A/n Hello everyone! Many thanks to all my readers and lots of hugs to my reviewers. So I heard about Kenshin getting reanimated. Their animating a story from the manga that they left out. I wonder if they will use the same voice actors, being that Kenshin was animated fifteen years ago. Well, I'm just excited to see how it will turn out. I know the soundtrack is being released on the 27th of this month (July) and that they are reanimating the OVA's and they will come out sometime in September (I think it was) and I guess the animation will be an on-going project.

Disclaimer: I don't own Kenshin.

Kaoru froze with her tea cup halfway to her mouth. Her lips were slightly parted and eyes open wide like an animal that had just spotted a predator. "I…I beg your pardon Himura-sama?" She couldn't help but stare up at him.

"Will you marry me?" he asked again, his tone never changing. He had an air as if he was asking her what she was going to do tomorrow, but there was just a touch, a slight hint of desperation that Kaoru was only just able to catch.

Kaoru's heart stuttered almost to a stop. What was she supposed to say? Would he kill her if she said no? It was as if he had heard her fears because he quickly added.

"Answer truthfully." He demanded. "For I will know if you are honest of not." His tone was firm, but not unkind.

Kaoru had no choice then. "No, Battousai…no." She held her breath but her master only closed his glowing eyes and nodded his head. But she held her breath and waited until he stood from the table. Kaoru bowed her head to him as he left the dining room. Kaoru downed her tea and set the cup down on the table. Her body was shaking and the cup rattled as she set it down. She covered her mouth with both hands as her heart finally decided to come back to life.

She looked around the dark dining room. She could hear his soft shuffling steps as he moved further and further away. She was alone; her answer didn't bring her demise. Anger filled the void as fear drained away. What was he thinking asking her a question like that? What did he think her answer would be? Kaoru jumped from the table and rushed to her room. Would she marry him? That demon? First he wanted to kill her now he wanted to marry her? Kaoru slid the wood and paper door securely behind her as she turned to the soft glowing light of the lanterns in her room. Her anger faded fast though, and she was left wondering and somewhat sad for the Battousai.

She wondered what suddenly changed? She was to be a sacrifice… Kaoru glanced down at herself. She wasn't an overly attractive woman. She was not dainty or graceful; she liked practicing her sword fighting until she was sweaty and exhausted. Why would he want to marry her when it seemed he had the full power to have whatever woman he wanted? Perhaps he didn't really have the power. Kaoru didn't know and she didn't want to dwell on the thought any longer. She clasped her hands together to keep them from trembling, but she realized her whole body was trembling. She had never been proposed to before. Saitou didn't count because he was a jerk. But Battousai was an evil demon but there had been something authentic about his proposal. It hurt to refuse…she wondered if it hurt to hear her refuse? Of course above all Kaoru wondered why the hell she cared.

Shaken and confused Kaoru could think of nothing to do but follow her Master's idea and call it a night.

… . . …

He watched her…from behind the wooden slats that covered the window. The day was early, the sky dark and cloudy. The air was breezy, quiet holding on to the soft whispering promise of a storm. Yet the girl wandered about his property, ignoring the heavy clouds overhead. Yellow eyes narrowed and he turned his head away from the sight.

She was beautiful. Innocent. Young. Everything he was not. What a fool he had made of himself the night before asking her for her hand. What was he thinking? He wasn't. The words were out before he could stop them, and once they were out he couldn't take them back and he had to follow through. He wanted more time to pass before asking; now he feared he ruined it all.

Pain lanced from all directions in his body as he shuffled to the large wooden doors and slowly slid them open. Not all the way. No. Just a little, so he could watch her. She was in a lavender Kimono, the color delicate like her skin. Her ebony hair was held back with a thick and long ribbon that trailed down her back along with her hair to mingle with the dark locks. She turned, and presented him with her profile as she looked up at the dark, looming sky. Large eyes with dark lashes, eyes as blue as the clearest water. Her neck was a pale column, smooth like white marble. Lips, pink like wildflowers and often abused with her passing emotions. Pressed, bit, and chewed. He could tell her thoughts by how she mistreated her lips. He was fascinated with her every move, he could smell her everywhere. Socked feet padding across the wood of the house shattered the silence that had settled over the dojo for so long. He would often be startled by the sound of her moving about the home. It aggravated him almost as much as he was thankful. He hated her and loved her more and more as the days went by. Days that seemed to go by in a mingled, blur, now moved agonizing slow as they revolved around her. When she woke, when she was in the dojo, when she bathed and when she would eat.

