Chapter Six

Blue-Eyes

Kagome's slightly air headed Art teacher came walking in ten minutes after the late bell. Upon seeing her students, she looked puzzled momentarily and checked her wrist watch.

"Oh! Look at that! Its already class time! Lets see then… what should I have you do today?" She scratched her silvery blonde hair.

Kagome sneezed expectantly; startling her teacher, Ms. Jordan. Said teacher approached Kagome's desk eyes wide. She bent close to the scared student and examine her face as if looking at something awe-inspiring. Suddenly, Ms. Jordan clapped her hands.

"My, my what a marvelous profile you have! That will be our next project, class! Profile drawings! Everyone partner up and draw each other!" The middle aged woman spun on her heel and sort of skipped back to her teacher's desk.

Chairs began screeching on tile and student hurried about searching the classroom for their friends. Kagome was occupied however with fretting over this assignment. She hated working with others.

I'm sure I could convince Ms. Jordan that... creative license compels me to work alone? She sighed and hung her head; resigning herself to get the courage to try and persuade her scatter-brained teacher.

Suddenly, a body slid into the chair next to hers. She could feel their eyes. She sat up straighter and looked at the person with wide eyes.

"Hi there Kagome; need a partner?"

She smiled softly, not quite meeting the boy's gaze; a blush adored her cheeks. "Hello Kouga. I suppose I do."

"Shall I get the materials for us?"

"That would be nice, thank you."

He winked at her playfully before disappearing among the students. Kagome heaved a sigh of relief at his exit. Not that she thought it would be particularly bad working with Kouga; she just felt strange about it.

She was sure about a few things though. One: he had been putting in a lot of effort to talk to her since the day he returned her glasses to her. And two: She was positive if Inuyasha knew about this, he would have quite the ear-full to say to her.

What did she know of Kouga though? Just that he was handsome, in a ruggish way, he had a nice smell, he was captain of the track team, full wolf demon and was notorious for his on and off again relationship with the red-headed bombshell Ayame. She wasn't sure who he hung out with anymore. Once upon a time her and him were friends, weren't they? That world she used to live in felt so long ago.

Kouga returned, handing Kagome her pencils and practice paper with another wink. "Here ya go, Blue Eyes."

She flushed anew. Yep, we definitely used to be friends. I remember him calling me Blue Eyes… I guess its nice of him to still want to be friends, right?

"Thank you, Kouga."

He chuckled. "Come on, now. Stop being so formal. Aren't you going to call me Green Eyes?" He laughed again this time a little louder. "Remember how you used to call me that and me being super original, started calling you Blue Eyes?" He smiled expectantly.

Kagome felt a nervous sweat break out on her upper lip and she was embarrassed. I can not believe I was so brazen at one point to flirt with someone so blatantly.

She tried out a laugh of her own but it was meek; her eyes briefly darted to his. "I forgot that I used to call you that, I guess."

His face fell slightly but he shrugged. "It was a long time ago, no worries."

Strangely she wanted to comfort him. To tell him it wasn't because he was worthless to her, just that she had suppressed lots of former memories and started her life over. Instead, she turned away and silently stared at her blank sheet of paper.

"Would you like to draw my handsome profile first? Or shall I draw you first?" Kouga said; Kagome could hear his grin in his deep, masculine voice.

"Whatever you prefer is fine." Kagome tucked a loose piece of hair behind her ear.

Kouga reached out, grabbing her hand. "No, leave it, it looks more artistic when it isn't perfect."

His hand was still covering hers, Kagome reddened. "Sorry."

"Don't apologize, Kags. You're beautiful either way, I'm just trying to think like our batty Art teacher." He laughed and dropped her hand.

Kagome giggled nervously, growing pinker by the second. Kouga smiled at her once more then grabbed up a pencil and smoothed his practice paper.

"How about I draw you first while you take your time losing that adorable blush." He used a hand to turn her burning face away from him. "Perfect. Now hold still."

Kagome wanted to bit her lip like she always did when feeling uncertain.

Boy have I forgotten how flirty he was. I hope he isn't dating Ayame at the moment, if she saw how he was treating me, I'd be in trouble... I just want to know why he is acting so flirtatious. It feels different when he compliments me. Its not like when Inuyasha does it. He's more natural at it… That makes it less special right? I sure do like the way Inuyasha unexpectedly surprises me though…

"What'cha thinking about? I see that smile." He teased, still drawing.

She forced her smile away. "Oh nothing, just lost in thought."

"Thoughts about me, eh?" He said in mirth.

She attempted a laugh, it came out more of a snort.

"I have to say, without the glasses today, your profile is better on display."

Her heart raced. "Oh?"

"You didn't lose them again did you? Will I have to steal them back for you again?" He was teasing in good spirits but Kagome felt on edge.

It was stupid of me to think no one would notice if I suddenly stopped wearing them. Absentmindedly, she touched her slightly array braid, as if to make sure the other part of her wall was still intact.

