Midnight Wings

8/2/2019 Midnight Wings

1/348

Summary

ForhundredsofyearstheAvianandVampireKingdomshavebeenatwaragainsteachother.Kaoru'sfather,theAvianking,diesatonebattleleavingKaoruasthesoleheirofthethrone.Meanwhile,intheVampireKingdom,theruthlesskingKenshinisdeterminedtocrushtheavians,beginningwiththenewyoungqueen,Kaoru.However,neitherofthetwocountedonfallinginlove.Botharefacedwithbetrayal,conspiracy,anddeceitastheystruggletoendthewarbetweenthetwokingdoms.BK

Hiagain!Didn'ttakesolong,didI?HereisthefirstofthenewficsIplantowrite.Asusual,fewthingstonote:

-Iwasinspiredtowritethisayearagowhilereadinganovelcalled"Hawksong"inthisnoveltheaviansareinwarwiththeserpentsandthepeopletherearemorelikeshapeshiftersi.e.aviansturnintobirds.However,inmyficaviansarepeoplewhocanproducewingsatwell.TheonlyaspectIhavecopiedfromthenovelistheideaofaconstantwarbetween2kingdoms.Imightborrowanotheridealateron,andIwillclearlystateitwhenIdo(don'twannagoaroundclaimingotherpeople'sworkasmyown).Otherwise,theplotandtheentireworldcreatedherearemyown^_^

-Andjusttoeliminateconfusion,thefirstpartofthischapter(thepartwritteninitalic)willtakeplacesometimeslaterasthestoryprogresses.

-ThewayIimaginethesettings,clothesandeverythingismorelikethemedievaltime,butofcoursethisisanAUfic.

Iwouldliketothankmybetareaderotakuusaforeditingandpointingoutmycountlessmistakes!

Prologue

"KAMIYAKAORU!"

ThepiercingangryvoicewassomehowallwhatKaorucouldheardespitetheloudnoisesofthesurroundingbattlefield.Criesofpain,anguish,anddeathfilled

thevalleywherethebattlewastakingplace,andtosomesoldiers,thosevoicesoftormentfilledthewholeworld.

"KAMYIAKAORU!"

Kaorustoodonhighground.Fromthispositionshecouldlookdownonthebattlefield.Kaorustaredatthespotwherethefuriouswarriorshoutinghernameinchallengestood.Hewasstandingonahugerockinthemiddleofthebattlefield;hisbodyerect,hisredhairdancingintheairandhisswordunsheathed.

HimuraKenshin

KingoftheVampireKingdom

Themansheloved.

Andhewantsherdead.

"MyLady."Kaorutorehereyesfromtheredhairedkingandlookedatthemanbesideher.Hewasherpersonalguard,aswellashertrustedfriend.

SetaSoujiro.


2/348

"Afterallthistimeyouinsistoncallingmeyourlady."Kaorusaidwithasadlittlesmile.

"IbegyourpardonKaoru,"heapologized,beforelookingdownatthebattlefield."PerhapsIshouldgoandendthis-"

"NoSoujiro.Iwon'tallowyoutofighthim."Kaorubegantounbucklethepinholdinghercape,adistantlookappearedinhersapphireeyes"Afterall,Iamtheonewhohadkilledher."shefinishedsolemnly.

"MyLaKaoru"

Kaorusuddenlyturnedtofacehim"Soujiro,"shesaidinasolemnvoice"Ifanythingshouldhappentome"Kaorufaltered."Pleasetakecareofmypeople,holdthecounciloff."

Kaorumovedasoftogivehimahug.Thethoughtofneverseeinghimagainfilledherwithagreatsadness."Thankyouforeverything,Soujiro."Shesaidinsteadandleaptdownthehighhillandtowardsthebattlefield.

Shesawthekingofvampiresstillstandingonahugerockatthemiddleofthefield.Allaroundhimvampiresandaviansalikeweredying,fighting,andcryinginagony.Thewindruffledhisredhairandhiscruelambereyeswerefixedonherasshemadeherwayonthefield.Hewascarryinghisunsheathedswordinon

ehandandKaorunoticedbloodcoveringthelengthoftheblade.

AtthesightofhimKaorufeltexhausted.Theweightofthedaypresseddownuponher.Ithadbeenaverylongbattle.Shehadfoughtandkilled,andhersidewasburningwhereavampirehadslashedherearlieron.

Andnowasshemadeherwayinthebattlefield,almostnovampirescameather.Therewasfewwhoattackedatherbutshemanagedtodeflecttheirblows.Shedidn'thavetoworryaboutthemforlongthough.

"Noonetouchesthequeen!"thevampirekingbellowed.

Despitethedeafeningnoises,Kaoruwascertainthatthevampirescouldhearthe

irkingquiteclearly.Afterall,theirsenseswereverykeen.

Nowallvampirespartedandmadewayforher.Kaorufeltherheartbeatingsofastthatitnearlydrownedouttheothernoises.Despitethecoolday,shewassweatingandherpalmsfeltdamp.Sheurgedherselftocalmdown.ShewasclosernowtowhereKenshinstood,loomingoverthehugerock.Shefelthiscoldgazewashoverher.

Suddenlyhejumpeddowncausingtheearthcrackbeneathhim.

Hewasverypowerful.

Heremainedcrouchingontheground,glaringatherfromunderhisredbangslik

eapredatorreadytospringather,hisgoldeneyesblazing.Allthetracesofthelovehefeltforherwerenowgone.Kaoruwassomedistanceaway,buttoherhorrorbloodstainswereclearlyvisiblearoundhismouth.

Anditwasn'thisblood.

Kaoruhaltedseveralpacesawayfromtheredhairedvampire.Everyonearoundherseemedtohavegrownsilent.Sheglancedaroundandsawcountlesswinged-bodiesscatteredonthegreenfield.


3/348

Shewaslosingthewar.

Shehadfailedherpeople.

Butnomatterwhathappened,shewouldtakeresponsibilityforheractions...

Thekingstraightenedfromhiscrouchslowly,agreatanimalreadytopounce.

Regardlessofwhethershewasreadyornot

Kaorugrippedherswordtightly

Shewouldfight

Kaorucharged

Kenshinrantomeether

Kaorufeltasiftimeitselfstopped.Itseemedasifshewasmovinginaslowmotion.Maybehermindwastryingtodelaytheinevitable,buteverythingaroundherwasmovingveryslowly.Shewasapproachingbothherloverandherswornenemyveryslowly.Well,itdidn'treallymatterifhermindwasplayingtricksonher,orifthingswereactuallyslowingdownaroundher.Onethingforsure

Shewouldmeetherdestinywithaswordinherhand.

Hewasgettingnearer

Shewouldnotgodownwithoutafight

Hisswordreflectedthebrightsun

ShewasthequeenoftheAvians

Thekingofvampireswasclosenow

Shewoulddiefightingforherpeople

-Theirbladesconnected-

andshewouldtakethemanshelovedwithher.

Chapter1:TheAvianqueen

I'm,unfortunately,thequeenoftheAvians

Theskywascrying.

OrsoitseemedtoKaoru.Becauseofthegriefbuildinginsideofher,itseemedevennaturewasmourningKaoru'sloss.Allaroundherwerecorpses,bodiesofb

oththeenemyandherpeople.ButKaoruwasn'tawareofthat.Shewasn'tawareofthepouringrain,soakingherhairandclothes,wasn'tawareofhowitwashedthebloodawayfromthegreenfield,wasn'tawareofvoicescallinghername,wasn'tawareofthebloodstainingherleftshoulder.Shewasonherknees,staringatamanlyingonthewetandbloodyground.

Hermentor.

TheAvianKing.


4/348

Herfather.

Andhewasdead.

Hehadfoughtbravelyformorethantwentyyears.

Andnowhecanfinallyrest.

Kaorureachedout;thoughhermindwascurrentlyunawareofthemovement.Everythingseemedunreal,asifshewaslivinginsideoneofhernightmares.Butasherhandtouchedthecoldcheekofherfather,sheknewthiswasn'tanightmare.

Hewasgone.

Thevampireshadsucceededinkillinghimandtheonewhohadkilledhimlaydeadonlytwometersaway.Herfatherwasawarrior;hehaddiedfighting,justlikethewayhehadlived.

Kaorubegantocry,ormaybeshehadbeencryingsincethemomentshesawherfather'sbodybuttherainkeptinterminglingwithhertears.Throughherblurryvisionshethoughtshesawsomethingontheleftsideofherfather'sneck,beforeshecouldfocusonitsomeonespoke.

"LadyKamiya,"Onesoldiersaidtentatively,"Please,allowustocareforyour

wound."

Kaorutorehereyesawayfromherfather'sbody.

"Soujiro?"sheenquiredworriedly.

"He'sfine,mylady,he'shelpingtofindthewounded."

Kaorunoddedasshelookedbackatherfather'sbody.Oneofthemanycrueltiesofwar,wasthattherewasnotimetomournyourlovedones.Sheleaneddown(withsomedifficulty)andplantedagentlekissonherfather'snowicilycoldbrow.

"Farewell,father."shewhispered,tryinghardtoholdbackthetearsthatthreatenedtofall.

Therewouldbetimetocrylater.

Kaorustood,andamancamewiththeumbrellashehadrefusedearlier.Asshestood,theothermenimmediatelywentononeknee.Kaoruwaspuzzledatthis.Whywouldtheybowtoher?PeopleonlykneltbeforeKingsorQueens.

Hereyestookintheexhaustedmen,foursoldiersandonephysician.Theyallseemedentirelydrained.

Theyallhadseentoomuchinoneday.

IfKaoruhadn'tbeenexhaustedherself,shewouldhaverealizedthereasonbehindtheirconfusingactions.

"Whyareyoukneeling?Dorise."

Themenglancedateachotheruncertainly.

"Whymylady,wehavetoshowrespecttotheQueenoftheAvianKingdom"


5/348

Kaorublinked.Queen?

Thenitdawnedonher.

Herfatherwasdead.Shehadnobrothersorsisters.

Shewastheonlyheir.

ShewasnowQueenoftheAvians.

Andshewasbarelyseventeen.

Twomonthslater

Kenshinwalkedinsidehisprivatequartersandslumpedheavilyonanoversizedarmchair.Aheavysighescapedhischestasheleanedback,closinghiseyes,andwithhishandclutchingaletterfromtheLycansKingdom.

Sosoonitwillbethetime

HadittrulybeenthislongsincethebattlebetweenhispeopleandtheAvaiankingdom?ItseemedonlyyesterdaythattheAvianKinghadbeenslainbyoneofhisvampires.

AndsoontheirQueenwillascendthethrone

Andshewasonlyseventeen.

Thetruthwas,shehadn'tevenreachedtheageofseventeen.Accordingtohissources,herseventeenthbirthdaywassometimelaterthisyear.

OnewouldthinkhehadhisvictorymorethantwomonthsagowhentheAvianKinghadperished.Butthetruthwas,neitherofthetwokingdomshadactuallywon.Kenshinhadlostmanyofhissoldiersintheirlastbattle.Hislosswassotremendousthathecouldn'teventakeadvantageoftheconfusionandchaosintheAvianKingdomduringlasttwomonths.TheQueenwasunderage,theytoohadmassivelosses,andKenshinbetthattheAviancouncilmemberswerefightingamongstthe

mselves.Healmostpitiedtheirnewyoungqueenalmost.Pitywasasentimentthathecouldnolongerindulgein.

Kenshinreopenedhisblazingambereyes.

Afteryearsofcontinuouswar,Kenshinwasamanoffewsentiments.HelivedtofightandcrusheveryAvian.Butoneparticularscenehadbeenhauntinghimsincethelastbattle.

Aravenhairedgirl,kneelingatthebodyofherfatherinthepouringrain

Herfacehadbeentooshockedtodisplayanyemotionatfirst,buthehadwatchedasheryoungfeaturesbrokedowningrief.

Kenshinabruptlysatupstraightandcrossedhisbootedlegs.Heturnedtowardthesmalltableattherightsideofhischairandpouredhimselfadrink.Hechokeddowntheredliquidinasinglegulp.

WhyinhellamIthinkingaboutthis?Peopledieinwar,andshemightaswellstartgettingusedtoitnowthatshe'llbequeen.

Inhisotherhandhestillheldtheletter.Kaoru'scoronationceremonywouldbeheldinamonthintheneutralkingdomoftheLycans.Allkingsandqueensmust


6/348

attendaccordingtotheletter.ThismeanshewillbetravellingtotheWerewolves'Kingdominfewweeks.

AsmirkappearedonKenshin'sruggedlyhandsomeface.

Hewascuriousabouttheyoungqueen,andtheceremonywouldallowhimtoknowhisenemyinamorecivilizedmanner.Kenshindidn'texpectmuchabouther,afterallshewasonlyachild.Thoughhemustadmit,thegirlknewhowtofight.

Fortwoyearsshehadbeenparticipatinginmanybattlesbetweenthevampiresandavians,buthehadneverfoughtherbecauseshewasneverinthefrontlines.Butthiswasexpected.Nofatherwouldsendhisdaughtertothefrontlines,wheredeathwasaconstantcompaniontoeverysoldier,certainlynotoneasyoungasshe.

Kenshinpouredhimselfanotherglassbutthistimehesippedslowly.

Kaoruwascertainlyagoodfighter,buttheravenhairedgirlwasyoungandinexperiencedinthemattersofrunningakingdom.Helookedforwardtomeetingherandmakingherawareofexactlywhomshewasfacing.Hiskingdomneededtimetorecover,butoncetheywerereadyhewouldcrushtheAvianKingdomandmakethisyoungqueenhisslave.

AsmallsmirkplayedonKenshin'slipsandheraisedhisglassinamocktoast.

"Tothenewqueen"

Thesunwasshiningbrightlyinthesky,throwinggoldenraysacrossthevastgreenfield.

