AN: I don't own anything :D So if you think I'm Nobuhiro Watsuki… you'd be wrooooong (it wouldn't be as good of a story if I were)

Chapter 3

Kaoru woke to a pounding on the bathroom door. She jumped and heard an annoyed voice raise to her ears; "Hurry it up Tanuki, I don't wanna babysit you all night!" Kaoru frown, disgruntled and still half asleep.

"I have a NAME! Kaoru!" she yelled back, anger covering whatever fear she might have felt at yelling at a demon. There was no response, and she assumed the other woman had already left.

With a sigh, Kaoru looked down at her hands, they were somewhat pruned from sitting in the bath so long, Maybe an hour? She thought, the water was somewhat cooler than she remembered from when she had fallen asleep. Taking a deep breath, she splashed her face and stood up. Grabbing a towel from a nearby shelf, she wrapped her hair up and then used a second to pat her body dry. Once dry, she pulled down a sleeping yukata from the wall. It was the only clothing in the room besides her own dirty ones, and deciding it was better than wearing a towel, slipped it on and tied the knot tightly. Her rice and box were on the floor as well, so she picked up her things and opened the door.

Outside the bathroom, Megumi was waiting for her. "I was hoping you had drowned." She commented then walked off, Kaoru assumed she was meant to follow, and so without saying anything, followed. It was an amazingly beautiful house, and it was huge. Kaoru felt like there was too much room at times, since there was little to no furniture. Maybe they just don't spend much time in the house? She tried to reason.

The woman led her to a room down a long hall and opened the door, "You'll stay here, don't even bother trying to run off, you'll just get everyone in the house excited to chase something." She said in a bored tone.

Kaoru walked in the room and turned around, "What are you going to do with me?" she asked, the question growing ever more present in her mind since the Battousai had told her to follow him.

Megumi eyed her for a moment, then a deceptively friendly smile broke out across her face, it put Kaoru on edge. "If only it were so simple. He finds little interest in most things, so if he's interested enough to bring you here, you'll live until he bores of you." She then smiled wider, "And…" she shrugged, "who knows what we'll do then." She finished, slamming and locking the door with an amused laugh.

Kaoru ground her teeth at the sound, she really wasn't too fond of the female demon. Turning, she began to examine the room. She found a lamp and some matches, and worked for a moment to create light. When she was able to see more of the room, she realized it was actually quite beautiful. The walls were a soft off-white color, that seemed to melt leisurly in the gentle light of the candle. There was an incredibly soft looking futon on the floor, and some blankets, that looked equally comfortable. A large dark wood dresser that had stones and dark gems inserted, mixed with carvings. It was something that held her gaze for a long time, inspecting the amazing craftsmanship that must have gone into creating such a work of art. She placed her things on the floor near the dresser and walked to the shoji door, sliding it open. It led to a small porch. She realized now, stepping out into the night, why the Battousai liked his home here. You could see everything for miles into the distance, in every direction. The forest was breathtaking. She shuddered slightly against the wind, unsure of how it could be so unbearably hot during the day and so chilled at night. The wind was strong still and looking up, she could no longer see the moon, it seemed the storm would soon be upon her, and as she thought it, a low rumbling was heard in the distance.

The porch was farther from the ground than she would have thought, and she set the lamp down next to her and took a seat near the rails, letting her legs dangle off the edge. She felt more relaxed than she probably should have at that moment, and she was blissfully unaware that there was another presence in the room. Kaoru pulled the towel from her hair and began to dry the ends gently, then, lacking a brush, began to remove tangles as she stared out into the night, enjoying the quiet and calm. Her mood lifting with the bath, and keeping her thoughts off of still tender subjects, she began to hum softly to herself, still working the tangles out of her hair. She froze though when she heard an appreciative growl come from close behind her.

Turning swiftly, she looked up to see a large muscled man, with short sandy blond hair. Quickly rising to her feet and turning her back to the railing, she held her yukata tight near her collar bone. The mans dark eyes, seemed even darker with his heavy brows. She lifted her chin defiant at his leer.

