Heya guys! Okay, so I know apologies are in order for not updating in like over a month... but rest assured I did not fall of the edge of the earth! but I'm really sorry all the same... My life has been so crazy and horrible lately that I had no motivation to do anything (nonetheless update). I would just stare at the screen trying to update, but then get so fed up that I'd close the laptop. Sigh. But on the contrary I had the best Valentine's Day ever! I got a cute teddy whose cheeks light up and plays a song when you press the button on its arm, and a big tin of about 100 chocolate kisses... XD I hope you all had a great Valentine's Day too! Anyway, I won't bore you anymore... Here's chapter 17:
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-Chapter 17- Conflicts

DISCLAIMER: I got everything I wanted for Valentines... except for Inuyasha... PORQUE?! T_T

"So what are we going to do today?" Rin asked as she pulled a brush through her hair in front of the mirror. Sango shrugged as she searched through her closet for something to wear.

"I dunno. Hang out with the boys again?"

Kagome laughed from on the bed where she was fixing her shoes.

"Yeah, seems like it's becoming a daily routine somehow."

"You're right Kaggie-chan. Maybe we should make some new friends," Rin suggested.

"Maybe…" Sango said. "Or maybe we could have our fun with the guys first."

Kagome and Rin looked at her and she raised her eyebrows.

"Not that kind of fun girls!" she exclaimed.

"Oh!" Kagome and Rin said, and they all laughed.

Just then, a knock was heard on the door which broke through their laughter.

"So Inuyasha, you up for spending another day with those three lovely girls?" Miroku asked as he pulled a shirt over his head. Inuyasha shrugged as he zipped up his pants.

"I guess. What else is there to do?"

"You don't sound excited my friend. Think about it. Which other guys are so lucky to spend so much time with not one, not two, but three beautiful ladies all day?" Miroku asked. "It's a privilege most guys can only dream of, and we have it!"

Inuyasha smiled. Miroku had a point there. He was surrounded by beautiful girls all day every day. And they were really cool and fun to be around. Especially Kagome. She was so pretty and nice and down-to-earth. Just thinking about her made him blush, and he quickly turned around so that Miroku wouldn't see him. Miroku however didn't notice because he was still rambling on.

"They are the coolest girls I've ever met! Especially Sango. She's no girly-girl. She's so cool and easy to talk to and fun to be around. And she looks beautiful naturally, without the need for makeup and other stuff that girls used to enhance their beauty."

"Hmm… I wonder how long until you get bored with her and move on to the next girl…" Inuyasha mused. Miroku whirled around.

"Excuse me?" he demanded.

"You don't ever date girls seriously. You pick the pretty ones that look easy and when you've had your fun with them and gotten what you want from them you throw them aside and move on to the next one. And you never date just one girl at a time either. Come to think of it, you sound like a male version of Kikyo.

Miroku sat on the edge of the bed.

"Okay, I admit I am guilty of doing those things in the past, but for some reason I feel like Sango's different."

"Different how?"

"Different like… I wouldn't just throw her aside. I wouldn't do her wrong either. I'd treat her right; keep her by my side always. Date her and only her. Change."

"You? Change for Sango? She's an awesome girl and all, but it would take a miracle to change your ways," Inuyasha scoffed.

"She is a miracle," Miroku replied. Inuyasha laughed and Miroku frowned.

"I'm serious. Dude, I really like her."

"But it's only the fourth day of camp," Inuyasha said confused.

"I know but… well, you should know how I feel. No doubt you like Kagome too."

"She's okay," Inuyasha said looking away. Miroku stared at him intently.

"Well you can stay there and lie to yourself, but I'm not going to pretend like I don't like Sango. And she will be mine," he said.

"I ain't lying to no one!" Inuyasha snapped. "I like all the girls the same! Kagome's not that special. Shoot, I could go after Rin if I want!"

"You could do what?" a cool voice suddenly said. Immediately a chill ran through Inuyasha and Miroku's spines. Standing in the doorway was none other than Sesshomaru.

