Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction ❯ The Demon Child ❯ Explanations ( Chapter 4 )

I finally got to watch Underworld last week and it was so damn cool! I absolutely love Selene and Lucian! Even from the beginning of the movie, I like him though he was portrayed at that time as the true 'bad-guy'. Lucian was just so totally awesome. (Ok, now I'm starting to sound like a ditz…Hohoho!) Besides, Lucian wasn't truly evil, there was a reason for him to be that way...I guess you really can't tell sometimes who're the actual 'good-guys' and 'bad-guys' ne?

Thank you everyone for the fantastic reviews! So far, I haven't gotten a single flame yet… (peeks at her email messages one last time) Nope. None yet... Hopefully it'll stay that way… Hohoho!

Note: the barrier indicates the beginning and ending of the flashbacks.

Disclaimer: Do I own RK? (sees lawyers waiting to sue Wolf Sapphire and gulped) ...er I don't think so. I'm just borrowing them. (smiles innocently at the lawyers leaving the room)

The Demon Child

Chapter four: Explanations

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The heavy bag swung backwards at the impact of Kaoru's punch as the demon tuned all of her raging emotions on the poor innocent piece of foam and leather.

Tiny bit of debris could be seen flying in different directions as Kaoru continued to pummel the now-deformed punching bag.

Tossing her messy silvery-dark blue braided hair carelessly over her shoulder, Kaoru gave one last roundhouse kick at the abused punching bag before she stood upright to stilled it's momentum with a securely-bandaged un-clawed hand.

Kaoru wiped the sweat off her forehead as she panted, the adrenaline continuing to pump in her veins. She turned to look out at one of the windows to find that the sun had by now set, leaving only the cooling late evening air and the soft light of the moon. The stars also had seemed to disappear, their brightness covered by the dark cloud of the night.

Which means that she had been training at the dojo for a couple of hours, Kaoru thought as she crouched down. She started to untie the wrappings protecting her hands and wrists, flexing a hand as soon as the wrappings came loose.

Kaoru watched in silent fascination as her nails lengthened then curved into claws and she began to flex them slowly. Then the demon reached a hand up to touch the wolf ears set upon her head before trailing it down to brush against her tail.

The discussion earlier resurfaced from the depths of her mind and Kaoru let out a low, wistful sigh as she let the memories override her vision.

---------------------------------------------- (Earlier time)

"I supposed you would like to know the whole story?"

"Very much so." Kaoru answered while Misao and Tsubame nodded their heads in agreement.

Hiko paused momentarily, staring at his cup of sake. He seemed to be deep in thought as he drank the alcoholic liquid.

To the three females, it felt like almost an eternity had passed before the Vampire Lord settled his cup on the table and looked at them with serious eyes.

"Do you know the reason why I sent my best warriors to find you?" He asked, his gaze fixed at Kaoru.

Kaoru raised an eyebrow. "Not really but I know that it has something to do with my bloodline."

Hiko nodded his head. "Well the reason is that Shishio Makoto too is looking for you."

Misao rolled her eyes irritably and gave a snort. "Yeah, we kind of figured that out when they murdered our family." She muttered coldly.

"Have some respect, Misao-san." Soujiro said suddenly, his eyes narrowed.

Then the serious look on his face vanished and his usual smile reappeared. "You should be grateful that you're invited to meet with Hiko-sama."

Emerald eyes turned to peer dangerously at Grayish ones.

"And that you're still alive." The brown-haired vampire added.

Misao scowled firmly. "Make no mistake in what I feel. I am honored to be in the presence of such powerful and experienced vampires."

The dark-haired woman paused to glance at the other vampires, her gaze momentarily longer with Aoshi. She shivered when Aoshi's eyes locked with hers. The icy blue depths seemed to pierce right through her, as if he was looking into her soul.

Misao looked away and turned her gaze back to Soujiro.

"Also, I was only left alive because I was their messenger."

Misao's voice was bitter as she said this. She gazed down at her injured arm, placed in a cast, and felt a fresh wave of guilt flow through her body.

Her vision blurred as tears threaten to shed and Misao bit her lower lip to keep them from falling. Her voice was mumbled and as soft as a whisper that the words barely echoed throughout the room.

