擰成一股繩
níngchéng yī gǔ shéng
Twist into a single rope.
Stick together; make joint efforts.

*~*~*~*~*~*

It felt like Kageyama was drowning, and everytime he got near the surface, something would drag him back down again.

The black waters of unconsciousness surrounded him, until they became all he knew. Who was he? How did he get here? What was that voice calling his name? What was his name?

Though the blackness came flashes of images, as though caught for only a moment in reflecting glass. Soldiers in black and green. Horses. Makabe, angrily prancing beneath an unknown rider. And trees and trees, and then plains, and then... a black rock, rising into the sky...no not a rock... a fortress...

"Sho Sensei, please wake up."

That was Sanli's voice. Had the boy had a nightmare again, and come to him in the middle of the night for comfort? But no...images of Sanli grown flashed through Kageyama's mind. The boy was a man grown. They had been in a cabin in the woods... he had heard a noise...

"Sho Sensei!"

Kageyama's eyes flew open.

There was not much to see. He was stretched out on cold stone, more stone before him. The chiseled black blocks of the fortress.

"Sanli?" His voice was hoarse from disuse.

"Sho Sensei!" Kageyama could hear the tears of relief in Sanli's voice, though he could not see them. Where was Sanli?

"What-what happened?" he questioned, hating that he did not know. He tried to sit up but failed. His arms were bound tight with lengths and lengths of thick woven ropes, wrapped so many times around he felt like a cocooned moth waiting to break free. "How did we get back to the fortress so quickly?"

"It wasn't quick. It took two days. Captain Duan and a troop of soldiers ambushed us at the cabin. They had a scribe with them..." Sanli's voice choked. "He put a collar on you, just like the one Duan wore...and everytime... everytime you started to gain consciousness, they would choke you until you passed out again."

That explained the feeling of drowning then, and being unable to surface. He could feel it now, the cold metal band about his neck. The skin beneath it was rubbed bloody.

Shame burned across Kageyama's skin.

He remembered going into the forest. He had seen movement behind a tree. Tensing, preparing to draw his sword... and then something had struck him from behind.

The oldest form of ambush there was. How could I have been such an idiot?

Kageyama struggled again to sit up, but succeeded in only turning himself over. A dull pain throbbed in the back of his head, and a more powerful one burned in his shoulder. He compared it to all the other injuries he had had over the years. Most likely a sprain, not severe enough for a break or dislocation.

Kageyama quickly assessed their surroundings. A dark cell, the only light a sliver from beneath the door. In it, Kageyama could see stone walls, iron manacles hanging from them, and beside him...

Beside him was Sanli, similarly bound, though a less extreme amount of rope had been used.

"Are you hurt anywhere Sanli?"

"I am fine, Sho Sensei. Once they tied me, they lost interest in me. You were the one they kept... kept..."

Kageyama hated the fear in Sanli's voice. You swore to protect him. And look how badly you have failed.

Instead of despair, Kageyama forced his mind to their situation. If they just wanted Sanli dead, they would not have bothered to bring them both back to the fortress alive. Something must have changed.

"Sanli, do you know why they brought us back here?"

Kageyama felt Sanli shake his head in the dark. "No. I tried to listen to their conversations, but didn't hear anything useful. Sho Sensei, I am sorry I didn't- I tried to help but- the Captain took my seal and Tenzetsuto before I could do anything."

Kageyama quickly pushed Sanli's guilt aside. "Sanli, my hands and arms are bound too tight to move. How are your hands? Are they free enough to move?"

"They are bound with my arms, same as yours. I think they worried I would write a seal with my fingers."

Kageyama cursed. "Fine. It will take some time, but I can draw one of my knives with my teeth, and cut you free first. Then-"

But Kageyama's plans were immediately undone by the sound of footsteps outside. The iron squeak of the lock preceded the door swinging open.

Four soldiers entered, one carrying a torch that lit the low cell. All four were dressed in the uniforms of the Green Kingdom.

"Has the fact that what you're doing is treason entered your mud-thick minds yet?" Kageyama asked with disdain.

Kageyama's comment was met with a sharp kick to the face. His jaw snapped to the side, and he tasted blood on his teeth. "Lord Kageyama," one of the soldiers greeted mockingly.

"Is he really a kitsune? I thought they were supposed to be fearsome?" another laughed.

"Leave him alone!" Sanli shouted, trying to move himself between the four soldiers and Kageyama. But the soldiers ignored him.

"I think they're good at tricks. Take those away and they're weak as a man," said the third soldier.

Another kick landed, this time on the ropes that bound Kageyama. He barely felt it, the ropes were wrapped so thick. Perhaps...

