Imari

The wind blew softly through the cherry blossom trees as two dark figures crept through the night, hidden amongst the shadows to any passersby. As a small group of village women came close to the pair, they decided it was easier to traverse the tiled roofs silently then creep past the chatting women. So, with a small swish of clothing, they gracefully arched into the air. The smaller figure, even though much more lean and lighter then the larger, was not as adept at the art and had to grasp the edge of the roof, twisting it's body and landing solidly on padded feet.

"We are nearing. Make sure you are ready," the larger whispered, it's voice heavy and commanding. The smaller nodded, and the larger smiled behind it's mask. "you will need all the wits you can salvage." They took off again, sprinting quietly over the tiles with barely a tinkle of noise. After several brief minutes, they arrived at a large, open field, surrounding a gated area that rose a high fifteen feet over the earth. However, this did not deter the two figures, as they leapt from the last villagely owned building, and into a dense field of crops. The larger stopped, motioning for the other to follow it's beckoning.

"Listen," it said, "this is your first mission alone." It grasped the smaller's shoulder tightly, as if reluctant to let it leave. "Make sure you survive." The figure lowered it's mask, revealing a slightly rough face with a powerful jaw, with a powerful nose and strong cheekbones. The smaller did as well, however this revealed smooth, porcelain skin with full, pink lips and high cheekbones. Her nose delicately placed upon her enchanting features, with no blemishes to speak of. The black cotton material covered above the bridge of her nose, covering her head as well. The two grasped eachother in an embrace, and the girl pressed her lips to the man's, the kiss a passionate and prolonged one. After multiple long, enticing moments, they broke, gasping for air.

"I will, Master." The girl kissed him one more time, this time a short peck on the lips. She lowered her mask, and set off to the gates, the tails of her black dragon-embroidered hakama trailing behind her, the skin of her thighs visible through the baggy clothing. She wore a steel chestplate that covered her small breasts, attached to a black sleeveless skintight shirt. She also wore black leather gloves, padded at the knuckles and wrist, spanning the curve of her elbow and tied off at mid-bicep. The man did the same, however he went around the wall, hiding himself from even her.

They had been togethor for three years, halfway through her training. Except for a kiss or a hug here and there, he had never been allowed by her to touch her. He was deeply aggravated, needing release from her. However, he was nearing thirty, and was getting anxious. However, he cared far less about her in general, only needing to take her.

-----

The walls of the feudal manor loomed above her, making her crane her neck as she stood in the shadows.She bit her lip to ward off her feelings of nervousness. Taikou was not here to make sure she did not get hurt. It was up to her to assure her safety. Steeling her nerves, she took out a small grappling hook, twirling it quickly, and launching it at the underside of the tiled roof of the gate. It crunched into the stone, allowing her to yank herself quickly upwards, her feet moving rapidly on the side of the wall. When she reached the top, she swung herself up onto the ledge, landed on her feet crouching, and yanked the grappling hook out carefully, mindful of the precious metals in the hook's alloy.

She reattached it to her belt, before crouching low on the wall and racing along the length. As she neared the closest building, she pivoted her foot and kicked off, flying through the air at the building. She flipped to decrease momentum, then landed quietly on her hands and knees, winded by the impact. She shook herself and stood, before climbing up the sloped roof, and peeking into a window at the top, scanning for her target, a fat, bald merchant who wore old robes stained with who-knows-what. She located him, sipping hot sake and feeling up the harem girls next to him, fake smiles and giggles radiating from their faces.

She quickly took a sharp blade out of her side pouch, and mentally locked a path at the merchant. She slowly drew her arm back, taking aim at the neck of the unsuspecting target, when she felt a sharp pain stab in her spine. She groaned, dropping the knife with a loud clatter, and was kicked into the window, dropping hard onto the mahogany table, shattering it and splintering her back. She stood, moaning in pain, drawing her wakizashi and leaping at the merchant. However, whatever hit her originally, grasped the dark scarf around her neck and threw her into a support beam. She yelped out loud as her back connected into the pillar, bits of wood pressing against her back harder. Dazed and confused, she stumbled to her feet, only to lock eyes with the chocolate brown eyes of her Master, Taikou.

