Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin, or any of its characters. I've gathered Vampire facts around the web so therefore I take no credit on that part, but I do own the plot.

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Chapter Three

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Kaoru's eyes widen at the gift that Battousai, the Ruler of Earth, was so willingly giving to her. Her eyes were dancing as the cerulean-colored pendant gleamed brilliantly off of the light of the dim moon, which had somehow managed to get past the clouds and the stain glassed windows of the Throne Room.

"It's absolutely gorgeous," whispered the 17-year-old as she reached out her long slender fingers and gracefully caressed the blue-colored stone. There was definitely something about the necklace that drew her to it, something that went deeper than the pendant's outer beauty.

"And it's all yours," replied Battousai, raising the precious item so her eyes were level with it.

Kaoru's eyes left the trinket and locked with her future husband's guarded ones.

"Is it that difficult to trust me when I say that this is now yours?" Battousai feigned innocence as he frowned at her in disappointment.

Kaoru had to stop herself from rolling her eyes. "What's the catch?"

Battousai looked at her with mock hurt before asking in an ersatz offended tone, "Cannot the King of Earth give his future queen a gift?"

Sapphire orbs narrowed dangerously, there was no way she could ever fully trust the Vampire before her, or so she thought.

"Then you don't accept it? If not, then I can always give it to someone else," teased Battousai as he wrapped his fingers around the pendant and moved his hand back, out of Kaoru's reach.

"No! I mean…. I never said I wouldn't take it," stated Kaoru quickly, her eyes never leaving the exquisite mineral in Battousai's hands.

"Indeed you didn't." Battousai looked down at the powerful weapon in his hands before throwing it to her. It wasn't as if he could make it work without her anyways.

Catching her 'present', Kaoru smiled as she cradled it carefully between in her palms. The moment that she touched it, she knew that she was meant to have it within her possession, now and forever.

Just as she was about to move her ebony locks aside to put it on, Battousai took the necklace from her hands.

"You said that--" Kaoru didn't get a chance to finish her sentence, because Battousai had vanished and suddenly appeared behind her.

"As my queen, you're not going to be allowed to do anything at all without my consent, unless of course it's to please me," spoke Battousai calmly as he took the liberty of helping her wear on her new jewelry.

Taking her by the shoulders, the Vampire turned his bride-to-be around and forced her to look into his mesmerizing, yet mysterious, honey-colored eyes. He only smirked maliciously as he saw the determination and defiance in her gaze. She was all spit and fire, just as he remembered her.

"There are only three rules that you have to engrave in that small mind of yours. Firstly: You are never to defy me. Secondly: You are to do everything in your power to make me happy. Thirdly: Leaving my side is not an option. Understood?"

Kaoru internally cringed at how dark and commanding his words were and could only nod when she felt pressure being applied to her shoulder blades.

"Good. Now let's get going," said Battousai as he turned around and opened the door to reveal a very relieved and very mischievously looking General of the Crimson Guards.

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"Blood can taste just as sweet, and just as delicious, as red wine. The thickness of it flowing down your throat and replenishing you is extraordinary. So much that you never want this new feeling to go away, until you realize that draining the human before you completely would result in your own death," spoke the old, yet enthusiastic voice of the speaker on the podium before the creatures that had become of age.

The anxious novices all stood on the school grounds with beaming eyes as one of the oldest Vampires spoke to them about the honor that was placed upon them by being turned into a Damned and being able to live on their own. They all wore their black robes with pride as they waited for their teacher to finish his last lecture and allow them all to roam the world freely as full grown adults in the eyes of all Vampires.

The orator smiled at his students and knew that they would all become great leaders one day. He knew that they could all make a difference and maybe even put the humans in their places.

Okina raised a hand to silence the slowly growing chatter of his pupils.

"Today is the day that you all leave my watch and live on your own with the other Vampires, and of course, feed upon actual humans instead of just the blood that we've collected from them. You have all been taught to discard any evidence so that you do not litter the grounds with the mortals' bodies. Before I let you all go, I have very good news to tell you all. Earlier on this week, I was sent a letter from Lord Battousai himself and was asked to read it in front of you all," said Okina as he held up a white envelope for them all to see.

Whispers were exchanged at the mention of the King's name and even some females began to giggle. At the Elder's cough, they all fell silent.

"I shall summarize what it is that our Supreme Ruler has written, for it is in the ancient tongue of our kind. Due to the changes that our ancestors and we our selves have gone through, the old language is something that none of you would understand," started Okina as he opened the envelope.

The young vampires bowed their heads and looked at the ground as they were taught to do when they were addressed by His Royal Majesty's letter. Even Lord Battousai's written work was to be respected as if it were him speaking to them himself. Anything that had to do with Lord Battousai was cherished amongst his own kindred, for if it weren't for him, they would all still be hiding the shadows in fear of the Humans finding them and slaying them.

