A/n Hello everyone! I hope everyone is doing well. Thank you for all the reviews. I know many were glad that Kenshin deflated pretty fast and accepted Kaoru and woke up with Misao's hard truth. I feel bad for Kenshin as well. He didn't want to be married as much as Kaoru but they were just political pawns.
On to the story!

Kaoru thought about taking her dinner in her rooms but changed her mind at the last moment. For one, she needed to show that everything was well with the sudden arrival of her husband. She didn't want her people, as well as Kenshin's people, to think that she was avoiding him.

Also it was odd sitting in her quarters while the servants were bringing in and setting up her husband's things around her. They each had their own private quarters on each side of the room, plus their bathing area. Kaoru had left it bare since they moved her in and her late father's things out. But now it was filling up with swords, a desk, maps, two kinds of armor on their own stands and various books. In their joined room his wardrobe was set across hers. Once the maids started to strip the bed for new linens, Kaoru had to flee. How was she supposed to lay with this man now? She did before only believing it to be a fling. Now it would only be for duty to make an heir. Would he not find it as pleasurable this time around?

Kaoru shoved the thoughts away. If he did have a problem with things, then tough for him. She squared her shoulders as she made her way to the main hall. She had just made her way to the common area when a large form slid up beside her.

"Hey, Missy."

"Sanosuke?" Kaoru only paused for a moment, as there were more people in the common area and she didn't want to block the way. "Were you looking for me?" She asked as the pair continued down the steps and through the stone hallway.

"Well yeah, I'm yours now. Your bodyguard that is." He said with a chuckle.

Kaoru didn't think she could get used to this. But she smiled anyway. "You're not going to sleep outside our room are you?"

"Shit, no. Oh, begging your pardon, my Lady." Sano ducked his head.

Kaoru waved the apology away. "Sano I want you to talk how you always talk. It's nice to not be tiptoed like I'm some prude, old lady. I swear I'm never going to get used to being Lady of this Keep."

"Ah, see I knew I liked you the moment I saw you." Sano raised his hand to ruffle her hair again but caught himself. "Still I should try and be professional, at least when in public. I would hate to have people think you are being watched over by a fool."

Kaoru smiled again as they silently made their way into the Grand Hall. Sano couldn't help being who he was. He was an Earth fae, and as such, was more happy-go-lucky and living in the moment kind of person. Earth fae didn't tend to take things seriously until it needed to be. They partied freely, made love freely but they were extremely long lived with long memories. It wasn't good to make enemies with them. Which was why she didn't much like the fact she made enemies with Chou as a child. It was nearly ten years from that first fight, but he still held a grudge as though it were last week.

Reaching the Hall she was stopped by quite a few of her people asking if she was well. After fainting in front of them all, she had to come up with an explanation. Luckily all she had to do was tell the truth. She was ill and the shock of seeing her Lord Husband caused the fainting spell. A dip in the healing pool was all she needed. The Hall was packed to maximum capacity for the first time since her father's funeral. Everyone wanted to see the new Lord. Fire's, Water's and everyone else were squeezed together on the benches. Kaoru was only able to take a few steps before being stopped again and asked about her health. Finally Sano took her by the arm, stopping all conversation and escorted her up to the main table where Kenshin was already being served. She noted that Misao was missing from the table. Kaoru assumed that she was taking her meals in the kitchens. The Water fae wasn't sure if Kenshin would feel insulted at that, or perhaps it was a good thing that the two of them stayed apart for a while. Though Kenshin seemed to have accepted what Misao had said. But she was unsure if he had accepted her attitude.

"My Lady Wife." He greeted, standing from his chair. He had changed into a navy blue gi and black hakama. She could tell that he was not used to such garments from the way he smoothed down the generous amounts of fabric. "Thank you Sano." He nodded to his friend as he took Kaoru to her chair beside him.

"My Lord Husband." Kaoru greeted back. She sat at the table and looked over at Sanosuke. "Sano...you're going to eat with us right?" She glanced over at Kenshin. "I would feel bad if you had to stand by my chair while I eat."

The two men glanced at each other. Some sort of male secret language passed between them before Kenshin nodded. "Yes, Sano sit with us."

Even so, Sano took his seat at Kaoru's right instead of sitting with Kenshin. He was still on the job and even eating he would protect her. It was odd not having Misao next to her. What was an even stranger feeling was having a man sitting in her father's chair. It seemed a little too heavy and tall for the lithe red-headed man. Kaoru had been moved to the Lady's chair after her father died, but she had never felt comfortable in it. The thick carved wood made her feel like a small child and it's height caused her feet to come off the ground.

