The Price of a Challenge

Chapter Three

By Catrina

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

A/N: Sorry again that this one took so long. Unfortunately my life has been full of nothing but changes. But the good thing is now it is fall and after that comes winter. So with me living in Iowa the cold will keep me indoors (and keep me writing). Anyway here is chapter three. And the introduction of Benitora, who while I don't love him I do like him, but I have never written his character before so please help me out if he seems OOC. And I think someone asked in a review - I have the anime and the first 3 books of the manga. So most of the characters are based from what I know of both. But since I am not as familiar with the manga I consider this more anime based.

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He was beyond weak. He had never attempted anything to that extreme before. And it failed. Kyo and that woman were still on there way here. And he was at no point where he could defend himself. He looked down to where the hands of his host body touching the ground. He could sense no one for at least a mile and he couldn't transfer his energy that far. Not right now. He stood up lethargically; to anyone passing he may have looked drunk or partially dead. He walked slowly back to the temple where they had awakened him, back to the monks that he had kept there. One of them would serve as a new body, but even with their spiritual powers they could barely keep him alive for more then a couple days. Soon he would have to find a more powerful body one that he could kill the spirit of the host and keep the body with no resistance. This Kyo was far to powerful to take over, but still he was an obstacle that would have to be taken care of, no question asked but still there were others on their way here.

Yukimura, the Sanada Leader.

Sasuke, faithful follower of Sanada and the strongest Juuyuushi.

Benitora, also know as Hidetada Tokugawa.

And there were more, all converging on his location. The peaceful town of Eiheiji, where peace and zen lived more that anything else. He wondered if the town would even survive the upcoming battle. And they were all friends…they would never want to kill each other. He stood more a chance if he could take over one of their bodies. He needed a warrior's body. One that was used to fatigue, familiar with weapons, one that was used to adrenaline flowing through the body. There were many choices that were on their way here. Many that could become his own. And they should feel honored that a God would want to take over their body. That a deity such as himself would find them worthy to even host his body.

Then again right now he was using nameless monk.

He had become naught but a parasite moving from victim to victim leaving traces himself behind in each one of the monks that he had moved through.

What had he turned himself into?

What had he let these new age people turn him into?

Trapped him in a statue, buried him in the earth, left to rot for all of eternity. It was by his own hand that that monk had found him…released him. And now he would make sure that everyone knew his name. That everyone would tremble in fear of him, and that they would all worship him.

He stumbled to the door of the temple and watched as one of the monks rushed forward to catch him. At the other man's touch…

He blinked for a moment and looked down at the body he used to inhabit. Playing the roll of dutiful monk he yelled to the fellow monks.

"Call for the healer!"

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She slept restlessly that night. She realized that Kyo had never really given her an answer. For just a moment she had worked her courage to ask that question, and he had no response for her…nothing. He just 'humphhed' then turned to clean and polish his sword. He ignored her. He didn't even have a rude answer… nothing. But at lease she had learned the truth about where they were going. But now every time she closed her eyes she saw visions of her own near death in the river with the ground and trees eating her alive. Twice already she had woke from a nightmare. It was foolish…she was really worrying over nothing. It seemed that after the storm had cleared it had been nothing but clear traveling. She had even had a chance to catch a bath, but she knew that Kyo hadn't been far away.

He was always close. Sometimes it was actually intimidating.

"Because part of you knows that you are mine. Since the day I spared your life…you became mine."

His words came back to her again and still they caused her to shiver. She huddled down closer into her blankets trying to control the shivers that raced over her flesh every time she heard those words back in her head. She knew that they were in a way true. While she was her own person she had given herself to Kyo, and he would never feel the same way. She had said that she could be happy by his side. But what if that wasn't turn. She turned again in her blankets to look at her companion. He slept resting against a tree. His sword in hand, his breathing was shallow as his mind walked through the dream world. Had she given herself to someone who would make her miserable the rest of her life? Was there anything truly for her here? Even then what was it that she wanted from him? Even for the slightest of seconds when his lips had barley graced hers she felt something rip through her. But for him was it just a power play? She looked at his face, the featured that she adored. Full cynical lips were open parted slighted, those lips had touched hers. What had it done to him? Was it really nothing? She finally pulled her gaze away from his lips and back up to his whole face. And that his eyes were wide open, burning into hers.

