Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ Silver Cross ❯ Seta Soujiro ( Chapter 9 )

A/N - Ah intersession in college rocks. Only two classes and plenty of time to sleep. Only a week of it left though. Then comes the school work. L But for now, here's the newest chapter. JMy apologies at the late update, but here're 15 pages on Microsoft Word (which I don't own in case I need a disclaimer there). Thanks to all the reviewers. I am forever indebted to you all.

Silver Warrior, The Girl Who Cried Oro, ixchen, JML, Rinfirithiel, marstanuki, Koishii Sweet, Naiya-chan, DarkMave, Fanfiction Wanderer, Moondemon, Ginny-cry, Edainme, Mishorou Mie, Iram, Sagitarious Devil, Poppy 2, bootleg, Sticks, videl621, Eeevee, misakililin, CATGODDESS, Silver Eyes Bright, InsanexPsycho, Kenshin's Demon, Angel81, stoictimer, Hitokiri-miao miao, Sparrow of the Damned, KKoaru

Disclaimer - I don't own Rurouni Kenshin, but I bought some RK manga. I don't own Cracklin' Oat Bran, but I have a box of it in my room.

Silver Cross

Chapter 9 - Seta Soujiro

I hate cleaning the toilet.

I did it before. It's your turn.

That's easy for you to say, sitting there all cozy reading a book or some shit.

Are you done and that's why you're bitchin' about it to me?

No.

Then get back to the toilet. And don't forget to take a bath when you're done, you smell like shit.

Your shit!

What's that supposed to mean?

It means I hate cleaning the toilet.

You said that already. I'm leaving. I'll come back tomorrow night when you've cooled down or something.

You can't just leave me here!

Bye.

He left me . . .

"I don't understand how you can be okay with this, Haha!"

"I can't fault Soujiro a visit to his uncle, Atsuko. And don't speak so harshly to your own kasaan."

"But nothing good can come of this!" Atsuko argued in a quieter tone.

"Child, no matter what happens, your brother is a strong man. He can take care of himself. And besides, Shishio wouldn't let anything bad happen to his own nephew." Soujiro's grandmother reassured her.

Soujiro was distressed that his sister was putting up so much opposition to his enlisting his uncle to help him find Kaoru. Not that he'd told her what he'd done of course. For all he knew, she was simply distressed that he'd talked to the man, though it had been uncannily eerie the way she'd somehow known the whole thing had to do with Kaoru. What was she, psychic?

Sou's mother walked over to where he was seated at the table and rested a reassuring hand on his shoulder. "Don't worry about your sister, honey." She paused and the sounds of Atsuko and his grandmother arguing could be heard. "I have faith in you, and I'm sure your father does too. If only he weren't out with my other brothers." Soujiro could hear the frown in her voice at that last sentence, but he was still soothed nonetheless. When it all came down to it, not even Kaoru could make him feel as calm and relaxed as his mother could.

Then it was all ruined as his uncle Shishio walked into the room.

There was a collective gasp among Soujiro, his sister, his mother, and his grandmother. They simply stared at him in shock. Atsuko's mouth hung slightly open. No one moved. Sou broke the spell by rubbing his eyes. It had to be a dream, or a nightmare. No. He was still there and two strange men had just walked through the doorway after him.

Shishio's only reaction to the open staring was to smirk. "I told Soujiro I'd send him some information through some friends, but I decided I my as well come myself," he announced to the room in general.

Sou's grandmother fainted dead away. At least she was standing in front of the couch, Sou reflected.

"What are you doing here?!" Atsuko asked, leaning down to make sure their grandmother was okay, but not taking her eyes off her uncle. Sou and his mother didn't bother to move.

Shishio had been looking in Sou and his sister's direction, but now he inclined his head towards his niece and unconscious mother. "I just told you," he said icily, letting her know he didn't appreciate the lack of respect in which she addresses him. Then his tone loosened. "My you've grown up, Atsuko. It seems like only last week I was visiting you in Americaand you were twelve years old."

"My daughter's right to ask, Shishio," Sou's mother said firmly. "I think as your family we have a right to know why you're here." She stepped closer to Shishio and in front of her son.

"I would've expected a warmer welcome from you, my only sister."

"I am truly happy to see you, however I don't deem it wise to move until you tell me what these men are doing in our mother's house uninvited."

Shishio gave her a bemused look. "I invited them."

"You don't live here anymore," she told him flatly.

He gave her a lazy smile. "I suppose that's true, but who are you to tell me? Your home is in the States. In any case, I haven't come here for you. Sou is coming with me."

Sou's mother turned back to him for a second, taken aback, but then she faced her brother again. "Sou, is this true?"

Sou bowed his head. His hair hid his eyes from his sister's accusing stare. "My uncle said he would gather information for me about Kaoru. I wanted to know if she was in any danger. Since he is here, I am assuming she is. I have to go after her," Sou announced, standing.

His mother turned to him, placing restraining hands on her arms. "But, hon, why was your uncle the best person to ask about this? Surely you could have come to me or your father first?"

"I would never expect my mother to know the nature of what I asked him, or my sister."

