Author's Notes: Yay vampire fics ^^; I have somewhat of an idea where I'm going with this... but it should be cool. Please review! If I get 7 reviews, I will write the 1st chapter!! ^^Ppp

centerbInstincts/b/centerp

Prologuep

It was night again and the hunger wailed to feed upon a new and unsuspecting victim. He could sense the heat coming from the few wandering people outside of his room. It had been a while since he allowed himself to feed. Too close. He had come too close at one time to killing someone he held dear. The lies were eating him up, how could he have only told the half-truth. Running a hand through his unruly bangs, the fighter lied back on his futon and dreamed of the times of the past.p

iIt was just after the sun had gone down outside a small village. The lights were being dimmed for there had been rumors of murder outside of the village. The group of men stood and waited for the last light to go out. It would be his first time.p

"I want you to stay close behind me," the leader said to him. "We only kill as much as needed and never the children. Do you understand?" The boy nodded and moved behind him, his chocolate eyes narrowing at the sight of a man coming out of the village. "Wait," the word was growled as the boy moved slowly. This man went back into his home and turned the lights out. "NOW!"p

All the men split up and drew their swords. They entered the homes on the outskirts of the town so they could corner their prey. It was all to easy this time, although most towns would have been better guarded. With six or seven wounded bodies, they dashed out of the town and into the woods. Their captives were bleeding profusely and they were all still alive.p

In the forest, these men were given a small ceremony and then they were feasted upon. The boy took his first gulp of living blood and his fangs grew sharper from that one meal. It looked as if a rabid animal had torn the bodies apart as the Sekihoutai fed. Sanosuke finished his meal and collapse from the new liquid in his body. "Remember young one, you will never be understood now that you are fully connected to us. I'm sorry," Souzo said quietly to the young vampire./ip

+++p

Morning always brought new trials and tribulations to the Kamiya dojo. Kenshin had just woken up from another one of his nightmares. His past was something that would never leave him alone, especially since he kept one part of it completely to himself. The sounds of Yahiko practicing outside bought him out of his revere. Grumbling quietly, he got out of his futon and put on his day clothes. p

As he was leaving the room, he kicked something and bent down to pick it up. Eyeing the small package he slowly undid the read ribbon and opened the box. Inside was a black rose petal and one word, 'Ai'.p