Black Devotion
Violet Goddess

I know several of you are probably on the floor right now, passed out from the sheer shock that I, violet goddess, have actually updated. No, you are not hallucinating, this is really chapter 4 of my story. So lets get a few things out of the way before we begin shall we class?

This chapter sets up a good portion of the story but it's not a filler chapter(i hate filler chapters and will rarely use them) so don't just skip it. This chapter focuses mainly on Kaoru and sets up for the major dark, sexual tension and intrigue of the next chapter.

This chapter was 10 pages long on my word processor, two pages longer than normal. I also re-edited this chapter a few times. So if i get even one review complaining this chapter was to short i am moving to tahiti and drinking tropical drinks with colorful little umbrellas in them until i'm old and gray.

also, and i know, just know there will be people who will skip this and email me anyway :::sigh::: such is the price of being a fanfic writer.....this is a Battousai/Kaoru fic. I repeat the pairing is B/K. No other suggested pairings need to be worried about. so for the love off all that is holy don't email me whining about Kaoru "getting together" with someone else and how it's just so wrong. i will simply groan, think you are stupid and hit the delete button.

Mailing list: yes i have a mailing list. if you would like to be updated via email every time i update them just send me an email saying so. be sure to include that you want to be on my KENSHIN mailing list as i have a sailor moon as well.

email: bright_eyes_844@yahoo.com (i usual email everyone who writes me back because i figure if you can take the time to write me, i can take the time to write you back.)

and now enjoy and don't forget to leave your reviews in the box!

* * *


Chapter 4

Damn sun! It was shining bright and warm in a late afternoon that was, in Kaoru’s opinion, overly cheerful! What was there to be so cheerful about? Nothing that’s what! Growling silently at the man walking in front of her, Kaoru tried valiantly to suppress the impulse to bean him in the head with her shoe... or a rock she added balefully. Why was he always walking ahead of her like she was a piece of cattle? Grinding her teeth in annoyance Kaoru rubbed her aching neck, cursing that arrogant, ass of a man for her sleepless night.

Battousai was taking his challenge to heart, taunting Kaoru subtly with his body. He had simply sat there, a mocking smile across his lips, as she’d eyed him warily across the fire. She’d been unable to keep from reliving their encounter earlier that day over and over in her head. The subsequent blush had stained her cheeks into the early morning hours, even as Battousai had bedded down and turned away from her. She knew, just knew, he was going to try something. Perhaps climb into her bedroll with her, or undress her in her sleep and so she had sat awake until just before dawn. All her determination to stay alert was useless in the end though, she had been awakened by a grinning Battousai. It wasn’t until she followed his wandering gaze to find her robes gaping open and one perfect pink breast peeking out. Her face had returned to its scarlet hue, a color she was beginning to worry was becoming its natural shade, and she had quickly covered her body.

So far the rest of this retched day had followed the morning’s cue. She felt like stomping her foot at the futileness of the situation. She was bound to him, forced into his presence every moment. She could ignore his innuendos, she supposed but she knew he would only smile knowingly at her and simply renew his assault. Or she could give in.....the thought was there before she could stop it. Instead of being revolted at the idea, strangely she felt a strange sensation tingle through her body. NO! That was surrendering and a Kamiya never surrendered. Damn it! She was doomed.

Battousai felt the smirk stretch across his lips as he listened to Kaoru’s continued mutters. He doubted she was even aware she was speaking. “Ass” and “arrogant bastard” had already popped up quite a few times and the day was still young. Strange, her unsavory language made him feel more like laughing than scowling in disapproval. Battousai supposed that Kaoru’s black tongue had been learned by the men her father taught, fighters were not renown for their verbal restraint around women. She was all fire this one. An interesting challenge, but one he would relish.

It was fun playing with her, easily proving his mastery in seduction over her. He knew that she felt threatened by him. Good. He wanted her on guard, aware that he had set his sights on her. She would always be wondering if he would negate on his promise and take her in abandon, on the ground or perhaps by the fire some night. It was that worry that gave him power over her. She would be shocked to know that all his actions had been to teach her a very singular lesson for trying to escape. That he ruled her.

