I can't believe I'm starting to type this at the stupid hour of 12:30am. I mean, for goodness' sake, it's dark outside! Gah. Oh well, just chalk it up to chronic insanity I guess… And now, what you've all been waiting for –

Disclaimer: I definitely do not own Inuyasha. No way, no how. So there. ^_^

A/N: Some peeps are a little confused. I recommend going and reading 'Under Control' if you haven't seen it yet, or else this plot will seem more than a little odd. Just a suggestion. On with the fic!

Tempting Fate

Chapter 2: A Hard Bargain

Kouga was, to put it mildly, absolutely furious. Not only had that stupid inuhanyou placed his woman in danger, he had had the incredible gall to touch her in an … intimate manner. The picture of the bastard actually holding Kagome in the clearing floated once more before his eyes, causing a vicious snarl to rise in his throat. 'Any youkai with half a brain would have to acknowledge that I have had a claim on her ever since we met!' he fumed. 'The inukkoro may be hanyou, but I never thought he was this dense!'

Apparently the fool was lacking more than just youkai blood.

Kouga ducked as his enraged opponent aimed a slash right at his face. 'He's not playing, is he?' He retaliated by sweeping his leg around, intending to slam Inuyasha in the gut. Somehow Inuyasha leant back in time to avoid the blow and managed to swipe his claws across Kouga's shoulder. 'Nngh! That'll take a while to heal,' he complained mentally, eyeing the dark blood now flowing down his arm in thick crimson rivulets. Then a stray thought struck him. 'Why the hell isn't Kagome stopping him like she always does?' He vaguely noticed that Inuyasha was not using that ridiculously large sword of his and nodded to himself in satisfaction. 'That's as it should be. Forged weapons are all well and good, but they have no place in a youkai duel.'

His thoughts were momentarily forced off track when Inuyasha came at him in a flurry of motion, arms and legs moving so fast that they seemed to blur at the edges. Somehow he managed to block each move, although he was annoyed to realise that he was purely on the defensive here. When the two fighters leapt apart to catch their breath, he looked over in Kagome's direction to try and catch her eye. To his utter confusion, she had her eyes closed – she wasn't watching the fight at all! Shaking the strangely disturbing image from his head, he turned once more to face his rival…who wasn't moving an inch.

'What the -?'

Then he felt it. A lash of power that seemed to coil around him, holding him completely immobile. And it stung like fury! He strained madly against the invisible ties, but to no avail. Foremost in his mind was concern for his woman. Was this thing holding her too? Was she in danger? Finding to his relief that his eyes could move (even if his head couldn't), he strained his vision to try and catch a glimpse of her out of the corner of his eye…and was astonished to see her glowing. What was this new power? Would it hurt her? He needed her – she was too valuable an asset to lose to the…er, glowing thing, whatever it was! He began to gather his strength, drawing on the Shikon shards in his legs for help, when he saw her clench her fists tighter. In that same instant the bonds around him strengthened, and he came to a conclusion that had him staring at her in awe…and not a little apprehension. 'My woman is doing this?! How?!' He frowned inwardly (he still couldn't frown for real, and the lack of movement was driving him nuts). 'And most importantly – WHY?!'

Kagome didn't know what to think. It was something of a toss up as to whether she was amused at their perceived childishness, thrilled that Inuyasha cared enough to fight for her, or angry that they were just going through their old routine again.

Meet by accident; get screaming mad; fight; dog gets 'sat', wolf runs away.

With one exception in this case – the dog couldn't get 'sat' any more. This had been proving to be a small problem lately. Her mind drifted back to just before she went back through the well after Sango's rescue.

They were a day's journey from Kaede's village. As necessary as her return to her time was, it didn't mean that Inuyasha liked the idea. And, as usual, when something bugged him, he got grouchy. He had been gently simmering for a few minutes before Kagome brought up a most unfortunate topic of conversation. "Inuyasha, when are we going to talk to Kouga-kun about the shards?" The gentle simmer became a low boil.