Thegraveyard

Kaorustoodamongthetombstonesstaringdownatherfather'sgrave.Thewindblewgently,rufflingherhairandliftingthehemofhercloak.Eventhoughitwasagainsthercounty'straditionsforagirltowearaman'sclothes,Kaorucouldcareless.Shewasdressedastheothersoldiers.Blackboots,darkbreeches,bluelinentunicwithaleatherbeltaroundherslenderwaistwhereherswordwa

ssafelysecured.

Shenevergoanywherewithouthersword

Kaorusighedandglancedagainatthecrumpledletterinherhands.InfewweeksIwillhavetogototheLycanKingdom.Thefactthatshewasgoingtothewerewolves'territorydidnotdisturbher,howeverthecoronationceremonythatwaswhatshewastrulyworriedabout.Shewasonlysixteen,andshedidn'tfeelreadyshewasterrified.

"Ohfather,whydidyouleaveme?"Shekneltbyhisgrave.Thetwomonthmourningperiodwasover,andtodayshehadtomeetwiththecounciltodiscussmanypressingissues.Althoughshewastheonlyheir,shecouldn'trulethecountryalo

neuntilshewaseighteen.Untilthen,shecouldn'tmakeanydecisionwithouttheapprovalofthecouncil.Kaoruheavedagreatsighagainandstraightenedherposture;hereyesscanningthehorizon.Asfarasheblueeyescouldreach,whitetombstonesfilledthegreenfield.Somanyhaddiedintherecentyears,andmoreinthelastbattle,whereherfatherhadperished.HerspiesclaimedthattheVampireKingdomsufferedthesametremendousloses,butatleasttheirkinghadlived.

Thevampireking


7/348

HimuraKenshin

BetterknownasBattousai

Kaoruhadnotmethim,butrumorsclaimedthathehadhairasredasblood,eyesthecolorofgoldandanyonewholookedintothemcanlosecontrolofhisownbodyandbeunderthered-haireddemon'swhimsycontrol.Kaorudidn'tknowifthelastclaimwascorrect,butsheknewthathewaslethal,hisswordsmanshipskillshadnoequalinallthefivekingdoms.Hecouldfaceascoreofmenandstillbeatthemsinglehandedly.HisstrengthandskillswerecelebratedacrosstheFiveKingdoms.Evenherfatherhadoncementionedthatthevampireking'sfightingstylewasdesignedtokillcountlessopponentsatatimeandnoonebuthe-thevampireking-hadmasteredit.

Kaorudidn'tcareabouttherumors.Shehopedtofighthimoneday,andbeathim.Afterall,shewasgoodwithswords.Eversinceshewasachild,whenothergirlsheragewouldplaywithdolls,sheusedtopracticeswordsmanshipinstead.Shewouldshowthiskingwhatagoodfightercouldreallydo.

Kaorushookherhead.Don'tgetsocarriedawayKaoru,you'renotachildanymore.You'resupposedtothinkaboutpeacefulmeanstoendthewar,notdreamaboutbeatingthebestswordsmanintheFiveKingdoms.

Kaorusmiledbitterly.Iamthequeennow,notimefordreamsanymore

Thesoundofbeatingwingsdrewheroutofherreverie,andsheturnedtoseethenewcomer.HermouthcurvedupinasmilewhenshesawSoujiro.

Hisbrownwingsdisappearedashisfeettouchedtheground.

"Soujiro!"Kaorusmiled.

"MyLady."hekneltononekneebeforeher.

Kaorurolledhereyes"HowmanytimesdoIneedtotellyou?"Kaorucomplained."Droptheformalities,I'mstillKaoru."

Soujirosmiledandstoodup"it'shardtobelieveyou'rethequeennow.Ormaybe"hisbrowneyesmovedtotheking'sgrave."ItishardtobelievethatKingKamiya"

Kaorubowedherhead"Iknowmyfatherwasagreatruler,andIwanttobelovedandrespectedjustlikehimbut"

Sojiro'seyessoftened.Heunderstoodthehardshipsshewasgoingthrough,shewasstillyoung,yetshewasforcedtogrowbeyondheryearstoruleanentirekingdom.Soujirowentononekneeagain,thistimeclosertoherandreachedforherfreehand."Youknow"Hepressedhislipsonthebackofherhand"thatIwillalwaysbeatyourside,mylady"Hekissedherhandagaingently.

Kaoruwassurprisedatthat.ThiswasthefirsttimeSoujiropulledsomethinglikethat.Theyhadknowneachothersinceshewaseightandheten.Hisparentshadbeendeadwhenhehadbeenfoundintheforest.HeandKaoruhadbeeninseparablesincethen.Hehadalwaysprotectedher,andhadbecomeherpersonalguardattheageoffourteen.OnewouldbesurprisedathowachildcouldprotectthesoleheiroftheAvianKingdom,butSoujirowasagiftedswordsman.HecouldeasilybeatanyAvianknighttwicehisageandsize.Hisspeedandagilitywerehismainstrengths,andcompensatedforthebrutestrengthmanyothersoldierscountedon.Now,feelinghislipsonherskin,Kaorufelthercheeksbecominghotfromtherushofblood.Kaoruwasunfamiliarwithsuchgentleactsfrommen.Shel


8/348

ivedherchildhoodasatomboy,playingwiththeboysandbeatingthemoccasionallywithawoodensword.Andofcoursemanykepttheirdistancejustbecauseshewasaprincess.

Soujirosmiled,asheletgoofherhandandstoodup."Let'sgoback,you'vehadenoughofthisplaceforawhile."

Kaoruimmediatelynoddedandbowedherhead,tryingtohideherblush.

"Wouldyouratherflytothecastle?"Soujiroasked.

Kaorushookherhead."Iprefertowalk."Shehatedherwings.

Soujironodded,andtheystartedtomaketheirwayamongthetombstones."Thecoronationpartyisinlessthanamonth."HeglancedoveratKaoru."YoushouldgiveorderstoprepareforthejourneytotheLycan'sKingdom."

"Iknow."Kaorulookeddownattheletterinherhand."Iwillbediscussingthiswiththecounciltoday"

"Youseemnervous."Soujiroremarked,ashenoticedhergrippingthelettertightly.

"YouknowmeIhateformalparties"Shegrumbled.

Soujirochuckledsoftly."Butyou'retheguestofhonor!"

"Don'tteasemeSoujiro."

Soujirokeptchucklingandshakinghishead."Forgiveme,mylady."Hestoodbeforeherandbowedlow.

"Youknow,it'shardtobemadatyouforlong."Kaorusmiledathim.

Soujirostraightened,andhisfacewasseriousnow."Iknowwhatyou'refeelingnow,Kaoru.ButIhadknownyouforyearsandIcansaythatnomatterwhatobstaclesyouface,youwillbeagreatqueen,onewhowillleadherpeopleinther

ightdirection."

Kaorustaredathisgentlebrowneyes.Hispresencebesidehergaveherstrength,andsheknewthatshewouldneedallthestrengthshecouldmusterupinthecomingmonthsoryears.

"Thankyou,Soujiro."

Thebedrattled,makingtheheadboardalmostbangagainstthewall.Rapidsuccessionsofshort,sharpgaspsfilledthebedroombeforebeingreplacedbyamoanandadeepbreath.

Kenshinrolledofftheebonyhairedwomanandlayonhisbackashisbreathingb

egantocalm.Thewomanmovedclosertohim,settlingherheadonthecrookofhisarmandrestingherhandonhisbarechest.

"Youseemabsentminded,mylord."Shetiltedherheadandkissedhisjaw.

"Hmmm"Kenshinmurmured,hiseyesclosed.

"Isitbecauseofthejourneyintwodays?"Sheasked,strokinghischest.

"Isupposeso."Kenshinsaid,openinghisambereyestolookather.Shewasab


9/348

eautifulwoman,withlustrousblackhairandmatchingeyes.Herskinwaspale,characteristicofmostvampirefemales.

YukishuroTomoe.

Shehadpurebloodinher,makingheroftheroyalfamily.Theypracticallyhadknowneachotheralltheirlives.Kenshinconsideredheraspecialpersontohim.Beforehehadbecomeaking,hehadchallengedandkilledanyonewhodaredtodisturbher.Butdidheloveher?

Lookingintohereyes,heknewtheanswer.

Nohedidn'tloveher,orloveanyoneelseforthatmatter.Foranygirl,tobelovedbyhimmeantthatherlifewasforfeited.Thechanceofherstayingaliveafterhisloveforherisknownwasslim.Kenshindidn'twanttoenduplikehislatefather.Kenshin'smotherhaddiedthreeyearsaftermarryinghisfather.Killedbyanavianassassin.Kenshinhadbeentooyoungtorememberanythingabouther,buthecouldcertainlyrememberthemanhisfatherhadbecome,asaresultofherdeath.

Notaman,butashadowofaman

"Kenshin,areyoulistening?"Tomoe'svoicebroughthimbacktothepresent.Shefrowned"whatareyouthinkingabout?"

"Iwasdistractedbyyourbeauty?"Kenshintried.

Herfrowndeepened."Youweren'tlookingatme."

Kenshintiltedhisheadandkissedher"Iwasn'tthinkingaboutanythingimportant."hiskisshadthedesiredeffect,forshedroppedthematterandkissedhimback.

Foryearsnow,theirrelationshiphadbeenpurelycarnal.Therehadbeenatimewhenshehadtriedtobemore,tobehiswife.ButKenshinhadmadeitclearthathedidn'tthinkaboutmarriage.Notnowanyway.Howeverhispeopleweregrowingrestless.Theywantedanheirtosecurethethrone,notthattheyexpectedhim

todiesoon.Hewasstilltwenty-six,andpeopleintheFiveKingdomsliveaverylonglife.Butwiththeconstantbattlestheywerefighting,hecouldendupdeadanyday.Thatortargetedbyanassassin.NotthatKenshinwasworriedaboutthelatter.Sincehewasachildhehadsurvivednumerousattemptsonhislifewithoutevenascratch,notonlybecausehewasthoroughlyprotectedsincebirth,butbecauseofhiscertainability.

Tomoebrokethekissandlookeddownathimasshesettledherheadononehand."Lookingforwardtomeetingthenewqueen?"Sheasked,herfingersroamingoverhischest.

"Aren'tweall?"Kenshinrestedonehandbehindhishead.Hislongredhairwasloose,andhishandsomefeatureslookedindeepthoughtatthementionofthequ

een.

"Ibetshe'sbeingcontrolledbytheCouncil.Theywillmakehertheirpuppet"

"Possibly,andthiswouldbetoouradvantage."Kenshinsaid,thinkingofhowcorruptandgreedymanyoftheCouncilmemberswere.

"Itwouldbereallyawkward,"Tomoesaid"tomeettheaviansinneutralconditions.Wehaven'tdonethatinawhile."


10/348

Kenshinagreedsilently.IthadbeenaboutthreeyearssincehehadmetwithAvianKinginaplaceotherthanthebattlefield.HerespectedKingKamiyaimmensely,forhewasanhonorablemanandabravewarrior.However,theirlastcivilmeetingwasanythingbutpeaceful.

"Nowthatremindsme,"Kenshinsaid,staringatTomoe."WarnEnishithatIwillnottolerateanymisbehaviorduringthecoronationceremony,"Hesaidfirmly."Idon'twantwhathadhappenedlasttimetoberepeated."

"Don'tbeharshonmybrother.HehaslostsomuchbecauseoftheAvians,"Tomoesaiddefensively"Besides,thatAviansoldierwasbaitinghim.Iwasthere."

"Idon'tcare,justtellhimtocontrolhisviolentmoods,andnottokillanotherAviansoldierinaneutralkingdom.Wedon'twanttocompromiseourrelationshipwiththewerewolves."

"Alright,mylord,"Tomoeleanedoverandkissedhimagain."Iwilltalktohim,andI'msurehehadhadenoughofavians'blood,afterallhehadkilledhundredsofthemtwomonthsago"

Kenshinnodded,rememberingthelastbattle.Indeed,EnishihadkilledmanyAvians.Hewasanexcellentfighter,withskillsalmostasgoodasKenshin's.However,Kenshinhadcertainadvantagesoverothers.

Tomoemovedoverhimandstraddledhiswaist."Ibelievethenightisstillyoung"Shesmiledseductively,tossingherhairoverhershoulders.

Kenshinlookedupathernakedbody,hiseyesfixedonherbreasts.Hercurvaceousfigurehadalwaysattractedtheattentionofothermen.AndnowseeinghernakedontopofhimmadeKenshin'shandsmovetoherwaistandthenfeelingherbodyupuntiltheystoppedatherfullbreasts.

"Yes,thenightisstillyoung."Kenshinsaidhuskily,hiseyesblazingwithlust.

Thereyougo,don'tworryit'snotaKenshinXTomoefic!Lol,IthinkTomoewouldbeOCinthisfic,thenagain,Ithinkit'sahardtasktopinhercharacterdo

wn:/sorryifthischapteriskindofboring,butthingswillgetinterestingonceKenshinandKaorumeet,I'mlookingforwardtodevelopingtheirrelationship^_^itfeelsreallystrangewritinganAUfic,IhadthoughtaboutwritinganotherficintheRKuniverse,butafter2yearsofwritingHerExistenceitbecamehardtoimaginetheRKworldasanythingelse.

Nowasfortheotherfic,Ihopetoreleaseitsometimesinthecomingdays,Easterbreakhasstartedsoshouldhavesomefreetime!

P.S.Isanyoneinterestedtobemysecondbetareader?IknowIhavelovelyotakuusabutI'msuretherearedayswhenshewillbebusywithschoolsoIneedabackup!Lol

Chapter2isup!

Iknow,youmightbethinkingwhatthehellhappenedtotheotherfic,butsinceI'verecievedsomanygreatreviewsforthisone(andbecausetheotherficisjustsobleak)I'vedecidedtogoalongwiththisone.

