Chapter Six

Tradition says that if the eldest of a coven has made a claim, then the prize goes to the eldest. They are the strongest, the one born in power, and the one the rest of the coven respects. It was much like wolves obeying an alpha, I suppose. It's too bad our family has never been one for tradition. Perhaps we'll make sharing a new tradition. Following that man's example was never something I was fond of anyways. Unless it's that one trick.

-Laito Sakamaki

The miko wasn't quite sure what she expected, honestly. After Laito's suggestion, she thought she was going to be hunted even more. She expected to be assaulted and not given a moment's rest. What she was not expecting was to be left alone, nearly forgotten about.

Nearly a week had passed and none of them had approached her. If it wasn't for the constantly locked doors, essentially stranding her in the manor, and the heavy auras that haunted the manor, she would have thought she was alone.

So she spent her days by herself. Like it was her nature, she grew to change her habits to match those around her. It was simple thinking really. It was safer to sleep, while the vampires who didn't understand personal space, slept. It was wiser to be awake and ready to defend yourself, when the touchy vampires were awake. Simple. So, Kagome battled her natural instincts and became nocturnal.

This, unfortunately, meant she was often bored. She couldn't find a television, or a radio, and the supernatural locked doors kept her inside most of the time. She was also without her journals, which meant she couldn't write like she normally did. So, during the nights, she passed her time by cooking or wandering the labyrinth manor. Mamoru often kept her company, the two of them side by side like the old days.

Kagome might have considered it odd but she was just glad to be out of the vampires' sight for the moment. She had had a wild week, as her life was turned upside down once again. With the terror and confusion she had been experiencing, she had received little time to adjust to what, she thought, was going to be a nearly permanent arrangement.

Kagome didn't bother to keep track of the days. She rarely did anymore. Time passing meant nothing to her, it was just another setting sun or a falling moon.

On an unmarked day, Kagome was cooking when the vampires remembered they owned a new pet. She had just finished cooking the meat when they appeared, in various spots around the kitchen. Kagome yelped in surprise, not expecting them to just appear, especially after such a lengthy silence. Mamoru, was had been laying peacefully by her bare feet and warm stove, leaped up with a snarl. His black lips were pulled back to reveal jagged fangs and he savagely snapped at the air in a territorial display. The miko smirked at the sight, enjoying Mamoru's hostile attitude and the way the triplets froze, giving her and her companion plenty of space.

"He holds grudges," was all Kagome said before turning back to her food.

She didn't see them exchanges looks or when one of the triplets took a daring step forward. She could sense their auras increasing in strength again, attempting to crush, or coax, her own in submission. Her hands sparked instinctively as her own aura increased, meeting their unspoken challenge. Grudgingly their aura receded, their battle of wills starting and ending in a few brief seconds.

It was Ayato who took another step forward and decided to break the silence. "Reiji wants your presence."

Kagome hummed uncaringly as she served her food into a small bowl she had found a few days ago. "I'm sure Reiji can feel my presence quite well. After all, I can feel all six of you."

She was not a dog to be called upon whenever they desired. If Reiji wanted her presence, he should have gotten her himself instead of sending his brothers.

"Not as well as you could be," Laito murmured, more to himself than the group.

"Hentai," the word fell from her lips easily but it was the teasing tone that surprised her.

Since when was she taking any of this, as a joke? Her grip tightened around the cutting knife as she glared at her reflection. She refused to be this stupid. She had to get free, away from these predators.

She felt the air shift as one of them moved forward, again. Mamoru's bark was echoed by two hisses, but Kagome was quicker. She spun and threw the knife, her aim clean and precise. The shining metal just missed, Kanato's vampiric speed was the only thing to save him from having to pluck a knife from his chest. Kagome held her defensive stance, eyes darting cautiously from vampire to vampire.

"I love that look on you," Laito murmured sinfully. "Confused, anxious. It makes me hot."

"Enough!" Kanato turned to glare at his brothers. He was more upset by the perverted remark than Kagome throwing a knife at him, and barely missing."You can't have her."

Possessive vampires. They were arguing much like the ookami demons when there was a dispute. Bared fangs. Aggressive stance. Heavy auras. Yet, none have moved to attack one another. Ayato and Kanato, in particular, seem to be trying to assert themselves to the other.

It was a battle for dominance, rather than a fight to claim.

Kagome yelped as her feet was swept out from under her. She had been so preoccupied with analyzing the arguing pair, that she briefly forgotten there was a third. Her hands scrambled in an effort to regain her balance, finding proper grip by grabbing two handfuls of Laito's shirt. She was being held bridal-style, with one hand placed threateningly at the back of her neck, and the other hand resting against her ass.

Kagome, eyes still wide in surprise, looked up to a grin displaying too many teeth, and predatory glowing eyes. "Play nice, hato," the hand gripping her neck tightened fractionally, "or else."

The miko could feel her aura rushing, reacting strongly to the predator above her. Her skin took on a pink tint, and her blood warmed to an uncomfortable heat. "Laito, put me down."

Laito shook his head, already walking towards the kitchen doorway. "Reiji has some unusual punishments for those who fail his expectations, and I don't want to face that."

Kagome flexed her palm, sending a sharp sting into the vampire's chest. Laito's steps faltered, jostling her against his chest before he regained his footing. With her ear pressed against his silent chest, Kagome could hear Laito's breath hitch, and she thought he might have gotten the silent threat.

Except, instead of letting her go, Laito pulled her further back into his body and a breathy moan caressed her ear.

'If he's in pain, he's enjoying it.' A light blush was spreading across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose.

"We should explore your light show more," Laito groaned out.

'Defiantly not in pain.'

"Put me down," the miko squirmed lightly, but the vampire's grip was unyielding. Her blush only deepened when he held her tighter, forcing to to feel his arousal against her hip.

"Hato, are you enjoying this?" A teasing purr tinkled her ear.

"Laito, if you don't put me down, right now, I'm going to hurt you and I'm going to make sure you don't enjoy it."

For a second, Kagome thought her threat had worked and at least one vampire was taking her seriously. Her body tipped, putting her back on her feet, with a pair of hands gripping her hips, making sure she had her footing before letting go.

Before she could escape though, Laito reached over her shoulder and rapped his knuckles twice on the door they stood in front of. She squirmed, but supernatural strength kept her in place until the door open, and Reiji stood in front of them.

His sharp garnet gaze swept over the couple, his eyes lingering on Laito's grip on her hips, before dipping his head in dismissal.

"Thank you, Laito," Reiji's calm voice was strangely eerie.

A gloved hand grabbed onto her wrist, pulling her inside the room and shutting the door before she could defend herself. At the same time, Kagome yanked herself back, slamming her back into the door that had shut a second prior. Reiji followed her movement, slamming her bound wrist above her head, and trapping her against the door.

The miko froze, feeling every ridge and muscle pressing against her. For a creature that prided himself on poise and tradition, Kagome could feel a well defined body trapped beneath. A nose pressed against her ear, before trailing itself down the column of her neck. Her body trembled at the puff of warm air that brushed her ear, and Reiji pressed more firmly against her in response.

She could feel his aroused growl vibrating against her chest. "Quit your struggling," she could feel every word against her neck. "I only requested your presence for some tea."

A second later Reiji backed away, letting her sensitive body fall to a heap in front of his door.

