A/n Wow It was great hearing from all of you, Dear Readers. I am sorry that Kaoru did have such a tough, horrible childhood, but it was necessary for her story. She opens up much more in these next chapters. I feel Kaoru is like a flower that grows more and more wonderful the more she is taken care of. But don't think she'll go soft!
Many of you are very sure of my naming abilities. So I'll continue hunting for just the right names. Although If you still have names you want to offer up, please feel free too.
Alright, enough of my talking! On to the story!

Chapter 4

The lush green faded away and so did the sharp craggy mountains. Kaoru had always seen their shadow in the distance, but now she was flying over them. They passed scrub lands and out ahead of them, when Kaoru was brave enough to steal a look, she could see the earth browns of desert. Then a large river passed under them. The blue line snaked across the earth like a vein. They didn't fly very far; they had been in the air for at most half an hour. Yet to Kaoru it felt as if she had been gone from her home all day. Her hands were cramping from holding on to the rider with a death grip, and her head was starting to pound from being hung nearly upside down.

But she wasn't about to complain. She was away from Gokuki, that alone felt like freedom. A feeling so sweet, like cool water after working in the dirt all day. She had to stop her eyes from watering more than once at the thought of never having to see that fat face, or feel the sting of the switch again.

The rider, for the most part was silent, with only a few words to his dragon.

Kaoru thought about asking him where he was taking her. Was she going to another farm? Anything had to be better than Gokuki. Perhaps she was going to the Northern Kingdom and would work the fields there? So many possibilities, but Kaoru was not afraid, after living through the beatings she had, she knew she could survive anything. She was only very unsure of her abilities. She was only a farm hand after all. And yet, Kaoru was determined to do her best. If she had to learn new skills she would apply herself as diligently as if Gokuki was standing behind her with his switch and whip.

Suddenly the dragon angled his wings and they dropped from the sky. Kaoru felt her stomach and heart rise up her throat as she felt weightless. Only the strong arm of the rider kept her from floating up off the dragon. She couldn't help the screech she gave as she clung with renewed force. The wind roared loudly in her ears and the commands the rider gave were lost in the noise, but the dragon must have understood, for his wings moved again. Instead of falling they were now drifting downward in a lazy spiral, like a bird.

Kaoru was gasping for breath, her heart thumped against her ribs. She glanced back down to see that the earth was much closer now. Fields stretched out from a small city. The various green shades of the crops and herds of animals made a patchwork of the earth. But the fields were too massive for the city. Kaoru was sure fields of those sizes would feed an army of people. It wasn't until they drifted over the city and across a small stretch of hills and trees did Kaoru see the truth.

There was an army. An army of soldiers, dragons and riders. Nestled in a small wood were barracks of wood and stone. Soldiers could be seen coming and going along the paths in and out of the woods. To left a large field opened up. In the center a great structure of white and gray stone stood in contrast to the dusty and dark browns of the earth. A honeycomb network of walls and open hallways, great rooms connected to each other. All as massive as the city they had just past. Dragons flew lazily around them. Each one with its own rider. And more dragon heads and great wingspans could be seen poking out from the stone walls.

Right beside the compound was a large grassy field and part of it had obviously been worn away by the many landings of the dragons. But the giant black creature flew right over it and into a wide open square, hovered for a moment before gently landing. Kaoru felt herself sliding and her feet touched the ground and there her bottom hit the stone tiles, glad to be on the earth again.

All around her men women and children went about their day, as if a dragon landing in the middle of their square was nothing new. Kaoru was nearly blinded by the white capes and metal armor. There were more knights in this single square than she had ever seen in her whole life. And she could only imagine the amount more that were deeper in the maze of hallways and rooms.

It was hard not to admire the beauty of the structures around her. Stone the color of sun baked earth and as smooth as river rocks covered every surface. Reds and oranges, tans and cream were assembled in various patterns.

Yet as beautiful as it was, Kaoru found it hard to admire it. All around her was the enemy; perhaps the very men and dragons that had been responsible for torching their fields and orchards and killing her father. There we so many, a sea of white uniforms, shining armor and the place was thick with the smell of dragons. It brought back memories she thought she had long forgotten. That smell, dragon fire. She thought she was being taken to another farm, not right into an army compound.

Kaoru jumped as the rider's boots hit the ground behind her. She turned and looked up at him. He seemed rather kind in the few words he had spoken to her. Yet that was before he took her away from her master. Kaoru hoped that he would find a new master that was far better. She wondered how long that would take. She didn't want to be here any longer than she had to be.

