Rurouni Kenshin Fan Fiction / InuYasha Fan Fiction ❯ The well started it all... ❯ A challenge ( Chapter 2 )

AN: I'm sorry if this has taken awhile. Thank u for all the reviews on both ff and mm! I LOVE YOU ALL! I'm pretty slow with the whole updating thing… but here it is! I hope you guys like it. And Gin Aibu I have NO idea how this story is coming on but THANKS A LOT for the helpful comments. I think I will use some of your ideas if u don't mind.

Q: how are you gonna get rid of Inu for Kenshin and Kagome to be together?

A: hehehehe. I'm thinking of bringing someone in for Inu to fall in love wit and finally get him to stop the whole 'I will go to hell with Kikyo ' thing. Though my mind quails on how I'm suppose to accomplish that feat. *sighs* but if anyone has anything betta please don't hesitate to suggest something. And I mite use it.

And I love the idea of Kag and Ken going to Ken time! Thank you SO MUCH for that one. I'm gonna incorporate it in my mind so I'll just… write it when the time comes!! J

AND SPECIAL THANKS TO MY TWO FIRST REVIEWERS RAVENCROW16 AND LEMONMEBABY. *love ur name lemon. hehehe.*

Disclaimer: I don't own, u don't sue! ^-^v. I got that slogan from mm! Love it!

Chapter 2: A challenge

Miroku's hand stopped inches from Sango's curved behind as someone's yell echoed through the forest. He had insisted fervently in coming with Sango, while Inuyasha and Kagome fought, to gather wood.

"Miroku what was that?" And why in the seven hells did she have to turn? So many questions that go unanswered… He dropped his hand quickly from its almost achieved perch and looked at her innocently.

"I imagine Kagome convinced Inuyasha to let her see things her way." Amazingly it was said with a solemn face, he even managed to throw sincere in the mix somehow. Sango smirked knowingly at the direction of the hut.

"I guess we're done collecting firewood then." And she dropped the stack that, miroku noted sourly, was significantly larger than his. He looked between the two and came to his decision. He puffed his chest out, opened his mouth to suggest gathering a little more, so he could salvage his pride, then looked around in surprise to see Sango's retreating back. He literally deflated, the air rushing out in a disappointed oh. Well, he'll just have to remind Sango who was the man around here by grabbing something much more interesting than firewood.

"Sango wait for me!" he called out, carefully plastering an impassive face to his features. He trudged after her wondering why he was compelled to prove his masculinity by groping her. But her presence was so dominating… so threatening and challenging, constantly so, to his said masculinity that they both needed to be reminded she was female on a regular basis, every day, in the sun or rain, and every hour, if possible. Miroku had, sadly, put it upon himself to remind her.

Just when he managed to reach her without her noticing a beautiful laugh ringed the air. It swirled around him, through him, and took his breath away. It was sexy and erotic and Miroku wondered how a laugh could affect him so. He stopped in his tracks as his heartstrings were plucked and twanged. Sango turned inquiringly at Miroku, wondering what had caused him to stop.

She saw his face, the surprise there, and smiled in relief. She was really getting tired of his 'affectionate pats' as he called them, and what he mistook to be blushes oh her part were in reality pent up rage. She had to restrain from killing him outright at times. She sighed, long and heavy, as she contemplated the question of her ever finding a mate. Then shook her head at her foolishness. She was a demon slayer. Who would want a woman as strong as himself if not stronger? They had stopped during their separate musings but Miroku started when he heard Sango's voice.

"Who do you think that was?" Miroku blushed as he realized he had been standing there quite awhile. He cleared his throat and without another word resumed walking. Trying desperately not to run in anticipation as he echoed Sango's earlier question. 'Who was that?' Sango followed behind him, blissfully happy to be ignored by the lecherous houshi.

~*~*~*~ at the hut or shack… Kaede's house~*~*~*~

"Where did you come from?" You could hear the mistrust and suspicion in Inuyasha's voice. The little man didn't worry him or the little girl. Feh, they barely came to his eye level! It was the tall man that carried the symbol for bad on his back that gave him a twinge of apprehension. What was his name? Oh yeah, Sano.

But surprisingly Sano stayed silent and looked to Kenshin. As if he needed answers from such a wimp! Before he could ask the question, if possible, ruder than before Kagome elbowed him sharply. He looked at her and almost flinched at the look she was giving him.

"I think me and you will get along just fine." Misao proudly declared in a cheery voice. She knew she would be friends with this strangely dressed woman, and it would definitely be entertaining to see how she handled the dog boy. She got up from her position in the corner and tugged on Sano's hair.

"Come on. Lets get some fresh air." And with that said she dragged a protesting Sano out the door. Kagome took it all in stride but the two men sweat dropped at the odd display. 'Feh maybe I'll change my opinion of that Sano guy' even as Inuyasha thought this he scowled at Kenshin. Kagome could practically see the insults and rude thoughts going through his head and glared at him until he stopped, reluctantly.

Kenshin looked directly at Kagome, ignoring Inuyasha completely. Battousai didn't take Inuyasha's earlier display well. In fact, Battousai was clamoring to kill the hanyou. Kenshin could see the enticing image. He would stand up fluidly and draw his sword. He would look at Inuyasha's apologetic crying face and slowly turn his reverse blade sword around…

"Kenshin?" he was snapped out of his wonderful daydream by Kagome's voice.

"Kagome…?" was his reply as he arched a brow in her direction. He could see her averting her eyes and almost kissed her right there. Battousai wasn't helping much when he was practically screaming to take her and just kill the dog thing. Kenshin leaned forward involuntarily then snapped back as if he had been burned. Inuyasha noticed this and barely contained himself. He wouldn't make Kenshin's obvious attraction to Kagome known to her. 'Thank the gods she doesn't know the effect she has on people because of her beauty.'

