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A Vampire's Ocean Gem: Keeping a Bloody Secret

Kagome gingerly reached for the delicious looking piece of steak with mouthwatering anticipation. She wasn't fast enough however; because Souta's quick hand snatched it away. She looked up and watched the content face of her brother chewing away in obvious enjoyment. She decided to not get upset at what he just did.

He probably did that by accident anyway. Oh that one looks good.

Once again, she set out to retrieve the tasty cuisine. Misfortune was smiling on her unfortunately because once again it was snatched away from her. Aggravation sparked within her but she brutally attempted to destroy the bad feeling. She took a deep breath and decided to try again.

3rd time's the charm, just one more time.

Again, the notion was repeated, but this time Kagome could not take it anymore. Staring in disbelief at the empty space that housed her prize only seconds ago, her facial expression turned from disbelief to sorrow and flashed quickly to anger. With fire filled eyes, she gave the thief infernal fire glare.

"Souta! That was mine. What is up with you? That was the 3rd time you stole my food!"

"No I didn't. I just wanted to eat the same thing you did. It's just that I'm faster than you," Souta defended.

"No its not! Twice is chance and 3 times is a pattern; you did that on purpose!"

"Nuh uh."

"Uh huh."

"Nuh uh!"

The two stared at each other in obvious stubbornness and it was clear that neither one was willing to give up any ground. Takuma observed from the sideline with great amusement shining in his green eyes.

Nodoka let her amusement reign supreme as she let out a restricted chuckle before her maternal instinct came forth and did what good mothers do.

"Children, Children! Calm down."

"But she started it!"

"But he started it!"

"No, you did it first" They yelled simultaneously.

"MAMA!"

Holding back another burst of action that would've showed her great amusement, Nodoka put on a disappointed face and sit back in silent and wait patiently for...

Guilt entered their eyes as the two siblings looked back and forth from their sibling's face to their mother's.

"Gomenasai, Mama"

They studied their mother face that still gave nothing away, but because she was their mother the notion was clear to them. She is not satisfied with their reaction. Looking back at one another the answer quickly came to them.

"Gomen Souta."

"Gomen Nee-chan."

"No Souta, I'm sorry."

"Nee-chan, I started so, I'm sorry."

"Souta." Kagome ground out.

"Nee-chan."

They stared each other down again. That was short lived however, because soon Souta relented with a cute childish pout and a few quick blinks caused by sudden inspiration. In a swift motion he presented Kagome's rice filled bow now filled with her favorite entrée, Oden.

"Gomenasai, Nee-chan" Souta said in a sincere tone accompanied with a beautiful smile.

Kagome looked at him in wonder. 'When did he get so mature?' With a cute pout on her face she decided to play along.

"You just have to get the last words, don't you?" she offered him an empty glare.

Souta's smile widened in obvious delight and it brought sparks of joy to his large light blue eyes.

A sly smile appeared on Kagome's face that brought apprehension to Souta's heart. Kagome reached behind his head and brought it toward her own and gave him a sound emphasized kiss. "You're so cute, Souta! Arigato!"

With that she quickly went back to eating with obvious happiness that radiant out of her that could illuminate the dark night like thousands of dancing fireflies.

Takuma readjusted the red silk tie at his throat before he neatly tucked it into his pristine white vest. "Well, I must be going now. Domo Arigato for everything," he bowed smoothly.

Kagome returned the bow with one of her own all though not as elegant as Takuma. "I told you before if I did not help you, the guilt would have eaten me away."

"We enjoyed your company, Takuma-kun. You are free to visit anytime you like."

"Arigato. Now I must take my leave, I've kept my companion waiting far too long. Sayonara." Takuma stepped down and pulled his shoes on. Stopping briefly to wave to the occupants of the home and opened the sliding door.

An elderly man dropped the parchment he was holding, gaping at the beautiful young man standing in the doorway of his home. One word can to his mind as he reached inside his haori. "Youkai be gone!" He stepped forward and slapped an ofuda on the boy's forehead, waiting for him to go up in flames.

"Jii-chan! He's not a youkai!" Kagome chastised the old man.

Takuma reached up for the paper seal, but stopped upon hearing the old man's words.

"Stay back, Kagome! I know a youkai when I see one! This boy is not human!"

Takuma stiffened. How does this old man know?

Nodoka walked around Takuma and peeled the paper charm out of his blonde hair. "Gomen, Takuma-kun."

"Nodoka, get away from him!" Jii-chan cried.

Kagome looked over at Takuma, who was silently griping about the glue in his hair. Now that Jii-chan has said something about it…Takuma-kun's aura is a bit off. She sent out a tiny bit of her miko ki to sense what was off about the blonde's aura, but was blocked by some kind of barrier. Nande…Kekkai?

"Takuma, there you are."

"Ala?" Kagome looked over at the sound of the baritone voice.

A man with long shaggy, yet neat dark brown hair and dark eyes walked up towards them, behind him was a young girl with long brown hair and reddish brown eyes about Kagome's age. Kagome noticed that the boy was wearing the same uniform as Takuma. Is this Takuma's friend?

"Forgive me Kaname. You see, I got a little…side-tracked," Takuma answered.

The young girl tugged on Kaname's sleeve.

