Vampire Daiyōkai

by haharu

Summary:

Years ago, Kagome was rescued from being killed by a venomous demon. Her savior, now the president of the night class, harbors a secret known only to Kagome and a select few: he is a Daiyokai Vampire, practically royalty among his kind.

Kagome is secretly in love with him, and though she doesn’t realize it, her feelings are reciprocated. As she navigates the challenges of an impossible love, she must also confront the drama that now surrounds her best friend.

-

This work is a fictional creation made solely as a fan tribute. The story is based on the work of Matsuri Hino, and the referenced characters belongs to Rumiko Takahashi. There is no intention to infringe upon copyright or derive any financial benefit from this work. All references to the original works are a respectful and admiring homage.

Notes:

• For JulyTheLily, Sereia13.

The inspiration for this story was born in our Discord server while we were sowing chaos and fantasizing about how much we loved Vampire Knight and fangirling over how much we simp for Kaname Kuran. This one’s for my dear friends.

Chapter 1: Just Sesshōmaru, Kagome

 

 

Kagome was on the verge of losing consciousness. She could barely distinguish the sensations surrounding her: the icy touch of the snow beneath her body and the cold air that, with great effort, managed to enter her throat.
The hands closing mercilessly around her neck were rough, unpleasant, almost inhuman.

It was a cruel irony. It was devastating to imagine her life could end like this, in such an undignified and bitter way, at the hands of that demon called Mukotsu. Her captor, with his poisons and vile persistence, had reduced her to a shadow of herself.

As the weight of despair began to sink her, just on the brink of surrender, something changed. Through the shadows clouding her vision, Kagome perceived the figure of a young man, like her. His hair, white as the snow covering the ground, gleamed with a supernatural intensity. His fangs, sharp as daggers, flashed as he intervened with fury.

Mukotsu had no chance to react. The young man lunged at him with lethal claws, tearing through the threat with fierce precision. Within moments, the demon was defeated, and Kagome, moments from death, found herself wrapped in a warm embrace that contrasted with the cold of the night.

Kagome took a deep breath, filling her lungs with air she had thought she would lose forever. The safety of the embrace enveloped her like a mantle, and she realized her savior had given her not only life but also hope.

"Let's go home, Kagome."

That whisper was a balm, a caress that seemed to dispel the terror of the preceding moments. With those words resonating in her ears, Kagome surrendered to sleep, giving herself fully to unconsciousness, secure in the arms of her protector.

 

. . .

 

Here she was, leaning over the mirror, battling with the final touch of her black uniform. That damned red bow, as stubborn as she was, seemed to have a life of its own. It never sat right; every morning was a struggle, and no day did it look the same as before.
Kagome had always been hopeless with bows. If it were up to her, she would have banished them from the uniform on day one. But no, there she was, facing her fabric nemesis with patience that seemed more limited each passing dawn. Frustration was her constant companion as she got ready in her dorm room, dreaming of an unadorned uniform that would spare her this torment.

That morning, after a monumental effort, she had managed a knot that was somewhat decent. But by the time the afternoon arrived and she had to fulfill her duties as a member of the disciplinary committee, the bow already showed signs of rebellion. However, it wasn’t duty that drove her to try to perfect it. She wanted to look impeccable for him—the president of the night class. If only he didn’t bother to compliment her uniform every time it looked pristine, she would have given up on the accursed accessory long ago.

"Kagome, shall we go?"

The voice of InuYasha, her grandfather’s ward, pulled her out of her thoughts. He waited for her at the exit of the day class dormitory, ready to accompany her on her mission.

When they arrived at the quarters of the night class students, the usual group of admirers was already gathered. The girls crowded around the gate with overwhelming excitement, shouting the names of the most attractive boys as they approached.

Suddenly, a torrent of excited bodies tumbled over Kagome, knocking her to the ground like a human avalanche. The chaos was absolute, but just as she struggled to get up, a voice rose above the uproar.

"Are you alright, Kagome?"

That sweet, deep baritone was unmistakable. Her heart stopped for a moment, only to beat with a desperate force. She lifted her gaze, and there he was.

Sesshōmaru.

He helped her up with a delicacy that seemed almost impossible for someone of his stature. The stares of the girls around them—wide-eyed and filled with envy—barely mattered. He was there, in his impeccable white suit that contrasted with his platinum hair and pale complexion, radiating that characteristic seriousness that bordered on melancholy.

"Lord Sesshōmaru…" 

Her voice trembled, almost breaking under the weight of emotion. She tried to hide it by brushing the dust off her knees, avoiding his eyes. But the warmth of his presence continued to envelop her, making the entire world fade away—except for him.

"You always address me too formally, Kagome," he said, taking her hand gently.

His words were true. On numerous occasions, he had asked her to dispense with formalities when they were together. But how could she? How could she treat someone like him with familiarity—a being who was royalty among his kind?

The vampire daiyōkais.

Kagome was one of the few who knew of their existence. She had discovered it years ago when that beautiful and terrifying vampire saved her from the poison Mukotsu—a vile and ruthless creature—had used to try to take her life. She could never forget it. From that day forward, an unbreakable debt had bound her to Sesshōmaru.

"Taisho."

InuYasha’s sharp voice interrupted the moment. He stepped between them with determination, breaking the connection that had begun to form. If Kagome behaved like one of the girls he was supposed to protect, he was obliged to act accordingly.

"InuYasha," Sesshōmaru replied disdainfully.

"You know the rules, Taisho. Kagome is no exception."

The tension between them was palpable. They exchanged glances filled with hatred, and Kagome couldn’t help but step back slightly, terrified by the intensity emanating from them.

"You should learn not to frighten her, InuYasha." Sesshōmaru’s voice softened suddenly, like a whisper that dispelled the threat in the air. He took a step back and bade her farewell with elegance. "Until next time, Kagome…"

"What??" InuYasha blurted indignantly.

"Enough, InuYasha," Kagome sighed, trying to calm the situation. "Hold your horses."

Determined, she returned to her task, trying to maintain control over the still-excited group of girls near the gate separating the night class students. InuYasha stayed behind, simmering with frustration.

Finally, after calming all the admirers and ensuring no one had tried to sneak into the night quarters, Kagome sighed in relief. This job was truly exhausting, and if she weren’t the granddaughter of the Higurashi Academy’s headmaster, she would have quit long ago.

"Kagome… Earlier… I didn’t mean to scare you," InuYasha said, approaching her again, this time in a more conciliatory tone.

"It’s fine," she replied dismissively as she leaned against the gate. "Do you really think something like that would scare me?"

InuYasha remained silent for a moment, but then his tone hardened. "It’s not my problem if you like him or not, Kagome, but you should be the first to understand that they aren’t like you and me."

"InuYasha, stop. You know what’s between Sesshōmaru and me. My grandfather has explained it to you, hasn’t he? I’ll always owe him my life for saving me."

"Just as he saved you once, he could kill you whenever he wants… Don’t be naïve."

InuYasha’s tone was sharp, almost cruel, and his words were laden with a fury Kagome knew all too well. He couldn’t forget, or forgive, what had happened in his past. He had witnessed firsthand how a vampire had taken his mother’s life when he was just a child. Since then, his hatred for their kind was visceral. To him, Kagome was the closest thing to family, and he wouldn’t allow her to meet the same fate.

"Shut up, InuYasha. You don’t understand anything."

The words came out filled with anger, and without giving him a chance to respond, Kagome walked away, leaving his reproaches behind. She knew what he was going to say; she had heard it so many times that she could recite it from memory. But he needed to understand, once and for all, that Sesshōmaru was different. He had proven it time and again.

 

. . .

 

InuYasha couldn’t understand what was happening to him. For days, a strange and unsettling scent seemed to follow him wherever he went. It came from the people around him, but it was particularly strong on Kagome, his closest companion.
That scent was sickening, almost unbearable.

He couldn’t recall when exactly he had first noticed it, but since then, something within him had changed. It was as if a primal instinct, foreign to his will, had awakened and taken control. The sensation was overwhelming, a supernatural force far beyond him.

Unable to face it, InuYasha had secluded himself in his dorm room, pretending to be sick. He avoided Kagome whenever she tried to visit him and kept his distance from everyone else. It pained him deeply to know she was shouldering the responsibilities of the disciplinary committee alone, but he couldn’t let her see him like this, consumed by an impulse he couldn’t even comprehend.

"Master Higurashi…"

His voice trembled as he knocked on the door of Kagome’s grandfather’s office, the only person who might have answers for him.

"InuYasha," the old man said with a calm smile, observing him with shrewd eyes. "What brings you here, boy? What’s troubling you?"

The young man lowered his gaze. His hands trembled uncontrollably, and his face was pale as wax.

"You see, Master…" he began, struggling to maintain his composure. The words seemed stuck in his throat.

The old man leaned forward slightly, attentive. "What are you feeling, boy?"

"It’s as if… as if the scent of everyone around me is calling to me, pulling me toward them. It’s driving me mad." He swallowed hard before adding, almost in a whisper, "Especially Kagome’s."

The master stroked his beard, contemplating in silence, before turning to a shelf filled with strange vials. He selected one carefully, poured its contents into a crystal goblet, and placed it before InuYasha.

"Tell me," he said gravely. "Is this the scent that’s disturbing you?"

As soon as the liquid reached his nose, InuYasha felt a shiver run through his body. His eyes began to redden, and a dark, savage expression overtook his face.

"Yes, sir," he murmured in a deep, almost inhuman voice. "What is this?"

"It’s blood, InuYasha," the old man replied calmly. "You may drink it if you desire."

"Never!"

The exclamation was a roar filled with denial. With titanic effort, InuYasha pushed the goblet away, closing his eyes as he fought to regain control. His chest heaved violently with each breath.

"I’m not a monster, Master," he finally said, his voice breaking.

The old man regarded him with a mixture of compassion and gravity. "When my granddaughter found you in the forest, I knew there was something unusual about you. You were unconscious and bore a powerful seal within you, one I couldn’t fully decipher even though we managed to wake you. But now it seems clear. It seems your existence is tied to the very monsters you so despise."

"No…"

The denial escaped his lips as an empty whisper. His eyes widened in shock, and his mind flooded with chaotic thoughts. A vampire? Him? It couldn’t be true. It was a punishment, an absurdity beyond comprehension. Tears began to stream down his face, a reflection of the despair consuming him.

"InuYasha, listen." The old man approached carefully, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. "You must calm down. Whatever is happening to you, we will uncover it together. You’re not alone."

With those words, he pulled him into a warm, paternal embrace. InuYasha trembled, unable to contain the whirlwind of emotions assailing him.

The old man knew they faced a long and arduous road ahead. But he also knew he would not abandon this young man. Not now. Not ever.

"I only ask that you stay away from her."

"From Kagome?"

"Yes, right now, you’re a potential danger to her."

 

. . .

 

Kagome patrolled the gardens near the night class well past midnight. The solitude of the night didn’t bother her; in fact, it was a relief compared to enduring InuYasha’s constant reprimands. When he set his mind to it, he could be insufferable with his moral lectures every other day.

As she walked, her mind wandered, imagining an encounter with Sesshōmaru. Days had passed since she last saw him, and his absence weighed on her more than she wanted to admit. Those forbidden feelings, unyielding like deep roots, persisted. Though she knew it was impossible, she couldn’t help thinking about him. When Sesshōmaru spoke to her with that softness reserved only for her, her entire world turned upside down. She forgot her responsibilities, their differences, and was swept away by a whirlwind of emotions.

A sudden noise snapped her out of her reverie. Kagome reacted instinctively, unslinging her bow and nocking an arrow with trembling hands. In her haste, a small cut on her fingers made her gasp, but before she could orient herself, two figures emerged from the shadows: Bankotsu and Byakuya. They circled her with unnerving precision.

"So, the delicious scent was yours, Kagome," murmured Byakuya, stepping forward to take her injured hand with an entranced look. She froze, paralyzed by icy fear.

"W-what do you mean?" she asked, her voice trembling with uncertainty.

"Oh, don’t be afraid, dear. It’s your blood… it has an exquisite aroma. Now I understand why President Taisho is so infatuated with you."

Bankotsu remained stiff, struggling against an impulse that wound him tight like a spring. He said nothing, but his eyes stayed fixed on the young human. Meanwhile, Byakuya leaned closer to her.

"You’re far too tempting," he whispered as he licked the trace of blood from Kagome’s fingers. "And delicious…"

"Byakuya, let me go! This is dangerous," she cried, struggling against the grip that immobilized her.

"If you resist, I might have to go for your neck, dear. Is that what you want?" He pulled her against his chest, ensuring she couldn’t move.

A low, furious growl broke the air.

"Byakuya, release her immediately ."

The voice, cold as a blade’s edge, made Byakuya recoil, trembling.

"President Taisho," he muttered, his tone now tinged with fear. He knew he had crossed a dangerous line.

"Lord Sesshōmaru…" Kagome’s voice was a whisper of relief as she ran to him. Sesshōmaru enveloped her in a protective embrace, his gaze murderous as it fell on Byakuya.

"Wait for me in my office," he ordered icily before turning to Kagome. "Come with me, I’ll escort you to your dormitory."

From his pocket, he pulled an immaculate white handkerchief and delicately bandaged Kagome’s injured fingers. Then, they walked together under the silver light of the moon.

"It’s been a while since we’ve been alone, Kagome," Sesshōmaru said, his tone surprisingly calm after the preceding scene.

"True…" she replied, feeling her cheeks flush. The blush betrayed the nervous energy coursing through her like a slow-burning fire.

"Why were you patrolling alone?" he asked, his tone severe. He was angry. More than once, he had insisted to Master Higurashi that it wasn’t safe for her to participate in the disciplinary committee, that they should be more protective of Kagome.

"Ah… um, Grandpa said InuYasha is very sick. I haven’t seen him in days."

"I see…" he replied, his disdain evident.

They walked in silence for a while. Without warning, Sesshōmaru took her hand, his long, elegant fingers enveloping hers. His mind was set: he would speak to Master Higurashi and reprimand InuYasha for leaving her unprotected. But at that moment, all that mattered was being with Kagome.

"I’ve missed you, Kagome. You barely talk to me anymore," he said, his voice tinged with a melancholy that disarmed her.

"Lord Sesshōmaru… I…"

"Just Sesshōmaru, Kagome. I feel as if you don’t trust me anymore."

His words left her breathless. His closeness always caught her off guard, sparking a glimmer of hope within her. Swallowing her nerves, she summoned her courage to ask:

"What am I to you, Sesshōmaru ?"

He froze in place. Her words took him by surprise, but he couldn’t answer with the truth. His truth. Not yet. The sweet aroma of her blood filled the air; he could hear her heart pounding. He knew how Kagome felt.

He leaned toward her gently, his golden eyes locking onto hers as if trying to decipher her. He drew close enough for their breaths to mingle. Kagome was nervous but ready to accept whatever came. If she was certain of one thing, it was that she was hopelessly in love with this vampire. Yet the kiss she so desperately longed for didn’t materialize.

"You’re very important to me, Kagome," he finally said, resuming their walk. The kiss they both yearned for didn’t happen. He couldn’t allow it. Not yet. He had to restrain himself for both their sakes.

