Chapter 3: The Serving Maid
(Note: This chapter will introduce a new character that is copyrighted to Maru-Sha. I have her permission and consent to use this character in this work of fiction, so please don’t sue me!)
The brotherhood hall hadn’t changed much in the one thousand years it had been around. No one really saw much reason to restore the crumbling room to its original state and as a result, pieces of the wall and ceiling were cracked and falling, the table that stood in the center was covered with dust and rot, and the beautiful pictures and statues that had decorated every space of the room were now naught but a memory. It was here that the council of the empire, the rulers of the world, met and did their business. There was one council member per tribe to make it fair and every four years, a vote was held to determine if that particular council member would stay or go and a new would would replace them. More often than not, if a person was useful to the empire, regardless of how they had acted before, they would be asked to stay. The current roster for the council inclided…
Nobunaga, the representative for the Neko community. A rather cold man, he believed in severe punishment for the tiniest infringement. He was both, sadist and Maochist. He held most of his other council members in low regards, especially those that were younger than him. He himself was rather young, only twenty-five years old now. He was sleight of build, as most neko’s were, no fat anywhere on his body, a sleek frame, and a beautiful face. He had been on the council now for eight years, and had just been re instated.
Korin, the elven representative. A shrewed and humorous man of pure elven decent. He was rather popular amongst his people, but he secretly loathed the cross breeds and was willing to do anything to bring his people back to their purest stage. Among the councilmen, he was one of the most well-liked. Wise for his age, he was basically the leader of the council, though he would never point that out. His own body was just like an elf’s, young features, flowing golden hair streaked with silver, deep blue eyes, pointed ears. His body was thin and almost frain in appearance. Anyone who didn’t know that he was an elf, from looking at his pale skin, would assume that he was weak and sickly.
Sonin, the kitsune representative. Without a doubt, the youngest council member in over two-hundred years, Sonin was a playful young girl who liked nothing more than instituting her power any way she could. Of course, she was sure to keep in good relations with the more powerful people in her society, but anyone else was fair game for her playful little pranks. She would order a tax increase and then bring it back down right after the people had paid. She would order raids on innocent people. All in all, she wasn’t cruel. She just thought she was playing. She was only fourteen years old and had the standard kitsune long. Golden calculating eyes and were masked by a playful smile and an innocent pout, beautiful red hair that reached down her back, and a lovely long tail was waved from side to side as she talked, as if the sound of her own voice was pleasing to her.
Monica, the draconic representative. Nothing like the other council members, she actually did all that she could for her own people. However, she saw the other clans as being below her. She had a sort of high and mighty attitude that most would find quite annoying. In fact, that was why she was so outraged at the fact that a dragon concubine had been purchased. She claimed such acts demoralized their race. She was a looker, at least in her human forms. A supple body was accompanied by a lovely layer of rippling muscles that showed that she could easily hold her own in any fight. Her skin was sort of teal, set with scales. Her own eyes were rather reptilian and flicked back and forth from person to person, studying them intently before moving on.
Narek, the human representative. He was a pure incarnate of everything that wasn’t right with the human race. He was handsome, charming, could easily talk his way out of any situation, but would kill without hesitation. Most referred to him as the seven deadly sins because he embodied all seven of them to the letter. His form was average built, but his eyes held such an intensity, that very few people, even some of the other council, could keep eye contact with him for more than a few seconds. He had a lust for women, that was no secret, and he craved beauty. When one woman was no longer beautiful to him, he tossed her away and drew another one.
And finally, there was Usul, the representative for the dogs and Lycanthropes. He was a lycanthrope himself, but the representative always came from either of the clans and represented them both since they were so closely related. He was gruff, uncaring, and downright cold. He wasn’t exactly smart, but he made up for it in brute strength, making him the muscle of the council for right now. He believed that any problem could be solved by brute force. He was built like a tank and could move like a bullet train, especially in his wolf form. Everyone could hear his muscles tighten as he moved around from place to place as well. His eyes held a very clear message… and that message was, ‘no one’s home.’
