A/n It's my birthday and I decided to post some chapters regardless of how behind I am in writing. This has been a crappy year, you don't need me to tell you that. Anyways, I won't keep you long. Happy reading!

Chapter 26

The mountains that always watched them in the distance, blue and pale suddenly loomed overhead. Sharp and craggy, they created a valley that funneled them toward the Emberlands. The home of the Fire King and their life-giving Volcano. The terrain around then changed suddenly. The river they were following slowly lowered and lowered until it was more of a stream cutting a path in the sandy riverbed. Even so, all around them, there was life. No more prickly plants and cactus. Well, they were still around, but now they were joined with rocky fields of wildflowers. Trees lined the sad-looking river as tall as the ones back home. Shrubs jutted up from large rock sprouting fragrant lemon-yellow flowers.

Kenshin said the river would dry up just before hitting Emberland. Kaoru found herself looking out of the wagon often to take a peek at it. Finally, Kenshin got tired of hearing Sano shouting at her to stop leaning out before she fell and cracked her head open and let her sit in the front of the wagon with the driver. The happy, fast-moving stream was a comfort to the Waters and gave them enough energy to counteract the heat and the dry. It was the first time in weeks that Kaoru felt normal. Not drying up, or flooded with Sano's power. More like herself.

A black streak ran across the sky ahead of them. It caused the sun to turn orange and cast a strange glow about the land around them. There was a faint smell of sulfur in the air. And Kaoru could only look forward where the stone road cut through the valley to the volcano in the distance. Kaoru could hardly believe that they were almost there.

When they camped for the last night, Kaoru thought she would tell Kenshin about the baby, but he seemed so agitated she didn't dare. He paced their small tent, muttering things to himself in his native tongue. He was without his shirt, had his hair down and Kaoru watched as sharp looking dragon scales pressed up from under his skin just like her mermaid scales would. Like tattoos that pulsed with his heartbeat. Kaoru found it fascinating to watch.

"My Lord?" Kaoru said softly as Kenshin passed her for the hundredth time. He appeared to not hear her. "My Lord?" She repeated.

"Yes!" His voice was sharp and hard as he whirled around on her. He gave a huff, "You must forgive my mood, Dear Kaoru. I fear I'll be bad company while we are here." He quickly replied.

Kaoru was not put off. "Oh, I know. Sano explained it to me."

He huffed again. "Yes, he has the patience for that." He went back to pacing.

"I apologize for not knowing much about anything outside the Keep." Kaoru stood from the cot.

Kenshin rounded on her again, walking across the tent to stand before her in three large, quick steps "That wasn't what I meant." He sighed, setting his hands on her shoulder.

The Water female felt sorry for her lord husband. His blood was hot and he couldn't kill anyone and he refused to lay with her as his enhanced power would harm her. But she recalled what Sano had said when they were together about there being other things they could do. Touching, and...Sano's favorite trick popped into her head and she flushed furiously. He had pleasured her often with his mouth, why hadn't she returned the favor? She was sure he could use the release.

Her seduction level was uncharted. Kaoru assumed she was an amateur about it. But if she learned anything from Sano, it was that any seduction was the right amount when it came to men. She reached out and touched the scars on his chest. His skin was searing hot and the sharp angles of the scales pressing under his skin fascinated her and she ran her hands over them.

He dropped his hands from her shoulders and took her wrists instead. "No, Kaoru." He shook his head. "I refuse to harm you for my own selfish needs, that I will not. My power is too strong for you now."

"Actually." She started in a soft sweet voice. She glanced up at him from under her lashes. "I was hoping that I could do something for your needs that didn't involve lying together."

"Oro?" Kenshin looked confused but at once he let go of her hands. He flashed his fangs in a smile. "My dear wife is being bold? Perhaps our land is influencing you as well." He chuckled as she worked the ties and buttons on his pants. "Really, Kaoru you shouldn't risk-"

But his words cut short as Kaoru sunk to her knees. He was already hard and ready, and by the angry look of his member, he had been for some time. On her knees, she had a different view than she normally had. Kenshin made a suppressed sound of shock as Kaoru parted her lips and took him into her mouth. He hissed above her and Kaoru looked up to see him baring his sharp pointed teeth.

