Jeanne trudged through the woods, all the while holding back her tears. How should she know that the forest could be especially muddy after the rain? As if her…uh…inconvenience awhile ago while waiting for the rain to stop had not been enough. It was her first time to rest inside a damp and unpleasant-smelling cave, drenched and cold from the rain. And if her stupidity was not enough, she was wearing only a thin bathing loincloth under the dressing silk robe that Hao forbade her to wear.

She sighed as she looked up at the skies. It was soon going to be dark, and she knew that further walking would be hazardous for her. She opted to use the remaining daylight to find herself a halfway decent place to stay in for the night.

She lifted the hem of her skirt and continued to walk, sprits low. She would never be able to see Lyserg anymore—she highly doubted it. It was already late, and he must be already in her abductor's camp.

She wanted nothing more in the world than to come running back to the Asakura Inn—she would much rather face the shame of Hao's mockery. At least, she would be able to see Lyserg and talk to him…and she wouldn't have to be forced to stay in an unconventional place for the night.

But she knew it in her heart that it was next to impossible; she had already covered a lot of ground and going back, hungry and exhausted, while making her way amidst the darkness…it was a virtual suicide.

At last, she found a small cave hidden by the trees. She crawled carefully into it, praying that there wouldn't be snakes or other animals nesting in this place. To her relief, the Lord answered her prayer. It was all hers, and she was safe.

Now for the food…

"Hungry, Lady Jeanne?" asked a familiar voice—one that made her whole system stop for a moment.

Hao's cheerful grin welcomed her when she turned around.

She felt her face turn white, then pink. "Y-You?! W-What are you doing here?"

"Um…let me see…I'm running after my escaped hostage, and I ended up chasing her here." He tilted his head askingly. "How's that for an answer?"
"H-How did you…find me?" She crossed her arms in front of her chest, trying her best not to look as vulnerable as she felt.

"It wasn't hard. You didn't exactly run a marathon, Jeanne-san." He looked down at the bread and fruits he was bringing. "So, are you hungry, Jeanne-san?"

She felt her cheeks turn deep red. "N-No." She turned her back on him. "And I'm not going back to the camp. I will spare Lyserg-kun from being manipulated by your diabolical mind."

"Good idea! Let's not go back to camp yet!" Hao smiled. "I've always wanted to try living with a woman outdoors."

Now she knew her face was burning. She turned to him, seething. "Heavens, watch your tongue, Monsieur!"

Hao paused, then shrugged. "My apologies."

Silence reigned thick for a few moments.

She tucked her chin under her knees, shivering. "I hate you…"

This made him blink.

"My life is supposed to be free from complications already once I marry Lyserg-kun," she said quietly, her voice strained. "But after what you told me yesterday…after what you did to me…allowed you to do to me…" She exhaled shakily. "I was immersed once more in a labyrinth."

He looked at her intently. "What do you mean by that?"

"You told me…you showed me that I had no passion. That I was impotent and incapable of making my future husband happy because I know nothing about…about making love." She hugged her legs more. "Now I have doubts already…if I could ever face Lyserg-kun again and look at him straight in the eye and say 'I do'." She cleared her throat. "I might not make him happy."

"Oh damn…" Hao groaned. "You're getting all worked up for THAT?"

"It's not a trivial matter to me," she hissed.

"It's a waste of time." He started building the fire. "Any man who will refuse you is no man at all."

"Why should I believe the words of the devil?" she asked bitterly.

"Because you set this very same devil on fire every time," he replied smilingly. "And looking at you now, my lady, makes me rock-hard and ache all over."

"Oh!" Yet for all her moral values, his outspokenly stated words didn't outrage her. It felt like a balm on her wounded soul that questioned incessantly how much of a human she really was.

She had always been respected, and she was happy with that. But this man…this person she least expected to meet…he desired her. He reminded her that she too was an earthly creature, and it was all right.

And now, she was happier, and complete. Imperfect, but complete, that was what she felt of herself right now.

"I shouldn't have tried seducing you," he said after another moment of silence. "You're just a child…" He turned to her, smiling sheepishly. "I'm sorry, Jeanne-san."

"I…turn you on?" she asked slowly.

Hao laughed. "You… are such a sweet tease." He had finished building the fire. "Come here and have dinner with me."

"Don't order me around like I'm some kind of a child, Monsieur!"

"But you are a child."

"I am not! Or I will say that you are a pedophile!" Her ruby eyes twinkled. "I turn you on, remember?"

He was slightly surprised by the change of temper of the young lady, but he wouldn't complain. "You most certainly do."

--**--

"Thank you for the food, Monsieur," she said softly as she rubbed her eyes sleepily.

He glanced at her. "You just…thanked me, Mademoiselle."

"O-Of course…" she murmured.

"Would you like to sleep by the fire…" with me? His eyes continued silently.

"N-No. I-It is quite comfortable here." She looked at the muddy rocks and grimaced.

He laughed out loud. Even her facial contortion radiated with poise, good Lord! "I won't take it against you if you sit with me," he said, grinning. "I will not lay a hand on any part of you."

She looked at him warily.

"OK, I'll do my best not to," he amended sheepishly.

"I am not a moth who is foolish enough to get its wing caught by flame," she said. She fixed her robe then turned her back on him. "Goodnight, Monsieur." She closed her eyes and waited for the call of slumber.

"You're scared of me, Jeanne-san?"

It was a sound of challenge that perked her up. She turned to him once more, meeting his steady gaze.

"My Lady Jeanne, do you know that I only have to kiss you and you will follow me barefoot to the end of the world?" he asked lazily.

Her eyes widened as she felt her cheeks flushed. Her pride took over. "Prove it," she heard herself say.

---***---

Hao did a double take. He was only teasing the young woman because he wanted to see her mad and so infuriatingly beautiful at that.

But he didn't expect that bold move from her. Ah, the prim and proper nun was delightfully unpredictable.

His gaze lingered on her face.

Her silver hair was let down, curtaining the sides of her face and mantling her small and curvaceous body in gentle waves. The light emanating from the bonfire illuminated her face, emphasizing her large, burgundy eyes and soft, petal-like lips. The still slightly drenched silk robe hugged her body like a second skin.

He shut his eyes for a moment. Only one woman could wear that kimono and look as regally beautiful as her right now. Not even Anna Asakura excited him this way.

The one woman he loved as a mortal.

"Goodnight." The voice startled him. He opened his eyes suddenly. "Jeanne!"

---***---

Jeanne's heart pounded. She had felt relief when Hao didn't react awhile ago, and she thought she made it safe from the escalating danger of the situation.

But the sound of her name said she was far from safe.

She slowly turned around and faced him, praying for courage. "Y-Yes?"

For what seemed like eternity, he gazed at her with a turmoil of emotions, before finally, he spoke up.

"Goodnight too…" He said quietly.

She smiled slowly. Was he able to read her mind and somehow knew that they would both just regret it if he accepts the dare?

"Dream of me, Jeanne-san." His familiar grin crept once more to his face, and she smiled back.

----***----

to be continued