Disclaimer: Not Mine.

AN: Updated, but without promises of further continuation. I have no plot planned lol. Since I didn't clarify last chapter, I'll say it now, this is an AU magical fantasy realm where magic, especially of the mind variety, is predominant. What Kensh—ahem Battousai was "doing" was all in her mind, the first half anyway. Hopefully that cleared anything up. I hope to not disappoint with this chapter. On the bright side, if this chapter sucked, I can always take it off and leave it a one-shot. Heh.

If you're back purely just for the sex, I think you might be disappointed. It's not just sex anymore. However, there is still plenty of nudity. : )

Ravage

By: B. Angel

All sense deserted her. She knew she should say something, yell something actually, as she was wont to do when something offended her. She knew she should feel something. But as she watched them, all thought, all emotion seemed to desert her and leave her empty. A ponderous empty feeling that she'd never felt before. And then her eyes rose, meeting eerie glowing amber. The moans of the woman writhing beneath him disappeared, faded into the background.

They watched her, those narrowed slits of gold so full of amusement and heated passion. His motions never stopped, but his lips curved into that increasingly familiar smirk. He watched her, and she watched him. It was a routine they'd established over the past several days.

Idly, she thought his silhouette was gorgeous. His blood red hair twined sensuously down his sculpted body in waves, haloed by the illuminating moonlight from outside the balcony windows. Yes, he was gorgeous. She dreamed of that body at night. Nightmares that left her shaking with need and want. Shame was something she'd become familiar with.

But— Kaoru broke eye contact and walked out the door. The hallways were empty at this time of night, most of the palace's occupants having gone home for the night or retired to their bed. Or to someone else's bed. She didn't know what had driven her here. She didn't remember now what she'd wanted to tell him, but she had the vague notion that it wouldn't have been a very pleasant conversation for him. Or would it have been? Kaoru was confused, and she couldn't explain this ache she felt inside.

Three days, three days since that had happened. Three days since Megumi had refused to speak to her. Three days until Kaoru had stopped scrubbing her body raw every night and finally decided what to do.

She'd sent Aoshi off as soon as she'd been able. And Aoshi had come back with a picture. He hadn't been lying. He was no mere ambassador. Himura Kenshin was a murdering son of a bitch, the king of a country of criminals and outcasts that no other place wanted. The instigator of a war that had taken her father's life, and ruined so many others. He was that man. And yet, he was also her husband to be.

She turned abruptly and stared out the windows. Her reflection stared back at her, her face pale and her eyes a little lost. It actually wasn't a mystery. She knew exactly what was troubling her.

No one ever believed gossip spread by Yumi, especially about Kaoru. But no one knew that Yumi knew the truth, that Kaoru really was no pure white innocent, that Kaoru had had "lovers" in the past. They hadn't panned out to anything of course, and how Yumi knew, Kaoru would never know. But Kaoru knew the illusion of love.

Kamiya Kaoru was beloved. She was a ray of sunshine in a war torn kingdom. Yes, she was beloved, but she had never been loved. For all they had saved their people, for all their people believed in Megumi and her ability to lead, they also sneered at a woman out of her place. It was a lonely place at the top, and Kaoru helped her cousin as much as she could. But it was also lonely near the top, and there was no one there for Kaoru.

Her reflection smiled. A sorrowful little smile that made her cringe inwardly away. Her country had always come first. Her country would always come first. It had been her father's dying wish to see the end of the conflict, and Kaoru had offered the only option she had.

Except—

Her fingers touched cool glass, a spectacular marvel created by a tragic accident that took old Okina's life so many years ago. A silver lining from such a dark cloud.

Except he's a cheating, lying, adulterous bastard…

She hadn't had high hopes for the marriage. But she had had hopes, and when he'd declared his intent, however despicable his methods, she'd had higher hopes. And now…

I'm a fool.

She was a fool, betrothed to a fool. Her silver lining had turned out to be a mere illusion of her own need.

But it would save her country. Wouldn't it?

"Contemplating much?"

His voice gave away no indication of his previous activity. But his eyes now held their predatory gleam. She watched his reflection move closer to her, the quiet rustle of silk the only sound between them. How had she been so desperately lonely to think that this man would treat her well?

Because despite all his atrocities, he had never been particularly cruel. Just efficiently expedient.

"Haven't you had enough? Did she not satisfy you?"

Father hated expediency. It cost too much.

"No woman can satisfy a man who does not want her." His fingers touched the edge of her hips, sliding around to embrace her. His head rested on her shoulder.

"I suppose other parts of your body thought otherwise," she retorted, and then inhaled sharply as she felt him pressed against her.

"On the contrary. My body is very much in tune with what I want." A hand slid upwards to caress her breast. A woman's moan echoed across her memories.

She stared at him for a single solitary moment. "Is that what you wanted?" She suddenly felt like crying.

She pushed him back, pulling out of his arms and turning to face him. "Am I what you want Himura?"

His eyes were opaque now, remaining hooded as they watched her. She advanced on him steadily, reaching up to slide one sleeve off of her shoulder. "Am I what you want?" She repeated, as she undid the strings of her dress and allowed it to fall to the ground.

