Price of a Challenge

Chapter 6

By Catrina

STANDARD DISCLAIMER: I own nothing…really absolutely nothing…

A/N: Sorry that this took so long (hide from people throwing random breakables at author's head) life got in the way. But I am back with another chapter, though a fairly short one. This chapter is still being edited, but since it has been almost two months (hides behind large rock) I wanted to post this right away.

Thanks to those who have reviewed. I was truly honored by some of you your reviews.

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Quickly he raced through the trees, barely a blur, unsure as how the almost dead woman was traveling through the forest so quickly. Something was wrong. She was moving too quickly, she shouldn't even be able to move at all. How was she moving? Gaining speed? Where?

He stopped suddenly noting that there was nothing… nothing…

Where did she go?

She was gone.

Just gone.

Carefully his golden eyes looked through the woods and above to the sky everything. For a moment he just closed his eyes trying to sense anything. But there was nothing out the ordinary. It's like she was never there.

He failed…

There was nothing else to do. He paused again looking; he would have to bring the others back tomorrow. He memorized everything into memory and turned and walked away.

But she watched him leave…he or she, it wasn't quite sure what it was now. There wasn't really much of anything. Stumbled, I stumbled, fell into a damn tree…I had no idea that I could bond directly with nature…but now I'm here in a tree. The large tree seemed to shake with the entity that was now housed, but as it stretched its power, it ran from limb to limb, to tree to tree, it was simply becoming the small wooded region.

He was now the ground they would walk on…

They couldn't avoid them now.

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Yuya slowly opened her jade eyes only to see that everything around her was dark. Sitting up she tried to get her bearings, she could hear people whispering in the other room. A small steam of light flowed into the room from a cracked door and she could see that most were present. Listening but not really hearing, she focused on the voices. Migeira. Yukimura, Benitora, and Kyo. Where was Sasuke? Was he okay? She stood to rise, but remembered too late that she had numerous cuts on her feet. Looking down she saw that they were tenderly cared for. Both of her delicate, small feet were encased in clean bandages. A small smile graced her soft lips.

She looked up when a shadow covered the stream of light that was allowed into the room. Kyo stood, braced slightly against the door frame sword at his side, and a bottle of sake in his hand.

"I thought I told you to rest?" It was a question and an accusation at once.

"I thought you said you would wake me when the others arrived?" Her tone was the same that he had just used seconds before.

"The runt hasn't returned yet… Lay back down." For once she did as ordered. When she thought over the past few days she didn't think that much had happened to her but she still felt tired.

"Are you going to sleep with me tonight?" She asked the question before her mind caught up with her mouth. She felt the heat race across her cheeks and she raised her eyes to his. He was simply looking at her a slender eyebrow raised in mockery.

"Why Yuya, would you like to sleep with me tonight?" Something in the way he mocked and teased had her biting her tongue unsure of what could come off the offending appendage. But the look in his eye, it was something that she was beginning to see more often and that alone caused a heat to settle below her stomach.

"I mean…are we both sleeping in this room?"

"Off course, wench, look what happened the last two times I let you out of my sight."

"That wasn't my fault!" she defended.

"Stop making excuses, if you obeyed me like you should…"

"OBEY!" she interrupted whatever he was about to say. He had walked into the room closing the door behind him. The room was now completely dark and she was more unconfident then ever. She could feel him, his body heat, close to her, and then his breath as he whispered in her ear.

"Yes, you obey me…You know we would both be better off if you did." Using the tips of his fingers he pushed her back down on the futon and went to sit against the wall barely a foot away.

She was hot and uncomfortable but she didn't know why, but she curled on her side looking away from him and ignored him. That was best, or they would just start to fight and bicker. And she just wasn't in the mood. She was tired and angry and frustrated. But what was it that she was frustrated about…why was she so tense? Was it all due to her first careless words? She wasn't stupid she knew what was implied when you said those words. She knew what most people thought when people 'slept together.' On an exasperated sigh she knew that her reputation would be tarnished in this small village, though she doubted that she and Kyo would ever come back here. There really was no reason. As her thoughts continued to ramble she slowly started to drift off.

