Wow guess I got lucky again with this one...15 reviews for my first chapter. That's pretty good even for me:beams: My only question is: where are the rest of you who voted for this story?

Not that I mind but I seemed to have gotten some new readers and the rest of you vanished :taps foot: I expect some reviews since you asked for this!

Disblaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin but I do own the plot!

Chapter 2
By royal blueKitsune

Kaoru entered the small inn room, taking in the two neatly made futons, fireplace and a small writing table. Nothing too fancy but just enough for her and Misao.

Almost immediately, Misao plopped herself in front of the fire, pushing her hands as close as possible to the crackling flames.

"Finally, some real source of warmth. Anymore snow and I would've jumped up a tree."

"So it's true. Cats really can't stand the cold." Kaoru chuckled as Misao purred contently. Out of all the animals she could turn herself into, Misao seemed to especially prefer the feline family. After all what could an innocent black cat do to you.

Kaoru was never one for superstitions but in this case one black cat could sure as hell make a difference. Misao fought claw and fang when it came to protecting herself.

"So I am cat...come on, I'm really cute."

"Cute is really overdoing it. I haven't forgotten when your animal form tried to kill me for throwing water over it. I still have those claw marks..." Kaoru glared at her friend, absently rubbing her shoulder where Misao had done most damage.

"We didn't know each other then. I thought you were trying to attack me." Misao exclaimed miffed.

"Well actually I was..." Kaoru put her hands in front of her, trying to placate her offended friend. "But that's beside the point isn't it?"

"Humph! Now who's the guilty one here?"

Kaoru smiled guiltily. "Fine, fine so I did it but still you didn't have to scratch so hard."

Their playful banter would've continued if not for a knock on the door. Green locked with blue in a silent message and Misao stretched for her kunais, tying the belt around her waist.

Rising from her current seat, Kaoru walked softly, soundlessly towards the door stopping with her hand on the handle. "Who is it?"

"Miss Kamiya." Both women breathed easily as Kaoru opened to door to be met with a small servant girl. When you were a notorious demon killer anything could be expected from your enemies...even a very polite knock on the door.

"Yes. What is it?" the young girl blushed shyly and extended a letter to the blue-eyed warrior.

"This came for you..." Misao went into a coughing fit wile Kaoru's eyebrows drew up in a surprised expression. A letter for them? But nobody knew they were staying here...

"From who?" Misao's voice came out as an animalistic growl as she came behind her taller friend and took the letter out of the servant's hands. The girl had to suppress the urge to squeak and cower in fear.

Was it just her or did those emerald eyes change to golden fires? It couldn't be could it?

"I don't know. It was too dark to see who it was." Seeing the fear clearly reflected in the brown depths Misao calmed down and willed her wild personality in the back of her mind. Sometimes, her anger got the best of her.

This time it was Kaoru who spoke, her tone like flowing water. "Thank you miss..."

"Tsubame. My name is Tsubame."

Bowing, the young girl took of, practically running down the hallway until she was out of sight.

"You know, you didn't necessarily have to scare the living daylights out of her." Kaoru closed the shoji door and turned to face Misao.

"It's bloody impossible for someone to find us. We don't even have a steady address you know." The ninja paced the room, muttering to herself while throwing angry glares at the innocent paper in her hand.

Rolling her eyes, Kaoru snatched the envelope ignoring Misao's spluttered protests. Both parts were blank...no name, no address, no nothing.

"Oh for Heaven's sake, stop looking at it like it's going to jump you. Come sit next to me..." Misao snorted, crossing her arms childishly but nonetheless did what she was told.

Ripping open the bindings, Kaoru and Misao crowded together trying to read the small characters over the dimming fire.

Miss Kamiya,

You must be wondering how I managed to discover your current location, seeing as how both you and Miss Makimachi travel constantly, never spending too much time in one place.

I will not reveal my identity for the time being, choosing to remain anonymous. I am in dire need of both your fighting services and special skills to stop an evil far more powerful than anything you've ever faced before.

I am more than ready to pay you handsomely if you are willing to accept this challenge.

Sincerely,
A friend

Misao's jaw hung loosely. What the hell! He had used almost the same words she had earlier.

Kaoru was thinking on the same lines, her mouth closing and opening to form muted words. She had to hand it to their mystery friend, whoever he was, that he had managed to actually stun both her and her genki friend all in one day.

He was good. And the offer was very tempting; they were running low on money anyway. With hers and Misao's shopping for clothes, food and especially sweets, which they both were addicted to, the last paycheck was wearing thin already.

"Well what the hell are we waiting for?" Misao spoke first, a wolfish grin planted firmly on her lips. "We haven't had a good challenge in a long time...besides we're going to get paid to have fun. Works for me."

"There's one thing, itachi...there is no address remember?"

"Check the envelope...perhaps we will find something there." Turning it upside down, a small note fell, floating into Kaoru's waiting hands. Only a few words were written on it.

Your means of transportation will be waiting for you outside. Don't be surprised if it isn't what you expect.

"Who the hell wrote this?" Misao frowned, her hands firmly placed on her hips.

