Disclaimer: I do not own Rurouni Kenshin; I am merely borrowing some of its characters for a few chapters. The Vampire facts are not mine, I'm going by the facts that I actually find. I really don't believe in portraying Vampires the way that they're not, it's disrespectful to our fellow creatures that share our world.
Let It Rain
Written By Shadow Empress
Chapter Four
The Kochou was no longer there as Kaoru stared into the eyes of the Vampire who had changed her life; of the man that she had thought would stay with her forever. She would have screamed and demanded him to answer her questions, but she made herself stop and think things through. It was never wise to go head on into situations when it came to older, stronger, and more experienced Damned ones. Of all the Vampires still walking the Earth, the one before her had to be one of the eldest and the one no one--living or dead--messed with.
Kaoru couldn't help but feel slightly thankful that one of her oldest friends decided to speak up before she lost herself in her own thoughts.
"M-missy, what a nice surprise, I wasn't expecting to see you here. What are you doing here for?" asked the taller spiky-haired Vampire as he unconsciously loosened his tie while his redheaded companion remained silent by his side.
Kaoru paid him no heed as she searched her creator's eyes for any sign of recognition or remorse. She felt her blood boil in frustration when the Vampire's face remained impassive. He wasn't even reacting to the fact that she was standing right before him!
Pulling her lips into a forced smile, Kaoru said monotonously while she kept her eyes on the auburn-haired Vampire before her, "Business."
Laughing nervously, Sano rubbed the back of his head as he felt the tension between the two flare.
"Well…long time no see or talk, huh?" asked Sano, trying desperately to lighten the mood and stall the inevitable for as long as possible.
After taking in the all too familiar figure of her embracer, Kaoru turned her attention back to her old companion and looked him over once before smirking. "It seems like you've gotten better taste over the years," commented Kaoru as her eyes lingered on his black suit before finally matching his gaze. She hadn't meant to be so cold to an old friend; the words seemed to have just slipped out of mouth on their own accord.
.:oXo:.
It's supposed to be 30 degrees Celsius below zero. Why then do I not feel the cold? There are icicles forming on my eyelashes, yet I don't feel anything at all. Why?
We're dead; the cold has no effect on us anymore. Only the weakest of our kind think they feel the cold and thus end up feeling weaker like they would if they were still alive. Old habits die hard.
Why then can we breathe when we don't have to? Why do we sweat, cry, and hurt like the mortals?
We were once mortals ourselves and we take with us a few of our human attributes. When you sweat, you sweat blood as you would have the salt that was once in your body, the same with when you cry. The only remaining liquid in our bodies is blood and even then most of it belongs to our victims.
We're shadows of our former selves….
It is why we must remain in the dark, where those we once were don't linger for long.
I vow to never give this immortal curse to anyone then! No one else deserves to have to live forever without emotions and in secrecy for the rest of eternity!
Oh, but you're wrong, my sweet Kaori. We do feel emotions, otherwise why would you vow never to do such a thing if you didn't feel sorry for those like us?
Then you must be the exception.
Why do you propose that?
Why else would you curse an innocent teenager?
.:oXo:.
Sano unconsciously sucked in a breath of air as the darker tone of his little sister-like figure reached his sensitive ears; the sounds coming out of her mouth didn't suit her at all. He couldn't help but shiver when he was met by cold and guarded eyes. The once calm ocean depths he was use to seeing had been replaced by icy cobalt sapphires.
"Actually…it was Battousai who picked it out for me. I haven't changed at all since we last met," said Sano truthfully as he averted his eyes from her hold and looked at her hair instead. It still looked as silky as ever and he was glad that at least that part of her hadn't changed.
"Back to the old nickname again, are we?" mocked Kaoru as she turned to the narrowed eyed hitokiri and smirked.
Sanosuke flinched when he saw the darkness radiating from Kaoru. The cruel smirk on her lips wasn't supposed to be there, it made her look too cruel, too dark. The Kaoru he had known would have never been so harsh as to bring up such a delicate matter in such a caustic way.
Their conversation was soon interrupted as the bloodsucker behind the counter walked over to them with their previous orders in hand. "Two Plasma drinks on the rocks and one plain one," said the bartender as he placed all three drinks before Kaoru.
Seeing his chance of getting out of the silent battle, Sagara Sanosuke took out his wallet and handed the bartender a twenty.
Noticing that Battousai wasn't about to leave his spot to come over to the counter any time soon, Sano took the other red drink without ice and handed it to him. He sighed when he found himself in the center of yet another conflict and took a large gulp of his drink just in case he'd have to drop it and stop the two from killing each other; the ever burning fire had finally met the rain once more.
