Of Vampires, Angels, and Devils

by LadyDi

SEQUEL TO GFTH/POSSIBLE OOC: In modern Tokyo, what would be considered real is often mistaken for myth or fire-side stories. But things that AREN'T supposed to exist DO. Bestowed with a horrible power she doesn't want, Kagome must learn to adapt to live.

7. She was a night predator now

I slept the day away, most in an unrestful fit of human and vampire warring with one another. My human side was awake and ready to be outside in the light, but my vampire side hissed at me that it was deadly and I was now a night creature.

And if I went outside, I'd be dead.

Even if, what I reviewed with everyone before morning came, I was now an eternal creature.

As soon as the sky was blood red and the night upon me again, I pulled the many blankets off my head and stood, stretching against the cramped corner I huddled myself against from the light. I went outside and breathed in the night air, trying to find appreciation in these heightened senses.

As I listened to the others move about, also wakening from their slumbers...brought on by putting our sleep patterns together, I once again compared the irony of the creature I was. So much of a vampire's life was good and powerful...if not daunted by the fact of sunlight and their DIET.

A small, nearly weary smile tipped my lips as I looked to my feet and slowly rose in the air. That was one thing I hadn't experimented with yet...not in the presence of others anyway. I didn't want them to secretly worry about these powers more than they did.

I was nearly to the tip of the hut I stood in front and went to the top to sit on it. Flying was getting easier and not so fantastic to think to I could do. I was rapidly getting used to it, but I wondered which side of my mind that was.

Propping my head up on my hands, floating cross-legged inches above the roof, I stared into the near distance at Inuyasha's forest. I ignored the sounds of the world as I thought about what he said to me. Those words touched my heart so much and there were no right words I could return to tell him how much I appreciated that supportive conversation. If he smelled it from me, then he at least knew a glimpse of how much it meant to me.

But he would never know the emotions he sparked in my heart brought on by his speech. I don't know if I could tell him, but something told me I didn't need to. As I was now almost Inuyasha's equal, he somewhat could smell and sense things I could.

"Kagome-sama?"

My head jerked at the quiet, uncertain call and I gave a small nod of hello to Miroku. "Konban wa Miroku-sama." I answered, flying down from the roof. I hide my amusement from the awe I smell from his person. I knew he would never get used to it as much as the others.

This WAS pretty unbelievable after all.

"Konban wa Kagome-sama. Are you okay to be out now?"

"Hai. Daijoubu Miroku-sama." I looked to the sky and absently folded my arms, still inches off the ground. "The sun is down enough that it doesn't hurt my eyes to be out in it."

"Yosh... If you say so. Inuyasha instructed us to accompany you to the forest to come get him. And NOT run off this time."

I blinked and gave Miroku an odd look. "He's staying in the forest??"

'NAZE?' I queried, wondering if I was so repulsive that he felt the need to be that far away. My jaw clenched in wonder and sorrow...but I reminded myself of his words.

I also remembered the anger radiating off him last night when I found him. Maybe he was still that mad and didn't want me to smell it on him... Maybe...

"Yosh. Is everyone ready to go?" I asked, looking over the top of his head. I blinked and looked down to him when I smelled more unsettling emotions and realized I was flying in front of the others without knowing it. And some of the villagers still up at this late hour were able to see me.

Keeping this as quiet as possible was key to keep THEM from fearing me if not the others.

In minutes the group was ready for the short walk and headed up to the forest. I lightly cuddled with Shippo upon his request that I hold him 'for I might not be back for a while and he'd miss me'. The words touched my heart, even though the worry I smelled from him made them clear. He didn't know what would happen and was anxious about my situation.

I walked the others to the tree holding the last of our group and looked up through the branches. I easily spotted his red outfit and called up for him to come down. Without a word, he jumped and landed in front of me. He gave the rest a silent, serious look before meeting my eyes.

