

### Bitch Heiress X Samurai Butler

### By

### KuroKoneko Kamen

Smashwords Edition

Copyright 2010 KuroKoneko Kamen

Cover Design by TsukiKamiKat

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles or reviews.

This is a work of fiction. All characters are invented. Any resemblance to persons living or dead is purely coincidental.

### Chapter 0 Prolog: No good deed will go unpunished

Ranmaru, Samurai Butler and Bodyguard of the Yoshimaru Estate - was freezing his ass off. This may have had something to do with the fact that he had lost his freedom a long time ago and was now a Spell-Collared, _yokai_ (demon) slave. And so his 'Master' saw fit to keep his bodyguard outside the mansion in the kennels along with his other guard dogs as if it were the most normal and natural thing in the world. Keh. Regardless of the fact that he was a fox _yokai_ he was still a 'male being' and so in nothing but his boxer shorts was literally freezing to death outside along with the other poor mutts as a light snow fell outside his Master's mansion. His teeth were chattering and he was pretty sure that he was getting frostbite in his toes - not that his Master seemed to care.

In fact, if Ranmaru didn't know better he'd say his 'Master' hated and feared him so much that he had no other choice than to toss Ranmaru outside to sleep with the other 'dangerous beasts'. Treat a man like an animal...and he may become one though, Ranmaru thought to himself bitterly.

Ranmaru's latest Master didn't consider _yokai_ human however and so treated Ranmaru as nothing more than literally another useless guard beast. Ranmaru frowned with being compared to a dog. Foxes were majestic creatures - elegant, graceful, tricksters, intelligent, powerful. Dogs were simple-minded, dirty, drooling, slobbering, flea-bitten things that like to scratch and sniff themselves and eat questionable things (including their own shit).

He had his very own crate - oh joy - which provided minimal warmth against the biting cold wind and snow that was seeping through his skin. He wondered with a pang in his chest where his sword Kuroki Ryu was. It rarely left his side in the hundreds of years that he had been forced into slavery...it was like losing an arm, no, worse, a part of his soul. His whole body ached for his sword. He felt so powerless...naked without it. And he knew his Master must have known this, which was why he took it away.

This Master had been intimidated by the sight of Ranmaru with his sword and so had confiscated it -

The damned coward. Ranmaru thought this was particularly silly on the part of his Master since he was his Master's 'bodyguard' and so how was he supposed to be expected to protect his Master to the best of his abilities when he wasn't even allowed to have a proper weapon in his hands? And protect the man Ranmaru would - even if he didn't like him. And why was that? Because he was _Spell_ -collared. Didn't his Master realize the power and ancient magic that lay behind the Control Collar? That even if Ranmaru wanted to cut his Master down he would not be able to? That was the entire point of the Control Collar after all. Sigh. Foolish human.

His Master had also taken Ranmaru's clothes away from him and left him in nothing but a pair of undershorts. His Master really must have considered him as nothing more than a beast. Though Ranmaru supposed he ought to be grateful his Master had allowed him even _that_ much.

"Why should a beast dress like a human? Ha!" His Master had scoffed.

Master Yoshimaru had also seen fit to add a chain to his collar (which Ranmaru could have broken at any time had he really wanted to, but his Master didn't really need to know that) so that he couldn't 'escape'. Silly Master. The chain was at least a hundred feet long and so Ranmaru was still able to patrol all around the entire estate grounds easily. Again, Ranmaru thought this was a rather silly precaution of his Master since because of the Control Collar Ranmaru couldn't escape even if he wanted to.

Ranmaru had learned this the hard way with another Master centuries ago...

Ranmaru shook his head as he wrapped his arms around himself as he shivered. His current Master was one sadistic bastard...at least some of his other Masters had been kinder. Some had at least allowed him to be clothed, gave him a room to sleep in, and had kept him properly fed. Those Masters had been smarter to take good care of Ranmaru since he was an exceptional bodyguard, an asset, a powerful _yokai_ slave that would die for his Master whether he wanted to or not...

Food.

Drool~

When was the last time Ranmaru had had a proper meal? Ranmaru's stomach growled as if on cue. He wondered if his current Master would remember to feed him soon or if this was it - and Ranmaru would simply die of starvation. It had to have been...at least twenty days without food now. Any normal human man would be dead by now - lucky for him he was a _yokai_.

Ah well, what goes around comes around, he supposed. Perhaps, this was the law of karma biting him back in the ass for being such a sadistic bastard himself back when he was fighting in the war.

To think that the once great and powerful Celestial War General of _her_ army would die of starvation. Starvation! Ha! How his enemies would have laughed and laughed at that! Ranmaru had always hoped he'd at least meet his end in battle, like a true _samurai_ and swords master should.

No, that was in the past...a past Ranmaru barely remembered now....

Although Ranmaru realized things could be worse - he was glad that at least this Master hadn't taken him to his bed...

Ranmaru shivered at the thought of having to bed his currently chubby and pockmarked Master, a frown marring his face.

No, his current Master's tastes luckily and definitely lay elsewhere - as could be confirmed by the sound of a woman's tittering laughter coming from inside of the mansion. It was far away but Ranmaru's keen fox ears were able to pick it up.

His Master was entertaining - again. His Master loved to have guests over, drink bottles and bottles of expensive, imported wine, and smoke fine cigars the entire night away. And it seemed his Master had also invited several...'female companion's to keep him and his friends company that night. Ranmaru shook his head feeling sorry for them, knowing of his Master's sadistic tendencies...he had seen the state of some of the girls the morning after - bruises...split lips...vacant looking eyes. But there was really nothing Ranmaru could do even if he wanted; he clenched his fists at the thought, for the time being he was _powerless_...would he ever get used to that foreign feeling?

That's when he heard it, with his keen fox ears - the sound of a smack and then a pained cry - then the sound of a door opening and then the smell of blood hit Ranmaru's sensitive nose almost immediately. Ranmaru turned his head towards the door hearing the girl running towards him first before seeing her exit the mansion and make her way across the graveled path in his direction.

A trickle of blood was at the side of her mouth, and her eyes were wide and frantic. His Master certainly was a bastard. Ranmaru was surprised she didn't trip on those five-inch tall leather boots she was wearing. Why one would wear something like that he couldn't fathom - he'd been around for centuries and saw the changes in fashion becoming more and more nonsensical - would he ever understand even a little of the female mind? He supposed he might need a few more centuries for that one.

Ranmaru shook his head of his distracted thoughts and clenched his fists at his sides. Only a coward would use their power against the weak...

"I didn't agree to that kind of thing..." The girl was muttering angrily under her breath as she hurried past, clutching her long jacket around her body more tightly against the cold, since she wore such skimpy clothing underneath, "I'm getting out of here..."

"Hey! Where are you going, wench? This party is just getting started!"

Ranmaru heard the unmistakable sound of his Master's gruff voice, and noticed that it was slurred. He was drunk. Ranmaru looked over towards the entrance of the mansion to see his Master staggering down the steps towards them. Ranmaru wished he would fall and break his neck. Aw damn, it didn't happen. Too bad. His Master made his way towards them, red faced, a bottle of rum in his hand.

Master Yoshimaru then spotted Ranmaru and leered, "Ranmaru, how perfect. Stop that girl for me would ya?"

The dark-haired girl looked over at Ranmaru fearfully, a frightened expression on her pretty face.

Ranmaru gritted his teeth and instead stood in front of the girl protectively - while ignoring the small shock that Ranmaru felt from the Control Collar for having disobeyed his Master's words and direct command...(it would only get much worse after all - Ranmaru was used to _much worse_ though.)

Ranmaru, with a cool mask of indifference on his face, his expression stoic, spoke in a calm voice, "Master, I believe you've had too much to drink. Perhaps, you should go back inside where it's warmer and I could make you some coffee?" Ranmaru had a fake smile plastered on his face.

Ranmaru's voice alone was able to make his Master stop in his tracks - there was something about Ranmaru's voice and the way he carried himself that unnerved and frightened Yoshimaru, though he would never admit to it. He knew it was stupid to fear his own Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave but for some nonsensical reason he still did. Why? It was his gut instinct.

There was 'something' behind that stoic, pleasant mask of obedience that his _yokai_ slave usually wore...something dangerous. He just knew it - his _yokai_ slave was laughing at him behind his back - just waiting for the moment when he'd rip his throat out with his claws, lick them pleasurably and laugh and laugh...

Yoshimaru shivered. It was this fear of Ranmaru that bore the hate he held for him and that made him take away his bodyguard's sword, clothes and had made him decide to put Ranmaru outside in the kennels with the 'other' dogs. Thinking to himself that if he thought Ranmaru was just a dog, just a dog he would be. Never mind that he was a FOX _yokai_. But yea, Ranmaru already mentioned that didn't he?

But when Ranmaru hadn't even complained of his harsh treatment - that only made Yoshimaru fear him more. Yoshimaru frowned. He felt like he was playing with fire and feared that one day he was going to get burned.

Master Yoshimaru quickly pulled himself together as he looked Ranmaru over closely for the first time in weeks. Ha! Just look at his _yokai_ slave NOW. What had he just been thinking? What was he so worried about or afraid of? The _yokai_ slave before him now was pitiful...broken. He had nothing to worry about. He smiled, regaining his confidence.

His slave's hair had been left uncut and had grown well past his waist, once a beautiful coppery color it was now matted with dirt and filth and almost looked dark brown. Yoshimaru could see Ranmaru's ribs poking through his deathly pale skin and his fierce golden-yellow eyes now appeared dull, muddy...there was no longer a spark of defiance. Nothing. Ranmaru was a bright flame that was slowly being extinguished...

What could Yoshimaru have possibly been afraid of? Yoshimaru suddenly felt like laughing for some reason and so he did. He let out guffaws of laughter and once he was finished wiped a tear from his eye. His expression then turned serious and he turned to glare at Ranmaru, "Don't patronize me, _dog_. You dare to tell me what to do? You really ought to learn your place." An ugly sneer formed on Yoshimaru's lips and Ranmaru knew what was coming. _This_ was going to hurt. " _Embrace_."

Ranmaru gasped in pain as he felt the Control Collar around his neck constrict painfully, slithering around his neck like a snake, like a living thing, and it sent a painful electric shock through his body as his Master spoke the word of 'subjugation' that activated the Control Collar to punish a disobedient _yokai_ slave.

Although Ranmaru was in a great deal of pain he didn't show it outwardly...

This only made his Master more fearful and nervous. "Ranmaru, get out of my way, the girl is mine!" He barked, but Ranmaru could hear the slight tremor in his voice.

"Master, why not let her go?" Ranmaru didn't really know what was wrong with him. Had he lost his mind? What was the point of trying to stand up for this frail human woman? Humans were all the same weren't they? They could really give a shit about him. He was a _yokai_ after all. But...for some reason Ranmaru had always had a soft spot for women. They were such interesting, unfathomable creatures. He never had managed to figure them out.

Though there had been one woman who had seemed to be able to figure _him_ out...one who had been able to see right through him with those clear peridot colored eyes of hers. No, Ranmaru shook his head; the last thing he wanted was to remember about her. So he buried those memories again deep within himself...

Ranmaru had always felt women should be protected since they were the weaker sex and that it was a man's role as the stronger sex to do so. He knew his Master would probably end up killing him...that he would end up dying for some girl that didn't give a shit about him but...that was better than dying of starvation Ranmaru decided. Maybe this was the insanity of remembering the girl with peridot colored eyes that made him decide to do this. He'd always be a bastard but...at least with his last dying breath he may give this girl a chance to escape his Master. And really if he won one over his Master wasn't that reward enough?

Yoshimaru stared at Ranmaru in complete disbelief, his jaw hanging open comically before he snapped - "Embrace! Embrace! Embrace!"

The collar slithered around his neck choking Ranmaru painfully and were those teeth biting into his neck? Then painful electric shocks shot through his body again and again and his body was on fire. Ranmaru gasped as the pain his body was feeling caused him to sink to his knees...dark spots were forming in front of his eyes and he knew he was close to passing out...

Was this the end? To die for the sake of another? Ranmaru had never thought he'd end up going like that.

He had failed to protect the girl with peridot eyes long ago. She had been the only one who had ever truly loved him. He wished he had simply died that day as well. Why had he been cursed to live on without her?

Could this one act of kindness make up for everything he had done in his past in the name of war? Bullshit. So, he would die alone...but he had always been alone hadn't he? From the very beginning when he had chosen to tread down the path of obtaining great power - to have great power meant being alone. Because power made one different from everyone else. Power eventually turned one into a monster. And who could love a monster? No, he had known for a very long time that he would die alone...

A monster didn't have friends. Or lovers.

That was the price Ranmaru had been willing to pay for power. Why had he wanted power again? He couldn't remember...

Yoshimaru wore a slightly psychotic expression on his face as he smiled down at Ranmaru's sparking and slightly singed body. "Not so high and mighty now, aye slave? You will pay for your continued disobedience towards me. I'll teach you to defy me!" Yoshimaru sent his foot into Ranmaru's gut, the wind was knocked out of him and he fell on his side gasping in pain.

But Yoshimaru didn't stop there and he continued to kick the fallen form of Ranmaru again and again, until a sickening crack was heard. That was a rib. Ranmaru thought dazedly. Yoshimaru continued to kick Ranmaru, while laughing maniacally as though possessed - this was something his Master had wanted to do for a very, very long time. To just snuff out this dangerous...threat. And he didn't stop until Ranmaru was nothing more than a pathetic bloody mass upon the ground.

It hurt to do so but Ranmaru managed to open one of his swollen eyes by just a crack and saw that the whore had taken his Master's moment of distraction with him in order to escape. Good for her...

After his Master's anger had abated he looked down at the bloody and broken form of Ranmaru's body with a slightly surprised expression on his face. Opps, he hadn't meant to take it that far. He had paid good money for Ranmaru after all and was slowly beginning to regret his hasty actions. "Completely useless...I have no need for a disobedient slave like you."

Ranmaru couldn't help but wonder when he had _ever_ really been disobedient before.

"I've had enough." Yoshimaru declared suddenly, "I've decided I'm going to sell you on the morrow! Hopefully, I'll be able to get rid of you for a fairly decent price at the slave market to make up for all the trouble you've caused me..." Yoshimaru smiled at the thought of getting some more drinking money in his pocket. "I wonder what your next Master will be like, Ranmaru. Hopefully, not worse than me aye? Hahahaha!" Yoshimaru couldn't help but laugh.

Ranmaru couldn't help but think the same thing as he was sliding into unconsciousness. _A new Master huh? I wonder how much of a bastard this one will be? Or maybe she'll be a bitch ka...?_

### Chapter 1: Don't judge a book by its cover

Master Yoshimaru, true to his word, took Ranmaru to be sold at the illegal _Yokai_ Market the very next day. There several other Spell-Collared _yokai_ slaves would be sold off to the highest bidder.

This was a world where _yokai_ and humans now lived side by side...but even though things like _yokai_ slavery were illegal that didn't stop it. Spell-Collared _yokai_ slaves were a popular forbidden luxury for those who could afford it or had enough political power to get away with it – i.e. business tycoons and the yakuza (mafia).

Ranmaru had been sold countless times but never before in such bad shape...would he even manage to get a buyer? And if he couldn't find one would he be put down?

_No...anything but that..._ Ranmaru thought. _I rather have another sadistic bastard for a Master than to be 'put down' like a common animal. Like a dog. Let me please die in battle...like a true samurai._ His pride demanded it. Or was his pride already broken?

To Ranmaru the entire proceedings of the slave auction went by as something like a blur due to his dazed mind and awful condition. He could barely see - one eye was completely swollen shut.

He could hear muddled words...

"Next up we have a Spell-Collared fox _yokai_ slave..."

Ah, that had to have been the auctioneer. Ranmaru thought. At least someone finally got it right. Heh.

"Bodyguard skills... _Samurai_ Butler..." The auctioneer continued ticking off highlights about Ranmaru from a list that Yoshimaru had probably come up with.

Ranmaru felt himself being kicked and then dragged into position up on the display stage, yanked by the chain around his neck and then he was pushed down to his knees...

A hush seemed to fall over the gathered crowd of potential buyers before one man snorted and broke out laughing with everyone in the crowd following suit.

Someone just shoot me.

"Bodyguard? That pathetic _yokai_ can barely stand! What could he be expected to protect? Ha! Is this some kind of joke? Well, it isn't very funny and you're wasting our valuable time." The man sneered.

"Samurai Butler my ass...just look at him - he's half dead! He couldn't even be made to wash dishes! He'd probably fall over in a faint like a princess!"

"Medic! Medic! Anyone have a cellphone? Hahahaha!"

"Is there a doctor in the house?"

Ouch. If pride had been a word hanging over Ranmaru's head it would have crumbled to pieces.

The gathered crowd of people continued to laugh and crack jokes at Ranmaru's expense.

"Now, don't be like that... _minna-san_...ladies and gentlemen." The auctioneer put out his hands in a placating gesture. "Don't I have any offers? How about we start the bidding at 50,000,000 _yen_? A fine deal _neh?_ Once he's bathed, fed, and rested I'm sure he'll be as good as new!"

This suggestion was only followed by more laughter, until-

"100,000,000 _yen_!"

_HUSH_ ~

The auctioneer coughed, "Um, excuse me, Sir, did I hear you correctly?"

"I think so young man, unless you have wax in your ears. I want to buy that slave for 100,000,000 _yen_. Is that a problem?"

Ranmaru gathered what little strength he had left in order to raise his head and see who on earth it was that had decided to purchase him and for such a large sum of money. He painfully opened one eye and saw an old man, probably in his seventies, in an immaculate and rather flashy, all-white suit. There was a pair of black rectangular sunglasses perched on his nose. Short, snowy white hair framed his face and he had a well-trimmed white beard, which he was currently stroking. There was a shiny gold Rolex on his wrist and a gold chain around his neck. He wore a mischievous smirk on his face and as he waited for the auctioneer's response he carelessly picked wax out of his ear and flicked it off into the crowd, who flinched back and away from this 'crazy old man'. He merely grinned at them revealing a few sparkling gold teeth.

Ranmaru couldn't help but raise an eyebrow. THIS was who had decided to buy him? Some eccentric old man? But what use would an old man like him have for a _Samurai_ Butler like Ranmaru? He couldn't help but wonder.

"N-no sir! Sold! For 100,000,000 _yen_!" The auctioneer declared.

Ranmaru patiently waited outside the room where his former Master and the auctioneer directed the old man to fill out all the necessary paperwork for his new acquisition. Ranmaru was quite familiar with the process having been present several times before for the 'transfer of ownership.' Muddled words again came to Ranmaru's sharp ears-

"Oh, no _I_ won't be signing the contract nor doing the Blood Pact...Ohohohoho." The old man chuckled heartily, "I bought this _yokai_ slave for someone else, you see..." The old man continued to laugh as if something were extremely funny about all this - some inside joke perhaps.

The auctioneer and his Master both seemed equally surprised if their silence was anything to go by but they both seemed to pull themselves together and apparently by the sounds of agreement that Ranmaru heard from within were not disagreeable to the terms.

"Just make sure the Blood Pact is carried out as soon as possible. It could be dangerous for you otherwise to be left alone with him without being able to use the word of subjugation on him..."

Again the old man laughed, "Dangerous? Have you taken a good look at _your_ _yokai_ lately? That poor pup couldn't hurt a fly - not in his current condition anyways. Seems like _someone_ forgot to feed him properly. Poor boy..." The old man must have been shaking his head, he then continued. "Besides, he won't hurt me. After all, I just saved him from _you_." The old man seemed to pause again before continuing. "Now, where is his sword?"

There was a pause and a seemingly reluctant Yoshimaru handed the sword to the old man. "I wouldn't give it to him...not until the contract is signed...the Blood Pact made..." Yoshimaru sniveled.

The old man just chuckled. "You're not as dumb as you look. You realize instinctively that he's powerful. Hohohoho~ Or at least he used to be-" The old man's voice was thoughtful. "Anyhoo, it's really none of your business - at least not anymore. And I can do whatever I want to _my_ slave. That's the deal after all. Good day, gentlemen." The old man walked out and then moved to face Ranmaru. "Here." He handed Ranmaru his sword, which Ranmaru took gingerly into his hands, a surprised look on his face.

He couldn't believe the old man had just given him his sword back...without the contract being signed or Blood Pact made there was absolutely nothing stopping Ranmaru from cutting the old man's head off if he wanted to - and yet. Ranmaru looked at the old man - he showed no fear. Just who was this old man - really?

The old man gave Ranmaru an assessing look, and seemed to pick up on Ranmaru's train of thought. And he still remained calm even then, a slight smile tugging on the old man's lips as if to say 'Try me, _yokai_ '.

There was certainly more than meets the eye to this old man, Ranmaru decided feeling unexpected respect towards the man.

"Do try and keep up." The old man said before turning and taking off with Ranmaru struggling to keep up behind his new Master.

Ranmaru's hand wrapped around his sword and he felt at peace. A piece of him had been returned to him. And he felt whole again. Just for that...Ranmaru felt indebted to the old man but also knew he couldn't trust him quite yet. People tended to act one way in public and a completely different way behind closed doors. Ranmaru knew this from past experience. He shivered.

The old man seemed to notice and gave Ranmaru another piercing stare. "Don't worry, my boy, we'll get you a nice warm bath and some proper clothes soon. After all - you stink! And I doubt _she_ would let you stay five seconds in _her_ presence looking like that! Ha!" Again, the old man seemed to be laughing at some sort of inside joke.

'She'? His new Mistress perhaps? Ranmaru suddenly felt queasy...

They reached a long white stretch limo - a uniformed driver got out to open the door for them and the old man stepped inside. The driver gave Ranmaru a surprised look before schooling his face into an expressionless mask. Funny, and here Ranmaru thought he was good at hiding his emotions. Ranmaru then followed the old man inside the limo.

They were then driven to the old man's estate. They were admitted past an iron gate, and to a long drive, which wound its way through an expansive forested area. Ranmaru was surprised by how much land there was considering that this estate actually lay in the heart of Tokyo. Just who was this old man anyways? Or had they somehow ended up somewhere else?

At the end of the drive a large expanse of land had been cleared and there in the center was a mansion. It was a modern mansion done in the manor style. The walls had been done in white stucco. What was with the old man and white? There was a coldness and intimidating aura about the place. There was also very little ornamentation on the outside of the mansion house. The place spoke of class, high society. His savior was definitely a rich man. Ranmaru wondered how big his crate would be this time.

"The Kimamura Estate" The old man said loftily, "By the way, you can call me Kimamura- _san_."

Ranmaru nodded and that's when he smelled a creature or rather several creatures. His eyes widened, surprised to be picking up on the scents of several _yokai_ animals on the property. He followed the scents with his nose and noticed a strange looking structure. It was a large glass-domed building that appeared to be some kind of menagerie or zoological garden, but was larger than any Ranmaru had ever seen before. He could just barely see through the glass that there were full-grown trees inside that reached the ceiling. It must have been some kind of enclosed environment. Did this mean he was going to be someone's pet? How humiliating...

Ranmaru noticed that several of the dangerous _yokai_ 'pets' were simply wandering around the estate grounds. Just who were these people...? Ranmaru recognized a _yokai_ panther, _yokai_ dog, and was that a giant python? Among some of the animals. Most humans would have been scared out of their wits to come across these sorts of animals so this doubly surprised him that Kimamura- _san_ didn't seem at all ill at ease at the sight of such dangerous animals.

The old man seemed to notice Ranmaru's disquiet, "Ah, you can smell them can't you? That's my granddaughter's menagerie - she likes to collect rare, endangered, or magical creatures including _yokai_. Some of the creatures are rather dangerous but my granddaughter likes to think of them as being misunderstood. She thinks they're cute, you see. Ha! Well, she's always had strange tastes."

Menagerie? Granddaughter? Oh my god. Ranmaru put two and two together. He was going to be Kimamura- _san_ 's granddaughter's new pet! How humiliating... _someone please just shoot me?_ He noticed that the _yokai_ panther had on an expensive looking diamond collar, and a large pink bow on its head along with two pairs of bright pink booties. Ranmaru's eye twitched. Pink...booties...Would the so-called granddaughter put him in pink booties too? Oh the horror!

Though Ranmaru was going through some inner turmoil his outer expression remained stoic and cool.

Ranmaru expected the limo to take him to the menagerie and wondered again how big his crate or perhaps cage would be this time? He was surprised when the limo continued to drive up the main drive and towards the main mansion house.

A maid answered the door before they even had a chance to knock. She was an interesting looking maid with a short, red-haired bob, a pair of overly large, round spectacles on her face and a black maid's outfit with a frilly white apron along with a lacy, white maid's cap upon her head. Judging from the smile lines around her lips she was probably in her late twenties early thirties. "Ah, Kimamura- _san_ and-" The maid turned her bland expression on him next. "AHHHH!!!!" She screamed loudly, and covered her mouth with a shaky hand as she then pointed at Ranmaru. "What is _that_?"

_That?_ Ranmaru bristled slightly.

"A present for my darling granddaughter, of course." The old man grinned, showing off his golden teeth.

"You must be joking. You're not serious are you Kimamura- _san_? She'll have a fit. And..." The maid pinched the bridge of her nose. "He stinks! We can't let Kusanagi see him this way if you're actually serious about this." She shook her head. "And knowing you, you actually are serious about this. Crazy old-" The maid seemed to catch herself. "I think I know what you're thinking, Kimamura- _san_. But I believe it's still too soon."

" _Daijoubu._ It will be alright. You always were a keen one, Roze- _san_. Not many girls can brag about having both beauty and brains." Kimamura- _san_ 's hand had strayed towards her buttocks-

SLAP

Ranmaru made a mental note. Kimamura- _san_ wasn't just some old man. He was a _dirty_ old man.

Kimamura- _san_ was left on the ground moaning in pain as Ranmaru felt himself being dragged away by the scary maid to god knows where.

Ranmaru was then shoved unceremoniously into a room. The maid was still pinching her nose with a disgusted look on her face. "Now, you stink, so take a bath and get dressed. Appropriate clothes can be found in the dresser and the armoire. Make haste - I'm sure Kimamura- _san_ intends to introduce you to Kusanagi right away. And first impressions are key. Though I don't know what good that will really do anyways." Roze sighed as she looked Ranmaru over once more, "This is never going to work..." She muttered before turning on her heels and slamming the door behind her, leaving a rather stunned Ranmaru alone inside of the room.

He turned to appraise the room - it was needlessly spacious and nicely decorated with what appeared to be European antiques. There was a comfortable looking four-poster bed with red silken sheets, a mahogany table and two chairs, a mahogany dresser, a small desk and chair off to one side, and an elaborately carved armoire.

_I wonder who's room this is..._ Ranmaru let himself into the bathroom and had to shield his eyes. _Mabushi!_ Too bright! Everything was sparkling white - so white that as he trekked across the floor he left dirty footprints behind him. Ranmaru then caught sight of his reflection in the bathroom mirror. Egad! He was hideous! He looked like some kind of hairy monster...no wonder the maid had screamed when she had first laid eyes upon him.

Ranmaru tried to be careful not to dirty the immaculate bathroom further as he prepared himself a hot bath with extra liquid bath soap so that suds began filling up the tub. He lowered himself slowly into the tub and began to scrub himself down vigorously with a loofa until his skin was pink and raw but at least dirt free. He could feel the dirt just pouring off of him. He washed his hair three times and used the entire bottle of conditioner to get the horrible knots out of it before it felt clean again. His hair had actually returned to its original copper color when he had finished and he was proud his efforts had paid off.

He allowed himself to soak in the tub for a little while longer - feeling warm, content and relaxed for the first time in...he didn't know how long. But he knew good things don't last forever...a lot of his Masters had oftentimes done the same - lured Ranmaru into a false sense of security before showing their true colors and delighting in Ranmaru's surprise, horror, pain and betrayal afterwards.

He almost felt guilty for enjoying the bath so much and his eyes stung - from the soap. Yea. But he knew he couldn't lounge around in the tub all day however since he had to meet his new Mistress soon. Great, just great.

He quickly got out of the bath and dried himself off - careful not to look at his reflection - it was too depressing. He wrapped a robe around his too-skinny body and made his way back into the bedroom. He found suitable underwear in the dresser drawers and went over to the armoire next.

He opened it and was surprised to see several newly pressed, butler uniforms. Wasn't he going to be Lady Kusanagi's latest pet? What need then did he have for a butler uniform? But Roze had said he could find suitable clothing in the armoire so had to have meant for him to wear the uniform.

Once again, feeling guilty Ranmaru chose a butler's uniform and put it on finding that it fit perfectly – though a tad loose in places. He wondered whose clothes these were. And wondered if whomever they truly belonged to would mind that he was borrowing them.

He finished dressing and combed and tied back his long hair and not a moment too soon. Roze burst through the door and then her eyes landed on him making her stop dead in her tracks, eyes widening - then she quickly schooled her expression back to blandness. "Hmm~ Well, that's a hell of an improvement. Perhaps, Kusanagi- _sama_ won't have so much of a fit...after all. Now, come along..." She spun around and took off.

Ranmaru obediently trailed along behind her.

Roze looked back at Ranmaru and gave him a pensive look. "Hmmm~ you're a quiet one aren't you? The complete opposite of our Mistress I'm afraid. Say goodbye to your peace and tranquility."

Ranmaru was led down several long hallways and to a large wooden door. The door was opened and Ranmaru found himself being led inside of a study. Kimamura- _san_ was seated at a desk; the papers of slave ownership and transfer were resting innocently on top of it.

Kimamura- _san_ looked up and did a double take, "Well, don't you clean up well my boy - that may help smooth matters along since my adorable, little granddaughter is after all incredibly stubborn. Now, my boy, have a seat."

Roze had snorted at Kimamura's phrase 'adorable little granddaughter'. But had quickly schooled her features back into passiveness when Kimamura had glared in her direction.

Still feeling out of place and a bit awkward Ranmaru obeyed and sat down.

"There are a few things you should know before she gets here. As you've probably already guessed I am not going to be your Master. I bought you for my granddaughter Kusanagi. She will be your Master..."

Ranmaru nodded, "I understand sir - though I don't understand why I will be needing this uniform then."

Kimamura- _san_ raised an eyebrow, "Excuse me?"

Ranmaru blinked. "Aren't I to be Kusanagi- _sama_ 's new...pet?"

Pause.

_Silence_ ~

Roze snorted.

Kimamura- _san_ let out a bark of laughter, and then he was laughing so hard he began hitting the top of the desk with one hand. "Pet! Hahaha! That's a good one!" He wiped a tear from his eye and his expression turned serious. "No, my boy, I did not purchase you to be my granddaughter's pet. I purchased you because my granddaughter..." He paused dramatically. "Is in danger." His fingers were steepled before him and his expression was now grim. "Not too long ago, Kusanagi's parents were killed by _yakuza_ with very powerful connections. These _yakuza_ are now after Kusanagi's life. I have reason to believe they're after her inheritance. Hell, a lot of people are after the inheritance she is going to receive on her 18th birthday \- not just the _yakuza_ but a whole bunch of our crazy relatives are always trying to have her assassinated or kidnapped for ransom. Anyways, I bought you to be my adorable granddaughter's new bodyguard...her new _Samurai_ Butler. You see, she's such a sweet, delicate little thing that she can barely protect herself and so I am entrusting the safety and life of my granddaughter to you."

Ranmaru blinked. This was not at all what he had expected.

Roze seemed to be trying not to laugh for some reason.

"There's more." Kimamura- _san_ seemed to sense Ranmaru's thoughts. "I have reason to believe the man who killed Kusanagi's parents was a _yokai_. For this reason Kusanagi doesn't trust _yokai_ men very easily. It's to be expected of course that she would be wary of them. And so she's going to find it very difficult to trust you right away I'm afraid. Which will probably make your job of protecting her that much more difficult. Though you should understand that it's not like she harbors any ill will against _yokai_ since as you must have noticed several of her pets happen to be _yokai_.

But regardless of that fact I'm a firm believer in fighting fire with fire. If the _yakuza_ plan on sending powerful _yokai_ after my granddaughter then I want a powerful _yokai_ on my side to protect her from them. You are probably wondering why I paid such a hefty sum of money for you, my boy. It's because I can see the potential in you and know your true worth. A worth that really can't be measured in human money. And it would have caused an imbalance in the world had I paid a penny less what I paid for you."

Ranmaru was stunned. This man claimed that Ranmaru was worth something.

Kimamura- _san_ continued. "But one thing I can be sure of is that Kusanagi is against slavery and so you must keep the fact that you are a slave from her. I'm not sure how she would react to finding out that she is the Master of a Spell-Collar _yokai_ slave. She'd have my head..." He muttered the last part more to himself than to Ranmaru with a shiver. He then seemed to remember that Ranmaru was still watching him intently and quickly composed himself. "So we must try and keep that a secret from her...though with those eyes and ears...it would have been impossible to try and hide the fact you're a _yokai_. I fear it will be doubly hard for you to get Kusanagi to accept you. Especially after _his_ death..." Kimamura- _san_ turned thoughtful.

"Whose death?" Ranmaru questioned curiously.

"Her past _Samurai_ Butler. He was killed recently while protecting Kusanagi from some _yakuza_. Shot to death, poor bastard. I know Kusanagi blames herself. She's since fired all the servants and those I hire for her end up quitting in just a few days. Kusanagi has a way of making the servants run away - though I'm not entirely sure what she does..." The old man thoughtfully stroked his beard. "It is highly probable that Kusanagi will try the same tactics with you. She's most likely going to treat you horribly with the intention that you will quit. Though she won't know that since you're a Spell-Collared slave that you would be unable to even if you so chose. Your loyalties will lie with her no matter what she does to you. Are you beginning to understand why I chose you, Ranmaru?"

Ranmaru nodded.

"Please don't misunderstand her though. She's not a _bad_ person. She just doesn't want anyone else to get hurt because of her. Really, deep down she's quite adorable. I hope that you will be able to see that too. But I don't want to see my granddaughter get hurt and so this is my selfish desire. I'm sorry Ranmaru - Kusanagi is probably going to treat you _horribly_ but I need you to protect my granddaughter and that's why I'm doing this."

"Do not worry. I understand." Ranmaru assured him in his monotone voice.

"Good." Kimamura- _san_ nodded, looking pleased, "Now, when she arrives I just need to trick her into giving me a drop of her blood so that it lands on the contract...that will activate the Blood Pact. Remember it has to be kept a secret that you're a Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave so keep that collar of yours hidden...got it?"

Ranmaru bowed, obedient. "Yes, Master."

Before the old man could say more the door to the study suddenly burst open and in came a flash of green and black. And just like that the whirlwind that was Kusanagi Kimamura whooshed into the room.

Ranmaru's eyes widened at the sight of her. And for a moment he had a strange feeling of _deja vu_. Was there really something familiar about this unusual girl that was now before him? Naw. Ranmaru decided as he took a closer look at her realizing that he had never seen a girl who looked quite like this one before. Of that he could be certain.

The young heiress before him had flashing emerald green eyes and a wild mane of black hair that was sticking up in places. She had an overall 'punk rocker' look to her, or that of a juvenile delinquent since she had her ears, nose and one eyebrow pierced. Ranmaru really didn't want to know what other parts of her body she may have decided to pierce since undoubtedly there were more. Why was it that the type of person, who got into piercings or tattoos, didn't seem to know when to stop? Ranmaru mused to himself. She had at least three piercings in her ear alone. Ranmaru shook his head in disbelief.

Kusanagi must have been painting, Ranmaru realized, since her current outfit was covered in splotches of bright colored paint. She was wearing a black tank top, black cargo pants, and had oddly enough paired this off with a pair of hunter green, leather, combat boots and there was a matching dark green military hat on her head. It was one of those peaked caps or 'flying saucer hats' that had a crown, a band, and a peak. _Is the girl in the Special-Defense Force or something...?_

" _Jiji_...old man!" Kusanagi stalked up to her grandfather's desk and angrily slammed both of her hands down on the desktop before glaring at him. "What's this about you hiring a new _Samurai_ Butler!"

Kimamura- _san_ steepled his fingers together and smiled, "Ah, so Roze told you. Meet Ranmaru-" He nodded in Ranmaru's direction.

Kusanagi turned to face him and looked him up and down before turning away, quickly dismissing him - however she did a double take as she noticed Ranmaru's pointed ears and startling golden eyes on her second look. "A _yokai_? You hired a _yokai_ Samurai Butler!"

Kimamura- _san_ appeared nonplused, "Yes, I did."

Kusanagi's fists clenched at her sides and red was rising into her pale cheeks. "I told you I didn't want anymore servants! Or bodyguards! I just want to be left alone. Stop trying to meddle into my life you perverted old man! Grrr~" Kusanagi growled and spat reminding Ranmaru for a moment of a hissing cat. "I just can't believe this! You're impossible!" She threw her hands up into the air and waved them about spastically.

Ranmaru blinked at this girl before him:

Adorable little granddaughter? HER?

Ranmaru shook his head in disbelief.

Kusanagi turned her fierce glare on Ranmaru once last time. "This isn't over old man. We'll see just how long your _Samurai_ Butler lasts! Ha! I'll be having the last laugh. Count on it!" Kusanagi turned on her heel and stormed out of the study slamming the door loudly behind her and with such force that a few of the paintings fell off the wall and clattered to the floor -

"So there she was." Kimamura smiled tremulously. "Cute little thing isn't she?"

"...."

Kimamura- _san_ chuckled, "She's just a bit...misunderstood." Kimamura then shook his head and grinned. "Well, at any rate I got her blood. That was almost too easy. Her spastic behavior is pretty easy to predict, her limbs are always flailing around. It worked out perfectly when she slammed her hands down on my desk like that. Now Ranmaru, your new Mistress is Kusanagi by Blood Pact so you now have no choice but to protect her. Now run along...I'm sure Kusanagi is going to want breakfast before she goes to school. Good luck."

Ranmaru blinked, and gave the old man a confused look. Luck? Why would he need luck for doing something as simple as making breakfast? Ranmaru bowed before turning to leave the study. And breakfast? He hadn't really expected that. Was he to cook for his new Mistress as well as protect her? Not that he minded. In fact, cooking was one of the few pastimes that Ranmaru found he actually enjoyed. It was soothing.

Roze was already leading the way down the hall. "This way, follow me." Ranmaru was swiftly led to the dining room. Kusanagi was already there and had her feet up on the immaculate looking dining room table before her. Her foot was bobbing up and down in an impatient manner as if she had already been waiting for Ranmaru's arrival for hours. She glared heatedly at Ranmaru, her emerald green eyes sparkling beautifully; err, sparkling in a completely normal and boring manner. A sly smile stretched across her face as she watched him closely already analyzing her new prey...

Uh oh. Gulp. Ranmaru had been on the receiving end of such a smile plenty of times before and it did not bode well for him at all.

Kusanagi took her feet off the table and gave Ranmaru a haughty stare, "So you're going to be my new _Samurai_ Butler hmm~? Well, let's see if you can handle something as simple as breakfast. Now I want...let's see..." Kusanagi tapped her chin as if she were thinking it over and then the list began. "French toast, scrambled eggs, fresh squeezed orange juice, a glass of strawberry milk, sliced fresh fruit, coffee, half milk, half coffee, three spoonfuls of sugar..."

Ranmaru blinked. That...was it?

His relief must have shown on his face because Kusanagi frowned but then smiled evilly. "Oh and just so you know. We're all out of eggs so you'll have to get them from the ostrich that lays them in my menagerie. Also while you're there you might as well get the oranges for my fresh squeezed orange juice from the orange tree that's inside of the menagerie. Got it?"

Ranmaru bowed, a stoic, emotionless expression on his face, "As you wish, _Oujo-sama_. Milady."

Roze watched Ranmaru go with a worried expression on her face and turned to Kusanagi. "Kusanagi was that really necessary? You know that _yokai_ ostrich is evil and pecks anyone to death that gets near it or its eggs...and the _yokai_ python that has a habit of sleeping in that orange tree will not be pleased if he's disturbed..."

"If he can't handle this..." Kusanagi crossed her arms over her chest, and pouted looking away from Roze, "Then how can he expect to be able to protect me, hmph!" _Teehee~ That poor bastard won't last five seconds with that ostrich. And even if he manages to make it past her...the python will send him running for the hills! Ha! Buwhahaha!_

_He's quite handsome though isn't he? Seems like such a waste if something happens to him._ A small, timid voice piped up in Kusanagi's head.

Handsome! Ha...well, maybe just a little but so what? Who cares? Mamoru was also handsome...and look what good that did him in the end...

_There's something familiar about him though, don't you think?_ The tiny voice in her mind persisted.

Familiar? Naw.

You can't lie to yourself...

_Whatever. We have to get him to quit. I won't go through_ that _again. No one else needs to get hurt or die for my sake..._

When Kusanagi had first laid eyes on Ranmaru she had been very hard pressed to keep a straight face of disinterest. Her inner voice had immediately screamed-

Damn he's HOT!

Pesky inner voice indeed.

Kusanagi had quickly silenced this annoying inner voice of hers though once she had noticed his eyes. His eyes were familiar _sure_ , she remembered seeing those eyes before. On a dead person. Their golden depths may have been considered beautiful but to Kusanagi she could see that they had become dull, lifeless, cold. Then her eyes had honed in on his pointed ears and she realized with a start that he was a _yokai_. That was sure adding icing to the cake. Not only that, he had this creepy, annoying stoic attitude, along with this fake smile plastered to his face. Oh, that had really irritated her.

He too was wearing a mask but this mask she was going to have fun breaking to pieces. Just what was the guy hiding anyways? Well, whatever it was Kusanagi was going to find out. And this wasn't because she hated _yokai_ or anything. Not even after what HE had done to her parents. No, Kusanagi was a firm believer that there were both good and bad of every group of people – _yokai_ and humans. To see what lay behind Ranmaru's stoic mask – this was a purely selfish desire based on her curious nature. Maybe getting rid of this new _Samurai_ Butler of hers could turn out to be...fun. She smirked to herself already formulating plans...

The last thing on her mind was giving her new _Samurai_ Butler a chance. He was a _yokai_ and getting close to him would only be problematic. Especially since she had already sworn to herself to get vengeance for her parents by bringing down all her hatred and wrath upon HIM.

Yep, Kusanagi wasn't the only one wearing a mask. But she had donned hers intentionally whereas the mask her new butler wore...Kusanagi wasn't sure if it was on purpose to deceive her or if it had become a part of his normal persona. After the death of her parents and her old _Samurai_ Butler Kusanagi had decided to just stop caring. It was safer that way. She wouldn't get close to anyone or care about anyone and they in turn wouldn't give a shit about her. That way no one would get hurt for her sake again. She had to push people away. But how? That's when she came up with a great idea. To become a total bitch. And so ever since she'd been wearing this Bitch Mask to push people away, and keep them away for their own good.

There was _something_ else though about Ranmaru's cool facade that had instantly irritated Kusanagi - _something_ that made her want to punch his face and see if his mask would break and reveal what really lay underneath...

Kusanagi tapped her chin thoughtfully. She couldn't quite figure out what it was that bothered her so much and gave her this feeling of wrongness when she saw him. But there was just something 'off' about the way Ranmaru looked. As if she knew what he was really supposed to look like and so this fake mask he was wearing filled her with disquiet. Kusanagi shrugged. Whatever. She was probably giving all of this way too much thought anyways. She smiled; he probably wouldn't even survive past breakfast.

About twenty seconds later...

An unexpected knock came at the dinning room door. Roze went to the door and opened it - and in strode Ranmaru with a breakfast cart! He also appeared to be completely unscathed and his butler uniform was still immaculate. And the food smelled absolutely delicious...

Kusanagi's stomach growled in spite of herself. " _Uso_...no way...no frickin way...how?" _How the hell did that guy survive the ostrich and the man-eating python! Just who the hell is this guy?_

Ranmaru set a covered plate of food down before her-

"Your breakfast, _Oujo-sama_." He uncovered the plate to reveal a plate piled high with everything she had requested. He then began adding several plates of different things to the table before he stood back, this creepy smile - no wait, Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at him - a _fake_ smile on his face.

"Disgusting..." Kusanagi muttered angrily to herself.

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow, to him the food looked extremely appetizing. In fact he was just _dying_ to try some. He hadn't eaten since...well whatever. " _Oujo-sama_?"

Kusanagi looked up at Ranmaru heatedly, "I said _disgusting_! That smile...it's disgusting! I forbid you to smile like that in front of me - it's frickin creepy! If you have nothing to smile about or if you don't feel like smiling then just don't smile! _Mou!_ "

Ranmaru immediately wiped the smile off of his face and bowed. "As you wish, _Oujo-sama._ " His expression now blank.

Kusanagi's eyebrow twitched in annoyance, just what was up with this guy? Now he looked like some kind of doll...Argh! She didn't know which was worse! The guy pretending to feel something or not feeling anything at all. Just how heartless, self-centered, narcissistic, or conceited was this guy? Apparently to him she didn't matter at all. Jerk. She looked down at her food...her stomach growled again...

_Mmmm~! That looks absolutely delicious! Ranmaru must be a wonderful cook! You must try it!_ A voice inside her head insisted.

"Oh shut up..." Kusanagi muttered to herself as she reluctantly used to her fork to cut a piece of French toast and then plopped it into her mouth. Her eyes widened. It really _was_ delicious. In fact, she had never tasted anything quite like this before. How could he have made a simple thing like French toast taste so damned good! Dammit, the bastard just had to be a skilled chef didn't he?

Mmmm~ Oishii des neh? Delicious isn't it?

"Is the food to your liking, _Oujo-sama_?" Ranmaru questioned in a monotone voice.

Kusanagi frowned. No, she couldn't let it end this way. Not with him winning! "Hmmm~ what I think? I'll tell you what I think-" Kusanagi with a wave of her hand sent the plate of French toast and scrambled eggs flying to the floor where the plate shattered. "It's disgusting - you're disgusting!" She sneered.

Ranmaru looked at the spilled food while Kusanagi watched his face curiously as some nameless emotion flickered swiftly over Ranmaru's face. It was there and gone so fast though that Kusanagi wasn't quite sure she had seen it. But the emotion she did think she saw didn't make any sense – sadness? If anything she had expected him to be angry with her. What a weirdo. His expression had quickly returned to being blank once more.

Ranmaru said nothing but bent over and began to clean up the mess Kusanagi had made without complaint or comment.

Kusanagi felt a twinge of guilt pass through her but she just glared down coldly at Ranmaru instead. "Pathetic...I expect you to try harder next time."

Ranmaru stood, "Of course, _Oujo-sama_." He bowed, but then wait, Kusanagi noticed that he was swaying on his feet. Was he about to...? Naw.

Ranmaru put a hand to his head and stumbled forward in a half faint. Kusanagi reflexively caught Ranmaru before he would have hit the ground. " _Oi!_ What the hell is wrong with you? Are you sick or something!" Kusanagi angrily demanded a tinge of her concern showing in her voice as she momentarily forgot that she was supposed to treat this man before her badly.

Ranmaru shook his head and tried to regain his balance, "N-nothing. I-I'm perfectly alright."

"Bull-shit." Kusanagi gritted her teeth, "Don't lie to me Ranmaru. I hate it when people lie to me." She warned.

Ranmaru opened his mouth to respond when his stomach took the opportunity to respond for him and let out a loud growl. A faint blush could be seen rising to Ranmaru's otherwise emotionless face.

Kusanagi blinked in surprise. "Don't tell me you're...hungry?"

"No..."

"Hmph. You're a bad liar. I order you, not to lie to me Ranmaru! Now, how long has it been since you last ate?" Kusanagi demanded, glaring hard at him, emerald green eyes flashing.

Ranmaru thought back pensively, unable to lie because of Kusanagi's direct command. "Twenty days."

"Twenty days!" Kusanagi looked over at Roze in shock, her mouth hanging open, slight worry in her emerald green eyes. Could that even be possible...!

Roze immediately began to freak out. "Ohohohoho~ That Ranmaru! He's such a kidder! Twenty days!" Roze laughed nervously and pinned the confused Ranmaru with a death glare.

"If you were hungry then why didn't you just eat something? Or say something?" Kusanagi continued to prod.

"I wasn't given permission." Ranmaru deadpanned.

"HUH?" Kusanagi's mouth was gapping open now. What was up with this weirdo! He couldn't be serious could he? What was he...some kind of dysfunctional robot? _Mou!_

Ranmaru began to quail under Roze's stare. That maid...was scary. Kusanagi looked back and forth between the two of them suspiciously. "Aha! You are so both hiding something from me...now, I order you to tell me what it is!" Kusanagi demanded imperiously, placing her hands on her hips.

Ranmaru was just about to open his mouth and explain everything (since he was ordered to) when-

DING-DONG

The large grandfather clock in the dinning room suddenly chimed.

Kusanagi immediately began to spaz out. "Ahhh! I'm going to be late for class! Ranmaru I order you to eat until you can't eat anymore! _Ja-ne!_ Cyas!" And with that said the whirlwind that was Kusanagi swept out of the dinning room, destruction left in her wake. Talk about a natural disaster.

"Wait Kusanagi!" Roze called after her.

Ranmaru mechanically moved over the breakfast cart and began to serve himself a plate of food. "Tell me, does she make it a habit to boss people around and give them orders, Roze- _san_?" He questioned in a calm manner.

Roze distractedly turned her attention back to Ranmaru, "Uh...yea, why?"

Ranmaru sighed, as he set his plate down and began to eat stiffly, "That could end up being...troublesome."

Roze watched as Ranmaru began to eat. She too knew the secret of Ranmaru being a Spell-Collared slave and so knew just what he was getting at. Uh oh. "I see what you mean...that girl...she's always been careless with her words."

"Words...have their own power." Ranmaru said cryptically.

"I think it will be a while before she learns that lesson." Roze responded with a frown.

***

A limo was waiting for Kusanagi just outside the mansion in order to take her to school. Sigh. _Damned over-protective bastards._ Her school was literally only a quick ten-minute walk from the mansion and Kusanagi knew she could use the exercise. Kusanagi had a real sweet tooth and ever since the loss of her last butler...she had just been so depressed she had been eating way too many sweets lately. She sighed heavily as she grabbed at her sides. Gah! She was developing a pair of love handles! What she wouldn't give for some exercise...or maybe she just needed some _action_. Things really had been too quiet around here lately, hmm...

Kusanagi got into the limo and zoned out as it drove her to _Akai Bara_ (Red Rose) Academy. Kusanagi really didn't want to go to school. She hated school. Perhaps, she should try and get a home schooling teacher or something? She mused. But then dismissed the idea as impossible since she doubted she could find one that would be able to put up with her mood swings and eccentricities. Or rather one that _she_ would be pleased with anyways. Losers. Good help was so hard to find and Kusanagi hated _useless_ people.

Kusanagi just wanted to stay home taking care of the misunderstood animals in her menagerie and just forget about and ignore everything else in her crazy life...

Especially her unicorn Sora - she loved riding him and just felt so free when she did so. She loved to gallop around the vast grounds of her estate - without a helmet - recklessly putting her life on the line. Being dangerous. Feeling that adrenaline rush. Feeling close to the edge but most of all feeling totally free and alive.

Just block everything out.

That's why she had also gotten into painting. It was one of her favorite hobbies. When Kusanagi painted she was able to just block everything out, the world, Roze, her meddling grandfather, and then she was able to recreate it. The way the world really should look, the way the real world should be. She made her own world in her paintings and lived inside of them, inside of her own world. Sometimes it was hard to find some peace and quiet though when she painted and she ended up yelling a lot to Roze or any of the other servants that were foolish enough to bother her when she was in the middle of 'create mode'. She'd usually end up yelling something at them like ' _Urusai!_ ' 'Shut up!' or 'Be quiet!'

Kusanagi hated the real world and especially hated her classmates. They were all so...superficial and empty and _fake_. And their 'so-called problems' ha! They made Kusanagi want to laugh and laugh. And laugh she did - right in their stupid faces.

What? Their problems were laughable after all so Kusanagi felt it was justifiable. They didn't know what _real_ problems were like - they didn't know what real _suffering_ was. How could any of those people ever understand her? They all lived charmed lives. They had their parents, they went to school, and after school they went shopping with their _friends_ and bought their heart's desires. She hated people that thought they knew anything about her. They didn't know her. They didn't care about her. They lived in different worlds.

It was all fake. Plastic.

Their biggest problems were deciding on which cellphone model they wanted to buy next or which new shirt or accessory they should buy. Or what movie they should go see that weekend or what boy they should ask out next, or what boy they should break up with. Toying with people's emotions. Pretending to love someone. Love. What did they know about love? Those people had forgotten how to love, _really_ love. Love...Kusanagi bit her lower lip, was best left forgotten.

Sometimes Kusanagi just couldn't hide the hate and bitterness that was in her heart and so she lashed out at people. She wanted to control her emotions better but it was so exhausting to do so and why pretend to be 'happy' when she wasn't happy at all. It was better to just be honest she decided. Besides being nice and pretending to be happy just to please those people who didn't really give a damn about her seemed like a total waste of energy. Who gave a shit about those people anyways? And so she laughed in their faces and hated them openly and they in turn hated her. They thought she was a bitch. And they were right.

Yep, Kusanagi Kimamura was a total bitch.

Kusanagi stepped out of the limo and made her way to the main school building with heavy steps. She could feel the glares and stares and _eyes_ on her back. Those eyes - it was almost overwhelming, the _hate_ she felt directed her way. They were looking down upon her. They all thought they were better than she was and had already passed judgment. Damn, she just wanted to go back home and crawl under her covers and dream dammit! They really did hate her. Not that she cared...

_Liar._ Kusanagi's inner voice piped up.

_Oh shut up._ Kusangi snapped back. She wouldn't get close to anyone. She didn't want or need friends. No...never again...she'd never get close to anyone like that again. It would hurt too much if...She had vowed to herself since _that day_ that she'd never let anyone get close to her again. And so that's what she intended to do. And that's why she had created her Bitch Mask perfectly made to keep people away. She was indeed an Artiste.

As Kusanagi made her way towards the front steps she could hear the whispering of her classmates follow her: "Oooo~ It's her, it's Kusanagi." "She's _such_ a bitch." "Our class doesn't need someone like her..." "We don't want her in our school..."

Kusanagi straightened her back, nose high in the air, and put a haughty expression on her face. She couldn't allow herself to appear affected by their harsh words - because she wasn't affected dammit! She was ice. She didn't feel anything.

Liar.

Why were her eyes burning? Dammit. She must have gotten a piece of lint stuck in them or something.

***

Ranmaru rushed out of the mansion after Kusanagi as soon as he couldn't eat another bite. He didn't know what to make of his new Mistress - she was very...contradicting. Ranmaru had expected something much worse than Kusanagi's simple breakfast request when she had used that eerily familiar sly smile. Shiver. It had reminded him of HER. Ranmaru had felt slight panic and then felt like an idiot when her request had been something so simple, harmless.

Ranmaru had gone to the menagerie. And didn't see what all the fuss had been about. Sure, the larger than life _yokai_ ostrich had tried to peck his eyes out but with his _yokai_ speed he had been able to steal the needed eggs no problem. Next, had been the oranges. Ranmaru had simply leapt up into the tree to pick them and that had been when a giant man-eating python attacked him. It had indeed caught him off-guard and in seconds had wrapped around his entire body. The python had been eerily reminiscent of his control collar and Ranmaru had slightly freaked out because of that, but once he regained his senses he wrestled with the python quickly showing the creature who was boss, in about 5 seconds flat.

Other than that, things had gone well and without further incident and he had been able to use his _yokai_ speed to whip up Kusanagi's breakfast in about a minute!

When she had knocked the dish he had prepared so carefully to the floor he couldn't help the sadness he felt. It was simply a waste of good food after all. Food that he was just dying to try. But he sadly knew that he would probably be getting canned dog food again for his diet or worse...kibble! And then he had humiliated himself by nearly fainting in front of his new Mistress. (Probably due to the energy he had expended during his trouble with the ostrich and the python.) He thought she was going to punish him...but had completely surprised him by catching him before he could hit the floor. What was that about?

And then she had acted almost...concerned? Naw. His cover had almost been blown too. He had already been so close to being forced to reveal that he was a Spell-Collared slave. He had to be more careful in the future. And then the most unexpected thing Kusanagi did yet was when she had ordered him to...eat.

\--till he couldn't eat anymore.

Slight drawback there but Ranmaru wasn't complaining. He wouldn't take a gift horse for granted. He had gotten to eat food - _real_ food! And he was immensely grateful for that. It was almost as if Kusanagi saw him as a human being, an equal. He already felt indebted to her grandfather and now to her for the small kindness she had shown him just that morning.

His new Mistress Kusanagi might not be so bad or was she? He still couldn't figure her out. Perhaps, when they were alone together Kusanagi would reveal what she was really like...gulp, shiver. What if Kusanagi was like HER after all? Her attitude and cruelness and that smirk were so eerily familiar and similar to HER it was making Ranmaru's skin crawl and his stomach do flipflops. But he had to find out and know for sure. And that required - observation.

Ranmaru had already planned on going with Kusanagi to school since he had been charged to protect her. But now it was also a mission to try and figure out his new Mistress...who was she really? What was she really like? She intrigued him...and Ranmaru knew from past experience that oftentimes actions spoke louder than words.

Ranmaru decided that when trying to go unnoticed by people one had to look the part. And so had opted for dressing all in black and covering his head with a handkerchief. He reached the Academy grounds and immediately sniffed her out. _Odd. She's not inside the school building yet._ Ranmaru discovered and took off in the direction that he had caught her delicious, err, her perfectly normal scent.

He tracked her down and stumbled upon an interesting sight-

A _yokai_ cat girl with bright bubble-gum pink hair and rather large breasts that seemed to want to pop out of her too-tight sailor outfit (Japanese school uniform) was trying to get past some male students that were blocking her way and closing in on her.

"Hey, why in such a hurry babe? Why don't you stay and play a while?" One of the boys leered at her.

"Uh no...really...I have to get to class. Please move..." The girl pleaded as she tried to get past.

"You know you want it, just look at you..." One of the other boy's blatantly stared at her breasts, "Tempting us like that. That's gotta be against school rules the way you wear your uniform."

The cat girl blinked confusedly at them and quirked her head, "Tempting? Temp...ura? _Nyao_?"

"Now, you're just playing with us. You must know the effect the state of your attire has on guys like us..." The boy licked his lips. Ranmaru realized the boy must have been referring to the fact that the girl's uniform blouse did seem to have a few buttons undone in the front revealing an ample amount of her cleavage, however, using his keen eyesight Ranmaru saw that this hadn't been on purpose. The girl's blouse seemed to have burst open and there were a few buttons missing as a result. The girl's school uniform was obviously too small for her. But that didn't explain why the girl hadn't just gotten herself a new one? Though on second glance Ranmaru noticed that the girl's uniform was frayed in places as well. Was she perhaps...poor?

"State of my... attire?" The cat girl blinked at them and thought they were referring to the _condition_ of her ratty school uniform and blushed.

"You're just asking for it." Another boy continued.

"Asking for what, _nyao_?"

"This." The boy reached out and made a grab for her breast.

" _Iiyyyeee!_ Nooo~!" The cat girl immediately screamed, quite loudly in fact. Ranmaru had to plug his ears with his index fingers. "HENTAI! PERVERT!"

That's when Kusanagi showed up out of nowhere. She hit the groping guy over the back of his head with her school bag. "I don't even need my _bokken_ to deal with you losers..." She declared as she tossed her _bokken_ (wooden sword) and school bag aside and got into a fighting stance. "Oh wait, let me put my gloves on. Otherwise I may just break a nail and I paid a hella lot for this French manicure." Kusanagi continued conversationally as she slowly put on a pair of expensive black leather gloves. "Now, I'm ready for ya. Come and get it boys. Your punishment that is."

Ranmaru blinked at her confusedly, just what was she expecting to be able to do?

"Ack! It's the bitch!" One of the boys declared almost fearfully.

"It's Kusanagi! Crap!"

"You got that right - but please try not to crap yourselves. That's just disgusting." She sneered.

The leader of the group suddenly frowned back at her in challenge. "It's just one girl, pull yourselves together dudes! We can take her! We're _guys_."

"U-uh, yea! _Oss!_ We can do it!"

"Right! Let's get her! Ahhh!"

The three boys closed in on Kusanagi and she just smirked at them and got into a fighting stance once more. She then quirked her finger at them as if to say 'Come and get it bozos'.

They then rushed at her and Kusanagi moved forward. The first boy she immediately kneed in the groin. Ow. Ranmaru flinched – that HAD to have hurt. The boy doubled over in pain almost immediately clutching at himself, tears in his eyes and a pained expression on his face.

The second boy she attacked she grabbed his head with both of her hands and smiled brightly right in his face. The boy blinked back at her confusedly, a goofy grin beginning to form on his face as well as a slight blush. Was Kusanagi going to kiss him or something?

But then Kusanagi suddenly head butted him – hard. Oh. The boy realized as he fell back dazed. He lay on the ground passed out, a white flag of surrender in his hand.

The third and final boy was already trying to back away. Uh oh...his face read.

Kusanagi grinned evilly, and cracked her knuckles. "Ah ah, you're not getting away." She rushed at him and balled up her fist before then letting it fly right at his face dead center – smashing his nose in and breaking a few of his teeth with her deadly punch. Ow. Blood was dripping down the boy's chin. But she didn't stop there and as he was falling backwards Kusanagi grabbed the front of his shirt to pull him forward and delivered another punch, and then another until the boy had two black eyes.

She was cackling almost evilly as she beat the crap out of the boy who had tried to cop a feel off the cat girl. She really seemed to be enjoying it a little too much. Ranmaru shivered at the sadistic look on her face, cruel smile on her lips.

Gulp. Maybe Ranmaru had been wrong about his Mistress being _kind_ after all...

Adorable little granddaughter...my ass.

Ranmaru was still too stunned to react to the situation properly. He had been ready to step in and come to Kusanagi's aid if needed but as quickly became apparent – she didn't need saving.

But then, Kusanagi frowned suddenly and pulled off one of her gloves and inspected one of her perfectly manicured nails. Her expression turned murderous. " _Kuso!_ Damn! I broke a nail. YOU made me break a nail! You'll pay!" Kusanagi glared angrily at the boy she had just been punching.

The boy backed away fearfully, blood dripping down his chin, and cowing under that angry emerald green stare of hers, "I-I'm sorry..."

"This is ALL your fault, asshole! You made me break a nail! And I just got these done too! Argh!" She began to spaz out, sparks coming off of an angry aura that seemed to surround her.

The boy who had been kneed in the groin spoke up hesitantly, "But you broke a nail because you punched him in the mouth..."

Kusanagi sent a death glare his way.

The boy cowered. "I'll shut up now."

Kusanagi smiled and nodded. Good boy. She then spun and sent a sidekick into the stomach of the boy whose teeth she had knocked out. No longer wanting to risk using her hands. "You guys are too pathetic to dirty my beautiful hands on anyways." Kusanagi declared.

The boy fell back and lay unmoving, dizzy-eyed.

Yep, Kusanagi Kimamura could be scary.

Kusanagi wiped her hands off, "Bunch of perverts!" She glared down at the boys deciding she was done with them. "No means no – _understand?_ _Wakarimas ka?_ " She said the last word slowly and menacingly, a tinge of sarcasm to her voice.

"Y-yes mam! We're really sorry! We understand!" All three boys simultaneously answered getting on their knees and bowing before Kusanagi repeatedly.

"Keh, whatever." Kusanagi shook her head and turned her attention to the cat girl. "Let's go...you. We're going to be late for class." She flipped her hair in a careless gesture and with that she stalked off without a backwards glance.

The _yokai_ cat girl looked after Kusanagi with a somewhat starry-eyed expression on her face. She quickly wiped her remaining tears from her eyes and smiled brightly. "Oi! Wait up! And it's Katsumi by the way, like totally!" She declared as she took off after Kusanagi.

The three male students watched them go sullenly.

"Keh, that bitch why did she have to go and get involved? Everyone knows that Katsumi girl is a whore...I mean look at how she wears her uniform - it's totally indecent!" One boy complained as he nursed his aching jaw.

"That bitch is always poking her nose into other people's business."

"The cursed whore..." One of the boys spit off to the side, there was blood in his spit.

Bitch...bitch...bitch...it may have been true but Ranmaru's fists were clenching angrily at his sides. How dare they call _his_ Mistress a bitch! Especially, after she had given him breakfast that morning!

The boys were about to leave the alleyway that was between two school buildings but Ranmaru stood in their way, cracking his knuckles.

"I dare you to say that again." His voice was dull, emotionless.

The boys all squeaked at the sight of Ranmaru all dressed in black with his glowing golden eyes. He looked the part of a suspicious character indeed. "Dude...say what again?" "Please don't hurt us..." "Man, I think I just pissed myself..."

"You called my Master a Bitch." He grabbed one boy by the front of his shirt, nose to nose, his golden eyes flashing.

"K-k-kusanagi? Dude...everyone calls her that. A bitch I mean. It's...practically normal."

Ranmaru blinked, confused - what? This was disturbing information.

"Well, ever since people started to die around her..."

"Die?" Ranmaru gripped the boy's shirt tighter, "Tell me more."

"Some say she's cursed..."

"It's true. Anyone who gets close to her ends up dead. She used to tell people's fortunes using tarot cards - you know for fun. But then she started to predict people's deaths and then when they actually happened it wasn't so fun anymore."

"It was only people around her though that ended up dead. Some say-" The boy looked shifty-eyed for a moment, looking around to make sure there were no teachers eavesdropping, "She killed them herself."

"That's why everyone calls her a bitch at this school. Her grandfather donates a LOT of money to the school though so there's not much we can do about it - except call her a bitch behind her back. But we all know the truth about what she really is - a murderer."

Ranmaru let go of the boy, who looked relieved. A bitch huh? Was Kusanagi really murdering people...for fun? For...kicks? Did she enjoy hurting people? She _had_ looked awfully happy when she had been beating up the schoolboys. And had been laughing quite gleefully while doing it too. As far-fetched as it sounded, Kusanagi could be a murderer. Ranmaru had known people like that after all, people like HER. Hmm~ Ranmaru intended to find out. "But that still doesn't explain your behavior towards the cat girl..." Ranmaru turned his attention back to the boys.

"That slut-"

Ranmaru's evil glare cut him short, "What makes you say she's a slut?"

"Well, you saw her - did you see the size of those hooters?"

"Or how they were like popping out of her school uniform?"

Ranmaru sighed. "You boys really are idiots. I think maybe Kusanagi went too easy on you. Maybe I can beat some sense into those thick skulls of yours. Wow since when am _I_ a sadist?" Ranmaru shook his head ruefully and shrugged. "You boys sure do know how to bring out the worst in people, huh? Oh well, sucks to be you." Ranmaru said cracking his knuckles and starting forward.

The boys backed away in fright and before long (about 20 seconds later to be exact), the boys were beaten up _again_ until their bumps had bumps and their bruises had bruises.

Once Ranmaru finished with the boys he continued to follow Kusanagi around the school for the entire school day, while keeping to the shadows. Once or twice he was sure Kusanagi had spotted him or sensed him somehow when she had suddenly turned to look his way, but then she seemed to just shrug it off and continue on.

Ranmaru sighed; he found school to be rather boring. Though it was filled with some intrigue perhaps. He began to notice how the other students tended to keep their distance from Kusanagi and then how when she passed they all began to whisper (some none too quietly) behind their hands about her. And some went so far as to call her a bitch. Ranmaru had the urge to beat up about half the student body but decided he could always do that later and besides he didn't want to get Kusanagi into any trouble on his account. He was determined to be a superb _Samurai_ Butler.

Ranmaru continued to follow Kusanagi around and found that not all things in school were tedious. There _was_ the _Kendo_ Club (swordsmanship club). He got to watch Kusanagi kick some serious ass from one of the windows of the _Kendo_ Club building with her _bokken_ aka wooden sword. He noted that her _sensei_ (teacher) was a wolf _yokai_ and that that didn't seem to bother Kusanagi. Hadn't Kimamura- _san_ said Kusanagi feared _yokai?_ Hmm. And if that were true then why did she save Katsumi? Or was she just having fun beating up those boys...?

Something became obvious to Ranmaru as he continued to observe his new Mistress. This chick was no delicate flower – that was for sure. He was also beginning to understand where the rumors about her and her reputation for being a juvenile delinquent and murderer had stemmed from by continuing to watch her unpredictable and volatile behavior throughout the day.

Whatever the case, Ranmaru knew one thing for sure.

His Mistress, the Lady Kusanagi, was definitely _not_ boring.

His heart was beating rapidly inside of his chest as he gazed upon her, almost as if he was expecting something. But what? He'd never found himself so interested or held in suspense by anyone in the last four hundred years or so.

A smile tugged at the side of his lips and he _almost_ smiled.

This was going to be interesting.

### Chapter 2: Bad company is better than no company

The school day went by in a whirl, much like it normally did for Kusanagi. The only thing that made school even bearable was her _kendo_ fencing class. There she was able to take out all her anger and frustrations with the world - out on other people i.e. her fellow _kendo_ club members. Heh. Sucked to be them.

That day, her teacher, Kurenai- _sensei_ , designated different pairs during their class so that they could spar. In seconds, Kusanagi had defeated her opponent and sent them flying using her bamboo practice sword. Kusanagi almost felt sorry for her fellow sparing partners - she would so kick their ass. And she was in a particularly bad mood that day having eaten nothing for breakfast and so was taking it out on everyone, showing no mercy. And even though they were forced to practice with bamboo swords she was still able to do quite a bit of damage to her opponents as she literally sent them flying. She currently happened to be #1 in Japan for the female _kendo_ division after all. And had won past tournaments while representing the Academy.

Kurenai- _sensei_ happened to be a wolf _yokai_. With a wild mane of brown hair and golden colored eyes. She had always complimented Kusanagi saying that for a normal human she had incredible strength - not only of body but also of will. Having a _yokai_ for a teacher was not unusual at _Akai Bara_ Academy - at least not in the world Kusanagi lived in. Some of Kusanagi's classmates happened to be _yokai_.

_Yokai_...Humans...after the Demon-Human War centuries ago, both the humans and _yokai_ had come to a truce of sorts and this was how Kusanagi found herself living in a world where humans and _yokai_ co-existed. Although there were still those humans who considered _yokai_ to be a lesser race and these humans had given rise to the popularity of owning ' _yokai_ slaves'. Though _yokai_ slavery was illegal those with money found ways around this. It was perhaps the demon's price to pay for getting to live in the human world. Nothing in life was ever perfect. Kusanagi knew this well. Also because _yokai_ now lived alongside humans they brought things along with them that had never before existed in the human world including _maho_ , _magic_...

Magic that normal humans had quickly learned and then used to enslave some of the _yokai_ population - these victims became known as Spell-Collared _yokai_.

"Well done, Kusanagi." Kurenai was clapping. Usually, Kurenai would stay in her human form as most _yokai_ did living in the human world but occasionally if Kurenai got excited or happy her tail or ears would pop out unexpectedly, reminding Kusanagi that her teacher wasn't human...

Kusanagi bowed a genuine smile on her face - a rare occurrence indeed. "Thank you, _sensei_."

