DISCLAIMER: I don't own Inuyasha. I'm just a fan of the show. All rights to the character belong to its creator Rumiko Takahashi.

NOTE: This chapter fast-forwards 4 years into the future. Past events will be explained in later chapters.

HUGS&KISSES: KittyCatVamp, SlashLover93, NewMoon2016, ILoveSnowyOwls, VampireInu95 and InuYashaFreak. Thanks to you all for your reviews.

CHAPTER II: REMINISCING


With a loud yawn, 16 year old Kagome Higurashi brought her hand down against her alarm clock, silencing it from boisterous laughter. Then she picked it up and threw it, slamming it against one of the four pink walls of her bedroom. The darn thing had been buzzing for the past fifteen minutes and she couldn't handle its buzzing sounds anymore. She knew it was time for her to rise and shine, but she didn't feel like getting out of bed today, especially today.

Flicking her blue bed covers back, she stepped out of her bed and walked over to her dresser drawer. She pulled out a black pair of skinny jeans and white and black Aeropostale tee shirt. Then she grabbed a pair of underwear and a matching bra. She tossed all the items onto her bed and then trudged over to the bathroom that was conveniently located inside of her room.

She stepped out of her blue pajamas which had white kittens stitched onto them and any other article of clothing that she wore to bed and tossed them onto the floor. Sliding the glass doors of the bathtub open, she stepped inside. She grabbed her shower cap from the shower head, rolled her hair up and then tucked it under the cap. Then she grabbed her body wash, hit the shower switch and then turned on the warm water, sighing in contentment once the water hit her skin. There was nothing like taking a shower.

She scrubbed her body thoroughly and rinsed her skin, wondering what events today would hold. Her family no longer lived in the quiet town of Hakurei. They now resided in the boisterous city of Hosenki Hills. A city thriving and pumping with excitement and nightly wildlife. It may have sounded exciting and seemed like the place to be, but it was the last place on Earth Kagome wanted to be.

Once she'd cleansed her body to her liking, Kagome stepped out of the shower and grabbed a blue towel from the silver tile rack that rested against the left wall across from the toilet. She dried herself before wrapping the towel securely around her nude body. Then she opened her medicine cabinet and grabbed her Crest Pro-health clean mint toothpaste and her Oral-B electric toothbrush and cleaned her teeth and tongue, because bad breath was a big no-no. There was no way she was going to go around all day talking to people when she hadn't slayed her dragon. She honestly couldn't understand how some people did it.

She swiped her tongue across her teeth, satisfied with the end result. Then she checked them out in the mirror, before placing her toothbrush and toothpaste back into the medicine cabinet and walking out of the bathroom. She tugged at her towel and let it fall away and then she grabbed the clothes that she'd lain on the bed prior to showering and quickly dressed herself. Then she grabbed her towel and sleeping clothes from the floor and tossed them into a hamper before going to her closet to get her all black Baby-Phat tennis shoes.

She did nothing special with her hair, just the usual. She wore it all down with her bangs covering her forehead, although, truth be told, she really needed to trim them, because they were getting too long. Well, at least her hair was shiny and soft. That had to count for something. She added a touch of Victoria's Secret spring-bling lip gloss to her lips and applied her fibre-rich Mac mascara to her eyelashes, lengthening them and then she was all set. Just because she was dreading any and everything that had to do with Hosenki Hills didn't mean she shouldn't look presentable when she left the house.

She gave herself a once-over in the mirror, satisfied with the end result. Too bad she didn't feel as confident as she might've appeared. Most teen girls she knew were obsessed with body issues, but body issues were the least of her worries. If people actually knew how insecure she really was…well, they would never know, if she had anything to do about it. She walked away from the mirror and stepped out of her bedroom and headed downstairs for breakfast.

When she made it down to the dining room, she came in and sat down in one of the empty six chairs that surrounded the dining room table. Her mother had prepared pancakes, bacon, and eggs. There was also drinking glasses which were accompanied by a large pitcher of orange juice. Her mother even brought the plates and eating utensils to the table for them to use. She had no idea why her mother cooked so much food. There were only four people living in their home, but she cooked as though if she were feeding an army.

