Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon Child ❯ Flying Food and Bath Time Fun ( Chapter 6 )

Yes! I finally managed to update! Hohoho! Anyway I just want to say a BIG thank you to everyone who reviewed/read my fic! For those who reviewed, your comments really made my day.

I'm nearing the 100th reviews! Awesome! I hope I'll be able to reach it. (clasps her hands) Please…please.

Warning: a bit of lime/lemon content later in the chapter. Read at your own risk!

Disclaimer: Yes! Yes! I do own RK!!! (lawyers glared at Sapphire) Okay so I lied! I don't own RK! (fumes silently as lawyers go away)

The Demon Child

Chapter Six: Flying Food or BathTime Fun

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"Hey! Watch it! Easy on the fur."

Sano responded by yanking the knots tighter around Chou's wrists. The tall vampire stood to his full length and gave the blonde werewolf a tiny smirk.

"Looks like Jou-chan beat you up pretty good." He commented as he observed the blue bump forming at the werewolf's lower jaw.

Chou glared at the smirking vampire through one blue eye.

"Shut up." He growled with menace, the incisors of his fangs showing.

Soujiro, who appeared out of nowhere, spoke up from besides Sano.

"Usually it's either the captors or their boss who are making the orders, and unfortunately for you, you are neither." The gray-blue-eyed vampire said bluntly, his usual smile ever present in his face.

Sano jolted in surprise when Soujiro spoke and cranked his neck to toss a glare at the shorter vampire.

"Damn! Give me a heart attack, why don't you? Why can't you walk a little more loudly next time?"

Soujiro laughed softly. "Honestly Sano, for a vampire, you are duller than a rusty sword."

Sano turned red. "And just what do you mean by that Soujiro?" He hollered, fists sprawling in the air and fangs sprouting as steam seemed to come out of his ears. (AN: Imagine a fuming SD Sano like in the series)

"Are you trying to be funny? Cause the hell you aren't!"

Soujiro merely ignored Sano's comments and continued laughing.

Hiko chose this moment to walk in the room, followed by Battousai, Aoshi and lastly, Shogo. The Vampire Lord raised an eyebrow as he saw the fuming Sano and the laughing Soujiro.

He turned his gaze to the captured werewolf who merely shrugged at him.

"You don't want to know." Chou answered.

Hiko didn't reply. Instead, the vampire willed another, albeit more comfortable, chair to appear and sat down across from the werewolf.

"How are you feeling?"

"Not too bad." Chou replied. Eyeing his bonded wrists, he added. "Although these knots are a bit uncomfortable."

By now, both Sano and Soujiro had regained their composure and merely contented themselves to lay back and watch, though the smirk on Sano's face grew wider at Chou's comment at the ties holding his wrists together.

"But I know that you're not here just to ask how I'm doing." The blonde werewolf said, glancing at Hiko out of the corner of his eye.

Hiko nodded his head. "You are so right. I need to ask you some questions."

Chou shrugged but sat up straighter as well as opened his other eye. "Fire away. I can't promise you that I'll answer them though."

Hiko's eyes flashed red just for a millisecond. Leaning closer, he stared at Chou with serious, heavy-lidded eyes.

"I'm afraid you don't have much of a choice now, do you?"

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Ka oru tossed a worried glance at Misao who was curled up in a fetus position at a corner of the room. The silver-blue haired demon had decided to bring the other female to her bedroom for privacy.

Misao was visibly shivering as she continued to rock back and forth her body slowly. Her face was hidden in her arms and her long black hair muffled the sobs that Kaoru knew Misao was holding by the woman's body language. Plus, the demon's sensitive nose could pick up the salty scent of her tears.

Kaoru remained silent and watched Misao from the edge of her soft, silk-laden bed. It broke Kaoru's heart to see her lifetime friends in tears but she knew that Misao needed this to get it off her chest once and for all.

It seemed like an eternity had passed to Kaoru before Misao finally lifted her face and wiped the tears away from the corners of her eyes with the back of her hands.

"Gomen K-K-Kaoru." Misao hiccupped, her voice low and croaked. "I've been acting like such a crybaby lately, haven't I?"

Her lips twitched in an attempt to smile but instead came up with a small, sorrowful frown.

