Truth and Lies
AN: Yeah…so this chap has a lemon. Standard warnings apply.
The three men took their seats across the table from the rest of the group. They sat facing each other with tense and serious expressions chiseled into their faces. The plan had been for the two clans to meet, discuss the current situation and the possibilities of an alliance.
Aoshi and Yahiko sat on either side of Kenshin as Soujiro sat across from them. He'd asked the rest of his group accompanying him to stay a few feet back so that discussions could go on in privacy. The restaurant was in the city and a discrete place that Kenshin was familiar with.
"So what did you want to discuss Himura" Soujiro started in his bright tone. A smile graced his delicate features and it was hard to believe that he was the very same person able to turn his entire body into that of a ferocious beast.
"I'm sure you've heard about the mass serial murders that have plagued this city recently?" Kenshin started.
"Ah yes I have heard, and I've also heard that we were suspect of them?" he asked innocently.
"The bodies initially were thought of have the traditional wounds and markings of wolf attacks. We've only recently found out otherwise" Aoshi explained.
"Oh?" Soujiro exclaimed not at all impressed by the response. "So if that's the case, why the meeting?"
"We have found out that this wasn't done by any wolf, it was done by Saitou the hunter. He means to attack both of us and destroying both clans" Kenshin replied.
"Well in that case we'd just make arrangements to dispose of such a nuisance. Himura you aren't certainly worried about this pest are you?" he asked.
Kenshin frowned slightly at the jab, "What worries me is that Saitou is no longer a lonely hunter with inadequate weapons. He's organized himself among at least a hundred other hunters, he has been watching our steps, and has armed himself with the highest caliber of weaponry. What truly worries me is that he not only intends to go after us, he intends to show the rest of the world that we exist."
"Is that why he's been hacking up all those people?" Soujiro exclaimed in a mock miffed tone.
"This is serious for the both of us" Kenshin continued, "he's made direct attacks and so he must be dealt with immediately."
"Which is why you've called this meeting I suppose" the seemingly much younger man replied.
"Yes. We need to discuss a possible alliance. Both of us need to get rid of him and we both gain from that. I think I may have something of Saitou's keen interest tucked away" Kenshin began as Soujiro sat back and listened intently.
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Kaoru nervously sat in the small bedroom awaiting word from Kenshin's meeting with Soujiro. Megumi and Sano had returned from their trip in town and shared no information to her regarding it. She couldn't be too surprised at their initial apprehension towards her though, it was only natural.
So she sat, quietly on the bed and anticipated what would come next. After her conversation with Kenshin, she felt much more at ease over being in a den of vampires rather than traveling around with Saitou.
"Saitou" she thought bitterly. He'd been the sole cause for her life not to have a moment of normalcy. Now she waited for the chance she could take her revenge. Of course that also meant being at the mercy of vampires, and particularly Kenshin, but she found her supposed captor to be quite interesting.
The conversation they'd shared together was an intelligent and informative one for her. She couldn't help but be intrigued by their world and its ways for reason beyond wanting to slay them.
"Are you insane?" her mind reprimanded. "You're already in so deep that it's starting to seep into you. He's just as much as an enemy now was he was before. You're a human after all…"
Kaoru raked an aggravated hand through her hair as she focused on keeping her thoughts to herself. "After this is said and done, I need to just get as far away from these people as possible. Change my name, identity, everything!"
"Ha!" came the annoying second voice, "you think he'll just let you walk away from all of this? Of course not! You know too much about them. Who they are, what they are and for the most part how they operate. He's just keeping you around until you've served your purpose and then you'll be his snack!"
"NO!" she exclaimed. Her mind was beginning to play tricks on her and part of the reason was because she'd been holed up in the room for seemingly hours on end. "He gave me his word…" she whispered, beads of sweat formed on her brow.
She slumped back down the bed and looked up towards the ceiling. "You trust him so much Kaoru?" The question had been rather difficult to answer in the past because she'd never trusted anyone. Saitou was the shadiest character she'd ever known and those that surrounded him were no better.
"Yes…" she muttered under her breath, "with my life."
"Fool."
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Kenshin, Aoshi, and Yahiko walked into the small room back at the stronghold. Sano, Megumi and Misao were already waiting from them at the table as the three men entered.
"It seems we have their support in the matter and we managed to formulate a plan for luring him out and finally taking care of him." Kenshin said.
"What are the plans?" Misao asked curiously.
"Just what I said. Lure him out and strike him down" Kenshin repeated.
"Yes but how? You said that Kaoru had said there are so many lying in wait around the surrounding areas. We can't possibly fight them on all fronts!" Misao exclaimed.
"No need for that" Kenshin replied. "We'll need Kaoru's help and everything else will fall into place. Soujiro will also provide with the much needed combat hands for this. We'll bring her in here shortly and discuss it in further detail. She might as well hear what she'll be involved in."
"So the wolves will be involved after all?" Sano asked cynically.
Kenshin only nodded.
