Part 3
Letting Go of the Past
Walking silently with Yuki who was glaring from one side of the path to the next. Kenshin felt lightheaded, he was drawn to the darkest parts to the forest, he turned and pointed at an ill used path. "That way."
"I think I better go first," she walked through the path and stared into the ex-assassin's eyes. "Move!"
"I can't, no I should not. I know that what I did was wrong, but you shouldn't live in the past," Kenshin whispered.
"You have no right to be telling me that," she hissed and looked through the trees.
"I wish you would just listen, that I do. You are stubborn and I know that Saitou did the right thing by telling you that you were over your head," he blinked at her and saw her waver for a second.
"It does not matter, you lost the trail didn't you?"
"Yes."
Walking back to the Dojo, Kenshin realized in some way she did forgive him, but for some reason she felt trapped in her past.
**
Yuki sat watching the mist, she knew the vampire was going to make a move on Kenshin tonight, she knew it was going to be a matter of time. The sunset was a lovely color of gold and orange, soft streaks in the sky.
"It is beautiful, isn't it Kenshin?" Kaoru was sitting looking at him, he lay in his bed sleeping softly.
"Better let him sleep while he can, the garlic pill put him out," Yuki shook her head. "He is weakening, the blood is dying."
"You said it was going to be his last day," Kaoru looked at her.
"I lied, I thought I could handle this, I was going to wait until Kenshin was attracted to the vampire. He knows I was using him as bait."
Kaoru glared at her. "Don't you care about whether he will die or not?"
"I do care, I am just doing my job."
**
"Who does she think she is?" Kaoru snapped as she started her practice. "She acts like she is dead inside."
"I don't say I blame, that I don't," she turned to see Kenshin leaning on the door. "You shouldn't be so angry. She has a right to hate me after what I have done to her in the past."
"Kenshin, I'm more worried about what is happening to you. She lied to us."
"She was doing what she thought was right, yes she was. I think that maybe I have a few more days."
Kenshin walked out into the courtyard and looked at the mist. "I am no longer worrying whether or not I die. This creature cannot be allowed to do as it pleases, that it can't."
He looked into the vampire's mist and there seemed to be a form coming through it. It was like a man and he was dressed in a European styled outfit. "You finally learned your place!"
Kenshin did not flinch, he just stared straight ahead, the vampire smiled and bit into his neck. Gasping a flash of memories went off, he's been doing this to me before this, Kenshin's eyes widened.
**Flashback**
"Hey kid," the leader of the assassins ran up to Kenshin. "You have your assignment for tomorrow night, right?"
"Yes," Kenshin turned to leave and was stopped.
"You be careful."
Walking to the shrine, Kenshin did not know what drew him to the field. He saw a boy running by with a sword chasing a wolf or what looked like a wolf. "OUT OF THE WAY!"
There was a horrible sound and the boy came out holding the head of a man. "Good, Kyuuka, you did it," an older man walked up and looked at Kenshin. "You're in luck, my friend, you were being stalked by a vampire. I'm sorry you had to see that. Kyuuka you did well."
The boy who was about the same age nodded and put his sword away, "It was harder than it looked, that animal was almost half my size. I bet Haru and the others would have had a hell of a time bringing it down."
"Alright, time to go, good night to you sir," the older man turned and waved to him, he took the boy with him.
The shadows returned to the small shrine. He turned to walk away and saw his target walking up.
**
Kenshin washed his cut on his cheek, he sat down next to the lake watching the sunrise. He did not mind being all alone, he was used to it. There was a sound behind him and he saw a boy standing there behind, he was deathly pale and looked at him. "Are you alright?"
The boy stumbled a little and looked dazed, he wrapped his arms around Kenshin's neck and there came the stinging pain on his neck. "Stop!" he pushed the boy away and then the child vanished without a trace.
Touching his neck, he looked at the wound and then the sky was lightening into a pinkish glow. He turned and walked back to the inn, he slept in the sunlight feeling so much better.
