Chapter 14
Yuki closed the door behind him before he was able to breathe a sigh of relief. Why in the world did he just offer to chaperone those two young women? Why?
He resisted the urge to bang his golden head on the nearest wall. Instead, he vaulted over the railing on the second story landing and touched down lightly on the first floor.
While straightening himself, Yuki heard the sounds of Inuyasha and the kitsune youkai arguing heatedly. He looked over at Hiro, who was watching the argument from across the foyer. He was still staring at Sesshoumaru with as much malice as he could muster.
Yuki walked over to his brother and rubbed his shoulder. "What's wrong, Hiro?" he asked quietly.
Hiro's brown eyes stared unblinkingly at the arguing youkai. "They do not deserve her," he muttered a trifle viciously. "None of them do."
Yuki smiled. "Not even your dear friend, Kouga?"
Hiro blinked and turned to look at his big brother. He seemed almost startled by the question. "No, he does. He is perhaps the only one of them who does. He has built an empire and patiently waited for half a millenium for her. Everything he has ever done was to prove to her that he deserves her and is worthy of her."
"Well, I think that proves Kouga's good enough for her, don't you think?" Yuki asked, pulling his little brother into a rare hug. He really did feel bad for Hiro. Hiro loved Kagome too, but he knew he would NEVER go after any woman Kouga had staked a claim on. They had been friends too long.
Yuki smirked inwardly. As for himself, he WOULD go after Kagome. After all, he and Kouga had never been THAT close, and besides, how could he pass up making a play at a pretty woman AND pissing off Sesshoumaru? It was a two-for-one deal!
Hiro sighed and returned the hug. "I suppose it does." He pulled away and looked down at his watch. "Whoa! I am supposed to be taking Kagome and Sango out today!" He looked up at the second floor landing.
'Not a chance little bro,' Yuki thought. 'It's MY turn to watch the little miko.' Aloud he said, "You don't have to, you know. I can imagine how energetic those two can be when it comes to shopping. Take the day off or just stay here and watch the monitors. You'll get your fair share of peace and quiet down in the basement. Trust me," he finished, rolling his green eyes.
Hiro chuckled. "Are you sure you want to do this? Kagome loves to run into every single store in a mad attempt to drain Kouga's bank account."
Yuki grinned. "Yeah sure. Besides, I've already offered them my services for the day."
Hiro looked relieved, then suspicious. He narrowed his brown eyes. "Now WHY would you say something like that?"
Yuki tried his best to look innocent. "Whatever do you mean, Hiro?"
Hiro leaned forward slightly and scowled. "You told me once that you would NEVER be caught dead traipsing all over Tokyo in the company of two hyper little girls. Remember? YOU said that."
"Did I?" Yuki asked, attempting to look confused. "I don't recall..."
"Don't play stupid, Yuki. I know you did say that. The only thing I wish to know is what your motive is for wanting to go with the girls today." Hiro glared at his brother.
Yuki scowled. "I couldn't help it, okay? She was looking at me with those huge brown eyes of hers and...and I just had to offer," he muttered, looking away. "I just can't seem to resist her..." He trailed off.
Hiro stared hard at him. "Don't tell me that you of all people... You like her, don't you?" His tone was flat...even...accusing. "Don't you."
Yuki did not like the way this conversation was going. He shot his brother a dirty look. "Fuck you," he growled irritably. "I'm goin' outside for a smoke. Let me know when the girls are ready to leave."
With cigarette pack and lighter in hand, he stormed out the front door.
Kouga left his study. He was tired of hearing Shippo and Inuyasha argue. Sesshoumaru himself was being quite unhelpful. He just stood there, watching the argument get louder. He glared at them occasionally, but he seemed preoccupied. Thinking of Kagome, perhaps?
Kouga had finally zoned out and heard Hiro and Yuki talking. Yuki had become angry for no apparent reason and he marched out of the house, intent on smoking his cigarette.
"What's the matter?" Kouga asked, looking at Hiro's face. He looked furious.
Hiro turned and went to a door right behind him, going down some steps into the basement of the house. "Nothing," he replied.
He and Kouga went ended up in a room filled with surveillence equipment. Monitors were seemingly everywhere. A dark headed elf unknown to Kouga, manned the computer.
"Take a break, please," Hiro requested of the young man. The elf nodded once and left the room.
"I thought you were going with the girls today," Kouga asked quietly.
Hiro had begun typing something on the comptuer. "I was, but Yuki offered to take them off my hands for a day."
Kouga cocked his head. "And you're okay with this?" he asked. He knew how Hiro felt about Kagome. The elf was practically an open book.
Hiro continued typing. "Sure, why wouldn't I be?"
Kouga glanced at the several monitors gracing the room. They were situated along the wall on Hiro's right. The monitors were showing shots of different areas of his house and grounds. "Because you know how he is with women," he remarked casually.
The sounds of typing faltered and Hiro's body stiffened. "Yes. Yes, I know how he is. But he would never... I know he wouldn't...dare..." His fingers stopped moving and he looked up at Kouga. "Would he?"
Kouga looked thoughtfully at his friend, who had now turned his head back to face the computer monitor. He was staring blankly at the computer screen.
Was that it, then? Was that why Yuki had offered to take them for the day? So he could make his move on Kagome?
With a shout, Hiro jumped up and ran out of the room. The black haired elf was just returning and swiftly stepped aside as Hiro rushed past. Kouga followed Hiro up the stairs.
Hiro ran upstairs. That fiend! If he let Yuki be alone with Kagome, it would be like leading a lamb to the slaughter. He couldn't let that happen! Yuki must never be allowed to be alone with Kagome for ANY reason! How stupid of him to let him take charge of her!
He sped out of the front door. The electronic gate was already closing. Hiro growled and grabbed his cell phone. He pushed a button and the phone began dialing Yuki's number.
"Nani?" Yuki's smooth voice came on the line.
"You...bastard," Hiro breathed. "If you so much as touch her..."
Yuki laughed in his ear. "Don't worry, little brother. That one is safe for now. Have no fear. I'll be on my best behavior." He hung up.
Hiro pulled the phone away from his ear. He DID fear. He feared for her. Yuki was not always the nice, pleasant guy everyone thought him to be. He was sometimes cold, ruthless, completely without morals. Sure, he was handsome, but that was just a cover.
Hiro was afraid that Yuki would just use her and leave her. That had already happened once and he did not wish for her to go through that again.
After Yuki had hung up on Hiro, he settled back in the driver's seat, listening to the girls' lively chatter in the back seat. How they managed to be so chipper so damned early was beyond him.
He really had no intention of doing anything major today. Just a quick flirt here and there maybe...nothing too serious. Just enough to let the girl know he was interested.
Kagome looked at him through the rearview mirror and smiled at him.
Yuki sighed. Today would be a good day, he thought, happily. A VERY good day.
