Chapter 7:

Don't Waste Your Time on Me

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The next morning, Kagome had her mother drop her a block away from school as she was craving fresh air. Her mother obliged, happy her daughter was getting some kind of exercise.

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Kagome made her way through the filling hallway to the admin office to hand in her final electives. When she pushed her way into the office through heavy glass doors, she saw InuYasha and his black-haired friend by the reception desk. They were handing the mousy receptionist documents; which she, in turn accepted with a smile.

Kagome stayed close to the door, she did not want a rerun of InuYasha's mood swings today. A few weeks ago he literally wanted to rape her. He holds her protectively when bumping into her in the hallway. She can feel him reacting to her body when he accidentally ended up on top of her; but then he goes and shrugs her off like yesterdays laundry…

She did not get any of this at all…

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Looking at the clock against a far wall, she sighed, alerting both the teens to her presence. They turned simultaneously and looked at her. InuYasha grabbed his bag off the floor and headed towards the door to leave. He did not look at Kagome, keeping his gaze just above her head.

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"It was Kagome, right?" Koga took her hand in his own, bringing it towards his face.

This stopped InuYasha in his tracks,

"Uh, yeah, that's me," she gave a soft, ghost of a smile,

"I, my lady, am Koga. Koga Yoro," and he kissed her knuckles, making Kagome blush slightly,

InuYasha snapped her hand away from Koga's grasp, pulling her into his side,

"This is not funny," InuYasha spoke to Koga as if she was not even there,

"I was just being friendly," Koga held up his hands in defense,

"InuYasha, please," she breathed, pushing softly at his side, urging her release,

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His eyes found hers then, and he could see them begging with him. He could also smell something strong on her – not the normal, slight scent of strawberries, but a spice. Kagome could see his eyes turn hard, cold, angry. A very pale shade of pink bleeding into his scleras. He could see her face was a bit swollen on the one side. He could smell the fading sent of her salty tears; most probably from when she was putting on whatever she did this morning.

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InuYasha tilted her head slightly with his index finger and thumb, turning her head to the side. He could feel the anger inside himself burning hotter as he realized, she had been hit in her face – again.

"InuYasha," Koga warned, shifting his body, he could sense his friend's daemon struggling to break free,

"You need to chill," Koga spoke softly, eyes flicking around to check the reaction of those passing,

"What happened?" he growled down at Kagome, who just kept staring at him, biting at her lip,

"It's nothing," she tried looking away, but the growl that escaped him suggested she keep eye contact,

"Really," she tried, putting her hand onto his,

He flinched at her touch, making him let go of her.

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He stormed off to his locker.

Koga and Kagome stood staring after her silver haired angel in her nightmare.

"Well," Koga exhaled, placing a hand on his hip,

"This is going to be interesting," he gave her a wolfish smile, making her gulp, wide-eyed up at him.

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InuYasha was packing and unpacking his locker. He needed to calm down. He needed to keep a clear head.

He couldn't just walk up to that Hojo-boy and punch him in the face… Kagome did not belong to him…

'Not for long' his inner daemon was replaying memories of her naked, shivering body underneath him. Reminding him of her responses to the touch of his hands.

"Stop it," he whispered through clenched teeth, pressing his forehead against the cool metal locker door, he could not allow what happened fifty years ago to happen again. He would not let it happen again. He would not allow himself to think of her as anything more than a sating. He could not allow it. He would not allow it-

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"Hello there," the slight smell of strawberries blended with that sharp spice startled him, making him spin around,

Kagome was opening her locker, two doors down from him. She kept her head down and made quick work of the content she needed. Her locker was very plain for a girl.

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He peered quickly, seeing only two photographs stuck with sticky tape to the inside of the door. He could recognize Kagome on both. She was still full of life and colour. Her body was fuller. Sadness and anger ripped at his chest. What he would give to have her smile like that again. He could see Miroku and Sango with her in both of the photos. But in one, a formal event photo, he could see that asshole standing next to her; holding her hips.

