Chapter 3: Friends

Written by: Kogas Angel

Note: I have made a couple of changes to this chapter and am sorry for the confusion.

Miroku watched as Kikyo drove off before he walked into the clinic to see his ladylove. Sango had, in a short time, become his secret obsession. He had, on several occasions, gone out of his way to drive by the clinic in hopes to catch a glimpse of her. Grinning, he opened the door to the clinic and walked in, his heart beating rapidly in his chest.

"Good afternoon, my sweet Sango." He chirped, his voice cheerful. He sauntered over to the counter and leaned against it, hoping that his smile would be returned.

Sango finished pulling the charts of the patients who were scheduled for the afternoon and favored Miroku with a glance. She was not stupid. She knew that he wanted her and lord help her, she thought that he was a very good-looking man. However, his comments at times were quite offending and more than once she had taken the opportunity to correct his hentai behavior when his hand got a little too friendly with her bottom.

"Hi, Miroku. How are you doing today?" She asked, her tone pleasant. She saw him grin and he replied, "I am wonderful, now that I have had the pleasure of seeing your sweet face. How about you and I go out to dinner tonight? I know of this little place by the beach and after that you and I can walk along the shore and discuss how many babies that you will be giving me."

Sango blinked, but before she could smack him into next week, Inu Yasha stepped out of his office and glanced at his best friend. "Could you not sexually harass my secretary? Besides, aren't you the one who once told me that you were simply too much man for one woman and that by the time you were twenty-eight, you would have your own harem? I seriously doubt that Sango would be interested in anything like that, so why don't you go and sniff around somewhere else." He snapped, his tone angry.

Miroku studied his friend for a minute, and then asked, "What's the matter, Inu Yasha? Bad day, already?"

"You have no idea. Where in the hell did Kikyo go?" Inu Yasha grumbled. He was tired, pissed, and worried for that husky that had been brought in. He hoped that Kagome did not have a lot of trouble with Sesshomaru. However, knowing his brother, he probably insulted Kagome and she, in turn, probably did the same. Sighing, he turned and said over his shoulder, "I am going to check on that Husky that Kagome brought in."

Sango nodded, and then glared over at Miroku. "Now, what was that crack you made about me having your children?" She demanded as she cracked her knuckles.

Miroku gulped. He knew that he was about to get it.

Kagome sighed and looked out her window. After she had returned home, she had taken a shower and dressed. Feeling a bit better, she walked over to her computer and sat down. She quickly signed onto the internet and began to look up hyperthyroidism. For nearly an hour, she read articles on the condition and she silently prayed that Dr. Yamada hurried up and got out of the hospital.

A knock at her door brought Kagome out of her thoughts and she went to the door. When she opened it, she mentally kicked herself and silently promised that the next time he stopped by, she would pretend not to be there.

Hojo had started to stop by her home nearly everyday. At first, it had been sort of endearing, but now, it was becoming a problem. Kouga had mentioned that Hojo had told a friend of his that he had fallen in love with Kagome and from what the friend said, Hojo had stated that no matter what, he would never leave Kagome's side. To be honest, he was now creeping her out.

"Hi, Hojo. How are you, today?" She asked uneasily. Ok, truth be told, he was a handsome young man. He was tall with sandy-colored hair, pretty brown eyes, and a nice build, but his attitude turned Kagome off.

"I am fine, Kagome. How are you doing?" Hojo asked, his eyes traveling over Kagome's firm body. He could not count the nights where he had laid in bed, fantasizing over what he would like to do to her young body.

"Good. So, what brings you here?" She asked, leaning up against her doorway. She glanced around and mentally prayed for someone to come and bail her out.

"I was in the neighborhood and thought that I would stop by. You know, I am thinking of moving over this way. This seems like a quiet neighborhood and I would not mind being somewhere that a friend lived." He replied.

Kagome inwardly groaned, however, fate finally decided to take pity on her. When her phone rang, Kagome blushed and quickly excused herself. She felt a little bad about shutting the door in his face, but the way Hojo was staring at her breasts made her feel as though she were on display for his dining pleasure.

Snatching up the phone, Kagome breathlessly said, "Hello."

