Just a Little Rivalry

Disclaimer: They’re not mine. I own nothing but the plot of this story. I also make no money from this.

A/N: Thanks so much for the reviews. I enjoy hearing from my special readers so much. Thrills me when I hear what you think, what you would like to see and even what bugs you.

To Suikidoen (I hope I spelled it right...). I will take care of Sesshomaru. Have no fear.


Thanks to all of my steady reviewers like Danny's Girl and Madmiko, as well as my other reviewers and other steady reviewers that I didn't name. Love ya guys. Ya'll are the best ever!!!


Chapter 17: Hard Times And a Fruitless Search


Koga looked over at Inu Yasha. He looked at him and asked with the look on his face. “Who the hell could she be, and what was with the little girl?”

Inu Yasha shrugged just slightly. He began to inch forward silently. He had to check this out.

His eyes shot open when he took in more of her smell. He could perceive her natural scent, which was very light and airy. But, she definitely smelled of Naraku. The smell came from within her.

He finally got close enough to take in her features very carefully. He skimmed over her face and body, but his attention was caught on a bite mark on her neck.

‘Who in the hell could she be? Why does she smell like him? Naraku has no mate…’

Koga was checking out the little girl as Inu Yasha checked out the woman. She was a curiously quiet little girl but not abnormally so. Some kids were just quiet.

He made his way from his perch over to Inu Yasha and signaled that it was time to leave.

Once they were out of hearing range, Koga looked at his friend. “I don’t know what is going on, but I bed that they wouldn’t be able to help us.”

His only response was a grunt as they made their way to the car.

“Now, where to?”


~*~ Sesshomaru and Kagome ~*~


Kagome was snuggled deep into Sesshomaru’s arms as he soothed her. She relished the kisses that he was spreading around on her face.

After a few more precious, tender seconds, he pushed her head down onto his chest and began to growl very lowly and calmly. He was hoping like hell that she would just calm down as he did this. He was rewarded after a few short moments when he heard her sigh.

“Sesshomaru. I really want a shower. Do you think you could sit in there with me?” She felt scared thinking that she would be alone in there. Maybe, just maybe, if he were in there, she wouldn’t need to be so scared. Nobody would be able to get around him. Inu Yasha trusted him to protect so that meant he could.

Sesshomaru gave her a smile and nodded. “Get your clothes together, and you take your shower. I will be right there for you.”

Kagome gave him a small smile in return. She ran over to the dresser and pulled out some of her gym pants that she like to sleep in, a pair of boy short panties and a tank top that had the shelf bra sewn in.

She was feeling better by the second now. She felt lighter than she did when she first got home. She could be just fine if she decided that she would be. She just wasn’t ready to be alone yet though.

Sesshomaru raised a brow at her behavior but wouldn’t comment on it. She was acting a little more like she used to. He silently sent up a little prayer in thanks for the reprieve. He wasn’t sure how to handle her earlier behavior. But, he did hope that she wasn’t just masking her true feelings.

Now, how on Earth was he going to survive sitting in a bathroom with a nude, wet Kagome?

He gritted his teeth as he followed her into the room and sat down. He turned and faced the other way while she undressed. She got in and turned on the hot water and added some cold.

Enjoying the hot spay, she began to feel a little queasy. She peeked around the shower curtain and saw Sesshomaru facing the other way. She let out a little cough to gain his attention.

Sesshomaru heard her right behind him and spun around on the toilet lid. His eyes went wide at what he saw.

She was a wet goddess.

He bit back his breath and willed himself to reply calmly. He didn’t want her to know that she was showing so much of herself.

“Yes?”

“Ummmm… I felt like I needed your attention for a second. I was just feeling a little scared and alone. Thanks…”

She felt nervous but really needed to feel that she was not the only one there. If he was watching her, then it would be ok.

She sped through the rest of the shower and got dried off.

She didn’t step foot out of the little cubicle until she had slipped her clothes on.