Loud clicking steps drew her attention away from the rider and she found herself looking up, up, up at a rather large man. He wore an impossibly white trench coat trimmed in silver over a mossy green tunic and brown leather pants. Black boots as shiny as mirrors paused just feet from her. His stern face looked down at her with a raised ebony eyebrow. His features were sharp, almost stern.

"Stray pup?" He asked the rider.

"Hardly." Came the response as the rider turned and tug at one of the many leather straps, working to undo the many buckles. "You're right, I need a page boy. I'm not as young as I used to be, that I'm not."

"Looks like a stray." Icy blue eyes roamed over Kaoru. With her feeling back in her legs she hurried to her feet. Did this rider mean to use her as a page? She struggled to tamp down the panic that crawled up her throat, causing her face to prickle.

"His master was an unholy terror." Purple eyes glanced at her. "He'd of died by winter."

Kaoru suddenly felt aware of every jutting bone on her lanky body, years of crusted dirt, and feet with soles as thick as leather, having not worn shoes in ten years. Was she really in that bad of state? She fought the urge to glance down at herself.

The tall man gave a whistle and a boy of maybe eight appeared out of the crowd. "Fetch Molli." Was all the man said and the boy was off like a shot and vanished among the people. He turned back to the rider who had finally removed the saddle and the great black beast started to lumber away. Kaoru watched in amazement as apparently dragons can come and go like people. The crowd hardly gave the dragon a glance as they moved out of its way.

"You removed a slave from his master. You'll need council's approval." The tall man mused. "Not that I blame you." He added as he gave Kaoru another look over.

The red head shrugged, shouldering the web of leather straps. "I'll ask to be seen right away. I'm sure they will find no fault."

Suddenly the large man turned to her and Kaoru nearly jumped back. "What's your name boy?"

She froze. No one had ever asked her for her name. Even her master was content to calling her "boy." She hardly spoke, as a boy her age should have a changing voice. "K-Kaoru." She stuttered but spoke clearly.

"Farm hand?" he asked.

Kaoru nodded.

"Well I'm in charge of all the pages and servants around these barracks. You answer to your master first," he pointed to the red head. "And me second. Understood?"

Kaoru nodded. So the red-head was to be her new master. She was unsure how to feel. Part of her was thrilled to be away from Gokuki, but being around these Northerners…the dragons. There was a strangeness here, perhaps it was the magic of the North, perhaps she was just afraid.

"And though you are a Southern slave you are now property of the King's dragon knights. And if anyone has a problem with your shaved head, or that scar, you tell them to bring their issues to me." He snapped.

Kaoru could only nod, stunned at the sudden and fierce loyalty. Were slaves common here? Someone had to keep this place clean, these warriors fed. She let her eyes glanced around wildly but she didn't see one shaved head.

It was then that the boy returned with a round middle-aged woman in tow. She was slightly taller than her new Master, had large brown eyes and washed out blonde hair wrapped in a messy bun at the top of her head. She wore a simple dress with a clean white apron over it. "What is it Aoshi?" She glanced at Kaoru and gave a shriek that echoed off the stone walls and drew more than a few glances. "Goodness me child." She breathed.

The rider smiled and walked to stand beside Kaoru. "Molli, would you clean the boy up while I call counsel? He's to be my new page."

Molli bobbed a curtsy. "Why yes Sir Himura, right away." And with that Kaoru found her wrist in an iron grip. "Come with me, we'll get you clean in no time."

… . . …

Kaoru allowed the woman to drag her through many hallways and past many large buildings before walking through a set of doors. Kaoru's head was spinning, trying to take in everything and knowing she would never find her way back to the square if her life depended on it. Steam was everywhere and the room was thick with the smell of soap and humidity. Molli hardly paused as she pulled Kaoru through a set of doors before stopping. Kaoru blinked in the dimly lit room. A beam of bright sunlight lit up a large tub and nothing else. Outside the doors the hum of working women could still be heard but in the room it was only Kaoru and Molli.

"Off with those rags boy." She ordered as she turned to a wall of cubbies filled with clothes. "Come on now. Ya don't have anything I haven't seen." She laughed as she pulled out a tunic and held it up. "Mmm, bit too big." She muttered to herself, folding the garment and putting it back.

