A/N:

Say WHAT?

I originally planned on not finishing this. I don't like to write as much as I used to, and I don't like Inuyasha as much as I used to. Basically, I've grown out of it.

But I got inspired (plus I'm being pestered).. Enjoy it while it lasts.

I have updated the previous chapters. Mostly they are only minor changes, but I recommend re-reading them before reading this chapter. Just to refresh your memory.

Also, language is harsher than it used to be. I'm an adult now.

0000

Locker Partners

Chapter Four

Sweet Solace

"Yeah, no, Mom, but hey, thanks anyway."

Kagome turned down the plate of warm, freshly baked chocolate chip cookies her mother was attempting to convince her to offer Inuyasha in exchange for some kind of human interaction. Kagome knew better. No amount of sweets, sweat or bloodshed would solve the issue between her and Inuyasha.

She planted a kiss on her mother's cheek, followed by a soft smile. "Really, though, thanks. I'll eat them later, I think. Inuyasha doesn't deserve them." As she skipped off to meet Sango down the steps of her shrine, she bid her goodbyes with a cheerful disposition to mask the true feelings of woe hovering around her like flies to a dead horse.

Engine humming, Sango unlocked her car doors to allow Kagome an easy slip into the passenger seat. "Hey, girl."

The ride to school was packed with blared music and obnoxious singing—a perfect way to begin the day. At their goodbyes, Kagome headed to her locker to drop off her Physics book. Already sifting through its contents was the one and only Inuyasha. He heard her approach and eyed her.

With a groan, Kagome hollered, a mere ten steps away, "Any chance I can convince you to leave that open for me?"

Snidely grinning, he instantly slammed the metal door shut with a force that rattled the entire row. "Nope." He shoved passed her without hesitation.

She grumbled under her breath, "Naturally."

0000

Weeks passed with the dwindling of those hateful reactions to each other. Inuyasha and Kagome made a silent agreement that the best course of action was to ignore each other completely, rather than stir up more mess within the school walls. For the most part, this went well. Rather than chucking food or stones at each other, they resorted to mere insults. Less blood and sweat to clean up.

French was difficult. Neither wanted involvement in the other's schoolwork or existence. Kagome figured he would only want to copy her answers and snake his way through. He rarely contacted her, nor did she contact him, unless there was a specific assignment that required the assigned pairings to work together. Simple requests were out of the question.

"Inuyasha, I'm out of lead, may I-"

"Blow me." Not even a glance up from the desk surface.

"You'd like that, wouldn't you?"

"Not from your dry-ass mouth."

"Wouldn't wanna catch herpes from you anyway."

"Thought you already had it."

Silence. Tense, angry, irritable silence.

By this time Miss Norris lost interest in Inuyasha's antics. She needed not fight with him anymore. Just a simple glare was enough to get him gone fast, tail tucked (metaphorically speaking, of course). Naturally, he still remained to be seen before at least a minute after class started, which was a significant improvement from the five minutes late he normally arrived. Occasionally he got in with enough seconds to spare to steal another student's seat to avoid Kagome's presence. Only occasionally.

Inuyasha's janitorial duties kept him quite busy, and very aware of the lunchtime horrors with Kagome, so both avoided each other during meal time. That didn't stop Miroku, however.

He sauntered over to Sango's side during first lunch on a breezy Thursday. "Hello, my well-sculpted demon-slaying maiden."

Sango swallowed her bite of onigiri, and before taking another, snapped, "Hello, cock-sucker."

He grimaced and scratched the side of his face. "Ouch."

Sango stopped mid-chew and glanced up. "Wow, not even going to deny it? Why am I not surprised?" As she finished grinding the substance into digestible bits, she reached her foot to the side and stomped it on Miroku's ankle.

The sting and burn radiated to his skull. He bit his lip, bade her farewell as she snidely smiled back, and hobbled away to his actual friends.

Kagome snickered. "You have to at least give him credit for his persistence." She scooped some udon noodles and slurped them up graciously.

