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Warning/Disclaimer: I don't own them, but I might make them a little rawer than they're used to. Don't take offense, and don't read if you're not old enough.

Chapter XI: The Lost

The camera that was hung around her neck swung heavily against her stomach as Kaoru leaned back and made another note on her tablet. Taking the inventory of such a place was a long and arduous task, but Kaoru was happy to do it. With a detailed and systematic list of everything they were taking out of the chateau they would have no problem remembering just exactly where they had found everything later. Of course, that did not mean they would be putting everything back exactly as it was. There were items that were obviously out of place in each of the rooms, and since Mr. Himura wanted to make his chateau resemble its sixteenth century origins, they would be doing some rearranging.

Having a list was also good for insurance purposes. Not only would it be protecting Mr. Himura and his interests, but it would protect Kaoru and anyone else working on the chateau as well. She didn't think Mr. Himura would try to accuse anyone of stealing, but misunderstandings did happen, and this would help to clear them up as fast and as clean as possible. Clicking another picture of a pretty little side table, she smiled and made another note on her tablet as she hummed under her breath.

It had been almost three months since she had started working for Mr. Himura, and Kaoru was falling into the routine quite nicely. She was still stumbling a little when she spoke French with the natives, but they were happily tolerant of her green tongue. The apartment he was letting her stay in for now was wonderful, and much larger than any place she had ever stayed in before. Her meager belongings barely filled two of the rooms, but she was slowly plugging things into the spaces. Mr. Himura had said she could stay until she found another place, but that there was no rush. In fact, he had said with a laugh, her staying in one of the apartments was easier on his payments every month. Kaoru didn't want to be a burden on him, and she liked the thought of being beneficial. Besides, she didn't know if she wanted to find anywhere else to stay. The apartment was quite convenient and had a beautiful view. Since they carpooled to work most of the time it was easier on gas, as well.

Most times they picked up Mr. Sagara, too, and they all went to the chateau together. Kaoru wasn't really sure what Mr. Sagara did, but he was on the phone a lot, and sometimes she would catch that tone in his voice that suggested someone was in trouble. Most of the contract crews that they hired answered to him, so she supposed he was handling the business that was outside of Mr. Himura's company. When she caught him speaking in languages she had never heard of, though, she wondered just how widespread Mr. Himura's company really was.

Kenshin glanced over his shoulder as Miss Kamiya started to hum and he shook his head with a smile. The woman appeared to be in heaven, and he was glad she was still so enthused about the job. They really had not started working on anything major, yet, as they were cleaning out all of the fragile belongings on the inside before starting on the roof. A few contractors vying for the job had come up to the chateau to check it over and leave their bids, but so far Kenshin was unable to decide on who he was going to use. Until then the plastic tarp covering the holes in the slate would have to do.

Under Miss Kamiya's instruction they had started with the upper floors and were working their way down. Only a couple of incidents had interrupted them, and Kenshin was more than a little proud of the way his newest employee had handled herself. Miss Kamiya had no fear of getting dirty, or wet and grimy for that matter. When the basement had flooded on the weekend, she had been the first one to get there and assess the situation. Which meant wading waist deep out into the water and finding just where the leak was coming from. Since Kenshin couldn't be there all the time with other matters around the globe demanding his attention, he was glad she was able to handle emergencies so well.

It was getting easier, as well, to sleep with her around. The scent she put off always lessened in the evenings when she sought out her own bed, and so he was slowly developing a routine that was a bit unnatural to his being. Kenshin was actually learning how to sleep at night. It was no real trick, as he had done it before, but it was not something that had ever completely stuck as he ended up only sleeping for an hour at a time and taking naps throughout the day when he could. Now, since there was almost no possible way for him to sleep during the day with her near, his body was so exhausted that he had no choice but to sleep when he was able. This was when she was asleep. He wouldn't tell anyone, especially Sanosuke, but sometimes he took trips out of the country just so he could sleep on the plane.

He tried as hard as he could not to get any closer to her than was strictly necessary. Any closer than that and he would want to follow the tempting voice in his head that hungered for her sweet blood. So far she had not noticed his aversion to her proximity, and for that he was grateful. While he didn't want her to believe that he had hired her for unprofessional reasons, he also did not want her to think he was disgusted by her presence.

