Disclaimer: The characters in my story are borrowed, not owned. If for any reason they must be returned, I will hide and claim I lost them! Just kidding. Seriously, I don't own the characters. Just the story. I'm not worth much.

*I apologize. I've been without internet. But without further delay..

On with the story..

Fifteen

"What on earth were you thinking yesterday?!" He whispered furiously.

Kikyou fidgeted with her skirt and looked over at Inuyasha who was currently laughing at whatever Sesshomaru had pointed out to him. She smiled at the memory of Inuyasha's outburst last night and focused on her lukewarm cappuccino. Who knew he cared so much about me? Kikyou blushed.

"Get up." Her father said firmly. He grabbed her arm and pulled her towards a hall that lead to the restrooms. Kikyou winced, almost forgetting her dad was currently scolding her. She was caught in the memory of yesterday's shenanigans. Inuyasha was so confident and in control and despite her attraction towards Kagome, he still wanted her. He didn't judge her. Kikyou shivered at the lack of insecurity he had. It was overpowering. It was like he knew she wouldn't waiver away from him even with tempting distractions. As if he was sure she was his regardless of any circumstances.

"Are you even listening?!" She heard her dad yell before feeling a sharp pain hit her left cheek. Kikyou snapped back to reality quicker than she thought possible. Was he serious? The abuse she was used to and sadly it wasn't what caught her off guard. He'd always use his hands to accentuate his point. As if it would put more meaning into what he was saying. But Kikyou's shocked eyes refused to calm down. He had some nerve. It was one thing to put up with his abuse at home but she refused to put up with it here. Not here. Not when they had so much to lose.

"Are you out of your damn mind?!" Kikyou asked boldly. She was almost ready to strike back for once. "You're going to do this here? Well go ahead father of the year! Bruise and swell up my face and you explain to my beloved Inuyasha why my makeup can't cover it."

He looked her over briefly before realizing she was right. Instead of striking her again he slammed her into the wall. She cried out in fury daring him to continue.

"I swear if you fuck this up Kikyou..." He hissed.

"I won't. And I haven't." She confirmed. "But fuck up my face and you'll ruin everything."

"I don't want to hear any more stories of you with another girl. Playing around or not. You need to focus on your future. The young Takahashi is your intended. Not the obnoxious ill-mannered stray they took in and half raised. Do. Not. Blow this. Over a girl. Do you hear me?" Her father gripped her arms tighter and tighter as he spoke.

"I really hope I'm interrupting something because this doesn't even look half way decent..." Kagome observed. She noted Kikyou's red cheek and decided she'd ask details later in a more private setting. Right now, she just wanted to avoid getting hit herself.

Inuyasha decided to take his brother's offer and run with him on the beach. He was silently thankful for the light pace Sesshomaru chose as usually it was hard to keep up. The sun was hot but the breeze was perfect as the demons sprinted along the shore.

"You really like this girl, huh?" Sesshomaru probed.

"She's the complete package man! What's not to like?" Inuyasha retorted. He slowed his pace and eventually plopped down in the sand to sit.

Sesshomaru followed suit. "She's not Kagome for starters..."

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes. "That's the best part. Aren't you happy? Kagome's all yours."

"She'll never be mine with you in the way. My demon has made that clear." Sesshomaru growled low and rubbed his temples and gazed out into the water. He let out a low grumble of frustration. Inuyasha took that as a slight victory. It serves him right for breaking my trust!

"Bro," Inuyasha began. Sesshomaru redirected his attention to his annoying sibling. He wasn't in the mood for his smart remarks and gloating.

"Why didn't you tell me? On Kagome's birthday back then. What the hell happened with Bank?" The younger demon asked. He watched as Sesshomaru's entire demeanor shifted. His eyes became dark and his growl began to build. He swiftly brought his hands around Inuyasha's throat and squeezed.

"You sent that filthy piece of shit to meet Kagome alone like the adolescent dumbass that you are! That's. What. Happened." Sesshomaru roared. He contemplated sinking his poisoned tips into his flesh. That day was unforgivable. That day he learned just how strong his feelings for that girl truly were.

"Did he.. Did he..hurt her?" Inuyasha forced out. He was starting to have problems breathing but didn't want to fight back. This conversation wasn't about the issues he and his brother faced. He needed information and to get it he'd have to deal. But why did Sesshomaru have to be so damn strong? Inuyasha cleared his throat in an attempt to remind his brother to let go.

"He had her tied up unconscious and naked. Three fingers deep in her." Sesshomaru disgustingly spat out. He took a calming breath and threw Inuyasha to the side. "I threw him off of her. I sliced off his repulsive hand and made him swallow it." He said calmly looking at Inuyasha. He continued talking as he walked towards him. "And then.. I proceeded to rip him to shreds leaving all vital organs until the last moment. I enjoyed seeing his blood all over the walls. It was satisfying. I lied to dad and told him I blanked out and just lost it. But it was far from the truth. I knew exactly what I was doing. And he deserved every minute of it."

Inuyasha could only watch as Sesshomaru squatted down and squinted his eyes, promising he'll die if he moved an inch. "Understand this little brother. Hurt her again and it's your blood I'll spill."

He reached his hand out and pulled Inuyasha up. "Well that wasn't dramatic." Inuyasha sighed. He dusted himself off and began to walk back to the resort.

"I honestly didn't know. Until Kagome told me what happened I always assumed he delivered the flowers and skipped town. She even stooped so low to say that she thought I set her up. Like it was all planned... to do something like that to her... to anyone. Can you believe that?" Inuyasha rambled. He didn't really care what his brother believed honestly. It pained him to know that she'd ever think that of him. Like it was even possible.

