InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ Hidden Fires ❯ Rivals, In More Things Than One ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: Inuyasha is not mine. Neither is Sango, Miroku, Shippo, Kouga, Ayame, Kikyo, Naraku… If I don't stop there, the list will go on and on and on…

A/N: Well, I think it's safe to say that either my story totally sucks, or you guys don't know what the word REVIEW means. I know you people are reading it, as I have 55 visits on last count… The more reviews I get, the more I'm gonna update, so keep that in mind while reading. But enough of me… Here's your next chapter. Enjoy!

Hidden Fires

Chapter Two: Rivals, In More Things Than One…

A boy stood against the far wall of the common area, next to a few drink machines. Around him were two more guys, all quiet as they watched the three girls walk down the hall towards them. The dangerous aura only made the first guy grin; the second guy had a perverted grin on his face as he stared at one girl in particular. All three of them could have passed as ordinary, if the first one didn't have silver hair and dog ears. Those ears were the ridicule of all the guys in the school, while the girls did all they could to touch them. Of course, the last girl who had tried still had scars… The second guy was ordinary in all ways, from his jeans and T-shirt to the tiny ponytail on the back of his neck. The third was almost ordinary looking, except for the pointy ears and tail that swished out behind him every few seconds. The three of them had been looking forward to this part of the day for a week. This girl, Kagome, was rumored to rival the cheerleading captain, Kikyo, in everything from brains to beauty. But that was where the comparisons ended. Kikyo had an almost ethereal beauty, while Kagome's shrieked attitude and sex. Either way, guys were drawn to them like flies to honey. Both were tall and well built, right down to the last curve, but while Kikyo's movements seemed to be all about grace, Kagome had muscle tone and fairly shrieked "Fuck with me, and die." The silver-haired boy smirked as she passed him, his eyes running over her with a casual glance. Suddenly, she stopped, turned around, and marched pass his two friends, right up into his face. Lifting her face so that she was eye level to him, her midnight blue eyes stared at him with a look that punched him in the gut and left him tingling from head to toe. Fascinated, he glanced at her mouth, unable to help himself, then down the rest of her body. Her posture screamed predator as she looked at him, a slight smirk of her own on her face. Leaning right into him, her face in his, she spoke softly, quietly, into one of his ears, which quivered with every puff of breath. "Don't look at me like that, ever again. I'm not some toy to be played with, not by any boy. In any of my relationships, we are equal. So if you wanna try me, fine. Until then, don't. fuck. with. me. At least, not unless I want you to." She smiled as she said the last part, drawing back from him. Suddenly he grinned too, startlingly her. But her smile stayed in place, even as he put his hands on her waist to draw her even closer to him. In response, she reached up to his head. And he let her, allowing her a privilege that wasn't allowed to anyone, not even his mother. Stroking just the edges, she toyed with his ears as his hands linked around the small of her back. Leaning her forehead on his shoulder, she murmured softly, knowing he'd hear her, "I'm Kagome. And you are?" He laughed softly, stroking her back as she did his ears, then replied, "Inuyasha. Nice to meet you. Are you always this friendly?" Leaning back so that she could see his golden eyes, she grinned, then shook her head. "Only to the guys that are like me," she said in turn. Surprise flashed across his face for a second, then understanding followed. "Well, ok then. So are you here for a club?" he asked. Nodding, Kagome replied, "Archery Competition." Interest shone in his eyes at her answer. "Not many people bother to sign up for that club anymore; at least, no since Kikyo transferred here," he said. "Really? And why not?" Kagome asked. Inuyasha shrugged, then casually replied, "She's the best in the city. All of the surrounding cities have tried to defeat her numerous times in different competitions, but she always goes home with the gold. Still willing to try out?" A devilish gleam had appeared in Kagome's eyes while she listened to Inuyasha. Nodding at his inquiry, she stepped back out of his arms, letting his arms settle around her hips instead. "I wouldn't mind testing my abilities against her," she said, a slight undertone to her voice. "Right, guys?" she asked, twisting slightly to look at her friends. While Kagome had been busy with Inuyasha, Sango had strucken up a conversation with ponytail boy, while Ayame was talking animatedly with her fellow wolf demon. Turning at Kagome's question, they glanced at each other, the same gleam coming to their eyes. They grinned by way of agreement. The guys looked at each other in mild confusion; obviously, there was something here they didn't understand. Shrugging it off, each pair made their way to the booths set up along the common area. The Archery Competition booth was next to the gym, where targets had been set up inside for the competitions. Many people were practicing with the targets already; members from the previous year, Kagome guessed. Walking up to the booth with Inuyasha's arm still around her waist, the other in his pocket, Kagome noticed that Kikyo was manning the booth with another girl. Raising an eyebrow, Kagome decided she was gonna have a little fun…

