Author's ramble: Chapter Three of my FAVE couple! The Adventures of Jade Matsuri continue!

The Bandit and the Lady By Jade Matsuri

Black hooves tread lightly over hard packed dirt and fallen leaves. The horse's red eyes glowed in the waning moonlight. The moon would be completely gone in three days. Her wedding drew nearer. The black horse stopped at the base of a mighty mountain. Mt. Reikaku loomed above. The rider clucked her tongue and the horse began to climb. The horse, like its rider, was not of this world therefore the climb was easy. Then, it came to a stop at the gates of the bandit stronghold. The rider dismounted in a rustle of black robes. The horse made a sound that seemed to say 'hurry up.' The rider chuckled. "Worry yourself not Shadow," she said, "no one shall catch us." She knocked on the gate in a rhythmic motion. The door opened and she led her horse inside. A bandit escorted her horse to the stables. Another led the woman towards a large building. "This way yer Ladyship." He said. The woman smiled and walked inside. "His room is the third door on the right." The bandit said. The woman nodded walked down the hall, her leather boots making not even the slightest noise as she glided towards her lover's door. She knocked and when no one answered, invited herself inside. Two young men were seated at a small table with four empty sake bottles on the table. Both looked slightly wasted and both smiled dumbly. The flame-haired bandit beckoned the woman over to sit with them. The blue-haired bandit simply nodded his head. The woman sat between the two of them. She pulled back her hood revealing the sky-blue hair beneath. Her emerald eyes shone with the intensity of a woman wise beyond her years. "Sakura." The blue-haired bandit breathed, his voice dreamy. Sakura nodded at him. Then, she turned to the drunk red-head. "Genrou," she said, "you should go to sleep. I think you've had enough for one night." Genrou nodded not even comprehending her words and got up. "G'night and don't do anything stupid Koji." He said and walked out, closing the door behind him. Sakura took off her robe revealing a long blue dress contrasting with her hair. Koji smiled. She was breathtakingly beautiful. "Koji," she whispered, "I have come here to ask a favor of you." Koji, although more sober than his friend, still was drunk. "For you Sakura? Anything." Sakura took a deep breath. "Koji.I.I don't want to marry Qiu Ying.so I have come up with something.a.plan." Sakura blushed seriously, ".I need you to take my virginity." Koji suddenly was all sober again. "I can't do that." He said. Sakura pursed her lips. "Why not?" She demanded. Koji sighed. "I'm not that kind of guy. I don't just take some girl when I want her. Especially if she's untouched. Besides, what would yer uncle do if he found out you were foolin' around with bandits?" At this, Sakura's eyes dimmed. "My uncle was murdered the night before and.now I have to go through with it and Qiu Ying.he.he hurt me." She began to sob. Koji put his arms around her. "Shhhh.daijobou." He whispered. Sakura gazed into his eyes. "Please, I don't want to marry him.just take me." She buried her face in his chest. For a minute, Koji almost considered the idea. "No, Sakura, there has to be another way. I'm not going to take what I'm not supposed to own because of marriage. I may steal, but not that." Sakura now understood that she would not be losing her virginity that night. She sat in silence, her head resting against his chest, pondering a way out of the tangled web she had woven. She breathed in Koji's scent and felt a little more at ease. A smile even graced her face.

"Koji?" "Yeah?" "Kiss me."



Genrou took one last drink of sake before calling it a night. Koji came out of his room and shut the door quietly. "So, did ya bang 'er?" Koji gave him a dirty look and shook his head. "Gen-chan, she begged me to screw 'er. She was in tears!" He hissed. Genrou laughed. "She wanted it that bad? As pretty as she is, I'd think she would have had plenty of guys and even girls, after 'er." Koji shook his head again. "No, it was because of her marriage. If she's not a virgin, he can't have 'er. I gotta hand it to 'er, the plan could've worked. I couldn't do it, it just felt.dirty." "Well Aniki, yer.you. The "Ladies Man." Yer tellin' me ya couldn't fuck that one girl?" Koji swore by Suzaku he would strike Genrou. "Gen-chan, don't ya get it? I LOVE her!" At this, Genrou drew back as if he had been slapped. Then, he smiled. "Ya love 'er? Aniki I knew ya liked 'er but love? That's a really strong word. Are ya sure it's not just 'er looks?" "Everything Genrou. I love 'er like a man should love a woman." "Yer getting' all mushy on me Aniki." "Gomen, but.she means a lot to me and I don't wanna lose her to.to.him." Genrou and Koji suddenly became very serious. "Does she know?" "Iie, but I might hafta tell 'er." "Only if she asks. Ya know how ya get when ya talk about.what happened." Koji nodded. "Ja, Gen-chan." "What's the girl doin'?" "Sleepin' ya dumb-ass." "Oh.ja."



Sakura slipped back into Koji's bed as she overheard the boys' conversation. She smiled. So he did love her after all! She thought he was only in love with her looks but he loved her for who she was, no matter how.alien she seemed. She fingered the ring on her hand and began to remember the night her uncle was murdered.

"I am sorry Sakura, due to your uncle's passing you may have to live with me permanently. You know the law." Qiu Ying practically sneered. Sakura gasped and sank to her knees. Qiu Ying smiled. "Do not worry child, I shall make sure no harm comes to you. After all, we shall be spending all of eternity together very soon." He licked his lips. Very soon, your blood shall ensure my immortality. He thought. Then, he took Sakura into his arms. She fought, yes, a very good fight, but he soon had her where he wanted her. Even though he did not take her, he still explored what was to come. Sakura screamed bloody murder but to no avail.

Sakura sat up screaming. She held herself and rocked back and forth. He had touched her.explored her savagely.Koji rushed in and soon hushed her crying. Sakura wished he would hold her that way forever. In Koji's arms she wanted to sleep, and in Koji's arms she wanted to die.

Author's ending ramble: Awesome! I do say, this story is coming along very nicely. Please, I'm eager to receive more reviews and some advice.Ja!