Kagome smoothed her hair behind her ears and glanced across the table at her younger brother Sota. He twisted his nose and stuck his tongue out at her. Kagome balled up her fist, threatening him with nonverbal communication. He'd better not mess with her today. Her mother greeted her with a small smile and Kagome sent one right back at her, hoping they wouldn't get into an argument about her new school this morning.

"Oh, so you're finally awake?" Mrs. Higurashi joked with her daughter.

Kagome ignored her mother and reached for a glass, before filling it up with orange juice.

"So, you're not going to answer me?"

"Mom, I really don't feel like it today."

"Looks like somebody woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Sota said to his sister with a smirk on his face.

"Grow up dipstick."

"What's the matter sis? Is it that time of the month again?"

"Sota Jump up my…..

"You will watch your mouth young lady." Mrs. Higurashi said with a glare in Kagome's direction.

"Mom, come on. Sota can say whatever he wants to me, and I can't do anything about it?"

"Sota, leave your sister alone."

"Oh wow, that's telling him mom." Kagome said sarcastically.

"Kagome, I think you'd better watch your tone."

Kagome grumbled something under her breath and grabbed a plate to toss three hot-cakes onto it. Then she grabbed a bottle of syrup and practically bathed the pancakes with it.

Sota snorted like a wild sow and laughed at Kagome. "Gosh you're a greedy pig sis. Save some for grandpa."

"Takes one to know one Numb-Nutts."

Mrs. Higurashi gasped before addressing her daughter by her full name. "Kagome Lynn Higurashi! Have you lost your mind? Don't talk slang in front of your little brother. I don't need him learning any more new words."

"Are you kidding me? He can teach you and me both a few words."

"He's just a child."

"Mom, 12 years old is hardly a child. He'll be in his teen years next year."

"I don't care if he's 12 or 13. I don't want you using such language in front of him."

"Okay, Mom. I'm sorry for calling him Numb-Nutts. Would it be better if I called him Numb-Balls?"

"Are you purposely trying to annoy me? You keep it up young lady and you're going to find yourself on punishment. Do I make myself clear?"

"Relax mom. I was only joking."

"Don't make me repeat myself again Kagome."

"I hear you loud and clear mom."

Sota laughed at his sister and stuffed his mouth with eggs. He always loved it when his mom scolded Kagome. Torturing her was something he was born to do. Oh the joys of having older siblings.

"God! I hate having a little brother."

"Jeez sis, you seem to be really ticked off this morning. What's got your panties in a twist?"

"My panties aren't in a twist Numb-Nutts. So buzz off!"

"KAGOME!"

"KAYAME?"

Mrs. Higurashi stared at her daughter in disbelief, shocked to hear her calling her by her first name. This move to Hosenki Hills must've devastated her far worse than she perceived initially. Even so, no child of hers was going to be so blatantly disrespectful and not get punished. She dissected her daughter's attitude for what it was.

"I know why you're acting like this. It's because you don't want to get transferred to another school."

"I don't see why I have to get transferred. I can stay with one of my friends."

"I don't think so. You can't just impose on your friends like that. You don't even know if Yuka, Eri, or Ayumi's parents would be okay with it, if I did allow you to move back to Hakurei."

"I'm sure they wouldn't mind mom."

"The answer is no Kagome. You're going to a new school."

"That's so not fair! You didn't even ask if I wanted to go to a new school."

"I didn't have to. In case you've forgotten, I gave birth to you. You didn't give birth to me. I'm the mother. You're the child, and you'll do whatever I tell you to do."

"But Eri, Yuka, Ayumi, and Hojo are the only friends I have."

"Listen to her mom. Those three airhead girls and that lame nerd Akitoki are the only friends she's ever had. Maybe you should let her move back to Hakurei."

Mrs. Higurashi sent Sota a glare that sent chills down his back and he hiccupped before wisely excusing himself from the table. He preferred not to be on the receiving end of his mother's wrath.