Slow comprehension dawned on his mother's face. "Then she's gone and gotten herself mixed up with a vampire, hasn't she?"

Sou was sure his shock mirrored his sisters. How could his mother believe that vampires existed?

"They had everything to do with why your uncle went to the mental hospital. I suppose I should have told you kids, but I didn't think you would ever become mixed up with that culture. Not all vampires are bad, Sou, that's why I disagree with the hunters, with your uncle."

"Mom-"

"Hush. I'll let you go, but don't you make the wrong decision and harm someone when it's not necessary." She leaned up and whispered in his ear. "I don't trust your uncle even though I love him, and I don't like the look of those men with him. If you really have to go, I'm powerless to stop you, but please keep yourself safe, Soujiro. I love you." With that she hugged him fiercely and turned back around to face her brother.

"Mom! You can't let him go!" Atsuko protested, rushing over to her brother and mother.

"Atsuko, I have to go for Kaoru. I'm sorry. Don't worry, I'll come back." Soujiro made the effort and smiled at her.

"I can't help worrying about you, you dumb boy," Atsuko cried, tears running down her face. Sou was sad to see his sister crying over him once again. She punched him in the chest halfheartedly before giving in and simply hugging him as tightly as she could. Sou hugged her back, hoping this was a sign that she'd forgiven him a little.

"It's time to go, kid. We've got a flight to the States to catch in an hour. We've already got your luggage in the car," Shishio broke in.

"Promise me you'll watch over my son, Shishio," Soujiro's mother said, still standing between her son and her brother.

"I will, dear sister," Shishio said, managing to convey the feeling that he was lying through his teeth with this tone. "I promise he will be returned to you."

Sou gulped. His uncle my as well have added 'dead or alive'. He disentangled himself from his sister gently and she ran sobbing to his mother. "See you, Atsuko. See you, Mom. I love you both, and tell Sobo and everyone else I love them." He kissed his mom on her forehead as he walked by. "Love you."

In a blur of motion Sou was sitting in the front passenger seat of a jeep while his uncle drove. He found it unsettling to have the two strange men in seated behind him. He had the uneasy feeling he should keep them where he could see them at all times. But then they introduced themselves and told him that they'd just flown in from Pennsylvania, and that they'd run into Kaoru and the vampire she was with.

"The name's Enishi, and this is my paycheck once I catch that bastard, Jin-e."

The white haired man held out his hand to shake.

Sou pushed all the worried thoughts of his mother and sister from his mind and focused on the task ahead. He twisted around in his seat and grasped the man's hand. "Soujiro Seta. Tell me when you saw them."

Baths are so much better than showers.

How do you have time for them?

I make time. Sure some people accuse me of being lazy, but is that the truth? Nah. I'm just managing my time in a leisurely fashion. It pays off.

I accuse you of being lazy.

Ah, I see the masses have you brainwashed.

The blindfolds were removed the second Ken and Kaoru were outside of the car and standing on the sidewalk. The first sight Kaoru was graced with was the apartment building's front doors. She sent up a thankful prayer to the Lord before spinning around and watching as the taillights of their captor's car disappeared into the hot LA night. She let out a growl of frustration before turning around slowly to face the apartment building once again. There was nothing else to do. Ken already had the apartment building door unlocked. Not really surprised at his lack of interest in the Juppongatana getting away, she sighed and hurried to him. "Ken, I'm sorry I let Saitou catch me. I should have been more careful-"

"Don't say anything," he silenced her. His voice was cold and impersonal. Kaoru had the impression he wasn't really paying attention to her, but was mulling over some issue in his mind. "I don't want the landlord to become suspicious if he's not already. Do you want to shower first when we get back?"

Kaoru was hurt that he was closing her off again. She had thought that after that kiss in the rain he would understand that he could open up to her. Of course he hadn't said he trusted her enough to do that. She mustered up the last of her will to compose herself. After a few seconds of fighting the warring emotions, she found she was able to nod and walk ahead of him to the elevator. She willed herself not to be weak. Ken didn't need her crying to add to his troubles.

The journey up to their apartment was made in a heavy silence. As soon as they reached the apartment door and Kaoru unlocked it, she flipped on the light switch, flooding the central living room with light. Tossing her purse and keys down on the hall table, she headed directly for the bathroom without a word. Ah the safety and privacy of the bathroom.

Then she saw them. Her silver earrings lay on the bathroom counter, glinting in the bathroom light. Her hands flew to her ears. They weren't there. Of course they weren't because they'd been lying on the counter the whole time. She must have left them there when she'd come in to wash her face before they left the apartment earlier that night. No wonder that Saitou vampire from the Juppongatana had been able to find her so easily. It was all her fault that Ken had been discovered and that he had to kill another vampire, another person. Quickly turning on the shower, she choked down a sob, glad there was no way Ken could hear over the running water. Scolding herself for her weakness, she started to strip down.

