A/N: After the last chapter I have had a few people ask me what Ojou-sama is equivalent to My Lady/milady/mistress. It is used on girls/women who are of higher rank/standing. I hope that clears some things up.

Then and Now

Anime(s)/Manga(s): InuYasha/Vampire Knight
Pairing: Kagome/Kaname
Rating: T (May Change)

Author: Dark Void Princess 21 (DVP21)
Summary: What if Kaname was never engaged to Yuuki and had someone else he desired. He meets Kagome in the Feudal Era when he is just a kid and meets her again after her journey. And what's more is that there is more to her than meets the eye. The Higurashi's are her adoptive family. Her 'mother' was good friends with Kagome's parents who were vampires? How does this change everything?

Chapter Eight

After her quick meeting with Rima, Kagome continued her walk through the forest.

Many thoughts still plagued her mind.

But more just seemed to come.

Did she really want to become a prefect? To be around vampires all the time despite her past with them? She wasn't sure. She wasn't sure of a lot of things now of days. Just when she believed that she could start her life anew her past was brought back up.

Perhaps there is no escaping the past, thought Kagome.

She glanced up. That night was only a half moon. Only a few stars could be seen. Most were dull, but there were a few that shined brightly.

Kagome made it out of the woods and onto one of the school's paths. Being fairly new, she still didn't know where that exact location was. The only thing significant was a squared fountain. She approached it. The sound of falling water was soothing. It was just what she needed. She had been way too stressed.

She sat at the ledge looking at her own reflection. Her black hair cascaded in front of her shoulder as she looked down. She closed her eyes before taking in a large breath of air only to release it as a sigh.

Opening her eyes -expecting to see her own reflection once again- she jumped slightly at the sight of not only her but another reflection as well. Causing an imbalance of weight, she slipped falling backwards. She never hit the ground as the newcomer caught her in their strong arms.

Kagome's eyes were closed tightly waiting for the impact. When she never felt it -instead replaced with warm, secure arms- she slowly opened her eyes to see Kaname. She whispered, "Kaname."

Takuma looked around the main lounge room of the moon dorm. Class had just finished for the night class. The green-eyed vampire had been talking to his friend and roommate, Senri Shiki, when he noticed another of his friends missing. Rima. Where did she go? When he voiced his question to Senri, he replied that he didn't know either.

The front door opened. There entered the person who had been on their minds. "Rima!" Ichijo and Shiki stood up from their seats and approached her, the blond being much more energetic. Though he normally was the more energetic the rest of the group. "Where were you?"

That seemed to snap Rima out of her thoughts. She looked up to see Senri and Takuma.

Hai, however, I wish you not to speak a word of this to anyone Rima. There are reasons for why things are. I may or may not return to my true form, so in the meantime it would be for the best for you to act as if you don't know me.

Rima tensed for only a fraction of a moment before relaxing completely as normal. "Nowhere important. Just for a small stroll." Before she could be questioned any more, she excused herself to her room which she shared with Ruka.

Dropping a blood tablet into a glass of water she drank it in silence. Ruka was probably still chatting with others. She went back into deep though. Tsukimizu-sama, thought the aristocrat vampire.

Even being young Rima stood tall with elegance just as she was taught to do. Though she was young in human years she was called by Keisuke Tsukimizu-sama and Natsuki Tsukimizu-sama. It was a surprise not only to her, but her family. For the past several years they didn't get out much and became more isolated. No one knew as much about them anymore.

She had made an earlier promise to the family -though not in person- to keep their personal life, secret, not to tell others. She waited in the room until the two purebloods exited the room and presented themselves to her. When they did, she bowed.

"You mustn't bow," stated Natsuki. "However, we would like your cooperation."

Rima blinked in surprise. Were all purebloods this- what's the word she was looking for? Nice? "Anything... but what can I do?" That was what she was curious about.

It was then that Rima took notice of the small infant half hidden behind Keisuke. She took a small amount of interest. She wondered who she was. She had shoulder length black hair and blue eyes. It was like looking at a mini version of Keisuke. Well both mini and female. She didn't look much younger than her. Maybe a few human years at most.

Keisuke used one of his hands to lead Kagome in front of him. The young pureblood looked hesitant. Keisuke announced, "This is Kagome Tsukimizu, our daughter. Kagome, this is Rima Toya. She'll be your playmate." Both children were surprised by this.

