InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Choices, Choices... ❯ Things of the Past ( Chapter 9 )

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FanFiction: LittleFoxDemon

InuyashaFanFiction: Animefreak

deviantART: no1sangel, luvtodraw, daddyslilangel01, Katevan, and Cali2007.

And a HUGE thank you to Quimera-chan. I don't know where you read my stories (you didn't say!) but I thank you for all the support and compliments! Thank you so much for taking the time to email me!

 

Replies: MediaMiner: buzzk97 - Thank you so much, my friend! To be honest, I'm just glad you read that part - most people skip over it and don't even know I said something about them, lol. I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter! I thought it was time that Kouga got, well, something. He's so great, despite his idiocy. LOL, yeah, I dunno how she missed it either *blush*. Well, I can't promise that Kouga WON'T get his heart broken, but we'll see what happens… unistar - Yep! And they will get even more complicated! Fwee!!! I will update as soon as I am capable! Thank you, and a Happy New Year to you as well!!! :D OreoGirl96 - I will try to update more quickly!!!

 

A/N: (***) Will denote a flashback scene. Sorry if you all hate me for it, but it needed to be done. LOTS of important character background info in there. Some of you asked what Inuyasha's ringtone is on Kagome's phone - believe it or not, the ringtones on everyone's phone will go along with the character's and how they feel, so I'm not going to reveal it, unless you guess. But you'll find out soon enough. ^_^ Sorry this chappie is a little shorter than usual, but it needed to stop here… -.-;

 

This chapter is dedicated to my lovely friend on deviantART, Miko-Amarante. She drew me the loveliest picture, and I want her to know that I appreciate her as a fan, a friend, and an artist. ^_^

 

 

Chapter 9: Things of the Past

 

There was no mistaking it. She reeked of male youkai. She smelled clean, but a part of her - her clothes, perhaps - smelled like another male youkai, and her sweat. Obviously, she had been doing something… strenuous with a male youkai. A strong one, too. Of course, not as strong as he, maybe not even as strong as his half-breed brother. But nonetheless… And that scent was unmistakable: ookami.

 

A strange, unique, foreign feeling washed over the demon. His pulse was still quick, but not in an exciting way. Instead, his blood was boiling in his veins. He could feel his skin heating, but not in passion. And his breath was coming in quick, rasping puffs. But not in anticipation. It was rage. Pure, primal, jealous rage. Of course, Sesshoumaru was quite familiar with rage. In fact, he enjoyed it. But this… This was odd. Why should he feel this angry over a girl that meant nothing to him? She was nothing but a conquest - a silly triumph.

 

Really, jealousy did not become Sesshoumaru. Therefore, he decided that he was not jealous after all. He was… Well, he was angry. And, deciding that it was not only near certifiable to be having this conversation with himself at this time, he decided that the conversation was over. He gave the woman another look. Then he turned back to his work and proceeded to ignore her greeting.

 

Kagome watched his expression as she stood in the doorway. At first, she saw the surprise in his eyes. She must have startled him - he probably didn't expect her. Then, she saw something that looked like anger in his eyes. She wasn't sure why he would be angry… was he angry that she hadn't shown up until now? Or maybe it was her outfit? Maybe he was appalled at the way she was dressed. Kagome was beginning to seriously stress out about his reaction when he abruptly began to ignore her.

 

“Um, hi Sesshoumaru. I didn't know I was going to see you here,” she said shyly.

 

Nothing. Just the tap-tap of the keyboard as he typed. Hmph. Well, two can play at this game.

 

Kagome sat opposite of the quiet man as they both worked. I mean, it wasn't that bad, was it? It's not like she was wearing a halter top and miniskirt. And if she had been, she would look damn good, so he shouldn't be so damn angry. Kagome took a breath. Why was it pissing her off so much? Why should she care? She had had a great night, and something as stupid as Sesshoumaru ignoring her shouldn't bother her. Kagome took out some of her notes and began working as well.

 

Damn. She's just going to sit here and work, isn't she? Sesshoumaru argued Kagome's work ethics in his head for a bit, but it wasn't getting him anywhere, so he dropped it. So, where to go from here? In a small corner of his brain, his youki was growling at him, demanding for the female to answer to him and inform them of her previous engagements. But there was no way he was going to blurt out, `Say, Kagome… what demon did you sleep with recently? Because it's driving me crazy.' Deciding that all he could do was ignore her for fear of what might actually come out of his mouth, Sesshoumaru continued to tap away at the keyboard.

 

Silence didn't bother Sesshoumaru. On the contrary, he preferred it. But… it was rather disconcerting to him that the female wasn't speaking to him. She was usually rather chatty, but today; not only did she reek of wolf demon, but now she was going to just… just sit there and… and work! In silence! How dare she, the insolent little woman!

