Black Devotion
Violet Goddess

hello dear reader. i have but one thing to say about my last cliffhanger.... MUHAHAHA. :::dodges various objects thrown by readers::: hey that was an awesome cliffhanger! but i digress. here my fellow kenshin folk is chapter 3, brought to you by several threatening emails and interesting reviews. i see many of you wish to battousai and kaoru get "more friendly." well fear not! so here is my tiny warning there is a bit of RACY material. nothing that is horrible but you might not want to read it in front of your grandmother. :)

oh and i made this chapter a little longer but if you guys want updates that are anywhere nearly timely, say less than once every few months, i can't make them much longer. i started classes and my teachers seem to have been hand picked from the gestapo but i won't get into that. so my lovely readers enjoy and leave some reviews so i know what you think.

email: bright_eyes_844@yahoo.com (i try to answer every email but please don't leave your address in a review, i reply to those nor do i add you to my mailing list.)

mailing list: yes i have a mailing list for my kenshin fic. i have had one for my sm fics for some time and now i have one for this. send me a request or just email me about this fic and i'll add you. i send out an email when i update to let you know. again please don't ask in a review as it makes it more difficult because you may have misspelled your address or whatever. thanks :)

woo! :::whips sweat from brow::: Now on with the show!

Chapter 3

Though his façade of easy confidence never fell, Battousai was inwardly seething. The little fool! Did she think that she could just get up and walk away from him and the trouble she had created? Did she think she could just leave it all behind? He knew she had, because there she lay, a mass of tangled limbs which he was now presenting to his lord. Sighing at the stupidity of his prisoner Battousai only stood, staring down at her while she slowly unraveled herself from the mess of fabric.

Kaoru stared up at Battousai’s angry face, wary but defiant. Though no emotion flickered across his face, no hint of surprise she knew he had not expected to see her here, had not thought she would attempt to escape him. That little bit of information only made her deed all the more satisfying. Meeting his cold stare through a veil of disheveled hair, Kaoru felt the first flickers of unease. Though he was angry at her disobedience, there was something else in the air, a tension that set the hairs on her neck on end. Turning to look at what had suddenly drawn Battousai’s attention, Kaoru suddenly knew what had caused the turbulent emotions permeating the tent. Staring directly at her was one of the most vicious looking men she had ever seen.

Lord Hoshi stared at the girl with a mixture of surprise and rage. He had definitely not expected this girl to appear at his feet like some ragged waif, eyes wide in surprise and shock. He remained stoically silent as she looked her fill of him, he’d always found others reaction to him amusing for he was not an unassuming man. Unlike Battousai’s lithe body and classic features he was a large man, his body scarred from battle and his hair graying slightly at the temples. But he knew that what others truly found frightening about him were his eyes; they were expressive and spoke eloquently the violence he had seen and done and would do again. A favorite mistress of his had once told him it was like staring at the devil himself when Hoshi was in a rage. Lord Hoshi used his appearance like he did everything else, as a weapon to conquer.

“So this is our little thief is it?” He words were neutral, showing none of the fury he felt cresting inside him. First rule of war, never show your opponents your anger, cold calculation is much more terrifying.

“So it would seem.” Battousai replied with a purse of his lips. He seemed irritated the girl was even there, though he hid it well. Hoshi was just too used to reading others, to diving behind that mask of indifference or bravery to the secrets lying beneath. Hmm, this situation might present some interesting possibilities.

“Why was she found traveling in the opposite direction of this camp, Himura? Surely you weren’t going to let such a vicious criminal go?” Hoshi casually sipped at his wine as he watched the girl’s pretty face turn white at the implication of his words. This was no seasoned veteran of intrigue, no she was an innocent. All the better, Hoshi mused, it would add a new element to the games.

“Your men simply saved me the trouble of hauling her here. Think I would leave a prisoner alone if escape were possible?” Himura had relaxed somewhat, his stance defensive but Hoshi knew he was subtly probing for weaknesses and only smiled coldly. “I knew your men combed the area for three miles in any direction, when she left she would simply be picked up and brought here. And I would be saved the trouble of dragging a complaining woman across hard country.” He was now staring at Kaoru, an open look of irritation on his face that Hoshi could well understood.

