Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. I am just a fan girl with a wild imagination.

****Kaoru POV*****

Three months later…

Kaoru laid down on her futon and Kenzo followed her, tail wagging. He waited for her to get settled before curling up next to her. Kaoru smiled at him reaching down to stroke his ears and the back of his head.

She sighed happily. This had become their little nightly routine, her and Kenzo would fall asleep curled up.

In the morning, he would rise with her, and follow her around the shrine all day during work.

The guests at the shrine had come to love him. One of the most frequent guests had made Kenzo a little blue bandana to wear around his neck.

Even though Kaoru still missed Kenshin, she couldn't deny that having a cute Shiba Inu around was helping her loneliness.

Dogs really were healing. Is this why so many people had them?

Sometimes at night, when Kaoru thought about Kenshin, she would cry.

Kenzo would be there by her face, whining, and licking her face as if to say. I'm here.

Or he would come lay down next to her and put his head on her stomach while she cried. She hoped an owner never came looking for him.

Giving him back would send her over the edge.

She had been through so much already in recently. So far no one had responded to their signs or showed up to the shrine asking about Kenzo.

Kaoru sighed and looked down into Kenzo's black beady eyes.

"You are so good. I hope I get to keep you forever."

Kenzo growled softly in agreement and Kaoru giggled. She reached over to turn the lights off and closed her eyes.

Sleep came quickly. Once Kenzo was sure Kaoru was asleep he got up and settled himself closer to the open window.

He wanted to stay next to her, but all of this fur was making him burn up. One pitfall of being a dog. He too closed his eyes and drifted off into a comfortable sleep.

A few hours later Kaoru began to toss and turn. Beads of sweat appeared across her forehead, and she began to make small noises of protest.

Kenshin raised his head and looked over at her. He sniffed the air and realized she was still asleep.

Rolling up onto his paws, he padded over softly to her and observed her movements.

Kaoru furrowed her brows and her lips parted and moved to imitate speech.

***Kenshin POV****

She's dreaming. Perhaps a nightmare?

Kaoru let out a soft moan and turned her neck to the side.

Kenshin noticed a scent change in the air.

Kaoru is turned on.

The scent of her arousal was like a sweet perfume to him permeating the room.

Oh…it's one of those dreams.

Kenshin felt a new sense of eagerness settle over him. He wondered who she was dreaming about.

There were additional internal feelings of excitement and jealously from his demonic counterpart.

He wanted to be the one in her dreams. Stimulating her, caressing her.

"K-kenshin.."

His questions were answered. Kenshin's chest swelled with pride.

If he had a human face right now, he would be beaming.

The object of his attention sat up suddenly, blue eyes flying open. It seemed to take her a moment to register that what had occurred was just a dream.

Her blue eyes focused on him.

"Kenzo? Oh-no, did I wake you?"

That signature charming flush covered her face. Kaoru fidgeted with her hair as she leaned forward.

With his sharped dog senses, he could hear her mumbling under her breath.

"Mmph..not another one. Can't take handle many more of these."

Another one? This was a regular occurrence?

"I need a shower."

Kaoru rose slowly and grabbed her bathing yukata.

She headed towards the bathroom. Kaoru turned around when she realized Kenzo was following her. She softly ordered him to stay.

"It's okay, you can stay here, I'll be fine."

Kenzo looked at her doubtfully.

"Aw, you're so freaking cute. stay! Stay, okay?"

Stay was not an order one tells a demon. As soon as Kaoru had closed the bathroom door Kenzo sat outside the door on his haunches. He was quite the guard dog.

Behind the door he could hear running water and Kaoru's clothes falling to the floor. He heard her step into the water and let out a soft sigh.

Kaoru closed her eyes and let the hot water run over her body. Her mind was still murky from her dream and her body was still reacting.

Lately her dreams were becoming so vivid. At first, she had dreamt of sweet reunions with Kenshin.

This week, her dreams had become much more sexual. Every night she felt his hands roam her body. They performed sensuous acts that she had never imagined before.

Kaoru had never watched pornography or delved much into the acts of lovemaking beyond the basics. Where these new ideas were coming from was baffling to her. Sometimes the dreams felt so real that she could swear it was actually happening.