He suppressed a smirk when she gasped realizing that he was awake. She had been staring, and from the look in her eyes he knew what she had been thinking. But now that she was looking at him, he was a little disappointed at what he saw. Where was the confident, head-strong Yuya that he knew so well? Was she really so unsure of her desirability? Did she not see that almost every man stared at her? Did she not know that it was simply his glare and his presence that scared all these unsuitable suitors away? Even now she made quite a picture. Wheat colored hair down and flowing over slender shoulders, a blanket wrapped around her slender form, eyes were wide with surprise and lips formed a small 'O'. Her cheeks held a slight flush, whether it was from the dying fire or from embarrassment he was unsure.

"This is why I didn't say anything…You can't even sleep, can you?" He growled at her. For a moment she had nothing to say.

"I have a lot on my mind," she stated defending herself the best that she could. There was a lot going on with them, along with this tension she seemed to be creating all by herself.

"You think too damn much woman, go to sleep," He ordered getting ready to close his own eyes again.

"But what…"

"Damn it woman, go to sleep," he muttered again.

"I tried…I can't sleep," she finished faintly, looking down and for a moment looked far too young and much like a frightened maiden. Why did this make him want to go to her? For a moment he wondered if he was just as confused as she was. But he also knew what was going on…he may not know love but he did know lust…and he knew that he was lusting for her. That he wanted her. He also knew that he had all the time in the world. He was sure that his words earlier that day had stuck in her head and that now more then ever she recognized them as being true.

She got up off her position and sat down a little ways away from him and leaned her back against the same tree.

"I'll know if anything is going to attack, woman," he told her with confidence and looked over to see that she was wrapped in the blanket leaning against the tree and at his words she closed her eyes.

"I know, I trust you Kyo," she whispered opening her eyes just a sliver to look at him. Her words shocked him for a moment and for a moment he said nothing stunned with the words that seemed to come out of no where.

"Go to sleep!" He ordered on a growl but noticed that her body already seemed to be relaxing.

"Good night Kyo," She murmured before her body gave into the wariness that had been eating at her all day.

He felt his own body start to relax and as it did his shoulders brushed hers. Damn she truly was becoming more a nuisance, in more ways then one.

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There was something very wrong with this town. Every thing was deserted and empty but it was the area around that bothered him. The grass was dead, there were holes in the earth, the only thing that looked alive were the green vines that seemed to race across from building to building and weave together to almost cover the sky. Benitora squinted looking through the vines to see that there were another layer of vines that were even higher then the first and what he originally thought to be the only layer. But again the oddest thing that he noted was the very normal monastery, and the very normal acting monks. Maybe, he wondered, they don't see what I do? Knowing that he was ahead of the rest of the clan he decided that it would be in his best interest to back track and go to the last village and sleep there.

But there was one thing that he couldn't wait for. Her. It really was as simple as that. He couldn't wait to see her. Her bright jade eyes…her wheat colored hair…and her loving heart. He wished more that anything else that she would see him for what he was. That she could see the fact that he was in love with her.

For a moment he sensed another presence and rolled his eyes and shrugged his shoulders. He had a shadow…he had since this journey had begun. He knew that she knew that he knew that she was there. Why she stayed hidden he really didn't know. But he simply turned and with one last backward glance started to back track. He was really looking forward to battle… but more than that he really couldn't wait to see Miss Yuya.

