Chapter Seven
"Koi," his voice rang through her mind, "Come to me."
Kaoru sighed, and set down her book though her eyebrow twitched irritably all the while.
She stood up out of the armchair and began to stretch.
An eerie sound came from the corner of the room.
Instantly Kaoru was alert, she backed up against a bookshelf, and soon found an empty vase to wield as a weapon.
"Who's there?" she questioned, a shiver running up her spine.
It was as if Battousai could sense her anxiety because instantly his deep voice echoed through her mind.
"Are you in danger? Kaoru!" he cried out mentally, worry etching itself in his voice. There was a deadly undertone to his voice though.
A deep chuckle rang throughout the room.
"It seems as if Battousai has let his woman wander, ne?" a chilling voice called out mockingly.
Kaoru gasped in surprise as she felt a cool silver dagger at the base of her neck. She felt the vase get plucked from her hands, leaving her defenseless.
"Who are you?" Kaoru choked out as she felt the figure behind run his blade delicately diagonally across the nape of her neck, where Battousai's mark was.
"Merely someone with a vendetta, little dove," the voice chuckled maliciously.
Kaoru brought up her knee to kick the figure, but he was too fast.
"It seems you still have your spunk, Kaoru-san," the figure said, easily dodging her attack, "But it also looks like you have lost all your manners. Is that any way to greet someone who has been eagerly awaiting your return?"
Kaoru narrowed her eyes.
"You're not going to get away. Battousai will find us. He'll-" she was cut off as the figure covered her mouth with his hand.
"On the contrary, it seems Battousai has become quite distracted now that you have returned, my queen. I think he's losing his touch. He didn't even notice my arrival. I think I should open his eyes, ne?" the figure whispered as he poised the dagger.
Kaoru watched in horror, and did her best to struggle against his hold. But to no avail.
She watched as if in slow motion the dagger neared her neck. She shut her eyes tightly, and let out a mental cry.
Then as if by magic the figure was thrown off of her.
She was enveloped immediately in two very familiar arms. She shut her eyes, and leaned back against her mate's firm chest, breathing in his scent. She didn't notice the other three who were easily subduing the intruder, nor did she notice Aoshi and Sano's deadly expression and Soujiro non-smiling face. All she could notice in that moment was how she felt against her mate. His presence alone was enough to melt all her fears away.
Opening her eyes slowly after a moment she realized that she was no longer in the library, but their bedchambers.
She looked up at Battousai questioningly.
Her eyes widened as she saw traces of tears in his eyes.
"Battousai?" she asked, voice dripping with sincere concern. He didn't reply, so she took a different approach.
She boldly wrapped her arms around his neck, pressed her forehead against his and murmured softly, "Anata?"
Battousai, or rather Battousai's demon immediately responded.
"Mate," he breathed, "Mate, harmed?" Battousai tilted her head back slightly keeping her in his arms carefully, inspecting her neck closely.
Kaoru was about to shake her head, but a low growl rumbled from Battousai's chest, silencing her.
His eyes darkened to an almost black shade from its previous crimson as he saw a drop of blood trail its way down Kaoru's collarbone from her slender neck.
"He marked you," his demon centered in on the barely noticeable but visibly mark that bordered his mating mark. Snapping his teeth Battousai stood from the bed, and ordered Kaoru curtly, "Stay." There were no room for arguments.
In an instant, he vanished.
That night, tortured screams could be heard throughout the castle; reminding all occupants that Battousai showed absolutely no mercy to those who dared to mess with his mate.
Early dawn, when Battousai finally did return he found Kaoru curled in a fetal position, and he mentally scolded himself for leaving her so hastily, and went to her side without hesitation.
"There's nothing to worry about now, Koi," he told her softly, moving a stray lock of hair from her face, "He shall never bother you, or anyone, ever again."
She was unresponsive.
"Koi?" he questioned, looking down at her with concern.
"Tell me," she whispered, her voice hoarsely, "Tell me about his vendetta against you. Tell me, how you can look so calm after you've just murdered someone? Tell me, just what have you dragged me into?"
Battousai gazed down at her, his eyes a swirl of amber and crimson.
"I can't lose you, not again," Battousai said, his voice heavy, "As for the scum's reason, he used to be one of my general's until he lost sight of his integrity and honor, and began a killing spree that threatened to reveal his...background. And what he did was unforgivable. He deserved death. If I hadn't done it, any of the others would've done so gladly. Try to understand, love." His voice was near pleading on the last sentence.
"I don't think I can," Kaoru replied.
"What do you wish for me to do then, Koi. I shall do anything but apologize for what I did to him, the bastard deserved every second of it," Battousai said.
Kaoru's lips curved into a cunning smirk, and Battousai sweatdropped.
"Tell me, then, about my former life."