'He's like a freaking ghost! He appears out of no where!' Inuyasha thought.

"Did you just say that you would 'go after Rin'? Are you planning on hurting her?" Sesshomaru demanded, walking towards Inuyasha. Inuyasha gulped and tried to act as if he wasn't scared.

"Hurt her? No way! She's like a close friend to me! I would never hurt her!" Inuyasha said.

"Yeah Sesshomaru. Besides, when he said 'go after' her, he meant try to date her," Miroku said. Inuyasha wanted to strangle Miroku right about then. He was so stupid! Sesshomaru stared at Inuyasha coldly.

"Is that so?" he asked.

"No! I mean… I wouldn't actually do it! I was just trying to prove a point to Miroku!" Inuyasha said. "What's it to you anyway? I thought you hated her."

That made Sesshomaru stop. He glared at Inuyasha.

"I do," he said.

"Then why are you so protective of her? And why do you care whether I date her or not?" Inuyasha challenged.

"Because you are not allowed to harm anyone and I'm here to make sure of that. It has nothing to do with her."

"Okay, sure Sesshomaru. If lying to yourself makes you happy then go right ahead," Inuyasha said. Miroku shot him a look and shook his head at Inuyasha's hypocrisy. Sesshomaru glared at Inuyasha.

"I do not lie," he said coldly.

Just then, Kouga walked into the room carrying his toothbrush and his toothpaste.

"Just finish brushing the ten years accumulation of dirt off of your teeth Kouga?" Inuyasha asked grinning. Kouga scowled at him.

"Piss off mutt face," he said.

"We haven't seen you in a while," Miroku said. "You're finally taking the doctor's advice and shielding your ugly from the world."

Kouga growled at him.

"You two looking for a fight?!" he demanded.

"Nah. We're just having our fun," Inuyasha said.

"Well go have your fun at someone else's expense mutt! I ain't in the mood!"

"Awww… what's the matter?" Miroku asked in mock concern.

"Wouldn't you like to know?"

"No, not really. But where have you been lately?"

"Yeah, you always seem to wake up before us and come to bed after us. Are you nocturnal or something?" Inuyasha asked.

"No. I was just doing some stuff that don't concern you," Kouga replied.

"Ah, late night rendezvous with a lover eh?" Miroku asked winking at him. Kouga rolled his eyes.

"None of your damn business!" he growled. Inuyasha and Miroku exchanged a look.

"Okay, chill you flea bitten wolf!" Inuyasha said. "We were just asking!"

"Yeah well don't!"

Just then, they're little squabble was interrupted by a knock on the door. Inuyasha and Kouga exchanged a look.

"You gonna get that?" Inuyasha asked. Grumbling, Kouga rested down his toothbrush and toothpaste and walked over to the door.

"Yo," he said throwing it open. Standing there was Nikky.

"Nice greeting," she joked.

"Oh! Hey Nikky! What's up?" Kouga asked.

"Nothing much. Kouga right?"

"Yup. Why are you here?"

"Just came to drop off a few stuff. All of the cabins are getting them." She gestured to the boxes behind her. Kouga's eyebrows rose in surprise.

"Nice!" he commented. "Thanks."

"No problem. This is Inuyasha's cabin too right?"

"Yeah."

"Can you call him for me?"

"I guess… Yo mutt-face! Nikky wants to talk to you!" Kouga called to Inuyasha. Nikky raised her eyebrow.

"Mutt-face?"

"Yeah, suiting nickname don't you think?" Kouga asked grinning. Nikky rolled her eyes.

"Someone called me?" Inuyasha asked walking to the door. "Move," he said pushing Kouga out of his way. Then, his face lit up when he saw Nikky.

"Nikky! Hey!" he said smiling. She smiled back.

"Heya Dog Boy. What's good?"

"You," he responded. She blushed.

"Thanks. So when am I gonna get my Kung-Fu match?"

"Your call."

"Okay. How about this weekend?"

"That's cool. Where?" Inuyasha asked.

"I'll get back to you on that," she said. He smiled.