What was she going to do? She was going to be found out! Would they still keep her when they found out she was a girl? Perhaps she would be one of the workers, for surly a knight's page could never be a girl. With trembling hands Kaoru untied the rope she used to keep the too large pants on her hips and she kicked the rough fabric away.

"Oh, for heaven sakes, we haven't got all day." Molli huffed as she walked over and grabbed Kaoru's tunic and pulled it up over her head. "Oh my." She heard Molli say as the tunic was tossed away and the older woman reached out to the yards of dirty fabric that Kaoru had used to bind her chest. Suddenly Molli's face softened, "Oh my dear, you're a girl." She glanced at the bindings again. "Not a girl, you're a grown woman."

Kaoru could do nothing but nod. Then, "W-will…will they get rid of me…because I'm a girl?"

Molli blinked, as if awaken from a dream and clicked her tongue as she worked to unwind the bindings. "Pish, nothing's changed. Except that rider of yours is gonna have a shock!" The woman laughed as she tossed the fabric away.

Kaoru had never been so naked. Even as a child her mother would wash her with her clothes on to keep the secret. But she didn't feel awkward or embarrassed in front of Molli. The older lady had wise yet friendly eyes and a smile that forced others to smile back. "Really? It doesn't matter?" Kaoru asked and Molli ushered her into the tub of hot, yet not too hot water. The feel of such warm clean water against her naked skin brought a gasp and then a sigh from her lips and Kaoru sunk deeper into the tub.

"Women are just as useful as men my dear. Some dragons won't even take no one but a female." Molli informed as she picked at various glass bottles with what looked like colored powders inside.

Kaoru blinked. "So there are woman Knights?"

"Oh yes." Molli answered, picking a light blue bottle and returning to the tub. She sat on a small stool and pulled over a large sack. Kaoru glanced down into the sack and saw pure white sand. Confused, she glanced up at Molli.

"The sand's for scrubbin' all that dirt off ya. You'll see. You'll be as clean and smooth as a new babe." She took up and handful of sand and tipped the light blue bottle until a bit of powder poured onto the sand. "And this is soap." She grinned, "I'm sure you know what soap is for." And then the woman attacked Kaoru's back.

Kaoru braced herself for a harsh scrubbing, but even though the sand was a bit rough, it wasn't at all painful. The soap powder foamed and the scent of bright wildflowers filled the room. Kaoru watched as the woman moved from her back to her arms and legs, taking up and new handful of sand and soap each time. Large rolls of dead skin and dirt fell away to reveal smooth clean, if a bit tanned skin. Kaoru was given sand and soap to scrub her hands and Molli even had a small brush for the fingernails. Extra time was spent on her feet, which were so calloused that the woman was forced to take a very sharp razor to the skin. Once all the hard skin was removed Molli scrubbed them until they were sore but soft. Pure soap was used on her face and head, Molli used a soft cloth to scrub away at the dirt behind her ears and neck. Once rinsed with fresh water, Kaoru climbed out of the tub and a bright white towel as soft as anything she had ever felt was wrapped around her.

Molli was a frenzy, pulling various garments out to see if they would fit. The woman fussed over her thin body. "Ya didn't really need those bindings, my dear." She clicked her tongue. You've nothing of a woman's body." But don't worry; a few weeks of our good food will get a figure on ya."

At the thought of food Kaoru's stomach gave a painful twist. She was used to the pains but the idea of guaranteed food made everything worse than anything she had felt before. It was hard for her to hide the excitement of food from her face. Kaoru was given cotton undergarments and creamy tan pants. A nice leather belt was used to keep them on her hips. Then a cream cotton undertunic was fitted and over that. Molli picked a tunic the color of red earth.

"But why am I still dressing like a boy?" Kaoru mused. "If I should say that I'm a girl?"

"Oh this is the basic uniform of all the pages my dear. The only difference is the colors." Molli stated with a chuckle. "Don't worry, later I'll gather ya up again and have ya pick out some more clothes and even the sort of soaps ya want for washing"

Kaoru didn't know what to say, it wasn't often that someone was nice to her. Especially someone who was a Northerner. Perhaps most Northerners were nice. Perhaps she only had the luck of knowing the bastards.

"Now let's go, counsel would have started by now for ya so we should get going."

