�Once a Thief

***~~~***

Do I regret it? Nah, not really. Okay, sure, joining the Guild pretty much put a damper on my wonderfully carefree lifestyle—"Kill this officer..." "Eliminate this noble…" "Got a minute? There's this monster, you see..."--It's always work, work, work, now. Gone are the days when I could amble along the bustling streets of Morroc, joyfully picking pockets to furnish my own, living in the moment, no obligations. Not just Morroc. Anywhere on a whim. It's not that I don't travel now. If anything I travel too much, but before it was hey-that-road-looks-nice-I'll-take-it-oh-did-I-make-a-wrong-turn-at-Aldebaran?-no-I-don't-want-to-pay-a-thousand-zeny-to-warp-home-I'll-walk-thankyouverymuch. Quick fire, quick wit, quick to regret not paying that dratted Priest because my feet are killing me and I could have mugged him on my way into that horribly uncomfortable light.

It was great. It was a life that preferred to leave its sense of direction at home, wherever that was, and it was as fickle as your average merchant's idea of a sale. In fact, it was so unpredictable that I decided to join the Guild. Well, not exactly on a fancy; more like I accepted their offer when I unknowingly tried to pilfer a Guildsman's zeny pouch. We fought to a draw over a measly twenty zeny. Perhaps I was getting tired of doing everything and nothing, and my life finally heard that sense of direction calling us home so that next time we might bring it along.

Like I said, I don't regret it. Now I have a steady cash flow, and I must say it's quite the hefty sum. I have a very nice villa just outside the city, a place that I can actually call 'home.' And it's got its own little oasis. I'm that good. Now that I'm not exactly roaming anymore, I may even have time for a relationship. Or three. I've always liked the idea of a harem. I've traded in the disorientation for decorum, the pointlessness for purpose.

And it's not like I'm a cold-blooded you're-a-nuisance-die murderer. We're really not bad people, the Guild. Common misconception. We're based on an unshakable foundation of protocol and not that much different from Knights or courtesans. We're just quieter and sneakier. Anyone can join, as long as they leave behind their former lives. The only targets are those who are deemed too dangerous to the state. We work abroad too. In fact, most of the time we eliminate demons. It's all for the good of the nation, and there is honour in that. But yes, yes, of course there are those of us who work as mercenaries-for-hire and as... pest control. We are, after all, business people of a sort as well.

I lie here under a tree just off the main road between Prontera and Morroc now. My assignment's done, I'm in no hurry to get back. It's nice to stop and think once in a while. I have the grass' cushion, the wind's caress, the shade's... shade. Perfect for relaxing.

You can forgive me if I happen to drift off... But alas! I'm not able to achieve that level of sedateness as from out the brush crashes a frantic lady merchant, arms flailing comically as she runs, twigs and leaves adorning her tousled blonde hair. I begin to laugh at her absurdity, until a stampede of what looks like severely misplaced Orcs burst out after her. Amazing.

I stand dumbfounded before I realize she needs help, and I readily, if grudgingly at leaving behind that wonderful little haven under the tree, spring into action. I move like a shadow, they don't hear me approaching, and once they notice the inky blur it's too late. I am upon them, a flurry of steel, of strikes, of death, and before their slow minds can comprehend it, all fifteen are dead. Not bad, but I could've gone faster.

The hysterical girl collapses to the ground much further on, unaware that she's been saved. I jog over and offer her my hand, but she kicks and rolls and knocks it away. I try to yell, but she screams louder. I'm actually stumped on what to do, so I let her flounder on the ground until she figures it out... but doesn't. Again, amazing.

I pace around her, trying to get a good look at her features. Her clothes are an unfortunate mess, because they look quite high class; all gilded silk and jewels. Well off, this one. No doubt that's what attracted those orcs to her. Dim minds rather enjoy shiny things. However, the more I stare at her, the more I think that I've got one of those dim minds. She looks absolutely radiant, mud notwithstanding. Her tight emerald coat expresses her curves beautifully, and her blue skirt would certainly flow were it not crumpled beneath her shivering form. I can see milky white thighs in the space between her skirt and her stockings, and I would wager they feel just as smooth. Her chest is less than modest, but I've no qualms with that. It just means that when I hug her, she'll be closer to my heart.

Oh, and I do so want to hug her. I want to hug her until my body melts into hers. She has her hands clenched tight against her chest, and her eyes are screwed shut in fear. Her shimmering blonde hair falls over her face in graceful curls, and her pink lips are pursed in a most endearing way. The tears fall from her eyes and she lets out a strangled sob. She probably still thinks that her life is over. I think that mine won't be complete without introducing myself. I try once again to rouse her, but when I lay my hand on her shoulder she shrieks and writhes away.

Plan K.

I practically pounce on her. I'm probably drooling too. Caging her movement, I swiftly flip her onto her back so that I'm staring into her adorable face. She still stubbornly refuses to open her eyes, and she tries to beat at me with her fists. I'm much quicker than her though, and my hands dart out and capture her wrists. With the strength of speed, I'm able to pin them above her head. Like this, it occurs to me that she's a fair bit smaller than I am, but that only adds to her cuteness. Miss merchant yelps, and finally her eyes flutter open... and I'm struck by those glittering amethyst orbs staring back up at me.

"W-what...?" she squeaks, face to face with what I can only (modestly) say is the complete opposite of an orc. I'm bloody gorgeous.

"Hi there," I say, and I dearly hope that I don't look like some perverted fiend. "You're welcome." And I close my eyes and dive straight in.

"Eh-MMPH!"

I can only imagine the shock she must be feeling; to go from having a horde of hideous, slobbering orcs chasing after her to having a very beautiful woman pressing her very womanly lips against hers. With tongue.

