The Importance of Being Kept

A/N: Yay people like my story. I was beginning to wonder...lol! Thanks for the reviews


Despite what happened to her, Kagome still went to class. There was no way any of these creatures were going to keep her from graduating. Her mother, who she managed to talk to on the phone every evening before she went to bed, was proud of Kagome for going to Westwoods; she would not disappoint her. She had worked too hard and spent way too much money for Kagome to be here. However, she did have a very hard time concentrating on what the professor was teaching. She kept thinking about the youkai and the immense amount of knowledge she had learned about them in the short time she'd met them. They were magnificent and beautiful every one of them, she had never been around so many gorgeous masculine males in her life. She found them exciting, fascinating and yet feral and beyond dangerous.

She thought about the way Inuyasha had fought to protect her and smiled dreamily. He was all testosterone and male wrapped in a body that was made to be worshipped and admired. Inuyasha was perfect for her personality, she hadn't realized that until now. She never did like shy, submissive guys since her own strong personality seem to threaten them, but not Inuyasha. He was aggressive, protective and charming at the same time. He was someone she could fall in love with. The problem was he wasn't hers, not truly, she was his, he was not hers, perhaps falling in love with Inuyasha would only bring her heartbreak the same way Rin and Sango seemed to suffer from.

The cell phone rung Inuyasha had given her began to vibrate in her purse. Since she was sitting at the very back of the class, she opened it and whispered. "Inuyasha, I'm still in class. I told you I'd call you when I got out. Yes, I'm fine. I told you I'd be okay when you walked me here. Yes, aww thanks, I never considered myself as brave. Well, I guess most girls would be crying and in hysterics after what happened. Yes, I'm fine, really. No, I'm not in shock! No I won't go into shock later on. Okay, we'll spend the evening together, that's fine. I admire you too, especially for saving my life. Okay...wait, what did you say? Shippou's walking me home?" Kagome giggled. "Well, no I wasn't laughing cause I didn't think he could protect me. I just fine him utterly cute. No Inuyasha's he's not cuter than you," Kagome rolled her eyes. "Oh well why are you making him walk me home if you don't think he could protect me as well as you? Oh, he has a shield? Interesting. I know you're stuck in class, it's okay, really, you said it yourself you can't be there for me all the time. Okay, yes I'll let you know as soon as I leave. Bye Inuyasha." Kagome hung up the phone and sighed. Yep she could really fall for him.

Shippou was standing in front of the building waiting for her just like Inuyasha said. Kagome smiled and waved at him. He waved back enthusiastically and waited for her to approach him.

"Kagome!" Someone called her name. She stopped and turned around. A cute guy ran towards her with a big smile on his face. "You're Kagome right?" He asked when he stood in front of her.

She stared at him curiously. He was definitely human and very cute. He had dark hair and brown eyes. "Yes, that's my name."

"We're in the same class, I'm Jake."

"Hi Jake," Kagome reached out to shake his hand. He stopped when he saw the bracelet on her wrist.

"Oh, you're...are you "kept?"

"Yes, she is," Shippou said suddenly standing beside her. "She's Inuyasha's girl."

"Shit! I mean...sorry! Please, I'm so sorry." The guy stammered in fear.

Kagome watched him run away. She turned to Shippou. "What the heck? I wondered what he wanted?"

"Probably wanted to ask you out," Shippou said.

"Oh," Kagome said and looked down at her bracelet.

"Don't worry, that's going to happen a lot," Shippou said.

"What? Guys asking me out?" Kagome grinned at the idea of becoming so popular.

"Nope, guys running away in fear," Shippou said.

Kagome's face fell. "Ohh...kay."

"Inuyasha told me what happened this morning. I hate I missed the fight!"

"That sort of thing thrills you?" Kagome looked at him in surprise.

"Yeah! "

"What did they do with all the dead spiders?"

"They let the human security guards clean them up," Shippou said.

"Great..." Kagome said dryly.

They walked together side by side. Shippou's cell phone suddenly rung. He opened it.

"Oh hi, Inuyasha. Yeah I got her, she's right here beside me. I don't know her phone must have been off. Oh well she must have been distracted by this guy trying to talk to her. Don't worry he's gone. Yeah, took one look at your bracelet and ran."

Kagome listened to the guys talk about her like she wasn't there.

"Uh huh, yeah...I KNOW! HAHAHAHA!

She didn't know what Inuyasha said, but Shippou thought it was hell of funny.

"That's it!" She snatched the phone from Shippou. "Inuyasha what are you doing calling Shippou to check up on me. I told you I would call you when I got out of class!" She yelled highly annoyed. The phone suddenly went dead. "Why that..."

