InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Her Protector ❯ Links ( Chapter 15 )

Disclaimer: I don't own any characters from Inuyasha, it's the sole property of Goddess Romiko Takahashi, and I cannot take credit for her genius.

 

Kagome is a college student unaware of the mortal peril she is in. He's a bitter silver - haired Adonis with a checkered past and a vow to protect humans. So when the two meet, it's a given that fireworks follow…

 

 

A/N: I want to thank all my reviewers for their support, and especially the wonderful reviews and mails I got in the past one month. It was your efforts that made me try extra hard to overcome Writer's Block and other maladies to get this out. So, thank you, people!

 

This chapter is dedicated to all you wonderful people and especially to Justafan!

 

 Please remember to review…it would make my day.

 

 

Chapter 15 -

 

Links

 

 

“You?”

 

The man was dressed in a long black Koromo robe with a purple Kesa, his right hand and forearm covered in a traditional glove called a tekkou. Shoulder length black hair peeked out from under the edges of his full-faced, hard-hide Somen. It was this samurai mask that identified her rescuer for her. He was the masked monk from Knockout, the one who had fought Kouga at the event. What he was doing at the dojo, defending her was a mystery.

 

A stray thought crossed her mind that she had seen him before. Not just at the event, but before that. Since he was masked, she was not sure, but she couldn't shrug off the strangest feeling that he was very familiar. Someone that she had met at another time, at another place. She tried to dredge her memory for someone who matched the figure in front of her but could not reach a definite conclusion.

 

His hoarse, concern-lined voice brought her back to the present. “Are you alright?”

 

She nodded, recognising the fact that he had saved her from certain harm. If he had not stepped in when he had, she knew she would have ended up on the floor, as there was no way she could have fended of Kouga's strong attacks. A shudder went through her and she thanked her lucky stars for his help. “Thanks to your timely intervention, I am, Houshi-sama. I am grateful to you for your help.”

 

A loud snort has her tensing again. Kouga got to his feet lazily, sporting a nasty smile. “How sweet! Trying to be the knight in shining armour, to her damsel in distress, eh, Mi- monk? Don't you think that you ought to leave before things get out of hand? I mean this is between her and me. Who knows what I might say and do if you continue to butt in here.”

 

Miroku did not miss the veiled threat. Despite everything that had happened, he could not believe that the spineless worm was trying to scare him off. He wanted to laugh at the wolf's stupidity. Did the youkai not see that after receiving Rin's support and her understanding, he was no longer as paranoid about his secret? That the girl had freed him from the invisible bonds that were holding him back? While he did not look forward to telling his friends about his past, if he had to, he would do so with a smile on his face. So, no, he no longer feared anyone or anything, certainly not a wimpy wolf.

 

Sango also heard the threat but not knowing the truth reached a different conclusion. She thought that the youkai was threatening physical harm to the monk. Having seen how badly the monk had fared at their earlier match, she felt afraid for the man. “Please, houshi-sama, he is right. This is not your fight. I could not let anyone get hurt on my

account. You should leave.”

 

Kouga taunted him in a high pitch from the other end. “Yes, houshi-sama! You should leave!"

 

Miroku stared at her in amazement and then at his nemesis. Her underestimation and his goading was adding insult to injury. Years of ridicule and scorn was stoked by their words and culminated in the surge of anger that blazed a trail through his veins. Reigning in his rampant emotions, he spoke carefully though he could not hide the touch of heat in his tone. “Oh, really? Thanks for your concern, but I really don't think that this little wolf can harm me in anyway.”

 

The doubt in her eyes was clear to him, so to put her at ease he tried to explain. “Please, do not put any store in what happened at the match. What you saw was not the truth. It was-”

 

A furious snarl interrupted him, “You will shut up if you know what is good for you.”

 

That was the last straw as far as Miroku was concerned. He turned towards Kouga with a smirk. “Are you blind? Can't you see, Kouga? Can you not feel the difference in me? Does the fact that I am standing here in front of you not tell you that matters have changed completely?” He moved predatorily towards the stunned wolf, his eyes gleaming in anticipation. “Can't you see that I no longer care for what you can do to me? That I no longer fear any hold that you have over me, real or imagined? That I care two hoots for

anything that you may say or do. Of course, that does not mean that I won't punish you for your infraction, but no longer do I fear you.”

 

Kouga's face turned pale. He licked his lips, attempting to bluster. “You should, monk! Or have you forgotten the match.”

 

Sango watched in fascination as the monk chuckled. “Oh, but I do. There hasn't been a single day that I have not remembered your treachery.”

 

A gasp of amazement escaped the girl. “Treachery?”

 

Miroku stopped advancing at the shocked whisper, remembering that an avid Sango was hanging on to his every word. “Yes, treachery.” In a way he felt bad that he was about to destroy her ideals and was about to disillusion her as to her great coach, but then seeing the way he had been set on attacking her, did not think that she would really be surprised at the news. “Do you think this miserable worm, could actually beat me in a fair fight?”

 

Kouga snorted. “That's it! I will not longer submit myself to hear your preposterous lies. I am leaving.”

 

He had barely taken a step when Miroku's voice froze him. “Don't even think about moving, Wolf! If you take one more step, I will make you regret that you were ever born. Surprising how eager you are to turn tail and run when faced with the truth.” Kouga looked bored at the order but made no attempt to leave the hall.

 

Miroku turned back towards Sango. Now that he had an audience, he got into his element. “Not many people know this but our match was supposed to be a staged one - an exhibition match to showcase our diverse fighting styles and techniques. For an entire week, we practiced our choreographed moves which would balance our strengths and weaknesses, and end the match in a draw. During the week, I realized that Kouga was a weak fighter with sloppy techniques and extremely bad judgement.” Kouga interrupted with a growled "Lies, all lies", but Miroku ignored the angry wolf and continued. "I worked extra hard to make it all look believable and even gave him pointers to improve his technique but to no avail. It was only when I held myself back, and simplified the movements, that we succeeded in making the charade look believable.”

 

Miroku paused. Sango had an expression of intense surprise on her face, as she glanced at a seething Kouga and then at him again. He continued his story.