I blinked in small shock, wondering what was on his mind. I smelt anger far most, but also anxiety. I looked away into the darkening forest, trying to put it out of my mind. They all had that smell, and it was for me. I shouldn't be so affected by it.

"The rest of you go back to the hut and wait for our return. We'll be back as fast as we can." He darkly ordered. His tone meant business and left no room out for compromise.

To my surprise, no one bothered to feel irritated at his ordering them around, just nodded. Shippo jumped from my arms and landed on Miroku's shoulder without a word.

"Have a good journey Kagome-sama. Chui suru." Miroku quietly answered.

Sango put a light hand on my shoulder and squeezed. I could smell her conflicting emotions and tapped her hand. "Kagome-chan chui suru." She softly repeated.

I looked to them with grateful smiles for their concern and received a smile and nod from Shippo. I returned it and nodded back to the others as well.

"Yosh. Iko." Inuyasha retorted, starting for the forest. I waved and turned, taking off in a light trot to match his pace. We jogged the way there, and I smell the emotions rolling off him into the wind...much like my own.

I was so scared of what would happen when I saw Kelah again. I would be angry first and foremost and I didn't know who would have to hold who back to keep from killing the vampire.

I smell the well before seeing it and without stopping, took to flying and went straight for the center without losing speed. I smelled Inuyasha right behind me and as we passed through time together, I harshly swallow and reached up for his hand. He gave me a shocked look, but after a second...gripped it back.

The smells and sounds in my own time got to my ears and nose, and I grimaced against them. I stood at the bottom of the well for a minute, trying to become accustomed. Inuyasha quietly stood next to me, knowing of my problem. His hand gently squeezed, as if silently telling me he understood and that he was here.

Warmth flowed through my heart and helped to slow the pounding of my heart. Amidst all the smells, I could clearly smell human blood amongst them the strongest.

Almost instantly the vampire instinct to hunt reared up and I took several deep breaths to calm it down before I could open my eyes. Nails dug into my palm, breaking the skin. When I calmed down enough to loosen my fist, I looked to it upon feeling a strange sensation. As I fixed my sharp gaze, I noticed the skin heal itself instantly. I blinked, thrown off balance.

But the distraction helped.

Feeling a little better, I nod to Inuyasha and we jumped from the well together. I looked around the shrine, feeling like it'd been forever since I was last here, instead of two days.

So much happened in those two days. So much that it was staggering.

I stared at the doors and suddenly didn't know about this. In his era, I was fine. There was nothing but nature to contend with. Now I had everything made from man to get past. High-pitched sounds and streetlights would be the worst. It was going to be hard.

"I don't know about this." I suddenly murmur. The human part of my teeth clamped down on my lower lip in uncertainty.

"You're not backing out NOW." He retorted. "We're already HERE. We have a mission to get through. You're not going to leave it like this."

I ignored his stinging words and thoughtfully nod. The courage coming from him helped me and I inhaled it, trying to use it as my own. I was going to need it to help me get through this night.

"Yosh..." I whisper, tightening my resolve. My shoulders straighten a little more and I take a breath for strength. "Let's go track ourselves a vampire."

~*~*~

"They've returned... Well then...let them come." I whisper, smelling old, old blood in the air. It was saturated with it and I looked down from the high building I sat on.

The day and nights I spent worrying about Kagome during her absence were interesting ones, since I never worried about anything since before my vampire days. After I gained the power beyond mortals, I never had cause to think twice about my actions. Now that I was responsible for someone else's immortality as a teacher, I wondered about her safety and whereabouts.

Especially the safety of someone I was going to spend my immortality with.

"Come to me Kagome... There's many things you need to know in order to survive your vampire nature." A wisp of a smile appeared as I smell their blood slowly nearing. They were searching for me...well then, I'd wait right here in the shadows for them.

I fly off my spot and into one of the pitch-black areas to hide in. I easily meld into the night and wait. "I smell your blood Kagome...it's unbalanced. What've you been up to in my absence?"

