Alas, I still don't own Rurouni Kenshin. I also do not own the Twilight series, or any other vampire stories that this may make one think of.

Pursuing his Mate

By: Shiara-dono

Chapter 1

"So, Kenshin. This is some party." Yukishiro Tomoe cooed, draping herself over the arm of the chair. "I especially love the Bloody Marys. They're so much better with real blood than tomato juice." She took a sip of the drink she was holding, sighing in pleasure.

Himura Kenshin rolled his eyes, leaning into the other side of the chair he was sitting in, putting distance between him and the woman. To think I ever liked her. He yawned, bored of her fawning, and surveyed the room. Each person had a drink of some kind in their hands, all, no doubt, mixed with blood. Comes with the territory of being vampires.

A few people came over to stand next to his chair. One, a tall man with spiky hair and a red bandana around his forehead, punched Kenshin lightly in the shoulder. "Hey man. Why did you throw this party anyway?"

Kenshin, who detested social gatherings, shrugged. "It wasn't my idea, Sano. Shishou told me to host it." Thank kami it's almost over.

Sano, whose full name was Sagara Sanosuke, grinned. "Still taking orders, huh?"

Kenshin growled, causing those around him to laugh. He hated when they laughed at him… which was frequently.

The door to the room slowly opened, grabbing Kenshin's attention. He'd done a head count; everyone from work was already in attendance. So, who-? His thought process halted when the person slipped inside and closed the door. It was a woman, young, with eyes so blue that Kenshin felt he could stare at them all day and not get bored. She had long blue-black hair that was tied up with an iridescent violet-blue ribbon. She wore a sky blue kimono embroidered with dark blue cranes. Her under kimono, what he could see of it, as well as her obi, were the deepest purple Kenshin had ever seen. And the scent that was wafting from her skin…

Kenshin's mouth made an audible snap as he shut it. He was completely stunned by this young beauty. It took a few seconds for thought to return to him, and even longer for his senses. She's… beautiful. Who is she? Wearing a kimono, she's a traditionalist, like me. Uncertainty, sure, but I sense a hidden inner strength. And… He suddenly realized why she smelled so appealing. Kami, she's human! If he didn't do something soon, this angel would become someone's meal. He sent everyone a mental command, for once glad that he had a blood bond with all of them. Hands and fangs off, or it will be your death we witness! A few of the vampires, who had been tensed to spring at her, gulped and regained their composure nervously.

Kamiya Kaoru, the girl Kenshin had been so avidly studying, looked around the room uncertainly. There sure are… a lot of people here. Her eyes fell upon a man sitting in the middle of the room, and her breath caught. He was the most beautiful creature she's ever seen. His hair was red as fresh blood, long, and tied high on his head. His amber eyes trapped her gaze in their depths, making her feel vulnerable and exposed. She forced herself to continue studying the rest of him. On his left cheek, there was a cross-shaped scar, faded, but still very noticeable. He was wearing a black gi, a silver under gi that shouldn't have looked good with his eyes, but did, and black hakama. Ma… maybe he is the host? She guessed, since he was in the center of everyone. She favored him with a small, shy smile before walking toward him.

She stopped in front of him and extended her hand. "Kaoru. Kamiya Kaoru." She told him, grimacing as her voice came out breathy. She knew better than to trust a man she didn't even know… even a good looking one.

"Himura Kenshin." He grasped her hand, eyes widening as something, like a bolt of electricity, shot up his arm.

Kaoru gasped, yanking her hand back and studying it, but there were no visible signs that anything had happened.

So, she felt that too? Kenshin knew what it was, even though he'd never felt it before. It was an experience that only occurred when a vampire touched his mate. But, how's that possible?! She's human! He kept his voice calm, deciding to ignore it for now and think about it later. "So, Kaoru-san. What brings you here?"

The dark edge in his voice sent shivers down her spine. Stop that! She mentally scolded herself. "Well… I just moved recently, and there was a flier in the lobby at my new job about this party. I thought it'd be a great way to get to know the people I work with. Although, I am a bit late."

What was Shishou thinking, hiring a human to work at a place entirely run by vampires? I'll have to talk to him. "I see. Are you thirsty, Kaoru-san?"

Kaoru blushed. "Please, just Kaoru. And I am a little."

"Water, soda, alcohol? We might have some juice somewhere."