Sango replied dully, "His persistence…. Yeah, in trying to get laid." A gulp of soda. "I mean, I know I'm quite the sexy beast, but I'm sure there are hundreds of sexy, skanky, desperate girls just waiting to spread their legs for him. Why doesn't he just go after one of them?"

Stirring the noodles with her chopsticks, Kagome shrugged and scoped the room. "He probably already has. Now he's looking for a challenge." She winked at her friend and laughed.

Sango sneered and let out a small sarcastic "ha" before going back to focus on her meal.

Yuka came from the vending machine around the corner, popping open a Coke as her rear slid along the bench. She leaned in across Kagome. "So… what's the deal with you and Inuyasha?"

Both Kagome and Sango sighed in frustration. Sango spoke up first. "Did you forget about last year or were you too busy swooning to even pay attention?"

Ignoring the blow to her quality of friendship, Yuka clicked her tongue. "No, I know, but I mean, I thought that was resolved."

Now slouched and rather melancholy, Kagome's eyes flickered to Inuyasha with his arm around Kikiyou, then back to her cold food. "Yeah, well, it doesn't mean we have to like each other." Her head rested on her free palm, elbow planted on the table surface.

Pondering for a moment, Yuka peeked over her shoulder to the half-demon. "So… does that mean I get to like him?"

Eyebrows furrowed, mouth agape, Sango threw a clump of rice at Yuka's head, which forced an 'ow' and focused attention. "Yuka! Honestly!"

"Go for it," Kagome interrupted solemnly.

Sango halted her rage and cocked her head to her best friend. "You're kidding me, right?"

"She can do what she wants. But Inuyasha's got Kikiyou."

This level of surprise became disbelief. "But, she's seen—" she turned to Yuka "—you've seen how horrible he is! You've seen what a completely arrogant, hollow wad of dick he is! You know how he treated, and still treats, Kagome—" she whisked her palm to her right to reference Kagome "—and yet you're still completely blind and naïve—"

"Sango," Kagome attempted to interrupt.

"—and conceited, of all things—"

"Sango!" She gripped her friend's wrist. Sango exhaled and yanked her hand free in order to stuff the rest of her onigiri unnecessarily into her mouth. Or maybe it was necessary. "It's okay, really. No point in getting so upset over it."

Muffled due to extreme rice overload, Sango growled, "I'm fo forry if I wabba pwopec my bef fwien fwom fupibiby."

An eyebrow perked up followed by a shake of her head and a snicker. "You're lucky I love you as much as I do."

Yuka bit her lip, embarrassed. "Yeah, you're right, Sango." She fiddled with the can top. "Sorry Kagome. I guess… I just forgot."

If only it were that easy for Kagome.

Sango jutted her fingers, palm up, in Yuka's direction while directing her attention to Kagome. "Anb fee? If wok."

Yuka narrowed her eyes at her in confusion.

Kagome translated, "It worked."

0000

Friday was another day.

Ms. Norris pushed her brown, plastic, thick-framed glasses up her nose and observed the class as the bell shimmered to silence. Each student hushed instantly at the last ring. This pleased her, though not enough to cancel her impending quiz of doom as she liked to call it.

"All right, people, you have ten minutes to take this. There are only four questions, so you should have plenty of time." She licked the tips of her thumb and index finger with a sly grin. Four extremely in-depth questions, ten points each. Let's hope they studied. Her dampened fingers counted out the number of persons in each row as she passes them the typed quiz questions.

A loud bang broke the silence as Inuyasha came bursting through the door, gasping for air. "I'm here!" he panted obnoxiously.

One eyebrow perked as Ms. Norris placed her hand on her popped hip, foot tapping. "Yes, I noticed, thank you. That's quite enough of your antics. Leave."

He groaned. "Augh, come on! This is the closest to on time I have ever been!"

She shook her head. "Exit the door through which you entered."

Under his breath, he hissed a frustrated, "Suck my dick", as he scuffled on his heel back toward the door."

"Oh, and, Inuyasha."

Every muscle locked. He slowly peeked over his shoulder. "Yes, Ms. Norris?"