Shippou laughed. "Don't be so hard on him, Kagome. I think Inuyasha really likes you, I've never seen him this way."

Kagome sighed and handed Shippou his phone. "He certainly is a handful," she mumbled.

"He said the same thing about you!"

"What? I am not!"

"He says you attract trouble like a magnet, like the spider incident, he said you two were just walking to class and you nearly became spider food."

"I just happened to be in the wrong place at the wrong time," Kagome said, a cold shiver ran down her spine. "Ugh! Spider.."

"I wish I could fight like Inuyasha," Shippou said.

Kagome smiled. "You two are close?"

Shippou shrugged, "I guess he's the closest thing I've come to having an older brother."

"Oh are you an only child?" Kagome wanted to know.

"Yeah, I guess you could say that..." Shippou said suddenly looking uncomfortable.

Kagome had the feeling she should stop asking questions. They continued to walk together in silence. "Hey let's hang out together and go bowling in the student union." She turned to him giving him a big smile.

Shippou looked at her in surprise. "Really? You want to hang out with me?"

Kagome laughed. "Of course, silly."

"But what about your roommates, Sango and Rin?"

"I'm asking you. Why is it so hard to believe I want to hang out with you? Besides don't you have a fan club, girls probably love to be around you."

Shippou blushed. " Actually they just like to pet me like I'm a puppy or something until I growl at them to leave me alone."

Kagome laughed.

"Inuyasha female friends don't usually associate with me."

"Why is that?" Kagome asked.

"Because I'm not Inuyasha..."

"No you're not, you're Shippou, a sweet and cute fox youkai who I'd like to be friends with, if you let me."

Shippou stared at her as if she was the most amazing creature he'd ever seen. "Okay..."

Rin made her way to the dormitory carrying only on book with her. Most of her classes required her to play different instruments. It had been a long day for her and her hands and arms were tired. Maybe I was too excited about the music classes. I shouldn't have scheduled them back to back in one day, she thought. She was so wrapped up in her thoughts that she didn't notice the guy playing touch football heading straight towards her. He was running to catch the ball and wasn't paying attention. He crashed into her sending both to the ground.

"Oww.." Rin moaned as the hard sweaty body of the male on top of her pressed her into the ground.

"I'm sorry!" The guy apologized quickly. "Are you okay?" He started to get up and stopped to look at her. "My gods, you're beautiful," he murmured.

"Thank you," Rin said in that soft voice of hers that sounded so sweet and innocent to any guy that was lucky enough to hear it. "But could you please get up, you're crushing me," she asked politely as she could under the circumstance.

"Oh sure!" The jock quickly stood up and reached down to grab Rin's small hand to help her up. He never got the chance to grab it. His entire body was suddenly lifted in the air. He found himself staring into the cold golden eyes of Sesshoumaru. He nearly peed in his pants. "Please don't hurt me," he begged. "It was an accident really!"

"Sesshoumaru!" Rin yelled, but it was too late. With a flick of his wrist, Sesshoumaru sent the poor human boy flying through the air a mile away from his buddies playing football. They stared at Sesshoumaru in horror and ran off to find their friend, hoping he was still alive.

Sesshoumaru bent over and scooped Rin in his arms. "Are you hurt, Rin?"

"No, but I'm sure that poor boy is..."

"You bruise very easily," Sesshoumaru said. "If there are bruises on your body. I will go after him."

"If he isn't already dead, Sesshoumaru you don't have to be so mean all the time."

"I can smell his scent on you," Sesshoumaru turned up his nose. "You will shower at my place."

"Your place?" Rin blinked...

"I will check for bruises."

"Sesshoumaru..."

"I am displeased with your behavior today, Rin." He began to carry her up the steps of the dormitory. "You did not obey me when I told you to leave with Kagome this morning and now you ignore my instructions to wait for Galieo or Jinko to walk you home."

"I'm sorry, I well, I couldn't stop watching you fight and I worry about you..."

"You disgrace me when you worry. You should always have confidence that I will win."

"I do have confidence in you, no one can bring the great Sesshoumaru down, but still I do care about you which is why I can't help but worry."

"Why did you not wait for Galieo or Jinko?"

"I need my personal space sometimes, not every girl walks around with a youkai for a bodyguard."

"You are not every girl, you are mine, Rin. Did you know that Inuyasha's human was pulled from his side within a second by the spider youkai? This campus becomes more dangerous every year. I do not want you to walk alone."

"Yes, Sesshoumaru." Rin said not wanting to make him angry, although she was a little angry herself. Sometimes, Sesshoumaru made her feel as if she was his prisoner. She knew he meant well, but his overprotective attitude tended to lean towards the extreme.

