A/n Hi all! So sorry for falling behind in my updates. I've been busy and very sick these past two weeks. I'm still sick, but I hope to be better soon. NanoWimo starts in two weeks but I'm not sure if I'm going to participate this year. Because of my illness I haven't been able to prepare. At least this means I have more time for fan fiction writing. Right now I have to suffer medicine that tastes like the inside of Satan's toilet bowl. Good reading!

The heat of the day caused clouds to explode into existence. They grew darker as the day wore on and by dinner time rain was beating down. It was a nice break from the heat that had baked them all day. Dinner had been mostly a silent affair. Himura-sama had finally reprimanded her for approaching the strange men. He was gentle as he told her off, for it was his own fault for not informing her of such protocol. From now on, she was not to approach strangers, and must immediately inform him. He had no friends, no family, every person was a stranger.

No friends, no family. As Kaoru sat in her room, she felt the prickling of tears in her eyes. Why was she being so emotional? Maybe it was the stress of the day. She felt upset that her master had no one. No one ever came to visit him or write him. How long had he sat here by himself before her father happened to of stumbled upon him? How lucky her father was that her master didn't just strike him dead the moment he saw him.

That did it, tears escaped but she quickly scrubbed them away. 'Get it together Kaoru.' She snapped at herself and she took a deep, shaky breath. She jumped as thunder rolled overhead and at once she felt foolish. What was she? A five-year-old child? But even as she chastised herself, she knew she wouldn't be able to get to sleep anytime soon. Every noise sounded like footsteps, every shadow was a man coming to drag her away. She was more affected by the strange men than she thought. She wasn't going to get to bed any time soon. Maybe a cup of hot tea would help soothe her to sleep. Wrapping her Nemaki tighter around her she stepped from her room and made her way straight to the kitchen. It was dark, save a single glowing lantern. She quickly lit more lanterns until the room was bright with reassuring and safe light.

She set the tea on the stove and bent to stroke the coals. They glowed dark red, but there wasn't enough to heat the water. With a huff Kaoru straightened up and made her way out the sliding door. She was instantly pushed by damp wind. Rain fell in fat drops that dibbled off the sides of the roof and plunked loudly in the pond and stream in the garden. She kept to the shelter of the patio and moved to the woodpile kept by the kitchen door. She was glad because it would have been impossible to find dry wood till morning. She bent and pulled a couple of small sticks of wood, she only needed enough to heat her pot of tea.

There was a shuffle of noise out in the garden and Kaoru stood bolt upright, head turned toward the sound. Her breathing stopped as her eyes strained out into the darkness. Her heat was hammering in her chest. Leaves shuffled again and Kaoru couldn't hold still a moment more, with a gasp she turned to bolt back into the safety of the light, only to slam into a dark form that blocked the doorway. She gave a startled shriek as hands grabbed her by the arms.

"Kaoru, it's me." Himura-sama growled softly.

"Oh." Kaoru felt her legs give out and she nearly collapsed from relief but she was able to save her dignity and stay on her feet. But only just. "I'm sorry Himura-sama…I couldn't sleep. I-I came to make some tea."

Her master bent and retrieved the sticks of wood that she had dropped in her fright. "What frightened you?" he asked.

Everything. "I heard a sound out there, different than the sound of rain." She felt stupid now.

Himura-sama kept one hand on her arm as he turned out to face the dark garden. Kaoru watched the shadow of his face, the glowing eyes as he scanned the darkness. "I believe you might have heard one of the peacocks."

Kaoru sighed. "I'm sorry, I guess I'm just jumpy."

"Don't apologize. Anyone would be." Even him. He was up and out of his room in moments when he heard Kaoru rummaging around in the kitchen. He feared he was going to hover over her for some time. He couldn't remove the sight of Kaoru being tied and manhandled out of his mind.

Kaoru was stuck outside as her master was blocking the doorway. But that was fine with her. It was cool and the sound of the rain was soothing and the darkness was much less frightening while he was there. Funny how only a short time ago, he was who brought terror...now she was hiding behind him. She froze when he suddenly reached up with his hand. A gentle, almost fleeting touch of fingertips trailed along her bruised cheek. Himura-sama seemed suddenly much closer than he was half a moment ago. Kaoru could feel his ki, the heat of his body, the soft sound of his breath. And for some absurd reason…she blushed.

