Cluster by Twilight Dawn

Victorious Challenge (Priestess Skyes Weekly Challenge)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or its characters.

Summary: Sesshoumaru challenges Inuyasha to a game of pinball. The winner gets Kagome.

Kagome really can’t stand her best friend’s elder brother. There are so many reasons for her dislike of him, but the words arrogant, pretty boy, and proud are a few that comes to mind. She doesn’t understand why he has to ruin every event that her and Inuyasha plan with their friends.

She doesn’t even know how he found them. They had kept it a secret for a week. Imagine their surprise when he walked into the arcade and headed straight for them.

“What are you doing here, you bastard?” Inuyasha yelled, drawing attention to them. “Can’t you take the hint that you're not wanted.”

Kagome slugged him in the arm. “That wasn’t very nice, Inuyasha.” Just because she doesn’t like Sesshoumaru, doesn’t mean Inuyasha can treat him that way.

Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at his half brother. “Have you forgotten this is a public place? I don’t have to leave.”

Kagome groaned with frustration. She needed to end this feud before things get heated. The brothers are known to destroy things in their wake. “Can’t we call it a truce for the night? I really want to play some games without playing babysitter.”

“I can tolerate him as long as he stays on the other side of the room,” Inuyasha gritted out, hating the way his brother always found a way to out smart him. He figured Sesshoumaru would get bored after awhile and leave on his own.

“That I cannot do, little brother. I need to prove I am better than you,” he said, smirking at him. He knew Inuyasha would take the bait.

Inuyasha crossed his arms over his chest and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips. “I’m in,” he spoke confidently. He knew he could beat his brother. He plays video games all the time. “What are the terms?”

Sesshoumaru didn’t let it show how pleased he was when Inuyasha took the bait. “The terms are simple,” he began to explain to the half wit. “I get to chose the game we play and the winner gets to name his own prize.”

“Done,” Inuyasha spoke without hesitation.

Kagome stared at Inuyasha with disbelief. “You’re not going to question this at all, are you? Do you even know what you agreed to, Inuyasha? He can make you do his chores for a week and you can do nothing about it.”

“I’m not going to let that bastard win,” he boasted. “I can take him.”

She laughed, causing Inuyasha to frown at her. “He has bested you at every opportunity. What makes this time different?”

“You should have more confidence in me, wench.”

Sesshoumaru could barely contain his jealousy as the two of them conversed with one another. He wanted to get this over with so he could claim his prize. He knew he would win and was already anticipating collecting his earnings.

“If you two are finished,” he spoke, shutting them up. “The game we shall play is pin ball.”

Inuyasha grinned. “Are you sure you want it to be pinball? I am a pro at that game.”

“That’s still to be determined.”

Inuyasha and Sesshoumaru made their way to the pinball machines towards the back, choosing which one they wanted to play. Putting the coins in the slots, they eyed each other and pulled the lever back to unlock the silver colored balls. Setting their hands on either side of the machine they began to move their fingers at incredible speed.

“I see your still behind, Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru taunted. “You shouldn’t make promises you can’t keep.”

Inuyasha lifted his lips into a snarl. “Shut up, bastard. I need to concentrate on kicking your ass.”

“The only ass that will be kicked is yours, Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru replied, trying to distract his brother, who is known to get angered easily.

Kagome watched the two of them go at it and decided she needed to get something to drink, seeing as this would take awhile. The last time the two of them went head to head it lasted two hours, and Kagome had fallen asleep half way through.

When she returned, she noticed Sesshoumaru was ahead by two thousand points, but Inuyasha was quickly catching up. “How much longer is this going to take? I still have to make it home before curfew.”

“Would you be quiet, Kagome. I’m trying to win here.”

She felt her face grow warm with anger. How dare he say such a thing to her? She has been defending him all night and he had the nerve to tell her to be quiet. “That’s it,” she yelled, throwing her hands up in the air. “I hope you lose to Sesshoumaru. Maybe then, you get some manners and treat your friends better.”

“Whatever,” he replied, not too concerned about it. She would forgive him before the night was through.

Sesshoumaru called over his shoulder, “Don’t worry about it, Kagome. I will take you home. I’m about done here anyway.”

Kagome wasn’t going to turn down his offer. It beats taking the bus home and it might make Inuyasha feel guilty about the way he treated her. “I appreciate it.”

He nodded his head, letting her know he heard her. With one final pull, Sesshoumaru’s pinball machine went off with a lot of sounds and flashing lights, followed by Inuyasha’s pinball machine.

“I believe I won, Inuyasha,” Sesshoumaru declared. “And it’s time I get to choose my prize.”

Inuyasha huffed, crossing his arms across his chest. “You cheated by starting before I did. I won’t acknowledge your win.”

“Inuyasha?” Kagome spoke, shocked. “What nonsense are you speaking of? Your brother won fair and square.”

Inuyasha turned on her. “Are you taking his side?”

She didn’t bother answering the sore loser. She focused her attention on Sesshoumaru instead. “So what will your winnings be? A month of chores? Or perhaps having your brother wash your car?”

She didn’t like the seductive smile that fell upon his lips. “I want you to go on a date with me. That is the prize I seek.”

Before she could answer, Inuyasha interrupted. “That’s not going to happen in this lifetime, Sesshoumaru. She belongs to me.”

“Yours?” She sputtered out. “Don’t I get a say in this?”

“No, you don’t,” Inuyasha simply stated.

Kagome reared her hand back and slapped Inuyasha across the cheek. “You don’t get to decide such things for me. I am allowed to go out with anyone I please.”

“Fine,” he muttered. “But don’t come crying to me when that bastard hurts you.” He walked away, leaving the two of them alone.

Kagome was shocked at first when Sesshoumaru asked her out. She has been harboring a crush on him for years and she’s not about to let this opportunity get away from her. “We still have a few hours until I have to go home. How about we start that date now?”

Sesshoumaru wrapped his arm around her and headed over to the tables, so he could buy her their first dinner, which consisted of pizza and soda.

The End