Chapter 4: Challenge Accepted

I was always one for a challenge, especially when it involved a bet. Of course I always won, so over time I grew bored, and therefore made up my own. But every challenge either has a reward or it has a consequence; it still has meaning. So maybe now I know the truth behind self-pity. The truth behind what a bet really is.

-Kouga

XxxxX

A thin line pressed onto her now red lips, she stared intently at the three girls who had taken her out today. It was a so called girls' day out, but she had a feeling each of them had wanted something else.

She sipped on her hot chocolate, staining the coffee cup it had come in with her red lipstick. She noticed their eyes glancing at her, finally growing utterly tired of their eyes shifting gazes from her, to the ground, and to each other. She set her cup down gently, quickly folded her arms across her chest while leaning back and crossing her leg over the other, she eyed them carefully.

"What exactly do you want?" She muttered quite coldly.

Each girl looked a bit shocked at the sudden question. Bewilderment over came their eyes, but each still remained calm. Kagome stretched her arms out in front of her and spoke first, "Nothing, why would you think we wanted something from you?"

Not satisfied by her friend's response, she simply stated in a blunt manner, "You all keep glancing all over the place, and at me. You have treated me in a manner that only suggests that you desire some knowledge that I might have, or something that I possess. So I ask again, what do you want?"

She looked at each girl carefully, making sure to examine each one of them thoroughly. Then it had dawned upon her, like a smack to the face, her eyes lit up while a smirk slowly curved onto her deep red lips. A small chuckle escaped her mouth.

"You must really need some help, is it that bad for you guys?" She couldn't help the light laugh that was drawn out of her. "Let me guess…hmmmm…"

She looked at each girl before her again, careful not to show them or give them any indication of what she was doing exactly. Pointing at Sango, she mumbled, "Stop trying to be so uptight, let loose just a little, and as for his flirting habits, ignore them and copy them. Flirt with other guys; it will surely gain Miroku's attention."

Sango blushing madly had now looked away while the other two girls giggled. She then stared at Kagome, "Hmmm…tricky you know? He seems to be quite oblivious to your signs and hints, but maybe if you were to be a bit more distant and keep away a little, then he'll give more notice to you. I can tell Inuyasha will react that way."

Kagome's eyes grew wide. She cursed under her breath and then hid her face behind a magazine. "That leaves just you Ayame….hmmm…" The girl fidgeted in her seat awaiting some advice with bated breath.

Alnina twirled her hair around one of her fingers while staring at the wolf demon. "Hmmmm…." She then opened her crimson lips to speak. Ayame inched closer with hope filled eyes. "Give up on him. It is not worth your time, go for someone else."

Ayame felt as if all her energy and power was drained. She slumped back in her seat and muttered, "That's your advice?"

"Oh yea, I mean there is no way that you will get together with Kouga. He seems to only seem you as a younger sister and nothing more." Alnina took another sip of her hot chocolate and then sighed, "I'm sorry Ayame, but there is no spark of attraction between you two, at least not for him."

Kagome and Sango were about to comfort the girl, but Ayame jumped from her seat. She leaned over the table and glared at the now cheetah demon. "What do I have to do to make him see me more than a friend? More than a sister?"

Alnina glance up at the anger in Ayame's eyes, swirling with pain and tiny bits of hope. She looked as though she'd cry, which made Alnina twitch slightly. Pushing her seat away from the table, Alnina got up holding her cup of hot coco, she then stared at Ayame and muttered quite coldly, "There is no other advice for me to give you."

She turned on her heel and slowly walked out of the food court. She heard Sango call out, "Hey! That was kind of harsh!"

Also Kagome yelling, "Wait! Don't just walk away!"

She then heard all of them running to catch up to her, each grabbing their things as well. Once beside her, each scowled at her, Ayame growled lowly.

Alnina then let out a small chuckle, "You three really are some characters. That isn't going to scare me."

"That was pretty cold of you; you could have said it gentler." Sango replied while folding her arms across her chest.

Kagome nodded in agreement, "The least you could have done is let her down easy."

"You sure you have no advice?" Ayame mumbled quietly.