"Kagome, this conversation is over."

"Come on Mom! What about my friends? What about Hojo?"

"So, that's what this little tantrum of yours is really about. You're worried about your little boyfriend."

"No. That's not what this is about, and he's not my boyfriend."

"Sure he isn't Kagome."

"You're totally missing the point mom. Hojo, Eri, Yuka and Ayumi are my best friends, my only friends. We all wanted to finish our last two years of high school together. We're supposed to graduate and go to the prom and do all the other things together that best friends do."

"You'll make new friends here honey."

"No I won't. I've had the same 3 friends since I was 5 years old and besides them I've had two guy friends. Now neither of them are in my life and I don't know anybody here."

"That's not true. You and Sango are friends. Aren't you?"

"That's one person mom and she's a grade higher than me."

"Kagome, you're getting transferred and that's final."

"Why? I don't understand why we moved here anyways."

"Because I got a better job, and I'm able to do more for you and your brother. I want the best for you and Sota honey."

"No you don't, or you would've asked us if it was okay to move here before you shuffled us across the world."

"Kagome, whether you believe it or not, I had you in mind when I made this decision. That old neighborhood held bad memories for you."

She knew exactly what her mother was talking about. It was the last time she saw her father alive, and the worst day of her life. She sighed in annoyance and grumbled. There was no point arguing with her mother because she never listened to anything she had to say.

"I don't know why you never talked to me about it Kagome. I've always wanted to help you through it."

Kagome's twitched and grew quiet. Then she rose up from the table. "I'm going to go to my room for a while."

"Kagome?"

"I'm alright mom. I just want to be alone for awhile."

"Alright, but before you leave I want you to hear your punishment."

"Punishment! What the…..I didn't do anything!"

"You were talking slang in front of your little brother and you know I hate when you do that. He's at a very impressionable age. He's too young to talk like that. You know how much trouble he got into at his old school because he taught his classmates new words almost every day."

"Mom, you're acting like he's a little baby or something. He's not naïve at all."

"I know he's not a baby Kagome, but you must stop talking like that in front of him."

"Okay, I won't talk slang in front of your precious angel, since you care more about him than you do me."

"You know that's not true Kagome."

"I don't know anything. You're always telling me don't do this or don't do that, and you never let me leave the house. The only friends I ever had are living in Hakurei, because you made me abandon them. Do you even care about me?"

Kayame's heart almost cracked and shattered into a million little pieces. What her daughter was saying was to some extent true. She did keep a watchful eye over her. She hardly let her go out with friends. She sheltered her, but only because she was attacked when she was 12 and she didn't want that to happen again. As far as the move went, that was to provide her children with a better life. Certainly, Kagome couldn't hate her for that.

"Of course I care about you Kagome. You've got to know that. Every important decision I've ever made regarding you and your brother has only been in your best interests. I don't ever want you to think I don't love you or that I love your brother more than I love you. It's just that with you, it's a different case. You're my baby girl and I don't want anything to happen to you again."

Kagome folded her arms across her chest as her anger subsided for a moment, only to be replaced by sadness and bitterness. She looked away from her mother and stared at the floor.

"After the police called me that day and I had to go to the hospital to see you….I nearly died myself. You were so badly beaten and your body was bloody and broken up. You didn't even look like you were alive."

Kagome covered her ears and shuddered as tears gathered in her eyes, threatening to cascade down her cheeks. She couldn't listen to any more. She stepped away from the table and raced upstairs to her room and threw herself onto her bed. Why didn't her mother ever listen to her? Talking to her was like talking to a brick wall. Sure that old neighborhood held bad memories for her, but after four long years, she'd finally learned to adjust to it.

Didn't she understand how much she'd miss her friends? Why was she always bringing up what happened to her when she just wanted to forget it happened? Nobody ever listened to her. Didn't what she want matter at all? Was she that invisible? Nobody understood her. Her emotions threatened to spiral out of control.

