Another update, with some Kenshin and Kaoru goodness. I really wish the new movie was out in the states, but alas I must wait...T_T

The room that was to be Kaoru's new home, was a sight to behold. As Kenshin opened the door to the massive living quarters, Kaoru felt her mouth drop open. It was fully furnished from a small living space to large Queen size canopy bed. Kaoru stepped into the room looking around, her expression was a mix of awe and confusion. She was to be given this room? It was way to nice for her and had to be a sick joke. She couldn't help wonder what Solomen was playing at.

This was a girl, who had lived in the small home of Megumi's since she could remember. Then she became a street rat, living in the sewers and catacombs with the other Humans. Her bed had now gone from a straw mat to a silk covered mattress. Kaoru would be told to wear fine clothes and not the patched rags that she had once worn. Now she had to act like a lady and not the fowl mouthed tomboy that she had always been. Thank God, Megumi had taught her how, or this would never work.

Now standing in this amazing room, Kaoru was to use those skill, Megumi taught her, to play the part of spoiled rich Vamp. So far her room fit the part but her clothes and hair did not. Kaoru felt a sickness fill her stomach as did a feeling of guilt. There she stood thinking about fitting the part when she should really be thinking about how this room alone could help more then a dozen families.

Moving further into the room, Kaoru ran her hand over the silk sheets of the bed, as if they were a figment of her imagination. "This is too much..." Kaoru murmured softly.

Kenshin closed the door, as he watched Kaoru take in the shock of her new living quarters. The Guard was finding that he had mix feeling about her reaction. "You are Salomen's daughter-"

"Do not call me that!" Kaoru snapped at Kenshin cutting him off before he could say anymore.

"You cannot change what you are." Kenshin said with a twinge of remorse in his words. "If you're to stay here and keep your side of the bargain, then you had better get used to it, that you should." Kenshin moved about the room, checking to make sure it was clear.

Kaoru's eyes followed Kenshin before she asked. "My side of the bargain." Kaoru gave a sore snort as she turned away from him. She took a moment to think about what this bargain meant and what that meant for her. Stopping in front of a bookself, she gave a side glance at Kenshin. "While I play the Princess, are you going to watch me every minute?"

Kenshin had watched as she moved trying to guess what she was thinking. "As long as I do not have Elite duties, I am to be your bodyguard." Kenshin clasped his hands behind his back as he stopped in front of the large bay window.

Kaoru let out a humph and cocked a half cruel grin. "Bodyguard, huh?" She crossed her arms. "Lucky you, get to guard it while I bath too? A free peep show?" She knew how vamps worked, especially with Humans females. Hell, it wasn't just vamps it was how all men worked, pigs the lot of them.

Kenshin's face turned into that of a cold statue. "I will not take your bait for a fight. If you wish to bath, I believe the wash room is located to your left. I will not invade your privacy." Kenshin gave her a slight bow and turned to leave.

There was a strange feeling that hit Kaoru as his face turned cold to her and he crossed the room to leave. She didn't know why but she felt as if she had crossed a line. "Look! You may think I can be some dainty princess, and that girl you met at the Ball isn't me, either. I am rude, sarcastic, a mega bitch when I am pissed off." Could it be that she was trying to give some kind of apology?

Pausing just before touching the door handle, Kenshin turned back some. "I understand your hostility, but I am not your enemy."

"Then what are you? I don't understand why Megumi trusts your, or what there is to gain from all this...bullshit." Kaoru asked all her questions out loud and showed true emotions for a moment.

"I am your ally. As to what I have to gain, if you are to trust me then I will give you something as collateral." Kenshin said as he stepped away from the door, towards Kaoru. "I am one of the few remaining Ancient Vampires. Do you know anything about what I just said?"

Kaoru's eyes widened as Kenshin made his confession. She nodded as he asked. "Ye-yeah...Ancients are the Vampires that predate the Vampiric Wars. They say that the Ancients are all dead, that Salomen wiped them out when none of them joined him in the Wars."