 

“Things were fine till the day of the match. He called me to his dressing room for some last-minute advice and discussions. We went over the moves again and I was satisfied that it would be a good match. Little did I realize that Kouga had changed his mind. That he no longer wanted the match to end in a draw but for it to demonstrate the power and superiority of youkai against mere humans. So, he invited me to a toast. We each drank a glass of champagne. Only my glass had a little something added to it.”

 

Sango gasped, horror in her voice. “Kouga!” The wolf only shifted, muttering beneath his voice. She shook her head. “You didn't!”

 

“Oh, yes, he did!” Miroku's voice was pure rage though his features were calm. “That little something sent my senses for a toss. Within minutes, my head began hurting. I ignored it thinking it was just pre-match stress. When I stepped into the ring, it had advanced to a full-blown migrane. I was seeing double and my entire body felt like lead. Initially, he followed the script and I tried to react and attack like I supposed to. But, with the way I was feeling, I could barely defend myself much less attack him. I couldn't figure out what was wrong with me, but felt that I owed it to everyone and specially Kouga to try. Can you believe the irony?” A bitter smile flashed on is face. “And, then he attacked for real. All those carefully-coordinated moves went out of the window and he moved in for the kill. And you know what the icing on the cake was? The fact that he beat me with the very moves that I had taught him!”

 

Kouga erupted at that. “Bullshit! I won fair and square, bastard. How dare you tell her that I cheated? You have no proof.”

 

“True! I have no proof.” Miroku's voice was like a katana being unsheathed. “But, we can solve this dilemma right here. We can have a rematch.”

 

The wolf paled. “No! I will not demean myself like that. I will not fight on command like a sleazy baiter.”

 

Sango had seen enough to know the truth. “What's the matter, Kouga, not so brave anymore? Funny, I never thought you were a coward.” She saw the monk give her a look and nodded. “I believe you, houshi-sama. What you described is exactly what I would expect from him.”

 

That got Kouga's hackles up. “Shut the fuck up, bitch! You don't know who you are addressing.”

 

Contempt dripped from her voice. “Sure I do. A spineless, coward who is a blot on the face of youkai. A treacherous, two-faced liar-”

 

Enraged by her comments, Kouga ran towards her, only to run into Miroku's fist. He fell back with a thud and the human bent over him, lowering his voice. “We can do this in two ways. Either, we have a fair fight that ends matters here or I take this public and formally challenge you.”

 

Fear gripped the wolf. “You…you can't do that. You'll have to reveal your secret-”

 

“I've told you. If I have to, I will. And, will deal with whatever consequences.” He paused for emphasis. “But, that does not mean that I am eager to face it. So, if word gets around, I know it is you who have blabbered and then, there will be hell to pay. Remember that.” He stepped back and spoke normally. “Your call, Kouga.”

 

Sango looked from one masked face to another angry one, her curiosity an almost tangible thing. When Kouga got to his feet, grumpily, and put his fists up, her eyebrows almost disappeared into her hairline. But there was no time for any question as the two males began circling each other warily. Kouga slashed at Miroku's arm but he twisted aside, jabbing his elbow into the wolf's solar plexus. The youkai shrugged off the blow and aimed a roundhouse kick at the human's mid-section. Miroku dropped to the floor before the kick could connect and swept the wolf's legs out from under him. Both flipped to their feet and stared at each other.

 

A touch of amusement tinged Miroku's voice. “Haven't improved much, have you? Still pathetic at defense!”

 

Kouga growled and attacked. Miroku danced out of reach of his claws, almost teasing him with a jab here, and a box there. Each hit was enraging the wolf and his swings were wider and wilder each time.

 

Sango smiled as she watched the duo. It was obvious to her that the monk was playing with the youkai. How could she have believed that Kouga was the better fighter of the two? It was obvious that the monk ran circles around the wolf. A tearing sound caught her attention, and she saw four shallow gashes appear on the monk's arm even as a piece of his Kesa fell to the floor. A smirk adorned the wolf's face as he examined his blood stained claws. “Better now?”

 

“That was my favourite robe!” All traces of amusement disappeared from Miroku. He took a stance and then attacked. His first punch sailed harmlessly over the wolf's head since he had ducked the blow. However, in doing so he had left himself open and Miroku kneed him in the stomach and then ended it with an uppercut that had the wolf sailing across the room. Even as he fell, Miroku yanked him up by his arm and then punched him back down. Kouga retaliated by kicked the human in the head and making him stumble.

 

Recovering quickly, Miroku held Kouga by the throat and then flipped him over the shoulder. The wolf landed badly, hitting his back against the bleachers. But his ordeal was not over. Miroku strode to him, pulled him up by his hair and smashed his fist into the wolf's face. Kouga could take no more of the beating and his eyes rolled up. Disgusted, the monk released him and he fell limply to the floor.

 

Miroku turned to Sango in triumph and froze. He had never seen Sango look at anyone with such awe. He knew he had made his bout with Kouga deliberately flashy, with the express intention of impressing the fighter, but having succeeded in his endeavor he was left speechless. Never had he seen her with such an expression of hero-worship, not even when she was mesmerized by the sleazy trickster. But even as he stared at her, all expression on her face was smoothed away, leaving a blankness that he was most familiar with. His sardonic smile hidden by his full-face mask, he walked towards the fighter. “Thank you for believing me, Sango.”

 

A flicker of surprise showed on her face. “You know my name?”

 

“Of course!” He snorted. 'I know you much better than you know, Sango.' He continued to elaborate. “There was hardly anyone at 'Knockout' who didn't know you. Sango, the fierce fighter who won 'Knockout' with her technical brilliance and power-packed moves. The woman who clawed her way to the top of the male-dominated competition with her great skill and greater determination. The knockout who was the first female to ever win the competition. Wasn't that how they described you?”

 

She coloured a bit, a weak smile on her face. “Yeah, I thought that was a little over the top.”

 

“On the contrary, I thought that did full justice to you.” Her face reflected her surprise at his words. “I saw your matches and I think you fought beautifully, especially that final match with Denamaro. I thought that was just inspired. You truly deserve the win and the accolades.”

 

For some reason, his words seemed to irritate her. “Great fighter I am, that I can't even defend myself properly. Winner of Knockout I may be, and yet, you had to rescue me like an untrained child. So what good is my skill for...” She turned away from him, her anger vanishing as she spoke softly. “I didn't mean to sound angry or ungrateful. I thank you for your help but...I think I want to be left alone.”