"I, Lord Battousai, have sent some of my best men to the grand school of Aka Ketsueki to search for capable workers that shall assist me in my castle. My men have been secretly eyeing each and every one of you to find those that seem worthy enough to serve me personally. After much thought, they have sent me the list of Vampires that seem qualified. Those that have been chosen are to get into the carriage at the main entrance and ride to my home immediately. The following have been chosen: Kuro, Okon, Shiro, Omasu, and Misao," said Okina in a loud voice with an air of importance around him. He smiled at the five students that looked up to him with sparkling eyes.

"Let me explain to you all that the list was written much more formally, but since no two students have the same first name in this graduating class, I thought that I'd call you five up informally," added Okina as the five went up to hug him before racing off to the carriage.

Giving a sigh once his five prized students left, Okina raised his hands once again to shut off the noise of congratulations that the others had given their classmates. He chuckled warm heartedly as the youngest of the five turned around with her long braid swaying in the wind and waved to him one last time before vanishing from view.

Turning back to his other awaiting students, he once again continued his speech.

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The girl's moans in his ears grew louder as he kissed her pale skin. He felt his dry mouth water as he trailed his lips from the woman's mouth to her neck and slowly to her shoulders.

Ripping her kimono open, the Vampire moved lower towards the chest area just above his victim's breasts.

Slowly, he allowed his fangs to pierce into the woman's flesh.

Biting down and sucking the red content right out of her body, the Vampire felt his body jerk back to life as the liquid dripped down his throat. The more blood he consumed, the stronger he seemed to become.

Ignoring the cry from the human, the Captain of the Crimson Guards continued to satisfy his thirst before placing the seemingly lifeless body back on the futon.

Standing up, Enishi licked his red lips before smirking down at the exhausted woman with a satisfied expression.

Adjusting his black cloak and clothes, the Vampire moved toward the closed shoji door, but before he could open it, the door slid open with a snap. He smiled as he recognized who it was.

"Did she satisfy you?" asked the owner of the Sakura as she peaked over the Captain's shoulder and saw the unconscious girl on the futon.

"Hai. She's not dead if that's what you're asking, Yumi. I left enough blood so that she'd remain exhausted for a few hours at the most," said Enishi as the female Vampire side stepped so he could get out of the room.

"You're the only considerate one, Enishi. Those other bastards drained the girls so much that they can't live on the few drops left behind. I lost 25 girls today because of those jerks," complained Yumi as she shut the shoji and ordered one of the other girls to help the one inside.

"I wouldn't want you to run out of business," replied Enishi as he gave her a grin.

"I thank you then. Oh yes, I thought that you'd like to know that General Sagara never came by with that other girl," informed Yumi as they both walked down the steps of the Sakura.

"Really now?" asked Enishi surprised, his brows reaching his hairline in amazement.

"My older girls would have crooned over the rooster head if he had came," smiled Yumi as Enishi chuckled at the General's nickname.

"I thank you for the drink, Yumi," said Enishi once he was on the last floor.

"Just make sure that you come here more often! It's aggravating to have to talk to drunken morons all the time," said Yumi as Enishi turned around to face her.

"I will," promised Enishi as he took Yumi's right hand and brought his lips to her wrist. He gave her another smile before making to leave.

"Have a safe trip back to the Castle," yelled Yumi after Enishi's retreating figure from the Sakura's entrance.

Enishi turned around one last time to give Yumi a fanged smirk before exiting the building.

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General Sagara Sanosuke was grinning from ear to ear as he saw his king and future queen step out of the Throne Room. A part of him was relieved that he wouldn't have to go searching for the right girl again, and another part of him was happy that the older Vampire had finally decided to get a wife. Their kingdom was now complete, there was finally a king and queen to rule over the world. He had almost thought that Battousai would never get mated.

"Lord Battousai, Lady--" greeted Sanosuke with a bow as he waited for the girl to answer his unasked question.

"K-Kaoru," whispered the 17-year-old as she shuffled her feet uncomfortably from the way he addressed her.

"Lady Kaoru," Sanosuke finished his previous sentence before raising his head. His eyes suddenly widened as he saw the pendant that was around the teenager's neck.

Looking at the item and then back at his lord, he bowed his head once again when he was met by glaring amber orbs.

Battousai calmly answered Sanosuke silent question, "This way, my people will know who I've chosen as my mate. You know the capabilities of Amaterasu's pendant, Sano, it's just as powerful at Akuma's."

"I understand, Sire. Are you going to transform--" started Sanosuke as he eyed Kaoru before facing his lord.

"Have the servants set up the Ceremonial Room," was all that Battousai said as he walked past his bowing General, his future bride following by his side nervously.

Sanosuke only stared after the couple before quickly leaving to do as he was ordered.

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