Chapter 12: House Party-Sam Hunt

-AYL-

Kagome was sitting peacefully watching the latest episode on a show she found on her Netflix account when the jingle of keys could be heard coming from the other side of the door, signaling that Alexis had made it back from class.

It had been a while since the two of them had really had anytime to just sit down and chat and she could honestly say that despite hanging out with Sesshoumaru she really missed her roommate. So instead of working on her project with Sesshoumaru-who she felt deserved time away from her for one Thursday afternoon- she was sitting in her dorm waiting for Alexis to join her and spoil her with more stories of her complicated-yet not so complicated- love life.

Hearing the door open, she turned her head to greet her roommate when instead of the Neko she found herself staring into the blue eyes of Bankoutsu. She watched as he grinned closing the door behind him and moving to flop down on the couch across from her. Although she and Alexis considered each other friends she wasn't entirely sure how she felt about Bankoutsu. Sure, he was an easy going guy and he never judged her off the bat but she still had a weird feeling in her gut about him. She wanted desperately to brush it off as paranoia from her previous run ins with guys but found that she couldn't. There was just something off about him.

"Hey Kagome! Alexis sent me up here ahead of her while she ran to the bookstore." Bankoutsu said leaning forward and eyeing Kagome. "That's not a problem is it? I'm not making you uncomfortable or anything right?"

Kagome almost frowned but instead plastered a smile on her face. She should really stop being so cynical. Bankoutsu was not here to hurt her and besides he was one of Alexis' closest friends,

"No-no! You're fine. I was just hoping to speak with Alexis about her uhm relationship with the new guy." She almost wished she hadn't said anything. She didn't know if Alexis had informed her male companion of the blonde rouge who literally turned her world upside down.

Looking at Bankoutsu she could have sworn that his eyes flashed and a frown marred his features before a smirk took its place, "Pft. The guy is a playboy from what I hear. She should stop playing this game with him before one of them gets hurt."

Kagome couldn't help but wonder if there was a double meaning behind his words.

"Yea well, she seems content in playing the game for now. The way she runs to her accounting class now is almost comical." She smiled slightly remembering the flustered cat demon preparing for her run in with the idiot hottie and felt herself sigh, "It sounds like they would make an interesting couple"

She almost wished that she could feel that way about someone who genuinely cared for her back. Briefly an image of Sesshoumaru popped into her mind but she forced it back down.

He would never think about her in that way.

"What about you?"

Kagome sputtered, confused, "Me?"

Bankoutsu chuckled deeply, leaning back against the cushion, "Yes you. I saw you and Mr. Big Shot together a few times. Are you two secretly dating?"

A part of her wanted to know when he had saw the two of them together but pushed it down forcefully. Majority of the campus had been keeping tabs on her and Sesshoumaru's every move since they started hanging out together; so it's no surprise that he would see the two of them together. Looking away from Bankoutsu, she found her hands more interesting as she answered his question shyly,

"Ah no. I mean he's-well- I don't think he sees me that way."

Bankoutsu snorted, "And why wouldn't he?" He smirked flashing his pearly whites, "You're a total babe Kagome."

The all too familiar blush appeared on her cheeks and she instantly wished she tanned more often to tone down the obvious reddening of her cheeks. She had never been called a 'total babe' before and even though she had a weird vibe around Bankoutsu he was still a man- a very attractive man at that. Compliments from an attractive male simply cannot go unnoticed; especially when you're wearing a jogging suit with kitten faced socks.

"Ano, arigato. Sesshoumaru and I are just-"What friends? Partners? Acquaintances? She didn't know. She never could put a label on their relationship and she was afraid too.

"Just?"

"My God, you'd think they were selling porn at the bookstore the way those kids were lining up in there!" Alexis exclaimed walking through the door. Kagome didn't miss the spark in Bankoutu's eyes when she entered. It made her wonder if he truly only saw Alex as a friend.

"You know college students wait until the middle of the school year to get their books. It's like an unwritten rule."