Though Hoshi enjoyed women and had a healthy appetite for them, he did not bring them on campaign. A few camp whores were all he allowed at his camps for should they be killed, no one would bring grievances. He had no taste for simpering women demanding he slow the pace or provide them luxuries he found useless on the road. No the comfort he found between their shapely little legs was not enough to offset their trouble.

“I find your use of my men most tiresome Himura. They might have simply taken her, you know. Played with her a little first but most certainly they would have made taken her eventually.” Hoshi swirled his wine absently as he watched Battousai’s reaction, waiting for any telling signs, but only the smallest flicker of wariness crossed his face. Ahh, Himura knew he was testing him, probing him for weaknesses as well. This was one of the reasons Hoshi had come to respect the man, it was a constant battle between them, both trying to best the other. It was invigorating.

Smiling, Hoshi stared at the girl and then Battousai.

“Well?”

“Why should I try to protect the honor of a prisoner, especially one of her crimes?” Hoshi heard the girl gasp in outrage at that but his gaze never left Himura. In truth Himura hadn’t known his men wouldn’t rape her, in truth it was more than likely that they would have if he hadn’t given the order to move out. And if the girl’s reaction to his statement was any indication she felt Himura would protect her honor. So he hadn’t thought she would try to escape wherever he had left her. Ahh, he’d never intended to bring the girl to him. Interesting.

“True Himura, quite true.” Standing abruptly, Hoshi walked over to Kaoru’s pale figure. Large dark eyes stared back at him as he reached down and cupped her chin, turning her profile first one and then the other. He felt Battousai tense ever so subtly at his actions and smiled, oh yes this had possibilities.

“Well I suppose there is nothing to be done,” Hoshi said as he stepped away from the cowering girl and looked to Battousai. “She has to be treated like any other criminal, she’ll be executed at dawn.”

He turned then as if the matter were already stripped from his mind, laid to rest in the most obvious of ways. Kaoru was shaken, was this really how things would turn out? She supposed some foolish part of her had been optimistic, thinking somehow everything would work out with fairytale precision. What shit.

“So that’s it?!” She could tell her outburst had surprised both men. They stared at her as she clumsily made her way to her feet. “You’re just going to execute me?” She struggled a moment, her flailing arms caught haphazardly in the plentiful folds of cloth. “I can’t believe this! I come here hoping for a little mercy and you don’t even give me a chance to plead my case.”

Battousai heard something very much like a growl emit from her throat as she finally righted herself and glared at both men.

“You! This is all your fault!” She screamed at Battousai. Kaoru knew she was screaming like some shrew but couldn’t find it in herself to either stop or care. “If you hadn’t been so damn sure of yourself and his,” she threw her arms wildly in Hoshi direction, “men, I wouldn’t have gotten my hopes up. Gods truth that was a despicable thing to do.” Kaoru was truly a sight to behold, her face flushed in anger, her eyes flashing vengeance as she raged defiantly against them. She seemed a storm cresting the horizon and in that moment Battousai wanted nothing more than to tumble her into the nearest bed. A sidelong glance at Hoshi showed Battousai that his lord was in much the same mind.

Anger flared as he watched Hoshi move as if to grab Kaoru and Battousai’s hand flew to his sword, the action instinctive. He’d kill Hoshi before he let him touch Kaoru. His lord saw Battousai’s subtle warning and subsided his advance, though the wench looked like a temptress standing there, her clothes hanging in a disarray and nearly falling off that delicious little body of hers. Kaoru was blissfully unaware of the seething undercurrents that flowed between Hoshi and Battousai, all she saw was red as rage and fear raced over her. It was galling to have these two men hold her life in their hands when only a few hours earlier she had been so sure of her escape.

“Don’t blame me my lady. You took your brother’s debt and now you will pay it.” Battousai’s voice was mild and yet there was something about his words that drew her attention. There was more to this situation than met the eye, something riding restlessly below the surface. Hoshi’s eyes snapped from Battousai to Kaoru at that statement.

“Took your brother’s debt? What the hell are you talking about Battousai?” Hoshi was boiling with fury at the thought that his best warrior had left the real criminal behind and brought him instead this slip of a girl, though looking at her now as the edge of kimono slipped off her milky shoulder he would be hard pressed to call her a girl.

