A/n man,its been a while since I updated this story. I took a break fromwriting over the holidays and then I struggled with this one a good amount. I hope everyone is still enjoying this story, as long as it's taking.

Anways, On to the story!

Kaoru found herself being dragged through the dark forest at a frightful speed. She didn't know how she didn't trip or turn her ankle, but instead, she flew over the forest ground as light-footed as a doe.

Kenshin, on the other hand, was like a raging bull. His ki was still flaring, his aura still manifesting dragon wings at his back. Black scales were pressing up against his skin and then sinking back down, like undulating waves, over and over again.

The anger and violence called to his dragon to break free. His blood was running hot. Kaoru knew, as Sano told her, he would need to kill or fuck something to calm down. Well he couldn't very well kill anyone here other than his own men. But perhaps she could help him. He didn't appear to be going toward the warm firelight of the town. Maybe he thought he could vent his power out in the woods.

She anchored her feet and pulled back. Being brought up short caught Kenshin off guard and he stumbled before whipping his head around to pin her with yellow, glowing eyes. Even in such a frightening state, Kaoru stepped up to him, wrapped her fingers around the back of his neck and pulled him to her.

He eagerly fell upon her. His skin burned her, his ki flooded over her own, effectively burning it away leaving her without a shield to his power. His lips devoured her, endlessly diving into her soul. She was a Water fae, but for once, she felt as though she was drowning.

It was bliss, but it only lasted for a single moment.

She felt as if her skin was blistering all over, that her clothes must have caught on fire. And then all at once she was bathed in ice cold air as she was pushed away. Kaoru scrambled to keep her feet under her. She turned to catch herself but she stayed upright and the world stopped spinning around her. The sparks of pain faded just as quickly as they had come.

"W-what happened?" Her breath rushed out as she turned her eyes to her husband. His wings had fully manifested into full, real flesh and blood wings and the most telling of all was the black pupils on those glowing eyes had elongated into slits. His dragon side was pushing through.

"I don't want you," Kenshin growled around teeth that were becoming too large for his mouth. "I want blood."

Kaoru stiffened. "You want violence." She stated as she became aware of the situation. Kenshin was more than angry. Those eyes pulsed as they went between human and dragon form. "I'm going to hurt you." Kenshin's head was shaking as he stepped back from her. "Bring Silvan, I will stay here."

Kaoru felt her body moving before her mind could catch up. She rushed back and stumbled but was able to catch herself.

"No running!" Kenshin roared from the tree he was bracing himself against.

Kaoru jumped at the volume of his voice but nodded dumbly to herself and turned to carefully pick her way through the forest. Without Kenshin leading her, the way was not as easy as before. And she found herself having to find her way carefully in the dark. Her steps were loud to her ears, but she felt she was in no danger here. She could see the warm glowing lights of the Earth City through the trees and soon, she could hear the merry voices.

Kenshin was indeed a Dragon and a Fire warlord. She thought she could quell his fire but his touch hurt her. She touched her lips with her tongue, they felt as if she took a bite of hot food before letting it cool. She was surprised that even though she felt as though her skin was blistering, there were not any actual blisters on her. Not yet anyway, she could feel the skin stinging where he had touched her. Perhaps her powers were trying to reverse the damage. His power was leaning toward causing harm, and he would hurt her no matter how much he didn't want to.

Finally out of the trees, Kaoru easily found the footpath that took her right across the road from their inn. Finding the church was easy, the Great Oak towered over everything. The evening services were already over, thankfully, and Kaoru hurried to the nearest white-robed priest.

"I need to speak with the High Priest, it's an emergency." She huffed, as she rushed up to the man, her hand resting on her belly as she realized her lungs were screaming for air. The priest seemed startled at her approach and rushed away to fetch the High Priest while a half dozen priestesses converged upon Kaoru and pulled her to sit up behind the altar against the massive trunk of the Great Oak. They fussed over her state of red, scorched skin, and having exerted herself so much in her state.
Kaoru felt fine, if a bit warm and winded but she let them put their hands on her and pray.

And then, Silvan was there in his naked glory, antlers and all. He ushered the females back as he kneeled beside Kaoru, setting a hand over her belly to assess the life within.
"Wha' has ye in this state, Sacred Mother?"

