Brutal Passions

By: Demon Tsunami

A/N: GAH! *Falls into a weeping huddle* My story was murdered by a nasty vile computer virus! *Cries like pathetic child* So I had to rewrite everything past chapter five, just when I was ready to post chapter six (and had completed 7 & 8). So, in light of my procrastination and everyone's loyal support, here is a 'teaser' which roughly equates to half of chapter Six, and will not have me responding to you lovely reviewers (sorry) in order to get it out pre-weekend. Anywho, I hope you enjoy.

Warning: Smut, language, violence, all the trimmings, and I will have Battousai gut and behead you if you didn't figure that out already. Remember 'mature' means you're above snickering at the word 'underwear' *snickers* or something like that.

Chapter Six: Teaser

Kaoru pressed her fingers lightly against the wooden gift, smoothly tracing its delicate curve with her fingertips, skimming down to test the stiffness of the red cloth wrap at the hilt. It felt like home, and she inhaled the memory of fresh grass, the sight of sunlight trickling through the dojo's windows, where she would practice, her feet sliding over the cool wood as her body, lithe and toned, went through the agile motions she'd practiced mastering since she was four. Hot tears misted her eyes, the memory was so fierce, so complete, if she closed her eyes she could almost hear her sibling calling out 'Basu' as his feet pummeled down the stairs, could see Sano, light and happy, resting on the porch, joking and laughing. Home…. All of it, these precious memories, were tarnished in the image of garish smoke devouring the one sanctuary she'd had in this world. Consumed by flame. Her brother, the last image of him was heart wrenching, his sweet little face shuttered in forced sleep, angry red droplets of blood falling from his temple.

"Kaoru," came a soft, husky male voice. Sano sheepishly peeked into the room, finding the girl staring listlessly at a wooden sword, her eyes pained with grief. He sighed, shuffling his calloused fingers through his spiky hair and gently seating himself next to her, his eyes lingered on her packed bags, the tension in her slight frame.

"Will I ever know home again?" she uttered softly, so softly he barely caught the words. Sanosuke patted her shoulder gently, his eyes going soft with affection.

"Of course you will, silly raccoon girl, it's not like you to get so melancholy," he teased with forced humor, "A few more nights here, and we'll move south, Megumi says the slave traders favor the more populated cities, easier to get lost there, easier to hide." Kaoru's deep blue eyes studied him mutely, her delicate brow furrowing her perplexed expression.

"Stay…here?" She bit her lip, closing her eyes against the assault of memories from the morning, the captain's fiery red hair encasing her, his breath, hot against her enflamed skin. "I want to leave," at his wary profile she frowned, "I collected coin, look," she held out the few gold and silver pieces she'd earned mucking stalls and weeding gardens. Sano's eyes, the color of bed rock, looked jagged with indecision.

"Jou-chan," he began carefully, eyeing her sideways, his hands clasped in front of him. "We must stay at least one more night, I have…promised someone as much." He winced, noting the way her expression melted from confusion, to a hard, ugly sort of comprehension. Her blue eyes, usually serene and luminous, eyed him like cut sapphires through narrowed lids.

"Ah," she said bitterly, "Would this someone be a certain pirate captain, the very one who entered my chambers, unasked and unwanted, the night before?" A angry flush stained her cheeks, as her dainty hands fisted into tight balls, "The same someone who locked you in a brig, offered my body to his crew, who murders people and buys whores with little regard for others, save for himself?" Her friend swallowed hard, his mind working furiously over what she'd said, and what she hadn't.

"Kaoru, look at me," he insisted, a wry grimace twisting his lips, she met his stare defiantly, "He is my dear friend, despite his faults, he…. Is more than what he seems, I wish I could divulge more, but I've been sworn to secrecy." At the hurt scowl on her features, he worried his lip, "He hasn't, that is, Kaoru…" a blush stole across his features, "tried to make any advances on you?" A dry, humorless chuckle echoed after his tentative question, the girl beside him suddenly looked very weary.

