Disclaimer: I do not own Samurai deeper Kyo's characters but I do owe the OCs and the plot of this story.

Special Chapter: Depicting the story of Kenji has been added as a bonus.

Author's Notes (important!): First off, let me begin by apologizing for taking so long to write the special chapter so many asked for. I had a lot of things going on and it was, until now, I found the time, and most importantly, the inspiration to write this.

Also, I am thrilled and surprised to have found so many people who like this story. To all those who reviewed and faved this story, I thank you deeply and hope this chapter answers some of your questions.

That said, enjoy the special chapter!

Word Count: 5,002.

Last edited: 8th of May 2009.

"I did not ask for the life that I was given, but it was given nonetheless. And with it I did my best."

-Mr. Eko (Lost)-

"Third Desire"

By: FenixPhoenix

Special Chapter: "Wounded Heart"

It was early when Sakaki Kenji walked through the tombs of a small cemetery; his hair whipping behind him as the wind hollowed almost in echo of his misery. His eyes, though he looked at each of the names marked upon the rocks, were lost; his mind wandering through a time that had come to pass too quickly.

Finally, he reached the place he had been looking for. A bitter smile, so strange in his face, graced his features as he placed a single, white lotus flower atop the stone that bore 'her' name.

"It has been a while, Masaki," he whispered afraid that if he were to voice her name louder his heat would shimmer as it had done the first time he had visited her resting place.

He sighed and opened the bottle of sake he had brought along. Then, kneeling before her, he filled the cup embedded on the stone before taking a gulp of liquid from the bottle.

"I miss you," he said as an image of her beautiful, amber eyes flashed under his eyelids.

Kenji stayed there for about five minutes before a presence disrupted his solitude. He stood up, slowly and calmly, with an expression void of emotions as his eyes came to rest upon a tree that stood ten paces away from him.

"May I help you… Yukimura-San," he said, a smile spreading across his face as the mention man, clearly impressed by how quickly Kenji had felt him, stepped out from behind the bark of the ancient tree.

"My, my, Kenji-San," Yukimura said merrily, "You are as good as Kyo."

Kenji tilted his head accepting the compliment before asking with a light hearted tone, "But tell me, to what do I owe the honor of your visit this time? Did Kyo send you to find me, perhaps?"

Yukimura shook his head, "The last time I saw Kyo he was heading out town with Yuya-San," he explained playfully; his eyes studying Kenji's face for a reaction that never came, "However, I am still intrigued with you."

"With me? And why would that be?" Kenji said as he began to walk away with Yukimura by his side.

"Well, yes. You see, you are as strong as Kyo and yet you did not fight him," Sanada explained, "You really wanted Yuya-San and yet you were quick to let her go. And now, as I have come with the hope of finding out what your true intentions are or had been, I see you sharing a cup of sake with the spirit of a woman."

Kenji's eyes were immediately assaulted by utter sadness before it was hidden away behind an enigmatic smile.

"It is… a long story," he said.

"I have time," replied Yukimura, intent on finding out everything he wished to know even if he had to stay with Kenji for a year.

Sakaki seemed to think about this for a while as they continued their journey in silence. By the time they had reached Kenji's house he had taken a decision, which he hoped, he would not regret later.

He will tell him. He will tell Yukimura about what had happened to him, for perhaps this was the path that would eventually guide him towards redemption. Atonement was, after all, what he had been looking for when he met Yuya and when he 'helped' Kyo…

"Come on in," he said as he opened the door, leaving his sandals on the doorway and indicating his visitor to do the same.

Once that had been done, Kenji led the way towards a room that had a small table and five cushions around them. He placed the bottle of sake on the wooden surface of the expensive furniture and immediately after, taking two cups from a cupboard that stood on one corner, he filled them and offered one to Sanada.

Kenji closed his eyes trying to order his tumultuous thoughts for this would be the first time he would show, tell and relive the events of his past. For maybe, just maybe by doing so he would make amends with his actions and finally be able to move forward into the future…

"I was once like Kyo," he began as Yukimura leaned forward taking in every one of his words, "Selfish, blind, arrogant and filled with horrifying blood lust…"

-o0o-

-"What of the rest of the Koga Clan?" a young Kenji asked; his hair tied in a high ponytail as he wiped away the blood of his blade. At his feet lay sprawled five bodies amidst mud, blood and missing limbs. Yet, though the image would have horrified even the devil himself, Kenji stood at ease among the dead almost mocking them by showing he had not even a scratch.