"Kaoru!" He set his hands on top of her head. Holding her back from sliding him deeper into her mouth. The girl paused and Kenshin slowly pulled away from her.

"Is that not right?" Kaoru could have sworn that was what she had seen before.

The Fire Lord was struggling to not bare his teeth in excitement. "No, no that was correct." He panted for air, struggling for control. Kaoru could feel his hands trembling, could see his whole body yearning."Just, do you know what you're doing?"

Kaoru bit down on her lip and shook her head. "This wasn't something I was taught. I assume because you can't make an heir this way. But I've seen it before, on accident around the Keep."

All the breath left Kenshin at once. "Right." He licked his lips, taking care not to cut himself on his sharp teeth and took a slightly wider stance with his legs. "I...I can teach you."

Kaoru blinked up at him. "You seem nervous, My Lord."

His hand started to pet her hair. "I fear I might harm you. I will try damn hard not to, that I will."

"I trust you." She smiled and then set her hands on Kenshin's thighs and took the mushroom tip of his member back into her mouth. She glanced up waiting for direction, but Kenshin had his eyes screwed shut and his teeth bared again.

"R..right" His voice was throaty as he forced his eyes open and glanced down at her. "There's a r...ridge just under the tip, run your tongue along that."

Kaoru obeyed and was shocked at the reaction she got out of the Warlord. He hissed in his breath, his hands shook and his legs spasmed under her touch. Empowered, Kaoru curled her tongue around his tip and slid more of him into her mouth and then back out again. The low moan that issued from him made Kaoru's insides clench. She pressed her thighs together as she kneeled, trying to rid the ache that was growing between them. She repeated the movement, her hands wrapping around to his tight buttocks, pulling his hips forward, sliding more of him deeper into her mouth. Suddenly the tip of his member edged to the back of her mouth and her abdomen seized and she jerked back.

"Careful, Wife." He pet at her hair again as Kaoru swallowed back the gag reflex. "Your sensitive back there. Your body is trained to not let you choke."

Kaoru caught her breath. She had no idea she had been holding it the entire time. "How do I make it not do that?"

Kenshin looked lost and amused at the same time. "In time, with repeated,...stimulation, the reflex will numb. Remember to breathe."

That was all Kaoru needed to know as she went back to work. Bobbing her head back and forth, her tongue sweeping across that sensitive ridge as she did so. Curious, she knew Sano had liked it, so she reached up with one hand and cupped his balls.

"Ah fuck, Kaoru!"

Kaoru was jostled as Kenshin lunged forward. He caught himself on the center tent post and leaned heavily on it as his legs trembled. She winced at his shout. It was quite loud. Kenshin rarely raised his voice during these acts, but he must have liked it. She repeated the action, massaging him as she increased the suction on her mouth.

Still panting, his hips unconsciously giving slight thrusts, he reached down and set a hand on her head as he braced himself with the other. "Don't do that, relax your jaw, Dear, or it will tire out."

"Mmm-hmm." She answered, doing as he said. She continued to hum a low vibrating tone. He was muttering in his language again. His hand petted her hair as she set her back against the center tent post. Kaoru had her suspicion that Kenshin was a talker like Sano was. He often fell into his mother tongue during lovemaking. Was he too proper to say the things he wanted to say to her? She wished he wasn't. And yet, she was glad he wasn't, she could only imagine what the guards outside would hear from him. She realized she enjoyed the feel of him sliding between her lips. His member was smooth, the skin soft. She could feel the heat radiating from him, thick veins throbbing under her tongue.

His hand wrapped around to cup the back of her head as his hips moved with more force. Enough that she didn't have to bob her head anymore, which saved her neck. She risked a glance upward at her husband. His fangs had grown enough that they jutted out from under his lips. The scale pattern was moving to his throat and face. On her head, she could feel claws at the ends of his fingers. His voice had dropped to a deep rumbling bass that she had never heard come from him before.

Water energy was starting to build. There must be enough moisture around for it to be summoned and she must have been aroused enough to call it. She pulled it against her body, not wanting it to distract Kenshin.