Kusanagi was in a surprisingly good mood when she left the _dojo_ to go home, however, her good mood was suddenly spoiled when some girl randomly called out to her-

"Kusanagi- _chan!_ "

Kusanagi groaned, "Oh no...not her..." She sped up a bit.

"Hey, girlfriend." The cat girl from earlier with her bright pink hair, sparkling blue eyes, bouncing breasts, perky attitude, and cat ears perched atop her head, skipped up next to Kusanagi and began to mimic her friend's fast pace, "Just got out of _kendo_ practice?"

"No duh." Kusanagi said through gritted teeth. _Why me...?_

"Oh! That is just like so cool!" Katsumi began in her peppy manner, "I wish I could do _kendo_ but I'm like totally clumsy, and I'm just so pathetic. Totally not like you, Kusanagi- _chan!"_

"Hn."

"Hey, would you like to go and see a movie?" Katsumi asked, quirking her head at Kusanagi.

Kusanagi turned to glare at the girl, "A movie? What makes you think I'd want to see a movie with the likes of you?"

Katsumi stopped in shock, her lower lip trembling, ears pressed against her head. Kusanagi thought she looked pathetic and cute and if she had been anyone else but The Bitch she probably would have caved in. "I'm sorry...I just thought..."

Was that a stab of guilt Kusanagi felt? Naw. "You thought what exactly?" Her emerald green eyes narrowed at the girl coldly.

"That we're friends." Katsumi sniffled.

Kusanagi blinked at her in disbelief, "And what pray tell ever gave you _that_ idea?"

Katsumi's eyes suddenly began to sparkle. "You saved me." She took on a dreamy tone.

" _Huh?_ " Kusanagi really had no idea what this poor, demented girl was talking about.

"This morning when those guys had me cornered and you beat them up for me..." Katsumi began to explain excitedly.

Kusanagi blinked and then she remembered. Ah. Katsumi had been cornered by a trio of perverts and she had fun beating them into a pulp. It was just what she had been hoping for \- a little action and some exercise. Those boys had come in handy in burning off a few hundred calories. "That wasn't for you. It was for me. I was having a bad day and needed to let off some steam. I simply enjoyed beating up those loser perverts that's all. They were just getting what they deserved and I got to use them as punching bags. Don't be a _baka_ ; I could care less about you. Hmph!" Kusanagi flipped her hair and turned to walk away.

Tears fell from Katsumi's eyes, "I-I just wanted...to be your friend..."

Kusanagi felt a stab of guilt - she quickly stifled it. "I don't want _friends_." She spat. _I'm sorry...I can't have friends._

Katsumi wiped her tears stubbornly with the back of her hand, "You're wrong. Everyone needs a friend. Aren't you...lonely?"

Kusanagi frowned. "Lonely? Ha! I enjoy my solitude thank you very much. I don't need friends and I don't need anyone. Hmph!" She stalked away. Kusanagi's heart clenched painfully in her chest filled with lingering hope and regret.

Katsumi yelled out after her - " _Usotsuki!_ Liar!"

***

_Smart girl._ Kusanagi's inner voice piped up. _You should have said yes._

_Huh? And let that airhead be our friend? Ha! We don't need friends like_ her _. She's trash._

She seemed genuinely nice...obviously not too bright but she wasn't fake. Not like the others.

" _..."_

And I know you're lonely...

I AM NOT LONELY!

You can't lie to me. I'm you after all.

Kusanagi sighed. _You know why we can't have friends. Why we can't let anyone get close...ever again._ Kusanagi pulled her sleeves down unconsciously over her wrists. _We made a vow remember? We need no one. And I'm going to make sure we keep that vow._

I know but we can't be alone forever. We need someone...someone who can help us...

Kusanagi laughed bitterly, "No one can help us...I'm all alone..."

Now, in a particularly bad mood Kusanagi decided she didn't want to go back home to the mansion just yet and face her nosy maid, Roze, who always seemed to know if something was bothering her, so she instead decided she'd like to go for a walk and be alone for a bit.

All day long Kusanagi had sensed this shadow trailing after her...a hired assassin maybe? It wouldn't be the first time that her greedy relatives had hired one to go after her, the bastards. Or was it just her over active imagination? She absentmindedly rubbed the back of her neck; the hair there was standing on end.

And there it was again - that feeling that someone was watching her. Kusanagi looked around - There! She was sure of it! Kusanagi aimed and threw her _bokken_ into a nearby tree's leafy branches.

"Ow!" Came a slightly muffled cry of pain as someone grunted and fell out of the tree to land on the grassy ground below with a thud.

Kusanagi blinked, a suspicious looking character indeed, dressed all in black with a strange handkerchief tied around his face. "So I was right - an assassin! Prepare to die!" Kusanagi declared as she charged forward with her _bokken_ raised before her in a two-handed grip.

Ranmaru swiftly stood and removed his mask revealing that it was him, " _Oi_." He said by way of greeting.

Kusanagi didn't stop and instead hit Ranmaru hard over the head before she then blinked at Ranmaru, "You! What the hell are you doing here? Have you been following me? You- you- you stalker pervert!"

Ranmaru frowned at the word 'pervert', a small bump forming on his head. "I'm here as your _Samurai_ Butler and bodyguard." He said as if that explained everything.

Kusanagi merely glared at him, " _Keh!_ I didn't ask for a babysitter, damn jiji, old man. Go home Ranmaru. I seriously need some time alone right now." _I'm seriously not having a good day. I need some space. Maybe I should have just stayed in bed..._

"But-" Ranmaru started to resist.

Kusanagi huffed and cut him off. "I order you to go home and wait for me there." She began imperiously, "I'll be there shortly. I'm just going to take a quick walk in the park before I go home."

Ranmaru wanted to resist but instead bowed. "As you wish, _Oujo-sama_."

Was it Kusanagi's imagination or did he look displeased about something? She shrugged. _Oh well. Whatever. Not like I care_. Kusanagi snuck out of school the back way to avoid her limo driver. She then headed for the park thinking she'd like to have a soda before heading home.

Kusanagi bought her soda from one of the series of vending machines that was in the park and was just taking a sip when she sensed them. Shit. Couldn't she have a frickin soda in peace? Dammit.

Kusanagi turned around and confronted the group of men dressed all in black. They were wearing expensive suits, with dark shades on their faces, a couple of them had ugly scars running down their cheeks, and Kusanagi noted one was missing a finger. Apparently, a bunch of stupid _yakuza_ thugs were after her again. Sigh. Yep, _again_. The _yakuza_ were always trying to kidnap her for ransom, all because of her _grand_ inheritance. An inheritance that she didn't even give a shit about personally. Since she was the heiress to such a large fortune and estate several such attempts to kidnap Kusanagi and hold her for ransom happened almost daily. Weekly, if she shut herself up at home.

Kusanagi chugged her soda and crunched the can, tossing it aside, all the while glaring at the _yakuza_ scumbags before her. Kusanagi was getting sick of this bullshit. Ah, well, this was why she took _kendo_ in the first place, she supposed. Kusanagi whipped out her _bokken_ and pointed it the gathered _yakuza_. "You've picked a really bad day to try and kidnap me...yakuza _scum_!"

The _yakuza_ thugs all looked at each other and chuckled in response, not really taking Kusanagi's threat too seriously. She was just a 15-year-old female, high school student after all.

62 seconds later...

The _yakuza_ thugs had been defeated and were currently moaning on the ground while sporting huge bumps and bruises on their heads.

Kusanagi frowned down at them. Pathetic bunch of losers. That had almost been too easy. How was she supposed to get any better if these losers were all the _yakuza_ had to send after her? What about a challenge to strengthen her skills? _This wasn't even a warm up, baby._

Just as Kusanagi was turning to walk away however - she sensed one more.

Kusanagi spun around to face a _yakuza_ thug she hadn't noticed before. She furrowed her brow at this since it was rare for her not to notice a threat right away. How had this guy kept his presence hidden from her, she wondered? Kusanagi shrugged and looked the man over. He was normal looking enough, except for the fact that he was extremely hairy, and very ugly. He had long hair that nearly touched the ground and his face hadn't been shaved since – well, forever. _Ew._ And he had pointed ears...?

"And now they send a monkey man after me, huh?" Kusanagi sneered as she looked him over while raising an eyebrow, "This is beginning to turn into a freak show. Meh, whatever. I suppose I'll just have to kick your ass as well."

The man simply leered at her in response, his mouth dropping open and an abnormally large purple tongue creeping out and licking his lower lip while drool dribbled down the side of his chin. "You're much prettier than they said you would be. How about you consider being my girl, then I'll spare you from the _yakuza_."

_Eww._ "I don't date outside of my own species." Kusanagi cringed and raised her _bokken_ in a two-handed grip before her and charged forward with a battle cry. "AHHH!"

However, that was when the man suddenly let his hair shoot forward - yes his hair - and let it attack Kusanagi.

"What the?" Kusanagi said as she barely managed to leap out of the way in time from the odd attack. "Did that guy's hair really just attack me? No frickin way." But the man didn't stop there and swung his hair in her direction again and Kusanagi was forced to dodge out of the way. His hair passed by her arm and sliced into it. Kusanagi looked down at the cut on her arm in surprise - the hair was apparently razor sharp. But how was that even possible?

Kusanagi frowned and decided to charge the strange man again. This time she leapt up into the air and was prepared to bring her sword down upon him in a high downwards slash, but before her attack hit him he let his hair shoot forward and wrap around Kusanagi's sword. Kusanagi pulled back on it expecting it to be able to cut through the hair but then found that it wouldn't budge, instead her sword was suddenly snatched from her grasp. "Dammit!" Kusanagi was forced to let go of her sword and leap backwards to put space between her and the _yokai_ man by executing a couple of back flips.

The monkey man laughed as he tossed Kusanagi's _bokken_ aside. She looked over to where it had landed and immediately decided to run in that direction in order to retrieve it. The man rolled his neck and let his hair shoot off in her direction again as Kusanagi ran. She evaded the attacks as best she could but then she felt a stinging pain in her thigh. Kusanagi looked down in horror to see that a long sharp spike made up entirely of hair had managed to impale her thigh. Kusanagi felt a scream leaving her lungs of its own accord as the demon pulled back on his hair and the 'hair dagger' was removed from her thigh.

Kusanagi nearly sunk to her knees in pain. She was gasping for breath and an unfamiliar feeling was creeping down her spine - it was like a shiver but not quite. What was this cold, unfamiliar feeling? This unease that was churning in her gut? Could it be... _fear?_ Kusanagi's eyes widened when she realized that's exactly what it was.

Fear.

She'd never been in a fight like this one before...this time it was different. This wasn't just a fight – this was a battle to the death. This man before her wasn't...human. Kusanagi gasped when she realized exactly what was happening. This man was like HIM. Kusanagi shivered as she began to remember. No! Now was not the time for a trip down memory lane. She couldn't let herself have a panic attack - not right then. This man was a _yokai_. _Yokai_ really were on a different plane when compared to normal humans. How the hell was she going to get out of this one, she freaked?

Kusanagi was about to panic when she gave herself a mental smack. No, now was not the time to panic and become some emotional chick in need of saving, some damsel in distress. Kusanagi would much rather be the prince that rescued the princess and not the other way around. There was no one to save _her_ after all - no Knight in Shinning Armour coming to her rescue. She was all alone. Kusanagi took a deep breath. That's why she would just have to become her own prince and rescue herself. There had to be something she could do to counter this demon's odd attacks _...hair...hair...think Kusanagi...that's it!_

Kusanagi was struck by an idea and immediately ran towards her school bag instead of for her _bokken_ sword - a wooden sword would have no chance of cutting through that strange razor wire-like hair anyways. Kusanagi barely managed to make it to her bag in time and then she had it in her grasp. She quickly rummaged around inside and found what she was looking for. _Yatta!_ Yes!

Kusanagi spun around to face the _yakuza_ minion again and this time she raised-

The demon man's brows rose as he saw Kusanagi raise what appeared to be a can of mace, "Mace? That won't work against me girl!" The demon laughed mockingly, "Is that the best you can do? Ha!" The demon let his hair shoot forward again and again and Kusanagi dodged the attacks only this time she sprayed her mace at the demon but it appeared as though the only thing getting hit by the mace was his hair instead of the demon's eyes. He chuckled at her bad aim. "You missed!"

Kusanagi remained silent as she continued to dodge the deadly hair attacks and spray her mace onto the hair and towards the demon...

However, the wound on her thigh was bleeding profusely and beginning to slow her down until finally as she was trying to leap out of the way of another hair attack - she was too slow and the hair caught her, wrapping around her ankles and harshly tripping her up so that she fell forward, and smacked her forehead on the ground with a loud thwack. Ow.

Kusanagi struggled against the hair and flinched when she felt the hair painfully cutting into the flesh of her ankles the more she moved.

"You'll be coming with us, little Miss _Oujo-sama_. Come along nice and quiet like, if you don't want any trouble." The demon advised her.

Kusanagi was simply NOT the quiet type. "Damn you, you monkey-faced bastard! There's no way I'm going anywhere with an ugly, hairy freak like you! Ha!"

The _yokai_ bristled at the insult. "Oh, you'll pay for that you little bitch." He rolled his neck and swung his hair along with Kusanagi sideways so that she was lifted up off the ground and then swung into a nearby tree with such force that as her back hit the tree's trunk there was a painful sounding crack. She cried out from the force of the impact, her mouth opening.

The _yokai_ approached Kusanagi while at the same time using his hair so that Kusanagi didn't simply fall forward but instead kept her pinned to the tree. His hair wrapped around her wrists, ankles and around her neck as he lifted her limp body higher against the tree.

Kusanagi had begun to struggle once more and was fiddling with her wrists as he approached her. She just had to get her hands free-

The hair was cutting mercilessly into Kusanagi's wrists and blood streamed down her arms but the grip the hair had on her wrists was becoming slippery...

"Tsk Tsk Tsk that's what you get for being troublesome." The _yokai_ scolded her as he noticed the blood. "Now, are you going to come along quietly?" He asked again.

"Screw you," Kusanagi spat in his face and watched with extreme satisfaction as her spit hit the _yokai_ 's cheek and stayed there. She finally had her hands free and quickly reached into the pocket of her school uniform skirt for- "Oh, and I'll let you in on a little secret -that wasn't mace." Kusanagi declared.

The _yokai_ wiped the spit angrily from his face with the back of his hand, "Then what was it bitch?"

Kusanagi grinned, "Hairspray. And you know what they say about hairspray." Kusanagi held up what she had dug out of her pocket – a lighter. She flicked the lighter open placing her thumb on the igniter and held it up before the _yokai_ whose eyes widened. "It's extremely flammable. I have one thing to say to you loser - sucks to be you. _Sayonara_." Kusanagi declared before she ignited the flame and tossed the lighter at him.

The lit lighter hit his forehead and his face was immediately engulfed in flames. The _yokai_ cried out in pain and horror as he stumbled backwards releasing his hold on Kusanagi so that his hair fell away from her neck and ankles. The flames quickly crept up all the hair Kusanagi had managed to spray with her hairspray and in seconds the _yokai_ was completely covered in flames. He began to scream as he ran around the park blindly due to the creeping flames of insanity that were consuming him in his pain...

Kusanagi sunk to her knees and allowed herself to watch in grim satisfaction as the _yokai_ burned to death. Something caught her eye as she watched the _yokai_ – there was a strange tattoo on his upper arm where part of his jacket had burned away. The tattoo was of black skull surrounded by white camellia petals. _Why does that tattoo look so familiar...?_ Kusanagi wondered dazedly. She covered her mouth and nose as the awful stench of burning flesh washed over her.

At one time in her life when she had others looking after her, they had protected her and kept her pure. But now she had no one to protect her. She had ceased being an angel and had now officially become a devil. Or so she at least thought to herself.

Kusanagi felt sick all of a sudden and began to throw up. She may have been a bitch but she wasn't a murderer at heart. Although, she realized that now she was in point of fact a true murderer... _I guess I've finally killed someone with my own two hands...it was only a matter of time but now I'm just what everyone thinks I am...a killer...a she-devil..._

Kusanagi's vision was darkening and she knew she was about to pass out. Crap.

"KUSANAGI!" Came a concerned, and oddly familiar sounding voice.

Kusanagi looked up to see Katsumi running towards her with an expression that was both worried and frantic on her face. Katsumi? What in the hell was that bubblehead doing there? She should leave before she got hurt! Kusanagi thought frantically before passing out...

***

Kusanagi awoke with a splitting headache. God pity anyone who tried to talk to her right then. "Ugh." Kusanagi groaned as she blinked and sat up in bed. She looked over surprised to see that Katsumi was seated in a chair next to her bed and that the girl was bawling loudly into her hands, tears streaming down her face. Huh? What's _she_ doing here anyways? She also noticed a stoic and slightly guilty looking Ranmaru not too far behind.

Kusanagi's eye twitched at the sight of him, "What happened...why are you crying Katsumi? Jeez, you're such a crybaby. You look really stupid. Whatever it is you're crying about \- it can't be all that bad."

Kusanagi looked past Katsumi and Ranmaru to realize that Roze was there too. She had an oddly relieved looking expression on her face. Hmm, what was going on?

Kusanagi heard a door opening and turned to see one last face that she really didn't feel like seeing right then. "Grandfather! What are you doing here?" _Uh oh..._ snippets of her battle with the _yokai_ thug were coming back to her mind. And as she looked around the room she realized she must be in a hospital.

Kimamura- _san_ was looking absolutely livid, "Granddaughter...of all the stupid, idiotic, reckless things to do! Facing a _yokai_ on your own like that! I wanted you to be safe from _yokai_ \- to use a _yokai_ against any _yokai_ that the _yakuza_ may decide to send after you. The wise man does not court danger, Kusanagi. And you-" Kimamura spun around and glared at Ranmaru, "Where the hell were you during all of this?"

Ranmaru flinched and opened his mouth to speak-

Only Kusanagi beat him to it, a hand behind her head in an abashed manner, "Ah, that's my fault actually. I ordered Ranmaru to go home and wait for me there..."

Kimamura returned his attention back to Kusanagi, "Told or ordered?"

Kusanagi looked perplexed by the question but answered anyways, "Ordered, so what?"

Kimamura stroked his chin, "I see...so that's why. Kusanagi." Kimamura's voice was oddly serious as he leveled Kusanagi with a harsh stare.

Kusanagi unconsciously sat up straighter, " _Hai?_ "

"You are not to order Ranmaru to stay away from you. It's too dangerous. Ranmaru is...you see, quite the honorable fellow. He's a _Samurai_ Butler. And as you know _samurai_ follow their own _Bushido_ or 'way of the warrior'. Ranmaru's 'way of the warrior' is to be completely loyal to his new Master, which means he'll do everything you say or order to the best of his ability. Your word is law. To break this would be to break his _bushido_ and to lose his honor. And then he would have to commit _seppuku_. You need to keep Ranmaru by your side if you're going to be safe. Understand?"

Kusanagi gave the stoic _yokai_ a thoughtful look. Honorable huh? _Bushido_? So that's what his 'I have a stick up my ass' problem was? Hmmm. She narrowed her eyes at him curiously. Just how far could his so-called honor and _bushido_ be pushed she wondered interestedly. Just how far was Ranmaru willing to go for her? Just how much was her grandfather paying the weirdo anyways? He seemed like such a useless guy with the way he had been following her around school all day dressed up like some kind of underwear thief - _I mean who does that? Mou!_

_Maybe you need his help..._ A tiny voice in her head piped up.

Huh!

That was a yokai they sent after you this time and it won't be the last. And what will happen when HE is sent after you again? Ranmaru...you need him...

_We don't need anyone. We don't even know if he can fight or not. Keh! He looks like a pansy if you ask me, a pretty boy too._ Kusanagi scoffed in her mind.

He had a sword with him before...

Maybe but even then...I don't want anyone dying for me again...

We can't be alone forever. Eventually you'll have to let someone in again. I think we can trust him.

You're wrong. I like being alone...and I don't trust him one bit. He's a yokai...

So is Katsumi...Kurenai-sensei...Sora...

That's different. Ranmaru is too similar to HIM in some way. I can't put my finger on it exactly but he's definitely NOT to be trusted. I'll make him quit this job yet, just you wait and see! Just you wait Ranmaru! I'm going to have LOTS of fun making your life a living hell until you beg to be released from your duty and go running to your mommy! Buwhahaha~

Oh dear. Kusanagi sometimes you really scare me. You know that.

***

He had failed to protect his Mistress and she had ended up in the hospital. What kind of _Samurai_ Butler and bodyguard was he...stupid collar...stupid Kusanagi for ordering him home. Hell yea, he was angry and pissed off at the world. He had failed to protect someone again. He should have disobeyed her and paid the price...well, he wouldn't make the same mistake twice at least. _Fool me once shame on you, fool me twice shame on me._ Ranmaru thought to himself. He had a stubborn Mistress...but he would protect her - whether she liked it or not. _I can be pretty stubborn too._

As Ranmaru sat by Kusanagi's bedside at the hospital and watched her sleep he couldn't help but marvel at how different she looked while she was sleeping than from when she was awake. That crease between her eyes was gone; her face was relaxed, calm, and peaceful, the frown gone from her pretty, pink, pouty lips. Dark lashes caressed her pale cheeks that were like porcelain. For once the emerald green eyes weren't glaring heatedly at him with hatred. One could almost say she was...beautiful?

She almost reminded him of someone...from long ago... _his miko_...No, they were nothing alike. Ranmaru vigorously shook his head. His _miko_ love had been serene, refined, tranquil, angelic, weak and Kusanagi was...well, a whirlwind, loud, spastic, fiery, strong, alive, interesting...

Ranmaru shook his head, not liking where his thoughts were going. He was Kusanagi's bodyguard, her _Samurai_ Butler nothing more. He had a duty to protect her. That was all.

Although maybe Kusanagi wasn't so bad after all....

Kimamura- _san_ interrupted his thoughts, "Keep your sword with you at all times, Ranmaru. Don't let your guard down. Don't fail her _again_." There was a weight behind that last word that Ranmaru felt.

Kimamura's expression then turned relaxed as he turned his attention to Katsumi, "Ah, you must be a friend of my darling granddaughter Kusanagi. It's a pleasure to meet you Miss...?" Kimamura- _san_ stuck out his hand for Katsumi to take.

"It's Katsumi." She shyly gave him her hand.

"Call me, K-san if you want. I think we should really get better acquainted. How would you like to join me for a cup of coffee little lady?" Kimamura- _san_ snuck his arm around Katsumi's shoulders smoothly.

She blushed slightly at the unexpected attention, "Uh, alright, Mister K- _san_."

BONK

Roze had bonked Kimamura- _san_ over the head and began to escort Katsumi out of the room, looping her arm through Katsumi's, "I shall accompany you as well, I think. I can't very well leave you alone with this perverted old man after all."

Kimamura- _san_ pushed himself up off the ground frowning and rubbing his head. A pout formed on his lips and he feigned a hurt expression. "Roze, I'm hurt. Is that what you really think of me? I just wanted to get to know this girl that has actually managed to befriend my granddaughter. Perhaps, she could give an old man a few pointers on how to get on his granddaughter's good side."

" _Sure_." Roze didn't sound too convinced, "Watch out for him Katsumi he's a complete pervert."

"Oh I see." Katsumi agreed while nodding gravely.

Ranmaru, a slightly bemused expression on his face, watched them go and then turned his attention back to Kusanagi. _I won't fail you again...Oujo-sama._

***

A few days later, the spoiled _Oujo-sama_ was allowed to go back home. Right off the bat Kusanagi ordered several complex dishes for Ranmaru to prepare for her as well as several highly advanced, French deserts and had ordered them all to be brought to her private quarters. Ranmaru had prepared all the dishes and desserts perfectly and was confused about why Kusanagi only seemed to become irritated by this. Ranmaru scratched his head thoughtfully - his new Mistress was certainly hard to please.

He set down one of the last cakes he had made on the table before her. Kusanagi raised an eyebrow at the cake not recognizing it, so Ranmaru felt the need to give her a description of the cake. "Opera Cake. It's made with layers of almond sponge cake that have been soaked in coffee syrup. I have layered it with _ganache_ and coffee butter cream. The cake is covered in a chocolate glaze." Ranmaru inwardly smirked as he watched the expression on Kusanagi's face change to one of longing and desire – for the cake that is.

Kusanagi noticed that Ranmaru's gaze was upon her, however, and quickly schooled her expression. Kusanagi continued to try and keep a straight face as she lifted her fork and took a small bite of the cake. She couldn't stop her eyes from widening slightly since the cake was the most delicious one she had ever tried before.

Ranmaru was standing close by the small dining table that was in Kusanagi's bedroom and watched her eat the cake intently. She was watching him out of the corner of her eye when all of a sudden just as she was raising another bite to her lips her hand suddenly stopped. Then a dangerous glint formed in her emerald green eyes. _Uh oh...she's thought of something and with an expression like that it can't be good._ Ranmaru gulped when he realized that he was alone with his new Mistress...in her room...for the very first time.

Was she going to try something? Torture him? Use him like all the other women had? Ranmaru was beginning to feel sick at the thought. Not that Kusanagi wasn't an attractive woman or that he wasn't attracted to her but...to simply be used by someone like a tool or toy without any feeling just made Ranmaru feel sick, pathetic, and less like a real man and reminded him of sadly what he had become and been reduced to - A Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave.

Kusanagi sat up and pushed her chair back from the table and began to take off her shoes as Ranmaru watched her actions suspiciously.

"Ah, my feet are just killing me." Kusanagi began to take her socks off as well and then she sat back down in the chair and began to wave one of her feet in the air. "Oh, servant, I mean Butler- _san_ would you mind giving me a foot massage?" An evil smile was forming on her lips.

Ranmaru, who was on the verge of hyperventilating, blinked. That was it? _No, I mustn't be fooled. She's just luring me into a false sense of security and then she plans to make her move..._

Though Ranmaru's emotions were in inner turmoil due to the dark memories of HER Kusanagi's suddenly bitchy demeanor had drudged up, Ranmaru did not show any outward signs of his fear or trepidation. Instead, he continued to wear a cool mask of indifference.

Instead he merely bowed, "Of course, _Oujo-sama_." He had to remember not to give her one of his fake smiles. He then went over to kneel at her feet and began to massage her foot.

Kusanagi looked down at him and a look of surprise crossed her face fleetingly before her expression once again turned haughty. She watched him massage her feet with a pleased look on her face and Ranmaru noticed with growing unease she was still wearing that evil smile.

Ranmaru was once again very confused _. Does she really think that massaging her feet like this is some sort of punishment? No...she can't be that naive_. And Ranmaru had his pride as a _Samurai_ Butler and so concentrated on the task at hand since he at least had to do his very best. Ranmaru happened to be very good at massages...well, _sensual_ massages really, and so he knew all the 'pleasure points' that would stimulate a woman and turn her into putty in his hands. Ranmaru broke out a bottle of scented jasmine oil (don't ask) and slowly began to massage her foot with it.

Despite herself Kusanagi let out a groan of pleasure...

Ranmaru smiled ever so slightly, a barely there smile, and continued his ministrations. That is until he sniffed the air and smelled the unmistakable scent of Kusanagi's arousal. Hm, so he had been right all along. His Mistress wanted to use him for sex. Well, it's not like he had much of a say in the matter anyways if that's what she really wanted. If she wanted him \- she could have him. He _belonged_ to her.

Ranmaru brought his hand up to massage Kusanagi's leg next...up towards her knee...then up her inner thigh...running his hands towards...

Kusanagi's eyes that had been shut closed in pleasure and relaxation suddenly snapped open and she glared down at the oblivious Ranmaru angrily and-

BAM

Kusanagi bonked Ranmaru over the head - hard. "Just what the hell do you think you're doing pervert! _Hentai!_ "

Ranmaru looked up and blinked at Kusanagi in surprise. Had he read her wrong? Ranmaru sniffed the air again. No...her scent...she _was_ aroused...He lowered his head and looked at the floor. "But Mistress...isn't 'this' what you wanted...for me to...pleasure you?"

Kusanagi gaped, mouth dropping open in complete and utter shock, "P-p-pleasure me? What in heaven's name gave you that idea!"

Ranmaru looked up and met her green eyes with his golden ones, "Your arousal." He deadpanned.

Kusanagi blinked and then spazzed out. "My...WHAT? There is NO-" She began to deny, red in the face.

"I can smell it."

Kusanagi turned even redder at this. She seemed rendered speechless for a moment before she frowned. "That's...disgusting. _Yokai_ are just so..." Kusanagi threw her arms up into the air, "I just can't believe this! You....!" Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at Ranmaru. "Just what kind of a _Samurai_ Butler are you anyways? It's like you're some sort of ex-pleasure slave or something. Ha! Some guy with a dark and tortured past. Heh, like that could happen. There I go again...me and my overactive imagination. There's no way an emotionless, stoic moron like _you_ could be a pleasure slave. Ha!" Kusanagi shook her head at her own wild and impossible imagination and pinned Ranmaru with a fierce stare.

Ranmaru just blinked back at her wisely deciding to keep silent since what she had just said was 100% on the mark. Heh.

"Nope, you're just a pervert. I'm beginning to think I better set down some ground rules since you seem completely clueless about a little thing called 'personal space.' Number one, don't try and read me with those _yokai_ senses of yours, it's totally creepy and you're just going to end up misunderstanding things. Because two, even if you smell, you know..." Kusanagi looked sideways in embarrassment. "Smell _something_. That doesn't mean that I actually want you. Because I don't. Let's make that clear now. I mean, obviously my body is having a reaction to you but that has nothing to do with this. What matters are my heart and my feelings. I wouldn't do something intimate like that with someone unless..." Kusanagi frowned, hesitating, her brows furrowing. "Argh!" She ruffled her hair in exasperation. "Alright, I'll just come out and say it. Unless...I WAS IN LOVE WITH THEM OKAY? YOU HAPPY NOW? MOU! I can't believe I had to say that out loud!" Kusanagi waved her hands frantically in the air before her as her face turned even redder.

Ranmaru's eyes widened and he was looking at his Mistress in a mixture of slight wonder, awe and shock. He had completely misjudged his Mistress and made a complete fool out of himself (and her). His Mistress was nothing at all like HER. His new Mistress deserved his respect. She was a real lady. Even if she was perhaps a bit bitchy at times. Ranmaru bowed low before her, "Forgive me, _Oujo-sama_. I never meant any disrespect. I...deserve punishment." Ranmaru kept his head bowed.

Kusanagi however didn't take him seriously and broke out laughing, "Oh, so melodramatic. I forgive you, _baka-san_. Just don't do it again. But if you want punishment..." Kusanagi tapped her chin thoughtfully. Ranmaru gulped as she got that same mischievous glint in her eye again. "How about you go and clean out the stalls and cages in my menagerie." A cat's paw smile formed on her face that said 'Gotcha.'

Ranmaru fell over.

***

Ranmaru continued to observe his new Mistress throughout the week but still couldn't figure out his fascinating Mistress. At times she eerily reminded him of HER. But then ended up surprising him by doing a 180-degree turn around and being nice or just acting incomprehensible. Kusanagi's orders and punishments from Ranmaru's perspective were a joke. They were nothing compared to what he had once been forced to endure. But Kusanagi acted as though she were making him do absolutely horrible things. Although she did seem incredibly irritated, angry and annoyed when he managed to carry out her insane orders flawlessly or took her 'punishments' without batting an eye. Also, his quiet and stoic nature seemed to get on her nerves a lot and occasionally she randomly started to shake Ranmaru and yell something along the lines of 'Show some emotion DAMMIT!'. Yes, his new Mistress was a handful but she was also very interesting, fun to watch, and completely unpredictable.

He tried to think back to a time when he had had so much fun...and then he would remember his _miko_ love...and then sadness would overtake him.

No it was better not to think of her. And to...move on.

Ranmaru thought that he and his new Mistress were getting along rather well - at least from his perspective.

Ranmaru had gotten into the habit of following Kusanagi to school and after the hair _yokai_ incident Kusanagi hadn't ordered him home either. Ranmaru saw this as progress.

Was this because he had gained some of Kusanagi's trust somehow? Or did she perhaps realize she couldn't fight this battle on her own anymore? Or maybe deep down she was actually simply afraid. Whatever the case Ranmaru was glad that the stubborn _Oujo-sama_ was allowing him to be near her. That way he wouldn't fail her again.

Ranmaru was peeking out from behind a tree that he was watching Kusanagi from as she ate her lunch under another tree, which was not too far away from himself when he realized there was someone else sharing his hiding place on the other side of the tree.

Both stalkers turned to look at each other in surprise before Katsumi let out a frightened shriek. "Eeee~! It's a perverted stalker!"

Katsumi then grabbed her school bag and proceeded to hit Ranmaru mercilessly and repetitively over the head with it while yelling: ' _Hentai!_ ' 'Pervert!' in time with her blows.

Ranmaru calmly removed his mask as blood tricked down his face, " _Oi_ Lady Katsumi, it's me." He informed her gruffly.

Katsumi blinked when she recognized Ranmaru. "Oh! Oh my goodness! Ranmaru- _san_! What on earth are you doing here, like totally?" She was looking at Ranmaru with a somewhat starry-eyed gaze.

Ranmaru nodded in Kusanagi's direction.

Katsumi nodded knowingly, "Aha, _naruhodo_ , I see, you're watching over Kusanagi. Sooo, you're Kusanagi's bodyguard huh? That is like sooo cool! Like oh my god. I mean I knew Kusanagi was rich and everything but I had no idea the _yakuza_ were like after her! That's just awful! But I guess that could explain a few things..." Katsumi trailed off thoughtfully.

Ranmaru's interest was piqued. "What things?"

Katsumi seemed surprised that Ranmaru had actually been paying attention to what she had been saying and blushed. "Oh! Well...there are these crazy rumors at school that Kusanagi is cursed or something. She used to read people's fortunes with tarot cards but then people started dying around her and then they began to blame Kusangi because she had predicted it. Of course there was no proof...but that didn't stop them from dumping the blame on her. But if the _yakuza_ are after her it's no wonder the people around her tend to get hurt. Maybe that's why she chooses to be alone..."

"Alone?"

Katsumi nodded, "She's always alone. I...noticed it. She pushes people away but I think that deep down Kusanagi is neither a bad person nor what everyone calls her, a bitch. Ah, but maybe that's just me teehee~" Katsumi bonked her head playfully, sticking out her tongue. "Everyone thinks she's some kind of juvenile delinquent since she's always beating up people and has all those piercings but I think it may just all be an act." Her blue eyes sparkled.

Ranmaru gave a surprised look to the cat girl who seemed to be more perceptive that she appeared. Appearances could be deceiving, Ranmaru knew this all too well. "Perhaps, but what were you doing here?" Ranmaru couldn't help but ask.

Katsumi blushed, "Oh! I, well, I was just worried about her...you know. That's all really...I just want to be her friend."

That was when Kusanagi noticed the two of them making a complete racket and stalked over to them angrily, her temple throbbing in ire. "Aha! What the hell do you two weirdos think you're doing?"

Katsumi and Ranmaru both jumped at the sound of Kusanagi's loud, shrill voice and her sudden appearance. Scary.

"Bunch of weirdo stalkers!" Kusanagi turned her glare on Ranmaru, "And would you stop coming to school dressed that way! You look _way_ too suspicious! It's embarrassing! _Mou!_ _Baka!_ Weirdo! _Hentai!_ " She then turned to glare in Katsumi's direction next, her flipped-up black hair flying, "And as for you-" Kusanagi suddenly stopped and stared at Katsumi for a moment, Ranmaru noticed. No, she was staring at a point directly behind Katsumi but when Ranmaru turned to see what Kusanagi was looking at he didn't see anything there. How odd. If it had been a ghost or spirit Ranmaru would have been able to see it because of his immense spiritual power.

Kusanagi seemed to catch herself though and quickly recomposed herself before continuing to glare at Katsumi. "You're annoying! So just leave me the hell alone! Hmph!" Kusanagi turned on her heal, flipped her hair and stomped off.

Ranmaru quirked his head at her puppy-dog like. What had that been all about?

Katsumi sniffled as tears filled up in her baby-blue eyes, her cat ears pressed against her head sadly.

Ranmaru looked down at his all black outfit - was it really _that_ suspicious? "Lady Katsumi, what would be...more suitable attire to come to school in?"

Katsumi's emotional state did a 180, and her blue eyes sparkled playfully, "Oooo~ you just leave that to me! I have the purrfect plan."

And that was how Ranmaru ended up 'borrowing' a male student school uniform from _Akai Bara_ Academy and coming to Kusanagi's school wearing it. Of course, the new 'transfer student' caused quite a stir among the female student population since Ranmaru was quite handsome but what caused even more of a stir was that Ranmaru and Katsumi were oftentimes seen together.

Ranmaru was pleased that he was now able to stalk, err, keep an eye on Kusanagi without bringing too much attention to himself. Though he couldn't really help all the attention he was automatically getting just from being good looking.

But that week, Ranmaru noted that Kusanagi's behavior seemed to get stranger and stranger. As if she was hiding something...dire. She also did not look well. There were dark shadows under her eyes from obvious lack of sleep. Was she having nightmares? Ranmaru wondered worriedly. And her eyes seemed to nervously dart from different students as if she expected to see the appearance of 'something' or maybe 'someone'. And then there were the times when Kusanagi would just 'stare' at a point slightly behind these students and a grim expression would form on her face.

And every time Ranmaru looked to see what Kusanagi was looking at he didn't see anything there. What was Kusanagi seeing that he couldn't see? If it was 'something'? Or was his Mistress losing it and just seeing things. He noticed that several students were getting into _yokai_ drugs recently and wondered if perhaps his Mistress had fallen into the dark clutches of addiction as well. But as far as he knew he had never seen Kusanagi take anything so had no real reason to suspect her.

He noted that he wasn't the only one who had noticed Kusanagi's strange behavior. Several students seemed to have noticed her odd behavior as well and were beginning to comment on it to themselves and had begun to shoot her either scared, worried or dirty looks. Maybe they were all in a bad mood since they seemed to have caught a cold of some type. Several of the students were either coughing or sneezing but none of them had a fever so it probably wasn't anything too serious. How odd. What did it all mean?

Well, whatever it was - there was definitely something wrong with Kusanagi. Kusanagi was almost acting as if 'something', an 'invisible enemy' perhaps, was...after her. This unsettled Ranmaru immensely. His Mistress was in trouble and he didn't know what he could do to help her. He felt...powerless.

That evening Ranmaru decided to sit outside of Kusanagi's bedchamber in case there were signs of danger or in case Kusanagi had another nightmare. He had his back to the door and his keen fox ears were listening for any signs of change within the room. He just had to find out the reason for his Mistress' continued insomnia. He could hear her sleeping peacefully inside, her breathing was even until...her breathing became irregular...turned to panting and then Ranmaru heard a pained groan and then a muffled cry. His Mistress was most definitely having a nightmare.

" _Oujo-sama_." Immediately concerned, Ranmaru kicked the door in, and rushed over to Kusanagi's bedside. She was covered in a thin sheen of sweat and Ranmaru put a hand on her arm hesitantly. " _Oujo-sama...?_ "

Kusanagi was still trapped in the clutches of the nightmare and so was unable to respond and simply let out a pained groan.

" _Oujo-sama_...wake up...you're having a nightmare..." Ranmaru tried again, lightly shaking her awake.

Kusanagi muttered something brokenly in her sleep- "No...Katsumi...don't go....! Don't take her away as well...YOU!..."

Frustrated Ranmaru shook Kusanagi harder finally managing to wake her up with one slight drawback. She immediately punched Ranmaru hard across the face. "I won't let you take her! Ahhh!"

Kusanagi then blinked to see - Ranmaru sporting a split lip. Opps. There were tears streaming down her face and she stubbornly wiped them away with the back of her hand. She obviously didn't want Ranmaru to see her like that. Blood was trickling down Ranmaru's mouth but he appeared unfazed by the wound.

Ranmaru hesitated before reaching out and embracing Kusanagi suddenly. He wasn't exactly sure what had driven him to do something so bold but he was glad he had done it anyways. Too surprised to react quickly enough Kusanagi allowed herself to be hugged, allowed herself to succumb to Ranmaru's surprisingly comforting embrace. How did such an emotionless guy know how to comfort someone, Kusanagi wondered in a daze.

"What's wrong?" His hot breath whispered in her ear, making her shiver.

"It' Katsumi she..." Kusanagi began in a slightly choked voice but then seemed to realize that Ranmaru was tricking her into speaking and stopped suddenly. "That's none of your business! Pervert!" Kusanagi snapped as she pulled out of Ranmaru's embrace hurriedly. She then glared at him, her beautiful emerald green eyes flashing. "And what do you think you're doing in my room? How dare you come in here without my permission and...! And...!" She seemed unable to say that he hugged her and so settled on glaring hard at Ranmaru instead.

"You were having a nightmare." Again, Ranmaru used a simple statement thinking that it explained his actions perfectly.

Kusanagi's eye twitched in annoyance, this guy...totally irritated her! "No duh Einstein! But it still doesn't explain why you're in here...you're my _Samurai_ Butler...nothing more! Got it?"

Ranmaru was nonplused. "Exactly, I'm supposed to protect you...even from your nightmares."

Kusanagi gasped, but then scoffed. "Now, that's just silly."

Ranmaru however was serious. "But I can't properly protect you if I don't know what the nightmares are about." He prodded stubbornly.

Kusanagi frowned and turned her head away. "Keh, it's not like you'd even believe me if I told you..." She said in a low, lonely and pained voice.

"Try me." Ranmaru said, his face still expressionless.

Kusanagi blinked back in surprise, but then shook her head to glare at Ranmaru. "Alright, moron, you've done you're bodyguard duty for the night. Now get lost and let me get back to sleep!"

"But-"

"Get the hell out of my room - right NOW! BAKA!" Kusanagi yelled as she grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. Ranmaru was knocked back off the bed by the force of the blow. Yep, Kusanagi was no 'delicate flower' that was for certain. His Mistress was a surprisingly tough little thing. What was that 'they' said about good things coming in small packages? Perhaps, 'they' meant _mighty_ things come in small packages? The pillow barrage continued and sensing that his life was in danger Ranmaru wisely decided to make his exit. He bowed, "As you wish, _Oujo-sama._ May you have pleasant dreams." Ranmaru got a pillow in his face for his effort to be polite.

### Chapter 3: Cute critters aren't necessarily friendly

It was the Grim Reaper's shadow.

When Kusanagi had spotted Ranmaru and Katsumi hidden behind the tree and spying on her during lunch she had been irked to say the least. And she had immediately gone over there to chew them out. First Ranmaru, and then Katsumi, but when Kusanagi had turned her gaze to Katsumi she had spotted something unexpected.

There behind Katsumi was her shadow, however, her shadow did not appear normal, or like her usual shadow which was just a shadowy elongated copy of herself. Instead her shadow had taken on the twisted form of someone else - a cloaked and hooded figure that was carrying a giant and deadly looking scythe - the Grim Reaper's shadow.

And if Katsumi had the Grim Reaper's shadow behind her that could mean only one thing –

Katsumi was going to die.

Kusanagi knew this because anytime she saw someone suddenly plagued by the Grim Reaper's shadow behind them it wasn't long before they wound up dead. And it wouldn't be long either before 'he' decided to make an appearance a.k.a the Grim Reaper.

The first time Kusanagi had seen the Grim Reaper's shadow had been when it had appeared behind her own parents. Then she hadn't known what it meant but as the days edged closer and closer to _that day_ the shadow behind her parents had become larger and larger, and had grown more apparent until HE had come and killed them. Kusanagi had been forced to watch afterwards as her parents lay unmoving on the ground and the shadow of the Grim Reaper had seemed to come to life to then harvest her parent's souls with his giant scythe.

But it certainly had not been the last. Afterwards, Kusanagi began to notice people with the Grim Reaper's shadow trailing behind them almost everywhere - even at school. And that's when she started to try and stop this twisted Prophecy of Death. But the more she got involved the more futile her efforts became when she tried to warn or stop people from dying. And that's how the rumors at _Akai Bara_ Academy had started. Rumors that Kusanagi was either cursed, plagued by Death, or a murderer herself.

That's also when her fellow students began to outcast and shun her. It hurt but Kusanagi realized it was for the best. In fact, at the rate things were going and especially after Mamoru's death, Kusanagi decided she shouldn't get close to anyone ever again. If she got close to someone she would be hurt - they would be hurt. So it was best if no one got close to her, she decided. That way they wouldn't care about her and she wouldn't care about them. But how to push people away, she had wondered. And then she came up with a brilliant idea. No one liked a bitch so why not act the part? And so Kusanagi had created her Bitch Mask in order to push everyone away from her - for their own good. And that's when that annoying little voice began to pop up in her head from time to time too...

Kusanagi speculated about why she hadn't always been able to see the Grim Reaper's shadow and why this new ability seemed to have been awakened along with her parent's death. That hadn't been the only change Kusanagi had experienced since _that day_ either. Kusanagi had always been adept at fortune telling. She had oftentimes told her friends' fortunes using tarot cards - her readings had always been extremely accurate. Usually, she would tell a friend's love fortune or work-related fortune, but that was until the cards stopped listening to her and showed her instead what they wanted to show her - Death.

The cards had begun to predict the deaths of her closest friends and Kusanagi had tried her hardest to stop their deaths, but even her most desperate efforts in each case had failed miserably and been in vain.

She realized how weak she was because of this. She didn't even have enough power to save her friends.

She had even failed to protect her ex- _Samurai_ Butler Mamoru whom she had come to love. He had _died_ protecting _her_.

And then there were the visions or at least that's what Kusanagi called them. When she was reading the cards they'd suddenly come upon her and it was like having a dream but being awake - a waking dream. Sometimes she'd only see an image related to how her friends would die or a clue, but other times she would actually see their entire death and how it would play out right to the bloody end.

That's when Kusanagi stopped telling fortunes. She thought if she stopped she could escape having to see and deal with the death prophecies. But she was wrong. As if her latent abilities could sense they no longer had an outlet in the tarot cards to show Kusanagi visions, Kusanagi began to have prophetic dreams instead - or what she considered nightmares.

Sometimes she was plagued by such dreams for weeks and suffered insomnia because of them. Kusanagi didn't want to sleep if it meant having those visions. The only time she would be released from them was when the person the dreams had been about died. She didn't know which was worse.

And so now Katsumi had the Grim Reaper's shadow following behind her, which meant she was going to die. Kusanagi had the sickening feeling that it had something to do with her and the everyday dangers that plagued her from _yakuza_ , kidnappers, _yokai_ hired assassins, or greed-crazed relatives. And so she did the only thing she knew she could do - push Katsumi away.

"And as for you...stay the hell away from me. You're annoying!" Kusanagi had shouted. _Stay away...please stay away...or you'll be hurt...stay away from me or...you'll die._ Her inner voice had begged.

The next few days had been hell; Kusanagi had been plagued by strange dreams that made absolutely no sense if they were supposed to be about Katsumi's death. In fact for nightmares Kusanagi had to admit the dreams were practically...peaceful, _nice_ even. Flowers. Her dreams had all been filled with flowers...to be precise beautiful pink daffodils.

She had suffered from insomnia the next few days because of these strange, unsettling dreams. Until that very night when she had dreamed of Katsumi being caught up in thorny vines that were strangling her and creeping around her body to constrict until they squeezed so hard that they pierced Katsumi's skin on her neck and on the rest of her body, so that blood gushed out of the wounds in a horrible fashion killing her. And then the Grim Reaper had appeared and raised his shinning scythe to slice Katsumi's head off.

Kusanagi had awoken in a fit, punching 'someone' whom in her half-awake state she had thought was the Grim Reaper only to discover that it had only been her new, annoying _Samurai_ Butler Ranmaru. Blood trickled down from his split lip but he had seemed otherwise unaffected as he looked back at her with those dull golden eyes of his. She had felt a twinge of guilt at the sight. He should have been angry.

Then Ranmaru had...hugged her! The nerve of that guy! Taking advantage of the moment and getting in her personal bubble. Yep, Kusanagi was convinced Ranmaru was a total pervert (or at least a closet-type one).

Caught off guard by the gesture Kusanagi had almost broken down sobbing and spilled her guts out - almost. Thank God she had remembered whom it actually was that was holding her - her idiotic and annoying as hell _Samurai_ Butler.

Just thinking about how much he irritated her made her able to pull herself together.

Argh that guy...he was just so infuriating! Kusanagi just couldn't figure the guy out. Who knew what was going on in that pea-sized brain of his?

She had tried all sorts of crazy orders, requests, chores and the like to make him want to quit. But instead of failing her he had managed to complete all her requests perfectly, flawlessly even - it really irritated her. He was even managing to handle taking care of the dangerous animals in her menagerie. In fact, they even seemed to be getting along! He was the 'perfect' butler. Well, except for the fact he was so...darn 'emotionless'. He always had this cool mask of indifference on his face that really got under her skin. Though she'd pick that over the 'fake smile' he had been using in the beginning.

He reminded her of some kind of emotionless robot. An automaton. Yep, he was driving her up the wall! She couldn't stand... _quiet_ people like him! It made her want to shake him. (Which she sometimes resorted to.) And he had gotten into the habit of stalking her! The weirdo. And he had even gone so far as to recruit Katsumi for help. That week, he had somehow managed to get his hands on a male school uniform and was stalking her around the school openly now - talk about annoying. God, why couldn't those two just leave her the hell alone?

But that week she barely noticed their efforts anyways because despite the fact she was keeping her distance from Katsumi the Grim Reaper's shadow had not left her. And to make matters worse several students now had the Grim Reaper's shadow trailing behind them as well. Just what the hell was going on?

It could only mean one thing - Katsumi and the other students all had something in common. Something that would ultimately lead to their deaths...

And Kusanagi was determined to find out what it was.

Which was why Katsumi was completely thrown for a loop when Kusanagi had gone right up to Katsumi and Ranmaru in their hiding place and had begun to talk to them.

"Hey, Katsumi, what's up?" Kusanagi began in a nonchalant manner.

Katsumi blinked in surprise. "Uh...nuthing much?"

"So...it's Friday night. Got any special plans?" Kusanagi asked disinterestedly.

Katsumi's demeanor brightened considerably, "Oh! Yes, some friends and I are going to go to this new dance club tonight. It's called Tsuki Hana (Moon Flower). It's become really popular lately, like totally."

"Oh? How so?"

"Well-" Katsumi looked around nervously before leaning in to whisper to Kusanagi. "It's because of this new drug."

This had to have been the last thing Kusanagi had been expecting to hear - especially from someone like Katsumi the bubblehead. "A drug?"

Katsumi nodded, "It's new...they call it _HANABI_ (fire flower). It's very popular since it's dirt cheap. A lot of students at school are doing it too..."

"I see." Kusanagi's emerald green eyes narrowed at Katsumi. "And are _you?_ "

Katsumi blushed, "Oh well, you know, just once or twice or whenever someone offered me one of those little pink pills. I don't want to seem like a total square, you know. And the drug barely does anything. It just makes you feel...lighter...happier...like a balloon actually. You go floating up, up, up and away. And you get this rush like you could do anything." Katsumi was looking a bit starry-eyed as she described the effects of the drug.

BONK

Kusanagi swiftly bonked Katsumi over the head, " _Baka!_ I knew you were a bubble-head but I didn't think you were stupid enough to be influenced by peer pressure that badly!"

"Ow!" Katsumi rubbed her head, a few tears in her eyes. "Peer...wha?"

"Nevermind." Kusanagi shook her head at the girl, who already seemed to be addicted to the drug, and if her shadow was anything to go by the drug was dangerous, perhaps even deadly. She needed to find out more about the people who were responsible for the drug's distribution if she was going to get any answers however. "So, this drug _HANABI_ is sold at the dance club?"

Katsumi nodded, looking a bit put out.

"I see." Kusanagi looked thoughtful before she smiled sweetly at Katsumi. Ranmaru thought this was a bit creepy. "I'd like to join you tonight if that's alright. It sounds...fun." She forced the word out cheerily, fake smile plastered to her face.

Ranmaru shivered.

Katsumi looked surprised but then excited. "Oh! Sure! I'll like let my friends know I'm bringing...someone." Katsumi suddenly looked Kusanagi up and down with a thoughtful eye. "What were you planning on wearing?"

"Wearing?" Kusanagi blinked. "This?"

A cat's paw smile formed on Katsumi's face, "You just leave everything to me, girlfriend. Let me just go grab some things at my house and we can go get ready at yours kay?" Katsumi said as she led Kusanagi away.

Both girls had failed to notice that Ranmaru had been listening in on their entire conversation, and there was a fierce glint in his golden eyes as he watched Kusanagi leave with Katsumi...

" _Oujo-sama_..."

***

Katsumi had forced Kusanagi into a low-cut, dangerously short, formfitting, emerald green tube dress that had sparkly sequins all over the material making it shimmer in the streetlights. She was wearing a pair of black, knee-high boots and Katsumi had styled her hair into two wild pigtails on either side of her head. Personally, she thought she looked rather ridiculous. But when she turned to look Katsumi over she couldn't help but wonder which one of them was the more ridiculous.

Katsumi was wearing a pink tank top that was at least two sizes too small, revealing a lot of the cleavage of her ample chest and which was riding up to show off her belly button ring. She had paired this off with a short jean skirt and a pair of platform shoes that Kusanagi was surprised the airhead could even walk in properly without falling flat on her-

"OW!" Katsumi tripped as they finally reached the entrance to the club Tsuki Hana. There was a large sign hanging over the entranceway to the club, which had the name Tsuki in dark blue, then a yellow crescent moon shape, and then the word Hana that was also in dark blue followed. The background of the sign was pitch black and the club building itself was a muted gray color.

Kusanagi smacked a hand to her forehead, "I spoke too soon..."

They were immediately waved into the club and Katsumi was immediately the center of attention. Katsumi let out a 'whoop!' of excitement as she skipped out onto the dance floor and immediately began getting her groove on. It wasn't long before several guys tried to come up and dance with Katsumi, however, the oblivious girl wasn't really paying too much attention to her surroundings, and so as she was twirling and spinning she ended up smacking the guys, who had been trying to get close enough to dance with her, in the face sending them flying. Katsumi was stronger than she looked apparently.

A trickle of sweat formed on Kusanagi's brow as she watched this. And here she had been a bit worried about leaving the airhead on her own in a club like this. She shook her head and began to scan the crowd for suspicious looking characters. That's when she felt a hand tapping her shoulder. Her reflexes taking over, Kusanagi spun and punched the guy in the face so that he went flying across the dance floor. Kusanagi blinked when she realized that it was just some guy trying to ask her to dance. Opps. Oh well. No big.

Kusanagi continued to scan the crowd and adjusted her dress for the about the tenth time that evening by pulling it down. It was _way_ too short. But when she pulled the dress down it revealed more of her cleavage and so Kusanagi had to pull it back up again and the process repeated until in the end she gave up in exasperation. How Katsumi had managed to find that dress in her closet she didn't even want to know. Kusanagi then caught sight of a pale, sick looking girl who was swaying on her feet and had dark bags under her eyes. She was heading towards the bathroom, maybe to puke...but then again maybe not...

Kusanagi saw that the Grim Reaper's shadow was trailing behind the girl...Uh oh. Kusanagi nodded to herself and decided to follow the girl.

Kusanagi stopped just outside the bathroom door as she began to hear a slight commotion coming from within-

" _Onegai!_ _Please_...I need more _HANABI_." The girl was saying with a tinge of desperation in her voice.

"Do you have the money?" A gruff voice was questioning her. Probably a pusher or drug dealer, Kusanagi decided.

"No...no...I ran out...but...you have to give me more!" The girl was beginning to sound a bit frantic and then Kusanagi heard some kind of struggle going on within.

"Get off of me, you crazy bitch!" Kusanagi heard an unmistakable _smacking_ sound as the man must have backhanded the girl across the face. "If you don't have the money then get the hell out! Don't make me hurt you."

The girl cried out as she was backhanded and fell to the floor where she moaned in pain, " _Please_..."

Kusanagi walked in to look down at the pathetic, addicted girl.

"Now, that wasn't very nice. Is that any way to treat your return customer? They say the customer is always right, you know. Tsk tsk tsk." Kusanagi wagged her finger at the three men that were inside of the bathroom and all looking equally suspicious. They were all dressed similarly in black clothing with dark sunglasses on their faces. Didn't they know it was the middle of the night? Losers.

"Who the hell are you?" One of the men demanded coming towards Kusanagi.

Kusanagi gave them a haughty smirk. "Hmm~ Maybe I'm a potential customer. Tell me more about _HANABI_. I'm curious about why this new drug is so popular. I just might have to try it for myself. Where does it come from exactly? What _yakuza_ clan is behind the distribution of this drug?"

"I smell something fishy about her..." One of the other men declared as he looked Kusanagi over.

Kusanagi frowned, "I showered before coming here, bozo."

The man blushed, "That's not what I meant!"

"Is she a cop?" Another of the men suggested.

"She's gotta be." The first man declared as he began to crack his knuckles. "She asks way too many questions for a teenage girl about to buy some drugs."

"That's just my inquisitive nature." Kusanagi argued in a snarky manner.

"Let's get rid of her."

" _Yare yare_ , my oh my," Kusanagi put her hands out in a helpless gesture, "You guys aren't very nice are you? Well, it looks like I'll just have to get the information out of you guys the hard way. I tried to be nice guys but you should know what they call me on the streets - The Bitch."

Recognition lit the eyes of the three _yakuza_ thugs.

"You!"

Kusanagi smiled and licked her lips, as she began to put on her black leather gloves. She didn't want to ruin her repaired manicure after all. She then cracked her own knuckles as she glared at the three men, her emerald green eyes flashing. "This is going to be fun."

"You wish you little bitch!" "Yea, we can take her!" "Who cares if she's The Bitch!" "Let's get 'er!"

The three men all rushed at Kusanagi-

20 seconds later...

The three _yakuza_ thugs were all moaning in pain on the cold, tiled bathroom floor sporting cuts and bruises. Kusanagi picked up one of the thugs and slammed him into the back wall, a demonic glint in her eyes, "Now, tell me what I want to know. Who's behind the distribution of _HANABI_?"

"I'll be killed if I say anything..." The man sniveled.

"Oh? And are those guys really scarier than me?" Kusanagi questioned, smiling enough so that her incisors seemed to be poking out of her mouth like fangs. It was a creepy smile indeed. (She had practiced this smile in front of her bathroom mirror for hours as a part of her Bitch Mask creation process.)

The man gulped. "It's...the Kuroneko Clan." He hung his head in defeat. "I'm so dead."

"Those guys?" Kusanagi frowned thinking back, they had tried to kidnap her before, but they were still a bunch of small fries. "And just where did they get the _HANABI_? Is it an import? Or where is the drug being manufactured?"

The thug laughed, "I think you mean 'grown'. _HANABI_ is a _yokai_ plant seed. The Kuroneko Clan has a _yokai_ working for them. It's being grown inside of a special warehouse that's next to pier 32 at Tokyo Bay."

Kusanagi nodded, "Thanks for the info, bub, you've been most helpful." Kusanagi slammed him back into a urinal and with such force that the ceramic urinal shattered and water began to spew out from the pipes. The man fell to the ground completely knocked out.

Kusanagi exited the bathroom, "Katsumi time to go-" However, when she caught sight of her pink-haired friend she realized that the Kuroneko _Yakuza_ Clan had captured Katsumi. The man that held Katsumi tightly in his arms was dressed all in black and had a black cat domino mask on his face. " _Kuso._ Shit. Katsumi!" Kusanagi made a move in Katsumi's direction and realized then that she was surrounded. She looked around to see several men all dressed in black and with matching black cat domino masks on their faces surrounding Kusanagi on all sides. She was trapped. "The Kuroneko Clan. Dammit this is _so_ not good." Kusanagi bit her lower lip.

She tried to look for an opening to rush towards Katsumi however-

"Don't move." Kusanagi looked up to realized one of the Kuroneko guys was pointing a gun at her. Shit. The man who held Katsumi had also pointed a gun to the girl's head. Others were following suit until all of the Kuroneko _yakuza_ had their guns aimed in Kusanagi's direction.

"I hear, you've been asking some dangerous questions, police girl..." The _yakuza_ man declared and Kusanagi noticed the drug-addicted girl from earlier was standing by his side and looking quite pleased with herself. Ungrateful bitch...that's what Kusanagi got for trying to be nice and saving her worthless ass. Sigh. _No good deed will go unpunished._ Kusanagi shook her head at the saying.

"I'm not with the police." Kusanagi glared at the man and crossed her arms over her chest.

"Even so, you know far too much to let you leave here alive. Men - finish her." The _yakuza_ thug declared.

Kusanagi frowned darkly.

"Kusanagi!" Katsumi cried out in fright.

"You guys can't be serious. Do you have any idea _who_ I am-" Kusanagi was saying but realized it was too late for negotiations or bribes. She could see their fingers squeezing the triggers of their guns. She was really going to die this time. _Shit! Shit! Shit!_ She had totally underestimated these guys and they had managed to catch her off guard. Kusanagi shut her eyes tightly as the shots were fired.

However-

Ranmaru suddenly appeared from out of nowhere to stand before Kusanagi with his sword raised before him in a two-handed grip. The blade of his impressive _katana_ Kuroki Ryu was glowing crimson. He moved his sword back and forth through the air rapidly and with lightning speed blocking all of the bullets with the blade of his sword, so that the bullets were falling down in a pile around him and Kusanagi, making a clinking sound as they ricocheted off of Ranmaru's sword and then hit the floor.

Kusanagi opened her eyes and stared at Ranmaru in awe. _This_ was her goofy, stoic _Samurai_ Butler? It was like he was a completely different person! Those dull, hooded, sleepy eyes of his were now sharp, narrowed, fierce, deadly and glowing red. There was this aura around him of murderous intent and Kusanagi could swear she could see it with her eyes, flaring around him resembling red, gold and orange flames. It sent a shiver down Kusanagi's spine. It was so...cold. Was this really...Ranmaru? He was like...a monster!

Aura flaring around him and his sword Ranmaru surged forward, bloodlust taking over. He was ready to kill each and every one of the men who had threatened his Mistress. Ready to cut them into tiny little pieces. Ready to obliterate them. And enjoy it. But Kusanagi realized what was about to happen - a total bloodbath, a massacre - and so cried out-

"No! Ranmaru! Don't kill them!"

Ranmaru, who was about to cut a man in half with his sword, had to turn his sword at the very last second so that he instead cut through the man's gun-

BANG

A shot rang through the air.

Ranmaru's shoulder was hit by the bullet, blood spurting into the air, but it didn't seem to faze him as he turned to face the remaining _yakuza_. In the blink of an eye, he was upon them, spinning and moving his sword swiftly through the air while slicing through their guns and cutting them in half - rendering them completely useless. In seconds, there was nothing but a pile of useless metal on the dance club floor.

Ranmaru then pointed his sword towards them challengingly and took one single step forward-

The group of freaked out _yakuza_ that had huddled closer together all took a step back simultaneously at Ranmaru's approach. They then all cried out at the same time as Ranmaru smiled at them charmingly but with obvious ill-intent hiding behind that fake smile, so that they all turned to flee at the same time.

"Oh my god! Let's get the hell out of here!" "Run!" "That guy's not human! He's a monster!"

Ranmaru sunk to one knee from the pain in his shoulder and he let out a small grunt-

Kusanagi's mask slipped up as she rushed to Ranmaru's side, "Ranmaru! You're hurt!"

Ranmaru forced himself to stand. "It's nothing, _Oujo-sama_. I'm sorry to have worried you." His last words caused Kusanagi to frown at him. He ripped the material of his shirtsleeve to show Kusanagi what he meant. The bullet wound was pushing out the bullet and he was already healing right before her eyes.

Kusanagi stared at the wound wide-eyed, "Regeneration..."

Ranmaru seemed to be back to normal; Kusanagi noticed that he had that same indifferent expression and dull, hooded eyes as he turned to Kusanagi to check her over for injuries. The fool. He was the one who had gotten hurt.

Katsumi was also looking equally surprised, "Only very powerful or ancient _yokai_ have such incredible regeneration abilities, _ouji-san_ , old man." Katsumi teased Ranmaru elbowing him in the side playfully.

Ranmaru emotionlessly watched the _yakuza_ running away, "They're getting away." He informed Kusanagi in his monotone voice.

Kusanagi was glad to have the normal (and annoying) Ranmaru back. "Let them. I already have the information I need to stop all this. Come on, let's go to warehouse 32, Tokyo Bay."

***

Ranmaru had transformed into his true _yokai_ form in order to take Kusanagi and Katsumi to the warehouse. Kusanagi had been completely surprised when they had stepped outside of the Tsuki Hana discothèque to have Ranmaru suddenly transform in front of her and become a giant nine-tailed fox. In his fox _yokai_ form he was slightly larger than a horse, had beautiful coppery colored fur, and his golden eyes seemed larger and brighter for some reason. His fur had looked so soft...Kusanagi had had to resist the urge to reach out and pet it, or to tug on Ranmaru's furry looking ears.

_Go ahead and pet him. You know you want to._ Kusanagi's inner voice teased her. _Come on, he won't mind if you stroke his ears...hehe._

_Oh shut up._ Kusanagi blushed slightly since her inner self had taken notice of her secret desire.

Katsumi hadn't been as hesitant since she really had nothing to hide, " _Eeee~_ So that's your true form, Ranmaru- _senpai_! You're just too cute and fluffy!" Katsumi declared as she threw herself at Ranmaru to engulf him in a _glomping_ hug. Purely, out of reflex, Ranmaru had stepped out of the way and instead Katsumi had gone flying into a nearby trashcan.

CRASH

"Ouch." Kusanagi flinched as she watched.

Ranmaru opened his mouth and picked up his sword to hold it between his long, sharp teeth.

Kusanagi ignored her airhead friend as she mounted Ranmaru. "Come on, we're wasting valuable time." Kusanagi declared as she wrapped her arms around Ranmaru's neck. Katsumi quickly got up and dusted herself off intent on coming with them.

"Hey! Wait for me!" Katsumi declared as she hopped up behind Kusanagi lithely.

Kusanagi sighed heavily in resignation, "Alright, fine, you can come but try not to get in my way."

Katsumi was nodding vigorously, "Don't worry, I won't! You'll see I can make a great sidekick, like totally!"

Kusanagi's eye twitched, "Sidekick? Just what do you think all this is?"

Katsumi tapped her chin thoughtfully, "A mission to save the world or something right? _Whee~_ I've always wanted to go on one of those! Let's go! To save the world!"

Kusanagi sighed and didn't respond. It was best to leave airheads alone. " _Yosha!_ Let's go Ranmaru. To warehouse 32!"

" _Hai, Oujo-sama_." Ranmaru replied using his mind to communicate telepathically with the two girls as he sped off. He leapt up into the air and they were soon jumping across rooftops to get to their intended destination more quickly. It wasn't long before the rag-tag group had arrived at warehouse 32. When they had arrived they were surprised to see that the warehouse that was in front of pier 32 was more of a greenhouse from the looks of it. That must have been what the man had meant when he told Kusanagi it was a 'special' warehouse.

Kusanagi hopped down from Ranmaru's back and strode towards the front door, wasting no time in simply kicking it open and waltzing inside of the green house as if she owned the place. Rows and rows of tables with strange looking potted plants filled the greenhouse. The plants were similar looking to daffodils but were a surprising bright pink color and appeared to be somewhat fuzzy in texture.

Katsumi immediately cooed when she caught sight of them. " _Ooo~_ Those are just too cute!" Katsumi declared rushing up to one of the potted plants, intent on petting it. Katsumi reached her hand out but Kusanagi caught sight of a slight bit of movement that oddly enough had come from the flower.

"Wait Katsumi!" Kusanagi called out but it was already too late.

The funnel-like center of the daffodil had opened much like a mouth to reveal razor sharp teeth that once Katsumi's fingers were in a close enough range had quickly bitten down upon them and latched onto Katsumi's hand. Katsumi cried out in a mixture of pain and surprise and immediately began to freak out. " _Ahhh~!_ Get if off of me!" Katsumi cried as she swung her arm and with such force the plant went up into the air still attached to Katsumi's hand, and then as Katsumi shook her arm frantically the plant was finally forced to let go and went zooming across the room to where the pot shattered against the far wall.

Katsumi let out a breath of relief, "I'm okay, I'm okay. No worries peeps!"

Ranmaru had transformed back into his human form and sword in hand had come up beside the girls intent on protecting them from the apparently dangerous potted plants. Ranmaru pointed his sword in the direction of the pink plants and glared at them threateningly, a serious expression on his face.

"Oh brother," Kusanagi sighed while tucking a stray hair behind her ear, "Katsumi don't touch anything. _Mou!_ These plants could be dangerous. At any rate...these must be the plants that _HANABI_ is being harvested from. We need to think of a way to destroy them."

Before Kusanagi could say more however-

THUD, THUD, THUD

The whole greenhouse was suddenly vibrating. Kusanagi suddenly felt like she was in some crappy action/horror movie like Jurassic Park.

"W-what's that?" Katsumi looked around frightfully.

"It's coming." Kusanagi declared getting into a fighting stance.

From the back room of the greenhouse a giant, monstrous creature that was both human and plant-like emerged. He was at least three times the size of a normal man. His skin was leathery looking and green-tinged, and was stretched tightly over his bulging muscles. He had a mane of wild black hair and menacing red eyes. He had two green horns coming out on either side of his head and similarly curved spikes or thorns were emerging from his shoulders and places on his arms. There also seemed to be vines mixed in with his hair and wrapping around parts of his body.

And there totally looking out of place and seated on his shoulder was a little girl. She looked to be about ten to twelve-years-old. She was wearing a pretty white sundress with a matching white sunhat that had a large blue bow tied around it and that had the long ends of it hanging down. But that wasn't what was so unusual about her. Kusanagi noticed she had pale green skin, pointed ears, and long blue hair that was shielding the expression on her face in a creepy manner. She was most definitely a _yokai_ , but still a child. She was swinging her feet, which were clad in bright red, patent leather shoes back and forth idly as they approached.

"A little girl..." Katsumi blinked up at the strange sight.

"Who dares to come and disturb _my_ greenhouse?" The girl demanded in an imperious tone.

Kusanagi stepped forward, "So, you're the _yokai_ the Kuroneko Clan hired to manu- err, grow them _HANABI_ huh?"

The girl seemed pleased, "That would be me."

"You have to stop this - _HANABI_ is poisonous, especially to humans! They'll all die because of you!" Kusanagi put out her hands in a beseeching gesture.

The girl narrowed her blue eyes at Kusanagi. "And how do you know this, human?"

Kusanagi's eyes flickered towards Katsumi, and to the Grim Reaper's shadow that was still behind her. "Call it a hunch. But I know that the people that use _HANABI will_ die."

The girl shrugged, "If they can't handle taking more than they should take that's really not my problem now is it? Besides, I'm getting paid quite a bit for this job so I have no intention of stopping. Thorn! Kill them!"

The girl leapt off of the beast's shoulder and back flipped through the air to land on her feet perfectly on the floor of the greenhouse.

Kusanagi raised an eyebrow at the name, "Thorn?"

The _yokai_ plant-girl frowned, "Shut up! It's a good name! I came up with it all by myself." The girl placed her hands on her hips and stuck her tongue out at Kusanagi.

