(Ducks behind desk and hides)

(Waves white flag)

Yes I know this chapter was a long time coming, and yes I am very sorry but I have good reason! First we have been having lots of and lots of storms down here in Oklahoma and its kinda hard to write with lightening. Second I am packing like crazy to go to college and I move in Sunday. Third I got the best beta and she has been busting her tail end to make this chapter as good as it is and that takes time!

Since I am moving into college it may cause updates to be slower, but I love you all too much to keep from updating as often as I can!

Everyone say thank you to Pia Bartolini for being suck a great Beta-er.

She is the reason the beginning of the Lemon below is so good...actually its more like a interlude to the Lemon, the actual Lemon will be in the next chapter if you lot think I can fit it in, and if you want one. I don't want to offend any of my readers so here is fair warning:

It gets graphic below!

So if you're ready for some Battousai Goodness read on and say thank you Pia!

A big thank you to Little Girl Stephie for being so sweet.

Remember I do now own Kenshin gumi....

Ravyn

Kaoru hopped on one foot in a less than graceful attempt to put on her favorite pair of sneakers. Her braided mane danced around her shoulders and she finally forced her heel into the tied shoes.

Maybe she should start unlacing them before putting them on, but normally they just slide on and off. Blowing her bangs out of her eyes Kaoru rummaged through the bags that had been dropped off by the Oniwabanshu members. Reaching down she found what she was looking for, her wallet and purse.

Digging through her purse Kaoru pulled out the three twenties she had stashed there and stuffed two of them into her wallet, pocketing the other in her pants.

Knocking Yahiko around earlier had felt more familiar than anything else thus far, and did much to help ground her unstable memories.

After practice, much to Kaoru's surprise, Soujiro had approached her and Misao, offering to take them out to lunch. He informed them that afterward he had some contacts to get in touch with and figured it would be best for the girls to go ahead and meet those who worked for them in the area.

Soujiro had told them that there were a few agents in Kyoto and he planned on introducing them to as well, as long as they promised not to tell Saitou. As some of Kaoru's most disturbing memories were of Saitou she really was quick to agree.

Opening the bedroom door, Kaoru walked downstairs to where Misao and Soujiro were standing. A day full of work, which also included a free lunch, was definitely preferable to standing around and trying to make sense of her jumbled up emotions.

Soujiro offered Kaoru a smile. "Did you inform Kenshin of our plans?"

Kaoru cracked an evil grin. "I told him the exact same way Misao told Aoshi."

Soujiro groaned. "Please tell me they know where you are going."

"We left them a note, Sou-chan." Misao crooned, linking her arm through Soujiro's. "They don't have to know every little thing we do; it's not like they're our fathers!"

Soujiro sent a panicked look to Omasu and Okon who waved with matching smiles, promising Soujiro much pain if he blew the girls' plans. He never met Kaoru or Misao in the past life but he suddenly realized how they had captured the hearts of both Kenshin and Aoshi.

"Besides Soujiro, ever since this entire assignment started Kenshin has been breathing down my neck. I can barely go to the bathroom in peace!" Kaoru made a face. "Not only that, but I just finished teaching Yahiko, too! A girl needs some downtime."

"It is what's left of the Rurouni that's causing him to be slightly paranoid." Misao nodded, offering wisely.

Kaoru snorted. "And do you know how I handled the Rurouni when he got on my nerves in the last life time?"

Soujiro moaned.

"You bashed him in the head with your Bokken." Misao offered. "The same way I threatened everyone with Kunai. Unfortunately it never worked with Aoshi so I always had to be a bit more creative."

"Care to share some of the more creative moments with me now? I don't think Kenshin is really going to let me bash him in the head, so I have to find others ways of telling him to back off." Kaoru grumped as they walked down the street, Soujiro linking arms with both women.

His face held a slightly panicked look to it, hidden behind the smile. His look could be compared to a man facing the succession technique of the Hiten Mitsurugi Ryu. The men passing down the street took the sight of bickering women, tossing dark comments about particular habits, and Soujiro's strained smile. Needless to say they where given a wide berth.

They reached the restaurant far too quickly for his liking, which lead him to believe he had been tricked into this. They had played on his responsibility ethic and here he was sipping soup and eating rice, as if the girls were perfectly innocent.