 

He decided to focus on something else. His work was so mundane, and he was merely copying some wording - he didn't even need to think in order to do his job. Maybe he should do something else? Yes… Well, he could finish the deposition he attempted to start last night. He would have finished it too if his little brother hadn't kept giving him odd looks and asking him strange questions… personal questions.

 

***

 

“Little brother, stop glaring. It is impolite.”

 

Inuyasha huffed in the mahogany doorway of Sesshoumaru's private study.

 

Sesshoumaru sighed, putting down the notepad he had been scribbling on. “What can I do for you, Inuyasha?”

 

Inuyasha seemed hesitant, and he reeked of anxiety. Sesshoumaru scoffed in the confines of his mind. Human blood. It makes him weak. If he were youkai, he would be able to conceal his worries. Instead, he trembles before me like a child. Pathetic.

 

Inuyasha stalled for a few more moments before he donned his healthiest-looking scowl. It wasn't fooling his older brother.

 

“Sesshoumaru, we don't usually talk,” Inuyasha began.

 

“For good reason,” Sesshoumaru interrupted.

 

If possible, Inuyasha's frown deepened. Sesshoumaru wore the tiniest smile, pleasured by his brothers' annoyance with him.

 

“We don't talk, and I figured we should,” Inuyasha continued.

 

Sesshoumaru thought this odd, and showed his confusion with a highly arched brow. After a few moments of watching his half-breed kin, Sesshoumaru decided that it intrigued him to find out where this was going. He motioned towards the large, comfy, leather chair opposite him. Inuyasha sat, now directly across from his brother.

 

“What troubles you, brother?” Sesshoumaru asked.

 

“N-nothin',” Inuyasha lied.

 

It was obvious, but Sesshoumaru allowed him to continue his façade. So the elder male simply picked up his notepad once more, knowing his simple brother would eventually fill the silence when he was ready to speak. A minute went by. Inuyasha shifted in his seat. Three more minutes went by, with golden eyes watching him as he sorted through his scattered paperwork, looking for a contract. Finally, Inuyasha half-cleared his throat; half-choked.

 

Sesshoumaru sighed as he put down the file.

 

Inuyasha had the audacity to look put out.

 

Sesshoumaru waited.

 

“So,” Inuyasha started, “are you seeing anyone?”

 

Now that was unexpected. Visibly shocked - a rare event - Sesshoumaru lifted both eyebrows at the young man. It was disconcerting for the hanyou, and he shifted once again.

 

Now positive that his brother was going to remain silent after his disturbing question concerning his love life - or lack of - Sesshoumaru stared hard at the half-demon.

 

“Why the interest, little brother? Do you need advice? Have you finally moved on?”

 

“Kuso, Sesshoumaru! Do you have to bring that up? I'm just trying to learn more about you…” Inuyasha growled.

 

Sesshoumaru scoffed. “I take that as a `no', since you are so defensive. Well, if you do have another woman, I hope she is not ningen. Because I do not wish to hear you howl for another fifty years about-”

 

Inuyasha slammed his fist down on the desk so hard, it cracked the beautiful, shiny, red wood. “Fuck, why do you have to keep bringing it up? Just let it go and let me be!”

 

Sesshoumaru scowled. He didn't appreciate the misuse of his personal office equipment. After all, his tasteless brother had no idea how hard it was to find matching mahogany that was made this exquisitely. But Sesshoumaru didn't need to resort to violence to pay his brother back. It was well known that Inuyasha was no match for him.

 

“Inuyasha, it is you that has not `let it go', as you so eloquently stated. I suggest you take your own advice. As for me…” Sesshoumaru paused here, unsure if he should actually bend to his brothers' whim.

 

Inuyasha had been furious with Sesshoumaru for his verbal abuse, but now he paused, waiting to see if the youkai would finish his sentence. And if so, what would he tell him?

 

Straightening himself ever so slightly, Sesshoumaru spoke. “I have… an interest.”

 

Inuyasha's eyes went wide with revelation, but Sesshoumaru took this as surprise.

 

“Youkai or ningen,” Inuyasha asked suspiciously.

 

Sesshoumaru sniffed haughtily. “As if I would take to a human woman,” he stated. But, you want the human woman, his subconscious reminded him. Sesshoumaru was so angry with the voice inside him he growled his displeasure, making Inuyasha suspicious that his brother was not telling the truth.

 

Sesshoumaru noticed the disbelief in the hanyou's eyes and bared his teeth at the younger brother.