_What a selfish, annoying little brat. She's putting all these people in danger and she doesn't even care. I need to knock some sense into her I think._ Kusanagi decided as she started to move forward while cracking her knuckles. But before Kusanagi could take another step forward Ranmaru moved to stand in front of her and stood in her path protectively. He unsheathed his sword Kuroki Ryu and again that powerful red aura began to flare around him and his sword. Then he attacked-

Thorn let out an animalistic roar and beat his chest much like a gorilla before he moved forward to attack Ranmaru. As the creature moved forward, his feet making loud thumps on the floor, he reached up to one of his shoulders and pulled out one of the long, thorny spikes that had been embedded in his own flesh there, and then brought it down to hold it before him like a sword.

Ranmaru raised his own sword and brought it forward so that it clashed with the giant spike the creature was battling him with.

Meanwhile, Kusanagi was taking matters into her own hands and was picking up potted plants to then smash them on the floor. The plants were crying out in pain and what appeared to be green blood was oozing out from their broken stems. Kusanagi shivered.

" _Nooo~!_ " The _yokai_ plant girl cried out, "My friends! How could you do that? _Ooo_ How dare you! You'll pay for that you bitch! Thorn! KILL HER!"

Thorn ignored Ranmaru at the girl's command and turned to rush towards Kusanagi instead. Kusanagi turned to watch as these sharp, bone-like, spikes began to emerge from Thorn's body much like the spines or quills of a porcupine or the spikes on a puffer fish. Uh oh. Kusanagi had a bad feeling about this as she watched Thorn's body begin to puff up slightly. Kusanagi took a step back but found there was a table behind her and so realized she had nowhere to go. She was trapped. Shit.

The spikes emerged more and more from out of Thorn's body until they suddenly exploded outwards and headed towards Kusanagi-

"Kusanagi!" Katsumi cried out.

" _Oujo-sama!_ " Ranmaru yelled.

Ranmaru used his _yokai_ speed to get in front of Kusanagi and pushed her to the ground while shielding her body from the deadly thorns with his own. The thorns stabbed all the way through Ranmaru's body repeatedly, and blood gushed out from his wounds profusely and tricked down onto Kusanagi who lay below him. Kusanagi watched in horror as blood trickled out of the corner of his mouth.

Ranmaru looked down at Kusanagi calmly, "Are you alright, _Oujo-sama?_ "

Kusanagi's eyes were wide and she was trembling at the sight before her - of Ranmaru, bloody, broken, impaled by several vicious thorns, near dead and all for her sake. Then somehow she managed to compose herself. "BAKA! Why did you do that? Just...look at you! You're..." Kusanagi willed the tears in her eyes to go away. _Going to die! No...please...not again...I can't lose anyone else for my sake again..._

Ranmaru blinked. "Because you're my Master. And I will protect you because I am your _Samurai_ Butler." He explained simply.

Ranmaru noticed there was a slight scratch on Kusanagi's cheek and frowned. He used his thumb to wipe the blood from her face and then leaned over to lick it quickly before Kusanagi could react. The wound needed to be disinfected after all. He hadn't been curious about the taste of her delicious, err, perfectly normal blood. Nope, not at all.

When Ranmaru had pulled away Kusanagi had an odd look on her face and appeared to be slightly flushed. " _Ranmaru...?_ "

Ranmaru pushed himself off of Kusanagi and began to pull the long thorns out of his body one by one to then toss them aside. Already his body was regenerating. He cracked his neck from side to side and picked up his _katana_ seemingly unfazed by having been turned into a pincushion, and ready to face Thorn once more. Though the blood that was still gushing out of his open wounds seemed to say otherwise. However, Ranmaru turned and raised his sword before him, the long _katana_ blade was glowing crimson.

"You will pay for hurting, _Oujo-sama_." Ranmaru growled in a low voice before that same fierce red-tinged aura began to form around Ranmaru and his sword. It was like fire, Kusanagi realized and watched as Ranmaru let out a roar as he swung his sword forward and unleashed a fiery energy attack that blasted through Thorn's upraised spike and then hit his body. Thorn cried out in pain as his body began to catch fire and become engulfed in the magical fox-fire.

"Fox-fire? _Noooo!_ Thorn! You...you people! Just who are you guys? How could you do this to me?" The girl's lower lip trembled and her eyes watered since she was on the verge of tears. She clenched her small fists angrily at her sides. But Ranmaru had his sights set on her next. Ranmaru's eyes were glowing red and he growled, showing off his incisors as he pointed his sword in the girl's direction and charged-

The girl squeaked in surprise as she quickly summoned up some vines to lift her up off the ground and towards the domed ceiling. However, Ranmaru leapt up into the air and brought his sword sideways ready to slice her in two-

Kusanagi's eyes widened in shock, Ranmaru was really about to cut the _little girl_ into pieces. How could he _do_ something like that! "No! Ranmaru STOP! DON'T KILL HER!" Kusanagi ordered but then realized that even though Ranmaru's eyes seemed to clear at the sound of her voice and become golden, he was still in a position in midair where it would be completely impossible to stop his attack even if he had wanted to. Shit. Kusanagi rushed towards him. "I said STOP YOU BAKA!" Kusanagi leapt up into the air and executed a flying sidekick that hit Ranmaru in his side and sent him flying along with herself as her foot connected. Kusanagi landed hard on top of Ranmaru.

"Ugh, my head." Kusanagi looked down to realize the position she was in with her breasts pushed up against Ranmaru's hard chest and blushed scarlet. "Argh! You pervert! Get the hell off of me!" She began to hit Ranmaru - who alas was _beneath_ her and pinned down by her and so was currently unable to move even if he had wanted to comply with his Mistress' wishes.

"Uh...Kusanagi...you're the one on top..." Katsumi felt it best to point this out.

Ksuanagi's eyes widened when she realized this was indeed true. Cough. Kusanagi calmly got up off of Ranmaru and dusted herself off while trying to regain her senses, err, her cool. _It's alright, never happened. Never happened._

Smooth, Kusanagi, real smooth.

Ranmaru was sporting another black eye and split lip from Kusanagi's powerful punches as he pushed himself up off the ground. Thank god, for his _yokai_ regeneration abilities or he probably wouldn't have lasted long as Kusanagi's _Samurai_ Butler he mused.

The _yokai_ girl watched their antics with a look of disbelief on her face, "You all are crazy! But fox-fire and plants don't mix well so there's no way I'm sticking around! I'll cya later, losers! And don't think this is the last you've seen of me - the Lady Tsukushi! I will get payback for Thorn."

"Lady?" Kusanagi looked around curiously, "What lady? All I see is a spoiled _yokai_ brat."

Tsukushi turned red at Kusanagi's words. "I am _not_ a brat! I'm a _lady_! And you'll be seeing me really soon, bitch!"

"Little girls shouldn't use bad words." Kusanagi clucked her tongue at her. "I might just have to wash your mouth out with soap." Kusanagi threatened as she cracked her knuckles.

The girl gave Kusanagi a wary look before she used her vines to pull herself up to the very top of the ceiling of the greenhouse. She then used her vines to break through the glass and escape also using her control on the plant vines to form a blockade over her escape route so that none of them would be able to follow her if they had wanted to.

Kusanagi frowned, like anyone would want to waste their valuable time pursuing some brat. Ha! Katsumi was still throwing potted plants down on the floor and stomping down on the plants enthusiastically when Kusanagi looked around to realize that the greenhouse was beginning to catch on fire due to Ranmaru's fox-fire attacks. Shit. Kusanagi rushed over and grabbed her arm. "Come on, bubble-head. Time to go!"

Ranmaru cleared a path for the girls with a wave of his sword and the three of them made their escape out of the burning warehouse.

The shrill sound of the plants being burned alive and reduced to ashes was heard from the outside. A creepy _Eeeeeaaaa_ sort of sound.

It caused Kusanagi to shiver slightly and for Ranmaru to give her a concerned look. Space, that boy needed to learn a thing or two about personal space. Kusanagi took two steps away from Ranmaru in case he decided to try something stupid like hug her again or something. Anyhow, she turned to look at Katsumi to inspect her shadow, and was relieved to see that the Grim Reaper's shadow was no longer behind the girl. Phew. "It's gone." Kusanagi breathed, a smile forming on her lips.

"What?" Katsumi asked, quirking her head at Kusanagi.

"Oh nothing." Kusanagi was still smiling and Ranmaru was giving her a thoughtful look while wondering what it was that had made his Mistress smile so beautifully.

***

The next day at school, Kusanagi had forgotten to ask Ranmaru to pack her a lunch since with everything that had happened she was still feeling a bit scatterbrained, and so had decided to grab something in the cafeteria, which was unusual for her since she absolutely _hated_ going there and avoided the place like the plague under normal circumstances.

She made the lunch line and quickly set a _ramen_ soup on her tray before then turning around and searching for a table that had a free spot. But that's when she felt the heavy glares of her fellow classmates, those eyes - they were all focused on her and full of so much hate. More so than usual. But why?

Kusanagi realized that they must know of her involvement with taking out the Kuroneko Clan at the Tsuki Hana Club, which had in turn managed to draw the attention of the police to the fact that _HANABI_ had been trafficked there, and which had caused the club to be shut down. They probably even knew about her involvement with the fiery destruction of the greenhouse where the drug _HANABI_ had been grown. One thing was for sure by the looks they were giving her. They all blamed her for their current lack of _HANABI_.

She noticed that a lot of the students were suffering from withdrawal symptoms, dark shadows were under their eyes, their hands were shaking, and strained expressions were on their faces.

Everyone was giving Kusanagi the 'silent treatment' as if she didn't exist. She didn't know what was worse - to be picked on and have to beat people up or...this. The silent, accusing, hateful stares that seemed to bore into her.

Kusanagi bit her bottom lip and her eyes stung, but no she wouldn't break down in front of _them_. She couldn't let them see how much their behavior was really affecting her. She didn't care about them. Kusanagi's back straightened, and she raised her nose into the air looking over at the various cafeteria tables, a haughty expression on her face, which then turned to slight disgust. Hmph! The idiots weren't fit to grace her presence at the table anyways! And so Kusanagi gave them a superior smirk and nod before taking her tray and leaving the cafeteria.

She ran into Ranmaru in his "borrowed" school uniform and Katsumi who were both just entering the cafeteria as she was leaving.

But Kusanagi just shoved her way past them and didn't even acknowledge their presence.

"Hey Kusanagi!" Katsumi greeted enthusiastically, "Hey wait! Where are you going?" Katsumi called after her, her expression falling.

" _Oujo-sama._ " Ranmaru said in a low voice as he watched her leave, an emotionless expression on his face.

But Kusanagi didn't look back and kept on walking down the hall until she finally exited the school building and found a place to be alone. She then set her food tray down on the ground and knelt down on the grass. Once she was sure there was no one around to see her she allowed herself to break down and cry into her hands. Her mask shattering.

It hurt. Their rejection and their hate...it hurt...

No matter how much Kusanagi pretended it didn't matter. That she didn't care. No matter how much she tried to deny it. That was a lie. Sometimes it was so hard to pretend that they didn't matter, that she didn't care, that their opinion of her didn't affect her. But they were her classmates and whether they cared about her or not, she cared about them. And she would continue to try and protect them from the Grim Reaper even if they hated her for it.

Sure, they absolutely hated her and thought she was a bitch.

But-

The Grim Reaper's shadow was no longer plaguing any of them and so she found that even though she was sad because of their opinion of her she couldn't help but feel happy that she had actually succeeded in saving all of them this time.

_I did it. I beat the Grim Reaper._ Kusanagi laughed while tears streamed down her face at the same time. Who cares if they hated her for what she did? At least she wouldn't have to watch the Grim Reaper harvesting their souls with his giant scythe in her dreams. At least they would _live_.

That's all that really mattered.

***

Tears.

Ranmaru's keen nose had caught the scent of tears as Kusanagi had hurried past him and Katsumi. But what had made Kusanagi cry? Ranmaru turned his attention towards the cafeteria - Oh. The intense, hate-filled glares that had followed Kusanagi's exit must have been a part of it.

At first, Ranmaru thought he should just beat them all up for making Kusanagi, _his_ Mistress, cry. But then he got a better, a more devious idea. If he was anyone else but Ranmaru a sinister smile would have formed on his face - instead his face remained outwardly blank.

Ranmaru strode into the cafeteria nonchalant, but no matter how casual he acted all eyes were immediately drawn to him.

Katsumi, who had assumed he would have turned around to run after Kusanagi, was surprised but found herself following him anyways, "Ranmaru- _senpai_? Hey, wait up!" Katsumi skipped after Ranmaru as he took a seat at one of the cafeteria tables calmly - not saying anything. Katsumi took a seat directly across from him wondering what he was up to.

And then - in a matter of seconds a gaggle of schoolgirls had surrounded the mysterious Ranmaru to corner him and try to talk to him.

" _Eeee~_ It's Ranmaru! Come on girls!" "Hi Ranmaru, how are you today?" "Um, hi, my name is Kyoko, my blood type is AB and-" Ranmaru had to tune them out.

"Hn." Ranmaru gave them a cool nod in acknowledgement of their presence.

"Would you like to have some tea?" "Would you like some of my _bento_? I made it myself Ranmaru- _kun!_ " "Can I sit next to you Ranmaru?" "Hey, no way, I'm going to sit next to Ranmaru! Move aside!"

Katsumi noticed that one of the prettiest girls in the school had taken a seat on Ranmaru's right and that he seemed to be completely unfazed by this. If she remembered correctly the girl was an aspiring model named...Orihime. She had long, wavy, strawberry blonde hair that reached the floor and large, golden-colored eyes, but there was always this dark calculating expression on her face. Even so, she was extremely popular with all the boys in the Academy.

"Hn." Ranmaru slightly shook his head in a negative response to all of their offers.

The girls eventually began to get bored with Ranmaru's lack of response to their attempts at flirting with him and their conversation unsurprisingly turned to Kusanagi-

"Eeee, did you see how The Bitch was acting today?" "Yea, I saw." "She thinks she's too good for all of us - that's it. She acts like she's some sort of queen."

"She just thinks she's better than us because she never took _HANABI_. And I hear she took out the Kuroneko Clan too...and even destroyed the greenhouse where _HANABI_ was being grown. She just didn't like seeing us happy you know. She just had to go and get herself involved in something that didn't concern her _again_." Orihime put in her two cents.

"I'm grateful." Ranmaru spoke up suddenly.

All the girls turned to the stoic Ranmaru in shock that he had just spoken - actually _participated_ in one of their conversations!

One girl ventured to ask, licking her lips in anticipation at getting to hear Ranmaru's voice once more, "What do you mean, Ranmaru?"

Ranmaru fixed his harsh golden stare on the girl, who nearly swooned, " _HANABI_ was discovered to be poisonous. If it wasn't for Kusanagi we'd all be dead."

The girl blinked back at Ranmaru in shock, "Poisonous? How would Kusanagi have known that anyways?" Ranmaru admitted to himself that he too really wanted to know this as well. The girl continued. "Are you trying to say that Kusanagi tried to _save_ all of us? Because if you are I don't believe it, not even for a second! You must be trying to side with her or something. You both are friends right?"

"No." Ranmaru calmly took a sip of his _ramen_ soup before continuing. "Don't be stupid. Why would Kusanagi bother to save all of you? With the way you all treat her...that would be illogical. Kusanagi was trying to save her friend Katsumi."

Katsumi blinked in surprise at Ranmaru's declaration but immediately agreed, "I knew Kusanagi considered us _best_ friends! She's just the greatest! Kusanagi saved me, like totally!"

Everyone blinked at Katsumi in shock.

"Kind of think of it, I was feeling rather sick ever since I started doing _HANABI_. I thought I had a normal cold or something but to think - I could have _died_ if it hadn't been for Kusanagi realizing what was _really_ wrong..."

Everyone continued to blink in shock until-

"Yea, it's true. I was also feeling rather sick. I also thought it was just a cold though." Another student suddenly declared.

"Me too." "Yea me too!" "I thought I had a cold too." "There was no fever so I just assumed it wasn't anything serious..."

Everyone looked at each other in shock at the startling revelation that Kusanagi had indeed saved all their lives – whether they liked it or not.

"But this doesn't really change anything. Even if she saved all our lives she's still The Bitch." Orihime declared, with a careless flip of her long hair.

Ranmaru nodded. "You're right, it doesn't. But I think it's safe to say that at least _this_ time you were wrong about her. And if that's true what about all those other times you placed the blame on Kusanagi? What if those other times she was just trying to help someone out too? But her actions were misunderstood. Kusanagi may be a bitch but I don't think she's as much of a bitch as all of you want to make her out to be. There's a lot more to Kusanagi than meets the eye, I think. But that's just what I think." Ranmaru shrugged, a dull look on his face.

Orihime was looking at Ranmaru as if he'd just grown a second head, "But if that's true why doesn't she defend herself?" She demanded.

"Maybe she doesn't want to or just doesn't care - to some people praise is bothersome and stifling. Maybe she thinks it's easier this way. Maybe she pushes you all away on purpose because in reality...she really likes you." Ranmaru declared thoughtfully.

Everyone was staring openly in shock at Ranmaru now not only for his words but also for the fact that these were the most words they had EVER heard him say before - ever!

Orihime began to laugh, "That's the craziest thing I've ever heard!"

Ranmaru finished his soup and stood up, having said what he had wanted to say, his expression passive. "Just food for thought." He finished with a half-smirk that sent girls swooning. _That should even the odds out a bit. Ranmaru 1 Class 1._ Ranmaru nodded to himself.

Ranmaru calmly walked out of the cafeteria and down the hallway with his hands behind his head and a pleased expression on his face, though to anyone else he would have still appeared emotionless and even bored. He sensed that Katsumi was following him and turned around to face her. He caught her beaming at him, blue eyes sparkling, and an odd expectant look on her face.

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow at her as if to say 'What?' He had been worn out with all that talking and now was regressing back to body language.

"That was amazing!" Katsumi began to gush. "That was like so totally awesome Ranmaru! Now everyone will stop hating Kusanagi! It was so...smart!" For a cat _yokai_ Katsumi sure acted like one of those little toy dogs sometimes, Ranmaru thought, as he pictured Katsumi with her tail wagging happily behind her.

Ranmaru merely nodded and continued to walk, he needed to find Kusanagi. "It won't be that simple. Hate is a powerful force to be reckoned with. It's like a stubborn weed that's taken root, if you don't get the roots it will merely continue to grow back. The roots are still there, but perhaps with time...We shall see."

" _Hmm~_ you like Kusanagi- _chan_ don't you?" Katsumi was eyeing Ranmaru curiously.

Ranmaru turned to give her a wide-eyed stare, which Katsumi translated as 'Say what?'

"Aha! There's no use trying to deny it. But don't worry I'll keep it a secret from Kusanagi if you want me too! That is until you decide to confess your feelings to her. _Ooo~_ that is like going to be sooo romantic. Oh! When you confess to Kusanagi can I like be there? It's totally something I like wouldn't want to miss for anything in the world!"

Ranmaru sighed heavily and continued to walk forward, "I'm her _Samurai_ Butler - nothing more."

Katsumi just smiled to herself, "Mmhmm, _sure_ , so then why are you running off to comfort her, _old man_." Katsumi teased.

Ranmaru blinked - is that what he was about to do? It seemed a bit...out of character, at least to him. Then again - he just knew he had to see Kusanagi and somehow cheer her up and make her smile. He couldn't bear to see her cry. A smile suited her far better than a frown or tears...

Ranmaru did not respond but continued to walk forward.

"Well, at least Kusanagi is not alone anymore, whether she likes it or not - she has us now, right Ranmaru- _senpai_?" Katsumi skipped after him.

"Hn."

"Oh look there she is! Oh Kusanagi!" Katsumi skipped forward only to trip-

Knock right into Ranmaru-

And send him stumbling forward and onto Kusanagi so that they were both knocked into the ground, with Ranmaru on top of Kusanagi this time. Kusanagi turned red before she exploded- "You...PERVERT! Get off of me Ranmaru! Katsumi you are so dead!" Kusanagi punched Ranmaru off of her and began to chase Katsumi.

" _Eeee~_ I'm sorry!" Katsumi ran, tears in her brilliant blue eyes. "Please don't kill me! I'm too young and beautiful to die! Ranmaru! Help! She's being _scary!_ "

Ranmaru picked himself up off the ground, now sporting a black eye - well, at least Kusanagi was smiling now albeit in a slightly deranged and creepy manner. _Heh. Beggars can't be choosers._

But this was definitely better than the alternative Ranmaru decided as a slight smile tugged at the corner of his lips. That was happening a lot more recently. Maybe being Kusanagi's _Samurai_ Butler wouldn't be so bad after all...

Kusanagi turned towards Ranmaru next, "And where do you think you're going? I'm so going to get you for that one Ranmaru! I'll have to make you pay the price for getting to fall on me not once but twice today!" Her emerald green eyes were sparkling but not from unshed tears but from passionate anger.

_Who's been counting?_ Smirk. _Come and get me, Master. I deserve to be punished._ _I think I could get used to this..._

### Chapter 4: A robot can have a heart

Kusanagi and Ranmaru had decided to walk to school that day since it was such a lovely day out, and Kusanagi had _insisted_ on it, nay ordered the poor Ranmaru that they were officially walking to school. All the other students were also arriving at about the same time. Katsumi caught sight of the two and ran towards them waving one of her arms enthusiastically at them, her breasts bouncing up and down like a bad scene from Bay Watch. What? Ranmaru liked watching American television shows when Kusanagi wasn't paying attention to him.

" _Oi Minna!_ Hey guys! _Ohayo!_ Good morning!"

All the male students were following Katsumi with their heart-shaped eyes. Ranmaru noticed a few of the boys were drooling openly and some of the _yokai_ males were actually howling. Ranmaru shook his head at them. Silly hormonal teenagers. He returned his attention back to Katsumi and caught sight of her shoes. He raised a single eyebrow at them since they were a pair of four-inch heels. How did girls expect to be able to walk in-

SPLAT

Ranmaru had mind-spoken too soon as Katsumi tripped and fell flat on her face. Ow. Ranmaru was having sympathy pains here.

Kusanagi walked by her and simply ignored the cat girl's fallen form. "Come along, Ranmaru. We'll be late for class."

Ranmaru bowed, " _Hai Oujo-sama._ " He calmly walked after her.

Teary-eyed Katsumi watched them leave her behind, "Guys...little help here?"

Ranmaru suddenly sensed something amiss and turned to see a chubby 12-year-old boy in an Academy uniform, but right next to him was a sight that made Ranmaru's eyes widen slightly. Was he really seeing what he thought he was seeing? Yes, next to the boy was a giant robot. The robot was at least ten feet tall and Ranmaru thought the overall design of the robot was reminiscent to a _Gundam_.

(Note: A _Gundam_ is a giant robot or 'mecha' one is able to be pilot from the inside and that can be used in combat. _Gundams_ originate from _manga_ and _anime_ fiction stories.)

Although it had a few interesting extra touches - a horned _samurai_ helmet, an extremely large _katana_ was strapped to its back, and then over its chest armor the robot was wearing a butler's vest along with a red butler's necktie. A rather eccentric touch to the robot was a monocle that was worn over the robot's left eye. Ranmaru quirked his head at the robot or... _Samurai_ Butler?

Ranmaru's attention immediately went back to the young boy accompanying this machine of mass destruction and saw that the boy himself was rather harmless looking. Slightly on the chubby side he also had the habit of wearing a monocle over his left eye as well. The boy was wearing a slightly snooty expression on his face as he entered the school grounds. Though none of the students appeared to be paying the eccentric boy or his giant robot any mind, which made Ranmaru think this must have been a perfectly normal occurrence.

Ranmaru, however, found himself on guard almost immediately feeling that the boy and his robot were immensely suspicious characters and potentially dangerous and/or threats to Kusanagi. _Is he an assassin after my Lady Kusanagi?_ Ranmaru's golden eyes narrowed at the robotic _samurai_ and he unsheathed his sword Kuroki Ryu and pointed it towards the robot. _All threats must be eliminated._ He then began to 'power up' summoning his power so that a fiery aura was forming around him and his sword. He got into a fighting stance, prepared to attack-

When-

BONK

Kusanagi hit him hard over the head with her wooden sword. " _Baka!_ Just what do you think you're doing?"

Ranmaru appeared chagrined and nodded in the direction of the _Samurai_ Butler robot.

Kusanagi followed his nod and recognition lit her eyes, "Oh, that's just Shinichi. He's a boy genius who's in my grade - he's still only 12-years-old. He's a total spoiled rich kid and builds robots in his spare time as a hobby. And that's his robot _Samurai_ Butler, Remington."

Ranmaru blinked. "Robot _Samurai_ Butler? _Remington?_ " Ranmaru raised an eyebrow at the name.

"Remington is a popular butler name, didn't you know?" Katsumi informed him.

"And before you ask me if that's allowed," Kusanagi continued. "This school has a lot of spoiled, err, rich kids going here. So, it's only natural that the students' bodyguards, or _Samurai_ Butlers are permitted to attend to their Masters while at school."

Ranmaru's eye twitched. He had been permitted to attend to his Mistress at school all along...? But then why hadn't Lady Kusanagi said anything? Instead he had made a fool out of himself dressing up like a _ninja_ and stalking her in the shadows. And even now he had been reduced to dressing up like a high school student. He looked over at Kusanagi, who had a devious glint in her eye and smirk on her face that seemed to say 'Gotcha'. And Ranmaru realized right then and there that she knew – she had known all along and had chosen not to tell him on purpose!

Kusanagi continued to smirk to herself and turned on her heel to continue her way to school.

Why that crafty little...!

What had she been trying to do? Make his life a living hell? Oh, yea, right. He forgot about that. She actually was.

Ranmaru sighed. He decided that this was incredibly good news for him as he carelessly began to strip off the school uniform he had been wearing while still in the center of the school courtyard, and began changing back into the official Kimamura butler uniform, which consisted of an elegant, black swallow-tailed coat, white button-down shirt, black vest, red string neck tie, black pants, and shiny black leather shoes.

Kusanagi turned around to see what was keeping Ranmaru for so long, and blushed when she caught a glimpse of him in his boxers that for some odd reason were covered in yellow duckies! Kusanagi had the sneaking suspicion that her maid Roze had something to do with that. _Roze!!_ She shook her head and then immediately began to spaz out by executing a flying sidekick towards Ranmaru, who had just finished changing and had been calmly buttoning up his shirt. "Ranmaru _no baka!_ _Hentai!_ Pervert!" Kusanagi declared as her kick sent Ranmaru flying across the schoolyard.

Girl really didn't know her own strength.

Or wait, perhaps she did.

Kusanagi dusted her hands off as she continued her way to school with a 'hmph!' leaving a smoking pile of Ranmaru on the ground.

Katsumi went over to poke him with her index finger to make sure Ranmaru was alright, "Ranmaru... _Oi_...you alive?"

That day, by the time the entire female student body had found out the news that the mysterious transfer student, Ranmaru, was in fact Kusanagi's very own _Samurai_ Butler the girls had become distraught and were unruly for the rest of the day. Although, this did explain Ranmaru's habit of carrying around a _katana_ with him at all times.

***

A smile tugged at Kusanagi's lips as she noticed that all the girls were wearing black today, and crying pitifully as if they were in mourning or something. _Ah, so they're upset that Ranmaru is my Samurai Bulter. Hehe. He's finally coming in handy for something._ Their sadness was quite amusing really. And this brightened Kusanagi's mood considerably and so she was in a _very_ good mood by the time she had art class.

Kusanagi was a surreal artist...or at least this is what she liked to consider herself since she painted in the abstract. Kusanagi put on a pair of headphones and blasted up her j-rock music that she was currently listening to from her iPod. She especially enjoyed the j-rock artist _Gackt_ and was listening to a song entitled _Redemption_. She began to fling paint onto the canvas before her in a slightly angry or was it a passionate manner, while thinking that some silver paint would contrast nicely against her black background, and so began splattering silver paint onto the giant canvas before her next.

The spoiled rich kid, Shinichi also happened to be in Kusanagi's art class. Kusanagi looked over at the boy as he was working on building some _Gundam_ robot models and was meticulously painting them by hand. Kusanagi felt her lip twitch in amusement as she caught sight of what he was wearing. He had paired his Academy uniform along with a top hat and had a silver-topped cane that was resting against the table he was working on. There was also that monocle sitting on his nose. What was up with that anyways?

Did he really think he looked older and more sophisticated with it on? Heh. Naw, it must have been some kind of _cosplay_.

(Note: _Cosplay_ is a Japanese pop culture, phenomena where fans of _anime_ (Japanese animation) and _manga_ (Japanese comics) dress up as characters from their favorite stories and role play.)

_Although I suppose I'm one to talk since I have a fetish for flying-saucer hats and combat boots._ Her attention turned next to the robotic _Samurai_ Butler Remington that was keeping watch on his Master silently from the back of the classroom. The kid had to have been really smart to be in the same grade as Kusanagi _and_ built robots, yet be so young.

Kusanagi smirked to herself since she thought the boy was kinda cute with the way he wore this intense expression of concentration on his face while he painted his _Gundam_ model and occasionally adjusted his monocle. Though he would have been cuter if it wasn't for his furrowed brow and the dark frown that was marring his features. Kusanagi shook her head, _Kids shouldn't worry so much_. She suddenly remembered Ranmaru complaining about how Kusanagi furrowed _her_ brows too much and that if she kept doing that she'd get wrinkles, the _baka!_ There are certain things you just don't say to girls! Hmm, maybe her and Shinichi had something in common after all?

Their art teacher, Miss Junko, who was a tiger _yokai_ with a penchant for changing her hair color and who had currently dyed her hair orange and had highlighted it with black stripes, frowned and went up to Shinichi. "Shinichi, what did I tell you about making _Gundam_ models during art class? Making models is _NOT_ art."

Shinichi hung his head, looking deflated, "I'm sorry, Junko- _sensei_ I-"

Kusanagi however picked up on their conversation and decided she felt like butting in, and so she took her headphones off and cut Shinichi off. "Oh, I beg to differ _sensei_. Anything one creates or makes with one's own two hands is art. If the artist really cares about his or her creation and puts all their heart and soul into the thing they are creating then what he or she has created becomes alive and has a 'soul' of its own and that is true art."

Shinichi's eyes went wide surprised that Kusanagi The Bitch had actually defended him, and not only that, what she had said rang true to Shinichi.

But Junko was a rather stubborn art teacher. "But that's not really-"

She was saying when Kusanagi narrowed her emerald green eyes at her and gave her teacher one of her best _evil glares_.

Gulp. Junko swallowed and began to back away from Kusanagi, finally remembering the reputation of the girl she was currently talking with. Visions of some American horror movie where a high school girl went crazy coming to mind...Epp! She began to laugh nervously with a strained smile twitching upon her lips. "Ehehehhehheh~, you're absolutely correct, Kusanagi-chan." Junko turned around to flee.

_Hmm~ that's not like you._ Kusanagi's inner voice piped up. _Defending some boy, are you trying to befriend him?_

_Keh, don't be ridiculous. I just...feel like we can understand each other. That's all._ Kusanagi countered in her mind. _We both know I don't go around making friends. I'm just curious about the boy._

Kusanagi turned and smirked at Shinichi giving him a conspiratorial thumbs up, and Shinichi gave her a small tremulous smile in return. Kusanagi was curious about the models that Shinichi seemed to be working so hard on and so walked over to pick one up. She examined it and was surprised to see how much detail Shinichi had managed to paint into the robot's armor. He had definitely painted these with extreme care and love. Yep, these little robot _Gundam_ models were alive. "Hmm~ these are pretty good."

Shinichi blushed and turned his face away, "I never thought I'd receive a compliment from...you." The phrase 'The Bitch' seemed to hang in the air between them.

Kusanagi put down the model gently, "Wonders never cease huh? Maybe pigs will fly next. So you're Smarty-Pants Shinichi right?"

"And you're Kimamura Kusanagi a.k.a The Bitch." Shinichi raised an eyebrow knowing this is what Kusanagi had wanted him to say.

Kusanagi placed her hands on her hips. "Ah, it seems our reputations proceed us."

"Indeed they do." Shinichi adjusted his monocle thoughtfully, which Kusanagi thought was kind of cute. _Kawaii!_

"So what's up with the top hat and cane?" Kusanagi raised an eyebrow at Shinichi. " _Cosplay?_ "

Shinichi suddenly turned bright red. " _C-cosplay?_ No, this is how I always dress. And here I thought I looked grown-up and sophisticated..." Shinichi muttered the last part to himself.

But Kusanagi caught it anyways and nodded to herself knowing. Ah, so he _was_ trying to act more grown-up and be 'sophisticated'. That just made him cuter and more amusing in Kusanagi's eyes.

Shinichi glared at her when he noticed her amused expression, "W-well, what about you? Are you in the Self Defense Force or something?"

Kusanagi flipped her hair, "This is just my image."

Shinichi raised an eyebrow, "Your image...so that makes it okay?"

Kusanagi nodded, "Of course it does. I don't give a shit what other people think about me anyways."

Shinichi gave Kusanagi an admiring glance. "Yea...that's me too."

Kusanagi and Shinichi were smiling and staring at each other and having a bit of a 'bonding moment' since the two of them realized they shared an 'invisible bond' from the two of them both having been similarly ostrasized by their peers. Remington was holding up a giant projection screen behind them, which had the image of ocean waves crashing dramatically playing and in large letters hanging in the air was the word: _NAKAMA_ or COMRADE.

But then there was a sudden commotion in the art classroom-

Junko was a rather unpredictable art teacher and had arranged for a male model to come to their class that day, so that they could study and draw human anatomy better. Their male model had arrived in nothing but a white bathrobe and as Kusanagi turned to give him her full attention she realized that the model seemed oddly familiar. Her eyes widened when she realized that whoa, wait a sec, but that's-! Yep, it was Ranmaru. And he was in nothing but a bathrobe...! (Or had she pointed this out already?)

_Ooo~ too sexy! Yea, you shake that tush boy!_ Kusanagi's inner voice blurted out.

And for some reason as Kusanagi watched Ranmaru enter the classroom the song _I'm Too Sexy_ by Right Said Fred began to play in the background. _Nani?_ Huh? No, wait a second here, it WAS playing in the background most literally! Kusanagi looked down at her iPod and realized that her subconscious self must have chosen that song from her iPod while she hadn't been paying attention.

Kusanagi turned bright red at her own traitorous thoughts and inner voice – _NANI! Shut up you...Ranmaru does not look..._ She looked Ranmaru over, her eyes being drawn unconsciously towards the expanse of his tan, muscular chest that was visible due to his slightly open robe...gulp. _Particularly yummy or handsome or delectable..._

Kusanagi raised a hand to her nose in shock since she was about to get a nosebleed - either that or have an entire mental shut down.

However, as Ranmaru was about to recline on the couch that Junko- _sensei_ had set up in the center of the art room Ranmaru decided to completely remove his robe to reveal that he was completely buck naked underneath! What the hell was he doing?

All of the girls cried out and swooned. Several from massive nose bleeds.

Kusanagi flushed and covered her eyes only to peak through them. But then she pulled herself together as Ranmaru reclined on the couch as if nothing were out of the ordinary, and he merely fixed Kusanagi with his usual stoic golden stare. " _Oujo-sama_...paint me, _please_." Had it been her overly active imagination or had Ranmaru said that last word in a sexy voice?

That sent Kusanagi over the edge. "RANMARU... _NO BAKA!_ " She rushed at him and performed another flying sidekick his way. This time she ended up kicking Ranmaru in the gut, breaking the couch in the process, and sending them both flying backwards. " _Hentai!_ Pervert!"

Ranmaru ended up on the floor beaten up again, with pieces of the broken couch scattered around him. Ow...what had he done wrong this time, he wondered confusedly. He had only wanted to be useful for his Mistress when the original male model that was supposed to come in that day for her art class had called in sick. Ranmaru inwardly pouted to himself. Girls were so...complicated.

Kusanagi stomped out of the art class literally fuming.

***

Ranmaru pushed himself up off the floor and rubbed his bruised chest. Ow. That was a cracked rib. Why had his _Oujo-sama_ reacted so...angrily? What did he do wrong? This was _art class_ wasn't it? In art class people studied and painted nude subjects did they not? Wasn't his _Oujo-sama_ a _professional_ artist? And why oh why was his _Oujo-sama_ always calling him a pervert? He looked down at himself - it wasn't like he was aroused or anything inappropriate like that, so...why?

Shinichi snorted inelegantly at Ranmaru's dense, cluelessness. _What a complete bozo! Of course his Master would get mad if he went and did something like that. This is The Bitch we're dealing with here after all. Just who is this new butler of hers? He seems like a total idiot at any rate._

The robotic _Samurai_ Butler stomped over to Ranmaru's side and overhead Ranmaru muttering to himself confusedly. "I don't understand what I did wrong. Somehow I always manage to make _Oujo-sama_ angry. But I just wanted to help..." Ranmaru scratched his head.

Remington spoke up in his synthesized voice, "Your Master is a _lady_. You need to observe the proper conduct that a _gentleman_ uses when around a _lady_. You don't seem to see your Master as a female because she's tough and independent, but she's still a female. Even if you wanted to be helpful, the way you went about it was inappropriate for a girl of her age. You may not view her as a woman but she seems to view you as a man. As a butler you need to know your Master better. Know what makes her happy, what makes her angry, what makes her sad, so that as a butler you can better attend to her needs, understand?"

Ranmaru's eyes widened that the robot was actually talking to him, and not only that the robot was apparently very intelligent and well spoken. Here he was getting advice from a _robot_ on how to be a better butler. How pathetic must he be...? Act like a gentleman huh? He still didn't really get it. Ranmaru shook his head ruefully.

Unfazed, Ranmaru continued to shadow Kusanagi for the rest of the day in order to keep an eye on her and to protect her in case she ended up needing him, but kept his distance so that he wouldn't be a bother to her, which lately seemed to be all he was capable of. However, he realized during lunch that he wasn't the only one stalking Kusanagi again. Not only was Katsumi also sharing his hiding place behind the tree he had chosen, but they apparently had a new addition to their 'party'. And because of the giant robot that was shadowing their new third party member the trio was doing a lousy job indeed of keeping themselves hidden.

Katsumi gave Ranmaru a bashful look once she was discovered. Then they both turned to the chubby boy Shinichi, who was standing just behind them and who was currently munching on a bag of potato chips while watching Kusanagi with an expression of interest...

Well, Ranmaru had to admit that watching Kusanagi WAS better than TV but that wasn't really the point here. Ranmaru narrowed his eyes at Shinichi suspiciously and then turned around to grab Shinichi by the front of his shirt to then slam the boy against the tree trunk before growling in a low voice, "What do you think you're doing, boy?"

Shinichi squeaked out in surprise at Ranmaru's actions, but quickly regained his imperious cool, "What do you think _I'm_ doing? What about _you_? You're also _stalking_ Kusanagi aren't you? _Weirdo_."

"I'm her butler." Ranmaru calmly replied, unfazed by the boy's words, "And you just admitted to being a stalker."

Shinichi's eyes widened when he realized his mistake and he swore under his breath. " _Shimatta_...Ah, but if you're her butler why are you hiding? And what about the cat girl? I'd say she's _way_ more suspicious looking than me!"

"The cat girl is unimportant." Ranmaru declared without looking at the cat _yokai_.

Katsumi deflated and sunk to her knees, hanging her head in defeat, and began muttering to herself as a dark depressed aura began to swirl around her dramatically. "Unimportant...am I so...unimportant? Oh what a cruel, cruel world!"

"I say _you're_ very suspicious. Following my Mistress and having that _killing machine_ along with you only proves my point."

Shinichi struggled in Ranmaru's grasp. "Remington is NOT a killing machine. He's my _Samurai_ Butler! And unhand me you cretin!"

Ranmaru was already beginning to lose himself as his bloodlust was taking over, his golden eyes bleeding to red, "There is no difference. I smell the scent of blood on your robot. I have concluded that you are a threat to my Mistress. It's time to say goodbye, boy." Ranmaru began to tighten his grip on the boy's neck.

Shinichi brought both of his hands up to try and pry Ranmaru's powerful hand away from his neck but to no avail, "Wha? No! Wait! Please don't kill me! I'm too young and dashingly handsome to die!" Shinichi declared.

Ranmaru was about to crush the boy's windpipe when-

Kusanagi suddenly appeared. "Ranmaru _no baka!_ " She sent a flying sidekick his way, so that Ranmaru went careening sideways. She then picked Ranmaru up off the ground by his butler necktie and began to punch Ranmaru over and over again, hard, in the face. "What - the - hell - did - you - think - you - were - doing!" Kusanagi demanded to know, saying each word in time with her punches.

In seconds, Ranmaru's face was all bloodied, broken, and bruised. "Protecting you...?" Today, was _so_ not his day.

"From what? A little boy? Ha! Have you lost your marbles or something? Shinichi is completely harmless. I can't believe you! And I can't believe you were about to kill this _adorable_ little boy! You... _disgust me!_ " With one last hard punch Ranmaru was sent sprawling to the ground. Ow.

Shinichi threw himself into Kusanagi's chest. " _Nee-san!_ I was _so_ scared...thank you so much for saving me!" Shinichi began to cry into Kusanagi's chest while clutching the back of her shirt tightly.

"There, there." Kusanagi patted the boy's head absentmindedly as she continued to glare down at Ranmaru.

Katsumi was worried about Ranmaru however and so rushed to his side, "Ranmaru!"

Ranmaru looked up to see Shinichi burying his face in Kusanagi's chest...it _seemed_ like an innocent gesture that is until Shinichi turned and caught Ranmaru's eyes and smirked. Then the boy purposely began to nuzzle his face in Kusanagi's cleavage.

Ranmaru's eyes widened. Why that little...!

Kusanagi dusted her hands off. "Come along, Shinichi. I'll take you to the nurse's office. Let's leave these two _losers_ alone."

Katsumi was once again sent her knees and began moaning in despair. "Loser...I'm a loser now?"

Ranmaru was feeling equally dejected and though his injuries weren't anything particularly serious for him since they were already healing due to his powerful regeneration ability, he still felt broken down enough that he found he didn't have the energy to stand just yet.

Shinichi sniffled and agreed in a shaky voice, "Alright, _Nee-san_...thank you so much." He and Kusanagi began to walk off and Shinichi sent Ranmaru a haughty look as if to say, 'I've won this round _baka!_ '

_Come on? Did no one see that!_ Ranmaru sat up and hung his head. What did he keep doing wrong? He was just trying to protect Kusanagi and now...

You...disgust me.

She hated him.

Remington shook his head at Ranmaru and followed after his Master.

But...Ranmaru looked up and glanced after them. His gut instinct was still telling him not to trust Shinichi or his so-called robotic _Samurai_ Butler. There was something not quite right about them...

Or was he mistaken and just imagining things? Perhaps, he was he just being paranoid? Whatever the case, he intended to find out. _Oujo-sama..._

***

During the next few weeks, Kusanagi and Shinichi ended up becoming close friends and were oftentimes seen eating lunch together. Ranmaru had been ordered not to eat with them since Shinichi claimed he was afraid of Ranmaru, which Kusanagi thought was only logical since Ranmaru _had_ tried to kill him and all. But despite Shinichi's innocent behavior Ranmaru still had the nagging feeling Shinichi was waiting for something, and so he deciding to test his theory out about a week or so later.

On that day, Ranmaru declared he had to go do an errand and told Kusanagi that she'd have to go home alone...instantly Shinichi offered to walk Kusanagi home, and she had of course enthusiastically accepted. Ranmaru shook his head at her. Regardless of whether Shinichi was truly dangerous or not his Mistress was acting...out of character. Since when was she so... _nice_ to anyone? And why was she being so nice to Shinichi of all people? It just didn't make any sense. Ranmaru left them but his golden eyes never strayed from Shinichi. Everything was going according to plan...

Ranmaru kept to the shadows and followed Kusanagi, Shinichi, and Remington as they walked to the Kimamura Estate. Kusanagi was smiling brightly (was that really normal?) and talking with Shinichi openly, animatedly, while laughing (that can't be right) and Shinichi was talking enthusiastically back. Everything appeared normal enough (if this had become the Twilight Zone that is) until-

A sudden movement caught Ranmaru's eye-

Remington had suddenly taken the giant _katana_ that was strapped to his back down and was prepared to bring it down upon _Oujo-sama_!

" _Oujo-sama_!" Ranmaru used his _yokai_ speed to rush to Kusanagi's side, while at the same time unsheathing his own sword, Kuroki Ryu. He managed to get in front of the blow just in the nick of time, and block the deadly swing from Remington's sword with Kuroki Ryu's blade.

Kusanagi's eyes were wide in a mixture of shock and surprise. Ranmaru also noticed the flash of hurt that passed through her emerald green eyes before it was gone. Hurt. Betrayal. Ranmaru had noticed those feeling in his Mistress' beautiful eyes. Shinichi was going to pay.

Shinichi bit his thumbnail, "Damn. That stupid _Samurai_ Butler just had to show up and ruin everything. I miscalculated. I...underestimated him."

Kusanagi looked over at Shinichi bewildered, "Shinichi...what is this?"

"It's exactly what it looks like. I just tried to kill you, _baka_. My real name isn't Shirakawa Shinichi. It's _Kimamura_ Shinichi. So, if I kill you I'm one step closer to getting your inheritance!"

Kusanagi blinked. "My inheritance? But what do you want the inheritance for?"

"I need it for-"

Before Shinichi could finish, however, Ranmaru gathered his power and with a slash of his sword unleashed a fiery blast towards Remington. Remington raised his giant _katana_ to block the attack, but the attack hit and Remington was pushed back across the ground by the sheer power of the attack. And then as Ranmaru added more power behind his attack, Remington was completely pushed back and sent flying backwards to where he landed on the cement ground with a loud thud and then remained motionless. One of his arms had been severed from the force of the blast and lay a few feet away from the beaten _samurai_ robot.

"Remington!" Shinichi cried out in a panic, "You'll pay for that one, _baka_ butler! Kusanagi, I have to say it's quite impressive that your butler is able to stand up to a robot but..." Shinichi reached into his backpack and pulled out a handheld control device that had a large red button on it. "Can he stand up to _several_ robot _Samurai_ Butlers?" Shinichi questioned as he pushed down on the red button.

Suddenly, six robotic _Samurai_ Butlers appeared from seemingly out of nowhere. Kusanagi realized the robots must have been trailing after them since they had left the school, waiting in the shadows for Shinichi's command to attack. But since the robots weren't human there had been no way Kusanagi would have been able to sense their presences. The giant robots had all been built in design similar to Remington since they resembled _Gundams_ that had elaborate, horned _samurai_ helmets, and were wearing _samurai_ armor. They also all had large _katana_ strapped to their backs and a _Gundam_ -styled shield was held out before them in one of their hands. Unlike, Remington however, they didn't wear a butler's vest or a monocle.

Ranmaru summoned his _yokai_ power and a red, fiery aura formed around him resembling flames and around his sword that was glowing crimson. He wasted no time in attacking the robots. His sword clashed with one of the robot's _katana_ but as Ranmaru merely applied more pressure and power to his sword it simply cut through the robot's own sword, and then through the chest of the robot, so that it fell backwards sparking and beginning to catch on fire.

Ranmaru spun around to face a _samurai_ robot that had been trying to sneak up and attack him from behind. Ranmaru swiftly moved his sword through the air and cut through the robot's arm and shoulder easily with an upward slash. Ranmaru then continued to spin his body and sword, and bending down low he moved his sword through the air to slice through the legs of another robot.

Three down. Three to go.

Ranmaru was beginning to think this was almost too easy. These were giant killer robots after all. He had expected them to give him a bit more of a challenge but he was disappointed that they were going down so easily. He looked towards the remaining three _samurai_ robots and noticed something about them that he hadn't noticed before-

They were rusting.

Ranmaru eyed the bad, rust-colored corrosion that the robots were suffering from all over their bodies. These robots were already falling apart or in robot terms: _dying_.

Well, Ranmaru would just have to put them out of their misery then, he decided. Ranmaru charged forward while avoiding a deadly eye lazer attack from one of the robots and swung his sword in a sideways slash that sent the robot flying backwards. As the robot fell back his lazer attack suddenly went high and over Ranmaru's head but didn't appear to do any damage.

Ranmaru then turned his attention to the next robot in his path and leaping up into the air easily beheaded this robot before then slashing his sword through the air and sending another fire blast attack its way, which sent the robot flying back and exploding into pieces.

Ranmaru easily finished off the remaining _samurai_ robot by slicing through both its rusty sword and then right through its body in one blow until there were no other robots left to face him - only a pile of rusted metal scraps and robot body parts lay on the ground before him.

As Ranmaru destroyed the _samurai_ robots Shinichi had cried out their name as each robot was destroyed. Apparently, to Shinichi each robot had been a friend, had meant something to him, and had been like family. "No! Jeeves! Nigel! Jenkins! Willikins! Martin! Baxter!"

Ranmaru had to wonder why the boy had chosen to give his _samurai_ robots _British_ names. He shook his head in wonder.

Kusanagi watched the battle in awe. The robots were incredibly fast _and_ powerful, but Ranmaru was simply more powerful and faster. The battle was incredible to watch anyways since Ranmaru's battle skills had been surprisingly impressive. It was as if Ranmaru's dormant fighting and battle instincts had temporarily been awakened and his body was moving almost on its own as it remembered how to fight and avoid attacks. His movements had also been so fast that at times Kusanagi had been unable to keep up with him and he had turned into a mere orange and black blur.

One thing was becoming very clear to Kusanagi as she watched her butler fight. He was a seasoned warrior. But she still found it hard to believe that her stoic _Samurai_ Butler was actually able to fight on par with those killer robots! Just where did her grandfather find this guy anyways? And once again Kusanagi wondered how much he was getting paid. She had a feeling it was probably a bargain.

Ranmaru turned to face Kusanagi and Shinichi, his usual golden eyes were still a blood-red color and it was these eyes that narrowed dangerously at Shinichi - the boy who had tried to assassinate his _Oujo-sama_. He would kill this boy...and he didn't care if Kusanagi hated him for it. The boy was a threat. And all threats were to be eliminated.

Ranmaru charged forward before Kusanagi could order him not to, and raised his sword prepared to cut the boy in two-

However-

Remington had suddenly appeared in front of his Master and with his one remaining arm used his sword to block Ranmaru's attack. Ranmaru's brows raised, he was surprised the robot was still functioning after having suffered from his fire blast attack at point blank range.

"Remington!" Shinichi called out worriedly.

"Don't worry Master I will protect you." Remington declared in his synthesized voice. Remington pushed his giant sword forward and Ranmaru was surprised to feel himself being pushed back. This robot was much more powerful than the others and he was suffering from far less corrosion, and although he hadn't noticed before Remington _was_ indeed rusting like the other robots in places. Remington too was dying...

Remington increased his speed and swung his sword at Ranmaru, who in turn was also forced to increase his own speed in order to be able to block the fierce attack. The two _Samurai_ Butlers became mere blurs as they battled one another, their swords clashing.

Meanwhile, Kusanagi and Shinichi had been watching the entire battle while standing underneath a giant billboard (which featured the face of the famous and extremely popular male model Haruka, who was giving them a sparkling star smile) that had become loose due to a stray lazer shot from one of the robots during Ranmaru's fierce battle. The sound of metal breaking and cracking was suddenly heard from above them.

Shinichi looked up and realized the billboard was directly over him and about to fall.

And that if it fell it would only fall on him and not Kusanagi.

He was so screwed.

"Remington!"

Remington and Ranmaru both turned at the sound of Shinichi's cry, and Remington immediately noticed that his Master was in mortal peril. He decided to leave Ranmaru and go to protect his Master. Ranmaru looked over to where Kusanagi was and decided that _she_ was safe since the giant billboard would not fall on her in her current position. Ranmaru let out a sight of relief. Now he could concentrate on the battle at hand – and perhaps even take out two birds with one stone. Ranmaru returned his attention back to Remington.

Ranmaru rushed forward behind Remington as the robot ran towards his Master just as the billboard sign broke off its hinges and came crashing down through he air, about to flatten Shinichi-

Two things happened at once.

Kusanagi ran towards Shinichi and pushed him down to the ground and shielded his body with her own-

Remington threw his sword down - even though his so-called 'target' a.k.a Kusanagi was right there in front of him - and instead stood next to Kusanagi and Shinichi, and raised his own remaining robotic arm to stop the billboard's descent.

The billboard hit Remington's robotic arm and bent it from the sudden impact. Remington's arm began to spark and wires began to spiral out from it into the air as the arm's outer metal shell began to crack in places especially where it had been slightly rusted. Remington supported part of the heavy billboard with his head as well as it threatened to crush them all.

Ranmaru watched all this in shock. Kusanagi had been in danger but...he hadn't realized. And now Remington was trying to save both Kusanagi AND Shinichi. The robot's nor Kusanagi's actions didn't seem to make any sense. Their actions were both completely illogical for a battle. And weren't robots driven by logic and not emotions?

" _Oujo-sama!_ " Ranmaru quickly rushed to her side.

The sign was becoming too heavy for Remington, who was beginning to fall to pieces - screws were coming lose and robotic body parts were simply beginning to fall off of him from the extreme pressure that was being put on his body as the sign tried to crush him. His entire metal body was cracking in places due to the rust and he was close to shattering altogether. Ranmaru knew he wouldn't last much longer.

Ranmaru tossed his own sword aside and rushed up next to Remington, raising his own two arms and stopping the billboard from crashing down on the three just as Remington's arm would have shattered. "Go now! _Oujo-sama!_ Take the boy with you!"

Kusanagi stood and pulled Shinichi up along with her, "Right." She nodded giving Ranmaru a fierce look. "Come on, let's go Shinichi!"

Shinichi however fought against Kusanagi's grasp. "No! I won't leave Remington!"

Ranmaru sighed. " _Oi!_ Remington go!"

Remington shook his head, "No...it's too late for me now. Master, you must leave me. Go...you must live. Ranmaru, you as well...leave me. You too must _live_."

Kusanagi seemed to understand the situation and picked up the stubborn and screaming boy to drag him out from under the billboard and to safety. " _Nooo~!_ Remington!" The boy shrieked.

Ranmaru frowned as he turned his attention back to Remington, " _Why?_ Why are you doing this? You're a killer robot. Why are you so willing to die in order to protect someone? I don't understand."

"I'm already dying." Remington began in his monotone voice. "Master's family lost everything...he doesn't have the money to repair me anymore, and so I know I'm dying...as much as a robot can truly die anyways. But I decided that if I was going to die I wanted to die while doing something truly worthwhile - I want to die protecting my young Master...to die like a true _Samurai_ Butler would with honor...if I had been human."

Ranmaru couldn't understand this. To die protecting someone versus dying in the heat of a glorious battle? "I don't understand. You're a killing machine." _Like me._ "You were programmed to kill. And obviously your programming must be based on logic. The logical way to win a battle is to conquer your enemies nothing more. You also ignored your enemy during battle and chose to instead to...concern yourself with Shinichi. It doesn't make sense. It's illogical."

"Ranmaru...do you have someone to protect?"

Ranmaru looked off towards Kusanagi, who was still holding Shinichi back as he struggled to escape her. "Someone to protect...?" Ranmaru mused aloud.

"You have a lot to learn if you're going to be a real _Samurai_ Butler. A butler protects his Master. Knows his Master. You need to learn to see past her mask, Ranmaru. You didn't predict Kusanagi would try and save Shinichi did you? That shows that you don't know your Master well enough to be able to protect her properly. Also, you have to remember what it means to be a _samurai_ , a true warrior. A _samurai_ follows the code of _Bushido_ – 'the way of the warrior'. What is your _Bushido_ , Ranmaru? What is your _way?_ "

"My own _Bushido_?" Ranmaru blinked. _To fight...to fight to gain Power. To gain Power to fight._

"My _Bushido_ is 'to fight to protect'. I may have been programmed to be a killer robot but do you want to know when I stopped being just a tool to kill, Ranmaru? It was when I was awakened and met the young Master for the very first time and came to know him. He gave me a second purpose, a new purpose. To be his _Samurai_ Butler and his friend. And so I ceased being just a killing machine and became a butler. It's your _purpose_ that decides _what_ you truly are. It's because I have someone to protect that I have become a Protector as well. Learning to protect someone is a necessary element to become a _true_ _Samurai_ Butler. Why do you fight Ranmaru?"

What did I fight for again? Why did I need to gain so much power? I can't remember...

Ranmaru thought back...to five hundred years ago...

He used to fight because he simply liked it. Right? The thrill of it, that rush he got in the heat of a battle to the death – it had made him feel truly alive. But wasn't his very obsession with fighting and power the reason why Ranmaru had failed to protect his _miko_ love long ago...

FLASHBACK

Five hundred years ago...

_He_ had taken her.

The Goddess Inari's second, War General, Kenmaru. Ranmaru's best friend. A man, who he considered like a brother to him, had betrayed him and kidnapped the woman he loved! But Ranmaru was going to get her back. Count on it.

Ranmaru, while in his nine-tail fox form, had tracked down General Kenmaru by his scent, and his _miko_ love, Nagi. Kenmaru had taken her to a castle he had just conquered single-handedly apparently. The stench of blood and death still hung freshly in the air making Ranmaru's sensitive nose twitch.

Bodies littered the courtyard in front of the castle. Mangled corpses that were most assuredly all General Kenmaru's doing. Smoke wafted into the air, the smell of burning flesh made Ranmaru cringe.

Then he heard it-

\--The sound of a woman's weak coughing. Nagi!

Ranmaru called out to her, "NAGI!"

Nagi heard her lover's voice and responded as loudly as she could, " _Ranmaru!_ "

Ranmaru's keen ears had been able to pick up on her stifled cry and realized that it had come from within the castle. He quickly made his way inside and when he heard Nagi's frantic call again used his sharp ears to pinpoint her location within the castle and swiftly ran down the hallway and towards her location. Her voice had led him deeper into the castle and to the second story.

Finally, he had reached the bedchamber that he knew Nagi was inside of and burst his way inside. There he saw Kenmaru straddling Nagi, who was lying back on a bed that was in the back of the chamber and close to a large window. His hand was sneaking inside of her _haori_ shirt-

Ranmaru saw red and pounced at Kenmaru. "KENMARU!" Still in his nine-tail fox form and with his sword still held between his teeth Ranmaru slammed into Kenmaru, and pushed Kenmaru flying back into the bedroom window, so that it shattered, and the two went flying out of the window together.

"Ranmaru!" Nagi had gotten up off the bed and rushed over to the window to watch the two men hurtling down through the air and towards the blood-soaked ground below.

Ranmaru was on top of Kenmaru as they fell through the air towards the ground, and he transformed back into his human form bringing his sword down upon Kenmaru intent on taking his head, but his sword clashed with Kenmaru's own sword instead that Kenmaru had quickly unsheathed to counter Ranmaru's attack.

They crashed into the ground, with Ranmaru still on top of Kenmaru, and with such force they had created a large crater in the ground.

Kenmaru gathered his own power and a black energy aura began to surround him. Ranmaru leapt backwards out of the way from the impending attack, sensing danger.

Ranmaru wore a stricken look on his face, hurt and betrayal flashed through his golden eyes, "Kenmaru! _Why?_ "

Kenmaru eyed Ranmaru with a slightly frantic look on his face. He appeared to be near some kind of hysterics. "Why? Because I love her! Don't you see? She's the only one who can truly understand me! And you know what Ranmaru...I'm sick and tired of you stealing everything away from me! First Inari's acknowledgement and praise, and now...Nagi! I just couldn't win against you! But things are different now. I won't live in your shadow any longer!

I'll kill you and then Nagi will fall for me! I know that once you're out of the picture I can make Nagi fall in love with me. We're kindred spirits, you see. We're the same. I know that my feelings will reach her! I'm not going to lose to you anymore Ranmaru! Today I'm going to win - I've _seen_ to that!" Kenmaru's red-pink eyes flashed, and he wore a grim expression on his face. He was wearing his usual red _samurai_ armor and had a new sword in hand, Ranmaru noticed. It was this peculiar sword that he raised and then pointed at Ranmaru threateningly.

Kenmaru had always looked somewhat delicate and frail due to his silvery-white hair, pale skin, lithe physic and almost pink-colored eyes – when he had been compared to the _samurai_ warrior that Ranmaru had become. Ranmaru, who was larger and more muscular, who trained for hours out in the open sun and so had become golden tanned and healthy in appearance. And when Ranmaru put on his golden _samurai_ armor he became an intimidating figure immediately. His mere image had instantly struck fear into the hearts of his enemies with one glance. Kenmaru had always envied that quality of Ranmaru.

Ranmaru's loose coppery-colored hair was blowing violently in the fierce wind around him. "Kenmaru...I never...you're like a brother to me, Kenmaru. Please try and understand me. I was never very good with words. But please don't do this. I don't want to have to kill you." _If only my words could reach him...if only I could make him understand..._

Kenmaru laughed, a broken, slightly hysterical sounding laugh, " _Kill me?_ _Yare yare_ , you were always a cocky bastard weren't you? Always thinking you're better than me. Always thinking that you need to save me. But today I'm the one who's going to win. I'm the one who's going to kill _YOU!_ "

Kenmaru gathered his _yokai_ power around him and that of his new sword. Ranmaru watched as his usual red-tinged _yokai_ aura began to become pitch black. It was this menacing aura that began to wrap around Kenmaru and his sword resembling black flames.

Ranmaru could sense that this new aura of power that surrounded Kenmaru was incredibly intense and evil. It was unlike anything Ranmaru had ever felt before. Just what cursed sword had Kenmaru managed to get his hands on? Perhaps, one of the Legendary Four? _No, it can't be...it's not possible...!_

He also recognized the power for what it was. "Black Fire...it can't be. No! Kenmaru! You'll die! Don't you realize Black Fire's a double-edged sword – yes, it is able to destroy anything in its path, but it will ultimately destroy you as well. Black Fire eats one up from the inside every time one uses it \- your life is being drained!"

"Ha! You think I don't know that?" Kenmaru sneered, "This is the only way I can defeat you! I'm willing to pay that price! Now DIE RANMARU! NAGI _WILL_ BE MINE!"

Ranmaru powered up too, a red fiery aura resembling crimson flames surrounding him and his sword. Ranmaru prepared to meet the Black Fire attack head on despite knowing that it was futile since Black Fire destroyed all-

_So be it, Kenmaru. If you want my life that badly. You shall have it. It is yours._ Ranmaru thought sadly as he raised his sword. _Forgive me Nagi..._

Kenmaru let out a battle cry as he swung his sword forward and unleashed the powerful Black Fire attack upon Ranmaru-

Ranmaru let out a battle cry of his own and swung his own sword forward to unleash a red fiery attack-

"Black Fire Attack!"

"Fire Blast Attack!"

The two attacks clashed in midair but it was just as Ranmaru had known all along. The Black Fire pushed back on his attack and consumed it almost instantly. And now the Black Fire attack was headed his way, ready to consume him.

Goodbye Nagi...I'm sorry I failed to protect you...

"Ranmaru!" It was Nagi's beautiful melodious voice, which sounded like the temple bell from her village.

Ranmaru opened his eyes to see that Nagi was standing in front of him, and she was... _glowing_. A beautiful, white-tinged aura of immense purity surrounded her body and she had her hand outstretched before her while using her power to shield Ranmaru and herself from the Black Fire! His _miko_ love was fighting to protect him! _Nagi..._ Ranmaru's heart clenched in his chest as he watched her. She really was beautiful.

She was wearing her usual _miko_ robes - a white _haori_ shirt and red _hakama_ pants. She was the complete opposite of himself. A fragile, dark, pale beauty. Nagi was delicate, refined, with long silky black hair, small hands, peridot-colored eyes, and skin as pale and fragile as porcelain. In fact she reminded him of a porcelain doll. She had always looked like a single touch from him would cause her to shatter. But he had always been very gentle with her for that reason...something he would never have done for anyone else...

Such incredible power! Ranmaru couldn't help but be impressed by Nagi's display. As the fire pushed against the shield Nagi had created, she struggled to use more of her power to keep the fire at bay and then managed to dispel the attack entirely with one final push of her power.

Nagi had conquered the Black Fire attack!

However, blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth. Her body was trembling from the aftereffects of using such an immense amount of her power in one go, and she sunk to her knees from utter exhaustion.

"Nagi!" Ranmaru rushed over to her side.

" _Ranmaru..._ " Nagi smiled weakly. "I'm so glad you're safe." Nagi's eyes flickered somewhere directly behind Ranmaru. "Oh thank goodness. It's gone..."

Upon seeing his _miko_ love weakened and looking even frailer than usual Ranmaru became blinded by the sudden rush of hate he felt for Kenmaru. "Nagi, do not worry. I will make him pay for hurting you. I will defeat Kenmaru. And protect you." Ranmaru stood and turned his attention back towards Kenmaru spotting him a ways away.

"Wait...don't go Ranmaru..." Nagi reached out her hand to stop him, but he didn't hear her, so blinded by hate and rage was he. "No...wait...please, there's something I need-"

But her voice was too low, too weak, for Ranmaru to hear, and her hand fell when she realized that she would not be able to reach him in his current state. She watched Ranmaru raise his sword and charge Kenmaru and willed her eyes to stay open so that she could watch the rest, but her eyelids felt heavy and she fell forward onto the ground collapsing in a faint, her energy finally leaving her.

Kenmaru was in bad shape and coughed up a large amount of blood, which dribbled down his chin, and stained the ground in front of him. The Black Fire had destroyed and damaged several of his internal organs, and until they regenerated he could not use the Black Fire again without causing his immediate death. He turned to see that Ranmaru was completely unharmed, and had transformed into his nine-tailed fox form due to being consumed by his bloodlust and losing what was left of his humanity. "Stubborn bastard...let's end this..." More blood trickled down his chin and he wiped it away with the back of his hand, a grim expression on his face as he smiled lopsidedly. "I'll show him how much I've changed...that I don't need him to protect me anymore..."

Ranmaru growled fiercely revealing his sharp teeth, and placed one of his clawed paws in front of him as he prepared himself to attack.

Kenmaru transformed into his own two-tailed fox form - a fox that had snowy-white hair and pink eyes. An albino fox. He too mimicked Ranmaru and snarling while revealing his own long, sharp fangs moved one paw forward as he prepared to attack his foe.

They stood off like this – facing each other – appraising their enemy.

And then the two foxes rushed at each other, using their _yokai_ speed and power, and they attacked each other leaping up into the air and slamming into each other. As their speed increased to the naked eye they became nothing more than two bright lights slamming into each other in the air - like two angry fireworks, sparking and exploding as they collided. The air was filled with the powerful shockwaves from the force of the attacks that they were using on each other and the ground around them began to explode and crumble...

Finally, Ranmaru and Kenmaru passed each other as both of them used their final and most deadly attacks, putting an end to their fierce battle.

Blood spurted out from a wound on Ranmaru's shoulder and he turned to face Kenmaru. Kenmaru leered victoriously revealing his white teeth, and was seemingly unharmed before he frowned suddenly and collapsed - blood spraying into the air from a deadly wound on his neck. Ranmaru leapt onto Kenmaru's prone body, still in his fox form, and was prepared to rip his throat out when-

An amused, trilling laughter filled the air. Ranmaru recognized that laugh. It was _her_.

He turned to see Nagi's twin sister and the sight of Nagi with that twisted smile on her face caused him to shiver. Kagura was standing not too far away from him, with a pleased expression on her face. There was also this cat that ate the canary smile upon her blood-red painted lips. She was hiding something...Ranmaru realized.

Kagura was twirling a single leaf in her hand, a fox magic talisman that Kenmaru had gifted her with in order for her to be able to transform into the mirror image of Nagi. This would have been so that Kagura could have approached Ranmaru while pretending to be her sister, but now that her sister was dead the spell Kenmaru had gifted her with was no longer needed. _A pity._ Kagura tossed the leaf away and approached Ranmaru.

"Darling Ranmaru..." She purred, "I see you've won your little battle. Did you have fun? I bet you did. I know how much you love to fight. Love the heat of battle - that feeling of not knowing whether or not you'll live or die. It's orgasmic isn't it? A warrior, no a beast, like you doesn't feel truly alive unless he is in the midst of a battle to the death. You love fighting more than anything Ranmaru, do you not? Apparently even more than my very own sister..."

Ranmaru's eyes widened as he suddenly remembered about Nagi. Where was she? His eyes frantically searched the scorched battlefield in search of her. And then he caught sight of her - There! Lying face first on the ground was the prone, bloody, broken, and unmoving form of his _miko_ love. _Nagi..._ There, lying in a pool of her own blood...

\-- _Nagi!_

Ranmaru quickly transformed back into his human form and rushed towards her, "Nagi!" He bent over her and took her limp body protectively into his arms and looked down into her lifeless face. "Nagi? Nagi! Speak to me! Wake up Nagi! Open your eyes!" He began to shake her vigorously, her head snapped back and forth in a chilling manner. Ranmaru looked down at her shocked, eyes full of disbelief. Her eyes weren't opening... _This can't be happening..._

"She won't wake." Kagura began in a singsong voice, "And do you want to know why? Because she'd _dead_! You killed her Ranmaru!" She burst out, her voice taking on a sudden hateful and angry tinge. But then her tone suddenly turned mocking. "Just kidding, like I care!"

" _No..._ " Ranmaru shook his head and murmured to himself. _No...it can't be. I didn't...no..._

"You knew my sister was weak, sickly, and yet you used your full _yokai_ power while in her presence and _this_ is what has killed her. Foolish _yokai_ beast." She sneered. "You really are so pathetic. You couldn't even protect the woman you loved. All you know how to do, all you're good at is – _killing_."

Kagura's words were like knives.

Ranmaru shook his head, "No...no...no...NAGI!" He raised his head and looked up at the sky in despair and howled while he clutched her broken body to his chest, tears were streaming down his face. Tears that hadn't fallen for centuries. "I didn't mean to...my love..."

Kagura came up behind Ranmaru, "Yes, you did. After all, you're just a beast that loves fighting. A tool for killing. But perhaps in that respect you could become useful to me somehow. There are so many who stand in my way. And I can have you get rid of them for me. And so you shall become mine!" Kagura reached down and placed the enchanted Control Collar that Kenmaru had gifted her with around Ranmaru's neck. " _Embrace_." She spoke the word of subjugation, the word of 'punishment', just to try it out and make sure that Ranmaru was truly in her clutches now.

Ranmaru cried out in pain as the collar constricted tightly around his neck and sent painful electric shocks coursing through his body.

"That's for killing my sister, darling Ranmaru." An evil and triumphant smile formed on Kagura's face. "I'm going to have fun breaking you as punishment for loving my sister. I wonder how many centuries that will take...No matter, I'm immortal now too." She laughed gleefully.

Ranmaru hung his head. _This...this is only what I deserve..._

END OF FLASHBACK...

"What I fight for...?" Flashes of memories he had long tried to bury and repress had begun to surface within his mind. And he had begun to remember bits and pieces of how he had failed to protect his _miko_ love...how he had caused her death. He suddenly felt like throwing up.