Miss merchant squeals into our lovely kiss, and I feel her fighting me. But the way I've got her pinned gives her very little wiggle-room, and soon her resistance breaks down. A moan escapes her throat and vibrates delicately against my lips, and I smile, making sure that she knows it. I hear her whimper, and I swear I can feel the heat of her blush against my cheeks. I press my breasts against hers, and--huzzah!--she strains up a little against me. Hello, indeed.

When I break off at last, both of us are panting for air. I haven't had a kiss like that in a long time, and I can tell that she hasn't either. I'm definitely smiling like a madwoman, and she's looking dazed and flustered and confused and not entirely unhappy. At least I'm sure that she's finally snapped out of her orc-trauma. Maybe she's got a whole new one?

I let her hands go and I get up off of her, finding a nice patch of grass to sit down on and watch her. I cross my legs and grab my ankles, and I sway giddily back and forth. Ah, I'm smitten. She lays there for a moment longer, then sits up, hands planted at her sides. She looks around, but she still seems a bit unfocused. Her eyes scan the landscape, and further back behind me she spies the pile of orc corpses because her eyes go wide.

"Did you do that?" she asks, and my heart thrills. She has the voice of a songbird, high and soft and musical.

"Uh-huh!" I nod happily.

"But there isn't a drop of blood on you!" she says, awe in her lyrical tones.

"It's hard to wash out," I lilt.

She opens her mouth to say something more, but a sort of change comes over her, and she stops. She blinks a few times, then coughs to clear her throat. She straightens her clothes as best she can, and folds her legs properly beneath her. She then closes her eyes and fixes her hair from memory until it looks passable. Then she turns a little until she's facing me, impressive without her sight, and folds her hands in her lap.

Then she opens her gorgeous amethyst eyes and fixes me with them, and I'm idiotically grinning back. She looks serene and composed for a moment, and only for a moment. The next, she blushes madly, puffs up her cheeks, and tears begin to form at the corner of her eyes. So, I flash my teeth at her. And she explodes.

"What do you think you're doing, kissing me like that?!" she screams at me, arms flapping wildly at her sides. "Who do you think you are?! What makes you think I swing that way?! Do you think you can afford my lips?! I'm not cheap, you know! No, wait! That came out wrong! I'm not a prostitute! I don't sell that kind of thing! I... you... I... you..."

I wait until she has to pause to breathe. Ranting is tiring, you know.

"Your bra is very pretty. I like the lace."

Her eyes saucer and look down at her chest. A large gash had been torn directly over her right breast, revealing the seductive undergarment.

"EEEEK!" she squeals, and immediately covers her chest with both arms, turning partly away from my cheerful leer.

"My name's Carmen," I respond. "What's yours?"

"You... you..." she glares at me.

"I think I've fallen for you."

"Argh!"

Instead of telling me her name, she springs up and, still covering her chest, begins a brisk walk back from the way she first came, screaming, out of the brush. Undaunted, I bounce to my feet and trot after her.

"How old are you?" I ask.

"Shut up," she grumbles.

"Which city are you from?"

"Go away."

"Which way you headed?"

"Leave me alone."

"Am I annoying you?"

"Yes."

"Would you rather I stay quiet?"

"Yes."

"Do you want me to go?"

"Yes."

"Did you like the kiss?"

"Yes."

"Yay!"

"Eh? What... ...NO! Nononono!"

She stops and stares at me, aghast. Her face is a lovely shade of red, and it makes me want to kiss her again.

"Uh-huh," I hum, reaching out and running a finger up her neck and to the tip of her chin. "Really?" Her eyes bulge, and she is forced to look away.

"Shut up..." she mumbles, turning away and striding off. Inwardly, I giggle. It's not a denial.

"Where are we going?" I ask, in hot pursuit.

"I," she growls, "am going to my cart. You, are going away."

"Nah."

"Go away."

"Don't wanna."

And we continue like this for a little while, until we come across another pathway. It's much smaller, and less traversed it seems, than the main road. There's a problem, though: there isn't a cart in sight. What there are, are a whole slew of orc footprints and very disturbed surroundings.

"It's gone!" miss merchant shouts, an anguished look crossing her face. Ohh, I want to kiss her better. "I never should have left it!"

"But then you would've been caught by the orcs, and I never would've had the chance to save you. And kiss you," I reply.

"Shut up! There was something very important in there!" she snarls, stamping her foot. "If I don't deliver it... If I..." And suddenly she breaks into tears, and I immediately regret teasing her.

"Hey, c'mon," I say, tentatively slipping an arm around her shoulders, "cheer up."

"WHY?!" she shrieks at me, and I can't blame her for that. Honestly, what a lame thing to say.

"Well," I start, scratching my cheek and looking away sheepishly for my earlier screw up, "all it means is that... all I have to do is get it back, right?"

Round amethyst eyes pierce me with shock.

"Eh?"

"Not to boast, but I'm one fantastic tracker."

"But... what if my cart was just torn apart by those stupid orcs?"

I scan the area quickly, looking for any clues, and instantly I find something odd.

"No," I tell her, "that didn't happen."

"How do you know?" she asks, a hint of hope rising in her voice.

"It's tough to make out with all the orc tracks around, but over there I can just make out what look like while tracks consistent with a standard merchant cart. Moreover, they appear to be accompanied by a set of non-orc footprints, and both are fresher than the orc tracks."

"You can tell that from just a look?" she says, now a bit of awe joining the hope. I do enjoy hearing that.

"Of course. So don't worry. Just hide yourself somewhere safe around here, and I'll be back before you know it."

"Wait-"

"You need to rest. Besides, whoever took your cart did so for a reason. You're in no shape for a battle right now."