 

The weariness in her voice cut through him. It pained him that she was hurting, perhaps not physically but hurting just the same. Her pride had been stung by her perceived weakness and he knew Sango hated weakness. 'If she was so disdainful of my weakness, she would be doubly harsh on herself. She would hate herself for allowing to be tricked by the bastard. And, the best part is that though I want to tell her that it is alright for

once to be less than perfect, I am unable to do so because of my disguise. And in my true form, she would plain ignore me. How's that for irony?'

 

He kept quiet as she paced the hall, her anger and hurt almost tangible to him. He knew how guilt and self-recriminations could eat into a person and struggled to find a way to make it better for her. So, it was almost a surprise when she spoke. “Kouga was right, you know, when he said that I had a serious lack of martial talent. He was right. I am weak-”

 

He growled low in his throat. 'To hell with this bullshit!' He grasped her by her shoulders and turned her around to face him. “What the hell are you talking about? Are you actually giving credence to that…that dishonorable little shit's words? Come on, Sango, I thought you were smarter than that!” His tone softened as he saw the brightness of unshed tears in her eyes. “How can you think that after winning 'Knockout'? If you would think a little over it, you'd realise that he was just lying through his teeth just to save his bony little ass.”

 

She tore away from him, her eyes flashing. “So what if I won. It doesn't mean that I'm the best fighter around. It just means that I fought people weaker than me. I bet if you had entered it, I wouldn't have won.” He looked away not wanting to think of why he could not compete. “And, why would he lie? You saw for yourself that I couldn't fight him. If you say that he is a bad fighter and I cannot even stand up against him, then what does that make me, houshi-sama?” Her voice dropped to a whisper. “Weak, ineffective...”

 

He groaned. “It does not mean that. I was talking in terms of youkai. For a youkai he is appalling but even the most untrained youkai is stronger and faster than a human. You can hardly compare the two. You are strong, Sango. Now you just need to train harder to get stronger and faster for 'Annihilation'. I'm sure by then there will be few youkai who will be able to best you.”

 

She laughed. A hollow, bitter sound that had him frowning. “What training? What match? I can't enter 'Annihilation' without a coach. Kouga was my last hope but he-”

 

“No coach? Last hope? What do you mean? I am sure that there are far better coaches out there who would be happy to train a human entrant into such a prestigious competition.”

 

“No.”

 

Her bright eyes and stoic expression gave him pause. “No?”

 

“No, there are no coaches for me out there.” She sighed and moved towards the changing room, barely sparing a glance for her still unconscious ex-lover and coach.

 

“Wait!” Sango paused, looking over her shoulder at him. “What does that mean?”

 

She was quiet for a few moments as she stared at him, as if making her mind about him. Then she shrugged. “Kouga wasn't my first choice as a coach. After my win, I met with some of the biggest and most successful coaches at the competition but all of them rebuffed me. They said...they said that they would not demean themselves by training a female, even if said female had won the prestigious human competition. They claimed women were weaker, slower and lacked the killer instinct to be good fighters. One even said that while human men might forget to fight at the sight of...of a shapely female, youkai would not be dazed by my feminity. I decked him for implying that my being a girl had anything to do with my victory.” She sighed and the passion in her voice faltered. “They all predicted that I would crash out in my first match, and I swore that I would atleast clear the first round, a feat that no other human has accomplished. So when Kouga told me that he would help me, I was over the moon with happiness. I mean, a youkai coach seemed to be just the thing I needed to prepare myself for a youkai competition. But now, it seems like I've already lost before even stepping into the ring.”

 

“I don't believe it! They refused to teach you because you are a girl? That's preposterous!”

 

The outrage in his voice brought a small smile on her face. “My sentiments exactly. I take it you don't concur with them?”

 

Miroku closed his eyes and took a calming breath. 'Me, believe that a girl is weaker than a boy? As if...' A million emotions crossed his face as he remembered another fierce female fighter from another life. 'Weak? Ha! That is like calling a rock weak.' A pang ripped through him, and he winced, thankful for his mask that hid his expression from Sango's probing eyes.

 

“Houshi-sama? Are you alright?”

 

“Yes. And yes, I don't concur with them. Women are not weak. I think they have a hidden strength that would put the strongest man to shame. I feel sorry that they think that way and have such a limited viewpoint. If I was a coach, I would never turn anyone down just because she was a girl. How can-” He faltered as he noticed her eyes widen and her lips tremble. “What?”

 

“Are-are you offering to train me?”

 

The quiet hope in her voice hit him in the gut, but the question had him reeling in fear. `Train her? No, never!' Memories that he had tried so hard to forget were reinstated by her words, and he had to fight the urge to tremble by the onslaught of his past. 'No! I can't do it! I will not do it! Never again will I...'

 

He licked his dried lips and tried to form the words to reject her, when her gaze fell. “I know I'm being presumptuous by asking that question. But I thought that you wouldn't mind coaching me. Never mind. It was a stupid idea. I'm sure you have better things to do than to waste your time on me.”

 

He stared at her from being the barrier of his mask. The thought that his friend was almost begging him for help was enough to set him on edge. Torn between friendship and fear, he stood mute even when she turned her back on him. Shoulders set back, back erect, she seemed the figure of poise but he could sense the turmoil within her. He watched her leave even as the conflict within him grew by leaps and bounds. He knew that there was a reason why he never revealed his ability to fight...a reason why he hid his past. And, that training Sango would mean facing his fears and risk revealing his other life. On the other hand, he was just what she needed. Someone who had the requisite skills to help her and would look out for her. His fists clenched as he debated the matter. 'Friend or fears?'

 

“Wait!” Just one glance at the dawning hope on Sango's face made his mind up for him. “Sango, I...I offer you my humble services in helping you prepare for the coming matches.”

 

The tension leaked out of the girl, a brilliant smile adorning her face. She bowed deeply. “Thank you, houshi-sama. I most gratefully accept your offer.” Formalities over, she gave a great whoop of joy, pumping her fists in the air. An amused Miroku watched her antics, his own skepticism washed away in her excitement.

 

Sango felt as if the monk had breathed fresh life into her. She had been torn at Kouga's betrayal and harshness. But with his offer, he had resurrected her crumbling hopes and bolstered her determination. 'Truly he has been an angel in disguise for me!' Then her curiosity got the better of her. 'But who is this angel in reality?' She studied his masked face and wondered why he hid himself from everyone. "Houshi-sama, if you don't mind me asking, who are you?"

