DISCLAIMER: I own nothing but Kagome's fever. Yes, I have the fever.
Chapter three was pretty fun to write. It's mainly here to give more information on some of the characters. Don't worry, Inuyasha will be in the next chapter more, I promise. And as for the romance scenes— they won't come until a little later. Anyway, I'm really sorry it took so long to have it up! Enjoy!
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Chapter 2 - Introduction
Beau sighed. "You're right… Okay. Akira, Dai-chan. It's dinner time for you two. Take Takai out and eat. But… be careful, alright?"
The twins nodded and laughed, now standing side-by-side with their thumbs up and grins in place. "Got it. Come on Takai!" They called.
And off they went.
Beau sighed and looked down at Kagome. This would take awhile.
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Chapter 3 - Conversation
She was in a room. A brightly lit room. It was a nice room, with a large bay window overlooking the ocean and tall, white walls. The lush, beige carpet was soft under her bare feet.
She smiled.
CLICK
Off went the lights. Kagome looked around the room for the culprit, but saw nothing but the beautiful room; white walls and thick carpet.
She turned her attention to the window. It had gotten dark outside, the moon gazed down at her just as she gazed at it. It was clear now; no ominous clouds to ruin the pretty picture.
She gasped as she felt the ground under her shift. Kagome looked down—the carpet was no more; now it was concrete. She panted and looked up at the walls. No more white.
Dark walls surrounded her now.
The faint light from who knew where showed a thick liquid, dripping down. In panic, she reached for the window, only to find it was no longer there.
No.
Her room…her world, was gone. In the blink of an eye, her fantasy, the one she took advantage of, the one that was always there, even if she paid no attention to, was gone.
In its place was darkness. No fantasy anymore. Now, it was a ruin.
A nightmare.
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Beau started as Kagome shot up in bed, clutching the blankets for dear life. He sat at her side.
"Kagome, are you alright?"
"I-I'm-" She looked up. "Aaahh!"
Beau's comforting reply was muffled by a pillow.
Yep, this would definitely be tough.
He sighed. But he didn't blame her. He was a vampire, sure, but even he would feel wary and frightened around their kind. He smiled a reassuring smile and placed a hand on Kagome's shoulder. "It'll be alright, Miss Kagome."
Kagome, however, didn't feel very reassured at all. Her dream had reminded her where she was and where she wasn't. She wasn't in a safe haven at all, this was more of a prison. A prison of… vampires. And then waking up to a vampire's face…
"D-don't…" She shrank from his touch.
Hurt sparked in Beau's eyes for a moment, but he smiled nonetheless. "I'm sorry. You're probably not feeling very well. I'll go get you something to eat."
Guilt washed over her when she saw how her words had affected his usually bright and happy gaze.
Get it together, Kagome! Yeah, he's a vampire, but so what!? He still looks human. And what you did could hurt any decent person!
Kagome looked down at her lap. She supposed it was kind of rude of her to do that. After all, didn't he say he would be protecting her? And he did introduce her to his 'family'. Not to mention the nice bed and the food he was getting her.
She groaned. Good going, stupid.
Once again the bed tilted as someone sat next to her. She looked up and met two bright emerald eyes. "K-Kane…?"
He grinned. "So you remember me then?"
Kagome frowned. "Well…yeah."
Kane nodded in approval. "Hn, interesting." He looked as if he was mentally making a note of this, much like Nori always seemed to be doing—except Nori had the notebook, of course.
She cocked her head to the side. "What's interesting?"
"Well, I can't remember anything from when I was human. And neither can Daisuke, Akira, or Takai. So I thought maybe humans have really bad memories." He laughed. "But then again, Inuyasha, Jun, and Beau can remember. I'm not really sure about Nori and Sesshoumaru though…"
"Sesshoumaru?"
Kane nodded. "Yeah, Inuyasha's brother. He's one of those 'I'm too good for you' guys. Don't let him mess with your head."
"Oh…" Kagome smiled, thought somewhat hesitant. "Umm, about memories. Humans have okay memories… they can remember important things. And some can remember almost everything. Uh…" She furrowed her brows, in thought.
Kane noticed her pause. He leaned forward. "Something botherin' ya?"
Kagome blushed. "What… what about vampires? How're their memories?"
Kane blinked. "Uh, our memories?" He hadn't expected that.
