All hail the evil writer. I'm soo glad all of you were stuck somewhere between shock, amazement, and fury. That was the exact reaction I was looking for. Sorry about the long wait, but as you do or do not know Fanfiction was down and I could not get on to post my update. Thank you for your patience. I did make this chapter longer than the last one. I'm warning you now. I may not get to update for a little while. I really have to get my summer project done before the time limit! Enjoy

Disclaimer: :see chapter 1: Me no own, you no sue. Me no money, you no worry.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A pale moon languished in the night sky. A mourning sun awaited the signal to rise. The darkness vainly followed the ever fading moon. A black cloud blocked even the sorry light of the moon. The darkness could not see the way. He could not remember how to reach his beloved sun.

"No! Saito, please! Please Don't! Saito?" Kaoru whimpered as his weight came down upon her. "Saito don't, not like this."

His sharp gold eyes penetrated her azure orbs. He was still prone upon her, but was making no movement to go further. He stared at her, trying to read the emotions flashing in her eyes. He saw terror, sadness, shock, and another emotion he could not identify. With a great restraining effort, Saito slowly stood up. Taking Kaoru's hand, he brought her up with him.

"Why?" His voice was cold, never betraying his inner rage at her rejection.

Try as she might, Kaoru could not bring herself to look at his face. She stared resolutely at the ground. Shame permeated her soul. She had rejected her betrothed, for some half-mad, murdering, kidnapper who would likely be ordered to kill her. Kaoru mentally scolded herself for ever kissing the Hitokiri. He had no emotions. She was probably just a mission with benefits. She was never more than a possession to him. He would kill her with no more emotion than a twinge of regret at staining his gi with her innards.

"I'm . . . s . . . scared." She whispered. 'I must find a way to fight this. I will not let my heart be taken from the only man to offer me freedom, to be handed to the man who took that freedom away.'

Saito chuckled softly, startling the already cringing Kaoru. She was very startled when the anticipated blow did not strike. Now Saito understood. He had forgotten how young his innocent-one was. She knew nothing of life and it's pleasures. Saito would have to ease her into her new place with him. He had never spoken more than six words to this little bird. Her eyes had always held such innocence and wonder, that he had never imagined her knowing of his plans. A cruel smile twisted his lips as he recalled the day he claimed her.

++++

She had just been "introduced" to him and her father's comrades when he knew she was the key. Mr. Kamiya was hoping to use his beautiful daughter as a bargaining chip for his "enterprises." The man disgusted Saito. Kamiya was the type of man, who would sell his soul for one yen, let alone the amounts of money he was to make from the pairing. Any of his "colleagues" who married Kaoru would be initiated as a partner to Kamiya. As Saito scanned the room, he recognized each of the men there as very wealthy. The leaders of every branch of the Shoganate syndicate were present. Kamiya had them all dancing to his tune. This innocent-one had no hint of the power-struggles engulfing her and her future. She was pure as newly fallen snow. Saito swore to himself that he would keep her safe from the fate soon to befall her father. That promise showed through his amber gaze. As soon as the young lady left the chatter erupted again. By the smug look on Kamiya's face, Saito assumed he was receiving very tempting offers for his daughter's hand. All of the associates swarmed the girl's owner, save Saito. When Kamiya asked why Saito was so silent, he responded simply.

"I wished to hear the other's offers before making mine."

Kamiya laughed, a rough, grating laugh that always set Saito's nerves on edge. Saito swore to kill Kamiya with his own blade, for his arrogance, buying and selling of people like cattle, and most of all for that laugh. Saito slipped from the group within the half-hour. The men's talk had turned mundane, with the memory of the girl and the introduction of sake. No more business was to be discussed tonight. Therefor Saito's attendance was not required. As the lithe wolf lurked around the spacious mansion, he came upon the girl. Her ebony head was bent. She stared at some unknown spot beyond the four walls that bound her. Longing and hope flickered in her eyes of cobalt.

"You will be released." Saito softly whispered to her.

Her eyes flicked immediately upward. Kaoru stared at his amber depths. Her eyes, like the deepest sea, pulled on Saito. After one very long moment he walked off, fading with the darkness. Saito never knew what possessed him to offer her comfort.

++++

A dark shadow crossed his vision. Slowly, laboriously Battousai opened two bloodshot gold eyes. Images swam before his face. Rapid movements were all he could detect. His instincts told him there were two people in the room. One was busily rushing in and out of the room. The other was leaning against the far wall, watching him. The Hitokiri's mind automatically assessed his chances of escape, should he be in enemy hands.

