Author's Note: Chapter four is now up and ready. I hope you enjoy it.
Thanks for all of the reviews.
I'll be sure to respond to all of your reviews in later future chapters. I wanted to get this one up, so I didn't have enough time to respond. Sorry.
Disclaimer:I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters. But I did make up Selena and Anatra.
Chapter Four: My Woman
Kenshin made his coffee, and sat down in his favorite armchair. Hoping that its scent, would cover up Kaoru's. Why was it, that the one he wanted, was the one that was depressing him? He kept thinking like that for a while. Until there was a light knock at the door.
Placing his coffee on the table, he went to answer the door.
He froze at the door. His senses went crazy, he could hear everything in and outside his apartment. He sensed nervousness, and emotions on the other side of the door. That was when he smelled the scent of jasmine. It was Kaoru.
Opening the door slowly, he poked his head out the door. Kaoru almost screamed, from the sudden movement.
"Hello," said Kenshin smiling, and opening the door.
"You should stop scaring people like that. Your movements aren't easy to follow," said Kaoru annoyed.
He smiled, and asked, "Want to come in?" He opened the door widely to let her in.
"Sure," said Kaoru hesitantly, as she entered.
He smirked, and locked the door behind him.
His apartment seemed much bigger than her own. It was most likely since only one person lived here. Another item that came to notice, was that his swords hung over the fireplace.
His house was dark, yet welcoming. And it was a lot neater than her own apartment.
"Sit down. Want coffee?" asked Kenshin, as he walked into the kitchen.
"Do you always live in the dark?" asked Kaoru instead, coffee was the least of her thoughts right now.
"More comforting. Normal or black?" asked Kenshin.
"Let's cut to the chase. I am sorry for what I did to you. I should of thought of your thoughts, before I acted like that. I know that you must be having a hell of a time right now, and I made it worse. Please forgive me," said Kaoru quickly, as she bowed politely standing.
"Sit will you. You're my guest, tell me what type of coffee you want?" asked Kenshin, ignoring her previous words.
"*Sigh* Black," said Kaoru, as she sat down on an armchair, as Kenshin sat across from her, bringing their coffee. She smiled, and took the coffee mug.
"So you know about it?" asked Kenshin seriously.
Kaoru nodded, and drank her coffee lightly.
"Well, I don't know what to say," said Kenshin scratching his temple.
Kaoru giggled.
"What's so funny?" asked Kenshin confused.
"You're the first person, who acts like you. One minute you're about to kill me, the next, you're trying to protect me, now you're clueless. It's just...I'm so sorry. I've never met someone with so many personalities as you," said Kaoru, looking at him innocently.
"You're the first that has dared to mention it, do you like the sun?" asked Kenshin suddenly.
"To tell the truth, I much prefer your apartment than mine. You can actually see here. No sunrays to annoy you in the morning," said Kaoru thoughtfully; looking around.
"Your friends must love the sun," said Kenshin, a bit of disgust in his voice.
"They're only human," joked Kaoru, with a smile.
Kenshin smiled back with a chuckle. Which allowed Kaoru to see his sharp fangs, for a brief second.
"Your fangs. How sharp are they? I want to see them, to see if my fangs become like yours, when I'm your age," said Kaoru childishly, as she placed her cup on the table.
He shut his mouth, and shook his head.
"Come on," said Kaoru, as she sat next to him.
At that, he stood up and placed his cup on the table next to hers. Then moved to another, longer couch.
"Stay still and show me," demanded Kaoru angrily following him.
He shook his head defiantly.
She glared at him, and pushed him to his back with her body. He turned them both over, so that she would be the victim. His body was right above her, they fit perfectly together.
She giggled at their little game.
They suddenly stopped, and stared into each other's eyes.
Then in the mood of the moment, he came down; the two shared their first and intimate kiss.
He had a sudden burst of power. That was when he felt an arousal. He tried to pull out, before he did something that he would really regret.
Kaoru didn't allow him to go, she had moved her hands around his neck. Which kept him from moving away from her. He gave up, and allowed their bodies to touch.
