The Importance of Being Kept

Rin was very glad to see Sesshoumaru when he appeared in the apartment. She hugged him tightly.

" I thought you went with Kagura."

"Rin, you will never have to worry about Kagura," Sesshoumaru ran his fingers through her long hair. He nodded for Galieo to stand outside in the hallway. Galieo left and shut the door to give them privacy.

"The things she said about us. Are they true? Sesshoumaru will you grow bored with me?"

"Never Rin," Sesshoumaru told her.

"But you're not attracted to me are you? I've slept naked with you in your bed and you haven't touched me."

"Under the circumstances, I did not want to touch you, Rin. You were drunk and unconscious twice."

"Okay, I can understand that..." Rin said hesitantly.

"Do not let Kagura lies affect you. I have always wanted you Rin, but you were kept. I did not want to disgrace you. Now that you are mine, there's nothing to keep me from taking you. The question is are you ready for me?"

Rin pulled back to stare into Sesshoumaru's eyes. "I love you," she said honestly.

She could tell she'd taken him by surprise. His body stiffened. He didn't respond. For some reason Rin was not offended. She stared up at him curiously. "Sesshoumaru, have you ever been in love before?"

"No," he said truthfully.

"Would you know it, if you felt it?"

"I wouldn't," he answered again.

"Then the question is, are you ready for me? You've made me your girlfriend so you must have some feelings for me whether you know if it's love or not is for you to figure out. I want to show you what it's like to be loved. I've bet in your entire life no female has ever truly loved you. As long as I've known you, I've seen women fear you and desire you for your looks and money, but never love you. As a kept woman, I couldn't be as opened as I am now with you, but as your girlfriend, I can be." Rin pulled him down and kissed him deeply, lovingly.

Sesshoumaru's heart ,which was usually so cold and calm actually began to skip beats and then accelerate. He suddenly felt warm all over. This was not a kiss he was use too. There was nothing sexual or lustful about it, it was pure, filled with an emotion he wasn't use to feeling and it nearly sent him to his knees. He pulled away from her confused about the new feelings coursing through his body. Was this love? He had vowed never to fall for a human as his father did. Was Rin about to make him break the vow?

"You will stay in my room until I return. You can order food if you're hungry." His voice was slightly hoarse. He cleared his throat and turned away from her.

"Sesshoumaru, I've spent the entire day in here. I'd really like to go outside for awhile. I'll go to the library, get a nice book to read and sit under my favorite tree until you come get me. Is that okay?"

"Galieo and Jinko will be with you," Sesshoumaru said.

"I know," Rin said. "Sesshoumaru?"

"Yes, Rin?"

"I love you..."

She watched his body stiffen again, as if some sort of electrical shock zapped through his system. It was amusing to watch. He left the room quickly. She sighed.

Kagome couldn't believe she was letting Inuyasha drag her to a Friday night party. She was sort of a nerd and never was any good at being social, but here she was, all dressed up in the outfit Inuyasha had picked out for her to wear when she was modeling for him. She smiled, at least it had been fun. He was so silly making her pretend she was a supermodel and giving her thumbs up and thumbs down on the clothes he liked and didn't like. Now she was dressed in his colors, red and white, wearing a shockingly red dress that fit her curves and white high heel shoes and carrying a white purse. All she needed was something blue and she'd be the American flag.

"You look so hot, Kagome. Everyone is going to be jealous of me having the best looking girlfriend there," Inuyasha had complimented her after looking her over.

"I don't know about that..." Kagome said blushing. "You're not so bad yourself," she grinned. He wore blue jeans and a red shirt that opened halfway down his chest showing a glimpse of his muscular pecks.

Now they stood at the doorway of a huge mansion. Kagome was beginning to get nervous. The place looked so ritzy. "Whose place is this?" She asked.

Inuyasha grinned down at her. "Mine."

The door opened as if the people inside had been waiting for him. They were swept into a large crowded room before Kagome could get over her shock.

"Inuyasha! There you are! Always fashionably late to your own parties!" A beautiful woman with green cat like eyes greeted them at the door. Kagome couldn't help but stare at the long black tail that moved around behind her. She watched her kiss Inuyasha on both cheeks and turn to Kagome to do the same. She stopped.

"You're not Kikyo!"

Inuyasha laughed at the girl's surprise. "Kikyo and I broke up remember? This is Kagome, my new girlfriend," Inuyasha said proudly. "Kagome, this is Misha. My mother's event planner. She helps me throw the fall semester party every year."

"Nice to meet you," Kagome said.