Kikyo looked up from where she had sat talking to Kagura about the latest editions of hot guys to school. Both had agreed unanimously that Inuyasha, Miroku, and Kouga, seniors all, were still firmly on the top of the list, as always. Then she had felt someone staring at her, and looked up, only to receive the shock of a lifetime. Kagome, the bitch who had ripped her new skirt out of spite, had somehow managed to snag the hottest guy in school! And he was hanging on her, his arm wrapped around her waist, hand splayed possessively across her stomach, which was bare to thanks to her shirt, his head leaning down so he could talk to her level. As Kikyo watched, Kagome casually reached up and fondled one of Inuyasha's ears. And her let her! That slut of a bitch, new girl who thought she could just walk into her school and take over her territory! Kikyo noticed they were heading over to her direction, and an idea struck her. Why don't we see just how good the new girl is at archery…?

Kagome had noticed Kikyo's eyes narrowing and had sensed her body tensing for action, but she had ignored the jealous girl. Instead, she had casually reached up to fondle one of Inuyasha's ears, loving the slight purring sound he made and watching his eyes glaze over faintly, eyelids drooping so that he looked well satisfied and faintly sleepy. Kagome opted for the latter. Just then, Kikyo called them over. "Hey, new girl, Kagome isn't it?" The three pairs turned. Kagome just raised an eyebrow, silently acknowledging Kikyo's presence. Kikyo blushed slightly under all of the baleful looks she was receiving, but continued, doggedly determined to act upon her plan to humiliate Kagome. "Why don't you try your hand at the Archery Competition club? The efforts can be quite rewarding, if you practice and train hard enough," she said, managing to keep the gleeful look off her face. Kagome knew instantly what Kikyo's plan was, but decided to go with it, if only to see Miss Perfect knocked on her ass again. Shrugging, Kagome walked over. "Why not? Do I have to do a trial run or anything?" she asked. Kikyo was almost bouncing off the walls in triumph; the stupid cow had fallen for it! Seeing that Kagome was giving her a strange look, Kikyo quickly remembered the question and answered. "Um, yes, we need to assess your abilities so that we'll know if you can become good enough to join permanently," she replied. Of course, it was all a load of bullshit, and she knew it. But Kagome didn't, and that was all that mattered! "If you'll follow me please," Kikyo said graciously, indicating the gym. Kagome followed silently, aware that her friends and companions had followed her as well. With a wave of her hand, Kikyo cleared the practice area that had been set up of people, then motioned to the bows and quivers of arrows lined up against the wall. "After you," she said. Kagome walked over to them slowly, scrutinizing them slowly. Finally, after a few minutes deliberation, she chose the second to last of the bows, and the first of the quivers. Kikyo was surprised; those were the best of the training equipment. Maybe this girl wasn't as untrained as she thought… Shaking off the thought, Kikyo retrieved her own equipment, then walked over to the first of the targets, set 50 feet away. "This is the beginning course. We'll start here," Kikyo said. Kagome shrugged, then stepped back as Kikyo aimed and fired. The arrow hit slightly to the left of the bulls-eye, barely an inch off. Smiling triumphantly, she stepped back and motioned for Kagome to take her turn. Stepping up, Kagome fell into her trained firing stance, left hand gripping the bow, with her index pointing out for aim, and her right hand pulling back the arrow. Sighting down the line, she widened her stance a slight bit, then released the arrow. A faint pink shimmer, noticed only by Kagome's friends and Kikyo, glowed around the tip as it struck dead center. Relaxing, Kagome judged the distance from the target to where she was standing. Then she turned to an astonished Kikyo. "Do you think you could make the next one a little more challenging? I've been hitting bulls-eyes from this distance since I was seven. How bout 100 yards?" Kagome questioned. Kikyo's eyes were wide as saucers. 100-yard targets were only for the experts, not quite pros, but almost. This girl truly thought she was that good? Kikyo, a small sneer on her pretty face, motioned for Kagome to follow her. As she did, a pair of arms came up behind her, circling her waist and giving her a small squeeze for encouragement. Tipping her head back, Kagome smiled into Inuyasha's eyes, then leaned her head on his shoulder as they walked outside, unmindful of the growing crowd. They were following the procession of a sneering Kikyo, a blissful Kagome and Inuyasha, a fuming Sango and a slightly battered Miroku, and a blushing Kouga and Ayame. The first of many showdowns was just beginning…

A/N: Well… Haha, guess it's my time for the fluffiness in the chapters… If you think the story's moving fast… YOU'RE RIGHT!!!!! Why, you ask? I have no idea. And that's the pure and simple truth… But don't worry, things will even out in a bit… (evil grin) MUHAHHAHAHAHAHAH!!!!! I'm so bad!

Until then, ciao till next time!

-S.S.S.