"Keh, what convinced em?" the brown-haired man asked.
"The need to continue living" Kenshin simply replied. "If anything happens to us at Saitou's hands, then Soujiro won't be too far behind and that's enough of an incentive for him to join us on this."
Sano looked towards Megumi, a serious expression etched in his features for once "Ready to tell 'em?"
Megumi nodded and looked back gravely at those around the table. "We found something just as I'd suspected regarding Kaoru. There's something in her blood, an abnormality…" she paused briefly, seemingly trying to collect her thoughts.
Aoshi, Misao and Yahiko furrowed their brows at the woman's words. Kenshin let out a heavy silent sigh as he already knew her revelation all too well.
"We did some genetic testing on her blood. Extracted DNA from the cells and charted the findings. As you all are probably already aware of, a child gets one set of genes from its mother and another set from its father. Now we all know that even though every one is born with the dormant Vampire gene, only those that are turned have their DNA fundamentally altered. Therefore if they were to transfer their genetic material to a child, it would then have the already fully mutated genes of the vampire" Megumi stated in her scholarly tone.
"Come on Megs, get on with it!" Misao wailed. She'd never been the patient one to sit through any lesson/meeting for long.
Megumi irritably cleared her throat and sent a glare Misao's way before continuing, "Like I was saying, we did some testing on her blood and found that Kaoru has definitive traits and characteristics of a…" she looked at Kenshin before continuing, "hybrid or half-breed if you will."
Heads and necks snapped up in her direction. Misao sat wide-eyed and shocked as Aoshi merely cocked an eyebrow. Yahiko stared blankly ahead of him trying to digest the information.
"You mean…" Misao started softly.
"Yes, her father was a full blooded vampire while her mother was a human obviously" Megumi reiterated.
Misao exclaimed in surprise, "What does that mean? I mean, what is she exactly?"
"Well we've always studied the predicted results of such a genetic combination, but never had an actually candidate to study. The father's genes are obviously dominant as opposed to her human mothers'. Her physical and mental capabilities are heightened greatly when compared to humans, but I'm not sure of the limitations" Megumi concluded.
"You mean you're positive that she's capable of doing the same thing as us, just not sure how good or bad?" Yahiko asked.
"To put it simply, yes you can say that. I'd have to conduct several tests with her first, but one thing I am conclusive of."
Kenshin looked up towards the doctor as did the rest.
"Her cells have stopped aging it seems at the present time. I wasn't able to pinpoint an age on her. Basically, she won't age at the same rate as humans, if at all."
Kenshin sat in silence as the scientific facts only proved to support his suspicions. Of course she was a half breed! The speed, strength, and telepathic abilities. How could he have not known sooner was what really plagued him now.
"How could this have happened and completely undetected?" Yahiko asked to himself.
"Saitou, that's how" Kenshin responded. "He knows exactly what she is, which is why he's kept her alive and had her safely tucked away."
"I don't understand?" Misao asked, "Why would he want her alive? He kills everything that's even remotely related to us!"
"He has bigger plans than just mindlessly wandering around killing vampires and werewolves. What they are, I'm not entirely sure of, but she has something to do with them" Kenshin replied.
"And she has no idea of his plans or her origins?" Aoshi asked.
"None."
"What now?" Yahiko asked.
"Yeah, do we tell her?" Misao added.
All members looked towards the amber eyed man. Deep pools of rich molten gold closed in contemplation before responding, "No…I will."
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Kaoru had sensed his return almost an hour ago. It was strange that she could pick out his aura, his scent and even this warmth from seemingly so far away now. The more she became aware of her hunter's instincts again, the stronger her abilities grew.
He hadn't come to see her immediately though. "Probably still plotting" she thought coolly. She'd forced her restless mind to quiet down and had lain in bed. Even to go and practice some katas and techniques would've been better than to idly lay around waiting for something to happen.
Just as her gaze drooped to half-open, she sensed him approaching. Her lids flew open and she sat up in bed anticipating him coming through the locked, weighted doors at any moment.
True to her senses, she heard the turning of the door knob and milliseconds later, his flaming red hair came into view. Quietly he closed the door behind him, as they both now held each other gazes. She was acutely aware that he was disturbed by something. Had the wolves declined his offer? Had they run into Saitou? Was he angry at her?
"Kaoru" he said sternly after seemingly centuries of just staring at her, "we have to talk."
She frowned at his tone and noticed the intensity in his eyes, which was directed at her. "Another interrogation" she groaned as she slid to edge of the bed.
He took his seemingly customary position in the large arm chair to the side and looked at her through mystical amber eyes. It seemed just a little while ago they'd shared so much between each other. "N-no…not so much. Just a meal and some conversation!" she scolded herself. Yet even if it was just a meal and a few words, she'd felt closer to him than ever before and now he was miles from the disposition.
"Not entirely an interrogation. I just thought you'd like to know a few things that have come to light recently" he started.
