Shadows of the Night

"AAAAH" she charged him with full force letting all her anger and frustrations out.

He easily dodged her attack but was caught off guard by the amount of rage and power she was exuding.

She panted for breath and had worked up a fevered sweat across her face and down her throat. Yet her eyes were unrelenting and she looked like she was ready for attack once more even though they'd been sparring for over an hour now. Amaya charged him again with her bokken in hand.

Kenshin leapt out of the way and wondered what had gotten into her. Just hours before she seemed perfectly happy at settling their little dispute from the office. "I thought she was over it…" he thought, "she looks like she wants to kills me."

He could see the intensity in her eyes and was both bewildered and uncontrollably fascinated by them, and by her. He searched her thoughts for any indications of anger towards him but only found her in deep concentration before he could see what else. "Yes, there it is, she's absolutely enraged at something. But what?" he continued to probe but was momentarily disrupted as she charged again.

As he dodged her again, he decided to calm her a bit and engaged in an intricate sword dance with her. Their bodies moved effortlessly around the room and she only grew more intent on bringing him down each time.

"The way she looks right now you'd think she was born with a sword in her hands" he mused.

Fiery blue met intense amber. "Damnit, why can't I get him just once" she thought frustrated by her lack of swordsmanship skills against his. "Argh…the little bitch…"

"Bitch?" he was taken aback by her last words just as she ran towards him. His eyes grew wide with surprise as he narrowly missed her bokken from hitting him and had to use his immortal powers to do so. "Did she just call me a bitch?" he was shocked.

He stood up straight and held his bokken with one hand, "Amaya everything okay?"

She panted for breath and her intense gaze relaxed into a softer more surprised one, "Never better, why?" she breathed while wiping sweat off her brow.

Kenshin had to keep from laughing at the casual tone of her voice and seemingly innocent remark.

"Well for one you seem a bit angry and that's why you're attacking blindly. You have to only concentrate on the techniques we went through and learn to channel your emotions." He wanted to ask if she was still angry at him, but truly dreaded what the honest answer to that would be.

Amaya replaced her bokken back in its resting place and she bowed to Kenshin who bowed back. "Sorry Kenshin, I'm not angry at you or anything. I just…I guess it's just my frustrations over still not being able to find out who I am. It's been weeks and no word from any family or friends? I mean I must have had a job or something! I…it's like I just got dropped here out of the plain blue sky."

Kenshin understood the anger in her actions now, "Amaya I know it's difficult, but everyone is really trying their best…"

"Oh I know Kenshin! I don't want you guys to think that I don't appreciate anything you've done for me…" she squeaked back.

"But with all the recent homicides in the area, the police are solely focused on finding out who's behind it all. I have Aoshi and even Sano trying to find out information and we'll just have to be patient. I'm sorry this is so hard for you…"

"It's not your fault. I guess…" she looked away and sighed heavily, "I'll just have to wait a little while longer."

Kenshin smiled at the young woman and wondered where she drew courage and strength in such uncertain times in her life. "For one she doesn't even know what you people really are!" came a voice from deep inside him. "Could you imagine when she figures out you're just as bad as the psycho maniac murder on the loose right now? She'll be utterly disgusted and horrified. And don't loose sight of why she's here in the first place. You're letting your pathetic emotions get the best of you…" it trailed off leaving him dazed.

"I think I'll go get cleaned up. See you at dinner, thanks for the session" and she walked out of the room.

Kenshin stood for several more minutes basking in her white hot aura and strength before finally calling Aoshi, Sano and Yahiko to join him.

Aoshi and Sano walked in after several minutes, alone as requested.

"What's up?" Sano asked.

Aoshi stood silently as ever awaiting a response.

"Any news on the murders in the area?" Kenshin asked getting right to business.

"From what we know there are no witnesses and no survivors. The wounds are seemingly from claws and teeth, but I've felt no presence of any wolves in the area. We've heightened our security and even our patrol to find out but they always come back with nothing" Aoshi stated.

"I already know all this" Kenshin's eyes flashed with frustration.

"Well the only survivor is the little Missy herself, but" Sano started.

"But we can't exactly depend on her recollection can we?" Kenshin interrupted.

Sano was surprised to hear the curt reply from his longtime friend, but understood the importance of the situation.

"Any news on her origins?" the redhead asked calming himself.

"Nothing. No immediate family or friends, no records of a job and we're just going on her description here. We can't even get a name on her" Aoshi stated in his monotone voice.