Kagome sighed, her heart sinking. Though he valued her, she realized there were barriers they would never cross. That kiss, so anticipated, remained an impossible dream for her. She forced herself to suppress her feelings.

He was always too solemn, too otherworldly to imagine him doing what any ordinary mortal would. She sighed, understanding that even as he told her how much she meant to him, the kiss she yearned for would never happen. She accepted that Sesshōmaru was only her protector. Surely, it was his way of showing the world how civilized a great vampire like him could be. Someone of his status was likely betrothed to an elite vampiress.

Sesshōmaru noticed Kagome’s uncharacteristic silence but chose not to comment.

"Taisho," Kagome heard her grandfather’s voice near the entrance to the day class dorms as they approached.

When they reached the dorm entrance, her grandfather was waiting.

"What happened?" he asked gravely.

"Master Higurashi, there was an incident between Byakuya and Kagome," Sesshōmaru’s voice was grave, almost reproachful.

"I see… thank you for accompanying her here," the elder said, stepping closer.

Sesshōmaru held Kagome in his arms for a moment longer, feeling her sweet, desperate heartbeat. She was warm like no one else, and he cherished that warmth. He couldn’t bear the thought of other vampires hunting her.

"Good night, Kagome," he whispered in her ear, his soft baritone sending shivers down her spine. His warm breath grazed her neck and ear, making her entire body tingle.

"Good night… Sesshōmaru," she replied, her heart nearly skipping a beat. Trying to steady herself, she turned to face her grandfather. "Good night, Grandpa," she said before entering the dormitory, completely confused and overwhelmed by her swirling emotions.

"Master Higurashi, I must speak with you in private." The elder nodded, leading Sesshōmaru to his quarters.

Chapter 2: A disturbingly familiar precense

Sesshōmaru, upon crossing the threshold of the building designated for the day class, perceived something he hadn’t been able to clearly identify in previous days: an unknown presence. That strange scent, accompanied by an unusual aura, had lingered in his mind for days, but until now, he hadn’t been able to pinpoint its origin. Now, however, the answer was clear. A lopsided, mocking smile appeared on his face as he realized the truth.

The rules of the game had just changed.

He walked alongside Director Higurashi, maintaining a calm demeanor, though his mind was far from the mundane conversation. His senses were focused on what was happening in one of the rooms in that building—on that which, in a stubborn act, the old man had tried to hide from him.

“Is something the matter, Sesshōmaru?” the director asked, settling into the old chair in his office after closing the door.

“Why do you allow Kagome to patrol alone?” Sesshōmaru’s voice rose with an icy calm that masked his growing anger. Word by word, his indignation became more palpable, though he knew he had to wait a few more months before intervening directly.

“You know it would be impossible to stop her. You know her as well as I do,” the old man replied with resignation.

Excuses. Sesshōmaru knew perfectly well that stopping her was more than possible.

“If I hadn’t arrived in time, she’d now be bleeding out in the middle of the gardens. You know how dangerous this situation is. You know how valuable she is.”

“Just a little longer, Sesshōmaru. Just a bit more. In the meantime, let her live as a normal girl.”

“A normal girl?” he retorted with biting sarcasm. “Normal girls don’t wander alone through the courtyards of a boarding school in the dead of night.”

The old man lowered his head, defeated. “You’re right…”

“Then do what you must. Remember your promise.” Though his tone remained controlled, fury was evident in every word.

“I will take action,” the director finally conceded.

Silence fell like a heavy cloak between them. Sesshōmaru’s expression darkened even further, and the old man noticed the shift.

“Is there something else?” he asked, visibly worried.

“Inuyasha must leave the day class.”

The director’s face immediately tensed. Attempting to hide something from Sesshōmaru was a futile effort.
“So, you’ve discovered it.” The old man scratched his beard, searching for the right words. “We had kept it a secret, but your senses are unparalleled, Sesshōmaru. Nothing escapes you.”

“What exactly is happening?”

“It seems it was always this way, but a powerful seal had contained his true nature. He is not pureblood. And I’m not talking about someone like you , whose lineage has been devoid of humanity for centuries. I mean he is some sort of hybrid, though we are still investigating his origins.”

“Do whatever is necessary to ensure this doesn’t become a problem. Good night, Higurashi.”

Sesshōmaru left the office without haste but remained vigilant. His instincts urged him to dig deeper. Inuyasha’s presence—murky and weakened—felt disturbingly familiar . That hybrid seemed to be dying of starvation, which, far from making him less dangerous, only made him an even greater threat.

For now, he would let it be, but he wouldn’t take his eyes off him. He needed answers about Inuyasha’s vampiric origins. However, his priority was to protect what truly mattered to him.

Before leaving the building, he approached Kagome’s dormitory door. He couldn’t resist the temptation to inhale her scent one last time before dawn. The sounds of her steady breathing and beating heart confirmed she was deeply asleep. A fleeting smile crossed his face, knowing she was safe.

Back in the night class building, Sesshōmaru headed to his office to settle accounts with Byakuya. Upon arrival, the young vampire awaited him, trembling with fear.

“You are well aware of the rules, Byakuya. Today, you crossed a dangerous line.”

“I know, President Taisho,” he replied in a trembling voice.

“You will not leave your dormitory for a month. That will be your punishment.”

“But… I didn’t even attack her. She cut herself. You felt it too, didn’t you? That blood was… simply delicious.”

“Silence, Byakuya,” Sesshōmaru ordered, clenching his fist so tightly he felt his claws dig into his palm. Though fury burned within him, he was the leader, a Daiyōkai of royal lineage. Losing control in front of a subordinate would be beneath his rank.

“This is unfair. It’s because of her, isn’t it?”

Byakuya needed no response. Sesshōmaru’s gaze alone was enough to seal his fate.

“What are you implying?” Sesshōmaru’s voice filled the room, deep and brimming with menace, like the growl of a beast about to pounce.

“I’m not implying anything,” Byakuya replied, lifting his chin with a boldness that bordered on recklessness. “It’s obvious to everyone that stupid human makes you act like a fool! There are at least five pureblood vampire families who would give anything for you to look at the women in their clans the same way. What’s so special about her?”

The crack of a slap cut through the air. The force of the blow echoed off the walls, and Byakuya stumbled backward. Sesshōmaru, as still as a statue, let the silence speak for him. His gaze, cold as steel, was more devastating than the slap itself.

“Know your place, Byakuya.” Each word was a lash filled with restrained fury, suffusing the room with a tension so thick it was suffocating.

Realizing he had crossed a perilous line, Byakuya immediately dropped to his knees. “Forgive me, my lord,” he murmured, his voice trembling with fear.

“Leave,” Sesshōmaru ordered with disdain, turning his back on him.

Byakuya didn’t dare lift his eyes as he left the room, his pride wounded and the lesson thoroughly learned.

…

Kagome woke up exhausted, her heart pounding in her chest. The previous night had been a torment. The incident with Byakuya had unearthed an old trauma, and the nightmares—identical to those of the past—had transported her back to the memory of the encounter with Mukotsu and that suffocating sense of vulnerability.

“How long am I going to be the eternal damsel in distress?” she thought, letting out a sigh heavy with frustration.

She was fed up. She no longer wanted to be Sesshōmaru’s protected one, that defenseless lamb he seemed to guard out of pure obligation—or worse, out of pity. The idea that he might see her as a burden, as merely the granddaughter of his friend who needed to be escorted, was unbearable.

No more.

If she wanted to break free from those invisible chains, she would have to prove she was strong, that she could fend for herself. Her bow and the dagger she always carried hidden under her skirt would be her allies. She needed to train with determination. Only then would Sesshōmaru stop intervening at every turn. And perhaps—just perhaps—he would stop confusing her with his gestures, with the sweet whispers in her ear, and the warm embrace she still felt on her skin from the night before.

That day, after classes, Kagome, as usual, took on the task of managing the Night Class fan club. Once again, she was alone; Inuyasha was still missing, and the chaos was becoming harder to control.

“Girls, girls, behind the gate, please!” she shouted as she tried to push back the crowd of young women desperately trying to get closer to the vampires who crossed the gardens with ethereal elegance.

“Kagome, you’re so unfair! I want to give this to Kohaku!” protested a young girl, holding up a red rose as if it were a sacred talisman.

“Rin, you know how dange—…” Kagome’s words caught in her throat. A rose, that simple and delicate object, was a danger in the hands of anyone near the vampires. But, of course, she couldn’t say that out loud.

“You know what? Give it to me,” she said, flashing a reassuring smile. “I’ll make sure one of the guys gets it to him. It might get crushed out here.”

“Really, Kagome? You’re the best!” Rin beamed with delight, trusting that Kagome, with her special connection to some of the Night Class boys, would keep her promise.

Kagome took the flower carefully, hiding her true intentions behind a composed expression. Sometimes, protecting wasn’t about weapons or powers—it was about cleverness.

As the vampires entered the building, Kagome couldn’t stop her eyes from searching, if only for a moment, for one particular figure. But Sesshōmaru wasn’t among them.
And though she wouldn’t admit it out loud, she missed him.

“Bankotsu! Bankotsu!” The enthusiastic cries of the girls didn’t stop. Bankotsu, with his carefree charisma, had quickly gained popularity, rivaling even Sesshōmaru’s imposing aura.

Kagome, struggling to keep the crowd under control, managed to calm the commotion. But before she could catch her breath, a firm hand grabbed her arm, pulling her away from the group.

“Kagome.”

That voice. It was unusual to hear it so close, but it wasn’t unfamiliar to her. It was Bankotsu. His low tone, almost a whisper, was an attempt to keep the horde from overhearing his words.

“I wanted to apologize to you for not helping you with Byakuya yesterday,” he said, stepping a little closer. “It was a complicated situation, even for me. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t worry. You didn’t do anything wrong.”

“President Taisho would have expected more from me… Besides, I like you.”

Kagome raised an eyebrow, surprised by the confession. She decided to seize the moment.
“If you really want to make it up to me, could you do me a favor? Deliver this rose to Kohaku. It’s from that girl over there…” She discreetly pointed to Rin, who was watching the scene with a mix of nervousness and hope.

“Of course!” Bankotsu took the flower enthusiastically, gave Kagome a light pat on the head, and ran off toward the entrance to the Night Class quarters.

The atmosphere hung in suspense, but not for long.

“Kagome, you sly fox! Wasn’t taking Sesshōmaru enough for you? Now you’re going after Bankotsu too?” Yura’s sharp, venomous voice cracked through the air like a whip.

A collective murmur rose among the girls, followed by an unsettling silence. Some stared at Kagome in surprise; others, like Kagura, glared at her, clearly in agreement with Yura.

Kagome felt heat rise to her face. Humiliation hit her like a bucket of cold water, but she wasn’t about to let herself be trampled. She clenched her fists, determined to confront Yura. However, before she could open her mouth, a distinct voice cut through the tension.

“Kagome…”

Sesshōmaru had arrived, his presence filling the space like a serene whirlwind. His tone, soft and almost intimate, contrasted sharply with the charged atmosphere. He approached Kagome with a calmness more imposing than any reprimand.

“Is something wrong?”

Kagome swallowed hard, trying to collect herself.

“Uh… no, nothing.” She gave him a timid smile.

“You look tired.” Sesshōmaru raised a hand and brushed her cheek with his thumb, emphasizing her eyes and the dark circles beneath them, scrutinizing her carefully.
“I don’t like seeing you like this, Kagome .”

The inevitable blush crept into her cheeks. Her heart, as always, pounded fiercely, but this time the feeling was bitter. Why did he insist on lifting her to the clouds only to let her fall without warning? And worse, he did it in front of these girls, who were already glaring at her with contempt.

“Taisho-sempai, maybe she’s tired from thinking about Bankotsu ,” Yura quipped mockingly, her voice dripping with venom.

Sesshōmaru didn’t spare her even a glance. His indifference to the comment was so icy that it left Yura speechless.

“Please try to rest today.” His voice regained its soft tone as he leaned down to place a brief kiss on Kagome’s cheek. Without another word, he turned and joined the rest of the Night Class students.

The gate closed behind him, and the girls watched him walk away. His stride seemed like a dance along the path, full of grace and power.

Kagome let out a deep sigh. Another day had ended, and with it, another torment of keeping order among the Night Class fans. But as she stood there, staring at the closed gate, a small smile appeared on her lips.

Maybe tomorrow would be different.

Chapter 3: A primitive beast

Sesshōmaru knew he should focus on the lesson. As both the president and the highest-ranking vampire in the academy, it was his duty to embody discipline and composure for everyone around him. Yet, his mind spiraled into scattered thoughts, incapable of anchoring itself in the present, ensnared by a storm of recent revelations.

How had he been so blind to something that now seemed so obvious?

How had he failed to notice what, at least to him, should have been undeniable?

That day, after an exhaustive investigation that had plunged him into hours of tense uncertainty, he unearthed a secret that shook him to his very core. A taboo that loomed like a shadow over InuYasha’s existence and, even more disturbingly, their connection to one another.
How was such a thing possible?

Questions surged in his mind, a relentless torrent crashing against the walls of his sanity, slowly eroding it. The newly uncovered truth wove itself into his thoughts, robbing him of clarity—let alone the focus required to fulfill his role in the class.

As he left the classroom, still consumed by the same state of inner turmoil, Sesshōmaru caught a scent that abruptly halted his erratic musings. It was a sweet, intoxicating fragrance, so profound and maddening that it could belong to no one but her .

Kagome’s blood .

He could recognize it from miles away—a privilege and a burden tied to the sacred, unbreakable bond between them.

Without hesitation, he allowed anger and concern to seize control. What had happened? What misfortune could have caused her to bleed? His mind clouded with the certainty that such an exquisite yet perilous scent might draw others of his kind—creatures far less restrained than he. Driven by primal, protective instincts, he quickened his pace, following the invisible trail that the scent marked as if it were a map etched into the air.

The trail led him to the dojo of the day class, a place that should have been silent and empty at this hour. The very fact that it wasn’t only deepened the unease weighing on his thoughts.

When he arrived, he pushed the door open without hesitation, and what he saw on the other side froze time itself. Kagome lay on the floor, pale but conscious, with an open wound on her leg. Thin rivulets of blood flowed from it with an unsettling urgency, as if they couldn’t wait to escape. The stark contrast of crimson against her skin made him grit his teeth, a wave of concern mixed with something more primal surging within him.

Beside her, scattered across the floor like silent witnesses to the incident, lay her bow and a few arrows, abandoned where they had fallen. The scene was a chaotic puzzle. For a moment, Sesshōmaru stood motionless, his gaze fixed on her. The juxtaposition of her fragility and her strength disarmed him, but there was no time to yield to confusion. He stepped forward with purpose, each step laden with an unspoken vow: to protect her at any cost.

“Kagome!” he finally called out, approaching her.

“Sessh... Sesshōmaru…” she murmured weakly, her voice trembling, her eyes filled with fear—not for her injury, but for the danger she knew her blood posed to him.

“You have nothing to fear, Kagome. Not from me.” His voice was low but resolute, a promise made manifest.