"Who are you and what are you doing in my room?" she asked, trying to sound much tougher than she really felt, but using her tone to try and somehow infuse her self with more courage. The man licked his lips at her tone, grinning heatedly at her. He stepped forwards slowly, stalking towards her, like a wolf to an injured rabbit.

"Isurugi." He gave his name, with a rough voice. "You smell delicious." He almost panted. Kaoru could see something in his eyes, they were hazed over by something she couldn't quite pick apart. It wasn't one thing, there were many things going on in this mans head, and she was sure she would like none of them.

"Get Out." She said, her tone rising, her body still rigid, but she held her head higher and squared her shoulders.

I've been bullied enough today. He's big, so he can't be too fast. She tried to reason.

The man growled and lunged at her. She bent swiftly and barely got under his arm, dashing inside and to the other side of the room, as far as she could get away from him, almost to the door, she started to open it when a large hand shot out next to her head, slamming it shut again.

"No no… little pet. You will stay here." He said, as he quickly grabbed her around the waist with his other arm and threw her across the room. Kaoru panted, as she tried to slow down her body before crashing into the wall, but it was useless and the wind was knocked out of her yet again that day. Her hands held some splinters of her effort to avoid hitting the wall so roughly. The man was quickly in front of her again and he yanked her up by her hair.

"Let. Me. GO!" Kaoru screamed, her hair pulling painfully against her scalp, she lifted a leg to kick him in the crotch, but he shifted and she hit his thigh instead. Still, he grunted from the force of it. It only added fuel to the fire apparently, as he pushed her head down to the floor near the futon. Kaoru caught herself on her forearm before impacting the wood with her head. She glared up at him.

I won't go down without a fight. She narrowed her eyes at him, and when he went to grab her again, she flew a fist out to punch him in the face. She connected, but he gripped her hand before she could pull back. Trying to punch again with her other fist, he caught it easily and forced both hands back against the futon.

He smiled eagerly, "I like 'em fierce, but that's enough of that." Shifting to hold both her hands with one, and holding them on the floor above her head, as she thrashed and attempted to get free, lifting a leg to try and kick him again, but he was ready and put his knees on her thighs, she cried out in pain as his weight crushed her legs.

There was a crash and shortly there after, the weight was removed from her. Snapping her eyes open, she saw the red hair and narrowed eyes of the Battousai, holding Isurugi by the back of his kneck, his nails cutting into the flesh there. The larger man coughed, and Kaoru saw that Battousai must have punched him in the kidney.

"Raijuta… if you touch MY bird again. I will kill you." The words were simple, clear and in a tone that was as sharp as a katana. Shoving him almost through the door, he growled, "In fact. Leave this place now or I may be tempted to kill you for nothing other than sport." With that, he slammed the door back into place and turned burning eyes her direction. Kaoru noticed that he must have just taken a bath as well, as his hair was still wet, and was unbound. If possible, it made him look even more frightening. He was not wearing a yukata, but haori and hakama instead, and some deep part of her wondered if he ever wore anything else.

His eyes wandered down from hers and he grinned. Looking down, Kaoru squeaked as she saw the top of her breasts were easily viewed from the gap in her yukata, having been loosened from the tumble with Isurugi. Quickly pulling it closed and pushing the fabric securely back in place, she closed her legs and rubbed her sore thighs lightly careful of the splinters in her hands, before she let her eyes wander back to the man staring at her. His eyes were still heated, but he was no longer grinning, and she distinctly felt that this was a different sort of heat. She blushed. She didn't know how she could blush in this crazy situation, but she did, and it ran from her brow down to her chest.

"Th-Thank you" she said breathily, struggling to speak with the look he was giving her.

He frowned, "I'm growing tired of that sentiment."

"Well. Regardless of what you have planned for me, at least you aren't forcing yourself on me." She stated, trying again to find her defiance in the face of his stare.

