Disclaimer: I do not own Vampire Knight or Inuyasha

Chapter Two

Kagome awoke to a pleasant warmth that tingled in the back of her throat, which spread throughout her body. She took in the same room, the same bed, but not.

She didn't feel the same anymore either.

As if, all the missing pieces in her shattered self had been filled in. Her fingers traced the would-be bite marks of Shizuka's kiss; somehow they'd scarred over. The flesh was tender, and she was sure they marred her neck like ink on paper.

As much as she debated the mark, Kagome bore no evil will or malice intentions towards Shizuka-sama… Rather, she felt only a calm sense fill her. Calm enough to slip out of the bed and into the halls. Aside from a newfound stoic-ness, Kagome soon realized the newer changes that came with her transformation. It was startling to see the world bathed in details she'd never before noticed.

The immaculateness of it all left her very interested. A scratch here, a stain there; the very world that blared itself into her ears. She shut her eyes at the sudden intrusion and covered her ears in an instant, damming the acute senses. When she felt steady, the exploration of the surrounding area was long and painful.

'How the hell do they do it?'

She inched closer to the stairs descending and breathed a sound of relief when the noise lessened. The light dimmed from there on and should've given her an off-putting feeling, but her vision was no less affected.

'Typical of a vampire, huh?' She bitterly reasoned, stepping towards the light shining underneath a closed door.

Faintly, the thrumming presence she'd felt throughout the house began to grow in intensity as she neared. Her hearing picked up the fragments of conversation, dulled between the walls.

'Shizuka-sama.' Her mind supplied, gravitating towards the pulse that practically called to her. When she pushed aside the door, her assumptions were made correct.

"You're awake?"

Light refracted the silvery hues of the duo's hair beautifully.

"Yes."

Pureblood lips curved upwards, "Good."

Ichiru, from beside her, regarded Kagome warily. She almost didn't pay attention but found her eyes straying back towards him. For what purpose was a human needed?

She voiced her question.

Shizuka paid no mind, reaching towards a small table she hadn't noticed. Ichiru intercepted her, and Kagome wondered if the downturn of her lips really happened.

"Blood tablet?" She offered.

Even though she had no knowledge of a blood tabled (she grimaced), the young girl recoiled. "Um, no."

"Truly?"

Kagome ignored the amused tone, "Why did you… turn me?"

The female lifted the cup to her lips which she assumed to be blood because the scent was lovely. "Power."

"What could I offer? I'm useless."

"Hmm…"

"Don't mock me," Kagome emphasized slowly, feeling at odds with herself. She wondered just how much Shizuka knew about her.

Ichiru tensed, but a wave of his master's hand, and he relaxed. She felt herself relaxing as well, but resisted the natural action. What was this?

"What are you doing?" She asked quickly before she could lose her nerve, "You're different somehow."

Another curvy smile, but it lacked all traces of warmth. "I am who I am; Hio Shizuka."

'Sama.' She unknowingly added but quashed the thought. The overwhelming urge to bow was getting stronger. "Let me go."

"You are free to do so."

"Am I?" Kagome clenched her fists, "Don't joke around with me."

Her mind screamed at her to bolt, but her body wouldn't listen. She squeezed tighter. She briefly became aware of her sharpened nails breaking skin, and a flip insider her switched.

"Oi!"

The call lasted for only a moment, but the sound of breaking glass drowned it out.

And she, who'd broken it, went soaring out of the building. When she dared to turn her head, she caught the figure of an entertained Shizuka, crimson eyes narrowed with a smile. She turned her head just as quickly.

Her body darted over fallen trees and rocks, and she marveled at this newfound strength.

'Amazing.' Colors blurred together with the wind. To think, that just yesterday she'd been on the verge of dying, and now, she was stronger than ever.

At the price of her humanity she'd gained something else; the guarantee of her survival.

She flicked a tongue over her teeth and felt the telltale edge of her fangs. They fit together; this inhuman speed, her teeth, and Kagome embraced the vampire within her.

Dancing through the forest, she laughed. With this, she was free.

BLAM!

"Shizuka-sama!"

Blood splattered her face, all feelings of happiness obliterated. The woman in front of her stumbled.

"Shizuka!" She cried, dropping the honorific and catching her. A click resounded, with the barrel of a gun sticking itself between her eyes. She followed the gun upwards.

"A child vampire, and a pureblood?" Came the condescending voice, "Disgusting beings."

"Who are you?" Kagome angrily snarled. Her senses roared in her ears, churning in an indescribable rage. Before she realized it, she bared her fangs in warning. A strange sensation resonated within her eyes, heightening her senses.

