Insatiable

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha. Rumiko Takahashi does.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Chapter 16: Break Away
 
 
It had come down to one call. She would talk to Shun before the day ended. Despite the fact that she was disgusted by him – the despicable bastard – this was something she needed to do. She sighed deeply, as she locked her car and walked absently towards her apartment building. The few hours she had spent in the bay-walk watching the sun set really helped a lot with her thinking.

She’d call Shun and get everything over and done with. Of course, she would want to speak with him when he was obviously not fucking the daylights out of some Shizuru person. Hell! She didn't want to throw-up in her mouth in the middle of the conversation – that’d be so gross. Honestly, what she wanted to do was beat the two of them. By the stiffness of her back, she knew she was itching for a fight. But who wouldn't when you just heard your fiancé fucking his ex- over the phone?

She went inside the lift and pushed her floor number. She sighed. Somehow, it felt weird going home and alone in her apartment. Perhaps, in the short time that she had spent with Inuyasha's family, she had grown fond of them that she missed them terribly. She giggled, as she recalled the rackets that they had done in that short of a time. She hadn't experienced what it was to be with a family for quite a while. She had been living on her own ever since she went to college. Within that time, she had enjoyed and challenged her independence at the same time. It was great, but she missed her family. A visit was long overdue.

 She checked her mobile phone for messages. There were twelve. She frowned. So many. The first one was from Sango who asked her if she was all right, wished her well, and then, demanded for her to call back. She giggled at that. Sango was a unique personality. She’d promised she’d call her before listening to the second message. It was from Souta. She smiled when she heard her brother’s voice.
 
“Hey Sis… I've been trying to call you all day. Where the heck are you? Look. Mom has asked me to call you to ask when you will be arriving for Grandpa's birthday.”
 
“Souta, please tell your sister to come early.” She suddenly heard her mother's voice. “Yes, Mom, I'm about to tell her. Huh, parents,” Souta continued exasperatingly. “Hear that? Mom says that you come early because she needs help with the cooking. Okay, that's all.”
 
“Wait!” She heard her Grandpa yell. “Tell Kagome, I say `Hi.'”
 
Kagome giggled, as she continued listening to the call. She heard Souta snort, and she knew he was rolling his eyes. Nevertheless, he continued, “Kagome, Grandpa says 'Hi.' Oh yeah, before I forget. Remember that thing that we've talked about? Can you convince Mom and Grandpa when you visit? I know if I'll be the one to talk to them, they won't let me. So please… please… I'll give you a dozen of my card collectibles. Okay, that's all. Take care and I'll see you okay? Love yah, Sis.”
 
She chuckled silently.
 
“Love you too, Bro,” she whispered as the door of the lift opened to her floor. She stepped out and started to walk towards her apartment. She was about to listen to the remaining messages when she saw someone waiting for her. He was pacing frantically back and forth outside her apartment.

“Inuyasha?” What was he doing here? She was feeling down and would want to be alone at the moment. But that thought quickly flew out of her mind when he rushed to her and gathered her in his arms embracing her tightly.
 
“Thank God, you're all right.”
 
He had been so worried. When he had not found her anywhere in the mansion, he panicked instantly. He had immediately called her, but her phone was out of reach. So, he tried calling her home number, but her answering machine received the call. He tried calling Sango, but she said she had not talked to Kagome since last night. Darn it! So, he had driven everywhere, but he still failed to find her. So, he just drove to her apartment instead, and waited for her to come home.
 
“What are you doing here?” Kagome asked.
 
“I was so worried,” Inuyasha answered and his embrace grew tighter. “What is wrong with you? You didn't even say goodbye. You didn’t even leave a note or a message to anyone in the mansion. You just left,” he scolded her. He held both her shoulders and searched her azure pools for answers.

The right corner of her mouth rose to form a lopsided smile… a sad smile that made his frown deepen.
 
“I'm sorry… I just wanted to think.”
 
Sighing, he brought his head down. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”
 
She stared at his tired form longingly. He was just so likable, and she really didn't have a choice but to like him – hadn’t had the choice even from the very start. She was drawn to him as he was with her that it seemed they were preordained to meet… to capture each other in an intricate web with no possible escape. She had ignored that in the beginning. But not anymore.
 
“Inuyasha?”

He raised his head to look at her.

“I have to tell you something.”

“Okay.”

“It’s just... Okay, so what happened between us? I should tell you that I just don't – I don't do that with guys I hardly know. Okay? I – I just don't go around kissing people and – and – and having sex with them for no reason at all. I just don't do that.” She stared at him intently – a little exasperated because of her stuttering.
 
But he only smiled. “I know.”
 
She continued to gawk at him, seemingly arguing within herself if she’d go on with this confession. What was she trying to get with this conversation? And why was she having this hard of a time trying to tell him that she liked him? She was not a tweener for crying out loud!

With one exasperated breath, she cussed, “God damn it!”
 
“What?” Inuyasha asked.
 
Sighing deeply, she replied, “I like you.”
 
Inuyasha was rather amused. He held both of her shoulders, his smile growing bigger, wider causing the corners of his eyes to lift up. “And what's the problem with that?”
 
“Shun.”
 
Inuyasha's expression turned serious “I'll talk to Shun.”
 
“No,” she said quickly. “It's my conversation to have… not yours.”
 
Inuyasha gave her a hard look. He argued with that look. However, her expression never wavered. There was determination in her gaze. Inuyasha smiled and shook his head. He knew he couldn’t argue with her on this one. She was unyielding. She was stubborn.
 
“Okay, but just this once.” He'd let her fight this one alone – but just this once.
 
“Thanks.” She smiled at him. He still had a frown on his face. He was surely not favoring this decision. She knew that he wanted the burden of talking to Shun. However, that burden was not his to carry; it was hers. She was after all the one in a relationship with Shun, so she would be the one to end that relationship and not somebody else.
 
“I’m still against it though.” He couldn’t keep the remark to himself.

“Inuyasha,” she scolded him. Yet, deep inside her, she was smiling. He sure was being protective. With that, he was becoming more irresistible to her.
 
He frowned, and then sighed, “All right.”