"Although, I'm not sure you'll enjoy yourself." Kenshin muttered, dipping his spoon into his soup bowl. "Tell me Lady Kaoru, what is this?"

Kaoru hid her laugh as two servants rushed forward with soup for her and Sanosuke. She guessed to a newcomer seeing a yellowish-white threads of some sort floating in broth with green peas would be a bit odd. "It's egg drop." Kaoru replied.

At this Kenshin raised an eyebrow. "Egg? This doesn't look like egg. What's in it?"

"It's chicken broth with minced chicken and various seasonal vegetables. You heat the soup to simmering and slowly stir it as your pour in beaten eggs. The slower you stir the more noodle-like the egg cooks, the faster you stir it becomes more thread-like...like this."

"Hey man just eat it." Sano said, already halfway through his bowl. "If you don't, I'll take it."

Kenshin and Kaoru sat in silence as the new Lord tried his soup. "It's wonderful." He admitted. "I'm just not used to this kind of fare, I'm used to warrior meals out on the field." He glanced out at the tables of men who had skipped being served soup and were digging into more substantial food.

"My Lord you can always have the menu changed to your liking." Kaoru offered. "We're still learning what Fire's like to eat." She watched him consider this.

"Perhaps." he said simply, turning back to his soup. "It's good, I like it."

Kaoru found herself slowly relaxing as the three of them bantered. Many men approached the table to greet the Lord Kenshin. It was plain to see they much preferred him over his wife. They hardly spared her a glance and only bowed to her out of respect to Kenshin. Kaoru was simply happy to see that the tension on the Hall was all but gone. The Fire's were really a male centered society. It was strange how well they got along with the Earth Fae, considering they worshiped a female and females held more power spiritually and politically than the males.

Their bowls were removed and plates of ham, game bird, and fish were brought out. Kaoru played dutiful wife by keeping Kenshin's wine goblet filled. A move that he noticed, but pretended not to. They were hardly newlyweds, and Kenshin had to keep his reputation among the men. That much Kaoru knew about the Fire's and her husband. Reputation was everything and Fire's did not follow a weak leader. Kaoru thought she knew what this meant, but didn't really until just now, sitting at the great table in front of all his men. He was smaller than nearly every man here, but he felt overwhelmingly strong. He held himself like a man waiting to be attacked at any moment. His ki constantly flared. Was this what it was to be a Lord over Fire's? Or perhaps this is what it was to be a warrior assassin. Or was this simply how it was to be Kenshin Himura?

Kaoru found herself ignoring the main meal, instead she picked at green vegetables and only had a part of her fish. She had never had so many sidelong glances sent her way. It seemed the reunited couple was the most interesting thing to look at. When she reached for her water glass, Kenshin leaned over to her.

"Does my Lady Wife not drink wine?"

Kaoru glanced at her untouched goblet. "Not if I can help it. It's horrible stuff."

Red eyebrows arched in surprise. "You fancy the Earth made beer and ale?"

Kaoru couldn't help but pull a face. "No, that's even worse."

Sano leaned into the conversation. "I hear the Water fae only drink spirits." He grinned, leaning his elbow on the table and propped up his head with his fist. "Does my Lady like the hard stuff?"

Kaoru gasped, leaned back and laughed. "I'm not sure Sano, as I've only tried a small taste here and there. And if you insist on me calling you Sano, Please call me Kaoru."

Sano glanced over at Kenshin. The Red head gave him no indication of what he should do. "Um…I shall my Lady, but again, not in public."

Kaoru allowed her bottom lip to stick out in a pout for only a fraction of a moment. "Should I be worried about how we are perceived in public?" She addressed to both men.

"Only for a while." Kenshin said softly, setting a hand on hers.

Kaoru didn't know she would be uncomfortable with her husband touching her in public until his hand settled over hers. And though they were at the High table and it was such a small gesture no one would ever notice it. She carefully slid her hand out from under his and set both her hands in her lap. "Why?" If Kenshin was upset that she pulled away, he didn't show it, only a glance down at her hands in her lap gave away that he even noticed.

"First impressions are important. It's not uncommon for a Lord to get his Lady a bodyguard. And it's not uncommon that it is his closest most trusted man., and that he sit here for dinner so they can get to know one another. However, Fire's are pretty strict on protocol. I know Water Fae are more relaxed about things, but-"

"But you have to put on a show for your men." Kaoru interrupted. She didn't know how she felt about that. In one way she understood. She pretended to be the strong Lady of the Keep after her father died. Even though all she wanted to do was hide away in her rooms for the rest of her life and cry. She didn't. She had a duty to her people and to the Keep. She had been groomed all her life for this position after all. But she thought that perhaps with the Lord here all this pretending could stop. He would deal with his people and she would fade back and deal with the numbers. The amount of money, food and people it would take to keep Aiga running smoothly. She knew the books, not the politics.