My mind blanks in expectation of a confrontation as I smell her companion, the same brash creature I met on the night of her transformation. He was no real challenge for me, except for that magnificent sword of his.

The questions in my mind regarding his connection to her human life would be answered as well. If she wanted to learn how to survive, she would answer all my questions. As I would for her. If she wanted to learn to live with me, she would give as much as she would take.

In the distance, on rooftops bounded her companion in red. As close to the buildings as she could get came my goddess. It slightly amused me to see Kagome flying so soon after her transformation...that she would be that comfortable in doing so. She was clearly looking and smelling for me, as I could see on her face.

I inhaled for her blood, checking for emotions to see what would happen upon our meeting. I would not be taken by surprise this time, not when it seemed that the uncouth creature next to her was a close friend.

I smelled his blood and knew I would have some trouble with him. I would have to watch his movements after he landed here, particularly where his hand moved near his scabbard.

Well...now that the players were assembled...let the show begin. "Come to me Kagome-chan." I whispered, knowing she would hear me. Her face swung in my general direction before going to the rooftops.

"I've spotted him Inuyasha." She called, flying straight for this building.

I stored his name away in my mind, huddling even closer to the shadows. The night enveloped me with my dark garb and hid me from even her sharp eyes. It gave me time to watch her movements as she stopped on the gravel and looked around. "Korov Kelah!" She harshly demanded. "I can smell you on this rooftop! Atashi o chokumen suro!"

I quietly smirked and gained her eyes to the shadow. Casually entwining my fingers behind my back, I floated from the shadows and stayed near them. My vision flashes gold as I entrance into the light and give her a greeting smile. "Kagome...you look well for a dead girl." I casually comment.

It succeeds in getting her anger to boil. Her fists clench as intense anger rolls off her body. Those eyes narrow to slits and her teeth bare to me. I mentally note how good she looks with fangs.

The thought is sidetracked as she flies through the air to attack me, hands held to grab something. My smile widens at the thought of her trying to attack ME and I easily avoid her, floating to the side.

My stance remains casual as she halts in midair and changes direction. A little bit away, I can smell the confusion and shock, but also encouragement of Inuyasha...and the hopeful anger of his wish to attack me as well.

It seems a lot of people wish me dead tonight. How ironic that I already AM.

I dodge her again, my stance still the same, and give her a charming smile. "Calm yourself Kagome-KUN...your attempts won't match up to my experience. If you want answers, as I expect you come here for, you WILL halt and act more civilized!" In a flash, I fly around her and grab her upper arms, unyielding as she struggles.

"Temee! Kagome hanasu!" Growled Inuayasha.

I casually looked his way and raised a brow. "And what are you going to do creature? This is not between you. Go back to your own time and leave us together."

"OMAE O KOROSU!" He shouted, that sword changing from his scabbard. I watched with bored interest as he jumped for me, tip extended to run me through.

In a quick movement, I jerked Kagome in front of me and held her there...smelling from two sets of surprise and alarm.

"NANI?! Chikushou!" He shouted, skidding to a stop on the gravel. The sword was suddenly tossed into the air to keep from hurting the girl as he rolled a few times and stopped inches from us. Without the grip from its master, the sword turned back to a rusted blade and wedged itself into the cement.

What I took note of with interest.

"Now...are we all calmed down? Yoi. How about we talk about this like respectful, powerful beings and you two behave yourselves. I would hate to have to kill either of you."

"KEH! Like to see you try temee!" He taunted, going for his weapon. But I smelled a little bit of angry resignation and knew he would curb his behavior as long as I held Kagome as a shield.

I suddenly realized that this girl meant something to him, probably a lot.

I knew I would keep a good grip on this new predator to help keep him under control, no matter what my developing feelings may be.

A predator does not endanger his own safety for the concern of others...not one that's lived as long as I have.

"Bakayaro!... HANASO!" She growled, squirming again. "I want answers! Why did you do this to me?? NAZE?!"

I looked to her sideways profile, finding hurt anger in her eyes. They flashed in the night and I smiled.

