A1969: wow! It's been a while since I've last updated!

Inuyasha: that's because you're always tardy—like Kagome.

Kagome: hey!
A1969: anyway, thanks to those who bothered to read and review! Reviews are always appreciated!

Kagome: of course they are!

A1969: enjoy the chapter!

-o-o-Chapter Three-o-o-

Appealing

-o-o-Kagome-o-o-

They were beautiful.

I could think of nothing else the moment I first saw them. And, really, who wouldn't notice? The four men who stood in front of the rest looked like gods from Greek mythology. They all seemed sculpted out of marble and their features were well defined. It was hard for me to describe each one of them physically, for—I was a little embarrassed to admit this—I could do nothing but gawk. Behind them were four women who, like the men, also looked divine, their beauty and grace incomparable. Behind them lurked another figure who was so out of place among the beautiful strangers that my eyebrows rose in surprise. He was not beautiful like the rest of them. His skin was somewhat tanned and his hair was cropped short; his features also resembled those of the Native American Indians I'd seen in history books. Behind him lurked another figure, but I couldn't make out this one because the others hid her behind them (I was positive that it was a her because only the female gender needed such protection).

They may have been captivating, but I knew they weren't human. For one thing, Inuyasha growled menacingly at them, for another, I myself could sense their inhuman aura. Their auras were impure, yet not evil, something that greatly puzzled me.

"Who are you?" Inuyasha asked, Tessaiga clenched tightly in his hands.

I looked at them—their features were Caucasian. "Inuyasha, I don't think they speak Japanese," I muttered.

I was contradicted, however, when one of them, a man with blonde hair and a gentle disposition, stepped forward and spoke in fluent Japanese. "We are the Cullens," he answered. "I am Carlisle Cullen. These are my sons Jasper, Edward, and Emmett. This is my wife, Esme, our daughters Rosalie, Alice and Bella. And these are my grandchildren, Jacob and Renesmee." He pointed to each on in turn, except for girl whose name was Renesmee. I couldn't see her. But I could see the reaction on the face of the one called Jacob. He seemed embarrassed that Carlisle had referred to him as a grandchild. Wait a minute…Carlisle was a grandfather?! No way…He looked like a male model.

Inuyasha continued growling. The ones called Edward, Emmett and Jasper tensed behind Carlisle, ready to spring. I stared at them for a moment. What were they, really? They did not have demonic aura, yet they were not human…

Inuyasha tensed, ready to attack, but I placed a hand on his shoulder to restrain him. "Inuyasha, please, I don't think they're evil at all," I said.

"What're you talking about?" he snapped, turning his head in my direction.

"Let's just…ask them questions, shall we?" I pleaded. Besides, I couldn't risk Inuyasha using the Tessaiga anywhere in the city.

Inuyasha was about to open his mouth to reply, but I stepped out from behind him. "Kagome!" he hissed.

I ignored him. "My name is Kagome Higurashi," I said, in Japanese. "And this is my companion, Inuyasha."

I noticed the girl called Bella lean in towards Edward, whispering. "Their names are Kagome and Inuyasha," he translated for her. Bella nodded then turned to the strange Native American-looking Jacob and whispered something to him. So, she and Jacob couldn't understand what I was saying…interesting.

The one called Carlisle nodded his head then looked right at Inuyasha, who tensed and held Tessaiga even tighter in his grasp. "Kagome, is it?" he said, his eyes never leaving Inuyasha. "You are, of course, aware that your companion is…not human?"

"As I am aware that you yourselves are not human," I answered.

Carlisle looked taken aback, then his features became composed again. "Ah," he said. He turned to the others behind him. "You're right. The girl is no ordinary human."

"See?" Emmett said. "They're both strange, Carlisle. They're not safe! We should just get this whole thing over with!"

In the blink of an eye, Inuyasha was suddenly in front of me, growling. "If you think I'm gonna let you bastards harm Kagome, you're dead!"

"Emmett," Carlisle reprimanded. He turned to me, his tone apologetic. "My apologies," he went on. "When we first sensed your companion's demonic aura, we thought that he would be malevolent—"

"And it appears he is," the devastatingly gorgeous blonde woman called Rosalie said. Her voice sounded like wind chimes.

"—and the only reason why we did not attack directly was because we saw you with him," Carlisle finished.

I stepped out from behind Inuyasha again. "Why?" I asked. "You were looking for us, correct?"

"Because you were seeking us," Carlisle corrected.

I bit my lip, wondering if I should broach the subject of the jewel shard. What if these people were not to be trusted?

"We looked for you," I began, "because I sensed—"

Before I could finish my sentence, the wind blew sharply from behind me and Inuyasha, and towards the Cullens. I saw them wrinkle their noses, as though the wind brought my scent towards them, which it probably did.

