A/N: Thank you kittyb78, Yuukiyanagi, Shidare.Zakura, and Red-Smartiez for the reviews! Yep, you guys rock, lol.
Okay, so I am now kicking myself for that last chapter because its soooo damn hard to write this story now, lol. I don't know what the problem is, but it took me forever to write this chapter and I'm still not happy with it. But alas, I will strive to make the rest even better to make up for this lack luster one, lol. Maybe its just NFL playoff syndrome. Yeaaaah, GO COWBOYS!! Home field advantage, woot woot!
Okaaay, moving along :). So now that Naraku claims that he's stepping aside, will he really be able to do it?...
Sesshoumaru's POV
As the week went on, I still really didn't know what to make of the conversation that I had had with Naraku on Monday. He told me that he was going to step aside and leave Naima and I alone for good, but was he for real? He claims that he loves her more than me, but I know that's a lie. He says its because he wants to wife her and I don't. That's utterly ridiculous. I have thought about proposing to Naima on several occasions and I probably would have by now. If only he didn't come into the picture, she would definitely be my fiance right now.
It has now been three weeks since Naima and I split and it seems like as time goes on, things get harder and not easier. No matter how hard I try to take my mind off of things, nothing seems to work. Not even my normal meditation will work now. I was appalled at how I was beginning to be broken as well. The only small happiness that has occured this week was the fact that I had made the list of the NFL scouting pool, along with Koga. That was something to look forward to.
"Sesshoumaru what do you think it will be like to play in the NFL?" Koga asked as we sat in the livingroom watching ESPN. I shrugged my shoulders as we watched the baseball game between the Yankees and the Cubs.
"Football is football," I simply replied. Koga rolled his eyes at me.
"No Sessho. The NFL is not just normal football. Its smashmouth, knockdown, throw around, break your legs football...with a check. A big check."
"If you're only interested in becoming a player for the money, then you are not a true athlete. A true athlete plays for the love of the game and not the fame and fortune that comes along with it." Koga smiled a little.
"I should have known that you'd say something like that. But be honest with me. You cannot tell me that you wouldn't be happy to be a multi millionaire."
"It would be nice, but that's not what life is all about." Koga snickered a little.
"Of course not. Its about finding that one true love to share it all with." I turned and gave the joking wolf an annoyed look. He only laughed more. "Sesshoumaru, what are you doing dude?"
"What do you mean?"
"What do you think I mean? Naraku pretty much handed Naima over to you and you won't take advantage of it. All you have to do is talk to her. Quit being so damn stubborn."
"Naraku is only playing games. You don't honestly believe that he's walking away do you?"
"I don't know, but if you don't start making some moves it won't matter. You'll lose Naima for good. Naraku was right when he said that you don't fight hard enough." I slightly cocked a brow at Koga.
"Are you beginning to side with him?"
"No, but he is right Sesshoumaru. Okay look at it this way. In a football game, you have defense and you have offense. It's commonly said that defense wins football games, which I believe is true for the most part. But you also need the offense's help in order to win too. If the defense remains on the field for too long, it will get tired so the defense needs the offense in order to take some of the pressure off. The same principle applies to you and Naraku. You're defense and he's offense. His offense is so good that its making your defense look rather weak."
"Nonesense," I declared, beginning to get even more agitated.
"No Sesshoumaru. Its the truth. I mean, look what he did. He came back from Japan to get the woman he says that he loves, but she didn't trust him anymore because he walked out on her. Not only that, but she already was in a committed relationship with another man. But he decided to play offense anyways. He earned Naima's friendship back, had to deal with a crazy girlfriend in order to get Naima to trust him again, and now he's gotten her to think that she is still in love with him. I'm sorry, but that is some damn good offense. Lucky for you, your defense is strong enough that you still have a hold on her, but if you don't start playing some offense, Naraku will get your woman."
"I had no reason to play offense before. Naima was already my woman."
