Auhtor's notes: HAPPY NEW YEAR, EVERYONE!!! *boom, boom, kaboom!!!* Ahhh! My hand, my hand! It's sliced into two because of a 'triangle' firecracker! Ahhh! Bloody hell… I can't type anymore!!! *stares at her gruesome hand, with blood dripping down to her elbows and bits of skin barely hanging from it* (eew. Gross. Just kidding of course.)

OOC-ness is nice, isn't it? I think it quite odd too that Misao reacted that way. (huh?! Baka writer! *bonks self*) we-ll, let's just say that she was wallowing in, uh, something and she was surprised. That's all. Ehehe. *tomatoes and potatoes flying towards author* GAH!

Hmmm… here's my next chapter! *yay! Whoo!* Well, I guess this time I didn't waste a week before writing this, ne? good thing. Well, enjoy the upcoming grosser-than-Tesuka's-bloody-hand-image chapter. This is gonna be bad. WEHEHE. *evil grin* Enjoy!

Disclaimer: *holds up a firecracker (belt of Judas) and gives it to disclaimer boy* KABOOM! *disclaimer boy smiles eerily, not hurt whatsoever.* creepy. Fine, fine. I don't own Rurouni Kenshin. *sighs*

(hmmm. I really should stop with the disclaimer dramas. Nobody reads it anyway. *shrugs*)

The Vampire Aoshi

By Tesuka- chan

"Are you all going to let them take advantage of us, while they're sitting at the lap of luxury?"

"No!"

A lynch mob had gathered around the town square, listening and agreeing to the vigorous speaker that was standing on top of a square stone. They were getting fired up, angry with the monarchs and the nobles who were doing nothing for them, save that of collecting taxes and making their lives harder. And now, the mysterious massacre at one of the worst reputed alley in town. It was too much, and more were fed to their anger by this young man with ideals, this young man with pale hair and emerald green eyes.

"We have suffered long and hard, we have provided for them, made them to what they are now… and what do we get? Nothing! Not even protection from this mysterious killer roaming around these very streets, putting our women and children in danger!"

"Something must be done!" A voice shouted from the crowd.

"Yeah! We cannot let this corruption go on!" another piped in.

Before long, all of them are shouting their views, their indignation and anger. The young man smiled. This is going as planned. "My friends, we must then act now… we must overthrow the king and rule for ourselves! Make a change for our better future!"

Cheers of affirmation echoed around the town as men, women, children, and creatures of all kinds scatter to get their weapons. To ready themselves for war. The young man smiled and raised his eyes towards the red sky. Bloodshed will come. Soon.

He vanished into the shadows.

"Ohohoho! What are you doing here in the stables, Tanuki?" Megumi cheerily asked as she sauntered towards Kaoru with Sano grinning like the devil beside her.

"Well you look mighty pleased today," Kaoru muttered and shook her head at the nickname. "Well, I'm going to town with Enishi. He invited me to go sightseeing with him."

"Enishi, eh?" Sano asked and narrowed his eyes. He's up to something. He's never really been decent all these years. "It just so happens that the fox and I are going to town as well. Would you mind if the four of us go together, Jou-chan?"

Kaoru sighed… from relief or apprehension, she does not know. "Sure. It might be a lot more fun with both of you, anyway." She smiled… and remembered what Sano just called her. "Jou- chan?" A vein twitched.

Sano backed up, almost hiding behind the 'Ohoho- ing' Megumi. "Ahhh… it just came out naturally, Jo – I mean, Kaoru. It's not really offensive." He raised his arms in defense.

Why, that good-for-nothing –

"So, Kaoru. Ready to go?" Turquoise eyes flashed behind glasses. Enishi was wearing his riding clothes, all slick and handsome. He turned his emotionless gaze from the slightly flustered Kaoru to The couple beside her. "Sano." He nodded towards the tall vampire.

"Enishi." Sano returned the greeting. "Megumi and I were planning to go to town as well. Kaoru agreed to go with us for the both of you."

"Well, ano… I just thought it would be more fun. Besides, the more the merrier." Kaoru nervously blurted out as she thought she saw a glint in Enishi's eyes.

The pale- haired vampire charmingly smiled at Kaoru and held out his hand to her. "Anything you wish, my lady." The woman blushed. "I've decided I'd take my own steed whilst you ride with Sano and Megumi." He cocked his head to the side, as if in question.