She sat up in her bed, feeling so torn and out of place. She reached over to her nightstand for her poetry scrapbook and pencil. She had to force herself to do something because if she didn't she was going lose her mind. Maybe writing would set her mind at ease. She flipped through a few pages and began writing down some of her innermost thoughts.

Head underwater

And they tell me

To breathe easy for a while

Breathing gets harder, even I know that

Made room for me, but it's too soon to see

If I'm happy in your hands

I'm unusually hard to hold on to

She stopped writing for a moment and scratched her head, and her telephone started ringing. She set her poetry book and pencil back down onto her nightstand and reached for the phone. Then she placed it onto her ear. She wondered who could be calling her. She hardly ever received any phone calls from anybody.

"Hello?" Kagome said once she answered the phone.

"Hey Kagome."

"Sango?"

"Who else would it be? You know you don't have any friends Me-Me." Sango said with a giggle.

"Very funny Sango." Kagome replied hoping her best friend wouldn't notice the quiver in her voice.

"You don't sound so good. Is everything okay?"

"Don't even ask."

"That bad huh?"

"Yeah! My mom has been getting on my last nerves, my first nerves, my middle nerves, and if I had eternal nerves I'm certain that she'd be getting on those too."

"So what else is new? She always does that."

"It's not just that Sango. She never listens to anything I have to say. She's like an impenetratable wall. How I feel doesn't matter to her. I feel like she doesn't understand me at all."

"Why do you feel that way?"

"Because, it's the truth. My feelings don't matter to her."

"Does she know you feel that way?"

"I don't know, and I really don't care."

"Well, maybe you should tell her how you feel. That way you both can address the problem, and deal with it."

"I doubt that. The only thing she'll do is try to make me go to counseling. Talking to her is pointless. It's always been that way. She'll never understand me the way….

"The way what? Your dad?"

"Yeah." Kagome whispered.

"Are you okay Me-Me?"

Kagome didn't answer her. She just sighed and held on to the phone, wishing she hadn't brought her father up, because it always put her in a sullen mood, and she'd sulked enough for today.

"Kagome? Are you still there?"

"I'm okay Sango."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm just remembering the day he died. I know it's been 4 years since then, but I just can't forget it."

"I feel that way sometimes too Kagome. Some days I don't feel like getting out of bed, but I know moping around won't make anything better. If my father was alive he'd want me to have a good life. I'm not saying that it's easy to get past the hurt, but I try to deal with it the best way that I can."

"That may work for you Sango, but that doesn't mean it will for me."

"I didn't say that it would. We're different people Kagome. I wouldn't expect you to do things the same way I do them. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying that I'm over my father's death. I still think about him a lot, but it hurts lesser than it used to."

"I wish I could be like you Sandy."

"Don't try to be like me Kagome. Just be like yourself. Try to make the most of everyday, and try to remember all the good memories you had with your father."

Kagome grew quiet again. If only remembering the good days was that simple. She did have good memories of him, but for the most part, she couldn't get that image of her dad looking down at her from the burning building out of her head no matter how much she tried not to think about it. It hurt to picture him this way, but she was grateful that the good memories of her father were still alive and breathing within her heart.

"Are you still there Me-Me?"

"You're a really great friend Sango. Talking to you actually makes me feel a little better."

"Of course it does. I'm a super-duper friend."

Both of the girls laughed into the phones, thankful that they had each other to hold on to when the weight of the world and life's problems became too much for them to bear alone.

"Sango thanks. I really needed to hear that."

"Me-Me, anytime you need to talk, don't hesitate to call me. You're my best friend."

"And you're mine Sango."

"And Kagome, don't worry about school. I'll introduce you to my friends. You'll fit in just fine."

"Well, I don't have a choice in that matter. Do I?"

"You'll be okay girl."

"I'd better be, or it'll be your head." Kagome said with a giggle. "I'll talk to you later, okay."

"Your wish is my command Queen Higurashi."

Sango chuckled and Kagome did also shortly afterwards..

"Sango you're so goofy."

"I know. That's why you love me. See you later Kagome."

"Bye Sango."