Suddenly his hips picked up a more frantic pace but he was fighting to keep his thrusts gentle. His member was bumping against the back of her throat again but as he had said, after a while, she was able to simply ignore it, force it to relax, and more and more of him slipped down her throat.

"Kaoru…..Kaoru." He grunted. His eyes shut tightly and Kaoru realized he was about to spill his seed. Would it harm her if she swallowed it? Was she supposed to spit it out? Was he going to pull away?

A clawed hand carved five deep cuts into the wooden post as Kenshin bit his tongue to keep silent as he surged forward, pressing Kaoru down to take as much of him as she could, effectively cutting off her ability to breath. He spilled into her mouth and Kaoru struggled to swallow it away. Kenshin convulsed above her, emanating a sharp noise with every shot of seed. All at once, he pulled away. Kaoru clapped a hand over her mouth to keep from making a mess as she fell forward on her free hand. Quickly she swallowed the rest away and coughed for air.

Kenshin fell to his knees and quickly used his hands to wipe away tears that had escaped her watering eyes and at her mouth, which she was embarrassed to find that his seed had escaped to run down her chin. Kenshin's whole body sagged then, his forehead rested against her forehead.

"By the Gods...I needed that." Kenshin sighed, his breath tickled her nose. I swear, Kaoru, I'm more than just a rutting bull. I know as of lately it seems that I am. I'm sorry."

Kaoru was still breathless but she laughed softly. "Kenshin, you so easily understand and respect my nature, why do you think I can't do the same for you?"

Kenshin pulled away to look her in the face and even with sharp fangs, and glowing yellow eyes, he was able to smile sweetly at her. "I don't deserve you."

Kaoru looked away from those intense burning eyes. "Strange. I thought I was the one that didn't deserve you."

… . . …

When he was finally able to stand, Kenshin pulled Kaoru to her feet and led her over to their bed. Kenshin didn't think he'd recover from her attentions any time soon. His legs still trembled as he crawled into bed next to his wife.

How was it Kaoru had never pleasured him with her mouth before now? Kenshin was shocked she was so willing. The Kaoru he had first met would have died from embarrassment. But it was interesting how her sexual appetite seemed to be growing as well as her willingness to experiment. He was certain this increase was because they were in the Fire lands. It had a way of boosting the libido. He didn't think Kaoru would be so sensitive to it.

Just his damn luck that coupling with her now would only cause her harm. But as she had told him before wrapping those rose-colored lips around his cock...there were other ways to pleasure each other. He couldn't believe how quickly he lost control with her tentative, unsure warm wet mouth around him. He was just glad that he hadn't harmed her in anyways. He felt bad enough making her choke on him. But at least he didn't scratch or bite her. At this time, she didn't need to be wasting her energy trying to heal his stupid mistakes.

He pressed his body down on hers and covered her lips with his. He could taste himself on her tongue and it worked all too well in warming him back up again. She was the spitfire he remembered. She had been nervous and unsure, no longer in control and learning about her new position as Wife...but at that moment she was the stranger he had met in the forest once again.

"My turn." He purred in her ear.

"Eh?" Kaoru gasped as he slid his way down her body, his hands gripping the fabric of her nightgown and pulling it upward. He settled between her legs. She resisted weakly at first, then gave in to her wanton needs and offered herself up to his whim. She was wet. Her pleasuring him had affected her as well. He grinned inwardly as he sealed his lips to her wet lower ones. His tongue parted the silky folds and found his prize. A small pearl encased in flesh that when he flicked with his tongue made her twist and whimper.

Like a nipple, he suckled the pearl. Kaoru tangled her hands into his hair as she bucked against him. She was silent, only her breath and soft whimpers escaped her. But he knew she wanted to scream. Her blue Water energy was growing around her and even though she had her head thrown back in passion, she was pulling it against her body for her to absorb before it could harm him. Suddenly her whimpers turned into the tell-tale keening she gave just before coming undone. She was already there? Had her pleasuring him excited her that much?

"K...Kenshin." She whispered harshly as her legs clamped around his head and her face twisted into that mask of beautiful torture. The wash of blue energy seeped into her skin. And she went limp as a rag doll.