 

“ENOUGH!” Sesshoumaru bellowed, standing swiftly and causing his own plush swivel chair to hit the wall behind him. “This is none of your business anyways! Would you dare answer me if I asked you the same?” He watched with interest as Inuyasha opened his mouth to speak.

 

“I have an… interest too.”

 

Sesshoumaru was shocked by the admission. For years, his brother had moped, sulked, pouted, brooded, and pined over the woman he had planned to marry. Had Kikyou not been murdered, the hanyou would have moved out, and Sesshoumaru would have fulfilled his father's request to protect Inuyasha until he no longer needed it. Truthfully, Inuyasha did not need to be protected further. He had been taught to fight, and he was brash, but good. But Sesshoumaru allowed him to stay, and it had finally looked like he was going to leave fifty years ago, but then his fiancé had been killed. Sesshoumaru had been furious.

 

He hadn't cared for the woman - she was too somber, too tranquil, and she had a certain smell about her he didn't like - but an attack against his family was an attack all the same. He had hunted the person responsible, since Inuyasha had been too grief-stricken to do so, but had never found the murderer. That made Sesshoumaru even more wild with rage. He was the mighty Sesshoumaru - how could a simple thug disappear into thin air like that? But the powerful youkai would never forget the scent of the man responsible. If he ever ran across him, he'd better have something stronger than Sesshoumaru with him. Otherwise…

 

“-maru?”

 

Sesshoumaru jerked his head away from his thoughts, his eyes snapping to Inuyasha's in ire.

 

“You didn't hear me, did you?” Inuyasha scowled.

 

Sesshoumaru sighed. “No, Inuyasha. I have many things on my mind. The least being your love life.”

 

“Keh,” Inuyasha huffed as he crossed his arms. “I said…” he repeated, emphasizing for impatient effect, “that she is human.”

 

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened, another rare show of emotion. He was amazed that his own brother could cause him to act this way. But it was futile.

 

“Do what you will, little brother. I have tried to warn-”

 

“What's with all the yelling?”

 

Two pairs of golden eyes swiveled to the doorway, where an obviously irate teenage girl was standing, hands on hips and a scowl on her face. She wore pink pajamas that hugged her curves and showed too much skin, eliciting a growl from her adoptive father. She glared back.

 

“Excuse me, but I was in bed, and heard you two going at it again, and came to make sure you didn't kill Uncle Inuyasha,” she said with the most impressive voice she could muster.

 

“Hey-” Inuyasha sulked.

 

She turned to the hanyou, an apologetic smile on her lovely face. “I'm sorry, Uncle Inu. I know you're strong and all, but compared to Sessh…”

 

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat at the offending nickname. Inuyasha smirked; no one but Rin could get away with speaking to his older brother the way she did, not even him.

 

“Now,” she thundered, “is this over with? Or do I have to supervise you two? I have service to do tomorrow!”

 

The two brothers scowled, both at the reprimand and at each other before turning their attention back to her. She took their silence as a positive answer to her first question, and twirled around to stomp effectively up the wooden staircase that led to the second floor where all the bedrooms were. They heard her close her door forcefully, although she wouldn't dream of slamming the door.

 

The youkai and hanyou glared at each other. Inuyasha knew he would be driving Rin to her service the next day - whenever she spoke of `service', Rin was talking about one of the many places she volunteered at. Tomorrow, as it happened, would be Humane Society day. She would work there from ten in the morning to five in the evening. She always volunteered at animal shelters, or zoos, or rescue groups. She had been that way since she was young.

 

When Rin was about six years old, she ran away from the abusive foster home she was placed in because her parents had died in a car crash. While she was tucked into a box under a bridge, attempting to stay out of the rain that was flooding the streets, a pack of vicious, huge, ferocious dogs rampaged through the streets. Rin stayed within the box, but it was all too easy for the `dogs' to smell the dirty little girl, and they brought her down, leaving her lifeless body under the small bridge.

 

Sesshoumaru had been walking along, melancholy because he was bored with being a Senator. He wanted a new profession, and had decided that being a lawyer might keep his interest for a while. He was just coming up with a plan to kill off his identity so he could start a new life, when he smelled blood - a lot of blood. The scent carried well, since the water running under the bridge happened to be travelling in the youkai's direction. He broke into a run, allowing the flaps of his tan trench coat to fall back, drenching him in rainwater. Within seconds, he came upon the lifeless body of a very young girl.

 

He hadn't known why the smell of human blood had spurred him into a run in the first place, but soon, Sesshoumaru found himself kneeling next to her, stroking her smooth, creamy skin. It smeared the blood on her face, and tinted his fingers crimson. Without thinking, the demon picked the girl up and brought her home. His brother had screamed at him, but Sesshoumaru seemed to be in a daze, seemingly doing everything automatically. Inuyasha only shouted his disapproval the entire time. But he froze when Sesshoumaru came downstairs with Tenseiga in hand.

