*wink*
Disclaimer: I do not own RK.
Chapter XXXVI: The Masque
Steady violet eyes stared back at themselves through the bathroom mirror in Kenshin's hotel suite. As he had promised Kaoru, he was dressed in traditional black tie attire with no additions or quirks as would be expected for a masquerade. In fact, there were very few details that made what he was currently wearing any different from what he wore daily. Only the collar and the cuffs of his shirt were stiffer, and the color of his suit was a jet black. It made it simple for him, and for the most part Kenshin had dressed himself in a near absentminded state as his thoughts securely focused themselves elsewhere. Only the bowtie had required his complete attention as it wasn't an effortless activity to perform since he refused to take the easy way as Sanosuke did with a button on. Now, with all tasks completed but the donning of his favorite cufflinks and the jacket, he was taking a couple of moments to prepare himself for the evening.
As a being that was nearly four hundred years old two weeks was hardly any time at all. However, for those last two weeks he had lived in agony and torment. He had thought himself decided when he had set himself upon the path he had chosen. A path that had paralleled what he had hoped was Kaoru's. After only a week his decision had been tested, but he had known that conflict and doubt would arise as it was an inevitable aspect of life in general and in his specifically. Their relationship would always be difficult if only for the mere fact that she was a human and he was a vampire.
What had truly surprised him had not been his troubled thoughts, but the strength of his denial to those thoughts. Reasoning had argued that she was unsafe with him, that she should not trust him, and that he did not have enough strength to control himself forever. Before he had even stepped foot outside of her door that night two weeks ago, though, sadness had swallowed his mind, and a very raw part of him that twisted his stomach and made it hard to breathe had known that giving her up was the wrong thing to even contemplate. At first he had been afraid that it was merely his obsession for her that had argued for staying. However, he had soon decided that it didn't matter. He didn't want to let her go, and his struggle had turned towards making sure that his obsession wasn't just for her blood.
He was afraid that there would always be a part of him that would doubt his motivation, his craving, and his affection. That wasn't fair to her, either, because it was quite obvious how she felt about him. The woman was bullheaded and would fight herself the entire way, even, he suspected, now that she was allowing herself to acknowledge what was there. Kaoru was waiting for him to set a boundary, as if a part of her couldn't believe that he might want anything more than what was convenient. He wanted to inform her that there would be no boundaries, but he still wasn't completely certain about his subconscious intentions. For now, all he knew was that he didn't want what they were slowly nurturing to be torn apart by his weakness.
If I am not strong enough, then I will become stronger. It only took me a couple of years of intermittent exposure to her scent to be capable of interacting with her naturally. The fact that I am capable of becoming resistant at all is a good sign. Being exposed in such high doses more frequently should eventually numb my system at least enough to let her see how she makes me feel. After all, if I was not capable of enduring I would not have survived Hiko-sama's training all those years ago. A light huff escaped through his nose, and he watched as his blank features came to life with a small grin. I was still a human then, and barely twelve. Surely I have developed my willpower since then.
With thoughts of his old master interrupting his debate, his mind wandered briefly down old paths of contemplation. Kenshin still wasn't certain why Hiko had trained him to kill vampires when he himself had been one for hundreds of years before ever meeting Kenshin as an angry child. There wasn't a lot he knew about Hiko. He had never spoken of family, friends, or even a lover and Kenshin had never thought to ask. At the time when he had sought out the hermit living on the mountain, Kenshin had been out for blood and revenge for the death of his family. Many rumors had circulated about Hiko over the years, but all Kenshin had cared for were the ones that had spoken of his strength and skill with a blade. Kenshin had been given a sword from a hunter of Kaoru's family after that hunter had saved his life, but it was no good to him if he didn't know how to use it properly.
If Kenshin had known that Hiko was a vampire he would never have trained with him, and with a more mature mind he knew he would have missed out on many good insights because of his prejudice. As it was, only a little over a year after training with Hiko Kenshin had learned the truth, and he had tried to kill his master. He had lost the fight spectacularly, but it was the only fight that Hiko had allowed him to emerge from completely unscathed. The fact that he had escaped unharmed had bothered him for many years.
A new thought churned his stomach and the contemplative features in the mirror contorted quickly into agony. Will Kaoru try to kill me when she finds out what I am? An overwhelming amount of fear and misery awakened an insightful connection he had never made before. Is this how Hiko-sama felt when I turned on him? Kaoru, of course, wasn't handicapped like he had been by a need for revenge, but she hadn't been exposed to any good experiences with a vampire, either. At least, not any experiences where she was aware that the other person was a vampire, anyway.
I must never give her a reason to doubt me. From now on I will never allow our interactions to get out of control. I will nurture that trust she has for me and tell her everything when the time comes. I have to succeed. Being near her makes me feel… human again.
A deep breath pulled into his lungs, and he closed his eyes to settle his chaotic heart. Tonight he would make sure he stayed in control, just as he had for the last two weeks. Thankfully she had willingly complied with whatever pace he had set, and he hoped that she would continue to do so. When their touches remained tender and their kisses sweet he felt such overwhelming relief and warmth, as if she were the sun and he was finally able to stand under its shining heat once more. More importantly, he didn't feel a need to attack her for her blood.
In the adjoining suite he could hear her soft footsteps whenever she moved and smell her sweet aroma as it gained strength. Tonight she smelled intoxicating with her excitement and joy, a little tangy like she was afraid, though perhaps she was only nervous, and already slightly demanding with arousal. Another breath pulled into his lungs. As long as her actions didn't become demanding they would be alright. Thankfully, he knew she wouldn't do anything she thought to be inappropriate while they were at the charity function. That meant he had plenty of time to steer their encounter afterwards into safer avenues.
Kaoru's movements stopped near the outer door to her suite to wait for his knock, and he pushed himself away from the sink to put on his cufflinks and his jacket. The mask Miss Makimachi had picked out lay on a chair near the exit, and he swept it up before leaving. It was an interesting piece of thin golden metal that was made to only cover one eye and a small section above his other eyebrow. Its design was not solid, but instead was made up of long pieces of thin metal fitted together to form intricate patterns of swirls and small licks of fire. It made him curious of what Kaoru had decided on for a costume.