This was the council. This was the collection of people selected by each other to run the entire world. One can see how well that has turned out so far…
Korin stood up and clapped his hands twice. “I hereby call this meeting to order. Starting off, does anyone have any announcements or reports to make before more pressing matters are addressed?”
Monica raised her hand and Korin motioned to her, giving her the floor. She cleared her throat and glared at Narek. “I would just like to say once again, that I will not stand for you having a dragon concubine, Narek. If you needed a new concubine so badly, what was wrong with getting one of your own species?”
Narek rolled his eyes and leaned forward in his chair, apparently bored from hearing this over and over again. “Monica, you know that the laws here state that if a man can afford it, he can keep any concubine he wants. It just so happens that I was bored with humans and foxes, and wanted to try something new.” He smirked a bit.
Monica’s wings spread out in an agitated fashion, each wing about five feet in length from the start on her back to the tip. She let out a hiss and sat down. It was no secret that her and Narek were always at odds about something, though a few of the council members couldn’t help but feel as if there was something deeper in this feud that wasn’t being shown on the surface. Until that something came to light however, there was little that the rest of the council could do but try and settle their little scraps as fairly as possible.
Korin looked around. “Any other announcements or concerns?”
Usul raised his burly hand and nodded. “My military stock holds have been raided again. Two whole brigade’s worth of supplies were destroyed, rations were stolen, and a substantial amount of money was taken from my military funds as well. Now all my soldiers near the dog village are starting to get annoyed and I may have to pull survellence from the clan for a while until I can resupply them.”
Nobunaga chuckled a bit. “I guess we all don’t need to guess on who exactly was responsible for the raid.”
Korin nodded. “Indeed. I think that there’s no doubt in anyone’s mind that it was the Cat’s Eye.”
Sonin frowned and looked at Korin suspiciously. “Aren’t you being just a tad too… out there, Korin? The Cat’s Eye is a child’s legend, isn’t he?”
Korin nodded. “I’m well aware of the stories that describe him, Sonin. However, as of late, many robberies and raids have been taking place, as you have no doubt noticed. It seems every time we come to this table now, someone has lost something. Anyway, the eye witnesses who we gathered all agree that it was a tall, sleek human, dressed in a gray traveler’s kimono, and the kimono has black slashes painted all across it. They said he wore a bandana over his mouth and nose, and he wore half a mask over his face, covering his left eye from view and that the mask was the likeness of the old cat god, Bast. And here is where I began to doubt their words myself. They said that his hair was long and firey read, tied in a waving tail that makes it appear as if fire was trailing after him when he runs along the rooftops. And then, a few of them described this mystery man as having the Cat’s Eye’s two most distinguishing features.”
Monica took in a breath for a second. “You mean… this human’s visible eye, the one that wasn’t behind the mask… it actually was a cat eye?”
Korin nodded. “That is what the witnesses say… what’s more, a few of them saw his sleeve fall around his shoulder when he was fighting off the guards and say they saw the scar… the scar that runs down the entire length of his arm, stopping just before the wrist on the back of his arm.”
Sonin examined her fingernails carefully. “And just how trustworthy are these so-called witnesses?”
Korin frowned at her lack of enthusiasm. “Class S sharpshooters made up the majority of them, Sonin. They claimed that his sword flashed so brilliantly when he fought that they couldn’t fire a single shot, as if they were being hypnotized by a demonic dance… those that did shoot say that his feet moved so fast that it looked as if he were merely standing still when he moved out of the bullet’s way. Sonin, some of those shooters had a one-hundred percent accuracy record until they met with this mysterious bandit.”
Now Sonin looked interested. “Then… then it really is the cat’s eye?”
Nobunaga leaned back. “That is the most likely explanation, Sonin. It’s also the only explanation we have at the moment. Nothing like this has ever happened before in the history of the empire.”
Korin nodded and looked to Usul. “Keep your troops at that clan for a while longer and we will send them more supplies in about a week. Is this satisfactory to you?”
Usul shrugged. “That will be fine.”
