Author's Note: Here's another chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin or any of its characters. Though I did make Selena, and Anatra, as you will read about later on.
Chapter Two: To Want Again
In the morning, Megumi had volunteered at a hospital. The 'hospital smell' permeated the air around her as she entered the white building. She past many people who were in serious need of a doctor, but she couldn't stop for them, for she had patients of her own to look after.
One of her patients today was Sanosuke. He needed his hands inspected again. How many times has she mended his hands? This week? This month? She didn't know, though knew it was numerous and annoying.
"You know, you shouldn't use this hand so much. It can cause serious injury. Come by tomorrow, well have to see if it heals properly," said Megumi, as she wrapped his hands in bandages. He flinched a little as she made the last round on his hand.
"You're not my mom, so just lay off of it fox," yelled Sanosuke, annoyed and a little hurt.
Sanosuke winced a little, his tall form looming over the doctor. His brown hair sticking up like a rooster every time Megumi wrapped the bandage tighter. His brown eyes squinted in irritation and waited patiently for his appointment to end.
At that, she squeezed the bandages tighter, causing Sanosuke to let out a scream of pain.
"You'd better not be alone tonight fox. There could be a horrible accident," threatened Sanosuke, as his eyes had a glint of amber and hate in them.
Megumi didn't see, she just did her work.
"You're done, now go," said Megumi, as she tightened the bandages even more.
"Why you...." started Sanosuke.
"Sano! What are you doing here? Getting into trouble again?" asked a man with short black hair, as he walked over, his face kind and mockingly at Sano. He had that freaky smile still plastered on his face and Sano wondered if he ever frowned.
"Soujiro, you by all people should know. You're the one who ditched me," growled Sano.
"Lay off Sano. You're the one that didn't want to feed. It's your fault you insisted on fighting," said Soujiro as his black cloak swayed with his movements.
"Weakling. What are you doing here? Brake a nail?" teased Sanosuke, as he stood up.
"My blood account. Needed to get more. Where's Kenshin? Heard he finally missed a subject," said Soujiro, seriously, as the two were face to face.
The white floors were stained with their shadows as they conversed.
"Not his fault. He said that some chick got to it first," said Sano, disgusted.
"Another like us?" asked Soujiro excitedly.
"Yeah, and taking our job," said Sano disgustedly.
"Get her name?" asked Soujiro interested.
"Don't know yet," said Sanosuke.
"This is a hospital, not a place for you two to catch up on stuff. Now please get out," said Megumi annoyed, by the way they had been talking like that. She really wanted them to leave her room, their mere presence sent chills down her spine.
"Megumi! Ready for lunch?" asked Kaoru in her black outfit; her eyes behind a pair of sunglasses.
"One minute," said Megumi, going to get her items.
The guys looked at her, then seemed to have a silent conversation among themselves. As they stared into each other's eyes seriously.
Kaoru furrowed her brow together as she noticed them looking at her, which really pissed her off. She doesn't like to be stared at like that or at all, for that matter.
"What are you looking at?" asked Kaoru annoyed.
"Where were you last night?" asked Soujiro suddenly.
The question seemed to pop out of nowhere, yet Kaoru kept the surprise out of her face as she stared more intently at her prosecutor.
"Why would you care?" asked Kaoru coldly.
"Forget it. Let's go meet Kenshin, this girl won't talk," said Sano, as he strolled out.
"Bye; black suits you," said Soujiro, as he followed, and the two left the building.
She watched them disappear behind the immaculately white corners, their dark shadows oozing away after them.
Kaoru knew they were different. She could sense them communicating telepathically together. The thought of other vampires, sent a shiver down her spine.
"I'm ready, let's go," said Megumi as she came out.
Megumi's voice snapped her out of her broodings, and she turned abruptly to her friend.
"Huh? Oh, let's go," said Kaoru smiling. Quickly recovering from her dark thoughts, she put on her cheery smile and led Megumi out of the white hospital's swinging doors.
~*~*~*~*~
Sano and Soujiro quickly went to Kenshin's apartment building. They were going to have to catch up, and discuss some old news. Interesting, but old nonetheless.
The air around them seemed to whisper warnings that they couldn't quite catch; darkness seemed to enshroud the source of their findings.
When they arrived, Kenshin had just finished his own lunch. They happily sat down, and ate the rest. Well, Sano ate the rest, Soujiro merely ate the crumbs.
"What are you two doing here? I thought you two would be feeding tonight. Change of plans?" asked Kenshin, as he took a sip from his coffee.
"We saw the girl vampire," said Sano seriously.
Kenshin looked up immediately at Sano's proclamation, amber eyes hard with determination.
"Get her name?" asked Kenshin seriously. He wanted every iota he could dig up on this girl and find out what she 's about.
"No, but her friend is Megumi. That fox; hope that her friend takes a drink tonight," said Sano grinning.