I thought she was scared of us. Maybe Inuyasha didn't get through to her… I wasn't even in the conversation and I was scared. If I were her, I'd never even think the word…
"Yeah. You've lived longer than I have, I bet, so you probably remember a lot…"
She seems kind of eager to know. He mused. "I guess. I don't know. I can remember almost everything since I was turned."
"Turned?" she queried.
Kane nodded, intrigued by her interest. If she was afraid, she wouldn't be asking such questions. She would feel at all comfortable around him. But she seemed so…
He sighed.
Either she wasn't, or she was damn good at hiding her fear. But it must have been the second. He was almost sure of it.
"Yeah. Being changed from human to vampire. I don't remember who it was that turned me though. Or where. I just remember wakin' up and seein' Beau!" He laughed and leaned back, holding his legs to his chest. "Beau's been taking care of me since then. One hundred and fifty six years." He grinned proudly.
Kagome gaped at him. 156 years!? And I thought grandpa was old!
"You're o-one hundred and f-fifty six years old!?" She whispered frantically, looking him up or down.
Man, I'd love to know his secret…
Kane laughed outright. "You're lookin' at me like I've got six heads! And I'm not that young, that's only how long I've been a vampire. Add on seventeen more years."
Kagome stuttered. "Well that's not young, if you haven't noticed! You're….old!"
Kane smirked. "Psh, that's nothing. I'm still considered a kid to other vampires. Beau here is older than all of us!"
Kagome paled. "Do I want to know?"
He grinned and nudged her playfully. "I dunno, do ya?"
She took a deep breath. "Hit me."
Kane blinked. "Oh, right." He gave a chuckle then cleared his throat, sitting tall. "His years as a human and a vampire combined, make nine hundred an' twelve all together."
Kane was surprised yet again by Kagome's soft laughter. "Er…what?"
"Nothing." She smiled brightly. "Nothing at all."
Kane narrowed his eyes, getting embarrassed. Was she laughing at him? She didn't seem too phased by Beau's age either.
He looked really cute sitting like that. He reminded me of Souta.
She smiled at him one last time before moving away her covers. "I've gotta get up. I've been in this bed forever!" She giggled.
Kane raised an eyebrow. "You're in a good mood. Just a second ago, you hit poor Beau with your pillow."
Kagome laughed nervously. She was trying to forget that. And she really wanted to say sorry. They weren't so bad after all. Sure, she was still scared. God knew she was terrified. But she'd make the best of it and at least try to be friendly. Until she managed to find a way to escape, that is.
"Well, you helped."
"I… did?"
"Yeah. you're fun to talk to. It made me forget about my… bad dream." She'd have to avoid saying 'nightmare' if she wanted to be friends with them. Inuyasha had used that term and she was positive no one would forget.
Oh… that. He thought she meant he helped with hitting Beau. He smirked. He would've liked to do that. Beau deserved a good hit or two. He was too crazy. "Anytime."
Kagome threw her legs over the bed and grasped the edge with her hands. Her mother said her fever had been high, so she disallowed Kagome to stand on her own, thinking she would fall.
Mama always exaggerates, I'll be fine.
With that thought echoing through her mind, she pushed off and stood.
For a moment.
Kane was there, holding her up, in the blink of an eye.
Kagome panted, not noticing the tight grip she had around his neck. Okay… maybe she wasn't as strong as she thought she was. She sighed and ducked her head. But realizing someone was holding her, she lifted it again, then blushed. "K-Kane, I—"
He flashed her a smile and removed her arms from his neck, wrapping his own arm around her waist to keep her up. "S'okay. Looks like your gonna need me." Another happy laugh escaped him.
She smiled back, anxiety flooding her. Great. In the arms of a vampire. She swallowed heavily. "Th-thanks…" She murmured. His touch was cold. It lacked the usual warmth of body heat that most people, or should she say humans, had. Since they were vampires, practically living corpses, she suspected it was no wonder their bodies would be so cold.
"Kane! You know very well she isn't supposed to be standing! What are you thinking?"
Kane and Kagome turned to the darkly lit door.
Beau stood with a frown on his beautiful face and a tray in his pale hands.
Kagome yelped as she was dropped, but caught before hitting the floor.
"S-sorry Kagome." Kane smiled apologetically.
Kagome stared at him. He almost dropped me!
Beau stood before them in a quick moment. "Explain yourself, Kane."