"Yet." He clarified, and he walked closer to her and crouched down before her, his forearms resting lazily on his thighs. Kaoru bit her lip… yet. His eyes quickly went to her mouth, his eyebrow rising. "I don't know why you let him touch you."

He commented.

Her eyes snapped angrily to his, "I didn't LET him do anything!" she yelled. She balled her hand in a fist and tried quickly to punch him, but he simply raised his hand and caught her fist before it impacted. His grip wasn't overbearing, but it was firm, like steel, not forgiving, not even in the slightest bit. She tried to pull her hand back, but he did not release it. His eyes were shadowed in bloodlust and heat, the heat poured over her in waves from his proximity, chocking her.

"You will not allow anyone other than me to touch you." He said firmly. Kaoru stared daggers into him.

"Yes, and I would keep you from doing it too, but as I said before, I can't stop him when I am completely overpowered in every way. I am not a demon." She spat the word 'demon' out like it was a curse. She hated this man, this demon who seemed intent on keeping her for whatever reason, but that reason was and would probably remain a complete mystery to her. She tried to pull her arm away from him again as emphasis to her words. His grip tightened and his look became more deadly.

"You will not prevent me from touching you. Little bird, you belong to me. You are mine to do with as I please. If I want to have my way with you, I will, if I wish to cause you pain, you will feel it, and if I wish to end your life, you will cease to breathe." He was angry with her.

He's mad at me… because I was overpowered? Kaoru tried to figure out where his logic was. Not used to human company? Probably used to women like Megumi who could probably beat Isurugi to a pulp. He expects me to be able to take out a demon… Her eyes narrowed at him. If you can be angry over that I wish Isurugi would walk back in here now and touch me all damn day just to fucking piss you off! She didn't really want Isurugi to touch her, but she was so mad she almost wished she could make the man walk back in here and hold her hand all day if it angered the man before her.

"Why do you even want me here? You obviously can't stand me." She snapped at him. He instantly pushed her down onto the futon, covering her body with his, and her pulse quickened. She hated how her body reacted to him, she wanted to be cold and invulnerable, and at least have some way to protect herself. He held her arms down, and laid on top of her, his head back to stare furiously at her.

"Do not presume to know everything little bird." His gaze was angry, but his voice was disturbingly silky and unemotional. "All you need to know is that you are mine." He frowned, "I can smell you still." And bent his head down to her neck to sniff her. Kaoru wasn't sure why she couldn't seem to fight him back as she did to Isurugi, probably because she saw where things were going with him, but this man… he made her angry, but he had yet to throw her across rooms and had so far saved her twice.

He growled and pressed his face farther into her neck and her body froze, her heart was so loud she was sure he could hear it. Opening his mouth, he licked a lazy line up her jugular, causing Kaoru shiver. His lips curved in a smile next to her skin.

Is he going to eat me now? She shook at the thought, mostly because a terrifying part of her mind she had never been aware of before warned her that she might enjoy it.

Slowly pulling back, he sat on his haunches, releasing her, and watched her try to control her breathing. A smug smirk lit his face at her reaction. "Yes, I will keep you for a while." He stood slowly, and walked to the wall behind the head of the futon and sat, pulling his katana out and setting it between his crossed legs.

After many moments, Kaoru sat up slowly. She was furious. He just does whatever he wants, and… I can do nothing! It was how things were going to be now it seemed, and it drove her insane. Kaoru had never been one to just let herself be a victim, but this was more complicated. Her problem was, that even as cruel as he could be, and even though he acted as if he owned her… she was still physically attracted to him like no man before and her body betrayed her fiercely. Her mind would fog at his nearness, at his scent, and she was not sure she could combat that. She would, however, try her best. Who knows, perhaps in time, I'll get used to it. She doubted she would have the sort of time to be used to this. His body, eyes and smell were like a drug on her senses, and she was pretty sure he was all too aware of what it did to her, and she scowled at the thought.

