Dark Waters "Kage no Mizu"

Chapter 3.0- Master of the game

**** TRIGGER WARNING : PHYSICAL AND SEXUAL VIOLENCE ****

Kenta could not believe what he was looking at. He sneered at her debased form, the belt still trembling in his hand from the last strike. This isn't how it's supposed to go. I'm supposed to be in control, not her. He threw the belt aside and pointed at her, his finger shaking. "You think you can play me, huh? You think you can get off on this? Newsflash, bitch, I'm not your plaything. You're not getting out of paying me back that easily. Now are you going to fork over the cash, or do we do this the hard way?" His voice dropped to a menacing growl trying to regain control.

Rinako was so close, he couldn't stop now. She wriggled in the ropes, her voice husky and playful. "Oh Kenta. You really are fun when you're angry.... But you're not done yet, are you ?" She asked but it was not a question, it was a command. "I'll pay for the full show. Don't stop now." She winked, her tongue darting out to lick her lips.

Kenta scoffed in disgust. No one makes a fool out of him. He slammed his fist down on the table. "Your some freak aren't you? You think this is a game? I don't play games. I get paid."

With growing irritation at Kenta's unwillingness, Rinako's head tilted back. Her shoulders began to shake with the faintest trace of laughter. The sound started low, a soft, almost musical giggle, that bubbled up from her chest and bounced off the walls.

"What's so funny?", he snapped, his voice sharp.

Rinako's laughter grew, a breathy almost girlish giggle that clashed with the cold smoky room. "Oh, Kenta," she whispered, her tone sweet. " All you...had to do... was continue."

She slumped forward, her long black hair cascading over her face. Her shoulders began twisting side to side. She kicked her feet against the floor, her heels drumming in rapid impatient burst. "We were having so much fun! You were enjoying this , you know. ", she whined, rocking back before jerking forward again. "You're no fun anymore! Keep going, Kenta! What's wrong , I can get back into character... I know how much you like weak women." The words fell out her mouth smooth and sultry.

Kenta's face twisted with disgust, his lip curling as he crossed his arms. " You're insane," he spat, taking a  step back. " What is wrong with you? This is over — I'm done with your little game."

Rinako twisted her wrist against the ropes, letting out an exaggerated, childish huff. "Here I am, tied up , doing exactly what you wanted... and you're just going to stand  there?"

Without another word, he shot a look toward his two men, standing nearby. At his signal, they stepped forward, tense and wary, each pulling out a gun with a heavy, almost reluctant grip.

Kenta's smirk returned, his confidence foolishly restored. " Not so tough now, are you?", he sneered, " Go on, laugh. See what good it does you now."

Her voice pitched higher, the whine growing louder with each word. " You're booooring  me, Ken-ta. And trust me, you don't want that."

Kenta's grin widened practically oozing arrogance. "Oh, really?", he taunted, voice dripping with disdain. " You're just a broken little girl and you're gonna regret that little attitude, sweetheart." He gestured to his men, who tightened their grip on their weapons, stepping closer, their faces set but uncertainty flickering in their eyes.

She exhaled slowly, her shoulders relaxing. Her smile disappeared now replaced with a blank icy stare, almost lifeless. Rinako's gaze drifted to the floor as she let out a small disappointed sigh.

"You really were a waste of time," she murmured, her voice low and devoid of any warmth.

Before they could react, her wrists twisted, and with a swift, practiced motion, she broke free from the ropes. It was so quick, so fluid , that Kenta and his men simply stared for a beat, the realization dawning too slowly. Rinako rose from the chair, her movements controlled and deadly, her gaze never wavering from Kenta's face as he stumbled back, the confidence draining from his expression.

Rinako took a step forward, her voice dropping to a low , venomous tone. " You were supposed to be ... promising," she hissed, " And this is what I get? You, with your big talk and that pathetic little cigarette dangling from your mouth, thinking it makes you look intimidating."  She leaned in closing the space between them. Kenta froze, realizing he's been ensnared in a spider's web he couldn't escape. Her fingers darted forward, plucking the cigarette from this mouth. She held it between her fingers before dropping it to the floor and crushing it under her foot.

As if on signal to the cigarette being snuffed underneath her foot Kenta's men shifted forward, raising their weapons with a palpable tension. Rinako's eyes flicked toward them, a cool, dismissive glance that seemed to say they weren't worth her time.

One of them lunged, but before he could aim his gun, her leg shot out in a swift, fluid motion, catching the first man square in the chest. He flew back, the force of the kick knocking the wind out of him as he collapsed against the wall slumping to the floor.

The second man barely had time to register his partner's fall before she was locked on him. Rinako grabbed his arm, twisting it with a calculated ease, forcing him to drop his weapon. She pulled him forward, his balance thrown off as she sent him to the ground with a controlled push. Both men were left disarmed and incapacitated within seconds.

Kenta remained frozen, his bravado shattered. His eyes darted around the room in a panicked search for an escape. His hands clenched and unclenched at this sides, and a bead of sweat traced down his temple. Rinako's petite frame now seemed as if it loomed over him, blocking any possible way out.

She turned her attention to Kenta, laughing— a cold, bitter sound. " Two men, Kenta? Really ? Two" Her head tilted to the side as she flashed two fingers in his face mockingly . " And you still look like a cornered animal. You were supposed to knock me around , put me in my place, make it worth my time. But you just... failed." Her head shook and her lip snarled as if the sight of him physically repulsed her.

She stepped back, lifting her arms skyward in a grand, exaggerated gesture. " I gave you everything," she whispered, " I gave you exactly what you wanted — the weak little victim, trembling just like you wanted, and you ruined it." She spun around her heel, letting out an irritated breath before facing Kenta again. " And now, look at your terrified. Afraid."

She stepped back into his personal space, and he instinctively flinched, his arrogance slipping away as her words sank in. " All you had to do was keep going Kenta!" Her hand shot out grabbing him by the throat, nails digging into his skin. Kenta struggled but it was futile. Her voice softened, heavy and mournful , as if she was grieving the loss of something precious , " Your promised me pain...", each syllable holding a sense of betrayal.

Kenta's voice came out in strained gasps, "L—look...I... I didn't mean... anything by it !" He clawed weakly at her grip, his fingers scrambling for freedom. " It was ... just business... nothing personal, I swear!" His eyes darted frantically, searching for his men, desperation in his flickering gaze. " You're crazy... y—you know that ? Just ... let me go... we can... work something out... please..."

Rinako sneered, " I hate that word... 'please'," she murmured, her voice icy and mocking. " It sounds so desperate."

She released Kenta's throat with a look of utter disdain, brushing her hands off. With a soft whistle, she turned her back on him, her expression shifting simultaneously. Her eyes lit up, playful and bright, like a delighted child calling for her favorite pet.

The window eased open, and Shinji slipped inside moving like a shadow. He approached her stopping just a step in front , his head bowed in a quiet reverence, his face impassive and stern. "Master Soma, " he stated softly.