But they were in darkness, with only the light from the kitchen filtering past the doorway illuminating the polished wood at their feet.

His touched lingered, trailing from her cheekbone, down to her chin. "Am I hurting you?" he asked suddenly, a rush of words whispered as his touch paused.

Kaoru was going to shake her head but found she was frozen to the spot with the touch of his fingertips burning his prints into her skin. "N-No, not at a-all." Her voice was strangled, and she winced inwardly at the sound of it.

His whole palm spread across her cheek now. She prayed he wouldn't feel her body trembling.

"I wish I could take this mark away…I wish I could of protected you."

"You did protect me." Kaoru returned, her voice stronger.

"I was too late."

"It's not your fault. You were hurt too."

"It's my duty!" his touch moved away, his hand clenching into a fist next to her face before relaxing and coming to a rest at her throat. When the warm touch cupped the column of her neck it was all she could do to not jump. "I made a promise when I decided to keep you. You were mine to protect and care for. My responsibility."

"Himura-sama." Kaoru sighed, even as his thumb stroked her jaw line in a way that distracted her greatly.

But then his hand dropped away suddenly and he melted back into the kitchen. "Let's get that tea going." He said. His cloak was pulled tight, his hood up; he was comfortable even in the lantern light.

Kaoru was left on the porch unsure of the sensations running around inside of her. His touch had been…nice. She was disappointed he turned away. That was surprising. She gave her head a violent shake and followed him inside. "Himura-sama, let me." She reached for the wood in his hand but he brushed her reaching fingers away.

"Sit, I'll make the tea."

Surprised, Kaoru silently moved to kneel at the table. "Thank you."

She didn't need to thank him. He suddenly found himself needing something to do after that little display by the door. What was he thinking touching her like that? He chastised himself now as he carefully arranged the stick of wood in the stove. It was just an urge so strong he wasn't able to help himself. The mark on her face was proof of her vulnerability…proof that he failed her. He felt the heat of her blush under his hand and was somewhat pleased by it. Though he knew nothing would come of it, it still stroked that burning ember of pride all males seem to have no matter what.

… . . …

Kaoru sat bolt upright, her breath lodged in her throat.

Thump

There it was again! Kaoru found herself scrambling out of her bed. What was she going to do? She wanted to jump out the window. But that was the cowardly thing to do. She took big gulping breaths as more sounds knocked though the household. With her spine straight Kaoru marched over to the door and cracked it open. The house was silent, with dim blue light filtering in from the early sunrise. It was so early that the birds weren't even singing yet.

Thump

Kaoru turned her head down the hall. The hall that was still covered in darkness. She swallowed hard and stepped out into the hallway. Perhaps it was Himura-sama? She walked quickly, her eyes adjusting to the soft light and she kept one hand on the wall. There were more sounds as she neared the dojo. It was darker here and Kaoru had to slowly pick her way.

"H-Himura-sama? She called, even though it was hardly more than a whisper. She paused at the dojo and quickly grabbed a wooden sword from the first rack she could reach. With sword in hand she continued her way down the hall past the dojo. She had never been in this part of the house before. This part belonged to Himura-sama…she made sure to respectfully stay away. Memories of the last time she wandered down here in search of a strange noise returned to her. Himura-sama had stopped her though, and she never did find out what had caused the strange noise or what had caused the blood.

But this was a different noise.

Soft morning light slowly started to leak through the cracks in the boards that covered the windows. But Kaoru found herself having to carefully pick her way through the mess of ripped up rugs, hanging tapestries and overturned furniture. "Himura-sama?" she whispered, but nothing greeted her except a strange rustling noise. She rounded a corner and came to a torn screen door. The screen door had been destroyed long ago, the paper was dry and crumbling, and it shuddered slightly as Kaoru moved past it. She was suddenly overwhelmed by the scent of old blood, sweat and sandalwood soap. This was her master's personal place. Kaoru froze, she shouldn't be here.

Thump

A loud noise deeper in the room made her jump. There was the sound of labored breathing along with a strange sound. A breathy, whining type sound in a strange high pitch.

