It's modern day. The streets are rife with violence; corporations are corrupt; assassinations, commonplace. Himura Kenshin, known only as Battousai, is a shadow assassin for an organization so secret even he doesn't know who truly runs it. But Battousai has an even bigger secret; one that if it were ever discovered would mean more than his death…it would end in the total annihilation of his soul. Battousai is not only the deadliest assassin to ever prowl the dark streets of night…he is also a vampire, one of the oldest still in existence…and a rarity among his kind.
He has a soul.
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Rurouni Kenshin Fanfic
Rurouni Kenshin & Samurai X Original Japanese Version © N.Watsuki/Shueisha * Fuji-TV * SME Visual Works Inc. * Sony Pictures Entertainment
All Fanfics created by Chiruken (me) were written for the sole purpose of shared entertainment and not intended for publication or sale.
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Tears of Eternity
by: Chiruken
Chapter 10
The trust offered in that single, simple gesture…the mere act of one small hand willingly being placed within his sword callused and eternally blood-stained palm…it was a most humbling experience for him. Such a pure and gentle soul…am I doing the right thing? Am I truly the right one to be her Mentor? Uncertainty, an unfamiliar emotion, curled through him, taking seed, causing confusion to twist through his mind. What is it about her? What is it that draws me to her? Why can't I just walk away? Closing his eyes, he inhaled the fragrant night air, feeling his senses filling with Kaoru's scent that seemed to be fused with the familiar aromas of the sleeping city.
"Um…" His attention was drawn once again to the young woman at his side. "Where exactly are we going?" Her voice was soft, uncertain…frightened sounding.
"A place where we can talk." He murmured softly, slowly opening his eyes again to take in the shadowed streets around them, gaze traveling with careful attention for anything out of the ordinary that may prove to be a danger.
He heard her draw in a deep breath, the cloth of his cloak rustling as she drew it tighter about her shoulders. "Can I just go home? We can talk in the morning…"
He shook his head emphatically. "I'm sorry, Kaoru. That isn't acceptable. This is a subject that should have been addressed long before now." When she remained silent, he sighed softly. "Is that what you truly want? To go home?" He halted, his hand on her shoulder stopping her as well. "Ignoring this will not make it go away, little one. Failure to face the changes will result in much discomfort and mental anguish. I would spare you such a fate, if I can."
"I just want to go home…to sleep…and when morning comes this will all be a horrible nightmare and nothing more…" He leaned closer as she whispered the words of denial. "This is just a terrible, terrible mistake…too much stress, too much caffeine…I need a vacation, that's what…yes…get away from it all…away from the city, the crowds, the deadlines…yes, that's what I need…"
Grasping her shoulder he shook her lightly. "Kaoru, listen to me. It won't go away no matter how much you may wish it would. You have no choice but to accept your fate and learn to adapt to it. If you try to fight it, you'll only end up hurting yourself." He scowled when she continued to mutter denials under her breath. "Listen to me!" He shook her again and raised his voice slightly, startling her out of the beginnings of what appeared to be an anxiety attack.
"Stop shaking me!" She slapped at his hands. "There's another reason why I want to go home…" She gestured down at her cloaked form. "I want to have a shower and put some clothes on. I'm not used to running around at night with near strangers in my bra and panties."
He could feel a flush slowly creeping up his neck. Despite the centuries of his existence, he really was lacking in proper social interaction…especially with females. "Oh." He looked down at the ground sheepishly. "I'm sorry." He offered her a soft smile, amber gaze contrite. "I didn't realize, Kaoru…please forgive—" His words were cut off abruptly by a piercing scream echoing off the buildings lining the deserted street. His head came up abruptly, eyes narrowed, expression tense.
Kaoru looked around, eyes wide in her pale face. "Wh-what—"
"Shh…" Kenshin held up his hand, silencing her as he continued to send his senses out into the surrounding area. Finally he lifted his had and pointed to the left. "It came from that direction." He took a few steps in the direction the cry sounded from and paused, glancing over his shoulder. "Stay here." He ordered curtly.
"Not a chance!" Kaoru hurried after him and he paused to pin her with a glare. "Don't give me that look. I know you're a killer, but I also know that you don't intend to do away with me…" She paused to swallow. "At least not yet."
"And how does this…"
"The way I see it, if I stay close to you, at least that way I'm with a known danger. If I'm alone, I have no idea what could be lurking in the shadows. That's why I'm coming with you."
"Of all the…" He raked a hand through his hair and finally nodded. "All right, all right." Shaking his head at her amazing streak of stubborn willfulness, he grabbed her hand and pulled her along behind him. "Stay behind me, Kaoru."
"A-all right." She put in a valiant effort to keep up to him, impressing him immensely.
As they neared where he estimated the scream to have originated from, he scowled, sensing several people in the area. Kaoru…there are four…be careful and stay behind me.
Four? He smiled, despite the gravity of the situation at her ready answer through the mind link they'd already established. How do you know that?
Later, Kaoru…I promise to explain later. Rounding the corner he released her hand to grasp the hilt of his long sword, narrowed amber gaze taking in the scene in an instant and relaying the information automatically to his companion. Three men, one girl…see to the girl, Kaoru.
"Got it." She didn't question, merely acted, ignoring the rough looking men as if they didn't exist. Dropping to knees she cried out. "Misao!"
Caught off guard, he faltered, glancing towards the two young women briefly. Kaoru?
Choking back a sob, she held the other young woman tightly. "M-my roommate…" The rest of her words were drowned with tears. Oh Kenshin! Look what they did to her!
Wincing at the anguish filtering through their connection, he turned back to face his opponents. "You have committed a terrible act of meaningless violence against an innocent and defenseless child. For this, you will be punished. Prepare yourself for justice." Swiftly drawing his sword, he sprang forward, effectively eliminating the threat the three men would have posed to future women in an instant. Raising his arm he swiftly flicked his wrist, eliminating the blade of much of the blood coating it. Bending slowly and grasping the edge of the nearest man's shirt, he wiped the rest of the blood from his sword before straightening and sliding it into its sheath with a snap. Turning slowly he crossed the narrow street and knelt beside the two women. "Kaoru?"
"I think she'll be all right…" She bit her lip and turned her tear-filled sapphire gaze on him. "Please help me get her home…" The soft entreaty emerged on a barely audible whisper.
Nodding slowly he lifted the small form into his arms. He paused for a moment and glanced down the slender column of her throat, exposed by her position in his arms with her head falling limply against his shoulder. Quickly tearing his gaze away, he was reminded brutally that he hadn't fed yet and the scent of blood clinging to him did nothing to help relieve the growing thirst rising up within him. Closing his eyes briefly, he fought down the beast within and drew in a deep, calming breath. Opening his eyes again, he took in the young woman's appearance with a frown. "She may need medical attention."
"I know a place…" She turned her steps back they way they'd come earlier. "Follow me, it's this way." Left with no other choice, he did as she bid him, steps silent as he followed through the deserted streets to a small clinic not far from where he'd found Kaoru with Saito.
**To Be Continued…**