Korin nodded and sighed. “Now, if there is no other business, I have a matter of rather high importance to bring up. As you know, another deserter is being hunted as we speak and so far, he has broken the record for eluding the military the longest.”
Narek chuckled loudly. “Another foolish ronin, hm? Who was it this time?” he asked, grinning cockily.
Korin frowned and held up a file, throwing it down on the table. “It was the two tail, Rail.”
There was a collective gasp from all the council members except for Nobunaga and Korin. Usually, when a ronin was confirmed, it was no big deal because they could easily be dispatched. But this was a totally different situation. Narek took the file and opened it quickly, scanning it. “Perfect marks on all entry exams, a one-hundred percent accuracy rating… good god! He scored a perfect thirty on the sword excersizes! No one’s ever done that before!”
Korin nodded. “I am rather thankful he was so gifted in these areas… that way, we didn’t have to give him a staff.”
Usul raised an eyebrow. “Why is that such a good thing?”
Monica turned to him. “Two-tailed kitsunes are known to have more magic in them than an entire clan combined, fool. If that kitsune gets a powerful enough staff and learns to channel his power…”
Nobunaga shook his head. “It won’t happen. He was never given a staff before and their uses remain a mystery to him. He’s harmless, at least where magic is concerned.”
Korin nodded. “We also have a confirmation that he is traveling with a Neko woman named Mia…” Nobunaga gave a small grunt.
Narek grinned. “An old friend of yours?”
Nobunaga glared at the human was such intensity, it looked as if Narek might have fainted under his cold gaze. “She and I… knew each other for a reasonable amount of time… it is not something I can talk about easily.”
Korin nodded. “Then we will not pressure you for details… now, is there anything else anyone wishes to say?” There was silence among them. “Then I officially declare this meeting at its end. Ajourned.” Everyone stood up and made to leave, but Korin stayed behind with Nobunaga. “Are you sure you do not wish to tell at least me what that woman had to do with you?”
Nobunaga growled, but leaned back and sighed. “She was… my betrothed at one point.” he said gently.
Korin frowned again and patted the neko’s shoulder gently. “Nothing more needs to be said. Though I am curious as to how that union came about.”
Nobunaga shook his head. “That is a story I would love to avoid telling at all costs.”
Korin nodded. “Very well. Let us go then. We have a game of chess waiting for us.”
Nobunaga grinned and walked behind the elf towards the chamber they had originally been in. “I won’t lose this time.”
Korin grinned. “Keep up that confidence… It’s good for you.” They both disappeared from the brotherhood hall.
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As far as sewers went, this one was exceptionally large. And dark. Rai, Mia, and Ly sloshed through the filth as quickly as possible, but still had to keep a moderate pace so that Rai didn’t miss any turns in the pathway so he could have an accurate sense of where they were headed. All was silent, except for the sound of slow moving water, until…
“Are we there yet?” Mia asked for the one-hundredth time.
“No.” Both Rai and Ly answered her at the same time.
A few minutes passed in relative silence. And then… “Are we there yet?” she asked again.
“No!” they both said again.
Another few minutes passed. And eventually… “Are we th… OWIE!”
Rai, who had been bringing up the rear, had moved forward and had given her a hard slap on the behind. “We are NOT there yet and we will let you know when we get there!”
Mia grumbled a bit and rubbed her butt a bit. “Fine, fine, but someone could at least start a conversation or something. It’s way too quiet down here.”
Ly rolled his eyes in the dark. “Well, it was until you came down here too…”
Mia raised an eyebrow at him. “You are way too cheeky, Ly.”
Ly shrugged. “It happens to you when you’re left alone outside the local dump.”
Rai frowned. “You were abandoned?”
Ly nodded slowly, and just in case Rai didn’t catch it in the dim light, he said, “Yes… when I was one year old, if I remember correctly, I was left outside the local dump site in that clan village we were just in.”
Mia frowned a bit. “But how did you survive? I mean, any other child probably would have died of hunger, or would have broken it’s neck climbing all over the trash heaps.”
Ly looked back at her, his golden eyes gleaming a bit. “Indeed, that is what would have happened too… if it weren’t for the fact that I was a genius.”
