Demon Hunt

Chapter 3 A False Freedom

Warning: Not much in this chapter

Disclaimer: I don't own RK!

**Authors Notes: Hey guys I don't want to confuse you or any thing but this chapter explains how Battousai found Kaoru so fast! It also happens the same day as last chapter but much earlier that day. I am sorry that it is a little confusing but hopefully you will understand why I wrote it this way. Thanks Abby

The Battousai reached the gates of Tokyo just in time to be greeted by the early morning sun. He scanned the already busy streets for any sign of the woman but there was no trace of the elusive creature. He breathed in heavily tasting the air with his mouth and noise. Her scent was there, it was faint but it was there, and because of that the Battousai immediately started scanning the area again trying to see places she may have visited. It was soon decided that the large market place in the middle of town would be the best place to start looking. Only one thought came into the great assassins mind as he walked lazily into the busy streets. 'I am coming for you, my little Kaoru.'

Kaoru walked between her two companions for the morning. Sano was babbling about his latest fight with Megumi, or in his words 'the fox', while Kaoru smiled encouragingly. Yahiko stood on the other side of Kaoru, he spoke mostly about how perfect his relationship with Tsubame was and how Sano shouldn't start arguments that he couldn't finish himself.

"Yeah, yeah what do you know about relationships? Your just a kid, and you know nothing of what women really want." Kaoru smiled as she wrote down her reply on the matter and handed Sano the paper.

'He knows more than you do.'

Yahiko laughed loudly as he read over Sano's shoulder while holding out his hand for Kaoru to slap.

"Thanks a lot little missy." Sano's drop his head in defeat after reading the note. Kaoru smiled and patted the older man's shoulder before writing another note and handing it to him.

'Megumi loves you, trust me I know.'

Soon Sano was back to proudly strutting his way through the crowd of the busy market place as the three continued running errands for the Akabeko before it opened later that afternoon.

The Battousai stared at the threesome, it was clear that they knew each other but the extent of the relationship were unknown. Would the man and boy protect the woman and if so why. The Battousai watched as Kaoru passed notes to both males then he watched how the smile grew on her face as they read the notes both males acted outraged by what was written making her smile reach her eyes and open her mouth but the laugh that was suppose to follow was silenced by the black ring around her neck. He watched as her face of joy became a face of pain as tears sprouted from her eyes and her hands dropped the note pad and pen and clutched her throat. The two males noticed her pain and began to try and sooth her discomfort. After a few minutes of the males fusing over her, Kaoru smiled again but this smile was different, it was a smile meant to comfort, a smile created to hide the pain she was still feeling.

The golden eyed demon closed his eyes to remember the smile she wore right before her laugh was quieted with pain. He started to wonder what her voice would sound like, what her laughter would sound like, if her voice matched the strength and beauty he saw in her.

"What are you doing here Battousai?" Amber eyes meet with ice blue as the Battousai turned to see his long time friend, he had known Aoshi was coming but recent events had caused him to be caught off guard.

"Hello, Aoshi, it is nice to see you as well." Aoshi mouth twitch at the sarcasm in the Battousai voice.

"You should have gone to base and reported what you have learn of Shishio." Aoshi's calculating eyes did not miss the way Battousai eyes would stray to the girl in the market place.

"I wanted to check on the girl. Why has the black ring not been removed yet?" Battousai was no fool, he wasn't about to look weak in the eyes of another warrior.

"Megumi and Tae have both tried to remove it but they were not strong enough the only witch that might be powerful enough to remove it is Tokio and she is on a mission with Saitoh." Aoshi closed the distance between himself and the Battousai until they were only five feet away from each other. "Why does it matter?"

"She could be the key to bringing Shishio down, is that a good enough reason?" The Battousai sarcastic revelation made Aoshi look toward the girl who was now helping carry supplies from the market. "I will be in charge of the girls safety from now on. Go back to head quarters and inform the them of the changes."

"I will tell them but they will not like that you have changed the plans. You are suppose to do whatever Shishio wanted you to do about the girl, in order to gain his trust. Tell me why have you decided to not go through with the plan that we have spent months on?" Aoshi's calm voice didn't indicate any interest but his eyes told the Battousai a different story.

"I told you, she is important, Aoshi. Shishio wants me to bring her back alive because he still needs her to carry out one if not all of his plans. She could be what we need to defeat Shishio and end this war once and for all." The Battousai watched as the woman in question entered the Akabeko along with the two males all three were loaded down with supplies that had been purchase at the market. He closed his eyes in memory of how she had haunted his dreams ever since he had left a map and instructions by her bed in order for her to escape Shishio. The plan had been a simple one, help the girl escape then hunt her down and do whatever Shishio had wanted in order to gain his trust. He was suppose to give her a taste of freedom and then take it away. It was nothing but a false freedom.

"I will inform the council but they will not like that you have changed the plan." Aoshi started to leave but stopped as a thought crossed his mind. "What will you do if they decide to continue with the original plan?"

"That is none of your concern." The Battousai growled out his answer as he leapt off of the building he had been perched on and disappeared into the crowded street. Aoshi narrowed his eyes at the crowded street below before leaving himself.

'What will happen if you are forced to take away the freedom that was never hers? What will happen if she realizes her freedom is nothing but a lie?' Aoshi walked slowly as each thought came to mind about the Battousai strange behavior. 'She won't understand, she can't understand that her freedom was never real. That she was living a life that was not hers, a false freedom.'

Golden eyes watched from high in a tree as Kaoru taught a young boy different steps to a kata from a noble sword style. A gentle smile graced the woman's lips as she corrected the boy's stance yet again. It was a different smile than from the two Battousai had seen in the market place, this one was meant to encourage the boy to keep trying. 'I wonder how many smiles you have little Kaoru. Don't worry I will keep you safe and I will make your dream of freedom a reality, this I promise you, my sweet Kaoru.'

The Battousai felt more than saw the glowing red eyes of the other assassin across the grounds 'Jin-e! So I was not the only one Shishio sent after Kaoru.'

Hello everybody I warned you at the begining of the chapter now I am going to tell you again! This chapter happened the same day as chapter 3 just in Battousai point of view! I know it might be a little confusing but there is a reason why I wrote it like this!

Anywho I hope youe enjoyed the chapter! Next couple of chapters are going to be exciting! WooHooo! Love them fight scenes! Ok enough of that

Thankyou to everyone that has reviewed so far you rock! Please continue send reveiws cause it is the only way I know what the readers want!

As always thanks for reading

Abby