Sano raised a brow however when he saw Kaoru turn her back to them and take a sip of her own drink. He didn't know what was going through her mind, but he did know she was planning something if she wasn't confronting her problem head on like she always did before. Things would be so much easier if she hadn't been taught how to keep others out of her mind. He'd have to blame his traveling companion for preparing Kaoru so well.
His thoughts of what she could be scheming were interposed when he saw Battousai move past him and sit down beside the female Vampire. All he could do was gawk at the pair and stare in wonder. Of all the things he expected for them to do when they finally met again, this wasn't one of the possibilities he had come up with.
Sighing, Sanosuke decided to take a seat to Kenshin's left when he was certain the two weren't going to topple to the ground and fight for dominance. At least this way he could not only finish his drink, but listen in on the same time too. Life…uh…death was quite good to one sometimes.
He allowed his mind to go blank when he heard the two begin to converse.
.:oXo:.
Where do the bartenders get the blood to supply their customers? I mean, gallons of blood have already been handed out. Where does it all come from; surely not only Sources?
They buy it from blood drives and there are always plenty of donors.
How much a pint?
I'm glad to hear that you're learning the English measurement system.
What's the point of going to America if you don't understand what they're talking about? So, how much do they pay?
Around $100 per fluid ounce, which is the last I heard it was. It might have gone up.
What?! We only pay…what $10 for a whole glass? How do they afford it?
The Old Ones are very wealthy and they supply it for us as long as we agree to keep out of sight. Buying blood any other way would make people suspicious, which is why the suppliers are always different. We never bargain with the same person unless we know they're on our side. Things are just too risky otherwise.
So you're an Old One too then?
What do you think?
Let's see…you've been able to travel the world, learn every language imaginable, and you have lots of money…. You must be old then!
You have such a nice way with words.
Why thank you!
.:oXo:.
"What are you doing here for?" asked Kaoru finally after swirling her drink and taking a small sip. She kept her eyes on her transparent glass and waited patiently for an answer. Years of loneliness did that to a person, making the person less caring about those around them because he or she knows that in the end he or she will always be alone. There was no point in gathering hope when there was none to collect in the first place.
"Business," was the quick reply, the tone exactly the same as the one she had used while answering Sano earlier.
Kaoru raised an eyebrow and tilted her head ever so slightly, making her hair tumbled down in waves from her shoulder as she stared at the Vampire's face.
The corners of her lips quirked upward when she noted that Battousai's features had remained the same, even the cross-shaped scar on his left cheek had not been healed. His lips were as red as ever and his hair seemed even darker than the shade of blood, but those weren't the features she remembered so clearly after all these years. What she held in her memories, what she saw when she pictured him in her mind were his glowing eyes of promised death. Even now, his mysterious and alluring, yet deadly aura, was still surrounding every inch of his perfect body. He was still the same Vampire she had gotten to know 90 years ago.
She felt old emotions returning as well as ancient reminiscences as she watched the Vampire swirl his drink in his left hand before drinking half of it down in a few quick sips. The decades hadn't changed him one bit.
"Ninety years isn't a long time," said Battousai as if he had read her mind. She wouldn't have been surprised if he had.
"Humans are lucky if they even manage to live to see ninety years," countered Kaoru mechanically as she shifted her position to face her mentor completely.
Battousai mirrored Kaoru's movements so that they were both facing each other and ignored the odd stares that Sano was giving them.
"It seems you've finally matured," commented Battousai, his old smirk returning to his face.
"Seems like you got over your love for bittersweet drinks," said Kaoru as she indicated with her eyes his half finished drink on the counter.
"So you remember," stated Battousai.
"I don't forget things easily," snapped Kaoru as her eyes narrowed into slits when she remembered the reason why she had wanted to find him in the first place. It annoyed her slightly how he could make her forget so easily just by sitting there beside her. One would think that preparing for the past nine decades would be enough to keep her focused on her task.
"I don't either," reassured one of the eldest Vampires still alive.
"Then do you mind telling me why?" demanded Kaoru as she stared at the creature who had guided her blindly and reassuringly into the world of darkness.
"You no longer needed me," replied Battousai simply, his golden gaze holding her in place.
Kaoru grounded her teeth angrily as she seethed over his answer. It was one of the few reasons she herself had come up with, but in all honesty, she had always hoped for a better excuse. There had to be a deeper meaning, a story that went along with why he never bothered to contact her since they parted ways, or rather when he left her.
"You're lying," stated Kaoru in a low growl so that only his ears could pick it up. She further narrowed her eyes, half in fury and half to stop his hypnotic power from taking over her like they so easily had when she was still alive.
