Inu-Yasha is owned by Rumiko Takahashi and Sunrise.

I make nothing from this work. Thank you for reading it.

All right everybody, listen up."

The buzzing about the small office died down as Totosai, manager of the NASCAR racing team, stepped behind the desk to make sure he had everyone's attention. Wiping his hands clean of the coolant fluid he had just been working with, he surveyed those in attendance. The twenty-two team members had been through a lot lately, and there was quite a bit of nervous energy in the room.

"We've all been through quite a few changes lately since Winston lost sponsorship of the Cup. Nextel has been doing an excellent job thus far and I don't expect that to change. You've all done well in making the adjustments you have for us to have gotten to this point and I expect that to continue. Sometimes change is good."

Totosai made that last comment looking directly at InuYasha and Kouga, the top two drivers on Team Hidaka. Both young men were of a highly competitive nature, as much between themselves as the other drivers on the circuit. That competitiveness sometimes led to disaster as often as it led to victory. Kouga rolled his eyes at the comment, while InuYasha gazed at his watch as if he had something more important to attend to right now. Totosai continued.

"Allow me to introduce you all to our new principal owner, Lady Kaede Hidaka. Please give her your warmest welcome." With that he stepped away from the desk to allow a heavy-set woman in her early sixties to step up after shaking hands with her. The gathered group gave a round of applause.

"Thank you all. I feel quite fortunate that I am able to lend my support to such a dynamic and competitive group of young people such as yourselves."

She continued to speak for another ten minutes, taking and answering questions from the team. Presently, she ended her speech.

"I'll continue to work behind the scenes with the other sponsors to make sure you have all you need to win and keep on winning!" With that, she raised her fist in the air.

The room erupted in cheers.

In the back of the room, Kagome Higurashi stood and clapped along with everyone else. As a part of the pit crew, she knew the importance of all parts of a team working together for a common goal.

The newest member of this team, she had just come over from Team Myoga, the third-place team in the most recent Craftsman Truck series. That team had finished the season just 45 points behind the winner. Even now, Myoga's words echoed in her mind.

"Kagome, you're leaving us now? One more year and you could become the points leader and the first female champion at Craftsman. I just have this feeling in my old bones."

"You don't know how badly I feel about this, Mr. Myoga. I'd never want to abandon you, but something inside me keeps telling me that I could be among the best ever, and I have to follow my heart. I only hope you can understand."

"Well... of course. It is a bit selfish of me, wanting to keep my best driver, but I won't stand in your way. Best of luck to you, Higurashi. I'll be keeping my eye on you, and if you ever feel that things aren't working out, you'll always have a place here."

Team Myoga had done as well as they had in no small part to Kagome's outstanding driving skills. The number one female truck racer in the world with three outright wins last season, here she was, in the big leagues, having to start all over again. Although officially in the pit crew, Totosai had marked her in 4th position in the driver's depth chart behind Kouga, InuYasha, and Miroku based on her past experience. It was unlikely that she would get any time in an actual race, but the standings were in a constant state of flux as this was the tightest year most fans could remember.

Team Kunikida boasted the current points leader, Sesshomaru, and his teammate Naraku held fast to third place. Kouga was only 25 points behind Sesshomaru in second and InuYasha had fallen to fifth, thanks to the crack-up last week that knocked him out of first place. He was still less than 70 points behind first, due to his success earlier in the season. Kagome held out hope that some twist of fate might happen that would allow her to help make a difference.

She did know two things. She could drive fast and she could compete. The Nextel cars had more power and weight than the trucks, but she could adjust. All she needed was a chance. Kouga and InuYasha were great drivers who sometimes took great risks, and Miroku was a competent, but steady driver who never finished out of the top 20, but never in the top 5 either. Anything could happen out there at 190 mph.

She bit her lip lightly in anticipation. All she could do was make certain she was prepared when the hoped-for opportunity presented itself.

A/N: Next, drama at high speed.