 

Miroku smiled wanly. "It does not matter who I am. I am a nobody. A poor monk who for the first time can be of some help to another."

 

Hesitation made her voice tremble. "Can...can I see your face?"

 

"No! Never ask this of me again, Sango. Do you understand?"

 

The fierceness in his voice gave her pause, and she nodded. "Okay. But how will I find you?"

 

His voice gentled as he walked away. "Don't worry! I will find you."

 

And then just as suddenly he was gone, leaving an awe-struck Sango behind.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

Sesshomaru awoke in heaven. He took in the most delicious scent that surrounded him even as he cracked his eyes open. It took him less than a second to realise that he was still in bed with Kagome. Despite their careful distance while going to sleep, during the night they had gravitated to each other and now lay in a jumble of limbs. Her head rested on his chest, her arm and leg draped across him while his arms nestled her possessively. He took a deep breathe of her delicious scent and wondered again how he had become so lucky. She murmured softly, snuggling into him, her soft form pressing against his own and the strangest of feelings shot through him at the exquisite feeling. A surge of want flooded him and he almost woke her with a kiss when he realised that he was still in his feminine form. Cursing the kami at his luck, he settled once again, loathe to waking her and loosing this intimacy.

 

'Why is it that I feel so strongly about this little human? She is a miko, a sworn enemy of my kind and yet I desire her as I have never desired another. Not even as a pup did I feel so randy. Why? What spell is this that makes me forget everything to the exclusion of her?' His eyes narrowed as she shifted again. As she settled back to sleep, he let out the breath he had been holding. 'I am the Lord of the Western Lands, and yet it is this human who rules over my emotions. Never has another cracked my calm. Kagome, what are you doing to me?'

 

As if she had heard his thoughts, Kagome opened her eyes. For a second she was motionless and then as if registering where she was, shot up off his chest. Colour flooded her cheeks and she avoided his gaze. Striving for normality even though he was once again tempted to kiss her, he greeted her. "Good morning, Kagome. Have a good sleep?"

If it was possible, she blushed more at those words and muttered a quick "Yeah." She got off the bed and started walking off, when a thought struck her. "Oh! What about you, Kikyou? You feeling okay?"

 

Sesshomaru sat up with a smile. "Don't worry about it. I'm perfectly fine."

 

She looked as if she doubted his words but nodded and went into the bathroom. He watched her leave with a quiet sigh. The shrill beeping of his mobile interrupted his pleasant thoughts and he got up with a groan. "Moshi-moshi!"

 

"My you sure sound grumpy, Sesshomaru!"

 

"Kaede! Is there a reason why you call me this early in the morning?"

 

"When my best protector stopped reporting back to the office, I thought I'd better call him to make sure he hadn't messed up anything."

 

A furious growl from him caused her to crack up. "I'm kidding, of course! I just wanted to get an update on what you were doing. And, that growl was so pathetic, Kikyou."

 

He glared at the mobile, wishing he could truly vent his frustrations on the woman on the other side. Curbing his displeasure, he grated. "Things are fine, Kaede."

 

It was a serious miko who answered him. "Are you sure?"

 

Her quiet question drained his anger, and he nodded. "Have no concerns on this matter, I will protect her from all harm."

 

"And I hope your disguise is holding up well?"

 

Guilt crept through him as he remembered the times he had almost let his facade drop. Placing the blame on his oh-too-tempting principal would do him no good and so he hedged. "Well enough."

 

"Have you befriended her?"

 

He closed his eyes remembering her words last night. "No."

 

"No? How can you say that? It is of prime importance that she trusts you enough to let you be with her all the time. You know it better than-"

 

"Enough! I know all this. Do not lecture me on this." His voice lowered as he gazed thoughtfully at the bathroom door. "The truth is that for the first time I actually like and respect my principal enough to want to befriend her for real, but she wants to have nothing to do with me."

 

His sulky words made her laugh. "And I bet that has never happened with the great Sesshomaru before. Seems like the girl has some taste."

 

"Kaede!"

 

His warning growl subdued her. "Well, no wonder she hasn't taken to you. I bet you acted like your stuffy self even as Kikyou. How can you fault her for staying away from you?" He grimaced at that. 'Stuffy? If only you knew how friendly I've actually been with her...'

 

"Sesshomaru, I understand that it is difficult for you. But I hope that you would try to be more in character in the future. If you will not act like a girl and be more friendly, then you will never succeed in your endeavour."

 

He rolled his eyes at that but agreed that she had a point. It was just that everytime he was around Kagome his true nature came to the fore. "I get it oh-wise-miko. Now stop chewing my brain about this. We are not friends now but we will be, mark my words!"

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

Not too far away the object of their discussion stared at her reflection in the mirror. Even in the privacy of her bathroom, she could not quite acknowledge the strange feelings that seemed to haunt her. She stared at her colour-tinged face and groaned. She had not been lying when she had told Kikyou that she had had a good night's sleep. For some reason she had felt utterly comfortable in the female youkai's arms.

 

She was sure that she did not find the youkai attractive or desirable, and yet there was something about the cool female that seemed to pull at her. Try as hard as she did, she never could quite ignore the Inu. 'Why do I find myself reacting so strongly to her? Sometimes she angers me, and at other times makes me blush. She makes me laugh and can drive me to tears. How can she affect me to such a strong degree?'

 

Kagome stepped under the shower, her mind still full of her mysterious roommate. As the cool water cascaded onto her skin, she thought over all their interactions. 'Kikyou is such a enigma. I feel comfortable with her, and yet at times I feel as if she is something quite alien...something dangerous. And, yet there is no denying the fact that there is something about her that makes me like her. Maybe it is the fact that she uses her cool facade to hide a deep, dark pain or the fact that for all her aloofness she is quite a passionate creature. Or maybe it is the fact that she is one of the few youkai who have actually accepted Inuyasha as an equal. Whatever it is, she is someone I could have called my friend...'

 

She closed her eyes and rued her harsh words of last night, sure that it was that verbal barb that had triggered Kikyou's horrible dreams. Suddenly light-hearted, she quickly finished her bath, her mind set on making amends with Kikyou.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

Sesshomaru looked up as Kagome emerged from the bath, her clean jasmine scent and damp hair, hitting him hard. Even though he was a little unhappy that she had washed off his scent, the resultant vision that she presented had him reeling. He almost forgot to breathe as he stared at her. Dressed in a simple cotton dress, she had never seemed more exotic and he almost gave into his base desires.

