AN: Yay for Icy Fae Tears and WolfGirl64 who were so nice to me!! Thanks for reviewing guys =) For now, I decided to continue it on, to see how it's going to turn out. I hope you like and I love you xP. I really appreciate you coming to read this story!

The Dangerous State of Bliss

Chapter 2: Days Grow Longer

Disclaimer: Inuyasha does not belong to me… *sniffle*


I sit, on top of my knees, in front of the traditional Japanese table with legs so low that you have to sit on the floor to eat your food. Kaedae said she ordered a regular dining set, but I know she secretly adores the old kotatsu table, so I don't press her about it.

I'm wearing a loose pink turtleneck sweater, since it is October, and a pair of my fifth favorite jeans. Inuyasha's in normal clothing also, which is rare because he hardly changes out of his Royal Clan uniform, which are black slacks, black leather jacket, black T-shirt, and black boots. We all have to wear them when we're hunting, but I'm used to fighting in my uniform skirt (which took some time) because if anything happens at Center Tokyo HS, it's my responsibility as the only students that attends the place.

So today, Inuyasha is in baggy jeans, that aren't exactly tight around his waist, but not slipping down either. If they were, I would push him up the stairs and force him to wear something more decent, for Kaedae's sake at the very least. He's also in a white button-down that Kaedae got him for one of his birthdays. I know he doesn't like those kinds of shirts, but just as everyone else in this house, he respects her and wants her to be pleased.

Inuyasha sits across from me, and Kaedae sits to my left. Sango comes out of the kitchen then, a big smile of her kind face.

"Well I'm glad everyone's here," she beams. "Anyone who missed out on my cooking would unmistakably regret it. So here comes the steaming, delicious pot of ODEN!" She places it classily on the kotatsu and slips to my right.

"Dear God," I begin.

"Thank you for this food," Kaedae continues.

"And may we fully appreciate your gifts," Inuyasha says.

"As we eat this meal," Sango concludes.

We take up our chopsticks and push Sango's home cooking into our hungry mouths. And she's right, of course- anyone who hasn't eaten her food is missing out a lot. I wish I could say the same for myself, but sadly, my cooking isn't that great. I'm not even sure if it's good at all, but Sango and Kaedae, and even Miroku on the days he's here, thanks me heartily, though that could be just because they don't want to hurt my feelings. Ah, well, I guess I'll have to tell them some time that it won't really affect me, but for now, I'll just bask in their praises.

"I'MMM HHOOOMMMMEEE!" an exaggeratedly high-pitched voice sings from the main entrance of our house. A voice any of us can recognize. "Did I make it in time for dinner, my dear friends? Who's turn was it today?"

"That would be me," Sango replies warily. "I see you finished your task before even nine-o'clock. Good job, Miroku."

The boy with short, midnight-black hair smiles charmingly as he sits down, his violet eyes giddy. Because he just came back, he's dressed in black from head to toe in his gear. "Yay- It's Sango's turn! You just made my day, honey; I'll just go change and be right back!"

Then his swift feet carry him to his room.

"Don't hurry back," my friend mutters. "I think we can live without you for a few minutes without groveling for your return." Luckily, Miroku doesn't hear her. "So," she says, turning to me, "what happened back there at school? How come Inuyasha had to help you? Usually, the stronger ones aren't stupid enough to try a 'student kidnap attack', so it couldn't have been too hard to defeat."

Inuyasha shifts uneasily and reaches for his glass of water the same time I reach for mine. Sango raises an eyebrow and watches us chug our drinks, waiting patiently for us to finish.

"Okay, here's the deal," Inuyasha says. "The demon we faced at that Tokyo Center or whatever it's called place could teleport. And neither of us was ready for that one. It was able to double itself, too, which is normal enough I guess, but teleporting?"

Sango frowns. "Since when could a demon teleport?"

"Since now, it seems."

Kaedae sips her tea. "It's not very dangerous, as fighting advantages go for demons, but the fact that it hasn't been mentioned- or noted- before does disturb me a bit."