"You do have someone to protect, Ranmaru. Don't lose sight of what's important. This will sound funny for a robot to be saying but don't lose sight of your sense of self. You aren't just a warrior. You unlike me, truly have a heart. So live!" Remington pushed the dazed Ranmaru out of the way and from the billboard that then fell onto Remington and crushed him instantly - the sound of crunching metal rang in Ranmaru's ears hauntingly as the robot was destroyed.

"Nooo! Remington!" Shinichi cried.

_No, you're wrong. A robot can have a heart._ Ranmaru found himself thinking. _It is I who has lost mine._

FLASHBACK

In a small rundown warehouse in the middle of a junkyard Shinichi was in the midst of using spare parts to fix Remington...Shinichi rubbed the sweat from his brow with the back of his hand and frustrated threw a spare part he had been planning to use aside when he saw that it wasn't the right size. "I can't do this anymore...these spare parts are no longer enough. We need new parts if I'm going to repair you properly Remington. And for that to happen I need money. I don't even have the money to buy you robot oil in order to maintain you properly. This sucks...why did my father have to gamble away our family fortune? At this rate I won't be able to fulfill my promise to you Remington - about turning you into a _real_ _Samurai_ Butler. And about trying to find or create a soul for you. If this continues...you'll die." Shinichi beat his fist into the floor.

Remington put a hand on his Master's shoulder. "I'm alright with that Master. I understand. You did your best." He said in his monotone voice.

"No! No you don't understand!" Shinichi yelled and turned to face Remington, tears in his eyes, "If you die then I'll be left all alone! If you all leave me then...I'll have no one. No one that really cares about me. I...don't even have any real friends. Everyone at school hates me. You can't go yet Remington - I still need you!" Shinichi began to beat his fists in frustration into Remington's chest.

Remington laid a heavy hand on Shinichi's head and attempted to pat it. "Perhaps, there is a way the young Master could acquire the money. Perhaps, a part time-" Remington was suggesting.

But Shinichi's eyes widened as an idea struck him, "That's it! The _money!_ All I need is the money and I can save you! All I need is _her_ money! If we kill her I automatically get her inheritance and then I'll have unlimited money to save you Remington and find you a soul!"

"Her?"

"Kusanagi Kimamura my distant cousin. They say she's a total bitch anyways - she's done time in prison _and_ was even accused of murder. Killing someone like her...we'll be doing the world a favor, Remington. Don't you see? It's the perfect plan. I just have to enroll in her school and wait for exactly the right moment to make my move." Shinichi was rubbing his hands together, a calculating look on his face.

"Young Master, are you sure this is such a good idea?" If Remington had had lips he would have been frowning.

But Shinichi was already lost in his plotting thoughts. "This is just perfect! Kusanagi The Bitch is going to die! Buwhahaha!" Shinichi let out an evil laugh. "Remington, come on, you have to laugh evilly with me too! That's an order!"

"Bu wha ha ha ha ha." Remington tried to mimic his Master in his monotone synthesized voice.

"Close enough." Shinichi waved the attempt aside, and pushed back his sleeves. "I think you're going to need an upgrade since I heard the Kimamura family always employs a formidable _Samurai_ Bulter. But against you they won't stand a chance."

END OF FLASHBACK

Shinichi finally managed to pull his arm out of Kusanagi's grip, "Let go of me YOU!" Tears welled up in Shinichi's eyes. "I hate you! You destroyed all my friends and you just wouldn't DIE! Now I won't have the money to save Remington...now Remington is gone forever! I hate you! I hate you! You really are a bitch!" Shinichi glared one last hateful glare at Kusanagi before taking off running.

"Shall I pursue him, _Oujo-sama?_ " Ranmaru asked in his disinterested tone as if he didn't care one way or the other.

"No, you shall not." Kusanagi turned to glare at Ranmaru.

Ranmaru felt the need to add- "I will not harm the boy if you do not want me to."

Kusanagi let out a heavy sigh, "You better not. And that's an order Ranmaru."

Ranmaru bowed, "As you wish, _Oujo-sama._ "

Kusanagi looked thoughtful, "So, it was all for them..." She looked at the pile of broken robot parts and noticed the rust that had been eating away at them. "That's why he wanted my inheritance, the fool. He should have just asked me for help." Kusanagi sighed once more, and turned to face Ranmaru, a serious glint in her eye. "Ranmaru."

Ranmaru's back straightened at her tone of voice, "Yes, Milady?"

"I have a favor to ask of you."

***

Kusanagi, Ranmaru and Katsumi were all back at Akai Bara Academy the very next day. Kusanagi snuck away from the two of them during her lunch break to seek Shinichi out. She discovered the boy alone and crying in an alleyway that was between two school buildings. It was a place that ironically enough Kusanagi sometimes came to when she had wanted to be alone, and let her mask drop, which was why she had thought of it.

"Yo."

Shinichi was startled and turned to face Kusanagi. His surprised look immediately turned into a glare as he wiped the tears from his eyes with the back of his hand in a stubborn manner. "What the hell do _you_ want?"

Kusanagi smirked. "Catch."

Kusanagi tossed something at Shinichi who caught it. Shinichi opened his hand to see that it was Remington's A.I. microchip. His eyes widened, surprised to see that it was apparently intact. "Remington's chip...but how?"

"I asked Ranmaru to fetch it for me. He's such a good boy, err, butler. Remington is still alive you know, he's still in there."

Tears streamed down Shinichi's face, "It's not the same...I won't ever get to hear him speak again."

"Why did you want the money Shinichi?" Kusanagi prodded.

Shinichi's eyes widened and he hung his head, "To repair my robots...but I also wanted to help Remington. He wanted to become a _real_ _Samurai_ Butler. Hey, Kusanagi where do you buy a soul?"

Kusanagi blinked, "A soul? You wanted to _buy_ Remington a _soul_?" A thoughtful look crossed Kusanagi's face before she smiled. "But...he already had a soul, Shinichi."

"What?" Shinichi sniffed.

"Don't you remember what I said back in art class? You're an artist, and Remington was your work of art. You put your heart and soul into making Remington didn't you? And so you gave him not only a part of your own soul but made him a real soul as well. Remington was programmed to kill wasn't he? But then why did he choose to protect us instead? The _soul_ you wanted to buy for him...he had it all along...dummy."

Shinichi continued to wipe at his tears that for some reason just wouldn't stop falling. "God, that is so cheesy...where did you come up with that load of crap?" Shinichi laughed brokenly.

"I know and I hate cheesy." Kusanagi flipped her hair. "But I think it's also a pretty lousy ending to say you've learned something valuable and that Remington will always be alive in your memories or heart or some bullshit like that. No, I'm a practical person myself. And if my money has a way of bringing someone back to life then - I don't need it." Kusanagi tossed a suitcase at Shinichi.

Shinichi blinked. "What's in here?"

"Open it, dummy." Kusanagi smirked.

Shinichi did and found that it was filled with money. A LOT of money. "Kusanagi..."

Kusanagi turned to go. "Make sure to make Remington 2.0 to be a kick ass robotic _Samurai_ Butler okay? Just don't forget to take out the last kill order _neh?_ Oh and if I ever need your help I'm expecting to get it. You owe me one kiddo. You can just think of yourself as being unofficially employed by the Kimamura family now, meaning since you work for me, you have to do whatever I say."

Shinichi's mouth just gaped open, was that blackmail? "Kusanagi...you bitch." He joked, while wiping a tear from his eye and smiling lopsidedly at her.

"Damn straight." Kusanagi winked.

### Chapter 5: The sky looks more beautiful from underwater

People suck.

This the main thought in Kusanagi's mind as she rode through the extensive forest grounds on the Kimamura Estate. But animals, Kusanagi patted the side of her unicorn Sora's neck affectionately, were wonderful.

Sora was a beautiful and elegant creature, and one of Kusanagi's favorites from her menagerie. Sora had a silky, sky-blue colored coat, a long, flowing, white mane and tail, and had deep, sapphire-colored blue eyes that held both clarity and intelligence in their depths. But the most striking feature Sora possessed was the single, spiraled golden horn that emerged from out of his forehead.

_Humans can be mean to you for 'no good reason' but animals always show their Master unconditional love. Especially dogs, beat a dog and he'll still wag his tail and smile at his Master and still possess unwavering loyalty._ Kusanagi mused to herself thoughtfully. _An animal's innate nature is not to be cruel but loving. But humans...hold a darkness in their hearts that is just waiting to be unleashed. Humans...can be so cruel. Animals...are always kind. At least...to me._

This was why Kusanagi was ambivalent to people, and why she loved animals.

Also, Kusanagi found that people easily fell for masks but animals were truly remarkable creatures, their instincts were incredible, and they possessed the ability to see the truth - that was why Kusanagi was so good with animals. Even if she would act like a bitch around them, the animals knew better - they could see right through her mask and knew that deep down Kusanagi was a strong but kind lady.

She loved her animals and they loved her back.

She had collected quite the impressive menagerie of creatures over the years too using her family fortune to buy and import rare, endangered, magical or spiritual creatures from around the world. Some of the animals had been purchased at illegal auctions since they were _yokai_. Others Kusanagi had ' _saved'_.

They were creatures that were misunderstood. Creatures that would have been exploited for their abilities. Creatures that had been in danger, but Kusanagi had used her fortune and connections to help save these poor animals.

Although it wasn't always easy, but during those 'difficult' times Kusanagi had merely been forced to use a bit of her 'female persuasion'. (Meaning she ended up having to kick someone's ass. Cough.)

Thinking of animals...Kusanagi thought back to how her new _Samurai_ Butler had a _yokai_ animal form too. That of an elegant, majestic nine-tailed fox that was big enough to ride. _That_ had surprised Kusanagi even though she had been aware of it. She had been dying to touch those fluffy ears of his...pet his soft, shinny, coppery colored fur...stroke his long magnificent tails...Sigh. He truly was a beautiful creature. How she longed to touch him...

_Touch him!_ Kusanagi began to spaz out in her mind. _Did I just think that? Oh my god, what the hell is wrong with me! It's not like I'm attracted to that...stoic loser anyways right? No way! He totally pisses me off with that blank, emotionless expression of his. That perfect poker face. Argh! I never know what the hell he's thinking. It drives me crazy! Ranmaru..._

Unbidden an image of Ranmaru in nothing but a white bathrobe (from art class) popped into her mind.

"AHHHH!" Kusanagi gripped the sides of her head, letting go of her reins, "Get out of my head! My eyes! My virgin eyes have been corrupted by that- that pervert! Argh! I'll make him pay for that - Ranmaru _no Baka!_ " Kusanagi continued to be distracted by her inner thoughts as she was spazzing out and nearly fell off of Sora in the process.

Sora slowed down automatically used to his Mistress' antics and felt a trickle of sweat form on his brow. His Mistress was really weird...

***

"ACHOO!" Ranmaru sneezed, and wiped at his nose with his index finger. Was he perhaps coming down with something? Naw. But he hoped not, since the life as a butler for the Kimamura Estate was a busy one indeed. Just a normal day in the life of a Kimamura Butler, was filled with endless things to do...

Ranmaru started out his day with simple chores such as mowing the lawn, raking up leaves, cleaning and dusting the various rooms in the mansion, making breakfast for his Mistress, but the most unusual of all his tasks was to take care of the creatures in Kusanagi's menagerie.

Kusanagi's menagerie was an impressive domed building made of steel and glass. It resembled a greenhouse to some degree and had been designed to be able to support a kind of 'natural habitat' inside with plants, fruit trees, and a lake that was swarming with fish. It was a self-contained little world that if Kusanagi chose to keep her animals restricted to just the menagerie they would have been able to continue living there indefinitely.

But Kusanagi was kind to her animals and allowed them to roam the vast Kimamura estate for exercise whenever she felt like it. However, when Kusanagi was at school she liked to 'lock up' her creatures inside of the menagerie so that they would be protected. When Kusanagi had told Ranmaru about how she wanted her animals to be protected, he found that she wasn't kidding. The menagerie while under 'lock down mode' became a veritable fortress. Alarms, motion sensors, and a state of the art lazer defense system were all activated and not only that – bars would come down covering all of the windows and doors.

Were Kusanagi's overly extreme precautions brought on by his Mistress' paranoia? Ranmaru mused. But Ranmaru didn't think so since several of Kusanagi's animals were...unique to say the least. And that was putting it lightly. Some of Kusanagi's animals...shouldn't even exist. They were that rare and valuable.

For example there was the one creature that lived inside of the giant lake that existed inside of Kusanagi's menagerie, and that Ranmaru had to feed bucketfuls of fish every morning. That creature, Ranmaru was positive, had to be the Lock Ness Monster.

Then there was Sora, the Mistress' unicorn that she had taken for her daily ride that morning.

Ranmaru had to wonder how much Sora had cost Kusanagi. Or the Lock Ness Monster for that matter. The _yokai_ python had scales that shimmered liked diamonds; scratch that, that _were_ diamonds. The _yokai_ ostrich occasionally laid solid gold eggs. Sora's horn also appeared to be solid gold.

Maybe his Mistress just liked shiny things?

Ranmaru shook his head bemused. But there were other unusual creatures as well such as a polar bear with a golden fleece, a white winged horse, a griffin, and a _yokai_ dog.

Ranmaru understood how valuable these animals must be and so understood the safety precautions Kusanagi took in order to protect her animals.

At first Kusanagi's animals had been very difficult, and had tried to kill or eat him several times - but each time they had tried to attack Ranmaru had simply evaded their attacks with ease and had dealt no counterattack of his own. Over time the animals came to grudgingly respect and even fear him since he was obviously extremely powerful and yet had never used his power against them. And then one day he decided to show the animal's his true form: that of the nine-tailed fox.

After that the animals had all looked up to Ranmaru as their sort of King or Leader and had thereafter treated him like a God. Opps.

Ranmaru shook his head ruefully. That wasn't quite what Ranmaru had intended. He had merely wanted to show the other animals that they were the same, equals, and for that reason they had no reason to fear him, but for some reason all of the animals had started to worship him or something. Ranmaru felt a trickle of sweat forming on his brow at the thought. Ranmaru didn't quite understand it but...was glad it was at least a lot easier to handle his duties of their care a.k.a cleaning out their stalls, feeding and grooming them.

Ranmaru got along with all of the strange and unusual creatures after that pretty well. Although there was one pet that annoyed the hell out of him. It was the _Inugami_ (or _yokai_ dog) named Kaze. The beast was at least twice the size of a tiger and had white fur. His paws, the tips of his ears and tip of his tail were black. He had dark, liquid black eyes. And a brain that was most likely the size of a pea...

Ranmaru had the most difficulty handling this creature because unlike the other animals the _yokai_ dog just didn't get it. Kaze still tried to attack, err, play with Ranmaru in an overenthusiastic manner not intimidated by Ranmaru in the least, and because of the dog's size and strength Kaze had nearly ripped Ranmaru's arm off one day by accident. Opps.

'Playtime' with Kaze was no laughing manner. And Ranmaru had to wonder at Kaze's true origins due to his sheer power...

But even though Ranmaru had decided to keep his eye on the beast all that dog ever did was eat, sleep, scratch, sniff, sneeze, snort, shit...Ranmaru shook his head.

This wasn't the only thing about Kaze that was problematic. Kaze liked to drool...green acid. Kaze would sometimes randomly shake his head while sending dangerous acidic drool flying everywhere (the other animals running for cover) causing mayhem and destruction in his wake. And Ranmaru was the one left to clean up the mess, make repairs, and try not to get his own flesh eaten away when he got drooled on...

Sigh.

All the other animals that had WAY more intelligence than Kaze seemed to give Ranmaru sympathetic looks when he was forced to take care of the hyper _yokai_ dog. And at times Ranmaru had been forced to get a little 'rough' in order to subdue Kaze, once sending the dog flying across the menagerie when he had merely shoved the dog back after Kaze had _glomped_ Ranmaru unexpectedly and had tried to lick his face. Cough. Opps. Sometimes Ranmaru didn't know his own strength.

But even if Ranmaru was a little rough with the creature, Kaze always came back for more, tail wagging, tongue hanging out of his mouth, looking up at Ranmaru with those large, trusting, hopeful eyes. 'Let's do that again! Whee~ that was fun!' Waiting, craving for that one pat on the head that would never come...

Ranmaru looked down at the dog and something inside his chest ached.

_This_ was why he _hated_ dogs...

Roze came into the menagerie to check up on Ranmaru. She was wearing her usual Kimamura maid outfit, which consisted of a black dress, with a frilly white apron overtop, and lacy maid hat sitting on top of her bobbed red hair. And of course she was still wearing those large, round glasses on her face that were hiding her eyes.

Ranmaru's animal instincts told him that there was more to Roze than met the eye. That though she pretended to be delicate, weak, and lady-like, Roze was in fact very strong...

Roze...was dangerous.

"Ranmaru?" Roze called as she walked through the trees in the menagerie. "You here? Are you alright? It's almost time to make Kusanagi's breakfast. And you know she'll only eat what you make."

Ranmaru didn't respond and continued to brush Kaze's fur calmly while the dog chewed on his arm painfully, err, lovingly. Blood dripping down his arm...

Roze spotted them and approached.

"I'm nearly finished." Ranmaru replied in his usual monotone voice.

Roze looked around becoming impressed at how clean and well maintained the menagerie was, and also that all the animals seemed to be in harmony too. How odd, usually they were picking fights with one another trying to see which was the superior animal. To find their one 'King' or leader of the pack. Roze's eyes widened when she realized the animals all had their eyes focused on Ranmaru as if they were waiting for his approval. Roze's eyes widened since she realized they had chosen _him_ to be their 'King'!

"Roze." Ranmaru began. "Tell me, how did the Lady Kusanagi come to possess all of these creatures?" Ranmaru questioned in a low, soft, thoughtful voice as he continued to brush Kaze's fur.

Roze froze, "Oh? Well, you know, Kusanagi has a TON of money and she just loves animals. And really there's nothing money can't buy! Even unicorns! She uses her money to buy and import as many rare, endangered, or magical creatures as she can get her hands on. It's a crazy hobby or should I say habit of hers really." Roze laughed nervously and Ranmaru narrowed his eyes at her. Roze was hiding something big, but what?

"What is the reason behind all this security?" Ranmaru pressed, hoping to get a clue.

Roze looked away and then tried to gain control over her expression, letting a careless mask fall over her worried features. "Oh well, the animals _are_ extremely valuable. It's only logical thieves may come and try to steal one of Kusanagi's animals..."

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow at her. She was _definitely_ hiding something.

Before Ranmaru could prod further however the Lady Kusanagi rode into the menagerie, and both Ranmaru and Roze turned to see that she was covered in brambles, cuts, scrapes and bruises. Ranmaru's eyes widened in concern. Had his Mistress been attacked?

Roze seemed equally concerned. "Kusanagi- _sama!_ What happened?"

A light blush sprung up on Kusanagi's cheeks. "Oh...nothing really. I fell."

"Fell?" Roze exclaimed, "You're an expert rider! How on earth-"

Kusanagi turned even redder and pointed an accusing finger at Ranmaru. "It's all his fault!"

Ranmaru blinked. Huh?

Roze also looked equally confused. "Kusanagi- _sama?_ "

"You!" Kusanagi shot a glare at Ranmaru, "Just stay out of my head! Got it? That's an order! Hmph!"

Ranmaru just quirked his head at his Mistress in confusion, delighting in the way her emerald green eyes were sparkling in anger...

Kusanagi seemed to notice and turned away in a huff, nearly riding into a tree. Opps. Ranmaru's expression turned to concern. What was wrong with his beautiful, err, perfectly normal looking Mistress?

But when he turned to Roze she seemed to be hiding a smile while at the same time containing a laugh behind her hand. _Nani?_ This only made Ranmaru more confused. _Women..._

Ranmaru knew he had missed something. What had he done to make his Mistress mad at him this time? _Bow-wow? Wait I'm not a dog dammit!_

***

This time it was Orihime.

Kusanagi's eyes trailed after Orihime and to just behind her where a large shadow was, the Grim Reaper's shadow...Kusanagi could even see the outline of the Grim Reaper's giant scythe, which meant that Orihime was going to die sometime that very day.

Kusanagi sighed and decided she'd have to keep a close eye on Orihime that day whether she really wanted to or not. She didn't really know or like the extremely popular girl, but Kusanagi couldn't just stand by and watch, and do nothing as Orihime was killed somehow...

Later that day, during art class Kusanagi had decided to paint an abstract scene from her imagination...an underwater scene. The view of the sky from what it looked like from being underwater in the vast ocean. Kusanagi wanted to capture that feeling one had when one swims deep down and then looks up through the sea at the sky. It was a feeling of becoming a part of that sky instead of just looking up at it. And as the fish swam around one it was similar to watching birds fly past overhead in the sky except that underwater one became a part of it. Just like being in the sky among the birds, flying, and free...

A girl with short black hair, and large gleaming dark eyes came up besides Kusanagi. "It's beautiful." She complimented in a low voice, "You've captured the true feeling, the essence of how one feels when they're underwater and looking up at the sky..."

Kusanagi blushed at the unexpected praise, no one else had ever seemed to understand her 'abstract' art before. "You really think so? Thanks." Kusanagi turned to give the girl a shy smile.

"You are extremely talented." The dark girl continued, "I believe you have the Gift. You can truly put your emotions into your paintings. I can tell, I can _feel_ them. Why are you so...sad?"

Kusanagi's expression turned to surprise. _Sad? How does she know..._ "Sad? I'm not sad...what could _I_ have to be sad about?"

Kusanagi's classmates were snickering in their direction, probably eavesdropping Kusanagi realized. And they began whispering among themselves. Kusanagi only caught a few snippets of their conversations. "The Bitch..." "Freak..." "Who does she think she's talking to?"

Orihime, the beautiful yet egotistic, snobby, model-student and fashion model came up to take a look at Kusanagi's abstract painting out of curiosity.

Kusanagi took an unconscious step away from her. There was just something _off_ about that girl, something unsettling that made Kusanagi's stomach churn unpleasantly.

"Hmmm~ and what is this supposed to be exactly? The sky?" Orihime quirked her head at the painting.

Kusanagi frowned, wondering what Orihime was up to. "It's an underwater scene..."

"Underwater? That's just silly. Who would want to look at that? That sky alone is much more beautiful than a sky being seen from underwater. It makes no sense. The fish look like they're flying in the sky, surrounded by the clouds..." Orihime furrowed her brow thoughtfully.

Kusanagi shrugged. "To each their own."

Orihime turned to give Kusanagi a calculating stare. "I knew you were a bit eccentric, but you really shouldn't stand there talking to yourself, Kusanagi. They'll talk even more about you than they already do. You're so pathetic. I pity you though, bitch." Orihime gave Kusanagi a haughty smile before turning and walking off with a flip of her long golden hair.

Kusanagi glared after her, "Hey! I wasn't talking to myself I was talking to-" Kusanagi turned to get the dark-haired girl's name and saw that she was no longer there...How odd.

Lunch came quickly and Kusanagi went to her usual spot under the cherry blossom tree when she spotted the dark girl again. " _Oi!_ Come join me!" Kusanagi waved her over.

The girl hesitated before coming over to join Kusanagi.

"I never got your name, I'm Kusanagi." She stuck her hand out towards the shy girl.

The girl again hesitated but then took Kusanagi's hand. "I'm Azumi."

Kusanagi smiled, an oddly warm smile. "Nice to meet you, Azumi."

Azumi sat down across from Kusanagi, "Now I know why you're so sad." She said in an eerie way.

Kusanagi choked on some green tea she had been sipping as it went down the wrong way. "Excuse me?"

Azumi's expression turned grim. "You have people like _Orihime_ at your school. All she cares about is her looks, her perfect image, and her beauty. It's disgusting. She...envies you."

Kusanagi blinked and then she burst out laughing. "Orihime envies _me_? Get out of town! Orihime...well...she may be a snob but she _is_ very beautiful. WAY more beautiful than me anyways!"

"Her beauty is fake. An illusion. And you..." Azumi reached out her hand to the odd piercings on Kusanagi's ears and nose. "Are trying to hide your own beauty. But even if you deface it - it still shines through. As does your inner beauty. Kusanagi...The Bitch...yea right." Azumi gave Kusanagi an ironic smile.

Kusanagi's eyes had widened when Azumi had touched her piercings and said those things only to widen even more when Azumi acted as though she were in on the charade about Kusanagi being considered a bitch. Those dark eyes...they seemed to see right through Kusanagi. Did she really know the truth about her so easily? Just who was this girl? Those dark eyes that held a sadness oddly similar to her own. Kusanagi realized they must be kindred spirits. Kusanagi decided she'd like to try and befriend this strange girl.

"Hey, where's your _bento_?" Kusanagi questioned Azumi suddenly.

"Oh, I didn't bring one." Azumi said in her quiet voice.

"Here you can share mine then. It's HUGE! I don't know what he was thinking! Packing me all this!" Kusanagi complained about the handmade _bento_ (box lunch) Ranmaru had made for her and opened the elaborate lacquered box that had three levels of food. One level was just rice, another level contained shrimps in a spicy sauce, and the last level contained vegetables and pieces of sliced omelet. It was very extravagant but... "I'm going to get fat at this rate _mou!_ "

Azumi shyly accepted some of Kusanagi's _bento_. She used a pair of borrowed chopsticks to take a small bite from a piece of omelet and her eyes widened. "It's...delicious." But then as she chewed slowly a slight frown formed on her face and her expression turned thoughtful. "But...I don't feel like I should be eating this..."

Kusanagi blinked confusedly, "What do you mean? There's plenty-"

Azumi shook her head, "No, it's not that. Who made this _bento_ for you?"

"Ranmaru, my _Samurai_ Butler. Why?"

" _Samurai_ Butler? Well, he puts his emotions into his cooking...his feelings...feelings for you...and he-" Azumi blushed and opened her mouth to continue when-

Ranmaru and Katsumi suddenly arrived at that exact moment so that Kusanagi was unable to find out what Azumi had been about to say.

Katsumi enthusiastically plopped herself down right next to Kusanagi, "Hey girlfriend! Wazzup?"

Kusanagi sighed. _Oh brother. Tweedledee and Tweedledum have arrived._

Ranmaru silently took a seat directly across from Kusanagi and just stared at her.

After a few moments of uncomfortable staring Kusanagi's eye twitched in irritation. _What was up with this guy?_ "Will you stop _staring_ already? Geez!" Kusanagi pointed an accusing finger at Ranmaru.

Ranmaru blinked and was that a slight _smirk_ on his face! "But I have to keep an eye on you - it's my job after all."

Did Ranmaru just crack a joke! _I really must be losing it today._ _Why oh why did I even bother to get out of bed today?_ "Oh shut up moron, keep your perverted glances pointed elsewhere hmph! Or else." Kusanagi with lightning speed used her chopsticks to fling two pieces of omelet at Ranmaru, which hit their marks perfectly, directly landing on one of Ranmaru's eyes.

Ranmaru didn't move as the egg slid slowly down his face.

Katsumi giggled as she watched the two of them. "You two...get along so well. It's almost as if you two were lovers! Teehee!"

Kusanagi predictably spazzed out. " _K-k-koibito!_ L-l-lovers? This guy and me? Ha! Never! I would never go out with an emotionless freak like him! 'Teehee' my ass! _KATSUMI!_ " Kusanagi growled and glared at Katsumi menacingly.

Katsumi gulped as the full glare was directed at herself. Epp. "Yes?" She squeaked.

"Shut up now."

" _Hai._ " Katsumi quickly agreed and just as she opened her mouth to apologize more Kusanagi flung a piece of omelet into Katsumi's mouth. Katsumi blinked in surprise but then began to chew the piece of omelet with a thoughtful look on her face. "Yep, I knew it." Katsumi winked over at Ranmaru as if the two of them had shared an inside joke.

Kusanagi looked back and forth between the two of them frowning. "Hey! Just what the hell was that all about hmm?"

Katsumi giggled, "Oh nothing."

Kusanagi glared and turned her glare next towards her stoic _Samurai_ Butler, who was still calmly wearing egg on his face.

" _Oi!_ Idiot! Wipe that egg off your face already will ya? Geez!" Kusanagi complained.

Ranmaru half bowed, while sitting. " _Hai Oujo-sama._ I was merely awaiting your permission to do so. I know how much it seemed to amuse you." He smirked and wiped the egg from his face with a handkerchief.

Kusanagi glared suspiciously at him and her emerald eyes were glittering with anger. Did he just do that on purpose to make her angry? Was he...teasing her! Naw....that was impossible...right? Sigh. Ranmaru didn't seem the type to have a humorous bone in his body. "You see what I have to put up with Azumi?" Kusanagi turned expecting to see the dark, shy girl still sitting next to her on her other side, but was surprised to find that her new friend Azumi had pulled another one of her disappearing acts. Strange.

Ranmaru's expression turned unexpectedly serious. "Who were you talking to _Oujo-sama?_ "

Kusanagi frowned, "Oh...no one."

"Hn." Ranmaru frowned back and narrowed his golden eyes at Kusanagi as if she were hiding something.

"What?" Kusanagi exclaimed irritated by that look, "Don't look at me like that! Weirdo! Geez!" _I don't get him at all..._ Kusanagi threw her hands up into the air in exasperation. And when she thought Ranmaru might be smiling inwardly she decided to throw another piece of omelet at him. This time it hit him smack on the forehead - dead center. " _Baka!_ Hmph!"

"You two are just _so_ -" Katsumi was saying but was silenced by Kusanagi's Glare of Death.

***

It was summer and so at Akai Bara Academy there was mandatory swim class. Swim classes were split up between the girls and the boys in their class since the pool wasn't very large. Kusanagi enjoyed swim class except for the fact that her rival, err, Orihime was in her swim class too. And so there was the Grim Reaper's shadow lurking just behind Orihime and in plain sight to Kusanagi. It was highly unnerving. Kusanagi made sure to keep an eye on the girl while she was swimming...but nothing untoward had happened so far.

All the boys in their class were watching the girls from behind the chain-link fence that surrounded the entire pool area, and were enjoying getting the chance to see the girls in their school swimsuits. Typical boys. Kusanagi sighed and shook her head.

During swim practice Kusanagi had to take out all her piercings or else they'd rust. She also had to put all her wild hair into a swim cap since it was so long and unruly. And the swimsuit she had to wear was much too tight for her liking. It made her feel extremely uncomfortable and exposed in more ways than one. Here a part of her Bitch Mask had been taken away from her and so she felt oddly self-conscious. Basically, all the boys were seeing her in her underwear if one really thought about it. Kusanagi blushed at the thought. Why oh why couldn't she have been born into an era where they had 'respectable' swimsuits? One piece suits that came up to the mid-thigh and that were all the rage in like the 1920s.

Was it Kusanagi's imagination or was the shadow behind Orihime growing larger and more defined anytime she neared the pool? And was the Grim Reaper's shadow smiling mockingly in Kusanagi's direction? Kusanagi rubbed her eyes deciding she had probably been getting too much sun.

Kusanagi and Orihime competed with each other during freestyle laps and completely wore themselves out. But Kusanagi's pride wouldn't let her be beat by Orihime no matter what the challenge.

Kusanagi had even beaten Orihime during an impromptu race! Booyah!

Ranmaru had 'infiltrated' the pool area dressed in nothing but a tight fitting red Speedo (Kusanagi had to wonder where the hell he had even gotten the thing... _Roze!!_ ) and his butler necktie, to 'spy', err, keep an eye on Kusanagi.

The girls were all blushing prettily at getting to see Ranmaru in nothing but his Speedo, but Kusanagi just thought he was a disgusting pervert. _I mean how can he be so shameless...?_ Kusanagi snuck a peak at him though and couldn't help but admire his tan and muscular chest. (How had he managed to get a tan already anyways _mou!_ ) His body was lithe and yet powerful looking. He had been putting on weight compared to when he first arrived at the Kimamura estate.

_Mmmm hot stuff. No! No I did not just think that!_ Kusanagi caught herself about to start drooling and shook her head furiously a frown forming on her lips. That would have been so embarrassing! "Ranmaru _no baka!_ " Kusanagi declared as she ran towards Ranmaru and sent a flying sidekick the unsuspecting Ranmaru's way, and then as he was flying back she sent a harsh uppercut - her fist connecting with the bottom of Ranmaru's jaw - his way and with such force that it sent him flying up and over the chain-link fence so that he landed amidst the other spying and sympathetic boys.

Orihime's jaw dropped at Kusanagi's harsh treatment of her butler. "Why do you treat him that way? Your butler is so...handsome." Orihime was giving Kusanagi a look of pure disbelief.

"He's also a complete idiot." Kusanagi scoffed, waving her hand dismissively in the air, "Besides, he deserved it. He keeps stalking me!"

Orihime gave Kusanagi a sharp look. "He's just doing his job. You know, looking out for you. And just because he's clueless about girls doesn't mean he deserves to be treated that way. Would it kill you to be a little nice to the guy?"

Kusanagi's inner voice piped up. _She has a point. You could be just a little nicer to him neh?_

Nice? I'm doing this on purpose remember? It's all for his own good so that he'll quit neh? I have to be a total bitch to him! It's not like I want to I-

Aha! So you do like him!

No way in hell!

_Really, you don't think you're going too far?_ Her inner voice was inwardly frowning. _No one deserves to be treated like that...like a dog..._

Hmph! If he doesn't like it he should just quit already!

Her inner voice seemed worried. _He seems to take his job, honor, and Bushido very seriously though...what if your careless words end up putting Ranmaru in real danger. What then?_

Kusanagi frowned, _Then...I'll get him out of it myself._

Kusanagi glared at Orihime, "Yes, it would." She declared imperiously, her nose high in the air.

Orihime sighed and threw up her arms in mock despair, "I suppose that's all I should expect from Kusanagi The Bitch. If Ranmaru were _my_ butler I would treat him far better than you do. In fact, if you don't want him so badly why don't you let _me_ hire Ranmaru instead? _I_ wouldn't mind having a little eye candy like him at my estate. So what do you say?"

Kusanagi's eyes widened in shock at the request. Orihime wanted to hire Ranmaru? She would want that _baka_? Kusanagi looked over to where Ranmaru was calmly keeping an eye on her now from the other side of the fence. He really was like a watchdog or guard dog or something. He took his job so seriously, watching out for Kusanagi every second of the day. It was irritating but also...comforting. She had been alone for so long and now she had Ranmaru and Katsumi and Shinichi...did she really want to give that up?

Kusanagi bit her lip. No! She couldn't have emotional attachments. She had promised herself she wouldn't care...about anyone. So, that they wouldn't end up caring about her and wouldn't be hurt. But...Kusanagi couldn't help but feel like maybe this once she should be selfish. "I'll have to think about it." Kusanagi decided to reply offhandedly.

Orihime smiled triumphantly, "Good! I expect your answer by the end of the day!"

Kusanagi watched her go. The Grim Reaper's shadow still trailing after her. End of the day indeed...

Kusanagi glanced over at Ranmaru and was that a sad expression on his face that was there for all of five seconds before he quickly masked it with that emotionless expression of his? Naw. It must have been her imagination.

***

The rest of the day went by in a blur, too fast really, Kusanagi's mind and heart were in chaos. She was still stalking Orihime and had let out a sigh of relief when the bell rang and signaled that the school day was over. Orihime would go home to her nice, _protected_ mansion and be _safe_. But Kusanagi was surprised to find that the model was not heading home right away, but that she was instead headed back to the pool area. Had her loss against Kusanagi pissed her off that much - that she felt the need to practice overtime? As she watched Orihime dive into the pool, her eye twitched - apparently so. Why did she matter so much to Orihime anyways? Sigh.

Models...they were _way_ too wrapped up in appearances. Kusanagi shook her head. Kusanagi dully watched as Orihime swam lap after lap and was beginning to get bored. She yawned. Maybe she had just been paranoid...

That was until Orihime was suddenly pulled down underwater. Huh? Kusanagi blinked at what she had just seen in disbelief. A definite _hand_ had come up and grabbed Orihime's ankle to pull her down under the water. But...Kusanagi hadn't seen anyone go into the pool and had been watching Orihime swimming for the last twenty or so minutes. So then who....? And Orihime wasn't coming up! Oh shit!

"I don't even like this girl so," Kusanagi panted as she ran and leapt over the chain link fence. "I can't believe I'm actually doing this!" Kusanagi declared as she dove into the pool, fully clothed, knee high combat boots and all.

Kusanagi caught sight of Orihime's unmoving body, and saw that the girl's eyes were closed. Kusanagi hurriedly swam towards the unconscious girl, worried that she was already too late. As Kusanagi looked around for any signs of an enemy she saw that there was no one else in the water with them...how odd. Kusanagi grabbed Orihime and swam with her back to the pool edge, and then got her up and out of the pool to set her down on the cement area that surrounded the pool. But - she wasn't breathing. _Oh come on, you can't be serious?_ Kusanagi moaned in her mind. _I have to give this bitch CPR!_ Kusanagi leaned over her but as she approached Orihime's face she suddenly felt nauseous. _Ugh. Shit. I can't do this..._ Kusanagi suddenly had an idea. "RANMARU!"

Ranmaru, dressed in his butler uniform once again appeared out of nowhere. "You called, _Oujo-sama?_ "

Kusanagi nodded, "Ranmaru, I order you to give Orihime CPR now."

Ranmaru blinked but didn't otherwise hesitate and bowed. " _Hai Oujo-sama._ " He bent over and began to perform CPR on Orihime, alternating between blowing air into her lungs and pressing down on her chest in time with his own heartbeat. A few moments later Orihime turned her head and began coughing up water.

While Ranmaru was performing CPR on Orihime, Kusanagi turned her attention back towards the pool. And then something or rather someone unexpectedly caught her eye. Azumi!

Azumi was in the pool, fully clothed in her Academy uniform, facedown and unmoving. Had something also pulled Azumi into the pool? Oh no!

Kusanagi didn't hesitate to dive back into the pool to rescue Azumi. Kusanagi swam to Azumi and grabbed the girl's body, prepared to swim back to the pool edge with her, however-

Azumi suddenly moved in Kusanagi's arms to face her, a cold vacant look on her face. "Why did you save her Kusanagi? I was trying to do you a favor."

Kusanagi's mouth gaped open in shock, "You-what? You tried to kill Orihime! But why?"

"I hate girls like her... _envious_ girls...she envies you Kusanagi and she'll continue to make your life a living hell as long as she's alive. So I thought since I liked you that I'd do you a favor and get rid of her - so you could stop being sad and be _happy_. I want to see you smile Kusanagi because we're friends..."

Kusanagi blinked at the girl in shock and then her stare turned angry. "Happy? You thought _this_ would make me happy? Making me see 'it' again? Going through the pain and hopelessness that I may not be able to stop Death from coming for her? You are a complete idiot. I thought we could be friends Azumi, but I was wrong. I can't be friends with a person who thinks Death can bring about a smile!"

Azumi looked shocked and then her expression turned to anger. "You ungrateful bitch...I did it for you! Envious girls like them will only turn on you in the end! I was trying to protect you! So that you wouldn't end up like _me_!"

Kusanagi blinked, expression turning to confusion, her brow furrowed, "What are you talking about? What did they do to you...?" Kusanagi reached out her hand to touch Azumi's tear streaked face and a vision came upon her...

FLASHBACK

Kusanagi saw visions, flashes of Azumi's past. How she was once a beautiful, tall girl, with long black hair, luminous dark eyes, thick lashes, skin like porcelain. How the entire school admired her. And how she had a handsome boyfriend too. But there was another girl hidden in the shadows that was always watching Azumi, a girl who was envious of Azumi and her boyfriend. A girl named Madoka.

Madoka knew that Azumi couldn't swim and so one day told the girl that she had a very important message from her boyfriend Renji, which had said to meet her at the pool that day after school. Afraid of the pool but trusting her boyfriend's words and Madoka, Azumi went to meet Renji there but instead encountered Madoka, who pushed Azumi into the pool in order to drown her.

Azumi sunk helplessly under the water, but accepted her death, looking up at the sky through he water; she noticed how beautiful it was. She had always wanted to see what the sky looked like from underwater. And realized it was like becoming a part of the sky...

She was happy, content, at peace and had no regrets. However, a voice suddenly questioned her if this was really true:

Don't you have regrets? Don't you want to avenge your murder? Warn your boyfriend of the girl's intentions? She intends to steal him away, you know. Don't you want...revenge? Don't you want to see your boyfriend's face...one...last...time...?

_Yes._ Azumi found herself answering in her mind. _YES!_ She yelled out in her mind and so the _kappa_ demon that had been tempting her consumed Azumi's soul and body in order to turn Azumi into a _kappa_ demon herself, and in order for her to gain the power she needed for her revenge...

Azumi, consumed by the _kappa_ water demons, now a demon and a ghost herself, came up out of the pool, and was standing on the swirling pool water to confront Madoka now that she had control over the element of water. Madoka's eyes widened in fright as she saw Azumi come up out of the pool in such a way and that her appearance had changed. Azumi now had pointed ears, and greenish hued skin.

"A...monster...!" Madoka declared as she turned to run away.

Azumi smiled a chilling smile, "No, that's what _you_ are." She said before controlling the pool water so that it turned into a giant hand that reached out to grasp Madoka's fleeing body. Then the giant hand wrapped its fingers around Madoka's small body and consumed her within the water. Madoka struggled to free herself from out of the giant fist made of water but to no avail.

Azumi's eyes were hard, as cold as ice, "Look up. Isn't it beautiful? Look at how the sky looks when you're underwater. Now you'll become one with that sky too..."

Madoka panicked and struggled and then opened her mouth to scream but ended up swallowing water. She drowned in minutes. Azumi smiled, her revenge had been sweet. Now...to see her boyfriend Renji again...

Azumi sought Renji out intending to tell him everything that had happened to her but when he saw Azumi's 'new form' he screamed, called her a monster, and had tried to run away from her! Azumi became hurt, enraged, and had captured his fleeing form with a giant fist made of water in order to stop him.

"Why are you running away?" She demanded, voice cracking, "You said you loved me! That you would _always_ love me! No matter what! You liar!" Azumi despaired and unconsciously closed her water fist down and around her boyfriend. Before Azumi realized what she was doing her boyfriend had drowned within the hand made of water. Azumi looked at the sight of her drowned boyfriend in shock and gently set him down. "Why...why did you make me do that? _Baka_...I loved you so much..." Tears streaming down her face, Azumi laughed. "Isn't revenge bittersweet?"

END OF FLASHBACK

Kusanagi gasped when her eyes cleared of the vision. Azumi, the girl before her was...dead! Flashes of that school day went through Kusanagi's mind. Suddenly, everything made sense. That explained why the girls in art class thought she had been talking to herself. Also, Ranmaru's concerned stare at lunch when he had asked her who she had just been talking to. He had known...

"Azumi...you're...?" Kusanagi gasped.

Azumi's eyes hardened. "You should stay out of people's minds. Or did you see my past? What are you?" Azumi shook her head. "No matter, I know what you are. You're an ungrateful bitch. And now you will die! A beautiful death!" Using her _yokai_ strength Azumi grasped Kusanagi's body and dragged her underwater...

As she was being pulled under Kusanagi looked up at the sky through the water. It really was beautiful. But Kusanagi wasn't ready to die. Not just yet. Not until she had managed to get her revenge on HIM. _Ranmaru!_ She thought frantically. But no - there was no way he could hear her right?

However, there was a sudden splash as Ranmaru dove into the pool to save Kusanagi.

_Ranmaru!_ Kusanagi could see Ranmaru swimming towards them, with a slightly pained expression on his face? Naw. Kusanagi reached out her hand towards him and he quickly grasped it while at the same time punching Azumi, who was forced to let Kusanagi go.

Ranmaru swiftly swam back to the pool's edge and deposited Kusanagi there safely.

"Are you alright, _Oujo-sama?_ " Ranmaru was watching her, a slightly concerned expression on his face.

Kusanagi coughed the rest of the water out of her lungs. "Y-yes, thank you, Ranmaru." She thanked him before she realized what she was doing and a stunned, somewhat guilty expression formed on her face as she realized this. A small knowing smirk formed on Ranmaru's mouth as he watched Kusanagi's amusing internal conflict.

But just as Ranmaru was easing himself up and out of the pool something grasped his ankle and pulled him back into the water. It was Azumi.

Kusanagi had seen Azumi's past and had felt her pain and sadness. Because of her Grandfather's stories about spirits that he sometimes told her Kusanagi knew what had happened to Azumi - her body and soul had been consumed by the elemental _kappa_ demons and she had become a ghost demon herself. At Death's door, Azumi had found a way to cheat Death. To escape the Grim Reaper's clutches she had given her soul away to the demons who had consumed it. How very interesting. Azumi...like herself was an enemy of Death.

Kusanagi felt that Azumi and herself were kindred spirits despite everything and didn't want to see her be destroyed, and was worried that Ranmaru would easily destroy her having been witness to his strength. "Ranmaru! Don't kill her!"

Kusanagi tried to look down into the water where she saw Azumi and Ranmaru fighting and exchanging rapid blows. She expected to see Ranmaru with the upper hand but - it looked like just the opposite. Ranmaru was remaining still in the water and had to await Azumi's attacks as she swam at him with rapid speed. Ranmaru was on the defensive and blocked these attacks while trying to get an offensive attack in on Azumi before she would swim away again but it seemed futile. Azumi was just too fast, too much in her element. Azumi could not only control all of the water in the pool so that it felt like it was closing in and around Ranmaru, trying to crush him from all sides, but she could also become the pool water itself.

Ranmaru was at her mercy.

Uh oh.

Shinichi and Katsumi suddenly showed up and Kusanagi was surprised to see that it appeared that Orihime had brought them there.

"Kusanagi!" Katsumi called out.

"Kusanagi- _chan_ , what's going on?" Shinichi questioned nervously.

"Guys, you wouldn't believe me if I told you." Kusanagi frowned and shook her head.

Orihime surprisingly spoke up. "Ranmaru is fighting that girl...she must be a _kappa_ demon or something..."

"A _kappa yokai_?" Katsumi breathed worriedly.

Munch, Munch

Shinichi looked down into the pool, while munching on a bag of potato chips. "This looks bad..."

"Bad? But Ranmaru is-" Kusanagi began, somewhat frazzled.

Only to be cut off by Katsumi. "Unstoppable? Invincible? Extremely powerful? You know that better than anyone Shinichi."

Shinichi shook his head, "You two are forgetting something. Ranmaru is a nine-tailed fox _yokai_. That makes him a fire-type _yokai_ and so his weakness is water. In fact, water also has purifying properties and effects, and so Ranmaru as a pureblooded _yokai_ and being a fire-type _yokai_ must be in excruciating pain right now. It was extremely dangerous for him to dive into the pool in the first place...so why...?"

"He did it to save Kusanagi." Orihime put in helpfully.

Kusanagi looked down at the water. "Ranmaru..." _Ranmaru can't really be in danger can he? How long has he been down there? How long can he hold his breath before...?_

He'll drown. He'll drown if you don't help him.

Drown? That idiot! Why did he do something so reckless in the first place? If water is his weakness why did he dive in and-

He did it to save you, Kusanagi. Ranmaru cares about you...

_No!_ "No!" Kusanagi gripped her head and cried out. _No! I told myself I wouldn't let anyone care about me! I've been such a bitch to him too! Why...why...why hasn't he quit yet? He can't really care about me can he? Why!_ Kusanagi moaned and continued to grip her head in her two hands.

"Uh...is she okay?" Orihime asked tentatively, as Kusanagi spazzed out due to another of her internal struggles. "Think she got possessed?"

"Naw, that's perfectly normal." Katsumi explained with a chagrined smile.

"Normal? That girl really is crazy. She makes me so hungry watching her expend all that energy..." Shinichi declared shoveling handfuls of chips into his mouth.

Kusanagi's inner voice continued. _He does care and he wants to protect you. Whether you like it or not, Kusanagi, you are no longer alone._

A fierce look formed in Kusanagi's eyes, her mind was made up. She had to save Ranmaru. She wouldn't let anyone die for her sake ever again. She could...protect him! Save him! "Ranmaru!" Kusanagi yelled as she dove in after Ranmaru, the need to protect and save Ranmaru foremost in her mind.

"Kusanagi no!" Katsumi called after her and ran towards the pool edge, only to hiss down at the pool. Cats hated water after all.

Kusanagi swam down to where Ranmaru was and found that he had already lost consciousness. Epp! Azumi was moving in on him like a shark preparing her final strike for the kill. _Ranmaru! That bitch! How dare she do that to my Ranmaru!_ Kusanagi thought as she reached the two of them. _BITCH!_ She mentally screamed as she got in front of Ranmaru and punched Azumi hard as she was upon them. Azumi was shot backwards through the water from the force of Kusanagi's killer punch, and Kusanagi used this opportunity to grab Ranmaru's lifeless body and swim them back up to the pool's edge.

But Azumi was not one to be deterred that easily and shot back through the water towards Ranmaru and Kusanagi. _Silly girl, she isn't even paying attention, let alone looking behind her! Ha! She's as good as dead!_ Azumi thought as she raised her clawed webbed hand, prepared to strike Kusanagi from behind. She brought her claws down upon Kusanagi's back-

However-

Azumi's claws hit an impenetrable and invisible barrier and bounced back. _What the?_ Azumi tried to attack Kusanagi and Ranmaru again but her hand kept hitting this invisible shield. What is this? But when Azumi concentrated her _yokai_ senses she was able to See and identify what it was - a spirit shield. A pure white light was emanating from Kusanagi's body, and enveloping both her and Ranmaru's body protectively.

Kusanagi was using her spirit energy unconsciously to shield and protect them both from the _yokai_ Azumi. Spirit energy as pure as that naturally repelled a _yokai_ 's energy therefore repelling Azumi. Azumi blinked. That could only mean one thing. The girl was a _miko_ , or at least had the latent powers of a _miko_ or she had the potential to become a _miko_ buried deep within her. _Sealed perhaps...?_

Kusanagi swam them both to safety and to the pool's edge where her friends helped to pull both Ranmaru and Kusanagi up and onto the surrounding cement tiled area.

Katsumi looked worried as she looked at Ranmaru's unmoving form, "Is he alright?"

Shinichi bent over Ranmaru, "He's not breathing!"

"Quick! One of you perform CPR!" Orihime declared. And in unison all three turned to look at Kusanagi expectantly.

Kusanagi took a step back. " _Nani?_ Why are you all staring at me for! I can't perform CPR on...on...that _baka_!" She waved her hands frantically before her.

_Save him Kusanagi!_ Kusanagi's inner voice spoke up, laced with urgency.

I can't...it would be the same thing as kissing him! I can't...!

Admit it to yourself, ever since you laid eyes on him you've been wondering what it would be like to kiss him.

Kusanagi blushed. _I have not!_

Remember you can't lie to yourself...

Kusanagi began to spaz out in total embarrassment and began speaking out loud accidentally, " _Mou!_ I have NOT been dreaming about kissing that _baka!_ God dammit you _baka!_ This is _way_ too embarrassing! Wake up already dammit!" Kusanagi beat her fists frantically down upon Ranmaru's chest. And then Ranmaru turned his head and began coughing up water. Whew. Close call there. Safe. Kusanagi sighed in relief. "You see...I didn't need to perform CPR after all." She turned to look at the others expectantly.

Everyone was giving Kusanagi odd shocked looks however.

" _Oni_...she's a devil alright." Shinichi eyed Kusanagi warily.

"Tough love. She's an 'S' alright." Katsumi was shaking her head and looking down at Ranmaru sympathetically.

"What a total bitch." Orihime glared at Kusanagi, her golden eyes flashing.

Kusanagi frowned and glared back at them. " _Oi!_ Hey! Don't look at me like that. He's _alive_ isn't he? That's all that _really_ matters anyways! Hmph!" She crossed her arms over her chest.

Ranmaru unfazed stood up and blinked at everyone confusedly. "What...happened?"

Katsumi became all excited, practically bouncing in place. "Kusanagi dived in and saved you! And then she performed-"

Ranmaru's eyes widened in a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Kusanagi slapped her hand over Katsumi's mouth before she could say any more misleading things and laughed nervously, "Ehehehehe...don't listen to this bubble-head, Ranmaru. I did _not_...do anything weird to you."

Ranmaru gave Kusanagi a small smile and Kusanagi rubbed at her eyes sure that she must be seeing things. Ranmaru DID NOT smile after all.

However-

Evil laughter suddenly filled the air. It was Azumi.

"Wipe that smile off your face! This isn't over! I will drown all of you! And all of you shall become _kappa_ spirits too! _Kappa!_ I summon you!" Azumi declared standing on the water in the center of the pool and raising her hand high into the air.

All around her small whirlpools began to form on the pool's surface and then all of a sudden several _kappa yokai_ appeared, water demons, springing forth up and out of the whirlpools. They were most definitely NOT the cute kind of _kappa_ Kusanagi had sometimes seen depicted in paintings but the scary kind - these _kappa_ had lanky bodies, green skin, black scraggly hair, sharp teeth and nails, duck bills, turtle shells on their backs and were the size of small humans (around four feet tall) and _not_ the size of turtles.

They all leapt towards Kusanagi and the others, claws poised, ready to strike.

The girls and Shinichi screamed in fright while Shinichi's scream came out sounding just like a little girl. Kusanagi, Katsumi and Orihime all turned to look at Shinichi in disbelief, who blushed in response.

"Wha?" He shrugged and immediately began to stuff his face with chips rapidly in order to hide his embarrassment.

Ranmaru went into 'Super _Samurai_ Butler Mode'. Kusanagi turned to see him standing, looking pristine once more, and carrying a silver, serving tray with a domed top. "Allow me to serve you all some Hors D'oeuvres." Ranmaru removed the top from the covered tray to reveal that it was covered in delicious looking cucumber sandwiches. If Kusanagi didn't have the sneaking suspicion Ranmaru was 'going somewhere with this' she would have asked for one since they looked really good. He then picked up the sandwiches and began flinging them at the _kappa,_ who all eagerly opened their mouths and consumed the cucumber sandwiches greedily.

However-

The _kappa_ demons suddenly all looked sick and hands grasping their behinds they all made a mad dash for the nearest restroom.

Talk about anti-climatic.

Sweat-drops formed on everyone's brow in response.

"What the?" Azumi gaped in shock, "Ack! No! My _kappa_ minions! You'll pay for that!"

"Now that's what I call grade A service. Good job Ranmaru." Kusanagi smirked, pleased with her butler.

Ranmaru bowed with a flourish. "Milady."

Azumi looked back and forth between the two of them and huffed in anger. "J-just who are you two?"

"She's a bitchy heiress." Shinichi declared.

"And he's her _Samurai_ Butler." Katsumi put in.

Kusanagi began to egg Azumi on, "Come on then and get us! I dare you! If you're not too scared of my Super Butler!" Kusanagi turned and began smacking her ass teasingly, as if to say 'come and get me if you dare'.

Azumi blushed in response to Kusanagi's crude gesture, "You! I can't believe you! Argh!" Kusanagi then began making faces at Azumi by pulling down her lower left eyelid and then sticking her tongue out, and that's when Azumi had had enough. "How dare you make a mockery out of me!" Azumi leapt up out of the pool and rushed at Kusanagi, claws poised and ready to strike.

"Ranmaru." Kusanagi said slowly and Ranmaru instantly materialized in front of her. "Finish her off now Ranmaru \- but don't kill her."

Ranmaru bowed, " _Hai, Oujo-sama._ " He used his _yokai_ speed and rushed at Azumi while at the same time unsheathing his sword Kuroki Ryu.

Kusanagi filed her nails and was looking bored. "This fight is already over..."

Shinichi looked awed, "You actually managed to trick her into coming out of the pool Kusanagi. That was amazing!" He gushed.

Azumi ignored them as she rushed at Ranmaru and used her elemental control of water to let it rise up and out of the pool and form around her. Then as she punched her own fist forward a large fist made entirely out of water was formed and went shooting towards Ranmaru.

But Ranmaru had Kuroki Ryu now in hand and so he charged forward, a flaming aura of fox-fire forming around him and his sword. Ranmaru easily sliced through the fist and was then upon Azumi in seconds. He swung his sword and unleashed a fiery attack upon her and Azumi cried out as she was blasted back and into the pool with a large splash. Defeated.

Azumi, half dazed and dizzy-eyed, swam her way towards the pool's edge and tried to gather enough strength to pull herself up and out of the pool once more, but she sensed someone close by. Azumi looked up to see Kusanagi looking down at her and reaching her hand down to Azumi, with a slight smirk on her face.

Azumi blinked back up at Kusanagi in shock, why would Kusanagi help her after everything she'd just done? "Why...?"

Kusanagi's eyes sparkled. "Because we're the same."

Azumi frowned thoughtfully. "The same?"

Kusanagi lowered her voice so that only Azumi could hear, "We're both enemies of Death aren't we?"

Azumi's eyes widened and sparkled with unshed tears as she reached out to take Kusanagi's hand and allowed herself to be pulled up and out of the pool.

Hands still clasped together Kusanagi and Azumi smiled at each other...

***

Ranmaru watched Kusanagi with a half smile on his face. He'd finally figured out his Mistress. There was no longer any doubt in his mind. Not after today. All along he should have simply trusted his instincts that had told him this was a woman worthy of protecting. Instead he had let his emotions and past memories cloud his judgment.

His Mistress had nearly drowned while trying to save someone.

Kusanagi was no bitch.

A bitch would not have risked her life to save his either.

For whatever reason Kusanagi had created an elaborate mask and was pretending to be an evil bitch while on the inside she was a kind person.

He didn't mind so much that he had almost drowned since because of that he had managed to find out the truth...

But that only left more questions.

Why?

Why had she chosen to wear this mask that pushed people away?

Why was she fighting alone?

And who was she fighting against?

***

Ranmaru, who had been weakened by the water and the ensuing battle, finally passed out and turned into his smaller fox form, which was about the size of a small dog. In this smaller form he was a small copper-furred fox with only two tails.

Kusanagi noticed what had happened and went over to pick up the sleeping Ranmaru, and took him into her arms gently.

"Kusanagi sure does like animals..." Katsumi playfully teased.

"Oh shut up." Kusanagi glared back at the airhead. With Ranmaru protectively in her arms she turned to Orihime. "I'm sorry Orihime but I think you know what my answer is."

Orihime merely looked amused, "Yes, I believe that's obvious. Such a shame...but don't think I'm going to give up on getting Ranmaru for my own _Samurai_ Butler so easily. Until you really make it clear that you even want him, I'm going to make it clear to him that _I_ do."

"Kusanagi has always loved animals though so it would be hard for her to give up like the perfect man." Katsumi was saying excitedly. "You know, since Ranmaru is really a fox and all." Katsumi informed Orihime.

"KATSUMI!" Kusanagi shouted.

Ranmaru's ear twitched. His Mistress really was so loud, didn't she know he was trying to sleep?

### Chapter 6: Good things can result from misfortune

Kusanagi, Katsumi, Shinichi, and Ranmaru were crossing the schoolyard and making their way to the main school building when there was a sudden commotion in front. Someone was pulling up in a flashy red sports car and the female students were immediately causing something of an uproar.

" _Eeee~_ It's Haruka!" "He's back!" " _Eeee~_!"

Ranmaru turned to see what all the fuss was about and saw a young man about Kusanagi's age, with sandy blonde hair (it was obviously dyed), a pair of lavender-tinted sunglasses on his face, a sparkling Rolex on his wrist, a diamond stud earring in his left ear, and he was wearing the same black academy uniform as the boys at Kusanagi's school. Who did he think he was? Some kind of movie star or pop idol or something? Ranmaru mused.

Kusanagi turned around and caught sight of the young man only to slap a hand to her forehead and groan, " _Oh no_..."

Ranmaru's curiosity about the boy had immediately been piqued and so he bent down low to whisper in Katsumi's ear, "Who's that?"

Katsumi looked up at Ranmaru, blinking in surprise that he would come to her for information before grinning ear to ear and also lowering her voice conspiratorially. "Oh! That's Haruka. He's a popular male model. And I should probably warn you - he's in love with Kusanagi. He's been away from school due to 'family matters' supposedly but now that he's back he'll probably want to hang out with Kusanagi again."

Ranmaru blinked in surprise, this boy was in love with his Mistress? Ranmaru turned to his Mistress wondering how Kusanagi felt about him...? Did she really like flashy, handsome young men like him? Was that her type? His heartbeat quickened.

Haruka stepped out of his red _Pagani Zonda_ and was immediately surrounded by a gaggle of fan girls. In his arms he held a _gorgeous~_ bouquet of long-stemmed, red roses. He looked around calmly until he spotted Kusanagi.

Haruka immediately pushed his way through the crowd of fan girls and made his way towards Kusanagi. Kusanagi awaited his arrival almost expectantly, one eyebrow raised, while tapping her foot impatiently. Haruka came to stand in front of her and got down on one knee before gallantly offering her the bouquet of red roses.

The fan girls immediately all made 'cooing sounds'. "Awww!"

"My lady, please accept this token of my affection." He gave Kusanagi a dashing smile and his teeth sparkled...

" _Oi!_ Did you just see that?" Shinichi questioned Katsumi, who was nodding vigorously and looked a bit in awe or perhaps enamored with Haruka as well.

Kusanagi took the bouquet of flowers and Ranmaru's heart stopped. Did Kusanagi actually like this young man? If she did then there would be nothing he could really do except be supportive and continue to protect Kusanagi from the shadows. Besides, that's what he was supposed to be doing anyways. He was simply her _Samurai_ Butler and nothing more. Right?

But then Kusanagi's eye twitched and she raised the bouquet of roses high over her head and then quickly brought them down upon Haruka's head.

BAM

Poor Haruka had been whacked over the head with the bouquet of roses he had tried to gift to Kusanagi, and the thorns from the roses cut into the delicate skin of Haruka's face causing blood to run in rivulets down his face from the scratches.

Whoa. Ranmaru's eyes widened. Then again maybe not.

The fan girls all cried out aghast in anger and disbelief at Kusanagi's cruel actions. "What a bitch...!" One of the observing fan girls couldn't help but blurt out. "Doesn't she know you can't scratch a model's face!" Another added.

Kusanagi sent a glare in their direction, which quickly shut the girls up though.

Ranmaru turned his attention to Haruka, curious to see what he'd do next. Haruka was oddly enough still smiling with a goofy smile plastered to his face even though he was bleeding. That smile was kind of creepy Ranmaru decided and wondered if that was how Kusanagi had felt when he had began their...time together with a fake smile plastered to _his_ face. Haruka stood, seemingly unfazed. "Were the flowers not to your liking, princess? Then how about...!" Undeterred, Haruka pulled out a box of chocolates.

Kusanagi took the box before handing them over to Katsumi while not taking her eyes off of Haruka. "Here Katsumi."

"Yippeee!" Katsumi exclaimed and began jumping up and down in glee.

The other fan girls seemed oddly jealous, "Awww no fair!" "Why does _she_ get to have Haruka's chocolates?" "Damn...I should have thought of that."

Haruka's smile faltered slightly but he remained smiling anyways.

Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at him, mentally willing his mask to break. "Stop following me around, you perverted stalker. How many times do I have to tell you I have absolutely no interest in you! _Mou!_ " Kusanagi threw her arms up in the air.

Haruka struck a pose, holding his chin and trying to look dashing, "Ah, I know you don't mean that, kitten. After all what girl can resist this face...?"

"Your face is bleeding, you know..." Shinichi put in. "And right now you look kinda scary."

"Yea, like he's a victim from some horror movie." Katsumi nodded vigorously.

Haruka ignored them. "And when a girl says 'no' she really means 'yes'. You're just playing hard to get." Haruka gave Kusanagi a knowing look.

Kusanagi slapped a hand to her forehead and shook her head, "Of all the idiotic...! _Mou!_ " She looked up again to glare at him, her emerald green eyes sparking. "Just leave me alone already!" Kusanagi turned on her heel and began to stomp away.

Haruka deflated and became desperate. "Wait!" He reached his hand out towards her, "If you don't like flowers...or chocolates...how about...?" He reached into his school uniform and pulled out a large black velvet box. He popped the box open to reveal a sparkling, gaudy, diamond necklace inside.

All of the fan girls, including Katsumi, became starry-eyed and all cooed simultaneously, " _Oooo~_ "

Haruka smiled, his teeth sparkling, "Diamonds?"

"There it was again!" Shinichi exclaimed, referring to Haruka's star smile.

Katsumi merely nodded looking somewhat dazed.

Kusanagi turned around ready to yell at him again when she caught sight of Katsumi's starry-eyed expression and so decided to take the necklace. Haruka had a triumphant look on his face before he watched Kusanagi toss the box to Katsumi. His jaw dropped. " _Kusanagi~_ " He moaned despairingly, "Why oh why are you so cruel to me, princess? When I know deep down you truly love me!"

Kusanagi blushed, "You wish! Idiot pervert!"

Haruka again deflated but gathered his courage since he had one last gift to try. His trump card so to speak. No girl could resist this last gift. "Wait! I have one more gift for you, princess. And I _know_ you'll just love this one!" He pulled out a wrapped package.

Kusanagi hesitated ready to leave anyways but curiosity got the better of her. She sighed and took the package and began to unwrap it. Ranmaru, Katsumi, and Shinichi were all behind Kusanagi, peering over her shoulder as she unwrapped it since they were equally curious. Somewhere along the way Orihime and Azumi had joined their group and were also peering over Kusanagi's shoulder.

Kusanagi unwrapped the package to reveal that it was a flashy, eight and a half by eleven-inch, framed photograph of the male model Haruka. It was also autographed in purple ink. In the photo Haruka was wearing some sort of trendy, black leather, gothic outfit, with a purple feather boa around his neck. His signature lavender-tinted sunglasses were of course on his face and a single red rose was held between his sparkling teeth. Kusanagi's eye twitched. "It's a framed photo...of yourself..."

Haruka beamed and clapped his hands together enthusiastically, "I just knew you would love it!"

"Like hell I would!" Kusanagi was about to slam the framed photo over his head when-

Katsumi cried out. "No! Kusanagi!" There were actually tears in the girl's eyes.

Kusanagi started blinking at Katsumi in pure disbelief before she sighed heavily. "What's wrong Katsumi?" She sounded like she really didn't want to know.

Katsumi blushed and fidgeted with her hands, pressing the tips of her index fingers together. "Can I please have that photograph...?"

Kusanagi sighed again and handed the framed photo over to the airhead. "Knock yourself out."

"YES!" Katsumi bounced up and down ecstatic, "One of these is sure to be able to fetch a lot of money on Ebay!" Katsumi's eyes had turned into dollar signs.

Shinichi's jaw dropped, " _Oi!_ You want it for the money? Aren't you a fan! _Oi!_ "

Each time Haruka had handed Kusanagi a gift Ranmaru had an inexplicable feeling of unease but...as soon as it had left her hands and she gave the gift away to Katsumi the feeling simply went away. Ranmaru shook his head wondering what _that_ had been all about.

Haruka just didn't know when to quit and decided to go for the direct approach. "My princess, I know you've surely missed me. But do not worry I have returned to your side. I also know that absence makes the heart grow fonder and that you've been longing to kiss my sweet lips. But a shy demure lady-"

"What _lady_?" Shinichi looked around the schoolyard.

Haruka coughed. "Like yourself would never be able to voice such a request. So never fear, my princess! Your prince shall come to you! Kiss me, _my angel~!_ " Haruka leapt at Kusanagi, arms wide, lips pursed.

Ranmaru was too stunned at the audacity of this young man to react fast enough-

He was also hesitating since this young man seemed so sure that the Kusanagi on the 'inside' wanted to kiss him. Did he perhaps know something about Kusanagi's mask? Was it perhaps true then that Kusanagi did in fact want to kiss Haruka but had been acting again?

Luckily for Ranmaru, Kusanagi was always ready. Kusanagi smiled a chilling smile as Haruka was almost upon her before bringing her fist back and then moving it forward. "STOP KIDDING AROUND!" She let her fist slam into Haruka's face and he went flying backwards across the schoolyard-

Into a group of fan girls, who were all blasted back as well.

Strike. Kusanagi smirked to herself.

Haruka landed on his butt and swayed a bit dizzy-eyed. He rubbed his behind, which was in pain, pouting to himself, and murmured. "I think she likes me..." Before he fell forward, flat on his face.

Kusanagi wiped her hands off and stomped angrily inside the school building while Haruka's fan girls rushed to his aid.

Ranmaru scratched his head. Or maybe not.

Katsumi tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Maybe Haruka is a 'M'...?"

No one however paid attention to Katsumi's strange observations and was pointedly ignored.

" _Oi!_ Hey!" Katsumi complained.

***

During swim class Kusanagi was doing laps while Ranmaru was watching from a 'safe' distance. But then Haruka showed up wearing a purple mankini, which was a buttock-revealing unitary swimsuit that was also like the male version of the thong swimsuit except straps went over the man's torso and shoulders. His body was covered in oil so that his tanned skin was glistening in the sun. And he purposefully sat himself down on a nearby pool chair before posing sexily while trying to catch Kusanagi's attention.

All the girls who were at the poolside began swooning in response.

Kusanagi got up out of the pool and catching sight of what was going on sent a death glare Haruka's way. If looks could kill...

Haruka waved over at Kusanagi enthusiastically, " _Princess~!_ Come and put some sunscreen on my back would you, _pu-lease~_ I know you're just dying to!"

Kusanagi glared, her temple throbbing in ire, eye twitching, but she smiled a somewhat strained smile. "Oh? Be right there hun..." Kusanagi walked over and took a bottle of oil out from her backpack before she walked over to where Haruka was seated. She sat down innocently besides him before using her Herculean strength to push Haruka down roughly onto his stomach. "Lie down, hun."

BAM

She then began to apply oil to his back.

All of the fan girls promptly fell over in shock. Ranmaru felt like joining them. Ranmaru's eyes widened as Haruka moaned in pleasure and before Ranmaru realized what he was doing he had gripped the chain link fence that stood between him and Kusanagi and had torn a large hole into it accidentally with his claws that had suddenly emerged.

Shinichi took a step away from Ranmaru. "Down boy..."

"I _knew_ you wanted to do this, my little vixen. I _know_ you want me..." Haruka purred contentedly.

"Oh is that so?" Kusanagi's lip twitched.

Ranmaru watched the whole scene in shock. His _Oujo-sama_ was...? With...Haruka! Ranmaru felt...something he'd never really felt before. What was this twisting feeling in his gut that he couldn't quite name...? It was extremely unpleasant. He continued to rip the chain link fence to shreds unconsciously. All of the boys that had been standing next to Ranmaru began to walk away from Ranmaru very slowly.

"Someone's jealous..." Shinichi muttered in a voice he thought would have been too low for Ranmaru to hear.

_Jealous?_ Ranmaru blinked. Was that what this feeling was? Naw...he couldn't be...? Then Ranmaru noticed what he had done to the chain link fence. _Damn._

Shinichi saw Ranmaru's deflated expression and slapped him on the back in an assuring manner, "Hey, don't look so down Ranmaru. Kusanagi doesn't really like him. I can assure you of that!"

Ranmaru's anger suddenly deflated, "But-" He looked over at his Mistress and the model.

Shinichi just smiled, "You'll see. This is probably going to be good." Shinichi adjusted his monocle as he continued to watch the couple expectantly.

Kusanagi got up suddenly and wiped her hands off on Haruka's hair and then smirked. "There, all done... _sweetie_." She said, an edge of sarcasm in her voice. Kusanagi then turned and threw the empty bottle of oil into the leafy branches of a nearby tree.