He was, to anyone who saw him, even to his own man, the war in flesh… the God of death… the demon of hell…

"They are all dead, Sakaki-Sama," a black clothed ninja with the most striking amber eyes answered as she knelt before him; her attire dirty and bloodied. She, among all, seemed to be the one least shock by the image and less afraid to approached the demonic figure.

Kenji smirked in triumph. Another Clan had been annihilated and he was quickly becoming unstoppable. All those who dared declare themselves the strongest where now dead; his weapon having taken away the majority of them. No one was stronger than him and anyone who disagreed would be hunted down like dogs by him and his men.

"Gather the warriors, Masaki," he ordered; his mind so concentrated over the feast of victory to come that he did not even noticed how tired and hurt she was. Or perhaps he did and simply did not care?

"It shall be done," she said disappearing from his sight as she glided through the battlefield shepherding the warriors who were still standing.

When they were all finally united, they sat on the table where, seconds ago, their enemies had been waiting for dinner, and sang songs of victory as sake began to knock the intelligence out their brains. Chaos soon began to reign over order and, though it was Kenji who had won the battle, he was the only one who did not drown his mind in Sake or his stomach with food.

He, however, left his men have their fun and every time they drank to him Kenji would thank them with a smile and a nod of the head which, to everyone there, was more than enough.

"Sakaki-Sama," Kenji, who had been reflecting upon his deeds in silence, turned slightly curious towards Masaki Inoue. She was his best warrior and, as such, the most valuable in his eyes. If he desired it, Maskai would kill every man who was at the moment cheering him as the greatest warrior and she would do it without any regard for her own life.

She was loyal but most importantly, she had various skills which he had found extremely useful during past times. She was his spy and his assassin. She was his ninja and his bodyguard. She was his shield and his sword… And she was his. His own. His property…

"What is 'this', Masaki?" his blue, deep eyes focused on a youth Masaki held by the elbow.

The boy was around sixteen years old; a lad too skinny in his eyes to be a warrior. Or at least, that was what he thought before he examined him closely. For, though his body told a tale of weakness and inexperience, his eyes were those of a furious beast who had stared at death unblinkingly.

He smiled between amusement and anger at the impertinence of the boy, who instead of begging for mercy, looked him in the eye with intact pride.

"I found him on Koga's room," she explained, closing an eye and cursing when the boy's sudden jerk sent a wave of pain towards the newly acquired wound between her ribs.

This wince did not go unnoticed by Kenji's expert gaze and, tilting his head, he asked with amusement never leaving his voice, "Masaki, did this boy managed to hurt you?"

Masaki's eyes turned, for a second, to stone. How was she supposed to reply to such a question? If she told the truth then she could be seen as weak! Kenji-Sama would, most probably, think she was losing her skill and would, as such, be unworthy to remain in his service.

Then again, if she lied her conscience would never be at ease around him and he would know of it -Oh, she was sure of it! He would know moment she lied and, without her honesty and her loyalty, he will push her away.

"He attacked out of nowhere," she said, "I have no excuse. I let my guard down before finishing my inspection of the room."

Kenji smiled satisfied with her answer. His blue eyes then switched again towards the boy. What to do with him? Should he give him to his men for them to have fun with him? Or should he finish what he started and kill him ending, with his life, the line of the Kogas?

"A man who managed to hurt my strongest warrior deserves to grow old and strong," Kenji said; his eyes locked with the odd, dark gaze before him, "So I will let you go, kid… and I will wait until you are strong and then… then I will come for you with all my fury and I will make you suffer for having had a second chance."

With that the Samurai took the knife he had been using to cut his meat and, with a quick movement, slashed the boy from below his right eye down to the middle of his cheek. Blood poured out the wound like a river from hell, but still the boy maintained his stoic silence even when his eyes flared with indignant anger.

"That is for you to remember," he said, his attention turning towards his men again, "and for me to recognize you when the time comes… Now, go," Masaki disengaged her fingers from the boy's arm, "before I change my mind."

And the boy did. Though, against his screaming mind, he did not run but walked away with the pride and the burden of being the last of the Koga Clan.-

-o0o-

Yukimura raised his eyebrows surprised to know Kenji had, once upon a time, been cruel. It was hard to believe that the gentle man with the charming smile that sat before him was the same demon he described. Hadn't Sakaki told him, before Kyo went to meet him, that he hated fights and that he would only fight Onime no Kyo if there was no way to avoid it?

"What happened to the boy?" Yukimura asked after a while, snapping Kenji from his silent reverie.