Kaoru could nearly feel her heart shooting up into her mouth as she inched further into the room. It was a large room and the morning light filtering though the boards were hardly enough to show Kaoru a clear way into the room. She picked her way slowly around turned furniture, ripped cloth, broken glass and layers of strange stiff fabric. Finally she reached a large looming bit of furniture pushed up against one wall. She reached out and felt the thick, heavy wood and the carved post that reached up to the ceiling. She looked around the thick post and found herself gazing down at a bed.

Twisted and tangled in the sheets, was her master.

The wooden sword slipped from her grasp to clatter against the mess on the floor. The sound made her master twitch, his outstretched hands flailed out to beat against the thick wooden headboard she had been standing beside. The force of his fists hitting the wood created the resonating thumping sound. His gasping breath held the whine she had heard.

Kaoru wanted to bolt; she wasn't supposed to be here. But the sad sound of whimpering slowly drew her eyes back to the bed. For the first time, Kaoru looked her master in the face. The blue light filtering through the windows gave his skin a cool, gray tint. But that didn't soften the angles of his face. A sharp jaw line and chin gave him a striking appearance enough though his facial features were delicate. Thin brows were drawn together in distress. Eyelids fluttered, lost in some deep dream. Kaoru's eyes slowly moved down to the lean torso that was naked and exposed. His skin was discolored, countless scars crisscrossed his body. In some places there were scars on top of scars creating a thick layer of tissue that looked pulled tight as he twisted from the dream. His hair was a shocking length, far longer than Kaoru had thought. It was wild and tangled and even in the dim light she could see the coppery red color of it.

Clearing all thoughts from her mind, Kaoru leaned forward. "Himura-sama?" she called softly, wanting to wake him from the dream that obviously tormented him. His hands were already bleeding from the constant beating against the headboard and wooden posts. He didn't respond to her voice to Kaoru leaned forward. The bed had been broken and the mattress sat nearly on the floor so Kaoru set a knee on the mattress and leaned forward. "Himura-sama…wake up." Would he be upset with her? Kaoru wasn't sure, but she couldn't leave him in a nightmare.

She touched the skin of his shoulder. It was hot and damp with sweat. Was he ill? Quickly she moved her hand to his forehead and he jerked his face away, but Kaoru followed, disturbed at how warm he felt. Had his wounds become infected? Suddenly Kaoru didn't care if he was upset with her. He needed to wake up and get fluids. Already Kaoru was thinking about what teas and mix of broths would be best for a fever. Her father always said to keep bundled up because a chill would only make a fever worse. But her master had twisted up the sheet around his hips and legs and there were no other coverings that she could see.

A hand wrapped around her elbow and Kaoru yanked her head around and was greeted with acid yellow eyes.

"Himura-sama! You have a fever, you must-" but Kaoru's breath left her as she was yanked downward, and she was already at such an awkward angle that she tumbled into the ruined mattress and directly on top of her master.

"What are you doing here?" he demanded as he sat up and turned, Kaoru was tossed onto the bed and her master loomed up and over her as he gazed down at her.

"I heard a noise. You were having a nightmare Himura-sama… you have a fever, I wanted to wake you to treat you." She rambled off quickly but she could tell he wasn't listening. His eyes were glazed, and distant looking. At this new angle, Kaoru could see a large but very old X-shaped scar run across his cheek.

"Kaoru-san."

Kaoru yanked her eyes back to his. "Y-yes?"

"Get your eyes off of me." He growled.

Delicate lips moved, she could see flashes of bright teeth and strange looking fangs on the top and bottom. Afraid, Kaoru shut her eyes tight and turned her head away. At once she felt his weight on her and felt his mouth against her neck.

"Himura-sama!" she shrieked, trying to push his body away. But though he was short and lean, he was many times stronger than she was, and he was raging with fever. She had to remind herself of that fact. She swallowed her panic as he took a deep breath, his noise buried in her hair. "Let me up Himura, I need to get some warm covers on you." She said in a calm, smooth voice.

"Too hot." He muttered against her neck, already he was kicking free the sheets tangled around him. One hand ran down her side and Kaoru felt a heat of her own burning in her cheeks and in her body.

"It's hot because you have a fever Himura-sama." She tried to rationalize. She struggled against his body to sit up, but strong hands held her down.

"Stay." He demanded, collapsing on top of her once again.

Kaoru closed her eyes again, willing the strength to battle with an ill demon. "But, you need help."