"You may leave, however my brothers are awaiting your presence outside that door, and I am not responsible for their actions once you are out of my presence."

Indeed, the miko could feel three lurking auras outside. She was starting to be able to distinguish between the auras, so she knew the passive aggressive aura was Laito, the wildest aura was Kanato, and the largest, most attention demanding aura was Ayato. Like true predators, they were waiting for her to come back to them.

"It's just tea?" She questioned suspiciously.

"Tea, and your company." Reiji was already walking away, heading for a small, round table that was set up in the center of the room.

She sensed no hostility from the aristocrat vampire and could see no reason for an attack. He was not acting suspiciously, merely superior, but the young woman was starting to think that was his usual personality. So she cautiously edged forward, eyeing and cataloging her surroundings.

The room might have once been a bedroom, but was now transformed into a laboratory. A marble fireplace was set to burn a pile of logs, giving the room warmth. Shelves dominated the room, and even more wooden cabinets were displayed. Two walls were dominated by bookshelves, their shelves filled to the brim with tomes of all ages. A single purple chair was set in front of the bookshelves, yet still within reach of the fireplace's warm glow.

Along the back of the room, various plants and beakers were set up. Some chemicals were in liquid form, while others were already made into powder or pills. The bright deadly flowers revealed that some of the plants were poisonous, while others were harmless. It was an intriguing display, one that made her cautious upon sight.

Reiji, ever the gentleman, pulled out one of the decorated chairs by the tea table for her, letting her take her seat, before pushing the chair in. On the table before them, a single teapot and two teacups were set up. The miko eyed the display, and she didn't miss the the smirk the older vampire couldn't quite hide.

"Nothing here will harm you," he assured.

"Except you." Kagome was not surprised that the vampire did not deny her claim. In the short time that she knew Reiji, he had proven that he was not a liar.

She watched as he poured the tea in both cups, not wasting a drop. He then used a nearby spoon to stir both cups, the burgundy liquid swirling with the movement. After he was done, Reiji paused, waiting for her to pick up her cup.

"I won't drink first," she warned. She had too much experience to be fooled and she had learned long ago to never take the first sip.

"It will not harm you." Kagome only raised an eyebrow, which prompted the vampire to raise his cup to his lips. She waited until she saw his adam's apple bob twice, and the sound of slurping filled the air. It was clear that he had drank messily on purpose, displaying that he was truly drinking the tea, before bringing the cup back down and letting it rest on the table.

'It is not always the liquid, miko. Never trust your host.' Deep, haunting words echoed from the dark shadows of her memory.

She lifted her own cup, but did not drink from it. She leaned over, ignoring how his eyes flickered down to her chest, before dumping some of her own tea into Reiji's cup. Not all of it, choosing to evenly split it between the two cups.

"Together," she commanded, leaving no room for argument.

It was only then that she let the cup touch her lips, matching the movement of the vampire across of it. She nearly purred at the strong taste. Kagome did not know many teas, but this one was divine. It was dark, smooth, and strong, sliding over her tongue and down her throat with ease.

Across from her, Reiji copied her sips.

"It is delicious," Kagome spoke without thinking.

"Indeed. A specialty brand that I created myself." The sound of his voice was sudden hypnotizing, catching all of her attention and thoughts.

She could feel the effect of the tea nearly instantly. Warmth spread from her tongue through her body, reaching the farthest tips of her fingers and toes. Her muscles relaxed, letting her body slump comfortably into the plush chair behind her. Finally, her mind was muddled, racing with too many thoughts to focus on.

"You drugged me," she accused, though she was not surprise.

"You drugged me," was his response.

'So it was in my cup, not the tea.'

"How harmful is it?" A part of her knew she should be more concerned, but her mind couldn't focus on such an emotion.

"It is harmless. A simple truth serum to help you relax." His gloved hand was idly tracing the rim of his cup. Around. Around. And around.

'A truth serum?' That was a tame idea when compared to the many poisonous plants behind them. She had expected the vampires to have grown tired of her attacks, thus choosing to euthanize her like the unruly pet they considered her to be. But a truth serum? "How powerful is it?" She didn't realize her voice spoke her thought.

"How do you wield reiki offensively?"

She didn't want to answer. She wanted the jewel to purify her of this serum, but her tongue was already moving, prompt to attention like a well-trained solider. "My reiki is controlled by my emotions and the Shikon no Tama. I can wield basic attacks on my own but the larger attacks, and the healing, are controlled by the jewel."

Why had she answered that? She didn't want to speak! She simply thought the answer, and her tongue spoke it. She was too relaxed, speaking without thinking about her words.

Reiji looked proud, and intrigued by her answer. Her finger had paused its tracing, but his eyes were now tracing over her. No doubt taking in her words and weighing them. Kagome was memorized by the look of concentration on his face, so she quickly noticed when his mouth opened again.

"No," she squeaked out. "Quid pro quo. You're affected by the tea too, and if I'm going to talk, so will you." She knew he was going to protest the idea, the downturn of his lips revealed that, so she quickly blurted out, "Can you eat garlic?"

There was a pause, a very tense pause, before Reiji answered. "The rumors of mortals never cease to amaze me. We can enjoy a variety of food, though mortal substance will not sustain us and flavor fades if we do not have blood within our bodies. Personally, I enjoy the taste of garlic when paired with a good pasta but Subaru avoids it."

"And sunlight? Crosses?" Kagome was quick to add a new question. She had to keep the vampire talking, until the tea went through her system or the jewel healed her. As long as Reiji was talking, there was less chance that she would be forced to answer questions. The idea of the advance predators knowing more about her made her shiver. If she was going to survive, she needed secrets.

"Vampires are nocturnal by nature, an instinct that dates back to our creation, though this instinct is no longer needed, we can only ignore it in dire need. Sunlight does not burn us, but our eyes and skin are naturally sensitive to the light.

"Crosses are mere shapes. It was priest and mortal men who created the rumor in a false hope of giving security to mortals. It does nothing to us. In fact, our last bride was fond of crosses and we were often taking it from her as punishment."

She was trying to find a weakness to exploit, but so far, all she was doing was defacing rumors that she yet to place hope in. "Do you have a weakness?" She blurted out gracelessly.

Reiji's grip around his teacup tightened, shattering the small glassware and sending shards flying. He was glaring at his clenched hand, his body tensed and still. "If you do not follow our agreement, I will punish you." Narrowed red orbs dared her to define him, and a shiver raced down her spine. Fear? Arousal? Defiance? She chose to not question it in her current state. "As a species, we have a few weaknesses."

He was adapting fast. He was answering her questions, but now giving unsatisfactory answers. His moment of weakness was passing as he adapted, but the miko was learning at the same time as he.

"When did you gain possession of this jewel?"

Now that was a tough question. When did she come into possession of the jewel? She had it for a long time now, as far back as her faulty memory can recall. Was there a time when she didn't have the Shikon no Tama?

"I . . . don't remember. I wasn't in charge of creating the journals." Kagome was quick to try and gain the advantage again. "Ex-"

"If the next words you speak are not an explanation of your previous sentence, then you will not speak. I still have two questions before we are even.

"What is your weakness, little miko?"

Nothing. She had no weakness. She had endless power at our command, when the jewel chose to obey her. She had an intelligent companion by her side. She could not die, no matter how her execution was carried out. The only obvious gap in her power, was her spotty, limited memory. Her mortal brain, which was not capable of storing more than one lifetime of memory.