Kagome hung up the phone with a content grin on her lips. She was thankful for her best friend Sango. The girl was like healing balm. She knew exactly how to relax her and soothe her troubled mind. Maybe going to a new school wasn't going to be too bad. Without another thought about it, she grabbed her poetry scrapbook and pencil and continued writing down her thoughts.

I learned the hard way

That they all say

Things you want to hear

And my heavy heart sinks deep

Down under you and

Your twisted words,

Your help just hurts

You are not what I thought you were

Hello to high and dry

She stopped writing and began listening to the rain beating against her windowsill. It was falling softly and slowly. She enjoyed hearing the sound of it and she hated hearing the sound of it just as well. The rain reminded her of that day. That day that seemed so long ago in history that succeeded in changing the rest of her life. She closed her eyes as her thoughts drifted back to that unforgettable, fateful, summer.

She could still see herself lying on the floor of that dirty, old abandoned building. Her hair was strewn about her face and her head was bleeding because her attacker had yanked her by the hair too many times to count. Her beautiful blue sleeveless dress that her father bought her for her birthday two months prior to that day was ripped from the top to the bottom and soiled with her blood. There was a hole in her left arm, courtesy of the knife she'd been stabbed with. There were multiple slashes and cuts across her body from her chest to her thigh and there resided the most hideous scar of them all. Her legs were broken and she couldn't run away. He had intended to kill her all along. She shuddered vigorously at the mere memory of it all.

That day her world came to a devastating end. She lost the one person that meant everything in the world to her. She was really close to her father. She was close to her mother too at one point but her dad understood her in a way that her mother never had. She was like him in so many ways. He was a free spirit, reckless, adventurous, and smart-mouthed. Yeah, she was just like him. Well, at least before he died she was.

After his death her lively free-spirit diminished, never to be seen again. She and her mother grew apart, and she distanced herself from Sota sometimes. He reminded her too much of how she used to be when her father was still alive and she didn't need or want any reminders of how her life should've been, because it hurt too much to desire things permanently out of her reach.

Putting her poetry scrapbook and pencil away, Kagome leaned down onto her bed and closed her eyes. She always believed that there was a reason for everything that happened in life. She just didn't understand the reason why her father had to die.

The only good thing that came from his death was meeting Sango. Sango had lost her father a year before Kagome lost hers. They both were sent to grief counselors by their guardians and it was after those counseling sessions, they became the best of friends. They held a very strong and unbreakable bond. Sango knew she could count on Kagome and vice/versa. In many ways they were like sisters or kindred spirits.

Initially, when they met, Kagome refused to talk to her, but Sango always went out of her way to make friends with her, because she reminded Sango of herself when she'd lost her mother. It was difficult for Kagome to allow Sango into her world, but her repeated acts of kindness eventually won her over in the end. The two quickly became friends and found that they had a lot in common and every since those days Kagome Higurashi and Sango Hiraikotsu were inseparable. Sango was the one of the few people that knew exactly what Kagome had gone through the day her father was murdered.

Kagome shuddered as a chilly breeze made its way onto her arm. Why did things happen the way that they did four years ago? If she hadn't called her father he'd still be alive. If he hadn't come looking for her, he never would've ended up there. But if he hadn't showed up when he did, she wouldn't be alive today. Still, it didn't seem fair that he died in the fiery flames of a building that was meant for her own demise. She escaped death because he switched places with her.

He sacrificed his own life to save hers, pushing her out the window into the open arms of stranger. Then he became trapped in that burning building, and she watched in horror as her father was consumed by the flickering flames. She'd never felt so helpless in her entire life. Her father loved her enough to risk his own life for her sake, and it was eating her up inside.

"I'm sorry Dad." She whispered bitterly. "I'm sorry I got you killed. I wish I could've helped you."

