A.N: Can someone tell me how to get rid of all that extra space between paragraphs between the post?  As well, how do I get rid of that long blank space after my chapter, before the review button.  I'm getting complaints that all the scrolling down people have to do is getting annoying.  So, anyone…leave me a message in the review section, or just e-mail me.  Arigatou! *bows, and returns to typing the story*

       Sniff…sniff…I just finished watching the second Seisouhen OVA…and now I'm in tears!  Sigh…at least they will be together eternally.  I kind of regret watching it, and at the same

Yeah…I'm working on Taming the Fires, so please wait just a longer minna.  But in the meantime…I present the third chapter for Break Me.

Chapter Three    

"Mmm…" Megumi purred as she lay content, spooned against Sanosuke's chest.  She twisted her head slightly to see the time on her clock.  It read eight in the morning, and hour later than when she usually got up.  Then again, last night she was slightly…occupied with a certain person.  She cast a glance Sanosuke's sleeping body, sprawled out on the futon, one arm over his forehead, the other one pillowing her head. 

      She reached for the yukata that was hastily thrown on the ground the night before, however was pulled right back underneath the covers.  "What do you think you're doing kitsune?" Sanosuke growled into her ear. 

"Getting up, what does it look like I'm doing?" she snapped back as she broke free of his hold. 

But he was quicker, and her back in his arms again.  "It's too early to get up koibito," he whispered before he began to nibble on the edge of her ear.  He planted kisses on her neck, trailing downwards…

      Megumi pushed him away.  "You're so lazy…it's already eight," she muttered, but was pulled right back.  This time Sanosuke's mouth went lower, brushing feather light kisses along her collarbone, his tongue following after to taste her creamy skin.  She moaned softly at the exquisite feeling.  Who would have guessed that such a rough looking ex-gangster could be such a tender lover. 

"Are you sure you want to leave?" he asked, his voice rough and husky as he kissed the spot between the valley of her breasts.

"But Hiko-sama…" she breathed.

"That old man will understand.  I'm sure he knows that a Fox-doctor works better when she's satisfied."

"Sano…"

      The man grinned his trademark cocky grin and pulled the covers over them.

***********************************************************************************************

      Kenshin woke up to something wonderfully soft and warm beside him.  He yawned once and rubbed one eye, trying to take away the sleep.  He noticed he had shifted during the night and was now lying on his back, half of Kaoru's now lying on his chest, one arm tightly wrapped around his waist.  He eased her off of him, and turned on to his side.  Even in her sleep the girl curled back up against him.  Kenshin observed her sleeping figure.  Her long black hair was strewn all over the place.  Her youthful face held a calm and serene look.  One bare shoulder could be seen as her yukata was shifted during her sleep.  The piece of clothing also showed off the top curve of one breast.  Realizing he was almost leering at her, he smacked himself mentally.  He brushed the back of her hand against her cheek gently, marvelling at her smooth complexion.

"Mmmm…" Kaoru stirred from her sleep, as she was brought back into reality by Kenshin's light touch.  She opened her eyes and saw a tender smile on his face as he gazed back at her with his violet eyes.

"Sumimasen," he whispered.

"Aa…" she replied, not really paying attention to anything she said.  At the moment she was only aware at the closeness of the two, than anything else.  She realized she was curled up tight against him, feeling the heat of his chest against hers.

"Kaoru…"

"Hai?" she replied.

"Nothing…" he murmured.

"Ano…Kenshin, do you mind this…" she started.

"Iie."

      They remained silent as she attempted to go back to sleep again, hiding her face in the crook of his neck.  He chuckled at the attempt, as he noticed it was already quite late.  He could already hear some people awake around the house.  Taking a look at the clock on the desk, he realized it was quite late, already ten.  He was usually an early riser in the morning, a habit that his Shishou had knocked into him when he was young.

"I think it's time to get up Kaoru," he said softly, as he gently shook her shoulder.  She muttered something as she opened her eyes again.  He kissed her forehead as he slipped out of the bed.

      Kaoru stretched and reluctantly left the warm covers.  She padded over to her closet and began going through the assortment of kimonos.  She giggled softly, feeling like a little girl who was just given many new toys.

"Ohayo Kaoru-chan!" a voice called.

      Kaoru turned around surprised, she did not notice anyone came in, nor did she realize Kenshin had left quickly.  "Ohayo Misao-chan."

"Having trouble deciding?" the small girl teased.

"Kind of," Kaoru replied sheepishly.

"Some foreigners are coming to work out some new business contract with Hiko-sama, therefore you need to wear something nice," Misao replied.  "I even had to leave my hair down for this one," she huffed running one hand through her thick long hair.  "Mou…it's so annoying!"

      Kaoru picked out a light blue kimono with white sakura blossoms.  "Ano…why is there a slit on both sides?"

"Those kinds are usually for me since I know ninjutsu.  It's easier to walk around and attack a certain little brat and a rooster head," Misao explained.  "I heard you were a kenjutsu master, so it should be easier for you as well.  But I have to admit, these kimonos attract more attention when you go out on to the streets."

"A bit more daring yes," Kaoru replied.

"You can wear the more traditional ones if you wish, but I prefer these," Misao said as she twirled around once to show off her kimono.  "Any ways, breakfast is kind of late today for some reason.  I guess no one got up early or something.  See you down there, ja!"

"Hai," Kaoru replied, before she shut the door and began to dress.