"Men," she said in a cold tone, "seem to sincerely believe, that my body is their good sport, and my mind, is not worth their time. Your friend, Battousai, is one of these men, he thinks to own me, like…." Her throat cringed at that name, that man, if he could even fit such a description, her supposed fiancé. Sano's eyes widened in belated understanding.

"You wish to go?" He asked her, ignoring the warning bells in his mind, the clenching of his gut. By Danu Kenshin, what are your intentions…? He wondered to himself, the man he knew would never force himself on a lady, but he had seen through the years, the man he knew and trusted worn down by the world's cruelties, his mind and body hardened by bloodshed and the lust for vengeance.

Perhaps it was time to admit he knew very little of the stoic man anymore, he was not as he was when they saved Megumi in France, verily it appeared the man slipped farther and farther from reason and sense as the years moved by. His task to avenge his people had forced him away from the smiling Kenshin Sanosuke had known as a child, and made him Battousai, a merciless pirate who was in truth a shadow assassin, bent on one thing alone, killing those who had destroyed his home, his people. It was sad to think so, but Sano had not saved Kaoru from one man, simply to hand her to another of his ilk. What grieved him most were Aoshi's words, if the girl was truly Kenshin's mate, he may be taking the man's last chance at happiness from him. Yet he refused to risk his childhood friend on Battousai's second in command's intuition. He would not bear those consequences on his soul.

"Yes," she eyed him in question, "I will go, but…. will you come with me?" He chuckled, relieving some of the tension from the room.

"Ya don't think I've come this far, little tanuki, just to turn back now?" He teased, ruffling her hair. Kaoru's face, so often of late troubled and pensive, broke into a delighted grin as she squealed her relief and joy, toppling over the larger man in an impulsive embrace.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" She tightened her thin arms around him as they toppled, hugging him tightly to herself.

"Air, Jou-chan, air would be nice," he murmured in muffled complaint. She giggled, allowing him to sit up, her body still in his lap, it may have seemed a bit indecent, but Sano was her brother, her trusted comrade, they used to tussle and spar all the time as kids.

Kaoru marveled for a moment on how people really never change. As he had often stepped between her and her father's fist, Sanosuke once again placed himself in danger to save the girl who he loved as a sister. Kaoru, the blue eyed tom boy who loved without restraint, who fought with a passion perhaps better suited to a man, but who protected those she cared for with little regard for herself, inspiring those who met her to do the same for her in return.

"Oh, rooster head," she giggled softly, "What would I do without you?" She kissed his forehead softly, making as if to move away. He griped her arm and gave her a swift bear hug, and once eclipsed in his massive form her nose crinkled at the scent of booze lingering on his tunic. Did the man never cease drinking? She rolled her eyes, letting the relief and joy mingle, when a cool chill suddenly slid across her neck, drawing her attention to a previously unnoticed figure lingering in the doorway.

"How touching," uttered a dark, hideously enraged voice from the doorway. He smirked, a cutting expression that could chill a man to the bone, "Don't stop on my account," he added in biting sarcasm, "make sure Sano's last moments are pleasurable, at the very least." His eyes flashed gold, like topaz lightning had struck their depths.

-*-ONE HOUR EARLIER-*-

In the village where he was born, raised to be a feared and respected leader, they were taught of death from an early age. Taught to respect its power, to never fear it's coming, because death would, on its pale horse, catch up to them all as they walked through the twisting path of life. The neighboring villages whispered of demons, dark magic and the like, avoiding the small settlement as if it simply did not exist, skirting it at every opportunity, lest the jewel eyed demons who resided there suck out their souls. Assassins, born and bred, their men were taught the art of shadow, how to control and use their gifts to protect the villages secret, its powers, but to never kill on whim, to never strike another down out of anger or desire. When Tomoe betrayed him, and he and those few left buried the mound of dead bodies, Kenshin's eyes, inexplicably, turned gold, and he could no longer summon regret when staring into the cold, listless eyes of the dead. It was if his very soul had withered, and he felt no more.