And here he was, watching her on a walk of his grounds. She kept to the well groomed lawn, but knew that it would only be a matter of time when she would venture off into the imposing looking thick forest of trees in the back of his property. He was not worried. The same wall that blocked off the front and side of his property also wrapped around the back. She would not wander away, nor would beasts be a danger to her. She was curious, and he wondered when she would take those first steps into the shadows of the trees.

The wind picked up then, a strong gust that took both woman and demon by surprise. It was thick with the smell of rain in the distance and they both knew it would only be a matter of time before the moisture would reach them. The wind continued, it pulled at her hair and molded her kimono to her body. But she was stubborn, and continued her walk, bending ever so often to caress the bunches of wildflowers.

… . . …

Goosebumps crawled up Kaoru's arms and down to her legs as the sudden wind brought a chill. But the scent of rain was fresh and the break from the heat of the sun was too much to keep Kaoru inside. She refused to go inside, just yet. Her hair tangled in the wind, eyes watered but it was worth it. She took a deep breath and wandered about the gardens. She kept close to the dojo so she could dart to safety if the clouds opened up.

"Beautiful." Said a voice at her ear.

Kaoru gasped and jerked up and away. Startled, she looked at the owner of the voice and found her Master standing before her. She couldn't really tell much about him because the heavy cloak he wore obscured his body shape. The deep hood hid his face in shadow. Yet Kaoru remembered and she instantly looked away once she realized it was him.

"I-I beg your pardon?" Kaoru stammered as she struggled to calm herself. She had yet to see the Battousai after she had refused his proposal and she was not at all expecting to see him out in the daylight. His head turned and one sleeved arm pointed with a clawed finger. Kaoru followed the direction.

"Isn't he beautiful?" He said, his tone a rumble in his chest, yet gentle, like the night before.

Kaoru spotted the subject. A peacock, his tail feathers fanned out for all to see. At the moment he was trying his best to catch the eye of a drab, brown peahen. Iridescent blue and green feathers shimmered even in the light of the overcast day. Like a hundred shimmering eyes in black, purple, blue, green and gold the feathers trembled as he gave his tail the slightest of shakes. She didn't know if she was as taken by the beauty of the animal or was afraid of the beast standing beside her.

"Yes." She finally answered. "He's very beautiful." A moment passed that they stood together in silence watching the male. Finally the peahen glanced back and started to wander away. Defeated, the peacock seemed to deflate, puffed feathers relaxed and his tail feathers lowered and close tightly.

"Even the most beautiful are shunned sometimes." He said, his tone never changing.

Kaoru wanted to look at him. To see the face of the creature who now owned her. But even if she did dare a look, he was covered head to toe in his cloak. He would only be upset with her.

"It's a pleasant day…a walk?...Before the rain."

He was trying so hard, she couldn't deny him. She turned her head slightly in his direction. She lowered her eyes to her feet and gave him a slight smile. "I would like that." They turned and Kaoru fell in step beside him. Though he walked slowly, his limps were obvious. She wondered what was wrong, was he deformed? An old injury? A new injury? Her father had said he looked covered in wounds. She suddenly wondered if he was in any sort of pain. She wanted to let him know that they didn't have to walk if it hurt him. But she didn't know how to politely bring up the subject. Finally she decided that he was fine if he was the one who asked for the walk.

"You're being quiet." He said suddenly.

Kaoru paused a half step. "What would you like me to talk of Himura-Sama?"

"You haven't entertained before?" he sounded surprised. "You are of age that most young women are educated in hosting."

He wasn't meaning to sound condescending but Kaoru felt shame settle heavy on her shoulders. "I studied swordsmanship more than I did tea ceremonies." She confessed. The hood of his cloak turned in her direction, but she couldn't really see into the dark shadow.