Kenshin seemed somewhat jolted by the turn in her attitude. Kaoru didn't give him a chance to speak.

"I understand, my Lord Husband that you have a reputation to keep with your men and that you must seem strong, even though you are strong." Were her eyes angry when she glanced at him? She understood, she really did, but she didn't like it.

"Yes, It is my first day here and for at least a few weeks I have to give Aiga the feeling that I am in complete control, that I do."

"But you are in complete control." Kaoru returned.

Suddenly his purple eyes seem to turn hard, like the stones of her jewelry.

"My Lady Wife, if we were attacked this moment, I'm not entirely sure I would know how to get out of this rock." He said in a hard tone.

"I don't think the Drow would attack us any time soon." At least she hoped not. True, the scouts were uncomfortably close, but it was coming on to summer and the Drow normally laid low during that time.

"I don't mean from the Drow, I mean attacked by my own people, your own people. These first few weeks are important for me to make a place for myself. My own men won't hesitate to overthrow me if they do not find me fit enough to rule. My birth does not keep me safe."

"Ken, man that's unfair. It's not in the Water's nature to be backstabbers." Sano said around Kaoru. "She didn't know that's what you meant."

Kaoru couldn't help the look of shock on her face. She quickly covered her open mouth in her hand and leaned back in the chair and as far away from the men as possible.

"Well now she does." Kenshin grunted back, turning to attack the meat on his plate with his knife.

Kaoru slid her eyes from her husband over to Sano. The man startled her by giving her a smile and a wink before sitting back to his meal. What in the world just happened? If anyone had called the Fire fae backstabbers to their face, war would have happened. Perhaps because Sano was Kenshin's best and trusted friend...perhaps it was because Kenshin accepted that truth about the Fire Clans. Suddenly the tension that had slowly left the hall was back again. But it was at the High table and Kaoru felt smothered by it.

A yell went out among the Hall, causing Kaoru to jump a mile in her seat. Even with the tension between them, Kenshin reached over at took her hand from her lap and gave it a squeeze. But Kaoru hardly noticed as the celebratory cry turned into fists banging on the table. In the middle of the group it was easy to see the tall Fire who had challenged her. Shishio….was that his name?

"Red, Banner, Red Banner, Red Banner, red, red, red, red!" The group of men chanted. Quickly every Fire in the Hall was chanting, stomping, clapping and banging the tables. The other Fae seemed confused, embarrassed or downright afraid of the chanting.

Kaoru realized Kenshin's grip on her hand was crushing her fingers. She glanced down at her poor fingers before looking back up at her husband. "My Lord? What are they chanting about? And my fingers are about to fall off."

Kenshin let her hand go abruptly. His face looked smug but his eyes told her otherwise. He stood from his chair, causing a cheer to go up from the Fire's "You want the Red Banner?" Kenshin said loudly over the crowd, and again a deafening roar rose over them.

Kaoru had no idea how a single room full could make so much noise with just their voices. She worried that they could be disturbing the other side of the Keep where people were being healed. It was unnerving and Kaoru found herself leaning away. A warm hand settled on her shoulder.

"It's alright Missy, they just want some fun and gossip." Sano said, leaning close to her to be heard over the calls and whistles.

"What's the Red Banner?" Kaoru asked.

For the first time the teen looked sightly flustered. "It's an old Fire custom for newlyweds to hang their bed sheets for all to see after the Weddin' night."

Kaoru was in the middle of hiding her unease by taking a sip of her water and she nearly dropped the glass in her lap. "The Red Banner is stained sheets from the marriage bed!?" It didn't matter that Kaoru shrieked because the cheering grew louder still as Kenshin guaranteed them this tradition.

"Red banners are used in times of war for Fire Fae, it's a very old custom that dates back to when houses were married to each other to form alliances. A symbolic "Conquering" if you wanna call it that."

"Sano those marriages still happen, this is why I was married as a child."

The teen nodded solemnly, "This is why they call for this tradition."

Kaoru wanted to say that losing her virginity to Kenshin didn't produce enough blood to stain anything other than their thighs but caught herself just before spilling that personal bit of information.