"I couldn't save them… I'm so pathetic…"

Tsubame shook her head no vigorously. "Iie." She started.

"You're not pathetic! You did the best that you could Misao-nee!"

Misao lips twitched slightly into a sad smile. "That's exactly what Kaoru told me…"

Her voice trailed off as Misao raised her head and shut her eyes to stop the tears from flowing.

"It'll be alright Misao." Sano said comfortingly. If anyone was shocked that Sano called Misao by her name and not 'Weasel', they didn't show it.

All of a sudden, Misao snapped her head to gaze at Sano. Her eyes had a bright piercing look in them, regardless of the tears that dampen the emerald orbs.

"How will it be alright?" she asked; her voice cold and lifeless.

Kaoru shuddered slightly. The woman before her isn't the Misao she'd known since they were little. She was calm and soft-spoken, far from the genki and loud Misao she knew.

"Were you there when they died?" continued Misao, her voice rising higher.

"Were you the one who watched them died slowly? Did you hear their cries of pain? Did you see the way those…beasts rip their insides out and ate their flesh? Did you? Were you there to see and hear it all? Did you? DID YOU?"

She pounded her fist harshly on the table. The said table shook at the impact as their tea cups rattled. Misao's cup spilled its contents across the wooden surface of the table.

"I did! I was there! I saw and heard every little detail of their deaths!" exclaimed Misao. Her eyes were gleaming a dark emerald in contrast to the pearly tears that fell freely down them.

Misao's outburst made Tsubame jump and Kaoru cringed mentally. Sano and Soujiro turned away from the dark-haired human's pained face. Hiko, Battousai, and Aoshi, though, remained indifferent yet there was a certain glow in their eyes that Kaoru can't quite tell.

Kaoru gulped down her throat silently to drown out a sorrowful howl at the pained and guilty look on her friend's face. She remained silent, knowing that Misao would continue.

Misao turned her head to gaze at Kaoru, the move was too sudden that a slight cracking sound was heard. The various emotions on the other woman's face nearly drove Kaoru herself to give a mourned howl.

"Kao-chan…" started Misao, her voice had suddenly turned soft. "You told to be strong and wait."

Kaoru smiled sadly as she reached a clawed-hand out to grasp Misao's fist across from the table. The demon rubbed the dark-haired woman's fist gently, urging her to continue.

"Yes I did, Misao." She replied, her voice soft. "I…"

"I can't do it, Kaoru." Misao continued as if Kaoru didn't answer, her shoulders began to shake. "I can't. I just can't."

"Oh Misao…."

Kaoru took the dark-haired woman in her arms and hugged her, whispering comforting words softly in her ear.

Misao clutched Kaoru tightly and buried her face in the silvery-blue haired demon.

"Why did they have to die Kaoru? Why?"

-------------------------------------------- (Present time)

"Why indeed?" Kaoru mumbled quietly to herself as she gazed at the moon and gave a short, low howl.

She sighed. It had taken almost an hour before she could get Misao to stop crying. After that, they had to wipe the spilled tea. Good thing that the table was made of wood so it couldn't stain.

---------------------------------------------(Earlier time)

"You okay Misao?" Kaoru asked softly as she gave the handkerchief Tsubame lent to Misao.

Misao wiped the tears away slowly with the piece of cloth. "Yeah, I'm fine now."

She laughed, trying to ease the tension in the room.

"So where were we before my intermission?" Misao joked, drying her tears at the same time.

Kaoru smiled inwardly at her friend. Even though Misao didn't know it, she was brave. The demon's eyes sudden gleamed as a question popped in her mind.

"Why would anyone want to find me?" asked Kaoru as she turned her attention back to Hiko.

The Vampire Lord coughed and took another sip of sake before he answered.

"My suspicion is that Shishio wants to have you fight along by his side in the war."

Kaoru narrowed her eyes, a dark gleam in the depths. "He killed the people I considered family and he expects me to join him?"

Hiko shook his head. "Not you precisely, Shishio wants the inner beast inside of you."

Kaoru and the other vampires' eyes widened while Misao and Tsubame had gave confused looks.

"You mean, the way Kaoru is right now right?" asked Misao.

