Frostbite

Disclaimer: I do not own the Inuyasha characters.

A/N: thanks everyone so much for the reviews. I got some amazing feedback and now I know what you guys don't particularly like about the story so I can adjust it to hopefully make it an ultimately better story. Once again, thanks.

Inuyasha: A junior at Hemlock High, snowboards, Kikyo is in love with him, friends of Sango and Miroku, gave Kagome a ride

Sango: A junior at Hemlock High, friend of Inuyasha and Miroku, dislikes Kikyo, has introduced herself to Kagome

Miroku: A junior as well, pervert obviously, friend of Inuyasha and Sango, has yet to actually meet Kagome

Kikyo: Also a junior who dislikes Kagome out of jealousy because of her devotion to Inuyasha

Chapter Four- Ride

"I would bathe myself in strangeness:

These comforts heaped upon me, smother me!

I burn, I scald so for the new,

New friends, new faces,

Places!

Oh to be out of this,

And you,

Love, you the much, the more desired!

Do I not loathe all walls, streets, stones,

All mire, mist, all fog,

All ways of traffic?

You, I would have flow over me like water,

Oh but far out of this!

Grass, and low fields, and hills,

And sun,

Oh, sun enough!

Out, and alone, among some

Alien people!"

Ezra Pound

The situation with Kikyo did disturb Kagome. Sure, back home some people had disliked her. But it had been a very long time since someone had glared at her like that. Sango had been nothing but dismissive of the matter though. It was obvious to anyone that she didn't think too highly of the promiscuous young woman. To be fair, Kikyo had surprised her this period. At first, she thought that maybe she was just some jealous twit that had nothing going for her but her looks and that's why she was so upset about the situation. But Kikyo was genuinely intelligent, having been able to answer every intricate question about rhetoric precisely. It was, sadly, impressive.

But first period had passed with no more drama then a few curious glances from her new peers and more spiteful, borderline hateful glares from Kikyo then she probably deserved. Obviously she was just a naïve pawn used by Inuyasha to upset Kikyo. Well maybe it was obvious to her, but the green monster must have temporarily blinded Kikyo to this logic. Either way, when the bell rang for the first period to be over, Kagome made sure to take her precious time and not leave before Kikyo waltzed out of the room, thereby avoiding being within hissing distance. Sango, being a surprisingly compassionate girl for such a violent temperament, stuck around to lead her to her next class. Unfortunately Sango didn't have physics with Kagome. She would be heading towards AP biology instead.

After having miraculously pushed their way through the crowded halls, they stopped out the door to Kagome's new physics class. Sango let out a little sigh before turning and glaring at a boy who had accidentally shoved her while trying to get to his locker. The halls were apparently far too narrow for the amount of students here.

"All right, I'll probably see you later Kagome." Sango flashed another smile before starting to back away. As if in an afterthought, Sango turned back toward Kagome. "Don't let Kikyo intimidate you. She's just jealous that Inuyasha didn't drape a jacket around her shoulders." With another small smile and a brisk wave, Sango turned back around and rushed down the hall so she wouldn't be late for her own class.

Kagome, reassured by Sango's enthusiasm and confidence, and by the fact that Kikyo wouldn't be joining her in this class, turned on her boot's heel and slipped through the open door into the science room.

Kagome didn't know anyone in this period, no surprise there of course. But she did recognize one of Kikyo's friends sitting towards the center of the class chatting flirtatiously with a young man. Kagome had noticed first period that Kikyo's friends weren't exactly on the same IQ level as her. Maybe all they had going for them was their looks and an intelligent friend to lean on.

Deciding that confrontation with a girl she didn't even know wasn't the best idea; Kagome moved toward the far side of the room and took a seat just a row away from the back of the class. A young man, who introduced himself as Hojo, sat beside her in the period. He was quite the smart guy, which surprised her since he gave off a very naïve vibe, and offered to get together with her after school to go over some of the physics homework. Maybe she would have taken him up on the offer if he just wasn't so dense. She had dropped all the hints of someone who just did not want to talk right now. Her whole attitude on trying not to pass up an opportunity for friendship had all but evaporated. Kagome had given him short, one word answers. She had ignored him and she had just come out and said she didn't want to hang out with him after school today.

Did he get any of the not-so-subtle hints though? Of course not, he just went right on talking and making plans to get together tomorrow afternoon since obviously she just wasn't feeling well that day and had a lot of unpacking to do. She had never said any of that, but the guy just assumed that was the reason she didn't want to see him. Either way, he was either a dense idiot or just too arrogant to think a girl would reject his offer. But Kagome just had the feeling it was the former reason.

The rest of the period passed in a mindless blue consisting of pointless lectures and avoiding the glances of anyone around her, especially Hojo and Kikyo's friend. God forbid, if she made eye contact with Hojo he might interpret it into meaning ever lasting affection and if she met the friend's eyes it might be misinterpreted as a challenge. Who really knew how these people thought? She had had enough of people in general for today. Patience was definitely running thin.