Kouga chuckled and said, "You owe me, well, you owe Jakotsu, actually. He saw Hojo walking up to your door and when he got inside, he told me to call over there and rescue you."

Kagome giggled. "Well, tell Jakotsu that he has just earned himself a hug." She replied. She listened as Kouga relayed her message and then giggled when Jakotsu said that he would be even happier with a pan of her delicious homemade fudge.

Kouga turned serious and asked about her visit with Inu Yasha's older brother. "He is a fucking prick, Kouga. The man has no manners, and he even insulted the way I looked today. Granted, I looked like shit, but I have a reason. He did not have to insult me." She hissed.

Kouga sighed. He knew how sensitive Kagome was about her appearance. Hell, all women were sensitive about something. That was why he was glad that his gate swung the other way.

"Try not to let it bother you. Besides, he is in the hospital, so something must be wrong with him, right? He is probably sick and is taking shit out on you. Don't take things so personally." Kouga said.

Kagome sighed. "Ok, I will try. But, if he insults me again, Kouga…." She warned.

"If he insults you again, I will kick his ass for you, ok?" Kouga offered. He smiled when he heard Kagome giggle and he sighed when he felt Jakotsu wrap his arms around his waist. After a few more minutes of speaking with Kagome, he hung up with her and turned to his lover.

"Now, what ever shall I do with you?" He purred, desire burning within his deep blue orbs.

Sesshomaru shook his head and glared at the offending nurse. The bitch simply did not know how to draw blood. She had missed the vein twice and kept giggling about it. Finally, he grabbed her hand and hissed, "If you wish to keep it from being broken, find me a damn nurse who actually knows how to do her job."

Startled, the nurse jerked her hand back and rushed out of the room, terrified. Sitting back with a satisfied smirk, Sesshomaru crossed his arms and waited for the next victim to walk into the room.

The door pushed open and an elderly woman came walking into the room. She glanced at Sesshomaru with her one good eye and then proceeded to walk over to his bed.

"So, you are the one who likes to scare my nurses. You will not abuse them again, do you understand?" She asked, her tone hard.

"If your nurse knew what she was doing, we would not be having this conversation. Now, are you here to draw my blood, or are you here simply to scold me?" Sesshomaru asked, his voice cool.

Kaede sighed. "Let me see your arm, Dr. Yamada." She said. Once she found the vein, she quickly got him ready and then placed the needle into his arm. For some reason, she felt the need to jab him over and over again as if he were one of those voodoo dolls. That would make up for the horrid way he had treated her nurses, but alas, she was too good hearted for something like that. No, next time, she would send in Nazuna. The girl had a way of irritating the daylights out of anyone who was near her just by asking an endless stream of questions.

Once the elder nurse was done with him, she bid him a good day and left the room. Sesshomaru's golden eyes turned to the window and he once again thought about the disheveled young woman that had come into his room.

So, she thought that he was a dickhead, did she? Well, normally that title was reserved for Inu Yasha, but clearly the young woman felt the need to grace him with the title as well. Fine. He was going to make her life a living hell. But, the question was…how? He would not use that pup, Chaser, to do it. From what he read, the animal was suffering enough. No, he would have to go another route.

Perhaps he could tell that boasting idiot, Hiten Nashida, that he had a woman who he thought was perfect for him. No, not even Hiten deserved to have that girl, Kagome, heaped on him. Pain in the ass he might be, Hiten had done nothing to piss him off…yet.

His eyes narrowed in concentration, he began to think of several different ways that he could get underneath Kagome's skin and teach her the hard lesson of why it was never a good thing to make Dr. Sesshomaru Yamada mad.

Shortly after lunch, another nurse came in and injected his IV with some more medication. He really hated it because it made him sleepy. Well, when he woke up, he would resume his thoughts on Kagome. Yeah, that young lady certainly needed an attitude adjustment, and he was more than happy to give it to her.

Hojo drove down the street and smiled when he saw a bridal shop. One day, his Kagome would need its services. She would make a stunning bride and a beautiful wife and mother. Yeah, he would never allow her to leave him and he would take care of her until their dying day. He knew that he and Kagome were made for each other. She simply was too shy to admit that they had a growing love affair.