An unnatural high-pitched sound came from outside startling both women into awareness. In the span of a second, both had their weapons ready and drawn. Misao held a pair of knives with one hand, while the other was ready to pull the whip from around her waist. Kaoru had her katana out, ready to shed blood.

Approaching the windows, Kaoru looked up only able to see a large form flying over the small two-story building, wings spread and long tail swishing behind it. She didn't need any more warnings to recognize the towering form.

"A dragon..." Misao gasped, her grip on the kunais tightening to the point where she was clearly aware of the pain in her arm.

"We are not going to be able to fight that. Definitely not." Kaoru spoke in awe, as the majestic creature landed graciously on the deserted street. From her point of view, Kaoru and Misao were looking straight into its eyes.

Black scales covered its entire expense, making the creature blend easily into the darkness. Bright yellow eyes contrasted with the black and the red of his wings...it truly was a magnificent creature to behold.

As Kaoru swept her eyes over the dragon's frame, something caught her eye, something that seemed oddly familiar.

"What are you doing?" Misao whispered fiercely as her friend jumped down, hitting the ground with a soft thud. The dragon didn't react.

Kaoru narrowed her eyes in a way that would've made full grown men run crying like small children. But then again Kaoru didn't really expect it to be scared of her...more like the other way around.

The dragon simply stared, alternating between Misao and Kaoru. Looking from above, Misao couldn't help but think that the snow gave the scenery a surreal appearance. Like a painting.

"Misao! Come down here." Kaoru's words were strained as to not startle the creature.

"What and become shish kebab to some two story high dragon? Are you coming down with a fever?" Despite all her arguing, the petite woman found herself jumping from the windowsill right next to her friend.

"Take a look at that...it's the exact same symbol that was used to seal this letter." Kaoru pointed a slender finger to the dragon's neck, her eyes fixed on something Misao couldn't quite clearly see.

Squinting her eyes, she was suddenly very grateful for the perfect night vision that she possessed. Just like Kaoru had said there it was, the seal baring the insignia of a black dragon in a blood red circle. It even had the same lightening symbol in the background.

It resembled too much to be a mere coincidence.

"You don't think that..."

"Well he did say that the means of transportation was going to be a little unorthodox didn't he? It can't get anymore strange than this."

"I am never flying again on such a thing." Misao wobbled down from the dragon, feeling her dinner return to her throat. Kaoru on the other hand, was very well disposed...like the blasted animal hadn't done pirouettes and ups and downs half the way here.

She was petting the dragon's head like one would a faithful horse, giggling from time to time when it nudged her with its head.

"Okay where are we and more importantly why are we sitting in the blistering cold with nothing more than our usual clothing? I swear that man better pay good." Misao trembled, hugging herself to retain the little amount of body heat she still possessed.

"That's a very good question actually." A man and a woman emerged from the shadows and for the umpteenth time that night, both Kaoru and Misao drew their weapons.

When was this night ever going to end?

"Oh don't worry about us. We mean no harm..." the woman smiled, her green eyes sparkling jovially. "Isn't that right anata?"

"Permit us to introduce ourselves. I'm Seta Soujiro and this is my wife Shura. We received this letter saying that our services were required." He smiled sheepishly. "Would you happen to be the ones who wrote it?"

"As much as I'd like it, I'm afraid we are in no position to pay you for anything even if we wanted it." Kaoru chuckled good-naturedly.

"Pity. I wouldn't have minded to have you as our employees miss..." well this was one way to get their names, thought Misao as her usual genki nature came forward.

"Oh I'm Makimachi Misao and this is my friend Kamiya Kaoru. No need for formalities so no miss, san and definitely no sama." She threatened the young couple who only smiled indulgently. It seemed they had just made new friends.

"Pleasure to meet y..." Their reflexes immediately flared to life and all jumped in opposite directions, to avoid being burnt by the blast of energy that came out of nowhere.

One second more and...Kaoru shuddered as she looked at the large crater. She could see Misao who had climbed up a tree while Soujiro had Shura in his arms a few feet away. The dragon that had brought them here was gone.

Her mind screamed danger and involuntarily her muscles bunched awaiting the next attack. There it was, hidden in the darkness. A shadow demon, waiting to strike. Unfortunately for it, the whiteness of the snow gave it away.

There was no way it would move unless somebody moved...its vision failed but all the other senses had developed more than enough.

Catching Soujiro's eyes, Kaoru knew that he had seen it too. Felt it too...she could see an unmistakable understanding hidden in those blue depths. In that moment she knew what she had to do.

Sheathing her sword, Kaoru broke into a dead run through the snow covered grounds. The creature gave a shrill cry and launched after her, elongated claws ready to rip her to shreds.

"Kaoru, what are you doing?" Misao's desperate shout was ignored as she ran wildly, feeling the dark presence gain on her.

Suddenly she stopped and turned around waiting silently. Three meters. Two meters. One...

"Kaoru-san move!" that was it...she immediately dodged and Soujiro's prone form appeared from behind her. A few seconds later it was over and the monster lay dead at Kaoru's feet, sliced in pieces.

