Just a Little Rivalry

Chapter 20:


Kagura was fixing some supper for herself and Kanna as the girl finished putting the last of the decorations on their 5 ft., fake tree. It would have been a little dangerous to try to have a real one in an apartment of this size.

Her daughter was so quiet and adult like that she never felt as though she was talking to a child.

“Kanna, the meatloaf is done. Ready to eat?” She smiled at her daughter as she came to the archway separating the kitchen and dining area from the living room.

“Hands clean? Hair out of your face? Belly empty? Yup, I think you are ready to eat.”

Kanna grinned at her mom’s routine antics.

The two sat down and ate in relative silence. Kagura thought about seeing Sesshomaru’s younger brother earlier that day. She had wanted to know exactly what her mate had done but was afraid to have that knowledge at the same time. She knew what he was capable of-well, at least the tip of the iceberg. He had had a soft spot for her for years, but she was never really fond of him. He decided that she would make the perfect mate.

Not even a day later, he had disappeared to take on his next conquest. She knew about Kikyo.

Naraku had always been about power and how to gain more of it.

He had thought controlling the wind would do much to increase his level of respect and fear with other demons.

That had been a pipe dream apparently.

Although, what he wanted from Kikyo and now Kagome was as much a mystery to her as anybody else.

She started to wash the dishes that Kanna had cleared off the table. She watched her daughter put up the leftovers.

She loved her daughter and would walk to hell and back for her. She smiled at her musings, thinking that that was almost what she had done.


~~*~~


Kagome grinned at all the work that they had accomplished. They were all scattered around the game room after polishing off the pizza.

Koga and Miroku were in a heated match of pool as Sango and Inu Yasha were competing and working together in a game on the X Box.

She was stretched out near Sesshomaru as they watched the pool game and were cheering.

“Great shot, Koga,” her grin getting wider as her champion sunk another ball.

“Miroku’s just warming up.” He was as smug as ever.

Their playful argument kept increasing in volume and caused plenty of snickers from Inu Yasha and Sango.

The close game ended with Miroku winning by one ball.

“I want a rematch!” Koga playfully poked Miroku with his pool stick before pulling the balls out and racking them.

Sesshomaru smirked and stood.

“You can have your turn, wolf, after I have mine.”

Miroku nodded.

Sesshomaru won the game of paper/rock/scissors. He had the break.

The game progressed, leaving Sesshomaru as the winner to play Koga.

Just before the game started, his pocket started vibrating. He reached in and pulled out his cell to see a faintly familiar number that he couldn’t play.

“Hello.”


~~*~~


Kagura was sitting across the table from her daughter as they played War, Slap Jack and Go Fish.

They had settled in for the evening when a knock came at the door.

“Who could that be?” She checked the clock on the microwave as she stood and walked to the door and double-checked to make sure the security chain was in place.

She opened the door with the chain still on only to have it pushed open with enough force to rip the anchor from the door facing.

Her eyes widened at the intruder who she had hoped to never see again.

“Naraku?”

His red eyes glared at her as he pushed his way into the small two-bedroom efficiency apartment. He looked around and sneered at what he saw.

“I always thought that you were intelligent. A real college type and not some low class bitch that can’t make it well on her own.”

She glared at him as her wind was summoned. He really put a hurdle into her life and fusses about how she copes! I don’t fucking think so!!!

The wind blew around, knocking things off of the counter and other surfaces as well as fluttering around Naraku and Muso, who stood directly behind his brother.

“You retarded, ungrateful asshole! I have been going to college, but it would escape your notice that it takes a hell of a lot longer to get your fucking degree with just night classes and a few internet courses around a full time and part time job. But no, you wouldn’t think about what it took to raise a child decently on your own would you. You couldn’t figure out how to use a damn condom. You couldn’t even be bothered with the fact that I didn’t even want you as a mate.” She felt winded, and her false bravado left her as soon as she finished her tirade.

His smirk shook her even more than she already was.

She felt herself being lifted up by her arms and looked over her shoulder to Muso.

As his grip crushed her arms, leaving bruises, she whimpered and looked into Naraku’s face.

“I see that you have become very unruly since we have mated. I think that it is time for me to teach you who is in charge here. I may have left you alone for too long.” He sneered at her as he walked toward her still form.

“At least you know better than to try to get out of Muso’s grip. I do believe that you know my little brother. I also see that you gave me a girl rather than an heir. Naughty, naughty. How should I punish you, let me count the ways.”