Kagome pushed herself away, landing on the bed again. "I-it wasn't his fault, Beau! Honestly! Please don't be angry with him!"
Beau blinked, then smiled. "I'm not angry, Kagome. I'm merely wondering what possessed him to let a sick girl such as yourself stand after she has been in bed with a fever and no food or drink for two days."
Kagome's eyes widened. "Two days…" She whispered, the confusion overwhelming. Then it clicked. "Two days!? I've b-been here for two days!? What about my family!? A-and school, they've gotta think I've been—"
Beau gripped her shoulders gently, shaking her with as much force as he could without harming her. The coolness of his hands penetrated her clothing. "Calm down, Kagome. Everything is alright. Your mother has received a note and a phone call. Jun and Nori have already brought your things and spoken with your grandfather. Everything will be fine, trust me, please?"
Kagome panted. This is unbelievable. This was crazy! "W-well, I-I don't think mama would—"
"Trust a complete and total stranger? Yeah, that's what I told him." Kane smirked, catching on to Beau's little game. If it was to make Kagome relax and feel better about being here, he wouldn't mind the little white lie.
Beau showed no signs of relief at Kane's contribution. He just continued. "But Jun was kind to your mother and explained things to the best of his ability without worrying her too much. And he knew quite a bit about demons, so he chatted with your grandfather, winning him over as well."
Kane laughed. "Don't be surprised if when you come back, he suggests you marry the big lug."
Kagome blushed at the comment. Marry Jun? A vampire? She couldn't, that would be too... She mentally shook her head of her thoughts.
"I… I guess if it's alright with grandpa, and mama too, then…"
Beau's grin widened visibly as he squeezed her shoulders a final time in reassurance before letting go. "Excellent. I promise, everything will be alright, Kagome."
She sighed, nodding. May as well believe them… as if she even had a choice.
Kane plopped back down on the bed next to her.
Kagome sat and watched him stretch and lay his head on the pillow next to her. She felt her face heat up.
"So. I guess getting up is outta the question, Beau?"
Beau nodded. "Until she eats, rests, and gets better, she'll not be standing."
Kagome sputtered. But what if…
A voice called to her from the back of the room. "If you have business you need attending to, then just tell one of them. They'll happily bring you to the washroom."
Her face would have exploded at that moment. There's no point in talking if he'll just read my mind every few seconds!
"On the contrary, I may be able to read your mind, little human, but the others cannot. So please, continue with your blustering."
Kagome's eyes widened. Blustering!? "Hey, now you wait just a minute, you—"
Beau's nervous laugh stopped her. "Now, Kagome, please. Nori just hasn't warmed up to you yet."
Kane sat up, placing a cold hand on her shoulder. "He likes, you, really he does. It's just that, Nori's kinda…" He shrugged, as if not being able to find the right word. "Different."
Kagome raised an eyebrow. They were all different.
"Nori, you're not making things better." Beau looked him in the eyes. If Kagome was scared or uncomfortable, she wouldn't stay. And she had to stay.
Nori snorted. "So you want me to leave, then? Fine."
Beau sighed, running a hand through his pitch black hair. "There. Is that any better, Kagome?"
She felt a surge of guilt run through her. "Y-you didn't have to do that." Nori was living here now. He was a member of this family. Just because she was here, it didn't mean he should have to leave to make room for her.
Beau smiled gently. "It's perfectly find. It might give Nori some time to go out and grab a bite to eat."
Kagome paled at the way he phrased his words. Oh yeah, definitely vampire-esque.
"I'll be in the other room, Kagome. You eat. When you get tired, just tell Kane to leave." He chuckled. "Otherwise he'll be in here all night with you."
Kane grinned. "Hey, I'm good company."
Kagome smiled at the two of them. All of them were very comfortable around each other, and their conversations were always teasing and never awkward. It make her feel somewhat warm inside.
Strange.
Beau shook his head. "Believe what you may, Kane. But you're best company to those who cannot hear."
Kane's smile faltered and he glared halfheartedly at Beau. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"He means you're louder that Inuyasha even." Jun interjected, smiling his kind smile at the boy. His eyes moved to meet Kagome's, and they softened considerably.
She looked away immediately, now watching Kane's expression. He looked shocked. But in the blink of an eye, he was laughing. "Ah, you're just jealous." He waved his hand at Jun.
"Jealous? Of your uncanny resemblance to the screaming banshee?" Came a voice.