A smile immediately took place on Kagome's face. "Really? Yay!" Kagome ran and hugged the light-orange hair girl. "I don't get to play much," she whispered. She looked up with her large innocent blue eyes. "Let's have fun. Kay, Rima-chan!"

"H-hai Tsukimizu-sama-" Rima stopped talking when she saw a cute pout on her face.

"It's Kagome. Ka-go-me."

"Hai Kagome-sama." Kagome smiled. She didn't care for the distant honorific, but it was a start.

It was a week later when Rima first discovered her condition. They were playing when Kagome suddenly yelled in pain. She went on her knees on the floor and wrapped herself her minute arms. There was pink and purple sparks zapping her and around her. Rima ran over to Kagome not knowing what to do.

Keisuke entered the room running to his child. He used one of his many abilities to help sooth her. The pink and purple sparks continued but it didn't look as if she was in as much pain.

"I don't know what happened." Rima was still panicking. More mentally then physically. Was she going to get blamed? She had been the only one with her, and her ability was lightning. Would he assume that it was her fault? "It's not my fault."

Rima was surprised when he responded, "I know it wasn't. This has been happening for a while. No need to blame yourself. Though I do recommend we bring her to her room." All she could do was nod at the pureblood vampire.

Kagome's father carried her across the mansion to her room. He entered it. Walking over to her bed he gently placed her down. Just like the princess she was.

Kagome opened her eyes. They held such pain. Tears built up and spilled over on their own. "It hurts daddy."

He moved closer to her trying to provide as much comfort as he could. He finally comforted her enough for her to fall asleep through her pain. The clashing instincts, purity vs. vampiric, continued through her slumber.

Keisuke turned his attention to the noble vampire. "Gomen about that Toya-san." He could tell that she was worried for Kagome. "Natsuki and I aren't quite sure what it is, but something pure is interfering with her vampire nature. I'm afraid she will be in this state for a while." As he arose from sitting on the bed, he continued, "There is no point for you to continue your stay, for today at least. You may return next week."

As instructed, Rima returned a week later. She headed straight to Kagome's room. She was informed that although her condition was currently gone, she was bed ridden. She was too weak from dealing with the pain on her small body for the long period of time.

There wasn't much for them to do. Eventually Kagome decided that she wanted to do Rima's hair. Taking a brush, Kagome began to brush Rima's beautiful light-orange hair. "Ne Rima-chan, you're pretty." This flustered Rima. "Really pretty!" When Kagome finished with her hair, Rima was allowed to look in the mirror to see. Kagome had tied her hair into two ponytails, one on each side of her head. It was tied with two ribbons. Each ribbon was white and had baby blue snowflakes on them. "Taa daa! Do you like it Rima-chan?"

In the mirror's reflection Rima could see an excited Kagome at the edge of her bed. Continuing to stare at the mirror, she smile. "Hai. I like it... a lot."

Rima took the two black ribbons out of her hair. Opening a small accessory box she saw two all too familiar white and blue snowflake pattern ribbon. She closed her eyes as a content smile made its way onto her face. Placing her ribbons back into the box, she then closed it. In a small whisper she gave her thanks. "Kagome-sama, thank goodness you're alive."

Kagome stared up into Kaname's deep brown-mahogany eyes. The familiar warmth could still be noticed from when he was a kid. She looked closer to them. Something was different. They were filled with so much sorrow and pain. Kagome slowly allowed her hand to reach up and cup his cheek. There was just something about him. "Why?"

The pain in Kaname's eyes became more noticeable. "I should be the one asking that." Kagome began to feel guilty. She knew where the conversation was leading to. She turned her head not wanting to look him in the eyes. It was a long while later until he released her back on her feet. The hand placed on his cheek was slowly sliding off when Kaname placed his own on top of hers. Not that Kagome saw his expression- considering she turned her head the other way- but his expression had softened into complete contentment.

For the pureblood prince it had been so long. She had grown little from then, but what little he has seen so far, she was still the same exact Kagome that he knew and fell in love with as a child.

Kagome turned her head back to the pureblood prince and blushed. Was her presence really that big of a deal? Remembering the past her blush darkened. She guessed it must have. "I guess I have some explaining to do." Normally she would have laughed nervously, but she had a feeling that would only make the situation even more awkward. "Starting with how I'm still alive."

"You traveled through time."

