A/N: Holy crap it's been a while, I'm really sorry guys. T_T I'm so happy to finally be able to post another chapter for this story, though! Who knew getting out the crack fics in me would unleash the writer's block. I apologize if the writing style seems different/choppy, my English classes have been screwing with my writing style. This chapter didn't turn out quite how I wanted it to so I may edit this later, but for now hope you all enjoy this. I'm working on finishing the next chapter since half of it is done for now. Thank you to all those who added this story to alerts, favorites, and such. It really means a lot to me to have so many people enjoying this.
Special thanks to: KaneRyuMoon, pumpkinspice64, Applejax XD, Lozenger12, Hikari Hisoka, Nightin' Gale14 , tinabug, Sapphire Destiny Rose, autumnannette19, iheartanime43, and DragonFire Princess! Your reviews mean so much to me!
VirusYoukaiChild: OTL so many holidays I must wish you since your review. As always your reviews make me all warm and fuzzy inside. X3 Yes, you gotta love them cliffies, without them there would be no drama in my stories…sort of. Hope you enjoy this chapter, and the rest of the story. I'm going to try and get out a new chapter a.s.a.p. Take care~
Chocolatexlover: Alright, first off let me say a big thank you with a glomp for the amazing review you left. I'm flattered you think so highly of this story, and I just hope I don't let you down. As for your question, I did mention that Inuyasha did die with Kikyo, but his story, as well as the stories of the others, will come out in more detail in the sequel to this story that I'm working on.
KitsuneNaru: I'm sorry if you're getting confused between Miroku and Shippou. Is there anything I can clarify to help you understand better?
TsukiyoTenshi: eh heh, yeah, sorry about that. I re-read those parts and realize just how OOC Sesshomaru's acting. I plan to edit those and work more on his character. Thank you for pointing that out to me. I hope you continue to enjoy the story. ^^
tohru78: I'm glad that I could make your first experience with this particular crossover fandom enjoyable…and forgive how awkward that sounded OTL The re-incarnations of Sango and Miroku will most likely awaken in the sequel to this story.
Princesa de la Luna: Thank you so much for your review! It made my day, really XD For most of your questions I'll probably answer in a pm so as not to clog up this section. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story. ^_^
starlight luna: I believe most of your questions will be answered in this chapter. I mentioned in an earlier chapter that Sango was re-incarnated in Seiren, but as of now none of the re-incarnations know who they are. And as for other demons from Inuyasha appearing…I'm actually going to be introducing another one in a couple of chapters so hope you look forward to that. Thank you for the wonderful review, and I hope you enjoy this chapter. ^^
siennahime-sama: Eh heh heh, I'm trying to work on a way to update more regularly, but everytime I touch a computer it seems to die OTL. I was a little unsure about your question, but every re-incarnation will have an introduction…maybe not as flashy as Toga's, but they will be acknowledged and their stories will be told. Sango in Seiren's body has already been introduced briefly in a previous chapter. Hope you enjoy the rest of the story and thank you so much for your review!
Termia: Sesshomaru is aware of the bond, but he isn't pleased with it. Since Kagome is like a younger sibling he is very possessive of her like Kaname is, so when you get two dominant people fighting over one thing there will be hell to pay no matter how you look at things. Thank you for your review! Hope this answers your question, and enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer: I don't own anything except this story idea and the character Hisae. Some quotes said from VK characters come from the manga so I do not take credit for that.
Warning: slight violence description interspersed in the latter part of the chapter. More fights and violence to come as story progresses.
Chapter Eleven: Misery Loves Company
"The King always uses his pawns to survive. No matter how many corpses of his pawns pile up at the foot of his throne he must always remain standing...the 'game' is over if the king falls."
-Sebastian, "Kuroshitsuji"
Kagome should have known he had something planned for her the moment she woke up in that room. However, she had been more worried about the jewel than whatever petty punishment Kaname would have planned for her. Too bad she had forgotten just how much of a bastard he could be.
"No"
"Yes"
"No"
"You don't have a choice."
Glaring at his reclining form she clenched and unclenched her hands at her sides. It wouldn't do to throttle him when they were in the Moon Dorms, surrounded by his loyal minions.
That wasn't nice. Devoted servants were a better term…devoted servants who wanted to kill her.