"Oi, fox-doctor!" Called a male voice in the vicinity of the farthest wall. "I think he's up!"

The sound pounded on the walls of his ears. There was only one person he knew that would be thickheaded enough to holler around an injured man.

"Hush, tori-atama. You're making all my patients worse!" Shushed a smooth female voice drifting into the room.

An elegant ebony-haired woman swept into the room. With his vision clearing, he could make out the pursed lips, sharp eyes, and well-draped doctor's smock of Megumi, the lady doctor of Tokyo. She sat down to her knees before the red-haired man sprawled on the cot.

"Kenshin, follow my hand." The doctor routinely checked his pupils and reaction time. "All right." She finally sighed. "You need to stay bed-bound for at least a week. You really messed your self up this time Kenshin."

Battousai looked into the concerned eyes of his closest and only friends. Megumi clearly expressed a worry beyond that of a doctor. Sano, despite his casual posture, had the signs of staying up all night watching over the swordsman. Battousai was proud to call them his confidants, though he never said this aloud. They were the only people he had ever allowed to call him by his true name and live.

"I met a worth adversary." The Hitokiri stated calmly in response to their silent plea. Neither of his friends would dare ask what had caused his injuries. This was another reason he trusted them. They always respected his silence.

"He must have been pretty damn good to beat you. I think I've finally found that tough guy I'm always searching for." Sano smirked from his position at the far wall.

"Baka!" Megumi punctuated her words with a smack on Sano's rooster-head. "You would get yourself killed."

The two glared at each other. Battousai chuckled softly, despite the pain it caused in his side. They loved each other deeply, yet they could only show it when they argue. Unexpectedly, memories flooded the Hitokiri. His mind recalled endless blue eyes as deep as the pulsing ocean, sparkling with anger. He recalled long ebony tresses, a well-rounded body, and soft, full lips. His mind burned with the flashback of the taste of her lips, suddenly he saw her being led away from him. A sideways view of Kaoru being ripped from him seared the Battousai's brain. His chest ached, not from physical pain, but from the knowledge that he had failed to protect Kaoru.

Noticing the grimace flashing across his face, Megumi handed Battousai a small flask of liquid. He drank it instantly.

"Sleep is the best thing for you now, Kenshin. Sano, would you stay with Kenshin until he falls asleep?" With that order she breezed from the room to tend to her other patients.

"Wait . . . Why? Megumi, why?" The tall fighter-for-hire called in vain after the fox.

"She wishes to be sure I'm not leaving." Battousai commented with a small smirk at his friend's confusion.

"Oh. And were you planning to?" The spiky-haired man teased. "You would have to get past me to leave." Sano playfully took up a relaxed offensive stance.

Battousai grinned very lightly. Sano was the only one to see him ever truly grin.

"I don't think that will be necessary." Battousai sighed wearily. "Whatever it was that your woman gave me is working its magic."

Sano watched Kenshin for a long time. He watched his friend's breathing slow and become even. He stood sentinel until the redhead fell asleep. Sano silently padded out of the room. He took one last look at his friend, knowing the injured man would not be there when dawn broke.

As soon as Sano's footfalls could no longer be heard and the distinct sound of a door sliding shut hit his ears, the Hitokiri opened his eyes. He rolled to the edge of the bed and spat. All of the "medicine" Megumi had given him was now on the floor. He had known she would attempt to keep him for at least to whole night. Megumi was only worried for his safety.

Battousai stood carefully. He painfully dressed and attached his katana. He began to search the clinic's room for the medical supplies he would need for the road. A small bundle, discreetly placed beside the door caught his eye. It contained bandages, antiseptic, cleaning swabs, and minor painkillers.

'Thank you, Megumi.' He silently accepted. 'I now you worry, but I must save Kaoru. If I don't . . . nothing will prevent my death for losing her.' He would not admit to himself that he did not really care about his own life. His mind continued to replay the image of Kaoru being lead away by the only opponent to ever defeat him. Rage flared at the thought of Kaoru being touched by another man. His chest contracted with agony not caused by his injuries. He could not identify why his chest ached at the thought of Kaoru being harmed.