"Feh! Wen-er, Kagome, I thought we talked about this." She just rolled her eyes at him.

"Just saying, 'we're not going, so there' isn't going to solve anything." Low boil? Make that rolling boil – with steam coming off the top. "Do you WANT to see that wimpy wolf or something? It's a good thing you're going away – and if that's the way you're going to be, then you're staying there!" A definite case of foot-in-mouth disease.

"Oooh – SIT!" A moment of silence….

"BWHA-HA-HA!"

Yes, things were a little inconvenient at times without the safeguard of the rosary. She bit her lip worriedly, wishing she had the thing back for just a minute so that she could stop the fight before someone got hurt…

Her eyes widened at the sudden rush of blood from Kouga's torn shoulder. Okay, that decided it. She was officially mad now. In all of their fights before, no one had actually been badly wounded. Time to stop this – and if they didn't like it, tough luck for them! She closed her eyes and concentrated. Dimly she could hear blows landing in the background, but she resolutely drowned the noise out and focused on the powers that lay within her. 'Just a little more, come on – ah, got it.' She pictured the two fighters ('idiots' she huffed to herself) encased in ropes of energy and unleashed the power in a rush. The sounds of the scuffle were replaced with a kind of stunned silence, much to her satisfaction. Kagome frowned when she felt the unmistakable 'surge' of a youkai spirit warring with her own, merely tightening her mental grip in response. When all resistance ceased, she finally opened her eyes to look at her 'catch'. Kouga, she was briefly amused to note, was looking at her as though she had just announced that she was from another planet, while Inuyasha was just standing there. He obviously knew what was behind this and had decided it was pointless to struggle. 'Wise choice, there…'

When she started speaking, her voice was deceptively calm and icy soft. "Are you quite finished?" No answer, of course. She still wasn't letting them talk. "Now, as far as I'm concerned, there will be no more fighting between either of you. We're going to talk this out, and you're not going to lay a finger on each other! I'm going to let you have turns speaking, and eventually this mess is going to get straightened out." She eased up slightly on her hold of Inuyasha's head, allowing him the chance to speak. "Inuyasha, why are you always so angry with Kouga-kun?" His eyes widened in disbelief.

"WHY?!" he roared. "How can you ask that? Kagome, this half-grown loser acts like he has a claim on you! He –" She cut him off with a wave of her hand, gagging the irate young hanyou once more. Turning to Kouga, she asked, "Is that true? Do you have a –" she shuddered slightly –"claim on me?" As soon as Kouga's head was released, he was nodding furiously.

"Yes! Don't you remember, when you were helping me fight the gokurakuchou? I said that you would be my woman!" Kagome raised a hand to her temple to rub away the headache that all of this was giving her.

"Kouga-kun, first of all, I wasn't helping you – you kidnapped me!" He had the grace to look slightly ashamed of himself at that comment. "Secondly, you may have said that I would be your woman, but I definitely never said that that was what I wanted!" Ignoring the slightly stunned look on his face, she silenced him and faced Inuyasha. There was a certain smug satisfaction on his face that didn't really sit well with her at all. Sure, she'd told Kouga off for his presumption, but it had been him who had started the fight in the first place – and that was something she couldn't just let slide.

There was an unmistakable touch of steel in her voice as she asked, "Well, Inuyasha, what do you have to say about all this?" In a sadly predictable move, the arrogant hanyou failed to recognise the danger her voice promised if he messed this up. To his way of thinking, his partner had rejected the competition, and now he was free to do as he pleased. It wasn't the wisest thing he could have done.

"Feh! I'm surprised you didn't see it before, girl, he only wanted you to be his woman because you could feel the shards! He'd just better get it through his stupid skull that you're not his woman to claim, or else the next time he comes here I'll tear his groping flea-bitten hands off!"

Kagome gritted her teeth as she slapped the gag on his runway mouth hard enough to rock his head back with the impact. His eyes went round in a mix of confusion, anger – and a touch of fear. "So, the only possible reason he wanted me around was because I could see the shards? Gee, that sounds familiar, doesn't it?" She glared at him as comprehension began to sink in. "He couldn't actually want me because he likes me, hmm?" The situation was fast getting out of control.