"It was all a dream," he whispered to himself.
**End of Flashback**
It's the boy, Kenshin blinked and looked at the boy who was no more than fifteen looking at him. "Now I have my guardian," he smiled and looked at Kaoru and hissed.
The mist filled the yard and the boy and Kenshin were gone.
**
Yuki had returned and looked over at Kaoru who was running into the mist. "KENSHIN!"
"Dammit!" she grabbed her sword and ran into the mist, but it was too late Kenshin was already gone.
**
"You were the boy who bit me!" Kenshin stared at the boy who was sitting silently in a corner of a cave.
"I was," he smiled at Kenshin giggling. "I saw you in Kyoto and I knew I would have you. I need a guardian, no one will do, but you."
He sat down and looked over at the cave door. "The sun is up, you're too weak. Tomorrow you will want it so badly."
"I will not," Kenshin glared at the boy and then got up to walk toward the cave's exit. "I will not be a vampire!"
**
Yuki went out without the others, she had gone into the forest and was searching it. "Kenshin lost the trail here," she told herself and then moved from the trees that she and Kenshin were the day before. "Now the path goes cold."
"We told you to wait," she turned to see Saitou leaning against the tree. "You are always too proud to admit you need help. I sent for Haru, he should be here in two days."
"I don't need help. I can find that stupid Kenshin myself!" She stomped down the path to a large cave. "Hey, Saitou, take a look at this."
Saitou blinked at the cave. "I have been through this forest before, I have never seen a cave like this before."
"Simple a vampire knows how to keep humans away while it sleeps. I can sense it, Kenshin is struggling against his vampire side, I can sense him inside," she drew her bow and then walked into the darkened cave.
"Wait, we should go back and get help," Saitou tried to pull her back in to the sunlight.
"By the time we get more people here, the vampire will be aware that its lair was found." She blinked and put her hand over her mouth. "A vampire does live here, the small is horrible."
She crept a little more and found Kenshin curled up in a corner, his hand on the Sabato and was deathly pale. "I found Kenshin!" she ran back to Saitou. "We have to get him out of here."
They walked into the shadowy area where Kenshin was and Saitou knelt down looking at him. "Wake up!" He brought his hand up and smacked Kenshin, then saw Kenshin's hand fly up to stop him.
The eyes were something that caught Saitou by surprise, they were red and the look in Kenshin's face was angry. He ran to the darkness, then without warning Yuki forced the garlic pill into his mouth. "Time to wakeup!"
Kenshin's eyes rolled up into his head and he passed out, Yuki caught him and Saitou helped him up. "How is he?" He whispered. "I have never seen that look since the days of Kyoto."
"He's changing, he will start to act out of hunger and attack anyone who he smells their blood. He will not know his friends, he will not know the people he loves." Her voice was sad and she brought him out into the sunlight.
Holding his hands over his eyes, Kenshin let out a yell and growled. He hid his face and snarled. "IT BURNS!"
"Of course it does," Saitou helped Kenshin up. "You're not human!"
**
Kaoru watched as Yuki held Kenshin up. "The vampire will be coming tonight," she put Kenshin a darkened room and shut the door. "Do not open this door. Kenshin won't know who you are, all he will know is that you smell of blood and he is hungry." Yuki walked back to the gate and looked around.
She pulled on her bow and worked on her arrows, then did a blessing for it. "Prayer to those who walk in the light, guard those who are of innocent blood. May these arrow fly true, may they seek the heart of the beasts who haunt the night killing those of innocent blood."
"You forgot one part, little sister, may those who have shed the blood of innocent parish," a boy holding a large boomerang walked up. His dark eyes were soft and rather sad. "When Saitou told me you were hunting an ancient he saw fit to call on me."
"Haru, I can handle this myself," Yuki glared at her older brother. "You are not even a decent vampire hunter."
Haru sat down next to his sister and looked at her seriously. "Saitou told me that you are protecting the man who killed Kyuuka, is that true?"