Tomoe Yukishiro. The name rang through Ken's head. So they were to finally meet again. In hindsight, he supposed he'd been a little harsh in not letting Kaoru know everything was alright between them, but surely she already knew. He had no doubt she was simply tired and that was why she had rushed to the bathroom. At any rate, he was having trouble coming to grips with the fact that he would have to face her again, the vampire he'd been avoiding since even before he'd met Sano. He had no doubt she would be surprised to see him, but cool and smooth as always. Scratch the surprised. She was probably ready to have a confrontation with him that very moment. Tomoe was always ready for anything.

And Saitou. Ken groaned inwardly. Did it have to be Hajime Saitou he was stuck with until he found Tomoe? Ken would only allow himself to think 'found', not 'killed'. He had never cared much for the man, though he had respected his philosophies and the principles by which he operated. Too bad it had all come to a header ten years ago and Ken had been the winner. He had no doubt Saitou bore him a grudge for that, which would make the man even harder to deal with than it would have been under optimal circumstances. He knew a clash between Saitou and Kaoru was bound to happen too. She was not the most subtle person and would no doubt NOT appreciate the man's smoking. Perhaps it was a smoke free apartment building though; then he could use that excuse to convince Saitou to let her win any argument that might grow from his actions. And speaking of the apartment building, how was he supposed to explain Saitou to the landlord? The man would have to be a relative. Kaoru's cousin would be a safe bet. Hopefully Kaoru wouldn't mind too much. How had Ken's simple mission to kill the dark one become so complicated? He couldn't help but laugh a little at that particular thought. His mission had never been simple.

For a moment he felt like lying back on the couch and simply never waking up, but that wouldn't solve anything and he knew it. Then he remembered Tomoe. He had to kill Tomoe Yukishiro. That was not an encounter he was looking forward to. As if killing her would be a simple matter. She was even older and more experienced in the art of fighting than Misao. He wondered if her specialty was still throwing knives. He wondered why he hadn't yet reacted to the news that he would have to kill again, even if it was a vampire, one of the kind that wasn't truly alive any longer. And why had he felt that killing Tomoe was the only solution?

Ken told himself that it was just the fact that a human's life took priority over the life of a vampire. That had always been his ethical belief, founded when he had first become a vampire. Unless it was a hunter. If the lives of vampires who were innocent of killing humans were in danger, then the hunter would have to be put out of commission. Killing was not always necessary. Blackmail was usually just as effective when the wager was the hunter's life. Therefore the fact the Kaoru was a human took all precedence over the slowly growing horror of having to kill again. Tomoe was half dead already, and he had had nothing to do with that.

Ken realized that he truly couldn't afford to have a weakness if he was going to kill the dark one. It would be best to send Kaoru away once he had killed Tomoe and then seek her out later, when the danger was past. If the Juppongatana were in league with the dark one, which he doubted, then it had been a mistake to kiss Kaoru in front of them. Word of her would reach it and her life would be in even more danger. But he had needed her to remain calm and that was the only way he could think to reassure her without talking and giving away useful information to the Juppongatana. It had also showed Yahiko that Kaoru was his and he would gain an enemy if she was harmed. Ken couldn't be sure he had made the right decision, but his goal to keep her quiet had been achieved and he couldn't deny that the kiss had served to comfort and give confidence to himself as well. Still, the end result had not been favorable. He had to kill Tomoe Yukishiro.

Ken was still on the couch thinking of Tomoe when Kaoru came out of the bathroom, flooding the apartment with the scent of jasmine. He couldn't help but turn to look. Her long black hair was pulled up into a ponytail, providing a pleasing contrast to how she'd looked all night with her hair down. She was wearing nothing but a towel, wrapped snugly around her, that just revealed the tops of her breasts. Ken remembered that her clothes were still in a suitcase in the bedroom. Her long legs shone in the dim light, ending in slender ankles and cute feet; well at least he thought so. But there was something wrong. Her eyes were downcast. She didn't look at him once as she announced that she was done with her shower and disappeared abruptly into the bedroom, shutting the door softly behind her.

Ken could have kicked himself. Why didn't he pay closer attention to her moods? Now she would be much harder to deal with. If only he could keep her happy all the time, she wouldn't present so much trouble. Sighing inwardly, he decided she wouldn't much appreciate him questioning her about what was wrong before she was dressed, so he simply got up and went to take his shower. Maybe the hot water would wash all the feelings of distaste and anger away.

Kaoru allowed her mind to drift from topic to topic as she dressed, anything but focusing on Ken. Kenshin Himura, damn you for making me feel this way. I wish… She realized she didn't know what it was she was wishing. Only days ago she would have wished to see Sou again so he could comfort her, or one of her parents, but now she only wished Ken would snap out of whatever mood he was in and talk to her again. Pulling on a pair of shorts over her panties, she decided to go out into the living room. Ken would need to change in the bedroom, and besides, maybe she could get involved in her book and forget the world for a while. Yeah, right, but it might be worth a try.

She heard the door snick open when Ken got out of the shower and then she heard his footsteps as he padded from the bathroom to the bedroom. She forced herself not to look. She didn't think she could stand seeing him there with just a towel rapped around his waist, his chest exposed, and not rush over to hug him and cry. She'd finally become immersed in the novel when Ken plucked the book from her hands and sat down next to her, wearing a t-shirt and boxers.

