The Toll Of Desire Ch29 The Cycle P3
Firstly I'd like to thank @sleepingdramaqueen for the fanart of her interpretation of Yuukihime/reader she sent me and for giving me permission to show you guys it here in this chapter! Thank you so much! She's beautiful and I really appreciate the support from everyone!
(Warnings for murder/death mentioned, Yuukihime's injuries and condition, cannibalism, cannon kny violence, Zohakuten gets his head bashed in and ripped apart by Akaza literally, some gore, some men being creeps, abuse mentioned, nudity mentioned but nothing explicit, etc.)
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Yuuikihime had been anticipating a much angry reaction from Akaza..And you know what?
She had been wrong at all.
The demon was already angry that he was being made to work alongside Douma and have his scent within his precious home. Akaza was going to be furious when he saw Yoko and Mini Douma running around his own domain unsupervised as well, which is exactly what happened. A tray of food for both herself and Yoko had arrived as per usual for 'breakfast' as the tired teenager was blinking away sleep while cleaning up the wound on her arm for a third time. No signs of Douma this time. Perhaps he didn't want to be confronted by the angry sakura demon when he eventually came back or he was too busy deceiving others. The storm arrived when the two of them were eating their breakfast.
TWANG!!
Yoko looked up with the sound as Yuukihime kept eating. The loud footsteps from the floor above her told her exactly who it was.
Safety Net was home.
Yoko blinked following the loud footsteps with her head as they traveled to the far left side of the building towards the stairs-
"Yoko." Said girl flinched as a jade charm was held up to her. "Tie this around my neck now. Hurry. No time to explain."
To the girl's credit, she didn't ask questions. Yuukihime felt disgust and guilt once more as she made herself wear this murder evidence but it was better not to agitate Akaza more than what he was most likely about to be. For Yoko's sake if anything. Yoko had just tied the knot on the back of her neck that felt more like a noose, when the door slid open, and both women looked up when someone stepped right in.
Yoko completely froze behind her as Yuukihime smiled 'happily'. "Lord Akaza! You're back!"
And not a moment too soon. Akaza didn't say anything. He didn't have to. He was staring down right at the child behind her with a blank face...before his arm lifted and he pointed right at the trembling girl. "Who the hell is that?"
"Oh, that's right. You two haven't been formally introduced yet." Still wearing a happy smile she gestured to the one behind her. "Lord Akaza, this is Yoko. She is my permanent servant from this day forward."
"Servant?" His eyes narrowed fists balling before he snorted. "She smells like him!"
"Well..yes. Lord Douma is the one who gave her to me."
"That's out of the question!", he snapped gritting his teeth together enough that they might've cracked. "Anything that comes from him is nothing good! I tolerate him for your sake, but any spies he plants will be weeded out."
Akaza wouldn't hurt Yoko. Yuukihime knew Akaza wouldn't hurt Yoko. But Yoko had no idea that Akaza wouldn't hurt her. She probably never saw a demon outside Douma and even then Douma might've been terrifying in his own right. Not only that but there was another problem that needed to be fixed. Akaza wouldn't eat or kill Yoko, but he could certainly send the girl back to the demon whom came from and since Yoko was already scheduled by said blonde demon to eat, her death would be set in stone and there wouldn't be anything Yuukihime could do about it.
"Lord Akaza, please be reasonable-"
"I'VE BEEN MORE THAN 'REASONABLE'!", he snapped once more pointing at the girl who only retreated behind the injured woman further trembling. "Once that bastard comes back for your next meal, she's going to-!"
"I asked him for her."
Immediately Akaza stopped, face drawing a blank as he blinked at her. "....What?"
SHUT UP!! Her inner voice told her slapping her with the pain of Sakuno's punches. Every time she was hit for speaking without permission. Be obedient. Be obedient. Be obedient! You're only purpose is to do as you're told and keep silent. That's the only reason you were even born!
"I...asked him to give me her." Her voice was slow but it felt like her throat wanted to tighten up around that lie. "I-I need her."
