I know it has been awhile...a long while. Some of it is that I've had to reluctantly accept the fact that I'm a grown up. But konw this story and others have not been far from my mind. Every now and then I get a spark of inspiration. However, so much time has passed that I forget exactly where the thread of the plot was going.
That being said, this story has been getting a fair amount of traffic lately and I feel I owe it to everyone out there, and myself, to fully complete the story. So much of it is written out. It had more to do with the scenes in the middle. Or god forbid, the boring exposition that no one cares about and yet is so integral with the story.
Anywho, my goal is to finish it. And maybe even post another story as I have several that are two thirds on the way and just need the impetus to finish.
Enough!
Enjoy!
She stared at the man across the room from her. Her mind raced. She had awoken in a strange room. It had taken her a moment for her to recall the scene in the large room. She had sat up to find the beautifully chiseled man watching her. The man who claimed to have known her father.
"Would you like something to drink?" He asked cordially.
Kaoru watched him as she swung her feet to the ground. Slowly she rose to her feet. She took the few steps towards the chair and fell into it. She looked up at him, hoping he didn't notice. The man didn't say anything, merely watched her with dark eyes.
He handed her a small white cup filled with a clear liquid. "In case you missed it earlier, my name is Hiko -"
"Seijuro Hiko. I didn't miss it."
He paused. "I take it then you didn't miss other parts of the conversation."
"You mean the part where you're a vmpire?"
His lip curled. "Among others."
"You claim to have known my father." She stated, not wanting to prolong it.
"I did."
"You were friends."
"We were."
Kaoru licked her lips and sniffed her cup. She wrinkled her nose slightly as she inhaled the alcohol. "I want you to convince me." She looked up at him. "Tell me about my father."
He poured a second cup of the clear liquid and sipped from his cup. "Where should I begin?" He murmured.
"The beginning is always a good place."
He looked at her and then chuckled. "You definitely have your father's sense of sarcasm." He sighed and tossed back the contents of his drink. "Your father belonged to a secret order called the Fiorian. They held the power to move between dimensions without…ritual. They were only a handful of them in existence, and they aren't all neccssarily human."
"Are you saying my father wasn't human?"
"He was very much a human. But he had agreed to their stipulations after he showed great promise and drank an elixir than lengthened his life span making him practically immortal."
"Practically." She stated sardonically.
Irritation flashed in his dark eyes. "He healed quickly and had agility that rivaled those of a vampire. He had great strength. He did age, albeit extremly slowly. However, like any human, or any immortal for that matter, time got to him and he grew bored with life."
"And where precisely did he get this elixir?" She asked snidely.
He sat back. "I'm sure you've heard of Nicolas Flamel?"
Kaoru searched her memory. "He was an alchemist?" She asked, only because she wasn't one hundred percent sure.
"He created the elixir of life."
"And he works with you."
"Flamel and I have had our paths cross."
"So the stories are true?"
"Some of them."
Kaoru stifled a giggle. "You're telling me that Nicolas Flamel is alive and a vampire running around the streets of Paris?" She asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Of course not." He scoffed. "He left Paris a long time ago and has no need to become a vampire."
She felt the blood drain from her head. "How silly of me." She murmured. She sipped the clear liquid in her cup and grimaced as the cold liquid burned her throat. She breathed out through her nose, softening the fumes. After a moment she looked up at him. "My father was an immorttal but he wasn't a vampire. What did he do then?"
"He was tasked with maintaining the balance between the demons here within the dimensions. He was one of the few guards positioned here in this realm. The Fiorian are not the only group tasked with keeping demons at bay. Your friend Misao is descended from a long line of demon slayers, though nowadays it is mostly vampires who find their way to this world."
"You're telling me that Misao is a vampire salyer? Like Buffy, the vampire slayer?"
He frowned. "I'm not sure who this Buffy is."
Kaoru giggled almost shrilly. The whole situation seemed positively ludicrous. "My father was also a vampire slayer."
"No. He wasn't a slayer. Though it is usually the demons that require corraling, sometimes humans can also get out of control. He was much, much more than a mere slayer."
She took a shaky breath and looked down at the small cup in her hands. "Forgive me, but I don't know much of this world other than what I read about in books and see in the movies."
Hiko sat back and studied her. "They get more of it right than they think. In recent times, a number of vampires have employed themselves in the entertainment industry for such a purpose. Also to perpetuate other myths in order to protect our identity." He shrugged. "Or to make them up. I guarantee you that I have never met a vampire who sparkled."