"Damnit" Kenshin spat. "This is unbelievable! All the money and resources and we still cant find out who this one girl is? What about Megumi's testing so far? Any developments on that end?"

Sano dreaded being the bearer of even more bad news, "No, she said that she's responding to the tests with no problems physically, but they all still come back inconclusive. She said something about the memory being a very gray area in science at the moment…yada yada yada."

Kenshin inhaled and exhaled through his nostrils and the two men thought for moment he'd spit fire at them over the news. "Take her fingerprints, blood for DNA and whatever else you need to enter her into every database in this city. Police, city, federal, companies under employee history, I don't care! And if you still don't find anything, expand your search. Report back to me immediately with your findings. She must have come from somewhere."

"And the wolves?" Sano added.

"We just don't have any information on that yet. Haven't you heard anything from your sources Sano?" Kenshin fired back.

"I've been keeping my ear out for any news out of the ordinary but have heard nothing. I asked around about any new shady characters things like that, but nothing."

Kenshin thought about this and felt frustrated to say the least. "How can we protect ourselves if we don't even know who our enemies are?" He was met with silence and continued, "Sano have a few of your most trusted men go out and survey the areas around the murders to see if they find anything. If so, tell them not to interfere and just report back ASAP! Aoshi I need to know everything the authorities know…case files, reports, everything! I'd like to see what they have in possession for evidence."

"But Kenshin, we probably know more than they do! After all they're relying on forensics, footwork and witnesses. We can detect if it's wolves even before they know…"

"That's true, but right now we don't even know that much. It won't hurt us in the least to just take a look at what they have. Maybe we're overlooking something, maybe they have suspects they're investigating that we can then investigate on our own. I'm not above using any means necessary to find out what the hell is going on right in my city, my home!"

"Where is Yahiko?" Kenshin asked. "I asked all three of your to join me."

"Well let's see, the biggest possibility is that he's with Ninna. Oh and that reminds me, she's bit ah, rude let's say, towards Amaya and that's putting it nicely" Sano answered.

"I don't have time for that sort of trivial nonsense. She's been on a high horse for quite some time I've noticed. And more importantly she's been keeping Yahiko from his duties more and more frequently. I'll have to speak to Yahiko and her about this at a later time. For now I think Amaya can take care of herself against childish remarks from Ninna" Kenshin thought about the fiery raven-haired woman and had to keep himself from smiling.

Sano smirked and nodded acknowledging the smart-mouthed young woman he'd spent time with on several evening at home. She was sharp and quick witted, but still had so much to learn it seemed about the world around her.

"Alright then, see you at dinner" Kenshin left the two men and headed for his chambers.

The sparring had him worked up and he hadn't had the chance to enjoy a fresh mealsince Amaya had to drive home with him after work. The last drop of blood to touch his tongue was the tainted, drug riddled sips from Tomoe.

As he walked past Amaya's room door, he could smell the fresh smell of Jasmine and clean skin radiating from within. She was no doubt still plunged in her bath and enjoying the warm water on her muscles. He could sense the calm and euphoria of her mind being at peace. Kenshin shook himself from his thoughts and locked himself in his bedroom chambers.

Meanwhile Amaya enjoyed the warmth and wet embrace of the scented and soapy water all over her skin. The day had certainly been trying on her nerves and she was even happier to soak her poor, tired feet in the warm water.

She rested her bed back against the bath pillow and breathed in the heavenly scents of the jasmine bath and lavender scented candles. For a few moments she wanted to forget her immediate worries and even her situation. She wanted to pretend that this was where she truly belonged. She was serene and peaceful but her thoughts were interrupted by the unforgettable images of that vile woman at Kenshin's office. Tomoe.

How could she forget that woman and her rude remarks? "Argh, that bitch can't even leave me in peace during my bath!" But she knew that it was a loosing battle she was fighting at the moment. "Why am I getting myself so worked up over her anyway? She's just…trash!" She was content with that thought. "Right! Trash that probably had her scanky little legs wrapped around Kenshin…" she shot up from her bath struggling to try and stop her train of thought. "Damn, why am I thinking about this so much?"

She shook her head and decided that it was nearing time for dinner. "Aside from whatever she has to do with Kenshin, the next time she messes with me, I'll just have to smack that little smile off her pretty red lips!" She was content with that last thought and happily dressed in her casual lounge wear consisting of straight legged white sweats, matching tube top and covered up with a cropped zip up.