“Her brother was the real thief. As head of their family she demanded to take his place. I was honor bound to accept the trade.” Hoshi could tell from Battousai’s clenched jaw and the scathing look he was giving the girl that he had been none to happy about her interference, but Hoshi understood his reasoning. Battousai was a man of honor if nothing else and he would have felt he had no choice except to agree to the girl’s demand. Hoshi would have just scoffed at the girl’s assumption to make deals with him and pushed her aside while dragging the little thief behind him. He knew her brother had to be young if he had to defer to this girl before him who was what? Nineteen? Twenty?

Hiding his anger quickly, Hoshi smiled amiably at the girl.

“Well that certainly adds a new perspective to the situation, doesn’t it.” He could see how his swift mood shift confused the girl. Good, he wanted her off balance.

“Exactly what does it change?” Battousai asked suspiciously, his eyes narrowed to amber slits. Hoshi was scheming again.

“Well if she didn’t herself commit the crime what would be accomplished by executing her?” Hoshi said flippantly as he walked back towards the small, battered table and sat down easily on its scarred surface. His legs sprawled out in front of him, crossed at his ankles, Kaoru thought she had never seen a more menacing man. He spoke too casually about death and power.

“She assumed the crime from her brother.” Hoshi nearly smiled at the wary look Battousai was giving him. “So if you don’t mean to execute her, do you mean to just let her go?” Now Hoshi would see just how far this game could go and what prizes there were to be reaped.

“No.” He looked at Kaoru then, her anger had faded and now only confusion shown on her beautiful face, confusion and fear. “Sadly dear woman you did assume the crimes of your brother but due to the unusual....circumstances here I will make an exception for you. I won’t execute you.” He saw her sag with relief and did smile then. “I will merely keep you as my mistress, and when I tire of you, you will be given to my men.”

Kaoru’s eyes went wide in shock. Was he serious? The hell she would become a camp whore, the hell she would become this man’s mistress! She would rather feel the cold bite of steel against her neck than that of his hands against her skin. Her body began to flush in anger as everything once again turned red and reason flew out the window. She was looking around for something to kill him with when Battousai stepped forward.

“No.” Hoshi’s expression turned blank at Battousai’s words, he would give nothing away. “If you are handing out women so freely today then I want her.”

Check mate, Hoshi silently gloated.

“Ah you want the girl do you?” Looking Kaoru up and down, her eyes once again bright with anger, her milky skin flushed a delicate pink Hoshi wondered if he should not just keep the girl for himself. No, Battousai’s continued loyalty was worth more than a roll between the sheets with one sweet faced wench. “I cannot say I blame you.”

An arrogant smile crossed Battousai’s lips then.

“I have already tasted her charms and I find myself reluctant to give them up.” Hoshi raised his eyebrows in surprise at that, ignoring the indignant gasp from the girl assuming she was angry Battousai was speaking of their tryst so openly. So he’d had her, had he. Hoshi had expected as much from the heated looks he kept giving the girl. It had merely played into his hands.

“Ahh yes. I suppose I can contend with the current camp followers though my men will be sadly disappointed to miss out on such a fiery little creature.” Standing up he clapped Battousai on the shoulder in an almost fatherly manner though he was only a few years older than Battousai. “I’ll make a gift out of her. Enjoy her well my friend, such a body as that was not meant to be ignored.” Hoshi ended with a laugh of masculine knowledge.

Kaoru was practically sputtering with rage at this point but one heated look from look from Battousai and she clamped her mouth shut.

“Aye I’ll enjoy her plenty. I leave now to the north, to check your camps there.” Hoshi nodded and then turned and bowed with mock gallantry at Kaoru.

“My lady I am sure we will meet again.” He threw a pointed look at Battousai then. “Soon.”

Kaoru merely swallowed her fear and revulsion and nodded in reply. Was this really happening? She watched Battousai bow slightly to Hoshi and then he grabbed her arm in a bruising grip, dragging her with him from the tent, leaving Hoshi with a slightly mocking smile on his face. Kaoru barely saw the curious stares that followed the pair as Battousai charged through the bustling camp, a thunderous look darkening his features dangerously. She turned to question him as they crossed into the timberline, disappearing among the trees.

“Don’t. Don’t say a word.” His voice was soft but so cold that even she couldn’t miss the threat, nor the fact that his body was tense, every muscle pulled taut as he moved swiftly through the dense undergrowth. This whole situation reeked of anger and frustration and Kaoru knew she had to do something. Digging her heels into the soft earth she pulled against Battousai’s hold with little success.