Kagura glared at him, promising herself not to let him get to her this time. She knew she was doing well for herself despite and because of her circumstances. The fact that he held her heart so to speak because of the mating would not interfere with her self preservation.

“Or, I could just release you. How about a trade? Your freedom for Kagome. I do believe that you know the Takihashi brothers. She is with the younger one. I want you to help me get her. It is very important that she is not harmed in anyway. I want the please of doing her any harm that she deserves, but I need her for something very important.”

His grin was cold and malicious.

Kagura’s momentary shock gave her away. He knew instantly that she knew who he wanted.

“Why should I hand her over? How do I know that you will even keep your word?” She had to get him out of there.

Just at that second, Kanna poked her head out from under the table.

“You will not get what you are wanting with or without the girl.” Her voice was solemn and flat.

Kagura narrowed her eyes at her daughter. The girl was stoic and calm, almost amusingly reminding her of her former lover, Sesshomaru, but she wasn’t flat and completely devoid of emotions. She just kept them to herself until she wished to expose them.

Kanna saw the look her mother was giving her. She knew that she had wanted her to stay where she was at. The whole out of sight/out of mind scenario.

She didn’t respond to the growling that the demon who had fathered her was directing at her.

“Explain youself, whelp.”

He didn’t like her continued silence, but her aura was flaring at him. What exactly was her demonic attributes? Could she see the future?

“If I don’t get Kagome, I will take our daughter and you with me and separate the two of you. You will stay where a mate should be and she shall stay where I decide she should be. That is out trade off and the consequences of turning me down. I will be back within a few days. You don’t have long. Be smart and use your connections.”

Kagura felt her body drop when it was just released. Not lowered down, but just let go.

After pulling Kanna out and holding her close, she tucked the girl into bed and kissed her forehead. No stories for that night. No more pleasantries.

Stumbling back to her living room and into a chair, she picked up the phone.

“Hello, Sesshomaru?”

“Hello.”

“I… I… I… I really need you to come here. I know that you are busy and that we don’t really talk any more, but I also know that you have kept tabs on me and were the one to anonymously direct me toward those scholarships. Please. It’s about Kagome and Inu Yasha.”

She heard a growl before silence.

A heartbeat of time went by.

“I will be there shortly.”

Click.

She crumpled in the worn but soft chair as the last of her energy left her body.

What was she going to do?

Hopelessness filled her mind, heart and soul as the seconds, then minutes and then an hour ticked by.

A/N: Hey! I know some of you had been keeping up with my other story, From Goodbyes to New Adventures. I just finished it a little bit ago. Sorry I took a while to get this chapter to you though. I was collaborating with another author and working on the next chapter for our story (well… it’s a series of one shots. We’re writing together under the name of Fire Lovers.) I also was gauging how much to reveal.

Don’t worry. Naraku has an agenda

Thank you all for your reviews and questions. It makes me feel that I am doing a good job and entertaining you all enough to want to know more.


Danny’s Girl: Grinning at you. You are in luck! My hubby loves that type of cookie, and he pouted when he walked in for some. He also didn’t mind sharing with you, so here you go. A yummy oatmeal and raisin cookie. (Don’t let my chinchillas try to get you. They think that every raisin in the house not to mention other dried fruits belong exclusively to them. Caught me eating a small box of those and they raised a ruckus.) I am always glad to see your faithful reviews.


Madmiko: Another reviewer that I love to hear from. I promise still that all of your questions will be answered. I'm glad you like how everybody is interacting, particularly Inu Yasha and Koga. As well as the tradgedy bringing about changes in Inu Yasha's and Sesshomaru's relationship. I was trying to get that relaxed and calm but still warm and entertaining feeling to show that even after tradgedy and having your world ripped out from under your feet, life goes on and either you go with it or get stuck. Most people know that rape is about control and not desire or sex. Kagome's mind set is that she doesn't want to give him that control. I hope that helps clarify for what I am trying to do with her attitude.


Darkened Naruto: Hey. I'm glad that you said something about that. Yeah, demons tend to leave other demon's mates alone. He is not just trying to hurt her. I promise that he has motive, but I have just not revealed it yet. Cross my heart and hope to die. (Grins and laughs at that.) I hope that you continue to like that story.

Well, that's enough of my chatter for right now. Take care everybody, and I would love to see your reviews. I love knowing what you all think and hearing what questions you have. Helps get me centered in what I need to do. Also feeds my imaginiation.