Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters; that right belongs to Hiro Mashima. Nor do I own Diabolik Lovers or it characters; that right belongs to Rejet and their development team.

Their meeting

The moment he stepped into the graveyard, he knew something was not right. Purple eyes narrowing in a predatory manner, he stalked through the headstones — eyes darting left and right while clutching his beloved teddy to his chest.

Soon enough, he caught the scent of blood in the air. The rich coppery tang was drawing him more quickly to the back of the graveyard. Where only weeks ago he had to take Yui. A small smile curved his lips at the memory of her reactions to this place and what he said. It was most pleasing; she was after all his to play with as he saw fit.

What he saw once he passed the last of the marker to see the familiar large headstone, Kanato came to a halt — there lying in the grass before it was a girl. The smell of the blood intensifying greatly. With caution shining in his eyes, Kanato edged nearer. He saw that she was coated practically from head to foot. Some of it dry and dark, which was mostly regulated to her clothing, that was dirty, torn, and in places burned.

While where it was smeared on, her skin was bright crimson and fresh.

Squeezing teddy even tighter to his chest, Kanato came to stand by the strange girl. His mind briefly wondering just how she got there? How had no one noticed before? Before kneeling down and reaching out to move raven-colored hair from her face and seeing eyes closed as if in sleep. He knew she was not dead, he could hear the beating of her heart in her chest.

Although faint it was there, along with barest movements of her chest as she breathed. Taking a finger, Kanato ran it through the blood on her cheek and brought it to his mouth. Tongue flicking out to taste it. As a myriad of flavors burst across the buds drawing an ecstatic groan from his throat. It was sweet with a bit of tang to it like a small orange.

Not realizing that he had closed his eyes, Kanato opened them and looked down. Where he saw the bluest pair of eyes he'd ever seen staring back up at him. They were blank, almost lifeless. Making him draw his lip back, baring his fangs as he hissed in warning. Only to notice that the girl didn't react at all. No blinking, sharp intake of breath or movement at all. She just stared up at him as if waiting.

"Teddy, this is strange. What is this girl? Who is this girl? Do you think she is ours?"

Though spoken softly to his toy, Kanato never let his eyes wander from the girl. Who finally blinked up at him once, but was still once more. It was almost disturbing to him, making him angry. On impulse Kanato thrust his hand out, grasping a fist full of her black locks and jerked her up. He was growling dangerously in his throat at her. Only to see she didn't struggle or move, just continued to stare.

Unsure of what was going on, he tossed her back down. Watching with satisfaction as her body bounced on the grass. Her blue eyes showing a bit of discomfort and pain.

"You are not supposed to be here. Teddy wants to know how you got here, girl."

Leaning back, Kanato looked at the hand he had grabbed her hair with. Noting it was now stained a bright red with her blood again. Looking back at her as he cleaned it off. Enjoying it as her mouth opened once, twice, three times before words came out.

"I...do not know... I am ...sorry... Do I belong to you? Are you my master?"

There was no hint of a lie in her words. But it was the last that was spoken that caught his attention. A human girl was asking him if she belonged to him. If he was her master of all things. Still cleaning his hand of her delicious blood Kanato felt a smile curled his lips. Finishing his hand before he spoke again.

"Did you hear that Teddy, she asked if she belonged to me. If I was her master. Do you think we should keep her? Maybe she'd make a new toy?"

A smile his brothers would know well crept across his face at that last spoken sentence. The childlike glee with maliciousness tinting shone in his purple eyes as he looked down at the girl. She was most definitely petite. Pale skin and dark hair made her almost appear as a vampire. Curves in the right places, she'd make the perfect toy to dress up and parade around.

"Teddy agrees girl; you are our new toy. Do you like this idea?"

The slow blinking of her eyes as she smiled up at him before replying with a simple 'yes' had Kanato bouncing where he knelt. He just got himself a new toy. A living doll that could have potential. Only to pause and look down at the girl. Realizing one thing, humans all had names. And while she was his new toy, she was still a human.

"Teddy wants to know your name."

"Kagome, master."

He tilted his head, grinning widely at her. Reaching out again, Kanato cupped her face in his hand as he looked at her. Amused that her name would mean caged bird for that was what she was going to be to him from now on.

"Good, get up and follow me."

"Fade from like, turn to dark. Slip through the cracks of time. Find no place to belong, be obedient. A thrall of perfection with no will to be your own shall you have. Be chained to one who will not return desires. Be bound to one who will hurt you. Be tethered, unable to speak, to act freely. Be fastened with no powers of your own to call your own in times of need.

Time will not give release to peace of heart, mind, soul, and body for eternity under a blood contract. Until blood is shed or death granted."