That is, if you kept away the conversation that was going on.

"Misao, how much do you know about the mating ceremony?" Kaoru questioned tiredly. "I know NOTHING except for the fact that he is going to bite me."

Misao offered her full 1000-Watt smile, "Oh I know just about everything."

Soujiro choked on his rice, coughing hard at the matter of fact tone in Misao's voice. It was disconcerting, especially since he remembered quite clearly that she had been sixteen at the time and was raised in a much stricter age.

"Really?" Kaoru questioned leaning forward. "How?"

"Aoshi was already a vampire back then, Kaoru. So the entire time I was following him I also attempted to find out the secrets that Okina and the others would never tell me. It was much easier for a young 'boy' to find out information back then. You just had to get someone rather drunk." Misao quipped cheerfully.

Soujiro blinked. "Misao you had a two foot long braid."

She gave him a hard look. "I was raised as Oniwabanshu, something as small as a braid is very easy to hide. You should know Soujiro, since you killed me."

Soujiro winced. "I had hoped you would forget that." His expression was mournful; for once the smile long washed away.

Misao reached over and grasped his hand. "It's easy to forgive you because I know you in this life time. If we had not met and become friends, I might be attempting to kill you right now. But I forgive you and that is all you need to know."

Soujiro offered a weak smile.

Kaoru shook her head. "Soujiro, were you really worried about that?"

Soujiro kept his smile, but only with the faintest of gripes. "Wouldn't you? My attempts at making it up to both of you since your murders is what got us into this entire affair to begin with!"

Kaoru laughed lightly. "Oh Soujiro. Think about who you're talking to here! I took the Hitokiri Battousai into my home without a single thought of the consequences; Misao chased a Vampire, a bit more of an oddity in that time than this one, across Japan. You were a different person than you are now, and that is what makes it easy to forgive you."

Misao nodded her dark head. "Besides Sou-chan, you're far too lovable to stay mad at. But, just for a heads-up, this is SO blackmail information."

Soujiro sighed. "Why does that not surprise me?"

"Back to the Mating ceremony?" Kaoru lightly questioned changing the subject.

"There are two parts." Misao informed Kaoru, her eyes thoughtful as she considered the information she had collected in the past and the bits and pieces of it she had heard about in this lifetime. "The first involves the entire Ki and Blood exchange, as you know. But what you don't know is that there are only a few places where it can be done."

Kaoru blinked and leaned forward. "Such as?"

Misao chewed on her lower lip. "For you and Kenshin? The Aoiya, the place where the Dojo used to be, Hiko's mountain hideout, and possibly a shrine somewhere in Japan."

Kaoru blinked repeatedly at her. "What?"

Misao sighed. "In order to do perform the ceremony you have to be a place where both of your Ki's are grounded and a part of location's protection. Hiko's place, because Kenshin has been courting you and you both are tied together with your Ki's. Add Kenshin's ties to Hiten Mitsurugi and you have what you need there. The Aoiya, because of your stay there, as well as your Ki transfer and connection to Kenshin. You could have done the ceremony at the Dojo as well, but who knows where that is now."

Kaoru frowned. "And at the shrine."

Misao shrugged. "He would've had to find a place compatible for both of your Ki's and it's harder to do because of all the holy artifacts."

Soujiro shook his head. "Who would have known, Misao the walking encyclopedia."

Misao made a face. "When it comes to my Aoshi I am very serious Sou-chan!"

Kaoru stifled her laugh behind her hand and quickly shoved a chopstick full of rice into her mouth. Just as Misao was catching onto the fact that she was being laughed at, Soujiro's phone rang.

"Hello."

He blinked rapidly and then winced. "No Himura-san, we are perfectly safe." Soujiro paled drastically, "No, tell Shinomori-san I really don't think I need any extra sword practice. And no, the Oniwabanshu does not need to send out a search party."

Kaoru bit down on her lip and tossed Misao an amused glance.

"No Himura-san...would you like to talk to her? She is right here!" Soujiro did not wait for him to answer, practically throwing the phone at Kaoru. She swallowed her rice and hesitantly brought the phone to her ear.

"Hello?"

"Kaoru." Kenshin growled at her, "Just what were you doing leaving here without telling me where you were going?"

