The octagonal pavilion offered an enchanting view, were I to make a guess, it would be around three stories high. I was currently resting my head on one of the intricately carved red railings, staring absentmindedly at the wooden bridge on the pond that led to an island representing a tortoise and the nearby man-made waterfall at the foot of a wooded hill.

I got up and decided it was time to go back to my quarters. I've had enough trying to appreciate the picturesque scene before me. I knew I was being pathetic but Kaname's actions have been affecting my ability to find pleasure in the beauty of my surroundings recently.

"Ryuko-san?" I called out when I noticed the absence of my maids. "I wish to go back to the ooku now."

When no one answered, I went down the stairs to look for them. I a.s.sumed that they must have not heard my call as my geta made clacking sounds on each step. However, as soon as I reached the final step, my maids were still nowhere to be found. The place suddenly felt eerily quiet and deserted, my instincts told me to look for my dagger. My eyes scanned the surroundings quickly as my left hand tightened around my weapon.

'Where are they?' I asked to myself while taking cautious steps to the direction of the castle. 'What is going on?'

My heart beat rapidly as my body tried to keep up with both my apprehension and fear. A cold breeze suddenly blew, disturbing the silence as it swayed the trees. My eyes darted around, trying to spot any unusual movements. When I saw the castle coming into view, I mentally heaved a heavy sigh of relief. If someone were to attack me now, I could launch a counterattack then run towards the palace and ask for help. Although I didn't doubt my ability to defend myself, it would be foolish of me to be overconfident.

Suddenly, like a cla.s.sic way of announcing one's presence, I heard someone stepping on a piece of dry twig behind me. As if in slow motion, I felt myself turn and unsheathe my knife in response to the sound of the wood snapping. I twirled it into an ice pick grip and prepared to slash it into whoever was behind me if need be. My eyes widened in shock when I saw that no one was there. I instantly regretted falling for the fake attack of my anonymous 'visitor' when I felt two muscular arms grab me from behind. My a.s.sailant immediately covered my nose and mouth with a black piece of cloth while his other hand prevented my dagger-wielding hand from striking him. I tried to scream and struggle but when a bitter and nauseating smell infiltrated my nose, my body's strength rapidly disappeared.

'c.r.a.p, this is bad! I must break free!' my mind raised as I tried to prevent myself from going into full panic mode. I stomped my left foot, intending to hit my attacker's but my wooden clog only felt the ground before me. I tried a different tactic and balled my right hand into a fist and swung it backwards, hoping to make contact with his crotch. I unfortunately missed and hit his belly instead. I heard him grunt at the impact but his grip never loosened. I tried again but this time he was prepared and avoided my attack. I felt the effects of the drug I was inhaling full blast when I felt my body slump. I tried to move and fight some more but my muscles wouldn't cooperate. I was paralyzed!

'd.a.m.n, d.a.m.n, d.a.m.n!' I screamed internally. 'Kaname, save me!'

Seeing that I was no longer able to move, the man pried my left hand open and took my dagger. He then dragged me to a nearby tree and laid me on a sitting position with my back resting on the trunk. He was wearing a navy blue s.h.i.+n.o.bi shozoku[1], effectively keeping me from seeing his face. As if my paralysis was not enough, he produced another black piece of cloth and blindfolded me with it. He then proceeded to hoisting me on his shoulder and carrying me like a sandbag. Due to my head hanging downwards and the drug starting to fog my senses, I fought to maintain consciousness.

No matter how hard I tried to wrack my brain for a way to escape my current situation, I just couldn't do it. I felt the man stop in his tracks after a while and go down on his knees. He once again placed me on the ground but this time, I was no longer sitting but was completely lying down on it. I heard the sound of a wooden thing open before the man's arms lifted me once more. I then felt myself being placed inside a compartment. Based on what I sensed when he positioned my arms to my sides, the box he placed me in was lined with silk. What's more, it felt like my head was resting on a pillow!

'Did he place me inside a coffin!?' I willed my body to move and protest but I remained still. 'This is bad! Does he intend to bury me alive!?'

He was about to close the box when I heard a voice speak, "You didn't harm a hair on her head, did you?"

"I didn't," my attacker replied, his voice carried a hint of relief. "Although she fought hard and tried to break free from me, I was able to make sure that I didn't hurt her."

"Are you sure?" the other man probed. "Our leader said she must remain unharmed, if he sees a single scratch on her skin or a little bruise on any part of her body later he will probably kill us."

"I'm not sure about not giving her a bruise, she really put up a fight earlier."

I heard an exasperated sigh. "I hope our leader will understand, he knows how skilled in self-defense she is after all."

My attacker didn't utter a reply. After they both made sure that I was 'comfortable,' I heard the box close. Again, I wanted to scream and struggle! Although I was unable to see anything at the moment, I still felt claustrophobic. My heart palpitated like crazy and my forehead broke into a sweat. I felt a tightening in my throat as I struggled to breathe. I was having a full-blown panic attack.

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[1] Ninja garb.