Yeah, it's been a loong time. It's been crazy for me, sorry all. I decided to join the Air Force, and I've been getting everything together for that. Also, my computer got this nasty bug and I had to trash my system. whimpers I had to reformat all my stories and...geh! Enough. On with the chapter!

Oh yes, and I don't own Inuyasha...or any of it's characters...

Chapter Ten

"Quiet wench. You have caused enough problems as it is."

"I'll show you 'problems' if you don't put me down right this second!" At the sound of Aqua's laughter, Rhian turned her head to the left sharply, ignoring the pain that shot through her neck. Glaring daggers at her old friend, she held up her middle finger. "And what the hell are you laughing for Aqua? You said you'd be gone a week to scout out that new aria and here it is, five fucking years later! Where in the seven hells have you been? Chasing after more men!"

"Oh, now that's not nice 'Hia! You know I'm never the one to do the chasing!"

"that's only because --"

"Don't say it. Do you really want to try and fight me with your power level so low?"

"You think I need something other then my fists to beat you?"

"I think we've been down this road already. I also think you have forgotten where it leads to. But if you really want, I'll jog your memory."

"Try it, and see how --" a hand clamped over her mouth before she could finish her threat. She, of course in return, bit said hand, her eyes flashing dangerously. The bastard didn't even pretend to flinch. Nor, much to Rhian's cringe, did he remove his hand.

"Please except my mates apology. She can't think properly in her weakened state..." as soon as Sesshomaru made that statement, Aqua burst into another fit of laughter, her face turning a bright shade of red. Rhian tried to bite his hand harder, failing miserably when she realized she didn't even have enough energy to do that. Keeping her eyes open was becoming a real effort now.

Kagome watched everything play out with stars in her eyes. This is all too romantic...in a trashy romance novel kind of way...

As if reading her thoughts, Inuyasha snorted loudly, crossing his arms over his chest. Kagome looked up and glared at him. "What?"

"Nothing."

"Oh no! I know that snort – you think this is all stupid, don't you? Damn it Inuyasha, this is stuff books are made of!"

"What the hell are you talking about? What books?"

"All the great love stories start off with the main characters hating each other – that way, in the middle of the novel, they can have hot, crazy, angry...se...ah...secret...arguments..." laughing nervously, she rubbed the back of her head slightly. It was then she noticed everyone was watching her. "W-what?"

Aqua grind devilishly as she stepped closer to Kagome and Inuyasha, placing an arm around both of their waists. "Um, love, I don't think they have...secret...arguments, in those books."

"Yes" she replied through clenched teeth. "They do."

"No...no, I think what they are having, is –"

"Don't say it!"

"Sex..."

Aqua's black eyes shimmered with mirth as she stepped away from the two, waiting for the fire works to start. Looking over at the two teens, she wondered if she should have been so blunt, but soon shrugged it off. If she hadn't told them , they would have learned it from some place off the streets. (yeah...I got the off the street thing from one of the comic strips – love them!)

No one said a word. Kagome's face was bright red, and she was slowly trying to edge away from Inuyasha. She was one step away when he turned to her. Two when his eyes narrowed, three when they flashed red. And in the middle of the fourth step, he had her. His hand shot out, grabbed her wrist, and pulled her right back where she had started.

Smiling brightly at him, Kagome placed one hand on her large belly and began to rub it lightly. It was a small reminder that she was carrying their pup and could not be 'properly disciplined'. Something Kagome had heard Sesshomaru telling Inuyasha he should have done long ago...

"Kagome, why would you be reading such books? And where are they right now?"

Her eyes flickered to every persons face but his. Finally, she squared her shoulders, and looked the half demon right in the eye. "I don't see what the big deal is. It's just a book with fictional characters. It's not like I'm going out and screwing around."

"And what the fuck is that supposed to mean! Who the hell have I been 'screwing around with'"

"Kikyou, that who. You were always running off to her whenever you got her sent!"

"Kagome...Kikyou, is dead."

"Well, that didn't stop you the last time now did it dog-breath!"

He growled low in his throat, his eyes once again flashing dangerously. "You've been hanging out with that mangy wolf Koga too much. I don't want that filth around my pup."

"Your pup? I'm sorry, I thought it was my pup. After all, it is inside of me. But, if you wish to give birth to it – no? Didn't think so." flipping her hair out of her face, she gave him her back, trying to fight that tears that were starting to form in her eyes. "I'm going back home, having my baby in my time, and then sealing that damned well that brought you into my life!"

And that, is when everyone silently left the scene. Not only was Kagome saying she was leaving the demon who thought of her as his mate, but she was also threatening to take away his pup. Several nasty looks were sent to Aqua for starting the whole thing, and she had the decency to flush with shame. All she had wanted to do was take the attention off Rhian for long enough to get her out of there.

Well, so much for plan A.

Off to plan B...