Kaoru quickly relayed the evenings' events, the state she left Kenshin in, and that he had asked for him. It was difficult at times because the warm relaxing heat made her drift in and out. She found her mind floating away and it was hard for her to stay on subject. But the gentle giant must have understood her because he gave her a bright and almost comforting smile. He turned to the gaggle of priestesses all around them. "Any volunteers? Who would like tae help tame a dragon in th'forest?"

Three hands shot up and Kaoru found herself deposited in the middle of the rest of the females while Silvan took the three volunteers. He paused and turned to the Priestesses. "Take her to Sigara." Was all he said as he rushed out with the women.

... . . ..

The females didn't leave until Kaoru was settled beside her bodyguard and two trays of dinner were placed on the table beside the bed. Sano rubbed the sleep from his eyes as the women rushed away in a flurry of ringing bells and clacking beads. He looked over in question at Kaoru, surprised to find her in the bed beside him.

He took in the sight of her scalded lips and set his giant hand on her cheek.

"Tell me what's happened." He said in his ever gentle, rumbling tone.

Kaoru pulled the tray of food from the side table and set it in his lap. There was what looked like a thick chunk of cheese, heavy bread, a thick stew, honey cakes, berries and herbal tea. "Eat." She demanded.

"No, ye talk." Sano countered.

"You need to eat."

"How 'bout, I eat, while ye talk."

"Fine." Kaoru huffed. As she snatched the slice of bread from her tray and ripped into it. It was nutty and dense and had the strong aroma of butter and rosemary. Sano followed her, using his bread to eat the stew and cheese as if he hadn't had food in days.

"Kenshin found out one of his men was molesting my maid." It felt odd to say such a horrifying thing in so easy a manner. She felt Sano freeze beside her.

"The littlest one." He stated.

Kaoru turned and raised her brow at him.

"I felt something was off about her. I just thought she had reached womanhood and was confused by the changes" He explained.

"Not yet." Kaoru winced as a string of more swearing left her ears red.

"Didnae think one of the Fire men wuid be so stupid ta do something like that under our noses. Did Kenshin kill him?"

"He cut off his sword hand."

"Damn sure he did, that's the law of this land. Fuckin' piece of shit." Sano hissed, apparently having lost his fear of swearing in front of her."Personally ah would have castrated him." He muttered. "So why does it look like ya kissed a brandin' iron?"

Kaoru touched her lips. They were tender but not too painful. "Kenshin kinda went a bit...dragon afterwards."

Sano nodded. "He must have been pissed. Not that I blame him. One o' his own men doin' this behind his back."

"I thought I could help him, but he was hurting me."

"Aw, Missy." Sano set his food down for the first time since picking it up. "Kenshin wants tae kill that man. Since he cannae, he's gotta kill somethin'."

Kaoru's eyes grew as she whipped around to face Sano. "Silvan took three women out there to find Kenshin!" she went to jump up but Sano grabbed her by her cloak and pulled her back down on the bed beside him.

"Easy Missy. Silvan will keep Kenshin in check."

"But the women."

"They are Earth and his power won't hurt them. They will bring his ragin' down."

Kaoru was about to argue how that would be possible but then it all clicked in her mind. They couldn't be hurt by the fire raging under his skin, they could take that all night, and there were three of them, to tame the dragon within Kenshin.

"Oh….oh I see," Kaoru said softly as she sagged in relief against Sano, looking down at the bread she had mangled in her hands.

"Are ye upset that Kenshin is wit' other females, Missy?"

Kaoru took a moment to sit in silence as she sorted her feelings. "No." She said finally. "I'm glad that he will be helped." There was a large pause. How did she really feel? It was like thinking about Kenshin with his mistress, it was something that happened but that was over and Kaoru didn't really feel much towards it. The more she tried to feel if her feelings were jealousy, the more the feeling crumbled away.

As if he was reading her thoughts, Sano was nodding his head as she mulled over her feelings. "This is how Kenshin felt when he had me help ya when we were at the lake, Missy. He was no' very happy, but he was glad that ye were better for it."

"I...if he's alright….then I don't care what has to happen." Kaoru's feelings were finally starting to settle in place and she glanced at Sano. "I just want him healthy and calm again before he does anything stupid."

Sano reached out and ruffled her hair. "He's fine, Missy. Just pissed as all hell. He ain't gonna risk ya and that babe."

The Lady of the Keep nodded and took Sano's empty tray from his lap and set it back on the table.

"Now, ya better eat an' tell me what the fuck happened while I was in a bad way. All of it, even th'parts ye told me about earlier."