He knelt beside her, his gaze fixed on the source of the intoxicating scent that beckoned him like a siren’s call. It was overwhelming, a spell threatening to strip him of his control. But Sesshōmaru had endured far crueler trials to protect her, and this would be no exception.

Carefully, he moved the hem of her skirt aside, revealing her pale, smooth thigh. There it was—the wound, mere millimeters away from the knife still strapped to her leg. The broken sheath made it clear how the injury had occurred, a senseless and cruel accident that had nonetheless been enough to unleash chaos within him.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered, shame coloring every syllable of her apology.

“What were you thinking?” Sesshōmaru’s restrained anger escaped in a rough murmur, a sharp edge to his voice she couldn’t ignore.

“I was just training… After the incident with Byakuya, I wanted to be better prepared.”

Her words, laden with vulnerability, did little to quell the storm raging inside him. Sesshōmaru let out a soft sigh. With almost reverent slowness, he slid his hand along her exposed thigh, a deliberate and measured motion, until his fingers reached the knife that had dared to harm her flawless skin. Gently, he unfastened the strap that secured it to her leg, removing it entirely as if doing so could erase the affront.

The brush of his fingers was like lightning coursing through her skin, awakening something deep and visceral within Kagome. It wasn’t just her leg, but every fiber of her being, that seemed to tremble under the almost inadvertent touch. A wave of heat surged through her, and she had to bite her lip to stifle the moan that threatened to betray her.

Meanwhile, Sesshōmaru noticed a change. The air in the room was suffused with a sweet, enveloping scent, so intoxicating that he couldn’t ignore it. It wasn’t the sharp tang of blood that mesmerized him, but something subtler, more alluring—a trace emanating from the maiden who lay defenseless before him. Sesshōmaru felt his own blood boiling in his veins as he observed the crimson coursing beneath Kagome’s skin. Her face, flushed with a deep blush, reflected both vulnerability and something unspoken, undecidable.

With painful effort, he bit his lip, battling to keep control over the beast that lurked within him—the part of himself that craved more than it should. There were still months to go, and though temptation engulfed him like a dark tide, he knew he couldn’t give in. Not now. Not with her.

In silence, with precise and elegant movements, he reached for the collar of his shirt, loosening the red tie he wore. The vibrant color seemed a reflection of the blood he was trying to restrain, a symbol of his inner struggle. Slowly, yet with unwavering care, he used it as an improvised bandage, wrapping it around Kagome’s leg wound with a tenderness that defied his nature.

Kagome watched him, breathless, bewildered by the gentleness with which he attended to every detail, as though he were an artist restoring a priceless masterpiece. That softness was surreal, a stark contrast to the strength he always exuded. She felt as if she were lost in a dream—a fantasy she didn’t want to wake from.

Every brush of his hands against her skin, every fold of the silk fabric sliding carefully into place, intensified the warmth surging through her. She was on the edge of ecstasy, a blend of confusion and exhilaration she couldn’t conceal. Her face, completely flushed, betrayed how deeply his proximity, his attention, and his presence affected her.

“This is foolish,” he murmured, his voice firm but laden with an unmistakable weight. He held the knife he had removed from her thigh—the cause of all this—and let it fall to the side, as if discarding not just the weapon but also the emotions that assailed him.

Before Kagome could respond, he lifted her effortlessly into his arms, the motion so smooth it nearly made her forget her own frailty.

“Where are we going?” she asked, her voice trembling, unable to mask the nervousness his closeness stirred within her.

“To the infirmary, of course,” Sesshōmaru replied without hesitation. His tone was resolute, but the tension in his movements revealed that he too was on the brink, grappling with something he could not afford to lose.

 

. . .

. . .

 

Kagome was awakened by an icy breeze slipping through the open window of her bedroom, brushing her skin with a cold that seeped into her very bones. She blinked slowly, still caught between the fading remnants of sleep and the sharp pain now radiating from her leg. The wound, treated and bandaged by the nurse only hours earlier, seemed to have awakened alongside her as the anesthetic’s effects wore off.

She sat up carefully, her mind still sluggish, when something abruptly stole her breath away: a chilling shadow loomed at the edge of the window, motionless, like a specter lying in wait. Panic shot down her spine, a jolt of electric fear.

With clumsy, hurried movements, she switched on the light in her room, her heart pounding so violently it echoed in her ears. Fear clouded her thoughts and made her hands tremble. What was that? Who dared to invade her room, cloaked in the guise of a haunting phantom?

When the light flooded every corner of the room, the truth unfurled before her like a swift, brutal strike.

“Inu…” she whispered, but her voice broke before she could finish the name. 

What stood before her was not her dear friend.

The black hair she remembered was now a pure, almost luminous white. Long, sharp fangs peeked from the corners of his mouth, unrecognizable features for someone she once knew. Two violet marks, sharp as claws, slashed across his cheeks, and his eyes… his eyes were entirely bloodshot, brimming with a wild, feral glow that chilled her to the core.

“Kagome…” he growled, his voice hoarse and jagged, barely a distorted echo of the tone that had once comforted her. It was InuYasha’s voice, and yet, it wasn’t.

She stepped back, her words escaping her throat in a trembling whisper:
“This can’t be…”

But her legs refused to obey. Her entire body was frozen in terror as he—or whatever he had become—advanced toward her with slow, deliberate steps. His gaze was unfocused, consumed by a dark impulse that had overtaken him, leaving no trace of the young man she had known.

He cornered her with ferocity, his eyes ablaze with a primal, uncontrollable hunger. The beast—the one he had fought so hard to suppress—had seized absolute control of him. His humanity, what little remained of it, had vanished into the void of darkness and desire. There was no room left for reason, no trace of remorse.

With a roar buried deep within his chest, he lunged at Kagome. He gave her no time to escape, no moment to process what was happening; his attack was swift and deadly. His hands, firm and desperate, pinned her down while his lips sought the warm pulse beating in her neck with unrelenting fury.

Kagome felt the exact moment his fangs tore through her skin—a sharp, searing pain that spread like an all-consuming fire. She couldn’t hold back a heart-wrenching scream, a sound that reverberated through the room and beyond, cutting through the walls with an intensity that seemed capable of reaching every corner of the academy. But her resistance was fleeting. Within seconds, she collapsed, utterly defenseless, into the arms of her attacker.

He held her—his prey, his victim—and for an instant that stretched into an eternal sigh, the room was steeped in heavy silence. The quiet was broken only by the grotesque sound of him drawing every drop of blood her body offered and the distant echo of Kagome’s scream.

When the beast was finally sated, and clarity cruelly returned to reclaim control of his body, InuYasha realized the horror he had unleashed. A guttural, anguished cry erupted from the depths of his chest—a lament that filled the room like the toll of an eternal damnation. 

He was now a monster in every sense of the word, marked by the stain of his most abominable sin, a victim of his own recklessness and weakness.

Kagome didn’t deserve this. She, the one person in the world he had sworn to protect, was the last he would ever wish to harm.

“Kagome… Kagome!” He shook her in his arms, his voice fractured, his eyes overflowing with tears, as the woman remained motionless, her fragile form a mere whisper in the dimness.

A cold voice, laced with contempt and restrained fury, sliced through his despair like a whip:
“You’ve degraded yourself to the level of a primitive beast, InuYasha.”

Sesshōmaru appeared, his implacable presence radiating fury, his anger etched into every line of his face. Before InuYasha could respond, he was ripped away from Kagome with overwhelming force. His body flew across the room, landing with a resounding thud on the far side. Yet he offered no resistance. How could he? He knew this was what he deserved.

Deep within, a silent plea begged Sesshōmaru to end him then and there. The shame, the dishonor, and the abyss of his guilt were more than he could bear.

Sesshōmaru leaned closer to Kagome, his hardened gaze softening ever so slightly as it swept over the pale face of the young woman who, miraculously, was still breathing.

“You’ve drained her so mercilessly that she can barely cling to life,” his voice was sharp, cutting, and dangerous, yet beneath the blade of his words pulsed a restrained anguish, growing like an oncoming storm. “Was her blood so exquisite that it justified such savagery?”

InuYasha, defeated, barely lifted his head. His voice, broken and trembling, was little more than a whisper amidst his sobs:
“ Kill me … Sesshōmaru. I don't deserve to go on living.”

Sesshōmaru’s golden eyes bore into him with an icy contempt, the weight of his disgust like a crushing force.

“Though it is what I desire most,” he said, his voice as cold as ice, “the laws that govern us forbid me to end my half-brother's life, even after he has tainted my beloved betrothed.”

 

Notes:

Well, some mysteries of the story are starting to unravel. I hope I'm on the right track and that you're liking the story.

Thank you so much for the nomination for the Inuyasha Fandom Awards, it means a lot to me <3

Chapter 4: Half-brothers

"Half-brother?" InuYasha  still couldn’t quite comprehend. Confusion clouded his mind after the brutal blow delivered by Sesshōmaru, who now advanced toward the dojo entrance with glacial calm, as impeccable as ever, carrying an unconscious Kagome in his arms.
"Your bethroted...?" InuYasha  tried to lift himself from the ground, but his body, still weakened despite the vigor restored by Kagome’s blood, refused to obey. The impact he had suffered not only left him breathless but also painfully reminded him of Sesshōmaru Taisho's immeasurable strength.

"Do not dare come near, InuYasha ." Sesshōmaru’s voice echoed cold and sharp, like the unsheathing of a blade. Each of his steps seemed to weigh like lead on the floor, an implicit threat in every movement. InuYasha  could feel it: Sesshōmaru was holding back. Barely, but he was. Were it not for that faint restraint, he might have already finished him off.

Before Sesshōmaru crossed the threshold, Director Higurashi burst into the dojo, his face twisted in anguish, his eyes brimming with desperation. The scene before him, especially Kagome's condition, froze him for an instant, but his despair spurred him to act.

"My child!" he cried, his heart in his throat, rushing toward Sesshōmaru as if doing so could somehow alleviate the tragedy.

"She lives." Sesshōmaru's response was as cutting as a dry thunderclap, laden with disdain he didn’t bother to conceal this time. The faint beat of Kagome's heart clinging to life reminded him of InuYasha 's feat. He did not stop; he kept walking, his gaze fixed on his destination. His aura radiated a restrained fury that seemed to lash out at everything and everyone around him.

In Sesshōmaru's eyes, Director Higurashi was no less guilty than InuYasha . His negligence—his absurd trust in the half-breed—had been a monumental mistake. And now, Kagome had paid the price. He would tolerate no more of this incompetence; from now on, Kagome’s safety was his responsibility and his alone.

 

. . .

 

“Honey, you must hide here,” whispered a woman, her voice fractured by fear. She tried to comfort her while closing the closet door where she had hidden her. Her tone, sweet yet trembling, sought to convey a security she herself did not possess. “You mustn’t be afraid, my daughter. He will come and protect you.”

The images of that vision appeared blurred, wrapped in a veil of shadows and distance, as if they came from a remote corner of memory. But the fear was vivid, piercing, and Kagome felt it with heart-wrenching intensity. It wasn’t just her own terror invading that moment; she could also sense the desperation, the deep anguish of the woman who had called her “daughter.”

The echoes of a chant or spell began to fill the air. The woman recited words in an ancient language, whispered with the urgency of someone fighting against time. In the distance, a man’s voice resounded, accompanied by the sound of footsteps drawing closer—heavy, inexorable, as if dragging with them a dark fate.

“Hoshiyomi…” murmured the woman, and her voice, though barely a whisper, revealed everything her face had wished to conceal. It was an echo of intertwined fear and tenderness, an intimate and harrowing mix born of love and the inevitable certainty of tragedy.

“Where is she?” The man’s voice erupted like a roar, furious and brutal. The metallic sound of a blade scraping against the floor filled the room, amplifying the tension until it became unbearable. The steel rasped as if it sought to flay the very air, marking an ominous rhythm with every movement.

“Where is she?” he repeated, this time shouting, his tone overflowing with a fury that bordered on madness. His control, barely hanging by a thread, had completely unraveled, leaving only the imminent threat and the promise of violence in its wake.

“I forgive you, Hoshiyomi…”

Those words echoed distantly before Kagome woke, torn from a deep and strange trance. Confusion enveloped her immediately; the dream had been so vivid, so tangible, that she could still feel its shadows brushing against her skin.

But returning to it was impossible.

Slowly, she began to regain control of her body, noticing the sweat that drenched her entirely. She felt dizzy, disoriented, as if she had crossed an invisible threshold into an unknown place.

Opening her eyes took a titanic effort, and when she finally managed it, the light in the room dazzled her, causing her to retreat momentarily into the darkness of her mind. Then, a sharp pang in her neck abruptly brought her back to the present, grounding her in the here and now. With that pang, memories crashed down upon her like a storm. The last thing that had happened returned with devastating clarity, and pain settled in her chest like sharp daggers. Betrayal. Sorrow. A bitter abyss of emotions suffocated her as she remembered that InuYasha , her dear friend, had become what he most despised. Now, he was a danger—not only to her but to the entire world.

Gathering all her strength, Kagome slowly sat up. In front of her, like an almost unreal apparition, were those golden eyes—deep and filled with a melancholy that seemed to expect something more than words from her. Eyes that waited, as if life itself depended on her awakening.

“It’s good to see you’ve regained consciousness, Kagome,” said a deep voice, laden with barely contained sorrow, as though each word cost him his composure.

His exhaustion was evident. He wore a black shirt, unbuttoned just enough to reveal his firm chest—a striking contrast to his usual pristine and impeccable attire.

Kagome swallowed hard.

“Sesshōmaru…” The name escaped her lips in disbelief as she realized that the one standing before her was the man she loved. Her mind struggled to process the imposing presence of the Daiyokai.

When her gaze dropped to the clothes she was wearing—a white nightgown that revealed delicate transparencies under the room’s light—a sudden heat rushed to her face. Blood surged to her cheeks like a flame, staining her skin with a vivid red she couldn’t hide. Her embarrassment was palpable, a whirlwind of emotions burning just beneath the surface.

“Where am I?” she stammered, covering herself with the sheets, trying to maintain composure as her mind worked to piece everything together.

“In my chambers, of course,” he replied, his usual serious and restrained demeanor intact.

Kagome opened her mouth to ask something else, but her voice broke as she tried to form the words.

“Where’s my grandfather? And…?” She couldn’t continue, as if the name she was about to utter burned in her throat. But it was too late.

Sesshōmaru didn’t need to hear the rest. His eyes darkened, as if a veil of shadows had fallen over his face. He understood perfectly.

“Don’t mention his name,” he demanded.

In that instant, the room seemed to fill with a heavy silence, laden with everything neither of them dared to say.

He approached with calculated slowness, his imposing presence enveloping her like a seductive shadow. Every movement he made carried an almost tangible tension, thickening the air between them. He sat beside her on the wide bed, invading her space with an intimacy that made her hold her breath. His fingers, barely a whisper against her skin, brushed over the wounds on her neck with an unsettling softness—a touch that burned and sent shivers through her at the same time. The caress was more than mere contact; it was a reminder that every inch of her delicate skin belonged to him, an exquisite interplay of pain and desire entwined with every rapid beat of Kagome’s heart.