Mia raised an eyebrow at this. “Okay…” she looked at the boy uncertainly. “So you’re a braniac in a brat’s body… oh, that’s so much better than a normal brat.”
Rai grabbed Mia’s shoulder and bent her over, giving her ten quick but firm swats over her clothed bottom. She yelped every time. “Mia, that is enough of your smart mouth! I know you don’t like it down here, neither do I, but don’t take your aggressions out on Ly here.”
Ly stopped and waited for the discipline to cease before he continued. “Yes, I am a genius, an estimated I.Q. of two-hundred and forty. If you give me time to think a situation through enough, then there is absolutely no problem I can’t solve. Even at a toddling age, my genius showed through. I survived merely by instinct, fueled by a sense of awareness that I knew only from my own intelligence. As I grew, I became more aware. My thoughts focused and I started to learn more about this world and those within it. With no parents, no money, and no schooling, theivery was the easiest and most logical choice to take.”
Mia grumbled as she walked and rubbed her bottom again. “What about orphanages and poor houses? Wouldn’t they have taken you in?”
Ly chuckled humorously. “The orphanages are in such poor condition nowadays that many more children die there rather than in the streets. And the poor houses… all they would do is use me for cheap labor. The military won’t shut them down for breaking child labor laws because the poor houses manufacture the cloth used in their uniforms, and provide them with recruits when there are too many mouths to feed.”
Rai nodded gently. He could see why Ly didn’t want to go to either of those places. He certainly wouldn’t want to live under such conditions. “So you turned to stealing as your craft.”
Ly nodded. “Indeed. As it turns out, I was quite adept at it. With my high intelligence, I could easily plot a flawless course of action and with my speed, I could easily outrun anyone who gave chase. I was never caught.
Mia smirked. “Until today.”
Ly shrugged. “It was bound to happen one day or another. I should be thankful that it was you two who caught me and not someone less benign. Then I might not have gotten off with just a bruised butt.” He stared down the tunnle. “We’re almost to the end. Now’s the time to decide… do we head to the cat or the dog clan village?”
Rai thought about it for a second. Mia had already voiced an opinion against going to the cat clan village, but they needed food and fast. “Which one is closer?”
Ly closed his eyes for a second. “The cat clan village is closest, and there’s also a nice inn we can stop at about an hour from the exit of the tunnel. We can spend the night there and then it’s only a half a day from the clan village itself.”
Mia stopped and shook her head. “No.” she said firmly.
Both the boys turned to her. Rai raised an eyebrow at her. “No?” he asked, as if to make sure he heard her correctly.
Mia nodded. “I absolutely refuse to go there.” she asserted.
Ly huffed a bit. “That is the most logical course of action. We’re gonna go to the inn and then to the cat clan. What’s the big deal? You’re a cat, right?”
Mia blushed. “I have my reasons, alright?” she said, rubbing her arm.
Rai closed his eyes for a second. “Mia… listen, we don’t have much choice in the matter. Ly, how long would it take us to reach the dog clan village?”
Ly shrugged. “Well, with no inn to stop at down the path… it will take us at least four days to reach the dog clan village.”
Rai nodded. “I’m sorry Mia, but we need to head to the cat clan village.”
Mia puffed herself up a bit and looked like she was about to explode into some long rant before she panted a bit and calmed herself. “Fine, have it your way!” She crossed her arms and stormed past Rai and Ly, heading towards the exit to the tunnel.
Ly looked to the Rai, but the kitsune just shrugged. “Don’t look at me. She hasn’t really told me much about herself as of yet… actually, I probably know more about you right now than I know about her.”
Ly nodded gently. “I see… well, no point in worrying about it now. She’ll tell us when she’s ready to. Come on, we’d better go and make sure she doesn’t get lost in the woods.” Both of them ran after her.
*****************************
It was another half hour before the inn came in sight. Of course, Mia ws still angry at them for having chosen this path, and refused to speak to either of them as they neared the inn. In an attempt to break the uncomfortable silence, Rai looked to their lycanthrope companion. “So, Ly, since you have such an extensive knowledge of the geography of this place, I’m assuming that you’ve been outside here before?”