"Cool."

"Anyway, I've got to go. Have a lot more cabins to deliver stuff to," she said gesturing to a cart full of boxes. He winced.

"Ouch. Is there any way I can help?"

"Well… you and the neighbors are friends right?"

"Who? The girls? Yeah, why?" Inuyasha asked surprised.

"You asked if you could help. It would help a lot if you could give their stuff to them for me. Would you do that for me?" she asked staring at him.

"Sure. Anything for you Nikky," he said smiling. She smiled back.

"Thanks Inuyasha. Well, I gotta get going," she said turning around.

"Wait. Don't I get a hug?" Inuyasha asked extending his arms out towards her. She laughed.

"Sure Dog Boy," she said hugging him. When she was done, she waved and left, giving him a goodbye. He stared after her departing figure smiling.

"Inuyasha, why are you flirting with Nikky like that?" Miroku asked, appearing beside Inuyasha. Inuyasha shrugged.

"She's hot," he said.

"But what about Kagome?"

Inuyasha turned to face Miroku.

"What about her? I told you I didn't like her. I can flirt with who I want!"

Miroku gave a disapproving frown.

"Whatever. Let's go and carry this stuff to the girls."

"Huh? Stuff?"

"Yeah. The stuff Nikky left? The stuff for the girls? The stuff that can't stay on our front step?"

"Oh. Those stuff."

"Yeah. Hey Wolf Boy, Sesshomaru, come here and help us take these boxes to the girls," Miroku called to Kouga and Sesshomaru.

"And why should I help?" Sesshomaru asked as he and Kouga emerged from the bedroom.

"Because Inuyasha, Kouga and Kagome are going to be in the same room and a fight's bound to break out between them if you don't," Miroku answered.

"Oh please Miroku! We don't need a babysitter! We are perfectly capable of behaving ourselves in a civilized manner!" Inuyasha scoffed.

"Yeah! We're not little kids!" Kouga said. Inuyasha picked up a box and began to carry it out of the cabin when Kouga stopped him.

"Hey! That's my box! I was gonna carry it!" he exclaimed.

"Yeah? Well I'm carrying so it's mine now!" Inuyasha said. Kouga growled.

"Gimme that box mutt-face!" he yelled.

"Why don't you come take it you mangy wolf!" Inuyasha challenged. They began fighting. Miroku turned to Sesshomaru.

"See what I mean?" he said. Sesshomaru sighed.

"Very well." He walked up to Inuyasha and Kouga and punched both of them in their faces.

"Stop behaving so stupidly and just carry the boxes to the girls," he commanded. Inuyasha and Kouga pouted as they both said, "He started it."

Miroku rolled his eyes. These were his cabin mates...

"Who do you think that is?" Sango asked after they heard the knock on the door.

"Maybe its Nikky," Rin suggested. Kagome shrugged.

"Well, let's go find out!"

She headed out the room and into the living room with Rin and Sango following behind her. The door bell rang two more times.

"Coming!" Kagome yelled. Five seconds later, she answered the door, and was surprised at who she saw standing there.

"Miroku?" she asked, unable to hide the stunned look on her face. It was true. Miroku was standing there with a huge grin on his face and an even huger box in his hands.

"You know, you really should ask who it is before you open the door," he said. Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Yea, 'cause if I had known it was you I wouldn't have answered it," she replied sarcastically. Miroku made a face and she made one back.

"Miroku? What are you doing here so early?" Sango asked from behind Kagome. At the sound of Sango's voice his face immediately lit up.

"Bringing you a Special Delivery!" he said, holding out the box towards her. She stared at it confused.

"What is that? A lifetime supply of toilet paper?" she asked. Miroku rolled his eyes.

"Funny, but no. Open it and you'll see."

"Um… okay… will you please bring it inside?" Sango requested.

"Sure. Come on Inuyasha! Bring in the rest of it!"