All at once there was a surge of people rushing up to the High Table. Hands reached for both Kenshin and herself. She would have been terrified, but Kenshin seemed content in letting them lead him away. He constantly glanced back for Kaoru though, that made her feel better. What also made her fell better was that one of the hands on her was the iron grip that was Sano. He had his hand wrapped around her arm just below the elbow and he didn't let a single man wedge between the two of them. They were speaking to her, Kaoru realized. Lots of "My Lady's" made it to her ear. Through the Hall and up the steps and even into the restricted area were the common man wasn't to go unless called for. With all the jostling and dozens of hands, Kaoru was certain some took liberties with her as she felt hands on her person. But it all seemed in good spirits as the men, though drunk, only laugh and sang and chanted about the Red Banner. Even in the fading light she could see their eyes, flashes of their teeth and the heat of their bodies grew and grew until she could hardly stand them any longer. Suddenly Sano let her go and all at once Kaoru found herself deposited next to Kenshin in their personal rooms. The men threw blessings and well wishes and far more "put a babe in that belly" than she had ever heard before. The guards slowly urged the men away. Astonished, Kaoru could only stand there, her body buzzing from the memory of all the hands upon her and started stupidly at her husband.

"What happened?" she asked in a frayed voice.

Kenshin was still staring out the door. He gave a small laugh before turning to her. "You look terrified."

Of course she was terrified, she had never been swarmed on before, and the Fire's bodies are always so warm, she could still feel the heat of them. "I want to know what you plan on doing about the Red ba-" But Kaoru was interrupted when a small train of priests and monks all in white with a rainbow of colored sashes and belts filled into the room. This time both Lord and Lady were perplexed as the monks lined up in front of them to anoint their foreheads with oils. The priests were at the marriage bed throwing blessed water and the smoke from a bowl of flame at it., blessing the consummation of the marriage and the hope of an heir.

"Mother Goddess, help me." Kaoru muttered. If the monks thought she was praying they didn't show it as one by one they all left the room. Sano poked his head in. Was all of the Keep going to visit her private quarters today?

"Hey man, there's a party going on at the church. But don't worry, I'll keep an eye on things."

"Your people really want heir's don't they?" Kaoru sighed, looking at her husband. Through all of this he seemed calm and somewhat amused.

… . . …

He could tell by the flashing in her eyes that she was not happy. It was strange seeing someone who's every emotion played out through their eyes. Each time more fascinating than the last. "My people want male heir's." He informed. "Our treaty is only ten years old but in that time there have been enough Fire and Water couples for us to realize that the two elements will not mix well. It's difficult to create children." He turned away from her confused eyes and back to Sano.

"Thank you Sano. I'm sure things will be kept in control being that they decided to go to the church. Join them if you want to. I won't expect you to have duties in the morning. I'm sure everyone will be taking the day off, that I do." From the amount of drinking he had seen in the Hall alone, he knew that the foundries would be silent today. That was fine with him. He'd been to enough Fire weddings to know that the celebrations would go one for some time. He didn't expect things to change. At least for this one night.

Sano slapped his friend on the back "You don't have to tell me twice." He glanced over at Kaoru who had turned away to let them have their conversation. "You have a plan for the Red Banner?" he said in hushed tones.

Kenshin shrugged. "I do."

Again Sano flashed him a thumbs up. "Well have a great weddin' night." He joked before turning away. As Kenshin was shutting the door he noted the two guards standing a few yards away from the door, one on each side. He shut and locked the door before turning back to find his wife with her fingers on the fabric of his warrior tunic that was hanging on the wall by his wardrobe, ready to be thrown on at a moment's notice. She was taking particular interest in the hooks and fasteners.

At the sudden silence she glanced up and caught him watching her. She blushed and nodded her head at the clothes. "I'm not used to these kinds of garments yet. Is it true that court women in the Fire Lands wear huge dresses?" She held her hands out at her hips to emphasis huge.

Kenshin smiled. "Yes, though not as large as they once were. When I was child the fashion was to have dresses so wide a woman would have to turn sideways to get though the door." His story had the desired effect of making Kaoru's eyes grow wide with child-like wonder. "Perhaps we'll visit someday and you'll get to wear our styles."

The idea made her eyes dance, which Kenshin was sure he would never tire of seeing. Too bad it didn't last long, as her eyes narrowed and she set her hands on her hips.

"What the Hell is with this Red Banner? Are we savage tribes?" Kaoru started to pace as much as her Kimono would let her. She clapped her hands on her cheeks. "Oh, I'm going to be so humiliated!"

Kenshin scoffed slightly as he looked around the rooms. There were large windows, for that he was grateful, he hated the constant feeling of being under a mountain of rock. The furniture was old, used by generations. They depicted carvings of the Keep, and some of the Sea. The tapestries on the wall also depicted the Sea and it's many monsters and creatures as well a the Merpeople that birthed the Water folk. Over the grand bed hung colored ropes. Kenshin recalled last seeing them wrapped around himself when he married Kaoru. "Nothing has happened yet for you to be humiliated." He said softly, as his mind traveled back ten years.