For a few seconds after he knocked she didn't move, and his sharp ears listened as air pulled into her mouth and then exhaled slowly. His assumption that she was nervous had obviously been correct, and he was amused by her innocence. Nothing would happen to her while he was with her, so she had no reason to fear the people at the masquerade. Of course, he did understand that this was the first such function she had ever attended, so she was no doubt nervous of what to expect and what would be expected of her. As her boss he would guide her through the evening, and as her date he would shelter her from everything else. Without, of course, being overly suffocating of her independence.
When she was finally ready to answer the door he automatically pulled on a soft expression of encouragement and affection. They weren't near anyone else at the moment, and he wanted to take advantage of that small amount of privacy while they still had it. That affection melted into wonder when she finally stood framed in the doorway, and she paused uncertainly in the face of his unreadable stare.
She was all red and gold in the dress she had chosen, and she was already wearing her mask. Dark hair was gathered up and looped loosely so that a small tail of softness rested just over her shoulder. Her mask was mostly silver with only a few lines of gold and it covered both eyes. Like his, there were intricate swirls and tongues of fire which were heavier on one side of her mask than the other, and they came to a point high up in her hairline above one ear. A small ruby hung down between her eyes, and teardrop earrings of deep ruby hung from her ears in compliment.
The dress was a combination of fit and flowing. It was mostly red, but had hints of gold, orange, and bronze in it, and small glints of ruby and amber jewels sparkled from her shoulders to her hips. A boat neckline with no sleeves barely scooped below the graceful arch of her neck and the flawless shape of her body was clearly outlined and accentuated. The skirt flared just below her hips, and the fabric flowed softly down to her feet in layers of sheer material. There were less flashes of red and gold in the skirt, and the closer to the ground her skirt went the more he thought he saw patterns of feathers. Curiously, when his eyes slid back up her body the feathers looked more like flames.
When his eyes finally found their way back to hers he watched her blink and found that the silver and gold mask wasn't the only thing now framing her sapphire irises. Thick black lashes with two small red feathers coming off the sides were impossibly glued to her eyelids in such a way that they looked like they belonged.
A blush burned its way up her neck as he continued to say nothing and she folded both hands in front of her over her clutch. Briefly he noticed the two rings she was wearing on each index finger. They were dark metal, nearly black, and they formed two dangerous and fierce hooked talons. "Is something wrong?"
Red eyebrows shot up. "Of course not. I was just thinking…" Some powerful emotion touched his features and his voice lowered to finish the sentence."… how beautiful and bright you look."
"Oh. I was kinda afraid I looked ridiculous." A shaky breath spoke of her happiness.
"Why would you think that?" With his free hand he encouraged her out of the doorway so that he could shut it behind her. A glance at her back revealed two streamlined feathers of orange and gold tipped in red were stuck into her hair. When his eyes drug downward to automatically finish his study of her figure he found that the back of her dress dipped so low that it forced him to frown. It wasn't completely open skin, though. Thin, intricate webbings of amber and ruby gems outlined what appeared to be a pair of wings. Just like with the skirt, when his eyes scanned from bottom to top the feathers looked more like shimmering flames.
"A phoenix, Miss Kaoru?" His voice was so low that she glanced at him over her shoulder, and a blush was burning her face. Hesitantly she nodded. "Then I am to escort a goddess of the sun. How very suitable." Briefly his fingers touched her bare arm as he signaled that it was time to leave. "If I was a jealous man I wouldn't want anyone else to see you."
Her scent deepened. "So you're not a jealous man?"
"Only when the line is crossed." They stopped in front of the elevator to wait for its arrival, and his hand lightly touched her chin. "Beauty is meant to be appreciated."
Others may look but they will not touch.
The unspoken words hung in the air between them, and she ducked her chin to hide the silly grin on her face. Sapphire eyes locked onto the mask that he was still holding and she smoothly changed the subject. "You're not going to make me walk through the lobby without putting your mask on, are you?"
Kenshin held it up between them. "Would you like for me to put it on now?"
"Please. I'll help you."
The elevator dinged and they stepped into the empty box. As they descended to the lobby Kaoru carefully gathered up the sturdy string that was attached to his mask and tied it securely while he held it in place. "It's not as uncomfortable as I thought it was going to be."
"I was surprised too." While his back was to her, she fished out the hairpin she had bought and clipped it quickly to his low ponytail. There was no way he wasn't going to notice, though, and when he leveled a look at her she chewed her lip before she immediately remembered that she was wearing scarlet lipstick. "You said you were going to be boring, so I got something for you, too. It's just a couple of feathers to match my dress." They were darker so that they wouldn't blend in with his hair, and small black talons offset them and gave them weight. "I'll take it back if you don't want it."
For a couple of seconds he simply studied her quietly. "You're not a jealous woman, are you, Miss Kaoru?" She wanted him to wear something that matched her dress. In a way, it felt like she was marking him. Automatically her mouth opened and her brows furrowed, but she paused on an indrawn breath. Instead of denying the question she amused him by lifting her chin in challenge.
"When I have reason to be." Sapphire eyes shifted to watch the numbers slowly decrease as they descended. "Women are harder to deal with than men, you know. I can't just take 'em outside and beat 'em up."
Laughter bubble up his throat and she threw him a grin. Just before the doors opened to the lobby he planted a gentle kiss on the side of her mouth. "I promise I shall never give you reason to be jealous, Kaoru."
For most of the three weeks that had so far made up their relationship they had interacted casually without any heavy references of permanency, spoken promises, or deep confessions. Everything that was felt between them had gone unspoken and communicated without words. Only his claim that she could have him had hinted at something stronger, and yet it had been vague and his intentions had been unclear. This was the first time he or she had ever uttered something that could be held onto as a foundation of what their relationship was going to be.
