A/N: Alright my glorious fans, here we go! Chapter 12 is ready and in your face! We're getting close to the end of this story, I predict only three or four more chapters. For all you fluff-mongers, yes, there will be a lemon in this story--but not for another chapter, or two, I think...I dunno. But there will be one! For all those who don't care, don't worry because it doesn't take away from the story!
Sierra: The thanks are well taken and appreciated! Yes, I liked that chapter as well. Nothing better than love and ass-kicking at once! This chapter is sadder, but I do hope you enjoy it. Thanks to you!
Miko Sakura-sama: *eats pocky and ice cream* Yay! It's ok that you're addicted to fluff. I like writing it because my own romantic life is so dull. Yes, the cute thing, I thought it would be funny. Thanks for the review!
Wolf Rain: Well, Kikyo and Kagome do have a little chat in the next chapter, not this one. As for Naraku and Inuyasha, muhaha! You'll just have to wait and see, now won't you? I'm happy you approve of this 'tight' chapter, lol. Thanks for the review!
Sweet little country girl: Lol, you are a violent one, aren't you? Just calm it down a notch. Thanks for reading and reviewing!
Kakera no Yume: Actually, that was their second kiss. I think the first one was in chapter 5 or something. I don't remember to be honest. Yes, I made Naraku into the perfect bastard, hehe. Thanks for reading!
Ayrith: Yeah, my life is really never interesting. His name was Chase and he was my 'dream guy' I guess you could say. *sigh* I always fall for the unavailable men. I guess you could say this story is like ours, only with a different ending. Ah yes, Kouga is actually based on my dear friend Ryan, my confidant, accept what happens to Kouga hasn't happened to Ryan yet. Yeah, you got the Kikyo situation down, it's all about perception. Kikyo/Naraku information will all be explained in the next chapter! To be honest, I love Inuyasha and Kouga's fights, they are just so cute! But alas, I'm afraid there will be no friendship with them in this story. *pokes fingers together* I don't know if I'm a sweet person, I'm just very honest. My brother says that makes me very refreshing. I hate lying and I hate hiding anything. I'm very open (hence the entire Toutousai-threatening-Inuyasha incident) Well, thanks for the review!
Angelgurl2: Yes, we all hate him. Thanks for the review!
KireiHanyou Ko: My holidays were great, I hope yours were too. It's ok about the reviewing, you did it now so I am happy. Thanks!
Josie: Ack, Kagome say no to kissing ultra-sexy Inuyasha? Never! Anyway, thanks for the review. I hope the rest of the story is to your liking.
Leomae: You are the biggest fluff-monger to have read my stories, and I love you for it! Lol, I will totally dedicate the lemon chapter to you. Thanks for the review and please keep reading!
Lilo: Yes he is, like I'd make him…nice? Here's the next chapter for you, enjoy Mr. Cute ass. Thanks for the review!
Rome34: Thanks!
Star0704: I owe all my fights scenes to my ultra-fighting-expert brother! I was trying to make him seem a little less than perfect, but still kick ass. I'm so happy you feel loved that I write to you. I love writing to my reviewers, I feel loved when you guys review! Thanks!
Yasha21: Here is the update you asked for. Thanks so much for reading and reviewing!
Calendar: Yes, they can kill. Otherwise Naraku would just be a pussy. *cough* Anyway, yes they kissed! I had to add a little bit of fluff in there before this sad chapter. Thanks for reading!
Sparrow of the Damned: Love your name! Here is the update you were looking for. Hope you like it. Thanks so much for reading my stuff and for the review!
Chibilee: Yes, this is my therapy because Dr. Phil is a bastard who won't work for free! The tournament lasts about 3 days, but it depends on how many contestants there are. I'm making it three days of solid fighting. No, sorry, no Kouga/Inu fights in this story. You'll find out why at the end of the chapter. Violence is good, admit it! Thanks for the review!
Angelwarrior1: Lol, no problem. Yes they did kiss. Ah, you will see what Miss Kikyo does in the next chapter. All will be revealed! I think… Thanks for the review!
Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha, but I do own a T-shirt with his picture on it. And a pair of Spiderman socks!
A Fighter's Story
Chapter 12
Kouga's was the last fight of the morning. Once the winner of that bout was decided, the fighters were allowed to retire to their cabins for lunch and a two-hour break. Those who lost during the first rounds were sent to pack and would be escorted off the grounds that evening. Kagome cheered Kouga on as he fought against a rather large Canadian man. He came out victorious, and Kagome was not surprised in the least to find that he was every bit as good a fighter as he had told her he was. He was fast, faster than Inuyasha definitely. But Kouga was also agile, and he moved lithely around his lumbering opponent until the large, muscular man was worn down. When his victory was announced, Kagome jumped to her feet as she cheered. Inuyasha eyed her suspiciously, but didn't comment.
