Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. Nor do I own Vampire Knight or its characters; that right belongs to Matsuri Hino.
Author's Note: In this chapter, the story deviates from the main(OG) storyline. So if you do not like that, I politely ask you to turn around and leave now because I don't see the point in wasting your time and mine.
Everyone was silent as they watched the door to Kaine Crosses' bedroom door. Once more, Kagome was unconscious. And those gathered felt stifled to one degree or another by the silence. Especially the newest addition to the group, Kain Akatsuki.
Eventually, a soft growl broke the quiet, drawing (almost) everyone's gaze.
"I want to know what is going on. Who Kagome is. And why does a Vampire who has nothing to do with her run after her," Zero snapped.
They watched as Yuuki placed a hand on Zero's shoulder to try and calm him. Though it was apparent her touch was unwelcome.
"Well, why can't Yuuki and I have answers?" Zero hissed. His eyes darted to each person in the room. "Since Kagome has arrived, strange things keep occurring to her or Yuuki at the center. And why does Kain Akatsuki even care?"
At the mention of his name, the young, red-haired vampire lifted his gaze looking through his damp, red fringe at Zero. His response was to shrug at Zero.
This action had two soft chuckles filling the room and making Zero flush darker.
"Instinct, boy," Sesshomaru said.
That single word had everyone but him and Shippo frowning.
"That makes no sense," Zero bit out. His body was trembling in anger.
"Look, it's simple; Kain met Kagome ten years ago," Shippo snorted. "But he doesn't recall it, and that's Kagome's right to explain to just him or all of you now involved."
Shock filled Yuuki, Zero, and Kain's faces. Kaname arched an eyebrow, while Kaine Cross and Toguro weren't surprised.
"Ah, on that note, Kagome's away now," Kaname said.
The glint in his red eyes said he wanted to know more about what Shippo said. Yet he did not ask as he rose in a graceful, fluid motion, turning to the bedroom door.
"Besides, we have more important matters to attend to. Like the curse seal on Kagome and how to remove it," Sesshomaru said.
It was clear that this subject angered him. And only Shippo and Kaname seemed to know why. Though everyone else felt they'd find out soon enough.
000000
Kagome frowned as she glared at Sesshomaru and Shippo. Kaname had asked her about her previous meeting with Kain Akatsuki through their link. HE stated it was necessary since he had long noticed Kain's interest in her.
So, now, after explaining what happened when a possessed Senri had absconded with her.
Just to be told she wasn't allowed to make any decisions. Shippo agrees (for once) with Sesshomaru.
"There are two ways, as you know, to remove the curse," She said, her voice low and angry.
"Indeed, and you get no say," Shippo whined as his glamor flickered and vanished utterly.
It showed how emotional he was. Still, Kagome smiled as a gasp came from the children present at the site of Shippos five tails.
"You're not human!"
"He's not a vampire either."
At the two exclamations from Yuuki and Zero, Kagome smiled wider.
"Demon. Kitsune, to be exact," Sesshomaru said bluntly. "And I am a demon as well. O rather the only Demon Lord in existence today."
Kagome looked at Sesshomaru. It was odd he was sharing this information so openly. However, she could not see anything out of place in his aura.
When his gaze met hers, Kagome knew he wouldn't let the previous topic go.
"What Shippo and I are is inconsequential. What is important is deciding the method to remove the curse Rido Kuran put on Kagome. A curse only demons know," Sesshomaru stated. "This, Lord Kuran, is further proof he is in contact with the man I mentioned."
Silence filled the room as Kagome felt the gazes of everybody on her.
"What are these methods used to remove the curse," Kaine Cross asked.
Frowning, Kagome glanced at Kaname. Though his face showed nothing, his laughter echoed in the back of her head. He knew!
"Well, Kagome can forcefully break the curse by flooding her Horeiki into it, which is what they're probably banking on. Because it will leave her weak and unable to fight," Shippo said.
His green eyes met hers before shifting to look at Kain Akatsuki. Whose aura went from calm to confused by Shippos sudden interest in him.
"Or my ward can bond with a vampire," Sesshomaru said, smiling coldly.
Kagome knew he wanted this. It was easier and had no side effects but a strong bond. And a slight risk of power instability until the bond settled.
"Bond? What do you mean by that?"
At Yuuki's innocent questions, Kagome watched as Zero, Kaine Cross, and Kain Akatsuki all shifted uncomfortably. Toguro, Shippo, Kaname, and Sesshomaru were amused, yet not pleased by it being asked.
"Yuuki, this is something personal," Kagome finally explained since the men in the room were indelicate asshats acting like women. "And I can't bond with anyone considering who and what I am. And Kaname is not an option, nor Zero."
AT her words, Yuuki's eyes went wide. But relief flashed across her face at hearing neither Kaname nor Zero could be an option. It had Kagome mentally snorting.
000000
Kaname stared at the door to Kaine Crosses' bedroom once more. It had a barrier, as did the room, thanks to Kagome. Who had given in a bit too quickly?
He had a good grasp of what kind of person Kagome was. And her accepting to bond so quickly was not within her normal scope. Even if it was with Kain Akatsuki, whom she knew previously. And was the only one who was available and met the criteria.
So, Kaname listened as Kagome explained things to Kain gently. There was a longing and sadness to her words that struck him deeply.
000000
Kain sat on the bed, watching as Kagome paced back and forth in the room. He was uncomfortable that he had 'been' chosen to 'bond' with Kagome. It was something Kain wanted to do with Ruka. Yet now, because he followed his instinct and chased after Kagome, he was in this predicament.