She was a night predator now.

"Search your mind Kagome-kun. You'll remember my words."

"Of COURSE I remember them! But I want to know WHY! You could've chosen someone ELSE. I don't WANT this curse! Take it back! Give me my humanity again!!"

I blinked at her, partially meeting her gaze. I couldn't help but look in shock. "You...you...you think this's something...you can take BACK?" I softly sputtered. Against my will, I started laughing.

"NANI? What's so FUNNY?" She growled, glaring at me. "You think something like this is amusing?!"

"Iya...nothing like that Kagome-kun." I answered, forcing myself to calm down. The sardonic smile on my face rose another octave. My arms tightened on her as she tried to fight me again.

I couldn't help but snort at how she thought her newborn strength was a match for mine. A two day vampire against a two HUNDRED year vampire. She apparently wasn't as smart as I THOUGHT she was.

"I hate to break it to you Kagome-kun...but this ISN'T something you can take back."

"Uso!" She immediately retorted. "Everything in life has an anti-thesis!"

My eyes soften as they continually meet hers. Against my will, feeling compassion suddenly spring up, I let her go and turn her to face me. I make a quick grab for one arm as she immediately tries to back away and her chin with another. As I meet her eyes again, I see them a little sad and frightened, but also angry.

I can't help but feel thrown back in time to old lands...with old, black eyes looking to mine with apathy. It strikes a chord with me.

"Kagome-kun-"

"Don't CALL me that!" She spat, harshly glaring. Her jaw clenched, but I could smell the concern rising from her. "You don't have that privilege!"

"Kagome...Uso de nai. When you turn, you're a kyuketsuki until you're killed. You will never die. You will always be dead and also alive. You're the undead. We're the forsaken...not alive, yet not dead. There IS no way to take back the 'curse' I gave you. The only way to free you from it, is to kill you."

I couldn't help but feel a stab of pity at the helpless, harrowing emotions that sprung into her eyes. The news was broken softer to her than it was to me, probably by the compassion I felt to loosen the blow. But telling her that honestly might still have been too harsh.

Her eyes tear over and spill down her face. I suddenly note the even whiter tone of her skin and the shadows around her eyes. She looked more like a vampire now. And she would forever remain this way.

"Ma...masaka..." She whispered, wrenching herself from my grasp. I let her go and watched her take in the news. She was truly a pitiful sight to see.

She was a girl who loved life.

"Iya...masaka... Masaka, MASAKA, MASAKA!!" She shouted, covering her face. She fell to her knees sobbing her grief.

I felt the need to go and comfort her against this, words of reassurance that this life wasn't ALL that bad, when she suddenly shot to her feet and backed up.

Her glare would've withered even a vampire if it could. I smelled blood from her fists as they shook in anger at her sides. A thin line trickled from the cracks in her skin, but she didn't seem to notice.

"Kagome..." I whispered, feeling apathetic.

"IYA!" She growled, pointing a finger at me. "Don't speak my name...don't even LOOK at me! ANATA O NIKUMU! YOU did this to me! BAKAYARO!!" Fists jammed into her eyes as tears flowed again. Suddenly, she took to the air and flew as high and fast as she could.

"KAGOME!" I shouted, too stunned to move. I watched her until she was just a speck even to MY vision.

Then I was suddenly brought back to this plane with the tip of a sword pointing in my face.

"Omae... You deserve to die for what you did to her!"

I calmly met the eyes of an enraged animal. They narrowed even more as the powerful smell of loathing and hatred rolled to my nose.

"Perhaps I do deserve to die. If not for changing her to an immortal, then for all the killing I've done to stay alive." I quietly answered, never looking away from those interesting gold eyes. He looked like some kind of demon with those cat-like slits. When Inuyasha bared his teeth, I noticed he also had fangs.

It made me wonder what kind of demon he WAS.

