Author's Notes:I really appreciate all of the encouragements and ideas. I would like to personally thank JaneDrew for inspiring the creation of this particular chapter. Any future suggestions for the story would be wonderful.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin in any way. I am merely using its characters for a few chapters.
A Dragon's Love
By BattousaisGrrl
Chapter Three
A chilling breeze slithered through the open window and wrapped its way into the crimson room, its affect on the occupants of the room futile except for on the young maiden laying peacefully on the golden bed.
The silence that had once enveloped the atmosphere was shattered when one of the two dragons in the room spoke.
"Do something useful and close that window, tori-atama," ordered the only female dragon in the room when she noticed her patient beginning to stir in her sleep.
Grumbling incoherent words about lazy doctors, the brown dragon left his post from the foot of the virgin's bed and walked over towards the window. His eyes lingered on the white clouds that had gathered around the window and the darkening sky for a brief second before he snapped it shut and locked it.
Making his way back towards where he once stood guard, Sanosuke looked over the warming features of Kamiya Kaoru, the only being who had ever managed to get pass the Ryuujin's test of virtue.
At the remembrance of how he had stabbed the girl in the back with his words, Sano felt a pang of guilt strike his heart once again. It didn't matter that she had forgiven him; he had still lied to her.
"Will you stop looking at her as if she's about to die?" snapped violet-dressed doctor in irritation from her seated position in the chair next to Kaoru's head. With practiced ease, the purple dragon replaced the cold towel from the girl's head with a warm one from the water filled basin on the nightstand next to her. "She simply fainted; there's nothing life threatening about fainting. There are plenty of maids out there who fall unconscious at the sight of blood and I don't see you worrying your brain out for them."
Sano rolled his eyes at the comment.
"I understand that she's different from the rest if she's remained alive this far, but why are you, and more importantly the Ryuujin, so worried over her well being?" asked Takani Megumi curiously with her attention still on the virgin's face.
Shrugging his shoulders, the male dragon moved his hands into his pant pockets and allowed his eyes to move back towards the closed window.
Sighing, Megumi shook her head.
"You know as well as I do that no one has ever been able to make Kenshin show any form of emotion except for bloodlust," started Sanosuke when the doctor was about to speak. He turned his gaze away from the window and met Megumi's eyes before turning to Kaoru and smiling. "That is until now."
Eyes widening, Megumi turned her focus on her patient and then once again on Sano.
"Sir Ken…." Whispered Megumi as she tried to allow her mind to process what Sano had tried to silently tell her. The Ryuujin's real name had never been spoken in the Ryuuguu since he had left to Earth to kill a million men and more. Wanting to make sure she was correct, Megumi asked almost cautiously, "You mean that it is possible…that he shall convert once more?"
Megumi couldn't stop the tears of hope from glazing her vision at Sanosuke's nod.
The very thought of life returning to what it once was had been a simple legend and now, with the proof presented before them, it seemed to actually be in reach.
"She lit his inner flame without even trying. I know she's the one, the one that will help us all by helping the Ryuujin," said Sano for his own assurance and the doctors.
"For her sake and ours, let's hope so," said Megumi as she once again looked at Kaoru's slumbering form.
The scrapping sound of something against the wooden doors alerted the dragons of another visitor.
"I'll get it," said Sano when he noticed that Megumi was about to stand.
Upon opening the doors, the dragon immediately got down on his left knee so that his right arm rested on his other knee and his left fist touched the ground. With his head bowed, Sano waited for Megumi to come over and do the same before they both stood up at the same time to greet their lord.
Sanosuke faintly acknowledged the dog-structured pet dragon to the Ryuujin's left as he said in a neutral voice, "Lady Kamiya is doing well, milord."
"She'll be up and about after a few more hours of rest, Lord Battousai," added Megumi as they both side stepped so that both the Dragon King and his pet could get into the room.
Closing the doors once the gold dragon's tail and folded wings completely entered the room, Sano silently followed master and pet towards Kaoru with Megumi at his side.
"A few more hours?" questioned Battousai finally after seating himself where Megumi once sat, his eyes never leaving the raven-haired beauty.
"The night has ascended and it wouldn't be surprising if her body wanted to recuperate to its full potential. She might not awaken until tomorrow morning once we've made it into the Barrier, and as you know milord, humans aren't physically powerful enough to remain conscious at the high altitudes we'll soon be reaching," reminded Megumi as she and the spiky-haired fighter stood at the foot of the bed.
