Disclaimer: I'm not, I repeat, am not the ever-famous, talented, creative and great Ms. Yuu Watase. I have the said adjectives, but not the identity. (

Thank you!

Chapter 3- Surprises

Vixen lied on the cold floor. "What's taking them so long? It's been 2 hours already." She stood up once more and peeked through the door. "I think I better go now." With these words, she got her bloodstained sword. Just as she was about to go outside, a thought came into her mind. After I get out of here...where will I go? It's not like I have a home to return to. I guess I should just stay here. Damn...wait...what if I became a bandit here? Nah, they'll disagree. She dropped her sword angrily. Why does my life have to be complicated? I'm just 16, and I don't consider anywhere home! Suzaku, what's in store for me? Am I really supposed to be alive? She asked their country's legendary god. The echo of the blade dropping was disappearing gradually. Then, Vixen heard something else...footsteps...nearer...nearer... "Who is there?" She called, panic starting to rise in her voice when no one responded.

Then, only the sound of nature was heard. Kasumi held the sword back in her hand. With her knuckles facing outwards, she held the sword horizontally, her eyes at the same level as the blade. She positioned herself in a position ready to attack.

She heard something slide down the door, landing with a thump on the dry soil outside. Part of her wanted to open the door and look at the perpetrator, another part telling her to just lower her sword a bit, but not her guard. She followed the second one.

Suddenly, the door burst open. She was greeted by a bunch of arrows heading straight at her. She easily turned them away from her by using her sword as a shield. In the end, arrows stuck at the walls or floor around her surrounded her.

She remained alert, even though she saw no sign of another attack. With the eyesight of an eagle and the sharpness of her sword, she looked around, hoping to get a hint on who attacked her.

Who could...

Then, she saw something move by the only window. Getting one of the arrows, she threw it, headfirst (the one with the blade) on the window. She saw someone struggling as the arrow hit his (judging by the silhouette) sleeve.

She ran outside and arrived at the place outside the window, where someone was watching her. To her surprise, it was the one least likely to attack her.

Exasperated, she asked, "Kouji?"

Smiling at her, he replied, "Yeah. Bet you didn't think it was me!"

"You got that right! What was that for?! You almost killed me!"

"Almost...but not quite."

"Oh hell! What is freakin' wrong with you? And stop smiling! You look insane!" Kasumi didn't mean to freak out, but she was tired and an assault from the only guys she trusts right now is not a good idea.

"Vix, relax. We know what we did...and we have a very good reason for doing so. Just take this arrow of my sleeve, and I'll tell you everything." Although still exasperated and doubting if there really is a reason for the attack, she easily took back the arrow.

"How'd you do that anyway?" Kouji asked, standing up since he was crouched while watching Vixen avert at least a hundred arrows almost effortlessly. He looked at the bark of the tree, which was used as a "base" when his sleeve was pierced.

"You answer my question first. What's with the arrows?" Vixen asked, calming down a bit.

"I don't think I'm the one who should tell you."

"What?! Then who?"

"Him."

"Who?"

"Me." A familiar voice came behind Kasumi. She turned around and saw a smirking Genrou. "Fine. Explain." Kasumi said in a stern voice, not afraid to make her annoyance apparent. "Look...as Kouji told you 2 hours ago, your sword is one of the unique and rare fighting weapons there is. So...we had to know who you were, and how you got that."

"What does the arrows have to do it? You want to kill me?"

"Not exactly. We just want to see how you deal with that blade of yours."

"And if I'm not mistaken, you handle it well." Kouji admitted, walking on front of her, beside Genrou. "I think we all have to go in. I still want this place hidden." Kouji suggested. "I'll agree to that." Genrou approved. Kasumi just followed the bandits, not saying a word. I still can't believe this rapier is priceless. I thought it was just another ordinary blade. Holding it up, she noticed the blood still stained it, giving it a maroonish-shade. She used her the opening of her sleeve to wipe it off. Luckily, it came out.

Kouji closed the door as all three of them entered the room. They picked the arrows up, even Kasumi helped. I just don't like the idea of sitting with arrows at my side.

"So...Vixen...what exactly do you do?" Kouji started.

"Nothing."

"Yaright..." Genrou murmured.

She sharply turned to his direction and explained further, "I consider nowhere my home, I ran away from so-called homes many times, and I have nowhere to go or nothing to do. Got it?"

"No." Genrou replied frankly and flatly.

She just sighed and rephrased, "I don't have any permanent place to live in or a permanent job. I really am nothing, okay? I don't even know my surname!"