Those words rang over and over in her head as she observed the field where the last battle had taken place. She was covered from head to toe in a mixture of her blood and that of Naraku. Her blue eyes were taking in the destruction and death of those she had held closest to her. The pain was ripping through her chest as she slowly sunk to her knees.

It was not supposed to end like this. They were supposed to have defeated Naraku and all his spawned clones. They were all agreed to celebrate happily. But no, that is not what happened. He had laid a nasty trap. Something told her that another person survived this battle, but it was not someone who would care about her.

Turning her head to the side to see the tall profile of Sesshomaru standing and staring at her. His long white hair tinted various shades of red and pink. While his pristine clothes were stained. His golden eyes were boring into her as if expecting something to happen.

Slowly sinking to her knees, Kagome clutched at her chest, where the Shikon no Tama now rested. A pulse of power surging through her body, drawing a silent scream of agony from her lips as the world went dark. She felt like she was falling, but that was impossible since she was kneeling on the bloodied ground.

Temper Tantrum

He was in the throes of one of his tantrums and didn't care. His brother's over the last two weeks had made life utter hell. They had been curious when he had come back from his walk through the graveyard with the girl, Kagome, in tow. The smell of the blood on her he knew was enticing. But she said she was his new toy, that he was her master.

So what right did his brother have to keep imposing on him to share his new toy? They had Yui to share. Teddy didn't like the idea at all. And it wasn't helping matters that Kagome didn't respond to any of his brothers. Only to him, so that should have shown them that they needed to back off. But then again, with his mood quickly shifting gears as he squeezed teddy violently, Kanato looked to Kagome.

Noting she was standing where he had left her in the pretty full-length white dress, with black lace quarter sleeves, and over the bustle. The Corset cinched tightly around her waist, accentuating her curves fully. He was proud of this dress. It drew out all the best features of his toy. Yui had even helped him get her fully dressed. While her hair, he had left down, so it cascaded down her back and over her shoulders, framing her pale face and making her blue eyes more pronounced.

"She is mine! I don't have to share. Leave her alone."

At his words, his brother came to a standstill. All were looking at him as he stood between them and his new toy. He could feel a slight increase in her heartbeat at his words, which was strange as she never reacted before. Pushing it off to the side as Kanato felt tears leak from the corner of his eyes. He knew they all had a strong dislike of him crying hysterically.

Backing up until he felt Kagome behind him, Kanato glared threateningly at his brothers. The warmth spreading through his clothing and across his cold flesh had him turning around to look down at her as he grabbed one of her wrists violently, knowing it would leave a bruise.

"Tell them Kagome. Tell them the truth. Who do you belong too."

Again there was a small quickening of her heartbeat. Her blue eyes went from looking straight forward to looking at those short three inches into his eyes. The soft smile on her pink lips as spoke in that soft soothing voice.

"I am your toy, Master Kanato. And yours alone to do with as you please."

The sincerity in her voice was evident as she spoke. He knew his brothers had heard it too. She was making him grin ferally as he shot a death glare over his shoulders at them. Before pulling the wrist, he was holding up to his mouth and sinking his fangs into it. The rush he got as watched his brothers get pissed at his taunting while he enjoyed the sweet, tangy taste of her blood.

Pulling his teeth out of her wrist as his tongue flicked over it to seal the bite mark. Kanato bared his teeth at them as he spoke once more.

"Kagome, you will not ever allow one of them ever to touch you without my permission. If you do, Teddy will be very displeased, and you will be severely punished. Do you understand the toy."

Again her soft voice cut through the tense silence with a simple 'yes' as her reply. It spoke volumes as that word hung heavy in the air. While Kanato felt as if someone had just tied a string around a small part of him. Looking into Kagome's eyes, he saw the barest glimmer of light in their depths. It didn't fade; it just stayed there as she smiled at him. She was leaving him feeling a bit odd.

Curious about what just happened, Kanato stepped around her, pulling her harshly behind him as he left the room — muttering under his breath to Teddy about the whole situation. It would bode no good. And he needed to know what had just happened because it made some changes in his toy.

She hated it, being trapped in this house, with these men. Their personalities clashed, and they bickered continuously. Though at times, it reminded her of her friends, now deceased friends. Unable to show emotions, to speak unless spoken too. Yeah, Karmas toilet to shit in, that was her in a nutshell.

With an internal sigh, Kagome lets it all go. The young man, vampire, was bound to be was a mix between Shippos child-like behavior and InuYasha's brash and violent temperament. Seeing him manipulate his brothers was rather comical to a degree. It had endeared him to her a little. Bringing out that nurturing nature she knew she had.

He had lashed out at her a few times, beating her in a rage. Only to switch gears and be all sad and mopey about possibly breaking her. Not that that was possible, the Shikon wouldn't let her die. Oh no! That vindictive little jewel buried in her right side up under her ribs, it throbbed with its concealed power and healed her reasonably quickly.