He knew only rage. A vile blackness marring his heart and mind, urging him towards his vengeance, towards his salvation, perhaps even towards his own death, if Danu willed it. Katsura found him in this state, mostly drunk, a stoic and grieving Aoshi at his side, and offered him a barter he could not refuse. Captain a ship, as proxy for the gold he would receive, and means of easy transport that would go unquestioned, and systematically murder and eradicate the slave trade from the dignified face of Japan. Battousai wanted nothing more, and the gentler side of himself that had shunned slaughter, had died with his people. A deal with the devil, although Kogoro was honorable, it was in fact he, Himura, that would soon know the depths of hell, where all that existed was blood, steel, and duty.

He already tasted copper on his tongue, a foul stench of decay that only the burn of whiskey could battle, or the taste of soft willing flesh. Eyes the color of topaz, sparking yet not quite sentient, surveyed the purple dusk of the island's sunset, another name had been slipped into that parchment at the tea house, another man would die tonight by his hand. A cruel look crossed his face, one that only a dreamer or a fool would call a smile, and his finger stroked the hilt of his sword like a lover, his mind whispering the song of death, murder, revenge. Aoshi could slip like a ghost, unseen because he willed it, this was his power, but Battousai's gift was one not of shadow, he instead bore a far more deadly art, the speed of Danu graced him, so quick all one might catch of him was a streak of red, a flash of ivory, no more than a blur as he passed.

He studied the side of a tavern, eyeing the cracks in the walls, the poles that held the roof, and with a feral agility that would shame a feline's grace, he gripped the side and leapt, four quick consecutive bursts upward and his feet touch the roof tiles, so softly that not a single shingle was jarred or rustled. As if given wings, he fled across roof tops, a streak of crimson against the purple and black sky, a silent angel skipping across roofs like a stone skips the water, if one could have seen it with their eyes, he would've been beautiful, terrifying, but beautiful. So unlike the grisly expression he wore; a cold mask of indifference, a grim set of doom.

Battousai spotted his target from above, the thin man had a waterfall of silver hair, and he chortled and crooned at the unwilling woman pressed to his side. Five guards, bulky and hardened men, shuffled a perimeter, keeping the drunken man safely cocooned by their massive builds. The girl sobbed, pleading, and in response the men hooted, cat calling, laughing at her distress, the man who surveyed the scene allowed his jaw to tighten, the only response her unfortunate death would bring. No witnesses, Kogoro said, not even a tear trekked tavern girl could be left with the image of him slaughtering her tormenters. He had learned his lesson from the slave boy, and would not repeat his mistake.

He followed the disgusting scene from above, waiting for the opportune moment to strike. His teeth gnashed as he waited atop another tavern, and came out a hissing exhale of relief when the six men reappeared, the tavern girl not among them. For some absurd reason the girl he'd been with that morning fleeted through his thoughts, her wide unassuming blue eyes, he was glad he would not have to face her tonight with innocent blood on his hands. Stealing himself once more against all musings, he tracked his prey, a demon from above, silent and deadly, ticking the minutes of the vile men's lives away in anticipatory patience. He thought of nothing save his blade, the next placement of his foot, the location of his targets as they drunkenly stumbled onward below.

Finally his vigilance was rewarded, and the target demanded they stop so he could relieve his bladder of the ale he'd swallowed in copious amounts throughout the day and evening. Having reached the edge of town, no available accommodations for such a task were readily apparent, suiting Himura's needs nicely. They grumbled and cursed, chatting in muttered voices as they reached a deserted ally, the guards standing at attention as their employer pissed onto the cobbled back street. Seeing his opportunity, so neatly and tidily laid before him, Battousai descended like a feather on the wind, silently, landing without so much as a thud behind the men's watchful eyes. To his dismay, the leader of the hired guards, the largest and most haggard, with the most fine of clothes, spotted him almost instantaneously, calling out a gruff cry of alarm.

"Hey you!" the burly man grumbled, "Back off, this is a private party." he warned in a surly slur. Battousai grinned, not out of humor, but out of derisive disdain, the men who were in charge of protecting this vile waste of flesh had not stopped themselves from indulging in the drink. They would fall more easily for their foolishness.

