I started off the year so well. I got down over 100k words. But these past 2 months have been a bit of a block for me. Not sure what's going on. I hope it will pass soon. You, dear readers, always motivate me, and for that I thank you.
Please excuse any grammar-type issues and typos. I was in a rush to get this posted before the month was over.

TW in this chapter for sexual assault.

"Tell me the truth Sano." Kaoru demanded in a firm but dangerous tone. She had the man trapped in his chair and he looked like a frightened animal. His eyes darted about for a way to bolt free but the small woman had planted herself damn near in his lap. She had his cotton shirt in her fist as she gave him the shake-down.

"Missy this isn't my place to tell ya about what happened between Tomoe and Kenshin."

The blue-eyed Water female blinked. "Tomoe..." She said in a thoughtful tone.

Fuck! Kenshin was going to run him through and tack his skin to the wall. "Why do ya even want to know anything, Missy? It's all over and in the past."

"I'm not blind or stupid. He says he didn't really love her but I can tell that he did."

Sano held up his hands in a helpless gesture and a flood of nonsense sounds escaped him until finally, he found the words he wanted. "Well then what do you want me to tell ya? Why ya gotta pin me here? What if Kenshin walks in right now and sees us like this?" He indicated to her knee planted in the space between his legs on the chair, and how she was leaning into him.

"I'll tell him you lost a bet and you owe me money."

Sanosuke wanted to say that Kenshin would never believe such shit, but the words died before they could escape. Kenshin had seen Sano lose more than his fair share of bets and resulting coins.

Realizing this would be over quickly if he just spilled, he sighed and went limp in the chair and regarded the girl. "What do ya want to know?" He muttered.

Kaoru's features smoothed a bit, and her grip on his shirt relaxed. "Is it true that Kenshin only came back to the Keep because this woman...Tomoe, left him and he had no excuses to stay away anymore?"

Sano nodded, eyes downcast, defeated. These answers were only going to hurt the Missy and he didn't understand why females had to torture themselves this way. "And breaking the treaty would mean losing his head….if they could ever catch him." Sano muttered.

Kaoru blinked rapidly and he was waiting for the waterfall of tears but, nothin', her eyes were dry.

"Was she beautiful?"

"Damn near perfect. A rare fae." Sano answered truthfully.

The corner of her bottom lip disappeared between her white teeth and she nervously chewed on it. "If she returned to him...would he leave to be with her?"

Sano raised a brow. "No, that would be fuckin' stupid. He'd get them both killed for that. He'd take her as a mistress."

Kaoru nodded quickly, she seemed to have realized that point.

"Just what in the hell are ya trying to get out of me, Missy? Just ask so we can get this over with. I like women who take charge but this isn't what I had in mind." His joke worked.

Slowly she pulled away and let him go completely, she got her knee away from his crotch and stood up but didn't move away enough to allow him to stand. Her eyes were a raging mess of storm clouds. It was interesting to see the emotion play out and for one fleeting moment Sano wanted to cup her face and tell her to stop worrying so much. But that was way the fuck out of boundaries. Funny how a doe-eyed look from her could make him forget she was a married woman.

"I don't have anything to keep him to me except this treaty. It's unfair to him. He could be happy with her, but he's stuck with me."

"Missy there are worst things in life. He loves you, he's not lyin' when he's tellin' ya that." he gave his shoulders a lazy shrug.

She didn't look convinced. "I''ll try to be the kind of woman he wants me to be, maybe that will help."

At this Sano surged to his feet, nearly knocking the girl off hers. He rose to his full height and his broad shoulders squared as he reached down with the quickness of a snake strike and caught her face by the chin and tip her head up to look at him. "Listen to me." He said, his voice frighteningly low. "Ya are the kind of woman he needs, to hell with what he wants."

"But-"

His grip on her chin tightened to prevent her from turning away. "I'm not lettin' ya change who ya are, Missy. Ya understand. I'm not gonna say anything to Kenshin this time, but if I hear talk like this again...I will. This is not healthy and it's fuckin' stupid. I'd be damned to let ya try and mold yourself into something your not when ya finally...finally come out as your own woman. Ya are perfect the way ya are."

