InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The Syndrome ❯ Kagome Had a Big Ass Dog ( Chapter 31 )

My friend SalomeWilde made my newest pretty banner for my fic The Syndrome that recently passed 1000 in reviews on FF.net! Thanks again Salome! I love it!

I just about died when I realized it passed 1000 and now that I'm talking about it anyways I got curious. My current reviews for The Syndrome are shown below.

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2077 reviews on just 30 chapters... (and that's not counting all the LJ comments)

I think I might just die right here right now. That's absolutely amazing! I want to thank everyone who has ever reviewed! I appreciate your support more than you'll ever know! In appreciation I'm going to post Chapter 31 now, even though I didn't put out a teaser yet. I'd put out two chapters but I have to get my ass to work! I will say that Chapter 32 is Halloween the year after the Halloween dance, and Vampire Sesshoumaru is making another appearance!

 

 

Chapter 31 - Kagome Had a Big Ass Dog

 

 

 

It took her just a minute to notice him, the click of claws on pavement giving him away, but she refused to acknowledge his presence. What in the world was he thinking, following her to school? Was he out of his mind? He couldn't go in the buildings! What was he gonna do? Sit outside and pant? Ogle her through windows? What if they called Animal Control? How was she going to explain to them that he wasn't a dog but a dog demon, a student even? Not too easily since a demon in its true form was thought impossible anymore.

 

While Kagome thought of all the things that could happen from his following her, Sesshoumaru could only focus on one thing. She was ignoring him! She was ignoring him and it was killing him! All the relief that he'd experienced before she came downstairs was out the window. What had she meant? She refused to make things easy for him? Since when was this easy? Was she saying he didn't have a chance? That he'd missed all his chances? Was she denying him then? Rejecting him? He needed to know!

 

`Kagome?' he woofed at her. When he received no response he barked her name louder. After the third bark that drew the attention of other people approaching campus as well she sighed and turned around.

 

“What?” she snapped at him. “Why the hell are you following me?”

 

`What did you mean?'

“What did I mean about what?” she hissed, trying not to look like a nutter who was holding a conversation with a dog and failing miserably. She started walking again, hoping it would help. It didn't.

 

`What did you mean by `I refuse to make things easy for him'? Are you saying this Sesshoumaru has no more chances?'

 

She looked at him and saw the pleading in his crimson eyes. And she thought Inuyasha's puppy face was hard to say no to. “No, though you shouldn't get any more chances, I'm giving you one anyway. Just one.”

 

The pain receded again and he couldn't help the smirk, but then it was unidentifiable as a smirk anyway. She was giving him a chance. It wasn't much, but it meant the world to him. Actually, it was a matter of life or death. `Does this mean that you now believe this Sesshoumaru?'

 

She glared at the dog for a minute. “I don't understand it, but I believe you… I guess.”

 

`This Sesshoumaru would be happy to explain it to you if you would like.'

 

“Yeah, I'm sure you would. What about the whole `can't tell her' shit? Suddenly no longer apply?” She'd finally reached campus and checked her watch. Seeing that she was nearly fifteen minutes early she made her way to where she usually met her friends before classes, the oversized white dog on her heels.

 

`You have learned most of the secrets on your own. The rest is up to you. There isn't much I cannot say now.'

 

She was the first one to their meeting place, so Kagome sat down at a picnic table and Sesshoumaru sat beside her. A moment later he was nudging her hand and she automatically started petting him. “So then I'm the girl, right?”

 

`Yes, you are who this Sesshoumaru desires.'

 

“But… is it just the beast half? What are you going to be like when you get back to normal? Are you going to be a huge jerk again?”

 

Inside Sesshoumaru was filled with regret. Of course she thought he was a jerk. He was. She had no reason to think otherwise. His beast was right to take control. He never would have succeeded on his own. “This Sesshoumaru will not surrender control until I am sure that he will not ruin things. He seems to be certain that he could now be open with you, seeing how you and I interact.'

 

“Okay, no offense, but this beast/other half thing is confusing as hell. I mean, if we were to start dating… what would you be like? Would you be this sweet guy who talks to me or the cold and cruel one who ignores me?”

