A.N. I am very sorry for the long wait guys. Hope you enjoy!
Chapter Ten
"It seems," Battousai drawled out lazily, "that you have a little problem in following my rules, Koi."
Kaoru pouted as she watched her mate carefully, from her spot on their bed, tucked carefully within the folds of the thick down comforters and silk sheets of their bed, with her hurt ankle elevated.
"But, he was the one who kissed me!" Kaoru protested lightly as Battousai stalked closer to her.
Battousai's amber eyes darkened a shade as he replayed the scene again mentally; his inner demon completely craving the blood of the one who had dared to touch his mate so intimately, not caring in the least bit that it was Sano, his closest friend and advisor.
"And he shall be punished accordingly," Battousai concluded, and Kaoru let out a cry of objection that was instantly hushed when Battousai's demanding lips fell upon hers. The kiss was rough; unlike any of the ones he had given her before; it wasn't coaxing, it wasn't gentle, it was punishing.
But, despite herself, Kaoru let out a moan of protest when Battousai ended the heated kiss moments later. His lips tilting into his signature smirk.
"You are never to leave our chambers without my permission," he spoke deliberately as he brought his lips to press lightly against her mark, "You are never to touch anyone without my permission." He gave the mark a slight flick of his tongue and Kaoru shivered in pleasure, straining herself not to beg for more. It was pure torture what he was doing to her.
"You are mine, Koi, and I don't share," Battousai clarified, bringing up both of his hands and cupping her face gently in them. Her eyes were glazed over, "Do you understand?"
Kaoru's mind was so muddled in the sensations that she couldn't replied coherently.
"Kaoru, do you understand me? I won't stand for anymore of your early morning adventures," Battousai repeated, his voice sultry and entrancing.
Kaoru couldn't do anything but nod dumbly.
Battousai smiled softly, and pulled away. Not being in close proximity with him anymore, Kaoru regained her senses.
"What are you going to do to Sano?" she questioned, motioning him to sit beside her on the bed.
Battousai didn't reply, but the dark glare in his eyes told Kaoru everything she needed to know.
Her eyes widened in horror.
Latching onto his shoulder the moment he sat down, she quickly protested, "It was only a harmless joke! I'm sure Sano didn't mean anything by it."
Battousai didn't reply, but the murderous intent in his eyes was still present, and she could see the hint of red beginning to bleed through.
Panicking slightly, Kaoru did the first thing that came to mind.
Without thinking of the consequences she quickly engaged Battousai in a passionate kiss.
After a few heated moments, the two parted. Battousai's blood red hair mussed up from Kaoru's wandering hands, and Kaoru's face clearly flushed.
She met Battousai's deep amber gaze with her own, and murmured softly,
"I only have eyes for you, only your touch can bring this amount of pleasure."
Battousai's demon purred its contentment at his mate's words, and begged to be let out so he could ravage her himself, but Battousai was able to restrain himself.
"Promise me you won't go overboard," Kaoru demanded lightly as she delicately traced the spot where her mark now adorned Battousai's shoulder.
Battousai let out a disgruntled growl, but he knew that he would never be able to deny her.
"Fine," Battousai muttered out as he finally broke down. Kaoru let out a squeal of joy, and wrapped her arm around Battousai's neck in a loose embrace.
"How is your ankle feeling?" Battousai changed the subject, trying hard to ignore his inner demon who still strongly craved some retribution from Sano.
"It's only a sprain," Kaoru replied with a sigh.
"No matter, an injury is an injury. You are to stay put in this bed until it is healed," Battousai commanded, his tone made it clear that there would be no room for objections.
Kaoru pouted, but she knew it would just be a waste of time and energy to argue with him.
"Will you keep me company?" Kaoru asked, her voice sounding slightly childish as her bright sapphire eyes met his with an undisguised hope.
"If you wish," Battousai answered, settling down beside her onto the bed in a flash. He wrapped his arms securely around her all the while remained careful not to jostle her injured ankle.
Kaoru let out a contented sigh as she inhaled in the scent that she had come to find comfort in.
"Anata, I've been wondering," Kaoru began, her voice slightly hesitant, "about my family."
Battousai stiffened ever so slightly from behind her, but Kaoru continued.
"You must know, what happened….are they well?" Kaoru's voice was reminiscent, wistful, and Battousai could detect a small hint of sorrow.
Battousai tighten his hold on her, just ever so slightly as if he wanted to reassure himself that she was there.
"They are fine, my love," he answered her.
Kaoru let out a small sigh of relief.
"And what of the matter involving Yutaro?" Kaoru asked.
"He's no longer within a close proximity of your human family," Battousai assured her, though she could sense that he was withholding some information from her. Though as fatigue was overcoming her entire body Kaoru decided to just let it slide - for now.
"I miss them," Kaoru whispered quietly as her eyelids drooped slightly, "My mother…she must be so worried. Will I ever get to see them again?"
Battousai gently placed a kiss at her temple.
"If you desire, my love," he replied, "But I cannot allow you to interact with them."
Kaoru smiled and as she drifted off to sleep her last thoughts were of her beloved family; the family over which she had chosen Battousai.
Moments later….
Battousai gazed down at his mate with a soft look that was reserved only for her. Her impossibly long eyelashes delicately brushed the smooth skin of her cheek. Swiftly removing his body from the large canopy bed, Battousai leaned down one last time to breath in Kaoru's enchanting scent before leaving their private bedchambers. Of course, not before setting in some barriers to ensure that another incident didn't happen again during his absence.
Garbed in only a pair of black silk harem pants and a long flowing robe Battousai made his way to the grand room. He wasn't surprised to find his council already seated and awaiting him with bowed heads.
"Sano," he began, but the rooster headed man refused to meet his blazing gaze.