The demon looked at her, looked at the pathetic trembling scrawny child behind her, then back to her. "You asked Douma for a human? Did you completely forget what I told you about him!?"
"But I need her help." Stay calm. She's lied before to Sakuno's face in order to get girls younger than Yoko off the street. If she can do that and risk a beating then she can certainly do it to keep one innocent child away from sitting in the bottom of someone's stomach.
"What kind of help can she provide you that I can't?" His pink brow rose as he crossed his arms.
"Who else is going to help me change clothes?" Immediately Akaza gave pause. "Or in the onsen? Or help me to the restroom? I certainly can't keep asking you to blindfold yourself. It's inconvenient for everyone, especially if you're away and there's no one else around to help me. What happens if I suddenly need a towel when I begin to bleed from my-"
"STOP, STOP, STOP!!" He quickly held up his hands to her face almost as pink as his hair. "You've made your point!"
"So I can keep my servant?"
Akaza again have a pause staring at Yuukihime before yellow irises slowly locked up onto Yoko. ...Then Upper Moon Three approached. Yuukihime did nothing but sit there and calmly allow the dangerous man eater to walk on over until he was hovering over the girl. A clacking noise was faintly heard. She was trembling so badly that her teeth her clattering together. The demon slowly squatted down until his blank face stared at her eye level, but it wasn't the eyes that got to either of them most. It was his eyes that seemed to stare right through her. A predator sizing up his prey.
"Let me get one thing straight between me and you," he spoke. Slowly. Too calmly. "I don't like him. I don't like people associated with him. Which means I don't like you. You stay because I'm allowing it, but make no mistakes." He leaned forward with a low hiss. "I won't be playing his little games. So whatever he told you to do here, you'd better forget it. Yuuki is mine and whatever is hers is also my property, so by default you're mine and you'll be doing what I say from now on. Understand?"
Yoko didn't answer making him look more annoyed.
"Yoko can not speak. She is a mute."
.....The demon tilted his head. "Mute?...Heh. Hehehehe." His dry chuckling was accompanied by a hand reaching up to rub his face. "So that's it? He sends a mouse to quietly do his dirty work so he just wipe his hands clean from her later without worrying about her opening her mouth....Don't get it wrong." He went back to glaring at her. "I meant what I said. You'd better forget everything he told you to do here because I'm to be keeping a very close eye on you. If you step out of line, even once, I'll have Nakime take you right back to the bastard who sent you here in the first place."
Clink-
The demon stiffened up.
CRACK!
Yoko jumped back a whole foot. She herself jolted at seeing Akaza's head instantly snap around to a degree that would've not only snapped a normal man's neck clean but killed him instantly as the demon stared right across the room. Oval shaped gold pupils became slits once they locked onto Mini Douma standing upon her vanity as unmoving and as still as a statue. Yuukihime blinked. Akaza was no longer in front of her.
Yuukihime froze as a loud crunch noise to her right....Slowly she turned around to look over her shoulder just as something fell at Akaza's feet.
Shards of glass-..No. ICE shards fell at his feet as his hand enclosed around Mini Douma's head and in an instant, he was shattered. His body cracking and falling into bigger chunks that thudded around his. Both girls stared at him in shock. She knew Akaza was strong, he had to be if he punched a hole through pure metal armor, but she clearly underestimated how fast he was. She only blinked once and he was on the other side of her room. In just a single blink. Yuukihime stared at the remains of Mini Douma at his feet like they were the carnage of his usual prey...If Akaza could so easily do that to an ice statue, then she didn't want to imagine what he does to a human body.
"Let me guess.." He turned to give a deep scowl at her, the shards scattered as his feet moved and making crunching sounds when he stepped on them. "He gave that too."
She slowly nodded. "Y-Yes. I couldn't not accept it. It would've been rude to deny one of my Lords, and...he has a much higher standing than I do."
"If he gives you anything else, either human or animal shaped, I want it. That's not negotiable. Understand me, Yuuki?"
"Yes, Sir." She'd gladly hand him over everything Douma gave her. She didn't want gifts that could be used to look at her anyways.
