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 15
Sighing softly, Kaoru closed her eyes wearily. It had been one hell of a nightmarish night. She didn't want to deal with anything or anyone for a long time to come. The questions had been terrible. She knew Aoshi hadn't believed half of what she'd said, but she was thankful that he had pushed though she knew she was going to be in for it later when he stopped by for some of Misao's things to take to the hospital. At least she was going to be all right. Slowly she turned her head towards her silent companion. He'd remained silent through most of the questioning, adding his own comments sparingly when needed. She had a feeling that her new 'friend' wasn't very comfortable around people. "So…now what?" As much as she wanted to curl up into a little ball and sleep for a month she knew there were issues they needed to discuss.
"Are you sure you want to talk about this now? I understand if you wish to wait." She smiled at the quiet concern in his soft voice. Killer he may be, but he also was a very nice person. She wondered how many mass murderers were like him…a seemingly harmless young man, slightly built with a sweet little smile that could melt the heart of anyone unfortunate enough to have it directed towards them. He seemed quiet and mild mannered, yet what she'd seen at the clinic belied this impression. She'd never seen such efficient brutality before. It was frightening, yet somehow she wasn't afraid of him…at least not completely.
"Yes, I think it would be better to get it over with now." She forced herself to sit up straighter and opened her eyes. "Okay. Let's start with this telepathy thing. What's with it? Why am I suddenly able to do it now when I couldn't before?"
"Um…" He sat forward elbows resting on his knees as he clasped his hands together, amber gaze direct as he regarded her. "It's called the Awakening, Kaoru." She looked at him blankly. "There are a small number of individual throughout the world that have one thing in common…a slightly different genetic makeup. I don't have the proper terminology to explain it fully, but suffice it to say that it sets us apart from the rest of humanity."
"I…see…" She frowned, thinking back to her biology classes and the chapter on genetics and heredity. "All right…it's like some sort of extra chromosome or something, right?" She pursed her lips thoughtfully. "Kind of like a mutation, right?"
"Er…close." He wore a somewhat sour expression. "Mutant isn't quite right, but it'll do. You get the general idea."
"So what does this have to do with me? Are you saying I'm a…a mutant?"
"No, not at all. I told you that mutant isn't the correct term…" His words trailed off. "Look at as being the single fair skinned person native to Africa."
She held her hands up. "Okay, okay. Different, unique…I understand. Continue."
"Firstly, the Awaken. It the time in which your body and mind will go through many changes. It usually occurs at the onset of puberty, but some will experience it later…as you are now. You will find that you are more sensitive to light…particularly sunlight…and slowly your body will switch from a diurnal to nocturnal schedule…"
"Wait…what's…diurnal? I understand nocturnal, but…" She spread her hands in a gesture of helplessness.
"Humans, by nature, crave the daylight hours. Everything is accomplished in this time…work, most socializing, the eating of meals. Night, on the other hand, is a time of rest. That is to be diurnal, Kaoru."
"So…I'm going to turn into a night owl?" She tilted her head to the side in consideration. "I guess that isn't so bad…I keep weird hours anyway, so…"
"It isn't just that. During the day you will feel sluggish, weak. It isn't that you can't function, it's just that your body will be fatigued and unable to sustain you at your normal level of activity." When she nodded her understanding he continued. "You will also begin to feel the first symptoms to what is referred to as the Thirst."
"The…Thirst?" The way he said it she had the distinct impression that the word should always be capitalized, that it was of great importance. "What's that?"
"I will get to that in a moment. There are other changes that you should be aware of as well. Physically you will be stronger and faster than most humans…your hearing will become much more sensitive and your night vision will increase."
"God…it sounds like some science fiction story…superhuman abilities…it's a little hard to believe." She frowned, feeling uneasiness sneaking up on her. "Um…what's the catch?" She caught her lower lip with her teeth. "There's always a catch…" She muttered under her breath.
"Yes, there is always a price to pay, Kaoru. These…gifts…are no exception. As I've already stated you will feel an increased sensitivity to light which can range from merely annoying to downright painful. Your body will heal faster from injuries…but at the cost of increasing the effects of the Thirst." He paused and looked away for a moment. "The Thirst, if not controlled, can become all consuming, leading to the path of insanity if it isn't seen to…"
"Okay…that's officially creeping me out, Kenshin." She shivered and wrapped her arms around herself. "What is it?"
"The Thirst…sometimes called the Hunger…is a craving, urge, desire…need…" He paused and cleared his throat. "Which is experienced as an intense sensation of thirst…or the symptoms of withdrawal if it isn't seen to. As you stated in the clinic it's like an addiction, Kaoru…and very difficult to deal with if you aren't prepared."
She felt her mouth go dry. "What…" The word emerged on a croak and she cleared her throat before trying again. "What exactly would I be craving, Kenshin?" Her hands shook as she felt a sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach. She hoped her suspicions were incorrect. She needed her suspicions to be proven false.
"Blood." He spoke softly, yet she heard him clearly. She jumped to her feet, knowing her eyes held a wild, panicked expression. He rose as well. "Please, Kaoru…sit down. Let me finish…"
"No. I think you've said more than enough already. What you're saying is that I'm some kind of freak…like those lunatics from the clinic. Well, I'm not! You hear me? I'm not like that!"
"It isn't like that at all!" He stepped closer and she retreated. He stopped and shook his head, a sad expression flitting through his eyes. "You aren't freak, Kaoru. You're special…unique. You don't have to become a slave to your needs, like Daishi and his gang. You can control it and I can help you learn how. But you have to listen to what I have to say."
"So you're saying you're one of them, too? Oh God! I should've known!" She flopped down onto the couch again. Burying her face in her hands she resisted the urge to scream uncontrollably. The most frightening aspect of the whole situation was that she knew he was right. She wouldn't be able to deal with this without his help. She had a feeling her life was about to become a lot more complicated than her worst nightmares could ever prepare her for.