"I'm sure your principal would be right pleased to do that deed in my place when you see him in a few minutes." She smiled snidely. "Which, of course, you will."

He winced, cursing himself mentally for not utilizing his brain-to-mouth filter. "Yes, ma'am."

Proudly grinning, she turned and continued handing out her nightmare quiz. "Good boy, now, off with you."

Kagome snickered quietly. Beside her, Eri shook her head, whispering, "That boy will never learn."

The door slammed bitterly behind Inuyasha as he slumped off to the principal's office—a common occurrence with him. A thump echoed against the wall beside the door. It was most likely Inuyasha's fist colliding with it. Or his head. Ms. Norris paid no mind and finished giving each student a quiz. Silence continued as the students worked.

Kagome was finished in five minutes. Feeling proud, she glanced around the room. Many other students had their palms planted against their foreheads in distress; a few tapped their pencils or feet. This must have been a difficult quiz. This caused Kagome to second-guess herself, but a closer examination of her answers only confirmed her correctness. Uncertain, she brought her finished quiz to the teacher. Ms. Norris seemed pleasantly surprised. History must be Kagome's best subject.

Zen growled to himself, "Over-achiever."

Ms. Norris simply snapped, "Bite your tongue, slacker."

He dipped his head.

"Uhm, Ms. Norris, may I go to the restroom?" Kagome decided to take advantage of her few spare minutes.

"Well, you certainly may. But be quick about it, yes?" She gave her a stern look.

Kagome smiled back. "Of course."

Down the hall and out into the courtyard, Kagome noticed Inuyasha wandering in the direction of the principal's office. Confused, she approached him, rather than heading to the restrooms. Five minutes and he still hadn't been to the office? It sure doesn't take that long to get there. His slumped, huffy disposition softened her approach. Rather than starting off accusatory, she decided now might be a good chance to mend their situation, while they were alone.

"Hey, Inuyasha."

He continued walking as if she hadn't spoke.

She caught up and whispered forcibly, "Hey!"

With a stomp of his foot he halted and pivoted to face her. She had caught up to him with a little too much momentum and bumped into his chest. His eyes widened, and he stepped back a bit. A scoff was his recovery. "What do you want, now?"

In a low voice, "It really doesn't have to be like this…"

Eyes narrowing, he seemed intrigued. "Do you want it another way?"

"I'd prefer it be less violent."

"Hey, it's gotten less violent."

"And angry," she soothed.

His face relaxed a bit. "I'm not angry."

She snorted without malice. "We can't even hold a conversation anymore."

"That was you—"

Hand held up to stop him. "Let's not get into that again. Please. I don't want to fight anymore."

He looked to the ground, silent.

"We don't have to be like this."

"Well why you tellin' me like I've gotta do somethin' about it?"

She sighed and scanned the environment, leaning her shoulders against the nearby wall. "Yeah, well, I know you too well to think you'd try to mend it. You've always been too proud and too arrogant."

Eyebrows furrowed in anger as he postured, taking a breath to speak, but again Kagome stopped him before he could launch the attack.

"I don't want to hear it. I don't want to listen to your blame games again. I already apologized. You have yet to accept it and get over it. Instead you keep attacking me on a level that's beyond passive aggressive."

He dug his hands in his front pockets with an inhale. Eyes glazed over off into the courtyard, squinting from the sun. After a couple of silent moments, he said softly, "I don't want to fight anymore either."

Relieved sigh. "Good."

"It's just…"

She rolled her eyes. "Please don't tell me you're having too much fun to stop being rude to me."

He cocked his head with a slight grin. "No." He glanced around, and finally met eyes. "I just don't know how else to be with you."

A few confused blinks later, "Why? Do you really hate me that much?"

He laughed with a hint of frustration. "No. God, no. It's just… last year… it was one way…"

"And then it was another. Which was all on you."

He huffed. "Yes, I know, already, okay, will you just let me finish a sentence for once?" A nod of her head and an apologetic stare let him continue. "That was me being comfortable with you. If I'm not calling you names and being mean, then I have to be nice which means… I'm just gonna go back to flirting with you like nothing happened." His boot scraped the dirt on the concrete as he eyed a rock.