"That's true, I wait for the third week to buy mine in case we never use it. Happened freshman year and after spending $365 dollars on used textbooks, I decided to hell with it."

Alexis smirked setting her newly purchased books on the table and flopping down on the couch next to Kagome.

"I understand, I suppose. What were you guys up to? I'm actually surprised you're here Kagome."

Kagome blushed slightly, knowing that she spent majority of her time with Sesshoumaru, "Well we are literally almost done with our project and I just thought he would appreciate a break from me."

It was then that a snort was heard and both girls turned their attention to the lone male in the room, "Yea right. If Sesshoumaru needed a break from you, he would take it. You don't know who you're dealing with."

The words, once again, sounded between a threat and a warning and Kagome found it hard to decipher Bankoutsu's true meaning.

Alexis decided to step in then, "Well you at least deserved a break from him. Anymore time and I'd start to think you two were an item." She wanted to laugh at the blush that adorned her younger friends' cheek but instead held it in. She could tease her all day if she wanted to.

"N-no. He couldn't possibly-he hates humans."

"And yet," she watched as Bankoutsu smirked, "He likes you. Are you not human?"

Kagome glowered, "Of course I am!"

She watched as his smirk turned into a full-fledged grin as he leaned back in his chair, "I rest my case then. That guy may not like all humans, but he has definitely taken a liking to you." He said offhandedly, "But be careful, dogs tend to be very possessive of things that they consider theirs."

Alexis narrowed her eyes, "Come off it Bankoutsu, you don't actually believe-"She looked at Kagome suddenly, then sniffed the air. Although she was only half-demon, her sense of smell was the better of the three in the room they occupied. If what Bankoutsu is saying was true then she would have at the very least smelled-

"Holy shit!"

"Alexis?" Looking to her friend, she tilted her head to the side in confusion. What just happened?

Bankoutsu laughed, "Let me guess, he scent marked her." Looking at his long-time friend, he took the look of horror and the flabbergasted expression as an affirmative. The icy bastard probably wasn't fully aware of his claim, but soon he would be. He needed more time though, he couldn't allow the dog to realize his true feelings for the girl just yet.

Kagome was beyond confused now. Sure, she had read up on a few Inu-Youkai traits and personality habits but she was unfamiliar with scent marking, "Uh guys? What do you mean?" She hoped that it wasn't like when her cat Buyo decided to scent mark an area of the house by urinating in every room.

Alexis sighed, not sure how to tell her that Sesshoumaru now considered her his in some way, but Bankoutsu beat her to it,

"It means, Kagome, that Sesshoumaru has covered you in his scent without your knowledge to either ward off other males who may seek to claim you or to let it be known that you are his"

Kagome opened her mouth, then closed it suddenly. Sesshoumaru wouldn't do that. What in the world would make him claim her? Besides that, "I'm a human being not property! He can't just up and claim me like some kind of-of

"Chew Toy?" Alexis supplied, making Kagome glare in her direction. She laughed at her flabbergasted friend and held up her hands in mock surrender, "I'm only kidding. Though Bankoustu is right. Sesshoumaru has scent marked you and I'm sure any demon within the vicinity will be aware of that fact."

Bankoutsu stood up, stretching, "The real question is why?" He looked between the two girls, "If you aren't together and are just whatever you claimed to be, why would he lay an obvious claim on your person?"

Kagome eyebrows furrowed as she pondered his question. She honestly didn't know why. She wasn't special and she didn't have anything to offer him but her time and friendship as of now. It wasn't as though she was a guy magnet nor was she as beautiful as the girls she had seen him surrounding by on occasions. She was just Kagome.

Bankoustu studied the dark-haired human before switching his eyes over to the object of his hidden affection. The damn girl had been a thorn in his side for years, but it was a thorn that he would never even dream of getting rid of. She was proud and brash, and at the same time kind and sensible. She was the kind of girl that would go to war with you, without taking no for an answer.