After giving her damp hair a quick brush through, she hurried down to the dining room. "Damn, running late" she dashed past the large grandfather's clock in the hall and found everyone already seated at the table.

She softly apologized for being late and made her way to her seat next to Misao, giving her a warm smile. "I can't wait to tell her what happened today…" Amaya smiled as she gave Kenshin a glance.

Kenshin cringed slightly at the thought and Misao raised an interested eyebrow.

"So how was your first day Amaya? Tell us!" Misao chirped as all eyes set on the young woman.

Amaya was caught silently off guard and nearly chocked on the wine she was sipping. "Ah, it was good. A lot of work but I made a few good acquaintances and even met a really cool chick, Jane!"

"Sounds interesting. So Kenshin had to you slaving away where?" Sano joked.

Amaya glanced at Kenshin before replying. "She's smirking so devilishly and planning on making me squirm" he thought.

"Wasn't so bad, just data entry work" she replied simply and smiled once more at Kenshin.

"So what did you do for lunch? Walk around, see the sights?" Misao asked.

Amaya remembered the conversation Kenshin had had with her upon returning from lunch with Jane. "We went to this spot a few blocks away and actually it was really nice and laid back. I ate so much food!" she giggled.

"You went with Kenshin?" Megumi asked mischievously.

Amaya blushed slightly, "N-no, with Jane. She knows the guy that works there. I think he has a crush on her or something. Kenshin was busy for lunch, right Kenshin?"

She looked at him innocently enough and all eyes traveled to the redhead. "I had prior appointments set and she would've been bored if I brought her to those meetings. Besides it seems like she enjoyed herself walking around with Ms. Nguyen" he quickly responded.

Amaya smiled and turned her attention back towards Misao, "Yea, she was very nice! You should meet her!"

Misao smiled at her friend and took another bite of her food. After a few moments of silence, Sano decided to break the ice.

"So Missy, how did those shoes work out for you today? When you tore through the room this morning I was sure you'd tumble down the stairs!"

Amaya gave him a look, "Well not like you guys would understand, but they hurt so bad!" she giggled. "Oh my gosh, I just wanted to start walking barefoot at one point!"

They laughed at her comment, all except for Ninna who only rolled her eyes but Amaya didn't notice.

"Anything else interesting happen?" Misao probed. Kenshin looked up at Amaya who was already looking his direction. She then looked at Misao and smiled, "Not really. Just work and lunch for now. Let's see what tomorrow brings!"

Kenshin had to wonder what she meant by that as her thoughts only returned to the meal in front of her. After dinner was over, Kenshin asked Yahiko to remain in the dining room with and excused everyone else for the night.

"Aoshi-sama has to go into the city for some business, why don't we take a stroll around the gardens to work off this dinner?" Misao softly asked Amaya as they left the dining room.

"Sure…" Amaya replied wondering if she should share the day's entire story with her.

"Let me just go and grab a light jacket and I'll meet you at the stair case" with that Misao bounced out of sight.

Sano and Megumi had long disappeared into their quarters and Aoshi was no where to be seen. Amaya turned and saw that the only person left was Ninna. "Great" she groaned.

"Don't think I'm excited to see you either" the girl snapped.

"Huh?" Amaya wondered where that had come from. "What are you talking about?"

"Don't get smart with me! You know exactly what I mean!"

Amaya struggled to keep her composure as the days' frustrations threatened to manifest themselves towards the girl. She gritted her teeth and swallowed her anger for the moment. "Ninna, did I say anything to you? Why do you insist on messing with me?"

"Humph, don't try to be so smart! Amaya! That's not even your name. I don't see why Kenshin doesn't just dump you at some police station or homeless shelter where you belong."

"What the hell is your problem anyway?" Amaya raised her voice slightly.

"My problem is that I have to be in your disgusting presence everyday! My problem is that you seem to think that you're a part of this family somehow! Joking and laughing, who the hell do you think you are anyway? You're just trash that Kenshin decided to bring home one day and just never left. Like a growing open sore!"

"Trash!" Amaya fumed. She'd been called trash once before that day by another despicable woman and had been forced to let it go. This one wouldn't be so lucky.

"Listen to me you little twit!" Amaya walked towards the girl with her finger pointed harshly out.

