A/N: In this fic demons and humans do coexist somewhat peacefully. However Inuyasha is human…or is he?????

The Other Side of Me

An Inuyasha fanfic

By The Story Mistress

Chapter One

Kagome Higurashi hurried down the school hallway; she absolutely could not be late for class. If she was late again it would mean detention and detention would mean she'd miss out on the first day of her new babysitting job. Just as she reached the door it swung open causing her to jump back and fall. She looked up to see Inuyasha Takahashi sneering down at her. "I know I'm great and all," he said with a smirk. "But groveling is not necessary."

"I wouldn't grovel for you if my life depended on it," Kagome said getting up. "I'm on the floor because someone didn't think to check if anyone was at the door before they barged out. The window is there for a reason, you know." As Kagome brushed by him the bell rang.

He grinned, "Looks like your late. See you in detention, Higurashi."

Growling under her breath Kagome stalked into the classroom. "Higurashi--" started the teacher.

"I know, I'm late, I have detention," said Kagome as she went to her seat where she sat muttering insults directed toward Inuyasha.

"What's up with you?" asked her best friend Sango leaning over.

"Takahashi, that's what," answered Kagome.

"Ah," said Sango.

"I was almost on time; now I'm gonna be late for my new babysitting job. And what do you mean 'Ah'?"

"I mean that I should've known," replied Sango. "You guys have had this ongoing feud as long as I've known you."

"Longer than," corrected Kagome. "It started in kindergarten."

"Seriously? What started—"

"If you would like to join Higurashi in detention, Sango Mitarashi, by all means do continue your conversation."

"Sorry," Sango said with an apologetic smile. The teacher aimed one last glare at them then continued with the class. That day at lunch Sango brought up the question again.

"So, how did this whole feud start?"

"That's a good question," chimed Miroku Hoshi he reached out to pat her hand but she snatched it back.

"What's our agreement?" she asked.

He sighed, "I am only allowed to sit, talk, or otherwise interact with you if I keep my hands to myself." Kagome did her best to hold back a laugh. Although Miroku had once been the school playboy he was hopelessly in love with Sango. And Sango was the only one who didn't realize it.

"I don't really know how it started," admitted Kagome. "He was the new kid at school and kinda quiet so the teacher asked me to befriend him so I did. Then one day he had an itch he couldn't reach and he asked me to get it. When I did, he reacted kind of the way a dog reacts when you rub his belly and I said something about him being like my own little puppy or something like that and he got mad. He was always mean and rude to me after that so I responded in kind. We've hated each other ever since."

"Oh, that's weird," said Sango.

"I could ask him for his side," offered Miroku.

"You mean he doesn't see you as traitor? You do sit with us every day now," joked Kagome.

"I happen to have a good excuse. I can't stand Kikyou and she's been sitting with him every day. So I've escaped to sit with you. He understands. He doesn't like her either."

"Really?" asked Sango surprised. "I heard he's going to the dance with her."

"That's because the dance is ladies choice and he didn't want to offend Kikyou when she asked him. But now she thinks she's either already or soon-to-be his girlfriend and is acting accordingly."

"Poor him," said Kagome rolling her eyes. "Thanks for the offer but its way too late for me care about why he started the feud." The bell that signaled the end of lunch rang and the three stood and gathered their things. "I'll see you guys later," Kagome said since they didn't have any other classes together that day. They went their separate ways.

When Kagome reached the basement detention room after school there was only two other people there. Inuyasha and someone who Kagome didn't know standing over him.

"—Are you sure?" the guy was asking him. "Your scent is weird."

"What does my bloodline matter to you? Get out of my face idiot," growled Inuyasha.

"Rude as usual Takahashi," said Kagome as she walked past him to sit on the opposite side of the room. At the sound of her voice the guy with Inuyasha looked up. He smiled as his eyes followed her across the room. Then as she reached her desk he was suddenly beside her pulling out her chair.

"Hello," he said. Kagome stared up into his startlingly blue eyes for a moment before her brain registered his greeting.

She flushed a delicate pink and replied, "Hi, um, thanks." She sat down.

"No problem. I'm Kouga, prince of the northern wolf tribe."

"Wolf tribe?" Kagome repeated. Her eyes flicked up to his undeniably pointed ears. "Oh, it's nice to meet you. I'm Kagome Higurashi."

"Nice to meet you. Do you mind if I sit with you; something tells me your presence just may make this hour detention bearable."

Across the room Inuyasha snorted and Kagome shot him a glare then turned back to Kouga. "Sure you can, I'd like that."

"So how does detention work here? Do we write lines? Clean the school?" he asked.

"No we just chill here for an hour. I tend to do my homework but only because it makes the time go by quicker," answered Kagome.

"Sounds like you're a regular," laughed Kouga.

"I am," admitted Kagome. "I have a problem with punctuality."

"That makes two of us," said Kouga with a grin. For once Kagome actually got no homework done during detention because she spent the whole hour talking to Kouga. He even walked her out to her car afterwards. "Maybe I'll see you tomorrow?" he asked leaning against her car.

"You could sit with me at lunch," invited Kagome.

"Great, it's a date," he flashed her a smile and then ran off.

"Congratulations," sneered Inuyasha as he walked by. "You bagged yourself an idiot."

"Shut it Takahashi," Kagome replied as she got into her car and drove off. After a quick stop at home Kagome headed straight to the home of her new babysitting charge. When she got there she stared at the house in amazement. She'd realized from the address that it was in the more affluent part of town but she hadn't expected a three story mansion with beautiful grounds enclosed in a tall brick wall. She pulled her car to a stop in front of an ornate iron gate.