"They want to see our bed sheets in the morning." She said, still hiding behind her hands.

"We'll give them what they want, then life can go on as normal, that it will." He said smoothly, moving over to pry her hands from her face. He cheeks were blazing red as she looked up at him. He didn't like seeing her so worried. He wanted to soothe her anxiety. "It's happened countless times before and I'm sure will happen for many more generations to come, that it will." It didn't mean he liked the tradition. To be honest he had never given it much thought until now. Yet he could understand why she was so shocked, why any Water Fae in the Keep would be shocked. It was not common for them to be virgins on their wedding night.

"You mean to bed me tonight...even after..."

"After having already bedding you?"

"After thinking I betrayed you."

He softened. "You have never betrayed me." When he was her age he was already well taught in the area of love making. He had been willing to forsake her for another and never wanted to return to this place. What she had done, was hardly a scratch compared to the damage he had caused. It was hard for him, he would admit to that, realizing she was his wife. But even he couldn't ignore the fact that his heart raced at the idea that the little Water female was his wife. That little fantasy that he had was in fact true. Tonight had to happen, and all the nights after that as well. He could at least, for now, forget the little brat she was, forget the love he had in the past and just live in the moment he had that magical morning in the forest. To press the matter would only upset her more. Kenshin would rather live in peace and have a relationship that was, at the very least, warm.

"But I didn't know who you were."

"Shh.." He locked his eyes on to hers. "You never betrayed me…."

Kaoru was silent for a moment before she lowered her gaze from his and nodded softly. She froze as his hands started to pull free the yards of silk Obi that kept her Kimono closed. Painful shyness returned, as if she had never known this man.

"My Lord."

He pressed the side of his head against hers and whispered softly in her ear. "Please don't call me that here in our bed chambers." He said, his voice dropping an octave. He didn't like all the 'My Lord's' And he liked them even less from her.

"K-Kenshin." She whispered.

The sound of his name on her tongue sent a bolt of heat straight into his gut. There it pooled and stirred his manhood to life. How was it that just the sound of his name would give him such pleasure. This morning he had felt a moment of such hate for the girl. But no, not even then, that wasn't hate. Kaoru had shown him her true colors the other day. Willing to risk her life to even the odds of a fight, to admit to her weakness and being lonely here in the Keep. It wasn't hate he had felt, not at all. Shock maybe. And the killer in him disliked being shocked. The killer wanted complete control of all situations. Kenshin thought he would be able to handle his wife and not always having his plan. But that morning proved he was weak willed and the Battousai failed the first test.

"Will it be like before?" She asked, pulling away to look at him.

Kenshin didn't let her back away too much, the Obi slipped to the floor and he took her Kimono in both hands and pulled her against him. He ducked his head to kiss her soundly, but froze when a thought entered his mind. He pulled away from her lips.

"Are you willing? I don't care if this is our "first" night together...I won't force you, Kaoru." He lifted his head. "I will be just as gentle with you as I was the other morning. Or I will be rougher if you want me to. I will be whatever you want." His voice had dropped to a husky whisper against her skin.

Kaoru gasped for breath as she leaned against him. "I..." She pulled back and took a breath to steady herself. "What of the Red Banner?"

"I can fake that easily, Kaoru. We don't have to do anything you don't want to." Although If she said no, Kenshin would shame himself by begging. Images of Kaoru laying on the forest floor kept flashing in his mind, the taste of her, the smell of her. She was a witch and he, her victim.

"No...I want to." She said in a voice so soft, he had to strain to hear her. "I just feel awkward...because of before."

Kenshin was slowly pushing her toward the large bed. He ducked his head and covered her lips with his. He pulled away before she could respond. "Did I hurt you before?" He had tried to make sure she was well ready for him, but he had no idea she was a virgin and his entering her was without care.

"A little….but that's to be expected." She added quickly. Her eyes were going hazy and unfocused.

Kenshin shook his head and dipped to trail kisses down her throat. Her head fell back to allow him. "A man who knows what he is doing will cause a woman almost no pain, even on her first go." he admitted. "I was not careful with you, that I wasn't."

At this Kaoru pressed back against him, her hands pulled at his gi to free it from his body. "You do not need to be careful with me Lord Husband. This is not my first go, as you well remember. I will not break."

… . . …

Kaoru didn't think she would be able to officially consummate their marriage after having been so mortified that morning. But his kisses, petting and soft words brought her back to that lovely little rowan grove and how this handsome stranger took her to places she never thought possible. Was it truly possible that the red-headed stranger was really her husband...forever? Could she even be that lucky? She was glad that her voice remained strong even as his words and kisses were playing her emotions like a delicate instrument. She tipped her chin up to show she wasn't afraid of him.