***********************************************************************************************

      Kenshin arrived in the dining room a bit bleary eyed, despite sleeping in for the day.  He found Sanosuke and Aoshi talking in one corner.

"Oi Kenshin, you look a bit out of it," Sanosuke said as he greeted his friend.

"Everyone woke up earlier than me today, what's wrong with me?" he mumbled as a response.  The only other person who usually woke up before Kenshin was Aoshi.

"Did you get it on with Jou-chan yesterday?" the man asked with a grin.

      He was hit abruptly by the red-head.  "Iie."

      Sanosuke laughed.  "Haha, I even woke up earlier than Aoshi today!"

"Did Megumi pull your ears to get you up?" Kenshin asked with a smirk.

"Uhh…yeah, kind of," he replied with sheepish smile. 

      Kenshin and Aoshi looked at each other and half smiled.  "So, how does this business contract sound so far?" Kenshin asked.

"It's iffy because we're not sure if we can actually send that much pottery," Aoshi replied.

"I see," Kenshin murmured.  "We'll see how everything does."

"Hai."

"Baka deshi, you're awake.  I was wondering when you would get up," Hiko asked coming into the room. 

"And when did you get up Shishou?" Kenshin asked his eyes narrowed at his master.

"Seven," he replied off-handily.  "Mr. Anderson is coming in an hour with his associates."

"All right," Kenshin replied.

"If they try anything underhand…"

"Hai," the three young men replied, fully comprehending his words. 

***********************************************************************************************  

"Hiko-sama, they're here," an associate murmured as he bowed.

"Bring them into the business room," Hiko answered as he got up, the three young men following him.  Sliding the shojo door open, Hiko entered, his presence noticed right away by everyone in the room.

"Ah…Mr. Hiko," a blond man wearing glasses said as he got up.

"Mr. Anderson," Hiko replied in his almost flawless English.  "Sit.  This is Aoshi, Sanosuke and Kenshin, my sons."

"I wasn't aware that you were married," Mr. Anderson murmured.

"I never have been.  These are what your people call surrogate songs," the other man replied.

"Lucky," the blond man whispered.

"Quite," Kenshin answered, his English nearly as flawless as his master.  Mr. Anderson and his entourage eyed the four men tentatively.  Hiko carried a ninhontou by his side, while two of his three "sons" carried blades as well.  The other one had a bandaged hand, indicating his strength lay in his fists. 

"So shall we begin?" Hiko asked as one of his associates handed him some papers.

      Kenshin and Aoshi looked at each other, communicating silently.  It was not going well so far.  This English-man was trying to slip through the deal in every way possible.  He tried as well to form some loopholes that benefited him.  However Hiko was quick at catching him as he was in Hiten Misurugi Ryu.  Every once in a while Aoshi would murmur something to him in Japanese, giving his input in the situation.

"Well Mr. Anderson.  I think a break is needed here," Hiko announced some time later.  The negotiating was getting more and more exasperating as time ticked by.

"It really doesn't matter if we take up this offer do we?" Sanosuke murmured softly to Aoshi.

"At what the other side is demanding, no.  There is another offer from England, and one from the Dutch as well," the man replied.

"He's testing his way through isn't he?"

"Hai."

"Smart old man."

      Kaoru and Misao came in carrying tea and various other mid-day snacks.  The younger men in the blond man's entourage smiled appreciatively as they watched the two girls set the dishes.  As Kaoru went past one man, his hand lightly brushed past her bottom.  The girl froze and turned around to face the man.

      The man had an almost leering smile on his lips.  "I appreciate the beauty of woman."  The man reached out another hand to stroke her cheek, but was smacked away.  Kaoru's eyes were blazing cobalt by now.

"I would not touch her again if I were you," Kenshin's voice cut in, his eyes glowing amber.

"She's just a woman," the other man shrugged.

"She's my woman," Kenshin replied, his voice cold.  "I suggest you respect all the women in this house, unless you want to get into trouble."

      The man locked eyes with the red-head, and abruptly his confidence melted into fear.  Those burning amber eyes would remain a vision he would still remember twenty years later.  They were cold, ruthless and dangerous.  They held a hidden challenge that normal man would never take up.  Never again would he see a man with such a deadly aura.

"Kenshin," Kaoru murmured, taking the former hitokiri's hand into hers.

"Let's go," he replied ack in his native tongue, wrapping one arm around her waist.

      Hiko Seijuro had a smirk on his face as he watched his baka deshi's interactions with the other young man.  He felt the flair of Kenshin's ki and saw the sudden change in his eye colour as the man touched Kaoru.  Yet he also noticed the abrupt softening of Kenshin's ki as she took his hand.  Right hen, these actions confirmed the fact that this girl would be the one to calm his student's mental turmoil.  She would have the strength to keep a hold of his still raging hitokiri persona.   

"As you can see," Hiko said to the blond man as he poured himself some sake  "We hold high respect to women here.  I would not anger any of them if I were you."

***********************************************************************************************

"Well Kenshin, you've certainly done one hell of a job scaring them off," Sano quipped when Mr. Anderson and his people left, the business deal cancelled.

"He was a jackass," Kenshin muttered playing with the hilt of his sakabatou.

"Looked like you would have sliced him there."

"If he went any further I would have."

"Ouch."

      Kenshin ignored the comment and left the room.  "If anybody needs me, I'll be in the garden.  Ja," he called over his shoulder.

      As he walked through the halls of his large home, he wondered when he had been so possessive over a woman, a woman he barely knew.