"Oh," he said in a lethal growl, a twitch of a smirk still tugging at his lips, "but I have an invitation." At the men's rancorous mutters of disbelief and insult his hand slipped to his sword's hilt, pulling the large blade free in practiced swiftness. This ended their debates on his state of mind and intoxication, and instead the slovenly mutters grew hostile as a scant few fumbled with their own weapons.

"Careful boy, wouldn't want ya to stick yerself with that tiny prick, best put it away, before I take it away," taunted the leader, his eyes gleaming in predatory assessment, mistaking the slim build of the well muscled man for that of a gangly youth who perhaps, wanted to test his steel against the big boys. Shame that they'd gut him either way, he mused in confident appraisal.

"I'll handle it," a thin, gnarled man with a wicked slash down his cheek and throat stepped forward, rubbing his chin whiskers, he had a collection of sharp daggers in his hand, concealed behind his back, and he graced the lone assailant with a toothy grin of anticipation. He died with that very expression in place, as Battousai's steel gouged his bowls, running upwards to his breast bone, and he fell to the dirty ally, lifeless the only sound a squish of blood, the rancid smell of feces and death rising from his cooling corpse. What struck the onlookers so oddly, was that it seemed as if the stranger hadn't moved, he was simply in the same stance as before, the kill had occurred in the blink of an eye, the only difference was the scarlet drops falling from the silver sword he held.

"A demon," one uttered in fear, crossing himself and whispering to Danu.

"By Danu, did you see that?" Another cried in alarm. The general consensus was that no one had actually witnessed the strike, save to see their comrade fall dead. "Tis unnatural, he's a devil."

"Bullshit," the leader spat, "Kill him." The remaining three advanced, their blades drawn, circling their lone prey with glinting eyes. Battousai easily dodged the throw of knives aimed for his heart, spinning to clash steel with one of them in the next instant, and ducking low to slice another's tendons in the same furious flurry of motion. The injured man cried agony, dropping down, his sword clattering to the ground.

Battousai's blade met a side thrust, sliding up the steel in a deafening sound to twist the blade from his attacker's grasp, turning just in time to meet another attack, skillfully beating back the two short swords in three clean thrusts. The man facing him began to sweat, his grips loosening as his fear swelled, the weapons fell, and his cry died in his throat, his severed head clunking ominously to the cobbled floor, rolling morbidly across the ground, his body following shortly after.

"KILL HIM!" Shrieked the wealthy man, who now cowered behind the guard's leader, "kill him NOW!"

Ignoring the cry, the remaining man turned to flee, his mouth gasping pain as the sword pierced his spinal cord and heart through his turned back, plunging through the ribcage and clean out his front. He gurgled blood, dying in agony as he slumped. The last of them crawled on the floor, like a snake, whimpering, his tendons sliced through and leaking blood down his boots, Battousai ended him swiftly, his sword jabbing through the man's throat, severing the spine and ending his pitiful attempt. The leader and his employer were all that remained, the silver haired man clutching at the burly one like a child hiding in its mother's skirts, eyes wide with terror.

"Kill him and I'll double your pay," he promised feverantly, a desperate note of hysteria coloring his nasal tone.

"My pleasure," replied the guard, freeing a monstrous two handed sword from his wide back, and smirking at the man who'd just murdered his men. Battousai met his clumsy attack with his unnatural speed, thrusting himself over the tall man's figure and behind his bulky mass. The guard spun, shock etched onto his chubby face, but it was too late. He bit through his tongue as the assassin rammed hard cold metal through his heart, a whimpered plea bubbling through the blood flowing down his throat. He fell to the side, eyes glazed and unseeing, and the silver haired man behind him began to sob pathetically.

"P-please, I'll give you anything, money? Yours. Women, property, you name it!" He begged sincerely, "You can have it all, just don't k-kill m-me." His words ended in a blubbered stutter of nerves. Battousai grimaced, flicking the blood from his blade, stalking the meager feet between them in a hostile advance.