"Come back…" there was a pause as Yuya's eyes literally snapped open after barely entering the dream world.

"Don't you want…revenge?" How was it that this thing knew what to say to piss her off? Well of course she wanted revenge.

"I took your friend, humiliated you, trapped you, demoralized you…don't you want to find me?" She shook her head trying to ignore what was going on. But before she fully stood she felt a hand on her shoulder. Stifling a scream she jumped on her injured feet and turned to look at her attacker…Kyo.

"What the HELL are you doing?" His voice was a threatening growl, made even hoarser by the trappings of sleep.

"Can't you hear him?" She asked her eyes wide, "It just started."

"You can't touch me…"

"No I don't hear anything," Kyo was looking at her strangely.

"I'll take them all away if you don't come."

"Kyo…make him stop."

"I know you love him. I'll kill him slowly; peel his flesh away inch by inch, drink his blood so I can have his strength…Then I will take you Yuya. In so many ways..."

Her eyes filled with tears at his words, fear for Kyo filled her. He could very well come up with a way to do that. He was clever. He was smart. Strong hands on her shoulders pulled her from her reprise. She looked to Kyo, looking for an anchor more then anything else.

"He's going to take you away from me." It was a whisper but he heard it as loud as thunder. How was it that this girl, this slip of a person could shock him to the core with just whispered words? Why, why was it that he felt the need to protect her and hold her close? What was it really about that little girl that caused him to feel things that he had never felt before? This feeling was almost better then the feeling of defeating an enemy. Of their own accord his hands moved from her shoulders to her neck, feeling the strong accelerated pulse there.

Why was it that her fear made him angry?

Slowly his thumbs made soothing circles and his fingers gently massaged her neck. He could feel the tension flowing out of her. It made him angry that he was relieved, but he was pleased that she couldn't see that in the dark.

"Shut him out." Short, sweet, simple answer.

"Tried," she took a step close to him resting her fists on his chest.

"Try harder," he growled. She looked up into his eyes, and read something there. She knew that was she was about to do was dangerous, but he wouldn't answer her questions with words, so maybe, he would act. Maybe if she invited him…

"Distract me?" She asked her stomach quivering with nerves, while his strong steady hands paused the ministrations on her neck. Show me that you care? Show me why you do this? Do you care? Do you even, maybe, could you, love me? She felt his fingers grip her neck tighter and he glared down at her. Not the reaction that she was hoping for.

Was she? What was this? Was she implying…

"I never thought you to be a loose woman, bitch."

"WHAT!" she almost screamed enraged, but the thoughts in her mind tore at her heart when she realized that her thought were nothing but her hopes, and his kisses and showings of tenderness were just another way of control. But she couldn't back down; she could not change things now.

"You heard me," this wasn't the distraction that she had in mind but it seemed to be working, until her next word set him off.

"Why can't you be a gentleman…like Yukimura?" It was the first time that his blood had ever boiled outside of a battlefield. Why was it that name on her lips made him want to kill everything? He took a threatening step forward pushing her back a step. He watched enjoying the slight widening of her eyes, the flush of her cheeks, and the pulse in her neck. He took another step forcing her back again and again until she ran into the wall.

"Who?" The question was growled out of sneering lips.

"What?" Her question was one of confusion; she had no idea what she had said just seconds ago. She felt a hand on her waist burning through the material of her clothes leaving her hot. His other hand was fisted in her unbound hair, ensuring eye contact. His face was close and she could tell that he was angry. His proximity was causing her mind to blur and she couldn't think. All she could do was feel his touch and shiver as his breath raced across her skin. His smell was over whelming, slightly like smoke and nature. She had the sudden urge to taste him.

"I don't want to ever be compared to that man," his lips were millimeters away from hers. Once again her heart rate accelerated, but not by fear by something else.

"Who?" The smile that graced his lips was predatory and satisfied having driven everything else from her mind.