"I don't remember." She didn't. She didn't remember a lot of things. She didn't know her birthday. She didn't remember the names of her original companions. She didn't even remember all the places she had been. That was what the journals were for.

Her answers was insignificant, she could tell by how Reiji was now leaning forward, like a wolf about to pounce. He was quick tempered, and she had finally snapped his patience.

"Do you find humor in undermining my commands? How do we not frighten you, mortal?" He leaped to his feet, his gloved palms slamming down on the table and rattling the nearby dishes.

She couldn't help it. A taunting smirk pulled on her lips and she fluttered her eyelashes innocently. Her mind was finding the situation funny, and another part of her was enjoying the sight of his dominating nature. It seemed the serum made her too relaxed, destroying her self-preservation instincts. "Is that your final question?"

He moved quickly. One second, Kagome was sitting at the table, and the next, she was pinned to the bookshelves behind her. Both of her wrists were bound in one of his, and pinned above her head. His larger, longer legs, were pressed on either side of her own. He used his own body to press against her, pinning her in place. Behind her, she could feel multiple shelves digging her her back, shoulder and legs. His free hand was resting on her hip, pulling her lower body against his.

A trace of desire raced through her, despite her trying desperately to ignore it.

She felt drunk. Her mind was fuzzy, her thoughts slowed, and the thoughts that did get completed, were full of intoxicated truth. Her instincts, which had once been sharp, were dulled.

'This is why he wouldn't let me drink sake.' Who? She didn't know, and right now, she didn't care to search for the memory of a name, long gone.

She leaned forward, brushing her lips purposely against the shell of Reiji's ear. Feminine pride filled her when she felt the vampire stiffened, and his grip tightened on her. "You don't scare me, vampire. There's nothing you can do, that I haven't experienced."

Pain. Agony. Submission. Happiness. There was nothing they could do, that she hadn't explored or experienced in her long life.

"You should not lie," fangs clipped together next to her ear, causing her to jolt in surprise.

A breathy gasp escaped her as she brushed against something hard, and defiantly male.

"I miscalculated the amount of maca to put in," Reiji's lips brushed her ear with each word. Their bodies were moving as one, pushing and pulling against each other. Kagome was horrified to feel her body moving an ancient dance she had never participated in. Each roll of her hips pressed her against him, which only excited the vampire more.

"You used an aphrodisiac on me?" Her voice was more breathy than she would have liked.

"A side effect I thought I could control. I used maca to reduce any anxiety you might have felt in my presence."

Warmth was traveling through her body, warming her blood and pooling behind her naval. It was not the first time she was aroused but the incredible feeling never ceased to amaze her. It was like a talon was tightening in her body, clenching tight and relaxing with each movement Reiji made.

"Let me down," she breathed out.

"Answer my questions."

Why wasn't the jewel cleansing her body? The marble size ball was silent, ignoring its host and her body. Was Laito right and seduction was the way to deceive her powerful guardian?

"Put me down, and we can talk." She wanted to be free before her confused, lustful body prompted her to do something stupid.

"I don't want to talk." Kami, was he pushing closer against her? "I want honest answers."

Fuck, she was still moving against him. Each push against her filled her with more warmth, enticing her to do it again.

"One answer."

"Three," was his immediate reply.

"Two."

A gloved hand trailed along her side, traveling over her soft hips, past her breasts, slowly over her shoulders, before coming to wrap around her throat. The grip was not deadly, his glove flushed against her throat without harming her. It was demanding, dominating, without being crushing. She blamed the maca for the fact that the touch seemed to excited her more than terrify her.

"This is not a negotiation, miko," she felt the growl vibrating in his chest, and his fingers tightened slightly.

"Three." She would agree to anything to put some distance between them. The feelings he, or the aphrodisiac, was awakening was terrifying her. She had yet to explore lust this heavily, and she didn't trust her body anymore.

He released her without warning. Her jelly-like legs could not support her weight so suddenly and she collapsed. She braced herself on her palms, her legs folding beneath her, while the too-large pants she had stolen were gaping and revealing her underwear.

What a sight she must have made.

"Tell me how a miko lives to this day." Blood red eyes glared down at her, towering over her fallen form. "Make the answer satisfactory."

"It's simple, I outlived the time when we were plentiful. That's all I can tell you. It's all I remember." She remembered endless days. She had seen the world change. She had left her fellow mikos and priest, die off one by one. Only she remained. Only she outlived her needfulness.

"These journals you keep referring to, what is contained in them?"

"Everything."

There was a tense silence as the two supernatural beings stared at each other. She was waiting for his third question, and he was watching her carefully. The fire crackled nearby, its warmth timid when compared to the blaze that was still in her gut. It was her experience that the supernatural was always good looking. It was a lure for the mortals who were unaware of their dangerous presence.

Reiji was no exception. He stood with a perfect posture. His suit was custom made, displaying every curve of his body. The air around him reeked with superiority and his face was carved from stone like a piece of art. Perfect nose. Bright, dazzling eyes. She was immortal, but she was not immune to the allure the predators around her gave off.

"What's your third question?" she finally asked when the silence stretched too far.

"I will be saving that question for a later date," Reiji turned his back and strolled back to the table they had previously been seated at.

"That's not fair," she protested loudly. She didn't want someone to have something over her head. Who knows what Reiji may research or find out? It was better to get him to talk now, before he could formulate a more revealing question.

"That is my decision." He had gathered the teapot and cups, including the one he shattered, and was placing them aside, cleaning up the table. "You should go to your room, and sleep off the aphrodisiac."

"That's it?" She was free? He was not going to harass her anymore or take advantage of the drug still in her blood? It was . . . different than what she expected.

"The aphrodisiac was the a side effect, one that I was unable to control. I will not take advantage of a flaw in my serum." He turned to face her once more, and she was enchanted by the self-assured smirk pulling on his lips. "A lady, no matter how uncultured, will come to me on her own free will."

. ~: . V . :~ .

Kagome had a feeling that Reiji had spoken with the brothers not long after her exit from the laboratory, because they weren't waiting for her when she came out. As she stumbled her way back to her room, on unsteady legs, none of them tracked her down or waited for her in the room. It was hard to believe that they did this on their own free will, since she knew she reeked of lust and intoxicating scents as the maca was still wrecking havoc on her emotions.

She managed to get herself back into bed, and then fell unconscious, letting her body naturally cleanse itself.

It was barking, and nails scrapping against hardwood, that woke her up the next night. She knew that sound, it had haunted her since Mamoru had been a pup. So she naturally rolled onto her side, and curling into the fetal position, just in time to be pounced on.

As quickly as the weight was thrown on her, it was gone. Playful yips filled the air and beneath that, Kagome could hear Mamoru scrambling around her room. She peeked open one eye, and was unsurprised to see a red streak racing around her small dwelling.

"What the hell are you doing?" She demanded loudly, yet her canine ignore her for his prey.

With a loud yip, he lunged upwards. Powerful jaws snapped closed, catching something large and brown between his teeth. His front paws heavy slammed down, and he raised his head to proudly display his catch.

"Is that a bat?" It was defiantly a large mammal between his teeth, its leathery wings flapping fruitlessly against his lips. "That's so stereotypical." A vampire lair filled with bats. A suddenly wicked idea entered her mind. "That wouldn't be one of the Sakamaki brothers, would it?"

