IMPORTANT

Guys, who should I ship Kaito with? Miku or Meiko? Or maybe even somebody else? Review me what you think.

Oh, and I've been thinking of making Neru gay because I reallllyyy ship her with Haku. But if you guys prefer maybe I can pair her with Akaito or something-

Idk, comment what you think.

Bah. I'm starting to get so bored..

But nevermind it is FANFICTION TIME

I love all my reviewers so much!

Reviews = Inspiration = More Chapters~!

Rin's POV

I grumbled as a wave of cold air hit my face and sat up, propping myself on my elbows. The sun was just about to rise, yet it was so early in the morning that there was complete silence as animals and even nature itself slept. I looked around at the band of outlaws who slept in front of me. Kaito was sprawled out, ocean blue hair tickling his face, nose scrunched up. Gakupo was tucked up neatly, flat on his back, ponytail pushed to the side so it was out of the way. Although he was a very tidy sleeper, he kind of snored. A lot. Neru was quieter, she was curled up in a ball with her knees under her chin, and Oliver was leaning against a tree trunk with his hat over his eyes, breathing softly.

My eyes scanned the area for Len and I smiled once I found him. He lay on his side by the dying fire, the few remaining embers keeping him warm. His lips were parted and his breaths were slow and almost silent, strands of blonde hair scattered over his forehead and caught in his dark eyelashes. Gazing at him further, I'd noticed that the movement in his sleep had caused his shirt to ride up, revealing a toned stomach and chest-

Oh, God.

Oh, GOD.

"Hey, are you done staring at Len's six-pack?"

I blushed heavily as I locked eyes with Kaito, who was grinning and his dark blue hair was sticking up at odd angles. "Heh, well, mine's better. Look-"

He started lifting his own shirt and I shrieked, backing away. Maybe I should've been quieter, because the others were beginning to stir. "With all due respect, Kaito-" I began, "I really don't want to see it. No offense, or anything."

Kaito whined and I laughed; okay, he was pretty damn adorable. But he was a goofball, he didn't have a sense of personal space and he was, what, six years older than me, maybe? I'd say age doesn't matter, but I feel like Kaito would fit the older brother role better.

"Kaito." A low voice whispered.

"Ah, is there something you need, Lennie-chan?"

Kaito's arms wrapped around my waist and pulled me close, I imagined that he was trying to irritate Len further. I didn't think it was such a good idea.

"Er, Kaito-" I said warningly as Len's furious face appeared behind him. Kaito merely smirked and threw me over his shoulder, sprinting away from the blonde boy.

"You can have your girlfriend back when you admit that I have better abs than you!" He laughed, I couldn't help but snicker a little as Len's expression twisted with rage.

Boys.

Chasing us madly, Len yelled "No way!" and picked up his speed. Considering Len was, needless to say, very athletic, and Kaito was a little heavier AND was carrying me around- it didn't take long for the mischievous outlaw to catch up with us. He reached out to me, but I ended up being snatched away by Neru.

"Len, Kaito, Rin-chan is not a prize. Stop fighting."

"But-"

"Stop."

I giggled a little, watching the pair as they sheepishly apologised, avoiding the girl's gaze. "I don't mind." I said, brushing off the skirt of my dress, "It was funny to watch, anyway. I didn't know you guys loved me so much~" I teased.

"Oliver loves you the most." Gakupo spoke up with a knowing smile on his face, and the twelve year old boy in question scoffed, going red.

"Ah, but I'm Rin's favourite~" Len purred, his arms sliding round my hips as a blush heated my cheeks. "She's mine."

"I don't belong to anyone." I snorted, secretly enjoying the contact of Len's hands that held my sides securely. "Maybe it's the other way round..." I pondered, smirking as Len blinked with confusion. "Maybe YOU belong to ME." I emphasised, then laughed as Len's face flushed. Poor Lennie, he definitely wasn't used to being teased by a girl.

Neru was cackling so hard I was expecting her to lose her voice. Tears ran down her face as she rolled round on the floor, howling with laughter; Gakupo just watched her with amusement. Oliver spoke properly for the first time since I arrived, wearing a cheeky smile.

"You've found your Prince, Lennie." He sang, and Neru laughed louder.

Grumbling, Len's grip tightened on me. "I still have better abs than Kaito."

"No you don't-!" Kaito exclaimed, looking at me for help. I sighed.

"Sorry, Kaito." I said awkwardly. "But it's true."

I don't think I've seen anyone more offended in my life. I was pretty sure Neru was gonna pass out from her laughing fit and even Gakupo had joined in, chuckling and snickering at Kaito's misfortune.

"Er, guys-" I interrupted, "I was kinda hoping to start helping out the poor now."

"Ah- right-"

Len nodded to Oliver, who pulled out his daggers. "Baldie has a safe in one of the treasury rooms of the castle. The money in there should be enough to get each poor family through the Winter." He twirled the knife round his fingers. "But the door is locked. Eh, obviously."

"Right. And 'Baldie' is...?"

"The sheriff."

"I see." I thought for a moment. I remember father used to do a lot of carpentry work when he was training to become a knight, mainly wooden toys for me or general structures.