Tossing it on the end-table next to him, his serene violet eyes stared into her startled ones. "It was inconsiderate of me to be short with you. The mission I have to carry out for the Juppongatana has been weighing heavily on my mind."

Was that a carefully masked apology? Even if it wasn't, Kaoru couldn't let him blame himself when he wouldn't be in this mess if she wasn't there. She might as well tell him about the earrings before it weighed too heavily on her mind. "I'm sorry. It's my fault. I wasn't wearing the earrings, Ken. That's how Saitou must have been able to find me and use me against you," she confessed.

Ken was actually surprised. She hadn't been wearing the earrings the whole night and he hadn't even noticed. It was his fault then. He was many years wiser than her. He should have been able to sense that her ki wasn't dulled because she wasn't wearing the earrings, not because his senses were increased from having just fed. Here was more proof that he was weakening. It was best if he sent her away as soon as possible. Still, she was underestimating the Juppongatana if she thought that wearing the earrings would have stopped them from finding her. They were simply too experienced.

"That doesn't matter," Ken informed her quietly. "Saitou would have sensed you. He's much more powerful than you take him for, and they would have found out that I was here as soon as I started asking about the dark one around town anyway. The confrontation was inevitable."

So they had found Ken through her. Ken probably didn't realize what he'd given away, but he'd just admitted that they had sensed her first because of her high ki level or whatever it was Ken had told her she possessed that attracted vampires to her, and then they had noticed his presence. It was all because of her forgetting to wear the earrings.

"What you said doesn't make me feel any better. I can't help blaming myself," Kaoru confessed, not able to hold his gaze any longer and staring down at her hands.

"Well help it. I don't blame you for anything," Ken said, his tone harsh. He crossed his arms in front of his body so he wouldn't reach out and shake her for thinking he could ever blame her for the whole situation. It had been mounting to this climax decades before she was born.

"Are you really going to kill her?" Kaoru asked ignoring his evident pain at the idea of her shouldering the blame. "I saw the way you tensed when the leader said her name." Kaoru didn't want to ask what she had on her mind next, but she had to know. "Is it knowing the name of someone you have to kill, or do you know her, Ken?" she asked softly, looking up and searching his eyes. "You never react to anything, but you did to her name. Do you love her?"

His laugh was immediate and harsh. If he had ever been so delusional as to have thought he loved Tomoe, those days were long dead, along with his humanity. "No," he said flatly, eyes glinting gold. "I hate her. She turned me into a vampire. I heard she'd been killed by a hunter decades ago. I was stupid to believe the rumor." His tone was bitter.

Kaoru couldn't help but let out a breath she'd been unconsciously holding. And to her surprise, Ken went on to explain his relationship with Tomoe in clipped tones.

"I was twenty-three; fighting a war in Japanwhen I met her. I don't know why she chose me. She could've picked any of the men at camp. She seduced me. I became her contact." He paused for a moment, eyes unfocused, staring through the fog of years before continuing. "I was mortally wounded on the battlefield a few weeks after our meeting. She came to where I lay dying and told me she had a way for me to cheat death. . . I took the coward's way out and allowed her to turn me. I came to hate her as much as I hated myself. As soon as I gained my full strength as a vampire we split ways after a fight and I never saw her again."

Kaoru certainly hadn't expected Ken to have that kind of relationship with Tomoe. "Do you want to kill her?" she asked. If he hated her so much, would he gain a certain satisfaction from carrying out the Juppongatana's orders? Kaoru was almost afraid to hear the answer. What was he becoming if he actually did want to?

Ken didn't answer for a long moment. "That's what I've been trying to figure out. I know I'm capable. I just want to do it like I did in the war and have it over with. If I do it out of emotion, then that means I've become a monster."

"You don't have to kill her, Ken."

"And let you die? It's against my beliefs, not to mention the humans who love you. There are your parents and your boyfriend. Tomoe has no one. She won't be missed by any except the group she's working for."

Kaoru bowed her head. "You underestimate yourself. You could get me away."

"No, Kaoru," he said flatly, "You're the one underestimating the whole vampire culture. If by some miracle, I did get you back to Pennsylvania, the Juppongatana would put a bounty out on your head. Eventually, a vampire would find you and bring you back to their territory to be killed. They would drug you in the day, and there's no way you could fight off a vampire at night." He reached out and drew her to him so that she was half on his lap. "I would hate her more if it wasn't for you. I wouldn't be able to help becoming something I don't want to when I come across her again." He traced a finger up and down her arm absentmindedly while his eyes burned into her and through her like fire. "You must know that. You help me see reason."

Kaoru bit her lip, trying not to shiver at his touch. "I wish I wasn't such a burden to you," she spoke quietly.

