Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

A/N: Once again I would like to thank my bodacious beta DarkCrystalis, a.k.a. Angel. My semicolons would be forever absent and half my commas would be missing if not for you. D (P.S. Don't worry, I only took a couple back out, even though I was sorely tempted by about a half dozen more. What can I say, I just like bad grammar. :-P)

Also, I'd like to dedicate this chapter to addicted2reviews, Meijer Brand, and Kage Otome as they have been unfailingly supportive and spoiling me by reviewing every single chapter. Oh oh oh! And you too Kakashisninjadogs/ZGM, for your fabulous reviews! Ifit wasn't so unlikely I'd almost swear you were this person I met while doing workshops at an improv comedy club I used to work for...but it is so I won't.

Gah! I'm becoming one of those horrid authors with mile long A/N's that no one reads anyways! Shutting up now...

Chapter 16 – The Battle Rages

Back on Sunday evening…

After all the guests had left and the pain had subsided, Sesshoumaru found himself pacing his study, a maniacal glint taking up residence in his eye. In his mind, he was thinking of all the things he could do to get her back.

'I could use my acid to burn her hair off,' he thought. 'No, not painful enough. I could lace the interior of her racing leathers and helmets with a near lethal itching powder. No, still not painful enough. Hmmm, I could plant infestations of cockroaches, carpenter ants and termites into her apartment. No again, that'd affect the kitsune too and the young ones are off limits. Damn.'

He made a few more rounds of the room and went back to the kitchen to drink another dose of Kikyou's herbal remedy. Swallowing the oddly pleasing drink, which tasted like sassafras —Sesshoumaru was surprisingly keen on it,— he recalled part of his conversation with Kikyou regarding the prank war between their two siblings.

"Kagome only acts like this towards people she has affection for…to draw someone into one of her games is a mark of her respect and interest…"

A second later he remembered another conversation, this one with Mia.

"Play her game for a few rounds…"

Piecing the two together, his lips curved downward into a thoughtful frown. Could it be that the young miko did not truly hate him, but was instead making some kind of twisted effort to become closer? Sure she ranted and raved, and yes she had caused him physical pain…but it was nothing lasting, and she had acted with the expectation that he would retaliate. It was an invitation, a call, to come out and play.

"What a deranged way of going about things," he said aloud.

Then again, maybe it wasn't.

He had insulted, pushed, and physically hurt her, though he had acted in what he felt was everyone's best interest. By engaging in this kind of play war, she had found an outlet where the two of them could potentially showcase their strengths. It was an opportunity to make each other somewhat aware of what they were capable of, without the threat of really exposing either to any real danger.

True, as they had worked together for several weeks at Taisho Command they had a kind basic knowledge of what each could do, but this?

This was different.

These kinds of tactics meant thinking outside the box, being insightful, and also using improvisation. A lot can be derived of a person's character by seeing what decisions they make, and reactions they have, in unforeseen circumstances.

Kagome was also buying herself time for something. Perhaps she hoped she could divert his attention from the odd fluctuations in her aura, a tell-tale sign she'd been into something serious, by distracting him with her stunts.

All in all though, he was beginning to see what Kagome was up to. Maybe, just maybe, she would submit and do things his way and train with him, if he would first be willing to play by her rules. After striking her in the face, it wasn't unfair for her to expect a show of good faith from him before she would trust her talents to his guidance.

He didn't like it, even though another part of him was simultaneously thinking 'Clever girl.'

"Fine, I'll play this game Kagome. But beware, miko, I intend to win." The smile that crept upon his features would have both amazed and horrified Inuyasha.

--------------------------------------------

He threw a beach ball over his shoulder and it sailed through the door of the shed to land on an ever growing pile of objects. So far the pile included a hose, a wheel barrow, some boards, a baseball bat, and numerous other items.

An hour ago he would never have believed he would be out here in the yard, hunting for Rin's old bicycle himself instead of having a servant do it; but for some reason, he felt that any and all actions taken against the miko should be done by him. This was their game, and he had no intention of admitting any other players into it.