"WHAT?!" Kouji and Genrou asked in chorus.

"Yup."

"So...you lost your memory or something?" Kouji asked curiously.

"No. I just don't know who gave birth to me."

"Then how about siblings?"

"If I don't know my real identity, how do you think will I know who my siblings are?"

"Then how did you live for the past 15 years?" Genrou asked.

"16...I'm 16 already. Anyway, someone took care of me until I was 8. Her name is Hitomi. She gave me the name Kasumi, I mean...Vixen. Unfortunately, she died...so I was brought in to an orphanage. I ran away from there when I was 12."

"Why?"

"I can't tell you. Anyway, after that, I got a series of jobs. Mainly I worked at restaurants. They let me have bed and food, and I work for them for almost nothing. Almost...it's just less. I'll never agree to work at places in where assholes come in once in a while for free."

"How did you end up in the forest?" Genrou asked once more.

"I just fought from one of the assholes I told you about. Now, this guy has a thing for women. He loathes them. Me. I wanted to learn more WuShu...so I took lessons from him. I was cross-dressed at all his sessions, so he didn't know. Fast forward...he knew the truth today and hated me. He thinks I made him look like a fool for teaching someone in the opposite sex. I can't kill him...his brother owned the last restaurant I worked in. So...I escaped...just leaving him injured...and ended up here." Kasumi finished.

"How'd you get the sword?" Kouji asked.

"Oh this? I bought it some 2 years ago at a market near where I was working. It's really cheap...really. I never thought this sword is invaluable."

"I guess the former owner never knew also its price." Kouji concluded.

"Or he wanted to get rid of the blade." Genrou suggested.

"Okay fine...we'll let you go now." Genrou told her.

"Not again." Kasumi muttered under her breath.

"What's that?" Genrou seemed to have caught her saying something...but didn't understand it.

"Oh...it's just that...well, honestly...I don't want to get back out there."

"Why not?"

"Where can I go? I'm sick and tired of everything in the world outside Mt. Leikaku." Kasumi tried to hide the sadness in her voice.

"I guess I'll feel the same way if I were you." Kouji admitted.

"Thanks. So the rumors are true."

"What rumors?"

"About you guys...the bandits of Mt. Leikaku."

"What about us?"

"They say you are different from other bandits. You're not cold-hearted, as the impression on bandits and outlaws always goes."

"Yup, that's us!" Genrou proudly said.

"Ah Genrou...can I talk to you for a minute?" Kouji stood up and asked.

"Huh? Sure." Genrou did the same.

The two went to a side of the room, where Kasumi couldn't hear what they're talking about.

"I know this might sound silly...but why don't we ask her to be a bandit?" Kouji asked.

"You're right..."

"I am? You mean, you're allowing her in?"

"No...you're right...as in it does sound silly."

"Oh c'mon Genrou...we could use someone like her! She's good with weapons and I'm sure she got the brains."

"How'd you know?"

"Her life story. You wouldn't go that far if you're stupid."

"Yeah... I guess that makes sense. Look, I have to think about this thing."

"But for the night..."

"I guess we'll leave her here."

Kouji glanced at Kasumi, who was braiding her hair again.

"If your impression on her is true, then I think she'll be fine." Genrou added. Kouji just nodded.

And so Genrou and Kouji left Vixen back at their hidden area. Vixen didn't resist...just as long as they come back. Genrou and Kouji went back to the main building, and celebrated Genrou's return. At the Mt. Leikaku stronghold... "Anyway, Genrou, where were you hiding all this time?" One of the bandits asked. "That's something we know, and for you to find out." Genrou replied, with a mischievous smile.

"We?"

"Yeah, Kouji and me."

"Speaking of Kouji, hey Kouji! Why so silent?" Another bandit asked Kouji, who was thinking of something, and not minding the bandits' conversations.

"Wha-? Oh...nothing." Kouji replied, caught off-guard.

"You are thinking about Vixen, ain't you?" Asked a semi-drunk Genrou.

"Just wondering what these guys will think."

"I'll ask them. Say, guys..." Genrou started, facing the rest of the bandits, who turned back their attention to their leader,

"How'd you feel if we have a female bandit here?"

"As long as she's hot, I don't mind." One replied, laughing a bit after he answered.

"If she can look after herself...why not?" Another said.

"Yeah, as long she ain't like my sister. I mean, dainty, girly...like that"

A series of answers came, all having a condition.

