Striking A Deal

A/N: I don't own IY. Now, I love Kouga. He is one of my favorite characters besides Sesshomaru. I am thinking that I want to turn this into a F/M/M, instead of it being a M/F. What do you guys think? Let me know, and I will decide for sure before my next chapter. Thanks, and please review. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy and helps my muse come up with ideas for new chapters.
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Upon hearing his name, the lord of the east whirled around and came face-to-face with his woman, Kagome.

"Kagome! What a surprise. How did you know that I was coming here?" Kouga asked.

Kagome blushed. She saw the look in Kouga's eyes, and knew what he thought. She nervously glanced up at Sesshomaru who was staring at the wolf demon as though he wanted to rip off his head.

Kouga stepped closer to Kagome and reached for her hand, never noticing that Sesshomaru was holding onto the other one. He grabbed a hold of her and yanked her into his arms. Sesshomaru tried to control his temper, but the sight of seeing his beloved mate in the arms of another was almost unbearable. He watched as Kouga pulled back and then leaned down to kiss Kagome. That was the straw that broke the taiyoukai's back.

Kouga had always wanted to kiss the woman he held in his arms. He had imagined how her soft lips would feel upon his as he slipped his tongue into her hot mouth. He could almost hear her panting in bliss. You see, most people thought that Kouga lacked an intellect, but that was simply not the case. Even though his brash actions and loud mouth often showed otherwise, he was in fact a very intelligent demon with an educated background. However, after meeting the human woman in his arms, Kouga often found himself slipping into the land of denial. Not to be confused with the river that flows through Egypt, mind you, but denial, where he could believe that he and Kagome were in love and nothing could tear them apart. However, Kouga was quickly brought back to reality when he felt someone grip his neck in a tight grasp. He was yanked up and turned around. He came face-to-face with a very pissed off Sesshomaru.

"Do not touch my mate, Lord Kouga. The next time your fingers caress her body, it had better be because you are protecting her from danger when I cannot, or you will find out why I am considered to be the most dangerous youkai in Japan." Sesshomaru threatened.

Kouga gulped. He had only heard stories about Sesshomaru's temper, but he had never been privileged to see him in action, and to be honest, he was not sure if he ever did. He took a quick glance at Kagome, who had stayed silent during the exchange. She was staring at Sesshomaru in awe, and he had turned his attentions from Kouga and was now returning his mate's stare. He allowed Kouga to drop from his grasp, and walked over to the small woman, gathering her in his arms and holding her to his body. He took in a deep breath, calming his nerves and soothing her at the same time. He would allow no other to come between them. Especially this wolf.

Kouga got up from the spot he landed in and stared at the couple before him. He began to growl.

"What gives you the right to touch what is mine, Lord Sesshomaru? Kagome is my intended mate." Kouga growled.

Sesshomaru stared at Kouga. Could what he said be true? Was Kagome the beauty that the wolf had been bragging about?

Raising one eyebrow, Sesshomaru said, "I did not know that Kagome was the woman you spoke of, but it is of no matter. She is mine, and I will never allow her to leave me. Now, explain why you are here, and then leave. My mate and I must get ready to leave."

Kouga bit back a snarl. He would never accept that Kagome was mated to Sesshomaru. Kouga had a rightful claim to her, and he would make sure that she ended up with him. "I came to ask for your aid in defeating the hanyou, Naraku. He has been causing trouble in my lands as well as others. You seem to be the only lord that he doesn't want to piss off, so I thought that if you and I joined forces, together we could eliminate his threat." Kouga said.

Sesshomaru looked down at Kagome. Could he trust that this wolf would join with them and not try to take Kagome from him? Well, there was only one way to find out. "Kagome and I, along with her friends are going on a shard hunt, Lord Kouga. Join us, and I will agree to help you in Naraku's destruction." Sesshomaru said.

Kouga was stunned. He was looking for a way to get near Kagome, and now, Sesshomaru had just offered him one. Without a moment's hesitation, Kouga said, "I will agree to join you. However, once we kill Naraku, I will challenge you for the right to mate with Kagome. Since I had laid claim to her, it is only right that I be allowed to exercise my right."

Sesshomaru sighed. He had just known that something like this was going to happen. He had never imagined that a human woman could have such an effect on the male youkai species, but here she stood in all of her glory. Sesshomaru nodded, however, Kagome was in a fit.

"What do you mean, challenge for the right to mate with me? Sesshomaru, what in the world is he talking about? I am already mated to you." Kagome said.

"Yes, love. However, since he made a claim for you, and I have indicated that I had heard the claim, he has the right to ask for the chance to win you from me. It is an old youkai custom that must be dealt with." Sesshomaru explained.

Kagome looked at both males. Why in the hell did this have to happen to her? Why could nothing like this ever happen to Sango? But, then again, Sango had her own hands full with a certain hentai-prone monk, so she supposed she had the better situation. She glanced over at Kouga. She could not deny that she was attracted to him. With his long black hair, piercing blue eyes, and toned body who would not be attracted to him? Even Kaede had made a comment about if she were only several years younger, and had both of her eyes. However, Kagome was not the sort to be unfaithful, and she did love Sesshomaru.

"Kouga, please listen to me. I love Sesshomaru. You and I will always be friends, but that is all we can ever be." Kagome said.