Kaoru got up from the bed and crouched to her knees besides Misao. Sapphire-silver clashed with emerald as the two females looked eye to eye.

"You're not a crybaby Misao. You're a strong young woman who had experienced something only an unfortunate few have." Kaoru said simply, her voice sincere. "The werewolf's presence brought back painful memories. It's perfectly natural to feel angst."

Then she gave a tiny smile. "But I'm surprised that you didn't pounce on Chou the moment he became conscious again."

Misao cringed at the mention of the werewolf's name but gave a teary-eyed grin nevertheless.

"Well, I was about too but the guys took him then to the interrogation room."

Misao looked thoughtful for a moment. "I wonder what they're doing in there right now."

Kaoru shrugged. "I don't know."

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A few hours later, both Kaoru and Misao were on their way to the kitchen to fetch themselves a snack when they noticed Megumi and Yahiko sitting at the dining hall as they were about to passed by.

Megumi noticed them at the same time and waved them to come over with the flick of an elegant hand. Kaoru and Misao glanced at each other, debating whether to come over. They nodded at each other; after all, it was the courteous thing to do.

Megumi gave them a coy smile as they took their seats across from her and Yahiko.

"Hello." She said in a crooning voice. "We haven't been properly introduced yet."

She gestured a hand to herself. "My name is Megumi Takani. I'm the resident 'doctor' as humans would say and Sanosuke Sagara's mate."

Megumi pointed to Yahiko. "He's Yahiko Myojin (sp?)…"

"Soon to become one of the greatest vampires ever in Japan." added the black-haired boy, his chest puffed out in pride.

Kaoru cocked an eyebrow. "Well…aren't we Mr. Egotistic." She muttered.

Misao, on the other hand, blinked. She pointed at Megumi, then at Yahiko; a bewildered look present in her features.

"You two are vampires?"

Megumi rolled her cinnamon eyes. "Isn't it obvious?"

The ebony-haired vampire peered closely at Misao, as if inspecting her; then glanced at Kaoru. "You really should educate your human maid more on how to use her common sense."

Misao tossed a glare at Megumi. "I am not a maid. I'm her best friend."

Megumi flicked her hair over a pale shoulder; the light of the chandelier reflected the ebony strands, giving them a greenish hue.

"Best friend? Is that a human term for 'low-life inferior human slave'?" She said in response.

"What?!" Misao's mouth gaped open in shock but then closed it with a snap. "Oh you're so going to get it. I…"

Kaoru coughed. "Megumi-san…Misao's neither my maid nor my 'slave'. She's my best friend since childhood."

Megumi had a scandalous look on her face but the shrugged. "I see. You don't have much friends then do you?"

Misao turned an angry red at this while Kaoru sighed softly and started to rub her throbbing temples, feeling a headache coming on.

The demon closed her eyes for a moment but then snapped them open. Her head hurt too much. She needed a drink…some warm tea or perhaps a goblet of fresh blood.

Kaoru placed her palms on the table and made a move to stand up when a soft, buzzing sound emitted somewhere in the hall.

Both Megumi and Yahiko glanced momentarily at the entrance of the dining area before they glanced back at a confused Kaoru and Misao.

"Dinner bell." Megumi explained coolly. "It tells the others that the food's ready."

Misao noticeably fidgeted in her seat. The look on her face wasn't that assuring.

Megumi noticed this and spoke out. "Don't worry." She said. "You're not on the menu…at least for tonight."

Misao openly glared at the much older female who simply held her hand to her mouth and laughed.

"Ohohoho!"

Kaoru sighed. "Don't fret Misao. I asked Hiko if it can be that human food would be served whenever you and Tsubame are around to eat."

Misao blinked. "Vampires can eat solids? I thought they only drink blood."

Yahiko humphed. "Yeah right. Where have you been all your life? Hiding under a rock?"

Misao tossed her glare at the youthful-looking vampire.

"Oh yeah? Then why don't you…"

Kaoru felt the sharp pain in her temples heightened and rubbed them subconsciously. The veins in her body seemed to cry out for fresh, tasty blood to replace the ones her body had already taken in.

"Be quiet, won't you Misao? I'm really sorry but my head damn hurts right now." Came her irritated growl. It took all of Kaoru's restraints not to bite her friend's head off in annoyance…both figuratively and literally.