"You should remember that you are mine to do with as I please." Without allowing her to speak he slanted his lips across hers, the touch was thrilling causing Yuya to whimper in surprise. At first she didn't respond simply trying to understand the response her body was having, but the fire, the heat, the reaction to his touch. She couldn't understand that. Before she could respond he pulled away.

She moaned? A blush rushed across her cheeks when she realized that she had moan because she wanted him to do that again. And he knew it, because less then an inch away he was looking superior as always, and while she may have only been kissed enough to count on one hand, she caught on. Reaching up she dug her fingers in his hair and pulled him down. Taken by surprise he allowed her to control the kiss for just a moment.

Then pulled away.

"He's back," He pulled away and Yuya glanced at him. He looked normal. How could he look normal after THAT? She was breathless, and when she raised a hand to her lips they were slightly swollen. And he was standing there looking like nothing happened.

"Who's back?" She asked damning herself for sounding so breathless.

Kyo looked at her, sitting there holding her hands close to her chest, breast rising and falling with each deep breath of air she took. She needed to look like that more often. He would keep her like that.

"The runt."

"Sasuke?"

"Get up woman; let's see what he has to say."

"Huh?" When she didn't move to rise, the samurai leaned down picked her up and placed her on her feet. Then he stepped behind her and placed his hand on her lower back pushing her towards the door.

"Kyo… I look terr…"

"Like you've been ravished."

"…ible." He watched as she tried to straighten her appearance but stopped he leaned down and whispered into her ear.

"You look like you're mine. That's what I want them to know." He murmured then he opened the door and pushed her out.

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As soon as Sauske walked in the inn he knew that everyone was still awake. His wide cat-like eyes simple waited for the first to appear. Yukimura walked in first, barely dressed and made his way over. Sauske glared as he felt a hand in his hard ruffling it slightly before calming his hair back down as the intense blue eyes flitted over him checking for any injury. After finding none he stepped back and watched the others fill the room. Migeira filtered in next, followed by Benitora helping a slightly weak Mahiro. The door to his left opened and he watched as Kyo pushed Yuya out the door. He smirked realizing that they had been 'in a moment.'

"Sasuke are you all right?" Yuya asked pulling away from Kyo to bend down in front of him and check the ninja over.

"I should ask you that. You have far more bandages then I." Sasuke then smirked at Kyo. "Can't protect your own woman?" He turned back to Yuya when she tugged painfully on his ear. "Oww! What was that for?"

"I am not his woman…" It was then she felt a pat on her rear. She looked over her shoulder and glared at him her face turning red.

"Yes you are. Sit down." With the glare in his eyes she obeyed plopping down on the floor, and then scooted away when he sat next to her. He placed a hand on her thigh and squeezed. He looked at her and glared.

What was he so upset about?

"So Sasuke, what happened?" For a moment the ninja looked around, confused and shrugged his shoulders.

"She ran…then just disappeared. She was gone."

"Excuse me?"

"Disappeared."

"What the hell?"

"I'm sorry, Sauske. Can you please repeat that?" Yukimura never questioned him, but then again Sasuke himself was amazed that the woman had lost him.

"I was running along, following her hidden in the trees. She was running inhumanly fast and about two miles from the confrontation, she simply vanished. I just don't…" He trailed off shrugging his shoulders.

"Well, let's go!" Benitora stated getting up from his position on the floor.

"Idiot…" Kyo muttered standing up.

"I believe what Kyo is saying is that it can wait until morning." Yukimura stated standing himself.

"No, I said he was an idiot."

"Kyo, what is your problem?" Yuya yelled bouncing on her injured feet, then shamefully grabbing him for support.

"You and I will talk later woman."

"We shall rest tonight, and tomorrow, the ninja will take us to where the young woman disappeared." Migeira spoke silently and no one fought him. He then wished them all good night and left. The others slowly walked away leaving Kyo and Yuya again on their own.

"What is your problem?" She asked on a whispered huff.

"You woman, when are you going to," He stopped when Yuya cut him off.

"What… do what you say? Bow to your whim? Be your slave?"