When she had caught her breath Kenshin curled up against her back and pulled her tightly against him. She was trailing her fingertips across his arm in lazy circles.

"Kaoru?"

"Hmm?" She murmured.

Kenshin held her tighter. "Tomorrow we'll be at the castle."

"I know." Kaoru blinked and turned in his arms so she could see him. "I thought you would be more excited about it. I'm pretty nervous," she confessed.

Kenshin's face went cold. He hated that it did. He wanted to be soft and warm for her to snuggle against in the night. Not the cold rock that he suddenly became. But he had to tell his true feelings. "I'm nervous as well," Kenshin muttered, setting a kiss on her forehead. "And worried."

Kaoru looked at him with her overly large blue eyes and still flushed face. "Worried?"

"My uncle isn't the most agreeable of people. I realized it when we went to the Water Kingdom. Nernus was so accepting. I'm sorry to say that Huojin is the opposite."

"I know how to deal with your people" Kaoru assured.

Kenshin shook his head, his arms tightened around her. "The men you deal with are working for you. They are your subordinates. It's different when you are not in that position."

"I'm not afraid of him." Kaoru huffed.

Kenshin kissed the back of her head. "No, dear wife. I didn't think you were."

… . . …

Kaoru looked around her at the ever-shifting mass of humans. The great city of Emberlands stretched out from the base of the volcano. The cone-shaped mountain sat toward the back of the city. At the moment, only a thin trail of white smoke and gases drifted from the opened top. It towered so high overhead that it seemed harmless. Kaoru could imagine it to be just a simple mountain and not the sleeping sentinel of fire and destruction. It rumbled softly every few minutes all the same.

To the right of the volcano, on an outcrop of thick, ancient lava flow was the castle. It was walled on all sides, turrets sat at every angle. Tall towers and archery windows were scattered all over. As a waring people, Kaoru could see that this King was ready for a siege at any moment. The entrance of the city was obviously some sort of trade bazaar. Shops and stalls lined the streets in a grid pattern. The paths in between were narrow, forcing any incoming people not interested in just the trade and buy to move to the center of the road. Here it was slightly wider, enough for their wagons to squeeze by without the risk of crushing anyone.

Kaoru rode in on her mare. She was once again situated between two guards in front and two behind her. Sano, as always, was at her side. It was really the first time she was seeing him taking his duty seriously. She knew there was a bit more danger here, as there were so many people, but also, he had to make a good first impression on the Fires. He sat tall and straight. A cape she had never seen on him before sat draped on one shoulder and across his back, a golden chain kept it attached to his brown doublet. The cape was a dark sage color, the center sigil was a circle made of tree branches and in the center was a word or symbol made of hard slashing lines. Kaoru had no idea what it was or if it said anything. She assumed it was the symbol of his house. She knew of the Earth's many ancient runes and languages, but she had never possessed the capability to learn more than a handful of symbols.

Kaoru took in as much as she could. The marketplace was thick with the scent of burning incense, spices and sweaty bodies. Fabric in unbelievably bright reds, oranges, yellows flapped from textile stalls. Women milled about the stalls. The poor in drab colors of rust, ocher and sandstone. The rich were easy to spot, their clothes were finer, the ladies skirts flared wide and they hid the lower half of their faces behind fans, and the men wore frills at their wrist and throat. Lemon, Marigold, Butter. Such was the brightness of yellows of their dresses. The men in Cherry, Ruby, and Crimson.

Kenshin, at the head of the caravan, wore a brilliant blood red, billowing shirt. A black, gold studded belt was slung from shoulder to hip across his chest and held a sword at his back and a dagger at his front. Two more swords hung from his hip. His favorite Air weapon, the Katana. The dangerously sharp curved blade was so different than the broadsword on his back. Looking back out into the crush of people Kaoru could spot the various weapons being worn. Mostly broadswords. Some of the much larger men carried two-handed bastard swords. Fops in their powdered wigs, tall heeled shoes, and curled hair carried. delicate thin, rapiers on their shiny, black belts.

Even the women sported large daggers on their hips. The rich females didn't seem to bother with a weapon, as they all seemed to be chaperoned by a man with his own blade. Husbands? Fathers? Brothers? Bodyguards? A mix of everything? The more she looked the easier it was to spot that man that kept close by to the women. Even the poor women, their hems in the mud, had a man around them.