"Human much," the girl called Bella muttered.

I was about to open my mouth to reply, when a loud growl rippled throughout the alleyway. I jerked my head to the one called Jasper. He had a frenzied look in his eyes and a growl issued from his throat—and he was looking at me.

"Jasper, no!" Carlisle shouted as Jasper made a lunge towards me.

-x-x-Renesmee-x-x-

It all happened very fast.

One moment, the girl named Kagome was saying she could sense us, the next moment, the wind blew in our direction, carrying her and her companion's scent with it. The demon named Inuyasha had a peculiar scent—he smelled strongly of human, pine and dog—though, unlike the werewolves' scent, his dog smell was somewhat pleasant. The girl Kagome, however, smelled quite differently. We had already caught a whiff of her scent before, but it had been blocked by her demon companion.

When we had first smelled her, Kagome smelled like honeysuckle and jasmine, but those scents had been suppressed by the demon Inuyasha's own overpowering scent. But now the wind carried it towards us…

My throat suddenly ached when her luscious scent reached me. How long had it been since I had last hunted? And now, this girl Kagome's scent called out to me, reminding me of the burning in my throat.

Great Scott! Her scent…it was more than honeysuckle and jasmine—it was a mixture of flowers and the most luscious fruits! I tensed and I felt more than tempted to spring at her…Urgh! I felt Jacob's hand twine with mine, as though he had sensed my discomfort. I squeezed his hand and focused on its heat, trying to distract myself. The temptation…

"Human much," Bella muttered, turning her head sideways.

I gripped Jacob's hand and bit my lower lip.

"Jasper, no!" Carlisle suddenly shouted.

I looked up. Jasper suddenly lunged towards the girl Kagome within a second. He had lost control. The girl named Kagome screamed as Jasper easily got passed her demon companion and took her throat in his hands.

Everything was suddenly a blur.

I couldn't see much because Esme and the others blocked my view, but Emmett, Edward and Carlisle were suddenly on Jasper in the blink of an eye. The demon called Inuyasha screamed and rounded on Jasper. Edward had a firm grip around Jasper's waist while Emmett tried to yank him back by holding his shoulders.

But Inuyasha was quicker.

"Let go of her, you bastard!" Inuyasha shouted. He suddenly lashed at Jasper with his giant sword. A moment later, I heard Jasper scream in agony as he let go of Kagome. I tried to get a better glimpse, but Emse and the others were blocking my way.

"Jasper!" Alice screamed. Quick as a flash, Alice left the group and bounded towards Inuyasha, leaving a gap in the wall of my protectors and allowing me to get a better glimpse of what was going on.

I gasped.

Jasper's hands had been severed from the wrist. My stomach squirmed when I saw his hands lying at the demon Inuyasha's feet, the fingers twitching. Blood leaked from Jasper's wrists and he was screaming in agony. Alice lunged towards Inuyasha, rage written all over her face.

"Don't, Alice!" Edward warned.

But Alice ignored him.

She tried to claw Inuyasha, but he held out his sword as a shield. Alice's fist hit metal and the sound of her marble hand against the metal echoed across the empty alleyway.

"Jacob!" I cried out, clutching his arm. "We have to do something!"

"You will do no such thing!" Bella snapped, turning towards me. "Let them handle this!" But I could see worry written all over her face.

"Alice, enough!" Carlisle shouted, trying to pry Alice away from Inuyasha.

"No, Carlisle!" she screamed. Alice was passed reasoning the moment she saw her Jasper injured. My gaze returned to Jasper. He was pushed back against the wall by Edward, who held him firmly by the shoulders, pressing him to the wall with all the strength he could muster. Jasper's bloody wrists dripped blood profusely—a sight that made my stomach squirm.

"Alice, calm down!" Emmett shouted. "Jasper's hands can still be reattached, you know!" If he was trying to be funny, now was the worst time.

"Kagome, get back!" Inuyasha shouted as he backed away from Alice.

Kagome glanced at him, her eyes wide. "No, Inuyasha!" she shouted. "The Wind Scar would—"

"I don't care if people from your era find out!" the demon shouted. "These people are dead!"

Carlisle suddenly glanced at Inuyasha's sword and a moment later, he and Emmett grabbed Alice by her arms and yanked her back. Puzzled, I stared at the overgrown blade. It was suddenly wrapped in a strong aura—an aura unlike any other.

Alice still clawed against Carlisle and Emmett while Edward kept a firm grip on Jasper.

"Inuyasha, no!" Kagome shouted.

"Wind…"

"Everyone!" Esme cried out.