"It is, he's changed somehow, I don't know how to explain it really, but when I look into those eyes, I don't see the hitokiri in them." She put her knife down and saw the look her brother gave and he smiled.
"I know," Haru looked at her and then walked to the dojo. "So where is Kenshin?"
"He is locked up. He's almost a vampire, I don't know what to do, the vampire will force Kenshin to kill all the people he loves and protects."
The boy smiled at her sister and then leaned against a tree. "You know what Kyuuka used to say, if that is the case, use that against the vampire. Have the vampire Kenshin fight with us. Simply remind him of his soul."
They walked into the Dojo and saw Kaoru sitting in front of the door that Kenshin was in. "Kaoru, come in with me," Yuki whispered gently. "You are someone he loves and if you are in there, I know he will not dare try and attack."
The vampire Kenshin sat in the shadows rocking slightly. "Burning through, yes, hungry," he muttered strange words that made no sense. His red eyes flashed and he looked over at Kaoru and Yuki. "Have they come to feed me? Yes, I smell their blood."
Yuki stood there and without warning she brought up a strange looking silver sword. "If you touch this, vampire you will be burned by it."
The vampire snarled and rush over to her and the sword barely touched his shoulder and he let out a yelp jumping back. "I told you, Kenshin," Yuki looked at him. "Do you know that is your name?"
"Name?" he looked confused and he blinked at the two women. "I want the pretty one, yes, her blood is innocent."
"STOP," Kaoru screamed, she reached out and touched Kenshin's cheeks. "Come back to me. Kenshin, you have to come back. You're not like this, you're not a vampire, come back."
The red eyes started to return to human and tears filled his eyes. "Kaoru- dono? Gomen, I don't know what is happening anymore," Kenshin's word's were soft and he pulled away from her looking upset. "Stay away!"
"Do you want to be human again?" Yuki asked straightening up.
"Yes," Kenshin blinked at her. "What are you planning?"
"The vampire is coming for you tonight. This vampire was made too young, from what I gathered, he is strong, but he needs an adult guardian to watch over him. He choose you awhile ago, yes?"
Kenshin blinked not sure when he remembered that boy, then nodded. "Yes, I was watching the sunset in Kyoto when I was eighteen and this boy approached me and bit me."
"So you were marked before this," Yuki put her sword away. "Alright, Kenshin, I have your word that you will help us kill this vampire so no other human suffers this fate."
"I will."
Walking out of the room, Kaoru blinked. "What the hell?"
"Kenshin loves you, he won't attack you, being almost a vampire himself, he will become detached and confused. You will be his voice of reason, his lover so to speak who will keep him human."
Kaoru never thought that she loved Kenshin, but seeing him in his vampire mode made her almost fearful of losing him for a second time. "I will keep Kenshin human as long as I can," she told herself and looked over at a young man talking to Sanosuke. "Who is that?"
"Haru, my brother. He's one of the vampire slayers who prefers to be a scholar than a slayer. Sort of makes my father roll in his grave the way Haru acts."
Sitting down the two girls looked at each other and then away. "I can't believe this, I told Saitou, I could hand this, now he sent the most impossible person."
**
Kenshin was lying on the floor of the storehouse and was staring at the rafters. He could escape easily, but he didn't want to. He touched his neck and felt the flash of memories and dreams. I have had blood dreams before, he thought and sat up. "That little boy has been trying to find me."
He heard the sound of the lock being lifted; he saw Kaoru and Yuki waiting for him as Sanosuke and another man were preparing for the raid. "It is almost sunset, are you ready?"
"I am, but I feel so hungry," Kenshin whispered walking through the halls.
"You won't feel it after the vampire is dead."
Kenshin couldn't believe his senses, he was able to smell the people around him, he could hear their hearts beating. He moved and shook his head trying to keep those senses down.
Walking slowly he looked around and found his sword and attached it to his belt.