Carefully he pulled her hand through the crook of his arm and led her out into the lobby. Something about what he had said had stunned her, and when she finally shook herself free of her amazement she answered in a rushed and breathless voice. "Me neither. I don't want…" …anyone else. The sentence stuck in her throat as she realized how much she would be pushing on him, and she clicked her teeth together and looked straight ahead. Ever.
Kenshin frowned. "You don't want what?"
"F-for you… to think I'm some brainless flirt." He laughed again, though quieter, and she relaxed.
"I know that is not the type of person you are, Miss Kaoru."
Outside of the hotel was a waiting limousine, and Kaoru glanced at Kenshin uncertainly when the driver opened the back door at the sight of them. "We're not taking the rental car?"
"Not tonight. I rented a limo for the masquerade. Have you ever been in one?" One hand landed softly on her lower back and encouraged her to climb in first.
"No." When he was settled in next to her and the door closed she glanced around the interior as if she were in some alien landscape. "I suppose it's required for a function like this?"
"Not exactly." There was amusement in his tone, and she frowned at him. Her reactions were always interesting, especially when she thought he was laughing at her. "I usually drive myself, but tonight I have a date to accompany."
"So… you don't usually have a date?" The question was tentative. According to Megumi he didn't date, period. Kenshin had a right to his privacy, though, and just because Megumi didn't know about them didn't mean he didn't have dates. At least that was what a little disbelieving voice in her head was telling her. When the smile on his face melted slowly off, though, and her stomach dropped, she suddenly hated herself for bringing about that lonely and intensely sorrowful expression.
The driver's door opened and violet eyes glanced towards the front and then averted to the window next to him. With their conversation interrupted the ride to the charity function was quiet and rather uncomfortable.
There was a line of cars in front of the fancy old building that was to house the function, and one by one each of the limousines and expensive cars released their passengers to join the party. When it was their turn a valet opened the door and Kenshin climbed out onto the curb. He offered her a hand, which she accepted hesitantly, and then her fingers were once more curled around the crook of his elbow and he was leading her up a set of grand stairs to the entrance.
"You should know, Miss Kaoru, that it has been a very long time since I have been with anyone." The low words were nearly too quiet to make sure that no one else would hear, even though the closest person to them was twenty yards away. Sapphire eyes darted over and stared, but his expression remained serious. "Or since I have wanted to be with anyone." She seemed undecided on how to react or even feel, and her scent strengthened but was too difficult to decipher. "To answer your question, no, I don't usually have a date. Does that make you uncomfortable about what others might think about us tonight?"
"W-well I…" Her eyes lowered and her fingers tightened on his arm. She couldn't say that she didn't care, because a very large part of her did. If others began to think that she had only been successful because she was sleeping with her boss then it would hurt her career. On the other hand she was in love with this man, and what he was saying made her heart swell in yearning. There was a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach, though, that warned her that they couldn't stay in this carefree limbo forever. Eventually she would have to decide what was more important, and she would either have everything she had ever desired, or a job she loved and an empty bed, or neither. That alone was terrifying, because she knew without a doubt what she would choose if he ever said that he loved her. It placed too much power in an element she had no control over, and people fell out of love just as easily as they fell in.
"It's alright, Miss Kaoru. You have nothing to worry about. Even Miss Komagata couldn't deny your skill." She tried to smile as if she believed him, but a resigned look furrowed his features and she knew she had failed. A few moments of silence later, and just before they stepped inside, Kenshin sighed. "Just because we wish to be here together doesn't mean others have to know. To everyone else my appearance as your escort will be no more than a courtesy. It isn't their business, anyway." Kenshin had no intention of displaying their intimate concerns to the public, especially to the crowd they were about to join. Kaoru, though, appeared to need verbal reassurance that he would let nothing damaging happen. He had known since the moment she had suggested they accompany one another to the masquerade that she would still want to act as though they were nothing more than employer and employee. Even still, as her escort he had a little more right to intervene if needed than if he were simply her boss.
"Okay." Strangely it saddened her, though, because she couldn't shake the feeling that it might actually bother him to pretend that they weren't together. Just how long is a very long time, anyway? Surely not since… his wife. Kaoru glanced at Kenshin again as they stepped inside the wide open doors of the masquerade and tried to imagine what that meant about the man next to her. W-what a sweet man. Her breath caught, and her eyes dropped to her feet. The more I learn about him… the more I love him.
Three small creases formed between Kenshin's eyebrows, but were shielded by the mask on his face. Something subtle had changed about Kaoru's scent, but he couldn't quite put a name to what. She still smelled intoxicating with happiness, and tangy with nervousness, but it bit at his nostrils now. Not in the same way that her sharp scent did when she was angry. Though he did not hate her anger, that sharpness was a little painful. This bite wasn't unpleasant, and it frustrated him because he recognized what it was but couldn't remember.
"Wow. This is amazing." Violet eyes blinked until he was successfully pulled from his contemplations, and he swept his gaze around the room to take in his surroundings. Large crystal chandeliers hung from the high, decorative ceilings and beautiful molded plaster designs of eggshell white floral patterns and putti figures covered the walls, the curve into the ceiling and the areas above the arched doorways. That was only the building's original aspect, though. Their host had added upon and emphasized the old-world beauty with streamers of white satin, elegant white light posts around the outer walls to add further illumination, large bouquets of cut flowers all in shades of white and blue, and curtains and archways of hanging crystal.
To prove Kenshin's claim of their host's eccentricity, however, there were also human-sized birdcages spaced about the two large ball rooms. Some of the cages were two stories high with stairs, hoops, and streamers for acrobatic performances. All of the cages housed women and men wearing tasteful yet revealing clothing, and what skin was bared was painted either white, grey or a very pale blue. There were also painted people hanging from streamers outside of cages or lounging with carefully bored expressions in loops of satin-like hammocks well above the heads of the guests. They were all paid entertainers and they performed their jobs without a care for what was going on around them.