 

The heirloom left to him by his father had the opposite effect that Inuyasha's sword had - to bring life. The hanyou watched in fascination as his brother swung at the girl and sheathed the sword. Inuyasha could not see what the elder demon was swiping at, but trusted in his brothers' instincts. Within a few seconds, the girl woke up, coughing from the sudden intake of air. After that, arrangements were made and Rin had found a permanent home with a hanyou and youkai.

 

At first, she had been terrified of dogs, but Inuyasha's gentleness helped her. At one point, Sesshoumaru took the girl into their expansive land and showed her his true form. She wanted to be afraid, but knowing the enormous white dog was her savior removed all fear, and she soon found herself wanting to be a veterinarian. The irony of it annoyed Sesshoumaru, but Inuyasha laughed when she announced her decision, and he supported her in whatever she wanted to do.

 

Since she entered Middle School, the girl had been racking up volunteer time. She enjoyed it, and it would look great on a college application. Sesshoumaru always scowled at her, informing her that the family's influential power was more than enough to get her into any college of choice, but she had refused to listen, irking her adoptive father and earning Inuyasha's devotion.

 

“She has to be up early, so I'm gonna leave this alone. Good night, Sesshoumaru,” Inuyasha said with a quick turn, exiting the office and walking up the stairs.

 

“This conversation is far from over, Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru called out before settling back in his chair.

 

He had tried to go back to whatever he had been doing before his brother had interrupted, but Sesshoumaru found he could no longer concentrate, his mind constantly replaying their conversation. So he walked over to his private bar, fixed himself a vodka martini, and walked upstairs to his bedroom.

 

***

 

Just remembering the scene allowed Sesshoumaru to lose his concentration enough to make him angry. He pushed away from his side of the desk in disgust, standing.

 

Kagome could tell Sesshoumaru was having a problem with something, but she knew he wouldn't tell her what was troubling him. But now she was alarmed, and stood as well.

 

“S-sesshoumaru? What's wrong? Are you okay?” she ventured, reaching for his arm.

 

Her touch made him feel like he was on fire, and he withdrew his arm. “I am fine,” he growled.

 

Kagome scowled. “It doesn't look like you're fine.” She gave him a few moments to respond, but he only looked out of the window behind him.

 

Kagome didn't like being ignored. “Listen,” she told him forcefully, “I don't know what's going on with you today, but I didn't think you were going to be here, so I wore this ridiculous outfit because I was feeling great this morning. You don't have to be such a jerk about it. I'll leave, thank you.” And she turned to do so, reaching for her paperwork and briefcase.

 

Why, oh why did he miss her voice? Sesshoumaru turned around to give her a piece of his mind, but no words escaped his throat. He watched as the woman bent over, collecting her things. Her shorts allowed the slightest amount of her rear to show, and Sesshoumaru imagined himself grasping her hips and thrusting as she tossed her head back and moaned. Incredibly turned on, he found himself behind her, bending as well and resting his hands on her arms.

 

Ah, it's Mister One Fish, Two Fish, Hot Fish, Cold fish again. What's with this guy? He has more mood swings than a pregnant woman! Kagome stopped what she was doing to tell him off. She was trapped between his arms and her chair, but she wasn't going to let that stop her.

 

“What's with you, Sesshoumaru? You ignore me, and now you're… well, you're here. What do you want?” she seethed.

 

Sesshoumaru reveled in the angry flash in her eyes. But he instantly remembered why he was angry with her in the first place. Inhaling deeply, he had to fight his youki to keep it from strangling and questioning her.

 

He backed her up until she was bending over the chair. “You… seem different,” he said, narrowing his eyes for effect. He almost smirked when her confused eyes became embarrassed. “And your choice of clothing does not offend me.”

 

“I-I'm not different. You're the one acting weird,” she defended.

 

“Hn.”

 

They stared at each other in silence. Sesshoumaru, waiting for her silence to break her, and Kagome, waiting for him to give up. Unbeknownst to her, Sesshoumaru was not one to `give up'.

 

Several moments passed. “L-listen,” Kagome said a little angrier than she meant, furious that this man could make her lose composure so easily. She panicked, eager to get out of the situation. For some reason, Sesshoumaru made her pulse quicken and her nerves jitter. That was normally a good thing, except it wasn't always because he was so gorgeous. He unnerved her, and she found that disconcerting. No other man could do that to her, and she thought to relieve herself from him. “I, um…” She struggled for something to say as he leaned closer, attempting to force her to reveal her secret. “I'm kinda seeing someone.”

