Demonic Cat

It was drizzling rain the next day. Sesshoumaru wasn't in his dorm, nor was he out by the stone wall like he usually was. Kagome wasn't too entirely worried though; he was a demon, after all, and could take care of himself. It was just unusual to start the day without talking to him, especially now that was beginning to talk back.

Ok, so written notes hardly qualified as verbal speech, but it was progress from nothing at all.

She smiled to herself as she headed out, pulling her jacket tighter around her. She loved the damp grass and leaves, the way the rain washed everything away. Out here she could lose herself in the sensations, and not have to worry about thinking.

Of course, certain thoughts refused to leave. Sesshoumaru had seen her scars, her most carefully guarded secret. Should she tell him everything? That she had been weak enough to allow them to hurt her so badly? He didn't seem like the type to pass judgment – if anything, she had a feeling he knew from firsthand experiences just how horrifying home life could be. Still, she wasn't sure she was ready to reveal something she had guarded for so long. No matter how much she trusted him, wanted to confide in him, she just wasn't ready. Surely he could understand that.

A mewling sound disrupted her thoughts. Curious, she began to look around.

"Kitty?" she whispered, putting on her best soothing voice. "Here, kitty, I won't hurt you. Come out now."

To her utter surprise, it did. And what she saw wasn't very reassuring.

For one thing, the cat was big. It stood as high as her hips, and was roughly the build and shape of a panther. Black fur ran sleek down its back. Kagome bit back a startled yelp, not wanting to provoke the cat. Inwardly, she groaned. Where's Sesshoumaru when you need him? At least he'd be able to tell if the thing was dangerous.

Slowly, she put out her hand. "It's ok, cat, I won't hurt you." Somehow the term kitty no longer seemed to apply. It was too big for a kitty. It slowly stalked up to her, and Kagome reached out to touch its head. It began to purr as it rubbed its head against her palm. She smiled and started to scratch it behind its ears. "What are you doing so close to the college? I can just imagine the ruckus the students would cause if they knew you were back here." The cat tilted its head to the side, studying her intently. Its eyes were the same golden color as Sesshoumaru's and Inuyasha's. With a sigh, she sat on the wet ground. The cat instantly laid down beside her and put its head in her lap, still purring contentedly. Kagome smiled.

"Well, it's a good thing I don't have classes today." she commented cheerfully. "I think I'm far too comfortable to move." She sighed and continued to stroke the cat's fur. "I wish Sesshoumaru was here. You probably have a name, and he'd be able to tell me what it was. Or can you talk?" She looked down at the cat thoughtfully. "It wouldn't surprise me for you to be a demon. I haven't seen very many, but you could pass for one. So, are you a demon?" The cat seemed to growl affirmative. Kagome laughed. "Ok, so you're a demon cat. I can get used to that. I seem to be running into a lot of demons at this school. What's your name?"

This time the cat didn't respond, but another voice did, deep and husky, and oddly familiar. "Her name is Kirara."

Kagome twisted a little to look behind her. She smiled instantly. "Kirara, you say?" She turned back to the cat as Sesshoumaru came and sat on the other side of her. "That's a pretty name. Does she talk?"

Sesshoumaru chuckled. "Only when she wants to." he said as he too reached to pet the cat. "I'm surprised she lets you so close. Kirara doesn't take too well to humans."

Kagome giggled. "I'm just special." This was the first time she had heard Sesshoumaru say so much to her aloud, and she didn't want to spoil the moment by making a comment about it. She wanted him to keep talking, wanted to hear his voice, and surprisingly enough he seemed content to continue the conversation. "So, when are we gonna pull that prank on Kikyou?" she asked with a mischievous gleam in her eyes. Sesshoumaru smiled.

"When we get back." he said absently. "Kirara may come in handy for the prank, if she wishes to help us." The cat sat up and looked at the two companions, a note of suspicion in her eyes. "We would ask your help in scaring an enemy of ours." Sesshoumaru explained the prank to Kirara, and the cat seemed to think it over. Finally, she nodded. The demon's eyes lit. "Thank you."

Kagome giggled. "Shall we go and pull this marvelous prank of ours before something happens and screws up our window of opportunity?" she asked.

Sesshoumaru smirked and stood up. "I think we shall."

/---/

Kagome made a beeline for the girls' dorm wing, and as predicted, Kikyou intercepted her.

"Well, if it isn't the freaky goth girl." she sneered. "And just what are you doing here? I thought you were with your boyfriend. Were you two making out?" She let out a scandalized gasp. "You should know that that isn't allowed here. They could kick you out."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I'm young, Kikyou, not stupid." she pointed out. "If that would get you kicked out, you and Inuyasha would be long gonee." She made a face at her and took a step back. Sesshoumaru quickly got into position behind Kikyou. Kirara was waiting somewhere in the shadows, having taken on a housecat size. She had to hide a smirk. Next words Kikyou spoke and it would all go down.

"Well listen to me, freak." Kikyou spat, jabbing a finger in Kagome's chest. "No one wants you here. Not even Sesshoumaru. He's just tolerating you because you won't leave him alone."

She was cut off as a clawed hand grabbed her arm and pulled her off-balance. He was acting before he was supposed to, but there was no way he was going to stand there and let Kikyou use him to get to Kagome. No way.

He calmly flung her away, letting her stumble towards the bushes where Kirara was hiding. With a snarl, the cat leapt out at the cheerleader. Kikyou screamed and stumbled backwards, overbalancing herself and falling on her rump. In a flash Kirara was gone, leaving no clue she had ever been there. Kikyou was scrambling away from the bushes, looking completely terrified.

"What – what?" she stammered.

Kagome was laughing so hard she had to hold on to Sesshoumaru to keep from falling down. Inuyasha was by Kikyou's side by now, helping her back on her feet. He glared at the friends who were dissolved into laughter by now. "That was heartless!" he snapped. "Why would you do that to Kikyou?"

"Oh, leave well enough alone." Kikyou mumbled. "Only my pride is hurt." As Inuyasha led her away, she glanced back over her shoulder at Kagome, that one look speaking volumes. Kagome's eyes lit.

"What is so funny?" Sesshoumaru said softly. Kagome smirked.

"We have ourselves a pranking contest." she grinned. "She wants to know if we can take what we can dish out."

Sesshoumaru grinned. "Bring it on."

From the bushes, Kirara mewed agreement.

/---/

AN: (giggles) I wanna see Kagome really do that to Kikyou in the show. Would that be funny? Review, please!