Sorry it took a while. Car crapped out again.

Disclaimer: Sadly I have no claims to him or anyone else from his world.

Chapter XIV: The Scheme

"Right over here, Madame."

"Thank you." Kaoru carefully stepped her way backwards in her bare feet and pencil skirt. The heavy weight of the desk in her hands made things slow going, but she couldn't trust anyone else to move it for her. Which was why Mr. Shinomori was across from her, holding up the other end. After the last few hours she was feeling just a bit overprotective. For whatever reason they were having more problems than she thought they should have had just trying to get the crate holding her desk into the auction house. Mr. Himura had handled most of the documentation problems when they had unexpectedly cropped up, but then the crate had almost been dropped. Luckily Kaoru had been nearby and able to stabilize it, but that had earned her a curious look from everyone within sight. Too concerned with keeping her prized piece of work safe, she had ignored them. It irritated her, though. Weren't these people supposed to handle delicate stuff like this for a living?

A little while after finally getting the crate into the auction house, someone had almost run it over with a fork lift. Then the top had been pried off wrong and almost scraped one of the nails across the beautiful cedar top. That had been the last straw. After that, Kaoru had allowed no one near her desk except for herself, Mr. Shinomori, and Mr. Himura.

Settling it down on its designated display, Kaoru sighed in relief and shot a small grin at Mr. Shinomori. He was frowning in concentration, and his eyes briefly darted a look around at the few others in the room. It was small wonder they were on edge. Even he was irritated by the lack of delicacy and courtesy they had been shown. When his eyes locked back on her, he returned her smile with a nod.

"I'll stay here, Miss Kamiya. You should go put your shoes back on, and find Mr. Himura."

"Thank you, Mr. Shinomori. I'll come back later." Hopping off the raised platform, she threw another smile over her shoulder. "By the way. I like your tie."

This time he actually graced her with a small, amused smile of his own. "Thank you, Miss Kamiya. It was a gift." He inclined his head ever so slightly, and she giggled before walking off to search for her shoes and her boss.

At the end of the last year Kaoru had made a point of buying Christmas presents for the kind group of people that she now associated with on a daily basis. Dr. Takani had been given an expensive bottle of sweet, red wine, per Mr. Sagara's specific recommendation. Mr. Sagara had received a small, antique game table that she had found and restored. It was a fun piece of furniture that allowed him to store his game pieces or cards underneath the top, which swiveled to one side and then hinged outward to reveal the felt surface that would be played upon. Mr. Shinomori had been a little more difficult to buy for. After staring at him, and possibly unnerving him, for several days, she had decided that he was a bit too colorless when he dressed. It was a pity, because he had very pretty blue eyes. While he did look good dressed like a special agent, she really thought he could do with some variety.

The tie was a swirl of blues, greens, and whites that went well with his eye color, and after getting Misao's approval that it was manly enough, she had bought it. Kaoru would have to remember to get a picture of him later, though. She had promised Misao that she would let her see what the man she was buying it for actually looked like. The disappointment in Misao's voice when Kaoru had said that she wasn't interested in him, either, had been much too prominent. Sending the picture would probably earn her a lecture for not even trying, but Kaoru was almost immune to Misao's meddling now.

Across the large auction room standing by the door and speaking with another gentleman was Mr. Himura. Behind him on the floor was her high heeled shoes, and she wanted to laugh because it looked like he was guarding them. As she came closer she recognized the small line of irritation that was creasing Mr. Himura's forehead and also the anxiety that was showing on the gentleman he was speaking to. The tone of his voice was polite enough, but even Mr. Himura was annoyed by the way they had been treated.

One of Mr. Himura's hands lifted and Kaoru tracked the movement with more interest than it was warranted. When the cuff of his sleeve became visible her stare sharpened and then dropped away. She hated that she felt disappointed, because she should have known better. Mr. Himura always dressed in suits that were out of her price range, and the cufflinks he wore were simple and elegant. The pair she had bought for him as a present were a little too dressy to be wearing every day, or even to a function such as the one they were at. Which was probably why he wasn't wearing them today, or hadn't any day before. It was possible, as well, that he just didn't like them.

"Forgive me, Monsieur Himura, we are looking into the situation as we speak. I don't understand how we could have lost your registration papers, but you know you are always welcome. As for the two workers that were handling your crate, I have never heard of them before and it seems they have disappeared. The police have already been contacted, though. I promise this mess will be cleaned up as soon as possible."