Life had gotten some semblance of a routine. Kanato would wake up at night, then go about getting ready for the 'day' and vanish for hours. Eventually, she had found out that he attended a private school. When he was home and on Sunday he played with her. At first, that horrified her since he undressed and bathed her while talking to his teddy, which she had taken in stride.

More-so when she saw him fly off the handle at the half-human girl they had on hand. The one they all called their bride was overly familiar with his Teddy. Keeping the incident in her mind in case one day, she was able to act freely within the bounds of her bond; Kagome knew not to be friendly with the Teddy.

But she had not missed the fact that earlier when Kanato had said she was His, that something had changed. She, too, had felt the power settle over her. Like something had been tied to her. Not going to question it, Kagome would be the good little toy he requested of her since she had nothing else to do.

Dreams and Nightmares

There it was again, that sound. It was getting persistent and very annoying. Cracking open one eye, Kanato looked around the dimly lit room. Only to hear the music again. It was making him growl in irritation. It was the middle of the afternoon, the center of his sleep cycle.

Turning over and grabbing Teddy, Kanato started to draw the blankets over his heads to go back to sleep. Only to pause in mid-action when the sound came again, but this time accompanied by a sniffle and softly spoken word. There was only one other person in the room with him, and that was his toy.

Curious, since in the month and a half he had had her, she had not made any sounds or spoken when he had not spoken to her. She was very quiet, obedient and he loved it. He could do anything he wanted, and there was not a reaction. Thought it had angered him a few times, and he had beaten her until she was almost all black and blue. Only to have her back to normal a few days later.

Sitting up and giving a low grunt, Kanato shifted onto his hands and knees and crawling to the end of the bed, Teddy in tow. He looked over the edge to where Kagome slept at night. A place she had chosen the first night, he'd brought her to his room. Seeing her curled up into a small tight ball as his sense of smell was assaulted with the scent of salt, indicating she was crying.

In the time she'd been his, he had never seen her cry. Even when he'd beaten her, she remained silent, staring and distant. But now, in her sleep, she was crying and whimpering.

"Shippo."

Once more that softly uttered word came from her lips, this time clearly as more tears seeped past eyes that were clamped shut in sleep and dare he guess, pain. She was grinning as he slipped off the end of the bed, crouching over her person. Carefully he moved her hair from the side of her face, giving him a good view of it.

Yes, it was indeed pain she was showing. Though it was not physical, it still made him feel happily amused. Wanting to see her full face, Kanato placed Teddy on top of the bed so he too could see it. Then rolled Kagome onto her back, forcing her legs straight and pinning them with his own as he sat on her stomach. Noticing not for the first time how flat and toned it was. His toy was an odd, complex mystery.

"See Teddy; those are tears. Our toy cries in her sleep. I wonder what she dreams...do you think it is a nightmare? I hope so. How pretty our toy looks with tears on her face."

With a happy sigh, Kanato leaned forward and brushed at a tear. He was catching it on the tip of his finger, bringing it to his lips. It was salty and bitter, but at the same time, it was sweet to him. He may not be the cause of her pain, but it was blissful for him to see as he grinned his usual grin at her sleeping form.

"Shippo..."

Tensing at the name being mentioned again, Kanato frowned, feeling irritated. Who was this person she was calling for? Why was she calling for them? Did they cause her this pain and distress? That was his right.

In a sudden fit of rage, Kanato drew his hand back and slapped her. The loud crack resounded through the room. He was drawing a shuddering gasp of shock and pain from his toy. Who snapped her eyes open wide to see him above her. Blue eyes disorientated as they tried to focus on him. He hissed at her in his rage, making her come to wakefulness quickly.

When he saw her blue orbs clear, her mind catching up with the fact that he was sitting on her pinning her to the ground, Kanato saw a crimson blush stained her pale cheeks as she turned her head away from him — filling his nose with the rare scent of her showing emotions, telling him that she was embarrassed.

Curious now, instead of being angry with her, Kanato swiftly grabbed both her wrists in one hand, while using the other to make her look at him again. Letting his gaze bore into her eyes, looking for the reason that she was suddenly showing his emotions. Finally, he broke the silence.

"We want to know who Shippo is? Why does he make you cry toy."

The darkening of those bright blue eyes in pain as they suddenly glistened with tears. This time due to him, Kanato did not feel the joy he thought he would. Instead, he felt as if he had done something wrong, at least until she answered him.

"My son. He's dead."

It was as if he had just been entirely frozen through at what she said. He tried to rationalize it. She was young for a human. Other than a scar on her right hip, her body was unmarred. And most importantly, she was untouched, pure in the literal sense. But yet he could not detect a lie.