It was Battousai who shook his head this time. "Iie." He growled.

"Hiko meant the inner beast inside the demon Kaoru is."

"You mean there's another demon inside Kao-nee?" asked Tsubame.

Sano glanced at the brown-haired girl. "You could say that..."

"What Sano is trying to say." Soujiro added. "Is that Kaoru has an inner beast inside of her demon body that is inhumane."

"Inhumane?"

Aoshi nodded his head. "Hai Makamichi-san…."

"Drop the 'san' and call me Misao will you?"

Kaoru smothered a giggle. Looks like Misao is back to her old self again.

"If you wished…Misao." Aoshi answered. "As I was trying to tell you, Kaoru's inner beast is incapable being civilized. Meaning it only knows one thing and that is to attack and kill anything or anyone that stands in its' way."

"And by anyone, we meant everyone." The vampire added. He glimpsed at Misao with his eerie ice blue eyes. Misao shivered, but whether from fear or from delight, she didn't know.

"Even you and Tsubame." Aoshi finished.

"Nani?" Misao blinked, refusing to believe that Kaoru would attack her.

"Is this true Kaoru?"

Mellow sapphire-silver clashed with disbelieved emerald as Kaoru looked at her friend sadly.

"It's true Misao." The demon admitted.

"I do have an inner beast inside of me. Why did you think I was training so hard?"

Kaoru paused. "I trained to be strong and honed my abilities yes. But I also trained to have self-control."

"Did you remember the first time I cried?" She asked Misao, her voice soft but firm.

Misao eyes grew wide. "You mean…that time when that boy?"

Kaoru nodded her head. "Hai, if Father hadn't knocked me unconscious, I would've killed the boy and probably all of you too."

"All because he made you cry?"

Kaoru nodded her head. "Crying is often thought of as a sign of weakness Misao. In my case that's exactly true. Whenever I cry, I am in pain and the walls I built around to hold off my inner beast broke down, causing it to escape. I would lose control of my self-being and turn into a wild…well demon."

"So that's why you were always meditating…" realized Misao, a thoughtful look crossed her face.

"Hai. Meditation helps me to control my emotions and as long as I don't cry, the inner beast inside me won't get out."

Sano rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Demo Jou-chan…Weren't you crying when you saw Dr. Gensai and the girls?"

Kaoru shifted uncomfortably as everyone turned their eyes to her.

"Well I wasn't crying really, the tears just came." She answered. "And even then I had to use most of my strength to keep my inner beast from leaping out."

"I tried to focus my mind not on the bodies and the pain I felt but on Misao. That's why I was holding her tightly, so that I could concentrate instead on her well-being…"

"So you can control it to some point," interrupted Battousai.

Kaoru turned to look at the bloody-haired vampire. "To some point yes, but only barely." She admitted.

Silence swept throughout the room, only the pitter-patter of the human servants' feet can be heard outside the room as they attend to their chores.

"So if Shishio's reason to kill my family is so my inner beast will be unleashed wherein they'll use me as a sort-of weapon." Kaoru paused as she stared at the vampires. "Then what's your reason? To use me like a weapon as well?"

Kaoru's voice was cold as the artic wind. Battousai seemed unaffected though and answered clearly in his deep voice.

"Iie. We would never do that if you do not wish to be."

"Then why?" Kaoru asked.

Molten amber eyes locked with Kaoru's. The demon nearly shuddered at the cold, unemotional look in the amber depths.

"Would you've preferred to be in Shishio's clutches right now?" growled Battousai deeply.

Kaoru frowned. "I would've..."

Battousai cut her off. "What? Fight them? One against possibly half of Shishio's wolves?"

Kaoru glared at Battousai coldly. She opened her mouth, ready to answer that she could take them all, when logic made her shut her mouth and rethink about what Battousai had said.

Much to her dismay, Kaoru had to agree that Battousai's right. One lone demon wouldn't stand much chance against probably more than a thousand trained werewolves, regardless if she's strong. Also, she reasoned, they would've probably even used Misao and Tsubame to get her on Shishio's side.

"You're right." Kaoru muttered out unhappily.

Battousai smirked, revealing his sharp, white fangs. "Of course I'm right, I'm always right."

