Chapter 3

Kaoru woke up with a splitting headache and a sore body. She looked around the room collecting her thoughts. Had it been all a bad dream? She wished it had been but her sore body and headache disproved that. Kaoru looked down at her clothes and realized someone had changed her clothes. The ones she had on had been dirty and tore from the days excitement. She felt her face go bright red at the thought the Battousai had changed her clothes. Unless Sano and Megumi had come back. The thought made her happy but also made her worry. What if they were harmed? What about Yahiko? Her brother's temper was not under good control normally.

"I have to get up and figure out if everyone is ok."

Kaoru attempted to get up but fell down in pain. Her side was killing her. Looking down she noticed her side had been bandaged.

"Great I broke a rib or something."

Sucking in her breathe she attempted to get up again. She got to her feet shakily and let out a breath. The room was spinning and she was dizzy.

"Ok what the hell is wrong with me? I have to suck it up."

Kaoru leaned against the wall for support and stumbled to the door and pushed it open with one hand.

She walked out and fell over something. Kaoru shut her eyes waiting to hit the ground but was caught in a pair of strong arms.

Kaoru opened her eyes and looked up to see gold eyes staring at her.

"Who told you that you were allowed to get up?"

Kaoru could only look at him speechless.

"OMG kaoru you idiot! Are you ok? You shouldn't be up."

Kaoru almost cried with joy at megumi's voice. That joy was short lived and she was cut off before she could speak.

"She's fine. She is going back to bed and staying there."

Kaoru tried to object but was picked up bridal style by the Battousai. Megumi looked at her worried and kaoru saw fear in her eyes.

"I will be in to give you some more medicine in a moment Kaoru."

She watched over battousai's shoulder as Megumi ran towards the kitchen. She looked down wondering what she tripped on and saw Sano sleeping. Figures, kaoru thought.

Battousai laid her down gently which surprised her and pulled the covers back over her.

"What are you doing here? Why are you still here? What's going on?"

Battousai looked at her with a mix of irritation and what almost looked like curiosity.

"I told you your mine now. I can't have someone taking and hurting what's mine now can I?"

Kaoru wanted to reach out and smack him but held back. Her anger however was boiling and about to explode.

"I am not anyone's property! I thank you for your help. Now would you kindly leave me and my little family alone?"

Battousai looked slightly amused at her outburst and leaned down to cup her face.

"You are mine whether you like it or not or realize it or not. I am not going anywhere." Kaoru felt his breath on her lips and thought he was going to kiss her. She flinched back from him and fought the weird feelings she was having towards him. She couldn't like him! Not when he was taking over her life and dojo! Battousai got up, smiling at her and simply walked out. Megumi walked in past him and shut the door behind her.

Kaoru shivered at the encounter and balled her fists. Megumi watched her with worry and knelt down beside her.

"Kaoru, you need to rest! You have bruised ribs and bruises all over your body! You're in shock from all the excitement as well!"

Kaoru looked over at Megumi and saw how worried and pale she was. She didn't want to do this to her in her present state.

"I'm sorry. Megumi what happened after I passed out?"

Megumi who was mixing tea and medicine looked over at her.

"Sano and I got back here and saw blood everywhere and bodies and this strange man. We weren't sure what was going on and we were terrified for you. We walked up to him and he told us what had happened in short detail but enough that we got the picture. Sano wanted to beat the crap out of him but I recognized who it was and held him back. I came in here where Battousai laid you down. I bandaged you and changed your clothes. They were a mess. Kaoru what mess did you get yourself into now!"

Kaoru listened and wondered the same thing. What had she gotten herself into?

"I don't know megumi. I didn't ask for any of it. He hasn't hurt any of you has he?"

Megumi simply watched her and kaoru felt so hopeless and like she was the blame for all their discomfort. She felt tears well up and start to roll down her face.

"Now stop that. He hasn't hurt anyone. He has kept a close eye on you. We are just thankful he kept you alive. We have to make this as positive as possible."

Kaoru bit back a bitter laugh.

"How when he claims I am his and he won't leave!"

"Kaoru, try to rest and not worry about it right now. Take this tea and the medicine I put in it will help you sleep. You need to let your bruises and your body heal. Don't worry about us. He has been decent enough and Sano seems to have hit it off with him."

Kaoru looked at her with doubt but she was hurting and tired. She sipped the tea and laid back. She felt her eyes drooping already and fell asleep instantly. Megumi fixed her pillow and covers and left her sleeping. She had to figure out what was going on and figure out how to solve the problem. She knew the perfect person to talk to.