JustwanttothankKarolWolfeforeditingthischapandAlytheTrickster(maybelaterhon);-)

AndthankyouallforthereviewingXD


11/348

Edit:sorryaboutthemultiblealerts,Iwasjustwonderingwhythehellthealertwouldn'tdropinmyinboxwhensuddenlyallNew-Chapteralertsfilledtheinbox_lol

Chapter2:FatedMeetings

IntheendIfearthatmyloveforhimhasdoomedusall

TheLycans'kingdomissituatedinthemiddleoftheFiveKingdoms.Itshareditsborderswiththeotherfourkingdoms,andkeptapeacefulrelationshipwiththemall.ThepeacefulnessandprosperityofthekingdomwasevidentevenbeforeKaoruandherretinuereachedthetremendouswallsofthecapitalcity.Thecitystoodamassoftallspires,gracefullyarchedbridges,andgentlytwistingroadways,scatteredatoprollinghillsindelightfulconfusion.Uponheroictowers,bannersandpennantsflutteredinthewind.Severalsmallriverswererunningamongthehighbuildings.

Alongthestreets,peoplestoodstaringattheavians'newqueen.Theyhadalreadyseenanavianmessengerflyingintheskytowardsthecastletoinformthewerewolvesoftheirarrival.Kaorusmiledatthegatheringcrowd,tryingherbestnottoshowhownervousshewas.

Ariverranbeforethepalace,sothatentrancewasmadeoverahighbridgethat

archedacrossthewaterintothemaincourtyard.Thepalacewasacollectionofgreatbuildingsconnectedbylonghallsthatsprawledatopahillsideinthecentreofthecity.

Astheyenteredthecourtyard,trumpetssoundedfromthewalls,andguardsstoodtoattention.Porterssteppedforwardtotakethemounts,whileacollectionofpalacenoblesandofficialsstoodnearthepalaceentranceinwelcome.

AsKaoruapproachedthem,hereyesscannedeachoneofthem,searchingfortheking.Ayoungmanaboutheragewalkedaheadofthegroupofnoblestomeether.Heworehisbrownhairinahighponytailandhadafriendlysmileonhisface.Hisclotheswererichinappearancewithawhitecapeadoringhisshoulders.Kaoruassumedhemustbeanimportantnoble.Shecursedherselffornotattendingn

obleballswithherfatheroverthepreviousyears.

"Welcometomykingdom,ladyKamiya"theyoungmansaidcheerfullyashestoodbeforeher.

Kaoru'seyesgrewwide.Shewasspeechlessasshestaredatthebrownhairedman.He'stheking!FromherknowledgetheLycans'kinghadbeenreigningoverhispeoplefortwentyyears,sincebeforeshewasborn.

Kaorublushedassherealisedthatshehadbeengawkingattheking.Heonlysmiledatherinafriendlymanner,asifusedtopeoplebeingsurprised.

"I'mgladtoseeyouwell,LordOkita"Kaorusaidafterrecoveringfromheremba

rrassment.

"CallmeOkita,"thekingsmiled"andcanIcallyouKaoru?"

AgainKaoruwassurprisedathisinformalattitudebutshefeltherselfrelaxing"yesofcourse,Okita"

Hegaveheroneofhissmilesagainandproceededtointroducehisnoblestoher.Kaorutriedherbesttomemoriseeachnameandwasgladwhenfinallysheandthekingwalkedaheadofthenoblesintothecastle.Theywalkedthroughseveral


12/348

outerrooms,andthenreachedaninnercourtyard.Herefountainsandtreesdecoratedagarden,beyondwhichstoodthecentralpalace.Kaoruwassurprisedthatwerewolveshadanappreciationforbeauty.

"Youmustbetiredfromjourney,Kaoru"thekingsaid"yourquartersarereadyforyouandmyhouseholdsareatyourservice"

Kaoruthankedhimforhishospitalitybeforepartingwithhimandsoonfoundherselfmountingamarblesetofstairsleadingtothesleepingquarters.

"Thepalaceisbeautiful"KaoruwhisperedtoSoujiro,whowaswalkingsilentlybesideher.

"Thisisakingdomwhohadknownacenturyofpeace"heremarkedabsentmindedly,forhiseyesweresharplylookingaround.

"Relax,Soujiro.Nooneisgoingtoattackmeinaneutralkingdom,besidesthevampireshaven'tarrivedyet"

"Ijusthatebeingweaponless"hesaidinalowvoicecarefulnottoallowthesquire,whowasleadingthem,tohearhim.Theyhadbeenaskedtoforfeitanyweaponintheirpossession.

Kaorualsohatednothavingherswordwithher,butthiswasforthesafetyofe

veryone,eventhevampireswillbeaskedthesamethingoncetheyarrived.Kaoruwasn'tlookingforwardtomeetingthevampireking,thetruthwasshewasn'tlookingforwardtoanyofthis,particularlythecoronationceremony.

SheheavedasighImightaswellgetitoverwith.

Kenshinsteppedoutintothecoolnight.Theweatherhere,inthewerewolveskingdom,waswarmerthanfurthertowestwherehisandtheaviankingdomlay.Hewasdressedinalightwhitetunicandblackbreeches.Hisbootedlegsmovedsoundlesslyashemadehiswaywestward,whereheknewathickwoodedareawaslocated.Hehadarrivedthreedaysagoandhadmetwithmostoftheimportantfigures.

Exceptfortheavianqueen

Accordingtothewerewolvesking,shehadarrivedadaybeforehe-Kenshin-hadarrivedandmostlyshewasbusywiththepreparationsfortomorrow'sceremony.Kenshinmadehiswayamongthethicktreeswithease.Duringhisregularvisitstothewerewolves'kingdom,heoftenventuredheretositbyapondlocatedinthemiddleofthetrees.Itwasaquietanddarkplace,however,duetothebrighthalfmoon;hereckonedthattheplacewillbealightasthepondwasdirectlyunderthemoon.Hewalkedsoundlessly;everythingaroundhimseemedtobeindeepslumber,foritwaspastmidnight.Kenshinspottedanopeninginthethicktreesandmadehiswaytowardsit,thepondshouldbebeyondtheopening.

Whenhewasfewpacesawayfromtheopeninghestopped,sensingsomeonebeyondthetrees.Heresumedwalking,carefulnottomakeanysoundandstoppedbytheo

pening.

Hefrozeonhisspotwhenhesawthesightbeforehim

Overthepond,aravenhairedgirlhoveredquietly.Herbarefeetbarelytouchingthecrystalwaterofthesmalllake.Shewaswearingashortsimplewhitedress,reachingjustaboveherkneesandwithanopeningontheback.Herravenhairwasloose,allowingthebreezetostiritgently.Butwhatawedhimthemostwerehermagnificentonyxwingsjuttingfromherbarebackandflutteringslowly.


13/348

Shelookedlikeanangel

Kenshinwasnotamanwhoheldstrongbeliefsinthegods,butthesightofhertrulymadehimbelieveinangels.Fromhispositionhehadasidewayviewofher,shewaslookingheavenward,stillunawareofhim.Herfacereflectedgreatsadnessandnowhecouldseethintricklesoftearsrunningdownhercheek.Themoonbathedherinitssilverlightandshealmostappearedtobeglowing.

Kenshinunconsciouslytookastepforward.

Thegirlimmediatelytensedandlookedtowardshisdirection.Hertearfuleyeswidenedandsuddenlyherwingsdisappeared,causinghertodropinthecoldwaterwithasplash.

Kenshincursedandlungedintothepond.Shehadbeenhoveringoverapointdirectlyabovethemiddleofthepond,wherethewatersweredeepest.Heswamtothecentreofthepond,whereshewasflailingandgasping.Kenshintookholdofherwaistandraisedherheadabovethewater,atfirstshefoughthim.

"Easy,easy"Kenshinsaidcalmlyaswaterwassplashedonhisfaceandhair"I'mnotgoingtodrownyou"

Shestoppedstrugglingandstaredathimwithlargesapphireeyes,shewasabouttospeakbutstartedtocoughinstead.

Kenshingaveasoftchuckle,hehadrecognisedherthemomentsheturnedherheadtowardshimbeforeherwingshaddisappeared.

Ashercoughingsubsided,Kaoruglaredathim"you"-asoftcoughagain-"whatareyoulaughingat?"

Kenshinopenedhiseyesandstaredatherinamusement"I'vealwayspicturedmymeetingwiththeavianqueen,butthiswasn'toneofthepossibilities"

Itseemedasifshedidn'thearhim.Themomenthisambereyesmethers,hehadnoticedhowsomethingresemblingpanicappearedinherblueeyes.Nowsheabruptlydisengagedherselffromhimandswamtowardtheshore.Shewascapableenough

ofswimming;itseemedthatherepisodeofdrowninghadbeenaresultofsurpriseandconfusion.

"IsavedyourlifeandIgetnothanks?"Kenshinfeigneddisappointmentashefollowedhertotheshore,hiseyeswerefixedonherbareback.

"Mylifewouldn'thavebeencompromised,"Kaorurepliedstubbornlyasshereachedtheshore"ifyouhadn'tbeenspyingonme"sheseemedtobelookingforsomethingasshehuggedherselfagainstthecoldbreeze.

Kenshintookinherfigureassheturnedhereandtheretolookforherlostthing.Thenowdrenchedwhitedresshuggedherfigureperfectly,outliningeverycurve.Hiseyesmovedfromherbreastsdownherbody.Heheardhermutteringsomet

hingabouthercloak,andheunderstoodthatshewaslookingforsomethingtocoverherself.Hiseyesdartedsideway,totheoppositesideofthepondandspottedherdarkcloakdiscardedonthegrassyground.Hisamusedambereyesreturnedtoher.Itseemedthatshewastoonervoustorealizethattheyhadswamtotheoppositesidefromwhereshehadfirstcome.Hesuppressedasmirk,hewasn'tabouttoenlightenher,herathercontinuehisappreciationoftheviewbeforehim.

Shesuddenlysighedindefeatandlookedoverathim,haltingherfranticsearch"youarethevampireking"shesaidinahushedtone,shemadeaneffortnotto


14/348

staredirectlyintohiseyes.

ClevermoveKenshinthoughtbeforeraisinganeyebrowathertone"disappointed?"hegaveasoftlaugh"what?Youexpectedthevampirekingtobeasevenfootgiant,shootinglightingformhiseyes?"

HiswordsmadeKaorublushvisiblyassheavertedhergazeinembarrassment.

Kenshinstaredintentlyatherface;hecouldalmostseethebloodrushingtohercheeks.Unlikethevampirefemales,herskinwasrosywithabeautifulglowtoit.Hisambereyesmovedtoherneck,hewonderedhowitwouldfeeltosinkhisfangsintoherskinandtasteherwarmblood.

"Whatareyoudoinghere?"sheasked,tryingtohideherembarrassment.

"Icouldaskyouthesamequestion"Kenshinreplied,nevertakinghiseyesoffher.Sheseemedtobetryingtolookanywherebuthiseyesbuthereyeskeptdartingtohisfacebeforeglancingawayquickly.

"Ican'tsleep"

"Scared?"

"I'mnotscared"shesaiddefiantly,asiftryingtoconvinceherself"I'mI'mjus

tworried"shesaidsoftly.

Kenshinstaredather.Worryanduncertaintywasevidentonheryoungfeatures.Herealizedthatshemustbetheyoungestqueenevertotakethrone.Astrangetenderfeelingtuggedathim,aneedtocomfortherordriveawayherworries.Butasquicklythosefeelingsappeared,Kenshinpushedtheyaway.Ishouldn'tbethinkingaboutcomfortingher,Ishouldbethinkingofwaystocrushher.Kenshinknewthathecouldeliminateherhereandnow,shewasweaponlessandhecouldoverpowerhereasily.

Butwhereisthefuninthat?Kenshinssmirkedandatthemomenthiseyesmethers.Hedidn'tknowwhatshesawinhiseyes,butwhateveritwas,itmadehertakeastepbackward.Thenshestoppedherselfanddefianceappearedinherbluee

yes.

"Whatareyousmilingabout?"sheasked.

Kenshinwasabouttoreplybutstopped"Itseemsthatweareabouttogetsomecompany"hesaidinstead,inanonchalantvoice.

BeforeKaorucouldcomprehendwhattheredhairedkingwassaying,aflutterofwingswasheardandsuddenlySoujirodroppeddownbeforeher,positioninghisbodybetweenhersandthevampire's.

"Mylady,areyouhurt?"SoujiroaskedthegirlbehindhimbuthishostilegreyeyesremainedfixedonKenshin.

KenshinletoutasoftchuckleasheturnedhisbacktoSoujiro,aclearsignofhowsmallheconsideredthethreatposedbySoujiro"believeme,wingedboy,"Kenshinwalkedtowardstheopeningfromwherehehadfirstemerged"hadIwishedanyharmtoyouryoungqueen,youwouldhavefoundherbodyalreadyfloatingonthepond"heabruptlyturnedtowardsthem,hiseyesnowfixedonKaoru,whostillstoodbehindSoujiro.Withagracefulmovement,Kenshinsweptheracurtbow"Iwishyouagoodnight,yourmajesty"hesaidwithasmirkbeforedisappearingintothedarknessamongthetrees.


15/348

SoujiroabruptlyturnedtofaceKaoru"areyoualright,Kaoru?"iseyesscannedherquickly,lookingforanydamage.

"I'mfine"Kaorusaid.Nowthatthevampirekingwasgone,shefeltthatshecouldbreathenormally.

"Youshouldhavesentformebeforegoingoutalone"Soujiroreproached.

"I"Kaoruavertedhergaze"Ijustwantedtothinkforawhile"

Soujirosighed"itcouldbedangerous,youcouldhavebeentargeted"

"Iunderstand,butIcouldn'thelpit"

KaorulookedatSoujirowhenhesuddenlyclearedhisthroat,hewaslookinganywherebutather.

"IIthinkyoushouldcoveryourself"hesaidinanervousvoice.