"She won't. Did you know that she lives right down the hall from me? They'd have already died if she intended to drink their blood. Plus, she has decided to remain the age of 18," said Kenshin seriously.
"We all decided 20, guess her thirst for blood was great. Should have sealed two years from now," said Soujiro, as he ate the rest of his lunch.
"No, one year to be precise. She should be 19 very soon," said Kenshin, as he stared at his cup.
"To be that age again," said Soujiro sighing.
"Then why didn't you drink on your 18th birthday then?" asked Sanosuke.
"I didn't change until 20 you moron. Come to think of it, what age are you Sano?" asked Soujiro.
"234 next week, you?" asked Sano.
"Only 200, what about you Battousai?" asked Soujiro.
"550 in a month," said Kenshin.
"You really are one of the oldest," said Soujiro.
"Age doesn't matter, only your skill and strength keeps you alive, and important," said Kenshin.
"Old and wise," said Soujiro jokingly.
"Who gets the girl?" asked Sano suddenly.
"What do you mean?" asked Soujiro.
"There hasn't been a female vampire in this part of town in a long time. Who's going to be the one to claim her? I haven't even had a human in a decade," said Sano.
"Mine died a year ago," said Soujiro sighing.
"How about you Kenshin?" asked Sano teasingly.
"Close to 5 centuries now," said Kenshin.
"Wow! You can take her. Hope you're not too rusty," said Sano grinning, and nudging his friend.
Kenshin glared at him, and he shut up. You didn't want to upset Battousai, or ever bring his love life into a conversation in front of him. It was lucky that Sano was still breathing right now, others would have died long ago; before they could speak.
"If you don't want her, I'll take her," said Soujiro, with a big grin on his face.
Kenshin shot him a death glare. He gulped, and decided that this conversation was over now.
~*~*~*~*~
After lunch, Megumi and Kaoru went back home.
"Hey, don't you have classes today?" asked Megumi.
"No, it got cancelled. So tonight, I will be doing work until daylight. Most likely I won't, but don't call me. Don't wait up for me," said Kaoru.
"The payment. If forgot when it's due. I'll ask Misao when we get home," said Megumi.
Once they arrived, Misao had her homework all over the coffee table. She wore her reading glasses, and was busy at work on something.
"Misao, when is the rent due?" asked Megumi, as Kaoru locked the door behind them.
"I forgot. Ask the neighbor, he might know. Never mind, I'll ask myself," said Misao, as she got up.
"Wait. I'll just give you the money when you get back. I might not come back so soon tonight," said Kaoru, as she went to get her money.
"Work again?" asked Misao, annoyed at her friend, for always leaving her alone at night.
"I don't have multimillionaire parents to help me with my money problems. So of course I've got to got to work often," protested Kaoru.
"You don't, because you've got a multibillionaire Aunt, which owns practically all of China. Why do you have to work so hard?" asked Misao annoyed.
"She won't always be there for me. So I have to get use to fending on my own," protested Kaoru.
"Don't worry, she might not have to work. Not unless you get a phone call or something," said Megumi.
"Yes, so just go," said Kaoru.
Misao cursed under her breath, and left for her neighbors' house. She didn't go into any of the other apartments, she knew they were all out for lunch. So she walked down to the fourth apartment. To her luck, the neighbor at the end of the hallway was at home.
It was a very expensive apartment, so it had a restaurant downstairs. Each floor had four large and comfortable homes. Though the top floor, was the most expensive, and much more relaxing to live in.
She knocked on the door quietly. Then a blue-haired man greeted her. She was surprised, since the owner of this apartment had red hair.
"Hello, what can I do for you?" asked Soujiro seductively to the girl, and grinned as she blushed.
"Soujiro, who is it?" asked Kenshin as he walked over, Sano walked over to see the girl.
"Sorry to bother you, but I need to ask when the payment is due," said Misao blushing as the three stared at her, with amusement and confusion.
"It's tomorrow," said Kenshin politely.
"Thank you," said Misao with a bow.
"Sure thing," said Soujiro grinning.
"Here. Got to go, see you," said Kaoru, as she all of a sudden appeared in behind Misao. She took the envelope, and realized Kaoru was leaving.
"Work?" asked Misao.
"See you," said Kaoru, as she swiftly ran down the hall to the elevator. Her sword barely touching her.
Misao sighed, and bowed one last time. Before she left to go to her own apartment.
~*~*~*~*~*~*~
The guys stared seriously in Kaoru's direction, then quickly closed the door, and sat on the leather couches.
"Did you sense her?" asked Soujiro.
"Not even close. I was just as surprised as you were, when she came up like that," said Sanosuke as he shook his head.
"Her movements are close to mine. Who was her mentor?" asked Kenshin in a whisper.
"Hiko isn't near here, so it must have been another very old vampire then. That must be why she is so young, and powerful," said Sanosuke.
"We'll have to be careful with this one. Do you have work tonight Kenshin?" asked Soujiro.