He had met Kagome when they were in school together. They used to be very close, but after a few years apart during their college years, they had drifted apart. He had been in a relationship with one of Kagome's friends, Yumi, but she had ended it when he had called out Kagome's name during a hot round of sex, and she had told him to never call her again.

That had been fine by him. The only reason why he had even dated Yumi was because she and Kagome were close. He had wanted to keep tabs on his ebony beauty, and now that he had gotten back into her life, he was sure that he could provide her with every thing that she needed.

He had many plans for Kagome. He had many times imagined her underneath him as their sweaty bodies merged as one. He could hear her panting softly in his ear as he whispered how much he loved her and would never let her go. He could feel her silky leg running up and down the side of his body as he thrust deeply inside of her. Oh, he could just see what their children would look like. They would have their mother's looks, and his build. Together, they would be unstoppable.

Turning into a driveway, Hojo shut off the engine to his car and quickly got out. He walked up the sidewalk and reached out for the doorknob. He entered the residence and smiled.

"Hi, mom. How are you today?" He asked, his eyes landing on his mother's face. He noticed that her usual smile was missing from her lips and he readied himself for what was about to come.

"Hojo, Yumi called today and said that you were not at work yesterday. Where were you, son?" Mrs. Sutaki asked. She knew exactly where he was, but she needed for him to admit it.

Hojo stared at his mother for a moment before smiling. "Ah, I see where this is going. Yumi is pissed that I want nothing to do with her, and so she is now tattling to my mother when I am not at work. Fine, you want to know where I was, I will tell you. I went looking for a place to live. I am in my twenties and living in my parent's basement, for goodness sakes. Mom, don't let Yumi fool you. She is bitter and lonely. She is mad that she can't have me and that another woman has my heart." He explained, his chest swelling with pride.

Mrs. Sutaki sighed. "Dear, Kagome only sees you as a friend. Sure, I would love nothing more than to have that sweet girl as my daughter-in-law, but Hojo, she is simply not in love with you. Perhaps you can look elsewhere for a girlfriend." She suggested.

Hojo huffed. "Mom, Kagome does love me. She is simply a woman who likes her space. Now, if you will please excuse me, I am tired and want to take a nap." He said, mentally reminding himself that he and Yumi were long over due for a talk.

Mrs. Sutaki sadly nodded. This was far worse than Yumi had said. Hojo was so in love with Kagome that he could not see that she did not feel the same. However, she trusted her son, and hoped that when the day came, Kagome would not hurt his heart too badly.

Hojo stalked down the stairs and headed straight for his phone. He had set up the basement like a little apartment and he smiled. Sure, this was a nice place, but his Kagome deserved her very own house. Of course, he would be more than willing to move into the house that she now currently occupied. After all, he knew that he dogs meant a lot to her and he would not stand in her way of caring for them.

However, now he had to deal with Yumi. That bitch was meddling in his affairs and he did not like it one bit. He dialed her number and waited for the line to pick up. When she finally answered, Hojo bit out, "Are you trying to ruin my life, Yumi?"

Yumi gasped, but then said quietly, "No, Hojo. I am trying to help you. This obsession with Kagome is not healthy. She did not want you when we were kids, and she does not want you now. You need to move on, Hojo."

Hojo glared at the phone in his hand. "You know what? I just realized that you are a woman scorned. You, Yumi, are jealous that Kagome has my love and that you will never be as good as her, pretty as her, or even as smart as her. Do me a favor and butt out of our lives. So help me, Yumi. If you turn Kagome against me for any reason, I will not tolerate to make it so that you wish for an early death. Do you hear me, you stupid little bitch?" He snarled.

Yumi's face turned pale as she listened to his ranting. When he hung up on her, she burst into tears and allowed the phone to drop from her hand. What if she had been wrong and Hojo and Kagome really were sneaking around with each other? Oh, gods. Her heart hurt so much and she did not know if she could take any more pain from the man that owned her heart.

Sobbing, Yumi crawled to her bed and buried her face into the softness of her pillow. Damn, she really was a little fool to think that she could compete with someone like Kagome Higurashi.

