a/n: ah, yes, finally found time to post it... My life has been a tad bit crazy lately due to my softball schedule which is a bit more demanding that I would like. I hope you enjoy this chapter! And don't forget to review!

Disclaimer: Everyone wants a Kenshin bodyslave... But none of us can have one. Life's a plot of cruel ironies... Deal with it. While I don't own Kenshin, I do own that quote...

Exchange
Chapter 4: Authority

Kaoru sighed and rolled her shoulders before taking a sip of the drink that was placed in front of her.

"Tell me why we're here again?"

"Because my boss would like to meet you," Battousai said flatly.

"Of course," she muttered, resting her chin in her hand.

"Himura," a gruff voice said.

Their heads lifted at the same time to look towards the voice. The man waved a hand, motioning for them to follow him into a private room in the seedy bar. Kaoru wrinkled her nose at the drunk people doing vulgar things all around her. She sensed at least three other female demons. She longed to go help them, but the second she started to move in the other direction, her collar burned.

"It's this way, Kaoru," he told her with a smirk. She bit back a retort and followed him.

They entered the room and a man with long black hair turned to face them. She held back her gasp. She knew this man; or rather, demon.

"Baka deshi and his new pet. Sit."

Kaoru flinched at the title but sat like she was told to; things would be clear before long she hoped. Kenshin barely bristled and followed suit.

"Baka deshi, I think that you're slacking," the man said, leaning back in his chair a bit. "Am I right, little girl?"

"You can call me Kamiya," she answered back, crossing her arms over her breasts, unhappy with his blatant disrespect.

"Kamiya then. Am I right about him?"

"Why don't you ask him yourself?"

"I am most definitely not 'slacking' as you put it, Shishou," Battousai replied with a scowl.

"Then why do I keep getting reports of a demon reigning free and killing politicians? Last time I checked, that was your job. Not hers."

"I was just-"

"Using her. How come you didn't use the last one like this?"

"Shishou that was a-"

"Oh save it."

"But-"

"Get out."

Battousai cursed, but rose regardless. He motioned for her to follow him, but she held her ground. She was not leaving until she had some things straightened out.

"You will wait, baka deshi. I want to speak with her."

"Hiko, I hardly think that-"

"You hardly think at all," Hiko snapped back. "Now get out."

Kaoru watched as he left, mumbling under his breath about idiotic masters who thought the owned the world. She bit back a giggle at his comments and tried to focus on Hiko instead. Once the door slammed shut, Hiko met her gaze squarely.

"Let me start by saying I'm sorry."

"I should hope so after the way you just treated me," she answered, glaring.

"Yes, but I must also apologize for him. He's using you to get away from his own guilt," he explained with a sigh. "Too many lives he's taken and he's trying to escape. And, of course, I apologize for the lack of respect, leader."

"Thank you, but for him, there is no escape," she answered. "Even if I am the one swinging the sword or pulling the trigger. The blood will still haunt him. Surely you knew this Hiko."

"Of course I did. I wanted you to know I was on your side though. Megumi and Aoshi contacted me about what's been happening," he told her.

"I had hoped they had. I told them to. So why don't you tell me why you haven't ordered him to release me and leave our people in peace?"

He sighed and was silent for a few moments before answering. "I'm sorry, but I'm selfish, leader. I had hoped you would save him," he whispered.

"Save him? He is beyond saving, Hiko. You know that," she informed him flatly.

"No. He's not. There is still a chance. I thought that other female… She could've done if she hadn't been so… so stupid!"

"I will not have you tarnishing Tomoe's name! Her loss caused a great deal of suffering in our realm!"

"I'm not trying to 'tarnish' anything! What she did was an incredibly stupid thing to do! She knew what would happen! What her actions would lead to… She shouldn't have done it," he told her hotly. "If you knew what happened-"

"Enlighten me."

"Another time, I promise. For now, I have a favor to ask," he replied. "Please."

"I cannot save him. Not me. Perhaps Tomoe could have, but I can't. Hiko, please understand, I am here for my people and nothing more," she said, staring into his eyes.

"Kaoru. You must. This is the way to save your people. Save him and no one will ever bother them again."

"I have already extended that exchange and he accepted. My people are protected!"

"Do you honestly believe he will stick to that bargain? I can make him do it."

"How can you be sure that his people will even listen to him?" she demanded, angered that her exchange was as good as dead.

"He holds a certain… power of influence over them all. I suppose it has something to do with his rank, but if anyone could keep the humans out, it would be him," Hiko reasoned. "Think about it. I will be in touch. For now, don't speak to Kenshin about this little meeting. He doesn't need to know he's working for a demon."

"Kenshin?"

"That's his name," he said.

"I wasn't aware that he had a name aside from 'Battousai,'" she said absently, standing up. "I will think over your proposal, at any rate, Hiko."

"Good. And you'll accept it if you want your people to live in peace," he said matter-of-factly.

"I shall think about it," she repeated, walking out the door. "Keep in contact with Aoshi and Megumi."

"Of course."

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Kenshin was quiet beside her as they drove back to his apartment. The radio made no noise as the power was off. She stared at it for a moment. She wondered if he would mind if she were to flip it on. She shook her head and thought better of it. He'd probably try to chop off her hand or something. She opted to look out the window instead while resting her head against the cool glass. Her discussion with Hiko had made her head spin.

Before she knew it, he was pulling into the parking lot. Sighing, she lifted her head and took off her seat belt before opening her door. Kenshin was a little ways ahead of her already and she choose to hang back where she was for a few moments. Her eyes wandered to the sky. It was dusk already and the stars were starting to come out.

"Kaoru!"

She swung her eyes back to him where he was calling her. "Yes?"

"Come," he ordered and she had no choice but to obey.

Perhaps she would accept Hiko's offer… For it just may be the only way to save her people from the monster she was sharing a residence with since it seemed that her little deal was...

It just may be the only way to save them.

a/n: this went thru a lot of editing before I was satisfied with it... I was debating whether or not to post a preview of 'Imperfect' in here, but I decided to let you guys choose... If you want to see a little bit of it, vote for it... In form of a review of course...