"Yeah. I've got to get going," said Kenshin, as he grabbed his sword and cloak, and bolted out of the door.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru had gotten a phone call from her Selena, and was in a hurry to get out. That she didn't realize that she was using her abilities, and the three vampires that were right in front of her either.
As she ran out into the day, she had forgot that she would have to wait a bit. She slowed herself to a walk, as she went to scope out her target.
This would be easy, a noble. The rich intended to be weaker. So she wouldn't have to waste effort. To her luck, the man had no one with him.
She found her target easy enough. Now all that she needed was for him to go off on his own. Then her payment of one million dollars, would be all hers.
She found a comfortable spot where she wouldn't be seen spied on her target, the wind caressing her hair.
Then at around 8:00, she got her opportunity. She unsheathed her sword, and came down from above, before the man could even see her. Her attack hit him directly in the middle of his skull, causing him to die quickly.
None of his blood smeared all over. She had learned to kill to get blood, without wasting it on the ground like others. Then she placed him on his back.
Soon her sharp fangs came into his nape. She liked her blood warm, so she had to drink right after killing.
~*~*~*~*~
Kenshin had finished his job quickly, and was able to get a drink. Though he disapproved of the taste sometimes, he couldn't resist his urge. His kill had sprayed blood all over the alley walls, and ground.
After he finished, his senses picked up blood. He followed the source of blood and steel.
Only to be led to the female he met before. She was finishing the blood that she had gotten on her blade, and sheathed.
That was when, for the first time in almost five centuries, his senses became more intense. Her scent of jasmine was driving him crazy. All he wanted was to devour her, right then and there.
He mentally slapped himself. He was Battousai, the man with the will power of no other. He would not allow a simple female get to his head.
Kaoru's senses picked up, she knew that someone was near. She calmed herself, maybe they'd leave.
That was when Kenshin realized that she had caught him off guard. He smirked, and came out of the shadows, his eyes covered by his bangs.
Kaoru held on to the hilt of her sword. She stopped, when she realized that the man had two swords.
"What do you want?" demanded Kaoru.
"You took my target last time. I haven't punished you for interfering. You should respect those that are older and stronger than you," came a hoarse reply. He cursed at himself, as the words came out of his mouth.
"I was thirsty and needed a drink. How was I to know that he was yours? I guess you were loosing your touch, to be slower than me," said Kaoru just as harsh.
In a flash, he was behind her. She let out a shocked yelp. Her breathing began to get louder. He had one arm around her waist, and the other on her throat. Though it was not tight enough to strangle her breathing.
"Why are you so scared?" asked a voice, his breath felt hot to her ear, and sensitive hearing.
"What makes you think that?" asked Kaoru, as she tried not to stutter in fear.
"I like your courage," came a deadly reply.
"Sorry if I took your target," said Kaoru, bolder.
By now, being so close to her, sent his senses into over drive. He was able to hear every little detail around him, and her scent was driving him crazy. It took all of his will, not to claim her now. He pressed his left cheek to her cheek, feeling her soft skin against his.
"Just don't do it again. Or you will be feeling endless pain," said Kenshin, though he mentally kicked himself for saying those words. He wanted to take her, not scare her away. He sighed inwardly at his actions.
"As you wish," said Kaoru, as she gulped silently.
With his senses spiked, he heard her and felt that she was scared. He smirked in approval, with amber eyes gleaming.
Before he let go, he sensed another presence. He smirked, obliviously the vampire didn't know that he had been spotted. With that, he pulled her closer to him.
Kaoru caught her breath, as she felt her body get pushed against his. She knew it was wrong, but it felt so right. Like she was meant to have this position.
Telepathically; Relax into me he told her. There's another one watching us from the trees, and if you move away from me, the vampire will devour you.
So she relaxed into his embrace. Never the less, she tensed a bit. Not wanting him to think anything. Though her body ached for her to just relaxed to his warm embrace. His arms around her form, made her feel safe and warm.
He moved his hand from her throat, to her stomach and waist. If the guy thought that they were together, which he wanted. Then he would not try to make a move on her. In reality, he didn't want anyone else to claim her for their own. So this way, she was securely his.
~*~*~*~*~*~
Once the vampire knew that they were together, he had left the two alone. It was true, there weren't that many females around. So he had intended to take Kaoru, but once he saw the male vampire, he backed off. A female would only be led to a strong male. Which meant it was pointless to try and fight for her.
It would cause his life. Since the male vampire had two swords, and the scent of blood on him. Which meant that he was very skilled with his weapon. What caused him to leave, was the male's killer amber eyes.
After the vampire and all others were gone. He slowly, and regretfully let her go. She fully relaxed, once she felt that he was away from her.
When she turned around to see him, he was gone. She sighed, and quickly and swiftly ran back to the apartment building. Hoping that she would never see that vampire again, though deep inside, she wished she could see the vampire's face. To know her saver.
^__~
AN: I hope you like this chappie. I just loved writing it. Please review=)