“Does it hurt?” he asked, his voice barely a whisper, laden with a concern so genuine it seemed as if he bore the suffering himself.

A shiver coursed through Kagome from the base of her neck to the deepest part of her being. Yes, it hurt. Of course it hurt. The wound throbbed with a persistent ache, but another sensation entirely was now consuming her. Her heart pounded furiously in her chest each time Sesshōmaru unhesitatingly crossed into her personal space. It was overwhelming and, at the same time, inescapable.

“Uh… yes… a little,” she stammered, feeling the heat rise to her face as a blush took hold.

“He pierced your skin mercilessly…” he murmured, with a hint of regret. His golden eyes were filled with more than anger; they reflected the guilt gnawing at him for not acting sooner, for arriving too late.

“I’m fine, Sesshōmaru. It looks like I’m not going to die, right?” Kagome replied, forcing herself to smile. Her gesture sought to calm the anger threatening to consume him and dispel the guilt weighing on his voice.

“Actually… my chest hurts more now,” she admitted, trying to shift the conversation to break the tension. “I had a dream… so strange, so intense it almost felt real.”

Sesshōmaru remained silent, but his eyes never left the wounds marking her neck.

“Your situation isn’t one to joke about, Kagome,” he admonished, his tone grave, laden with a mix of concern and something deeper he could barely contain. Fear.

“I’m sorry…” she whispered, her voice trembling as she tilted her head slightly, as though trying to hide from the intensity that pierced through her.

Sesshōmaru didn’t respond. Instead of words, it was impulse that guided him. Before he could stop himself, he leaned toward her, and with slow yet unrelenting movements, he wrapped her in an embrace. His body loomed over Kagome’s, trapping her between him and the softness of the bed. The sensation of his closeness was overwhelming; his chest brushed against hers, and his warm, steady breath grazed her skin, every movement deliberate and laden with intent.

He rested his head against Kagome’s chest, and for a moment, the world seemed to stop. Sesshōmaru listened to the frantic rhythm of her heart, as erratic as his own breath—a cadence he didn’t need to see to feel. With one hand, he began to stroke her hair, his fingers gliding with reverent softness, as though tracing an invisible map of every strand. His touch was slow, almost hypnotic, as if each motion carried a silent promise of protection and desire.

“Until I decide whether to forgive you or not, let me stay like this a little longer…” His voice was low, almost a purr, laden with a rough warmth, a plea barely concealed beneath his usual hardness.

Kagome didn’t know how to react. Her face burned, a bright crimson she was grateful he couldn’t see, but there was no escape. She knew Sesshōmaru could hear everything: every shaky breath, every erratic beat of her heart betraying her over and over. She felt the barrier of her supposed control crumble under the intensity of the moment.

“All right…” she murmured, her voice trembling, barely audible, almost drowned by the emotions overwhelming her.

Her response made him press his body a little closer to hers—not violently, but with a firmness that seemed to tell her he had no intention of letting go, not yet, not ever. As his fingers continued to caress her hair, Kagome closed her eyes, allowing herself to be enveloped by that mix of vertigo, desire, and vulnerability.

“From now on, I will be your protector,” he whispered, his embrace growing deeper.

 

. . .

 

“You must take them every time your hunger awakens. You have no alternative,” said Director Higurashi firmly as he handed over the blood pills, finishing up his work in the infirmary. It seemed that InuYasha , his senses and his physical appearance, had returned to normal.

“This is degrading…” InuYasha  muttered, narrowing his eyes in disdain.

“What’s more degrading is what happened to Kagome, InuYasha ,” the director replied, his tone serious and cutting, like a verbal slap. He had already warned InuYasha  of the dangers of suppressing his bloodlust, and everyone had witnessed the consequences of his recklessness.

“Why did Kagome leave with him and not stay with you, sir?” he asked, letting his frustration seep into his words. His irritation was evident, palpable.

“She wouldn’t be safer with anyone else than with him right now.”

“He’s a vampire too! She’s just as much in danger with him as she is here,” InuYasha  insisted, raising his voice.

“No, InuYasha . He would never let anything happen to her,” Higurashi replied with unshakable conviction, leaving no room for argument.

InuYasha  clenched his fists. There was something in Higurashi’s calmness that exasperated him, as if he was hiding more than he was letting on. He lowered his voice, but his tone grew graver, almost inaudible.

“Master… Earlier, Taisho said two things I didn’t understand.”

Higurashi stopped looking at him for a moment, as if anticipating what he was about to hear.

“What did he say?” he asked, his voice unusually rigid.

“He said Kagome is his fiancée… and that I… that I’m his half-brother…” The words left his mouth with difficulty, as if they burned his tongue, the anger seeping into every syllable.

Director Higurashi closed his eyes for a moment, resigned.

“Kagome must not know yet, InuYasha . Not until the right time comes. But yes, it’s true. Kagome has always been betrothed to him. I beg you to keep this a secret.”

InuYasha ’s face turned pale, his breathing sharp with indignation.

“What?!” His shout echoed through the infirmary, so full of fury that even Higurashi took a step back. The thought of Kagome—the only person who mattered to him—being promised to that despicable monster made his blood boil.

“And what about the other thing, Master?” His voice darkened further, laced with hatred he couldn’t control. “What about everything else you’ve been hiding from me?”

Director Higurashi fixed him with a steady gaze, but his eyes held the weight of someone who could no longer conceal the truth.

“We’ve delved deeply into your origins, InuYasha …” he began, his tone heavy. “You are a unique specimen, strange even by the standards we know. You’re not a conventional hybrid vampire.”

InuYasha  stared at him, his eyes blazing, as if Higurashi’s words might ignite an explosion of rage. He felt trapped, suffocated by the weight of everything he’d just discovered.

A dense silence fell between them. InuYasha  was breathing hard, his chest heaving, while fury consumed him entirely.

“Calm yourself, InuYasha ,” Higurashi said gravely. “You need to take what I’m about to tell you calmly…”

InuYasha  didn’t look at him. His gaze was lost in the void, as if he were trying to process the torrent of emotions threatening to overwhelm him.

“We’ve discovered that your late mother was a human princess and that your father is the great Inu no Taisho,” the director continued. “He, a great Daiyōkai who ruled the West, is also Sesshōmaru’s father. So yes, it’s true. You… are his half-brother.”

InuYasha  said nothing. The world seemed to have stopped around him, and his mind was a chaos of conflicting thoughts and feelings. Rage burned inside him, but so did something else—something far more painful. His life had changed in that instant, and he didn’t know how to cope with everything he had just learned.

Chapter 5: The demonic naginata

Notes:

CHAPTER WARNINGS:
- Character death
- Traumatic past events
- Violence
- Angst

It was needed for the plot, don't hate me. Fluff is going to happen soon ;)

--

"I do," said the young woman, her voice clear and firm, as the delicate lace of her white dress swayed gently in the breeze.

The groom, with hands both steady and reverent, slid a finely crafted ring onto his beloved's ring finger. Then, he leaned toward her and sealed their union with a kiss—chaste yet brimming with promises. Their lips barely touched, but that moment seemed to stop time for the few, select friends who witnessed the scene.

"I love you, Tsukiyomi," the groom murmured with a fervor that made the world seem to vanish, leaving only the two of them adrift in a sea of silent emotions.

Among the guests, Inu no Taisho, his closest friend, stepped forward with his wife, who held their firstborn in her arms—a child whose gaze was intense even in its innocence. Both congratulated the couple with genuine warmth. So did Director Higurashi, their mentor and protector, who observed the scene with the wisdom of someone who had seen too much but had never lost hope in the bonds born of true love.

However, not everyone celebrated this union. The Daiyokai elites had condemned it from the start. No one wanted Hoshiyomi, one of the most powerful Daiyokai vampires in existence, to tie his fate to Tsukiyomi, a young woman whose audacity had broken the natural laws. She, despite being a Daiyokai, had awakened spiritual abilities resembling those of a priestess. Her very existence was a dangerous paradox, and their union represented a threat to the balance of their society.

"If they were to have a child," murmured the elders of the clans, "their power would be something we could never control."

But Hoshiyomi refused to yield. He rejected the will of his lineage, broke with his family's decrees, and married the woman he loved, leaving the Higurashi academy and defying the entire world.

The years that followed strengthened the bond between the Nakatomi and the Taisho families. When Kagome, the firstborn of Hoshiyomi and Tsukiyomi, was born, their relationship grew even closer. But with the child's birth came an imminent danger. The Daiyokai clans placed a bounty on her life, fearing what the little girl might become. In response, the Nakatomi withdrew to the edges of the world, living under constant watch.

One day, Kagome, with her innocent sweetness, asked her father:
"Papa, why does the Taisho boy hate me?"

“No one in the world could ever hate you, my princess,” he replied, though his eyes held a glimmer of concern.

Sesshōmaru, the perfect son of the Taisho family, raised with strict discipline and molded to meet the responsibilities awaiting him as a future leader, seemed to disdain Kagome’s freedom and spontaneity. She, in contrast, was cheerful and uninhibited, and that contradiction deeply irritated him. Yet, despite their differences, the two began to grow closer over time. Kagome’s patience and warmth gradually broke through the barriers of the cold heir, who started to accept her as a friend, though he would never openly admit it.

One afternoon, Inu no Taisho—“Tōga,” as Hoshiyomi affectionately called him—visited his friend. Their conversation took an unexpected turn.

“Hoshiyomi, I want to talk to you about something important,” Tōga said, his tone a mix of seriousness and camaraderie.

The two withdrew to Hoshiyomi’s study, away from curious ears.

“I know our children are still young,” Tōga began, weighing each word carefully. “But I believe this is the right time to arrange their union.”

Hoshiyomi frowned, his expression severe.

“What are you saying?”

“You know I’m not interested in lineage intrigues or clan rules. Those are my wife’s concerns, not mine. However…” He paused, gesturing toward the window. Outside, Sesshōmaru was reading a story to Kagome, who listened with wide, fascinated eyes. “I don’t think this would be an imposition. I’m convinced Sesshōmaru is the only one who will be able to protect her when you’re no longer here.”

Hoshiyomi’s heart wavered. He looked at his daughter—so small, so full of life and curiosity—and then at Sesshōmaru, whose proud, cold demeanor perhaps concealed a noble spirit.

“I don’t want to do to her what my parents tried to do to me,” he murmured finally. “I want her to be able to choose her own destiny.”

“And I don’t want that either, Hoshiyomi, and you know it. You know my secret all too well… But if something were to happen to her, I would never forgive myself. You know she’s a target, that her very existence is marked by danger.”

Hoshiyomi fell silent. His friend’s words mingled with his own fears.
“Are you sure about this? Does Kimi agree with you?” Hoshiyomi asked, a trace of disbelief in his voice.

"Let’s say it was her idea," Tōga replied with a faint smile, tinged with resignation. "With her fervor for preserving the lineage and knowing what Kagome is capable of, she thinks formalizing this union is perfect. She believes it’s the best decision for everyone."

Hoshiyomi lowered his gaze, his furrowed brow reflecting the internal struggle consuming him. Finally, he let out a deep sigh, as if releasing part of the weight pressing on his shoulders.

"I’ll have to convince Tsukiyomi," he murmured, almost to himself. "But yes, I must admit you’re right… If an arrangement like this is necessary to keep my daughter safe, then it’s my duty to do it, even if it’s hard to accept."

And so, the potential union between the Taisho and Nakatomi clans began to take shape. Just a few days later, it was formally announced to the elites and the Daiyokai council, in an event shrouded in solemnity and underlying tensions. Though Tsukiyomi shared her husband’s fears and protective love, both understood that they were entrusting their daughter's safety to a member of the Taisho clan —Although he was still a child—was the best decision to secure her future in a perilous world. He was extremely powerful despite his young age.

Time, as always, became the ultimate judge. Against all odds, the two children proved to be more than compatible. Sesshōmaru’s stoic seriousness and Kagome’s boundless cheerfulness created an almost perfect balance—a harmonious dance that never clashed but complemented each step. Unaware of their families’ secret plans, they became inseparable friends, bound by a connection that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day.

However, tranquility would not last. When Kagome’s powers awakened, the Daiyokai council renewed their hunt with ferocious determination. The young daughter of the Nakatomi family turned out to be a vampire of unprecedented power, a force so overwhelming it surprised even Sesshōmaru himself. News that Kagome not only possessed demonic abilities but had also inherited formidable spiritual power spread like wildfire, igniting alarm throughout all the clans.

"My fiancée?" Sesshōmaru asked, his voice cold, though a slight tremor betrayed the surprise he felt.

"That’s right," his father confirmed firmly. "When you’re older, you’ll form an alliance no one can challenge. But more importantly, it’s your duty as her future husband to protect her—no matter the cost."

Tōga’s words were a stark reminder of the responsibility resting on his son’s shoulders. Perhaps it was too soon to reveal such a truth, but time was not on the side of those who sought to protect the Nakatomi family.

However, for Sesshōmaru, that revelation did not change what he already felt. For a long time, in secret, he had taken on the responsibility of watching over Kagome. He saw her not as an imposed duty, but as someone he deeply desired to protect with every fiber of his being. The news of their betrothal only reinforced a feeling that had been growing in his heart for years: no matter what destiny decreed, Sesshōmaru would ensure Kagome’s safety.

And though he would never say it aloud, every time he watched her—her crystalline laughter illuminating even the darkest moments—he felt something far deeper than duty. It was a silent, unbreakable bond, one that time, the clans, and any threat could never sever.

. . .

"I want you to forge a powerful weapon for me, one capable of challenging anyone who dares stand in my way. I must protect my daughter at any cost." Hoshiyomi’s words echoed in the dark workshop of Kaijinbo, infused with a mix of determination and desperation.

The blacksmith, a yokai of fearsome reputation, let out a guttural laugh that reverberated against the walls, blackened by years of smoke and toil. "Very well," he replied, with a twisted grin that boded ill, "but you’ll pay dearly for it."

Kaijinbo’s price was not just gold, though he planned to demand an exorbitant sum. His words hinted at something more—something dark and sinister, a price no written contract could contain.

Hoshiyomi met his gaze with steely resolve, as if he had seen through the blacksmith’s hidden intentions but cared not. "Whatever it takes to secure my family’s future," he answered firmly, sealing his decision.

Kaijinbo worked with obsessive dedication, locking himself away for days in his forge. The searing heat and deafening sound of hammer striking metal seemed to evoke echoes of some profane ritual. At last, he unveiled his creation: a majestic double-bladed naginata. Each blade seemed to pulse with demonic power, like a living heartbeat, brimming with a dark and overwhelming energy.

The naginata possessed an aura that intimidated even the bravest of warriors; shadows appeared to dance around it, whispering forbidden secrets.

"It is a weapon worthy of a king among yokai," Kaijinbo declared, his eyes glinting with a strange light. "As powerful as the swords your friend Tōga wields. It can cut through anything."

Hoshiyomi observed the weapon in silence, noticing the heavy aura that surrounded it, as if the naginata itself carried a soul thirsty for violence. He held it in his hands, feeling a surge of energy course through his body, almost as if the weapon were testing his worth.
“It’s perfect,” he said in a grave voice. “What’s your price?”
Kaijinbo offered a wicked grin and named a sum so exorbitant it would have ruined anyone else. But Hoshiyomi paid without hesitation, giving whatever was necessary to fulfill his purpose.

