"Come on Inuyasha please?"

"I said no woman"

It was her third try pestering him about going home to take her tests and she was becoming flustered. He hadn't taken the usual bait of needing more ramen and her explanations of their importance did nothing to wane his judgement. She flopped down dejectedly on the opposite side of the campfire and Shippo crawled in her lap to offer comfort. Feeling annoyed with her attitude, he turned around grumbling under his breath and jumped up into a nearby tree. He wasn't soft enough however, as his remarks about Kikyo's expertise reached Sango's ears. Taking umbrage at his words, she decided to push the hanyou's buttons.

"Kagome, when will Koga return?"

"Huh? What do you mean Sango?"

The raven haired beauty now had everyone's attention; her line had been cast.

"Well, he was so sweet at his last visit with all the massages and food he brought you so I-

"What in the hell are you getting at Sango!?" Inuyasha all but snapped at her but Kagome wouldn't have him speak that way to her sister

"Inuyasha SIT!" he came crashing down from his perch, "But what do you really mean Sango?

Miroku remained quiet with his brows furrowed trying to figure out why Sango would bring up the demon so suddenly but when she looked at him and started blinking and rubbing her left eye he assumed it was some kind of scheme.

"Don't you agree that Kouga-sama has some really nice qualities Miroku?"

And he was spot on

"Why yes lady Sango! He is such a good listener and so considerate to those around him, especially lady Kagome. Why, i think he would absolutely spoil her if he got the chance!"

Pleased with Miroku's participation, she ignored the daggers in Inuyasha's eyes and continued to dangle her bait

"Kagome, he is an amazing alpha male," Inuyasha's hackles began to rise and he tensed, "Maybe when he comes around next time you can make arrangements for hi-

"AW HELL NO"

Inuyasha's explosion cut the rest of her sentence but it was too late. Her bait had already been caught hook, line and sinker by her unsuspecting prey.

"THAT MANGY WOLF AINT GOTTA DO NOTHING FOR KAGOME THAT I CAN DO FOR MYSELF! NOW COME ON KAGOME!"

He grabbed up her bag and marched away grumbling and swearing under his breath and Kagome was dumbfounded. She placed a chaste kiss on Shippo's forehead and hurried to catch up to her protector, waving a quick goodbye to her friends. When he was sure they out of earshot, Miroku congratulated Sango on her successful ploy

"Absolutely amazing my dearest Sango, but i must ask, what was your reasoning? You and Kouga aren't necessarily the best of friends"

"Yeah Sango," Shippo piped up, "I knew you were up to something but i was confused too"

Her shoulders dropped as her body relaxed with the breath she let out, "Kagome deserves a break from Inuyasha don't you think?"

A thoughtful expression crossed Miroku's face and he sighed. Shippo's face fell before he spoke

"Yeah but, how are we gonna convince her of that?"

Sango gazed of in the direction that her friends had gone

"A little at a time Shippo, a little at a time."


Prompt: Bait

Word count: 567