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Sakura's eyes narrowed at the site of the men ahead of them feeling her stomach continue to tighten. Deshi leaned forward a bit his breathe tickling her ear as he spoke softly, "Easy now. You must grow used to crooks and thieves, you will live among them." Sakura frowned at the statement unable to understand why a man would want to keep the company of thieves that were smeared with dirt and sweat and resembled walking skeletons. The strangers were staring intently upon her and she could feel the fabric of her kimono disappearing from their gaze. She felt a welling up of tears but held back the urge to cry out in fear. Strength is what she needed but her legs shook under the weight of the heavy kimono fabric.

Ryou's face had lost his amusement and he had joined their side. His expression filled with a deep seriousness that spoke volumes of how dangerous this could be. "My Lord, their numbers far out-weigh our own and help will not reach us in time.." His voice was gruff and as sharp as a blade with the fact he wielded. This fact caused a violent shiver to travel down Sakura's quivering body. She had never realized why Makoto was so concerned with making sure she had a weapon and now it was slowly coming to light that the short blade would be a requirement to her new life.

Sakura listened carefully to the men conversing about the thieves colors and how an escape would be impossible. But it was Deshi's unrelentingly serene reaction that racked Sakura's body with worry. Did he not realize that his arm was still hurt from the tournament?! He needed to rest it not continue fighting with it. Her worried face gazing backward at him and Ryou. It was then that she was brought up in the conversation and the gazing thieves seemed to suddenly make sense. They could want her for their prize and this furthered her distress and caused her to rest delicately onto the hilt of her blade gently even though it looked like she was grasping her own stomach.

Sakura took comfort in his stiff arm and his words but as they edged closer to the group of thieves she could almost feel their lust of the blade. This proved all too well that their would obviously be a fight on their hands as one gruff warrior stood up his arms crossed and a cocky smile spread across his face. "Hand over your values and you may pass!" His voice was loud and confident and his gaze rested on Sakura. Sakura met his gaze however with a cold attitude backing a little into Deshi's chest. This was not good............

Whether Déshí noticed Sakura's movement for her weapon or not, he certainly seemed to pick up on her unease. Training his eyes upon the group which lingered in the distance he lowered his head to whisper to her. "Easy now. You must grow used to crooks and thieves, you will live among them." Admitting that he kept such company irritated the rebel, but it was the way of this wretched land. Half starved men would go to desperate measures to feed themselves and their family.

However, the figures in the distance were not such men and certainly not men which Déshí counted among his own. Of course the warrior could trust in the knowledge that his scouts were nearby and would already be running back to the village, but reinforcements would not arrive swift enough to save them from death.

Ryou now drew along side them, his brow creased half a dozen times as he narrowed his eyes and squinted. "My Lord, their numbers far out-weigh our own and help will not reach us in time.." His head turned to fix the two of them with an expression of intermingled concern and determination. In response Déshí glanced over his shoulder and then back to the group which now appeared to be waiting for them.

"You recognise their colours Ryou?" The elderly man dipped his head in affirmation, "Then it would be pointless to flee. If they mean us harm they will have cut off any escape route." The situation certainly seemed rather bleak, but Déshí sat attop his mount with a tranquility that was really rather puzzling to all who didn't know him.

"We have little of value Ryou, but for the ornaments in Haruhi's hair and perhaps her kimono...once they realise that, thievery will be far from their mind." Ryou didn't seem satisfied, his gaze flickering back to the group before he spoke, "But my Lord...there is..." he trailed off, fixing his failing sight upon Sakura herself.

The arms that surrounded her seemed to stiffen at the unspoken suggestion and Déshí pulled back upon the reigns, slowing them to a halt. It was now not just his own life that he was risking, but the life of his new 'wife' as well. "We continue, we have no choice..." The elderly man bowed his head but remained silent, his boney hand shifting slightly to grasp his blade for reassurance.

Releasing the reigns of his mount, the obedient beast spurred to walk on with a gentle squeeze of his master's heels, Déshí adjusted his kimono. If they had to fight then they would fight, but the rebel greatly hoped it would not come to that. "Fight or no, they shall not harm you until i have passed from this world." The tone was soft, a gentle promise whispered to Sakura alone as one arm curled protectively around her and the other reached out for the reigns once more.