He had fallen before he knew it.

Looking back to Kagome, he could see the reason she and Alexis got along. Despite her timid nature, she was a spitfire and he was positive that it will be making an appearance sooner rather than later. In most cases, women who have been pressured or bullied all of their lives have a breaking point. There wasn't a doubt in his mind that said that it wouldn't happen soon. Even now, he could see a little more of her personality coming out the more she hung out with Sesshoumaru and it would just make his job all the more difficult.

He wasn't kidding when he said Dog-demons were possessive. If Sesshoumaru seriously had intentions on keeping her then only killing him would be-or probably not- enough to get her away from him.

He prayed that it didn't happen that way.

A hard rapping of their door, moved all three occupant's eyes to the door. Quirking an eyebrow, Alexis looked at the two of them expectantly, before strutting over to the door and pulling it open.

She almost rolled her eyes,

"Hello Beautiful"

She stayed still, her face masking indifference, "Kouga"

He grinned widely, before stepping into the dorm uninvited, ignoring Alexis' eye twitch in agitation. He had been door to door in every dormitory trying to invite people to his birthday party tonight. He knew it was last minute but the old man had took so damn long to leave town that he had taken the first opportunity that opened. It happened to be tonight.

Holding out an invitation, he glanced around the room and smirked when they landed on Kagome's confused form.

At least now he knew where she lived.

Walking over, he stepped in front of her smiling brightly before handing her his invitation, "My, I don't believe we met personally." Of course he had seen her, everyone would be blind not too, but he had never formally introduced himself either. Taking a big sniff, he noted that she smelled as good as she looked and she looked delicious, though he could smell a scent that made him curl his nose but put it off as her always hanging around the overgrown mutt. "My name is Kouga Ookami, and you are?"

Kagome, unsure of what to do with the wolf-youkai, looked on timidly, "Uhm, I don't think so." He looked familiar but she couldn't quite put her finger on where she had met him, "I am Higurashi, Kagome"

"Oi! Flea Bag! What the fu-

With a heavy sigh, she resigned that she knew now where she had seen the demon.

"Oh Hell NO! We are NOT inviting that freak!" InuYasha exclaimed, glaring at the miko. He could still feel the tingle of her reiki even after all this time. He didn't want to be near her. He wanted nothing to do with her or his half-brother.

Alexis scowled, "Excuse you. Where the hell do you get off coming here yelling like you own the place?" Bankoutsu had stood this time, ready for the hanyou to take action against either woman. He wasn't sure why he was so hostile towards Kagome, but he figured it had something to do with a prior meeting they had.

InuYasha looked at the Neko-hanyou and frowned, "Shut up Bitch, no one was talking to ya!"

Kagome glowered. He was just such a contrast to his older brother. It was a wonder that they even came from the same blood. She was tired of him going off every time they saw each other, sure she burnt him, but he threatened her first!

'Jeez this guy sure can hold a grudge.' She thought idly.

Bankoutsu stepped in front of Alexis, "I suggest you watch your mouth kid. This girl could kick your ass from here all the way to Timbuktu"

InuYasha cracked his knuckles, "Keh, As if."

"Oi mutt! This isn't your party! I can invite whoever I want"

InuYasha looked at his friend, rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "Fine dirt bag it's your funeral." He didn't want the girl there at all. He was still trying to figure out how to get her back for humiliating him months ago and hadn't got an opportunity because of his dick-head brother. Now as he looked at her, decked in nothing but jogging pants and a hoodie, he wondered how to go about his revenge. The party would help, seeing as though Sesshoumaru would NEVER attend a party thrown by underclassmen-or anyone for that matter- but strategizing his revenge will take some thought.

He would show her no mercy.

"You guys have three seconds before I kick you out of our room." Alexis growled out. She looked at Kouga who wore a grin and rolled her eyes. She couldn't believe that he was the former prince of the East with his boyish attitude. He was such a playboy and a flirt, she didn't understand how anyone could take him seriously.

