Readers--Here we are, chapter 6 of Tainted Blood. This is a fun chapter, hehe. I want to apologize for Hojo-lovers. Truth is, I like Hojo, he's so lovable! But I need him to be the annoying guy. Kouga will come in later, and in this fic he will be more conseited and loser-y. In other words, more like his good-old self, but not in a way that everyone will despise him. I'm using American Hi-Fi's 'Nothing Left To Lose' in this chapter. I'll try to get 7 out soon. Enjoy!

Disclaimer: Me--Yash--Kag....nope, sadly. I own only the idea for this story, and the hopes that one day they will be mind. *lightning flashes* Oh yes, they will mine!

Chapter 6: Define Love

"Nothing Left To Lose,

Except you and your baby blues,

Microphone check this rhyme

Pancho Villa was a friend of mine"

The rest of the week passed without a second thought or second glance. No one was happier for Friday to come then Kagome. Well, maybe except for Hojo, who had been oh-do-subtly reminding Kagome about their oncoming date on Saturday. It wasn't as though she regretted accepting, except that she did. Hojo was a sweet, if overly-friendly, handsome boy who had asked her to go out with him. Kagome decided it was just nerves about being alone with a boy she didn't know. This fact was confided to her two best friends on the drive back to the dojo after school. Kagome had hitched a ride with Rin and Sango that morning as well.

"If you don't want to go out with him Kag, then don't go," Sango said rationally. She was in the front seat with Rin, who was behind the wheel. Kagome stretched out across the back seat.

"I just can't walk up to him and say 'Hojo, something suddenly came up!' This isn't an episode of the Brady Bunch Sango. No one is 'that' naive." Kagome chewed on a piece of her hair. "It's not that I don't like Hojo, I just don't think he's my type."

"What is your type, Kagome?" Rin asked, adjusting her rearview mirror so she could catch a glimpse of her cousin. Kagome weighed her words carefully before speaking.

"I need a guy who's brave and strong. A guy who can kick my ass, but not gloat about it. Someone who is sweet and devoted, steady and stable. Someone respectful and polite, well-mannered and romantic." Kagome racked her brain, but found herself thinking about every detail opposite of a certain hanyou who flashed in her mind. "A guy who will treat me like the princess I am." All three girls laughed.

"Come off it Kag," Sango said, not unkindly.

"Yeah, that's not what you need!" Rin agreed. "You need a guy who can keep up with you. You'd get bored really fast with a Hojo-type character."

"She's right Kagome," Sango interrupted. "You go too fast for a normal guy. You need someone who can make you laugh and who lives as much on the edge as you do."

"A guy who will be there for you when you need him, but know when not to crowd you," Rin added.

"You need someone special to fall in love with."

"Define love," Kagome said, with an uninterested tone.

Sango thought for a moment, then began. "Love is when you find someone who you can share anything and everything with. Love is to want to be with someone despite their flaws, to love them even more 'because' of those flaws. Love is someone you can take care of who will take care of you."

Rin pulled into the dojo parking lot and turned to face Kagome. "Love is trusting someone, wanting their happiness even at the cost of your own."

"Love is breathing," Sango added. "Love is becoming a better person, helping others." Kagome was pensive.

"You two put way too much thought into that answer. I was waiting for a simplistic answer, like something Inuyasha would say. 'Love is like Ramen, hot and good to the last drop.'" Sango and Rin laughed.

"We're romantics, what can we say?" Kagome snorted and hopped out of the car.

"Well, I know Sango's type of guy," she teased, knowing the secret crush her new best friend had on a certain perverted womanizer.

Sango blushed. "Oh really?"

Kagome nodded, smiling and taking off her glasses as they went inside. "Sango likes the sweet, romantic type. A lover, not a fighter, but a guy who will beat you down if you get in his face or bother his woman. She couldn't handle a wimp. A guy who gives her a lot of attention, good and bad. A gentleman of sorts, one of those rogues with an honor code."

By this time, Sango had begun chasing Kagome around the kitchen, laughing. Rin giggled helplessly, drawing the attention of the other two girls. They rounded on her menacingly. "Ah, but Rin is different!" Sango declared with a smirk. "She likes the strong, silent type. The kind of guy who is cool and collected. A no-nonsense bookworm. Someone beautiful and thoughtful, with just a hint of danger. Rin's type of man is one whose heart she can soften." Sango burst into dramatics and Kagome raised a questioning brow.