 

`The side you know as cold and cruel, it is an act, a defense mechanism. He desires to be near you, to talk with you just as much as I. At the dance that night, that was all him, but he acted differently than usual, did he not? And at the party as well? Being able to hide his identity allowed him to be who he really wants to be with you then.'

 

“Okay, giving me a headache. Oh, shit, shh. No more talking! Sango's coming!”

 

`I am not the one talking to a dog,' he teased and she growled an adorable little growl that sounded like a puppy fighting with an old tennis shoe. They both fell silent then and watched as the girl with long brown hair in a high ponytail approached them.

 

“Kagome! Where'd you get the dog? He's beautiful!” Kagome didn't get a chance to reply before Sango moved to pet Sesshoumaru.

 

The miko caught her friend's wrist just in time, judging by the vicious snarl they both heard. “I wouldn't pet him. He's… he's got boundary issues.”

 

“What are you doing with a dog like that?”

 

“He seems to have become attached to me somehow,” she said with a half-smirk.

 

`How could I not be attached to someone as perfect as you?' he woofed while nudging her hand, demanding her touch once again.

 

“So you can pet him but I can't?”

 

“Not unless you wanna lose a hand I'm thinkin'. Don't take it personally, Sango. He's got a serious attitude problem sometimes.”

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

“Okay, so what does this all mean? Should we call Pop's contractor and cancel?” Inuyasha asked curiously. “Seems like if he gets his way she won't need her own room and if he doesn't… well then she can have his.”

 

“Gee, morbid much, Inu?” Bank asked with a frown. “He's gonna get her. I know it. I can see it in her eyes. I think he might already have her and she just isn't ready to admit it. But I think we should still have the basement remodeled. It would be nice for them to have some privacy, more than they would have in his room with us all around them.”

 

“You mean you wanna make a nice private place for them to fuck?” Inuyasha summarized perfectly, grinning at the snickering kitsune.

 

Miroku laughed. “While I wouldn't have put it quite like that… yes. I'm sure that you don't wish to hear them through the walls after all.”

 

Inuyasha threw his hands up in the air. They were right of course. Listening to Kagome with his brother was the last thing he wanted to do. It would be bad enough just knowing they were doing it. He didn't need to hear it. “Well fine then, but you might wanna have the fruit loop make it a little less girly. Sesshoumaru don't do pink.”

 

“As much as I agree, Inu, that the room should be less feminine, I certainly wouldn't go so far as to say that Sesshoumaru doesn't do pink. I think pink is just what Sesshoumaru would like to do.” The monk waggled his eyebrows at his friends who all let out a groan at his perverted attempt at a joke. “No? You guys have no sense of humor. I've got class this afternoon, so I'm gonna go over to her place and start packing it up so it'll be ready to go.”

 

Bank nodded with a smirk. “At least all her underwear is safely here now. I've gotta go get Jak. Inu, Shippo, you guys wanna finish cleaning out the basement then? The contractor is supposed to start on the bathroom in a few hours.” The four friends separated; each one ready to take on their assigned tasks. Even if Kagome didn't `need' the room anymore, they still wanted it to be perfect.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

Kagome was ready to scream. Apparently a large fluffy white dog was an exceptionally exciting sight considering that she'd spent the last ten minutes trying to keep her friends and even strangers from losing limbs to the dog demon. Sure, he looked really soft but why did every girl on campus have the desire to touch him? “Don't know why I'm surprised,” she muttered under her breath. “Every girl on campus has always wanted to touch you.”

 

Sesshoumaru woofed at her in amusement. She sounded jealous and it was nice to realize that he wasn't the only one feeling territorial. He didn't want anyone touching him but her and apparently she felt the same way. “They may desire to touch this Sesshoumaru but they are not you. I have always desired only your touch.”

 

Glancing at her watch, Kagome let out a sigh of relief. Finally it was time for classes to begin. “Come on, guys. We'd better hurry.”

 

“But what about your dog?” Ayame asked worriedly. The wolf demoness could tell there was more to the massive white canine than met the eye, and her ability to understand inu confirmed her suspicions. He was no ordinary dog, though it never dawned on her that he could be that Sesshoumaru.

 

“Se… Sh… Shiro can take care of himself. No worries,” Kagome answered with a nervous expression marring her pretty face. “Come on! I don't need to lose points for being late!” The miko grabbed her bag and walked swiftly towards the classroom, leaving Sesshoumaru behind to fend off the female population on his own.