Molli didn't wait for an answer; she grabbed the girl by the hand and pulled her from the room. Kaoru followed pausing only to hop into a pair of simple sandals that Molli handed her. Once the shoes were on the women made their way back into the heat of the day. Again, Kaoru didn't try to remember her way, the turns and various hallways had her lost all over again. People were sparse in this part of the barracks. Mostly Knights came and went. And Kaoru tried hard not to stare at them. They were like myths and legends come to life. She had only ever seen them circling high overhead and now she was walking among them. It was surreal.

Molli stopped so suddenly that Kaoru nearly plowed into the back of her. In front of them was a building with doors so big that Kaoru was certain a dragon could easily fit. But a smaller door to the side was open and Molli pushed her inside. Light filtered in from many windows but it still took a moment for Kaoru's eyes to adjust. Much of the light landed on a large group of men and women all dressed in perfect white robes with gold trim. They sat in a semi-circle around a raised desk and in the center stood her rider.

Off to the side on a podium was another robed man scribbling away in a large book as they talked. Molli nudged Kaoru and with a point and whisper indicated that she should go stand with her Knight.

Swallowing her nerves, Kaoru clasped her hands in front of her and quickly yet with soft footsteps, slid up next to the Knight. His armor had been removed and his white cape was draped over one shoulder. He wore a fuchsia tunic and cream pants. His bright red hair was far longer than she had first thought. It was braided tightly and the braid wound across his shoulder and down his back to disappear in the folds of the cape. Now that she wasn't so afraid, Kaoru was able to study the man that had saved her. He was head and shoulders taller than she, but short compared to most men. His features were indeed soft, almost feminine. He turned as she grew close and smiled softly.

"There you are, you cleaned up well, that you did." He said softly. He turned back to the group and Kaoru stole a fast glance and them before lowering her gaze politely. A group of stairs lead up to the council desk, putting the men and women a few feet over their heads.

"So you took this boy from his former master?" One man asked. Kaoru flicked her eyes upward and saw that he was sitting in the middle of the group; he had a white scruffy looking beard and a thin circle of gold around his forehead.

"Yes sir." Her rider answered and continued to tell them what he had witnessed. The other members nodded and mutter amongst themselves. "The boy was obviously terrified of my dragon and did not deserve such a beating. The old marks I saw proved that this was a long term and constant thing, and as you can see, he is just skin and bones."

Again the group nodded as they looked her up and down. "Take record." The white bearded man stated and the fellow on the podium nodded and poised to take note. "That on this day of the tenth year, that Sir Kenshin Himura has taken under his wing…" He paused and look at Kaoru. "Your name boy?" he asked softly.

Kaoru's head jerked up and she cleared her throat. "K-Kaoru Kamiya…sir…and I'm a girl."

… . . …

Kenshin jerked his head around, only half aware that his mouth dropped open. A girl?

"Ah, I see." Said councilman Ohuri. "…Has taken under his wing Kaoru, a girl of…" Again he leaned forward. "How old are you girl?"

"Seventeen." She answer.

Now Kenshin reeled back. Seventeen! She was a woman grown. But she was so small. Kenshin forced his mouth shut as he slid up closer to his charge. Yes she was much smaller than him and he was small for a man. The top of her head only just reached his shoulder. Then it dawned on him. At her age she was a slave since childhood, and if she had been starved that whole time she never would have grown to her full height, just as he had. Hatred burned anew for that farmer, potter…whatever the hell he was. He was not fit to be in charge of other people. He failed in his responsibilities.

He glanced up at the council and took note of Chancellor Gabell sitting next the Ohuri. He was a much older man with bright warm brown eyes and graying beard. He looked rather interested in the story.

"A girl of seventeen as his page." Ohuri finished, blinking in surprise. He leaned forward again. "As a Southern slave you have no choice but to serve your new master. But I hope you take what he teaches you and use it to become important one day."

The girl….woman nodded her head vigorously. "Yes sir, I will." She said. Could a lowly slave be anything other than a slave? Kenshin could read the thoughts on her face.

"Well then all this is finished." Ohrui said with a loud sigh and the rest of the council was dismissed.

Kenshin turned to find the young woman staring up at him with undivided attention. "Kaoru?" He asked, and the girl nodded. "Please call me Kenshin. Not Master or anything like that."

"Yes sir…Oh, can I call you sir?" she squeaked.

Kenshin smiled, "Yes if that makes you feel comfortable." He reached out and touched her arm. "Come, You need food." At the word food Kaoru's eyes grew impossibly large and eager. And Kenshin felt bad that so much time had past before he could get her fed. She followed him closely as he walked over to Molli. The woman smiled, obviously enjoying his being flustered by the surprise.