Swiftly he let go of her chin and smacked her across the face. She was growling at her that he didn't tolerate lies. He is demanding in a low dangerous voice that she explain herself very clearly.

"He...is...was... my adoptive son. I took him in when others slaughtered his parents. He was my own, even if we were not blood, I loved him."

As he watched her, more tears spilled from those open cerulean orbs. Her cheek was darkening a bit already, showing she would have a bruise there while Kanato fought with his own emotions of anger, jealousy, and possessiveness at how she had taken in an orphan as her own and truly loved him. He wanted that. He never had it.

He was growling low in his throat, unsure of what to think or how to react — so running on instinct over his property caring for another, for even thinking of another. Kanato lowered his head and sank his fangs into the skin above her bared collar bone. He felt her body tense up at the pain before it relaxed. He is feeding until he felt satisfied.

Pulling back, he looked up into Kagome's face, seeing her watching him. Her eyes still showing emotions, as well as questions that she was not asking and shifting himself so he could press his cheek against her and whispering into her ear.

"You will never forget you belong to me. You will love me and only me. You are my toy, remember that Kagome."

The small shudder that ran through her body felt very clearly by him. As he let his still blood covered tongue flick around the shell of her ear. Drawing a soft moan from his toy. A sound he liked and did it a few more times. Only to have that strange feeling once more settled over him, as if someone had tied something to him again. Sitting up and blinking down at her, Kanato saw that there was more than just a small light with emotions in her eyes. There was life now.

"Yes, Master Kanato. Never will I forget I belong to you and your toy. I will love you from now on."

The words were the truth and it shocked and scared him. Scrambling, he let go of her and was upon his bed, hugging Teddy to his chest. He blinked at her twice before crawling back in between his sheets, pulling them up over his head. Unaware that he was blushing as he pulled Teddy into a death grip like hug and attempted to go back to sleep.

It was happening again. That dream was showing her the mistakes she made in the final battle. But this time, it was solely focused on her adoptive son's death. It hurt insanely bad as she watched her dream self held the broken and bloodied body of the little kit in her arms.

The swell of power that burst from her, purifying his body into ash so that Naraku could not turn it into a puppet-like he had Sango's little brother. No, she was now not just a priestess, she was a mother on the warpath. And no one fucks with a mother who is enraged. She could see it in the half-demons face, the realization that he might have taken it a step too far.

Her dream self didn't even chase him as he tried to flee. No, she pooled all the reiki in her body into the shape of an arrow in one hand, while the other hand formed the longbow that would fire it. For once, her accuracy was on the mark as the lilac-colored arrow sped across the battlefield. It hit it's marked dead center.

The scream that came from Naraku, almost like music to her ears as she glanced around. She didn't need to watch to know the Hanyo was dead. No, she could feel it in her very soul as the jewel became whole and floated before her. She was merging with her body once more and leaving her to stare at the death and destruction that was left in its wake.

As she once more began to sink to her knees, this time the dream changed. Pressure was around her before pain exploded through one side of her face. Snapping her eyes open, Kagome had stared up into Kanato's face. As she became more conscious, she felt heat suffuse her face as blood rushed there. He was straddling her in her nightdress, pinning her body down underneath him.

Somehow she knew that he was not happy with her. But she didn't know why until he asked her — leaving her confused for but a second before she was made to reply. Only to be hit once more before he went on a tangent. He was allowing her to see something that had not been visible before. It reached out to her, drawing her nurturing instincts to the foreground as she responded.

When he was suddenly off her and on the bed, Kagome had to fight to not smile at him. Her face was going to be bruised already; she didn't need anymore on the rest of her body. The moment she heard him pull the blankets over him, she let a small sigh escaped her lips. Kanato had blushed at her honesty. She meant what she said; it had nothing to do with the curse that bound her to him. No, in the last six weeks, she had come to care about the strange man.

He was complicated in his way. And she knew he too had felt as if he had been 'tied' to something once more. She was starting to get an idea of what that was. But until she could prove it, Kagome decided to remain docile and content as she drifted back to sleep a smile on her face, making her look angelic to any who peeked.

A Time of Wassailing

It was that time of year when those around would bake those warm sweet treats. He was giddy with excitement since he knew that Reiji would not grouch about him eating sugar excessively. Oh, the joy he would have with cake, cookies, pies, tarts and chocolate and candies. Yes, he was happy.

He was looking over at Kagome, giving her one final glance to make sure that the outfit was perfect for his toy. He curled lip up in a small smile. The bright crimson of the gear accentuated the paleness of her skin, while the white trim softened it and brought out the faintest of pinks in skin tone. The happy look on her face as he watched her stare at herself in the mirror.

He could tell she loved the long dress and the fact that there was no corset this time. It was a thicker dress, meant to keep her warm in the cold air of the mansion since it had snowed the night slowly before. She was amazed at the small changes that had come to her since he had acquired her.

