Chapter 7 - Crushed

The door opened and closed. Sango looked up. "Dad? Is that you?"

Kouga came running down. He had deep blue eyes and long black hair that he held in a high ponytail. He wore a black and blue jacket with a teal t-shirt under it, along with a pair of dark blue jeans and white tennis shoes.

"Oh, Kouga, it's just you. Took you a while to get here."

"Nice to see you too Sango," He said sarcastically as he looked around for a black haired girl, and spotted her talking to another guy.

He quickly jumped and tried to squeeze himself in between the two. "Hey there Kagome." He brought his face closer to hers.

"Oh, hi Kouga." She backed away nervously

"Ahem…" An annoyed voice came from behind them.

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Chapter 8 - Hello, Meet Kouga

Kouga turned around to see InuYasha glaring at him. "And you are?"

"InuYasha…you must be Kouga then?"

"Yup that's me, and you were flirting with my girl…" He pulled Kagome closer to him and smiled triumphantly.

"Your girl?" InuYasha blinked.

"Kouga…I'm not-"

"Yup, mine."

Kagome frowned at that comment. She was just about to speak up when InuYasha beat her to it.

"Hey! She ain't anyone's so back off!"

Kagome smiled. 'Are they fighting for me, No…is InuYasha fighting for me…?'

"Hey, you're the new kid, aren't ya?

"What if I am?"

"Well, you got no business telling' me what to do!"

"And you got no business sayin' Kagome's yours when she's not!"

"Kagome doesn't mind, do ya Kagome? After all, it is the truth…" He smiled charmingly at her and pulled her closer.

"Uh…I don't-"

"See?" Kouga brought his face closer to him and growled.

"Boys, boys, boys! No fighting! Now, are we gonna pick a movie or what? Sango interrupted the fight.

"We can't watch anything now! The pizza ain't here yet!" InuYasha whined as his stomach grumbled loudly.

Kagome giggled. "Sango, you know he's right, it wouldn't be a movie without food."

Sango rolled her eyes. "Fine, but can't we at least pick the movie?"

InuYasha nodded and got up to go to the bookshelf again, but stopped quickly and turned around to see Kouga making more moves on Kagome. He bent down and grabbed the hand that was on her lap and pulled her up.

Kagome gasped. "Huh?"

"Come on, were gonna go pick a movie." He said as he pulled her over to the wall.

Kagome smiled. "Okay InuYasha."

Kouga looked at him in disbelief. No one had ever done that before; pull a girl away from him. Obviously the guy didn't know who he was. He was Kouga Oimikado. No one dared to even think about pissing him off, and yet, here's this new kid who insists that his girl isn't his girl?

He growled. "Hey! What're you doin' with my girl?"

InuYasha shot a glance at Kagome, who sighed and silently pleaded he not fight with him.

InuYasha shook his head. 'Why do I care, and why do I listen to her…?' "I said it once, I'll say it again, she ain't your girl. So drop it."

"What do you care?"

"I don't."

"What do you think I am? A fool? You care cause you like Kagome, well ya cant have her, she's mine!" With that, he grabbed her arm and pulled her to him.

InuYasha's jaw clenched. He sighed. "I don't think you're a fool. But then, what's my own humble opinion against thousands of others?" He smirked as he gently took Kagome's hand and pulled her towards him.

Kagome, who was blushing at what InuYasha said, walked over, trying not to laugh.

Kouga on the other hand, didn't think of it as funny. He thought of it as insulting. "Why you…"

"What? At a loss for words? I'm sure you're at a loss for far more than just that!" InuYasha smiled at hearing the result's of the remark; Kagome quietly laughed.

Kouga growled but then smirked. "You should toss out more of your funny remarks; that's all they're good for."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh. Really?"

"Really?"

"Well, then, if that's all they are, then there's really no reason for us to go on like this. And if you don't mind, I'd like to go pick out a movie with Kagome." He lead her over to the couch where the other's were sitting and debating over a pile of movies Sango had picked out.

Kagome blushed. She looked down at InuYasha's hand, which was still holding hers. InuYasha followed her gaze and let go quickly. Smiling nervously.

Kouga walked over to the couch opposite them and sat down. He crossed his arms, giving InuYasha a look that swore revenge.

InuYasha gave him a triumphant smile.

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The bell rang. InuYasha was the first to jump up. "Pizza's here." He grinned. "I'll go get it."

He felt a hand grab his and pull him down.

It was Kagome. She smiled. "Sango'll get it InuYasha, be patient."

"But Kagome, I'm hungry!"

Kagome rolled her eyes. "You're just like my brother…"

"You have a brother?" He blinked.

"Yeah. His name's Souta, he's 12 and really annoying." She laughed.

"Do you have anymore siblings?" He sat down.

Kagome shook her head. "Definitely not."

InuYasha laughed softly. "Oh, I see, parents don't want anymore kids…"

Kagome's face saddened a little, but she still smiled, as she looked down.

This didn't go unnoticed by InuYasha. "What's wrong? Did I say something?" He panicked.