Quick as a flash, Esme, Bella and Rosalie all converged around me. Jacob quickly wound his arms around my shoulders. He and the rest of us were about to leap out of ham's way, when Kagome's voice suddenly tore through the air, stopping us in our tracks.

"Sit!"

-o-o-Kagome-o-o-

"Kagome, get back!" Inuyasha warned as he held the Tessaiga even tighter.

My eyes widened in shock. No! He can't do the Wind Scar here! Sure, he had done it before, in front of the school, but this was an enclosed alleyway…The damage would be too much.

"No, Inuyasha!" I cried out. "The Wind Scar would—"

"I don't care if people from your era find out!" Inuyasha hollered, looking back at me. He then turned his attention to the Cullens. "These people are dead!"

For some strange reason, I didn't want Inuyasha to harm the Cullens. Something told me that they weren't really evil. Sure, one of them, the man called Jasper, had attacked me, made a lunge for my throat (speaking of which, why my throat?). When he had attacked me, there was a look in his eyes that seemed to say that he had lost self-control. Besides, Carlisle and the others had pulled him off me after Inuyasha severed his hands…

So, they really couldn't be evil, could they?

But the small girl named Alice had attacked Inuyasha…

No, she only attacked Inuyasha out of retaliation for Inuyasha's having harmed Jasper…

Could they be evil?

I focused my attention to the commotion in front of me. The Cullens seemed to have realized the potential danger of Inuyasha's Wind Scar. They were now falling back. Edward took hold of Jasper while Emmett and Carlisle snatched Alice. My gaze strayed to the others, the women. There was a gap between Rosalie, Esme and Bella…

Another figure peeked through that gap. She had beautiful milk chocolate brown eyes and curly bronze hair that fell past her shoulders in elegant waves. Unlike the Cullens whose fleshes were all pale, this girl's pale skin seemed flushed. There was a subtle roseate tinge in her cheeks and her lips were a pale pink color.

It was the girl named Renesmee.

I didn't see her for long though, for the Native-American Jacob wound his arms around her shoulders just as the other three women converged around her, as though to protect her from the Wind Scar…

Were they evil?

They certainly weren't human…

But were they evil?

The Tessaiga now pulsed with a powerful aura, a signal that the Wind Scar was about to be unleashed…

I looked the Cullens once more. The man who had spoken for them, the man I took to be their leader, the man called Carlisle, looked at Inuyasha's sword, his eyes narrowed…

I knew then that they weren't evil.

After all, I reasoned, a group with a seemingly gentle leader such as Carlisle couldn't be evil…

Right?

"Sit!" I cried out.

A loud thud echoed throughout the entire alleyway. Tessaiga fell to the ground with a dull clatter. I heard Inuyasha unleash his arsenal of known swear words into the air. But I ignored him and turned my attention to the family of strangers had I 'saved'.

Most of them had looks of astonishment on their faces. Carlisle was looking at me analytically, his golden eyes (which I noticed all of them possessed, except for Renesmee and Jacob) narrowed.

I took a deep breath. "Enough," I said, in Japanese.

Carlisle took a step towards me in a cautious manner, as though I would attack him. "Enough," he agreed. He turned to Alice and the others. "Stand down."

"But, Carlisle—" The blonde girl, Rosalie began to object.

"Rosalie," Carlisle said slowly. "They do not wish to harm us." He looked at Inuyasha, who was just extracting himself from the hole he had created. "If they wanted to, she would have let him."

"Dammit, Kagome!" Inuyasha swung towards me, his eyes blazing with rage. "What was that for? You wanna get us both killed?" I could swear spit was flying right out of his mouth.

"Sit," I muttered. He crashed into the ground again.

"Fascinating," Edward said softly, his eyes on the fallen hanyou. He still had a firm grip on Jasper, who was still struggling wildly against him, his wrists oozing blood. My stomach squirmed at the sight of his blood and I hastily turned my gaze to Carlisle.

"I'm sorry about—" I began, but Carlisle shook his head.

"No," he said. "It is we who should be apologizing." He gave Alice a sharp glance, but she was too busy staring at the ground to notice. "We are sorry that Jasper attacked you. This is what provoked your companion to fight back."

I shook my head. "No," I said. I hesitantly took a step forward. "Somehow—I don't know how—I offended Jasper. I'm the one who should be apologizing."

"Kagome, what the hell do you think you're saying?" Inuyasha snapped, having just gotten out of the hole. "Apologizing to these…whatever they are!"

I gave him a sharp glance that quieted him. I turned my gaze to Carlisle again. "As I said," I began. "I must have offended your Jasper." Though how I could have offended Jasper, I didn't know.

At my words, the Cullens all stared uneasily at one another.