Kagome smiled and shook her head. She watched as Jakotsu and Kouga playfully wrestled on the ground, and then delivered little kisses to the boo-boos that they had caused. It warmed her heart to know that her best friend had found the love of his life in the arms of another one of her friends. Now, if she could only get Bankotsu to settle down with one person, then she was sure that he, too, would experience the happiness that Kouga and Jakotsu had.

Speaking of the devil, Bankotsu crashed through the door and smiled at his friends. "Guess what I did today, or should I say who?" He challenged, a grin lighting up his handsome face.

Kouga sighed. "Bank, you have to be the biggest whore I know. I hope that you are using protection." He said. His blue eyes roamed the young man and had it not been for his attitude, Kouga could have easily fallen for him, but he was thrilled that he had met Jakotsu first. His baby could do things with his tongue that could make a man weep.

"Yes, mother hen. I used protection. Well, are you going to guess? No. Ok, I will tell you. Iscrewed Sasuki. Yes, you heard me right. Iscrewed that fine doctor so hard that I doubt that he was able to walk straight for the rest of the day." Bankotsu exclaimed proudly.

Kagome blushed and looked away. She had always known that Bank was a male whore, but this was bad, even for him. Clearly, his sexual appetites had grown since the last time they talked.

Bankotsu looked around and finally noticed that Kagome was in the room. Suddenly, he was remorseful for his boastings and he quickly went to sit down beside her.

"Kagome, I'm sorry. I did not see you sitting there. If I had, I would not have brought it up until after you left. Forgive me?" He asked, reaching for her hands. He had always had a very soft spot in his heart for Kagome. When they had first met, he had been confused about who he was and had dated several women, though none of them had ever satisfied him. It was Kagome who he had first revealed his secret about liking men, and to his relief, she did not push him away. In fact, they had grown closer, but he was still uncomfortable about speaking about his conquests in front of her. He loved Kagome's innocence and he had vowed that he would protect it at all costs.

"Don't worry about it, Bank. I understand. So, are you going to see him again, or is he the flavor of the week?" Kagome asked, her large eyes searching his.

Bankotsu laughed. "Well, I kind of already got rid of him. Don't worry, I did it nicely. Anyways, how are you doing?" He asked, his arm snaking around her shoulders and pulling her closer.

Kagome giggled and rested her head on his shoulder. She saw Kouga and Jakotsu snuggling up together, and she said, "Hojo came by to see me."

Bankotsu stiffened. "What did he want?" He asked, his tone wary. For the past few months, both he and Kouga had noticed that Hojo Sutaki had been sniffing around Kagome like she was a bitch in heat. Jakotsu had offered to watch over Kagome while they were at work, but it seemed that Hojo had decided that he could come over anytime he wanted. It was starting to creep the three males out.

"Oh, he just wanted to tell me that he was thinking of moving into our neighborhood. You know, I think that he is lonely. All he seems to do now is come by or call me." She replied, oblivious to the men's discomfort.

Bankotsu and Kouga exchanged glances. "Kagome," Bankotsu said, "listen to me very carefully. Do not let Hojo into your house. I don't care if you think that he is your friend. We think that he is seriously disturbed. Please, if he comes to your door, call one of us and we will come over."

Kagome gave the men a puzzled look, but then shrugged. Ever since they started living together, Kouga and Bankotsu had been fighting like two animals to see who was the dominant one, but now, they seemed to be on the same page. Weird.

After dinner and a movie, Kouga offered to walk Kagome home. As they walked, Kouga sighed and said, "I am worried for Chaser."

"I am sure that he will be just fine. It will all work out, you'll see." She offered, smiling up at her best friend.

Kouga gave her a lop-sided smile. When they got to the door, Kouga grabbed her arm and said, "Remember what Bankotsu said, Kagome. Call us if Hojo comes back by."

Nodding, Kagome leaned over and gave him a kiss on his cheek. She unlocked her door and watched as he disappeared down the sidewalk. When she went into her home, she closed and locked the door behind her.

Glancing around, Kagome yawned and walked towards her bedroom. A nice, hot shower was going to feel really good. It had been a very long day, indeed.

Angel's cloud: Hey, guys. I hope you enjoyed the chapter. Next up is Rinseternalsoul. Sit back, and enjoy!