He wanted to rip him right out of that photograph…

'… and then what?' his daemon taunted,

'... eating him is always an option,' the thought made him smile,

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"InuYasha, are you alright?" she asked, making a move to go to him, but thought better of it and hesitated,

"I'm fine," he spat, turning back to his locker and attempting to fill it with the books he needed,

"Well, I'm off to class," she shut the door, locking it with a click, and started towards her class,

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'Don't do it, don't do it,' he begged himself,

"Which class?" 'Shit,'

"Science!" she shouted over her shoulder,

"Oh fuck," he smacked his hand against his forehead,

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"So Ms. Higurashi, pleasure to have such a brilliant mind joining us this year," Mr. Kagaku, her science teacher, nodded when she took her usual spot at the back. She was used to being the odd number in the class, as well as, having her teachers putting her in the back.

'Such a pleasure to teach… So hard working… So responsible,' they would say.

She enjoyed working alone, it also caused less hassles for her with Hojo. She ducked down to get her tablet out of her bag, to open up her textbook for the class, but then…

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"Apparently we have one more," a chill ran down her spine,

"Oh shit, no," she begged, not having the energy to pull herself up to see who it was,

'Not –'

"There is one more space left next to Ms. Higurashi in the back, Mr. Taisho,"

"Oh good," she exhaled, the name did not sound familiar to her,

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"Hello there," or maybe it did,

She peeked out from under her bangs only to see his familiar, black leather boots. She looked up into the golden eyes of her very complicated young man. As complicated as a song she could not get out of her head.

He extended a hand to her, she took it before thinking. When his fingers locked around hers, that familiar sparks ran between them. As soon as she found her feet, she pulled away. Turning towards the teacher who was starting his lesson, Kagome pretended to focus all her attention onto him.

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The time went by rather slowly. InuYasha was focused on making his own notes, whereas Kagome was too focused on him. She felt like kicking herself.

He obviously did not feel the same things she was, so she was better to just forget about him.

But still, she studied his profile. He was definitely taller than she was, even when leaning on his elbows. His hair was tied back into his usual, long ponytail. It ran past his broad, muscular shoulders, down his spine and ending by the waist of his pants. He had narrow hips, and a rather fine behind for a guy. She had never in her life noticed a guy's behind before. She blushed slightly when she noticed the now familiar twinge between her thighs – she pressed them together to create some kind of release.

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Just then, InuYasha stopped writing, and his eyes slowly dwelled to her. Their eyes met; gold to brown. Her blush deepened, and she looked away; furiously trying to catch up her notes. InuYasha chuckled softly, making her blush even more.

He was glad to know he was not the only one being affected so deeply; the smell of her arousal was going to drive him crazy. If it was not so completely inappropriate, he'd take her right here on this table. Ripping that plain shirt off her, pinning her underneath his weight and making her shiver underneath his palms. Exploring every inch of her pale skin; maybe see if he could bring some rogue to it at least. Nipping, biting, tasting every inch of her. His eyes flicked back to her.

Her back straightened slightly, she stopped writing and looked at him again.

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Kagome could see a hunger building in his honey eyes. She could see them darkening, a ring of red forming around his iris. She bit her lower lip, making a low growl escape his throat; she remembered what that lead to the first time. And when her tongue slipped across her lower lip, she could have sworn she saw him lean towards her, starting to rise from his seat,

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They were both shocked back into reality when the bell rang for the end of the lesson. With shaking hands Kagome tried to quickly gather up all her things. InuYasha seemed unfazed as he quickly got all his things together and with a nod, left the class.

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"I can see why you wouldn't mind him being the last man to have you before you die," Sango gave Kagome such a fright, she practically jumped out of her skin,

"I mean, his not my type or anything, but-"

"I am serious Sango, THAT is him," she was tingling from the thoughts she could read in his eyes, and the complying ones she was sure he could see in hers.

"Well, my little Kagome, I have some excellent news for you then," Sango hooked Kagome's arm into hers and lead her out of the class and towards her locker.