 

Well, he hadn't expected that. She had never smelled like the ookami before, so was he a new suitor? Regardless…

 

“Actually,” she began again, regaining his attention. Ah, so she relents… he thought, smirking. “Actually, I'm kinda seeing two guys.”

 

This brought Sesshoumaru up short. Two? She was dividing her attention between two males? But he had never smelled another on her… And what did that have to do with him? No longer worried about arguing with his youki, Sesshoumaru admitted to himself that he wanted the girl for himself - and there was none that could stand in his way, two males or not. It mattered not that one was youkai. No one could stop him. If the woman was sharing herself with two men, then why not three?

 

“So?” was his reply.

 

Kagome gasped in shock. She had thought that her statement would have deterred him, but it didn't even faze him. But… what did this mean? Did he want her as well, or for himself? And why?

 

“What do you mean, `so'? I'm dating two guys. So I'm not going to just sleep with you because you're attractive,” she told him angrily, clapping a hand over her mouth at the end, not meaning to reveal what she had.

 

As if he hadn't known. The woman dripped with arousal when he was near. He knew she was attracted to him. But what she had said before that was more interesting. She had thought his only intention was to sleep with her. Well, in the beginning, it was. But…

 

“Then I will court you as well,” he stated simply, pushing off the chair to let her stand upright. He was very pleased with the shocked look on her face.

 

“What?” she asked dumbly.

 

“Tomorrow morning, I will pick you up at ten o'clock for brunch.”

 

She could barely process her thoughts. “B-but, you can't just… I didn't agree to…”

 

“Please be ready when I arrive, I do not wish to be late.” And with that, Sesshoumaru packed his things, not allowing her to refuse.

 

She still stood in front of the chair, gaping like a fish, when he swept by her, pausing to grasp her around the waist and press his lips to hers in a heated kiss.

 

Even though she was swirling with anger, confusion, and another unnamed feeling, all thoughts fled when his lips fell upon hers. She filled with heat, her heart beating wildly against her ribs. A moan escaped her when he pried her mouth open to feel her tongue against his, and he smirked against her mouth. Bringing a hand up to her face and caressing it, he swept out the door, leaving an emotionally exhausted Kagome in his wake.

 

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At home, Kagome grumbled to herself. What had she gotten herself into? She hadn't wanted to add another man to her already too-many repertoire. She roughly shoved a load of laundry into the washing machine. And why hadn't she just told him no? A tiny voice enlightened her - she wanted Sesshoumaru as much as he wanted her. But she had just had sex with Kouga… And she had been having a great time with Inuyasha. Was there room for another?

 

Disgusted with herself for getting into such a jam, she berated herself for letting it get to her. She had been livid, yet, felt light after he had left the office and she tried to get back to work. But her work eluded her as she kept replaying what had happened in her mind. Couldn't she have come up with something better than admitting she was seeing others?

 

Stopping to sit on her bed for a moment, Kagome realized she had inadvertently placed her outfit for tomorrow on the bed. Roaring, Kagome flopped backwards on her bed, effectively squashing the grey dress pants and white peasant blouse. When had she done it? Actually, she didn't even remember the drive home. She had been in a daze, ever since that kiss…

 

Sighing, Kagome decided she needed a distraction. She dialed Nikki, her best friend.

 

Three phone calls later, Kagome learned that she had no other choice. Nikki and Jason had restaurant reservations - Kagome had to plead with her blonde friend to not cancel her plans. Sayuri was in New York, visiting her parents. Kagome had been shocked that she hadn't known and vowed to be a better friend to her.

 

One last call revealed that Inuyasha was with his band, playing a gig - he had actually picked up the phone while he was on stage! She tried to hang up, but he had used it to his advantage, telling her that he was between songs, then screaming to the crowd that a girl was calling him and asking if they mind. They yelled back positive responses, some whistling and catcalling, and it made Kagome laugh. She talked with him briefly and he told her that he would be out late. He asked if she wanted him to come by before he went home, and she told him it wasn't necessary, although he insisted. They ended the call, and Kagome laughed over their conversation before deciding to place one last call.

 

She didn't want to be home alone, but she also feared the outcome of calling him. Which was worse? After her frustrating day, however, the appeal of not being alone outweighed his company. With a sigh, she found his number in her contacts and called.

 

Kouga's phone rang in the middle of a conversation to the tune of `My Girl'. Taking it, his teammates watched him run off a few seconds later. They shrugged it off, assuming it was his new girlfriend he had told them about.

 

Not but five minutes later, her doorbell rang. No, it couldn't be… could it? He had said he was in Fort Lauderdale. That was a good half an hour drive, in the least. Was it possible for him to get here in five minutes?

