A/n Hey ya'll. Finals went well. Sorry this chapter isn't very long. I didn't get to finish it, but I promised you I would update after finals and so here is what I do have done :) There isn't much here about Kaorus' transformation, Me sorry. I know I said there would be, but this chapter is only half done so the next chapter will be ready to update soon. I would also like to give a big huggle to all my new reviewers out there. I'm glad you liked my story enough to read it all the way through.

I hope everyone has a great holiday break. :)

I do not own Kenshin or the work of Christen Feehan

I give this chapter is rated PG for cursing.

Yet another Quote: " Everything seemed vivid. His hearing was far more acute even than normal. The dazzling raindrops in threads of glittering silver and gray. Falcon inhaled the night, taking in the scents, separating each until he found the one he was looking for. That slight misshapen figure was not a male, but a female. And that woman had already changed his life for all time." Falcon (Carpathian) reaction to his newly found lifemate, Sara.

Chapter 10

It took Yahiko only a second to realize that he was not in his room back in the Dojo. Brown eyes opened and scanned the area around him. Yep…..this was not his room. But strangely, he was not afraid. He knew he should be, but he wasn't. What happened? The boy sat up in his western style bed. His head and back hurt, but again, he didn't understand why.

"Oh man." Yahiko whispered to himself as he rubbed his head and looked around. The room was a bit larger than his own back at the dojo and had a nice sized window at one end that was currently covered by thick curtains. The twin sized bed was against the wall and a bedside table and lamp was next to the bed. The floor was wood with a dark blue rug in the center. Other than that, the room was rather empty, with only a small dresser on the other wall and two doors. One of them had to lead out of the room.

With stiff, slow movements Yahiko pulled away the tangle of sheets and covers and stepped out of bed. The first door he tried led to a bathroom, thankfully. He took care of business and washed the sleep from his face. Where was Kaoru? Where the heck was he? He was surprised by his reflection in the mirror. There was a nasty looking bruise on the left side of his face near his eye. "What the? Okay this is getting strange." He didn't remember getting hit. Perhaps that was why he couldn't remember much… he had the crap beat out of him. That made the boy cringe, he didn't like that thought.

Washed and now wide awake, the boy opened the other door to step out of the room, but he slammed into something hard instead. The force made him stumble back.

"Whoa there." Came a soothing soft voice. A hand caught the front of his shirt and kept him on his feet. "Careful now."

"Hey! Watch out" Yahiko glared up at whoever it was the ran into him and was more than a little shocked to see a red-headed man in a deep blue gi in front of him. His name instantly came to mind. "Kenshin?" The man had a very powerful ki, even Yahiko, who lack experience, could pick it up loud and clear.

"You remember." The man smiled. For some reason the sight made Yahiko smile back. His large purple eyes looked him over and paused over the mark on his head. Kenshins' gaze locked on the hurt and his eyes got hard and scary for a moment, but it past. The boy shivered a little

"Yeah I remember." Yahiko rubbed the back of his head, wincing when he found another bruise. "But I don't know why. I don't remember ever seeing you before really…and yet…" He dropped his gaze. He shouldn't trust this man. But there was nothing about him that set off any alarms. In fact, he felt a lot better now that he was there. "What time is it?"

"About 6:30 in the morning. You are up awfully early for a young man." Kenshin rested a hand on Yahikos' shoulder and lead him out of the room and down a hallway.

"I'm always up about this time. That way I can get as much training done as possible." Yahiko said proudly. He took his swordsmanship very seriously. Thinking about training reminded him of his teacher. "Where's Kaoru?" he finally asked as they started down some stairs.

Kenshin paused for a moment, unsure just what to say.

"Is she okay?" Was she hurt? Was there a big fight or something? Was that why he was all beat up? Was Kaoru all beat up because he couldn't protect her?

"Kaoru is safe," Kenshin said slowly, picking his words with care. "She's rather sick right now, so she's resting." It was a half truth yes, but the boy didn't need so much thrust upon him at once.

"Sick?" Yahiko questioned. It wasn't like the old Cow to let herself get sick. Being a nurse and everything. "What's the matter with her?"

