Theme: Night

Setting: Vampire Arc

Pairings: BK

Warnings: None

Notes: Part of a series.

Words: 342

09. Night

If she could change things she would, but then again maybe she wouldn't. Maybe it would be better if they'd never met. Has it only been a year? It feels like forever since that fateful afternoon.

Everything is down to an inch, an inch between her face and his, and it is insanity even to consider what she's considering. It is crazy to stare at him, the one his own kind name Death, but she cannot muster the strength it would take to turn from him.

Looking into his eyes, she knows that to go forward is to resign herself to an eternity with him. Experience has taught her better than to think she will ever be let go. If she leans in and kisses, him, will it be a foolhardy act or an inevitable on? Kaoru has never liked the idea of fate governing her life.

A part of her heart wants to walk, openly, down this path-the same part of her that twinges when she sees people who are happy together and it occurs to her she is alone. Another, more rational part points out the absolute stupidity of encouraging a murderer to think she loves him.

Does she?

There is only one way to really know, and it's a hard road to walk if the answer is no.

He is waiting, she knows that. How long will he wait? A mate is permanent, but his feelings, if there are really feelings, cannot be. Can they?

Are these doubts directed at him, or at herself? Does she doubt his heart or her own heart?

"Battousai..."

He doesn't answer her, and she doesn't really expect him to. What does she want him to say, anyways?

"My name," He whispers, "is Kenshin."

And then he closes the last inch between them. Kaoru closes her eyes; decision made, and lets him kiss her without complaint.

Caught in an embrace, she falls ever deeper into the night that lies behind his eyes.

It's not nearly as dark as she thought it would be.

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The end...unless for some reason someone wants more. In which case I'd like to write more. After this, hopefully the sequel to "Succeed", which ended on a nice cliffhanger note. Hope you enjoyed my foray into vampire ficdom.

Review! ...from a stuck-on-the-next-theme chickentyrant5.