"Every part of me wants to kill you right here...but I can't. You owe Kagome explanations and if she HAS to stay like this...then you're going to teach her everything you know so she can survive." The grip on his sword became so tight, the massive blade shook from his anger. "I don't trust you in this world. I don't trust you more than the speed it would take to sever your head from your shoulders."

My brow rose at that image. This demon was strong, that was assured, but it was interesting to see if he was as strong as I was. "What do you intend on doing then?" I queried, giving a mock grin. My fangs poked out, almost to intimidate.

"You're coming back with us." He finally answered.

I blinked and dumbly stared at him. "Through the well... How do you propose I do THAT?"

He snorted as if the answer was obvious. "Kagome can travel through the well because of her miko powers. Her blood is old and comes from that time through reincarnation. I can travel here because I am older than I look. You drank her blood and your blood is also old. It's never been tested, but you're going to be the first to try it out."

Somehow it didn't make sense to me, but his explanation seemed logical. "I have no choice but to obey I guess." I mused, almost nonchalantly. It gained a growl at him and most likely tipped his rage too far.

His yell and my startled cry mixed together as he swiped his blade across my stomach.

I doubled over for a moment before standing, looking to my shirt. "You ruined a perfectly good shirt." I quietly retorted, sticking my hand through the wide hole.

"NANI-" He burst out, blinking in shock.

I smirked and touched the already healed attack. "We're undead. The reason we're immortal is because we can heal from gashes or wounds. I will explain more to enlighten you ALL." I started to float up and looked down to see him tense and ready his sword. "Don't concern yourself with my escape. I'm not leaving Kagome like this. She means more to me than she probably does to you." Leaving him stupefied, I flew into the sky after my newborn.

~*~*~

I couldn't help but feel rage and intense sorrow. My mind didn't want to believe his words, even if my heart knew they were true. The honest, concerned look in his eyes told me he wasn't lying to me. Even if he were, I would've been able to smell it on him.

All I smelled was confirmed through his eyes.

Once again, nails dug into my palm, even farther than before. The pain brought to my mind wasn't enough. Blood dripped from my skin and on my face where knuckles met my eyes.

I felt I was crying blood.

This anger would never go away. It paled in comparison to what I felt toward Naraku and Sesshoumaru's treatment toward Inuyasha.

And the sorrow I felt was ten times worse than knowing of Inuyasha's feelings for Kikyo.

I couldn't help but keep asking 'why ME'. I never did ANYTHING that horrific in my life to warrant such a sadistic and everlasting hell. If fate had this planned, then there was only one way to change it.

And I couldn't kill myself, not even to save my soul.

I was stuck like this for the rest of my life. I would NEVER be able to stay in this world, for the temptation of blood that even NOW greeted my nose was getting that whisper to feed. The vampire in my mind was whispering its hunger to be satisfied.

I would have to stay in the other era for the rest of my days. Never would I be able to see my family, for fear of what I would do to them. I don't trust myself around my FRIENDS...I can't even fathom the fear I'd feel by being in the same house with them.

If I hurt ANY of them, not only would I never forgive myself, but I would damn MYSELF to hell.

But surely...perhaps I was already THERE...

My body shook with the anger in my veins. I had the overwhelming urge to hit something or kill something. But that wouldn't make it go away or even soften my hatred. For his selfish desire of company, I could never have my life back.

Even if it was hectic living in two worlds, it was MINE and I LIKED it that way!

Clenching my teeth against the sobbing, I throw my head back and give a loud, anguished scream. I scream until my lungs burn for air and my voice dwindles to a soft cry.

Let them hear, let EVERYONE hear my pain.

WHY ME!?!?

I slumped forward, little energy gone...yet feeling a little better. At risk of who would hear me, I'd do it again, if only to get rid of these emotions.

I huddled into a tight ball and buried my head in my knees. "GO AWAY!" I harshly ordered, sniffing.

"If I do, there's no telling what you'll do to yourself."

"UP HERE? How many kilometers ARE we above the city?"

"Well...you can still see the slivers of streets that look like streams. But we're stories above the building I left your demon friend on."