Huh? Kagome was bewildered. "How did you..?"

"I have my sources. However, I began to feel as if you were abandoning me. Years after years I waited for you to return. You remember your promise don't you?" Kagome could only dumbly nod as she remembered.

"We'll see each other again right?" Kaname sounded vulnerable. It genuinely surprised Kagome.

Kagome smiled in return. "Yeah... someday."

"Sorry. Later came a lot later then you expected, right?" It took a moment for Kagome to form words.

"I gave up." Kagome's head snapped up to look at Kaname. He had given up? It was a long time, so she guessed that it shouldn't be all that much of a surprise. So then why did she feel sadden by this fact. "I thought you had abandoned me." He brought her closer to him. "I thought you didn't want to see me." He brought his arms around her into an embrace. "That you had simply forgotten me." Kaname pulled Kagome so that she was pressed against him. His head rested on top of hers as he took in her sent. He wanted to make sure she was there and wasn't leaving.

"It's not like that. It was never like that." Relief washed over Kaname. Kagome took the time to explain her situation to Kaname, about the well and time traveling. Not about her childhood and her parentage.

Kaname's heart began to ache. It was the reason as to why he would search for any small similarities between Yuuki and Kagome, the reason why he suffered when Kagome left him without a trace to follow. Throughout all the years, and his pain and suffering. In the end one fact always remained the same. He loved her. Kaname relaxed against Kagome more before grasping her upper arms and moved just far enough away so that he could look her in the eyes. "My words still stand."

Kagome looked clueless as to what he was instigating. Her facial features suddenly changed as the light bulb in her head lights up. Blood quickly rushed to her cheeks. Kaname was amused with all the expressions. Her eye lids lowered. What did she feel for him? Something seemed to ignite when she met him again. Then again she only just met him again. People change in time. She didn't truly know much about him. He knew even less of her, and she wasn't about to go spill all her secrets to him. "Kaname... you don't know me. I mean not really. I have many secrets. Just like last time we spoke."

Kaname caressed her cheek lovingly. "You can tell me anything."

That stirred something inside Kagome, but she wasn't about to break. "I'm sorry. I'm not ready. Not ready to face the truth that is. Just leave it at that... Please."

That struck hard at Kaname. They were the same words spoken as last time, the last part at least. It was spoken with the same emotion. It was a sad emotion that made him want to take her and hide her away from the pain and cruelty of the world. He decided to change the topic. "So why are you out here in the middle of the night?"

"Well- You see- Ah- I was- Um- Conflicted." Kagome told Kaname about the headmaster's offer to become a guardian. Kagome's anger rose as she saw him muffle his laugh with his hand.

"That's all?" He couldn't help his laughter. It was so trivial.

"It's not funny!" Kagome covered her mouth with both her hands. She didn't exactly know how far the dorms were. She just hoped that she didn't wake anyone up with her yelling. Removing her hands, she puffed her cheeks. Her cheeks once again flushed though this time from both embarrassment and anger. She crossed her arms across her chest. After a moment, he anger suddenly dispersed. Sitting on the edge of the waterfall she stated, "It will bring back some memories. Then there is the fact that the night class has crazy, stalker, fan-girls. I swear if I join they will be the death of me. I'm too young to die."

"Hmm. When did you learn to give up so easily? That's not the Kagome I know."

Shit. He had cornered her. She couldn't back out now because he had a point. What happened to the her that would stand up to anything? Naraku was scarier than a bunch a girls. "I'll do it!"

The next morning loud screams of excitement could be heard across the academy. "I'm so happy," cried the chairman.

Zero and Yuuki entered the office with their ears covered. "Why the hell are you screaming?"

"Zero. Yuuki. Meet the new prefect."

Kagome just stood there awkwardly. As the three teens stared at each other, they all came to a silent conclusion. Kaien was way too enthusiastic and eccentric in the morning... or anytime at that.

Kay Kay. So some of you (okay a lot of you) wanted a longer chapter so here it is. Haven't written in a while so a lot of ideas flowed through my head while writing and this chapter just ended up long on its own. Not EVERY chapter will be this long though. Just thought I should make that clear now

Also thank you ShikiKira for editing!

Also I want to become a better writer so any advice would also be welcomed. I understand there is a underlying truth, but if you are giving advice please don't sound completely rude about it.

Please review! ^-^

And please check out my story Lost and Broken... and read the note inside of it.