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"Sango, I think you are mistaken," Kagome was still trying to rub the tingles out of her skin,

"He could not possibly be the son of THE Mr. Inu no Taisho," Kagome stared at herself in the small mirror at the back of her locker; her eyes where definitely getting darker,

"No seriously, I heard my father buzzing about it the whole morning. They are one of the biggest international businesses, branching out into many different areas: real-estate, imports and expo-"

"What got you so excited, sweet Sango… I do hope it's me," Miroku slowly encircled Sango's hips, pulling her into him, placing soft kisses down the column of her neck,

"Miroku!" Sango reacted with a slap to his cheek,

"Oh, the sting of your love burns deep, my love," he patted his reddening skin,

"Not everything is about you," Sango bit, and Miroku held a hand over his heart, pretending a sharp pain rammed into his chest,

"I heard from my father that the Taisho's group is opening a branch here, and I think it is newbie, InuYasha's, family," Sango continued,

"Isn't he a bit too hot-headed to be-"

"Who's hot-headed?" Hojo appeared at Kagome's side,

"Oh, hi honey," Hojo kissed Kagome's cheek, she flinched slightly,

"No, that new guy," Miroku continued,

Hojo found Kagome's hand and gave it a painful squeeze. She looked at him, the warning burned hot in his eyes. She knew he did not like InuYasha very much, and she knew he could pick up on whatever was going on between them…

'Not that there is,' she sighed to herself,

"Well, I'm not interested in the newbie," Hojo said coolly,

"Can we get going, I have to meet my father at the office," Hojo dragged Kagome and her half packed bag away. She waved apologetically at Miroku and a very angry looking Sango.

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"So, Taisho is in your science partner," Hojo asked, his eyes fixed on the road,

Kagome almost choked on her drink,

'How does he know?'

"Yeah, never pegged him as a science person," she tried as a matter of factly,

"And apparently, you two are very friendly," his jaw clenched hard, setting his lips into a thin line,

"He did not do anything, Hojo. Can you please get off this horse now," she put her hand onto his; his fist stayed stiff on the gears.

"There is nothing to worry about, ok?" she tried again, he seemed to relax, even if it was only the slightest. The rest of the trip to her house was quiet – and she thanked every single deity she could think of for that.

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When they stopped at the gate, she unbuckled herself, and he pulled her back into the car, and onto his lap. He smashed his face into hers; kissing her roughly, sloppily. He clawed at her body, she knew to just comply. He was not a gentle lover; she knew that. Some pinches and holds would leave slight bruising, but she was used to them by now.

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She did not feel the same intensity, the same static spreading through her as she had from her brief kisses with InuYasha. He had set her soul on fire, whereas Hojo was just plain. He used to make goosebumps at least – before when she was still innocent, and then everything got out of hand.

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"Cannot wait for the function, then I can have you again," he breathed into her mouth,

"Looking forward to it," she kissed his forehead and got off his lap. She noticed when she got out her inner thigh was pulsing. She must have hit herself on something in the car; maybe the hand-break?

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Getting closer to the front door she heard a large branch break close to the stables.

"What the hell?" she frowned, moving closer,

The horses were upset again, and a smile crossed her face when she thought about who it could be. She moved towards the tree and saw the large claw marks, running up the trunk and ending at the sharp, pointed pieces that use to be the branch. The branch on the ground looked like it had exploded; more claw marks cut into the thick bark.

"Oh good gawd, REALLY?" she shouted, she knew he could hear her,

She heard something around the side of the building. She thought of taking a piece of branch with her, but looking at what he did to it, she thought it futile.

She took a deep breath and walked towards the sound of heavy panting. InuYasha was standing with his back towards her; panting hard. She could see his whole body heaving.

"InuYasha, are you a-" she froze when he turned around,

"Stay," he commanded in his animal-like voice,

She nodded, and she saw him close his eyes; his claws shortened, his body stopped shaking, when he finally opened his eyes, she saw the pink scleras turn back to white.

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He was glaring at her. He seemed to be pissed at her, but she could not fathom why.

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"How?" he barked at her, making her flinch,

"How what?" she felt so confused,

"How can you still touch him after…" he clenched his jaw, balling his fists,

"After, he… does-" InuYasha hit the side of the building,

"InuYasha, calm down," she took a step towards him,

He brought his hand up to his face, turning to hide it from her view,

"You? You're bleeding, let me see," she went closer, ignoring his growl,

"Shut it, and let me see," she kneeled in front of him, his face still low.

She took his injured hand out of the other and had a look at it.

The skin was gone… bloodied pieces of meat and muscle was all that remained,

"What did you do that for?" Kagome felt an anger build inside her, taking a handkerchief from her pocket,

"Unlike him, I would never take my anger out on you," he was… pouting?

"Awww, is the angel sulking?" she cooed, folding the small cloth around his fingers and knuckles; wow he had beautiful hands – large and muscular.

