InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Ad ❯ Overcoming ( Chapter 13 )

Chapter 13

Overcoming

Inu Yasha was swimming in a turbid darkness. He could feel his fingers losing their grip on reality as a distant familiar voice echoed through storm: "I've always wanted a big family…I can't imagine not having a litter of them." Inu Yasha groaned as he felt himself become overpowered by his inner youkai. Mercilessly, he was tugging at Inu Yasha's feet, leaving him hanging by his claws. It was over. One more tug, and the youkai would have won. He could feel the rise of the youki and hear Kagome's calm heartbeat reverberate against his racing heart. The youkai tugged, and the abysmal storm was blasted away by an infinite white light.

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"Inu Yasha?" Kagome asked in a worried voice.

"I said, what in Kami's name do you two think you are doing there?"

"Just star gazing, officer!" Kagome snapped as she sat up to get a better look at the hanyou in her arms. "Did you have to flash that damn light directly in his face? His youkai eyes are more sensitive than human!"

"Listen, brat, I don't need to take this kind of disrespect from you young people that think 'making love' under the stars is so romantic. It's indecent exposure, disturbing the peace, and a very rude P.D.A.!"

"P.D.A.?" Inu Yasha growled confused. He was able to sit up and take in his surroundings, but he had this strange sensation as if he had been falling into…something bad. He looked up to see a familiar old chubby officer, with bug-like eyes and a receding hairline.

"Public displays of affection! Damn you young people! Just the other week, I had this couple that thought having whoopee in a public fountain would be fun…Speaking of which…you two look familiar."

Inu Yasha stood up quickly, with his youki still flaring. Kagome noticed the change for the first time, but before she could say anything, Inu Yasha had dragged her away, running towards the thick woods. The old officer followed blowing his whistle until he lost them in the vegetation.

"Inu Yasha!" She gasped as she tried desperately to catch her breath. "Are you…okay?" In the midst of her sentence, Inu Yasha launched himself at her, pinning her to a tree. She was surprise when he didn't take it from there. Instead, he just hugged her.

"Need you…feel better…need you."

"It's alright, Inu Yasha," she began in a soothing voice. "You have me." She wrapped her arms around him so her miko aura could neutralize his blazing youki. She completely missed his newest devilish smirk, as his youkai side declared,

"She's mine!"

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"It's been a long time since we had lunch together, just the two of us." Sango commented as both girls made themselves comfortable in the Kazanna Café.

"Not since the Moushi case got going…that was what about a month ago? We've been working through lunch so much, I forgot that meal existed."

"No, it's been longer than that…since you and Inu Yasha started dating, and that was about a month and a half ago. Wow…you two already had an anniversary."

"Small one…we just went out to eat, nothing special."

"You would think that the fact he made it one month with a woman was something to write home about." Sango joked as she took a sip of her ice tea.

"Well, believe it or not, the one month marker isn't a big deal. That usually marks the end of his obsession with a woman. Most of his 'relationships' lasted about a month…though they were all with the same woman, more or less." Kagome explained. "Now, the two month anniversary, I'm scared about…he told me to take the whole weekend off and to tell jii-chan not to expect me until Sunday night."

"Wow, he's taking you away…wait, your jii-chan approves."

"He has been purifying me and Inu Yasha every day since I brought up the possibility of the two of us going on a trip together."

"Ouch…I guess he likes Inu Yasha less and less." Sango finished as their waiters brought them the day's special.

"No, he still likes Inu Yasha; he just wishes that he would be less forward in his advances."

"And how forward has he gotten?" Sango asked with a sly grin worthy of Miroku. Kagome blushed beet red.

"Not too far…"

"Only second…you're wasting time…"

"No…only first."

"Ouch…how is he taking it?"

"We've argued over it…Sango, you know where I'm coming from." Kagome sighed.

"Yes, and I don't blame you, but, Inu Yasha has needs too."

"I just get so scared…last time…it hurt so much."

"If I told you once, I told you a million times: Hojo did something wrong!"

"They say third times the charm…he tried five times before I forbade him to ever touch me there again!"

"Does Inu Yasha know about this?"

"No…it's hard enough with what he does know. Kami, his teasing is endless, if he were to know about this…I don't want to know where it would go. Besides this is a fake relationship."

"Kagome, I hate to burst your bubble, but your fake relationship ended the minute your heart got involved."

"My heart is not involved…this is purely a physical attraction."