That was when he opened his mouth, allowing their tongues to intertwine. Kaoru was able to feel his long and smooth fangs. She didn't touch the tip, she knew just by her tongue, that they were very sharp.
After satisfying her oddity, her senses came back to life. She was able to keep him to her, since breathing wasn't a problem for vampires. What caused her to stop, was his arousal. She could sense her own heat rise. She flushed like the color of his hair.
Kenshin smiled into the kiss, he knew what she was after and that her senses finally picked up again. That she felt the same way that he did.
They stopped, as their senses picked up two vampires coming up. Then they released each other, and allowed the other to stand up. They straightened up, as the two vampires knocked on the door, luckily the two just came in the building.
Kaoru placed her coat in her lap neatly, as Kenshin allowed the two other vampires to come in.
"Hey, don't have work today?" asked Sano, as he came in, though stopped as he saw Kaoru.
"Why'd you stop?" asked Soujiro, but froze as well.
"Guys, this is Kaoru. Kaoru, this is Sanosuke and Soujiro, my friends," said Kenshin with a smile.
"Very powerful. I can't even do that, must have went overboard. So is this one final?" asked Sano suddenly; grinning at his friend, as he sat across from her.
"It's faint to me, but noticeable," said Soujiro, as he got a good look at the female vampire.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Kenshin annoyed at their sudden outburst of private affairs; as he locked the door, and sat next to Kaoru.
"Wanted to ask advice. Since you got one, on the first day you met outside," said Sano grinning at his friend.
"I'm still here you know?" asked Kaoru annoyed at how they were able to talk so openly in front of her, and about how to get a woman too.
She didn't like this at all. It was like going to an interview. The thought of not being good enough, was eating at her insides. She knew he was Battousai, the legendary manslayer, how can she live up to that? The guys' chat made that feeling even more unbearable.
"You sure are a feisty one Missy," said Sano.
"Worthy of Battousai," said Soujiro with his usual endless smile.
Kaoru just wanted to pop them up side the head, which was what Kenshin wanted to do as well. She snapped out of it, when she felt a ring go through her body.
She picked up her phone, just as it rang. The two were shocked, her abilities had increased.
"Hello?" asked Kaoru, as she went to the door, so she could talk in private. Though it was pointless, she knew the others could hear; if they wanted.
"Kaoru? Glad you have it with you this time. The money had been sent to your apartment manager. You did enough work to pay off the place for a year. Now then, the rest of your money, will come in the mail. Wait for it to arrive today. That money should be able to let you relax for at least a year as well," said a cold voice.
"Aunt Anatra, did you add any?" asked Kaoru suspiciously, as she said it in a whisper.
"It wasn't my idea. You did a lot of work in just a year you know. Each lost, was your gain. And you did get all of you targets. So that was why you got the money. Though you can still work to feed. Just that you don't have to everyday from now on.
"Since now we know what you are capable of. Just contact me if you wish to have a day off, so I can give the assignment to someone else," said Anatra, she was always one to get to the point and no more or less.
"Are you..." started Kaoru.
"Yes, bye," said Anatra, and a buzz replaced the cold voice, signaling that she had hung up.
Kaoru knew that this had something to do with what Selena had told her today. She glared at her cell phone, and sighed. Then gritted her teeth.
"So, your Aunt is Anatra," said Sano grinning.
"What would the only niece, of the highest businessperson in China, be here in Japan? You are her heir, and yet you act like a normal person, or should I say vampire," said Soujiro confused.
"I have a life. I don't intend to always live off of her," said Kaoru sharply, as she sat down.
"Cranky, cranky. Don't take it personally Missy, Kenshin's just like you," said Sano smirking.
She glared at him, he was getting on her nerves.
"Cool down Kaoru. He was just joking, he won't do that again. I'll make sure of it," said Soujiro smiling.
"Why..." started Sano, but stopped as he saw Kenshin's death glare, it sent shivers down his spine.
For as long as he knew Kenshin, he learned that you never ever got him angry. He saw what he could do to humans and vampires alike, it was enough to scare even the toughest vampires. Kenshin wasn't called Battousai for no reason, he's known for his killings.