Misao and Shura came running just as Soujiro helped Kaoru up to her feet. "Are you alright? What were you thinking?" the petite girl wanted to shake Kaoru until she got some sense into that head of hers.

"I'm afraid this is my fault miss Misao..." but Soujiro never got to finish because Misao pointed a finger menacingly in his chest.

"YOU! Because of you, my friend could've been killed. I will strangle you with my bare hands." She growled the last part wanting nothing more than to put her arms around his neck and squeeze.

For the first time in his life Soujiro had the urge to back away, preferably somewhere safe like the other end of the world. The green-eyed woman actually seemed capable of doing that and so much more...

Even with his god speed, Soujiro knew one thing. Hell hath no fury like a woman's wrath.

Before Misao could actually release her terrible fury on the defenseless samurai, somebody laughed. And it sure as hell wasn't Soujiro.

"Well, well, my friend was right. You really are a spitfire miss Makimachi." Misao was about to turn and make a scathing remark to whoever had dared intrude in her fight, but the sight that greeted her would make anyone shut up.

For Heaven's sake the man was two times taller than her and come to think of it probably two times as broad too. Long black hair was tied in a low ponytail and dark violet eyes shone with mirth and something else too.

The man was mocking her!

Feeling tired out of a sudden she deflated and pointed a finger at him. "Do I need to ask or are you going to introduce yourself without me having to take out my knives?"

Again that deep laugh. "My name is Hiko Seijuro...I am the one who invited you here. I'm glad to see that you weren't too scared to ride my dragon...he tends to be very disobedient sometimes so I doubt you actually enjoyed it."

"You should learn to take your guests to safer places. I don't mind a little fight but since it is well in the middle of the night, I'd much rather not to." Kaoru scowled at him, crossing her arms around her chest.

"I see you've met my little shadow demon. Consider this as a test...you passed it, otherwise you wouldn't be alive now."

"You sent that thing to kill us?" Shura's green eyes glazed over with barely hidden curiosity. "But why?"

Hiko shrugged. "I wanted to make sure you were the real fighters I asked for...not just some impostors, or worse, demons."

"Gee, thanks for trusting us. It makes me feel so much better." Misao drawled lazily.

Again that indifferent shrug. "If you truly think so, it is not my place to argue." Misao sputtered, gaining an amused smirk from the tall man. "Follow me then...we have plenty to discuss and the others should be here soon."

"Others?" Soujiro echoed inquisitively

"Of course...although I do not doubt your individual abilities, you will not prove enough for what I have in mind."

Kaoru fastened her steps so she could reach him. "And just what would that be? And how man people are coming."

"Four." Hiko replied absently.

"Four? Wow this is really going to turn into a circus..." Misao muttered. "Would you stop walking that fast? I don't want to chase after you..." she exploded.

Soujiro and Shura chuckled. "Is she always this...energetic?"

Kaoru rolled her eyes but couldn't suppress a smile. "You'll get used to it...you should see her when she doesn't have sweets. She's downright dangerous!"

"Hey I heard that...traitor!" Misao pouted and everyone, even Hiko, shared a good hearty laughter.

"Just telling the truth..." sapphire eyes sparkled.

"Are we there yet?" Misao put on her best puppy expression, big and all for Hiko.

"Now that you asked, yes we are. Welcome to my home." A traditional Japanese mansion stood hidden beneath the trees, its beauty astonishing even Kaoru who had seen many beautiful houses in her life.

"Wow..." Shura breathed. "It's gorgeous. I swear I've never seen such a big house. It looks like a palace."

"This is where we will be staying?" Misao practically squealed out, her big eyes wide with excitement. What was it with this girl that could make him smile so many times in one day? Hiko asked himself.

The house was even more beautiful from inside, noted Kaoru. It was simply yet tastefully decorated...the touch of a woman was obvious as she watched the colorful Persian carpets and curtains hanging over the windows.

But then again she could also see a man's touch. The rack of swords that hung on the wall, the library full of worn, old books and scrolls and many other things.

"Welcome to the Seijuro mansion." A beautiful woman bowed, her long crimson kimono brushing the floor. "You must be ones mister Hiko has been speaking about for so long. My name is Midori."

"Ah Midori-san, have you prepared rooms for our guests?" again the woman bowed low and for the first time, Kaoru noticed the pointy ears peaking from beneath her long black hair.

A demon.

"Yes milord, of course." Kaoru watched as the demoness threw her master a warm look before turning around and walking towards a long hallway.

"You might want to follow her you know." Blue eyes blinked as Kaoru noticed that everyone else had already started walking after Midori, chatting about small nothings.

"You are allowed to go anywhere in the mansion without restriction. Feel free to tell your friends also." Again Kaoru was left alone on the hall. This man was more of an enigma than she had thought in the beginning.

She had not missed the hidden meaning behind the look that passed between Midori and Hiko...nor could she misinterpret it.

Her life had just become more complicated.

TBC...

Hope you liked it...I'm trying to right two stories at the same time so it's hard to update! Thanks again for sending me reviews...you make me want to write more!