"Good." His eyes shifted up. "Girl." Yoko flinched as he snapped his fingers and pointed to his feet. "Clean this mess up."
...Yuukihime nudged her with her elbow. "Go do as he says, Yoko. We must've disobey the Kizuki."
She looked at her then back at the demon..before slowly getting up. Shaking the entire way as she scrambled to the door- Akaza suddenly snorted grimacing at her.
"And when you're done, go take a bath!" Yoko froze in the doorway. "You smell too much like him! I'll get you some clothes just-..Get rid of that stench!"
Yoko again blinked but just quickly left through the sliding door leaving her alone with the demon. Smart girl. She was starting to learn fast around her. Yuukihime hoped that Douma's fear and being scared by Akaza would whip her into shape for what she needed. A small awkward silence passed by before she decided to speak first addressing the demon.
"It's good to see you again, Sir." Akaza turned raising a brow like her as she smiled. "You took four days instead of three to return. I was starting to think something terrible had happened to you."
He slowly crossed his arms relaxing. "No. I had unfinished business with Zohakuten that needed to be taken cared of."
She blinked. Zohakuten? What could Akaza be doing back with Upper Moon Four? Another fight maybe? Was he threatening them to stay away from her? "Oh. What did Lord Zohakuten do? I hope no one got hurt."
He only smirked. "Don't worry. Kokushibo just wanted to be sure we straightened things out between us."
Oh he wished he had a painting of that bastard's face when Kokushibo ordered him to come with him only to realize that he might as well have been walking straight into a sun when he was presented before Akaza.
"What is the meaning of this?!", Zohakuten had demanded snapping to Upper One who only calmly stood to the side.
"You were not formed with Hantengu's other five clones when they were punished." Kokushibo had casually mentioned just as if they were talking about the weather over tea. "You were a third of the parties responsible for destroying the Infinity Castle, and had committed insubordination against an Upper Rank. You are the last to be punished. I do not forget. I correct what must be." Kokushibo then calmly addressed Akaza. "Have you completed your mission?"
He nodded. "I looked. There weren't any blue spider lilies among what the foreigners brought."
"You are certain?"
"I had to use one of the translators just to read off the labels on the seed bags for me and snap his neck after." He couldn't read the multiple different languages that were plastered everywhere. He had to resort to kidnapping one of the translators working alongside the ones building this massive garden just to tell him what they said. "There wasn't any blue spider lilies."
"I see. Master Muzan will be displeased." He then casually turned back to Zohakuten. "You are to stand there and accept your fate. This is your punishment." He then turned around to walk away. "You have until sundown. I wish to discuss something with you both after."
Zohakuten stood there before looking at Akaza- And a fist pummeled through until it popped out the back of his skull.
"You didn't...kill him did you?" Yuukihime usually never wished death on anyone, but with these creatures she'd made some exceptions.
"I couldn't even if I wanted to." Which he really did at that point but Kokushibo banned him from going after Hantengu only giving him permission to torture Zohakuten as he pleased until the sun went down. "Let's just say that I won't be needing to eat for a while." He ate at least five weeks worth of his usual fill and then some after he was through with the bloody mess of Upper Moon Four.
She decided not to try and think about what that meant. "How was your trip? I hope you didn't run into too much trouble." She would change the subject steering away from any more violence. "I think it was mentioned you were going to a large public garden." She smiled cutely at him. "I love flowers. They always smell so nice, and the soft petals come in so many colors."
"Huh...Maybe I should've grabbed some for you while I was there." He muttered with a hum. "Girls really seem to love those weak little plants." Considering Akaza didn't seem to know a lot about women except for the stereotypes of course he would think that.
"Oh, I could never ask you to get me anything. That would contradict my whole point of being here. I am happy with whatever my masters decide to give me." If only they'd give her peace and quiet instead of constant heart attacks.
"When did I say that I needed your permission to get anything? You shouldn't worry about that." Was that an insult or reassurance? His head tilted at the tray of food still sat upon her lap. "You're still eating?"
"Yes. The meals have been consistent." That was the only positive thing she would give Douma. He had been consistently been bringing her food and water as scheduled. It was starting to almost take a toll on her stomach that was not used to so much food in one day before.