"You marked her," she glanced at Inuyasha in surprise before turning back to Kagome. "You must be really special for Inuyasha to mark you. He's never done that before. Good for you!" Misha said with a smile. "Enjoy yourself , sweetie."

Inuyasha grinned and pulled Kagome down a huge hallway. "Inuyasha, you never told me that you hosted college parties or that your home is a freaking mansion!"

Inuyasha winked at her. "I guess I'm just full of surprises." He stepped into a huge room filled with people socializing, talking with drinks in their hands and snacking on hors d'oeuvre. They seemed to be waiting for something.

A huge light nearly blinded Kagome as she found herself in the spotlight. "Hey everyone, Inuyasha has arrived. Let the party begin!" Someone yelled in a microphone.

The cheer was deafening as people clapped and yelled Inuyasha's name over and over. "Yasha! Yasha! Yasha!" Inuyasha took a bow. Kagome wasn't sure what to do. She was completely overwhelmed. He led her to the front of the stage where the band sat and glanced around. "Hey, where's Miroku and Sango?" He asked one of the band members. They shrugged. "I guess you're on your own guys." Inuyasha told them.

"Don't worry, we got it," one of the guys whispered.

"Thanks," Inuyasha said and turned to the mike. "Wassup everyone!"

Kagome jumped when the crowd responded.

"As you know this is my junior year and I'm going to make it another great year for all of us! The Red Bulls will win another season. We're unstoppable!"

Kagome assumed he was talking about his football team. The crowd hollered and hooted.

"I'd like to introduce you to a new person in my life."

Kagome swallowed. 'Oh no!' She thought as Inuyasha hauled her up against his side. "This is Kagome Higurashi, my girlfriend."

The crowd gasped and suddenly became quiet. Kagome could have died. She heard Kikyo's name mention among the whispering.

"She's new to the university and she's very special to me. I want you to welcome her and make her feel at home."

"Inuyasha you crazy mutt, you've been holding out on us!" A guy said standing in front of the stage. He was wearing a football jersey. People laughed.

Someone suddenly began chanting Kagome's name. Another group joined in and another and soon the entire room was chanting her name.

Inuyasha grinned and kissed Kagome in front of everyone. Loud cheers went up to the rooftop along with a few whistles and catcalls. Inuyasha laughed when he let her go. "They love you," he winked at her.

'Only because I'm your girlfriend,' Kagome thought, but she smiled just the same.

"Have fun guys, stay as late you want, just don't wreck my house like last year!" Inuyasha said. Everyone laughed.

He stepped down from the stage holding Kagome's hand. They were immediately swamped with people. All vying for Inuyasha's attention and asking Kagome a million questions at once.

"Back off people, I want to dance with my girl," Inuyasha told them. They watch him lead Kagome on the dance floor before breaking up to talk amongst themselves.

Inuyasha put Kagome's arms around his shoulder and wrapped his arms around her waist bringing her close to him. "Do you remember how to dance?" He teased.

"Yes, Raoul taught me very well," Kagome knew she was pushing it, but she was a little mad at him.

"What the hell?" Inuyasha frowned down at her. "What's the matter with you woman, you trying to ruin my party?"

"Inuyasha, I didn't even know you were having a party until a few minutes ago. Why didn't you tell me earlier so I could prepare!"

"Don't know Kagome, there's been so many distractions with you that I'd almost forgot myself. Maybe if you behave and don't have me chasing after you all the time, I can tell you more about my life."

Kagome sighed. "I knew you were popular, but I didn't know how much until now."

Inuyasha gave her a warm smile. "Does my popularity intimidate you?"

She nodded. "Yes. I mean, I knew you were rich, but it never occurred to me your home was a mansion. I knew you were popular, but not popular enough to host an extravagant party for the entire university. These people worship you!"

"And now they're going to worship you," Inuyasha said spinning her around and pulling her back in his arms. He tilted his head. "You look so pretty."

"I can see why Kikyo wanted to keep hanging around you even after you broke up. She lives for stuff like this."

"She let it go to her head," Inuyasha said. "Kikyo got completely carried away."

"With popularity comes power, she must have abused it greatly."

"You have no idea," Inuyasha said.

"Is there anything else I need to know about you?" Kagome asked.

Inuyasha smiled. "I told my mother about you, she's dying to meet you. She's on vacation this week, but she'll be back Sunday. She's invited you to dinner."

"Inuyasha!" Kagome stared at him in annoyance. "I'm not ready for all this."

Inuyasha pulled her close. "There's only one thing I know you're not ready for," he whispered in her ear. "You proved that to me the other night when things got a little too hot for you to handle and you locked me out of my bedroom. Everything else, you're ready for."