It was a known fact that the human body could not withstand the pressure that came with going upward towards the Heavens, which was why all of the human servants remained asleep during the yearly ascents back to the Barrier; the Barrier being the only place in the sky where both humans and dragons were capable of living in.
"I understand," was all that the Ryuujin responded with in return, his eyes still locked onto the patient's paling face.
When the pet dragon got on its knees and rested on its buttermilk colored belly at Kenshin's feet, the other two dragons knew that their lord wasn't going anywhere until Kaoru became conscious again.
Without having to be told, the pair once again bowed before leaving one of the many recovery rooms in the Ryuujin's palace.
oOxOo
Kenshin stared at the daring virgin before him emotionlessly, his eyes softening only slightly when he remembered how soft her rosy lips felt against his own rough ones.
The very memory of the feel of her petite body lying on top of him finally made him close his eyes and relive their encounter.
No matter how much he tried to ignore the sudden emotions he had conjured because of the virgin's presence, he could no longer deny the fact that he wanted her, that his mind, body, and soul needed her.
There was just something about her that attracted him to her like a moth to a light.
Reopening his eyes, Himura the Hitokiri Battousai stared at Kamiya Kaoru's flushed face and allowed a smile to linger on his lips for a fraction of a second as he moved a lock of stray hair behind her left ear thoughtfully. Even as she slept, she still looked as beautiful as ever.
The moment he saw her stumble into his Treasure Room, Kenshin knew that there was something different about her. Not because she didn't possess the grace the other virgin's had possessed before her, but because of the flame he saw in her eyes when they first locked gazes.
Her entire demeanor had radiated with a glow of inner strength. It was this glow that had attracted him. Her spirit had called out to him when he had found himself staring at the light around her, and it had mercilessly mocked him with her innocence.
In an attempt to prove to himself that she was just as greedy and selfish as the others, he had embedded his own katana into his left shoulder.
Without thinking, the Ryuujin moved his right hand to his healed shoulder blade.
Remembering why he had done such a thing to himself, Kenshin felt himself grow slightly annoyed at how he had thought that Kaoru would have left him to lay bleeding to death on the Treasure Room floor while she searched for the ruby and other valuables.
When he had watched her make her way over to him without stopping to take any of his treasure, Kenshin knew that Kaoru was indeed from an honorable family bloodline. If she wasn't, then he was certain that she would have left him to die. But even if he had known it then, it still didn't stop him from further trying to find out if she really was a noble person.
As a last resort, he had purposely lashed out at her so that he could shift his body enough to reveal the ruby.
Deep in his heart, he knew that he wanted her to avoid touching it, but his arrogance had made him doubt her virtue. After all, five centuries of failure would have made anyone doubt the selflessness of the human race.
Seeing his pet dragon suddenly stand to its full height, Kenshin pushed his thoughts aside and stared at his pet questioningly.
"What is it Kuwairo?" voiced Kenshin as he too stood up.
Eyes traveling in the direction his pet was staring with its head cocked to the side, the Ryuujin couldn't resist smirking when he turned himself around and saw wide sapphire spheres staring see him.
oOxOo
Slowly opening her eyes, Kaoru could do nothing more than stare in astonishment and amazement as she met the ruby eyes of a narrow-faced dragon. Her eyes widened further when she noticed a certain red-haired Dragon King turn around to face her.
"Finally awake?" asked the Ryuujin, his voice just as face warming as she remembered it.
Blushing as the memories from earlier that day rushed into her mind, Kaoru nodded and allowed Kenshin to help her into a sitting position on the satin clad bed.
Uncomfortably, Kaoru shifted slightly to the left when the Ryuujin sat down on the edge of the bed next to her.
Unnerved by the stare of the shoulder-height pet dragon, the virgin allowed her gaze to fall on the golden blanket in her lap, which blended perfectly with her yellow and white yukata.
"You don't mind that Megumi changed your clothing, do you?" asked Kenshin when he saw her fingering the soft fabric on her left arm.
"N-no, it's all right," answered Kaoru quickly as she looked back up at the Dragon King to reassure him that she wasn't offended.