"We…don't know yet. But you were worried so you called me to come bring her here where she can be more comfortable and cared for." Kenshin turned and stepped into a kitchen. He pointed to a stool at a breakfast table and the boy hopped on and grabbed an apple from the fruit basket in the center.

"I did?" Yahiko didn't remember that. He bit into the apple. Well, he had a feeling he should remember it. He knew Kenshin was a friend he and Kaoru had for a very long time. And that Kaoru was always taking care of everyone else and never herself. At least here Kenshin could care for her the way a sick person should be cared for.

"Don't you remember? You were very worried for her." Kenshin crossed his arms inside his gi and leaned against the kitchen counter.

To Yahiko, he looked like a rather average man. A little short, yes…but nothing major was up about him. And yet Yahiko knew better, he looked beyond the surface. Kenshin was tired. The lines drawn on his face showed that he was under stress. Had he been up with Kaoru all night? It took a moment for Yahiko to realize that he was staring at Kenshin and that he had yet to answer him. Yahiko turned away quickly and took another bite of his apple and spoke around his full mouth.

"Oh, well yeah I kinda remember. But that doesn't explain why I'm all beat up." He added, looking over at Kenshin from the corner of his eyes.

Kenshin was caught, he forgot all about healing Yahiko. The boy didn't even look hurt the night before, but the bruises developed over night it seemed. "Um.." Kenshin cleared his throat and his purple eyes darted about. He had faced some wild things before but the intense gaze Yahiko gave him made him feel…..uncomfortable. Was this how Kaoru felt under his gaze?

"I didn't lose a fight did I?" Yahiko grumbled, looking up at Kenshin with disappointed eyes.

Kenshin almost tackled the opportunity.

"Well, you didn't lose… but you didn't win either." Kenshin motioned Yahiko to follow him. "But Kaoru was very proud that you were able to hold your own as long as you did." He added quickly when Yahiko looked dejected.

"Awe man." Of all the things to forget, his first major fight. "I wish I could remember it all." Yahiko followed Kenshin closely.

"Don't worry Yahiko; I'm sure you did well. Kaoru is a good teacher." Kenshin paused in front of two double doors and turned to look down at the boy.

"Maybe. I haven't been practicing as much as I should be. Kaoru is a good teacher and all. But…." He trailed off looking at his feet. Yahiko knew something bad had happened. He just couldn't put his finger on it. "I should be training more, so I can be stronger."

Kenshin smiled and ruffled the boys' hair with a sweep of his hand. "Well, I think you might like this then." Kenshin reached behind him and opened the doors, letting them swing open. Yahiko looked around Kenshin to find a dojo.

"You have a dojo!?" Yahiko shouted and darted around Kenshin and into the dojo room. The walls were covered with racks of all sorts of weapons, real ones and ones for practice. The boy stood in the very center of the dojo and just turned a full circle trying to take in the sight. The early morning sunlight filtered in through the large windows, making the smooth bamboo floor almost glow. "It's the best looking dojo I've ever seen." Yahiko said in awe.

Kenshin chuckled as he stepped into the dojo. "Trust me; there are many out there that are far better than this."

"Bull!" Yahiko darted up to a rack of bokkens. "May I?" his hands almost itched to hold a practice sword again.

Kenshin lifted an eyebrow at the half expletive but he gave Yahiko a quick nod. "Hai, you may." He watch the boy nearly attack the rack, pick a bokken and fall into a classic fighting stance. "In fact Yahiko. You're welcome to practice here all you want."

Yahiko turned, catching Kenshin with his big brown eyes. "You mean it?"

"Yes, Yahiko. I mean it. I'm going to be gone for most of the day, so you'll be on your own for much of the time. I know how much you take pride in your swordsmanship. I want you to continue your practicing. And I know you'll stay out of trouble."

"Oh Man." Yahiko looked about the dojo. "Thank you so much Kenshin!"

Kenshin shrugged elegantly. "You're part of the family now. And I take very good care of what is mine…oro?" Suddenly Kenshin found the boy latched around his middle. Yahiko only hugged Kenshin for a moment, but Kenshin was able to slow the moment down. The boy looked so happy. Kenshin felt warm affection for the boy, almost paternal. Yahiko belonged to him now, and he was going to love and care for him as Kaoru did. They would be a family.