"You and Aoshi where in a meeting," Kaoru pointed out, "And I left you a note."

"Kaoru." Kenshin hissed.

"Don't you take that tone with me Kenshin Himura." Kaoru warned. "I am going to enjoy my day out, we are going to have fun, and you are not, under any circumstances, going to follow us unless you want to have a meeting with my Bokken when I get back."

There was silence on the other end and Kaoru held her breath, hoping she had not crossed the line because Kenshin sure sounded amber eyed from her vantage point.

"I want a phone call every hour, on the hour." Kenshin said flatly.

"Ever three hours or nothing." Kaoru growled right back. "You are not going to interfere with what I have to do today Kenshin. Do you not trust Soujiro to take care of himself? Or better yet, do not trust me?" There was an edge to Kaoru's tone that told Kenshin he was going to be in hot water if he did not answer the question correctly.

"I want you home by dusk. There are some things we need to talk about." Kenshin told her softly, "Or I am going to come and drag you home, myself."

Kaoru winked at Misao. "Thank you Itoshi." Clicking the phone off she tossed it to Soujiro who still looked pale. "Cheer up Soujiro, what's the worst that can happen?"

~*~

Kenshin snapped his phone shut with a click and sent Yahiko and Sano, the two were should have been keeping an eye on the girls, a hot amber filled glance. "They will be back tonight."

They both nodded and edged their chairs away from Kenshin; the man looked very irritated.

"Sano," Aoshi questioned his normal cold voice frigid, "Have you picked up anything on Enishi's activities?"

Sano nodded as he leaned forward. "It's mostly the same old stuff Ice man. He is doing some massive recruiting of zombies and is buying the loyalty of large numbers of werewolves. Luckily the number of Blood Amulets is low so he can't keep sending them after us."

Kenshin sighed. "So he is building his army then."

Sano nodded. " It appears so. Honestly what bothers me most about this whole deal is how exactly Shishio is going to work into this. Even if he doesn't get his hands on Rei, which as long as she is with Hiko I doubt it, the Blood Moon will still increase his ability to stay on earth."

Aoshi sighed. "He will be strong as well."

Yahiko chewed on his lip. "Are they going to keep this battle in Kyoto or are the going to take it somewhere else?"

"My guess is they are gong to stay here." Kenshin said flatly. "The amount of Blood Ki has been increasing dramatically in this city, and it's not just from the moon. Enishi has been moving his troops in secretly for a long time now."

"Which just means trouble." Sano muttered. "There have been a growing number of rapes and murders around here. We expected that, but just the normal rough and tumble on the docks and darker streets has really gone up. Most of my contacts can't meet with me because they are dealing with there own problem or are dead."

"You need to mate soon, Battousai." Aoshi said simply.

Kenshin sighed. "I know. But I am going to have to do it outside so I can null the effects of the Blood Moon. I don't want her to have to struggle with my Ki and the Blood Ki, as well."

Aoshi nodded. "The Oniwabanshu will not be here tonight. We will be checking out points A and B for security reasons."

Yahiko turned his head to see Kenshin's eyes flicker in understanding. "Tsubame and I will make rounds for most of the night as well. Actually, she has been wanting to head back up the mountain to check on Rei."

Sano nodded. "Megumi plans on making sure the clinics are going to be well stocked, so we'll be out for the night as well. If you're going to make Jou-chan yours then tonight would be the night, Kenshin."

Kenshin stood and walked to the window. "If she is willing."

Yahiko snorted. "Kaoru has always been willing Kenshin, in both lifetimes. Yumi probably did you a favor."

Kenshin gave a slight growl at that. The red haired bitch would a get a special hello from Aoshi and himself for the pain she caused their mates.

"You have everything you need, right Kenshin? I mean the whole gift thing was a pain in the ass for me, " admitted Sano. "And I can only guess what you are going to give Kaoru."

Yahiko winced. "Oh yes, shopping for the Mating gift was hell. What can you give to someone, who will be with you for the rest of your lifetime, that isn't completely cliche and leaves her wondering what the heck you were smoking?"

"What did you give Tsubame?"

"What did you give Megumi?"

"Point taken."

Kenshin sighed and watched the sun descend into the clouds that had been building over the mountains. They would most likely hit Kyoto sometime tomorrow which meant tonight would be the his last chance to mate with Kaoru for the time being.