He mouth parted and Kaoru gasped as she felt his mouth wet and hot against her throat once again, the points of his fangs dragged across her skin. They were sharp, and they scratched her. She couldn't hold back the whimper.

"Shhh." He places his mouth against her ear. "I promise….I promise I won't hurt you Kaoru. I would never hurt you." And with that he went limp against her body.

Kaoru found herself with one arm wrapped around her master, her breath coming in hard gasps. She waited a moment to allow her heart to calm down and her thoughts to clear. Her master was sleeping again. His face tucked against the curve of her shoulder and neck, he had one leg thrown over both of hers and had her night robes in a death grip.

She gazed up at the ceiling as the light slowly grew stronger. The scratches on her neck stung just a little but they were nothing. Though he used his brute strength to hold her down, he had been gentle with her. She wasn't sure how he would have acted under the impact of the fever. His body was hot against hers but she could feel the slight trembling under his skin as he shivered in the chill of the morning. Kaoru struggled to move but he held tight even in sleep and it was all Kaoru could do to reach the tangled sheet that he had bunched at his feet. He wore light pants, Kaoru discovered as she twisted to reach the sheet her feet were kicking up towards her. She felt better knowing he was not completely naked. Not so much that his nakedness would bother her…it would…but at least he had some sort of additional cover other than the thin sheet she draped over his body.

She tried one more time to move, but his grip never lessened and Kaoru was well and truly trapped.

… . . …

A dream he never wanted to end suddenly turned into the worst kind of nightmare. His head felt heavy and his body ached and he struggled to move. Eyes opened and he froze, shocked to see the soft, bedding he had been using was in fact his charge. Kaoru slept, breathing softly and deeply. He forced his hands to let go of her clothing and at once he looked her over. Her night clothes were rumpled, but not torn, nor removed. Though he was naked from the hips up, he still wore pants. She looked calm and in fact turned to curl up to the heat of his body.

"Kaoru-san!" he gave her a hard jerk her eyes snapped open and he yanked her up into a sitting position with him before she had a chance to realize she was awake. He pressed her back against his chest and held her tightly. "What are you doing here?" he hissed in her ear. Instantly he noted the angry red lines drawn from her neck to her shoulder. Before she had found her voice to answer, two clawed fingers trailed after the red lines on her throat. "What happened?"

"I heard a noise, you were having a nightmare, you had a fever." She said quickly, straining to look over her shoulder.

He reached around and caught her chin. "Keep your eyes forward."

"Himura-sama." She protested in such a gentle tone that it made his heart ache. What was she thinking coming into his room? He was not in his right mind; he easily could have killed her for trespassing. Now suddenly she was in his bed, curled up against him?

"What happened." He demanded again.

"I tried to wake you, you need hot tea and soup, and you need to cover up. You didn't want to."

"Why are you still here then?" he barked, his thumb pressed harder against her chin, demanding an answer.

"You told me to stay." She said softly, one hand fluttering at his abusing grip.

He dropped his hand and pressed his forehead against the back of her head. "I could of hurt you." His arm pinning her arms to her sides tightened. "I could have done something unforgivable."

"I trust you." She said simply.

He yanked his head up and gave her a slight shake. "How could you trust me? You don't know anything about me; you don't know what I've done."

"M-maybe so…but you made me a promise that you wouldn't hurt me." She lifted her chin.

He sighed, wanting to sag against her. He was weak and tired. She was right, he did have a fever. "You should always be afraid of me Kaoru." He said softly. He reached around again and touched her neck. "Now tell me what happened."

She grew stiff against him. "It's just a scratch." She nearly snapped.

"Don't give me that Kaoru-san…I know that these scratches match my teeth." The set of horrible fangs that sat in his jaw. "Did I attack you? Tell the truth."

Kaoru sighed and fell silent. He waited for her to gather her words and then finally. "No, you didn't attack, you were gentle."

Shock took any words of apology he was getting ready to say. For he was so sure he tried to rip her throat out.

"It felt…good." She confessed in a soft voice.

Good? It felt good? Suddenly the demon felt a bush moving over his face. "I…I'm sorry." He stuttered. She reached back, setting a hand on his arm and he nearly panicked.

"Don't be sorry, you were sick. I know things could have been much worse and I'm sorry for invading your space. I wanted to help. I still want to help. I can feel your body is still warm and you're trembling even though you're trying to be strong."

