Author's Note: hey readers! here's a short story that came to me way late in the night. hope you enjoy it all!!

Disclaimer: Inuyasha doesnt belong to me

Super-Duper Crush!

Rin Mamiko stood in front of the imposing doors of her new high school and whimpered. She couldn't do this. Middle school was hard enough. She had heard the horror stories of high school: especially for the freshmen. Seniors and juniors picked on the freshmen just to pass the time: knocking books out of hands, holding them up for money, or worse – trying to flush them down the toilet! Rin shuddered at the thought of her freshly washed hair getting sucked into a drain.

And the difference between high school and prep- and middle school, is that for the latter two, the youkai and hanyou attended their own schools different from humans. But high schools and colleges through them all together. Not only did Rin have to deal with fearsome upper classmen, she had to deal with fearsome upperclassmen that were demons.

She actually started hyperventilating on the spot. She couldn't do this. She would die right in the middle. And then some demon might eat her for their lunch! Oh Hyne! She had to get home immediately!

She looked at her new watch. She was ridiculously early – it was forty minutes until the first bell. She still had time to turn around, run home, and complain of a severe stomach pain that rendered her unable to attend school. But even as she thought of it, she realized that plan was garbage. Her mother would ask her how she managed to run back home with the cramp, or why she didn't go to the nurse's office. Something along those lines. In the end, she'd end up right back here, in front of these great steel doors.

She tried to calm herself down. Not only demons were bloodthirsty animals. And hanyous were pretty nice. She just didn't want to be here. That was the real problem. She wanted to remain in middle school for the rest of her life. Back at middle school was were her friends were – Yuri and Ami – and her boyfriend, Souta. But Yuri and Ami were going to private schools. And even though Souta was coming to this school as well, she broke up with him shortly before the end of their final year. She hadn't spoken to him since, and didn't know what it would be like between them now, especially since he hadn't taken the breakup very well. And awkwardness was not a good way to start off the beginning of her new high school life.

She looked at her watch again. It read twenty-five past seven. Five minutes had gone by. She had to hurry up and do what she was doing, because soon enough, more people were going to appear and realize that she was staring fearfully and the inanimate doors, something that wouldn't be very attractive on her part. 'Freak' wasn't a good way to start either.

Finally, after a couple more deep breaths, Rin made herself climb the five steps that led her to the doors. She learned from orientation the day before that homeroom was at quarter to eight. And already feeling like her map wasn't going to help her much, she had to have as much time as possible to find her respective room.

Surprisingly, the school wasn't empty. A couple more scared freshmen were milling around in groups. There were a couple sophomores and juniors as well, but these were obviously the less than popular people. They were probably subjected to torture as well from their fellow classmen. Rin could tell for sure though, that the building was void of all seniors. Naturally, they probably wouldn't appear until after the first bell.

"Rinny! Hey Rin, wait up!"

Rin froze. She knew that voice anywhere. She turned around slowly to see Souta running up to her. She ventured a small smile, but was freaking out the inside. She didn't know what to do now. She was hoping to go through this high school experience without having to bump into him. She knew they'd have to interact at some point, but after they had adjusted to their new life, with new circles of friends and maybe even new significant others. This was way too soon!

"Hey Rin," Souta said pleasantly.

"Hey Souta." She said quietly.

"Our new school is big huh." He said. "How are you getting around? Are you managing?"

"I…suppose."

"Have you found your homeroom yet?"

"…No…"

Souta frowned in concern. "Are you okay Rin? You seem pretty strange."

Rin shrugged: "I'm fine." She said unconvincingly.

Souta seemed to have pondered her response for a moment, before grasping her shoulders firmly. Rin gasped. What was he doing? Oh no. If he was about to profess how in love he still was with her, she was going to freak. She couldn't handle that right now.

Then, to her surprise, he said the exact opposite. "Listen Rinny, I know we broke up. But I'm over you now, and you're over me. So as far as I'm concerned, we can be friends now, can't we?"

Rin nodded. "Of course we can Souta. It's just that I had thought–"

"I know, I know, that I was still hung up over you. I was Rin, for a while. But then I met this amazing girl over the summer named Hitomi. And she's lovely."

Rin smiled genuinely at Souta's obvious happiness. "That's wonderful Souta. I'm happy for you."

"Thanks Rin." Souta removed his hands and stuffed them in his pockets. "Now then, which homeroom are you in?"

"Um…" Rin fumbled in her knapsack. "…Room 207."