Ly nodded. “Indeed. I’ve been as far as the dog clan village, and that was only a one-time trip. Still, I know the surrounding lands pretty well, but once we’re passed the dog clan territory, I won’t be of much help geographically.”
Mia frowned and stopped. “Hang on… do you guys hear that?” she asked, twitching her ears in the direction of the inn.
Rai and Ly stopped their walking and listened. Yes, there was a sound coming from the inn… it sounded like… a slapping sound, followed by a slight whimpering or wailing sound. Ly didn’t seem that surprised. “They have quite a few barmaids there, and since this is an independent business, away from the clan villages, the owner can distribute discipline on them as he sees fit.”
Rai nodded. “So someone’s being spanked up there?”
Ly shrugged. “Most likey.”
As they drew closer, the slapping got louder, and the curses that were being shouted from the one being punished became clearer. Soon, they were at the front of the inn, but curiosity lead them to the back, where the slapping was coming from. A young man with black hair was sitting on a stump and a girl, around age fourteen or so, was over his lap, squirming a crying, her bottom bare and a painful shade of red. The man looked up from her with a very stern expression. “The entrance is around front.” he said gruffly.
Mia cleared her throat. “Forgive us, we were merely startled by the noise.”
The man grunted and gave the girl another harsh slap, making her cry out again. “It’s none of your concern, just go in. This is not a public matter to begin with.”
Ly scratched his head. “Then why do you spank her out here when clearly everyone inside and around front can hear her? Wouldn’t it be more private if you were in a room in the inn?”
The man glared at Ly and it was clear that he was already in a bad mood. Rai took a moment to look the girl over. Through her tears, he could see two golden eyes… long silver hair, carefully groomed and straightened… two cute dog ears on top of her head… but a fox tail protruded from her back, just above her crimson behind. Ah, a half-breed… rather rare to see one from such a union. Storing her appearance, he turned to Ly and Mia. “He is right, we don’t want any trouble. Come on, we’ll go in.” He glanced back at the girl, who looked like she would faint at any second from exhaustion, and then headed back around front and into the inn with Mia and Ly.
The inside of the inn was bustling and busy, guests clawing past each other, trying to get to the bar and find a seat at a table, barmaids and waitresses hurrying too and fro, taking orders, carrying trays of food. There were men working, but they seemed to have more authority than the women, because they simply observed. Rai couldn’t help but notice that they were all dressed similar to the man who had been punishing that young girl.
It was only by luck that they found a table for themselves and sat down. Mia looked at Rai. “Well?”
Rai frowned and looked back at her. “Well what?” he asked. “Don’t start complaining about going to the cat clan again, I really don’t want to hear it.”
Mia scowled. “It isn’t, though I’m still upset about that. Why didn’t you stop that man from spanking that poor girl?”
Rai sighed. “We don’t need any more trouble, Mia. We need to keep a low profile, even in rural areas like this.” He adjusted his cloak so that it was a little baggier, hiding his sword a little better. “Plus, we don’t know what the girl was being punished for. For all we know, she could have deserved it.”
Ly closed his eyes. “It’s a logical response, though I can’t help but feel sorry for the girl.”
“Excuse me…” said a weak voice.
Rai turned and almost did a double take when he saw it was the young girl who had just been spanked. “Oh… hello. Forgive us for, uh… walking in on your punishment.”
The girl shook her head, sniffing and wiping away her tears. “Nah, it’s alright.” She cleared her throat. “So, can I get you three anything to drink, to start?”
Mia shrugged. “A root beer would be fine.”
Ly nodded. “Some lemonade, if it isn’t too much trouble.”
Rai stared at the girl. “How can you keep working? You looked like you were about to turn into a puddle out there.”
The girl blushed. “It’s um… no big deal sir… can I get you anything to drink?” she repeated.
Rai shook his head. “What were you being punished for anyway? What I saw was brutal.”