"I would appreciate that." The frown stayed on his face as the other man walked away, but it quickly turned into a smile when he caught sight of Miss Kamiya. "Did you make it without any more mishaps?"

"Yes." As she slipped on her shoes her lips pursed, and she sighed through her nose. "Mr. Shinomori is going to stay with it, though, just in case. I don't understand why we're having this much trouble. You said this auction house was well established, so I never thought things would be handled with such carelessness. I'm a little disappointed."

"I apologize, Miss Kamiya. I as well was hoping your first experience selling a piece of your work would be less troublesome." Yumi must be really trying hard to spoil Miss Kamiya's chance to win. Unfortunately for her, Miss Kamiya is a much better opponent than she thought. Of course, it had frightened him for a moment when she had jumped forward to catch that large crate all on her own. Thankfully it was still half on the truck, so the counterbalance must have made it lighter than it really was, or he was sure Miss Kamiya wouldn't have been able to hold it up. Still, she had good balance to be able to react that quickly in those high heels of hers.

"So what happens now?"

"Now we wait. Most of the other items to be sold have been here for a few days, but there are others that still need to show. In a couple of hours the potential buyers will start coming in and browsing the selection. A catalog of the pieces should have already been circulated, but most buyers wish to see the item they are interested in in person to better judge its quality and authenticity. The auction itself doesn't start until around four this afternoon, and it will take a few hours."

"Do you think there's an extra catalog I can look at?"

"They should have some at the entrance, but unfortunately because of the mix up in our paperwork, our desk wasn't printed in the catalog."

"Oh. Will that hurt its chances of getting any good bids?" The disappointment on her face made him angry. He had half a mind to call Miss Komagata and tell her the bet was off and they were going back home. That would only complicate matters with Miss Kamiya, however, because she didn't know about the bet and he had no intention of telling her, either.

"Yes, but that isn't uncommon. It is expected for surprise pieces to show up at the last minute, and sometimes buyers show up even if they aren't interested in anything in the catalog. Don't worry, Miss Kamiya, your desk is much too pretty to go unnoticed." A small blush dusted her cheeks, but his attempt at cheering her up didn't work and it irritated him further.

Kenshin had no doubt that the reason their registration and the rest of their paperwork had been lost was due to Yumi's influence. If they had sent the desk ahead like everyone else then it might have been worked out soon enough to have Miss Kamiya's desk added to the website catalog if not the printed catalog. Since Kenshin had expected Yumi to interfere he had insisted that they wait until they could personally ship the desk themselves. That had turned out to be a good idea what with all of the so called accidents that had happened, but it had hurt them as well. Without any interested buyers they had little chance of boosting the price through their counter bids.

Luckily, Kenshin had expected and planned for Yumi's underhanded tricks. While they had agreed not to participate or have anyone else participate in their place that did not mean Kenshin couldn't let others know that he was going to be there. He did have his own reputation for providing quality pieces, and even a few rare ones. He had made no one promise that they would come, or that they would bid, but the simple suggestion that he was going to be attending with the intention to sell was good enough for many of them.

All that was left was for Miss Kamiya's desk to do the rest. Kenshin doubted it would be that difficult, either, because the piece they had decided upon was quite beautiful. In fact, he was a bit surprised she had suggested it at all, but then the chateau did have two of them. This, he was sure, was the only reason she was willing to part with the less perfect of the two.

It was an eighteenth century, kidney-shaped desk made out of handsome cedar. The top was smooth, without a crack or scratch on it, and the sides all the way around and down the six legs was riddled with carvings. It was done in the French Rococo relief style, with the carvings focusing more on appearing natural than on showing busts or putti figures. There was a single, regular drawer at the center that came straight out, and then three other drawers, two on one side and one on the other, that curled around the sides. These three drawers swung outward on hinges, and when they were all shut the carvings blended together so well it was hard to see that there was a drawer there at all. The handles on the swinging drawers were gold and also in the Rococo style, and the gold flourish around the center drawer's key hole matched. Since the key was missing, Miss Kamiya had also fixed it with a new one that worked. It echoed the flourish almost flawlessly.

