Higher Education by SunsetMiko

Chapter 37

Each prompt in this chapter is labeled with the challenge it goes with.

Prompt: Don’t Look Away (Soundtrack Challenge 2)

"So, what are your plans for this evening?" Miroku inquired.

Kagome smiled. "Drinking, dancing... I taught Sesshoumaru how to do body shots last night."

"Body shots? Awesome idea. Follow me!"

The miko followed Miroku and Sesshoumaru followed her, weaving their way through the crowd and into the large kitchen. There, on the island, was all the necessities for body shots: salt, tequila, and limes, just waiting for someone to come along and play.

Miroku leaned close to Sesshoumaru, a wicked smirk on his face. "Think she'd let me do one?" The look on the taiyoukai's face had the monk laughing. "Gee, someone's possessive."

"If you wanna do one, Miroku, you're gonna have to find another set of breasts to use," Kagome told him with a laugh. "Sesshoumaru doesn't share."

"Good going, man. I'm proud of you," the monk murmured in the taiyoukai's ear. "You snapped her up quick."

Sesshoumaru nodded. He knew that he'd gotten lucky. If his brother hadn't been dumped on him with no warning, he doubted Kagome would have labeled them boyfriend and girlfriend so quickly. He was also well aware that he would have had no excuse to sleep with her all week. Inuyasha's presence had actually helped their relationship along a great deal, despite his rudeness and his inappropriate comments. He was tempted to thank the hanyou, but decided against it. There was no way he would ever thank Inuyasha for anything, not after he'd left bruises on his sweet miko. Just thinking about the marks on her arms had anger rising up inside him and he wished his brother was around so he could punish him further for daring to lay his hands on Kagome.

"Oh, Sango!" Kagome exclaimed, catching her friend's arm as she was passing by. "You wanna do body shots with us? Miroku needs a partner."

The girl looked Miroku up and down appraisingly before shrugging. "Sure, why not?"

The monk went first, pretending he was having a difficult time picking up the shot glass just so he could brush up against Sango's breasts longer. Then Kagome set Sesshoumaru up and the taiyoukai did it like a pro. Miroku congratulated him on his skills, laughing as the miko explained that they'd been practicing. Sango and Kagome each downed a shot before setting it up again.

It was great to see Sesshoumaru having such a good time. He and Miroku seemed to be getting along wonderfully as the monk challenged him to a race. They both started at the same moment, hurrying through the steps, and Kagome cheered as Sesshoumaru won. The taiyoukai chuckled happily as he joked with the monk and the miko couldn't keep the smile off of her face. He was making friends! Sure, he would probably never socialize with Miroku without her, but he was still interacting with others, which was a big step for him.

"Kagome, it's your turn," Sango said with a wicked grin.

Both males watched intently as Kagome licked salt off Sango's shoulder before picking up the shot glass from between her breasts as if she'd done it a million times. She bit into the lime in her friend's mouth, smirking at the sound of Miroku's moan. She knew her perverted friend would enjoy the show.

Sesshoumaru was torn. It was incredibly arousing, seeing his miko with another female. He'd never considered it before and while he enjoyed watching, he couldn't help the little bit of jealousy burning through his veins. He didn't want to share Kagome with anyone, male or female. She was far too important to him to do something like that.

Spitting the lime from her mouth, Kagome turned and pressed her lips to Sesshoumaru's, kissing him passionately. He could taste the tequila and lime juice on her tongue as it swept into his mouth. Instantly, his beast was demanding that he take control of the kiss, that he be the dominant party out of the two of them. The taiyoukai mentally rolled his eyes and ignored his primitive half. She could kiss him like that any time she pleased and he wouldn't complain. His hands found her waist and he pulled her body close, leaning down so she didn't have to stand on her toes to reach his lips.

Miroku and Sango watched the couple kiss with raised brows. "I don't know how she can pick just one guy to be with for a long time," she said. "I'd be bored with him within a week, even though he is good looking."

"Ahh, my kind of girl," the monk replied with a grin. "I don't like the idea of a long term monogamous relationship either. There are just too many women out there to limit myself to just one."

"Exactly!" she exclaimed. "We're in college! We should be having fun and trying new things before we get old and boring."

Kagome turned her attention to her two friends with a smile. "It sounds like you two were made for each other."

Sango and Miroku looked at each other, their eyes wide, before she turned away, making excuses as she hurried as far away from the monk and Kagome as possible. Kagome laughed at Sango's reaction before seeing a glimmer of disappointment in Miroku's eyes.