A sad, almost smile came to Kenshin's face as she rattled off the truth of it to him. "We were a dying breed before that, but yes, Salomen had a hand in the decline of the Ancients. Even though we are stronger than him, he had numbers. Those of us that remain, keep our true selves a secret from the Covens." Kenshin was just a few feet away from Kaoru as he spoke again. "A few others and I are the only ones within this Coven. I am giving you my trust to keep this a secret, if you will give me your trust in being your ally."

Kaoru looked away from him biting her lip as she tried to process what Kenshin just told her. He just gave her a secret that would mean his death. Salomen had not just killed the Ancients because they wouldn't join him, but also because they could challenge him for power. If he was to give her such a thing as this, then she had no choice but to accept him. "I will...trust you." She said quietly, looking up to his eyes. "I will keep your secret."

Bowing his head to her, with a ghost of a smile. "Thank you, Ms. Kaoru. I believe we have an alliance then." He held out his hand to her.

Staring down at his hand, Kaoru let out a sigh and gave him her hand. "Don't make me regret this."

"I promise you that you won't, that I do." Kenshin chuckled some as he gripped her hand in his, to shake on it. He was reluctant to let her hand go, because when he held it, Kenshin was reminded of their dance at the Ball. It fade though, when Kaoru pulled her hand away.

One question moved to the front of her mind then. "So why do you live within the Coven, isn't it more dangerous for you?"

"That it is, but I am needed here." Kenshin did not go into more detail then that. He glanced to the clock on the wall. "You also asked about Ms. Megumi trusting me, that I am afraid is a story for another time. I will leave you to settle in and rest. I will speak with your Attending lady so she will not bother you until sunset."

Kaoru looked confused and somewhat appalled. "Attending lady? I don't need one! I can take care of myself."

"She is for more then taking care of you, she will also instruct you on your purpose within the Coven." Kenshin went on to say. "I will return tonight to accompany you to meet the Coven."

"I have to meet the Coven?!" The girl looked horrified now.

"Yes, as the Dau-...as an important member of the Coven," He carefully corrected his words. "A ball is being held in...celebration. There you will be introduced."

"Why do you say Celebration like that?" Kaoru narrowed her eyes at him and could see his reluctance.

"In celebration of the death of Phantom. While Megumi was working her spell over you, they announced the execution of Phantom."

Kaoru was quiet as it all began to sink in, what Solomen had said earlier. This deal that she had struck and this new road in her life...it was almost too much. "Well, looks like I'm suck living like a spoiled brat, while the Humans get to live. Win, win." Kaoru's voice had turned somber and she did not believe the words that fell out of her mouth, but there was nothing she could do. She was now locked in a cage.

Kenshin felt for her, he knew this was breaking her down and there was nothing he could do about it. They lived in a den of wolves and walked on the razor's edge. That was the lot they had drawn and they would have to make it all work. "The Kaoru at the ball was not a spoiled brat, she was a Princess." Kenshin gave her a short bow as he said. "I will leave you now, rest well." Turning, he started to the door, this time to actually leave.

Kaoru let out an exasperated groan. "I already told you that girl you met is not me, she was an act." She kicked her feet up on the coffee table in front of her to make her point.

Opening the door to leave, Kenshin stopped. "The girl I met at the ball...You are one and the same...because that girl, just for a moment, had let her guard down and dared to dream of something more then her own Death." Kenshin did not turn to look at her as he spoke. He just closed the door behind him with a slight slam as he left.

Any words that Kaoru wished to yell back at him were stuck in her throat. The girl was completely baffled. Kenshin had seen right through her and called her out on her true feelings from that night. It was not only that he had figured out that she had been herself that night, but that he had some how realized that Kaoru wanted nothing more than to die.

The world around Kaoru seemed different. She found herself in an empty street alined with strange buildings. She could see stars above her, a sight that she had never seen before because of living in the city. She moved along the road or it felt more like she was floating to her. The further she went the more sounds she could hear.

