I'm trying to make these chapters longer so we'll see how that goes. This chapter was inspired from the actual anime/ manga. The memorable Tora/ Misaki encounter. Anyways hope you like the old english version. We are slowly inching toward a climax...and closer to getting rid of Kira. Good golly...she annoys the crap outta me.

Cheers xoxo

Chapter 17: Enemies

Misaki stepped off the carriage feeling horrible. She felt tired and bored. Usui patted her hand as they walked into the Marquess's mansion.

"Announcing the Duke and Duchess Usui!"

Misaki smiled as they walked down the carpeted stairs into the massive crowds. Everyone swarmed about and Misaki felt dizzy. She lightly made conversations and laughed at jokes that weren't funny. The only thing that kept Misaki from running away and screaming was Usui. He held her hand tightly and told her jokes that were actually funny.

"Look at this..." Misaki said picking up a tart that was over decorated with fruit. "It massive..." she whispered. Usui laughed.

"Eat it," he dared her.

Misaki grinned and tried to put the over sized pastry in her mouth. "It doesn't fit..." she mumbled. Usui stifled a laugh and wiped the cream off her mouth.

"We should probably keep up appearances" Usui whispered.

Misaki snorted. "I'll try..." she said. Usui smiled and kissed her forehead.

"Greetings Duke Usui" a noble said clapping Usui on the back. "We are having a short gathering in the west hall" he whispered. "Please join us..."

"Must I?" Usui asked, seeming bored.

The noble nodded. Usui sighed.

"I'll be back quickly" he promised Misaki. Misaki smiled and waved to him.

Her one companion here was gone and Misaki was forced to talk with the noble wives who loved to complain. They weren't happy with their marriage, their children, their home...the list was endless.

"Duchess Usui" a butler greeted. "The Duke sends for you"

Misaki turned away from her conversation. Usui had left about half an hour ago.

"Excuse me" she said, leaving the group.

"What is it?" she asked the butler. She was slightly puzzled on why Usui would want her to come immediately.

"I do not know, Duchess," the butler said. "I am only a servant"

Misaki nodded and followed him through the hall. They came to a heavy door. The butler courteously opened it and gestured for Misaki to enter.

Misaki stepped into the dim room and heard the door shut behind her. Her eyes darted around. Usui was not here though she could see the back of someone.

"Why am I here?" she demanded. "Where is Takumi?" she asked.

The man turned.

"Marquess..." Misaki breathed. Tora smirked and walked over.

"Expecting someone else?" Tora asked.

Misaki held her ground. "I was expecting my husband because he sent for me."

Tora shook his head. "I'm the one who sent for you."

"Why lie?" Misaki asked. Tora's cold smile made her want to shiver.

"Because then I knew you would come. Isn't it more fun this way...?"

"I see no fun in this" Misaki said, turning to leave. The door was locked. Misaki tried turning the knob harder. "Let me leave" Misaki said cooly.

"Don't you want to stay?" Tora asked.

"I would like to leave"

"What if I don't want you to leave?"

"You cannot keep me here" Misaki snapped.

"Just for a little bit..."

Misaki felt a hand touch her neck and cringed away.

"Don't touch me!" she said. Tora smiled darkly.

"Ayuzawa Misaki..." Tora said. "A woman like no other. Since I laid eyes on you...I knew I had to have you"

Misaki took a step back. "You wouldn't dare"

"I love a challenge" Tora said taking a step forward. "Makes the victory much better..."

"Don't touch me!" Misaki shrieked. Her blood felt ice cold and her heart was pounding so hard it could probably echo in the room.

"I'm done with these faint easy noble women...I want a woman who will fight"

Misaki felt herself back into the table. There was no more room.

"Takumi will kill you" Misaki warned.

"Unless you want to be shamed for sleeping with another man..." Tora said smugly.

"I am not!" Misaki exclaimed.

Tora touched her face and Misaki slapped his hand away. Tora grabbed her wrist as shoved Misaki onto the table.

"Don't touch me!" Misaki screamed, trying to push Tora off her.

"You'll love it..." Tora promised her.

Misaki thrashed wildly. She kept thinking about the child she was carrying. If she fought too hard she would lose him but if she didn't fight...Tora was going to rape her.

"Get off!" Misaki screamed.

"Fight then" Tora said pinning her on the table.

Misaki thought back to her fuzzy memories of hand to hand combat. She grabbed Tora's arm and tried to slam her elbow into him.

"You've got to try harder, sweetheart" Tora taunted, grabbing her elbow and twisting it.

Misaki cried out in pain which amused Tora.

"If you won't fight back that means you want it!" Tora said pinning her arms over her head.

"I don't want to!" Misaki kept screaming. Tora was stronger than she was. Misaki also longed to protect her precious child. She thought quickly and pulled a pin on of her hair and stabbed Tora's arm with it.

Tora yelled it pain and wrenched the pin out of her hand. He pressed the point against Misaki's neck. Misaki stiffened, feeling the point press against her skin. Misaki grabbed Tora's wrist and pulled as hard she could to move the pin. Tora threw the pin on the ground and pinned his knee right on her stomach.

Misaki froze. No sudden movements or else Tora would crush this unborn child... Misaki was gasping for air, on the brink of hysteria.

Tora began pushing up her dress. "You are hardly resisting. I know your strength...and this is hardly it!"

"I don't want to!" Misaki sobbed. "Don't touch me- Takumi!" she screamed. "Takumi!"

There were sounds of commotion outside. The door was slammed open.

"Get off her!" Usui yelled bursting through the door.