 

Her words jolted him out of his thoughts. "Kikyou, do you..." Her uncharacteristic hesitation surprised him, and he froze sure that she was about to say something quite momentous. She took a deep breathe. "What I was going to ask was. Do you want to hang out with me?”

 

There was a minute's pause, as Kikyou stared at her. "No, I'm fine over here."

 

Kagome frowned at Kikyou's harsh tone. "Whoa! What crawled up your ass?"

 

A brief look of irritation appeared on the youkai's face. "Look, I don't need your pity, okay? I know yesterday...that stuff, must make me seem pathetic but I don't need you to be nice to me only because you feel sorry for me."

 

Kagome scowled. "So you think I am inviting you out of pity? Shows what you know. I asked you to come along cause I thought I could get to know you better. We got off on a bad start and things just went downhill from there and so I wanted us to make a fresh beginning. But, if you don't want to come that's cool..."

 

Sesshomaru blinked in surprise, never having faced a truly irate Kagome before. 'She does not pity me? She wants to know me better? Hn. That is a new development.' His inner youkai purred with happiness, its earlier irritation forgotten.

 

His incredulity must have shown to her because she giggled. "Really, Kikyou. I meant what I said."

 

Hearing no deceit in her voice, he relented. "So, where are we going?"

 

"24*7! Their cheeseburgers are to die for. You'll absolutely love it. It has the most wonderful..."

 

He took one look at her smiling face as she chattered on about the wonders of the neighbourhood cafe, and felt his stomach drop. There was something so utterly innocent about her that he could not help but stare. As she paused for air, he spoke softly. "About earlier...that night, I just...I never realised that my thoughtless actions would cause you problems. I couldn't help...I mean, I didn't plan for that to happen."

 

She blushed but held his gaze. "I know. And don't worry about it. I have put it behind me and want to start afresh. Can't you let it go?" Her gaze grew speculative and her voice wavered a bit "Unless...you don't like me or anything, do you? Cause that would make things just plain awkward."

 

Sesshomaru almost snorted. 'Now how to answer that? Like her...Ha! Talk about understating something.' A cheery smile on his face, he waved his hand. "Nah! Nothing like that."

 

Kagome beamed. "Thank god for that. It makes things so much simpler. I mean getting caught up in a triangle is something I don't think I could have handled."

 

Her words gave Sesshomaru just the opening her needed. Feigning nonchalance, he leaned back on the bed. "Triangle, huh? My competition must be that Moonie you were talking about. What's he like?"

 

If she noticed the slight edge in his voice she did not comment on it. In fact she looked lost in some private memory. Her voice was breathy and tinged with affection as she spoke. "Oh, Kikyou, he's just the most sexy thing you could ever see. He's a youkai and I swear he looks like a god. Whenever I look at him, the most sinful thoughts come to my head and I swear..." She flushed a deep red on realising what she was saying.

 

Sesshomaru was trying hard to control his irritation at her words. He tried to remember if any wolf in his knowledge fit into the 'sinfully sexy, god look-alike' category and failed. 'Just who is this bloody wolf, and how dare she prefer him over me.' He considered putting a claim scent on her to let the wolf know about his intentions. 'There are few youkai who are as powerful as me and certainly none who fits her description. If I put a claim scent on her, being weaker than me he would have to back down or else risk confrontation.'

 

She took his silence for disbelief. "I guess you're surprised by what I said. Hell, I'm surprised that I feel this way. I've never felt this way about anyone. He just makes me feel so...so alive."

 

The passion in her voice cracked his plans. He could see that she truly desired this Moonie. Knowing her affection for the wolf, he could hardly consider use underhand tactics to scare his competition away. His inner beast still growled in anger. 'She says he makes her feel alive! But did he submit to her like we did? What about all that we did for her? Did that night mean nothing to her? Was it that she was only practicing with us so that she could please her real object of affection?'

 

Sesshomaru tried to ignore the beast's words and forced a smile on his face, attempting to copy Rin at her most excited. "Oh, that is so wonderful. I feel so...happy for you."

 

Naive as she was, she believed his pathetic attempt. "Yeah! It's still a little uncertain so I've got my fingers crossed. What about you? Anyone special in your life?"

 

Sesshomaru shrugged. "Well, I'm not into relationships as such. One-night stands are more my kind of thing. Currently, I have a craving for this gorgeous thing. Hopefully, she should crack soon. And then I can get her out of my system."

 

Kagome's smile had dimmed a bit at his words. "I see!" He could see that he had shocked her and that she did not approve of his words. He smothered a laugh as he wondered how she would react at knowing that the 'gorgeous thing' he was talking about was infact her.

 

But she surprised him with her acceptance. "Quite like a female Miroku, aren't you? He and you would probably get along as a house on fire."

 

He raised one eyebrow at that commentary. "Hmm? Why do you say that?"

 

"He follows your philosophy whole-heartedly. And is additionally a hentai to boot. I think he's bedded half the women on campus."

 

Sesshomaru was not enjoying the conversation. Knowing that Rin was consorting around with a well-known womanizer and hentai, had him feeling edgy. "Ah, but now he's dating that girl...Rin, I think..."

 

Kagome laughed and moved to the mirror to do her hair. "Hmm...yes. He's never dated anyone before, so perhaps he's settling down. Or maybe not. One never knows with Miroku!"

 

The Inu narrowed his eyes. Rin had concealed this fact from him and that displeased him. 'But that is like the pot calling the kettle black...aren't you concealing things from her as well?' He conceded the point but still resolved to have a word about this with Rin.

 

Kagome's voice broke him out of his reverie. "Kami, Kikyou, look at the time. Get dressed quickly, we'll be so late."

 

He moved off the bed and strode into the bathroom. His mind was a chaotic bundle of thoughts but the foremost thought was one of gratitude that he had managed to break through to Kagome. 'Now if I can just avoid jinxing this, I'll be just fine.'

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

Tsubaki howled. Sprawled naked on the bed, she was being whipped mercilessly by her lord. This was the first time that she felt no pleasure in the act. He was punishing her and making sure that she got no satisfaction from the pain. Her back was already ridden with welts and still he continued, methodically stripping her off her skin.