"Well maybe we should talk to Midoiko about it," Miroku suggests as he slumps down to Inuyasha's left. "She's the current leader and high priestess of the Royal Clan. She should know about this."

"I did tell her," Kaedae tells us. "But she said it isn't much of a concern as long as it wasn't an extreme demon." She stands up, brushing off her pants and walking to the living room. "You children go upstairs and get some rest, and Kagome, I suggest you finish your homework. It's not very often you get some free time, right?" Then she's gone.

I finish my share of the Oden and push myself to my feet also. "You guys are lucky to be homeschooled. Do you know what a pain these teachers can be? Well, I have an essay due tomorrow, so I'll head on upstairs. Thanks for the dinner, Sango. You're the best!" And with that, I race up to my room and shut the door closed with a huge sigh.

I'm afraid of Midoriko.

Not that I've ever met her in person, nor have I talked to her, but… the Royal Clan is respected, yet unknown to humans. It is an elite group of high ranked professionals. But the person who is in charge of it all, responsible for every single act of every Royal Clan child, is probably very smart, charismatic, deceiving, good at lying, and so much more.

I don't even want to think about how much she is capable of.

Within two and a half hours, I finish my essay, and in three more hours I finish my homework, but not all the studying. For another hour, I read a book given by Kaedae- a book of techniques of number one Royal Clan children before my birth.

By the time I push all my clean lingerie from a drawer onto my bed, and slip out of my clothes and into a bathrobe, I'm tuckered. I gather the clean clothes in my arms, and make my way to the bathroom, stopping for a towel on the way there. As I close the door to the towel closet, I tumble into somebody and drop everything.

Blushing like mad, I drop to my knees and recollect everything, but the person manages to get one before I can.

"Ooh, nice panties, Kagome," Inuyasha laughs, using his pinkie to lift my lacy black underwear. "Very chic and sexy. You should tell me where you got it so I can get one for myself!"

"Shut up, Inuyasha," I mutter, trying to snatch it from him. But he lifts it way high, on his toes, and next to him, I'm practically short. I know there's no chance of getting it back by trying to get it by force. "'Yash, give it!"

He considers. "Umm… no."

"Please?" I ask, making my eyes big and pleading. "I need it!"

"Uh uh," he shakes his head. Finally, he sighs, and hands it back. "Whatever. Besides, I'd rather take them off you directly, anyway." He grins as he waggles his eyebrows.

I thwack him hard. "Pervert!" I shriek.

"I'm over here!" Miroku's voice responds from downstairs.

"NOT YOU!" both me and Inuyasha yell.

"You know what the problem is, Inuyasha?" I ask.

"No, what is the problem, Kagome?"

"The problem is, you are way too flirty!"

He laughs, tousling my hair like he always does. "Nah, I was just teasing you because I love seeing you turn all red like a little schoolgirl." He realizes his mistake. "No wait… you are a schoolgirl, right? Never mind then! And Kagome…" Inuyasha backs me up into a wall, causing me to drop the clothes again. I curse silently. I guess they're not exactly clean anymore.

Inuyasha's hand pins one of my wrists to the wall beside my waist, and uses the other to trace my jaw line. I try to wriggle out of his grasp, but he won't let me. His eyes are so large and gold, that they look sincere even when he isn't. I feel his long, silver strands tickle my neck.

"… don't be ashamed to admit that you like me…"

"I do not!" I exclaim. I use my free hand to try to smack him away, but he catches it and makes me wind it around his waist. "You're sick," I tell him. "Seriously, you should go see a doctor."

Inuyasha chuckles and lets go, but still manages to pull on my hair before leaving. God, he's a moron. I can't believe that Kikyou is dating someone like him… I mean, really; doesn't she have better taste than that?

Shrugging, I got to the bathroom built in the hall where my room is, and take a long, hot, relaxing shower.

When I come out, I slip into my pajamas and begin toweling my hair dry as I walk back to my bedroom, surprised to find Sango sitting in my wheelie chair.

"Hey Kagome," she greets as I step in, looking over my PJ's. "Since when did you like red?"

"I like green, but they're in the washing machine so these are my spare. So, what's up? Or did you just come to talk girl stuff?"