It had been just before all Hallows Eve when he found her. Now it was the Eve of Christmas. In the weeks since she had spoken to him, Kanato felt as if something had changed. Not just in him, but in his toy. That spark of life that appeared in her eyes after he demanded she loves him and only him and replied yes. It had grown exponentially.

And as if by some odd thing or another, he had learned more about her. Kagome was a Japanese Native, her birthday was July 2nd and was now 17 years of age. She was raised on a shrine. And had a wide array of hobbies, from shooting a bow and arrow, singing and dancing to baking. Oh, he loved her treats the best too. It was as if she knew how to make them the perfect level of sugary goodness.

Tilting his head to the side as he realized that she was watching him. Kanato curled his lip and lifted Teddy higher. Sniffing disdainfully at her, Kanato turned and walked out of the room, knowing she would be right behind him. The soft sound of the small bells on her dress echoing through the hall to the rhythm of her steps. It was nice though he would not be telling her that.

Kanato was no idiot; he knew his brothers were aware of the changes in his toy. But were staying away from her. When one did approach, he had observed that they immediately turned away as if deterred by something unseen, unheard, or smelled. Like there was some invisible barrier around her that only he could enter. Which was perfectly fine with him; she was his and his alone.

The walk to the dining room was done in silence with decadent smells lingering in the air and making him feel hungry. The sounds of his brothers and Yui already gathered, talking in an oddly good-natured way, Kanato felt a bit leery.

So the moment he stepped through the door and all their eyes turned to look at him. He narrowed his eyes only to have Yui giggle. The did not usually celebrate Christmas per se. Carefully examining his brothers and the giggling Yui, Kanato realized that they were glancing between him and the top of the doorframe. Slowly lifting his gaze, he saw a small green bundle of leaves with red and white berries hanging there from a gold-colored ribbon.

A sinking feeling crept into the pit of his stomach. Kanato knew a set up when he saw one. And he had just walked blindly into a trap. Already knowing this had to be because of Yui for the holiday, he turned his hardening gaze on her. She flinched just a little at it, before smiling even wider, eyes now looking behind him.

"What is that?"

The sound of muffled laughter drew Kanato's gaze to his triplet, Laito. His green eyes flashed with devilment was never a good sign.

"That is mistletoe. Yui was explaining why that was an important aspect of celebrating this holiday. And since you are under it, you have to kiss the person nearest you."

A chill ran down his spine as Laito's words registered in his mind. Kiss the nearest person? Slowly he turned around to see his toy, Kagome standing right behind him. Her blue eyes wide, cheeks flushed with pink lips parted. Aware of one of Laito's quirks, Kanato mentally plotted his revenge against him.

"If you don't want to kiss your toy, you could either kiss one of us... or let each of us give her a kiss."

Curling his lips in a feral like a grin, Kanato turned around and reached out and grasped Kagome by the back of her neck and watching as her eyes widened even more before he leaned down and kissed her. The slight stiffening of her body before it relaxed against him. Small hands pressed against his chest, fingers curling into his shirt and enjoying the kiss before he broke it. He was not missing the little pout before her face became neutral once more.

Feeling suddenly smug at her reaction, Kanato turned and led her to the table and sat her by him. Pretending not to notice how quiet the room was and how it shocked all his brothers, even the ordinarily apathetic Shu was. Their heated gazes trained on him as he began to fill first Kagome's plate, then his own for the evening meal.

Hours passed by and dawned quickly approaching and signaling that Christmas was here. All of them sitting in the drawing-room, a present before them that Yui had gone and bought. Each of his brothers looked slightly amused by the thoughtful gifts she had gotten. Shu an MP3 player, Reiji a book on herbology, Ayato was rather interesting, as she got him a cleaning kit for swords. Laito, she knew played the piano, so she got him some new music to learn. Subaru held a small case that he refused to show anyone what was inside. But they could all tell that it had a considerable effect on him.

To himself, Kanato held a small gift card. It was one of his favorite boutiques. He was not sure how she acquired it, or who helped her, but he was thankful. Though the amount was meager, it would get simple accessories he would not have to pay for. Then again, surrounding Yui was a gift from each of them. He had been unsure of what to give her for a present. Kagome had been beneficial from the way Yui was cooing over what she held.

While simple, it was something that (after questioning a lot) Kagome assured him that every girl would love. The small book had a lock on it that was flimsy at best, with a low key on a chain. A diary was in his mind preposterous, but the smile Yui was flashing at him made him gloat to his brothers before they all dispersed for the night.