Kaorulookeddownatherself,andsawthatthedrenchedwhitedresswasclingingtoherbodylikeasecondskin,leavinglittletoimagination.Kaorufelttheheatonhercheeksandsheknewthatshewasblushingagain.

"Here,"Soujiroremovedhiscapeandhandedittoher"thisshoulddo"

"Thanks"Kaorugladlycoveredherbody.Shefeltembarrassedforbeingseenwearingthisdress.Theavianswomenwereverypreservewhenitcametotheirclothing.Longdresseswerethetraditionalclothesforwomenwhentheyareinpublic.ButKaoruhadbeenwearingalongcloakwhenshehadfirstcometothisspot.

"Whatareyoulookingfor?"SoujiroaskedwhenhesawKaorulookingaround.

"Mycloak"sheanswered.

Soujiroswepthisgazearoundthepondandspottedhercloakdiscardedontheothersideofthesmalllake"there"hesaidandhisbrownwingsappeared.Aviansmalesusuallyweartonicswithtwosemi-circleopeningsatthebacktoallowthe

irwingstogrowwhenneeded.UsuallysoldierscoverthoseopeningsbywearingacapelikeSoujiro.Nowheflewovertotheothersideandfetchedthedarkcloak.

"Thanksagain"Kaorusmiledathimwhenhehandedherthecloak.

"Weshouldgonow,"Soujirosaid,alwaysalert"youneedtorest,theceremonyistomorrow"

Kaorunoddedandforthefirsttime,hermindwasn'toccupiedwiththecoronationceremony.

Kaorulayinherbedunabletosleep.Shetossedandturnedtryingtofindacom

fortableposition.Shesighed.Thistime,herlackofsleepwasnotonlyduetotheapproachingcoronationceremony.Hermindkeptwanderingbacktoherunusualmeetingwiththevampireking.Shemustadmitthatshewassurprisedwhenhehadfirstappeared.Avians'firstinstinctistoprotecttheirwings.That'swhysheinstinctivelyretractedthemthemomentshesawtheredhairedvampireamongthetrees.

Imusthavelookedlikeafool

EvennowKaorufeltembarrassedasshethoughtaboutherselfdroppingintothew


16/348

aterandnearlydrowning.Butshewonderedwhyhadhesavedher?Wasn'thesupposedtopushherheaddownthewaterinstead?Hewouldhaveendedthewarthereandthen.

ThewarmaybeIshouldhavediscussedwithhimpossiblewaystoendit

Butshethoughtitwouldhavebeenuseless.Herfather,andhergrandfatherbeforehimandmanymoreofherancestorshadalltriedpeacefulmeanswiththevampires,butallhadendedwithdisasters.Theyhadbeenfightingforsolongnowthatbothsideshadforgottenhowithadallbegun.Eachsideblamedtheother.Kaoruhopedshewouldbeabletodosomethingtoendthewarinspiteofthecouncil'slackoffaithinher.Shewasafterallthefirstfemaletotakethethroneforhundredsofyear.

Kaoruheavedasighandturnedonherside,herthoughtsreturningtoKenshin.Sherememberedhiseyes,theywerethecolorofgold,blazinginthenightanddespiteallthewarningsregardinghowdangerouslookingdirectlyintothemmightbe,shehadfoundherselfunabletolookaway.Anditdidn'thelpthathepossessedabeautifulface.

"Ah!"frustratedKaoruburiedherheadunderabellow.

Whatareyouthinking?He'stheenemy!

Butthatdidn'tchangethefactthatKaorufoundhimhandsome.HowplainImusthavelookedstandingclosetohiminmydisheveledform?Kaoruthoughtindismay.Himbeingdrenchedhadn'taffectedhiminanyway.Ifanything,itbroughtoutsharpfeaturesandoutlinedthescaronhischeek.

Kaoruremovedthebellowandsatup.

Beautifulornot,ifIdon'tendthiswar,somedayIamgoingtomeethiminthebattlefieldandseektoshedhisblood.

TheLycanskingdomwasinafestivemood.Everywherebannersrippledinthebreeze,andgarlandsofsummerflowersfilledthewalls.Manyavianstravelledfromtheaviankingdomtocelebratethecoronationoftheirqueen.Theavianpopulace

wasawareofhowyoungthequeenwas,butherfatherwasamanwhohadbeenlovedandrespectedforhisjustreign.Theyhadfaiththatthenewqueenwouldfollowhispathandmaybedowhathecouldn'tDefeatthevampires

Therelationsbetweentheaviansandthelycanswereinagreatshapeforhundredsofyearsandthiswasreflectedonthecoronationday.Bothwerewolvesandavianscouldbeseentogetherinthestreetsandtaverns,gladfortheopportunitytoestablishnewfriendshipsaswellasrekindlingoldones.

Thepreparationsinthecastlewerecomplete.ThewholepopulationofnoblesandmostrichcommonersoftheFiveKingdomshadalreadygatheredinthegreathallwheretheceremonywouldtakeplace.Overfourhundredpeoplewereattending.

Thewallswerecoveredwithgiantbannersandrichtapestries.ThebannerswereofeachkingdomaswellaseverymajorhouseholdintheFiveKingdoms.Theemptythronewaslocatedonahighdaisandbehindithungtheavianbanner.

Kenshin,alongwiththeotherthreeleaders,wasseatedonthefront,furtherfromothernoblesandnearertotheraisedthrone.Theroomwhichhadbuzzedwithchatteringandlaughterwassilent,saveforhushedwhispers,asthepriestsenteredthehall,allwalkinginunisonatthesamemeasuredpace.Thedoorswereclosedastheprieststooktheirplacesateithersideofthethronefouroneachside-chantingsoftprayers.Oneheldthenewcrown,fashionedbythepriests,r


17/348

estinguponacushionofpurplevelvet.

Suddenly,bellsbegantochimeandallthoseattendingrosetotheirfeetasthedoorswereonceagainopened.

Fromwherehestood,Kenshinhadaclearviewofthehugeentryway.Therestandingatthethreshold,thefadingsun'slightbehindher,stoodtheavians'newqueen.ShetookslowstepsintothegreathallandnowKenshincouldclearlyseeherbeauty.Ifthesimpleshortwhitedresshehadseenonheryesterdayreflectedhernaturalbeauty,thelightpurplegownshewaswearingnowmagnifiedit.Hershinyblacktressesweredown,sheworenojewelsoraccessories,andinhisopinionsheneedednone.Shelookedlikeashyyoungbridewalkingtoherhusbandto-be.

Nowshewasclosetowherehewasstanding,despiteherattemptnottolookathim,theireyesmet.Kenshingaveheraloopsidedsmilebutsheavertedhergazeandbegantoascendtodais.Kenshinsawthatdespiteherbravefaade,shewasscared.Hehadglimpseditinhersapphireeyes.

Aswithlastnight,herbackwasexposedandKenshinfoundhimselfthinkingaboutherwings.Theywereofanunusualcolour.Yesterdayhadbeenthefirsttimehehadeverseenanavianwithblackwings.Usuallytheircolourrangefromwhitetobrown.KingKamiya'swingshadbeenwhite.Hewonderedifshehadgottenthoseonyxwingsfromhermother'sside.

KenshinbroughthimselfouthisreveriewhenKaorustoppedbeforethethrone.Shedidnotsit.Twoofthepriestsmovedtostandbeforeher,onecarryingthepurplecushionandtheotherolderonewascarryingastaff.Thelatterstruckhisstaffuponthefloorandallthoseattendingsatagain.

"Nowisthehourandhereistheplace"hisstrongvoicerangthroughthehall"wecometocrownthequeen!"

"Blessthequeen"answeredtheotherpriests.

TheheadpriesttouchedKaoruupontheshoulderwithhisstaff,restingitthereashesaid"bywhatrightdoyoucomebeforeus?"

Kenshin'ssharpeyeswereonKaoru.Thisquestionwouldhavebeenmorerelevantifshehadsiblingsorothersclaimingrightstothethrone.

"Byrightofbirth"sheansweredinasoftbutclearvoice,nofearornervousnesswasreflectedinhervoice.

"Stateyournameandclaim"

"IamKamiyaKaoru,daughteroftheavianking,theonlydaughteroftheavianroyalblood"shesaid.

TheceremonywascarriedonuntilKaoruwascrownedwithasimplecircletofgol

d.

"Nowisthehourandhereistheplace.Itistoyouthisburdenhasfallen,Kaoru,daughtertotheKamiyalineofaviankings.Willyoutakeupthisburdenandbetheavianqueen?"thepriestasked.

"Iwillbetheavianqueen"Kaorusaid

"Doyousweartodefendandprotectyourkingdom,faithfully,servingthepeople,toprovidefortheirwelfare,wealandprosperity?"


18/348

Kaoru'sblueeyesmetKenshin'samberorbsnowandshedidnotbreaktheireyecontactassheanswered"I,Kaoru,dososwear"

Kenshingaveheracurtnodasifacknowledginghervow

Youcanvowallyouwantnow,littlequeen,Kenshinthoughtamusedatthefirehehadseeninhersapphireeyeswhenthetimecomes,youwillbesittingbesidemythronebymyfeet,awaitingmypleasure

Kaorusippedslowlyfromhercup.Shewasgladthattheceremonywasoverandnoweveryonehadmovedtoanotherhallwaitingforthedinnertobeserved.

"Youseemrelieved"Soujiroremarked.Hewasstandingbesidehernearoneofthegreatpillarsofthelargehall.

"YouknowthatIwasn'tlookingforwardtotheceremony"Kaorusaid,hereyesmovingaroundthecrowd,noddingandsmilingtoimportantnoblesnowandthen.

"Atleastyoudidn'tappeartobenervous"

Kaorulookedathim"Ididn't?"

"Nonotall,"hesmiledather"youdidgreat"

Kaorunarrowedhereyesathim"youaren'tsayingthattomakemefeelbetter,areyou?"

"Havefaithinyourself,yourMajesty"helaughedatthelookshegavehim.Thenheabruptlystoppedlaughing,lookingoverKaoru'sshoulder.

KaoruturnedintimetoseeQueenMakotoYumiapproaching.

QueenoftheFalconKingdom

Sincebothwereofequalstatus,Kaorudidn'thavetocurtseytoher,butKaorudidn'thelpthesmallbowshegaveastheQueenoftheFalconsstoppedbeforehe

r.

"Mydear,"thebrownhairedqueensaidinsoftandgentlevoice"youhavegrowntoabeautifulwomansincethelasttimeI'veseenyou,Kaoru-chan"

"Ithankyou,LadyYumi"Kaoruwasalwaysatawewithregardstothefalcons.Theirkingdomwaslocatedinthefareast,andtheydiffersomuchfromtheotherkingdoms.Theirclothes,mannerofspeechandevenKaoruhadheard-theirhomesandwayoflivingwereverydifferent.Eventheirqueennowwasnotwearingadressliketheotherladies.Sheworesomethingresemblingalongredrobewithhershouldersexposed.FromwhatKaoruhadheard,thispieceofclothingwascalledakimono.Kaoruhadheardthatthefalcons'ancestorshadbeenaviansbuthadmovedtotheeast,wheretheyhadestablishedtheirkingdom.ButnowastheFalco

ns'queenstoodclosetoher,Kaorucouldn'tbelievethatthiswomancouldbeanavian.Therewasmagicabouther,everyoneknowsthattheFalconswerethemostpowerfulraceintheFiveKingdoms.Therewasmagicintheirblood,andtheymadesureitstaysonlyintheirline.Itwasrareforpeoplefromdifferentkingdomstomate,butthelawsofFalconstotallyforbidcrossbreeding.Theyhuntandkillanyoneattemptingthat.

"Imetyourmothermanyyearsago,"QueenYumisaid,lookingatKaoruinastrangeway.Asifstudyingeverypartofher"youwerelittlemorethanayearofage,howmuchyouresembleher"


19/348

Kaorufeltherhearttwistingatthementionofhermother.

QueenYumisuddenlyreachedoutherhandandtouchedKaoru'scheek"atsuchayoungage,youcarryagreatburden,"herfingerswerecold,butKaorudidn'tnoticethat,therewasastrangefeelingthatseemedtobeseepinginsideofher,reachingforherverysoul"butsoonyouwillembraceyourdestiny"

Kaoruswayedandfelttheroomspinningaroundher,theglasscupslippedfromhernumbfingerstothefloorandshewouldhavefollowed,ifSoujirohadn'tcaughtherstaggeringform.

"Kaoru!"Soujirogrippedhershouldersastheglassshatteredonthefloor.

ThenobleswhowerenearstoppedtheirchatteringandstaredtowardKaoru.

"Itseemsthatit'sbeenaveryharddayforher,"QueenYumiremarked,lookingatthedazedKaoru"pleasemakesureshegetsomerest"withthatthequeenleft,movinggracefullyinherredkimonoasthegatheringnoblespartedforher.

ManynoblesstartedwhisperingastheylookedatKaoru,thentheyhastilymadewayasOkitaapproached.

"Whatisthematter?"Thewerewolves'kingstoppedbySoujiroandKaoru.

"I'mnotsure,mylord"Soujiroanswered,concernwrittenalloverhisyoungface"sheseemedtohavegonelightheadedsuddenly"

OkitastaredatKaoru"Perhapsmyphysicianshouldseeher"

"I'mfine"Kaoruwhispered,hereyeswereclosedassheleanedonSoujiroforsupport.

Okitalookedatherpaleface"youseemverytired,Kaoru"

"I'mfine,"Kaorurepeated"IIjustneedtositdown"

OkitanoddedasSoujirohelpedKaorumovingtooneofthelargesofasnearthewindow.Kaoruperchedonthesoftsofaandcoveredhereyeswithonehandassheleanedonthearmrest.

"Perhapsyoushouldretirefornow"Soujirosuggestedashesatbesideher,hisvoicereflectedhisconcern.

"OhSoujiro,youweresayinghowgreatIcarriedmyselfintheceremonyandthenIgoandmakeascene"Kaorusuppressedamoan.