It had been the ultimate irony that Kaoru had tried to escape just when he’d decided that he could not force death upon a woman. Some long dead sense of chivalry prevented it. In the end it was Kaoru herself who had forced his hand in the matter. Ahh but fate, it seemed, did indeed have a spiteful sense of humor. He wondered if-

Battousai’s thoughts were cut short as a scream unexpectedly ripped through the hot, summer air. It wasn’t a cry of terror but an angry battle cry. A turn in the bend in the endless road ahead obscured the struggle from view, but Battousai could practically smell the sweat and adrenaline of the men.

“What was that?” Kaoru looked around warily, wondering what had made such a hideous sound.

“Battle up ahead. Rebels most likely.” It was so nonchalant, so unconcerned that Kaoru whirled around to stare at him incredulously. He could have been talking of the weather or the harvest for all the emotion that crept into his voice.

“And this doesn’t worry you?” They were still walking towards this battle and Battousai seemed not to even notice, his step never faltering.

“No. I’ve been tracking them for some time. They’ve been active in this part of the country for the last few months....and they’ve been trailing us for the past few hours.”

“Then why didn’t they attack us?” He merely shrugged his shoulder.

“Probably saw the same thing I did. Heavy ruts in the road which means a wagon loaded heavily with something, most likely trade goods or money.” Kaoru stared down curiously at the road beneath her feet but she only saw a dirt road cracked with heat with innumerable ruts and lines crisscrossing its scared surface. Turning back she stared expectantly at Battousai but he only calmly continued on, absently eyeing the forest around them.

“Well?!”

“Well what?” He never even looked at her, only continued to casually survey their surroundings.

“Aren’t you going to help those people being attacked?”

“No.” Kaoru felt like screaming. He sounded as if he thought she was out of her mind for wanting to help innocent people being set upon by rebels that obviously held not a shred of human decency.

“Why the hell not?!” Kaoru’s outburst found her the sudden the focus of an unrelenting amber gaze. Her blood froze in her veins as she felt his eyes skim across her face inquiringly.

“Is it so important to you then?” He asked as his head titled to one side. It should have been an almost endearing action but it only made Kaoru feel like a prey caught in her hunter’s sights.

“Y-yes.” She croaked dryly. How could he make her feel so threatened and yet excited at the same time. He seemed to ponder that a moment, staring at her intently as the wind gently ruffled his ragged hair. He looked so powerfully masculine standing there, one hand on each sword, his body like stone.

Suddenly he was only inches from her, his body taut, his eyes blazing into hers. He gr ipped her hair in his fist as he drew her closer, his lips hovering anxiously above hers. She felt his breathe mingle with hers as she stared at him helplessly aroused. Her body felt liquid, pliant against the hot skin beneath his gi. Was he going to kiss her again? Gods she hoped not, she didn’t know if could stop him this time. She felt so hot and languid as he pulled her closer, staring at her intently.

“Stay.” The single word was spoken and then he was suddenly gone. Kaoru blinked several times in astonishment. Battousai had never moved, he had been there and then was simply gone. It took a master warrior to move like that. The thought was less than comforting to Kaoru and she rubbed her arms vigorously against the chill that suddenly swept through her body.

* * *

The sounds of battle rang easily through the late afternoon air. The wind was hot and dry as it carried the clash of swords, the cracking of wood and the death of men on its sultry breath. The smell of earth and plant assaulted him as he only continued on, stalking the rebels from the thick shadows of the forest. Ancient trees and vegetation grew to the very edge of the dusty road, shielding his lithe body from prying eyes. Battousai was not surprised or shocked by the scene unfolding before him, on the contrary he was more amused than anything.

Ten men, clad in faded garb, held an potbellied merchant at sword point, demanding something though their words did not carry. At their dusty feet lay several bodies, obviously guards or possibly mercenaries, their throats cut in an ignoble death. A cruel smile slid across Battousai’s lips as he watch the rebels continue to threaten the frightened, plump man with little success. The man was clearly to scared to be of any use.

Sighing at the time this endeavor would waste, Battousai bounded from the trees, a battle cry spilling unbidden from his lips. His mind become a hazy red as training and instinct took over. Each man had frozen at the sound of that fierce cry. Aki felt his blood turn to ice as he watched the men around him fall almost as one, until he alone remained to face this demon. He stood, his sweaty hair falling carelessly into his eyes, and stared at the man in front of him. Blood dripping freely from each sword he held, a look of something akin to boredom spread across his face. This man had just kill nine of Aki’s best men and his breathing wasn’t even labored.