From that day, the naginata became more than just a weapon; it was a symbol of Hoshiyomi’s unshakable devotion to his family. Yet there was something unsettling about it—a barely perceptible whisper that seemed to promise the blood it spilled would not be the only debt it would claim.

. . .

From the moment he acquired his prized naginata, which he named Kenkon , Hoshiyomi’s aura began to change. What had once been an imposing yet warm presence grew dark, menacing, and charged with hostility. His bond with his wife, Tsukiyomi, and his young daughter, Kagome, began to unravel. He spent entire days locked in his study, feverishly devising strategies to protect his home, but each plan seemed only to feed his growing paranoia.

The more time he spent with the naginata forged by Kaijinbo by his side, the more pronounced the change became. His eyes hardened, his voice grew harsh, and every gesture carried an undercurrent of latent threat. Even the Taisho family, ever watchful, noticed something was gravely wrong. They tried to warn Tsukiyomi, but their efforts came too late.

One day, when Kagome approached his study to see him, he looked up and growled with an unfamiliar ferocity:
“Leave.”

That moment marked the beginning of a chasm that began to form between father and daughter. Consumed by the malevolent influence of Kenkon , Hoshiyomi began to nurture dark delusions. Again and again, the idea that Kagome would one day destroy him took hold of his thoughts. What had started as a fervent desire to protect her had twisted into a sick obsession to eliminate her. Though he never voiced these thoughts aloud, his hostility was unmistakable.

Tsukiyomi, deeply wounded and guided by an unyielding maternal instinct, realized the transformation had a source: the cursed naginata. She knew she had to act before it was too late. With Tōga’s help, she devised a desperate plan.

One night, Tsukiyomi used her spiritual powers to disarm Hoshiyomi as he slept. She wrapped the naginata in a sacred cloth, hoping to suppress the demonic aura emanating from the weapon, and entrusted it to a loyal servant of the Taisho family. His mission was clear: take the weapon to Mount Furai and purify it.

But Hoshiyomi soon realized what had happened. His roar, filled with fury and anguish, echoed like thunder throughout the house. Blinded by rage, he went after the weapon himself, only to return later, now seeking Kagome.

“Where is she?”

Tsukiyomi stood in his path, resolute yet with tears in her eyes. She looked at him with a mixture of sadness and determination, seeing the man she had once loved now reduced to a shadow of his former self.

“This isn’t you, Hoshiyomi,” she whispered, her voice trembling.

But he would not listen. His face was contorted with rage, his eyes brimming with a hatred he could no longer conceal.

“Where is she?” he roared, stepping toward her with heavy, menacing strides.

Tsukiyomi knew there was no reasoning with him. With a heart torn apart, she accepted that the man who once protected and loved her no longer existed. What remained was a demon, consumed by despair and madness.

“I forgive you, Hoshiyomi,” she said with a calmness that even her adversary found startling.

Then, she channeled all her power, both spiritual and demonic, and recited an ancient prayer. With that spell, she sealed Kagome’s powers to protect her and, at the same time, unleashed a devastating attack that brought Hoshiyomi down.

She, however, could not bear the weight of her sacrifice. Using every ounce of power within her came at a devastating cost. Her body, pushed beyond its limits, gave way under the strain. With one final breath, Tsukiyomi collapsed, her life slipping away like a faint breeze dissolving into the shadows.

There were no screams, no cries of anguish—only the solemn silence of one who had given everything for what she loved most. Even in death, her face bore a serene expression of peace, as if she had found solace in knowing her daughter was safe.

Hoshiyomi dragged his wounded body to the place where he knew she was hidden. No matter the pain, the weakness, or the exhaustion, his obsession drove him forward. But just as he raised the naginata, ready to complete his tragic mission, a lethal flash cut through the room at the critical moment, poisoned claws sank into his flesh with deadly precision, ending his life for good. Hoshiyomi’s body collapsed lifelessly to the ground, releasing one final breath of fury.

Kagome, trembling and in shock, lifted her gaze. There, standing in the shadows, was Sesshōmaru—her lifelong protector. Despite still being a child, his cold gaze and unyielding determination spoke volumes.

“Sesshōmaru...” Kagome murmured, her voice barely audible as silent tears streamed down her cheeks.

The silence that followed was unbearable, broken only by the soft murmur of the wind slipping through the open windows.

Chapter 6: Remember my name

"I haven’t come to ask for explanations, Taisho. I just want to see Kagome."

Inuyasha stood tall at the threshold of Sesshomaru’s chambers, his voice calm, his posture unwavering—but his eyes betrayed the anxiety gnawing at him from within. Three days had passed since the incident. Three days without seeing her, without knowing anything about her. She hadn’t even shown up for class. Master Higurashi had urged him to stay put, to wait, but his restlessness was stronger. He needed to see her, to make sure she was okay. And more than anything, he knew he owed her an explanation… and an apology.

Sesshomaru’s expression was cold, bitter. If it were up to him, the half-breed would never have set foot in his residence—not even in his worst nightmares. But he also knew that Inuyasha’s presence would bring Kagome some peace of mind, and her well-being was the only thing that truly mattered.

"My lord, shall we get rid of him?" Bankotsu asked, his sharp gaze fixed on the newcomer.

"No." Sesshomaru’s response was curt, definitive. "Take him to Kagome. And stay on guard."

His desire to make her happy outweighed his desire to erase Inuyasha from the face of the earth.

 

. . .

 

 

Kagome ran her fingertips over the yellowed page, feeling the rough texture of time imprinted on the ancient book. Her eyes traced each word with a mix of awe and reverence. The history of the vampires that had once roamed the academy fascinated her, but what captivated her most was the role her own family—the Higurashis—had played in that world of shadows.

These vampires were nothing like those in human legends, nor the ones romanticized or demonized by movies. They were youkai, creatures that defied all known conceptions, beings whose origins were rooted in a mystery older than time itself.

That was when she noticed something peculiar. Some pages had been carelessly torn out, leaving behind the silent trace of a lost secret. A chill ran through her. What truths had been erased? What history was time trying to bury within the folds of this forgotten parchment?

A knock at the door pulled her from her thoughts.

“Can I…?”

That voice.

The book slipped from her hands.

“Inuyasha?! What a relief!”

Tears welled up before she could stop them. In an instant, she threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him with all her strength. She could hardly believe it. He was here. He was back to normal. The fear that his transformation might be irreversible had haunted her relentlessly, but now, seeing him before her, an indescribable sense of relief washed over her.

“Are you okay, Kagome?”

Concern flickered in Inuyasha’s golden eyes. They were no longer brown. Now, they were a deep, almost liquid gold—so much like Sesshomaru’s. His silver-white hair swayed gently with his movements, but the demonic markings on his face had vanished. His expression was calm, human… and yet, different.

Kagome stared at him in wonder.

“Your appearance… you’ve changed…”

Her voice, so soft, so full of surprise, unsettled him completely.

“This…” Inuyasha averted his gaze, uncomfortable. “Yeah… some things will stay this way.”

He took a step back, putting distance between them. Even after consuming the artificial blood pills his master had given him, Kagome’s scent was still difficult to ignore. And to make matters worse, her fragrance was laced with Sesshomaru’s.

"My fiancée."

His so-called half-brother’s words echoed in his mind like a sharp blow.

“Are you okay?” His tone hardened, his fists clenched. “Taisho… he didn’t force himself on you, did he?”

“W-what are you saying?” Kagome felt heat rush to her cheeks as memories of Sesshomaru’s embrace surfaced—the way he had held her against his chest, as if trying to fuse her with him.

Inuyasha’s frown deepened.

“Are you okay?”

“Yes, Inuyasha… And you… are you… okay?”

Her voice wavered.

There was something about him… something different. Something that unsettled her.

And deep down, she knew.

Something had changed forever.

"I'm so sorry, Kagome… I really am. I'm sorry for hurting you."

His voice broke with every word. Inuyasha could barely meet her gaze, but when he did, Kagome saw in his eyes the reflection of unfathomable guilt, a pain that cut down to his very bones.

"I thought that if I suppressed these instincts… if I tried hard enough, I’d stop feeling this way. That I’d stop wanting to drink blood like some kind of animal. But the result was the exact opposite."

The air between them grew thick, trapping them in a bubble of unspoken emotions. Inuyasha’s confession brought every detail of that night rushing back to him, and remembering hurt just as much as it had in that first moment—when he regained his senses and witnessed what he had done.

"All the hatred I’ve harbored for Taisho all this time… and in the end, it was me, not him, who hurt you."

Kagome didn’t hesitate for a second. She threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around him in a warm, protective embrace. Her heart, heavy with sadness and concern, pounded against Inuyasha’s chest.

"You don’t have to apologize… I know perfectly well that the monster who attacked me wasn’t my best friend. That wasn’t you. That isn’t you… And we’ll get through this together, Inuyasha. You’re one of the strongest people I know."

But he didn’t share her confidence.

"Kagome… you know I could’ve killed you, right?" His voice was barely a hoarse whisper. "You know that now I’m dangerous to you…"

"Idiot, idiot, idiot! If you keep saying nonsense, I’m really going to get mad at you." Her tone hardened, though a lingering tenderness still colored her voice. "You can choose not to be dangerous. Sessh—"

She cut herself off abruptly.

An awkward silence settled between them. Kagome lowered her gaze, feeling clumsy and reckless—she knew comparisons were unfair, especially in a situation like this.

"I’m sorry… I didn’t mean—"

"It’s okay, Kagome," Inuyasha interrupted her gently. "I know what you’re trying to say."

He wasn’t going to be angry with her for that. Not after everything that had happened.

Kagome took a deep breath and gave him a small, reassuring smile, trying to ease the tension in the air.

"My best friend is a tough guy, you know? I know he can handle this and more." She flashed him one of her radiant smiles before pausing. "How’s Grandpa?"

"He misses you."

The lump in her throat grew heavier. Kagome swallowed hard. She missed them too—her grandfather, her friends, her routine… Though she had to admit that being under Sesshomaru’s protection, being cared for and doted on, felt almost like a dream come true. But no matter how safe this place was, she longed to return to her normal life, without being a burden to him.

"As soon as my wounds heal, I’m going back to class."

"Master Higurashi says there’s no safer place for you than here… You have to obey."

Inuyasha said it with reluctance. It pained him to admit it, but even if he didn’t want to accept it, it seemed to be true.

"Sesshomaru says the same thing…" Kagome admitted quietly. "But he also says everything will go back to normal."

Inuyasha couldn’t believe that Sesshomaru would actually allow Kagome to return to the daytime class. Something didn’t add up. He never did anything without a hidden agenda, and the idea that he had simply given in was impossible for Inuyasha to accept.

Suspicion burned inside him. Why had he changed his mind so easily? What was he really planning? Every fiber of his being screamed that this was just the prelude to something much darker. Until he uncovered the truth, he couldn’t let his guard down.

Not when it came to Kagome.

 

. . .

 

 

Inuyasha walked through the halls of the Night Class building, lost in thought, when a chilling presence forced him to stop.

Sesshomaru appeared before him, almost like a shadow, his imposing figure blocking his path.

"I see you’ve done your homework."

Inuyasha frowned.

"What the hell is that supposed to mean?" he growled, irritated.

"It means you’ve fed and kept your composure in front of Kagome."

Sesshomaru’s words were merciless. There was no sarcasm in his tone, just a cold statement of fact.

"It’s not like I enjoy being a monster that attacks the people I care about," Inuyasha snapped, bitterness lacing his voice.

"I’m glad you understand that—because now you have a mission."

Inuyasha scoffed, narrowing his eyes.

"And who the hell do you think you are to give me orders, Taisho?"

"I could list at least three reasons, Inuyasha, but I won’t waste my time explaining them to you. Not now. But listen carefully—once Kagome returns to the Day Class, you will be her guardian. If you fail to carry out your duty… I will have you killed."

The threat hung in the air like an unbreakable sentence.

But Inuyasha didn’t even blink.

"You don’t have to ask me, Taisho," he replied, his voice deep and unwavering. "I’ve always wanted to protect her."

"This time, you cannot lose control, Inuyasha."

Their gazes clashed, filled with an ancestral hatred so potent it seemed to slice through the air between them. If their eye contact had been a physical force, the impact would have echoed like thunder in the stillness of the forest. Sesshomaru, with his usual cold elegance, let his silver hair dance in the wind as he resumed his path, leaving behind an unmoving Inuyasha, seething with rage.

But beneath that anger, a seed of uncertainty took root. Kagome was hiding something—something that still eluded his understanding.

He remained standing, fists clenched, trying in vain to decipher what the hell Sesshomaru was truly after. Was it just disdain… or was there something more?

Then, a voice broke the thick silence—soft as silk, yet sharp as a well-honed dagger.

"So… you’re Inuyasha."

The words drifted in the air, momentarily dispersing the lingering shadow of the previous confrontation.

"The famous Inuyasha."

He turned, muscles tensed, ready for anything—except for what he saw.

Before him stood a woman with pale skin and hair as black as the night. Her Night Class uniform clung to her figure with an elegance that seemed to defy the surrounding darkness. Inuyasha felt something stir—a long-forgotten pulse deep within his chest, awakening without warning. He knew her. Or at least, he thought he did. But his mind was a labyrinth with no exit, unable to recall who this eerily familiar figure was.

She watched him in silence, her piercing gaze stripping him bare without uttering a single word. Each second under her scrutiny felt like ice-cold water dripping down his spine. Inuyasha swallowed hard, uneasy, unable to tear his eyes away from the stranger.

"You… who are you?" he asked, his voice a tense whisper, caught between awe and suspicion.

The woman tilted her head slightly, as if weighing his question, and then, with a smile that never reached his eyes, she answered:

"Kikyo. Remember my name. We’ll meet again."

And just as suddenly as she had appeared, she vanished into thin air, leaving behind only the echo of her voice and Inuyasha—trapped in a sea of confusion and unanswered questions.

 

Chapter 7: Is this what you want?

Kagome remained standing by the window, motionless, as if the cold of the glass had fused to her skin. From there, she watched Inuyasha disappear into the shadowy gardens surrounding the Night Class pavilion. The moonlight outlined his figure, turning him into a shadow among shadows. She felt a strange mix of relief and unease: she had seen him with her own eyes, had confirmed he was still alive… even if the life he now possessed was something else—something new, different, hard to name. Something that no longer fully belonged to the world they had once shared.

And yet, for her, nothing had changed. She didn’t care what he had become. It didn’t matter how far removed he now was from what he once had been. The bond between them remained as strong as ever. To Kagome, Inuyasha was the closest thing to a brother since she had come to live with her grandfather. And she would never leave him alone. Not as long as she had the strength to walk by his side.

Sesshōmaru could warn her time and time again, could watch over her as if she were fragile… but that didn’t change her resolve.

It was non-negotiable.

The night wind rattled the bare branches of the trees, making them creak loudly. The window glass had begun to fog and freeze on the outside, while inside, Kagome’s warm breath drew faint, fleeting clouds on its surface. Despite the lingering warmth of the stone walls, the air in the room seemed filled with a penetrating cold that seeped into her bones.

