I do not own Rurouni Kenshin.

When Blood is not Enough

By: Shiara-dono

Chapter 1

They had met one night, swords clashing. He used a katana, its blade stained red from the blood of many victims. She used an iron-cored sword, shod in silver. Both wore disguises so the other wouldn't know what they looked like.

"Are you the one they call their leader?" She asked coldly.

"I am. You must be the talented vampire killer I've heard so much about."

She raised her sword, challenging his mocking tone. "Fight me. I want to see how strong you really are."

They fought many times since that first night, neither gaining any ground. She had gained respect for him despite the fact that they were enemies.

Now it was a year later. They were standing in the same place, swords drawn. "Why do you never kill me?" She asked, swinging her sword at him.

He blocked, then swung in return. His amber eyes creased in silent laughter. "You are a worthy adversary. I do not wish to stop our games so quickly."

She growled and lunged at him. He countered. It was always the same. They would fight until tired, then leave in opposite directions. They never tried to figure out who the other was. It would mean the death of them.

Kamiya Kaoru groaned, rising out of bed. She had fought harder last night than any of the other nights, and in return, so had he. "Curse him. I knew he was holding back." But if that was the case, then why hadn't he finished her off yet?

She sighed, did some stretching to loosen tired muscles, then got dressed. She walked into the kitchen to find a red-haired man cooking breakfast.

"Ohayou, Kenshin." She yawned. "What are you doing?"

He turned, smiling warmly at her. "Ohayou, Kaoru-dono-sensei. I am making you breakfast, that I am."

"Again? Kenshin, I told you you didn't have to do that."

"I know. But how else will I pay for my lessons?" His violet eyes turned mischievous. "Unless Kaoru-dono-sensei will agree to date me?"

Kaoru sighed. "Kenshin, we've been through this. No student-sensei relationships are allowed at this dojo."

"Hai, hai…" He replied dejectedly.

Kaoru smiled, getting bowls out for breakfast. It wasn't that she didn't like Kenshin, she did. A lot. But those were the rules set by her late father. She turned, watching Kenshin out of the corner of her eye. He was a mystery to her. He had saved her from some men that had attacked her and managed to disarm her. With his help, she had gotten back to the dojo, where he treated her injuries. Then he had asked for lessons, saying that since he didn't have much money, he would find other ways to pay her back.

Kenshin turned, seeing she was watching him. She's so beautiful. Oh, I want her. He slapped himself mentally. No, it wouldn't work out. She is mortal, after all. And yet, he kept trying. "You have a faraway look, that you do. Thinking about the past?"

Kaoru blushed at having been caught. "Iie, you, actually. I've been your sensei for a year, and yet, the only thing I know about you is that you're strong and a good cook. Most of my students would have told me their life's story by now."

Kenshin coughed. "Ano, I just don't think it's necessary for you to know more." He fingered the scar on his cheek nervously.

"But, I want to know more about you. Like, for instance, how you got that scar."

Kenshin took a deep breath, barely containing his fast surfacing anger. "That is not information I give out freely. Forgive me, Kaoru, but I do not think you could pay the price!" He stalked out of the kitchen.

Kaoru ate her breakfast in stunned silence. She'd never known him to get angry like that. She decided she'd let him cool off, then apologize. But I don't even know what I'm apologizing for…

Kenshin paced back and forth in the dojo, swinging his bokken with frustration. Why did she have to ask? And just when things were going good, too. He sighed, trying to calm the anger that was flooding him.

The other students began filing in, so he took his place on the dojo floor. Kaoru walked in after them, eyes flickering toward Kenshin. She put the students into pairs according to their skill level and told them what to work on. Kenshin went to a corner to practice on his own since he was too strong for the others.

"Kenshin?" Kaoru called, her voice startling him.

He turned. "Hai, Kaoru-dono-sensei?"

"Kenshin. Why don't you pair with me today?"

Kenshin grit his teeth. It made sense to pair with her, since her skill was closest in level to his, but he was still upset with her. Well, maybe this would help calm him down.

They took their places and bowed. Starting slowly, they each gave blows that the other could easily block. The pace picked up, their bokkens becoming blurs in their hands.

Several students stopped to watch the exchange, mouths hanging open in awe.

Kenshin was having fun, but he found something vaguely familiar about her style. Hmm. She's good. I wonder what her blood would taste like. He gasped, his concentration wavering. No. He would never take her blood. That was a problem he had made to himself, and he intended to keep it. Her earlier question surfaced in his mind, reawakening his anger. Curse her, why did she ask?!

His bokken was twisted from his hands, and he fell onto the ground, Kaoru's bokken at his throat. He gulped and looked up.

Kaoru addressed the whole class. "Anger is a crutch. When we are blinded by anger, it gives the opponent an opportunity to disarm us. If you are angry when fighting, you have little hope of winning. Remember that." She lowered her weapon as the class resumed training. "Are you okay?" Kaoru asked, giving Kenshin a hand up.

"The only injury is to my pride, I think." He grinned sheepishly at her.

Kaoru blushed looking at her feet. "A… ano, I wanted to apologize about earlier. I shouldn't have asked."

Kenshin shrugged. "You were curious. And my anger was a good lesson for the class, that it was." He bowed to her. "Thank you, Kaoru-dono-sensei. Class is almost over, so I will take my leave now."

She walked the streets again that night, killing the lesser vampires she met, looking for the one that she could never kill. She found him, a shadow leaning casually against a tree. He was waiting for her. Blood stained the ground in front of him.

"Fed already?" She asked coolly.

His voice held laughter. "You know I must in order to survive. Otherwise, we could be lovers." He tilted his head. "Unless you wish to become my vampress?"

She shuddered. "No thank you."

"Oh well. Thought I'd ask." He pulled out his sword and lunged. They did their sword dance. It was the same as always.

She decided to change it for once. Switching her sword to her other hand, she did a move he'd never seen. It caught him just barely off guard, enough for her sword to slash his forearm. She dropped her sword in horror, watching the blood fall to the ground. "I'm so sorry!" She cried, stepping forward.

His sword was at her throat. "Do not come near me!" He hissed. "And never drop your weapon in front of an enemy!"

She closed her eyes, accepting her fate. She had lost. A sharp stinging on her collarbone made her wince and open her eyes. It wasn't a deep wound, but it hurt terribly.

"A warning." He called back from the shadows. "Do not be so careless next time."

She grit her teeth. He had let her go. Why?

So, it's a little random, I know. Thought I'd try my hand at a vampire story, see how it pans out. This one looks to be about five or so chapters. Warning: next chapter has fluff, innuendo, and slight risqae material. Ja ne!

Glossary:

ohayou, ohayou gozaimasu: morning, good morning

-dono: 'miss.' Kenshin uses it. It's more formal than -san

sensei: a teacher, dojo instructor, etc

hai, aa: yes

iie: no

ano: um

bokken: wooden sword