A/n Hello dear readers!
Quick note: I am still working on my other stories. I've had quite a few ask me about them but as they are Guests, I can't contact you to let you know the deal. Yes, I'm still working on Ugly Prince. That will be explained more when I update that story.
Yes, I'm working on Loving the Reluctant Alpha. It's going slow and painful but still going. I hope to have at least one chapter good enough to post sometimes soonish.

Chapter 22

Corurin loomed in the distance. A shining, bright city. A gem in the drab dessert around it. Kenshin looked worriedly over at his Lady Wife who was sitting on his lap on the horse. He held her tightly as she looked out across the distance.

"Oh," She shielded her eyes with her hand. "It's so pretty. Look at all the bright colors!"

Buildings were painted all colors of the rainbow. Mostly reds, oranges and yellows, but also bright pops of blue, greens and violet and all manor of colors in between. The large amounts of glass windows were what caused the city to shine like a diamond. The morning sun was still low in the sky causing the reflection to be blinding and brilliant. It was beautiful only for the lake it sat on the banks of. To Kenshin, that body of water was the best thing he had seen in weeks. Kaoru needed that water. She needed it now.

With a kick, his horse continued on, the troop following at a good clip. Kaoru had been good and stayed in the wagon for the rest of the trip, but this morning, with the City and the promise of seeing her friend only hours away, he took pity on her pleading eyes. She wanted to see Corurin in all its splendor. Kenshin allowed her only if she was with him where he could watch over her. So in his arms she stayed, her arms wrapped tightly around him as she looked this way and that. Like the curious little child she was.

Finally, they reached the beach of the lake and Silver Oak Academy sat looking grand and overgrown from the massive gardens of healing herbs. Kenshin dismounted and pulled Kaoru into his arms. "Taran!" He called. The young scout was at the bank, letting his horse drink. He rushed over to Kenshin's side. And bowed low.

"Yes, M'Lord?"

"Go into the Acadamy and find the Apprentice name Megumi Takani. She is a friend of Lady Kaoru and a great healer. Ask her to come if she can, we will be right here."

The boy bowed again and with swift feet, bolted across the small dunes of sand and vanished across the flagstone path to the school. Kenshin turned his attention back on his wife. She looked pale and tired but she smiled and it was still just as lovely. "You didn't have to send for her right away," Kaoru said as Kenshin carried her into the water.

"Of course I did. You told me she was a great healer, I want her to look you over." He clutched her tightly to him for a moment in a hug.

"Oh, Kenshin!" Kaoru cried out in alarm as Kenshin stepped into the lake. "You'll hurt yourself." She struggled to be let down but Kenshin held her tightly.

"Hush. It is not moving water. I'm fine., that I am." The downside was that it wouldn't be much help to her. She could see the handmaidens and the Water soldiers were already in the water. The power transfer was low, hardly a glimmer. But they splashed and played, their happy voices rose up and brought a smile to Kaoru's face.

Kenshin went in up to his hips and slowly lowered Kaoru into the water. It was cool, but not overly so. Like a bath that had been left to grow tepid. Even so, Kaoru closed her eyes as her body sunk under the slight ripples. Lower Kenshin went until even her face was under the water and he could see the soft glow of blue and white. It was so very soft, but something was better than nothing.

… . . ….

Megumi was in the library putting the finishing touches on her paper. The assignment had become quite a tome and she hoped she hadn't overdone it. Sparc sat beside her, looking over to read some of the pages as she assembled them in proper order.

"Megumi this is amazing work. I would like to read it sometime."

"Well, if I'm named as Grand Master Apprentice then it shall be printed as a book." She replied. "You can have your very own copy."

Sparc smiled, his eyes dancing with life she had not seen since she had "fallen ill." "Of course you'll be named, it's pretty much already been said."

"Well." Megumi tipped her head this way and that. "It still needs to be said," she muttered with humbleness.

"Miss Takani."

Megumi looked up to find one of the school's assigned guards at the entrance of the library. "This young man is looking for you."

Megumi blinked and stood as a boy close to his teen years came forward. He was dirty and tired looking but wide eyed at the place around him. "Yes?" Who was this boy? Obviously, he'd been traveling.

"Megumi Takani?" the boy asked, his voice still shrill in youth."

"Yes, that is me."

"I'm with Lord Himura's troop. He's just arrived. He asked me to tell you this and to fetch you to come to the lake if you are able. I believe his Lady Wife, Kaoru needs a healer."