His Earth blood called out to seal the swear with a kiss. All he had to do was duck his head and their lips would seal the deal. But Kaoru was not privy to that magic and a Sealing Kiss would cause more complications.

Her eyes watered and her hands fluttered at the immovable grasp he hand on her chin. He dropped his hand, suddenly and praying he didn't bruise her moon-pale skin. "Shit, I didn't want ya to cry. I didn't mean to frighten ya."

Kaoru shook her head, her hands clasped each other at her heart before setting them in front of her and bowing. "No, I'm not afraid of you, silly." She said in a wet voice, she sniffed and scrubbed damned tears….fuckin' tears!

"I'm just thankful you're a real friend to tell me what I need to hear and not what I want to hear."

Her mood swing sent Sano reeling as she wrapped her arms around him and burred her face in his middle. Her words were muted and lost as she spoke into his stomach.

Fuckin' women…

... . . ...

Misao sat at the table in the kitchens with Milinda writing out the list of orders needed to fill the pantries for the next month. The kitchens were starting to pick up for the evening meal. If she had been smart, she would have come an hour ago. But Misao was still learning. So now Milinda was listing off things as well as shouting orders across the sound of chopping and washing. The scent of baking bread made Misao's stomach grumble.

"…and the Fire's are wantin' more spice in their food so write in a order for an extra bundle of dried chili. We're going to have to order five extra heads of cattle to the beef order or else you're gonna have a riot on your hands, Misao. Them Fire's are gonna eat us out of house and home."

Misao flexed her hand and went back to scribbling down the order. There was a commotion just outside and Misao lifted her head in time to see from the back kitchen doors a giant, half-naked, soot-covered Metal fae.

"Aoshi?" Misao paused in her writing.

"Good Goddess." Milinda gasped as the workers scrambled away from him.

Misao took in the low glowing embers that were his eyes and stood up from the table. "Aoshi? What's wrong?" Did something happen in the foundries? Her heart dropped to the bottom of her stomach. Gods, Kaoru made her promise not to burn down the Keep. He advanced into the room and Misao rushed forwards "What's happened-" but her words were cut off as He reached out and caught her by the arm just above the elbow. His grip on her was almost crushing. He turned to Milinda.

"Misao will be indisposed for the rest of the evening. Have her meal brought up to her rooms." And he turned and marched her out of the kitchens and through the Great Hall.

"Aoshi Shinomori you tell me what's going on right this instant." She demanded. She basically had to skip along to keep up with his long strides. Servants and guards gave startled looks to them as he dragged her through the Great Hall and up the stairs.

"I indulged in your ridiculous fantasy and now you ask me what's going on?" he nearly seethed.

Misao's jaw dropped to the ground. She suddenly regretted teasing him the other day. And she hadn't even had a chance to talk to him about the tears she saw. "W-well I just w-wanted you to go back to work for a bit, I didn't want you to feel like my nanny. You d-don't have to-" the other half the deal, to ravage her at the end of his day…

"Too late for that now, my Lady." He grunted, turning down the hall and sweeping her up into his arms before crashing into the wall, trapping her between it and him and he caught her face with his black soot covered hand, marring her pale skin. Her blue tunic was ruined from his sweat and soot covered chest. "I swore I would and I keep my word. All day I crafted weapons and thought about what I wanted to do to you."

Misao was completely helpless against him, she was at his mercy. His kisses were bruising and his hands didn't leave an inch of her body untouched. Her back, legs and arms were soon covered in soot. His hands dove up under her tunic, his touch burning hot. He smelled of wood smoke and metal. Misao gasped as she tried to keep up with the raging Fire and Earth powers within him. But he demanded too much too quickly and she could only hold on for dear life as he pressed his face into her neck, his free hand making swift work on the ties of her pants.

Curious faces of the guards popped out from their positions in the hall and grinned at the sight of them before falling back into their places.

"A-Aoshi. Perhaps not here."

"You were so very bold before Little Water Sprite. But now you want to do this behind closed doors?" He said against her skin.

"This isn't some quiet little romp against the wall in the dead of night." She countered. "Please." She could almost feel how he shifted away from his Fire demands to his more Earth sensibilities He couldn't go any further if she denied it. So, with a curse, he pulled her from the wall and all but carried her down the hall, past all the smiling guards until he got to her room. Where he kicked the door shut and locked it. He continued to hold her with one arm while he pulled on the ties of her clothes with the other.