Kane turned to the door. There stood a smirking Akira and a shy Takai, holding a slumped over Daisuke by the arms.
Kagome gasped.
Beau's eyes went wide. "Dai-chan!"
No one missed the explicit worry and sadness in Beau's tone as he ran forth to see what was the matter. But Akira took hold of his brother, holding him in both arms, and dodged Beau, laughing with mirth.
Kagome watched, more confused than ever. What was going on? And why was Akira laughing if is brother was unconscious!?
Beau looked as if he was about to cry for a moment, but then frowned and stood tall. "Akira, come." He pointed in front of him.
Akira shook his head, still grinning like the crazy boy he was.
Beau's voice didn't match his lip movement as he tried again to get Akira to listen. Nothing came out.
Akira simply rolled his eyes and, shockingly enough to Kagome, threw the body of Daisuke to Beau, who easily caught him.
Beau gasped, however, not expecting Akira to do such a thing. After catching him, he was at the bed where Kagome lay in less than a split-second.
They're so fast!
Beau set Daisuke onto the bed, not noticing Kagome's blush when Daisuke's head hit her lap. With a gentle motion, he swept the hair from the boy's face.
Kagome briefly wondered if maybe Beau had a thing for him.
Suddenly, Beau's head snapped toward Akira, who stood with his arms crossed over his chest and leaning against an annoyed Jun.
"What happened." It came out as more of a demand than anything else.
Akira flicked his hand as though it were nothing, then returned it to it's place at his chest. "He fell asleep about three miles from here."
Beau's brows lowered, transforming the usually calm and happy gaze into a glare. "Akira."
He smiled. "No really. We found a…" He glanced at Kagome. "A place to eat, but there were too many people around. So we sat on the bench behind the trees and waited for a few minutes. And you know my brother when he falls asleep—Takai an' I couldn't wake him. We tried everything!" He threw his hands up into the air for emphasis. "But alas," Akira clasped his hands and set a dazed look on his face. "Dear Dai-chan sleeps like a rock." He grinned mockingly at Beau. "Tragic, isn't it? To think, you were worried for nothing."
Kagome bit back a giggle that threatened darkly to escape.
Beau blinked and tilted his head to the side. "So… Dai-chan's asleep?"
Akira nodded and went back to his previous position. Jun stepped to the side, however, knocking Akira off balance.
Beau's eyes held a mixture of relief and embarrassment. Perhaps for making such a big scene over nothing? "Kane, help me get him to his bed. Jun, bring some spare clothes. There's mud on his shirt."
Akira gave a nervous smile. "Yeah, we kinda dropped him when the thunder struck." He shot an accusing glance to Takai. "Someone got scared."
Takai blushed and looked at Kagome, then away again, following Jun and the others immediately.
Akira yawned and stretched out his arms.
Well, he was alone in the room with the human… May as well make friends.
He strode over to her and sat at the edge of the bed, shooting her a dazzling smile. He stuck out his hand. "Akira."
She nodded. She knew what his name was. Staring at his hand, she pondered on if she should shake it or not. Kagome let out a shaky sigh and grasped it, trying not to gasp at how astonishingly cold it was. "K-Kagome."
He chuckled. "Sooo… why are you so nervous 'round us?" Akira already knew the answer, but he thought teasing her would do no harm whatsoever.
Kagome sighed. Wasn't it obvious? They weren't… human.
"I'm waiting." He sang and nudged her arm.
She settled for as close to the truth as she could muster. "I don't know. I-I don't see any reason why I should be afraid, seeing as all you guys are really… nice, I guess. But I still feel—"
"Uneasy? Yep, that's a common feeling around us. Don't feel bad though, it's not like you're the only one." He laughed, though the laugh seemed hollow to Kagome.
She watched him fiddle with the blankets, an unsure smile on his face. Maybe I said something…?
"Hey, Kagome?"
She started at the sound of her name.
Definitely wasn't expecting that.
"Yeah?" She squeaked out meekly.
"Do you find us… scary?"
Kagome thought about it. They didn't seem harmful at all. They actually seemed like nice, ordinary people— aside from the ethereal beauty and shocking height. "I did… but it's getting harder to think that way the longer I stay here." She laughed, looked down at her lap. "It's weird. Any normal person would've had a heart attack by now! But me... maybe my fever's getting to me. I think it's making me go crazy." She sighed.
