TO THE REVIWERS: Thank you so much for the reviews! I appreciate them so much! You all rock my mismatched socks!!!!! AND I WAS WRONG! THIS IS THE LAST CHAPTER UNTIL BRAND NEW, NEVER BEFORE SEEN CHAPTERS!!!! Finally, ne? hahahaha! celebrate they are here! again, i love you all, thanks so much!!!

THE PRICE OF BLOOD

Chapter 9: Fools and Stubborness

Red hair fell across his still bare chest as his head poked through around the shoji opening. Snorting lightly at the sight of the still resting figure, he stepped into the room, balancing a small tray across his arms. Kaoru had not awoken for breakfast and the grating voice in his head would not leave him until he had brought her the food. Walking over to the side of her futon, he looked down at her.

"Get up," he declared coolly.

The raven haired woman frowned in her sleep, mumbling before turning over. However, she still remained asleep. Growling impatiently, the Battousai set down the tray and kneeled beside her. Pulling back the sheet from her body, he repeated his words more harshly.

"Get up."

A moment passed before her eyes began to flutter open. Her blue eyes took in the Battousai at her side and the sheet that was ripped from her body, exposing her loosened robe. Quickly, she darted up, grabbing the sheet and pulling it to her chest.

"Hentai!" she screeched, glaring angrily at the man beside her. Much to her annoyance, her eyes traveled down his well built chest before returning to his face.

He winced at the volume of her voice, tossing her an annoyed look in the process.

"Calm yourself. If you would have awoken for breakfast, then I would not need to be here."

Kaoru scoffed at him, her eyes still sparking with fire. Holding her gaze, Kenshin gently pushed the tray closer to her. He watched as her eyes flickered to the tray and back to his face with uncertainty. Frowning slightly, she turned towards the tray, picking up a small bowl from the contents. Closing his eyes, Kenshin folded his legs underneath himself, relying on his hearing to focus upon Kaoru.

"And I would have been awake if you didn't keep me up all night," she replied softly, almost as if she did not wish for the Battousai to hear.

His head lowered, allowing his red mane to completely envelop his face.

"And what do you mean by that?" he asked lowly, allowing his voice to show his displeasure.

Cracking open his eyes; he watched her set down the bowl from under the protection of his fiery tresses. Reaching under her pillow, she pulled out a dark cloth that he recognized as part of his gi. He raised his head as she presented the bundle to him, her eyes never quite reaching his own. The Battousai watched her for a moment calculating her abnormal behavior. She seemed much calmer than normal, as if her fire had been dimmed.

Slowly, he reached out his calloused hand, taking the package from her grasp. After a moment, her hands lowered to her lap and her eyes traveled nervously to his face. She was waiting for him. The corners of his tempting mouth twitched upwards as he realized what was happening. She was beginning to show the signs of submission.

Unfolding the cloth, he stared at the careful stitch work that she had done. He could tell that she had spent much time in doing proper work. Was it just to please him? No, it couldn't be. Frowning slightly, his eyes hardened some. It was probably just to protect herself from his wrath. Glancing at her once more, he noticed that she was still waiting for a review of her work.

"It is acceptable," he said, slipping the gi over his bare shoulders. "Finish eating. I will clean your wounds once you are done."

Closing his eyes once more, he settled back into a comfortable position, not noticing the frown on Kaoru's face.

She lay on her back, belly exposed as her red headed keeper hovered above her. It had been a battle of wills to let him portray her like this, a battle that she had lost miserably. Her body was tense as she watched him with clouded eyes. Surprisingly enough, the Battousai had used gentle persistence in laying her down, using only growls to let her know that she could not escape this.

His lean fingers revealed her wound with agonizing slowness, making her tremble in humiliation. As his fingers descended upon her skin, she twisted away unconsciously, only to be brought back into place by his hands. Molten eyes gazed at her, softening minutely as she blinked back tears.

"If you hold still, I will be done sooner."

She pouted, but held still as his hands found their way back to his wounds. "Mou! Why can't the female doctor do this?" she asked, forgetting who she was addressing.