"How often do you two spend time together?"

"I don't know…if we spend more than twenty-four hours apart he seems obsessed in making up for it with interest."

"Oh, so you feel smothered?" Sango asked taking a bite of her shrimp.

"No, the attention is good, and he is a man that values his freedom, so it's not overly done. I mean we're together, but we're not necessarily together. Like the time the four of us went to that sports bar, he left us two to our own devices, while he and Miroku watched the game."

"And how many times have you given him the 'dream of me tonight' kiss?"

"The what?"

"You know…that really slow sensual one that leaves them hanging for another, but they are in such a trance, you manage to run away before the spell breaks."

"How else am I going to get away from him?"

"It sounds to me this relationship is not fake, and for whatever reason, he is giving it his all."

"You'll be surprised what a man is capable of when a large sum of money is involved."

"Or when a beautiful woman steals his heart." She laughed back. "Talk to him. Explain where you're coming from. Once he knows, he won't be as demanding."

"No, then he will go into concurring your fear mode. Either way, he will try to get into my pants."

"He wouldn't be a man if he didn't." Sango replied taking another bite of her lunch.
"Hojo?"

"I'm sure Hojo tried to get into your pants…just never knew how."

"No," Kagome began to stand as she leaned over to get a better view of the door. "I just saw Hojo…with a girl."

"And that's bad because?" Sango also turned around to see the new couple. Hojo pulled out the chair for is fair skinned, petite companion with rose colored eye shadow.

"No reason…I just hadn't heard anything about him dating again. He didn't say a thing when we had lunch last week."

"Well, did you tell him about Inu Yasha?"

"No, just that I was seeing someone." Kagome leaned in a bit more to get a better look.

"She could be someone from work."

"No, he pulled her chair out. He only does that with his mother and his girlfriend...Do you think she's prettier than me. She has this really sophisticated look to her with that kimono and all."

"Sweet heart, you would be surprised how much your boobs add to your beauty."

"Huh?" Kagome gave her a confused look.

"At least your boobs are real. Hers are definitely stuffed. Too perky…too still."

"I told you we would find them here, Inu Yasha." Kagome and Sango both jumped at the sound of Miroku's voice. "And what are you two doing to have such a guilty conscience?" The girls looked at the two men dressed in Armani suits. Miroku completely dressed in black and Inu Yasha with a wine red shirt and tie combo. Kagome had to admit, they definitely turned heads. They each sat next to their perspective girlfriend while the girls groaned.

"This is supposed to be a 'girls only' lunch."

"Which is fine, because we are having a guys only lunch…we just happened to share a table." Inu Yasha gave his girlfriend a quick kiss, but did not miss that her attention was not completely on him, as it should be. He turned to look at what she was staring.

"Don't tell me you like that guy?" Inu Yasha laughed.

"Huh…don't start."

"Just go talk to him. It's obvious you are curious, and if you keep staring he is going to catch you, and then we will be forced to have lunch with those two as well." Sango complained.

"Who are you talking about…oh…" Miroku finished when his eyes landed on Hojo. "Someone has moved on. Now, Kagome, this is an important lesson in dating. Now that your ex has a new someone, you go show him that you've upgraded." Miroku smiled. "You want to remain as something unobtainable in his mind."

"Miroku…that is ridiculous. I refuse to parade Inu Yasha around like a piece of meat!"

"No, it's what you're supposed to do." Inu Yasha chimed in. "I'd love to be used as a piece of meat to make your ex…"

"Kagome? Oh, wow, it's been a while!" Kagome jumped at the sound of a familiar voice. She turned and smiled to her childhood best friend.

"Eri! What are you doing here?"

"Business lunch with the ass and his significant other." The young girl pointed towards Hojo with her head.

"Wow, you saying something bad about Hojo! The world must be coming to an end!" Kagome joked, but her friend did not join in.

"I'm surprised at you, Kag. I know forgive anything, but I never figured you would have forgiven him that easily."

"Forgiven him for what? The relationship ended mutually."

"You mean the bastard didn't tell you?" Eri raised her voice while she stomped her feet. "He and that…that tramp have been seeing each other for three months now. The only reason I haven't strung him up by his toes is because he waited until after you two broke up to consummate the relationship. And now that they are living together…damn I don't get a good night's rest with all the moaning and groaning and screaming… Kami, at least you two had the decency to keep it quiet!" Kagome blushed three different shades of red as Inu Yasha leaned in and asked,

"You can keep quiet? I'd like to see to try."