Kaoru sighed and took her tray and dutifully ate the cheese. It was soft and buttery and paired amazingly well with the sweet honey cakes and berries. She told Sano of the city in the trees, of Kenshin's apartment that he wanted to sell and of staying at Saitou's home and meeting his wife. She also quickly told him of their travels through the Earth villages on their way here. How the attack had left her with a cracked rib and a serious knock to her head which the last of the aches and pains seemed all but gone after her encounter with the High Priestess and Priest. Sano listened, nodding his head every now and again. Kaoru was suspicious that Sano had her repeat everything to him to distract her from what was happening in the woods.

When she said all she had to say, and eaten her meal, she set the tray to the side and reclined back against the tree. She didn't think resting against a tree would be comfortable, but the power buzzing into her skin made her feel like she was floating on air. Sano tugged the blanket up to her chin and ruffled her hair one more time.

... . . ...

Kenshin had to give them credit, even with his dragon hearing, he hardly heard the approach of four people. They moved with the forest. With every creak of the trees around him, and the brush of the forest litter under their feet. And then suddenly they were there.

His body burned as if he had magma for blood, scorching every inch of him, every finger and toe felt blistered. It didn't hurt nor torment him. He welcomed the burning sensation. No, the more disturbing feeling came from within. The great beast within him pressed against his skin. Kenshin felt as though he might explode. To be ripped in two to let the beast free. One side wanted violence. To murder with his bare hands. His favorite way to watch someone die, by sword or claws, was to cut them right in the soft underbelly, below the ribs. Death wasn't swift this way and he could watch as their eyes shifted from horror at seeing their insides, to slowly fading away.

His other side wanted flesh in a different way. Not torn or bleeding, but soft and yielding. Flesh so hot and slick that he wouldn't be able to tell where his body stopped and theirs began. To take his frenzy and rage and vent it until he was no more than a warm, simmering creation resting on the hearth that was her body. His wife. His Kiga. His most treasured one. His reason for being. She was what he wanted, but she was far too delicate for a creature like him. She was like a fine, but sharp frost covered flower, beautiful to behold, but he was too much of an inferno to get anywhere close without melting away her protection and crushing her. And she was far too precious for him to use in that way. Her body was already starting to strain to carry the life he planted within her, he could not burden her even more. No matter how much she wanted him to.

So when the Earth people approached him, it was clever, that the females were what he first laid eyes on. His blood lust side died on the spot, fueling his lust for flesh completely. Had it been the priest, Kenshin was sure he would have attacked. But the holy man circled behind him, remaining hidden to come up on him as Kenshin braced himself against a tree, watching the three females advance on him, like forest spirits. He wanted to rush them. But he held on to the tree as if it was the only thing keeping his dragon mind at bay. He wasn't sure who these females were, and with his dragon so close and his own mind blinking out under the onslaught of power, he feared he would rape them.

"They are for ye." Said the priest in his ear. Kenshin tensed, shocked at how the spiritual leader had the skill to sneak up on him in such a heightened awareness. A cool hand pressed on the center of his back, right between his wings and Kenshin felt the last remnants of violence drain away and desire flooded his system instead.

... . . ...

Sano stood up for the first time since the attack. His legs gave a slight tremor, but the bare earth below his feet lent him the strength to stand tall and strong. He glanced over to the bed he vacated and the woman now deep in sleep in his place. He turned to the rough wooden chest of drawers where his clothes were kept. Since he seemed to be all mended, there was no need for him to stay naked all the time.

He got into his pants and was just done shrugging on the vest over his tunic when a dark force pushed its way into his room. He didn't turn around, knowing the ki well enough by now to know.

"Ken-man." Sano stood up straight and ran a hand through the tangles in his hair as he turned to the door where the nearly seething man stood. "How did it go? I'm surprised ya didnae keep busy all night."

Kenshin rolled his shoulders and gave his head a jerk, causing his neck to crack loudly. There were no wings on his back, but his eyes still held that reptilian shape. "I used all three of those girls. I didn't want to but didn't want to hurt Kaoru anymore than I already had." He finally confessed. His glowing eyes turned to the female in the sick bed.

"Is she well?"

"Tired is all." Sano sat on the edge of the bed to put his shoes on. "She told me everythin' that happened these past couple of weeks an' then ah made her eat dinner an' she fell asleep wit' little fuss."

Kenshin edged closer, as if his very being there would cause her harm. "I hurt her, just by kissing her."