Megumi sat silently for a moment, her mind refusing to wrap around the words. Then after a long moment, she jumped from her chair, nearly tipping it over. "Kaoru Kamiya?" She gasped.

"Begging your pardon, Kaoru Himura. She's married." The boy corrected.

She was here! Had it already been that long? Megumi had lost all track of her days. And she needed a healer? "Oh, goodness." Megumi scrambled with her papers. Kaoru must have suffered injury or perhaps sun poisoning while traveling. Hope blossomed in her chest. Finally, she would get to meet the lovely young Lady of the mysterious Keep with the amazing water. "I need to go." She rushed. Sparc reached out and grabbed Megumi by the hands.

"Go, I'll gather up your papers and you can pick them up when you have time."

Megumi nearly sagged. "Thank you, Sparc."

"Now go, go!" Sparc all but pushed her.

"Yes, take me to her." Megumi turned and followed the boy who nearly bolted at full speed ahead of her. She gathered up the long flowing fabric of her robes in her fists and took off at a run.

… . . ...

Kenshin looked up at the sound of rushing steps. He turned to find his scout all but dragging a young woman by the hand. Kenshin was hit with her beauty. She must have been close to his age. She was slightly taller than himself and she held an air of maturity, knowledge and yet grace and beauty. She had the same Water features as Kaoru, the dark hair, stormy eyes, calming presence. She caught sight of him and nearly dug her heals into the sand to come to a stop. She took a breath.

"Lord Himura, I take it?" She asked in a flat tone. Her face was suddenly a mask but Kenshin had been around Water females enough to know the look in their eyes. She seemed afraid, nervous even. Kenshin glanced around. There was no one other than the troop. The Waters were in the lake and his soldiers were on the beach next to her. Was she afraid of him? Did she know about him?

"Yes, Miss Megumi Takani?"

The woman stole a glance at his men before dipping into a low curtsey. It was odd to see, he was not used to the ways of his homeland anymore. "My Lord." She said softly.

"None of that now, here." He flexed his arms, pulling Kaoru up out of the water.

"Oh! Oh my!" Megumi rushed into the water, robes and all. "Miss Kaoru!"

Kaoru opened her eyes, raised her head and smiled, her arms lifting. "Miss Megumi!"

Megumi all but snatched his wife from his arms and clutched her to her like a long lost relation. Kenshin was surprised, but pleasantly so as the two females laughed and asked questions in excited voices.

Megumi suddenly pulled Kaoru away from her. "Are you well? I was told you needed a healer?" She looked Kaoru over, her hands pushing the wet hair from Kaoru face. "You are pale, but I see you've been sun-burnt."

"She had a touch of sun poisoning on the way here. She's been kept out of the sun these past five days. She's weak and has no appetite. She's been watched over by our own healer." Kenshin rattled off. Megumi clicked her tongue.

"I'm fine, really," Kaoru said, but it was obvious that Megumi was supporting Kaoru or else she would wobble and fall into the water.

"I would still like to give you a look over just to make sure," Megumi said softly.

Kaoru sighed but nodded. "I shouldn't be surprised. This is what you do best." Kaoru smiled.

Megumi returned the smile before looking up at Kenshin. "Have her taken to the hospital." she pointed to the building across from the school. "Take her to the Water section. I'm going to change out of these clothes and I'll meet you there." They turned to leave the water.

Kenshin motioned Sanosuke over. The Earth man pushed away from the wagon he was leaning against and met them at the edge of the water.

"You must be the Healer, Missy is always talkin' about and sendin' water to." Sano drawled to Megumi as he scooped Kaoru easily into his arms.

The Lady Healer blinked in surprise and then smiled at him. "Nice to meet you as well, Earth Man." And with a slight bow of her head, Megumi was off to the dorms.

"Ooo I think she likes me," Sano said with a sly grin down at Kaoru.

Drained, Kaoru leaned her head on Sano's chest yet was able to give him a playful punch on the shoulder. "Don't flirt."

"What? Me?" Sano gasped as he turned to follow Kenshin.

"Yes, you," Kenshin said over his shoulder. Then added, "At least wait until after the woman has had a chance to look Kaoru over, then you can distract her all you want."

Kaoru huffed. "No, don't make things hard for Megumi. She's taken a vow of celibacy."

Both men froze and Kenshin turned wide eyes at Kaoru.

"But, you don't know any of this." Kaoru muttered, "Don't breath a word."

"I swear." Both men said at once.

"But why?" Sano asked as they continued their trip.

"The school had strict rules about relations without marriage. They made exceptions for Megumi but she refused to be treated any different." Kaoru said in a low tone.