Kaoru took a quick glance at Kenshin, she realized that he was angry. Then she saw that he was angry at the two, for her. His eyes a deadly amber, with sparks of red in them. She smiled inwardly, she was falling for him and she didn't even know it.
Calm down, you're beginning to scare them. Said Kaoru through their telepathy, to Kenshin.
He snapped out of it, and smiled at them. His eyes returning to a soft amber. She kept in a giggle, his mood swings were weird, yet sweet at the same time. Then she smiled at him, before standing.
"I should go, my friend must be worried. See you around Kenshin," said Kaoru happily.
"I'll greet you out," said Kenshin, getting up.
Once Kaoru left, the two vampire friends let out a sigh.
"Man, you shouldn't go all Battousai on us like that. Save it for the feed," said Sano, sighing.
"You should know better, Sano, than to mess with my claim," said Kenshin sharply.
"We know she's your woman. Don't worry about us, who'd be stupid enough to do that again?" asked Sano.
"A novice," said Soujiro coldly.
"What novice hasn't heard of Battousai though?" asked Sano, all the vampires stayed cleared of Battousai because of the dark and powerful ki that radiated around him.
"They'd be dead before they got near her. If not by herself, then by her powerful mate here. This has to be the one for you. Your senses seemed to have blasted up like a rocket," said Soujiro as he played with his coat.
"A very large rocket," added Sano grinning.
"Don't get on my nerves Sano. This is very hard for me, I haven't felt like this in almost 5 centuries. Even back when, never has it become this powerful," said Kenshin, as he rubbed his temples, trying to calm down.
"Has to be a keeper," said Soujiro smiling.
"Soujiro!" yelled Kenshin in frustration.
"I'm sorry. Forgot," said Soujiro innocently.
"I just told you," said Kenshin annoyed.
"Well you know me. I intend to forget easily, and not pay attention," said Soujiro, with a grin.
"Lay off it," said Sano annoyed as well.
~*~*~*~*~
Kaoru didn't leave her spot. She had heard everything. So, she was the first to hit him like that huh? This was going to be interesting. She would just have to get him to beg for her, just like Selena said. Grinning, she walked back to her apartment.
Since he stopped when she told him to, then that meant that he was willing to do anything for her. All she had to do was keep him like that.
Though now, she was beginning to fall for him. That meant that she wouldn't have the heart to use him like that. So she would just have to enjoy it.
When she got in her apartment; Megumi and Misao were both reading their paperwork.
Misao had decided to become a reporter instead. She realized that the protectors work too much.
"Home so early?" asked Megumi, without looking up.
"The landlord said that all of your bills were paid for a year. Your Aunt?" asked Misao, doing the same.
"No. It was the money that I earned for working so late, and doing so well. The rest of the money should have arrived today. I'll go pick it up later. So now, I can stay home with you people," said Kaoru, as she sat at a couch across from them.
"I'm glad you get to relax. My test is tomorrow, so please don't take midnight showers," said Megumi.
"I'll be going now," said Kaoru, as she bolted out the door; not wanting to explain what she did last night and went down to the main floor.
She calmly walked over to the check-in counter, she had a lot of time. As she walked up, she saw another guy with short black hair walk over. He was as tall as Sano, and he wore all black, except for a hazel colored cloak that moved as he did. His face was all serious.
What caught her eye when she saw him, was that he had swords in one case by his left side. For a minute, she thought that he was a vampire. Then she realized he was human, once she saw that he had no fangs.
"We'll be one minute with you sir," said the person behind the counter, named Tina.
"How may I help you Miss Kaoru?" asked Tina.
"I had a package today," said Kaoru.
"One minute," said Tina, and she left.
Kaoru tapped her hand on the counter. She was getting bored, and the guy that stood beside her was creeping her out. Maybe she should have waited to come down to get her mail.
"Here you two go. This one for Aoshi, and this one is for Kaoru," said Tina, handing them a package.
Kaoru smiled, so he was Misao's Aoshi. She never saw him, so she didn't know what he looked like. As she thought about it; What did she see in him?
She bowed, and quickly went to the elevator, hoping that he wouldn't come in. Though he was very quick, and the elevator door opened, just in time before it closed on him. He didn't smile, and went in as well.