"Never," he said fiercely. "I need you. When I fed earlier tonight I wasn't satisfied until I came back to you." He stopped tracing up and down her arm and cupped her face in his hand, holding her close to him with the other and kissing her lightly. He traced his lips down from her mouth to her chin and under her neck. Kaoru tilted her head back, marveling at the sensation of his lips on her skin. Ken pulled away when he felt himself start to lose control. His teeth had almost penetrated her soft skin. He refused to go back on his word and turn her into a contact. Ken watched as Kaoru slowly tilted her head back down to look him in the eye with her dark blue irises, unaware of the danger she'd been in. She was surprised to see his eyes a deeper violet than usual. The small specks of gold had grown larger, so that his eyes swirled with a curious mix of purple and gold. Beautiful.

"Kaoru."

The word practically purred from his lips. Her mind had drifted off staring at him. She blushed. "Yes?"

"Pay attention."

Jolted from her reverie and annoyed that he'd said something so insensitive and ruined the moment, she rolled her eyes and moved to hit him to lighten the mood, but he caught her wrist in a loose grip and leaned inside her reach. If Kaoru hadn't known she was awake, hadn't felt the warm heat of his hand around her wrist, she would have sworn she was dreaming; that she'd dreamed all of the past week, all their fights, all the times they'd made up. He didn't allow her time to reply with words, drawing her into a kiss, probing into her mouth with his tongue, drawing the kiss out until she couldn't breathe so he gave her air. Instead of shoving him with her other hand, she ended up sliding it around his neck to draw him closer even as he drew her to him. Gone was the rest of the world. It was just the two of them for a while, no worries, no fears, no vampires, no humans, and no hunters.

By the time they both ran out of breath their limbs were hopelessly tangled together. She'd somehow ended up on top of him, though she rather suspected he'd planned it that way, and he must have taken off her hair tie because it was lying on the floor and her hair was framing his face.

He smirked. "I like a woman who's in charge."

She could feel his breath on her chest and mentally cursed Kamatari for getting her a shirt with such a low V-neck. There was a tickling sensation as the humidity and heat of his exhalations caused her skin to awaken with a new sensitivity. Kaoru blushed and would have pulled away, but his hands snaked around her waist and held her there.

Then he was serious again. "I meant what I said. None of this is your fault."

And the world came flooding back. "I know that in my mind, but I can't help the way I feel," she admitted, her bubble of elation bursting like the body of a caterpillar underneath the rubber wheels of a child's bicycle. Ugh. She didn't like that particular analogy. "Her life is going to be taken because of me. You can't kill her, Ken. It'll stay on my conscience forever."

Ken's eyes grew hard and he let her go, sitting up. "I have to. Even if it wasn't her life for yours, this will be another debt the Juppongatana have to me. Their leader knew as well as I that no penance was needed because you didn't inform them of your arrival. That was a load of bull, but I granted his request. Now he will have to use his sources to help me find the dark one."

Kaoru found her cheeks growing red again, but not from embarrassment. "What do you have to live for besides revenge then? When you do find the dark one, you won't be killing from a sense of duty, it'll be because you want to. You'll have turned into the murderer you feared becoming," she informed him icily.

"Revenge for Sano and his team's death isn't all of it. I'll kill it for all the rest of the vampires and humans the dark one will ruin the longer it remains in this world." His voice was intense, piercing to the heart of her anger and fueling it to new heights.

"Then maybe it's time you told me just what the dark one has done in the past to warrant its death," she said, trying to keep her voice down so the neighbors didn't wake up. "Why are all the vampires so wary of it and why did Sano try to kill it in the first place? I'm sure I would feel different about the whole thing if you would just tell me, Ken!"

"I am not going to submit to the demands of a human who's not even two decades old," he informed her.

"I am twenty years old, for your information, and I don't appreciate your patronizing tone, Kenshin Himura."

"You're not going to get any information out of me, even if you are two decades old. I've been on this earth for over two hundred years and I think I damn well know when and when not to give out information." His words were harsh and angry, but his tone was cold. He was annoyed with her and determined not to tell he anything until she'd stewed in her own fury for a while, if he ever told her.

Kaoru knew then that he wasn't going to give an inch. His eyes had flashed amber in an instant and his gaze was icy. She narrowed her eyes and stared him down, wondering how'd she'd gone from passionate kisses a minute ago to such bristling resentment against this man.

"I can't believe you're being so frustrating!" she bit out, finally giving up the icy silence attempt.

He didn't bother to reply. She'd known it wasn't going to work anyway, but it had been worth a try. She watched silently as he stood with a grace she only dreamed of possessing and disappeared into the gloom of the bedroom, the only room in the apartment that was totally free of light in the day. In a few seconds he reappeared with a blanket and tossed it in her direction. It landed on the couch next to her. Looking up from the blanket, she met his eyes.

"Dawn is in a few minutes. I assume you're sleeping on the couch again."

Damn right. Kaoru thought, but knew better than to say out loud. As if she'd sleep in the same room with such an egotistical, secretive, emotionless, pompous, inconsiderate jerk who didn't know how to treat a woman right. She didn't bother to reply and wasn't surprised when he simply turned and shut the door soundlessly behind him. If only she could call him those words. If they were true life would be whole lot easier. She would never have fallen in love with him.

You know, I think my favorite flower is a dianthus.