Kouga smiled shyly and waved at her as he went back to his seat. When Yusan released the fighters back to their cabins, Kagome was content that both the men she rooted for had passed to the next round. She walked happily beside Inuyasha as they made their way back to the cabin, her arm linked with his in a comfortable way. Inuyasha was silent as he walked, strangely thoughtful. Kagome was curious, but didn't comment on it. She made it her point to simply busy herself around the cabin and not bother him between fights.
She prepared lunch for the two of them, making herself a sandwich and Ramen for Inuyasha. What really started frightening her was that he wouldn't touch the noodles when she placed them before him. That was the last straw. Kagome grabbed a table chair, turned it backwards, and sat down facing him, only a few inches away as she leaned in. Inuyasha watched her with a raised eyebrow.
"Can I help you with something?" he said as Kagome stared at him with squinted eyes.
"Who are you, and where is Inuyasha?" she said in a low voice.
"What the fuck are you talking about?" he snapped, really not in the mood for her humor act.
"Well, Inuyasha was a Ramen-crazed idiot. There is no chance in hell that he would turn down a package that I cooked, and yet one is sitting in front of him untouched. Therefore I repeat my inquiry, who are you, and what have you done with Inuyasha?" Even he couldn't resist rolling his eyes, the corner of his mouth turning up against his will.
"Sorry, I've just been thinking."
Kagome rested her chin on her hands and sighed. "Well then, by all means, share."
"You saw him," Inuyasha said with confusion and loss in his voice. "I mean, he just killed that guy without even blinking."
"You mean Naraku?" Kagome wanted to make sure they were on the same page.
"Yeah," he confirmed, looking more brooding than she liked seeing him. "I just don't understand it. I mean, he's like without a conscience, to just kill a man like that. But...but she's with him. I just don't get it."
Ah, the root of the dilemma. Kagome should have known. She nodded and got to her feet, swinging the chair around the pushing it back in it's place. "People change," she commented. "Some people anyway."
"You contradict yourself," Inuyasha said in a low voice.
"No," she said with a sad smile. "All people change, in the smallest or largest of ways. People like you and me, we cling so hard to the past that we are the hardest to change. Maybe Kikyo is one of those people that changes easier than others."
"I don't think a person could change that much in three years," he said matter-of-factly. "The woman I knew would never go near a person like that."
"Maybe you didn't know her as well as you thought you did." Kagome went about, cleaning up the kitchen and glancing at the clock.
"What's that supposed to mean?" he growled.
"If you knew her so well, why didn't you know she was going to leave?" Kagome didn't look at him when she said this. She went to the sink and washed up a few dishes, her back to him, and her shoulders hunched.
"That's low," he whispered, not even sure she could hear him.
"So was...what was it again...oh yes, 'fucking cancer patient'." There was no anger or bitterness in her tone. There was now sadness or superiority. There was no emotion at all.
"I said I was sorry," he argued.
"I know."
"Aren't you going to apologize to me?"
"No."
An intense silence followed, broken only by the water running from the faucet as Kagome did her dishes without words. Inuyasha watched her back, and she could fell his gaze. This was one thing that she wouldn't back off on. He made a promise and Kagome would hold him to it.
"I don't think I'll ever understand you," Inuyasha said finally, getting to his feet.
"Good, no one ever does," she responded. "We should be getting back to the arena. You're next match will be soon."
"You really aren't going to apologize?" he pushed.
"You really aren't going to let it go are you?" she pushed back. Stubborn nature clashed loudly in both of them, but Kagome shrugged it off with a good amount of grace and sauntered out of the cabin, Inuyasha trailing at her heels like an obedient dog.
You could cut then tension in the arena with a knife. Losers from the first round had been sent packing so now the stakes were higher than ever. Kagome took a deep breath. This was exhilarating to her, better than any kind of drug, and much better than the bottle ever was. This was her world, and one she missed more than anything else. Before she could run off to where Kouga was sitting on the divider, Inuyasha grabbed her shoulder. Kagome looked at him with a raised eyebrow.
"Who am I fighting against?" he asked her rather roughly.
"Neither Kouga nor Naraku, if that's what you mean," Kagome said, consulting her paper. "Says here you're up against some guy from South Africa." Kagome looked up at him and grinned, patting him on the head in that manner that made him feel more like a child than a fighter. "Have fun." Then she turned and went off to talk with Kouga.
"Good afternoon sunshine," he laughed when she sat heavily beside him. "You look tired."
