The Races

Chapter 7

At the house Kagome let Sesshoumaru in, the walked up stairs and he sat on her bed as she shuffled through her closet. She pulled out a pair of black jeans with a red dragon winding its way up the right leg and a plain black shirt with her red and black vans. She changed in her closet, it was big enough to fit four changing girls into it and still have room for four more and the cloths.
When she emerged she was confronted with Shippo and Kouga sitting on her bed instead of Sesshoumaru. “What’s up?” Kagome asked as she spotted the two.

“What the hell was he doing in here?” Kouga demanded as he scowled her as if she were still a little girl.

“Well, he followed me up. Now what is it that the two of you want?” Kagome asked.
Kouga took a deep breath to calm himself down, “You don’t have to do this.” He pleaded with her.

“Kouga we have already been through this, just for once please except my decision and stand behind me to catch me should I fall.” Kagome pleaded. They would never really know how much she strived for her brother’s approval now that her father was gone. Hell, even before her brother’s opinion counted for everything, from shoes to what guy she dated. If Kouga didn’t approve then it didn’t happen. But now, for once she was not asking for approval she was telling him she wanted it no matter what.

“Fine.” Was all he said and he sighed in defeat and sat back down on the bed.

Shippo stepped forward, “Kagome, I just wanted to let you know how much I truly appreciate what you did, I … I could never marry Rin it would be like marrying you, she is like my sister and best friend I just want you to know that I will stand behind you in anything you do. I owe you big time for this.” Shippo hugged Kagome tightly, “I will never forget this.”

Just then Sesshoumaru walked in, “Are we ready to go?” God he could ruin a wet dream.
Shippo nodded, before they had come into Kagome’s room they had changed cloths, so now they all headed down stairs.

Kagome handed her keys over to Shippo and climbed into Sesshoumaru’s car much to Kouga’s displeasure and to Sesshoumaru’s surprise. Kouga and Shippo got into the car and drove off, with Shippo driving.
On the way there Kagome once more broke the silence, “I would like to wait to move in until Kouga goes home,” she paused, “If that is alright with you?” Sesshoumaru didn’t give an answer, he just continued to drive. Finally after a bout five minutes of being ignored Kagome snapped, “You stuck up dog. God, I didn’t have to ask for you permission. I could have just done it anyway the least you could have done was answer me, you… you asshole.” She was pissed.

“God, I agreed to mate with you I don’t see how this is going to work; you won’t even talk on a regular basis. Well let me tell you something buddy, Mate or not I will purify you straight to hell and back if you don’t give me an answer.” Finally her ranting stopped and Sesshoumaru could get a word in.

“Listen you Bitch, I didn’t answer you because I figured if I refused you would do it any way, and if I answered you would give me a reply along the lines of not needing my permission. I did not think it required an answer I felt it was a rhetorical question. ” He snarled as the car came to a stop at the “track”. “And farther more as far as you purifying me to hell, I can more a lot fast than you can so you would have to get a hold of me first, not to mention I could kill you with a mere flick of my wrist.” Sesshoumaru said before getting out of the car.

“Just because you are a full demon does not make you automatically faster.” Kagome shot back as she got out of tha car before he could retort.

His eyes were rimmed in red and he was fighting for control of his demon side. “Holy shit Kagome what did you do to him.” Inuyasha asked as he saw his brother then seen Kagome getting out of the car.

“Just a minor problem that I hope can be worked out.” she said before walking over to Kouga, Shippo, and Naraku.

“Whatever.” Inuyasha said as he and Kikyo walked away.

Sesshoumaru walked up to Kagome and buried his nose in her hair. Kagome instinctively tilted her head to allow him access. After a few minutes of that he pulled away. Kagome looked up to see what has caused Sesshoumaru to pull away so abruptly. Walking towards them was a sleazy dressed demoness with short black hair. Her outfit looked about three sizes to small. “Sesshoumaru, what are you doing? You can’t be seen hanging out with this… thing.” The demoness said as she eyes Kagome.

Kagome just shrugged and turned to Sesshoumaru. “I have a race in a couple of minutes I am going to get ready.”
With that she kissed his cheek then walked away.

Sesshoumaru nodded and then turned to the demoness, “If you ever interrupt time with my intended again you will not like the consequences.” He growled before walking off to the spot where Inuyasha and he usually stood.

Imagine his surprise to find Tasukie, Mia, his father, Izayoi, his father’s mate and Rin standing there. “You invited us, remember? I thought perhaps I should come out and see my son’s race.” Inu No Tashio said. “And besides it proves that Kagome was not lying when she said she raced.” Kagome’s car pulled up to the start line and you could see that again Shippo rode with her.

When the start sign was given Kagome pulled out ahead of the pack once more just like the night before, and finished well before every one else advancing her to the fifth level. The Crowd cheered for the Red Dragon as the race began and carried on through out until well after the race.

“Who is the Red Dragon?” Mia asked.

“The Red Dragon is Kagome’s race name.” Kouga said. Upon this little tid-bit of information the parents looked confused. “When Kagome raced in America, at first they would not let her because she was a female. So she developed a race name and disguised herself as a male to race until one night she won, a drunken man swung at her and she lost her helmet. Well needless to say after she kicked his ass she had been accepted in any race she wanted to compete in.”

Kagome, just walking up with her winnings, could hear what Kouga was saying, “I’ve been known as the Red Dragon ever since then.” She looked at Kouga, “Nice to see you like telling my story.”