"Why don't you shit lickers untie me, and we'll see who is weaker, you or I?" Kageyama goaded. Baiting his enemy was not something enjoyed. This feels like something the girl would do. "No? What's wrong, afraid? I thought so. Your words are as empty as your balls, and your swords as limp as your-"

Before Kageyama could finish his ancient insult, a storm of kicks started to rain down upon him. Sanli again cried out and tried to intervene. Sanli, boy, I am here to protect you, not the other way around.

Kageyama did his best to shield his head and neck, hoping for most of the blows to catch the ropes. He twisted, rolled, trying to loosen his bonds, even a little-

Low laughter came from the doorway, and the kicks stopped.

Captain Duan stood there, leaning easily upon the door frame. "You idiots really did fall for his tricks. He is baiting you all, hoping your kicks will loosen his bonds. But don't bother Lord Kageyama, I tied those ropes myself." Captain Duan gestured to the four soldiers. "Get them up."

Kageyama and Sanli were roughly dragged to their feet, and led out of the cell.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Kageyama was not surprised at all to be thrown to his knees in the commander's office minutes later.

As they had been half dragged, half carried through the fortress, from the dungeons to the top floor, soldiers everywhere had stared with varying degrees of indifference and dislike at Sanli and himself.

They hate Sanli because of his wealth, and me because of what I am.

The soldiers' looks made it clear that no help would be found from them. The whole fortress was in on the conspiracy. Or had been fed a story where Kageyama and Sanli deserved the fate they had gotten.

The commander's office was as it had been months ago. Wide windows facing north and south, tables scattered with a collection of maps and orders. A roaring fire, and a wall of dully shining weapons on display.

If I can not draw my sword, anyone of those weapons will be enough, Kageyama thought. But how to get to them?

The four guards threw Kageyama and Sanli to the floor and then retreated, two to guard the door outside, two inside. Captain Duan sauntered over to a chair near the fire and collapsed across it.

The dog might be a difficulty, but I can deal with odds like this.

Kageyama had landed close enough to Sanli to whisper. "Sanli, do not speak. I will figure a way out of this."

Sanli's face was away from him, but his head nodded.

Commander Sha was sitting at his desk, the same grey shawl thrown around his shoulders, to match his silver hair. When his prisoners were thrown on the floor of his office, he calmly finished writing out the line of whatever document he was composing, then stood and walked around his desk.

"Why am I not surprised at all to find this conspiracy runs as far as you?" Kageyama said, spitting red onto the floor at the Commander's feet.

Commander Sha calmly stepped around the red bile. "Welcome again to fortress Changsha, my prince. Lord Kageyama."

"Why are we here?" Kageyama asked, struggling to raise himself into a sitting position. His shoulder throbbed.

"That is a good question." The commander frowned and looked over to where the daquan lounged across the chair, completely at ease in the presence of his commander. "Why are they here Duan? I asked for the girl."

The girl. That is what had changed. They are after Ao. Kageyama saw the realization hit Sanli as well.

Captain Duan shrugged in his chair. "She will come. She is a loyal little mouse. She threw herself off a cliff for that one." Here Duan pointed to Sanli.

Commander Sha frowned. "Or you could have just captured her and killed these two in the woods. Why leave it to chance?"

Captain Duan's grin widened. "It is more fun that way."

The commander sighed and shook his head. "Your 'fun' always causes me trouble. Well now they are here, perhaps they can help me."

Commander Sha drew up a chair and sat, talking as if Kageyama and Sanli were sitting with him beside the fire, and not bound and bloody on the floor before him.

"You see, I've been a bit puzzled. When the letter arrived with instructions to kill you and promises of gold if I succeeded, that did not really surprise me. Succession issues, a vengeful father whose daughter you used and then scorned. I have seen it all with nobles."

"But, when I received a another offer, with a promise of ten times the amount of gold if I could deliver the girl who was with you ALIVE... now that did catch my interest. The original offer was no small amount, so ten times that? I could buy all the flowers in the green kingdom for a night and still have coin to spare."

Commander Sha leaned down, eyes tied with Sanli's own. "So before you tell me where the woman went, I want you to tell me WHY she is so in demand?"

Sanli said nothing.

"My prince?" the commander prodded. "What is so special about your whore?"

Sanli glared in defiance. "She is not a whore," was all he said, then clamped his mouth shut.

"What is she then?" the Commander asked, patiently. The crows feet at his eyes made him look like a tired old man who had seen too much of life. Not a corrupt commander willing to kill his own prince for gold.

It was then Kageyama saw the metal pendant looped around the Commander's wrist. He is the one who controls this hateful thing around my neck.

Kageyama's mind raced. The information about Ao they withheld was all that kept them alive. Once they gave it up...

Commander Sha sighed again. Then he looked to Sanli's back, where the prince's bound hands emerged from the ropes wrapped around his upper arms and shoulders.