Soujirofrownedatthat"you'reworryingaboutthewrongthings,itisyourhealth"

"I'malright,Soujiro,"Kaorusighedandlookedathim"I'mnotsurewhathashappened,butit'sgonenow"

Soujirostudiedherface.Colorhadreturnedtohercheeksandsheappearedmuchhealthierthanfewminutesago.

"You'vescaredthelifeoutofme,Kaoru"Soujiroshookhishead"Ithoughtyourdrinkwaspoisoned"

ItwasKaoru'sturntostareathim,heappearedtobesoworried,andhisusual


20/348

lysmilingeyeswerefreefromtheirusualmirth.Kaorumovedherhandandgripedhis.

"I'msosorry,"Kaorusaidsoftly,squeezinghishand"Ididn'tmeantomakeyouworry"

"Iwillforgiveyou,ifyoupromisetoretireafterdinner"

Kaorufrowned"Itwillberude,thispartyisheldforme"

"Ithoughtyouhatedtobetheguestofhonour?"Soujiroteased.

Kaorusmiled"Iwillwithdrawanhourafterdinner,howaboutthat?"

Soujirothoughtforamomentthenhesaid,"deal"hegaveheronehissmiles"nowyou'reforgiven"

"Whatdoyouthinkthiswasallabout?"Tomoeasked.

Kenshindidn'treplyinitially.Hecontinuedobservingtheyoungqueen,whowasstillsittingonthelargesofa.He,TomoeandEnishiwerestandingnearwhenKaoruhadnearlycollapsed.KenshinhadseentheFalcons'queenspeakingtothentouchingKaorubeforethenewqueenhadsuddenlygonesopaleandalmostsanktothefloor.

"I'mnotentirelysure"Kenshinsaid.

"Maybethewitchhasdonesomethingtoher"Tomoeoffered.

Kenshinwonderedaboutthat.Kaoruhadturnedpalethemomenttheolderqueentouchedher,butitcouldbeamerecoincidence.Butstill,theFalcons'queenwasn'treferredtoasa"witch"fornothing.

Tomoeshrugged"perhapsourlittlebirdhasfinallygiveninunderthepressureoftheday"thensheturnedtoherbrother"whyareyousoquiettonight?"

Kenshin'ssharpeyesglancedsidewaysatEnishi.EnishiwasTomoe'syoungerbrot

herandasquad'scaptaininKenshin'sarmy,moreimportantlyEnishiwasamanwhoindulgedhimselfinthepleasuresoffleshmorethananyothercreatureintheentireFiveKingdoms.Vampireswerelustfulcreatures,butKenshinsuspectthattherehadn'tbeenanightwhenEnishisleptonanemptybed.Becauseofhisrank,familyandKenshinassumed-looks,therewerealwayswillingfemalestosatisfyhisurges.

ButitseemedthatthistimeEnishihadhiseyesonanunwillingfemale.

WithouttakinghiseyesoffKaoru,Enishireplied"I'mjustthinking"

"Aboutwhat?"Tomoeinsisted.

"Aboutmybed,"Enishigaveasmallsmile.

"Youmeanaboutwhoyouwanttobeonyourbednext"

EnishichuckledandthrewonearmoverTomoe'sshoulders"youknowmetoowell,sister"hekissedthetopofherhead,whilehisblackeyesremainedfixedontheobliviousgirlsittingonasofa.

Nextnight


21/348

Kaorustretchedherarmsasshedescendedthemarblestairs.Nowthattheceremonywasovershecouldrelaxforawhilebeforereturningtoherkingdom,wheretherealworkwouldbegin.Shemovedleisurelytowardsthegardenasshestudiedthepaintingsonthewall.AfterinsistingthatSoujiroshouldretirefromhisguardingdutyandhavesomerest,hehadfinallyyieldandwenttohisquarters.NowKaorutooktheopportunitytoroamthecastlewithoutworryingSoujiro.

AsshenearedthegardenKaoruheardvoicessoshehidbehindthewall.Thensheriskedapeektoseewhowasthereinthegarden.Hereyeswidenedatthesightandbloodrushedtohercheeks.Sheimmediatelyretreatedandrestedherbackagainstthewallagain.Shewaitedtillherheartstoppedbeatingfranticallyandthenglancedagain.

There,againstoneofthemarblepillarssurroundingthegardenleanedtwopeople.Sherecognisedtheman,whosebackwastoherfromhisredhair.HewaskissingagirlKaorucouldn'tsee,butwithshock,Kaorucouldseethattheunknownfemale'slegwashitchedaroundtheking'swaist.Oneofthefemale'shandwasloopedaroundhisneckashekissedherdeeply,whileherotherhandwasburiedbeneathhisdarkbluetonic.Kaorucouldheartheirloudbreathingbutshecouldn'tcatchtheirlowmurmurs.

Suddenlytheredheadvampirestoppedwhathewasdoing

Kaorutensedandimmediatelyhidbehindthewallagain,pressingherbackagains

tthehardstone.Now,therewerenovoicescomingfromthegardenandKaoruwaitedfewmomentsbeforeriskingaquickglance.

Therewasnoonethere

Theonlysoundwasthesoundofthetricklingfountain'swater.

Kaorublinkedinsurprise,wherehavetheygone?Shemovedfrombehindthewallandstaredaroundthegarden,therewasnoone.

Kaoruturnedagaintowardthedirectionofherroom

Andcamefacetowiththesmirkingking.

Kaorugaspedandjumpedback,pressingherselfagainstthewallagain,herheartbeatingfrantically.

"OhKenshin,"thevampirefemale,whowasstandingbehindtheking,said"youhavescaredthelittlequeen"

"Iseemtodothatalot"repliedtheking,hissharpeyesneverleavingthewideonesofKaoru"spying,aren'twe?"

"I"Kaorutriedtosay,butblushedwhensherememberedwhatshehadwitnessed.Nowsherecognisedthewomanfromthecoronationceremony.Thevampirefemalewasasbeautifulandelegantasinnightbefore.Thistimeherhairwaslooseands

hewaswearingalongsleevelessdresswithaoneslitontherightsidethatreachedherthigh.ThedressoutlinedhercurvesperfectlyandKaorufeltveryplaincomparedtothepalewoman,despiteKaoru'shigherstatus.

"Icanalmostseethebloodrushingtoherface"thevampirefemalesaid.

KenshinraisedaneyebrowatKaoru'sevidentembarrassment"haven'tyoueverseentwopeoplekissing?"

"Ididn'tknowthatyou'remarried"Kaorusaiduncomfortableatbeingscrutinize


22/348

bythetwovampires.

Kaoruglancedatthemwhentheyremainedsilent.

Apuzzledexpressiondominatedtheirbeautifulfacesbeforebothbegantolaugh,addingmoretoKaoru'sdiscomfortandembarrassment.

"Married?"theredhairedkingchuckled"whatevergaveyouthatimpression"hisamusementwasevidentashestaredintentlyatKaoru.

Kaorulookedfromonetoanother"butyoutwowere"

"Kissingandtouching?"Kenshinoffered"youdon'thavetobemarriedtoenjoytheseandmore"

"Yesyoudo"Kaorublurted"itisimpropertodothosekindofthingsbeforeoneismarried"shesaidfirmlybutthisonlyseemedtoamusethemmore.

"NowIremember,"thefemalevampiresaidinhersoftmusicalvoice"I'veonceheardthattheaviansareveryconservativeandpreserved,itseemsthatitdoesn'tonlyapplytotheirclothes"shelookedatKaoruupanddown,takinginherdress.Kaoru'sdresswasofrichlightbluematerial,longandwithadarksashloopedaroundherslenderwaist.Itwaslongedsleevedbuthershouldersalongwithherbackwereexposed.Itwasatraditionamongtheavianfemalestoweardre

sseswithlargebackopeningfortheirwings.OfcourseKaoruwouldhavepreferredtowearatunicandbreechesbutshehadtokeepanappearance.

"Sodoesthatmakeyouavirgin,yourmajesty?"Kenshinleanedoverher,restingthepalmofhishandonthewallbesideherhead.

"OfcourseIam!"Kaorusnappedthenblushedfornthtimewhentheybothlaughed.

ThevampirewomanapproachedKaoruandstoodtoherright.NowKaorufeltmorediscomfort,beingflankedbytwovampires.

ThewomanreachedoutandtouchedoneloosestrandofKaoru'shair,runningher

handalongit"IrememberthatIwasyouragewhenIhadlostmyvirginity,"shesaidhuskilyasshemovedherfaceclosertoKaoru's"youshouldtryit,"shewhispered"perhapswecanintroduceyoutoanewworld"herblackeyesboreintoKaoru'ssapphire.AndforsomereasonKaorufeltunabletolookaway.Herlidsfeltheavyandhermindwasclouded,andevenasthevampirefemalebroketheeyecontactandmovedhernosealongKaoru'sbareshoulderandneck,Kaorudidn'tmove.

"Tomoe,enough"afirmvoiceordered,causingKaorutosnapoutofhertrance.Sheblinkedseveraltimeandstaredfromonevampiretotheother.

"Kenshinyou'renofun,"Tomoesaid,tossingherblackhairbehindhershoulders.

"Whathappened?"Kaoruasked,staringattheking.Allsignsofamusementweregonenow.

"Nothingyoushouldworryabout"hesaidsternlyashemovedawayfromher

Kaoruwasconfused,butshedidn'tpressthematter.Hewasmovingtheotherdirectionwhenshesuddenlyspoke,"weshouldtalk"

Kenshinstoppedandturnedtowardher"talk?"


23/348

"Sooneachofuswillbegoingtotheirkingdom,"Kaorupaused"IIthinkweshouldtalkaboutawaytoendthewar"

Kenshintiltedhisheadsideway"youthinktalkingwillsolveeverything?"

"Noteverything,"Kaorupushedherselfoffthewall"butit'sastart,I"shefalteredwhenKenshinsuddenlyturnedtofaceher,hiseyesstern.

"DoyouknowwhathadhappenedthelasttimeyourfatherandImettotalk?"hesteppedtowardher"thirtyaviansandfourteenvampireshaddied"healmosthissedather"anditwassupposedtobeunderpeacefulterms.Wecantalkallwewant,butourpeoplewon'tbesatisfiedwithtalking,theywouldwantmorepracticalsolutions"hewasveryclosenow,makingKaorubacktothewallagain"soyourfirstlesson,littlequeenis:talkingwouldn'tachieveanything"

"Thiscan'tbe,I'vespokentoOkitaandheseemstohaveasuggestion"

"TheLycans'kinghadlivedinpeaceforsolongnow,"Kenshinmadeadismissinggesturewithhishand"Idoubthewillcomeupwithanypracticalsolution"

"Butwillyoulistentohim?"Kaorusaid."Forourpeople,weshouldendthewar."

Kenshinstaredintohereyesforawhile,asiftryingtolookintohersoul,finallyhesaid"yesIwilllistentohim"

Kaorunoddedandwasabouttospeakwhensomeonewalkedintothegarden.

"Sister,hereyouare"atallvampirewithsilverhairsaidbeforehehaltedandstaredatKaoru.

Kaorudidn'tfeelcomfortablebeingsurroundedbyvampiressosheexcusedherself"Ihavetogo"shemutteredandwalkedtowardsthestairswhichleadtothesleepingquarters.

SinceEnishihadjustcomefromthesleepingquartershewasstandingnearthes

tairsandjustasKaoruwalkedpasthim,hesuddenlyreachedoutandgrippedherwrist.

"What'sthehurry,yourmajesty?"hesaid,staringdownatherwithanoddlookinhisblackeyes.

Kaorugaspedassoonashishandgrippedherwrist.Hishandwassocoldthatitalmostfeltlikebeingburnt.Shelookedupathimwithwideeyes.

"Letgoofme"

"Enishi"Tomoewhispered.

"Ijustwanttotalk"hetightenedhisholdashelookedatherinawaythatmadeKaorushiver.

"Isaidletgoofme!"Kaorutriedtoyankherhandfree,buthedidn'tbudge.

"Enishi,"Kenshin'svoicewascold"releaseheratonce"

"Now,I"EnishicuthimselfoffwhenhiseyesmetKenshin's,heimmediatelyletgoofKaoru'swrist.


24/348

Kaorucradledherhandtoherchestandlookedaroundatthevampires.Shedidn'tknowwhyshehadoverreacted.True,thatsilverhairedguydidn'thavetherighttotouchherwithoutherpermissionbutshefeltlikeafoolforreactingthewayshehad.HereyesmetKenshin's,heseemedtobestudyingherasifwaitingforhertogointoashockorsomething.

"I"Kaorubegan"Ididn't"

"It'salrightKaoru,gorestnow"Kenshinsaid,invoicethatsurprisedKaoru,itwasalmostgentle.

KaorunoddedandmovedpastEnishitowardsthestairs.

NowEnishiturnedtofaceKenshin"whyhaveyouinterfered?Ijustwantedtoplaywithheralittle"

"Andcauseusawarwiththewerewolves?"Kenshinglaredathim.

"Iwouldn'thavekilledher"Enishisaiddefensively.

"Iknowexactlywhatyou'vemeantbyplay,Enishi"Kenshinsaidangrily"Kaoruisn'tavampire,shewouldn'tsurvivefiveminutesonyourbed"

"It'salright,Kenshin"Tomoetouchedhisarm"nothinghadhappened."Sheturned

towardsEnishi"andyou,Enishi,waittillyou'reonthebattlefieldtotrycapturethequeen.Weareinaneutralcountry"

Enishionlyshrugged"you'reoverreacting"

SuddenlyKenshinbegantowalktowardsthestairs.Tomoefollowedhim,glaringatEnishiandblaminghimforKenshin'sdarkmood.TheylefthiminthegardenasKenshinandTomoeascendedthestairs.

"IwonderwhatKingOkitahastosayregardingthewar"Tomoetriedtodistracthim.

"Wewillhavetowaittilltomorrow"

Tomoesighed;apparentlyhedidn'twanttobedistracted.