 

Opening the door, her thoughts were confirmed. There was Kouga, in front of her, his big, dumb, wolfish grin on his face. But something was… different.

 

Kouga had been elated that she had called him so quickly. He hadn't expected it, but now that he was here, he would make sure she wouldn't forget him. When he had left Kagome's this morning, he had run to his meet and done well. In the afternoon, he had a few hours before practicing with his Olympic team and went shopping - a last minute idea. He decided he wanted to stand out amongst the others that she was obviously close to. He had spent a good portion of the day thinking about her phone. He remembered the men's names from her phone and tried to work them out.

 

He already knew who Inuyasha was and also knew that she was involved with him - how much, he didn't know. Jason… well, it was possible but not probable that he was the other youkai. But it didn't sound like a name a demon would have, even if it were American-born. On the other hand, this Sesshoumaru… Well, it sounded like a strong youkai's name. Especially when his name meant Killing Perfection. Besides, Kouga had thought he heard that name before, but he was unaware of where or when he had heard it. As far as he was concerned, no one was stronger than he, so it didn't matter if this guy was in Kagome's life.

 

But now, standing in front of her, she smelled still like him… and, he imagined, Sesshoumaru. It was faint, but enough to make him worry. But… hadn't she said she was going to work? So is Sesshoumaru a coworker? As the pieces clicked in his head as to whom Sesshoumaru was and her relationship with him, he missed Kagome's greeting - until she touched him, bringing him out of his thoughts.

 

She had been amazed that he had gotten there so fast, but then again, he was a demon. On top of that, an Olympic track runner. He was grinning that stupid grin of his, and it made her feel good.

 

“Hey, Kouga! Wow, you got here fast. I hope it wasn't any trouble. Why don't you come in?” Kagome turned to step aside, but noticed that he hadn't said anything, much less moved. Perplexed, Kagome stared at him.

 

He was smiling, but he seemed to be deep in thought. Kagome was about to ask him what was wrong when she noticed that something was… off. He was the same Kouga, yet different. After a few seconds, it clicked.

 

“Kouga! You cut your hair! Wow, it looks great,” she smiled. She reached for the now shoulder-length locks and twirled them in her fingers.

 

Kouga seemed startled, as if he hadn't known he was being touched until that moment. “N-nani?” He jumped back slightly.

 

Kagome frowned and was about to ask him if he needed to lie down - perhaps being in the sun all day fried his brain? - when he began to look like he finally saw her.

 

He sighed, his shoulders slumping in embarrassment. “I'm sorry, Kagome. I didn't mean to ignore you like that. I just have stuff on my mind…”

 

“No! Listen, if you have somewhere else to be, go! I tried to tell you, it wasn't important. I just didn't feel like being home,” she said, waving her hands in front of her defensively, but smiling and laughing all the same to hide her lie. In truth, she did want him there. But he didn't need to know that.

 

Kouga grasped her hands in his, pulling her close. “Kagome, there is no where I would rather be than with you,” he told her, leaning in for a kiss.

 

Kagome made sure it was a quick one. “Um, yeah… about that? We need to talk.” She led him inside, and after closing the door, she led him to the couch. “Kouga, I know we've been out a few times and we had sex and all, but I don't want you to get the wrong impression.”

 

Wow, she's so beautiful. And it's great when she smells like me, Kouga thought. Too bad she also smells like another youkai, even if it's a little. I'll have to find out how close they are and get rid of him.

 

“Kouga, are you listening?”

 

“Eh? Yeah, sure. Whatever you say, hun.”

 

Hun? Irked, Kagome scowled at him fiercely, and he unintentionally backed away. “Kouga,” she said menacingly, “I don't think you heard a damned thing I said. I don't think you want to hear it. If that's the case, you can leave now,” she seethed.

 

This set the alarm bells off in Kouga's head. Leave?

 

“N-n-n-no! I… I want to hear what you're saying! I'm sorry, Kagome. I'm being a bad boyfriend. I just have a lot on my mind…”

 

“Boyfriend? See? That's the problem! I'm trying to tell you that I don't want you to get any wrong ideas about us! Yeah, we went on a few dates and had sex, but that doesn't mean we're exclusive. I'm seeing other people until the time is right. I just got out of a relationship, and I don't want to tie myself down so quickly. Do you understand?” Kagome was almost gasping for breath by the time she had finished her speech, frustrated with this hard-headed youkai.

 

“Um… what?”

 

“Argh!” Kagome gave up, her hands flying up as she stood, stomping around her roomy apartment and ending up in the kitchen.

