wrists behind her back and offered them to Damian who quickly tied them before doing the same to Sora. He lifted his arms so Kana could do his.
"Lets go." Koda said, nudging the horse into a walk.

"Makes sense..." Kana said quietly with a nod. It wasn't long after binding Damian's hands that she started to panic. Breath coming in ragged gasps, she covered her eyes with her hands, trying to calm down. Sora turned midstride, staring at her in concern. "Kanachan, ochitsuita shite kudasai. Wareware wa kore o ikinokoru tame ni wareware no subete no tame ni atama reberu ni suru hitsuyou ga arimasu." (Kana, please be calm. We need you to be level headed in order for all of us to survive this.) Sora pleaded in a soothing voice. Taking a deep, shaking breath, Kana nodded. "Hai...Sorakun...Gomen." She said inbetween gasping breaths. "Kanachan, you're hyperventolating. If you don't get your breathing under control, you'll pass out." He said quietly, stateing the obvious. She nodded again, trying to slowly inhale and exhale. Becoming dizzy, she leaned forward, pressing her face into the horses strong neck. She winced as sharp pain coarsed through her leg again. "Gomen ne. I-I'm scared. Terrified. If I slip up, you could all be hurt...even killed." She whispered. Closing her eyes, a tear slowly rolled down her cheek. "Not to mention...I'm going to be hurt, no matter what. Last time he beat me within an inch of my life...and hurt me so badly, hurt and killed others I cared about...that I considered taking my own life more then once, so that he no longer had me as a tool. That I'm willingly going back to him..." She added with a shakey breath. Shuddering, she inhaled deeply. "I-I'm sorry. I'm being a selfish baka. You all must be even more afraid then I am. I always knew I may have to return to him one day, but I never expected...I didn't think I would have to put my friends lives in jepordy. The lives of people I love..." She said softly, looking at Sora. The young male Kitsune glanced at Koda, remembering what she had said to him before. Moving to walk next to the horse, Sora looked up at Kana, who's blood red hair was partially obstructing her face. "Watashi wa, watashi-tachi wa kore o jikkou suru mae ni tsuchi suru hitsuyou ga arimasu nani ka o motte iru. Watashi wa hitsuyouna mono wa, zutto mae ni anata ni iimashita. Watashi wa anata ni zettai-tekina shinkou o motte iru, to watashi wa anata o aishite." (I have something I have to tell you before we do this. Something I should of told you long ago. I have absolute faith in you, and I love you.) He said softly. Kana sat up, looking at Sora with wide eyes. Sora smiled, blushing lightly. "Kanachan, watashi wa anata o aishite. Watashi wa tsuneni motte iru, to tsuneni narimasu. Nani mo ima made sore o henkou shimasen." (Kana, I love you. I always have, and always will. Nothing will ever change that.) He added, locking eyes with the woman. Kana smiled back, nodding sharply. "Arigato Sorakun. Watashi wa anata o amarini mo aishite. Watashi wa itsumo motte iru." (Thank you Sora. I love you too. I always have.) She responded, deep blush gracing her cheeks. "I'm sorry...I was being a baka, breaking down like that. I can do this. I will do this. I will get us all out of this alive, and we'll take down my loving husband. No matter what." She said, voice full of determination.

Koda carefully made her way across the forest floor, coaxing the horse to move forwards. Visably tensing as the house came into sight she let out a quiet sigh. "Lets do it."