While in her thoughts, Kaoru reached for some soap and lathered the suds all over her body.

The fresh scent of lavender soothed her frazzled nerves. Detaching the shower head, she began to use it to rinse her upper body, and back.

She made her way down her body with the shower head and began to wash her lower regions.

Gasping as it ran over her most intimate part, Kaoru hesitated. It reminded her of something Kenshin had been doing to her in her latest dream.

Maybe I can imitate that feeling using this?

Carefully, Kaoru knelt in the shower and crouched over the shower head. Immediately her most sensitive spot was overcome with warmth and a familiar pressure.

"Ohh..!"

Damn, I better be quiet. Everyone is asleep.

Covering one hand over her mouth, Kaoru leaned back and propped her legs up for better access. This position was much better.

She closed her eyes and began to recreate her most recent dream in her mind.

She held the shower head and adjusted the setting for a strong stream of water. Mimicking Kenshin's hand with the water stream, she massaged her bead. Back and forth. Back and forth.

As the familiar building sensation began to take over Kaoru's breathing came out again in pants.

So close…

She moved the stream back and forth faster until finally her orgasm cascading through her in waves.

"Ah..mmm." She tried to stifle her cry as best as she could.

Kaoru sat back and let the shower head drop from her hands.

She had just brought herself to completion while thinking of Kenshin. Was it wrong? Did other women her age do things like this?

What has gotten into me lately…I've never wanted to do these things before.

***Kenshin POV****

Outside the door Kenshin had his dog ear pressed up to the door.

Yes, he had figured out what was going on. He could smell the pheromones.

He listened to the whole thing play out like a soft porn.

Upon her sweet release he had returned to his senses to realize he was drooling all over the floor.

Another downside of existing in a dog form.

Listening to the woman he adored pleasuring herself to the thought of him had woken his demon up.

Go to her.

That's impossible to do without waking everyone up and scaring Kaoru.

She seems to have been enjoying the dreams I've been sending her.

What did I tell you about manipulating her? Leave her alone!

Don't think you have control just because you are a mutt. I will still find ways to have my fun.

Well then, I shall remove us from the situation that I will.

Kenshin turned on his paws and dashed through the house and out the back door.

He let himself out into the night. He ran as fast as his canine legs would allow him.

He had to put some distance in between her and his demon. Kenshin's run brought him to the large pond on the other side of the shrine.

He sat in front of the pond and panted from his brisk run.

He hadn't realized his demon had been preying on her in his sleep.

His demon had the ability to move between realms of the living and the dead, the awake and the asleep with ease.

It was one of the many tactics they could use to target their prey and fulfil their darkest desires.

How stupid he was!

How can I expect to protect her if I can't even protect her from myself?

Cursing his fate. Kenshin wished he had more control over his other side.

He couldn't live like this constantly. To be between two parts and their fluctuation was maddening.

Still, his sides had been separated for a reason. His thoughts were rudely interrupted by an obnoxious bubbling at the pond's surface.

Kenshin peered over the edge of the pond an looked down into the water.

The bubbling formed a small circle and created a mirror in its center.

Hiko's face appeared in the center and replaced Kenshin's dog face.

Hiko had an update for him. He had perfect timing.

Hiko laughed when he was met with a furry face.

When opening a communication portal, he hadn't expected a dog form this time.

"Hello Mutt, I've got an update for you."

Kenshin growled at Hiko in response.

"Your sword is ready. Arai finally finished it. You will need a human to go pick it up for you."

Tired of being a dog, Kenshin transformed himself back into his human form. He would just have to make this quick.

"Hiko, there is someone who can help me here. I don't need you to find a human."

There was no telling how Hiko would get a human to do a task for him. He would prefer to use some method of torture, or intimidation.

He wasn't as kind to humans as Kenshin was.

Hiko's eyes narrowed at Kenshin's words.

"You have a human? Explain, now."

"There is a maiden who works at the shrine that I could convince to help me."

Kenshin could see the wheels turning in Hiko's head and the stern look on his face. He had just figured out how Kenshin was able to survive his injury.