Abruptly his attention shifted and he looked toward the door as the head of his security walked into the room. Aoshi Shinomori purposefully kept his presence unseen, so it was always a surprise when he allowed others to know he was there. Kenshin was always impressed by his ability to hide his tall and imposing stature, even in a room full of people.

"Mr. Shinomori, is there something wrong?" Miss Kamiya's head turned as Kenshin addressed the other man and she straightened herself as they waited for his answer.

"No, sir. Miss Kamiya requested I inform her the moment her packages arrived." His attention turned to her. "I have them in the auxiliary building when you are ready to view them."

Kaoru visibly relaxed with a sigh, and she smiled at Mr. Shinomori. "Thank you. I've been a little worried, even though you did warn me it might take a few weeks."

"No problem, Ma'am." Mr. Shinomori bowed his head a quarter of the way forward in a quick salute of respect and Kaoru tried not to giggle. She didn't understand how she could have found so many men with such amazing manners in one place. Even Mr. Sagara, who was quite playful, was still very polite.

Kenshin sat down the small, golden cat in his hands and pulled off his gloves. "Shall we have a look at them now, then?"

"Oh." Kaoru bit her lip. "It can wait until later. I… I don't want to take up any time from my work for a personal matter. You're already letting me keep them in the auxiliary building until I can safely store them at my apartment. I don't want to overstretch your kindness."

"Now Miss Kamiya, you promised you would let me see your collection. That was the stipulation for shipping them for you, was it not?"

"Well yes, but…"

"You shouldn't worry so much. It's nearly lunch time anyway."

Miss Kamiya relented easily and Kenshin motioned for her to lead them out of the chateau. The auxiliary building was to the Northwest of the castle in a clearing next to the stables. Because it was meant to house almost everything inside of the chateau and allow room for the pieces to be restored, it was quite large. For the most part it was one, huge room for storage. Another three, smaller rooms held tools and supplies for restoration, with a bathroom, shower, and a lounge room off to the side.

As they walked through the stable courtyard amid a beautiful summer day, Kenshin adjusted his sunglasses against the sunlight and glanced up at Shinomori next to him. The taller man was ever so slightly allowing the distance to lengthen in between them and Miss Kamiya. Whatever he wished to say to Kenshin, it was not meant for her ears.

"I have found a few similar attacks that match Miss Kamiya's, but because of the locations there were no investigations or follow-ups. All of the victims were killed, and the cause of death was not blood loss. Our vampire attacker is quite intelligent to keep his victims at scattered locations and in areas that are inconspicuous. Attacking Miss Kamiya like he did was the biggest mistake he has made."

"So he will eventually learn." Kenshin's voice was deep with promise, but Aoshi only spared him a glance out of the corner of one blue eye.

"I have… another concern I wished to express, sir." One red eyebrow lifted at him, and Aoshi felt his age under the heavy violet gaze of his employer. Aoshi had always been reserved, even before becoming a vampire, and afterwards his control had been praised. He prided himself on his control, but being around Mr. Himura reminded him that he had a long way to go. That ever present inspiration was the reason he stayed near to him. After all, Aoshi had only been a vampire for thirty years. He was still a child compared to Mr. Himura; what they called a "blood pack baby." Knowing Mr. Himura was the reason why vampires no longer preyed on humans was only cause for more of his respect.

"The items Miss Kamiya wished to have shipped are… interesting."

"How so, Mr. Shinomori?"

Mr. Himura was being maddeningly indifferent now that the subject had changed. Aoshi reminded himself to stay calm. "Interesting because I have never seen so many vampire hunter weapons that were privately owned."

"I see."

"Are you not concerned? Though the Council has mended relations with the hunters, there are still those that would have all of us killed."

"Ease your mind, Mr. Shinomori. I don't think Miss Kamiya knows what she has. If you recall, they are only important to her because they belonged to her family. Around fifty years ago it became a trend for hunter families not to pass on the hunter arts because of the Council's decree banning the hunting of humans. Because of how dangerous the weapons are, however, they would undoubtedly stay in the family. Since almost all hunter weapons are so old, they would be viewed as antiques. Miss Kamiya no doubt only sees their age and sentimentality." Aoshi relaxed as Kenshin reassured him, and Kenshin hid his smirk before destroying his comfort. "I would keep an eye on her butterfly knife, though. She knows what it does to a vampire." Quite predictably, Aoshi tensed.