"Does my Rinny-kins have a secret crush she didn't tell me about?"

"No! Sango just thinks I do," Rin was quick to deny. She was also blushing hotly.

"She has the biggest crush on Inuyasha's brother, Sesshomaru," Sango explained. Kagome felt like she'd been punched in the chest, her smile now plastered on. Rin was in love with an Inutoya? When? Why? HOW?

"Oh," Kagome said lamely.

"I DO NOT!" Rin said hastily. "Really Kag, I don't." Kagome recovered quickly, hoping Sango wouldn't notice her sudden lapse. Sango had noticed her strange emotions, but chose not to comment as Kagome tried to joke it off.

"Sure you don't," she said to Rin with a teasing grin. "Wow, Rin's in love with a demon and Sango's in love with a pervert. Who would've guessed?" Snickering to herself, Kagome headed upstairs to change for practice before either of the others could think of a retaliation.

"We totally have to get her back," Sango muttered.

"Are you thinking what I'm thinking?" Rin asked, smiling devilishly.

"Does it involve a hammer?" Sango joked.

"No, I'm thinking more along the lines of her date with Hojo."

"I am so in," Sango cried. They grinned maniacally at each other. That was how Inuyasha and Miroku found them when the pair came into the dojo. It was almost frightening.

"Ah, Sango? Rin?" Miroku asked, inching closer slowly. They were like two wild animals, there was no telling when they would attack.

"Oh, hi guys!" Rin said cheerfully, tossing a braid over her shoulder.

"What were you doing?" Inuyasha inquired, not really sure he wanted to know.

"Just thinking of a way to get Kagome back after a little tiff we had," Sango clarified. There was an evil glint in her brown eyes.

"What are you going to do?" both males asked, the scheming part of their brains already turning.

"Should we tell them?" Rin asked Sango. Sango only smiled.

"You guys want to go to the movies tomorrow?"

"I get fucked up, Holla back ya'll,

And I kick it like Jackie Chan,

With my Kung Fu style,

'I'll get rid of you in a while (yeah)"

Kagome woke up late Saturday morning. She stretched and showered, then walked back into her room, just remembering that she had her first date. It may sound sad that this would be her first date, especially considering that her eighteenth birthday was in less then a month, but the truth was that no one had ever asked her before. She admitted to herself that she was excited, but couldn't stop a tiny bit of disappointment from settling in her stomach.

Rin and Sango had been right after all. She would get bored with a boy like Hojo rather quickly. He was sweet and polite, good-looking but boring as hell. Sure, he'd be doting and affectionate. But he wouldn't get her riled up. He couldn't ruffle her feathers, make her blush easily. He couldn't make her heart beat faster when he flashed her a gorgeous smile, unlike a certain hanyou who was never far from her mind. Kagome tried to shake her thoughts away, feeling that even entertaining the thoughts of such a thing was a betrayal to her family.

Kagome attempted to dress nicer then usual. She wore her long khaki skirt that fell to just above her ankles and a black turtle-neck sweater. Her make-up was conservative and she let her hair air-dry so it fell down her back in wavy tendrils. Sporting her new heels, she descended the stairs to talk with her grandmother.

"Hey Grams, do these shoes make my ankles look fat?" she joked.

"You're a vision, Kagome dear!" Kaede complimented, truly meaning it.

"Thanks Grams, I'll take that as a no." Kagome blushed a little, looking at the clock. Hojo would be there soon. "I'll put in some extra practice after I get home."

"Don't worry about that. You've been at it all week, dear. You deserve a day of rest. Just go and have a good time now, and be home before ten."

"I highly doubt that I'll be out that late."

"One never knows," Kaede said wisely. There was a knock at the door. "Have a good time dear heart."

"Bye Grams," Kagome said, quickly hugging her before going to the door. With a self-conscious hand, Kagome pulled at her hair as she opened the door. "Hi Hojo," she greeted the star-struck teen. "You ready to go?"

"Yeah," he squeaked. "C'mon. I'll take you to my car." He composed himself quickly, offering her his arm. Kagome smiled and took it, waving as she closed the door.

