Ch 17 – Step Forward

Kagome, Sango, Miroku and Inuyasha were sitting at the breakfast table when Koga walked in. He was wearing sweat pants with no shirt on, showing off his muscular body.

"Good morning Kagome" he said striding over to the coffee pot.

"Good morning Koga," Kagome said shyly taking a sip of her coffee.

Koga sat down at the table "I didn't get the pleasure of meeting the rest of you yesterday."

"I'm Sango, this is Miroku and Inuyasha." Sango said looking at him awkwardly. Although she was talking to him he didn't take his eyes off Kagome.

"So Kagome, would you like to get out of this house for a little bit?" Koga asked

"No, she would not" Everyone turned to see Sesshomaru walking in "I thought I made it very clear. Until Naraku is dealt with, Kagome stays here."

"Come on Sesshomaru, she's got to be going crazy here." Koga said glancing at Sesshomaru then back to Kagome.

All this starring was really starting to make Kagome feel uncomfortable. "I'm okay really."

Koga stood up with his coffee. "Well since I was invited to stay the weekend I think I will have a couple of my colleges stop by if that's alright Sesshomaru."

Sesshomaru took a deep breath "Very well, however your stay is over Monday."

Koga nodded and left the room.

"Oh great, more of them." Inuyasha grumbled.

Sesshomaru's phone rang and he walked out of the room.

"Well, Koga seems friendly" Sango said sarcastically.

The gang continued making small talk and eating their breakfast.

Sesshomaru walked back into the room a moment later, he turned to Sango, "You are the one that is the best fighter right?"

Sango nodded "I supposed so…"

"Naraku is making his move. Apparently he and eight others are planning on ambushing. I don't think they know where you are but as I've said this is still the safest place for you." Sesshomaru said looking out the window.

"How do you know that he has made his move?!" Inuyasha asked.

"I have some very powerful friends in high places. I have eyes everywhere." Sesshomaru said inhaling deeply. "Like I said, everyone is to remain here." He turned to Sango "I would like you to keep a weapon on you at all times for inside close protection to Kagome."

Sango nodded, she wasn't doing it for him, but for Kagome.

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There was a knock on the door.

"Come in" Naraku said sitting on his hotel couch.

Kagura came in and sat down in front of him.

"So, what did they say?" He asked her with a nonchalant tone.

"They said you can suck it." Kagura said with a grin. Naraku eyes narrowed and she continued "However, when I said they could name their price, they changed their tune."

"What's their price?" Naraku asked relaxing back into the sofa.

"They want ten grand." Kagura said with a straight face.

"That's all?" Naraku asked surprised by the low number.

"Each" She said smirking.

Naraku pondered this and then nodded "Very well, ten grand each. Once I have Kagome in my possession they will have their money. However for such a high price I expect them to fight to the death."

Kagura nodded "I will let them know."

Naraku waved his hand "You may leave, that's all."

Kagura stood up and walked out.

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"Alright, if Naraku is getting an army we need to be prepared." Sango said. They were outside with targets and weapons. "I want you to try all of these and pick the one you feel most comfortable with and use it. I want your weapon to become an extension of your body."

Everyone nodded. They looked at the weapons Sango laid out on the table in front of them. A bow and arrows, a sword, guns, boomerang blades, and knives.

-.-.-.-.-..-.-.-.-

Koga was looking down out of his window at the group of friends training. There was a knock on his door. "Come in."

"Hi Koga!"

"We're really happy you invited us here with you!"

His two assistants came walking in and up to the window.

"Ginta, Hakkaku, you see the beautiful girl down there? The one in the skirt?" Koga said not taking his eyes off her. They both nodded "I am going to make her mine."

Ginta and Hakkaku looked at her and then to Koga. "That's great Koga!" Ginta said smiling.

"What's she like?" Hakkaku asked sitting on the bed.

"I haven't the slightest idea. She's been through quite an ordeal and Sesshomaru is going to use her story as a publicity stunt for his hotels. If she belongs to me, it will look good for Lone Wolf Hotels."

Ginta and Hakkaku exchanged worried looks "Okay…."

"Hey Koga," Hakkaku said looking out the window "It looks like that blonde boy likes her…"

Koga walked back up to the window. He saw Inuyasha helping her hold a sword. "That could be a minor setback…."

"Well," Ginta started "What are they doing?..."

"I guess there is this guy coming to fight them all or something. I'm not sure." Koga shrugged.

"His name is Naraku." They all turned to see Sesshomaru in the door way "And you won't be able to have her if this Naraku takes her first."

Sesshomaru filled him in on everything he learned about Kagome and Naraku's past based on the reports from police and the hospital. Koga's heart started to race, and he thought he was cold hearted… this guy sounded like the worst kind of person.