Author's Note: Hurraaay, chapter 7 is up. I'm so sorry for the very long delay but I've had my final exams and after that, I've internalized and reflected so that I could come up with the plot for this fic. And I've succeeded and I just want you, guys, to know that it's still a long way for this fic. But the plot is comprised of all the Julie Garwood books that I've read so a little part is inspired by this book and another part by that book. However, I tried not to copy (but paraphrase) because I know it's already plagiarism, the worst crime a writer can commit. So enjoy reading.

Thanks for those who reviewed!!!

ShadowCat, Lady Nightshade, Mizustarangel, Night Angel 97, S.S.K.A., marc louie, Lauren, dragon of the darkness flame, sbae222

DISCLAIMERS APPLIED!!!

CHAPTER 6: The Proper Husband

He broke her heart the day after.

She woke up unusually late that morning mainly because it was almost morning when she begged her husband to stop and allow her some hours of sleep. Needless to say, she was exhausted, and so is her husband.

That's why she was surprised when she woke up alone in bed. But she didn't let herself be sad about it because a logical part of her reasoned out that it was already late and maybe, her husband is just used to get up early even with lack of sleep.

She stood up and groaned like an old woman. She ached in that part of her body and she isn't surprised at all. After her husband's insatiable performance last night, she had to wonder why she could still walk. Yeah, her husband is that good, she mused to herself as a smile played on her lips.

A bath was waiting for her and it was still warm as though the servants had known what time she would get up. The thought made her smile. Just yesterday, she was arguing with Kurama at the thought of a servant, but now, it wasn't so bad at all because she'd known they're not being mistreated in any kind of way.

This is the first time she took her time bathing. Why? Because there are no chores waiting for her after. Now that she'd thought about it, the first thing that comes to her mind that she has to do is go and look for her husband.

But as she was putting on her clothes, or at least she thought it was her own because her closet is full of new clothes and she couldn't find anything that used to belong to her, (even her undergarments are missing!) her stomach rumbled. She was hungry and she immediately changed her mind about looking for her husband. Her husband can wait; her stomach couldn't.

She went downstairs and though she didn't know her way very well yet, all she had to do was follow that wonderful scent of meat being cooked that she was eventually led to the kitchen – to the surprise of all the people there.

"Milady!" Naomi exclaimed as soon as she entered and rushed to her, "What are you doing in the kitchen?"

Botan was surprised. What's wrong with being in the kitchen? "Am I not allowed to be in the kitchen?" she asked her maidservant, thoroughly confused with her peculiar behavior.

"Of course not, milady," she answered hurriedly and looked around to see the servants frightened looks. They didn't know yet their mistress and she could be evil to them. "This is your kitchen as far as all of us are concerned. It's just that, you're not supposed to be in the kitchen, milady," Naomi said, emphasizing her title so that she would understand what she's trying to say.

"That's perfectly alright with me. I haven't had any breakfast yet and my stomach's complaining already," she said good-naturedly and flashed them one of her most genuine smile.

"I can serve you in the dining hall –"

"That won't be necessary, Naomi. I don't want to trouble you," she interrupted and took a seat beside one of the male servants that he blushed. Odd, Botan thought.

"You won't be trouble at all, milady. We're all here to serve you," Naomi said and when she looked at the other servants, they all nodded in agreement.

Botan's smile vanished. "Are you refusing me entrance to the kitchen?"

Naomi shook her head furiously. "Of course not, milady. It's just that, milord won't be too glad to find out that –"

"if you refused to let me eat in the kitchen, I will tell my husband that you denied me entrance to the kitchen," she said and smiled when fear registered in each servant's expression, "I don't want to eat alone in the dining hall. Besides, I want to know your names."

She said and when no one spoke, she said aloud, "Now, where could I find a plate?"

If she blinked, she would have missed it. Because no sooner had she said it that all the food and everything she will need to eat were already in front of her and within her reach. She couldn't help but chuckle.