"You belong to me." He turned away and started to walk away.

"Why…"

"I spared you…" he continued to walk but he looked over his shoulder.

"Why…"

"Because you entertained me…" he stopped realizing that she wasn't going to stop this time. No matter how many times he answered she wasn't going to give in this time.

"Why?"

"Stop it…stop asking that damn question," his eyes bored it hers ordering her to stop, to just drop it, to leave it alone.

"Why, Kyo am I so important to you?" He just looked at her; for once she could not read a single emotion on his face. There was no malice, no humor, no leer…nothing. He turned and walked back to her placing a hand under her chin, forcing her to look into his red eyes.

"I'm a monster, a killer…"

"A man that I love…" She couldn't believe the words that came out of her own mouth. Sure she knew that they were true but she hadn't meant to tell him now…ever. "Just once," She pleaded softly, "tell me the truth. I'll never ask again, just this once…"

"Because you care." It was said so softly that for a moment she thought it was her imagination. But then he was kissing her again, there was no malice, no punishment, just real actual emotion. He lifted her off her feet and carried her into their room.

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He could hear them, there were dozens of them. Their footsteps pulled him from his light slumber. Looking down he realized that Yuya was still cuddled next to him, exhausted. He may not always be gentle, but from the look on her face earlier tonight, her first time had been enjoyable. He had enjoyed pushing her over the edge again, and again, and again.

He pulled her close his body automatically realizing that there was a threat. Something wasn't right. The footsteps, they were dragging, almost as though they were tired or intoxicated. He could hear at least 25, but nothing touched on his senses, like they really weren't even there. Knowing something would be amiss, he woke quickly, donning his armor and grabbing his sword that was always close by. Swiftly he moved to the door, looking thought the cracks in the woods to see what indeed was going on. Outside the monks traveled around the inn, carrying torches and looking for something.

It was then that the smell reached him. They all smelled of death.

It was then that he realized that these were the monks that had all been possessed by the entity. He watched for a moment as the majority of the lifted arms and threw the fire into the windows, onto the roof, and through the doors. Instantly he smelled burning wood. Knowing that with the flames growing the way they were the inn was a lost cause. He turned back to Yuya, noting the blond was still sleeping, though her breathing was a little heavy, the smoke already filling the air. Not bothering to wake her he lifted her naked form, wrapped in a blanket grabbed her clothes and gun and dashed out the door. He looked down noting that she woke the second he lifted her. She sleepily placed her arms around his neck.

"What's going on?" Her voice was tired and raspy; she let out a small cough noting to Kyo that she had already inhaled some smoke.

"The inn is on fire." Once a good distance away he dropped her to her feet, and let her grasp the blanket to keep herself covered. She gasped noting that the monks were coming their way. She looked behind them to see, Yukimura and Sasuke jump out the second story windows while the other three rushed out the door, guiding the rest of the patrons. It was then she noted that everyone had their weapons drawn.

"Kyo what are you doing!" She yelled at him.

"Destroying the enemy," He took a step forward before he turned feeling a small hand on his shoulder.

"They are innocent," It was a soft whisper that he could actually barely hear. He watched her eyes widen and looked to see that Yukimura had already dispatched of half a dozen.

"They are dead, nothing but dolls."

"But…"

"After we destroy their master they will die, now they are a threat. Stay here." For once she dared not to question him, but simply watched as Yukimura, Sasuke, and Kyo fought. It was really beautiful. The swords danced through the air, flames reflected in the blood soaked blades, as the fire swirled around them. Soon there was no more left, the warriors stood, surrounded by the flames that we slowly being put out by the townsfolk.

Kyo's red eyes took in the damage and then looked back to Yuya still huddled in a blanket, watching with eyes wide and sad. He looked to the other warriors noting that the sun was slowly starting to rise.

"I'm sick of this. It ends now."

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Alright, I know it's short, and I'm not exactly happy with it, but there is a plan and a conclusion coming up within the next couple chapters. Again I send out my apologies and please let me know what you think.

Thanks,

Cat