"Um, well, both… kinda. I just wanted to let you know that we're going to… have, a, um, a better time together cause we're to become… eh, closer than we are now!"

I raise my eyebrows at her stuttering. Sango's never had a speech impediment. "Okay then… So what's the girl stuff?"

"Well… you know Jessica Roxie? She got together with James Xander! Can you believe it? And they are soo different!"

"Oh my God… Jessica Roxie and James Xander?! From your old private school? You're kidding me! But they used to spit spitballs at each other's heads during class and always spiked volleyballs at each other! How did they end up dating? And how did you find out? Spill!"

It's not so much that I love gossip- it's more that it's relaxing to finally bubble like teenagers for the first time in a LONG time. I want to feel like a girl, too.

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"Alright, class!" Mr. Yaki booms. "I have some exciting new for today! Are you lazy-ass students excited or what?"

"Did he just call us lazy asses?" this girl named Stella whispers irritably to her friend, Jocelyn.

"I think so!" she whispers back. "He's so clueless… all teachers are. Like, what the heck is he, like, thinking? Like, OMG! I mean, how, and why, pray tell would anyone call me an ass? Please! It's not like I'm a…"

I stop listening to Jocelyn, because after listening to her, I always feel tired and energy drained. You can see why.

"We have some wonderful new students!" he continues, big chest heaving as he talks. "Please welcome, Inuyasha Takahashi, Sango Taija, Miroku Hoshi, and Kikyou Tama! WELLLCOMMEEE to Center Tokyo High School!!!!" Mr. Yaki says it like a game show, but that should be the least of my concerns. My jaw drops to the floor, and Inuyasha winks at me.

It's a fact that I'm the only one who should be at this school to protect it. It's my location, and my duty. The rest of them have to work throughout the day, running all throughout Tokyo. It doesn't make sense that they would be here, it doesn't make any sense at all. What was Kaedae thinking?

Everyone suddenly looks interested. Well, duh. Inuyasha and Miroku are both two of the hottests guys I've seen, and Kikyou and Sango are definitely prettier than the average girl. I guess it's one of the reasons I'm a less "out-there" ninja than the rest of them. So why are they here?

I look away, pretending to be uninterested. If I pretend to know them, everyone's just going to hate me and accuse me of lying. Not only that, but it's probably better if we didn't act like a gang, for the secret of the Royal Clan. But when I see how Inuyasha's ears are gone, my heart pangs beyond reason. He may be egotistical, but his ears have always been the only good thing about him. WHERE ARE THEY?!

Everyone ooh's and ah's as they walk over to their desks, and Inuyasha sits right in front of me. Figures.

Sango sits diagonal of me, and Kikyou sits all the way across from where I do. And Miroku is at the front.

Ah… they're spreading themselves out… Still! Why couldn't Sango have been the one to sit in front of me? Why did it have to Inuyasha?

But now that I peer carefully, I sigh with relief when I see his ears are still intact, just pinned down, buried by the thick layers of his silver hair.

"Hey, wait!" Mr. Yaki proclaims. "We haven't introduced you-!"

"Okay, fine, we will," Inuyasha says, leaning back on his chair, his arms behind his head. "I'm Inuyasha- sixteen and dating (*note the disappointed sighs of more than half the class… including some gay ones, too*) and gorgeous." Everyone yips and yaps like puppies, as if they're begging for something that they can never have.

"Sango," my friend carries on, as if this whole thing was recited, "Sixteen, single, and happy with her life. No drugs, no depression, no issues. I'm as flawless as they get." I'm surprised by how uncharacteristically emotionless her voice is. It's so unlike her.

"Yes, I'm Miroku," Miroku says, picking up where she left off, "Sixteen, single, and not happy with his current position. After all, if only I had one, perfect, sweet beautiful lady by my side at all times…" he sighs, hand to heart, and the girls giggle, coo, wave their arms, and make a sea of noise.

"The name's Kikyou- sixteen. And you don't need to know if I'm dating or not so bug off. I hate glue and I use lavender shampoo."

What the hell…? By now, the teacher looks like he's going to faint.