"Well, that was fast," she said and after offering the food to all of them, which of course they refused, she began to eat.

She was chewing one of the tastiest bread she'd ever tasted when she looked at the male servant beside her. She took a sip of her iced tea and, when at last her mouth was empty, she asked, "What's your name?"

She did this with all the servants and before she finished her breakfast, she knew all of their names already. When at last she was full, and she thanked Kami mentally when they didn't comment on how much she had eaten, they were all at ease with her. "Well, that was a wonderful meal. Thank you all so much," she said then turned to Naomi. "Do you have any idea where I could find my husband?"

But Naomi just shook her head, "I have none, milady. However, I could look for milord if you wish."

It was now Botan's turn to shake her head. "That won't be necessary, Naomi. I could do that myself. If you won't mind terribly much, please see to the mess I've left in my bedchamber. I would clean it up, but I need to see my husband first and I don't like the idea that he might go there and find it in such a mess. I don't want her to think I'm such a slob," she said and smiled to soften her command, she didn't want to sound bossy to her maidservant.

"Certainly, milady. I will see to it this very moment," she said then bowed before leaving the kitchen.

"I'm afraid I have to go, too," she said when Naomi was gone and gave all of them a smile before leaving.

*-*

She found Kuronue first. He was talking to one of the guards she met yesterday at the feat in the Grand Hall. And because she thought they were discussing important matters, she didn't interrupt them and simply stood at the entrance and watched them.

But Kuronue wouldn't have earned his position in the keep and he wasn't Kurama's friend for nothing. Because even before Botan could enter the hall, he had already sensed her presence. However, since she did not speak to him, he guessed she was just exploring her new home.

But five minutes had passed and she still hadn't moved from that spot that Kuronue decided to give her his attention, "Milady, are you feeling alright? You are on the same spot for quite some time," he said worriedly.

"Yes, yes. I'm perfectly alright. I'm just waiting for you to finish your business with Olic before I talk to you," she said and smiled at Olic when she saw him smiling at her. She didn't know, though, that the reason why Olic was smiling is because she remembered his name, one of the many guards of the keep. He should feel honored at it and it was really what he felt.

"It's alright, milady. What is it you want to ask of me?" Kuronue said and nodded at Olic to let him know he's dismissed.

"I haven't seen my husband since this morning and I'm wondering if you have any idea where I might find him," she said as she approached him.

"He's at the garden right now, milady. Do you want me to take you there? I understand you're not yet familiar with the place," he said and when she smiled at him, he smiled back. Something he rarely did. Kami, but she has a contagious smile.

She was glad that she didn't have any trouble conversing with Kuronue while they're on their way because she wasn't used to uncomfortable silences. "Is my husband fond of the garden that he's taking time to tend for it?"

"There's a gardener who tends for it. The kitsune is there to get some weapon," Kuronue answered, unaware of the confused look that crossed her face.

"Weapon? Why would my husband need a weapon?" she asked and she had this nervous feeling that she's not going to like the answer she's going to get.

"Why, to the hunt, of course. He's going to be away for about three weeks. Didn't he tell you about that?" Kuronue asked and looked at her.

Now, that news made Botan more confused. Her husband is leaving her without even informing her? But then, Kuronue's scrutinizing gaze made her say, "Now that you mentioned it, maybe he did and I just forgot."

"Ah."

But Botan was so affected with the news, she almost forgot that she was about to see him. She kept following Kuronue but when one of the cubs appeared and talked to Kuronue, she went on her way. She realized she's not yet ready to face her husband after knowing his neglect of her. She was quite familiar with the forest now, having passed there yesterday before their wedding, so she headed straight to the lake.

She knew her husband might be looking for her but she didn't care. She was feeling quite lonely and the fact that her husband is leaving her didn't sit well with her. She felt as though she's abandoning her. And without taking her clothes off, she went into the water for a swim.