Rin took a very relaxing long bath in Sesshoumaru's enormous bathtub. She had no clue how long she had been in there, but Sesshoumaru had not disturbed her. She finally decided to get out before she withered like a prune. Wrapping a large white towel around her body, she walked out into the living room. One of the perks about being a "kept" woman was that she could come and go as she pleased and was free to use anything in Sesshoumaru's apartment without asking. His bathtub that also turned into a hot tub was her favorite, there had been many times she'd come over to soak and every time Sesshoumaru had been a complete gentleman which was why she was so comfortable parading around with just a towel wrapped around her wet body.

Sesshoumaru was busy looking at one of his blue prints when she walked in. He didn't turn around when he spoke. "Rin, come here."

She walked over to him and stood beside him knowing what he wanted. He turned around and began to examine her arms and legs. He turned her around to look behind her that's when she heard the soft growl. "There are bruises on your shoulder, they are light now, but they will be darker tomorrow."

Rin turned around quickly hoping she could calm him. "Sesshoumaru, it was just an accident. Please don't go after him," she begged.

"He needs to be taught a lesson."

"You sent him flying half way across the campus, I think he's learned his lesson," Rin commented. He stared down at her for awhile to her surprise Sesshoumaru chuckled softly.

"You amuse me, my Rin, but I do not like to see you hurt."

"I'm not in pain, Sesshoumaru, I don't even feel sore, although that could be from the wonderful tub you have. I do enjoy it so."

Sesshoumaru stared down at her thinking how much he enjoyed seeing her after she got out of it. He never let Rin know it, but he loved the way seeing her lovely body wrapped in a towel all moist and soft and. He stopped himself. He should not be thinking this with her standing right in front of him. Rin was innocent enough to think he wasn't affected by her, silly girl. She was an extremely beautiful woman prancing around his apartment half naked, how could he not be?

The door swung open catching them both off guard. Sesshoumaru stood in front of Rin to shelter her from whoever had so rudely came in.

Kagura stood in the door way wearing a shock expression which slowly turned to anger. "I see! Don't bother hiding her Sesshoumaru, now I understand why you've lost interest in me. I was wondering why you stood me up tonight and now I know why, you're fucking that goddamn pet!"

Sesshoumaru heard Rin gasp behind him. His golden eyes turned deadly cold. "You will not address Rin in such a belittling way. "

"Now you're standing up for her against me? Sesshoumaru you have really sunk low. She use to be your maid, she can offer you nothing!"

"If you do not leave my home, now, Kagura I will slice open your face and watch it burn with acid. No one will want you and you will truly know what it feels like to offer nothing."

Kagura knew he meant it she let out a frustrated scream and slammed the door shut.

Sesshoumaru could feel Rin trembling behind him. Her hands had grabbed the back of his shirt in fright. He turned around and embraced her in his arms. She had always been afraid of the youkai woman.

"I'm sorry if I caused trouble by being here," she apologized. "I'll leave immediately."

"You will not go anywhere, Rin." Sesshoumaru told her. "This is your home, not hers."

"She's right, I don't have anything to offer you, Sesshoumaru. You won't benefit in anyway by taking care of me." Rin's cheeks began to turn red at her next words. "The only thing I can offer you is my heart..."

She tried to stand on her toes to kiss him. It was a brave daring effort on her part; instead, her towel fell from her body when she moved against him. She didn't know if Sesshoumaru understood what she was trying to do, but exposing herself in front of him was not it! They stared at each other as the tension in the air grew thick. Rin's face was completely red.

Sesshoumaru felt himself harden. There were things even he couldn't control , holding Rin's soft naked warm body against his had pushed him to his limit. Her bare breasts pressed against his chest tantalizingly. He willed his hands not to move over her body to explore her soft curves. Her tantalizing scent made him dizzy. He closed his eyes. He couldn't look at her. If he did, he would surely take her tonight, probably against her will.

"You must leave Rin," he said in a strained voice.

"I'm so sorry, Sesshoumaru, I'm so embarrassed." Rin quickly picked up the towel and wrapped it around her almost in tears.

Sesshoumaru growled and pushed her against the wall. "It isn't because you have embarrassed me, Rin. Do you feel how much I want you?"

Rin stared up at him with big eyes. Yes, she could definitely feel how much he wanted her. His massive organ pushed into her stomach rock hard. It was hot, swollen and pulsing. "If you do not leave, I will be forced to take you to my bed."

Rin swallowed. "Sesshoumaru...I...lov..."

The door slammed open again. "I don't care if you do threaten me! I won't let you go without a fight. I know you couldn't possibly love that human, she's just a toy that you play with, I understand. Sesshie, I love you!" Kagura yelled desperately.

