He watched her leave Madain Sari and decided to follow her, unable to tear himself away from her.

Lani walked unaware that anyone was following as she made her way to Conde Petie, her mind crammed full of thoughts that distracted her and dulled her honed reflexes.

A howl made her look up from the dusty path and watch as the Gnoll jumped from the bank above, its dark blue, thin body unfolded as it landed, looking down at her with a toothy grin as its multi-bladed weapon swished through the air at her. Lani jumped back, her shoulders slamming into the bank making her wince. She reached from the throwing knives in her waistband and had to duck as the Gnoll sliced at her again, causing her to stumble, the Gnoll hooting in delight as it leered down at her.

She heard a snarl of rage above her as a dark figure leapt from the bank above, launching itself at the Gnoll. She watched as the figure slammed into the Gnoll forcing it to drop its multi-bladed weapon yet it still held its double-ended spear in its other clawed hand.

Black ducked as the Gnoll swung its spear at him. He didn't bother to reach for his weapon, knowing the Gnoll would be too agile and went for an empty hands approach. He seethed with rage that this beast would dare lay a hand on Lani. He charges at the Gnoll, the tip of the spear slashing through his cloak but still he moved on leaping up to wrap his arms around the Gnoll's neck pulling it down.

The Gnoll tried flailing at Black but his anger made him wrap his arms tighter around the struggling creature's neck and with a swift tug there was a cracking of bone and muscle, the Gnoll turning limp in his arms. Black dropped the Gnoll in disgust, his breaths coming in short sharp bursts as he tried to regain control before turning to Lani.

'Are you alright?' he asked her as he walked over, his blue eyes radiating concern.

He held out a gloved hand which she took and he helped her up.

'I am now.' She replied smiling. 'Who are you?' she asked.

'They call me Black.' He told her softly.

'I'm Lani.' She said shaking his hand briefly before letting go, watching his eyes.

'Thanks for the help. Damn Gnoll.' She said turning to the fading body.

'So what brings you here?' she asked turning back, but Black had gone.

'Is he the one?' Lani thought to herself before slowly continuing on her way.

In the thick undergrowth Black cursed himself as he watched her go. Fear had made him flee from his best chance to get to know her without causing her to worry. But then at least she knew he existed now.

He lay in the grass, his eyes closed as he went over the memory of holding her hand and the look in her dark eyes as he helped her up again and again.

Lani strolled back to Madain Sari with a sack-full of foodstuffs she had bought from the dwarves. Her presence from the Sanctuary left them in awe of her and enabled her to get bargain prices. Not that it mattered, she had a handsome fortune saved from her numerous bounties. What was foremost on her mind was the enigmatic Black. The name had confirmed her suspicions of her admirer being a bounty hunter. Bounty hunter's not known for their originality. Yet still all she had to go by was his striking blue eyes, her desire to breach his physical barrier of cloth no doubt as strong as his to get past her emotional one.

Back in Madain Sari, Mochi finally awoke with a yawn.

'Sorry about that.' A soft masculine voice said next to him making him jump with a "Kupo!"

'Who are you? Kupo!' Mochi asked his wings fluttering in panic.

'A friend. My name's Black.' He replied holding his hand out to take Mochi's paw and shake it.

'What are you apologising for?' Mochi inquired.

Black took a deep breath before replying, fixing his blue eyes sincerely on the moogle. 'I put you to sleep with a Kupo Nut. I soaked it in Sleep Weed so that you wouldn't wake Lani.' He answered.

Mochi's fur bristled with anger. 'You hurt Lani!? KUPO!' he yelled.

'No... I just wanted to see her.' Black said softly.

'You're the one who left the rose?' Mochi asked subsiding slightly.

'That'd be me yes.' Black replied and then twisted in his seat reaching inside his cloak as he heard a sound behind him.

'So we meet again.' Lani said softly.

'Um... yeah.' Black said nervously, pulling his hand from his cloak quickly.

'As I asked before, what brought you here?' Lani asked walking down the steps.

At a time like this why lie? Black reasoned to himself. 'You.' He said softly, smiling behind the cloak.

Lani blushed slightly and countered. 'You're a bounty hunter... what's the price on my head?'

Black's eyes widened. 'There is no price... and if there was they'd have to come through me first.' He told her.

'Very noble of you, but why?' Lani asked pressing him.

'You know why.' Black said softly.

'Maybe I do but I don't know you. Can't you come out of the shadows?' Lani asked softly, reaching out to his hood.

Black reached up and took her hand. 'You really want to see?' he asked, gazing into her eyes.

'Yes... I've noticed you now.' She said smiling.

Black spun behind her still holding her hand as his other rested on her tummy, his chin resting on her shoulder.

'Tell me about the girl inside.' He whispered into her ear making her shiver.

'You know already.' Lani replied unable to move.

'I only know that you act loud to be seen, I want to know why.' Black said softly, his hand caressing her bare skin.

'My parents hated me, didn't want me around. I got good at fending for myself and decided to get famous from it.' Lani breathed.

'Yet what you really wanted was someone to love you for who you are.' Black replied.

Lani nodded drowsily. 'Is that why..?' she started to ask.

'In a way, yes. My insecurities led me to seal myself from the world.' Black said dryly.

'And now?' Lani asked pressing back against him.

'Now I can open myself to you.' He said softly, gently turning her around so she was looking up into his eyes.

He stood still as she reached up and slowly pulled down his cloak from his face exposing handsome features and the tenderly she traced the contours of his face and pushed his hood away revealing long blond hair, his fringe cascading down to obscure one of his eyes.

'Cain...' she breathed stepping back.

'You remember me?' Cain sighed contentedly.

'But you...' Lani stammered.

'Died?' he finished for her.

'Yes! I watched them burn your house down! I heard your parents scream!' Lani murmured.

'Whilst your parents watched with blank eyes as they hid the pride of their handiwork.' Cain said softly.

'What!?' Lani said surprised.

'Your parents were jealous of mine, accused them of gaining their wealth in ill-gotten ways. Plus they hated the idea of me being in love with you.' Cain told her.

'I became a bounty hunter because I wanted to get them back because I thought you died.' Lani said tears welling up in her eyes.

'I know... I watched you all those years. Too afraid to approach because you would be disgusted of me.' Cain said looking down at her.

'Why would I be disgusted?' Lani frowned.

'Because I didn't escape unharmed.' Cain said sadly and opened the fold of his cloak exposing his hideously scarred upper right arm.

Lani gasped, reaching out to touch him, making him flinch.

'It covers my shoulder too.' He said softly as she traced the pale flesh with her fingers.

'Why didn't you come to me sooner? I was all alone!' she said crying.

'I wasn't sure you'd want me or need me anymore in your new life. All I could do was follow.' Cain said softly.

'I never stopped wanting or needing you, you fool!' Lani said and wrapped her arms around him tightly, burying her head in his chest.

Cain reached down and stroked her hair as she listened to his heartbeat.

'I'm here now if you'll have me.' He said softly.

'Of course I will.' Lani said softly looking up at him and grabbed the back of his head, pulling him down as she kissed him passionately.