 

Tea. Yes, some tea might help her calm down. Tea… and a hot bath. But she certainly wasn't taking a bath with him here. Why, oh WHY did she call him in the first place? Of course, by the looks of things, this conversation was needed. She was right - he thought of them as a couple, and that needed to be rectified. She made the tea, enough for two, in case he wanted some, and sat back down.

 

She handed him his mug, and as he sipped, she explained once more that they were, in fact, not a couple. He seemed to take it badly. Childishly, he resorted to ignoring her and making snide comments.

 

“Listen, if this is about that mutt-face…”

 

“Who?” Kagome asked. She had been so startled by the comment she had scrunched up her face in confusion.

 

“That Inuyasha guy… You've been seeing him, right?”

 

Mutt-face? What kind of a nickname was that? Either way, she wasn't going to let him insult Inuyasha. And how did he know?

 

“First of all, don't call him that. Second of all, yeah, I AM seeing him. Like I said, I'm seeing other guys. And third, how the hell did you know? Are you spying on me or something?” Kagome was furious with him.

 

“I call `em like I see `em,” he rebutted, to her consternation. “As for your last question…” Here, he pointed to his nose.

 

Kagome's eyes went wide with realization, then narrowed in anger. “God DAMN IT, Kouga! It's not fair that you can do that! If you don't stop, I promise you, you will never be sniffing me again!” Afterwards, Kagome thought about how stupid that sounded. But it seemed to take effect anyways. Kouga looked wounded.

 

He bowed his head, letting his bangs cover his eyes. Then, he suddenly straightened and looked her dead in the eye.

 

“I'm sorry,” he said sternly. “I won't use it against you. Maybe I should leave…” Kouga stood, and was disappointed when she didn't stop him. He walked towards the door.

 

She felt bad when he began to stand, but it probably was for the best. After all, they both needed time to cool and think, but from the looks of it, he seemed like he wanted to stay, despite what he had said. But she wouldn't stop him. They needed the night apart. And he needed to think over what she had told him. But…

 

As he walked through the door, Kagome stopped him. “Kouga, wait,” she said with a smile.

 

He grinned, thinking she had changed her mind. But that wasn't to be.

 

“Um… what else do you know that I haven't told you?” she asked mischievously.

 

Kouga wondered if this was a trick. Should he lie? No, he couldn't lie to the woman he loved. “Well,” he said, rubbing the back of his head and disheveling his newly shortened hair, “I know Inuyasha isn't the only one you're seeing. There's one other guy.” He waited for the yelling. Much to his amazement, she only smiled wider.

 

“Really? That's amazing. Well, see you later,” she said, kissing him firmly before she backed away to close the door.

 

“Sure,” he said, smiling. He turned and left.

 

Kagome sighed, sliding down the inside of her door. She hadn't wanted to part so badly - he was a little stupid, but she didn't want to ruin the relationship before it had become one. After all, he was a great guy, and was a complete gentleman. He was talented and attentive - well, most of the time. So she didn't want to rule him out as a potential boyfriend just yet. Anyways, it didn't look like Commander Mood Swing was going to be a front-runner, with his `I want you; I want you not' attitude. And Inuyasha was just so… Kagome sighed. Well, he was a lot like Sesshoumaru, in the fact that he was moody. Although Inuyasha was much more capable of talking about how he felt, Commander Mood Swing just did as he pleased. They were all such great guys… How would she choose the right one?

 

And speaking of the Commander, she had an early date with him. She should probably get to bed soon. What was with him ordering her around anyways? Scowling, Kagome walked to her bathroom to fill her tub. It was going to be a lonely night after all.

 

----------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------

 

Kagome had gotten plenty of sleep, so she felt good when she got up. She had washed and dried her hair last night, so there wasn't a whole lot to do except freshen up. She washed her face quickly, padding around her empty apartment in order to get ready. Despite her ire with the Commander, she was excited. She wondered where he would take her, and she fantasized about being whisked away to Paris…

 

Wait, what?

 

She laughed at herself. Sesshoumaru was neither famous nor rich - why would she think of France?

 

Kagome was just slipping her light grey pants over her hips when she heard the telltale `Say It Right' tune floating to her from beside the bed. She ran to pick it up, happy to hear from her friend.

 

They spoke for a while, Kagome forgetting about getting ready for her date as she told Nikki about the impending outing. They joked about Kagome's pet name for him, and Nikki came up with `Captain Obsessed' for Kouga. They laughed, until the petite blonde reminded Kagome what time it was. Gasping, Kagome quickly hung up, amusing her friend to no end.

 

She ran back to the bathroom to add some little touches of lip gloss and mascara when her phone rang again. She thought it was strange to hear Bon Jovi's `Dead or Alive', a ring tone she applied for her brother, Souta - an inside joke between the siblings. Well, it was Sunday, after all. Maybe he just had something to tell her that couldn't wait. This time of day on a weekend was usually part of Souta's sleeping schedule.

