Oh, oh, oh - I just got a great idea for a new story, but I can't tell you, that would be cheating! Heeheehee! I know I'm evil, you don't have to tell me! -

Deds:

S. T. Nickolian - Hahaha, I don't like Kagura either. She won't get shit, I promise! She's a skank.

anime-lover-forever2007 - You are one scary sob but damn yer funny! Sure, he's all yours, do with him as you please. Something tells me he'd be really into S&M, lol. I can see the leather outfit now...yumm...

Kitsune's Lover - Okay, yeah, I know, I ripped off a scary movie, but I couldn't think of anything else! It was that or writer's block, so I chose that. Sigh. Isn't she a bitch, though?! Like, you just wanna throttle her, where do you get off, you scaggy bitch?!?!?!? lol, don't mind me, I'm nuts!

Little Girlie - You think my plots are thick? ...I like that! I'm starting to get confused when I write now, it's terrible. I keep having to re-read what I've wlready written cuz I forget it as soon as I leave the room...like, can you say no attention span??

Sweet Temptation

The next morning at breakfast, Sesshoumaru avoided Kagura like the plague, and it was obvious to everyone, even the Higurashi girls. Kagura did nothing but smile, though.

While he was eating his Lucky Charms, Kagome walked up behind him and rested her head against his back, her hand on the back of his shoulder. He put his free hand atop hers, and began to rub it soothingly. He hadn't spoken to her all morning, was afraid to even look at her, should Kagura see them and do something to hurt her. He sighed. It was time to set that little skank straight.

"Alright, everyone. Get your stuff packed up, it looks like there's a storm rolling in, and we should have the house boarded up before we leave. Boys? Let's do this thing."

Sesshoumaru missed his chance to tell Kagura his decision and felt his gut sink at the thought of leaving Kagome in the house with her, and hoped her sisters didn't let her out of their sight, should something happen. He felt reasonably sure Kagome was capable of defending herself, but his gut still rocked when he even thought about leaving her.

He caught Kagura smiling in an angelic way at him as he left the house, and his uneasiness increased tenfold.

"Dad?"

"Yeah, Sesshoumaru?"

"Let's make this snappy."

S.T.

Kagura sat back on the couch and relaxed, preparing herself mentally for Sesshoumaru's decision.

She would leave Kagome alone physically for now, but a little mental torment was always good for sharpening one's tongue.

She watched as Kikyou went into the bathroom and locked the door; she was going to have a shower. That gave Kagura more time than she needed. Her sisters had gone upstairs to pack up, leaving her alone down here. She thought quickly. Ayame and Sango shared a room, and Rin had shared with Shippo…Kagome had shared with no one. If her guesses were correct, Kagome should be alone in her room right now, away from the eyes and ears of her dear sisters.

Here I come, bitch, she thought nastily, making her way up the steps and cracking her long, purple-nailed fingers and flinging back her long brown hair, her feather earrings tinkling as she did.

She stopped half-way up to look out the bay window at the landing and admire Sesshoumaru's broad back as he hefted the boards and plywood he and his brothers would nail to the house to cover the windows. Their Father was busy plugging in the nail gun and waiting for it to pressure up.

Yup, she thought, her lips turning up into a sick smile, I've got plenty of time to rip her to shreds.

S.T.

Kagome threw her shorts into her knapsack, and latched it shut. She smiled at Daichi as he nailed the last board in place over her window, obstructing her view completely of the outside.

Her door opened, and closed softly with a click. She heard nothing after that, but thought Rin was probably waiting for her to acknowledge her presence.

"What is it, Rin? You almost ready to go?"

"I'm not Rin, you empty-headed whoring bitch."

Kagome looked up at the ceiling, her back still to the door. A smile began to bloom on her beautiful face.

"Come to sniff out the competition, Kagura? I hate to break it to you, but it was no contest - he's mine. Leave it alone."

She turned around, totally un-intimidated by Kagura, whose hand tightly gripped the doorknob, should Kagome try to escape. She hadn't anticipated that Kagome would anticipate her.

Kagura lost a little of her confidence, since Kagome seemed to exude it. Obviously she'd been a little too subtle. Well, she wasn't her Father's daughter by accident.

Lifting her chin, she replied, "That may be…for now, anyway."

Kagome narrowed her eyes and crossed her arms, making her way over to the girl at her door, four years her junior and trying to act big about a man she barely knew.

"Are you threatening me, Kagura?" she asked, smiling. Kagura began to doubt herself. How had Sesshoumaru been so easy to manipulate, while Kagome was turning out to be an even bigger snake at the manipulation game than she was?

Kagura didn't answer her, but she smiled back - the most sinister smile she could muster, and was rewarded by the flicker of hesitation in Kagome's brown eyes.

They heard Kikyou shut off the water downstairs. It would only be a matter of time before she was up here, and looking for Kagura, who had yet to pack her things.

"You better run along, little girl," Kagome warned, prying her hand off the knob and flinging the door open.