"I haven't drunk blood since the night I saved Tsubame and those weren't even enough to quench my thirst." She grumbled.

"Then take a packet of blood from the cooler. It's not fresh but at least your head won't hurt so much." Interrupted Hiko as he and the other vampires entered the hall.

All four stood up at once and both Megumi and Yahiko gave a short bow.

"Good evening Lord Hiko." The two vampires chorused.

Kaoru raised her eyebrows at how they both spoke at exactly the same time. Obviously, they had done this way too many times.

After greetings were exchanged; they all sat down with Hiko at the head of the long table, Sano besides Megumi and Aoshi with Misao. There were a couple of minutes of amusement provided by Battousai and Shogo as both grabbed the only vacant seat besides Kaoru at the same time. The two eyed each other with heated glares as both refused to budge their hold on the unfortunate piece of furniture. Soujiro took this chance to sneakily slide into the oh-so-favorite chair and gave a smile at Kaoru who could only smiled back.

It was a good thing that Soujiro had his back to the two furious vampires otherwise his (AN: kawaii) face would've melted at the heat of their glares. The boyish-looking vampire was making idle chit-chat with the female demon.

Regardless of the awkwardness she felt, Kaoru was quite happy with the seating arrangement. She didn't felt like talking to either Battousai or Shogo at the moment and Soujiro was like a brother to her.

A thought crossed Kaoru's mind and she asked.

"What's the situation with Chou, Sou-chan?"

Unnoticeably, two pairs of lips grimaced into a frown at the mention of the nickname.

"He didn't tell us anything we didn't know already." Soujiro answered; a slight hint of annoyance in his grayish eyes.

"He was quite reluctant to answer any of our questions but one jerk of Truth Sermen and…well you get the picture. But since he was just a lackey of Shisho's, he didn't know much." He continued.

"So where is he now?"

"He's being held at the detainment cell downstairs. The windows are of custom-made glass that prevents the full moon's rays from filtering to the room, disabling Chou's transformation to his large, furry form."

Kaoru touched a finger to her lips, deep in thought.

"But won't he be able to change back even without the moon's influence?" she asked.

Soujiro shook his head, the dark brown strands of his hair swaying due to the motion.

"We injected Chou with a substance that counter-attacks the surge of special minerals found in werewolves' blood that enables them to transform willingly. Sort of a blockage system." He answered.

Kaoru nodded her head slowly. Smart idea.

Just then, the kitchen adjoined to the dining hall opened its double doors and a row of human servants piled themselves into the hall, each carrying a different type of food.

Kaoru sniffed the air and gave a deep sigh of satisfaction. The food smelled delicious and tender…just like the necks of defenseless humans whom she would sank her fangs into…hopefully soon.

Misao, who was busy making conversation with Aoshi, (actually, she was the one doing most of the talking) noticed a familiar brown-haired teenaged girl amongst the servants and gave her an encouraging wink.

Tsubame blushed prettily and began to pull her long, white sleeves shyly. She had volunteered to work as a helper in the mansion since she didn't want to be a burden though her room's still located in the guests' wing.

The young girl was so lost in her thoughts that she accidentally bumped into Yahiko who was busy chugging down his soup greedily. The boy-vampire soon found himself kissing the core of his now empty bowl with its contents sprayed all over his face and hair. A few drops even managed to get on his gi, staining its creamy color.

Sano burst out laughing at the sight of the wet Yahiko with his hair splattered in tiny bits of chopped meat and vegetables.

"You should've seen the look on your face!" He exclaimed in between laughs. "It was priceless!"

Angrily, Yahiko moved the bowl out of his face and turned behind him, a rude remark at the tip of his tongue.

However, the threat died in his throat when he stared into the pretty face of a girl who would've been his age if you only took note of the looks. The girl's shy dark brown eyes were large and innocent-looking, unlike the eyes of other females he'd seen before.

"I…I…" Yahiko was left speechless as he continued staring intently at the pretty girl before him.

Tsubame blushed redder when she noticed this and Yahiko too blushed a shade of red.

The other females, except the servants who were too frightened to say something in front of their masters, thought this was cute and decided to tease the two.