Her dread drained at his words, "Uh, sure. This have to do with your meeting today?"
"It does" his tone was smooth yet strong, soft yet stern, velvet. "Soujiro has agreed to help us and we've devised a plan to end this once and for all."
She could sense his walls were back up. Gone was the teasing and inviting tone from their dinner. "Alright, and?"
He continued, "We want to lure him out so that the first strike will decidedly be ours. There's no other way to get rid of this menace unless his head taken clear of his shoulders and the rest of his organization should follow him to hell as well."
"Understood" she replied as he paused.
"But we'd need your assistance in doing just that. It'll be a gamble and I…" his words trailed for a second giving her the inkling of emotion that lay beneath his cool, composed exterior, "I'd be lying to you if I'd say you wouldn't be in danger the entire time."
She smiled to herself as her head dipped towards the floor, "Tell me something I don't know" she softly replied.
Kenshin looked towards her, his heart twisting in his chest over the full breadth of the news he was about to tell her.
"Let me guess" she looked up, still smiling, "you want me to go back and somehow convince him to gather all the other hunters together and when you've got them where you want them, you'll swoop in for the strike? Did I guess correctly?"
Kenshin only nodded in response.
"So what's the big deal? I knew this wouldn't be easy. I want his head just as badly you want it. And since this is the sick sonuva bitch Saitou we're talking about, it'd be stupid to think this would be anything but dangerous" she quipped.
Kenshin said nothing, his expression remained solemn.
"Oh stop your brooding for a change" she laughed, "I've been in this from the start. Like you said, I'm involved in this to the end. Going back in there will be child's play for me. You just tell me when and where and I'm ready."
He noted the distinct hint of sadness and fear mixed in with her determination. Could he stand to lose her to Saitou's hand? Wait! Why did he care? She was after all, going to leave after everything was done and said, so why was he so attached to her?
"There's something else" he stated, this time not looking at her.
"Oh?" she looked towards him and laughed before continuing, "you cooked again?"
He didn't immediately respond, and her smile faded at the ignored jab.
"Megumi had taken some samples of your blood back when we initially found you. There wasn't identification or even police reports and since you had no recollection of your memory, we took some blood samples to enter into police databases for any matches."
Kaoru looked towards him and bent her head slightly to the side as her brow creased.
He continued, "Recently, in light of your telepathic abilities, she thought it best to have those samples analyzed."
She waited for more, but realized he was waiting for a reaction from her. "Oh, uh, okay. What happened? Am I sick or something?" she asked not even acutely aware of where this conversation was headed.
"No, not sick. She found that your genetic makeup is…" he looked towards her, "different."
"Different? What the hell? Okay, stop beating around the bush and just tell me already!" she impatiently snapped.
Still looking into the icy blue depths of her eyes, he responded calmly, "You're a hybrid. A mix between a vampire father and a human mother."
Her mouth parted in a gaping show of pure shock and amazement. The very voice that she commanded suddenly left her and there were no words to describe what his words meant at that moment.
"What?" she finally whispered, her eyes wide open in shock. Her hand clutched at the neckline of her top as the room suddenly seemed to spin out of control and close in on her. Her breathing became erratic as the lump in her throat only thickened.
"It's written in your very genetic makeup Kaoru" he looked on as the girl seemed to pass from emotions of shock to disbelief.
"N-no…this is…" she looked up at him, teary eyed and confused, "how could this?...why?...I…can't believe that…" she breathed deeply willing herself to regain some control of the world around her, but to no avail.
He watched as her words came out in raspy, breathless bursts, drained of all sense and energy. How could he begin to comfort her at this point? Should he even bother?
She curled her legs up her chest and sat at the edge of the bed, her head dipped into her knees. Wrapping her arms around herself, she rocked slightly back and forth as everything hit her again and again. Her mind was a disarray of memories and realizations. She was beginning to put everything together and he sensed something else rising in her. Anger.
"SON OF A BITCH!" she screamed as she lifted her head up.
A few rooms away, the rest of the bunch looked up in the direction of the scream. Sano looked at Megumi, "Yea she knows now."
Kenshin walked over to her sitting at the edge of the bed, as the girl continued to fume.
"HE KNEW THE ENTIRE TIME DIDN'T HE?" her eyes were wild with rage, her cheeks still stained and wet. "THAT ASSHOLE KNEW!"
She dropped her legs from her chest and over the edge of the bed. Her fists beat down harshly on the top the bed in either side as images of the last time she saw her mother flooded back to her. She looked up at him standing in front of her, anger still raging in her eyes.
"WHAT?" she spat, "You'll kill me now? I'm some sort of abomination to you and your kind?" Her very words bit at him as he recalled the conversation they'd had earlier.
"Well FUCK YOU, I don't care what you or anyone else thinks!" she continued. His solemn, composed expression shook her with anger even more. She rose from the bed and looked at him eye to eye, willing her weaknesses back to the recesses of her mind.
"Kaoru" he started, but she gave him no chance to finish.