"In a relationship a man can never stop playing offense because there are men everywhere that will threaten to take your woman. I told you that a long time ago when Naraku first came back. You have to fight to get love and you have to fight to keep it. You can't keep being passive Sesshoumaru or you will lose Naima forever. You need to get more aggressive in your fight. Naraku was aggressive and you see where that got him." After taking in what all Koga had said, he really did make since. I was being rather passive during this whole fight for Naima and I'm only hanging on by a thread. Then I remembered something. There was one instance where had I tried to be offensive. It was when I gave her the charm bracelet for Christmas. It was a secret that only Tsubaki and I knew about and if Naima ever found out, she would never forgive me. After seeing how bad and guilty she felt after she hurt me by kissing Naraku, I began to feel a little guilty for what I did, even though I stopped before it could get too far. Maybe I should be honest with her and tell her what I did. Maybe if I confess, she'll have sympathy on me, for I only did it because I was afraid of losing her.
"There is some since in what you're saying Koga. Still..."
"Sesshoumaru do you want Naima back?"
"You need to ask?"
"Then stop second guessing everything and do what your heart tells you to. You have nothing to lose at this point. Just give it a try. Your defense was strong enough, so your offense should be too. Put Naraku in his place and prove to him that nobody takes Sesshoumaru's woman."
Naraku's POV
After the talk with Sesshoumaru, the week went by extremely slowly. My decision to let Naima go was probably the most hardest decision that I have ever had to make in my life and I feel that it won't get easier in time. Make no mistake, I still want her and I still love her, but her happiness comes first over mine and something about that damn dog demon seems to make her smile so brightly. So what's a man to do? However, not everything this week was gloomy. The NFL put out its rooster of their scouting pool and my name made the list, even though I'm still only a sophomore. Not only did I make the cut, but Bankotsu did too. Ever since Tuesday when I found out, I've been daydreaming about becoming an NFL player. Hopefully, Bankotsu and I will get drafted and end up on the same team. That would be a dream come true. Now if only I had my Naima to share it with. It looks like that will have to only remain a dream.
As soon as classes were over Friday, I headed straight to the library to do some studying. During all of this drama and confusion with Naima, Tsubaki, and other things, my grades had slipped a little and I had to get them up in order to keep the scholarship that the Falcons gave me. I smiled to myself remembering how Naima had helped to keep me in school, so naturally when she was threatened with expulsion I had to do the same for her. I usually studied at home but now since Bankotsu and Sai have gotten together and Jakotsu's back with Yusuke, the apartment is a lot noiser than it used to be. So the library seemed like the natural place to go.
I sat alone towards the back studying for my exam in English, one of the classes that my grades were slipping in. I tried my best to concentrate on studying but my mind wouldn't let me. It wondered all around, thinking about the drama that I had in my life. What if Naima and Sesshoumaru really do get back together? Would I even be able to handle it? Will I be able to keep my word and remain a friend to Naima and nothing more? I gave up on trying to study. I closed all of my books and set them to the side. I sighed deeply and folded my arms and laid down on the table, burying my face in between them. I remained in that position for a while until a very sexy and soft voice whispered into my ear.
"Naraku?" I thought I had dozed off for a second and was now dreaming, until I heard the voice again. It was a little louder this time. "Naraku?" the woman, who I already knew was Naima, said to me. I sat up and greeted my beautiful best friend with a smile.
"Hey Naima."
"Hey Naraku. Were you asleep?"
"Umm...no. I was just...thinking about some things."
"Oh. Well, do you mind if I sit down?"
"Uh no, sure." She smiled a little as she sat down next to me with her books in tow. I felt butterflies go all throughout me as I looked at the woman whom I loved so very much. I've never met a single woman in life that could surpass her beauty. She shouldn't be a demon, but a goddess.
"Sooo," she began with big smile, "I heard the news." I gave her a confused look.
"What news?"
"About the scouting pool, silly." I chuckled a little.
"Oh yeah. That."
"Congratulations. Are you excited about it?"
"Uh, yeah. Yeah I am. Bankotsu practically passed out when he heard the news. You know, Sesshoumaru and Koga made the cut too."
"Yeah I know. I congratulated them earlier this week. I would have congratulated you too, but I haven't really had a chance to talk to you."
"Uh...yeah. I've just had a lot of things on my mind. That's all."
"Oh? Is everything alright?" 'No. Hell no. Everything pretty much sucks right now.'
"Well...its okay my dear. I'll be fine."
