TO THE REVIEWERS:

Nobody- thanks so much for reviewing again for me! you are awesome. you know what, by the time i have all of the chapters up, i will have 2 new ones for you let me know if you ever write anything, i would love to read it!

Nanakilover/Brukaoru-yeah, it does suck to get kicked off! without a warning too! grr! but here is a new chapter. and they will all be up soon

AngelWingsbaka-bows thank you, thank you :)

somebody-thanks for the review! i hope that i updated quick enough for you!

goldmund1110-i am glad that you like! wait till some of the other chapters, some get interesting lol!

reignashii-yeap, gotta do one by one, i need to retype them all. but hey, they are coming!

kurio tamashii-it is a load of shit! i was pissed when it happened, i didnt even know why. but what can you do? at least i made a new account mawuahahahha! ;)

THE PRICE OF BLOOD

Chapter 2: Rumors and Memories

"They say he isn't dead after all. Rumors have it that he just killed a man last night, and not to far away at that."
"I wonder what the police will do about it."
"All I know is that I don't feel safe anymore. He could come for anyone."

The whispers were everywhere. All of Tokyo had learned of this return from the underworld. All except for one girl.

Kaoru walked slowly down the streets, cautiously watching the townspeople. What were they gossiping about now? It was only when she heard the name 'Battousai' spit from one of their mouths that she stopped. Turning her head sharply she asked, "Excuse me, but did you just say the Battousai?"

The woman glanced over at the owner of the voice, sizing her up before nodding. "Hai, he is back."

"You must be mistaken. He was killed years ago."

"I am afraid that I am not mistaken. A man was just died by his blade last night."

Kaoru paled. It could not be true that he was loose once again. 'But he was killed by...' she thought. She shook her head, causing her raven silk hair to crash softly against her face. Turning to the women once more she said, "It is a shame. I only hope that we will all be safe."

The woman nodded viciously, agreeing with Kaoru wholeheartedly. "Let Kami save us all."

Kaoru's blue orbs blinked before bowing to the woman and continuing on her way. She sighed. Something new was always happening in Tokyo. If only it were something less haunting this time.

Her delicate feet glided silently against the old dirt road as she traveled back to her dojo. She had no real desire to return there. With no students the large training school could get very lonely. If only her father hadn't died. After his death she had inherited the school. However, the students had left, not wanting to be trained by a woman.

She scowled at the thought. She was just as strong as any man. They were all just blinded by their arrogance. 'One day I shall show them all' she thought with a smile.

At the dojo, she slid open the shoji to her room. Slipping out of her vivid kimono, she slid into her much preferred training gi. There was nothing else to do. She would train now and sharpen her already powerful skills with a bokken. After all, it might come in handy now that the Battousai had returned.

His haunting eyes scanned the crowd as he trekked down the streets. No one had noticed him yet, for he had traveled in the shadows. The element of surprise had always been one of his favorite tricks. It had helped him defeat every enemy he had ever encountered.

For the time being he wanted no attention drawn to him. He preferred to be left alone from the screaming and fear that had always graced his name. All he wanted now was to see his newly acquired property. He was going to the Kamiya dojo. He had watched over its inhabitants for 5 years now, but this time it was different. Now it was his to do as he pleased.

Slithering before the dojo gate, he stood for a moment before he launched himself into a nearby tree. He silently searched the dojo before his eyes narrowed upon finding what he wanted. As he watched her, a memory flashed to his mind.

Flashback

He looked at the man seated behind the desk. This man was carefully working a large bag in his hand, smirking at the Battousai.

"You have a service that I would like, Battousai," the man said calmly.

Battousai's head lowered as his eyes bore into the man, reading through all of his actions. He smiled as he realized that the man was intimidated by him. They all were.

"My services are not for sale," Battousai stated, letting his voice drop dangerously low. The man shivered slightly before tossing the pack to the Battousai.

"What if you received one of these a month. Are you available now?" the man asked as he raised his eyes to observe the Battousai.

He was greeted by an impassive face that revealed nothing. Yellow eyes dropped to the pack, carefully weighing it in his hand. He stayed quiet for a moment, contemplating the deal. Finally his eyes rose, glancing at the man. The man shuddered, fearing he had angered the skilled assassin.

"It would allow you to live quietly for a while. Perhaps all will forget about you."

Battousai's eyes narrowed dangerously as he took a step forward. "No one can ever forget the damage that I have caused." He paused before continuing. "I will accept your deal. However, I have some conditions of my own."

The man's eyes widened slightly before asking with a trembling voice, "And they would be..."

"I will do with the enemies as I please. You will also not tell me how to handle any situation. I am free to go and leave as I wish..." His hand lowered to his sword as he finished his sentence, "...and also, if you are late in any payment, I hold the right to decide the terms of punishment."

The man sat shocked, finally becoming fully afraid. He nodded eventually, sealing his fate with this once action.

The Battousai smiled eerily. Turning around, he strode to the door. He stopped and looked back over his shoulder. His flaming hair blocked his face, but traces of his calculating eyes could still be seen.
"Good. I will begin tonight. This better be worth my time, Kamiya."

And with that he walked out of the room, slamming the shoji shut with enough force to shake the walls. He did not hear Kamiya's sigh of regret.

End Flashback

The first time he had laid eyes upon her was in this very tree. Then too she was practicing with her bokken. She was strong, but still was no where near his league. He shook his elegant head, remembering how much trouble this little spitfire gets into. She was more trouble than he was getting paid for.

He smirked as she stopped her training. She was completely oblivious to his presence. He continued to watch her until her form disappeared within the dojo. His eyes flashed. He would change things tomorrow. It was time that she learned her place, and learned that she was no longer free to do as she pleased.

Watching the dojo for a few more minutes, he then whispered, "It is high time that we finally get a chance to meet. I will see you tomorrow, Kaoru Kamiya."

And with that he was gone, the only evidence of his presence being the slightly trembling leaves.
TBC...