"But you'll be alone..."

"I'll be fine," I say firmly, but warmly, and I see her shoulders relax.

"Okay. Fine. Have it your way. The item I really care about is a small oaken chest with gold overlay. I don't care about the cart--I bought it for this trip only--and the other things are all just camouflage. Just the chest matters." She says it roughly, but I can hear the underlying tones of gratefulness and relief.

"Sit pretty for me," I wink at her.

"Hey!" she yells at me, but I'm already gone.

~~~***~~~

And when I return, I'm whistling happily and practically skipping when she sees me. Her face perks up cutely when she sees me, but it's the chest I cradle under my arm that brings the wash of relief to her.

"You found it!" she squeals in delight, rushing up to me. "And it didn't even take very long."

"Well, the guy who took it couldn't exactly get very far. There wasn't enough time. I'm also frighteningly fast, I'll have you know. Problem was, he was a summoner of some sort. He's the reason you were almost killed by a horde of nasty orcs."

"What happened?!" she cried, paling. I nearly fall over with joy when she grasps my free hand in both of hers. "Are you okay?!"

"Oh, quite. He managed to summon a few orcs, but I never even let them move. He was pretty low-class. I didn't even break a sweat. So. Is there any specific reason that someone might be after you?"

"Umm... I can't tell you that..." she mumbles, carefully taking the chest from me. "I can only say that nobody was supposed to know that I was even in this area..."

"Well, that's fine," I shrug.

"Eh? You're not going to press the issue?" she says incredulously. I pat her head, which seems to annoy her, but she doesn't really try to shake my hand off, either.

"In my line of work, I'm used to not knowing the finer details."

"Oh? What's your line of work?" she asks, curiously.

"Hmm?" I smile at her. "Well, who do you know of that's fast, efficient, deadly, and looks sexy in tight clothing?"

She looks at me in confusion for a few seconds, but then it clicks and a look of terror explodes onto her face.

"Oh... oh my god... you're--"

"Not going to hurt you," I say, finishing the sentence the proper way. "We're not such bad people, you know. We also do bodyguard work."

Her fear gives way to another bout of puzzlement before the meaning of my words reach her.

"Oh no! No, no! You've done quite enough! You don't have to..."

"Yes, I do. There's no chance in hell that I'm letting my new girlfriend get attacked by weirdos with orcs."

"G-girlfriend?!"

"No?"

"No!"

"Well, I'll steal your heart yet. Where are we going?"

"...fine."

~~~***~~~

"With this, our strength is secured. We couldn't have done it without you."
And like this, miss merchant's mission is over. A smiling group of people shake hands with her and thank her for her courage. She tries cutely to deny their praise, but they won't stop. It seems as though she's done something incredible for them. She's trying not to blush too madly, and she shakes her head modestly, and I'm trying not to fall over with delight.

I look around and take in the town instead. It's not very big, and not very rich, although the river does give it a steady flow of people and trade. However, the buildings seem neglected, and there's no such vibrancy here in the market as there is in front of me. I look across the plain, what I can see of it, but in the distance I can see a large mansion dominating the horizon. It's hard not to guess what's up. Whatever the lady brought, it was to help these people with the oppression they're suffering, and I wonder why it had to be so discrete. Is whoever owns that mansion that powerful? My guess is that the danger isn't over just yet.

A little later the people finally disperse and allow miss merchant some time to breathe. She looks tired, but there is a happy glow surrounding her, and she fidgets with the hem of her skirt. Then she remembers that she isn't alone, and glances at me briefly before turning away in embarrassment. My response is to skip over and hug her, and to my surprise she doesn't shrug me off. Instead, she leans into me.

"Thngg mrrnn..." she mumbles into my chest.

"Hmm?"

"I never did thank you, for everything. For saving me, and for escorting me... and for protecting me. This last day and a half has been hectic."

Over the hours since we'd met, I'd had to fight off three separate ambushes. Easily, naturally, but still harrowing when she was put in danger. We stopped only to get her clothes patched up and her scrubbed off. Unfortunately, she wouldn't let me take a bath with her.

I look at her and stroke her head.

"Don't you remember? I already got my thanks from you, my darling."

She looks confused for a moment, and then it hits her. Her eyes bulge, but rather than pull away, she buries her face in my coat to hide her embarrassment.

"Mnn nmmm ish Hrmmr..."

"What's that?"

"I said... 'my name is Haru...' so you can stop calling me 'darling.'"

"Haru darling," I smile mischievously, "there's no way that's possible."

"Jeez..."

She doesn't fight me, and she's far more relaxed. Whatever she just did, it seemed to lift a great weight from her shoulders. She pulls away at last and starts heading towards the piers, and I follow along with her.

"I have a really close friend who's from this town," she says suddenly after a few moments of silence. "She often told me how much she loved it, but hated how it was governed. A few years ago she got wind of the treachery the governor had used to gain his land, and she worked tirelessly to prove it. She'd found a breakthrough only a few months ago before she was sent overseas for some very important business. Before she went, she told me that if I could do something to help her, she'd be grateful, but she also said that I shouldn't go out of my way to do it. Long story short, I finished the work she did, and the things in that box will help rid this town of their lousy governor once and for all. Or else."

"Why did you tell me that?" I ask her.

"I just... I just didn't want you to think you were helping me for no reason."

"Hey," I begin, fixing her with a serious but gentle gaze, "I like you. That's the only reason I need."

Haru's face lights up like the setting sun, which indeed is doing just that behind me, and fumbles a bit with her stride. She doesn't say anything, but just holds a hand to her mouth and looks away.

"Wanna go have dinner? It'd be nice to have a date after all this."