Kenji smiled, "He grew…"

-o0o-

-Kenji grinned sadistically at the athletic warrior before him. The boy had grown tall and his limbs had acquired muscles which gave him a lean, yet nevertheless, impressive look. But if there was something Sakaki had recognize in him, even after all this time, was the mark on his cheek and the look of his eyes; those eyes that looked at him in different colors… the right one as dark as night and the left one as wine as the oldest of bloods.

"What a surprise," he stated in all honesty, "I would have never thought 'you' would come to me, Koga boy."

The boy's lips became a thin line while his eyes tune down from hot fury to a cold one.

"My name is Koga, Takeshi," he said, "and I have come to extract my revenge."

Kenji tilted his head surveying him. His eyes took in every detail of the man, from the brown hairs of his head to black boots on his feet, "Really? I cannot wait," he unsheathed one of his katanas gracefully and presented the tip to his opponent.

Just as he had done this, Masaki and five more ninjas had made their presence known by stepping out the shadows, intent on killing the boy if their Master were to signal the order.

Takeshi smiled awkwardly, as if this was the first time he did it, "I will hurt you like no other can," he stated with a confidence that made Kenji's curiosity and excitement increase.

"The kitten has grown a bold lion, has he?" Kenji taunted, "So tell me," he continued relaxing his pose, "how is it that you plan to hurt me? For, mark my words, you will not be able to land a single blow on me."

Kenji's words earned from the boy a grin that widened so much it distorted his features

"Oh, but I will land a blow," he said; his every word draped with excitement, "and it will be such a blow that you will be left shivering in pain and horror… For I will attack a place you have not guarded… a place you expose so easily and yet you do not defend at all."

Kenji laughed, "Is that a threat?"

Koga shook his head, "No, that is a fact."

"Then if you are so confident in this… why don't you do it? Why don't you attack the invincible Kenji and see if your words are true and your plan possible!"

"It will be my pleasure," Takeshi mumbled, his eyes widening with anticipation as he charged at Kenji.

Yet, he only gave three paces his way before he briskly changed his direction towards a different target. A target that was not ready for what came… A target Kenji had not foreseen…

Masaki saw him coming too late. By the time she had taken out one of her katanas, he was on top of her, a dark bladed knife being inserted into her back and sending a horrifying wave of hot pain to her entire body. Her eyes further widened when she saw the serpent tattoo on Koga's arm rearranging itself, as if for a second it had come to life, before it stopped again staring right at her.

Takeshi jumped back in time to avoid the blade of a furious Kenji. He smiled one more time in the most transparent triumph before, throwing a smoke bomb at his feet, he disappeared.

"FIND HIM!" Kenji ordered, for the first time feeling his anger kicking out his calm demeanor.

Then, as if remembering where his rage came from, he turned to Masaki and knelt beside her; his blue eyes filled with the most profound worry… a worry he had never felt nor shown towards anyone.

"I am alright," she said touching her back and finding that the knife was not there and neither was the pain.

"What are you talking about? You are bleeding profoundly," he said swooping her off her feet and taking her inside the house whilst yelling for a physician to follow.

The blue eyed samurai placed the girl gently in the futon of his room and, turning her around, he cut the back of her blouse with a quick movement of his sword. The Physician came forward immediately and knelt before the girl with his tool ready to be used.

"Let us wipe the blood first," he said as he took out a towel from a basin filled with hot water.

"I'll do it," Kenji offered, taking the towel from the man intent of having the Physician touch her only when it was strictly necessary, for quite unexpectedly he had felt a prang of jealousy at the thought of her body being handled by someone else.

"I am okay, Sakaki-Sama," she insisted trying to get up, but the gentle, yet hard, hand of Kenji held her in place.

Once he was certain Masaki will not move, he wiped the blood off her back with careful movements, for in his eyes she had become as fragile as a crystal glass.

"What the-," the blood had been wiped yet, to the amazement of the Samurai, there was no wound upon her back. What was, then, the meaning of this? And whose blood was that which he was washed?-

-o0o-

"You are telling me he did not wound her?" Yukimura asked with incredulity.

Sakaki shook his head almost with sorrow, "He did… but I simply did not see it…"

-o0o-

-Kenji's relief at having seen Masaki was safe lasted only for a day. Afterwards, he shut himself in his room ordering no one to disturbed him as he sat on his futon to ponder upon his feelings.

What to do now with the girl? He was his best assassin, his best tool… but when had that changed?