Huh?

A strange buzzing sound then filled the air.

And a swam of bees unexpectedly came zooming out of the tree and headed towards the unsuspecting Haruka.

Haruka was still on cloud nine from Kusanagi's ministrations and somewhat dazedly spoke to himself, "Hey, this oil smells sweet...kinda like...honey...?" He began to catch the sound of the approaching bees however and something in his mind seemed to click. Yep, in life when things seemed too good to be true, it was usually because they were. "Uh oh..."

The swarm of bees attacked Haruka and he leapt up and ran from the bees in fright while screaming in a high-pitched voice.

A sadistic smile was on her face as Kusanagi laughed gleefully at her handy work. "You were right Haruka, I _so_ wanted to do that!"

Ranmaru and Shinichi sweat-dropped. This event had helped him to solve yet another of his strange yet interesting Mistress' many mysteries. Apparently, his Mistress was a closet sadist. Ranmaru nodded to himself. Or perhaps she was just an overall sadist...Ranmaru felt a chill go down his spine as he watched Kusanagi continue to cackle evilly. Gulp.

Shinichi was doubled over and laughing as well. "Told - ya - so-" He gasped.

Ranmaru flinched having sympathy pains as the bees stung Haruka. Yep, that _had_ to hurt.

Ranmaru had to give kudos to Haruka for one thing though - if anything he was persistent. But he couldn't forgive a man who had Kusanagi's hands all over his back like that...! It was unforgivable! Ranmaru felt like breaking or killing something...preferably Haruka's neck...

***

Poor Haruka, the hapless suitor had his many, many bee stings treated with creams and ointments by the school nurse, who had been a little _too_ happy to help Haruka and so had gone a bit 'bandage happy' since she had wrapped up all his bee stings so that Haruka now resembled a mummy. A mummy with sunglasses anyways. Well, at least he still had style.

After school Haruka walked down the streets of Akihabara and people screamed when they caught sight of him and ran away. Sigh. "Haven't you ever heard of cosplay!" He yelled angrily after them, shaking his fist at them as they fled. " _Mou._ " He hung his head and kicked a nearby soda can sending it flying.

Haruka moaned in despair, wallowing in self-pity, "Oh woe is me! Oh Princess why hast thou forsaken thy prince? And now..." Haruka glanced forlornly at his reflection in a shop window and moaned. "And now I'm _hideous!_ How will I ever win the heart of my ladylove looking like this?"

"Psst!" Came an insistent voice.

"Huh?" Haruka turned to see a strange little table had been set up in the front of an alleyway. There was also a very suspicious looking character-

"Hey, I'm not suspicious!"

Who was dressed up like a fortuneteller. But Haruka wasn't stupid. He saw that the girl could only be about 12-years-old. She was dressed all in black and had a large, dark blue, turban wrapped around her head that had a golden star in the center of it. She was also wearing black sunglasses - yep definitely suspicious - and had a crystal ball set out before her. The girl waved Haruka over and Haruka looked around and pointed to himself as if to say, 'You mean me?'

The girl nodded, "Come over here dearie, let me tell you your future." The girl crooked her finger at Haruka and tried to use a voice, which sounded like that of an old lady.

Haruka was still skeptical. "Why are you speaking like an old lady...you're just a brat...although..." Haruka looked her over, "Give me a call in 2-3 years." Haruka gave her his business card anyways.

Tsukushi blushed before coughing to regain her composure. "Shut up! I am wise beyond my years, you lolicon pervert! Anyways, let me tell you what I see..." She waved her hand over the crystal ball, which began to glow...

"Neat trick."

"Thanks." Tsukushi coughed, "You've been having tough luck in love, Mister."

Haruka's eyes widened, "It's true! I have! How did you know?"

"Silence! I know all~ I see all~ But ah, I see here, yes, you must not give up! You will eventually bring about my, err, I mean your happiness. Kusanagi, err, the girl you're in love with will fall in love with you for certain..."

Haruka nodded, "Tell me what I should do, oh wise one."

Tsukushi smiled, "Don't worry I know the girl's weakness...she likes unusual and sometimes dangerous things. Take this." Tsukushi pulled out a potted plant from seemingly out of nowhere - err from under the table.

Haruka blinked. "A plant?"

"This is no ordinary plant...if you give Kusa-err, the girl you love this plant she will fall in love with you with a one hundred percent probability rate!" Tsukushi nodded knowingly.

Haruka eyed the plant skeptically - it resembled an overly large Venus-fly trap, which had an unusual blood red color with white spots. Its 'plant teeth' were also overly long and menacing looking. This plant was _anything_ but _kawaii,_ cute. And girls liked cute things didn't they? "You sure about this, brat?" He frowned down at the plant.

Tsukushi nodded. "Yes."

Haruka sighed heavily giving in. "What do I owe you?" Haruka asked.

"Nothing, only let me know how things work out." Tsukushi began to cackle evilly.

"Riight..." Haruka gave the girl a strange look. She was most definitely _not_ cute especially not with that creepy laugh. "I'll do that. Thanks." Haruka turned to walk off. "What a strange, creepy little girl..."

"I heard that!"

***

Haruka got dressed in a flashy, purple velvet suit, along with a white feather boa that was wrapped around his neck, black boots, and a red rose was tucked in his lapel. He had his signature lavender-colored sunglasses on his face of course and he drove his way to the Kimamura estate in his red _Pagani Zonda_ , along with the mysterious plant.

He pulled up in front of Kusanagi's mansion and got out only to make his way to the front door hastily where he used the ornate doorknocker to announce his arrival.

In seconds the door opened. Haruka looked up to see that it was Kusanagi's new _Samurai_ Butler. He had noticed the strange stoic man from school. Did the man ever wear any expression on his face other than this blank one? What a weirdo. Haruka opened his mouth to speak but-

Ranmaru took one look at Haruka and slammed the door in his face! How rude! Haruka fumed inwardly; did that man have any idea who he was? He was...Haruka! Male model extraordinaire! Hmph!

Haruka heard a familiar voice coming from inside- " _Oi!_ Ranmaru who was that just now?" It was his angel!

"Newspaper...?" Kusanagi sounded confused and then she heard the sound of someone pushing past Ranmaru only to have the door open suddenly.

Haruka beamed at the sight of his ladylove and tried to launch himself at her. "Princess! Your knight in shinning armor has come to rescue you!"

"Huh?" Kusanagi said in a very un-cute manner, her mouth hanging open, "Rescue me from what? You...?"

Haruka paused and sent a glare Ranmaru's way, "Why from your evil, overprotective butler of course! How dare he try and stand in the way of our love! But no! Our love is too strong for that! It shall conquer all! Just like Romeo and Juliet."

"They died." Kusanagi deadpanned and then sighed, "How did this clown even get in here...?"

As if on cue several masked SP appeared around Kusanagi and went to their knees before her apologetically. These men were all dressed in black, had masks on their faces, and to both Ranmaru and Haruka appeared _ninja_ -like.

"Forgive us, _Oujo-sama_...he somehow got past the main gate's security...we're still trying to figure out how exactly." One SP explained.

Kusanagi sighed and ran a hand through her messy hair. "It's alright. Don't worry about it." She turned her attention back to Haruka. "Why are you even here?"

"Oh! I wanted to give you something - _special_." He smiled his star smile.

"Special?" Despite herself Kusanagi's interest was piqued.

Haruka pulled out the potted plant that he had been hiding behind his back- "Ta-da!" He held it out before him with a flourish.

Kusanagi took the plant and looked it over. Ranmaru half-expected her to bash the pot over Haruka's head but instead she smiled. "What a cute plant."

Ranmaru wasn't the only one gaping, open-mouthed and in shock at Kusanagi. _Kawaii?_ Cute? That plant...that looked like an overgrown, deadly, mutant, Venus flytrap or something was cute? Well, his Mistress did like dangerous creatures...

Kusanagi handed the plant over to her SPs. "Take this over to the green house, boys."

The SPs bowed obediently, " _Hai, Oujo-sama._ " And then they disappeared _ninja_ -like along with the plant in a poof of gray smoke.

Ranmaru frowned, since when did Kusanagi hire more SPs anyways? She didn't need them as long as she had him. Or perhaps it was the old man's idea.

Kusanagi seemed to be in a surprisingly good mood since she had liked the plant and turned to Haruka. "Why don't you come inside Haruka? I was just about to have some tea."

Haruka became teary-eyed in disbelief as he was actually being invited inside Kusanagi's mansion. He quickly composed himself and beamed at her. Bingo! "Would I? Thank you for your kindness Princess!"

"Yea, yea," Kusanagi waved off his praise and led the way back inside the mansion. Ranmaru led them both to the main dinning room and opened the door for the two of them. He pulled back a chair for Kusanagi to have a seat and then pulled back on a chair for Haruka as well - treating him like a girl.

Haruka frowned at him and waved him aside as if Ranmaru were a pesky fly. "Bzzzt."

Ranmaru began to serve the tea, setting a plate of his specially made _Shukurimu_ (chou cream, from the French chou a la creme) on the table before Kusanagi, and then pouring her a cup of tea.

"Oh, you must try one of these pastries. They're absolutely delicious. My butler Ranmaru makes them himself." Kusanagi picked up one of the cream puffs and plopped the entire thing into her mouth, crumbs going everywhere.

Ranmaru seemed to preen at her praise. If he had been a dog his tail would have been wagging back and forth happily.

"Don't mind if I do." Haruka reached out and grabbed a pastry, which he plopped into his mouth following Kusanagi's example. His eyes widened, as he tasted the delicious custard that was inside of the pastry. " _Oishii!_ Delicious! Your butler is really quite good..." He grudgingly admitted.

It was Kusanagi's turn to preen. "He is a good boy isn't he?" Ranmaru raised an eyebrow since it was as if Kusanagi was showing off her new, cute pet or something...? Naw. "He's even fully house trained." Kusanagi nodded knowingly. Ranmaru's eye twitched. She _was_ treating him like a pet! "Oh, Ranmaru, serve our guest some _hot_ tea please."

Haruka sweat-dropped, "Uh...right...good for him."

"So why were you out of school for so long?" Kusanagi asked in a somewhat indifferent manner.

Haruka's expression darkened, "My sister has fallen ill..."

Kusanagi seemed surprised by this. "Oh? I'm sorry. I hope she gets better."

Haruka nodded, "Thank you but...let's not talk of such things. Let's talk of happier things _neh_? Like...us."

"Us?" Kusanagi took a calm sip of her tea, but her eye was twitching.

Haruka reached out to take one of her hands in his, "Princess, I lo-"

But before he could say more Ranmaru began pouring the teapot directly over Haruka's head.

Haruka immediately spazzed out and leapt up from the table, causing his tea cup to fall off the table and shatter, "HOT! WATER! Someone get me some water!"

"Ranmaru!" Kusanagi tried her best to sound angry and to keep a straight face, "Bad boy! I mean heavens what has come over you? Is that any way to treat a guest at the Kimamura estate?"

Ranmaru bowed, his mouth twitching, "Forgive me, _Oujo-sama._ " Ranmaru then walked over to pick up a vase of flowers, which he then poured, over Haruka's head – flowers and all.

Haruka's relief was short lived. "Cold! Cold! It's so cold! I think it shrunk!"

Kusanagi was trying to hold back her laughter and Ranmaru was trying to hold back a smirk. There was a daisy stuck to the top of Haruka's head.

"Oh dear, you'll catch a cold like that. You had better run along home-" Kusanagi began trying to sound disappointed.

Haruka quickly regained his cool. Chance! "Princess, would you not have pity on me and allow me to use your shower?" Haruka shivered pathetically and gave Kusanagi his best 'puppy-dog look' his lower lip pouting cutely.

Kusanagi ruffled her hair in exasperation. He really did look quite pathetic. "Oh, alright already _mou!_ Fine! A shower - but then you need to go _home_ got it?" She narrowed her eyes at him.

Haruka beamed, " _Hai_ princess!"

Ranmaru led Haruka to a shower he could use and then left him alone. Haruka smiled to himself at his own deviousness. He had managed to create a perfect opportunity here. And he wasn't going to blow this chance. Haruka quickly showered and found a comfortable white robe to wrap himself up in before sneaking out of the bedroom where the shower he had used had been in, and began sneaking through the halls in search of Kusanagi's bedroom. He had the _purrfect_ plan.

So that when Kusanagi entered her bedchamber she found Haruka in nothing but a partially open bath robe, reclining on her bed, stroking her silken sheets in a very suggestive manner, and with a leering smile on his lips...

Kusanagi's eye twitched in annoyance.

"Hello there, my _koneko-chan_ , I know you've been imagining this all day. Why else would you have let me use your shower...no don't worry, you don't need to say anything - I already know you want me. After all, what girl could resist this hot bod of mine, _neh?_ " Haruka opened a bit more of his robe to reveal his lithe and nicely muscled chest, and ran his hand sensually over the expanse of his chest to tweak one of his own nipples, "Oh yes, _yes_...I know you want to do this too...to touch me...my princess...come I'm yours!" He beckoned to her.

Kusanagi's temple throbbed and she had turned red as she began to see WAY more than she ever wanted to see of Haruka's 'hot bod'. "Ranmaru!" She called, her voice laced with anger.

Ranmaru appeared in approximately 1.5 seconds in her doorway, "You called, _Oujo-sama?_ "

Kusanagi looked at her nails, a bored expression on her face, "There's a bug in my bed."

Ranmaru turned his cold, emotionless golden stare on Haruka. "I see, a bed bug. Please forgive me _Oujo-sama._ " He suddenly put on a pair of gloves and a gas mask. "I shall fumigate your room right away." He said in his monotone voice.

Kusanagi smiled, " _Dozo._ Please go ahead." She motioned him inside.

" _Nani...?_ " Haruka gave the two nervous looks.

Ranmaru used his _yokai_ speed to rush at Haruka, lift him up off the bed, and simply tossed him out the bedroom window - the male model went crashing through the glass causing it to shatter. Opps. "I thought the window was open." Ranmaru explained, half-heartedly.

"Think he's still alive?" Kusanagi did not sound too concerned.

"Don't worry, I threw him out that particular window because I placed the trampoline there earlier." Ranmaru's motto – always plan ahead.

Kusanagi smirked, amused, "Planning ahead huh?"

"I smelled his arousal and so predicted he might do something stupid like this, _Oujo-sama._ " Ranmaru bowed humbly.

Kusanagi became flushed, "That is so...disgusting!" Kusanagi coughed to regain her composure and turned her attention back to Ranmaru. "But...I have to hand it to ya Ranmaru. God job, taking out the trash! Good boy! Ha!" Kusanagi whacked Ranmaru _hard_ on the back in an appreciative manner a few times.

Ranmaru coughed from the force of Kusanagi's blows, "Thank you, _Oujo-sama._ I think."

They both suddenly looked at each other, Kusanagi's hand was still on Ranmaru's arm and they both blushed simultaneously. Ranmaru opened his mouth to say something but Kusanagi began to spaz out and punched Ranmaru. "Personal bubble! _Baka!_ " Ranmaru went flying across the room where he landed sprawled out on his knees.

Ranmaru touched his hurt jaw and pouted. " _Oujo-sama_..." But...the punch hadn't really felt all that bad. In fact...for some reason it made Ranmaru feel funny, there were these odd butterflies fluttering in his stomach as he looked up at Kusanagi, who was towering over him with a glare on her beautiful face, her emerald green eyes glittering in anger. The punch hadn't really hurt much either since Kusanagi hadn't put much power behind it anyways...and the feeling of Kusanagi's hand connecting with his face...had felt...good. What was this feeling...? Why was his heart pounding so fast...?

Ranmaru shook his head. What the hell was wrong with him? Was he so starved for Kusanagi's attention that even violent attention from her seemed...good?

But if Kusanagi was anything like HER - she would continue to beat Ranmaru into a bloody pulp before having her way with him. _Oh yes...take advantage of me Oujo-sama...punish me Oujo-sama...!_ Ranmaru looked up at Kusanagi expectantly, waiting for...

Gulp.

Kusanagi blinked at his odd expression. "What are you...?" She blushed suddenly. There was something about Ranmaru's open, slightly vulnerable expression that screamed 'take me now!' as he was laid out on the floor like that and it unnerved her. There was suddenly something oddly _sensual_ or sexual about this entire situation. How the hell had that happened? Gulp. Kusanagi shook her head and glared. There was her over-active imagination again! It was playing tricks on her mind! " _Baka!_ Hurry up and get yourself up off the floor already! _Mou!_ What the hell is wrong with you? Weirdo..."

Ranmaru immediately stood up, " _Hai, Oujo-sama._ " Was it Kusanagi's imagination or did he sound somewhat dejected or disappointed? _Uso?_ _No way! Ranmaru is not some man with a dark past...or ex-sex slave or something!_ Kusanagi exclaimed in her mind.

Wow, someone's mind is in the gutter today.

Oh shut up!

Kusanagi could feel the _sexual_ tension between them though. It was so thick in the room one could have cut it with a knife. She couldn't take much more of this. She had to say something, anything! Kusanagi turned to Ranmaru and opened her mouth to speak but Roze suddenly barged into the room-

" _Taihen!_ It's terrible! Kusanagi! Ranmaru! It's an emergency!" Roze cried as she rushed into the room, panting for breath, putting Ranmaru immediately on his guard. If it was something that made Roze act like this, whatever it was wasn't good.

Kusanagi's back also straightened, "Roze? What is it? What's wrong?"

"It's the SPs...that plant that Haruka brought earlier was no ordinary plant it...the SPs are..." Roze covered her mouth and appeared as though she would be sick. She turned to Ranmaru. "Ranmaru you must go and try to stop that plant! Kusanagi must remain here with me."

Ranmaru nodded, " _Hai_ Roze- _san_."

But Kusanagi would have none of this and glared at the two of them angrily. Bunch of over-protective...! "Why don't you two stay here instead!"

"But _Oujo-sama_ -" Roze began.

"And that's an order! Stay here! Both of you!" Kusanagi declared and rushed off.

" _Oujo-sama!_ "

"Kusanagi- _sama!_ "

But Kusanagi paid them no mind and rushed through the halls and out of the mansion to the green house. The green house was another large, domed, glass structure, though smaller than her menagerie. Screams of pain and terror echoed from within and blood suddenly splattered on the glass from inside of the green house.

Kusanagi's eyes widened in shock, 'something' or 'someone' was killing her SPs! Kusanagi clenched her fists at her sides, anger pulsing through her veins and giving her strength and courage when otherwise she would have been afraid. Kusanagi kicked the door to the green house open and rushed inside.

Roze's voice called out behind her, "No! Kusanagi don't!" Had her head maid chosen to disobey her orders and tagged along? She would have to deal what that stubborn maid of hers later.

Kusanagi rushed inside the green house to behold a bloody and gruesome sight. There in the center of the green house was a giant plant that seemed to be going berserk. Somehow the small plant that Haruka had gifted her with had increased in size and was now about the size of a jeep. Blood was dripping down from the plant's gapping open mouth...and Kusanagi suddenly knew what had happened to the SPs in order to cause the carnage that Kusanagi was now noticing as she turned her head to look around the inside of the green house. There were severed body parts everywhere - arms, legs, and heads.

Kusanagi saw that a few SPs were still trying to make a final stand against the man-eating plant. They raised their guns and fired at the gaping mouth of the plant but it seemed to have no effect. Green tentacle, whip-like appendages shot out of the plant's mouth and towards the unsuspecting SPs.

An SP caught sight of Kusanagi, " _Oujo-sama_ stay back!" Why did that voice make her heart stop? Why did that voice sound so oddly familiar?

A whip-like plant tentacle shot out at Kusanagi and the SP cried out. " _Oujo-sama_ , look out!" The SP pushed her out of the way and Kusanagi watched in horror as the tentacle wrapped around the SP's ankle and pulled him back towards the gapping, open mouth of the plant - its long plant teeth fully visible and already coated in blood. In seconds, the SP had been pulled inside of the Venus fly trap-like plant mouth and devoured.

"Kusanagi! Close your eyes! Don't look!" Roze called out frantically.

But Kusanagi was too afraid to close her eyes...all the SPs had the Grim Reaper's shadow behind them. The sounds of bones breaking, cracking, being crunched upon, echoed throughout the greenhouse eerily as the killer plant closed it mouth down upon the SP - blood and guts spewing into the air, some of which hit Kusanagi's cheek.

The SP's head flew out and rolled across the bloodied floor towards Kusanagi. The SP's mask had been ripped off his face due to the plant's acid and the face was now revealed.

Kusanagi's eyes widened in horror as she looked down upon the face.

Mamoru.

"Mamoru!" Kusanagi cried out in utter despair and confusion.

Kusanagi then watched terrified as the Grim Reaper's shadow began rising up from all of the fallen bodies of her SP, all their now dead corpses, and transformed into something that was more alive, more real, like a solidified shadow. The Grim Reaper in the flesh. Except there wasn't just one Grim Reaper but several doppelgangers or copies that had come to life. She watched her face pale, her body shaking, trembling, and her pupils were dilated in fear as the Grim Reapers brought their scythes down upon the fallen SP harvesting their souls...

The SPs were getting killed one by one and Kusanagi remained frozen in place, unable to move, to scream, or to do anything. She was paralyzed with fear. She was also about to have a panic attack as the gruesome scene before her began to cause buried memories to resurface of _that day_. _This has to be some kind of nightmare...please I want to wake up now..._

Then a tentacle whip shot out and grasped Kusanagi around her waist and began to reel her in and back towards the plant's gaping, open mouth, as more acid was spilling forth from the plant's mouth and dripping down onto the green house floor where it burned gaping holes there.

"Kusanagi! Call him! Call Ranmaru!" Roze called out urgently.

_Call him! Ranmaru will save you!_ Kusanagi's inner voice agreed.

Kusanagi blinked. _Ranmaru...?_ "RANMARU! COME BOY!" Kusanagi yelled as loudly as she could.

***

Ranmaru had already been about to try his luck in disobeying Kusanagi's careless order when he sensed Kusanagi's distress through the Control Collar...

And then finally he felt and heard her direct command for him to return to her side. Ranmaru immediately used his _yokai_ speed to reach the green house in seconds. He sped through the doorway just in time to see Kusanagi suspended in midair, plant tentacles wrapped tightly around her body as it began to pull her down towards its wide-open, gapping mouth. To Ranmaru the plant now completely resembled some kind of overgrown man-eating Venus flytrap.

Ranmaru didn't have time to take notice of the bodies nor body parts that littered the floor of the green house. Ranmaru's full attention was focused completely on Kusanagi.

"Kusanagi!" Ranmaru unsheathed his sword and pointed it towards the plant.

Kusanagi's eyes snapped open, "R-r-Ranmaru!" Kusanagi panted strangely and Ranmaru noticed how the plant's tentacles were sensually wrapping around Kusanagi's body, around her arms, breasts, trailing up between her legs towards her womanhood...

Ranmaru's eyes widened in shock. He had read some _ecchi manga_ and so knew where this was going! That perverted plant was about to take advantage of his Mistress! Ranmaru blushed, somewhat turned on by the sight, and shook his head hating himself for it. Now was most definitely not the time! That plant may have had perverted plans for his Mistress but not on his watch!

Ranmaru gathered his _yokai_ energy so that it formed a fiery red aura of flames around him and his sword. Unleashing a battle cry Ranmaru charged forwards towards the plant. " _Hooryahhhh!_ "

Ranmaru leapt up into the air and sliced his sword through the tentacles that had Kusanagi moving his sword in a sideways slash. As her body fell down through the air and towards the open plant mouth Ranmaru grabbed her and held her close to his chest with his left arm, while his right arm was still holding his sword, so that as they fell down through the air and towards the plant's mouth Ranmaru raised his sword and brought it down upon the killer plant in a fierce downwards slash.

Ranmaru cut through the plant while at the same time releasing some of his _yokai_ energy so that it empowered the attack with his fox-fire. The killer plant cried out as it was cut in half and exploded into a spray of plant goo and blood, which came raining down upon Ranmaru and Kusanagi...

Ranmaru's fox-fire began to eat away at the plant and the plant continued to cry out as it was burned alive.

Ranmaru leapt down, still cradling Kusanagi protectively in his arms. He then looked down at his Mistress to see if she was alright-

And Ranmaru's heart broke at the sight of his beautiful and powerful Mistress. Kusanagi was pale, trembling, her eyes wide with fear, her pupils dilated, her teeth chattering. She looked as though she were about to have a nervous breakdown or panic attack of some kind. Her breathing was becoming irregular. She looked like a porcelain cup that was about to shatter. Ranmaru waved a hand in front of her face and saw that she could see but was not seeing him. She was going into some kind of shock...

" _Oujo-sama?_ " Ranmaru hesitantly tried, feeling at a loss of what to do.

Kusanagi looked up at the sound of his voice, but he could tell that she still didn't really _see_ him and then Kusanagi began to struggle to get out of his grasp. "Let me go...it's not too late...I can...I can save him!"

Ranmaru put Kusanagi's struggling form gently on the ground and watched as she ran over to pick up a severed head.

"Mamoru...don't worry...I can still save you...Mamoru? Why aren't you saying anything?" Kusanagi began to laugh hysterically before her body suddenly swayed and her eyes closed as she passed out, falling forward, and the head fell from her limp fingers.

" _Oujo-sama!_ " Ranmaru yelled as he rushed to her side and caught her before she would have hit the ground in her faint.

The head rolled across the floor before it stopped with its face facing upwards. Ranmaru's golden eyes narrowed at the revealed face. A man who had messy, spiky brown hair and aquiline features. He had a handsome face. Mamoru? Who was Mamoru? Ranmaru's attention then turned to the other fallen bodies of the SPs...Ranmaru walked over to another of the fallen bodies and turned it over with his foot curiously.

"No! Ranmaru don't!" Roze called out.

Ranmaru looked down at the dead man's body. This man's mask had also been eaten away by the plant acid...

And his face...Ranmaru brows rose...it was the _same_ face as the man that Kusanagi had called Mamoru. What the hell was going on?

Ranmaru turned to give Roze an expectant look.

Roze sighed resignedly, "Ranmaru, for now let's get Kusanagi inside..."

Ranmaru nodded, but he expected to get some answers about all this and soon.

***

Kusanagi didn't know how long she'd been asleep...but as she was waking she could hear Ranmaru and Roze talking and Ranmaru sounded oddly angry, which was unusual since his voice was usually so monotone.

"Roze, just who...or what were those SP?"

"Clones."

Ranmaru blinked. "Clones of...Mamoru?"

Roze sighed heavily. "Yes."

"Who was Mamoru?"

"Kusanagi's former _Samurai_ Butler he-"

But before Roze could say more Kusanagi sat up in bed looking furious, sparks shooting out of her eyes. "Shut up Roze! Remember your place!"

"Kusanagi- _sama!_ " Roze gasped and immediately looked sheepish.

"I can't believe this! I was mad enough when Grandfather said he was going to hire some more SPs since HE had been spotted in the city. But it was all lies...I can't believe Grandfather would go that far...!" Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at Roze. "Why didn't you tell me Roze?"

"How could I...?" Roze looked away, biting her lower lip.

"I can't believe Grandfather did this. This time he's gone too far! Argh!" Kusanagi flung her comforter off of her and hopped out of bed. Barefoot and clad only in her pj's she stomped her way out of the room and down the hall towards her Grandfather's study - knowing that after everything that had happened that night he would most likely be there. Ranmaru was trailing after her but she wouldn't tell him to stay behind again...

Kusanagi slammed the door to the study open and stalked inside. As predicted her Grandfather was seated at his desk.

"Kusanagi dear-" Kimamura- _san_ began pleasantly.

Kusanagi frowned, livid with anger. "Don't you 'dear' me! How dare you! How could you? Why would you do such a thing! _Why?_ " The last word cracked.

Kimamura- _san_ sighed and shot a look at Ranmaru wondering how much he should and could say before speaking. "I think you can guess why. I knew that he would protect you to the death...and so cloning him to use as SPs seemed like a good idea...at the time. It was...regrettable to lose such a competent _Samurai_ Butler, you see. Besides Kusanagi they're _just_ clones...it's not like they're the _real_ Mamoru after all. They don't even have souls-"

Tears were streaming down Kusanagi's face, "You old fool! So now you want to play God? You know nothing! I saw..." She shot a look in Ranmaru's direction. " _It_. I saw...those men have souls!"

Ranmaru's golden eyes narrowed curiously at Kusanagi. _It?_

Kimamura- _san_ also seemed equally worried, "You saw...?"

Kusanagi nodded, her expression grim, "Yes, I did."

Kimamura- _san_ steepled his fingers together, "I see...then I'm sorry."

"Don't be sorry. Just make sure you don't let something like this happen ever again. So no more clones!" Kusanagi waved her hands adamantly through the air.

"What about the ones I've already prepared?" Kimamura- _san_ picked something out of his ear.

"You didn't?" Kusanagi was aghast.

Kimamura- _san_ flicked it off into the air carelessly. "Shall I dispose of them?"

"No you shall not! _Mou!_ Geez! Just...equip these clones with better weapons this time. Perhaps...he misses his sword. A _Samurai_ Butler can't be a true _samurai_ without his sword, his soul, now can he? Or maybe just some rocket launchers or something for some more fire power. But these are the last! Got it?" Kusanagi pinned him with her angry stare.

Kimamura nodded solemnly, "Yes and Kusanagi I really am sorry. I never meant for you to have to witness such a thing I-"

"Yea, well, it's too late now isn't it?" Kusanagi spat, "I saw...I'm emotionally scarred now! Thanks to you! Gods, I'll probably need therapy now or something - which _you_ are so going to have to pay for!" She hissed.

"If you need therapy I will gladly pay." Kimamura earned a book in his face for his offer.

"I don't _need_ therapy! I'm NOT CRAZY!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, panting for breath and then deflated turned to Ranmaru. "Ranmaru, help me back to my room, I'm...tired." Kusanagi sighed heavily.

Ranmaru bowed, " _Hai, Oujo-sama._ " He said before picking Kusanagi up and swooping her into his arms bridal style.

" _Oi!_ " Kusanagi turned beet red, "Just what the hell do you think you're doing? _Baka!_ "

"Escorting you to your room of course." Ranmaru declared in his monotone voice as he turned to go.

Kusanagi began beating on his chest, "Put me down this instant! Ranmaruuuu!"

Kimamura watched them go with an expression that was both sad and amused at the same time. At least something good seemed to come out of all this mess. _It seems she's finally beginning to trust again..._

### Chapter 7: Some men look good in drag? Huh?

The very next day...

Kusanagi was pissed. And that was putting it lightly.

A man-eating plant had eaten her SP and she had suffered psychological damage. She'd probably need therapy now. And it was all Haruka's fault. As soon as she saw the fruity bastard she beat the crapola out of him.

Haruka had caught sight of his princess by the school gates and rushed to greet her, arms spread wide, "Kusanagi- _chan!_ Princess! Koneko- _chan!_ "

Kusanagi waited for just the right moment and when Haruka was close enough she sent her fist flying into Haruka's face so that he was sent sprawling back, teeth flying.

Yep, suffice it to say that Haruka realized Kusanagi hadn't been too thrilled with his gift after all.

A beaten up and dejected Haruka stumbled down the streets of Akihabara. Again he looked at his beautiful reflection, which Kusanagi had defaced...and pouted. He was hideous. His face was black and blue and swollen. He turned and saw a giant billboard advertisement for a soda campaign that had used him. There his face was perfect, so was his hair, make-up, and clothes. Yep, he looked totally _cool~_ , glamorous. Haruka smirked smugly to himself. What girl could resist him?

A few girls passed Haruka by just then and Haruka turned to throw them a wink and his dashing smile, teeth sparkling (though he was now missing a few teeth in places), "Hey there ladies."

The cute girls instantly freaked out at the sight of his hideous face, "Eeeeyeee! It's a perverted stalker! Ahhh!"

Haruka put up his hands in a helpless gesture, "No, wait, I'm-" He was about to motion to the overhead billboard.

But the girls did not seem to want to see reason and began beating him over the head with their school bags. Ow. What did girls keep in their bags these days bricks?

A policeman caught sight of them and arrived on the scene, " _Oi!_ You there!" The policeman took out a club, ready to use it on Haruka next.

"Oh shit...better run for it!" Haruka took off running with the policeman hot on his heels. He caught sight of an alleyway and quickly ducked down it.

"Psst."

Haruka turned around and was surprised to see the same strange fortune-telling girl from before. He was immediately incensed. "You!" He stomped over to her and glared, slamming his hands down on the table that she had set up before her. "Do you have any idea what happened to me because of that plant you gave Kusanagi?"

"She beat you up didn't she?" Tsukushi's eyes didn't leave her crystal ball, and she waved her hand over its pearlescent surface in a mysterious manner.

Haruka blinked. "Well - yes, she did. How did you know that?"

Tsukushi looked over his bruised and battered form. Cough. "I am psychic remember? And don't worry this has all been part of my plan. This time for certain you will win Kusanagi's heart!"

Haruka gave her a skeptical look. "Oh no...why should I trust you again? The last time sure as hell didn't work."

"Oh but this time will work one hundred percent. As long as you have - this." Tsukushi pulled out another potted plant.

Haruka groaned. " _Another_ plant?"

"Shut up! Look closer you pitiful human! This is no ordinary plant."

Haruka squinted at it. "Is that?"

Tsukushi smiled a cat's paw smile, "Indeed it is. Behold - the mythical Blue Rose that no woman can resist!"

"Is that...real? You didn't just dye some normal white rose blue now did you?" Haruka narrowed his eyes at her.

"Hell no!" Tsukushi growled back indignant, "Of course it's real! What do you think this is a petty scam? I can assure you this is the real deal! Give this rose to Kusanagi - she won't be able to resist it and then I, I mean, _you_ will get what you want!"

Haruka took the plant eyeing it suspiciously, "I sure hope so...my bruises have bruises at this point."

Tsukushi nodded, "Don't worry, I see success in your future...Buwhahaha!" She began to cackle evilly.

Haruka raised an eyebrow at her, "What's with the evil laugh?"

Cough. "Evil? No, no, this is my laugh of...err...happiness. Yea, that's right. Haven't you heard a cute girl laugh extra happily before, Mister?"

"Riighhht." Haruka scratched his head thoughtfully. He then shrugged and decided he didn't have much to lose anyways. He turned and left the alleyway without another word.

Haruka then headed home to get dolled up for Kusanagi before driving in his flashy red sports car back to the Kimamura estate. He neared the barred, front gates that had been closed and locked against him. He could see the security cameras swiveling towards his car as it approached, and the mounted guns on top of the gate were also targeting his car. Haruka pressed a button on his dashboard and two panels opened up on the front of his Pagani Zonda before firing two rockets. These rockets went flying towards the front gate and blasted it open.

KABOOM

This was how he had gotten past Kusanagi's security the last time. Haruka smirked, there really wasn't anything money and connections couldn't buy. Haruka pressed down on the gas and floored it, speeding through the flames and debris of what was left of the gate.

Haruka nonchalantly pulled up at the front of the mansion and got out of his car, potted plant in hand. He walked up the front steps swiftly and used the doorknocker to knock on the door loudly.

The door opened in seconds. It was her damned butler again...what was his name? Ranmaru? Haruka opened his mouth to speak but Ranmaru immediately closed the door in Haruka's face. Haruka felt a trickle of sweat form on his brow before his temple throbbed in irk.

"Dammit! Let me in! I'm here to see Kusanagi you great big buffoon of a guard dog!" Haruka pounded on the door with his free hand.

Haruka then heard voices from the other side of the door-

"Ranmaru, who's at the door?" It was his Angel's voice.

"Newspaper salesman." Then Kusanagi said something Haruka didn't catch. Then- "No, allow me, _Oujo-sama._ "

Haruka quirked his head at the door before Ranmaru threw the door open in such a way that it hit Haruka directly in the face so that he painfully went flying down the stairs. _Doesn't that door open the other direction to begin with?_ Haruka thought dazedly as he picked himself up off the ground. Thankfully the plant was undamaged. Haruka dusted himself off and stalked back up the steps, trying to appear composed, but failed miserably. When he saw Ranmaru's smug expression he burst out. " _Oi!_ What the hell?"

Kusanagi's expression darkened when she caught sight of him, " _You_...what do _you_ want?"

Haruka instantly smiled as he turned towards Kusanagi, "I came to apologize. I don't know what misfortune the plant from before brought you but I am truly sorry. I wanted to make it up to you and so I brought-"

"Another plant." Ranmaru deadpanned.

Haruka flushed but held out the plant anyways, "This is no ordinary plant, you fool! This is the mythical Blue Rose!"

As he held out the plant Kusanagi finally looked over at it and then her attention seemed to focus solely on the plant. "The mythical Blue Rose...it's real....?" Her voice had a tinge of awe to it as she reached out to take the plant. She looked up at Haruka and then smiled slightly. "Thank you, I shall accept your gift."

Haruka was elated, that is, until Kusanagi slammed the door in his face.

"Hey! Wait!" Haruka called out in a mixture of shock and surprise. That wasn't how it was supposed to work. "Don't you want to give me a thank you kiss or something?"

Haruka pressed his ear up against the door to listen in on her response. "Ranmaru, isn't it time to take out the trash?" Kusanagi questioned thoughtfully.

"I believe so, _Oujo-sama._ " Huh? Ranmaru came out the door with several trash bags suddenly and threw them all at Haruka who was blasted back and covered in garbage. _Why me?_ "Today is so not my day..." Haruka passed out.

***

Meanwhile, back inside the mansion...Kusanagi was in the tearoom observing her Blue Rose while Ranmaru was serving her tea.

Ranmaru gave the Blue Rose a suspicious look. He had a bad feeling about that plant but he didn't understand why. It simply unsettled him and sent the hair on the back of his neck prickling in warning.

Kusanagi had a dazed look on her face as she continued to stare at the Blue Rose, "Isn't it...beautiful?"

Ranmaru looked at Kusanagi worriedly, " _Hai, Oujo-sama,_ here your _Mille-feuille_ pastry otherwise known as a Napoleon." The desert was a rectangular piece of pastry with thin flaky layers that were filled with custard cream. "To make this cake I used layers of puff pastry and filled those layers with custard cream. I have glazed it with vanilla and chocolate icing that I combed into that design on the top of it." With a flourish Ranmaru set down the delectable looking pastry before Kusanagi, which she had requested of him earlier. It had been one of her usual challenging requests since the French pastry was by no means easy to make. But Ranmaru was pleased with himself by how well the pastry had turned out. He was sure that his Mistress would be pleased. Kusanagi could hide her feelings pretty well, sure, but when it came to food she was an open book. She would always inhale the extravagant deserts that Ranmaru had gotten into the habit of making for her.

She would always eat his food enthusiastically, passionately, and with a warm open smile on her face too. Ranmaru wondered dully if his Mistress was even aware of this fact. Because of this Ranmaru always made sure to cook with all his emotions hoping that his feelings would reach Kusanagi somehow...

Feelings that even Ranmaru had yet to identify clearly.

But instead of diving into the French pastry as she normally wanted Kusanagi ignored it, her attention remaining fixated on the Blue Rose.

Alarm bells went off in Ranmaru's mind. His Mistress was _not_ acting normal.

And so when Kusanagi began to reach her hand out towards the flower, as if in a trance or slightly hypnotized state, Ranmaru acted quickly.

" _Oujo-sama_ no!" Ranmaru quickly slapped the Blue Rose out of Kusanagi's reach. The Blue Rose skidded across the table, fell off, and the pot broke when it hit the floor.

Thump, thump

Ranmaru looked down at his hand seeing the blood there where the sharp and deadly thorns had pierced into his flesh. Ranmaru flinched when he felt 'it' painfully flowing through his veins-

Poison.

Ranmaru quickly summoned a small ball of fox-fire into his hand and threw it at the Blue Rose, which lay still and harmless looking on the floor. The Blue Rose caught fire and was instantly consumed.

As soon as the rose was destroyed Kusanagi blinked, seeming to come back to her senses. "Ranmaru...?" She looked over to see the burning Blue Rose and her expression turned angry. " _Oi!_ Why did you do that? It's not like you to act jealous, Ranmaru." Kusanagi teased as she turned to face him but Ranmaru had turned deathly pale and had sunk to his knees, the poison already taking effect.

Kusanagi's eyes widened in concern, "Ranmaru!" She ran over to his side, "What's wrong?" She placed a hand on his shoulder.

Ranmaru was panting for breath and in extreme pain, "Poison...the Blue Rose..."

"Poison?" Kusanagi began to freak out, "I'll...call our personal doctor right away. Roze! ROZE!" Kusanagi yelled.

Kusanagi moved to stand but Ranmaru grabbed her arm, stopping her, and panted, "Spiritual... _yokai_...poison..." He gasped before falling forward and passing out.

"Ranmaru? Ranmaruuu!"

***

Roze rushed into the tearoom and spotted Ranmaru on the floor passed out and looking as pale as a ghost. "Kusanagi- _sama_ , what happened?"

Tears welled up in Kusanagi's eyes, "Ranmaru he...the Blue Rose...was poisonous and he destroyed it but...now Ranmaru's poisoned. He...protected me...oh Roze!"

"Calm down, don't worry Kusanagi- _sama_ I'll call the doctor right away."

"Please hurry Roze...he looks bad."

Roze curtsied, " _Hai_ , Kusanagi- _sama_." Roze ran over to the phone and dialed their personal doctor, Dr. Tanaka, who arrived at the estate in minutes.

Roze, Kusanagi, along with the help of the new SPs helped to move Ranmaru into his bedroom.

Ranmaru's eyes were closed, his face was pale, there was a thin layer of sweat on his brow, and his breathing was becoming irregular, coming in and out in short pants. Kusanagi sat at his bedside, biting her lip, a worried expression on her face.

Doctor Tanaka arrived shortly thereafter and Roze directed him to his patient. "This way, Tanaka- _sensei_ , he's just over here." Tanaka- _sensei_ was a middle-aged man with salt and pepper hair and was wearing a simple gray suit.

" _Hai, hai._ Let me see." Tanaka- _sensei_ came over by Ranmaru and peered down at him, "Poison did you say? Let me run a quick test." Doctor Tanaka took a blood sample from Ranmaru with a syringe and began to run the analysis of his blood with the high tech equipment he had brought along with him.

5...4....3...2...1...

"Well?" Kusanagi snapped.

" _Maa~_ I'm afraid this is an unknown poison. And my data base has over 20,000 known human and _yokai_ poisons listed therein." Tanaka- _sensei_ shook his head.

"Unknown? What the hell is that supposed to mean! Cure him! I'll pay you whatever you want so just...cure him dammit!" Kusanagi growled.

Tanaka- _sensei_ frowned, "It isn't that simple young lady. This poison...comes from a plant that was artificially engineered. I could eventually come up with an antidote, since I am a genius, however..." Doctor Tanaka looked over at Ranmaru, a grim expression forming on his face. "That young man will not last that long. I'm sorry but he only has a few more hours to live at the most..."

Kusanagi's eyes widened in shock. "What? What was that you old quack! Take that back! Ranmaru is NOT going to die!"

Tanaka- _sensei_ shook his head, a pitying look now on his face, "I'm sorry, young lady. But that's the truth."

Kusanagi clenched her fists angrily at her sides, digging her nails into the palms of her hands. "Get out." She said in a low voice.

"Excuse me?" Doctor Tanaka questioned.

"I said GET THE HELL OUT!" Kusanagi exploded waving her hands frantically in the air, "Both of you! You too Roze!" Kusanagi hissed.

Roze apologized profusely to Tanaka- _sensei_ as she led him from the room. "I'm so sorry about that, Tanaka- _sensei_...she's not usually _this_ bad."

" _Maa~_ Don't worry, I understand, Roze- _san_. That young man must mean a lot to her..."

The door closed.

It was like a bell toll.

Kusanagi glared at the door and then turned to Ranmaru's pathetic looking form. A few hours...? And Ranmaru would...? What ever happened to 'Idiots don't catch colds?'.

Kusanagi's inner voice piped up suddenly, _You can still save him. Think Kusanagi, what did he mean when he said 'spiritual yokai poison'?_

You're right, he did say something like that. Then perhaps this poison has two sides - physical and spiritual. Two ways to combat it...which means it's like a spiritual ailment. I only know of one person that probably knows of a way to rid Ranmaru of this poison. Old Miko Akane at the Inari Shrine.

Priestess Akane of the Inari Shrine was a nice old lady that Kusanagi sometimes went to for spiritual advice. Though Kusanagi had no _miko_ abilities herself unlike her grandfather...who was able to exorcize spirits...Kusanagi still believed in the Second World. Though she had no real abilities for some reason Kusanagi had limited 'Sight'.

A 'Sight' that showed her the Grim Reaper's Shadow - which told her when someone was going to die.

Sometimes she also had dreams or rather nightmares that held prophetic clues of what was to come to pass. But Kusanagi didn't consider herself a Seer. Because all she could see and predict was...Death. Her sight was...cursed.

And right then Kusanagi didn't want to use her ability to see what Ranmaru's shadow looked like at that moment.

Her last and only hope was the old _miko_. The old _miko_ had been a mentor of sorts to Kusanagi and had explained to Kusanagi what her Sight 'meant', and had given Kusanagi powerful _o-fuda_ and talismans to protect her and ward off evil spirits, which had worked splendidly on various occasions (such as one time when she had had to exorcize a ghost that had been haunting the girl's bathroom).

Now, Kusanagi needed her help again.

Kusanagi flung the bed covers off of Ranmaru and kept her eyes averted from his shadow. No, Ranmaru would NOT die. She wouldn't let him die. Not when she...had come to care about him. And perhaps, given his overprotective behavior, it was safe to assume he cared about her too. Perhaps, a little. Kusanagi shook her head, now was not the time for such thoughts.

The ominous sound of thunder boomed loudly in the distance and Kusanagi yelped and quickly dove under the bed, covering her head with her arms to try and block out the sound. The wind outside had begun to pick up and caused the branches of a nearby tree outside of Ranmaru's window to scrape along the glass eerily.

Kusanagi shuddered. It was going to rain...and there would be a lighting storm. Kusanagi would never admit this to anyone but she was terrified of lighting. She was glad Ranmaru had been unconscious and unable to see her cowardly display of diving under the bed. She'd never have been able to live it down. But, Kusanagi pushed herself out from under the bed. She had no choice but to face her fears that night.

Kusanagi went over to the bedroom window and flung the wooden shutters open before letting out a loud whistle. " _Hyuu~_ " The sound of hooves hitting the earth was heard as Sora came galloping up to the window. Kusanagi looked down - they were on the second story so it wasn't that high up.

Kusanagi went back over to the bed and roughly pulled Ranmaru up. She slung Ranmaru's arm around her neck and began to half drag him towards the window. "Well, you first I guess. I'm really, really sorry about this Ranmaru, but you're a _yokai_ so you should _probably_ be okay after you regenerate." Kusanagi explained before she pushed Ranmaru out the window and he landed in a bush below.

Kusanagi looked down at Sora, who was looking restlessly upwards and pawing the ground with his hoof. "Now Sora - stay still." Kusanagi declared as she hopped out of the window. Sora obeyed and Kusanagi landed neatly on her horse's back with only some slight discomfort. She quickly dismounted and struggled to get Ranmaru up and over her saddle before she again mounted behind him. "We need to get to the Inari Shrine as fast as possible, Sora!" Kusanagi declared, "Ranmaru's life depends on it!"

Sora whinnied in response as if he understood Kusanagi and took off at a fast gallop.

Kusanagi held onto Ranmaru and Sora for dear life the few times thunder sounded in the distance. Her body was trembling in fear but as long as she kept her eyes closed...and luckily Sora knew where to go.

Sora galloped as hard and as fast as he was able until the rain began to fall. It completely drenched both Ranmaru and Kusanagi. They could barely see through the rain it was coming down so hard, but regardless they continued on. Kusanagi couldn't stop the panicked scream of fear that left her lips though during one particularly loud thunder boom when a lightning bolt hit a nearby tree and she nearly fainted. _I can't...I can't make it..._

Kusanagi's inner voice spoke up, _Think of Ranmaru...only Ranmaru...he'll die if you give up now._

_You're right._ Kusanagi thought back. "Come on Sora! _Ikimasho!_ Let's go! Faster!" Kusanagi declared and the unicorn picked up his pace, a light blue aura forming around the unicorn as it summoned some of its own magical power.

Finally, they had arrived at the Inari Shrine. Kusanagi looked up at the gigantic, stone steps that had several red _Tori_ arches over them. It wound up and up and out of sight. Kusanagi had to climb all those steps and with the unconscious Ranmaru in her arms before she would reach the shrine and the old _miko_ Akane.

But-

Kusanagi would not give up. _Never give up!_ "Wait here, Sora." Kusanagi told her unicorn as she dismounted and pulled Ranmaru along with her. She bent down and put Ranmaru on her back piggyback style and prepared to climb the slippery, rain-soaked, stone steps that would take her to the Inari Shrine.

" _Yosha!_ Let's do this! Sports 10!" Kusanagi psyched herself up as she began to climb. Stone foxes with red scarves tied around their necks lined her path on either side of the stairway. Kusanagi had forgotten...foxes were said to be the messengers of the Goddess Inari. If anyone would know how to save Ranmaru it would be a _miko_ of the Inari Shrine.

In ancient Japanese legends...foxes were mystical beings that played tricks on mankind. Shape-shifters that possessed the ability to use powerful fox-fire, had nine-tails, and were hundreds of years old. Names like Tamamo-no-mae, the fox witch, also came to mind.

She only wished Ranmaru were playing a trick on her now. _Dang boy what have you been eating?_ Kusanagi wondered to herself, Ranmaru was hella heavy. If they got through this she was going to put the boy on an all-kibble diet or something.

Ranmaru let out a pained moan as if he had heard her thoughts.

_Oh, don't worry I'm not THAT cruel._ Kusanagi nearly slipped and sent them both flying backwards and down the stone steps, and badly scraped her knee in the process. Ow. But she continued on...even when the lighting flashed angrily overhead and all she wanted to do was hide - she continued on...until she had finally reached the top.

There under a red and black, lacquered paper umbrella, waiting for Kusanagi was the old _miko_ Akane. "I've been waiting for you, Kusanagi. Follow me. Bring him inside..." Akane was dressed in the traditional robes of a _miko_ or shrine priestess – a white _haori_ , or wrap shirt along with a pair of red _hakama_ , split pants. She was old; there were deep lines around her eyes and lips. But her brown-red eyes glittered with wisdom. And she had a long braid of white hair tied with red ribbons that went all the way down her back and touched the ground behind her.

Kusanagi let out a sigh of relief and followed after the _miko_. They were led into the main temple area. Kusanagi finally got to dump the heavy Ranmaru on the floor. Akane closed her umbrella and calmly set it aside.

"Akane- _san_ , how can I save him?" Kusanagi blurted at the first opportunity.

The ancient _miko_ calmly lit a pipe and smoked for a moment, swirls of smoke curling up into the air, before speaking. "So I see you have a new _Samurai_ Butler. An unusual one at that...a _yokai_ fox...and he's been poisoned...Why did you come here exactly?" Akane narrowed her eyes at Kusanagi.

Kusanagi blinked. "Because...you're the only one who can save him! It's a spiritual poison!"

Akane puffed on her pipe and blew more rings into the air, "Oh? But you've had the power to save him all along."

"I have?" Kusanagi blinked.

Akane nodded, "Yes, you'll have to make a choice. In order to save him you will have to...kiss him."

Kusanagi immediately began to spaz out. "I'll have to WHAT? Kiss him! Why? Isn't there some other way!"

Akane shook her head, "Because though you have only latent spiritual powers...your soul is pure, and so you have the power to purify the poison within him. A kiss should do it, I think. So...what will you do now child? You could always let him die. You don't really have to kiss him after all. I know how much you hate this kind of thing, Kusanagi. Perhaps, it's too difficult for you after all."

Kusanagi sunk to her knees in stunned disbelief besides Ranmaru. A kiss...would save him? All along she had the power to save him? To the _miko_ 's surprise Kusanagi burst out laughing incredulous. "That's all! You mean I have the power to save him? All along...I just have to kiss him?"

Akane blinked in surprise at Kusanagi's reaction, "Well, yes, but - you don't actually _want_ to kiss him do you? I thought you hated things like this...?"

Kusanagi continued to laugh, a somewhat broken laugh. "I did, but my heart aches at the thought of losing him." Tears streamed down her face. "Somewhere along the way I've come to care about this stoic moron. He's...my friend. And I won't lose him."

And besides, deep, deep, deeeep down we both know I've been wanting this...a chance...an excuse to kiss him.

_Damn straight!_ Her inner voice agreed happily, _Now kiss him already before it's too late! You go girl!_

Kusanagi nodded before she bent over Ranmaru and pressed her lips hesitantly to his own. His lips were thin and slightly rough but they felt...nice, being pressed up against her own. Kusanagi concentrated on focusing her 'will' to heal Ranmaru and felt a slight tingling sensation...was it really working?

Akane watched as a pure white light surrounded Kusanagi as she kissed Ranmaru and began to purify the poison within his veins. She shook her head in disbelief. "I can't believe the little bitch actually kissed him..." Her expression was hard, calculating.

Kusanagi was so intent on her task that she didn't hear the old _miko_ 's harsh words.

Ranmaru's eyelids fluttered as he began to wake. Slowly, he opened his eyes - to see that Kusanagi was kissing him! _Masaka...no way..._ He was so startled that he grabbed Kusanagi's shoulders to push her away.

Kusanagi opened her eyes at his touch and saw that Ranmaru had come to. Ranmaru knew he was probably going to get punished for his insolence...kissing her and everything. _Hey, wait a second, she was kissing...me. Not the other way around. How the hell had that happened?_

Ranmaru blinked back at Kusanagi in a sort of shocked and stunned stupor.

Kusanagi however smiled warmly at him, "How are you feeling?"

Ranmaru blinked, "Fine...why?" He questioned cautiously. The last thing he remembered was setting the Blue Rose on fire and then passing out.

Kusanagi stood up, "Good...because if you so much as even mention this, let alone remember this event ever again \- you're as good as dead. Got it?" Kusanagi's emerald green eyes sparkled with murderous intent.

Gulp. " _Hai, Oujo-sama_..." He couldn't help the butterflies in his stomach as she looked at him that way though - like she would _eat_ him alive. _Mmm~ torture me Oujo-sama. Punish me Oujo-sama~_ Ranmaru was giving Kusanagi a somewhat hopeful and expectant look.

"Ranmaru?" Kusanagi noticed his odd expression.

" _H-hai?_ " Ranmaru quickly schooled his features back into an emotionless expression.

Kusanagi shook her head. Must have been her imagination. "Come on...we're going home." She reached her hand out to him to help him up.

Ranmaru hesitated before taking her hand and letting her help him to stand. That's when he caught sight of the old _miko_ behind Kusanagi. A _miko_! A chill of cold fear went down Ranmaru's spine and he began to shake uncontrollably as he looked over her white _haori_ shirt, those red _hakama_ pants...

Those clothes were just like HERS.

Kusanagi noticed Ranmaru's suddenly frightened state and worried, tightened her grip around Ranmaru's hand. He almost looked afraid. But why? "Ranmaru?" She closed her fingers around his hand. "What's wrong?"

Kusanagi's soft voice and her touch brought Ranmaru out of his entranced state and he was able to look away from the old _miko_. Ranmaru shook his head like a dog, shaking off the fear. He just had to keep his eyes and attention solely focused on Kusanagi and just ignore that _miko_ if he wanted to remain composed. A _miko_...He shivered just thinking about it. Why had Kusanagi taken him to see a _miko_? It was just too much. Bad memories were already trying to resurface. "Nothing." He calmly replied. The last thing he wanted was to worry Kusanagi further.

Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at him, "Well, alright. Let's go. Akane- _san_ , I'm going to borrow your umbrella alright?" Kusanagi reached out the take the red and black umbrella.

Akane frowned as she watched the two of them getting ready to leave, and noticed how Ranmaru was avoiding her gaze, "Go right ahead."

Kusanagi opened the umbrella and grabbed Ranmaru by the hand before the two of them left the shrine. Akane frowned, "If you knew the truth about him I wonder if you still would have saved him...?"

Kusanagi and Ranmaru slowly made their way down the slippery stone steps that were under the red _Tori_ archways when a sudden clap of thunder boomed overhead. Kusanagi shrieked and tossed the umbrella aside before throwing herself into Ranmaru's surprised arms. What was wrong with his _Oujo-sama?_ This wasn't like her at all. She was almost acting...girlie. " _Oujo-sama_...?" He felt that she was trembling in his arms.

Kusanagi buried her face, which had turned red, into Ranmaru's chest, "If you so much as mention this or remember this..." She warned softly.

" _Hai, hai._ " Ranmaru smiled smugly as he wrapped his arms around Kusanagi to comfort her, taking her 'invitation' to do so. "I believe you ordered me to comfort you did you not?"

"Um, that's right, I did didn't I? Comfort me you fool of a butler!" Kusanagi ordered, her voice slightly tremulous.

" _Hai, hai._ " Ranmaru wrapped his arms more tightly around Kusanagi, and the rain was pouring down around them. They stood like that until Kusanagi's trembling had ceased and once she had calmed down Ranmaru helped her the rest of the way down the steps and to Sora. He hoisted Kusanagi up into the saddle so that she would be in front of him, and then hopped up into the saddle behind her. Kusanagi was still out of sorts and so he took Sora by the reigns and began to ride home.

***

They returned to the mansion and because Kusanagi was still acting afraid because of the lightning and was still a bit insensible Ranmaru carried her bridal-style up to her room and set her gently on her bed. "Goodnight, _Oujo-sama._ Sweet dreams." _Thank you for rescuing me._ He would have left her but Kusanagi reached out and grasped his sleeve.

Not looking at his face, eyes averted, Kusanagi swallowed before making her request. "Don't go...stay..." She said in a low voice.

Ranmaru's eyes widened. Was this low-spoken, vulnerable woman really his Mistress? It didn't seem possible. And she was oddly reminding him of _her_ , his lost _miko_ love...

Another boom of thunder was heard and Kusanagi squeaked, she turned to glare at Ranmaru, a few unshed tears shimmering in her emerald green eyes, "Don't make me beg."

Ranmaru's eyes widened even more if that were possible. If anyone would be doing any 'begging' it would be him since he would have begged to be allowed to be in her mere presence. Ranmaru bowed. "As you wish, _Oujo-sama._ " And then Ranmaru tentatively laid down on the bed besides her, lying above the sheets. Ranmaru couldn't help but wonder worriedly why his Mistress was so afraid of lighting. This had become painfully obvious throughout the storm. Before this he had thought his Mistress really was fearless...

Kusanagi hesitantly reached out her hand and slipped it inside of Ranmaru's. Her face was beet red as she did so.

Ranmaru was once again totally taken by surprise at this unusual behavior coming from Kusanagi but...he slowly curled his own calloused fingers around Kusanagi's soft and delicate hand in return. Her hand felt like, _her_ hand...Ranmaru shook his head. Now was not the time to take a trip down memory lane.

Kusanagi was torn between anger at herself for her fear of the lighting storm and sheer embarrassment that she had succumbed to letting Ranmaru comfort her. "Don't even think of coming over to my side of the bed Ranmaru, you pervert." Kusanagi stuck a pillow between the two of them just to make her point clear. She didn't want him getting any ideas after all.

Ranmaru half-smirked. " _Hai, Oujo-sama._ " He shut his eyes but he had no intention of sleeping just yet. He waited and listened with his keen ears until Kusanagi's breathing slowed and she finally drifted off into slumber. He had tried to stay awake since the feeling of Kusanagi's hand in his was something he didn't want to have end, but he had been so tired by the day's ordeals that no matter how hard he tried to keep sleep at bay it came upon him anyways.

***

Ranmaru awakened early the next day to find Kusanagi snuggled up against him, and was surprised and yet smugly pleased that _she_ had been the one to cross the 'line' and come to _his_ side of the bed to wrap her arms around him. Booyah! But...he also noticed that she was shivering slightly in his arms. Was she cold? Ranmaru wrapped his arms protectively around her body to provide her with more warmth and almost decided to turn into his fox form since his soft fur would have provided her with even more warmth that way. But before he could do so...that was when Kusanagi decided to awaken.

***

Kusanagi felt great.

She had just had a dreamless sleep completely free of nightmares. She couldn't even remember a time when she had slept so soundly. She just felt so rested, at peace, content, and safe...although her pillow was a little bit lumpy. She began to beat her pillow into softness, but that was when her pillow let out a 'grunt of pain'. Huh?

Kusanagi's eyes snapped open and she looked up into the placid golden eyes of Ranmaru.

Blink. Blink. Blink.

" _Ohayo,_ Good morning, _Oujo-sama._ " He greeted her in a dull, almost bored tone.

Kusanagi turned beet red.

3...2...1...

Meltdown.

Kusanagi exploded. "W-w-what are you doing in my bed? Y-y-you pervert! Ah!" Kusanagi spazzed out and shoved Ranmaru away from her so that he went flying off the bed. His Mistress truly did have some unusual strength.

Ow.

Ranmaru got up and dusted himself off calmly, not in the least perturbed. "You asked me to stay with you last night, _Oujo-sama._ " Ranmaru decided to remind her.

Kusanagi just gawked at him, "I-I...did no such thing!" Though when Kusanagi thought back on it she realized in _horror_ that she _had_ actually asked Ranmaru to stay with her last night! Argh! Kusanagi pulled at her hair. Damn that lightning storm!

Ranmaru merely raised an eyebrow at her antics and this irked Kusanagi even more. "Don't you give me that look, you pervert! You-" Kusanagi was about to continue her rant but suddenly all of her energy seemed to leave her, her anger deflating like a balloon. She suddenly felt very tired and somewhat sick. "Ugh..." Kusanagi groaned as she put her head on her knees and wrapped her arms around her legs. "I don't feel so good..." She murmured.

Ranmaru who was expecting her usual fireworks was quite surprised when she suddenly deflated. Like a fizzled out, dud of a firework.

And then...Kusanagi began to cough. She coughed into her hand, hoarse coughs that racked her entire petite frame...

Life sucked.

Kusanagi knew she had caught a cold.

Ranmaru suffered a sudden flash of memory...his sickly _miko_ love had fallen extremely ill and had become bedridden. Coughs had wracked her body painfully, and she had started to cough into her hand violently. When she took her hand away from her mouth Ranmaru remembered seeing the blood there.

Kusanagi!

Ranmaru rushed to her side and peered at her hands worriedly. Phew. There was no sign of any blood. But... "What's wrong?"

Kusanagi was surprised by how close Ranmaru was to her again so soon. "Uh, I think I caught a cold, that's all. It's not big deal."

Ranmaru blinked. "A cold...?"

Kusanagi groaned, "Yea, a cold. Haven't _you_ ever gotten sick before?"

Then at Ranmaru's perplexed look-

"Oh never mind. You're impossible! It just means I'm sick..."

"Sick...?" Ranmaru's eyes widened in panic. He immediately rushed out of the bedroom. "ROZE! _TAIHEN!_ IT'S AN EMERGENCY!" He yelled at the top of his lungs as he ran like a rocket down the hallway.

Kusanagi's eye twitched as she watched the dust cloud that had sprung up in the wake of Ranmaru's retreat. _Talk about over-reacting. What's that guy's problem anyways? It's just a cold. Geesh._

Ranmaru came back mere seconds later, literally carrying poor Roze into the room. He set her down and Roze gave him a glare before dusting off her immaculate dress. Cough. She turned to Kusanagi a thermometer in her hand. "I heard you caught a cold. Should I alert the press?" Roze teased.

Kusanagi sighed heavily, "Oh shut up..." But her voice lacked the vigor and edge it usually had. She lay back on her pillows tiredly as Roze stuck the thermometer into her mouth.

Roze waited a moment before taking the thermometer out of Kusanagi's mouth and peered at the reading. "You have a fever alright. It's at 105..." She frowned. "That's a high-grade fever. No school for you today, young lady. You need to rest up, drink lots of liquids and defeat this cold of yours."

Ranmaru's ears perked up, "Defeat?"

"Yes, having a cold is like a life or death battle for the body that it has to fight to win, in order to get better." Roze nodded her head knowingly.

"Battle? So the enemy is the cold?"

Roze began to look worried at the odd gleam she noticed in Ranmaru's golden eyes, "Well...yes..."

Ranmaru nodded, a fierce look in his eyes. " _Wakarimashita._ I understand. I will help Kusanagi defeat the cold!" He held a fist up before him adamantly.

Roze sweat-dropped, "Uh, right...."

"W-what do I need to do?" Ranmaru asked Roze hurriedly, a slightly nervous edge to his voice.

"Well, first things first, just make sure Kusanagi drinks LOTs of liquids. Keep a cool towel on her forehead to keep her fever down too, and for starters how about you go and get Kusanagi her breakfast." Roze began to tick off a list on her fingers.

Ranmaru bowed, "Of course, I shall return shortly with your breakfast, _Oujo-sama._ "

Kusanagi imperiously waved him away, "Yea, yea, just get going already."

Ranmaru was in protective guard dog mode. Ranmaru couldn't get the image of his sickly _miko_ love out of his mind, nor of his memories of those times she had fallen ill...Ranmaru remembered how he had stayed by her side, not knowing what to do. He had been completely useless. An invisible enemy had taken hold of his _miko_ love Nagi, an enemy he could for once not defeat...sickness...Death.

At that point Ranmaru realized something. Ranmaru had only ever been good at one thing – killing, destroying. He knew nothing about healing or how to save someone. He was completely clueless about how to help Nagi. Killing and fighting were the only things he was truly good at. And before this that fact had never left him feeling so empty and worthless.

But he remembered how Nagi had sensed his pain and so would always smile serenely at Ranmaru even while coughing up blood, and assure Ranmaru that she would be alright, and that she wasn't in any pain. But he could smell the blood on her hands...smell Death coming for her...

And now this strangely weak, subdued, and quiet Kusanagi frighteningly reminded Ranmaru of his lost _miko_ love...who had been weak, frail, and sickly...and how she had died because of him.

Ranmaru was plagued by such thoughts as he prepared Kusanagi her breakfast and found himself to be both distracted and worried. _What if Kusanagi...died?_ He couldn't help thinking in his mind over and over again. And so he ended up burning and over-cooking everything, which for Ranmaru was extremely unusual. In fact, it was more than unusual, it was impossible.

However, Ranmaru prepared Kusanagi's tray of food in a daze and didn't even realize his mistake. He then headed back up to Kusanagi's room to bring her her breakfast and set the tray right on her lap.

Kusanagi was prepared for another one of Ranmaru's flawless dishes...and so her eyes widened in surprise when she saw the charred eggs, burned pancakes, and was that...bacon? Huh? Perfect Chef Ranmaru had actually _burned_ something? _Uso!_ Did a pig just fly past the window? Kusanagi's jaw dropped and she watched as Ranmaru tried to pour her some orange juice and noticed how his hand was trembling. He ended up spilling the orange juice because of this, so that it overflowed out of her glass and onto the tray.

" _Oi!_ Ranmaru watch what you're doing!" Ranmaru looked down in shock to see what he had done. And immediately began to clean it up.

"Forgive me, _Oujo-sama_..." He murmured distractedly.

Kusanagi also noticed that Ranmaru had this 'far away' look in his eyes. She became worried because maybe the poison was still having an effect on him. She shook her head. Why was she worried about that stoic _baka_ anyways? " _Mou!_ Geez, pull yourself together man. What the hell is wrong with you today?"

Ranmaru blinked. "Nothing."

Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at him. It was definitely NOT nothing. But what could be bothering Ranmaru so much that he was failing to be the Perfect Butler?

Ranmaru took the tray away, "I will redo it..."

Kusanagi shook her head. "Don't bother. I'm not even that hungry. Just bring me a glass of juice. Think you can handle _that_?" Kusanagi couldn't help herself from giving Ranmaru a condescending look. She was so used to treating him badly.

Ranmaru bowed, a dejected look on his face. " _Hai, Oujo-sama._ " He slowly walked out of the bedroom, tail between his legs, ears flopped down on the sides of his head. He really was bad at this 'healing' thing after all. Sigh.

Kusanagi watched him go guiltily. He looked like a kicked puppy.

An image of Nagi's smiling face entered Ranmaru's mind...He shook his head. He couldn't fail her again, err, he couldn't fail his new Mistress like how he had failed to protect Nagi. _Yosha!_ Ranmaru grabbed a hold of Roze and pulled her outside of the bedroom so that he could speak with her in private.

"Roze- _san_ I have a problem. I don't think I'm capable of being a good healer to _Oujo-sama_. This is a very _delicate_ situation and I just don't know how to be _delicate_. What else can I do to help _Oujo-sama,_ Roze- _san_? How can I become more capable...?" Ranmaru demanded to know with his hands on Roze's shoulders, a serious look in his eyes.

Roze got a mischievous glint in her eyes as she adjusted her glasses, and a cat's paw smile formed on her face, "Well, first you have to look the part of course. That way you'll get in touch with your feminine side. Everyone knows that women naturally make good healers because of their maternal instincts. So to become a better healer you simply have to discover your inner femininity. And your healing instincts are sure to come out."

Ranmaru quirked his head at her, "Look the part?"

Roze grabbed Ranmaru and dragged him off to her room while cackling evilly. "Yes, just leave everything to me!"

Roze ended up dressing Ranmaru in a complete nurse's outfit ensemble. (Don't ask why she had this in her closet to begin with. One really doesn't want to know.) Ranmaru was a somewhat effeminate looking man to begin with with his golden eyes, long lashes, and long, coppery colored hair, and so he had ended up looking quite 'cute'. Or at least Roze thought so. The nurse's outfit consisted of a pink dress, white stockings that went up to his mid-thigh, a pair of red high-heeled shoes, and a matching pink nurse's hat that was sitting on top of Ranmaru's head and that had a tiny red cross in the center of it. Roze dug out a stethoscope and put it around Ranmaru's neck for the finishing touch.

_Yosh!_ Roze smiled pleased as she looked her masterpiece over. This was sure to put Kusanagi in better spirits. Roze tried not to drool at her finished product and wiped a hand across her lips.

Roze then dragged Ranmaru back to Kusanagi's room and pushed him back inside. Kusanagi looked up to see Ranmaru and at first didn't recognize him at all. " _Oi!_ Roze who's-" But then Kusanagi furrowed her brows at the nurse and then her eyes widened like saucers when she realized it was Ranmaru! And her jaw dropped. "R-Ranmaru? What the hell-! Ugh..." Kusanagi trailed off, too weak to explode about Ranmaru's odd cross-dressing behavior. The perv.

Ranmaru was in full Doctor, err, Nurse Mode now. He quickly went over to Kusangi's bedside and handed her a glass of juice. "Serving you to the best of my ability of course."

Kusanagi blushed as she took the juice. _Oi oi oi!_ Why was she blushing?

Roze giggled behind her hand and Kusanagi shot her a look. Ah, this was all Roze's doing. That explained it. That weirdo maid of hers had the strangest taste. Who else in their right mind would think to dress Ranmaru up in a nurse's uniform! Kusanagi looked Ranmaru over... _I mean, it's absurd! Who would want to look...at that...?_ Her blush deepened as she noticed how the dress was so tight on Ranmaru that his defined chest could be seen through the pink material and that the dress was short enough that Kusanagi's eyes were drawn to his leg muscles that seemed to be leading towards-

Kusanagi's inner voice piped up. _Eeee~ He's just too cute~_

Oh shut up! You can't be serious!