Taking a deep breath, Kana nodded sharply. "Right." She said, exhaling. Urging the horse forward, she led her companions towards the Nakamura estate, holding onto ropes that were attached to where each of their wrists were bound. Emerging from the tree line, they were immediatly confronted by five of Akio's men, a sword at each of her "prisoners" necks, the other two trained on Kana. Kana sat up straighter, face going stone cold. "Stand down or I'll destroy you all before you can even think of moving! Do you have any idea who I am?" She commanded, easily falling back into the role of noblewoman. The soilders hesitated, glancing between each other. The man with his sword to Koda's neck nodded to the man closest to Kana. "State your name and reason for coming here." He said in a harsh voice. Kana laughed, staring the man down. "You all must be new to Akio's services. I am Lady Kana of the Michiko clan, Akiosama's wife." She answered, all humor draining from her face. The man who had questioned her went pale, swallowing hard. The one holding Koda captive lowered his blade. "Young kitsune woman of noble decent, pure white skin, black eyes, hair the color of blood...it has to be her. No one else posses all those traits, especially that hair..." He said, looking the girl over. Giving the man an arrogant look, Kana spoke again. "Now that you've concluded I am who I say I am, would you take me to my husband? I'm sure he'll want to see me as soon as possible...considering he's been hunting for me for nearly two years, and the last two times I saw him I tried to kill him." She said with a cruel smirk. The soilder who had been doing all the talking stared at her with wide eyes. The soilder who was hovering near Sora turned to the other man. "We have to take her to our master, Jun-san. Akiosama has commanded that if anyone is to come into contact with Kanasama that they either inform him or bring her to him immediatly." He said. Jun glared at the other man. "I'm aware of our orders Yuuta-san." He snapped. Turning back to Kana, he motioned to her. "Follow us Lady Kana and we shall take you to your husband." He said, waiting infront of the little group for the rest of the soilders. The five men led the way to the estate, leaving Kana and the others to trail behind. Kana looked at Koda, fear returning to her face at the thought of facing her husband.

Stumbling after the horse, she shoved her weight against the solider who was keeping close, forcing him slightly further away. "Rude to crowd people." She snapped, ears flicking down in disdain.

The man Koda ran into turned, back handing her across the face. Sickly green flames errupted from the ground, surrounding the man. "You will not touch any of my prisoners, is that clear?! If any of you raise a hand to one of the people I've detained, you will be turned into a pile of ash before you can scream, do you understand?" Kana snapped, glaring at the men. The man surrounded by flames nodded rapidly, "H-hai Kanasama!"
Continuing their walk towards the house, Kana quietly began to panic again. The strong, arrogent mask she kept putting on was slowly melting away. Everytime one of them harmed her friends, her temper flared. She had to keep that in check...Here, with these men, she could get away with it, but as soon as they were with Akio, if she showed that she cared for them at all, he would use it against her.
Once they were close to the entrance of the home, one of the soilders aproached a kitsune that was standing guard at the gate to the courtyard. "Tell Akiosama that Lady Kana is here. Make it quick." He ordered. The kitsune was staring at Kana with wide eyes, and she knew why. She recognised him as a member of the guard from back when she lived here. Finally the guard bowed, heading into the courtyard.

Running her tongue against the cut on the inside of her cheek. Koda sighed quietly, pulling away from the horse, tugging the rope gently to gain her attention and passing her a reassuring smile.

Kana looked down at Koda, returning her smile with a weak one of her own. Within moments the guard returned. "Akiosama said to escort them in." He said, motioning to the open gate. The soilders made their way in, leading Kana's group. The kitsune guard hung back so he was next to Kana. "Lady Kana..." He said quietly. She turned towards the man, giving him a questioning look. "Kazuki-san.." She responded, addressing the man. "Why have you returned? Akiosama treats you so badly..." He asked, giving her a concerned look. "I didn't want to come back. My husband has made it so I have no choice but to return if I want to survive." She admited, whispering to the man as they entered the courtyard.
Akio sat crosslegged with his eyes closed on a boulder in the middle of his rock garden, looking completely peacefull. Kana stopped breathing for a moment, terrified of the handsome man infront of her. Opening his eyes, Akio smiled. Standing, he lept from the rock to the grass, leaving the sand of his garden untouched. "Leave us now, I want to welcome home my wife." He ordered. The men bowed, filing out. Akio walked over to the remaining group, smirking at them. "So my little Kana has willingly returned to me...and she's brought gifts." He grinned. Kana narrowed her eyes at the man, biting her tongue to keep from speaking to soon. Akio walked over to Sora, circling him. "Senshi-san, still alive I see. I guess your mothers sacrifice was worth it." He grinned, patting Sora on the cheek. He walked over to Damian next, narrowing his eyes at him. "Damian. I wondered where you went. My personal physician, the man who saved my life after my lovely bride poisoned me, and you just...disapear. Now I find you with several people who have tried to kill me." He snapped, turning away. "And the Neko girl, the one who knows all my families secrets, Koda." He said, cupping the side of her face. Akio looked up at Kana with a smile. "What lovely gifts my dear." He laughed. "They're not gifts, not yet. I know what you did to me. Remove the curse and they're yours...and so am I." She said, trying her hardest to keep her voice from shaking.