"Yes?" a voice asked and Kagome jumped. Then she looked over to see the face of an older woman on a video monitor.

"Um, I'm Kagome Higurashi, the new babysitter."

"One moment," the woman disappeared and was soon replaced with an elegantly beautiful male youkai.

"Can I help you?" he asked.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi, the new babysitter," Kagome repeated.

"You are late, Ms. Higurashi."

"I know; I'm very sorry. Something completely unavoidable came up," explained Kagome.

The youkai stared at her for a moment. "This is your one exception Ms. Higurashi, from now on punctuality is expected of you."

"Yes sir, of course." The video screen went blank and the gate creaked open. After taking a deep breath Kagome drove in and parked in front of the house where a uniformed teenager waited for her.

"I will park your car and then bring it around when you're ready to leave, Ms. Higurashi," he said formally.

"Uh, thanks," Kagome got out of the car and handed him the keys. She walked up to the door and before she could decide whether or not to knock the door opened to reveal a toad demon. She stepped in and he closed the door behind her.

"Stay here, don't touch anything," he said before walking away. Kagome had no intention of moving from that spot. She had no doubt she could easily get lost in the huge house. Before she'd been waiting very long the old woman from before joined her.

"Hello dear," she said. "I am Kaede, and while you work here you will report to me. Come this way and I'll introduce you to Rin." Kagome followed the Kaede through the maze of a house trying to remember the route but soon gave up and just gazed around in amazement. Finally Kagome was led into a large playroom where a young girl was sitting at a table with a plethora of stuffed animals. "Before I introduce you to Rin there are a few things you should know. She is Lord Sesshomaru's human ward. We know nothing of her parentage; in fact all we know of her past is that she was abused in her former foster homes. She does not speak to those she doesn't know so you will have to be patient with her. It's best if you do not touch her any more than needed. Understand?"

"Yes, of course," said Kagome with a slight frown.

"Good, come along." Kaede walked farther into the room with Kagome trailing behind her. "Rin?" The girl set down her plastic tea cup and turned away from the stuffed bunny she'd been conversing with. Upon seeing Kaede she started to speak but then spotted Kagome and her expressive face shifted to a blank stare. "This is Kagome; she is your new babysitter." Rin gave Kaede a puzzled look and Kaede sighed. "I know that you'd prefer that Jaken play with you but he is Lord Sesshomaru's personal assistant and therefore is busy. Kagome is a very nice girl and I'm sure you'll get along wonderfully." Kaede turned to leave. "Be patient with her," she murmured to Kagome as she walked by.

For a moment Kagome just stood there looking at Rin and Rin just sat there looking at her. Finally Kagome smiled and said, "This tea party looks wonderful; may I join?" Rin stared at her for a moment longer then nodded and Kagome sat down. Rin then pushed the plastic tea pot toward her and glanced around the table. As she took the tea pot Kagome could not help feeling as though this were a test. Starting with the stuffed animal to her right she poured the imaginary tea and then offered the animal cream and sugar. She went around the table offering each of the toys tea, cream and sugar. Finally she came to Rin. She poured the tea then asked, "And you Lady Rin? Would you some cream or sugar?"

Rin smiled briefly, "two spoonfuls of sugar please," she said in a whispery voice. Then Kagome poured her own tea and added generous amounts of both cream and sugar to her imaginary brew.

"Lady Rin," she said. "I feel like such a stranger, would you mind introducing me to all your friends?" Rin formally introduced each animal to her. After this Kagome could not coerce Rin into speaking directly to her again so instead she held extensive conversations with the stuffed animals and tried, with minimal success, to include Rin. Finally she glanced at her watch and realized it was time for her to go.

"Well, I have to go Rin." She said standing. "I'll see you tomorrow." Rin looked up and nodded then turned back to her tea.

Kagome walked to the door and looked out hoping there'd be someone who could direct her to the front door. There was no one so Kagome took a deep breath and stepped out. Within two minutes she was lost in the maze of the house. Then after wandering through the halls for five minutes she spotted someone at the end of the hall. "Excuse me!" she called hurrying towards them. "I'm lost could you-Inuyasha? I mean, Takahashi; what are you doing here?"

Inuyasha stared at her for a moment without answering. "I live here," he said finally. "What are you doing here?"

"Babysitting Rin," she answered. "Are you Lord Sesshomaru's ward too?"

"Something like that," Inuyasha answered dryly.

"Oh, um, could you possibly tell me how to get out of here?"

"Follow me." He walked away and Kagome hurried after him. When they reached the door Sesshomaru was there waiting.

"Ms. Higurashi," he said in greeting completely ignoring Inuyasha.

"Hello," Kagome said nervously. She had the strangest urge to curtsy.

"A maid was to be waiting to lead you out. I apologize that she was not there. She will be dealt with."

"It's really okay, I didn't get very lost," said Kagome.

"In this house punctuality is of the utmost importance, Ms. Higurashi," he was talking to Kagome but was looking at Inuyasha. "Good day Ms. Higurashi, until tomorrow." Sesshomaru turned and walked away.

Kagome exhaled the breath she'd been holding. "He so intimidating," she said to herself. "Later Takahashi." She left without waiting for him to answer. The same uniformed teen who'd taken her car before was waiting in front of her car with the keys. She took the keys with a smile and a thank you then drove away.