And with the Blood Moon ticking down the sooner he laid claim to her, the better. Mine, Kenshin thought viciously. He had been a very long time waiting; part of him had claimed her the moment she challenged him on the streets of Tokyo so very long ago.

"Aoshi," Kenshin said, turning. "When can you have the Oniwabanshu out of here?"

"An hour." Aoshi replied easily. "I will leave with Misao and Soujiro."

Kenshin nodded and turned back to the city, his eyes swirling with fire and moonlight.

"Anything else you wanted to talk about Kenshin?" Yahiko questioned lightly. "Tsubame I will be heading out shortly and I was wondering if there was anything you wanted me to take to Hiko."

Kenshin shook his head negatively and Yahiko nodded. "I will leave you to your preparations then."

Sano and Aoshi followed, both making plans to completely vacate the premises so Kenshin and Kaoru could have all the privacy they needed. Kenshin would need time to make the wards that would line the roof to keep out prying eyes and probing Ki's.

Vampires could manipulate what people saw with their Ki easily, and thankfully they could also use their Ki to create wards. Kenshin most likely would want the ceremony outside and there was an alcove on the roof that was perfect for what they where going to do.

Kenshin quickly followed his friends, a list of blankets, pillows, and other items rolling in his head as he began to make the preparations for the claiming of one, Kamiya Kaoru.

~*~

"He groped me!" Misao complained, as they left the house of the last contact that Soujiro had set them up to meet.

Kaoru snickered into her hand. "That because he couldn't grope either me or Soujiro."

"And why not?" Misao demanded, outraged. "Is it because I'm smaller and he thought I would back less of a punch?" The man was most likely still on the floor holding his jaw.

"No. It's because Soujiro is a guy and I have this weird Ki binding thing, remember?" Kaoru questioned jokingly.

"Aoshi and I need to have a talk." Misao grumbled darkly, crossing her arms over her chest as if to protect herself. "I dislike being groped."

Kaoru laughed as they turned to head back to the Aoiya. "It's your fault for being so cute, isn't that right Soujiro?"

Soujiro blinked. "Don't bring me into this, Shinomori-san will kill me."

Misao stopped. "So you're saying that you find me unattractive and repulsive?"

Soujiro frantically scrambled for an answer. "I am not saying that at all Misao-chan. I think that you are a very attractive, and a very spoken for, young lady. I just really don't want to be on the receiving end of two Kodachi and a pissed Vampire Lord."

"Smart man." Kaoru told him.

"I try." Soujiro gamely responded.

"Soujiro, do you think you are going to be able to fight against the Vampires?" Misao questioned as the Aoiya came into sight. "I mean, their nature alone makes many of them formidable opponents"

Soujiro sighed. "I've had several offers from Sano and Yahiko to change me, it's just that I do not want the added pressure of the Blood Moon. I don't know what Shishio-sama is going to throw at me and that would just be one more thing into the mix."

Kaoru reached over and squeezed the Tenkan's shoulder. "It will be alright Soujiro. You simply have to believe in yourself and Kenshin."

Soujiro tossed her a real smile. "Himura-san is very lucky to have you, Kaoru-san."

Kaoru smiled. "I'd like to think so."

Misao giggled as she opened the doors to the Aoiya, looking forward to a warm bath to soothe her aching feet. What she found inside, however, surprised her.

It was silent. There was no chatter form Omasu and Okon, no jumbled comments from Okina, and no yelling from Yahiko. "Aoshi?"

He walked in just as she was turning alarmed and gave a smile, which meant the corners of his mouth turned up, slightly.

"We are going to stay at another place tonight, Misao. We have been making sure the rest of the safehouses are well protected and have divided up the duties. You and Soujiro are coming with me. Kaoru, you and Kenshin will be holding down the fort here." It was the longest sentence Aoshi had ever said, outside his private conversations to Misao.

Kaoru nodded, feeling the hidden undertones. It made butterflies dance in her stomach, but she decided not to worry Misao over it. "Alright."

Kaoru watched as Aoshi took Misao by the arm. "Okon and Omasu put some clothing together for you two and they're already packed in the car."

Soujiro shrugged and gamely followed, sensing that he really didn't want to be around this place in a few hours either.