"And you are?" Eri asked, not missing a beat.

"Oh, where are my manners? Eri this is my boyfriend Inu Yasha; Inu Yasha this is my childhood best friend Eri." Inu Yasha stood to shake the girl's hand, and she took the opportunity to admire her friend's catch.

"Wait…Inu Yasha as in Inu Yasha Takahashi?"

"Yes."

"Wow, Kagome! You've definitely upgraded! Don't forget to flaunt him."

Kagome rolled her eyes as her friend sad a quick good bye and made her way to the other table.

"Why is it Eri never acknowledges me?" Miroku asked feigning hurt.

"She still can't forgive you for groping her girlfriend." Kagome answered.

"How was I supposed to know she and Ayumi were dating?"

"Well, if the long make out sessions didn't give it away…" Kagome began in a sarcastic voice.

"I'm just glad she didn't hit on me again." Sango replied.

"Probably didn't see you."

"So, are we going to go?" Inu Yasha asked in a hopeful voice.

"Go where?" Kagome asked before noticing where here was staring. "Inu Yasha, not you too!"

"It's true! When you upgrade, you got to let the whole world know!"

"Is that what you did with me?" Kagome asked with a raised eyebrow.

"I didn't upgrade…" Inu Yasha cursed under his breath the minute the words left his mouth.

"Oh, so you downgraded?" Kagome waited for his answer, but the poor hanyou became tongue tied. Kagome responded by turning away from him.

"What I mean is that you and Kagura are both amazing women and though different are still…a beautiful and…"

"Inu Yasha, save yourself a headache later. Shut up before you can't dig your foot out of your mouth." Kagome answered coldly.

"Higurashi?" The couple turned to face the young man with light brown hair that approached the table.

"Hojo." Kagome smiled as she stood up to give him a light peck on the cheek. Inu Yasha growled lightly under his breath as he stood up between them.

"You must be Inu Yasha. Kagome has told me a lot about you."

"Really? When?"

"On our last lunch date."

"Lunch date?" Inu Yasha's youki senses became keener as he took a predatory stance against his new opponent.

"Yes, in which someone failed to mention a new love interest." Hojo blushed and looked away.

"I didn't know how to tell you."

"'Kagome, I'm seeing someone' would have been a nice way to start! Hojo, we are supposed to be friends. How can we do that if we aren't open with each other?"

"Well you didn't tell me you were dating someone! You just told me you were sort of seeing someone!" Hojo shot back, while Inu Yasha released a low growl.

"Well, supposedly you weren't seeing anyone! I didn't want to flaunt my new found happiness if you weren't in the same boat!" Kagome defended herself, and Inu Yasha smirked at her words.

"Well…I guess we're both right! Let's start over, Higurashi." He stretched out his hand for Kagome to shake. "Friends?" Kagome took it, and Inu Yasha placed his on top of theirs.

"Friends." He smiled at his girlfriend. Hojo laughed nervously before asking,

"So, Eri told you everything?"

"Yeah, I would have preferred to have heard it from you, though."

"I hate confrontations…you know that."

"Doesn't mean you can avoid them for life."

"Yeah…so you aren't mad?"

"Whatever makes you happy. I found what makes me." She smiled at Inu Yasha, who gave a victorious smirk towards Hojo.

"I'm glad. Well, I better get back before Eri kills someone." He laughed and left.

"That was interesting." Kagome said as she sat down.

"You can say that again." Sango replied still observing Hojo's retreat.

"You have lunch dates with him?" Inu Yasha demanded.

"Could you act any more like a jealous spoiled brat?" Kagome shot back, her patience wearing thin.

"Nani?"

"Inu Yasha! For a second, I thought you were going to kill him."

"What were you doing having lunch with him?"

"We're still friends…I know I told you about it!"

"Not that you were having lunch with him."

"What, now you are the only one allowed to have lunch with your ex? Let's not forget you see Kagura on a daily basis."

"Maybe we should leave…" Sango suggested standing up.

"Sit!" Kagome demanded in a tone that left no room for question, and the young lawyer obeyed.

"That's business; besides, I told you that she's in love with my brother!"

"But you are the one that believes you have downgraded!"

"I didn't say that!"

"No, you implied it." Kagome said standing up. "I will see you two at the office. I need a walk" She left the restaurant with Inu Yasha on her heels.