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He woke before she did, that was nothing new. He was always awake with the sun and well she never did. He looked over to see that she was still slumped against the tree, though sometime in the night she had shifted and more of her body was leaning against him. No wonder he was so warm, just the contact of her body made him hot. In more ways then one. His red eyes looked her over noticing that the bruises were healing and most of the small cuts had disappeared. Whereas yesterday, she had been pale, the color seemed to becoming back, even now a rosy blush covered her cheeks. It made him wonder what she was thinking. Was she dreaming? Did she dream of what could happen, between them? Was she seeing what would eventually happen between them? No, she was to naïve to truly think that he wanted her any other way than as a servant. Everyday he seemed to be lusting over her more. Noticing more about her, whether it was the color of her eyes, the curve of her hips, the size of her matured breasts. And now that just for a second, he had kissed her, he knew what she tasted like. It burned his blood.

He wanted it again.

He would have it again.

But he was never going to let her know. She would figure out soon enough what he wanted. He had seen other men look at her, flirt with her, and she spoke back, with flittering eyelashes and giggles. She shouldn't even be alive. He should never let his property so blatantly look for something else.

Didn't she learn?

She belonged to him now.

He stood slowly shaking off sleep and breathing in deep the morning air. He tuned his gaze back to the woman then kicked Yuya gently in the leg. Once, twice… Gods she could sleep like the dead. Finally he reached down and placed a callused hand on her shoulder. She more sprang awake then pulling from slumber like most people. Her startled eyes looked at him shocked to have him touching her. For a moment he assumed he caught her in a nightmare. Both her hands reached up and grabbed onto his wrist of his extended arm. She stared at him non blinking before she took a deep breath and relaxed but she didn't let go. She tilted her head and smiled.

"Good morning, Kyo," she whispered, her voice dry and fuzzy from slumber.

"Hmmp," he really didn't feel the need to dignify her greeting with a response. But she also didn't let go. His wrist seemed to burn from the contact and spread through his blood. His mind started picturing those hand everywhere, his shoulders, in his hair, around his waist, pulling him closer.

His eyes burned into hers and she wondered exactly what she saw in them. He looked flushed. She raised a hand and laid it on his forehead.

"Are you okay? You look hot?" She asked surprised when he pulled away.

"Don't touch me," he ordered standing quickly, he heard her rise behind him. She seemed to astonish them both when she grabbed onto his arm and pulled her to face him.

"What is your problem? I was just concerned about you!" she yelled at him, her feelings were hurt.

"I didn't give you permission to touch me," to him it really was that simple.

"I never give you permission to touch me," she countered back.

He didn't actually seem to have any reply to that but she was sure that she heard him growl.

"I didn't give you permission to kiss me," she said a little more quietly.

"Are we back to that?" He turned with a growl, already knowing that he had avoided it once, and that that would not be the case this time

"You kissed me Kyo!" she seemed to think that he forgot obviously.

"Your point?"

"Why?" She screamed in frustration.

"Why not?" The looked at each other apparently in a battle of wills to see who would give up first.

"I want the reason."

"You belong to me… you need to see that." He fell back onto his old excuse.

"They why not every second of every day? Why have you not kissed me before or since?" She asked the question in anger, but as soon as those words left her lips and the look in his eyes changed she knew what she was in trouble.

"Did you like it?" A smirk graced his lips as he stalked forward. She took a step back, but ran into the same tree she and Kyo had slept against the night before. "You want more?" He asked the question already knowing that answer. She had asked the question out of pure innocence but he knew that it was on her mind, it was all that was on her mind. There was no doubt that last night a shadow of him in her dreams had made her blush. And now he wanted to do the same.

"Don't…" She started holding her hands up palms away, as though that would stop him.

"Don't what?" He mocked as he walked closer trapping her between the tree and his body.

He was so close, she couldn't think. What had she done? She was trapped, and her pulse was racing and she was shaking. And when she looked up, into his blood red gaze she burned. What was happening? Was she losing her sanity? Why was she tempting the devil like this? She knew what kind of person he was. He was strong and brutal, vital and fierce. That kiss had been a mockery of what he could do. And SHE had tempted him and then questioned him. He would not let it go now. She shook her head but it was too late.

