Snippet #2282160

Zetsumie watched as a grime encrusted child was dragged up on to the stage. They were small, frail, and sickly looking with oddly colored hair. The person was youthful and yet their hair, although filthy was noticeably white-Like an elder. Perhaps this slender figure was a female- The hair was awfully long and they possessed very delicate facial features. Those large eyes and queer coloring only garnered hatred from the crowd. This slave was a freak. The nail that sticks up get's hammered down. It was common to pick on that which was most different. Although the thought of youthful girls left Zetsumie uneasy he rather started to become keen on the idea of raising up a young female. Perhaps she would be cooler headed than his last student and be willing to obey orders and listen well. Zetsumie started forward up to the wooden stall where the auctioneer was trying to sell the pale youth off. The audience seemed to want nothing to do with this accident of nature.

Zetsumie dropped a bag on to the wooden table, currency spilling out of its mouth. Without saying a word it seemed he had won over the tiny 'female' who was currently on stage. Not a person seemed to want to try and out bid him. The smaller was soon pulled off the stage and his rope binds were offered to Zetsumie. Sill silent as the grave he took the coarse rope in hand and started to walk away from the auction dragging the smaller with him if he had to. He headed through town not so much as glancing at his newly purchased child. It wasn't too long before the tiny creature was being pulled towards a building. The towering statue of a man paused here as he fingered the rough rope with in his hands. He simply glanced back over his shoulder setting that piercing gaze of amber upon the unkempt boy eyeing him over in his horrid state along with the ragged clothing. He turned his gaze away and he started to scan the surrounding area. Not a word was spoken from the man since the purchase.

Upon entering through the nari curtain the frivolous scent of flowers filled the hair. He walked over to the shop keeper who was incidentally an elderly woman with a pleasant smile. "Clean this sow's ear up good." He ordered in a gruff deep tone of voice, as he placed some currency upon the counter. He then glanced back at the boy pausing to just gaze down upon him for a few moments. Zetsumie turned upon the young-ling completely and setting his other hand on the rope pulling to boy incredibly close. The dark male came closer, bending a deal, nearly eye to eye with the younger. "You will behave and let them work," Came the next order. It was curt and simple. He pulled the rope at the tie making the coarse, harsh, bit of binding in, in an almost unbearable manner before he continued. "If you do not behave. . . " he simply trailed off before suddenly the binds broke releasing his the child's hands completely. "There are worse things than rope." he assured. Zetsumie had a concealed knife in his hands just barely glinted as he slipped it back in to the pocket that lined his inner sleeve. He straightened and set a hand on the boy's shoulder turning him around gently to face three other women. These were much younger and seemed to be waiting for him. Zetsumie gently ushered the young boy forward-a silent signal that now it was time for him to go with them. "Be sure to clean him up real good: He needs to be pretty." Zetsumie called to the bath house attendants, as the girls attempted to lead the boy in to the back and away from Zetsumie.

Zetsumie watched the boy go a bit nervously yet very willing to obey after a small incident like that. The girls took him in to the back where they had steaming baths' drawn. The lead the younger male over to a washing station and offered him a stool to take a seat on . His clothing being taken off and set aside. A bucket of scrub brushes and all sorts of instruments were soon brought over. He was going to be primped like a prized pet it seemed. A warm bucket of water would soon be dumped over his head to help loosen up the grime. One girl getting to work on his Hair, another on his hands cloning an, cutting, and filing his nails, the other on his feet working out any grime from beneath his toe nails. Any calluses would soon be sanded away his nails would be buffed to perfection, his body scrubbed, His wounds dresses and his hair cleaned. The girls were good at what they did and they were as gentle as they could be trying to make light of the situation. Mean while Zetsumie had left and headed back in to the market place in search of better attire for the boy. The first little area he came across was selling beautiful kimonos and Yukatas. Zetsumie selected a shinny one made some soft silk. It was a soft white in color with cornflower blue, and lavender flower and butterfly patterns speckling the edges the airy garment. It had a stunning fade effect. The center was the lightest and the edges faded in to violet. A soft blue obi and a hair sash to go along with it as well as some silk china shoes with cream colored tabi. This would surely be more than comfortable. After purchasing the garments he took them back to the shop and asked that they be put on the boy and his current clothing be burned. Hopefully he decided not to give them too much trouble. It wasn't too long before he was dried off and the girl brought in the soft silken set of clothes. The young ladies went about their work quietly as possible speaking only to inform one another over small details or to pass a tool or something. The gently treated what wounds they could and bandaged them nicely. They slipped on the tabi and shoes. It was oddly a near perfect fit- perhaps a smidge loose. The top came next and that was tied neatly before they stood him up and tied the obi in to a butterfly bow. His hair was combed out and tied back in to a nice ponytail with the blue sash. Rose Oil was soon rubbed in. It was relayed to the boy that the man who brought him had given the set of clothing to be dressed in. It was strange that there seemed to be no undergarments accompanying it. This seemed to have the girls all giggly. Once he was fully dressed in the soft clothing the girls seemed to do a once over as if to make sure everything was in proper order. The girls giggled ever so softly offering their opinions on how cute he looked before one of them offered to escort him back to the front. The elder male had went to retrieve his steed. He left the large black beast outside as he waited patiently for the boy to be returned to him.
Once Masao was escorted out Zetsumie simply shifted his attention on to the tiny creature. The tall man didn't seem to have a pleasant expression.
Zetsumie raised up his free hand all the way up to the smaller's face and ghosted the back of his knuckles over the his face, right above the eyebrow. He turned his hand and softly stroke the side of that cheek. The elder had a few scars that marred his own visage, and sevral hidden beneath his clothing lacing his body. Three visible ones on his face were the most noticeable. However they looked as if his own eye shouldn't still be around and yet it was. It looked to be in perfectly normal condition where as the scars for the past foretold an entirely different story. "This... will do." He stated simply and set his heavy hand upon the boy's shoulder. He suddenly plucked the smaller up and carted him back outside where Zetsumie seated Masao on the horse's back. The animal seemed calm and sweet with an nonchalant behavior about it. The animal must have been used to carrying heavier weights as it paid no mind what so ever to the young boy who was just seated upon it's back spreading Masao's legs over the saddle in a semi compromising position. "You'll stay there; least you get filthy once again. " He explained and took the horse's reigns in to his hand. He started towards the forest's edge once more getting away from any signs of civilization. "If you feel like you're going to fall don't be affright to grab on to the saddle or Kuro's mane... he's used to children pulling on him." Zetsumie explained. It should have been apparent that Zetsumie wanted him to look the way he did and that he wanted him to stay free of dirt. Rather than continuing to drag him along he actually placed the boy upon his own animal and walked himself. It was as if Zetsumie was treating him as something special, something to keep good care of.