With her eyes shut tight she began to recall the day she sang "What A Wonderful World" to him on his 35th birthday. Her family had just eaten supper. Her mother prepared Sukiyaki, which was her dad's favorite dish. Then they ate a few slices of homemade banana cake which had also been prepared by her mother. After everyone ate to their heart's content, her father was given his birthday presents. Kagome's gift to him was in the form of a song that she sang while she played upon the piano given to her by her late grandmother. That particular day was one of her fondest memories of her dad, and every time she heard What A Wonderful World, she thought of him. She'd give anything to sing that song to him right now. What a wonderful world that would be for her.

Her thoughts continued to tumble and drift about like a single bottle floating amiss in the middle of the ocean. She could still picture everything in her mind as if it happened only yesterday. She blinked hard, fighting back tears that threatened to fall as she began to remember her father's last words to her. They were permanently etched into her brain.

I love you Butterfly. Don't ever forget that.

God, how she missed him. There wasn't a day, month, year or second that went by when she didn't think of him.

Daddy why did you leave me? I loved you so much. I'd give anything to be with you. I know that I'll never see you again on this earth, but I'll always see you with my heart and in my dreams. I'll never forget you. I'll always remember you, until I see you again…...

Covering her eyes, Kagome turned on her side in her bed. She didn't feel like writing anymore. She let her mind fill up with happy thoughts of her old childhood. She stayed there in her bed and daydreamed for a long while. She couldn't change what happened during that time but she could hold on to her memories, because those memories kept her going every day.


Fidgeting impatiently with the strap of her cream and brown Dooney & Burke pocket drawstring handbag, Kagome looked down at her polished nails. She was sitting inside of the main office at the infamous Shikon Academy. She was dressed in a pair of tan cargo pants and a white tank top with a light, pink jacket around her shoulders, pairing it all with her white and gold Mark Eckō sneakers. Her hair was pulled back from her face in a ponytail including her bangs. She guess she looked descent enough for school, although truth be told, she honestly didn't really care. She just wanted to get this day over with. She twisted in her seat annoyingly.

"Honey would you calm down."

"I can't mom. Perhaps if I was at my old school I could."

"Don't start with me Kagome."

"Sorry mom, but can't you understand how I feel?"

"Yes, I can understand how you feel, but you've known for months that you and Sota were going to different schools."

"It still doesn't make it easier, and I'm sick of sitting in this office. When are they going give me my stupid schedule so I can go to class? I want to get this day over with as soon as possible."

"You're making a spectacle of yourself Kagome." Mrs. Higurashi said as she noticed unpleasant looks in their direction.

"What are you guys staring at?" Kagome growled.

The on-lookers quickly turned away, refusing to give their attention to such a rude and no doubt unruly teenager. Although, their perception of her was far from the truth

"Would you behave yourself? You don't talk to adults in that manner."

"Well they shouldn't have been in my business, staring at me like I'm crazy."

"I don't care if you don't want them staring at you. You will conduct yourself properly. You can't just chew someone's head off because they look at you the wrong way."

"But mom!"

"Don't but mom me. I'm beyond tired of your behavior lately and if you don't stop behaving in this manner I'm going to ground you."

"That's not fair!" Kagome wailed. "People can say or do whatever they want to me and I just have to sit there and take it."

'That's not true Kagome."

"Yes it is mom. You're always coming down on me for being opinionated."

"Honey that's not true and you know it. There's nothing wrong with you being opinionated Kagome, but you have a smart mouth. You blurt things out half of the time without thinking about the consequences."

"I don't have a smart mouth mom."

"You most certainly do and you've always had one, and you're very disobedient. You don't listen to a thing I tell you. That's why you're always getting into trouble."

Kagome snapped her mouth closed. Her mother was telling the truth. She'd disobeyed her parents too many times to count. She stared down at her feet, hating her mother for knowing exactly the right things to say to get to her.

"Kagome Higurashi."

Kagome lifted her gaze from the floor and brought it to a tall slender lady sitting behind the admissions desk in the main office of the Shikon Academy. She waved Kagome over with her hand. Kagome made an annoying sound with her tongue and trudged over to the admissions desk.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi."

"Here you go young lady. " The lady said as she gave Kagome a white piece of paper with black writing on it. "This is your class schedule. Congratulations on being accepted into Shikon Academy."