He did not look up as he continued. "There is no need for her. I can do this myself...and I do not like her touching you," he said, his voice dieing out into a soft murmur.

Narrowing her eyes, she snorted at him before turning her head to the side.

"And what if I don't like you touching me?"

Cold water collided with her stomach at that moment, causing her to flinch and whip her head around to stare at him. He, however, paid no attention to Kaoru as he continued to focus upon his task.

"Why did you ask for my name?" From the corner of his eye, he could see the confusion that spread across her pale face.

"I asked for your name? I don't remember...I guess I don't know why I did that," Kaoru replied softly.

The Battousai frowned, leaning back upon his legs.

"Cover yourself. I am done," he ordered as he began to rise to his feet.

"Why are you here?"

He halted in his footsteps at her voice, considering how to respond to her question.

"Because I own you," he told her, keeping his face from her.

"No," she responded. "Why do you stay in this dojo, caring for it...and for me?"

He turned around slowly to face her. She had now moved from her spot on the floor, folding her kimono back to her body. She moved her large eyes up to his, pleading him silently for an answer. He could see the sadness that lay deep inside of her, as well as the pain and confusion. Amber eyes looked away before his hard voice bit out.

"I don't know."

"What do you mea..." she started, but stopped short as soon as she saw those frightening cold eyes bearing into her. Averting her eyes from his, she pulled the covers close to her body. Her heart was pounding, fearing the anger that showed in his eyes. She felt a warm breath on her ear before a harsh voice whispered to her.

"Do not question me."

She flinched at the tone, shying away from him as she listened to his footsteps leave the room.

Kaoru sat alone in the darkened kitchen, tapping her fingers lazily against the table top as she waited for the water to finish boiling. It had been hard for her to sleep these past few nights. She could receive no comfort. Several times she had tried to confront the Battousai about had happened to her family, but each time she was met with the same results.

His threatening growl would come first, followed by his eyes glazing over with a demon's hate. However, she was starting to realize that this was his reaction when he had something to say...or when he was confused.

A few nights ago she had lain awake for hours, counting the seconds go by in her darkened room. Remembering the last time she could not sleep, a slight smile had crossed her features. Ever since that night she had been waking in the night to make a soothing cup of tea; a habit she had the Battousai to thank for.

Kaoru sighed, bringing her elbows upon the table before she dropped her head into her hands. Why was she starting to fear him less and less? Why did she worry about him when she saw the confusion that lay in his eyes when he thought she wasn't looking?

Raising her head, her deep blue eyes widened as her mouth parted, allowing a small gasp to escape from them. Was she actually starting to care about him? Shaking her head violently, she clutched her hands to her chest.

She couldn't, she wouldn't. He killed her father. He killed the man that meant the most to her. He was a monster.

A slight creaking of the floor reached her ears. She became rigid as she waited for another sound to come flooding to her. Upon hearing no more, she rose from her seated position, heading to the hall.

Sticking her head into the corridor, she listened closely once again. Concentrating hard, she could hear the slight shuffling and rustlings that were coming from the end of the hall. The sounds were coming straight from the Battousai's room.

Frowning, she headed back into the kitchen, taking an extra cup out from the cabinet. It seems that the Battousai could not sleep as well. Perhaps she would bring him some tea as well.

Her footsteps carried her carefully down the darkened path, while she still listened to the Battousai's restless beats. As she came closer to the door, the beats became more frantic. A part of her mind wondered if this was a mistake, but her hand still traveled to the door where she gave a light knock.

All sounds immediately ceased from inside the room. Kaoru hesitated slightly before pushing open the shoji. Stepping inside, she halted with a gasp.

The Battousai stood on the opposite side of the room, watching her with deadly steeled eyes. His shoulders were slightly hunched causing his hair to fall partly over his chest. Framed by the subtle light flowing from the window, he looked every part of the killer that he was known for.

Swallowing hard, Kaoru averted her eyes from his, walking further into the room.

"Leave me," he called to her, his voice seething with some unknown force.

Darting her eyes around him, she motioned to the cup in her hands.

"I brought you some tea," she uttered softly, ignoring his request.

She sat on the floor, placing the drink on the floor before moving her hands to rest upon her lap.