"But Missy, Megumi looks older than you. How is it she can survive such a drain on her nature?"

"She can't," Kenshin muttered. "It'll only be a matter of time before she must do what her nature tells her to." He glanced over at his Wife and best friend. "She should take the exception. Should have years ago."

"But Megumi wants to graduate from here as any Fire would." Kaoru protested. "She doesn't like the idea that she was treated differently to hang over her."

Kenshin nodded. It was still a bad idea on the Healer's part, but she knew what she was doing, she looked healthy, if a bit tired and stressed. But it was the end of her schooling, graduation was near and he was sure every other student here had the same look on their face.

"Anyways, Shhh." Kaoru hissed as they came up on the large building, and people were coming and going.

It was much like any place of healing for the Fire kind. Kenshin looked over at the wall of glass windows. Beds were pushed to the glass to allow the sick to absorb power and energy from the all giving Sun. It was a far cry from the damp, dark tunnels that ran with clear water back at the Keep. But the Sun would only further harm Kaoru. So he quickly ushered Sano inside and followed directions to a more suitable place for Kaoru.

The Water section was very small, maybe only three beds. Obviously, Water types here were rare. Their care in the Fire Lands was still a very new concept. It was darker, the windows were small and higher up on the wall. There was a strange gutter built into the side of the walls that allowed water to flow all around. It looked strange, but the sound of running water was soothing, even to Kenshin. He could already see Kaoru start to fall asleep as Sanosuke tucked her into a bed. She looked so drained, he was glad that she was able to find even a little bit of comfort in the ward. Sano excused himself, pulled the curtain shut to create a private space and stood guard on the other side.

Kenshin found himself sitting in a small wooden chair beside Kaoru's bed. She turned her head and smiled.

"I'm sorry you had to marry me."

"Oro?" Kenshin's lips pulled downward. "What is this?"

"I see you now, in your home land. You seem so strong, so different?"

Kenshin thought back to his less than gentle manner with her. "I'm sorry if I frightened you." He reached out and took her hand.

Kaoru smiled again. "No, you didn't frighten me. I only realized my own weakness. I see now why your people follow the strong. I wish I was the strong wife you need."

Kenshin looked away. Some strange emotion threatened to close his throat. "Kaoru you weathered the storm of your father's illness, the welcomed invasion of my people into your place of healing. You delt with your father's death and running the Keep all on your own. You jumped in to help a stranger fight some Drow. And now you're throwing yourself into a land most hostile and unwelcoming to you. I don't know how you couldn't be strong. Look at all you've done and are doing."

"Ahem." Megumi cleared her throat quietly as she pulled back the curtain. Sano could be seen with his hands behind his back, pacing a few strides away, apparently trying to give them privacy. She kept the curtain open and looked over at him.

"I'll take care of her now, you can go back to your men and get them settled." She said. Her tone was kind and gentle but it was obvious her words were not open for argument. Kenshin knew a Master Healer when he heard one, and she was right up there with them. He gave a nod and gave Kaoru's hand onc last squeeze before getting to his feet, setting a kiss on her forehead and walked away.

He paused as he passed Megumi. She was taller than he thought and had to look up at her face. "I'll leave Sano here all the same." He said in a kind but firm voice. "If you need anything, anything at all, he's your man."

The Water fae's eyes flickered over to there the fighter was standing, looking out a window. "Understood," Megumi said.

Kenshin gave a curt nod and walked away.

… . . …

Megumi let out a breath that she didn't know she was holding. She watched the back of Lord Himura's head as he vanished down the hallway. A few feet away the Earth man stood as still as a tree. Rock steady and yet alive. Megumi pulled the curtain shut, blocking his image from view. She sat in the wooden chair and took Kaoru's hand in both of hers. "I hope you don't mind that I over heard some of your conversation." Megumi started. "I must say that I've never heard a Fire Man speak in such a way. He's very gentle with you, isn't he?"

Kaoru nodded and sighed. "Oh yes."

Megumi let herself have a moment to sigh as well and think back to Sparc and the gentle way he handled her. They all had it in them to be bloodthirsty and cruel but he was different than the rest. And now this Kenshin Himura, and the way he spoke reminded her so much of Sparc. She closed her eyes and gave her head a strong shake before getting on her feet and bending over Kaoru to press her fingers firmly on her neck, feeling for the glands there. No swelling, that was good.

"Tell me about your trip," Megumi asked as she continued her examinations.

"Oh! Where to begin, Megumi. You've no idea the adventure I've been on."