For a good solid minute, an oddly comfortable silence lingered. Kagome broke it softly, "That's okay. I don't think it'll be too bad, and besides, I broke up with you, remember?"

"Tch, yeah… something about how I was being a jackass."

She grinned widely. "Was?"

He stuck out his tongue.

"How about we keep it strictly business? No insults, because we won't be talking unless it's class-related. Deal?" She held out her hand.

He stared at it for a few seconds before gripping it in a firm shake. "Deal."

Quickly and simultaneously they ripped their hands apart, skin still tingling from the touch.

"Right." He dipped his head and sped off under the archway, hands crammed into his pockets.

Kagome playfully called after him, "Hurry along now, your favorite person is waiting."

He scrunched his nose over his shoulder at her.

0000

The gym locker room fluttered with high-energy, noisy young girls. Kagome planted her bag on the bench beside her locker, twisting in the combination as Sango came in next to her.

"Hey, how's it going?" Sango ripped off her shirt and hung it carelessly on one of the four hooks in her already open locker.

"Well, something… bizarrely good happened." She placed her bag at the bottom of the tall metal locker, carefully slipping out of her nice shoes and uniform skirt.

Curious, Sango threw on her gym shirt. "Oh? You win the lottery?" She snickered with a wide smile, next stepping into her gym shorts.

Kagome raised her eyebrows and pursed her lips up in a thoughtful, "Hmm", pleased at this idea. Unless Inuyasha was feeling charitable, however, no money was involved. "Not quite. Inuyasha and I… talked it out."

Sango halted all movement. "…Oh? What did he bribe you with?"

Clicking her tongue and scolding Sango with her eyes, Kagome finished up her uniform by stepping into her tennis shoes and sitting on the bench to tie them. "It wasn't like that, Sango. I mean, he didn't exactly apologize, which is nothing new since he never has, but at least now we've agreed to take it down a few notches and be civil. I'm tired of fighting him."

Sango stared at the open locker unfocused as she reached for her tennis shoes. She let out a pensive, "Huh", as she thought through her friend's story. She sat on the bench to work on her shoes. "So, what exactly do you mean by 'talked it out'?"

"Well, he said he's being a jerk because he doesn't want to end up flirting again, but I think that's just his cover for saying he was hurt by the breakup. I think he might still be into me." Absent-mindedly, she shoved her remaining belongings into her locker and latches it.

Grinning madly, Sango simply stated, "Well, that whole kindergarten rule applies through adulthood."

Kagome gave her a sarcastic stare. "Yeah, so I gathered by the way you treat Miroku. You were always just too mean to him for it to be normal." She laughed mockingly and then stuck out her tongue.

"Ooh, yeah, okay, you think you are just sooo clever." Sango stomped up to her feet and forcibly locked the metal door before fisting her hips. "You know, just 'cause you and Inuyasha are all buddy-buddy now does not mean I have to interact with Miroku in any kind of humane manner."

"No, of course not. Your violence is a sign of affection, which he absolutely loves, hence the whole coming back for more…" Sango narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth, but Kagome simply grinned devilishly. "Please, don't stop on my account."

0000

During lunch, Eri joined the girls with a male at her side. Sango and Kagome eyed each other knowingly, flirtatious grins intact.

"Hey guys, this is my friend Jansen."

His nearly white crystal blue eyes smiled for him as he slid beside Eri, across from Sango and Kagome.

The two didn't buy it. Sango smiled, "Uh huh. Nice to meet you, Jansen."

Eri widened her eyes and mouthed a hush command as the two giggled. Kagome's eyes drifted upward in time to see Inuyasha and his boys passing by. He grinned quietly to her. The corner of her mouth perked up in response. He continued about his business.

Miroku waved, "Hey, Sango!" He carried on his path, nodding his greeting to the others sitting around Sango. He followed Inuyasha without a second glance back as they found their way to an empty table.