"Then finish eating. I want to look at your wound when you finish."
"Yoko has been taking very good care of me. She's been cleaning it every night and following the doctor's orders."
"....I'm still looking at it." Of course he is. But that's good. She wants him to be concerned about her. That's the whole point of a safety net after all. "How do you feel?"
"Still weak and my body is in a shifting state of heavy and light, and my arm still hurts but I am feeling better than I did just days ago."
"Good. That means it's working. Finish eating."
"Yes, Sir."
Yuukihime was happy to follow that order. She couldn't remember a time when food WAS consistent. She was born into poverty where her mother worked her body to the point of dying from exhaustion all for table scraps she would bring home and feed her daughter..Thinking back on it now, Fujiko had always given her most of what little food and clean water she could get her hands on.
That's what separated Fujiko from most mothers in Yoshiwara. Most mothers tried to or have killed their own children just so they didn't have to deal with the extra mouths to feed. Or waited until they were old enough to be sold into slavery or to one of the Houses. The real lucky ones were tolerated until they were deemed fit to take care of themselves and chased off from home. Fujiko had done nothing like that. She gave the bigger portions, begged heaven for mercy for her, always made sure she was safe. But that's the thing about Yoshiwara. It didn't care if you were cruel or kind. You still died a miserable death. You still got abused. And you never escaped it's grasp unless someone buys you from it.
Always a debt to be paid. Always a hungry customer. Always her life.
Always will be a perfect doll.
".... You're severely underweight for a young girl your age." Her eyes looked up at the doctor who had been summoned to look over her after she 'accidentally fell down the stairs'. "You're weak and pale. You've not even been receiving a balanced nutritional intact have you?"
"She's a perfect weight!," Sakuno interrupted him snapping at the young man doing his job. "Her complection is more beautiful than anyone else's in Yoshiwara! She doesn't need to use that white face powder when she's already the perfect tone!"
The doctor had looked at him. Like most doctors he's already learnt to just ignore the obvious signs of struggles and just do as what the Master or Madam paid him to do, but his eyes wondered. And not in the studying way doctors do. Yuukihime saw the hungry way a young man ALWAYS does when close to a practically naked young woman even if he was here on professional business.
"I will admit, she is very lovely."
"She's beautiful! Fair and dainty! Feel lucky I'm allowing you to see her in such a state! Most men must pay a high price for the most beautiful oiran in Yoshiwara!"
"If we're discussing payments..." His eyes turned back to her.
"Don't you even THINK about it," Sakuno growled grabbing the younger man by the back of his yukata. "I'll pay you the sixty yen you're owed but if you want anymore of Yuukihime, you'll pay just like every other man has too. You're not the exception just because you treat her wounds!"
She's spent her entire life knowing hunger and having food measured and being starved for punishments. And that time was no exception.
"Seducing a doctor now!? You liked it when he touched you didn't you!? Maybe you got hurt on purpose just to feel the touch of a man! Desperate little hussy!"
"I'm sorry. That was not my intention. I will take full responsibility for what happened."
"If you weren't already injured, I'd beat some more sense into you! Get up! My wife is having her brother visit. He's a fool but a fool with money to spare. You will entertain him regardless if it hurts you! No food for two days!"
Each large tray set before her made her feel like her stomach was going to burst, and the VERY bitter medicinal herbal powder mixed up with the water she was served with each breakfast, lunch, and dinner tasted rather terrible. However she wasn't going to turn down food willingly given to her. Not now. Akaza had moved from his place next to her vanity over next to her as she ate. She didn't feel the leering intensity like Gyutaro but it was still uncomfortable for her to be stared at while she ate. Yoko had come back during this time with a broom and dustpan, pausing when she and Akaza stared at each other...Before ducking her head down and just going to clean up the mess he made.
Good. Yoko was learning fast. That will be useful.
She didn't make any fuss when the demon reached out for her arm. "I'm going to look at it now. Alright?"