"Fine, just come to the party tonight and we will take our leave."

"Whatever."

Kouga only grinned, "See you tonight ladies." He gave a pointed look towards Kagome that Bankoutsu noticed, before turning on his heels and following InuYasha out the door.

"That was interesting."

"Indeed. So what are you guys going to do?"

Alexis smirked and shrugged her shoulders, "I haven't been to a party in a couple of months. Even though Kouga is a flirt he does throw the best parties." Stretching her back, she smiled,

"I guess we're going"

"We? Oh- no Alexis I don't think this is really my scene"

Alexis giggled, "Oh Kagome. This would be your first party right?" When the younger girl nodded she continued, "I think you should go! Parties are actually pretty fun! You can drink until your belly hurts, eat until your pants burst, and dance until the cows come home."

"What an analogy…"

"Oh hush Ban. Will you be attending as well?"

Bankoutsu shook his head, "I think I'll pass on this one. Just go on and show this chick a good time."

Kagome frowned. She didn't know about this. She had never been to a party before. Let alone been personally invited to one! What would she do? She didn't dance, she never drank before, and she was about as anti-social as they come.

"Guys, I don't-

"You're going and that's final young lady. I'll be with you every step of the way. No one would dare mess with you!"

"But I don't have anything to wear!" Kagome blurted out. She honestly did not want to go. She was perfectly content catching up on her shows and staying in their dorm.

"That's what the mall is for. Come on, if we leave now I can take you to Akira, and have an entire outfit in 3 hours."

"Alexis, I really don't-

Alexis sighed exasperatedly, "Look Kagome. You only live once. Try something new, do something out of your norm. You never know you might really enjoy yourself tonight! I promise you after an hour and you aren't comfortable we can come back here."

"I think you should go too Kagome. This will be good for you." Bankoutsu told her sincerely. Kagome wanted to protest, she really really did not want to go. However, a small-very small- part of her screamed at her to go. Alexis was right, she only lived once.

"Okay. I guess I'll go."

She wasn't ready for Alexis' squeal of delight that followed her statement. She looked towards the neko hanyou and wanted to hide to avoid the wide grin that spread across her face. She could already imagine the images she was conjuring up in her head and how much fun playing dress up was going to be later.

Yes, she definitely just placed herself in a tight pickle.

"Awesome! Now come on, we have 6 hours to get you ready!" Alexis jumped up suddenly, grabbing her car keys and purse in a hurry. Kagome looked to Bankoutsu for help, but he merely chuckled and shrugged his shoulders, "You ladies have fun, I'll hold the fort down until you get back."

Alexis smiled and looped her arms with Kagome's right, "Thanks Ban! Let's go Kagome, we have to hurry"

Kagome stayed silent as she allowed Alexis to drag her out of the dorm.

She couldn't help but wonder what she had gotten herself into.

-AYL-

"Are you sure there isn't anything bothering you cousin?"

Sesshoumaru wanted to sigh at his cousin's continuous inquiry. He would never admit that his beast was sulking because he had wanted to give Kagome some space. He didn't understand stand how he had come to enjoy the young woman's company so much and felt that he needed to distance himself from her before she became too attached. Of course, the feat would have been successful had his beast not whined at the loss of its closest friend for such an extended period of time. It hadn't even been a full week since he had seen the woman and his beast was driving him insane.

"Sesshoumaru?"

Flicking his eyes back to his cousin, he let his eyes fall on the papers that lay before them and decided to focus on that instead of a certain blue-eyed miko,

"Hn. Has Naraku made an appearance since the gala?"

Yamato frowned at his younger cousins attempt to advert the conversation but decided to let it drop. Sesshoumaru would never talk about something he didn't want to and it was fruitless to try and pry it out of him. So instead, he gave into the ignorance and flipped through the papers in front of them. They were at their office in downtown Tokyo going over proposals and offers from minor companies domestic and overseas. However, a merger coming from one of their top rivals Naraku Onigumo of Onigumo Inc., was what through them for a loop. He had made it clear countless times that he would rather sell his company than pair up with a dog.