Everyone had dressed knowing that their host liked eccentricity, and there were all types of costumes from full on princess cut ball gowns to skin tight harlequin suits with the large ruffles around the neck and bells on the hat. Immediately Kaoru stopped worrying about whether she looked ridiculous or not. Compared to quite a few of the other guests what she was wearing was very conservative. "You weren't kidding about this guy." As they passed by one of the cages she peeked inside. It was smaller, and had only one occupant. The painted man ignored her with practiced indifference. "That is so barbaric." Kenshin chuckled next to her, and she pulled her gaze away from the cage to look at him. "So what do we do first?"
"First we should greet the host, if he is accepting his guests."
"And then what?"
Kenshin smiled. "Then we do whatever we like."
Kaoru turned her shoulder to keep from bumping into a man wearing thick ceremonial robes and a full-sized golden mask who was talking animatedly with his hands to a crowd of people. "What do you usually do?"
The smile on Kenshin's face turned into a frown at the action she was forced to perform because this other man was too inconsiderate to make room for a lady walking by. "I usually tour the gallery once, drink two glasses of champagne, make sure I speak with who I know, and then leave." He turned his head over his shoulder and locked eyes with the man Kaoru had dodged. "Excuse us." The man shrugged, but spent a couple of seconds ogling Kaoru before he returned to laughing with the group of men and women he was standing with.
"Okay. Let's do that." The action had barely registered with Kaoru, and her words and indifference caused a low chuckle to rumble against his chest.
"We may stay longer if you find there is something else you would like to do." Briefly his free hand touched the fingers gently curled around his arm. "I am certainly not as well educated in dancing as you are, but I can move my feet if you wish."
"Are you asking me to dance with you?" A giggle lightened the air and Kenshin was suddenly glad she wasn't paying attention to anyone else yet. "I would love to!"
Since Kaoru was very new to the field, and would never have attended anything like this before, she had no way of knowing what kind of reputation Kenshin had. To the world he was a very well-known collector and dealer who owned several galleries of his own as well as contracted out restoration services to those who could afford him. That was the man that Kaoru had known him to be the day he had stepped foot inside of the Jackson Mansion. Like her, though, he preferred to keep his private life very private, but for more reasons than she obviously had. The fact that he had always attended any type of function or party alone was not going to go unnoticed, however, and now he had quite a few rumors going around about him in this certain circle of people. The women especially found it amusing and much too intriguing to leave alone, and Kenshin had heard nearly every possible explanation there was to try and rationalize his solidarity. Including that he was gay and even once, to his chagrin, that he was a vampire.
In consequence, there were too many people paying attention to him now that he had a woman on his arm. His reputation of being the perpetual bachelor would hopefully steer them from placing too much emphasis on it, though, when they found out that she had also been invited and that she was his employee.
At the far end of the room at the peak of a short dais was a high-backed throne chair of silver and white crystal. Sitting atop the throne was a man dressed in royal finery. A long white cape trimmed in white fur draped over his shoulders and pooled onto the floor, lace ruffles decorated the cuffs of his sleeves and down the collar of his shirt. A silver and blue waist coat conformed to his torso, fitted white trousers outlined his long legs, high topped leather boots of dove grey reached his knees, and a long silver scepter held at a perfect angle in one of his gloved hands touched the ground at his feet. The most astonishing feature about him, however, was the silver skull mask that concealed his entire face.
"Is that him?" Sapphire eyes locked onto the circlet crown he was wearing around the skull mask. "Jesus, that's real!" Hundreds of studded diamonds sparkled each loop, peak, and woven design. Some of the diamonds were bigger than her thumb.
"No doubt you are correct." Kenshin didn't even question which prop she was talking about, because the fur on the cape, the scepter in his hand, and the crown on his head were all very real. "Did you notice Sadojima-san behind him?" Kaoru averted her eyes from the throne chair and its occupant to the man standing just to the right. Mr. Sadojima wore a full white, contemporary suit with a plain white mask that covered from his eyebrows to his cheekbones. It was a little hard to see him since he was standing so still and he blended into the background.
Another giggle escaped Kaoru and she grinned like an excited little girl. "He'd be a perfect body guard. Nobody would even notice him until he moved."
A kind smile touched Kenshin's mouth as he led Kaoru up the steps, and he stopped them when they were two down from the throne chair. For one crazy moment Kaoru wondered if she would be expected to curtesy as she stared up into the dark grey eyes of the man sitting before her. There was something mesmerizing about his eyes, and she found she couldn't look away even when she was forced to bend at the waist as Kenshin bowed next to her. Nothing else about his face was revealed but his eyes, and she was unable to read what kind of meaning his unwavering stare carried with his features so shielded by his silver skull mask.
"Himura-san." There was a pause as his eyes finally left Kaoru's and focused on the man next to her. The breath pulled back into Kaoru's lungs as if she had been denying herself air for an eternity. "I'm pleased you came." The statement was barely out of his mouth before he was cutting into his own words with his next question. "Who is this that you have brought with you?" Those grey eyes were back on her and he leaned forward in his throne chair. Unconsciously her fingers tightened on Kenshin's arm. "Is this girl your woman?"
A sharp breath sucked into Kaoru's nostrils, but she was more indignant about being called anyone's woman than she was worried about anyone finding out that she really was. Gently Kenshin's hand touched the curve of her spine and his calm voice eased her irritation. "This is Kamiya Kaoru. She works for me on my French chateau, and is quite frankly my most gifted employee."
Nothing about the host's posture or eyes said he was truly surprised by this announcement. "So this is the infamous Kamiya Kaoru." The scepter scrapped lightly against the floor as he stood, and then he bowed formally at the waist. It was a strange mix of culture as he was wearing something clearly European and yet speaking and utilizing Japanese customs. "Udo Jin-e. It is a pleasure to finally meet you."
"I-infamous?" A disbelieving huff escaped her. "Hardly, but it is a pleasure to meet you too, Udo-sama." Now that he was standing she had to crane her neck slightly just to look at him. A small frown tugged at her mouth when she noticed that his fingers were a little too tightly wrapped around the scepter he was holding.
"I must admit I'm disappointed, Kamiya-san. I am used to Himura-san wasting his plus one allowance, but why haven't you brought someone to enjoy the evening with? I doubt you were… lacking in options." Mr. Udo's grey eyes darkened as if excited by the thought.
