A/N: I have returned! And with a brand-new co-author! The wonderful starr rosen (put a between . to get to her page) has agreed to help with the completion of this story! So expect more updates, but first a little teaser of what to expect!

Disclaimer: (See previous chapters)

A Vampire's Ocean Gem: Keeping a Bloody Secret

Nodoka nodded her head, setting the cup and towel down on a nearby table, and approached the couple. Once she was within reaching distance, the matriarch of the household grabbed the teens' hands. "As long as Takuma-kun promises me that he will watch over my little girl, then I give you my blessings." She gave them a motherly smile as she waited patiently for their response.

Takuma blinked before he bent in head in agreement. "Of course, Higurashi-san. I promise to take extreme care of Kagome-hime."

"Hime?" the older woman chimed with laughter that caused her daughter to light up with a blush. She hid her smile behind her hand as she turned her back to them and doubled over slightly. "So, that's why Mei said that I need to check my email." she looked at Kagome over her shoulder with a mischievous twinkle in her eyes.

Kagome gasped. Mei did not send those pictures to her mother! How could she? Takuma and her were...were... The blush in the apples of her cheeks turned a deeper shade of red and she let go of her boyfriend's hand to cover her burning face. She shot Takuma a brief glare when she heard his deep low chuckles, "What's so funny? Mei-san sent those pictures to my mom! She has photos of us...of us..."

Takuma leaned down, placing his lips next to his girl's ear and whispered, "Of us...kissing?"

"Kyaah!" the miko shrieked in embarrassment. Her miko aura flared when she noticed he was so close. She had not meant for it to happen, but it did of its own accord. Once again she felt that strange, inhuman aura about Takuma. It was not youki, but something completely different that Kagome just could not put her finger upon.

Takuma chuckled further at her reaction, backing away slightly when he felt her aura press against him. He felt his arm tingle slightly at the feeling, making his smile turn to a frown of confusion before he brushed off the feeling as his own nerves messing with him. His hime was a simple ningen after all.

As it grew closer to the time for her to move to the dorms of Cross Academy, Kagome became nervous. She did not really know why, but she did. Soon, she was found boxing her clothes up along with her school supplies and her important items, like her pictures of her friends, a few trinkets she'd brought with her from the past, and her bow and arrows to practice. She had avoided it lately due to spending most of her time with Takuma.

So lost in thought of what to bring with her as she packed, she did not hear when someone entered her room until a hand was gently placed on her shoulder, making her squeal of surprise and she grabbed the hand, her miko powers flowing into her hand and shocking the person. Turning, her eyes widened as she spotted Takuma, before she noticed that his hand was slightly burned.

"Takuma-kun, I'm so sorry! I didn't…" She paused as she looked up at his wide eyes, her own hardening with confusion. How could her reiki burn him if he was human. She heard Naraku whisper in her mind that he sensed something strange about the blonde ever since that day they went for frozen yogurt. "T-Takuma-kun, are you a youkai?"

Takuma, meanwhile, stared down at his hand, eyes wide in surprise. How did she do that? I've never known a human to be able to hurt a vampire without a weapon. When he felt her hand on his burnt one, he blinked and looked up at her, feeling his hand heal.

"Kagome, it seems we need to talk." He gently wiped her cheeks with his good hand, her not noticing that she'd been crying. With a nod, she moved a large box from her bed, making room for the two of them to sit down. Looking at him, she sighed softly before lowering her gaze to her lap.

"I suppose I'll go first, seeing as I hurt you." She sighed once more before starting her tale of her adventures in the past, from being dragged down the well into the Feudal Era, to the final battle, to how the well closed. She did not look at him during the whole explanation, and, when she was done, she felt his hand on her own, making her look up at him.

"I'm glad you told me. Thank you, Kagome-Hime. I suppose I should tell you about myself now, right?" 'That would explain the mark of power on her forehead.' Takuma always knew that there was something special about Kagome. Her reflexes were quick for a human. And her aura would something wrap uncomfortably with his if she was startled. He smiles softly at her, taking ahold of her hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. After that, he told her his secret, causing her eyes to widen.

"Wait, vampire? As in, blood drinking, the sun is uncomfortable, sleeping during the day type of being?" She tilts her head slightly, a confused look on her face.

She looks like a puppy with that look and how her head is tilted… Was Takuma's thought as he nodded slightly, "Although, we can go out into the sun with no trouble and sleep really is not a requirement," only to look at her wide eyed as she squeaked excitedly, rearing back in alarm. "Uh, why exactly are you excited? I'd have thought you'd be afraid of me now." He blinked, the confusion noticeable on his face and in his eyes. He then shook his head, thinking over what she had told him. I shouldn't be surprised or confused though. After what she's been through, I suppose her being excited to know vampires exist isn't really much of a worry. Especially if she can hurt us like she did my hand.

"Uh, sorry, Takuma-kun. It's just… I've been lonely not being around mythical creatures. I'm just glad to know that not all fairy tale creatures are dead. I thought I something was off when I couldn't sense your aura when Kaname-san came to get you. Same with Yuuki-chan." She shrugs, looking sheepishly up at him while scratching her cheek in embarrassment at her own words. "Now! Wanna help me finish packing? I can't reach the top shelf in my closet, and I have some things in a shoe box that are really important to me."