Mamoru huffed, rolling his golden eyes. 'I'll take that as a no.' "Worth a shot."

As suddenly as he arrived, Mamoru turned around and trotted off with his prize. "Wait, Mamoru." Reiji would literally kill him if Mamoru left the bat to rot in whatever lair he had created. With the uncivilized lifestyle the pair had been living in for the past two decades, Mamoru would have no issues with leaving a body to rot, preferably in a dark corner only he could find later. The mix-blooded canine ignored her, leaving Kagome to scramble after him. "Mamoru!"

Once Mamoru realized he was being chased, the mischievous dog considered it a new game. Steadily his long legs increased their pace, causing the miko behind him to start jogging to keep up. Teasingly he tossed his head back, throwing the carcass into the air, before snapping it up again and sprinting around the corner. She was no longer trying to take the dead bat away, but playing with her friend like two young pups.

Soon, miko and canine, were racing through the manor. Down hallways, down stairs, through rooms, and finally out the kitchen's backdoor to the grounds stretching behind the home. Feeling grass beneath her bare toes, the cool dew of the midnight night kissing her bare soles, Kagome felt confident enough to leap forward, her arms outstretched, so she could tackle the canine.

They fell in a tangled heap, Mamoru's mouth flying open in surprise as she hit the floor. Miko and canine tussled back and forth playfully. She pulled on his round ears, so he stomped on her soft stomach. She nipped at his paws, so his teeth clipped together just a hair above her nose.

Somehow, Mamoru ended up pinning Kagome to the grassy floor. His two front paws were placed on her shoulders, and his back legs flanked her hips. His short muzzle was nuzzled into the hollow of her throat, the wet touch of teeth pressed against her vulnerable neck.

The simple huff against her throat was his winning declaration. 'Yield.'

"I relent," she was laughing as she pushed the canine's muzzle away from her throat, and the larger dog let her.

"You give in too easily."

"You don't have the right to tell me that." The miko glared at at the blonde vampire, who had draped himself against the stone steps behind them. "You rarely do anything from what I've seen."

"Oh?" His passive tone was mocking, she just knew it. "Would you gather I join the hoards trying to bite you?" Blue eyes lazily trailed up her body, before locking on throat. "Your neck is begging to be bitten."

Mamoru's low growl accompanied the pink sparks that flitted across her fingertips. "Try it," was her simple challenge. Mamoru took a protective step in front of her, angling his body so it spread out as much as possible in front of Kagome, while staring at Shu.

Shu's gaze moved from Kagome to Mamoru. "He is an odd breed."

'That's a strange change of topic.' "Mamoru's a mutt," Kagome murmured fondly. Mamoru's round ears perked up, knowing he was the topic of conversation now.

"He's an impossibility."

"His ancestors were ookami demons. Nothing is an impossibility. Demons have adaptive natures and bloodlines."

"As do vampires. But even we can only adapt our bloodlines so much." Shu brought his knee up to his chest so he could rest his forearm on it. He pointed to Mamoru's face, causing the dog to snap at the air in warning. "African Wild Dog," Kagome assumed he was pointing at Mamoru's round ears. "Red Maned Wolf," his finger dipped low to Mamoru's abnormally long legs. "Coyote," now he was pointing to the bushy, short tail. "His face reminds me of a grey wolf, but it's wrong."

". . . You know your canines." Mamoru puffed out his chest, obviously prideful of his heritage. "I'm sure Mamoru has some grey wolf in his blood, somewhere. I think you're referring to the hokkaido bloodlines though. Mamoru may be the last canine in the world with hokkaido in him."

Shu didn't appear to be paying attention. Instead, he pursed his lips together and a sharp whistle cut through the air. Mamoru did not moved towards him, choosing to stand his ground in front of his mistress.

"He is quite disloyal too. He was my companion until this morning."

Morning? What significant event had happened this morning? Perhaps it was Reiji's tea the night before and the actions that followed it that changed the balance.

"Mamoru is intelligent but all ookami yokais will follow their instincts foremost." Kagome's hands dipped down to fondly rub his round ears. "Wolves need an alpha to follow, and until recently, that was me. The appearance of your family has upset the balance though. His instincts are confused."

"So are ours."

'That was an interesting thing to say.' "What do you mean?"

"You, woman."

'It was like pulling teeth! Shu's lazy responses are giving me little information, if any.' "I'm upsetting your instincts?"

"So noisy."

"I'll quiet down if you'll answer my question," she purposely pitched her voice so it would be annoying. Even Mamoru's ears flew back and a whine escaped his throat in protest.

"Vampires have adaptive instincts, which is why we have survived for so long. Subaru's mother kept journals about this. Go bother him."

'Adaptive?' "Shu," she whined, watching in glee as the vampire flinch from the sharp sound.

"There's nothing to explain, you ignorant woman. Vampires adapt to their surroundings in a way that will help them survive."

"So, say for survival, you had to mimic spotted hyenas, can you?"

"We can hunt in packs if that is what you are asking."

"Orcas? Meerkats? Elephants?"

"We can not grow gills but we can withstand being underwater for long periods of time." His eye dulled and his fingers twitched, the only reaction he gave to that question. "We do naturally have dominating personalities but our noses will not grow. If a coven is established, we have been known to raise our offsprings together, similar to meerkats. My brothers and I grew up together, despite having different mothers." He bowed his head, letting some of the blonde curls fall into his face. Despite that, blue eyes was locked on her, freezing her in place with his heavy gaze. "Are you satisfied with the answers you were seeking, today?"

"I've learn more than I thought I would," she admitted quietly.

"Then silence yourself. You ruined the game." He snapped his fingers, and the forgotten bat carcass that was left in the grass, disappeared in a puff of murky purple smoke.

Instantly Mamoru's focus was on Shu. His tufted tail was wagging hesitantly, watching the vampire intently. As Kagome watch, Shu's moved his hand so his palm was facing up, and dark energy, similar to her own reiki, glowed in his palm. From the energy, a small ball of fur grew, before stretching its leathery wings. Blue eyes, the same as its summoner's, looked around before it took to the sky.

Against her leg, Kagome could feel Mamoru tensing. His muscles locked, and his eyes gleefully watched the confused mammal. He refused the move though, unwilling to leave his mistress without a guard.

The bat gave a small noise and flew closer to the canine. His wings playfully tapped Mamoru's nose, teasing his instincts, before darting away. Shu's creation was trying to get Mamoru to play, and Kagome could not sense any ill intentions, from the bat or Shu. So the miko nudged the canine, sending him forward a step.

"Go on." Given permission, Mamoru barked and took off after the bat, chasing it around the grounds.

Alone, but not wanting to go inside, Kagome decided to sit on the grass. She watched Mamoru chase the creature, playfully dodging around various flowers and up and down the stone steps. Shu was quiet, his eyes only for the red canine.

'Their greatest strength can be their greatest weaknesses. To adapt, is to survive. To if I prove that if they are submissive, they will survive without harm. There might be a way for all of us to exist together.'

'It's not like I have any other long-lived creatures to be around, and I'm tired of being alone.'

. ~: . V . :~ .

Subaru never thought he would be back to this location. The dark, house unnerved him. It was too much like that forbidden tower. He could feel three heartbeats inside, and the musky smell of tears and misery. His hands clenched into fists as violent tendencies raged through him.

