To the Reviewers!

Nobody- mawuahaha i can't wait to read pills, this will be fun....yeah kenshin doesn't really do much to her cooking, but i thought it would be silly to have a cold killer try and tell kaoru that her cooking is good. and you know what, dont worry about spelling bansages wrong...i still struggle, you would laugh at how long it took me to get the hang of success!

Nanakilover/Brukaoru- hehe it is a fun line, i was so pround when i thought of it. although, this chapter has another of my favorite one liners, mawuahahah!

reignashii-next chapter!!

mademoiselle anime-i am so glad that you like the story!

tairayball15-lol thank you for the lovely review! i hope that this is a quick enough update for you!

kurio tamashii-thanks for the update! i am glad that you got the email, i hope that it helped you some. getting kicked off the site sucks, damn them for not warning us!!!!

kaoru gal-thanks!!!

THE PRICE OF BLOOD

Chapter 5: Fight and Flee

A stoic man sat behind a plain desk. His arms were crossed across his chest as his wolf-like eyes narrowed at the knock from the door. Scowling, he took the time to light a long cigarette before calling out, "Enter."

A small, timid teen opened the door slowly, his downcast eyes occasionally flickering up to gage the mood of his superior. "Forgive me for interrupting you, Sir, but I have important news for you."

The thin man at the desk rose, moving to stand next to the window. "Well, what is it then. I do not have all day, Akito."

Sweat appeared on Akito's brow, openly showing his discomfort. "Well, it is rumored that the Battousai is in town, Sir."

The elder's eyes narrowed even more as he took an extended hit of nicotine. "Yes, I am aware. Is that all?"

"Rumor has it that he is staying at the Kamiya dojo."

The hand traveling to the man's mouth stopped in mid air as his eyes flashed to glare at Akito. Akito shifted nervously, uncomfortable under the intense glare. "Lt. Hajime?"

"That will be all, Akito," he said as he turned back to the window. After a soft click was heard from the door, Saito Hajime smiled to himself. "So, he is back...and it seems he has found himself a wench as well. It won't be long now until everyone will know." Lighting another cigarette, he allowed the match to cascade to the floor. His large foot stepped over the dying flame, smothering it immediately. "What will happen now, Kenshin Himura?"

Kaoru sighed as she leaned against the dojo wall. She was starving. She hadn't eaten since lunch yesterday. She would have gotten food, but the Battousai had been cooking. She did not trust him enough for that.

Kaoru had been going out of her way to avoid him, trying to distance herself from that beast. Perhaps he would get bored and leave. Closing her eyes, she inhaled deeply, allowing herself to relax as she reflected upon what has happened.

Kaoru had only seen him once since last night. He had made breakfast this morning. It had been and almost identical scene from the night before. However, this time she had not ended upon the floor. Learning from last night, she had left as soon as she had heard him growl.

Suddenly, her body tensed. He was watching her, he was in the dojo. Opening her eyes slowly, azure and amber locked together. They stood there unmoving for a few moments, each carefully studying the other. Finally, he took a step into the dojo, the sunlight forming behind him to create a heavenly frame. Kaoru snorted at the thought. Heavenly? Never, he was only fit for the hells.

"It's time for lunch," he said. Battousai's low voice sent strange chills down her spine, creating a mixture of fear and intrigue. Crossing her arms across her chest she said, "I thought that we had been over this enough. I do not want to touch anything that you have cooked."

And then he was beside her, trapping her in between his arms. His eyes flashed, he was getting aggravated with this game. Battousai grabbed her waist and draped her over his shoulder like she was a child.

Her eyes grew wide, and by the time the shock wore off, they were already entering the dojo yard. "Let me down!" he screeched, hitting his back with all of her fury. However, he merely grunted in response.

Entering the kitchen, he dropped her on the ground. Kaoru cried out in pain before twisting her head to glare at him. For once, she made him freeze. "You revolting beast!" she hissed.

Her trance was broken at that point and he moved to her, pulling her up to the table. A bowl was placed upon it, waiting for her. He would have her do this, she must submit. "Eat, damnit. I will not have you starve yourself."

She bit at his hands as they came close to her. "And why do you care if I starve?" He froze once again. Damn this girl. He stood immediately. Kaoru slumped over some, losing the balance that she had in his grasp. His eyes narrowed at her. "You are mine, that is why." Turning away from her, he said, "Don't eat. Do as you wish. I do not care, that I do not."

He strode out of the room, the anger visible in his clipped, yet controlled, step. Looking around, she waited a few more minutes to make sure he was not returning. Finally, she relaxed and picked up her chopsticks. She was too hungry to ignore this food. She no longer cared if the Battousai had prepared it as she indulged herself in its heavenly taste.
A week has gone by since that day. He had been living in the Kamiya dojo for over a week now. He shook his head at the thought. Why was he still here? This wisp on a woman pushed him like no other. It took all of his control not to hurt her and to walk away from her sharp tongue and piercing eyes. Those eyes. They would be so beautiful if they did not always reflect anger.

