CHAPTER 17

Temper-Tantrum

His heart was beating faster than it usually did in his current situation. He did not know why though. He could feel the bead of sweat roll past his ear and down his jaw. It left a cool feeling on his skin, a feeling he did not enjoy at all. He could not understand why she would have such an effect on him… She had never had such an effect on him… NEVER! Not even back then. Maybe, he smirked to himself, Maybe it is the thrill of wanting something that is putting up a fight… The thrill of the chase, he though.

InuYasha dragged his fingers painfully through his hair. He felt like yanking it from the roots embedded in his flesh. He let out a soft growl when he saw Kagome emerge from the apartment; Sesshomaru, Rin and Shippou in tow. Shippou and Rin dashed to the car, but Kagome and Sesshomaru was taking their time, walking slowly hand-in-hand down the hall. The softness he saw in his half-brother's usually hard face annoyed him even more than Sesshomaru normally did. Kagome beamed with promise of happiness and that just pissed him off. He knew he had broken her spirit all those years ago. He knew he was supposed to feel bad about it, but he never really did. In his mind, that made Kagome his, and his alone. In his mind, he was the only one, the only man who could fix her.

InuYasha had kept in contact with many of the people who came to know Kagome, and he knew everything about her life without him. In his 'absence'. He grinned at himself. Yes, my 'absence' when she felt lower than dirt. When her life fell apart and she slowly picked it up again… an evil laugh left his lips, Back when no man could get close to her heart because of her love for me…

InuYasha had known that he was her first and last lover. Her first and last love. He knew Kagome had never allowed anyone close to her after that… Not even Sango allowed anyone close to Kagome after that. The snicker left his lips again. And now my moronic brother thinks he can replace me, ME!?

Sesshomaru left Kagome's side after Rin had given her a hug and Shippou had shaken Sesshomaru's hand. He got into the car without really showing affection towards Kagome. SCORE for my, InuYasha internally fist-pumped. He knew Kagome was someone who enjoyed physical contact, and it seemed Sesshomaru would not give her the affection she needs.

Kagome and Shippou headed back inside. This was the moment he had waited for. To make sure Kagome was alone. Kagome went to the wall, lined with mail boxes, when another man approached her. InuYasha recognised him immediately… It was the guy he use to tease about Kagome. Something Jo… Everyone knew he wanted Kagome, and InuYasha had her. Oh the good old days.

This is all too perfect… Sesshomaru is too cold a person so he can't give Kagome what I can. Kagome will be alone because there is a soccer club lunch today, so Shippou will be out. Sango and Miroku is most probably out somewhere and…

… And then everything went wrong…

InuYasha could not quit place when Sesshomaru had gotten out of his car and how the hell he got back to Kagome so fast. But his blood was boiling none the less. He could see red washing into his blurring vision. For some reason he could not fathom, he could not turn his head or eyes away from the sight before him…

Sesshomaru had Kagome pinned against the hundreds of mail boxes. His legs pinning hers into place, his one thigh against her womanhood. His one arm at head level rested against the wall to keep his lanky body from crushing her. His free hand groping her breasts for the world to see. What pissed him off even more was the fact that Kagome, HIS Kagome was kissing him back. She was all over him as well.

His mouth and throat went dry, anger turning to rage and building up inside of him. He gripped the steering wheel tightly, digging his nails into the fabric. As quickly as the session started, it ended… Kagome looked at the retreating Sesshomaru with shock evident on her face; and Sesshomaru, left with the cockiest grin on his face that InuYasha had ever seen.

InuYasha could feel the bits of fabric under his nails as he slowly released the wheel. His breathing came hard and was burning his nostrils. Kagome ran up the stairs and straight to her apartment. She was beaming, BEAMING!

InuYasha attempted to calm himself down, at least, until the brat went to his lunch.

After about the longest hour in InuYasha's life, Shippou came walking down the stairs and towards the bus stop. InuYasha kept his head low, pretending to be looking for something. Shippou's phone rang and he answered it quickly, he chatted away happily and never even noticed the obvious to many pale white hair of his mother's high school sweet heart.

Kagome was busy with her laundry when a loud knock came from the front door,

"Coming!" she yelled, sighing she dropped the last few things into the washing machine and pressed start.

She was wearing a white apron over her torn jeans and another one of her oversized, one-shoulder-too-big shirts. She had just retied the knot when she opened the door. All the happiness from the past two days drained out of her system in an instance. She was left feeling extremely cold. She took in a sharp breath, holding it in. Her eyes narrowed at the person standing in front of her. His fists were clenched beside his hips, just hanging there by rigid arms. His chest heaved with heavy but steady breaths. His golden eyes were narrow, thin, blade-like and cutting into her. His hair hung loose down his back, a few stray strands hung over his shoulders. Kagome could not deny that he was an attractive being, but she also could not deny the intense anger she felt around him.