"Always with the teeth baring." The hunter muttered, kicking Shizuka from her arms. The unconscious pureblood exhaled shakily, leaking blood onto the ground. She reached out to the rapidly darkening clothing but his gun jarred her shoulder and she fell back against the tree.

"What do you know?"

"Huh?" She bitterly responded, "What kinda question is that?"

He thrust his foot into her stomach. A choked sound left her lips, "Kuh…!"

"What are her plans?"

"I don't know what you mean," Kagome coughed, "But you can go to hell!"

"I never liked the creepy color of you vampires' eyes." He commented, striking her cheek. "It's unsettling."

Blood dribbled down her chin while she regarded him hatefully. "Why are you doing this?"

"I want to see all of you bloodsuckers dead."

"Unfortunately, they're a little hard to kill." The scent of blood, more enticing than she'd ever before smelled, permeated the area.

"You're one of them, aren't you?"

"Never." Kagome bit back, "I just want to get away." That said, she swiped forward, hoping to get his other eye and add another eye patch to his stupid face. He sidestepped her expertly, knocking her to the floor.

"You're just a baby compared to the other children." He chorused, smiling down at her darkly for what she had tried to do. The gun repositioned itself, "Now tell me what you know or die."

She had tried to fall away from Shizuka and ended up landing painfully on her elbow. "Aren't you going to kill me regardless?" She hissed out, pain constraining her voice.

"Certainly. Or…"

"Or…?"

"Or you could come quietly."

Every second wasted was another where Shizuka lost more blood. "Why?"

"You know this filthy thing."

She failed to answer that she'd only known her for a night. "And if I do?"

Where the hell was Ichiru?

"You'll be offered some protection."

She supposed the apathetic look he possessed was something of a mask.

Nevertheless, she reluctantly took the outstretched hand he held in her direction. She could buy Shizuka some time.

Kagome soon found out that every step away from the vulnerable Shizuka felt as if she was being continually stabbed. Her face scrunched up in pain, needing to steady herself every few steps. Her captor seemed to notice but said nothing until she stumbled.

"You gonna pass out on me brat?"

"As if." She muttered but fell second later.

Yagari debated dragging her but settled on a sigh and slung the unconscious girl over his shoulder. "I get paid too little for this."


Sleep was long and fitful, but when she awoke, the ache had dulled. The memory of Shizuka still wounded made her gasp aloud as she quickly sat up. The walls that greeted her were aged, cracking in places.

She wondered why she hadn't died yet. In a far off area, the crackling of a fire alerted her to the presence of her unknown captor. Food wafted throughout the abandoned warehouse, rousing her stomach.

"Well," came the response, "aren't you going to eat?"

Alarmed, Kagome gazed into the darkness. "Oi." She was pretty sure humans didn't possess that kind of hearing. "Brat, get into here."

"How?" She inquired, sliding out of the creaky bed. "How can you hear me?"

"What do you take me for?" The echo resounded emptily. Footsteps and he appeared in the doorway. "A weak human?"

"Then you're no-"

"Hunter."

"Eh?"

He answered calmly but with venom. "For vampires."

She remembered the gun he had so leisurely pointed at her before. "How… How come I've never seen you before?" It came out accusingly.

Perhaps he heard it in her voice, or in the blank state of her expression, but replied softer than she had anticipated. "We hunt in secret."

"We?"

"There's an association."

Bits and pieces of unpleasant memories arouse, heavy in their presence. Freezing cold nights, constant running; always fear. Why did you never help?

She hadn't voiced her thought, but he answered anyway. "Normal people are not part of our jurisdiction."

Her heart was slowly freezing, appropriate for the temperature of the room. "I see." She said, wondering if she was more fragile than she had originally pegged herself for.

In her daze, the raven haired male turned his back to her, "Eat." He motioned her out of the room, going on ahead as she composed herself. When she entered, he thrust a bowl at her, soup sloshing around the rims.

Carefully, she inched toward the warmth of the fire. When had she last sat before one? She gave a small glance towards the hunter, "You're not eating?"

"Not hungry."

"Huh?" She incredulously admonished.

"Shut up and eat." He answered with the same amount of hate he held for vampires.

She drained the contents, holding out for seconds. "You shouldn't be picky."

His eyebrow twitched, "I don't need to answer to a child."

Kagome hummed thoughtfully, "Are you sure? Maybe I'm older than I look."

"Don't kid yourself, let alone me." He retorted, "Your aura is rather weak."

"Isn't yours as well?" Before, she'd been distracted with thoughts of actually dying. However, how she could sense the sliver of vampire blood within him, "Why is that?"

"You talk too much." He lifted his brown hat, and set it over his face, leaning back into the rustic seat. "Get some sleep brat. We leave when the sun rises."