I think some new passion has been awakened inside of me upon seeing Ranmaru dressed like a girl.

Oi! Oi! Oi! Careful with that line of thought! The 'censors' are going to get mad. This is a T for teen rated story you know.

Spoil sport. Kill joy. Goodie goodie...

This is going to be a long day...

Ranmaru had begun to enjoy getting to play 'nurse maid' to Kusanagi all day – perhaps a bit too much. He brought her juice, fluffed her pillow repeatedly, and then decided to bring her even more pillows so that there was barely any room left for Kusanagi to lie back on her bed. Ranmaru didn't let Kusanagi lift a finger either. Anything she needed he ended up bringing to her instead.

She had tried to sneak out of bed to get a book only to have Ranmaru practically move the entire library into her room as a precautionary measure. He also diligently kept the towel on her forehead perfectly cool. He spoon-fed her lunch. The list went on...

Kusanagi had tried to sneak out of bed once when she had to go to the bathroom, but Ranmaru had caught her then too. He then proceeded to pick her up and took her there while he waited for her outside the bathroom door, tail wagging like a dog, as he waited for his Mistress to finish. It had been completely mortifying. She knew that with his _yokai_ hearing he could even hear her...going to the bathroom. _Mou!_

Kusanagi pulled at her hair out of exasperation. Ranmaru was driving her nuts with all his suffocating and over-protective behavior! And Roze was no help either and was only beginning to make things worse. Just when Kusanagi had been about to drink some juice Roze had piped up-

"Oh Ranmaru, Kusanagi is much too weak to sit up and drink on her own. You had better help her." Roze snickered behind her upraised hand.

Ranmaru bowed, " _Hai_ , Roze- _san_."

Ranmaru went over to Kusanagi's bedside and supporting Kusanagi with his arms so that he was practically cradling her, helped her to sit up and drink. She was blushing fiercely and completely embarrassed, but on the inside...

Aww, he's so sweet! He's treating you just like a princess!

He's in my personal bubble! Someone get him out! Help!

_Oh come on, you know you like it. This is so...romantic~_ Inner Kusanagi seemed to wink at Roze, who was giving Kusanagi a thumbs up.

Roze thought the two of them looked extremely cute as Ranmaru continued to pamper Kusanagi. Maybe she should take a picture. _Ooo, good idea. I can use it for blackmail against Kusanagi later._

Roze!! You've both been plotting against me behind my back! Argh! Nooo~ What's 'romantic' about a guy in drag anyways? Bunch of sickos...perverts...hmph!

Perverts? What are you thinking about exactly? You're the one with your mind in the gutter, Kusanagi.

Kusanagi gripped her head, "Ahhh! Be quiet! I can't take much more of this! Argh!"

And just when Kusanagi thought things couldn't possibly get any worse-

Ranmaru had leaned over her, his face nearing hers and Kusanagi was about to have a heart attack.

Kathump. Kathump.

Her heart was beating a mile a minute. Just what the hell did he think he was doing now? Kusanagi was about to pass out. Was he going to kiss her? Kusanagi wasn't mentally prepared for all this. _Wait! I'm not ready! Ah!_ But then-

He simply pressed his forehead to hers, checking her temperature, before then pulling back and nodding to himself.

Huh? _That's it?_ Kusanagi blinked back at him in shock and then exploded, "Just what the hell was that!"

Ranmaru frowned back at her confusedly. "I was just checking your temperature. It appears to be going down."

Kusanagi tugged at her hair, "Then why don't you use a thermometer like a _normal_ person?" She had been slightly disappointed, err, surprised he had done something like that merely to check her temperature.

"I've never used one of them before."

Kusanagi looked at him in disbelief. "Weirdo." She shook her head.

This had been pretty bad but Kusanagi had given herself a pat on the back for having put up with all of Ranmaru's crazy antics that day. She figured things couldn't get any worse, right? But that was until he pulled his next stunt, which was simply the straw that broke the camel's back-

Ranmaru came into the bedroom with a bucket of water and a sponge in his hand.

Kusanagi raised an eyebrow, "What's that for?"

"Why your sponge bath, of course, _Oujo-sama._ "

"Sponge...what!" A blush crept up across Kusanagi's cheeks and across her nose.

"Since Roze told me you're too weak to move...it would be much too dangerous for you to take a shower un-supervised. You could pass out in the shower and hit your head. Or pass out in the bath and drown. So I will bathe you, _Oujo-sama._ " Ranmaru informed her matter-of-factly as he began to near her bed.

Kusanagi pulled her bed covers up to her neck suddenly self-conscious. "What are you crazy? You will do no such thing!"

Ranmaru blinked at her confusedly and misunderstood her hesitation. "Really, it's no trouble. I would be happy to bathe you, _Oujo-sama._ And I'll even do it the 'human' way instead of licking you clean..." Ranmaru was nodding to himself, impressed with his own brilliance.

"L-l-lick?" Kusanagi turned bright red, "No way in hell! And of course you'd be happy to give me a bath...you complete _HENTAI!_ PERVERT! Argh!" She exploded into emerald green sparks. "That's it! I've had enough! I can't take any more of this! I need some freakin space from you or else I really may die or end up killing you! OUT!"

Ranmaru hesitated in shock, " _Oujo-sama...?_ " What had he done wrong this time, he wondered.

"Out!" Kusanagi flung a pillow at him, which hit him square on the face. "Out! And I don't want to see your stupid looking, emotionless face for at least six hours! Why don't you go on a date with Orihime or something in the meantime. And that's an _order_! You are dismissed!" Kusanagi hissed.

Ranmaru looked shocked and hurt, but simply bowed, tail between his legs, ears down.

I really may die! Or end up killing you!

He didn't want to cause her death again, err, cause the death of his new Mistress after all or cause her any undo distress. " _Hai, Oujo-sama_ , as you wish." Ranmaru left obediently.

### Chapter 8: Second chances come with a ten percent interest rate

Thank the Gods she had been able to finally get rid of that over-protective, cross-dressing weirdo, so that she could finally have some peace...and quiet. Kusanagi smiled to herself.

She then went over and put her favorite music CD into her CD player and instantly heavy metal j-rock began blaring out of the player's speakers.

Kusanagi sighed blissfully. Ah, peace and tranquility at last. She turned up the volume so that the walls of her room began to vibrate; a few of the chairs that were in her room began to skid across the wood floor. Kusanagi began to dance around, singing at the top of her lungs in a completely tone-deaf manner while doing the 'air guitar'.

Roze heard the entire ruckus and instantly rushed into Kusanagi's room. "Kusanagi!" She skidded to a halt as the sight of Kusanagi dancing wildly to the rock music met her eyes. Kusanagi was currently head banging rather enthusiastically. She frowned and rushed over to the CD player to turn the volume down. Hands on her hips she spun around to face Kusanagi, a stern expression on her face. "Just what do you think you're doing? Being out of bed and playing the air guitar of all things! When you should be resting. Where is Ranmaru...that useless..." She trailed off biting her lower lip.

Kusanagi smiled evilly, Cheshire-like. "I ordered him to leave me alone for a little while."

Roze instantly looked worried, "You what? I don't think that was such a good idea..."

Kusanagi frowned, "I needed a break from that weirdo. What's with him anyways? He was acting really loony today!"

Roze's brows furrowed, "I think he was just worried about you. It probably freaked him out seeing you so quiet and subdued..."

"Keh, he's completely overreacting - it's just a cold. You can't _die_ from a cold you know!" Kusanagi ruffled her hair in an exasperated fashion making it stick up in places.

Roze tapped her chin thoughtfully, "Hmm. I wonder if he realizes that. Ranmaru seems...really sheltered somehow. He's taking the whole thing awfully gravely. You don't think he took me seriously when I told him having a cold was like a life or death battle do you?"

"Roze! _Mou!_ That idiot..." Kusanagi shook her head in disbelief. _That naive fool...what could be going on in that head of his?_

"Maybe I should go and look for him. I'm sure he merely wants to be by your side and make sure you're okay." Roze insisted.

"Keh, why would he even care?" Kusanagi flipped her hair over her shoulder, nonchalant.

"You're so dense. He obviously cares for you." Roze gave Kusanagi a pointed look.

Kusanagi blinked and gawked at Roze in shock. "Cares for me?" She squeaked. "Why would you think that?" HeR heart began to beat a little faster at the thought.

"The way he acts so protective of you. I think it's pretty obvious. Well, I'll go look for him. Try and get some rest alright." Roze sighed heavily as she turned to leave. Kusanagi- _sama_ was always a handful.

Kusanagi frowned but then nodded. "Alright." _Ranmaru...cares for me?_

Ka-thump, Ka-thump

Roze had a knowing look on her face as she left. She had intentionally planted the 'seed' in Kusanagi's mind. She knew Ranmaru deeply cared for her and that deep, deep down Kusanagi cared for him in return. She only wished for her _Oujo-sama's_ happiness since Kusanagi had given her a second chance at living a different life on a different path from the dark path she had once been on...

Kusanagi flopped down on her bed and listened to her rock music and wondered if Ranmaru really _was_ that worried about her...a small smile formed on her lips.

She was daydreaming about Ranmaru when she heard the doorknocker booming loudly downstairs as it echoed through the spacious mansion. _Ranmaru? Maybe he's come back. Poor guy, I really should let him know that I'm alive at least._ Kusanagi hopped out of bed and wrapped a robe around herself. She tied it tightly, before she flung the door to her bedroom open and ran down the hall, down the main staircase, and to the front door. _I want to see him!_ She opened the door excitedly, but standing there in the doorway was NOT Ranmaru but an apologetic looking Haruka instead.

Kusanagi deflated and immediately dismissed him. "Oh, it's just _you,_ Haruka." Kusanagi sighed heavily and walked back inside the mansion with Haruka following close behind.

"Just me?" Haruka pouted, "I'm hurt Kusanagi- _chan!_ " Haruka moaned dramatically.

Kusanagi closed the door and turned to face Haruka somewhat irritated. "So why are you here?"

"Do I really need a reason to come and visit you, my angel?" Haruka declared and Kusanagi narrowed her eyes at him. Cough. "I simply returned because I wanted to know if you liked my gift." Haruka gave her an expectant look.

"Yea...that was some gift alright." Kusanagi began before a coughing fit overcame her and she began to cough violently into her hand.

Haruka raised an eyebrow at her and suddenly noticed her flushed appearance and that she was dressed in nothing but her skimpy pj's and a now loosely tied robe. A cat's paw smile formed on his face. "Are you alright?"

"I caught a nasty cold." Kusanagi informed him carelessly.

Haruka looked around the empty entrance chamber. "Where are Roze and Ranmaru? I would have expected your _komainu_ to have thrown me out of your house already."

"They're both out." Kusanagi waved a hand through the air in a dismissive gesture.

"I see, so then it's just the two of us." Haruka stroked his chin thoughtfully.

Kusanagi shot Haruka a dark glare, "Don't get any odd ideas, pervert." But then Kusanagi began to cough violently again and sighed as all her energy seemed to leave her. Ugh...she felt faint and slightly dizzy, and she really didn't feel like being alone just then either, so she decided there was no harm in letting Haruka stay for a little while maybe. After all, the fruity model was harmless. As she was swaying on her feet something caught her eye and she looked behind herself and at her oddly elongated shadow-

Kusanagi's eyes widened.

It was the Grim Reaper's shadow.

***

Following Kusanagi's order Ranmaru left the mansion and headed over to a nearby tree on the estate. He picked up a rock and suddenly threw it up into the tree's leafy branches.

"Ow!" Came a sudden exclamation as someone unexpectedly fell out of the tree and landed with a muted thud on the grassy ground below. It was Orihime. She rubbed her forehead gingerly where the rock had hit her, tears forming in her eyes, and was still on the ground on her knees. She glared up at Ranmaru. "Was that really necessary?"

Ranmaru sighed heavily. It appeared as though he'd picked up a stalker somewhere along the way. But at least this made Kusanagi's request a bit easier. He went over to Orihime and grabbed her arm, roughly pulling her up. "Let's go."

Orihime shot Ranmaru a panicked look, "Huh? Where? Jail?"

"A date." Ranmaru informed her in his monotone voice.

Orihime's golden eyes widened, "A date? You mean...you and me!"

Ranmaru nodded, his body almost acting of its own accord, following the will of Kusanagi's order. Sigh.

Orihime's eyes widened to the size of saucers, and then- " _Honto?_ Really? _Whee~_ " She began to do a goofy sort of victory dance. "I did it! I did it! I won! I won!"

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow at the girl's antics. He really never would understand women.

Cough. Orihime recomposed herself before looking smug, "Well, of course you'd want to go on a date with _me_." Orihime tossed her long golden hair over her shoulder. "I am just _that_ beautiful after all. _Ohohohohoho~_ " Orihime laughed with a hand upraised in front of her mouth. "You're lucky I have an opening in my schedule."

Ranmaru sighed again but nodded. "Let's go." He suddenly lifted her up and placed her on his back piggyback style. "Hang on." He instructed her in his gruff voice.

"Whoa, wait, what are you-" Orihime began as she wrapped her arms around Ranmaru's neck and then he immediately took off at top speed - which for a _yokai_ was extremely fast. Orihime's eyes began to water. " _Wheeeeee~!_ "

It didn't take long for the two to arrive at Akihabara, and Ranmaru set Orihime down gently in front of a popular looking cafe called 'C3' otherwise known as _Cute Cat Cafe_. The Internet café also had computers and allowed 'log ons' to the currently most popular virtual reality online games. Ranmaru just wanted to get this 'date' over with as soon as possible so that he could return to his Mistress' side. But he had to stay away from Kusanagi for an entire six hours or else the punishment of the Control Collar would be activated. Ranmaru didn't think he was going to be able to make it.

_Let's get this over with._ "Here okay?" Ranmaru asked dully.

Orihime nodded enthusiastically, "Oh yes, I heard the cakes they have here are just delicious! Let's go!" Orihime slipped her arm around Ranmaru's and they entered C3 together.

All eyes were instantly drawn to the beautiful couple and their eyes became starry-eyed.

"Oh hey, look over there." "Wow...they're _so_ beautiful." "Do you think they're famous?" "They sure look like a movie star couple to me." "No, wait, look at his butler's uniform. He must be her butler." " _Lucky~_ I wish _I_ was a rich _Oujo-sama_." "Oh wait, isn't that Orihime the famous model?" " _Uso!_ No way! I'm _so_ glad we came here today."

Orihime was preening happily under all of the attention she was getting, and just eating it up, and loving every minute of it. "Yes, praise me! Come on, love me even more!" Orihime muttered to herself but Ranmaru's keen ears overhead her. Talk about an 'Ultimate Queen of Vanity'. Sigh. Kusanagi on the other hand barely ever even looked in a mirror...hence her wild hair...

Then Ranmaru caught sight of something strange - there had been this flash of light that oddly enough seemed to have come from Orihime's pendant. Ranmaru blinked, however, when he turned to look at the pendant again it appeared normal. Had he just imagined it? Probably. Ranmaru shook his head.

The couple went over to take a seat at one of the cafe's tables and was instantly waited on by a shy, stuttering waitress, who had short blue hair and a pair of cat ears on her head. She was also wearing a lacy, black, French maid outfit. "C-can I take your order?"

Orihime eyed the menu speculatively, " _Hmm~_ I'll have a caramel macchiato and a piece of your cat's meow strawberry shortcake."

The waitress nodded and then hesitated seemingly wanting to say something, " _Ano_...Um...if it isn't too much trouble...?"

Orihime looked up at her, "Yes?"

"Could you please give me your autograph?" The waitress shyly asked. " _Onegai?_ Please?" She held out her waitressing notepad and a pen.

A cat's paw smile formed on Orihime's face. "Of course you can, cutie." Orihime took the pad and pen excitedly. She just loved this sort of thing after all. "Whom shall I make this out to?"

"Oh!" The waitress blushed, "M-make it out to...Nana please."

"To Nana, from _Orihime~_ " Orihime signed with a flourish and dotted her two 'i's with little hearts. She then handed the autograph back to the girl.

"Thank you so much." Nana bowed before turning her attention to Ranmaru, "And what would you like, sir?"

"Water." Ranmaru coldly replied.

A cold wind blew past~

Nana shivered. "Oh, um, _h-hai!_ Okay!" Nana practically ran off.

Orihime tsked, "Couldn't you be a little _nicer_ to her? I think you scared that poor girl half to death. And just look at your eyebrows." Orihime reached across the table and pressed her index finger directly between Ranmaru's eyebrows where he had his brows furrowed, and drawn closely together, "Can't you relax your brows? You look so scary. Just like a _komainu_ or something." Orihime giggled thinking of the mean looking, lion-dog statues that were oftentimes seen sitting on either side of the entrances to temples.

" _Komainu?_ " Ranmaru quirked his head at her.

"Yes, you know, those guardian lion-dog statues that are found at Buddhist temples. They have angry, furrowed brows just like yours. What are you so uptight about anyways? I can tell that something is bothering you." Orihime gave him a thoughtful look.

" _Oujo-sama_ is sick." Ranmaru explained.

Orihime blinked in surprise, "Sick? Then why did you come on this date with me? Shouldn't you be looking after her? You are her butler after all."

"She ordered me to go on a date with you." Ranmaru deadpanned.

"Ordered you...?" A flash of hurt crossed Orihime's face. "Oh I see...so even though you're on a date with a beautiful girl like me, all you can think about is your Master. You really are like a _komainu_ after all - a guardian dog, a protector, that's blindly loyal to its Master." Her voice held a tinge of bitterness to it.

"I'm no dog. I'm a fox." Ranmaru corrected her in an indifferent tone.

Orihime nodded, "Yes, I know. I wonder if it was wise to leave Kusanagi alone with Haruka though..." Orihime tapped her chin thoughtfully.

Ranmaru blinked. "Haruka?"

Orihime nodded, "Yes, he's there at the estate too." At Ranmaru's confused look Orihime continued to explain. "You know, stalking Kusanagi. He was there with me. Didn't you sense him?"

Ranmaru appeared surprised. "No." He was also bothered by the fact that he had been unable to sense Haruka's presence.

"How strange. He's probably going to go and bother her... _and_ she's sick. I feel sorry for him though since she's probably going to beat the crap out of him. Well, he'll only be getting what he deserves." Orihime nodded to herself knowingly. "Stalkers are the _worst._ "

Ranmaru couldn't help but raise an eyebrow at her last comment; didn't Orihime realize that she was a stalker too? Ranmaru shook his head, now was not the time for such inane thoughts. Ranmaru stood up from the table suddenly, pushing his chair back. He then turned and began heading for the exit of C3.

Orihime didn't seem surprised and inspected her flawless manicure, "Where are you going?"

"Back to my Master's side." Ranmaru had stopped but still didn't turn around.

"What was your exact order?" Orihime questioned.

"To stay away from her for six hours."

"Hmm." Orihime frowned, "And it's only been one. Ranmaru...I know what you are. You shouldn't go...you may die if you break that order."

Ranmaru shook his head. His mind was already made up. "I must protect her. Even if it costs me my life."

Orihime sighed in an exasperated manner, "Fine! Be a stubborn hero or rather a stubborn _komainu_ and rush blindly back to your Master's side and leave a beautiful girl like me behind. Well, good luck. You're going to need it." Orihime turned her head away. She couldn't watch him go.

Ranmaru nodded once and then left the cafe. His gut was telling him that he had to get back to Kusanagi as soon as possible for some reason. Haruka's presence had always unnerved him and put him on his guard. Ranmaru knew that that charming smile he always had plastered to his face, and that whole carefree persona act he always put on while around Kusanagi was fake. A mask. Ranmaru was able to sense Haruka's real self due to his _yokai_ instincts. The young man, Haruka, was internally conflicted. Though Ranmaru had no idea what Haruka was so conflicted about exactly. He knew that under normal circumstances Kusanagi could handle herself against a guy like him in case he tried anything perverted, but right now...his Mistress was weak, sick, and vulnerable.

Ranmaru shifted into his nine-tailed fox form and held his sword, Kuroki Ryu between his teeth. He then headed back in the direction of the mansion, the collar around his neck beginning to tighten painfully in response. However, Ranmaru simply ignored the pain and continued on swiftly. _I'm coming Kusanagi!_

***

Kusanagi, who had had her back turned to Haruka, sensed that something was amiss as she looked down at the Grim Reaper's shadow that was behind her-

Kusanagi let her battle instincts take over and dodged sideways just as a dagger went slicing through her upper arm painfully - instead of her heart.

"Damn, I missed." Came Haruka's careless sounding tone.

Kusanagi spun around and looked at Haruka in shock. Haruka held two daggers, one in each hand, and each was poised in a way that meant he was ready to release them at Kusanagi at any moment. "Haruka...what is this?"

Haruka smiled a chilling smile. "Rule number one of a _ninja_ assassin...conceal your presence, and lie in wait. Rule number two – wait for your target to lower their guard. Rule number three - strike before your target can strike back." Haruka spun his daggers impressively.

Kusanagi blinked back at him in surprise. _This_ was Haruka? "I don't understand...why are you telling me this? Who are you really?"

Haruka smirked, thoroughly enjoying himself that _he_ had been able to unnerve Kusanagi. "Do you know what a _ninja_ assassin is taught? They're taught how to conceal their presence from others, mainly their targets or from the people who are protecting their targets. Another thing that is taught is patience. One cannot be too hasty to eliminate one's target. Timing is everything. We're also taught that smiles conceal knives. What better way to lower a target's guard than to become _friends_ with the target and gain their trust? That's the best time to strike you know? When a target's guard is lowered, then concealed in shadows, the _ninja_ strikes before the target even realizes what has happened, and then they're dead. As simple as that. And you...you should be dead. That's quite impressive Kusanagi- _chan_ , those battle instincts of yours. You're no ordinary girl are you? But I already knew that.

I knew it would be difficult to get _you_ to lower your guard. Or to ever catch you in a weakened enough condition where _I_ would be able to strike - where _I_ would even stand a chance against you. I had to plan everything out perfectly. I bided my time and decided to do things the long way. I befriended you and got close to you and before you even realized it you had dismissed my presence as _harmless_. Your guard had been lowered but not enough. And so with my patience I waited...and waited. But you still never let your guard down around me even then - it's amazing really. Don't you ever get tired? You're always on guard, ready to attack. You really don't trust anyone do you? But now...today...I realized something was _off_ about you. You're completely unguarded. To think being sick could have this much of an effect on you, Kusanagi- _chan_. Or is it something else? Perhaps, you've come to depend on that butler of yours a little too much. But he's not here to protect you now is he? This is the chance I've been waiting for. It's been fun Kusanagi- _chan_ but this is where we say goodbye."

Kusanagi backed away shaking and in shock. "You...but _why?_ "

Haruka looked around the main entrance hall, "That guard dog is no longer here to save you Kusanagi. I saw him go off with Orihime. They're probably on a date together or something right now. And I know how much of a chatterbox Orihime can be. He'll probably be there for _hours._ " He could tell that Kusanagi was trying to buy some time. "He won't make it."

"He's a fox." Kusanagi automatically corrected him.

Haruka frowned back at her. "He was a very irritating obstacle that I didn't think I'd be able to get rid of. I can't believe this opportunity actually presented itself to me. It's just too perfect really - a sick Kusanagi all alone and without her _Samurai_ Butler to protect her from the big bad wolf. I don't intend to let this opportunity go to waste." He raised his daggers to attack.

Kusanagi ran.

She dodged the daggers that were thrown at her but since she was feeling slightly dizzy and her battle instincts were a bit off the daggers ended up grazing her on her arms and legs painfully. She stumbled down the hallway realizing it was almost as if Haruka was playing with her before he was going to finish her off. Just like a cat playing with a lizard before it decided to rip its guts out and eat them. She was no match for him now - not like this. And she hated it – hated that she had to admit this to herself. That at that moment she was completely helpless. _How could I have let this happen? I shouldn't have let my guard down...shit..._

She could hear Haruka laughing behind her and all Kusanagi could do was continue to force her legs to run. _Shit. How the hell did I end up in some kind of bad slasher movie? This totally sucks! Dammit! Where's a grenade when you need one huh_? She had somehow managed to lose Haruka around a corner, and was running down the hall when a wave of dizziness overcame her. But she stubbornly continued on, however, using the wall for support now. She wouldn't give up so easily. She would fight until the very end. _No...not like this...Ranmaru!_ Kusanagi wished that she hadn't sent him away. She was going to die at the hands of a fruitcake _ninja_ like Haruka! _Uso!_ Now way! What a lousy and pathetic way to go really. Kusanagi had at least wanted to go in a real fight to the death against HIM. To die while trying to avenge her parents and Mamoru's death...

Where the hell was that stoic, idiot _Samurai_ Butler when she needed him? Dammit! She sensed something behind her and quickly turned around - it was Haruka. He was standing there and licking one of his daggers. Creepy bastard. Before she could even blink he had thrown one of his daggers towards her. Kusanagi concentrated on her combat senses and somehow she had managed to catch the dagger in midair. She then sent the dagger flying back at Haruka but her aim was off and it went whizzing by his head to imbed itself in the wall directly behind him.

Haruka clapped his hands together. "Not bad, but definitely not good enough."

Oh shit. Kusanagi was panting for breath now, dizzy, and flushed all over. She turned to take off into a run again, but Haruka shot out some kind of wire towards her and it wrapped around her arms and legs stopping her. She was caught in his deadly web.

"I would just give up if I were you." Haruka began in a singsong voice, "You can't run away from me forever...you'll have to face me eventually, Kusanagi- _chan_. And then you'll have to die..."

Kusanagi laughed brokenly, " _Stop_ running? 'Stop' isn't in my vocabulary..." Kusanagi started moving forward and the wires began to cut into her arms and legs. "I will keep moving forward because...I have a reason to continue living. I must defeat HIM!"

Haruka appeared startled as he watched Kusanagi continue forward so that the wires began to cut deeply into her flesh and she began to bleed – blood trailing down her arms and legs. " _Oi! Baka!_ Stop that! You'll cut your own arms or legs off if you continue to do that!"

"I don't care...I can't die...! Not here...not like this...not until I have faced HIM and made him pay for what he did to me! You can have an arm or a leg. I don't give a damn, but at least leave me my head! Even if I only have my head then I can at least bite out HIS throat! I will continue to move forward no matter what, Haruka! It's what I promised at their graves! Ahhhh!" Kusanagi cried out as she continued to move forward, slowly and painfully moving one of her feet forward until one of the wires snapped from the force she had been placing on it. Haruka's eyes widened in surprise at this since those wires were supposed to be indestructible. But the other wires still dug deeply into her flesh.

"He?" Haruka couldn't help but question.

"The man who killed my parents."

Haruka shook his head. "I'm sorry but you'll have to kiss your plans for revenge goodbye." Haruka rushed forward and hit Kusanagi swiftly on the back of her neck. Kusanagi's mouth opened in pain and surprise before she fell forward onto the floor unconscious. He looked down at her still form in surprise. "So, I couldn't bring myself to kill you after all. _They_ won't be too pleased." Haruka ran a hand through his blonde hair. He then leaned over and picked up Kusanagi's limp and flushed body into his arms. "Well, we better get going, princess. There are some very important people that have been dying to see you. Sucks to be popular doesn't it?" Haruka looked down at Kusanagi's face and a twisted smile formed on his lips. "You really are quite beautiful, Kusanagi- _chan_. No matter how much you try to hide it. I finally get to hold you in my arms, but funny, this isn't quite how I imagined it." Haruka shrugged. "Well, what can I say, life's a bitch huh?" He looked down at the silent Kusanagi.

***

Ranmaru saw that the front door of the mansion was wide open and immediately rushed inside. He took a whiff of the air and smelled...Haruka's scent...and...Kusanagi's blood! Ranmaru took off running up the stairs and down the hallway following the scent of Kusanagi's blood and finally reached a trail of blood on the floor. He continued to follow this until he reached a large puddle of blood in the center of the hallway, but there was no sign of Kusanagi. Though Ranmaru's nose told him that this was Kusanagi's blood.

Ranmaru clenched his fists at his sides. Someone had hurt Kusanagi. Someone had drawn her blood. Someone was going to pay. _Dammit!_ Ranmaru turned and angrily punched the nearby wall causing a large hole. _He must have taken her._ Ranmaru realized as he caught Haruka's scent by a nearby window that was open. Ranmaru then realized Haruka had escaped from there and had taken Kusanagi along with him. Ranmaru followed suit and leapt out of the window to land on the ground below. Haruka's scent was faint but mixed with the scent of Kusanagi's blood, and so it was more than a strong enough trail for Ranmaru to follow. _Kusanagi...wait for me. Don't do anything crazy._ Ranmaru took off into the forest hot on their trail.

Ranmaru was out for blood and his sword Kuroki Ryu was pulsing happily in response to what it was sensing from Ranmaru... _It's been a while since I sensed this much bloodlust in you Ranmaru-kun. This is going to be fun! Wheee~_ The manic spirit of his sword declared.

***

Haruka brought the unconscious Kusanagi into the hospital room where he knew the _yakuza_ would be waiting for him. Haruka's sister, Keiko, was lying comatose in a hospital bed that was in the room, and there were several _yakuza_ gathered there along with her – men with missing fingers, gouged-out eyes, dyed hair, sunglasses, matching tattoos, mean expressions, and expensive suits. As soon as Haruka had entered all eyes turned to him and Kusanagi.

"I've brought her." Haruka declared as he continued his way into the room confidently.

One of the _yakuza_ smiled revealing that he was missing a few teeth. There was an odd tattoo of a black skull surrounded by white camellia petals in the middle of his forehead as well that was quite visible due to his shaved head. "Good, give her here."

Haruka suddenly hesitated, "The money?" He looked over to the sleeping figure of his sister on the bed.

The _yakuza_ all looked at each other and laughed. "Money? You still owe us a great deal of debt to think that it would all be canceled out just by bringing The Bitch to us. Your sister's medicine has become even more expensive. You may have made a dent but...you are nowhere close to having your debt ended with us. Now hand her over-"

Kusanagi had awakened during this confrontation and her eyes snapped open. "So _this_ is why you tried to kill me...you're in deep with the _yakuza_ and you need money for medicine for your sister." Kusanagi declared, as everything was suddenly made clear to her.

"You brought her back _alive_...?" A _yakuza_ man with an eye patch was suddenly looking at Kusanagi a bit worriedly.

"You said I could bring her back either dead or alive - that it didn't really matter..." Haruka began to say petulantly.

The _yakuza_ with the shaved head nodded, "That's true but...this one has already given our men a lot of trouble."

"She won't be any trouble now. She has a cold." Haruka informed them simply.

"A cold?" The man with the shaved head repeated slowly, mockingly, and then looked over towards his fellow comrades, who all shared a look before they simultaneously burst out laughing. "A cold has reduced The Bitch to this? Ha!"

"Oh shut up." Kusanagi groused, blushing slightly.

One of the _yakuza_ thugs walked over to take Kusanagi from Haruka's arms and she immediately began to struggle in his grasp. "I can stand by myself! Thank you very much! Hmph!" Once Kusanagi was standing on the floor, however, two _yakuza_ grabbed hold of one of her arms, just in case, in order to restrain her. Kusanagi turned to glare at the _yakuza_ and that's when she noticed the all too familiar tattoo that was on the forehead of that one _yakuza_ thug with the shaved head. It was a black, art deco-styled skull, with white camellia petals surrounding it. They must be a part of the Shiro Tsubaki (White Camellia) _yakuza_ clan, the very same clan that HE came from, and the very same clan that HIS puppet Master was the head of. _Oh man, not these guys again._ Kusanagi moaned in her mind. _Great, just great. Today is so not my day._

The _yakuza_ man sighed and shook his head at Haruka, "You never do take your missions seriously enough, Haruka. This isn't the first time you've failed to eliminate a target. You're always making excuses - either the target is a kid...or the man has a family...excuses, excuses. But this time you have no excuse. I want you to be the one to finish The Bitch off."

Haruka's eyes widened in surprise, "What? But you said I could bring her back _alive_."

"I merely said that it didn't matter either way. The Boss says he'll need her dead for whatever it is he has planned for her anyways..." The _yakuza_ paused thoughtfully.

" _Oi?_ The Boss is into necrophilia?" One _yakuza_ whispered to another curiously.

The man with the shaved head turned to glare at the two idiots and shook his head at them. They both immediately shut up.

Haruka appeared aghast. "Dead? So he's really going to kill her? But you said the Boss was obsessed with her...so I thought..."

"He is." The _yakuza_ thug shrugged, "Don't ask me how his mind works. The Boss is a strange guy. He _knows_ what he's doing. Now...finish her off Haruka. Or else..."

Kusanagi glared at Haruka, emerald green eyes full of hate.

Haruka took out a dagger and approached Kusanagi, an emotionless expression on his face. She struggled in the _yakuzas_ ' grasp as Haruka raised his dagger-

But-

He just couldn't do it. Haruka lowered his hand and shook his head. "I can't...I can't do it." He turned to face the man with the tattoo on his forehead. " _Please_...maybe you misheard _Oyabun_. It doesn't make any sense that he would go through all this trouble to get his hands on her just to kill her!" He put his hands out in a beseeching gesture as he gave the _yakuza_ a frantic look.

The _yakuza_ thug punched Haruka hard across the face in response. Haruka's lavender-tinted sunglasses cracked and fell to the floor. " _Konoyaro!_ Asshole! You ungrateful piece of shit. You're still too soft to be a real _yakuza_ member. To truly be one of us. But someone's got to pay the price. Hold him."

Two of the _yakuza_ thugs suddenly grabbed a hold of Haruka, who struggled in their grasp. He was starting to look fearful. "What are you going to do?"

"You need to start taking your jobs more seriously. We didn't train you as a _ninja_ assassin and give you high-tech, heat-seeking daggers for all the time and money we've put into you to go to waste. That's why I've come up with a new policy - every time you fail to kill a target..." The thug took out a switchblade knife and walked over to Keiko's sleeping form. "Your dear sweet sister is going to lose something important...an eye...an ear...her nose maybe...I think for now we'll start with an ear."

Haruka saw red and began to go berserk struggling violently in their grasp. "No! Don't you dare harm my sister! Don't you _dare_ touch her! Get away from her, you fucking bastards!"

The _yakuza_ thug was bringing the switchblade knife closer to Keiko's ear-

"What's with you _yakuza_ and losing body parts?" Came Kusanagi's snide voice. "That's just so disgusting and stupid. You guys really are a bunch of idiots." Kusanagi looked up and her sharp green eyes narrowed at them. "And stupid people need to have some sense knocked into them!" Kusanagi brought her elbow back into the solar plexus of the man behind her. He grunted in pain and unconsciously let her go. Kusanagi then turned and delivered a hard upper cut to the other thug, who was still holding her.

It was Kusanagi's turn to go berserk. Really, it was one of her favorite things to do. " _Kora!_ Asshole!" She rushed at the man with the switchblade and executed a flying sidekick in his direction. She managed to kick the _yakuza_ man in his side causing him to be pushed away from Haruka's sister. Then Kusanagi grabbed the IV pole, and disconnected it from Keiko's body before she began to brandish it like a sword. She let loose a battle cry and rushed forward to attack the remaining _yakuza_. " _Hooryah!_ "

Haruka used this moment of distraction to attack his captors as well and then side-by-side, together; they began to kick some serious ass. Back to back, Kusanagi and Haruka began to take out the _yakuza_ , and one by one the _yakuza_ were being defeated and falling to the floor unconscious.

Kusanagi smirked, "Hey, you're not half bad for a fruitcake."

Haruka smiled lopsidedly back at her, "Thanks, right back at ya, bitch."

The _yakuza_ , to say the least, were pissed, "Haruka! Get her! Get The Bitch dammit! Kill her!"

"No!" Haruka yelled back at them forcibly and seemed surprised at himself, "I won't be your pawn any longer!"

"You're going to live to regret that _kora_! Asshole!" The _yakuza_ thug took out a gun and pointed it at Keiko. "Say goodbye to your sweet little sister, traitor."

"No!" Haruka shouted but realized he was too far away to do anything. His expression fell and his heart shattered. _Keiko..._

Kusanagi, however, was closer and rushed to stand in front of Haruka's sister, arms out at her sides, ready to take the bullet for Keiko.

Haruka's eyes widened in shock and he called out, "Kusanagi!"

BANG

The shot was fired and went speeding through the air towards Kusanagi. Kusanagi watched and then everything seemed to be happening in slow motion. She watched as the bullet approached her eerily-

And then-

CRASH

The window next to Keiko's bedside shattered, glass shards exploding into the air, and a shadowy figure was flying through the window he had just broken. And that someone turned out to be:

"Ranmaru!" Kusanagi cried out, her voice tinged with relief.

Ranmaru unsheathed his sword as he was crashing through the window, leaping through the air and over the hospital bed to stand in front of Kusanagi. And in one fluid motion he brought his sword Kuroki Ryu down and cut through the approaching bullet - slicing it neatly in half.

Whoa.

Haruka was wide-eyed by this display of skill and power. " _Oi!_ He just sliced through a bullet! Did anyone else see that?"

"Yea, that was totally awesome man." One _yakuza_ thug agreed heartily while nodding his head vigorously - only to be hit hard over the head by one of his comrades in reprimand.

"Shut up Taki you moron! This is no time to be impressed by the enemy!" The other _yakuza_ member spat.

"Oh, yea, right, sorry about that, Yoshi." The _yakuza_ thug scratched the back of his neck abashed.

But Ranmaru didn't stop there. He immediately moved in to attack. He was now in 'kill mode' after all. Kusanagi opened her mouth to tell Ranmaru not to kill the _yakuza_ , but a coughing fit unluckily overcame her at that moment, and one that was so bad that it sent her to her knees, as the coughs wracked her petite frame. Ugh, she felt so sick.

Ranmaru had become a demon. There was a powerful aura of energy flaring all around him, and his eyes were glowing blood-red. He moved his sword through the air and before the _yakuza_ could even blink they were being cut down. Their pained and anguished cries were ringing through the air and filling the hospital room. Ranmaru's sword flashed through the air, streams of red flying and following the elegant movements of his sword.

Ranmaru moved past the remaining group of _yakuza_ swiftly and to the other side of the room turning around to face them.

At that moment all of the remaining _yakuza_ fell to the floor - dead. In that split second, Ranmaru had managed to cut them all down.

Ranmaru then turned towards Haruka, who still had the scent of Kusanagi's blood on him. Ranmaru's eyes were glowing fiercely and an aura of murderous intent surrounded him. He was ready to kill Haruka and cut him into tiny, little pieces for harming _his_ Kusanagi, and he was ready to enjoy it.

Kusanagi, however, sensed his overwhelming bloodlust, "No Ranmaru! Don't kill him!"

But Ranmaru rushed forward and attacked anyways. His sword moving through the air in a powerful sideways slash-

The attack hit Haruka and the force and energy behind the attack caused Haruka to be blasted backwards. Haruka hit the back of the hospital room wall, hard, and slid down it to where he remained in an unmoving heap on the floor.

Kusanagi turned to glare at Ranmaru, "Ranmaru! How could you he-" But Kusanagi seemed to stop mid-rant when Ranmaru turned to face her with a relieved, yet pained expression on his face...

" _Oujo-sama_ , I'm so glad you're alright." Ranmaru coughed suddenly, and blood trickled down his chin. He staggered forward, towards Kusanagi, hand outstretched towards her, before he sunk to his knees.

"Ranmaru!" Kusanagi rushed over to his side suddenly worried. _Is he injured?_ "What's wrong?"

But Ranmaru no longer had the strength to respond and so he fell forward, unconscious.

"Ranmaru!" She flipped Ranmaru over to see where he was injured and wondered how he had gotten injured in the first place. She hadn't seen a single blow or shot from the _yakuza_ land on Ranmaru after all. She saw that there was blood on his chest, however, so he must have been injured somehow. Kusanagi quickly removed his jacket, vest, and shirt, running her hands over his chest and searching for a stab or gunshot wound. But there was no wound. Kusanagi blinked, but then where was all of the blood coming from? Kusanagi followed the trail of blood up to his neck.

_That's a strange necklace. No wait. Collar that Ranmaru's wearing. Collar?_ Kusanagi placed her hands on it and immediately took her hands back - _Ew!_ It had felt just like a live and writhing snake. But Kusanagi could see that the blood was coming from under his collar, which meant that the collar was harming him somehow...but why? How? Kusanagi's eyes widened when she thought of something. _It can't be...Ranmaru...he can't be a Spell-Collared yokai slave can he? And so the Spell-Collar is punishing him because he's disobeyed his Master's order or something, but then who's his Master? What was the order?_

Then it hit her like lighting. Kusanagi realized with a burst of sudden horrid clarity that _she_ was Ranmaru's Master and the command that was killing him was the very same one that she had given Ranmaru earlier about her not wanting to see him for six hours...

The horror of this truth began to sink in and Kusanagi shook her head vigorously. _No...No!_ "I take it back! Oh my god...how do I take it back? Ranmaru! I...I...order you to be near me! To open your eyes and see me! Come on! Speak to me Ranmaru! That's an order!"

Ranmaru immediately opened his eyes since the collar had finally stopped constricting painfully around his neck - biting into his neck with its sharp, vicious metal teeth, and sending nasty, electro shocks through his body. Phew. " _Oujo-sama_..." He began weakly.

Kusanagi's eyes filled with tears of relief. "Ranmaru!" Before she realized what she was doing she hugged Ranmaru and his eyes widened dramatically. "I thought I was going to lose you, I..." But then Kusanagi realized something, which caused her heart to clench painfully in her chest.

Ranmaru was a Spell-Collared _yokai_ , which meant he didn't _really_ care about her. He didn't have a choice but to pretend to care. Kusanagi suddenly felt like such a fool. She didn't know if she wanted to laugh, cry, or throw up. But that was probably because of her cold. Why did tears come to her eyes so easily? Kusanagi looked away from Ranmaru before he could notice. Why did her heart feel like it was breaking?

But she quickly scrubbed at her face with the back of her hand and pulled away from Ranmaru to stand while recomposing herself. She couldn't meet him in the eyes just yet. "This...changes everything. I can't own a slave Ranmaru...damn Grandfather. He better be able to explain himself. Come on, Ranmaru. Let's get home. We need to resolve this 'situation' somehow..." She finished with a heavy sigh.

Ranmaru blinked, a flash of hurt crossing his face in surprise and confusion at Kusanagi's conflicting actions and words, but he simply nodded, " _Hai, Oujo-sama_ , as you wish."

Kusanagi frowned and looked angry at Ranmaru's choice of words and he couldn't help but wonder what he had done wrong.

The sound of upraised and panicked voices along with the sound of rapid footsteps was heard approaching the hospital room.

"I heard shots!" "It came from over there!" "Hurry officer!"

"Aw shit the fuzz, we have to get out of here, Ranmaru. Now." Kusanagi ordered him.

Ranmaru nodded and easily picked up Kusanagi, sweeping her up into his arms bridal-style before she could protest and jumping out of the window with her.

"Ranmaru _no baka!_ " Kusanagi cried as they fell through the air.

***

Once Ranmaru and Kusanagi had arrived back at the mansion she immediately made her way to her grandfather's study and burst inside. She slammed her hands down angrily on her grandfather's desk. "Grandfather! I demand an explanation!"

Kimamura- _san_ raised an eyebrow at Kusanagi, "About what?"

"Don't play dumb with me." Kusanagi growled. "About Ranmaru. He's a Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave isn't he? How could you purchase a _slave_?"

"Oh shit, I mean, fiddle-sticks, the cat's out of the bag now - or should I say the fox is out of the bag. Though I don't understand why you're so upset, dear." The old man steepled his fingers together as he narrowed his eyes at her own red-rimmed ones.

_Why...?_ Now that she knew Ranmaru never really cared about her...? No, now that she knew she owned a _slave_ dammit!

Kusanagi shook her head and glared. "Isn't that obvious. I own a _slave_ because of you! This is completely unacceptable."

"So you want to sell him then?"

Kusanagi blinked back in shock. "Sell? No, I want to free him!"

Kimamura- _san_ frowned thoughtfully, "It can't be done..."

Kusanagi glared at Kimamura- _san_ , searchingly, giving the man a piercing stare, "There _must_ be a way. You're keeping something from me, old man."

Kimamura- _san_ remained pensive. "No, it really would be impossible to free him as things stand now. If you don't want a Spell-Collared slave then I'll have no choice but to sell him..."

Kusanagi clenched her fists at her sides angrily. _Sell...sell Ranmaru! Like he's a piece of meat? A thing. He may not care about me but I still care about him!_

Kusanagi's eyes widened in shock. Wait a sec. How or when had that happened? She _cared_ for Ranmaru? She was supposed to hate him...but now he truly was the victim in all this...right? A victim of herself...of her own careless words, which had hurt and almost killed him. How could he possibly care about a total bitch like herself? She had been so...stupid.

"We're _not_ going to sell him." Kusanagi said adamantly, "I will continue to try and find a way to free him too. I know you're lying to me about that, old man."

_Admit it...you don't want to see him go...you want him to stay...even if you have to order it against his will. You won't really sell him or try and find a way to free him will you?_ Kusanagi's inner voice popped up in her mind.

_Shut up! I wouldn't do that. And I_ will _find a way to free him._

Oh? I don't believe you.

Kimamura appeared bemused. "Oh? And what do you expect Ranmaru to do once you free him?"

_...kill me._ Kusanagi sighed heavily. "What does that really matter anyways? He'll leave of course. He's probably wanted to leave all along but because of that damned collar...that's why he was able to last so long despite my best efforts to get him to quit." Kusanagi's nodded to herself as she suddenly thought back to all the things she had done to Ranmaru on purpose. "I get it now. It all makes sense. I've been such a fool. I thought he was putting up with me all this time because maybe..." _He cared about me. That maybe we had become friends somehow._

Kusanagi turned to leave the study.

Kimamura- _san_ 's smile had broadened. _That sly fox, somehow he's managed to worm his way into Kusanagi's heart of ice._

***

Kusanagi had gone to visit Haruka's sister, Keiko, at the hospital later that week, and was setting down a rather large and flashy gift-basket on a table at the foot of her hospital bed.

Keiko's eyes widened as she heard the loud thud the basket made. "Um, thank you, but...who are you?"

"Oh, I'm...a friend of your brother." Kusanagi lied. _Or is it a lie?_ Kusanagi wondered to herself.

"I see..." Keiko looked thoughtful, "Was it you who paid for the medicine that was needed to cure my _yokai_ disease? I was able to wake up because of it."

"Keh, do I really look like a do-gooder to you?" Kusanagi waved a hand over herself. "It was your brother...He did it."

Keiko looked over Kusanagi's facial piercings, the military hat that was on her head, her matching combat boots, black tank top, dark green, beige and black camouflage pants, and nodded knowingly, "Ah, so you're with the _yakuza_ too aren't you? I hope Haruka didn't kill anyone for my sake..." She trailed off sadly.

" _Yakuza!_ " Kusanagi spat and then glared at the girl. "Now you look here-" But then Kusanagi caught herself and shook her head. "No, Haruka didn't kill anyone. The _yakuza_ finally gave him all the money they owed him - that's all."

Keiko let out a sigh of relief, "Oh Haruka..." She sat back and closed her eyes peaceably. "He was always such a gentle soul. He always looked after me. Haruka really is a good person, you know. Is my brother...alright?" She yawned sleepily, her eyes beginning to close.

Kusanagi frowned darkly, and didn't respond. She then turned to leave the hospital room, and closed the door behind her quietly as Keiko fell fast asleep. Kusanagi stomped down the hallway with swift steps and stopped just outside of another hospital room. She never thought she'd come to a hospital in order to visit _him_.

Kusanagi opened the door and stalked inside.

Haruka's eyes widened at the sight of Kusanagi and his eyes immediately flickered to her side fearfully, as if expecting to see Ranmaru. "You! Is your _komainu_ with you?" He demanded, his voice shaking.

Kusanagi shook her head and looked Haruka over - his entire torso had been bandaged up. She reached out and picked up his medical chart flipping through the pages curiously as she read about his injuries. Apparently, it wasn't anything too serious, just a few broken ribs. He would live. Kusanagi raised an eyebrow in surprise. She had thought Ranmaru had sliced him open, which could only mean that at the very last second Ranmaru had used the back of his sword to hit Haruka with instead. Ranmaru had chosen to heed her request and had stopped himself. Or had the collar forced Ranmaru to bend to her wishes?

"You'll live." Kusanagi looked up and pulled out an apple, "Here I brought something for you."

Haruka looked a bit teary-eyed and surprised, "Kusanagi _-chan_ you really do care don't you...?"

Kusanagi, however, flung the apple at Haruka and it hit him right between the eyes.

"OW!" Haruka exclaimed rubbing the center of his forehead in a mixture of both shock and pain, "What the hell did you do that for?"

Kusanagi shrugged and tried to look innocent, "What? Did you really think I was the kind of girl that would sit by your bedside and peel an apple for you? Ha!" Then her expression turned serious. "That was for trying to kill me. And for being a complete idiot for asking money from the _yakuza_. No one ever gets away from them scot free. I'd say we're even now since my _komainu,_ as you like to call him, tried to kill you."

Haruka's eyes widened as if he had just remembered something, "That's right...the _yakuza_...my sister!" Haruka looked like he was going to try and get out of bed, but Kusanagi put a hand on his chest and shoved him roughly backwards.

Haruka let out a small pained 'Oof.'

"Is safe." Kusanagi informed him. "And awake." She added with a smug smirk.

Haruka blinked at Kusanagi in shock, "Awake? But how...?"

"I paid for the medicine she needed to cure her, of course." Kusanagi had a haughty look on her face.

Haruka's brows furrowed, "But why...why would you do that after everything I've done to you?"

"You're not the only one who's tried to kill me for my money and you certainly won't be the last. So don't go thinking you're special or something Haruka because you're not. At this point, I've stopped taking it personally..." Kusanagi admitted.

"But the _yakuza_...they'll..." Haruka trailed off, looking worried.

"Ah, about that. I also paid off your debt with the Skull Heads. All your paper work, debts, and records have been transferred to me. Although I had to _convince_ some of the lower level thugs to do this for me I think it otherwise went pretty smoothly. Their _Oyabun_ hasn't found out about this yet, that son of a bitch. He'll probably have a cow when he finds out though." Kusanagi couldn't help but smile at the thought of getting one up on her mysterious, faceless nemesis. "So now you don't owe the _yakuza_...you owe me instead." Kusanagi's eyes gleamed evilly.

Haruka blinked. "I owe _you?_ "

"Yes, you belong to me now." Sigh. _Is this a sudden trend?_ "I heard about how the _yakuza_ trained you as a _ninja_ assassin. I could use the skills of a _ninja_ to protect my menagerie I think."

"Menagerie." This was just getting weirder, and weirder. Haruka's mind was spinning.

"Hopefully, you'll prove yourself to be useful to me. The whole modeling gig was just a cover huh? Behind your pretty face you concealed your knives and darker dealings. I must say I'm somewhat impressed." Kusanagi gave him an assessing look. And she had thought her own mask was flawless.

Haruka frowned, chagrined, "Actually, no, I really am a model and take my modeling career seriously. It's the _yakuza_ who used it as a front and didn't take it seriously."

"I see."

"Heh, so now I owe you a shit load of money and am practically your slave." Haruka continued in a joking tone.

Kusanagi grinned back at him, her incisors peaking out, "You know it, with ten percent interest. And you're not my slave you're my _ninja_ got it? When I need your services I'll page you. Otherwise, stay out of my sight."

Haruka laughed then, tears of happiness sliding down his face, "Ten percent interest huh? You really are..."

"A bitch." Kusanagi finished for him with a smirk. "So I've been told."

***

Ranmaru looked down at the burned palms of his hands and licked at his wounds. Ow.

His sword had burned him.

When Ranmaru had been about to kill Haruka, he almost hadn't heard Kusanagi's order through the red haze of his bloodlust in time. But somehow he had. Somehow her words always seemed to be able to reach him.

And because he had heard her at the last second he had moved his sword to use the back of the blade instead \- but his sword Kuroki Ryu had rebelled against him in response.

Ranmaru had had to use all his strength and power to flip the sword in his hand because of this, so that he would strike Haruka with only the back of his sword. And Kuroki Ryu had punished him in its anger. They had a pact after all. The sword allowed Ranmaru to wield it and have immense power and in return Ranmaru fed it blood...lives. It was a sword of destruction after all...a sword that sought to takes lives, certainly not save or spare them.

Ranmaru looked down at his burned palms. A cursed sword Muramasa that sometimes seized the hearts of lesser men and turned them into monsters. The sword would never control him but...if it had the chance the sword would one day try and betray him. But Ranmaru had known this all along and had decided to take that risk, besides his soul had already become linked with Kuroki Ryu's soul. After all, it was Ranmaru who had chosen this path. The path of destruction, of ultimate conquest, the path of power. And so now there was no escape or turning back...

Right?

### Chapter 9: True beauty comes from within

She realized she cared for Ranmaru only to find out he was a Spell-Collared slave. To realize he had no choice but to obey and be protective of her and to put up with her shit. So, it was only fitting that Kusanagi was in a pissy mood that morning, and wouldn't even talk to Ranmaru whom she was mad at most of all because his whole persona was an act...right? He didn't care about her at all...dammit.

Kusanagi, with Ranmaru tagging along a few paces behind her, arrived at school. There was of course the usual commotion in the school's courtyard as the students were arriving.

Kusanagi's sharp emerald green eyes noticed how all the boys seemed to have a magazine in their hands. It was the latest copy of GothLoli. She raised an eyebrow at this but then Shinichi and Katsumi caught sight of the two of them and instantly ran up to join them.

Kusanagi noticed that Shinichi also had one of the latest copies of GothLoli in his hands. " _Oi!_ Smarty-pants, what's up with the girlie magazine? I didn't know you played ball for _that_ team. Nor did I realize how many of the boys at this school are playing for that team either."

Note: The latest issue of GothLoli had unfortunately for the boys been printed with a hot pink background.

Shinichi turned bright red, " _Gigaono!_ No way, you've got it all wrong." He looked around, looking a bit shifty-eyed before he confessed. "I'm not gay. Not that there's anything wrong with that."

"Course not." Kusanagi smirked.

"It's the latest issue of GothLoli and there are tons of new pictures of Orihime inside of it. And they're really cool too. Take a look."

"Orihime?" Kusanagi snatched the magazine out of Shinichi's hands and flipped through the magazine until it landed on one of the pages where Orihime was. The photos, Kusanagi grudgingly had to admit were pretty cool. There was this whole red theme to them. In each photo, Orihime was dressed in some sexy red number, wearing red lipstick, and was usually surrounded by red roses in the background. There was one photo of Orihime in a red tango dress and she was dancing with a sexy male model, who had a red rose in his mouth and definitely looked Italian.

Drool~

Another photo of Orihime had her in a red wedding dress with a large bell skirt and red rose petals were floating in the air all around her as she spun with her arms up in the air. There was another photo that to Kusanagi seemed a bit too...a la _American Pie_ , where a naked Orihime was lying down on the ground with nothing but rose petals covering her body in just the right places. Another photo had her reclining on a settee in a sexy pose while wearing a medieval-styled dress, with a bustier that was pushing up Orihime's ample cleavage in a scandalous manner while a male model who was dressed like a knight and who was carrying a sword was undoing the laces of her bustier with the tip of his sword. And one of the last photos had Orihime in a _miko_ 's outfit riding a red horse through a field of red chrysanthemums. Blink.

Kusanagi's eye twitched. "Now that is a lot of red."

Shinichi laughed and then snorted. "Well duh, haven't you heard of the famous fashion designer Akai Shimasaki?"

"Akai Shimasaki?"

Shinichi nodded, "He's obsessed with the color red. All his clothing designs are done in red - no other color. And he'll only dress his models in red. He's a bit of an eccentric. They also say he only ever wears red himself."

"I see..." Kusanagi looked down at the photos, "Well, it seems to be popular. He must be really famous or like the top designer right now, right? If this is the latest issue of GothLoli."

Shinichi shook his head, "Well, he _was_ the top designer. Akai is already passé really. I mean, everyone was waiting for this issue of GothLoli of course but...now everyone is already waiting for GothLoli's next issue where Takumi Koyanagi is the designer that will be featured in the issue."

"Takumi Koyanagi?"

Shinichi put his hands out before him in a helpless gesture. "Geez, what kind of girl are you?"

Kusanagi flushed.

Katsumi decided to butt in and inform Kusanagi about who Takumi was. "Takumi is the most popular new designer. He's like totally awesome. His clothes are like _amazing_." She became starry-eyed as she began to think of Takumi's clothing designs. "I mean, red is nice and everything but it's not like you can wear it _all_ the time right? Also, Takumi recently won a fashion competition against Akai so now he's going to have a huge runway show at one of the most respectable places in Tokyo this Saturday night!"

"Tomorrow night, you mean, hmm." Kusanagi looked thoughtful.

"And Orihime is one of the models that's been picked to model Takumi's clothes in the fashion show! Isn't that so cool?" Katsumi was practically jumping up and down.

"Incredible." Kusanagi's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"Though I hope everything will go smoothly. There's going to be a LOT of security at the fashion show." Shinichi frowned thoughtfully.

"What? Why?" Kusanagi prodded.

Shinichi raised an eyebrow at her, "You haven't heard about the serial killer who's only targeting beautiful girls recently? Seriously, Kusanagi have you been living under a rock? You really need to get out of that mansion of yours more."

"Serial killer?" This was definitely the first Kusanagi had heard of this.

Katsumi nodded and shivered, "He's already killed five girls."

Kusanagi's jaw dropped, "Five? What's the pathetic fuzz doing! Keh!"

Shinichi and Katsumi shook their heads.

"Keh, what does that have to do with Orihime anyways?" Kusanagi spat.

Shinichi gave Kusanagi a look as if to say 'Duh'. "Orihime _is_ beautiful no matter what you say Kusanagi."

Kusanagi frowned, "Oh, right, I keep forgetting because of that nasty personality of hers..."

Ranmaru piped up suddenly, "Well, it's a good thing you don't have anything to worry about, _Oujo-sama,_ since you're so uncute." Ranmaru patted her head, nonchalant.

Kusanagi turned to glare at Ranmaru, emerald green eyes flashing angrily. Was that _that_ 'teasing' tone of voice of his again? _Uso_. No way. "And what the hell was that supposed to mean, you moron?"

Ranmaru felt the need to explain. "Well, it's because the serial killer only targets beautiful, sophisticated young _ladies_ -"

Kusanagi exploded. " _Kisama!_ Why you!" She grabbed Ranmaru by the front collar of his shirt and started to punch him.

There was a strange smirk on Ranmaru's face, as if he'd planned the whole thing.

"What's with the smirk?" Shinichi questioned aloud.

Katsumi nodded knowingly to herself, "He's a total 'M'."

"Yea, and she's a total 'S', so they're perfect for each other." Shinichi adjusted his monocle on his nose.

Kusanagi turned to glare at her friends, "Grrrr, what are you two blabbing about?"

Both Katsumi and Shinichi squeaked. "Epp. Nothing!"

Kusanagi let go of Ranmaru and tossed him to the ground and dusted her hands off. "Moron." There was a sudden commotion and Kusanagi and the others all turned to see that Orihime had arrived at school for the day-

Kusanagi's eyes widened as soon as she saw her. What the-? Kusanagi rubbed at her eyes. She must have been seeing things. But no, all around Orihime there was this smoky, smog-like aura that was hovering around her. And this gray almost black smoke all seemed to be coming out of Orihime's pendant...the one that she always wore around her neck.

Orihime caught sight of the group and rushed up to them, waving enthusiastically, "Hey, guys!" She looked Kusanagi up and down giving the girl a condescending look before turning her attention to Ranmaru. "It seems you were able to protect your Master, after all, _komainu_." She smiled warmly at him.

And Ranmaru gave her a half-smile back.

Kusanagi looked back and forth between the two of them in disbelief at them having this kind of interaction. _What the hell?_ Kusanagi was about to open her mouth to rant and yell at Orihime and Ranmaru but- _That smell! It's horrible! Where the hell is that smell coming from?_ Kusanagi covered her mouth and nose, and began to cough violently into her hand as Orihime moved closer. Where was that horrid stench that had suddenly hit Kusanagi's delicate nose coming from? She wondered and then Kusanagi noticed that the putrid, smog-like smell and the oppressive malevolent aura she had also sensed only seemed to worsen the closer that Orihime got to her and Ranmaru. Kusanagi's eyes widened. _No way._ Kusanagi thought the girl must have a _serious_ B.O. problem. Her eyes began to water and she began to cough even more violently. Ranmaru turned to his Mistress eyeing her in concern.

" _Oujo-sama?_ Is something wrong?" He instinctively put himself between Orihime and Kusanagi.

Orihime pouted at this action and appeared put off.

"N-nothing." Kusanagi coughed stubbornly, what the hell was wrong with her?

Orihime narrowed her eyes at Kusanagi, a guilty expression crossing her face before she quickly schooled her features into blankness and turned to go. "Uh, I...I better go. I'll catch you guys later! _Ja-ne!_ " She sauntered off. Shinichi pouted as she left them.

Through teary eyes Kusanagi watched her go and saw the oddest thing. A strange white light or energy was being sucked into the pendant around Orihime's neck coming from different students. But it was only the female students that were having this 'something' stolen from them. Kusanagi was able to See this with her Cursed Sight, her _Shinigami_ or Death God eyes.

_What the hell._ Kusanagi thought as she watched this phenomena curiously, _What is that...? Spirit energy? Life energy? Souls...? No, it's something else. Something less pure. Youth? Beauty? Years of a person's life? What does Orihime think she's doing? And just what is she stealing from them exactly? Whatever, I have to stop her!_ But when Kusanagi moved to get closer to Orihime her coughing fit began again. _Shit!_

Ranmaru was at her side in an instant. " _Oujo-sama!_ " He placed a hand on her back concernedly while she coughed violently.

Kusanagi bristled at Ranmaru's actions since it was all an act...right? She slapped his hand away violently. "Don't touch me!"

Ranmaru looked hurt and then quirked his head at her confusedly. What did he do wrong this time?

_Don't...don't act all nice to me when you don't really mean it. Don't...when I know you don't really care. Don't...when I know you really want me dead._ Kusanagi's eyes burned and she swallowed, willing her tears to go away before anyone would notice.

Kusanagi looked off at the retreating figure of Orihime and low and behold, there behind her was the Grim Reaper's Shadow...

"You have got to be shitting me." Kusanagi slapped a hand to her face and shook her head. _That bitch is going to die...again? What did I do to deserve this? Sigh. Well, I better keep an eye on the bitch anyways...whether I like it or not. Or else I'll just end up seeing 'him' again a.k.a the Grim Reaper._

Shinichi jerked his thumb at Kusanagi and Ranmaru while talking to Katsumi, "This is a perfect example of miscommunication between lovers."

Katsumi nodded in agreement, "Maybe those two need to go into 'marriage counseling'?"

Kusanagi turned to glare heatedly at the two of them her temple throbbing in ire. "Marriage counseling! Who's even a couple? Ha!" But she looked over to Ranmaru to see his expression about the whole thing since she was strangely curious about what his reaction might be.

But Ranmaru just had his usual stoic expression on his face and seemed completely unaffected by the conversation at hand.

_Sigh. Dense idiot._ Kusanagi shook her head.

***

That day, Kusanagi tried to keep an eye on Orihime but it was impossible to even get close to her without breaking out into a horrible coughing fit. _Dammit!_ She followed Orihime and some of the other girls into the girl's bathroom and spied at them from one of the stalls. The three girls were all 'grooming' each other, whatever. Putting on lip-gloss, retouching their make-up, brushing their hair, nothing too important.

The girls all began to complain about their already picture-perfect selves. At least, in Kusanagi's opinion it was ridiculous.

"Oh my ankles are _so_ fat." "My ears stick out too much." "I _hate_ my freckles."

But then Kusanagi watched as 'something' was stolen from these girls and went into the pendant that was dangling from Orihime's neck. _There it is again._ Kusanagi held her breath as she watched.

"Oh, that lipstick color looks great on you Orihime. What color is that?" One of the girls asked Orihime, stars in her eyes.

"Oh this? Cherry Red 66." Orihime smiled broadly, soaking up the attention and the praise.

"Cherry Red huh? Oh that reminds me, you looked totally awesome in GothLoli. Akai is a genius." The pigtailed girl nodded enthusiastically.

Orihime beamed. "Thanks."

"Can I borrow your lip gloss?" The girl begged.

"Sure." Orihime carelessly agreed and passed the tube of lipstick to the girl.

The girl began putting it on and looked at her perfect reflection back in the mirror and pouted. "I wish my lips were as pouty as yours."

"Orihime also has a killer figure." The other girl put in, "I'm so jealous."

"Do you work out Orihime?"

"Of course, beauty is hard work. And there's always a price to pay..." Orihime trailed off darkly.

"Aw man, I already have to redo my highlights." The other girl complained touching her roots.

"Your highlights look fine," the pigtailed girl shot back, "But my manicure is already going to pot." She looked down at her nails with a frown marring her cute face.

Her friend looked over her shoulder at her nails, "Your nails look fine. Didn't you just get them done last week?"

"But they're missing some of the sparkles I had added. I want them to be _perfect_."

"I understand," her friend nodded in agreement, "If my hair isn't just right I can't sleep at night!"

_Perfect...?_ Kusanagi shook her head at these prissy bitches. There was no such thing as perfection when it came to beauty. Didn't any of them realize that true beauty came from within? Or at least that's what Kusanagi believed anyways since it's what Mamoru had told her once.

These girls were way too vain and superficial for Kusanagi's taste. And what exactly was Orihime stealing from these girls anyways? Whatever it was it couldn't be good.

Little did the girls know that it was their very vanity, beauty and youth that Orihime was sucking out of them by means of her cursed pendant.

Kusanagi had had just about enough. She wasn't the type of person to just stand by and watch as some misdeed happened right before her eyes! Kusanagi opened the stall door, prepared to launch herself at Orihime, but ended up falling flat on her face as a coughing fit overtook her. _Damn._ The girls turned to laugh at Kusanagi's antics.

"Hey, it's fashion emergency girl." One of the girls joked.

"She _so_ needs a makeover." The girl in pigtails nodded.

"Or maybe just a brush." Orihime teased as she turned to the pigtailed girl. "Rin why don't you lend her yours."

Rin laughed, "Sure." She dug into her bag for her brush and tossed it at the fallen form of Kusanagi. "You had better keep it."

The girls all laughed at that and then simply left Kusanagi coughing in the middle of the bathroom floor. _Shit._ Kusanagi sighed once Orihime was gone and she could breath properly again. She stood up and picked up the brush. She looked down at it and something caught her eye. She pulled it out - it was a gray hair. _Huh? Why would Rin have a gray hair? She was only like fifteen. Strange..._

Maybe hanging around Orihime was more stressful than Kusanagi had originally given her credit for. Though Kusanagi was sure that wasn't the case. There was definitely something more sinister going on here. And Kusanagi intended to find out.

Kusanagi looked around to see if there was anyone else in the bathroom before turning to the bathroom mirror. Kusanagi wasn't a vain girl; in fact she rarely ever looked at her own reflection in the mirror. She preferred not to see what she looked like. A girl with wild hair that was sticking up in places stared back at her. A girl with furrowed brows, a frown on her face, and piercings on her eyebrow, nose, and upper ear. A girl wearing a flying-saucer military hat. Kusanagi shrugged and put the brush to her hair and attempted to brush it straight...but it was impossible and her hair just kept flipping back up in odd places. Sigh. "I give up...it's a lost cause. Besides, I decided long ago I'd try not to be cute."

Ranmaru, who had been hiding in the bathroom stall next to Kusanagi, couldn't help but add - "That's for sure, you're so uncute."

Kusanagi blinked and opened the stall door to see Ranmaru, sitting on the toilet seat with a newspaper in his hands. Her left eye twitched. "What the hell are you doing in the GIRL'S BATHROOM - YOU PERVERT!" She attacked Ranmaru and dunked his head into the toilet bowl as punishment. Gross.

Was it just Ranmaru's imagination or was Kusanagi being extra mean to him that day? Sigh. And after the whole Haruka fiasco Ranmaru had hoped that they had made progress. So much for that. Although even though Kusanagi had discovered he was a Spell-Collared slave she hadn't decided to sell him yet which had to be a good sign. Right?

***

It was Saturday, and the day of the big fashion show. Ranmaru was serving Kusanagi breakfast as usual when Kusanagi set down her coffee cup and spoke. "Ranmaru, I order you to ask Orihime out on a date today."

Ranmaru's heart stopped and he almost spilled the coffee pot he was setting back down. He gave his Mistress a confused stare, " _Oujo-sama?_ "

"There's something up with Orihime and that pendant of hers. I need you to get close to her, and observe her in order to figure out just what she's up to." Kusanagi began to explain.

Ranmaru's heart started beating again and he let out a breath of relief before bowing. "Of course, _Oujo-sama_ , as you wish." _Nanda_ , so his Mistress merely wanted him to spy on Orihime. He could do that.

But to Kusanagi, who frowned, it had appeared as though Ranmaru had agreed to ask Orihime out on a date a little too...quickly. _I bet Ranmaru would prefer having a Master like her..._

***

Ranmaru arrived at Orihime's mansion with some flowers. Daisies. Since the yellow centers of the flowers had reminded Ranmaru of Orihime's hair. Sigh. He didn't know what the hell he was doing and was sure he was going to screw this up somehow. Which was why he had beforehand asked Katsumi for some quick advice on how to deal with girls on a date.

Katsumi of course had thought Ranmaru had been asking advice for him and Kusanagi and so had readily agreed to help him.

"First off you have to call me, Katsumi- _sensei_." Katsumi began giving Ranmaru an imperious look.

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow at her but obliged. "Katsumi- _sensei_."

Katsumi coughed. "Now, welcome to Katsumi's School for Making Stoic Guys Hot and Irresistible! Lesson One: begins now, on how to woo a lady with the proper words...repeat after me: 'Hello there, beautiful, would you like to go for a walk with me?'"

"Hello there, beautiful, would you like to go for a walk with me?" Ranmaru repeated in his usual monotone voice, his expression blank.

Katsumi hit him over the head with a giant paper fan. Where had she gotten that thing? Ranmaru couldn't help but wonder. " _Gigaono!_ You've got it all wrong." Katsumi complained, hitting him over the head repeatedly. _Hey, this is kind of fun._ Katsumi was beginning to see why Kusanagi always seemed to be beating Ranmaru up. Cough. "Lesson two: body language. You have to smile charmingly and look sexy."

Ranmaru tried again, thinking of the way Haruka would give Kusanagi that cheesy star smile of his. "Excuse me, would you like to go for a walk with me, beautiful?" He gave Katsumi a small half-smirk.

BANG

The sound of a gun being fired was heard.

Katsumi sighed and fainted. When she came to she gave Ranmaru a thumbs up. " _Yatta!_ Alright! Now you are getting it, my student! Buwhahaha! I'm a genius! A true genius!" Katsumi puffed out her chest proudly. "Now try saying: 'My, you're looking lovely today'."

