Misao realized that she was in the middle of a forest tied in a very vulnerable position between four trees. The Oniwabanshu member (still fully clothed) tried struggling, but realized quickly that it was in vain. Whoever had tied the ropes made sure she was not able to untie them, as there were no knots present. Apparently they were tied behind the trees, and these weren't mere merchants. Voices could be heard a few meters away, but she could only catch part of what was said.

"So... do with 'er?"

"I say... into..."

"No no no! We should just **** her right now!" That one could be heard in full, and it brough new anger to Misao's mind. How dare they even think about that!

"Men! Quiet this immoral babble!" This voice sounded authoritative yet weary with the world, "The girl only needs to be taught a lesson, and we must not harm her! We will *never* bring ourselves to becoming common bandits!!" Misao's worries were put on hold as the 16 year old mused over the power of the man's speech, and of course the fact that he seemed to be their leader and in favor of not killing her. Footsteps could be heard coming closer.

A group of men, most looking to be in their early twenties but one looking to be abour forty. This man knelt beside Misao and spoke (suprisingly) in a fatherly tone.

"Dear girl, what is stolen is stolen, but when one commits a crime they should be prepared to face the consequences. We will not hurt you in any way, but my men and I agree that you must be taught a lesson you will not soon forget."

Misao replied in her usual manner, "Like what? Forcing me to run around in rags with you for a week? Making me work to pay off the money? I can take anything you throw at me!!"

"Not quite," one of the younger men said, "Dearie, are you by any chance ticklish?"

A look of horror shot across Misao's face for a mere millisecond before her training kicked in. If she were to say "yes" then it would make them test it. But if she gave a location- that would work. Give location, feign torment, and get off the hook without so much as a feather laid on her, "Oh *yes*, especially behind my knees. I just *die* whenever I'm tickled there!"

While that was entirely "inconspicuous," the leader picked up on it. Only an idiot wouldn't, "Men," He said, "tickle this girl over every square inch of her body with the exception of her knees. You'll get no results there."

The younger men moved forward as the elder stepped back. Misao realized that she was up **** creek with out a paddle now, and so resorted to a pitiful shaking of her head "no." This only pumped the men up as they reached for her...