When they reached his room, Kanato shut the door with a loud click — locking it as his toy turned to look at him. Head tilted in silent question. He could still feel the kiss from earlier lingering on his lips. Slowly he stalked to stand before her, looking down into her jewel-toned eyes. She had not wanted anything, just to remain at his side. But he felt he should give her something, anything as a gift. So clutching Teddy in his arm he leaned in and placed another kiss on her lips.

Her reaction was instant. No stiffening of her body, it just melted against him. Her tiny hands grasping at him as if he was her rock. Pulling back he looked down at her flushed face, lips a bit swollen and darker as her eyes slowly opened and glazed to look at him. It was in that instant Kanato knew he never wanted to let her go. She said she was his.

"Your eternity is mine."

The slow blink of her eyes as she smiled up at him and agreed that her eternity was his, Kanato once more felt as if something had been tied to him. But he didn't care; he felt satisfied as he stepped back and began to undress her. The light from the rising sun was leaking through the curtains where they were not fully closed. Bedtime was upon them.

She looked at herself in the mirror, unable to hide the happiness she felt. The dress was beautiful. And to boot, it had not to corset attached. Her eyes catching his before he gave what she had come to understand was his way of hiding his emotions. It had been almost two full months since waking up and being her.

She had adapted like she always did. And after the last incident with Kanato, Kagome was pleasantly surprised she could control her Reiki just a little bit. It helped keep his brothers away from her, which made Kanato happier, which means a lot fewer outbursts and tantrums for everyone.

When they reached the dining room, she had felt something off. More-so when Yui began to giggle. Causing a small amount of trepidation to pool in her gut. Only to have it confirmed minutes later when Laito explained to Kanato what Mistletoe was. Feeling a bit unnerved. Kagome would never admit aloud she was mortified that her first kiss was going to be taken by a prank.

Nor would she ever admit out loud that the moment he kissed her. She felt as if her heart was pounding in her ears. As her body reacted to him without her permission. He was leaving her to feel confused. She knew that after he had commanded her to love him, she told him she would. Though already a small part of her heart had belonged to him.

The kiss was not violent or rough. It had been gentle and briefs. So as she sat next to him at the table, Kagome watched him. There was an air of smugness around him as he blatantly ignored his brother's looks. Kanato, on a good day, was hard to figure out. But even she was unsure of what had just happened. Deciding it would be prudent to leave it alone, Kagome ate her food in silence.

The hours ticked on by. The exchanging of gifts was done. She had helped her master pick out the right gift by the way she had reacted to it. And his ego had been stroked, elevating him higher. She mentally rolled her eyes at his preening to his brother's. It was comical in a small way. But she shoved down the part of her that felt left out and jealous. After that, they were off to bed.

The moment she heard the door clicked shut loudly, Kagome started to turn only to listen to the lock slide into place. This was not normal. This was Kanato, a person of habit, stepping out of routine. Wanting to ask what was up, Kagome felt her mind go blank as he was before her. Her instincts telling her to be wary of the predator before her. Then her mind went blank. He was kissing her again.

This time she reacted immediately to it. She wanted it to last. Her fingers curling into him as if he were the only stability in her life as heat began to pool in her stomach. When he stopped kissing her, she slowly opened her eyes and looked at him — seeing more possessiveness before than any other time in the depths of those purple orbs — making her feel as if she was drowning.

The moment he spoke those words, that sensation of power settling over her once more as if something had further tied them together. This time, she knew what it was, but just let him undress her and ready them both for bed. It had started moving again. She was bound to this man and he didn't even know it.

New Year, First Blood

It had finally happened. The damned Pure Bloods had attacked with the intent of taking Yui. Claiming that none of the Sakamaki's had no right to the blood of eve. Which of course, set off Ayato and the fight had started? Now it was long, overdrawn. Kanato was feeling the fatigue in his limbs. Even with the aid of the Mukami's helping, it seemed to be a losing battle.

He had left his toy with Yui, telling her to stay by her side. He wanted her safe. Teddy was even with him. Or what was left of Teddy after Azusa had tried to burn him to nothing. His most precious thing with his favorite toy.

Grunting pain as the force of the blow from Shin Tsukinami connected with his arms as he defended, had Kanato stumbling back. To his side, he heard the sound of faint gurgling. Catching in his peripheral vision, Azusa crumpled to the floor, blood trickling from his lips as his gray eyes glazed over. The hand was clutching at a wound near his left lung.

Hissing as he turned his full attention back to the pureblood, Kanato barely was able to dodge the next incoming blow. The man had foregone using his damned sword and was now attacking him with his fist. Curling a hand into a fist, Kanato summoned what little energy he had left to create a flame. Though small, it could still damage the other vampire.

He was grinning like a maniac; he flung it at Shin's face. He was enjoying watching that singular yellow eyes go wide as he barely ducked. It was at that point his legs gave out from under him. Exhaustion and blood loss were not pleasant feelings as he kept his gaze on the man before him. He was allowing every ounce of hatred to shine in his eyes and defying the man as Shin raised his arm, before thrusting it down at him with killing intent.

