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UNLIKELY PLACES

The girl was pinned against the tree, a hand over her mouth. "Be good and you won't get hurt," the bandit's voice said.

She looked vainly around the deserted woods for help. There was none.

But suddenly he gasped and stiffened, before falling over and hitting the ground. She saw the blood, and realized he was dead.

A woman had appeared, standing just behind where the man had been. Her fan was splattered with blood, and she looked rather pleased with herself.

"Youkai." Fear washed over the girl, but the woman made no move toward her.

"Youkai woman," she replied coldly, snapping her fan shut. The woman shrugged, then looked away dispassionately, dismissing her.

But the girl found her feet still locked in place.

Suddenly the woman turned on her, clenching her fists in anger. "Why are you still here? Leave before I kill you too."

The girl saw the fury flashing in the red eyes and ran, forgetting in her flight that the youkai woman had saved her.

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Kagura watched the girl go, somewhat annoyedly. Then she glanced down at the dead man.

She wished she could so easily dispose of the one who held her.