**I would like to apologize for my long absense.

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 Twelve

Kagome stared at the alarm clock from her uncomfortable position in bed. She was already getting less sleep than the usual because of her acceptance of the role of being a school prefect, however, the new information of who murdered her father scared her mind as she thought about it all night. She didn't get the tiniest amount of sleep. She just kept tossing and turning as Nozomi slept soundly. Kagome finally gave up on sleeping and prepared for school early. Better yet this gave her a chance to go speak with the headmaster.

After getting dressed into her black day class uniform, she made her way towards Headmaster Cross' home and office.

Arriving at his home, Kagome knocked on the door. She didn't even know why she bothered. He was probably still asleep. Kagome sighed. Just as she turned around to waste time elsewhere, the door opened to reveal Kaien Cross. It was odd. This was the first time she had seen him tired. Usually, he would be eccentric. "Kagome?"

"Forgive me, headmaster. I wasn't thinking that you were probably still asleep. I mean it is really early. I'll just be taking my leave," said Kagome nerved at the thought of awakening the headmaster.

"No. No. It's fine. If you're here, you probably wish to discuss something. How about we talk over breakfast?" Kagome was surprised to how nonchalant Kaien was. After all, she had met some pretty temperamental people who would go berserk at the mere thought of waking them up before necessary.

Kagome gave him a gentle smile. "Arigatou, that sounds nice." She was unaware what mess she just entered into.

She had quickly learned that Kaien was not a chef. He failed at making even the simplest things. She mildly wondered how Yuuki and Zero had lived throughout the past years. They obviously weren't getting nutrition from him. Perhaps one of them was a decent cook. To release them from his miserable food, Kagome kicked the headmaster out of his own kitchen. First she cleaned up the mess he had made then she began to cook a proper meal. It wouldn't be anything extravagant, but at least they could then eat something edible. As the food cooked, she began to boil water for the tea.

She sighed as her shoulders slumped.

As the food finished cooking, Kagome brought it to the other room on a tray. She made two trips. Once for the food and another for the tea.

Getting settled down at the table Kagome sighed in delight as the fresh hot tea travelled down her throat into her stomach. That felt nice. She tried not to focus on Kaien who was starry eyes at the food. "This is delicious~" Tears began to run down his cheeks.

"Honestly you're an adult. You should at least be able to cook for yourself."

"Cooking was never my forte," he said taking a sip of tea, "that is why we became so dependant on Zero cooking." Kagome sweat dropped. No wonder Zero was temperamental. "But I don't believe you came here this early to talk about my eating habits, ne?"

Kagome silently nodded. It was true. There was a reason why she was there. She needed to speak with him. "True. I was actually going to ask permission to leave the school grounds this weekend."

Jumping to conclusions, the headmaster intervened into her explanation. "Ah! You want to find a dress for the dance, don't you? Don't worry, a lot of students have asked too. It is a special occasion after all. So, who are you going with?"

Kagome blinked. "Actually, I wasn't planning on getting a dress."

Kaien recognized the atmosphere and his own demeanour changed accordingly.

"My father was killed by a vampire five years ago." Kagome left out the fact that a pure-blood vampire was what killed him. Kaien knew not the notion of her situation, and she wasn't about to blab secrets her parents had worked so hard keeping. Besides, if she were to tell him, she wanted to chase a pure-blood vampire, he surely would not accept her request. "The information around the death is vague. He knew someone was after him. He left me with another family to keep me safe. However, he was finally found and killed."

Kaien's eyes soften at the girl. There was one thing that wasn't adding up though. Why would a vampire hunt her father? He would have to keep that information for later. "So you want to leave the school grounds to gather information. Finding the truth won't change the events which have already occurred."

Kagome nodded. She knew that the past could not be altered. That didn't mean she couldn't extract revenge though. "There's more though. I wish for you to write a letter to the Hunter's Association to allow me access to the records."

"Why me? If you are aware of the association, then you should be aware the information you want is off limits." Kaien intertwined his fingers as he regarded the smaller girl.

"I'm aware, but that is the best place to start. Besides, I believe they will listen to you. After all, you were their ace for quite some time. If I remember correctly, some even believe you to have more vampire blood than human blood. You are quite old, 'Vampire Without Fangs'. You are quite representable among them. Many have heard of your legend"

Kaien was quite surprised by her knowledge even if he wasn't content with everything he has done in the past. He closed his eyes and thought about this. There were risks if she went alone. Though he doubted she would just give up on her search if he were to decline. He opened his eyes to stare at Kagome once more. Determination dominated her eyes as it clearly showed her devotion.

"Alright but on one condition," the headmaster finally concurred.

Kaname stared down at his chess bored. Everything had been rearranged since Kagome's arrival.

It ire him that she continued to push him away. It hurt, even if he could tell that part of her wanted to remain with him. There was something that made her push him away. Something that she continues to hide from him. There was only one thing to do: discover what she is hiding and get her to return his affections.

Takuma was getting dragged around by an excited Maria. Despite it being day time, she insisted on being outside than in bed. Up ahead she saw Maria stop. It was about time. Maybe she would allow him to catch his breath.

"Ne. Ne. Takuma, who is that?" Maria pointed at a black hair, blue eyed girl from afar.

Takuma blinked. It was the girl that stood up to Aido. If he remembered correctly from the past few nights, she was also the new prefect. "Ano... her name... her name..." Then the name came to him. "Aha! Kagome Higurashi. She transferred here too little under a month ago. The headmaster also put her in the position of prefect.

"Hmm... Her blood..." Maria said gazing at Kagome's disappearing figure.

Takuma began to panic. Kaname made him responsible of Maria. He couldn't allow her to get into trouble. "Ah~ Maria, you can't drink her blood."

Maria stared up innocently at Takuma. It wasn't as if the though hadn't crossed her mind, but she had thought of more important things. Things the blond next to her couldn't begin to imagine. So instead she played along. "Okay, Ichijo."

Takuma sighed in relief. It seems all would be fine... for now.

**I'm sorry for the long wait, but be rest assured I just finished typing out the next few chapters so when I know a good amount of people read this chapter I will post the next.