Didn't know you had one.

It was Megumi's.

Sou strove to clear his mind. As a child he'd been scared to death of airplane rides, and with all the pressure on him building up, that fear was threatening to flood back in full force. The two men his uncle had shown up with had promised to tell him all the information they knew from their meeting with Kaoru and the vampire she was with once they'd settled into the plane ride and the surrounding passengers were asleep. Sou was impressed that his uncle had the gall to book first class tickets when there was no doubt the police were looking for him that very moment. But from what he'd remembered about his uncle from his youth, he shouldn't have been surprised or impressed. Shishio Makoto didn't operate that way, not for glory, not for a high place in others' esteem. He was his own man, only working for himself. Sou wondered how finding Kaoru would benefit Shishio.

As long as it would also benefit Kaoru, Sou had no problem with his uncle using him. As long as Kaoru wasn't hurt. As much as his uncle scared him and brought out the reckless side of himself, if he hurt Kaoru, Sou vowed he would have no qualms in taking him down. After all, though his uncle had inspired the taste for the old art of the sword in him, Sou had carried it much farther than Shishio had intended. It would be best to keep that a secret. It wasn't as if he would be fighting with a wakisashi or a katana anyway. Unless LA was a lot weirder than he thought.

"You awake, kid?" The white haired man's harsh voice asked in a casual tone, swirling into thoughts and dissolving them like sugar in hot tea.

Sou realized his eyes were still closed. At least the interruption had cleared his mind, and the man's voice had reminded him of just where he was and what company he has in. His uncle had never tolerated any sign of weakness, and he doubted these men did either. If he showed the slightest sign of hesitation, of uncertainty, he would lose what little respect they had for him and when the time to save Kaoru came he would fail.

Sou forced himself not to jerk in surprise at the man's words, but kept his eyes calmly closed, only grunting as an answer.

"For the wronged boyfriend, you sure seem pretty calm about the whole situation."

Sou could hear the amusement in the man's tone. "No one said I was wronged. I have faith in Kaoru."

"Give me your cell phone, kid," Shishio's harsh voice ordered. Sou lost no time wondering at the request and merely reached in his pants pocket and held the phone behind him. He felt his uncle take the phone and then heard him move away.

"And in your uncle?" the man asked.

This time, Sou could hear the smirk in his voice. "I know he will find her."

His reply was greeted by silence. Then the voice of the other man with the silver hair and silver eyes sounded. "Kid, you're right that Shishio will find your woman, through this vampire. What we haven't told you is that we, Enishi and I, want the vampire. So we're finding our guy through your girl. We'll all work together."

"I'm not a simpleton. I knew that," Sou said quietly, opening his eyes to narrow slits and twisting in his seat to face the man. "And who are you two anyway?"

"As hard as it may be to believe, we're vampire hunters," the first man said. "Jin-e is paying me to kill the vampire the Kamiya girl is with. We had a run in with them in Pennsylvanialast week, but they split town. Thanks to you, we now know they're in LA."

"Just don't get in the way of us and him, and we'll be fine. Got it, kid?" Jin-e said.

"Shut up, Jin-e. Have a little respect. He's an okay kid." The younger man looked him over once more. "Enishi. I suppose it was a bit hectic back there. We didn't have a proper intro." He stuck out his hand.

Though he couldn't read the man's intentions because of his tinted glasses, Sou shook it without hesitation. If he hadn't, that would be a sign of weakness. "Seta Soujiro."

"Kuragosa Jin-e." So the other one had decided to introduce himself after all, though he didn't bother holding out a hand. He did nod however, and Sou was careful to incline his head deferentially in the same manner.

"How many vampires are there in LA?" Sou asked.

Jin-e didn't attempt to hold back the surprise from showing through on his face. Enishi's countenance was impassive. "A few thousand."

"Why are you after this one?"

A knowing smile crossed Enishi's face. Sou knew he felt more secure now that he knew what direction Sou was taking. "I was hired by Jin-e. I'm the best of the hunters. That's why I'm going to kill him. I have no other reason."

Sou turned to Jin-e. "Why then?"

"Family tradition. Let's just say he's been around for a while. He's been playing games with my family for too long, so I felt the need to hire a professional hunter and finally end it. Revenge, Seta, for the atrocities he's committed."

The two men exchanged a glance that Sou found disconcerting.

Before they could elaborate, Shishio came back over and handed Sou back his cell phone. "I installed a tracking device so we'll know where she is when she calls you. Don't lose this phone kid. If it fell into the wrong hands they'd be able to trace it back to my laptop via the transmitter."

Sou nodded, not bothering to ask who 'they' were. He was about to ask his uncle how he'd known Kaoru had said she would call him when the man turned away and went back to his seat.

Enishi spoke. "Let's just hope we kill him in time to save your girl."

The matter was closed.

Rifis not a word!

Yes it is. It's a guitar pick or something.

Rrrrr.

Well limaisn't a word either.

Haven't you ever heard of a lima bean?

It's one word.

Not it's not.

Yes it is.

I am going to win this Scrabble game.