"I am eternally sorry, my lord. I shall accept any punishment you deem fit to give me," Sano said, his voice quivering slightly.
Yahiko stifled a giggle at the pathetic sight that Sano had made at that moment, but an icy cold glare from Aoshi silenced him.
"If my memory serves me well, the punishment for such a crime as you have committed has always remained the same," Battousai drawled, drawing obvious amusement from Sano's discomfort.
Sano gulped audibly. He knew the penalty, and he dreaded it - dismemberment, and possibly a grisly execution.
"How is her ankle?" Aoshi questioned, ignoring Sano's predicament entirely. He had gathered all the details he had needed from Yahiko prior to Battousai's entrance, and concluded that this was nothing more than another example of the brunette's idiocy.
"Just a bit swollen," Battousai replied, "In a separate matter, I'm certain she would look forward to a visit from you. She's missing her human family."
Battousai noted the mere shadow of a scowl that had crossed Aoshi's face at the moment he had mentioned Kaoru's family.
"Kaoru-sama shall regain her memories soon enough," Soujiro placated Aoshi. Apparently he had caught the ever so slight change in Aoshi's cold demeanor.
Sano glanced around at the others. The mention of his punishment hadn't been elaborated and he almost let out a sigh of relief. That was until Battousai's cold amber glare focused on his form once more.
Battousai regretted the promise he had made to Kaoru. Just gazing upon Sano's face made his blood boil with rage. His inner demon was still hungering for blood to be spilt.
"You know the severity of your crimes, and it is only due to your position as an council elder that I have not shred your body piece to piece for daring to touch my mate. And in addition to forcibly putting advances on my mate, you have caused her physical harm."
Sano gulped audibly.
"You understand that I cannot let this passed unpunished," Battousai questioned.
Sano nodded, resigning himself to knowing that he was now taking in his last breaths.
"Stop being such a bully, you big meanie!" Five pairs of eyes instantly went to the doorway where Kaoru's petite form leaned against the frame. Her fiery sapphire blue eyes intent on Battousai.
"Kaoru!" Battousai's body swerved around in an instant, his confusion about how she had gotten passed his barrier well hidden, but concern evident.
The other four, who were quite bewildered by Kaoru's sudden appearance quickly bowed their heads in respect.
"Stop that," Kaoru chastised the four who hesitantly raised their heads.
"How did you get out of our chambers?" Battousai questioned, his voice was calm but everyone could well make out the fury hidden behind them.
"Oh no….don't change the subject! You promised me you would go easy on him," Kaoru glared at Battousai; not the least bit intimidated by his increasingly darkening amber eyes which currently engaged hers in a staring contest.
"Kaoru, how….did….you….get….out?" Battousai had never felt more anger, "Did you not understand me clearly before?"
Kaoru sweat dropped as she recalled Battousai's words and immediately understood his outrage.
She glanced over at the four other guys in the room with pleading eyes, but they all diverted their gazes.
"Cowards," Kaoru thought as she scowled internally.
"I really didn't mean to disobey you. I just didn't like staying in that room all alone – you really do have really bad taste when it comes to color schemes," Kaoru babbled, wringing her fingers as she waited for Battousai's inevitable scolding.
"You didn't answer my question, Kaoru- how did you get out?" Battousai repeated the question once more.
Kaoru's eyes only reflected complete confusion as she looked back at Battousai's menacing gaze. Feeling a hand on her shoulder she quickly turned around to meet her brother's icy blue orbs.
"Stop intimidating her, milord. It is apparent that your barriers were ineffective." Aoshi said coolly as he gently pulled Kaoru off her feet.
"You shouldn't be putting pressure on that ankle," he chastised her softly; settling her small form into what was formerly his chair.
Battousai bristled at Aoshi's comment about his ineffective barriers, but how else had Kaoru gotten out of their chambers?
"Are you insinuating that I made a mistake, Shinomori?" Battousai asked, gracefully striding over Kaoru's current position. He easily lifted her up and resettled her in his lap his arms twisting themselves around her narrow waist possessively.
"Nothing of the sort, milord. I am merely insinuating that Kaoru-sama may be immune to your powers if she wills it," Aoshi replied, "If you can recall, she was before as well."
Battousai remained silent for a moment, his face thoughtful.
"Wait a moment- what are you guys talking about?" Kaoru interrupted Battousai's reverie. "Did you say you put a barrier on our room? You basically wanted to cage me? Who the hell do you think you are?" Regretting her words the minute they left her mouth Kaoru instantly quieted down.
Battousai had a glint in his eye now that she did not like one bit.
"I think I would much rather show you if you are unsure, my love," Battousai smirked as his hands moved from Kaoru's waist to trail down her shapely body. Kaoru let out a yelp as he neared her inner thighs hissing, "My brother's no more than two feet away!"
Sano's eyes followed the exchange between the two lovers closely, relief evident on his face. Apparently with Kaoru's interruption Battousai had forgotten about his punishment. Sano felt almost giddy with relief.
Almost as if he were reading his thoughts Battousai diverted his attention from Kaoru and centered on the brunette.
"Don't think I've forgotten, Sano," Battousai drawled, "There's still the matter of your punishment."
Realization dawned on Kaoru as she remembered her reason for coming here in the first place.
"That's right, I almost forgot. What do you plan on doing, anata?" Kaoru questioned, curiosity in her voice, "Nothing too serious, right?"
"Of course not; I did so regrettably promise you that," Battousai replied, "I was thinking…the castle's housekeeping staff could use a vacation, and I believe Sano would be an excellent replacement while they are away."
Sano groaned, "You aren't serious milord, it would take me decades to just clean the floors in this place!"
"Then you'd better get started," Battousai replied.