"Be grateful we aren't like that." Miroku said after the two were gone. "We have much better lines of communication and honesty in our relationship."

"Sure, and the fact that it is a secret to everyone but your parents, is a perfect example of that." Sango rolled her eyes.

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"Hello Rin. Where's your father?" Kagura asked as she stepped into the Western Mansion, her knee length black skirt flowing behind her. She straightened her red DKNY leather jacket and silk shirt combo as the young girl kicked off her school shoes.

"Downstairs sparing with uncle Inu…he and his girlfriend got into a fight."

"Inu Yasha? Why aren't I surprise? I can't believe your father is helping his brother vent out some steam!"

"He figured it would be a good idea to exercise a bit before his date tonight."

"Date? With whom?"

"Yeah, some lady named Yura. He seemed happy, and frankly, it was about time my dad started to date." Rin stated taken an affirmative adult stance.

"Yura?" Kagura repeated with distaste.

"Do you want to wait for him?"

"No, I'll get him tomorrow." Kagura turned to leave.

"Hey wait…don't tell dad, but…" Rin lifted her wrist to show the wind youkai her new silver charm bracelet. "My boyfriend gave it to me for our one month anniversary."

"That is so cute…does your dad know?"

"I'm still alive, and so is he."

"Don't keep it from him too long, it will only make maters worse…Oh, and Rin…"

"Yes?"

"I want to meet him, soon."

"Ok." Rin replied as Kagura caught sight of a pair of very sweaty and chiseled topless inu brothers emerging from the basement. She left before they noticed her drooling.

"Was that Kagura?" Sesshomaru asked.

"Yes. She said she was in a hurry." Rin replied as she gave the two of the three main men in her life a kiss hello. "She didn't seem to want to disturb you with your big date and all."

"It's not a big date…it's your damn uncle's meddling."

"Hey, I won that bet fair and square! Even Rin can tell you need to go out more, and Yura is perfect for a quick date." Inu Yasha defended himself.

"I agree! Though I don't get why Yura is so great, but that's probably because I don't know her. But, if she is anything like Kagura, I know I will like her." Rin smiled before she bounced off to her room.

"Hey, Sesshomaru, can we spar again tomorrow?"

"You didn't lose badly enough today?" The stoic youkai raised his eyebrow in question.

"Kagome is coming over tonight, and we will probably make up from today's argument, so I will be very frustrated. A month and a half and we haven't been past first! I feel like I'm fifteen again, and I'm still figuring out how everything works!"

"That is karma at work! Punishment for all the women you took advantage off."

"I did not take advantage of anyone who didn't want to be taken advantage off." Inu Yasha defended himself.

"So, what was this argument about?" Sesshomaru asked as they started to head towards the showers.

"Everyone was commenting on how she had upgraded and should flaunt her new prize, and when she asked me if I had upgraded…"

"Upgraded what?" Sesshomaru asked confused.

"Boyfriends! I met her ex today, and I have no competition. If these were the olden days, I could eliminate him by just showing off my claws."

"But these aren't the olden days."

"No, and she didn't appreciate my marking my territory!"

"Please tell me you didn't pee in public!" Sesshomaru stopped mid step.

"No! I growled discontently whenever he tried to touch her."

"And she complained? I wondered why?"

"I can't figure it out, either." Sesshomaru gave his brother an incredulous look before shaking his head dismissively.

"Anyway, somehow the question was raised if I had upgraded, and I said no, and all hell broke lose."

"Do you feel you've downgraded?" Sesshomaru stopped to look his brother in the eye.

"No! Why does everyone fucking assume that if I didn't upgrade I must have downgraded! I don't think either is better than the other. I know they are fucking different, but… fuck it! This is too complicated to explain."

"I understand you perfectly, but does Kagome?"

"No, she took it the wrong way!"

"My advice to you is to swallow your pride, get on your knees and beg…beg, and if she still isn't convinced beg some more. Oh, and between all that begging explain that she isn't a downgrade." Sesshomaru threw over his shoulder as he went into the shower.

"When will you fallow your own advice?" Inu Yasha mumbled as he walked towards the next bathroom.

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"Hey, I thought you had a date with Inu Yasha?" Souta asked as he stepped into his sister's bedroom.

"Don't you knock anymore?" Kagome snapped.

"Well, I thought you had fallen and couldn't get up! Normally, by this time, you are begging me for my help in the wardrobe department." Souta responded defensively.