The world sped back up again and the boy jumped away quickly after the hug. "I don't know how. But I promise to repay you for what you're doing for Kaoru and I." Yahiko scrubbed at his eyes and Kenshin pretended he didn't see him rub away tears.

"It's alright Yahiko. I love Kaoru, and you. You're family now. You'll always be here; this all belongs to you now." Kenshin patted the boy on the head, turned and silently left to let the boy soak up the information. He quietly shut the door and headed back to the kitchen. Once there he paused and looked at the half eaten apple left on the counter.

A family….he suddenly had a family. Red tears filled his eyes. He felt so lucky, so unworthy of it all. What was so special about him that he was given such a gift?

What if Kaoru didn't survive the change? Kenshins' heart gave a sickening lurch. What would he tell Yahiko? Would he even get through her death himself? Losing one's lifemate could drive the other out of their mind. It was a risk Kenshin was willing to take. But that didn't stop him from being totally afraid.

No… no there was no way he was going to let Kaoru die. He just would not allow it.

… . .

Kenshin stirred slightly, waking from his deep daytime sleep. He didn't open his eyes; instead he scanned the area around him. First he checked on Kaoru who he was curled around in a spooning position. She was still deep asleep, her pain had stopped some time ago and it seemed her transformation was complete. She was still alive and seemed well. But it wouldn't be till she woke up when Kenshin would know for sure that she was okay. That would be hours away, well after the sun had set.

Next he scanned the rest of the house and found Yahiko. The boy was sitting in the kitchen watching the small TV set that was there as he ate a late lunch. Kenshin had been watching over the boy all day, moving in and out of sleep just to check up on him. The boy practiced for hours, then cleaned the dojo and was now eating. Yahiko was use to being alone and taking care of himself it seemed. Kenshin also planted memories of the house, where things where, what he was welcomed to and what he should keep away from. Kenshin had worried a bit about how the boy would react, but it seemed that all was well.

He also planted information about the panic room that Kenshin had in the basement in the center of the house. If the house was attacked, and for some reason Kenshin, Sano or Aoshi couldn't help, Yahiko could lock himself in the room. It was well stocked and he could stay there for well over a week if he had to. Kenshin highly doubted that he would. Vampires couldn't even go outside until the sun set. Weaker vampires couldn't even wake up till the sun set. But there were the human pets that they could send to do the daytime dirty work. Not to mention the Zombie like puppets that they can create as well.

But Kenshin had confidence in his power. He weaved many protection spells over the house before he even thought about sleeping. No one other than another Carpathian could unweave it to enter. Vampires won't be able to get near and human servants would find it hard to think straight once they got close. They would most likely have a sudden change of mind or heart and wander off in another direction. Any human not meaning any harm and with no taint of vampire on them would be able to approach the house without any of the affects.

Satisfied that everything was alright, Kenshin allowed himself to relax again. He snuggled up close to Kaoru and slowed his breathing down and sent himself to sleep.

… . .

Sanosuke hummed softly to himself out of habit as he walked down the street. Dusk was still two hours away but it was overcast and rather nice. Sanosuke kept to himself when he went on walks like this. Something that he did often. He wasn't sure why. It sure did tax his system to recover from the exposure to the late rays of the sun, but it wasn't anything that wouldn't be fixed as soon as he fed. No one paid him any attention really, other than the occasional look he got because of his spiky brown hair or the wicked character on his back. But humans usually steered clear of the sunglass wearing, young man.

He passed his usual haunts. Stopping at the Akabeko just long enough to catch Tanaka before she tackled him. Tanaka was the six year old daughter of the owner. She had raven black hair and forest green eyes and was madly in love with Sanosuke. She always greeted him if he came early enough.

Sanosuke flashed a soft smile as he scooped the girl up in his arms and carried her back to her mother. He was then stuck chatting with mom while she tried to pry the girl off Sanosukes' neck. Only after he promised he would return did Tanaka let Sanosuke go. He left the Akabeko with a grin on his face, shoving his hands in his pockets and looking over his shoulder in time to catch the girl dart outside one more time and wave goodbye at him.

