Disclaimer: I do not own Blue Exorcist or its characters; that right belongs to Kazue Kato. Nor do I own InuYasha or its characters; that right belongs to Rumiko Takahashi.


Rin sighed and looked up at the cloudy blue sky and was grateful for the peace and quiet. In the two weeks, Shera had been back at the academy and reacquainting herself with Kagome; his life had become hazardous in a manner that made him wish for the fights with his siblings and the residents of hell. Between the two females, Rin was sure his face should be disfigured permanently, at least if he didn't have the blood of Satan flowing through him, allowing him to heal quicker.

"It's nice today."

His body paused and darted behind a nearby tree, hiding him as he wondered first what Kuro was doing out here, and then more importantly, whom he was talking to? Carefully sliding his body around the giant tree until he was able to see, Rin bit back a low groan in the back of his throat. It was just his luck that the class has downtime, and he'd go to one of his favorite spots to relax and get away from everyone, that one of the people he wanted to avoid was there. But Rin couldn't deny that he was curious as to why his familiar and friend was talking to her.

"It is, Kuro," Kagome said softly. "And it has been a long time since I have seen you, or Shiro-san. I am sorry I was not able to attend the funeral."

Jerking his head back and blinking, Rin tried to recall if he had ever seen Kagome at the church. Nothing came to mind; he felt curious as to how she would know his adoptive father and Kuro.

"It is alright, and I am sure Shiro understood," Kuro replied softly. "It was best you didn't come."

"Still, it had been almost ten years since I last saw you two," Kagome said, her voice sounding wistful. "Shiro-san was a great priest and exorcist. Besides, I know why you didn't take the time to visit us at our shrine. That hurt Kirara a lot."

The choked cough that came from Kuro was embarrassed sounding to Rin's ears. And now he wondered to whom Kirara was.

"Well... you know I had responsibilities, and stuff, Kagome," Kuro said quickly. "Uh, how is she?"

There was a brief silence before Kagome finally replied. And he saw her shift and pick up Kuro and run her hand down his back, taking time to pet each of his two tails as a low rumbling purr came from the Nekomata. Instantly Rin narrowed his eyes and labeled his long-time friend and now partner a traitor.

"She is good. Was sad that you missed her time," Kagome replied. "Currently, she is near to giving birth. Being over five hundred years of age, she has attained what you should in the next seventy-five years or so."

"Wait! What?! Birth? Who?" Kuro practically screeched.

The soft laugh from Kagome was something Rin hadn't heard before. It was not guarded or even forced. Taking a closer look, he saw that her blue eyes were downcast, a few shades darker than usual, and no smile graced her lips. It left him wondering if this was how she was when not around others. Then again, he knew about putting on a mask to hide how he felt around others.

"Sesshomaru," Kagome said blandly. "You missed her time. She couldn't wait for you. This is their third child, I believe."

The way he saw Kuro's ears drop to lay flat against his head, as his two tails were suddenly wrapped and pressed close to his body told a lot. His friend was unhappy. And this also let him know this Kirara was a demon as well.

"Cat or Dog, Kitsune or Ookami, it doesn't matter. She is happy?" Kuro asked.

"Yes, very. The Great Former Lord of Western Japan treats his mate with nothing but respect, and he has known her since she was a two-tailed fire-kitten," Kagome replied. "So they know each other very well. And he did train her to obtain her human form."

This information had Rin going into shock. He didn't know that Demons could obtain a human form. From what he was told that they were either born as a high ranking demon and had a humanoid form or were a lower demon and beast.

"So, what are you going to do? I mean, the Contract is active now that you are fifteen now. And Amaimon has been dealt with?" Kuro stated.

Rin watched as her shoulders slumped forward, and Kagome dropped her head, causing her hair to hide her face.

"Until the contract has been fulfilled in one of two capacities, I will do as I must to survive," Kagome stated. "And Amaimon tried to cheat, and I did hold back! Though I wanted to purify his ass, I am not that strong Kuro. My gifts as a Miko don't fall into that category, just healing, and herbology."

Blinking slowly, Rin wondered what Contract? And if that was the real reason she was at Cross Academy? There as so much surrounding this girl that it made his head hurt thinking about it.

"Have you considered Mephisto?" Kuro asked, drawing Rin from his thoughts.

The rather loud and very rude sounding snort spoke volumes. Rin had heard the girls in his class make that sound when they thought something was stupid or ridiculous or annoyed.

"Nope, he made his standpoint clear about this whole farce four incarnations of myself ago!" Kagome snipped. "Besides, he loved her, and she rejected him. You can never come back from that kind of rejection."

Again Rin was founding himself narrowing his eyes.

"Oh? I wasn't aware of that, explains why he stares sadly at you, with a kind of longing," Kuro said. "What about You..."

"No! Oh, by the Kami's no! I mean, he is a sweet boy, and I met him when I was here ten years ago, and Shiro-san brought him to learn to be an Exorcist and Paladin," Kagome said in a slightly panicked state of being. "It was hinted at, and I am not stupid, I felt it in him. But personality-wise, I could be nothing more than a friend. Yukio is just a friend."

Her words had Rin stiffening. His mind logically leaping that she had fought off Amaimon and telling him he was out of the running, now there was a contract that involved Mephisto. Did that mean that Kagome's family have a contract that included his father? Because that is the only connection, Yukio would have to the two demons and himself.

"Boy, do you make it a habit to spy on people and listen in on private conversations?"

Unable to help himself, Rin shrieked and tried to run, his foot catching on one of the raised roots of the tree. Next thing he knew, he was falling face-first into the dirt, ankle hurting. When he lifted his head, he saw pale, long legs that slowly bent down before a tiny, pale hand reached out in the offer to him get up. Groaning Rin took the proffered hand and allowed Kagome to help him up, then looked behind him to her Guardian Sesshomaru, who looked slightly amused at the whole predicament.

TBC!