Crazy Life I have decided, but I was suddenly inspired. Sorry for the lack of Fluff but this chapter was necessary to move the story forward. Hopefully the next one will be quicker and fluffier.

~NoitcelfeR

Change

It was late when Kagome finally returned to the safe confined of her room. Her head was still spinning from a mix of indulging herself and fighting to keep a certain werewolf off her mind. The sun was about to come up, she thought lazily as she closed the shades to the room. Just as she closed the last shade, Sango came out from Shippou's room. "He will wake up soon," Sango said simply. Kagome nodded. She could tell Sango was curious as to what she was thinking, but Kagome was not ready to share her thoughts with the other vampire.

"We will be leaving at the next sundown. We have no reason to stay here any longer," Kagome stated simply as she began walking towards her own room, pulling off her clothing on article at a time. Her ivory skin was still marred from the brick wall, a feature not lost on Sango as Kagome closed the door behind her. Within a moment, Kagome had a bath running. It was hot, much hotter than was necessary to become clean, but this wasn't about just purging the body, it was about purging the soul. When steam had finally filled the bathroom, Kagome descended into the hot water, closing her eyes as her skin turned pink against the heat. Immediately, Kagome thought of Sesshoumaru's body, so warm to her touch and so alive as it vibrated with every beat of his heart. She dug her nails into her palm not hard enough to draw blood but hard enough to leave deep crescents. She had to distance herself from him.

"Kagome," came a meek voice from the door. What could Sango want?

"Yes?"

"Shippou is turning…" she whispered. Kagome was out of the water and standing in front of Sango in an instant.

"He is what?"

"He is turning…"

"How did this happen?"

"When Kagura arrived she needed her first feed… We were able to stop her before she killed him, but now he is turning." Sango was looking down.

"Where is Kagura?"

Sango's head snapped up so her eyes met Kagome's head on. Kagome was slightly surprised by her brazen action. "I killed her. She had no right to take a life under your protection." Kagome nodded. Sango was fiercely loyal and that was all Kagome asked for.

"Very well," Kagome responded as she pulled a dark fur robe over her body. She mentally groaned as her hands ran over the fur, wolf's fur. There wasn't time to change, Shippou could change any moment, and she would have to be there for the young child. Miroku was standing by the door and nodded his head respectfully as she entered the room. Kagome could smell Shippou changing as soon as she entered the room. He smelled of sweat and dying blood, not a pleasant scent. She moved to sit next to him, resting her hand lightly on his small head. She was worried. The realization hit her seemingly out of nowhere. She was a creature of death, so why is so concerned with preserving life? As Shippou's body twisted in pain, a growl escaped Kagome's throat. Part of her wished Kagura was still alive, so she could teach her a lesson. Slowly, Shippou's body began to still, the color drained from his skin, and his hair turned a deep black. After a moment, he opened his eyes. They were a brilliant green color against his dark hair and pale skin. Kagome smiled softly.

"What… what happened to me?" he asked quietly. Kagome felt the need to frown at his fear, but she was able to hold up her small smile.

"You have been turned into one of us. Kagura acted without my permission, but she has been properly punished," Kagome explained as she traced his small jaw with her fingertips. "How do you feel?" Shippou blinked as if he hadn't thought about his physical condition. Then, he sat up slowly, as if testing his own body.

"I… I feel hungry." Kagome chuckled lightly and stood up. With a flick of her wrist, she called Miroku to the bedside.

"Miroku will take you for a hunt. He is typically very good at attracting… prospective women," Kagome explained as Miroku smirked.

"My lady…" Shippou whispered softly. Kagome nodded for him to continue. "Will I be a child forever?"

Kagome shook her head, "you will mature as a human does until you reach your prime, then you shall never age again." With Shippou seemingly satisfied with this answer, Kagome returned to her own room. She looked longingly at the bath that had begun to cool. No time for that anymore. There was too much to do before the next nightfall.