"They'll never buy it."
"They already did the moment you stepped out on my arm."
For another few, tense minutes both parties glared, or in Kaname's case, smiled at each other until Kagome turned her head away. She was never as patient as the manipulative male, maybe more stubborn, but she could never hold his gaze for long. Damn blood ties, she thought.
As much as she wanted to fight for herself and say she was stronger than him, the truth was she was his slave through and through. The blood that coursed through her veins was powered first by his parents, and now him. The animal in her acknowledged him as a master, but the human soul still fought for dominance, and at times - like these - the two opposite factions within her body drove her ever closer to the brink of insanity.
"And how do you propose we hold a wedding here Kaname?"
With her head still turned away from him Kagome heard the rustling of cloth before a heavy hand fell onto her shoulder.
"Why would we hold a wedding here Kagome?"
Stiffening in shock when his breath brushed against the nape of her neck, she half turned her head to see his eyes pinning her with an amused expression, even as his lips caressed the sensitive flesh. Fighting off a shiver she stepped back, and out of his grasp.
"But you said-"
"I said we'd hold a false wedding to eradicate the few rumors circulating that my fiancée is being unfaithful. I didn't say when or where we'd hold it."
Growling she childishly aimed a punch full of her frustration right at his face, but was stopped. Looking at him through narrowed eyes she released a disgusted sound and yanked her hand out of his grasp. "I still can't believe how easy it is for you to use them like puppets."
As she walked away to go change Kaname glanced down at the chess board besides the couch and smiled, but there was nothing kind about the action. "I am a very good queen bee," he said, as he moved the black queen to stand before the king.
Ever since the transfer student Maria Kurenai had come to the Academy, life had gotten more hectic. Actually things were already changing even before then, Yuki thought, as one of her fingers lifted to touch her lips sub-consciously.
Lately Zero had been acting just a little stranger around her. First there was the incident in the bathroom were he almost kissed her, the time they were in town and he had eliminated the level E, and now his reactions around Maria were causing her to worry even more. Sighing she let her head slip and bang repeatedly against the desk. "Why is everything so complicated?"
"Yuki, are you okay?"
Turning at the gentle voice the Prefect offered the best smile she could to her concerned friend. "Oh it's nothing Yori. Just a little worried about the math test." No sooner had the words left her mouth before an overwhelming aura of rage made Yuki freeze and turn slowly to face the Class President.
"Yuki Cross, I will not have you failing your tests and bringing our class average down again. If you ruin my chances of dancing with Ruka-sama I'll hold a grudge against you for life."
Laughing nervously and scratching her head, Yuki offered her best smile to the obviously peeved class president. "Well would you look at the time. I gotta find Zero. Bye now." Grabbing Yori's hand she dashed out the room, dragging her friend away and trying hard to ignore the yelling of the class president with a wince. I'm in trouble again. Rounding the corner she dashed head first into someone, and before she could actually apologize a light chuckle met her ears.
"Yuki, what are you doing now?"
Looking up a surprised smile bloomed on her face as she let go of Yori's hand. "Kagome! What are you doing here?"
"I came to discuss a few things with Headmaster Cross…but it seems I should discuss a few things with you." Placing both hands on Yuki's temples Kagome lightly started to grind her knuckles into the girl's flesh. "I know I've told you hundreds of times not to blindly run through the halls, so why do you still do it?" Yuki's constant stream of complaints against the pain was cut short when she was roughly pulled back.
"What are you doing here?"
Yuki flinched slightly as she looked up at Zero's face. His usual glare and frown was even more pronounced. Turning to glance at Kagome she saw the slight falter to her sister's smile before it fell completely. "I came to discuss some things with Headmaster Cross. Don't worry Zero, I'm not here to eat anyone."
"Eat anyone?"
The trio all turned to look at a confused Yori with varying expressions. Yuki jumped in front of her friend and started to flail her arms as she panicked. "YES! Eat someone, you know, it's an expression! Like how Zero eats people alive when they get in his way when he wants food!"
Freezing Yuki could feel the glare drilling into her back. A large hand was resting heavily on her head and Yuki didn't need to look at Yori to know that she was going to feel some pain.
"What was that Yuki? I don't think I heard you right."
"N-nothing Zero!"