She stopped as the girls features twisted and she seemed to hiss at her through glowing green eyes. "Did she just…HISS at me?" Amaya thought dumbly as the dining room door swung open and Kenshin rushed out followed closely by Yahiko.

"That's enough!" Kenshin stood in front of Amaya and blocked her vision of the now growling Ninna. Yahiko went to Ninna's side to calm her.

"What's going on here?" Kenshin asked knowing full well since the argument took place only feet from where he and Yahiko were.

Amaya shuddered and snapped out of her stupor to wonder if the redhead would accuse her of this argument as well. "Wonderful Amaya! Just get yourself in another mess for the second time today! Why couldn't you have just ignored her?"

Kenshin turned to Ninna before Amaya could answer. "Yahiko take her to your chambers and I'll be in shortly to discuss this."

Yahiko nodded understandingly and wrapped his arms around the girl's shoulders before shoveling off down the hallway. Kenshin turned back towards Amaya who was completely dazed and confused at the moment.

"Did she just growl at me?" she thought before focusing on Kenshin looking at her.

"Kenshin I…" she started.

"Amaya I know. You don't have to explain anything to me. I heard everything through the door. That girl has no concept of discretion and she had no right to say those things to you. I just wish you hadn't engaged her in the argument she was looking for."

"Well if you know she was looking for it…" she stopped her stubborn thoughts, "I-I don't know what came over me, I guess just anger from…this afternoon" she finished softly. "Those eyes though, and the hissing and growling? Like she was some sort of animal!" Amaya's thoughts tried to make sense of the scene and Kenshin intercepted before she could question too much.

"Amaya you should probably get some rest before work tomorrow. You already had a long day and then burned a lot of energy during the exercises. You can stand to put off your walk with Misao for the time being and just relax."

Her thoughts were still with Ninna and she absently nodded and started towards the staircase leading to her room. Misao, along with Sano and Megumi, had heard the arguing from their rooms but wisely acted ignorant. As Amaya walked to the staircase, she met up with Misao.

"Hey what's up? I heard shouting" Misao asked in her most concerned tone.

"Oh, uh n-nothing. Listen, let's just chat in my room huh?" Amaya offered. "Kenshin said not to go for a stroll tonight and considering he's had to break up two of my arguments today, I should probably just listen to him for now."

"Sure" Misao replied and the two made their way to Amaya's room.

"Wait! How did Kenshin know that we were gonna' go for a walk? I thought Misao and I were talking as softly as possible…but he did hear us arguing later, but then again we were screaming…oh damnit, I'm just looking too into it again." Amaya's thoughts were a cluttered mix once more as she and Misao sat down in the lounge chairs on her balcony.

Misao asked one of the maids to bring up a bottle of wine for them and they sipped it contently in the mild weather looking out into the night's sky. They made small talk for several minutes about Aoshi and what Amaya was wearing to work tomorrow, but Misao had other plans.

"So what really happened at work today?" Misao interrupted Amaya's thoughts.

"W-what? Nothing, I told you…" she stammered

"Oh please! The way you were looking at Kenshin while you were talking to us was a clear giveaway that you were hiding something! Come on! Tell me!"

Amaya giggled and wondered where to start and how much to disclose. She decided that Misao had been wonderful to her these past few weeks and deserved the truth. "Well okay, let's see where to start? I met the usual characters, his old secretary Ms. Tsao, but she's really nice. Then Jane the front desk receptionist for all the important executives" she made a face as she said the last part causing Misao to giggle.

"I know that much silly…tell me the good stuff!" Misao squeaked.

Amaya chuckled at the request as the wine started to give her a slight buzz. "Okay, okay. Jane needed to go downstairs to get some package or whatever and no one else was there to watch the desk so she asked me to do a favor. Not 2 minutes after she'd left me alone to watch the desk on my first day at work, but a hoity-toity, snotty ass bimbo makes her way out of the elevator."

Misao looked intently on and read her friends thoughts to see the description of the female she was talking about. Meanwhile, Amaya took a last gulp of the wine and poured herself another glass.

"I mean you should've seen the rack on this chick. Actually I think everyone saw since she was wearing this slinky little dress. Anyhow, she was pretty I'll give her that much, but this bitch had the nastiest attitude! Oh my gosh I thought I was going to bash her head in when she called me...hmm...let me put just right, ah yes, 'trailer trash tramp'.