"NO YOU LISTEN TO ME! I DON'T KNOW WHAT THE HELL SAITOU OR YOU HAVE UP YOUR SLEEVES BUT I AM NOT SOME LITTLE DOLL FOR YOU ALL TO TOSS AROUND!" Her defenses were higher than ever before.
They stood only inches apart as her heart continued to race with rage.
"Kaoru, I'm not here to pass judgment or hurt you. I've told you countless times that I don't have the slightest intentions of crossing you in any way." He deliberately kept his tone low despite the growing anxiety inside.
She shook her head in disagreement, clearly not believing him. "Liar" she hissed.
At the edge of loosing his nerve, Kenshin grabbed her by both shoulders and held her near him. "If I wanted to hurt you why would I have just finished telling you about our plans? Why would I have asked for your help?"
"Because your own damn neck is on the line, that's why!" she spat back, not in the least bit concerned that he was growing impatient with her.
His eyes glared with a dangerous ethereal glow towards her and calmed as he read the pain behind her anger. He moved closer towards her as she bordered again on the edge of breaking down in tears. Her anger was all she had to hide behind.
"I promise you that I will not let anything happen to you" he gently told her.
Her gaze snapped out of the accusing look she was giving him, to one of sheer confusion. "What?" she muttered, her tone calming.
"Everything that you heard about what was done in the past is exactly that, in the past. No one here will judge you, because in the end, we're all different from the rest of this world in one way or another. My trust in you still stands, I need to know if yours does as well, and I give you my word I won't let him do anything else to you."
For a moment she wondered if she'd just imagined him saying those words to her. Had he just pledged his allegiance to her to only take down Saitou, but ensure that she wouldn't be hurt either? But why?
"W-why would you do that?" she asked cautiously.
Without warning, he pulled her into his chest and held her there. Her arms still hung at her sides and she was frozen with shock. He held her dearly to himself and she could feel the warmth of his breath tickling her neck and shoulders, but she dared not move until he answered her question.
"Because I won't loose you to him or anyone else" he softly replied.
Tears escaped the last of her boundaries that were set in place to never show any outward signs of weakness. For a few minutes she squirmed from his tightened hold and sobbed with anguish over the realization that it was all very real. Finally, some strength returned and she was able to pry herself from his chest, although he held fast onto her biceps.
She was a broken soul, crying, raw, exposed and seemingly a woman without a country to call her own. Who was she? Why was she? The questions just kept coming from wave after wave of her broken will.
"Liar…liar!..." she cried as her fists pounded into his chest and she continued to struggle in his tight hold. He was unrelenting and didn't so much as flinch from her assault, as he only kept his calm gaze affixed on her.
"You're a liar…" she shook with trepidation over what would befall her next. Her voice was horse and sore from the yelling and sobbing but her heart still ached.
Kenshin moved his hold from her arms to her face and brought her near him as she continued to try and push him away unsuccessfully. Through teary, bloodshot eyes she was able to see him for the first time so up close to her.
"You are what you are and it still makes no difference to me if that's worth anything to you."
She calmed momentarily and stopped struggling from the sound of his voice. That voice always soothed and held her attention. How she'd begun to love it. She could feel his breath on her face and noticed for the first time how warm it was for someone that had been undead for centuries. Sniffling, and still in his hold, she listened more carefully.
"You and I've have both lost a great deal of trust in everything in this world. We're both lost and completely without faith."
"Why do you care so much about me?" she asked, her voice dejected and filled with grief. "I…I'm not a vampire, not a human but just a tool for you and Saitou to use at one point or another."
He stared at her initially, taking in her words and interpreting them through the tone of her voice, the look in her eyes, the slightly twisted frown on her face. His heart's voice reached out to her troubled mind.
"Kaoru you're the same person you were when you first came to me. Maybe we both didn't see if before. I'm sorry that I didn't see that before. If I ever treated you badly or frightened you then I'm truly sorry, but I am nothing like Saitou and I would never treat you in that manner. Half human, half vampire, you're still Kaoru to me. My Kaoru."
She looked up at him with shock spread across in her eyes and on her face. He was still holding her near him, keeping her unstable frame in his hands and his words soothing her thoughts for the first time.
"I…don't know anything anymore…" she stammered trying to regain some composure over herself.
"You don't have to say anything right now. Just know that regardless of what happens today or tomorrow you are your own person and that there's at least one other soul in this world that's willing to be by your side. You understand that don't you?"
She nodded at his question and lowered her gaze. He was still so near. His heat permeated the few inches of air left between their lips. Gently his thumbs brushed her cheeks and wiped away her tears. Hopelessly broken in his arms, she wondered about the last time anyone had soothed her worries and wiped away the tears.
"Be strong Kaoru. For the vengeance of your family, your life if nothing else. And maybe if you feel the same way, for me. Accept who you are and be strong."
His words echoed in her mind. The strong, confident voice lending its will to her. Looking up at him she nodded and parted from his hold.
