-Chapter 1-

Inuyasha sighed. Summer was over... Now he had to go back to school. As if summer wasn't bad enough.

Inuyasha was a halfdemon. Or, as most called him, a filthy, dirty halfbreed. Others called him a disgrace. Like his older brother, Sesshomaru. And Sesshomaru's friend, Jaken. Both his father and mother had died long ago. His father died soon after he was born. His mother died sometime when he was a little kid. Almost no schools would take him in as a student. All just because of his heredity... The one school that would take him in wasn't the best school ever. Shikon High. That was where he went. By the time he'd go there, he'd be a sophomore. For the majority of his life, he'd taken care of himself and would let everyone pick on him. That was just how he grew up. He never talked to anyone because he was afraid he would say something that would make them angry. Usually, even if it was just a, "Hi." they'd get angry and embarrassed that a halfbreed was speaking to them. Halfdemons were accepted by no race, whether it should be demon or human. Halfdemons weren't even accepted by other halfdemons! They were always brought up knowing they would never be accepted in society. Well, all except for one halfdemon. Jinenchi. He was the only halfdemon ever known to actually try to make friends. He'd get awefully nosy at times and his life ended by being brutally beaten to death. There wasn't a single halfdemon who didn't know about Jinenchi. He and his life were a warning to all halfdemons that, if they should try to fit in or meddle, they would most certainly be killed.

Inuyasha grew up on that story. His mother never taught it to him, but he overheard two people talking about it one day and from then on out decided never to speak to anyone.

When he was little, kids always teased him and ridiculed him. At the time, he didn't get it. But now that he was older, he realized what all those wedgies were for. Ever since his mother died, he'd never had anyone love him. He was so unloved, he never even had a home since his mom died.

At school, everyone immediately started the barrage of names and punches and teasings and other things.

This would be the exact reason he grew up never trusting a single soul.

A wolf demon called Kouga came up to him. "Hey, halfbreed! Be sure not freak out the new student, okay? You've already freaked out half the school."

Inuyasha was almost afraid to nod his head, so he just stood and looked at Kouga with understanding eyes. Eyes that said, "Understood!"

As Kouga walked away, content with seeing Inuyasha in so much pain, Inuyasha thought, 'A new student? Well, it is a new year... But this isn't a new school. It's pretty uncommon for a new student to come here. I wonder what they're like... I hope they're the teasing type. I don't like getting beat up.'

The bell rang at that moment, interrupting his thoughts.

In the first class of the first year, the teacher announced the new student. "Class! CLASS!!!" he said, trying to get their attention, "This lovely young lady here is a human. Her name is Kagome Higurashi. She's the daughter of the Higurashi family. They own and care for the Higurashi Shrine." Then he turned to Kagome, "Mrs. Higurashi, you may call me Myoga. I'm a flea demon. But don't squish me!"

"Thank you, Mr. Myoga! Where do I sit?"

"Oh-ho-ho-ho! You may sit wherever you wish, Kagome! And, as an added bonus, in this school you get to choose who you want to show you around! But, the only catch is, you have to pick someone that has the same schedule as you do, that way your classes won't be interrupted."

"Hm... I get to choose, huh? Let's see..." then she noticed one boy whom nobody was sitting near. There were several desks that were empty around him. 'Wow... He's got super cute little dog ears! He must be a demon.' thought Kagome.

Myoga saw her staring in wonder at Inuyasha. "Um..." he said, "Miss, are you wondering about that fellow over there?"

"Oh! I'm sorry! No, not really. I was just wondering why there are so many empty desks around him."

"I-I'm not too sure myself... I don't think anyone really likes him. It must be because he's mean to them or something." Myoga answered.

"Oh..." and here she thought he was cute, too.

"Hey! Kagome! You can sit next to me! I'll protect you from him!" Kouga yelled out.

"No way! I'm stronger! I can protect you much better!" Bankotsu yelled.

'Well, there is an empty desk next to them...' she thought.

Inuyasha was still staring outside. His desk was right in front of a window, so he considered himself lucky, at least in that way.

Kagome still looked at him, though. Even though he wasn't looking at her. 'Still,' she thought, 'I do kinda feel bad for him. But, if he's mean to people... Maybe I shouldn't be near him.'

The bell rang again.

"Oh! I forgot, sorry class! It's a half day!" Myoga announced. Then he turned to Kagome. "Why don't you at least choose who'll show you around the school? You can pick your seat tomorrow."

"Thanks, Mr. Myoga!"

"Hehehe! No problem!"

'Maybe this is my chance! I can see if he really is mean or not!' she thought.

Inuyasha felt someone tapping him lightly on the shoulder. He turned around to find probably the most beautiful thing he'd ever seen.

Kagome heard a series of gasps as she was tapping him. She turned around and found all the students staring at her with an astonished look on their faces.

"What? Did I do something wrong?" she timidly asked.

"Heck yeah! You just touched that thing!" Bankotsu shouted.

"Oh. I'm sorry. I didn't know..."

"Dear Kagome, let me tell you a little something about him. That 'thing' is nothing more than a filthy mutt that the school picked up off the streets." Kouga informed her.

Inuyasha got up and started to walk out the door. But he was stopped by a "Hey, wait!"

Kagome ran up to him. "I decided that I want you to show me around."

Another series of gasps and one yelp went around the room.

"Wh-What did I do this time?"

"Y-You gotta be kidding! That ugly halfbreed shouldn't be allowed to even live! Much less have a friend!" Kouga once more informed her.

"He's a...halfdemon?" Kagome wondered.

Inuyasha started to take a step but Kagome grabbed hold of his arm.

"So you mean to tell me that he's," Kagome pointed to him with her free hand, "a halfdemon?"

"Tsh. Yeah."

"And is that why you're mean to him?"

"Well, duh!"

"What kind of demon is he?"

"He's half human and half dog demon. Why?"

"D-Did you... just say...dog demon?!" Kagome said in an alarmed voice.

"Yes. What? Has that mutt already done something to you?"

Kagome took a few steps back from Inuyasha. "Um... Well... I just, uhm... I'm scared of dogs!"