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: The pace of this story will begin to change and deviate a bit more from the Anime/Manga than it already has. 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 you wasting your time and mine.

Kaname Pov

He sat in his window looking out at the night sky; eyes narrowed as he contemplated all that had been going on—starting from Zero arriving at the Dorm a week or so ago now, and ending up drinking his blood. There was no doubt in his mind that the boy shared his feelings for Yuuki. But the boy would not win, Yuuki was his already, even if he sealed her memories of what had happened that night ten years ago. It had caused some issues with the others in the Dorm.

Then there had been the arrival of Ichiru, Zero's twin. It had left him on edge because Shizuka was no longer his Master, but it was obvious that someone else was now. Who, he had an idea but wasn't going to say anything about it to the others. And it didn't help that neither Shiki or Takuma were back yet. Another thing that was troubling because the head of the Ichijou house was not to be underestimated. Kaname was not ignorant of the man's attempts at manipulation, and the Elder Council needed to control everything.

That and Shiki was his and Yuuki's cousin, as his uncle Rido sired the boy, which brought him to the topic of his meeting Kagome's Guardian, Lord Sesshomaru himself. It had been done in secret, and Kaine had been at that meeting. Finally, being brought into the fold, as Kagome said. The man was not happy about their contract or the fact he'd been left out but had accepted it with grace though the man was stronger than any realized and more than just his continually changing emotional state.

Closing his eyes as he turned his head, allowing his cheek to rest against the cold glass. Kaname couldn't help but feel that things were going to change.

"Hey!?"

Unable to stop himself, Kaname smiled at the hesitant question.

"Yes, what do you need, Kagome?" he asked.

It had been a few days since she had tried to talk to him. The arrival of her Guardian, who had business with some human dignitaries for trading and other things, had left the poor girl shaken. He, too, with the knowledge of Naraku's movements, which had brought to Lord Sesshomaru's attention that she had a shadow wraith try to possess her body and cause her power to explode and kill many of the night dorms. That had been an interesting thing to watch how they talked (fought) in polite tones, while Shippo wisely stayed quiet.

"How are you holding up? I know Zero fed from you, his smell changed, and he seems a bit more stable," Kagome said.

It was still disconcerting to hear her a bit down and out. But if she hadn't told him, if he were her Guardian, he'd be considerably pissed off and reacted similarly to Lord Sesshomaru. And there was no mistake that the Elder Demon held more than pack feelings for the girl. Though, it was clear she saw him as a brother only, calling him as such. This was a low blow, but it seemed to be done with much affection and to remind her Lord of her feelings and put him back.

"I am doing okay. I have healed, though it hurt for a while after, slowing my healing capabilities," Kaname replied. "But that isn't why you decided to talk to me suddenly, is it?"

There was a considerable pause before he heard her sigh. It made the smile he knew graced his lips get wider.

"No, no, it isn't," she finally said. "I... I will admit for my powers, age, and many other things, I am scared of Kaname. I want to protect all in this school. The thing I shouldn't have done, I had done. Emotional attachment."

He was silent, agreeing with her. But it was what made Kagome, Kagome. She was the giving, loving type of person. She had to help everyone and always got involved. In fact, he had noticed that the others were showing concern that she hadn't been around, and when they saw her in passing, she was not as cheery and bubbly as before. But that she was being honest and sharing this with him spoke the volumes of trust she had for him.

"No, you shouldn't have done that. But, Kagome, you are who you are," he stated. "And while it will be painful in the near future if that news pans out, you will persevere. Also, I think you should come and visit at some point, the others have gotten a bit worried. Since school started up, you have not been your usual self, and it is rather noticeable."

When he heard the soft giggle through their link, he knew that there'd be a change. Opening his eyes, Kaname looked down at the courtyard to see the light of the three-quarter moon to shine off red-hair and cause green-eyes to flash brilliantly up at him. It was something that had been discussed with Lord Sesshomaru. In the end, the Elder Demon had told him in a slightly displeased tone that Shippo would be an observer, protector to Kagome, and that Kaname was now responsible for the Kitsune.

Shifting just a bit, Kaname lifted his hand and waved, watching as Shippo waved back and bowed before vanishing in a swirl of leaves. The Kitsune had been rather clear with him that the night dorm held his intended mate. And how odd it was that a Vampire would be a Kitsune's mate.

Kagome Pov

She wasn't exactly up for visiting anyone right now, not after the lecture she received a week or so ago. Nope. And currently under almost constant watch was fraying her nerves. Yeah, Kagome could understand where Kaname was coming from. It warmed her heart a little bit, but right now, sneaking out would be a terrible idea. Since the arrival of Ichiru, Zero had become a whole different kind of asshole to be around, especially now that he was more stable after drinking Kaname's blood.

Letting a soft giggle escape her lips, Kagome shifted and stood from her window sill. Her roommate was still asleep, but the sounds of footfalls in the hall were indicative of Yuuki doing her patrol right now. And explaining what she was doing out of her room at this time of the night would be a bit difficult. Opting to think about how to make amends to the night class so that they didn't worry about her, Kagome padded back to her single-wide bed.