"See, we met this girl, who I think might be of help to us. She's good when it comes to fighting, and she can walk through life using her brains." Kouji finally spoke up.

"Hmm..." One bandit spoke, "Brains and brawn. How about the looks?"

It was Genrou's turn to feel like not talking. You want to know how she looks like, Igarashi? He asked the bandit who asked him about her looks in his mind, though not speaking it out. She's someone who you never thought would exist in the real world. Yeah...she's stunning. He thought, remembering how he was stunned when he first saw her in the restaurant.

At the hidden room... Kasumi sat by a wall, leaning on it. She held her sword at one hand, the blade pointing downwards, having the tip on the floor. It fell towards her later on.

"Kasumi? Kasumi-chan?" Kasumi looked up and saw a woman in her 16's looking at her intently. It took a while for Kasumi to realize who it was. "Hitomi? Hitomi!" She leaped on her feet and embraced the one whom she never thought would be as warm as she is now. She hugged her so tight...as if she's never going to let go. She felt Hitomi place something inside one of her pockets. Still afraid that Hitomi might disappear again if she lets go, Kasumi acted as if she didn't notice. Suddenly, someone grabbed her by her collar. No matter how much she struggled, the force on her collar was much too strong. She reached her hand, hoping to get Hitomi's...but she vanished already.

"No...no...NO!!!" Kasumi screamed. But she felt a hand over her mouth, choking her up. "You're not going anywhere, Kasumi. You're never going anywhere." A voice whispered in her ear, sending shivers down her spine. She kicked off, forcing herself to be liberated. But she was caught by her arm. She managed to look at the perpetrators, and was shocked to see Sakura and Mariko. "Hello...Kasumi! You're going to help us rise up through our financial pains now. Oh yes...you have to. It's your body and beauty...or your life and death." They said in unison, each of them holding a dagger in their hands. Suddenly, she saw more gleaming blades around her. The owners stepped out from the shadows. Kasumi felt her breath being sucked away, when she realized they were all the people whom she met in her complex life... including Rian and Isagani. She was surrounded. But then, something swoop her from above. She felt being carried...and breathing. Upon reaching the safe ground, she looked at her savior. Unfortunately, he (judging by the clothes and body figure) was in the shadows. She walked forward, hoping to get even a short glimpse on her rescuer. When she was about to touch him...

"Vixen! Vixen!" She woke up and saw Genrou and Kouji.

Who was it? Who was in my dream?

"Are you okay?" Kouji asked, seeing her pale face. "Huh? I...I'm okay, in a way. What took you so long?" She asked, trying to divert their attention. She felt cold sweat roll down her face. "We...hang out." Genrou replied, with the same mischievous smile on his face. Kasumi felt the warmth and color come back again on her face.

I hate nightmares...especially when it leaves a mystery! She thought, furiously.

"Look...we got to talk to you about something." Kouji started. "Sure...go ahead." Kasumi replied reluctantly.

What do they want from me now? Please don't tell me they know who Rian is!

"Do you remember when you were telling us about your...situation?"

"Yeah..."

"Since we figured you can look after yourself..."

"We want to know if you would like to be a Mt. Leikaku bandit." Genrou cut through the chase. Kasumi felt her lower jaw drop. "S-so...you're asking me to...to...join you?" She asked, doubting what she heard.

"Yeah. You can fight well...better than anyone in the stronghold. Well, besides us. We could really use someone like you." Kouji replied.

"But don't flatter yourself too much...it was Kouji's idea, not mine." Genrou added.

"I...ah...I..." Kasumi's mind was racing for words.

"Well?" Genrou asked impatiently. "Sure. I'm ready." Kasumi managed to say. "Glad that's over." Genrou declared. "I'm sleepy from all that sake! Why is everything suddenly became black and white?" He yawned and fell on his back. Upon landing on the floor, he dozed on. "How many bottles of sake did he actually finish?" Kasumi asked, pointing at the sleeping figure by her feet. "You sure you want to know?" Kouji asked, with a bit of amusement in his voice. "Actually...no." Kasumi softly kicked Genrou at his side, seeing that he really is sleeping.

If I'm gonna be a bandit here...I might as well get used to that. "So...did you have enough sleep already?" Kouji asked. "Sleep...yes, rest...no."

"Genrou! Genrou! Hey Genrou!" The flame-haired bandit slowly opened his eyes, still tired from the sake drinking they had. Before him, he saw almost all the Leikaku bandits grinning at him. "What?" He asked, annoyed.

"That girl whom you said will be with us?" The one in front asked.