Inside the auxiliary building they found three large crates situated carefully inside one of the restoration rooms. Now that Kaoru was watching, the tops were pried off and the first layer of packing was carefully removed so that she could inventory the items within. Everything was carefully taken out and laid on the nearby tables, and Kenshin studied each piece with interest.

They were all quite beautiful and old. A few of the pieces were newer, only sixty to seventy years in age, but everything else was nothing less than one hundred and thirty. From her mother's side she had many ceramic pieces that would have been used in a tea ceremony. They were hand-painted and the motif was whimsical. To have a complete set that was so old was quite rare. There was also a wooden Noh theater mask of a woman, a bronze incense burner with mythological beasts carved into it, and a dark lacquer vase for flower arrangements. The leaping koi fish on its side made him smile. As his eyes slid over the few other pieces in her collection they caught on a carefully folded kimono.

"That was my mother's favorite. It's not as old as the others, but she took very good care of it. If you'll help me, we can unfold it and I'll show you why." Kenshin agreed to Miss Kamiya's suggestion and he slipped on a new pair of gloves to help her carefully lay out the delicate silk material. On the back of the kimono was a wonderful landscape painting of clouds, trees, and old buildings. It was not the type of kimono that would have been worn, and instead would have been displayed to show off the artwork.

"Mama said this was her home in Japan. She was too young to really remember it when they left, but Grandmother told her this was exactly what it looked like when she was a child. I was never given the chance to meet my grandmother, so Mama told me about it. One of these days I want to visit there."

"It is very beautiful, Miss Kamiya." It didn't look familiar to Kenshin, but then Japan had changed a lot since he had lived there almost four hundred years ago.

The kimono was refolded after careful inspection, and then Miss Kamiya turned to the other two crates. It was here that all of the antique weapons were, and Kenshin took great precaution in helping her handle them. The variety of them amazed him, and the look he exchanged with Shinomori relayed understanding for his unease. Not even the small throwing knives that were tucked into a leather carrying case were regular steel. Only two bows and their matching arrows were normal weapons, but there were two bags of tips to go with them. One bag had normal tips and the other did not.

"Oh, sorry." Kaoru winced as he held up one of the well-crafted bows. "That's not an antique. Father took me hunting with him, and since he didn't like guns, we used arrows."

"Ah." He put the bow down on the table, and tossed aside another layer of packaging to dig out the next weapon. What came out of the crate caused him to pause, and he stared longer than was necessary at the wakizashi in his hand. The lacquered sheath was only partially dulled by time, and the jade-green corded tie that wrapped decoratively around the base of the sheath showed a build-up of grim in the creases. Even still, it contrasted beautifully with the guard and the hilt. Briefly he let his gaze linger on the small, golden dragon that was held snuggly in place by the dark blue weaving on the hilt, and then he positioned his hands to draw the blade.

Two kanji symbols were etched into the base of the blade: human and heart. The sight clenched at his gut and made him remember more than he ever wished to. Struggling, he closed his eyes and snapped the pieces back together a little harder than he should have.

"Oh! Careful, Mr. Himura! That's the oldest piece my father owned!" The wakizashi was quickly snatched from his gloved hands, and he gratefully let go. He fought for an apologetic smile, but bowed his head to hide his inability to control his facial features.

"Forgive me. That was careless."

"It's… alright."

A look at her face showed that it wasn't alright. He had upset her with his actions, and the crease of her brow and unsmiling features was evidence enough. Holding the wakizashi close to her chest she turned away and settled it onto its display stand. The top section was empty, but he had expected it to be.

"The katana has been lost for several generations. Father said his family has been searching for it for decades. No one knows what happened to it, but if it's anything like its matching blade, I'm sure it has been kept safe. I hope to find it so they can be together again."

Clearing his throat, he offered compensation to appease the distress he had caused her. "Shall I keep an eye out for you?" She tossed him a glance and a small smile. The crease of her brow was still present, though, and it made him feel awful.

"I would appreciate that."