Kouga gave her a gentle smile. "Don't worry, my love. Once I win you, you will never think of him again. I will force him out of your mind by ravishing your body until you can't think straight. I will have you screaming my name until your voice grows tired, and all you can do is whisper how much you love me. I promise you, my sweet Kagome. We will not be apart for long."

Sesshomaru barred his fangs at the lovesick wolf. Just who did he think he was? Sesshomaru tightened his grip on Kagome's waist and turned her around. He told Kouga that dinner would be served within the hour and a maid would show him to a room. Sesshomaru led Kagome back up to their bedchambers. Holding her hand, he walked over to the bed, and sat down on it, bringing her to sit in his lap. He lifted his face, until it was buried within her neck and took a deep breath. She smelled so good.

Kagome could not believe what was happening to her. This day had been a strange one, and she did not know if she could take any more shocks to her system. She felt Sesshomaru's lips graze her neck and she giggled. His lips seemed to have a way of setting her body on fire. However, Sesshomaru's plan of seducing her failed when a knock interrupted their private moment.

When called to enter, Jaken opened the door, and saw Lady Kagome in Lord Sesshomaru's lap. Jaken had to wonder when timing was handed out during creation, where the hell was he? He never seemed to pick a moment when his lord was trying to be romantic to bother him, and now, judging from the look upon Lord Sesshomaru's face, he had a feeling that he was never going to be let out from his misery.

"My lord, the slayer and fox child have returned and dinner is being served." Jaken squeaked.

After suppressing a growl, Sesshomaru eased Kagome off of his lap, and escorted her to the door. With a look that promised pain, he walked by the toad, making sure that his tail smacked at the poor retainer, and led Kagome down the stairs and into the dining room.

Jaken slowly picked himself up. If Lord Sesshomaru was like this now, how was he going to be when Lady Kagome got pregnant? Jaken shuddered at the thought. As far as Jaken was concerned, he would much rather be dead than have to take care of more children. His life really sucked.
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Dinner was rather interesting. Kouga kept smiling at Kagome, Sesshomaru kept glaring at Kouga, and Kagome kept inching away from Miroku, who happened to be sitting right next to her. Thankfully, Sango was on the other side, and when Miroku's hands would try and squeeze their bottoms, she would turn around and slap him. Shippo and Rin were getting along quite well, each of them happy that they had a family and parents to call their own. Jaken, still dressed in his maid's outfit, kept having thoughts running through his head. He could not help but wonder if Lord Kouga was going to force Sesshomaru into a mating triangle. If Lord Kouga could not win the battle, then the triangle would probably be the next step, meaning that both males could mate with the female in question and therefore increase their wealth in a merger. Basically, if Lord Kouga mated Lady Kagome, and Lady Kagome was mated to Lord Sesshomaru, then both Lord Kouga and Lord Sesshomaru would have rights to the other's land. Jaken shook his head. There was no way in hell he was going to bring up the mating triangle. Kami only knows what Lord Sesshomaru would do for suggesting it. He had no desire to find out the limits of his lord's patience.

Kouga was happy that he would have a chance to gain his Kagome. Now, all he had to do was get her away from that damn dog. What was it with inus? Kouga sighed. He wore a sappy look when he imagined Kagome on top of him, panting softly as he drove into her soft body over and over again. He could feel his pants becoming tighter as the image in his head got more graphic and he let out a small sigh.

Sesshomaru wanted to kill a certain wolf. He could smell the bastard's arousal and knew that he was thinking of his Kagome. Images of Kouga hanging from a hook in the dungeon, screaming for mercy while Sesshomaru defiled his body filled the taiyoukai's head. He could feel his claws lengthening as the image of dark red blood filled the dungeon floor and he let out a sigh.

Kagome looked from Kouga to Sesshomaru. Both males seemed to be deep in their thoughts, and kami knows what they were thinking, but she was almost positive that with Kouga, she probably filled his head, and she was probably naked. As for Sesshomaru, well, who knew what he thought. Both males let out sighs and Kagome rolled her eyes. Then, she felt a familiar hand on her backside for what had to be the third time that evening. She finally reached her breaking point and decided to smack him instead of allowing Sango to do it. When she let loose, the room went deadly silent as Miroku reached up and felt the cheek that had received the smack. Sango stared at her friend, and then at the monk. She finally snorted and said, "Well, it isn't like you didn't deserve it."

Miroku looked hurt. "Can I help it if I am surrounded by such beauty and want to touch it?"

Sesshomaru and Kouga then figured out what had happened, and both sent warning growls to the monk. Miroku, upon hearing the growls, slid down in his seat. He was pretty sure that if his hand wandered again, he would be pulling back a bloody stump the next time.

Sango had been watching Kouga and Sesshomaru. She could not help but laugh at Inu Yasha. He had left a woman who loved him dearly for a walking corpse, and now, two of the most powerful youkai in Japan, were after her and her affections. Being mated to one, and sought after by the other. She had to wonder what would happen between the threesome during the journey to find the shards. Only time would tell, and she could bet that the journey would be an interesting one. However, it was time to deal with the monk again.

As dinner came to a close, the servants in Lord Sesshomaru's employ were about to enter into the dining room and retrieve the dinner plates. They stopped when they heard a loud smack and a yelp. Perhaps, they would come back later.