He knew she was the stubborn type. The type of woman who loved her independence and without a doubt took advantage of that independence. He knew that when she decided on something, there would be none to convince her otherwise. He saw it in her eyes. He saw the strength there – the confidence that backed that decision. This confidence told him that even if he’d kick and scream, that would not deter her. Kagome was a strong person. He understood that she was used to dealing with her own problems alone. However, she was not alone anymore. This time, he was here to share the burden. He was with her in this.

But he kept silent. He had given her his word that he’d stay out when it came to telling Shun. But just this once. Just once. After this, hell could freeze over but he refused to let her deal with any problem alone.

Staring at her apartment door, she jingled her keys loudly. She fidgeted feeling uncomfortable under the heat of his gaze. Somehow, with him staring at her, she felt exposed. She couldn't put her finger on it, but there was something in his gaze at made her feel rather… hot.

She sucked in a breath. “You should go.” It was said quite suddenly.
 
The frown that marred his face upon hearing the quiet at her dismissal was expected. However, the lust that gleamed in his eyes was not. Now, he was staring more intently. “I'd like to stay a little longer.” The husky tone of his voice sent shivers down her spine. 
 
Kagome swallowed hard, her breath hitching from the way he was looking at her. Now, she knew what was wrong with her. She was turned on. Oh God, what had he done to her? How could he have this kind of power over her? Technically, he was still a stranger regardless of the fact that he could make her forget that she had been a virgin less than 24 hours ago. As a matter of fact, with him beside her, she felt like a wanton. He had that effect on her. His touch made her hunger. His kisses left her longing for more. She hadn’t felt this much sexual tension with any man she had ever met. She again stared at her apartment door, contemplating on whether to go inside and share another blissful sexual experience with him, or just stay in the hallway and let the mosquitoes feed on them both.
 
She was jolted from her thoughts when he called her. She could tell that he was quite worried by her lack of response to him. She smiled. No matter how tempting bedding Inuyasha at the moment, now was not the time.

“Let's go for a walk.” Grabbing his hand, she quickly dragged him towards the elevator.
 
“Can't we stay inside?” There was a whine to his voice, like that of a child when he desperately wanted to get his way.

“No.” Kagome opted not to look at the sensual curve of his lips. He had a devil’s smirk down to a pat. She also avoided meeting his eyes in fear of what her response would be to whatever she might find there. However, her resolve wasn’t that strong because a few seconds later, she took a peek. She did not miss the mischievous glint that flashed in his eyes.

“Can't handle the heat?” Inuyasha couldn’t help but chuckle at how she blushed. Then, she held her nose up in the air in a show of disinterest. But he knew she was flustered. Her cheeks were flushed in a rosy hue. She was still dragging him towards the elevator, her steps lengthening in urgency. Her determination to ignore his sexual innuendos was no doubt an honest response, and that amused him. She was too cute. He half-expected her to flirt back at him. For someone as beautiful and sexy as Kagome, she would have had loads of experiences dealing with the opposite sex. Having Sango for a bestfriend was an added bonus, too. Sango knew about flirting. She should since she was together with a serial flirt like Miroku. Those two would have had rubbed off on Kagome.

But that was not the case. Kagome’s a very beautiful woman, so there was no doubt she attracted lots of men. He clamped his teeth feeling the surge of jealousy down his stomach. However, he doubted she entertained such come-ons from the opposite sex. He could tell by the way she struggled to respond to him. Clearly, she had not flirted much in the past. That thought calmed him.

Kagome pouted, as she kept her face averted to him. So now, this had turned out to be a game. Oh, foreplay. She felt hot inside and she knew she was flushed. She wanted. Was she that transparent to him? Was her desire for him as obvious as daylight that even in the dimly lit hallway, he had seen and sensed it?
 
“Yes.” Inuyasha grinned.
 
She looked at him bafflingly, eyes widening like saucers.

“Yes, you are that transparent, Kagome.” He smirked, wiggling one eyebrow at her.

Oh… the nerve of this man. Not knowing how to respond, Kagome scowled. Her eyes darkening as she glared daggers at him. But she was still blushing.
 
“Your eyes can cut. I wonder if you're cutting my clothes off of me right now. You’re so naughty, Kagome,” he taunted some more.
 
Oh, the bastard! Kagome gaped at him with wide eyes. She knew she just turned two shades of darker red. Well, because it was half-true.
 
“Naughty’s fine, baby. I like naughty. Oh, and don’t worry about censure. I can keep a secret.” He continued, his voice lowering close to a purr. He was clearly joking around; yet, the heated gleam in his eyes was still there. He had leaned down on her, almost covering her small body with his, as he whispered those words against her ear.

If Kagome hadn’t been too flabbergasted by the turn of events and conversation, she would have had a great come back to his innuendos. There was a big part of her that suggested she give in and kiss him right then and there. But right now, she was left with blanks, her voice trembling

“Shut up, Inuyasha ‘coz you're not getting laid tonight!”
 
He chuckled. “I know, baby. But I can dream, can't I?” His breath tickled the sensitive skin under her ear.

She closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She felt the air sizzled, as Inuyasha moved closer brushing his lips against the curve of her neck, sending tingles all over her that she felt them to the tips of her toes. She swallowed hard. He was playing unfairly, and she knew it. He was aware of his effect on her, and he was using that knowledge to his advantage.

Damn him! And damn the elevator! She cussed in her mind. The damn elevator door ought to open this instant! And she meant – RIGHT NOW! Before… before… she changed her mind and ravished him on the spot. She quickly faced the elevator door, furrowing her eyebrows. She brutally pushed the down button willing the door to open.
 
Inuyasha chuckled amusingly. “Your thumb's gonna fall off if you keep that up.”

Kagome growled and glowered at the button she was brutally massacring, as if that would make the elevator door finally open. And it did, much to Kagome’s relief! Ha!
 
Inuyasha continued to chuckle, as he watched her get inside the elevator quickly.

When inside, she waited for him. Crossing her arms, she tapped her right foot on the floor impatiently. “Well?”
 
He gave her a lopsided smile. “Are you sure you don't want to stick around… out here… not in there… perhaps, inside your room… on your bed.”
 