"(Hey Hey Hey) All the bitches in the back,

C'mon C'mon, get up get up (whoa)

I know you know it's never forever"

The Isharugi Martial Arts Team (minus Kagome) staked out the movie theatre in the mall, waiting for their prey. They were already armed with a small arsenal of projectile candy, popcorn, and the loudest food capable of being consumed--nachos. Rin watched at the back exit while Sango stood at the front. They had the plan all figured out. They'd wait until they spotted Hojo and Kagome, follow them to see what movie they were going to see, then buy tickets for the same showing. After the two went inside the screen room, the conspirators would sit behind them and do everything in their power to ruin the date. (The nachos were Inuyasha's idea.)

"They're coming!" Rin called from the back of the theatre. Miroku and Inuyasha ran over to her. She pointed to the parking lot. "Look, Hojo just pulled up." They saw as Hojo got out of his car and quickly ran around to open Kagome's door as well. Then he escorted her toward the theatre, opening the doors for her. "They'll be coming in any second, come on!"

All four teenagers raced around to hide behind the ticket booth. They watched Kagome and Hojo walk in. Inuyasha was especially struck by how pretty Kagome looked without the sunglasses. He felt a little jealous that she'd discard the glasses for Hojo, but not for him. At the same time he was brooding, the close proximity was overcoming Miroku. His hand, with a mind of its own, raised to settle on Sango's butt. Sango froze, her eyes closed in silent rage. She wouldn't scream, or even smack him right now. It would give them away and ruin all of their careful planning.

"Miroku," she whispered. "I'm two seconds from being on you like white on rice in a snowstorm. I suggest you remove that hand if you want to keep it." The hand was removed and Miroku muttered something about Sango's jeans being too tempting. "My Lee Dungarees are just fine, you're just a perv!" she hissed.

"Damn you Buddy Lee," Miroku said in a dramatic whisper. (I love the Buddy Lee commercials!) Rin and Inuyasha watched and snickered silently, but their attention was drawn to the booth where Kagome and Hojo were deciding on what to see.

"What would you like to see Kagome?" Hojo asked. "I've heard good things about Cabin Fever." Kagome gave him a smile that clearly said you-gotta-be-kidding-me.

"Holy Shit! Hojo's going for the oldest guy-trick in the book!" Miroku hissed, stuck somewhere between shock and admiration. "Who would've though he was such a player."

"What are you mumbling about?" Inuyasha whispered. "Maybe the dweeb just likes horror flicks."

"Come on Inuyasha, you aren't that naive," Miroku scolded him. "You know a guy only takes a girl to a horror movie so that when a gory or scary part comes up she flinches away and he can take advantage when comforting her. It's a sacred practice of men." Sango and Rin stared at him.

"You do that on purpose?" Sango hissed angrily.

"Quiet!" Rin hushed them. "Kagome doesn't flinch at anything."

"No thanks Hojo, I'm not a big fan of Cabin movies. What about 'Once upon a time in Mexico'?"

"Um, that doesn't really seem like a date move," Hojo commented.

"Cabin Fever is a date move?" Kagome asked with disbelief. He blushed harder. "Well, if you want to see a horror movie, what about Underworld?" Hojo brightened.

"Okay!" He paid for both their tickets, then they headed to the snack bar before the show.

"She walked right into that one," Miroku said as they passed by. The martial arts team jumped in line and bought tickets for Underworld.

"Don't worry, Kag's been wanting to see this movie. She didn't think she'd get to because she can't take her brothers to see it," Rin said with a smile.

"Plus, I hardly think that Kag will cower in fear with 'Hojo' to comfort her," Sango added. Miroku looked skeptical, not wanting to toss aside his theory. Inuyasha just brooded.

They followed the couple into the dark theatre and took position in the seats just behind them in the center row. The four conspirators waited until the exact moment when the movie started to enact their plan.

Kagome caught on to them five minutes into the film. She laughed silently to herself before turning around in her seat to throw a handful of popcorn at Inuyasha and Rin. "If you four want to leave the theatre will all your appendages working, I suggest you settle down and let me watch the movie."

The four were a little disappointed at being caught so quickly, but they enjoyed the popcorn war the rest of the movie. Inuyasha would eat his nachos extra loud every time Hojo attempted to put his arm around Kagome. Kagome herself didn't seem to notice. Neither did she flinch at any of the gory scenes when Hojo wished she would.

When the movie ended, Hojo and Kagome left the theatre together, the other four at their heels. "Um, Kagome?" Hojo whispered to her. "Why are your friends following us?"