Sango gawked after him in disbelief. Her eyes zipped to Kagome, almost shrieking, "Did you see that?" Kagome snickered. "I mean…" Sango cleared her throat and calmed her tone. "Not that I'm complaining or anything, but he didn't even hint any unnecessary sexual advances." She stabbed into her Tupperware of stir-fry.

"Right. It's not bothering you at all," Eri piped in.

An evil glare was shot in her direction.

"He must have moved on." Kagome jokingly patted Sango on the shoulder. "Don't be too hurt. Not everything lasts forever."

Zen and Miroku stood from their newly claimed table, money in hand, heading for the food counters. As they passed the girls, Zen made sure to speak up. "Winter's coming a bit early this year."

Miroku commented, "Yes, I did notice it getting quite cold at night."

"It's too bad you don't have someone to keep you warm."

Miroku slyly peeked over at Sango, as if timing this conversation just right so that as he reached her in passing, she would hear him say, "Na, Sango will be keeping me nice and toasty this winter."

Her face flushed hot, and she reached out a foot and aimed to trip him, but missed horribly. Attempting to conceal her blushing grin, she went back to stabbing at her food as the boys passed.

Eri cackled. "Do you feel better now?"

Sango's eyes widened as she shot her gaze to Eri with a hiss. "What are you talking about?"

She shook her head. "Oh, nothing."

0

Zen slammed a solid palm on his friend's back. "Points for effort."

Miroku shrugged. "She didn't actually commit any violence upon me, so I think I'm ahead of the game." He purchased an apple and a burrito at the window.

Zen ordered a raw steak. Only in a demon school are raw steaks on the menu.

Gagging quietly, Miroku scoffed. "I can't believe you actually eat that."

"Pfft, don't judge. My body thrives on this stuff." His double layer of paper plates sagged under the pressure of bloody juices with the raw meat.

They headed back to their table. "I bet you also hunt with your bare hands."

Zen stuck out his tongue. "I'm civilized, thank you."

They sat beside each other across from Inuyasha.

Taking a break from Kikyou's mouth, he nodded in Miroku's direction. "How's it going on the Sango front?"

Zen spoke first. "So far just a lot of blood and broken bones, but no dismemberment has occured."

"Ah, progress."

Miroku snickered. "Yeah, well, I think I came on with just the right force. Her defenses are weakening." He perked his eyebrows up with a toothy grin as he bit into his burrito.

Inuyasha tapped his silver watch. "Time's a-wasting."

He stuck out his tongue.

Inuyasha chuckled as he bit into his extra meaty, triple paddy bacon cheeseburger. In his peripherals, he caught the figure of a familiar male with light brown, fluffy human hair approaching Kagome. Closer inspection revealed that he was Hojo. Cheeks round with food and chewing ferociously, Inuyasha turned his full gaze to his second least favorite person. He snorted as Kagome smiled pleasantly to Hojo and invited him to sit with her.

A muffled attempt was made to throw some insults, but his friends simply stared, puzzled at him. He shook his head toward the quickly overflowing table where Kagome sat. Miroku and Zen simultaneously followed his gaze.

Zen scoffed, "I was wondering when he was going to step on in after you. Took him long enough."

Inuyasha swallowed half of the food in his mouth, and managed to grumble, "It's not like she'd go for him."
Kikyou glared at him. He dipped his head shamefully but still mouthed a snooty, "What?"

Eyebrows raised, Zen sliced off another chunk of steak, stabbing it with his fork and taking the bite. "No, of course not."

0000

"You're going out with Hojo?"

The two best friends settled into seats just inside the door of their Literature class.

Kagome grinned. "Well, it's just a date, but yeah. I figured, why not?"

Surprisingly, Inuyasha sauntered through the doorway. Kagome watched him, befuddled at his sudden timeliness, as Sango continued, "Yeah, but, he asked you with a little bit of short notice, don't you think?"

Inuyasha's ear twitched.

Kagome shrugged. "Eh, just by a day. Normally I'd consider turning him down because of that. But I have no plans." From the corner of her eye, she watched Inuyasha find a familiar face and sit beside him. She couldn't help being so confused. Why did he suddenly find the urge to be on time to class? Maybe it was a fluke.