X

A soft purr left the woman's lips as she stretched luxuriously on the red silk sheets of her king-sized bed. Content, satiated, and only a little light-headed, she smiled at the ceiling through half-parted eyelashes. "I'm so glad that you're feeling better." Voice low and alluring with her teasing remark, she relaxed one arm to squeeze her companion's thigh. "I was getting tired of my sheets being cold."

"Hmm." A noncommittal reply, but she took little notice in her pleasantly complacent state.

"Work's been trying, as well, and your replacement is so irritatingly dull. I'm glad you're back. I think I'll fire him tomorrow."

"Ruthless as always." There was amusement and praise in his voice now, and she reveled in his approval. "It's really a shame, though. Sometimes I wonder about your decisions." Immediately her mood plummeted and she felt anxiety with his disappointment.

"What do you mean? I always make decisions that are beneficial to me." Her tone snapped and instantly lost all of the rasp from sex.

"Do not be so defensive. You know I find your haughtiness annoying."

Biting her lip, she changed tactics. Rolling toward him, she snuggled her naked skin against his side and lightly wriggled to help him feel the friction. "I'm sorry, darling. I know you're much older and wiser than I am. Why don't you tell me what I've done wrong and teach me a better way?" Slowly she flapped her lashes at him, and gave him her best wanton look. It earned her a low laugh.

"You know what you did wrong. Do not make me repeat myself again."

Every muscle in her face tensed and she pushed herself angrily away from him to stand. "If this is about that Kamiya bitch again I'll have your head severed from your neck! I told you I will not have her working for me! She wasn't even worth the time it took to fly over there and interview!" A gasp escaped her mouth as she found herself abruptly pinned against the wall before she could finish ranting.

"You would dare to threaten me?" A low growl rumbled down the back of his throat and she shivered in fear at the look in his eyes. "You would dare to mock my intelligence? Do you think I don't know what I'm talking about?"

"N-no. Darling, that's not…"

"Letting her go was the stupidest thing you've ever done, on a personal level as well as a professional level. The skill she will eventually provide for Himura will outshine your own at every auction. You'll lose money and prestige for refusing to hire her. Don't think for one moment that Himura won't brag to everyone about how lucky he was that you didn't. Private collectors will ask for her specifically. You will get less and less contracted work. Trust me, woman, it will be bad for you in the future."

Trembling at the thought of losing everything she had worked hard for, she placed her hands beseechingly on his chest. "Then I'll hire the wench. I'll pay her double what she makes with Himura. Whatever it takes. I won't have to keep her near me, right? As long as she belongs to me, it doesn't matter."

A snort left his mouth and he shifted back. "Are you daft? She won't ever work for you now. You've insulted her."

"Then what must I do?" She beat her hands against his chest and pleaded. "There must be something."

"Humiliate her." Confusion covered her features, and he explained carefully. "I said she would eventually be a benefit to Himura. That doesn't mean right away. Force her to show her worth too early, play his pride, and then embarrass her with the outcome. What faith he has in her will turn to doubt, and she will be so humiliated she will be forced to run home with her tail between her legs."

She looked doubtful. "Do really think something like that will work?"

"Of course. Just do exactly what I say and you can't go wrong." Even if I have to scare her myself I'll get her to run. As long as she's out from under Himura's wing and on her own again. I'll chase her to the most remote corner of the globe and then take my time sucking her dry. I won't start at the neck. No, that would risk killing her. I was too hasty last time! First I'll start small, like her arm. Yes, the inner flesh of her elbow will do. Then I'll work my way up to her shoulder. That sweet spot right at the junction of thigh and hip might be next. Then her breasts. Oh I love the soft flesh of breasts! Such ecstasy!

Turned on by the thought, he wrapped rough hands around her waist and lifted to slam her back against the wall. The wound on her ribs from earlier was already scabbing over, but a couple flicks of his tongue broke it open to allow him access to the iron-tasting blood just waiting on the other side. It wasn't as sweet, burning, or intoxicating as the Kamiya girl's blood, but for now it would do.

