AN: I just noticed a small mistake I made so this is an edited chapter. Sorry for the confusion.

DISCLAIMER: I do not own any characters in this story. So please, do not sue this poor, poor writer. Thank you.

Escape

By Bri-C123

Chapter 2

Kenshin quickly scooped her up, allowing his wolf to enjoy the weight of her in his arms. He frowned as he smelled the blood on her. She probably pulled some stitches. They would have to be redone. He walked back to his cabin, where the rest of his pack awaited. Misao was silent for once and Sanosuke was sitting on the couch. He looked like he was already healed. He regarded the girl in his alpha's arms with something like awe.

"Yo Kenshin."

"Good to see you're doing well Sano."

"She surprised me is all. You know I would never go down that easily unless she surprised me."

"Don't let your pride get the best of you Sano."

"Why are you so happy?" Misao snapped. "The girl attacked you."

"How would you feel if you woke up somewhere unfamiliar and saw Sano?" Kenshin snapped back. "He's tall and obviously strong. She was defending herself."

"You're defending a stranger over your pack" Misao said.

"Is Sanosuke complaining? He looks fine, doesn't he? She did nothing life threatening to him and she is under my care. You be sure to remember that." Misao bared her teeth and stalked out the door. "You do well to watch your woman Aoshi." He said nothing and disappeared after her.

Sanosuke cleared his throat. "Well, it's good to know she cares."

"You idiot rooster head." Megumi smacked his head. "I'll restitch her wounds Ken-san."

"No. I'll do it. You need to stay with Sano. If she wakes up soon, she won't be happy with the smell of a human in her room."

"Oh…She's one of those wolves."

Kenshin looked down at the bundle in his arms. "Maybe. But I think there is more to it than just that." He started towards the guest room. "Anyway, make sure I am not disturbed. I'll be tending to her and I want to be there when she wakes again."

He put the girl back onto the futon and locked the door to the room. He would have more privacy now. He got rid of her torn shirt and pants. He quickly found the torn stitches and restitched them. The wound stopped bleeding, he could smell her magic working.

Kenshin frowned. He had found her three hours ago. With magic, her stitched wound should have healed long ago. Her leg would still take time but her condition should have been better. She was still so frail…

Her pack must be looking for her. If she had little magic, then maybe their reserves are being used to find her? She seems very tired and dirty. Perhaps she ran a long way.

Kenshin sighed. There was so much mystery around this girl. How she got here. Who she is. Why she's running. Too many questions to ask.

He pulled the blanket up to her chin and sat on the floor. His wolf was happy. He made sure the girl was safe and can watch her sleep. Kenshin couldn't help but feel the same way. She was a beauty to look at, even with bruises. He pushed some of her bangs out of her face and watched the silken threads fall back in place. He leaned forward and took a sniff. Jasmine. He smiled and settled himself against the wall opposite the bed. He would watch her until she wakes.

"You need to go before its too late."

"Why? I just got here this morning!"

"You have eaten lunch with us. Go before you eat dinner."

"I have every right to stay for dinner."

"Don't think with your stomach" she snapped. "They will keep you here if you eat more than necessary by pack law."

"I will not leave. Besides, I just met Tsubame."

"Take the girl with you. She knows how to leave. Make sure you go soon."

"If she doesn't leave?"

"Then you are doomed." Her voice was grave.

Darkness takes over before a new scene begins.

"Its too late." She murmured.

"I know. You've only said it a thousand times already."

"You don't know how they think."

"And you do?" he snapped. "You haven't even left them yet. They are perfectly nice to me. I don't know how you can think such ill of them."

"I know enough."

"You're crazy, woman."

"Everyone said so."

"Goodbye Kaoru. I hope not to see you unless necessary."

"I will be seeing you soon. When it's too late for you to think about running."

She could remember the way he was so sure about himself. It would have made her laugh in any other situation.

"You were right." He couldn't look her in the eye even as he spoke to her.

"Of course I was."

"I should have taken Tsubame and ran."

"Yes." There was an awkward pause. "She will now be downgraded to our level because of you."

"I know." His voice was pained.

"That's good though. It means it would be easier to protect her. Don't feel so bad." She patted his back. "I will protect both of you."

"I can take care of myself and Tsubame."

"I will protect the two of you anyway. I was here longer you know."

"A busu like you will never be able to protect me."

"Don't judge me Little Yahiko."

"I'm not little!"

"You are to me. I know more than you think." He saw red and he rushed at her. She sidestepped easily and knocked him to the ground. "Lesson one, don't let anger get the best of you. It will only bring trouble." He stood up and yelled before throwing a punch. She sidestepped it and grabbed his arm as he flew by. "Lesson two, the element of surprise is always welcome. Don't ruin it by yelling." She glared at him. "Are you done wasting your energy yet?"