Battousai watched the man try to regain his composure but it was a hopeless task. Sighing in annoyance he grabbed the lanky man by his grimy shirt and pulled him close.

“Listen well. You tell your leader that he has been warned.” Aki’s eyes went involuntarily to the dead bodies laying haphazardly around him. “Lord Hoshi will not tolerate attacks on his land.” Aki’s glassy eyes went wide at the name and Battousai smiled in satisfaction. These people should fear Hoshi, they would not live through his reign if they opposed him. “Next time,” amber eyes cut through black like ice, “there will be no mercy.” With that Battousai dropped the man, stepping back. with a look of menace. When Aki only continued to stand there, staring in bewilderment and fear Battousai took a threatening step forward.

“Go.” He growled. Not one to question a reprieve Aki left quickly, stumbling frequently in his haste to escape the icy man. Never had he seen eyes like that. Like death staring back at you. They seemed to look through you, peer into your soul and if they wanted, rip it apart.

“Thank you! Thank you!” Battousai had nearly forgotten the fat merchant who had stood quietly aside through the entire encounter. A snarl of disgust marred his features at the whining voice. He hated merchants, they were entirely too slippery and completely lacking in honor. “I am most grateful to Lord Hoshi.” The man fairly oozed subterfuge and Battousai had neither the time nor the inclination to endure the man’s presence. So he did what any swordsman worth his salt would do. He punched the merchant and watched, remorselessly, as his fleshy body fell against the ground with a heavy thud. He might have killed the man but he knew he would never hear the end of it from Hoshi. Even this man had his uses in Hoshi’s plans or he would never be allowed on the lord’s lands.

Muttering crossly about being cheated his due, Battousai walked away. He had already been gone nearly an hour and he wondered what trouble Kaoru had managed to get herself in this time.

* * *

Kaoru looked once again to the bend in the road and the battle that was just beyond. It had only been a few minutes since Battousai had left but already she felt anxious, worried that something might happen to him. As crazy as that worry was she could not shake it. No one, not even the mighty Battousai, was invincible.

So engrossed in her thoughts and worries, Kaoru never heard the silent footsteps slowly stalking her, never heard the sword that was unsheathed. She only heard the violent battle cry that rent the still air.

* * *

Battousai knew something was wrong from the moment he turned back towards Kaoru. Something just didn’t feel right, it was too quiet, too calm. So he was not entirely surprised to arrive at the spot where Kaoru SHOULD have been only to find her conspicuously absent. Well he didn’t see a body or even any blood so she was most likely still alive. Damn this was going to be another delay! Because he was fairly certain that he was going to have rescue his little captive. She was going to have hell to pay when he caught her.

* * *

She was going to have hell to pay when Battousai finally caught her. He would never believe that she hadn’t gone willingly when all she’d tried to do since she met him was escape. Sighing dejectedly Kaoru twisted the rope tying her hands in frustration. The rope overly tight but it’s rough surface was rubbing her delicate skin raw. She was still enraged that she had been captured by a bunch of foul smelling highwaymen who, she was fairly certain, had no concept of soap or bathing in particular, for that matter.

It had all happened so fast. One moment she had been waiting for Battousai to return and the next she had been attacked. She hadn’t even got off a scream...or a punch she thought in annoyance. She wasn’t some shrinking violet, damn it! She was the daughter of a sword master. A Kamiya. But she had disgraced her family in the battle, she wasn’t even able to put up the most perfunctory of fights. She had been knocked out from behind, a coward’s move, making it all the more enraging. If she was going to have been taken it should have been done with honor.

So now she found herself tossed across the back of a obstinate donkey, her hands bound and her head throbbing painfully. She winced as the stupid beast hit a craggy rock and jolted Kaoru against its bony back. She glared at the donkey from her precarious position across its back, her legs and arms dangling on different sides of it’s dusty body. She just knew it was jostling her about out of spite. As if to confirm her suspicions the donkey abruptly increased its speed and Kaoru found her head knocking against incredibly solid ribs and her ropes jerked painfully against the welts appearing on her once smooth wrists.

Just as she was about to start screaming at her guards in protest her “steed” came to an abrupt halt, smashing her battered body against bony ribs and nearly tossing her off it’s flea infested back.