… . . …

Sano could only stare out the window for so long before he had memorized every detail about the herb garden it overlooked. He easily named off every herb he could see, as well as a rouge weed or two. He could tell that the basil in the third plot over was getting too much water and not enough manure. He saw that the rosehips were large and doing well despite the heat. And various other little details that only an Earth fae like himself would seem to notice or care about. But all too soon the details were accounted for and he was stuck with how to distract himself from the female conversations going on behind the curtain a few long steps away.

Miss Megumi was indeed a siren. At first sight of her, he had to open his mouth and let his Earth blood show. Strange, he had never felt such a strong reaction to someone other than certain other Earth females. Water women were lovely too, but there was something about his own kind that got his blood pooling in the second brain in his pants. And yet this Water female nearly had hm in full hard-on. All she said was one little sentience and he was all bothered.

"Excuse me, Sanosuke, is it?"

The Earth man turned at once. It was as though his thoughts brought the woman to him. She closed the curtain behind her and approached him.

"Yes, my Lady?"

"I'm a Healer, not a Lady," Megumi said with amusement as she fished around in the folds of her robes.

Sano cursed his Earth blood.

She pulled her hand from her robes and held out a silver key. "This key is to my room in the dorm across from here. Would you go to my room and bring one of the bottles of water that Kaoru sent from the Keep? I'm certain it will help her far more than the sad land locked lake."

Sano palmed the key. "Will do, Lady Healer." His mind was a blank slate board. He couldn't think of anything other than her red lips as they moved.

Megumi smiled as if knowing his thoughts and told him her room number before returning to Kaoru's side.

Sano left the hospital and paused at the full force of the sun's rays. He tipped his head up into the light and shut his eyes. He had to pull himself together. It had not been that long from the last time he took a bed-mate. Pull it together man, it's just a pretty female. He chastised himself before continuing on his mission.

… . . …

"There, now that we're alone, we can talk," Megumi stated as she sat back beside Kaoru.

"Alone?" Kaoru scooted up in the bed as Megumi set more pillows behind her so she could sit up.

"Yes, I got rid of that Earth man. So we don't have to worry about being overheard."

"Oh, Sano is my guard, he's very good to me, you don't have to worry about him." Kaoru returned as she settled back.

"Yes, but I prefer to err on the side of caution." Megumi clicked her tongue. "Now tell me, does your husband treat you well?"

Kaoru was taken aback by the intense look in Megumi's eyes and the strength of her grip on her hands. "Well, yes, he treats me very well."

"You can trust me, Kaoru. You're my friend, the only other Water friend I have. Does this Fire Man treat you as kindly as he speaks to you? Has he harmed you in any way? With words when no one is around? Has he hit you, or forced sex on you?"

Rape? The very thought chilled Kaoru to the soul. It was a terrible nightmare to think of one using the healing act in such a violent way.

"No, no never." Kaoru's voice was hoarse as she shook her head. "He's been nothing but kind and gentle with me. He was firm after we entered the Fire lands, but it was for my own health. I was being stupid. Megumi why are you asking me this?" Didn't she see how Kenshin was when they were together? Did she not trust him when there was no one around to witness? Seeing the uncertainty in her eyes confirmed it to Kaoru. She pulled her hand out of Megumi's grasp and took the woman's hands in hers instead. "Kenshin has done nothing to harm me in any way, not ever."

"Even though he's a Fire?" Megumi looked upset that the words left her mouth.

"Even though." Kaoru pressed.

Megumi sighed, sat back in her chair and looked thoughtful, hopeful, even wistful. All at once. Kaoru's brows knitted together. "Are there no gentle Fire people, even here in the school?"

Megumi blinked and looked down at their clasped hands. "There are not many, even in this school. But there is one. I can see how they are alike." She answered softly. She jerked upright and gave her head a shake. "I apologize for asking such upsetting questions." She smiled warmly at the younger woman. "I just want to make sure you're being treated well and are safe."

"Trust me, Dear Megumi. I'm very safe, and very happy."

… . . …

Megumi was right, of course. Kaoru was very much back to her normal self after drinking down half a bottle of healing water from the Keep. Kenshin found the two females and Sano laughing together at a story Kaoru was telling about the antics of dolphins and their offspring when she was at the sea as a mermaid. Megumi couldn't hear enough about the ocean and life at the Keep. She wondered if one day she would see the vast ocean. Megumi and Sano rose when Kenshin walked in. Kaoru stayed seated on her bed and gave him a smile.

"There you are." She said.