"What is it, Yuuki?"

"Ojii-san is glaring at us." She pointed at Kagome's jii-chan.

Kaname turned a small yet charming smile at the elderly man. "Is something wrong?"

"Leave this sacred ground youkai!" Jii-chan growled, pulling out more sacred sutras.

Kagome ran and held her jii-chan back. "Gomenasai, Jii-chan thinks that anybody he meets is youkai." she laughed nervously. All of their auras feel off. It's not youki nor is it reiki. Just what is this?

Kaname smiled. "All is understood. Takuma shall we be going now?"

"Yes, Kaname." Takuma turned to the Higurashi family and bowed. "Domo Arigato for your hospitality."

"It was nice having you Takuma-kun." Nodoka gave them a motherly smile. "Remember my offer. You may come and visit anytime. And you can even bring your friends."

"Nodoka! I forbid it." Jii-chan voiced.

"Jii-chan! Stop being rude!" Kagome hushed the elderly man.

"Yeah Jii-chan Takuma-nii-chan is nice." Souta piped in.

Jii-chan saw that he was out numbered and scowled. He let out a grunt and walked inside the house with his head held high. "I'll relent for now, but as long as I'm around…no youkai will harm my family." he slammed the door shut.

"Sayonara, Takuma-kun. Nice meeting you, Kaname-san, Yuuki-san." Kagome bowed before waving at her new friend.

Takuma gave them a small wave in return. "Sayonara."

As Kagome watched the retreating forms of the three unnaturally beautiful people, she couldn't help the confused expression that seeped into her eyes. Cross Academy desu ka?

The sun's warm rays shone through the window and onto Kagome's face. She threw an arm over her face, trying to block the light but it wasn't going to relent. Stretching almost cat-like, Kagome opened her sleep hazy eyes and crawled out of bed. Dragging her feet to the bathroom, she splashed cold water on her face. Now that she was wide awake, Kagome smiled brightly at the mirror.

Today is going to be a great day!

Rushing back to her room, so that Souta wouldn't hog the shower, she gathered her clothing for the day. Nothing too fancy, just a simple red sundress. After her shower she hurried down the stairs and greeted her family.

"Ohayo!"

"Ohayo, Kagome-chan."

"Ohayo, Nee-chan!" Souta elbowed Jii-chan gently.

He looked up from his newspaper, still a bit peeved from yesterday. "Ohayo, Kagome."

So…he's still angry at me. Well, I'm not about to allow that to ruin my perfect day! As Kagome sat day her mother placed her breakfast in front of her. "Arigato, Mama!"

The Higurashi family ate in near silence, only a few words were exchange until Souta asked Kagome something.

"Ne…Nee-chan?"

Kagome glanced up at her younger brother. "What is it, Souta?"

"Ano…would you…take me and Hitomi to the fair today?"

"Hai, I will."

Souta gave her a bright smile that made his light blue eyes sparkle. "Really! You're the best Nee-chan!"

She had a smug look on her face. "Hai, I am, aren't I." it was more of a statement than a question.

"Don't get so smug about it!" Souta declared.

Kagome childishly stuck her tongue out at him.

"Kagome-chan…would you like to help me in the kitchen once you return?" Nodoka's soft voice reached Kagome's ears.

"Hai, Mama! I'd like that very much." Kagome stood to put her dishes in the sink.

"Nee-chan…you're not going to where that to the fair, are you?" Souta questioned, eyeing her red dress.

Kagome looked down at her clothing. "And what's wrong with what I'm wearing?"

A sly glint shone in his sapphire eyes. "Oh nothing…unless you want someone to see your undies!" he raced out of the kitchen.

An angry blush spread over her face as she let his words sink in. "Souta, you little brat!" Sending a glare at the retreating form, she sighed. "Guess I'll go change then."

Souta straighten his clothes for the umpteenth time since they left the house and it was beginning to grind Kagome's nerves. As he smoothed his grey t-shirt once more she snapped.

"Souta, you look fine! Now quit messing with your clothes!"

"But, Nee-chan...Hitomi is going to be with us."

Kagome softened her stern look until it melted into a sisterly look of love. "Souta...I understand that you want to look nice for Hitomi-chan, but we are going to the fair. They're just going to get wrinkled again."

Souta glared at her.

She laughed softly. "Hai. Hai. Come on, the train is here."

The young boy grabbed his sister's hand as the bordered the train. They took the nearest seats and silently waited for their stop.

"Souta!" a young girl with short brown hair and large black eyes ran and hugged Souta. "I'm so happy to see you!"

Souta embraced her back, laughing softly when she nuzzled his cheek. "I'm happy to see you too, Hitomi. Guess what? My nee-chan is going to take us to the fair!"

Her black eyes shifted to the young woman standing behind them. "Really?" she squealed when Kagome nodded with a smile. "Arigato Kagome-nee-chan!"

"Anata wa kangei, Hitomi-chan. Well let's get going."

The young couple readily agreed, holding hands as they followed Kagome to the fairgrounds.

Kaykai: There it is the third Chapter! Soon Kagome will go back to the feudal era, where even more plot twists and turns will happen, but the only way to find out is to…

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~The Lovely Kaykai-sama

~CresentMelody