Inuyasha was powerless to prevent the panicked look that came over his expression at Kagome's words. She just wasn't making sense! One minute she's telling the wolf that she never wanted him for a mate, and the next minute she's practically shouting at him that he only wanted her for her ability to see shards and not because he liked her? Wait, that didn't sound right – she was mad because he said that Kouga didn't like her? Eh – he was confused. But he knew enough to know that he was in so much trouble it wasn't funny.

Out of the corner of his eye he could see Kouga smirking at the direction that the argument had taken. Well, he couldn't really 'smirk', but the look in his eyes said it all. The wolf was highly amused. 'I'll take that idiotic look off his face…' As soon as he felt Kagome's hold on his mouth lessen, he set out to take Kouga-kun – he really hated hearing her call the wimpy wolf by that name – down a peg or two. He'd show that arrogant princeling who was better…

"It doesn't matter why he wanted you as his woman, because he can't have you! And besides, he's nowhere near strong enough to protect you!" He sneered at the look of incoherent fury on Kouga's face at those words. "Yeah, that's right, wolf – you know it as well as I do, you're nothing without those shards in your legs! Kagome is way too good to be stuck with a weak moron like you, wimp!" He smirked with pride – he'd insulted his competition, and managed to compliment Kagome at the same time. That would set things on the right track again, he was sure of it.

To his utter amazement, Kagome looked as though she would like to rip his eyes out – now that was a reaction he hadn't expected. He didn't know what he'd done wrong this time, but he was given a clue when he felt the invisible gag return full-force. 'Must've been something I said…?'

He was slightly distracted by the sound of Miroku, Sango, Kohaku and Shippo making a very hurried return to the clearing. Apparently they had heard the noise and come running back to see what was happening. They relaxed when they saw that Kagome had the situation firmly under control – in fact, he was annoyed to see that the trio actually dared to look amused at the scene that they were watching. The disturbance was pushed firmly to the back of his mind when Kagome began speaking again.

"So now it doesn't matter why he wanted me at all? Gods, Inuyasha, you have got some nerve! Is it so unbelievable that another guy would like me? And do you still think I need protecting? I defeated Sesshoumaru when you couldn't – if anything, I'm protecting you now!" If he could frown right then, he would have. That was a definite attack on his pride…unacceptable! And he really didn't like the sneaky look that had crept into Kouga's eyes in the last few minutes. What was the jerk plotting now? He could have groaned when he begged Kagome with his eyes to let him speak. He really could have done something much worse when she let him. 'Damn, Kagome, what gives?'

"So, Inukkoro," the wolf began, "you think that without the Shikon shards, I wouldn't be able to do anything?" He didn't wait for any agreement, knowing he wouldn't get any. "Well, would you like me to prove to you that I am just as able to beat you in any fight without them? It's true, they're very useful to me, but there is something that would convince me to give them up, no fighting needed. All you have to do is say yes." Inuyasha grimaced in his mind – what was he playing at?

"If I'm going to give you two shards, I want two weeks with Kagome. She comes with me, I give you the shards once the two weeks are up. Well, Inuyasha, what do you say? Is it a deal?"

To say that Kagome was stunned was an understatement. The sheer audacity of the idea was staggering – and it would cause the wolf youkai to get ripped in half if he wasn't careful. 'I hope I can keep holding Inuyasha back like this, or we're going to have a dead wolf on our hands,' she thought worriedly. She knew that Inuyasha would never agree to something like that, even though she had to admit that the deal had some merit to it. Not a whole lot of merit, but some. It was probably the most painless scheme for getting Kouga's shards that anyone had yet to come up with. 'But what will Inuyasha actually say to this? I don't want a whole new youkai war on our hands over this!' And she had to allow that she was slightly curious about the outcome of this entire mess.

