Story edited and updated: 9/30/2018. Some parts may have been added or rewritten.

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Chapter 1

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I'm going to be late! Why did I hit snooze? I knew I wasn't going to get up! Kagome thought bitterly.

She pedaled her bike faster dodging pedestrians and yelling apologies. Taking a glance at her watch she had a glimmer of hope that she might actually make it to school if she kept up this pace. A dark blue colored building came into view and she smiled. Yes! Students started to pack into the high school as the bell rang for everyone to report to class. Only a couple blocks away! All she had to do was ride past the small park next to the school and she'd be there. As the park's scenery flew by the blurred sight of a brown cardboard box under a tree caught Kagome's eye. She hit the breaks bringing the bike to a rough lurch so she could back track to the large box. Please don't have cute animals inside, please don't have cute animals inside... She prayed. As she opened the wings to peer inside four pairs of eyes attached to fluffy fragile buddies stared at her.

"Aww," she crooned out loud as a calico colored kitten cried and tried to scramble up the wall.

She picked the little thing up and could see they were under weight. It was obvious they had been abandoned without any consideration for their future. The sky in the distance was collecting alarmingly dark clouds. Hadn't her mother said it was going to rain? Kagome had been in such a rush to leave she hadn't bothered to grab an umbrella... Wait, she was still late for school! Her homeroom teaching was going to have a fit. I can't leave them here though!

Her conscious was in turmoil but with the threat of a down pour she groaned in frustration and picked up the box. She closed the wings and adjusted the weight of the box on top of the bike handles, then continued on her journey to school. Parking the bike she all but sprinted into the school's main doors while diligently still carrying the box. She peered around the empty lockers for any sight of teachers or Disciplinary Committee members who may still be lingering, but it was empty. Maybe she'd get a break for once The box wouldn't fit in her locker so she'd have to find another place. Hopefully, the janitor would help her out and keep the kittens hidden for her if she asked nicely. Meanwhile, she would hide out in the library and wait until second period to avoid being scolded.

However, that also meant she would have to sneak past her homeroom class first. Kagome gulped as she peeked down the quiet hallway and hoped that she had some good karma left to help her out. Even though she was tip-toeing ever so stealthily, each step she took down the hallway sounded so exasperatingly loud in her ears. Kagome was in front of her homeroom door when it flew open and her teacher stood there staring in exaggerated shock.

"Kagome Higurashi! Late again! And trying to skip class?!" the women's shrill voice echoed in the halls.

"Mrs. Nakano, I'm not trying to skip class," Kagome tried to explain but realized that was exactly what she had been trying to do.

"What's in that box?"

"Um, just some papers." Her second lie.

"Get in here this instant!"

Kagome entered the classroom and tried not blush as everyone stared at the scene unfolding.

"Mrs. Nakano I really need to go deliver this box. It's urgent that-" A strained meow from one of the kittens interrupted the excuse she was creating.

"Was that a cat I just heard?" Mrs. Nakano gasped. "Mrs. Higurashi. Let me see that box," she ordered sternly.

"My box of papers?" Kagome feigned innocence.

"NOW." The teacher was losing her patience. Kagome sighed and held the box out to her teacher who jerked it out of her hands. Another cry came from the kittens.

"Careful!"

The teacher raised her eyebrow and opened the cardboard slabs and gave a deep frown at the contents. "Animals are not allowed in school Mrs. Higurashi. Put these back were you found them or have your mother come to pick them up." The teacher placed the box into Kagome's arms roughly. "I'll also see you after school today."

"Yes ma'am," Kagome sighed. She turned to the class and smiled bashfully. "If anyone would like to adopt a kitten please don't hesitate to see me about it!" With that she slid the classroom door open and made a swift exit before getting another ear full.

"Good going," she spoke to the kittens as she took her time walking down to the janitors office at the end of the hall. She was already in trouble so need to rush. They only looked up at her with glass looking blue eyes.

"Well it's not totally your fault. That teacher hates me anyways..." When she reached the janitor's office and knocked twice, an old man opened the door.

"Hi Mr. Takeda," Kagome greeted. "I have a favor to ask of you."

"What would that be?" he asked already full of curiosity as he observed the small felines.