"I am Battousai, I cannot be bought," he uttered in a frighteningly dead voice, "You, Tenshi Hinku, have bought and sold flesh, desecrating the name of not only you, but of Japan. For these crimes, you will die, by the hand of Ishin Shishi, and their assassin." His sword stuck into the man's thin belly, his organs spilling as it yanked out, he stumbled to his knees, screaming. With a move of his arm, Battousai freed the man of his head, it hung by a scrap of skin, lolling in a thick spray of blood to kiss his spine. Blood crusted red hair and pale skin, staining it with the death he had caused.

Cold, glittering amber eyes surveyed the six corpses, he wiped his blade on the slave merchant's tunic, sliding it home to its sheath. With a curt spin he walked from the ally, his mind a brewing pit of death and blood lust. Darkness ate his heart, but no guilt suffered his soul, his eyes flashed in cold calculation as he scaled to another roof top, fleeing from his own capacity for destruction. As he ran the cool wind caressed him, the moonlight bathed his path, and minutes later the icy tendrils seeped from his mind, transforming him from a tool of battle back into a man. With this returned thoughts of his destination, of the girl who waited there, eyes like the sea, skin like ivory, hair like raven's feathers.

Mine, he growled in satisfaction, the primal self rampant after such a slaughter. He would claim her, with pretty words or by his masterful touch, he would tame the skittish foul, lead her to him. His rashness cost him her trust, her willingness, he wouldn't repeat that mistake, he could be level headed, he was certain. Him eyes fluttered briefly shut, remembering the taste of her skin, the scent of her, like flowers and woman, the deep brown 'x' on her shoulder, his mark, he was certain now. He'd never wanted another like he craved her, her passion to melt his ice, her innocence to curb his jaded temper. He'd speak with her, reason her reluctance away, he could accomplish this much.

The sight that greeted him when he reached her chambers, ran his blood like lava, an irrational, consuming rage, at the image of her slender legs around another man, her delicate hands touching another man, and lastly, he snarled in fury, her lips, kissing another man. A man who claimed to not desire her, but had her in his lap, his arms holding her tight, in a way she had never allowed him to do. I will kill him for this….

-*-

"Uh…Jou-chan?" Sano toned in panic, "Get off me." Captain Himura stalked past the door frame, slamming the door so aggressively the wood cracked and shuddered. Kaoru, belatedly realizing what this scene might imply to the glowering pirate, hopped off her childhood friend as if scalded, making her look all the more guilty to hard, feral gold eyes. She shouldn't care, save for the hard, merciless glint in the watching man's eyes, the spray of dried blood coating his face and hair.

"Sanosuke," came his graveled utterance, his keen eyes surveyed the packed bags, roving between the two startled people before him, "I thought I made myself clear?" Sano blanched, swallowing, holding out his hands and letting out a weak chuckle.

"It wasn't like that Ken-"Sano's words ended in a strangled curse as a short sword stuck into the wall, millimeters from his skull. "SHIT, Himura! What the hell?" He eyed the blade parallel to his face with wide, saucer like eyes.

"Consider yourself lucky I will not kill an unarmed man," the red head growled, his eyes flickered yellow, like the heart of a flame. A flushed, emotional girl stepped between the two men, her chest heaving with her outrage.

"Stop this! Right now," She demanded, hands on her hips, "This is my room, you, get out." She pointed to the door stiffly, blue eyes blazing. The captain growled, his eyes narrowing.

"You would chose him over me?" He uttered in a silky whisper. Kaoru stiffened self righteously.

"Always," she insisted firmly, ignoring the weak little gag of shock from behind her.

"She doesn't mean-" The spiky haired man began in nervous explanation.

"Oh, she does mean," Battousai cut him off sharply, his eyes assessing the woman before him, "You leave me little choice, I warned you what would happen if you pitted us against one another, foolish wench." He took a menacing step forward, "When he dies, think on what part you had to play, fueling a man's jealousy is never wise." Kaoru paled.

"J-jealous….?" As realization settled her mouth twisted into a dissatisfied scowl, "You would kill over such a small misunderstanding?" She demanded hotly, "You worthless murderer." He sneered, nostrils flaring, jaw ticking.

"Move, now," his eyes trailed to Sano's grim profile, "I will deal with your sharp tongue after I finish my business with him."