Sakura felt his rough fingertips upon her chin turning her head to look up at him. His words cutting through her as she felt his gaze burn into her gently. Not her sins...not her fault....Highly unlikely. She however felt the bit of compassion that twisted in his words. Sakura took them gently locking them in her heart for it was something a strong warrior would rarely ever do. Her chin was released and she too looked ahead towards the rocky face her eyes studying the trees again.

It was then she caught a s glimpse of a figure in the distance that was surrounded by others. Her stomach twisted and she leaned backward her back resting against Deshi's chest. "There's a group of people over head.....," she spoke gently her gut screaming in worry. These were dark roads to be traveling so the fact of the matter was that they could be under attack. by thieves. However she would have never expected that it could possibly be the Emperor's men. She rested her hand where she hid Makoto's short blade as her nerves tightened noticing the men in the distance turning their attention to them. Sakura waited for Deshi's reaction...... She knew he was not liked by all....

The frown that appeared to be permanently fixed upon Déshí’s brow softened slightly at the suggestion she presented to lessen his discomfort. It had been a long time since he had received any kind of female care, but even Sakura’s light quantity of consideration reminded him of his dearly departed wife. The stoney exterior rose up once more, a faint grunt of acknowledgement the only sound to escape him.

He listened carefully to her response, his scowl becoming more deep-set into his worn expression. Fixing his gaze upon the horizon, he did not respond too hastily, taking a moment to gather his thoughts before he spoke. As Sakura’s head titled toward him, Déshí shifted his gaze to meet her own and felt his heart leap within his chest.

She did not hold his gaze for long, turning her face away from him and the rebel breathed in deeply. Loosening his grip upon the reigns with one hand he reached round to grasp her chin, tilting her face so that he could see her again. “You did not bring that tragedy upon the house, and it is not your sin to repay. Your Lord was far too concerned with punishing other people to realise his own guilt, and the guilt of his Emperor. It is his sin, not yours.”

The words were firm but not completely void of compassion. Once he had said his piece Déshí released Sakura’s chin and returned his gaze to the horizon.

Sakura held her breathe feeling the tingle of his warmth upon her neck. She fought her edging home sickness. "When we stop we should put a cold compress on it....," she replied. Sakura's voice was small and gentle again which caused her some great shock. She always came off as bit of a loud mouth so when did this quiet demur come about. The wind brushed her cheeks as her eyes studied the strength of the old trees surrounding them. The next question made her jump a bit her stomach twisting and her brows furrowing together.

"Lord.....He treated me well until the tragedy took place. Life was not the same after that. Everyone was at fault.....we all have to pay for the sin of that tragedy..," responded Sakura. Her voice was firm and almost agitated at the treatment that everyone received after the burial. Maids and servants would say Sakura got the worst of it but for Sakura her treatment was not as bad as what the help received. Servants and guards alike were randomly beaten and starved at random to ensure their alliance while Sakura got to have the luxury of food. However, being stripped of dreams, happiness, and given the soul duty of paying for the sins by herself seemed worse.

A couple black strands of hair floated into her face they had escaped the tightly bound wedding hair that had been created that morning. It was then she turned to look at her husband. "I'm sorry to have been shoved upon you like this.....It was decided that I would sacrifice my choice of who I would spend the rest of my life to pay off my sins.......I promise to not be a burden...." her voice soft and her head titled downward to gaze intently at her feet as if they could save her from her fate.

(sorry for the length @_@)

A small smile played across Ryou’s lips as he turned his head away, pulling lightly upon the reigns in order to fall back slightly. Though old, he was wise and knew his master well. Déshí was not a bad man; gruff and cold certainly, but not evil. The wizen old man knew that he would look after the young woman, regardless of how he felt about their union. Ryou did not fall too far back, close enough to hear if he was required but far enough back to allow the couple to speak without thinking that he was listening in.

Déshí dipped his head at her gentle words in an attempt to make out what it was that she had said. His warm breath rushed toward her as he released a gentle sigh, “Much, though it is still quite painful.” The words did not hold the same coldness that it had done previously, though the tone remained sharp and clipped. A frown furrowed his brow at the silence which followed his response and his arms shifted slightly. “Did Lord Izumi treat you well while you were in his service?”