With catalog in hand, Miss Kamiya began flipping slowly through the pages and admiring the other pieces that were for sale. She showed open appreciation for their beauty, but he could tell that she was upset and a bit envious that they were all displayed while hers was not. So far this entire affair had left him feeling aggravated and disgusted with himself for letting that woman goad him into taking her bet when he knew she wouldn't play fair. Now his pride, in Miss Kamiya and in himself, was only disgruntling his usually eager and enthusiastic employee. If this hurt her abilities in any way he would find a way to make Yumi pay for it. Of course, if he lost the bet and had to fire her, then he would have no way of knowing how it affected her and the only person he could be angry at would be himself.

"Oh, did you know Miss Komagata was going to be here, Mr. Himura?"

Kenshin focused and frowned. Miss Kamiya was staring at the catalog still, and so he leaned over to look at what had captured her interest.

"See? Apparently she's selling this cute little side table. It looks really rare." Miss Kamiya tilted the catalog in his direction and he blinked when he caught sight of what she was talking about. A second later he abruptly started to laugh, but it was a mixture of cynical and amused and earned him a curious glance. "Is something funny, Mr. Himura?"

"Hmm? It's nothing. You are right, though, Miss Kamiya. That table is very rare. The artisan who crafted it was very selective about who he made furniture for, and was in fact beheaded by an angry Chinese noble during the Ming period when he refused to make him anything. He only crafted thirty five pieces during his lifetime, and there are only three left in existence."

"Wow, I can't believe she wants to sell it."

"Hmm." I'm more curious to know how she even got a hold of that piece. The last time I saw it was more than fifty years ago when I restored it for an older gentleman in Japan. I should have known she wouldn't even submit a work of her own doing, but this is too much. Now instead of beating Miss Komagata's skill, Miss Kamiya must outdo mine. Glancing sideways at Miss Kamiya, he smiled as she studied the table intently. Too easy. Miss Komagata has underestimated her yet again.

"It says here that it's made out of ebony with real ivory inlay. It's so amazing how beautiful it looks. Like it is brand new. Even the ivory inlay is perfectly set back into the wood. The design of the ivory is very intricate and unusual, too. Instead of just a single design on the top surface the inlay covers the entire table, even down the legs and on the underside of the top. It's no wonder the artisan was so infamous during his time. Even though the side table is rather small and not a piece that could be used as a central attraction in a room, I'm sure it will do really well."

"Well, we'll see. I'm sure it will appeal more to the eccentric at this auction house, and that does suggest a high bid. What does it say the starting bid is?" Miss Kamiya squinted and then read the number out loud. Kenshin chuckled softly. "That's a bit high, even for her." She must be really desperate to win. "Though the bids can get high in the heat of the auction battle it is mostly because they are thinking less reasonably. It isn't smart to start out high when they can snub the cost with a clear head."

"I see. What price do you think we should start mine out at then?"

Kenshin grinned. "Let's wait until after we see what kind of response we get out of the viewing before we set a starting price."

X

They weren't inside yet, but he could already smell little Miss Kamiya's blood. It was so pleading, as if she were begging for him to take her. A small grin pulled at his lips, and he leaned over to open the car door for his employer. It seemed his plan was working. After months of fantasizing about what he was going to do with her, she was finally within his reach. He had no interest in Yumi's business or how well it did, and the woman was idiotic to think he knew anything about restoration. All he cared about was where her business took him.

For years he had used her: to feed off of and to find others he could use to satisfy his more violent urges. The woman was a vixen in bed, so he had no problem pleasing her when she needed it, but sometimes sex was too tame. When he found himself craving more than just her pale, spread legs, he would go on the hunt for a girl no one would miss. Once he was finished with them, there usually wasn't much to find anyway.

Yumi wasn't aware of his extra activities when he was away from her, and that was the way he wanted to keep it. The woman was too possessive, and she was loaded with pride. Though she wasn't aware that there was a council of vampires, in her mind if he were to do something that wronged her she would no doubt sell him out. Even though the Council wasn't aware of his existence as a vampire, he knew they wouldn't just ignore the possibility if some notable woman went to the police with the claim.