What Yamato didn't understand was how was he able to commit to a merger so suddenly and without being on the radar.

According to the news, Onigumo had been missing for the past three months and there was no leading clues or evidence to say if the millionaire was simply on vacation or had been kidnapped.

Apparently, he just wanted to get away from the press, in light of his company being sued for contributing to human trafficking of young girls.

"No. If he wasn't such a twit I would call him smart for avoiding the press at this moment. The last time we heard he was in a lot of trouble and losing even more money after he was exposed for human trafficking." Yamato concluded sliding one of the papers over to his cousin. A photo of a young girl with brown hair and dark brown eyes was pictured with her family. She looked to be about 12. A few seconds later another picture was shown of the same little girl, whose hair was matted with blood, her lip spit open and bleeding, her clothes in tatters and blood pooling from between her legs. Sesshoumaru noted with sympathy that the girl pictured was a victim of this scandal and now dead.

He assumed that she was found by someone and reported to the proper authorities.

"That little girl was Sarai Nyugoen. She was an 11 year old from East India who was reported missing by her family after she didn't come home from school one Friday afternoon. Authorities confirmed that she was kidnapped, beaten, raped, and then sold as a sex slave to a man named Hiei Yamaguchi and abused for several years before her demise. Her body was found in the alley way next to a local pharmacy, where the pharmacist admits selling her multiple birth control pills about once every week."

"Enough." He didn't want to hear anymore. His hands clenched tightly and he fought the urge to growl. Such a despicable act committed to one of such youth. A dull ache reminded him of his late ward and he scowled viciously.

"Reject his proposal. I would never tarnish nor desecrate the image of this company, my late father, and myself by teaming up with this low-life." Sesshoumaru growled. The audacity of that scum was unbecoming. Did he truly believe that he would accept?

"I figured you would say that. His proposal was rejected already and any future offers from the hanyou has been rejected as well. He is not to contact you or anyone of Taisho Inc., concerning mergers or any other aspect of business." Yamato spoke proudly. He had already known his cousin would not allow Naraku to get his grimy hands on any part of the company and he was glad to know that he had been right in his assumption.

Sesshoumaru nodded, "Good. Is there anything else of importance you need me to know? I wish to conclude this meeting"

Yamato shook his head, "No, we went through everything already. The company is doing well and we are anticipated your full time employment in the spring."

Sesshoumaru wanted to roll his eyes. Of course they did. He owned the company. The only reason he wasn't working full time now is because he had to finish college-per his father's wishes.

"Hn. Until next time cousin."

Yamato bowed low, "Indeed. See you soon"

Sesshoumaru stood up and exited the office swiftly. His fist clenched and unclenched at his waist as he tried to erase the images of that girl out of his head. It was so familiar. So disgustingly familiar.

He didn't know why it bothered him so much. There was literally nothing he could do about it.

However, that thought did not ease his mind.

He wanted to kill the men who deflowered and abused that young girl. He wanted to inflict pain on them as they had on her. He wanted to avenge his late ward.

Shaking himself out of his thoughts, he made his way to his car and prepared himself to go home. As he walked to his car, he noticed a black and white flyer sprouting from his windshield and picked it up. Reading the contents he frowned. 'Kouga's House Party?' Scoffing, he crumbled the paper up and put it in his pocket. As if he would attend such a ridiculous party thrown by that idiot.

Slamming his door shut, he tried to calm himself down as he thought of ways to rid of his anger. It was too late in the day to challenge anyone to spar, and it was too inconvenient to try and find a place to go. However…

He took the flyer out and read the address carefully. He knew that any party thrown by the wolf his brother would surely attend; and what better way to relieve stress than sparring his dear little brother.

'Yes', he thought smugly, 'Crashing this house party will be beneficial indeed.'