Kagome blushed from head to toe. Inuyasha laughed and held her close. They danced for awhile until Kagome's stomach began to hurt. She remembered she hadn't eaten anything all day.

"Inuyasha, I think I'll get something to eat. I'm feeling a little light headed."

"Kagome, did you eat at all today?" Inuyasha asked looking at in concern.

"I guess I forgot..."

"You cannot forget to eat! Do I have to worry about feeding you all the time? You're studying to become a chef how can you forget about food?" Inuyasha fussed as he led her to the refreshments.

"Whoa," Kagome said when she saw a long table with all types of food on it. "It all looks so good, I don't know what to try first."

"The shrimp is always good start," Inuyasha picked up a piece and popped it into his mouth.

"Yash!"

They turned around to see a group of guys calling him over.

Inuyasha grinned. "Those are my teammates. Will you be okay by yourself for a while?"

"Of course, go chat it up with the guys or something," Kagome said trying to be cool.

Inuyasha smiled. "I'll be back as soon as possible. Eat!" He demanded.

Kagome watched him leave trying to stop herself from begging him to not leave her alone. She turned to the table and began to stuff food into her mouth. At least she looked busy instead of standing there looking lost. After a minute of tasting every little finger food she could eat, she went to the punch bowl and poured herself a drink. She gulped it down, noticing it had a funny taste to it. She poured herself another cup and drunk it again. The second time it tasted very good.

"Hi there," someone said from behind her.

She turned to see a gorgeous blond that was at least three inches taller than her giving her a smile that didn't quite touch her eyes. "You're Kagome, Inuyasha's girlfriend, right?"

Kagome smiled. "Yes and you are?"

"Amy, head of the cheerleader team. This is Kelly, Jessica and Susan." She introduced the girls standing behind her. They were all quite beautiful. Kagome blinked.

"So how long have you known Inuyasha?" Amy wanted to know as she looked her up and down.

"Oh, we just met this week," Kagome said not liking the way she was looking at her.

"This week?" Amy turned to her friends. They shook their heads. "I've known Inuyasha since freshman year when he was with Kikyo. When he broke up with her, I thought he would end up making me his girlfriend. Do you know how long I've been trying to get Inuyasha to be with me?"

Kagome shook her head.

"A very long time! I did things for that guy I would never do for anyone else. Why didn't he make me his girlfriend?"

Kagome didn't want to ask what she had done, she had a feeling she did not want to know. All the girls were looking at her as if she was suppose to answer. She shrugged. "I don't know..."

"It's because you look like Kikyo," Amy said.

"Totally," said Kelly.

"He's still in love with her," Jessica told her.

"No, he isn't," Kagome said.

"Then how do you explain his sudden interest in you? I mean I've been sleeping with Inuyasha for a very long time, I'm his favorite screw."

'And she's proud of this?' Kagome thought to herself.

"I would have been perfect for Inuyasha. We both love sports, he's the quarterback star, I'm the head cheerleader, we are both very popular and he was getting quite close to me at the end of the semester last year. Then along come you, looking like Kikyo, and he's suddenly all love struck. Please little girl, he's just using you. You remind him of Kikyo and that's all."

Kagome was beginning to wonder if it was true. The things she said did make sense. She had just met Inuyasha and she went from being a kept woman for a day or two and now his girlfriend.

"Awww," Amy said pretending to feel bad for her. "Did I just ruin your little illusion? Did you really think you could have someone like Inuyasha just like that? Every girl on this campus has worked hard to get that man's attention and the only one succeeded was Kikyo and now the girl that looks like Kikyo. Remember, Kikyo broke up with Inuyasha, not the other way around. He still wants her, honey. He's just being prideful."

"Amy, don't be so harsh, she looks like she's about to cry," Susan said.

"Don't cry little Kagome, regardless of how Inuyasha feel about you, you should be happy. You get to have his money, spend time at this gorgeous mansion, drive around in that hot little sports car of his and be the most popular girl on campus. Who needs love when you got all that?" Amy laughed. "See ya later, Kikyo, I mean Kagome."

The girls giggled and walked away.

Kagome suddenly felt hot in the room. There were too many people around. She felt like she would suffocate. She made her way through the crowd trying to escape outside.

"Hey beautiful," a male voice said beside her.

She looked up to see Koga smiling down at her. He let out a low whistle, "That dress is amazing on you."

"I need to get outside, now!" Kagome told him.