 

Never before had he had such a strong desire to bite someone and he was relieved when they finally left him alone. Only then did he realize that he had no idea what to do until her class ended. If he sat around campus he would just end up attracting more female attention but he didn't want to go all the way home and leave her there. After going over his options Sesshoumaru decided to make his self comfortable in the shade of one of the larger trees that just happened to be outside the windows of the classroom occupied by his sweet miko.

 

Kagome's body was in class, but her brain was absent. She couldn't make herself focus on the droning voice of the professor. She had too many other things floating around in her head and they were ganging up on her to make her crazy. He said `I have always desired only your touch.' Did that mean he'd never been interested in anyone else? How long had he had feelings for her then? Her dream the previous afternoon of her freshman orientation came to mind again. Did he notice her then? Had he really been hiding his feelings for her for over four years? If he had then she needed to remember to smack him… after she smacked herself. All that time she'd been fighting feelings for him, trying to deny their very existence to protect her self from the pain of rejection, and now she finds out that he wanted her the whole time she wanted him and thought it impossible?

 

She couldn't stop the smirk as another thought hit her. If he only ever desired her touch, did that make the sex god of an inu taiyoukai, most sought after male in school, a virgin? Kagome had to physically stifle her giggles at the thought of a sexually frustrated Sesshoumaru. Sure, she was a virgin too, but she had her battery powered friends to keep her company. Of course that brought to mind a painfully aroused demon having to `handle' things himself. Her cheeks flushed a bright red at the mental picture, and she wasn't sure whether she was blushing in embarrassment or excitement.

 

Kagome was completely oblivious to the twitching nose of another demon male of the canine variety sitting a few rows behind her that knew the answer. It was definitely excitement. He found himself wondering what got her all hot and bothered; his arrogance and thick skull allowing him to believe himself the cause. What else could it be?

 

The distracted miko continued her mental inquiry, her eyes catching sight of a large white shape outside under one of the trees, and she smiled softly knowing he hadn't left. Why didn't he ever say anything? Why didn't he act on his feelings? Why had he continued to act like a condescending prick? If he'd really had feelings for her for all that time, surely she would have noticed something, anything, even the slightest of hints… but she hadn't, not that she could think of.

 

The next hour and a half was spent examining every interaction she had ever had with the taiyoukai, both when she knew it was him and when she didn't. By the time the class was almost over Kagome had more questions than answers. If he was her mystery vampire, was it possible that he was her secret admirer, responsible for the bracelet at the fair and the butterfly clips? But how would he know that she'd wanted them? Surely Inuyasha wouldn't have mentioned it to his hated elder brother, so how the hell did he find out?

 

Thinking of the bracelet reminded her of how he just happened to end up on the same ride as her in the same seat twice that day. Was it on purpose? It had to be! Was he skulking around in the shadows all that time, trying to get close to her without getting caught? Was that why he offered to walk with her during the ski trip and why he just happened to be close enough to catch her when she'd slipped in the parking lot? Sesshoumaru had some serious explaining to do and she had a feeling it would be a very enlightening conversation.

 

The thought that he'd been in love with her for years… even the thought of Sesshoumaru and the `L' word gave her goose bumps… and that he'd been doing sweet things for her from the shadows, it made her heart beat faster and it made her wish he had lips at the moment because she was overwhelmed with the desire to kiss him senseless. It was already nearly impossible to stay upset with him and it was getting harder every time she remembered something that could now more than likely be attributed to him.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

“So then I should make it more romantic, less girly?” Jak asked, standing in the center of the now empty basement with a notepad in hand. “What about the swing…” There was a glint of mischief in his eyes before he smiled. “Keeping the swing. She'll thank me later.”

 

“I don't even want to think about why you said that,” Bank said with a laugh from where he sat on the washing machine watching his older brother look from the notepad to the space and back while scribbling vigorously.

 

“Poor thing if you don't know. Swings can be fun brother dear.”

 

Bankotsu cringed. “I said I didn't want to think about it!”

 

Jak laughed. “Sorry. You won't be able to stop thinking about it now. Anyway, I don't think this will be a problem. When's the contractor getting here?”

