Author's Ramble: Hello World! Most specifically Japan. Hmm. It would appear that a reviewer has inspired me. They know who they are once they read it.



The Bandit and the Lady



Jade Matsuri



Koji paced around the room. Where was she? She'd gone riding two hours ago. He was worried and when he got worried, he drank. Genrou sighed and watched Koji's anxiety grow.

"Aniki, we're gonna look for her. Right now." He said. Koji looked up and was about to speak when a bandit burst into the room.

"Lady Sakura's horse! It came back but she wasn't on it!" He cried. Koji sobered up and ran out the door, Genrou following close behind. When Koji saw Sakura's black horse alone, going crazy without its mistress, he choked.

"It's Qiu Ying, that bastard. He kidnapped her." He hissed and tried to calm the horse. The horse eventually settled down and appeared to be trying to tell Koji something. Shadow tugged at his shirt pulling him roughly. Koji hissed at the horse to stop and tried to mount it.

Shadow would not allow it.

"C'mon you crazy horse, let me on. We gotta find Sakura."

Shadow began to trot away and Koji gave up and got his own horse.

******** Green eyes opened and saw darkness. Sakura groaned in pain. Where was she? She looked around. There was a barred window, a skeleton, chains, and all sorts of torture instruments. She looked at her binds. She then knew where she was.

Qiu Ying's fortress in his torture chamber. She had only seen it once but she remembered the smell of pain. She gasped. Was she to suffer that same pain as well?

"You're finally awake Sakura." A voice said coldly. Sakura's eyes widened as Qiu Ying stepped from the shadows. He knelt in front of her.

"It's a shame. You're a really fine elf to behold and you would eventually die anyway; but your blood is needed to obtain my immortality. Until then, Riyanu will keep you company." He said. He turned and left. Sakura watched as Riyanu smirked. In his hand he held what appeared to be handcuffs.

"Oh boy! Sakura you and I are going to have loads of fun. Let's play a game.I know!" He unchained her and dragged her to a table. He flung her down and handcuffed her wrists and ankles. Riyanu licked his lips. Sakura made a futile attempt to get free. Riyanu suddenly ripped the front of her dress revealing her naked chest. He pulled out a dagger. Sakura's mind raced. This man was sick!

"Wait!" She cried. Riyanu paused and seemed shocked that she had given him an order.

"Don't you ever wonder the possibilities of killing me would bring? Misfortune will befall you and you'll die a horrible death." Riyanu looked at her coldly.

"Misfortune? Sakura you don't realize who I am. I am Riyanu, the demon son of Seiryu, I am misfortune to those who dare to cross me. As for death? I have died many deaths none of them pretty but look at me! I am still here." He proceeded and pressed the blade between her breasts. Sakura winced. Her plan of getting him to relent had failed. Wait a minute---

"You're Seiryu's son?" She demanded. Riyanu laughed. Sakura almost melted in his deep laugh. She sighed. Riyanu tossed the knife aside.

"I have a better game we could play."