His mouth slammed down on hers, claiming her lips as his territory only. He felt her struggle her tiny fist slamming against his chest as her fury increased. She pushed against him only to have a masculine hand rise to cup her chin and apply pressure as his other arm snuck between her and the tree to pull her near. Her mouth opened in a gasp of shock and mild pain. But the moment his tongue entered her mouth her fighting ceased. Tension seemed to gather in her body but she could think of nothing but his lips on hers. They punished her insubordination while it took her breath away.

He couldn't help but smirk as he felt her give way. So easy. He released her chin and moved his hand to spread fingers through her unbound hair. He almost sighed as his long fingers wove through her silky honey colored hair. She responded to him so easily, her lips moved against his, untrained but unrestrained. Her arms were wrapped around him, one hand fisted in his hair, trying to control him to keep him close. He pulled back biting her lower lip before releasing it.

Her breath came out in heavy pants and her eyes had yet to open more than a sliver. He grazed his lips across her cheek before nibbling on her ear. And her gasp coupled with her fingernails sinking into his skin caused a shiver to race through his body. He pulled away from her completely and watched with male satisfaction as she slumped against the tree.

She looked at him, eyes darkened, cheeks red, hair disheveled, and he for a moment he thought of kissing her again.

"Nothing but proving that you own me, right?" She asked softly, licking her dry swollen lips. Hurt replaced the lust that had been in her eyes. She turned and walked away going to the river to clean up…and cry.

That day they traveled in silence.

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The sun was just starting to hide behind the horizon when Kyo and Yuya reached the outside of Eiheiji. Needless to say, Yuya had been lost in thought all day. To Kyo a kiss was nothing but punishment, or a statement of ownership, or so she thought, he had never replied to that statement. She as a woman always thought that it meant more then that. That you only kissed someone that you cared for. That a kiss was more than a kiss, but a sharing of emotion. She shook her head at her idealistic ways. In a way he had ruined that for her, she would never be able to think of it the same ever again.

She heard steps behind her and looked up assuring herself that Kyo was indeed in front of her.

"Kyo…" she never finished as she was wrapped in a tight hug.

"Miss Yuya, love of my life, I am so happy to see you alive and well." Benitora apparently had come out of no where, but for once she was glad for the human contact. It made her heart sore. Plus she had missed the Red Tiger.

"Benitora," She started on a laugh as he lifted her and swung her in a circle before placing her back on the ground completely oblivious to the glare from her traveling companion. "How are you?" she asked when he set her back on her feet. He didn't let go of her and she appreciated the warmth of his touch.

"Wonderful now that I'm with you," Pure simple and true, she smiled at him and he felt it in his head. He turned to look at Kyo and was startled by the look on his face. He looked furious. "Kyo," the bandana wearing man nodded as he spoke the greeting.

"Hmmp." He said as he nodded in return then turned to back to the trail. No more then 10 feet away stood Yukimura and Sasuke, the latter wearing a tell tale grin.

"Hello everyone!" He greeted them, his bright blue eyes shining in welcome. "It seems that we have all arrived. Kyo, Miss Yuya, Benitora." He nodded at each of them as he said their names.

"And I." The statement was abrupt and honest.

"Of course not, Migeira. I saw you back there. And Mahiro too…" The girl in question appeared from no where to stand behind her lord and slightly behind her was the tall silent man with dual colored eyes and white hair.

"All the players have arrived. So now the fun begins." He said this time no greeting was present in his beautiful eyes, only gravity was apparent in both his gaze and his words.

All the players had arrived.

Now it was time for the game.

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So the end of chapter three has arrived and should be followed shortly by chapter four which is already part of the way done. Again sorry this took so long to post. The wireless internet in my apartment was down for about two weeks plus I always think that it is a bad idea to rush a story. Hope you all enjoyed, as always let me know.

Thanks for reading,

Cat