Alnina sighed and stopped. She glanced at each girl and then said, "Listen, I gave you all the advice I have, ok? I'm sorry it came out coldly, but it is the way I am. And it is pretty upsetting that you only brought me here to ask me advice on your love lives just because I fixed my cousin's, you all were just buttering me up so that way you could ask me no problem."

Folding her arms across her chest, she then shook her head in disappointment, "I have been used plenty of times to know that is what you were doing, so do not deny it. That will only tick me off more."

Each girl looked down and mumbled a small apology. Alnina smiled lightly and then patted each of them, "It's fine. Let's just put it behind us, ok?"

Nodding, Kagome grabbed Alnina's wrist and tugged her along, "Come on! I want you to come to one of my favorite shops!" Alnina was dragged along with her and looked to see the other two girls not far behind.

XxxxX

"Mind telling us why we are watching you?" Kouga grumbled in an unhappy tone.

"Cause my usual sitter had other plans, but no worries, she'll come before 5." Shippo muttered while examining a puzzle.

"But why do all of us have to be here?" Kouga said while pointing at Inuyasha, Miroku, and Pouta.

Shippo shrugged, "Maybe because if not all of you were here, then I would be dead."

"What does that mean?" Pouta muttered.

"Inuyasha would kill me if no one else was here to stop him." Shippo stated.

Inuyasha growled lowly, "What was that fox boy?"

Shippo quickly cowered behind Kouga and mumbled, "See? Told you so."

Kouga let out a laugh and messed with Shippo's hair. "Yea, yea, yea. I get it, ok?" Shippo nodded and slowly sat himself beside the wolf demon. Kouga was bored as hell, but still stayed. "Hey Shippo!"

The young demon looked up and muttered, "Yea?"

Kouga smirked, "How are your neighbors?"

Shippo sighed, "Really cool actually! The oldest son took me for a drive and to the movies with his girlfriend, and younger brother. They are really cool! The youngest son is fun and lets me play all his video games! And we play football and baseball and soccer and-"

Kouga covered his mouth, "I meant the girl."

Shippo's eyes widened and he nodded. He pried Kouga's hand off and then muttered, "She's nice and kind. When I went over a few days ago, she went swimming with her younger brother and me."

"You saw her in a bathing suit?!" Miroku asked. That seemed to catch his attention.

Shippo nodded, "Duh, what else would she wear?"

"What kind of bathing suit?" Miroku leaned closer towards Shippo.

"Ummm a bikini, why?" Shippo shifted uncomfortably.

Before Miroku could answer, Inuyasha snorted, "Because he is a perv."

Pouta sighed, "Sadly, but it's not that big a deal to see her in a bikini." He looked away after stating it.

"Yea it is!" Miroku argued.

"Not really, I saw her one all the time back in middle school." Pouta stated still looking away.

"Lucky!" Miroku sighed.

Kouga then asked, "So has she talked about anybody to you?"

Shippo shrugged, "Well she did mention some perv on her first day, and catching up with an old friend." He tapped his chin while thinking about it.

Inuyasha let out a laugh while punching Miroku. Pouta gave a small smile. Kouga pressed on, "Anything else?"

"Well she said there was a half demon who she thought was pretty funny and kinda cute." Shippo stated still tapping his chin, but he was now looking up.

Kouga let out a low growl and glared at Inuyasha, "Hey mutt, hands off her!"

Inuyasha smirked, "Not my fault she finds me attractive!"

Kouga was about to jump him when Shippo spoke again. "She also said there was this one guy who kept bugging her, but he was alright. She said he stuck his neck out for her and helped her out. She said he was good looking, but way too cocky, idiotic, and too full of himself for her to even consider him more than a friend."

Kouga felt himself shrink. "Really?"

"Yea, she also said that she really wouldn't even consider him as boyfriend material if he wasn't like that anyways."

"Why not?" Miroku asked a bit interested.

"Because Alnina isn't like most girls." Pouta mumbled lowly.

"And that means?" Inuyasha muttered, making his hand wave in a motion that meant 'keep going'.

Pouta looked up at each guy; he slumped back in his seat and sighed. "Well for starters…she isn't normal period; I mean she can turn into a ghost." He paused for a brief moment, but continued. "And she doesn't really believe in love."