"Kenshin what time did you come from?" Kagome couldn't hide the curiosity in her voice. She looked up at last into his beautiful eyes, and was caught. He held her gaze as he began.

"We were going to the town with some… friends when one of them pushed Sano. Sano bumped into me and we fell through the well. Misao tried to save us but got pulled in too. We are from the Mejia Era, when hard won peace is finally a reality. Where I am a simple wanderer. I fought in the revolution as Battousai, killing many to achieve peace for the weak. But after it was over I decided to wander and repent for the lives I have taken with the help of" he drew his sword slowly "this. My reverse blade sword. I have vowed to never kill again." It rang in the room as if in testament to that fact as he put his sword back into its sheath.

Inuyasha's disgusted Feh was drowned out by Kagome's squeal. She threw herself across the room into Kenshin's arms in, surprise, slow motion. Kenshin could see Inuyasha's face fall harshly.

"Kenshin, oh Kenshin. Your absolutely wonderful at…."

"Kenshin?" Kenshin snapped out of the image Battousai had put in his head. There sat Kagome, unfortunately, across the room. He could hear Battousai's evil laughter through his head. I'll get you somehow for that manslayer, but when he had Kagome suddenly in his lap, her arms wrapped around him, and his mind emptied. He blinked a few times to discern if it was an illusion again but Battousai was silent.

She had crawled across the room to hug him in comfort. 'Did I let my emotions show on my face? Could she see the pain I have felt?' He slowly wrapped his arms around Kagome in turn and was silent for a few precious moments then bent his head down to whisper in her ear.

"Now's not the time. But I thank you for the invitation Kagome." Kagome shivered deliciously at the sensation of his mouth by her ear, brushing against it. Her body liquefied at what he implied but at the same time stiffened. She put her palms against his chest to push away from him and almost collapsed against him again when she felt the shudder go through him. 'I did that to him?' But before she could think further on the new knowledge she had attained Inuyasha's face came between them.

"Get the fuck away form Kagome." Inuyasha had stood still in his spot, amazed at what was going on. Surprise stacked on surprise had caused a temporary paralysis to come over him but as he smelt Kagome's arousal he broke through it.

How dare he say that to MY Kagome! He was going to kill the son of a bitch. Kagome almost looked grateful as Kenshin released her. He saw the small man's nose twitch and widened his eyes, startled once more. That man was not normal! He could see that Kenshin had smelt Kagome's arousal too. Kenshin turned towards him and winked, smiling softly. Inuyasha's snarl started deep and erupted out in a yell of rage.

"I challenge you." Was Inuyasha's almost unintelligible sentence. He could almost feel Kagome's refusal begin to be uttered and shot her a look almost as potent as her own. This was a challenge, his fight, don't interfere or try to help him, was what the look said. She gulped in fear for Kenshin but nodded once in understanding. For some reason Inuyasha had to do this. Though she understood this she didn't have to like it. She shot Kenshin a concerned look, but he was calm and composed.

"I accept" came the quiet but firm voice.

~*~*~*outside the hut..~*~*~*

"Sano entertain me." Misao's voice held a hint of a whine as she tapped her foot impatiently against the ground. But when Sano turned towards the woods and caught a flying boomerang thingy she forgot all about her boredom. Up the hill came two figures, one was running towards Sano but the male figure was walking leisurely, coming to her.

She got herself ready to fight and couldn't stop herself from sighing as she spotted her opponent. His easy smile was contagious and she found herself smiling hesitantly back. "Aoshi-sama is way more handsome' 'Of course of course, but this one has his … good points.' During her silent debate, with her ninja training, she sensed a hand reaching for her and jumped back.

Miroku stood, amazed. She had evaded his touch. She looked immersed in thought, with her cute braid and wide eyes, and he couldn't pass up the chance she had portrayed. But she had… evaded.

"How… how did you do that?" Misao could hear her would-be-captor's voice. She looked at him, ready to give him a piece of her mind and forgot her anger as she looked into his eager face.

"Well…" and their conversation began. They tuned out the two figures about ten feet away that were engrossed in their own conversation.

~*~*~

"Give me back my boomerang!" Sano noticed that she wasn't even out of breath as she said this. She held out a strong calloused hand to take it from him. He had other ideas for this beauty.

"Why? You gave it to me." Sango could've smacked the cocky smirk and knowing eyes off of this stranger. She knew the rules of this game.

"What do you want for it? Money?" Sano's smirk got even wider if that was possible. He looked down at her upturned face.

"Money isn't the first thing I have on my mind at the moment. How bout you give me your name instead sweetie." She blushed at the nickname. The nerve of the guy! He had just met her and he was calling her names? She almost screamed in frustration. Never had anyone made her feel so much at once. She would only admit, in the deepest parts of her consciousness, that he had made her flustered, pleased, embarrassed, enraged, and flattered. This was proving to be a day of revelations and discoveries.

"It's Sango." She muttered halfheartedly. She actually did blush when she felt the fingers on her skin and he lifted her face to meet his.

"Your name, you, deserve the nickname sweetie" and this is when he surprised her "do you mind if I call you that Sango" how could such a hard man be sweet? It just made her want to get to know him more. They looked in each other's eyes, for a second entranced in each other. That one-second was all it took for the three silent figures to slip in the woods.

~*~*~

AN: sorry this chapter was shorter than the other one. Mwuhahahahaha! Me evil cuz me make cliffy. You know flame! Hope it was good… Newayz sorry for the long wait! *smilez* please don't be mad and I'll try to update sooner next time! Ja ne!