"Aoshi, I can undress myself," Misao argued but it fell on deaf ears. His eyes returned to their fiery red-orange glow while his face was set in a mask of calm determination. Finally, he had her naked and he tossed her on her bed. Misao turned to watch his jerking motions as he pulled at the ties of his own pants. The muscles of his chest twitched as he fought to move in calm, precise motions when she could easily see that he wanted a more violent action. She could see the trails along his body where his sweat had cut through the soot during his hours in the foundries. His eyes trained on her as she watched him undress.

"Hands and knees." He said.

Misao blinked out of her thoughts. "What?" He freed himself for her to see, leaving his pants to sag low on his hips and Misao's insides went tight.

" I want you on your hands and knees." He repeated.

Oh, Misao swallowed as she turned back around on the bed and timidly went to her hands and knees. They hadn't done this position yet. He had said that he was too large for her to take from behind. But Misao could only guess that he wanted to try now. Aoshi came up behind her. With firm but controlled movements, he dragged her to the edge of the bed where he stood, pulled her legs further apart, put his hand on the back of her head, and pressed her down until she was basically pressing her cheek into the bed.

Misao understood then, as those giant hands clasped her hips, that she should never tease Aoshi unless she really, really meant it.

... . . ...

Kaoru was able to better compose herself. It was easy as the days were suddenly filled with activity now that Hiko had arrived. Meals with the royal family became a fun affair and the King gave much of his attention to his half-brother so Kenshin and Kaoru were out of the spotlight for the moment. The two males shared stories of their youth, often times leaving the table in fits of laughter.

They only had three days left in the Kingdom when Huojin announced that he was planning a ball and a feast for their last night. Kenshin played at being deeply honored. Later he confided in Kaoru it was a ridiculous idea to throw such a thing the night before they were to leave. Stay up all night to party and leave the next day.

"It shows you how considerate he is for others." Kenshin fussed.

Kaoru clicked her tongue. Though she didn't like the man, less so now after his plan for their punishment, she didn't like the idea of bad blood between the family. Kaoru was happy to see that Kenshin and his father got along in such a lovely way. There were moments where it seemed they dipped into the way they must have been years ago before Kenshin's actions strained the relationship.

"He's spending a lot to throw this party, and an obscene amount of gold is being shipped to us later. It would be foolish to anger him."

Kenshin looked at her with an amusing tilt of his head. "That gold is to build a village of warriors near the Keep, here I thought that was the last thing you wanted."

Kaoru shrugged. "He is right. There is no way we can protect the Keep with the numbers we have now. We'll just have to find a balance and cope as best we can."

That fun little tilt of his head quickly morphed into a soul-piercing gaze that Kaoru refused to turn away from.

"I'll not let anything happen to the healing waters, I swear it," Kenshin said.

Kaoru gave a humorless laugh. "I know, I know." She said softly. "I don't want this change, but what must be done, must be done."

Kenshin didn't feel like he won an overly long argument. He had been worrying how Kaoru would take the change to the Keep. She fought the King on his ideas at every turn, but now she was coinciding defeat. In a rare display, her hands splayed across her lower belly and she tipped her head downward, eyes closing. An ache grew within him. Was she agreeing to this because she feared for their child? The safety of which was of the utmost importance? Or was it simply the pregnancy muddling her mind?

Either way, at least this was one main argument they had ended, for the moment.

... . . ...

Kenshin insisted on showing her off at the ball. He made an emergency order for a ball gown even though Kaoru was certain one of the other lavish dressed he had bought her would have worked. The seamstress only had a single day and night to work on it, but Kaoru nearly swooned at the sight of shimmering iridescent silver fabric tucked safely in a wooden chest. Her gaze darted up to where Kenshin was being worked on by his manservants. He gave her a smoldering grin that made her belly flutter.

"What have you done?" Kaoru gasped as her maids pulled the gown out of the chest and laid it out on the bed.

"My lady will be the jewel of the ball, that she will." Was all Kenshin said before turning back to have his hair brushed.

