Rating: NC-17 for strong language, violence, and adult situations…

Summary: After receiving a new serving wench, Battousai embarks on a quest to find a worthy foe! But will Kamiya Kaoru sneak her way into the hunter's heart?

Disclaimer: I wanna own Ken! Oro? But no, I don't... Blah…

(A/N) This story has been up for a while, and I've only gotten one review… Man I must really suck:D

I'm editing it and hopefully continuing it so, here goes!

Chapter 3: Intro to a Madman

Not very long after their little scuffle, the swordsman heard a light knock at his door and a husky feminine voice whispered, "Your dinner is ready, sir."

He rose quietly and went to the door. He closed his eyes and sniffed. She had a distinct aroma that he could already identify.

Kaoru…

Without any more hesitation he opened the door and glowered at the newly placated girl. The light from his lantern graced her features and what he saw slightly angered him. Her clothes were torn and dirt-stained, most likely from her trek through the forest, and her face was heavy with recently applied ornamental makeup. Aside from his anger he felt the urge to laugh at her clownish getup.

He stepped aside and allowed her access to the room. She rose from her knees, picked up the serving tray, and brought it inside, her hooded eyes observing the objects in the room.

Kaoru tensed as the man slid the door shut. He went to his cushion and sat, signaling her to serve him. She did so silently and observed him from the corners of her eyes.

His jaw was set and he looked angry. His eyes were hidden by blood red bangs that were plentiful on his head. The rest of his hair was tied back in a high ponytail. Kaoru envisioned letting the ponytail loose and the flood of soft red locks that would follow. He had a unique beauty to him, unlike most of the short-time inhabitants of the inn. She had just begun to relax a little when she heard his voice.

"We're leaving tomorrow morning…" He sipped noisily from his teacup.

"Who's leaving?" Shock came to her features. Kaoru realized that she had spoken only after the fact.

"You and I…" His eyes rose study her face diligently. He looked for some sign of fear or something close. He found a bit of concern but not much else closer to fear. He sighed and waited for her to say something.

"But… I'm n-not going anywhere." She began to shake her head quickly to the point where he was sure she was giving herself a headache. He had been expecting more of an outcry from this shocking bit of news.

Kaoru's mind was racing to fast for her to protest hard enough.

' What does he mean? How could I go with him? I belong here! This is BULLSHIT, I'm not going with this freak!'

"What makes you think that I would want to go anywhere with you?" came her tart reply. She flinched inwardly. Kaoru was painfully aware of his anger beginning its fast rise. He could snap on her any second now.

Anger smoldered in his amber eyes, "What makes you think that you have any choice in the matter?" She flinched again, this time visibly. Kaoru closed her eyes and slowly stood. With a rush of air she became pinned against a wall. Her mind flashed back to dusk's encounter and the feel of the rough bark at her back. The man in front of her leaned in, sniffing at her. She smelled of the rough soap that was used to clean the floorboards, with a hint of lavender.

She wiggled her entire body, trying to make him retreat, but it was of no use. Oh my. He is indeed male after all. She promptly quit wiggling.

Kaoru opened her blue eyes to his amber ones, and stared vengeance into him. The sly swordsman kept his eyes locked on hers, but his brain was racing as well. Heat began to grow within him and he fought hard to suppress it. She began to scoot over the wall towards the door. She was highly aware and repulsed as her body grinded against his for movement. His body stayed almost glued to hers despite her futile efforts. As they came closer to the door, one of his hands found its life and began to slither up her arm towards her neck. When it reached its destination the hand grabbed her and put pressure on her jugular, making her slightly woozy. Her eyelids began the slide closed after a few seconds. He leaned in close to her lips and left her one simple phrase.

"You should take all that shit off your face…"

The hand left her neck, grabbed her collar, and threw her out the suddenly open door.

Kaoru stayed in her sprawled position on the dirty ground for a little while after the man had shut his door. She was amazed and appalled at his audacity. Pain stabbed at her backside for the second time that day, and miraculously she stood wincing.

She limped to the servant's quarters silently while she resolved solidly and silently to make him pay.

Sorry this had to be kindof a short one today. I've gotta go get ready for church, go to Blockbuster, and the grocery store…

Prepare yourself for tomorrow when Battousai and a malevolent Kaoru embark on their quest! There will be door-smashing, Takeda-bashing, face-washing fun… Most probably…

Lots of love, of course…

-Lex

A/N: I really like what I did with their first encounter in the last chapter, how about you guys?

Crickets

Anyways, RR! \m/