However, he was actually sitting in his desk before Kagome arrived for French, and he even gave her a very small smile for a hello as she entered the room. How bizarre. If she had known that all it took for peace was a simple conversation, she would have brought it up months ago.

On her way to her locker after Physics, Inuyasha rushed to catch up with her.

"Hey!"

Her eyebrows scrunched as she twitched her head around to find the source of the voice. Inuyasha slowed to a walk beside her. Puzzled, she pleasantly greeted him. "What's up?"

"So, you know how we have that test in History next Friday?" He gripped the left strap of this bag, his other hand in his pocket.

"Uhm… yes…" She resisted the urge to add a snide, "I'm surprised you remembered."

Was that the cute, adorable grin with which she was so familiar forming on his lips? His eyes seemed to sparkle with hope. What was happening? "Well… I was wondering if maybe you wouldn't mind helping me out tomorrow."

Whoa. She was taken aback. A stuttered reply, "Uh, sure, except, I have plans tomorrow."

Both of his ears flickered back. He tried to act nonchalant. "Oh." His tone, however, was slightly moist with contempt.

Kagome snickered quietly. "How about Sunday, though?"

He bit his lip as they stopped at the metal door. As he spun the lock, he almost considered telling her that Sunday wouldn't work, that it would have to be Saturday… but he knew she wouldn't fall for that. "Yeah, sure." He whipped open the locker, slightly annoyed.

Kagome perked up an eyebrow, mouthing a confused, "Ooh-kay…" She leaned against the other lockers. "So, what time?"

After stuffing his books in his bag and swinging it over his shoulder, he made to slam the locker shut, but as the door passed his face, reminding him Kagome was on the other side, he clumsily caught it and cleared his throat. "How about three?"

She narrowed her eyes at him with a small grin at his nearly successful door-slam. "Sure." She nudged him out of her way with her shoulder. Reaching in, she grabbed her History book and gently locked the metal door, sauntering away with a wave over her shoulder. "See you later!"

0000

After a few unnecessary hours of Yuka pampering and primping Kagome to perfection, Kagome was finally able to meet Hojo. She shot Sango her last complaint text for the night: "Remind me never again to tell Yuka when I have a date."

She answered the door with a smile, and Hojo answered with an even bigger one.

"Hi Kagome! You look beautiful!"

Pink flushed across Kagome's cheeks (though not very noticeably under so much foundation, courtesy of Yuka) as she glanced to the ground. "Oh, thanks, Hojo."

Yuka squealed a little from around the corner. Kagome glared over her shoulder to see her friend's eyes peeking around the hallway wall. With a sigh she nudged Hojo out the door. "Shall we go?"

Door shut behind them, they sauntered down the path to the steps of the shrine. "What movie did you want to see, Kagome?"

One hand gripping the purse strap over her shoulder, she hummed thoughtfully. "Well… how do you feel about zombies?"

Hojo raised an eyebrow. "Uhm…. They're not exactly my favorite. The idea of crazy cannibals running around ending the world is not on my list of enjoyable themes." He glanced to see her disappointed expression. "I'm actually surprised it's something you're into."

She smiled and let out a small laugh. "Why is that?"

Hands in his pockets, he shrugged and held his shoulders in elevation for a full two seconds. "Well… you're just… so sweet and kind. People killing people and tearing them apart isn't a very philanthropic occurrence."

"Haha!" A small snort followed that cackle, and she cleared her throat and wiped her nose like it didn't happen. "Yeah, it's my guilty pleasure. Besides, the movie that's out is mostly a romantic comedy… just with zombies." Hojo didn't seem convinced. "But we don't have to see that. Anything you'd like to see?"

"I do like chick flicks…"

000

Sun shining bright in the crisp blue sky, Inuyasha inhaled deeply through his nose, taking in all the smells of nature from atop his four-wheeler. Miroku pulled up next to him, a cloud of dirt surrounding them like smoke. Inuyasha half-glared at him from behind his sunglasses.