“What did you do, pick the mangiest, meanest, most obstinate animal you could find?” Kaoru yelled at a passing figure. She couldn’t see his face from her less that advantageous position but his stocky build and calloused hands had filled her vision for the past few hours as they had made their way higher into the mountains. A rough chuckle was her only reply as he continued on.

Deciding that she didn’t want to meet her fate, good or bad, lay trussed up on a smelling donkey Kaoru began to wiggle determinedly. The animal protested the movement as she knew he would, the foul tempered beast. His stout head wound back and nipped threatening at her dangling arms but she merely glared back and continued to work herself off him. Sliding her body carefully against his rough pelt she hoped to be able to slip easily, if not gracefully, off his back. She should have known it wouldn’t turn out the way she had hoped, that would have been just to easy wouldn’t it. Instead she ended up unbalancing herself and tumbling headlong over the side of the animal into a heap of limbs and dust. She seemed to be in this situation a lot lately, she mused a bit disgruntled at the thought.

Coughing against the plumb of dust that had been kicked up from her unceremonious fall Kaoru barely noticed that small group of men coming towards her. It was the bandaged wrapped hand that suddenly filled her vision that alerted her to her audience. She started at it warily and allowed her eyes to travel up the bare muscular arm, gleaming appealing with sweat to the smiling face staring at her expectantly.

“Well? I don’t bite, missy.” Kaoru blushed and jerked her eyes away from his crooked grin but that was a mistake as she found her vision filled with a view of a incredibly sculpted chest. It was heaving slightly as if he had just run or perhaps just come from training. That might explain his lack of shirt and the perspiration dotting his bronzed skin. A husky laugh suddenly drew her attention back to the present.

“Like what you see?” If possible her face went ever redder as her blush spread down to her toes. Oh gods, she been fairly ogling the man. Could this day go more down hill? What was next? An earthquake? As soon as the thought popped into her head she actually braced herself, putting nothing past fate today.

“So are you going to sit there all day or were you planning to get up?” The man asked, his eyes shining with amusement, as he waved his hand in front of her stunned face. “Well?” When she only continued to look at him blankly he sighing heavily and reached down, hauling her petite body up. Kaoru suddenly found her every curve molded to the steaming body of this stranger as he stared down at her questioningly.

“You aren’t going to start crying or something now, are you? I have no patience for hysterics.” A rush of indignant anger rushed through her. Hysterics! She gets knocked unconscious, kidnaped, hauled over miles of rough country on the back of a donkey and then forced into the arms of a complete stranger, albeit a handsome one, and HE didn’t have any patience for hysterics. Oh yes he really ought to be her first concern.

Calmly, with a cool calculation born of wounded pride and impotent rage, Kaoru pulled away from him and pushed her bound and abused hands into his mocking face roughly.

“I promise not to start any hysterics until you fix this.” Amused admiration flicked across his features as well as a healthy dose of surprise.

“Ah finally some spirit.” He said with a smile as a stern looking man next to him handed him a knife. He quickly slashed the thick rope cutting into her skin. A fierce frown marred his brow as he took in her injured skin and Kaoru’s grimace of pain as the rope fell away. “Why didn’t you tell anyone about this? She wasn’t to be injured.” He said swiftly to the man standing next to him, looking guilty as he took stared at the ugly red welts encircling her wrists.

“When was I supposed to tell someone?” Her question jerked his attention back to her. A cool wind whipped up then, fanning her heated body as she let her rage loose. “When I was knocked out from behind? Or perhaps when I was slung across that stupid donkey that has the temperament of a demon? Hmmm? Oh I know, it must have been when I landed in a dusty heap at your feet. How silly of me.” He smiled slightly as he watched her temper flair, she definitely had fire. “Now you tell me where I am, who you are and what the hell is going on or heads are going to roll in a very literal sense.”

Her eyes blazed blue fire at him, burning like sapphires as his men stared incredulously at her. No one, absolutely no one, talked to Sano that way....and walked away. Each held their breath, admiring her courage but fearing what Sano might do. He had a fierce temper but he would never hit a woman, would he?

“I, my spitfire, am Sanoske Sagara. At your service.” He added with a flourish and an elegant bow. “And this is my luxurious home.” He pointed towards a large cave opening that flourished with activity as people hurried about doing the mundane tasks of everyday life.

