A/N: Here is chapter three! Yay! I got off my lazy bum and decided to update! Don't you love me for it? Hehe! Anyways thanks to all those who reviewed! Please please review!

Disclaimer: Once again I must say I don't own Inuyasha…I still wish I did though!

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Chapter three: A challenge? I'm scared…really

The next morning Inuyasha woke up with a slight headache. He didn't quite remember where he was until he took a good look at his surroundings. Inuyasha got up and put on a robe, he was used to sleeping without a shirt for it was usually quite hot in the palace. His open robe revealed his muscular well-built chest. Inuyasha tied the strings to his robe and made his way to the palace hot springs.

            When he got to the hot springs he released his robe and jumped in. The water was warm and just right as he laid his head back to relax. When he almost fell asleep another voice was heard near the springs.

            "Well, well how are you doing dog boy? Didn't think you'd be taking a shower any time soon."

            'Oh great! Just great! My morning is ruined thanks to that bastard Kouga!' "What do you want Kouga? I really don't have time for bastards who don't have lives!" He mumbled.

            Kouga jumped into the spring next to his. For some reason Inuyasha knew it was going to be a long morning, oh yeah…very long!

            "I thought you would've left already. You know that you'll be the one leaving at the end of the month right? Kagome would never pick a loser like you!" Kouga said as he too laid back to relax.

            "And what makes you so sure that you'll win, wolf brain?"

            "She was simply attracted to my great looks and charm when she first met me." He replied haughtily.

            "Right, great looks, keep on dreaming bastard if Kagome was blind maybe then you'll have a chance."

            "So what you actually want to go against me you weakling?" Kouga challenged.

            That was it. Kouga had pushed his limits. Inuyasha may not be interested in Kagome, but when a bastard pushes you and calls you a weakling…you'll just have to simply beat him at his own game.

            "I bet you Inuyasha that by the end of the month I will be Kagome's new husband."

            "Oh so now you're challenging me?"

            "That would be correct. Or are you too weak and afraid to take on this challenge."

            "You're on bastard! By the end of this month that wench will be as good as mine!" Inuyasha got up and dried himself. When will that wolf demon ever learn? You just don't mess with the hanyou prince! Then Inuyasha stopped dead in his tracks…just how exactly do you win a girls heart?

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            Kagome was sitting silently in her room when she heard a knock on her door. Although she didn't want to reply she went over to the door and opened it. She let out a gasp when she saw who it was.

            "Sango!" Kagome hugged her best friend tightly. Sango was a wealthy lord's daughter. They had been best friends ever since her father had worked for Kagome's father, which was about when they were both ten.

            Kagome motioned for Sango to come in. "Sango what brings you here?"

            "Well, the king needed father to come to the palace and help him with some things and told me to come too, to visit you. I missed you how have things been?"

            "Everything is…not good. There are two princes staying at the castle currently. I have to pick one of them by the end of this month…or…or father will choose for me."

            "Your father is forcing you to get married again?!"

            "Unfortunately yes…"

            "I-" Kagome was interrupted when there was another knock on the door. She was really mad! This time whoever it is better have a good reason for interrupting her in the middle of an important conversation. "Come in." She said in an annoyed tone.

            The servant hearing the change in the princess's tone was quite nervous as she entered the room. "Princess…the king and queen orders you to come to the main room immediately seems like prince Miroku has come back."

            "Why didn't you say so? Let's go Sango!" Kagome grabbed Sango's hand and ran all the way to the main room. She stopped abruptly when she saw her mother and father talking to Miroku.

            "Brother you're back! What have you been doing in the south? Don't tell me…looking for beautiful women am I correct?"

            "Ah my dear, Kagome is that how you greet your brother?" Miroku walked over to Kagome and gave her a warm hug. He pulled away when he noticed Sango. "My dear Sango, it's been a long time since we've seen each other, have you changed your mind about bearing my ch---"

            Wack! Wam! Bam! "Brother how many times do I have to tell you not to do that? You'll scare Sango off and she's just arrived! Although you're my brother do you think that maybe you could quit being such a lecher?"

            "Ah, dear little sister Kagome, it's in my nature."

            Kagome shook her head and looked away. Some things never change and old habits die-hard. She has her brother to prove that point.

            "Kagome have you seen Inuyasha or Kouga anytime this morning?" Kagome's mother asked.

            "No mother, after I woke up Sango visited my room and I ran straight over here when I heard Miroku was back."