Her skin tingled from the memory of what those hands could do…

"Stop that," he growled,

"Stop what?"

"Calling me an angel, for one…"

"And two?"

"Stop thinking about me," his voice sounded husky,

"Can you read minds?" Kagome was stunned,

"No," he dared a smile,

"I can smell your arousal," he chuckled at her reddening face,

Kagome was a bright scarlet,

'How the hell does he know,'

"I need to put proper bandages on this, come inside," tugging his hand softly,

"I do not need your bandages," he scoffed,

"Stop being a hot-head, come inside," with a sigh, InuYasha followed her into the house.

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She was busy with a small pot over a camping gas stove. She was mixing in a variety of spices into some beeswax. InuYasha sat on the kitchen counter, watching her working the jars and wax. He took a deep breath, letting in the smells around him.

His gaze drifted from the black-haired girl, the ghost of the girl from fifty years ago, but stopped at a specific spot, the place where he first touched her; here in this very kitchen. The feelings stirred unwanted in his chest making him growled softly,

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"Oh what now," Kagome was scowling at him,

"I don't need your -"

"Bandages, yes, yes," she stirred the mixture again, then switched off the flame,

"This will need to cool down first," she pulled herself onto the counter next to him, leaning against the cool marble behind her.

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After minutes of silence, Kagome's curiosity got the better of her. She looked at InuYasha's stern face. He had his arms folded across his chest, and his legs crossed on the counter. His eyes were closed, and his eyebrows furrowed. She could see was trying very hard to be indifferent.

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"InuYasha," she whispered,

His face softened for a second and he opened his eyes. Only his eyes moved to her, the rest of him stayed completely still.

"Why did you… Uhhh…"

'Oh gawd this is weirder than I thought it would be,'

"Why did I come to you?" his eyes looked straight ahead,

"Well, yeah… I mean, there are prettier girls-"

"Your circumstances are ideal…" he kept his eyes fixed on the far wall,

"My… circumstances?" she couldn't help but feel stupid,

"Rich girl, all this pressure to be successful and then takes her own life," he was being very cold on the topic, and this frightened Kagome a little,

"Oh," was the only sound she could make, her throat thick with emotions she didn't expect,

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She had felt that he was her angel in this nightmare she called life, coming to save her… Only to hear she was convenient to have and then end,

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"Kagome, please just forget about it," InuYasha breathed deeply, closing his eyes again,

"I am never laying a hand on you agai-"

"But you can hit walls out of jealousy?" she mumbled, surprising them both,

"I'm not jealous," he clenched his jaw,

"I was in a sating cycle…"

"Sating? As in urges you needed to get out of your system?"

"Yes… Why are we talking about this?" he was off the counter and by the opposite wall in the blink of an eye,

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He was pacing the kitchen, this seemed to calm him a little. Kagome got off and walked over to the pot. She stirred it a few times and then tested the temperature on her wrist… Still a bit hot…

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"Kagome," he was behind her suddenly, she could feel the heat of his body against hers,

She didn't move. She didn't dare to move with his proximity,

"Yes?" she whispered,

"We crave things we can never have… I think about you more than I should…" he rested his forehead against the back of her head, breathing in her scent,

"The only thing we can ever be, if we ever are, would be friends," she was willing him to touch her, but he never did,

"InuYasha, you speak to me as if you are afraid that we have fall in love," she was holding onto the counter to steady herself,

"Kagome, don't waste your time on me," he nuzzled her hair; but he knew he should not touch her,

"InuYasha," she whispered, her body alight by just his soft touches,

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He moved away from her suddenly, a cold void left by his absence. She turned to find him leaning against the counter,

"Could you please finish up, I need to get going," he did not look at her, but his face seemed pained,

"All right," her voice was trembling,

She took the pot, tested it again, and brought the bandages with her. He sat on the counter again, watching her work on his hand. She was so gentle. She softly and slowly cleaned off the caked blood. She used a small wooden spatula to spread the mixture onto his wounds; wrapping it neatly in the clean bandage.

He was lost in her caring when she looked up into his eyes.

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Kagome looked up into molten honey, dark and full of longing. The only touch they would ever share again, was her holding his hand now.

She could feel his fingers twitch, and then close around her own. She could see something in his eyes; a longing desire… it was burning just for her…

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