“Yes.” Kagome's response came out in between gritted teeth.
 
“You know you want it, Kagome.” Inuyasha went inside the elevator just in time before the door closed – all the while, never taking his lust-filled gaze away from her scowling face. He never lost the smile on his face. He was enjoying seeing those fiery azure pools of hers come to life as her irritation rose. Moreover, he liked seeing the lust she had for him flash in her eyes. Besides, she looked too adorable with that cute pout of hers.

He was wretched. He knew that if she ever had the chance of knowing his reason for sadistically seducing her inside the elevator, he would surely wish never to have wanted seeing the angry brilliance of her eyes; because with the way she was glaring at him, there was no doubt she was seriously thinking of inflicting bodily harm. And he knew she was capable of that.

When the elevator door opened, she fiercely walked out to the lobby – outside the building – crossing the damped street and walking straight to the park. He followed her silently. The rain had already stopped and people were bounding back and forth. The night was alive and so were both of them. Inuyasha smiled. Of course, there was just the matter of a seething Kagome. He needed to solve that tiny problem. Or perhaps, he’d just let her cool down on her on.
 
“Inuyasha, please stop! Please! I can't take it anymore!” Kagome told him catching her breath, as she continued her laughing fit. They had chosen to stay in the bench near the fountain, and right now, Inuyasha was showing her the ugliest dance choreography ever made. Inuyasha was such a clever schemer. He just knew what was to be done to ease her “seething.” Kagome held Inuyasha's mobile phone and tapped her fingers against her lap, as some cheesy song played. Who on earth would expect that Inuyasha Takahashi danced horribly and that he had something as hideous as this song saved in his phone? What a discovery indeed!
 
Inuyasha stopped dancing and grinned widely at her laughing face, sitting down beside her.
 
“So when are you going to do it?” he suddenly asked. He was inquiring when she was going to call and talk to Shun.
 
She hummed and pretended to think. “Tonight, maybe… when he's not too busy.”
 
Inuyasha raised a confused brow. “When he's not too busy?” He somehow got that there was a double meaning; he just couldn't guess what it was exactly.
 
“It's nothing really,” Kagome answered, smiling… her gaze lingering at his handsome face. He avoided her stare and looked at the fountain in front of them instead.
 
“I can't help but feel guilty, you know. I am still his friend after all,” Inuyasha told her, sighing deeply. But wasn't this his decision – his choice? He did choose to take the chance with her, even if timing was against him.
 
“You don't have to feel guilty. You haven’t done anything wrong, Inuyasha,” Kagome whispered, unconsciously rubbing her left knuckle with her right hand. “Believe it or not, but you’re the last reason I would consider when it comes to breaking up with Shun. It's not you, mainly… it's me. It sounds so cliché doesn't it?” She smiled uneasily at him. “I’ve wanted to break it up with him even before we've met. I just… well, I just haven't have the time, I guess. I have kept myself busy with the design for your company's high-rise project. Let's just say, the prospect of breaking up has just flown out of my mind.”
 
Inuyasha stared at her, the look on his face indiscernible between scolding her, or just of plain disappointment. Then, he frowned. “Do you always do that?”
 
“Do what?”
 
“Take all the responsibility all to yourself. It seems you don't need any help from the people who care about you,” he blurted. He did not care whether his words would cut her or not. It was an honest observation.

Kagome turned, twisting her head slightly to look at his face. “I despise that… just so you know, even if it's half-true.”
 
“Only half?” he probed – challenging her.
 
“All right. It's all true,” Kagome said and sighed. She really didn't want to argue with a non-issue to begin with. But as she watched his stubborn face, she knew this was something worth explaining. “It's just that, that's how I've been ever since I've turned 18. But it doesn't mean I don't need the people that care about me. I just don't want to worry other people when I know that I can deal with my troubles by myself.”
 
“I don't know if I'll consider that admirable… or just plain ridiculous,” Inuyasha told her, leaning against the bench – peeking at her.
 
Kagome gave out a snorting chuckle. “You and Sango said the same thing.”
 
“Yeah, Sango and I are twins separated at birth. We have that… connection.” He uttered the last word in a whisper making Kagome chuckle.

Then she quieted. “Remember the Kiyuta incident?”
 
“Yeah, how could I not?” Inuyasha replied harshly. He remembered what Kiyuta had done. Who wouldn't? That freaking dick would get what he deserved if he'd see him. He had sworn that to himself.
 
“Sango almost went ballistic and hunted Kiyuta down when I told her, but that was only a month after the incident. She was so mad at me for not telling her sooner that she ignored me for more than a month. I remembered buying and giving her her favorite plush toy everyday just so that she would talk to me.” She smiled at the memory and so did he. Sango had been the big sister she never had. She was so protective of her that she would willingly fight her battles for her. But Kagome had never been the type to let other people speak for her, even if it was Sango. She would not let Sango look bad to other people just because of her.
 
“Sango cares a lot about you, you know. All of us do,” Inuyasha said thoughtfully.
 
Kagome gave him a strange lopsided smile. Then she pouted. “Now, I hate you. You're making me feel guilty as it is. It’s as if I’m such a bad friend.”
 
“You're not a bad friend. But… you better change your ways, Higurashi!” Inuyasha scolded her mockingly, earning a nudge in the shoulder from Kagome.

They both laughed.
 
“Horrible! Such a horrible wretched man!” Kagome uttered under her breath with a silly grin on her face. A group of teenagers caught her attention, as they walked pass them. The girls were giggling silly and were sending Inuyasha dreamy gazes. Kagome giggled and slapped his shoulder once more. He acted as if moaning in pain and massaged his shoulder giving her a questioning look, which she matched with a wide beam – mischief swirling in the midst of her azure pools.
 
“What?” Inuyasha asked with a hoodwinked tone.
 
“You've got fan girls,” Kagome simply said.
 
“I get that a lot,” he answered smugly and smirked at her. He turned his gaze at the teenage girls winking at them as he sported this drop-dead-gorgeous smile of his. Dear God, her heart skipped a beat that she almost fainted. The teenage girls squealed. There was no doubt there were stars in their eyes. The girls scampered away. There were still giggling while the wretch beside her chuckled away, waving goodbye to the girls, blowing kisses in their direction. He shook his head. Needless to say, he was highly amused.