“You can’t just drag me across half of Japan.” He didn’t even acknowledge her efforts to stop, his grip only tightening on her already tender arm. She felt like screaming. “Damn it Battousai, we need to talk about this!”

She nearly slammed into him when he suddenly stopped, dropping her abused arm limply. She watched his hands clenched in tight fists at his sides as she stared at his back, his muscles rippling softly beneath his gi.

“You want to talk?” He asked quietly. “Fine, we’ll talk.” She stared at him warily. Something wasn’t right. Battousai wasn’t a man to acquiesce either graciously or easily. Then suddenly he whirled around, a feral look blazing in his eyes and his lips pulled tight in a snarl. Kaoru felt fear slice through her as he stalked towards her, his movements graceful and sure, entirely to predatory. “What, my lady, should we talk about?” His mocking words seemed almost sensual as he continued towards her, her retreating steps barely countering him.

“Battousai w-what are you doing?” Kaoru cursed silently at the waver in her voice but her thoughts were cut short as he lunged for her, slamming her painful against an ancient tree. Delicate pink blossoms drifted down around them, shaken loose by her impact against the rough hewn bark.

“Should we talk about how you nearly got yourself killed? No?” He asked before she could reply. “Or perhaps we should talk about how you enticed Hoshi?” Kaoru opened her mouth in denial of his accusation but Battousai’s heated look stopped her. “Still silent little one? Hmm perhaps I have yet to find the topic you wish to discuss.” A cruel smile slid across his lips, his eyes turning hot and so sensual that Kaoru felt her knees go weak. “Or,” he spoke as his lips hovered a hair’s breadth from hers, his breath feathering her face, “we should discuss the fact that I have wanted you naked and writhing beneath me from the first moment we met.”

And with that his mouth crushed hers in a savage kiss that was meant to punish. His hand moved to her breast, molding impatiently through the thick fabric of her kimono. When Kaoru opened her mouth in protest Battousai merely swept his tongue inside, taking advantage of his innocent prisoner and her passions.

Both of them were breathing raggedly when he finally pulled back and he felt a smug satisfaction as he stared at Kaoru’s flushed face and bemused expression. She felt the same pull he felt, the same attraction that drew him to watch her, to touch her. No matter if she denied it, she felt it.

His eyes moved slowly over her flushed form. Her hair hung in disarray around her shoulders, shining like silk against her milky skin. He felt an sudden overwhelming urge to run his hand through the midnight tresses, to slid them against his skin. His hand moved before he’d even finished his thought, pulling the small blue ribbon from her hair and letting it float carelessly to the ground. He nearly groaned when he finally dug both hands into the ebony silk that had taunted him from the beginning. It slithered erotically through his hands as the scent of jasmine floated up to him, teasing him mercilessly as he pushed himself more fully against Kaoru.

“Wh-what are you doing?” Her shaky voice drew him from the hazy erotic fantasy weaving so seamlessly around him. Gods she felt so good against him. Every curve and hollow of her soft body was pressed against him, her breasts pillowed against his chest. He remembered the feel of them, the firm fullness of them and wondered what they would taste like. Would they be sweet like her lush lips? Gods he hoped so.

“Talking.” He murmured absently as he watched her coral lips intently. When her small pink tongue swept out to moisten them, he felt himself go rock hard and knew he’d lost the battle. He captured her mouth in a tender kiss, meant to subdue, to arouse and excite. He felt her resist at first and deepened the kiss determinedly, he held her head perfectly still as he took what he wanted, what he had to have.

Gradually he felt her body relax, accept him, and then her arms slipped shyly around his neck but it was her body’s response that nearly brought him to his knees. Suddenly she was a firestorm of passion, her body pliant against his, melting into his muscled form. Battousai couldn’t suppress a strangled groan at the first tentative touch of her tongue as passion and desire flared between them. Battousai’s anger and frustration had never left, they were now merely channeled in new directions and at from that moment on he knew he had to have this temptress. Here. Now.

Slowly he released his grip from her hair and slid his hands down her lithe body until he reached her waist and then began bunching the cumbersome material, revealing the full length of her creamy thigh. He never released her succulent mouth as he slid his hand up her inner thigh, his control nearly snapping at the feel of her flawless skin. Parting her legs gently he slipped his hand between her thighs, seeking the heat that he would very soon possess.