Misao gasped, "What! She called you…"

"Yep! Trailer trash tramp! I was like hold on for a second! I don't even know where I'm from so how could she be calling me trailer trash? Anyhow so I got into with her and wouldn't you know that Kenshin comes rushing out just as I'm screaming at her!"

Misao sensed the change in tone in the girl's voice as she spoke from that point on, "So what did he say to her?" she asked softly.

"To her? More like me! He told me that I shouldn't be making a scene in the middle of the office like that no matter whose fault it was. I mean…when I think about it, he was right."

Misao raised an eyebrow at the comment.

"Yea, I should've kept my mouth shut and beat her down later!" Amaya laughed.

The two burst out into laughter at that and took several sips of the wine. "Well and Kenshin did apologize later on for everything."

"Were you very upset by it?" Misao asked.

"Eh, a bit, but I brushed it off" Amaya lied. "No need to tell her that I cried like a baby in my office."

Misao picked up on the thoughts. "Was she a business associate?"

"Um, I-I don't know" Amaya thought bitterly about the amount of time the two spent in his office. "I mean she wasn't dressed very business-like. And she demanded to see him not caring that he was in a meeting, which is why me and her argued in the first place."

"Ah, one of those" Misao quipped.

"Huh?"

"You know…afternoon delight!" Although Misao knew better that he probably just used her as a quick picker-upper since he couldn't have gone out for lunch or after work with Amaya.

"Yea, Sano mentioned something about that a little back, but whatever. I'm not his mother or anything so I don't care. I just don't like the bitch!" Amaya wasn't sure how convincing she sounded and her mind settled on Kenshin once more.

"Oh, I have to show you something…" Amaya ran inside the room and came back out a few seconds later.

She presented Misao with the Movado watch. "Oh nice! From Kenshin I presume?"

"Who else?" Amaya smiled.

Misao looked at her mischievously and smiled.

"I mean, who else would give someone something that expensive looking. I-I guess he felt bad or something…I don't know" Amaya struggled under Misao's stare.

"Riiight, Amaya, you like Kenshin huh?"

"WHAT! NO! Oh my gosh! How are you even asking me that…" she turned a few shades of red and couldn't keep the smile from curling on her lips.

"Look at you! You're all flustered just thinking about it" Misao teased.

"It's the wine!" she tried to argue.

Misao only laughed at the half-hearted attempt and settled back down. "Come on Amaya, Kenshin's a good looking guy. No one would be surprised if you did like him."

Amaya looked down at the dark liquid in her glass only to see her reflection staring back up. "It doesn't matter" she sipped, "he's with Tomoe. And besides, I'm sure he doesn't feel the same way towards me. I mean I don't even know who…"

"Who you are. Yes we know!" Misao interrupted. "Amaya, all of that doesn't matter and you shouldn't take what Tomoe-Fomo and Ninna say to heart. Kenshin's not concerned with social or economic standing."

"Right, is that why he's with Tomoe" Amaya interjected dryly.

"He's not with her. She just won't leave him alone from the sound of it. Kenshin's never even brought her home! Not once! Never told anyone about her for that matter."

Amaya looked bewildered, "So?"

"SO! Duh! He brought you home without even knowing who you were. He's always spending time with you sparring and stuff, and is always worried about you."

Amaya was speechless as the words sunk in.

"Think what you will Amaya, I say there's something there" Misao sunk into her chair and took several more sips.

"Worried about me? He, he…no, no, that can't be!" Amaya sat in silence as his image kept running through her mind.

--- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------------

"I've asked you all to be as discrete as possible around Amaya until we get things sorted out" Kenshin fumed at the green-eyed girl.

By now, Sano and Megumi had joined Yahiko, Ninna and Kenshin in the quarters after hearing the screaming match between the two women.

"I don't understand why she's here though? Why should we have to hide in shame because of her?" Ninna retorted.

"In case you don't know since you probably don't leave this delusional little vacuum of yours, we're under high security alert and she's the only one that can tell us from what!"

"Right, because she has all the other answers to our questions like who she is or where she's from! She's just another stupid human that you've brought in here for no other reason than your amusement!" Ninna screamed.

Kenshin looked at her wanting to ripe the voice from her very throat. Yahiko tried his best to calm his companion knowing all too well what could happen if Kenshin was enraged.

"No Yahiko! Let me speak. I'm so sick of all this! For the past few weeks we've been lurking around like prisoners in our own home because one single girl!" She turned her glaring green eyes towards Kenshin in defiance, "For what? She lives here as if she was born into all of this. What use is she to us? We can't hunt in peace, we can't act as we normally do. NOTHING! Because of some stupid girl who doesn't even know her own name?"

