Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai Deeper Kyo or any of its characters… However, I do owe Sakaki Kenji and the other OCs in this story. Likewise, the plot is all mine.

Summary: "If she is only your servant… then why don't you sell her to me?" Will Kyo finally let Yuya know his feelings for her...or not? Prequel to Serpent's Curse.

Universe: Post-anime. Kyo recovered his body and fought Kyoshiro, killing him in the process and therefore returning to find Yuya.

Story Key: "Talking" – Thinking - "SHOUTING" - 'Emphasis'

Status: Complete. Written on 2005 - Finished on 2007.

Author's notes: Please enjoy and review. I accept criticism as long as it is constructive. Thank you for your time.

Word Count: 1,150.

Last edited: 8th of May 2009.

In memory of my loving Grandparents: Felipe Guajardo (RIP – 9/12/2006) Isauro González (RIP – 19/12/2006)

-o0o-

"Death leaves a heartache no one can heal, love leaves a memory no one can steal"

-Unknown-

"Third Desire"

By: FenixPhoenix (Giselle González)

Chapter 1: "Sake"

"Eh, woman," Kyo called glancing lazily at the bounty hunter; his 'Muramasa' place over his lap. "Go buy me some sake."

-o0o-

Yuya had soon learned to give up on arguing with the stupid jerk, who acted as though he owned her, especially when it consisted on buying him his hideous sake. She still did not fully comprehend why it was that she followed him around.

He had not been, she discovered, the one who had killed her brother and she had already given up on the fact that she could turn him in for the bounty on his head.

More importantly than why she was still with him, however, was why he 'still' wanted her around him? He had, after all, fulfilled all of his desires. He had recovered his body and he had killed Kyoshiro Mibu.

So what else was there for him to wish for?

She sighed. No matter what she told herself or how many times she thought about it, the truth remained the same. Fact was, she knew why 'she' followed him around… Why she would always follow him around… and she hated it.

"Stupid jerk… is he really that blind… that selfish bastard," she murmured under her breath as she entered the small sake store.

"Well, well," came a sing song voice from behind her, "what –or rather who do we have here?"

She spun around already -thinking about what she would say to the idiotic man who had dared to interrupt her description of the demon that was waiting for her at the inn- when something quite unexpected happened…

"Who-" she didn't have time to finish her sentence for a finger was quickly, but softly, placed above her lips.

"Such a beautiful lady should not speak those obscenities," said the man as he took her hand in his and brought it up to his face. Then, he kissed it gently before flashing a warm smile at her.

Yuya scanned the bold man openly against her better judgement.

The pale-skinned male wore a plain blue gi and black hakamas. Twin katanas were strapped loosely on his side. His long, raven hair was tied into a low pony tale reaching just below his shoulder blades.

His eyes, she immediately noted, were as blue as the ocean and he was as tall as Kyo, with a similar body complexion. He was neither too muscular not to slim, just in the middle… the perfect balance.

"Tell me," he said with a voice as soft as silk, interrupting her inspection, "what is your name, milady?"

She blushed slightly at his words. He certainly knew how to charm a woman… not like that stupid jerk who only knew how to anger her whenever 'he' spoke.

"S-Shiina, Yuya," she answered stammering and, realizing that he was still holding her hand, she quickly retrieved it. For some reason this man had something which she did not like, and definitely felt no interest in finding out.

"Oh… I see," came his voice again, "I am Sakaki Kenji."

"Okay, whatever," she retorted as she walked out the store. The newly bought sake was safely tucked inside the paper bag she was fiercely clutching, almost as though her life depended on the alcoholic beverage.

Without a backward glance, she hurried to the inn, hoping she would not see the man again. There was just something about him which seemed 'wrong'… something he had made her feel…

Why did I wish to go with him all of a sudden?

-o0o-

"She has definitely taken 'too' long," announced Benitora breaking the tensed silence. "Maybe something happened to her!"

"Calm down, servant number two!" came Kyo's cold voice, "Nobody would want to have anything to do with that ugly girl, anyways."

Kyo tried to hide his raising concern as he felt the eyes of his companions on him. He did not wish to appear weak in front of them, but she had indeed taken more time than usual to buy the sake. He silently cursed and just as he was about to go and look for her, the paper door slid opened reveling a blonde woman behind it.

"Yuya-han!" exclaimed Benitora, jumping around like a happy puppy when he noticed nothing had happened to her, "I was so worried!"

"You need to work on your speed because you certainly took your time," Kyo stated drily when she gave him the bottle of sake and sat down in front of him. Nevertheless, he was relieved to see she was not hurt.

"Are you alright?" asked Yukimura sitting beside her on the floor. "You look a little pale."

She shook her head trying to clear it from the hundredths of thoughts that were overwhelming her. Most of them concerning a certain man left in the sake store.

"Of course," she answered absentmindedly, "I am just a little tired… I think I am going to bed."

With that said she stood up and left the room. Everyone followed her movement to the door and just before she closed it, Kyo spoke.

"In what room are you staying?"

The question caught them all by surprised. Yet, for some odd reason, Yuya didn't seem to object or even question his inquiry.

"The left room beside this one," she responded after a small pause, promptly disappearing behind the white sliding door.

-o0o-

A raven clothed man knelt in front of the figure of a relaxed Kenji, whose sapphire eyes were intent upon the big oval suspended on the sky.

"I want her," he stated hollowly.

"As you wish, Sakaki- sama," replied the ninja smartly, "I will investigate who she is and what she does."

"Report to me as soon as you find her," he commanded, his tone as gently as always. "I would like to stay in the same inn as her if possible."

"It will be done," said the man before melting into the shadows of the night.

"Yuya- San," he whispered into the chilly air, "You will be mine."

To be continued…