 

She looked up at her lord with leaden eyes. Every part of her body was throbbing...and she was still not sure why she was being punished. She had done all that she could to capture the girl in the club and could not be faulted for her sudden disappearance. She had thought that the evidence that the girl was alive would pacify the man but as had become evident to her, it had made things worse. Equal parts of anger and despair filled her as she realised the amount of trouble she was in. Cracked lips stuttered the oft-repeated entreaty. "Please, my lord. I am sorry. Forgive me my mistakes."

 

Words that had till now not moved him, suddenly stilled his hand. She stared at the blood-soaked whip in his hand and sobbed in relief. "Thank you! Oh, thank you."

 

"Don't thank me yet. You still have to make amends for your stupid mistake. You had the One in the palm of your hand and still managed to loose her. For such colossal stupidity I should perhaps end your miserable life." He gave a nasty laugh as her face blanched. "But, fortunately for you, I still have need of your talents."

 

Tsubaki all but collapsed at his feet. Despite her ordeal at his hands, she did not hate him. It was strange but she actually had feelings of gratitude towards him for she knew that things could have been so much worse.

 

He yanked her to her feet and pushed her towards the table. "Sit. I assume you can recognise her signature?" An approving smile followed her brisk nod. "Good! Let's see what we know about her. We know she is in the city and that she is young. How hard can it be to find her?"

 

"But, she could be anywhere..."

 

"Imbecile! Start with all the schools in the city and then check the colleges and Universities. I am sure that given her age she will be found at one of these locations."

 

Tsubaki nodded jerkily, horrified at the amount of work she would have to do and the amount of energy she would have to expend. His soft words caught her attention "And, Tsubaki, if you fail me again, I promise to make this look like child's play!"

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

 

Sesshomaru leaned back in his chair, a pleasant smile on his face. Kagome had been right. 24*7 did have the most amazing cheeseburgers that he had since a long time. Given its central location within the campus, it was no surprise to see it buzzing with students. When he had attended the University years ago, it had been nothing more than a storehouse. Now it was a well-maintained, cheery place that served delicious fast food and served as a social networking site.

 

Surprisingly, he had had a good time with Kagome. They had kept their conversation light and non-controversial, and he had found himself enjoying their banter. With the exception of HER and Rin, he had never had found another woman interesting enough to try having a conversation with. Most of his other principals had been shallow creatures with nary an original thought in their heads. So, it was refreshing for him to find a girl who would speak her mind and not agree with him or pander to him.

 

The only stumbling block was that it was not with him, Sesshomaru, the Lord of the Western Lands, that she was conversing but with another female. He wondered whether she would be as uninhibited in her speech if he appeared to him in his true form. Which, of course, led him to wonder about how vocal she was with her mysterious Moonie.

 

“Excuse me, beautiful.”

 

He looked up to see a boy standing before them. Dressed in baggy jeans, an over-sized t-shirt and long chains, his short, slicked hair sporting red tips, the boy seemed to be the epitome of the hip-hop culture. He grinned at Kagome and Sesshomaru felt a distinct urge to rip something off his body.

 

He spoke again. “My name is Katashi and I just wanted to say that I have fallen for you.” Sesshomaru was shocked to realize that the boy was talking to him. “But, it's not my fault since you tripped me with your exotic looks.”

 

Sesshomaru glanced at Kagome and found her hiding a smile behind her hand. Irritated, embarrassed and stunned at the turn of events, he stared at the boy. He did not know how to react. He wanted to react like a girl normally would to such flirting, but never having approached a woman, he did not know what that reaction would entail. It was always women who flirted with him and tried to entice him, never had he tried to pick up a woman. And, so he did not know what to do right now. Should he smile and laugh it off, get angry or simply ignore him. Killing the poor fool was a rather attractive and easy option, but unfortunately one he couldn't exercise right now. Smiling weakly, he muttered. “Who, me?”

 

Katashi took that as encouragement, and so tried again. “Yeah, girl. I've just moved you right to the top of my `to do' list.”

 

Kagome made a sound that sounded, suspiciously like a choked laugh. Sesshomaru glanced at her but her face was blank, though her eyes danced with merriment. He swore under his breath. `Does the fool not realize that I'm youkai and can cut him in half?' Trying to keep in character, he made up his mind to, politely, dissuade the boy. “I'm sorry but-”

 

But hip-hop boy interrupted him. “Tell me, did it hurt?”

 

Sesshomaru was puzzled. “Hurt?”

 

Katashi looked back, where a group of other boys were leering at them and laughing. He turned to Sesshomaru, and winked at him. “Yeah, did it hurt when you fell from heaven?”

 

The youkai took one look at his smirk, one sniff of his lust-ridden scent and lost it. Drawing his head back arrogantly and piercing the boy with one of his patent `You-don't mess-with-me-and-live' looks. “It hurt, alright, but not as much as my fist plowing through your face will hurt.”

 

The boy's grin slipped a bit. Uncertain at the change in the female before him, he shifted from foot-to-foot. “Huh?” Sesshomaru bared his fangs in the semblance of a smile, carefully studying his claws as he extended and retracted them. Getting the message, the ashen-faced boy bowed and ran for his life.

 

A displeased Sesshomaru glared at the table. `The disgrace, the utter horror. I've just been hit on by a guy! And that too a classless, witless joker. Oh, the humiliation! If this gets out, I will never be able to look anyone in the eye.'

 

Kagome was laughing uproariously at the display. Though he was angry, her merriment cooled his rage. "Oh, Kikyou! You've got an admirer!"

 

Inspite of himself, he grinned. “Nah, he's not my type.”

 

Both looked at each other and broke into peals of laughter.

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

Rin moved through the trees, relieved at getting some time to think. Though she was supposed to meet Kagome and Sesshomaru at 24*7 in a short while, for now she was content to just amble in the park and try to get her thoughts in order. Ever since the fight, so much had happened in her life that she was literally swamped by emotions. The fake hook-up with Miroku, dealing with Sango, being around Inuyasha, being asked for help by Sesshomaru…so much had happened in this short week. And, then there were the rumours.