Kagome's head shot up and she waved her hands. "No, no! It's not that, it's just…" She put her hands down at looked at her lap. "My dad died when I was younger, and My mom got remarried. Let's just say I don't really like my step father much…"

"Kagome, I-"

"Pizza!" Sango dropped 5 boxes of fresh pizza on the table.

"Oh, never mind that now let's eat." Kagome waved her hand, showing how unimportant the subject was. She grabbed a slice of pizza from a box Ayame was holding.

InuYasha looked at her for a moment. He nodded and grabbed a slice as Sango turned the movie on.

The light's went out as they watched in silence .

Kouga grunted angrily; they were watching a scary movie, and Kagome was nowhere near him so that, when she got scared, he could hold her. He looked over at InuYasha, who was eating his seventh slice of pizza, and then at Kagome, who was watching him with amazement.

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Miroku groaned. His eyes fluttered open and he turned his head to look at the red numbers that glowed in the dark on his night-side table.

7:30...

He'd been asleep for 2 hours, Sango's face invaded his dreams. He really felt upset.

'Toshiro…' His brows came together. '…what does she see in him…?'

"Miroku!" Naoko called from the Kitchen. "Dinner's ready!"

Miroku slowly sat up and grabbed his clothes. He had fallen asleep in a towel. After dressing, he walked downstairs and smiled at his father, who was already seated. He sat across from him.

Naoko smiled. "So, how was your nap? We came home and you were nowhere to be seen. It wasn't until I came upstairs to get you're laundry that I saw you." She place rice on his plate next to the chicken and vegetables.

"Fine, thank you. Dad?"

Mr. Harada looked up at his son. "Yes?"

"Conferences are on Friday."

"Tomorrow? Hmm…I see, is it mandatory?"

"No…"

He smiled. "Good! 'cause I was hoping we could do some 'father-son' activities!"

Miroku raised an eyebrow. "Uh…sure dad."

His smile widened. "Great! Where would you like to go?"

All of a sudden, his plate seemed very interesting. "I don't really care…"

His smile vanished. "Hmm? Is something bothering you, Miroku?"

"No dad, I'm fine…I'm not very hungry right now, I think I'll turn in."

Naoko looked at him. "But you just took a nap."

"Yeah well…I'm tired." He stood and went upstairs.

Naoko and Mr. Harada looked at each other. They shrugged.

Miroku closed his bedroom door and sat down on his bed. He laid himself down, as thoughts of all sorts rushed through his head and sleep soon consuming him.

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"ARGH!"

Kagome jumped.

"What's wrong Kagome? Not afraid are you?" InuYasha smirked.

Kagome blushed and frowned. "No!" She whispered back. "Humph!"

He watched her as she crossed her arms and looked back at the movie.

The movie began getting really scary. Kagome felt a cold shiver go up her back. The girl in the movie walked slowly down the hallway toward the last door, where Kagome knew something bad was going to happen. "Don't go in there…" She whispered, barely loud enough to be heard.

But the girl in the movie did not listen, she moved closer…and closer…and closer. She put her hand out and grabbed the door knob. She opened the door and…Kagome was right. A horrifying face came into view and it let out a loud screech.

"Eeep!" Kagome moved back until her back collided with InuYasha's chest. She looked up at him, he smirked.

"Thought so…"

Kagome opened her mouth to speak but closed it again at his next actions.

His Right arm wrapped around her as he pulled her closer. He moved his right leg so that it was on the other side of her figure and, once again, pulled her closer. She let out another gasp.

He lowered his head and whispered in her ear. "Shh. You don't have to be afraid, ya know. I'm here."

Kagome blushed and felt her stomach do a flip. She let out a breath that she didn't even know she was holding. "InuYasha…"

"Hmm?"

She rested her head against his chest. "I never said I was afraid." She inhaled his scent. 'He smells so good…'

"Sure…"

"I'm not!"

"Okay…but…this is just incase."

Her heartbeat sped up.

She looked up at him. For a moment their eyes connected and they stared at each other. She blushed and smiled. "Thank you…"

He blushed. "Um…you're welcome, now watch the movie, 'kay?"

"Mm-hmm." she nodded, facing the screen once more.

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Further into the movie Kagome felt InuYasha move his arms away from her and heard rustling. She looked up at him and he smiled.

InuYasha pulled off his jacket and covered her, then moving his arms back under the jacket and around her waist.

"You don't have to-"

"Yeah, Yeah…But, I want to."

"Thanks…"

He smiled. "Kagome?"

She looked up at him. "Yeah?"

"Um…never mind." He looked back at the movie.

"Oh, okay." Kagome did the same.

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Kouga stared at the two the whole time. How he wanted to be InuYasha at that moment… 'Damn him…he's gonna pay for takin' my Kagome from me…'

InuYasha felt as if he was being stared at. He turned around and looked at Kouga. He was right.

He smirked and pulled Kagome closer, averting his gaze back to the movie.

Kouga growled at him. 'Damn him…'

Sango looked at Kouga. 'What's wrong with him?' She followed his gaze and gasped. 'InuYasha and Kagome? No…' She looked at Kagome. 'She's smiling…and this is just about the scariest part of the movie!' Sango couldn't help but smile as well. 'InuYasha is nice…maybe they do like each other…'

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The movie ended and Kagome and InuYasha sat staring at one another again. She blushed and sat up hesitantly, liking the warmth his body produced.