Kaoru was scrubbed and rubbed down with fragrant oils until her skin was supple and soft. Her hair was brushed and tied up at the top of her head while her maids returned to dressing her. No white underdress was put on, which was odd and odder still was the lack of a corset. Instead, the maids lifted the dress up over her head and it settle on her bare skin. It had no sleeves, only thick straps that crossed her shoulders. More shocking than that was the lack of a back on the dress. Kaoru's bare back was exposed from her shoulder down to the small of her back, stopping just short of the swell of her bottom. The strap across her shoulders and some clever padding in the dress supported her growing breasts giving her more cleavage than what she was sure was allowed at court. Scandalized, she yanked her gaze over to her husband who was watching her in his mirror, smirking.

"A jewel? More like a trollop." Kaoru mused as a gauzy material that matched the color of the dress was attached to her neck to drape down her back.

Kenshin wore a golden long-sleeved shirt over which a manservant was doing up the gold buttons on a wine red frockcoat with impossibly intricate designs embroidered with shimmering gold thread. "This is common wear for the Air fae. And their style is quickly gaining in popularity. I'm sure after tonight all the ladies will want backless dresses." He said innocently. A man gathered his hair into their ever symbolic and popular top knot.

Kaoru glanced down at the tight formfitting dress and how the material was embroidered with ocean waves in silver thread. Tiny crystals were sewn into the fabric, making her sparkle at every move. The fabric flared out at the hips with the aid of a cloth and wire bustle. The gauzy material at her back was attached to her wrists with silver bracelets. Matching soft slippers were placed on her feet and she was sat down to have her hair worked on. Face makeup was applied. Not too much as she was already pale, she only had color rubbed onto her eyelids and soft petal red painted on her lips. Kenshin adjusted the lace and frills at his throat and wrists before snapping his fingers in a most aristocratic manor as he stepped over to her. His mirror shine boots clicked on the floor.

A servant rushed forward with a flat wooden box and Kenshin took it. He paused beside her handmaid and opened the box. Kaoru leaned slightly to see if she could see inside with help of the mirror but Kenshin angled himself so that the contents could not be seen. He reached in and handed something to her second maid, Geny, a woman just a few years older than her.

The water servant made a happy noise as she quickly moved to place a large hair pin in the pile of curls at the top of her head. Kaoru was astonished to see a large silver and blue enameled mermaid. Tiny chains dangled from her and ended with tear-dropped shaped pearls. Their creamy white was a stark contrast to her blue-black hair. Geny plucked at a few curls, letting the black locks curl around her ears and neck. Kenshin reached in again and again the maid moved to clasp silver earnings with a sapphire the size of a button on her ears.

Kaoru gasped at the sparkling blue stones.

Then, at last, the maids scuttled away and Kenshin came up behind her and pulled a web of delicate silver chains from the box. He wrapped his arms around her and draped it over her chest and across her shoulders. He reached under the gauzy cape to fasten it.

The links were polished to a high shine. She didn't know how because they were so tiny, it was like she was wearing spider silk made of silver. It caressed her collar bone and the top of her breasts. Dotted randomly about the chains were small moonstones in all colors of blues. She felt the cool silver drape over her shoulders and a long chain dangled down the spine of her back, following the lifeline tattoo.

Kenshin took her hand and pulled her to her feet. He had one more item in his hand and he gazed into her eyes and he blindly set something on her dress right at the center of the swell of her breasts. Kaoru looked down to find a broach with the largest tourmaline she had ever seen. The stone was cut with a dozen facets and was a sea-green that made her homesick. It was set in mother of pearl and sat perfectly in the space between her breasts. It was a perfect circle and was as wide as her index finger was long.

"Kenshin." She breathed. "They are lovely..." Dark lashes fluttered up to look at him in wonder. "How did you get these made so quickly?" Her fingers caressed the large stone on her chest, as if it were her heart.

"I had them made in the Water Kingdom when we were there. They're for your name day, which I know is soon, but I couldn't help but give them to you now, as they look wonderful with your dress, that they do."

She really was to be the jewel of the ball.

Kenshin offered his arm and Kaoru quickly linked her arm around his and the pair glided out of their rooms and down the halls. Kaoru couldn't help but finger her name-day gifts. She would spend her name-day in the saddle going home, but he had thought of such a wonderful gift. Looking at them, she was brought back to the homeland, to the sea and she felt an ache deep in her soul. She missed home and was glad they would be leaving soon.