Inreality,Kenshinwascurious.Hetoowonderedifthewerewolfkingmightpossessmeanstoendthewar.Inspiteofhisdoubt,Kenshinhopedthelycan'ssolutionwouldmakeadifference.Kenshinhadbeenfightingforsolong,anddespitethevampires'violentnatureandloveforfighting,manyaredying.Mothersandwivesarelosingsonsandhusbands.Hedoubtedthatthevampires'hatredfortheavianswouldeverbeappeasedbutthekillingmuststop.However,therewassomethingthatmadeKenshinapprehensive.WhywasitonlynowthatKingOkitawasgoingtotryandendthewar?Whyhadn'themadethissuggestionofhiswhenKingKamiyawasalive?Itcouldn'tbethathehadonlythoughtaboutitrecently.

Anyway,hewouldfindtheanswerstomorrow.

Blah!Theregoesthere2ndchapter.

HmmmIwasdebatingwhethertoincludeotherRKcharacterse.g.SanoandMegumi,whatIhatetothrowinmanycharacterswithnosignificantrolestoplay.Ialmostdidn'twanttoincludeOkitabecausethemajorplayersinthisstoryareSoujiro,Tomoe,EnishiandYumi(maybeShishio!)ofcoursealongwithKaoruandKenshin.


25/348

Iknowyou'rewonderingwhyKaorudidn'tpunchthehelloutofTomoe,wellIhaven'tyetexplainedthenatureofvampires'powersyet^_^

Anywhopleasetellmewhatyouthink.

Thanks

OkfolksImustmakesomethingclearregardingKaoru'spersonality.I'vesaiditinHerExistenceandIwillsayitagainhere,KaoruwillNOTbeliketheanime,hercharacterizationwillbemoreliketheReflectionOVA.I'msorrytodisappointyouall,butforsomereasonIcan'tportrayKaoruastheshorttempered,feistygirlintheanime,Imeanshewon'tbebrokenasinHerExistence,she'safighterinthisfic,butasI'vesaidnottheill-temperedandspunkygirl.Ijustcan'tdoit.

Now,Ihavegivenyoumywarning,ifyoudon'tlikethisthenpleasedon'tproceed(Iwillcopythisonfirstchaptersopeoplewillnotwastetimereadingthisficiftheyhaveaproblemwiththis).

SomeofthemeetingpartI'vetakenfrom"Hawksong",sorryaboutthat,IpromisethiswouldbethelasttimeItakesomethingfromthisnovel,it'sjustthatIsuckwhenitcomestopoliticstalk.

Otherwiseenjoy^_^

TomyBeta:AlytheTricksterandKaroleWolfeIwantedyoureadthisbeforedecidingifyoustillwannabemybeta.

Chapter3:StrivingforPeace

HadIbeengivenanotherchance,Iwouldhaveacteddifferently,however,noonecanturnbacktime

"Ihavefeltit"

"Thepower?"

"Yes,Ihavefeltitwithinher"

"Maybeit'stimeforustoact,sheshouldbecollared"

"No,notyet"

"When?"

"Soon,thepowerisdormantwithinher,evenshedoesn'tknowaboutit"

Apause

"Sowhatdowedonow?"

"Waitandbidourtime,butsoonIwillhavethecollararoundherneckandshewillbepowerlesstodoanythingagainstit"

"Asyouwishyourmajesty"

Themeetinghallwasbrightlylit.Carefullycutwindowsshroudedwithwhitesilkletinenoughlighttoshowthebrillianceofthepalace.Thefloorwasblackstone,polisheduntilitshone,andthesmoothgranitewallsweredecoratedwithintricatemural.Aroundtablewassituatedonthemiddleofhall.


26/348

Kaoru,alongwithSoujiroandonememberofhercouncil,enteredthehall.Kaorustoppedatthedoorwhenshesawthatonlythevampireswereinthehall.Thebeautifulblackhairedvampirewassittingononechairnextthevampirekingwhilethesilveredhairedvampirefromthenightbefore,wasstandingbehindtheirchairs,leaningagainstthewallwithhismusculararmscrossedoverhischest.ThemomentKaoruappearedatthedoorhestaredather.Hisintenseblackeyescaughthersbeforetheydroppeddownherbody.

SoujirocaughtKaoru'sarm.Withaglareatthesilverhairedvampire,SoujiroescortedKaorutoherseat,blockingthetallvampirefromKaoru'sview.

Kaoru'sseatwasoppositetothevampireking.Kenshinloungedonachair,onehandbentonthearmrestwithhisfacetiltedsidewayasitrestedonthetipsoftwolongfingers.Hiseyeswereclosedandhisfacerelaxed.HewasabsolutelystillanddidnotopenhiseyeswhenKaoruhadentered,butnowasshetookherseat,helookedupandcaughthergaze.Twinpoolsofmoltengoldheldhertight,andforamomentKaorufeltasifshecouldn'tlookaway,thenheblinkedandgaveheranodbeforeclosinghiseyes.

Servantswereshufflingaroundthehall,pouringdrinksforthenewlyarrivedavians.MomentslaterthedoorswereopenedagainandOkitaentered.Hewasconversingwiththefalcons'queen.Henoddedtoherbeforemovingtohisseatattheheadofthetable.Yumitookherseatattheotherendandnexttohersathera

dvisor.Kaorucouldn'trememberhisnamebuthewaswiththequeenmostofthetimes.Heappearedtobeinhislatethirties,withahighforeheadandshortblackhairthatwascombedback

Thewerewolves'kingdidn'tsitdown.Hemotionedforhisguardstoclosethedoorbeforehespoke,"wecanbeginnow.KingShougowon'tbeattendingwithus,hehadtoleavethismorningtoseetourgentmattersinhiskingdom"

BothKenshinandKaorunoddedinacknowledgment.

Okita'seyesmovedbetweenKaoruandKenshin"Ialreadyknowthatthisisn'tgoingtobeeasy,"hebegan,hisusualcheerfulnesswasgone"butsolongasbothofyouarewillingtomakeaneffort,thereisalwaysachanceforpeace."

EnishiraisedaneyebrowatthisandthecouncilmembernexttoKaoruappeareddubious.

OkitaspoketoKenshinfirst"Himura,haveyoutakenamate?"hiseyesflickeredtoTomoeforamomentbeforelookingagainatKenshin.

Kenshinraisedfieryeyestothewerewolves'king"takingamateatthesestimes,"herepliedcoldly"wouldbelikegivingadeathsentencetoawomaninreturnforherlove.Ihavelearnedfromexperiencethatevenawomanwithachildisnotsafefromassassination,notwhenshe'scarryingavampire'sblood."

Okitatookadeepbreath,noddedandthenturnedtoKaoru"andyou,Kaoru?"

Kaorushookherhead"Ihaven'ttakenamate"shesaidsimply.

Okitanoddedagain"Himura,Kaoru,yourpresencehereprovesthatbothofyouarewillingtocooperatetoachievepeace.Whataretheobstaclesyou'refacing?"

Kenshinspokefirst"evenifbothuswantpeace,ourpeoplewouldratherfightthanbetakenbysurprise.Amongmysoldiersthereisstrongdoubtastohowfarwecantrusttheavians,andamongmanyofmypeoplethereisevenspeculationastowhyIwouldwanttomakepeace."


27/348

KaorucouldonlyagreewithKenshin"asyouknowOkita,evenhereinyourneutralkingdomtherehasbeenseveralfightsamongtheavianandvampiresoldiers,ifitwasn'tfortheweaponcode,manywouldhavedied.Mysoldiersdon'tbelievethatthevampirescanbetrusted,andunlessIgivethempermissiontofightorfindsomewaytoconvincethemthatthevampirekingandhispeoplereallywantpeace,Ifearthattheymaygoagainstmyordersoneday"

Okitasighedandwassilentforamoment,thinkingdeeply.Heremainedthusforfewminutesthenspokeagain"you'rebothimplyingthatyourpeopledoubtyoursincerityandtheotherside'ssincerity,"hesaid"youtwoaretheirleadersandifyousetanexampleandshowthemhowmuchyou'rewillingtogiveforthispeace,theywillfollow"OkitapausedandthenlookedatKaoru"thequestionthatremainsis,howmuchareyouwillingtogive?"

Kaoruthoughtaboutallthebattlefields,allthedeadmenandwomanshehadseenandallthedyingchildren,mothersandfathers.Shethoughtaboutthelifelessbodyofherfatherinarainyday.

Andsheanswered,"Anything."

Kenshindidn'tresponseimmediately;heappearedtobeweighinghisanswer"I'mpreparedtodoeverything,withinreason"

Okita'seyesbecamemoreintenseashelookedfromKaorutoKenshin"youcan'taskyourpeopletodosomethingthatyoulackthecouragetodo.Whenyouhaveavoidbetweenpeopleasgreatasyouhave,theonlywaytobridgethegapistostartatthecentre."

KaoruglancedatKenshin,wonderingifheunderstoodwhatthewerewolfwasimplying.Hisgoldeneyeswerenarrowed,asifhehadanideawherethiswasgoingbutdidn'tmuchlikeit.

Okitacontinued"youcanonlybridgetheriftbymakingthetwosidesone.KamiyaKaoru,HimuraKenshin,yousaidyouwouldgiveanything,everythingtostopthewar.Ifyouwantpeace,startbetweenthetwoofyou"Okita'svoiceechoedintheentirehallashefinallygavehisawaitedadvice"thebestadviceIcanoff

eristhis:tiethetworoyalfamilies,makethetwosidesasone.Ifyou'rewillingtotrusteachotherandputasidetherageandhatredthatoccupiedyourheartsforyears,thenHimuraKenshin,takeKamiyaKaoruasyourmate,andKamiyaKaoru,acceptHimuraKenshinasyourmate"

Soujirowasthefirsttoboltoffhisseat,hishandbangingonthetabletoindicatehisprotest,thevampirefemaleshoutedoutamomentlater,eventhecouncilmember'svoiceroseatthatandascowlappearedonthefalcons'queen'sface.Enishiappearedtobeamusedatthat.Buttheonlysilentindividualswerethetwowhomthismatterconcerned.

KaoruandKenshinremainedseated,staringdirectlyintoeachother'seyes.SharpambereyesboreintothewideblueonesofKaoru,whowastooshockedtospeak

.

Yumiwasthefirsttospeak"comeonlordOkita,surelyyou'renotbeingserious"therewasadeepfrownonherface.

"Thisisanabsurdidea"Tomoesaid,angervisibleinhereyes.

Okitadidn'tbudge"iftheleadersareunwillingtomakeamends,thenhowcanyouexpectthepeopletodoso?"


28/348

Moreprotestechoedintheroom.

SuddenlyKenshinstood,andthewholeroomwassilent.

HestaredatKaoruforalongmoment,hisfaceexpressionless,beforelookingatOkita."No."Kenshinsaidsimply.

Okitawasstunned"Yousurelycouldn'thavemadeupyourmind"hesaid"I'maskingyoutothink"

"Isaidno,"Kenshinrepeatedmoreloudly"Iwon'tbesharingmythronewithanavian"andhemadeittomove.

"Wait"OkitabeganasKenshinreachedthedoor.

Kenshinabruptlyturnedtofacethewerewolves'king"thankyouforyourtimeandhospitality,OkitaSouji"hesaidcoldly"weleavetomorrowwiththefirstlight"withthathepushedthedoorsopenforcefullyandsteppedoutthehall,followedbytheothertwovampires.

KaoruandSoujiromadetheirwaytohersleepingquarters.Theywalkedinsilence,eachlostintheirownthoughts.Theystoppedbythebedroom'sdoorbeforeSoujirospoke.

"I'msorryIhadlostmytemperbackinthehall,"hebegan"butthethoughtofthatleechgoinganywherenearyou"hedidn'twanttoeventhinkaboutit.

Kaorusighed"nevermindSoujiro,"shetouchedhisarm.Sheopenedhermouthtosaymorebutstoppedherself,insteadshesaid"I'mtired,yougoandresttoo,wewillalsoleavetomorrow."

Notwaitingforhimtoreply,Kaoruopenedthedoorandsteppedintoherroom.Walkingtothemagnificentcanopiedbed,Kaorusatattheedgeofthebed.Sheremainedsittingthereforawhile,staringatnothing.TimepassedandthesunhadlongedsincesetwhenKaorusuddenlystood.Shewalkedovertothebalcony'sdoorsandpushedthemopen,adeterminedexpressiondominatedherfeatures.Withouthesitation,Kaoruurgedheronyxwingstoappearasshewalkedtothewindow

rail.

Shejumpedoverandtookoffintothesky.

Kenshinstrolledovertohisquarters.Itwasjustbeforemidnightandthecastlehallswereempty.Hepassedoverthewaitingroomandtowardsthedoorswhichledtothebedroom.Foramomenthestoppedbythedoor,asiflisteningforsomethingthenhepushedthedooropen.Hisroomwasdarkasidefromfewcandles,whichwereflickeringnowduetothewindblowingfromtheopenwindow.

Kenshinclosedthedoorbehindhim"whatdoyouwant?"

"Iwanttotalk"Kaorusteppedawayfromthewindow,herlooseravenhairblowin

garoundher.

"IthinkIhavemademyselfclear."Kenshinsaid,staringintentlyather.

"Youhave,butyouwerehasty."

Casually,Kenshinwalkedovertoasmalltableandpouredhimselfadrink.Hisredhairmadearemarkablecontrasttotheblacktunicandbreacheshewaswearing.Kenshinsippedthedrinkslowlybeforespeaking"don'ttellmeyouactuallyagreewiththewolf'sproposal"


29/348

Kaoruwassilentforamoment"I"KaoruhesitatedandKenshinsawthatshedidn'tsupportthewerewolves'kingsuggestion"IsaidIwoulddoanythingtoendthewar,I'mnotbackingonmyword"shelookedawayfromhispenetratinggaze.