Reiji's face and voice echoed through his mind, ordering him around like a dog. "Bastard."

Subaru didn't bother asking why he didn't send one of the other brothers. Shu would be too lazy to come. Laito would probably molest the only female in the house, while Ayato would be looking for a fight. Kanato, well Kanato was too much of a wild card and would murder the whole household.

He moved silently through the house, like a shadow running from the moonlight. He followed the weakening scent of the miko, finding himself back in the overly pink room from before. Her scent still lingered in the sheets, and the scent of mourning was stronger in here.

He moved to the bookshelves that were ignored before. He immediately knew what he was searching for. On the middle shelf, was an assortment of hand bound leather journals. Eight in total, each one reeking of paper and ink. So these are what occupied Reiji's mind recently.

He grabbed the second book and flipped it to a random page. His eyes scanned the hand written entries. The words were written in an older tongue than was common, and the yellow pages crinkled as he turned them.

Each one was a documentary of their miko's journal. Each entry revealed more about the strange woman they had claimed. Thousands of pages, each containing information about their immortal miko and the lives she had lived.

Subaru snapped the journal closed and grabbed the rest. Reiji had demanded them all and Subaru would give them all to him. Besides, if the journals were stored in their manor, Subaru could read them later, as his pleasure.

The sound of feet padding down the hallway went unnoticed, until the bedroom door creaked open. Subaru would not admit that he was startled, but he did turn to glare at the intruder, ready to kill whoever had snuck up on the advanced predator.

A young boy stood in the doorway. He was thin, and only came up to the middle of Subaru's chest. It was impossible to tell his age, as vampire children aged differently than human offsprings, but Subaru guessed he was a little over his first decade. Familiar black hair, the same, wide eyes, and a similar aura greeted him. This, was the young sibling Subaru had glimpsed before, comforting their miko after a nightmare.

The boy didn't seem surprised to see a man in his sister's room. His hand rested on the door's edge, while his other hand nervously fiddled with his pajama shirt. He was analyzing Subaru, and the youngest vampire could feel the weakest trace of holy power fruitlessly attempting to assess his aura.

"Is she safe?" Was the only question he asked.

Was Kagome safe? She was not at first, but all the vampires could feel a strange shift in the air as her presence started to dominate the area they were in. She was not safe from harm, but something deep in Subaru's soul, told him that she would not be killed. "She is safe."

"She's not coming back, is she?"

"No." The Sakamaki brothers would not let her come back. The miko belonged to them now, and they were having difficulties between themselves. There was no need to add a fragile, mortal family to that.

"I always knew she would leave sooner or later. It destroyed her to lose us the first time, and then her friends in the past. It would have broken her to watch us age and die, losing us all over again. I just wish she would have said good-bye first."

Subaru stayed quiet, unwilling to tell the younger siblings that she was kidnapped while she slept. That the man this boy was speaking to, had a hand in taking his sister from him.

"Just do me a favor?" The boy didn't pause for an answer. "Write an entry about us in the journals. I don't want her to forget us."

"I . . . can do that." It was the least Subaru could promise. For the boy, he was losing his sister. For Kagome, she might not even remember them in a few centuries.

"Thank you."

Only the quiet breeze answered back in its soft voice, the only witness to the promised exchange between the youngest brothers.

. ~: . V . :~ .

Days passed. The prey and predators fell into an odd routine. Kagome slept alone, and spent her days alone. Sometimes, when she was cooking, she would have a visitor or two. Usually, one of the brothers would join her, eating with her before annoying her for a few hours. Mamoru, if he wasn't playing with one Shu's familiars, would chase them away after some time. When she went to bed, she could feel the auras of the brothers lurking nearby, on guard and tense. Since that first night though, she had yet to re-experience any nightmares.

It was during one of these routine days, that the vampires decided to switch how their attention, and desires, were displayed.

Laito was standing in the kitchen, being kept a good distance away by Mamoru's piercing gaze. Ayato had managed to sneak a little closer, but he too did not attempt to pass Mamoru to get to her. She could feel their auras fluctuating, but she did not feel like they were attempting to dominate or challenge her. Instead, she could feel their focus on Mamoru, as they tried to assert themselves as alphas to the mutt.

'They eavesdropped on my conversation with Shu.'

Mamoru was not being fooled. Instead, he seemed to be taunting the boys by moving forward a step, as if accepting their dominance, before snapping playfully at them and moving back. As a reward, Kagome 'accidentally' dropped some meat on the floor for him.

"Hato?"

Kagome paused, watching the meat sizzle in the pan. "Which bird are you referring too?" She had been meaning to ask for several days now and she only got the chance now.

"Does it matter?"

Does it? Ayato referred to himself as Yours Truly, Reiji called Shu some insulting name in another language, and Kanato talked to himself at times. Odd habits and insulting nicknames seemed to be normal in this coven. Laito was either calling her dove or pigeon, and frankly, Kagome would like to believe he was complimenting her and it means dove.

"I guess not."

"Hato, would you like to try something fun?" She did not like that perverse tone.

"No."

Laito dared to take a step forward, forcing a snarl from Mamoru. "I wasn't really asking," that dark, threatening tone was back.

Out of habit, Kagome felt her reiki travel her body, filling the air with tension. Instead of forcing the vampire back or make him apprehensive, Laito got excited, an even wider grin appearing as he eyed the sparks along her fingertips. Ayato had fallen quiet, seemingly confused, as he gazed back and forth between his excited brother and the miko.

This game of cat and mouse was quickly growing old. Kagome was tempted to just strike out, clearing the room of the darker creatures, when Laito put his hands up in a universal sign of surrender. The actions was enough to make Kagome pause, unsure of what his motives were.

"I'll only touch you with one finger," Laito tried to negotiate. An eyebrow went up and Kagome shook her head. She was a virgin but she wasn't clueless. A lot of touching, and damage, can happen with one finger. "One finger, on your palm," Laito quickly modified.

Instincts are never forgotten. Even in humans, they are there, under the surface. For a mortal who had been taught by a various amounts of yokais, the instincts were even stronger. There was a tingle on the back of her neck, a telling that whatever was going to happen, was a bad idea. However, her gut wasn't in knots, so there was no murderous intention surrounding her. Still, she knew it was a bad idea.

Kagome never did like to listen to her instincts though.

"You have to stay an arm-length away," she warned.

Laito stretched his arm out as far as it would, dangerously reaching over Mamoru, who now had his ears flat against his skull as he glared at the limb.

'Too easy. Too easy.' The warning voice in her head was going off, but Kagome felt confident. She was -mostly- out of grabbing range. With the counter behind her, and Mamoru in front of her, no one could sneak up on her. Fangs would be kept firmly away from her. The only trouble she could foresee, is if Laito made a grab at her wrist, but she knew Mamoru would not hesitate to tear off his arm if so.

So she shuffled a step forward and extended her hand, with her palm facing Laito. One shuffle forward and his forefinger was firmly pressed against the center of her palm, using enough pressure that she could feel a slight indentation.

Nothing happened.

What little she could feel of his skin was warm. His nail was a little long but it wasn't sharp. His fingertip was callused, as if he had a working job. There seemed to be absolutely nothing unique about Laito's touch. Nothing.