"Naw, she's fine. Look, she's already all healed up just restin' on the Oak. She just needed some food an' rest. She's no' upset man, so donae worry."

Kenshin glanced over at him as he stepped forward. "I've noticed it before. Marks and hurts." He marched up to the bed and reached out to brush a lock of hair that had fallen across her face.

... . . ...

Kaoru reacted instantly. Eyes open, she sat up and gasped. "Kenshin!" She turned to Sano and seeing him up and dressed startled her even more. "Have I slept straight through the night?" She went to throw the blankets back but Kenshin caught her hand lightning fast and settled in the bed beside her.

"No, Kiga." He gave her a rueful smile. "It's been perhaps two hours."

She reached up and touched his cheek. "Your eyes, did Silvan not help you?"

She left out the troop of females he had in tow. Kenshin was sure she must be hurt, but she was hiding it better than he expected. "Yes, Kaoru."

"Then...why..." She set her fingertips on her cheeks by her eyes.

"I was not satisfied,…."

Kaoru raised one delicate brow. "Despite the three women?"

"Yer lord husband has an appetite for jus' one, it seems." Said a smooth voice from the door and the three of them turned to find the antlered Priest. "My poor girls couldne brin' th'dragon down vera much."

Kenshin sighed inwardly to himself. Leave it to the Earth holy man to cut right to it. He didn't exactly want to talk about it in front of his wife. Already he could read her confusion in her stormy eyes.

"I'm here to counsel ye both." Silvan turned to better allow the antlers through the door and shut it behind him. "It should help put th'two of ye on more even ground."

"What do you mean?" Kaoru glanced back to him, her eyes still churning with vibrant blues and grey.

"He's gonna teach you two how tae have sex without hurtin' each other, Missy." Sano so elegantly put.

The grey churned even more, looking like boiling storm clouds. "I asked him," Kenshin admitted. "I'm sick and tired of harming you, that I am. And now you are in a delicate way. And if my dragon needs to be soothed again, I would rather it be with you."

Kaoru huffed as she sat up, "I'm pregnant, not delicate."

"Aye, Mother." Silvan stepped closer to the bed. "But tha' babe in there does no' help. Healthwise." He gave Kenshin a nod indicating toward Kaoru. The warlord suppressed the urge to huff. He didn't quite like having to be educated in this way. But if it kept Kaoru safe, then he was more than willing. And of all the people in the world, he knew that an Earth High Priest was the best. Second only to the Priestess.

Kenshin began to pull off his clothes, it was easy since everything was still untied and unbuttoned from the romp with the three women.
Kaoru looked over to Sano and then back to Silvan. "Now?"

Kenshin paused, "I would rather." The dragon in him growled and the sound escaped him between his teeth.

"Right." Kaoru nodded.

"Donae mind me, Missy, I'm just gonna be over here." Sano walked to the furthest and darkest corner of the small room. If it were up to him, he would just leave, since this was a private matter. But with Kenshin somewhat unstable, and Kaoru carrying life. He thought it best to stick around. Not that he didn't doubt Silvan's abilities, but an extra hand might be needed anyway.

Kenshin slid further into the bed and pulled Kaoru to him before she could think more of it. Silvan sat on the roots on the side of the bed as Kenshin made quick work of her clothes.

... . . ...

"Don't let him overwhelm ya with his energy, Kaoru." Silvan offered softly. "Yer jus' as powerful as he is."

Kaoru swallowed. "H-how?" Her voice caught as Kenshin settled his body over hers and pressed his scorching hot mouth to her throat."

"Push back wit' yer own energy. Kaoru yer Water are ye not? Ye float in th'air, carve into th'earth and ye can douse a fire." Silvan's voice was soothing and warm and once again Kaoru felt that same need to just sink down into his life force.

Kenshin moved to settle between her thighs and she reached out to press her palms against his chest before sliding them up and around his shoulders and pulled his burning body against hers. She closed her eyes and pulled on her power. She imagined the blue light within her rising up to the surface of her skin. Almost at once, the heat of Kenshin's body started to ebb.

"Good girl."

She was unsure if it was the Preist or Sano who spoke. She was too focused on her energy and of Kenshin's fingers deep inside of her. She arched against his lean body, pressing her soft belly and breasts against him and she felt his power flow back over her and she pressed against it with her own. Like the to and fro of the tide, her power pressed and retreated, over and over again. Kenshin was inside of her now, and her legs locked around his hips. All embarrassment of the two other men in the room suddenly vanished. Why had she been so caught up in it to begin with?