She stepped out, and Sesshomaru gulped.

Her blue tank hugged her and the gray pants she had on really showed off her long legs.

His job was getting harder, literally, by the second.

“I think I would like something to eat. What about you?”

He just nodded to whatever she had said. What did she just ask him? For all he knew, she may have just said that she wanted to jump off of the Golden Gate Bridge.

“Order in? I don’t really feel like cooking.”

Oh, she was asking about eating.

“Sure. Sounds fine. What would you like?”

She thought for a little bit as she walked through the bedroom and toward the den with him in tow.

“I think Chinese sounds great right now. Yup, Sesame Chicken with some rice and broccoli would be really good. You want to call or me?”

Sesshomaru never responded but just picked up the phone and grabbed the phone book. He knew exactly which restaurant to call.

He placed his order of Beef and Broccoli with her order and then informed the security at the front to let them in. He just had to be sure to be the one to answer the door when they came.


~*~ Inu Yasha and Koga ~*~

The two had searched around to no avail. Just as they had expected, those two nasty brothers weren’t in town.

Koga had finally persuaded Inu Yasha that it was time to head back home. The sun was setting, and Kagome would need her mate. They drove back; each was contemplating on where their prey could be hiding.

Inu Yasha snorted and directed his thoughts towards his mate. He was anxious to see her again but worried because he knew that she would still be unhappy. There was nothing he could do to change that though. Only time would help her. Damn. He hated shit like that. He hated fucking waiting.

It was time to get home.

Koga could feel Inu Yasha’s anxiety. He swore that he would draw blood for this. He would just allow his comrade the honor of drawing first blood since Kagome was his mate.

He marveled at all that had happened since the earlier part of that semester.

He felt that Kagome was practically his sister. He had seen her loose her virginity and then happily mated. Hell, they were even going to go through the human ceremony of getting married. It had been several happy times.

He worried over having to help her deal with her depression. Just what in hell could you do to help? Nothing, that’s what.

He suppressed the growl as he sped up to get them home as quickly as possible.


~*~ Back at Home ~*~


Kagome was relaxed on the floor and leaning back on Sesshomaru as he sat on the couch watching her rather than the movie that she had selected.

He could only smile and shake his head when she finally decided that she felt up to watching horror movies.

He had also decided to call the number on that card that the doctor had given him. They needed to know if they were to be worried about her attitude.

Kagome had opted to skip the second movie in the series and jump into the third. They were most of the way through the movie when someone bounded into the house and grabbed her up in a fierce embrace.

Inu Yasha was so happy to be back that he couldn’t contain his urge to hold her. She looked relaxed and like she was enjoying herself sitting on the floor and watching a movie.

He had her pulled really close as he turned and looked at his brother.

He was grateful for whatever had happened that put that sweet little smile on her face. It wasn’t quite her normal room-brightening smile, but it was a smile nonetheless. That in itself was something to be overjoyed at.

Sesshomaru nodded at his brother, understanding what he was saying just by his look.

His vision of the two was blocked as Koga came over to the couch and sat down on the opposite end as him.

The two settled in as Inu Yasha got comfortable in a plush recliner and snuggled his mate into his lap.

They all began to watch the movie, determined not to leave unless if they had to.

A/N: I hope you enjoyed this long awaited chapter. Please review. I know that this site has changed the way that it allows you to submit reviews. If you would rather just send a review straight to me rather than login, please just send it to melrosefaulkner@yahoo.com .

I also wanted to let you all know that I have not forgotten about either of my stories. I will be updating "From Goodbyes to New Adventures" before too much longer.

I have been busy beta'ing for my good friend and mate Rell as well as for "Stranded" by Chanda. Lord of the Flames and I have also been talking about working together to compile a series of short stories about Inu Yasha and Kagome. We are both writing these one shots. I will let you know about them whenever we get them posted.


Till later: Take care and smile a lot.