*-*

Kuronue panicked when he realized that he'd lost his mistress ki. She was supposed to be following him, but when one of the cubs had discussed with him the new condition on the training field, it was too late to realize that Botan was gone. And he knows the kitsune is not going to like it.

So he rushed to the garden and barely even made the entrance, bellowed, "Kurama," and hurried to follow the direction of his ki, only to find the kitsune frowning at him, "What's the matter?"

"You're not going to like it," he said, then after a bit of hesitation, "You're wife's missing."

Contrary to the reaction Kuronue expected from his friend, Kurama only blinked. "That's ridiculous. She might be just off somewhere, doing a bit of exploring since she's new here. She'll be back before nighttime."

But Kuronue was frantically shaking his head at him. "You don't understand. She was looking for you and when…I guess I've upset her when I told her you'll be leaving for three weeks, and then, I was about to take her here but she suddenly disappeared."

Now, Kurama's looking at him in irritation. "What do you mean she suddenly disappeared? People don't just disappear!" he said, waving his hands in exaggeration.

Kuronue had told him about the cub who approached him and even before he could finish recounting what had happened, Kurama had already finished giving orders to his followers in search for his wife. Kami, he didn't realize having a wife could cost him this much trouble!

It took everyone almost two hours in search for her, but to no avail, he's slowly losing patience and a nagging fear inside of him kept him from concentrating. What if she really did disappear? But why would his wife leave him? He shook his head in exasperation. Comprehending women, especially his wife, always made him dizzy with confusion.

He was nearing the lake when he picked up her ki and mentally slapped himself for his stupidity. Of course, the lake is one of the few places her wife is familiar with, why hadn't he thought to search in there?

But the sight that greeted him almost made his heart leap to his throat that he hurried to her, praying that he's not yet too late.

"Botan!" he yelled at the top of his voice and grabbed her still form, the shock making him numb that he never felt her struggle.

"What –" she said then choked as she swallowed some of the lake water from the unexpected action of her husband. "What do you think you're doing?"

"What do I think I'm doing?" he yelled, hoping his worry was hidden perfectly in his anger. "I thought you're dead! Floating in the middle of the lake with all your clothes on and with your eyes closed. How about you? What do you think you're doing?"

"I'm swimming!" she answered in a voice that rivaled his. How dare he intrude in her reflection!

"The hell you are! You could have fallen in the lake for what it looks like," Kurama shouted and glared to intimidate her.

She glared back. "Would you rather I take off all my clothes for the whole keep to see?" she mocked. Of course, the main reason why she kept her clothes on is because her people might wandering nearby and see her in such an indecent state. Just like what happened with Kurama and Kuronue yesterday.

"Don't play smart on me, young lady. You were gone and you didn't even told me were going here," he lectured her and fueled her anger more.

"I –" she began and poked him on the chest just to provoke him, "was not gone. As you can see, I'm still inside your keep and I remembered you telling me I can go anywhere inside this keep because it's already mine now. As for not telling you, how can I do that when you won't even show yourself to me? I can't find you anywhere this morning," she said and when her husband only stared at her, she continued.

"Besides, it is really not I who's going away," she said in a low voice. "Where you planning to say goodbye to me?"

"Botan," he began but his wife only shook her head at him.

"Were you planning to say goodbye to me?" she repeated.

He hesitated before answering because he knows she's not going to like the answer. "No."

Botan nodded. "Thank you for being honest with me," she said calmly, but inside she felt once again alone. Her barbaric husband didn't even have any intention of sharing his life with her. It was clearly said when he told her he didn't plan to even say goodbye. She felt tears started to gather at the corner of her eyes and before she cry, she turned around and slowly walked away from her husband, oblivious that she's soaking wet from head to toe.

But Kurama would not let her off easily. He hurriedly walked towards her and grabbed her arms to turn her around. What he saw made him feel guilty for he knew he's the cause of her distress. She was close to tears and her expression begged that she be left alone.