The girl huffed a bit. “Argued with a good customer.”
Mia raised an eyebrow. “That’s all?”
The girl shrugged. “Well… I kinda did intentionally spill a few gallons of water on him and then fill his pepper shaker with dirt, put a cockroach in his food, and set his table cloth on fire near his leg…”
Rai stared at her for a second. “You didn’t like him, I’m assuming.”
She giggled innocently. “He was a general for the military.”
Ly choked on one of the complimentary crackers that were placed on the center of the table. “You did all that and they didn’t hang you?!” he asked a little too loudly.
People turned and stared and the girl blushed a bit more. “No, he had the satisfaction of three free meals.”
Rai nodded. “No wonder they were so mad at you. Might I ask your name, young lady.”
The girl scowled at him. “My name is Serenity and don’t ‘young lady’ me! I am a lady.”
Ly chuckled. “You look kinda short to be a lady.”
Rai snorted a bit, but said nothing. Serenity’s face heated up a bit. “You’re shorter than me.” she countered, her tail puffing out.
Ly shrugged. “Yeah, but at least I don’t squeal and whimper when I’m being spanked.”
Serenity’s hands jerked out and she grabbed ly by the shoulders. “Oh really? Let’s test that theory!” She bent herself down, wincing from the pain in her backside, and pinned Ly down over one leg. She gave no heed to the crowd around them and forced Ly’s pants down, grabbing one of the ladles from the table that was used to serve from the huge pots of soup that they served in the inn. She swated his butt nice and hard with it, making him yelp loudly. “Huh, I guess you don’t squeal… at least not at first.” She kept spanking him.
Rai and Mia, rather stunned by the girl’s sudden change in attitude and personality, couldn’t react to what was happening. About five swats later, the entire inn was watching this event. Ly was as red as a tomato in the face, as was rapidly approaching that tint in his bottom as Serenity spanked him mercilessly. Though tears fell from his eyes, he made no sounds. It wasn’t until another few seconds had passed before the same man who had spanked Serenity before grabbed her by the ear did she stop. “Oh um… hi, Thomas!” she greeted cheerfully, putting on a big smile and dropping Ly off her lap, who quickly crawled back into his seat and pulled up his pants.
The man she had referred to as Thomas hauled her to her feet by her ear. “Don’t you ‘hi Thomas’ me, Serenity! I just told you to curb that temper of yours and now you let it get the best of you again! That’s another five-hundred spanks, on the bare, this time with the paddle.”
Serenity’s eyes widened and tears instantly filled her eyes. “No, please! Not again, not so soon.”
Rai quickly regained his senses and stood up. “Good sir, Wait one second.”
The man turned to Rai politely. “Don’t worry good sir, she will be properly punished and your meal will be free.”
Rai frowned. “Fine, but I will press charges unless one more condition is met.” he said. His face was still hidden behind the veil of his cloak, for safety’s sake.
The man stopped and forced another smile onto his face. “What is that, sir?”
Rai pointed at Serenity. “Let her go. The assault on my friend wasn’t unprovoked, in fact, if she hadn’t spanked him, I was going to, though I admit, I wouldn’t have done it in such a public spot.”
The man grumbled something and let go of serenity, who quickly ducked behind Rai. “Thanks…” she said quickly.
Rai grinned at her. “No problem. Want to sit with us for a while?”
Serenity blushed, but nodded. Slowly, she sat herself down, hissing at the pain in her behind from her earlier spanking. Ly growled as he looked at her. “You’re letting her sit here and dine with us after what she did to me? I’m humiliated!”
Mia giggled a bit. “Well, at least she knocked some of that bratty attitude off of you.”
Rai nodded. “I wasn’t lying Ly. If she hadn’t had spanked you, I would have for what you said to her.”
Serenity grinned a bit and cuddled up to Rai. “Thanks sir… I like you.”
Despite himself, Rai blushed. “Well, um… you’re welcome, Serenity.”
Serenity nodded and as the food came, she helped herself to the huge plate that was set in front of them. “So tell me, who are you guys?”