She looked up at the vampire in confusion. Laito's eyes were on her hand though, his harlequin green eyes narrowed in concentration. Kagome felt the change. The air felt colder, and the familiar aura she was growing use to, grew darker. She glanced down to where they were joined, ready to pull apart, but Laito had yet to move.

She felt the first lash of dark energy. It stung like a whip, attacking her quickly before retreating. In response, the jewel inside Kagome lashed back. Unlike Laito's attack, Kagome's reiki was visible, as small pink strands, and they could see her fighting back.

Ayato took a concerned step forward, but Kagome and Laito were too focused to notice. The next attack from Laito was softer, not quite as violent as before. More like a bee sting, than a lashing. Kagome didn't feel threatened anymore, and she tried to suppress her reiki, but the jewel still attacked back, though it was softer this time.

The furrow between Laito's eyes deepened and one last swell of energy came forward. Instead of a sting or a lash, it was like an oppressive cloud slowing cloaking its way over her arm, starting at her palm. The response was instantaneous as the Shikon no Tama mimicked the attack. Pushing the dark aura back. At first, Laito let her, and then his own will increased.

The two opposing energies met in the center. Neither one was using more energy than the other, and two were in a constant pull and push motion, all of it center on their hands, where their bodies touched.

A shiver raced down Kagome's spine. Push. Her own energy was warm, like the sunrise. Pull. Laito's energy was heavy, like a mist at night. Push. She felt a rush of power as her energy attempted to overpower Laito's aura. Pull. She felt a splash of submission as Laito's energy met her increase with its own, keeping them in balance.

Push and pull. The combination was heady, and slightly hypnotizing. Pull and push. A perfect combination of good and evil, light and dark. Both filled with their own powers, equal right now, but with the potential to overpower.

A small needy whimper escaped the miko has her body clenched, reacting to the display.

. ~: . V . :~ .

Whatever his brother was doing to the miko was intoxicating. Her scent had grown stronger, and sweeter. Her reiki nipped at the air, giving a teasing challenge that Ayato wanted to answer. It was mouth watering on its own but the power struggle between the two auras, as different as day and night, along with the sharp tang on Laito's arousal had him shivering. His tongue swiped across a fang as he imagined her taste.

The gap between Laito and Kagome shrunk as he watched, his brother daring to take a step forward. Both of them were so focused on the exchange of power though that they didn't realize it. Her hand had fallen close, wrapping itself around Laito's finger.

His brother took another step forward, this one echoed by the ragged mutt's snarl.

For a moment, Ayato debated letting the mongrel attack his triplet. It would serve him right. Laito was not paying attention, like a predator should be, and he was touching what didn't belong to him. However, if the dog bit his brother, the weird connection between them would break and instead of being a delicious, shivering target in front of him, Kagome's temper would spike and she would try to attack them.

Again.

"You're lucky to be protected by Yours Truly," Ayato grumbled under his breath.

His hand snaked out, grabbing a harsh handful of the dog's scruff. The mutt wiggled, snapping his jaws together as he tried to free himself but Ayato determinedly dragged him away, removing the last barrier between the two supernatural beings.

He managed to drag the snarling beast to the kitchen doorway. The large bulk of fur was fighting, his nails scrapping across the floor, saliva flying in all directions as he tried to free himself. Ayato reached out with his free hand to push the door open, when the limb came too close to Mamoru.

The canine hybrid managed to latched his teeth into Ayato's palm. The vampire could feel hot breath, a moist muscle, and sharp pain. A combination that he normally wouldn't object too, if not for the fact that Mamoru's teeth was leaving a dull fire, like weak poison, in the wake of his bite.

His leg swung out, harshly connecting with the mutt's ribs, and sending him soaring into the nearby dining room. His body made a dull thud as it connected with the wall, and before he could recover, Ayato slammed the kitchen door shut and locked it. Another dull thud echoed from the other side of the door as the mutt slammed its weight into it, again and again.

When he turned away, the two had grown closer. They were chest to chest, their hands now fully entwined, and trapped between their bodies. The scent had grown stronger, a heady mixture that lingered in his very lungs. Ayato took a deep breath, letting the scent frolic in his nostrils. He was drunk, drugged, and aroused, and from the glazed look into Laito's eyes, his triplet was under the same spell.

He moved without thought. He joined his brother's side, and together, they managed to push the miko against the fridge. Ayato's nose found itself buried into the left side of her neck, while Laito mimicked the action on the other side. Her free hand reached up to Ayato's chest, her bare finger tips pressing against the exposed skin of his chest that his loose shirt revealed.

She pushed spiritually. There was no hostility though, merely a teasing pinch. Ayato's chest rumbled at the touch, and he spiked his own aura. Not to conquer, not to submit, but to match her equally.

It was worth it when a throaty moan escaped her lush lips.

Ayato scrapped his teeth against her neck, a reward for her beautiful cries.

Her whole body jerked forward, moving sensually against him. A reward of his own. One that, judging from Laito's sharp thrust forward, he was enjoying too.

The air was getting thicker. They could all hear her heartbeat, racing with excitement and her legs were tensing repeatedly, torn between kicking out and pulling them closer. Whimpers were escaping her now, wordless cries, or helpless whimpers, it no longer matter to them. A sharp growl escaped Ayato, one that tampered to a soothing rumble that had worked on many females before.

. ~: . V . :~ .

It was an indescribable sensation. She was only vaguely aware of the two bodies pressed against her. All she could focus on was the hypnotizing touch of their auras, coaxing and arousing her own into action. She had been faced with other powerful auras in the past but the difference between hers and theirs was extreme, like jumping back and forth between a cold pool and a jacuzzi.

A pair of teeth scrapped against her neck, the sharp edges of the fangs sending shivers down her spine. She couldn't help it when she arched her neck to the side, displaying more skin. An encouraging rumble seemed to echo around her, the vibrations a welcomed sensation against her chest.

She only dimly aware of two sets of hands on her, and two different mouths, one tracing her shoulder, while the other traced her neck. One hand was trailing the length of her hip and leg. While another one was shamelessly holding her right breast, cupping and weighing it in his palm.

Another whimper escaped her.

Someone was nibbling on the lobe of her ear, catching the edges with his fangs, and blowing hot into it. The warmth of his panting breath seemed to spread through her body before settling between her legs.

"Lewd woman."

The slow, lazy drawl broke her out of whatever trance she was in. Kagome gasped, as if breathing air for the first time, which made the vampires pressing against her pause too. Startled blue eyes cleared of their haze, to see two pairs of green eyes looking down at her.

Suddenly the reiki that was in balance surged with power, dominating and destroying the darker energies around her. Wisely, the two brothers retreated, their own eyes still glazed, and Laito had a deep blush across his nose and cheeks. The only one not affected was Shu, who was seated at the kitchen island, his chin rested in the palm of one of his hands.

"I was unaware you were so wanton."

Kagome's cloudy mind wouldn't focus on too many things at the moment. Her body felt like it was still full of electricity, humming with pleasure and pain in an intoxicating mix. She didn't want them to touch, yet, yet another part of her craved more of the feeling. To feel perfectly balance, her purity finally balanced with the corrupted of the world. It was amazing.

"What the fuck was that?" She did not pant, but her breath might have had a little gasp in the center.