"Carlisle," a different voice said. The girl named Renesmee was making her way towards Carlisle, ignoring Jacob and the others who protected her. She stood next to Carlisle and I saw Edward throw her a look. I glanced at Renesmee and felt a familiar pull emanating from her…She had the Sacred Jewel shard!

"Renesmee?" Carlisle asked.

"I think they deserve to know some truth of it all," Renesmee replied. She looked no older than I did. She turned her chocolate brown eyes to me. "After all, her life has been endangered."

"To tell her would send the Volturi on her trail," Edward reminded her. Jasper had now stopped struggling in his arms, but his wild eyes were still fixed hungrily on me.

Renesmee shook her head. "She's obviously involved in the world of the supernatural as well," she said. "Besides, they were the ones looking for us, remember? We should like to know why."

Carlisle and Edward exchanged a look. "Carlisle," it was the voice of the woman named Esme. She gently placed a hand on his shoulder. "I think Renesmee is right. This girl Kagome is obviously involved in the supernatural. And it would be more prudent for us to know why she and her demon companion were seeking us out in the first place."

"Dammit!" Inuyasha suddenly shouted. I glanced at him and my eyes widened in shock. Jasper's severed hands were crawling away from Inuyasha, towards their owner. So, they could regenerate. "Kagome," he went on. "Let's get the jewel shard and get out of here! These people can't be trusted!"

Carlisle and Renesmee exchanged a look. The latter then turned to me. "Jewel shard?" she asked.

I nodded. "I…I could sense that you…had it with you," I hesitantly explained. I had a feeling they weren't evil—but I still didn't know if they could be trusted.

Renesmee blinked. "You could sense it with me?" she asked, somewhat shocked. She and the others narrowed their eyes at me. "What are you? You are human…but something tells me you're no ordinary human."

"You're no human yourself," I pointed out.

She suddenly smiled. She didn't look as beautiful as the rest of them, but she was still more striking than the average human. "No," she agreed. "I'm only part human."

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. She was half-human? Then…what was the other half? I wasn't the only one shocked at the revelation, though. The man named Edward narrowed his eyes dangerously at her and the girl named Bella clicked her tongue disapprovingly. The others wore tight expressions on their beautiful faces. Jacob, however, looked positively scandalized.

"Ness!" he reprimanded the girl.

She glanced at him from over her shoulder, her eyebrows raised. "What?"

"You can't just give information like that!" Jacob pointed out. "We barely know them!"

Renesmee ignored him then turned her attention to Carlisle. "Carlisle," she began. "I think an exchange of information is in order."

"What are you talking about, young woman?" Edward reprimanded. "Jacob is right—they are strangers."

"Strangers who mean no harm!" she said. But her gaze strayed to Jasper's severed hands that had, by now, reached their owner. "Dad—"

Dad?! Edward was her father? No way! They looked to be the same age. What were they?

"—Kagome says that she sensed the jewel that Aro gave me," she said. "She obviously knows just what Aro gave me. Don't you think it would be best if we learned about what Aro gave me?"

The tight expression on her father's face tightened even further. His arms were still restraining Jasper, who was still looking at me with a hungry look in his eyes.

"Carlisle?" Edward turned to Carlisle. "What do you think?"

Carlisle was silent, staring intently at me, then at Inuyasha, who threw them all looks of purest loathing. His gaze met mine and I stared determinedly back at him. It was hard, though. It was like having a staring contest with a god.

He sighed. "I agree with Renesmee," he said at last. Edward glared at him, his grip on Jasper loosening infinitesimally. "Edward, son, Renesmee has a point. This girl Kagome obviously knows something about Aro's gift. We need that information."

Edward's eyes were hard as he turned to stare at everyone in their family. Most of them looked at Edward with the same look that Carlisle had, except for Bella.

"Renesmee!" Bella reprimanded. "What do you think—?"

"Mom," Renesmee growled. "Carlisle agrees with me!"

Mom?! So Bella was her mother and Edward was Bella's husband, then. I made a mental note on their relationships then and there. I already knew Carlisle's wife was Esme, Edward's wife was Bella, and the rest, aside from Jacob and Renesmee, were Carlisle and Esme's children along with Bella and Edward. I filed these away in a mental filing cabinet.

Carlisle let out a sigh as he gazed at me. "Very well," he said. "Do you know of a place where we might talk…and a place where our Jasper might pull himself together?" Jasper looked up at me, hunger written all over his eyes. He growled at me. Inuyasha quickly stood in front of me, a growl slowly building in his chest. Alice glared at Inuyasha as she bent down and scooped Jasper's severed hands from the ground.

"Er…" My mind ran over a list of places but none of them seemed appropriate. I sighed. "My home will suffice, I guess."

