"Are you sure about going alone? It would be no trouble for me to pack a few of my things and go with you."

"Though I would appreciate the company, Acacia, it is not wise to leave the cottage unattended." Master Fung placated, securing his travel bag to Cerberus' saddle.

Knowing that he was right, as he always was, Ace focused on fixing the bit and bridle on Baby's head.

"I know…You'll be careful, won't you?"

"I will do my best." Master Fung promised jokingly, swinging himself into the saddle.

"I will be gone for three days, so do not forget to train."

"I won't." She promised.

Watching him ride away into the forest, Ace sighed, turning back to the cottage.

There were some sketches for her to paint in, anyway…

Painting takes a steady hand, mainly to keep from staining the wooden table, something that Ace had perfected after years of practice.

She had just finished the fading colors of a sunset over dark trees when the sound of people outside caught her attention.

'What the hell…?'

Dropping her brush into a fresh cup of water, Ace stood and peered out of a front-facing window.

Quite a few villagers had congregated on the clear patch of grass, setting up chairs and putting instruments together and decorating an altar…

'This better not be what I think it is…'

Irritated, Ace retreated from the window and put her finished paintings somewhere safe to dry, cleaning up her mess with more force than necessary.

'Can't take a hint and leave me alone…'

A knock sounded at the door, and she muttered some choice obscenities under her breath before answering.

Wearing a clean-pressed tuxedo and polished shoes, Raimundo looked every inch the arrogant jackass Ace knew he was.

"Hello, Raimundo." She greeted coldly.

"Hey, Ace." He replied smoothly, coming in without an invitation.

'Sure, just come in. Not like I hate you or anything…'

Using his superior height, Raimundo herded her further into the room, failing to close the door behind him.

Though she was nowhere near frightened of him, Ace did not want to know what would happen if he got a hold of her.

"You know, there are a lot of girls I know that would love to be in your position right now."

'Then corner one of them.' She thought fiercely, frowning at the way Raimundo kept looking down her shirt.

The blouse and vest she wore did not cover up to her neck like most dresses would, and apparently gave a good view of her breasts.

"And why is that?"

"Because today's the day your dreams come true." Raimundo claimed, trying to corner her.

Side-stepping his trap, Ace glared.

"What do you know about my dreams?"

"Plenty. Picture this; a huge mansion, my latest kill roasting on the fire, my little wife massaging my feet…"

Back hitting a wall, she bristled like a cornered animal.

"While the little ones play on the floor with the dogs. We'll have six or seven."

"Dogs?" She retorted, playing naïve.

"Kids, of course! Do you know who that little wife will be?"

'Let me guess…'

"You, Ace."

Avoiding getting caged-in by his arms, Ace surveyed the situation warily.

Raimundo was blocking her way to the door…

"Really, now? I don't know what to say…"

'To make you leave me alone!'

"Say you'll marry me."

"How about I don't?" She retorted, kicking Raimundo firmly between the legs.

In the split second where he registered the pain and was just about to curl into himself, Ace punched him hard enough in the chest to send him tumbling out of the door.

Stepping up to the doorway, the young woman glared down at Raimundo, who had landed in a mud puddle.

"If you didn't get the message, that means no way in Hell."

Slamming the door, Ace locked it securely, leaning against the wood to make sure they left.

Once she heard the villagers retreat, whispering under their breath and taking everything with them, Ace relaxed against the wood.

Belle (Ace): Is he gone? Oh, can you imagine? He asked me to marry , the wife of that boorish, brainless..."Madame Gaston (Raimundo)!"Can't you just see it?"Madame Gaston (Raimundo)!"His "little wife", ugh!No sir! Not me!I guarantee itI want much more than this provincial life!

Frowning, she ran through the cottage and out the back door, not slowing until she was safely amid the trees.

Pushing aside the low-hanging branches, Ace came upon her favorite clearing, and settled onto a smooth stone Indian-style, letting out a dejected sigh.

I want adventure in the great wide somewhereI want it more than I can tellAnd for once it might be grandTo have someone understandI want so much more than they've got planned…

A cacophony of barking disturbed her brooding, and she sat up in surprise.

"Cerberus? Cerberus!"

The massive canine burst through the trees, skidding to a halt with braced forelegs, panting and whining all at once.

Seeing Puppy's torn ear and the blood on their fur, Ace jumped to her feet, soothing them with soft words as she checked for further injuries.

Finding nothing worse than some minor cuts, she began to look around for Master Fung, worry constricting her chest to find he was nowhere in sight.

"Where's Master Fung?"

All three whimpered loudly, ears back and heads bowed, and the worry increased ten-fold.

"Oh God…"

Determined to find Master Fung, Ace ran back to the cottage, grabbing her cloak and clipping it around her neck before returning to Cerberus at a mad dash.

Jumping into the saddle, Ace scooped up the reins, tugging gently.

Baby shook her head, understanding the signal and standing as their mistress aimed towards the trees.

"We're going to find him. Show me where you last saw him."

Puppy whined, frightened, but sniffed the air, searching for Master Fung's scent.

Yipping to signal she had the trail, all three heads barked in unison before bounding off in search of their lost rider…