"Kagome? You alright? You look pale."

She turned away from him. "Yeah, I'm tired I guess."

"Me too, me and Ayame were fighting again last night. That woman is a firecracker I swear. I can't believe we are taking another break."

Kagome smiled lightly and turned her head back to its original position so he could keep drawing.

"Ayame is really nice."

He laughed. "Really nice." He mimicked. "People say that sort of thing when they don't really like the person they are talking about and just want to be polite."

Kagome blushed. "No, I mean it. She is gorgeous too."

"Thank you and don't fret, I was just teasing. You're a very sincere person, Kagome."

There was a slight pause and Kagome felt like it was her turn to say something. "Can I, uh, ask why you two are fighting?"

"Its super stupid." He shook his head. "That's actually why I'm in trouble. I think its stupid to have to ask my own girlfriend to a dance. She has it in her head I'd ask her in some super romantic way or something."

Kagome only had to offer little bits in order to keep the conversation going and take off the awkward edge of silence. Kouga was easy to talk to and was even easier to make laugh. He thought her shyness was hilarious and enjoyed reminiscing, on several accounts, about her crazier days of the past.

Class went by almost remarkably fast for Kagome. Her initial worry about being partnered with Kouga died down and she had found him pleasantly refreshing; especially when he talked about Ayame. They even finished before the end of the period for some early grading.

"Yo, Kagome! Wait up! I'll walk you to your car." Kouga offered following her out of class.

"That would be nice. Thank you." She felt a little anxious because Inuyasha would be showing up soon.

"No worries." He flashed another toothy grin. "Hey, not bad right? 42.7 out of 45 points?" He held out his drawing.

Kagome smiled. "I see, definitely worthy of that .7, couldn't pass for a 42.8 at all." She flushed immediately.

Kouga let out a loud laugh that resembled a howl. "I like that. I like hearing you joke around."

She didn't say anything but held her books closer to her chest; people around them were actually staring.

"I guess I just didn't do your face justice." He tried after a minute.

Kagome looked at his drawing thoughtfully; she thought he made her prettier than she was in person. "You are very talented."

Kouga actually blushed at the sincerity in her voice. "Gosh, I'm not at all." He extended the picture. "But if you like it, its yours."

She looked up at him and this time met his gaze completely. She smiled and reached for the picture.

"Thank you, Kouga."

A very low growl behind her made Kagome's back stiffen. She looked over her shoulder. Kouga paused and grimaced.

"Honestly, Inuyasha. You need to be kept in a muzzle." Kouga said casually turning to face the dog demon.

Inuyasha put himself in front of Kagome. "Just what do you think you are doing talking to Kagome?"

"Just that, talking. Oh and I was gonna walk her to her car." Kouga said with a shrug.

"What the fuck for? What are you planning?"

"What are you trying to imply, ya smelly dog?" Kouga growled, finally getting irritated.

"Oh, I think you know."

"Well you are mistaken. I would never do anything unsavory to Kagome."

"Keh. And I am just supposed to trust you?" Inuyasha folded his arms.

"Yeah, you are. Because I loved her before you did. I knew the old Kagome."

Kagome gasped covering her mouth. He can't mean love love, can he?

"Get lost." Was all Inuyasha could come up with after that bold proclamation.

Kouga made a bowing motion and disappeared after one quick glance at a stunned Kagome.

"Well, that was err, nice of him." Kagome said after a moment, more to herself than the enraged Inuyasha.

Inuyasha rounded on her. "You can't be serious? Nice! How? He isn't right in the head, ya know."

Kagome frowned. "Of course, because you can't be right in the head to ever love me; you have to be stupid." She pushed past him; he smelt the distinct scent of her tears.

Inuyasha blinked. Did that just happen? How is he the good guy? I was just protecting her! He turned and watched her slip through the main school gate. She doesn't really believe that, does she? Again, he was assaulted by her scent of salty tears as he began following after her.

Fuck. Well then call me stupid.

Hello, hello!

Three things!

1. I didn't lie this time! I actually uploaded again 'soon.' YAHOO!

2. Here's a shout out to ALL my reviewers, and here's another shout out to the reviewers who review in FULL CAPS. I like to think you are not yelling at me but being VERY EXCITED! Thank you for being cool like that! Anywho, you guys don't feel obligated to do that; reviews are reviews and reviews are AWESOME.

3. How much do you love me right now? I practically broke my hand tonight and here I am uploading still! Ha! Seriously, though I did hurt it, I'm kinda a spaz and decided I could fix my chair with my bare hands? Yeah, not too well thought out but its one of those things you live and learn from. Well, at least thats the positive spin, IM putting on it.

Until next time!

hugsLovingMyKitsune

P.S. I'm going to portray Kouga in a better light this time. I still feel bad about making him such a creeper in Slave to the Heart :)

Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha or any of its amazing characters.