"I can't," she says, still not looking at me. "I have to report back immediately so that the official process of ousting that rat can start."

"Official?"

"Better for you not to know..."

"Fine with me."

"Eh? That's it?"

"Haru, I'm used to not knowing or needing all the information. It's fine."

"I see...that's kinda scary."

"It can be, yeah."

Inwardly, I sigh. Things have just gotten a bit awkward. We continue the rest of the way in silence.

When we get to the docks, there's a sturdy boat tied up to it, and a man standing in front waves to Haru. She waves back and turns to me.

"Really, thank you so much, Carmen..."

"You said my name... that actually made me really happy. Are you sure you don't want dinner? Or a night in a hotel room?"

"Sh-shut up! I-I'm being serious here!"

"Me too, but never mind," I grin, and she puffs her cheeks out at me. "You're very welcome, Haru. Will you be okay from here?"

"Yes. Now that I don't have the chest, there's no reason to come after me anymore. And besides, the people on that boat are sturdy."

"If you say so."

"Goodbye Carmen, I won't forget what you've done for me and all the people you've helped."

"Farewell, Haru. If you ever need me, the Guild's ears are everywhere."

A wave of bittersweet melancholy rolls through me as we exchange words. I'd ask to go with her, but I, too, have to report back home. Heading back to wherever she's going will delay me too much. I hope she doesn't forget about me. I certainly won't. Maybe I can track her down later, but part of me tells me that doing so would only scare her. If we can meet again...

And just as I'm about to turn and go, she grabs my hand.

"Wait," she mumbles, and she looks stunning in the crimson glow of the dying sun. My heart catches as she seems to fumble for words. When the silence stretches too long, she gets this wonderfully cute look of impatience on her face, and before I can comment on it, she quickly lunges forward on the tips of her toes and plants a kiss on my cheek.

I'm stunned. No really, I'm lightheaded and dizzy. My hand drifts up to my cheek, trying to hold that feeling against my skin for as long as possible. Haru blushes madly and jogs away.

"Th-that was only for thanks!" she calls back to me in that stubborn way of hers. "D-don't read anything into it!"

My hand she'd let go of hangs lamely in the air, as if grasping for her. I watch in silence as she dashes past the laughing sailor, punching him in the shoulder as she goes. He gives me a wave, too, before following Haru on board.

I'm still standing there as the boat drifts away, and I don't see Haru on deck. I like to imagine I saw a flicker of golden hair at one of the portholes, though. And with butterflies in my stomach, I walk back into town.

That night, I spend alone in a hotel. On my bed, I can't even read the trashy romance novels that inhabit every bookstand in every hotel room. I'm too busy with the romance in my head. I pull my knees up under the covers and wrap my arms around them. It's been a long time since I've felt such girlish glee. I play with my toes and I giggle into the still air. "Haru..." Even just remembering her face brings me such joy. I imagine myself forcing her onto my bed, pushing her hands down as I take her lips again and again. I imagine her wrapping herself around me as I take my fill of her supple, small body. I grind my thighs together as I giggle stupidly. I'm getting pretty wet from just this. God, Haru's just so cute! I should've kidnapped her... or at least gone with her. Screw the Guild; this is love! I can get back to them anytime.

I'm about to slip a hand under my covers to relieve some of my frustration when I sense a presence at my open window, which is strange because I'm on the third floor. I tense, stealthily reaching for the dagger hidden under my pillow.

In an instant, the person at my window springs through, but my anticipation already has me moving. I leap off the bed, throwing the blanket at my assailant. I hear a yelp of surprise, and I tackle the entrapped figure to the ground. My face pushes up against something squishy, and that elicits a short gasp from the unknown intruder. Something clicks in my mind; why does that voice sound familiar? My guest tries to struggle out, but I tuck the ends of the blanket in and pin her arms to her sides. I'm pretty sure it's a woman.

I find the neck and apply some pressure, and soon the intruder calms down, so I find an edge of the blanket and work it down so I can see her face. And I'm shocked to find a pair of familiar red eyes, framed by a head of matching scarlet hair, looking up at me, just as surprised.

"Carmen-oneesama?!"

"Shana?! What the hell are you doing here?" I cry, pulling down her half face mask.

"What are YOU doing here?! I thought you were in Prontera!" she responds, squirming a little.

"You didn't answer my question, Shana," I say, dropping my voice more menacingly. "Is there a good reason why you're trying to attack me?"

"Uhmm... well, I'm on a job... I've gotta take this thing from this merchant and... she's not here!" she shouts, taking a quick glace behind me.

"Yeah, you're too late. She's long gone, and so is that 'thing.' Your intel's so wrong it's not even funny." I let up, relaxing now that I know my guest's identity. There's no way that she can beat me, and she knows it too. Well, there's no reason for me to fight her, either. She's one of my best friends, even though I'm nearly a decade older than her. She's still a teenager. Supremely skilled for one, yes, but I'm me. She's my junior while we train together, and she took to looking at me as an older sister. With fluffy and delicious benefits.

I gather up my blanket, fluff it a few times for dust, and pad back over to my bed. I adjust my underwear as Shana gets up, and I smile at her and pat the bed beside me. Sighing, she walks over, dropping a bag she's carrying in a chair and shrugging off her outer coat. She sits beside me, then kicks off her boots and curls up on the bed.

"Well this job's gone all to hell... My employer did look like an incompetent boob. I was told that the merchant had some protection, but that it was only one woman. I was also told that she'd be staying the night here. Hah!"

"I take it your employer is the guy who lives up in that big fancy house?"

"You got it."

"Why'd you take the job?"

"Well, you know how much I like to buy clothes... It was an urgent job, and killing was optional, so I jumped at it. I used the complimentary teleport scroll to get here. There were only a few people around, anyway, when the notice came in. But could you imagine if Graham had taken it first?"