Now she was very annoyed, especially being alone in an elevator with Aoshi. She shifted, and noticed that he was going on the same level as she was. Oh no, he was their new neighbor, the old one left yesterday. In fact, her two neighbors left by today.
When they came to their stop, Kaoru was in such a rush to get out, that she bumped into Kenshin again. Though this time, he stopped her before she hit him again. He smiled at her, and his friends let out a roar of laughter. Though it died out, when they saw Aoshi.
"What are you doing here?" asked Sano coldly, glaring at the silent man.
"I live up here now, you?" asked Aoshi just as coldly, and the four men stared at each other.
"We have the apartment across from you. And Kenshin has the one at the other end of the floor. This girl, has the one across from his," said Soujiro his smiling not wavering.
"What?!" asked Kaoru with an inward groan, her floor's going to be weird.
"Got it a minute ago. We were just about to go get our keys," said Sano calmly.
Sano and Soujiro pushed their way passed Aoshi, and went down the elevator. While Kenshin stayed with Kaoru.
"Your woman?" asked Aoshi.
"You should know, your skill is very good," said Kenshin, as the two glared at each other.
"Wait, are you a..." started Kaoru.
"A vampire? Yes," said Aoshi, now he flashed her his fangs, that he had been hidden before.
She almost forgot, older vampires can already hide their fangs. Though she had just learned it. It was his color clothing, which led her astray.
Just on this floor, there were now a total of five vampires, and two humans. She feared for her friends, and for the humans here as well. From her senses, they were the only ones in this building. She guessed that others didn't like the nice luxurious lives.
"So powerful. I would want to know how strong it has made you Battousai," said Aoshi looking at Kaoru.
"That was long ago," said Kenshin, as he stood protectively in front of Kaoru.
"Once a manslayer, always a manslayer," said Aoshi icily
"Not anymore; an assassin," said Kenshin fiercely.
"It would be like saying you or me aren't a vampire at heart. Though no matter what, no matter how human we look, we'll always be vampires," said Aoshi.
Kenshin growled at him, he didn't like Aoshi. They were in some way friends, yet still arch rivals.
"*Sigh* Just don't bother me. I'm having a very tough time, so forgive my lack of manners. It's been a while Aoshi. Come over for coffee if you can," said Kenshin, he seemed to have calmed down a bit.
"I'll consider it," said Aoshi, as he went into his apartment, which seemed to have been already furnished.
He closed his door with a final click that seemed to resound off the bare walls of the apartment floor.
Kaoru arched an eyebrow at the scene and turned her attention to Kenshin, her anger slowly building.
"Any other vampires I should know about, that will be staying on this floor?" asked Kaoru, she seemed angry.
He smile wearily, and said, "Well, Sano has a 13-year-old sister. She's also a vampire. Young, and that doesn't happen often; for vampires to be so young. Then Aoshi has a younger brother, he's stuck at 14. The girl is named Tsubame, and the boy is named Yahiko. They'll come soon, most likely tonight or so. Now there are seven of us here."
Great, children vampires! Wonder if they are just as annoying as human ones. Thought Kaoru as she looked into Kenshin's eyes.
"In the same building, on the same floor. What a coincidence, any more coming?" asked Kaoru sarcastically.
"No, only us seven," said Kenshin.
Kaoru's previous fear for her friends came crashing into her, trepidation steeling itself within her.
"They won't..." started Kaoru nervously.
"Your friends are safe," said Kenshin smiling.
Kaoru let out a sigh of relief, worries now gone from her mind. It was strange how this man, this Kenshin, could make her feel like this. Though, she supposed that this was how he was feeling as well; just as curious, since he hadn't had a woman in a long while.
"From now on, let's not meet like this. I'm afraid I might lose my head," said Kaoru jokingly.
He smiled, and they went to their own apartments.
^_______________________________________________________^
AN: Aoshi has entered. Should I explain his past? Oh well, I'll give you hints through out the chapters. So bare with me Aoshi fans. I'm so cruel huh? Making you people follow along. But seriously, I explain things throughout the whole fic. The best stuff will be in chapters that really don't have a meaning, but I'll try to make less of that.
Another chapter done. Please Review.