He didn't like her being able to see his weakness. It made him uncomfortable. He had been exposed. He was a fool to think she didn't look at him as he lay here. But she didn't recoil, she wanted to help him.

There was a moment of more silence. She turned her head just slightly. "I should go get the tea and soup ready for you. And I'll find a better blanket for you."

"Don't bother. I won't die." He said in a harsh tone. But it didn't phase her.

"I don't care. I don't want you to suffer."

He laughed weakly. "I've been sick many times before and I was alone."

"Well you're not alone now." She snapped. "I'm going to take care of you and I don't care if you like it or not." She turned to face him though her eyes were lowered. "You stay here, I'll be right back." he dropped his arm from around her and she moved to climb out of the bed. But she paused, looking back at him, her eyes still lowered. She leaned forward suddenly and she set a fluttering soft kiss on his lips. "I'm glad you're going to be alright." She said, moving quickly now to climb out of the sagging old mattress.

A bolt of shock pounded though the haze in his mind and body. Suddenly he felt every ache and pain, as well as the memory of resting against her body, the way she had tasted when he trailed his mouth along her throat. He remembered her begging he let her care for him but he didn't want her to leave…he remembered.

She had cared.

With a growl he lunged out and yanked the girl back on the bed. She looked up at him in astonishment. "If you're going to kiss me," he rumbled. "Then kiss me." He pulled her to him and he captured her mouth in a rough, unapologetic kiss. Lips parted and he forcefully coaxed her to open her mouth for him. She gave a breathless whimper as she surrendered to him and in that moment he shoved her away. Surprised, she stumbled up out of the bed. Frustration made his body shake and with a yell he turned and beat at the wall with both fists before slamming his forehead against the cool surface. The pain did next to nothing to dull the ache in his body. But it did act like ice water on Kaoru, who turned and ran from his room. He didn't watch her go.

… . . …

Kaoru stood in the kitchen waiting for the water to boil. But her eyes weren't on the pot but gazing out the window into the late morning. Her body shook slightly, her lips tingled and she was still breathless. What had happened in there? Yesterday she wouldn't have dreamed of…of…

She was his prisoner.

He was a demon.

But he had fought for her, he was wounded for her.

But he had also killed for her. And Kaoru was not comfortable with that. Kaoru didn't believe in killing, but that was his swords fighting style. Her style was the Sword that Protects. Killing went against her teaching. Kaoru closed her eyes.

But she couldn't undo what had already happened. She saw the look in his eyes when he ran off to find those men. Nothing she could have said or did would have made him change his mind. He wanted their blood and he was her master, it wasn't her place to tell him otherwise. Having those men dead didn't make Kaoru feel any safer. It was the bumps in the night that had her roaming around in the first place. Setting her fingers to her lips she allowed herself to recall what happened minutes ago. What could have possessed her to kiss her master like that? She was supposed to fear and hate him. She remembered feeling so thankful that his fever seemed to have broken. She was glad nothing bad had happened to him. For truly he was a kind master and had done nothing to hurt her in her stay here.

Kaoru moved, chopping vegetables for the soup and added them to the hot water. She then gathered the various tea leaves from the jars in the kitchen to make a tea to calm his fever. She would have made a salve to help draw the infection out, but his wounds were already healed. How could such wounds heal overnight?

What was he?

Her thoughts ran deeper as she worked. She wasn't a very good cook, but a simple vegetable soup was well within her ability. Her hand rubbed at the scratches on her neck, a light blush tinting her cheeks. It had felt good, Kaoru couldn't lie. Though he was feverish and a danger to himself as well as her, Kaoru had to admit now…looking back…that she enjoyed the feel of his body on hers, of his mouth on her skin.

Kaoru gave her head a hard shake. He was her master, nothing more.

But that kiss…?

She could still feel the pressure of his fangs against her lips as he tried to get her to open her mouth.

Again Kaoru gave her head a shake and pinched herself on the wrist for good measure. She could dwell on those thoughts later, right now Himura-sama needed food and good tea. Once everything was ready she set it on a tray and made her way back down the hall. It was simple now with the strong gold light that lit the way. She easily avoided the mess and found her way back to the room. Kaoru had hardly taken a step inside when her master's voice from the bed stopped her.

"Don't come in."

"But Himura-sama, I have your soup and tea."