Dream on.

Perhaps because of the stress of her kidnapping, Ken being blackmailed into killing, and their argument of the night, rather, morning before, Kaoru didn't wake from her slumber until six in the evening. Or perhaps, she thought with a shudder, she was simply becoming more accustomed to living as a vampire. In any case, she'd woken at six and not five, meaning that she'd missed calling Sou at five, as she told him. He would probably be worried sick. The last thing Kaoru wanted was him flying over from Japanto 'save' her like some night in shining armor. She was confident that if any 'saving' need be done she and Ken could handle it between the two of them. Kenshin, she reminded herself. His name is Kenshin Himura, also known in some vampire circles as Battousai. What a guy. The jerk.

"Jerk," Kaoru groaned aloud, rolling off the couch, still groggy. She felt weak from sleeping for twelve hours straight. Food was definitely in order. Sou could wait for ten minutes. Pulling herself up into a sitting position with her arms on the couch, she sighed. The couch. If they'd had a fight, shouldn't the man be the one sleeping on the couch? Just her luck that Ken, Kenshin, was a vampire and if he'd slept on the couch he would have been burned to a crisp or whatever happened to vampires when they were exposed to the sun. Eh, it wouldn't hurt him to get a bit of a tan. Kaoru scolded herself for thinking such vengeful thoughts, especially since she didn't mean any of them. He was already tan enough any way. She hauled herself up until she was standing, ignoring the shaking of her limbs, and headed for the small kitchen. Cereal sounded real good at that moment.

Two bowls of Cracklin' Oat Bran, the best cereal in the world in Kaoru's opinion, later Kaoru walked back into the living room, an extra bounce in her step, and over to the end table. Hadn't she left her cell phone in her purse. Not that it was her cell. It was Ken's, she reminded herself. Hers was back at home. She hadn't brought it with her to work that night, expecting to get a ride from Tae. It was crappy next to the one Ken had loaned her in any case. And yes, there it was in her purse. Hmm. Sou should still be home. She decided to call him at his grandparents' house rather than on his cell. Perhaps his mother would answer and she could be sure that Sou wasn't going to do something crazy like come after her. His mother could read him like a book. She would know if he was acting even the slightest bit unusual.

Kaoru dialed the number Sou had given her before he left and waited for the operator. Thank the Lord she had international service. Well thankfully, Ken had the foresight to get an international service plan. It was his phone after all, she reminded herself. She also reminded herself his real name was Kenshin. Not Ken. Come to think of it, what if his real name wasn't even Kenshin?

"Moshi moshi," a female voice answered tensely.

It was Atsuko, Sou's sister. She and Kaoru definitely didn't get along. Oh well. "Ohayo gozaimasu, Atsuko." It was still morning in Japanafter all. "Kaoru, desu. May I please speak with Sou?"

"Kaoru!"Atsuko yelled. She sounded furious. "This is all your fault!"

Kaoru immediately went on the defensive. Atsuko knew better than to speak like that to her. "What are you talking about? I'm in the States. What could I have possibly done to you?" she asked irritably.

Atsuko didn't reply. A sound came over the line like a strangled sob. Was she crying? Kaoru strained to hear as the other woman muffled the phone for a few moments. Maybe she was calling Sou to the phone.

When she came back on the line all the anger was gone from her voice, replaced with despair. "Sou's gone, Kaoru."

Kaoru felt the strength seep from her. Sou? Dead? How could it be? A thousand questions flew through her mind. When? How? Why? She managed to make it over to the arm of the couch and sat down on the side. "When did it happen?"

A few sniffles sounded over the line. "Last night. Uncle Shishio came and took him away to the States. He doesn't care about Sou. He'll let him die if it helps his position," Atsuko informed her, bitterness tingeing the sadness of her tone.

The words flooded through her head, washing away the despair. He wasn't dead. He wasn't dead. Kaoru sighed in relief. "I thought he was dead," she breathed into the phone, her tone holding wonder at the cruelties life could play against her. For a few seconds much of her world had come crashing down around her.

"He's as good as dead!" Atsuko yelled, the anger flooding back into her voice. She seemed to have gained more control over her emotions.

Then the words that Atsuko had said penetrated Kaoru's consciousness. Sou had left for the States last night in Japan. That meant he was most likely already in LA! But who was this uncle Shishio that Atsuko kept going on about? Surely an uncle would take care of Sou.

"Why, Atsuko? Won't his uncle take care of him?" Kaoru asked in confusion.

"No, you idiot! He broke out of a mental hospital to take Sou to the States! And he's only in there because he was declared a dangerous criminal. It was there or prison! He's only using Sou to get to that man you're with!"

Kaoru turned a whole new shade of pale. After Ken? "Why is he after Ken?"

"I don't know!" Atsuko wailed. "But he came with two other men who were probably the low lifes who busted him out in the first place and he actually went with them!" Atsuko sounded as if she couldn't believe it even now.

Kaoru wondered about these two other men. There was no way they could have known about Ken being a vampire. Maybe they still didn't know. Were they perhaps vampires themselves? No. They would have had to arrive in LA in the daylight hours. They couldn't be vampires. They couldn't be the two hunters Ken had ditched in Pennsylvania, could they?

