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 13
Eyes wide with fright, Kaoru opened her mouth to shout out a warning to Kenshin only to swallow the words on a sharp gasp when the four strange men who she suspected weren't human launched themselves as one in attack. Backpedaling frantically she threw herself over Misao's prone figure protectively when the red head met the attack. She didn't know if she trusted him or not, but he seemed to be the least fearsome out of the lot at the moment. At least he hasn't tried to kill me…yet. Pulling Misao's unconscious form off the low bench to the floor, she rolled her under the furniture and positioned herself in front. I can't let them get to her…she's vulnerable like this. If only I could get to the phone…
Stay where you are, Kaoru! It isn't safe to move. Eyes narrowing she turned her gaze back to the battle taking place not far from her. Kenshin was outnumbered, yet it was obvious that he wasn't outmatched. Despite herself she was awed by the sheer power he exuded as he drove the four larger men away from her position on the floor.
"Who uses a sword in this day and age?" She muttered under her breath, impressed despite the archaic weapon.
"Kenshin does." Sanosuke knelt beside her and peered at the other young woman. "She okay?"
Starting in surprise at his sudden appearance she wondered briefly if he wasn't human, too. "No, she isn't okay. She was attacked and needs medical assistance immediately, but you and your friends…"
"They ain't my friends." The words emerged on a growl. "Who attacked her? Kenshin?" He didn't want to believe it, but then again, vampires were notoriously unpredictable.
"Of course not!" Kaoru glared at him indignantly. "Do you think I'd be here with him if he had?" Turning her attention back to the red head's desperate fight she frowned. "Shouldn't you be helping him? I mean, you're his friend, right?"
Sanosuke snorted. "Right. No one's friends with the legendary Battousai. And he doesn't need my help." Here he grimaced and shrugged. "I'd just get in the way right now."
"Battousai?" She repeated slowly. She'd heard him referred to by that name before but she didn't understand what the significance behind it could be. "I don't think he likes that name…" She murmured softly.
"Hell no, he doesn't like it!" He gave her a look that questioned her intelligence. "Why do you think he got so pissed when Daishi called him that?" He made a rude sound. "Not real quick on the uptake, are you?"
Giving him a dirty look she turned back to her friend and roommate. "I don't think I like you, whoever you are."
"Sagara Sanosuke." He supplied helpfully, tossing his mangled toothpick aside. "And I don't really care what you think of me. You aren't the first to not like me and I doubt the last."
"Good for you." Pressing her fingers against Misao's throat she frowned at the erratic pulse she detected. "She needs a doctor…" She whispered, her worry increasing as she took in the girl's pallid features, seeing the ugly bruise forming on her temple. "Oh Misao…" She felt tears prick her eyes.
"Doctor, huh?" Shifting to a crouch he shoulder her out of the way. "Move. The doctor's in a back room."
"Megumi? She's okay? Thank God!" Closing her eyes briefly in relief she grabbed his arm. "Help me get Misao to her!"
Shaking off her hand, he scowled at her. "Let go. Kenshin said don't move, so we don't…"
"I don't care what that psycho said! She's my friend and she needs help now!"
"Psycho?" He repeated incredulously, wondering if the elder vampire knew what she thought of him. "Probably…" He muttered under his breath.
"If you aren't going to help me, then get out of my way!" Shoving him roughly to the side she pulled the uncscious young woman's inert form out from under the protective barrier the bench afforded, ignoring the sounds of fighting from behind her. Despite her harsh words, she truly hoped that Kenshin would be all right. If she had to choose between him and the four others, she'd choose the known over the unknown any time. He frightened her, but not like the others had. She suspected that if he didn't win this fight she was as good as dead along with Misao and the young man beside her. Biting her lip hard enough she tasted blood…here she was distracted momentarily, feeling a strange craving forming in the pit of her stomach and spreading outwards to engulf her, causing a thirst to begin that she'd never felt before…she lifted her friend by her arms and began dragging her towards the back of the clinic.
Kaoru! Stay down, damn it! She ignored Kenshin's angry tones and continued towards the small hall, now closer, yet still so very far away.
Shut up! Leave me alone! Misao needs help and I'm not going to sit by and watch her suffer…and maybe die! Exerting all her strength, she felt tears fill her eyes. She had to make it! She just had to…
Sanosuke rolled his eyes and hurried to her side, casting one last look towards the battle taking place a short distance from them. Kenshin was obviously hard pressed and unless a miracle occurred he wasn't about to win without taking some serious damage. "He may be a vampire, but he can still die…" He muttered before bending to lift the young woman into his arms. "Come on, little girl. Let's go."
"V-vampire?" Kaoru felt the blood drain from her face. Oh God…I knew there was something really weird about him! Just my luck…
"You mean you didn't know?" He stared at her for a moment in shock. "How could you not know?" His tone told her what he currently thought of her intelligence.
"Oh shut up, already!" She pushed the door open and waited for him to pass through before moving to follow. Casting one last look at the fierce battle destroying the reception area of the small clinic she gasped in horror. "Kenshin!" She cried, letting the door swing shut and darting across the room to jump on the back of one of the taller vampires as he knocked the smaller man back forcefully and moved to pounce, a wicked-looking dagger suddenly materializing in his hand and poised to plunge into the red head's chest.
"Kaoru!" Ignoring his horrified shout she sank her teeth into the vampire's shoulder and reached up to grabbed fistfuls of his lanky hair, kicking him for all she was worth. She felt a moment of triumph when she tasted blood and heard his howl of pain. The next instant she was airborne and pain exploded throughout her slender form when she impacted against the reception desk hard enough to knock the breath out of her and stars to dance in her vision. I told you to stay down! Kenshin's anger was obvious yet somehow, she felt no fear of him. No, all her terror was reserved for the vampire now bearing down on her, murder and revenge glinting in his bloodshot eyes.
"Oh no…" She moaned softly, closing her eyes to block out the sight of the fist bearing down on her with inhuman speed.