Found some time to write some more, yay! Hope you all enjoy. I've enjoyed most of the reviews I've received so far! (Please try not to review if you don't have anything to say. And most questions will be answer *later*) Only ask questions if you've reached the last chapter and still haven't gotten an answer.

Also, is anyone reading my drabbles? I have no reviews on them, and I don't know if they're worth pursuing if no one's reading them. I mean, they're integral to understanding The Color Blue, but I already do. So at this point, am I drabbling for myself? Let me know.

"Please, let me go."

Asayake's voice was a tremor in the quiet air. She was blindfolded, and from the cool air she could hazard that it was night, and that she was outside. But other than that, she didn't know very much at all.

"Shut it, bitch," a gravelly voice rumbled. She hissed when a phantom hand yanked her hair, throwing her into soggy grit and grass.

"Enough," a commanding voice cut through the tense silence. There was a crunching of footsteps across the ground, the sound of sandals against small rocks.

"Isn't it just cozy, Tsuni-san? You've got all this space to yourself, after all. And all these rugged men to protect you." His voice oozed, and he shoved her over with his foot, so that she was on her back, the rope tightening on her hands behind her.

Asayake wasn't a ninja. She had only the power of her magicks, which didn't even work without a name.

Well, mostly.

But even those magicks required the use of her eyes and hands. Something these men seemed to know well.

"Watch her. Don't let her out of your sight. If she requires something, someone is to go with her at all times. She's a very important hostage." Footsteps indicated his exit. Asayake trembled in the cold, soggy grass and rolled back to her side.

"Here," a voice intoned in her ear. Something cold and metallic was brought to her lips. Wincing, she took a sip, sighing when warm chocolate rushed over her lips.

"Thank you," she whispered, wriggling her wrists.

"Hrn. Shut up." She was kicked again, and she gagged, spitting out blood.

"Why," she gasped, dropping her head into the cold grass. It felt like a blessing against her burning skin.

"None of your business, witch." There was a small clamor then, as though the people holding her were arguing silently. Asayake couldn't tell. Everything was ringing and she moaned, pressing her burning cheeks deeper into the cool wetness.

"Alright, I think she's far enough gone," a woman hissed. "Put her into a bed, for Kami's sake. And give me her tools."

The stone and pouch were passed to the woman, Asayake noticed through her haze. It was removed from her hip and shuffled over into someone's hands. And then she was being lifted, sending her consciousness in and out in ripples.

A soft bed, she noted, when she was finally released. A soft bed with a pillow. The restraints were cut, and footsteps filed out of the room

Then a warm towel over her features, probably removing the grit from where she'd fallen. The blindfold was removed, and the small boy tending her flinched at her open, feverish eyes.

"Shi- you're awake…"

Asayake's hand snapped out, grabbing the boy around his neck. He gagged and scrabbled at her grip, raking bloody trails down her ivory hands.

"Nette," she hissed, her teal eyes boring into his almond orbs.

The boy went slack in her arms and fell with a small thud on the floor.

Asayake forced her heavy body off the bed, biting her bleeding hand to keep herself awake. Whatever they'd put in that drink was dragging her further into unconsciousness with every step.

Hesitantly, she slid open the door, almost collapsing with relief when she saw there were no guards. Driving her teeth further into her flesh, she limped down the hallway and rounded a corner.

So, so many doors, she noticed. Her fingers fluttered hesitantly over one door's handle as her consciousness flickered. The tips of her fingers touched the cool metal, and she heard a shout of alarm from behind her. Grunting, she shoved the door open and looked around.

Boxes. Tons of boxes.

Whimpering, she shut the door behind her, roving around in the dark until she found an empty box in the back. She crawled in jerkily, her muscles refusing to obey her any more. Her fingers skittered across the crate's lid as she tried to set it in place over her. She just got it to snap when the door slammed open and someone ran in.

She closed her eyes to pray and lost consciousness.