Misaki cried in relief when she saw Usui. Tora chuckled and got off Misaki.

"Should have known you would best the guards," Tora said.

"You bastard..." Usui spit as he helped Misaki up. Misaki wrapped her arms tightly around Usui and buried her face into Usui's chest.

Usui smoothed her hair. "You're safe now" he whispered.

"I swear..." Usui said, icily to Tora. "If you so much speak a word to her ever again...I'll kill you"

Tora didn't respond and Usui gently pulled Misaki away. Misaki stumbled behind Usui feeling light headed.

"T-Takumi..." Misaki whispered, feeling herself fall.

"Misaki!" Usui called. Misaki's vision was darkening and the last thing she saw was people running toward them. She felt strong arms catch her and felt her body go slack as she sunk into darkness.

The softness around her was familiar. Misaki felt her conscious slowly return. She heard voices talking, unfamiliar voices.

"The baby is fine though the Duchess is going to need plenty of rest...yes I'll prepare some medicine right away"

Misaki heard feet shuffling. This wasn't how she had planned to tell Usui about their child but it was too late now.

Misaki slowly opened her eyes. Usui was sitting in a chair next to the bed.

"Takumi..." she whispered, hoarsely. She weakly lifted her hand to him. Usui understood and intertwined his fingers with hers.

"I'm so sorry" he kept saying. "I should have never left you alone especially when you are carrying our child."

Misaki sighed.

"Why did you not tell me?" Usui asked.

"...I never found the right time" she said. Misaki was afraid. This child leaves her vulnerable and tonight proved her suspicions correct. In any other circumstance, she would have fought Tora nail and tooth but now she had a blind spot.

"Anytime would have been better than me finding out from the doctor" Usui said gently.

"I'm sorry" Misaki said.

Usui rubbed her hands. "Are you hurt anywhere?" he asked.

Misaki shook her head. "I'm fine..."

"I really should have killed him right then and there" Usui said shaking his head. "It makes my blood boil!"

"Takumi..." Misaki said interrupting his angry rant. "Thank you. I never want to experience that again."

"Shh..." Usui said. "Never again"

"Who would have known the enemy would have been those around us..." Misaki said shaking her head. Her thoughts flitted to Kira who had turned into Usui's shadow. Erika did her best and had Kira working every opportunity she saw. Misaki often heard Kira quietly complaining about her sore muscles and began doubting she was a maid.

Usui placed his hand over Misaki's stomach.

"I thank god that you and the baby are safe though" Usui said rubbing her stomach. "I am overjoyed" he said smiling. Misaki placed her hand over his.

"I never stop thinking of this baby" Misaki told Usui. "I already love him? so much..." Misaki said not sure what to refer the gender as.

"I love this child too, boy or girl" he promised.

There was a brisk knock on the door. Honoka came in with a tray with Kira trailing behind.

"My lady, are you alright?" Honoka asked setting the tray down.

"I'm fine" Misaki replied.

"Well my hands are going to be full" Honoka tsked, pouring the herbal medicine into a bowl. "Make sure to keep both of you in one piece"

Misaki smiled. Honoka was more caring than she let others know. She was strict and harsh on the outside but motherly on the inside.

"Don't worry, Duchess" Kira chimed in. "I'll help take care of the Duke so you can get plenty of rest."

Honoka snapped her head to the maid. "Silence" she snapped. "A lowly servant putting yourself at the level of the duchess! Can your care even compare to the lady of the house's? Put down your things and leave immediately until you learn to keep your mouth shut."

Kira frowned. "But the Grand Duke says its my duty to serve the Duke in ALL his needs" she whined.

Honoka glared at the Kira but Kira refused to back down.

"Isn't that right, Duke Usui?" she asked. "I am your personal maid. I shouldn't even have to do such chores..."

"Get out" Honoka said. "If you don't wish to be beaten, I suggest you leave"

Kira sniffed and stormed out the room.

Honoka kneeled beside the bed with the bowl. "My lord and lady, my instructing of the maid has been poor. I reassure you such a wild outburst will never happen again. My lady should not have heard such foolish words in such a time..."

"Just take care of her" Misaki said, feeling irritated. That girl was trying to find a way in like a thief.

Honoka nodded and blew on the broth.

"I'll feed her" Usui said, taking the bowl. "You can go rest"

"Yes my lord" Honoka said. "I have will go bring up some more food and blankets"

Usui sat on the edge of the bed and spooned a bit of broth. He gently blew on it and held it out for Misaki. Misaki sipped the broth.

"I can drink myself" she said. Usui shook his head.

"It's a pleasure to take care of you" he said blowing on another spoonful. The broth was bitter but Misaki didn't mind. Her eyes were focused on Usui. He patiently blew on each spoonful until it was cool enough to drink.

"I've never seen someone take medicine so quietly" Usui teased.

Misaki smiled. "That's because they didn't have you hand feed them each sip..." she said shyly. Usui smiled.

"I love you" he said kissing her forehead.

"I love you too" Misaki replied. She snuggled back down in the blankets and Usui pulled them up to her chin.

He walked to the door and retrieved the blankets that were left outside.

"You mustn't get a cold" he said laying another blanket over Misaki. "You have to take care of yourself"

"That Kira makes me so frustrated" Misaki said shaking her head.

"Honoka will straighten her up" Usui promised. "She straightens everyone out..."

Misaki nodded and made herself comfortable. Usui stripped to his under clothes and laid beside her. He slung a protective arm around her as pulled up the blankets. Misaki smiled to herself and glanced up at Usui.

"Go to sleep" he said lightly and then planted a kiss on the top of her head.