It was like she was separated from her body and she was inside Kenshin's. How had she not known about this before? Of all the times she and Kenshin were together, she never once thought to push at him with her power, she had only ever let him wash over her completely. She made a soft sound as her image of soft blue light in blackness was invaded by fiery red and yellow.

"Don't let him push ya around like that, Missy."

Obviously, that was Sano from somewhere back in the real world. How did he know what was happening? Was it because they were Earth and they just knew? Was it something they could see? Kaoru didn't dare open her eyes for fear it would break her concentration.

She sent her wave of energy against Kenshin's and it fell back into a tighter orb shape. She didn't want to smother it, just contain it. She circled her energy around the orb.
This time, it was Kenshin that arched against her. Light flooded her vision as her eyes cracked open to see a fiery aura of wings flaring open across Kenshin's back. His eyes were screwed shut and his lips were pulled back around sharp dragon teeth.

Silvan's voice returned from beside them. "Don't be afraid of him." He urged.

Afraid? How could Kaoru be afraid? Kenshin was a dragon, a creature as beautiful as it was deadly and she felt nothing but safe with her dragon lover.

With his dragon pressing forward, A surge of strength flooded Kenshin, causing every muscle in his body to ripple and twitch into complying. Kaoru found herself scooped up and pinned against the bark of the Great Oak. Kenshin's teeth were at her shoulder, and his hands, tipped with claws, gripped at the bark to keep from digging into her soft skin.

At once Silvan scrambled up beside them, so fast he nearly knocked his antlers against the tree. "Push back Kaoru, soothe those flames on yer skin, let him use all his energy against yers."

Kaoru understood in that moment. Kenshin needed to vent his power and he wanted her. To keep herself safe, she needed to fight against it with her own power. It was as Silvan said, she was just as powerful as Kenshin. She didn't need to close her eyes to focus this time. Instead, she watched the lava that was Kenshin's swirling dragon eyes. As she felt the burn of his power, she pressed with her own, imagining the soothing sound of the sea. The feel of the saltwater wrapping around her and the ebb and flow of the tide and current and the push and pull of the waves, like being rocked gently in giant arms.

... . . ...

Sano took a step toward the bed as he watched as before his eyes Kaoru's form started to shimmer. Like Kenshin, she was manifesting her true form. Scales undulated under her skin, breaking the surface and then pressing back down. Her pale moonlight skin started to turn into the soft lavender that was her fins.

The room grew almost unbearable as heat and moisture mixed to make the room a steamy, tropically humid place. Silvan was still beside them, gently coaching them.

Then suddenly it looked Like Kaoru would climb the Great Oak. Her arms reached up and back to grab at the tree and Sano knew from that tell-tale way her eyes screwed shut that she was about to come.

Silvan then whispered feverishly to Kenshin. And all at once Sano felt the power in the room shift as Kenshin's energy dropped away and he watched as the warlord allowed his Wife to overwhelm him with her own power. As Kaoru cried out, Kenshin's wings died away, doused by Kaoru's Water energy. Realizing she was overpowering him, Kaoru pulled her own powers back even as she continued to ride her climax. This caused the Fire to rise back up and Kenshin stiffened, smothering his own cries by sealing his lips around Kaoru's.

Sano found that he had stepped all the way to the bed to watch this display of powers playing back and forth. And then all at once both their forms fell away. The red and blue light snuffed out and the two naked, human forms were left clutching each other. They were dripping wet, as if they had just come from a thick mist. The entire room was thick with humidity from the steam.

"Perfect," Silvan whispered as he stood up and away from the pair. "The Lord is a fast learner. Ye are not the first Fire I have counseled, but ye are the first tae understand how tae give up yer power from the first try."

The couple remained silent, their blue and yellow eyes never broke their gaze from the other.

A/n this was a short chapter. I think I'll post the next one in a few weeks to make up for it.
So Kaoru and Kenshin have taken another step closer to working together, becoming stronger because of one another. And Sano is finally out of his sickbed. That means that it's almost time to get back on the road.
I have to say I wish I could spend more time in the Earth Lands. it's by far my favorite. Maybe I should write a little side story taking place in the Earth lands someday...hmm.

Anyways, keep an eye open for another chapter coming in a few weeks. thank you for reading, reviews are loved!