Kagome rolled her eyes. What a wretched show off! Hey! So, she was a bit jealous.
 
“Were you like that when you were a high-schooler?”

Kagome turned her head to look at him. He wasn't even looking at her; obviously, still watching the group of girls that amused him.
 
“Not a chance,” she replied immediately, heatedly, jealously that she almost pulled her hair out by being so obvious in front of him – well, beside him.
 
“I thought so.” Inuyasha laughed. He had detected the obvious annoyance and heat in her voice with much amazement.
 
“Hey,” Kagome called smiling wistfully at him. Inuyasha turned to face her, frowning at the way she was looking at him.
 
“Can I ask you something?”
 
“Sure, what is it about?” he replied apprehensively.
 
“About us…” she simply answered.
 
Inuyasha grunted uncomfortably, adjusting his position on the bench. He sighed deeply. For sure he looked like a very nervous, nervous wreck, which was just silly if you asked Kagome. She laughed. “What are you doing?”
 
“I'm preparing myself.”
 
“For what? And stop fidgeting!”
 
“I am not fidgeting. I am just preparing myself for – for anything, you know.” He smoothed his hands on his jean-clad legs. “I've only known you for a short while, but I am not dense. I think I know you freaking well enough to know that you're using the tone.”
 
Now, she frowned. “What tone?”
 
“That tone… and I dread that tone you are using. It sounds really - well - really dreadful.”

That caused Kagome to laugh. Now, she was the one amused. She immediately stopped, as soon as he looked at her disapprovingly. To him, this was no laughing matter. He held her right hand, squeezed it gently and smiled strangely at her. “Yesterday, I've made a choice between friendship and love… between Shun and you… I have chosen love. I choose you over Shun.” He stared at her with all the conviction he had. Kagome gaped at him, swept away by his entrancing amber gaze. A comfortable silence passed between them and all they did was stare at each other's eyes.
 
Then, she smiled. “Inuyasha, I’m not going to act like nothing happened between us. I don't intend to. But… can we take it slowly? I don't know. I just… well, I just think we're just moving too fast… you know.”
 
He took her hands and stroked her knuckles with tender brushes of his finger pads. He sighed. “I don't have a choice, do I?”

She shook her head, as she stared at their linked hands. “Unfortunately for you, you don't.”
 
Inuyasha chuckled. Just as he thought. Damn, this was the first time in his life that he did not contest to something that he strongly disagreed. However, that did not mean that he would not enjoy this time spent with Kagome even with the current setback.
 
“Okay, slow it is then.” he replied. Then, without warning, he kissed her. He made sure that the contact lingered long enough to be considered more than friendly. Kagome gasped at the sudden PDA, and stared at him with wide eyes upon seeing the mischief in his eyes back in full force again. “Hmmm, I like it slow, too. Do you know what it does, baby?” He was now tracing her bottom lip with his thumb. “It keeps the sensations building. God, you're such a naughty enchantress, aren't you?” He smirked devilishly, as she choked upon her indrawn breath coughing loudly, making her teary-eyed because of it. She heard his masculine chuckle and felt his hot breath against her right cheek.

And she fumed. A lewd wretch indeed!
 
She had somehow broken herself from his captivating gaze. Mind you, she had used all her rational thought - whatever that was left of it – just to do so, and she scolded with a hiss. “We’re in a public place, Inu. Can`t you fucking stop talking about fucking for a fucking-”
 
However, he cut her off with a fake offended innocent voice. “But Kagome, you're the one who keeps using the word `fucking.'”
 
Kagome's jaw dropped. “I… didn't.”
 
He gave her a look that only meant, “Yes, you did.” She growled furrowing her brows together, slapping his left shoulder as hard as she could. Inuyasha guffawed and raised his hands in defense - with one holding his phone close to their faces. He pressed a button and Kagome's eyes widened with fuming mortification as she heard her voice from the speakers of his phone: “Can`t you fucking stop talking about fucking for a fucking-”
 
“You! Why you… How dare you…” However, she choked on her words.
 
“Perhaps, you've changed your mind and want it fast?” Inuyasha taunted, teased her some more.
 
“God, you're so infuriating!” she shouted and immediately stood up, cursing him under her breath. She was being serious… but what did she get?

Inuyasha grinned and shook his head, watching her walk away - for a few seconds - and then, he quickly stood up and jogged to her.
 
“Wait, Gome!”
 
“Stay away from me, Inuyasha!” She turned around and walked backwards yelling at him, which was such a reckless act especially when she was walking in a crowded park. Eventually, she crashed painfully into the hard body of a man with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. Fortunately, the guy caught her at midfall.
 
“Easy there, Miss,” the blonde guy said showing his perfectly lined teeth.
 
Easy there, Miss? She repeated in her thoughts. Was she a mare to have been called “Easy there, Miss?” She scowled but she didn't let it show. She quickly stood up and stepped away from the blonde man's clutches. She faced him and bowed continuously, apologizing at the same time while she cursed under her breath all the unfortunate events that happened to her that evening. She heard Inuyasha's worried exclamation from afar, but ignored it completely. Serves him right. She thought. She heard the blonde man chuckle loudly. He must have heard her curses, so she cursed some more.
 
“My my my… you're one spitfire, aren't you?” he asked Kagome. He held her shoulders, stopping her from bowing. He gave her that cheesy smile of his that she almost puked.
 
“Koji?” Inuyasha called, and then glared at this Koji guy's hands that settled on top of Kagome's shoulders.
 
“Wha-? Inuyasha? Is it really you, man? I can't believe you're back! Man, this is so cool!” Koji exclaimed but his hands never left Kagome's shoulders. Inuyasha shot daggers with his eyes, and he wished it were real daggers so that he could cut Koji's hands off with it.
 
“Yeah, I'm back man,” Inuyasha replied, gritting his teeth. He passed a deadly stare at Kagome, which she quickly returned. She nudged her shoulders freeing it from Koji's hold. Inuyasha quickly got hold of her left hand and pulled her to him making sure to wrap his left hand over her left shoulder.
 