"I don't know," Kagome said with a faint smile. "I'll go ask, be back in a flash!" She smiled and winked at him, holding up one finger as she backed away toward her friends. Well, her friends and Inuyasha.

"No shades?"

"Hold your tongue dog-boy," Kagome snapped, hands on her hips. She turned on her cousin and best friend. "What are you doing here Rin?"

"Revenge for yesterday," her cousin stated simply. Kagome groaned, but there was the trace of a smile on her face.

"Looking hot Kagome," Sango said with a wink. Miroku nodded. Kagome flushed, then turned crimson.

"I have to get back to my date. I'll meet up with you guys in East Meets West at four, ok?" she looked pleading. Sango and Rin agreed, grabbing Inuyasha and Miroku and leaving the theatre.

"Will do," Rin chirped with a wave.

"See ya later Kag," Miroku waved.

"C'mon C'mon get up get up (whoa)

You wanna hear I'm sorry, whatever!

Now that your gone, I'm moving on

There's nothing left to lose, Except for you"

At four o'clock sharp, the martial arts team waited impatiently for their fifth member to join up with them. Rin and Sango were browsing through the jewelry of East Meets West. Miroku chuckled to himself as he read some of the slogans on the specialty made shirts. Inuyasha paced the floor, back and forth, stopping only long enough to scan his eyes over the doorway.

"She's late," he said for the hundredth time.

"Relax dude," Miroku told him while contemplating buying a shirt that read 'Not enough hours in the day for all the ladies on my tail'. "She'll get here when she gets here."

It was just coincidence that at that very moment, Hojo and Kagome walked into the store. Hojo had his arm around her, looking triumphantly happy while Kagome looked rather uncomfortable. She shrugged at Rin and Sango, then smiled at Inuyasha and Miroku. Inuyasha saw Hojo's arm tighten around her and felt a growl somewhere deep in his throat. He couldn't say why it bothered him so much, but seeing Hojo with his arm around Kagome bothered him a lot. Rin saw the look on Inuyasha's face and quickly jumped in to prevent disaster.

"Kagome, how did you like the movie?" she asked. Kagome stepped out of Hojo's hold with a smile at him and went to talk to the girls.

"Thanks," she whispered under her breath to her cousin.

"He's a little too hands-on, huh?" Sango asked.

"Not as bad as Miroku," Kagome shot back. "But you guys were right. I'm bored of him already. He's always trying to hold my hand or put his arm around me. He even tried to 'kiss' me when we were outside."

"You didn't let him did you?" Rin asked, eyes huge.

Kagome shook her head. "Naw. I don't want my first kiss to be 'Hojo'. I mean, he's nice and all. He's always complimenting me on how pretty I am or how smart I am or how fearless I act, but he's just so...unexciting." Kagome sighed, then smiled. "Figures I'd catch me a great guy, and not be happy with him."

Rin and Sango smiled. "Don't say that Kag. You just haven't found the right guy yet," Sango said, wrapping an arm around her. Kagome looked across the floor to see where her 'date' was busy talking to a slightly annoyed Miroku. Inuyasha had moved away, for risk of squeezing the little geek's head like a zit. Kagome met his amber eyes and smiled. Inuyasha smiled back. It seemed like they had a moment.

'Maybe she has,' Rin thought to herself. Her scheming wheels began to turn once more. Thoughts of what Kaede had told her before and her own thoughts about Kagome and Inuyasha led her to one conclusion. The two were the perfect match. Well, except for that one little thing standing in their way. The fact that Kagome had to kill him.

"Well, I should get home," Kagome said, turning away from Inuyasha's eyes. "Before Hojo annoys Inuyasha and Miroku into killing him." They laughed, then Kagome said she'd call them later. "Hojo," she called when she walked over. "I'm kind of tired, could we split?"

"Sure Kagome," Hojo said with a smile. "Later guys."

"Bye Miroku," she said with a wave. She winked at Inuyasha as she passed him by. "Later dog-boy." He snorted as he watched them go. Hojo wrapped his arm around her again and Kagome had to forceherself to relax.

"Hell yeah!

I get my teenage kicks, pulling down tricks like Rodman,

All the lipstick chicks sing:

NA, NA, NA, NA, NA,NA

I get fucked up, Holla back ya'll,

And I rock it like Jackson Browne"

"Why Inuyasha!" Rin said with a sly smile. "I do believe that you were jealous!"

