Ch. 1

Oh, he was going to get it. Inuyasha was pulling his hairs out. He could absolutely not take another day with his perfect brother! He would rather jump in a chasm with a family of demon skunks than spend another day with Mister "I'm-way-better-than-you-at-everything-so-don't-mess-with-me". He had joined their group for "The Greater Good" not even a week ago and he was already starting to aggravate the poor Inu Hanyou to no end.

"He's exasperating!" Inuyasha whined to the blue-eyed miko that was making some food for them all over a small fire. They had stopped in a small clearing, filled with blooming flowers, and a small trickling stream. The sweet smell of cherry blossoms hung in the air, clinging to it like a lover would. The crisp green grass tickled bare feet, and gave the place a feeling of liveliness. Peace wafted over the small clearing in waves. One, particularly irate person, however, was anything but peaceful. The white haired man had his arms crossed in his usual red hiori, a mixed look of despair, and annoyance on his face.

"It doesn't matter, Inuyasha. No matter how exasperating he might be you have to deal with him. Besides, he hasn't done anything to you! Not a single thing, so I don't know why you're complaining!" Kagome half snapped back. Inuyasha had been complaining non stop lately. She watched with irritation as he reared up to start again.

"But Kagome!" He got as far as that.

"No buts!" Kagome cut in. She gave him a look that screamed "That's final." and turned back to her cooking. The girl had gotten good after a couple years practice. In a little less than three months she would turn 20, she was 19 at the moment.

Much to the group's, mostly Inuyasha's, surprise she had become a rather beautiful woman. Whenever they would walk into a village all the men's heads turned to stare at her. Now, she chose to wear the miko's uniform and it showed off her ample curves. Not only that but demons as well had begun to take notice of her. Particularly a certain inu Youkai that had been driving his little brother mad.

There he sat. On the edge of the clearing watching over the Kitsune and his ward. They were playing in a patch of flowers. He had always loved spring but for some odd reason now he hated it. The dog lord took a sniff of the air, and gave a soft inaudible sigh. The scent of Sakura was everywhere, and for once he was disappointed of it, for she smelled of Sakura as well. Of course, with the scent of the sweet blossom wafting about in the breeze, he could scarcely tell where she was if he did not look over. She smelled of Sakura….which he loved and hated at the very same time.

The demon gave another soft sigh. For a brief moment he could remember only one other time he had sighed this much in his life. Quickly, though, he shook the thought from his head. It would do him no good to remember such things. Amber eyes flitted, behind thick powdery white bangs, over to the dainty beauty that kneeled beside the fire as she had been doing for quite some time. He felt his heart flutter and reprimanded himself for it. Sesshoumaru held back another sigh. If only he could find a way to try to make her his without having his dastardly little brother in the way…

Inuyasha huffed. He strutted over to where his brother was and flopped down unceremoniously next to him, crossing his arms. Sesshoumaru briefly turned his gaze to his brother and then back to the two playing children. Inuyasha grumbled and glared at his elder brother. He was always so cool and calm!

"You think you're so cool." Inuyasha grumbled out. Sesshoumaru didn't bother answering, "You know I think I know what you're problem is."

Sesshoumaru turned his gold orbs back over to the obviously annoyed Hanyou, with a noble and undaunted expression.

"Really now?" He said, without batting an eyelash, "Perhaps you'd care to enlighten, this Sesshoumaru."

"You really need to get laid." Inuyasha said flatly. Sesshoumaru didn't answer. Instead he returned his attentions to the children. Inuyasha smirked, "So I was right, huh?"

"You will cease this conversation at once. This Sesshoumaru has no need for the pleasures of a woman." He stated, a cold tone hanging on his voice. Inuyasha only probed him on more.

"I bet you don't know the first thing about women!" He taunted.

"Neither do you, baby brother." Sesshoumaru retorted, quickly berating himself for the mistake he had made without realizing.

"So you admit it!" Inuyasha pointed out triumphantly. A smirk as big as his own face was adoring his head making him look almost ridiculous. Sesshoumaru would not be beat.

"I could obtain any woman I choose easily." He said with a conviction far greater than his actual knowledge on the subject. The dog was praised for his genius on the battle field, yet had only once or twice crossed the border into the territory of the female heart, and escaped with his life.

"Oh, really?" Inuyasha teased.

"Yes, really." Sesshoumaru answered. Inuyasha's smirk didn't fade nor falter under any circumstances. Instead he lifted up a clawed hand and pointed over to the female serving dinner.

"Try that one." Inuyasha said, an air of triumph in his voice. Had he not been Sesshoumaru, the ice prince, the black cloud, the unshakable ice berg he would have leapt for joy. Finally his chance at her!

"You have yourself a wager, baby brother." Sesshoumaru said, trying not to sound too eager. Inuyasha reached out his hand, and the elder brother took it. The bet was on.

Inuyasha (c) Rumiko Takahashi

I don not own Inuyasha, the show, manga, or any of its characters. I don not take credit for them in any way shape or form. So don't sue me because I am flat broke! xD