Megumi intervened before Kenshin would have to respond, "Ninna you had better watch your tone. Are you so uncivilized that you don't know who you're addressing?"

"I'm not the one that's uncivilized. The uncivilized one is that filthy mortal…"

"ENOUGH!" Kenshin roared and the room quieted. His eyes blazed towards the young girl. "You are in no position to make any tactical decisions in this house. Because of you Yahiko has had to miss countless meetings and discussions, which is why I had called to speak with you Yahiko." Kenshin looked at the young boy he'd known for centuries as his own younger brother. "Everyone has to adhere to rules in this house, including Amaya. She is well aware of that."

"Kenshin's right Ninna" Sano added, "Missy hasn't done anything wrong and it's not like we're animals that need to trot our lifestyles in front of everyone. In these times we have to be discrete from everyone not only her!"

Megumi placed a hand on Sano's shoulder impressed by his sudden spurt of maturity. "Yes and you've been egging her on for quite some time Ninna. She's not cattle or trash, none of them are. We depend on them for our survival, don't forget that."

"I-I don't believe this!" Ninna shot up looking towards them all. "You are all going against me because some human? Her life is about as significant as a filthy rat and yet you're blaming me who you've known for centuries?"

"Ninna calm down" Yahiko tried his best, his patience wearing thin, "we're all on the same side here…"

"No we're not! NO WE'RE NOT!" she screeched and pushed his hands away. "You all are under that witch's spell and when you realize that, it'll be too late! I…" she broke down into tears and buried her head into her hands.

Yahiko soothed her by gently stroking her hair. He looked up at Kenshin who only looked back in frustration, "I think this is enough for one day" he muttered before walking out. Sano and Megumi followed, leaving Yahiko with Ninna still crying in his arms.

Kenshin went immediately into his chambers through another entrance so he could deliberately avoid Amaya's room. He wanted nothing to do with her or anyone at this point and could only focus on the burning craving erupting in the pit of his stomach.

The time read nearly 11 pm, the night was still young and his desires demanded to be satisfied. For a second time that day he'd been enveloped by the force he only knew as Amaya. She'd managed to drive him insane by disappearing during lunch, then arguing with Tomoe, and now with Ninna.

He wasn't sure if he should be surprised by that after seeing her fire during their spars. "I feel like she'll burn me if I continue to get closer…" he decided to control the hunger inside him. "I can't let this control me. Every time I get angry I can't expect to spill blood…" Besides that, he had no desire to see Tomoe or any of his other casual acquaintances that night.

Slipping off his constrictive shirt, he decided to enjoy a chalice full of the perfect temperature liquid stored in the built in refrigerator in the room. He walked out onto the balcony and looked out over the night sky, sipping his drink quietly. Before long the gentle wind brought another sound to his ears. "Laughing? But who…" he knew that giggle, "Amaya" joined in by Misao. He couldn't keep himself from the conversation.

------ --------- -------------- -------------

Amaya had long forgotten her turbulent first day at work and even the argument with Ninna just a short while ago. The wine and Misao's energetic company was mostly responsible for that as the two girls giggled on.

"So how long have you and Aoshi been together?" Amaya asked. Her bright blue eyes were hooded and relaxed from the dizzying amount of glasses of wine she had had.

"Ah, it seems like forever" Misao sighed.

"Aww! Why no kids?"

Misao looked longingly into the night sky, "No time right now I guess" she lied knowing full well that bringing a vampire child into this world would only mean a lifetime of torture for it.

"Oh. Well I want kids I think" Amaya continued slightly slurring her words. "Lots of babies…" she rambled on.

Misao giggled, "Maybe you've got someone waiting for you…"

Kenshin listened intently for an answer, his heart clenched slightly for some reason.

Amaya smiled, "Nah, I don't think so. Wouldn't he have put in a missing person's report for me or something? Or wouldn't he be going crazy wondering where I am?"

They both laughed and Kenshin let out a breath. "Why am I so relieved to hear that?" he chastised himself.

"No…I'm all alone…just me myself and I" Amaya continued.

"Hey you're not alone. We're all right here with you!" Misao corrected.

"Thanks" came a gentle answer.

"Well it's already late and you look like you're about to pass out at any second. So how about we call it a night? Oh and you have work tomorrow! How are you gonna' wake up?" Misao laughed.