Kenshin looked her over, satisfied with her color and renewed energy. He turned to Megumi. "I didn't know you could perform miracles." He said as Sano helped Kaoru out of bed and she slipped into her shoes. She stood strong, with hardly any shaking in her legs or loss of balance. Her eyes were bright and alert.

"Ha!" Megumi barked and turned away to pick up the half empty glass bottle of clear water. "This is the water from your very own Keep. It worked wonderfully even though it's been in this bottle for many weeks."

Kenshin was impressed. "Will you follow us to the Inn?" He asked the healer and Megumi gratefully agreed to come.

"I'll send the rest of the bottles over to you in the morning," Megumi stated. "A drink or two a day should help with the Sun poisoning."

"Oh, but Megumi, that's for your studies, I can't take it." Kaoru protested. She looked over to Kenshin for support. "We should be fine."

"No, No." Megumi waved her hand, her eyes firmly set on the stone road in front of them. "I'm done with all my studies. I've no need for the water now. All my plants are harvested and being made into medicines anyway." She was a little sad, thinking about the empty pots waiting for her back in her room. "Please take it, you need it more than I do."

Kaoru pouted for a moment but then nodded. "Alright."

Kenshin touched Megumi on the shoulder. "Thank you. That means a great deal to me." He said honestly.

Megumi blinked at the man and gave him a little smile before nodded. "You're welcome. I'm glad to give it back." She turned to Kaoru. "Your help has taught me so much. I feel I have an unfair advantage over my peers now."

"Megumi, how it is you seem so used to this place?" Kaoru asked. "To the heat and the dry? You look so lovely, I fear I'd be like a dried up grape by the time we leave." She muttered. Sano coughed to hide his laugh but Megumi let hers ring out.

"Oh ho ho! No Kaoru, I'm sure you'll be fine."

"You do seem rather well adjusted," Kenshin added, curious now. The sun was low in the sky and the heat was starting to ebb away. It was disappointing to him, but he was glad that his lady wife would have a bit of a respite while they walked.

"It wasn't easy at first. I got sun poisoning much of my first year here." Megumi informed. "Then one day, it sort of stopped. Now I only get it if I'm out for hours in the sun, or during a nasty heat wave. I've learned to look for the signs and get inside and drink lots of water before I get to that point."

"That's amazing," Kaoru said. "I don't think I would have survived."

"You would have," Megumi assured. "Water bends to fit." She added softly.

They reached the inn. It was a nice place. Large, which was good, it held all of their men. The trio turned to the lady healer and Kenshin thanked her again.

"It was nice to finally get to meet you." Kaoru took Megumi's hands. "I wish we could stay longer and talk more. But I fear we'll be leaving tomorrow."

Megumi nodded, then frowned slightly. She ducked her head, her hair shifting like a dark curtain to hide her face for a moment before she looked back up and clutched Kaoru's hands in her own. "Take me with you!"

All three of them froze, their jaws going slack.

"N-Now?" Kaoru gasped.

"Yes. Please let me come with you tomorrow."

Kenshin reached out and set and hand on Megumi's arm to draw her attention. Her stormy eyes were wide and flashing. She looked pale, afraid and yet determined all at once. "Miss Megumi, is there a reason why you want to leave so suddenly?" He glanced over at Sano who stood back a step to take in Megumi's body language. Sano was better at reading what people didn't say.

She licked her lips before turning her eyes to Kenshin. "I don't want to be here another day. I thought I would be fine, but now that I've met Kaoru, and you...I know I can't do this any longer. I want to go home to my own lands. I need to get away from this dry, this never ending summer. I need to get away from these people."

Both Kaoru and Kenshin shared a look. A look that only they knew what the other was thinking. Kaoru turned back to her friend. "Yes, yes you can come. But Megumi, you haven't graduated yet."

"I don't care."

"But you worked so hard."

"I'm a good healer, you know that." Megumi protested. "I don't need papers to tell it, I can prove it to you at the Keep."

"Please, Megumi. It's only a few weeks away. I...I would feel horrible for letting you turn your back on something you worked so hard for. For years you worked for this. I don't want you to regret it."

Megumi looked down again, her shoulder lowering before she looked back up. "I'll stay until I graduate." She said, sounding both happy, yet defeated.

Kaoru nearly bounced as she hugged the older woman. "You don't have to come with us. We'll be going deeper into the Fire lands and will be here for some weeks. If you want, after graduation you can go straight to the Keep and make yourself at home." She glanced over at Kenshin who nodded his approval. "I'll write Misao and let her know. Remember Misao from my letters?"