Letting Go of the Past
Walking silently with Yuki who was glaring from one side of the path to the next. Kenshin felt lightheaded, he was drawn to the darkest parts to the forest, he turned and pointed at an ill used path. "That way."
"I think I better go first," she walked through the path and stared into the ex-assassin's eyes. "Move!"
"I can't, no I should not. I know that what I did was wrong, but you shouldn't live in the past," Kenshin whispered.
"You have no right to be telling me that," she hissed and looked through the trees.
"I wish you would just listen, that I do. You are stubborn and I know that Saitou did the right thing by telling you that you were over your head," he blinked at her and saw her waver for a second.
"It does not matter, you lost the trail didn't you?"
"Yes."
Walking back to the Dojo, Kenshin realized in some way she did forgive him, but for some reason she felt trapped in her past.
**
Yuki sat watching the mist, she knew the vampire was going to make a move on Kenshin tonight, she knew it was going to be a matter of time. The sunset was a lovely color of gold and orange, soft streaks in the sky.
"It is beautiful, isn't it Kenshin?" Kaoru was sitting looking at him, he lay in his bed sleeping softly.
"Better let him sleep while he can, the garlic pill put him out," Yuki shook her head. "He is weakening, the blood is dying."
"You said it was going to be his last day," Kaoru looked at her.
"I lied, I thought I could handle this, I was going to wait until Kenshin was attracted to the vampire. He knows I was using him as bait."
Kaoru glared at her. "Don't you care about whether he will die or not?"
"I do care, I am just doing my job."
**
"Who does she think she is?" Kaoru snapped as she started her practice. "She acts like she is dead inside."
"I don't say I blame, that I don't," she turned to see Kenshin leaning on the door. "You shouldn't be so angry. She has a right to hate me after what I have done to her in the past."
"Kenshin, I'm more worried about what is happening to you. She lied to us."
"She was doing what she thought was right, yes she was. I think that maybe I have a few more days."
Kenshin walked out into the courtyard and looked at the mist. "I am no longer worrying whether or not I die. This creature cannot be allowed to do as it pleases, that it can't."
He looked into the vampire's mist and there seemed to be a form coming through it. It was like a man and he was dressed in a European styled outfit. "You finally learned your place!"
Kenshin did not flinch, he just stared straight ahead, the vampire smiled and bit into his neck. Gasping a flash of memories went off, he's been doing this to me before this, Kenshin's eyes widened.
**Flashback**
"Hey kid," the leader of the assassins ran up to Kenshin. "You have your assignment for tomorrow night, right?"
"Yes," Kenshin turned to leave and was stopped.
"You be careful."
Walking to the shrine, Kenshin did not know what drew him to the field. He saw a boy running by with a sword chasing a wolf or what looked like a wolf. "OUT OF THE WAY!"
There was a horrible sound and the boy came out holding the head of a man. "Good, Kyuuka, you did it," an older man walked up and looked at Kenshin. "You're in luck, my friend, you were being stalked by a vampire. I'm sorry you had to see that. Kyuuka you did well."
The boy who was about the same age nodded and put his sword away, "It was harder than it looked, that animal was almost half my size. I bet Haru and the others would have had a hell of a time bringing it down."
"Alright, time to go, good night to you sir," the older man turned and waved to him, he took the boy with him.
The shadows returned to the small shrine. He turned to walk away and saw his target walking up.
**
Kenshin washed his cut on his cheek, he sat down next to the lake watching the sunrise. He did not mind being all alone, he was used to it. There was a sound behind him and he saw a boy standing there behind, he was deathly pale and looked at him. "Are you alright?"
The boy stumbled a little and looked dazed, he wrapped his arms around Kenshin's neck and there came the stinging pain on his neck. "Stop!" he pushed the boy away and then the child vanished without a trace.
Touching his neck, he looked at the wound and then the sky was lightening into a pinkish glow. He turned and walked back to the inn, he slept in the sunlight feeling so much better.