Akira nodded. "So, what you're saying is, if we happen to get a knock on the door and find that an asylum is looking for a Kagome, I should just pretend I don't know you?"
Kagome looked up at him, then smiled. "Exactly."
Akira let out a loud laugh. "Okay, okay. Now eat your mush. Who knows what Beau went through to make it for you." He winked.
Kagome giggled and looked down at the food. Her stomach twisted unpleasantly at the pink, fluffy substance. "Umm, Akira?"
"Hmm?"
"What is this?"
Akira laughed again. "Thought you'd never ask."
Maybe I shouldn't have asked…
He turned and crossed his legs, leaning forward. "See, Beau's not exactly the best cook on the planet, but he's big about nutrition and whatnot. So, the big guy gets edgy when we don't pick out the right… meals."
He didn't use 'people' or 'humans' or anything like that, but Kagome knew it's underlying definition.
Akira continued. "When we come home after eating, he goes to the kitchen and makes us this." He pointed to the bowl of mashed whatever on the tray in Kagome's lap. "It's a mix of everything. And I mean everything. Beau adds meat for protein, beets for blood, carrots for eyesight, tomatoes, fruits, milk, some wine too."
Kagome heard her stomach gurgle. And no, it wasn't hunger.
"Vampires don't really need to eat food like that, we get enough protein and stuff from our other food—"
Kagome cut him off. "It's okay, you can say it. I don't mind."
Akira blinked at her. "Oh. Right. Uh, we get enough food from the… the people we… feed on. But Beau's determined to make us stronger."
Kagome shifted to hide her nervousness at the 'feed on' comment. She concentrated on Beau's actions. "He cares about you guys a lot."
Akira snorted. "A lot is an understatement. Beau's been like a mother to us all." He laughed. "Especially to 'Dai-chan'."
Kagome raised an eyebrow. "Does, um, Beau… uh, what's his relationship with Daisuke?"
"Beau treats him like he's his son."
Oooooh… that explained a lot. "Well, what about you? You two are twins after all…"
He grinned proudly. "Yeah, but I'm tougher than my brother. He's self-conscious." He scoffed. "I don't see why he cares so much about what others think. But whatever."
Kagome smiled. So, that's how to tell the two apart. Akira, Kane, and Beau seemed like amazing people. She might get used to it here. If her mother said it was alright—no, if her grandfather said it was okay for her to stay, then she would.
"What about, umm, Inuyasha?" She found herself asking.
Akira looked surprised for the moment. "Well, Inuyasha—"
The door burst open, startling the two.
Kagome almost gasped. In the doorway stood a tall man with long, silver hair. His eyes were gold, just like Inuyasha's. But what made her really gasp, was what he was holding with his left arm.
Speak of the devil.
It was Inuyasha, and he was seething.
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Woohoo! Chapter three is done! Again, sorry for waiting so long. But hey, it's a three day weekend now, so maybe I'll update more often? Anyway, I'm glad you all liked the last few chapters, but nothing much has been going on lately. You'll like it better after we get some action in. Woo:P
I only picked a few reviews to reply to:
- iRiver - Nope, Kagome's still sick with the fever. It kinda plays a part in the story at first. She'll get better eventually, however. Promise. :)
- Priestess Ko-inu - You'll have to wait and see. ;) But as a hint, I'll tell you that a lot of people want something from Kagome. Now, to find out what exactly, you'll have to keep reading. Review again, please!
- inuyashalover93311 - So this is your first modern day story then? In that case, I'll have to try my best to make it amazing! lol. You know how bad it'd be if my story made you hate modern day fanfics…? OO
- sam727 - Thank you very much! Wow… magnificent, huh? Well, my ego's expanding. lol. And it won't be a sad ending. As far as I know, at least.
- Kurama'sFoxyMiko - Oh… you're right! lol. I hadn't even thought about that. I love Ouran. Hmm, that's interesting. Now that I think about it, Nori could be Kyouya, Akira and Daisuke could be Hikaru and Kaoru, Beau could be Tamaki, but… as for Jun, Takai, and Kane, I dunno. Maybe Mori and Hunny? But that still leaves one. Okay, lol, enough of this. Thank you for reviewing! Please review again!
And thank you very much to everyone else who reviewed as well!
- WaterAngel444
- Fantin4sun
- Moon-princess-power
- MikiHamanaka
- fire
- Cookie Tirone
- TimeArtist
Please review again!
Dragon