Damian scowled slightly. "Well, now I know to leave you to die." He retorted, eyes narrowing slightly dispite his usual calm demeanor.
Koda simply smirked at him. "I wouldn't say all. But I can tell you that whore you call a mother was making it through the guards. And she enjoyed sodomy."

Snarling at Koda, he turned back to Kana. "And what would stop me from just taking all of you?" He asked in a haughty voice. "Me. You try to take us without removing this curse, I'll attack you with enough force to kill." Kana answered matter of factly. Akio smirked at the woman. "You do that and you die as well." He laughed. "You think I don't realise that?" She laughed. "I have no desire to die Akio, but as long as I have this curse I'm dying anyways. I would much rather kill us both and deny you everything you've ever wanted then suffer a slow, lingering death." She explained. Akio narrowed his eyes at her, "What's the catch?" He asked. "No catch. I told you, I don't want to die, especially not from this. I'm offering you everything you've ever wanted in exchange for my life. The man who's family has the knowledge on how to bring back the dead, the doctor who knows everything about your medical history and skipped out on you, and the woman who has haunted your family for generations...the only people with enough power and courage to help me try to escape from you. They will be under your control, unable to help me, and able to help you." She said, looking at each of her captives. "And more then that, you get me, which will eventually give you this whole land, which is what you've wanted from the start. You've already proven that when I'm with you for long enough you can absorb enough of my gifts to keep me from harming you without help. I'm giving you anyone who would help me." She finished. "And they just willing let you take them prisoner? Volunteered to let you barter their lives away to save your own?" He asked, waving at the other three. "Not exactly." Kana answered with a sadistic smile. "What does 'not exactly' mean?" He retorted with a frown. Kana shrugged, "Why don't you ask them?" She answered, knowing she couldn't come up with a good enough story on the spot.

Koda smirked quietly. "Me and Damian killed her sister." She stated matter-of-factly. "We allowed Kana to watch her scream and beg for her life. But since she cant kill me, I ended up here and she knew Damian would be useful to you."

Akio's eyes widened. "I wondered where the child was. Kana's to protective of her to leave her. I'm amazed she had enough restraint to not kill Damian." He said softly. "Truthfully, so am I." Kana responded in a growl, glaring at Koda and Damian. That was a good one Koda, thank you.
"And you Senshi-san? I can't imagin you harming Dai-hime. How did you come to be here?" He asked, turning to Sora. Sora hung his head. "No, I would never harm Daisama. I was gone when they killed her, out looking for signs of you. I actually did volunteer to let Kanasama barter my life away to you. I swore to protect Kanasama and Daisama...I failed on both accounts. If my life could sweeten the deal, give her a better chance of having her life saved, I'm more then happy to make the sacrifice." He answered, voice barely audable. Akio laughed. "That sounds like you. The Senshi clan, noble to the end, even though they're walked all over and treated like slaves." He said, shaking his head with a smirk.
Strolling up to Kana, he nodded. "Fine. I'll remove to curse, and you'll all be mine." He said with a wicked grin. Reaching up to Kana, he helped her off the horse, holding the much smaller woman in his arms. "Kazuki!" He shouted, turning in the direction the guards had left. "Hai Akiosama." Kazuki said, returning to the courtyard. "Take these three to the slave quarters and secure them. Bind them with the collars that dampen their abilities, they're extreemly dangerous. I'll see to my little wife here." He said, taking the ropes out of Kana's hand, giving them over to Kazuki. "Hai. Come with me." He said with a nod, leading them away.
Akio carried Kana over to a bench, laying her on it. He carefully uncovered her leg, hissing at the sight. "It has taken a toll on you. I understand why you returned now." He laughed. Grabbing the front of his shirt, Kana glared at the man. "Remeber, if you don't remove it, I'll kill us both." She growled. "I remember..."
Kazuki gave the three prisoners a sad look. "I would not wish this on anyone. Kanasama must of been in a grave state indeed for her to return and give people to Akiosama, even people who murdered her kin."

Koda grinned. "Nothing more than the little bitch deserved. Ever heard a child scream while you're ripping out their insides?" She asked him innocently. "Don't pity us. We can look after ourselves."