Ranmaru felt a trickle of sweat form on his brow in response. What was he getting himself into...?

But Katsumi had turned out to be pretty helpful and so now armed with Katsumi's 'lessons' he had gone to ask Orihime out on the date and of course didn't arrive empty handed, which Katsumi had explained several times would have been a big no no.

Orihime opened the door and blinked when she saw Ranmaru standing there. " _Komainu_? What are you doing here? Where's your Mistress?" Orihime peered behind him, searching for signs of his fiery Mistress.

Ranmaru held out the bouquet of daisies, "Let's go."

Orihime raised an eyebrow at his strange behavior. "Go?" She thought she caught movement out of the corner of her eye and turned to spot something in the bushes. She saw the telltale spike of Kusanagi's hair, which was sticking up while Kusanagi had been trying to hide and conceal herself behind the bushes. A cat's paw smile formed on her face. "Oh I see how it is." Orihime leaned forward and whispered in Ranmaru's ear, so that Kusanagi couldn't hear. "You've been ordered to go on a date with me haven't you?"

Ranmaru nodded.

Orihime pulled back and muttered something to herself. "To spy on me no doubt...cunning little bitch." Cough. Then in a much louder voice for Ranmaru to hear she continued - though he had heard her earlier words anyways. "Well then, let's go." She teased and took the flowers from his hands before looping her arm through his. "Daisies? They're nice." She smiled and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

Déjà vu. Ranmaru sighed. Here he was stuck taking this strange girl out on a date again when he would much rather be taking his Mistress Kusanagi out on a date, err, outing. His Mistress was an enigma, however, and he knew that if he ever even suggested that he and Kusanagi go out somewhere together that she would immediately spaz out and turn him down. Sigh. Yes, an enigma that Ranmaru never tired of trying to figure out. She was simply...fascinating. In hundreds of years - nothing had captured his interest quite like Kusanagi had.

Life had been so boring, so...black and white. Before Kusanagi had 'exploded' into his life painting it with splatters of loud brilliant colors. And now each day she punched the ceramic mask he had on his face. A mask that had been created over hundreds of years. His facemask now had _cracks_. And even Ranmaru realized that _some_ of his 'old self' was finally shinning through thanks to her.

Ranmaru had thought he would never know true happiness again either but then...Kusanagi had kissed him in order to save him. _Kusanagi..._

Orihime appeared to be in a hurry to do just about anything and everything with Ranmaru that day that she could possibly think of. Orihime dragged poor Ranmaru to all the shoe stores in Tokyo and had him carry her several shopping bags. Expensive stores too like...Prada...Gucci...GothLoli...While Kusanagi followed them all over town.

There were moments during their date when Ranmaru thought he caught sight of someone else following them, a man in a black cloak, but then he would turn to look in that direction and the mysterious shadowy figure would disappear, making Ranmaru think he had simply imagined it. Maybe.

Orihime was laughing, giggling and smiling as she led the way through a crosswalk. Ranmaru could barely see since his arms were piled high with shopping bags and boxes.

When-

A motorcycle suddenly hit something in the road and swerved erratically heading straight for Orihime! Ranmaru noticed this and stepped in front of Orihime, dropping all of the bags and boxes that were in his hands. He reached out his hand and simply stopped the motorcycle with his one hand as it was upon him. The motorcycle slightly crumbled from the force of the impact. The motorcycle driver was freaked out by Ranmaru's display of strength and simply ran away screaming in a terrified manner before they could ask him any questions.

Orihime was trembling, scared and a bit wide-eyed. She sunk to her knees in shock from her near brush with Death. But Ranmaru turned to her and reached his hand out for her to take. "Milady." That was another thing Katsumi- _sensei_ had taught him, always address a girl as 'lady' no matter what.

Orihime blushed at the formal address and took Ranmaru's hand with a small smile, allowing him to help her up. "Are you alright?" He asked.

Orihime smiled brightly back at him, surprised that he even cared. "I am now."

***

Meanwhile, Kusanagi watched the whole romantic 'Ranmaru was a knight in shinning armor, who saved the beautiful damsel in distress' scene and was pissed. And that was putting it lightly. She chewed angrily on her bottom lip. _Grrr._ _What does that bitch think she's doing? Why did Ranmaru have to go and save her anyways? Oh my god...he's offering his hand to her like she's some kind of delicate, fair maiden or something! How dare she touch him! Mou! That hussy! Argh!_ Kusanagi pulled at her hair and then her eyes widened when she realized something. _Ack, I can't believe I'm actually letting this even bother me! I'm not...jealous? Uso! No way!_ Brain freeze.

Then, out of the corner of her eye, Kusanagi thought she caught sight of something or rather someone. A cloaked and shadowy figure ran off into a nearby alleyway. Kusanagi rubbed at her eyes. Had she imagined seeing such a suspicious looking character in the vicinity of Orihime's _almost_ accident? Or was the cloaked figure...gulp...Death himself? Kusanagi didn't even want to think about that.

Kusanagi returned her attention to the two of them and saw that Ranmaru was now busy picking up the fallen bags and boxes. _Grr. How dare that bitch treat him like a servant! Making Ranmaru carry all her bags like that! Just who does that Princess think she is? Hmph! Argh...I treat him just like that don't I? Like I care!_ Kusanagi began to pull at her hair again as she continued to watch the two of them together...

"Yo." Came a sudden voice unexpectedly behind Kusanagi.

"ACK!" Kusanagi turned around to see that Shinichi and Katsumi had been standing behind her.

"Kusanagi, what are you doing? Aren't you supposed to be on a date with Ranmaru?" Katsumi asked curiously.

Kusanagi immediately began to spaz out and waved her hands frantically before her, "Why the hell are you two here? This isn't...what it looks like! I'm not stalking Ranmaru or anything. I'm on a...a...mission! Yea, a top secret mission, that's it."

Katsumi was immediately convinced while Shinichi looked completely skeptical. "Ooo!" Katsumi's eyes became starry. "A top secret mission? Don't worry General." Katsumi saluted her, military style. "I'm good with stealth so maybe I can help. Oh hey, look it's Ranmaru. Hey Ranmaru! Over here!" Katsumi began to wave over at him enthusiastically.

Kusanagi immediately slapped a hand over Katsumi's mouth and glared down at the girl. _Why me?_ She moaned in her mind.

Crunch...Crunch...

Shinichi was munching on some potato chips. Watching Kusanagi burn up all those calories always made him hungry for some reason. Kusanagi turned to glare at him next. "And what are you doing here too? Argh...I'm surrounded by crazies."

"You'd be the Queen of the Crazies then right?" Katsumi suggested innocently.

Kusanagi shot her a dark look, "Do you want to die?" Kusanagi then noticed what Katsumi and Shinichi were wearing and her eye twitched. _What the hell are they wearing?_ They were dressed strangely in matching blue _kimonos_ and had these white headbands tied around their foreheads that had the letter 'B' and then a pink heart, and then another letter 'B' besides it. _Huh?_ Kusanagi raised an eyebrow at their odd getup. "And what the hell are you two wearing?"

Shinichi and Katsumi suddenly struck a pose together, with their arms out to their sides. Yep, they had obviously practiced this. "We're the B and B fan club!"

"B and B fan club?" Kusanagi's mouth twitched this time.

"We're shippers..." Shinichi began to explain.

"Shippers?" Kusanagi quirked her head at them. "I'm missing something here aren't I?"

"We're shippers as in fans of the Bitch and the Butler pairing." Katsumi put in next.

"The who?" Kusanagi furrowed her brows at them.

"Why you and Ranmaru of course!" Shinichi declared adjusting his monocle in a snarky manner.

"Me and...?" _The Bitch and the Butler...? Hey, that's kind of catchy - gigao! No way! Hey, wait a second here._ Kusanagi blushed. "But there isn't anything going on between me and Ranmaru."

Katsumi nodded, "That's the whole point, silly. That's why they call us 'shippers', we're fans of an imaginary relationship pairing. One that doesn't exist."

Kusanagi's eye twitched this time. She was beginning to get real twitchy around these two. "Imaginary...?"

"But you must like Ranmaru a lot to follow him on his date with Orihime like this." Shinichi smirked. "I didn't think you were the jealous type."

Kusanagi burst out and exploded. "I am NOT following them! This is...like I said before a mission."

Shinichi just smiled to himself, "Surre.'

Kusanagi cracked her knuckles, "Oh that's it." She decided she'd beat them the hell up before continuing on her way. Which she did in about 5.2 seconds flat.

Kusanagi dusted her hands off and went back to following Orihime and Ranmaru, this time to an all-you-can-eat _sushi_ restaurant. She took a seat at a booth not too far from Orihime and Ranmaru's and held up a menu in front of her face to hide behind.

Katsumi and Shinichi both nonchalantly took their seats at the table directly across from Kusanagi. Kusanagi lowered her menu and gapped at them in shock. How dare they sit at her table! " _Oi!_ What are you two doing here?"

Shinichi was busy reading from the menu, "Why we're here for the all-you-can-eat _sushi_ of course."

" _Fish_..." Katsumi's eyes had turned into two large hearts and a trickle of drool was going down her chin.

Kusanagi sighed heavily, giving in. "Just don't get in my way, weirdos."

Shinichi and Katsumi both exclaimed- "YAY!"

"Oh brother..." Kusanagi slapped a hand to her forehead. "What a duo..."

They ordered an all-you-can-eat _sushi_ sampler tray that had a variety of different types of _sushi_ on it. There was of course plenty for everyone. However, Kusanagi hadn't counted on the voracious appetites of her two weird friends. As soon as the _sushi_ had been set down on the table it was like Shinichi and Katsumi had both gone into 'battle mode' - they raised their chopsticks, and strange glints had formed in their eyes as they suddenly attacked the _sushi_. Kusanagi's jaw dropped, they were fast, but this was just being silly, ridiculous really, who ever heard of getting so worked up over some _sushi_ anyways? And they were also eating out in public too – _Oi!_ Hey! That was her piece of _sushi_ dammit! _Grr._ Kusanagi's competitive nature began to kick in despite herself. "Why you!" Kusanagi raised her chopsticks and joined in on the Sushi War before she realized what she was doing.

Cough. Yes, Kusanagi decided as she fought off Katsumi's attack with her own chopsticks. Eating at an all-you-can-eat _sushi_ restaurant could be a battle too. And she wasn't about to lose any battle she ever decided to fight in! _Yosha!_ All the _sushi_ would be hers! She would become the _Sushi_ Queen! _Buwhahaha!_ Kusanagi inwardly cackled to herself.

***

Meanwhile, Orihime and Ranmaru were watching the loud commotion that Kusanagi and her friends were causing. Orihime was trying really hard not to burst out laughing and Ranmaru remained blank-faced, though his eyes were sparkling slightly as he watched his _Oujo-sama_.

Orihime couldn't hold herself back much longer and burst out laughing, "And this is her version of being incognito and trying to spy on someone? She's become the loudest of the bunch! She'd make a lousy _ninja_ that's for sure!"

Ranmaru and Orihime's own all-you-could-eat _sushi_ platter arrived and was set down before them. They too began to dig in; or rather Orihime began to dig in while Ranmaru simply watched her.

Orihime began to get uncomfortable by this and raised an eyebrow at him. "You can eat too, you know..."

Ranmaru bowed his head, "Thank you, milady." He took up his own chopsticks and began to eat slowly.

Orihime shook her head at him. "Do you always have to get permission for every little thing you do?"

"Yes." Ranmaru deadpanned.

Orihime looked at him curiously, "Just how long have you been a Spell-Collared slave anyways?"

"Over four hundred years."

Orihime began to choke on a piece of _sushi_. "Four hundred years? That's...crazy!"

"Hn."

Orihime set down her chopsticks and hesitated, a thoughtful expression coming to her face. "Don't you miss it...freedom, I mean."

Ranmaru looked over at Kusanagi, "Not...anymore."

"I see, you really do love her don't you." Orihime rested her chin on her hands as her golden eyes bored into Ranmaru's own.

It was Ranmaru's turn to choke. "I don't know what you mean. I am my lady's butler, nothing more."

Orihime sighed and tossed her long golden hair over her shoulder in a careless gesture, "You just keep telling yourself that Ranmaru, you dense _komainu_. But you know, if Kusanagi continues to be so evasive about her true feelings then I'm going to have to steal you away for myself."

Ranmaru's ears perked up. "Evasive?"

"Pass the soy sauce, Ranmaru." Orihime ignored him.

Ranmaru deflated, " _Hai._ " He did as he was told.

A different waiter than the one who had originally taken their orders stopped by their table to place another tray of _sushi_ before them. Orihime snagged a new piece with her chopsticks and was about to plop it into her mouth when Ranmaru suddenly had a bad feeling about the _sushi_ for some reason and threw one of his own chopsticks at it so that it was knocked out from Orihime's chopsticks.

"Ranmaru!" Orihime shouted at him in a mixture of shock and outrage.

Ranmaru pointed at the piece of _sushi_ , which was now burning a hole in the floor, "Poison." He informed her simply.

Orihime blinked down at the piece of _sushi_ in shock. "More like acid." Her expression darkened. "I suppose that's our cue to leave. Come on, Spot, let's go."

Ranmaru obediently followed her out in his usual calm and composed manner. All his keen senses however were on high alert. If he didn't know better he'd say there was someone out to claim Orihime's life.

***

Kusanagi and the others rushed to get their bill before running off and following after Orihime and Ranmaru. They followed the couple and after several minutes it became apparent that Orihime and Ranmaru were heading towards the amusement park. Kusanagi, Shinichi, and Katsumi all made the mistake of following Orihime and Ranmaru on the roller coaster ride that the couple had decided to go on. Kusanagi made a mental note: Roller coasters and all-you-can-eat _sushi_ don't mix. After that the trio ended up throwing up in a nearby alleyway. Kusanagi's eye twitched, if she didn't know any better she'd have thought Orihime had done that on purpose, as if she had known that Kusanagi was stalking her on her and Ranmaru's 'date'. _Naw._ Kusanagi shook her head, she was just being paranoid.

Once they had recovered it was to see Orihime dragging Ranmaru off to one of those small, cramped photo booths to take a commemorative photo. _That hussy! Trying to get all close and snug with my Ranmaru in that closed in space! Grrr!_ Kusanagi could barely hold back the green dragon of envy that had formed inside of her mind and that was spitting out flames. Kusanagi stalked towards the photo booth prepared to drag Orihime and Ranmaru out of there and kick both their asses. And she would have done so too if it hadn't been for Katsumi and Shinichi restraining her and dragging her back behind a tree to better spy on the couple.

Kusanagi struggled in their grasp. "Argh! Let me go!"

"You are like totally jealous," Katsumi told her, a note of surprise in her voice.

"Understatement." Shinichi nodded, knowingly.

Kusanagi flushed, "Am not! Argh!" She proceeded to beat up her two friends, err, nuisances and tried to stop herself from having an internal implosion due to her own conflicting thoughts and emotions. Talk about an emotional roller coaster. Why would it bother her anyways, if Ranmaru and Orihime were in such an enclosed space together? Ha! The word denial seemed to be hanging over her head. Kusanagi punched at it so that it crumbled to pieces.

Kusanagi was still lost in her tumultuous thoughts when Shinichi and Katsumi saw that Orihime was dragging Ranmaru away and towards the Ferris wheel.

"Uh oh...this is so not good." Shinichi said while munching on a chocolate covered crepe.

"What? Why? It's just a Ferris wheel." Kusanagi ventured to ask.

Katsumi shook her head. "Just a Ferris wheel she says. Do you know anything about firsts dates and romance?" Katsumi put in, she was munching on a strawberry covered crepe.

"Hell no." Kusanagi deadpanned. And then she caught sight of the crepes that the two of them were munching on and her eye twitched. "And when the hell did you both get crepes without me! _Mou!_ "

"Ferris wheels are like the number one kissing spot for a first date. Couples get on the Ferris wheel so that they can have some privacy and experience their first kiss up in the clouds together." Katsumi began to look a bit starry-eyed and her tone was dreamy, "Oh, it's all so _romantic~_!"

Kusanagi's eye twitched. " _Nandato!_ What? That complete hussy! How dare she take my Ranmaru off to the Ferris wheel with such...indecent intensions! Argh! And why do I even care? Argh!" Kusanagi began to pull at her hair frantically. Kusanagi noticed the strange looks Shinichi and Katsumi were giving her and cleared her throat before recomposing herself. Cough. "I just...said all that out loud didn't I?" Kusanagi dared to ask.

Katsumi nodded, "Yep, you did."

"You both know you're dead if you so much as mention or remember this right?" Kusanagi's voice lowered.

"We know." Shinichi put in.

Kusanagi nodded and let out a breath of relief, "Right then. Come on, let's go." Kusanagi stomped off towards the Ferris wheel.

Katsumi and Shinichi smiled at each other before skipping after her. "Are you going to try and stop them?" Katsumi asked excitedly.

"No, no we're not." Kusanagi said a serious expression on her face. "We're merely going to observe."

Kusanagi, Katsumi, and Shinichi hid behind a group of people as Orihime and Ranmaru were about to board the Ferris wheel and then whizzed past the other people in line to make sure they got into the car first. This would mean Kusanagi and the others would be directly adjacent to Orihime and Ranmaru's car as the Ferris wheel moved clockwise to pick up its new passengers.

***

Orihime had a cat's paw smile on her face as she looped her arm through Ranmaru's and led him into the car. She was ready to try and steal a kiss. _Buwhahah~_ At first she took the seat directly across from Ranmaru in the car thinking that way they could stare into each other's eyes better. But then Ranmaru began to ignore her in favor of looking outside of the car window and out at the incredible view of Tokyo. Tokyo Tower was visible along with many high buildings. Orihime was incredibly irked by this and stood up to sit next to Ranmaru instead; no one ignored the beautiful and intelligent Orihime after all!

"Hello, hello, earth to Ranmaru!" She started waving a hand in front of his face, and yet somehow he still managed to ignore her since he appeared to be zoning out. Argh! "Oh hey! Look over there it's Kusanagi!"

"What? Where?" Ranmaru's ears perked up and he was instantly alert.

Orihime hit him over the head for it. " _Baka!_ Here you are with the beautiful Orihime and all you can think about is that weird girl. Sigh. You really must love her."

Ranmaru immediately became defensive. "That is not true. I am nothing more to my lady than her _Samurai_ Butler."

Orihime frowned at him. "Liar."

"I don't lie." Ranmaru replied back in his monotone voice.

A twinkle formed in Orihime's eye as she thought of something. "Prove it then." She challenged.

Ranmaru blinked. "How?"

"Kiss me..." Orihime began to lean in close.

Ranmaru's eyes widened and he gulped audibly; it wasn't that Orihime was unattractive but- "I can't."

Orihime stopped barely an inch away from Ranmaru's lips. "Weren't you ordered to take me out on a proper date? Don't you know that at the end of a date the guy is supposed to kiss the girl he's with? It's the chivalrous thing to do. And coming with me to the Ferris wheel is like saying 'Take me in your arms and kiss me!'. Or didn't you know?" Her sweet, minty breath was wafting over Ranmaru's face in a tempting manner.

Ranmaru still hesitated but realized that Orihime was right. He had been ordered to do this. Kusanagi had even said 'Do whatever it takes Ranmaru to keep Orihime happy and to keep her thinking that it's a real date. Got it?' Ranmaru's death sentence had already been signed. His golden eyes dulled, he had to do as he was ordered. Nothing more, nothing less. He was just a Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave after all. Ranmaru nodded his head in agreement.

Orihime's eyes widened in surprise. She hadn't thought that kind of warped logic would work on him but apparently it had. Lucky! "Yes!" Orihime punched the air in front her excitedly before recomposing herself. Cough. A mischievous smile formed on her face. "Now where were we?" Orihime began to lean in again towards the now pliant Ranmaru-

When-

KABOOM

There was a sudden explosion and half of the car they were in was blasted open. _What the hell?_ The force of the blast had even managed to knock Ranmaru out for a few seconds. When he managed to pull himself together he looked over to see if Orihime was alright but saw that the half of the car where she had been seated had simply been blown away and that Orihime was nowhere to be seen. Ranmaru's eyes widened in concern. "Lady Orihime!"

He then caught sight of one of her perfectly manicured hands gripping the floor of the car on the side that had been blown to bits. He rushed over to see that she was dangling precariously over the side of the car and out over the amusement park below. "Lady Orihime, give me your hand." Ranmaru commanded her.

Orihime looked up and spotted Ranmaru reaching his hand down towards her, however-

Orihime shook her head at him. "I can't. My necklace..."

Ranmaru looked down to see that Orihime's pendant necklace was sliding from the fingers of her other hand and that she was trying to get a better grip on it.

"Just drop it!" Ranmaru furrowed his brows angrily together. It was just a stupid necklace! Didn't the silly girl realize her life was way more important?

"No! I can't!" Orihime cried back up at him and then she lost her grip on the floor of the car at that exact moment. She screamed as she fell backwards. Ranmaru jumped out of the car after her, however, and managed to grab her in midair and swiftly pulled her into his arms. Whew. He protectively wrapped his arms around her even more tightly and steeled himself as they landed on the roof of the Ferris wheel car that was directly below them. Kusanagi's car. Ranmaru looked up to inspect the damage that had been inflicted on their car. It must have been some kind of bomb or grenade. Another murder attempt on Orihime's life, Ranmaru decided.

With Orihime in his arms bridal-style Ranmaru leapt from the roof of Kusanagi's car and down to the roof of the next car below it. He then proceeded to make his way back down to the ground in this manner, jumping from car to car until he had finally managed to make it back to solid ground. He set Orihime down gently on her feet. And she let out a breath of relief that they had somehow managed make it back to safety.

However-

The entire car that had been bombed ended up breaking off of the Ferris wheel and falling down through the air towards the car that was directly under it. In other words Kusanagi's car. It hit and jarred the car with such force that the car rocked back and forth violently. So violently in fact that Kusanagi was slammed into the door of her car and the door was forced open.

Kusanagi flew out of the car but reacted quickly and grabbed the handle of the open car door so that she was dangling from the handle, as the door was swinging back and forth out over the amusement park grounds below. Katsumi and Shinichi immediately began to panic and then pulling themselves together began to try and pull the door closed again and to grab hold of Kusanagi somehow.

"Kusanagi!" It was Katsumi's voice and then. "Ranmaru- _senpai_ help us!" Katsumi cried loudly.

Ranmaru looked up at the distress call and saw Kusanagi dangling from the open door and about to fall to her death. His eyes widened dramatically. " _OUJO-SAMA!_ "

Ranmaru felt his inner _yokai_ consume him in his fear and need for instant power. He transformed in seconds into his nine-tailed fox form, this time at full power. This meant his form was twice the size of a tiger and he had his nine tails swishing behind him majestically. There was also a fiery red aura blazing around him intensely. His sword Kuroki Ryu was held between his jaws. He wasted no time in leaping up into the air and landing on the roof of the first car that swung back and forth from the force of the impact. Ranmaru then continued his way back up the Ferris wheel in this manner, heading towards Kusanagi-

"Ranmaru!" Kusanagi caught sight of him as he was coming towards her. Her hands were sweating and her grip on the handlebar of the door was becoming slippery. Shit. She tried to tighten her grip on the handle but her hand was simply sliding off of it, and then she lost her grip entirely and was falling backwards through the air. A piercing scream was torn from Kusanagi's lips.

But Ranmaru appeared beneath her just in time and broke her fall with his back. Kusanagi had landed on him on her stomach, and was draped across his back sideways. Oof. The air had been knocked out at her at the unexpected impact. She blinked down in shock at the soft, orange, fuzzy thing she had landed on. "Ranmaru!" Her eyes widened in recognition.

_Kusanagi, get a better hold of me. Put your arms around my neck._ Ranmaru spoke to her in her mind.

Kusanagi blushed but nodded as she turned on Ranmaru's back so that she was now mounting him properly, with both of her legs dangling down on either side of him before she then wrapped her arms around his neck.

As soon as Ranmaru felt that Kusanagi had a better hold of him he leapt down again from car to car heading back for the ground below. Kusanagi was in disbelief that Ranmaru had come to save her and nuzzled her face into his warm and furry neck. " _Doshite?_ Why?" She whispered in a low voice thinking Ranmaru would not hear her.

Ranmaru's heart leapt in his throat at her soft-spoken question. When she wasn't yelling her voice really was beautiful. _Because I am yours, your Samurai Butler._

Kusanagi's heart fell. _I see._ _Because he's my Samurai Butler. Because he's my slave and I am his Master._

As soon as Ranmaru touched ground Kusanagi leapt off of him and made sure her back was turned to Ranmaru. She didn't want him to see the tears that were in her eyes. That _baka_. Kusanagi took off running away from him not wanting him to see her like this.

And a mysterious figure once more slinked back into the shadows...

Ranmaru looked after his Mistress confusedly, _Oujo-sama?_ Ranmaru transformed back into his human form just as Orihime came running back up to him.

Orihime gave Ranmaru a knowing smirk and patted or rather slapped him hard on the back appreciatively, "Good job, hero. That's two damsels in distress you managed to save today! Come on, there's one last place I need to go. One last place..." Orihime trailed off sadly and then when Ranmaru turned his questioning golden eyes at her she shook her head and smiled brightly at him before grabbing his arm and dragging him off. "Hurry up slow poke! Time's awasting!"

***

Kusanagi, Katsumi, and Shinichi followed Orihime and Ranmaru back into Tokyo and to a very large building that had a rather large crowd gathered and standing out in front. Kusanagi blinked wondering what was going on.

Katsumi's blue eyes sparkled, " _Ooo~_ this is where the big fashion show is going to be held tonight! You know, Takumi's show, and Orihime is going to be one of his models! I almost forgot! Oh no!" Katsumi suddenly looked fearful. "I forgot to get tickets! The world as I know it is over! No!" Katsumi moaned in despair and shook her fist up at the sky above. "The gods are cruel indeed! I-"

Kusanagi covered Katsumi's mouth with her hand. "Yea, yea, I get it. Now, hurry up and follow me. We're going inside."

Katsumi's eyes widened and she remained quiet as Kusanagi pulled her hand back. "We are? But how?"

Kusanagi's emerald green eyes sparkled. "You'll see. Follow me." Kusanagi led Katsumi and Shinichi towards the back of the building. There was a single door but it was locked when Kusanagi tried it. She then took out a metal crowbar from the folds of the long, black leather jacket she had been wearing and began to stalk towards the door with it.

Shinichi and Katsumi's jaws both dropped as they watched Kusanagi put the crowbar to the door and force it open.

Kusanagi turned to smirk at Katsumi once the door was open, "Free admission."

"Awesome! That was like totally cool Kusanagi!" Katsumi's blue eyes were sparkling.

"Sweet." Shinichi agreed. "What a handy girl. Too bad she's in love with Ranmaru."

Kusanagi luckily didn't hear him since they didn't have time for one of her rants, and led the way inside of the building. They made their way down the hallways as if they owned the place and with Kusanagi's menacing and intimidating aura no one dared to ask them why they were back there. They finally managed to make it to Orihime's dressing room successfully. There was a large golden star on the outside of her door, which read, in fancy lettering: _Orihime_.

" _Ooo~_ " Katsumi looked at the star, "She has a star with her name on it! That is like so totally cool!"

Kusanagi reached out and pulled the star right off the door. "Hmm, it's not even glued." She then proceeded to rip the star in half, very slowly, a manic grin on her face. Then she began to rip the star up into tiny little pieces.

Katsumi looked distraught. "Kusanagi! How could you!"

Kusanagi cackled to herself as she let the paper pieces of the golden star fall to the floor. Kusanagi stomped on them once with her booted foot before ignoring the mess. Katsumi sadly knelt down and began gathering the pieces up and was trying to put the star back together.

Shinichi was shaking his head at Kusanagi, "What a total-"

Kusanagi shot him a death glare that immediately silenced him. Shinichi coughed. "The proverbial green-eyed dragon of envy sure is scary..."

Kusanagi's eye twitched. _Envy? Bull..shit._

"Really, Kusanagi, jealousy does not become you." Shinichi continued putting his hands out in a helpless gesture.

"Who's jealous? Hmph!" Kusanagi immediately rebuked and turned her attention back towards the door; she reached her hand out towards the doorknob only to stop when she heard strange sounds coming from within-

"Oh...yes Ranmaru! Yes! Yes!"

Kusanagi felt a trickle of sweat form on her brow as she heard Orihime's moaning voice. _She couldn't be...?_ All three quickly pressed their ears up to the door in order to hear things better.

That hussy wouldn't dare! Would she? Ranmaru is really hot...oh my god I can't believe I just thought that! Argh! What is wrong with me today?

"A little higher Ranmaru..." Came Orihime's pleased sounding voice, "Oh yes, _right_ there...now harder...oh yes just like that...harder...no harder!"

Shinichi fainted. Katsumi got a massive nosebleed and fell over. And Kusanagi had turned bright red and had combusted on the spot.

But then Kusanagi's inner dragon of envy exploded. "Argh! How dare that hussy!" Kusanagi was surrounded by an evil aura of green flames as she kicked the door open easily and stormed inside huffing. Emerald green eyes flashing, to see-

Ranmaru giving Orihime a foot and leg massage. Next to them were also the tools one needed to perform a pedicure so it became obvious that Ranmaru had just given Orihime a new pedicure. And Orihime was still moaning shamelessly in pleasure at Ranmaru's well-practiced ministrations.

Shinichi and Katsumi both let out sighs of relief. "Oh is that all it was. It's just a pedicure." Shinichi began.

But-

Kusanagi was not an easy dragon to appease. "Ranmaru _no baka!_ " She rushed forward and executed a flying sidekick to his stomach that sent him flying backwards and away from Orihime.

Orihime remained seated in her chair, nonplused, "Oh, why, hey there, Kusanagi."

Kusanagi turned to glare at her. "Don't you 'hey there' me, you slut."

Orihime looked over towards the poor fallen form of Ranmaru and tsked. "Now really, is that any way to treat your handsome, sweet, obedient, and skillful _Samurai_ Butler?"

"That's none of your business." Kusanagi placed her hands on her hips.

Orihime raised an eyebrow at her. "Oh? You think so? Well, I'm making it my business. The way you treat Ranmaru is awful. I know Ranmaru would never want to stay with a Master like you. In fact, I just know Ranmaru would love to have a nice, kind Master like me, wouldn't you Ranmaru?"

Ranmaru got up and dusted himself off. His expression however was still emotionless, stoic.

Kusanagi looked over at him worriedly, wondering what he was thinking. Had he really said something like that?

Orihime smiled a cat's paw smile. "I would be the perfect Master to you Ranmaru. I would _forgive_ anything you did and I would _never_ punish you. Not like Kusanagi."

The words hit Kusanagi hard because they rang true. Why would Ranmaru want _her_ as a Master when he could have someone like Orihime - both beautiful and _kind_?

"You...don't know what you're saying. Ranmaru isn't normal." Kusanagi began, that's right! Orihime didn't even know that Ranmaru was a Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave. There was no way she'd want him after knowing that. Right?

"If you're talking about the fact that he's a Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave. I already know." Orihime informed her, moving her foot up and down through the air.

Katsumi and Shinichi both gasped at this new news.

Kusanagi's jaw dropped. _She knows? Since when?_

"And I also know all about his debt. Your grandfather paid 100,000,000 _yen_ to buy Ranmaru at the _Yokai_ Slave Auction didn't he? Well, I'm willing to pay you double the amount of 100,000,000 _yen_ for him since you obviously don't want him. And I'll take good care of him. Much better than you, obviously. I for one wouldn't hit him, or punish him. I would treat him like a human being."

Kusanagi looked at Ranmaru, "Is this...what you truly want Ranmaru?" Her eyes began to burn. How could he not want this? Wasn't this the solution to her problem?

"What do _you_ want, _Oujo-sama_?" Ranmaru asked her instead, a serious expression on his face, his golden eyes boring into her.

"What do I want?" Kusanagi seemed taken aback by the question.

Ranmaru nodded. _Because whatever she wants is what I want too._

"What...I...want...?" Kusanagi bit down on her lower lip. _Would it be selfish to say...what I want is you? And what about what Ranmaru really wants? Wouldn't he be happier with someone like Orihime? Argh! I can't believe I thought that! What's wrong with me? It's almost as if I lo- lo- no way in hell! I don't even like the guy, right?_ Kusanagi's mind was about to have another implosion. "I-I-I..."

Her mask was beginning to crack and Ranmaru saw through it. She wanted him by her side after all. Ranmaru smirked to himself becoming amused by Kusanagi's hesitation. Really, was it so hard for her to say? Ranmaru's expression turned both pleased and smug.

However, Kusanagi's eyes shuttered and she recomposed herself. "I'll have to think about your offer Orihime. After all, 200,000,000 _yen_ is a lot of money to pass up."

Orihime smiled knowingly. "Good, you do that."

Katsumi looked outraged, "Kusanagi!"

But before Kusanagi could respond to Katsumi's outburst-

Takumi, the famous fashion designer, suddenly burst through the door to the dressing room. " _Taihen!_ Oh it's awful! There's trouble! My beautiful!" He declared as he literally twirled and spun into the room. Kusanagi's eyes widened as she looked Takumi over. _This_ total fruitcake was _famous_? He had sky-blue hair, obviously dyed, a black beret on the side of his head, rectangular-shaped, black sunglasses on his face, was wearing a black and white striped, form fitting shirt, and a pair of black, skintight leggings - yes leggings. He also had a pair of frickin ballet slippers on his feet and that wasn't the worst of it. On his back were two giant, blue, sparkly (yes _sparkly_ ) butterfly wings. _How can that guy go out in public dressed like that?_ Kusanagi wondered in awe.

"Trouble?" Orihime questioned, a serious expression crossing her face.

Takumi nodded vigorously, wringing his hands together, and pouting, "There have been three more murders!"

A heavy silence settled over the group, until-

"Three more. I see. Then I'm the only one left." Orihime said darkly, a somewhat resigned expression coming to her face.

"Whoa, wait a second here. Three more murders? Who was killed?" Shinichi butt in.

"Why three more of my models of course! Who else would it be? Now, Akane, Achiko and Akira have all been killed." Takumi moaned despairingly. "Whatever shall we do?"

"Models?" Shinichi repeated, "You mean this serial killer that's been going around targeting beautiful girls recently has just been targeting _models_?"

Takumi nodded distractedly, "Yes, but what are we going to do now, Orihime- _chan_? The show is in less that an hour. And I'm short three models!"

Kusanagi's anger, which had been building as Takumi continued to spout his frivolous nonsense, finally exploded. "What the hell? Three innocent people have just been murdered, killed! Death came for them! And all you can think about is some stupid fashion show?" She grabbed Takumi by the front of his stripped shirt and began to shake him violently.

Takumi looked afraid of Kusanagi at first but that was until he had his attention solely focused on her. His expression turned from one of fear to sudden interest, and he blinked back at her as if seeing her for the first time. He looked over her outfit from head to toe: her black tank top, beige cargo pants, long black leather jacket, the combat boots, and her signature military hat. His expression turned calculating and then oddly enough he smiled. It was such a creepy smile that Kusanagi suddenly let him go. Takumi rushed off and came back with a measuring tape, which he used to immediately begin taking Kusanagi's measurements. "Hmm, _perfect~_ _perfect~_ " He continued to take her measurements and wrapped the measuring tape around Kusanagi's chest area. "Hmm, a little small but they'll have to do."

Kusanagi kicked Takumi where it hurts, cheeks pink, "What was that _hentai_? Pervert!"

Takumi grasped his crotch and moaned as he crumpled onto the floor. "I'm sorry, please forgive me. I didn't meant to offend you. I only meant that you'd be a perfect replacement for one of the models I'm missing."

Kusanagi's jaw dropped. "Model? Me?" Maybe she had kicked him a bit too hard.

Katsumi however was nodding knowingly. "I always thought Kusanagi had that perfect 'angry, starved model' look about her."

Kusanagi turned towards Katsumi and began to crack her knuckles, "You what?"

" _Epp._ " Katsumi squeaked and began to back away.

Takumi seemed to resurrect once he caught sight of Katsumi and rushed over to her and began taking her measurements with his measuring tape next while nodding approvingly. " _Ooo~_ You've got a perfect figure."

Katsumi blushed as he began to take her chest measurements and seemed to freeze up.

"Impressive." Takumi was saying to himself while nodding, "D cup."

Kusanagi quickly hit him hard over the head with her fist for that one. "Perv."

"Sometimes I get bored when Kusanagi does my job for me." Ranmaru complained to no one in particular. If he wasn't going to get to beat up the bad guys what was he even really doing here?

"I hear ya, bro." Shinichi patted Ranmaru's back consolingly.

Ranmaru had managed to draw the attention of Takumi, who immediately eyed him up and down, a playful smirk forming on his face. " _Ooo~_ Now how did I miss you, handsome?" He immediately rushed over to Ranmaru on tiptoe and began to take Ranmaru's measurements as well. Ranmaru's eye-twitched. " _Subarashii!_ Splendid! Se magnific! You are one gorgeous specimen of a man, did you know? I don't think I've ever met a man as impressive as you are. You're practically..." Takumi began to run a hand up Ranmaru's leg appreciatively. "Perfect." Ranmaru shivered and wondered if Kusanagi would get mad at him if he hit this guy. "Wherever did you find him?"

"Slave market." Orihime deadpanned.

Kusanagi slapped a hand over Orihime's mouth and began to laugh nervously at Takumi, who was now giving them a piercing stare. "Don't listen to her, she's a blonde you know."

"Slave market?" Takumi frowned and then shrugged carelessly, "A pity I hadn't been there." He gave Ranmaru a teasing smile and a wink. "Now." He clapped his hands together. "Chop, chop, we have a show to put on! Hair! Make-up come!"

Just then several artsy looking people all dressed in black suddenly appeared ready to perform hair and make-up for Kusanagi and the others. But as Kusanagi was being dragged over to the make-up counter she was having none of this. "Whoa, hang on. What makes you think we're going to be your models?"

Takumi smiled and jerked his thumb towards Ranmaru, "You know, slavery is illegal these days. Or at least so I've heard."

Kusanagi frowned, shit. Kusanagi sighed heavily realizing she really had no choice now but to model for Takumi if she didn't want him to have Ranmaru taken away from her. So she allowed herself to be led away to have her hair and make-up done along with the others.

Kusanagi sat down to get her make-up done next to Orihime. "You knew all along didn't you? That the serial killer was targeting only models. Models that were going to be used for today's show. And that the serial killer was also targeting you. And yet you still came to do the show today. You must have known the risk you were taking. So...why?"

"I'm a model." Orihime began as the make-up artist started to apply lip-gloss to Orihime's lips. "It's what I do. I won't run away just because someone's trying to kill me. I've already made up my mind to do this. I have my pride as a model after all. And I'm a pro. And I will be until the very end."

"Your pride may end up being the death of you." Kusanagi said cryptically. _Unless I can find someway to stop the Grim Reaper from coming for her...someway to save her. All day today, I kept thinking I saw the Grim Reaper stalking her in the shadows. But he's right there isn't he?_ Kusanagi looked at the Grim Reaper's shadow that was behind Orihime. _So then who was...?_

Orihime nodded. "I know. But I'm already mentally prepared for this – for my final show. I knew the serial killer would try and take my life today because he gave me this..." Orihime took out a red envelope. She handed it to Kusanagi, who opened the envelope and pulled out the letter to read it. The words had been written in red ink. Kusanagi didn't even want to think what that ink might be. The letter read:

Today is the day I come for your life, my beautiful flower. Today is the day I will paint you in the most beautiful color there is. No other color suits you, my dear. You should never have worn any other color than the color I chose for you. I want you to always remember that you look loveliest in red...

_Red?_ Kusanagi blinked as the pieces of the puzzle finally began to fall into place. "You mean to tell me that the serial killer is Akai Shimasaki?"

Orihime nodded. "Yes, and this is all my fault. Everyone is dead because of me. Akai warned me about what he would do if I stopped wearing red and stopped being his exclusive model. But I didn't believe him. I was foolish, naïve, overconfident. He told me I was his model and no one else's. And that today for the fashion show, which he was so sure he would win, that he would make me the most beautiful red dress to wear."

"A dress?" Kusanagi's interest was piqued.

Orihime nodded, "Yes, he sent it to me already actually." Orihime stood up and went over to a storage cabinet and pulled out a dress bag. She removed the dress bag to reveal the dress, which was a stunning, red evening gown. It had a sleeveless top, which decorative swirls had been embroidered into with golden thread, and flowing, silken, bell skirts reached the floor that resembled the petals of an upside down camellia flower. Shimmering red stones had also been sewn into the silk fabric, which made the entire dress sparkle and that Kusanagi realized were actually small rubies. The dress really was breathtaking. And the color red that he had used was...unique. Akai really was a genius - even if he was insane.

The dress took Kusanagi's breath away. "That color...that color red. I've never seen anything like it before. It's beautiful." She breathed.

"It's blood." Orihime informed her in a low voice.

"Blood?" Kusanagi croaked.

Orihime nodded grimly, "It's been dyed red in the blood of his victims. Soon after he lost the Fashion Competition Akai warned me that I was still his model and that I was only to wear red. And that tonight I had to wear his ultimate creation – or else." Orihime laughed, a cracking sort of laugh, as if she were on the verge of tears. "I didn't believe him...I didn't really think he would kill everyone just because I disobeyed him. But now - I'm the only one left. Tonight he's going to kill me."

Kusanagi seemed surprised by how certain Orihime seemed with her last statement. Orihime knew that Death was coming for her and was ready to face him. This surprised Kusanagi who for some reason was feeling a new grudging respect for Orihime. Orihime was a brave girl. A girl who was also so certain that she was alone. Kusanagi raised an eyebrow at her. "You don't plan to wear his dress then?"

Orihime shook her head, a steely look in her golden eyes, "No. I already told you. I'm a pro. Tonight is Takumi's show. I'm going to wear his clothes tonight because...I love Takumi's clothes. They're really beautiful and not limited to one color. He creates clothes in all colors. He's a _true_ genius."

"A genius huh?" Kusanagi turned to see Takumi fawning over Ranmaru and sighed heavily, her eye twitching, "Riiight." She shook her head and her expression turned serious. "You're wrong about one thing though, Orihime. You're not alone."

Orihime turned and looked at Kusanagi in surprise. "Kusanagi..."

Kusanagi looked behind her and at the looming shadow of the Grim Reaper that was behind Orihime, and at its smile, which was wide and leering; it was laughing at Kusanagi and she knew this. "And you're not going to die." Kusanagi declared, challenging the spirit of Death behind her. _Not if I can help it. I won't let you win, Death._

Orihime just looked at Kusanagi in surprise, speechless.

Kusanagi and the other girls then began to try on the dresses that Takumi had designed, but that was when she noticed that Takumi was still in the room with them. She immediately began to spaz out. "Ack! What the hell are you still doing in here? You pervert!" She quickly hit him over the head.

"Ow!" Takumi moaned, tears in his eyes, "That hurt. And I don't see what the harm is, sweetie. We're all girls here after all."

"Girls?" Kusanagi glared at him, "I don't see any girl. Hmph! Now get out of here and give us some privacy. You too Ranmaru! _Mou!_ Geez! I'm surrounded by boneheads!" Kusanagi shoved both of the men into a separate room and closed the door behind them. She then dusted her hands off.

Orihime wore an amused expression on her face as she watched Kusanagi's antics, "Hmm, are you sure that was such a good idea? Sticking Ranmaru and Takumi in a room alone like that?" Orihime began pulling up a pair of stockings.

Kusanagi was slipping into a pair of high-heeled shoes. "What do you mean?"

Orihime slapped a hand to her forehead, "You really are dense when it comes to these kinds of things aren't you? Takumi _likes_ Ranmaru. And Ranmaru tends to act very naive about these sorts of things. Perhaps, even more so than you. Which means Ranmaru could be in danger."

Kusanagi's eyes widened to the size of saucers. "Oh my god! That pervert! He's going to corrupt Ranmaru!"

Kusanagi had been so preoccupied with worrying about Ranmaru's innocence, err, life that she had rushed into the spare dressing room that Ranmaru and Takumi were inside of while wearing nothing but a bra, panties, and a pair of high-heeled shoes. As she stomped her way carelessly inside Ranmaru turned to face her. Kusanagi's jaw dropped.

Ranmaru was now fully dressed in one of Takumi's creations. Ranmaru's coppery hair had been tied back into his usual ponytail, but this time a black, silk ribbon had been tied into a bow at the nape of his neck. He was wearing a slick, floor-length, black jacket that had the design of a fierce, golden dragon on the back. On the jacket's sleeves that belled out slightly at the ends, and on the very bottom of the fitted, black, silk pants that Ranmaru was also wearing - a smaller version of the dragon design had been embroidered into the material. The golden thread brought out the gold in Ranmaru's eyes. And with his trusty _katana_ strapped to Ranmaru's waist Kusanagi thought that he looked like some kind of futuristic, _samurai_ prince.

Kusanagi stopped dead in her tracks and was frozen to the spot.

_I think I'm in love~_ Kusanagi's inner voice piped up.

_Wow, he looks totally hot. Ack, I so did not just think that!_ Kusanagi gripped her head. Kusanagi shook her head and pulled herself together, wiping a bit of drool from her chin with the back of her hand before frowning at the sight before her.

Takumi was stroking Ranmaru's arm while pretending to examine the fit of the jacket while his other hand was running down Ranmaru's spine and towards his ass.

"You pervert!" Kusanagi declared as she rushed at Takumi and sent a flying sidekick his way. He was flung backwards but Kusanagi wasn't through just yet in punishing the pervert. Kusanagi leapt on him, like a cat, and straddling him began to punch his face repeatedly. However, since she was half naked and in only a bra and panties, Ranmaru saw fit to point this out to her.

A slight blush had come to Ranmaru's cheeks as a result. Cough. "Lady...Kusanagi?"

Kusanagi turned her attention towards Ranmaru since he rarely called her by her true name. She then looked down at herself to realize what she was wearing or rather to take notice of what she _wasn't_ wearing. "AHHH!" She immediately glared down at Takumi and then at Ranmaru as if this was all their fault. "You! Perverts!" Kusanagi declared as she leapt off of Takumi and then flung her shoe at Ranmaru's face.

BAM

The shoe hit Ranmaru directly between the eyes and he fell backwards.

Kusanagi then dusted her hands off and turned to leave them in a huff. "Hmph!"

"Why did she even come in here?" Ranmaru asked confusedly from his place on the floor.

"To save you from my evil clutches of course." Takumi giggled. When had the man managed to move right next to him? Ranmaru wondered as the fruity designer began to run a hand up Ranmaru's bare chest towards one of his nipples. Ranmaru frowned and turned to give Takumi a cold look. If looks could kill. He then simply shoved Takumi back with one hand, which sent the designer skidding across the floor due to his incredible strength. "I don't need saving." _Not when I need to be ready to save Oujo-sama._

***

Finally, everyone was dressed and ready for the fashion show to begin. Kusanagi peaked out from behind the curtains to the runway stage that she would soon have to walk down. She was surprised at the incredibly large turnout of people that had come for the fashion show - there were lots of models, a few pop idols, reporters, and of course fashion connoisseurs. They were all highly superficial and vain people, Kusanagi realized as she looked at all of them. People who had been consumed by their vanity, and who tried their best and did whatever they could to maintain their beautiful masks. People who used fashion, expensive anti-aging creams, brand name make-up, and even surgery to keep up their facade of youth and beauty. People that also had a unique aura around them...

Kusanagi shivered and closed the curtain behind her not wanting to see more.

And then the fashion show was underway. Katsumi was the first to go out onto the runway to model. She was wearing a sky-blue dress with an empire silhouette – a high-waisted cut of dress where the material was gathered just underneath the bust from which a long, loose skirt of flowing, silk material came down to touch the floor. Behind Katsumi's back were two sparkly, sapphire blue and black butterfly wings that had been attached to her back. Blue rhinestones had also been glued to Katsumi's face - one large jewel was in the center of her forehead and other smaller jewels had been glued in arches over her eyebrows.

Katsumi made her way down the catwalk and was doing a spectacular job that is until she suddenly tripped and fell flat on her face. Opps. The crowd laughed but Katsumi seemed unaffected and simply picked herself back up and continued her way down the runway as if nothing had ever happened. The crowd that had been laughing seconds before seemed impressed by Katsumi's inner strength and ability to keep on walking like that even after her clumsy mishap and so began applauding her instead.

After Katsumi it was Kusanagi's turn. Kusanagi took a deep breath and then made her way out onto the runway. She could care less about Takumi's show or his success, but she did have her pride. And even though she was being forced to do this she was going to do her best, and she was going to make sure her best was nothing short of spectacular.

Kusanagi walked out onto the runway and immediately the cameras began to flash. Kusanagi couldn't help the small smirk that graced her lips. She knew she looked good. The outfit that Takumi had designed and which she had gotten to wear was an extremely daring mix of styles between ancient, modern, and futuristic Japan. The outfit consisted of a sleeveless _kimono_ of a deep, emerald green silk. The accents on the _kimono_ were black and there were two sharp pieces of material at the neckline that accentuated the modern cut of the outfit and that jutted out like a bird's wings. A thick black _obi_ , or sash belt had been tied about her waist accentuating her slender frame.

Attached to Kusanagi's forearms and tied with black ribbons were two square-shaped _kimono_ sleeves that had also been created in green silk. A black ribbon choker had been tied around Kusanagi's neck in a large, dramatic bow. Kusanagi's hair had been styled with half of her hair being brought up into a topknot from which two, long, golden chopsticks were sticking out on each side. Her shoes were _geta_ , traditional Japanese wooden sandals, except that the wooden base was at least four inches high. Kusanagi had to be very careful not to trip in such high sandals, but she had to admit the overall effect of her outfit was sensational.

The crowd of spectators _Ooed_ and _Ahhed_ as they watched Kusanagi walk down the runway and Takumi had tears in his eyes as he watched her performance.

Kusanagi made her way back and let out a breath of relief that it was over. The next to go out would be Ranmaru, who was escorting Orihime. Orihime's ball gown had been made to match Ranmaru's ensemble in black and gold, and had been fashioned after the popular _Gothic Lolita_ style. The black, velvet gown was sleeveless and the neckline had been adorned with a large, silk butterfly so that the v-neck of the dress was made by the top of the butterfly's wings. The design of golden butterflies had also been embroidered throughout the material of the gown. Orihime wore a black, lacy choker around her neck and she wore a pair of long, black silk gloves that also had lace accents at the ends of the sleeves. Her hair had been left loose, cascading over her shoulders and back in a chaotic wave of gold. Black butterfly barrettes, which Takumi had handmade out of silk and shiny onyx beads, adorned her hair in places.

Kusanagi frowned thoughtfully. Orihime truly did look like a princess and Ranmaru was indeed looking like her prince or perhaps her knight. They really did look good together, Kusanagi realized with a pang as she watched the two of them walk down the runway together from behind the curtain. Kusanagi felt a twinge of jealousy as she watched them both arm in arm but was unable to recognize the feeling for what it was. The crowd also seemed to become enamored by the beautiful couple and was going wild by taking numerous photographs.

However-

The pendant around Orihime's neck suddenly began to pulse with light, as it seemed to sense the unique auras of the people, who had been gathered there that night. Their auras of vanity. Kusanagi watched in a stunned stupor as the aura of smog appeared circling around Orihime once more, and that foul smell from before had returned, but this time the stench was ten times as strong. Kusanagi put a hand in front of her mouth as she began to cough.

The pendant seemed to be going out of control Kusanagi realized as the pendant's glowing seemed to become erratic and it was suddenly sucking in large amounts of 'aura' from the gathered crowd – stealing their vanity, youth, and beauty.

Kusanagi could See it being sucked in-

People in the audience began to fall over unconscious, their auras of youth and beauty having been stolen. Kusanagi saw that their hair had been turned white.

Kusanagi couldn't remain a spectator any longer after that, and so rushed out onto the runway stage. She could See that the people weren't dead yet since the Grim Reaper's shadow was still formed behind them but remained unmoving. These people were hanging precariously on the thread between Life and Death. Their lives were still in danger and if the pendant decided to steal anymore of their aura from them they would surely die. Kusanagi looked towards the pendant and saw that it was just as she feared - it hadn't finished feeding and was still sucking at the remaining auras of the fallen people.

"Orihime! Stop! You're killing them!" Kusanagi yelled over towards her.

Orihime had been in a kind of trance, with a dazed look on her face, her golden eyes dull - but at the sound of Kusanagi's harsh voice she seemed to snap out of it and looked around finally noticing what her pendant had been doing of its own will. She grasped her pendant intent on stopping it but her eyes widened in fear. "I...can't stop it! Somehow the pendant is out of my control! It's gone berserk!"

"Shit. I knew something like this would happen. Dammit!" Kusanagi steeled herself and took a deep breath before walking forward and towards Orihime. She would have to take care of this herself. This was much harder than it looked since for Kusanagi it felt like she was trudging through sludge. Kusanagi had to use all her strength and willpower just to be able to continue forward, and not allow herself to become overpowered by the smell or the smog cloud that had formed all around the entire runway stage. Her eyes were watering badly and she began to cough again as she stubbornly continued her way towards Orihime.

Finally, Kusanagi was standing in front of Orihime and using the last of her remaining strength she reached out to grasp hold of the cursed pendant. It tried to resist her of course. As Kusanagi's fingers wrapped around the pendant it immediately burned her hand painfully, but even as Kusanagi flinched from the pain she didn't take her hand back until she was ripping the pendant from Orihime's neck. She then raised her hand high up into the air-

"No! Don't do it!" Orihime cried as she realized what Kusanagi intended to do.

But Kusanagi didn't listen to her and smiled instead as she threw the pendant down hard upon the runway floor where the stone in the pendant shattered easily. A dark moaning shade rose up out of the broken pendant fragments and Ranmaru unsheathed his sword seeing that he finally had some work to do. He quickly empowered Kuroki Ryu with his _yokai_ energy before bringing it down upon the shade in a high downwards slash. He easily exorcized the evil spirit that had inhabited Orihime's pendant. The evil spirit let out an angry shriek as it was destroyed.

Kusanagi was panting for breath and Ranmaru noticed that two strands of hair that were on either side of Kusanagi's face were now white. The stolen auras of vanity, youth and beauty began to return back into the bodies of the fallen victims. And as for Orihime-

The illusion spell had been broken.

And the true face of Orihime had been revealed to all.

A horrified gasp went through the crowd and Kusanagi turned to see what the fuss was all about and saw Orihime's true form. She couldn't help but stare since there in the center of Orihime's forehead was a single, spiraled golden horn that was about four inches in length.

"A unicorn maiden..." Kusanagi muttered to herself as she realized what Orihime was.

Orihime was beginning to panic. No one had ever seen her true face...she could feel all the eyes upon her. Those harsh eyes that were condemning her, judging her. The crowd of people had begun to whisper frantically about her new appearance...

"Orihime is a _yokai_...?" "Orihime is a unicorn maiden?" "Look at that horn!" "She looks like...?" "A demon." Someone finally finished the thought that everyone had been thinking and put a voice to it.

"No..." Orihime breathed to herself as she clutched the sides of her face in her hands. Her worst nightmare was finally becoming a reality. She had done everything in her power so that no one would ever have to see her true form. She had even managed to find that pendant and had known the price she would have to ultimately pay for its use – her own youth and beauty. But she had never expected the pendant to be destroyed suddenly and for her secret to be revealed so unexpectedly like this. "No..." She sunk to her knees and covered her face with her hands as she shook her head back and forth. "No, don't look at me. Please...don't look at me. I'm...hideous." Orihime moaned in despair.

"Orihime-" Kusanagi began, brows furrowed as she walked towards the girl.

However-

A voice suddenly boomed out across the auditorium. "Orihime! You foul masked woman! You hideous deceiver of men's hearts! You're nothing but a witch, who has charmed me with a lie! You will pay dearly for deceiving me - with your life!" The voice declared.

All eyes turned in the direction the voice had come from, which was across the auditorium, opposite to the stage, and on the second level. There the figure of a man in a hooded, black cloak was seen. He had his arm raised, and his long, pale finger was pointed accusingly towards Orihime.

_The Grim Reaper?_ Kusanagi gasped in fright, her heart pounding madly in her chest. _He's come...for Orihime!_ "Oh my god, it's him!" Kusanagi blurted out.

Ranmaru was at his Mistress' side in an instant, "Mistress?" He asked her concernedly and followed her line of sight. There he saw the mysterious cloaked and hooded figure. "You know who he is?"

Kusanagi looked back at Ranmaru with haunted eyes, "You can see him too?" She demanded of him in a mixture of shock and disbelief.

Ranmaru furrowed his brows at her, not quite understanding what Kusanagi was getting at. "Yes, I can see him."

Kusanagi blinked back at him, "I mean, you can see the Grim Reaper...?"

"You mean that man?" Ranmaru questioned her again trying to clarify.

"Man?" Kusanagi blinked, "Wait a second, Ranmaru can you smell him?"

Ranmaru nodded back in his stoic manner.

Kusanagi blinked back - Opps. She had just mistaken a flesh and blood man for the Grim Reaper himself. Ranmaru must think she was insane! A guilty look crossed Kusanagi's face immediately as she realized her mistake and wondered if she could try and hide this from Ranmaru somehow.

Ranmaru however noticed this. _Why did Kusanagi think that man was actually the Grim Reaper? Is it possible that she's able to See...?_ Ranmaru opened his mouth prepared to question Kusanagi about her mistake.

However-

The man pulled his hood back to reveal who he was and his cloak swirled revealing that it had a bright red lining. It was none other than the eccentric clothes designer - Akai! He had a red mohawk of hair, a white painted face, black painted lips, and a red teardrop had also been painted under his left eye for dramatic effect. Kusanagi thought he looked like some kind of evil clown. But she scratched this thought when he suddenly raised a giant sniper rifle and aimed it directly at Orihime-

Holy-!

"My darling Orihime! How could you deceive me like this? I believed in you! In your beauty. You were the muse and inspiration for my greatest work! But now...you're nothing but a fake and a monster! A demon! But don't worry my darling. I shall save you from your own hideousness by painting you in the beautiful red color of your own blood! Thus shall you be cleansed of your own ugliness! Never fear! I shall save you!" He took aim and fired.

_He's not really the Grim-!_ Kusanagi was frantically putting the pieces of the puzzle together in her mind when the shot was fired. _Shit!_ Kusanagi reacted on pure instinct. "Orihime!" She pushed Orihime to the stage floor and out of the way of the bullet.

Ranmaru leapt into action next and unsheathed his sword Kuroki Ryu once again. Ranmaru hopped down from the runway stage, and ran down the center aisle towards the other side of the auditorium, his sword held out before him. Once he was in the right position he simply jumped up and onto the second floor landing directly in front of a stunned Akai with a heavy thud.

Akai blinked back at Ranmaru with wide-eyes full of fear, "Just what are you?"

Akai turned his rifle and let loose a cry as he fired several shots in Ranmaru's direction, but Ranmaru easily dodged these bullets as he moved his sword and body through the air using his _yokai_ speed. Akai lowered his rifle then, his jaw gapping open. " _Uso_ ...no way..."

There was a fierce glint in Ranmaru's eyes that were glowing red as he turned and pointed his sword Kuroki Ryu at Akai. "Who me? I'm the Lady Kusanagi's _Samurai_ Butler." He swung his sword forward, first bringing it down upon the rifle and cutting it in half. Akai squeaked in fright and dropped the useless pieces of the gun before him. Ranmaru then moved his sword swiftly through the air and did not hesitate to run Akai straight through the heart, in one fluid motion-

Bright red blood splattered into the air as it gushed out of the wound in Akai's chest.

Akai smiled as he watched the droplets of his own blood fill the air like cherry blossom petals wafting on a spring breeze, "So beautiful..." He looked into Ranmaru's red eyes. "An angel of death _ka?_ At least I died beautifully."

Ranmaru removed his sword and Akai fell back, dead, with a broad smile on his face.

Ranmaru remembered the fallen form of his _miko_ love Nagi and shook his head. _You're wrong. Death is never beautiful..._

"Kusanagi!" Came Orihime's panicked voice.

Ranmaru's ears perked up and he turned to look down the aisle. Had Kusanagi been hurt? He leapt down from the second floor and onto the first floor to run back down the center aisle and towards Kusanagi. He leapt back up onto the catwalk and was at Kusanagi's side in seconds. Orihime was kneeling next to Kusanagi's unmoving body with a helpless expression on her face. Ranmaru bent over and pulled Kusanagi's limp body into his arms protectively. He saw a spot of red blooming on her shoulder - she had been shot. He looked down at her with his ears flopped and pressed down on either side of his head, and his golden eyes were filled with worry, " _Oujo-sama...?_ "

"R-ranmaru?" Kusanagi's eyes fluttered open. She blinked back up at him and smiled lopsidedly through the pain in her shoulder. "Ranmaru, don't look at me like that. It's just a flesh wound. It's nothing serious. _Mou_ , you're always such a worrywart."

Ranmaru let out a breath he had been holding. His Mistress was alright...

Kusanagi frowned suddenly when she sensed something... _malevolent_. "Ranmaru, I think there's someone who needs you more than I do right now. Help her, Ranmaru, that's an order."

The crowd was becoming restless again now that the serial killer had already been dealt with. Their attention seemed to be focused on Orihime and her horn once more. A young man suddenly threw his cell phone at Orihime, who didn't notice since she was too busy crying into her hands pathetically.

_Humans love to bring someone up but humans love it even more to bring someone down._ Kusanagi thought to herself morbidly as she shook her head.

Ranmaru had easily caught and crushed the cell phone with one hand before it could even reach Orihime. It had been aimed at her head. Ranmaru turned to growl threateningly in the direction from where the cell phone had been thrown, and he narrowed his golden eyes at the crowd that seemed to simultaneously take a step back. He let the pieces of the cell phone slowly fall out of his hand and land on the catwalk stage.

Kusanagi gathered her strength and turned her own glare upon the crowd, pissed, " _Oi!_ Whatever bozo threw that I'm so suing your ass for assault with a deadly weapon!" Kusanagi shook her fist at the crowd while threatening them.

Orihime looked over into the crowd and recognized the young man, who had thrown the cell phone at her. "Shoji..." He was one of her so-called admirers; she had even gone on a few dates with the guy. In fact, as Orihime scanned the crowd she recognized several of her would-be admirers and boyfriends, but now when they looked at her there was no longer 'admiration' reflected in their expressions, but something else...disgust, fear and even hate. _Ah, so this is what rejection feels like,_ she realized. _I disgust them now, don't I? I disgust everyone now._

Ranmaru walked over to Orihime and reached his hand down to her, "My beautiful princess, may I be of some assistance?" He gave her a half-smirk.

Orihime looked up with a surprised look on her face, tears in her beautiful golden eyes, "What? But I'm no longer..."

"You were beautiful before but now...you're even _more_ beautiful, my princess." Ranmaru said loudly enough so that everyone in the crowd below that was eavesdropping would be able to hear.

Orihime blushed and put her hand in his to allow him to help her up.

Ranmaru cupped her cheek, "Golden like the sun...it suits you I think, since you too are a lot like the sun, Orihime. You shine so brightly, even more so now, you are indeed a radiant being."

"R-ranmaru..." Orihime's voice caught in her throat. How could she ever repay him! She looked over at Kusanagi, who winked back at her. Ah, so the two of them had planned this. Orihime smiled back at Kusanagi as if to say, 'Thank you'. Kusanagi nodded back, her message had been received.

Their impromptu plan of 'Prince Ranmaru declaring Princess Orihime beautiful' seemed to be working since the crowd was all suddenly nodding in agreement with whatever Ranmaru had in mind to say. Ranmaru was a natural leader, Kusanagi realized as she watched him. And she remembered something that Mamoru had once told her:

There are two kinds of people in this world. There are those in life that are like stars or balls of light. Then there are those people who are merely drawn towards these lights like a moth to the flame; these people lack their own light and are followers and not leaders. You...are not a moth Kusanagi. I can see that you have a small light of your own, a light which I have been drawn to...

As Kusanagi observed Ranmaru and the effect his little performance was having on the crowd of people she thought she could see it – the light that was coming from Ranmaru. Ranmaru too was a ball of light, he was no moth, but somehow she felt that his light should be even brighter than what it appeared to be now.

The man had charisma when he wanted to use it. And in that moment he seemed so far away from her. _Ranmaru...just who are you really?_

A cheer slowly began to go through the crowd and then to rise in volume. They had begun to chant Orihime's name. "Orihime! Orihime! Orihime!"

Orihime leaned in to whisper something in Ranmaru's ear, "Thank you...thank you both so much..."

Ranmaru half-smirked back at her. "Don't thank me, thank Kusanagi."

Orihime nodded, she planned to. This time around she owed Kusanagi. Big time.

***

Kusanagi, Orihime, Ranmaru, Katsumi, and Shinichi and the rest had all gathered backstage.

"Thank you, Kusanagi." Orihime began as she deliberately approached the girl.

"Don't mention it." Kusanagi waved her thanks off.

Orihime suddenly smirked, "However, you still haven't answered my question. What is it you want to do with Ranmaru, Kusanagi?"

Kusanagi looked over at Ranmaru and suddenly appeared nervous, "I...uh...you see..."

"She wants Ranmaru to stay by her side of course!" Katsumi butted in, a frown on her face. "Stop trying to get in their way Orihime!"

"Katsumi!" Kusanagi's face was now bright red.

"Well, if that's the case." Ranmaru walked over and knelt before Kusanagi elegantly. "I am Lady Kusanagi's _Samurai_ Butler and no one else's." He then stood and turned to face Orihime. "I am sorry but I owe a debt to her family and I wish to fulfill my debt by being of service to them as long as they need me."

"But...I'm willing to free you from that very debt." Orihime persisted.

Ranmaru shook his head. "I am not free from it until _Oujo-sama_ says so. So until _Oujo-sama_ doesn't want me by her side I intend to stay there...forever. Kusanagi is my one true Master."

" _Forever?_ " Kusanagi was looking at Ranmaru searchingly and trying to figure him out. So, he wanted to remain her _Samurai_ Butler after all, but this was apparently also due to the fact that he felt indebted to her and her grandfather, and not because he cared about her.

Orihime pouted, "I see, but you know until _someone_ stops being so evasive I won't give up on you so easily, Ranmaru darling! Especially, since you have accepted the _real_ me. Now that my true face has been revealed no one else will ever be able to love me..." Orihime trailed off sadly, saying the last in a low voice she didn't think the others could hear.

Ranmaru shook his head and a serious expression came over his normally blank features. "That's not true. You were hiding yourself behind a mask. How could you expect to find real love if you weren't even showing the one you love your true face? Real love is when you're accepted by the one you love for who you truly are - no masks." He looked over at Kusanagi as he said this. _Just as I've accepted her without her mask. The girl behind the mask is the one I want to be my Master._ "Someone will accept you for who you truly are because you are a beautiful and kind woman..." Ranmaru turned to look back at Orihime. "Orihime, you merely need to wait for the right man to come along who is able to see past your masks and who can appreciate you for who you truly are." Again Ranmaru looked over at Kusanagi.

"Whoa." Katsumi breathed, "That's like the most I've ever heard Ranmaru say."

Shinichi was nodding in agreement, "Yea."

Kusanagi felt uncomfortable under Ranmaru's piercing stare that seemed to be able to see right through her mask. She shifted uncomfortably from foot to foot in response. That look that he was giving her, it was extremely unnerving...

" _Ohhh~_ " Orihime exclaimed excitedly, looking at Ranmaru a bit starry-eyed, and moved by his wise words, "Now I love you even more than before, Ranmaru!" Orihime leapt towards him intent on _glomping_ him, but he simply sidestepped out of the way so that she flew past him and into a rack of clothes that had been behind him instead. Ouch. "I won't give up on you!" Came Orihime's voice from somewhere within the clothes pile. "Not until a certain someone stops being so evasive! And especially not since you accepted the real me Ranmaru when I was sure no one else ever would. I know that we're meant to be together for that very reason, Ranmaru. It's fate. Thank you for accepting me, Ranmaru, you don't know how much that means to me I-"

"Blah, blah, blah." Kusanagi butt in interrupting Orihime's pathetic, romantic monologue, "Enough of that sappy crap. He's not even listening to you, you know, Orihime."

Shinichi rushed over to help Orihime up and she allowed him too. Shinichi gave Orihime a toothy grin, "You know, I also accept the real you. And did you also know I'm currently single?" He waggled his eyebrows at her playfully. "Want a cookie?"

Orihime simply ignored Shinichi and sighed wistfully, "Oh well, perhaps one day, my feelings will be able to reach you _Ranmaru~_ " Orihime sighed to herself as she walked off, still daydreaming.

Katsumi patted Shinichi consolingly on the shoulder, "You gave it your best shot, kiddo."

Shinichi pouted and stuck the cookie into his mouth instead, "Yea."

Kusanagi snuck over to stand next to Ranmaru and asked in a low voice. "Ranmaru, are you sure you don't want Orihime as your Master?"

"I'm sure." Ranmaru said a serious glint in his golden eyes. "I want you to be my Master, Kusanagi."

Kusanagi felt her cheeks turn pink. "But why...?" She continued to prod.

"Because I owe a debt to your family. Your grandfather saved me and beseeched me to protect you. And I vowed to him that I would." Ranmaru nodded.

Kusanagi deflated, "Oh, I see." She said somewhat dejectedly.

A smug smirk formed on Ranmaru's face since he hadn't noticed her expression quite yet, "Besides, I know you want me." _As your butler._

Kusanagi looked outraged, "W-what? I don't _want_ you... _want_ you! You pervert!" She flushed.

Ranmaru blinked back at her confusedly since that hadn't been what he meant. He opened his mouth to explain-

But-

Too late.

"Ranmaru _no baka!_ " Kusanagi sent a flying sidekick his way.

PS

"Those two really need to work on their communication skills." Katsumi shook her head at the couple.

"No kidding." Shinichi agreed and passed the box of cookies Kat's way, "Cookie?"

"Sure!"

### Chapter 10: When you kill someone, someone will be sad

Ranmaru was outside in the menagerie taking care of Kusanagi's strange and unusual creatures while Kusanagi was out for her morning ride. Ranmaru was brushing Kaze's fur with a strong bristle brush when-

He smelled her before her saw HER. The stench of rot, of death and decay. The scent of a graveyard mixed in with the unmistakable scent that was SHE! SHE was there! How in heaven's name did she find him? Ranmaru frantically wondered.

"Why hello there Ranmaru, long time no see." Kagura purred casually as she made her way carelessly into the menagerie.

Immediately, all of the creatures in the menagerie began to go berserk. The birds became frightened and began to fly erratically in their cages while crying out frantically. Other animals that were in their cages began to let out frightened shrieks, cries, howls, and calls in response as they rattled the bars of their cages. Their animal instinct told them to fear this woman. And Ranmaru couldn't agree with them more. They were right. A chill went down his spine as he turned to face her.