She felt sorrow and hope in equal measure, caught between the unease of the unknown and the faith in what could still be saved. But in her chest beat a steady certainty: with her help, Inuyasha would find his way. She wouldn’t let him fade into the darkness that now seemed to surround him.

And as soon as she returned to the Day Class, she would make that mission her priority. She would be by his side. She would support him. She would hold him up, if needed. Just as she always had.

Just as she always would.

A pair of hands gently rested on her shoulders, pulling her from her thoughts. Startled, she turned her face and met Sesshōmaru’s unmistakable gaze, bathed in the silvery moonlight filtering through the window.

“Lord Sesshōmaru…” she whispered, turning fully toward him.

He said nothing. In silence, he drew her into his chest, enveloping her in a quiet embrace. He remained that way, listening closely to the rapid beat of her heart. Kagome’s warmth intoxicated him, tempted him. But he had to restrain himself. He wasn’t a monster.

“Are you all right?” he finally asked, with that unshakable calm of his. He knew the reunion with Inuyasha could have unsettled her.

“Yes…” she murmured, still resting against his chest, secretly breathing in every particle of his scent. That unique fragrance, impossible to describe, that belonged to him alone.

“Rest now, Kagome,” he whispered in her ear with an unusual tenderness. Then he pulled away, intent on leaving.

But she stopped him. She clung to his clothes with sudden desperation, her fingers tightening as if letting go would cause him to vanish.

“Stay with me… at least…” she tried to say, but the words broke in her throat, choked by the fear of rejection.

Sesshōmaru stood still. She had no idea how difficult this was for him. He clenched his fist—a sign of tension Kagome didn’t see. Trapped between desire and duty, he weighed the moment in silence. At last, he gave in.

He walked her to her bed and lay down beside her. He didn’t touch her. But his presence burned like fire. Kagome’s breath, her quickened breathing, her racing pulse… everything about her kept him on edge, like a predator stalking, barely containing instinct.

Kagome wasn’t asleep. Though exhausted, she was wide awake, tense. Having him there, so close, gave her a dizzying blend of calm and nervousness. His nearness brought her peace… and, at the same time, set her ablaze.

“You promised not to call me ‘Lord Sesshōmaru’ anymore—remember?” he said softly, as if trying to ease the tension without breaking the intimacy.

“I know…” she answered in a barely audible murmur. She fell silent for a moment, torn within herself. “I promised myself that, too… I’ve tried to fool myself. To believe that being forever grateful for saving me from Mukotsu would be enough. That it would be sufficient…”

She paused.

“But I know… that I’m not enough,” she finally finished, her voice barely a whisper, laced with vulnerability.

Before she could say another word, Sesshōmaru leaned over her, his gaze clouded by a silent, dark desire. His thoughts were completely fogged, as if a dense mist had overtaken his will. With slow, almost ceremonial movements, he leaned in toward her exposed neck and, with unexpected gentleness, ran his tongue along the warm, pale skin, tasting the furious pulse of the blood just beneath the surface.

Kagome trembled from head to toe. A moan escaped her lips—audible, involuntary, deliciously charged with pleasure and tension—enough to ignite every fiber of the being who now held her trapped, like a predator who not only hunts, but admires and surrenders to his prey. Every pore of her skin came alive with painful sensitivity, her heart pounding violently, beating like a drum, anticipating the ritual about to be fulfilled.

She was going to become one of them. A creature of the night. A vampire. His equal.

Sesshōmaru gripped the pillow beneath Kagome’s head tightly, his fingers digging into the fabric—the only anchor keeping him in control. He wasn’t just any vampire. He was the heir to a legendary bloodline, a cold, meticulous, superior being. He must not—could not—lose himself to impulse.

His fangs grazed the delicate skin of Kagome’s neck, brushing against the artery with a sweet, razor-sharp threat. It was then—just as another trembling moan escaped her lips—that he froze.

“Is this what you want?” he asked, his voice low and strained with almost unbearable tension. His golden eyes, glowing like embers, locked onto hers, demanding nothing less than absolute truth. “Do you want to join me… for the rest of our existence?”

“It’s always been my wish, Sesshōmaru,” she replied without hesitation, completely surrendered. There was no fear in her voice, no trace of regret. Only a calm, unwavering conviction.

His fangs gleamed with a light she had never seen before. For the first time, they weren’t a threat—they were a promise. He was going to seal the bond. The moment had arrived.

But just as he was about to bite her, Kagome squeezed her eyes shut. It was a subtle gesture, almost imperceptible—but it was enough.

Sesshōmaru froze.

He pulled away with a tense sigh and sat on the edge of the bed, his back rigid, his eyes fixed on the darkness.

“I’m sorry…” he murmured with quiet remorse. “I’m sorry for letting it go this far... For frightening you.”

Leaning down, he placed a soft kiss on her forehead—a brief, sorrowful touch that tasted of farewell. Then he stood up abruptly, as if physical closeness might drag him into an abyss from which there was no return.

“Sesshōmaru… I…”

“Tomorrow, you will return to the Day Class dorms. It’s time,” he said without looking at her, releasing her hand with a slowness that betrayed everything he dared not say. He left the room almost at a run, as if fleeing was the only way to protect them both.

Kagome was left alone, collapsed on the rumpled sheets, her body still trembling, and her cheeks flushed with heat. The blood pounded in her face as fiercely as it did in her chest. She had never imagined herself in such an intimate, dangerous, overwhelmingly thrilling moment with him . And now… she wasn’t sure she’d be able to meet his gaze again. Or stand close to him without shivering to her core.

It wasn’t fear she felt. No, not at all. It was something far deeper… and far harder to control.

That night, sleep barely came. She tossed and turned in the sheets, wrapped in the scent he’d left in the air, her lips dry from holding back so many sighs.

Deep in her heart, she knew that returning to her dorm, to routine, to the illusion of normalcy… was the wisest choice.

At least for a while.

 

Notes:

Hey there!!
Sorry for the delay in updating this story (and, well… all the others 😅).
I actually have a pretty decent idea of where things are going in my current fics, but inspiration has been playing hide-and-seek with me lately.

I really hope you enjoy this chapter! 🤞 I’m crossing my fingers that the next update doesn’t take ages… but let’s see what the muses decide. 😉

Kisses!

Chapter 8: The unknown woman

Where is she?
Where is she...?

The nightmare returned—the same harsh, masculine, gut-wrenching voice, like an echo that clung to her mind even after waking. That voice, which haunted her dreams, had become a constant presence in recent days. Cold sweat trickled down her neck, clinging to her skin like a reminder that, even though it was just a bad dream, it terrified her.

Ever since the bite, everything had changed. Before that moment, those visions—those faces and voices that now stalked her—had never existed. They were new specters, a freshly born torment.

In the vast room she occupied, the cold slid along the walls and settled in every corner, as if refusing to be driven away by the fragile flame in the fireplace. Despite the warmth of the blanket, despite the cocoon of heat created by her own fear-shaken body, Kagome was sweating.

The events of the previous night with Sesshōmaru had changed everything. She could no longer call him, no longer seek his company—not after what she had said.

But she knew how to be alone. She had been, many times before. And in the morning, she would return to her daytime dormitory and pretend everything was as it had always been.

Still, all night long, one question kept turning over in her mind:
What were they now—she and Sesshōmaru?
After uttering those words, she couldn’t pretend anything had happened:
"It has always been my wish, Sesshōmaru..."

That confession changed everything. It was a point of no return. Now he knew. He knew how she felt.

Kagome knew. What she had with Sesshōmaru had always been a doomed dream, an impossible illusion. No matter how fiercely her heart beat, she was fully aware that she could never cross the boundaries of his world. Sesshōmaru belonged to a different realm—an ancient elite governed by laws as sacred and old as time itself. There, he wasn’t just someone—he was almost a prince, a being destined for reverence and distance, not for love with a mere human.

She understood that he would never betray the legacy of his bloodline, nor break the unspoken promises made to his own kind. Perhaps he felt something for her—a tenderness in disguise, maybe a fleeting infatuation… or even pity. But not love. Not the kind that breaks barriers or defies centuries of tradition.

And she, with her trembling hands and ordinary soul, had no place in the world of the Daiyōkai—much less among noble vampires like Sesshōmaru. No matter how stubbornly her heart tried to believe otherwise.

She repeated those truths to herself over and over, like a cruel mantra. She felt her heart shrink with each thought, with every image of rejection her mind returned to her like a shattered mirror.

She cried in silence. A few furtive tears, the kind that fall in secret, until finally exhaustion overtook her, and she collapsed into sleep.

The first rays of sunlight woke her without mercy.

Her uniform hung on the closet door—immaculate. Every piece brand new, perfectly chosen. Someone had thought through every detail. She wondered if it had been Sesshōmaru… or her grandfather. The latter hadn’t deigned to visit her even once since she’d been confined there. Something that, though she tried not to admit it, hurt more than she cared to show.

She pulled the curtains shut. The light stopped caressing the corners of the room. Then she took a long, nearly scalding shower, trying to wash away the dream, the fear… and the memory of him.

While gathering the few belongings they had brought from her old dorm, someone knocked at the door.

Her heart skipped a beat.
The hair on her arms stood on end.
Something about that simple, ordinary sound suddenly felt threatening—almost prophetic.

“Come in,” she said simply, though she was trembling inside. She already knew there could be only one person.

Sesshōmaru’s voice came almost immediately—low, deep, so calm it clashed violently with the storm of emotions inside Kagome.
“Someone will take care of packing and sending your things. You don’t need to worry.”

“Good morning, Lo…” The word Lord nearly slipped out. “Sesshōmaru.”

“Good morning,” he replied softly. His voice was tinged with melancholy, his expression shadowed, as if bearing some invisible burden.

He approached her with slow steps, closing the distance between their bodies until only a breath of space remained. His hands—long-fingered and elegant—rose with hypnotic grace, just as they had the night before, and he dared to adjust the red ribbon of her uniform himself. That ribbon Kagome hated… but wore only for him.

She swallowed hard, feeling her heart pound with treacherous intensity.

Traitor... she thought. My own heart is a traitor.

Sesshōmaru didn’t even touch her, yet his mere closeness was overwhelming. His breath brushed her face with a calm that stood in stark contrast to the storm raging in her chest.

“Thank you,” she whispered, blushing as he finished. She tried to keep her face composed, but the words tumbled out awkwardly. “This… this isn’t something I’m good at.”

“I know,” he replied without hesitation. He knew her too well.

“Then… I’ll be going now,” she added, forcing a smile, trying to pull herself together.

“Not yet.”

Sesshōmaru’s deep voice sliced through the air like a command.

Kagome’s expression was transparent—she didn’t understand what he meant.

Without another word, he pulled out a delicate necklace, a small pendant bearing the kamon of the Taishō clan: a camellia, masterfully engraved. Kagome didn’t know it, but that crest belonged to his bloodline.

With deliberate slowness, Sesshōmaru brushed aside the black curtain of her hair and fastened the necklace around her neck. The touch of his fingers was so subtle that Kagome’s skin broke into goosebumps.

“Don’t lose it…” he whispered near her ear. Then, placing a chaste kiss on the crown of her head, he turned and walked away without looking back.

Kagome let herself fall onto the edge of the bed, stealing a few seconds to catch her breath. She needed to breathe. To calm down.

Only then did she step out into the entryway of the great house, where Inuyasha was waiting, leaning casually against the wall.

“Hey, idiot,” he said, ruffling her hair with one hand.

Normally, that gesture annoyed her—but this time, she welcomed it with affection.

“Did you miss me?” she asked with a smile.

“Keh. Don’t be ridiculous,” he grumbled, walking ahead as if nothing had changed. And Kagome was grateful. Grateful that, at least between them, the world still felt the same.
Even if she was still getting used to Inuyasha’s new appearance…

“I guess you’ll get more attention now with that new hair,” she teased with a giggle.

“Well, something good had to come of it, right?” he muttered. But deep down, the warmth in her voice comforted him—the unconditional acceptance.

“Hurry up, we’re gonna be late,” he added, picking up the pace.

Kagome smiled and followed him, matching her steps to his.
Together, as always.
Back to class.
As if nothing had changed… even though everything had.

 

. . .

 

“Lord Taishō, she’s here… she demands to see you.”

Sesshōmaru’s gaze darkened. He had no desire whatsoever to face that woman. Not now. But there was no way around it.

“Let her in,” he ordered, emotionless.

The figure that entered seemed to float above the ground—a vampire woman with pale skin, long black hair as dark as the abyss, and garments that evoked a priestess. Her movements were ethereal, almost ghostlike. She approached him until only a few feet remained between them.

“I’ll be brief,” she said without preamble, her voice cold. “As long as I remain in your territory, I require protection. And I won’t settle for one of your lackeys.”

“My ‘lackeys,’ as you call them, are more than capable of protecting someone like you,” he replied with clear disdain.

“My rank demands direct protection from a Taishō. As it always has.”

Sesshōmaru’s mood blackened. That woman had been lingering around the Academy for days, disturbing his peace. He didn’t know what she was plotting, but he knew well the old pact between their clans.

“If you wish to stay, Kikyo, you’ll wear the uniform and go unnoticed like everyone else.”

“Fine,” she agreed, with a faint, knowing smile. “But I’ll be your shadow until I’m certain my life isn’t in danger. Understood?”

“You don’t give me orders,” he spat, voice laced with venom. “And if you truly want to stay safe, you’d better remember your place.”

Kikyo smiled with cynical amusement. She knew those words—coming from Sesshōmaru—were a serious warning.

“So, I’m to parade with your little entourage at sunset and attend classes, correct?”

“Hmm,” he grunted, confirming with visible annoyance.

“Very well, Lord Sesshōmaru. I’ll follow the rules,” she said, stepping gracefully back toward the door. Just before crossing it, she added, without turning around:
“By the way... I had the honor of meeting the other Taishō living here.”

And with that, she vanished—like a whisper fading into silence.

Sesshōmaru collapsed into his chair. As he looked out the window, he saw her— his beloved —running toward the day classes, accompanied by the other Taishō .

His blood boiled.

His kinship with Inuyasha was a thorn Kikyo had just driven in deeper.

“My Lord...” Bankotsu’s cautious voice interrupted. “I couldn’t help overhearing what that woman said… about the ‘other Taishō.’”

“Don’t ever repeat that again,” Sesshōmaru snapped, his voice steel.

“Yes, sir. I’ll make sure a veil is in place next time you speak with her. We don’t want rumors spreading…”

“There’s no need to go to such trouble for that woman,” the demon replied coldly, downplaying the importance of the words and actions of that unknown woman.

With a gesture, he dismissed him.

And once again, he turned to the window, where the sun, hidden behind thick clouds, failed to shine.

 

Chapter 9: Kikyo's escort

“Welcome back Kagome!” Some of the girls in her class greeted her with wide smiles as she walked into the classroom.

Kagome felt a little overwhelmed, though she couldn’t help but be happy to see her classmates again and return to normal life.
Behind her, Inuyasha came in wearing a scowl and dropped into his usual seat at the back of the room.