Megumi smiled. It was as if they were seeing her smile for the first time. Her firm eyes turned soft and bright and both Sano and Kenshin marveled at the quickness of her change. "I remember Misao. And yes, you're right. I've been here for years, what's a few more weeks."

"Then it's settled," Kenshin said. "Sano, please take Kaoru inside and see that she eats. I'll be right there."

Kaoru huffed but stood on tip-toes to kiss Megumi on the cheek. "I was hoping you would come to the Keep. We always need Healers, and you are the best one."

Megumi actually felt herself blush. "Not the best one." She said softly and waved as the Earth man pulled Kaoru inside. She turned to Kenshin as he stepped up to her and caught her with his golden eyes.

"Are you in danger?"

Megumi blinked at his change in tone. "What?"

"You wanted to leave in such a hurry and nearly begged my wife." He leveled his eyes on the woman. "If you are in danger you must tell me. I'll send you to the Keep this moment."

Again Megumi found herself without words. Kenshin was a short man, yes, thin and yet his Fire power was such that the force of his Ki pressed and pushed at her own depleted forces. He seemed to grow to tower over her and bulk out like a tree and yet the small man was simply standing there with his firm amber eyes, waiting with no rush to hear her out.

"No, there is no danger." she finally answered.

"Are you certain?"

Megumi nodded. "Mostly certain."

Kenshin eyed her a moment longer and then nodded. "I'll have three guards stay here with you anyways. They will watch over you and take you to the Keep when you've graduated." He was watching her closely and noted the look of panic that flashed in her eyes. Water fae always seemed to expose themselves through their eyes. Kenshin had learned this with Kaoru and it seemed true for Megumi as well. He quickly added. "Kaoru's men, their Water. They would be next to useless to us here anyways. They will be glad to return home." As he suspected, the woman visibly relaxed.

"Thank you, My Lord." Megumi bobbed a curtsy and turned to leave but Kenshin reached out and caught her arm.

"I don't hold anyone in my house to the laws of the Fire people." He informed. "Not any servants, guards, healers, workers or even my own wife. Take the men if you want them." Now the woman was well and truly shocked.

"But, my Lord."

Kenshin jerked his head from side to side. "No. I see the same, sickly drawn look in you as I did my wife. You can not care for others if you do not care for yourself." She looked away from him, clearly torn and embarrassed.

"The Water men are your own people, they are kind and can not force you." He knew he hit a wound when he saw her flinch. Kenshin set his jaw. Something had happened to this woman. She was Kaoru's friend, and what he could see was a kind and educated healer. He would make sure she was safe. "Were you attacked? Raped?"

What color was in that pale skin drained away and he watched the woman sway. Instantly he felt like a braying ass for asking such a question. "Forgive me. That was rude of me to ask." There was a long pause and Kenshin finally broke it. "I'm not like many Fire men."

Megumi's laugh was more like a huff of breath. "No, no you are not." She said so very softly. She turned and finally looked at him. "Thank you, My Lord. I'll take what you said in mind and I'll think seriously about it."

She was pretending his question was never asked. He could respect that. Kenshin smiled to reassure her. "All will be well." He dropped his hold on her arm and bowed to her. "I look forward to having you at the Keep."

Megumi bobbed her curtsy again. "I look forward to having you and Kaoru as my Lord and Lady. I swear I'll do right by the people that come to you in need." And with that, she turned and fled into the coming twilight.

Inside Kenshin took Sano by the side away from Kaoru and his men as they were eating and chatting. "Something happened to that woman," Kenshin stated, crossing his arms, his eyes settling on his wife, so full of energy and life when hours ago she was as weak as a new foal.

Sano nodded. "She's in a lot of pain." He sighed, running his hand across the back of his neck and groaned softly.

"I'm pretty sure it was rape or very nearly," Kenshin said and watched the Earth fae crumble into sorrow and yet his face twisted in rage.

"One thing I don't like about you people." He hissed, not looking at Kenshin. The Red-head didn't take it personally. Earth fae had sex to bond, to create life and heal, to link it to violence was worse than offensive to them, it was blasphemous. Kenshin could see a vein in Sano's forehead start to pulse. A clear sign the man wanted violence. Kenshin would gladly let him have it if the one responsible for Megumi's fear was in their hands. He quickly relayed his plan to leave three Water soldiers with the Healer to escort her back to the Keep. The plan seemed to soothe Sano just a little.