Thanks for making me sound like a hussy. Kaoru narrowed her eyes in challenge, and she shifted her weight to nudge Kenshin with her elbow when he opened his mouth to rescue her. "Since this is the first time I have ever been invited to such a prestigious function I asked Himura-sama if he minded showing me the ropes. He was kind enough to agree to be my escort and mentor for the evening."
Insincere amusement lightened his grey eyes, and it was clear something about her answer had not pleased him. "How lucky for you." Mr. Udo took a step back and lowered himself into the throne chair once again. "Please enjoy yourself, and perhaps I will see you later." The hand on Kaoru's back shifted as Kenshin stepped down so that he could offer her his arm once more. Before she left she waved at Mr. Sadojima and smiled when he inclined his head and smiled kindly in return.
"She likes you." Hoji's smile automatically slid into a blank expression as his brother made the calculating observation. "Good. We can use that."
"What would you like for me to do?"
"For now, I want to know just how close they are."
"Very well."
Rikuto's grey eyes followed the Kamiya girl and the Blood Traitor as they descended the steps and cut a path through the crowd towards the gallery. It always turned his stomach to have Himura sharing the same air as him, but unfortunately it would have been suspicious if he had decided not to invite him to the few charity functions that Hoji had organized for the sake of their cover. Himura had never met him as Rikuto before, so there was little fear of him discovering his true identity. Very few people actually knew what Rikuto looked like and were still alive to tell it. Even they would have a hard time identifying him as he was now, though. Sometimes Rikuto didn't recognize himself when he looked in the mirror.
He gained only minimal pleasure by hiding in such plain view. Mostly it irked him that he had to hide at all. The Council had put a mark on his head over a thousand years ago, and he had felt no need to hide then. For several hundred years he had mocked their decree by doing as he had pleased, but then they had turned one of his own children against him. A child that was even more dangerous than the one in his midst at that very moment.
Hiko Seijuro claimed that Rikuto himself had turned him, but Rikuto had no recollection of it. Of course, who really expected him to remember all of the children he had turned when they numbered in the hundreds of thousands? While it was true that Hiko had thinned that number, he had not killed nearly as many as Himura had. His black eyes had always been fixed securely on the father of the bloodline; on Rikuto alone. His focus was sharper than Himura's, but he wasn't as driven by revenge as his younger counterpart. Instead, Hiko had some foolish concept of responsibility. So while Himura had sought out every vampire from their bloodline just for the sake of spilling blood, Hiko had studied, planned, and watched from behind the wake of his protégé's slaughter. Rikuto knew that that cunning man had been waiting for him to intervene, and it was the very reason why he had been forced to allow Himura to do as he pleased. Unfortunately, Rikuto was a little too aware that Hiko could best him in a fight.
Grey eyes darted to the man standing just to his left. Hoji was the only reason why he was alive today, and he both loved and hated his brother for it. Rikuto was the progenitor of their bloodline. He was the strongest, the fastest, and the purest form of their vampire blood without even an ounce of human taint. How was it that some upstart child of his was able to nearly defeat him in a one-on-one fight? How was it that another one of his children had been able to save him from impending death? It angered him that he didn't know the answers, and even more so that he had to ask the questions at all. Hoji claimed that some of his other children had distracted Hiko to allow Hoji time to take Rikuto and run, but the explanation had never sat well with him.
Not that he doubted Hoji's loyalty to him. He was the only one of his children that he trusted implicitly.
There were very few of his children left now, and he was hesitant to create more before he found a solution to the plague on his bloodline. Under his order they were to not bring any attention to themselves. Shishio had disregarded his command, and even without the Kamiya girl's presence he would have eventually hung himself by his own carelessness. The way Rikuto saw it, though, it was still Himura's fault for every death he had carried out against his own children, because Rikuto had been forced to drive them into hiding or condemn them all to Himura's wrath. Without Himura's murderous intent to have all of Rikuto's children end up with their head's severed from their bodies he was certain things would have been different. If Himura had never been turned, Hiko would have left the majority of them alone and focused only on him.
If he could just get ahold of that girl's blood he would be able to solve all of his problems. Karin's and Takara's blood had made him so powerful. Eventually it had made him ill and weak, but during those first few hours after ingesting their cells he had been stronger, more alert with all senses heightened, and calmer. He had been unstoppable. If what he knew about Kamiya Kaoru was true, her blood was even more stable but also more susceptible than Takara's had been. She was the specimen he had been waiting for, and while he wasn't quite certain how she had come into being when Takara was supposed to have died, he did know that she was meant for him to claim. Just the scent she exuded was enough proof of that. With her blood inside of him, he would be strong enough to kill Hiko and Himura and create more children; enough to eventually wipe out the Council and create his own order inside the vampire world.
I will be the only progenitor, and my bloodline will be the only race of vampires. Then we will be free to prey on humans as we wish. Skulking in the shadows sickens and bores me. One day, we will live freely in the light.
A long breath in through his nose brought her scent wafting into his lungs and his eyes fluttered closed. He had witnessed her amazing aroma earlier, but to be this close to it was at once euphoric and maddening. With the skull mask he was wearing securely concealing his features he had felt his fangs lengthen and throb with a need to claim what she was advertising so strongly. She didn't even truly smell like blood, and his desire to taste her was more complicated than a simple need to feed. There was an underlying issue of primitive dominance but at the same time evolved enlightenment attached to her fragrance, and they both promised power in abundance. Feeding off of humans was merely a way to survive, but this woman was not just another human. What her scent promised was meant only for a person seeking evolution. She was meant for him, and him alone.