Mia shrugged a bit. “We’re just three travelers who just got out of the Lycanthrope clan village.”
Serenity frowned. “We heard from a running cryer that there was a disturbance in there just a few hours ago… news travels fast nowadays. They said that the ronin Rai was responsible for it. They added another four-hundred gold pieces onto his bounty for it and now they say he’s traveling with a neko woman.”
Rai and Mia exchanged glances with one another. “That’s interesting news…”
Serenity sighed. “I kinda wish I could meet him. I’d love to get away from this place and travel with him…”
Rai’s eyes sparked for a second. “That would be dangerous, especially for one so young, you know.”
Serenity shrugged. “Like I should care. I’ve been in more fights here than I could ever count and I’ve one them all… at least, I would have if I didn’t get dragged out back to the flogging block every time.” She grumbled a bit.
Mia smiled a bit at her. “You certainly sound like the adventuring type. Where are your parents?”
Serenity sighed. “They died working off their debt to this stupid place.”
Ly raised an eyebrow. “They had a debt? It must have been pretty huge if they slaved their lives away here.”
Serenity looked as if she might lunge at him again, but Rai set a comforting hand on her shoulder. “Easy now… did they ever pay off the debt?”
Serenity shook her head, sniffling a bit. “No, they had only worked off about half of it before they died, so now I need to stay here and work off the rest of it before I can leave. That’s why I really wish someone like Rai would come and take me away.” She sighed dreamily and set her head in her hands.
Rai smirked a bit. He kinda liked her. “And what would you be able to give Rai in return once you were on the road?”
Serenity puffed out her chest proudly. “I’m one of the best cooks in this place! I can take almost anything naturally grown and turn it into a wonderful feast. I have a good knowledge of herbs and flowers that are edible, and I’m a pretty good fist fighter.”
Rai nodded. “I think that Rai would be glad to take you with him.”
Mia and Ly stared at Ly for a second before slowly nodding. Serenity looked at Rai quickly. “What makes you so sure?”
Rai grinned and slowly took off the hood, making sure no one else was looking. “Who would know better than Rai himself?”
Serenity gave a loud gasp. “Oh my god, it’s RAI!” She quickly clapped her hands over her mouth, but the damage had already been done. Every eye was turned to them now. Grinning, several large men got out of their seats and took up their chairs and plates as makeshift weapons.
One of them chuckled a bit. “Oh, this is our lucky day! This bounty is as good as ours!”
Rai stood up and threw off his cloak, drawing his sword, which made several of them back away for a second. “If you want me, then come and take me.”
Ly cleared his throat. “Not the best phrasing, Rai.”
Mia rolled her eyes and hopped out of her seat, drawing her own sword. “Looks like we’ll have to fight our way out of this… good thing we just ate.”
Ly slowly changed to his wolf form and growled a bit as the men started coming closer. “And I wanted dessert too!” he complained.
Serenity cracked her knuckles. “I’ll help out… I want to pay a few of these stupid inn workers back for all the beatings I’ve had to take over the years.”
Rai nodded. “Good, it’s time to prove that I was right to think you could join us, Serenity.” He winked at her a bit, making her blush.
One of the men lumbered forward, raised his chair high and swung down at Rai, who merely stepped foward, causing the chair to crash behind him. He punched the man hard in the jaw, causing him to stumble and fall onto the table behind him. Another man threw his chair, preferring not to get close, but Rai turned and slashed, the chair splintering and falling to pieces in front of him. He dashed and jumped up, kicking the thrower so hard that he actually flew on top of the bar.
Mia stood, amazed for a second. This was the first time she had ever seen Rai actually fight for real. When he had fought her, he had merely been playing, and when he had attacked Ly, it was a feint, only meant to scare the wolf boy. She gasped and turned her attention to the men as one of them ran at her with two forks in hand. “What the hell? Is he stupid or something?” Even with her limited skils with the blade, she could still handle a bunch of drunks. She let the man get close, but as he got within arms length, all she did was kick. It went straight between his legs, caushing the man to drop his forks and crumble to the ground. Mia dusted herself off and nodded in satisfaction.