Talk about drama. Why are they all acting so bad-ass? Except Miroku. He couldn't be bad-ass even if he set his heart to it. It just doesn't work out for him. But the Royal Clan guys flash smiles at each other and discreetly raise thumb-ups. Leave it to them to make me feel isolated.

Ah, who cares? I've got Ayumi, Yuka, and Eri!

After the period bell rings, I jump up and literally run to the door.

"Hey, Kagome!" Eri calls. "Where 'ya going?"

"Yeah Kagome. What's the rush?" Yuka says.

"Just… want to get my lunch!" I lie cheerily. "You know how huge my stomach can be!"

When we reach the cafeteria, Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi sit down at a table. They're my best friends at school… if I can call them that. Yuka has short brown hair and a spiky personality, whereas Ayumi is a romantic and positive, with Eri as the in-between. They're really nice to me, and understanding as well.

"Hey, did you see those new students?" Ayumi whispers excitedly. "They're all so cool!"

"Yeah, but what was with that crazy intro of theirs?" Yuka asks. "I don't get it. Did they rehearse or something?"

I shrug. "You know what? I'm in the mood for eating outside. Do you want to come?"

"Sure. Let me get my…" They trail off. I look up and see them. All of my Royal Clan so-called buddies.

"Hey Kagome," Inuyasha grins. "What, did you really think you could escape us?"

"Stalker," I accuse.

"You know them?" Yuka and Eri hiss to me.

"Not really. Just met him in a language class-"

"Actually," Inuyasha interrupts, "she's my girlf-"

"Girl who's a friend," I finish. He throws me a dirty look. "Well, if you don't mind, we're going to eat outside!" But when I wait for my friends to agree, I see that they've sat back down again, talking with Kikyou, Sango, and Miroku. "Traitors," I mutter. Reluctantly, I sit.

Miroku picks his fried shrimp. "Hey, here's an idea- Inuyasha, are you feeling up to a dare?"

He smirks, and they slap hands. "Always."

"Okay, then. Tell everyone that you're in love with Kagome."

Eri, Ayumi, and Yuka "ooh", but I shoo them, snorting. "He won't do it," I tell them. "He already has a girlfriend! There's no way he would ever-"

"Attention students of Center Tokyo of Tokyo Central or whatever the heck you people call this place! I have some important news to share with you all!"

I look up in terror to find Inuyasha standing on his chair. "Inuyasha, shut up!"

"It has been brought to my attention, that despite my girlfriend, there is also someone else who is of deep interest to me."

"Don't you dare continue, Inuyasha!" I snap.

He ignores me. "I am unconditionally in love…"

"Don't. You. Dare."

"With KAGOME HIGURASHI."

The room falls silent and everyone's in brutal shock. I hide my face in shame as whispers hiss around the room like a wave.

"No wayyy- her? She's so plain!"

"That guy may be hot but, he has horrible taste."

"Kagome? I hear that nerd Hojo took her to the dance once! Hah!"

"As if he would like her… maybe he's only saying it cause of blackmail? Maybe she's just a good lay. With that body of hers… probably used her for sex, or something. Though, I can't see her as a prostitute."

"Eeeww… Higurashi? My ass!"

I try to keep my tears from falling, but look to the ground hard, grinding my feet into the tiles. How could he do that? From the corners of my eyes, I see Kikyou throw me a sympathetic glance. Obviously, she doesn't care that her boyfriend just proclaimed his stupid, unnecessary love to me.

Probably because he didn't mean it and only said it to humiliate me. That idiot.

When Sango touches me arm, I flinch back, and stand up. "You know what?" I ask angrily. "I regret staying. I really should have gone to eat outside. And don't come after me because I'll throw a brick at you. A brick. A DAMN BRICK, GOT IT?!"

Girls and boys hoot and laugh, pointing. "Bimbo!" one of them whoop. "Drama queen!" another one sings.

Unable to bear another second, I run outside. When I trip on a rock outside the cafeteria, I pick myself up again, not paying attention to the blood.

Somehow I get the feeling that the days are going to get painfully longer.