"Aww…aren't you guys just so cute?" said Misao as she clasped her hands together and sighed, a sort-of a dreamy look in her dazed eyes.

"Don't they just look so cute, Kao-chan?" The emerald-eyed woman asked the silvery-blue-haired demon.

Kaoru's lush lips twisted into somewhat between a smirk and a smile.

"Yes they do, Misao-chan." She agreed. "They would make such an adorable couple."

A pair of fox ears sprouted from Megumi's head, making Kaoru wonder for a moment if the cinnamon-eyed female vampire is a demon like her.

"Ohohoho!" laughed Megumi as she covered her mouth with the back of her hand.

"Of course they would." She commented.

At this, both Yahiko and Tsubame blush a deep shade of red. Tsubame, embarrassed, hid her flaming face half-way with the empty silver tray. Her brown eyes gleamed with natural shyness.

Sano smirked and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively at Yahiko.

"So are you going to claim her our way?" He asked teasingly. "Or would you prefer to marry her as humans preferred to do?"

"SANNNOOO!!!"

-------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------- (AN: a bit of lime content! Read at your own risk!)

Kaoru let out a satisfactory purr as she leaned lower against the marble-polished bathtub, a goblet of stilled blood grasped in her hand.

The demon settled the goblet on the white-washed tiled floor besides her. Kaoru closed her eyes and hold her nose as she dived into the lukewarm water. Her silver-blue hair swayed in the soap-residued water and Kaoru contented herself with the peaceful silence aside from the pounding of her eardrums due to the pressure.

Kaoru was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't hear the door of the bathroom opening and the soft footsteps of someone getting inside.

Just when Kaoru was beginning to feel totally relaxed, a pair of slightly muscular arms grabbed her slender waist and Kaoru soon found herself resurfacing from the water to her waist.

Shocked, Kaoru snapped her sapphire-silver eyes opened to stare into relieved amber depths. It was Battousai.

Kaoru turned red in a mixture of anger and embarrassment as she tired to cover herself up with her hands. How dare he barged into her bathroom and while she was taking a bath nonetheless!

She opened her mouth, her tongue ready to fire furious remarks at the crimson-haired vampire when he crushed her into a tight embrace.

"Kami…" Battousai muttered as he stroked Kaoru's wet hair tenderly. "I thought you were committing suicide."

Annoyed and flustered, Kaoru struggled to get out of the embrace but proved to be futile. It only made the vampire embraced her tighter even more.

Kaoru contended herself instead to lean back her face from Battousai's neck and cocked an eyebrow at him.

"Why would you think of a stupid thing like that?" She demanded, resisting the urge to roll her eyes.

Battousai answered by trailing the hand that had been stroking Kaoru's hair down to cup her chin. He leaned in closer until their noses bumped into each other.

His warm breathe played with Kaoru's lips, making her shiver with delight much against her mind's will.

Molten amber eyes stared intently with sapphire silver as Battousai finally replied.

"I don't know. All I know is that I was afraid to lose you."

Then, he closed the distance between them with a kiss.

His kiss was gentle and soft, almost as if he was afraid of hurting her. Kaoru thought to herself as their lips made contact.

And before her mind could fully register what was happening, Battousai broke off the kiss.

Kaoru's lips burned for more but her strong-willed mind won't allow her to accept her body's yearnings. The demon leaned her face to the vampire's well-sculpted chest and closed her eyes to prevent Battousai from seeing the internal battle she was having currently, and strangely, with herself. It was purely between mind and body.

Disappointed and a bit angry at Kaoru's lack of response, Battousai frowned openly but his quick mind soon told him that perhaps he had been too forward and felt a bit ashamed at this.

He let go of his hold on Kaoru and made a move to stand up when Kaoru, her head bent down, reached a hand up to stop him. Battousai glanced down at her with confused eyes.

"Please…" Kaoru muttered. "Don't go."

Kaoru looked up and her beautiful sapphire-silver eyes had a glassy dazed look in their depths as they stared into his amber orbs.

"Don't go." She repeated; her voice soft as a gentle whisper.

Battousai's body tensed at her words and mostly, at Kaoru's eyes. They seemed so sensual, so erotic. Damned if he wasn't feeling aroused right now.