When he'd left the kitchen earlier, he'd realized that if he wanted to come out on top in this challenge he'd have to play smart, and that meant choosing pranks that were more than just painful or infuriating. To be truly subversive his plans had to carry a special meaning, be tailored specifically to Kagome, or else they wouldn't be good enough.

The fact that he had begun to mentally refer to her as Kagome and not Hando escaped his notice.

Smirking in evil satisfaction, he found it, hidden behind a stack of tiki torches he'd bought for Rin's last birthday party. It was a small, electric pink two-wheeler with a flowered basket up front, streamers coming from the handle bars, a silver bell on the cross bar, and most importantly, training wheels.

He picked it up and leapt easily onto the balcony outside his room. Quickly, he changed into all black, complete with gloves and a ski mask (it wouldn't do for anyone to recognize him or security cameras to record his face), wrote a quick note which he shoved into his pocket, and was off, girly bicycle in hand.

He knew he could move fast enough to be invisible to the naked eye, but having succumbed to Kagome's silly game, he thought he might as well do it thoroughly. A part of him instinctively knew she'd get a kick out of him donning this ridiculous ninja-like getup, so he did it.

He flew across town, masking his scent and aura as tightly as he could. The miko in question was especially adept at sensing auras, and he hoped she was asleep because it would make things easier. Then again, even if she felt him coming he'd be gone before she could stop him.

Approaching Kagome's apartment building, he could feel the irregular fluctuations of her aura. She wasn't asleep; however, she was definitely preoccupied.

For a moment, he considered trying to find out what she was doing, but having previously decided he would play the game and not push things, he chose instead to let it go for the time being.

He crept easily past the gates and down into the garage, coming to a stop in front of two motorcycles. "Now, which one shall I pick?" he wondered aloud. "Better make it the Honda, she won't be able to race without it." That being determined, he set the small pink bicycle down next to Reiner, attached the note he'd written. Then, utilizing his youkai strength, he merely picked up Chris and flew off to a not-so-reputable motorcycle shop called 'Mad Hog's Motorsports'. It was already past midnight, but he knew they'd be there, drinking and playing poker.

He set the motorcycle down and banged on the door. "I'm coming I'm coming!" a gruff, irritated voice sounded. The door flew open to reveal a very disgruntled boar youkai. "What in the hell do you…Taisho-sama!" he gasped. "To what do I owe the honor?"

"I need a skeleton key that will start this," the taiyoukai replied, indicating the bike behind him.

"That's…but…that's Hando's ride!" he gaped, his eyes widening to an alarming degree.

"You know of her?" Sesshoumaru asked.

"Of course I do!" A nervous, swine-like squeal had begun to lace his speech. "Hell, even if she hadn't milked three grand out of me the just last week for losing a race, I'd still have known who she is. Everyone does. How in the world did you…" he stopped himself, remembering that it was not wise to question this particular dog demon.

"How I acquired it is immaterial. Find or a make a key that will work on it, then you will demonstrate to this Sesshoumaru how to operate it."

"Of course, of course, whatever you say, Taisho-sama." He hurried back into his shop. 'Holy crap,' he thought, rummaging through boxes of contraband supplies, 'how in the name of Kami did that girl get herself mixed up with the western lord? I hope he doesn't kill her, I want a chance to get my money back first!'

------------------------------------------------------

Later that morning…

"SESSHOUMARU YOU'RE GONNA GET IT FOR THIS!" Kagome bellowed. She marched over to the bicycle and ripped the note off. It read:

I thought this would be a more appropriate mode of transportation for you, miko.

"Oh he did NOT just go there!" she seethed. "Shippou, love, get in the car. I'm going to drop you at school, and then I have a few errands to run."

"Will Rin still have a Daddy at the end of the day?" Shippou asked, feigning innocence.

Kagome looked at him and smirked. "No worries dear, I'm not going to harm Sesshoumaru's person, or least very much, but his pride is about to take a major blow."