“Thank you,” Kagome replied, smiling back at Rin, Sango, and Eri, who looked both concerned and surprised.

“Are you feeling better now?” Sango asked, frowning. “Your grandfather told us you had something called severe spiritual fatigue . We thought it sounded serious.”

Sango’s alarmed expression at the mention of that “strange” illness—clearly made up—almost made Kagome burst out laughing.
Her grandfather had used similar inventions before: “broken bone disease,” “spiritual fever,” “chronic neuropathy”… an endless list of excuses as ridiculous as they were clever. As embarrassing as they could be, she knew he did it all to protect Inuyasha’s secret, so she couldn’t really hold it against him.

“Uh… yes,” she answered, with a laugh she tried to stifle. “I’m feeling much better now, so don’t worry.”

“Your uniform looks perfect today,” Rin remarked kindly, resting a gentle hand on her shoulder. “You look well rested.”

Kagome felt a faint blush creep up her cheeks as she remembered who had been responsible for making her uniform look that way… and how.
Hair standing on end. Burning cheeks.
Get a grip, Kagome, she told herself, gritting her teeth.

“And what’s this necklace?” Sango asked, fascinated, as she took between her fingers the delicate, gleaming pendant peeking out from Kagome’s uniform. “Is it a family crest? It’s gorgeous!”

Kagome startled. She had forgotten to tuck it under her blouse. Not that Sesshōmaru had forbidden her to talk about it, but she wasn’t eager to explain. Still, with Sango, she knew she wouldn’t be able to hide it forever.

“Ah… this…” she hesitated, then admitted in a whisper, “It’s a gift from Lord Taishō.”

“What?!” Sango let out a squeak that shattered the calm atmosphere of the classroom, which was still settling down. She knew perfectly well that Kagome had feelings for the leader of the Night Class, and that a kamon was not just any gift.

“Welcome back, Higurashi,” Professor Kaede interrupted them as she entered, her voice cutting through the chatter. “Everyone, to your seats.”

Sango shot Kagome an intense look that said this isn’t over. Kagome took the opportunity to slip away to her seat, avoiding the interrogation.

The teacher began writing briskly on the blackboard as she explained biology concepts. From time to time, Kagome would subtly glance over her shoulder at Inuyasha, a few rows back.
She worried that he was only there out of obligation, enduring the company of humans just to protect her. But to her surprise, he looked the same as always, seemingly at ease.

She just hoped that her grandfather hadn't come up with another strange excuse to justify his new physical changes. Unicorn hair syndrome, she imagined, and couldn’t help a quiet chuckle. Inuyasha, noticing, assumed she was laughing at him and shot her an annoyed look. Kagome relaxed, reassured that everything seemed fine.

The hours flew by—perhaps because she’d been focused on catching up with her classes, which helped her avoid thinking too much about Sesshōmaru… or what was going on with Inuyasha.
She was grateful for that.

At the end of class, she tried to avoid Sango, but it was no use.

“Tell me everything,” Sango said, grabbing her arm and pulling her aside, away from curious ears. “Did he ask you out?”

“Nothing like that,” Kagome replied with a nervous laugh. “It was just… a gesture, I guess, to cheer me up while I was recovering.”

“Don’t be naive, Kagome. You know what it means when a man gives you something with his family crest.”

“That was in ancient times, Sango. Nowadays, those things are obsolete.”

“For ordinary people, maybe,” she countered with a raised eyebrow. “But Taishō isn’t just anyone. This is practically a formal declaration… and a warning to everyone that he’s claiming you.”

Kagome froze, but forced herself not to dwell on it. She knew that overthinking a gesture that might, deep down, mean nothing—just as Sango said—was only adding fuel to the fire… the fire of her own emotions.

“Anyway, I have to go. I need to take care of my duties in the Night Class courtyard,” she murmured before slipping away from Sango once again.

“See you later. Be careful,” her friend replied with a smile, squeezing her hand before letting her go.

As usual, the moment the bell rang, the Day Class students rushed to witness the arrival of the Night Class. That was when Kagome noticed a small group of girls, led by Jakotsu, approaching Inuyasha. He was already waiting there, and they—smiling and cheerful—seemed to be inviting him insistently somewhere and flirting with him.

Kagome smirked, amused at how his new appearance had earned him a small crowd of admirers, despite his usual surly expression, almost like a grumpy little boy.

“Inuyasha, I’ll go on ahead, okay?” she said with a playful smile, leaving him to deal with the predicament.

“Kagome, wait—” he tried to break free from his admirers.

“It’s fine, just catch up when you’re done…” she laughed lightly before running toward the Night Class quarters. Her heart was pounding. She was nervous… and at the same time, she couldn’t wait to see him. 

Him.

When she arrived, she found—as always—a sea of girls packed together, cheeks flushed, gazing at the Night Class boys like hypnotized lambs… never suspecting that they were, in truth, lambs before dangerous predators.

The Night Class students filed past one after another, alone, in pairs, or in groups, while Kagome—and now Inuyasha as well—held back the frenzied crowd, who screamed out names in the hope of stealing a glance from their favorites.

Then Kagome froze. Among them was a completely unfamiliar new member. She was walking arm in arm with Sesshōmaru, her expression solemn.

She was beautiful—of course she was: skin as white as a maiko’s , dark, deep eyes, and jet-black hair that fell to her knees, stark against the immaculate white uniform. Her entire being radiated a cold, distant, unreachable aura.

And she was walking on his arm.
Sesshōmaru’s arm.
And this time, he didn’t give Kagome so much as a glance or a word, as if she were completely invisible in the presence of his new companion.

Kagome’s heart stirred… but she stood her ground.
She knew. She had always known this day would come, and it was inevitable. She had promised herself a thousand times: no matter what happened, she wouldn’t fall apart. But it was hard. Damn it, it was hard.

She reminded herself that the gift he had given her meant nothing more than the protection he had always extended to her and her grandfather—loyalty, yes, but not love, not possession. And in that moment, she was grateful she hadn’t clung to Sango’s insinuations, no matter how much they had made her hope and set her heart racing.

Inuyasha, too, froze at the sight, seeing it as a betrayal from Sesshōmaru after what he had told him. It was despicable, and he knew full well it would hurt Kagome.

My fiancée… he recalled, furious and indignant.

He studied the strange, dangerous woman—the same one he had crossed paths with before, the one who had left him with too many questions. The woman who, for some still unknown reason, seemed to have taken an interest in him… though perhaps all her interest was tied to Sesshōmaru.

He turned to Kagome. He saw how her gaze darkened, even though she kept on with her task, firmly holding the students back and controlling the crowd—never once looking back at Sesshōmaru.

A quiet pride rose in Inuyasha’s chest. He didn’t step in. He knew Kagome was stronger than that, and saying something would be like suggesting he thought her weak. And that wasn’t who his friend was.

. . .

“Inuyasha.” Sesshōmaru’s cold baritone cut through the heavy silence of Master Higurashi’s study, where he had been urgently summoned that night.

“You’ve got some nerve,” Inuyasha spat, brows drawn tight, barely restraining the urge to strike him. “Weren’t we all supposed to believe she was your fiancée?”

“And she is,” Sesshōmaru replied, concealing behind his impassive face the pain it had caused him to act that way in front of Kagome. He could not allow Kikyo to suspect his bond with her; to do so would be to place her in the crosshairs of those he most wished to keep away.

“And what’s that supposed to mean? You’ve got a harem of fiancées you parade one by one into your residence?” Fury crept into Inuyasha’s voice, his eyes beginning to burn with a faint red glow. The two faced each other, holding back the impulse to strike.

“Inuyasha, calm down,” the elderly master interjected, pulling him back into his seat. “You’re misunderstanding everything.”

Inuyasha took a deep breath and fell silent, refusing to look at either of them again.

“We need you to do something for the Academy,” Higurashi said gravely.

“Are you asking me, Master? Or is that an order from him ?” Inuyasha shot back, his glare fixed on Sesshōmaru.

“It’s an order” Sesshōmaru replied, a faint edge of anger in his voice.

“I don’t take orders from you.”

“I am the leader of your clan. If you don't obey willingly, I will force you to.”

The tension in the room was thick enough to spark lightning at any moment. Higurashi, aware of how counterproductive it would be to let things escalate, stepped in again.

“You are to escort Kikyo—the woman you saw with Sesshōmaru today—to the region of the Five Lakes. Your duty will be to protect her and keep watch over her.”

“And why doesn’t he do it? Isn’t she his little friend?”

“This is for Kagome’s sake, Inuyasha. If you care about her as much as you claim, you’ll keep your mouth shut and do what you’re told without complaint.” Sesshōmaru’s patience was nearing its limit.

“What does Kagome have to do with this?” he asked, suspicious.

“Kagome and that woman share a similar gift,” the elder explained, almost acting as interpreter for what Sesshōmaru would not say. “Kikyo must recover a legendary jewel—the Shikon no Tama —and the Taishō family is bound to escort her on her mission. It is an ancient pact between her lineage and yours.”

“And again, what does that have to do with Kagome?”

“If word gets out that Kagome shares her abilities, and the jewel isn’t recovered in time, her life will become an open target. Creatures of all kinds, drawn to the power of the Shikon no Tama , will hunt her relentlessly to bend her to their will and use her power.”

“And why won’t they go after Kikyo?”

“Because few lowly yōkai would dare face Kikyo knowing how powerful she is. Kagome, on the other hand, to them is just a human. We cannot wait for her powers to suddenly awaken and put her in danger.”

Inuyasha fell silent, while Sesshōmaru watched him from the corner of his eye, his fury contained. Inuyasha understood less with every passing moment—Kagome had some kind of power? Was she truly in danger? What connection did this woman have to his family? How had things gone from routine to this tangled, confusing mess… one he was now expected to be part of?

“In return,” Sesshōmaru said, standing before the window without turning to face him, “I will let you drink my blood and become a full Daiyōkai, like the rest of our bloodline.”

“If I do this, it will be for Kagome. Nothing else. I have no interest in becoming like you .”

Sesshōmaru didn’t answer. He knew that sooner or later, Inuyasha would have to become like him or lose control—like most hybrids who roamed the world. But that was another brutal truth he would keep to himself for now.

“Do we have your word, son?” Higurashi asked, his face lined with sorrow.

“When do I leave?”

“Tomorrow at dusk,” Sesshōmaru replied, leaving the room with his usual calm.

“Thank you, Inuyasha… and I’m sorry,” the old man said, his eyes heavy with regret.

Notes:

Hello, everyone!
Vampire Daiyokai is back. I know it's been a while since my last update, and I apologize for not having a regular update schedule, but I only work on this when I have the time and inspiration.

I hope you're enjoying how the story is developing. The next chapter is already in the works, and the ideas keep coming.

Best regards, and let's hope the heat wave ends soon. My cat and I are suffering in front of the screen.

Thanks for your support!

Haru!

Chapter 10: The Han'yō and the Miko

It was past eight in the evening. Inuyasha, with his luggage ready, was waiting at the entrance of the night class for the woman he was to escort under Sesshomaru’s orders. The mere thought of being at the mercy of his half-brother’s commands, like a mere pawn or servant, ate away at him inside. He tried not to dwell on it too much, because he knew that, in truth, no matter what Sesshomaru said, he was doing this in some way to help protect Kagome.

Her black hair and slender figure, now clad in a strange priestess outfit, appeared at the main entrance of the night class residence. The scent that emanated from the woman was, somehow, hypnotic to Inuyasha, and it wasn’t because of her blood—as it would be in the case of a human—but rather an odd sensation that had invaded him ever since the first day they met.

“Good evening, young Taisho,” she greeted him with a hypnotic, almost seductive voice.

“Just call me Inuyasha, please,” he growled, trying to sound polite.

“You’re firm… I see…” her tone hinted at the interest she felt in him, something that unsettled Inuyasha right away.

“You don’t carry any luggage?” Inuyasha asked, surprised to see that only a large bow and arrows hung on her back.

“I can teleport us to a certain point along the journey. I just can’t cross water with my technique. It won’t take long.”

“I see,” he replied, not at all surprised by the powers someone like her could possess.

Before Inuyasha or Kikyō could continue speaking, Sesshomaru appeared solemnly before them.

“You must leave at once,” he said seriously.

“Take care of her,” Inuyasha asked, referring to Kagome. Before he could add anything else, Sesshomaru turned his back and returned to his chambers. He did not need the hanyō to tell him what to do.

“It will be easier to teleport if we maintain some sort of physical contact…” she said, extending a friendly hand toward him, her tone just as soft and calm.

Inuyasha blushed; he was not used to being so close to women, much less to holding their hand.

“I don’t bite, Inuyasha,” she teased, offering a smile that, for a brief moment, captivated him.

He timidly took her hand, and at that instant, she closed her eyes. A gust of wind wrapped around them, pulling them away from the academy, and only a few minutes later, it set them down before a great torii that led to the lake they had mentioned earlier. The atmosphere of that place was heavy; Inuyasha noticed how his companion’s spiritual energy grew unsettled.

“Let’s hurry,” she said, crossing the torii and heading toward a small dock on the other side.

“Step aside,” Inuyasha told her, taking charge of the ropes that held the small boat she had tried to release a moment earlier. Once freed, he took the wooden pole that served as an oar and, climbing aboard, extended his hand to Kikyō so she could join him.

“Thank you.” The softness and subtlety of her voice left Inuyasha dazed every time she spoke.

When she tried to step aboard, weakened by the effort she had spent transporting them there with her spiritual powers, Kikyō faltered for an instant. Inuyasha, in a reflex as swift as lightning, caught her and pressed her against his chest. His heart, still carrying a trace of humanity, beat rapidly.

Kikyō noticed and lifted her head, meeting Inuyasha’s flushed face. His mouth opened in surprise as their gazes locked—hers deep, tender, and calm. He gathered his thoughts and helped her climb into the boat, quickly turning his back to avoid her.

“Thank you, Inuyasha,” she whispered as she settled gracefully into the boat, still slightly unsteady.

“Are you all right?” he asked, keeping himself upright and facing away. That woman stirred feelings in him he had never experienced before, and he was embarrassed to admit it.

“Yes… It’s just that I used too much of my power to bring us here.”

Inuyasha nodded, pushing the boat forward. That’s why she needed a protector, he thought. Even with all the power said to belong to that vampire priestess, she seemed weakened by something beyond the strain of transporting them such a long distance.

“You must head toward the reflection made by the peak of the sacred mountain. That is where they hid what we seek.”

They drifted slowly across the vast lake, when Kikyō suddenly broke the silence by humming a song that made Inuyasha turn instantly, surprised.

“What is that?”

“What?”

“The song…”

“Uhm…” she paused thoughtfully. “I don’t remember who taught it to me, but it’s about love fading away, reflection, and hopeful resilience.”

“My mother used to sing me that song… or at least one with that melody.”

“It’s a rather sad song to sing to a child.”

“My mother often was…”

“She… she was human?” Kikyō dared to ask, genuinely curious.

“Yes.” His answer was curt. He rarely spoke about his mother, least of all with a stranger.