Battousai willingly complied and let his body fall to the water, not minding his already wet hakama and partly-wet gi. He took Kaoru once more in his arms and gave her a chaste kiss just at the corner of her pert mouth before he nuzzled her nape with his cheek. He was careful as to not hurt her soft alabaster skin with his coarse x-shaped scar.

He didn't want to scare her away so he forced himself to content with just holding her for the time being.

Just then, Kaoru moved closer to the embrace, the tips of her bare breasts brushing against his gi-clad chest. Her mystifying sapphire-silver eyes closed.

Battousai stiffened. Obviously, Kaoru had forgotten that they were both in a tub, with her naked. But, hey, he wasn't complaining

"Oro! Miss Kaoru should not do that, that she should not." Called out his other-half.

"Don't tell me you don't enjoy this too. Look at that nosebleed."

"ORO!!" said his other half, scandalized, as he fought to control the flow of blood coming from his nose.

Battousai smirked at the voice inside his head but it vanished into a low growl when he felt Kaoru leaving little kisses all over his neck. The cool touch of her lips against his warmth sent a surge of passion like current throughout his body to his loins.

Screw virtue.

Battousai nudged his head away and lifted Kaoru's chin to place a burning kiss in her lips.

Kaoru didn't know why she'd done what she did and she didn't know if she would know for sure. But she couldn't help but feel a tingle of delight as her lips, cold from the bath, came in contact with Battousai's warm lips.

She felt Battousai urging her mouth to open by the way he pushed his lips with hers. Kaoru proceeded to tease him by moving her face slightly on the sides.

He quickly retaliated by biting her lower lip gently, careful not to draw blood. Surprised, Kaoru opened her mouth and Battousai took this chance to kiss her open-mouth.

Kaoru felt a low moan emitting from her throat in desire and inched her face upwards closer to the crimson-haired vampire's.

Slowly, Battousai trailed his lips down to the side of her neck. He inhaled deeply at her scent and let out a contented growl.

Jasmine. She smelled like jasmine.

Battousai snapped his eyes open and smiled a smile that would have left any female breathless and ready to jump into his bed. Unfortunately, Kaoru hadn't seen his sensuous smile or she would've shivered with desire.

Through half-lidded eyes, Battousai kissed Kaoru's neck, stopping at the spot where he could feel her life-vein pulsing quickly. His red-amber eyes flashed as he felt the river of Kaoru's blood coursing through her veins, giving the female demon her life.

His lips parted and his lower jaw hung low as the incisors of his teeth lengthened and grew piercingly sharp. If he would sank his teeth to the soft skin just above her life-vein and suck a little of her blood, Kaoru would be proclaimed as his mate forever, according to the vampire's code of law.

Just an inch before his fangs would taste soft, succulent skin, Battousai hesitated for the first time in his life (and that is pretty long). The wild dark side of his vampiric being longed to claim Kaoru as his life-mate for eternity but the rational side of him wanted her to be willing and love him just the same before he could do that.

No, he would not let Kaoru in a relationship she didn't want. Battousai growled as his fangs shortened to human size. Reluctantly, he pushed away from Kaoru and stared at her.

Kaoru's long eyelashes fluttered open when she felt Battousai pulling away. Her still-dazed sapphire-silver eyes gazed into red-amber eyes.

Battousai's eyes narrowed suspiciously at the clouded-look in Kaoru's eyes. Looking around, he spotted a bottle of scented liquidized soap lying near the tub and used his telepathic powers to let the bottle float into his hands where he gripped it tightly.

He opened the cap of the bottle and sniffed it cautiously. The red in his amber eyes flashed into a murdering blood red as his sharp mind registered the contents of the bottle. Claws sprang out from his fingernails as his grip tightened so much that the bottle broke and the rest of it's contents spilled to the tiled floor, staining the white-washed color.

Glaring at the mixture of the liquid soap and his blood (He'd cut his palm when he broke the bottle) in his hand with disgust, Battousai reached for a spare towel and wiped his bleeding hand with it. Taking off his gi, he slung it over Kaoru's shoulders and dressed her in it. He tied the ties of his gi around the female demon's body to hold it in place.