"Thanks." Kagome said before forcing a smile onto her face.

"My name is Mrs. Naginata. If you need anything feel free to stop by here and let me know."

"I'll be sure to do that." Kagome said as she headed back to where her mother was sitting.

"What classes are you taking honey?"

"The same classes I'd be taking if I was still at my old high school."

"Get your attitude in check Kagome!"

"I don't want to go here mom!"

"Too bad! You're already enrolled and you have your class schedule. Now deal with it."

"This isn't fair!"

"Suck it up and stop behaving like a 5 year old. You're not a child anymore, and if you don't stop complaining, I'll give you something to complain about. Now, do you need any lunch money?"

"I'm not hungry." Kagome mumbled.

"You're behaving like a spoiled brat. Do you know that?"

"Well, in case you haven't noticed mom, I am a spoiled brat."

"Well, I suggest that you get over yourself. That stuff might've worked with your dad but it won't work with me."

"Mom!" Kagome said in shock.

"Sorry, Me-Me. I didn't mean to bring him up."

"You never bring him up."

"Kagome, I'm tired of arguing with you. I have to go to work." Mrs. Higurashi said as she took some money out of her purse and stuck it into one of the pockets of Kagome's jacket. "Try to have a good day today, okay?"

"Sure, whatever." Kagome said nonchalantly.

"I'm working late tonight, so you'll have to catch a ride with Sango. I've already talked with her aunt about it."

"I can walk home. We don't live too far from the school."

"Are you deliberately trying to anger me?"

"Mom what are you talking about?"

"You know that I don't want you walking home by yourself. You're riding with Sango and her aunt. I'll see you later, okay?"

"Yeah, whatever."

Mrs. Higurashi and Kagome both exited the admissions office. She watched her mother head down the hall and out of the school building and walk over to her blue Chrysler 300. She stood looking out of the window watching her mother until she drove off of the school's parking lot and away from the school.

"Hey there beautiful?" A male voice called from behind her. "Do you need any help?"

Oh great! Her first day here and some jerk was already trying to hit on her. Kagome turned around ready to give him a piece of her mind but relented when she was greeted by a tall and very handsome male donning an all too familiar face.

"Oh my God! Koga!" Kagome said in amazement

"Kagome! Hey! It's so good to see you!"

Kagome practically ran to him and threw her arms around him. The two embraced each other. They hadn't seen each other since they graduated from middle school together. Now they were both beginning their junior year of high school together.

"Oh my goodness Kagome. I can't believe it's really you. Did you just transfer in?"

"Yeah. Today is my first day here."

"Really? I can show you around. That is, if you don't mind?" Koga asked as he raised his right eyebrow.

"Of course you can show me around. I don't know my way around this school. It's looks huge."

"Oh it's very big Honey and you can easily get lost." Koga smirked.

"Did you just call me honey?"

"Oh, sorry about that. It's an old habit of mine, especially when I'm in the presence of pretty girls. Gosh it's so good to see you"

Kagome blushed. "You're still the same old Koga, just as flirty as ever."

"Yes I am Honey. Is that a bad thing?"

"No. I wouldn't say it's a bad thing but for some people it isn't necessarily a good thing either."

"I know some people don't like the fact that I'm very direct but I've been this way a long time."

"I didn't say I had a problem with you being blunt Koga. I said some people might have a problem with it."

"That's good to know." Koga said with a confident grin.

"Hold on cowboy. Don't get too cocky. You'll refer to me as Kagome if you want to remain friends with me."

"That's fine by me Honey."

"You're so full of yourself. You haven't changed one bit."

"Well, you know me Honey. I'm never one to disappoint the ladies."

"You're going to be a handful aren't you?"

"More than likely Sweetness."

"What's up with you and these names Koga? My name is Kagome Higurashi. It's not Honey or Sweetness. Why can't you just call me by my name?"

"Kagome I've been calling you those names since we met back in the sixth grade. Do you honestly think I'm about to stop?"