"Um, club soda, if you have it. I don't like what alcohol does to me."

Kenshin flashed her a grin, trying to keep the worried edge out of it, and stood. "Sit, please. Get to know everyone. I'll bring your drink out to you."

"No, um, I can get it-!" But he was already gone. She sighed and sank into the offered chair. Her gaze turned into a glare as she realized everyone was staring at her. I should have worn my hakama. She thought angrily. At least then I could have brought my bokken.

Sanosuke, who was close enough to catch the stray thought, snorted. Never would have pegged her for a fighter. His grin widened as she looked up at him. "Name's Sagara Sanosuke, although most call me Sano. So, where'd you move from?"

"Tokyo."

"Ah. I tried to go there once. Never made it, though."

"That's because you always get lost." Kaoru turned toward the speaker, a young, maybe teenage, girl with a long braid. "Makimatchi Misao. Nice to meet you."

Sanosuke growled at Misao, then began talking again. "Right, Jou-chan. I'll introduce you to everyone. So there's me, Misao, that's Tomoe to your left. Then there's Yahiko, Tsubame, Megumi. Aoshi's around somewhere." He pointed as he said the names. "Over there's Tomoe's brother Enishi, Shishio, and Yumi." He rattled off a bunch of other names, and Kaoru's head spun. How was she supposed to remember them all?

Meanwhile, Kenshin sought out his master, Seijuro Hiko, who was in the kitchen conversing with Omasu, a female vampire who liked Hiko. "Shishou, I need to speak with you."

Hiko smirked. "Ah, baka deshi. What about?"

The red-head growled, directing his thoughts toward his master and boss. Must you still call me that?

Yes.

Kenshin sighed. "Privately please, Shishou."

"Very well. Omasu, if you would excuse us?" Omasu nodded and left. "So, what's bothering you?"

"Kamiya Kaoru."

"The new hire? Good, she made it. I was starting to wonder, with it getting so late. What do you think of her?"

"She's human." Kenshin began.

"Really? I had no idea."

"Shishou, you're the one who does the interviewing. I have a hard time believing you didn't notice."

Hiko grinned, offering Kenshin a glass of blood mixed with sake, and took a large gulp of his own. "I checked with her last employer. She may be human, but she's good at what she does. You just need to limit the vampire jokes, and make sure no one bites her." He turned to leave.

"Um, Shishou? There's one more thing…"

Hiko turned back to Kenshin, raising an eyebrow at the red-head's sudden unease. "What is it?"

"Uh, um, well… Kaoru is… Kaoru is… my mate."

Hiko's glass fell from his hand, sending glass and red liquid all over the floor. "She's what?! How do you know?"

Kenshin winced miserably. You told me once there's a reaction when you touch your mate. I felt it, just know, when I shook hands with her. Judging from her reaction, she felt it too."

Hiko continued to stare at Kenshin. Quite suddenly, he gave way to great bellows of laughter. "Oh, what irony! Battousai, once a feared assassin, has a human for a mate!" Giggle, giggle.

Kenshin growled, his easily spiked temper on the rise. "Shishou, you may be older than me and my master, but I will kill you if you continue. I do not go by that name anymore!"

"Calm down, baka deshi." Hiko replied, managing to get his laughter under control. "So, what are you going to do about her?"

"I don't know. Is it even possible for vampires and humans to mate?"

"You were a human once too, remember? It is possible, but it's very, very rare. We will have to do research on it. A word of warning, Kenshin. Human females are very different than vampire ones. Be careful not to spook her."

Yay, another Kenshin vampire fic! ^^ I love writing them. Anyway, hope everyone enjoys reading this. Sessha enjoys reviews, so please send some. Arigato! Hope to have the next chapter up within a couple weeks. Ja ne!

Glossary:

shishou: master

kami: god

kimono: what most Japanese women wore. It's usually made of fine silk, with long flowing sleeves

obi: the wrap, worn around the waist, that holds a kimono in place

gi: a type of Japanese shirt that allows easy movement

hakama: same as above, only they're pants

-san: Mr., Mrs., Ms. It's the polite way to address someone

bokken: wooden sword

jou-chan: Sanosuke's name for Kaoru. It means 'missy'

baka deshi: what Hiko calls Kenshin. It means 'idiot apprentice'

battousai: what Kenshin was called during the revolution, so named because of his Battou jutsu