… . . …

"Something terrible happened. Didn't it?" Kaoru wondered as Kenshin settled beside her in bed. The inn was not yet quiet as the men and women drank the warm evening away. But they had an early start in the morning as so they turned in at a time when everyone was just getting relaxed. But that was fine with Kaoru. The happy sounds on the floor below them made her feel comfortable and safe. Kenshin took the moment to look her over, his hand running along her face as if to assure himself she was still well. Had her bout of sun poisoning shaken her husband more than she thought?

"I think so." Kenshin finally said once satisfied. He stretched out beside her pressing his body along her's. She could feel the ever-present heat of his blood. She had long ago found it comforting rather than uncomfortable and she sighed as she relaxed against him.

"I hope she is well," Kaoru muttered. There was a long pause and Kaoru was already starting to drift when Kenshin spoke. It was a low rumbling she felt more than heard as she had her ear against his chest.

"I think she was attacked," Kenshin said carefully.

Kaoru lifted her head and set her chin on his chest, her fingertips running over the sparse smattering of crimson hair. "Do you think she's safe?" Kaoru gasped.

"Shh." Kenshin pulled her to lay back down. "I already asked her. She said she thinks she'll be fine. Even so, I'm leaving some of your men with her to keep an eye on her and to escort her back home."

"Oh, Kenshin." She put her chin on his chest again and smiled. "That's a great idea." He smiled back at her but then his eyes gazed upward at the dark ceiling above them. He looked disturbed. Not something she was used to seeing. She wanted to ask but Kenshin spoke first.

"Sometimes….I hate my own people."

Kaoru jerked her head up. This was something she had never heard him say. He always seemed passionate about his people, about his homeland. She didn't know how she was supposed to answer that. "Because…?" She offered. Did he need to talk about it?

"I think Megumi was raped or very nearly so."

Kaoru flashed back to their conversation in the hospital. Megumi seemed so desperate that Kaoru gave her a straight answer about Kenshin and his treatment of her. "I...think so too." She finally said.

Kenshin looked over at her, lifting his head. "How do you know of such things?"

Kaoru rolled her eyes. "Every female knows about rape, even us lovers the Water and Earth."

Kenshin's face twisted. "It's disgusting, I'm shamed by it."

Kaoru sighed. "Air is capable of rape too." She offered.

"Pish, if they can be bothered to." He muttered. "They hardly seem interested in the act at all, forced or welcomed." He took a deep breath and Kaoru felt him slowly let it out. "Our God, the Father God. Won his bride in a great battle. A prized, strong female who fought him every chance she got. Their battles pounded the earth into tiny particles of sand. Hot desert sand. He raped her until she bore him children. One of which is one of my patron gods. Tohi. A god of creation, the volcano god. He filled his parents battle ground with the plants and animals that can only be found here. Our people believed that children born of rape are destined to be creators. Wise and important. We are not ever dissuaded from the act, that we are not." Kenshin sighed, his hand rubbing on her shoulder as if to try and comfort himself.

"I almost raped a woman once." He confessed.

Kaoru pulled away to look him in the face. "What?"

"Long ago, before I even met you, when I was hardly even a man. My troop returned from battle and we settled at an inn. A shabby, poor, superstitious town inn and the owners had a daughter. He gave her to us. She was already ruined and he hoped for a grandchild from one of us powerful soldiers." He said it as if the word 'powerful' was a nasty taste in his mouth. "We took turns, but when it was my turn, I couldn't. She didn't cry or fight, but she was just a girl perhaps Misao's age and her eyes had such pain. I made excuses. Was teased. Perhaps I was still a boy. I gladly would let them think I was still just a boy with balls not yet dropped if it would keep them from pressing me to take the poor girl. I remember I ran to a dark corner of the horse stalls and vomited up my dinner. My stomach heaved until I cried. I knew then that I wasn't like many Fires. My father told me as much. It runs in the family. He had no stomach for it as well."

Kaoru could only listen in silence as his confession poured from him. He looked angry, upset, ill and disturbed all at once. They flickered across his face. Just a touch of emotion before vanishing. His voice betrayed more. The hissing way he talked about the men, the hard, rough accent of his mother tongue when he reached the parts that were difficult for him to say.

"Even now. Having known the sigh of a woman in pleasure, to see her face, her eyes the way her body moves with yours. I don't understand how a man would rather a woman be in fear and pain and struggle." He looked over at her for the first time since his confession. "I've had other women. Even after we married."

"I know," Kaoru said easily. "It's different for men."

Kenshin's eyes narrowed. "Why, why is it different? Why are women "ruined" and men are "seasoned?"