However, the moment her eyes met his golden ones, she immediately regretted her actions.
The raw desire in his gaze was enough to send shivers down her spine. It seemed that the Ryuujin was planning to devour her whole after all.
Turning her head to avoid his stare, Kaoru kept her attention on the flower designs painted neatly on the red wall to her left instead.
Reluctantly, Kaoru turned back around when she felt his right hand holding her chin and slowly taking back her full attention.
Kenshin's eyes narrowed as he looked into her eyes, his anger growing as he saw something akin to fear and panic etch its way onto her beautiful face. His hold on her chin tightened as he demanded crossly, "Where's the fearless maiden who stared straight into death's eyes with nothing more than fascination? Why are you scared now when the danger is over and done with?"
Feeling her own rage form from his fury, Kaoru moved out of his hold and glared at him.
"You have no right to be angry at me and speak to me as if you know me," scowled Kaoru venomously. She had no idea why she felt so furious at the dragon, but the look of disappointment she saw on his face, and the fact that she caused it, because of her sudden weakness, enraged her.
"Then tell me, little Kaoru, what is my right?" asked Kenshin patiently after allowing her to go over her thoughts. He couldn't help the slight quirk of his lips as he saw her expression when his words sunk in.
Finally realizing what she had just said and who she had just said it to, Kaoru paled. How in the world could she forget that she was speaking to the Hitokiri Battousai?
Cursing herself for being stupid enough to talk before thinking, Kaoru frowned when she saw a triumphant smirk expose itself on the Dragon King's face. The dragon was becoming awfully confusing and she couldn't for the life of her find a reason why he was acting as if he'd won something.
Kaoru was about to question his actions when the sound of a deep growling from behind the Ryuujin made her jump a few inches off the bed. A yelp escaped her before she could hold it back.
Another frown occupied her face at hearing the Ryuujin chuckle while he shifted himself on the bed so that the forgotten golden dragon could be seen.
"Congratulations Kuwairo, you're the first one to truly scare this young maiden," chuckled Kenshin as the dragon placed its chin on its master's right shoulder to get a better look at Kaoru.
Too enchanted with the dragon's beauty, Kaoru didn't bother to make a comment on the Ryuujin's derisive remark.
"He's your pet dragon, ne?" asked Kaoru as she kept her eyes transfixed on the shimmering coat that made up the dragon's armor.
Human and dragon stared at one another, each one examining the other for what seemed like the first time.
Despite the fact that she had already seen the dragon when she first awoke, Kaoru still found herself drawn to it by its aura, which seemed to scream supremacy and dominance. For some reason, she was oddly reminded of how she felt when she first met the Ryuujin in dragon form.
"Kuwairo has been guarding my family for centuries," answered Kenshin as the dragon bent down to move its head onto his lap again. "He is the last of the Koganeiro Dragons."
Mouthing an "Oh", Kaoru watched as the Ryuujin stroked his pet in fascination.
When Kenshin's hand moved to the dragon's neck, a red glint caught Kaoru's attention and she couldn't help but stare at the item that was embedded into the center of Kuwairo's forehead.
Unable to stop herself Kaoru blurted out without thinking, "Is that a ruby?"
Kenshin's movements faltered slightly at her words before he continued his ministrations as if the question didn't bother him.
"Yes, it is," answered Kenshin in such a low voice that Kaoru had to strain her ears to catch his words.
Realizing the tension in the room, Kaoru changed the subject by asking, "Kuwairo is older than you, then?"
It eased her to hear the Ryuujin chuckle again.
"Compared to him, I'm merely a hatchling," said Kenshin as Kuwairo stood up straight on all fours and puffed out his chest, making Kaoru giggle at his attempt to seem superior to the Ryuujin.
Covering her mouth with her hands to try and stop her fit of laughter, Kaoru couldn't help smiling after her giggles had ceased.
She blushed when she noticed that both the dragon and his pet were staring at her.
Reaching a trembling hand towards Kuwairo's head, Kaoru stopped short and withdrew her hand as she realized how rude she was being. Looking at the Ryuujin for permission, Kaoru asked timidly, "May I?"
Staring at her for a long time, Kenshin finally nodded after looking at Kuwairo for its approval.
Feeling Kaoru's nervousness, Kuwairo leaned his head towards her hand to reassure that it was all right to touch him. His eyes fluttered close upon feeling her fingers slightly brush his forehead.