"No, but you could at least try Koga. What's so hard about saying Kagome Higurashi?"

"Nothing at all. I just like calling you Sweetness and Honey. You're looking real good today too might I add. Time has definitely worked well with you."

"Thank you Koga. You look rather well yourself."

"Why thank you Honey. You have the perfect eyes for beauty."

Kagome smirked and giggled at him.

"You know, I just realized something. There was this girl that went here for a little while and she looked an awful lot like you."

"Really?"

"Yeah, and if I didn't know any better I'd swear she was your twin."

"She looked that much like me?"

"Yeah, she actually did. I think that she was older than you though."

"I do have a cousin who looks enough like me to be my sister but she goes to a different school which is a long way from here. So it couldn't be her."

"Well anyway, you're both hot."

"You're impossible Koga."

"Huh? Did you say something Sweetness?"

"I said you were impossible."

"Why? Because I think you're hot? You know you are. Don't you Honey?"

"There you go again. Could you try to call me Kagome? Please?"

"I'm sorry Honey, but as I said before, it's an old habit of mine. Why don't you just let me call you Honey? I'm not trying to disrespect you or anything. That's just how I am."

"How about this? I'll let you call me Honey if you let me call you Wolf-Man."

Koga grinned widely. "Nobody has called me that since middle school. I don't know if I want anyone calling me that again."

"I don't know why buy you've always reminded me of a wolf. Isn't that crazy?" Kagome giggled.

"You have no idea." He replied with a sneaky grin.

"I can totally imagine you with a bushy, long tail howling at the moon?

Koga whistled and glanced away from Kagome, wondering what brought on this conversation. Then his demeanor became flirty again. "I guess I'm your Wolf-Man then. Now, let me see your schedule, Honey."

"You could at least try to say my name, Wolf-Man."

Koga chuckled and shook his head.

"What's so funny?" Kagome asked him.

"I was thinking about how I acquired the nick-name Wolf-Man."

"Oh really? Care to tell me about it?"

"Nope. It's kind of personal and embarrassing. Besides, you could've given me any name. Why did you choose that old one?"

"I just told you. You've always reminded me of a wolf and it was the first thing that popped into my mind."

"Sure it was Kagome. You think I'm attractive. Don't you?"

"Are you serious? I haven't seen you in almost three years."

"I'm irresistible. Aren't I? I have that affect on women."

"You're so full of yourself. I must tell you though, I don't date conceited men."

"Seriously Kagome, I was just joking."

"I bet you were joking. The second I mention the word date you're ready to be serious."

"How about a truce?" Koga asked as he reached for Kagome's hand.

"Truce." She said as she accepted his hand. "Now, how about showing me to my classes."

"I'll show you to your classes later. Our lunch-hour will begin in a few minutes and I'm hungry. You can eat with me. I'll introduce you to my friends."

"That'll be fine."

"The lunchroom is this way." Koga said as he led Kagome in the direction of the cafeteria.

"Koga?"

"Yes Honey?"

"Is there any reason why you're still holding my hand?"

"Oh! Sorry! That's another one of my habits."

"Really? I wonder how many you have."

"Would you like to find out?"

"Knock it off Koga!" Kagome warned.

"Sorry." He said as he released her hand. "It just felt so perfect inside of mine."

"You're too flirty for your own good. Are you like this with all the girls?"

"Yeah, pretty much. So, about that date."

"Get real Koga."

"Okay, but you're really missing out on a lot."

They both erupted into laughter and continued towards their destination in search of the cafeteria.

"Okay Wolf-Man. Let's go get something to eat."


This chapter contained lyrics from "Love Song." Thanks a bunch to all my readers. I had this story posted years ago and I'm glad that people are still interested in reading it. I have a bunch of chapters to this story completed already but they need to be revised. Everyone was initially to be human in this story but in future chapters...demons just might emerge. There are a lot directions this story can go in...You won't be disappointed. If you've enjoyed reading this story, please let me know by reviewing. I appreciate the love and support.

ASIAN * DELICACY