He had human help.

This would change everything. Kenshin realized his mistake.

"How many of these shrine humans have helped you? This was left out of our last meeting."

"There is a priestess Kaoru, a Doctor Megumi, a young girl Misao, and an old man, Okina. They nursed me back to health when they found me bleeding out in the courtyard here. Without them I would have died."

Hiko listened to Kenshin's words, and allowed himself to sit with them before responding.

He paused to massage his forehead and open up another bottle of sake.

This fucking idiot apprentice of his.

They would need to figure out how to navigate this situation.

"How many of them know about you?" What Hiko really meant was how many of them knew about Kenshin's demon side.

"Only the old man. He is Kashiwazaki Nenji, the former leader of the oniwanbanshu. He now runs and owns this shrine."

Hiko's face twisted into rage. He shouted his next response.

"The oniwanbanshu know?! Fucking brilliant! You got wrapped up with the last formidable tribe of demon slayers."

"I had no idea that they would be tied to a shrine that I did not! I parted with Okina on good terms before I left the first time."

"Learn to use your brain. Don't let them figure out you are a dog."

"That has been my plan."

Hiko sensed something else. There was another sort of tension in the air.

He didn't want to miss out on anything else. He couldn't allow Kenshin to fuck up any more than he already had.

Hiko decided to cover all his bases.

"What is your relationship with the shrine maiden? Did you fuck her?"

Kenshin choked on air and began to cough. "W-what? No—"

"No more bullshit Kenshin. Your face says it all."

Kenshin sighed. He needed to be straightforward. He wouldn't let any harm come to Kaoru, even if it meant going against Hiko's wishes.

She didn't ask to get caught up in this.

"My demon has chosen her."

Surprisingly Hiko's next response seemed rather calm. His face took on a thoughtful expression.

Hiko had his fair share of lovers over the years. He was an infamous womanizer at one point.

Now he was more of a recluse. Inwardly, he was slightly amused that Kenshin would find a woman now of all times.

"You have not claimed her, or you have?"

"No, I haven't allowed him to claim her." Kenshin's face tensed.

It had been a struggle.

Never missing a beat Hiko continued his questioning.

"Does she know what you are?"

"No. She doesn't seem to be associated with the Oniwanbanshu. I think Okina adopted her."

"Interesting. If she is going to help you, she will find out. You have put me in a difficult place Kenshin."

"I know that. However, I won't allow you or anyone to hurt her." Kenshin's hand clenched into a fist by his side and the whites of his eye bled red.

No one would touch Kaoru.

He felt his demon roaring inside his head with possessiveness.

Hiko paused, observing his son's state.

It is true. His demon chose a human mate. Amusing.

He wouldn't kill the girl, but he saw no need to spare her friends or the putrid oniwanbanshu.

"I won't harm her Kenshin. I can't say the same for her friends. We will deal with them later."

"Fine."

Kenshin would be civil for now, but he had made a deal with Okina.

He wouldn't allow any harm to come to Kaoru's friends either.

"You will get the sword and come back to headquarters. Bring the girl with you if you must. It will be your responsibility to protect her and explain to our clan why you are occupying your time with a human."

"Understood."

With that Hiko's face in the pond vanished and Kenshin reverted back into his dog form. He used his senses to scan the area.

He couldn't feel the presence of any other powerful demons, but that didn't mean that they weren't waiting in various parts of the city for him to make an appearance.

There was no telling what the enemy would do when they found him.

Now to figure out how to tell Kaoru. Kenshin mentally groaned. He prayed it would go well.

He made his way back to the guest house. As he got closer, he saw Kaoru with wet hair standing on the porch in her sleeping yukata.

She had her hands on her hips. She was looking for him.

When she saw him come into view, a smile replaced her stern look.

"There you are Kenzo! I didn't know you let yourself out!"

Kenzo approached Kaoru and licked her hand, wagging his tail.

"Come on, let's go back to sleep."

****Author's Note***

Don't worry, there will be lemons in later chapters. But not until Kaoru finds out what Kenshin really is. The main villain still needs to make his DEBUT..muhahahaha