"Su- sure. No problem." Kaoru gave him a small smile. Though he's devilishly handsome, something in him makes me shudder.

"Yosh!" Sano exclaimed. I'll drive the open coach while you women sit back and enjoy the ride." He winked as he looked at both women. "You see how great I am at driving."

"Ohohoho!!! Good thing I'm here, or who would heal your wounds when the coach turned over? Ohohoho!" Megumi lightly held her hand over her mouth.

"Fox!"

"Ohoho!"

Kaoru shook her head and smiled at the two, wishing at the depths of her soul that she was riding with a certain red-haired man.

After a slightly rough ride out to the palace and into a short path along the woods, a horse and a coach emerged to a seemingly deserted town. All is quiet and the red glow of the setting sun made it seem more eerie and depressing. A slight breeze blew across them making Kaoru shiver.

Gosh… I thought that this town's supposed to be really alive or something. looks to me like it's empty. She shuddered as she surveyed the town square. This is really suspicious.

"Hmmm… did they prepare a grand welcome for me? Ohoho!" Megumi made an attempt to break the heavy silence, but inside she's somewhat afraid. What's going on around here?

"I don't get it. Where's everyone?" Sano scratched his head, trying to figure things out. Weird… did they have a feast in the forest or something? There must be lots of food out there then. His face changed from a worried frown to a drooling idiot. Ahhh… the different delicacies waiting for me!

Megumi, with a twitching eye, leaned forward and boxed his head. "Hmph! Thinking about food again!"

"Itee…" Sano rubbed his head, wincing slightly at the blow. "I can't help it. After all that stressful driving, I'm really hungry."

The black steed beside them tittered. Enishi's gaze observed the town. "I don't understand. No one's here." He turned the horse around and galloped in an alley, shouting back. "I'll look around. Stay here."

Oh sure… leave us alone in peril. Kaoru sneered and caught herself. What in the world is she saying? She never felt this antagonistic towards a person. Shut up Kaoru. He's being nice… looking around town to see anything's amiss. You should do something, instead of prettily sitting here. Kaoru lifted her skirts and went down the coach. "I'll just look around. The buildings are really interesting." Looking back at the two bickering lovers, she might as well have been talking to a wall. She sighed and walked towards a toy shop.

Wow, these toys look so life- like. She stared through the display window and examined the ugly, yet realistic toy goblins. Their skins were brown, eyes red, and their grins were evil and teeth sharp. Crouching, they would not reach Kaoru's knees. Hmmm… interesting. But I'll bet these will give the children nightmares. She grinned as a thought popped in her head. Maybe I should buy one and give it to Fuuma. He's been low lately and I'm sure he'd enjoy such a gruesome figure like this.

She leaned closer, looking for a tag of some sort.

Then, it blinked.

Kaoru reeled back, heart pounding against her chest. What the hell…? Overcoming her initial fear, she gulped and leaned forward yet again, thinking that it might be a mechanical toy, a machine of some sort making his eye lids blink if one stares too hard. Yeah, that might be it. She reasoned. This is just a mechanical toy that blinks whenever someone stares too hard and –

The 'toy goblin' jumped at her, shattering the glass. She let out a terrified scream as it clung to her not letting go, clawing at her clothes, her hair, her face, drawing blood. Oh gross! Stinking creatures!! Haven't they ever heard of breath mints?! She fought it, trying to fling it off, but it held on, laughing maniacally at her feeble efforts.

"Jou- chan! What the – "

She hardly heard the surprised exclamation as she fell back, and felt around for a weapon, anything! Her hands grasped a stick of some sort. Determined, she screamed, "Here's your BREATH MINT!!!" She hit the ugly creature with the stick, and it fell unconsciously off her. Panting, she stood up in victory, albeit shakily. What the hell are those creatures? She turned her gaze towards the coach, wondering if Sano and Megumi are okay when she suddenly stopped. Her blue eyes widened in shock and fear as the scene before her unfolded.

They were all over the place. Some were holding knives or shards of glass, while others were just creating plain havoc. Thankfully, since she was standing by the shadows of the buildings, she wasn't really noticed except for that goblin earlier. She shuddered at the disgusting creatures and remembered something. Sano and Megumi. And the coach was in the middle of the Town Square.