"I'm surprised." He sounded genuine. "That was almost unheard of in my day." He added.

In his day? He didn't sound very old. "Well, my oldest sister took over the role of woman-of-the-house when my mother died long ago. My other older sister and I were left to do what we wanted. I wanted to teach swordsmanship…she wanted to be a ninja." There was a dry hacking sound and it took Kaoru a moment to figure out her Master was snickering.

"A ninja? Really?" he sounded surprisingly amused.

"Yes, really. She was getting rather good at it."

"I've been around ninjas, some were friends, most wanted to kill me." He said matter-of-fact.

Kaoru didn't know what to say to that, so she held her tongue.

"So what changed her mind…your sister?" He gently pushed.

"She met a man, fell in love, gave up her teaching to learn the skills she would need as a housewife." Kaoru said with a sigh. "I was upset with her."

"For giving up the idea of being a ninja?"

She shook her head as a gust of wind blew. "No, well…in a way yes. I was upset that she let go of her dream for this man. If his man was truly worthy, he wouldn't have cared if she were a ninja." She glanced over at him, keeping her eyes on the swishing folds of his cloak. "But then I met this man and it was easy to see that he didn't care what Misao did…he loved her. Misao's dream had changed, I realized. This was her choice, she didn't change because he wanted her to." She was rattling on, Kaoru realized. It was the most amount of conversation they had since she arrived.

"But you would never change." Battousai stated. "Any man who would have you would have a swordswoman for a wife."

Kaoru looked at the path ahead of her. The memory of his proposal rushing forward. "Yes." She said slowly, unsure.

"I know because I can feel that warrior spirit in you, that I do."

"You do?" She jerked her head around, wanting to hear more from him, but remembered almost at once his rule and she caught herself just as she was about to focus on his shadowed face. She glanced away but didn't turn her head away. "Um…really?"

"It's strong in you." He said. He seemed not to mind her lapse in protocol. "I would nurture that spirit, let it grow." His voice lifted, as if he felt interest in something after a life of drab emotions. It took Kaoru all she had to not gaze over at him.

"I will teach you."

Kaoru could see him nod from the corner of her vision as she turned, her eyes locking on the brown buttons on his chest.

"Teach me?"

"Yes, I will continue your swordsmanship lessons."

He didn't even ask, but he was her master after all and Kaoru really had no say. She didn't know how she felt about it. A part of her was excited, yet another part of her didn't want to spend anymore time with him that she had to, as horrible as it sounded. "Are you any good at swordsmanship?" she asked.

For one second he seemed to grow before her very eyes, as if he was lifting his shoulders up and back. "I was known as Battousai, the Manslayer." But then the effect was gone, and he seemed to shrink back down to himself. "I've killed many." He added in a softer tone. Regret? "I will not teach you everything…but you will learn enough."

… . . …

Thunder rumbled and Kaoru opened her eyes. She held her breath. What was that sound?

The rain had come, and Kaoru and her master had a quiet, pleasant meal before heading off to bed. But now something seemed amiss. There was a flash of light from her window and again thunder rumbled low yet loud. No, that was not the sound she heard.

How long had she been asleep? She didn't know. Sitting up in her bed, Kaoru listened to the sound of the rain pattering on the clay roof tiles above. In the distance there was more thunder. She held her breath as a low rumbling was heard again. This was not thunder. Moving away the covers Kaoru stood and used the flash from the lightning outside to light her way to her door. Slowly, silently she slid the door open. She wore a night robe now, it was white and wrapped and tied tight around her body. Yet it didn't stop the chill that suddenly came over her. There was nothing but darkness to greet her in the hallway and she silently stepped from her room.

There was a sound of rustling to her left and Kaoru's head snapped in that direction, but there was nothing down there but darkness. To her right there was a tiny bit of lantern light from the kitchen; but the sounds were coming from deeper in the estate.

She wouldn't have been so curious except that it was the first time she had ever heard such noise. Whatever invisible hands that did everything for her and her master moved with no sound whatsoever. Her feet carried her into the darkness. Her fingertips out at her sides, running along the walls to guild her. She turned a corner, and a flash of lightning spilling from another room lit up a statue.