Once she was snug between the blankets and sheets, she let her mind drift back to her first encounter with Zero's brother. She had easily picked up the taint to his aura. There was another vampire who had taken the boy in, now that he was free of Shizuka. While at the same time, the taint of his own need for revenge on his brother. It was taxing, but in the end, there was nothing she could do about that.

Kagome shuddered as she recalled how his eyes had widened a little bit at seeing her. As if he recognized her for that brief second before acknowledging her and asking who she was. Being alive for as long as she was, she could tell a lie from truth without reading an aura. Ichiru didn't know her, but more of her. Meaning it gave her a small clue that whoever was now his Master, had at least described her to him. And that circle of people was tiny.

With a violent shake of her head to dispel those thoughts, Kagome turned her mind to the fact that she hadn't seen Takuma or Shiki at all. Both had been called home or made to stay longer by their families. She had not a single ounce of trust for the Head of the Ichijou Family. Takuma was not like that man, yet. But there was always that chance of it happening. Nothing was set in stone, ever. Her proof was the world they were currently in that replaced her own because she had fucked up.

Shifting onto her side, and sliding her arm under her pillow to prop it up a bit, Kagome stared out the window. Today would be another day of trials and avoiding Ichiru and trying to make things right. For now, though, she needed to try and sleep. Not that she needed it after five hundred plus years of near immortality. She was trying to ignore the cold, sinking sensation in the pit of her stomach.

Zero Pov

He paused just outside the Dorm and stared up at the room on the far corner of the third floor where pink curtains settled. In the last week, a lot has changed so much. He had gone to Kaname drank his blood and tried to kill him, but was now more stable than he had been in a while. He dealt a few blows from the bastard because of his open declaration and manipulation of Yuuki about her memories, and what they were he wanted to know.

Then there was his brother showing up out of nowhere. It was suspicious. And no, he hadn't missed his brother staring at Kagome. There was a familiarity to it, yet it was apparent his brother had never met her before? Then there was the fact that Shiki and Takuma hadn't returned to the Academy either. More-so because Shiki seemed to be mildly interested in Kagome, though the foolish girl was oblivious to it and the other who had taken a silent interest in her.

To him, she was someone he could rely on, and yet, she was mysterious and held so many secrets that it made him want to put her on watch like the vampire of the night class. Zero couldn't understand how one minute he'd be fine in her presence, smiling at the way Yuuki and her interacted. Or how she put people, or Vampires, like Hanabusa Aido in their places with such ease. Then in the next had his instincts saying she was an enemy, a predator, and needed to be eliminated. And that feeling only got worse when he fell towards becoming a Level E.

Shaking his head, Zero head the door to the Dorm open, and Yuuki runs out. The way she skidded to a halt and looked up at him with wide-eyes that were a bit confused had him smiling. When she turned her head to see where he was looking, Zero spun and walked away, leaving her to sputter and run to catch up. He knew Yuuki thought he had a secret crush on Kagome, but he didn't. Nope, he liked Yuuki, and she was just as oblivious as Kagome. With that thought, he chuckled and continued on the patrol route.

?

I looked over to see Aido looking towards the Sun Dorm. Classes were over for the night, and it had been a stressful week for everyone. The fact I felt my mouth turn down at the fact my cousin was looking up at the Sun Dorm's third floor had me looking there as well. I knew that Kaname was still healing, though he had, again, not come to classes thanks to Zero's little visit.

The fact that the smell of Kaname's blood still faintly lingered in the Dorm had them all on edge. But then there was the newest arrival to the school, Zero's twin brother Ichiru, who they'd all noticed had an interest in Kagome. Who had seemed so out of it? Her eyes looked dull as if life had been taken from them. Whatever had happened when they got back that had, had Kaname returning after a meeting in the Head Master Crosses office had done something to both of them.

"Hey, why were you staring at Kagome's window?"

The sound of Yuuki's voice brought me from my thoughts, as well as the others, as I looked over to see Zero and Yuuki walking towards the forest edge for their last round of the night. I couldn't help the feelings that were welling inside of me. That he was staring up at Kagome's window like his cousin had n't sat well. It had me wanting to go over and ask why as well.

Stiffening at my reaction, I gave a small shake of my head and looked over to Ruka, who was also watching as the duo disappeared. She was what I needed, what I wanted. But until I could understand the pull towards Kagome, or why I reacted as I did at any other male, Kaname or Shippo included, was close to her, touching her, made me want to get them away.

Then again, I was sure that if I attacked Ichiru, no one would be remiss. The way the boy stared at Kagome, who was oblivious, was as if she was something he wanted. A prize to take and corrupt with the way he would smile.

"Hey? You okay?"

Blinking my eyes at Aido questions, I turned my gaze to him and then began to walk back to the Dorm. I couldn't honestly answer that question when I didn't know the answer myself.

TBC!

POST NOTE: Next story to be updated - Raising Dragon Slayers