She simply nodded and kept on eating her food as the demon lifted her sleeve and undid the bandages Yoko had tied on her just an hour earlier. The demon stared at the wound smeared with green goopy medicine for a full two minutes before simply wrapping the bandages back around her arm without saying anything. Guess he wanted to be sure there wouldn't be anything wrong or he was suspicious of Yoko still as he slowly stood up.
"Girl." Yoko stopped on her way to the door after cleaning up the mess, standing frozen as the demon addressed her. "You and I need to discuss a few rules around here."
"I have already informed Yoko to stay away from the eighth floor," Yuukihime calmly told him reaching out to gently grab his arm. "And to stay inside the building. She's a very good listener."
The demon rose a brow at the child. "We'll see about that. Clean this room up, and wash her linens!" He ordered standing up and pulling away from her grip. "There's something Kokushibo wants to tell me, and now I'll have to make accommodations for another unwelcome pest. Shouldn't take me more than a few hours."
"I shall wait until you return, Sir."
Her eyes narrowed watching as the demon left making sure to give the girl a glare down as he walked out the door. Like many times before, she waited until she could no longer hear those footsteps. There was no strike of a biwa this time so he must've left on his own accord.
"Yoko!" The girl flinched snapping to her. Her eyes narrowed to a serious expression. "Listen to me. There's no time to waste. You must go and do everything Akaza has told you to do. Now. Clean this room and then go wash my bed and bathe yourself. If he thinks you're incompetent, he will make you go back to Douma the next time he opens that door."
Yoko's expression immediately dropped. The shards in the dustpan rattling as she shook. So she did know what Douma was capable of.
"Akaza is not a danger to either of us. He only kills and eats men, but that doesn't mean he won't force you into going back to someone who will eat you the first chance he gets." Yoko knew too much. Even if she couldn't talk or write, there was no way Douma would let any loose ends lie around. "I know you don't know me, but you must trust me. As long as you stay within these walls then you'll be safe." That was a lie. She couldn't guarantee Yoko's safety even if Akaza does let her stay, but she needed her to do as she was told. NOW. "So you must do as I say. Do you understand me?" She nodded. "Good. Now go quickly and fetch what you need from the closet." She was already pulling the blankets from her lap. "I don't know how much time we'll have to ourselves."
Yuukihime swore she had never seen someone sweep or scrub floors faster than Yoko had that day. The poor shaking girl, had practically dragged her out by under her arms before going back for her bed just tossing them into the hallway before going to clean. Unfortunately they both know that fear and having your life dangling over your head was a great motivator. There was no telling when Akaza might come back and she didn't want the demon who thought she fonded over him was actually planning something behind his back. She could barely move but Yuukihime could still move. Scooting along the floor and using her good arm until her back was leaned against the wall with a sign. It was good though. Her body was stronger than it was a few days ago that she could walk on her knees slowly but she couldn't walk yet. She really needed to start exercising her body as soon as possible.
"Hurry, Yoko." She called into the room the poor girl was still scrubbing and dusting away at. At times like these she really hated Upper Moon Four for getting rid of that mop! She could've used it and been done so much faster. Note to herself. Ask Akaza for another Mop. "Time is of the essence."
Any moment Akaza could be back despite him saying he would be only a few hours. Or worse if Douma happened to show up, now that his little pet was destroyed he was bound to know that his insights into her life was gone unless he showed up in person, and she was no going to risk that. About eight minutes later Yoko emerged, wooden bucket and feather duster in hand.
"Are you finished?" She nodded. "Good. Put those away quickly. Then close the bedroom door and go get the onsen running, but leave the food trays next to the door." It's better to do what Akaza wants and what Douma expects first before they could even talk. "There's an all purple kimono in the wardrobe. You may change into that when you're finished."
Akaza might be angry that she let Yoko have one of her dresses, but it was the plainest one in there and knowing how he treated her wardrobe after Hantengu, he might make Yoko get rid of the plain white dress she arrived in, which currently was the only clothes the poor girl only had. And to the girl's credit, she didn't waste any time. The onsen ran. Her futon and blankets were washed by the poor girl-
"There's a balcony on this floor I think. Look for it and then hang them on the railings."
