A Lifetime Forgiven

Chapter Eleven: Death to Shishio

Arami sat on top of the roof of the abandoned restaurant.  Nighttime had fallen just before they'd entered the restaurant her ally now sat in, eating to his fill.  An annoyed huff pursed her lips, but she kept it silent.

"Where are you Arami?" Came her one ally's voice from below.

She dropped down effortlessly and gazed at him wearily.  Her illusion she'd let drop hours ago, when she'd exited the poor restaurant.  Kenshin watched her, his eyes flickering over the fox ears atop her head before settling back on her sapphire-silver eyes.

"Your illusion?" Asked Kenshin after a moment of the awkward silence.

"Shishio's scent is moving.  He's received my warning."  She announced firmly, her gaze hardening.  "Considering your humanity, I suggest we rest before continuing."

Kenshin nodded and both set out towards the nearest inn, which happened to be only a few meters away.  By the time they'd entered their room and slid the wood-paneled door shut behind them, Arami had regained her humanly illusion.  Her sapphire-silver colored eyes flashed around the room once, her petite nose inhaling the surrounding scents silently.  This she did before finally dropping her illusion once more.

Without so much as a word to her ally, Arami took her place on the floor and closed her eyes.  She fell asleep almost instantly, but not until she made sure Kenshin was fast asleep.

**DREAM**

At first she had no idea where she was, and then the scent came to her.  Blood.  The scent of human blood drenched her entire being, meaning she had to be on a battlefield.  When the scent of what she was covered in reached her, her instincts kicked in and she began to growl, a low terrifying growl deep within her throat.

"Shishio…" whispered the angered half-demon.

A low chuckle rose slowly into the night air, growing louder and louder as if someone walked towards her.  Though she knew not exactly where she was, she did know he was here.  Glances flickered in every direction, taking in her surroundings while searching for the trespasser.

'This is not my territory' a low, melodic voice drifted across her thoughts, and immediately she recognized it as her own rational tone. 

The feel of foreboding surrounded her as she leaned forward ever so slightly.

"So… Arami…" Came another voice, this one manly and much unlike hers.  Her growl rose in a more intimidating manner (if that was possible).  "You are a demon." He spat the word like it was venom then paused once again, taking his ever-dear time.

"Yes, and you're a pathetic excuse for a human." Growled she, her tone more venomous then his. 

"How is it, demon, that this pathetic human was able to bring extinction to your dear brethren?" His tone was plain, meant to be misleading.  The hatred for this one human being raised greatly with those few words he'd dared to speak.  "Yet you have managed to defeat my armies!" Came his tone in faulted surprise.  "The same armies, in fact, that rid this land of those disgusting, conniving, insolent…"

But before he could finish his ravenous rant of her brethren, she'd pounced.  The satisfying feel of human flesh being torn by her claws, brought a vile and wicked smile to her lips.  As she landed, a sickening sound came from behind, where Shishio had once stood…

**END DREAM**

Arami sat bolt straight up from her sleeping area on the floor.  Cold sweat dripped down her cheeks, falling to the hard wooden floor while she shivered violently.

"What is the matter, Arami?" Called her ally to the dark.  The unexpected hiss startled Arami greatly, her chest giving a huge heave as she gasped for a breath.  "Are you all right?" Came the voice of Kenshin once more.

She nodded slowly, forgetting human eyesight wasn't as advanced as hers, meaning that Kenshin couldn't see the movement.  Yet she remembered this quickly and corrected herself almost immediately.

"I-er…" Her thoughts stumbled for a proper excuse.  "I had a nightmare."

It was the closest thing to the truth.

Author's note:  Thanks for reading and/or reviewing.

Disclaimer: I don't own Rurouni Kenshin™.  I do own any of my original characters.