"Just set it down and go away." He sounded tired. "I just want to be alone for a while. I need to be away from your eyes."

"Himura-sama." Kaoru sighed and found a relatively clean flat place to set the tray.

"If I need anything, I'll let you know." He said as she turned to leave him.

"Yes Himura-sama." Defeated Kaoru wandered back into the kitchen where her own food was waiting for her. It was a simple sweet bean paste with a bit of rice. Kaoru ignored it though and picked at a small bowl of berries that had been left for her. She knew her master wouldn't let her be his nurse, but she thought that at least she could make sure he was being taken care of. He said he had been sick before, who cared for him then? The invisible hands? Kaoru glanced around the room. Who made the meals everyday? Who cleaned the kitchen and kept the grounds looking beautiful?

"Who are you?" She asked, feeling strange talking to no one. "Who takes care of him when he's sick?" she asked, anger rising. It was stupid getting mad at some strange invisible force, but it was hard, she was in a bad mood. "Who made me this breakfast?" She beat at the table with one fist. "I know you are around and can hear me!" she nearly shouted. When nothing but the sound of her echo returned, Kaoru sighed. Perhaps they couldn't talk. They had no bodies after all.

Suddenly Kaoru remembered she was supposed to bring her master a warm blanket. With a gasp she jumped from the table, knocking in hard with her knee. She ran to her room and yanked the blanket from her perfectly made bed. She quickly returned to Himura's room with the bundle out in front of her.

"Excuse me Himura-sama. I brought a blanket. You need to wrap up." She said. When there was no reply she peeked around the blanket. "Himura-sama?" she asked, stepping into the room. Her foot bumped the tray she brought earlier, the soup and tea cold and untouched. With a sigh Kaoru looked around the room. "Himura-sama!" she called when she reached his empty bed. She didn't hear him get up. Where could he of gone to? She made his bed as best she could and threw her blanket over the sheet before going in search. Perhaps he was simply visiting the toilet. She made her way out of the room and turned the corner to the dojo. One of the doors was wide open and blinding light assaulted her.

She went to the door and looked out. She couldn't see her master, but she did notice that his sandals were missing. She stepped out onto the porch and suddenly notice smoke from the bathhouse. Kaoru blinked. It wasn't bath day today. But then perhaps her master wanted to wash the blood and sweat off. A good cleaning would make anyone feel better after a night with a fever. But Kaoru couldn't help the downturn of her lips. He was weak and tired…a hot bath might sap whatever strength he had left.

Kaoru made her way down the steps, into her sandals and across the yard before she could think further. Once at the bathhouse she set a hand on the wall. Yep the fires were going and she could see steam from a slightly open window. Satisfied, Kaoru turned but only made it halfway back to the dojo before that nagging feeling returned. It wasn't really a good idea to take such a hot bath when so ill. He had made a point of saying that he had cared for himself before, but Kaoru didn't feel right about leaving him alone. She was here now, he had help now. He was just being stubborn about it.

Tipping her chin up, she turned and stomped back to the bathhouse and up the steps. She knocked on the door. "Himura-sama?" She called. Her frown only got deeper as no reply came. What if he was already weakened? What if he fainted, hit his head, what if he was drowning!

Kaoru worked herself up into a panic and pushed open the door. It had no lock, there had been no need for one, and for that Kaoru was thankful. She was greeted by a room muggy and thick with steam. She rushed forward, seeing her master's body under the water of the deep tub. But she was brought up short as he suddenly surged up from the water. He tossed his head back, sending his mass of hair over his shoulders and he used one hand to remove the water from his face. It was only then that he realized he was being watched. There were no clothes for him to hide behind, no dim light to muddle the view.

Kaoru stood frozen to the spot with her mouth slightly open as she took in the sight of him. In the broad light of day, the scars looked massive, pink and horrible. Some wounds still seemed raw or scabbed. His skin was greatly discolored in some areas, normal though in most. With a sudden rush of water her master stood from the tub, his acid yellow eyes nailing her feet to the ground as he stepped from the water and moved in her direction.

A/n I'm sure most of you know what's coming up! Seems their relationship is advancing by leaps. But Himura-sama is still trying to keep Kaoru at arm's length. I would ramble on some more, but feeling icky…gonna lay down. Reviews are loved! Thank you for reading!