 

“About an hour. Not sure what we're gonna do with Kags yet. She only has the one morning class today.”

 

“I wanna be here to talk to the guy or I'd offer to take her somewhere.”

 

“It's alright. We'll figure it out. So, tell me your plans.” Bank sat and listened while his brother outlined his new design, smiling wider every minute. It was going to be perfect; romantic, comfortable, private… Sesshoumaru would definitely appreciate their efforts and maybe he would be able to keep her from killing them all when she found out about it. He would never understand… no, he did understand, he just disagreed. There wasn't a single valid reason that they shouldn't spend money on her… not one. She could be incredibly frustrating sometimes, but she was worth it.

 

 

@@@@@The Syndrome@@@@@

 

 

 

Finally the professor declared class over and Kagome stood, gathering her things quickly and hoping to get out of there without followers so she could talk to her `dog'. She waved a quick goodbye to Sango and Ayame and slipped outside, making a b-line for the canine in question, unaware of the other one on her tail.

 

The beast looked up just in time to snarl at the wolf demon that had just startled the crap out of his miko by grabbing her arm. How dare the fool touch what was his? Inside Sesshoumaru calmed his beast as much as possible, encouraging him to allow Kagome to deal with the situation, or at least wait until she needed or asked for his help. The beast reluctantly agreed, knowing that she wouldn't be happy if they attacked someone, especially considering how she reacted when he took down the smart mouthed hanyou and how she'd kept him from biting any and everyone who tried to pet him. Really, it was degrading, strangers approaching and attempting to touch him like a common animal. The only touch he wanted was hers. She was so gentle when she ran her fingers through his fur and the contact made his entire body tingle with electricity.

 

“Kouga? What the hell? You scared me!”

 

The wolf demon smirked at her. “So, tell me, what was it that you were thinking about during class?” Sesshoumaru frowned inside. What was the wolf talking about?

 

“Wha… what do you mean?”

 

“I mean you smelled absolutely edible.” Kouga took a blatantly obvious sniff in her direction and Kagome's eyes drifted below his waist for a moment before locking her focus on a tree in the distance. She didn't want to know what was going on in his pants, even though her momentary peek was more than enough to figure it out. “Mmm, and you still do. So what was going on in your pretty little head, beautiful?”

 

Kagome rolled her eyes when she heard the rumbling growl of warning coming from just behind her. Now that he mentioned it, Sesshoumaru and the beast both noticed the lingering scent of arousal coming from their miko. Neither liked the thought of Kagome being turned on by anyone but them and they were even more disturbed by the blatantly obvious attempts at seduction happening right in front of them. The wolf demon was just asking for it and the taiyoukai was more than ready to teach him a lesson about who could and could not touch the miko, among other things.

 

“Kouga, I can assure you not only that what I was thinking about is absolutely none of your business, but that it would be wise for you to get your hand off me if you want it to continue functioning properly. And it seems like you'll need it,” she glanced purposely at the prominent tent in his pants before continuing, “because there is no way in hell that I'm helping you with that.”

 

“Why the attitude, baby? Your friends aren't around. There's no reason for you to keep pretending you don't want me.”

 

The miko's jaw just about hit the ground at the wolf's arrogant words, her power rising automatically when his other hand joined the first to rub her arms suggestively. She closed her mouth and smirked at his yelp of pain. “I told you to get your hand off me, not to touch me more,” she told the now glaring demon.

 

“Bitch, I'm getting real fuckin' tired of your games.”

 

“Games…? Bitch…? Oh Kouga, you just can't help yourself, can you?” When he furrowed his brows in confusion she took a few steps backwards, feeling as the large white dog took a few steps forward to stop at her side. “Just cuz Bank isn't here to break your jaw and Inu isn't here to threaten to disembowel you doesn't mean you're free to run your arrogant mouth.”

 

“Whatcha gonna do, bitch? Zap me again? I barely felt it.”

 

“Well, I could kick you square in the nuts again.” She smirked at the unconscious grimace that graced Kouga's face for a second. Apparently he remembered the last time she'd resorted to kicking him. “That does always seem to be quite effective. This time though, I think there's someone else who might wanna get in on the action.”