Kaoru bared her own fangs. "Don't push it." She snarled..

"So you're saying that you brought me here for my own protection?" Kaoru asked.

"Hai." It was Hiko who answered this time. "And for the safety of our own clan as well."

"How will I know that you're not just tricking me?" asked Kaoru, the silver in her sapphire eyes gleaming darkly.

"How would I know that you're not planning to kill me since you said that you don't want me as a weapon? Or is that a lie as well?"

"Probe my mind then if you don't believe me." Hiko answered unwaveringly. "I know that you have telepathic powers…Yes, little human?"

Hiko had asked since Tsubame then had a curious look on her face. The young human girl blushed when she felt all eyes on her.

"Ano…" she began shyly. "I've always wanted to know…what's the difference between vampires and werewolves? I mean, what are your powers and all…"

A snort could be heard and a deep, male voice drawled as the owner closed the door behind him.

"What right does a weak human girl have to ask anything from a high order vampire such as Hiko?"

All turned to see that the owner of the voice belonged to a tall, handsome young man…er vampire, seeing as how his fangs had sprouted, wearing a long flowing dark-colored cape, black leather shirt, black leather pants and equally black leather boots. His long brown hair reached just below his broad shoulders and his green eyes had an eerie glow in them.

"About time you got here Shogo." Hiko said.

The vampire named Shogo smiled slightly and bowed at Hiko. "Gomen for being late Hiko-sama, but there was a minor delay in my train ride. Apparently, a group of wolves tried to hijack it."

He patted the sheathed sword placed at his high, a smug look on his pale face. "Of course, I just couldn't leave those pathetic humans to fend off those wolves by themselves."

"Who're you calling weak?" exclaimed a fuming Misao, hands on her hips.

Shogo's green eyes roamed towards the emerald-eyed woman and, ignoring completely the stoned glare Misao threw at him, quirked up an eyebrow.

"Who're they?" He asked the other vampires. "New servants?"

Misao's jaw dropped. "Excuse me?!" she shrilled out. You could practically see the steam coming out of her ears.

Shogo rubbed his chin thoughtfully as his eyes took in the whole room. He noticed a young female with peculiar silvery hair that gleamed dark-blue tied up in a ponytail wearing a rather odd-looking black, silver and dark blue kimono. A katana was strapped to her hip and Shogo could see the hilts of a pair of kodachis placed behind her obi. Her hands were clawed, sharper and more deadly looking than those both of a vampire's and werewolf's, and she had a pair of dark blue wolf ears and a long dark blue and silver-tipped tail that he knew would trailed to the floor if the female would stand up.

Kaoru growled deep in her throat when she felt the vampire they called Shogo stared at her and bared her fangs.

Shogo simply raised an eyebrow at her gesture. The female's fangs were those of a vampire's…very peculiar indeed.

Yet, he couldn't deny that the female wasn't of great beauty. She has the beauty every female would kill to have.

He smirked. He, Amakusa Shogo, would make this female his and his alone.

Ignoring everyone else in the room, the green-eyed vampire moved towards Kaoru. His movements were so fluid that he seemed to be sliding instead of walking.

Shogo smiled and reached out a hand. "Amakusa Shogo, pleasure to meet you."

Kaoru glanced up and the vampire was almost blown away by the color of her eyes. A shimmering sapphire-silver.

"Kamiya Kaoru." She replied curtly, ignoring the vampire's out-reached hand. "I'm the 'Demon Child' as you all liked to call me."

Shogo's eyes widen slightly. "Is that so?" He smiled. "Well I never expected that the infamous 'Demon Child' would be a female."

The vampire took the vacant seat besides Kaoru. He peered into her eyes, still smiling. "And an ethereal beauty at that."

Kaoru nervously inched away from Shogo. There was something about him that she just didn't liked.

To her surprise, a piece of white cloth suddenly appeared in Shogo's hand and the vampire was leaning over towards her. Shogo then proceeded to wipe her mouth slowly, almost sensually.

"There was a smudge at the corner of your lips." The vampire explained as he leaned back and gave Kaoru an innocent smile.

Battousai growled at the obvious claim in what he considered his. Yes, he had (finally) decided that Kaoru's his and no one would touch what's his. Comrade or not, Amakusa Shogo would pay for even touching what's his.