"Oh baby. Not too much." Her slim fingers fisted in his hair and she moaned, but the sound was arousing and he dug his teeth in for more. "Not too mu-ch." A hitch and gasp jerked at her body when he pulled away. Maybe I'll fuck her, too. Jerking her down, he smirked around his gritted teeth as he pushed himself inside of her. Loud cries of pleasure only encouraged his fantasies as he took her roughly against the wall. Ye-es. I will. I will! And her blood. Both! I'll do both! Harshly his teeth sank into her shoulder, but her cry of pain was sweeter than her cry of pleasure.

X

Kenshin threw his keys down on the coffee table and stripped out of his jacket as he proceeded into his bedroom. An angry jerk at his tie stripped it from him as well. Tossing both on his bed he glanced at his closet, but sat down instead.

His insensitive actions had caused Miss Kamiya to continue acting subdued for the rest of the day. Though he had not damaged the wakizashi, he had offended her. It wasn't anything he was sure she would hold against him, but it wasn't something she could just instantly forgive or forget either. No doubt tomorrow she would be fine and things would continue on as they had been. It didn't matter, because it still made him feel wretched.

Rubbing a hand over his face he stood and stepped toward the closet. Inside, behind all of the neatly hanging clothes was a trick door and a walk in vault. A quick number lock allowed him entrance after tapping in the correct sequence, and he twisted the thick handle down to pull the door open.

Kenshin kept very few possession with him as he moved around to various locations for the benefit of his company. All of them were locked up and hidden. All of them were more precious than any other antique he had every found, bought, or been given. Carefully keeping his eyes from straying, he stared across the small vault at a cloth covered shape. It sat at eye level, and nothing else touched it. It was, after all, the one possession he owned that had been with him for nearly all of his life.

Gently he peeled back the cloth and settled it to the side, and he couldn't help the shake in his lungs when he exhaled. Black lacquer covered its length, jade-green cording wrapped around its width, and a small, golden dragon was cradled lovingly by the dark blue weaving at its hilt. Mesmerized as he always was by its perfection, he reached up a hand and caressed it lightly with a finger.

Stinging pain shot up his arm and he jerked his hand back and cursed. The pad of his finger was now smooth, but thankfully for him it had not burned all the way through. Rubbing at the persistent bite irritably, he scowled at the katana in anger. A moment later, he laughed. "Forgive me, old friend. It was my fault."

A pair of leather gloves laying on the shelf next to the katana offered him protection from the hunter material that disagreed with his vampire DNA. He didn't need to look to know, but it had been too long since it had been drawn, and he was feeling nostalgic and a bit contrite. The blade came free easily, and as expected two kanji were etched carefully into the base of the steel. This time they symbolized human and soul. No, spirit. That was what he said.

"My father made these katana to show the strength of the human spirit, and the human heart. Neither will fall prey to a vampire, nor any form of evil. Here, my young friend. I will lend you this one. I think that you will need it."

A wistful smile touched his mouth as he remembered the kindness done for him in a time of his life when he had been unable to appreciate it. That smile disappeared quickly as he noticed how unkempt the katana was starting to appear. "You're showing our age, old friend. That won't do. Miss Kamiya would be most displeased." A soft swing through the air made the blade sing sweetly and he laughed under his breath. "Yes, I know you agree, but fear not. I have a surprise for you.

"I have found your other half, and soon you will be whole again. It appears I have found your rightful owner as well." Replacing the blade within the sheath, he settled it back on its perch and pulled off the gloves. "I will clean you up before I return you, but…" A frown touched his features, and his voice turned abruptly serious. "you must promise me… you will never let her wield you."

X

A/N: Forgive me for taking so long. It's been a long and tiring month. I hope to continue writing quickly from here on out, but there's no telling what the new year will bring. Hopefully it will be better than this one.

I wanted to fit a little more in this chapter, but I think I'll save it for the next one. A little bit of Aoshi, and little bit of Kenshin, and our bad guy. Man, he's sick! I can't believe I wrote him like that! Bleh! Don't get too upset. Kaoru has a good watch dog, or three. XP I wanted to introduce the katana now, because it will start tying Kenshin's story in with what's going on. Also, Aoshi's a baby! -evil laugh- He's so cute! Alright, tell me what you think, and next chapter will probably be a little more everyday stuff to build relationships. Merry late Christmas, and Happy New Year! God Bless! Please leave a review.