"I feel old," Kagome sighed, leaning so that she was back to back with Kouga, and resting her head on his shoulder. "Tell me, oh wise Kimo-sabe, does life ever get easier?"
"Depends on the person I guess," Kouga said with a laugh. "What's today's bit of drama that you come to me for council on?"
"What else?" Kagome said with a smile. "I'm having guy trouble."
"Share," Kouga said in a sing-song manner. Kagome laughed out loud, wondering how she had ever not thought Kouga was cute. He reminded her of Miroku in that way, a warm brotherly way that made her feel comfortable enough to bare her soul.
"I think I'm in love," Kagome said with a sigh. "With a complete and utter moron."
Kagome fought back a laugh, and made that choking sound in his throat as he struggled to calm himself. "That's not very nice."
"I'll rephrase. He's a bone-head, an idiot, a dolt, the biggest baka on the face of the Earth! Need I go on?"
"No, I read you loud and clear," Kouga said reassuringly. "Sounds like a problem all right. What are you gonna do about it?"
"That's why I can to you, buddy," Kagome laughed.
"Ok, ok," Kouga said quickly, holding up his hands in mock-defense. "The way I see it, you've got two options."
"And those are?"
"Well, you could either leave him flat because he's obviously got a lot of issues and you might not want that kind of mess on your plate."
"And two?"
"You keep him," Kouga said, leaning his head back so he caught her eye. "Everything that's good in this world is worth fighting for."
"Is it now?" Kagome asked, a smile in her dark blue eyes. Kouga beamed.
"It reminds me of an old saying," he said, clearing his throat. "There are things in this world that are given and there are things that are taken. Things given are received or rejected, but when things are taken, the takes spends their lives fighting to keep it."
"So your saying that I should fight to keep him?"
"That's up to you," he said in all seriousness. "The question you should really ask yourself would be, is he worth fighting for?"
"And what if he doesn't want me? What if he just leaves?" Kagome frowned, finding hidden fears and doubts in her own voice.
"Those are not the questions to be asked Kagome," Kouga said with faith in his eyes. "Is he worth fighting for?"
Kagome paused a long moment. Many things ran through her mind in that moment. She thought of all the times she and Inuyasha had joked around in her apartment, watching movies and vegging out on pizza. She thought of the times she'd gone to heckle him when he worked at the bar. All of their sparring matches, and none of them were ever dull; all the times she had dragged him with her on an outing with Sango, Miroku, and the kids. Was he really worth it if he was still in love with another woman? Was getting hurt again really what she wanted? No, but there was that part of her that had faith in the man that she had picked. Maybe she would get hurt, and maybe she wouldn't. If she didn't take the chance, she'd never know.
Kagome smiled up at Kouga. "He's worth dying for."
He grinned back and leaned his forehead on to hers for a moment. "Then there's your answer, kid."
"Thanks Kouga."
"Anytime."
"So when is your next match?" Kagome asked when the silence between them dragged too long for her tastes.
"Last, just like before," he said with a laugh. "I get the feeling they'll trying to tell me something." Kagome laughed and elbowed him. Before they could finish their 'match', Inuyasha's second fight began and Kagome left for his box seating.
Inuyasha did a few stretches, then walked out into the ring. His opponent, a large African man with several tattoos and what looked to be a very bad attitude met him when he was there. Inuyasha was tall, but this man was a good half a foot taller than he was . He looked down his nose at Inuyasha and then clicked his tongue in a dismissive way. Inuyasha rolled his amber eyes. He bowed first to the Dovon, then to his opponent, then took his defensive stance.
The assault came the moment the gong was struck. The powerful man charged at a faster pace that Inuyasha expected, but he was still able to dodge easily with a simple back flip. Like a bull, the African man ground to a stop and turned, taking another charging position. Inuyasha met him halfway, taking him by surprise by landing an assault of blows to his exposed abdomen. The African chose to protect his face rather than his body, and Inuyasha soon realized why. The man was solid as a rock, and he doubted very much that even his most powerful of blows would have much effect. This was not good.
The African man laughed once he saw that Inuyasha had realized his advantage. That was when he grabbed the American by the front of his shirt and tossed him to the ground. Inuyasha hit hard, but rolled away quickly, before he could be stomped by the mammoth man.
Inuyasha was a true martial artist, so he knew the seven most vulnerable spots on the human body. The trick was getting his opponent to let his guard down around those sensitive places. It didn't look like this man would be doing that any time soon. 'I'll just have to make him then,' Inuyasha thought to himself grimly. Now was the time to dig in his heels and win this match.