"Molli, I know it's a few hours before dinner, but could you take Kaoru to the commons and get her something to eat?"

"I was going to do that anyways, Sir Himura." Molli gave a playful sniff, as if disappointed with him. "Don't worry, I'll take care of her and have her back to your quarters before sunset."

"Thank you Molli." He turned back to the girl. "Go with Molli now." He said softly.

"Yes sir!" Kaoru nearly bolted from his side and latched on to the woman as she whisked her out of the council building. Kenshin let out a breath. That went easier than he thought. The shocking state of the girl was all the evidence they needed to grant him custody of Kaoru.

A girl? How did he not know? Obviously she was much smaller than a woman grown and didn't have the proper body….and her head was shaved. Kenshin shook his head. He should have noticed. But it didn't matter; his dragon liked females and would take to her easily.

… . . …

"Now normally there are strict feeding times." Molli was saying as they entered an open air courtyard with dozens of tables and stools. Against one wall was a cut out and Kaoru could see into the kitchens and the smell coming from them was enough to pull a whimper out of the girl. But she swallowed it back as Molli sat her down next to the window. "But as this is your first meal, we understand that you might be more comfortable without thousands of eyes staring at the new page."

Kaoru gasped. "Will everyone stare?" She didn't know why, but her hand went to the scar on her bald head.

"Only at first." Molli assured, "but only because you are new. Now, let me go see about getting ya something to eat." She patted Kaoru's hand and vanished through two wide doors.

Kaoru could hardly keep still, having survived years because her mother and sisters would sneak her food made it a strange feeling being served. She strained to hear the women and some men chattering in the kitchen among the clank of metal utensils and the hiss of steam. The thick smell of baking bread and some roasting meat made Kaoru's mouth water. She nearly jumped when Molli returned with a large tray.

"Sit still now." Molli scolded. "You've been hungry a long time so I understand but ya can't eat too fast or you'll be sick." She said in a stern tone as she set the tray down.

Kaoru tried to listen but the sight of food took all her attention. There was a hunk of bread with butter already melting on it, a good few bites of stew in a small bowl as well as a bowl of brown rice and a small plate of steamed vegetables.

"Eat slow, you understand me?" Molli shook her finger in front of Kaoru to get her attention and Kaoru nodded. "Okay, go ahead and eat, I'll be back in a few minutes."

Kaoru was glad for the privacy as she nearly forgot all about the utensils and nearly dove at it with her hands. But she caught herself. Molli was right, she had to eat slowly or she would just be sick and what a waste of food that would be. She took up the bread first and bit down. It was soft, buttery and chewy and Kaoru nearly laughed at how wonderful it tasted. She dipped the bread in the gravy from the stew and tried that. This time she did laugh, oh it was so good. With a spoon she went after the stew. Thick and meaty, with sweet carrots and tiny onions cooked golden brown and sweet. The rice was next and then the crisp steamed vegetables. All they had was a light sprinkle of salt and that was all they needed. Flavors Kaoru could never remember burst into her mouth with each bite.

True to her word Molli came back and nodded in approval to see that she was only half finished. She sat on the stool across from Kaoru and watched as the girl carefully finished each bowl and plate. An almost forgotten cup of hot tea was drained and Kaoru sighed. She had never felt so full.

"I know ya weren't given much, but if you're not sick by morning the cooks agree to give ya a bigger helping."

"Not much? That was more than I've ever remember eating."

Molli winced. "The servings are much larger than that. You'll see, a page needs lots of energy around the barracks." Come, let's walk off that meal and get ya some clothes."

… . . …

Kaoru was starting to get used to the way the hallways and turns worked by the time they returned to the bathhouse. Molli took her through a new set of doors and Kaoru was greeted by women much like Molli, all working over large copper tubs full of laundry. Everyone looked happy, if a bit tired now that the day was starting to end. Once they passed the steaming tubs and the lines of clothes, Kaoru came to a stop in front of a large wall covered in cubbies. Molli was already on a ladder and pulling various colors of rust red tunics and pants from this cubby and that cubby. Kaoru caught them as she dropped them down to her. Two more pairs of sandals and a pair of soft slippers came down with them. When Molli finally came off the ladder she had a silk Kimono draped across her arm.

Kaoru gasped, recalling the days of her childhood and wearing such beautiful kimonos. "But I'm a slave." She said as she took in the lovely blue and purple hues.