"Thanks for choking up my fresh-air smell," he yelled over the roaring engine.

Miroku shrugged, leaning forward in the seat, hand resting on the center of the handlebars. "I'm not as cocky as you when it comes to maneuvering these forests."

"In other words, you're a slowpoke." He smiled big, the dirt on his face making his teeth seem twice as white.

"Yeah, yeah." He gripped the gears. "We goin' or what?"

Inuyasha gazed down the slope, which led to a small field of overgrown grass. A creek cut through it, leading into town. "Nah, man, I wanna take in the view."

Miroku shut off his motor and relaxed in the seat. Inuyasha's was already off and silent. Miroku looked around for openings in the trees to drive through, and then watched his friend staring off into nature. "Hey, what are you so somber about?"

"Hm?" He shook his head very slightly, as if to snap himself back into reality. He rested his left palm on his thigh, his right elbow on the handlebar, and leaned forward to surf the hills with his eyes. "I'm not. I'm just thinking."

Miroku's eyes widened under his sunglasses as he scrunched his eyebrows. "If there is only one thing I know about you, Yash, it's that you avoid thinking at all costs."

He glared at him over his shoulder. "Ouch."

"Come on, seriously."

A sigh escaped his lips as he gazed at the wilderness. "I dunno. It's just… teenagers are really sensitive."

"You say that as if you aren't one."

"Hah, no, that's my point. I'm not sure why the things that bug me actually bug me. Or why I fight with Kagome."

An eyebrow perked to the sky. "Well, that escalated quickly."

"What?"

"So we were talking about Kagome the whole time, or did you not notice how that just jumped in at the end there?" The corner of his lip slid to a smile.

He dipped his head with a chuckle. "Right… Man, what happened between us?"

"Are we still on Kagome or are you asking about you and me?"

Folding his arms, he leaned back in the seat. "Kagome. What was it?"

He exhaled through closed lips, making a sort of horse sound. "Gosh, Inuyasha… why are you asking me?"

"You were there."

"Not really. I'm just the third party. You guys hardly talked to me about it. One second you guys were fine, and then suddenly you were fighting and no longer talking. What was I supposed to do?"

A pensive silence followed for a solid minute. Inuyasha inhaled deeply again. "It was me."

Miroku shrugged. "You do have a short attention span."

He looked to his friend. "So, what, Kagome dumped me because I was too attention-deficit for her?"

"No, she dumped you because your attention became directed elsewhere."

He rolled his eyes. "Come on, that's dumb. There are other things in my world besides girls. Unlike yours." He grinned playfully.

"Hey, I like my world the way it is. But yours isn't supposed to be revolved around a woman. That's not what I'm talking about. Life outside of a girlfriend is expected. It's healthy. But you were too busy spending time with the wrong girlfriend."

He sighed. "I wasn't cheating."

"You might as well have been." He raised his palms in a surrendering gesture. "Look, I'm no man of virtue, so I don't exactly have room to talk, but you can't honestly look back to last year and not be mad at yourself. I mean, if I could see it, I'm sure Kagome saw it."

Inuyasha ignited the ATV's engine and popped it into gear. "You're right." He sped along the ridge between tree trunks, leaving Miroku to fumble after him.

0000

After lunch on Sunday, Kagome caught herself feeling overly nervous to see Inuyasha.

On the same token, Inuyasha was standing at the stairs of her shrine a whole half hour early, pacing with the same nerves.

Kagome rushed back and forth through the house, tidying up that which was already tidy. She wiped down the kitchen table…. Again. Her mother quietly cut up a plate of strawberries, pineapple, and some raw vegetables for snacks. Kagome looked out the front window, rubbing her hands together.

"Dear, is everything all right?" Harumi grinned.

Kagome sighed in response. "Maybe this was a bad idea."

"It's only a study date."

Wide eyed, she whipped her head around to stare at her mother, exclaiming, "It's not a date!"

Harumi chuckled with a shake of her head. She handed Kagome the plate of sliced health snacks. "He'll be here soon, right?"