"You'll find her again. Just don't say anything about anything long term and she'll be fine."

"Do you want to see something adorable?" the monk asked, swiftly changing the subject.

"Like what?" the miko asked.

"The president just got a new puppy. It is the cutest thing you'll ever see." He knew instantly that he'd hooked her by her excited expression. "Follow me."

Kagome caught Sesshoumaru's hand and followed Miroku up the steps to the back bedroom. The monk opened the door carefully, not wanting to let the puppy escape, and led them inside. "Pickles!" he called out, searching for the small dog. "He's really shy."

Sesshoumaru sniffed the air in the room, easily pinpointing where the puppy was hiding. He moved a crumpled pair of jeans with his foot, revealing a tiny, all black creature shaking in fear. Miroku quickly leaned down to scoop it up and it jumped backwards. The taiyoukai bent down and made eye contact with the dog before letting out a few soft, short barks. Kagome raised her eyebrow in confusion and watched as the puppy walked right into Sesshoumaru's large hand.

He cuddled Pickles close to his chest for a moment before holding him out for Kagome to take. "Did you just speak dog?" she asked before cooing at the puppy.

"I... am not sure," he replied. He had no idea what he'd just done. He'd simply allowed his instincts to take control.

Sesshoumaru and Miroku watched as Kagome cuddled and coddled the puppy like an infant, a small smile showing on both of their faces. "She's good at this," the monk whispered.

"A natural," the taiyoukai agreed. Suddenly his beast was whispering new things about the miko, things about the shape of her hips and the size of her breasts, not sexually but with regards to having and nursing pups. She would make a wonderful mother, and Sesshoumaru agreed with his other half before reminding it that now was not the time for such a thing. That time would come eventually, and when it did, Kagome would be the best mother in the world. Both sides of him agreed completely.

The miko sat down on the bed and rubbed the puppy's round, pink belly, breathing in that soft puppy smell. It made her want a puppy of her own, badly. Too bad she couldn't have one in the dorms. She'd have to move into her sorority house, and even then, she'd need the approval of all of the sisters in residence. She didn't have time for a puppy anyway. She had enough responsibilities on her shoulders; it would be silly to take on another. That didn't mean she couldn't snuggle this one until she had her fill of adorable.

Sesshoumaru sat down beside Kagome as Miroku excused himself, telling them to remember to close the door behind them so the puppy didn't get out and end up trampled by the partiers. They sat together, playing with the adorable little girl for several more minutes.

"Pickles is a terrible name for a girl dog," the miko said with a frown.

"Pickles is a terrible name for anything," Sesshoumaru agreed.

Prompt: Thorn (Soundtrack Challenge 2)

Inuyasha waited, chatting up the girls that passed by, as Kagome, Sesshoumaru, and the other male were in one of the bedrooms. Talking was painful, but he wasn't going to pick up a drunk slut for the night if he didn't do it, so he pushed through the pain. He wondered what in the hell the three of them were doing in there. Naughty ideas filled his mind and he wondered if Kagome had somehow convinced his brother to share her with another male. It would make sense. There was no way Sesshoumaru was man enough for the miko. Of course she would want someone else too.

Eventually, the strange male exited the room alone and minutes later Sesshoumaru and Kagome showed their faces. The miko was running her hands over her dress as if trying to straighten it and Inuyasha raised an eyebrow. He hadn't truly believed that they were doing something inappropriate in there until that very moment. Now he wasn't so sure. He watched as Kagome led his brother down the stairs and into the dancing crowd.

It was difficult not to lose them in the throng of drunken partiers, but he managed to stay on their tail. He was careful not to get too close as he didn't want his targets to know that he was there, at least not yet. Inuyasha watched in shock as Sesshoumaru actually danced with the miko. He'd never expected to see such a thing. It just didn't seem possible, but there it was, happening right before his eyes. He wasn't bad, either. That was the worst part. His loser brother had moves!

An idea in mind, Inuyasha went about locating the perfect girl for his plan. Spotting an obviously intoxicated, average looking female dressed in green and dancing alone, he closed the distance. "You looking for a guy?" he asked.

"Why, you offering?" she shot back.

The hanyou mentally cursed. Either he could keep this female for himself and get laid or he could follow through with his plan. It was a difficult choice, but eventually the desire to see Sesshoumaru completely devastated won out.