- - - - - - - - - -

"Kagome, you're back!" I could hear my mother's voice on the other side of the door, calling out to me. I glanced behind me, at the ten beautiful strangers. Alice was holding Jasper's hands to his wrists which had already stopped bleeding. Edward, Emmett and Carlisle were all standing next to Jasper, their eyes on him since he was still giving me that hungry look. Rosalie, Esme and Bella stood behind the men while Renesmee idled just behind me, Jacob at her side. This close proximity to Renesmee put Inuyasha on edge. He draped his arm protectively around my shoulders, making me blush.

"Kagome, I was—" Mom had opened the door and stopped mid sentence when she saw who was with me. "Oh!" she exclaimed. "Friends of yours, Kagome?"

"Sort of," I mumbled.

"I am Carlisle Cullen," Carlisle said, breaking away from the group and approaching my mother. He smiled at her and I suspect my mom was…dazzled by that smile. "This is my family. Your daughter, Kagome, was kind enough to offer us a place to rest…for the moment. We have matters to discuss."

I watched as my mother's eyes roved from beautiful face to beautiful face. I could almost read her mind. How is it that her daughter always finds such strange people?

My mom turned her attention to me. "Of course. Kagome's friends are always welcome here," she said, glancing at Inuyasha. "You can use the living room, Kagome."

I nodded. My mom then left and returned to the kitchen where I could hear Souta and Grandpa immediately bombard her with questions about the visitors. "They're just your sister's friends, Souta," I heard mom say.

"Are they from the Feudal Era, too, like Inuyasha?" Souta asked. At the mention of the words 'Feudal Era', Inuyasha immediately tensed. We had no intention to reveal anything about the Feudal Era to the Cullens but I saw them raise their eyebrows at each other at the sound of my brother's voice.

"Er…" I began hesitantly. "Come in."

- - - - - - - - - -

The door to the living room slid close behind me and I sighed as I stared at the large group in my living room. There wasn't much room for twelve people to fit in. Renesmee was sitting next to Jacob in front of the television, their hands intertwined. They were together, I realized, as I filed this away in my mental filing cabinet. Rosalie stood in a corner while Emmett sat down, cross-legged, at her feet. Alice was kneeling in front of Jasper, who squatted on the floor and still holding his hands to his wrists. Edward and Carlisle kept a firm grip on each of Jasper's shoulders while Bella and Esme knelt against the wall.

I sighed. "Okay, we want answers," Renesmee spoke up. She looked at me as Inuyasha and I knelt in front of them—between them and the door.

"You're not getting them until you answer our questions!" Inuyasha snapped at her. It seemed that he was immune to their beauty and utter perfection.

Renesmee raised her eyebrows in surprise. "I wasn't talking to you—"

"Renesmee," Carlisle reprimanded.

I looked at Renesmee and analyzed her a little. She tried to act the adult, but in truth, she was still just a teenager, like me. So, perhaps she had a little rebellious side to her?

Carlisle turned to me and I saw Renesmee back down, a scowl on her face. "Kagome—may I call you that?" he began.

"Er…it's okay, I guess," I said hesitantly.

Carlisle nodded. "Now…we were wondering if you would explain a little before we explained anything ourselves," he said. From the corner of my eye, I saw Inuyasha tense at Carlisle's request.

I glanced at Inuyasha who, in turn, was glancing at me. "Inuyasha…" I began, my tone sounding a little pleading. Honestly, I was curious about the Cullens. But, still, I couldn't just explain everything to them. For one thing, the secret about the Feudal Era was not mine to give away…I could, no, I should lie…a little.

Inuyasha glared at Carlisle, his brows furrowed. He was about to say something to me, but Edward cut in. "We do not wish to hear lies," Edward murmured, his eyes locked on mine.

I raised my eyebrows. How…how did he know that I was thinking about lying? As though reading my thoughts, Edward smirked at me.

"Edward," Carlisle reprimanded. He turned his gaze toward me, his tone and looks apologetic. "You will have to excuse my son," he went on. "He can't help it when he hears things he shouldn't."

Edward regained the tight expression on his face as Inuyasha and I understood what Carlisle meant. "No," Edward suddenly spoke up. He looked at Inuyasha, his eyes hard. "I can't hear everything Carlisle. Apparently, this demon's aura is blocking me out."

Jacob suddenly spoke up, in English. "You can't read the monster's mind?" I cringed at the word 'monster'. Honestly! They were more monster than Inuyasha…

Carlisle noticed my reaction and immediately realized that I understood English. "Jacob," he said, his voice stern. "We are guests in this home. Show some respect."

"What're they saying?" Inuyasha asked, leaning towards me.

I shook my head. "Nothing important."

Rosalie suddenly cleared her throat, yet she still managed to sound as though she were humming. "Carlisle?"