Her blues eyes frantically looked for the couple. She spotted them on the coach, Sano was holding his bleeding arm, trying to defend Megumi. Megumi was fighting off a goblin that was trying to climb the coach. Around five creatures were down, hit by Sano. Some of the goblins were holding wooden spikes, as if they knew that they were fighting with vampires. They were making a circle around the coach, laughing that cold, maniacal laughter.

I must do something! Gripping tightly the stick she's holding, she set a grim face. All those practices in Kendo pay off! I'll save my friends no matter what! She called out to Megumi, just as Sano was struck in his side by a small flailing hand with a stake. "Megumi! Drive the coach out of here! I'll take care of this! Bring Sano back to the castle!"

"Kaoru! But-"

"No buts! GO!"

Around twenty now. She narrowed her eyes and her body automatically formed into an offensive stance. She walked out of the shadows, to the light so she'll be seen by the goblins, distracting them enough to stop assaulting the couch and giving Megumi enough time to get away. She grinned, a glint of excitement in her eyes. "Hey, stinkers! Want more breath mints?!"

The goblins stopped what they were doing, their pointy ears flinching and red eyes were gazing straight at her. Then, stealthily, they circled her, three- toed feet tapping lightly at the cobbled floor, grins mischievous and evil. They paused, staring at the black- haired, blue- eyed victim. All is quiet as victim and goblins stared relentlessly at each other. A breeze whipped around the circle, giving Kaoru strength. Megumi's cinnamon eyes were large, and she held her breath, waiting for the signal. She gripped the reins to the horses hard.

A goblin jumped toward her with a squeal.

"Now!" Kaoru sidestepped and swung her 'bokken', hitting hard, leaving the goblin either dead or unconscious. Others were coming all at once, and she was able to swing from side to side, creating a sort of a dance in the middle of the town square, sending goblins flying in all directions.

The neigh of the horses were heard as Megumi laboriously turned the coach and drive out to the forest like mad, throwing off any goblin who's stupid enough to cling to a speeding coach. "I'll send help! I owe you Tanuki!"

"Don't bother!" Kaoru was panting, her stamina not holding up. She flung aside another goblin and hit the neck of another. "I'm having a good time! Honest!" She gritted her teeth as she changed her stance, eyeing the coming goblins. I can still keep this up, but not any longer. She avoided a flying goblin.

Megumi smiled shakily, and looked back at Kaoru. She saw a black horse speeding towards her with its white- haired rider. She directed her gaze in front of her and sighed. She'll be safe. She glimpsed at the man beside her and her brow creased with worry. Hold on, Sano. I've just found you and I'm not letting you go so fast. She wiped her tears and shouted at the horses. "Faster!"

OH GREAT. JUST GREAT.

Misao sighed in exasperation as she rounded the same corner for the hundredth time. Or so it seems. Just how many times can one person get lost in this maze, huh? I'm sooo going to kill Fuuma. I told him to meet me in the library hours ago! And for such a young age, he already stood me up! MEN! Argh!

She steamed on, stomping occasionally here and there, not minding if the suits of armor she just passed trembled – in apprehension or fear for the raging woman, or maybe both. Misao paused at the end of one hallway, deciding whether to go left or right. Thinking that deciding is too much a task for her to bear in that moment, she saw a chair and sat on it, resting her tired feet.

Her thoughts wavered to another direction, namely a certain dark- haired vampire. Blue- green eyes twinkled in pleasure as she though of Aoshi. For a vampire, he's not half- bad. He's considerate, helpful, and really… hot – errr… I mean humble. Yeah. I guess I do kind of like him. As a friend. Yeah. She struggled with something that was near to bursting inside of her. She's not ready to accept it yet, not for a long mile. She'll just harbor her feelings inside her, not letting anyone see it in her actions. I'll simply go on with my life. She paused and thought again. Well, if you could call living-in-a-supernatural-world-with-creatures-trying-to-kill-you a life, then I'll try to live it as best as I can!

Spirits up and optimism on, she jumped to her feet and decided on turning right this time. At the end of this hallway, huge doors met her sight. The intricate design looked familiar. Ah! Misao snapped her fingers in recognition. Why didn't I think of it before! Of course, the throne room! She hurried on and slightly opened the doors, peeking inside. "Fuuma? Are you here?"

Nothing moved.

"Fuuma, you brat! Where are you? I know you're hiding here somewhere!"