Snaking one arm around her shoulder blades and the other under her knees, the crimson-haired vampire-assassin lifted Kaoru easily from the tub. He frowned deeper as he noticed that part of his gi was still wet and used his ki to dry it.

Kicking the bathroom door with his foot, Battousai exited to Kaoru's bedroom and made his way to her bed. He gently placed Kaoru, who had by now gone unconscious due to the lack of high ki required for emission, on the soft mattress. He lifted her head carefully to stuff a couple of cotton pillows underneath it and stood back to his full height.

A soft smile replaced the worried frown on his face as Battousai gazed down at the precious bundle lying in the bed. After making sure that she would be alright, Battousai wheeled around and walked out of the door, closing it softly behind him.

He transferred a tiny part of his ki to Kaoru's door, creating a strong shield that would make sure that nobody could get inside the room without his permission.

His blood red-amber eyes flashed dangerously as he glided along the corridors towards the room where Sano and his mate would be.

It was time for a little chit-chat with Megumi.

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Kaoru snapped her eyes opened when she felt a strong ki emitting somewhere near her. But before she could investigate, the ki vanished.

The female demon blinked her eyes in confusion as she gazed around her surroundings.

Why was she here in her bedroom?

Kaoru made a move to sit up but a dizzying feeling punctured through her brain and she flopped back down on the bed.

She rubbed her aching head, trying to soothe it, as her mind clouded with thoughts and fleeting memories.

The last time Kaoru remembered; she was taking a bath using the scented liquid soap Megumi gave her when Battousai barged in unexpectedly. Naturally, she'd covered herself and what about to yell at him when he had gathered her into his arms and told her that he thought she was committing suicide. ("Yeah right." She snorted)

Kaoru then asked why he would think of such a ridiculous thing as she struggled to get out of his embrace. Battousai only held her tighter and caressed her hair, causing her to blush, before he finally answered.

Kaoru paused. A pale blush creeping up her heated cheeks.

And then, he kissed her. After that, she didn't remember much anymore.

Kaoru flicked her wet silver-blue hair out of her face as her brain racked, trying to remember what had happened then. After a while, she gave up. Her mind was a complete blank.

She felt an itch in her shoulder and Kaoru reached a clawed hand to scratch it when she came in contact with soft cloth instead of cool skin. Her clear sapphire-silver eyes traveled down to her body and noticed that she was wearing a black gi…similar to Battousai's.

Kaoru grabbed a fistful and sniffed it. The scent of the rainforest sting her sensitive nostrils and the demon let go; a small frown on her face.

The scent belonged to Battousai. Which meant that she was indeed wearing his gi.

Kaoru jolted up and glanced down at herself. She gave a heaved sigh.

Thank goodness that the gi reached just above her knees, covering some personal parts she wouldn't want anyone but herself to see.

Kaoru blushed. Did Battousai saw her naked body? All of it? She hoped not.

A grim frown settled on lush pink lips. She would like to have a word with Battousai.

But first, thought Kaoru as she took off the crimson-haired and amber-eyed vampire's gi and opened her drawers to take out her undergarments.

Kaoru put them on. She would like to have a talk with Megumi first. Kaoru had suspected the other female's true intentions when she gave the demon the bottle but Kaoru had just shrugged it off, thinking it was her way of being nice.

Kaoru opened her closet and took out the first kimono her eyes would set upon. She put it on without a second's thought to what she'd chose to wear.

Tying the kimono's obi around her slender waist, Kaoru put on her tabi sandals and approached the door.

As soon as her hand came in contact with the door knob, a current of red-amber flickered at her and Kaoru withdrew her hand to avoid being electrified and burnt at the same time.

Her frown grew deeper as Kaoru now found out where the ki she'd felt before had gone. Battousai lent some of his ki into her door, just enough for prohibiting anyone from entering her room.

Kaoru shook her head in dismay and transferred some of her ki to counteract Battousai's. The amber-eyed vampire would feel the pull of his ki on the door fading and would probably come here to investigate but Kaoru didn't care. All she cared about was getting out of the room and finding Megumi.

Soon enough, the red-amber sparks dissipated and Kaoru opened her door without a synch. (sp?)

Kaoru closed the door behind her and walked towards the banister. Perhaps she could ask the servants where Megumi's room might be.