"I…I need some time alone. To think. Please?" she looked up at him practically whispering the words through her horse throat.
He nodded once and walked towards the door, "I'll come back whenever you're ready."
Leaving her in the silence and solitude of the room, she looked about her surroundings as if awakening there for the first time. Her image in the reflection of the mirror held her attention for several moments. The woman staring back seemed frazzled and weak, crying and broken. She hated that woman.
She also decided that the woman looked like a bit of a mess. Her hair was out of place from nearly tearing it out, her skin was sticky and slick with tears and sweat. Her clothes looked dirty and wrinkled. Deciding she needed a warm soak, she headed for the bathroom to meditate on her predicament.
Minutes later, she sank back and rested her muscles in the relaxing hot bath water. The aroma of jasmine mixed with lavender soothed her nerves and tense body. She closed her eyes and let the water soak into every pore as it worked out the kinks from the outside.
"You're a half breed" her thoughts momentarily darkened.
"Is THAT what I'm so…so afraid of?" her mind began to organize all the mixed facts, half truths and complete lies of her life. The memories came back but with more methodical precision as she sorted through them.
"No. That's not the reason why you want Saitou's head."
"Yes, the reason is because he took everything from me. My family, my childhood, my life. Everything."
"But the fact still stands, you're a half breed. What will you do now? Where will you go?"
"I don't know."
"You can never have a normal life again. Never be the perfect wife or mother. Never hold a job and pray that people won't find out your secret. You don't belong to this world or the next. Where will you go?"
"Where will I go? I never had those options before now did I?"
"Yes, where?"
"Just know that regardless of what happens today or tomorrow you are your own person and that there's at least one other soul in this world that's willing to be by your side" his words came rushing back to her just then. How that voice soothed her.
"Kenshin."
"Kenshin?"
"Yes, Kenshin. I must be strong. I need to end this with Saitou and figure out where I belong. I need to be strong."
"Kenshin. He loves you."
She nearly jumped from her place in the warm soak at the realization. Sitting wide eyed and looking at nothing in particular, her life finally seemed to make some sense. "He loves me…" she muttered.
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After coming out of the bathroom she almost expected to see him waiting for her sitting at his usual place. But she was alone in the room and sat at the edge of her bed wondering about what he'd said to her.
Quickly she decided to pull on the cleanest pair of clothing she currently had, the black silk pajamas that Misao had brought over for her. She passed a brush through her hair and wondered where she could find him. Sighing heavily she sat watching her fresh, clean reflection in the mirror.
She thought about all the times she'd been victorious against those that were hunted. She'd been slightly stronger, faster, more agile and alert than the rest. No wonder Saitou had wanted her neatly pressed under his thumb and completely oblivious.
Slamming her brush down harshly at the thought of the man's name, Kaoru rose and set out to find Kenshin on her own. Walking over to the door, she found it unlocked and easily pushed it open to slip into the hallway.
Smirking to herself and pushing all other thoughts to the back of her mind, she concentrated on only finding him in the maze of hallways and rooms. She padded silently down the hallways, focusing on concealing herself completely and finding him. His scent, his aura, his energy, all distinct and unique to her senses were easily detected and she followed her gut silently.
The decorated hallways gradually turned into stony, bare passages as she kept walking further and further. Her fears and anxieties left for the moments that she kept following his essence. Her mind was only focused on finding him and him alone. She honed all her skills and abilities and never doubted her instincts for a moment.
The passage she followed, descending deeper into the mountain. The air grew slightly chilly as she passed through the rough stone walls surrounding her. It seemed she had walked for so long, but still refused to doubt her steps.
Finally, nearing the end of the hallway she came upon a familiar warmth just ahead of her. "Kenshin" she thought as his fiery mane came into view.
His back to her, she silently entered the large space sparsely decorated with only a bed, a small chaise and arm chair along with a few tables with lamps. She was shocked to see a large opening carved into one of the tall stone walls as fresh moonlight cascaded through it.
"I need to see the moonlight" he answered while turning to face her.
She smirked triumphantly and walked over to him. "I thought I'd let my sharper instincts guide me for a change."
He looked her over as she casually sat at the edge of his bed and looked up at him. "You seem a lot calmer now. What's changed?"
"Everything" came her enthusiastic reply. "I know who I am for the first time in my entire life. I have an understanding of where I came from and even though there are some lingering questions, for the first time ever I can be certain of the next step."
Kenshin's brows knitted in slight confusion and amusement at her light demeanor and tone. He crossed over to the arm chair sitting across the bed and waited for her to continue.
"Yea" she looked up at through the high window and thoughtfully continued, "I plan on helping you any way I can in order to claim that sonuva bitch's head in response to what he did to my family."
Bewildered yet highly entertained by her venomous words coming from a syrupy sweet voice and tone, he only nodded in response.
"Kenshin-"
He looked at her in response to hearing her call his name.
"Why are you so…I mean…you…" this was harder than she thought it would be.