He took look one look at her pale face, picked her up and took her outside. Kagome took in deep breaths of fresh air while Koga continued to hold her in his arms. She began to feel a lot better. She gave him a weak smile. "I'm okay now. You can put me down."

"I like holding you," Koga said. "Not every day, I get to hold a beautiful woman in my arms."

Kagome looked around. "Where are we?"

"Inuyasha's backyard." He carried her to a bench and sat her down.

"It looks like a park," Kagome said.

"Hey, what happened back there? I saw a bunch of bimbos talking to you," Koga asked sitting beside her.

"I don't want to talk about it," Kagome said looking sad again.

"Okay," Koga said looking at her in concern, but he didn't push it.

Kagome was glad. Inuyasha probably would have forced it out of her.

She stared at him. He was still as handsome as the last time she saw him. He still wore that strange band around his head. He was dressed in black jeans and a green t-shirt. "What are you doing here? Doesn't Inuyasha kind of hate you?"

Koga grinned. "Yeah, but that don't stop me from crashing his parties."

Kagome smiled.

"Some of my friends spiked his punch," Koga grinned mischievously.

"So that's why it tasted funny," Kagome said. "Koga, I don't drink..."

"Damn, I'm sorry, Kagome. I didn't think about you'd be here. I should have known though. You feeling okay?"

"Well yeah, I do now as long as I'm sitting down." She noticed Koga was staring at her neck. "What?"

"He marked you..."

She covered the mark with her hand. "Oh yeah, I'd forgotten it was there."

"So, you're his girlfriend now? That was quick."

"Yeah, it was, wasn't it," Kagome said dryly.

"Can't say I blame him. If I had the chance, I'd mark you too. I should have the first day I met you." Koga smiled at her.

"Really?" Kagome asked. He didn't know he was giving her hope that maybe Inuyasha really did like her for herself.

"Heck yeah! Damn dog, gets everything, even the woman I want."

Kagome blushed. "You don't know me..."

"Is that a human thing, saying that?"

"I guess so," Kagome laughed.

"Ah a genuine smile," Koga grinned. "I was hoping I would get a chance to talk to you again. Dog boy is always around you."

"He's very protective," Kagome said.

"You mean possessive," Koga corrected her. "Again, I can't blame him." Koga scooted closer to her. "You know, a mark is just a mark. It fades with time. Unless you're his mate, you're not entirely his."

Kagome found herself staring into his beautiful green eyes. "Are you always so bad?" Kagome asked him.

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're at Inuyasha's home flirting outrageously with his girlfriend who's marked!" Kagome laughed. She couldn't be mad at Koga, she suppose it was his nature.

"We're not called wolves for nothing," Koga grinned flashing his fangs.

"How do I know you're not coming on to me cause Inuyasha's your rival? It would really piss him off if I decided to be with you instead, wouldn't it?"

"Yeah, but remember, I liked before I even knew you belong to Inuyasha."

"You're right. I guess it would be a relief for me to know someone likes me for who I am, not who I resemble."

Koga tilted his head at the comment. "Are things alright between you and dog boy?"

"I don't know...I shouldn't talk to you about it," Kagome said.

"We're friends aren't we?" Koga asked.

"Um..I guess," Kagome said.

"Then talk to me, I've got nothing but time on my hands."

"I shouldn't, I'm not even suppose to be out here with you. Inuyasha just introduced me as his girlfriend to everyone at the party. This isn't right."

Koga eyes sparkled with mischief again. "Why don't you ditch this party and come with me? If he's upset you, this would be a great way to get back at him."

"To be fair, he hasn't done anything yet, until I talk to him."

"It was worth a try," Koga sighed. "You smell like him you know. It hurts my nose and yet, I can't seem to stop myself from wanting to be around you."

"Koga..." Kagome said.

"Hey if you ever need to talk or just get away for awhile, look me up. I'm in the campus directory. Koga Ansen."

"Okay," Kagome said.

Koga lifted her hand to his lips and stared deep into her eyes. "I'm jealous of him..."He kissed the back of her hand and disappeared.

A gust of wind blew Kagome's hair around her face. How on earth could he run so fast? It was like he disappeared in thin air. She stood up and smooth down her dress. The mansion was only a few feet away. She took a step, got dizzy and sat back down. She should have asked Koga to take her back in. She wondered if Inuyasha would find her? Didn't matter, she needed to be alone with her thoughts anyway. She laid down on the bench and stared up at the stars. Did she love Inuyasha? She was beginning to think she did and now people were telling her he was only interested in her because of Kikyo? It had to be a lie and yet, Inuyasha was always talking about Kikyo. She closed her eyes feeling very tired.