Author's Note: If any of you have read my other story--Crimson Rose--then you know that my computer was being weird and crashed on me, which is why I haven't been able to upload or write anything for the past few months. I really do hope that everyone enjoys this chapter.





Tears of Infinity

By DemonicShdAngel





Chapter Three

Dressed in a black obi and red yukata that barely went to her ankles, the 19-year-old stared out of the large windows that had once been covered with crimson colored curtains. Her long lavender hair poured down her back like a waterfall as she looked at the beautiful scenery before her. Glazed over cyan eyes watched Nature in all its glory and sparkled at the breath taking picture.

"Enjoying the view, koishii?" asked a husky and powerful voice in her right ear.

Closing her eyes, Kaoru allowed strong arms to wrap themselves around her waist as a blood red cape encircled her lithe frame. Kaoru sucked in a breath of air as Battousai's scarred cheek pressed against her smooth right one.

Keeping her arms to her side, the teenager tried her best not to sound rude and hateful as she responded, "Yes. The view is just…wonderful."

"But not as wonderful to look at as you," whispered Battousai as he rubbed his cheek against hers.

Kaoru unconsciously shuddered as his voice sent shivers down her spine. At her movement, Battousai's hold on her tightened, his warmth enveloping her entire form.

"We're going to have guests over within the hour. A new kimono is within the washroom for you to wear. I shall be waiting for you in the dining hall," said Battousai, his voice calm and commanding.

Kaoru closed her eyes and nodded; there was no point in arguing with the Black Dragon. The demon's word was law and who was she to go against it?

So what if she was marked as his mate? It didn't mean that she meant anything to him except for a good roll in the sheets, and even then it was mostly him that did all of the rolling. Then again, if she hadn't meant anything to him, then why did he have demons trying to find her for the past year?

The 19-year-old bit her lower lip as she felt fangs brush against her milky white skin at the nape of her neck; hadn't he drawn enough blood from her last night?

Despite herself, Kaoru moaned as tender lips kissed her suddenly heated skin. It was as if a trail of molten lava was being left behind each and every kissed that moved up towards her left temple. Goosebumps rose all over her body when her 'husband' whispered hotly into her ear, "No more trying to escape, my little blue bird, or I'll have to punish you again."

Kaoru nodded dumbly as she closed her eyes and enjoyed the feel of Battousai's clawed hands slowly loosening her tensed muscles around her shoulders and back. All the pent up anger that she had for this youkai lord was slowly diminishing as her body began to relax; it was amazing that he knew exactly where to work his hands at on her body, but then again he was the one that caused her to become tense in the first place.

"Promise me, koishii," whispered Battousai in her ear again as she became comfortable enough to lean back against him.

In her state, Kaoru could only oblige by nodding her head before replying with a contented, "Hai."

"Good, now go change," ordered Battousai as he hugged Kaoru from behind one last him before quickly leaving her to stand by herself in a daze.

Giving a sigh, Kaoru walked towards the washroom and was a bit surprised when she realized that she could move without hurting herself. Getting out of bed and walking over to the window had been a great accomplishment to her after what happened last night, and now here she was strolling perfectly across the large room. In fact, she almost felt like skipping to the washroom if she hadn't remembered what had happened only seconds before. Had Battousai's touch done more than loosen her muscles to the point of melting in his arms? There was definitely something different about Battousai this morning, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it.

Remembering that guests were coming over, Kaoru quickly raced to get out of her yukata and into the kimono that awaited her. Even if she was sure that she wasn't going to like whoever it was that was coming over, she at least wanted to look presentable.



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"There you two go! I've managed to pack you two some food, blankets, bandages, and a few others things that you two requested for your trip while you both ate. If there's anything else that you need, just ask," said Tae as she smiled at Sanosuke and the man that she came to learn was named Jinei.

"Thank you for everything, Tae," said Sano as he took the sack that she had prepared for him.

Jinei did the same as the two stood from their spot at the table in which they had previously ate at in the Aoiya. After having told Tae about their situation, she had been all too glad to help them as best as she could. If her simple supplies would help them bring Kaoru back to them, then she was content on giving it to them.

"We'd better get going to Kyoto then," said Sanosuke as he moved the knapsack over his right shoulder and made his way to the entrance of the restaurant.

Just as he was about to open the shoji, the rice paper door snapped open to reveal Megumi with slightly pinked cheeks. She had run all the way from Dr. Genzai's clinic to catch them on time before they left; the 21-year-old smiled when she noticed that she wasn't too late.

"Here. Take this. The salve can be used to cure injuries by any of those demons that you might encounter," said Megumi as she shoved a small red container in the shape of a rose in Sanosuke's hands.

"Thanks, kitsune," said Sano as he gave her one of his trademark grins before placing the item in his sack.

"We had better get moving before it gets too dark to see where we're walking," said Jinei as he walked passed the couple.

"Well you heard the man; I've got to get going. Take care, kitsune," said Sanosuke as he moved to leave, but stopped when Megumi's right hand shot out in front of him.

"You better come back alive with Kaoru, tori-atama." Megumi's eyes were shadowed behind her bangs as she bent her head, not allowing herself to cry.

Sano smiled before promising, "I will. I'll make sure to come back…to you." The last two words were heard only by Megumi, who had slowly dropped her hand to her side.

"Have a safe journey," shouted Tae as Sanosuke raced after Jinei after a long look at Megumi

The ex-gangster waved back with enthusiasm as he turned around one last time before making his way to Kyoto.



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The young wolf demon fidgeted with her hands as she looked down at her shuffling feet nervously. This had been the first time that she would ever see the Demon Lord alone with the exception of her best friend being there as well.

