Don't Give Up (On Me)

Takashima, Shiga Prefecture

For once, during this entire ordeal, she recognized where they were! And for once, they weren't somewhere along the coast. For whatever reason, he’d stopped at Lake Biwa, and they were in a cabin not far from the shore line. She recognized the area because she’d been here a few times before, taking pictures for clients. There had also been a few relaxing, but fun, getaways with Eita.

“Eita, put me down!” she yelled, but only half-heartedly struggled in his arms.
“Nope!” He waded into the lake.
“I was trying to get a tan! Put me down!”
“Last I checked, tan didn’t look pink.”
“What?!”
“Blonde hair, fair skin. Recipe for sunburn.”
“But I put sunblock on earlier.”
“You’re still pink. Time to cool off, love.” He stopped when he was hip deep in the water. Her back end was just touching the surface. She squinted at him.
“Don’t. You. Dare.”
Eita laughed, and then fell backwards. She came up gasping both from the cold water, and the fact that she barely had time to hold her nose. The splash fight that ensued had them laughing until she fell back into his arms.

She knew what she had to do, but she needed to figure out a way to carry it off without alerting him, or his guard dog. From the window of the cabin, she could make out the floating torii gate; Shirahige-jinja shrine was close by. They’d been close to several shrines while he dragged her all over the country, but she’d never once asked to offer prayers. In all honesty, she assumed he wouldn’t take her because she’d be seen, and likely identified. Maybe this time, if she begged prettily enough…

No, that wouldn’t work, either. She’d been nothing but a pain in his side since the first day, and acting all nice and sweet would definitely tip him off. And if it did somehow work on him, then Kyotani would definitely be suspicious. Still. She had to try something, right?

Early the next morning, she had a plan that might work. He’d sent Kyotani out for a few necessities, and he stayed with her. He was pacing around, clearly anxious about something. Hitoka neither knew, nor cared, what it might be that had him on edge, but she saw an opportunity and decided to take it.

"I'd like to visit the shrine," she said as nicely as she could.
"How do you know about the shrine?"
She perked an eyebrow. "Really? You can see the torii gate from here." She wasn't about to let on that she'd been here before.
"Right."
He was definitely in a state. She should tread carefully. "Why do you want to go?"
Now he sounded surly. Her hopes were fading fast.
She shrugged. "I want to pray."
"What for?"
"My prayers are between myself and the gods."
"So then pray. We don't need to go to the shrine."
Think Hitoka! Think! She had to come up with something to change his mind. But what?

Seeing she wasn't going to get anywhere now, she decided to bide her time. Perhaps it would be for the best anyway. Her plan needed refinement. She had to hope there'd be at least one more chance before he decided they needed to run again.

That afternoon, he closed the door loud enough to wake her from her nap, and tossed a bag onto the bed. With a gasp, she shot upright, breathing hard and heart racing. She glared balefully at her captor, who still looked like he was in a horrible mood.

“You scared me!”
"If we’re going to go to the shrine like you want, you'll have to disguise yourself."

She was about to protest, but thought better of it. This was the closest she'd been to leaving a message with a clear location; she'd do almost anything at this point. She turned and got out of bed, reached for the bag, and pulled out a black-haired wig, makeup, and another outfit. A skimpy one at that. She glared at him again.

"You want me to look like... like a…" she couldn't even say it.
He did. "A prostitute, yes."
"So I can pray, but no one will want to come near me," she said, figuring out his plan.
"Yes. If you truly want to go, you'll do as I say. And don't think about trying anything to signal for help. We'll be watching you."
"Fine," she said, taking the bag he brought, hers, and taking both to the bathroom. "I'll be ready shortly."
"Fine."

Twenty minutes later, she came out of the bathroom wearing the wig, outfit, and enough makeup to make her face feel five pounds heavier. She put her bag on the bed, and faced the two men waiting for her.

"Will this do?" she asked sarcastically.

Kyotani snorted and looked away. Hitoka assumed that meant she passed muster, at least for his standards. Her captor - the bane of her existence, and the man she hated - blinked a few times, shook his head as if clearing it, and then gazed at her with blatant desire.

She felt her stomach turn and a metallic taste in her mouth. But, she fought down the nausea and stared back at him.

"We need to go before the shrine closes," she said as politely as she could.
"I don't know…"
"Tell me you didn't make me get dressed up in this travesty of a costume just so you could stare at me."
"And if I did?"

Hitoka screamed internally. She couldn't let this chance slip through her fingers. Taking a deep breath, she made herself stay still, endured his hungry leer, and promised herself a long hot shower after they returned from the shrine.

"Let's get this over with," Kyotani growled, shaking his boss out of his salacious thoughts. She was loathe to thank him, but sent him a relieved glance instead. He huffed, spun on his heel, and strode out of the cabin.
"After you, my lady."
"Thank you," she muttered as she walked past him, narrowly avoiding his attempt to put his hands on her.

Once they made it to the shrine, she had to endure the humiliation of walking the sando toward the haiden. Fellow shrine visitors gave them a wide berth and angry looks, clearly keeping themselves away from her “impurity.” She kept walking, head held high, unwilling to act humiliated for something she wasn’t. They stopped to cleanse their hands and mouths, and some patrons made disapproving noises, backing away from them as they performed the sacred ritual. One of them walked off in a huff, and she could just tell they went to find a priest.

At the haiden, they were close to the offering box, and a priest did indeed show up. He murmured his apologies, and asked them to step aside. Hitoka looked around, and saw so many people looking as if they’d been vindicated for something. Lifting her chin, she calmly followed the priest. He led them to where two female shrine attendants stood, and they quickly separated her from her captor and Kyotani. They tried to follow, but they were already on the move, taking her into a little building hidden in the trees beside the haiden.

“Am I not allowed to pray?” she asked them, gauging their reactions.
“You are, but you must change into something more… decent.”
“I see,” she said as they started helping her from her clothes, they seemed kind enough. Maybe…
Now. It’s the best time. Do it!
“Help me,” she whispered. “Please.”
She gave them a hand signal, hoping they knew what it meant.
“Pardon?” They both nodded. They understood!
“Help me.” She took off the wig, and handed them a note. “Call that number, tell them where you saw me. Do it as soon as possible. Please.”
“Are you in trouble?”
“Yes! They abducted me several months ago. This is the first chance I've had to make contact with anyone else. I just want to go home. Please."
The two women looked at each other and the one she handed the note to went to the back of the building, and left. Another woman came in from the same door, and she helped fit the wig back on. Then, they tried to usher her out the back as well, but she shook her head.
“They’ll just find me again. The one that looks mean is quick, and sneaky. I have to go back. Act as if nothing is wrong. All I ask is for you to help the people on the other end of the phone number.”
“Are you sure? You won’t be hurt?”
“I’m sure. And the one that abducted me is delusional, but he hasn’t tried to harm me.”
Yet. Thank god. Another reason, or two, for prayers.
“You may go back out. The priest has to give his approval, and then you can pray. We’ll do everything we can to help.”
“Thank you so much! Oh, and if you get the chance, I need you to pass along a message for me.”
“Certainly.”