15 _ The Xiu Gang.

Coarse laughter were heard through the trees as the Two men drew out their swords on preparation for a fight. The leaves rustled and the branches creaked as Lucian , Hikaru and the girl were surrounded by twelve men . They all had various weapons as they glared menacingly at the three individuals brandishing their arms.

They were Bandits. A bunch of trifle thieves who stole to enrich themselves. They waylaid travellers in isolated places such as this and robbed them of the food , money and sometime their lives.

Lucian and Hikaru both shared a mutual hatred for these detestable beings.

They were cowards and nothing more.

"Where is your leader?!" Lucian demanded as he held forth his sword.

From behind the shadows cast by the shade of the trees a man came out from . He had no good looks as every thing about him seem crude and rough with no manners. He stepped out into the open and stared at Lucian with a grimace.

"Who are you?" Lucian pointed the sword towards him. "Speak now or face your death!"

Every Where was quiet as nothing could be heard but the distant rushing of water, when this Ugly man and his gang began laughing uproariously. Hikaru edged closer to Lucian. "There are twelve men but I counted two more shadows watching in the trees."

"There's one more. On my left ." Lucian said and Hikaru turned to wards the direction Lucian was speaking about. There was certainly a last man , who was crouched down and holding what seemed to be like a bow had arrow facing them.

Now the men had stopped laughing and the leader walked forward. In his hand was a sharp dagger, that he held closely. He was dressed in expensive clothes, fingers decorated with different rings; that were obviously stolen off of others.

He stood directly in front of Lucian that their faces were almost touching the other. "I am Dai Xiu, Leader of the Xiu Gang. This is our territory and you are trespassing. Luckily for you, For a small price , we might just allow you to leave unharmed."

"And what Price is that?." The girl retorted .

"Every thing you have." The leader of the thieves answered as he grinned and his men edge closer to the three trapped in the centre.

"Let us pass. We have no concern for you." Lucian lowered his Sword as he spoke angrily

Dai Xiu laughed reprehensively and continued in a voice full of false concern. "I'm afraid not. The only way that you are leaving this place is when you surrender all your valuables and then we can consider letting you go." Dai Xiu slyly glanced at the signet that Lucian had on his forefinger. It was made of rare bloodstone as the insignia engraved on it was filled with linings of gold and jade.

"I can make use of that."

Lucian looked at him fiercely. It was Aurora's, and Lucian had taken it along with him to be continually reminded of her love and affection she had once shown him before the cruel hands of death took her away.

"It was my mother's and you will not have it."

Dai scoffed. "Do you think I care?! " He nodded to his men who then immediately seized the three as The head of the gang pried off the ring from Lucian who moved wildly. Whistling to himself, Dai examined the priceless jewel in his palm. "Now this is what I call a catch. This beauty right here is going to sell for nothing less than ten million Yuan!"

"

"What should we do to them Dai?" One of the men told the Vicious man.

"Kill them..." Dai Xiu ran his hand over her beautiful face . Thoroughly disgusted by this image of a man, she bit his hand and he drew his hand back. "But leave the girl to me."

"Leave her out of This! She has no part in this." Lucian shouted.

The girl protested raucously as the leader of the gang heaved her over his shoulder and retreated back into the depth of the forests. She struggled with her captor in order to slow him down and find some time to escape. Digging her heels into his abdomen , Dai let go of her as he clutched his stomach , feeling the Immediate pain

Seeing her chance to escape, She took to running as she crashed into number of trees in an attempt to get away from the thieving outlaw. Moving too fast , she tripped over a large rock concealed by fallen leaves and stumbled. Her foot twisted and her ankle was sprained but she kept moving on , dragging her foot behind her. But Dai Xiu was not easily dissuaded. He chased after her and soon intercepted her pinning her to the floor as he fumbled with her clothes, his eyes filled with mad desire and hands driven by unquenchable thirst to devour and plunder.

"Get away from me!" She screamed as she sank her teeth into his hand in defence. "You will die for this."

"Uncountable times have I heard those same words and uncountable times did i have my way with them and You will not be any different." Dai said scornfully as he meshed his mouth with hers and ran his hands down her fair, delectable body.

Her hands groped around for anything to attack this man above her to give her enough to free herself and put this mess far behind her. She felt a hard stone. It was not as large as she would have preferred but it would do.

"Unhand her." heard a voice command.

Before she could take any action, Dai had already released is strong grip on her body and she quickly crawled out from under him. Standing above him was Lucian and Hikaru , One sword at his throat and the other pointed at the base of the villain's neck. Lucian applied a little more pressure on Dai's throat , letting his sword nick the Bandit's skin but do no actual harm.

"My ring." His voice did not raise above a whisper.

With shaking hands , the Thief returned the signet to Lucian who slipped it back on his finger. The men lowered their blades and replaced them in their sheaths. Rapidly rising to his feet, Dai Xiu ran away through the thick forest shouting these words back at Lucian...

"You might have survived this but the next time we cross paths shall be your last!!!"