For a while it seemed as though they traveled in silence. They had passed through the dappled lighting of the forest. The scent of the ocean soon whipping it's way back in to the air. The sound of crashing waves against the shore soon came from the distance. It was starting to get dark. They walked for a nice long while atop the cold sands of the beach. The sun setting in the far distance painted a beautiful picture across the sky. The soft sound of birds settling down for the evening could be hear around them. It was a rather tranquil feel. Mountains could be seen in the distance along the shore line. After a deal of travel it began to grow dark as the sun fully nestled it's way beyond the horizon. Large rocks had appeared near the forest edge. This is where Zetsumie stopped. He slipped the long verdant sash from his attire and mover towards the boy. He gently turned him about and tied the shad nicely blinding the child. "You are not to take this off." He explained before stepping away and soon the horse was moving again. "What is your name child?" He asked as the terrain shifted from the smooth sand on to something rougher.


Masao was certainly frightened of the man. He honestly didn't know what to think. He was just bought and dolled up- now he was lead in to what seemed like the middle of nowhere. He did his best to remain silent and behave well and prayed he would not be subjected forcefully in to being the recipient of carnal desires. He swallowed hard and replied in a raspy voice. "Masao..."

As Zetsumie lead the large animal he spoke, "My name is Zetsumie ( Death). Zetsumie Aku ( Evil ).You will refer to me as /Master/. You are expected to obey all the house rules. You are expected to obey what directions I give you, and you are expected to follow them closely. "You will not attempt to leave the compound under any circumstances. And I'm looking forward to working you /hard/." It would be several minutes before they'd slow down as the approached a large set of statues standing before an impressive stone maze. The entrance was in the form of a grave yard. Upon the large stone out front which appeared to be a grave marker. Zetsumie took a breath and read the words aloud as he moved taking up the reigns with in his right hand. "The young fox cried, looking to the sky, up on kurai mountain. If you dare to step inside, your entrance will be denied. It's here where the Fox bestows his wrath, on a dark and lonely path, on a dark and lonely night, a thousand spirits circling a burning light, a flower's in the hand that holds the chopsticks, beware there may be a few nasty tricks. I am but a messenger who brings this tragic tale, heed my words you who may try to steal my treasure, for I'll haunt you forever and ever. . . " And with that the sound of the horse's hooves met stone as Zetsumie lead them through it was only a few more minutes before he paused. They were through the stone maze and at the entrance of the Spirit Fox's compound. Zetsumie untied the blind fold and set it atop the saddle for the time being. They were at the large gates and the night watch over top sat up lighting a small fire. Soon the gates were opened for them and Zetsumie started in side. Someone was there to take his horse from him. A quiet and quick offered words of welcome home were given as Zetsumie handed off the reigns. He plucked the smaller off the horse and set him on his feet upon a small graveled path way. It was as if they were in a large complex. There were a few people about in the distance lining the walls with dim lanterns. Most of the lights in the buildings were out. "This is your new home." He explained gently. "Everyone here is now considered your family." He watched patiently letting the boy take in his surroundings and letting his words truly sink in.