I immediately wanted to retort that Inuyasha was no demon, but I kept silent. The less I said to him, the better. Speaking to my 'creator' would only make me want to turn on him.

"He has also commanded me to go through the well with you. I agree, since wherever you've been over there has been better than here. You weren't adjusted to this world when I first saw you again. It must be quieter and dimmer over there."

My head slowly looked to him, though his words were running through my head. I couldn't help but be confused. How did KELAH expect to go through the WELL?? Sota told me he was never able to go through when I told him to, even WITH the Shikon no Kakera. So what was Inuyasha's logic in thinking we COULD take Kelah?

"Confused my dear? Your demon friend explained it to me, and it's worth a try. Tell me about this place you keep going to."

I spun around and quickly flew away, body in a defensive stance. "Don't come NEAR me." I lowly growl. My eyes narrowed to slits.

He gave an almost sympathetic smile, but wisely stayed put. "I know what you're going through Kagome-"

"USO!"

"-I know because I went through some of your emotions upon MY transfer. It was mostly for the same reason."

My fists clench in the returning rage what I felt before I screamed. "Then why DID you change me?? Why didn't you LEARN from YOUR master's reason and leave me HUMAN??"

His head tilted to the side, vision averting as he momentarily thought. "Perhaps I was doomed to repeat his mistake, but being a vampire is a lonely existence, if not powerful. Eternity seems worthless after a while when you realize that you are bound to live this way. But if there's someone to share it with, it's worthwhile."

"Then why didn't you find someone ELSE?"

He gave an almost proud smile and met my hateful gaze. "Should I have taken one of your three friends instead? No...they aren't as special as you are. From what I was told, you are the reincarnation of a priestess. The way you so innocently kept meeting my eyes and was undaunted by my threatening air told me that you were strong and courageous. Then the other world is another matter. You have powers already. You are a special woman Kagome."

I couldn't help but wrap my arms around myself as if to ward off all his praise. I didn't want to hear such good tidings coming from a monster. I looked away, knowing that now I was the same as he was.

"Come Kagome. Take me to this magic world you visit and let me teach you how to survive."

His hand extended and stayed in midair, waiting for me to take. I kept an eagle eye on him through the corner of my vision.

"But you must trust me in what I say and do. I will not lie to you as I teach you the full extent of our powers and some things you probably don't know."

Slowly, listening to the tenderness and honesty of his words, I looked to him. I speared his eyes, judging his emotions, comparing to what I smelled and heard. At least he was truthful with me, if nothing else.

I looked to his hand and nearly glared at it. If he was expecting me to touch him after what he did, he was insane. I would HAVE to be with him to learn what I could, but I was going to keep as far away as possible. He didn't deserve my friendship and I would NEVER grant it after tonight.

"If you expect me to take your hand, you're wrong. I only trust your words because I know what I mean to you. Don't expect me to be pleasant to you more than necessary. You'll teach me as penance for doing this to me, but that is all. When you're done, you know Inuyasha will kill you."

He gave a small smile and shook his head. "I don't expect you to harbor any feelings immediately for what I 'did', but in time, you might come to like it. Not everyone can easily deal with leaving their old life behind for the future. As to your demon friend, Inuyasha can try to kill me if he can."

I had to fight a smirk. Inuyasha would try with all his might, as he already tried by the blood smell I gained earlier off the roof. Though I was still unsure about the hanyou's feelings for me, I knew his loyalty wouldn't let him stop until Kelah was dead.

Until then...I was a student of a different school now.

**I am a BEGINNER Japanese learner...so if these are not 100% correct...please let me know if you care to do so. I only have a web page to learn from, a dictionary, and a few months experience to work with.**

Translations: Chui suru-Be careful Atashi o chokumen suro!-Face me! OMAE O KOROSU!-I'LL KILL YOU! Uso!-It's a lie!

Uso de nai-It's not a lie OMAE NIKUMU!-I HATE YOU! Masaka!-It can't be!