© Salome Wilde, 2008
Predictable
"First one to reach the tree?" suggested Koga, with a lopsided grin.
"First one to draw blood," Inuyasha countered, curling a lip and cracking his knuckles.
"First one to be knocked unconscious," bargained Koga, making a fist.
They had been at this for too long. Always fighting over her in the same ridiculous fashion: Koga too amorous, Inuyasha too defensive. They would threaten, scuffle, threaten again, and then part company, with dire warnings of the danger each faced the next time they met. And what the heck did they think the winner of this little contest was going to get? Kagome thought to herself, her cheeks a bright crimson. She was no longer embarrassed or flattered, just exasperated. She rallied her spirits, summoned her companions, and invited Ginta and Hakkaku to join them. Cheerfully, she said, "Let's go make lunch. By the time we're done eating, I'm sure they'll be finished." She smiled brightly at the group—as if to say none of this bothered her a bit, waved at her two suitors (well, one suitor and one…whatever he was), and headed for the clearing beyond the glade. Shippo murmured something childishly derisive under his breath, and Miroku and Sango gave each other that look of annoyed bemusement that had become their trademark at such times.
Inuyasha and Koga, meanwhile, had turned to listen to Kagome's little speech. Inuyasha offered an impatient and futile protest, while Koga made a casual declaration of love. And as she and the others walked away, they faced each other again.
"See what you did, idiot! You made Kagome leave," snapped Inuyasha.
"Fool, you're the one who scared her off," shouted Koga.
"Shabby wolf," bellowed Inuyasha.
"Mangy dog," yelled Koga.
"First one to be pinned," declared Inuyasha.
"Done," said Koga.
Inuyasha removed his sword and stripped off his robe and shirt, while Koga took off his armor. Inuyasha was first into a crouched position, but Koga was swifter once in place and threw himself at the hanyo with jewel shard-enhanced impact. He forced Inuyasha onto his back, and the two tumbled and rolled until their deadlock was broken by a large boulder, into which they crashed unceremoniously.
"Damn," swore Inuyasha, rubbing his hip.
"Watch where you're going," snapped Koga, shaking his head.
"Me? You're the one who doesn't know how to fight."
"I'll beat you, that's for sure."
Growling, they leapt up and grappled again. Heads bowed and pressed together, arms gripping each other's tightly, Koga swung a leg to trip Inuyasha and contacted. Inuyasha took Koga down with him but found he now had the wolf-yokai poised on top of him. Koga laughed in triumph. "Slow, clumsy little dog! I win," he boasted.
Inuyasha kicked him in the stomach and flipped him high overhead. Koga took to the air and landed gracefully on his feet. Inuyasha scrambled to rise and face his opponent.
"First to beg for mercy," coaxed Koga.
"It'll be you," grinned Inuyasha, puffing out his chest.
The battle began anew, with each opponent using his advantages to keep the other off kilter, but Inuyasha's rash, hurried attacks could not outmatch Koga's speed, and soon, he found himself again pinned.
"I'll never beg," snarled Inuyasha.
Koga suspected this was true. He was a proud mutt, if inept and inadequate as a mate for Kagome. As Inuyasha struggled to free himself, Koga's mind worked furiously to come up with a way to make him lose the bet. In a flash, it came to him: the way he had once seen the alpha wolf-yokai display dominance over the tribe into which he was born… Could he manage it?
"Will you beg to be released?" Koga demanded, sitting on Inuyasha's chest and pressing his wrists down hard to keep him from thrashing.
"Never!" barked Inuyasha.
With lightning speed, Koga rose to his knees and flipped Inuyasha onto his belly, then sat down on the small of his back. He gripped and pressed down on Inuyasha's arms just below the shoulders.
"What are you doing, you jerk?" Inuyasha writhed but could not raise himself.
Koga raised up onto his toes and swiftly yanked down Inuyasha's billowy firerat-cloth pants. Then he came down hard on his knees and hooked his ankles around Inuyasha's thighs.
"What the hell?!" cried Inuyasha, desperate to free himself.
Koga pinned the released shoulder and let go the other for an instant to lift the fur flap and release his erection. He leaned forward and pressed it between Inuyasha's pale, vulnerable cheeks.
"I give up!" Inuyasha yelped. "You win!"
Koga smiled. "I know," he said, and began to edge his hips forward.