"The rest of it?!" the girls asked simultaneously. How much more could there possible be?! Miroku lugged the big box inside, and when he moved out of the way the girls saw Inuyasha walking behind him with an even bigger box! He lifted the box with ease into their cabin, and when he passed Kagome she smiled at him. Miroku and Inuyasha carried the boxes into the living room and the girls followed. Kagome went to stand right beside Inuyasha as he lifted.

"Mornin'," he said.

"Mornin'," she chirped.

"Where you want this?" he asked.

"Here is fine," she replied. He dropped the box on the floor with a loud THUD!

"OW!" Kagome suddenly exclaimed. "MY FOOT!"

"OH SHOOT! Sorry!" Inuyasha said, instantly becoming worried as he watched Kagome holding her foot. "Are you okay? I didn't mean to!"

Kagome dropped her foot and giggled.

"Just kidding!" she laughed. "I'm fine."

Inuyasha glared at her.

"Not funny," he growled. She smiled and looked down at her feet.

"I'm sorry…" she apologized. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"No you're not!" he said, and before she could stop him, he grabbed her by the waist tightly and lifted her up. Then, against her protests, he carried her over to the sofa with her laughing and kicking and threw her down, jumping on top of her. He pinned her down to the sofa and started tickling her, and she started laughing until she cried.

"Are you sorry now?" he asked while tickling her. She nodded her head as tears streamed down her face.

"Yes! I'm sorry! I'm sorry!" she laughed. Finally Inuyasha stopped tickling her and smirked.

"Good," he said.

"You're not funny," she said, pouting and crossing her arms. Inuyasha laughed.

"See how it feels?"

"What? The tickling?" she asked, freeing one hand and tickling his stomach. He laughed and grabbed her hand.

"No. The unnecessary joking," he replied smiling.

"Well you should know how it feels. You're always doing it to me," she said frowning.

"Aw, I'm sorry," he said smiling.

"No you're not!" Kagome sniffed. Inuyasha chuckled.

"I guess you want payback huh?" he asked, bringing his face close to hers. She stared back at him.

"Maybe…"

Just then the door burst open and in walked Kouga. Immediately his eyes rested on the two on the couch, and he made a disgusted sound.

"Yo mutt! What're you doing with my woman?" he demanded. Both Inuyasha and Kagome's head snapped towards the angry wolf youkai.

"Your woman? I'm not your woman!" Kagome said angrily. Of all the nerve!

"So whose woman are you?" Kouga asked. "That mutt's?"

"I'm not anyone's woman! I'm not some piece of property that you can own, and I'm not some animal that you can brand! I'm a human being and I should be treated with respect!"

"Kouga doesn't know the meaning of the word!" Inuyasha sneered.

"Shut it dog face!" Kouga said rudely. He turned to Kagome.

"Well, judging by you two position, I'd say that you are his woman," Kouga said. Inuyasha and Kagome looked at the position that they were both in and blushed. From anyone else's point-of-view it did look sort of… inappropriate. Inuyasha got up off of Kagome and they both sat down on opposite ends of the sofa.

"Look Kouga, I'm not his woman, okay?" Kagome said. In a flash, Kouga was standing in front of Kagome. She looked up at him surprised. How'd he cross the room so fast?

"Well if you're not that mutt's woman, then will you be mine?" Kouga asked, taking Kagome's hand in his. She stared at their hands feverishly before pulling it away.

"Uh… no. Sorry Kouga, but it I don't really know you like that…" she said.

'Not to mention I don't want a boyfriend after…' she thought to herself as she wiped her hand off on her pants.

"My apologies Kagome," Kouga said, stooping down in front of her. "I had promised you on the first day to get to know each other better and now it's the fourth day and that hasn't happened yet. I'd say a date is in order."

"I'd say your death is in order!" Inuyasha sneered from the other end of the sofa.

"Can it mutt!"

"Don't tell me what to do!"

"Guys, guys, please!" Kagome said. "Um… sure I'll go on a date with you I guess…"

Inuyasha growled and Kouga smirked.

"Yes!" he said smugly, shooting Inuyasha a cocky look. Inuyasha gave him a nasty look in return.