More than anything, Kagome wanted out of the sunlight. She scrunched a distressed hand into Yagari's clothing and looked down. He gave no indication of annoyance but walked on. She was content to hide in his shadow, longing for darkness.

She realized one thing though, leaning against his back sleepily; the day for vampires really was meant for sleeping.

"Don't go collapsing in the street," Hunter-san warned.

She gave a sluggish nod, "Mm."

They traveled on like that, slower than he would have liked but he adjusted his pace. "What am I doing?" Yagari muttered, coming to a halt. The child behind him halted accordingly.

He gave some thought to her predicament. The association had never studied the beginning stages of a fledging. The girl was just as troublesome as the twins, if not more. Begrudgingly, he scooped her into his arms, ignoring the curious stares of passerbys.

If he recalled correctly, the association was located a couple towns over. Somehow, carrying her all the way was not an option.

'Best to travel at night then.'


"You reek."

That was what was said to her upon jostling her awake before he dropped her –clothes and all- into the bath. She sputtered up lukewarm water, "What are you doing?!"

"Get cleaned up." He left in a flurry of clothes, mainly the billowing of his jacket. She yelled curses at his retreating form and sat angrily for a while. Left alone, Kagome gradually resolved herself to a bath in god knows how long.

Just a little, she could admit a bath was luxury to her now, and she felt that seeing the filth come off her felt strangle liberating. Not wanting to waste the opportunity presented, she furiously began scrubbing. Her body reddened as result, but she keenly became aware of her neck that she had avoided washing.

Along with the dirt and grime came blood that had seeped out of the scratches she had given herself. Shizuka's bite resonated with her touch. It was with desperation that she wished the feeling would disappear, tearing at the tender skin. Gasping, she barely heard Yagari come in.

"Brat, yo-" He opened the door slowly, not smelling the blood until seconds later. Then he threw it open, "Oi!" He caught her bloodied fingers. It only served to frighten her more.

"Let go! Let go of me!"

"And why would I do that?" He hissed back to her unseeing eyes, "You think I'm stupid huh?"

Her body twisted and turned, water pouring over the tub in her struggle.

"Calm down!" He bellowed back at her, "Whatever it is, calm down!"

Her screams echoed loudly within the bathroom, shuddering and dying as soon as they started. When she'd calmed enough to cease her struggles, he let go slowly.

"…that was unnecessary." She replied weakly.

He shook off some of the excess water. "About as unnecessary as your little episode."

The blood still dripped from her neck but she made no move to wipe it away. She did sink back into the water, somewhat embarrassed. "Her touch…"

"Hm?" He grunted back at her.

"I can feel it."

"Don't bother remembering the past." He leaned back and grabbed a towel that he set on her head while he stood. "Get dressed. A sick brat is the last night I need." He then swept out of the room, giving her privacy and mumbling about a change of clothes.

Later she would realize they were spending the night in a hotel. It was strange given they had spent the last in an abandoned house, and the next, a luxurious hotel. She should've been wary; spending time along with a grown man but when he mentioned flat chested girls weren't his style, she had no trouble jumping into the single bed. Or hogging it for that matter.

"Move over kid."

"Eh-?" She groused, freshly bandaged. "Find your own place to sleep."

"This is my room." He reminded, shoving her aside while falling onto the bed. "I'm not sleeping on some shit sofa either."

"Well, I'm not moving." Kagome stubbornly announced. Her answer came in the form of another shove. She sulkily scooted over, "I don't like this."

"You're not my type." He mumbled, "Now go to sleep."

She childishly stuck her tongue out. "Whatever."

No way in hell would she ever admit he had a pleasant warmth, or that he was the closest she had ever been with another person. So she kicked him for good measure, and at his complaint, feigned sleep.

"Seriously." He grumbled.


Something… felt off, she thought the next night, bright eyed.

"Ne…" She whined, "I'm hungry."

"Huh?" Yagari shot back, "Couldn't you have said something earlier?"

She kicked some rocks, "I'm hungry now."

He lit a cigarette, "The nearest store is not far from here."

"Yes!" She cheered, running ahead. "Come on!" He waved her off, reasoning she had no money and would ultimately come back from him. Smugly, he called out an assurance as she found it.

They stopped, she ate, and they were off.

"Ahhh." She smiled, "Refreshing."

The unpleasant hunger had subsided.

End of Chapter Two

(Ahh had anyone been expecting Yagari? No? Welp, neither had I but I'm pleased with it anyways. I like the idea of him interacting with child Kagome. I'm working to update everyday so stay tuned! Anyways, Kagome still doesn't know his name and neither does he, because why not. Aren't all dramas with oblivious as hell people anyway?)