"Alright, that's right next to mine. Come on, I'll show you were you're going."

Rin was immediately grateful for Souta being around, and mentally scolded herself for thinking him being here would be painful. Of course Souta would move on at one point. He wouldn't be hung up on her forever. And he was still a good person, and an awesome friend.

"There you go." He said. "Hitomi is in this class." He said her name with so much adoration, that Rin giggled. "I could introduce you to her, so you could have someone to talk to."

"That's okay Souta. I doubt your current girlfriend wants to meet your ex-girlfriend."

Souta's face went red. "It's not like that!" he said quickly.

She giggled again. "Thanks for helping find my room Souta."

"I want you to meet her Rin."

"Alright, I will. But not now, okay?"

Souta nodded, then smiled. "I'll see you around then Rin."

Rin nodded before going into her homeroom. There were four rows with five chairs in each. The room was pretty scanty, with only three girls and two boys present. Rin looked over at the girls, figuring one of them had to be Hitomi. Although she didn't know which was which, each girl was cute regardless. At least Souta made a good selection looks-wise. But he never seemed to go wrong with that: he did date her as well.

She took a seat near the back and began unloading things into her desk. As time elapsed, the room began filling up. Rin was grateful that the girl that sat next to her was one she remembered from her middle school: Kira Moto.

"What happened to Yuri and Ami?" Kira wanted to know.

"They're parents sent them to private school."

"Oh. Sorry about that. I know you three were very close."

"It's okay."

"Kasumi went to a private school too. We both got left."

"Private school is for losers." Rin said with a sour face. "Yuri and Ami didn't even want to go."

"Netiher did Kasumi. We lucked out Rin. We're going to get a real high school experience."

"Aren't you worried about upperclassmen?"

Kira shrugged. "A bit, but not too much. Are you?"

"Sorta."

Kira winked. "Stick with me then, we'll watch out for each other."

Rin smiled. "I'd like that."

The homeroom teacher told them to hush, making the two girls giggle. Already Rin felt her worries washing away. The day would go by easier now that she had made a friend.

---

The first half of Rin's day had gone pretty well. She was early to all her classes, and had someone to talk to in each: Kira was in English and History, while Souta and Hitomi were in her Spanish class. Hitomi turned out to be a sweetheart with bright brown eyes and curly brown hair. She and Rin – to Rin's some surprise – clicked immediately. It seemed to please Souta a great deal that they got along as well. Then for lunch, the four of them – Rin told them about Kira from she and Hitomi's homeroom – would sit together.

As she headed for the cafeteria, with Kira, Hitomi and Souta in tow, Rin felt very good about how things were going. All she had to do was finish the day without a hitch, and she'd be at ease. Kira getting along with Souta and Hitomi added to her good mood.

"Souta and I brought our lunch today." Hitomi mentioned as they neared the cafeteria doors. "Did you guys?"

"Nah, I'm buying." Kira said. "How about you Rin?"
"Me too." Rin said.

"Me and Hitomi will go on ahead and save a table while you guys join the line then," Souta offered. Then he dug around in his pockets, before presenting Rin with a dollar. "But hey, will you guys buy me a brownie? My sister says its one of the foods at this school that they do right."

"You're sister goes here?" Kira asked.

"Yep. You remember Kagome, right Rin?"

Rin nodded. Kagome Higurashi was one of the nicest girls Rin had met. She had told her and Souta a long time ago that high school was not as scary as it seemed to be. And that whenever either of them got freaked out or afraid, that they could always come to her for comfort and solace. And that was saying something, because Kagome was a senior, and seniors and freshmen did not interact…unless they were partaking in some diabolical activity that results in the freshmen being covered in garbage or soaked with the plumbing water.

Still Kagome had seem pretty genuine about what she had said, much to her boyfriend's displeasure. Inuyasha Takashi was the epitome of the 'hot jerk'. He was a hanyou with long silver hair and amber eyes. It didn't have to do much to make girls red in the face, Kagome included. But the guy was so mean sometimes! It was he who told Rin – and Souta – about the awful activates he and his friends did concerning their year group. Kagome wasn't very happy when she heard him though, and along with easing their fears, she refused to talk to Inuyasha and promptly sent him home. Souta told Rin later that they always fought like that, and that it wasn't a big deal. Then he said that in about two hours, Inuyasha came back and went straight to Kagome's room. Rin didn't know if she wanted to hear anymore after that, her imagination putting things together for her. Similarly, Souta wanted to cut that phase of conversation there, and move onto something else.

