To The Reviewers:

Nobody-what is this? your baby? i want to read it! you cant hide it from me! i want to review and read into the story too! it sounds like it will be interesting. i cant wait for you to see the new chapters, i really think that you will like them. chapter 11 is getting good, and you will be shocked, kenshin says more than 1 line!

Nankilover/brukaoru-yes you do rock! and it is sad for kaoru, but if it wasnt, i wouldnt have an interesting story!

saskia2-yea, it is a serious story, but there is some slight humor here and there. i hope this chapter clears up the living arangements, if not, then let me know and i will try and fix it!

reignashii-hehe i am glad you are picking up new things, but if they are new or not, that will be my little secret! mawuahah!

lei- a uchikake is a sleeping robe or an outer robe thing

cisne-thank you so much for picking up on that error, i had no idea. although it doesnt matter too much for the rest of the story, i will get around to fix my error and make a note for future reference. i am glad that you like the story, too!

goldmund-thank ya, my dear! i like the battousai evil too, i plan on him staying that way for a long LONG time, even when he is trying to be kind, lol!

inu n kenshin lovr-i agree, a lot of k/k stories are the same. i really tried to make this different through the descriptions and emotions used.and in answer to your questions: nope, no tomoe in this story, and yes, he does have the scar, but it doesnt play any part in this story, it is only really there for people who have heard of the battousai to help identify him.

THE PRICE OF BLOOD

Chapter 4: Dinner and Tea

A shadow crawled across the wall, making Kaoru jump in fear. She had been like this for two days now. Two days ago that monster had walked into her life. She was afraid. If it was true that he had killed her father, would she follow the same fate?

Every movement stopped her heart, pounding the blood through her veins. She had not seen the Battousai since that day in the yard. But that did not rid her of the feeling that eyes were upon her. He was close by, she knew it, but she could not tell when he would come next.

She sighed as she reached over to snuff out the candle that lay next to her futon. Falling back, she sprawled across the sheets, trying to get comfortable. Her hand absently traced designs into the sheets as silent tears caressed her cheeks. Her eyes drifted shut while she mumbled to herself. At last her hand began to slow and her breathing became even. Sleep had descended upon her.

Glowing amber eyes materialized in the darkness of Kaoru's room. The white socks that covered his feet killed any sound. His dark gi blended perfectly into the restless shadows of the night.

He stood over her small form, wondering just how much power lay hidden inside her. A peaceful trance fell across her features. The moonlight spilled across her, highlighting her natural beauty. Yes, she was beautiful, but she was also a hinder to him. Her stubbornness would create problems.

His face showed no emotion as he watched her sleep for a few more moments. Turning softly, he walked out of the room, making sure not to wake her. As he traveled down the dark hall, he took in his surroundings. Pausing here and there, his large hand ran over various objects. They were all his now. But for some reason it did not give him the pleasure that he expected.

A smile still ghosted over his face. He could get used to living here, as long as Kaoru learned her place. An empty room fell before him. Perhaps he would make this his room. He walked in and leaned against the wall, eventually sliding down it. Resting his katana against his shoulder, he allowed himself to be lulled into sleep by the gentle breeze that sung throughout the night.
Kaoru wiped at her eyes as she stood in the kitchen. A yawn escaped her lips. She couldn't help it; she was too worried about what the Battousai had said to rest properly. She felt lifeless inside. Was it true? Was her father really dead now?

Tears streamed down her face. The crystal shaped drops fell gracefully down to the counter, falling over her hands as she tried to chop vegetables. It became too much for her to bear. The once steady chopping stopped, her shoulders hunching over as sobs racked throughout her body. The tears were so thick that she did not even see that spark that rose up from the lit stove.

Flames erupted around her, causing her head to fly up in alarm. Surprise stilled her body, freezing her to the spot. Blue eyes reflected dancing flames, widening as the flames continued to grow.

A hand snaked around her waist, drawing her back into a warm mass. Smoke began to fill the air and a sharp hissing rand throughout her ears. Slowly, the smoke began to lift. Blinking rapidly, she looked over at the person before her. There she was, nestled safely in the Battousai's chest as he held an empty pitcher of water over the stove.

His eyes bore into her, making her feel uneasy.
"You are not supposed to burn the food, woman."

His low voice pulled her out of her stupor and she wretched herself out of his grasp. An elegant eyebrow rose as he turned towards her.

"Well now, what happened to the feisty woman that I met before?" he asked, taking a step to her.

Kaoru began to shake, her body was betraying her.

"Stay away from me, you beast!" she spat, backing away from him.

He stopped in his tracks, frowning at her.

"Beast? I think not. Now sit, woman."

She blankly stared at him, confused by what he had just said. He wasn't coming after her?...and did he just save her?

He turned to the stove, putting on a fresh pot of water to boil. She tensed as he picked up a knife, but calmed some when he resumed chopping the vegetables. She continued to stare, confusing still cripiling her mind. When he heard no noise, he looked back at her, narrowing his eyes.

"I said sit, woman. Do not disobey."

His voice was low, almost growling at her. A surge of anger came over her as she slid down the wall into a sitting position by the table. Just what was he up to?