"Sano is like my brother, you ignorant swine," she seethed, "you are being rash, and completely illogical."

"Oh, yes," he mocked snidely, "I wrap my body around my kin and kiss them all the time," he bared his teeth in a cutting grin, "you lie poorly."

"Oh, you're insufferable!" Kaoru griped with an eye roll, "Unlike you, some men can touch out of comfort instead of plundering the flesh like a selfish pig!" She went to slap him, but he caught her wrist, his fingers digging into her tender limb hard, causing her to wince.

"Prefer his touch, do you?" he uttered in a soft, dangerous tone, he loomed over her, "I may have to lock you away to keep you from giving yourself to the nearest available man. For such a lady," he spat the word, "you sure tend to have the habits of a whore."

"Don't pretend to know anything!" she wrenched her arm free, "If only your mind was half as sharp as your temper!" Her eyes glittered with tears, why had she even considered that this man could be decent? She was such a fool. "You leave him alone!" She yelled shrilly as he attempted to brush her aside.

"Protected by a woman, Sagara? Have you no pride?" Battousai taunted darkly. The man in question shrugged, looking pale and wane with fear. From Battousai, he would take any protection he could get.

"You won't stab her… Me? I'm not so certain," he chuckled weakly, "Can't we talk about this, Kenshin buddy?" The red head tilted his head, a ghastly smile crossing his lips.

"If you can live long enough to speak its length, I see no reason why not, now, pick up the blade," His eyes flashed, looking startling in the mask of his pale skin and the crusted red brown blood droplets smearing it. "And die with honor." Sano went to reach for the sword, but a shadow cast itself over him, that of a hideously angered young girl.

"If you want to fight Sano, you'll have to get through me," Kaoru challenged, placing herself between them once more, her bokken grasped firmly in her hand. "I won't see you kill him needlessly." A tear stung her eye at the thought of her last protector dead, slain because of this foul man.

"Kaoru don't," Sano urged her; she had no idea who she was facing, what he was truly capable of. She thought him merely a pirate, unaware of his second trade, his skill in the art of sword and death, as an assassin.

"Listen to your lover, wench, I won't hesitate because of your gender," he uttered menacingly, "I will simply knock you aside and gut the spineless bastard who would hide behind a girl with a toy sword." Kaoru's cheeks darkened to a rose color, her eyes flashing at his callous insult.

"Firstly, you deaf man, he is not my lover," she told him through gritted teeth, "Secondly, this is a bokken, and I could bash your very thick skull in with it, easily. Thirdly, I have a deal I wish to make." Her chin tilted up a notch in defiance, "Unless you are too cowardly to face a woman."

He arched an eyebrow sardonically, interest piqued despite himself, "And what deal would you strike with me?"

"Simple really, even you should not be able to mistake it," she taunted, a curve to her lips, she was mocking him, "If I win this spar, you will walk out that door, leaving both myself and Sano completely intact, and never cross our paths again." She eyed him, a terrible, horrible, conniving thought crossing her mind, almost too stupid to contemplate. However, what else did she have to offer? I WILL win this… she told herself sternly. There is no other option. "In return, if you should win," she snorted her disbelief, "you can…" her words failed her, but she recalled the man behind her, the one she was protecting, "you can have me, for whatever you so desire."

"KAORU!" Sanosuke yelled in dismay, "Don't you dare!"

"Shut up Sagara," Battousai hissed, he eyed the brazen girl before him with a cruel smirk, "I accept, shall we shake on it?" Kaoru's nose crinkled.

"No, your hands are covered in blood," she said primly, "You may simply have my word." He nodded, chuckling to himself at her audacity, and unsheathed his sword. After a moment's thought, he flipped it so that the sharpened edge faced not her, but himself, he wanted to defeat her, not kill her.

"Kaoru, don't be foolish," Sano begged.

"I can handle this Sano, just you wait," She settled into an attack stance, a grim expression crossing her face, "Just like last time." Expect last time she'd wagered with a pompous spoilt rich boy, bartering her and Sano's life on her skill, and like the sexist fool he was, her ex-fiancé had accepted. Little did she know the man before her was deadly with a blade, his skill far outweighed hers, she assumed he would be decent at it, but was not prepared for him to settle into a flawless stance, a cold static in his eyes.