Karou shrugged as she headed up the stairs to change. The clothing she had on was not the practical and comfy attire she was used to relaxing in; and honestly it was just Kenshin who she was going to wearing it in front of, anyhow.

Humming to herself, Kaoru gazed at the now dark Kyoto. Soujiro had been bullied into taking them out to dinner as well so she wasn't hungry. Kaoru realized then, that she had not seen Kenshin since she got home and began walking around to locate the Vampire.

Just as she was turning into a dark hall a hand caught her by the elbow to keep her from crashing into him.

"Kenshin." Kaoru breathed. "You startled me."

Kenshin smiled at her, his eyes streaked violet, and gently tugged on her arm to indicate she should follow him. "I apologize Koishii. This unworthy one did not mean to startle you." His voice was teasing.

Kaoru whacked him. "Unworthy one? Don't make me smack you Kenshin."

Kenshin smiled slightly, hiding his thoughts as he turned his head away. Kaoru chewed on her bottom lip as they walked up the stairs to the roof, wondering what exactly he had up his sleeve.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru questioned softly as he swung her up in his arms.

"Where we are going, Koishii, the roof becomes steep just before we reach it. I would hate for you to fall." His tone was light as he quickly moved across the dark roof.

Kaoru stifled a gasp as she spied the pallet he had made on the roof. Blue eyes roamed over the entire set up and she shot him a look of both question and surprise.

Kenshin gently smiled and guided her to sit down. Kaoru eyed him his own lean form settled against the pillows, a feeling of anticipation slowly twisting its way into her stomach. Kenshin's eyes held promise, as well as something she could not put her finger on.

"Kaoru," Kenshin murmured, breaking the still of the night. His fingers slowly thread through her own, the back of his thumb caressed her knuckles. "Kaoru-Koishii you probably wondering exactly why I have brought you up here."

Not as much as you think, Kaoru mused as she thought back to the conversation with Misao. "Somewhat."

Kenshin nodded his head, wondering exactly how he could brooch this. Self-confidence was something that Kenshin never lacked, especially since he had learned how to be a singular entity, rather than a fractured piece of the whole. But there was something about Kaoru that drew out the shyness he hid so well behind his amber gaze.

"Tell me." It was a request.

Kaoru dropped her eyes; it was one thing to speak of such things with Misao and an embarrassed Soujiro, it was another thing to discuss it with an amber-eyed man who melted her bones with one heated glance.

"I know about the Ki and blood exchange." Kaoru admitted as she plucked at the hem of the blanket. "I am not one hundred percent sure of what it involves, and I also know that it is considered a marriage and will entail..." Kaoru felt her face flush dark red.

"A physical binding." Kenshin finished, his voice a dark purr. Kaoru looked up as his eyes darkened to the stormy mesh of violet and gold, a gorgeous display of color and emotion that was simply Kenshin.

Kaoru licked her suddenly dry lips and nodded. His eyes promised a dark devotion that was both awe inspiring and devastatingly terrifying.

Kenshin reached over and ran his hand from the edge of her temple to her lips, gently tracing the contours of her mouth with a feathery touch, so vague it seemed almost a phantom caress.

He wanted this woman; with her stormy eyes, her thick midnight tresses, her full silky pout, and that adorable blush. His. Everything about her was his. His to touch, his to claim, his to own. Simply His.

"You're mine, Kaoru-Koishii." Kenshin breathed, his voice slipping into the lower register that marked the emergence of his carnal emotions. "I want you." His voice was possessive, holding that furtive and passionate edge that never failed to send warm tingles down her spine.

"Kenshin." Kaoru breathed in surprise and slight wariness. This wasn't the Rurouni her past memories brought to life, this was the man who had found her in a empty apartment building, who had ravished her in his car, and who had melted her bones with his amorous attentions. Which also meant that the rules had been tossed out the window.

His face was a mixture of amusement and hungry possessiveness. The rest of the violet faded from his eyes and melted into a haunting gold. He brought her hand to his lips, brushing his tongue across the spidery veins and trailing his teeth over the skin.