"You already know how I feel Kaoru so why the hesitation?" he asked.
She looked up at him in surprise.
"I love your fierceness, your fire and everything else that makes you what you are."
She was momentarily speechless at his words.
"And yes, that does mean that I love you."
He stated it matter-of-factly. As if it were well-known fact and she was oblivious and ignorant. "So you've-"
"I've known that there was an undeniable attraction between us from the beginning. I probably tried fighting it more than I should have, but ultimately you've been the one that I've wanted. Only you."
She was again left speechless and sat at the edge of the bed watching him carefully. The night air grew thicker and cooler around them as the lights of the lamps dimmed and slowly died.
Leaving the two in total darkness, except for the moonlight dancing about them she felt her pulse quicken under his gaze. She mentally begged him to say something. Anything, in order to escape the scrutiny of that beautiful heated stare.
"Won't you come to me now?"
He sat in the chair watching her slender form in the silver light of the moon as it poured through the windows. Her hair draped over her shoulders and was parted at the side. Her bangs, swept to one side, covered one eye completely and he could make out the other blue orb as she looked up at him through the thick black velvet blanket. Her lips parted slightly at every breath she took and he could feel the warmth radiating from her.
She stood at the side of the bed, arms at her sides watching him. Her bashfulness drained completely as she became aware of his eyes looking at her longingly. He looked like a perfect sculpted statue sitting in the chair. His leg crossed over the other knee and he sat back with both arms on the armrests of the chair. His face was half hidden from sight under a diagonal shadow, as the moonlight illuminated the other half; a clear amber stare complimented his chiseled jaw and perfect skin.
Reading his thoughts clearly, slowly she undid the buttons of her shirt one by one and let the silky fabric slide off of her smooth shoulders as it came to a puddle at her feet. The cool air of the room bit at her warm skin and nipped at the tender spots of her back and stomach. She looked towards him once more, and took several breaths through slightly parted full lips.
He drank her in; skin was satin perfection and glowed against the darkness of the room and black bra. The muscles of her smooth, toned stomach rose and feel gently as did the inviting soft supple curves of her chest. Her face was only slightly lifted in his direction and her bangs continued to rest on part of her face.
His gaze was still on her and she felt momentarily frozen in place as his eyes made out every detail of her exposed form. Automatically her fingers found the elastic edge of her pajama buttons and slipped them down her hips. They too joined her discarded shirt on the floor. Her heart raced now. She looked at him again, her face slightly flushed and warm and noticed that his expression hadn't changed.
He could only continue to gaze at the image before him. Ethereal skin glowed in the silver light and her tight yet curvy frame fitted perfectly in the lace of her bra and black panties. Her hair still covered half of her face from view and he could imagine the silky strands in between his fingers as he'd push them aside. Full lips invited him for a taste as her breath escaped through those very soft lips.
She stood there paralyzed and completely immobile under his gaze. He was like the very night just sitting there looking back at her. Dark clothes and his form almost melting into the shadows, the only inkling of his presence was what the moonlight managed to illuminate to her. The next move was his she decided.
Rising from his seat, he soundlessly made his way over to her. He brushed a finger against her cheek and she closed her eyes at the shivers sent shooting through her body. Gently he lifted her chin towards him, brushing the soft hair from her face and once more was met by bright blue eyes looking at him. Each strand felt exactly as he thought it would've felt through his fingers. His thumb brushed over the soft skin of her lips and his mouth hovered closer to them. She closed her eyes again and he could feel her warm breath grazing over his face. He could hear the thumping of her heart as his hands caressed her satin skin, first brushing his knuckles teasingly against her shoulders and then holding them intently. He continued down her back, feeling every part of her and wanting the anticipation to last a bit longer. His hands moved to the front of her waist and he trailed a finger up her stomach and to her neck again.
She shuddered slightly under the ministrations of his strong hands as they roamed over her exposed flesh and caused every nerve to jump unwillingly. The feel of him so near, yet still so far wreaked havoc on her mind. She craved him and yet loved the anxiety her body was producing in response to his touches. Closing her eyes, she let her other senses reach out and experience every touch.
Soft, silken skin met the gentle touches of his hands as he slipped an arm around her and guided her body against his. He wouldn't completely kiss her though, only brush his brutally soft lips against and her own and continue his handiwork. His fingers again caressed her face and brushed over her lips.
Smirking at him for a moment, she caught his finger between her teeth and began to kiss it softly at first and gradually began to lick and suckle it. The undeniable feeling of her tongue grazing the rough skin of his finger and the light scratching of her teeth nearly had him swirling. Her eyes mischievously looked up at him as she saw his reaction and wonderment at the sudden action.
He removed his finger from her mouth, leaving her pouting in return. Unable to hold back the chuckle at her expression, he nuzzled her neck and grazed his lips against the sensitive skin there. His hands moved to her back and traveled down squeezing her ruthlessly as his mouth pulsed to taste her.