She went inside further. The doors behind her silently swung close. She jumped at the sound. Hey, just a door. Nothing scary about huge blocks of unidentified material closing behind you, leaving you in a dark throne room by yourself. She shivered. She looked around and resolved on looking on dark corners, thinking that the boy must be hiding.

"All right, I'll play hide and seek with you for now. When I catch you, you'll have to take a bath!"

She heard a sound on the side of the throne. She smirked. Hehehe… I've got you now. Waiting for the right moment, she hid in the shadows on one of the huge column. On three. One, two, thre –

"Aoshi, come. I have something that I believe is yours."

Gulping, Misao steadied herself, keeping her body in the shadows. Phew, that was close! I almost jumped on the king! I'd better go. She started tiptoeing towards the side.

"What is it, father?"

"Hmph… it's been a long time since I've heard that from you. Well, here it is."

A sound of something being drawn out from a scabbard is heard.

Misao paused, curiosity getting the better out of her. A peep wouldn't hurt. And so she peeped around the column, and watched.

In front of the throne, Aoshi was facing the king, holding something shiny in both of his hands. The king was holding a scabbard. Squinting to see better, Misao strove to see the other material that the king was holding. It was another scabbard. Come to think of it, the scabbards were short, unlike the usual long ones for a sword. Her gaze turned back to Aoshi.

"How- how did you..."

"Swing it around. It might be a bit creaky around the edges, but it's as good as new."

"They were broken before."

"I obviously had it fixed, only by the best of course." The king seemed suddenly old. "I'm giving these again to you. Evil times are coming. We must protect the ones we love."

Aoshi suddenly swung around, swiftly and efficiently handling the two short swords. Misao's eyes widened with awe, and her heart suddenly started to beat faster. The light from the stained glass windows reflected on him, making him look heavenly and… beautiful. He's so beautiful. She studied the lithe movements, the smoothness of his swings and formations. Perfect. Like an angel fighting for the good of all.

Aoshi stopped his movements. He was deeply touched. He had broken his kodachi because of pure fury, fury towards himself for not being able to protect his mother from the slayer. He had mourned for her, the only one who showed any affection towards him. Then she was killed, and he was not even there. After that, he became cold and reclusive, and he had searched and killed the slayer in cold blood. He had continued killing with his vampire powers, more for the exhilaration and the rush of blood on the head rather than for necessity. He often regretted those times, the blood, the wasted lives. And now, his father had returned these, reminding him that protecting their loved ones is priority. A certain dark- haired blue- eyed woman flashed in his mind. He took a deep breath, and spoke. "Thank you, father. You will be assured that I will use these for the good of our land."

"Don't mention it, son." The king had a twinkle in his red eyes, and he patted his son in the back. "You'll need it now more than ever. I'm getting quite old, and though my physique doesn't show it, I feel it." His eyes darkened, as a memory flashed. "I'm getting tired, and I miss your mother. I will be with her soon."

"What are you talking about?"

Suddenly, the huge doors opened and a frantic soldier stumbled inside. "Your highness! An uprising has started. The people are discontent and they are moving towards the castle as we speak. Many of our soldiers are already down!"

Grim and serious, the king asked the soldier, "Who is the leader?"

"They do not know. Our source said that it was a young man with pale hair and green eyes. No one knows his name."

"Let me fight. I'll easily subdue them."

"No." The king faced the determined prince. "You have a much greater task at hand. Bring the women and children to the portal and close it. Especially that girl… Misao. Bring them to Earth and to safety."

Upon hearing this, Misao stepped out of the shadows. "Wait! No… I won't go."

The three men looked at her in surprise.

"I- I mean, if you say that I'm this Ch'nage thing and I have great powers of some sort, I- I'll fight." Misao stuttered. I'm going to fight, no matter what. I'll help Aoshi- sama.

"You cannot!" The king started frantically. "You have not tapped into it yet... you will lose, and our only hope will be gone! You must go now, before it's too late!"

"But-"

"Aoshi, bring her to the portal, now. She must go before he even sets foot here –"

A terrified scream was heard. All eyes turned towards the entrance. The soldier lay crumpled on the floor, eyes rolled, blood flowing out of a gash on his side. Behind the body, a man stood, tall and impenetrable. "Too late, my king." He drawled, and flashed a smile.

Misao gasped. That dark hair. Those emerald green eyes. It could only be… "Shiro."