“And them?” She asked with a pointed look towards the people standing around him like stone guards.

“Oh these are my men. We all belong a small group, the Sekihoutai.” At her gasp the men chuckled, “ah so I gather you’ve heard of us.”

“You’re the S-sekihoutai?” At their nods her face paled considerably. “But you’re cold-blooded killers!” She blurted out.

“Ah our adoring public. No, my dear, we are not. We simply don’t happen to support the direction Japan’s government is going at the moment. Namely into one Lord Hoshi’s hands.”

“Lord Hoshi? Well I agree with you there. That man is evil.” She hadn’t realized she’d said the last out loud until the men all nodded approvingly. “Wait a minute Hoshi and...you’ve been following me and Battousai since we left Hoshi’s camp haven’t you?”

“Smart girl.”

“Why? What have we, especially me, got to do with anything?” Sanoske actually flushed a little at her question.

“Well you see, you’re sort of bait.”

“BAIT?! For who?” She was seeing red again and took a few calming breaths in hope of stilling the urge to punch Sanoske’s guilty face.

“Battousai Himura.”

“You jerk!” All of the men stepped back in surprise at this petite woman started screaming at their leader, all the while approaching him threateningly. “Do you realize what you’ve done?! Do you? He’s going to think I went with you willingly.” She only groaned at his confused expression. “I was his prisoner, you moron!”

“Well then shouldn’t you be thanking us for freeing you?” One of Sanoske’s guards asked, his confusion plain.

“No! I was assuming a debt. It was a point of honor. Now when he catches us, and he will because things could get just a little bit worse, I’ll have to deal with his temper. Thanks guys, really.” Sano actually winced at her scathing sarcasm but didn’t apologize for his actions. He needed to bring Battousai here and this petite fireball was his best bet. He had had his men trailing them since they had left Hoshi’s camp and they hadn’t missed his proprietary and possessive attitude towards her. Sano knew, even if this girl didn’t, that Battousai would come after her and not simply because she was his prisoner. Not that Sano blamed him.

Standing there, defiantly, she looked magnificent. Silken black hair flowing behind her in the hot wind blowing up from the valley and her checks flush in anger. Even her flashing sapphire eyes added to her allure. If she wasn’t already staked by Battousai, Sano wouldn’t think twice about claiming her. He still might, he mused distractedly.

“Well no used crying over what’s been done. Lets get dinner instead.” His light tone shook Kaoru from her rage filled triade. Was he actually suggesting they eat at a time like this? Apparently he was because he immediately turned around and headed toward one of the many camp fires set up outside the cave entrance. Kaoru would find out quickly that there was little that could eliminate Sanoske’s appetite.

The day had been waning when she arrived and night had descended by the time she sighed happily after a filling, if somewhat plain, meal. She felt drowsy and languid as she laid back and watched the stars fight to appear against the firelight. It wasn’t until Sano came up and announced sleeping arrangements that things took a turn for the worse.

“What the hell do you mean you want me to share your bed?! You ass!” And then she flew at him, all her training suddenly reasserting itself as she kicked and punched with the best of them. But her training was with the sword, not hand-to-hand and she was quickly outmatched.

It only took Sano one quick kick to knock her feet out from under her and find herself pinned down by his heavy body.

“Get off me.” She ground out. How dare he think she would sleep with him. She wasn’t some loose woman, damn it! She was still having that urge to punch him but with her arms pinned against his body she had to stifle it, sadly.

“Now just settle down missy.”

“You call me missy one more time and I’ going to cut off your -”

“Now, now that’s not nice.” He was smiling down easily at her and Kaoru ground her teeth in frustration. “Why are you so mad?”

“Well you weren’t just asked to sleep with me, how would you feel if you were?” His eyes twinkled mischievously. “NO, don’t answer that. I am absolutely not sharing your bed. Got that?”

“Yes you are.” He was talking to her as if she were a dim-witted child instead of an outraged woman.

“Oh really,” she said as she cocked her head slightly, sliding it against the dirt as his body prevented any other movement. “What makes you so sure?”