Koji gave them a strangled smile. “Oh, so… who's the hot spitfire?”
 
Kagome rolled her eyes. Spitfire her ass… Yeah right, if she was indeed capable of spitting fire, she`d definitely spit on the two of them, burning their asses to hell - as well as reduce their bloated manly egos.
 
“This is Kagome,” Inuyasha replied, still with that lopsided angry smile.
 
“I suppose, she's a friend?” Koji asked while beaming at Kagome, infuriating her more. He didn't even wait for Inuyasha to answer his query before immediately taking her hand in his, kissing it. “I'm Koji Futsuda, Inuyasha's friend too.”
 
She immediately snatched her hand away from his grasp. Well, she ought to strangle him and shove that annoying smile of his up his ugly ass.

Inuyasha, on the other hand, was a walking ticking bomb. He kissed her hand! He kissed her hand! That lying son-of-a-bitch! He was pretending to be his friend - when actually he was not! They had been acquaintances during college. But a friend? Hell no! He would have throttled the Koji guy had they not been in a public park. Just wait… he'd sneak up on him when he'd reach an alley and there he'd do his dirty work – garrotte this Koji guy, or just smash his head against a concrete wall spluttering his brain matter everywhere. And then he'd laugh so maniacally, so infernally that Lucifer himself would cower in fear.

However, Inuyasha's diabolical thoughts quickly flew away when Kagome snaked her arms around his waist.
 
“Not interested,” she said perfunctorily in the middle of Koji`s cheesy introduction.

Ha! In his face! Loser! Inuyasha beamed secretly, feeling high upon seeing the look on Koji`s flabbergasted and angry face. Now, that's Kagome. My spitfire. He thought.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
The thought of Inuyasha and Kagome together was just divine – a match made in heaven. Both were beautiful and intelligent little creatures. Both were accomplished with their careers. Both came from respectable families. Both were good persons. Both shared a lot of things in common. Both were helplessly attracted with each other. Both recognized this attraction. More importantly, both were unattached – in the very essence of the word. The pairing held such promise. It was just perfect.
 
“WHAT?” Hiten shouted.

Well, let's just hold that thought for one second.
 
“Oh hell no. Will somebody give me a break?” he added.

Ayame immediately stopped walking, turned around and faced a rather uneasy group of friends.
 
“What's the matter?” she asked worriedly. She could see the play of emotions in their faces. Their expression had gone from something in the verge of surprise, doubt and a hint of… delight? Well, except for Hiten, of course.
 
“Just stop right there, Ayame,” Hiten firmly told her, briskly walked passed her and stood near a very pink pick-up truck. He glared at the brightly colored vehicle, while Kouga, Miroku and Sango were left silent from where they stood, seemingly deep in thought. They hadn't perceived the possibility of a budding romance between Inuyasha and Kagome. And if they had, perhaps, it had only been a passing thought.
 
“Oh hell no! Please don't tell me it's… Who on earth?” Hiten exclaimed all of a sudden, all the while glaring at the truck.

Ayame was quite taken aback by Hiten’s behavior. What had she said that elicited such response from this ass-injured drunk friend of hers? Of course, she didn't know that Hiten hadn't even paid attention to her ramblings about Inuyasha and Kagome. But that was the thing, she didn't know; so naturally, her initial reaction was to be defensive.
 
“What? I’ve just said that Inuyasha really cares about our Kagome. And I'm happy about that because Inuyasha's really not the type to like someone so quickly. And it is true that Kagome and Inuyasha both look good together. I mean, you have seen them come out from the dog showers together the other day. They've been so cute laughing at each other in those wet clothes. I've never seen those two laugh so loud before, particularly Kagome. I have not seen her so freely expressing herself with Shun before. So, I wondered what if Inuyasha met Kagome first? I bet they’d hit it off instantly. They really make a cute couple. Well, that's just wishful thinking of course,” Ayame said. Her friends continued to stare at her. She stared back and immediately gasped upon realizing what she had been implying.
 
“Oh… ah… I didn't… um... But…” she stuttered. She gawked at her equally gawking friends. “Should I say oops?” she said. She was acting silly tonight, and it was so adorable.
 
“No,” Miroku answered immediately.
 
“What the hell are you talking about, Ayame?” Hiten interjected bafflingly.
 
Ayame blinked confusingly. “What do you mean? Aren't you the one asking for an explanation about my comment a while ago?” she asked.
 
“NO,” Hiten replied.
 
“You didn't?” Ayame said.
 
“I like it,” Kouga said with that sly smile of his.
 
“You do? But like what?” Ayame asked her fiance.
 
“It's outrageous,” Hiten hissed to no one, as he glared still at the pick-up truck.
 
“Like the idea, Honey. And oh, the `oops' thing was really cute,” Kouga answered Ayame's earlier question, grinning widely.
 
“It's quite troublesome if you ask me,” Miroku told Kouga.
 
“It is? But what is?” Ayame asked Miroku. Honestly, she was completely lost. And it did not help that Hiten was hissing as many words synonymous to horrifying, and that Kouga and Miroku were not paying any heed to her. In addition, Sango whom she had expected to be most vocal about this was tight-lipped.
 
“Sango?” Ayame called but received no reaction from her.

“No, it's not, Roku. It's a budding romance. It's romantic,” Kouga told Miroku.
 
“Sango?” Ayame called again.
 
“It's hideous,” Hiten said and still glared at the pick-up truck.
 
“No, Kouga. It's trouble. I can smell it,” Miroku told Kouga.
 
“It's not,” Kouga answered Miroku.
 
“Yes, it is, Kouga,” Miroku retorted.
 
“It's horrendous,” Hiten interrupted them, still glaring daggers at the pick-up truck.
 
“I'm worried,” Sango finally spoke, catching the attention of her friends. Ayame stood beside her with a thoughtful look in her face.
 
“It's ghastly,” Hiten continued his ranting. He was still glaring at the pick-up truck.
 
Kouga snorted laughingly. “What on earth are you talking about, Ten?”
 
“I am talking about that ghastly car over there, Kouga,” Hiten answered.
 