As she drove, she began to plan her next step. 'That jerk!' she fumed inwardly. 'He just had to take Chris instead of Reiner, and on today of all days! I needed him tonight to carry out the next phase of "Operation Kouga". So, now not only do I have to make my next move, I've also got to get Chris back as well. And to think this morning started off so well…'

-Flashback-

Not wanting her car or one of the boys to be recognized, Kagome caught a cab outside her building at 5:15 am and directed him to the business sector of the city.

As the sun began to rise over the tall buildings she thought about how much she loved being there. True, she never felt more at peace than when she was out in nature and away from the noise, but there was something about urban life that she thrived on. If she had to guess it would be all the energy the millions of people who lived here exuded. She could feel their auras rushing around, living life in the fast lane. It was energizing.

Due to the light traffic she reached her destination in about twenty minutes. In order to avoid detection she had withdrawn her aura as much as possible, and now she was currently hidden in a tree over a particular parking space in the lot at Information Front.

At ten minutes till six, a familiar car pulled into the slot beneath her. She waited silently as the driver got out and walked to the passenger side, opening the door for another. When the vehicle had been locked and the pair turned towards the building, Kagome's muscles tensed. A few seconds later, as they passed directly under her, she pounced.

"Nani!" one of them gasped just as Kagome's hand made contact with their skull. Two bright blue flashes of light later, the victims were out cold. Glancing around to make sure no one was leaving the building, she dragged their bodies behind the large tree and got to work.

Taking the proper supplies from the bag she had brought with her, Kagome set about pulling off her latest stunt. In less than three minutes, she was gathering up the remains and heading back towards the road to call a taxi.

"Mission complete," she grinned. "Both targets neutralized."

-End Flashback-

Kagome couldn't help but smile at the memory of how easily everything had gone off.

"You got him this morning, didn't you?" Shippou asked when he noticed the gleam in her eyes. His mother nodded. "Aww, Mom! You know I wanted to come along and help on this one," he whined.

"I know dear," she tried to placate him. "It's not that I doubt your abilities, it's just that I didn't want to drag you into this mess. He's not like Sesshoumaru; he wouldn't show restraint because you're a child. If he had found out you had any part in it, he'd be after your blood too."

"I don't care, I could take him on any day!" the kit pronounced, crossing his arms in front of his chest in a show of stubbornness.

Kagome laughed. "Well, I'm positive you could at least do some damage," she chided as she reached over to ruffle his hair. "Maybe I'll let you help this weekend."

"Promise?"

"Promise!" she replied as the pulled into the parking lot of his school. "Now, are you sure you don't want me to come in with you?" she asked, a hopeful tone creeping into her voice.

"Don't worry Mom, I can handle it. After all you've taught me I don't think I'm going to have a problem 'navigating the situation' without you," he teased, making air quotes around a phrase he'd heard her say a thousand times.

"Okay, okay. Go forth and conquer my son!" she laughed as he kissed her cheek and slid out of the car.

"Hey Mom?"

"Yes Shippou?"

"What are you planning to do to Sesshoumaru?" His tone was a little anxious, but it only made Kagome snort with amusement.

"Well, he took something that was very important to me, so now I'm going to return the favor. Don't worry," she said when he still seemed unsure. "You're not the only one who doesn't have trouble 'navigating the situation'."

The kit laughed and shut the door. He waved one last time before walking in through the front doors and out of her line of sight.

An evil smile lit Kagome's eyes with fire as she mumbled "All hands to battle stations!" and drove back home to begin her preparations.

----------------------------------------------

A/N: Sigh, another end to another chapter. Thanks again to my radiant readers/reviewers. Some of you have asked when the Sesshoumaru/Kagome action is going to start and I just wanted to let you know: don't worry, it's coming soon. Not in the next chapter, but soon.

Now that we've got that established, on to the spoilers for Chapter 17: And it's not even Tuesday yet.

-"Ah HUH? Hoo cah oo ee so een! Loo ah wah see ih oo mee!" Inuyasha whined.-

- A kind of boyish grin that had not graced Sesshoumaru's features in centuries stole across his face as he thought, "I've got to get one of these!"-

-"Hello Gorgeous!" came a cheery voice with an American accent. "Having fun baiting the dog are you?"-