"Begin," he ordered, and she attacked, intending to bash his skull in. With a speed she'd never encountered before he deflected the blow, knocking her bokken from her grasp. Oh no you don't, Kaoru seethed, rolling and fetching her discarded weapon in a dizzying leap. It made her vulnerable, and he instantly attacked, preying on her distraction. Somehow, by the grace of Danu, she raised her wooden sword in time, his unsharpened blade bit deep into the wood, jarring her with the force of the blow so harshly her teeth rattled.

Damn, he's fast, was her only thought as he began his attack, testing her, toying with her in a barrage of blows, beating her into a corner with merciless accuracy. She barely managed to keep up, breaking out in a hot sweat as she moved to deflect his sword; again and again he came, with a swiftness that had her panting with exertion. He looked every inch the merciless demon, pitting himself against her, and she noticed with a growing despair he hardly looked winded, in fact, a errant grin was seeping across his stunning face, made macabre by the blood on his skin.

Battousai eyed the slim, furious girl before him, feeling a whole new wave of heat boil his blood, although for an entirely different reason. Would he have killed Sano? Not likely, but the threat was meant to show both how deadly serious he was about this prickly young woman, and how adamant he was about others not touching her, for some reason, he couldn't stand the sight of it. Her taunts had spurred his rage, as had Sagara's shameful wheedling, but he could admit he was never quite his usual controlled self after one of Katsura's missions, and the fault lay partially with himself. Yet she had challenged him, and curious, he couldn't help but accept. To his utmost shock she was skilled, although the style and teaching was one he couldn't place, she had had definite training, and excelled at it, apparently. Even in the face of his superior ability she didn't crumble, but met his unyielding force with a desperate stubbornness he couldn't help but slightly admire.

And, of course, she was beautiful in battle. Skin glistening with a light sheen, eyes burning blue, like the sea before a storm, her black hair a static mass around her roiling energy. His mouth went dry, his blood heated, his groin throbbed at the sheer power of her lithe form, how could such a delicate creature have so much strength? He wanted her more than ever, seeing her like this, waging against him with all her might, although perhaps their next battle would be better suited in his bed. He inwardly groaned at the image, an unneeded distraction, and set his thoughts back to testing her skill, he could've defeated her three times already, but he yearned to know the depth of her capabilities. That he could own her by simply winning was a temptation he could only fight so long.

Kaoru slipped her wooden sword upward, intending to parry his blow and beat him backwards as her slim shoulders touched the wall, so to prevent herself from being trapped, but the move worked against her. He slapped her sword aside like a mother would slap a naughty child, holding the dull edge of his blade to her slim throat.

"Concede," He ordered gutturally, his gold eyes burning into hers. She stiffened, the implications of those words crashing down on her, threatening to crush her with the burden of it. She had spent the last year running from a man who wanted to own her, just to be owned by another of the same ilk, a disgusting irony. She dropped her wooden sword in defeat, clenching her teeth against an errant sob. Kamiya you fool, look what you've done… Who would save her brother now?

A hot tear trailed her cheek, and she inhaled a sharp pain, her mind chanting fool, fool, fool like a morbid mantra. The captain smirked, sheathing his sword, and held out his hand, expectantly, triumph glittering in his strangely colored eyes.

"Kenshin," Sano began softly, startling them both. The red head turned, a sneer on his face. "Is this how you want to win her? By force?" His question was very careful, very solemn, and so different than his usual manner that the words struck home. Battousai's eyes widened a slim fraction, turning to settle on the girl. Her shoulders were slumped, misery eating at her whole form, her lip trembled but she squeezed her eyes closed, refusing to let him see her cry. He sighed.

"Perhaps she shouldn't have made such a rash bargain," he pointed out stiffly, forcing indifference into his tone. Her hand trembled, but she didn't look at him, like a statue she stood, waiting. He gritted his teeth, "Kaoru," her eyes flew wide, meeting his in shock, that was the first time he'd said her name, "come." He beckoned with one hand. She swallowed, rubbing her fist against her eyes to stop the tears that threatened.