"Don't mess with me, Kagome. My Father can buy and sell you, and he can destroy you, but he won't get that honour, because it's mine."

Kagome had had enough. "Get the hell out of my room, you little bitch." She shoved her bodily out the door, and slammed it so hard behind her that a chunk of her hair had gotten caught in the door, and she couldn't leave.

Balling her fists in anger, for that had not gone at all the way she'd wanted it to, Kagura suppressed her rage as she heard Kikyou coming up the stairs, and an evil idea popped into her head. If she could convince Kikyou that Kagome was tormenting her, she could turn the two against each other. Their relationship was fragile as it was, but recovering quickly since the swimming pool incident. If she could turn them against each other before they fully made up…she smiled again. She was a genius!

Before Kikyou turned the corner and saw her from the end of the hall, she viciously pinched herself under her arm, where a bruise would go unnoticed under her long-sleeve shirt. As she planned, her pinch brought hot tears to her eyes, and she thought of the day her Mother had abandoned her to make her tears more real.

By the time Kikyou spotted her, she'd worked herself into a fine fit and was sobbing as if nothing in her life would ever be right again.

"Kagura! What happened? Why are you stuck in Kagome's door?"

Kagura had to think quick, and true to form, a lie came off her lips as if it had been the gospel truth and not even God himself could ever dispute it.

"I wanted to thank your sister for letting me come along, and she turned on me, told me I was a little slut, and to stay away from Sesshoumaru! Kikyou, how could Kagome be so mean? I thought she was so nice before..."

Her sobs were terrible, and had Kagome been near the door, she would have set the situation straight right then and there, but, unfortunately, she was in her private bath, cussing Kagura out and putting all her makeup back in its bag.

Kikyou's heart went out to Kagura. She knew how much her friend liked him…she also knew that her sister loved him, and he seemed to return that love with a passion. She wondered why Kagome would say something like that; she was so mild tempered and understanding, she found it hard to believe that she'd done such a thing. But still, Kagura's tears were hard to ignore. What reason would she have for setting Kagome up like that?

Her mind was tickling her, and a ray of light filtered into her brain, bringing to the surface memories collected from this morning, flashes where Kagome and Sesshoumaru had been oddly subdued, her sister forlorn as she looked at him, he seemingly afraid to return her gaze. Kagura smiling a lot, and Kagura watching both Sesshoumaru and her sister for no apparent reason. Kikyou hadn't known Kagura for long, but she used to know someone who had, and that someone had warned her that Kagura was not what she seemed. She tried to recall who that had been; she thought it had been a boy she'd passed in the hall who'd dated Kagura but had moved away, before she'd become really close friends with her.

Kikyou blinked. She'd dismissed his warning, until now, that is. Kagura hadn't really shown any interest in her friendship until a few months ago, when she'd moved into the house down the street, now that she thought about it. All the houses on the block were upscale; that's why Kagome had taken to stripping to keep it, because none of them wanted to lose the house where their parents' memory was.

She decided to play her cards close to her chest for now, and go along with Kagura's story. She tested the waters in a way that would not rouse Kagura's suspicions about where her loyalties lied.

"Do you want me to talk to her about it? I'm sure she didn't mean whatever she said, Kagura."

Kagura hesitated, only for a split-second, but that was proof enough for Kikyou, and her following words confirmed Kikyou's own suspicions.

"No, that's okay; I don't need everyone to think I'm a baby. You believe me, don't you? I would hate to have anything like this come between us all, Kikyou. I value your friendship too much to turn you against your own sister."

Kikyou found it difficult to conceal her doubt about her friend's words, but she managed to smile, and, hugging Kagura, which suddenly repulsed her, she replied, "Of course I believe you. Come on, let's pack our stuff. I'm sure Kagome will come around eventually and realise her mistake."

Kagura smiled, and let Kikyou lead her back to their room.

Sucker, she thought, hiding a smile behind her hand as she wiped her tears away.

S.T.

When everyone was ready, Sesshoumaru put all the girls' bags into Kagome's trunk, while Daichi packed Shippo in. Rin wanted to go with them, so her bag was taken out and stowed in Daichi's trunk instead.

Sesshoumaru leaned into Kagome's ear, while Kagura's back was turned, and said, "Has Kagura said anything strange to you today?"

Kagome nodded, and he said, "I think she's trying to split-" but he cut himself off as he spotted her glaring in his direction. Fed up with sneaking around, he said to Kagome, "Excuse me."

She watched with apprehension as he interrupted Kagura's conversation with Sango to steer her away, and around the corner of the house, out of sight and sound.

Kagome leaned back against her car, her gut flipping over. She could not lose Sesshoumaru to Kagura…she would not.

As soon as they were gone, Kikyou rushed over to Kagome and said, "Kagome, I think Kagura's up to something. She tried to tell me that you said awful things to her this morning and made her feel bad. Is that true?"