Battousai snarled, his fangs long and piercing sharp. The vampire's eyes blazed amber with a tint of bloody red in them. Amber electricity crackled around him at the rise of violent dark ki.

Aoshi, being the closest to Battousai, felt the blood red-haired man shift to stand up in attack position and coughed loudly, earning him their attention.

"The difference between vampires and werewolves Tsubame," He explained. "Is that aside from the regular lengthening of fangs and claws; vampires have the ability of flight, transformation to winged creatures, telepathic powers like the inner eye and mind link, as well as preternatural powers. We also have the power to form almost any object by sheer will and a few selected ones have the powers to control an element."

"Werewolves though." Soujiro continued for Aoshi. "Mostly have preternatural powers, although theirs are stronger than ours I hate to admit. Almost unbelievable strength, endurance, speed…you get the idea. They also have the will to transform into normal wolves but only the powerful ones can change into humans. Their claws and fangs are dripped with a certain poison that, depending on the werewolf's rank, could be lethal. They also have the power to speak and understand any animal. "

"Sugoi…" breathe out Misao and Tsubame as they took in all of the information.

"Wow…" breathed Misao in awe before she turned to stare at Kaoru as if she'd just seen her for the first time.

"Does that mean that you could do all of those things, Kaoru?" She asked curiously.

Kaoru nodded her head. "Hai." She replied. "I possess every power both vampires and werewolves have. Though I am able to change into any animal at will and that my claws are more piercingly sharp than those of the two. I can also look at the sun directly without feeling any pain and I have all of the powers of the elements. I can also heal to some extent."

"Masaka…" muttered both Tsubame and Misao.

"No wonder Shishio wants you Kaoru." Misao muttered out. "You're so damn strong and powerful."

"Maybe but Shishio is more experienced." Hiko announced. The Vampire Lord stole a glance at Kaoru.

"You'll have to practice your powers harder if you want to defeat him."

Silence fell once more around the room. Each lost in his or her own thoughts.

This continued until a servant knocked lightly on the door to tell them that dinner is ready to be served.

Hiko pressed the palm of his hands on the table and stood up.

"Well we should get going then. This room's getting a bit stuffy anyway."

The others nodded and stood up as well to follow Hiko out of the room and into the dining hall.

Out of the corner of her eye, Kaoru could see Battousai grabbing Shogo by the arm and the two walked slower at the end of the line.

She perked her wolf ears up, trying to listen to their conversation when Misao grabbed her own arm and led her faster, squealing about how cool her powers were and all.

Kaoru glanced at Misao and gave her a half-smile. She was disappointed that she didn't get the chance to hear the two vampires.

After all, wasn't it in her nature as a female to be curious?

-------------------------------------------------------- (Present time)

Kaoru stood up and sighed as she picked up her katana and kodachis from the dojo floor.

Dinner had been quiet, aside from Sano's constant worrying about a certain woman named Kitsune and some child called 'The Brat'. Who would named their offspring 'The Brat' anyway? She could understand the name 'Kitsune' but 'The Brat'?

Kaoru shook her head in dismay. What a weird name to give to someone.

Suddenly, the demon snapped her head up and her body tensed. There was someone in the dojo along with her.

Kaoru narrowed her eyes. "Whose there?" she asked, her voice firm and steady.

A clicked sound was heard as the silvery-dark blue haired demon loosened her katana from its sheath. Adrenaline began to pump rigorously throughout her body as Kaoru readied herself.

"I am not going to ask again." She growled deeply as her sapphire-silver eyes began to gleam a darker hue.

Then a red and black blur crossed her vision and before she knew it, Kaoru found herself pressed against one of the dojo's walls. Her katana and kodachis were wretched out of her grasp and sprawled half-way across the dojo.

A firm hand had grabbed both of her hands and gripped them steadily over her head, Kaoru noticed as she looked up. Her gaze lowered to find molten amber-red eyes staring at her.

"Baka Kaoru!" Battousai growled furiously. "You weren't paying attention. If you were attacked, you'd probably get killed!"