Each of them, with the exception of Shippo, each was stunned. "What does that mean?" Kouga asked.

The rest gave him a look that said, 'really?'. But Pouta knew Kouga meant what he asked, and sighed again.

"It means she really does not believe in the whole concept of love. She thinks it is stupid, and refuses to like anyone, or fall in love, so in other words….she isn't planning on going out with you anytime soon." Pouta stated. "I mean believe me, she has found guys attractive in the past, but she never went out with anyone because she actually liked them, mostly because people pressured her into it."

Letting it all sink in, Pouta stared at the ceiling while he let some memories fly by him. Most of which were of when he was in middle school and was friends with Alnina.

"Well…then…that's interesting." Kouga thought aloud. Then a devious grin spread across his face, "I guess I really do have a challenge, huh?"

Pouta rolled his eyes, Shippo hit his forehead with the palm of his hand, Miroku snickered, and Inuyasha called him a "Stupid wolf!" But Kouga didn't care, he was still thinking about how he would play this girl.

XxxxX

Kagome and Sango had already left, leaving Alnina with Ayame. Ayame still a bit upset on the advice that was given to her, she tried to come up with a way to get Alnina to help her out with Kouga. She bit down on her nails while her mind was frantically looking for some solution.

"You wanna know something?" Alnina mumbled.

Ayame raised her eyebrow, "What?"

"You really deserve better." Alnina stated. It wasn't coldly said, nor was it full of emotion, but it meant something.

"A lot of people say that," Ayame stated bluntly. She sighed sadly, "But I never listen. I mean I really, really like him!"

Alnina glanced over at the girl and sighed, "The only way for you to get him is if he were to go through a major change of heart, and that isn't gonna happen any time soon." Alnina started to laugh, "I mean maybe if he actually fell in love himself, and/or experienced heart break, maybe just maybe he would consider an actual relationship."

Ayame felt a light bulb go off. That's it! If Kouga were to fall in love and get heartbroken, then he would not just get hurt, but need a shoulder to cry on! I would be there and then BAM! He'll fall in love with me! It's perfect!

Alnina still laughed, "I mean imagine the wolf actually falling in love! That is just ridiculous!"

"That is a perfect plan!" Ayame screamed suddenly.

Alnina gave her a look and ceased her laughter. Eying the girl suspiciously, she raised her eyebrow and then asked, "What is a perfect plan?"

Ayame smiled brightly at the now human girl, she gripped her shoulders and shouted, "You have given me the perfect plan!" Alnina was still giving a puzzled look, she had no idea what the wolf demon was rambling on about. Ayame sensed this and then let her go. "Here I'll explain it to you."

Ayame composed herself again and then smiled once again. "Here it is. All we have to do is get him to fall in love with some girl, like have him completely fall head over heels, and then this girl will break up with him and shatter his heart! Then while he is all depressed and stuff, I'll come in and comfort him. Then he will fall in love with yours truly, and tada! I am finally with Kouga!"

Alnina was utterly shocked at this girl; did she really think such a plan would work? "Someone really has a one track mind, huh?"

Ayame let out a dry laugh, but still smiled, "Come on, it is all we have to do!"

Alnina turned around and started to walk away, "What is this 'we' business? This is your plan, not mine."

Ayame quickly gripped the other girl's wrist, "But Alnina you gave me the idea, and you are a part of the plan!"

"How so?" Alnina asked while trying to pull away.

"Well who else will be the girl who he falls for, obviously not me." Ayame chuckled with a small smirk.

Alnina's eyes widened, she quickly turned around. This girl wasn't serious, was she? Alnina saw the truth in Ayame's eyes and then turned pale. "No! No! No way! There is no way that I would ever date him!"

Ayame pouted, "But! Please! Come on Alnina! You'll be perfect!"

"NO!" Alnina shouted while tugging her arm away. "Not interested in that job!"

Ayame then tackled her in a hug; she clung onto her waist, "Please! Please! Please! Help a girl out Alnina!"

Alnina's eyes grew even wider, "You have got to be kidding me!" She glanced around to see some people walking by giving the two girls weird looks. "Why me? Why not some other girl?"