The rebel leader could not believe that such a fat pig could treat anyone within his household with any kind of compassion. Yet even as such sentiments entered his mind Déshí pushed them aside - the nobleman had lost a wife and a son, that changed a man. He knew that. Fingers tightened their grip upon the reigns and he blinked sharply, his eyes suddenly feeling rather warm.

Lifting his gaze to the skies, Déshí made sure that the sudden rush of emotion was concealed from Sakura’s gaze.

Sakura has fallen into pace with the older gentlemen her eyes floating about her surroundings. There were people moving about and celebrating with strong laughter Sakura felt little pain in the fact her new husband had ignored her personal introduction. He was a man of business and constant edge with a hard exterior. She had gathered this in these short moments that she spent walking with him. She was comforted by the Older gentlemen's voice. His name was Ryou and his voice was gentle but hesitant in introductions. His wrinkled face turning to check for any one that maybe paying a little too much attention to them. Deishi.....That was her husband's name. Sakura's deep brown eyes flickered to his face catching his eyes but watching as his attention was snatched again by another mysterious man. Her stomach twisted and a part of her very soul screamed at the circumstances while the other half died in laughter. Sakura held her breathe, her father had married her off to a rebel leader giving him noble status. Even if Sakura's name had been changed her blood line was vital to her father's house and chair which meant that by him marrying her off like this he had secretly declared an heir to his chair. If only the Emperor had known of her Father's stupidity.

Sakura's heart sank further, despite the circumstances the fact of the matter was her own father had casted her out in hopes of a idoit farmer would become his secret heir or maybe it was her new burden to bare. To live forever as an outcast to her true self in hopes to pay off the murders of her mother and brother or to dash everything and give the enemy the rights created by such a marriage...doomed to burn in hell. Her chest was constricted as Ryou interupted her thoughts, "How long have you been in Lord Izumi’s service then my dear?”

It was an odd question and Sakura frowned a bit her head turning briefly to the sky, "Since the earliest I can remember...." She was free till she was eight years old but imprisoned to the house walls after the murders. There was a fear that she would curse the land if she had freedoms like everyone else. However, she probably had the most freedom amongst her makeshift family of gaurds and servants. The questions floated about her and she answered them softly her hand being grasped by Deshi at any moments that she began to faulter in her wedding kimono. It was the only thing she had and it caused her the most trouble when walking. The steps were long and a heaviness pressed upon her shoulders creating a sense of home sickness she could not explain. However, She got the oppertunity to learn about Ryou which made her wonder if he would be able to piece who she really was but the comfort of someone with similar backgrounds warmed her.

Two elegant horses stood waiting at the bottom of the staircase their reins held by a young man. His eyes fixed on her made Sakura's fingertips twist in her sleeves nervously. Deshi's command was abrupt taking her by shock as his big hands wrapped around her waist lifting her effortlessly onto the back of one of the horses. It was different for her to have a set of bulky arms in such a close proximity to her small frame. She felt her cheeks heat up in embarrassment and her eyes floated toward the horizon. She listened to him grunt and figured it would be best if she asked him a question of some sort. "Is your arm feeling better....," she asked softly her head turning to look at his his shoulder that he had popped back into place. She hadn't realized how close she was to tears at this point but her eyes were glazed as her mind seized into an unknown panic that she tried to fight inside herself. She had never been away from home....would she ever be able to pay her sins and be able to go back home...

A grunt was the only response that Sakura received from Déshí at the mention of her name, for he seemed far more concerned with the people that walked around them. When it was clear that the rebel leader had not wish to continue the conversation, Ryou stepped in to fill the uncomfortable silence. “A pleasure my dear. I am Ryou, and this is...” the old man paused to make sure that no one listened in to their conversation before continuing in hushed tones, “And this is Déshí.”

At the mention of his name, the gruff male turned his head to glance over his shoulder at them but his attention was quickly stolen again as a male fell in stride beside him. Ryou frowned slightly, but seemed to take the interruption in his stride. “How long have you been in Lord Izumi’s service then my dear?”

Déshí and the stranger conversed for a few minutes before he slipped back into the crowd, leaving the three alone once again. As the moved down the 30,000 or so steps, the rebel leader remained distant and uninvolved in the conversation though he occasionally offered Sakura a hand if she needed some assistance. Ryou on the other hand spoke continually, asking her numerous questions and providing her with what information he thought Déshí would approve of.