Kaoru came up short and swallowed the gasp that was about to spill out. Stupid girl. She had wandered up and down the halls of this place for over a week already. She should know it was there.

But everything was different in the darkness. A darkness with strange noises. Further she went, past boarded up windows and broken doors. Her fingers brushed against deep gouges in the wood of the walls, as if some large animal had scratched at them. She knew where she was now. A broken down, messy part of the home near the dojo where her father first met her Master. She didn't like being here. Besides, she couldn't here anymore noises.

Kaoru was about to turn around when an arm wrapped around her middle. Kaoru shrieked and she felt herself dragged against a hard body. "Himura-sama!" She cried, hands going to the arm that held her. A second hand gripped her wrist and held her tightly.

"It's me." Said a voice, low and hot in her ear. She could feel his lips brushing against her skin.

"Himura-sama?" she asked weakly, shaken from the fright.

"Yes." He said. His lips still against her ear. "What are you doing?" He asked in a forceful but not unkind tone.

"I heard strange noises, they woke me…I wanted to investigate." She said truthfully. Her free hand raised in front of her and felt the hallway wall just inches from her a moment before her master pressed her against it. She nearly sagged against it.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you." He said, holding her still between his body and the wall while she composed herself.

He was breathing heavy, Kaoru could feel his breath on her neck, could feel his chest rising and falling. "Are you aright Himura-sama?" she asked, her free hand drifting back. She came in contact with the bare skin of his side and he gave a grunt at her touch and he pulled away from her and yanked her away from the wall. Spun in the darkness, Kaoru was instantly disoriented. She gazed off into the darkness, hands out. "Himura-sama?"

"I'm fine." He finally said somewhere to her front and right. Kaoru turned her eyes in his direction even though she couldn't see more than her hand in front of her face. A flash of lightning in front them illuminated his silhouette. He wore no clothes was the waist up, and his hair was a main, wild and of a strange color. That was all she could see in the nanosecond the flash was upon them. His eyes. They nearly glowed now. She could see the yellow in them, even in the darkness. She swallowed fear that threatened to bubble up.

"Go back to bed. Do not worry. You are safe here." He said.

"But-"

"To bed!" He roared.

Kaoru jumped and turned on her heel and bolted into the darkness. She made it back to her somewhat illuminated hallway and returned to her room and swiftly slide shut the door. She crawled back into bed and didn't even bother to get under the covers. She didn't think sleep would come. Not with her heart hammering so hard, or the memory of how hot his bare skin felt when she had touched him. But suddenly and without warning, sleep was upon her.

… . . …

Kaoru's eyes popped open and they were instantly assaulted by bright golden light of morning as it streamed in through her window. With a groan Kaoru shut her eyes and climbed out of bed. She found a bathrobe and clean towels. It was bath day again. Kaoru stretched and reached for her things when she froze.

A look of horror crossed her face and she jerked her hands away from the towel and held her left hand up. Her palm was stained with blood!

Quickly she flexed her hand. Some of the dried blood cracked but other than that she saw nothing that would cause such bleeding, this was not her blood. Suddenly the memory of what happened that night flooded to the front of her mind. It seemed like a distant memory, a blurry dream, but it did happen. This was the hand she had reached back and touched her Master with. Could this be his blood? Kaoru remembered getting out of bed because of strange noises…what were those noises? The blood drained from Kaoru's face, she could feel her skin grow chill yet clammy. Had her Master killed something? Someone? She remembered him grabbing her, pressing up against her.

With panicked movements Kaoru stripped out of her white night robes and flipped it around. There on her back, where she had been pressed against him was a strange pattern of blood. A large splotch was on her side where she hand reached back to touch him. There were also long stains of blood that went from one side of her robe to the other, random spots here and there, lots of smudging from struggling against him.

What in the world had happened?

A/n Oh dear, I would of freaked out if I was Kaoru. Himura-sama seems to be opening up little by little. Kaoru's the kind of girl that will do that to you lol. Well I hope everyone had a happy fourth of July. I know I did. Thanks for reading everyone! Reviews are loved.