Inuyasha crotched on all fours, body poised like a runner at the starting line. When his opponent made a move towards him, Inuyasha skidded over, assuming the same pose. By continuing to dodge and observe, Inuyasha looked for weaknesses in the African's attack. By the sixth dodge, he found his opening. Just before the man charged, he left his arms down and his vitals exposed. Now Inuyasha began getting closer, still skittering off before his opponent could lay a finger on him.
He was ready to strike, so he leapt off and charged his opponent. The African must have realized what Inuyasha was doing a moment too late because he threw up his arms to shield his face, but it was too late. The American was faster than people gave him credit for. Inuyasha got passed the seemingly impenetrable defense to first attack the vital point in the throat, cutting off the air to his opponent and making the man double over for breath. Than that crafty Inuyasha landed a nicely executed kick to the man's face, laying him out with one more roundhouse kick. And that, my dear friends, is how Inuyasha Dai made it to the third round.
Kagome cheered, hopping up and down like a little girl. Watching Inuyasha fight now was even more exciting than it had been when she was in high school. Maybe because now she knew the man rather than idolizing an image and a dream. When he came back over, she saw that he looked out of breath, and his lower lip was bleeding. He'd bitten into it when he was thrown back. Kagome quickly grabbed one of the towels from the match benches and pressed it to his lip gently, acting the perfect nurse and fussing over him just enough to make him recline contently.
The next matches went by at much the same pace as Inuyasha's had been. Kagome watched them all eagerly, but she kept one eye on Naraku as well, seeing which person he would face next. Match after match, he still didn't get up from his bench. She was beginning to worry when finally the last match was to commence. Kouga hopped up from his bench and padded out to the arena center, followed closely by Naraku.
The breath caught in Kagome's throat and she dropped the towel from her shaking hands. Her face drained of all color as she watched them. Inuyasha had also gone tense, but not for the same reasons. He had a personal vendetta with Naraku now. Kagome was worried solely for Kouga's safety. He waved to her from his position when he was adjusting his brown headband, then he bowed to the Dovon and to his opponent. Naraku did the same. It seemed that the entire arena was silent as they waited for the gong.
When Yusan struck the gong, Kouga was off, leaping this way and that. Speed was his biggest weapon, and he used it very well. Unlike the former opponent of Naraku's, Kouga was not careless enough to get too close. Naraku noticed this too a few minutes into the match. He had to go to Kouga.
They seemed to head off for a few minutes, Kouga even had the advantage. He was too fast for Naraku to get a solid hold on. For a while, Kagome dared to hope that her friend might win this match. But that was when disaster struck. Naraku had been backing Kouga into a trap from the beginning, moving closer and closer to the divider that separated the arena from the pit where the fighters and spectators watched. Now Kouga was trapped in close quarters, no where to run. If he left the arena, he'd lose. He had to stand and fight.
Naraku was larger, and stronger, but Kouga was not helpless when backed into a corner. He moved fluidly, like a bird. He even landed a few good blows on Naraku, drawing blood from his nose and a cut above his right eye. But Naraku only smiled as the younger man attacked. He let Kouga think he was doing well, when in reality, he didn't have a prayer. Kagome recognized that look in his eyes, and his smile just as he made his move.
"Kouga! Get out of there!" she screamed, getting to her feet. But it was too late. Naraku grabbed Kouga's throat, even as the other man clawed at his eyes and hand. Kouga growled, squirmed, kicked, did everything he could to free himself from the iron-clad grip, but it did no good. Naraku squeezed slowly, enjoying the thrill of the kill as Kouga suffered.
There was a moment when all was quiet. Kagome knew in that second that if nothing happened, Kouga would die. She scrambled to her feet and leapt over the divider into the pit. She would get to the ring, she had to! Something grabbed her around the waist and held tight. She writhed, trying to get out of Inuyasha's hold, but he held her tight. That was when she heard the final gasp and the crack that came from Naraku killing Kouga. Kagome stopped fighting as Kouga fell to the mat, his wide blue eyes looking straight at her, even though he no longer saw. Tears welled and slipped down her face without her even noticing.
The gong was sounded, Naraku the victor. He returned to his bench and the fighters were released for the night. Kouga's father had gone to his son's side, kneeling beside him and taking his hand. The older man cried openly, mourning the loss of his son. Kagome pushed away from Inuyasha and this time he let her go. She went to her friend, kneeling across from his father and looking down at his body. She pressed her fingers to her lips, then closed his eyes. At the same time, she eased the headband from his forehead and clutched it to her chest as the sobs welled in his throat tightly. Hot tears coursed faster and she had to look away. She had to get away. Kagome got to her feet and sped from that sight of death, and all that it had to offer.
A/N: I cried when I wrote that, but it had to be done. *sigh* Sorry that I am a Kouga murderess, especially since I love him so absolutely, but you understand. Please remember to review and tell me how much you hate me.