Hello! Here's a new chapter. Please excuse any grammatical errors! I hope you enjoy! Like always I do not own Inuyasha or Vampire Knight.

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Few hours earlier…

Kaname sat in his room overlooking the chest pieces set strategically on the board. He had everything in place, but the addition of Kagome threw him off. He did not expect Kaien to make the first move regarding Zero. There was a time for everything and he had already come up with a solution when Zero would first lose control. But now that Kagome was here to rid of the only thing he needed off Zero, he had to improvise. He had to do something. There was a lot at stake, his interest for the blue-eyed beauty aside. Yuki needed to be awakened, and Rido, well, his original plan was to use the help of Zero to get rid of that abomination.

Looking out the window he watched the trees sway with the afternoon breeze. He'd been busy the last few days. Confronting Kagome was no easy feat but he had managed. Of course it was at the expense of his loyal followers, but a small cost as opposed to the threat still wandering beyond the academy walls. He'd be lying if he did not enjoy himself though. Teasing, riling her up, Kagome was a force he could not ignore. She ignited something dark and it continued to spark despite her rejection.

It had started off small. Showing up to their 'ritual' as Kaname liked to put it. Using the night class to disrupt their process. He had thousands of questions coursing through him. And they continued to grow and gnaw at his unresolved mind.

Did she transverse time? Was the witch mistaken? Or did his childish impatience cause him all this trouble? Why couldn't he get her off his mind?

Even so, Kaname resigned, he could not let Kagome ruin his plans. All his previous tactics had only proved to delay the time. Though at the back of Kaname's mind, he subtly noted that the delay also meant that maybe Kagome's mating would be delayed too. With his next move, maybe he could kill two birds with one stone.

A knock sounded through the room. Kaname knew who it was.

"Come in."

The door opened and Takuma stepped in. With a small bow he straightened up.

"What have you found?"

"The youais' are vey secretive. Majority resides in Makai and unfortunately there is no known way for us to enter Makai lest we risk Lord Sesshomaru's wrath. Those who are here fear their lord more than death itself." Though not the news he wanted to hear, Kaname encouraged Takuma to continue.

"For the witch you advised me of, as you already know, she is no longer around. I tried looking for a descendent but it seems she passed away quietly. It seems we've hit a dead end." He paused, unsure if he should mention the next piece of information he managed to gather. "However, there has been news of a sacred holy group. I am still looking into it but they're proving a bit difficult to locate. Generations of holy energy have declined rapidly over the centuries. Humans have no need for them since we're all living in the shadows and thus saw no reason to continue tradition. Kagome-sama's abilities and lineage leads me to strongly suspect she may be tied to them somehow."

Takuma shuffled uncomfortably at the suffocating silence. Even though he had no interest in Kagome, she was a friend that had spared him and his grandfather countless of times from Sesshomaru. He wasn't sure how he felt about Kaname getting involved. Youkais weren't exactly lenient creatures.

"Kaname-sama…if I may…" Takuma suddenly thought of Aido getting slapped. He winced and treaded carefully. "…is there a chance that this fascination with Kagome-sama is more than just…well a fascination?"

Kaname's face darkened. He wasn't sure if he was ready to voice his true feelings. He was in conflict himself. Looking over the chess pieces once more, Kaname decided that dwelling on Kagome at the moment was not good timing. Holding confidence in the slight attraction Kagome confessed during their time trapped in magic, Kaname deduced that he had a good play at hand if he played his cards right.

"I know Aido is looking into Kagome's background. Leak it."

Takuma bit the inner side of his cheek to stop himself from saying anything unnecessary. The obvious rebuff of his question was more than an answer for him. He left quietly with a deep sigh. Kaname watched the sun set. It was time for his next move to take its course.

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"Aido, think it through. We can't ignore that she is a pureblood." Kain tried to reason with his friend.

"She's a fraud. Once she's out of the way, it'll be Yuki's turn."

"Kaname-sama will not be happy."

"I will prove my loyalty to Kaname-sama. I'll expose that good for nothing whore."

Kain cursed under his breath. The situation was escalating fast. If only they hadn't caught Takuma with the damned file, this would not be happening. Then again if he was being honest, this was Aido. If he had just kept to himself they wouldn't be sneaking out of class and chasing the pureblood.

"Aido, please, let's just-"

"I see her."

Determination fueled Aido, he was a man on a mission and it was no secret that he would do anything for Kuran, even if it meant facing the consequences later. Pushing himself up in the air, he landed softly on a nearby tree, spying through the branches at the scene below. Kain, however reluctant, followed suit. Ever the loyal cousin he was.