“I see that once more you drove with my son in that godforsaken car of yours.” Tasukie said to Kagome as she and Shippo appeared.

“You know what Tasukie, shove it. If I wanted to kill of your son I would purify him.” Kagome snapped. “Naraku’s race is coming up.” Kagome said turning from him to watch the race.

“Ok, now that we are all standing here someone explain the rules.” Inu No Tashio said.
Shippo jumped at the chance, “Ok the rules are simple. Keep it clean, we don’t want any one dieing out there, any way, the winner of each race is advanced up to the next level starting at seven working its way up to one.
As the winner is advanced the last car to come through the finish line is bumped back a line to make room for
the advancer. Each track gets harder with more obstacles and it grows in length.” Shippo finished.

“Ok so what race are we on now?” Rin asked.

“Well the fifth race has just finished and the sixth race about to commence.” Shippo said again.

“So is Naraku in this race?” Izayoi asked.

Inuyasha nodded, “My race is next, and hopefully I can beat the long time champ tonight.”

Sesshoumaru gave an undignified snort, “As if, you barely beat Naraku last night I doubt that you’ll win.”

Before Inuyasha could retort, Inu No Tashio interrupted, “And who is this undefeated Champ?”

This time it was Kikyo that responded, “That would be Sesshoumaru. Since he came in four years ago he has yet to lose a race.” She said with a bit of awe in her voice.

“Wow, my brothers are so cool.” Rin squealed. Every one looked at Sesshoumaru with a look of either awe or with a look that clearly said ‘I knew it.’

“What level is Kagome?” Mia asked.

Sesshoumaru who stood silently beside Kagome who had yet to speak up thus far stated, “Kagome after her win tonight that puts her in the fifth next week when there is another race. Since this is her second race she has only advanced two levels.”

“Well I am going to get ready for my race.” Inuyasha said before he walked way. Inuyasha turned to Kikyo to get a good luck kiss, but it really looked like he was trying to eat her face and she his. “Wish me luck guys.” He said as he finally disentangled himself from Kikyo and walked away.

“I will be off as well.” Sesshoumaru walked past the group and over to his car.

Naraku won his race with space to spare between his car and the rest of the racers.

Sesshoumaru and Inuyasha pulled up to the line as Naraku walked over to the group. “So Kagome, which one are you going to cheer for?” Rin asked.

“Inuyasha, of course.” Kagome said with out even taking her eyes off of the race as it began. And she did, she cheer so loud she drowned out every one else, and as usual Sesshoumaru won his match just like every other race.

“I can’t believe you would not cheer for the man who is soon to be your mate.” Tasukie hissed.
Kagome whirled around, “Listen here you little shit. I don’t care who you are or who you are friends with I will purify you ass straight to hell if you don’t lay off the manor lessons, I am a big girl and you will not chance who I am.” She spat.

“Oh really what are you going to do to stop me?” He asked back.

Kagome placed a barrier around every one but the two of them. Her eye’s turned a violet, and she began to glow pink. She lashed out scorched his skin. “Do not tempt me boy, I can kill you with out so much a blinking.” Sesshoumaru had returned at this point after once more winning his race.

He watched the whole confrontation. ‘Hm at least she can take care of herself.’ “Tasukie, in the future I would find it wise to not piss of my future mate. With this much un-concentrated power she could kill any demon my self and father included.” With that he walked up to Kagome and wrapped his arms around her waist to let her know that he supported her the whole way. He would stand beside her like a mate should.
When she felt Sesshoumaru arrive she toned her power down. She didn’t want to kill him… yet. Yet being the key word. When she felt him wrap his arms around her, she calmed down all together, she knew that he was beside her, and her relief flooded out into her aura and she embraced him with it to show her appreciation of his support. ‘Perhaps being with him for eternity will not be to bad.’

Tasukie looked on in shock that the cold Sesshoumaru would stand up to him for his step-daughter. ‘Huh, surprises never stop I suppose.’ He just snorted before he asked, “Can we leave now?”

“I think you owe Kagome an apology, Mom AND Dad.” Shippo spoke up and emphasized the and as the barriers were finally lowered.

“Oh Kagome, I am so sorry I didn’t believe you.” Mia said as she rushed to Kagome and pulled her in to a hug. Sesshoumaru stepped back to allow room.

In a very Inuyasha like style Tasukie, “Keh, she ain’t getting a sorry out of me.”

“Good because then I would have to call you a liar, at least you have that honor in-tack still.” Kagome said as her and her mother parted.

“What would you know of honor girl?” Tasukie asked.

“A lot more than you, trust me.” Kagome gave him a look that said ‘I know something you don’t want me to know.’
Obviously he got the hint because he backed down and said, “Whatever I’m going home.” With that he walked off.
Every one piled into cars, Kagome let Kouga drive her car home and rode with him and Shippo. Shippo was put in the back but he was ok with that. “Kagome, what is with Tasukie? He doesn’t seem to like you very much.” Kouga asked.

She looked back at Shippo then sighed, “He has always treated me as such, just never out in the open like this, and in front of others.” Kagome answered. Kouga nodded his understanding.

“Perhaps we should just go to sleep; I will be leaving tomorrow when you leave. I feel better knowing that you will be in the Tashio manor where I know you will be safe.” Kouga said as he parked the car and headed up to their rooms.