A sound of clashing metal, followed by a yell hit her and as she turned the corner the world changed to that of a forest path alive with a raging battle. Men were fighting Men and blood covered the ground which was littered with the dead. It was something out of a horrifying nightmare.

"Battousai!" The battle cry drew Kaoru's attention to a group of men converging on a lone figure. Kaoru could only watch, frozen in place as a fear set in. The lone swordsman cut through his attackers with Godlike speed and pinpoint accuracy. The longer Kaoru watched the more she realized that she could not make out any features on the swordsmen but one. It was his eyes, they burned like hot amber as they fell upon her. Her breath caught as those eyes pierced right through her.

Kaoru shot up in the bed, wide awake and in a cold sweat. Covering her face with her hands as she panted from the intense dream. What was this, she never dreamed, ever! It was one of the things she enjoyed most about when she slept. When Kaoru slept, she was completely over taken by the darkness and finally found her peace.

Swallowing hard, Kaoru got off the bed and went to the wash room. Slapping water on to her face, she looked up into the mirror, only to be hit by a vision of those same amber eyes. Kaoru winced as the vision hit her, causing her to hold her head. Her mind felt an onslaught of other visions fill her mind. They were flashes and fragments of places and moments that were not hers. Kaoru was starting to get a headache as they consumed her mind, none of it making sense to her.

A sudden knock on the door made them vanish in an instant and Kaoru came back to reality. Grabbing a towel from a hook she made her way to the door. Opening it she found a small young woman staring at her.

The girl gave a quick bow. "Evening, Mistress Kaoru. I am Tsubame, your Attending lady."

Kaoru moved back giving the girl more room to enter. "Oh, right. I forgot."

The girl got a confused look on her face as she stepped into the room. "Have you never had Attending lady before?" She asked as she looked at Kaoru again.

For a small moment Kaoru thought to tell the truth, but settled with a lie. "Oh Yes, but I-I just...thought to get ready on my own." It was a poor lie but it would work for the moment.

"Oh heavens no. We cannot let Lord Salomen's daughter see to such things without assistance!" Tsubame said almost appalled. "First I will draw you a bath..."

Being referred to as that monster's daughter made Kaoru want to throw up, but she held it in. Tsubame's words just started to drowned out as Kaoru began to tune her out. She was being lead to the bathroom where Tsubame set to filling the large tub. Once filled Kaoru was left to disrobe and bath on her own, which made Kaoru ecstatic. From the moment she stepped into the tub, she welcomed the alone time and made every moment count.

Some time later, after Kaoru had dried and now wore a silk robe, Tsubame stood braiding Kaoru's hair. Just one of the many things to do before she was ready for the Ball. Kaoru felt weird the longer they went without talking to each other and finally she gave in. "So... how is it that you are an Attending lady, Tsubame?" Was the only question Kaoru could come up with. Small talk with Vampires very really happened with her.

"I am not from one of the Aristocrat families, so I chose to serve as an Attending lady." She smiled as she pulled back more of Kaoru's hair. "I enjoy it, that is as long as I do not have to serve Mistress Tomoe-" The girl gasped as she covered her mouth. She had not mean to say such a thing aloud. "Forgive me, Mistress Kaoru! I-

Kaoru laughed openly as Tsubame spoke so freely. "Don't worry about it. I don't care for the evil Blo- the cruel creature." Kaoru corrected herself as she realized she was going to say 'bloodsucker'. "I have met her already and I was not impressed with her. In fact I believe I have made her my enemy."

Tsubame gave a shy smile as Kaoru informed her of her own dislike for Tomoe. "She is absolutely cruel, except when it comes to Captain Himura." Kaoru had a feeling that Ms. Tsubame was going to be her little gossip connection. Which she knew could work to her advantage.

Kaoru gave an unladylike snort. "I have seen her in action. She becomes sugar sweet at the mention of his name."