"Eh, I'm with the boss remember?" Amaya joked and Misao laughed aloud.

Kenshin smiled remembering his comment to her that morning.

"No, I'm off to bed in a minute. I just want to sit here for a few" Amaya waved.

"Okay, don't fall asleep out here!" Misao walked out and closed the room door behind her.

Amaya settled into the lounge chair comfortably and looked out over the perfect full moon. She took the last sips of her drink and walked over to the balcony railing.

Kenshin too finished his drink and continued to search out her warmth in midst of the cool night. He wondered what was on her mind.

"Kenshin…" he jerked back after hearing his name reverberate through her mind. He wanted to hear more and continued to listen in, "Misao you couldn't be more wrong. What would Kenshin want with someone like me? I've been nothing but trouble for him ever since I got here. He's just being nice because I have nowhere else to turn. The most I can hope for is for him to keep me near and he doesn't have to know how I feel."

Kenshin was speechless at the unspoken words. For him, they came pouring from her soul. "She…this can't be…" His heart warmed at the thought of the young woman harboring such feelings for him, but quickly darkened. "What am I thinking? I'm a…a…monster! She'll never accept me for what I am! The minute she finds out what I am she'll want nothing more to do with me or anyone here."

Amaya looked out into the darkness of the forest and had just decided to turn in for the night. She removed her zip up top and decided she was a mix between too tired and slightly drunk to change. Just as she was about to walk into her room, she sore a shadow moved from the edge of the trees in the distance.

"I must be seeing things…" she muttered while straining to see through the cover of the night. Yet when she looked again, the shadow seemed to glide closer towards the castle gates. "What in the hell…" it only got closer and swooped up and over the walls as if they were only mounds on the ground.

She stretched over the edge of the railing trying to figure out where the figure had gone. "Okay, that was no animal!" she stated.

Suddenly a sharp burst of wind and energy came up at her and knocked her backwards on the balcony floor. She looked up from where she'd fallen to see the same overbearing figure from earlier in the day looming over her.

Her body filled with panic and fear and she opened her mouth to scream only to have it covered a pale, cold hand. She mumbled and fussed to somehow escape its icy grasp, but failed miserably. Being caught off guard and by surprise she struggled to figure out what was happening to her and who this person was.

It was dressed completely in black and brushed it dry lips against her ears. Its breath hit her and her stomach churned into a thousand knots as a tongue flickered against her skin. "Kaoru" came a ragged voice. It was male and seemed to be filled with anger and lust at the same time. She shut her eyes and prepared to try one last attempt to escape its clutches as her heart dropped.

Just as quickly though, the figure was flung clear across the balcony in a streak of black. She struggled to asses what happened as two hands wrapped around her waist and pulled her up. As she was spun around, she came face to face with Kenshin.

"Kenshin!" she was elated to him, but at the same time very confused. "But where…"

He pulled her behind him and faced the dark shadow now standing before them. "Stay behind me!" his voice was harsh.

Kenshin had heard the change in Amaya's heart beat and even when she questioned the shadow as it made its way up to the balcony. He thought nothing of using his god-like powers and swooping around to her balcony.

Amaya looked on in fright after recognizing the man from the restaurant and also from somewhere else. "Where have I seen him before? He looks like…like…" and it came to her at once, "my dream?"

"More like nightmare" Kenshin added. She looked him still facing away from her and wondered how he could've known what she was thinking.

The dark shadow only looked on at his most despised enemy. Finally Amaya could see his face clearly. Black straight hair that hung over his face. His eyes were almost the same color as Kenshin's but glowed with a taint of yellow in them. She could still feel his cold grasp on her and his disgusting tongue on her ear.

"Who the hell are you?" she asked out of anger.

"His name is Saitou Hajime" Kenshin offered for the man.

"What? You know him?" she asked in disbelief.

"He knows me very well" the shadow replied. He walked towards them producing a shiny katana. Without another word, the figure rushed them. Kenshin gathered Amaya in his arms and in one smooth leap dodged the attack. He landed on his feet, with Amaya still in his arms near the French doors.

He set her down, "Get back and stay there."

Kenshin tensed and his eyes glowed with rage as his fangs descended. In his haste to find out if Amaya was alright, he'd neglected to get his blade.