"Sorry, kid. I'm going to call and cancel. I'm not in the mood to deal with him." Souta closed the door behind him and joined his sister on the bed.

"What did he do? Did he try to get fresh with you, because I don't care if he is a hanyou and I'm only a priest in training, I swear I will purify his half-demon hide!" Kagome smiled at her "not so little" brother.

"Nothing like that…we just ran into Hojo and his new girlfriend today."

"Oh…"

"Souta, do you think I'm a downgrade?"

"Downgrade?"

"Do you think Inu Yasha downgraded when he chose to go out with me?"

"Let's see, you have morals, standards, good looks, intelligence…I can see where you're coming from." Kagome hit her brother with a pillow.

"You haven't seen his ex-girlfriend. She's tall, gorgeous, shaped like a Roman goddess, sophisticated, smart, totally unlike me!"

"She is also in love with his brother."

"How did you know about that?"

"I know many things…" Souta laughed nervously. "The point is, that you are smart…5'6 isn't short…you are beautiful without the help of make up or designer clothes, and you were top in your class…so I guess that would make you intelligent, though why you would question your worth while being so smart is beyond me! And just because you two are not alike, it doesn't mean you are less than her, just different. Like the lights jii-chan bought for the festival! They are all 40 watts, but some are green, others are blue and then my favorites are red."

"How did you get so smart?"

"It runs in the family…oh, and in the off chance you change your mind and do go out with him, you should make him beg forgiveness. That is best done in something strapless, as I have learned the hard way."

"Hold it! How are things with you and your girlfriend? You didn't tell me how your date went last night." Souta started to giggle sheepishly.

"We made out." Kagome laughed.

"As long as you are stopping there."

"Well, we kind of feel bad, cuz her dad doesn't know yet."

"Why?"

"According to her, he would string me up from my toes, skin me alive and then feed me to a pack of wild starving dogs."

"Ouch! Are you sure you want to be seeing this girl?"

"She is worth all the pain in the world." He sighed and left the room.

"Let's see if you are still singing that tune when the dogs are fighting over your bones." Kagome turned to her closet. "Strapless…that red dress would be way too much, wouldn't it?" She asked herself as she pulled out her "secret weapon." She looked at herself in the mirror and the spot on the bed where she had been moping. "Any man who makes you doubt your self worth, deserves the red dress!" She declared as she looked for the right accessories for the night.

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Hi guys! Miss me? ::Sees reviewers reach for rocks:: Wait! I have a good excuse. I warned you guys it was going to be a while before my next update, but I didn't have time, and I know you guys didn't want a crappy update. I could have done an Author's Note, but I feel does are more hated than anything else because you get all happy that the there is an update, just to find out there wasn't. Maybe I shouldn't have given you such a huge cliffhanger, but at least it kept you guys interested for the two or three weeks I've been gone. In that time, I finished my thesis, graduated college and moved back home. So, as you can see, life was really hectic for me. This is the first time I get to sit down and write. I'm not even going to have Meche correct this so it will get to you sooner. By the way, she is in Cali with her family now. College is over…someday we shall miss it. So, now that I'm unemployed, I hope to have enough time to write…or at least that is what my English professor said.

Thank you guys so much for your patience and your 723 reviews in Fanfiction.net and your 54 reviews in Mediaminer.org. I think this story will beat Through the Rose Colored Lenses pretty soon. As you can see, there is going to be some time jumping, nothing huge, but if I don't get them married soon, this story is going to be 49 chapters long…I have already extended it to 20+ chapter. Don't think I can't see you guys virtually partying in your respective computers! I will not let it go into the 30's! The next story will be the Lady of the Crimson Land…though I might not make it fanfiction at all. It is an epic work, and though the protagonist (male) would be based on Sesshomaru, I think, it is too big a story not to make it completely my own. So, I might write two or three at a time, though I hate that, so I can keep you guys happy.

Oh, many of you want an email from me letting you know when I update. I use to do that with my Sailor Moon site, but I became tired of all the emails bouncing back. That is why I am posting on mediaminer.org and fanfiction.net. You can register in these sites for free and have them give you email alerts when your favorite story or author has updated. That is what I do, and how I actually became a member.

Thank you my wonderful readers and reviewers (though after the last set of emails I felt like I was a dealer on the street and you guys needed a hit badly). I'll update, as soon as I can. Warning, my updates will not be as regular as before. Get ready for the once a week update I started with.