"I know the perfect guy for you," he said, catching her attention. "He's just over here." Inuyasha led the interested female through the crowd before pointing out his brother. "He's got a huge dick and he knows how to use it. He's just too shy to pick up girls on his own," he lied, having no idea how accurate part of his statement actually was.

"It looks like he's already got one," the female said in disappointment, noticing that the male he pointed out was not only with another girl, but he was also wearing red.

"Nah, she's just a friend. She'll leave him alone eventually and that's when you should make your move, and be aggressive. He's really shy."

Prompt: Eagles don't catch flies. (Stella's Proverbial Challenge)

"I have to go to the bathroom," Kagome said, speaking directly into the taiyoukai's ear so that he could hear her over the music. "Will you be okay?"

Sesshoumaru nodded. He didn't like the idea of being left alone in such a crowd, but he wasn't going to keep her from using the restroom because he was uncomfortable in social situations. He could handle himself for a few minutes. He just hoped he didn't end up surrounded by females as he had the day of the pool party as he waited outside the dorms for the miko to meet him.

Kagome pressed a kiss to his cheek before turning and fighting her way out of the throng of dancers and towards the staircase. She frowned as she spotted the long line for the bathroom, hoping that Sesshoumaru really would be all right. She knew he wasn't comfortable alone.

Downstairs, Sesshoumaru worked his way out of the crowd, heading for a wall where he could lean and stay out of the way as much as possible. He prayed that no one would notice him and cursed his luck as a woman approached, her eyes focused on him.

"Hi," she said shyly. "Your friend left you all alone."

"She will return," he said flatly, not interested in having a conversation with this, or any other, female.

The girl closed the distance between them, pressing her body against his. She could feel his strong chest and arms as she leaned in close, which only made her want him more.

Inuyasha watched in amusement as the girl tried to pick up his brother. Sesshoumaru looked so uncomfortable and yet he still hadn't sent her away. It almost seemed as if he didn't know how to reject the pushy female. She hung on his arm, clinging to his body, hoping to arouse his interest in her and the hanyou chuckled from a few feet away. He couldn't hear what the girl was saying, but it was clear from her body language that she was propositioning him, and the hanyou prayed that Kagome would return soon. She had to see this.

Sesshoumaru was growing seriously annoyed now. He'd made it as clear as he could that he wasn't interested, had done nothing to encourage her, and yet she didn't seem to get the message. She wouldn't leave him alone. He needed Kagome to come back and help him because he'd tried just about everything. He'd even told the girl that he was already taken, but that didn't seem to matter to her. Finally he spotted his girlfriend approaching through the crowd and his tense shoulders fell in relief.

Inuyasha crossed his fingers as he noticed Kagome's approach, glancing back at his brother. It looked bad and he knew that if he were in the miko's shoes, he would assume the worst. He expected her to be angry or upset, so he was confused as a small smile pulled at her lips when she finally located Sesshoumaru. What was the matter with this girl?!

Kagome closed the distance, leaning in close to the taiyoukai on the side not occupied by a strange female. "Picking up girls again?" she asked before pressing her lips to his chin affectionately.

"So it seems," he replied. "She simply will not listen to me."

The miko's smile widened and she turned her focus to the other woman. "Sorry, honey, but he's mine."

The female frowned. "But that guy said that you were just a friend." Her words were slightly slurred due to her intoxication, but her meaning was clear.

"What guy?" Kagome asked in confusion.

"He had the same coloring. I assumed he was his brother. Poor guy looks like someone tap danced on his face."

"Ah," the miko hummed, realizing immediately whom she was describing. "Inuyasha," she said darkly. She turned her focus back to Sesshoumaru for a moment. "Your brother honestly thought that he could break us up by sending another girl to flirt with you. Idiot."

"So you're in a relationship?" the girl asked, finally getting the picture that Sesshoumaru wasn't available, let alone interested.

"Yeah, and the guy who sent you over knows that."

"That jerk!" she exclaimed. "I'm sorry. He said that he was shy, that I should be aggressive. I would never try to steal someone's man." The woman apologized profusely, repeating herself several times over because of the alcohol in her system. It was obvious she was embarrassed by her own behavior and Kagome nodded, feeling sorry for the girl who was just another victim of Inuyasha's plotting. Finally the girl walked away and the miko turned her focus to Sesshoumaru.

"I can't believe your brother is back trying to break us up! Didn't he learn his lesson?"

"Apparently not."