"I didn't ask you for any. Why did you bring it?" He asked while shifting his biting eyes away from her to gaze in to the darkness of the night.

Her expressive eyes displayed the slight fear building inside of her as she began to tug on the sleeves of her pale sleeping robe.

"I made some to help me sleep. When I heard noises coming from your room...I...I remembered that you said it helps to calm you on restless nights."

He did not turn his head, but his widened eyes turned to her. The flat lines of his lips pursed further together. His fists began to shake with emotion, turning white from the tight hold. Turning his body to her, he sauntered over slowly, keeping his wide flickering eyes upon her.

His imposing form stood above her cowering body. He knew that she was timidly watching him.

"Why did you stop me from killing those men? They meant to hurt you, and yet you mad me spare them," he began, his voice dropping to an almost unsteady level.

Kaoru's head jerked up, her beautiful angry eyes locking with his.

"Every man deserves to live. A life is a precious gift that we have no right to take. Even though they wanted to hurt me that gives me no right to wish pain upon them. A sword should be used to protect, not to kill."

The Battousai's eyes narrowed at her. That foolish girl. She had no idea what the world was like.

"And that's what I was doing. I was protecting what was mine. If they happen to die in the process, then so be it."

"If your life means anything to you, then you would not kill them. I can see in your eyes that you don't like killing you fellow men. If you must protect your 'property'," she spit out with an increasing voice, "by killing, then I do not wish to be saved by you."

Growling, he swiftly moved upon her, grasping her shoulders roughly in his calloused hands.

"You don't know me at all. Don't you know that I could kill you right now? I have killed so many, why should you be any different?" he hissed through clenched teeth. His hands increasingly added pressure upon her body, causing Kaoru to cry out in pain as he continued.

"I killed your father. I killed him with my blade. I killed him to protect myself....and you. Your ideas are for fools."

Tears brimmed in her eyes as she cried out again as his nails bit into her shoulders, but she still held his crazed gaze. Dropping away suddenly, he reared back from her shaking body.

She looked at him with her tear soaked face, rubbing the aching of her shoulders.

"Perhaps I am foolish, but then why haven't you killed me yet? Everyone deserves kindness, to have a taste of it, even if they seemingly don't deserve it."

The Battousai dropped his eyes from hers, tracing the lines of the katana that was still attached to his side.

"I am not leaving until you drink that tea," she added quietly, allowing him an escape from her questioning. She pushed the cup forward, bringing the steaming liquid into his view.

Tearing his eyes away from his blade, he looked down at the stubborn woman. Once again she had awoken this uneasy feeling inside of him. Grunting, he folded his legs underneath him. He continued to stare at her for a moment. Satisfying her wish would be the easiest way to rid of her for now.

Gingerly, he picked up the cup, raising it to his lips. As the warm liquid slid down his throat, he closed his eyes, giving into its silent demand. Bringing the cup down to rest upon his knee, his eyes stayed closed as he spoke again.

"Why are you doing this for me?"

He could feel her eyes consider him and then shy away.

"Since you are living here, I should try to make the best of it. It would only bring me pain if I was constantly cruel to you."

A dull sting of disappointment ripped through his chest. She was only doing this out of necessity. He would have to be a fool to think otherwise.

"I see," he replied curtly.

The cup found his lips again as he drained the rest of the cup's contents. He could feel his body start to relax, but was it really the tea or the lingering scent of jasmine? After a few moments, he could feel her fingers brush against his as she took the cup from his grasp.

When Kaoru rose to leave, she heard his quiet voice reach her ears once more.

"I don't need your kindness, Kaoru."

Glancing over her shoulders she saw that his eyes were still closed. Smiling, she continued on her way, pausing only after she had reached the open shoji.

"Yes, Kenshin. You do."

And as Kenshin's eyes sprang open with shock, he was only met with the sight of the closing shoji.

TBC...

A/N: I AM SORRY ABOUT THE LONG DELAY WITH UPDATES. I had a bad case of writer's block, followed by a vacation. But I do promise you that I already have a page of chapter 10 written, so it will be here soon!