Kagome frowned at her sister. "Of course it's true! I said those things because she came into my room saying them to me. I was only letting her know which way the wind blows. It's her own fault if her feelings were hurt. But I don't think she's hurt at all."

Kikyou leaned with Kagome against the car, sharing her warmth in the cool breeze and said, "Neither do I."

Kagome smiled at her. It was nice to know your sister had your back.

S.T.

Sesshoumaru pulled Kagura around the corner, where she turned on him like a rabid animal.

"Well? Have you made up your mind?"

He snarled at her, "I will never love you, or help you hurt her. You can rot in hell, bitch!"

She crossed her arms. "So, you wanna do this the hard way, huh? Fine. By this time tomorrow, you will be at my mercy, Sesshoumaru."

She stomped away, stopping to pinch her cheeks, but came around the corner composed, and looking shy, as if he had tried to kiss her. She noted how fast Kagome jumped away from her car at the sight of her, and the questioning look in her eyes as Sesshoumaru came over to her.

She calmly climbed into the backseat without looking up, pretending to be too embarrassed to do so.

Kagome pulled Sesshoumaru to her as soon as he was within her reach and hissed, "What did you say to her?"

He frowned and said, "I told her I wouldn't be blackmailed by her."

Kagome forgot all about her anger and her jaw dropped open, "Blackmail? My God, Sesshoumaru, she's really serious about this!"

He nodded. "Unfortunately. And her Dad's my boss; I can only hope he'll see what a liar she is and not fire me."

She gripped his hand and pecked his mouth quickly. "We'll talk at home, after we've gotten rid of her. Then we'll discuss this whole mess."

He nodded, and, ducking his head into the wind, ran to his car and started it up, leading the way home. Inuyasha , Miroku, and Kouga all stood around their hatchback, glaring at Kagura and generally just watching the scenery. She ignored them; they were insignificant to her plans for her and Sesshoumaru's future together.

Soon, Kagome called Sango and Ayame to get in, and, after Kikyou had climbed in beside Kagura, who pretended to be asleep so she could think, they left, followed closely by Inuyasha, the rear brought up by Daichi, Shippo, and Rin.

S.T.

After a silent ride home, Kagome pulled in and Kagura was the first to get out, saying, "Thanks for bringing me, Kikyou, I had a great time." Here her eyes flicked to Kagome for an instant, but it was enough. "See you tomorrow in English."

She pulled her bag down off the roof and walked home, not once turning back or waving. Kikyou looked to Kagome, and Sango and Ayame both said, "Out with it!"

"Yeah, something's going on between the three of you, what is it?" Ayame demanded, as Sesshoumaru approached and Daichi pulled into the driveway behind him.

"Look, let's discuss this in the house. I don't want to have to repeat it. Sesshoumaru?"

He gripped her hand, and told her, "Come over in fifteen. We'll be unpacked by then."

"Alright. Come on, girls."

When Kagome, Kikyou, Sango, Ayame, and Rin went to the Taisho's, they were waiting for them.

Daichi let them in and, removing their shoes, followed him to the living room, where the girls settled themselves into various empty seats around the room.

Sesshoumaru made room for Kagome next to himself on the couch, and held her close as Daichi proceeded to tell everyone what was going on.

To those who didn't know, Kagura's treachery wasn't much of a shock, but Sango got angry, really angry, and burst out, "Can't we do something about her? Like, arrange a kidnapping but return her safely, or something, just to scare her?"

Daichi shook his head. "I'm afraid that's out of the question. Sesshoumaru, son, I think you should start looking for another job, and soon. Something tells me Mr.Onigumo is not the trustworthy type. I wouldn't be surprised if he fired you on the spot tomorrow. There's no doubt in my mind that if she thinks it will get her what she wants, Kagura will not hesitate to make good on her threat."

The silence that followed was stifling, for there was nothing they could do but wait and see what happened.

Slowly dispersing, Kagome led her sisters home, all of them subdued and quiet, thinking about what they'd been told.

Sesshoumaru stopped her, and pulled her away from her sisters, whom she sent on ahead.

"Kagome," he whispered, and kissed her as if it had been years and not hours since he'd last felt her touch.

She choked, "Oh, Sesshoumaru, what are you going to do?"

He smiled at her. "Don't you worry about that. I'm more worried about what she'll do to you."

Pulling him close, she held him in her arms as tightly as if he were going to war and might not come back to her.

"I don't care if her Father does fire me, as long as I can be with you, Kagome, that's all that matters. I love you."

She tried to stop them but the hot tears of happiness squeezed between her eyelids and down her cheeks, spilling on his t-shirt and making a damp spot.

"I love you too, Sesshoumaru," she whispered, and resting his chin on top of her head, he smiled.

S.T.

Awww, wasn't that sweet? Oh, I need a man like him. I think I'm gonna start writing my new story, but I'll try to keep writing this one regularly, too. Don't forget to review, and I won't forget to post! Yay, new idea, yeah! (does a little dance)