“Ah, a challenge! Well Miss Kaoru perhaps you would like to look around.” Dark eyes scanned the camp reluctantly. No one seemed disturbed or even interested in what she and Sano were doing and were sitting around various camp fire, chatting and joking together. She didn’t see anything that denoted her sleeping in Sano’s bed and her eyes told him so when she jerked them back to Sano’s smug face. Leaning down slowly he put his mouth to her ear. “See any woman Kaoru?” Her eyes jerked wide, both from the startling intimacy he was initiating and the realization that he was right. She was the only woman here.

“Damn. But that still doesn’t mean I have to share your bed. Just tell them to stay away like they have since I’ve been here.”

“Yeah that’ll work.” He stared at her hard, willing her to understand something that was so far from her usual world. “Listen tonight you are going to sleep in my bed. Just sleep,” he assured her when she looked as if to start screaming in protest again. “It’s for your protection Kaoru because while these men might act like harmless men, they aren’t. These are hard men and I can’t be sure that they will leave you in peace tonight, even if I warned them away. You pose to much a temptation.”

She stared at him in surprise. Was having a woman around really so rare that these men might fall upon the first they were exposed to? He watched her thoughts play across that beautiful face of hers and smiled softly.

“No, Kaoru. You are the temptation, not simply because you are a woman. You’re all fire and beauty and my men have been watching your every move with fascination. You’re an exceptionally beautiful woman Kaoru Kamiya and you don’t cower. You’ve got more courage than most men and that’s something rare. So tonight you are sharing my bed because I don’t want you hurt.”

Kaoru spent a few long moments staring at Sano warily, apparently trying to decide if she could trust him. With a resigned sigh Kaoru relented.

“Alright Sano, but if you do anything I’m going to scar that pretty face of yours.” She said with smile even though he was fairly certain she was dead serious.

“You have my word. Strictly platonic. On my honor as merciless rebel.” There was that ruthless charm Kaoru was coming to know and she couldn’t stop the laugh that bubbled from her lips.

“So, are you ready to get off me yet?”

“Well I don’t know, I’m pretty comfortable where I am. We could always sleep here?”

“And have me suffocate to death? Ugh you’re heavy!” She mumbled as she tried to push him off her, he didn’t even act like her feeble struggle affected him. “MOVE!”

“Eager to get to bed are you?”

“Oh shut up, you pervert.”

When he finally stood up he gallantly helped Kaoru up and non-so-gallantly began to “help” her fix her disheveled clothes.

“Stop that.” She snapped as she slapped his wandering hands away. “Lead the way.” She told him with a flourish of her hand towards the other men.

She heard a few lewd remarks as she and Sano made their way towards the cave and his pallet but a few frozen glares from Kaoru shut them up. It couldn’t erase the stupid grins off their faces though and she simply had to grind her teeth and hold her tongue. Was that all men thought about? She thought disgustedly.

It was awkward at first, laying in bed next to a person she had only met a few hours ago but eventually exhaustion from the day overcame her. Scooting to the far side of the old but warm blanket Kaoru fell asleep with only a feeling of foreboding prickling the back of her mind.

* * *

The night was silent and a chill had worked its way through air even as the last vestiges of summer heat faded. What had woken her? She shifted slightly and froze as she felt two strong and very warm arms encircling her. Her mind, hazy from sleep, noticed only two things. One, she could barely move in the crushing bear hug that was pressing her back to his hard chest. And two, there was a cold sliver of steel only inches from her face. Turning slowly in the circle of Sano’s arms, Kaoru turned towards Sano and stared in horror at the sword point resting so easily against the vulnerable flesh of his neck.

Her wide eyes followed the blade to the steady hand casually holding the leader handle. And finally to the grim face and amber eyes blazing with mindless rage. Kaoru felt her breath catch in her throat. She suddenly felt Sano’s stir and jerked her eyes to him in terror, fearing he would inadvertently slit his own throat. But Sanoske seemed neither surprised nor perturbed by the fact that a murderous Battousai was staring at him with death gleaming coldly in his eyes.

“I should kill you right now.”

*~*~*~*~*~*

I'm going to get hate mail because of that cliffhanger aren't I? It's ok I can handle it. So what did you think? Come on let me know so I feel loved and want to write the next chapter.

Also since I spent the time to write this and tried to find any errors but I am only human just take any spelling or grammer errors with a pinch of salt and please don't email me about them. thank you! so review, review, review because i love feedback.