Sango, standing on the sidelines, was shocked and furious. "He's insane! Kagome-chan isn't some thing that can be traded! Who does he think he is?" Miroku couldn't really comfort her with an arm around her waist like he wanted to, as she had both hands on her hips in her outrage. He contented himself with folding his hands securely around his shakujou (in case the two youkai in front of them got free somehow) and looking at the scene before him. "I sincerely doubt that Inuyasha will even consider such a course, so I don't believe there is all that much to worry about."

Kohaku was having more than a little difficulty in figuring out just what the heck was going on here. Having not been privy to the details of Kouga's one-minded courtship of Kagome, this situation was confusing him no end. "Shippo?" he whispered quickly, "why does that wolf want to steal Kagome-sama away? I thought Inuyasha-sama had claimed her." Shippo bounced over to his friend, glancing nervously at the two fighters.

"Kouga took Kagome away once because he wanted her to find Shikon shards for him." Kohaku shivered; it sounded like something Naraku might try… "He decided that he liked her and said that she would be his mate. Obviously, Inuyasha doesn't agree." Shippo fluffed his tail in annoyance. "But every time he sees her, he comes and tells her she's his woman, and fights with Inuyasha. Very immature, really," the kitsune sniffed. The words sounded very ironic, coming from such a young-looking youkai. Kohaku, still somewhat bemused, could do little but nod his head in agreement.

Inuyasha wished now, more than ever, that he were free to move about. As soon as he had control of his body back, that wimpy wolf was dead meat. However, somewhere under the possessive rage that he felt, a thought was niggling at his mind like an itch that wouldn't go away.

'You always said that you would do anything to get all of the shards – how is this any different from before?'

'This is Kagome we're talking about here!' he growled at the voice in his head. 'I never said anything about sacrificing her to get them! I'm supposed to protect her, not give her away!'

'Ah, but what if she wants to go with him? She hasn't said anything yet.'

'Shut up! I'm not even going to think about that, so just shut up.'

'You know, she might even be safer with his tribe to protect her right now. Naraku came after you because he thought that was where she was. What if she's not here? She'll be safe.'

'Shut up.'

'It's only two weeks. You've been with her for two years, you think she's going to forget about you in just two weeks? She can look after herself around that idiot. Can't she?'

'Whose side are you on, anyway?' He chanced a look over at Kagome and didn't like what he saw. She was getting tired with the strain of holding the two of them with her powers like that – her head was beginning to droop slightly. But her eyes were flashing with a mixture of anger and…uncertainty? He didn't quite know what to make of that.

'Think about it – she's mad at you now, so this will get her away to let her calm down a bit.'

'Feh. She's been mad at me before, she'll get over it.'

'What if you agree? When she comes back to you, he'll have no claim on her any more. He'll have to leave you alone!' That voice in his head sounded mighty pleased with that idea. Inuyasha had to admit that it was tempting to think about. 'Imagine, never having to see that stinking show off ever again.' More than anything, it was the uncertainty that he could sense in Kagome that decided him – although it really hurt to do it (not that he would tell anyone that). He looked straight at her in an effort to get her to release him to speak. Looking relieved, she eased the pressure on his mouth so that he could get the words out.

"I accept."

The unexpected reply caused various reactions in the group. Kagome, completely taken aback, abruptly broke her hold over the two youkai in favour of letting herself to slump to the ground. 'He agreed…he actually agreed! I can't believe it – he agreed!' Her mind just ran in continuous loops, unable to get past the fact that the fight seemed to be over…and a whole new one was just beginning.

Kouga, who had dashed to her side when she fell, smirked up at his rival. "So, you give up, huh?" A vicious backhand sent him flying as Inuyasha crouched beside the girl, a snarl contorting his features. "I never said that, wolf! I accept, but on one condition." Kouga folded his arms in an attempt to look dignified whilst lying sprawled on the ground.

"Go on then. What's the condition?"

"Kagome stays with your tribe, not just you. Make no mistake, I will tear your throat out if you do anything," he swallowed, "inappropriate with her. And after the two weeks are up, you give her back. No arguments." Kouga tilted his head to one side.