"Come on Rin!" Kira said loudly, pulling her from her thoughts. "Let's hurry up. Souta said Kagome said the lines get really dreadful. We don't wanna be stepped on or something."

Rin nodded in agreement and broke out into a quick trot with her friend, Hitomi and Souta at their heels, holding hands as they ran.

The cafeteria was huge and packed with students. Rin didn't even realized took this many students. Souta and Hitomi went on ahead to find a table, while Kira dragged Rin over to the line. Thankfully, it wasn't very long. Kira bravely reached for the Sloppy Joe, and grabbed the curly fries next to it and a soda. Rin settled on a chicken sandwich, a bag of chips and a lemonade. She remembered to pick up Souta's brownie as well.

Kira paid first, then waited on Rin to get her transaction done. Since she was already holding the dollar in her hand, she placed that on the counter top and dug into her pocket for her own money. Her face blanched when she realized her pocket was empty.

"Shit." She hissed as she went into the other pocket.

"What's up Rin?"

"I can't find my money!"

The cafeteria lady rolled her eyes. "Then you don't get lunch. Next!"

"No wait, hang on. At least give me the brownie."

"I have another dollar Rin, if you want it." Kira offered.

Rin took it gratefully, but knew she was still plenty short. Great. Just perfect. Everything was going fine, and then she had to go lose her lunch money. And this old hag didn't look like one of those kinder lunch ladies who allowed you to eat today and you owed them tomorrow. What was she going to do now?

"What's the problem here."

Rin turned around, ready to apologize for holding up the line, but her words got stuck in her throat when her eyes landed on the questioner.

It was a youkai. An incredibly handsome youkai. He reminded her of Inuyasha, except much more attractive. His long silvery hair was straight, and his golden eyes were narrowed. Purple streaks marked his face – two on either cheek – and a crescent moon rested on his forehead.

Those beautiful eyes darted down to Rin. She felt her whole face go red. She looked away, embarrassed.

"This little girl doesn't have her money for her lunch." The woman explained, answering his question.

The youkai seemed to consider this, then asked: "How much is it?"

"Five dollars and thirty cents."

He gave her a ten dollar note. "Cover both of us."

Rin looked back up at him, mouth open in muted shock. He looked down at her, his face expressionless.

"Next time, don't forget your money." He said simply "I can't promise to always be in the line behind you."

"T-T-T-Thank y-y-y-you." She stammered out stupidly.

He didn't say anything more, swiftly passing her and gracefully crossed the room, heading to a table in the far back. Rin could only watch his retreating back in wonder. Wow, he was really, really cute!

"Come on Rin," Kira said, tugging at her clothes. "You're still holding up the line."

Rin grabbed her tray and walked hurriedly with Kira to where Souta and Hitomi were waving them over. Once they were seated, Kira immediately plunged into the previous happening:

"Oh wow! The prettiest boy I've ever seen just bought Rin's lunch!"

"Kira." Rin hissed, her face reddening at her friend's words.

"You missed it Tomi. I could have died."

"How come he had to buy it for you?" Hitomi asked.

"I couldn't find my lunch money," Rin explained. "I was holding up the line, when–"

"–Sexiness himself came in and bought it for her." Kira sighed. "He's gorge, I swear."

"Is he still in the caf?" Hitomi asked, now looking around the room.

"Hitomi!" Souta said, looking hurt.

Hitomi giggled. "Relax Souta, I just want to see what he looks like." And then she kissed his cheek for reassurance.

Rin found him almost immediately. It was like there was a beacon of light shining only on him. He was sitting with two other girls, and one guy: the four of them obviously separated from the rest.

"Oh I know him," Souta said. "I mean, not directly, but I know who that is. His name is Sesshomaru. He's my sister's boyfriend's older half-brother."

That explained the resemblance.

"He's here doing the pre-college course." Souta continued.

"He must be about nineteen!" Kira exclaimed.

Rin frowned. Well there goes the hopes of bumping into him again. The college courses were held in a completely different building that the rest of the school, which equaled to no chance of catching glimpse of him in the hallways or anything.

She glanced in his direction again. One of the girls, with dark hair and red eyes – probably another youkai – was sitting extremely close to him, her head resting on his shoulder. Rin's frown deepened, knowing that had to be his girlfriend. Then she mentally chided herself. What did it matter if he didn't have a girlfriend? She was a lowly freshman. He was about to enter college. Her only chance with him…was in her dreams.