"Me? Jealous?" he scoffed. "Jealous of what?"

"The fact that your dream girl is dating another guy," Miroku added casually. All eyes were on him. The girls were delighted, but Inuyasha looked pissed. "Come off your high horse, 'Yash. You know you like her."

"I do not!" he denied.

"Come on! You were totally freaking when you saw his arm around her. You were like-like-...Sango darling, what's that phrase you use?"

Sango cleared her throat. "Inuyasha, you were two seconds from being on him like a hobo on a ham sandwich." Rin and Miroku snickered; Inuyasha scowled.

"I was not!" he said again. 'Was I?' he asked himself.

'Of course you were!' That nagging little voice in his head yelled. 'Kagome is your dream girl, just like Miroku said!'

'No she isn't! She's a snotty bitch who's always mouthing off, and messing around!'

'Exactly! You don't want a girl who's tame and boring. You want someone with attitude, spunk. You want Kagome.'

'No I don't! She's just a girl.'

'An extremely hot, kickin', bad ass girl. A girl you love to make smile, or blush. A girl you can't help but want to piss off. A girl you've dreamt about every night since you met her. The dark hair, the soft skin, the eyes.'

'She does have killer eyes...'

'What'd I tell you? You're falling dude.'

"Ack! Inner monologue is saying bad things!" Inuyasha cried, grabbing his head.

"Don't think too hard, pal," Miroku said with a pat on the shoulder. "You'll just end up hurting yourself again." Inuyasha growled and Miroku had just enough time to dodge out of the store before Inuyasha attacked him.

"The mall just isn't as much fun with only them around anymore," Sango said casually as they followed the two boys.

"Yeah, we need Kagome to come and yell about Old Navy some more." They both laughed.

"Let me tell you right now,

I like strippers better anyhow (yeah)

C'mon C'mon get up get up (whoa)

I know you know it's never forever"

They didn't know that at that moment Hojo was in his car, asking Kagome to go out with him again. Not knowing what else to say, Kagome said it would have to wait until after the Nationals. Practice would take up the rest of her time.

"They aren't for another two weeks," Kagome said.

"That's okay, I'll wait," Hojo said with a smile. Kagome smiled back, but it didn't reach her eyes. She couldn't see herself dating Hojo. He just wasn't fun. He just wasn't like Inuyasha. Her eyes widened at this thought.

'Oh God,' she panicked. 'Please don't let this be happening!' The horrible guilt took hold of her once more as she said goodnight to Hojo, avoiding his kiss and accepting only a peck on the cheek. She walked in, and although it was still early, she headed to her room for the night. She called her brothers and talked to them for a while. Then she called Rin and Sango and talked to them some as well. Then she went to sleep, but her dreams were haunted with visions of her mother and a pair of breath-taking amber eyes.

"C'mon C'mon get up get up (whoa)

You wanna hear I'm sorry, whatever!

Now that you're gone, I'm moving on,

You wrecked it all

There's nothing left to lose except for you"

Yay! Chapter 6 over and out. I'm so happy! I've done an outline of this fic, and so far I've got an estimated 24-25 chapters. Too much, you say? NEVER! I love....LOVE this story. And I hope to make it long, drawn out, and exciting. Shout out time!

pruningshears: I do so very much hope you are enjoying this story. I live to please! I'm glad you are reviewing too. Chapter 5 was my masterpeice, lol. I wanted something to shock the readers. And believe me, there will be more surprises! Thanks a lot, review again!

Virous: I'm sorry my story is really OOC. I just felt angsty and dramatic. Thanks for reading, and please continue to do so! So it's okay? Really? Thanks!

Inuyasha's_son: Thanks for the tip! This must mean you have read all of my works...and yet, this is the only review...imagine that?

Sakurapetalsntears: I LOVE YOU! Another Hi-Fi fan, my lucky day! Most of my friends either hate them, or not know who they are. I want to cry..they are the best!!! I am honored that you read and like my fic. *bows*

Well, here we are. Please remember to review! I want to announce that I have ended my story Surviving a City and that the sequel will be coming out within the next few weeks. It's going to be called 'Surviving Life: A City Revisited'. Please remember to check out the original and the sequel. Also, I have begun my sequel to Renegade. It's called Wanderers, please check it out. Thanks!

~~Jesse the Wolf Demon~~