"Yeah...what about her?"

"She's gorgeous!"

"Wha-? Oh. Maybe. Anyway, where is she?"

"She bought something in the market." Genrou stood up and walked away. But before leaving, he warned them. "I wouldn't do anything stupid to her, if I were you. You have no idea how she is." All the other bandits looked at each other, confused at Genrou's words.

Genrou went down and heard swords clanging. He looked through a window and saw Kasumi and Kouji having a duel...Kouji's sword vs. Kasumi's Destiny. He went down, just to check out what's happening. Kasumi easily dodged an attack, aimed at her head. In return, she tried to slice Kouji's feet. But he jumped out of its reach. Things like this occurred for the next 2 minutes that followed, only to be ended when Kasumi managed to tackle Kouji to the ground, and held her sword an inch above Kouji's neck. After a few seconds, she stood up, and helped Kouji get to his feet. "Shit, that's 3 times in a row you beat me." Kouji admitted, brushing off the dust at his shoulders. "You must be weakening, Kouji." Genrou finally spoke. "Hey Genrou. You slept the afternoon away, man! Okada visited us this morning. He was looking for you." Kouji told Genrou.

"Who is Okada?" Kasumi curiously asked.

"He's a friend of ours...helped us many times before...especially when our former leader was away or something like that." Genrou told her.

"Oh. Why didn't I see him?" Kasumi asked Kouji.

"You were also sleeping."

"I woke up at somewhere between 8 and 9 in the morning."

"He visited 3 hours before. He was in a rush for some reason and didn't say long."

"Oh...no wonder."

"Anyway, I'll say...how did you learn how to be good with weapons? It's as if you know everything with blades." Kouji exclaimed.

"He-he...well...I studied swordplay for 5 years and 3 months." Genrou and Kouji glanced at each other when she mentioned "swordplay." Genrou asked, "Where did you study exactly?"

"I don't remember...I learned WuShu when I was 4, until I was 8. Why?"

"Okada is also a WuShu teacher. Just in case you know him."

"Oh...no, the name ain't familiar. So...what's the plan for the rest of the afternoon?" The rest of the afternoon was a surprise to Kouji and Genrou. And Vixen is responsible for that. It all started quite simple and typical.

"Hey Vixen. You're good with horses, too?" Kouji asked as he watched Kasumi climbed on a black stallion almost effortlessly.

"It's my first time, honestly. I never rode on a horse before."

"Well, you cover that fact up."

"Hey, where'd you get the horse?" Genrou came out from the back door to meet with Vixen and Kouji.

"Oh, it was a gift." Vixen teased.

"No...really, where? I've been wanting those kind!"

"A townsfolk I met yesterday said I looked like his daughter who went away with her fiancé. So he gave me the horse she tried to use to escape, but used her fiancé's instead." Vixen explained.

"So someone just came out of nowhere and gave you a beautiful horse. I don't buy it." Genrou gave her a suspicious look.

"He gave me this with the condition that his house will never be raided by bandits. I agreed of course."

"So...is he rich?"

"Not exactly. He's like someone who isn't rich, but can afford." Vixen tried to elaborate.

"Oh...okay." Kouji commented, shrugging. Genrou just shrugged. "Whatever."

But the surprise didn't end there.

"Another job well done!" Genrou smiled his trademark fangy-smile. "That merchant really took it hard, didn't he?" Vixen asked. "Well...yeah. But we took it easy!" Kouji laughed at the irony. Riding on their steady steeds, the three bandits made a few people look back at them as they passed by. "Hey Genrou! Kouji!" A boy cried out from behind. The trio stopped and looked back. "How ya doing, Miho?" Genrou asked. "Bet you're fine as I am." The black haired boy answered. Vixen looked at him and tried to get any familiarity. None. He was 4 feet tall and his appearance was like the common folks would wear. Miho, on the other hand, saw Vixen behind Genrou. He blinked fast...trying to see if the girl was an illusion. Genrou and Kouji have a girl? Since when? He tried his best to describe her...although he found it hard since she looked very different from anyone else. Midnight blue hair tied on high ponytail...mauve eyes...long sleeveless maroon coat...black pants underneath...indigo sleeves out from the coat...yup, she's new. Taking his eyes from the foxy female riding still behind Genrou, he asked Genrou and Kouji.

"Since you're in town and all, why don't you come at our place? My dad's waiting, and my mum's cooking."

"Megumi-san is doing the cooking? Then what are we waiting for? Let's go!" Kouji said.