A slight snort, followed by a laugh broke the tense moment and Yuki turned. Kagome was looking the other way, her form shaking slightly as she tried to cover up her laughs. Behind her she could feel Zero shifting as if he was about to grab the other girl, but she stopped him by clutching onto his arm. "Geez, Zero!"
"Don't go that way! The day class is still attending classes…Maria!"
Yuki saw Kagome and Zero tense as the small group turned to see Takuma chasing after the transfer student. She didn't get a chance to react as first Aido and then a mob of Day Class girls appeared. By the time she looked around, after finding a hiding spot, both Kagome and Zero were gone. Sighing she once again banging her head against the nearest surface. Why me?
From her spot atop the Day Class building's roof Kagome chuckled. "Poor Yuki, you always do seem to get into the oddest situations." Done with her observations of her sister and charge she was just about to leave to finish her business when she heard a sentence that chilled her.
"Kagome Higurashi, guardian of the Shikon, it is nice to finally meet you."
Spinning around she was surprised to see the petite figure of Maria Kurenai standing behind her, a placid smile on her face. Shifting her feet slightly apart Kagome gave the girl her own smile, as her arms hung loosely at her side. Lunar Redemption was still in her room so if she was attacked by the masked man standing behind Maria she would be at a slight disadvantage.
"A pleasure to meet you as well Kurenai-san. May I ask how you came to know that particular title?"
The giggle that escaped the girl caused chills to slide down her back. "If you want to know meet me in my room tomorrow night." Before she could ask her something else the girl was already jumping away. The masked man lingered for a moment longer before he too disappeared.
Hours flew by as Kagome tried to understand the situation. She knew for a fact that Maria Kurenai was actually Hio Shizuka, having met the deranged woman once when Juri and Haruka were still alive. What she didn't know was what relation the pureblood princess had with Maria, or what she was doing there. Last she had heard Shizuka was supposed to be hiding. She could try asking Kaname, since she had a feeling he knew something about all of this…and she was just as certain that he wouldn't answer a single one of her questions. Damn purebloods and their convoluted games.
It seemed that her visit with the Headmaster would have to wait.
"It's good to see you again Kagome-chan."
From her seated position Kagome did her best to give the girl - no, woman - an easy smile. "Will you please tell me now how you knew that title Kurenai-san?"
"Why of course, but Kagome-chan..."
Without a single warning she found herself pinned to the chair by Maria's grip on her throat. Choking, she reached up to push the girl off when she felt the cold kiss of a blade on her cheek.
"Now, now Kagome-chan. Aren't you having fun? I am." Kagome choked out a growl when she felt Maria's lips brush the shell of her ear. The blade shifted against her skin, the flat being replaced by the edge, causing a small cut to appear as pressure was applied to it. "You know who I am, don't you?"
"Shi-zu-ka," she gasped, her vision clouding slightly as the grip around her throat tightened for a second before she was released. Shooting out of her chair Kagome lashed out at the man who had dared to hold a weapon against her while she was down. Her kick went wide though as he dodged it. Before he could skewer her with the sword his movements were stopped by Shizuka's command.
"Ichiru, stop. I can see now why you make such an amusing puppet, Kagome."
"W-w-hat?" Coughing slightly, Kagome watched the man, Ichiru, as he obediently lowered his weapon and returned to his master's side. Rubbing her throat she backed up a couple of steps, reaching within herself for her purification powers. What is going on here?
"It's a shame I never heard of you before this. Maybe you could have helped things progress faster."
"Dammit! Answer my question!" By now Kagome's electric blue eyes had taken on a slight rusty hue around the edges as her temper started to rise.
"Now, now Kagome. Tempers get us nowhere."
The smooth, commanding voice coming from behind her made Kagome tremble slightly. This voice was similar to Kaname's in its power, and she could feel the beast within her rise to answer it. She knew only those with the Kuran blood could actually make her completely obey their words, but she was not exempt from the rule of all vampires.
Like the call of a siren, a pureblood's voice could control all who heard it.
Turning her head slowly she felt her eyes widen when she saw...Shizuka Hio standing before her, a cold smile on her face. That's not possible. Two Shizuka Hios? The pureblood, or whoever it was, behind her must have found something amusing about her expression since she suddenly started to laugh. "Oh my, Kagome dear, if you could only see your face."