Molli clicked her tongue. "You are a page, and as such you will be expected to attend any balls or parties or celebrations that Sir Himura does, and ya need to be dressed for them. We have Northern dresses too, but I know being from the South that you'll want to wear kimonos." She said with a smile. "I have others, depending on the season, but this will work for now." She folded the kimono and placed it in a small white box along with a matching obi, a hair comb and pin. The rest of the clothes she folded and set them on top of the box. Kaoru took up the shoes.

"Now let's get ya back to Himura before he comes after us." Molli said with a laugh.

… . . …

"Why are there no ceilings?" Kaoru asked. There were many more people in the courtyards and hallways now. Not so much to be crowded, but enough that Kaoru had to make sure she didn't bump into anyone. They were all headed to the commons area for dinner. She made it a point to look around and memorize the various hallways. If she was going to live here for any amount of time she was going to have to learn to get around on her own.

"It's easier." Molli said over her shoulder. "Many of the dragons here won't do enclosed spaces. And some will just leap up and fly without a moment's notice. A roof would be a bad idea. And most of the compound is made of stone for the same reason. Stone is stronger against the dragons if they run into it, and it won't burn when the fire breathers go at it."

Kaoru swallowed. "Fire breathers?" Did Kenshin's dragon breath fire?

"You'll learn more about that, don't ya worry." Molli turned off the main hall and started down a slightly smaller but nearly deserted walkway.

"What happens when it rains? Or during winter?"

"Well all important rooms have ceilings, places the dragons won't go. So no one has to worry about that. Other areas, like the Commons have coverings that can go on in a jiffy if a sudden storm hits. In-between those rooms though such as these hallways, you're gonna get rained on. Here we are!" Molli paused at an arched doorway, much like the others they had past. Some arches were large, some were missing their tops and Kaoru realized each one must be different depending on the dragon.

Kaoru noted the silver plaque by the archway, but she realized with dismay that it had been so long from the last time she read that the words were lost on her. Inside were four walls ten feet high making an area as large as a house. On one side was a sand pit and there curled up like a large cat was Kenshin's black dragon. Beside the pit was a much smaller pit. This one filled with water. Though it was much smaller, Kaoru would still be able to use it as a tub rather comfortably. On the other side was what looked like a small stable. Inside Kaoru could see the saddles and a tangle of other leather things that Kaoru had no name for.

"There you are." Said a voice.

Kaoru jumped and turned. On the other side of the tack room was an area covered by an awning. Under it was a heavy wooden table and benches. Sitting there was Kenshin. Gone was the cape, and the braid, his hair was lose, tied back by a loop of leather at his neck.

"So sorry for keeping her away for so long." Molli apologized.

"It's alright, that it is." He said as he stood and took the bundle of clothing from her hands. "I can take it from here Molli, I'm sure."

"Alright then." She turned to Kaoru. "I know you'll be very busy, but don't be a stranger to the washing room."

"I won't" Kaoru promised and watched as the woman hurried away. She turned back, seeing that Kenshin was watching her. She ducked her head. "I'm sorry if you are disappointed that I'm not a boy, I would understand if you are." Abruptly she realize that everyone knew she was a girl. Most her life she tried her best to hide it, even from her family. Now her Master knew, she didn't know how she should feel about that. Relief, fear? She could be who she really was. But who was she? She spent most her life as a farm boy.

"Oro? Surprised, but not disappointed. A female can do anything a male can do if she's got what it takes, that she does." He said with a nod and turned.

Kaoru didn't know how worried she had felt until she realized how relieved she was. On the other side of the covered area, were two steps that stretched from one wall to the next and there were three doors, one on each end and one in the center. Near the center door was a glass window. This must be his quarters, Kaoru thought. Obviously the place he would live would have a roof.

"This door is to my space." Because his hands were full he nodded his head at the center door. "That one is storage." He said about the door on the right. "And this one is your space." He stepped up to the left door and juggled the clothes for a moment to get his hand free and he lifted the wooden latch and the door swung inward. Then he stepped to the side.

Kaoru blinked. A room? Just for her? Four walls and a roof over her head? Unable to wait, she rushed forward and past her new master. Inside it was dim because the only light was from a small window set high up and the sun was already setting. But there was enough light for Kaoru to see that the room was eight feet wide and many more feet long. Along one side were endless shelves and on the other was a small table and bench. Kaoru inspected further back where the window was and found a curtain pulled across the whole span of the room. Pulling it back she found that the rest of the room behind the curtain was her bed space. A large yet simple bed sat against the wall and against the other wall was a wardrobe. Both the bed and wardrobe, though simple, were made of honey colored wood carved with dragons and various other creatures.