"I knew a man by the name of Romarr." He'd said as he tinkered with a dolls' house he made for me. "He made locks so strong, not even the most skilled thief in the world could break them. However, he couldn't make decent hinges to save a life."

"Who's the Sheriff's carpenter?" I asked slowly, and Len peered at me with thoughtful eyes.

"I don't know. Why?"

"I'm just thinking of something my father told me." I began, "He knew a man who made sturdy locks but weak hinges. It may not be the same carpenter, but many people make the same mistakes."

Neru's eyes narrowed and she started pacing. "You're right." She said excitedly, "Everybody goes straight for the lock when they need to break in. But a door with bad hinges simply isn't a good door at all! You're a genius!" She squealed and hugged me tightly, I laughed softly.

"I try." I grinned, then eyed my satin dress. "Neru, you wouldn't happen to have any spare clothing, would you?"

"Ah..." She laughed. "Yeah, sure. I'll get you something." She then pointed at the boys, eyes narrowed. "If I catch any of you peeking, I swear..."

Len's POV

Rin looks so good in leggings and boots. She wore a white shirt with a black cloak to keep her warm in the Winter weather, her hood was up. She looked mischievous, more practical and intelligent. Less like a girl forced into a tight corset and itchy ballgown.

I really should stop staring, but it's fun when she catches my eyes and then blushes when I smirk at her.

Secretly, though, I like when Rin's feisty and dominative.

Uh, don't tell Kaito.

We'd managed to sneak into the city, apparently word travelled fast that sweet Lady Rin had been "kidnapped" by us outlaws. Wow, the Sheriff really wants people to hate us. Oliver and Neru, being the smallest, snuck into the castle to assess the treasury room. Kaito and Gakupo lurked in the marketplace, hoods up, wanted faces concealed.

I stood, leaning against a pillar with Rin at my side. "What do we do if they recognise us?" She asked, causing me to chuckle as she eyed the many patrolling guards anxiously.

"I'll be okay. I've got an escape route from the dungeons, and these guards are so bloody stupid you can knock them out with a feather. They want me alive, anyway." I looked at her. "It's you I'm worried about. They've already hacked off your hair as a warning for helping the poor. What will they do to you when they find out you've been mixing with big, scary outlaws? Not to mention how famous you are- they'll recognise your pretty face from a mile away."

Rin offered me an amused smile, but her eyes still shone with worry. An armoured guard strolled past and Rin gasped a bit, causing me to sling an arm round her waist and pull her close to me. To the people of Nottingham, we simply looked like an adolescent couple; not a wanted outlaw and a traitor noble.

"Sorry." Rin whispered against me, and it dawned on me that she was terrified. She'd been brought up hidden from the dangers of the world- sure, she could protect herself, but I was certain she'd never been on the run before. I almost melted as I watched her shake in my arms.

Instinctively, I pulled her closer and rested my forehead against hers. "There. Now the only one who can see your face is me." I murmured to her. She smiled.

An arm wrapped round my neck and she used her free hand to lace our fingers together. We were caught in an embrace neither of us wanted to leave. Our noses brushed and I wondered whether I should kiss her. Rin told me she wanted to get to know me better before I made any sort of move, and yet although we'd only known eachother a day or two I felt like she'd been right beside me for my whole life. I circled my fingers on her hip, smiled as she licked her lips nervously- her mouth was now moist and soft, encouraging me further.

"If I kissed you, would you let me?" I breathed. There was a pause. Then she giggled.

"Why don't you find out?" She said back.

Satisfied with her reply, I inched my face forward and my hands moved to her waist, stroking her sides, her fingers were clasped on to my back and all I could think of was the smell of her hair and the softness of her skin and her shuddering breaths that hit my own lips-

"LOVEBIRDS!" Kaito yelled, causing us both to jump with surprise and go dark red. "IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T NOTICED WE ARE BEING CHASED BY GUARDS AND THEIR RABID HUNTING DOGS!"

Grumbling, I grabbed Rin's hand and yanked her with me as we fell into step with Kaito and Gakupo, sprinting through the city as dogs barked and guards shouted.

"Where's Oliver and Neru?!" Rin demanded, and on que, Neru slid off the roof of a nearby house with Oliver on her back, landing neatly on her feet like a cat.

"Oliver sprained his ankle!" She called and I watched Gakupo take the youngest outlaw from her so he could carry him instead. Neru breathed a sigh of relief as the weight was released from her and continued to run towards the gate.

There were about five guards standing at our escape route, swords raised.

I drew my bow and stacked on one, two, three arrows, then holding the weapon horizontally, I shot them like darts into their helmets.

Okay, here's another thing. I very much dislike bloodshed. I knew the arrows wouldn't pierce their armour completely but the shock would be enough to knock them out.

Rin laughed as they fell to the ground, hitting a guard swiftly over the head with the hilt of her sword. Oh, she was good. "Nice skills, Lennie." She smirked as we hurried away from the unconscious guards and towards the safety of the forest.

"Only for you, my sweet~" I teased. Neru cleared her throat.

"About that, Len. You may want to tone down the flirting."

"Eh? Why?"

There was a long pause. We came to an abrupt stop.

The look on my gang's faces was not good. At all.

Gakupo finally spoke to break the silence.

"Rin's engaged." He said.