AN: Wow. Okay, it's been a while since I've uploaded a new story. Through all the tumult and strife that is school (primarily studying), I've come to understand just how stressful it can be to be a student with a whole future on the line. I'm sure a lot of my readers can relate. This anxiety and pressure was a source of inspiration which led me to give birth to this story. So without further ado, please enjoy:

The 'A' Game

Summary: This is the tale of perfectionist Kagome Higurashi, a student whose best efforts have always put her at the top, and the indifferent, infuriating Inuyasha Takahashi who gives her a run for her money. It's a fight to the finish; may the best student win.

Prologue: the birth of a star

Disclaimer: rights go to Rumiko Takahashi

It happened on Kagome's tenth birthday.

An epiphany.

As she sat at the head of her dining room table, a cheap plastic tiara placed sloppily atop her head, surrounded by the people she loved most in the world, and mere seconds away from blowing out the candles of her mint chocolate chip ice-cream cake, Kagome Higurashi realized that she didn't know what to wish for.

It wasn't like there was a whole lot missing from her life. There was nothing extravagant about her existence, but then again, she didn't need there to be. She didn't have a dream or anything of the like, either. She wasn't like her best friends, Sango, Ayame, or Rin, who wanted to be successful business women, Olympic athletes, and Hollywood actresses (respectively). And all the wishing in the world wasn't going to bring back her deceased father- even at ten years old, she knew that.

So what reason did she blow out her birthday candles for?

What was she good at? What did she want?

And suddenly, just like that, Kagome found herself in an identity crisis.

It dawned on her that she'd been alive for a decade and she had nothing figured out. The only word she could use to describe herself was ordinary, and nobody wanted to be called ordinary. It was the loser of adjectives. So, there was nothing left to do but find herself and her tenth birthday would become the turning point of her life- the day that she would look back on in the future and realize that that was when her life had purpose.

She drew a deep breath and blew, with newfound resolve.

After that, Kagome embarked on a very important journey of self-discovery; she tried various different activities to try and find exactly her calling in life was. One piano, three guitars, two saxophones, one flute, one trumpet, and seven karaoke sessions later, Kagome crossed music off her list.

She also joined the track team with Ayame, who was the most gifted runner and overall athlete she knew, but at the track meet, after finishing three events, Kagome had an embarrassing hurl in front of all the representatives from eight schools. Though, in her defense, she'd won first place in all of events. But no Olympics for her.

Rin had persuaded her to join the school's drama club and helped the members put together their annual play. She played the main character's evil, jealous sister. And although Rin's superb acting skills were clearly inspirational, she just couldn't find it in herself to channel her inner movie star. So that was it for Hollywood.

Kagome was in a slump. She was good at everything she tried but she wasn't great. None of the things she did lit a fire within her.

Her mother, a kind-hearted, wise woman who'd been through her share of struggles in life recognized her daughter's mysterious quest for purpose and sat down with her.

"Kagome, honey, I'm not sure quite what you're trying to accomplish but I respect your wishes and know you must be doing what you're doing for a reason. However, I think you've looked right over the most important thing in your life right now. And that's your studies. You can't forget about school, okay, dear? If anything, it's the most sure ticket to a steady, comfortable future."

How had she missed it? Maybe it's because it was so broad. Studies meant anything. It could mean law, medicine, science, modern languages. But... she figured, one of the many, many options good grades presented had to call to her. Right?

And there it was. Her search was over.

Or so she thought.

So she tried hard. She gave it her all. She poured all her energy and talent into performing well in school. By the time she was in middle school, her peers recognized her keenness and zeal as a part of her, as what made her so amazing. She wasn't just a model student, she also participated in school events, and joined clubs and teams.

Kagome's excellence was her identifier and for a while, she thought herself as really, truly happy. She could see the clear path set out for her and she knew what direction her future was headed. Everything was great.

Until it wasn't.

It was the first day of high school.

The principle had called her to the office and told her, "Miss Higurashi, we are pleased to welcome you to Shikon High. You scored very high on your entrance exam and would like you to present an introductory speech to the rest of your peers in your year."

This was all very expected, and Kagome glowed with pride. She had studied fervently for her high school exam, bent on getting into her number one choice. Of course she had scored well. That was who she was.

"... only second to one other student. He will accompany you and stand with you on stage. He has decided to pass on saying half of the speech but I'm sure his shyness will ebb with time."

That was her first meeting with Inuyasha Takahashi. And most certainly not her last.

From the moment she laid eyes on him, she knew he was special; he was tall, with an exceptionally boyish face that didn't easily ease into a smile. The fierce gold of his eyes promised a sure challenge and that was exactly what Kagome got.

For the first time since she had chosen this path, she was not the best in her classes. The ones she shared with Inuyasha, he was number one. She was stuck in the measly position of second. Which, for some unspeakable reason, stung more than being in, let's say, third or even fifth place (not that Kagome knew from experience, but she just had the feeling it did). He took away everything that was rightfully hers with no so much as a look in her direction. He was always passive, silent. Never overly keen or enthusiastic. In fact, most of the time, he seemed like he didn't give a rat's ass about the things that made up Kagome's whole world.

But Kagome Higurashi didn't give up. Failure wasn't in her vocabulary.

She would bring Inuyasha down and rise to her rightful spot. Eventually. There was no challenge she could not accept.

A rival, she thought. A grin spread across her above-average face. This, too, was the result of dutiful self grooming and well-maintained hygiene. This is going to be fun.

AN: Hmm. In the original story line, Kagome is so busy going back and forth between her time and the feudal era that she ends up flunking all the tests she takes. And so I wondered... what would happen if she actually got to apply herself?

Hope you enjoyed- please feel free to leave feedback :)
Wishing you all a very successful start to a new school year!

Hugs,

~Nyony