With a sigh the Carpathian continued his walk. Sanosuke couldn't wait to have a family like that. Some days it felt as if it was never going to happen. But he always shook the feeling away. It would happen when it would. And if not…well he had trusted friends who would take care of him if he turned vampire or to help him embrace the dawn if he decided to do that. Of course if he embraced the dawn… it would have to be more like.. embrace the mid morning. Dawn sunlight was like sunlight near dusk… it was uncomfortable… but not dangerous.

But that was still many, many decades away. Sanosuke worried more for Aoshi than he did himself or even Kenshin. He helped Kenshin, kept him anchored. But Aoshi… that Carpathian was a loner, only stuck around long enough to make sure everything was well before vanishing to wherever it was he spent most of his time. No wonder others were uncomfortable around the Dark One, a nick name Aoshi had picked up quite a long time ago.

Sanosuke wasn't paying any attention to where he was going; he already knew just where his legs were taking him. To Kenshins'. Now that he had found his lifemate, there was hope. Hope for the future... for his future and that of their people. Sanosuke was itching to get over there and see how Kaoru did through the day. Sanosuke knew she had survived, if she hadn't, everyone who had a bond with Kenshin would have known. He knew he should give the new pair some privacy, but he was just too damn curious.

The sun was just an hour away from setting when he finally reached Kenshins' home. The house was secured tight with spells. Many more than usual, but it was understandable with not only the female, but the boy to care for as well. Sanosuke stood at the front door, took a deep breath and closed his eyes. He envisioned the spell like large chains wrapped around the house. He slowly undid the chains over the front door. When he was halfway done, he felt Kenshin wake and scan him.

'Out early Sano?' his voice was muddled. Having woken from a deep sleep.

'Just wanted to make sure everything was fine. Maybe keep the boy company.' He finished removing the spells and waited.

'I'm grateful Sano, Give me a while, and I'll be up soon.' Kenshin unlocked the front door and let it swing open.

'Take all the time you need man. I know it's going to be hard for her this first night' Sanosuke silently entered the house, shut the door and took the time to reweave the protection spells.

'It was hard for her last night. Sano she was in so much pain. I didn't think it was going to be so painful. I tried to take most of it from her, but it was just so much.'

Sanosuke blinked a bit as he removed his sunglasses. Kenshin sounded so tired, so stressed and worried. It wasn't the Kenshin he knew. Kenshin now had so much more responsibility. He had a lifemate now and now his whole life would revolve around the female. It was strange, but Sanosuke would get use to it. 'Is there anything I can do for you Kenshin?' The Carpathian walked silently through the house, he knew the boy to be in the dojo but he did a quick scan of his own.

'Keep an eye on the boy. Kaoru isn't going to be happy for a while. If something happens, I want you to put the boy to sleep so he won't be anymore traumatized than he is. I would rather he just sleep than having his memories erased.'

'No worries man, I'll take care of the boy. You have more than enough to worry about. ' Kenshin silently sent his thanks and Sanosuke headed for the dojo. The double doors had been left wide open so he just leaned up against the door frame till he was noticed.

"Sano!" Yahiko darted over on socked feet and slid to a stop in front of him. "When did you get here?"

"Hey kid." Sanosuke reached down and ruffled his hair.

"M'not a kid." Yahiko set his jaw stubbornly and glared up at the male Carpathian, daring him to say otherwise. Sanosuke only smiled.

"Have you been practicing all day?" It sure did look like it. The boy looked tired, and by the way he was holding himself, Sanosuke suspected that he was a bit sore too.

"Yeah." The boy turned at walked over to a sword rack and put up the bokken he was using. "I got to get better so I can stop getting so beat up."

Sanosuke winced. He was beat up by a vampire, the boy was lucky to be alive at all. "Tell you what. You finished cleaning up the dojo, and go take a shower. I'll have dinner ready for you. Sound good?"

"Sounds great!" Yahiko exclaimed, jumping into action to hurry and clean the dojo.

"Good then, I'll be in the kitchen." The grinning Sanosuke left the boy to his work and headed to the kitchen. The grin faded a little. What the heck was he going to cook for the boy. Oh he's cooked before….but those times where few and far between. How hard could it be anyways?

a/n Sano is gonna burn the house down, eh? lol Anyways. Again sorry for the short chapter. I'll make it up to ya I swear. I gotta go now, lots of x-mas stuff to do for the next few days. Arg!

Happy holidays! Thanks for reading and reviews are loved!