Kagome was standing in the clearing by herself. Though her back was to them, it looked like she was deep in conversation on her cellphone. Her voice was too soft for their keen senses. The urge to move closer to eavesdrop was strong. Looking around deep in thought, Aido carefully went over his plan. Clearly Kagome had not detected their presence yet, but he wondered how close he could get before she became aware of their presence. Being the master of manipulation, Aido was confident in his ability to fool Kagome in the case she did catch them red handed. But it never occurred to him that Kagome was not the gullible female students he was used to deceiving. Much less, she was not Yuki.

Smirking at Kain, he nodded once before jumping closer. Kain sighed once again. He made a note to himself about Aido's overconfidence, and maybe reconsidering his circumstances. Kain honestly felt Ruka would have caused him more trouble. But then, he thought once more, this was Aido. He held a soft spot for the blonde.

"You don't need to worry, Sesshomaru, I have everything under control. Worry about yourself and Rin for now, I'll handle things here…. yes, yes, I know, that is a minor setback…. well, I mean, its not like I asked for it…. hey! Why am I getting-"

Aido held his breath. On instinct he held out an arm in front of Kain and pushed themselves further back into the tree branches. He watched Kagome's now stiffened back. She looked around for a while; head moving side-to-side trying to pinpoint their location. After a moment Kagome just shrugged it off and continued on with her conversation.

"Yeah, I'm here, sorry about that…. Don't worry; the shard has been dealt with…. Speaking of that troublemaker, I have something I have to deal with here…Oh I trust you punished him well…Alright, we'll talk later…bye."

Kagome slipped her phone into her jean pocket. She relaxed her shoulders and turned around, her eyes staring right at them in the shadows.

"I know you're there." She stated, oddly calm. "Why don't you just come down." She studied her fingernails with feigned interest as she waited for her intruders to come down and face her. Kagome liked to think she was patient majority of the time, but the last few days had been trying. So it would only make sense that said patience was starting wear thin in her dilemma.

Aido and Kain were having a dilemma of their own. While Aido was all pumped to jump down and show Kagome exactly who she was messing with, Kain was trying to play the peacemaker. He tried to hold Aido back, make him listen to reason, but it was no use. Aido's mind was made up. One flaw to their plan, however, despite being caught, was how longer they were taking hiding in the shadows.

"I said," Kagome growled, her eyes gleaming a bright blue as the wind picked up in the clearing. "Come down."

The trees shook violently and just as she spoke, Aido and Kain were forced down to the ground. They dropped none too gently, but the unseen force holding them down made it difficult to get up.

"Did you really think I wouldn't notice you?" Kagome mocked. "Do a bit of recon, report back and then what? Happily kick out the silly vampire that you think is impersonating a pureblood?" She paused in her taunts, satisfied at her handiwork. She leaned down between them, looking them in the eye and whispered, "You may not have fed off my blood, but I assure you, the Higurashi blood runs through this very veins. Care for a taste?"

Aido growled. This was now how it was supposed to turn out. He was angry with himself, angry that he got caught and that Kain was also suffering from his actions, but mostly, no matter how misplaced, he was most angry with Kagome for overpowering them easily. They were like flies being easily swatted aside. He glared at her with newfound hatred.

"Ohh, scary." Kagome continued to mock. She straightened up. Kain was oddly quiet so she could only assume he was a silent follower and Aido the mastermind to this failed plan. Releasing them with a roll of her eyes, she quickly caught them both by their necks and raised them into the air.

"We would never drink your blood willingly, kill us if you must." Aido chocked out.

"Oh? Is that what you want as well, Akastuki?" The wild orange haired vampire grunted.

He replied, "He is childish. We are truly sorry for imposing on your privacy, please let us go."

Kagome grimaced. She let a bit of purification travel to her fingertips watching the skin on their necks hiss before they threw them across the clearing.

"Hanabusa, you are reckless and foolish. You do what you want without thinking and cause trouble for others, especially for Akatsuki. A man of your status, you're pathetic." With every insult she threw at him, Aido grit his teeth and held back a cry of pain as Kagome slapped him around with purification charged hands.

"Akatstuki," she continued the same treatment with him as she did with Aido, "I admire you loyalty, but you are the bigger fool. Have some respect for yourself and stop following others into trouble."