"Look, it is obvious you don't want to do this. And I am not in the mood to force you," Kagome said, her voice soft and barely audible. "We met ten years ago when your parents were vacationing in the western regions. You somehow crossed the barrier that was placed to keep those in Neginkai out. I was on patrol and met little eight-year-old you."
He looked at Kagome, who had chosen to look out the bedroom window instead of him. He could see the curse mark on the skin not covered by the nightgown. Kain let his eyes travel down to where there was a small flame on her skin, hidden by the white clothing.
"I took you back and had Sesshomaru contact your parents. They, like any Vampire Noble, know who he was. And were rather shocked that you had crossed the barrier. It took them a few days to get in, even with an opening, and during that time, I took care of you," Kagome explained. "You were an interesting child. Quiet, smart, and very precocious. You never directly asked questions, but you were determined to learn about the place you ended up in."
Kain thought about this; he did have a blank part of his memory of that vacation. And he had always felt a sense of familiarity with Kagome. But that didn't explain the mark.
"When your parents came for you, you refused to go, Kain. It was a battle, and you- you bit me on my back with only your top fangs," Kagome said, her voice breaking as she finally looked at him. "Sesshomaru and your parents separated us as you screamed you didn't want to leave. That you liked me and wanted to stay. You claimed me then, and there I was yours."
He couldn't believe it, but he knew she was incapable of lying.
"Sesshomaru decided that your memory should be blocked since it was not a full mating mark. Your parents and I agreed. Though our reasons were different, your mental and emotional welfare was more important," Kagome said.
Kain felt stunned. He had initiated the bonding process at age eight as a childish whim. But then, everyone, for his sake, sealed his memory of it? That wasn't fair.
"What was your reason," He asked, his eyes narrowing at her as he felt anger start to rise.
"You were a child, not even into your first growth spurt. You'd not survive in the Makai," Kagome said bluntly. "But also, being young, you still had your life ahead of you; I was already close to four hundred years old. I know what it means to be in love and be hurt by it. Bound by a past, you had no clue about. I wanted you to grow up normally and potentially find someone you love. You have, it is Ruka. I support this because you fell in love naturally, and it wasn't the recklessness of youth."
He could understand and respect Kagome's choice with how she explained it. She wanted him to make his own choice and not be bound by a child's recklessness. But it still bothered him because once he put the mark on Ruka, binding them eternally, Kagome would be in severe pain and left a bit hollow even if the mark was only half complete.
"Don't look like that; I would have been fine. I said I was once in love," Kagome said, sighing.
Kain frowned. He had guessed as much when he heard her explanation to Takuma's grandfather. But then, he hadn't known he'd had a bond with Kagome at that point. It made him feel uncomfortable and irritated.
"Who?" He asked.
The small, tired and sad smile he got spoke volumes.
"It was Sesshomaru's younger brother. He had a lover before meeting me. And InuYasha was a half-demon. So, when I came along, he thought I was his lover's incarnation since she died fifty years prior," Kagome explained. "And well, I was besotted because, at that point, I had just turned fifteen years of age. So, I ignored his comparisons to his past lover, whom I looked like. And that I wasn't able to meet his expectations. But as we journeyed and got to know each other, he warmed up to me and sort of returned that love. Then, his ex-lover was brought back through a dark ritual that almost killed me. Let's leave it. I was trashed and left despondent by the mental and emotional abuse I received. But young love is very dumb love, Kain. I completed the task, mostly, and never got my happy ending. Love isn't something I think I will ever have."
Kain felt as if she had doused him in cold water. Having heard her prior explanation and now this, he had a deeper understanding of why she didn't want to be loved. She was scared and hurt. It drew him in, and he had a feeling as a child; her sweet, caring nature and those scars she tried so hard to hide made him want her. It was similar to Ruka and her obsession with Kaname.
"What if I agree to bond with you?" He asked.
Kain watched as Kagome stiffened, and a thin smile turned her lips upward.
"I don't appreciate you making a sacrifice for me," Kagome said.
Her words were cold and cut him. He could see that she was looking at him closely. When she stepped from the window, closing the distance between them, Kain looked into her eyes and realized she was extremely short.
When she leaned into his space, he instinctively leaned back. It had her laughing hollowly as she drew back from him. Kain knew she had just tested him, and it had him feeling something primal surge in him.
"That is the proof you don't want to bond with me," Kagome said as she stepped back. "So, I need you to accept that this isn't going to happen. Your heart is in two places. Half ruled by your emotions for Ruka and the other by instincts that demand you acknowledge and claim me, Kain Akatsuki."
He didn't want to admit she was right. His heart had been swinging left and right since he'd first seen her. Now he knew why, yet he also knew she was powerful and kind. Kain found many traits he loved about his mother in her. Kagome would make an excellent mother in the future. But he didn't want her to be with another, and this had nothing to do with his instincts.
"Kain, I think you should take some time to think this through before deciding to act recklessly and sacrifice yourself," Kagome said, drawing his attention.
Before he could react, Kagome's tiny hands cupped his face, and she was kissing his forehead.
"Sleep, young vampire," Kagome whispered. "And when you wake, you won't have to worry."
A cold rush ran through him, leaving him exhausted. His eyes were heavy as he stared at Kagome before darkness claimed him. The last thing Kain recalled was a sad smile that told him Kagome longed for many things he, too, wanted.
TBC!