Kaoru swallowed and blinked quickly to remove any threat of tears before turning to find her master leaning up against the table and smiling at her.

"All this is for me?" she asked, cursing the waver in her voice.

"Of course it is, a page is a knight in training, that he is….she is." He set the clothes on the table. "But you will not be sleeping in this room." He said, his tone suddenly authoritative.

Kaoru was putting her shoes down by the wardrobe when she heard this and she snapped back upright. "I'm not?" A bolt of fear lanced into her heart, but it didn't have time to form a reason for her to fear.

"No. You are far too skittish of Kokuei, You will sleep with him."

"I am?" came the squeak of reply. The fear burned anew.

… . . …

She was. After she put her clothes away Kenshin walked her over to the sand pit where the dragon was sleeping, breathing softly.

"M-must I?" she asked, half ready to get a slap across the head for asking, but Kenshin only smiled.

"You must not be afraid of him. He can not respect you if you cower from him. Also, you must form a unity of trust with each other, that you must." He walked into the sand pit and set a hand on the creature's head. Large ruby eyes cracked open and the steady breathing paused a moment. "Kaoru will be sleeping with you, protect her and keep her warm."

Kaoru was still as stone as the dragon's eyes slid over to her, he blinked once. "Alright." Issued a rumbling voice from the dragon.

Kaoru gasped, and nearly jumped back. "He can talk!?" she blurted. Her wide blue eyes went from man to dragon and back again.

"Hai," Kenshin turned to look over his shoulder, his hand still petting the dragon's snout. "Didn't you know dragons can talk?"

"No. I don't know anything about dragons." A tiny ember of feeling grew in the pit of her stomach, a temper that had always been stamped out by hunger and survival had suddenly caught flame. "All I ever did was plant and harvest and care for the crops and try not to get beaten or found out that I wasn't a boy, why would I know that dragons could talk?" She snapped her mouth shut. But from the smile on his face, Kaoru knew he didn't mind her raised voice. But when did she suddenly become so rash? Just because it didn't seem as though this man was going to be a cruel master, didn't give her the right to back talk. This man was her master, she was his page. He took her away from Gokuki She deserved a cuff across the head. "I'm sorry." She said suddenly. "I didn't mean to back talk in that tone."

Kenshin's head fell back and he laughed. "You punish yourself very well, that you do." The man said. "Do not worry, Aoshi and I will teach you everything you need to know about dragons. They can talk. Some, you'll have a hard time getting to shut up. Others…like this guy here," he patted the massive head and the dragon gave a content look, closing his eyes again, "are happy with just a word or two until they get to know you beter. Each breed is different, each dragon has a different personality. Like small children as they slowly grow."

Goodness. Kaoru had no idea. With a deep breath, she stepped up into the sand pit. The sand felt warm under her feet, very warm and she walked to stand next to Kenshin.

"Here, lay here," he pointed at the space between the dragon's belly and tail. Kaoru moved and carefully sat down and placed herself against the dragon's stomach. At once the large whip-like tail moved and Kaoru found herself pinned between the giant beast and his tail, sandwiched between them. Kaoru nearly jumped a foot if she wasn't so wedged. "There, now sleep, both of you." Kenshin said with a last pat on the dragon's head before turning away.

Kaoru watched as he walked out of the pit, across the courtyard and vanish into his quarters. When the door closed Kokuei turned his head toward Kaoru. Silver light from the rising moon glinted off the many horns that framed his face. Kaoru was a stone statue as the dragon moved closer.

"Goodnight." The dragon said softly before setting his head back on the sand and closing his eyes.

Kaoru let out the breath she was holding and nearly melted with relief. "….goodnight…" She whispered back, and felt, more than heard a soft grumble in reply.

A/n Well wasn't that just a whirlwind of adventure for our poor Kaoru. I'm sure she's all kinds of lost and baffled at such busy life. The poor girl knows nothing but quiet, slow farm life. Now she right in the middle of dragon barracks the size of a small city! I've a feeling she'll be able to cope quickly. Kaoru always struck me as stubborn and able to do anything once she set herself to it. We got to met Aoshi, just for a moment, but Yay!
Thank you for taking the time to read and please review, they are very much loved.