When the bell rang, Kagome forced herself out of her bored stupor and rose to leave with the rest of the class after saying a short but polite goodbye to Hojo. Kagome was starting to realize that this school was just like her old one, minus the cold. She had the dull lack luster teachers, snobbish cheerleader type girls, cute asshole or dense guys, and then everyone else or the generally decent people. Every high school is made of the same basic components, people and attitudes. The place and the way people dress is the only thing that really differentiates everything. And this knowledge did give Kagome a sense of relief.

Exiting the room, Kagome glanced up and down the hall for a sign of Sango only to be disappointed. It was probably foolish of her to think Sango would ditch her friends just to hang out with the new girl. After all it was the ten-minute-break. This school had something unoriginally called the ten-minute-break before third period and right after second period. The break was supposed to be like a mini-recess in the school so the kids could hang out and talk or have a pre-lunch snack outside of class, the concept was a good one but since Kagome didn't have any actual friends here it was going to be the most pathetic ten minutes of her day. Of course, she might have spoken too soon. After all, social homicide could always be around the next corner.

Kagome had managed to get about halfway to her next class before realizing that she had taken the long way and had wound up in the rotunda instead of the 700 hall, where her pre- calculus class was located. So now she was standing in the rotunda, the very crowded rotunda because of the break, when her luck took a nose dive yet again. Kikyo finally addressed her for the first time.

"Well if it isn't the new girl. I'm so glad I ran into you." Kikyo was standing in front of Kagome, quite a few paces away, with her manicured hand hooked on one of the straps on her jeans hugging her waist. The sarcastic sentence flowed easily from her lips. A couple of the students closest to them looked on curiously, but life for the student body did not cease just because Kikyo was in the room and talking to someone. People still talked and moved about around them. This isn't some sitcom where everyone is interested in the actions of one singular person, come on… this is life.

Letting out a sigh, Kagome shifted to her other foot anxiously. "It's Kikyo, right?" She smiled rather pleasantly, or at least attempted to. "My name is Kagome. It's nice to meet you." Even though Kagome knew Kikyp already disliked her she was going to attempt to be civil in the hopes of Kikyo possibly returning the favor. She did not want to start off on a bad foot with anyone. Unfortunately Inuyasha had unwittingly or knowingly helped her along in this case.

Kikyo would not return the favor though. A sneer crossed her features. "Don't try to be so fake here, Kagome." Kikyo took another step toward Kagome and a few more curious bystanders took notice of the confrontation. Who could resist watching a possible catfight? If reality TV is any proof of the human mind's fascination with the borderline pathetic and catty… obviously no one can resist. "Let's stop pretending we have a chance in Hell at friendship and be real here."

Kagome couldn't help but let a small smile cross her lips. Damn, this was starting to sound like an MTV reality show. Pretty soon someone is going to walk out in a bikini and start drunkenly cursing. This whole confrontation would be so much easier if Kikyo was one of those fake, jealous, stupid girls on reality TV and not the beautiful, bright girl that she is. "I suppose that's fair enough." She shrugged her shoulders, trying to adopt an uncaring appearance. "What's your problem with me while we are being honest?"

Kikyo frowned a little more at the sarcastic feel of the sentence. "Who do you think you are? What did you think you were doing when you came in here dolled up in Inuyasha's clothes? He's taken." Her voice dripped with venom and she came even closer to Kagome. She was within arms length of Kikyo now and Kagome was feeling as if she should slap her or yank her hair to really top off the MTV mood.

But this was her chance to set thins right with Kikyp. They could e friends if it weren't for the damn jacket hugging her body. "I honestly didn't mean to get on your bad side, Kikyo. I just didn't own a coat and Inuyasha…" She didn't get to finish that sentence though.

"You called bunny?" Kagome suddenly felt someone step up beside her and sling an arm around her shoulders. Looking up in surprise, she saw the object of her drama smirking down at her. She glanced back to where Kikyo was standing in fumes.

Kagome looked at Kikyo desperately. She could see her chance of ever being friends with the young woman slowly slipping away. "Kikyo wait." She tried to shrug off Inuyasha's arm and step toward the angry girl whom she wanted to get along with so badly.

"Save it new girl." She flipped her long locks over her shoulder and shot a longing glance at Inuyasha before slipping away in the crowd.

Kagome let out a little groan before turning her frustrations on Inuyasha. "What was with the whole 'bunny' thing?" She glared at the guy next to her. "You forgot my name, didn't you?"

Inuyasha just smirked a little; she had yet to see him really smile without arrogance. "You saw right through me, bunny." He laughed a little as she slapped him lightly on the arm for calling her a small rodent again. "What is your name again?" He grabbed her arm and started to drag her down the 700 hall toward her next class.