... . . ...

She made a splash at the ball. Everyone was stunned by her outrageous dress which was the very height of fashion. Not even the Queen had an Air-style dress yet. Kaoru felt that out-showing the Queen was bad form, but she received nothing but smiles from the royal. Her first dance was with the King and he was pleasantly surprised that she knew the dance perfectly.

Her next dance was Hiko and he took her in his arms, and she relaxed at the heat of his touch as he glided across the dance floor. Kaoru caught a quick glance of Kenshin dancing with one of his cousins.

"My Lady looks exotic tonight. No doubt the envy of every other female." Hiko rumbled as he led her in the dance. "And such a good dancer too, I'm surprised."

"My father made certain I knew every Fire dance by heart," Kaoru replied shyly. "He didn't want me to be an embarrassment."

"I would gladly take a lovely thing like you even if you didn't know a single step of our dances," Hiko confessed. "Although it was smart of him to have you taught."

Kaoru glittered under the lamplight, looking like sunlight dancing on water as she made her way from one dance partner to the next. Every male wanted a go-round with the strange and alluring Water.

Finally, it was time for the feast and Kaoru found herself tucked back beside Kenshin and Mishal. As the guest of honor, Kenshin was pulled forward to cut into a great giant roasted bull. The creature was served whole except for his hooves. It was brought on on a giant platter on a wheeled cart. Kenshin took up a knife the size of a small sword and cut into the beast, out from the sliced belly tumbled a sheep, and from the sheep was stuffed a pig, and then a goat, a goose, a chicken, quail, and then at the very end, a mouse. With each discovery, the crowd of aristocrats cheered louder and louder. Their laughter growing with each roasted creature.

With the farce over, the animals were served up, with the King, Queen, Kenshin, Kaoru and Hiko getting the tasty cuts of the bull. The rest was divided among the dozen of other guests. Kaoru found that despite the show of dead animals stuffed inside one another, she had developed quite an appetite and devoured her meal.

Beside her, Mishal kept shooting her sidelong looks. It was awkward when she caught him looking at her as he didn't look away. It was the most amount of time she had spent in his company since the Ritual. She tried her best to ignore Mishal but the Fire seemed intent on engaging her in conversation. Kaoru swallowed back the feeling of annoyance and turned and smiled at him.

"My Lady seemed very popular at the ball. May I take up your time after dinner? I fear I feel neglected. I didn't get to dance with you." He made a mock show of being wounded in the chest.

Giving him any of her time was the last thing she wanted after she had caught him watching her punishment but she forced herself to speak. "I apologize Mishal, I didn't mean to snub your attention" In being in the Fire lands had taught her anything, it was that it was best to play at the ego of the men. She looked up at him through her eyelashes and hoped she appeared demure enough. "I am only tremulous of your affections." The court language was coming easier to her now. He leaned on the arm of his chair, looming closer to her.

"A electrical storm grows in the distance my lady. It will hit later tonight but for now, it's putting on an extravagant show. I would love to take you out to the veranda over the gardens and show you."

Kaoru blinked. She had never seen such a phenomenon. "A storm of just lightning?"

Mishal's smile gentled. "Yes, My Lady, they are quite common here at the start of the wet season. You don't have to be shy about my affections." His tone lowered so that only she could hear him. "I understand our ways can be quite frightening."

For once he seemed genuine in his attention of her and spoke to her less like a child and more like an actual person. Her interest was peaked. She turned to Kenshin. Since it was only proper in court for her to ask her husband's permission.

Kenshin patted her hand. "It's quite a sight to see. I remember them well. I believe it would be something you must witness, that I do."

Knowing her role she bowed her head at him. "As you wish my Lord Husband."

He glanced around her at his friend and gave him a smile. "I trust you to take good care of her."

" Of course. It's settled then." Mishal's smile was wide and excitement made his eyes glow in the chandelier light.

After desert, Kaoru found her arm tucked in the crook of Mishal's arm and Kenshin waved the pair of them off as his father and his uncle pulled him into a wine-induced conversation about military tactics that went well over her head.

Kaoru let the Fire lead her out of the dining room and through the great hall to the large glass doors that looked out into the darkness. Mishal turned the latch and then paused his light conversation, turning to look back the way they came.