"You proved to me that you were doing perfectly well on your own. All students must graduate someday and leave their teachers behind," said Battousai in a matter-of-fact tone, which made Kaoru want to do nothing more than pounce on him and threaten the truth out of him. If it had been possible and wasn't a completely stupid idea, then she would have done just that.
"So you leaving me without a word or note, was supposed to be my graduation gift?" growled Kaoru sarcastically.
"Kaori…" started Battousai, but he didn't get a chance to finish when she shook her head and nearly screamed out her next words.
"You have no right to call me that! Tell me the truth, Kenshin. As your only apprentice, I demand you tell me the truth!" stipulated Kaoru, her voice rising in volume so that Sano could make out a few words over the loud noise of the club.
Battousai didn't answer and Kaoru watched almost disbelieving as he grabbed his drink and downed the rest of its contents in a single swig. She carefully noted his hold on the glass tightening slightly and felt herself grow impatient. At least she knew he was listening, because as the next few sentences left her mouth, he had turned to face her.
"You're a damn hypocrite, Kenshin! I know why you left, you left because you joined the Ishin Shishi, didn't you? You had told me once not to join sides, yet you left me to join one. Your pathetic ideals wouldn't allow you to keep someone who was dependent on you and so you left. You left me to become completely independent. Well, guess what? It worked," seethed Kaoru, her face twisting into a scowl to hide her true emotions; the tears of acceptance could come later.
When no answer came, Kaoru stood up and turned to leave just as a hand held onto her right wrist in a firm grip.
Turning her head, Kaoru glared at the Hitokiri Battousai and struggled to get out of his hold to no avail. She settled for glaring at the Vampire and knew that it wouldn't work, but at least she was able to vent her anger out somehow.
"You don't understand," whispered Battousai as he held onto her hand.
"Oh, I understand perfectly. You're another one of Katsura's damn puppets!" hissed Kaoru, her words as deadly as venom.
The grip on her hand was immediately let go at the comment and without turning back, Kaoru turned on her heel and walked away from the scene. She had gotten what she wanted. But was it really what she desired?
Too lost in her thoughts and anger, Kaoru didn't even hear the calls of her brown haired friend, who was waving his arms in the air in hopes of getting her attention again.
.:oXo:.
I can hear the wind so clearly…. The voices and footsteps of a thousand people rushing to my ears like a never ending symphony.
Taking your time and admiring your powers again?
It astonishes me. I can hear things hundreds of miles away as if it was right before me, yet I still can't hear you walking up behind me.
You need to stop and listen then.
But I do listen! I listen more than you do, anyways.
Are you certain about that?
You never stop in one place for more than a few seconds. Of course I'm sure!
Just because the clock keeps moving, doesn't mean it cannot speak at the same time.
Again with your stupid riddles!
It's called multi-tasking, Kaoru.
Why didn't you just say so?
It's common sense.
I still don't see what this has to do with you being able to sneak up on me.
If you listen, not only with your ears but with your other senses as well, you'll always be able to tell where I am. Don't search the entire canvas for a drop of paint. Narrow down what you want to hear, what you want to see. Don't be too broad.
You want me to seek you out, and only you? But how would I know if you are heading my way in the first place?
Let your instincts guide you is all I can tell you.
.:oXo:.
The pounding of the music vibrated through the new Vampire's veins and the sounds around him increased tenfold as his senses heightened from the rush of blood he had just drunk. His brown eyes were unflinching as the strobe lights blinked on and off, making the dancers seem to be the actors of an old movie.
He turned his attention away from the main dance floor when he felt himself being tugged out of the swarm of bodies he had found himself in when his new friend left him to play around on his own for a bit. It wasn't until he was dragged towards the back did he realize just how unnaturally cold the club was, which didn't make sense because of all the packed people inside.
"Where were you?" he asked finally when he saw Misao's flushed face and realized she looked more human than ever. Her once pale features were now completely red and it was odd to see strands of her neat braid sticking out all over the place as if put back together in haste.
"Yahiko, do you remember what I told you about Sources?" asked Misao almost embarrassed as she straightened out her wrinkled black skirt with her hands, her eyes refusing to meet his.
His eyes widened as recognition hit him like a bucket of cold water and as suddenly as the coldness came, it was replaced by a burning flame that kept his cheeks undeniably warm. He faintly remembered seeing the other Vampire walk into one of the back rooms with some man while he went towards one of the bars to get a drink; it had been the first time he didn't feed from a body.
"It just goes better with the feeding and both sides are satisfied," explained Misao again as she adjusted her black top and tried to smooth out the rest of her hair.
"You didn't…do that…though…did you?" asked Yahiko embarrassed as he shifted his weight to his other foot uncomfortably.