 

Finally Kouga noticed the big ass dog at her feet, snarling and baring its fangs dangerously. “Got a little guard dog, baby? What, your friends too busy to keep an eye on you themselves?”

 

Kagome just laughed, angering the wolf more. “My little guard dog is scarier than you'd think.” She looked down into crimson eyes before nodding. “Wanna see?”

 

Her words were the only warning Kouga got before he was flat on his back trying to wrestle what might as well of been a giant polar bear off of him. “Damn it! Call him off!”

 

“You gonna leave me alone? You gonna listen when I tell you I want nothing to do with you for the millionth time? Because otherwise it just isn't worth my breath. He'll let go when he's good and ready.” When he saw her start to walk away Kouga gave in, begging, pleading, and promising for the return of his arm. “Fine, let him go.”

 

Sesshoumaru released the demon's heavily bleeding forearm but kept one clawed paw in the middle of his chest. `The miko is mine, wolf. Touch her again and die.' Kagome almost laughed at the shock on Kouga's face when he understood the dog's snarls. He nodded so fast he made himself dizzy, well, dizzier than he already was from blood loss and the nice whack the back of his head got when it bounced off the hard ground.

 

“I swear, he never learns,” she said mostly to herself before turning around once again to begin her walk home, the click of claws letting her know she wasn't alone.

 

`The wolf has bothered you in the past?'

 

“Huh, thought you would have known that. You seem to know everything else about me. How is that anyway? The butterfly clips, the bracelet, was that you?”

 

`Yes, both gifts were from this Sesshoumaru.' He didn't know if he should tell her how he knew so much about her. How would she react to the knowledge that her blog kept him informed, letting him in on her thoughts, wishes, hopes, and dreams? Would she be upset? What if she thought it was creepy? What if it totally freaked her out? He only had this one last chance and he didn't want it blown before he even got started.

 

“How'd you know about the clips? And that I was into vampires? You know if I didn't know better I'd say you've been stalking me.”

 

Even if he had known what to say, Sesshoumaru didn't get a chance to reply as Kagome's attention was caught by Sango calling her name. The miko stood and waited for her friend to catch up, curious as to what was so important.

 

“I forgot to ask you before class… and you left so fast…” she puffed out, trying to catch her breath, bent over with her hands on her knees.

 

“Ask me what?”

 

“If you found a place to stay. You're welcome to stay with me and Ayame for a while if you need to.”

 

Sesshoumaru cursed mentally, wishing he had some way to shut up the blabbering female who was ruining the surprise he'd been looking forward to.

 

“A place to stay? Well, I've been staying with the guys the last few days, but once I get a new mattress and bedding I'll be back at my place.”

 

“Your place? What? Kagome, you mean you don't know?”

 

“Know what?” Kagome asked with a frown.

 

“Your roommates got arrested this weekend and I heard the landlord is evicting all of you.”

 

Kagome's eyes got wide for a moment before narrowing dangerously. “I was unaware,” she said darkly. “Though I have a feeling I'm the only one that didn't know. I'm gonna kill them.”

 

“Kill who? Cuz Tsubaki's gonna be in jail for a while. Kikyo's parents already bailed her out and Kagura's put her in rehab. I think Tsubaki's the one that ought to be in rehab, but I guess they caught her with enough drugs for serious charges.”

 

“Not them. The guys. I'm going to kill the guys. They had to have found out. They went and got some of my things. Why wouldn't they tell me? Fuck! Why the hell would they keep it a secret? I need to be looking for a new place!”

 

Sango and Kagome both looked down at the big white dog when it began barking. `They meant no harm. It has been taken care of, but is supposed to be a surprise.'

 

Sango looked back up at Kagome in surprise when her friend let out a growl of her own. It almost looked like the dog had said something that made her even angrier and that she'd understood it. “Thanks for the offer, Sango, but I think I'll be fine. I'll just take over one of their rooms after I strangle them all.”

 

“Al… alright, if you're sure. I… I didn't know you didn't know, Kagome. I'm sorry I…”

 

“It's fine Sango. Not your fault. I'll see ya later.”

 

“Sure thing,” the dark haired girl mumbled as she watched her friend walk away, her anger visible in every movement, with the large white dog at her side. The guys were in for a shit storm if ever there was one, that much was certain. It wasn't going to be pretty.