 

Ever since the fight, malicious gossips had labeled her a slut. It had been a slow start. But with each passing days, the rumours had become bigger and bigger. Some whispered that she had been two-timing Ryukotsusei with Inuyasha and that had prompted the fight, while others swore that she had slept with both, at the same time, and that had prompted jealousy between the two males.

 

As the rumours of her promiscuity grew, Rin found strange males, of all species, trying their luck with her. The fact that she was supposed to be with Miroku should have banked the lies but that had only added fuel to the fire. As she had been informed by the boys who tried to pick her up: Any girl who could make a hentai like Miroku go steady with her, must be one special little tart. Despite it being early afternoon, she had already declined two offers of coffee. Initially, it had been a little nerve-wracking for her to be the center of attention. However, ironically, with each boy that she turned down, she gained more confidence. Despite the indirect boost that the gossip gave to her self-esteem, she felt weary of people talking about her and calling her vicious names. Glad that the whispers had not reached any of friends, she put her head in her hands, trying to rub away the growing ache that the thoughts prompted.

 

Suddenly, she felt someone touch her shoulder. Without pausing, or turning around, she snapped. "Whatever you have heard, I'm not interested."

 

“Oh?”

 

The familiar baritone made her turn around and she saw Kouga standing there. Despite her general dislike of wolves in general and Kouga in particular, she forced herself to smile at him, reminding herself that he was her roommate's coach and significant other.

 

He moved near her and instinctively she moved back. The slightest tinge of nervousness ran through her, but Rin ruthlessly quashed it. `No longer will I be controlled by fear. Not now, not in the future, never!' She took another step back to bring some more distance between them. “Hey, Kouga! Looking for Sango?”

 

He gave her a charming smile that for some reason made her extremely wary. “Oh, we broke up. She was just so messed-up, always so needy, that I felt she was smothering me.”

 

His words surprised her. `Needy? Sango? What the hell is he talking about? She's one of the most independent women I've ever met.' He took a step closer to her, and unconsciously she moved back. “I'm sorry to hear that. What about…”

 

He interrupted her, a gleam in his eyes. “I'm not! You see, I thought she was the one for me. And then, I met you.” Her eyes widened in shock. “Yes, Rin, you have haunted me since I clapped eyes on you. It's like I can't get you out of my head. Your beauty, gentle nature and grace has entranced me and I find myself enslaved by your smile. Give me a chance and I know we will be perfect together.”

 

Rin did not believe what she was hearing. There was something a little rehearsed, a tad bit false about the way he said those words that put her on guard. Uncomfortable with his proximity and the predatory look on his face, she took another step back but he followed. “Wow, Kouga, I…I don't know what to say. I never…I mean I'm with Miroku. And, we're good together. I'm sure you will understand.”

 

His expression hardened and she retreated again, only to find her way blocked. One glance confirmed it. He had herded her like a wolf herds a frightened sheep, till she had backed into a tree. Grinning unpleasantly, he leaned towards her. “Only thing I understand, Rin, is that I want you. And that no one ever says no to me.”

 

“Well, this girl is saying no and saying it very emphatically. Let me pass.” She pushed against his chest but she might as well have been pushing against a boulder for all her efforts paid off. “Kouga, I'm warning you. Back away!” When he moved even closer, she aimed a punch at his throat, the way Sesshomaru had taught her. Anticipating her move, he caught her wrists and pinned them to the tree trunk, in the process coming flush against her. Tendrils of fear coursed through her. Even though it was broad daylight and the crowded café was only some distance, she knew that no help would be forthcoming.

 

He sniffed her neck and murmured. “You know you smell even better when you're scared. I could have wooed you, like I wooed that bitch you call your friend, but no! You had to practically spit in my face. Imagine choosing that freak over me. You should be punished for that insult.” He smirked at her weak struggles. “Now hold still so that I can give you a taste of heaven.”

 

Rin screamed loudly, as he moved to kiss her.

 

xxXxx

 

Sesshomaru stiffened. The faintest sound of what seemed like a scream had come to his ears. As Kikyou, his hearing was not as good as in his true form, but he was sure that it was a female in trouble. His eyes raked the park thought the open window for the source, and then he saw it. There seemed to be a figure leaning against a tree some distance away. Positive that the sound had come from there, he stood abruptly. “I'm going to the Ladies Room. Be right back.” Without waiting for Kagome's response he was gone.

 

xxXxx

 

Miroku was tired. The robes of his alter-ego safely hidden in the bag, he was once again the cowardly, hentai teenager everyone knew. And, he quite liked it like that. Having agreed to meet Kagome and Inuyasha at the café for lunch, he had been ambling across the campus for the past hour, loathe to going back to his dorm-room. He walked slowly towards his destination, his thoughts on the events of the past few hours. He knew he had made an earth-shattering decision but…

 

A scream from the nearby park snapped his chain of thought. Without hesitation he immediately ran towards the source of the sound. He had just entered the park when he caught sight of the shadowy male that had pinned a girl against a tree in a secluded part of the park. Growling in his throat he ran towards the pair.

 

xxXxx

 

Tears appeared in Rin's eyes and her struggles increased, but to no avail. His lips mere inches from hers, he chuckled, his warm breath fluttering across her compressed lips. “You can scream all you like but you'd better conserve your voice for later, when I actually make you scream.” She closed her eyes in disgust, not wanting to see his face, as he moved closer. And then he was gone.

 

She opened her eyes to a most astonishing sight. Inuyasha stood before her, a strange expression on his face. His gentle voice was at odds with the expression on his face. “Rin, are you okay?”

 

With a cry, she threw herself into his arms. She hugged him fiercely, relieved that he had rescued her. And then, as if realizing what she was doing, she broke away from him. Colour tinged her cheeks and she avoided his gaze. “Hai, thanks!”

 

Satisfied that she was alright, he turned towards Kouga. The wolf was on his hands and knees a few feet away. Even as Inuyasha watched, he rose to his feet, a scowl on his face. “Back off, mutt-face! She's mine.”

 

For some reason that claim irritated Inuyasha beyond reason. He clenched his fists and snorted. “She's hardly an object, Kouga.” He wanted to hit Kouga so badly that he could almost taste it. However, he remembered how horrified Rin had looked when he fought the dragon, and for some reason that stayed his punches. If however Kouga threw the first punch…well that was another matter wasn't it. Pleased with his logic, he goaded the wolf. “I knew you had a problem getting women, shit-face, but to have to resort to forcing them…tsk tsk! That is a new low, even for you.”