"Who the hell are you?"

"Kamiya Kaoru at your service. Now stop, before the guards come and decide to take you away. You and Tsubame are to stay with me at all times."

"Are you ordering me or did someone else order you?"

"I am telling you. It would be easier if we stick together. And I might even be able to teach you my family's fighting style."

"Your family had a fighting style?"

"Its not well known. It was passed down only to family. It's the Kamiya Kasshin Ryu. We use bokkons. It's a style meant to protect."

"Why use the bokkon? Its useless."

"Shinai kill at contact. Bokkon only knock out the offender. We do not teach to kill. It is against our pack laws and customs."

"What happened to your pack?" he asked quietly.

She stayed silent. Soon another guard came by dragging a girl. He threw her in. She stayed on the floor sobbing, not noticing the others. "Tsubame-chan?"

The girl looked up immediately. "Kaoru-san! You're really here!" The two hugged. "They were so cruel." She cried.

"I know. But you must stay with me and Yahiko at all times, understand? I will make sure the two of you are safe."

"Yahiko?" He stepped forward and reached for the girl. "Yahiko-kun! I'm so glad to see you." She threw herself into a hug.

"I'm so sorry Tsubame. I got you into this mess."

"Its okay. As long as we're together, with Kaoru-san, we will be safe. Kaoru is the best protector."

"I'll hold you and busu to that."

Sadness welled up into her being. She was the best protector but she was not good enough.

"What did I tell you about keeping your anger in check?" she hissed.

"They were threatening to beat Tsubame."

"They threatened her but they didn't do anything yet. I told you, if the two of you stay with me, it will be okay. Don't let the anger get the best of you. I warned you, if you transform in front of them, you will be punished. Your wolf must not be let out."

"My wolf has never brought me trouble before."

"Well, your wolf was never here before. For your sake and Tsubame's, just don't let him out."

"Kaoru-san?" Kaoru turned to the girl sitting on the bed.

"Yes, Tsubame-chan?"

"Will you teach me too?"

The boy and woman looked at her with surprise. "Why would you want to learn?"

"We can protect you Tsubame, there is no need-"

"I want to learn. I need to know how to protect myself if the two of you are not with me."

"But Tsubame…"

"Please Yahiko-kun. I want to learn."

Yahiko was silent and Kaoru considered the proposition. "Very well. I will teach you my family's style. But you must remember to mind your feelings when you fight. And your wolf must never use this knowledge to kill someone."

"Yes Sensei."

Kaoru blinked open her eyes. She was back in the room that smelled of human and many wolves. She sat up and clutched the sheets to her chest. She was naked again. She saw the red head at the wall opposite her bed. He seemed to be sleeping. She tilted her head and checked his ki. He was very relaxed. This gave her enough proof that he was sleeping. She turned and carefully put her feet on the floor.

As soon as she began putting weight onto her feet, he was there in front of her. She hadn't even seen him move. She was just starting to stand and then he was there, holding her still. His hands were on her shoulder. She stared up to his amber eyes. "You shouldn't be getting up yet, little one." His voice was husky from sleep.

She swallowed and pulled her legs back onto the bed. He pushed her down making her lie on the bed. He moved to where her feet were, checking the cast. "C-can you remove the cast? My leg isn't broken anymore." He raised an eyebrow but did as she asked. She watched as the white cast was removed and a bruised leg showed. The red head growled in displeasure.

"Perhaps I should keep the cast on. Then you would remember not to use your leg."

"No. Its fine. I've had worse. It doesn't even hurt anymore." She was lying through her teeth. She hoped he couldn't tell. "I'm sure my magic will fix it in no time."

"Your magic should have started working a long time ago. If it were at full power, you would be healed already."

"W-what makes you say that? You don't know how my pack uses our magic."

"Is your pack searching for you?"

"Th-that's none of your business."

"Did you run away?"

"Stop asking me these questions!"

"You have stepped into my territory" he snarled. "I will do what I want. Now answer me! Who are you and what business do you have here?"

"I have no business with you" she spat. "Who I am does not matter. I thank you for your hospitality but I am healed enough to leave. Laws do not state I have to be fully healed before I go. Now if you will give me back my clothes."

The man took a deep breath. "Look, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to sound harsh. You are still not well enough to move just yet. And I don't really mind letting you stay. In fact, I have a doctor with us who will make sure you are fully healed before you go. But I really need to know if keeping you here will endanger my pack. I need to take any necessary precautions."

"I…I'm sorry too. It's just been a rough…time lately. I will leave as soon as I can and any danger I will bring will be gone."

"Please miss…"

"I'm Kaoru."

"Kenshin." They stared at each other for a minute. "I have something to confess. I don't want you to be scared because no one here will hurt you."

"O-okay. I trust you." It was the truth. She and her wolf trusted Kenshin. Something about him made them want to trust him.