Laito was shamelessly panting, his eyes roaming over her figure hungrily. "I found a journal from that man. Apparently that's a trick he learned to seduce his own mikos. I never thought it would work so well."

"That -" she took a deep shuddering breath, attempting to calm her body. "That has never happened to me before."

Laito laughed quietly, his eyes becoming hooded. "Apparently there's a difference between vampires and yokais. We are pure darkness, where your demons are different. Changes the energy of a person or something." His eyes flickered to Ayato, a faint light appearing in his pupils. "I was never good at studying."

Ayato shrugged, either unwilling or unable to add more to Laito's comments.

"That was an interesting reaction." Shu's quiet voice seemed loud to Kagome's ears. "I wonder if I can make you release those sounds."

The feelings weren't going away. Her body was still humming, her legs were trembling and her fingers were uselessly grasping onto the edge of her shirt. It was like she still had one of that mixed energy in her bloodstream. It was coursing through her veins, gaining strength, forcing her heart to beat and desire to tightened behind her naval. It was demanding to be freed, and Kagome felt weaker to its demands the longer she lingered in the presence of the three vampires.

'Why wasn't it going away? What exactly did Laito and Ayato do to her?'

"Excuse me," she squeaked out as she got to her trembling legs and bolted from the kitchen.

. ~: . V . :~ .

Kagome had never been blessed with the strong nose of the supernatural, but one could only take remarks for so long before they started to learn what does leave a scent and what doesn't. Even if she could not smell it herself, she had developed a six sense of when a scent was developing.

So she knew she reeked of Laito, and Ayato. Her body was still in turmoil too, so she knew she was smelling pretty sweet too. The warm ache between her legs was not helping that aspect, giving off its own aroma.

She truly admire the vampire brothers' ability to simply disappear. She wanted that ability right now, to disappear and appear where she wants. Instead she had to forced herself to walk, leaving behind a trial for any pesky vampire to follow. Her legs were still trembling, her aura was in rapid fluctuation, and she could still feel desire grasping onto her, tightening around her naval.

"Bath. I need a bath," she firmly decided. A warm bath always made her feel better after a long day.

Reaching the tiled room was easy. She didn't remember stripping of her clothes, or running the water. It was like she was intoxicated. Her steps were heavy, her mind was full of fog and time didn't want to follow a pattern. The only thing she was aware of was the tightening arousal in her naval, and her blood racing in turmoil in her veins.

The next thing she was aware of, she was naked and submerged in a tub of warm water. The heated liquid lapped gently at her skin, soothing her spirit but doing little for her body. Kagome gave a deep sigh and sank deeper into the water, submerging everything from her neck down. Still, she was tense and her nerves were on fire.

Absentmindedly, she ran a hand down her submerged arm, her sensitive skin reacting to the lightest touch and she could nearly feel her nerves tingling underneath. She could even feel her aura, reacting to the smallest touch and demanding more. It was not the first time Kagome had felt desire. She had lived for over five centuries, it would be foolish to think otherwise.

It was the first time she had been affected so strongly though, and by a dark creature that should have been repelled by her own aura. Her body was not happy, despite her thoughts that spoke otherwise. Twice now, it had been teased and denied desire, and it pulsed with demand now.

She ran her hand down her side, feeling her ribs slightly underneath her fingertips. She stroked her hip, just barely grazing her skin with her nails. Gently. Softly. The muscles of her legs twitched at her touch, her body tensing even more at her questing touch.

She was not blind, nor was she stupid. She could admit all of the brothers were handsome, on some level. She also understood that it was all a lure, to draw prey towards them. And it worked fantastically at times. It was working on her, constantly.

It was like a mouse crouched before a dancing serpent, and she was the mouse. She knew it was bad. She knew they were deadly. But she was still attracted to them, and strangely fascinated. Now, all she had to do was wait for the fatal bite that she knew was going to happen sooner or later.

A quiet whimper escaped her throat as her fingers now teased her inner thighs. Teasing, but not touching the heat, the center of her desire. Her other hand had taken to delicately stroking her stomach, feeling the flat muscles react with each touch.

Sex was nothing new to her. Pleasure was a common subject. She got lonely, and something she only had herself. She had long ago grew jaded towards sexual acts, even if the action of them sometimes made her blush.

She whimpered as her fingers traced her lower lips. At the same time, her free hand came up to caress her naked breast. Her finger stroked around the sensitive skin, denying the need that was building. She teased the area under her breast, and the skin around her nipple. Her gentle touch only reminded of the scene in the kitchen, when one of the redheaded brothers had taken great pleasure in playing with her right breast. Her breath caught in her throat, and she exhaled slowly as her body tensed.

She ran her finger over her lower opening, feel the warmth and wetness of her core. Her thumb reached up to gently stroke her clit, tightening that coil that was nestle in her naval. Her teeth dug into her bottom lip, keep her whimpers locked away. She teased the little bud, while squeezing her breast in time.

It was not enough. She needed more. Her body demanded something else, something more.

Using her thumb to stimulate the hidden bud, she stroked her center with two fingers, teasing but never penetrating. Her other hand was now playing with her nipple, pinching and twisting in a way that tightened that coil.

She slipped it one finger, whimpering as she did so. The water was sloshing with her movements, and dimly, she was aware that she could be quieter, but that thought was silenced as her finger retreated, and then slipped back in, increasing her pleasure.

Her eyelids grew heavy and her neck grew weak. She continued her movements, tweaking her clit, while switching to give attention to the neglected nipple. Her world has gown dark as she shut her eyes and surrendered to her touch. Her cries were growing louder, and a partially loud moan escaped her when the hand below slipped, and she pressed harder against that bundle of nerves, and her finger slammed in deep.

Perfect white teeth dug deep into her bottom lip, hoping to suppress anymore sounds.

She was so close. Just a little bit more.

Suddenly, a large hand encompassed her throat, a thumb tugged her bottom lip free, and warm breath washed over her ear. "Sing for me." Kagome was so startled that her fingers slipped free as she attempted to cover herself and keep her modesty.

A second hand covered her own before it could retreat far though, and he slipped two finger between her own, trapping her hand, and roughly shoved his own fingers into her womanhood. It was too much, the larger fingers, the surprise, the dominating touch at her throat, all while her body demanded release. With a whimper, and a broken moan, Kagome reached her peak. Waves of pleasure washed over her, lapping at every part of her body. Still, those long fingers didn't pause, continuing to stroke so she could ride out her orgasm.

She whimpered, her body too lethargic to fight him away, but too sensitive to received anymore pleasure. Panting breaths, not her own, teased her ears, and he gently withdrew his fingers, allowing her hand to fall limp by her side. His own hand was still cupping her mound, feeling her muscles continue to twitch.

"Don't deny me those sounds again," Shu's slow drawl teased her, as he pressed his lips to her still exposed neck.

Son of a bitch!

Kagome's whole body jolted as if it had been deep speared. She didn't care what those romance novels wrote or how some predators thought of it, being bit hurt. Thin, sharp teeth, similar to daggers, cut through the skin and embedded themselves deep within. The moist muscle of a tongue would then repeatedly lap at the wound, the mouth sucking, so it could coax more blood out.

It was not her first time being bitten, but it was the first time she actually desired it.

The energy inside her body was growing calm with each mouthful of blood taken from her. The sensations that had been wrecking her body were now calming, retreating from her system and leaving her drained. With fangs deep in her neck, her blood gently being drawn from her, she found balance.