"I would've had him on crutches for a month."

"I know," Shana laughs, then sighs, leaning over and resting her head on my shoulder. "Well, I guess that's that. No chance I'm fighting you. I guess that new pair of shoes'll have to wait... If only I could get paid like you..."

"You're still young, Shana. You'll graduate from Thief-class soon," I reassure her, rubbing her back and kissing her hair.

"I know. I just wish I could keep up with you, onee-sama. It only took you a year..." She looks up at me and smiles, and I'm reminded how childlike she still is. "So, why were you with the merchant?"

"Oh, I just saved her from an ambush from your employer's--"

"EX-employer."

"Right. His goons. Did you know he had a guy that summoned monsters? Anyway, she was just so cute that I had to protect her. That's it, really."

"Your habit arises again," giggles Shana, hugging me around the waist.

"I know, I know," I sigh. "I'm a sucker for a cute girl. And besides, I learned afterwards that this governor guy's a pretty big dick. With crappy spies. And if you're the best he can get, then he'll be out of here in no time."

"That was mean," Shana pouts at me, poking a ticklish spot on my tummy. She knows all my weak points, just like I know hers.

"Heehee..."

"What do I do? I've never failed a mission before... do I go tell him it's impossible?"

"Nah, don't do that, just..."

And then a very nice thought strikes me.

"You know what?" I say, smiling foxily at her. I've gotta relieve this tension somehow, don't I? "I'll tell him myself. He's just going to keep causing trouble anyway."

"Oh?" Shana says, looking surprised at me. "And what do I do? Should I wait here for you?"

"Hmmhmmhmm... You... well, I've defeated you, so now I have to interrogate you to find out who sent you. And, I've got to make sure that you can't warn him I'm coming for him."

Shana's eyes go wide, and then she grins in delight.

"There's a tool shop down the street, so if you--"

"No need! I did tell you that killing was optional for this job, so I brought a bunch of rope just in case!" she says enthusiastically.

"Good girl!" I say, petting her head, then I get up and retrieve her bag. I look inside to see just that, several coils of sturdy rope, and even a few gags and blindfolds. I smile, knowing that I've got a few toys in my own bag as well. When I turn back to her, she's already stripped herself down to her bra, panties, and stockings. She looks at me expectantly, so I reward her and give her a deep kiss before pushing her down onto the bed.

As I tie her up, my mind drifts back to Haru. What would she look like all tied up in my ropes? I bet she'd look wonderful. So vulnerable as the ropes overpower her. As I play with Shana's body, I wonder how much fun it'd be to have Haru's body under my hands. Even as I have this gorgeous girl writhing in my arms, I keep thinking about that little merchant girl who got away.

"What's wrong, onee-sama? You seem distracted..." a panting voice snaps me out of my thoughts.

"Eh? How are you talking?" I ask, puzzled.

"My gag came out..." she breathes, and I look down to see the knotted cloth hanging about her neck instead of where it's supposed to be. "Even... yeah, see? My hands are loose now," Shana said, demonstrating by pulling her wrists free of their bonds. Up until that point, I'd had my arms wrapped around her heaving, sweaty body with my fingers buried deep in her pussy.

"Ah..."

"You've been neglectful in your ropework, onee-sama. That isn't like you."

"Sorry... I guess I am a bit distracted. I keep thinking about Haru."

"Haru?"

"The merchant girl..."

"That's mean!" pouts Shana, turning to face me. "How cruel! You've got me and you're thinking about another girl!" she teases me. We're more friends that lovers, so she doesn't really care when I sleep with other women.

"Sorry..." I apologize. "Do you want me to tie you up again?"

"You're no fun if you're going to be like this," Shana huffs, untying her legs from their frog-tie. "I've got a better idea."

"What?"

"Turn around and stick your bum in the air, and grab your hands around your thighs."

I shuffle around and do as she says, thinking that it's probably better this way for now. I actually quite enjoy it when Shana takes charge. "Like this?"

"Perfect," Shana says, and suddenly a loud crack fills the air and my ass is stinging.

"Eeep!" I yelp, and turn my face to see her.

"There's more of that coming," giggles Shana, picking up her ropes. "I'm going to punish you for not playing properly. But that's probably fine, so you can fantasize all you want about this Haru girl."

"Shana..."

"Silence, onee-sama," she interrupts, and instantly she's pushing the leather-ballgag into my mouth. She pushes it past my teeth and buckles it tightly around my head, but I keep my hands behind my thighs like an obedient girl. To test it, she spanks me again, and I moan loudly into the covers. As I try to stop the tears welling in my eyes, Shana starts binding my ankles together. She's quick with it, and efficient; I taught her well, of course. She does the same to my knees before she gets to my hands, tying them side by side before securing them to my knee bonds. Like this, I can't even stretch out like a fabre, and my ass is helplessly stuck in the air, a fact that Shana highlights by spanking me again three more times.

As I wiggle and moan at the scandalous sensations ravaging my body, Shana pulls my panties down so that she can cup my pussy directly. She teases me for my wetness, then drapes herself over me so she can kiss my neck.

"I wonder how many people know that the great Carmen likes being tied up and taking it from behind," she purrs into my ear. I can't even glare my indignation at her, because my loins thrill at her dirty talk. Instead, I pant like a bitch in heat, wanting more as my cute junior strokes my dripping folds. With her other hand, she reaches under me and moves my bra aside before giving each nipple a sharp pinch. I squeal into my gag, looking up at my captor, and when she sees my eyes she smiles and kisses my forehead. And brings her hand down again hard on my rear. I may be damn hard warrior, but when it comes to sex, I have a really sensitive body. It would probably suck if I were to ever really get captured.