"Tell me," she demanded, pulling her shift over her head and dropping it before stepping right up against him. Her hand traveled downwards and grasped him. "Is this what you want?" Her other hand pulled his and allowed it to rest on her breast.

She was crying now, she knew, could feel the cold tears slide down her face, but she never broke his gaze. "You wanted me right? Go ahead, Himura, take me. It's only fitting, what's a month or two, what's a few times, before marriage?"

It was only an instant, his expression never changed, but suddenly she was on the ground, her cheek throbbing from impact. Her hair fell around her face, knocked loose from its binding. He crouched in front of her, but she found she couldn't bring herself to look at him. Tears fell onto marble floors.

His quiet scoff was laced with disdain. "Perhaps I was wrong. Are you so weak?"

She was tired, so tired. She turned silently away from him, searching for her clothes and pulling them to her. She stood wearily and walked down the hall.

"Stop." The command was steel, and she unthinkingly obeyed for a moment before she started walking again.

"What the hell do you think you're doing?" He was suddenly in front of her, his eyes burning bright as they stared at her. "What is the matter with you?" She was surprised at the lack of sexual innuendo. He almost seemed serious.

He pulled her by the arm, opposite of where she was going, back towards his room. An image of a woman thrashing beneath him flashed into her mind, and she stopped in her tracks. Anger flooded her.

"Stop! What the hell do you think you're doing?" She struggled to pull out of his grip. "Unhand me!"

"So you can walk around naked for the world to see?"

She flushed but raised her chin. "That's none of your business."

"It is my business and my business alone!" He snarled.

"Release me." Her voice was that of steel. It had brought men to their knees and inspired a Queen. It had no effect on him. He continued pulling her. "Let go or I will scream."

"Really?" He stopped and turned to face her. "Go ahead. I'm not the naked one. They can't do anything to me anyway. Your little country can't afford another war." His eyes glinted in the darkness and she imagined herself slapping him, attacking him, anything to wipe that arrogant look off his face, anything in retribution of his callous willingness to throw away lives. But she was of noble birth, and so she did better. She could feel her expression shutter close. And calmly, Kaoru single-handedly pulled on her dress, pulling the laces tight in one yank and then stared at him.

He released her, his face had lost its arrogance, and his eyes quietly contemplated her. She backed away from him without another word. When she felt safely far away enough she paused for just a moment to study this man that she now loathed with all her being. And Kamiya Kaoru turned and walked away.

She strained to hear him, the silence pressing in and taking away all the sounds. But he did not follow. She didn't deign to allow herself to think, didn't know if she should let herself feel, didn't know what she should be feeling.

"You really do think too much."

Kaoru couldn't help it, she laughed. How had she thought she would be able to hear this man, who had slain so many that she knew to be great warriors, and who great warriors still alive feared crossing swords with one day? She was really just a foolish girl after all.

"It's late, my lord." She replied coolly, years of political maneuvering allowing her to keep it together despite her misgivings. "Please retire to your chambers. The Great Assembly ends tomorrow and you have your first audience with her Majesty."

Himura materialized beside her, but made no move to touch her. "On the contrary, I'm having an audience with her Majesty right now." The suggestion in his eyes was clear. She didn't know if she preferred him talking how he normally talked, but his pleasant—almost normal, tone was making her skin crawl.

"Please, my lord, do not speak such treason even in jest. Our Queen is much beloved. I am a mere Princess and no more. A bargaining chip to end a senseless war that never should have been."

"Senseless?" Himura repeated in contempt. "Nothing about it was senseless. Everything about it was necessary." He paused. "My lady."

"Whatever pleases you, my lord."

"Stop it." His voice was harsh. "Do not play such games with me. I will not tolerate it from you."

Kaoru's steps slowed to a halt, but she didn't look at him.

"What do you want from me?" She whispered. Her voice seemed so loud in the quiet of the night.

She could feel him shift ever so slightly, but there was no reply. When she finally looked up again he was gone.

"What do you want from me?" She repeated, staring in the direction of his room. I'm not the one playing games, you sick bastard. She turned and tread slowly back to her room, unaware of the dim amber eyes that stared almost uncertainly at her.

In the morning she tried once again to gain audience with the Queen. To her surprise, Megumi wanted to see her. Kaoru was ushered into royal chamber almost immediately, which told her that Megumi had been waiting. And indeed the woman looked harried, pacing the lush carpet, with bags under her eyes and her lips pressed into even thinner lines than usual.

"I don't know what to say to him," Megumi said once she caught sight of Kaoru. Her eyes were bloodshot from sleep deprivation and crying.

"Who?" But Kaoru knew who. Today was that day. Megumi was going to meet Himura Kenshin for the first time.

"That—that bastard. I just wanna wring his little neck—" Megumi suddenly stopped and dropped into the couch. "I can't kill the messenger, I suppose," she said wearily.

"He's not a messenger," Kaoru said quietly, not quite meeting her cousin's eyes.

Silence. In her mind Kaoru could see Megumi's eyes narrow, an angry look sliding over her face. "What?"

