SORRY SORRY SORRY SORRY *begs for forgiveness repeatedly*
It's been so long since I last updated and this chapter is so much shorter than it was supposed to be. I really have more written, but I wanted to post quickly and thought giving something is better than nothing. A lot has happened in my personal life that has prevented me from even writing, much less posting. Now, however, things are much more settled and I'm finally back at my desk/kitchen table. Thank you for all the support and enthusiasm. Y'all are just awesome! :)

Now, for the long-awaited Chapter 3:

Kaoru hadn't been sure how she would react when she finally saw Kenshin, but watching Sano's fist fly into his face, she reached a decision. She could feel what seemed to be a million eyes staring at her and she knew she had to end the spectacle quickly. Before Kenshin could reply to her cold tone, Kaoru grabbed his shirt collar and proceeded to drag him away from the growing crowd. No one moved to stop them, although Sano contemplated following just so he could find another excuse to deck the shorter man.

Once Kaoru stepped into the small cluster of trees behind the dojo, she stopped. Letting go of the once-crisp collar she held in her fist, she turned to face the source of about a third of her pain. She wasn't quite ready to look into his face again; it had held such promise when he first looked at her and then fell into confusion and guilt when she spoke so chillingly. Kaoru's gaze slowly swept from his rather expensive looking shoes up to the crumpled collar of his, what she now recognized as silk shirt. Swallowing roughly, Kaoru finally lifted her eyes to Kenshin's face. Her breath hitched and she felt her heart quicken at the look she found.

"S—stop it. You, you stop that right now." Her voice quivered slightly, but she stood firm. Damn it, I'm supposed to be angry and aloof, not attracted. Although I guess I could be all of that, just as long as he doesn't catch on to that last one, Kaoru mused to herself. Kenshin's heated stare never wavered. He merely quirked a brow at her odd demand.

"And just what is it I'm supposed to stop doing?" he asked coolly.

"You know what! You're staring at me like I'm—just stop staring at me!" Kaoru replied breathlessly. She flinched when Kenshin inched forward. His violet eyes seemed to darken as his pupils grew ever so slightly wider. Suddenly, his gaze felt almost predatory. Unable to break away, Kaoru's own dusky blue eyes widened as she caught a glimpse of gold flashing across Kenshin's uncharacteristically intense scrutiny. However, she didn't get a chance to question the abnormal flecks of light because Kenshin seemed to come to himself and back away a few paces. His eyes closed in what appeared to be pain, Kenshin began to breathe intentionally slowly. Kaoru's worry line appeared out of habit and she came close to inquiring about his health before she remembered her anger and aloofness. "I wasn't kidding you know. You really shouldn't have come here. You should leave now before an even bigger scene is caused." She crossed her arms and tapped her foot to show her impatience. Kenshin opened his eyes but chose to stare at a tree instead.

"Do you really think I'll cause a scene, or are you worried about your precious fiancé?" He practically growled the word as he clenched his fists and struggled not to rip the tree in front of him apart. It wouldn't do to frighten her at this point. She doesn't even know how I feel. She probably hates me right now and deservedly so, Kenshin thought glumly. When he didn't hear an immediate response he glanced toward her and found what resembled a gasping fish. He would have laughed if she hadn't suddenly changed into an angry, and possibly rabid, he mused, tanuki.

"I have absolutely no idea what you're talking about. I am not, and have never been, engaged to any man. If I was, do you honestly think I would have dragged you back here, alone?" Her breathing became heavy as she fought to control the rising bile at the thought of being engaged to the man she currently called boyfriend. She would never let Kenshin know that, however. As far as he was concerned she was in a very happy relationship.

"I wouldn't say alone, dearest. However, I do wonder why you couldn't have such a conversation where I could easily find you." Kaoru and Kenshin both snapped their attention toward the intruder's voice. Kaoru recognized it immediately and judging by the daggers being thrown from Kenshin's now lilac stare, he knew it was Jun.

Kenshin resisted the urge to wrap his fingers around the snake's throat and squeeze until its death throes ended. The rage burning inside him began to manifest itself in his eyes. He could feel him taking over and, as pleasurable as it would be to allow that side to emerge and rip every extremity from the slimy snake's body, he had to find a way to calm down. Kenshin would never allow Kaoru to see his other face, his true face. He could taste his anger and jealousy. Turning his focus inward, he sought the one who scratched and clawed at the cage it had been forced into. The conversation had to be brief because Kenshin didn't want Jun to realize he wasn't entirely engaged in the present circumstance.

So, you going to let me out now Boy? A raspy voice hissed through the narrow slit in its prison door. Kenshin used to shudder at the sound, but after training and meditating for years he learned the demon's weakness and that knowledge removed all fear.

You must be patient, Battousai. Now is not the time for your release. That will come soon enough. The thought-link trembled with the rage coursing through Kenshin's veins and it exhilarated the demon Battousai. Kenshin glimpsed a black tongue flick over scorched lips. He felt secure in his decision to keep the darkness at bay a while longer. Kaoru would not understand and worse, would be frightened beyond terror.

Is that hesitation I hear? Either you've actually grown, Boy, or the girl has a stronger hold on you than I thought. Hmm, interesting. Battousai spat the almost affectionate nickname for his host, but the salacious way in which his forked, black tongue licked along the edge of the charred remains of his lips while speaking of Kaoru cause the small hairs on the back of Kenshin's neck to rise with fury. He knew Battousai showed such crass behavior to incite a violent response, but he refused to allow himself to react.

The only power you have is that which I allow you, remember that Demon. With an internal breath, Kenshin retreated from the cloistered space within himself in order to face the demon standing in front of him; standing between him and the only person in the world he cared about.