"Of course not, I wouldn't do that to my food, we just simply messed around a bit, to get his blood heated before I drank," said Misao matter-of-factly.
Letting out a breath he didn't know he was holding Yahiko smiled at the older Vampire. He watched silently as Misao leaned back against one of the four corners of the Kochou and walked over only when he felt another herd of people about to crush him in order to get to the restrooms a few feet away.
"So what do you want to do now?" asked Misao, her hands crossing over her petite breasts.
"I've had my share of fun, I guess. Have you seen Kaoru?" asked Yahiko when he realized he hadn't seen the other Vampire for quite some time and they'd been there for over an hour or so. He hoped she wasn't in any trouble, but from what he saw her do last night, he wasn't quite sure she'd have needed any help if she was.
"No. Let's go find her then," said Misao.
Yahiko watched in silent awe Misao's graceful movements as she pushed herself off the wall and started their search for their friend. He faintly wondered how long it was going to take him to become as agile as the Damned before him. It seemed that every Vampire he had come in contact so far had a quiet yet confident strength in every single movement they made. The thought of becoming like them seemed almost impossible and overwhelming.
He snapped out of his thoughts when he felt something chilling run down his spine. Something in the air was amiss; he could feel the crackle of energy that was moving the air currents around him in different directions. His eyes moved to Misao and he saw that she too had felt it.
Those around them had stopped dancing and had moved aside as the creature causing the disturbance walked closer to them. Almost all the Vampires were in defensive stances. It scared him that no one moved, it were as if they knew something that he didn't, and obviously knew how to act during certain situations. He couldn't help but feel that he'd be in the way should something happen.
The Inheritor could feel himself relax slightly when he recognized the white clothed Damned immediately. He frowned the same time Misao did when he noticed that Kaoru wasn't at all in a good mood.
Making a mental note not to piss off the Vampire in the future, Yahiko made his legs move when Misao led the way and met Kaoru half way.
"I'm guessing you found him?" questioned Misao.
Yahiko took Kaoru's narrowed eyes as a yes.
"We're leaving. Call Fujita and tell him we're bringing the kid to him," ordered Kaoru.
Yahiko flinched slightly at the Vampire's dark tone and had a feeling Misao was use to it, because she didn't take her time in taking out her cell phone and dialing a number. The teenager simply sighed while they walked back through the parted crowd towards the parking garage. It was fun while it lasted.
.:oXo:.
Wait! Where are you going?
Out.
Where?
New York
Why?
I'm going to look for someone.
Who?
Are you going to ask me what, when, and how too?
Can't I come with you?
This only concerns the Old Ones.
You made me, why shouldn't I be able to come too?
You'd be bored out of your mind before it even began.
I would not!
I'm not in the mood to argue, Kaoru.
Then let me come along.
Oh fine, but only if you promise me you won't speak unless spoken to.
I promise!
No, you're staying at home.
What? But I promised.
You promised a little too quickly. Now walk back into the estate before I drag you back.
Oh alright! You're such a stick in the mud, Himura Kenshin!
.:oXo:.
Sano sighed as he stopped trying to get Kaoru's attention. From the way the Vampire's ki was flaring, he could only guess what had transpired between the pair. He had vaguely made out what the two were talking about, but he was certain that Kaoru had either come up with something she didn't appeal to or had heard something she didn't approve of.
His attention left the crowd Kaoru was effectively parting when he heard Battousai's voice speak up over the loud music and chit chatter of the others in the huge club. It still marveled him how the Vampire's unwavering voice could always be heard, even in the busiest and wildest of places.
"Let her go, Sano. If she doesn't want to listen, then there's nothing we can do about it," said the hitokiri as he stood up from his seat.
Shaking his head, Sano did the only thing he could do and followed his friend towards the exit of the club, which seemed to become more and more crowded by the minute.
"You're really going to let her go on with the rest of her life thinking like that about you?" asked Sano once they had left the building.
He instinctively began to squint when the sudden change of light blazed into his pupils. He was left almost defenseless while his eyes adjusted acutely on their own to the brightness of the garage lights.
"I doubt that her thoughts are any better than what they were before we talked. She'll come around eventually. I'm sure she'll realize that she didn't get a direct answer from me, but instead one that her mind came up with and refuses to part with now that it seems the most reasonable," said Battousai as he led the way through the parking garage to his red Ferrari.
Sano sighed as he ran a hand through his hair out of habit. He waited a few seconds before gathering the courage to ask, "Why haven't you contacted her in the last 90 years? You've avoided anything that might have to do with her, including the very things that she loved, like the rain."
The taller Damned watched on as Battousai's pace remained the same as he answered calmly, "If I did, then I would have gone back to her."
.:oXo:.