It happened in a second. Warmblood splattering across his face, hair, neck, and clothes staring up into a pair of pain-glazed blue eyes. The smile on those petal pink lips as his mind tried to tell him that his eyes were lying to him. But he knew that he saw it. His toy, his Kagome, was standing before him with Shin's hand thrust through her right side. Right through the spot, she had that scar.

When she sighed and lifted on hand to his face, slender fingers smearing her blood on his cheek as she shook her head. Kanato dropped his eyes downwards. Her other hand was plucking something from Shin's fingers, while the man was trying to retract his hand through the hole he'd put in his toy.

Vaguely Kanato began to become aware of what was going on around him. Shock still coursing through his depleted system. It was as if a deadly calm had blanketed the area where everyone had just been fighting. He could feel the gazes of everyone focused on the three of them. But he just watched as Kagome raised her hand to look at the small pink like jewel covered in her blood before she gave a very annoyed snort.

By this point, Shin had removed his hand and was curled his lips and was growling at her. Slowly he watched his pretty toy stand and huff as a pulse of power washed through him as her blood flowed freely through the gaping hole in her side. Only to feel a mix of awe, arousal, and disgust as she clicked her tongue and shoved that small pink jewel back into her hand and up towards her rib cage.

The moment he saw her bloodied hand and wrist come back out, the hole was healed entirely as if it had never been there. Darting his eyes upward he saw something in her blue eyes that shook him to the core. They were flashing with anger as she raised a bloodied finger to her lips and tapped them speculatively. She was making for a beautifully macabre sight.

"Three times Master Kanato, you have changed the nature of the curse placed upon me. Telling me, I was yours alone, that I was to 'love you and only you,' and that my eternity was yours. Each time Master Kanato, I willingly accepted. But now, I beg of you to let me be more than just a toy, let me be your weapon of choice."

At her words, there was a collective intake of breath as he just numbly nodded his head in acceptance. That pulsing of power was growing stronger and stronger with each passing second he watched her. The gentle smile and look of warmth she sent him had him feeling oddly at peace. And he was not sure he liked that feeling at all.

Slowly she turned around and the air crackled with that power he had felt pulsing inside him. Only to realize it was her blood that was pulsing with energy. He could feel its heat on his skin as he watched her look up at Shin, hands fisted, and settled on her hips. And at that second, he felt genuine fear for the first time that he could ever remember.

It was a niggling little feeling at the back of her mind. A familiar sense. She wanted to push it down, to ignore it in its entirety. But she couldn't. And be damned as she struggled against the command she had been given to stay with Yui. They had both stayed in the locked room hearing the sounds of battle. For Yui, she guessed that the girl was scared as she should be. But her for herself, Kagome had been in countless battles.

This was not the place she was supposed to be; she was supposed to be by Kanato's side. To help him. To protect him. She didn't want to lose another precious person. It had only been a week since Christmas. When he had kissed her not once, but twice, he was telling her that her life was his.

Fighting the command the curse was making her body, Kagome felt as if she was walking through a chest-high swamp. Gritting her teeth as that niggling feeling got stronger, she gave a small whimper in the back of her throat and drawing Yui's attention to her person. With a brief flick of her gaze, she saw the wide pink one that the girl was giving her. Uncaring as she reached the door, Kagome grasped the handle and began to pull on it.

After few minutes of trying she found Yui at her side with a thin piece of metal in her hands. Blinking in confusion before she watched the blond slip it in between the two doors and wiggling it. Leaving Kagome to wonder just how the hell she knew to do that. Before recalling that she had lived in this house longer with the vampires and had probably tried to escape numerous times. Making a smile dance across her face for but a second as a loud click was heard.

The moment the lock popped, Kagome jerked the door open. Teddy sitting where Kanato had left it, she flicked her gaze at the bear than to Yui, who got the message to stay and protect the stuffed animal as she trudged her way towards where the sounds of battle were the strongest. Each step was becoming easier as if finally finding her rhythm while running.

The moment she had rounded the corner, she saw Kanato fall to the ground. His already pale skin almost translucent as the tall strawberry blond before him posed to strike. Even then, he was being defiant, daring the vampire to hit him. Next thing she knew, she felt pain burst through her right side as she stared with pain-filled eyes at Kanato and smiled.

Seeing him in shock like this was somehow amusing as she lifted her hand and caressed his face. She is not caring that she was smearing her blood all over it. Before finally turning her attention to the side that had yet to be removed from her midsection. When she saw that he held in his fingers the Shikon no Tama, she plucked it from him and raised it to look at it — earning a tingle of power running through her fingers as if it were laughing at her.