Though now angrier at their stupidity and not about the fact that they were spying on her, Kagome berated herself. She was not here to discipline and do Kaname's job. She really had to get herself back on track. Clearly what she told Sesshomaru about having it all under control was slipping away dangerously.

"I warned about you snooping around. If you want to scurry around the shadows like rats, then let it be my pleasure to squash you dead like the rats you are. I give you this warning once more; my being here has nothing to do with you, or Kuran. Stay out of my way."

Kagome scanned the damage she inflicted. Happy that they weren't serious and would heal in a few hours, she left them to deal with their own actions. For now she had just about enough. It was time to put an end to Kaname's ruse. She headed straight for Kaien's office.

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Yuki was exhausted. She had just escorted disgruntled day class students back to their dorms. She caught them sneaking around trying to cross paths with any of the night class students.

"This was a lot easier with Zero around…" She muttered to herself. Ever since Kagome arrived thanks to her father, she barely got to see Zero. Not to mention Kaname was a lot more distant as well.

"I just want things to go back to normal." She told herself. "Am I being too selfish?"

Yuki knew that Kagome's presence was to help Zero, to ensure his safety. And even though Zero was reluctant being who Kagome was, she did notice the growing friendship, the casual manner they spoke with each other and the light bickering on the side. Zero was never relaxed with Yuki and they grew up together. He was always so cold and protective; Yuki would be lying if she said she wasn't a little jealous of Kagome.

Looking down at her watch, Yuki decided to do one more round before heading back to her room. She turned away from the female dorm entrance and gasped in surprise. Her previous jealousy evaporated to subtle happiness.

"Kaname-sempai!"

Kaname looked down at Yuki, appreciating how he towered over her.

"Yuki." He called out; smiling almost apologetically because what he was about to do was far from being the silent protector he promised to be.

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Zero walked aimlessly around the academy grounds. Coming up to a barn, he decided to rest. Kagome failed to show up to their session and he wasn't the type to wait around anxiously worrying about her whereabouts. Though Zero claimed to believe he had no interest in her at all, he did see her as an ally at least. Maybe even going as far to call her a friend. But he wasn't going to preach that out anytime soon.

"I am not worried, just annoyed. Our sessions have been interrupted lately so definitely just annoyed." He resigned. Too caught up in his thoughts, he didn't see the wavering figure headed towards him.

"Zero?" Looking up he noticed Yuki walking up to him in a slight daze.

"Yuki, are you okay? What's wrong?"

"Zero…I don't think I'm feeling well." Yuki said as she stumbled up to him. Arms reaching out to catch her, Zero touched her forehead. She was burning up. He examined her body, she didn't look hurt physically he deduced, but her appearance seemed a little unkempt.

"What happened? Who did this to you?" Yuki didn't reply, she was falling in and out of consciousness. Zero tried to shake her as gently as he could. "Yuki wake up, I need you to-" His eyes widened and shock and fear. The sweet scent of blood wafted into his nose.

"You're bleeding…" He spoke to no one in particular. By now Yuki was unresponsive. Zero panicked. He couldn't leave her here alone, but he couldn't stick around for long either. The scent of blood was so strong he could barely think straight. No amount of will could have stopped him form this surprise.

Everything slowed down. He could feel his heart beat slowing down; the sound of her blood gushing through her veins rang loudly into his ears. His eyes trained on her jugular, he watched the veins pulse. In a moment of weakness, with no way to call for help, Zero neared his lips to her neck. Sweat and blood mixed together. His throat felt dry, yearning to quench his thirst. He was overpowered, overwhelmed, and defeated.

"I'm sorry….Yuki."

Time slowed down as Zero sunk his elongated teeth into Yuki's neck. His mouth filled with thick oozing blood, eyes rolling back in satisfaction, Zero took his fill. He didn't know how long had passed but he continued to devour her. He tried to regain control, he really did try, but it was too strong. This feeling that he couldn't explain and hated, was too good to give up.

Self-loath filled his entire being along with Yuki's blood. Shame and disgust overtook his body but not like the thirst did.

"Zero stop!" He heard the faint calling, but he didn't stop. He couldn't. Why didn't they understand?

"ARGHH!" He screamed as he was fiercely thrown away from Yuki. The moment only lasted a mere seconds but it felt longer. He gnashed his teeth and growled at the intruder only to be barricaded in a barrier. Eyes bled red, he tried to resist the barrier only to scamper back with a hiss as it burned him.

"Zero…" Blue eyes caught his attention. The high from drinking Yuki's blood slowly fading away replaced with guilt.

"Kagome…I…what have I done?"

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