Kaoru began to stand and walk to the porch, well aware that a pair of golden eyes followed her, though he remained silent. She bent down and retrieved the lantern and turned to walk back inside, closing the door behind her. It would be too cold in the room if she left it open. She went back to the futon and sat down. I can't run… I don't want Isurugi nor however many other demons in this house after me. What can I do?

She placed the lantern next to her and looked down at her hands, after a moment of assessing them and finding they really weren't too bad, she began to try to dig some of the less buried splinters out. Trying to focus entirely on her task, and ignoring the stare she felt boring through her back. It was difficult, but she forced her mind other places.

Kaoru thought of her father. He had been a great man in her eyes, and in all honesty, she knew that the fate that befell him was not anyone's fault. Kamiya Koshijiro had loved her and her mother desperately. When her mother fell ill with lung cancer, her father had become despirate to find a way to cure her. It was his love for her mother that drove him slowly more and more desperate. Eventually, her mother's illness became much more severe, and each breath was near torture, Kaoru closed her eyes at the memory. They were both helpless to stop the pain. It wasn't the peaceful death they wished for her, and when her life finally ended, a large piece of her father had died with her. He still made a grave effort to be the father she once knew, but she could seen the pain he tried to hide from her.

One day, her father had gotten in a fight in town and was badly injured. No one knew who had done it, and her father refused to give the identity of the attacker. From what she later heard, someone had said something ill of her mother, and her father had simply lost it. In the end, her father was self-loathing, for allowing himself to be so weak, and he showed an optimistic side she hadn't seen much of since the death of her mother. Kaoru later realized that it had been for his desire to never leave her alone that he had fought so hard to stay alive.

Taking a deep sigh, she removed the last splinter she could see, deciding to perhaps work on the rest later. She pulled her knees up to her chest as she sat on the futon, resting her head on them and closing her eyes. The reason the village was lashing out at her, was mostly because her mother hadn't been the most honorable woman prior to meeting her father. She came from poor origins and had met my father while eating lunch with some friends. Captivated instantly, her father began to pursue her, despite her best efforts to ditch him. A smile curved Kaoru's lips at the stories she remembered her father telling her. He had come from a fairly distinguished line, and his family was in the process of arranging for him to marry another. Being a Kamiya, he was quite stubborn, and eventually got his way. Even though her mother had grown up in a brothel, though never being one herself, she had worked in the kitchens', her father wanted nothing more than to be with her. Even as rumors of her being a whore had spread to try and get him to rejoin his family, he never did, and they eventually disowned him.

He somehow made everything work out, but towns could hold severe grudges, especially when not knowing the full story of what had happened. It was romantic to Kaoru though, that her father loved her mother so dearly. Her heart sank at the thought that followed; I'll never have that. Her shoulders drooped and she laid down in bed. She was exhausted, and even the eyes she knew would be staring at her couldn't keep her from the sweet sleep that took her.

AN: Sorry the chapter is pretty short. I've actually been really frustrated with how I want this to go, and it's difficult with not being entirely satisfied with how the story started off. I am, however, very moved by some of the comments, especially while doubting my writing, then reading some of the comments really make me feel like writing more. I'm happier with this chapter than the previous two... lol hopefully that doesn't mean that everyone else will hate it. I'm a little iffy about the happenings of Kaoru's parents, however they really aren't a major part of the story and her dealings with the town are really pretty much over, however I felt the need to answer some of the questions that were lingering around.

Kenshin isn't much of a sharer, he is calmer at the moment mostly because he doesn't really have any strong feelings towards Kaoru other than general curiousity. I suppose the curiousity is strong enough for him to want to bring her home with him, though not strong enough to get seriously pissed at another demon touching her.

Once again, thank you all for reading, and I'm sorry I didn't write much though I made you wait a little bit longer. It should start picking up from here as I have a stronger idea about the beef of the story rather than how I wanted it to begin haha! So lame, but true. I also have been getting a lot more ideas for other stories ;) So keep an eye out for that around October. I'll be heading to the states for September, and will hopefully still be able to continue my chapter updates from there ^_^

3's Jackson