I had been right, she had been with that man too long. But I would be willing to spend as long as it took to help her recover and come back to me. Don't worry Shina, My Shina. I will always love you, no matter what.

"Shina, please don't shout. You might wake up the children. They're sleeping and you wouldn't want them to wake up afraid because of the noise, now would you?" I was concerned that she would scare them with her cries. Luckily she seemed to understand what I was trying to say and quickly quieted down.

"Please, don't hurt them Leon. Please tell me they are still ok, still safe." Her quiet sobs broke my heart.

"I would never hurt our children, not if I could help it, not after finally getting them back, getting YOU back. You and them, you're my family. I would do anything for you, to keep you all safe with me." I whispered the words into her ear as I held her close to me, one hand slowly caressing her hair in a soothing manner.

I could feel her slowly release the breath she had been holding in, her body shuddering as she began taking deep breaths, trying to calm herself down. It's ok, Shina. I've got you now. I'll keep you safe.

"And if I ever do hurt you or them, I would be more than sure to punish myself for it. I've already punished myself so much for not being able to keep you safe back then. I let him steal you away from me. Although I still don't remember any of it clearly, I know he took you from me. So I had to be punished." I felt her body stiffen at my words, before she slowly began to finally open her eyes.

"What do you mean, punished yourself?" Her words were filled with fear. Silly girl, she should already know about this. After all, it was she who had carved her name into my back. Surely she knew about the rest as well. Pulling one sleeve up, I showed her the multitude of lines winding across my skin.

"See, my Shina? I even made them beautiful for you. But I still need you to do my back. I've saved it just for you." I smiled down at her, kissing the top of her head.

"Your mad." She whispered softly, her eyes wide as she froze against me.

"No, my sweet Shina. I'm not mad. I'm just in love with you." Gently whispering into her ear again, my lips brushing against the warm skin. "So please, promise me when you are feeling better, that you will make my back look beautiful too, just for you. I want you to punish me, so very, very sweetly."

I couldn't help the soft moan I gave at the thought of her hands moving the razor blade down my skin.

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I'd had to sedate her yet again. But I had made the most wonderful discovery when I changed her out of her dirty clothes. She did indeed have my name on her back, faint though it was from age. Perhaps once she was better, she would let me retrace it into her skin.

I would be ever so gentle if she let me do it. I was sure she would say yes. I wonder if she would enjoy it as much as I do.

Ahhhh Shina.... I can't wait to taste you again, to cut into your skin so carefully, to feel you cut into mine.

It seems it was time for me to visit the room again.

I needed my punishment.

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When morning came, I gave Shina a small dose of mild tranquilizers I had stashed away and went downstairs to prepare breakfast for the family. It felt so good to have us all back together again.

I couldn't help smiling as I started mixing the batter for a huge batch of pancakes.I bet the children would be excited to visit their mother, even if she was too 'sick' to play with them.

I would punish myself later on for having to keep her sedated, but at least it wasn't the chloroform anymore.

I could already feel the skin on my chest tingling in excitement.