When she looked back up at him, she was pleasantly surprised to find him looking straight at her. She blushed profusely and looked away. But even as she shyly looked back, she found he was still watching her. She managed a shy smile. His eyes widened slightly, then he gave her a small nod. Then he turned his attention back to his friends.

Rin felt tickled pink. The beautiful boy – Sesshomaru – had nodded at her. And he had been watching her. This kind of stuff only happened in the movies.

Maybe the whole day wasn't to ruin after all.

---

Rin knew she hadn't left in time. Even with her dash down the hall, towards the double doors, she knew she wasn't going to make it. And to confirm what her intuition had told her, as soon as she exited the building, she found the school bus had just pulled away.

She sighed heavily. Her parents had planned for her to take the bus back home, both unable to come for her. And she knew if she called either of them, neither of them would be able to reach her for another hour. And with no sign of any of her friends around, she realized that she was very much stranded at her school. How irritating.

She took out her cell phone anyway, meaning to tell her parents of her status. But before she could complete her dialing, she heard a car slow in front of her.

Looking up, she saw a sleek black Mercedes parked on the street in front of the school building. She headed towards it out of curiosity. Once she was near enough, the automated passenger window rolled down. She gasped when she peeked inside and saw who was behind the steering wheel.

Those amber eyes didn't look away from the windshield, even though he spoke: "You're looking kinda stranded."

"Yeah…" she said quietly. "Kinda…"

The doors unlocked, the sound making her jump. "Get in." he commanded.

Rin stared at him in disbelief, certain that she had to be dreaming. Sesshomaru was still, obviously waiting on her. After a moment of getting over her initial surprise, she opened the door and tentatively climbed in. As soon as she closed the door, the engine roared to life and he swiftly pulled away from the sidewalk.

"Where do you live." He said, still not looking at her.

"15 Rumiyo Drive." She replied.

He nodded, then said nothing more. Rin eased back into the comfortable leather seat, trying to relax. But she couldn't help but feel tense regardless, not wanting to make a fool of herself. He must have already thought her an idiot for managing to be stranded at school. No need to make things worse.

"So." He said suddenly, making her jump again. "You are…?"

"R-R-Rin." She stammered. "Rin Mamiko."

"Rin." He echoed, making her melt. Her name had never sounded prettier. "Sesshomaru Takashi."

"Nice to meet you Sessho–"

"You're a freshman, aren't you." He said. It sounded more like a statement than a question.

"Uh huh."

"Figured. So you're about thirteen then."

"Fourteen."

He didn't say anything after that. But Rin realized that the car was slowing down, and that were nearing her house. She frowned at that. When they came to a complete stop in front of her door, he turned to face her. Rin couldn't look him in the eye, his gaze to intense, and resorted to looking in her lap.

"I know a girl in your year. Her name is Kanna."

Rin nodded, and looked up. "I know her. She was in my history class. She…" The rest of her sentence died, as she gazed into those golden irises.

Sesshomaru raised an eyebrow. "She?"

His voice pulled her back to reality. Except now she didn't remember what came after 'she', "Never mind." She said.

He shrugged a shoulder, then said: "Here you are."

"Yeah…thanks again, Sesshomaru. This is the second time you've helped me out today. I really appreciate it…so thanks." Oh no, I'm blabbing!

Sesshomaru didn't seem to take extreme notice. "Don't make this a habit." He said, but his tone was almost playful. It made Rin smile from ear to ear.

"I'll try." She whispered as she got out of the car,

He glanced at her, and gave her a half smile. "I'll see you around Rin Mamiko." He said. And then, without another word, he pulled away and drove off.

Rin wasn't sure how long she stood there, watching the direction Sesshomaru had gone in. But she knew once she had made it inside, she was smiling giddily. Sesshomaru had just given her a ride home. And he smiled at her. Her heart was racing a million miles per second, and the butterflies in her stomach wouldn't rest. And it wasn't long before she was in her room, sighing blissfully to herself as she wrote her name next to Sesshomaru's in elaborate cursive.

Within one day, Rin Mamiko had fallen hard. The person? Sesshomaru Takashi.

A/N: READ & REVIEW ppl!! it makes me smile when u do (big smile) and for those of you who are reading my other story "The Other Life", no need to worry, i will be continuing that one as well. For those of you who havent read it yet, you shud check it out!! but warning, its rated M...

i'll see you soon

Love 3