"It was all a dream," he whispered to himself.
**End of Flashback**
It's the boy, Kenshin blinked and looked at the boy who was no more than fifteen looking at him. "Now I have my guardian," he smiled and looked at Kaoru and hissed.
The mist filled the yard and the boy and Kenshin were gone.
**
Yuki had returned and looked over at Kaoru who was running into the mist. "KENSHIN!"
"Dammit!" she grabbed her sword and ran into the mist, but it was too late Kenshin was already gone.
**
"You were the boy who bit me!" Kenshin stared at the boy who was sitting silently in a corner of a cave.
"I was," he smiled at Kenshin giggling. "I saw you in Kyoto and I knew I would have you. I need a guardian, no one will do, but you."
He sat down and looked over at the cave door. "The sun is up, you're too weak. Tomorrow you will want it so badly."
"I will not," Kenshin glared at the boy and then got up to walk toward the cave's exit. "I will not be a vampire!"
**
Yuki went out without the others, she had gone into the forest and was searching it. "Kenshin lost the trail here," she told herself and then moved from the trees that she and Kenshin were the day before. "Now the path goes cold."
"We told you to wait," she turned to see Saitou leaning against the tree. "You are always too proud to admit you need help. I sent for Haru, he should be here in two days."
"I don't need help. I can find that stupid Kenshin myself!" She stomped down the path to a large cave. "Hey, Saitou, take a look at this."
Saitou blinked at the cave. "I have been through this forest before, I have never seen a cave like this before."
"Simple a vampire knows how to keep humans away while it sleeps. I can sense it, Kenshin is struggling against his vampire side, I can sense him inside," she drew her bow and then walked into the darkened cave.
"Wait, we should go back and get help," Saitou tried to pull her back in to the sunlight.
"By the time we get more people here, the vampire will be aware that its lair was found." She blinked and put her hand over her mouth. "A vampire does live here, the small is horrible."
She crept a little more and found Kenshin curled up in a corner, his hand on the Sabato and was deathly pale. "I found Kenshin!" she ran back to Saitou. "We have to get him out of here."
They walked into the shadowy area where Kenshin was and Saitou knelt down looking at him. "Wake up!" He brought his hand up and smacked Kenshin, then saw Kenshin's hand fly up to stop him.
The eyes were something that caught Saitou by surprise, they were red and the look in Kenshin's face was angry. He ran to the darkness, then without warning Yuki forced the garlic pill into his mouth. "Time to wakeup!"
Kenshin's eyes rolled up into his head and he passed out, Yuki caught him and Saitou helped him up. "How is he?" He whispered. "I have never seen that look since the days of Kyoto."
"He's changing, he will start to act out of hunger and attack anyone who he smells their blood. He will not know his friends, he will not know the people he loves." Her voice was sad and she brought him out into the sunlight.
Holding his hands over his eyes, Kenshin let out a yell and growled. He hid his face and snarled. "IT BURNS!"
"Of course it does," Saitou helped Kenshin up. "You're not human!"
**
Kaoru watched as Yuki held Kenshin up. "The vampire will be coming tonight," she put Kenshin a darkened room and shut the door. "Do not open this door. Kenshin won't know who you are, all he will know is that you smell of blood and he is hungry." Yuki walked back to the gate and looked around.
She pulled on her bow and worked on her arrows, then did a blessing for it. "Prayer to those who walk in the light, guard those who are of innocent blood. May these arrow fly true, may they seek the heart of the beasts who haunt the night killing those of innocent blood."
"You forgot one part, little sister, may those who have shed the blood of innocent parish," a boy holding a large boomerang walked up. His dark eyes were soft and rather sad. "When Saitou told me you were hunting an ancient he saw fit to call on me."
"Haru, I can handle this myself," Yuki glared at her older brother. "You are not even a decent vampire hunter."
Haru sat down next to his sister and looked at her seriously. "Saitou told me that you are protecting the man who killed Kyuuka, is that true?"