"Master, what.." she groaned out, clutching her side as she squeezed her eyes shut from the pain. It shot up from her spine, and into her brain, indicating serious damage had been dealt. Her head felt foggy, and a haze seemed to ooze into her eyesight. She shook her head to clear it, but it only rattled her abused mind more, causing her to feel groggy.

"Ah, you took too long. I decided to hire some help." He smiled at her, removing his mask and dropping it to the floor. She glanced at him, her eyes widened with shock and pain, her knees buckling before her as she thumped to the ground, her hands and knees supporting her. "But; I decided I've had enough of you. Goodbye, Imari-chan." He grinned at her, lifting his foot ever so slightly, and twisted hard, slamming the arc of his foot into her neck and causing her to crack her head on the pillar. In moments, her vision completely blackened and she welcomed the realm of unconsciousness.

-----

Salts that smelt very strong roused her, groggy and confused, she opened her eyes. All she saw was darkness, and the sudden action sent her head on fire. Her head was killing her, felt like it was split in two, her back a dull ache. What really hurt was the memories of what had transpired, and the betrayel of Taikou, her Master. She shook her head, groaning at the intense pain, and tried to come back to her senses. She tried to reach up and rub her temples, but her arms would not budge. She could feel coarse roped tying her wrist to her upper arm, and another rope tying both arms to her torso. Her legs, as well, were bound ankle to upper thigh, and tied togethor. This left her completely immobile, and she could feel another rope binding her to a hard, round object that went past her head. She guess it was the pillar she had originally hit.

A slimy, nasal voice came from her right side. The sudden noise sent jolts to her head, causing her to bite her lip to stifle a moan.

"Ah! I see the princess is awake!" A clapping sound came from the right, followed by a cracking and a moan of wood being pressed with too much weight. "And how are we doing, love?" The voice came from next to her ear, hot and rancid breath tickling at her cheek. She turned her head away in disgust, the breath smelt of alcohol and another, unidentifiable substance. The voice laughed loudly, and she matched it to the fat, old merchant that was previously her target.

A vicious slap echoed through the room as a heavy hand met with her soft cheek, slamming her head against the pillar. She grunted loudly, ripping her lip and squeezing her eyes shut to block out the pain. She couldn't think straight, and she felt dizzy.

"Wench, do not look away!" The merchant yelled, spittle flying from his mouth and landed on her cheek. He laughed loudly, for several long minutes, before he calmed down and took on a more serious tone. "From now on, if you look away or directly at me without permission, I will punish you." His voice was a mockery of one, matching his ugly form.

Confusion spread through her mind, what was going on? She couldn't understand. However, as if the confusion was written on her face, he began to explain.

"That blasted ninja hired me to act as a target, to lure you into a trap. Though apparently, he got tired of you and left you to me. That means, you are my slave." He laughed quite loudly as she grimaced. He seemed to understand that he was a disgusting, vile creature and reveled in it.

However, as soon as realization hit Imari, she quickly snarled at him, facing him directly, or so she thought through the blindfold, and spat in his face. "Do not speak ill of the Master!"

A louder, harder slap hit her in the same cheek, hitting her against the pillar again. The merchant roared, angered at her remark. "You will not talk back to me, whore!" He slapped her again for good measure, kicking her in the ribs and knocking the wind out of her. "Just for that, I will make sure you're introduction into my harem is a living hell!" He stormed out through a sliding paper door, slamming it shut, and she heard silence.

Suddenly, she bursted into tears, the stress of her situation kicking in. She could not hold back, the tears soaked the blindfold and dripped under it, coating her cheeks in salty tears. She tasted them, her sobs wracking through her abused body. This was too much for her to take, and she shook her head. The ponytail that held her mid-back length fire red hair into a fan was still held tight, and her long bangs that reached her chin collected part of the moisture. Her golden eyes were shut tight, her tears spilling through the cracks.

After all, this was far too much for a twelve year old to take.