Kaoru suddenly felt exhausted. Her emotional outburst from earlier was slowly catching up to her. Her thoughts mingled with the awful words she had flung at Kenshin in anger and anxiety She rubbed her temple, attmepting to keep her mind on the topic. There would be time to sort through her feelings for the redhead. "My father? You stated he was something of a keeper of the peace? If he wasn't a demon slayer then what precisely was he?"
"There are multiple demiensions where the various species reside. Most of the demons and nightkind choose to live in one of the dimensions of hell. However, some choose to ingratiate themselves in this world. Most demons have a fascination for humans, a curiosity if you will. Sometimes the curiosity is harmless; sometimes it is not.
"If a demon becomes unruly, most humans are no match to prevent a catastrophe. Think of the various disasters through history. Most often than not, a demon of some kind has been at the center. Someone has to stop those demons. The dimensions are all in a precarious balance and if one shifts too much, all the worlds could be destroyed. This world being comprised of mostly humans, a human was needed. The Fiorian, began the order several millennia ago for that one and only purpose.
"However," Hiko took a deep breath. "They were not the only ones to do so. No one knows from where the vampires came. There are many legends and theories. However, they are from this realm, though they can exist in some of the other dimensions quite contentedly. Regardless, they are known to get out of hand. Bloodlust isn't a myth I'm afraid. The split in factions of the slayers and the Fiorian comes from the fact that the Fiorian are meant to keep the balance between all the species, even if it means protecting a vampire or two along the way."
His words sunk in and Kaoru sat back flummoxed. "You mentioned my mother, that she also was a part of the cause."
"Your mother was a guardian. Her power was probably what attracted Koshijioru to her in the first place."
"A guardian?"
"A human recrutied to the cause, but doesn't necessarily have the inherent magic or abilities. Although..." He faded off, his attention lost in thought.
Kaoru shook her head and ran her hand over her face. "My father was a demon slayer slash peacekeeper; my mother was some kind of kick ass fighter. And I'm nothing."
"Somehow I very much doubt that."
She sipped the drink in her hand and fought the urge to make a face. "So you and my father were the best of friends." she stated drily.
"Not always."
"Really? Can't imagine why."
He looked at her sharply. "It appears you are feeling better."
"You threw a lot at me at once. I like to think I'm adaptable but even that was a lot for one person to take in."
"I will admit to that indeed." He sat back and steepled his fingers in front of him. "Your father and I did not meet under the best of circumstnaces."
"There are better circumstances?"
"I had an apprentice who was summoning an Ifrit. Koshijirou didn't care for that much."
"An ifrit?"
"A fire demon."
"You summon demons? And you wonder why he might have had a problem with that."
"It was an exercise in control. Your father misunderstood the situation. I lost a very promising student in the matter."
"Sounds like a personal problem."
"Believe me, it was."
Kaoru sighed. "How did you eventually become friends?"
"We crossed paths on several different occassions. We both realized that we were actually fighting towards a similar goal."
"And that goal?"
"To destroy Makoto."
Kaoru shivered at the mention of the demon. She absently sipped the liquor in her cup and grimaced as it burned her throat. "What happened to my father?"
"Despite his love for you and your mother, he was bound by his oath to the Fiorian to finish the task set before him. In the end, we merely managed to banish Makoto to a prison within the third realm of hell which he resides. But at the sacrifice of Koshijirou. I believe he thought it worth it if meant you and your mother were safe."
"She was killed in a car accident when I was seven." She stated absently.
"There are some of us who do not believe it was an accident."
Kaoru looked up at him, startled. "She was murdered?"
"As I said, she was a powerful guardian. Her own history is somewhat a mystery. And the accident occurred days after your father was taken from us."
"Too bad I didn't amount to anything."
"I wouldn't say that." She glanced up at him in surprise. "All that talent? Something had to have been passed on to you."
"Nope." She shook her head. "Just me. I can't move things with my mind and I've had no formal traininng with a weapon."
Hiko sat back and studied her. "There's something there. Otherwise he wouldn't be so drawn to you."
Kaoru glanced up at him. "Who?"
The man shook his head. "If you wish to learn to wield a weapon, you are now surrounded by a number of people who would be willing to trian you."
"You would teach me to use a sword?" She asked, with an eyebrow raised.
"Not I. I have already taught my technique to someone."
"But to no others?"
"I forbid it. Your best friend is quite a formiable opponent with a blade."
Kaoru mulled over that satement. "What happens now?"