“I knew it. I just knew you weren't paying attention to what we were saying all this time,” Kouga replied.
 
“I want to blow up that car so badly. Please tell me I can,’ Hiten begged Miroku with a murderous glint in his eyes.
 
Miroku chuckled amusingly. “Don't tell me it's a… Oh no! It fucking is.”
 
“What's so bad about that car? It's kinda cute to me.” Ayame didn’t see anything wrong to the car.
 
“It's not cute, Honey,” Kouga told her.
 
“Cute is the last thing to describe that car. That is a 2007 Toyota Hilux with a 3.0 liter D-4D 200 engine, Ayame. That is the monstrosity of pick-up trucks. That car has conquered the arctic and has reached the north pole. And it's PINK! I tell you; it's a sin to pimp a car this awesome into that hideous thing,” Hiten spat.
 
“It's not so bad, Ten,” Miroku mocked earning a glare from Hiten.
 
“It has pink doors, pink interiors, and it even has pink tires! It's so pink I might go blind just by looking at it,” Hiten yelled. Don't get him wrong, he just loved the car and hated the color. For him, the color was just… well, too pink. Did that make any sense?
 
“It's also not yours, Hiten,” Sango told him. That was the first complete sentence that Sango had uttered to him after he had indirectly bashed Kagome earlier in the evening. There was a bit of sarcasm with Sango's statement, but that was better than nothing at all.
 
“Thank God,” Hiten sighed in relief and gave her a goofy grin.

Sango smiled, but her smile completely faded upon seeing the person approaching them.
 
“Is she walking towards us?” Ayame asked Kouga, as she watched Kikyo approached them.
 
“I hope not,” Kouga answered.
 
“Come on, let's just go,” Miroku told them.
 
But it was too late.
 
“Hi,” Kikyo sweetly said. Too sweet that Hiten almost got the nastiest case of sugar rush; he almost ran away instantly.
 
“Hi,” Ayame replied. She was the most pleasant person of the bunch. Moreover, she was the one in the bunch who had drunk less that evening. However, Kikyo ignored her and chose to flirt with the person standing next to her, her fiance. And Ayame's blood boiled.
 
“Hey there, Mibu. I heard you got the attending job after only nine months of residency. I am really impressed.”
 
“Thank you,” Kouga flatly answered.

Kikyo giggled. More like, well, purred the giggle.
 
“I don't know how to say this but I've been watching you the whole evening. And I will have to tell you, you've made me hot.”
 
Did she just tell them she was horny?
 
Miroku almost puked. Hiten thought of murderous things. Sango held Ayame's hand, which was trembling out of rage. Ayame was a breath away from strangling the life out of the bitch. Yes, she now considered Kikyo a bitch. And if they would have another night out like this and they encountered this bitch again, she would be the first one to throw an insult barrage and she would not stop until her saliva ran dry and her mouth hurt. She was fuming. She opted to retort, but Kouga was already a word ahead.
 
“I don't do whores, Kikyo,” he said firmly and sneered at the woman. Ayame almost cackled maniacally in front of her friends. Hiten immediately sniggered. Miroku grunted, while Sango cleared her throat and gave Ayame`s hand a squeeze.
 
In attempt to save face, Kikyo retained a blank expression; yet, her eyes burned with rage. “It's your loss,” she hissed and left. She got inside the infamous pink car that Hiten wanted to blow up so badly, and quickly drove away.
 
“Now, I hate that car even more,” Hiten said, as he watched the pick-up truck revving away. His friends automatically laughed.
 
“We should go, guys,” Miroku told them. They started to walk towards their parked cars.
 
“I love you,” Ayame whispered to Kouga and kissed his cheek. He only chuckled and hugged her shoulders.
 
They had already reached their respective cars and bid their goodbyes before Hiten called their attention. “Hey guys!”
 
His friends turned to look at him.
 
“About what you've said, Ayame. I’ve thought about it, and I think it's lovely. It really is. But I worry about it. I don't worry of Inuyasha. I worry about Kagome. We all know how Shun is with the people he considers his. He doesn't take losing so easily, especially to Inuyasha. Even if we put that Shun doesn't love Kagome as much, she is still his technically. Shun will fight for her, not because he loves her. He will fight for her because it's Inuyasha that he's up against,” Hiten said, as he opened his car. He paused, closed the car door and asked, “If that time comes, whose side will you pick?”
 
His friends kept quiet. Hiten chuckled and rubbed the back of his head. “I guess we'll cross the bridge when we get there, huh?”
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
Kagome was quite not having a good day today. Though according to her horoscope, today was her lucky day that her lucky stars had aligned perfectly and everything would go smoothly as a breeze. She wished, prayed for her luck to shape her day, but nothing was really going according to plan much to her dismay and utter frustration. First of all, she came to work very late because she had overslept. That night she had finally called Shun and broke it off with him. The heated clash with him was expected but still not welcomed, since it prevented her from her much needed sleep. She sighed heavily. Of course, it did not help that she had twisted and turned on her bed up to 2am thinking about a certain silver-haired wretch whom she had shut the door too hard in the face. With all Inuyasha’s antics that night, she was rather pissed off with him. Second, half the day spent in the office, she hadn't gotten much work done. By the time when she actually was getting some things done at last, Hojo had barged in and told her that Sango had come looking for her. She had sighed tiredly. It was not that she did not want to see Sango; it only meant the obvious, she was genuinely tired. So now, she and Sango were having some coffee and some morning treats – care of Sango – in the outdoor café just a couple of blocks outside Kagome's office.

 “Kagome?” Sango called, her eyes roaming, watching Kagome's play of expressions. Sango frowned. There was something different about her best friend today aside from the fact that Kagome appeared to be weary. She had noticed it the first time she saw her, and that difference was pretty much so obvious that it would be a crime for a best friend of Sango's caliber to not notice.
 
“You’re not wearing your ring.”
 
Kagome stilled midway from drinking her cup of coffee. “I took it off.” Her tone was somewhat robotic.
 
“I can see that… Why?” Sango remained calm. So what was the big deal if Kagome took her ring off? There was nothing wrong with it; there were just times that a woman tired of wearing jewelry – that was all.
 