His clothes were gone, and her Kimono was on the floor and Kaoru found herself pressed into the soft mattress of the bed. Kenshin had the presence of mind to pull away the covers but that was as far as they got as they both lay across the bed. She wanted to explore him but found she couldn't do anything other than cry out as his fingers found her most pleasurable spot. He was not wasting time, she realized. She didn't want him to, already she was wet and mewing for him. Vaguely she remember the guards posted outside her door and tried to hold back from making such unladylike noises but as Kenshin slid two fingers inside of her and his thumb still circling her most sensitive spot, Kaoru found it impossible to stay silent. Not when he urge her so. His lips at her ear urged her to cry out, it was almost a harsh demand. The heat of his touch, the heat of his whole body burned her, his voice in her ear was like the roar of a wildfire and the pleasure building up inside of her was like a soothing heat from a bath that soon flooded her entire body.

She screamed his name as the pleasure overtook her body. She smothered her cries in a pillow lest the whole Keep hear her. She was a writhing twisted mess of arms and legs but Kenshin held her tight against him. His mouth was at her neck, kissing and catching her skin delicately between his teeth. As she came down from her flight of pleasure, he urged her for information.

"Tell me what you want, Kaoru, I will be whatever you want."

Gods, he needed to stop saying that. So many ideas were coming to her mind. She was pleasure drunk, her limbs were heavy and it felt as though her body was sinking deep into the softest mattress. Was this what the Goddess felt being in the arms of her lover? With fumbling fingers she reached up and took the tie from his hair. Crimson locks cascaded down from both his shoulders and framed his face in shadow.

"You." She said finally. "I want you and I won't break," She grabbed some of his hair and wound it around her hand. She recalled the way the sun on his hair made it looks like strands of copper and fire. His body was lean and strong, even though he was small, he was solid. He was like a wild animal, coiled muscle and sinew and bone. It was thrilling to be near such a powerful creature. "Don't you dare be gentle with me, Kenshin." She gave her hand a hard yank, tugging at his hair and causing him to surge forward and down upon her.

… . . …

That was what he wanted. The spitfire Water fae he met in the forest was more of a bed mate than the cool, calm Lady of the Keep. He slowly, carefully slid himself into her. She was hot, wet and demanding. No sooner did he seat himself deep inside her that she wrapped her legs around him, pressing him hard against her. Her hands wound tightly in his hair, forcing his head back, exposing his throat to her. Teeth and lips and tongue assaulted his throat.

Kenshin was impressed. Only her second time and already she knew how to take control of him. He was more than willing to let her have all she wanted of him. His hips surged and she moved to met him. He found it impossible to not gasp with her every thrust. As he moved, she moved and with his head tipped back as it was, he couldn't see her face. But finally both her hands untangled from his hair, one fluttered at his throat, the other gripped onto his shoulder. Her hand as his throat slowly moved to his cheek as he lowered his gaze to find her flushed, sweaty and the most beautiful thing he had ever seen. Her blue eyes were dark, like the depth of an unexplored lagoon. Hair as dark as the night sky fanned out around her in stark contrast to her moon pale skin.

"K...Kenshin." her voice was a breathy whisper as her nails sunk into his back.

All at once his concentration slipped and pleasure washed over him unexpectedly. His hips bucked forward against his will as he planted his seed deep inside of her. There was a moment when no one moved or breathed before the two sagged against each other. Kenshin rested against the mattress, overtaken by the lavender scent of her hair as he pressed his face to the ebony locks.

… . . …

Kaoru smiled, eyes closed as Kenshin nuzzled against the nape of her neck. She didn't want to open her eyes because in her mind she was back in that forest. In that little grove of trees she was no one important and it didn't matter who she was with or if she was bold about it. It didn't matter how loudly she voiced her pleasure or how long they lay in their gratification. But she did open her eyes to the stone and wood ceiling above her. Embarrassment sunk in as she realized how bold she was with her Lord Husband. What if he wasn't happy that she controlled him so? Though he was careful when entering her this time, he was much harder in his movement and she could feel the discomfort. Like aggravating a bruise it was, as he was still settled inside of her.

"Ken-shin?" she cursed the sudden trembling in her voice. "That hurts."

Instantly he was up off of her, his weight on his elbows as he looked down at her. His hair was a wild mane around his face but instead of dark, angry eyes, they were heated purple pools of lust. "Let me move." He said.