Kenshinnarrowedhiseyesather"youareeitherverybraveorafool"hesaidharshly.

Kaorusnappedherheadtowardshim"callmewhateveryouwant,"allthehesitationwasgonenow"butIdon'twanttoseedadwomenandchildrenanymore,aviansorvampires"

Kenshin'ssharpeyeswerefixedonherface,hesawthatdespiteheryoungage,shehadseenalot,shewasn'taspoiledprincesswhohadbeenprotectedallherlife.

Butthatdidn'tchangeanything.

Kenshinplacedthenowemptycrystalglassforcefullyonthetableandwalkedtothecanopiedbed,sittingontheedge.

"Andyouthinkmeandyoumarryingwillendthebloodshed?"hisarmswererestingonhislap"you'renave,Kaoru"

Kaorustrodetohim,stoppingfewpacesawayfromwherehewassitting"Ifourpeopleseethatwe'rewillingtotrusteachother,"shesaidfervently"theywillfollowourlead."Shepausedforamoment"Iwantthiswartoend,andI'mwillingtodoanythingtoachievewhatmyfathercouldn't,formypeople"

Kenshinhandshotupsuddenly,grippingherwrist"youbetterthinkaboutyourself,littlebird"Kenshinsaidintensely,hisambereyesseemedtoglowfromunderhisredbangs"youwon'tsurvivebeingavampire'smate."

Kaoru'seyeswidenedattheintensityofhisgaze.Hishandwascolderthanthewhitehairedvampire.Butsheimmediatelyveiledhershock,thoughherheartwasbeatingfrantically"I'mnotbackingonmyword,"shesaidinasteadyvoice"I'mnotafraidofyou."

"Oh,youaren't?"Kenshinsaid,hisfacebecomingimpassive.

HisirongriploosenedupabitandforamomentKaoruthoughthewouldletgo,butsuddenlyhetightenedhisholdaroundherwristandpulledhertowardsthebed.Kaorufoundherselfbeingpushedfacedownonthescarletsheetsandamomentlaterfelthisweightonher.

"Whatare"shegaspedwhenherrighthandwastwistedbehindherback.Aloudcryalmostescapedhermouth,butKaorubitonherlowerliptostopherselffromcryingout.

"Youknowsomething?"KenshinwhisperedandKaorufelthismouthnearherear"i

fweweren'tinaneutralkingdom,Iwouldkillyounowandendthewarmoreefficiently"

"Getoffme"Kaorusaidbetweenclenchedteeth.

"Scarednow?"withhisfreehand,Kenshinbrushedherhairoffherbareback"maybeIshouldgiveyouatasteofwhatitwouldbeliketobemymate"hebrushedhisnosealongherneckbeforelickingherskin,makingKaorugorigid.

"Stop"Kaorubegantostrugglenow"getoff,now!"


30/348

"Haven'tyoujustbeentryingtoconvincemetotakeyouasmymate?"hewhisperedhuskily"changedyourmind,littlebird?"

"Iwas"Kaorutriedtopushhisweightoffherusingherbody,butshemighthavebeenpushingatahugeboulderforalltheeffectitwashaving"Iwoulddoitformypeople,youbarbaricbeast!"Kaorualmostshouted"getoffme!"

Kenshinappliedmorepressureonhertwistedarm"tryingtobethequeenwhosacrificeseverythingforherpeopleandacceptabarbarianasamate?"hehissed"howtouching."

"Stop"Kaoru'sbreathswerestartingtobeshortloudgasps"myhandmyswordhand"shefeltasifhershoulderwasabouttobedislocatedandthethoughtofnotyieldingaswordforawhilescaredhermorethantheangryvampireaboveher.

Suddenlythevampire'sweightwasgone.Kaorupushedherselfupwithhergoodhandandfranticallyscrambledoffthebed.SheglaredatKenshin,whostoodinthemiddleoftherichroomasifnothinghadhappened.

Kaorugrittedherteethandstrodetohim"you"shewasabouttopunchhimwithherlefthandbutKenshin'shandshotoutandgrippedherwrist.

"Don't,"hepulledhertowardshimandKaorufoundherfacesoclosetohis"eve

nthinkaboutit."Hetightenedhisholdonherwrist"nexttimeIwon'tjustbreakyourarm,Iwilldoworsetoyourbody,"heleanedcloser,theirnosesalmosttouching"andbelievemewevampireslikeitrough"

Kaorusummonedherstrengthandpulledherhandfreebeforepushinghimforcefullyaway"youdisgustingmonster!"shewantedtoshriekathim"Ican'tbelieveIwastryingtomakepeacewithsomeonelikeyou,ifIhadmyswordIwouldhavecutyoutopieces"

AsmallsmirkappearedonKenshin'slips"Iwouldliketoseeyoutry"

Kaorugrittedherteeth"youbastard!"withthisshestrodetotheopenwindowandjumpedoverwithoutasecondthought.

Kenshinheardtheflatteringofwingsandthenitwassilent.

Therainwasfallingheavilyfromthegloomygreysky.

SoujirostaredsidewayatKaoru.Hercloak'shoodwaspulledoverherhead,sohecouldn'tseeherface.Buthecouldtellthatsomethingwasbotheringher.

"Kaoru,areyoualright?"heandKaoruwereridingattheheadoftheavianretinue,makingtheirwaywestwards.

Kaoruturnedherheadbrieflytowardshim"yes,I'mfine"shesaidsimplybeforegoingbacktostaringahead.

Soujiroknewthatshewasanythingbutfine,buthedidn'tpressthematterfurther,knowinghowstubbornKaoruwas.

Theyhaddepartedearlyinthemorningdespitethewerewolves'kinginsistencetostay.Theweatherwasbadandtravellingwouldprovetobedifficultundertheseconditions.However,Kaoruwouldn'tbudge;shehadthankedthekingandleftassoonasherpeoplewereready.Thevampireswerestillpreparingtodepartwhentheavianshadpassedthroughthegates.


31/348

"Soujiro?"Kaorusaidsuddenly.

Soujiroturnedtowardsher,shewasn'tlookingathimasshespoke,"doyouthinkthewarwilleverend?"

Soujirowaspuzzledatthesuddenmentionofthissubject"itwillbeahardroadKaoru,butIhavefaithonyou,nomatterwhathappens."

Kaorusimplynodded.

Soujirowishedtoknowwhatwasoccupyinghermind.Sheseemedstressedoversomething.

Helookedaround.Theywereridingonanarrowpath,athickwoodenareatotheirleftandasteepbushyclifftotheirright.Thiswasstillconsideredthewerewolves'territory;therefore,Soujirowasnotworriedaboutasuddenattack.

Theavianskeptwalkingonthatroadforatime.Oncethispathended,avillagewouldbenear,theretheywouldrestforthenightbeforeresumingtheirjourneyinthemorning.

Soujirowasestimatingwhattimetheywouldbearrivingatthevillagewhenhefeltapresenceinthewoods.

"Kaoru!"heshoutedsuddenlyandslappedherhorse'srearforcefullytomakeitrunjustasanarrowwasshotfromthethickwoods.ThelongshaftwasburiedinthefleshofKaoru'shorse,justfewinchesawayfromherleg.ThehorsewentwildandKaorulostcontroloverit.Asitcollapsed,Kaorufreedherselffromthestirrupsandliftedherfeetoverthedyinganimal'sneck,jumpingfreeasitstruckthemuddyground.

"We'rebeingattacked!"ashouteruptedamongthesoldiersjustasvampiresstartedtoappearfromamongthetrees.

SoujirojumpedoffhishorseandrantoKaoru,whowasshakingherheadasshesatup.

"Areyouhurt?"hisgreyeyesscannedherbodyfrantically.

"I'mfine,"Kaorustartedtosay"I"shesuddenlyjumpedtoherfeet,unsheathingherswordasavampirecameatthem.Thelongbladeflasheddown,andKaorujumpedtohisleft,thrustingwithherownsword.Shetookthevampireinthechest,thenyankedherswordfree.Themanfellwithoututteringacry.

Kaorusawmanyvampiresrushingtowardherfromthetrees,andthoughhersoldiersintersectmanyofthem,fewmanagedtopassby.

Soujirofoughtlikeamanpossessed.HekilledmanybeforetheyevencamenearKaorubutsomanykeptcomingfromthewoods.

"Thequeen!Killthequeen"onevampire,whoappearedtobetheirleader,shouted.Theywerenotwearingthevampiresoldiers'officialclothes,andweren'tsowellequipped.

Kaorudodgedablowfromthefirstvampiretoreachherandsmashedatthefaceofasecondonewiththehiltofhersword.Sheturnedtothefirstvampireandplungedherswordintohisheartbeforefacingthesecondvampirewhohadabloodynosenow.

Ashouteruptedfromtheendoftheretinue,atfirstKaorucouldn'thearwhatw


32/348

asbeingshoutedoverthesoundsofthebattle,buteventuallyshepickeditup.

"Thevampirekingishere!"thethunderoussoundofgallopinghorsesreachedKaoru'searsatthesametime.Newshoutseruptedbutsoonvampiresandaviansstartedtopartasthevampirekinggallopedhishorseamongthem.

ThevampiresstoppedattackingKaoruastheirkingrodetowardsthem.KaoruloweredherswordswhenshesawKenshinonamagnificentblackmare.HereinedhishorseclosetoKaoru.

"Ceasefightingnow!"hisvoicewasloudandfirm"nomorekilling,anyvampirewhodefiesmyorderswillanswertome!"hegracefullycontrolledhisgreatmareashelookedoveratthegroupofvampires.

TheragingrainandtheloudbreathsofthosewhohadfoughtweretheonlysoundsbeingheardasKenshin'sorderechoedamongvampiresandavians.

KenshinkeptglaringatthevampiresbeforehedismountedandwalkedovertoKaoru,whohadbeenpushedclosertothebushycliffbythepressingattacks.

Kenshinstoppedfewpacesaway,lookingdownatthebodiesofvampiresnearKaoru'sfeet.

"IguessImadeitintime."HeremarkedashelookedatKaoru.

Kaoruglaredathim,shewasstillmadatwhathadhappenedthenightbeforebutsheunderstoodthatattackinghimnowmeanstheendofavians.Theyweregreatlyoutnumbered,andshouldthevampirekingdecidedtoattack,hewouldwipethemouteasily.SoKaorusheathedherwetsword.

"Yes,yourtimingcouldn'thavebeenanybetter"shestaredathim.

"Iwilldealwiththosevampiresaccordingly."

Kaoruopenedhermouthtospeak,butstopped,lookingoverKenshin'sshoulder.Behindhim,closetothewoodsstoodhercouncilmemberwithanaviansoldier,thelatterwasreadyingtoshootanarrow.

Hewaspointingit'sdirectlyatKenshin.

"No!"KaorushoutedasshemovedtowardsKenshin"don'tshoot!"butthecouncilmemberurgedthesoldier,wholoosedanarrow.

Kenshinturnedintime,onlytoseeanaviansoldiershotanarrowinhisdirection.Theneverythinghappenedtooquickly,evenforKenshin.

Kaoruslammedherbodyagainsthisandsuddenlybothofthemwererollingdownthebushysteephill.ThefallwaslongandKenshinfeltbranchesandsharprockscuttingathisbody.Suddenlyhewasslammedatsomethinghardbeforedroppingonwetground.

Foramomenthelaidstillonhisback,staringatthesky,whichseemedsofaraboveandpartiallyobscuredbyrockyprotrusions.ThenKenshincursedloudlyashesatupslowly.Hisbodywasbruisedandsmallcutswerevisiblehereandthere,buttheywouldhealoverthenight.HelookedaroundhimandcursedagainwhenhesawKaorulayingonhersidefewpacesaway.Kenshinrosetohisfeetandwalkedovertoher.Hiscapeandtunicweretornatsomeplacesandhiswetredhairwasnowloose.AshewalkedtowardsKaoruhesawanarrowonthemuddygroundanditstipwasstainedwithblood,Kenshinknewthisbloodwasn'this.HekneltbeforetheunconsciousKaoruandturnedherslowly.Herconditionwasworse


33/348

thanhim.Herclothesweretornandthevisiblepartsofherskinwerecoveredwithcutsandbruises.Butwhatcaughthisattentionwasarelativelydeepcutonherleftshoulder.Kenshinglancedatthebloodstainedarrowagain.Hehadnodoubtthatitwasherblood.Thecutwasn'tdeepenoughtokill,however,aviansarrowswerepoisoned.Thepoisonwasspecificallycreatedtokillavampireonthespotbutitcouldweakenanavianorpossiblykillhimorher-iftheyweretobeexposed.

Kenshinstareddownather.Hecouldleaveherandshewouldprobablydie,killedbyherownsoldier.But

Kenshingrittedhisteeth.Whatwasshethinking?Hewasbeginningtoquestionhermentality.Yesterdayshehadbeenthreateningtokillhimandtodayshehadalmostgotkilledsavinghislife.

Kenshinheavedasigh,leavingthequeenoftheavianstodiewasthewisedecisionanyenemywoulddo.Butheownedherhislifeandhedespisedbeingindepttoanyone.

So

Heleanedoverandpickedupherbodyeasily.

Thiswillmakeuseven,but

KenshinwalkedinarandomdirectionwithKaoruinhisarms.

Iwilltakesomethingasabonusforhelpingher.

Kenshinthoughtandhiseyeslookeddownattheobliviousgirl.Heneededtoreplenishhisstrengthandherbloodsmelledsosweettohisnose.Darknesswastakingoverandtheraindidn'tshowasignofstopping,hehadtofindshelterforthenightandfeed.

AndKaoruwouldbeafinesustainment.

Sorrythischapisnotaslongasmyusualchapters,butmyfinalsareloomingi

nthewaysoIhavedecidedtoreleasechapter3beforeIgettoobusy.