Kagome took the plate and centered it on the kitchen table, wiping her now sweaty palms on her sweatpants. "Yeah. I don't know why I'm so nervous." She breathed deep, taking her phone out of her pocket to shoot Sango a text message. "This isn't a date, so why am I so nervous?"

The clock rang three 'o clock exactly, and its chime mixed with the doorbell. Kagome pocketed her phone, rushing to the door as her mother went into the living room.

But her father, Kaito, beat her to it. He slid open the door and folded his arms at Inuyasha. The half-demon attempted a polite, fangy smile. "Good afternoon, sir."

Kaito seemed unimpressed, and a frown stayed glued on his lips.

Kagome peeked around the hall, realizing she didn't get to the door soon enough. Her much taller father stared silently down at Inuyasha. If he was trying to intimidate… it seemed to be working. Kagome winced to herself.

Inuyasha leaned back onto his heels, then his toes, awkwardly gripping his backpack strap. Kai never broke his gaze except to blink. The hanyou began to sweat. Digging up some courage, he met Kai's eyes and blurted out what he thought the father may want to hear: "I didn't come here to violate your daughter or anything, sir."

A few seconds passed, and suddenly Kai's lips widened into a grand smile and he cackled loudly before patting the young man solidly on the shoulder. "Good to see you again, too, son! Come on in!"

Inuyasha sighed in relief as Kai stepped away from the door to let him pass. He stepped over the threshold as the door slid shut behind him and Kagome came out from her hiding place.

"Hey," she smiled sweetly. Kai walked passed her, placing a hand on her shoulder and giving her a wink.

"Hey…" Inuyasha kicked off his shoes. Without thinking it through, he sputtered, "How was your date yesterday?" Instantly his eyes pinched shut, he dropped his head and slammed his palm to his forehead. Dumbass.

Kagome blinked several times, taken aback. "Uhm, well, geez, you don't waste any time, do ya?"

"Sorry." He climbed the small stairs to the hall, passing Kagome and heading for the kitchen.

"How did you know I had a date?" She followed him as he plopped his bag on the floor next to him at the kitchen table.

His eyes lit up as he spotted the pineapple and strawberries. He quickly shoved one of each into his mouth and then peeked at Kagome from under his eyebrows, trying to look innocent.

Kagome folded her arms and chuckled. "Straight to the food."

Fruit bulging from his cheeks, he mumbled, pointing to his ears, "I have good hearing."

"Ah, right." She sat on the other side of the table where her notebook and textbook were already open and ready. "I guess I should've asked why it was the first thing that came out of your mouth, instead of, you know, 'hey how's it going?'". She perked an eyebrow at him as he slowly bent to a seated position across from her.

Swallowing, he croaked, "No reason. I was just all awkward from your dad's "I'm going to throw you into prison with my bare hands" look on his face. Guess it was the only thing I could think of." He shuffled through his bag, clumsily pulling out his books.

Unconvinced, Kagome grunted sarcastically, "Mm-hmm."

Kagome's phone buzzed. She flipped it open to read Sango's reply: "Maybe cause he's bipolar and you never know what wrong thing you could say to throw him off the edge? ;D" Kagome smiled to herself and shook her head, putting her phone away.

Notebook open, Inuyasha grabbed another slice of pineapple. "Thanks for the nummies."

Kagome grabbed a slice of zucchini. "Oh, my mom did it."

Inuyasha met her eyes. "Oh, so it was she who remembered that my favorite food in the whole universe is strawberries and pineapple?" He grinned.

Mid-chew, Kagome looked away with a smirk. "Well, just cause she did all the work, doesn't mean I didn't give her any ideas…." She beamed back at him.

An unconscious smile spread along his face as he flipped through his textbook. "Well, thanks."

0000

A/N: Kay, you're welcome. This took me forever cause I just kept going back and correcting stuff and adding changes… it was ridiculous. Plus I keep coming up with so many ideas! I didn't originally plan so many details, so this is supper difficult for me. Please comment and let me know you're still interested in this, otherwise, no chapter five for you!