Ayame gave Alnina the puppy dog eyes and then muttered, "Well Kouga seems to have a thing for you and you are pretty heartless anyways, so I know you won't fall for him like every other girl."

Alnina stared at the girl, she was deciding whether she should be offended at how she had called her heartless, or thank her for realizing that she wouldn't fall for Kouga. Looking away and trying to get a hold of the outrageous idea, she sighed.

"If I did it, what is in it for me?" Alnina asked without emotion.

"Saving countless girls from being played by him, and I will praise you forever." Ayame stated with joy and confidence.

"As tempting as that sounds, I am not that generous." Alnina muttered grimly. She narrowed her eyes at the wolf demon who still clung onto her; she then let out a small growl.

"The satisfaction of breaking Kouga's heart as well." Ayame muttered still giving her a puppy dog face.

"As cold as I am, I am really not too keen on breaking hearts," Alnina had snarled.

Ayame then sighed, "I'll be your personal assistant for as long as it takes you to go through with the plan."

Alnina looked away; she was slightly pleased by the offer, but still felt uneasy about the whole thing. She glanced back at her friend and then muttered, "Is this what you really want?"

Ayame nodded several times while stating, "Yes mam!"

Alnina looked down and chewed on the inside of her cheek, "Fine, I'll do it."

Ayame squeezed her tightly and squealed in joy. "Yay! You're the best!" She then let her friend go and smiled brightly, "Ok miss, what is my first order?"

Alnina handed her several bags and then said, "Take me home."

Nodding, Ayame took the bags and led her towards the car.

XxxxX

"OH YEA! WHO IS THE DRIVING CHAMPION!?" Kouga had shouted while throwing his controlled to the ground.

Shippo pouted while folding his arms and slumping back in his seat, "You."

"Who? I didn't hear you!" he teased the younger demon while leaning down to and cupping his ear.

"I said you!" Shippo growled and glared at the gloating wolf demon.

"That's right!" Kouga bragged. He high fived the other guys and did a little victor dance.

"Alright wolf, that is enough." Miroku muttered while high fiving the arrogant demon. "But it was a pretty close match."

Kouga sighed, "Yea, much better than Inu."

Inuyasha barked, "What was that you stupid wolf?"

"You heard me!"

"Oh, you are gonna get it now!"

Kouga got up, "Wanna go?!"

"Hell ya!" Inuyasha got up and inched closer to the wolf demon.

"HALF DEMON!"

"STUPID BASTARD!"

They were about to throw a few punches, but there was a knock on the door. Pouta glance over at the clock and groaned, "Must be your sitter." He got up from his seat, "No worries I'll get it."

Shippo nodded and then glared at Kouga and Inuyasha, "Behave!"

Pouta returned with a small smile, but kept quiet. Then Alnina came in, she was still in her human form. "Hey Shippo! I brought you something from the mall!"

Shippo ran up to the girl and jumped, "Really? What is it?"

Alnina smiled, "A new video game! What else?"

She carried him back into the living room and then glanced up to see the rest of the guys. Her eyes widened, "What the heck are you doing here!?"

"What else? We're Shippo's friends." Inuyasha muttered.

"But-but you are older by several years!" Alnina grumbled.

"So? He is mature for his age." Miroku stated.

"Yea, I guess so." Alnina shrugged.

"And why are you here?" Kouga asked with a tiny smirk, but he already knew the answer.

"I'm his baby sitter, so you all can take your leave." She simply stated while setting the fox demon down. She then made her way into the kitchen; she glanced up only to see the four other boys still present. "Did I stutter? Get out!" She barked.

Without hesitation three out of the four took their leave. Only Kouga took his sweet time. He smirked at the girl, "Now sweetie, no need to be so pissy."

She glared him and transformed into her demon form, "Leave now." A low growl escaped her throat.

"Feisty, I love it! Can't wait for school, see ya." He gave a small wave then disappeared.

Alnina groaned and remember her deal with Ayame, she sighed. She started to make something for Shippo to eat, when she heard him call her. "What is it Shippo?"

Shippo smiled, "You don't really like Kouga, huh?"

Alnina let a small laugh escape her lips, "Not really, but I have a feeling I'm going to need to learn how to…"

OoooO

So? How is it?