Kaoru was lost in a haze of erotic desire. She felt hot all over, her body throbbing with some unknown ache. She wanted something, wanted it desperately but she didn’t know what. She would surely die if she couldn’t make it go away. She felt Battousai drag his mouth away, moving his mouth to her cheek and then nipping her shoulder gently. Kaoru couldn’t seem to catch her breath as his hot mouth moved so sweetly across her flesh.

“It aches.” She panted as he pushed open her kimono, baring a her breasts. They stood proud and full, erect from Battousai’s hot stare.

“I know, sweeting. I’ll make it go away, I promise.” Battousai breath against her breast as he leaned down to take one in that talented mouth of his. She screamed at the sudden burst of pleasure that shot through her when he laved her sensitive nipple with his tongue.

Battousai was lost. He had never had a woman respond him like this, with such wild abandon. It fired his blood as nothing else and he wanted her as he had never wanted a woman. His slender fingers finally reached his goal, the heat scorching his skin. He captured her gasp with his mouth as his fingers slid in inside her.

Kaoru was as lost as Battousai in the hazy world of desire and yet.... This wasn’t right. The thought was like a bucket of cold water and suddenly she saw everything anew. Here was a man who had taken her to be executed, a man who was cold and hard and he was going to take her. In the middle of a forest, only a mile from a camp crawling with men, against a tree. Rage quickly replaced desire as the damning aspects of the situation crashed over her.

Dragging her mouth away from his with a broken cry she gasped when she felt his hand work silently, sending shocks of pleasure through her. No! She would not lose her virtue against a damn tree! She began struggling wildly, pushing against his chest but he didn’t move, not a damnable inch.

“Let me go you bastard!”

Battousai was slow to understand what he was saying, his body throbbing with desire, demanding he take the tempting little vixen. He had been in the process of loosening his robes when she had begun to thrash and scream. Wait....scream? Those weren’t the moans and pleas of someone lost in the sensual passions of the body, these were the angry threats of a person who raged.

“Nay, sweeting, we have come to far.” His voice was hoarse as he moved to kiss her again, unwilling to believe he could come so close to bliss and then be denied. He would not be denied damn it!

“Would you take me by force? That is the only way I’ll lie with you.” Her words stopped him. He had no taste for rape, he’d never had to use force. In truth women seemed to flock to him, captivated by the mystic and mystery that surrounded him at every step. They sought his bed eagerly and were never disappointed. That this one woman was refusing him was the ultimate irony. The one woman he truly wanted and she wanted him not.

Not true! his mind screamed. She had responded to him with all the fiery passion that lay within that lithe little body of hers. Looking at her now he saw none of that passion, only anger and he knew she spoke the truth. He would have to force her if he took her this day. Cursing savagely beneath his breath he moved away from her, his body screaming at the lost of her body.

She watched him as a frightened doe might a hunter and he smiled at that. She feared him. Good. He watched her pull her kimono together as the bulky material slid down her slender legs and he took a step towards her before he remembered she did not want him. Cursing again he straightened his own clothing and continued to watch her.

She had had countless lovers he was sure. No girl lasted to the age of 19 unwed with her virtue intact. So if she was no innocent then why should he deprive himself? he asked.

“This can’t happen again.” Her voice was shaky and her eyes downcast but he still saw the blush staining her cheeks. Not happen again? Was she insane?

“Oh but it will, my vixen. You were given to me as my mistress as so you shall be.” He smiled as her shocked gasp, but merely lifted his hand to forestall her angry reply. “I will have you hot and wanting. I will give you until we reach Lord Yoshiro’s holdings on the northern border to accept that.” He eyed her knowingly and then his eyes turned hard. “But accept it you will.”

Act as his mistress?! How could the bastard ask that of her? Didn’t he know she would fight to her last breath against that. It wasn’t until much later that she realized that she had to fight not only Battousai and his bold caresses and erotic kisses.

She would have to fight herself as well.

* * *
not a HUGE cliffhanger but a bit of a tease. somemore lemony stuff coming in future chapters...scout's honor. sorry for the epic author's note at the head of the chapter but had to get all that out there.

Review! tell me what you think. Should i continue? i don't write if nobody's reading. there, that's my threat of the day. :)