Kagome gave Sango a strange smile that the latter couldn't distinguish as disappointment or relief. “I called off the engagement,” she said.
 
“You what!” Sango shouted. The other people in the cafe quickly turned their heads to them to see what was wrong. They both reddened in embarrassment, especially Sango whom smiled meekly, apologizing. She moved closer to the table. “You what?” Her words came out as a gritted whisper.
 
“I called Shun yesterday and broke up with him, Sango,” Kagome informed her.

Sango could not rid of the shock on her face. Her brown eyes were wide as saucers and her reflexes as quick as lightning. Her replies came with hurried haste that sometimes she cut Kagome in mid-answer.
 
“On the phone?”
 
“On the phone…”
 
“But I thought you two were going to talk about it when he was to arrive in London?”
 
“We did… last night.”
 
“What did he say?”
 
“He called me a whore for breaking up with him, threatening me that I'd regret leaving him. And I called him a fucking dick and that I meant that literally, as he was a fucking asshole who was so thick to let me overhear him fucking his ex- And then in a fury, he proudly told me that he had fucked his ex- countless of times before that and that I was so naïve and so stupid as to not realize that he was cheating on me all this time - despicable bastard.” Kagome's voice grew angrier by the moment that her last few words came out as a hiss. But her voice maintained the same volume, her expression remained indifferent. She sighed frustratingly.
 
“I`m so sorry, Gome,” Sango told her, holding her hands, squeezing it gently.
 
Kagome gave her a lopsided smile. “Don't be, Sango.”
 
“You mean you're not affected? Not even a bit? Because you seem to answer indifferently like you don’t seem to care,” Sango replied immediately.
 
Kagome stared at her. “I have had a rough night, Sango. I'm pretty much drained as it is.”
 
Sango watched her take another sip of her coffee. Kagome's answer could be summed up as a probable “yes, I don’t care anymore.” She frowned, deeply in thought. She hesitated a bit, and then sucked her breath throwing caution to the wind. She didn’t want to probe on this but it had been bothering her ever since she had seen Kagome and Inuyasha together.

“Does your decision have something to do with Inuyasha?” There were no reason using open-ended questions, and she could feel that Kagome wasn't up for explanations this morning either, so it was wise to be straightforward.
 
Kagome caught her breath. Sango watched her, her eyes flickering in the morning light. Clearly, she had noticed Kagome's sudden stiffness – a guarded gesture. She sipped her coffee, preparing to answer the query. Dear God, what intense and awkward silence they had had to endure… when…
 
“Hi Sango!”
 
Sango eyes widened upon seeing the person who stood behind Kagome. “Inuyasha?”

Kagome's hand stilled as soon as she heard his voice. Awkward indeed…
 
Inuyasha smirked delightfully – only sparing a quick glance at Sango before his gaze settled on Kagome’s head. He had finally found what he had been looking for all morning. The wench surely knew how to play hide and go seek. Of course, she did not know that. He just pretended they were playing hide and so seek to ease his frustration when he couldn't find her earlier.
 
“Hey Sango! Mind if I borrow Kagome for a while? It's very important!” He had said that so zestfully like a child that it was hard not to smile and say “yes.”
 
“Hi Kagome.” They all heard the meek voice coming from Inuyasha’s back.
 
“What are you doing there standing at my back like a shadow, Homo?” Inuyasha complained and out came Hojo.
 
“Ah… it's…” Hojo was about to correct Inuyasha for murdering his name but he was cut off by the zestful grown-up.
 
“So can I Sango?” Was it that obvious that he was very happy and excited to see Kagome?
 
“Kagome?” Sango called her. She had been expecting Kagome to speak right now, not sit there and play statue for the rest of the morning.
 
“What? Ah… yes… what is it, Hojo?” Kagome said confusingly. Was she just that shock with Inuyasha popping up like a mushroom that morning? Dear God, these two people…
 
“Hey Kagome,” Hojo could only reply meekly, smiling dorkishly at her.
 
“What are you two doing here?” Kagome asked Hojo.
 
“We're fetching you.” Inuyasha butted in, his vein throbbing at the moment because she seemed to be ignoring him.
 
“But-” She was cut off, of course.
 
“It's all right, right Sango?” Inuyasha said, holding Kagome's hand, beaming pleadingly at Sango. He was saying, “I beseech you” with that expression of his, it was irresistible - even to Sango.
 
“We'll talk some other time, okay Gome?” Sango told Kagome who smiled and nodded. She freed herself from Inuyasha's hold and embraced her best friend. “I'll tell you everything. I promise,” she whispered, kissing Sango's cheek and then waved goodbye to her.
 
 
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
 
 
“Inuyasha! I swear to God if I die today, I'll haunt you for the rest of your fucking miserable life. Slow down, right now!” Kagome demanded. So that was why he had not allowed her to bring her car… because if she had brought her car, she'd get left behind no matter how fast she'd drive.
 
“No, I've told you. We need to hurry up. We're already behind schedule because we've spent the entire morning looking for you.”

Kagome watched the rear view mirror and saw the equally speeding - scratch that - overspeeding car that Totosai was driving.
 
“You could have asked somebody to replace me,” she said.
 
“Not possible.”
 
She looked at him incredulously. “And why not?”
 
“Because it has to be you. Besides, I do not drive for some freaking guy.”
 
“Then, you could have called me earlier. Or you could have informed me yesterday that we were taking this trip today.” She exhaled angrily. She was still very concerned about how fast he was driving. Totosai was driving another car behind them with Hojo. These two murderously suicidal drivers were really asking for it. She ought to strangle them both and then viciously hang both of their asses upside down, whipping their backsides until they would change their ways and drive below the speed limit.
 
“It slipped out of my mind. And I was certain you were just a call away so I didn't bother to tell you earlier. But no, your phone was off, remember?” Inuyasha answered disapprovingly.
 
“And it's my fault now that we're behind schedule?” Kagome answered incredulously. “How would I know that we were supposed to meet the lead engineer today for the project when you failed to tell me?”
 
“I thought you were just a phone call away. If you hadn`t turned your phone off, then we would have found you earlier, driven off earlier thus had stuck to the schedule.” Then, he turned to her. “And why do you do that?”
 
