Authors Notes: Hey everyone! I'm really sorry that I haven't been able to update! It's been really hectic with the homework because of the summer, and I was grounded for one day off the computer for reading really late, (A rurouni Kenshin manga book actually :D) And again another day for staying up too late (which it was a really lame cuz I lost track of time, and I was in bed drawing, and my sister was told for bajillion times more than me to go to bed soooo yeah) But I am now grounded free, and ready to start chapter 17!

P.s.: I'm...well...how you say...too lazy to write all of your reviews down...sorry! But, I'm just gonna say, Thanks for all of your reviews!!!!

Chapter 17: Unknown attack

Kaoru walked along the dirt path in the thick forest. The deep shadows of night were beginning to dominate over the fiery sun, that began to lazily slip beneath the horizon. Kaoru glanced up at the darkening sky, and cursed mentally.

'Darn it! I don't have anything to light my way...darn it!'

Kaoru began to pick up the pace, despite the fact that she was exhausted. She hoped she would be able to find the base camp before darkness consumed all light. But she was too late. The sun had slowly dipped under the now dark horizon, and the gleaming moon, was denied its pleading request to shine as the shadowed clouds, made the moon's once proud beam of light, dissapear without a trace. Kaoru stopped dead in her tracks. Everything was stark black. She could feel cold sweat dripping down the back of her neck. She slowly began to creep along the pitch black path. Kaoru's head whipped in every direction. Illusions flashing past her fearful eyes. Sounds whispered through her sensitive ears. Kaoru was beginning to loose control until a low growl was heard...

Battousai was leaning against the shoji door, outside of the dojo, watching his comrades train. He was holding his katana in hand as if something was going to attack him out of no where. Just then, his boss, Katsura, walked up to him.

"What seems to be the problem?" He asked in a curious tone.
"I just feel a strange presence in the woods. It's not a human presence but more of a...feline presence...but what am I to judge?" He asked with a smirk.
"Don't just doubt your senses so quickly. You're right about the feline presence." Katsura said with a smile. Battousai turned to him with a confused look.
"We wanted to have a special defense line out in the deep forest where our enemies would be unprepared of what would come." Katsura answered, slightly altering Battousai's questioning look.
"It's a Jaguar. We named him Scythe. He is fully trained, and attacks any unknown suspect or creature that seems threatening to us." Katsura explained.
"Oh. Yes I remember now. I trained Scythe. I don't know why I forgot..." Battousai replied, sounding un amused. He closed his eyes, and continued to research the new presence.
"Well yes...you're the only one he obeys remember?" Katsura asked sarcastically.
"Give me a break. My mind has been really spaced lately..." He said with a grunt. Katsura smile cockily, and said,
"Thinking about that girl of yours?" Battousai got a bit agitated, and 'hmph' ed at his remark. Katsura smiled, and then left his side to attend to other business. Battousai then closed his eyes, and continued to research the presence.

Kaoru didn't dare turn around. Kaoru's heart raced as she heard soft pats of rough paws emanate off the cold ground. Kaoru's breath became ragged and un even as the monster approached. Kaoru slowly tilted her head to her left, and the last thing she saw, were shimmering lime green eyes, before a sharp pain was suddenly pierced through her neck, and her world went black.

Battousai kept his focus on the ki sense of Scythe, and noticed it suddenly went haywire. He was about to shrug it off when he suddenly heard a shout from one of his comrades.

"HURRY!! COME QUICK!! SCYTHE HAS SOMETHING!!! HURRY!!" He shouted. Battousai sprung out of his position, and zoomed off to where he heard the shouting. When he got there, a crowd had formed around the 'surprise' that Scythe held. Battousai worked his way through the mob of men, and couldn't seem to break through to the middle. But he continued to shove his way through. Once he neared the front, he heard remarks and comments like, 'she's a beaut!' and 'I gotta remember to thank Kenshin about training Scythe!' Battousai became even more interested and skillfully began to weave through the crowd. He finally pushed his way to the front, and once he obtained his balance, his eyes focused on the sight that lay before him. There, laying right in front of him was an unconscious...

"..K...Kaoru..." Battousai whispered into the night air. The crowd hushed as He continued to gaze at the angel placed in front of him.

'Could this be real?...Is...is it really her?...K- kaoru?...'

That's all for now! Please review!! (sorry about taking so long! School project ( )