            "You should spend more time with them, after all they are guests and it's not nice to ignore a guest."

            "But mother."

            "No buts Kagome. Do as your mother says." Her father scolded her.

            "Yes father." Kagome walked out of the room and headed towards Inuyasha and Kouga's room.

            Bam! "Oww! Sango your hits have improved and your getting stronger each and everyday."

            "That's thanks to you my prince for touching my butt. If not for you I wouldn't have so many opportunities to practice my hitting."

            Miroku grinned sheepishly as everyone in the room laughed. Their parents always thought that they would make a cute couple and in time their feelings for each other will hopefully grow.

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            Kagome walked down the hall slowly. She didn't really want to see any of the two princes, but she had no choice. When Kagome reached both of their rooms she was in luck when the two princes were nowhere to be found. She then decided to go for a stroll in the garden.

            In the back of the palace was a garden filled with roses and exotic plants of many kinds. It was one of her favorite places next to the waterfall that is.

            Kagome continued walking while looking down on the ground, because of this she didn't see where she was going until she bumped into a hard muscular chest.

            "Hey watch where you're going wench!" Inuyasha said as he looked up to see Kagome. 'Uh oh! Bad move, she'll surely hate me now.' "Uh…sorry about that…I uh…thought you were someone else."

            Kagome was mad. No one dares to call her a wench. Who the hell did this guy think he was? However her anger was suppressed when she looked up to meet Inuyasha's gorgeous golden eyes. His features were breathtaking. Long silver hair, golden eyes, and to top it all off the cutest ears a girls ever seen. 'Aw! Kawaii! I want to touch them!' Kagome looked down suddenly when she realized she was staring.

            "Princess are you alright?" Inuyasha asked trying to be polite.

            "I…I'm find…can I ask you a favor?"

            "What would that be?" Inuyasha raised an eyebrow.

            "Can…can…I touch your ears? They're so cute. I won't if you don't want me too." 

            Inuyasha just stared at her amusedly. "Uh…okay."

            "Yay!" Kagome walked over to Inuyasha gently touched his ears, her motions changed from a slight touch to a gentle rub.

            This action made Inuyasha tingly inside. He couldn't remember the last time a girl had touch his ears like that. Although he fought it and tried hard not too, he let out a purr.  Kagome drew back her hand and Inuyasha growled slightly because the good feeling had gone away. It was a shame because he was actually starting to enjoy it.

            "So…Um do you mind showing me around the palace? I don't quite know my way around yet." Inuyasha tried to come up with an excuse to get closer to her. There was no way he was going to let Kouga win this bet!

            "Um…sure."

            Kagome started showing Inuyasha around the palace. She showed him where all the rooms were and the flower gardens. When they finished she took him to her favorite spot…the waterfall.

            "This is my favorite spot in the whole kingdom. I like to come here to think sometimes. It's very peaceful, it's kind of like a little hiding place for me."

            The two had found two big boulders facing the waterfall to sit on. Somehow having a conversation didn't seem as hard as it was when they had first met.

            "So what about you Inuyasha? Do you have any favorite places you like to visit often?" Kagome asked looking over at him curiously. Why was she so drawn to him all of a sudden? She saw his face turn to meet her as his golden eyes settled their gaze on her own. 'Why does he have to be so good looking?' Kagome asked herself mentally. Kagome turned away hoping that he didn't notice her once again staring habit.

            "My favorite place was a pond. It was a mile away from my palace and where I would meet up with my…past love."

            "Past love? You mean you loved someone before you came here? Were you forced against your will? Was she taken away from you?" Kagome couldn't help but feel sorrow and concern for this handsome stranger. She didn't pay much attention to it and hoped it was merely infatuation.

            Before he knew it Inuyasha was telling Kagome all about what happened in his past. The things that hurt him the most, he couldn't help but wonder why he was spilling out his soul to this mere human girl. When he had finished his story he stayed silent for a while.

            "Inuyasha I'm so sorry for what happened to you"

            "Don't be sorry…it's not your fault. It was her that chose to betray me. I'm sorry for troubling you with this stupid story."

            "Don't be-" Kagome was cut off when Inuyasha placed a hand over her mouth.

            "Shhh!" Inuyasha had heard twigs break nearby. With his keen sense of smell he sniffed out the intruder… 'Kouga'.

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Well that's the end of chapter three. I know it's short but I'm sleepy! I'm going to go and take a little nap now! Please please review!