"Because it's harder to prove. If men could become with child then things would be different."

"That they would be." Kenshin sighed.

"Why do Fire's have such harsh laws about sex outside of marriage if they glorify rape?"

Kenshin shrugged. "Hypocrisy? The old laws struggling against the new laws? Men are expected to control themselves once married. Spread your seed as much as you can until you are forced to sow in one garden forever. The laws are mostly for the aristocracy. No one cares about a ruined poor inn girl. The Viscount's daughter on the other hand, scandalous. Rape is about power, that it is."

Kaoru settled back down beside Kenshin and huffed. "It seems so confusing and unfair." And a bit unsettling to know that it was in their nature to rape. Kenshin was so quick to accept the nature of Water...could she accept his nature? Even though he didn't indulge? "I don't think I can accept this part of your nature." she voiced her thoughts.

"I don't want you to. I never want to do such a thing, ever. It pains me to think that your friend might be a victim. And worse, she's Water. I understand that such an act harms your greatly." He turned and wrapped himself around her. "And now I brought you here, to this place that's so dangerous and unforgiving to you."

"Shhh." Kaoru hushed. Hearing the threat of tears in his voice. She pressed a kiss to his down-turned mouth. "It is something we have to do. And I'm not afraid. I know you'll keep me safe."

… . . …

Megumi was there to see them off early the next morning. No one said a word about Megumi possibly being attacked. Although Kenshin, Kaoru, and Sano looked at her a little more closely. Was she really safe? As she had said? Had she suffered greatly at a school full of Fires? There were questions, but no one dared breathe a single one. She looked well if a bit drawn. Kaoru could see what others could see in herself. That sickly feeling, the needy look that her life force gave off. Kaoru could only hope that Megumi would feel comfortable enough to lay with one of her men and start healing herself. Or perhaps she would wait and let the Keep water do that for her. It would only work for so long, but at least it would give Megumi time to heal her fear if that was what she needed.

The two women embraced and Kaoru held her extra tight for a moment before pulling away. "Take care of yourself. I know how draining this must be." Kaoru glanced around Megumi to the shining windows of the school.

"I'll be fine." Megumi returned, the three guards stood a ways away behind her and already she felt a kinship to them. Megumi hadn't met many Water folk, she couldn't wait to sit with them and talk. "Most of my work is done anyways. Now I just wait." Her smiled faded into lips pressing into a thin line. "Are you certain you want to keep traveling into the Fire Lands?"

Kaoru glanced over at Kenshin as he stepped away from her side to settle a skittish horse. Sano hurried beside him, setting a hand on the animals and talking to it in hushed tones. "I'll be fine." Kaoru turned back and smiled at Megumi.

"Well, I'm worried, with you expecting."

Kaoru felt icy cold as for one horrifying moment her secret was out. She must have had a stricken look on her face because Megumi's brows knit together and she set a hand on her arm.

"What was that Miss Megumi?" Kenshin said and he hurried back to their side, the horse, now placated, allowing himself to be saddled.

Kaoru swallowed and shot Megumi a look. It was just a frantic glance but Megumi's face remained worried.

"I said I was worried because you are expecting Drow to be making their move soon."

Kaoru felt like she would be sick with relief. She wanted to laugh and cry at the same time. She had no idea how she was able to school her face into a mask of calm. Megumi dropped her hand as Sano swept Kaoru away and over to the wagon. She shot Megumi a pleading look over her shoulder before letting the man pick her up and set her inside.

… . . …

"How do you know about the Drow making their move?" Kenshin asked.

"It's the Fire Lands. I'm surrounded by people talking battle tactics and strategies. Every breath of an enemy is known, even here in a Healers school." She answered.

"Ah," He should have known that. He gave the guards behind Megumi a nod and they bowed their heads in return and then climbed up on his stallion. "I do not think they would risk coming this far down. They seem the hate the heat of summer and the heat of the desert even more. Farewell Miss Megumi. We'll see you at the Keep."

Kaoru's head popped out from under the wagon as it rolled by. "Bye Megumi!" She waved frantically. "Take care!"

"You take care of yourself, Kaoru!" Megumi called out in a scolding manner before waving after them. The worried look never left her face.

A/n Well, poor Megumi. She's done with this place and ready to get the heck out.
Egads, Kaoru's secret was almost out. You didn't think you could hide your condition from a Master Healer, did you Kaoru?

And a little bit of insight from Kenshin. I find it great fun and a challenge to write about these different elements and building each culture. It's my favorite part of world building I think.

Thank you for reading! Reviews are loved!