"You sure? Because you look like you need a hug. Do you want a hug?" I chuckled a little, thinking, 'Yes. Hug me, kiss me, marry me, make love to me and have my child. However, my mouth said...
"That's okay Naima. I'm just fine. Really." She narrowed her eyes slightly and cocked her brow a little.
"Are you certain?" I forced a smile, trying my best to reassure her.
"Yes. Stop worrying about me so much. I'm a big boy, I can handle myself." She smiled a little too. She then reached over and picked up my phone off of the table. She opened it and began to play some games on it.
"You know, I'm suprised that you haven't called me any this week." I smirked a little as I ran my fingers over a textbook.
"Would you have answered my calls anyway?" She giggled.
"Yes. I've stopped that whole avoidance thing. You see that I'm sitting with you now, don't you?"
"Yeah, I guess you are."
"I just wish Sesshoumaru would stop avoiding me so much. Then again, I can't blame him." Her eyes widened slightly and she turned to me. "Oh. I'm sorry. You're probably tired of me talking about Sesshoumaru around you, aren't you?"
"Its alright. You really can't help it." She smiled softly.
"No. No, I can't. I still love him very much. I still love you very much." I sighed deeply and stared at her with painful red eyes. I didn't want to just come out and tell her that I was walking away from the fight for her heart. Knowing my best friend, that would only make her thoughts even more complicated.
"Naima. Don't worry about me my dear. You do whatever makes you happy. If Sesshoumaru makes you happy..."
Naima's POV
Naraku's voice trailed off in mid sentance. As I looked into his eyes, I knew that something was really affecting him. He keeps saying that he's alright and everything, but I know he's not. I can sense it. Just like I can sense that he's slowly growing more and more distant towards me. I knew that part of it is because of this damn love triangle...but...there's something else there too. Something that he's just not telling me. Hmm...maybe its time to change the subject.
"So if you get drafted into the NFL," I began to start a new topic, to lighten the mood, "who do you want to play for?" A small smile turned the corners of his lips.
"Who do you think?" I rolled my eyes.
"Okay, besides those funky Giants." He chuckled a little.
"Umm...well, maybe a southern team. Somewhere where its warmer, like Carolina, Atlanta, Miami, New Orleans, Tampa Bay..."
"Dallas," I added, grinning from ear to ear. He narrowed his eyes at me.
"No. Not Dallas. I don't want to become...one of them." I then giggled.
"Damn Naraku, you make it sound like the Cowboys have the plague."
"Didn't Rashid-san teach you to watch your language. Once again, you've said the 'C-word'." I laughed a little louder then. It was so funny that one man could hate one team so much.
"Well, I'll tell you who I hope you get drafted for."
"Nooo. I don't want to be a Jet either." I giggled for he already knew what I was going to say.
"Well what are you going to do if they pick you? You'd be crazy to walk away from all of that money."
"Oh no, I'll accept it. I'd just hope for a trade every day of my life." I just shook my head at my best friend.
"You know, it will be so awesome if all four of you get drafted. Then I can finally say that I know somebody important. And blackmail you guys."
"You wouldn't dare."
"Oh? Do you know how much dirt I have on you all? Your public images would never be the same." He chuckled a little.
"Okay. So what do I have to do to keep you quiet?" I smiled innocently at him.
"Well, you could help me with my sorcery homework. Then I will be quiet."
"Okay. No problem."
"Well, I'm about to go to work, so can I come by your house later on to study?" He then became really quiet again. Once again, sad red eyes took control over his face. What was going on with him? I know that he was trying not to make me worry, but I couldn't help not to.
"Umm...let's just meet back here tomorrow in the library instead."
"Oh. Alright then. That's fine with me."
"Uhhh...I-I got to go to work too. So, I'll just see you tomorrow then. Okay?"
"Okay. Bye Naraku."
"Bye Naima." He got up from the table with his things and began to walk away, leaving me really confused about his actions. I don't know what it is...but I feel like Naraku is starting to slip away from me. He's not as affectionate as he used to be. He's still very friendly, but all of the hugs and friendly kisses have stopped. Maybe he just has a lot on his mind. I guess only time will tell.
A/N: Oh yeah, I forgot to say, Happy New Year everyone!
