Whoa. Two chapters in one night? Awesome~ But now I'm beat... I'm sorry! Otherwise I'd go for a third and clear up a few things. Hopefully you like this! Let me know what you think~

Edit: Whoops! Made a couple mistakes, they should be fixed now. If anybody sees some, point them out? c:

Ari stalked among the brush, her dirty face hidden among the dried leaves and branches around her. Her target was just out of range, bending at the waist to pick up his weapon, clearly feeling somebody watching him. She frowned deeply, staring at the stranger angrily. She backed away from the bushes just as he began to move toward them, sword out and ready. The girl bolted, her thin legs carrying her away. The man followed stubbornly, hot on her heels with every turn she made. She picked up her pace to no avail - the stranger simply matched it, releasing a rough laugh.

"Come on, dearie! I ain't gonna hurt ya!"

The hell you aren't, Ari thought bitterly, launching herself into branches, wrapping both legs around it and hanging upside down, her hair falling behind her as she pulled the blade from its home on her thigh, raising it to the man's throat. He stopped just in time, the metal pressed against his flesh. She was silent, breathing heavily as he stared her in the eye.

"Da-yum, honey," The man laughed again, "You sure have some quick reflexes,"

She was still silent, narrowing her eyes further.

The stranger's eyes wandered up Ari's body, grinning wolfishly and reaching out a hand, his fingers touching just above the breast-

"I wouldn't do that if I were you." A male voice boomed, two figures emerging from the safety of the shadows, arrows drawn and ready. Ari smirked, withdrawing the blade and flipping out of the tree, landing on her feet easily. The man grinned as he watched her, clearly entranced by each move she made. Vreagon glanced at Mor and scoffed, raising the bow higher, flicking his head. "Turn." He snapped, and the man chuckled, following the order, turning his back to the girl.

"Didn't know that was what interested you, cupcake," he spoke to Ari, and the girl huffed. "If I'd known that I'd have-"

"I'd shut up if I was in your shoes..." Mor murmured, smirking at Ari's irritated expression. In the past few months of their traveling, they had gone from a simple trio of survivors to the desperate group of thieves, defending their turf faithfully - of course, they only stole from the ones they didn't trust... and this guy certainly made them wary. Ari, having spotted the man strutting confidently down the river, eyes peering over at each and every thing that seemed to be worth something, ran to the two boys, spoke her case, and eventually found herself in this very predicament. It was a damn good thing she had Vreagon and Mor on her side - she'd hate to run into these two and be on the other side of their arrows... she'd learned that they had killer aim.

Of course, Ari herself had done a bit of growing up as well... her tanned skin had darkened just a little more, her hair cut just a little shorter, now only just past her shoulders. Her eyes had hardened considerably, and her frame had gotten just a bit more toned - but even with all of that, she still had the habit of landing herself in awkward or dangerous situations.

She really needed to work on that.

She looked up, brought out of her thoughts by two fingers catching her chin. The man stared down at her and she grimaced, standing still as she took in his features. Emerald eyes, light hair - he was attractive enough, but his arrogance was one hell of a turnoff...

Still she remained silent, watching him in hard chocolate eyes, her hands loose at her sides. Mor raised the arrow but Vreagon lowered his, smirking and forcing his brother to copy the action. He leaned over, chuckled, "Let her handle this one."

"You have pretty eyes," The man spoke lightly, and Ari smirked. "Would you give me the honor of allowing me to see them in a different light?"

Vreagon felt his hands ball into fists but kept his calm, breathing out as Ari's patience began to wear thin. Silence was the stranger's only response.

"Are you mute?" He asked, frowning, as Ari still remained still as stone. "Or deaf? Both, perhaps?"

"Cluck!"

Ari turned slowly, hearing Duck waddle down the dirt path toward her. The man made a move to bring out his sword, "Oh, look at that! Lunch!"

"Bad choice." Vreagon grinned as Ari snapped, grabbing the man's wrist with a vise like grip, frowning and twisting it to the side. He yelped and dropped the sword, hissing in pain. The girl kicked his legs in, forcing him to the ground, sitting on his back.

"Don't. Threaten. My pet."

"You-your pet is a chicken!"

"It is. Why?" Ari growled, yanking the man's hair - and his head - toward her.

"I-AGH! - I've never heard of a pet chicken before. Damn, maybe you are crazy-" she pulled in her heel, dug it into his ribs. "Ow-ow! Okay! Okay! I'm sorry, just let me go already!"

"Not a chance." Ari bit back, but the man countered.

"Hot Damn, I love a woman who can take charge... So, Cupcake, you up for a night under the stars-"

Ari's eyes slowly moved down, narrowing in violence.

Vreagon stared at the girl as she picked at her hands, running her tongue over her teeth. Duck clucked happily and stuck his head into the little pond Ari had created by hand, and Mor leaned back, stretching as he yawned.

"I have never seen anybody - not even a man - punch somebody that hard."

"Yeah, no kidding. Ari, you've got one hell of an arm."

Ari chuckled, giving out her own yawn. "Yes, well... he deserved it."

The boys laughed, and Ari leaned away, staring at their unconscious captive, his wrists tied in tight vines, set in his lap.

Now, the wait begins...