He sipped from his white porcelain cup. "Now we wait. There is something we are in search for, both us and the enemy. It will be a race to see who finds it first. Reagrdless, the Ascension will happen. Even without the key, Shishio will find a away to cross between worlds. The key will only make it easier."
"Why does he need the key?"
"Crossing between realms is not easy. Most demons need to be summoned or need acess to a doorway. In recent years those doorways are closed."
"You mentioned an Ascension?"
"Balance has to be mainteind. Every hundred years the doorways between the realms will be open for a short window of time to allow those to ascend."
"Then why the need for this key?"
"If he is able to dominate over a small faction of this realm, he can open the portal within the other realms of hell, as well as any other demon world, at his will. The Earthen Realm is only one of many that wil become a hunting ground, both for traders and hunters."
"Traders?"
He sipped his drink. "The slave traders have a thriving businees, particulary in the Realm of Thernolia. And human slaves are a rare commodity due to their intelligence. They fetch a high price."
Kaoru shuddered at the thought of becoming a slave. Silence settled between them. Gingerly she placed her empyt cup on the table. Having heard words on her father, her mind now raced with thoughts of the redhead. While her father was something she wanted to hear more about, she had left him behind long ago. However Kenshin was someone who existed in the present.
She tapped her nose, her thoughts racing. "What happens now?"
"In regards to what?"
Kaoru looked up at him sharply. "To this. Do I get to just walk out of here and think that you will let me?"
The man sighed and shook his head. "I know that I have given you no reason to trust me. However, I have no intention of keeping you here. I might merely have an offer for your protection."
She looked up at him. "Like a body guard?"
"Perhaps."
Holding her breath, she met his gaze. "Who were you thinking?" She asked as nonchalantly as she could.
He tilted his head to the side. "Did you have someone in mind?"
She shook her head. "Perhaps you should stay here for the evening at least. Once tomorrow comes we can arrange something a bit more permanent."
Kaoru glanced at the door which she assumed led to the room where the redhead waited. "I need a moment." She whispered.
"Of course." Hiko rose from his spot. "Shall I send in your friend?" He raised an eyebrow. "Or my apprentice?'
Her mind reeled at the idea of coming to face to face with Kenshin right at that moment. However Misao had aslo lied to her. While she understood, she couldn't quite bear to see her friend either. "Sano." She murmured.
"Sagara?"
Hiko breathed in slowly and then nodded. "I will send for Sagara. He will be here soon."
The moment the man left the room, Kenshin was on his feet. "How is she?"
Hiko shrugged and continued down the hall. The red head jumped in front of him, his teeth bared. "What happened in there?"
The dark eyes stared into his and the redhead felt his anger mounting. "We spoke."
"And?"
"And what?"
"What did you speak about?" He demanded throught gritted teeth.
The man grinned. "Wouldn't you pay a fortune to know." He stepped around him and continued on his way.
"Where is she now?"
"She doesn't want to see you."
The words were worse than a punch to the gut. "What did you tell her?" He asked softly, his rage simmering.
His mentor turned slowly. "Actually your name never came up."
Kenshin stilled. "What happened?"
Hiko sighed, almost as though bored. "We spoke of her father. She is concerned for her well being and then asked to speak to Sagara."
He knew they were close, but to hear she would ask for the brunette. "Where is she now?"
"I'm not telling. She didn't ask for you and as far as I know you have no bearing on her current well-being."
"You know that I have every right to know where she is."
"And I have yet to address that issue." The dark eyes flashed and Kenshin breathed in deeply, realizing he might have pushed the vampire to his limit. "You marked her, setting her on a path that could very well lead to her death because of your impetuous nature."
Kenshin narrowed his eyes. "Tell me where I can find her."
"No." Hiko told him firmly. He turned and took a step towards him. "And I suggest you heed my words. She has been dealt a huge shock, proof being that she didn't ask for Makimachi, the slayer, who could answer her questions. You should keep your distance. I imagine it wil be only a matter of time before she requests your presence."
The man turned and strode down the hall. Kenshin let him go, not sure what to say or do anymore. They had been granted shelter for the evening at the dojo and due to the new aliance, he was expected to stay here, at least for the night. However, the sight of the walls made him feel crushed and he fought the urge to break free. He wanted nothing more than to tear through each room until he found Kaoru. However, he could not forget the look in her blue eyes when the realizaiton of his nature dawned.
He turned away and swallowed, the image forever burned his brain. How in the world could she even fathom a lifetime with him?
And there it is. My goal is to hopefully be much more diligent for so many reasons. As always, thoughts and feedback are welcome. Kisses!