"Hey Miho, why don't you hop on my horse? That'll be faster." Kouji offered.

"Sure. Thanks!" Kouji helped Miho up, while Vixen whispered to Genrou. "Hey Gen...who is the kid?"

"Oh...he's someone who look upon us...you know...understands what we do and all. Him and his family...they've been supportive of the Leikaku bandits."

"I never thought there was someone who thinks that way."

"Oh there are lots other. But I guess Miho was the only one who got the courage to step forward and talk to us." They rode on south, where Miho's house is located. Kouji caught Miho constantly glancing on his left, where Vixen is.

"Sorry, Miho. I forgot." He whispered, winking at Miho. "Hey Vixen, this is Miho. One of the naughty kids living here!" Kouji introduced. "I'm not naughty!" Miho protested. Vixen looked at him, and smiled a warm "Hello." Miho looked at her in response and had the courage to ask, "Umm...Vixen-san..."

"Just call me Vixen...formalities are uncomfortable for me."

"Okay...umm...Vixen...are you a bandit, too?"

"Yeah. Since a month ago."

"How come I just saw you now?"

"I dunno...maybe it's because it's the first time they've seen you in months."

"Oh...that makes sense. Genrou, since when do you accept girls?"

"Ei, take it from me. She's not the of the ordinary." Genrou replied.

"I'll take that as a compliment." Vixen commented.

"Oh, by the way, Miho. We got something from you." Kouji said, holding his hand up with their stolen money in it.

"What, what is it?" Miho asked excitedly.

"Something for you and your parents."

"Thank you! We are short of these lately anyway." Miho said, looking inside the bag. Suddenly, something jumped from Kouji's side and snatched the bag out of Miho's hand. "Hey!" Genrou and Kouji took time to turn around since they lack space, and the streets were crowded with people. But Vixen almost made her horse jump to turn. She got a head start on chasing the thief. She was fast enough to make passersby jump out of the way. She didn't hear horse steps behind her, but she didn't care. The thief was coming in view.

She was so near...5 feet...4...3...2...1... As if reflex, Vixen stopped in front of the man, having the horse as a wall. "Give that back to me." The man looked like someone who is still drunk from last night's sake drinking session. "You are pretty, aren't you? How'd you like to hit on me tonight?" He asked with that malicious look on his face. Kasumi climbed down her horse and stood firmly in front of the guy. "I'll hit you alright." With one blow, the robber fell to the ground unconscious. Kasumi picked up the stolen loot and rode on...galloped away.

After a few seconds, she saw both men. "What took you so long?" She asked with a hint of amusement. Surprised, Genrou asked back, "What took you so fast?"

"Hey, you said it yourself. I'm not of the ordinary." After an hour and a half of talking in Miho's house, the three left, heading back to Mt. Leikaku.

After they left, Megumi, Miho's mother, exclaimed, "With all the excitement, I forgot to ask Genrou-san if the girl was his lover!" She said, with a giggle. "Okasan...you don't know how wrong you are." Miho hinted. "Oh well...it's getting dark. Better go to sleep, Miho."

"Damn it, why the hell can't I sleep?" Genrou asked himself angrily. He looked around him, and saw Kouji sleeping on the floor. At least he can sleep. He went out the door and saw moonlight passing through the glass windows of the stronghold. Out of the stillness, something moved at the far end of the corridor. As dark as the night may be, Genrou saw it was human, and is walking out of Kasumi's room. He walked silently, slowly towards the person, who was gently closing the door. Genrou was almost invincible, because he wasn't wearing his full- length coat. Instead, he was wearing a white shirt and black pants, which were the garments he wore underneath his coat...all the time. He would have been invincible, except for his hair.

But still, the perpetrator didn't notice that he was being followed. It looked around before walking away. Genrou saw he wasn't holding anything.

So what was he doing in Vixen's room? Not unless he...

A/N: Kakakakaka! Chapter 3 is finished. Anyway, if it isn't much of a burden to you, please tell me the mistakes I might have occurred in this chapter. Or for every chapter, that is. At the same time, please tell me your suggestions, comments...anything! But not flames, por pavor. I am but an amateur in the field of fanfics.

Greetings to DemonWolf14! First one to review my first work! If you have time, pls read her work too. I read the FY fic she wrote...it was awesome!

Thank you! Also, I'm sorry if things are happening too fast. I mean, I skipped the events for a month. But it'll all make sense, I promise! Later in the stories, you'll know why Kasumi/Vixen has...well...quite a talent. So read and rock on!