InuYasha whimpered but sat up and stretched.

"Okay guys, time to go!" Sango clapped and yawned. It was 8:30 and she was already tired. 'That's okay, some extra sleep will do me good.'

Everyone went upstairs. InuYasha walked over to Kagome. She saw him and held out his coat. "Here, thanks…"

"Um…welcome. So…can I walk ya home?"

Kagome blushed, but smirked. "InuYasha…a couple days ago, you didn't want anything to do with me, and now you want to walk me home…?"

He blushed and turned away, crossing his arms in the process. "It was just a suggestion, if ya don't want me to then fine!"

"Could you?" She smiled and stepped forward.

"Hmm?" He looked at her. "Yeah, yeah, come on." InuYasha grabbed her hand and pulled her out the door.

"Bye Sango!" She waved as she left.

They walked in silence for awhile.

"InuYasha?"

"Hmm?"

"So…do you consider us friends now?" She stared at their entwined hands and blushed.

He smiled. "Yeah…do you?"

She nodded. "Mm-hmm."

"Thanks…for everything Kagome."

She blushed again. "I don't-"

He stopped and looked at her. "I've moved around a lot, and being new's never easy for me…but you made it easy this time."

Her face was probably the color of a tomato by now. "Why exactly did you move?"

InuYasha frowned. "I…don't wanna talk about it, okay?"

Kagome nodded. "Sure…" The began walking again.

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Kouga stared at them. He ran over to where Kagome was and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey Kagome."

She gasped. "Kouga! Hi!" She smiled nervously.

"Kouga, what're you doin' here?" InuYasha spat angrily.

"Well, I wanted to walk my girl home. And seeing as how you've already walked her half the way, I might as well walk he the rest."

"I don't think so. C'mon Kagome."

"Hey! I said, I'd walk 'er!"

"Kouga, it's okay, really…"

"Look, Kagome, I know you don't wanna hurt his feelings or anything, but you gotta tell him, otherwise, he'll never leave ya alone!"

She frowned. "Kouga, maybe I want him to!"

Kouga stared at her in disbelief. "Kagome! Are you sayin' you want this guy to walk you and not your own boyfriend?"

Kagome saw InuYasha cringe and her heart leaped. She shook her head. "Kouga, You're not my boyfriend…you're my friend."

"Grr…It's all this guy's fault…" He face InuYasha, "I'll get you, you took my girl away!" He stomped off around a corned. Kagome sighed.

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They reached Kagome's house and InuYasha let her hand go. He'd held it all the way here.

He blushed.

"Well, thanks…"

"Yeah. I'll see ya tomorrow then, 'kay?"

"Mm-hmm!" she smiled. "Bye InuYasha." She stepped forward, stood on her toes, and wrapped her arms around his neck.

"See ya tomorrow." she whispered.

He was stunned. She was hugging him. He relaxed and smiled. His arms found their way to the small of her back and he pulled her closer to him. He nuzzled his face into her neck slightly. "Yeah." He breathed into her neck.

Kagome moaned quietly. She blushed and felt her heart race. She pulled back a little and looked at him. 'His eyes are so pretty…' His face came closer, so did hers. They were inches apart. 'Oh my God, oh my God…' She thought.

"Kagome…" He said huskily.

An inch apart.

"Kagome, is that you?" A voice from behind the door asked.

Kagome gasped and let him go quickly. "Um…bye InuYasha." She opened the door and went in, smiling at him before closing the door. Her face felt so hot. She put her back against the door and sighed. 'Oh…my…God…' she smiled and let out the breathe she'd been holding. Kagome headed upstairs and into the bathroom for a quick shower.

InuYasha stood in front of the door. Staring at it. He had almost kissed her. He smiled happily and sighed as he headed home. "…tomorrow…"

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A/N - Phew! Long chappie! …YAY, Love it! So far my favorite chapter.! YUP! A little romance in there, and Kouga too!…Poor, poor Miroku… OH WELL! ON TO THE REVIEWS!

InuyashaMaster - lol. There ya go, some romance! Were you a good little boy? Please review more! XD

anime-lover-forever2007 - OOO me too! I can't wait for the fight scene! Hmm…I wonder how it will turn out…WAIT! I KNOW! PICK ME PICK ME:whispers: you'll have to wait and see… PLEASE REVIEW AGAIN!

SesshoumaruGal - shudders bird and the bees. My dad told me the part about what all guys wanted was…you know, and I don't believe that, there are very sweet guys out there! But yeah…not a pleasant thing, especially for young mind. I heard it at 11 though, so my sad story is nothing compared to yours! Lol, please review again!

BloodGore - O.O that's far…but thank you! And you definitely should go to Europe, very pretty:sigh: REVIEW AGAIN!…PLEASE REVIEW AGAIN…:mumbles:

InuAcosta - I hate 'em too!…'cept in my stories…heeheehee XD And :mumbles - one more time - : PLEASE REVIEW AGAIN!

I LOVE HEARING FROM YOU!

MUCHO LOVE,

Dragon