Which was why he needed to get Miss Kamiya out from under Himura's wing. He knew exactly who and what Himura was, and he also knew that he was not just an avid protestor against feeding off of humans, but had in fact suggested they stop altogether. He didn't think it would matter, though, if Himura was denying himself fresh blood. The fact that the Kamiya girl was still alive meant that whatever tantalizing smell she was putting off wasn't detectable by Himura or the three other vampires she was around. Otherwise he was sure she would be dead by now. How this was possible, he didn't care. All it meant to him was that she was supposed to be his prey, by fate or some other design.

It was lucky for him that Himura didn't know that he was a vampire as well. Disguised as a human security guard he could interact with everyone without suspicion. Once he frightened Miss Kamiya into running away from her protection, then he would have her all to himself. The auction meant nothing to him, but he would play along with Yumi for now. All he really wanted out of today was to do a little recon, and to remind Miss Kamiya that she wasn't safe anywhere.

He had almost forgotten how crazy her scent drove him. He wanted her now, and it was taking everything he had not to forget his reason and seek her out. Unfortunately, ripping her throat out in front of so many witnesses would be like asking for a target on his head. He had never been one for controlling his urges, but he had always found a perfect time and place to unleash them. This place and time was not it.

Yumi stepped from the car and barely threw a glance at the man holding it open for her. For the last month all she had heard was that bitch's name and she was more than a little irritated because of it. Sickened and frustrated, she had deprived her favorite security guard access to her bed. After a month she was beginning to suspect that he hadn't even noticed and her pride was starting to gnaw at her. If she had it her way she would bury that girl in the ground by the end of the day.

A snarl briefly curled her lip. If everything had worked out the way that she had planned, Himura and his little cunt wouldn't even be participating in the auction. The idiots she had hired, though, had already called to inform her of the outcome of that investment. Little Miss Kamiya was just too much for grown men to handle, apparently.

"Ah, Madame Komagata. We've been expecting you." The organizer for the auction met her at the front entrance, and almost tripped over himself to gain her favor.

"Has my crate arrived, yet?"

"Just a few moments ago."

"And Himura?" A glare was sent in his direction and Yumi could tell he knew she was already aware and unhappy about it.

"Forgive me, Madame. I… I tried… but Monsieur Himura brought copies of all of the forms and the acceptance papers. I couldn't deny him…"

"Ugh… you're all useless! I'll just have to handle it myself. Shishio."

Standing behind her and used to being ordered around and ignored, Shishio nodded. "Yes, Ma'am?" Being ignored had its advantages, after all.

"Why don't you make sure the crate is properly taken care of? I'm going to greet Mr. Himura."

"As you wish." Miss Kamiya's scent was coming from the gallery. Yumi had put him exactly where he wanted to be.

The small, Chinese table was being carefully positioned on its display as Shishio entered the gallery, but he didn't even notice. Instead his dark eyes locked onto the back of a woman across the room. The Kamiya girl looked even tastier than the last time he had seen her. Instead of boring khaki shorts and a polo work shirt she was dressed in a delectable pencil skirt, a matching jacket, and high heels that would make it hard for her to run. Even the hair style she had chosen was perfect, since the high bun would keep it all out of his way when he finally decided to attack.

Unable to stay away as her scent teased and pleaded for him to come closer, he weaved his way through a few others until he was right behind her. Bent and studying the brush strokes in an old oil painting, she didn't even notice him. It was too easy, and a voice tempted him to throw caution to the wind and do everything he had dreamed of doing since first meeting her. Sinking into the wash of hunger and desire, his grin turned sickeningly pleased, and his voice deepened huskily so that it rasped and made her jump when he spoke.

"How lovely."

X

A/N: Sorry about leaving you like that, but there is a bunch more I want to do at the auction before we move on. I was hoping to make the auction one chapter, but it was going to be monstrously long. I feel a little bad, because there was a lot in this chapter, but it wasn't exactly too exciting. The next chapter has all of the exciting stuff, and it's crazy how it's all going to be in one chapter together. Oh well.

So, Kaoru's pretty little desk was nearly ruined; Kaoru gave out Christmas presents, but only one of the receivers hasn't utilized theirs; and Shishio is a sick bastard that seems to be using Yumi without her knowledge. I feel a little bad for Yumi, because I know that in the original story they were actually in love and cared about each other in their own crazy way, but it seems Shishio really doesn't care in my story. It should be okay, though… I hope.

In the next chapter, Kaoru must protect not only her desk from Yumi's wrath, but herself from a couple others. Please leave a review. Thanks! I appreciate every one of them!