Sesshoumaru closed his eyes as if trying to keep it together then opened them to look at Rin. He leaned his head against her forehead, his long silver hair falling around her shoulders. "Consider yourself lucky," he whispered in her ear.

Rin watched him disappear in a blur taking Kagura with him. She stared at the empty doorway for a moment, then fell to her knees crying. She would have gladly given herself to him tonight. Sesshoumaru wanted to protect her. He didn't want to spoil her reputation which was why he told her to leave, but he didn't understand...he didn't understand that ...she loved him too.

Inuyasha stood in the background watching Kagome and Shippou bowl. It hadn't been hard to find them since he had a tracking device on Kagome's phone, something he would never tell her. They seemed to be having the time of their life. He had never seen Shippou have so much fun before. His heart skipped a beat as he watched them.' Kagome, why are you so fucking nice?' he thought. 'You're going to make me fall for you, aren't you?' No one had ever spent much time with the orphaned fox Inuyasha had taken under his wing. He, himself, had always been so busy. He watched Shippou give Kagome a high five and then laughed when they did a little victory dance together after winning against another team.

Shippou saw him and waved happily. He grabbed Kagome's hand and ran towards him dragging her with him. "Did you see that, Inuyasha?"

"It was amazing, Shippou knocked down the very last peg standing and it was in a difficult position." Kagome said proudly.

"I'm hungry," Shippou said. "All that bowling worked up an appetite."

"Let's get something to eat," Kagome said. "My treat!"

Shippou eyes lit up. "Cool, thanks!"

Kagome smiled at Inuyasha and grabbed his hand pulling him with them. As Inuyasha smiled back into her beautiful brown eyes. He couldn't help thinking how badly he wanted to kiss her, right here, right now in front of everyone, but he couldn't, not now. Youkai didn't kiss their "kept" women, neither did they sleep with them. They gave their women affectionate kisses on the cheek, on the forehead, even flirtatiously on the neck, but never on the lips. Youkai respected their 'kept' women and never tried to take it any further unless they wanted to make her their girlfriend or mate. If a youkai did sleep with his 'kept' woman along with other women at the same time, she became his mistress instead which was way down the scale from being kept and being a girlfriend.

There were rules Kagome didn't know about being 'kept' and he wasn't about to do something neither one of them were ready for, so instead he pulled her in his arms and held her close to him. He gave her neck an affectionate nuzzle, inhaled her wonderful scent, and kissed her forehead.

Kagome was surprised by the sudden affection and blushed heavily when he let her go. "What...what was that for?" She asked quite flustered.

"For being you," Inuyasha said.

He wouldn't let her pay for dinner like she promised, Shippou instead bought it himself. They hung out together in the student union stuffing themselves and telling funny stories about themselves. Shippou had Kagome laughing so hard she nearly choked. It was late when they left. Shippou gave Kagome a hug before he left and grinned at Inuyasha. Inuyasha winked at him and grinned back. When Kagome asked what the wink and smile was about, Inuyasha told her that Shippou liked her and wanted him to continue to keep her and the wink meant he would. Kagome shook her head at their silliness.

That night as she tried to sleep, she kept having nightmares about the spider attack. It got so bad that she fell out of bed trying to fight them away in her sleep. She was afraid.

Inuyasha was snoring heavily when his cell phone began to ring. He stared at it angrily until he saw the number was Kagome's. Grabbing it off his desk, he quickly answered it. "Kagome?"

A soft vulnerable voice spoke on the other line. "I can't sleep..."

"What's wrong sweetie?" Inuyasha asked sitting up.

"Spiders..."

"I'll be right there," Inuyasha hung up the phone and got out of bed. He pulled on pajamas bottoms over his shorts and left to get Kagome. He knew she wasn't over the incidence. She had put on a brave face and he was proud of her, but she was only human.

Kagome opened the door immediately after he knocked. She expected him to come in, but instead he picked her up and took her to his room.

"What are you doing?" She asked.

"You're sleeping with me tonight."

Kagome blushed, but didn't try to stop him. At the moment, she was so terrified, that sleeping with the youkai who had saved her life was not a bad idea.

Inuyasha took her to his room, dropped her on his bed and got in with her. He pulled her back against his bare chest, pulled the covers over them and wrapped an arm around her waist. "Go to sleep, Kagome. I'll keep the spiders away," he whispered softy in her ear.

The king size bed was very comfortable and she was very warm snuggled against Inuyasha's body. Kagome found herself sinking back into a deep sleep. Inuyasha kept his promise. He kept the spiders away.