Friends and Foes

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha

Sesshoumaru returned to the bedroom changed into the new clothes that he had been given. When he entered the room Kagome flushed and blinked wide eyed at him. Her mouth became dry suddenly and she had to swallow hard. Her eyes traveled up and down his frame a couple of times. The daiyoukai wore a pair of dark jeans that clung to his muscular frame in all the right places. He had a black button front shirt that stretched ever so slightly across his chest, and his defined arms filled the top of the sleeves. He could be a model if he lived in this time period, she thought to herself, followed by a little giggle.

"Wow." Kagome whispered to herself, causing the youkai lord to raise an eyebrow. "Is it too tight?" She asked more directly.

"It is comfortable." He replied.

"Good. I was worried that it wouldn't fit. I had to guess your size." She blushed. "Are you about ready to go?"

"Yes." He stated as he pulled his new red scarf around his neck, and pulled on his new denim jacket.

Kagome helped to tie back his hair as she always did, and adjusted his scarf and jacket collar. The inu-youkai leaned in slightly and took in a deep breath of her scent. She stopped and stood very still as he did this. He reached up and ran his hand over the sleeve of her sweater. It was soft like his scarf and a dark wine red in color. She was a stunning creature in so many ways, and he couldn't help but appreciate those qualities. She had developed a lot over the last few months, and her training had greatly improved these qualities that he admired. He had to admit that it was his intention to do so, when he suggested that she expand her abilities. The week he had spent away from her had been more difficult then he had anticipated. Although he was aware of his growing attraction toward the human priestess, he was still fighting those feelings, purely on principle. He had spent so many of his years despising humans and their frailty, but now those ideals were slowly changing. He leaned away with red pricking the edges of his eyes, and he exhaled roughly.

The pair left the shrine grounds together and walked into town. Nothing was said between them until they came onto the main road. Kagome explained that they would be meeting her friends at a nearby coffee shop. She pointed up the street at a sign that hung away from the building. A short pudgy coffee mug with steam coming from it was in the center of the illustration, and 'Main Street Coffee House' was written in a ring surrounding it. It only took a moment to get to the little shop and get inside. Kagome looked around the small tables and the few scattered couches as she unbuttoned the front of her jacket.

"Kagome." A light feminine voice came from the corner.

The priestess turned toward the voice. When she spotted the girl that had called her, she smiled and waved, then trotted over to the couch that she occupied. Three girls raised from the couch at the same time and circled around the miko. The group of woman all hugged and exchanged greetings one at a time. Sesshoumaru stood back from the friends and allowed them their respective space. He watched the exchanges between them and the body language of the group of women. The priestess' body tightened when she heard the next voice.

"Hi, Kagome." A man's voice came from behind the other three woman.

Sesshoumaru's eyes darted to the young man that had spoken. He studied the man carefully. The way that the man spoke Kagome's name disturbed him. This man had feelings for the miko. A strange feeling of threat grew in Sesshoumaru's chest. Despite the fact that he didn't fully understand this reaction or the feelings associated with it he did feel the need to protect those things that he saw as his responsibility. This was an odd sensation, he thought to himself, and he felt the need to step closer to the miko. Before his usual logic could intervene he stepped up behind her, causing Kagome to turn her head to look at him. The three women stared wide eyed at the gorgeous man now standing so close to their friend.

"Oh yeah." Kagome started. "This is Sesshoumaru. Sesshoumaru, these are my friends. Yuka, Eri and Ayumi." She pointing to each of her friends in turn. "This is Hojo." She gestured to the man behind them.

"Sooo, Kagome were did you find him?" Yuka whispered behind her hand.

"Well, we are friends." Kagome sputtered out.

"I asked where you met him." She restated.

"Well, that's a long story." Her attempt to side step the issue was failing.

"We've got time. Sit down." The group of friends sat down with wide smiles and motioned for the new comers to join them.

Kagome looked nervously at her friends faces and then to her companion. 'This was a bad idea. What was I thinking bringing him along? I should have known they would give me the third degree.' Sesshoumaru moved to a cushioned ottoman across from the couch where the waiting friends sat, eager for answers. Finally giving in, the priestess also sat on the ottoman across from the group.

"So, how did you two meet?" Eri spoke up.

"Well." Kagome struggled to find a way to tell them about the youkai lord. "Oh yeah. Do you guys remember that possessive guy that I was seeing during school?"