Kaoru shivered at Battousai's voice. It was dark and menacing. She didn't want to admit it but she felt a slight tinge of fear. Whenever he was around, Kaoru would feel her heart pounding wildly and her whole body would tense up all of a sudden. She would then practically melt everything her eyes gazed into his amber orbs.

Battousai was furious. If Kaoru continued to be this way, he would've to train her himself. Shishio's wolves are very powerful and he wouldn't always be there to protect her, especially during a battle.

Kaoru, who finally got her voice back, growled deeply. Just who does he think he is? She's not some delicate female who can't take care of herself damnit!

Kaoru glared at the redhead and was ready to tell him off when Battousai leaned down and crushed his lips against hers.

She gasped in shock and the vampire took his chance to pry her mouth open further with his tongue as he snaked his arms around her waist. Kaoru was too surprised to respond at first but it wasn't long before a moan erupted deeply from her throat and Kaoru felt her arms wrapped clutching the back of Battousai's head and pressed him closer to her, deepening the kiss.

Battousai groaned as he felt his body burned with desire. Kaoru lips and mouth tasted like caramel honey, a taste that he wouldn't mind getting addicted to…in fact he already was.

However, the two 'newly-found' lovers' moment was short-lived when a shrill cry rang out loudly from outside.

Battousai growled as he broke off their kiss. The one who dared to interrupt him and his love was going to die a slow and painful death.

Kaoru didn't know whether to feel disappointed or relieved when Battousai finally released her from his arms. However, she did pout at the sudden lack of extra warmth.

Battousai saw this and nibbled her lower lip gently to get a reaction. He smirked amusingly when Kaoru blush a deep red.

The vampire found this strangely endearing and chuckled deeply. Giving her a chaste kiss on the bridge of her nose, Battousai said.

"There's plenty more where that came from Koishii." He growled, purring sexily. His molten amber eyes promising that.

Sano took this time to burst into the dojo, panting heavily. Both vampire and demon glanced at the spiky-haired vampire confusingly.

"Battousai! Kamiya! Station 12's is under attack by a group of Shishio's wolves!" Sano managed to blurt out between gasps of breath.

"One of our soldiers managed to escape and told us so. We've got to rescue Kitsune and the Brat!"

Battousai cursed under his breath. "Damn Shishio!"

Kaoru's eyes narrowed darkly. Faster than light, Kaoru dashed for her kodachis and katana lying forgotten across the dojo.

"What are we waiting for then." The demon said as she willed her fighting kimono to replace the practice gi and hakama she was wearing. She placed her kodachis behind her obi and her katana at the hip.

"Let's go then!" proclaimed Kaoru.

Battousai growled. "Iie Kaoru." He said firmly. "You'll stay here."

Kaoru shook her head stubbornly.

"Iie. I'm going with you whether you like it or not and that's final!"

Battousai couldn't help but grin proudly at the female he now considered as his mate. He looked down at Kaoru.

"Fine then." He growled. "But you'll have to keep up."

Kaoru smiled, her sapphire-silver eyes gleaming brightly.

"Don't worry, I won't be a burden."

To be continued

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Sapphire: Well how was it? Was I going too fast in making them kiss? Did I make Kaoru seem like a…I hate to say it…a Mary-Sue? Urgh! I hope not! (shudders)

I'm really sorry that Megumi and Yahiko (who else do you think 'the Brat' is?) weren't yet in this chapter…but next chapter they'll surely be there! (cough) Anyway, looks like Battousai has a rival for Kaoru (cough…Shogo…cough). I had always liked Shogo in the anime so I decided to make him a rival for Kaoru's love. Besides, won't it be much fun this way? Hohoho!

Yey! No more cameos (yet) from the Rurouni! Take that you evil…evil fingers! Bleh!

Anyway, we'll finally get to see some action next chapter! And also…(smiles cheekily) Aren't you all just curious to read what Battousai and Shogo said to each other…in private I might add…Well tune in next time then if you want to find out…Mwahaha!

Hmm…also I think I'll have to go slower with Misao and Aoshi. This is the Ice-Buddha we're talking about! A tall, sexy hunky Ice-Buddha I might add… (Evil Sapphire: Yeah right, you just want Aoshi all to yourself. Sapphire: Not true! Evil Sapphire: (sarcastically) right…)