Kazuki narrowed his eyes at Koda. "Yes, I have." He said simply, leading them on. Entering the structure, Kazuki instructed the guard incharge of the slave quarters to fit them with collars and shackles. The guard, a Neko with orange-red hair, pulled Sora forward first. "This might hurt." He laughed, accent different then Sora had ever heard. Sora hissed as something sharp burrowed into the back of his neck, metal collar being locked into place. Placing shackles around his wrists and ankles, the Neko shoved him to the side. "Wait over there. You next.." He said, pulling Koda over to him.
"This is going to be quite painful." Akio warned, looking at Kana's leg. He traced black and purple lines radiating from a central spot carefully, entranced by what his curse did. "Everything you do to me is painful." Kana mumbled, looking away. Akio chuckled at her comment, "I suppose that's true..." He responded. Making several hand signs, he pressed his hands against her leg. "Release." He said sharply. Kana screamed, back arching, as what felt like moltant lead coarsed through her veins, finally passing out from the pain. Akio stood up, smiling down at her. "I suppose losing your lifeforce was worth it to hear you scream like that." He laughed softly.

"Then you'll understand the pleasure in it." Koda grinned, flinching slightly as the collar was clipped on. "You look a lot like Emillia." Koda commented to the orange haired girl. "Shame really, I know she wanted you to get out of this place."

Kazuki smirked as Koda flinched in pain. The girl looked at Koda, "How did you..?" She began. "Jena. Enough. Ignore the woman. Her only purpose is to cause strife between people." Kazuki ordered. "Yes sir." She said with a nod, applying the last shackle. Shoving Koda hard enough towards Sora that he had to steady her to keep her from falling, Jena turned to Damian last. She applied the collar a bit more gently then she had to the other two. "Never expected to see you in one of these..." She mumbled.

"Your mother was a good woman, shame she got caught, she wanted to raise you by the ocean." Koda murmured, straightening herself up.
"Yeah well, I never planned to. If I had my way none of this..." He sighed, shaking his head, taking Koda's hand and walking out the room.

Sora stood there, feeling a little lost. He wanted to go with Koda and Damian, but seeing as they were suppose to of killed Dai... "Don't go far you two. I'm sure Akiosama will want to see you soon." Kazuki called after the pair. Sora dropped his head as he noticed the man turning towards him, not able to school his face as well as he would like. "There are cots for the slaves down the hall. Water can be got from the well outside. Food will be brought soon." Kazuki said, turning on his heel to leave. Jena turned to Sora once they were alone, swallowing hard. "Did that woman really know my mother?" She asked quietly. Sora shook his head. "I don't know. Probably. I know she's been alive a long time, and this isn't her first time with the Nakamura's." He answered, glancing at the girl through his hair. "I see..." She mumbled, then ran out of the room in the direction Koda and Damian went. Sora smiled as he watched her go. She's our key out of here if we play our cards right. Please see that Koda...
Jena grabbed Koda's shoulder. "Wait!" She gasped, slightly out of breath. "My mother...did you really know her? She died when I was small. Please, can you tell me about her? No one here will speak of her." She asked in a desperate voice.

Koda pried Jena's fingers from her shoulder, dropping it back. "First, you don't grab people it's rude." She stated. "Yes I did know your mother. She was a bit taller than you and her hair was darker. You got the brightness from your fathers side." Koda folded her arms across her chest. "What's in it for me? Everything has a price. Knowledge especially. If you can give me something in exchange I'll be happy to answer your questions."

Jena actually looked embarassed at Koda's scolding. "My father? I don't even know who..." She began. Straighting up, the girl squared her shoulders, narrowing her eyes at the Neko. "What did you have in mind? I really don't know what I have to offer, but we can try to come to some sort of arrengment."

Koda leaned against the wall. "Take the collars off and replace them with fake ones. I know you can." She grinned. "Do that and I'll answer anything you want."

Jena crossed her arms over her chest, narrowing her eyes at the white haired girl. "That's a pretty steep price for information on a woman I barely knew and a man who's name I don't even know." She stated. "But I guess that's the whole point..." She added with a small smile. Face going blank, she looked at them with serious eyes. "Two things before I even consider agreeing to this. First, and I want a completely honest answer, what do you plan on doing once I replace the active collars? And second, how do I know that you'll actually tell me what I want to know, and not just make some shit up? Or that you'll even tell me anything at all?" She asked.

"What I do is my business. I can assure you no one will come to harm." Koda fiddled with the collar for a moment. "What's the point in lying? I'll give you my word that I will tell the truth and answer what I know."