I fantasize about having both Shana and Haru taking turns and abusing my helpless body, one girl at my nipples while the other impudently swats my ass until I cry. Ah, is it really a harem when the mistress is submissive to her girls? I could find more, and I could bring them all to my room, only to have them grab me and hold me down and punish me for being such a 'cruel' mistress. I'd never actually be cruel, of course, but they'll say that just so they can tie me up and have their way with me, all night long. All week long. They could shuttle me back and forth between them, when I'm not shackled to my bed, taking turns to feed, clean, punish and pleasure me. In public, I can make it clear that they are mine, but when we get home, they will strip me and spank for every time I even insinuated that they were 'mine.' And then they can walk me around my property like a dog, with a leash and a ring-gag so that my tongue lolls out, and a 'tail,' and one by one they'll each take be from behind. Oohh... sometimes I can be such a naughty, dirty girl.

My fantasy is briefly interrupted by Shana stopping, but only to prepare more rope. I moan piteously as she wraps it around my body, pulling it tightly around my breasts, in the tortoise-shell style. And when she yanks the knotted crotch-rope roughly between my pussy lips, I shriek into the covers and nearly cum right then. And to make it worse, or better, I guess, she does it a few more times, until I'm sure that she's chaffing my womanhood. I whimper and kick my bare feet against the covers to try and get her to stop, but she just spanks me and secures the crotch-rope as tightly as she can without actually hurting me. The problem is, she anchors the end, after leading it through a waist-rope, to my ankles, which forces me to bend my knees, which is hard because of where my hands are, and so the crotch-rope is putting constant pressure on my vagina.

But then for some reason Shana starts being gentle. She gently strokes my ass where she's spanked it, and caresses my body with delicate care. Instead of pinching my nipples, she lovingly kneads my breasts, and she leans down often to kiss my face and neck and back. It feels nice, and I nuzzle into her hand when she cups my cheek, but I'm worried about what she's going to do next. The only reason she would change tactics so suddenly is if she's going to ambush me. Still, I enjoy it while I can, wiggling my ass at her so that she can stroke my pussy, too.

And then she strikes.

Somehow, while she was making me whimper like a little girl, Shana has gone through my bag to find a familiar friend. She moves the crotch-rope temporarily aside so that she can stick in my polished wooden dildo. I scream because it's so sudden, and she giggles and pumps it a few times to make me squirm, then clips the little hoop at the base around the rope. She brushes the vibration gem with her thumb and tells it vocally to run at medium strength, and my eyes are begging her to put it to full because I need to cum. She shakes her head and smiles at me, letting the crotch-rope ease back into place to keep it there. Ah, I'm such a slut, and she leans down and tells me just that.

"Don't worry, onee-sama, in a little while, you'll be begging to stop."

"Mmph?"

Shana treats me like a princess again to get me off my guard again, and in my current state, it works. I'm completely unprepared when she starts tickling my feet. I HATE being tickled. To me, it's actual torture. My sensitive body allows me to feel things in the ground and the air that most people wouldn't, making me a better fighter, but it also makes it so that being tickled is pure hell, something that Shana found out one night when she asked me to sleep over in her room at the dormitories, before I got my house. All she does at first is run a finger from heel to toe, and I snap my feet away, but doing that makes the crotch-rope dig deep, running the knots over my clit and pumping my dildo into me. With a satisfied sigh, Shana launches her attack, slowly ramping it up until I'm crying with laughter and moaning in pleasure.

I shriek and shake my head for her to stop, but she just leans down and leaves a love bite on my neck. I'm whimpering pathetically, but that only gives her pleasure. She keeps tickling my feet, and soon I try to squirm away, but then she lays down the biggest spank yet. And finally, I arch my back and cum violently, body spasming as she strokes my back. Thankfully, she stops, but I'm already lying in a puddle of my own drool, and my eyes can't focus.

And then I remember that I've yet to 'beg to stop.'

Sure enough, Shana starts tickling me again, and this time she puts the vibrator up to its highest setting, which is higher than most standard dildos. Mine's custom made, baby. This time she goes after not only my feet, but the rest of my ticklish body, and when I try to escape, she spanks me repeatedly. And she doesn't stop until I've cum three times in rapid succession. Only then does she release the crotch-rope anchor. But is she giving me a rest? Not a chance in hell. All this means is that she moves my crotch-rope out of the way and take out my dildo, so that she can insert her tongue. With one hand, she pinches and rolls my nipples, and with the other, she tickles my feet. I cum two more times. And she's still not done. I'm not sure how much more I can take. My head is spinning.

She unties my hands from my knees, so that I can finally stretch out my legs and bring my hands behind my back. She flips me onto my back, and I can look her in the eye. She looks so horny, and she's practically drooling to get at me. She swiftly unbuckles my gag and launchers herself at my lips, and I can taste myself on her, and it just turns me on even more. In between kisses, I beg her "No more..." but she just tells me that she's not done yet. She kisses me one last time before taking off one of her stockings and blindfolding me with it. Next, thing I feel is Shana get up and shift around a bit, and then suddenly her naked pussy is planted over my mouth.

"You're not done until I cum three times, onee-sama," she pants, desperate for it. And she bites my clit. I arch and squeal into her pussy, and it's enough to make her cum once. "Heehee..." she giggles between gasps, "that's not fair, onee-sama. You didn't even have to work for that. Make that four times."

"Sh-shana..." I moan, but she just presses her honeypot onto my lips, and I have no choice but to lick her. In return, Shana slides two fingers into me, and pumps me relentlessly while she nibbles and tongues my clit. It isn't long until we 69 each other into oblivion to the tune of three orgasms each.