"I won't let you get hurt." He promised again. She nodded. "My pack has a human."

She was up immediately. "H-human?"

"Please, sit down."

"You have a human in your pack?" Her voice was high and shrill. Panic flooded her ki. "You promised, you swore, that you wouldn't take me back to the main house!"

"I won't. I swore on my life and I promise you now, you are not going back to that place. I don't even know where that place is, okay?" He ran a hand through his bangs. "This human won't hurt you. She is my beta's mate so I would appreciate it if you wouldn't attack her or anyone else, okay? I just thought I should warn you now. Megumi isn't all that bad."

"M-Megumi? Megumi Takani?"

"You know her?"

"T-Takani…"

"She didn't recognize you. Do you two know each other?"

"She used to work for Kanryu."

Kenshin growled. "She doesn't anymore. She has nothing to do with that sick bastard."

"I know" she whispered. "She ran away four years ago. She hasn't been heard from since." She gave a faint smile. "She was a brave human. Not even I would have done that to Kanryu, no matter how much of a sicko he is."

"Done what?"
"She didn't tell you?"

"She doesn't talk about those days."

"It is not my story to tell."

He could sense her dismissal on that subject. "You should get back in bed. Your wounds haven't healed yet."

Kaoru frowned. She peeked under the blanket to assess her injuries. Her leg was bruised, but no longer broken. Many bruises along her torso were already yellowing. There were some stitches on her side, keeping a large gash closed. She couldn't feel any of it, which was a good thing. She had trained herself to channel her magic to relieve pain. The scars wouldn't matter, but if she could still fight on, then she would have to ignore the pain. "I'm fine Kenshin. Don't worry about me." He didn't look convinced. "Actually, may I ask you for some food? Just something small like a piece of bread will do. Please?" He reluctantly nodded and left the room. She locked the door after counting to ten. He didn't start pounding on the door, so she let out a sigh. She searched the room for her clothes again. She frowned when she didn't find it. She supposed she could just go out the window naked, but if she ever came to civilization again, she would need clothes to blend in with the crowd. She searched some more for her clothes but couldn't find any.

A knock on the door startled her. "Kaoru-dono? May I come in?" The door knob jiggled. "You locked the door?"

She didn't answer, only started to frantically tie the blanket around her. Perhaps she could make it seem like a dress?

"Kaoru-dono? I know you're still in there. Please open the door." Kaoru was getting frustrated. She wanted to get away now. Her wolf wanted out. Her body began trembling, a sign that she was starting to change. Kaoru remembered the last time she changed. It was not pleasant. The situation, the people, and the temptation to kill them all was too great back then. Even now, her wolf wants more blood.

The door opened, revealing Kenshin. Kaoru turned to him, eyes glowing a bright blue. Her hands elongated into sharp claws and her whole body tensed for the change. His amber eyes met and held hers. It seemed to calm the she-wolf. Her body relaxed and her hands returned to normal. She fell to the floor panting. "Thank you" she whispered.

He was at her side in a moment, the tray of food settled on the floor as he cradled her body against his. "I did nothing. Are you okay?"

"I didn't change."

"No you didn't."

"Good."

He frowned. "Its not good to keep your wolf locked in like that. She will start getting restless. Its bad for you and her."

"She must never be let out again. Not after what she has done." Her eyes closed, exhaustion from keeping her wolf in and using magic setting in her tired bones.

"Kaoru. You must not do that. It will only make your situation worse."

"Its already been worse Kenshin." Her eyes started glowing faintly. It wasn't just Kaoru talking now. It was her wolf sharing her words. "I acted without thought and seven people had to pay for it. Even...my little..." Then she fainted.

This chapter was very long and the characters were very OOC. I realized that after writing the whole chapter. Please bear with me. I feel exhausted but could not sleep until I finished this chapter. I can now sleep in peace without Battousai haunting my dreams, threatening to beat me if i don't finish my fanfiction chapters.

Now to thank my reviewers~

Kokoronagomu: As always, its wonderful to hear from you. And this may be a little late but congratulations! I hope everything is going well with your new grandchild~
I never thought of having three stories in that way, but it is in fact, very fun. Especially when I realize that I'm writing the wrong chapter for the wrong story. Thank you for putting it into that perspective for me :D

Cosmic-lover: I always love it when Kenshin is over protective of Kaoru. It makes me want to hug someone hehe~ I hope I haven't lost you with all the flashbacks I've used in this chapter as well. All your questions will be answered in the next two or three chapters hopefully. *Uses ominous voice* Patience is the key the all problems...

blackpearly: Thank you for reviewing~ I will definitely continue this story to the end.

JeniNeji: I'm glad I caught your attention. :D I hope you enjoyed this chapter.

I hope this chapter was to everyone's liking. Until next time~ happy reading!