Sakura would discover that the elderly man had in fact worked in the household of a noble; a noble with a larger stomach than Lord Izumi - that was offered by Déshí. Ryou had left of his own choice, choosing the comfort and security of that position to come into the poverty and danger of serving the rebel leader. Of course, the wrinkled man never mentioned the rebel cause though he was sure that Sakura had either already guessed or had some idea.

At the bottom of the vast amount of steps they were greeted by a young male with two horses for their use. He bowed respectfully to all three, his gaze lingering upon the female for a moment before he took his leave, clearly he was expected to walk the journey they were about to make. “You will ride with me,” Déshí informed Sakura rather abruptly, grasping her by the waist without hesitation and lifting her up upon one of the horses.

Once he was certain that she wasn’t going to fall, he hauled himself up into the saddle behind her. His arms moved around her to grasp the reigns before turning to look back on Ryou. For his part, the elderly male had lifted and swung himself into the saddle of his horse with a surprising amount of ease for a man of his age. “Sir, perhaps the young lady could ask you some questions while we ride?”

Déshí grunted and Ryou smiled, seeming to take that simple sound as permission for Sakura to continue.

Sakura had kept her bow for a few moments before straightening in her short stature to catch his sharp words. He obviously assumed that she wanted this...when she could be back in the Manor practicing her techniques with her body guard. However, this was her way to pay off her sins so despite her frustration that had built up in her stomach, she held a blank expression. Her duty in life now was not to study....no it was to serve some vile man, who had no want for her. Her Father had picked a perfect fate for her to obtain his revenge.

She watched the men take the chest their worn down appearance and ragged attire worried her. She felt her heart sinking and her stomach knotting tightly as she caught the word handled. The word floated around her and then pressed into her sides like a constricting blanket. It was as if she was being caged like the beautiful butterflies and birds of the new spring that were held till the spring festival of every year that she would watch from the confides of her room. This new life was her new cage but with one exception she had the choice to run...but that would seal her fate to burn in hell. Her arm squeezed violently as she was tugged and whipped into a brush area. They had weaved their wave into gaps of people rejoicing and roaring with excitement. All these people and not one of them recognized her for who she really was...her old self dead.


"I am Haruhi now.....," thought Sakura her head moving to catch the sight of an elderly man.

Sakura's mouth twitched into a split second smile at the older gentlemen who looked ready to pester her new husband. She jumped a bit at the sudden grunting of pain as she caught the snap as her new husband placed his shoulder back in place. Sakura's stomach turning a bit because she felt that she owed the warrior some sort of comfort for his injuries but he was so buisness like. Something choked her heart digging its sharp talons into it. Where would she find herself...here the world was laid out for her to see finally but with such a gruff man. Her head sunk feeling the ground beneath her slipping and her muscles hardening. She did not now what rested outside the walls of her father's home.

His question had tangled in her thoughts and her foreign lips mummbled, "Haruhi....." Sakura's legs were like stones connected deep into the ground. A light hand nudging her to follow the man that she was stuck with for the rest of her life. She picked up her head letting the elaborate gold ornaments to brush her black hair that had been tightly sewn into a knot. Her kimono brushing the ground a little bit staining the hem of the white silk. She was a porcelin doll lost in the dark reaches of a jungle.

Déshí straighten, squinting slightly as he shifted his gaze to rest it upon Lord Izumi. His right eye was already swelling from a brutal blow but he still could see his enemy well enough. A swell of hatred rose up within him, but the rebel remained silent and still, his left arm hanging limp at his side. The roars of the crowd meant little, and neither did the congratulations of a fat Lord, but the gold would calm the rebel’s troubled mind for now.

His eyes fixed upon groaning chest as it was carried out and set before him, a hand stretching outward to rest atop the lid. This is what he had come for and now he would take his leave as swiftly and as quietly as possible. However his momentary planning was brought to an abrupt stop as the crowd grew silent once again. Turning his head, to look back up at Lord Izumi, Déshí fumed within at the announcement that followed.