"Himura," Sano said gravely, "Think, how is what you are doing better than slavery?" The assassin's breath came out a hiss. Damn Sagara.

"Because," he uttered softly, looking into her fearful eyes, so hooded with despair, "I will not force her to do anything she doesn't desire, I just…" He clamped his mouth shut, and then admitted what he'd rather not, "need to have her." She gave him a quizzical look, swiftly followed by skeptical disbelief.

"Why?" she asked, perplexed. He eyed her possessively.

"Because you are mine," he evaded simply. Uncomfortable he turned to Sanosuke, "If that's all, I do believe we will retire." His glare dared the man to contradict. Sano peered at him thoughtfully, but said nothing.

"B-but you just said I wouldn't have to do anything I didn't want," she protested, her voice wavered with emotional overload. His lips thinned into a tight line.

"I will wait for your permission to have your body in my bed," he corrected sternly, "but we had an accord, you are mine, and as such I'd like to keep an eye on you." His gaze flickered to her packed belongings, "As you seem to have issues with staying put." Kaoru huffed, frowning.

"Can't I sleep here?" She pleaded. He glared down at her, seizing her arm.

"No," he uttered darkly, "If you have problems keeping your word, I will continue where I began," his eyes glanced at the silent Sanosuke meaningfully. Kaoru seethed.

"Bastard," she quipped.

"Wench," he growled, picking her up and slinging her over his shoulder, she squirmed uncomfortably for her freedom, "Can nothing ever be easy when it concerns you?" he muttered the last more for his own benefit than hers.

-*-

A/N: Now here's where I usually say something witty and thank my wonderfully patient reviewers…But…. This is a teaser so I'm using it as an excuse to be lazy (don't beat me) and will instead recommend a few 'do not miss' fictions as was inspired by Edward Wallbanger's amazing author feathersmmmm. Which is a great fiction, full of humor until your chuckling out loud, check it out!

Her Existance by Mirel-F & her new fic Midnight Wings carry everything essential to a great RK fiction. Smut, angst, action, love, despair, I cried when reading the first and am helplessly addicted to the second. Way kudos worthy, check it out.

Nightfall by Lady Shiin It's incomplete and looks like it'll stay that way, but still worth the read. A dark A/U with futuristic Sci-Fi that blew my mind. Very hot Battousai.

Sadly, those are all my RK recommendations (save for the ones on my favorite list), for other fictions these ROCK….

For any Red Eye fans, or just looking for something new anything by NicolinaN is worth the look-see. She has a way with dark-sexual-edge-of-your-seat stories that made me read everything she's ever written.

Also We Want Her Rippner by CamiliaAnn was very awesome, another edge of the seat one and I admit Jackson might just be the sexiest 'manager' ever. Possessive men with guns, what's not to love?

I know, I'm lame, but I've been seduced by Twilight fanfiction despite my intentions to never be….

High anxiety by edwardsbloodtype Fell in love with this fiction, very 'yearning' but I don't want to be a plot spoiler, as good as the book was before Hollywood and modern capitalism made it a fad for every thirteen year old with a set of plastic fangs. But it is all human, still worth it, Edward is a bad boy and well….YUM.

The Submissiveby Tara Sue Me adult fiction for sure, explores S/D in a very enthralling, have to finish it way, and the sequels live up to the first. I was addicted, am addicted, and the author graciously (unlike me) updates every Tuesday, making it the highlight of my Tuesday, naturally.

Lastly, Labyrinth fans unite, I love these….

White Rabbit by Rhiannon A. Christy Short fun little read, with a dominating sexy Jareth and a lovely ode to the song it's titled for.

Of Cupid and Psyche by Chibi-no-oneesan Any fan of Labyrinth and the days of King Author will love this beautiful little mesh into a world where nothing is what it seems. A modern day faerie tale with so many twists I have a crick in my neck. Worth every spine adjustment.

For more…. Check out my favorite stories. For those of you rolling your eyes and asking why my opinion matters…it doesn't. Still, I like to give it.