Finally, they left the crowded market and found themselves on wide, clear roads. It was strange to see all the people keeping to paved footpaths on the side of the road. But every now and again a rush of armed warriors on horseback barreled down the streets at unnecessary speeds. Kaoru understood then why they kept out of the way.

Kaoru thought her head would soon pop off her neck from all the swiveling around she was doing trying to take it all in. Buildings here were box-shaped with red clay tiles for roofs, they were mostly whitewashed but the fire colors prevailed even then. Orange shutters, red doors, even sometimes a whole house painted the bright, hot colors. They passed a street where Kaoru saw a brawl tumble out from a pub and into the road. The men, surging into the fight with glee on their faces. Kaoru wanted to pull her horse to a stop to watch but Sano had the lead of her horse tied to his and he clicked his tongue at her, his eyes sliding over to look at her in amusement.

"Very different than what you're used to." He said, not relaxing his posture.

"Very." Kaoru agreed. "It's strangely, calm and quiet even with that fight. I thought it would be a bit more...unsteady."

"Most of the hub-bub happens down in the bazaar and Tariff Row." He indicated with an inclined head to the left of the city. "And Temptation Quarter. Which, by the way, you should never ever go there unless with your Lord Husband."

Kaoru was a little unnerved by the way Sano was talking. His words were smooth, even fake. He didn't smile when he talked like he used to, he didn't lean in to engage her in conversation. It was startling to see such small subtle differences change the feeling of him. She frowned slightly, not liking the way it made her feel.

They rode past more businesses, the pubs, inns, and smiths were far behind when Kenshin pulled the caravan to a stop on the side of the street. He dismounted, his guard, Jun following after him. Sano dismounted and came around to help Kaoru off her horse. He set her down as Kenshin reached their side.

"A quick stop, my Lady, for you." He said, holding out his arm.

Kaoru quickly linked her arm in his and she let him lead her away from the group. Jun and Sano followed. "For me?" She blinked at him.

"Yes. Now that we'll be in court, I should want for you to dress as though you belong there." He turned toward the building and Kaoru turned as well and discovered a large plate glass window in the side of the building. Behind the glass was a handful of extravagant dresses on stuffed forms. Kaoru gaped at the sight of such a combination of colors, frills and lace. Without a word, Kenshin ushered her inside. A little bell rang as he opened the door.

A balding, pale-skinned man was standing behind the high counter writing in a large book. He had large spectacles sliding down the bridge of his nose. He glanced up and set his quill down and climbed down from his counter and swept himself in a deep bow.

"I am Duke Kenshin Himura," Kenshin stated.

At this information, the blood drained from his face and he immediately fell into a series of bows. "My Lord! The Royal Nephew!" Each bow was deep than the last.

Kaoru was startled to see three women of various ages scramble out from the back to fall into deep curtsies in front of them, nearly kneeling on the floor. The royal nephew? Kaoru glanced over at her husband. Of course, Kenshin was the King's only nephew. Slowly the startling truth that Kenshin was at one time, next in line to the throne if the King should have no sons. But surely the King had sons by now. Kenshin really couldn't be the Heir Apparent still? The thought terrified Kaoru. If anything were to happen, if Kenshin was still next in line, they would then be forced to live in the Emberlands castle forever. Kaoru would never see the Keep again. How would she survive in this land in the long term?

"My Lady Wife is here for her first ever visit. We are in need of a wardrobe fit for the royal court, that we are."

The shop owner turned for the first time to Kaoru and again, there were more deep bows and curtsies. "Of course, my Lord, of course, if you will follow me." He turned, the females scattered ahead of him to an adjoining room. Kaoru was led behind a silk screen where Kenshin left her to the women. They made extremely quick work of the ties of her corset and removed both it and her dress, leaving her only with her white shift. As she stepped out from the screen she noted that Jun had set himself in the hallway, facing outward. Sano placed himself at the only window in the room, also facing outward.

"If you will permit me, my Lord." The man was nearly bent double in his prostrating. Kenshin inclined his head toward Kaoru and clasped his hands behind him.