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Somewh ere in the training area a.k.a. the dojo, Misao was busy practicing her kunai-throwing skills at several wooden dummies scattered all over the room.

'I won't be a burden to Kaoru any longer.' She thought to herself as she paused to take a breathe.

Her emerald eyes blazed with an inner fire. Adrenaline pumped into her veins vigorously and Misao felt her body tensed, ready for action.

'I will get stronger. I will avenge them.'

With a heave, Misao flung one of her kunais. However, she miscalculated its' velocity. The kunai went too fast and missed the target, heading instead for the wall.

A flash of silver flickered in the dark shadows of the dojo's corners and Misao ducked her head sideward to avoid being hit by her flying kunai.

She craned her neck to look behind her, sweatdropping when she saw the dagger-like tool entrapped in the wooden dummy behind her.

"Your reflexes are good but your aiming leaves nothing to be desired of." criticized a chilling voice in the shadows.

Misao felt her temper flare up.

"Who do you think you are?" she demanded, emerald eyes flashing. She pulled up a fist. "Why don't you come here and say it to my face?"

"As you wish." answered the voice coolly as a figure stepped into the light.

It was Aoshi, with his calculating icy blue eyes.

"If you'd like, I can teach you how to become better." He said.

To be continued

Sapphire: (pulls her collar as she reread the bathroom scene) Woah, is it getting in hot in here or what? Personally, I don't know why I wrote that part. I guess I was feeling a little naughty. We all get that sometimes ne? (giggles).

Anyway, I really hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. Sorry for taking so long, I made myself update my older fics. (A vow I made when I first started writing here).

Before I say adieu, I wanted to clear a few things up. Soujiro doesn't like anyone/isn't paired with anyone in this fic. Sorry Sou-fans. I guess I kind of forgot to get him a girl… Poor Sou-kun! (sniffs). I'm also willing to hear your suggestions about Kaoru's kimono. Should it play a 'significant' role in the next chapter? Or should I leave it as a plain, regular kimono? Hohoho!

Will Misao agree to letting Aoshi improve her skills? Who will reach Megumi first? Battousai or Kaoru? What did the Kitsune put in that soap anyway? Will there be some A/M or more B/K action? When will Shishio introduced himself properly? Tune in the future chapters and maybe all these questions will be answered.

Have any suggestions for the next chapter? Tell me and I'll think it over.

Replies: (by order of who reviewed first)

Illusions-chan -- Thanks! Well I hope that you enjoyed this chapter too. (smiles)

d-lolo -- I will, I will. Thanks! (smiles)

GothicBlacre -- Thanks! I love this Kaoru too! (and I'm not just saying that because I wrote her) Hohoho!

XxSilentDreamerxX - I totally agree. Megumi's laugh just wouldn't be the same without the 'O'. Oh! And I'm not trying to laugh like her…exactly. (laughs)

ALEX - Thanks! The answer is no. I will explain it in the future chapters. (smiles)

alex - What can I say? I love making Battousai possessive. Grr…so sexy. Hohoho! (laughs)

Brittanie Love - Thanks! I was a little nervous that you guys might not like the battle scene. (smiles)

unknown beedee - Well I don't know if this chapter's to your liking but I hope you still like it. (grins naughtily)

cyjj - Thanks! I tried my best. (smiles)

half-breed-demon-fox - Thanks! I love doing Kaoru as a kick-ass chick. She rarely gets to reveal this side of her in the series. (grins)

BabyKaoru-sama - Thank you! I hope you'll love this chapter as well. (grins)

tintin-chan - Oh yeah! (laughs) Who does like competitions? Especially between two hot, hot (did I mention hot?) guys. (grins sneakily)

Bradybunch4529 - Thanks! Hope you like this chapter as well. (smiles)

baka deshi - Thanks! (smiles)

Sparkling-Ruby Gem - Thanks! (blushes)

Rochelle - Thanks! There might not be any action in this chapter but there will definitely be some in the next chapter.

Babette - Thanks! It's so cool that you can touch-type. I can do that too (…sometimes)

Bett - Thanks! No I wouldn't mind. (grins)

Devi - Thanks! Well I updated…so you wouldn't have any gray hair anymore! Hohoho! (laughs)