"What did these two look like?" Kaoru asked slowly.

"Why?" Atsuko asked.

"In case I see them around town. Then I can find Sou through them," she told the other woman, trying to sound as innocent as possible. Atsuko must not know that she needed this information.

"I won't tell you, Kaoru!" she yelled. "Just call my brother and bring him back to Japan. He has his cell phone. He'll answer if you call," she ordered.

"Atsuko, give me the phone." It was Mrs. Seta's voice in the background. Kaoru thanked the Lord once more. "Hello, Kaoru. Both of the men were tall, I'd say a little over six feet each. The first was around thirty-five. He had both silver hair and eyes, a boyish haircut, a lock of hair fell into his eyes. The second was younger, I'd say about twenty-four. He wore round tinted glasses, pale spiked hair and dark eyes. Will that help you?"

"Yes, thank you, Mrs. Seta." So it was the two hunters from Pennsylvania. She might have known they would turn up again. Perhaps if the Juppongatana were aware the hunters had entered their territory, then Ken wouldn't be at such a risk.

"I didn't like the look of them, Kaoru. They were hunters. I'm at a loss as to what Sou was thinking when he went with them. He must love you very much," she finished softly.

Kaoru didn't bother to ask home Sou's mother knew of the vampire culture. She was too focused on choking back a sob. "I'm so sorry about this, Mrs. Seta. I'm sorry your son is in danger."

"He's an adult, Kaoru. He makes his own decisions. I don't hold you accountable for them. I know you would have rather he not come. Be careful of my brother, Shishio Makoto. He's around six feet as well, black hair, dark brown eyes, extremely tan still from his days in Egypt. He doesn't mean to do right by you, Kaoru, and I don't think Sou could protect you from him. He holds too much respect for the man, which is my mistake. I should not have let him visit when Sou was a child."

"It's not your fault, Mrs. Seta. I'm so sorry. Give my regards to your husband. I'll call Sou now."

"Don't Kaoru! I'm sure his phone will be traced by now. Don't call here again either. My brother has too many connections. The house will be bugged by then. Don't let them find you, Kaoru. Get back here to Japanor to your parents as soon as you can. Get that vampire to protect you."

"I will."

"Promise me you'll go somewhere safe, Kaoru." Her voice was urgent.

"I promise to as soon as I can. But I don't know when that will be. I can't leave LA right now."

"I think it would be best if you kept your parents out of this then. Your father would disown you for disobeying him if you didn't leave LA," Mrs. Seat advised.

"I know," Kaoru said softly. "Sayonara."

"Sayonara, Kaoru-chan." Atsuko's sobbing filled the background. A click in her ear and the connection was broken. Sou was in LA, but she didn't dare call him. And she would have to tell Ken the whole story. She groaned. This was not going to be fun. He'd already been in an exceptionally bad mood the night before. She doubted he would wake up with an improved outlook on life.

Why does it always rain for funerals?

The heavens are weeping.

Nah. Aren't you supposed to be happy when they pass on?

Yes. It's bittersweet. I wish I still could.

Don't say that, Ken! Morbid talk. What would you do without me to keep you focused on this life?

…

Well?

I don't know, Sano.

"Wouldn't it have been cheaper to stay in an apartment instead of a hotel?" Sou asked, dropping his luggage on the floor next to the bed his uncle had told him he would be sleeping in.

"I don't think any of us are going to clean or cook. Besides, I haven't been out in the world in years, Soujiro. I have the money. I'm going to spend it. Don't complain. Order us some room service while I go next door to plan our strategy with those two," Shishio ordered, leaving through the adjoining doors that connected the two rooms they had checked out for two weeks.

Sou wondered where his uncle had acquired his seemingly endless supply of cash. He decided he wasn't too keen on finding out. Besides, he was too worried by the fact that Kaoru hadn't called him. He had hoped to pick her up in the daylight hours before the vampire, 'Ken', woke to find her gone, but night was fast approaching. It was going to be hard living with his uncle and the two hunters. Sou wondered if they were anything like the two Kaoru had mentioned who had gotten her into this whole mess. They seemed trustworthy enough to help him find Kaoru, a little too dedicated to their jobs, but that could be overlooked. Nevertheless, they would find Kaoru, if only to kill this Ken person. Sou was getting more and more curious. He was confident that it would only be a matter of time before he met the vampire face to face. Perhaps many of the questions building in his mind would be answered then. Why did Kaoru trusted him? Why she had insisted on staying with him to Sou over the phone? He only hoped the vampire was ensuring Kaoru's safety.

With a sigh he dialed room service. Something important must have come up if Kaoru had not called. She never broke her promises.

A/N - Well here you go. Hope you love it. Leave a review if you feel like inflating my ego. Just kidding. Actually just leave one to tell me what you thought of it. Thanks a bunch. I really appreciate reviews. I'm on that everlasting quest to be a better writer. Oh, and 'Haha' is what you call your own mother in Japanese.