With a contented sigh, Shana slowly unties my limbs, tossing her ropes onto the floor. She saves my blindfold for last, kissing me as she unties it. I'm too spent to move, so she strips me naked for me, and she takes off the rest of her clothes as well. She has to tug the blanket out from under me because I can barely roll over, and she drapes it over the both of us. She waves her hand over the lamp gem near the bedstand, and the lamps in the room go out. She curls up to me and embraces me, and I want to hug her back, but I can't be bothered to lift my arms.

"You're so wonderful, Carmen-oneesama," she sighs, kissing me again.

"Mmm... you too..." I mumble back. My eyes are getting droopy. I'm about to pass out, but suddenly I'm rolled over to my other side, with Shana pressing herself right up against my back. "Sh-shana? What are you doing?"

"You're so wonderful, I think you need to have a perfect ten," she purrs into my ear before nibbling my earlobe.

"W-wait Shana..." I try to dissuade her, but already I hear that treacherous buzzing. "Shana-a-aa-aahhh..." I moan as she slides her arms around me and pushes the dildo in. I try to push her hands away, but I'm far too weak for that, so there's nothing I can do as she tweaks my nipples and lavishes attention on my neck as she pumps the dildo relentlessly. This last one she draws out for eternity, making me beg for her to end it. I writhe forever in her arms until, at last, she whispers for me to cum, and I crash over the edge and into bliss, and then quickly into slumber. Damn, she's good.

"Sleep well, onee-sama," is the last thing I hear before sleep takes me.

~~~***~~~

I wake to find Shana curled up against my side, snoring mildly. It was something I always teased her about while we trained together, and I still do when I get to see her. I give her a kiss on the forehead, and she snuffles cutely and smiles in her sleep. She's also still too relaxed when it comes to sleeping around friends.

I get up and stretch, and grumble a little because my body is a bit sore from the rough night, my ass especially. I dress swiftly; I want to get back before Shana wakes up. It won't take long, just a quick visit to mister governor. Taunt him a little, maybe tell him to accept his fate. Certainly, he should stop trying to harass Haru because she ain't even here anymore. Maybe I'll give him an unofficial warning to leave the town alone, too.

I fix the blanket around Shana, then step around the scattered ropes and noiselessly leave the room. Minutes later, I'm bounding stealthily through the trees towards the governor's mansion. When I get there, I'm surprised by how big it actually is, damn fat cat. It's obvious that all the government money he gets never reaches beyond his personal land.

I bypass all the guards with ease with my abilities, and scamper up the side of the building towards a window that's open. After slipping inside, it's only a matter of finding him. I Cloak and keep to the walls, and I pass many sullen looking maids and guards. Obviously, they don't like it here. Soon, I hear angry shouting coming from down a corridor. It sounds like a snarling pig, so I'm pretty sure I've found the governor. My hunch isn't wrong, since I follow the voice towards a dining room, and there, sitting at the head of an unnecessarily long table, is the man in question. He looks like a hog with bags of fat drooping from his cheeks. Pig nose, beady eyes, voracious appetite.

At his side is a disgruntled looking secretary, telling him that the 'agent,' most likely Shana, hasn't come back yet, and he's mad as a minorous with a broken hammer. My eye twitches slightly when he calls both the secretary and Shana incompetent. Hearing enough, I step out of the shadows.

"Hey there, tubby."

"GRXBWHTHRGAH!?"

That's the sound of him choking on his breakfast. It's hilarious, but it seems he's not amused by it. The secretary just gapes at me. I wink at her. She's around my age, and pretty cute, though it seems stress has made her a bit haggard. No worries; a week at a nice spa would sort that out, once this lardo is gone.

"Before you get around to speaking, let me just tell you that the girl you hired is not incompetent. I'm just better. Also, stop attacking me. I'm tired of it, and the merchant is long gone. Furthermore, don't bother attacking the townspeople for whatever it is that you're after, because I'll be sticking around until you're gone. It shouldn't be too long now; please accept your fate. Got it?"

"This is outrageous!" bellows the governor, mouth finally empty. "How dare you invade my home and think you can give me orders! How did you even get in here? Bah, it doesn't matter."

"Please don't send for the guards," I say. "I don't want anyone to get hurt."

"No need," the governor smiles. It's a hideous gesture. Very greasy. "I've got just the thing to deal with you! I thought that that girl might screw things up, so I hired another person to get the job done for sure! This one's an Assassin!" he says menacingly, trying to use the capital letter to scare me. I contemplate mocking him, but I wonder who he hired this time, so I remain silent. "Maggie, go get him."

"Y-yes! Right away, sir!" the secretary bows, and scampers through a door behind them.

"How did you even get to run this place, anyway? Surely it wasn't because of your compassion."

"Shut up," he growls. "And don't try to escape. My Assassin would be able to track you anywhere."

"'Your' Assassin, eh?" I drawl. I cross my arms and tap my foot.

"You better watch your mouth if you want to live," he sneers. For some reason, he feels like he can relax because he's got a Guildsman on his side. He's even reaching for what looks like a pork pie. Who eats a pork pie for breakfast? He stuffs it down before speaking again. "But if you want, you can get down on your knees and 'beg' me for forgiveness." His leer makes his innuendo obvious, and I crinkle my nose at him.

"Uh, no," I say flatly. Where is this Assassin of his? If we're going by tardiness, then I can think of a few colleagues that it might be.

"Suit yourself. Maybe I'll have him subdue you and put you in my dungeon."
"You have a dungeon? Good grief..." I roll my eyes.

"Women like you need to know their place."

"Do you make virgin sacrifices, too?"

"What?"

"Nevermind..."

"I can sacrifice you."

"As long as you make it worthwhile. I want a pretty white dress and a wreath of flowers. And I want sad music and a procession."

"You're mocking me!"

"Yes."

He looks like he's about to explode, but luckily for him the secretary hurries through the door.

"What took you so goddamn long?" the governor demands, slamming his fist on the table.

"He was... taking a bath."

"What! I never gave him permission to do that."

"He said that it's too dusty in the desert."

"Then it's his fault for being Morrocan!"

Ohhh. Him. I smile.

"Get in here already!" he shouts at the door.

"Fine, fine," calls that familiar voice. "But you didn't hire me to be a bodyguard, you know."

"Shut up! I'll double, no, triple your pay!"

"Oh? If that's the case."

He steps through the door, rubbing his hair with a towel. He smells like flowers, as always.

"So, why haven't you been attacked if it's someone so dangerous?" Then he sees me, and his eyebrows shoot up.

"Her! Kill this impudent wench!" growls the governor.

"Huh. She is that," he shrugs.

"Hey Firoz," I say, waving cheerfully at him. "How's your little sister?"

"I'm fine, thanks," he drawls, cocking his head. "And Khena is fine too."

"Will she be training at HQ this month? I've missed her."

"Please stop trying to corrupt her," Firoz frowns. "It's bad enough that mother has fallen for your wiles." He's talking about Mistress Valencia, the stealth instructor. She does have a very motherly attitude with her students, when she's not beating the crap outta them, that is, but she's his actual mother. There are some families in the Guild, but they're pretty rare, and his is practically royalty. She's in her late thirties, and ever since her husband died, she's taken to having her desires satisfied with female students that are so inclined, but only if they can ambush her. I'm particularly good at that. She likes to be submissive, but the only people that know that are the ones that earn the privilege to dominate her. It's a pretty short list, and I'm at the top of it.

"I can't help being gorgeous."

"You could stand to bathe a little more."

"The only things that bathe more than you are fish!" I snort.

The governor looks confused, and I don't blame him. I mean, how could one person spend so much time washing himself?

"What the hell are you doing?! Attack her!"

Oh. That. I look at Firoz, and he just shrugs. He turns to his employer, then reaches into his pocket.

"I'm resigning," he says simply, tearing up his contract. "You probably should, too."

"WHAT?! I thought you were a professional! Are you afraid of her?!" gurgles the governor.

"Honestly, yes," he shrugs. He looks at me and I flash him a 'V.' He rolls his eyes. "You should also forget about hiring anyone else from the Guild. I'm going to have to warn against this job."

"Why would you do that?!"

"It's proper procedure to warn them against hazardous jobs, and this one is more than they can handle. I'm out."

And with that, Firoz turns and heads back out the door, waving a hand to me before he steps out of sight.

"Tell Khena and Miss Valencia that I miss them!" I call at him.

"Yeah, yeah... and it's 'Mistress.'" I hear him mumble on the wind.

"Not to me!" I chirp back. I swear I can hear him fall over.

"What..." begins the governor, but I interrupt him.

"Well, there you have it," I say to him. "Now you know the scope of your problem. In one hell of an unclimbable mountain. No one from the Guild will come to your aid. And if you hire more unscrupulous people, well, I'm going to defeat them, and then I'm going to have to come back and kill you." I shimmer in to stand over him, knife poised at his throat, and he's staring up at me like a frightened sow. "Get it?"

He doesn't reply, but that might be because he's fainted with his eyes open. I turn to his secretary, and she's staring at me, too, but from her I'm getting looks of awe, and maybe even relief.

"I suggest getting out of here while you're ahead. You, and everyone else willing to leave. Or you can stick around to see the regime change. Either way, you don't have to listen to this guy anymore. He's done, I guarantee it."

She nods enthusiastically, and hurries out to spread the news. I take one last look at the governor, and snort because he's drooling. Well, hopefully this is the last I see of him. I pat him on the head, then take my leave by way of the window.