As soon as the vampire had extracted his arm, Kagome took a quiet deep breath and shoved her own hand into the gaping hole. Not even flinching at the pain, while mentally crying out as she shoved the damned jewel she guarded back up into the rib cage. Beside her right lung. The warmth seeping outwards from the jewel as it set to mending her body. She was making it whole once more since it would not tolerate her being damaged goods.

Finally, she could feel the barrier holding her emotions back break. The curse was still there, she felt it like a small black fleck on her soul as she tapped her bloodied finger to her lips. She was looking down at Kanato, who was showing emotion after emotion clearly in his eyes and on his face. It was so amusing to see.

Decidedly she spoke to him. Letting her honest and earnest words show him what she felt for him. Trying to explain the best she could without going into all the details at this moment. When he nodded his head in acceptance, a calm mask settled on her face, though she knew she was smiling, she let all the rage she had been feeling swell inside her as she turned to look at the strawberry blond vampire before her. As well as another who had a gleam in his eye, she knew all too well.

Quirking her lips into what she hoped was a snarl. Kagome didn't even bother to speak as she raised her hands up, summoning her reiki. Letting the familiar power flow through her for the first time in almost two and a half months.

"Ironic that a priestess agreed to a vampire mating vows."

That was the last words spoken by the second vampire with the twin yellow eyes before she unleashed the full brunt of her power over them. A soft laugh escaping from her lips at them as they turned to purified dust. She didn't care; she had figured it out a while ago. When her master had asked for her eternity, it cemented the bond. And Kagome was perfectly fine with it.

But now as she let her power putter out and turned to look at not just Kanato, but his five brothers, the Mukami and Yui. She knew she would have a lot of explaining to do. Though first after that display, Kagome felt her vision going dark as the sensation of falling engulfed her body.

Four years later

A blue eye cracked open to see two sets of purple eyes gazing at her. Letting out a soft sigh as she pushed down the creep factor that her two children had taken after their father in the way that they stared. Kagome pushed herself up, so she was looking down at them.

"What is the matter. Did either of you have a nightmare?"

Their voices in sync said 'no' as they continued to stare at her. Behind her, she could feel Kanato began to stir. Amusement flashed in her eyes as she looked down at their four-year-old daughter Kanata, who was the spitting image of her father from hair, eyes, and personality to their two-year-old son, Sota. He had her black hair and personality, but his father's eyes.

"Then what is it?"

Again silence met her before they spoke in tandem, saying softly only three words.

"Is it time?'

Blinking slowly, before a small exasperated sigh left her lips, realizing that they were excited for what was going to happen. Kagome felt the bed shift behind her just before an arm slipped around her waist, and warm breath tickled her exposed neck. Seeing the widening of the children's eyes, she pressed her lips into a thin line to keep from laughing.

"No. And it won't if you don't get yourselves back into bed. I will have Reiji make the call and mention this place should be skipped, you little days walking monsters."

The double intake of breaths before Kanata and Sota ran for the bedroom door. As soon as it clicked shut, Kagome let out a soft peal of laughter as she rolled onto her back to look at her mate. She was quirking an eyebrow at him, while he just glowered down at her irritated that he had been awakened.

"You do know half of those Day walking monsters as you put it are yours, right?"

Her words drawled out slowly to tease him. He just blinked once before mumbling something that sounded like only when they behave — making her draw her eyebrows together as she rolled over and on top of Kanato in one smooth motion. She was pressing her lips together as she met his gaze head-on, unafraid. Earning her that creepy happy smile of his.

"Oh, don't you dare Kanato. You enjoyed creating them just as much as I did. So, accept that even when they are not 'behaving' that they are still your responsibility."

The petulant frown he shot up at her as he sulked made Kagome shook her head, lean down and give him a soft kiss. When she was sitting upright, she smiled brightly as she spoke.

"Besides, you were complaining about how Sota is getting to where he doesn't want to be held anymore because he is a big boy. What would you say about another then?"

It was an innocent question as she watched him process what she was saying. Before understanding dawned in his eyes. Only squeak and laugh came from her when she was suddenly pinned under him — the feel of his fingers brushing over her stomach as he stared in shock and awe at her.

"Really?"

"Yes, Kanato. Merry Christmas, love."

The smile that broke across his face, the smile he only showed her, made her insides warm. It was moments like this that she stored away as her precious memories. Flashing him a toothy grin, Kagome winked.

"Also, do not expect this to happen every two years. I don't wanna have ten kids by the time we've been mated twenty years."

The comical widening of his eyes before he gave a rich-sounding laugh was all the answer she needed before he dipped down and captured her lips in his. Hands gently lovingly stroked her stomach. He was showing how he felt about her being pregnant again. It was when he was the most gentle, loving, and attentive with her.

The END!