"Learn from your mistakes and stop sending errand boys to do your work. If you want her take her. Otherwise please send her home." Sesshomaru's nose twitched with annoyance. He could smell Kagome's scent still intertwined in his braided hair. Once again he felt the aggravating urge to clean.

Kagome had taken Kikyou to lay out on the beach and wait for the boys. She did her best not to bring up the violent incident she conveniently interrupted and despite Kikyou's lazy attempt to hide her reddened cheek, she looked perfectly content in the sun's glow. They enjoyed a light conversation about Kagome's work and the latest gossip in the news. Eventually the boys arrived and Inuyasha took Kikyou away to spend the day with her alone.

Sesshomaru finally gave into Kagome's whining and took her jet skiing.

"This is honestly the best." Kagome sighed leaning her head on Sesshomaru's damp back. She looked up and realized the sun would set soon.

"We should be heading back now. We're already beyond our rental time." Sesshomaru tried his best to talk as evenly as possible. If the girl kept insisting on laying her chest on his back she would soon meet the demon he'd often kept from her. He also gazed at the sun realizing they'd been out there all afternoon.

"Can't you just buy the stupid thing? And the ocean? And we just stay here forever?" Kagome coaxed.

"Is that a proposal?" He hoped. The sound of her laugh resulted in a pout on his lips.

"Would you really do something like that for me? Try and crazily buy an ocean?" Kagome asked as she pushed off the jet ski to dive in the water. When she surfaced she peered at the empty Kawasaki in confusion.

"I'd rather not answer that in fear that you'll force me to buy it despite a yes or a no." Sesshomaru answered from behind her. He wrapped his arms around her wiggling waist as she tread water.

"I would never try to-" She began.

"You know I'd never deny you Kagome. Don't act like just because you've been gone a while that you don't know me." He interrupted. She turned in his arms and straddled his waist to give her tired legs a break.

"That's not entirely true."

"How so." He challenged.

"I asked you to stay away from Rin and what happened?" Kagome laughed at his hurt expression. "Oh not much to say now loverboy huh?"

"Thats different." Sesshomaru laughed. "Rin's a witch and you know it. She's got us all under her evil spell and we're all drawn to her wondering how she does it. Anything else, you know I got you. Anything. But Rin, that's a challenge. Best I can tell you with that situation is-"

"What that you'll try?" Kagome scolded.

"Heavens no!" Sesshomaru exclaimed nearly dropping the poor girl in the ocean. "I'll keep it in my thoughts though. I don't know why you can't just give in already."

"Same reason you won't." Kagome stuck her tongue out and released her leg's grip on his waist. She could feel him getting aroused the more and more they touched and the natural wave of the ocean wasn't helping the situation. She looked to him for help and he shot her up to get her back on the jet ski before doing the same for himself.

"Sun's setting. Maybe if we're lucky we can make it in time for awkward dinner with everyone." Kagome suggested as he took off.

"How awkward are we talking?" Sesshomaru glanced back.

"Well I interrupted a very heated discussion between Kikyou and her dad. Seems as though she really needs this situation with Inuyasha to work out just as much as he needs it to work. And unfortunately..." Kagome sighed. Sometimes she hated doing the right thing. It wasn't fair.

"Go on." He pushed.

"Unfortunately I'm in the way more than anything. So I need a favor from you. And its selfish and misleading but I can't pull it off with anyone but you." She explained.

"Just tell me how long do I have to play the faithful puppy? I was really counting on finding a beautiful local and eating her mother's home cooked meals." Sesshomaru said dryly. Kagome smacked his chest and laughed.

"Don't say it like that! It's not as if the feelings aren't sincere. I just don't want anything bad happening because of me. It may give her parents more piece of mind knowing I'm not trying to sabotage this. As well as for Kikyou too. I can already see her insecurity with me. She also needs reassurance that I'm no threat to her." Kagome explained.

Sesshomaru battled with what he wanted to say to her. It was admirable, what she was trying to pull off. But the fact that she has to do this gave him more proof that this arrangement between his brother and the pampered young girl wouldn't last a year.

"I won't hold back. You need to know that now. If we're going to play like we're together I'm going to treat you the same as when we were together. I don't know how to fake it with you. Sometimes my feelings show more than I want them to." Sesshomaru warned.

"As if anyone could restrain you. Just don't do anything that will get me killed by Rin. The more genuine things are the better though... I'm okay with no holding back." Kagome agreed.

Sesshomaru smiled as he parked the jet ski in its place. They walked and he immediately grabbed her hand as they took the path to the villa. "Wait..." Sesshomaru stopped. Kagome looked up at him hoping he wasn't backing out. She didn't have time to go find some random boy to flaunt.

"I can't be shady twice. I have to be honest if we're really going to do this." Sesshomaru sighed. He looked up at the darkening sky wondering what in the fuck he was doing. He had to be crazy. This was his chance. His moment. But he couldn't continue without telling her the truth. She deserved to know just in case his little brother decides to shut her out once again.

"Well honesty is the key to a healthy relationship." Kagome encouraged.

"No. Communication is." He corrected.

"NOT THE POINT." She hissed. "What do I need to know?"

Sesshomaru grabbed her into a hug then eased up to look her in her eyes. "This arrangement won't sit well with him. You must have realized by now he's still in love with you."

Until Next Time

- Ordinary Extra

Rx4 :] Good Night.