His gaze traveled down to his rough hands. Why was she still so angry? She avoided him at all costs. Would these hands of his really hurt her? His stark eyes narrowed. Why was he even wondering about this? His eyes were shifting, with slight wisps of lavender visible before being overcome by amber.

Damn this woman. He picked up the rag that was at his side and began to polish the katana that lay on his lap. She had learned how to avoid him. Kaoru was clever, he would give her that.

Since that day last week, she would wait until after he was gone to sneak into the kitchen to eat her share of food. She thought that he didn't know, but he could hear every step that she took.

Picking up the sword from his lap, he held it up to the light. It gleamed beautifully, looking like it have never been tainted with blood. He caught his reflection on the blade, and stilled immediately.

The scar on his face would never allow him to forget who he was, nor would it ever allow anyone else to forget. He was forever trapped in this hell, forever he tied with this title...Battousai.

He moved away, gracefully unwinding his legs to stand. If only he could hear his real name once again. To here Kenshin roll sweetly from crimson lips, to have someone forget.

It was time for him to serve dinner, to begin this game of Kaoru's once again. It was her choice not to confront him. Perhaps he should be grateful. But he would not admit it. It aggravated him more not to see her than to listen to her disobedience.

Silently he filled two bowls and placed them on the table. He sat down and began his meal, closing his eyes to savor the taste. He heard a slight shuffle that sparked his curiosity. He popped his eyes open lazily, only to see Kaoru standing near him, shifting uncomfortably while trying to decide to sit with him or not.

He closed his eyes once more, hoping it would encourage her to make a decision. And it did. She sighed heavily and moved to sit, still keeping a careful eye on the Battousai. They ate in silence, and somehow it was not uncomfortable. Kaoru should learn that he would not hurt her unless provoked.

Upon setting down his bowl, Battousai looked over at Kaoru. She was staring at him while playing with the sleeve of her purple kimono. Her raven hair was down, gently lying across her breasts. He raised a crimson eyebrow. She wanted to say something. "What is it?" he asked, his low sultry voice breaking the silence.

She smiled wickedly and tilted her head to the side. "Would you really like to know?" she prodded. He looked away, having no desire to start this now. "If you wish."

Shrugging, she got up, collecting the dishes to take to the sink. "It's nothing really. I was just thinking how appropriate it is that your hair resembles the color of blood."

His muscles contracted, tensing as his mind boiled. His eyes flashed with fury as his head snapped over to her. He growled at her. And all she did was smile sweetly at him before turning back to her task.

It was only when a warm hand grabbed her arm and flung her against the wall that she panicked. The plates crashed to the floor, splintering into fine jagged pieces. One hand was on her arm while the other coiled around her throat, pinning her to the wall. "You bitch!" he hissed. He would no longer tolerate this. She struggled against him, kicking and screaming as his grasp became tighter. "You will not speak to me in such a way unless you wish to die, Kaoru."

It was getting harder for her to breathe, she had to act now. Aiming her foot, she kicked hard, managing to hit him in the shin. He grunted and loosened his grip. She pushed his chest, flinging away from him. She tried to run but a hand came down around her wrist, throwing her off balance. She crashed to the floor, landing next to the broken pottery.

He was immediately upon her, straddling her flailing legs. Battousai leaned down close to her, growling against her lips. She could see the swirling of his eyes as he warred with himself to keep control. It was mesmerizing, but she was too proud not to fight now.

Opening her mouth, she moved up slightly, capturing his bottom lip in her teeth. Biting down hard, blood immediately filled her mouth, tingling against her tongue. Battousai jerked back, one hand flying to his lips as she shook with anger.

That was all she needed. Grabbing a piece of the broken plates, she screamed as she slashed him, creating a gash in his gi. He roared in surprise and pain. Kaoru shoved hard against his chest, successfully rolling him off of her. And she ran, ran into the night like a wild animal. Kaoru did not care where she was going to, as long as it was not here.

"Kaoru!" Battousai raged, standing by the door. Damn her, damn this woman. He was debating whether to go after her or not. To let her get hurt, or to keep her safe. His eyes were wide, with frightening shades of amber crashing together. He panted hard, sweat beginning to dampen his hair. He could not feel the pain at his side, or the blood running down him. He was too busy fighting in his mind.

"Fuck!" he yelled, punching the ground enough to make it tremor slightly. His knuckles split, blood oozing out to match the pattern of blood on his lips. He rose from his position, his breathing becoming even more labored. He truly looked like a demon now.

He drew his sword, flinging it to the wall. It sliced into the plaster, imbedding itself deeply. His fists clenched, becoming white. It clashed starkly with the bright blood that flowed down his hand. Finally, his breathing began to slow, however his eyes were as wild as ever. She had gotten away from him. He stalked over to the wall, pulling out his sword smoothly and twisting his hand to return it to its sheath. He walked back over to the door, looking out into the darkness. Stepping into the night, he grimaced. That was it, she was his. He was going after her.
TBC...

I hope you like this one, it's probably my favorite chapter so far. Let me know what you think! -RurouniNikkitch13