"Heh. That sounds like two conditions to me, but I'll let that slide. Consider it done."

Kagome gradually dragged her thoughts out of the fog that had clouded her mind and focused on the discussion above her. When the terms were brought up, she stiffened in disbelief. 'Hey! Don't I get a say in this?' One look at her hanyou and the wolf told her that they had made their minds up without her.

'Hmph! Apparently not.'

"Well, if you have conditions, then so do I, Inukkoro. You don't come near the mountain to find her – that goes for your friends, too. No stealing her back, or talking her into leaving early. If I so much as smell you near my tribe, you can forget getting her back!" He grinned when Inuyasha began to growl loudly. "Or would you rather forget the deal and just keep on fighting now? I might just kill you this time, you know."

Inuyasha fought to restrain himself at the taunt, calming himself with an effort. "Fine," he bit out angrily, "we won't come near you. But if she gets hurt because of you, I'm coming for you. Understood?" Kouga just grinned.

"Of course! Well, my dear, shall we go?" He ran to Kagome's side and picked her up, only to be confronted by a very large boomerang being shaken in his face. Sango grabbed a hold of Kagome's arm and tried to haul her free of Kouga's grip. "Since Inuyasha has obviously lost his senses, I'll do what he should be doing. Let go of her!" she yelled, heaving with all her strength but to no avail. Miroku swung his shakujou out to block Kouga's path, and Kohaku fingered his sword in anticipation of yet another fight. Shippo just looked mad enough to chew him to bits. Kouga paused in his attempt to leave, and Kagome took full advantage of the opportunity.

"Inuyasha! Were you even going to ask me if I would do this? You males are all alike! Just think you can make decisions like this without even consulting anyone…it's disgusting! And you!" She whacked Kouga who had been chuckling at her tirade. "I thought I told you that I was not your woman! You can't just pick me up and carry me off like this! If you even think for one moment that I'm just going to sit here and – "

She was cut off when Kouga sighed and clapped a hand over her mouth. Too stunned to retaliate, she was whisked away by the wolf youkai before anyone knew what was happening. The astounded group was powerless to do anything but watch as the whirlwind that signified Kouga's path quickly faded into the distance. Then as one they turned to demand an explanation from their hanyou companion. It was a very disheartened Inuyasha that refused to meet their outraged gaze.

"Don't talk to me," he snapped and bounded away into the forest.

"That idiot!" Shippo screeched, throwing his hands up in the air in disgust. Miroku twisted his lips in a wry smile. "Well, this has been a most interesting day, hasn't it?"

"Miroku!" *Thump*

He rubbed his head. "Well, it has!"

Sango refused to deign that comment with a reply. Inuyasha had some explaining to do.

Whoops – what a mess. What have I done?! So will Kagome just yell at him for two weeks, or will things get interesting? You'll have to read to find out! And review, of course.

Shout outs from Ch 1: Back in the Game

Aamalie: Yep, re-reading Under Control would be a good idea. Glad you liked the first chapter. And yes, you need to finish Splintered Coral *grins* that was a good one!

Xelena: If you're confused about the missing rosary etc. better read the first story, Under Control. Enjoy!

Momentum: Yeah, who couldn't see the Inu/Kag/Kou thing coming? I don't mind Kouga myself, and personally I think he gets a raw deal in most fanfics. This one will nicen him up a bit, wait and see.

Jessica T: My most faithful fan *sigh* Yes, Kouga can be pretty awesome when he wants. People often write him up as a bit of a bastard, but that's probably just because he's Inu's rival and most people want Inu to win. This fic will turn the tables a bit, as promised. And yeah, the feud is pretty cool too. See you next time!

Sakura-kero227: Thanks, more chapters coming soon!

Murasaki Kitsune: Ah, you found it! It will be interesting, updates will take about a week at my current rate.

A/N: Only 6 reviews in a week?! Oi, people, I know you're out there! If you want me to email you when I update, give me your address in your review and I'll add you to the list. Toodles!