Amaya also tensed behind him as she saw the change in the Kenshin. "Wha-what's going on?" she struggled. "What is this…"

"GET BACK!" he ordered now giving her full sight of his long sharp fangs and demonic glow in his eyes.

Her blood ran cold in her veins as she froze in fear. "Kenshin…" was her only response just as he swooped forward towards Saitou for another attack.

The two met wits with one another and after several seconds of Kenshin defending and attacking, Sano and Aoshi burst into the room; their eyes glowing and fangs showing clearly. Amaya could only watch at the three men stood facing Saitou.

"What do you want hunter?" Aoshi glared.

Saitou only laughed menacingly before answering, "Your heads of course you evil, vile creatures."

"Not tonight" Sano leapt forward and Saitou barely missed the onslaught of fists and claws.

Knowing he was outnumbered, Saitou jumped backwards onto the wide railing of the balcony sheathing his katana. "I will be back for what's mine Battousai" he glared at Amaya, "in the mean time you should watch out more carefully for what's yours."

With another laugh he jumped back from the balcony and disappeared into the shadows once more. Sano went to go after him, but was stopped by Kenshin. "Wait! He wants you to follow. We need to be more tactful."

"Damnit, how did he get in here?" Sano snarled.

Kenshin looked towards Amaya, "He followed her."

The three men stared at the girl and she could feel their cold gaze tearing her apart. "You're…you're not human." She backed away from them cautiously.

"Amaya wait" Kenshin started slowly walking towards her making sure to keep his voice as soft as possible.

She knew better than to trust that voice again and turned from the three men running swiftly out of the room. "STAY AWAY FROM ME…" she tore down the hallway in search of the nearest exit.

"Stay here, I'll go after her" Kenshin bolted out of the room behind the girl.

Amaya ran down the long hallway, her long black hair swaying behind her. She could feel him just behind her, and hear her name on his lips. "No, no…" she ran faster.

Shooting down the stairs, she went straights towards the front door and found her one time friend standing in front of her. "Amaya listen to us" Misao tried to reason with her.

Amaya saw the glow in the petite girl's eyes as much as she tried to mask it and knew instantly that she was trapped. "Stay away!" she ran back towards the staircase.

She saw Kenshin standing at the foot of the staircase and ran in the opposite direction. Knowing she was outnumbered she ran frantically ran into the exercise room and heard him just behind her.

Quickly she grabbed a katana from the wall and unsheathed it. Kenshin walked into the room and saw her standing ready to fight with his katana in her hands.

"Amaya put that down" he asked calmly.

"Fuck you, what the hell is this?" she spat back. Her hair was a disheveled mess about her bare shoulders. The look on her eyes relayed anger, disbelief and fright.

He saw the frantic urgency in her eyes and knew she was scared not only by Saitou but now by them, "by me" he thought.

"What are you people?" she insisted and raised the katana ready to strike at him.

"We're vampires Amaya" he decided to be as straightforward as possible. "And if we wanted to hurt you, you'd already be dead."

"Vampires?" she couldn't believe her ears, but it undeniable what she'd just seen.

"Yes, and that man on the balcony was a hunter."

"Holly shit! Vampires? Hunters? Next you'll tell me that your best friends are werewolves!"

"They're not exactly our friends."

"Oh my gosh, oh my gosh!" she was frantic. "You, Sano, Aoshi, Yahiko, that bitch Ninna" she swallowed hard before continuing and her voice began to crack at the last two names, "Misao and Megumi?"

"Yes" he took another step towards her and she raised the katana to his throat.

"Don't!" she warned. "This isn't real" her head was spinning and the entire world seemed to be turned upside down. "Vampires, werewolves…they're not real…no!"

"We are real Amaya we've been here for centuries among humans."

"You can read my mind! You all can!" she screamed. "No wonder you knew what I was thinking and…oh god…I think I'm going to be sick."

"Amaya just put the blade down. I promise you that no one in this house will hurt you."

"You promise?" she retorted cynically, "What does your word mean to me? Don't take another step or else!"

"I need to get out of here!" she thought and then almost slapped herself after remembering that he could hear her loud and clear. Her gaze met his and he was bewildered by the sight of her.

"I can hear you Amaya" he placed his hand on the blade of the sword as his blood started to coat the metal and lowered it from his neck, "and you're not going anywhere."

------ ------------- ------------------ -----------------

Well…she knows. Nuff said for now. More to come soon. Rei, thanks for the great ideas on how to whack that chick. I won't let you down!

R & R

Later!