It irked him, like no other thing, to realize until now that unknowingly Masaki's presence had changed him so much as to become the only one with the power to crush him! Hadn't he been careful about that sector? Had he not closed himself to all so that he may remain forever alone, selfish and powerful?

So then, what was he expected to do? His heart was set on her and, because of that, he could not sent her away. At the same time, he could not use her anymore for the single thought of losing her as he had almost done sent a wave of pain that left him shattered!

Yet, he could not have her around! He could not afford to love her anymore for that would certainly mean the destruction of all his work!

And even after hours of wracking his brain for a solution, it all came down to a single premise. He could not send her away but he wished not to have her stay. He could not live without her but he 'must' never live with her…

Suddenly it came to him. He would hold her inside the house, never to leave it without his permission while he looked for the man who knew of his weakness. By killing Koga the knowledge of his heart would be a secret only he would hold.

With that being established, Kenji had done it so. He had gathered his warriors and sent them in all directions to look for Koga's trace. But he had made it clear, he did not wish for anyone to engage him.

"He is my prey," he had declared with a tone that allowed no arguments.

As the Samurai waited, he was careful to keep himself apart from Masaki. By confining himself in his room he hoped his feelings would disappear and he would again become the man without weakness… the warrior without a heart. Yet, day after day, his feelings did not go away, but to his despair, they grew and grew becoming a burden that was harder to bear.

Almost four weeks later, he could take it no more. Half of his men had returned without news of his enemy's whereabouts and had, immediately, departed to search in other places. Kenji's spirits were down on the floor when he finally made his way to Masaki's quarters.

This was the third time he had gotten as far as to stand behind her door, fighting the urge to knock or kick the rice door down. This time, however, he did not even try to contain his feelings.

One of his servants had reported yesterday about her status. He had told him that two weeks ago, Masaki had seemed 'lost' and that more than once she had stared into nothingness, as though she had fallen asleep. By the middle of that week, she had begun to black out for five minutes every day and whenever she woke up, she would have forgotten one thing or another of her past.

But a week ago she had begun to get fevers at night and she would shake with cold and pain for almost an hour before she became quite still. Then, she would sleep soundlessly for the rest of the night. This, above all else, had at last worried him enough as to allow his fear to overcome his plans.

Kenji neither knocked nor tore down the door. He opened it slowly and stepped inside. Masaki's eyes widened as she saw him. She was wearing a with night robe that was so thin he was able to see the curves of her body underneath it.

"Sakaki-Sama," she bowed unable to stand and unable to say anything more.

Sakaki felt a knot on his throat. She was slimmer, paler and had two black half-moons under her eyes. The happiness in her seemed to have fled and what sat before him was but a ghost of the girl he used to love. Yet, when her eyes had locked with his again, he saw the flash of adoration and the sparkle of the girl that still wished to impress him. No, she was still her. The girl his mind could not release.

He closed the distance between them and hugged her tightly, feeling his eyes hot with tears that he dared not shed.

"What is the matter, Sakaki-Sama?" she asked truly worried by the turn of events for she had thought he did not wish to see her because she had lost all her value in his eyes.

"Why do you get worst instead of better, Masaki?" he asked with a shaking tone. And it was until then, when his eyes moved to her back, that he saw the black spot underneath her tunic.

Sakaki frowned and, taking a knife, he cut across part of her gown and stared in horror at the image he saw. For a tattoo had appeared on Masaki's back. An image of a serpent going around a blade that was awfully familiar to his own. The dark serpent's body had, by now, twisted three times around the blade and the only thing it was missing was the head and the face.

"I just noticed it a week ago," she said as she pushed him away from her so that she would be able to look him in the eye, "a twist for every week…"

"Why didn't you tell me!"

Masaki smiled sadly, "How could I?"

Kenji cursed loudly. He had given orders not to allow Masaki near his person and now that this has happened, he regretted them dearly.

"There is still time," he said after a while standing up with determination.

He had never seen the mark before but heard about it. It was the curse of the black serpent and the only way to break it was to kill the man who'd made the curse. And that man was Takeshi Koga…

"It is too late," she said, destroying, with her words, his plans, "Tomorrow this week ends and I… I will be-"

"Don't say it!" he interrupted her angrily but, as hard as it was, he knew, deep down, that she was right. He was late… and she would die…

His hand shot towards his eyes as he came to his knees again. He had been called a monster, a beast… yet in the end he was a man whose heart he still felt.