Following her progression around the room with her eyes Kagome tried to think things through. It was impossible to have two souls belonging to the same person exist on one plane. She had, had enough experience with Kikyo to know that much. Multiple souls could inhabit a body, but this was different than that. "What...is going on here?"
Maria was silent as Shizuka caressed her face. Ichiru stiffened, and Kagome noticed the way his hand clenched around the hilt of his sword. That made her eyes widen again. From his earlier display she could tell that he would never raise a hand against Shizuka, so that could only mean..."Who are you?" By now she had drawn Lunar Redemption and was pointing it at the body of the pureblood. "Who would dare steal the body of a pureblood vampire? How in the world did you manage it?"
Cold, cruel, laughter sounded throughout the room as the imposter continued to stroke Maria, or rather Shizuka's, face. "It is easy to take a body when there is no soul inhabiting it. That is the flaw to a pureblood's thinking I have found. They all seem to crave death, and so while they pursue creative ways to die with their silly little games they forget to protect the one thing they think impenetrable...their own bodies."
Kagome noticed the slightly angry look on Maria's face and the way Ichiru's blade was now halfway out of its sheath. It seemed that even the cold princess could be fazed by a few things still. Since they weren't able to act she would. Flashing across the room she slashed down with her katana. Not surprisingly all she did was cut through the couch and find herself faced with a very peeved off Ichiru. The Shizuka imposter was now on the other side of the room with Maria, an amused little smile on her face.
"You still haven't answered one of my questions," pointing the katana at the woman, she kept her eyes on Ichiru, who was now holding his own sword against her. "Who. Are. You."
"Me? No one really."
Kagome's attention was distracted when Ichiru moved forward to try and pierce her. Side-stepping and bringing her katana up to block and push him away, she growled when she felt a pair of cold hands clench into her shoulders, while the imposter leaned down to whisper into her ear, "just the one you were sent to kill."
She tried to move away but the imposter's grip was strong. Ichiru had recovered and finally pierced his sword through her stomach. At the same time that she was gasping from the pain Shizuka in Maria's body entered her line of vision with an emotionless expression on her face. "As I said, it's a shame I never heard of you before. It would have been interesting to taste your blood, tainted as it is by sorrow and rage...along with a purity that has not been seen in centuries." She would have growled in anger if she hadn't again been stabbed in the back by what felt like claws.
"Sleep now Kagome. There is still more left to your story. And it shall be gloriously documented with your pain, and written in your blood."
Against her desires, lulled by the pain and the pureblood's voice Kagome felt herself falling into the black depths of her mind.
Zero was blankly staring at the blood dripping from his scrapped knuckles when he felt his brother'spresence. Glancing sideways he watched as Ichiru took something out of his coat and tossed it at his feet. "If you want to save that girl you should find the owner of that sword."
It took him a few minutes to understand what his twin was saying and when he realized that, 'that girl' meant Yuki he took a sharp look down. Eyes widening when he saw Lunar Redemption and its bloody state he turned to look back at Ichiru.
"What could she possibly do?"
"More than you think Zero. If you want to save her she's currently located in the bottom room of the old Night Class dorms."
Watching as his twin walked away Zero glared down at the bloody katana. The scent was driving him insane and he could feel his heart pounding in his chest. Clenching his hand harder he shut his eyes and punched the wall again.
It was quiet when Kagome woke in the strange room. Actually it was more like a dungeon than a room. The gray stone walls and the chill that seeped into her very bones caused her to shiver violently. It reminded her all too well of a familiar room in Naraku's castle that she had visited once unwillingly.
"So you're finally awake."
Turning her head she saw the pureblood smiling down at her and growled a warning when the woman took a step closer to her.
"I know what you are, but not your name. Do I get to know the name of my killer before I die?"
"Why of course dear. My name is Hisae. It was a pleasure meeting you."
And with that she felt a cold blade pierce her flesh and before she could even utter a scream of pain the world went black.
'I didn't think I'd be killed this easily…I guess I was wrong.'
She thought she had passed out, but she was still hanging onto a small thread of her consciousness. The pain was overwhelming. It only intensified when the blade was roughly pulled out of her skin and the woman, Hisae, decided it would be funny to pierce the blade through her stomach where Ichiru's wound had just sealed up again. This time a scream did rip free of her throat.