There she was - the _miko_ Kagura, now a soul-sucking witch...And there was Nagi's beautiful face staring back at him at the same time - those clear peridot eyes, that long, black hair that was like silk, that same porcelain-like skin. It was like looking upon the face of his beloved Nagi once more and his heart clenched painfully in his chest, but his Nagi had never worn an expression like the one that was now on Kagura's face, one that was so cold, cruel, and calculating.

No, he was correct in assuming this was Nagi's twin sister Kagura. She had her hair down so that it reached past her waist, and was wearing a black _haori,_ or wrap shirt, which she had paired with a short, black miniskirt. She was also wearing a pair of fishnet stockings and a pair of deadly looking high heels. A silver skull pendant dangled from her neck and fell into her cleavage and she had matching skull earrings. Her attire was fitting for a dark _miko_ such as she but living in the modern era.

Ranmaru didn't realize he was shaking.

An evil smirk formed on Kagura's face at his reaction of recognition. She was pleased to note that he still feared and obeyed her after all this time.

Ranmaru's voice trembled, "Kagura- _sama_..." He murmured as he knelt before her, head lowered in supplication. He was HERS. He knew he could never escape HER.

Kagura's smile broadened. "I'm glad to see you remember your _proper_ place, Ranmaru." She looked down at him, kneeling at her feet. "I've missed you terribly. So, I've decided to take you back with me for a little while. I was so bored without you, you see. And there's _something_...call it a surprise that I want to show you. I have the feeling that you'll find it quite _entertaining_. I know I will." She laughed chillingly.

Ranmaru knew that whatever it was that Kagura had in mind to 'show him' boded badly for him. Anytime she smiled or laughed like that...it always meant bad things would happen to him.

But resistance was futile. Ranmaru already had four hundred years to learn that painful lesson. There was no escaping HER. So, there was really nothing he could do but submit to her will.

Ranmaru nodded obediently, " _Hai_ , Kagura- _sama_ , as you wish."

"Excellent." Kagura purred as she reached her hand out towards Ranmaru and a black lead made entirely of polluted spirit energy was formed that attached to the collar around Ranmaru's neck. She tugged on this lead and Ranmaru obediently stood and followed her as she began to walk out of the menagerie.

Kaze whined as he watched Ranmaru go, worry shinning in his big puppy-dog eyes.

Ranmaru looked back at him and shook his head, "Kaze, stay."

Kaze hesitated and whimpered softly as he lay down and put his head on his paws sadly, his ears drooping.

***

Kusanagi came back from her morning ride, and rode Sora inside of the menagerie and towards the stables that were in the back. She dismounted and began to lead Sora forward by the reins. It was oddly quiet inside of the menagerie. Kusanagi frowned, "Ranmaru?" She called out and looked around surprised that she didn't spot him. He had just been there, not too long ago. Had he really finished feeding all of the animals already? "Ranmaru! That's funny...I was sure he was here." She shrugged. "Maybe he left before me..." Kusanagi rubbed the back of her neck; she had a bad feeling about this but decided to shrug the matter off. "He'll come back when he's hungry," she decided.

***

Kagura got into her black Ferrari (red leather interior) and Ranmaru followed getting into the passenger seat. Kagura then reached over and tied a piece of black silk around his eyes. "No peaking Ranmaru, we're going somewhere very special and so you can't see where we're going." Kagura explained.

Ranmaru merely nodded.

Kagura smoothly shifted the Ferrari into 1st gear and sped out from the Kimamura estate. They continued to drive until they reached a tall business building but of course Ranmaru didn't get to see any of this. Kagura, still leading Ranmaru by the invisible lead of spirit energy attached to his Control Collar, led him inside of the building and over to an elevator. They took the elevator down all the way to the bottom of the building, but then kept going - down. Kagura inserted a special key into the elevator's keypad and another separate keypad with buttons was revealed. Kagura pressed on the button for the appropriate level. Down into the secret levels that existed below the building was where Kagura and Ranmaru were headed – to an underground building that most of the people above didn't even know about.

Ranmaru heard the unmistakable _ping_ sound when the elevator door had opened and still blindfolded Kagura led him forward by the lead. Ranmaru couldn't see what was going on but he could hear and smell enough to get a general mental picture. The cries of a crowd of people filled the air - the smell of blood and sweat. Ranmaru quirked his head in one direction - the sound of two people fighting each other. The sound of blows connecting with flesh. This place had to be some kind of fight club. And as the final blow was delivered Ranmaru Heard when the man's heart stopped. He then knew that this was no ordinary fight club. A cheer went up from the crowd in response to the end of the fight. They apparently had enjoyed watching the Death Match.

Ranmaru was led down another area that felt dank and smelled of dirt, sweat, body odor and mold. He was shoved forward and the blindfold was removed from his eyes. He turned around to see Kagura shutting a door of iron bars in front of him. He had been taken to some kind of cell. He looked around and noticed that this wasn't the only cell either - there were several cells lining the narrow hallway on either side. He also saw that he wasn't alone. There were several others locked up in cells - _yokai_ , some free, and some he noticed had Spell-Collars about their necks.

Just what was this place? Ranmaru wondered. A prison of some kind obviously but why? To what purpose? All of the 'prisoners' Ranmaru noticed had scared expressions on their faces, especially when they caught sight of Kagura. Some of them were also injured, Ranmaru could smell the blood coming from them, and the rest of the place was beginning to reek of sweat and feces. Ranmaru nearly passed out from the stench; his sensitive nose couldn't quite take this kind of abuse. One _yokai_ was trembling in fear as he looked at Kagura. Ranmaru could relate.

Kagura smiled at him chillingly. "Good boy, you've always been so obedient. Not to worry, I'll let you out for some _playtime_ soon enough." Kagura chuckled to herself as she sauntered off. "Have fun with your new friend, do try not to eat him - _yet_." The sound of her high-heeled shoes clacking against the stone floor echoed through the narrow hallway eerily as she left them.

_Friend?_ Ranmaru turned to notice that he wasn't alone inside of his cell. There was a figure hunched down and seated towards the back of the cell. His head was hung down and so his shaggy brown hair was shielding his face and expression. There was stubble on his chin, which made Ranmaru think this man had been here for quite some time. There was also something else that put Ranmaru instantly on guard about this man - he reeked of blood. Blood that was not his own.

The _yokai_ in the corner suddenly got up and dusted himself off; his hunched, scared demeanor seemed to change as the _yokai_ 's back straightened. The scared and almost timid expression he had been wearing on his face slid off to be replaced with an almost carefree expression. "Whew, I'm glad the wicked witch of the west is gone. Now, I can breath a bit easier ya know?" He shot Ranmaru a cheeky smile and came over to stand in front of him, looking Ranmaru up and down. Ranmaru immediately turned stiff and on guard. "Hmm." Ryoga smirked and held out his hand to Ranmaru. "Hey there, I'm Ryoga, and what's your name buddy?"

Ranmaru blinked back at this strange _yokai_ man. There was stubble on the man's chin; he had shaggy brown hair, slightly pointed ears, yellow-gold eyes, and bushy brows. He was the type of man who was easily overlooked. He was wearing an open, red _kimono_ shirt, along with a pair of red capris. And there was a pair of _zori_ sandals on his feet. He looked at Ryoga's hand suspiciously and didn't take it. "What is this place?" He couldn't help but ask, his curiosity getting the better of him.

It was Ryoga's turn to blink, "You don't know?" A single furry brow raised at him.

"I was blindfolded." Ranmaru said by way of explanation.

Ryoga nodded. "Welcome to hell." He motioned his hand at the other prison cells. "We're all prisoners here. Some of us are Spell-Collared _yokai_ slaves but others...like myself were simply abducted by _humans_ and brought here for their amusement. We're all being forced to fight in Death Matches down here."

So Ranmaru's hunch about this being some kind of fight club had been right. An illegal Death Match ring perhaps. Was the mafia involved in this somehow? Ranmaru looked around and noticed that there were also women and children among the prisoners. Strange. "But some of you are not fighters."

Ryoga laughed a broken laugh and fingered the hilt of his sword. Ranmaru blinked, he hadn't even noticed that Ryoga had been wearing a sword. In fact, Ranmaru's own hand went instinctively to his own sword and was surprised to find that Kuroki Ryu was still there. Why hadn't Kagura taken it? "I may have this old thing but I don't know if I'd consider myself a 'fighter' either. I hate fighting." Ryoga spit off to one side. "And to be forced to kill..." Ryoga shook his head. "It's sickening." Ryoga seemed to notice Ranmaru's surprise that he still had his sword. "Don't assume she forgot or doesn't know you have it. She did it on purpose. To show you that even if you're armed there's no chance of you escaping."

Ranmaru nodded and removed his hand from his sword's hilt, silently glad for its constant presence. Ranmaru couldn't quite understand why someone would 'hate' fighting though or let 'killing' someone bother him as much as it seemed to bother Ryoga, and so wisely kept quiet on the topic. Ranmaru had been a warrior all his life, a fighter. Killing...had become a natural thing to him, as natural as breathing perhaps.

Ryoga, however, didn't seem to mind how quiet Ranmaru was one bit and just kept on talking about various things. He was quite a boisterous and talkative fellow, Ranmaru decided and thought that perhaps he and Kusanagi would get along well...

Kusanagi...

A _kappa_ demon dressed in a ragged business suit with a pair of thick, nerdy, square-rimmed glasses on his face, sallow, green-tinged skin, and who was in the cell directly across from them began to complain. "Ryoga, why don't you just shut up already? He obviously doesn't give a damn about what you're saying. You're probably boring him to death. Besides, what's the point in getting friendly - he may be your next opponent." The demon man had oily, black hair that was sticking to the sides of his head in places, and which he was trying to smooth futilely with his hands as he spoke.

Ryoga sighed and hung his head, "I just..." He clenched his fists at his sides. "I can't think like that. Maybe we'll all get out of here somehow. I can't give up hope."

"Get out?" The _kappa_ demon scoffed, "Impossible...this is the end...for all of us. You better just accept it. No one can resist HER."

Ranmaru inwardly found himself agreeing with the cowardly _kappa_.

But when Ryoga looked up, he had a fierce look in his golden eyes, "No one knows until they try. I won't give up on life...or hope...or my family until the very end. Because I want to live." A tail suddenly appeared behind Ryoga and it was wagging back and forth excitedly. Ranmaru's brows rose, apparently Ryoga was a dog demon. Dogs...such silly creatures. He couldn't help but wonder though how Kaze was doing. He had looked so worried as he watched Ranmaru leave with Kagura...

The _kappa_ shrugged, "Suit yourself, _baka_. Better hope the new guy doesn't run you through in five seconds flat."

Ryoga looked over at Ranmaru, "If that is my fate then I will simply accept it. I don't fear death, but I would rather live." Ryoga shrugged.

Ranmaru had to admit that he was impressed by this man's inner strength in the face of such overwhelming odds.

Ranmaru smelled the scent of tears and turned his head to see two small children hugging each other and crying. One was a small blonde girl of around seven years of age and the other was a small blonde boy, who looked to be about the same age. They had similar facial features so Ranmaru thought that they were probably brother and sister. Ranmaru also couldn't fail but notice that both of the children had slightly pointed ears.

Hell indeed.

"By the way, that guy's an accountant." Ryoga began to explain to Ranmaru in a low, slightly amused voice. "So don't let his pessimism get to you. It's part of his trade. Eiji's his name."

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow at this bit of information.

"I heard that." Eiji complained.

Ranmaru sat down and tried his best to rest, but found that he couldn't sleep, and so remained wide-awake until eventually the guards came. Had night fallen already? Or was it already the next day? In a place with no windows it was hard to figure out the time of day. The guards were nondescript looking men in dark uniforms and military hats that shadowed their eyes and expressions. From the smell of them Ranmaru knew that they were human. But they didn't seem afraid of their _yokai_ prisoners and had strange looking weapons in their hands that resembled long metal sticks. One of the guards went over to open Ranmaru's cell door. The guard then pointed to Ranmaru and then to Ryoga. "You and you." He grunted. " _Isoge!_ Hurry up!"

Ranmaru and Ryoga exited the cell obediently and watched as another guard dragged the resisting Eiji out from his cell and the small yellow-haired boy was also pried away from his sister and made to join the others. The four prisoners were led down the hall and then shoved through a large gateway where a metal door had been raised. A huge auditorium greeted Ranmaru's eyes. There were tiers of seats surrounding a grand stadium that had a large open space in the center. Ranmaru realized they were inside of an underground coliseum. Ruckus cheers, jeers and catcalls went up from the stands as Ranmaru, Ryoga, Eiji and the little boy all walked out onto the dirt ground arena.

Directly across from them on the other side of the arena, another metal door was raised and a group of hulking _yokai_ emerged. These _yokai_ had polished, bulky armor on and gleaming, sharpened weapons in their hands. These men were professional killers, Ranmaru realized as he sized them up. They too had an aura of blood and death surrounding them. To men like these combatants Ryoga, the _kappa_ and the boy would be nothing more than mere insects, flies to be batted down, or torn apart. They didn't stand a chance. Ranmaru sniffed and recognized their scent - they were wolf _yokai_. Ranmaru could sense their murderous intent and was glad that his cellmates didn't have the ability to sense an opponent's strength by their aura alone. They probably would have pissed in their pants.

Ryoga appeared afraid but didn't take a step back and instead withdrew his sword, "Shit." He cursed as he raised his trembling sword before him in a two-handed grip and pointed it across the coliseum arena.

"That's it. I'm dead." Eiji deadpanned.

The yellow-haired boy began to cry.

"It'll be alright Kei. You'll see." Ryoga tried to reassure the small boy _._

_Ah, so Kei is the boy's name._ Ranmaru noted.

Ranmaru sensed eyes upon him and looked up directly across from where he was and up into the stands. It was Kagura. It seemed she and some others had a special area reserved to watch the fight from. Standing next to Kagura was a man dressed in a slick, gray and black pinstriped suit, which he had paired with a deep red shirt and black tie. He was wearing a skull mask on his face that covered his eyes and nose but that ended in the upper jaw of the skull leaving the man's own mouth visible, which was currently set in a twisted and amused grin. The man had long, straight, silvery-white hair. Ranmaru's eyes widened. That man seemed eerily familiar but it couldn't be...?

Behind Kagura and the man in the pinstriped suit stood four mysterious figures, who were all similarly dressed in sinister, black, hooded cloaks. They were also all wearing skull masks on their faces though each mask was a little bit different. One mask resembled the skull of a bird, another the skull of a dragon, one resembled a human's skull and lastly one appeared to be the horned skull of some kind of beast.

Ranmaru unsheathed his sword in one fluid motion, an almost disinterested manner about him as he casually asked Ryoga, "So our objective is to kill the opposing team correct?"

"Well, yea but-" Ryoga began.

But Ranmaru had already charged forward and zoomed past Ryoga, Eiji the _kappa_ demon, and the boy Kei, and attacked the wolf _yokai_ on his own leaving them behind. Ranmaru's sword moved through the air and clashed with one of the wolf _yokai_ 's swords, but in his next move Ranmaru easily managed to slip past the demon's defenses and was slicing through his chest in a horizontal slash.

The slaughter had begun.

Ranmaru spun and beheaded another wolf demon in one quick fluid motion. Ducking low Ranmaru cut through the legs of another of the wolf _yokai,_ who howled in pain and outrage. Ranmaru ignored him and turned his sword bringing it down upon another wolf _yokai,_ who stood in his way, sword raised. Ranmaru had never stopped moving. Their swords clashed and this time Ranmaru simply applied more pressure, strength, and power to his sword and continued to press forward - Kuroki Ryu managed to cut through the demon's sword easily and then Ranmaru was slicing through the _yokai_ wolf next in a downwards slash. Blood gushed out of the demon's chest wound and splattered across Ranmaru's face-

Kuroki Ryu, the demon dragon spirit, was cackling madly, thoroughly enjoying himself and the slaughter. It had been far too long since he had tasted the blood of battle. _Yes! Hell yes! This is it! The moment I've been waiting for. More Ranmaru-teme! Give me more blood! More death! Let's kill all of these frickin bastards!_ The sword was glowing, pulsing with an excited red light.

Ranmaru could hear the voice and continued laughter of his sword in his mind. His sword was really beginning to get irritating.

That's it Ranmaru, give into your killer instincts, let your inner beast, your inner yokai free - free to kill! You know you've wanted this too - I can feel it. Pulsing in your veins - the excitement. The rush of adrenaline and bloodlust. You're enjoying yourself a LOT aren't you? You always did enjoy a good battle. The heat of a good battle where your life is on the line - that moment where you're balanced between life and death - that's when you truly feel alive, isn't it Ranmaru? Don't worry I understand perfectly, now feed me! Feed me more you stingy bastard! I've gone far too long without blood!

Ranmaru frowned and tried to block out and ignore Kuroki Ryu in his head. But at the same time he realized that some of what the sword was saying was true...

Kagura watched from the stands and pouted, "How boring, how about I make things a bit more interesting. _Embrace._ " An evil smirk formed on her blood-red lips as she spoke the word of subjugation.

The collar tightened painfully around Ranmaru's neck and a harsh electric shock was sent coursing through his body. For a moment Ranmaru was simply paralyzed by the excruciating pain.

A moment in time.

A split second was all it took.

Ryoga noticed Ranmaru's pained grimace and how he had suddenly just frozen up on the spot. "What the-?" He followed Ranmaru's line of sight and spotted Kagura mouthing something, and looking quite pleased with herself, her expression smug. Ryoga then noticed how the collar around Ranmaru's neck was glowing. "Oh shit, she used the word of subjugation! That bitch!"

Two of the remaining wolf _yokai_ took this opportunity to move in for the kill, leering at Ranmaru happily now that he had finally lowered his guard. One of them aimed his sword directly at Ranmaru's heart-

Ryoga acted quickly and holding his sword like a javelin launched it at the wolf _yokai_ who was about to run Ranmaru through. The sword hit the wolf _yokai_ 's shoulder just as he was making his forward jab so that his aim veered off and stabbed Ranmaru through his side instead. The other wolf _yokai_ hesitated upon seeing his comrade attacked, but then pulled himself together to suddenly jab his sword forward and stab Ranmaru's thigh with his sword.

By then the subjugation spell had finally worn off and Ranmaru was able to move again. He moved as fast as lightning not knowing if Kagura would dare to utter the cursed word again, and quickly and easily killed the last two remaining opponents. His sword flashed through the air, pulsing with energy, laughing happily, insanely, that blood was being spilled once again. Ranmaru could feel his own lip twitching into a half-smile but caught himself.

_I've waited too long for this, you asshole! That was great! Hell yea!_ Kuroki Ryu declared excitedly in Ranmaru's mind.

_Oh shut up._ Ranmaru shot back in his mind to his sword, _bastard sword._

Even heavily wounded Ranmaru had not slowed down in the least and had killed the remaining wolf _yokai_ in just a few seconds. Ryoga was more than impressed, he was in awe. Ranmaru swished his sword through the air to remove the blood from it and resheathed his sword in one elegant motion. Ryoga then ran up to him. "Ranmaru- _san_ are you alright?" Ryoga asked concernedly as he looked at the wound in Ranmaru's side and the one in his thigh - both were bleeding profusely.

"This is nothing." Ranmaru explained in his monotone voice.

Ryoga watched as the wounds on Ranmaru's shoulder and leg began to steam and heal themselves right before his very eyes. Ryoga's eyes widened. "Regeneration...sweet."

Kei was looking at Ranmaru a bit starry-eyed, "That was so cool, Mister!"

_Cool?_ Since when had the ability to kill six _yokai_ warriors in seconds become something considered 'cool'? _This era is so strange..._

Eiji was also apparently quite impressed - if his dropped jaw was anything to go by. He remained like that for several moments too until Ryoga took pity on him and shut his jaw for him. The _kappa_ blushed in response not having realized what he was doing.

Ranmaru looked down at his now blood-splattered butler's uniform that he usually managed to keep immaculate, with an emotionless expression on his face. For some reason the image of Kusanagi's frowning face popped up in his mind. _Ranmaru! How could you get blood on your uniform? Mou!_

Kusanagi...Oujo-sama...

Ranmaru shook his head. These _yokai_ may praise him for his skill in killing now but...he was sure his _Oujo-sama_ would do no such thing. He was also sure that she wouldn't be coming for him. She had finally managed to get rid of him after all, which was what she had wanted all along. She had never wanted a _Samurai_ Butler to begin with - let alone a Spell-Collared _yokai_ slave. Kusanagi would probably be relieved now that he was gone...

***

Meanwhile, Kusanagi had decided to go on ahead to school without Ranmaru assuming that he had gone on ahead and would probably already be there waiting for her. When he wasn't there she still wasn't too worried - after all he was a super-powerful, nearly invincible _yokai_...

At lunch Kusanagi was seated with Katsumi and Shinichi when Orihime came up to them and frowned down at Kusanagi when she didn't catch sight of Ranmaru. Hands on her hips, she looked around, " _Oi_ , Kusanagi, where's Ranmaru?"

Kusanagi shrugged carelessly and popped another rice ball into her mouth, she responded while chewing, "Hell if I know." _Or care..._

Orihime's golden eyes immediately narrowed at Kusanagi, "What do you mean you don't know? You're his _Master_. You of all people _should_ know."

Kusanagi glared back at Orihime, "Well, I don't and so what? He's a big boy, he can take care of himself."

Orihime's expression darkened, "Haven't you heard the news?"

Katsumi's ears perked up, "News? What news?"

Orihime threw a newspaper down at Kusanagi; Katsumi peered over her shoulder to read the main headline. It read:

ILLEGAL YOKAI DEATH MATCHES

Recently it has come to the attention of Tokyo police that yokai are being captured and targeted by unknown entities. Entire families have suddenly 'disappeared' into the night. At first there were no leads but now thanks to a certain spy we now know what has happened to these yokai. Several yokai slaves have been purchased recently in the black market and several other yokai have been captured off the street - why? They're taken to an underground coliseum where they're forced to participate in brutal, bloody Death Matches.

The Shiro Tsubaki yakuza clan is suspected of being involved. Although other mafia groups and yakuza clans have also been identified as being involved the Shiro Tsubaki Clan is still the main suspect. The Death Matches are being held for the simple amusement and entertainment of the mafia and/or those individuals rich enough to place bets on these so-called matches, i.e. business tycoons. It is suspected that family members are being treated as hostages to serve as leverage to force the yokai to fight one another. All yokai in the Tokyo Area are advised to stay inside at night and not to travel alone but in groups. The holding of Death Matches is illegal and Tokyo police are doing their best to try and discover the location of this event...

Kusanagi's blood boiled, "The Shiro Tsubaki Clan...illegal Death Matches... _uso_..." She clutched the newspaper in her hands, crumpling the paper badly, but not really even noticing it.

"Call to Ranmaru now." Orihime directed. "If he's still in the surrounding area he should be able to return to you no problem. However, if he's already been captured - there may be a bit of a problem. The Shiro Tsubaki _yakuza_ are known to be magic users and could be using their magic to keep Ranmaru subjugated." Orihime explained to Kusanagi grimly.

Kusanagi nodded, a fierce glint in her emerald green eyes. "Ranmaru! Come! Here boy! Ranmaru...come! That's an order!" Kusanagi's voice cracked on the last.

The group all held their breath for several seconds but there was no response.

Orihime shook her head, "He's not coming. He's probably been...taken."

Katsumi sniffled, tears welling up in her large blue eyes, "Oh poor Ranmaru- _senpai_..."

Shinichi was frowning thoughtfully, "Well...then we have to do something. We have to go and save him. Right Kusanagi?"

Kusanagi blinked in surprise as all eyes turned upon her expectantly. Save Ranmaru? Wasn't she glad that she had finally gotten rid of that pain in the ass? Oh, who the hell was she kidding? And well, she did owe the guy one didn't she? And Kusanagi wasn't a total bitch to not pay back debts. A cocky smirk formed on her face, as she looked back up at her friends. Yea, friends. "Well _duh_."

Everyone seemed to let out a sigh of relief. Kusanagi's eye twitched. Just who did they think she was? Some kind of heartless bitch? Oh, yea, right she was _supposed_ to be a bitch. That was the mask she had worn in front of them all this time. For all they knew she really would decide to just give up on him. And for some reason that just didn't sit right with Kusanagi.

Orihime shook her head and put her hands out in helpless gesture before her, "But even Tokyo police have been unable to discover exactly where these illegal Death Matches are taking place."

"You're forgetting we have someone on our side who used to be a part of the Shiro Tsubaki Clan." Kusanagi stood up and took one of her combat boots off. She then threw her boot up into the tree they had all been sitting under and a pained cry was heard, 'Ow!' and then someone fell out of the tree and landed at Kusanagi's feet. It was none other than Haruka, her personal stalker, err, _ninja_ assassin.

Haruka rubbed his head where a large bump was forming, and looked up at Kusanagi, somewhat teary-eyed, "Kusanagi- _chan_ , why are you always so mean to me?" He pouted.

Kusanagi glared down at him, a serious expression on her face, "It's time I call in that favor you owe me, Haruka. I want you to go do your 'spy _ninja_ assassin' thing and find out where the Death Matches are being held and where Ranmaru is being held prisoner."

Haruka was quickly on his feet and saluting Kusanagi as he beamed at her, " _Ossu!_ My beautiful General! It seems you finally have some use for me after all. Yes!" He punched the air with his fists. _Now's the time to show Kusanagi how incredible I am!_ Then his expression turned oddly serious, his eyes narrowing, and a mysterious glint forming in his eyes. "Don't worry, I will find him for you, Kusanagi- _chan_. I owe you because of my sister, after all. Though personally, I could careless what happens to that fox."

Kusanagi nodded, "Thanks, I know."

Haruka nodded again before he took off running, blending into the shadows of the school and disappearing. He may have been a hapless, fruitcake stalker but he wasn't a half-bad _ninja_.

Orihime watched him go thoughtfully, "Now all we have to do...is wait."

Katsumi leaned over to whisper in Shinichi's ear, "Hey, did I miss something? Like since when has Haruka been a spy _ninja_ assassin?"

Shinichi shrugged, "Beats me. I'm about as lost as you are. They didn't even bother to tell us about how Ranmaru was a Spell-Collar _yokai_ slave, remember? But let's just hope Kusanagi is right about Haruka and that he'll be able to find Ranmaru before it's too late..."

"Yea." Katsumi nodded vigorously. "Like totally."

***

Ranmaru lay back on the straw-covered floor of his prison cell, hands behind his head and stared up at the cement ceiling dully. The Death Match had taken a lot out of him and he knew he needed to regain his strength if he was going to be expected to fight again soon. His regeneration always worked best when he was asleep. That way his body would focus solely on healing.

The Death Match had left an odd restless feeling inside of him. Old scars...had begun to bleed anew. Memories...long forgotten...had begun to rise to the surface of his mind. They left a bad taste in his mouth. Ranmaru's mind was also filled with conflicting emotions. Kuroki Ryu had claimed he had enjoyed that...slaughter. Had he really? Had he always enjoyed such _senseless_ fighting...battle...killing? "I can't remember..." Ranmaru murmured to himself as he fell asleep.

FLASHBACK

Ranmaru, the Goddess Inari's number one, War General - had always loved fighting. His mind held room for little else except for fighting techniques and swords. It was what he lived for – training and fighting to become stronger and more powerful.

The path Ranmaru had chosen to tread was that of ultimate conquest. He fought to gain power. He gained power in order to be able to fight. It was an endless and vicious cycle.

Ranmaru also had an obsession with _katana,_ swords. The soul of the _samurai_ , or of a true warrior. Swords were truly beautiful - an extension of oneself. _Katana_...forged in fire...made of metal...the swordsmith's will and a part of their very soul was imbedded or became a part of the _katana_. The power of a _katana_ depended on the swordsmith and what kind of sword they were trying to make. It was truly fascinating, Ranmaru thought. The most powerful _katana_ were of course made by the Gods - other swords were powerful because they had been possessed by an actual soul or spirit for some reason - usually because of some unfinished business or a vendetta. These swords had long become known as the Muramasa or Cursed Swords.

Cursed Swords sought blood and would bring about death, destruction, and ultimately misfortune upon the swordmaster. Sometimes a Cursed Sword was powerful enough that it had the ability to even possess a swordmaster, who had a weak will or spirit, and to control them like a puppet, seizing control of their mind. Other Cursed Swords would eventually consume the soul of the swordmaster and destroy them. This was the price that one had to pay for their power however. And it was a price many were willing to pay.

But some Cursed Swords came to an agreement or pact with the most powerful swordmasters or _samurai_ , those whom they could not control. Some swordmasters pledged their souls in return for more power as part of the bargain. Swordmasters and swords would strike a deal if their aims were similar and work together forming a temporary alliance, but the sword would always be waiting for the time when its master would lower his guard and it could seize control and be the King and not the Horse. Conditions of these pacts varied from sword to swordmaster but the end results were usually the same...misfortune was sure to befall upon the swordmaster in the end.

Ranmaru not only had an obsession with _katana,_ but was especially fascinated by the most powerful and dangerous _katana_ \- the Muramasa. He traveled both Heaven and Earth in search of the most powerful cursed _katana_ , following rumors of their power. He trained diligently to become more powerful in order to be able to control any sword he came across...and he always had a _very_ powerful _katana_ in his possession. But always his will prevailed and was stronger than the will of the Cursed Sword. Ranmaru had never once been controlled by one of the Cursed Swords he came to possess - he was much too powerful and strong-minded for that.

Yes, Ranmaru's mind was filled with nothing else but swords and fighting.

The Goddess Inari, who was also known as the Goddess of the Harvest, was at war with the Goddess of Famine, Death, Pestilence - sometimes known as Izanami. Inari and her army along with Ranmaru and Kenmaru, her beloved War Generals - were fighting a fierce battle against Izanami's army one day when...

Inari was observing Ranmaru as usual during the battle. As always he was a spectacular swordsman and _samurai_. His skill and fighting techniques were flawless. It was a grand battle to watch Ranmaru fight in. Ranmaru was her number one War General after all. He never stopped pleasing her. He protected her and obeyed her without hesitation...

But Inari frowned thoughtfully as she continued to observe him. He had changed. The Power he had sought had consumed and tainted him. His heart had become corrupted by darkness. He was now mostly evil whereas before he had been mostly good. He was also now lacking the _vital_ emotions one should possess if they were to be one of her Celestial War Generals:

Mercy, compassion, forgiveness, a value for life and above all love.

Somehow during Ranmaru's quest for Power he had lost all of these things. He was already incredibly powerful but continued to seek out even more power. His obsession with Power and fighting had begun to taint him with evil. Because he lacked these vital emotions he was also becoming a threat and danger to the other _kami_ in heaven. Inari knew this but was having a hard time accepting that her beloved War General Ranmaru had become this way, because of her...

Because he had sought to serve her to the best of his ability he had been consumed by power. How had she allowed this to happen right under her very nose? How could she not have noticed that Ranmaru was getting farther and father away from her and Kenmaru?

There were those _kami_ in heaven that wanted Ranmaru expelled from the Celestial Realm, arguing that he had become too dangerous, too evil, that he should be punished. He was one of her Celestial Warriors after all – he should have been pure of heart not have a heart tainted with darkness. This was unacceptable for one serving the Goddess Inari, who was supposed to be a positive force for good in the world.

Ranmaru was a _kami_ , an immortal, and so had no fear or understanding of Death. Perhaps, this was part of the problem, Inari mused. _Where did I go wrong? My beloved War General Ranmaru..._

Inari wanted to save him with all her heart, but also sadly realized she was not the one who would be able to help Ranmaru regain these important emotions. She was not the one that was suited or destined for that role.

But then who was?

Ranmaru had become the perfect killing machine. All he cared about was swords and fighting. He lived for battle and only felt truly alive when in the midst of a fight. In that moment where one's life hung dangerously balanced between life and death - that was when he felt the most alive. Ranmaru also loved to face truly strong opponents in battle and enjoyed these fights immensely. He was always searching for a worthy opponent or rival...

Someone to help him answer a certain question. A question that somewhere along the way, as he tread along his path towards Ultimate Power, had formed deep inside of him: Why was he fighting? What was true power? And would he ever manage to reach his goal and possess this?

And then one fateful day, Ranmaru felt he had found such a rival. Someone who could help give him the answer he was seeking...

Or so he had thought. He was Goddess Izanami's top War General, a powerful bat _yokai_ named Kogarashi.

When Ranmaru had faced Kogarashi he had felt truly alive and closer perhaps to the 'answer' he was searching for.

The bat _yokai_ approached Ranmaru...he was tall, lean, and dressed in black and silver armor from head to toe; a black cloak was swirling behind him. He had fierce red eyes and his black hair cascaded behind him from a harsh widow's peak. As the _yokai_ approached he unsheathed his _katana_ and immediately Ranmaru felt a wave of _yokai_ energy crash over him. That _katana_...it was a Cursed Sword.

Ranmaru smirked and unsheathed his own cursed _katana_ , Ranmaru let the energy of his sword and his own energy go wild and it sped through the air towards Kogarashi. Ranmaru was surprised to encounter another Celestial Warrior like himself who had the ability, the strength of will and spirit to be able to wield a Cursed Sword so easily...

Ranmaru couldn't stop the smile that formed on his face. This was going to be fun.

Ranmaru was wearing his usual golden armor that shinned like the sun, with its black accents. Ranmaru let lose a battle cry and charged forward towards the bat _yokai_. Kogarashi calmly waited for Ranmaru to attack him and their swords clashed as Ranmaru tried to bring his sword down upon the bat _yokai_ in a quick, powerful, deadly downwards slash-

As their swords clashed, the bat _yokai_ found himself smirking back. "You're pretty good, warrior - but not good enough." Kogarashi summoned his _yokai_ energy so that it swirled and burst out all around him.

Ranmaru's feet skidded backwards across the ground as he was being pushed back by the bat _yokai_ 's mere energy - it wasn't even an attack!

Ranmaru's heart was pounding with excitement in his chest. He had never faced an opponent as powerful as this one before, ever. Perhaps, this Dark Warrior would have the answer he was looking for. Finally, Ranmaru would be able to go all out and reveal his true power to an opponent. This had never happened before. _This is incredible. Finally, I have found someone worthy enough to show my true power to!_ Ranmaru had never felt so...happy.

When two powerful swordmasters fought each other, they could speak to each other without words - they could instead communicate with their swords. That's what it meant to fight a truly strong opponent; one's soul would be able to reach out and touch and meet with the opponent's soul and speak. It was beautiful. This connection was what Ranmaru had been searching for.

Ranmaru followed suit and summoned his _yokai_ energy so that an aura of power swirled around him as well, matching the bat _yokai_ 's.

Kogarashi seemed surprised but unfazed, calm even in the face of such overwhelming power. And then he attacked, his speed was incredible. He moved his sword through the air and Ranmaru had to concentrate everything he had just to be able to block the attack.

And their deadly duel had begun. _Slash. Block. Slash. Parry. Clash. Counter._

Their bodies and swords became mere blurs as they clashed with one another - warrior vs. warrior, _samurai_ vs. _samurai_ , sword vs. sword.

The bat _yokai_ couldn't help but ask, "What is your name Celestial Warrior?"

"I am the War General known as Ranmaru." Ranmaru gave Kogarashi a smug smirk.

The bat _yokai_ nodded, "It is an honor to face one such as you, Ranmaru. I am called Kogarashi. I have never before faced such a powerful opponent. I feel...we are kindred spirits you and I. That we can understand each other. We are both on the same path after all - the path of Ultimate Conquest and Power are we not?"

Ranmaru blinked, "That path of Ultimate Conquest and Power?"

Kogarashi nodded, "Yes that's right! With the Ultimate Power in our hands nothing could stop us from doing whatever it was we wanted. We would finally have _true_ freedom. The freedom to do whatever we wanted, take whatever we wanted. That is what true power, the Ultimate Power, gives you. What is it that you want Ranmaru that you're trying so hard to obtain the Ultimate Power? Tell me, I must know. Surely, you have a good reason behind why you have become so powerful." Kogarashi questioned Ranmaru curiously.

_Freedom?_ Was that why Ranmaru was fighting? No, that wasn't quite right. Ranmaru had always felt free already. Power...Ranmaru needed more power...but why? Ranmaru shook his head. He had forgotten.

Kogarashi didn't seem to mind Ranmaru's silence in the matter. "I understand, it isn't something one can easily speak of. It's too bad we're enemies in this war, Ranmaru. I think that perhaps, we could have been friends otherwise." Kogarashi chuckled good-naturedly.

_Friends?_ Ranmaru mused. _What are those again?_

Kogarashi moved his sword before him, "It's a shame but now I must end this and kill you Ranmaru. There can only be one...Ultimate Warrior." Kogarashi let out a battle cry as he summoned more of his _yokai_ energy and his sword seemed to be gathering its own power as well, as swordsmaster and sword prepared for one last final attack-

Ranmaru followed suit and summoned his power, "Let's do this." Ranmaru told his sword in a low voice.

_Yes, my Master._ Came the sword's obedient reply as it agreed willingly and summoned all of its remaining strength.

The two swordmasters rushed at each other and their swords clashed as they passed each other – each delivering their final attacks, their signature finishing moves.

Kogarashi turned around to face Ranmaru who still had his back turned to him, holding his Cursed Sword in a two-handed grip.

Ranmaru looked down at his own Cursed Sword and saw that there were cracks in the blade. What a useless sword. His Cursed Sword then shattered and fell to pieces right in his hands.

Ranmaru turned around to reveal that he was now weaponless, defenseless.

Kogarashi looked confident and began to lower his own sword, "I've won."

But Ranmaru's blank expression turned haughty and bemused, "Won? Just because my sword broke? I don't think so. This battle is far from over! You only managed to defeat my sword not me. And now, how about I return the favor?" A cocky smirk on his face Ranmaru rushed forward, with his fists raised.

Kogarashi blinked in surprise, "What are you crazy? You can't face a Cursed Sword with your bare hands!"

But Ranmaru paid his words no heed as he raised his balled up fist and let it fly forward towards Kogarashi and his sword.

"The fool." Kogarashi had no choice but to raise his sword and block the attack. Ranmaru's fist connected with the flat of the blade of Kogarashi's sword and Kogarashi was surprisingly pushed back-

Ranmaru didn't stop there however and brought his fist back to then bring it forward again - and again - and again. Until he was using both fists to punch the sword and fight against Kogarashi's sword attacks with his bare hands alone.

Ranmaru's hands became torn and bloody, and the skin was peeling off his knuckles as he continued to attack. But there was also a fierce aura of _yokai_ energy surrounding Ranmaru's body and fists that resembled red flames.

Kogarashi looked back at Ranmaru stunned that he was able to hold his own like that against a Cursed Sword.

And throughout it all Ranmaru was smiling. Ranmaru was having one hell of a time and enjoying every second of this impossible battle. This was why he had fought so hard to gain more power - for moments just like this! It was pure bliss. _Ah, this must be why I fight. For moments like these._ Until-

Ranmaru gathered the last of his _yokai_ power and brought his fist that was enveloped in red flames forward, one last time-

" _Kitsune-bi_ , fox-fire." Kogarashi gasped as Ranmaru's fist connected with the blade of his sword and then Kogarashi's sword shattered. Kogarashi looked down at the broken half of his sword that was in his hand in shock. And then Ranmaru punched him hard across the face while he was still distracted. Kogarashi went flying backwards from the force of the blow.

ZOOM

And Kogarashi didn't stop until his back hit a tree. Kogarashi slid down the tree trunk and looked up at the sky and realized that he didn't even have the strength left to move.

Ranmaru slowly walked over towards Kogarashi and looked down at him, still smiling. "Who's going to kill who?" Ranmaru straddled Kogarashi and pinning him down brought his fist back, prepared to finish Kogarashi off. "You're about a million years too early to defeat me!" Ranmaru brought his fist forward and Kogarashi closed his eyes knowing that Ranmaru would smash his skull to pieces.

But-

The blow never came.

Kogarashi opened his eyes and saw that Ranmaru's fist was mere inches away from his nose. He blinked.

Ranmaru seemed to be just as surprised and confused by his own actions as Kogarashi - he was looking down at his fist with an odd, perplexed expression on his face. He then pulled his fist back and looked down at Kogarashi, a quizzical expression on his face.

Kogarashi was baffled. This was the Celestial War General, Ranmaru - Kogarashi had heard stories about this guy. He was a living legend in Heaven and on Earth. He was a killing machine, who knew neither mercy nor compassion. He had never spared someone's life - before now. "Why?" He croaked.

Ranmaru shook his head. "I do not know. However, this suddenly isn't fun for me anymore. And I had a lot of fun fighting you." Ranmaru suddenly smirked as he stood up and got off of Kogarashi. "I want to fight with you again." Ranmaru was decided.

Kogarashi's jaw dropped, "That's it? You're actually sparring my life? Impossible...unforgivable! Kill me! You have won the fight! Do not leave me with this dishonor! My pride...my pride won't stand for this!"

"No," Ranmaru shook his head still smiling, and put his hands behind his head in a careless gesture, "For some reason killing you just doesn't seem fun to me right now. Become stronger Kogarashi and find a better sword. Your _true_ sword. And then we shall face each other once more to the death. I look forward to that day..." That being said Ranmaru turned and walked away without looking back.

Kogarashi tried to stand, " _Oi!_ Wait you bastard! I don't accept this! Wait! That asshole doesn't he realize the wound he has caused to my pride as a Celestial Warrior. I'm shamed...how can I go back and face Izanami? Surely, I should commit _seppuku_...but..." Ranmaru's words rang in his mind:

Become stronger Kogarashi and find a better sword. Your true sword. And then we shall face each other once more to the death.

A resigned expression formed on Kogarashi's face, a steely look in his eyes as he clenched his fists. "So be it. I'll pay him back big time for this insult. One day I will kill you. Count on it, Ranmaru!"

***

Ranmaru was now without a sword, a partner, and so traveled both Heaven and Earth in search of a new Cursed _Katana_...

Until one day...

_Yo...that's some intense bloodlust you have there...I think I like you, asshole. Come and find me if you can, you bastard. I want to speak with you..._ An insolent voice sounded in Ranmaru's head.

'It' was calling him and so Ranmaru followed the voice until he arrived at the entrance to a cave. There was _o-fuda_ on the entrance to the cave on a rope that was hanging from one end to the other. Ranmaru could sense an evil presence from deep within. Something incredibly evil had been sealed within this cave...

Ranmaru's interest was immediately peaked. Ranmaru entered the cave, breaking the seal simultaneously, the _o-fuda_ being burned up instantly by his fox-fire as he merely walked past. He then traveled deeper and deeper within the cave until he reached a large chamber and there in the center of the cave was a long _katana_ , which was trapped and suspended within a giant icicle of enchanted ice.

The sword began to glow with a dark aura in response to Ranmaru's presence. _Yo, what's up asshole? Glad you could make it. So...you're the powerful yokai I sensed earlier. Hmm, you're a Celestial fox too aren't you? One of Inari's dogs..._

_I am no dog._ Ranmaru shot back with his mind, his eye twitching. A sword with a bad attitude, go figure. And one with a dirty mouth as well. Could this day get any more tedious? Ranmaru sighed.

Yea, yea, you foxes and your 'dog complexes'. Anyways, I sense you're pretty powerful so why don't you break this seal and release me, you bastard...

Ranmaru reached his senses out towards the sword - it was indeed a very powerful presence, or spirit that had been attached to this sword but...it was also extremely unstable. The power was leaking, spiraling out - madness. Ranmaru realized. The mind of the spirit had been broken. And probably with its last bit of true conscious will had tied itself to the _katana_ before him now...

_What is it you want?_ Ranmaru was curious about the spirit's unfinished business.

_What I want?_ It let loose a cackling laugh. _Blood._

Ranmaru raised an eyebrow. _Anyone's blood in particular?_

Izanami's blood...and the blood of her minions...of her army...

Ranmaru smirked. _It seems we have something in common after all, you bastard sword._

So you'll free me, asshole?

Ranmaru shrugged carelessly, "Sure, what the hell." _If anything, this will be interesting. And I've been so bored as of late..._

_Gotcha._ The sword inwardly smiled to himself victoriously.

Ranmaru stepped forward and reached his hand out towards the enchanted ice and summoned his fox-fire. In seconds, the ice had melted and the sword was free. Ranmaru picked up the fallen sword and tucked it inside his belt. He then unsheathed the sword in one fluid motion, it was an extremely long _katana_ and the move had been hard to execute as perfectly as Ranmaru had managed to do. A less skilled swordmaster would not have been able to do it.

Almost immediately the sword tried to take over Ranmaru's mind and spirit. _I'm free! I'm actually free! You actually fell for it, you frickin idiot! Now your body, mind and soul will all be mine! Buwhahaha!_ The sword laughed in gleeful hysteria. Ranmaru watched as the sword's soul became visible as it oozed out of the sword in a cloud of black smoke and then slowly began to materialize as a clawed hand reached out and grabbed Ranmaru's shoulder. The spirit coiled around Ranmaru's body like a snake, and he saw that it had turned into a black, oriental dragon with golden eyes. Ranmaru could feel the dragon's claws digging savagely into his flesh.

"How amusing." Ranmaru grinned, "Is that the best you can do? Oh come on, you must be able to do better than that. Try and take over my mind again. And this time put everything you have into it. Come on, you can do it. Too much for you? A pity." Ranmaru chuckled as he let loose his own _yokai_ energy. Purifying red flames immediately wrapped around his body protecting him from the dragon's corrupting touch, and from being consumed by the darkness of the sword.

The dragon sword yelped and pulled away from Ranmaru as if he had been burned – well, which he had been. "Impossible...I had my claws imbedded in your soul...how did you manage to repel me? How could your spirit be so strong? Just who are you, asshole?"

Ranmaru smirked smugly, cocky grin on his face, "I'm too powerful to be controlled by the likes of you. Although I sense you once had great power when you were alive...your mind has been broken. You will obey me now."

"To hell with you, you bastard!" The sword spat, "Obey you? Ha! Never! Blood! I need more blood!" The sword cried out as it tried to challenge Ranmaru once more.

"And blood you shall have, my temperamental, bastard sword," Ranmaru chuckled good-naturedly finding the entire situation to be quite amusing, "That is if you decide to join me. The Goddess of Famine otherwise known as Izanami and her minions are currently my enemies as well. Together we shall destroy all of them. Sounds fun doesn't it?" Ranmaru smiled at the thought of getting to try out his new sword's sharpness against Izanami's greatest warriors. Would there be someone as strong as Kogarashi again? Ranmaru just couldn't wait, excitement was bubbling up inside of him at the thought. And he couldn't help but remember his recent battle against Kogarashi. That had been one of the best fights he'd ever had. It had been _so_ much fun!

The sword felt Ranmaru's excitement combined with his bloodlust _. Blood...yes...blood!_ _I can feel your excitement and bloodlust Ranmaru! You're just like me. You too crave blood. You want to kill them all and we shall. You love fighting too don't you? You live for it. You are only truly alive in the very heat of battle._ The sword searched the surface of Ranmaru's soul and saw all this. _Yes, you're a beast, a Destroyer just like me._

_A beast? A Destroyer? Is that what I am?_ Ranmaru shrugged, not really caring. _Maybe I am._

Oh yes...your soul is as clear as day to me. Cursed Swords like me can See souls you know. And I can clearly see yours. And from what I can see, feel, and read - it's your instinct that drives you to fight. It's the instinct in you to kill and seek power. The power needed to fight...fighting to gain power. Yes, this is the path you've chosen. Power for the sake of power. I understand you.

Ranmaru nodded, slightly surprised by the sword's insight, "Yes, I believe you. I do love to fight...in fact it's all I truly live for."

_Yes,_ the sword purred, _you fight to become the most powerful._

_The most powerful?_ Ranmaru shrugged. _Maybe, I don't really know myself._

Trust me, that is why you fight. You're a Destroyer. And together we'll destroy everything...we will bathe everything in blood, sounds fun right, asshole?

Ranmaru nodded in agreement. "Fun." Did this bastard sword have the answer Ranmaru had been searching for? Was seeking power merely for the sake of power really why Ranmaru continued to fight? Was Ranmaru a Destroyer? Perhaps. "Bastard sword, tell me, what is your name?" Ranmaru ordered.

"It is Kuroki Ryu, my Master." The sword sneered insolently.

"Kuroki Ryu, Black Dragon." Ranmaru intoned and then smirked. Yep, things were about to get interesting.

***

Ranmaru had always loved fighting, battle, and swords. When he had been Inari's War General he had always been smiling. But then something inside of him had begun to change when he met her, Nagi. What had it been? What was the answer he had discovered because of Nagi? Ranmaru couldn't remember.

Instead, what Ranmaru did manage to remember was his time after Nagi when he had become a Spell-Collared _yokai_ through some trap of Kagura's and so had become her slave. For a few hundred years or so, Kagura had had fun toying with him - body, mind and soul. She had had fun breaking him, both mentally and sexually. Breaking his spirit, his mind, his body. And when she got bored of him she had sold him off to someone else on a whim. And then for a time, Ranmaru had a new Master...

This next Master had had no interest in Ranmaru physically but he did have an interest in Ranmaru's incredible battle power, his strength as a warrior and swordmaster. And so he had Ranmaru kill for him. Anyone that got in the way of his ambitions he would have Ranmaru simply cut down. At first, they were powerful people; dangerous evil people and Ranmaru had inwardly enjoyed getting to fight again and to kill. However, his new Master had also deemed his target's families and friends a threat due to his paranoia and had Ranmaru kill them as well. Ranmaru had been ordered to kill defenseless people, people who weren't fighters or combatants or warriors - innocent women and children.

And Ranmaru found that this kind of fight was _not_ fun. There was no honor, no challenge in a fight like that. It was simply senseless slaughter. That wasn't a real battle at all. Ranmaru found that he had trouble sleeping at night after this and couldn't understand why. After that Ranmaru had tried to resist his Master when he had been ordered to kill an innocent family again and had been punished severely for it until his mind finally broke from the continued torture. And then Kuroki Ryu saw his chance to take Ranmaru over.

But-

Ranmaru didn't bother to fight Kuroki Ryu. In fact, he welcomed Kuroki Ryu taking control of him during these 'missions', welcomed the 'oblivion', the 'not knowing', that Kuroki Ryu provided for him. He could remain blissfully unaware, and could if even for a few moments escape his own reality...

But sometimes just to poke at Ranmaru, Kuroki Ryu intentionally let Ranmaru See and Feel what he was doing and then there was no escape...or was there?

In a desperate attempt to save what was left of his mind when he had been trapped in Kagura's clutches Ranmaru had learned early on how to 'escape', to run away to a place deep inside of himself, a fortress within his mind that was entirely made of ice. There he would bury his emotions and hide from Kagura, and the horrible things that she was doing to him in his present reality...

This was how he had learned to bury and repress his emotions.

And so Ranmaru did the same now with his new Master and buried his emotions deep inside of himself and hid while he was forced to kill the innocent and let Kuroki Ryu have complete control of his body.

Ranmaru had finally become the perfect emotionless killing machine...

Or at least so his Master and Kuroki Ryu had both thought.

END OF FLASHBACK

Ranmaru awoke, a silent scream on his lips, drenched in sweat, his whole body thrumming with pain...but why?

Ryoga was at his side, "Hey, what's wrong? You were having a nightmare buddy..." He put a hand on Ranmaru's shoulder.

Ranmaru shook his head, a nightmare? No, Ranmaru's eyes widened when he realized, they had been memories.

Ryoga brought his hand back and stared at it in shock because it was now covered in red blood. His eyes widened in horror, "You're hurt!"

Ranmaru blinked, "I'm not..." He murmured.

Ryoga didn't listen and stripped Ranmaru of his shirt before he could begin to resist and began to inspect the damage. Scars that had almost faded over the past hundred years or so now stood out stark white against Ranmaru's tan skin. Scars...that had oddly enough begun to bleed...

Ranmaru's back was a mess and it looked like he'd been recently whipped when in reality those wounds were hundreds of years old.

Ryoga gasped, "Your back...those wounds..."

Ranmaru suddenly felt self-conscious for some reason and pulled his shirt back to his chest. "Don't look..." Conflicting memories swarmed in Ranmaru's head of just how he had gotten those wounds. They had been presents from HER.

Ryoga shook his head. "Let me a least treat your wounds first, _please_." Ryoga insisted.

Ranmaru reluctantly nodded and lowered his shirt again. Flinching when Ryoga put a damp cloth to his back. The pain was so achingly familiar...more memories began to rise to the surface...of HER touch. Ranmaru began to tremble in fear and felt ashamed. "I'm sorry..." He murmured. What the hell was wrong with him? Even he knew that he was acting strangely.

Ryoga shook his head. "You have nothing to apologize for. It wasn't your fault. You're the victim in all this. _We_ understand you better than anyone. You're not alone, Ranmaru."

"We?" Ranmaru looked up and saw the sympathetic faces of his fellow prisoners. He noticed the collars around some of their necks. Yes. They understood his pain, only too well. He was not alone.

***

Meanwhile, at the Kimamura mansion, Kusanagi was in the kitchen trying to make dinner for herself. She pushed her sleeves back and got ready to cook herself something simple. " _Yosha!_ How hard can it be?" _Where the heck is Roze anyway? And why the hell did I fire our spare chef again. Mou! Sigh._

Roze was walking past the kitchen in search of Kusanagi when a sudden explosion rocked the mansion. Roze's eyes widened in panic. Were they under attack? Was it the Shiro Tsubaki Clan? Roze rushed to her room and got out her trusty Magnum and rushed back downstairs with it.

Apparently, the explosion had come from within the kitchen. Roze hoped Kusanagi was alright. Magnum raised, she cautiously stepped inside-

And into a complete disaster zone. The entire kitchen was a complete and utter mess and that was putting it lightly. From the singed and smoking walls, to the pieces of - well, what Roze had to assume were pieces of the oven that no longer existed - metal scattered about the floor of the kitchen. The kitchen was a total war zone. Had a grenade gone off? Roze began to panic as she saw splotches of red on the kitchen walls...

"Kusanagi- _sama?_ " Roze called out as she stepped over some of the smoking debris.

"Over here." Kusanagi stood up and dusting herself off turned to face Roze, revealing that she was covered in red splotches.

Roze's eyes widened in fear, "You're hurt!"

Kusanagi raised an eyebrow at her, "It's tomato sauce, _baka_." Kusanagi began to scratch her cheek bashfully. "I was just trying to make myself some pasta."

Roze looked around at what remained of the kitchen in a combination of utter disbelief and shock, "You did all this just while trying to make pasta? You have got to be kidding me!" She lowered her handgun and sighed.

Kusanagi frowned, "Yea, I know. I wish...that stoic idiot was here, Roze." Kusanagi turned around to put her back to Roze so that Roze couldn't see her face. Kusanagi could feel her eyes burning and didn't want Roze to assume she was teary-eyed especially over that stoic _baka_.

Roze's eyes widened in shock, she was surprised enough by Kusanagi admitting she missed Ranmaru. "Kusanagi."

Kusanagi's shoulders were trembling, "Oh Roze, I feel like something awful is happening to him. I just know it. Oh Ranmaru, where are you? I need you..." Kusanagi sunk to her knees and put her face in her hands, her mask suddenly shattering.

Roze quickly went over to Kusanagi and knelt down to embrace her from behind, "Kusanagi- _sama_ , don't worry we'll find him. I promise. I know that he too wishes to return to you."

***

Several days later, Haruka had managed to discover and infiltrate the underground coliseum where the illegal Death Matches were taking place. Concealed in the shadows he observed the bloody death matches one after another while wondering if Ranmaru really had been 'kidnapped' by the _yakuza_ after all (perhaps he'd just gone on a nice vacation to the hot springs in Atami) until-

The next Death Match was announced and Haruka watched as Ranmaru emerged from one side of the battle arena where a large metal door had been raised. He looked absolutely awful. His butler's uniform was covered in splotches of dried blood and torn badly in places. His hair was matted to the sides of his face and caked with blood. His expression was drawn, listless. There were dark shadows from obvious lack of sleep under his eyes, and his golden eyes appeared dull, dead.

This was even worse than Ranmaru's usual 'emotionless' self that Haruka had gotten used to. What had happened to him? _What's wrong with him? Have they been torturing him too?_ Haruka found he didn't really want to know.

Sure, the guy had always been pretty stoic but the loud, fiery, spastic, whirlwind that was Kusanagi seemed to be breaking Ranmaru out of his shell bit by bit. Or so Haruka had observed. Ranmaru's emotionless expression had sometimes been replaced with an amused half-smirk, his golden eyes had once or twice twinkled in amusement at Kusanagi's antics...

In fact, whenever Ranmaru's golden eyes had followed Kusanagi there had been a spark there.

But now-

It was gone.

The spark, the light that Kusanagi had ignited in him had been snuffed out.

_Shit._ On the other side of the arena floor, a metal door was raised and Ranmaru's opponent stepped outside and into the arena.

Haruka blinked, he was young. About the same age as Haruka himself and if his fearful expression and trembling were anything to go by he was no fighter. Surely, Ranmaru would notice this and not fight. Ranmaru wouldn't fight this defenseless young man, right? Ranmaru would show him mercy _neh?_

Ranmaru unsheathed his sword, which was glowing merrily with a red-tinged light, and surrounded by a fiery aura. And he charged forward.

The young man was shaking violently but he steeled himself and raised his own rusty sword in a two-handed grip before him. He actually managed to block Ranmaru's first strike. Haruka was suitably impressed. But the attack sent the young man sprawling backwards, head over heels just from the force of it.

The young man hurriedly picked himself up off the ground, a slightly crazed look in his eyes. _Uh oh._ Haruka thought. _The kid's lost it now._ The young man's pupils were dilated, his expression desperate, frantic, as he quickly pushed himself up off the ground and let out a cry as he charged Ranmaru head on. Well, Haruka had to give the kid credit, he had guts. Shame he didn't have any skill to go along with it though. "I won't lose! Kyomi!"

"Kyomi?" Haruka quirked his head. _Who the hell was that? Ah, that's right, she must be one of the hostages. In this case, she must be his hostage._ The real reason why he was even fighting in the first place - fighting what he must have known was a losing battle.

Ranmaru waited until the boy was almost upon him and then let his sword slip past the young man's defenses-

Haruka had to bite down on his lower lip to keep himself from yelling out: 'No Ranmaru don't do it!'

The young man's head was severed cleanly from his shoulders. Blood sprayed across Ranmaru's blank emotionless face - and then he smiled, this chilling smile, and Haruka's heart plummeted. _Oh Ranmaru my friend...what have they done to you? Shit, we have to get you the hell out of here ASAP. I have to get back to Kusanagi..._ Haruka declared to himself as he faded back into the shadows and disappeared.

***

After the fight was over Kuroki Ryu gave Ranmaru back control of his body and he regained consciousness. Why had he given Kuroki Ryu control of his body again? Then again, did it really matter? Did anything really matter anymore? Ranmaru was stuck in this hell whether he liked it or not, so he might as well just accept it.

Ryoga was passing Ranmaru on his own way out onto the battle arena floor. He would apparently be fighting his own one on one duel against some unknown opponent next.

Ryoga put a hand on Ranmaru's shoulder as he passed and gave Ranmaru a sympathetic look before saying in a low voice, "It's not your fault."

What wasn't his fault? Ranmaru looked back out to the arena floor and saw a beheaded corpse lying there, bleeding into the dirt ground. Had he done that? Or had Kuroki Ryu?

Ranmaru was being ushered back towards the holding cells by a guard, who had his hand on Ranmaru's arm, when Ranmaru decided he would much rather like to stay and watch Ryoga's fight instead, and so simply stopped walking and turned to face the arena.

The guard almost fell over due to Ranmaru's sudden halt and spun around, his expression angry to face Ranmaru, " _Oi!_ What do you think you're doing? Get back to your cell, slave!" The guard raised his long metal pole prepared to hit Ranmaru with it, if he continued to rebel and failed to comply with his order.

Ranmaru turned to look at the guard with the same expression one gives to a cockroach they're about to step on, on purpose-

The guard gulped.

"I want to watch." Ranmaru informed the guard nonchalantly and returned his attention back to the arena.

The guard hesitated a moment but couldn't forget the feeling of those icy golden eyes on him and shivered. "Um, yea, unless you'd rather stay and watch your friend's fight." The guard laughed nervously, "That's fine with me, yea. What the hell do I care anyways?" He decided to act as if this was all his idea. Kagura was _so_ going to kill him. The man moaned in his mind.

Ranmaru's attention was already focused on Ryoga and on his upcoming duel. The metal door on the other side of the arena floor was raised and Ryoga's opponent stepped out-

He was a middle-aged _yokai_ man wearing a business suit, and had glasses on his face. But he had a sword in his hands and a fierce expression on his face. The man seemed determined to fight, though he was obviously not a fighter. _Why?_ Ranmaru couldn't help but wonder. _Why are you fighting?_

He turned his eyes to Ryoga next and was surprised to see an equally determined look on Ryoga's usually carefree face. And wondered the same thing - _why?_

Where had this sudden courage and strength come from for these two men, who were obviously not fighters?

The businessman and Ryoga faced off both holding their swords out in a two-handed grip before them and they charged each other haphazardly - their blades clashed in an unpredictable dance of blocks and blows.

"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!" The _yokai_ man declared loudly in a shaky voice. "I can't die here! Not like this! I have to protect them!" The businessman cried again as he waved his sword recklessly through the air.

_Them?_ Ranmaru quirked his head.

Ryoga's expression was grim, "Your family was taken hostage too? I'm sorry but my family is also at stake here so I don't intend to lose either! I will protect them! To my last dying breath! I have to try! I will never give up!" Ryoga swung his sword.

Ranmaru's eyes widened. Ryoga's family? They were here somewhere as hostages? And _this_ was why Ryoga was fighting? This was why Ryoga had the will and strength to fight now even though he didn't want to fight. _Ryoga._ _Why didn't he say anything?_ Ranmaru wondered.

Ryoga let loose a battle cry and charged the man. Ryoga managed to disarm the businessman miraculously, and the man backed away in horror. He turned to run, fear stricken across his face, but Ryoga shook his head and ran after him. Ryoga stabbed the man in the back and ended it swiftly. The businessman fell forward and lay on the ground unmoving. Ryoga sighed and hung his head for a moment before walking over to the body. Ryoga then knelt by the man and turned him over gently before using one hand to close the man's eyes. Ryoga then raised his hand and seemed to say a small prayer or blessing over the man he had just killed. Something to help guide his spirit on to the right place. And when Ryoga looked up - Ranmaru was surprised to see that there were tears in Ryoga's eyes...

"I really am sorry." Ryoga declared before standing back up and heading back towards the open gateway where Ranmaru was still standing. Ryoga seemed surprised to see Ranmaru and the guard simply watching him as he approached.

"Come on, the both of you, before Lady Kagura skins me alive." The guard shook his head at them. "Stupid slaves. The execution is about to begin. Hurry up!" The guard commanded them gruffly, while muttering to himself, "I'm really not cut out for this shit. Maybe I should have tried getting a normal job...like a taxi driver or car salesman, yea."

"Execution?" Ranmaru questioned.

Ryoga turned to Ranmaru, "Didn't you know about the hostages? Everyone in here has a hostage - if you lose your battle down here then your hostage is killed. The young man you killed earlier for example, see look there-" Ryoga pointed back out towards the arena floor, across it to where another metal door was being raised.

Two guards were escorting a young woman before them who struggled in their grasp, but it was futile since they were much larger than she was.

"No! Stop! Please let me go!" The woman cried trying to escape.

"That young lady was the man's fiancé. And so now because you defeated him she will have to die." Ryoga explained coldly.

Ranmaru felt sick.

"And the family of the man I just killed..." Ranmaru looked up to see more guards passing through the same gateway and they were escorting a middle-aged looking woman, who was leading a small girl in tow by her hand. This girl was most likely her daughter. "They will also have to be killed since he failed to defeat me." Ryoga shook his head, a disgusted look on his face. "No one has the right to take the life of another..."

"Why?"

Ryoga blinked at Ranmaru as if he'd grown a second head, "Why? Don't tell me you don't understand? Don't you have someone you care for? Someone you have to protect?"

"Someone to protect...?" Ranmaru mused aloud. _Kusanagi..._

Ryoga nodded, "Look there...look at that young lady with the long brown hair...Now, tell me, what's she doing?"

Ranmaru turned to look and noticed the shimmering tears that were streaming down her pretty face. "She's crying."

Ryoga nodded. "Exactly. When you kill someone \- someone will be sad. Individuals...opponents in battle...aren't just themselves. They represent a whole group of people - family, friends, lovers, children. It's not just your opponent that you end up hurting in battle, now do you understand?"

Ranmaru's golden eyes focused on the young woman...then on the mother and child. They were sad. They were crying. _She's crying because of me. I caused her tears. And now she'll die because of me._

Ryoga sighed heavily and ran a hand back through his messy brown hair, "Yes, but that last part is not your fault. There's nothing you can do after all...We're powerless."

"Nothing I can do?" Ranmaru echoed. Had he even tried to resist killing the woman's fiancé? No. He had given himself over to Kuroki Ryu, so that his hands wouldn't be stained with blood. So that he could hide himself away in a land called denial and try and stay safe from the guilt. But he knew he wasn't innocent. His hands had been stained with blood once more. It was his fault. And it was time to take responsibility for his actions. "You're wrong. It _is_ my fault. But I won't make the same mistake twice." A fierce expression formed in Ranmaru's golden eyes, a fire seemed to have been rekindled there as his eyes narrowed at the guards.

Ryoga's eyes widened, "Wait, Ranmaru buddy, what are you saying? You're not thinking of doing something crazy are you?"

Ranmaru however wasn't listening as he strode forward and out onto the arena floor. The guard tried to stop him by half-heartedly placing a hand on Ranmaru's shoulder.

" _Oi!_ What do you think you're-"

Big mistake.

Ranmaru turned and punched the guard directly in his face, breaking his nose and sending him flying back into the nearby wall with a sickening crack. The guard slid down the wall to where he lay unmoving. "Why me...?" He moaned before passing out.

Some of the guards had noticed the commotion and had tried to close the gate against Ranmaru so that he would be unable to get back out onto the arena. The large heavy metal door came down once more barring Ranmaru's way with a clanging crash.

Ranmaru however continued his way forward and simply raised his sword before him before he brought it down upon the giant metal door, moving his sword swiftly through the air. The door was easily cut into pieces, and the large pieces of metal fell to the ground all around Ranmaru with loud thuds that caused the ground beneath Ranmaru and Ryoga's feet to tremble since the overall weight of the metal door had to have been at least a ton.

"Whoa. _Suge._ " Ryoga couldn't help but whistle, "Oh shit, he really does plan on doing something crazy! Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit!" Ryoga began to panic as he realized what Ranmaru intended to do.

Ranmaru stalked out onto the arena grounds, sword raised.

_Ooo~ Someone's angry._ Kuroki Ryu chuckled, _Someone's out for blood~ Want me to take over again, you cowardly bastard? Are you sure you can handle it? Don't you need me to hold your hand? Don't piss yourself now._ His sword questioned mockingly before he began to laugh at his own jokes.

_Just shut up and watch, you bastard sword._ Ranmaru growled back in his mind and Kuroki Ryu shut up instantly. Ranmaru charged forward, sword raised against the would-be executioners.

The guards had been pushing the young woman with the long brown hair to her knees, along with the mother and child. The guards had been preparing to behead them as a bloody spectacle for the crowd's enjoyment. The executioner, who held a giant axe in his hands, was approaching them with a twisted leer on his face. He licked his lips, waiting for the signal for when he would be allowed to take their heads.

The young woman's eyes widened when she saw Ranmaru approaching the executioner from behind with his sword poised to strike-

She screamed when Ranmaru was suddenly taking the man's head off with his sword.

But Ranmaru didn't stop there and immediately turned his attention to the guards who were standing next to the young woman, and the mother and child. These guards immediately rushed at Ranmaru simultaneously thinking that with numbers they would be able to overcome him easily. How wrong they were. They raised their long metal poles and attacked. But they didn't even get a single hit in on Ranmaru. Ranmaru moved forward and slicing his sword through the air finished them in seconds, their bodies falling down around him in pieces.

More uniformed guards began to pour out from gates that began to be raised all around the arena grounds of the coliseum, and they then moved to attack Ranmaru from all sides. But Ranmaru was a demon out for blood now.

Meanwhile, up in the stands the man in the pinstriped suit that was standing next to Kagura shook his head, "He's going berserk."

"I know. Isn't it... entertaining?" Kagura smiled as she watched the blood spurting into the air and severed body parts falling down around Ranmaru.

"Those are my men down there I hope you realize." The man flipped his long white hair in a careless gesture, "And really it's so hard to find good help these days _. Mou_ , the least you could do for me is stop him while I have some of my guards left, Kagura- _san_." The man complained in a whiney, petulant voice. "Aren't you going to stop him?"

"Of course, I am but this is so much fun to watch." Kagura clapped her hands amusedly.

"Kagura- _san!_ " The white-haired man objected once more, his voice cracking.

Kagura pouted, "Alright already, geez, don't get your panties in a twist alright? You're such a spoilsport. _Mou._ " A serious expression suddenly crossed Kagura's face as she concentrated on using her power to subjugate Ranmaru. " _Embrace_."

Ranmaru could feel the collar constricting painfully around his neck, sinking its tiny little metal teeth into his neck and drinking his blood. He ignored it. He could feel the electric shocks begin as they were coursing through his body. He ignored it.

More and more guards continue to fall in a rain of blood.

Kagura looked perplexed, and the white-haired man was wringing his hands together fretfully. "Kagura- _san_...why isn't he _stopping_." The man whined childishly.

Kagura blinked and shrugged. "Hell if I know." She tapped her chin. "Whatever, then how about this. " _Embrace! Embrace! Embrace!_ "

Ranmaru's sword continued to slice through the air, and the pain that he was feeling now because of the collar was almost unbearable. Almost. He had to kill them...kill them all...it was the only way 'they' would be safe. 'They'? Who were they again? It hurt too much to think. Whatever. That didn't matter. All that mattered was that he kept on fighting...till the end...

50 seconds later...

And then there were no guards left to send out to use against Ranmaru. Ranmaru turned this way and that, trying to find his next opponent but his vision was hazy, and blood was running down his neck in red rivulets. _Kill...must kill...who's next...?_

The pain suddenly became too much for him and he passed out welcoming the pain free oblivion of unconsciousness...

Kagura frowned and looked down at Ranmaru's fallen form and the pile of dead bodies that were all around him. In 50 seconds Ranmaru had slain at least one hundred guards in all. And he had managed to do all that before finally the subjugation spell had become too much for him. Kagura bit her thumbnail angrily. "This isn't how it was supposed to turn out. He will have to be punished I think." A smile suddenly formed on her red painted lips. "Oh yes, this will be such fun." She clapped her hands together, a pleased expression forming on her face once more as she licked her lips, eyeing Ranmaru with the eyes of a hungry predator about to pounce on their prey.

The man in the pinstriped suit smirked at her expression, "Oh you're bad."

"I know." She smiled a cat's paw smile.

"I almost feel sorry for the bastard. Naw." The silver-haired man laughed cruelly.

"You really hate him don't you?" Kagura eyed him speculatively.

"You have no idea." The man's mouth had thinned into a straight grim line.

####

Ranmaru and Kusanagi's saga continues in...

Bitch Heiress X2 Samurai Butler

Now available

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