Tsubame gave small giggle. "Captain Himura has that effect on most of the females. Mistress Tomoe tells everyone that Captain Himura will be hers."

"Really?" Kaoru felt a twinge of something. The kinda twinge ya get when someone thinks they will have something that is yours. Which Kaoru just shrugged it off. As Tsubame finished with Kaoru's hair Kaoru bit her bottom lip some and eventually asked. "What do you think of Ken-Captain Himura?"

"Oh, me?" Tsubame was on new ground and the surprised showed on her face. The other vampiresses never asked her what she thought, or hardly talked to her. "He is very handsome and kind..."

Kaoru could see the girl blush as she talked and Kaoru smiled. "I am sensing a crush?"

"Oh, no." Tsubame shook her head vigorously. "Not at all...besides I like someone else..." Tsubame ducked her head some as her blush only grew.

"Really? Now who would that be?" Kaoru found that Tsubame was growing on her, the more they talked.

"His name is Yahiko, but he's an Aristocrat." The girl's face fell some as she spoke. Kaoru may not know much about all the hierarchy of Covens but it didn't take a rocket scientist to know what that look meant. She watched as the girl forced a smile and looked up at Kaoru. "He is also in training to become one of the Elite. Captain Himura tutors him from time to time."

Kaoru was intrigued by this subject of Yahiko. "I see...So what is Yahiko like?"

"Well, he is most kind and he is an absolute gentleman, although he can have a short temper." Tsubame had a dreamy look as she went on talking about Yahiko. The more she talked the more Kaoru thought she would have to meet this Yahiko or at least ask Kenshin about him.

Some time later Tsubame had helped Kaoru slip into the deep blue ball gown, which was extremely tight and form fitted. She was convinced that Vampiresses here chose not to use the ability to breath. After getting the dress on, Tsubame had finished up with Kaoru's makeup. Only after that all was done, was Kaoru allowed to look into the mirror.

Stepping up in front of the full length mirror, Kaoru was shocked by what she saw. She didn't even look like herself. She looked gorgeous, sure she knew she was somewhat attractive, but not this level. Kaoru even went so far as to pinch herself, just to make sure.

Tsubame smiled happily at Kaoru's expression, "Mistress Kaoru, you are beyond beautiful. I am sure that all the males will find you irresistible."

Kaoru still looked at herself in the mirror as she spoke. "I'm afraid I do not care how they find me, Tsubame." Kaoru said honestly.

"Well, all the same, you will certainly turn heads tonight." Tsubame clasped her hands behind her back. "Who knows maybe you can even sway Captain Himura into falling in love with you."

Butterflies bloomed in Kaoru's stomach as Tsubame mentioned Kenshin and him falling for her. She hated how she reacted to that idea, also that she began to get nervous about what he would think of her. She then mentally snorted, thinking that he probably wouldn't even notice. So if he wouldn't care then she wouldn't either. Kaoru would play her part and be cold as ice. Easier said then done.

"Captain Himura said he would meet us at the staircase, to escort you to the ball." Tsubame spoke as she moved to the door and opened it for Kaoru.

"Us? Your coming with me?" Kaoru asked not sure if that meant Tsubame was going with her tonight. She hoped so, because then she could ask Tsubame all the questions that she was sure Kenshin wouldn't know.

Tsubame seemed a bit confused by Kaoru's question. "Of course, I'm your Attending Lady."

"Oh, right." Kaoru had no idea still, what an Attending Lady did. She could assume it meant a type of babysitter, or chaperone. "You will have to help me, I'm afraid I know nothing of this pla- Coven."

"Never fear, I will assist you any way that I can." Tsubame gave a slight bow as Kaoru drew closer to her. "Shall we go then?"

Kaoru took a deep breath, as she stopped at the door. Letting it out slowly she said, "Ready as I'll ever be."

Okay chapter down! On to the next, which will be the Celebration Ball and Kenshin seeing our beautiful Kaoru all Dolled up!