Ly growled lightly and dashed and weaved between all the men around him, causing them to stumble and fall amongst themselves. He grinned to himself knowing that he had nothing to fear. He knew there was no silver in this place. Everything was made of copper, wood, and glass, maybe some stones here and there. He stopped after a second to bite on man in the leg and then kept running.
Serenity jumped and dashed and weaved like a demon hell bent on confusing every fighter in there. She jumped at one man, smashing him in the face with her heel so hard that little pieces of teeth fell down to the floor when it happened. She smirked and cracked her knuckles a bit. Finally, she didn’t have to act like a timid little maid! Oh, this was going to be fun! She saw a few of her old employers and, without even a single sympathetic thought, picked up a table and threw it at them, crushing them between the wall and the tabletop.
As the last fighters fell, Rai slowly sheathed his sword and took a deep breath. He muttered a soft prayer of forgiveness for having to draw his sword before turning to his companions. “Is everyone alright?” he asked quickly.
Mia looked herself over and nodded, sheathing her sword. “Everything’s still here! Yep, I’m alright.”
Ly’s form slowly shifted from animal to human and he inspected himself as well. “Nothing even touched me.” he announced happily.
Serenity was still dancing around a bit, overcome with happiness. “That was the greatest ever!” she shouted.
Rai looked at her carefully for a few seconds. “Uh, Serenity that wasn’t meant to be fun, you know.”
Serenity nodded, ceaseing her movements. “Yeah, I know, but I can’t help it, it was just so cool!”
Rai rolled his eyes, but smiled at the girl. “Well, I’m bound by my word. You proved to be a good fighter, and I do enjoy your company… maybe you’ll even keep those two in line for a while.” he pointed at Mia and Ly, who pouted indignantly.
Serenity giggled. “I’ll do my best!”
Rai nodded and placed a hand on her shoulder, getting down on one knee. “But listen, Serenity. I won’t stand for misbehaviour when you’re traveling with us. If you misbehave, I will spank you, same as I spank Mia and Ly.”
“And as I do with you on occasion.” Mia muttered quickly.
Serenity frowned. “You won’t… do it as hard as they did, will you?” she asked fearfully, rubbing her backside carefully.
Rai nodded and smiled at her, running a gently hand over her cheek. “I would never do something so cruel, Serenity. Trust me, when it comes to punishment, I’m a bit of a lightweight anyway. Can’t stand to see others in pain.”
Serenity smiled and hugged him for a second. “Thank you, Rai-sama!”
Rai blushed again, returning the hug carefully. “Ahem… well, it’s no problem… come on, we need to get moving before anyone else shows up around here or anyone who was just knocked out comes to.”
Mia nodded and stepped onto one of the men, stepping over him, to the door. “Right, let’s go then.” She opened the door and waved her arms to them. Ly didn’t need to be told twice, he was already out the door.
Serenity smirked a bit. “I promise, you won’t regret this decision!”
There was a loud cry from outside. “SHIT! Who put poison ivy in my pockets?!”
Rai’s eyes widened for a second and he looked at Serenity, who gazed back at him innocently. “Don’t look at me!” she said quickly, dashing out the door.
Rai groaned and stood up, dusting himself off, walking to the door. “There are a lot of things I regret… hopefully this won’t be one of them.”
Mia laughed a bit. “Hey, she might just make the trip a little more fun, you never know.”
Rai raised an eyebrow at her. “You seem to be in much better spirits, considering where we’re going.”
Mia suddenly sobered, scowling. “Oh yeah… I had forgotten… I’m STILL angry at you for choosing the cat clan!” She stomped out, her tail flicking irritably.
Rai rolled his eyes gently and stepped out of the inn, pinning a sign that he found next to the door up that read, ‘Temporarily closed, will reopen in twenty minutes.’ That being done, he went to join his companions, where Rai was currently trying to break away from Mia, who was holding him back, while Serenity just stood there, looking cute and innocent… that is when he realized it… he was a freak magnet.
END CHAPTER 3
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