"I want to make you mine." Kenshin told her roughly. His eyes burned into hers, urging Kaoru to cave into his demands; that she melt into the raging fires within him, that she let the inferno consume her very essence and forge her soul. "I need to make you mine, Koishii. Let me take you beyond all that you know, surrender to me, to this. Please Koishii, I need you."

Kaoru trembled slightly at the pleading in his voice, at the warm fire that thrummed through her own veins. He was asking for more than just her body, Kenshin wanted possession of her soul. And just like the night he asked her for the right to court her, she found herself unable to push him away. She was trapped in a web of pure fire and unable to protest, let alone survive without it.

He must have read something of it in her eyes, read the emotions and expressions that danced through her dark gaze, because he allowed a slow sensuous smirk to pull at his lips, but instead of moving any closer he actually pulled away.

"Koibito," Kenshin told her softly, his eyes never leaving hers, the distance only causing her to crave what she knew would come soon. "My people always offer a mating gift to the female beforehand, and if she accepts then she is giving her consent."

Kaoru blinked lazily at him, slowly nodding in understanding.

He pulled out a tightly rolled piece of paper held together by what looked like a band of some typed and offered it to her, his eyes promising both dark fire and a burning possessiveness.

Kaoru reached out with trembling fingers and pulled it from his palm, her eyes never straying from the sheer force of his gaze. If she had not been watching she would never have believed his eyes could burn brighter, but they did.

Looking down Kaoru was startled to see that the band was actually a ring. A series of sapphires held in place by a delicate band a white gold, reminding her of a tear drops on a gentle beach.

"Something for your eyes." His voice all but purred.

Kaoru licked her dry lips and gently pulled it from the paper, and was surprised when his long fingers took it from her shaking hands and gently slid it on her left ring finger.

"A sign for foolish mortals that you are taken." His dark voice answered even before she questioned him.

Kaoru felt his encouragement to open the carefully rolled paper, and when she did her eyes widened. It was the papers to her family's Dojo.

"I have kept them for a long time Koishii, knowing you would one day want them back." Kenshin murmered, his voice a low rumble of emotion.

Kaoru raised her glittering eyes to his and gave him a brilliant smile, and as if that was the breaking point he reached over and pulled her into his lap. Firm lips crushed her soft pout, seeking the contact that he had so desperately needed.

Kaoru gripped his arms, seeking to balance herself against the onslaught as his tongue explored the caverns of her mouth. One hand raised itself to tangle in his low tail, pulling the band away and setting free his crimson locks.

Kenshin wrapped one arm around her waist and carefully lowered Kaoru to the pillows, careful not to alarm her but insistent in his emotions. He could feel the prick of his fangs, desperate to taste her essence again, to feel it coating his parched throat.

Levering himself with one arm Kenshin pressed their bodies flush, his hands digging into the raw silk of her hair, desperate for the contact. Pulling back, he allowed Kaoru a moment to rest, lovingly suckling her bottom lip and gliding his teeth over the delicate flesh with breathless ease.

Kaoru gasped sharply when he nibbled her bottom lip, moaning and keening as he lapped at the blood kiss, his breathing irregular and his hands tugging her deeper into his embrace. Their Ki swirled in a beautiful miasma at the puncture points.

"Mine." Kenshin breathed, pulling back. His eyes bled black with ill-contained passion. "Tell me your mine." Heated lips dropped to her jaw line, his fangs carefully avoiding her skin.

"I'm yours." Kaoru panted, his lips and tongue reeking havoc on little sanity she still possessed.

"Good." Kenshin breathed as he ran his tongue down her slender neck, his hands grazing her side, and slipping past the alcove of her hips, trapping her form. Their legs entwined, bound by his dark strength. Kisses were laced along her neck, leaving a fiery trail in their wake. His tongue slowly circled the jugular, seduced by its lilting pulse.

"Mine." Kenshin hissed once more before biting down hard. Kaoru arched into his frame, her low moan of pain dying almost before it began. Kenshin kept his heated mouth firmly latched to her neck, gently lapping at the thick blood stemming from the puncture wound, and delighting in the way the tension seeped out of her lithe form, leaving it slack against his.

Kaoru felt the world slip off its' axis and slither away into the dark pool of emotions that Kenshin had been drowning her in. Her entire existence was comprised of him. His lips. His tongue. His heated mouth steeping her body in rivulets of molten passion. Kaoru felt herself float away, trapped in some strange paradox of a dream, cradled only in his possessive, fiery, and loving arms.