"Of course." The girls chimed together. "Is this him?"

"NO." Kagome snapped. "This is his older brother." The girls looked at the daiyoukai and blinked owlishly between him and their friend. "He is his older half brother. Different mothers." She added nervously.

"So what happened to Mr. Possessive?" Eri asked first.

"We are just friends now." Kagome said casually.

"So, you hang out with his older brother." Yuka sputtered in disbelief.

"Well," Kagome looked at Sesshoumaru. "You could say we work together."

"That seems odd." Yuka snorted.

"Would you like a drink?" Sesshoumaru interrupted by leaning in closely to Kagome. The miko blushed softly at the closeness of the inu-youkai. His breath was warm on her neck when he spoke, causing a burning in her core.

"Some tea would be nice. Thank you." Her voice was low and tender.

With his usual graceful actions he was up and moving toward the counter. The three girls watched in shocked awe at how perfect this man was. He stood in line waiting when Hojo joined him. Kagome cringed slightly before Yuka drew her attention again.

"He is hot, Kagome." Making the priestess jump. "Are you two an item?"

"No. I told you we are just friends." She insisted as her tone fell dangerously.

"But you like him." Her friend stated pointedly, and Kagome lowered her gaze.

"He is a really great guy." Her voice turned sad.

"So, why don't you go after him?"

"I wouldn't have a chance, even if I wanted to." The priestess faked a laugh, and Yuka cocked her head questioningly. "Lets just say, I'm not his type."

Sesshoumaru stood in line quietly waiting for his time to be helped. Hojo stepped up to the right side of the daiyoukai. The two men seemingly ignored each other while Sesshoumaru carefully listened to the women's conversation. A pang of hurt hit him when he heard her last statement. He wondered why she would feel that way. He understood that Inuyasha frequently devalued her, but why would she feel that way about him. He was aware that she knew of his long aversion to humans, but he had hoped that he had quelled those fears already. Apparently not. He would have to do more to reassure her of his changed ideas. Suddenly, Hojo leaned in and cleared his throat.

"So, you and Kagome work together." He said quietly.

"Yes." Sesshoumaru replied in vague annoyance as he leaned away from the young man.

"You two are just friends?" Hojo pressed.

"Why do you ask?" The youkai lords annoyance was continuing to build.

"Just wanted to know." He said casually. "I have been trying for years to get Kagome to go out with me. Since I will be moving back after graduation; I just need to feel out any competition."

Sesshoumaru was surprised at the humans blunt statement. The human boy intended to court the miko if she agreed. His anger suddenly mounted and he could feel his beast struggling for control. Sesshoumaru suppressed the argue to rip the boy apart right then and there, but only for her sake. He was not in his time, and this was not another youkai fighting for the same female. Things had to be handled delicately. He turned his eyes forward and closed them tightly until he was under control. When he had calmed his instincts he turned back toward the young man beside him.

"She is very strong willed." He informed the human boy.

"That is one of her best traits." Hojo said with admiration.

"This is true. It makes it difficult for most men to deal with her." Sesshoumaru continued.

"I wouldn't have a weak willed wife." The human continued in his own pursuit to win the miko.

"She is highly intelligent, and strong." The youkai continued to try to stave off the human.

"Those are all things that make her so great. Wouldn't you agree?" The humans face was alight with admiration of the priestess. This was going to be tougher then he had thought. More drastic means would have to be employed.

"You are aware that she can be hard headed at times." Sesshoumaru goaded.

"I find it a good quality myself. It shows that she is willing to stand for what she believes in, and it also goes to the heart of her loyalty. I wouldn't have a woman that can be shaken on her ideals."

"This is true of many men." The inu-youkai added. "You will have many men competing for her affections."

"I hope to win her over still." The boy would not relent. "I have grown a lot since we last saw each other, and I hope that I have a better chance this time around."

"Hn."

"At least I don't have to worry about you." Hojo chuckled at the man standing to his left.

"What makes you say that?" Sesshoumaru's eyes shifted toward the young man in a very animalistic fashion that startled the unsuspecting boy.

"I thought you said that you were just friends." Hojo's voice had become shaky.

"That's what we are." A light smirk curled the corners of the youkai lords mouth. "Who is to say that I don't want more."

"Oh." The young man's voice leveled slightly. "Well, may the best man win."

"I intend to." His words drifted back to the human as he stepped forward to place his order.