"Of course it won't really be a date…" Kagome added. "Just a time to get to know each other better…"

It was Inuyasha's time to smirk at Kouga now and Kouga shot him a look.

"Well Kagome, any time spent with you is greatly appreciated," Kouga said, and Kagome had to admit that she felt flattered.

"Thanks," she giggled. Inuyasha glared at him again.

"Say Kagome, since it's not a date, why don't we come along?" he said pointing to the girls, Miroku and himself. Immediately Kouga's look turned sour.

"No way!" Kouga said.

"Why not? It could be a double date. Or… triple date…"

"But who would you and Rin go with?"

"Each other! Duh!" Inuyasha said. Rin's face turned red.

"What?!" she exclaimed. Inuyasha gave her a look.

"What? You have a problem dating me?" he asked. Her face turned redder.

"Well…umm, no, but it's just that… you see… I don't like you in that way… I mean you're totally cute and all but… I see you more as a friend… and I um… like someone else so…"

Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"Not a real date Rin!" he whispered to her. "A fake one."

"But why?" she whispered back.

"Just go along with it."

"Umm… okay, I guess…"

"Great! Then it's settled! Me and Rin, Sango and Miroku and you and Kagome, all on a date!" Inuyasha said. Sango and Miroku looked at him confused. What was he doing?

"It's not a date!" Kagome yelled frustrated. "It's just a get-to-know-each-other-better thing! But since all of you guys are coming it might as well be a social gathering! Yeah, that's it! It's now a social gathering! Not a date. So...um… you can all bring a friend if you want. Yeah! Why don't we all bring a friend to our social gathering, since it's not intimate or anything. That way we could all make new friends! Alright?" Kagome babbled on nervously until Inuyasha finally put his finger gently on her lip, silencing her.

"Okay Kagome, we get it. It's a social gathering, not a date."

"Yeah," Kagome laughed nervously.

"Well isn't this nice? Now Inuyasha's got two dates to go on," Kouga said smiling evilly. Inuyasha and Kagome's head both snapped to him.

"Huh? How do you know about that?" Inuyasha demanded.

"Kikyo told me. She was bragging about to it to a bunch of her friends," Kouga replied. Kagome and Inuyasha growled.

'"Hey, wait a minute. Kouga has a point!" Kagome said suddenly. "You have a date with Kikyo, so why can't I have a date with Kouga?"

"It's not a date and I never said you couldn't go on a date with Kouga," Inuyasha said matter-of-factly.

"But you don't want me to," Kagome said. Inuyasha looked away.

"So then can I come on your "date" with Kikyo?" Kagome asked.

"No," Inuyasha answered.

"And why not?" Kagome demanded. "You're coming on mine!"

"I-"

"You know what Inuyasha? Save it! You can go on your date with Kikyo and I'll go on my date with Kouga. And you know what? I'm going to have a great time with him!" she said purposely emphasizing 'great'. "And you're all uninvited!"

Sango, Miroku and Rin all exchanged a look. Uh-oh.

Inuyasha narrowed his eyes.

"Fine! I'll go on my date with Kikyo and I'll have a much better time than you! And you know what else? I'll enjoy the way she touches me and the compliments she gives me and she may even kiss me!" he said. Kagome gasped. Oh no he didn't! Her eyes narrowed at him.

"Fine! I don't care what the hell you do with her!" she yelled.

"Ditto!" he yelled. Then they both crossed their arms and pouted stubbornly. Miroku, Sango, Rin and Kouga exchanged another look. Double uh-oh.

"So um… back to those boxes…" Rin suddenly said in an attempt to change the subject. Everyone immediately turned to look at the forgotten boxes lying at their feet.

"Oh yeah…" Sango said.

"Hey, wasn't there a third box?" Miroku asked. The girls all sweat-dropped. Another box?!

"Yeah. I think Sesshomaru was supposed to be bringing it," Inuyasha replied. "'Cause Mr. Noodle Arms over here was too worried about breaking a nail," he said, pointing at Kouga. Everyone giggled except for the wolf-youkai and Kagome.