She knew he would continue to toy with her for as long as it would amuse him. Her hand glided up his arm and cupped his face as she brought it closer to hers and finally closed the gap between their lips. She sucked on his lips hungrily and pressed into his body. His free hand buried into her hair and supported the back of her head as he pressed his tongue further inside her sweet mouth. They fought, truly fought for control while violently bruising each other lips. Her hands were no longer under her control, as they reached behind and undid the leather strap binding his red silk locks. Eagerly she racked her hands through his free hair and refused to break the contact between their lips.
Still pressed together and mouths tasting each other, they walked backwards toward the edge of the bed. Turning him until the back of his legs hit the side of the bed; she broke free from the kiss. Looking up at him with a smirk on her face and darkened blue bedroom eyes, she pushed him back. He landed soundlessly and sat on the edge as she stood straddled between his legs. She flipped the stray hair from her face and looked at him, her lips still curled up as her fingers went to work on the small buttons of his dress shirt.
He was amused at her forcefulness and started his own assault on her. Lashing his slick, warm tongue up and down her stomach he felt the waves of passion wash over her as his hands continued to roam around her hips. Purposely being slow and methodical, he let her shudder under his touches. His lips casually traveled from her belly button to the edge of her bra and his hands kept her supported and pinned in front of him.
Forgetting about the stubborn buttons, the sensation caused her to gasp and throw her head back as she buried her hands into his hair. A hand moved from her hips and traveled up her spine, as the other continued to keep her in place in front of him under his tongue. He finally found the clasp of her bra and in one quick motion, unfastened it and brought it down from her shoulders.
She trembled slightly at the coldness of the air biting at her newly exposed and tightening flesh but his hands quickly covered each one and began their cruel and slow assault all over. She bit her lower lip from screaming as his fingers pulled and teased her causing as much pleasure as pain. He pulled her lower towards him so his mouth could continue its ascent up from her stomach, but she fought against it and brought her lips to his ears.
It took most of his self control not to shudder as she licked the outside flesh of his ear, taking the soft lobe in between her teeth. She grasped his face with both hands and held him there, ruthlessly intensifying her payback on him. Toying with the nub she coated it thoroughly with her salvia before softly blowing on it. The cool sensation nearly sent him over the edge and he made tight fists in her hair as he begged to have her tongue back his mouth.
All sense of restraint escaping at the sound of his sudden and shallow gasps she made quick work of removing his shirt by simply pulling the fabric apart, sending small white buttons flying about and tearing it off of him. Reveling under the look of surprise she earned from him, she was equally surprised as he slipped a finger over the thin fabric of her panties.
He'd managed to catch her by surprise again as he gently rubbed the already moist thin fabric. He smiled coolly at her surrender of his ears as her breath hitched from each caress. He purposely came shy of fully allowing himself to penetrate her and instead coxed her to sway her hips back and forth under his touches.
Unwilling to give up and wanting to give him as much sweet torture as he was bestowing on her, she bent down and brought her lips to the soft flesh of his chest. Small chaste kisses were followed by trails with her tongue, followed by small bites against his hard chest. She licked every ripple of muscle and when she decided he needed to feel more, she bit down lightly on his nubs extracting a brief gasp from him. Her slender fingers raced up and down his smooth skin as her mouth devoured every bit of it.
He marveled at her need for control, as he slipped his hands under the lacy fabric and contemplated slipping them down her legs. "Too much work" he smirked as he simply tore through and slipped them off. Effortlessly he picked her up and placed her on his lap as he still sat at the edge of the bed. Their arms wrapping around each other and she continued to trail her tongue up his neck and along his jaw line. His patience wearing thin, he grasped her face with one hand and looked into her eyes. "I want that tongue" came a velvety smooth command. Complying happily their mouths met once more and their tongues lashed vehemently inside each other.
She could finally feel the soft skin of his chest against hers and the tension building gradually in the pit of her stomach as she wrapped her arms tightly around his neck. His hands continued to cup and toy with her breasts as she could feel him hardening just under her.
Deciding she needed him right now, she pushed him back onto the bed and bent over him on hands and knees. Slowly she undid the buckle of his belt and buttons of his pants and slid them and his boxers off. Admiring the view from above, she slowly traced her fingernails against his exposed skin as her pulse only quickened. His body tensed at the need to feel her liquid passion on his tongue and spilling down his throat, but he decided to let her have her way a bit longer.
Within seconds he was consumed by her warmth as she started to glide back and forth. His hands guided her hips and would leave ghostly tingling trails down her back as his chest and throat continued to tighten. Her eyes were closed as her lips quivered from the tightening in her core. Setting his dark passion aside, he sat up, while still inside of her and kissed her fiercely again. She continued to grind against him; their bodies pressed together, her legs around his waist and her pulse becoming still faster.