"He's not the messenger," Kaoru repeated. "It's him." She exhaled, lips twisting into a bitter smile. "But you can't kill him anyway, can you?"

When the silence stretched out Kaoru lifted her head to look at Megumi. Her head was bowed, and her hands clenched in her lap, wrinkling the fabric of her dress. Her eyes squeezed shut as though in pain and her lips were thin bloodless lines.

"How do you know?" Her words were calm, belaying the image before Kaoru's eyes.

"He told me," Kaoru said with a shrug. "He came to see his bride."

Megumi raised her head, and Kaoru saw, with some alarm, that Megumi's dark eyes were filled with tears. Megumi hardly ever cried.

"I hate it."

It was all Megumi said, and it was all she would ever say. The fact that they both wanted to murder him went unspoken. The fact that Megumi had always been against the marriage was also kept silent. They both knew why it needed to be done.

Megumi's expression smoothed out. "I guess I have to get ready. How long till my audience?"

"You have time," Kaoru assured her. "I'll wait for you."

The Throne room was nearly empty when she arrived, and Kaoru knew why. Gone was the slightly daft but amicable purple-eyed ambassador where now stood Himura Kenshin, golden eyed predator and warmonger. The menacing air about him had driven all the courtiers away and left the guards more wary than usual. There was almost a tangible taste of fear in the room.

He bowed once to her, smiling in a relaxed way that told her he wasn't concerned at all with being surrounded in a room with no exit. And if the rumors about him were true she didn't think he would have to be.

Things went downhill the moment Megumi appeared with Aoshi at her side. Her cousin was flawless. The bags under her eyes were miraculously gone, and her hair was swept in a simple updo with crown firmly in place. She seated herself gracefully on the throne, her dark eyes free of expression and her silk robes fanning out into picture perfect position. But Himura did not even notice her, for he had fixated on Aoshi the moment he appeared. Murderous intent radiated off of Aoshi in waves, though the man was as expressionless as usual, and Kaoru silently groaned.

"I've met you before," Himura began pleasantly, ignoring the Queen. "You lost."

Kaoru thought she could see the slightest twitch in Aoshi's jaw. Her hands twitched too, wanting to fist themselves close out of nervousness. Aoshi had come home badly off of that battle. Misao had cried herself sick before Aoshi had woken up six days later and ordered her to go away. She knew Aoshi blamed himself sometimes, that it was his absence that had resulted in the King's subsequent death. She hoped it would not come to battle now. She didn't think Aoshi was foolish enough, even if he, too, had been against this plan.

"Greetings, Himura. How gracious of your king to send an envoy."

Kaoru hid a smile. Megumi had apparently decided to ignore what Kaoru told her. Whatever is easier for you then.

"Let's not play games, Takani. I know Kaoru has told you. Her loyalty is quite predictable. I come for one thing, and I think it's time you give it to me."

Megumi's eyes flashed once. But she allowed none of the anger Kaoru knew she was feeling through. Instead her lips curved into a slow, gracious smile. "We have much to discuss regarding that, and—"

Kenshin interrupted her. "There is nothing else to discuss. The treaty was quite clear. You've delayed our meeting for over a week now. I've enjoyed your hospitality for far too long." He glanced at Kaoru as he said this, the amusement in his eyes making her slightly ill. "And it is my wish to retrieve my bride and return home."

Megumi glanced at Kaoru briefly, and unexpectedly her posturing dropped and she straightened with anger. "This is my family you're talking about," she said in a short and clipped tone. "I wish to spend time with her before I have to say good bye. If you—"

"You have had more than adequate time," he interrupted again, this time in a silky smooth—and dangerous, Kaoru thought—tone, "to say goodbye. Months before I got here, and this past week where you have been avoiding me with your inane assemblies. Now, my lovely Queen, shall I have my bride, or should I return home, empty handed, and prepare for war?"

Megumi shot to her feet, unable to contain her hatred for this man any longer. Quickly, Kaoru interrupted before Megumi reply.

"Enough!" She glared at him. "Do not disrespect my Queen and do not threaten us. We may not wish for war, but we will fight if you so instigate again, Himura." She turned away from him and bowed apologetically to Megumi. "I have to go, cousin," she said softly, "it's what father wanted. It's what I want."

Megumi's face shuttered close and she stepped closer to embrace Kaoru. "So help me God," she whispered, "if he harms you in any way I will do all that is in my power to bring you home. Perhaps you shouldn't have given up the throne, Kaoru. You wouldn't be where you are now."

"I wouldn't, but you would." Kaoru replied with a sad smile. "I can handle it better than you, Megumi. Don't worry so much. I'll be fine."

When they broke apart, Kaoru descended the steps and stood by Himura's side. She stared up at them, Megumi's calm face, her nails almost digging into the armrests, and Aoshi's utterly still and utterly silent countenance that somehow made the same promise as Megumi's words before. She turned away, knowing that if she didn't she wouldn't be able to keep her composure.

She watched as Himura Kenshin bowed to the Queen, and then he took her by the arm and led her out of the Throne room.

Kaoru didn't look back.