"Of course," Carlisle said. His manner became more brisk like again. "Kagome…correct? Well, we were wondering why you said you could sense the jewel shard Renesmee has. Renesmee?" Renesmee stood up and flopped down next to Carlisle. From the pocket of her jeans, she drew out a golf-ball sized diamond. My eyes widened when I saw how large a diamond it was. My eyes widened even further when I saw what was in it.

"The jewel shard!" I gasped, unable to contain myself. After all, dangled in front of me was the last jewel shard that we had been seeking for months…

"You recognize it?" Carlisle asked.

"Hell yeah!" Inuyasha shouted. He made a grab for the diamond and the shard, but Renesmee held it out of his way. She was slower than him, but Inuyasha hadn't been expecting her to be able to dodge him—so he was taken off guard.

"Inuyasha," I said, sighing.

"Kagome, the jewel shard!"

"I know that!"

"Then grab it!"

"Let's explain things first, okay?"

"You don't know them! You can't trust them!"

"They deserve to know something before we take it from them!"

"Ha! You heard what Carlisle said—Edward will just read your mind!"

"I know that!"

"So, stop thinkin' about stuff!"

"I wasn't thinking anything! Wait…Are you so smug because Edward can't read your thoughts?"

"Control your thoughts, woman!"

"Sit!"

-x-x-Renesmee-x-x-

The whole thing was pretty funny.

I wondered how Kagome made Inuyasha crash into the ground with one word—'Sit'. For a moment, I wondered what would happen to Jacob if I could do that to him. I was pulled out of my thoughts when Inuyasha rounded on Kagome.

"What was that for?" he roared. He was so loud, I felt my ears pounding. Glancing at Carlisle and the others and judging from the uncomfortable looks on their faces, their ears couldn't take the shouting as well.

"For being such a loud mouth!" Kagome shrieked.

My ears…

Ow.

I looked timidly up at Kagome. "Er…Kagome…do you mind?" I asked her hesitantly.

She gave me a sharp look—a look that was meant for Inuyasha. "What?" she asked, her eyes loosing their sharp look.

"Er…could ya…could ya keep it down?" I asked. I could feel the grateful stares of my family members on my back.

She looked puzzled for a moment. Then, realization lit her eyes. "Oh!" she said. "You have sensitive ears too!"

"And, apparently, so does your demon," Edward said, looking at Kagome then at Inuyasha.

I sighed. Dad had to go and read her mind.

Inuyasha automatically looked enraged. "Control your thoughts, woman!" he roared at Kagome.

Kagome was about to open her mouth to argue back, but Carlisle cleared his throat. "We have no ill will towards either of you," he said calmly. "We merely wish to know what this jewel is." He gently took the jewel from my hands. From the peripheral of my vision, I noticed Inuyasha staring at it.

"You see," Carlisle went on, rolling the diamond in his palm. "This was given to Renesmee by…someone whom I have nearly lost my trust in. We merely wondered if this is dangerous."

Carlisle deposited the jewel back into my hands and, from the corner of my eye, I saw Inuyasha eye it hungrily.

-o-o-Kagome-o-o-

I myself wanted to snatch the jewel from Renesmee, but I refrained. I knew one wrong move and we would probably battle these strangers.

I shook my head. "The jewel shard inside that diamond," I began. "It has…" I hesitated. Should I tell them what the true nature of the jewel shard was? Should I? I looked at Carlisle and I noticed that Edward was staring at me analytically. Darn it! I forgot that Edward could read my mind!

As though he heard my frustrated thoughts, which he probably did, the gorgeous teen smirked at me, reminding me that lying was not an option. "The jewel shard," I plodded on. "Is a shard of the legendary Shikon no Tama."

Renesmee's eyes suddenly widened. Somehow, the shocked look on her face looked somewhat humorous. "Shikon no Tama?" she gasped. "Truly? I thought that was just a legend!"

"Oh no," Jacob groaned in a mock tortured voice. "Another Japanese thing." Renesmee spun around and gave him a playful punch on his shoulder.

"Renesmee," Carlisle said. "Care to explain?"

"Well," Renesmee began hesitantly. "I only know a bit about it. When I was doing some research—"

"When you were still annoyingly obsessed over Japan," Jacob corrected.

Renesmee rolled her eyes but I could see a smile on the corners of her mouth. "When I was researching," she said, emphasizing the word. "I came across a legend about a jewel rumored to grant any wish."

I nodded. "That's basically it," I said. "But…the jewel was shattered—"

"By you," Edward interrupted.

Renesmee's eyes widened in shock while I gritted my teeth. How annoying! "Yes," I said, trying to swallow my annoyance. "I shattered the jewel, which is why there are shards. Basically, Inuyasha and I are hunting the remaining shards, but we're not alone. There is someone else looking for the shards and that someone, our enemy, has most of them, except that one. It's the last shard that we've been hunting for months."

