A/N: Sorry this chapter took so long! It was rather difficult to write, but somehow I managed to finish it without spontaneously combusting. Still, I hope you're all able to enjoy it and please review if you have any advice or criticism to share. Thank you!

…

Chapter 16

Never in a hundred years would Leo have imagined himself sitting and drinking with Karai. Yet, here he was, sitting across from one of his most dangerous adversaries drinking sake like they were old friends. Of course, it was all an act. If Karai knew who he REALLY was, she would most likely be trying to slit open his throat, not trying to seduce him.

But that was the beauty of his new human form. Karai would never know what hit her until it was too late. It was the perfect revenge; all he had to do was play along.

"Here, let me pour you more sake, Ryo-sama." she says coyly, her fingers lingering suggestively on his hands before beginning to pour sake into his cup. Her intent is obvious and Leo studies the liquid to see if it's been drugged. But she is watching him closely, so he has no choice but to drown the drink in one swig. He doesn't want her getting suspicious before the right time.

The minuets that follow are filled with drinking and small chatter, while Karai inches closer and closer. Each shot is accompanied with a "Where have you traveled from?" and "What do you do?" As the questions get more personal, Leo knows she's trying to dig information from him. He silently wonders what led Karai to using such low methods and if she's found anything useful from using them before.

Probably not.

As the night progresses, people begin to leave one by one. The last jealous and curious observers finally become bored and also leave. Leo watches them go and proceeds on with the plan.

Leo takes Karai by the hand and stands up, stumbling slightly for effect. "Why don't we finish this…um… private conversation upstairs?" he asks in a slur. Karai quietly laughs at him and draws closer. "I'd love to."

So they stumble upstairs, laughing like drunks, and the old lady who runs the inn rolls her eyes. "He can expect double the work tomorrow for all that sake he's cost me." she grumbles. Mitsue, who had been waiting behind a screen, runs out to her grandma and asks, "Oba-sama, Can I bring Ryo-oniichan some tea?" The old lady shakes her head fervently, "Do NOT disturb him, Mitsue-chan. He's going to have his hands full with that woman for the rest of the night."

Mitsue tilts her head in confusion, but 'Grandma' ignores her, not bothering to explain what she meant. "Anyway, dear, get back in your futon. It's late and you need to sleep."

As she's shooed away, Mitsue glances up in the direction of Leo's room. It was too quiet for her liking and she prays that Leo is safe. After all, he'd just taken a demon into his room.

…..

Leonardo swallows the bile that threatens to rise up his throat as he lays down with Karai. He's almost glad he's half- drunk. Glad that he couldn't fully experience Karai's lips on his or her cold hands pressing into his skin. Glad that all these memories would simply be forgotten in the mist of a hangover.

But as much as he hates to admit it, he's extremely anxious. He knows that this was a dangerous situation for him. Still, he is confident that his resolve will overcome his lust. After all, he was betting everything on this plan.

And yet, even as he thought this, Leo found himself caught up in a rush of passion that he couldn't control. Karai's eyes are like whirlpools of sea green that just pull him deeper and deeper into her embrace. "No past, no betrayal, no honor, and no family can keep us apart anymore." a voice lies reassuringly in the back of his mind. And with this realization, the walls that Leo had spent pain-saking time building begin to crumble.

Suddenly, Leo found himself kissing Karai with an intensity he didn't know he possessed. His hands envelope her face, slide down her neck, and wrap around her waist. He wants to hold her and never let go. He wants to believe that she hadn't betrayed him all those times. He wants to believe that the woman he once admired was still inside somewhere. With their bodies entwined, Karai's fingers slide into Leonardo's kimono and up his back until they reach a scar along his shoulder.

And then the whole world becomes violent red.

-Karai's sword stabbing through my chest. Searing pain. Karai's shocked and frightened face. "This is not what I wanted Leonardo, not what I wanted!" she screams and screams and screams. It was her fault, all her-

Leo's eyes shoot open just as Karai's teeth are about to sink into his neck. He tries to pull away but Karai grips him tightly; unwilling to let go of her prey. Her eyes turn piercing red in the darkness as she smiles triumphantly.

Realizing the game is over; Leo quickly rolls over and holds Karai down in a Judo lock. She stares up at him in surprise; obviously, she had not suspected a mere farm boy of having any fighting capabilities. But she quickly regains her senses and starts to search for an opening.

"Don't even think about it," He whispers coolly, trying to hide the quaver in his voice that would give away how unstable he felt. "I don't fall for the same trick twice, Karai."

Her eyes slowly grow wide in shock and then narrow in anger. In fact, her whole body tenses with indignant rage. "Leonardo!?" she answers in utter disbelief. "But… how-?"

Leo can't help, but smile. His plan had almost backfired on him, but this made it all worth it. "I don't believe I'm under any obligation to tell you, Karai. Though I'm sure you're dying to know; we'll save the specifics for later."

Then he leans down and kisses her, catching Karai completely off guard. After the initial shock, she pulls away in repulsion. Throwing him off of her, she retreats to a safe distance, glaring at him with bare hatred.

Getting up, Leo laughs at her expression. "Guess we're even now." he says smugly. Karai just glares at him with a mixture of annoyance and suspicion as she stands back. While he still has the advantage of surprise, Leo knows he'd better explain the situation.

"Listen, Karai. We can't-" But he never got a chance to finish his explanation.

Yelling had filled the inn as village men barge through the downstairs' shoji. As they charged up the stairs, Leo and Karai bolt toward the window. Just as they were about to jump, the men break through the screens. "There he is! He and that #!*% are both under suspicion for the murder of Kaki-sama. Capture them!" The assumed leader yells, pointing at them.

But they were already out the window. Once they hit the ground, Karai starts to run, but Leo grabs her hand when he remembered Mitsue. "Wait, Karai!"

She turns on him viciously, pulling her hand back. "Why?! Can't you see we're being chased?"

Leo sighs exasperatedly. He wasn't even going to bother. "Just follow me!" He yells as he starts to head back into the inn. He doesn't have to look behind him to know that Karai isn't following him. " #!*% ! Can things possibly get any worse?" Leo thought in frustration. But unfortunately for him, fate has a cruel sense of humor.

Just as he goes back into the inn to get Mitsue, long howls fill the night sky followed by a young girl's scream. 'Mitsue!' Leo thinks in a panic, 'The demons must be making their move now!'

And all #!*% was about break loose.

TBC

…..

[Japanese Notes: Sake-Japanese alcohol, Futon- a padded mattress, Oba-sama- grandma or elder, Onii-chan- a close older brother figure, Shoji-screen door]