 

Reaching for the phone, Kagome chirped a happy `Ohayou' to her brother. The other end was silent for a few moments, sending Kagome into a panic.

 

“Kagome?”

 

“Oh, Kami, Souta! Don't do that! I was so worried!”

 

“Kagome… you sound kinda happy. I… Damn it, I shouldn't have called…” He sounded angry with himself.

 

“No, no, I'm glad you called. What's up, little bro?” Kagome asked. She was a little disturbed by his use of her first name. He usually called her `sis', `Kags', and sometimes the formal `nee-chan'.

 

There was no answer again for a couple of moments, and Kagome was getting upset.

 

“Souta, you really shouldn't-”

 

“Kagome,” he finally muttered, “there's something I have to tell you…”

 

----------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------

 

Half an hour later, Sesshoumaru arrived at Kagome's apartment, but became alarmed when he heard her sobbing from within her home. He was both relieved and disconcerted to find the door unlocked - on one hand, she would have been angry had he ripped the door off its' hinges; on the other hand, she probably hadn't locked it last night. The damn girl was too trusting.

 

Entering, he found a half-naked Kagome in her room, crying, her legs tucked under her and her phone clutched in one hand. He had seen her angry, and he had seen her cheerful. But this - this was a little unnerving for him. He was alarmed instantly, kneeling next to her and cradling her in his arms. She sobbed into his chest, wetting his Armani shirt. He vaguely thought about her flesh pressed against him; in her upset, her skin was flushed rosy. She had pants on, but there was only a white, lacy bra covering her upper body. He pushed those thoughts aside, and tried to soothe her.

 

“Kagome, what is wrong?” he cooed.

 

Still too upset to speak, she could only hiccup and wail, and he opted to wait. The restaurant would not dream of giving up his reservation. Or they would pay. He sighed, resolving to just hold her until she was calm enough to speak. There were many a night when Rin had done the same; when she first came to the mansion, she woke up screaming almost every night, unable to speak until she had stopped crying.

 

The sobs came less panicked and the hiccups became fewer in between, and Sesshoumaru waited patiently. He leaned back, taking his nose from her hair where he had burrowed, to brush the damp hair from her face. But when he did so, he smelled something… unusual. Here, in her home, was the scent of that wolf demon. His thoughts spiraled dangerously towards murderous, but he calmed himself. After all, if the scent had been on her yesterday, surely it would still be here. And yet, it seemed too fresh. Had he spent the night here? And how had he not noticed earlier? Perhaps her distress had blinded him temporarily. And why was he holding her like this? She was not Rin, and certainly not half as important as the girl. His youki growled at him for speaking about Kagome in such a manner, but he shook it off.

 

Finally, Kagome attempted to speak. He waited as she gathered her thoughts and tried to sound like she hadn't spent the last few minutes crying all over him. He rolled his eyes at her foolishness.

 

“Kagome,” he said once again, “what is wrong? What has you so upset?”

 

“My- my mom. She's losing her house because she mortgaged it to pay off my tuition.”

 

======End====Chapter==================

 

E/N: Ehehe… don't kill me for ending it like this!!!! (especially you, Lilli!) *runs away*

 

Kagome: Well, uh, since Pita ran off, I guess we'll have to do this, right guys?

 

Sesshoumaru: Hn.

 

Inuyasha: Where is that b!@%*??? Why wasn't I in this chapter? Mother f*#&%er!!!! Come back here!!

 

Rin: Well, I guess it's up to us girls, then.

 

Kouga: What about me?

 

Kagome: *sigh* You had enough time, didn't you?

 

Kouga: What're you talking about? YOU have ALL the time!

 

Kagome: It's MY story. It's about MY choices.

 

Rin: Okay… well, since I'm the youngest and yet somehow the most mature, I guess I'll…

 

Nikki: I can do it! I was barely in this chapter!

 

Souta: Hey, me neither! I wanna do it!

 

Nik: No, I'm an OC, so I get to do it!

 

Souta: I'm the main character's BROTHER, so I get to!

 

Nik: I'm her BEST FRIEND, I get to!

 

…

 

Rin: Like I was saying, the next chapter is going to mostly be about Kagome and Sesshoumaru strengthening their relationship, and another piece of the youkai puzzle will be revealed. ;) Maybe, if he's good, Uncle Inu will be in it, too…

 

IY: Hey, don't call me that, runt!

 

Kagome, Kouga, Souta, Nikki: Hey! You told! What about me???

 

Rin: *runs after PitaBread*