Bewildered, Kaoru was led to a slightly elevated platform by one of the women and the owner quickly pulled out a tape measure from his pocket and quickly and silently started to take measurements.

"My Lady, if you will." He would mutter just before taking hold of her arm or wrapping his hands around her waist to set the measuring tape correctly. At the same time, the three women filed in and out of the room with their arms full of bolts of fabric and cloth for Kenshin to look over.

Kaoru strained to see around the owner, wondering why they weren't asking her opinion, they were her dresses. It was all very strange being only half acknowledged just because she was the wife of Kenshin. She was the Lady Himura, the Duchess. Was she only important because of her titles, the titles her Husband gave her?

"Not this, nor that one." Kenshin waved away bright reds and brilliant orange bolts. The woman dipped and then turned and hurried away. Another took her place. Kenshin lifted one bolt after another, inspecting the patterns. He disregarded them all but paused at a canary yellow and cream chequer. "This. This is good."

"Very good M'Lord" The woman curtsied and rushed off. The sorting continued as did the measuring. For dresses, shifts, shoes, hats, gloves.

"Do you have anything in lavender?" He asked. At once the trio rushed away and back with bolts of iris, periwinkle, amethyst and lilac. He handpicked a chevron and a diaper in heather and violet colors. "Any cooler colors?"

"I'm afraid our collection of cool shades are rather limited, My Lord, they are not very popular around here." The owner stated, taking the last few measurements of her hands for gloves. "However, we'll show you all we have. I can even order you something more to your liking."

"Thank you but no. I don't plan on keeping my wife here very long."

"Very good sir."

Kenshin showed her a strange pattern he called a dog's tooth pattern. It was a tiny design. It was in olive and emerald green and absolutely lovely. Kenshin ordered a dress from it as well as many in all shades of blue that they had.

"My Lord," Kaoru said, once she was dressed and beside him once more. "How many dresses do you intend to have made for me? Are we to be here a whole year?" Again the idea that she would have to leave the Keep behind and stay here forever rushed to her mind.

Kenshin took her hand and wrap her arm in the crook of his as they left the place. "Ladies here adore their fashion. A dress for the morning, a dress for the afternoon, and of course, the most important evening gown. And it would be a disgrace to be seen in the same dress twice, that it would."

Kaoru gasped. "How opulent." She said sarcastically. "To have three different dresses every day of my life." She rolled her eyes as Sano took her by the waist and lifted her up onto her horse. She wanted to snap about how she could mount her own horse but she held her tongue.

"You don't seem happy, that you don't" Kenshin looked up at her. "Most women are ecstatic about shopping."

"Just trying to do the figures in my head. This lot must have cost the Keep an entire year on income." She said, frowning.

"Don't worry about that." Kenshin turned, tugging on his black riding gloves. "I billed it all to the crown."

Kaoru gasped loudly. Sano shot her a warning look and she lowered her voice, leaning down to hiss. "Can you do that? Those dresses cost a small fortune."

"Yes, well, thankfully my uncle has a large fortune, that he does." He glared up at her. "He wanted me to drag you here, he can pay for it all. He wants you to look the part, I'll buy you a whole lifetime of pretty things, all on him." And with that, he stalked away to his stallion.

Kaoru was uncertain how the king would take such talk from his nephew. She had long learned that it was all about how others saw you here in this town. An act, pretending. Learn the ways and the customs, buy the clothes. Parrot back the right words and all will be well. With all the wonderful strange newness of the place, Kaoru couldn't wait to get back home where she could be herself.

A/n Fun fact: I actually finished this story. Well...to be truthful, I finished the first "book" for this story. AND A knight and her page as well. I'm hoping that by starting the next half of the stories will kick start my creativity in these muse sucking times. I apologize for taking my sweet time between updates. I'm the worst. I feel like, after these two stories, I'm not going to publish anymore until I have them finished first. I have 3 others that I'm working on that I refuse to post until they are done so that you, dear readers, don't have to wait months between each chapter. It's very unfair to you.

Good news is that I have the next chapter getting ready and I should post it sometime this week. Hopefully.
Thank you for reading, Reviews are loved.