"It is, he's changed somehow, I don't know how to explain it really, but when I look into those eyes, I don't see the hitokiri in them." She put her knife down and saw the look her brother gave and he smiled.
"I know," Haru looked at her and then walked to the dojo. "So where is Kenshin?"
"He is locked up. He's almost a vampire, I don't know what to do, the vampire will force Kenshin to kill all the people he loves and protects."
The boy smiled at her sister and then leaned against a tree. "You know what Kyuuka used to say, if that is the case, use that against the vampire. Have the vampire Kenshin fight with us. Simply remind him of his soul."
They walked into the Dojo and saw Kaoru sitting in front of the door that Kenshin was in. "Kaoru, come in with me," Yuki whispered gently. "You are someone he loves and if you are in there, I know he will not dare try and attack."
The vampire Kenshin sat in the shadows rocking slightly. "Burning through, yes, hungry," he muttered strange words that made no sense. His red eyes flashed and he looked over at Kaoru and Yuki. "Have they come to feed me? Yes, I smell their blood."
Yuki stood there and without warning she brought up a strange looking silver sword. "If you touch this, vampire you will be burned by it."
The vampire snarled and rush over to her and the sword barely touched his shoulder and he let out a yelp jumping back. "I told you, Kenshin," Yuki looked at him. "Do you know that is your name?"
"Name?" he looked confused and he blinked at the two women. "I want the pretty one, yes, her blood is innocent."
"STOP," Kaoru screamed, she reached out and touched Kenshin's cheeks. "Come back to me. Kenshin, you have to come back. You're not like this, you're not a vampire, come back."
The red eyes started to return to human and tears filled his eyes. "Kaoru- dono? Gomen, I don't know what is happening anymore," Kenshin's word's were soft and he pulled away from her looking upset. "Stay away!"
"Do you want to be human again?" Yuki asked straightening up.
"Yes," Kenshin blinked at her. "What are you planning?"
"The vampire is coming for you tonight. This vampire was made too young, from what I gathered, he is strong, but he needs an adult guardian to watch over him. He choose you awhile ago, yes?"
Kenshin blinked not sure when he remembered that boy, then nodded. "Yes, I was watching the sunset in Kyoto when I was eighteen and this boy approached me and bit me."
"So you were marked before this," Yuki put her sword away. "Alright, Kenshin, I have your word that you will help us kill this vampire so no other human suffers this fate."
"I will."
Walking out of the room, Kaoru blinked. "What the hell?"
"Kenshin loves you, he won't attack you, being almost a vampire himself, he will become detached and confused. You will be his voice of reason, his lover so to speak who will keep him human."
Kaoru never thought that she loved Kenshin, but seeing him in his vampire mode made her almost fearful of losing him for a second time. "I will keep Kenshin human as long as I can," she told herself and looked over at a young man talking to Sanosuke. "Who is that?"
"Haru, my brother. He's one of the vampire slayers who prefers to be a scholar than a slayer. Sort of makes my father roll in his grave the way Haru acts."
Sitting down the two girls looked at each other and then away. "I can't believe this, I told Saitou, I could hand this, now he sent the most impossible person."
**
Kenshin was lying on the floor of the storehouse and was staring at the rafters. He could escape easily, but he didn't want to. He touched his neck and felt the flash of memories and dreams. I have had blood dreams before, he thought and sat up. "That little boy has been trying to find me."
He heard the sound of the lock being lifted; he saw Kaoru and Yuki waiting for him as Sanosuke and another man were preparing for the raid. "It is almost sunset, are you ready?"
"I am, but I feel so hungry," Kenshin whispered walking through the halls.
"You won't feel it after the vampire is dead."
Kenshin couldn't believe his senses, he was able to smell the people around him, he could hear their hearts beating. He moved and shook his head trying to keep those senses down.
Walking slowly he looked around and found his sword and attached it to his belt.