At last, a thing that no one would have thought possible had been achieved. The beast had been tamed, the monster slain and the man… the man had been conquered.

"You cannot leave me," he said between gritted teeth, "You are never supposed to leave me!"

He felt her hands around him; her lips kissing his forehead, "I have always been yours, Kenji," it was the first time she called him by his name and yet it felt right, "but you have never claimed me…"

He turned to her; his cold blue eyes melting under the fire in hers.

"Claim me now," she ordered, "claim me now for I can still feel."

And he did. He pulled her towards him and kissed her with a desperate passion that, for that moment, stripped away all feelings but that one of unparallel love. He tore the clothes off her back and explored every part of her body with his lips feeling his lust increase as she helped him take off his clothes.

He took in every detail of her body; ever smiled she gave he photographed with his mind and every giggled, every breath he locked them in his heart.

It was the most incredible experience. Kenji had had sex before but he had never made love and the difference was astonishing. He kissed her again and again and let her hands wonder though his body and smiled whenever a mischievous grin parted her lips.

But the experience was over too quickly. As he lay with her on his arms he felt her tense. Then she began to shake with pain and her lips turned blue as cold invaded the warmth she had felt not seconds before. He felt his eyes water as he held her close whispering soothing words into her ear.

When the episode had passed and the shaking subsided, he felt her tears upon his chest as daggers to his heart.

"Promise me, Kenji," she whispered with a dry throat.

"Anything," he whispered back; tears running freely down his cheeks at her weak tone. Her end was near and he felt so weak…

"Promise me you will not let this happen to anyone else," she said, "Promise me that if you ever find a couple like us, you will help them see how much they need each other before it is too late. Promise me that you will become a peaceful warrior; fighting only to protect… and in return," a sob overcame her, "in return I will keep you safe from above…"

Kenji hugged her tightly when he felt her body tensing, "I promise…"

"Then, let me give you my last gift," she kissed him on the lips and he felt something there. A power he could not quite understand, "use it well… and find happiness… my love…"

"I love you, Masaki…" he whispered biting his lower lip when her last tear was shed.

He closed his eyes when he felt her back moistening. Inspecting it, he noticed the face of the serpent had appeared; wine eyes looking right at him while tears of blood… her blood ran down the ruby eyes…

Merely five minutes later, her blood was drained and her life had come to an end.

The day Kenji had put Masaki to rest on his family tomb, Koga appeared before him as soon as Sakaki had returned home and had entered his room. Takeshi was seating on the windowsill with a curious look upon his face at seeing Kenji had not unsheathed his sword.

"She died because of you," Koga said, "I did not wish to kill her but it had to be done."

Kenji said nothing but stared stoically at the boy as if waiting for him to state the real reason for his visit.

"Are you going to kill yourself, Sakaki?" he asked suddenly.

Kenji shook his head.

"Why not?"

Kenji smiled, "Because it was my life she loved… and because she gave me a mission to accomplish."

Koga seemed to ponder his words for a while, as if trying to understand them. After a while he gave up and standing up, he said, "Good. Every day you live you will suffer your loss and every day you suffer my family will rejoice in the afterlife."

"Then let it be so," Kenji whispered sadly as he watch the boy who had taken everything from him walk away unchallenged until he disappeared from view.-

-o0o-

Yukimura's eyes lowered to the cup in his hand. He understood it all now…the man, his promise, his sins and his deeds.

"So you never wanted Yuya-San," the Sanada general stated.

Kenji smiled sadly, "Oh, but I did," he said, "She was my second chance… my redemption," he closed his eyes and saw a flash of the blue eyed lad below the Sakura tree, "She would have given me happiness if she had stayed with me."

"But still you let her go!"

"Because she realized who she wanted," he answered, "she broke Masaki's spell… she passed her test."

"What test?"

"Staying with Kyo and choosing the uncertainty of life over secure happiness," Kenji stood, "I am tired, Yukimura-San," he stated, "You can stay if you wish. I will put my servants at your disposal but I am afraid I will have to leave you for the evening."

"Naruhodo (I see)," Yukimura stated as he watched the man leave, "Oyasuminasai (good night) Kenji-Sama…"

.:..FIN..:.

Story Written by: Giselle González

© Kenji Sakaki, Masaki Inoue and Takeshi Koga are property of Giselle González and were created for the purpose of telling this story.

Author's Notes: Anyhow, don't forget to review and please read the first author's notes. PS: Sequel to Third Desire is now available in my Profile Page under the name of "Serpent's Curse".