"Stop squirming, Misao. You act like Lord Battousai is going to bite your head off; you brought him back his mate, remember?" Soujiro tried to reassure the female as they waited in the foyer of one of the Black Dragon's many private homes in the Ruby Realm. They had arrived only minutes before and already Misao was becoming anxious.

"I can't help it, Sou," whispered Misao as she forced herself to stop moving and looked up at the other youkai.

"Just concentrate on something else," suggested Soujiro.

Misao bit her lower lip and suddenly began to notice how dark yet beautifully directed the mansion was from where she stood.

The black tile of the foyer matched the crimson colored walls as sunlight penetrated through the three large arch-shaped windows behind them over the entrance. Moving her gaze to the area where two sets of stairs began, she noticed that the black tile turned instead into black carpet that led to the second floor.

Before she could begin to adore the decorations that adorned the walls, her thoughts were interrupted by a cold and powerful voice.

"Seta and Makimachi," greeted Battousai as he came down the stairs to the right, his red cape flowing behind him like water.

"Lord Battousai," said the two in unison before bowing to their waists.

"Stand," said Battousai, even though his tone made it sound more like an order than given permission.

"You called for us, Sire?" asked Soujiro politely when he realized that Misao wasn't about to say anything from her uncertainty.

"Yes. I wanted to thank you both properly for returning my mate back to me unscathed," said Battousai as his lips quivered a bit upward before vanishing behind a mask that was created through years of hardship.

"It was our duty," squeaked in Misao, before coughing and repeating her sentence in a more calmed voice. A slight tinge of pink moved across her cheeks as she looked at the ground in embarrassment.

"You both deserve appraisal nonetheless," Battousai's voice leaving no room for argument as he turned around and moved down one of the halls to their right.

Getting the hint, the two wolf demons quickly followed after the Black Dragon's precise and confident footsteps that seemed more like a cat's at how graceful he moved around in his house.

Soujiro gave Misao a sympathetic look as they walked on and gave her a reassuring smiling before keeping his face forward for the rest of their journey towards the dining room.

Emerald orbs widened at the exquisiteness of the finely furnished room. The chairs were made of black wood as well as the table and were polished until they shined. Sparkling silver armored statues stood guard at the corners of the room as candled chandeliers lit the place from above. The most magnificent feature of the room though was the grand drawing of a black dragon on the ceiling. Even if the windows were covered in blood red like curtains, it didn't take away from the beauty of the room; the mood of the meal was comfortable yet foreboding.

Misao couldn't help but gawk at the room and quickly straightened herself when Soujiro's elbow came in contact with her rib cage. He too was a bit astonished at how the dining area was furnished, but he knew better than to show it openly before a creature that showed no pity to those that let their emotions run loose.

"Sit," was the simple clipped word that caused the two to quickly take their proper seats at the four-chaired table.

Soujiro took the proper seat across from their Lord while Misao took the space to his right; the seat to the Demon Lord's left was left vacant for his wife. They were at least spaced an arm's length away from each other, if not more, so that everyone could see each other's faces.

With a snap of his fingers, dozens of servants came rushing in with plates upon plates in their hands as they laid it out on the table. The guests of honor gave curt nods in thanks for the plate as Battousai eyed them behind his red bangs while he took a sip of red wine that one of the servants had just served him.

Keeping the old customs in mind, Soujiro and Misao didn't eat until all the servants had left and Battousai had taken his first bite. Both wolf demons kept their eyes on the china that was now filled with food as they waited for the sound of Battousai chewing his first bite. Sharing a look of confusion when they didn't hear their Lord eat for the next ten minutes, the two turned their attention back to auburn haired youkai.

Ignoring the questioning glances, Battousai left his food untouched.

Gathering what little courage that she had left, Misao dared to ask, "Sire?"

Battousai gaze caused Misao to gulp as she felt a foreign feeling of fear and loneliness envelope her. There was something about the demon's eyes that was both scary and mysterious, yet at the same time it seemed mixed with something else…a dark yearning and longing for something.

Misao shook her head at her incredulous thoughts and pushed aside what she saw in the youkai's eyes as an illusion caused by the heat waves coming off of the food at the table.

"Milord," the same familiar voice from last night drifted into the room like the soft murmurs of the wind.

Three pair of eyes looked towards the entrance of the dining room to see a smiling Kaoru dressed in a black kimono with red roses stitched onto the silk with a silver obi wrapped around her waist.

Her movements were collective and calm as she bowed to her 'husband' and then gave a nod of acknowledgement to her guests. The fake smile that she kept on her face was perfected to the point that it almost seemed like a genuine smile; her acting skills would have placed the best actors to shame. During her years with Battousai she had learned quick and easily that if she smiled to her guests and kept quiet, she wouldn't be punished at night. It was because of this piece of information that she forced herself to learn how to smile properly before others, especially to the demon that was eyeing her with amber eyes that were brimmed with red.

Misao and Soujiro quickly stood up from their seats before bowing to her out of respect for their Lord.

A nod from the powerful youkai told her that she was allowed to take her seat to his left and she complied without a word. She knew better than to try anything in front of the man's guests, and knew that he always kept an eye on her to make sure that she did anything. But the moment that she recognized the other two in the room, Kaoru had decided that she would be on her best behavior. There was no point in enraging those that can so easily hunt you down and force you back into Hell, which was why she never went against Battousai's orders when he was nearby.

"Lady Kaoru," greeted the two youkai before they too sat down again after she had.

The moment that Kaoru sat down, Battousai broke the bread in front of him in half before taking a bite to allow the others to eat as well.

Silence fell upon the occupants of the rooms as they all began to eat their meal.

"Let's get down to business. The reason why I called you both here is because I want you two to look after my mate when I go back to my post in the castle," said Battousai calmly.

The only response was the clatter of a spoon.



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A/N: Sorry for the long wait, my computer just loves acting up on me.