Five

Brat. Not just any brat, either, no. A spoiled rotten one that did not know what manners were anymore. Though, Inuyasha supposed that Rin never really knew what manners were in the first place, since his father had always given her whatever she wanted.

Good thing he was dead, really, otherwise the little brat would have run him and his company into the ground.

Glancing longingly at the cups sitting on his counter, Inuyasha huffed. It was ridiculous. The girl should not be able to control him so well, yet he refused to touch his favorite dish while the damn brat was underneath his roof. Otherwise he ran the risk of the girl complaining thoroughly about the food he chose to eat.

Big deal.

Picking up the phone, Inuyasha dialed the first number that came to mind. He was not sure what the other man was doing, but it had to be better than watching two bouncing women destroy his livingroom because it was not homey enough. Or thinking about the meal that he had to put off until the brat went to sleep, which would probably be well after one am.

"Moshi, moshi. Who, may I ask, is calling?"

"Miroku," Inuyasha said, "you gotta help me."

"Oh? Has something happen with the ramen stand?" Miroku chuckled.

"No, my brat cousin has decided to make a visit," he growled.

"I see," Miroku said slowly. "Well, I'd love to help you, Inuyasha, but you see—"

"You've got a woman there, don't ya?" Inuyasha asked. Stupid, stupid, stupid. He should have known that Miroku would be entertaining some broad after a long day at work. After all, the man practically could not function without the thought of some feminine form wrapped around his waist.

"I'd prefer if you did not speak that way about my darling Sango," Miroku replied.

"Sango, eh?" Inuyasha rolled his eyes. That one, again? "How many times have you broken up with that chick?"

"Only four," Miroku said, "but this time, I assure you, will not end in tragedy."

"I'll believe it when I see it."

"Yes, well, I'm afraid I'm going to have to let you go, Inuyasha. My darling calls." Miroku made a sound in the back of his throat, as a feminine giggle echoed through the phone.

Taking the phone away from his ear for a moment, Inuyasha made a face. Then, placing it back against his ear, he stated plainly, "That's disgusting, Miroku. Why don't you do that crap when you're not talking to me?"

"Apologies," Miroku snickered in good humor. "I could not resist."

"Whatever, I'm hangin' up on ya now," Inuyasha sighed.

"Goodbye, Inuyasha."

Putting the phone back on the receiver, Inuyasha cursed.

There went his perfect plan.