His voice was husky, smokey, a bedroom voice Kaoru realized. He was pleased, and was not angry. Slowly he back his hips away from hers. He was seated so deep inside of her that she couldn't tell what was her body and what was his. Only that there was a deep ache. His pulling free of her felt like part of her insides were being pulled away as well, leaving her empty.

"Better?"

Kaoru nodded and she was about to move to cover her nakedness but Kenshin reached around her shoulders and pulled her to sit upright. Kaoru winced at a flash of pain between her thighs and looked up. "What are you doing."

"Making sure to keep those people of mine happy, that I am. I'm sorry if this is unpleasant."

Kaoru was confused until he stood from the bed and helped her off. Her legs were wobbly and she sagged against him. One arm around her held her tightly against his body as he smiled down at her.

Kaoru turned and finally realized what he was up to. By sitting up, his seed had escaped from her and stained the bed sheets rather thoroughly.

"Oh my-" Kaoru covered her face. She didn't even look when Kenshin carefully stepped away. "What are you doing?" She asked as she dropped her hand from her face. Kenshin in all his nakedness, stalked to the other side of the bed and rummaged around his warrior clothes and pulled from it a small dagger.

"Kenshin?"

The red-head returned to her side and Kaoru and to fight to keep her eyes averted, but she failed. He was too beautiful to feel shame upon seeing his naked body. But that warm feeling suddenly turned to icy dread as he jerked the blade across the palm of his hand.

"Kenshin!" She rushed forward.

But he tossed the dagger to the side and caught her. "Hush my Dear." He said softly. "You'll alert the guards. This will help with the proof."

Kaoru watched as he opened his hand. The slice wasn't as long or as deep as Kaoru had imagined, a scratch really. Only a few drops of blood had welled up and Kenshin pressed his hand to the still wet stain on the bed. With a quick movement the stain was now tinged with pink with an obvious streak of deep blood red.

"Is that enough blood?" She wondered.

"It is, Anymore and my men will think I'm a bad lover." He smiled down at her and Kaoru felt a blush crawl across her skin.

"My Lady where did you learn to force a man like that?" He asked, skillfully changing the subject, his lips brushed across her forehead as he talked.

Kaoru yanked back, "Force? What?" She flustered.

Kenshin's smile grew as his eyes flared with warm amber. "Mm-Hm. Our first coupling was shy yet exciting, which I can understand, being it was your first time with a man, you took your fill of me, of which I was also expecting, being that you must have never seen a man naked before."

The sudden heat told Kaoru that her blush was not a delicate rose but a more like a sunburn across her face and shoulders.

"But this second time..." he trailed off, turning her so they were pressed chest to chest. He let one hand grip her hair, close to the scalp, but was in no way painful.

"I...I….I was taught." She stammered as his head dipped down so that his lips could brush along her exposed neck. She tried to distract herself by taking his hand and inspecting the wound. It really was just a scratch. It wasn't even bleeding anymore. She had hoped to divert their attention by bandaging the wound.

"Taught?….really?" He seemed more entranced with her breasts now than what she was saying. His hand released her hair and they both went to her breasts which suddenly felt heavy from the sudden attention. Nipples hardened the instant he set his hands to them. And Kaoru was surprised to find that she wished he was rough with them instead of gentle.

Suddenly words spilled out. "As soon as I got my first Moon Blood I was taught what I needed to do to please my Lord." She glanced at him, fighting to keep from pressing her chest against his hands. His eyes were golden, which startled her. A flash of a fuzzy memory. He was younger, but looked far harder than he did now, his eyes were yellow and terrifying. She was only just a child, but even then the fear he brought to her also brought excitement.

The Lord dropped to his knees in front of her, his hands dropped from her breasts to rest at the small of her back.

"M-my, my L-Lord?" She started to tremble as he started pressing kisses onto her thighs.

"My name Kaoru. Say it."

Even his voice was different. Harder, harsher and yet even so, the sound of it made her knees weak. "Kenshin what are you doing?" She said in a rush as she struggled to stay upright as both hands slowly explored the curve of her buttocks.

"With that cursed Red Banner problem out of the way, I can set my mind to having you properly."

Her mind was blank. If what they just did was just to get a problem out of the way...could it get better than that?

"P...Properly?" was all she could form. Gods and Goddess Kaoru, did you forget how to talk? She berated herself each time she opened her mouth but nothing came out.

"Permission to have you properly?" He looked up at her.

Even with those burning eyes and that hard voice, he still asked her permission. She didn't know what he had in mind but numbly she nodded her head.