“I see,” she replied, keeping her questions to herself. She perfectly understood his reserve and decided not to hum any longer. That explained why the young Taisho was not fully a daiyōkai, like Sesshomaru.

“I didn’t mean for you to stop singing,” he said, his tone gentler now.

“I don’t remember how the melody continued,” she replied with a faint smile that instantly touched Inuyasha’s heart.

He couldn’t understand why he felt that way toward a woman he had only seen twice in his entire life. Uneasy, drawn, and restless. Perhaps it was her spiritual powers that pulled him in, like a moth to a flame.

At one point during their journey, the boat suddenly stopped, and the water beneath them began to bubble, as if it were a pot about to boil over. Inuyasha straightened, ready to face whatever came.

“We’ve arrived,” she said, rising and taking her bow. “Stay alert.”

He nodded and stood beside her as she moved to the bow of the boat. With a gesture of her right hand, a supernatural force rose from the depths, strong enough to make the vessel rock violently, threatening to overturn them at any moment.

“As soon as my power touches it, the shell will open… and all manner of creatures will come for us,” she warned, raising her voice for the first time on their journey so he could hear her.

From the surge of water that burst upward emerged, just as she had foretold, a freshwater mollusk the size of a human head. The moment she touched it, it opened before her, as if recognizing its rightful mistress, and inside lay a pearl, pink and radiant as the sun.

“What is that, Miko?”

“It’s the Shikon no Tama. Inuyasha, now you must get us out of here.”

“You can’t just take us back to the academy?”

“No… the water prevents me from using teleportation. We must reach the shore.”

Inuyasha began rowing with all his strength. The boat sped across the lake, but the shore still seemed far away.

Moments later, a cloud swarming with yōkai appeared in the sky, just as Kikyō had foretold. They defended themselves as best they could—he with his claws, she with her arrows—but the onslaught seemed endless. Side by side, they struck down each horde of demons that lunged at them, desperate to seize the jewel.

“Row as much as you can. I’ll deal with these vermin,” Inuyasha commanded the priestess.

He felt then a power greater than his own begin to throb within him. The demonic jewel was affecting him, just as it affected the yōkai who attacked them relentlessly. But he had to protect the priestess at all costs. The force of his counterattacks grew with each strike, even as the beast inside him clawed its way to the surface. Still, he fought to contain it.

“Climb onto my back. From here I think I can leap to the shore,” he ordered. The distance was great, but ever since he had gained new strength, he knew his jumps had reached another level. If they made it to land, they could escape more easily.

He crouched, allowing the priestess to mount astride his back, and once she held on, he shouted:

“Hold on tight!”

With an immense bound, they hurtled toward the nearest bank. They landed hard, tumbling across the cold ground in the darkness; the only light came from the glowing pink pearl, rolling away from them.

Inuyasha scrambled to his feet and lunged for it, desperate to keep it from being lost or falling into the wrong hands. But the moment he seized it, the beast he had fought to suppress seized him instead.

“Inuyasha!” Kikyō cried, watching as his monstrous transformation began. Without hesitation, she drew her bow and loosed an arrow straight into his heart, rendering him unconscious at once.

“I’m sorry Inuyasha…” Kikyō leaned slightly over him, just enough for her breath to brush against his skin as she clung to his body, transporting them both back to the academy.

Notes:

A little bit of InuKik here <3
Today has rained and this Haru is happy!
See you soon :)

Chapter 11: Prove it to me…

Kagome had returned to the dōjō. She had not granted herself the slightest rest all week: she trained relentlessly, perfecting the aim of her bow, the sharpness of her knife attacks, her physical and mental endurance. She knew perfectly well how Sesshōmaru would react if he ever discovered her, but she cared little. She had to learn to stand on her own, so that neither he, nor Inuyasha, nor anyone else would have to save her out of pity or compassion.

Even less so now, when he already had someone else to think about.

The memory ignited her chest: sadness transmuted into anger. With a sharp gesture, she tore the medallion from her neck, clenched it in her fist, and shoved it into her pocket. She drew the bow, releasing an arrow charged with energy, born from all the fury devouring her inside. The projectile struck the target as if that rage had become a hidden, unknown force that sustained her beyond exhaustion. Cold sweat slid down her nape, tracing her back until it was lost at the tailbone. She was exhausted from running back and forth, firing at the targets she had so carefully placed throughout the training grounds. She had given everything she had left, and that night, at last, it seemed to be enough.

As she made her way to her room, her heart nearly stopped. In front of her, emerging from her grandfather’s office, stood Sesshōmaru. His imposing silhouette dominated the hallway, and although Kagome was disheveled, drenched in sweat, and still holding her bow, she knew he had already seen her… and that his attention would not let her go.

 “Kagome,” he pronounced. That damned way of saying her name pierced through her, stirring every fiber as though it were a command controlling every last drop of her blood.

 “Good evening, Lord Sesshōmaru,” she replied with cold caution, weighing each word. She kept walking without granting him another glance, another breath. She knew that if she did, she would crumble—especially if he dared to utter what she feared most. A farewell. An end.
 

A growl from Sesshōmaru reverberated through the hallway, a mix of anger and despair. He lost his composure—as never before—and before Kagome could step aside, he seized her arm with implacable strength, dragging her into a nearby room. The dimness was broken only by the pale light from the window. Without letting go, he cornered her against the wall, closing off any escape.

“You’re hurting me… and I…” Kagome stammered, voice trembling, heart racing. Sesshōmaru Taishō never lost control. 

“What?” he roared, with that expression of anguish that disarmed her more than any attack.

 “And this… this isn’t right…” her nerves robbed her of breath, of strength.

“Where is the medallion I gave you?” he asked, this time struggling to regain composure, restraining himself as he noticed the absence of the precious object.

She lowered her gaze, unable to meet his eyes. She knew that if she tried to explain, she would end up broken in tears.

“People might misunderstand our relationship if they see me wearing it,” she finally whispered, her voice threadlike. “I must go, Sesshōmaru.”

 “No,” he growled again, blocking her path with his outstretched arms.

Kagome, still clutching the bow, tried to break free by pushing him, unintentionally unleashing her sacred energy. But it was useless: Sesshōmaru stopped the attack with a single hand. Something impossible for anyone of the Night Class… except him.

 “Kagome…” once more her name, once more that voice laden with pain, with sorrow.
The bow slipped from her hands and fell to the ground. In the same instant, Sesshōmaru pulled her against his chest.

“I’m sorry… I’m sorry, Sesshōmaru… I didn’t…” her voice broke and tears spilled forth, burning, heavy with helplessness. She hadn’t wanted to hurt him. Not him. And yet she felt like a coward. A miserable one.

 He held her in silence, enveloping her in the subtle calm of his powers.

“Are you feeling better?” he whispered, his tone hypnotic, almost ethereal.

“I… I didn’t want to hurt you… I don’t want to lose you,” she confessed, sobbing

 “Whatever you do, my feelings for you won’t change, Kagome.”

Feelings? The word froze her blood. She didn’t dare ask; she feared the answer. But he, as though he had read her mind, cupped her cheek and forced her to lift her face. His golden eyes burned in the dimness like two relentless suns.

“I love you, Kagome. More than anything in this world,” he dared, at last, to invoke the words he had so carefully guarded in silence for so long. Each syllable bore the weight of years contained, of a feeling impossible to uproot. He knew the moment to seal their destiny together was drawing near, and he feared with all his soul that she would push him away again… that she would reject him once more.

Her eyes widened, overflowing with surprise and longing. Their gazes locked into each other, and her heart pounded with overwhelming force, a whirlwind of fear, anxiety, and emotion. Never had she imagined such a confession.

When their lips were about to meet, Sesshōmaru suddenly stopped. His expression transformed: from tenderness to alertness, from vulnerability to a cutting coldness.

“I must go,” he said, voice dense and icy, leaving Kagome petrified and confused.

 

. . . 

 

Like a shadow, Sesshōmaru slipped into the building occupied by his class. The chaotic murmur of voices greeted him the moment he crossed the threshold: a group of students crowded the main hallway, restless and visibly shaken.

“Make way,” he ordered.

And as if his words were an irresistible spell, they obeyed at once, moving aside with a swiftness that betrayed both respect and fear.

When the commotion subsided, Sesshōmaru found the cause of the turmoil. On the ground lay the priestess and the hanyō: she hung by the last thread her exhausted strength allowed her to cling to, while his half-brother remained motionless, a sacred arrow embedded in his chest. An immeasurable force emanated from that place: spiritual and demonic, intertwined as though fate itself had decided to tear in two.

“What happened?” he growled, at the same time giving a sharp gesture that ordered Bankotsu, his right hand, to clear the area completely.

“We were attacked… and…” Kikyō struggled to catch her breath, panting, each word torn from her with effort. “Inuyasha was under the influence of the Shikon no Tama. I had to seal him… so he wouldn’t become one of them.”

Sesshōmaru fixed his gaze on them both, immediately grasping the hidden meaning behind those words: one of them… a demon out of control, consumed by his own nature, a danger to all.

“Is there a way to undo it?” he asked with the same cutting coldness as always.

“There is,” she replied, looking at Inuyasha with an expression tinged with melancholy. “But I need to regain my strength.”

“Can’t you use that?” he pointed to the shining jewel resting in her hands, suggesting that such power might tip the scales.

“It’s dangerous…” Kikyō pressed her lips together, weakened. “In my current state, I cannot control it. Only a priestess with power equal to mine could manage it.”

“Kagome…” Master Higurashi’s voice broke the silence, grave and firm, as he approached the group. The disruption of the academy’s protective barriers had drawn him there.

“No,” Sesshōmaru thundered, his glare striking the elder like a blade.

“You know she’s the only one,” Higurashi replied, calm, though fully aware of the beast standing before him. “And she’s strong enough to succeed.”

“I said no.” His voice was final, a sentence. If it depended on him, he would never allow Kagome to take that risk.

“Sesshōmaru, this isn’t your decision to make. Kagome must know.”

The daiyōkai clenched his fists, his fury contained in every word: “I have spent my life protecting her. I will not allow her to risk her life. You know what it could mean in her current state.”

“I know,” the elder nodded calmly, seeking the rare understanding that was seldom found in Sesshōmaru. “But perhaps you haven’t realized something: Kagome has been using her spiritual power for some time without knowing it. She believes her strength lies in her bow… but in truth it comes from within her. And she wields it naturally.”

Silence fell over the hallway. Sesshōmaru weighed those words with the seriousness of one who tests the edge of a blade. Kagome possessed unprecedented power, and both he and Higurashi knew it. But he also knew that if that power were fully awakened, it could endanger her life. Kagome’s safety was not negotiable.

“Are you aware of what the complete awakening of her powers would entail, Higurashi?” his voice was a cold whisper, heavy with threat.

“I am,” the elder replied firmly. “But so far her powers have manifested without issue. You must trust her.”

“Who are we talking about?” Kikyō asked, puzzled, her expression wavering between curiosity and suspicion.

Sesshōmaru remained silent. He could not reveal it. Not to her. Not to anyone.

 “She is my granddaughter,” said the elder, downplaying it with feigned naturalness.

Kikyō frowned, a spark of suspicion flashing in her eyes. But she did not press further. More than anything in that instant, she feared Sesshōmaru’s wrath might be unleashed there and then, consuming her… consuming them all.

“I will speak to her myself,” he conceded at last, letting the words escape with a weight that seemed to break him from within. Then he turned and left, advancing with firm, heavy steps, as though each one carried him irreversibly toward a fate he could not escape. His silhouette vanished into the dimness of the hallway, toward the dormitories of the Day Class.

 

. . .

 

Kagome had just stepped out of the bath; steam still clung to her skin and had filled the room, creating a soft, warm haze. Her cheeks were flushed, partly from the hot water, but mostly from the heat stirred by reliving, again and again, words she never thought she’d hear:

“I love you, Kagome. More than anything in the world.”

The phrase echoed relentlessly in her mind, like a perpetual reverberation, as if he were still there beside her, whispering it against her ear. She remembered the brush of his breath on her skin, the melancholic cadence of his voice, the impossible sweetness that tore at her heart. Everything. Sesshōmaru had no idea of the power he held over her, over her will, over every single thought. With a trembling hand, she adjusted the medallion as best she could and hung it back around her neck, as if somehow it could protect her.

A soft knock on the door pulled her from her reverie. Kagome hurriedly brushed her hair back and wrapped herself in a robe before giving permission to enter. She imagined it would be Inuyasha, or perhaps her grandfather… but when the figure appeared in the doorway, she froze. As if her thoughts had called him, Sesshōmaru appeared, imposing, leaving the very air of the room suspended.

“May I?” he asked, his deep voice brushing over the sight of her thin pajamas, the ones that left little to the imagination and which she had quickly covered with her robe, cheeks burning.

“Come in... W-what is it?” she stammered, unable to hide the tremor in her voice. It was impossible not to be nervous after what had passed between them.

“I’m sorry for leaving you like that earlier,” Sesshōmaru murmured, approaching with a dangerous calm. He took her hand firmly and guided her to the edge of the bed, inviting her to sit beside him. “There were… complications.”

“What kind of complications?” Kagome asked, trying to hold his gaze, though he avoided hers, as if guarding a secret too heavy to bear.

“Inuyasha…” Sesshōmaru finally spoke, breaking the silence with a weight that made Kagome’s blood freeze.

“What about Inuyasha?” her voice tightened, laced with concern.

“The priestess had to seal him. The demon within him was about to take control.”

Kagome looked at him, eyes wide with confusion and fear.

“Y-you… did you have anything to do with it, Sesshōmaru?” she asked, uncertain, as if dreading the answer.

He fixed her with his relentless, golden gaze, deep and unwavering.

“If I did… would you hate me?”

Kagome’s heart constricted. Could she hate him? The very idea seemed impossible. Yet the anguish gnawed at her: what would happen if the man she loved became a threat to her best friend, the one she considered a brother?

“I… I could never hate you, Sesshōmaru,” she finally confessed, in a whisper.

He leaned toward her, closing the distance until there was no room to escape. He cornered her against the narrow bed, his presence enveloping her like a suffocating cloak of power and desire.

“Then prove it to me…” he whispered, so close that Kagome could feel the brush of his breath against her skin.

“How?” she stammered, heart pounding like a runaway drum, blood burning in her cheeks and chest. Sesshōmaru’s gaze, full of longing and devotion, sank into hers like a sweet and inevitable poison.

“Be my lover, Kagome.”

With those words, he sealed his request with the kiss that had earlier hung suspended in the air. The contained longing, the restrained desire, and the need to claim her seized him in an instant. His lips found hers, and her warmth awakened everything in Sesshōmaru that had lain dormant for far too long.

It began as a brief kiss that quickly opened into a dance of tongues, a fiery rhythm that carried them irresistibly. Kagome gasped, caught between intensity and surprise, but did not resist. And although deep inside Sesshōmaru he knew he should stop, that he could not give in to such temptation… for a moment he allowed himself to lose himself in that kiss, unable to break the spell.

Notes:

Ahh, as always, I think I’ll have more time to write—and it’s a lie. Now, on top of that, I’m raising a baby kitten who steals my time and sleep. But I’ve needed to write this for days!!

Thanks once again for reading.

Haru