Kenshin pulled back only after her heartbeat began to slow, her body completely at the mercy of his touch. Reaching for the small dagger he had brought for this reason he sat up, languidly pulling her to his chest. Holding out his wrist he made a slice, mimicking the mark on her own.

Raising it to her lips, Kenshin coaxed her to suckle, to devour of his essence. Sooty lashes fluttered as she drank. After she had pulled enough to spark the change he pulled his limb away, watching as the flesh mended itself and licking away the crimson excess.

Kaoru splayed bonelessly against Kenshin, feeling the last of the blood course down her throat, carving a molten path down to her stomach. It didn't hurt, not when he cradled her so protectively. In shadowy consciousness she barely acknowledged the aching burn that tore through her muscles, the lightheadedness and sagging weight of her limbs, the white-hot pain lancing through her gums, the razor sharp teeth grazing her ravaged lips.

"You have to bite me Koishii." Kenshin whispered in her ear. "In the neck, where I bit you."

Kaoru, surrendering her control to the carnal instincts now seeping into her bones, twisted against Kenshin's form, her teeth sliding into his skin. Ravenously she pulled the same essence from his sinewed neck that had earlier, been pulled from her own.

Kenshin's molten eyes fluttered closed as he felt her new sharp teeth sink into his neck. Twisting hard to the right he lowered them both back down before he reciprocated, sinking his own fangs into her soft neck once more.

And then it happened.

Kaoru felt as if her world had shattered with this second tasting of blood. It rolled and pulsed, collapsing into a million pieces beautiful fragments of herself. All that existed was the warm weight of Kenshin covering her form and the tang of his blood in her wanton mouth. All that mattered was the fire that started out as a flicker and raced through her being, and morphing into an all-consuming inferno.

Their souls touched.

Kenshin felt his Ki being expelled from his body. The very heat that scorched his entirety every passing day, the very essence of his soul being thrust into the delicate stormy-eyed Vampire under him, only to be replaced by something altogether more. It was as if his fire was fed, transformed, and amplified by her own. The taste of her rich blood on his tongue, the sensation of his Ki being forged and melded with hers, the miasma of emotion that was simply Kaoru being trumpeted throughout his being, and swirling into something that was singular. Them.

'Can you here me Koishii?' Kenshin questioned mentally, remembering the stories Hiko had told him.

'Yes.' Came her surprised voice, the feeling of it coursing through his veins in response to her emotions.

Kenshin rumbled his reply, emotions passing pure and clear between them, a promise that later he would explain. Kenshin shuddered lightly as Kaoru's feelings were forged into his being.

And then he pulled back, gently tugging himself free of her stunning fangs.

Kaoru lay panting below him, her lips swollen and crimson with his blood. Reaching down, Kenshin gently ran his tongue over her mouth, prompting her to do the same, lapping up the last traces of their intermingled blood.

"What was that?" Kaoru finally managed, her voice a mere whisper.

Kenshin pulled her close, his eyes a welcoming amber, cooled slightly by the knowledge that at least in soul, she was now his. "Our Ki was transferred into each other, balancing us out and pulling our strength to the front." 'If you concentrate you can feel it.' He silently confided, his tone gentle and warm.

Kaoru raised startled eyes to him, but did as he asked. It was like the night she was attacked in the club, his Ki was dark and aggressive, no longer contained within its barriers but completely swathing her in its dark hold.

"How do you do that?" Karou asked him, her expression curious. He was talking to her in her head again, and if she remembered correctly she had talked to him as well.

"Because of the change Koishii," He replied softly, "Your brain can now handle such things, and mimic what it sees. If I had tried to speak to you in this way before, I would have harmed you."

Kaoru nodded and was content to lay in his powerful arms, even as she was aware of an ache slowly beginning to build within her, her own carnal desires seeking release.

Kenshin slowly propped himself up on one elbow, his hair falling around his face in a curtain of blood red, and his eyes shining with moonlight once again. "I want you Koishii." His words where simple but held a wealth of meaning.

Kaoru flushed but held his gaze. "But you have me." She whispered.

Kenshin gave a lazy smile. "Not completely." And reaching down he captured her lips once more.

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