++++

Kaoru stood terrified before the gold-eyed wolf. As soon as she had stuttered out the first words in her mind, Saito had smirked and his eyes became glassy. The hand he had used to bring her to her feet was still clasping her delicate hand. Saito's fingers twitched and then crushed Kaoru's with a vicelike grip. His memories of Mr. Kamiya brought muscle responses involuntarily. Despite Saito's passive expression, Kaoru saw the loathing burning in his amber depths. Kaoru fought back her scream of pain. She did not want to be noticed by those rage-blurred eyes.

Just as Kaoru was contemplating her best route of escape, Saito's eyes softened. A suppressed gasp left Kaoru's lips as his crushing grip loosened.

Her slight noise jolted Saito from his recollections. He glanced at Kaoru and then at her hand still clasped in his. Saito noticed the angry red bruises his clutch had caused. Saito brought her hand to his mouth and gently kissed it in apology.

This simplistic action gave Saito a different image in Kaoru's mind. She once again saw the silent, caring man she had been willing to run away with. Saito placed his left hand upon the small of her back, guiding her to the hotel's futon. Kaoru laid down as instructed. She thanked every God she could recall in her relief for Saito not forcing himself on her. As Kaoru slipped off to sleep, her mind became clouded with coming dreams. They contained confusing images of a silent, but kind wolf and a red-head with soft lips. These images confused Kaoru's dreams, never settling on either for long.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

DoveofNight: I'd love you to be my beta reader. I'll start with this chapter. You'll get it when I finish writing it.

Hizanu: My thoughts exactly.

Nicky: I was more than happy to review your story. I'm glad that your so worried about Kaoru. I now know that my chapter had it's intended effect on readers. Believe it or not, I set up this chapter purposefully for that reaction of worry.

Lilfrozenfire: Dark was wonderful, no? keep writing your fic & I'll check it out and review. *snatches Dr. Pepper and antlogs and starts munching* how about I eat them while I'm writing the next chapter, to give me... energy, yeah energy.

Moonlight's Sorrow: I've been writing since I was 6. It's a passion for me. I cannot go a day without writing something, even if it's a short, non-sencecycle, rhyming poem. I don't do anything really special to improve. I just practice. I read other people's work and see what worked and what didn't. I reread my own stuff over and over (perfectionist!). If you want tips or anything else don't hesitate to e-mail me. I'd love to talk about writing with you.

Chris: reread ch.5. It specifically says that Saito was leaning against the hotel room's wall. It also comment's that Kaoru tried to get Saito to go to the clinic, but he wouldn't because his wounds were not deep enough to need to (and he wanted to get Kaoru as soon as possible.). Kaoru's danger level did just jump significantly, but you see how high in this chapter. Oh and yes, as is implied Sano did go by the Battousai's home.

Flamebeau-Willow:I enjoy breaking the reader's illusions at the correct moment. Lemons can be well written if done correctly. Emplicant details, just to get the point of a sexual bond does not, in my view make a good sequence. sexual tensions give the story much more vitality, without getting me kicked off this cite! I'm glad the chapter, albeit short, kept you interested.

Boomerang-chan: Can you tell me what network it is... I have satellite so I get almost every Chanel & when kenshin is on? Thanks for the show info. Yes I have made Saito evil. Thanx for adding it to favorite stories!

Vegeta26: We will see how it turns out. hehehe

Eikichi: I'm going as fast as I can, promise!

The Rain Child: I'm glad you like it. I update rather frequently. If you are looking for Rurouni Kenshin fics some good ones are Dark, The Girl Himura, Stomach Chewing Demons, Which of Us Is Blind, Forgotten, and many more I cannot recall.

Tsugoi kakarlena: I grant your request... any others?

Luna Angel: I have nothing against wolves either, Saito is just one of those bad apples, he is in the same category as the Big Bad Wolf. Battousai will run to get her.

Moonlight Ladies: Thanx for the fic recommendation! I'll look at it soon, promise. I'm glad you like my fic. And... are there 2 of you or is it just a multiple character thing?

Kiyara: I'm glad you like. Thanx for the review!

Snokeypuff: Here's the next bit for you. And try not to have a heart attack over my story.

Demon: Thank you. I try to keep the characters as true to themselves as possible. I hope you enjoy the next bit.

I'm sooooooo happy! You guys make my fingers type faster! This chapter took a little while longer... Damn those flashbacks! No worried Kaoru and Battousai will be reunited in the next chapter.

'Til next chapter Love and torture!