~~~***~~~

The next few days pass quietly, but it's nice after such a hectic episode. Shana left not long after I got back that morning, so I told her to tell the Taskmaster that I would be even later getting home. I'm not sure it went over well, but what can you do? I'll probably be sent to Juno or Lighthalzen or even Amatsu after this to make up for it. Amatsu would be nice, actually. Shana's often told me of the geisha houses of her homeland. They sound like such wondrous womanly paradises.

To pass the time, I thought about Haru. Did she make it back okay? Is the replacement coming? Does she wear black lace for her special person? That last one got me particularly worked up one night, but I had to take care of it myself. I fantasize about kidnapping her and smuggling her into a hotel so that I can spend a steamy night with her. I wonder if she already has someone... I hope she hasn't forgotten about me.

After three days, as I'm surveying the governor's mansion from a tree branch, what can only be described as his replacement rolls up in an expensive-looking, but surprisingly modest, carriage. A man steps out, and I'm surprised to see how young he is. He's around thirty, but he's got such fierce and honest eyes. He looks like he'll do well. Following him are the unofficial chief of the town and one of the men I saw thanking Haru that day. Meanwhile, another carriage rolls up, and this one is filled with Prontera Royal Guardsmen, and they look like they mean business. They knock at the door, and for some reason the governor opens it himself. He looks tired and worn. I guess his staff abandoned him. They had been looking livelier in the town. The new governor and he exchange a few words, but the fatter man already looks defeated. He allows himself to be led away in handcuffs, and the other trio watch as he's taken to the carriage and driven off. They talk amongst each other for a moment, and then the chief appears to break down in happy tears, while the other man tries to calm him down. For his part, the new governor claps him on the shoulder and smiles sincerely at him. I smile, too, and it's time I took my leave.

I'm gone within the hour.