"Oh? I'm sorry I was aiming for your heart, I guess I missed."
Bitch, she thought, as she cracked one eye open. Surprise warred with pain at the sight before her eyes. Gone was Shizuka's visage. Instead Kagome saw a tall, curvy woman with silver hair and a few dark green highlights in her bangs. Eyes the color of dark garnets stared up at her with a malicious gleam as she took note of the slightly scaly texture to the woman's skin. This woman still wore Shizuka's kimono but hip length slits had been cut into the material showing off toned legs clothed in skin tight black shorts and knee high boots. Along with the sword in her hand the woman also had a poison whip similar to Sesshomaru's.
Hisae must have seen the question in her eyes since she was laughing again.
"Surprised? Thanks to your blood I am gaining back my powers a little faster than I had anticipated. It would be a pity if you couldn't see me how I was before I got stuck in that damn jewel. Sadly I must leave you for now, I still have to take care of Shizuka and make sure she doesn't try anymore of her little tricks. After all the ball is tomorrow night, and she was planning to do something with your precious sister."
Recoiling slightly in her chains when the demon tried to touch her Kagome let out a small groan of pain. The hunger was back. She had lost too much blood. If she didn't get back to Kaname soon her blood beast would come out and she would go insane. I can't. Not again! Struggling she tried to get loose of her chains when she heard Hisae's footsteps fade away, but after hours of failure she had no choice but to give up.
Panting, she hung her head, biting her lower lip willing herself not to give in. If she quit it would be like the feudal era all over again. I refuse to die like this! I still haven't kept my promise with Juri and Haruka...and Inuyasha.
The jolt of hearing those names, even within her own head gave her enough strength to lift her head...only to freeze when she saw a familiar face staring at her in shock.
"Zero?"
A long silence stretched between the pair. Neither really knew what to make of the situation, but finally he sighed and held out Lunar Redemption. "You're going to need this."
Smiling she chuckled slightly, wincing when the sound pulled her still healing cuts.
"Thanks Zero...could you do me a favor?"
"...what?"
"Could you...um, you know, get me out of these chains?"
A/N: Pfft, yeah, dumb ending. I apologize for that. As always, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'm almost done with the next one. Just a few kinks I have to work out. I'm excited about the next one as finally Kaname and Kagome will have their confrontation over their relationship. Please review; everyone's opinions mean a lot to me. Also for those who don't know I wrote a slight side crack fic for this story in my one-shot collection posted An Indulgence. Go check that out if you're interested.
Now onto the preview!
Preview Chapter 12 Our Eternal Rondo:
Zero glanced down when he saw the tender scene. He knew that Yuki loved Kuran, and it had always irked him, but lately every time he saw the two together he felt…odd. Before he could dwell longer on the subject he saw Aido leading Akatsuki out of the ballroom. Silently he watched them, almost ignoring the girl that had asked him for a dance.
Meanwhile Kagome watched Kaname and Yuki from her post behind a pillar. The delicate punch glass in her hand was cracking ominously as she found her hand clenching. She had seen that same scene multiple times when they all lived at the Kuran manor; it wasn't anything new. Still she couldn't help the slight resentment the scene stirred in her.
Why didn't the pureblood comfort her like that? True, she thought he was an arrogant prick, but he was the closest thing that she could call a companion now. Despite being a vampire she still had human emotions and she still wanted the comfort a simple touch could give. How many centuries had it been since a male had offered her a loving embrace like that aside from Shippou and Sesshomaru?
Consumed by her thoughts Kagome didn't notice that she had broken the glass in her hands. Although she couldn't miss it when a pair of hands came from nowhere to cover her eyes.
"Kagome-chan! Guess who?"
Chuckling slightly she lifted her own hands to lightly rest on the ones obscuring her vision. "Let me guess? Ichijo?"
"Correct! Now here's your reward."
Kagome felt a firm touch on her chin as she was forcibly turned around. Eyes widening in surprise she stared straight into Ichijo's eyes as he kissed her. There was a smirk in his eyes but behind that she could see a hunger that scared her in its intensity.
"My, what do we have here?"
Oh crap, Kaname!