"Yes." The man stepped out of the shadows. "I'm so glad you remembered me, Misao." He murmured. He moved his hands in a forward motion and the heavy doors behind him closed easily, the lock falling into place.

Aoshi narrowed his eyes, and he moved beside Misao, put his arm around her waist, drawing her close to him. "What do you want?"

Shiro smiled cynically. "What do villains usually want? The power, the kingdom, the girl." He leered at Misao, his eyes roaming all over her body. Misao shivered and moved closer to Aoshi.

"Why are you here? How did you get here?" Misao fairly shouted. She couldn't help it, this guy was giving her the creeps.

"Well, let's see. there's this thing called the portal. Oh by the way, I closed that up already. So none of your precious nobles will get out now." He sneered. "And I came here… to take over the kingdom." He smiled devilishly.

Something was nagging on Aoshi's brain. Something about the assignment. His eyes widened a fracture as realization dawned on him. "You're the vagabond we've been looking all over for."

Shiro clapped. "Bravo, Mr. Shinomori. You've figured that out. Unfortunately, that's only one of my identities."

Misao had a dreadful feeling about this. "What do you mean?"

Shiro flicked his fingers, and a red mist shrouded his form completely. Misao watched, astounded, as the tall man seemed to shrink. After a few moments, the red mist was blown away and a small form replaced the tall man. The dark head was tipped forward. He looked up, green eyes flashing in amusement. "Misao- sensei."

Misao almost fainted. No… It can't be…

Fuuma.

A/n: WAHAHAHA!!! Evil, evil me. Before you know it, I'll be growing horns out of my head… mwhahaha!!! *grins EVILLY*

Well… I know I know. It was supposed to be bloodshed and gore by now but… what the heck. I'm tired and It'll get too long. (now those of you who's complaining that this is not long enough, well… It's long enough for me! so.. there! *huff huff*) hehe. Pardonez moi. I'm crazy. *shrugs* So I've decided to cut the chapter into two. Yehey.

Well… I'm really, truly grateful for the reviewers! Gawd… it reached 200+! *shoves tears from eyes and bawls* I'm soo happy!! Yey!

JadOo: Well, I have to agree with you on that one. Kaoru can be kind of creepy sometimes. Ehehe. ^_^

The *Spangled* Pandemonium: Yeah, the plot thickeneth like soup. Errr. Nevermind. Doesn't Kenshin look adorable washing? *sigh* wahaha! Really is funny though… *grin grin*

Selph: Okay, I was mean to Misao. She was out of sorts there. Well. Like the author at that time. Hehe. And I like denials, don't you? 'tis fun! Haha!

Nekonomiko: Sorry!! No waff yet. Bloodshed first, THEN waff. I have a very twisted mind. Wehehehe.

DarkFairy: Hey! I didn't see any updates! *looks for Darkfairy* no updates yet! hmph! I wanted to know what happened… harrumph! :P

Stelok: well, nice try anyway. ^_^

Lil_witch: *bawls* I know! I kno-ho-how… Well, it's chaotic. I'm weird and twisted. So there. (sigh. Everyone's cute in anime.)

Hitokiri_Chibi: Hey! Sorry, nope! Only L.J. Smith. Gotta love that series. ^_^ still, if I see it, I'll read it. Thanks!

Noa: hahaha! I thought you weren't a kxk fan! Ha! *points at noa* Oh well, sorry. Not shishio. I don't know, I might put him in the next story. It's sort of Shiro who's the main villain. (made up character. Was planning to change him but got lazy. ;P) And yeah, they're not really relatives though the king seems to think so. ^_^

NatsuNoAme: Yay! Glad you loved it! It's my first so I'm kinda… *wobbles around* you know. Hehehe… well, people are weird. Eccentricity is cool. Errr. Right. Anyway, hope ya keep reading! ^_^

Je suis jolie: haha. Rosa. Stop that. You don't read anyway. *pffft* besides, I'll bow down and praise God if ever you lift your lazy butt to do something… hahaha! Just kidding… ;p hay nako. 'wag na nga! Grrr… *bonks rosa on head* hmph! Happy new year! :P (ppsstt… haven't done a thing yet! not histo, not fil, not anything! *bawls*)

Well, Thanks so much! Please read and review! What do you think? I screwed up things too much, I guess… well. That's life. And this is just a story. Too bad it ain't real. *shrugs* well, thanks for everything minna- san! And Happy new year! *boom boom kaboom*