"Hey InuYasha, how hav-"

"Oh spare me the pleasantries," he spat at her,

Kagome exhaled, relief filling her lungs with a new breath. She crossed her arms over her chest,

"Fine… What are you doing here?" she did not break eye contact and was not in the mood for it either,

"So… I see he finally decided to jump you,"

"That is none of your busin- Wait a minute…" she breathed again,

"How did you kn-"

"Know? Are you kidding me… You practically reek of him… I can smell him on you!"

"You honestly don't need to yell," Kagome said calmly, trying to quiet InuYasha down,

"Once a-"

"What the hell do you want?" Kagome was losing her patients,

"The polite thing to do is invite someone in," his eyes where still narrow,

"Oh yeah, you are the expert on politeness aren't you?" she narrowed her own eyes at him,

InuYasha growled, and pushed past her. Kagome sighed out loud and closed the door behind him. Walking into the living room, InuYasha dropped himself into a sofa. Kagome took a seat opposite him. She never took her eyes off him, and neither did he with her.

"What do you-" she started,

"Just checking up on you," he looked around the house suspiciously,

"Oh how sweet," sarcasm laced her words,

"Shippou went home with Rin, but you did not pick them up," his eyes still roamed the house,

"What is your point?" Kagome could feel her blood start to boil, when a cocky smile spread on his face,

"I did not think you would truly do it… But I guess I was wrong," he folded his arms behind his head, looking back at her,

"Do what exactly?" she put her fists into her lap,

"Start hanging out with my brother… I did not think you would be so desperate in trying to get so close to me,"

"Close to YOU?" Kagome burst out laughing,

"Yes. Close to ME. He is MY brother and we look so much alike. Geez Gome, if you wanted me back so badly you should have just said so," Kagome stopped laughing instantly.

She could feel the rage within her build. Eight years have gone by since he broke her. Eight years since all the humiliation and pain. And the humiliation and pain continued on long after their break up. He made her life a living hell at school. She was the only teenager who looked forward to going home in the afternoons, the only teenager who wanted to truly be alone. And even then, even at home, people always called her, messaged her, and taunted her. She thought that coming back and starting at a new school would help, but it did not. Even as adults did he continue to treat her the way he had then…

"Get out," she spoke silently,

"What?" InuYasha thought he did not hear correctly at first,

"I said," she said through clenched teeth, fists resting at her sides,

"Get out!"

InuYasha was dumbstruck. He thought she would stay quiet and just listen – and eventually just agree with him. He did not think that she would actually give him attitude.

"I'm not going anywhere until you admit that you are wrong," he rose too,

"Get the hell out!" she practically shouted, she could feel her body start to shake.

The anger on InuYasha's face suddenly turned to shock and a gently hand came to rest on her shoulder.

"InuYasha, I think that is enough," Miroku's eyes fixed on InuYasha's,

Sango lead Kagome to the kitchen, rubbing at her shoulders to try and ease the anger,

"Butt out Miroku!" InuYasha tried,

"You are being ridiculous! How old are you? Nine?" Miroku has been his friend for a long time, but never has he reacted like this,

"Get out, just leave… You are acting like an arrogant little prick! Wtf is the matter with you?"

"ME? She is acting like-"

"You are in the wrong here. I suggest you leave before you make an even bigger fool of yourself," Miroku kept his head and voice level,

"Cannot believe you're taking her side!" InuYasha stormed passed Miroku, who followed slowly to close the door behind him.

"You ok?" Sango tugged a strand of hair behind Kagome's ear,

"I'm fine," she sighed,

"Just wish he would leave me alone," she shrugged, Sango started on a cup of very strong herbal tea.

"What the hell is your problem?" Miroku rubbed the back of his head, trying to stay calm,

"I cannot believe you're taking her side on this!" InuYasha mumbled, leaning against his car,

"InuYasha, what were you thinking?" Miroku leaned next to him, sighing audibly,

"I was thinking she still -"

"She still what? Has feelings for you?" Miroku felt annoyed,

"Miroku, she still does! She just doesn't want to admit it…" InuYasha shrugged,

"Oh good Kami, grow up already! She is happy. Just leave her be!"

InuYasha growled, looking away from his friend and up to the apartment building. Miroku continued his scolding and tried to make InuYasha understand. But like always, he was too stubborn for his own good – for anyone's good really.

"If you still care, then leave her alone," Miroku sighed, trying the last thing he could think of,

"But-" InuYasha got silenced by Miroku's held up palm,

"If you still care, then leave her alone. I need to get back, see ya," with that Miroku left, leaving InuYasha to his own thoughts.

"If I still care…" he played around with the thought silently,

But do I even care? he got back into his car and drove off…

xXx