"Please look after these kittens until I can come and get them. I'm being held after school..."

"Hm...," he rubbed his mug in thought. "Okay, but in return I'll need that recipe for your Christmas cookies. My wife has been nagging me to get it from you after she got a taste of them last year."

Kagome smiled. "Well I can't argue. I'll give it to you tomorrow."

He took the box gently from her arms. "Thanks kid."

"No, thank you sir." Kagome waved as she headed back down the hall to class.

...

"You got in trouble again?" Eri asked. Kagome's other two friends, Yuka and Ayumi, tsked and shook their heads in unison.

"Yeah, but it was a box of kittens! I couldn't leave them out in the cold rain!" She pointed at a window where the rain was splattering against the glass.

"That's our Kagome," Yuka said. "Always helping out."

"A real animal saver too," Ayumi added.

"Hey, hey! Did you guys here we're getting a new exchange student?" Umi exclaimed.

"He or she?"

"He," Eri answered.

"Hope he's hot. Not many lookers in this school, "Ayumi muttered.

"Accept Hojo," Yuka smirked. "Isn't that right Kagome?"

"Huh?" Kagome snapped out of her thoughts. "Sorry guys I wasn't listening. Hey! Do any of you guys want a kitten?"

All the girls laughed at their friend's obliviousness to the opposite gender.

"Poor Hojo."

"Kagome's so hard headed."

"Hey I'm right here!" Kagome protested.

The girls only laughed more.

...

"I'm home!" Kagome called through the house.

"Hey sis!" Souta called from the living room where he was watching TV. He looked away from the screen and in her direction. "What's with the box?"

She walked over to him and set the kittens down. Souta immeditly picked up a striped one while Kagome explained.

"Found them abandoned so I brought them home. Can you help me make signs so I can get them adopted?"

"Yeah sure!" The kitten crawled onto his shoulder. "I'll tell people at my school."

Kagome's own cat sauntered over to investigate. "You be nice to them Buyo," Kagome ordered and gave the large cat a stern look before going into the kitchen. "Hi mom."

"Hey Kagome. Can you do me a favor sweetie?"

"Yeah. What do you need?"

"Can you go to the store and buy some eggs?"

"No problem. I need to pick up some kitten stuff anyways."

"Buyo sure doesn't look happy about them," she grinned as the older cat tried to get Souta's undivided attention.

Kagome took the money her mother handed her. "I'll be back!" she called as she exited the front door.

The sun was not yet setting but the scattered storm clouds were illuminated in light yellow and orange colors. She waited until the rain was just down to a sprinkle then got on her bike to head out. Immediately, her thoughts went to the kittens. Getting four cute fluffy kittens adopted should be easy. She turned the bike handles to carefully maneuver across the street and onto the sidewalk. When she was safely on the concrete path she started go through a list of people she knew would make a good pet owner. A few feet in front of her a group of three boys in a neighboring high school uniform huddled by an alley. Annoyed by the fact they were taking up the whole sidewalk she was forced to slow down to go around them. Her eyes observed the group and she realized it wasn't really an alley, more of an indent in the wall large enough for an industrial dumpster. In the gap was a large dog with pure white fur crouch with it's ears flat. Kagome put her brakes on.

"What a stupid animal," one guy said.

"Yeah it cornered itself," another snickered.

When she saw one guy pick up an empty glass bottle and cock his hand back she let her bike drop to the ground. The loud clang caught the groups attention as she shoved past them.

"There you are!" She called out loudly. Tentatively she took small steps toward the dog while trying to keep a good distance from the distressed animal. "I've been looking all around for you."

"That's your dog?" The guy with the bottle asked lowering his arm.

"Oh yes!" She made her eyes go wide. "Did he bite you?"

"No. He tried to though," another answered. "He scratched me!" another accused.

She resisted the urge to roll her eyes.

"Oh my. He hasn't had any of his shots yet... Ya know, like rabies?"

"That mutt has rabies?" The guy with the bottle asked in disgust.

"Very likely. He doesn't like strangers either." As if on cue the dog growled and barred it's teeth. "If I was you, I'd leave. He's super protective and much stronger than me."

"Come on let's go," the guy nudged his buddy. "The dog's freaken' sick and crazy." The others nodded in agreement and went on their way without so much as a glance.