'It needs both energies to survive.'

She could feel her aura settling, and her scent becoming passive once again. Still, the eldest vampire did not release her. With each mouthful of blood being drawn, Kagome felt more lethargic.

She could feel his hands moving now. One large palm had left her throat and was now stroking her left hip, while his right hand trailed up to brand itself around her stomach, pulling her deeper against the bathtub behind her. She could feel how tense his muscles were, feel his breaths from her neck, and the incessant prodding from his tongue as he continued to drink.

"Shu." She seemed only capable of panting out his name.

At the sound of his name, something changed. Carefully, he unlatched his fangs. His tongue swiped over her wound several more times, cleaning away the remnants of any leaking blood. His hand was stroking slower, as it soothing her body which was still twitching.

She felt her body give a heavy exhale, and the grasping talon that had been grasping at her chest since she had left the kitchen, released. She still wasn't quite sure what had just happened, or why it had happened.

"You smell like sex and blood," Shu's noise was still pressed against her throat, where a weak pulse could be felt. "You did get need to become so needy to get my attention."

"Like hell that was my fault." Her voice did not sound breathy! Her tone was not still husky with desire and that incessant, pulsing warmth reawakening between her legs was not there! She couldn't convince herself, and she knew by Shu's silence, that he was not fooled either. "Lai-"

"Do not say that name." The hand that had been stroking her hip turned into a harsh grip. A quiet whimper escaped her as her hipbone groaned in protest. In contrast to his painful handling, his face buried itself between her neck and shoulder, holding her even closer than before.

"Get out." 'Stupid possessive vampires don't control me.' The miko's palm warmed in response to her need to assert herself but she knew it was a false safety measure. Her body was still recovering from the strange onslaught, and her own pleasure, and would be unable to hold an attack. Shu didn't know this however, and his self-preservation instincts were stronger than Kagome's had been the last few days.

The next second, he was gone, leaving Kagome to slump against the tub. Disoriented, and slightly woozy from blood loss, Kagome could feel the lukewarm water lapping at her flushed skin. She exhaled softly, her head falling back as she tried to convince herself that that did not just happen. She couldn't even feel the trace of an aura nearby. As she rolled her neck, a sharp tinge reminded her of the freshly inflicted wounds.

Her hand unconsciously crept upwards to finger the wounds. Two puncture marks, about a finger length apart marred her neck. The holes were round, and clean, and the skin around the bite marks was not torn or cut. It was a clean bite, almost surgical and it was not bleeding at all.

She had suspicions that the saliva that coated the bite was the reason for the fast healing.

"How did this day go so wrong?"

Oh god, this was torture. I know it's OOC, I forewarned you all before. My muse refuses to budge though and this is how it demands to be written. Did I go too far? I seem to have hit some holiday slumps and just hate everything I'm writing, which kills my self-esteem and gives me a lot of doubts.

I postponed posting this for so long, because I have no idea what I'm doing for the next chapter. So I'm turning to my readers for help. Inspired me, or the wait might be longer than usual.

What do you want to see next chapter? More smut? (Though I'm still nervous about my smut/lemon skills honestly.) Want to know more about past Kagome? What more writings of a certain brother? Want an event to happen? Want me to explore a headcannon? What are you expecting! Inspired me, and if I use your idea, you'll get a shout out next chapter.

Fun Facts : Originally, this was a planned lemon story to practice my smut skills. Damn thing had to go and develop plot though. Also, above, the smut scene with Shu, was originally written with Subaru. I decided against that though, but I'm still unsure why. Huh.

-Nightshade

Editing, like always, is done shamefully by me. If a section seems raw, or you find a mistake, feel free to point it out. I'll fix it as soon as possible. This chapter will be edited after the holidays for any mistakes that might have escaped me. Thank you for your understanding!

A Final Note for Those Leaving Behind Flames : Let me make this clear one last time. I will accept constructive criticism. I can take insults like "this is your worse chapter yet" or "your writing seems awful compared to previous chapters." I will not take flames, against myself or my readers. I will delete your review, without hesitation. I do not deserve that, and my readers do not deserve that. Tell me how to improve. Tell me a compliment sandwich. Word your review so carefully that I can't tell if it's a compliment or a flame. Be crafty, or be silent.

This is just extra. You don't have to read this, however I will edit this part to address some guest reviewers who bring up some good points. I really wish you guys would sign in. I promise I'm not hostile, as long as you are respectful. I understand I can't please everyone.

To Be Honest : Ouch. No better than Yui? I'm sorry you think that way. I honestly tried to avoid that. I gave her personality, a history, and tried to show she wasn't a push-over. I thought she was better than that air-head but maybe I'm wrong.

Dark reiki? I'm curious on where that part came in. Did I mismark something? Or are you addressing the part with Shu's familiar? The boys do not have reiki (which is a pure, spiritual power) nor do they have yokai. Shu was using his own kind of energy/magic to summon a familiar. The dark smoke, was not reiki. I merely said "similar to her own reiki", which I meant in looks. The "pull and push" or energy she feels from the Sakamakis, are still aura/energy. Again, it is not reiki or yokai. You can think of it as it's own section, a third branch-off, if you must, as it does not fit evenly in either pure/dark reiki category.

The jewel, in this story and my mind, is a sentinel being. It is a jewel made from four souls, so I imagine it has some "personality" (for lack of better words) for itself. From the wiki, it quotes " - finds out that the jewel is trying to make Kagome -", so it does express its own desires at times. I'm certainly not the first to think so either, as many stories I've read have done the same thing. So yes, the jewel had its own desires and wishes in this fic. It defends Kagome, as it needs a host, but when being seduced, Kagome is not being hurt or in danger, so the jewel sees no reason to defend her. The jewel is a simple thing, even if has its own mind. Kagome is not being hurt, or killed physically, so it won't defend. Mental aspects, are too complex for the jewel, which is why seduction will silence it, even if Kagome does not want to be seduced. Make sense?

My Kagome is weak. She's human, and not all-powerful. She was trained, yes. She fights back, yes. You see this throughout the fic. Is she perfect? No. She does not remember being trained. She does not remember all the tricks she learned, or all the demons she has seen. Her human mind prevents this. I never wanted a character that could annihilate everyone and take over the world with her endless powers and kill the Sakamakis before they could blink. What's the fun in that? Real people are flawed, weak, strong, cry, and get confused.

Is she going to sleep with the Sakamaki? Well, it's certainly in the plans. I won't say which one, when, or how, because honestly I don't know. Why does desire make her a slut? She masturbated above, which is normal. She's not a prude, despite being a virgin, which is normal. She finds supernatural beings with the allure of sex, desirable. I think that's natural. She gets turned on in certain situations, which is natural (especially when teased!). She's certainly not jumping them the minute she met them (which was my original plan for this). So I'm confused on how she's a slut yet, when she hasn't slept with anyone yet. Is it because she finds multiple guys hot? 'Cause in harems, the male protagonist can sleep with eight different chicks and nobody seems to care. When a woman shows interest in multiple males, she's a slut though. I don't think that's fair in any way, especially when some of the top reviewed stories on this site, are harems. Not reverse harems.

I don't find your review hurtful, merely confusing. Perhaps I didn't explain something clearly or you were expecting something else from me. I'm sorry if I gave that impression.