He smiled and chuckled lightly before getting up to grab the box, eyes filled with amusement at her antics. Handing the box over, he noticed that her uniform was hanging on the back of her door, making him blink. "So, when are you planning on coming to the school to move into the Sun Dorms? I'd think the Night Dorms would work best for you, but my friend Hanabusa might cause problems for the Day Class if there wasn't someone to keep the girls in line."

Kagome giggled, covering her mouth at the thought of his friend. She had heard stories from Yuuki and Takuma about his antics, making her shake her head. "I was planning on going this weekend. I might be able to add some protective barriers around the Night Dorm entrance so the Day class can't get in. Kind of like an electric fence. I know what a vampire's aura feels like, now that you let yours free. It won't be too hard to do." She then gasped when he suddenly swooped down, kissing her softly on the lips, Looking up at him, she blushed a bright, cherry red as she looked away. "Uh… What was that for?"

He outright laughed at her confusion, sitting down beside her as he smiled happily at her, his eyes sparkling in amusement. "You'll get to meet the Night Class before school starts back up then. I hope you're prepared for them. Hanabusa might mess with you, just for entertainment."

This caused Kagome to blink again, before pouting. "He better not! I'll give him a friendly zap if he does."

He smirked at that, before looking at the time, sighing with a small smile. "I should get going. It's getting late. I'll pick you up to head there, alright? I want to introduce you to the Night Class after taking you to meet Chairman Cross."

Kagome nodded and stood up, leading him down the stairs and to the front door, leaning up to kiss his cheek as they said their goodnights. Watching as he left, she turns, only to see her mother watching her with a dreamy look in her eyes. Blushing, she closed the door and rushed up to her room, gets a change of clothes, and heads to the bathroom for a bath. After her bath, she got dressed and lays down in bed. Her last thought, before she fell asleep, was… This school year should be interesting for sure.

Kagome sighed as she found herself in a world of darkness. She knew that she was in her dream realm, but this one was not of her Sesshou. The six petal mark on her forehead began to glow as she narrowed her eyes at the waves of inky black tendril that started to creep closer to her. "Knock it off Naraku or I will find a way to purify you from my body."

"Kukuku..." he chuckled as he appeared behind her in his original form. Naraku slipped a hand around her waist and hugged her. "You can't do that, my dear Kagome. I am now a part of you." he let out another soft chuckled before coiling a strand of her hair around his finger. "But that is not what I called you here for."

The warrior miko rolled her eyes as she lit her hands with purification and grabbed the arm that was wrapped snugly around her. She sighed in defeat when her attack did nothing to the youkai except made him wrap both of his arms around her and nuzzle her neck. "What do you want, Naraku? I don't have time for your games."

Naraku simply smiled into the embrace he had Kagome trapped in. "My dear miko, I merely wanted to warn you about your new school." His dark red eyes glowed as he possessively tightened his arms around her thin waist. "That woman from the tailor's has set her sights on you and will likely try to attack you at the Academy. I will allow you to tap into my powers more to further protect yourself from these vampires."

"Hn." the miko let out a soft breath as she leaned deeper into Naraku's embrace, finally giving into his whims. "Thank you. I appreciate your concerns." She turned around to face him and placed her hand gently on his cheek. "It's hard to believe that you were my enemy four months ago. Did I really cleanse your heart?"

"That you did, dear miko." Naraku whispered as he placed his hand over hers and stared into her eyes. "That damned dog and the vampire are lucky that I no longer have a physical body or I would have made you mine." Tilting his head down, he placed a light butterfly kiss to her lips before fading back into the darkness. "I've unlocked your hidden demon powers, use them wisely else I will be able to bug you more. Kukuku..."

Kagome's fingers came up to touch her lips as a warm blush spread over her cheeks. She felt her heart race beneath her rib cage. "Damned youkai." The miko felt the six-petal marking on her forehead grow warmer and she reached into her skirt pocket and pulled out her compact mirror. A gasp left her lips when she witnessed her warrior symbol change colors. The flower shifted from an iridescent blue to a deep violet with a red outline. "Is this what Naraku meant by unlocking my hidden youki?"

Her flexed her fingers out and long, elegant-looking claws sprang forth. She felt a surge of power flow through her and it was completely different than that of her reiki. It was darker and more dense. "It feels like Naraku's jyaki." Kagome lifted her compact mirror once more and gasped at her reflection. Her eyes took on a reddish undertone, making them shine a faint lavender, she had markings similar to Naraku's over her eyelids that resembled blue eyeshadow, and her lips were a full, bright red. "I look like the female version of Naraku." She frowned when she heard the youkai chuckling in her mind.

Rolling her eyes, Kagome willed the power away as she felt the drug that was sleep begin to fade from her body.

So? What did you think? Did you love it? Hated it? Left you wanting more? Hopefully you enjoyed it. I really loved writing this with . She's really amazing! And please keep an eye out for her first fic that she's writing! I'm sure you all will love it!

Ja ne!

~Kirei Ai Tenshi

~starr rosen