Music played in the background as Hoji let his eyes wander in what appeared to be an aimless pattern over the crowd of people milling about the ballrooms. He was not pleased by what he witnessed, but his brother had refused to be talked down. Rikuto kept his most trusted "children" close to him, and employed them as bodyguards within his business cover. Hoji had been against stacking too many vampires of the third bloodline into one area for fear of their "private affairs" and the attention they could bring back to them. He had especially been against allowing them to attend the masquerade for fear of their reactions to Kamiya-san. Rikuto had argued their loyalty to him, and had dismissed any notion that they might disregard the order he had given to leave Kamiya-san to him and him alone. Although Hoji was impressed by their willingness to comply with everything Rikuto had ever asked of them, this type of test was not one that was passed so easily. Their eyes plainly showed their thoughts as he directed his attention one at a time on each of the guards they had placed in strategic positions around the ballrooms and throughout the gallery. As soon as Kamiya-san had stepped out of the limousine they had all been distracted by the instant grasp of her overpowering aroma. They all wanted her, and no matter how loyal, they were all even now plotting a way to make sure she ended up in their hands. Theirs and theirs alone.
If they could not control themselves then trouble would find its way to their doorstep in more than just the form of Rikuto's punishment or Himura's carnage. There were a few other interesting presences among the guests that, though he doubted they would interfere, would take what they saw back to their master. He just hoped that they didn't inadvertently bring any attention to themselves. Lilis had sent her own spies into their midst and it was a dangerous game that she was playing. If Rikuto were to ever suspect them then their lives would be in danger and Hoji's plan would become even more perilous. Every string he held that tied his plan to another was tentative at best. If anything were to ever test those ties he knew they would snap like old, rotten silk. He needed every one of those ties to accomplish his goal, no matter how idealist and naïve it was.
He was aware of what his brother thought that he wanted, but a part of him also knew that Rikuto hadn't always been this way. As a child they had been best friends, Rikuto, him and their cousin, Karin, and that had only changed when puberty had hit and the cells in their bodies had changed. If Rikuto had been an only child instead of a twin he would not have been born lacking and unstable. He would have grown up as that child and remained honorable, respectable, and strong for the remainder of his very long life. Hoji believed that he could be that way again. All that Hoji needed to do was fix the problem that he had created by being born his twin. All that he needed to do was find a way to stabilize Rikuto's blood and clear his mind free of the crazed bloodlust that had ruled his life ever since the day his cells had awoken. He owed that to Karin because he had allowed his surprise and disbelief to keep him from stopping Rikuto from making her his first victim, and he owed it to Rikuto for helping Karin escape. More importantly, he owed it to Rikuto for allowing his brother to hurt the young girl that he had, at one time, pledged to protect.
Hiko had agreed to help him, though reluctantly, and it had taken a lot to convince him. The only reason Rikuto wasn't now dead was because Hiko had found himself confronted by someone even stronger than him. If Hoji had won anything from Hiko that day he knew it was more respect than a parallel belief for his cause. Even now, Hiko still doubted what Hoji wished to accomplish, but he did not defy him with more than a grumble now and again. It was that young boy he had turned all those years before that kept him from doing anything rash. In a way Hoji knew that Hiko was still trying to protect Himura. The man had a very strong sense of responsibility.
Himura had been an unplanned pebble tossed into the winding river of his plan. Not that Hoji had ever truly felt sorrow for the lives of the scum Himura had taken. He felt no loyalty or bond with the vampires that his brother had turned, and their wanton feasting and murder had always disgusted him. Right now all that concerned him about the boy was whether or not he cared for Kamiya-san and how far he was willing to go to protect her. Oddly enough, it wasn't that far off from what Rikuto wanted to know. The only difference was that Hoji was hoping that Himura would keep her safe. Letting Rikuto get his hands on the source of the stabilizing blood before Takani-sensei had figured out how to perfect and synthesize it would not end well.
"The perfume from that cut flower is just as overwhelming as I was warned it would be." Gentler grey eyes glanced over at his brother sharply, but Rikuto didn't look back. There was hunger in his voice, and it caused Hoji to shift unhappily. What was he thinking talking about something like that so openly when there were other vampires around? Of course it was true that with so much background chatter it would be hard for anyone to hear what he was saying without specifically honing in on him to listen, but it wasn't something Hoji would encourage to continue. At least he had attempted to mask his words. "I can see that it would be easy to go out of my mind with lust and devious thoughts."
"Have you a notion to seek out some similar cut flower to satisfy you for the night, Udo-sama?" The suggestion was made in vain, and Hoji could feel it in the charged atmosphere even before he even made the attempt to persuade him down safer avenues.
"A bouquet of cut flowers wouldn't distract me. I have a notion to claim what belongs to me. After all, I am meant to savor it more than those of lesser purity."
Tonight would force Hoji to walk a difficult line, but it was necessary still for him to play both sides. For now it was best if he slackened the leash on his brother and let him circle his prey, if only to pacify his need to challenge Himura and whatever claim he had on Kamiya-san.
"It is decided, Hoji. I must have her." Rikuto stood, and the silver skull mask that he was wearing tilted in a very sadist way. "Let us join the fray."
X
Bubbling champagne was clutched lightly in Kaoru's free hand as she followed Kenshin into the gallery. Immediately Kaoru knew that she preferred it to the ballrooms. It was quieter, and there were less people touring it. The press of bodies out in the ballroom unnerved her. Misao would have loved it, but all of the excitement only made Kaoru feel anxious. She didn't like all of the eyes that were looking and assessing, and she especially didn't like the way people whispered. Kaoru didn't even care what they were talking about. She simply hated how the environment was one that encouraged backstabbing and petty judgments. In a way it was like high school all over again.
At first Kaoru stuck close to Kenshin as he wandered from one display to the next, but as she grew more comfortable she began choosing her own destinations and pieces of art to survey. It wasn't as if she didn't like what he wished to look at, but sometimes he would skip over something she thought was interesting or spend more time looking at something else than she would have. Sometimes she could feel his eyes on her, as if making sure he was aware of her location, but he never said anything about needing to stay together. Then again, Kenshin seemed to like his space at times, too, and she was glad that he was respecting hers.