Kaoru beamed as she touched the golden dragon's forehead, her caresses becoming bolder when she heard the dragon make a sound that resembled a cat's purr.
"His coat is so smooth. It's like touching the skin of a baby," said Kaoru breathlessly as she turned her head to face the Ryuujin.
Her blue eyes twinkled in delight as she looked at the Dragon King, and for a second, she felt her heart stop beating. The Ryuujin's golden eyes were blazing with the same inner fire she had encountered in the Treasure Room. She could feel the familiar warmth spread through her body from the sheer intensity of his stare.
Forcing herself to ignore the Ryuujin's lust-filled gaze, Kaoru turned her attention back to Kuwairo. Her eyes widened upon noticing that the Koganeiro Dragon had the same flaming gaze as its owner. If she hadn't known any better, she'd have thought they were the same being.
Despite herself, Kaoru blushed as Kuwairo moved its head towards her so that their cheeks barely caressed. The small intimate gesture of peace sent shivers down her spine.
Kaoru felt relief flood back to her as the dragon pulled back and took a step behind its master.
"It seems Kuwairo has taken a liking to you," stated the Ryuujin, his gaze never straying from her face as he spoke. "Kuwairo has never thought of others outside of the Royal Family to be his equal. It's seems you're the only exception, Kaoru."
Kaoru had to suppress a shudder from the licentious way the dragon said her name.
"Well…it seems I've had a lucky streak with being the first at quite a number of things today," said Kaoru sheepishly as she recalled how Sanosuke had said she was the first to pass Battousai's 'Test of Virtue'.
Feeling terribly uncomfortable under the gaze of the Dragon King and his pet, Kaoru looked down at her bed sheets and idly began wringing her fingers together.
Kaoru suddenly felt her self become colder and instinctively moved her hands to her arms to try and rub some heat into them. It felt as if someone had splashed a bucket of cold water over her head. And having experienced it before, Kaoru cringed from the memory as the thought passed her mind.
Seeing Kaoru begin to shiver, the Ryuujin stood up and offered a hand to her, "This is a room for the sick, not my guests. We should get you to your new sleeping quarters and into new attire, unless you prefer to wear what you have now?"
"No it's all right, I'll remain in what I am in now," reassured Kaoru as she took his hand graciously and thanked him again as he helped her to stand.
Slightly wobbly from having not walked in a few hours, Kaoru blushed when she realized that the only reason she was still on her feet was because of the Ryuujin's firm hands planted on her waist.
"Are you sure you can walk on your own?" asked Kenshin as he helped her walk a few steps towards the door.
"I think I can," said Kaoru when the Ryuujin let her go.
Taking a step forward, Kaoru felt a wave of nausea crash against her and stumbled back despite trying to walk forward. In an attempt to try and stop the dizziness, Kaoru placed the palm of her hand to her forehead and shook her head. She groaned as she realized that the action only made it worse.
At seeing Kaoru nearly collapse, the Ryuujin quickly caught her by the elbows before she could fall flat on her rear.
Blushing furiously at her inability to walk properly, Kaoru muttered a thank you before she closed her eyes and righted herself up again with the help of her host.
"I'm sorry to be a burden," whispered Kaoru as she hung her head at her temporary weakness and tried her best to walk again.
"Your legs are becoming numb and your skin is turning deathly cold, I'm surprised you're even conscious," said the Ryuujin as he pushed aside her apology. His brows furrowed in concern when he felt her coldness through the thick fabric of her yukata.
Before Kaoru could utter another word, she felt her head begin to spin and found that breathing was becoming more and more difficult by the second. She felt herself flush again when she realized she had stumbled back against the Ryuujin's muscular chest.
"You should be proud of yourself, not ashamed Kaoru. You're the first human to have remained conscious during the ascent to the Barriers," encouraged the Ryuujin as he scooped her up in his arms with one hand on her back and the other under her knees.
The sudden chill that had gotten to her returned at full force and she couldn't help but tremble from the coldness that swiped through her.
Before her eyes threatened to droop close from the lack of oxygen, Kaoru managed to wrap her shivering arms around the Ryuujin's waist and gave a weak smile as she cuddled into his radiating warmth just as she felt herself falling into an abyss of darkness.