Momentary silence was replaced but outrage as the warrior stepped forward, “Lord Izumi, hold. Explain yourself!” But the pompous noble would neither wait nor explain himself; striding away into the safety of his vast mansion. His right hand closing into a fist, Déshí turned sharply to face the woman that was suddenly before him. No not a woman, a girl. What use did he have with a girl as a wife? He didn’t want a wife at all.

He observed her short speech and humble bow with cold regard. “I have no wife.” The male hissed, rather more harshly than he had meant to, “My wife is dead.” Crowds of people still lingered nearby, but Déshí was in no mood for celebrating. Men suddenly stood on either side of him, some just as bruised and battered as their leader. “Take the chest, i’ll handle the girl.” They inclined their heads discretely before carrying off the chest, disappearing into the shadow of the trees in which to carefully divide the wealth between themselves.

Déshí reached behind his head, drawing the large hood over his head and casting the majority of his face into shadow. Grasping her upper arm firmly, he steered her through the crowd and to the shelter of the trees in which he had been resting earlier. A wizened old man materialised into existence from the shadows, hovering at a small distance. “Not a word Ryou.” Déshí hissed, releasing Sakura as abruptly as he had grasped her.

The elderly man’s thin lips spread in a small smile but as requested he remained silent, passing a curious glance over the young woman. Placing a hand to his dislocated shoulder, the rebel roared in pain as the ball snapped back into its socket. “We had best leave before we are discovered, we have already risked far more than i would like Sir.”

Déshí grit his teeth, breathing in deeply through his nose as he steadied himself. “For once i agree Ryou.” The rebel fixed his stern gaze upon Sakura, “Your name? You have a name i suppose?” He began to walk, expecting her to follow but if she did not Ryou would place a gentle hand upon her back and guide her forward.

Sakura's deep brown eyes burned through her hands which stayed lightly placed in her lap. Her mind floating with the lone cloud above her tent. She felt more alone in this tent than she had ever felt in her life behind the mansion walls. Her heart had sunken to the lowest depths of her body it felt and her breathing softer than before. For the second time in her life she felt fear of the unknown. She could run away but burn in hell for her sins, but was it really her fault that her mother and brother had passed away on her 8th birthday...Of course, if it hadn't been for the event their would have been more security that day the rebels wouldn't have made it into their home.

Sakura's head slowly lifted to see the final match come to an end and she slowly stood up waiting to be retrieved. A tall man covered in cuts, bruises and sweat how intimidating. Her ribs tightened and heart fluttered she had no clue what lay outside the home she lived in.....

Lord Izumi stood tall brimming with a grin at the revenge he would succeed in delivering. His stupid cursed daughter was cursed to be the end of all of them. This was the best plan to get rid of her without disregarding his wife's wishes. He stroked his long white beard the wrinkles on his face springing into life. "WE HAVE A WINNER!" He shouted to the crowd throwing up his hands to the skies.

"THIS IS THE STRONGEST FIGHTER OF THE LAND! HE HAS WON AN EXTRAORDINARY AMOUNT OF GOLD!" He roared to the crowd! The crowd roared back in reply as the guards opened the tent bringing out the chest filled with gold and jewelry.

Sakura's knees shook violently as one of the guards led her out slowly her hand bound for affect. She caught Makoto's eyes brimming with tears and looked up at the balcony as she was led out. There was her head maid dressed to look like her, all of them weeping. She smiled comfortingly, they had been her true family and she knew no way to repay them but by going away with a strong face.

Lord Izumi's eyes were ablaze with a fire as he raised his hands to the skies once more, "OUR Lucky man has one the hand of the fairest maid in my house! Witness it here at this moment!!!! HARUHI will from now on be our WINNER'S WIFE! NOW I MUST RETIRE! PLEASE ENJOY THE REST OF THE EVENING!" Lord Izumi out of fear of that the man would disregard the second prized strolled quickly into his manor the guards following at his heels.

Sakura held back tears of shame as she watched her father disspell her from her home forever. She turned to the fighter her deep brown eyes searching his eyes for a moment before bowing, "My life long duty is to serve you...It is my duty as your wife..." She choked on the words with fear. Her body bent over in a humble bow hoping for some sort of miracle or maybe some sign of something. She was shaking at the thought of being with this guy but also to walk down the steps and into a world she had never experienced or seen....