Kagome waited until they were out of sight to turn to the dog. She was lucky he hadn't tried to attack her. "Hey boy..." The dog looked at her but made no move toward her.

She crouched down. "Here boy," she whistled but the dog showed no intention of moving from it's crouched stance.

"Well I can't make you come with me..." Kagome sighed. "I wish I had something to feed you at least... Oh!"

She remembered the dog treats she had in her bike's basket to give to neighborhood dogs. She tossed a couple biscuits his way. "Take care boy. Stay out of trouble okay?"

Kagome made her way back towards her bike where she had abandoned it on the side walk. Before, continuing her trip to the store she took another glance at the dog who had finally raised it's head with two ears perked straight up. Some breed of Shepard maybe? With no sign of the dog willing to follow her she went on her way.

She couldn't help but wonder about the dog's golden colored eyes.

...

Murmurs came to a halt as the teacher tapped a heavy textbook against the desk.

"Ok class! We have a new student!" The teacher announced. "This is Sesshoumaru Taisho."

There were whispers and squeals as the new student said hello. Kagome finally stopped daydreaming out the window to see what the big commotion was about. In front of the classroom was a very tall guy with extremely long white hair. She noted he was incredibly handsome with a square jaw, blemish free skin, and stunning height. This of course resulting in the delighted giggles of her female classmates. The thing that really interested her were his hypnotizing honey colored eyes. Even though they had to be contacts, they suited him very well. She was just as surprised when those eyes connected with her hickory orbs. They seemed to linger there for a longer time before moving on. Or maybe she was imagining things?

"Please take a seat where ever one is available." Even the teacher seemed to be talking nicer than ever.

"Thank you," he replied. His voice was deep and smooth.

"There's a seat right here Sesshoumaru-sama!" A girl pointed to the one next to her.

The guy already has a fan base starting in the class, Kagome thought. He'll be instantly popular with those looks.

"I prefer to be near the windows," he replied in a deep mono tone. He took a seat at the vacant desk behind Kagome.

Kagome was amused at the rejection. The girl, Chiyo, was liked by almost all the guys in the school. Kagome turned her attention to the lesson as the teacher started writing on the dry erase board and her thoughts never returned to the person right behind her.

...

When it was time for lunch Kagome met with her friends and was instantly bombarded with questions.

"Is the new exchange student in your class?"

"Does he sit by you?"

"Is he hot?"

Kagome put her hands in front of her. "Whoa. Yes, yes, and he's over there in line so look for yourself."

They looked in the direction she had pointed and before Kagome had more questions thrown at her she excused herself. She had more important things to do then talk about some guy. There were still four kittens in her house that needed good homes. She put up the homemade fliers anywhere she could and visited some people she thought might be interested. She taped a flier to a bulletin board outside the gym where sports news was usually posted. Kagome turned to walk back into the school when she saw the new student...Sesshoumaru as she recalled.

Maybe he wants a cat? Kagome thought. Although she doubted it. He looked more like a dog person. Never the less, Kagome swerved into his path with a bright welcoming smile on her face.

"Hey there. You're in my home room class. Sesshoumaru-sama right?"

"Hn."

Alright, not much of a talker. "I'm Kagome Higarushi," she continued. "Nice to meet you. You wouldn't be interested in adopting a kitten would you?" She handed him a flier and he took it gingerly. "I found them abandoned in the park and they need a loving home."

"I lean more to the canine side then feline," he replied in the same calm voice he had used in class and handed her back the flier. He didn't seem to show any emotion at all.

"I understand. If you know somebody who wants one , make sure to tell me ok?"

He nodded in agreement.

She gave him another bright smile. "Thanks. If there's anything I can help you with don't hesitate to ask."

"Do you always take in strays?"

It was an unexpected question but Kagome answered without missing a beat. "If the animal is willing to cooperate, yes. I believe all living things should have the chance to live happy lives, animals and humans alike. My dream is to become a vet and open an animal shelter so this is good practice."

"Hn."

Maybe Kagome had talked too much and scared the guy? She inwardly shrugged. Oh well.

"It was nice talking with you. See ya around." She waved at him and made her way back into the school, not noticing the the pair of eyes watching her.

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