“Do what?”
 
“Turn your phone off every time. There have been several occasions that I've called you and I can't get a hold of you because your phone's unavailable. It worries me, you know. What if something bad happens to you?” The thought of her being hurt left a bitter taste in his mouth.
 
“Nothing bad's gonna happened to me.”
 
“What if someone kidnaps you?”
 
“And who will dare kidnap poor old me? I am not the rich kind like you.”
 
“What if you caught a fatal accident?”
 
“Then I wouldn't need the phone to call anyone else, especially you, would I… because I`d be dead, or in a vegetative state somewhere in a hospital bed,” she replied and smiled.
 
“Kagome! Don't joke around like that!” Inuyasha scolded. “And why are you so stubborn?”
 
“Does payback ring a bell to you?” she said sarcastically.
 
“Payback? For what? For yesterday?” he asked incredulously.
 
“Like duh,” she replied.

He laughed.
 
“But I was just teasing you,” he explained and smiled at her.
 
“Well, I wasn't laughing yesterday.” She pouted.
 
“Well, I wasn't laughing when you left the mansion without informing anyone either,” he calmly said.
 
“But that was a different story. I needed to leave at that time; while you, you just teased me yesterday just to rile me up. You didn`t even say sorry.”
 
“I did say so I was sorry,” he told her.
 
“Oh yeah? When was that?”
 
“When you shut the door on my face and made my nose bleed,” he answered.
 
“Your nose did not bleed,” Kagome corrected disapprovingly.
 
“But it might have,” he countered.
 
“And who was to blame anyway? I was totally being serious last night. But what did I get?”
 
“Inuyasha?” he answered.
 
She glowered. “Inuyasha my ass! I get you - all right - a self-assured sex enthusiast who claims he can romp fast and slow like that's a very impressive feat. Although, it is - one…”
 
He laughed loudly, as she stuttered. “I'm flattered Kagome.”
 
“Ohhh!” She almost pulled her hair out. “That comment was very unnecessary and we were in a public park of all places! What have you been thinking?”
 
“Um… You?” he replied.
 
“Shut the fu-” She hesitated when he beamed widely. She was not going to give him the satisfaction by saying that dreaded word. “Shut the hell up, and let me finish Takahashi!” Inuyasha mouthed an “Okay.” She continued, her temples throbbing: “And to add insult to injury, I was hit-on by some pompous flirt whom you called `friend.' That jerk, he infuriated me. And would you please slow down?”
 
“No,” Inuyasha replied.
 
“Damn it, Inuyasha. You're the one to talk about accidents when in fact you're the one inviting it,” Kagome retorted, flailing her arms wildly. Then she softened her voice. “Besides, Hojo must be terrified right now. He's scared shitless of thrill driving. So, please…”
 
“No,” Inuyasha answered stiffly.
 
Kagome pouted. She could just picture Hojo shrieking at the top of his lungs right now. That would be an amusing sight to see for sure. She just hoped he would not faint or vomit inside the car, or else he would surely get it from Totosai.
 
Maybe that technique he and Rin used with Sesshomaru would work, so she begged. “Please…”
 
“It's not working, Kagome. And why will I slow down for that Hobo-twit anyway?” Inuyasha told her glaring at the road.
 
“It's Hojo,” she corrected.
 
“I don't care.” He scowled.
 
Kagome stared at him and smirked.
 
“Oh, I see,” she said slyly. “I know what's your problem.”
 
Inuyasha snorted. “I don't have a problem.”
 
“You're jealous,” Kagome said smiling mischievously.
 
“No, I'm not. Why will I be jealous over a gutless fag who can't even drive 50km/hr on the speedometer?” he said speeding up some more.
 
Kagome giggled. “Hojo's just sweet like that.”
 
Inuyasha grunted. “Huh, yeah right! Sweet my ass! Is that the reason why you've greeted him first before me earlier in the afternoon? It's sickening how he sports this goofy naïve corny smile. He even has the nerved to say you look thin than usual when you already look perfect as you are. I bet that's his scheme so that he can give you those herbal drinks. That suck up.”
 
“Yeah, you're obviously not jealous, Inu. Don't worry. I believe you,” Kagome laughed, totally unconvinced.

Inuyasha scowled, grumbling under his breath. He even scowled some more when Totosai's car had overtaken them completely. Darn it. He thought. They had been in a race. Of course, Kagome and that Homo-twit didn't know that, but damn, he was now the chaser. He didn’t like being the chaser.
 
Meanwhile, in Totosai's car…
 
“Oh God! Truck! Truck! Sir, there's a big truck coming our way! AHHHH!” Hojo shouted in panic, as he pointed at the 10-wheeler truck with horror in his eyes. He held his seatbelt for dear life, shutting his eyes as Totosai swerved just in time to evade the large truck.
 
Totosai laughed excitedly, gripping the steering wheel tightly while he gritted his teeth. He had done that several times already, and the thrill doubled every time he did it.
 
“Oh God, I'm still alive! I'm still alive! Thank you, Lord!” Hojo chanted in relief. The poor guy was hyperventilating. He was about to faint.
 
“Will you stop backseat-driving boy? If you want to drive then just say so. I'll happily give you the wheels,” Totosai said and took his hands off the wheel. Now, no one was driving the speeding vehicle to Hojo's ultimate horror.
 
“Please Sir! Please don't kill me! Please take the wheel! Oh God! I don't want to die! I love my life! I love my mommy! I love my job! Oh please, don`t kill me sir! I still have to tell Kagome that I love her before I die!” Hojo shouted, begging with tear-filled eyes.
 
The old man laughed amusingly, and took hold of the wheel. He had never seen someone begged so desperately before. It was highly amusing. He changed gear and sped along the road. He had overtaken Inuyasha's car after that dangerous maneuvering. He sniggered to himself. He could just imagine Inuyasha's face right now. He looked at his passenger who now slumped on the passenger's seat. So he's in love with Kagome, eh… that's just too bad… Totosai thought speeding up. He would not allow Inuyasha to overtake him – no sir, he wouldn`t.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

R&R!