you. Calm down and follow me.»
«What do you want from me?» Kara flashed her eyes with fury.
«That is for Master Ryuu to decide. My job is to get you acquainted with the castle.» The woman took the blade away and in a split second she looked unarmed again. «I was told to inform you that you are our guest, and not a prisoner. Now come on, I will take you to a bath, and we will get some food for you. You must be starving.»
She stepped away and gestured towards the stairs that were leading up to the first floor of the building.
Kara glanced to the three guards, who froze under this woman’s command, and stepped out of the cage.
«My name is Ayame.» The woman said, leading Kara out of this cellar. «I serve master Ryuu and you are now under my care. You will not be able to leave the castle grounds. However, you are free to roam about the castle, except for the gardens.»
«So I am your prisoner.» Kara replied with a grimace.
«You are Master Ryuu’s guest. And in due time he will tell everything you need to know. But in the meantime – I will try to answer all your questions to the extent that I am able to.»
«Why am I here?»
«Master Ryuu will be able to answer that. But, as I heard, you showed quite the fighting spirit in the Land of the Broken. I suppose, this could be the reason you were taken to our realm.»
Kara watched all the corridors and people that she saw, and very soon found herself lost in the maze that the castle was.
«Even though you are free to roam about the castle, be aware that you will not be alone. A number of special guards will be following you always and making sure you don’t bring harm to anyone in the castle. They will also be watching over you so that you will not be hurt by anyone.» Ayame said.
«I don’t need protection.» Kara growled.
«Yes, I saw. You are quite a fighter. But they are there to make sure you don’t try to leave as well.» Ayame opened a sliding door and Kara saw a room with stacks of sheets and towels.
Hesitating for just a moment, Kara stepped in. Ayame followed her and closed the door behind them.
«You can leave your filthy clothes here.» Ayame walked across the room and opened another door. Behind it was a comfortable bathroom with a hot tub ready for Kara to take a bath and clean herself from all the turmoil she lived through on the previous day.
«And you are going to watch?» Kara smirked.
«I can leave, if you want. But believe me – you will not be able to escape.» Ayame bowed and left the room.
Kara stood among this beautiful pristine room and thought for a little while, before entering the bathroom and taking a look around. She noticed a door on the opposite side of the bathroom and stepped up to it. But before she could reach out and try to open it, the door slid to the side and the woman saw a tall man in dark shinobi clothing – he was one of those that many people in her world mistakenly called ninjas.
He shook his head and stood there, staring at her coldly. Behind him she saw a beautiful garden with multiple cherry trees and many different flowers planted.
«So I am a prisoner…» Kara sighed and turned her back to him.
Knowing that he will be there to watch over, she decided to agree to the warm bath that these people provided her. She started to undress, but as soon as she began taking off her blouse, the shinobi behind her slid the door to close it, though Kara didn’t hear the actual hit of the wooden frame against the door itself.
Not minding his presence, she threw her clothes off, baring her bruised body. She looked at her scratches and bruises, and, finally, got into the tub. Only then she noticed the door silently slide shut.
As she bathed, washing away all the dirt and sweat from her skin, she looked over all her multiple tattoos, reminding herself why she made them in the first place. Feeling cornered, she caressed the dark phoenix on her left arm and pulled her knees to her chin.
She wanted to break down and cry – she was away from her home, she was all alone, among those, who could kill her at any moment. And there was not a single person she could really trust.
Kara dived under the water – just to let it wash away any tears that were starting to break through, and when she sat up again, the door was slightly open – enough to be unnoticeable to most – but not to her. The shinobi was watching her – making sure she won’t commit suicide, no doubt.
Just to taunt the man a little, she stood up – naked and shameless, and walked out of the tub. She took one of the towels to dry herself and noticed that the man was there, still watching. But when she finished drying her hair – the door was shut again.
Kara wanted to get dressed, but found her clothes gone. Who could have taken them – and when – was a mystery. Instead of her old clothes she found a haorihakama – similar to the one Ayame was wearing, but deep green in colour. It took some time for her to dress up, but as soon as she did – she found the clothes quite comfortable and very fine in quality.
It was unsettling – everything was strange and felt surreal, as if she was dreaming.
Many years ago she could only dream of something like this, but now – there she was, in a castle, among samurai and shinobi… and without a single clue why she was there.
As she walked out of the bathroom, she noticed Ayame sitting next to the door.
«Ah, that looks much better on you than I anticipated.» Ayame smiled. «Green complements your eyes.»
«Thank you?» Kara never knew how to react to compliments, especially those coming from a woman.
«You still haven’t told me your name, but I need some way to call you…»
Kara took a few moments to think, and decided to tell Ayame a name that fit the circumstances. She had used this name many times before.
«Mariko. Call me Mariko.» Kara replied.
«Very well, Mariko. Follow me. We have a meal prepared for you.»
Ayame led Kara through the maze again and showed her the vast kitchens of the castle. She said that Kara can come any time and even cook her own meals if she wishes – only, to the extent of not having any knives.
«If you need anything cut, ask one of the cooks or servants.» Ayame added and when Kara looked at the people working in the kitchen, they bowed to her.
Kara nodded and Ayame offered her a bowl of rice, topped with some meat and vegetables.
As she ate, Ayame kept talking – she told about all the possible ceremonial habits of the people inhabiting the castle and asked of Kara to uphold these traditions. Finding everything very similar to what Kara knew about ancient Japan, she agreed to try her best.
Her initial concern was to keep everyone thinking she is compliant to at least some extent. Perhaps, when they will feel less threatened by her – she will be able to escape.
After the meal, Ayame showed Kara some parts of the castle, except for the parts Kara was interested in. She was denied access to the training halls, as well as rooms where guards were staying between their shifts.
Seeing the amount of people and guards in the castle, Kara knew that escaping it unnoticed will be close to impossible. Though, it didn’t mean that she will not try.
But first – she needed to learn about where the guards are and where the doors that were leading outside were located. Every detail could help her find a way to run.
Very soon she understood that with all the guards following her at all times – including the hidden shinobi she barely noticed at all – running was turning to something out of her reach.
With