On the Outside by SunsetMiko

Defensive

Chapter 29 - Defensive

Written for Stella's Proverbial Challenge, Prompt: Give neither salt nor council till you are asked for it.

600 Words

"I saw you sitting with Sesshoumaru at lunch," Kikyo said snidely. "Tell me you're not going to start associating with that loser again too?"

"Why not?" Kagome asked with a smirk. "My reputation is already trashed. Besides, a few weeks ago, you'd have dropped to your knees and opened wide for that 'loser' if he'd so much as looked at you."

Kikyo gasped in shock. "I would do no such thing! He's half-breed loving filth." Kagura laughed and the rude miko whirled on her. "You were the one begging him to take you to homecoming last year. We all heard your promises of a night he would never forget."

"That was then," the wind witch said while stringing up an arrow and taking aim. "I wouldn't touch him now with a ten foot pole."

"Sure," Sango said with a grin. "We all remember how badly the both of you wanted him. I bet you'd both still do him in a second if he asked. Just because he's not popular anymore doesn't mean he's not still gorgeous."

"Oh, so you want him now, huh?" Kikyo asked the slayer. "I should have known. Looking to make some more filthy hanyou then?"

Kagome mentally chuckled as she watched the catty girls argue. It was hilarious, how deluded they were. Every girl in the school had wanted Sesshoumaru for their own before his voluntary fall from grace. Sango was right. Popular or not, he was still absolutely delicious to look at, and popularity had never mattered to her anyway.

The miko didn't mind a bit that he'd lost a great deal of his fan club. She'd always hated listening to them discussing all the dirty things they wanted to do with him. Not that she wanted him anymore either. Okay, so she was lying to herself. She certainly did still want him. If she decided to finally give in at some point in the future, at least she wouldn't have competition.

She knew it would take some time before she became comfortable in their new rekindled friendship, but there were so many things that she missed. She dearly missed watching horrible made for TV science-fiction movies, snuggled up close with his arm around her. She missed the way he smelled, his body heat, and the strength of his arms. He always made her feel so safe and secure.

When class was nearly over, Kagome finally decided to put a stop to the sniping of the girls. "You all know you still find him attractive. Just because he's considered the lowest of the low socially doesn't take that away from him. If he were to somehow become popular again, you'd all be fawning after him like lost puppies."

"Would not!" the girls exclaimed.

"Really, Kagome, all I'm trying to do is protect you. Your reputation..."

"Like I said, my reputation is already trashed, so what do I care? If I wanted your advice, I'd ask for it."

"But..."

"But nothing, Kikyo. I'll be friends with whoever I want, whenever I want, and I don't give a damn what any of you think." Kagome released one final arrow, hitting the bulls eye with a thunk. "I'd be more worried about yourselves. Not a one of you is a good friend to the other, fighting like that. I'm better off being a loser with real friends than being 'popular' with fake bitches like you."

There was a cacophony of gasps and then utter silence as Kagome's words began to sink it. All thoughts were cut off by the shrill ringing of the bell, signifying end of class.