 

Kouga responded but not in the way that Inuyasha expected. Sulkily, the wolf muttered. “It was just a kiss. I knew that once I kissed her she would forget all about that pathetic human.”

 

Another voice, bristling with anger, joined them. “Pathetic human? Did you just forget the drubbing I gave you?” Miroku moved closer his face twisted savagely. “How dare you lay a finger on Rin, bastard?”

 

Rin launched herself into his arms and as he held her, Inuyasha looked away. He was angry and strangely frustrated with the turn of events. Seeing Kouga try to slink away, he caught him and twisted his arm behind him. “Going somewhere, Kouga?”

 

Miroku frowned at the wolf. He pressed a chaste kiss on Rin's forehead and set her aside with a reassuring smile. “No, Inu, let me.” At the hanyou's pointed look at Rin, he nodded. “She knows.”

 

A shocked Inuyasha flicked one look at Rin and then moved away. Immediately, Kouga tried to run but Miroku caught him and wrestled him to the ground. He sat astride the wolf's chest and clinically began pummeling his face in a flurry of punches. Either Kouga was still reeling from the earlier beating or he figured there was no point in antagonizing the enraged human further, but he did not put up a strong defence.

 

Inuyasha flinched at the cold rage on Miroku's face. Never had he seen his mostly cheerful friend get so angry. He glanced at Rin and was surprised to see how calm she was, though her eyes seemed like roaring furnaces as she watched Miroku's brutal punishment. A strong scent of satisfaction and approval wafted to his nose from her, and once again, he wondered at the enigma that she was.

 

Even when Kouga had lost consciousness, Miroku continued pounding him. The wolf's blood-soaked face, which had alarmingly begun resembling a hunk of raw meat, worried Inuyasha and he pulled the human away. “Miroku, that's enough!”

 

Miroku rounded on the hanyou, his eyes blazing with an unholy light. “No, it's never enough! Do you even know what could have happened? Don't you understand…” He clamped his mouth shut, his eyes straying to the motionless girl on the other side of the clearing.

 

She immediately came to him, and began examining his hands. “Knuckles are a little shredded, but they seem okay. Your glove is ruined though. That blood will never come off.”

 

Looking into the distance, Miroku muttered. “It never does. That kind of stain stays forever.” Rin looked at his face curiously and then at Inuyasha, who shook his head. Both understood that the boy was not referring to the ruined glove.

 

Miroku seemed to shake himself out of his thoughts and smiled at Rin. “Let me take you to your room.” As she nodded, staring at Miroku unblinkingly, Inuyasha turned away. He knew that they were oblivious to the fact that he had left, so wrapped were they in each other. And, he understood it, didn't he? Just the way Rin was looking at his friend, a wealth of emotion and understanding in her bright eyes, was enough. And, the fact that Miroku had shared his secret with her within a week of meeting her, showed how much he trusted her.

 

Feeling rather blue, he trudged away to find some solitude. Head bowed, hands in his pocket, he looked like the picture of misery. `I don't grudge him his happiness, but…being around them hurts. Will I ever find someone so special?'

 

xxXxxXxxXxx

 

Sesshomaru stood at the café entrance, deep in thought. He had been about to rush to the park when he had seen help arrive from another quarter. Though he could still not make out the figures clearly, he was relieved that the matter was resolved and the miscreant punished. If he had gone there, matters could have been messy. Specially, since one of the males there resembled Inuyasha. `Inuyasha!' He sighed. `Now that is a complex situation. Things are civil enough with Kagome, but how to initiate things with him?'

 

He walked back to the table and sat down. Kagome had been talking with another girl, who smiled at him and left shortly. Kagome groaned. “I swear that Hima just lives to irritate me. She's been telling me…” She trailed off as she noticed his expression. “Is everything okay, Kikyou? You're looking a little pale.”

 

“It's nothing.”

 

She studied his face, clearly disbelieving him and then shrugged. “If you want to hide it-”

 

“I'm not hiding anything. It's just that…I've got a lot on my mind.”

 

“I've heard that it helps if you discuss your problems. Want to talk-”

 

Just then, the shrill ring of Kagome's phone interrupted her. She picked up the phone, an apologetic smile on her face. “Moshi-moshi.”

 

Whatever it was that she heard, she straightened up at once, a concerned expression on her face. Her voice dropped to a horrified whisper. "What? He attacked you?" Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed as he studied her face. She put a lock of hair behind her ear, listening intently, her expression somber. "Oh, Sango, I can't believe he would do something like that! Are you alright? Where are you?" She nodded. "Okay, I'm right next door at 24*7. I'll be there in a few minutes." She was already moving out of the booth even as she spoke. "Stay there, I'm coming." Closing the phone, she quickly explained. "It's Sango, she broke up with Kouga...I have to go."

 

With what he had heard, he gathered the breaking up had involved some physical violence. If there was one thing that he hated, it was to see a male raise a hand against a female, no matter what the species. He quickly got up. "I'll come with you."

 

A distracted smile on her face, she shook her head. "Thanks, but...I don't think she'll appreciate it, right now. She needs people she trusts to be with her." She put a hand on his arm to take the sting off her words. "I hope you understand, Kikyou."

 

He nodded. "Okay, no problems, go ahead."

 

He waited for a while and then began following her. She stopped in front of the steps to the dojo where Sango was waiting for her. He retreated into the foliage and watched as the two girls hugged. Sango appeared unhurt and though she looked a little weary, there was an air of excitement about her that he could sense even from a distance. As the two settled down to talk, he retreated further and sat down against a tree. From the location he could see the two girls easily and vigilant as ever, he scanned the area with his other senses for perceived threats.

 

Suddenly, he stiffened. It couldn't be…could it? He sniffed deeply to confirm.

 

It was. There, in the bushes to his right. He felt eyes boring into him, as the hidden person observed him. The softest sound of a person shifting his position came to his ears and then there was silence.

 

Sesshomaru showed no reaction to the other's presence while he gathered his wits and prepared himself for any eventuality. Then, he called out softly, knowing the other would hear him. “I know you are there. Why don't you come here?”

 

Silence met his words and he tried again. “Please, come out, Inuyasha.”

 

 

 

A/N: Hope you all liked it.

 

Please review!