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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.
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"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.
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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.
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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"
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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."
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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
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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?"
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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"
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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
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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
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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
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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?"
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"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.
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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?"
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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"
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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!"
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"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.
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"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
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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."
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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
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ertastedinanyotherlivingcreature.
Andhewantedmore.
Histeethsangdeeperintoher,causingKaorutotwistandsquirmmore.Thetasteofherbloodandtheywayshewasinnocentlyrubbingherbodyagainsthimdrovehimwild.Hedidn'twanttostop.Hewantedher,allofher.
Kaoru'sbreathwasquickening,Kenshincouldhearhergaspingforaira