Nowit'stherighttimetosaythatinmystory,vampirebitewon'tturnyoutoone,you'reeitherbornavampireoryou'renot.I'vereadsomanyvampirenovelsandmyvampireswillbeacombinationofthose,withsomeaddedqualities;-)

AnothernoteisthatIhaveborrowedthe-Kaoru-and-Kenshin-mating-for-peaceideafromHawksong,butherethecharacters'attitudetowardsitisdifferentthanthenovel.

FinallyTHANKSforallthosewhohadreviewed,you'reawesome!

Hereischapter4.Fewnotes:

-FirstofallIwanttothankmygreatbetaKarolWolfeforherhelpfulcommentsandfeedback,andofcourseforcleaningupmybadgrammer.

-Fromthischapterandinward,everythingwillbedifferentfromHawksong,Ionlyneededthenoveltoestablishthebasisforthisfic,sodon'tworryI'mnotgoingtocopyitatall.

-NowmanyhadmentionedthatbecausethepoisonwasinKaoru'sbloodKenshinisatriskifhedrankherblood.Iwanttopointoutthattherearesomesnakest


34/348

hatcankillyouwithasinglebite,butifyoudrinkaliterofthatsamepoisonyouwillbeunharmed.Thereasonisthatourstomachhasenzymesandotherprotectivemechanismswhichcancausedisintegrationofthemanychemicalsubstances,that'soneofthereasonswhysomedrugsaregivenI.V.However,thisisnotrelevanttomystoryandyouwillseewhy.^_^

Enjoy!

Chapter4:HungerLikeNoOther

WhenIhadkilledher,itwasasifhehaddiedtoo.ThemanwhomIlovedwasnomore

Kaorusighedandturnedoverinhersleep.Asharppainradiatedfromherarmstohershoulderandshemoanedinpainashereyesflutteredopen.Forfewmomentsshekeptstaringattherockyceiling,blinkingrapidly,wonderingwhereshewas.Herbodyshotupascertaineventscamebacktoher.Butherheadswamandhervisiongotblurry,forcingherlaybackonthehardground.

"Youshouldn'tdothat."Kaoruheardafamiliarvoice.Herheadturnedsidewaytotheleft.There,sittingacrossthefirefromherandleaningagainstthestonewall,satthevampireking.

"Wherearewe?"Kaorumanagedtosayinaweakvoice.

"Well,wearestillinthewerewolves'territory,"hereplied."ThestormisragingoutsidesoIhadtofindashelterandseetoyourwound."

"Sothearrowgotme."

Kenshinnarrowedhiseyesather."Whatwereyouthinking?Gettingyourselfkilledforyourenemy?"

"Iwasonlythinkingaboutmysoldiers,"Kaoru'seyeswidenedandshesatupagain,ignoringthedizzinesswhichassailedher."Mysoldiers?Soujiro?Whathappenedtothem?"

"Thankstoyouwegotseparatedfromeveryone."

"Butmysoldierswereoutnumbered,"Kaorusaid,worryevidentinhervoice"Whatifyourmenattacked"

Kenshinthoughtaboutthatforamoment."Yestheywouldattack,becauseoneofyoursoldiershadtriedtokillme,"hecontinuedashesawthegraveexpressiononherface."Butrememberwewerestillinthewolves'territoryandmostlikelytheirkingsentpatrolstomakesurewedon'tshedbloodinhisland."

Kaorunodded,acceptinghisreasoningbuthestillsawconcerninhereyes.Thenhiseyesroameddownherbody."NotthatI'mcomplaining,"Kenshinsaid,nowamused,"butIthinkyouwouldliketocoveryourself."

Puzzled,Kaorulookeddownatherself.Apartfromherbreastbindings,loinclothesandthepieceofclothesaroundherinjuredshoulder,shehadnothingelseon.Thecloakwhichcoveredhermomentsago,hadslippedwhenshehadsatupsuddenly.Kaorublushedandpulledthecloakuptoherneck.NowsherealizedthatevenKenshinwasonlywearinghisbreeches,hewasnakedfromwaistandup.Involuntarily,hereyesflickeredtohissmooth,muscularchestandtonedtorso.

Kenshinsmirkedwhenhesawherstaring.


35/348

Kaoruavertedhergaze"Myclothes"

"Ihadtotakethemoff,"Andhecouldn'tsaythathehadn'tenjoyedremovingherclothes."Theywerewetandstainedwithyourblood.AlsoIhadtocleanyourwound."

Kaorumovedhershoulderandwinced"Thearrowstruckme.Ishouldbesickandfeverish."

"Thepoisonhascleared."

Kaorufrowned"Howdoyouknowthat?"

"Idon'tsmellitanymore."

Herfrowndeepenedbutthensheshrugged,dismissingthematter.

ButKenshincouldn'thelpbuttowonderaboutthat.Thepoisonshouldhavestayedforadayatleastinherbloodstream.Evenifitdidn'tkilledavians,thepoisondidweakenthemfordays.However,withKaoruithadclearedinamatterofhours.Evenashehadbeenbandagingherwound,thepoisonwasalmostnon-existence.Shewasstillweakfromlosingbloodandhittingherheadastheyhadfallen,buthewaspositivethatthepoisonwasgone.

"Youknow,"Kaoru'svoicecutthroughhisthoughts"youcouldhaveleftmetodie,tobleedtodeath,"shesatagainstthewall,thecloaknowwrappedaroundherfrombehind,hereyeswerefixedonhertoesasshespoke"Ionlysavedyoutopreventmymenfrombeingslaughtered."Shelookedathimnow.

Kenshinstaredback"despiteyourreasons,yousavedmylife,weareevennow,but,"hiseyeswereserious"Thereisnoreasontohesitatenow."

Kaoru'seyesflickeredtohersword,whichrestedagainstthewall.Ifhetriedtomakeamoveagainsthershehadtobearmed.

Kenshinsmiled"Thinkingofputtingupafightagainstme?"

Kaoruglaredathim"Iwouldn'tgodownwithoutafight."

Theireyesremainedlockedwitheachotherforawhile.Theonlysoundwasofthecracklingwoodasitwasconsumedbythefire.

Kenshinshrugged"Webothhavehadalongday.Wecancallatrucefornow."

"Atruce?"Kaorublinkedbeforesmilingsoftly"Wehaven'thadthatinawhile."

Kenshinagreedsilently.Hecouldn'trememberthelasttimevampiresandaviansceasedtokilleachothers.

Silencesettledandbothseemedlostintheirownthoughts.Therainragedoutsi

debutthecaveprovidedanadequateshelterandthefirewarmedthesmallspace.

"Whyareyousoopposedtotheideaofourunion?"KaorusaidinalowvoicebutKenshinheardherwell.

"Isaidno."hisambershardenedwhenshehadmentionedthat.

Kaoruglaredathim"It'snotlikeI'mrootingtomarryyou!"shesnapped.


36/348

Kenshinraisedoneeyebrowatthat.

"It'sjustit'sjustthatIdon'twanttoseemorepeopledie"shesaidmorecalmlynow.

"Yes,ifItakeyouasmymateyouwon'tseemorepeopledie"Kenshinagreed"becauseyouwon'tlivelongenoughtoseethat."

"Ihavelongsinceacceptedthedangersthreateningmylife"

"Notfromyourownpeople"Kenshininterrupted.Andwhenhesawherpuzzledexpressionhecontinued,"Haveyouthoughtaboutyourpeople'sreactiontoourunion?Somemightacceptitandsupportyou,butotherswillsurelyrefuse.Samecanbesaidaboutmypeople.Areyoureadytodealwiththis?Dealwiththeassassinationattemptsfortherestofyourlife?"

Kaorudidn'tbudge"Whenpeopleseehowunitingthetwokingdomswillstopthebloodshed,theywillsupportus."Nowshehesitatedandlookedaway."IknowIknowthatit'shardforyouImean"Afaintblushappearedonhercheeks"YoulovesomeonesoIshouldn't"

ItwasKenshin'sturntobeconfused,hecockedhishead."Lovesomeone?Me?"

"Thatbeautifulfemale"

"FirstyouthoughtIwasmarried,andnowyouassumeI'minlove,"Kenshinsaid,shakinghishead"You'requicktomakeassumptions,mylady."

"Doyoukisseveryfemaleyoumeet?"Kaorusaid,annoyed.

"Doyouwantmeto?"Kenshingaveheralop-sidedsmileandlaughedwhenhesawtheyoungqueenpullingthecloaktighteraroundher,asiftohideherself."Tomoeisspecialtome,butI'mnotinlovewithher,"hesaid,staringattheconfusedsapphireeyes."I'maman,amanwithphysicalneeds."

Kaorublushedandavertedhergazewhensheunderstoodwhathemeantbythoseneeds."ThenthereisnothingNoreasonforyourrefusal."

Kenshinwasseriousagain,allamusementwasgoneoffhiseyes.Hecontemplatedbeforespeakingagain,"Ifyourparentswerealive,doyouthinktheywouldhaveapproved?"

Kaorubroughtthecloakcloseraroundherbody"Myfatherprobablywouldn'tAsformymother"Aforlornlookdominatedherfeaturenow.Kenshinwasawarethatbothherparentsweredead.Butfromwhathehadheardhermotherhaddiedmanyyearsago,sowhyhadsheappearedsadderatthementioningofhermother?Herfather'sdeathshouldbefresherinhermind.

AsifhearinghissilentquestionKaorucontinued"MymotherkilledherselfwhenIwassix,"shesaidabsentmindedly."Shetriedtokillmetoo,butmyfathers

avedmeintime."

Kenshinfrownedwhywouldamotherkillherownchild?

Kaorucontinued."Shewasclosetomadness,"sheshookherhead."Noshewasinsane,butshehadn'tbeenalwaysso."Kaorupaused."Iwastooyoungtorememberitwell,butIknowthatmymotherwasn'tthesameaftermywingshadfirstappeared.Idon'tknowwhybutthoseaccursedwingshaddrivenherinsane.Evenmyfathercouldn'tfigureoutthereason."


37/348


38/348

Herdesireforpeacewassoobvious.Afterall,shewaswillingtoputherselfunderhismercy,tobehismatejusttoendthewar.Kenshinthoughtitwasfoolishofhertostarttrustinghim.

Notwithwhathewasplanningtodonow.

Kenshintorehiseyesoffherandstaredintotheburningfire.

Ishouldn'tdothis.Hethoughtashetriednottolookatthesleepinggirl.Hiseyestravelledbacktoherform,rememberinghowsweetherbloodhadsmelled,andwiththiscametherealizationofhisownhunger.Vampirescouldgofordayswithoutfood,buttheyneededtodrinkbloodeveryday,otherwisetheirwildnaturewouldtakeover.Hesilentlycursedhimselffornotdrinkingsomebloodinthemorningbeforetheirjourney.Itdidn'tmatternow,hewasalonewithaneasyprey,andeveryminutepassingmadehimhungryandveryclosetolosingcontrol.

Determined,Kenshinslowlyrosetohisfeet.Hewouldn'ttakemuch,heunderstoodthatshehadlostasubstantialamountofbloodprotectinghim-headded,sohewouldjustdrinkenoughtoquellhishungerandsustainhimtilltomorrow.So,silently,hewalkedtowardsher,hisbootedlegsmadenosoundonthestoneground.Kenshinstopped,lookingdownattheobliviousgirlbeforekneelingbesideher.Shewassleepingonherside,thecloakcurledtightlyaroundher.Kenshinreachedoutandtouchedhershoulder.

"Kaoru"hewhispered.

Kaoru'seyesflutteredopendizzily,shelookedupsleepilyathim,confused,butthensheliftedherheadupasherblueeyeswidenedinalarm,butshehadalreadymadeagravemistake.

Shehadlookedintohiseyes.

Kenshin'sgoldeneyesboreintohersapphirepoolsandshecouldn'tdoanythingbuttostareatthem,thenherheadfallbackandherwholebodywentlimp.

Kenshin'shandmovedtothecloakbeforepullingitoffherbody.Hiseyesroame

doverherhalfnakedfigure.Thenhegentlygrabbedherupperarmsandhauledheruptoasittingposition.Hestudiedherfaceforamoment.Hersparklingeyesweredimnow,asifpossessed,whichwasn'ttoofarfromthetruth.

NowKenshinmovedbehindher,sothathisbarebackwasrestingagainstthewallofthecave.HepulledKaorutohisbodysothatshewouldbesittingbetweenhisbentlegs.Hishandloopedaroundherbaretorso,pressingheragainsthischest.Now,sensingthedanger,hefeltherstartingtostruggleweakly.Theyalldid,thepreyofvampires.Theycouldfeelthedangervampiresrepresentedbeforefeeding,sothevictimsusuallytrytobreakthementalhold.Butnonehadeversucceeded.Kaoru'sstrugglingcameearlierthanusual,butKenshinknewthatshewaspowerlessagainsthim.Hishandtightenedaroundherbellyandwithhisotherhandhebrushedherloosehairawayfromherneck,beforegrabbingherwris

tswithonehand,lockingthemtogetherinanirongrip.

Kenshinlickedthesideofherneck.Unabletoresistanylonger,hisnewlyelongatedfangssankintothesoftfleshofherneckcausingthestrugglinggirltogasp,butKenshinheldhertightlyashegroanedinpleasure.Herbloodtastedassweetasitsmelled-nobetter.Kenshinpulledherevenclosertohisbody.Nowthathewassatisfyinghishunger,anotherneedbloomedwithinhim.AndthewayKaoruwassquirmingbetweenhislegs,didn'thelpeither.

Asherbloodcoursedwithinhim,hefeltsomethinginit,somethinghehadn'tev


39/348

ertastedinanyotherlivingcreature.

Andhewantedmore.

Histeethsangdeeperintoher,causingKaorutotwistandsquirmmore.Thetasteofherbloodandtheywayshewasinnocentlyrubbingherbodyagainsthimdrovehimwild.Hedidn'twanttostop.Hewantedher,allofher.

Kaoru'sbreathwasquickening,Kenshincouldhearhergaspingforaira

Midnight Wings

Documents

Transcript of Midnight Wings