She allowed him to pull her with a sigh and one last glance over her shoulder toward the direction Kikyo disappeared. Well the whole experience was a bit overdramatic… but at least no one ran out in a bikini drunk. She turned back toward Inuyasha who was shoving through the stationary crowd. "My name is Kagome by the way. This is the second time I've told you so don't forget it again. And you, Inuyasha, are the biggest ass I've ever met." She glared at him as he continued to pull her along, not even the slightest bit surprised that she had insulted him. "Do you realize that you're making Kikyo absolutely loathe me? Why are you playing me like this? I'm new here so I really don't need any enemies right now."

"Kagome, I've been here all my life and I don't really need any enemies right now either. Being new has nothing to do with that. But really, I'm so sorry for trying to be nice by giving you a ride to school. Really it was a horrible thing for me to do." He frowned at her a bit as if she was being the stereotypical ungrateful teenage girl.

But she matched his frown with one of her own. "Do not make me the bad one here! You're the one that slung your arm around me while I was trying to make amends with Kikyo, who is apparently your girlfriend by the sounds of it. Are you trying to make me into some side thing to play with?" She was all but growling at him now. Kagome had never felt so used in her life! Damn Yankees….

They stopped in front of her pre-calculus room. Before she could go inside though, Inuyasha pulled her away from the door and toward him. Once again, she felt the usual flush in her cheeks when in contact with a cute guy. Her body was a traitor to her mind. "Look, sorry if I'm making enemies for you. I'm not trying to, but I'm not with Kikyo anymore and she has to realize that. Don't hate me because she loves me." He unwound his fingers from her wrist and stepped back. "I think Miroku has this class with you so watch his hands, and I'll see you later." He flashed her a half smirk, half actual smile and walked off.

Kagome smiled as well before rubbing her wrist and walking into the room. She spotted Miroku sitting next to the window in the back of the class and made her way toward him. She hadn't had the chance to talk to him that much and was hoping to catch up a bit in this class. But as she made her way to the open seat beside him, Kagome made sure never to turn her back on him.

The rest of the day passed by fairly fast and with a lot less drama. She ended up eating lunch with Sango (who was becoming a fast friend), Miroku (who still managed to grope her despite all her best attempts), and Inuyasha (what else is there to say about him?). Kikyo was in a few more classes with her and generally ignored her until P.E. Then Kikyo kind of spiked Kagome in the face with a volleyball. Passive aggressive much? But a black eye was a small price to pay; she could have broken her nose. But she'll just stick her face in a snow pile in her backyard, who needed ice packs when you live in the damn tundra?

As Kagome exited the school, she barely spared a glance at the two snarling wolverines for two reasons. One… well it was kind of hard to look around with her swollen eye. And two, who needs to fear an overgrown, angry weasel when there are plenty of teenagers around. Instead she walked forward confidently, cold but confident, toward Inuyasha's truck which was waiting to drive her home. Tomorrow though Kagome would try to catch the bus and spare herself the drama.

The car ride was just as awkwardly silent as that morning, but this time Kagome didn't care. He wasn't just an unknown boy anymore, he was Inuyasha. The truck rolled to a stop in front of her snow covered house and for a moment she didn't even realize that it was her new home. Inuyasha just smirked a bit at her and leaned across her, causing another embarrassing flush of pink against her cold skin, and his hand wrapped itself around the handle throwing the door open. As he started to right himself again his hand slid against her hip gently and unbuckled the seatbelt. He only smirked more as her noticed her flushed face. "Welcome home, Kagome."

Kagome frowned a bit at the 'home' comment. No she wasn't home yet, but she slipped out of the car anyway. Before she closed the truck door though, she slipped out of his coat and lightly tossed it at him. "I think you'll need that more then me."

He caught the jacket nonchalantly in his right hand and set it down on the seat. "I'll just leave it on the seat for you tomorrow."

"You seem to be under the false impression that I am ever going to crawl into your truck ever again." She smiled and tried to keep her teeth from chattering and giving away how cold she really was. The truck did look warm… maybe she could just crawl back into it for a minute…

His smirk just widened at that statement though and a glint of something flashed in his violet eyes. "Sometimes you just have to hang on for the ride, bunny." His expression changed a bit into a mixture of seriousness and excitement. "You should come to the mountain with me sometime. It's only half an hour away and I swear I'll make you fall in love with the snow."

"I doubt anyone could make me love this cold." She said with a cynical air and a sense of finality. Kagome just wanted to get inside and curl up under the covers. What was she doing standing out in the cold like this. He better toss that coat back at her.

But Inuyasha just laughed a little at her. "Now you've given me a perfect challenge. But goodbye for now Kagome. I can't make you love this place if you freeze to death." He leaned back over and closed the door for her before driving off.

Life continues and you can't let the jealousy or the drama stand in your way. (Even if you got a black eye that will be Hell to explain to your mother) You have to keep moving forward through rain, sun, or even a little snow. Sometimes you just have to hang on for the ride.

A/N: CHAPTER FOUR IS UP! Yay! Sorry it was a little later then I initially intended it to be… school really does wear down on the writing time but I think I managed to push out a decent chapter. Please review and once again THANK YOU so much for the reviews on the past chapters. Ciao.