She waited painstakingly just sat there on the floor for her to get done with everything. Thank goodness Akaza hadn't decided to tell her to do anything else, but time was not on their side and she was not a patient woman right now.
"Help me into the onsen." Her head turned back down the empty hall and eyed the still closed bedroom door wearily. "I'll help you wash your hair."
Yoko didn't say anything, but just drag her into the onsen with her and the purple dress thrown over her shoulder. Door closed behind them with her foot leaving the two alone.
"Go turn on the onsen." Hopefully the noise of the tub filling would help drown out their voices.
She waited for the girl to pull the lever and for steaming water to start making noise for a moment. Shiny eyes narrowing at the girl's back for a moment.
"..What did he tell you to do?" Yoko turned around to the woman leaning against the wall. "Let's stop pretending. I know he gave you to me for a reason and that he was intending on killing you as soon as I got better when you were no longer of any use." The girl stiffened where she stood. "I got you away from Douma, the least you can do is give me information in exchange for risking my own life to save yours. Now..What did he tell you to do, Yoko?"
Yoko didn't do anything at first..before glancing at the door.
"Douma won't be here until at least midnight." When he delivers 'lunch'. "But Akaza could be back any moment. You may not believe me, but I am really trying to help you. We're both victims to these demons. Neither of them would know either way unless I decide to tell them."
She stared at the door, then at her...then pointed to her eyes before pointing back at Yuukihime.
"He told you to keep an eye on me?" Yoko nodded. As she suspected. "Why?"
She pointed to her arm, at the same area Yuukihime's would was.
"He told you to watch me because of my injuries?" She nodded. "Was there any other reasons?" A shrug. It felt like Douma wanted to watch her for more than just her injuries and made two methods of doing so, both he controlled to certain extents. Although Yoko was either unable to fully tell her or he purposely kept that from her. Either one is likely. "Can you write?" A yes. That surprised her. "Douma said you couldn't. Were you keeping that from him?" Yes. ....She smiled. "You're a smart girl. We're both going to get along fine. I suppose I don't need to ask, but you do know what exactly Douma is. Don't you?"
Yoko stared back. Steam rising up to linger around them and eventually she slowly nodded.
Yuukihime couldn't help but let a sigh slip past her lips. What did she see that scared her so badly? Perhaps she had seen the true kind of 'meat' Douma had those oblivious humans cooking for him. "I'm so sorry. I can't imagine what you must have been through..but I need your help. I don't plan on staying here forever. I-..I have a plan, but I need time. I can't do anything in my current state. I need someone to help me. If you help me, then I promise to make sure you get far away from this place. Will you help me?"
The teenager didn't respond for a long moment staring at her thinking, then turned to the door again for a long silent moment....and slowly nodded.
"Good. The first thing we're going to do is get Akaza to agree to let you stay. As long as he thinks you're useful to me then he won't do anything unless you give him a reason to." The same way Akaza had viewed her in the beginning. "But there's some rules you must follow that you haven't been doing. First being that you have to bow to the demons every time you see them." Her brow rose. "They think of themselves as above humans. Even if you don't like them, show respect. Some will find it offensive you didn't and will kill you for it." That got her attention real quick. "Secondly, no matter what they tell you to do, do it. It doesn't matter if you're tired, hurt, or otherwise. Any sign of you being useless will also get you killed. If it's easier for you, just do as I say in front of them. Thirdly, don't look any of them in the eye. Keep your head down and just do as you're told. That's the easiest way you can act around them. Lastly, do not go to the eighth floor. That's Akaza's personal space and he doesn't allow anyone up there. That's the fastest way to get sent back to Douma...Do you understand everything I told you, Yoko?"
She nodded again looking like she was about to faint.
"Remember everything I told you. Because I might not act again to save you." The girl blinked. "I already risked my life to get you out of harm's way. If they think I grow attached to you, and I do something they don't like then it's most likely they will hurt you to hurt me...For now do as Akaza says. We've already risked it enough as it is. Once Akaza leaves again and we're alone, we'll talk more."