"I hear you are an excellent scribe, my prince," Commander Sha said settling back in his chair. Sanli's eyebrows furrowed, confused by the compliment.

Kageyama knew what was coming though. "Wait—!"

Commander Sha motioned to the daquan. "Break his fingers."

Captain Duan leapt from his chair, face eager. "With pleasure."

"Stop. I will tell you what I know of the girl. Stop!" Kageyama strained against his ropes, shoulder burning. Were they loosening, or was he just desperate to imagine they were? He struggled to his feet, desperate to get between the dog and Sanli. With a twist of his neck, he drew Kaizoumaru between his teeth.

He would turn these ropes to ash, even if he burnt all the flesh off his arms in the process-

"BIND."

With the single word from the commander's mouth, the metal band about Kageyama's neck tightened. The kitsune staggered one step, two, and then his head swam, and he collapsed to his knees. Kaizoumaru clattered uselessly to the floor beside him. "No-"

In his darkening vision he saw the daquan bent beside Sanli. "Which hand do you use, prince? You know I quite like you, as nobles go, so I'll spare your writing hand."

"I use both," Sanli said with a cocky grin.

Kageyama's stomach twisted. He doesn't realize what these men can do to him. Doesn't understand pain—

Captain Duan grinned, taking the smallest finger of Sanli's right hand in his fist. "Well, it won't matter then, will it?"

"Stop!" Kageyama gasped. "Sto-!"

SNAP.

Sanli gave a grunt like a scream, trying to hold it in. He sounded like an animal that had been kicked.

No no no I've failed him-

Then there was a strange sound. Kageyama realized it was Sanli, chuckling.

"Why-why start small?" The prince asked the daquan looming above him. Pain twisted his face. "Why not go for the thumbs first?"

Joy and admiration lit up Captain Duan's face. "I can't tell if you are foolish or brave." He wrapped his fist around Sanli's fourth finger.

SNAP.

Sanli's bravado disappeared with the second snap. His anguished cry cut the air.

"STOP!" Kageyama bellowed around the collar constricting his throat. "I will tell you about the girl! Leave him be!"

Commander Sha stayed the torture with a raised hand. "Tell me something true, and I will end you both quickly."

"The girl, she went north with the other man. To the hot springs near ruins of the old god's temple," said Kageyama, rapidly thinking. Hopefully, when Zakhar returned to the cabin and found them gone, he would have enough sense to know something was wrong and leave.

"That tells me where she went. What I want to know is why someone would pay so much for her. And would they perhaps be willing to pay more?"

"I will tell you, once you let Sanli go."

"You do not get to bargain." The commander waved his hand.

"NO!"

SNAP.

Sanli writhed in pain on the floor, tears running down his face. Kageyama wanted to cry with him.

"Who would have thought a prince's fingers break just like anyone else's?" The daquan exclaimed, winking at Kageyama where he lay, helplessly watching.

Rage filled Kageyama, and a darkness broiled up inside him. He had never wanted to be anything but what he was, but at that moment, what he wouldn't have given for an ox's strength, or a dragon's, to be able to break free and wrap his hands around that daquan's neck until it was what snapped...

Captain Duan smirked at Kageyama's bound rage. "Upset, Lord Kageyama? Not a man of violence?"

I will show you violence. From the corner of his eye he looked to where Kaizoumaru had fallen, a few lengths away.

But when he spoke his voice was calm, begging. "I will tell you. Stop torturing him, and I will tell you." As he spoke, Kageyama sat up, succeeding only in falling to his side again.

But when he fell, he fell a little closer to where his knife lay.

"Sho Sensei," Sanli begged from the ground. "Stop-"

"I am listening," Commander Sha said.

"The girl, she is..." Kageyama paused dramatically, buying time. "...she is Xiyu, the forgotten Sixth God."

There was a moment of silence, broken only by Sanli's soft sobs.

Then the Commander waved his hand once more. "Break the rest of the prince's fingers. Then we will move on to his legs, and see if they are more inclined to talk."

"WAIT! STOP! I am telling the truth!" Kageyama yelled, crawling for his knife. Captain Duan eagerly reached for the next of Sanli's fingers-

-but before the sickening snap could break the air, a knock came at the door.

The commander frowned. "Come in."

A soldier's face peered around the door. "My commander, you have a visitor. They said it was urgent they see you immediately."

"Obviously I am busy. Send them away and—"

"Oh my oh my. Busy indeed." A woman's voice.

The door pushed fully open and Ao stood there between the two guards, smiling her usual smile.

*~*~*~*~*~*

Look at this awesome cover made by @crovistello. I love that you have her umbrella and included the clouds at the bottom. Thank you so much!