Instantly this mouth found her most sensitive spot. Kaoru gasped and nearly jumped away but Kenshin's hands had full control of her hips and was not letting her pull away so easily. His tongue slid past silky folds until it founds it's prize, the little nub that made her knees weak and her legs tremble. She shifted her legs, just a little. Maybe to give him better access it would- oh yes, it was much better. Her head feel back and Kaoru let whatever sounds produced from her throat to escape. Just raspy gasps at first, but soon he had her mewing and then keening. Her tone rising higher and higher as she felt her whole body tighten.

Then suddenly his mouth was gone, replaced by a delicate finger on that little nub. Quickly Kenshin pressed her back on the soft, cool sheets of the bed and his mouth returned to giving her attention. The slight disruption made Kaoru huff in frustration and yet felt dread when his warm tongue returned. She couldn't hold herself back when he did that with his mouth. And again he brought her to crying out with each flick of his tongue.

It felt like hours to Kaoru, although she was sure it was only a minute. Her body wound tighter and tighter as she reached completion. Kaoru felt herself spiral out of control. Was she making any noise? She didn't know, all she knew was warmth and stars.

At once Kenshin slid up along her body and slid himself deep within her. Her body shuddered as she felt him stretch her still sensitive and tight insides. Again he was talking to her, but Kaoru could make no sense of the words. They were just sounds and warm breath in her ear. After a moment she realized she couldn't understand him because he was speaking another language. The old Fire Tongue she figured. Deep, guttural sounding words that burned like his teeth scratching at the skin of her throat. Burned like his hand on her breast, making them ache most deliciously. Everything burned as if it were in a large oven, on fire. She was on fire, Kenshin was on fire, the bed was on fire the whole room was on fire the world was on fire.

All she knew was fire.

Music played, people sang, drink flowed. It was normally the kind of thing Shishio dove head first into. To sit out of it now might draw suspicion, considering it was a time when everyone should be celebrating. The man was not entirely happy with the "Lord" showing up. He had just found his foothold in the ranks of Fire's who thought the Keep was being woefully underused. He never liked the idea of a treaty with the Water Fae and couldn't stand being trapped in their Rock.

He glanced up at the merry making with hard red eyes before turning back to his mug of ale. Next to it was a small white cup filled with a clear alcohol.
Sake.

It was a drink created by the Water Fae and it was surprisingly wonderful. Shishio would deny it if anyone asked him, but it quickly became one of his most favorite and he partook in it as often as he could.

Nori a man not as tall or as lean as himself slid into the empty bench beside him and leaned in to speak. "So you don't seem as excited at the idea that some other man is burying himself in that woman." He spoke in a soft voice that went easily unnoticed by the noise and merry making around them.

Shishio only glanced over at the man. In truth his idea was to find the opportunity to plant his seed in the Lady Kaoru by force or willingly and claim the Keep for himself. His fellows hated the idea of being ruled by a virgin female. Married to a Fire or not, she was weak in her rule over them. She seemed more pleased in restricting them than in anything else. Shishio could turn this Keep into a fortress to be feared. A home only for the strong. One that would give the Drow pause when they saw it.

"As long as "Lord" Kenshin holds his reputation as a master assassin, I've no problem letting him have her. She was too weak for me anyways." Shishio muttered in return. Although she was a lovely little thing, he wasn't sure he would want a child from such a weak element.

Nori's dark eyes danced. "I remember you stating that you thought Water women to be "Mysteriously Strong." and that you were itching to conquer one."

Damn his memory, Shishio's lips pulled back over sharp teeth in more a snarl than a smile. "Yes, I though this Water Bitch was one of those, But after being here a few months, I've changed my mind."

"You could have had her just to claim this Keep. That Battousai took long enough to show up, no one would have any fault." Nori countered.

"I started the chant for the Red Banner just to see if I could cause any trouble." Shisho admitted, moving to take a long drink from his mug. He thought perhaps the Water Female would bend to the rules of the Fire clan and maybe had been bedded already. "We'll see in the morning if anything came from it."

"If not?"

"If not then we'll see how this assassin runs the place. I might enjoy sitting back and making swords for the slaughter to come. If not then we'll think of someway to over throw the weak one's in favor for the strong."

A/n Got a little hot in here, but then Shishio had to come and ruin all the good feels. Boo
Seems like he had some scary plans for Kaoru if Kenshin never showed up. I hope Kaoru stays safe.
Kenshin and Kaoru seemed to have come to an understanding. I wonder how long it will last. I gather that they are happy to live in their little fantasy that they are acting on the attraction they had their first time together rather than what they have to do for duty sake.
The peace treaty now rests on their ability to produce an heir. No pressure guys.
Thank you for reading! Please let me know if you have questions. (I always wonder if reviewers are asking questions they would like a reply to, or if it's just a rhetorical question you are asking yourselves. LOL I'm such a dork. )
Reviews are loved!