Ha! I had managed to control my thoughts!

Carlisle nodded. I had a feeling that he wanted to ask something about our enemy, but thought better of it.

"We've told you about the shard," Inuyasha interrupted. "Now, it's your turn to tell us something. Who are you people? No, scratch that, what are you people?"

Carlisle exchanged an uncomfortable glance with Edward while the others, who had all looked bored but who were all listening, shifted in their places. I saw Rosalie frown and Emmett's brows furrow while Bella raised her eyebrows at Esme. Alice, who was still holding Jasper's hands to his wrists, glanced sideways at Inuyasha, annoyance written all over her face, while Jasper…

Was still looking hungrily at me.

"You can start with why that bastard is always looking at Kagome like she's something to eat!" Inuyasha snarled, jerking his thumb at Jasper. Jasper's hands must have finally reconnected themselves to his wrists for his fingers twitched…as though he wanted to wrap them around my throat again. I inwardly shuddered at the memory.

Edward narrowed his eyes at Inuyasha, then at Jasper. He sighed. "Carlisle…we can't tell them," he said, sighing.

"Why the hell not?" Inuyasha snapped. "We told you something about the jewel. And now I want one answer from you. What are you people? Why does he look at Kagome as though he's hungry?"

"Carlisle…" Renesmee muttered. "I think we should tell them…"

"Don't be silly, Ness," surprisingly, it was the goddess Rosalie who spoke up. "You know the rules. No one who isn't involved should know. You know what the Volturi will do." Her gaze lingered on Bella who frowned thoughtfully, as though remembering something.

"But, Rosalie," Renesmee said. "I mean…Kaogme is involved now, isn't she? I mean…Jasper—"

Suddenly, as though hearing his name triggered him, Jasper suddenly lunged from Alice's grip. Several things suddenly happened in rapid succession as Jasper lunged towards me. Inuyasha and Carlisle quickly stood between me and Jasper while Edward and Emmett grabbed him from behind, tugging him backwards.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha roared.

"We're dreadfully sorry," Carlisle murmured softly. He shook his head and sighed as he looked at Jasper's frenzied expression. "It's just that he finds you…appealing."

"What?" Inuyasha and I both said in unison.

Carlisle sighed again. He turned to Alice, Emmett, Renesmee and Jacob. "Alice, Em, Ness, Jake, please take Jasper outside and wait for us there," he ordered.

The four agreed. Together, they gripped Jasper tightly. They tightened their grip as they passed me and Inuyasha, who quickly drew me to him as soon as he saw Jasper's frantic eyes on my face.

Once the door slid safely closed behind them, I sighed in relief. "Now, what do you mean by he finds Kagome appealing?" Inuyasha asked gruffly, sitting back down, arms still around my shoulders.

Carlisle heard the jealous tone in Inuyasha's voice. His golden eyes strayed to Inuyasha's arm which was still slung around my shoulders. "He doesn't find her appealing in that way," Carlisle explained, shaking his head. "He finds her appealing…" He sighed and didn't finish.

Bella suddenly spoke up. "Carlisle," she said. "I think Nessie was right…We should tell them."

Carlisle closed his eyes for a moment, his brow furrowed as though he were thinking. I wished he would tell me. Tell me what they were; tell me why Jasper acted that way towards me…

I wanted to know.

No, I yearned to know.

Carlisle sighed. "It seems that you yourself," he said, looking at me, then at Inuyasha, "have a secret to protect. We are both the same." He sighed, then frowned, thinking. A moment later, he resumed his train of thought. "Which is why I think the Volturi would be willing to bend the rules just once."

"Yeah, yeah, cut the crap," Inuyasha said.

"Inuyasha!" I reprimanded.

A small smile crinkled the corners of Carlisle's mouth as he regarded Inuyasha. "Yes, we both have secrets."

"Whatever!" Inuyasha said, annoyed. I glared at him.

"So," Carlisle went on. Something told me that he was procrastinating here. "The reason why Jasper finds you appealing is because…he finds your blood…tempting."

Silence reigned in the room for a while.

What did he just say?

That Jasper found my blood tempting?

"What're you talking about?" Inuyasha asked, his tone deprived of all rudeness.

Carlisle let out a breath. "Bella?" he asked, giving the floor to the captivating girl with the mahogany hair.

"What Carlisle means to say," Bella went on. She spoke in English—no matter, I could understand her, being able to speak the language myself. I couldn't say the same for Inuyasha though, who didn't know a word of English—I would have to translate for him later. I looked back at Bella. She paused for a moment, then frowned. She looked up at me, an idea in her eyes. She turned to Carlisle. "Carlisle…We're not sure what the Volturi will think of us informing others about our…existence. Why don't we let the girl guess what we are? That way, we won't be breaking any rules."