After close to thirty minutes Kaoru was given a personal demonstration of what Megumi had been talking about concerning Kenshin and his ability to discourage women from flirting. Kaoru had just wandered about twenty feet away from him to curiously study a sculpture that seemed to have no real model when she heard another woman's voice question him in a much too warm and suggestive voice. For a moment Kaoru had nearly forgotten that she couldn't stake claim without giving herself away and had to forcibly stop herself from marching over. It soon became clear to her, though, that Kenshin was a man of his word and she had no reason to be jealous.
A polite smile touched his mouth, but his features turned rather cold. Even those gentle violet eyes that she was so used to appeared blank as if uninterested in wasting any energy on trying to appease this woman who was trying so hard to earn his attention. It was a little impressive that he could be so unresponsive without being offensive, and barely thirty seconds later the woman retreated.
He's never looked at me like that. Not even once. Of course, I've never really tried to flirt with him either, but still… It's nice to know.
Several other women tried to seduce him as they meandered along the gallery, but Kaoru couldn't really blame them. Kenshin was a very attractive man. The suit he was wearing was cut to be a little more form fitting than his everyday suits, and even though he wasn't very tall he had a nice frame. Kaoru's hand came up to cover her grin. Not to mention a cute butt. It was natural for women to respond to him, but he made it pretty clear without even saying much that he wasn't interested in return.
A happy smile pulled at her features as she stared up at the Boris Indrikov painting hanging on the wall in front of her. Both Sam and Jimmy had enjoyed being fawned over by other women, and had wanted her to get jealous. It had always irritated her and left a sour, empty feeling in the pit of her stomach. The fact that Kenshin had no interest in doing the same was relieving and very pleasing. In return, she wanted to make sure that she never disappointed him.
Another woman in a short pixie dress cornered Kenshin between the wall and a large sculpture, and Kaoru giggled under her breath as she walked on around the corner. He wasn't going to be very happy about her abandoning him, but he knew she could do little about his fans without it earning question. That wouldn't stop the look that would pull on his features once he caught back up with her, though, and she was completely amused by his indignity but also completely delighted that he was so uninterested in earning anyone else's attention but hers. When they got back to the hotel she would have to make sure to pet his ego.
Sapphire eyes tossed a look over her shoulder and caught his playfully accusing stare. Her giggle became a little more insistent in response, and she was so distracted by their stolen moment that Kaoru slammed straight into the chest of someone on the other side of the adjacent wall. Kaoru's first thought was of how glad she was to have gotten rid of her empty champagne glass earlier. Her second thought was immediate contriteness that she hadn't been watching where she was going. When she finally steadied herself well enough to focus on the burly man in front of her, she was relieved to see that it was one of the guards and not another guest. She kind of had the feeling that another guest wouldn't have been very impressed by her clumsiness.
"I'm so sorry." The apology hardly earned her a blink from the man's steady brown eyes, and Kaoru frowned slightly in discomfort. Maybe he just didn't understand English. A thoughtful look pulled at her features as she explained his silence away, and she attempted a smile instead. Or he's just really into his job and I'm getting in the way. The man continued to stare rather fiercely at her, and she stepped to the side slowly. "I'll just leave you along then."
One of his meaty hands snapped around her arm quicker than she was expecting any part of him to move, and she gasped in surprise and a pinch of pain. "What the hell?" Quite deliberately his tongue slid out of his mouth and caressed one side of his upper lip, and abrupt disgust rolled Kaoru's stomach. As the atmosphere shifted she could read the meaning behind his stare easier, and she suddenly felt dirty, as if he were looking through her clothing and skin at parts of her no one was meant to see or even think about. An irrational part of her expected for him to know that she was already in love with someone else, and she felt so indignant just imagining what he thought she was going to let him do.
"Let go of me." The low, scathing threat was the only warning she was going to give him before she started justifying breaking his bones, but he merely smiled in a way that alarmingly reminded her of Shishio. A moment of uncertainty relaxed her muscles as her brain attempted to make the connection, but before she could come to a final conclusion about what that meant Kenshin was next to her.
The man released her bicep a second before Kenshin's slender fingers latched around his wrist, and Kaoru found herself tucked into the crook of Kenshin's body protectively. There was just a touch of gold in Kenshin's irises that barely concealed his aggression and challenge, and she stared in awe at the beautiful sight he made. A second later she swung her gaze to the man and was surprised to see fear dominating his attempt to show nothing but contempt and anger. Curious whispers droned in the background and became louder the longer Kenshin and the guard tried to stare each other down. A part of Kaoru knew that she wasn't exactly in a very professional position, but there was an air of danger crackling between the two men that she was too afraid to disturb.
An eternity later Kenshin reluctantly released him and the guard retreated quickly. The arm he had wrapped around her waist, though, stayed for a couple of moments longer as he waited for the guard to disappear from sight. Then his violet eyes were on her and they were full of warmth and worry and everything that he showed to no one else. A blush burned her cheeks, and she forgot the strange encounter to instead worry about what he might do in such an open and public setting.
"You gave me quite the scare, Miss Kamiya, when your legs went weak. Are you fine to stand on your own now?" His free hand braced her at the elbow, as if he were having to hold her up, and his voice was a touch louder than was necessary. Oh, he's making sure no one misunderstands. Or guesses correctly I suppose. Once again she felt a moment of sorrow, and wondered if it upset him at all to pretend like she was nothing more than his employee. Or maybe it actually upsets me…
"I'm fine now. Thanks." Space once again separated them, and everyone else went back to their own business as she adjusted her dress.
"Did he harm you in any way?" A gentler tone settled into his low voice, and she stared determinedly down at the skirt of her dress to hide her features with her bangs. She really loved that voice of his, and it made her warm in places that were already yearning for his touch.
"No. He just startled me." A frown furrowed her brow and she finally looked up to meet his gaze. "He kind of… reminded me of Shishio."
A low growl rubbed his throat, and she blinked in surprise at the feral noise. "Don't worry. I won't let anything like that happen to you again."
Even without the conviction in his voice she believed him, and a smile slid gently onto her mouth. "I know, Kenshin." The slip of his name made her blush again, but she cleared her throat and looked away. "Shall we continue?"
"Of course." The emotion in his voice gave him away, but no one was paying any attention to their whispered conversation. "Afterwards we should consider a second glass of champagne to calm our nerves."
