Sneaking a Peek by SunsetMiko

A New Title

Chapter 46 - A New Title

*The Sky I Don't Know* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"She denied your claim."

"So? What's it to you? I've had a claim on her for a long time now. You looking to challenge me?" Kouga growled, not liking the idea in the least. His head still hurt like a bitch and he wasn't in the mood to screw around.

"If I did desire to lay claim to the miko," Sesshoumaru replied coolly in his usual emotionless tone, "a challenge would be unnecessary because, as I have already said, she denied your claim."

He was doing his best not to have to say that he did, in fact, wish to lay claim to Kagome. She didn't know the extent of his feelings yet, or his plans for their future together, and he didn't think she was ready to hear it. He didn't want to frighten her off, after all. He was moving slowly for her sake, developing their relationship bit by bit.

If the wolf didn't back off, however, he might have to challenge him just to put an end to this ridiculousness. If the miko said no, which she had, then that should have been the end of it, but this thick-headed male didn't seem to grasp the concept of rejection.

"Aww, that doesn't mean anything. She always says that cuz she doesn't want to hurt dog-breath over there."

Kagome sighed and ran her hand over her face in frustration, staring up at the sky as if searching for answers. She obviously didn't know how to get through to Kouga. She'd tried what felt like a million times but he never listened. She had been happy to allow Sesshoumaru to handle the situation, rather interested to see just what he had to say to the wolf, but she could take it no longer.

"Inuyasha has nothing to do with it!" the exasperated miko nearly screamed. "I don't want to mate you. I think you're a nice guy and I'm happy to call you a friend, but I don't like you like that, Kouga, and I never will."

Sesshoumaru smirked. "Again she has denied your claim. Now you should leave."

*Wild Eyes* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"But Kagome," Kouga whined, "I love you. I've loved you since I first laid eyes on you and I know we're meant to be together."

"As sweet as that is," she started, noting Sesshoumaru's almost imperceptible frown. Apparently the taiyoukai was displeased with the wolf's declaration of love. "It's not true. You love that I can see the jewel shards. You love that claiming me makes Inuyasha insane. But you don't love me. You barely know me. Besides, I kind of have something going on with Sesshoumaru," she finished with a smirk.

"You what?" the wolf shrieked.

Kouga turned wild eyes to the hanyou for confirmation and Inuyasha merely shrugged. He was enjoying the show, even though he still hated the idea of Kagome and Sesshoumaru being anything but enemies. It made him uncomfortable in the most basic of ways and he was still trying to think of something he could do or say to put an end to it before his miko got hurt.

"You try to keep me away from her but you let him chase after her? Him?!"

"Do not insult this Sesshoumaru," the taiyoukai said in a tone warning of impending death. Yes, the miko had forbidden him from killing the wolf but that wouldn't stop him if Kouga continued on much longer.

"Kagome," Kouga said, turning back towards the miko he desired to make his mate. "You can't trust him. He's a cold, vicious killer."

*Evocation* (Stella's Soundtrack Challenge)

"And quite a flirt," the miko said with a shit-eating grin that made Miroku proud. "I can see whoever I want, and right now, I'm seeing Sesshoumaru." She paused for a moment in thought. "At least I think I'm seeing him. What are we, exactly, Sesshoumaru?" Kagome asked, turning her focus to the taiyoukai. "Are we dating? Are you my boyfriend?"

Now Sesshoumaru truly frowned. "I recognize neither of those terms."

Kagome laughed. "Are you flirting with anyone else or just me?"

"Only you can bring such a thing out of this Sesshoumaru," he replied.

"Do you have any intentions of seeing someone else, or are you only interested in me?" she inquired, hoping to give what they were doing some kind of definition in the best way she could think of.

"Only you," he replied, his tone deepening as he stepped closer.

"And do you want to kiss me?" she asked in her teasing tone, sending a shiver down Sesshoumaru's spine.

"I would not have done so otherwise."

"He's kissed you?!" Inuyasha hollered, unable to hold himself back at such a shocking revelation. Yes, he knew the taiyoukai wanted to court the miko. She'd said so herself and Sesshoumaru had agreed. He'd even teased the pair about Sesshoumaru's desire to kiss the miko, but he had no idea she'd actually allowed it to happen!

"Inuyasha," Kagome threatened to sit him with only his name, not turning her focus from the taiyoukai.

The hanyou pouted but shut up. He wasn't so sure he liked this side of Kagome, the one who no longer wanted his protection, the one who liked his elder half-brother. She was far too happy to sit him into the ground.

"You do still want to court me, right?" she asked.

"Indeed."

"Well then, I guess you're my boyfriend."

"I still have no idea what that term means," he reminded her, uncomfortable with the fact that she was labeling him something he didn't understand.

"It means you're mine," she said with a smile.

No one but Inuyasha noticed as Kouga slunk away, defeated, his tail between his legs. He'd clearly lost his chance with the miko and he wouldn't be coming around again for a good long time. His heart ached far too much to witness their lovey-dovey flirtations.