"You are not needed, Earth."

Kaoru blinked and turned to see that Sanosuke had followed at a respectable distance. At his honeyed voice, Sano braced his feet apart but kept his hands clasped respectfully behind him. "My Lord wishes for me to stay with his Lady Wife always."

Mishal leveled his eyes at the bodyguard and drew Kaoru closer to him. She could feel his ki start to rise as well as his temperature. "I'm Kenshin's friend and military companion, he trusts me to treat his wife. And besides, he gave his permission."

Kaoru suddenly didn't like this feeling between them and opened her mouth but no sound would come out. Was she being foolish? He was Kenshin's trusted friend, he had said so himself. He did tell her to go with him to see the lightning storm. Plus she didn't want Sano to get in trouble. The Fire's here didn't seem to like him all that much and she didn't want him to get on the bad side of the King. Gods knew what would happen to Sano if he got on the bad side of that man. She felt she was being quite for too long and was able to unstick her tongue.

"It's fine, Sanosuke." She gave him a smile to show him she was alright with the situation. She gave Mishal's arm a pet. "I'm sure I will be safe." The Earth didn't look convinced in the slightest, but he gave them a curt nod, catching her eyes for a moment before bowing and turning on his heel and walking back to the dining room.

"A bit over protective of you." Mishal commented as he opened the great glass door and the pair of them walked out into the hot, humid night air. "I didn't think Earth's were the greedy or jealous type."

"He's just doing his job." Kaoru waved the idea away. She didn't want Sano to get in any sort of trouble if Mishal reported him for showing her too much attention.

True to his word, Kaoru easily caught sight of the lightning in the distance. Bolt after bolt slammed into the earth in a flickering display of light and burning power. The storm was too far in the distance for thunder to be heard, but by the way the breeze was picking up, it wouldn't be more than a few hours before the storm was upon them.

Kaoru slipped free of Mishal's arm and hurried to the end of the veranda and set her hands on the smooth stone railing. The lightning was like inverted trees, branching out to touch as much as it could before dying away. Some went straight for the ground, other, larger bolts stretched across the ink black sky, like giant cracks from which brilliant white light escaped. Over and over again the lightning flashed, sometimes half a dozen bolts all at once, Soon Kaoru could pick up their slight shades of brilliant white, blue white, even pink.

"Oh, it's so beautiful."

The fae hybrid of Fire and Air were dubbed Lightning or Electrical Fae. They were rare, short-tempered, explosively violent and very short lived. The shortest lifespan of all the fae. Kaoru now understood the naming of them. She had never met one, that she knew of. So lovely and wild from far away, deadly when they were right on top of you. As much as she was transfixed now, she knew she would only cower in terror once the lightning cracked overhead and the thunder drowned out any sound.

Kaoru felt a warm hand on her bare back where the long, cold silver chain dangled along her spine. Startled, she turned to find Mishal admiring the delicate chain. "Sir?" She hoped her voice was light, but with a warning tone.

He didn't give any indication that he had heard her. "Such a lovely decoration. I'm sure Kenshin couldn't help but use it to show you off."

Kaoru blinked, unsure of what he meant. "Sir?"

"He always had good tastes, that one." He dropped the chain and pressed his heated palm to her spine and trailed his hand upward along her lifeline tattoo to cup the back of her neck.

"Sir, remove your hand." Kaoru fought the urge to draw her shoulders up to pinch away his touch, but instead she turned and leveled her eyes at him. But it seemed to have the opposite affect. She felt the blood leave her face as his hand moved from the back of her neck to the front were he pressed his palm against her exposed collar bone. Suddenly she was very cold in the hot humid air.

"I know you must be used to fending off the men, being married to a Fire and all. Such a shame your nature has been tamped down so." He murmured. "But I saw a hint of it. A little of you set free when Kenshin took you on the balcony. You don't need to pretend in front of me, it's just us out here."

Kaoru swallowed, cursing as it only drew his attention to her throat. "My Lord Husband says the same abut my nature." She prayed her voice was strong and true and not a strangled whisper. "But I fear you've been mistaken."