His lips continued to cover hers and refused to let go. She wanted to moan in pleasure, scream his name and even scream from the intensity building inside, but his mouth muffled all sounds. With every brush of their skin against each other: her slender legs wrapped around him, their torsos crushed together, hands feeling every portion of skin, she felt like she was on fire. He kept his hand buried in her hair and his mouth over hers as her thrashing lightened and she threw her back in an intense release. Her warmth covered him as she slowed her pace, and looked at him smiling.
"You're not done quite yet" he smirked and without warning grabbed her hips and made her pound harder down on him as she arched back from the sensation. Moans of passion escaped inadvertently from her throat as the tightening again intensified. She crashed into his chest over and over and threw her head back from the pulsing. This time he chose not to cover her mouth with his and instead gritted his teeth to only intensify the pumping.
She could feel his hands digging into her sides as he held her firm and demanded more from her body. Throwing her head back, eyes closed, she left her slender neck bare for him and he clasped the side of it with one hand. There he felt her pulse even louder and stronger than before as his passion grew more uncontrollable. Her moans and cries of pleasure were soft and she refused to let her eyes open to see his glowing golden gaze affixed on her pulse.
He panted for control and growled for complete dominance as his body craved more. Slowly he let all control slip as a surge of electricity went through and sent her over the edge, just as he sank his fangs into her neck.
She gasped from the sensation below and also from the prickling of flesh on her neck. The slight pinching exploded in her range of senses as his arms held her firmly in place. Still feeling him filling her, she trembled in his tight embrace.
The warm liquid washed over his tongue and rushed down his throat. Her blood was singularly the most intoxicating liquid he'd ever been privy to taste; a sweet mix between her human innocence and vampiristic darkness. He could clearly hear the pulsing of her heart, and the rushing liquid as gushed from her neck. Her warmth engulfed him from the inside out now and he struggled to gain control. There was no way for him to know exactly what the effects of his drinking her blood would be for either of them but that was far from his mind at the moment.
He regained control and slowly pulled out of her warm flesh. A single stream of crimson blazed a trail down her skin and onto her breast from the puncture marks. Bringing his lips once again to hers, he let her taste the reminder of her own blood. He was still quite heated by her and was in no mood to let her out is his arms just yet.
He stood up from the edge of the bed with her still wrapped around him, turned and laid her down. He covered her body with his and licked the trickle of blood from her chest, following the trail back to the opening and licking around the edges of the two small circles. Hovering over her, he took the opportunity to see how she was after the extraction. Her pulse was still strong, her body was responsive to his every touch and her skin glowed from the rush of blood.
She opened her eyes and looked up at him. His chest was slightly coated with sweat and struggled to get up and lick ever bit of it off. He held her firm on her back and smiled with a glint in his eyes.
"What's wrong?" he teased, "Tired already?"
He had to keep himself from laughing at her twisted frown at those words. Holding her down, he began to trail his lips down her neck and chest, taking the time to lick and tease her already tightened nubs.
She was enveloped in a thick red curtain all around her as he continued to pulse in and out. Looking up she saw his eyes were initially closed and then they opened to look down at her. The amber gaze raged with lust and she reached up to caress the unnatural soft skin of his face. Just then his pulse quickened as he slammed himself harder and deeper inside making her back arch up in response and moan.
Looking up at him, she could see the smirk across his face over the response he'd exhibited from her. She growled slightly and forced herself up as their forms blurred in a tangle of limbs and hair. Practically wrestling for control, she finally forced herself on top. Smirking at her small victory, she rested both hands flat on his hard chest and set about to make him mindless with as much pleasure as he'd bestowed on her.
His fingers traced the pout of her lips as he continued to fill her and she neared her edge once again. Her heart raced with anticipation as she swayed back and forth over and over. The tightening heightening for a final time and his fingers kneaded hard tight circles on her breasts. Firmly grasping her hips he guided her movements making her every thrust more intense and deep. She threw her head back and let out a hefty moan from the final release.
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The two lay in bed concerned with nothing else other than each other at the moment. The room was still dark and they lay in each others arms, enveloped in the warmth they shared with one another.
"Kenshin?" she softly woke him from his sleep.
He hugged her tightly to his bare chest, protectively keeping her against him. "Shhh, sleep for now, we'll discuss everything else later."
"But…" she started to protest.
He silenced her with another kiss and wrapped his legs around hers, "Nothing will happen to you. I won't let anyone take you from me. Now sleep" he whispered.
Kaoru's lids grew heavy as she relaxed in his arms. His warmth soothed her worries as her mind began to unravel from its anxieties.
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Well please do comment as usual. Try not to flame too hard, it's my first Batts and Kao lemon.
Special thanks to Rei, ENAJ, and Insanity's Light. Thanks for all the support as always!
I know a lot of you guys are waiting for the final battle…it'll be here soon (hint: next chappy) hehe…I wanted to write more for this chapter, but the lemon sort of took more time than I thought it would. So at this point I just want to POST ALREADY!
I'll try to bang out the next chapter soon though. But let me know what you think so far.
Thanks to all who've reviewed so far. Till next time…