"What is it that I have done now?" he asked softly as his thumb slowly massaged her arm.

"Nothing. Please, I need to go now," she lied.

Her answer infuriated him. "I'm your husband now and you will tell me everything that concerns you," he said authoritatively. He was surprised when Botan chuckled bitterly.

What an irony, she thought. "Just like the way you're telling me everything that concerns you?" she mocked and when he looked at her in confusion. "You never planned to tell me that you are going away. I am not a dog that you can just leave anytime you want and will wait for your return and I'm not going to be treated as such. I am your wife and I demand that you treat me like one!" she said fiercely, her eyes wild with anger.

"I thought you don't want anything to do with my…activities?" he asked, confused. He didn't have any idea why his wife suddenly got mad at what he said.

"Your activities," she said icily, "don't mean a thing to me, but you do. You're my husband now! I care about your welfare. If you die, I will be devastated. What will happen to me now and to all your people? I don't know how to run this estate. Would your people throw me out? Do you think I will just sit on one corner and wait patiently for your return? Do you think I would be able to sleep well tonight not knowing where you are? God, you are so stupid!" she said as tears finally poured from her eyes.

When he only looked at her, she continued. She's not yet finished with her tirade, "Am I asking too much, now, milord? Did my demand that you tell me where you're going upset you because it's too much? Why won't you say a thing?" she asked.

"You want me to say goodbye to you whenever I leave?" Kurama asked to clear things up with his wife, for once and for all.

"Yes!"

 "Why?"

Botan looked at him in exasperation. Because a proper husband does that. Now, you're going to tell me that I am not to yell at you like I'm yelling now. So help me god, if I can't become a proper wife to you because you're not a damn proper husband to me, too!" she yelled and when she saw him just staring at her blankly, she realized she'd gone far and made herself calm down. "I'm sorry. I'm just upset. Please, do go. I'll be alright here alone."

When Kurama turned his back on her and started walking away, Botan called out to him. "Kurama?"

He turned around, readied himself to bid her farewell, but the concerned expression he saw on his wife's face took his breath away that made him speechless.

Botan took steps towards him and looked at him deeply, "You'll be careful?" she whispered, her tone screaming her concern.

She humbled him. No one in his godforsaken life had anyone worry about him the way she did. His enemies wanted him to get killed, his friends had taken for granted his safety and his people had expected that he could very well take care of himself.

But his wife, his gentle wife, the one who needed to be careful more than he need, had worried about him that he wanted to kiss her. Kiss her to show her his gratitude for her concern, kiss her to ask for forgiveness, and kiss her to let her know that he'll be extra careful for her. So that he could go back safely to her.

By God, he was owed one. So, in plain view of God, and anyone of his people who wanted to watch, he wound his arms around her waist and closed the distance between their bodies as his lips touched hers.

He kissed her again and again. Kissed her long and hard until she made those sexy little moans from the back of her throat. Right there and then, he remembered their night together and wanted to take her again, but he knew he couldn't; not when Reilan is waiting for him and not when his people might be passing and see them in a very awkward position. So, he saved himself from further pain and ended the kiss as slowly as he could that his wife never noticed what he was doing until his lips left hers.

She was totally absorbed in the kiss that hadn't Kurama been as affected as she was, he would have smiled arrogantly at her. But he's affected too, and he couldn't feel smug now. So he just waited 'til he looked at him so that he could say goodbye to her properly.

"I'll be careful," he said huskily then kissed her forehead before pulling away from her and walked away towards the place where Reilan is waiting.

He didn't turn around so he didn't saw the dazed look in his wife's eyes and the smile that played on her lips. Now that she's married to the kitsune, all she had to do is make him care for her and eventually make him fall in love with her. By all means, she's determined to steal her thief's heart.

Author's Note:  Based on my plot, I don't think there would be any humor on this fic anymore but I'll try my best to make this fic only light for all of you guys. So review so that I could find the inspiration to write the next chapter!