"No! Your stupid brother picked up the box right when I was going to lift it!" Kouga replied.

"You're just making up excuses," Inuyasha accused. Kouga rolled his eyes.

"No I'm not. If you don't believe me then go check with your dumb brother yourself, he said.

"Half brother," Miroku corrected, and everyone gave him a dirty look.

"If you don't shut up there'll only be half of you!" Inuyasha threatened. Miroku sweat-dropped and shrunk back.

"Understood…" he replied. Inuyasha glared at him and nodded.

"Okay, fine. I'll go get Sesshomaru now," he said, turning and heading for the door. He opened it and stood on the steps outside, and everyone heard him yell, "Yo Sesshomaru! What the hell are you doing?! Get your lazy ass in here now! Stop flirting with that girl and bring that damn box in here!"

Rin's face turned pale. Flirting? With some other girl?

A few seconds later Sesshomaru appeared beside Inuyasha with a huge box (bigger than all the others) in his hands and an unhappy look on his face.

"Little brother, do you have a problem?" he demanded.

"Um, yes. This isn't the time to be flirting. According to wolf-boy over there, you're supposed to be helping us lift these boxes in here!" Inuyasha said, agitated (probably because Kouga was right). Sesshomaru glared at him.

"I wasn't flirting with her," he responded. "And if I was, it's none of your business. My personal life is not your concern."

The room fell silent as the tension between the two brothers could be felt.

"Well if you weren't flirting with her then what were you doing?" Inuyasha asked. "And F.Y.I, you're personal life is just as much my concern as mine is yours."

"She was simply asking me for directions to Nikky's cabin," Sesshomaru said. Rin sighed in relief, and he noticed it but didn't say anything. "And furthermore, your personal life is of no concern to me whatsoever."

"Oh yeah? Then why you always butting in my life? And why would anyone ask you for directions?" Inuyasha sneered. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

"Because I am your guardian for this summer, and what are you trying to imply little brother?"

"No, you're just a pain in the ass, and I'm implying whatever implications you get."

"So if the implications I was to arrive at were that you are stupid, are you saying that that's what you're implying?" Sesshomaru asked.

"What?" Inuyasha asked confused. Sesshomaru shook his head.

"You really are stupid."

"Okay! So um, since everyone's finally here, why don't we just open these boxes?" Sango suddenly said, cutting into the brothers' feud. They both turned and gave her a look before seemingly resigning.

"Fine. The loud wench is right," Sesshomaru said looking away. Sango's face turned red.

"Hey! I'm not loud!" she protested. Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow.

"You're being loud now," he said. Sango shut up, but her cheeks remained rosy. Miroku noticed her embarrassment.

"Hey! Don't talk to Sango like that!" he suddenly said, surprising Sango.

"I can talk to her however I please," Sesshomaru said in a cool voice. Miroku scowled at him.

"Not her! You can't talk to any of my friends like that! Well, you can talk to Kouga however you want, but not anyone else!" Miroku said.

"Hey!" Kouga protested. Everyone giggled.

"Whatever. You are starting to bore me. Let's just open these boxes so that you all can get on with your pathetic lives," Sesshomaru said. Inuyasha rolled his eyes.

"Whatever."

"Hey. Um…thanks for sticking up for me," Sango whispered to Miroku aside. He smiled at her.

"Anything for you Sango," he said stroking her hand gently. She blushed and looked down.

"You're so sweet," she mumbled.

Okay, so um THERE YOU HAVE IT!! Hope you like this chappie even though it was filled with 'conflicts'. But on the plus side... THERE WAS FLUFFY!!! Lol, anyway, I know I've been MIA (missing in action) in over a month, but please still review so I don't feel too bad lol. Tell me how the chappie was,criticize my grammar, row me for not updating sooner, tell me how much you missed me (XD) I don't care just please review! Hehe... well anyway, I'll update much sooner, so look forward to the next chappie's continuation. With that said...

~Mata Ne!~ ^_^