She continued to watch him with teary eyes as Battousai began to cook. In no time his careful hands had prepared a steaming bowl of rice and vegetables. He towered over her, looking down with cold eyes. She looked up at him, blinking back tears. He looked out of place holding the bowl. The devoid assassin gently placed the bowl of food before her.
"Eat," he said before walking back to the counter.

She looked at the bowl cautiously before throwing her arms in front of her chest and replying, "No. Who knows what kind of poison you put in this."

The soft clatter at the counter stopped. His narrowed yellow eyes appeared over his shoulder, with the rest of his body following shortly after.
"Eat, woman," he growled.

Kaoru's body shook, she had to get away from him. She stirred from her position, preparing to leave the kitchen for the safety of her room.
"I don't want to. Not something prepared by you."

She glared at him defiantly, daring him to force her. The Battousai sauntered over to her, kneeling down until his body was next to hers. Once she felt his warm breath on her ear, she started. A calloused hand reached out and grabbed her chin roughly, bringing it back to meet his lips.

She couldn't help the fear that coursed through her body. Straining her eyes, he could barely be seen from the corner of her eye. But she could not miss the angry glare that was housed inside his eyes. She was pushing him, placing herself into a dangerous position.

He waited momentarily, trying to regain the control that was slipping through his grasp. Why must she be so belligerent?
"If I had wanted to kill you, I would have done so long ago. Do not test me, woman."

With a flick of his wrist, she was sent tumbling to the floor. Her long ebony hair was strewn all about her as she watched him. He remained on his haunches, paralizying her with his gaze. Her pulse was racing, waiting until he moved. She looked beautiful so helpless.

Eventually he stood, tossing the flames that had fallen over his shoulder onto his back. He calmly walked out of the kitchen. Kaoru could hear the soft sliding of a shoji from somewhere down the hall.

She sat in shock for a minute more before getting up to run down the hall to her room. Flinging open her door, she dashed into the far corner. Sliding into the corner, she allowed tears to run down her cheeks as she cried herself to sleep.
He could hear her every move. He had listened to her pad down the hallway and forced open her door. The force she used had made his sensitive ears cringe. Her sobbing followed soon after. The vibrations could be felt through the floor as she finally fell over into a sleep. Now he listened with his eyes closed, focusing on the sound.

Gentle rustles of fabric could be distinguished. He could just picture Kaoru now, tossing and flailing in her troubled sleep. After all, she had done so many times during his nightly watches over her.

Sighing, he unfolded himself from his seated position, rebinding his hair as she exited the room. Making his way into the kitchen, he placed a pot of water upon the cold stove, patiently waiting for it to boil.

Sitting once more, he closed his eyes to return his focus to Kaoru's disturbed rest. Perhaps he would tell her all that had happened. Giving a snort and a toss of his graceful head, he decided against it. He would wait until she had learned to behave properly. Her obedience would be rewarded with the truth.

Opening one eye, he impassively glanced at the water. White foam bulged at the top, threatening to spill over the sides. Fetching a cup, he poured the steaming water in. Tea would soothe her. Walking into her room, he stopped as he saw her.

Her face was twisted into a painful wince and her eyebrows creased together worriedly. Sweat coated her body, causing her locks to stick heavily against her heated skin. Scowling slightly, he made his way over to her.

Placing down the tea, one of his powerful arms craned around her back, drawing her up into a sitting position. In an instant her eyes flashed open. Seeing the Battousai beside her, Kaoru let out a cry as she tried to squirm away. His only response was to tighten his grip on her. Holding the cup before her, he called out to her. "Drink. It will calm you."

Her head twisted to glare at him. "And what do you care if I am calm?"

She watched his eyes close. Soon she was reintroduced with his haunting, yet beautiful eyes. "I cannot sleep if you continue to make so much noise, woman."

A snort fell from her delicate nose as she opened her mouth to comment. He took that moment to gently place the cup against her lips. Tipping back her chin, he allowed more of the warm liquid to glide down her throat. Her eyes widened, and her hands flew up to grasp his wrist in hopes of removing the cup from her lips.

But his hand would not budge. She felt the sweet tea doing its job, and she soon found herself relaxing against her will. Her small hand fell away from his steady wrist as she allowed him to feed her more.

Finally, the sup left her mouth, leaving her longing for more of its sweetness. His hand slipped out from under her back, softly laying her onto the ground. Immediately she missed the warmth. She had forgot that his arm was there, and mentally scolded herself for allowing him to touch her in such a manner.

Raising her eyes to look at him, she noticed that he was still watching her. "How did you know that it would work?" she whispered, fascinated by his hunch.

An emotion flashed across his eyes, but it was impossible for her to read. "Tea is the same thing that has calmed me on many sleepless nights."

He turned away, making his way to the shoji. "My name is not woman, Battousai," she called out, trying to cover up a yawn. He stopped in the doorway, the light casting soothing patterns across his hair and back. Kaoru watched, holding her breath.

Finally, his calm answer came. "And my name is not Battousai, Kaoru."

And then he was gone, leaving a shocked Kaoru in his wake.
TBC...

A/N: Let me know what you guys think! Until later, your humble servant, RurouniNikkitch13