Kenshin left her next to the largest birdcage in the ballroom after they emerged from the gallery so that he could search out a couple of glasses of champagne. She offered to go with him so that he wouldn't have to fight his way back through the crowd, but he kindly refused. Instead he asked that she not move so that he could easily find her on his way back. She felt just a little naked with him gone, especially after the incident in the gallery, but she didn't argue. Surely Kenshin wouldn't be gone that long anyway, and after they drank their second glass Kenshin had promised to dance with her. If that wasn't exciting enough, Kaoru was expecting quite a bit more to happen when they decided to go back to the hotel. Tonight she would make sure she did everything right so that he would be pleased as well.
"Miss Kamiya." Sapphire eyes blinked and she turned to find Yumi Komagata standing next to her. Kaoru genuinely smiled. "I heard you had been invited."
"Miss Komagata. It's nice to see you." Kaoru willingly accepted the hug that the taller woman instigated, and she dropped her voice to a whisper when they pulled apart. "I'm glad I know someone at least."
Yumi laughed and took a sip of her champagne. "I wouldn't worry dear. Barely a handful are worth knowing."
A suppressed giggle said that the statement had both shocked but tickled Kaoru, and Yumi crossed her arms loosely over her stomach. She was wearing a very beautiful dress of studded ivory with long sleeves and a high collar neckline. It didn't appear as though she had picked out anything specific for her costume as she wore only a fancy mask to play the part. "I'm surprised Mr. Himura left you alone in the midst of this rabble. I assumed he was escorting you to keep you from getting snatched away by the competition."
If that's what everyone thinks, that would be great! "He went after some more champagne. He didn't want me to have to fight through all of that, so he asked me to wait here." Her hand indicated the crowd and Yumi scanned her gaze around with a lifted brow of agreement.
"If you wait long enough the servers will bring you one." There was amusement in her voice, and Kaoru noted that condescending tone she was used to hearing from the woman. It didn't bother her so much anymore, though.
"I don't think he wanted to wait. I get the feeling that Mr. Himura doesn't like spending too much time at these parties."
"You would be right there, dear. He never stays longer than an hour. Ah. See?" A server walked by and Yumi reached out to snatch one of the glasses off of his tray. Kaoru accepted the glass hesitantly.
"But Mr. Himura is already getting me one. I don't want to be rude."
"If you drink it before he gets back, then you can have another." Yumi winked and Kaoru couldn't help but laugh.
Entertained laughter echoed lightly in Kenshin's ears as he stood with two full glasses of champagne and watched from a discreet location as the guard that had grabbed Kaoru in the gallery continued to stare at her in interest. There was something very familiar in his eyes that wasn't just lust, but hunger. The knowledge birthed anger in the back of his mind as well as violent indignation. Who did this nameless vampire think he was to look at her with such envy? He didn't like it. He couldn't stand it. He wouldn't tolerate another looking at her and wishing her harm, and he certainly wouldn't allow anyone to look at her and think that they had a right to take her from him. This goddess belonged to him and him alone.
To his left there were two more guards that he had noted with the same expression, as well as one of the performers and a guest. The hands clutching the two champagne glasses trembled, and a light crack alerted him to the fact that he was advertising his inner turmoil. His jaw clenched, and though he wanted to return to her side and take her immediately from their sight he knew that it would be best to know just what he was dealing with. From this distance it was easier to spot who posed a threat to Kaoru than if he were directly next to her. Unfortunately, it also left her open and vulnerable. He couldn't count solely on the surrounding crowd of bystanders to keep his enemy from making a move, either, because they were obviously standing on the edge of reason with her tantalizing scent influencing their thoughts. Otherwise that guard would never have given himself away in the gallery.
Another guard to his right started to show similar hints of interest, and Kenshin's golden eyes glowed from his position behind a curtain of hanging crystals. This masque was turning into quite the nest of vampires and every hunter instinct he had developed called for their blood. If he wanted to keep Kaoru safe, he needed to make sure he was aware of every single one that posed a threat to her. That way when he disappeared to kill them he wouldn't leave her open to anyone he might have missed.
X
"He's using her as bait." The softly spoken statement was slightly surprised but also impressed. "You don't think he would let her get hurt, though, do you?" Miss Maeda looked up at the man standing next to her, and watched his warm brown eyes slide from one side of the ballroom to the other.
"I doubt his intention is to let anything happen to her, but I do worry that he is less interested in keeping her safe than he is in fulfilling his ongoing revenge. That would certainly make his priorities different." Anji Yukyuzan swallowed the rest of his champagne in one gulp and dropped the empty glass on a passing server's tray. His deep voice was contemplative instead of annoyed. "I'm more concerned about that one." His head nodded off to their right without actually turning to look, but Miss Maeda knew who he was indicating. Rikuto had been circling the girl ever since Himura-san had left her near the performer's cage. He was being clever about it, and so far he had slipped under Himura's radar. That silver skull mask he was wearing no doubt concealed quite a bit of his inner thought.
"Shall I make the payment, and send him over?"
"I believe so. It should be enough to cover everything we need." Lilis was concerned about Kamiya-san's safety with Himura showing such interest in her. Which was why she had asked that they keep an eye on the two of them. They were not meant to intervene, because frankly they would be no match. Their gift wasn't about strength, but stealth. They were only meant to observe and occasionally create circumstances that would direct them down safer paths or force them to make a decision. Right then, it was time to test Himura on what was more important to him: revenge, blood, or love.
X
A/N: This was another one of those chapters that just kept going and going and going… until I ended up with almost 35 pages. And so, I had to cut it in half. Like the auction, I only wanted the masque to be one chapter long, but… everyone knows how that goes with me. This time, though, I really only had one chapter all ready to go, but then I added this, and then that… and then I had two. It might end up being three, but I'm not certain at this point. I do have most of the next chapter finished, though, so perhaps I will have it out sooner than what has become normal. Here's hoping!
Thanks for reading! Next chapter… you'll just have to wait and see.