"Guess?" I asked.

Carlisle suddenly smiled fondly at Bella. "True," he said. "Go on, Bella."

"Wait just a moment!" I said. "What do you mean you're just gonna let me guess what you are?"

"It'll be safer that way," Carlisle explained.

"Safe?" I asked. He nodded then motioned for Bella to go on.

Bella smiled kindly at me, her face dazzling. "Well," Bella went on. "Let me give you a few clues." Her smile suddenly grew enigmatic. "First, Jasper finds your blood appealing. Second, we are strong and possess speed that so easily surpasses a car. Third, our eyes are an unordinary hue of gold, though I must say your demon's eyes are more beautiful. And lastly…"

Bella suddenly leaned towards me, her smile reassuring. Inuyasha growled at her. "Back off!" Bella, of course, couldn't understand him.

"Inuyasha!" I snapped. I shrugged his arm off. Bella leaned in towards me then very gently, she brushed her fingers against the back of my hand.

I gasped, then shuddered. Her fingers were like ice!

I looked at Bella and the rest of the Cullens, my eyes wide. I frowned to myself, pondering on the clues they had given me. First, Jasper found my blood appealing, second, they possessed inhuman speed and strength, third, their eyes were gold and, lastly, they were cold, like ice.

I frowned, wondering…

Blood, strength, speed, icy skin, gold eyes…

"Kagome," Inuyasha said, slicing through my thoughts.

"Shh," I said, holding up a hand. "I'm thinking." I became aware that the remaining Cullens had looks of amusement on their faces, except for Rosalie who frowned at me.

I really couldn't piece together what they were. The clues just seemed off balance, somehow. I closed my eyes and sighed. I pondered on the clues and decided to cross out the strength, speed and eyes since they seemed like traits a demon would possess and these people weren't demons. I had crushed those out, now what was I left with?

Icy skin…

And the fact that my blood was appealing…

Appealing…

Did demons find blood—human blood—appealing? I thought of Inuyasha, but Inuyasha wasn't all demon—he was part human. He would never willingly partake of human blood. I groped in my mind, looking for another demon.

What about Sesshoumaru?

At the thought of Sesshoumaru, an image of him filled my mind. His cold golden eyes and full demon power…

Crap.

I was thinking of Sesshoumaru and Edward was in the room. Nice. So much for keeping secrets. I opened my eyes and found Edward looking analytically at me. Ah well, Sesshoumaru can more than take care of himself. Now, where was I? Oh, right. Did Sesshoumaru drink human blood as a dietary need? I really didn't think so, not with Rin traveling with him.

So, let's just say that demons didn't drink human blood.

What did?

Found blood appealing…

Had icy skin…

At the thought of icy skin, an image of Kikyou filled my mind. Kikyou had icy skin, because she was dead. But, certainly, she didn't consume human blood—she consumed human souls. The Cullens didn't consume souls…

They consumed blood.

But I found something in common between Kikyou and the Cullens.

They had icy skin.

Okay…Kikyou's skin was cold, not icy, but still…

The lack of warmth…

Wait…were the Cullens…dead? They were not like Kikyou whose body was made out of grave soil and ashes. They could not be like Kikyou, for they looked as though each one of them was carved of marble.

So…

Let's say they were dead…but they weren't like Kikyou…

Icy skin…

An appeal for blood…

No way. I glanced at the window, at the sunlight spilling through, indicating that it was around one in the afternoon.

No, with the sun out, they couldn't be…

Could they?

Carlisle was still looking at me, a pleasant smile on his face while Edward, Bella and Esme had little smiles on their lips—enigmatic smiles, I realized. Only Rosalie's expression looked different. Her lips were drawn together in a firm line, there was a tiny crease between her eyebrows and her arms were folded magisterially across her perfect chest. I chose to ignore her.

Icy skin…

An appeal for blood…

Blood…

Icy skin which meant…death? Let's say it meant death…

Blood…

Death…

My eyes widened as I saw the only possible answer. I glanced at the window, at the sunlight streaming through and decided to ask that question later.

My throat somewhat tight, I stared at Carlisle and the others with wide disbelieving eyes.

"You're vampires," I whispered.

-o-o-o-o-o-o-

A1969: end of chapter!
Inuyasha: must we really remind you all to review?

Kagome: aw, Inuyasha, you know it's our job to do that!
Inuyasha: my only job is killing off Naraku and becoming a full demon!
Kagome: whatever.

A1969: er…anyway, please don't forget to review! Oh, and thanks to those who already reviewed the last chapters!