Keiko looked out across the fields, her father and brothers had travelled to the town to sell the rice crop, and she was left alone in the house. They would be gone until dusk and with the harvest over there wasn't much to do around the farm. She felt alone and bored; she resented her brothers for being allowed to ride with her father whilst she was stuck indoors. Ever since she had turned eighteen, she had found herself wanting more than the simple life she had on the farm. She went to the stables to see the remaining horse, a young colt named Daisuke. "Poor us, left behind with nothing to do," Keiko said as she stroked the young horse's mane. Then Keiko had a flash of inspiration, her and Daisuke could go for a ride around the farm, the fields were vast and it would easily take several hours to travel around them all. Daisuke had just been broken in and was still a little rebellious, but Keiko was sure she would be able to handle him. She twisted her long dark hair up into a bun and put Daisuke into a bridle and saddle.
As they set off from the house Keiko felt a sense of freedom, the land stretched out before her and there was no one to tell her what to do, she could ride all day as long as she was back before nightfall. Her excitement spurred Daisuke on and soon he was galloping happily along the border of the rice fields. Soon they reached the boundary her family's farm. She didn't often travel this far and the forest at the edge of the farm intrigued her. She slowed Daisuke to a slow trot and moved as close to the dense forest as she dared go. The thick foliage blocked out most of the light and Keiko could not see anything past the first few trees. Just as she was about to lose interest and turn back a fox came running from the forest scaring the birds which were searching for worms in the field. The birds flew into the air, squawking with fear, all this startled Daisuke who bucked and ran into the forest. Keiko hung on as long as she could, but as the horse dashed between the trees, she felt herself slipping from his back. Then Daisuke leapt over a fallen tree and Keiko was thrown off. She landed hard on the forest floor, hitting her head hard against the trunk of a tree as she fell, the blow instantly knocked her unconscious.
When Keiko came to, she was dazed and confused. She tried to move but found her arms and legs were bound. She opened her eyes and found herself surrounded by men. She looked around, taking in their shabby clothes and their worn out tents constructed among the trees. She was alarmed as it dawned on her that she had been captured by bandits. Her father had told her and her brothers stories of the dangerous bandits who roamed the woods and attacked merchants as they passed through on their way to the town. She had clearly been unconscious for some time as it was now dark, the men were all gathered around a fire eating and laughing. She prayed that they would not notice she was awake, but almost immediately after she wished it one of the men turned to check on her. Their eyes met hers wide with fear, his narrowing as he smiled an evil, devious smile.
"Looks like our guest is awake," he said, and the men all turned from the fire to look at her. They leered at her, and then started to advance upon her, arguing about who would get to enjoy her first.
Keiko was terrified, she had never been with a man but she had heard stories of bandits abusing their captives in depraved ways. Keiko tried to stand, run, but the ropes that bound her were too tight, and she fell down again. She furiously tried to crawl away, but hands grabbed at her from behind. One of the men dragged her to her feet and began to tear at her clothes, her hair falling around her face as she struggled to stop him. She screamed and tried to push him away, but she was surrounded and even if she could beat this man away, there were at least twenty more eager to replace him. He ripped away her dress leaving her in her revealing undergarments. Her slim figure and dark bush were clearly visible beneath the flimsy material, her nipples sticking out due to the cold night air. The sight of her lithe young body spurred the man on as he scrambled to undress her further. He tore away at the material, egged on by his companions, until all of her pale flesh was on show. She screamed again, trying to cover her now naked breasts, then suddenly there was a thud and the man slumped against her. Keiko saw an arrow sticking out of the man's back; the rest of the bandits started to shout and ran to grab their weapons. In the confusion she was able to wriggle free of her bindings, which had been loosened by the man as he'd undressed her. She started to run into the forest away from the camp, but was scooped up from behind and pulled up onto a horse. She could not see her captor but fought him with all the strength she had.
"Don't struggle," her captor said pulling her into more comfortable position on the horse, "I'm here to help you."