"Kenshin always did like the passionate ones. I felt bad for him being attached to the calm, calculating Water. But you seem to be just the opposite of that. Your temper is quite attractive. Kenshin got lucky with you and he knows it. That paired up with your insatiable sexual appetite. You were not at all afraid of him as a dragon. In fact it only made you wet. He slid right into you as if you were expecting him."

The blood returned, flushing her skin red and hot.

"Look at that." He said, his voice almost in awe as his yellow-orange eyes grew. "It's just as Kenshin says, your eyes are like windows, and I can feel the heat growing within you. You enjoy it when I talk to you this way?"

He advanced until he had her pressed against the stone rail and still he pressed in until his whole body touched hers. Kaoru felt her heart in her throat and her blood rushing loud in her ears. "Sir, back away, you are taking liberties."

"Kenshin didn't mind me taking us where we could be alone. I know that smile he gave me. We used to share our conquests. He would understand if I can't hold it back anymore. Seeing you in this dress has undone me. I refuse to fight. I will have a taste of you." His hand moved to her back and slid down her spine until it encountered the fabric of her dress and he forced his fingers under the thin barrier until he was gripping the tender flesh of her buttocks.

No! Kaoru thought, they were utterly alone out here, and she was certain even her scream of rage wouldn't reach any ears. She wanted to call for Sano, angry at herself for talking him into stepping away. Stupid! Stupid girl!

But still he continued touching and feeling, tugging at the front of her dress to show more of her bosom. Fire's could rape. It didn't matter how much her body said no, it wouldn't stop him. "No!" She voiced, turning away from his leering face and clutched her dress before more of her could be exposed. The dinner in her stomach churned. She felt something within her warp as she received his unwanted advances. He chuckled into her hair. Apparently misinterpreting her retreat.

"You like it this way? I guess that was why Kenshin mounted you from behind. Is that your favorite position?"He gathered her skirts, exposing the round globes of flesh to the air for a moment before pressing his body against her again. "Are you so shy of my affections? You don't have to hide away from me, Kaoru. You've been stealing looks at me just as much as I have of you. I can't stop picturing you as you let your husband, in that wild dragon form of his rut on you like he did, and you were searching for my gaze during it. Was it me you were thinking of? I'm sure it was better than thinking of the beast that was mounting you. It's only in your nature."

Her body revolted, bucking against him to try and unpin herself from between Mishal and the railing, but he only followed the movement with his hips. Her heart was racing so fast she thought it would burst from her ribs, the pain was such that she clutched at the great jewel sitting in the center of her chest as if to keep her heart inside. A knife of dread rose up sharp and fast, she winced in pain. If she was raped, the trauma to her soul might harm her baby. Already his unwanted advances were hurting. "You mistook, Sir." She grunted around the pain. "I was not stealing looks."

As Mishal palmed one of her breasts, his wet mouth on her shoulder, she clutched at her belly with her free hand as her other braced herself away from the railing, but the action only pressed her against him even more. No, she couldn't let this fool harm the child within her. She looked out at the display of fire and destruction as it slowly advanced into the Kingdom. Thunder, soft and gentle in the distance was starting to roll in. With tears in her eyes, she forced her body to relax. If she allowed it, then no harm would come to her or the baby. She would rather turn and fight, but she had no weapons and he did and he was far stronger than she was. She was so stupid to have Sano leave her side.

Just pretend he's Kenshin or even Sano. Kaoru thought. He was burning hot like Kenshin was and cocky and sure like Sano. She closed her eyes begging her brain to think of Mishal as one of them, to force her body to drop the barrier between them so he could not harm her. With her skirts hiked up to her hips, she could hear the jangle of his sword belt falling away and she knew the buttons of his pants would be next.

She let him spread her legs and she bent over the railing, trying not to be sick as her stomach continued to churn. He set a hand on her back.

"Oh, very good. I see you've done this before. Up on your toes lovely."

Kaoru forced herself to breathe as she obeyed, standing on the balls of her feet as she felt is fingers that were palming her bottom slip between her lower lips. She heard him moan and Kaoru braced herself again as a wave of nausea was about to make her gag.

"Am I interrupting?"

Kaoru's heart froze and for the second time, the blood fell away, leaving her cold and dizzy. She and Mishal paused and turned to find Kenshin's yellow eyes glowing in the dark.

A/n Oof and yikes!