Be Mine!

--

//Disclaimer

I do not own Inuyasha

So please stop sending me

Fan mail//

A/N:

I'd say I was sorry for not updating

Sooner but then I'd have to say it again

And again and again…and I

Don't like being repetitive.

Please REVIEW! Or else I'll take another

6 months to update. Muhahaha!

11: Open Heart Surgery

--

What day is it, and in what month?

This clock never seemed so alive

I can't keep up and I can't back down

I've been losing so much time

Cause it's you and me and all of the people

With nothing to do, nothing to lose

And it's you and me and all of the people

And I don't know why I can't keep my eyes off of you

Lifehouse

"You and Me"

Current Song:

Love Can Make a Miracle

Boa

&&&

Blind Eye

Half his face was concealed by evening darkness and the other half was glowing under the weight of the full moon. Kagome was glued to the ground, her body a transfixed projection on the paved sidewalk. She watched Inuyasha's free hand still in mid-air, offering itself to her. For a moment, she even considered holding it, feeling the warmth of his touch against her skin. But the temptation was pushed aside by stubbornness. He was cleverer than she thought. She almost fell for it.

"You can hold your own hand." She replied sharply.

Inuyasha couldn't believe it. Even in his best efforts, she still treated him like an STD. "Come on just hold my hand." Kagome had broken the air of romance and replaced it with their usual back and forth banter.

Kagome turned her heels and proceeded to walk alone, perfectly fine with the cold.

"Don't be a big baby. I just wanted to make sure you don't get lost."

"Like I would get los…" Oh right, there wasn't really much she could say about that.

Inuyasha stood by her and with one foul swoop forcibly took her hand. Kagome tried to pull away but was no match for his strength. Her hands warmed under his clasp and resistance became futile.

"See, it isn't that bad. Now, you won't wander around like an idiot."

"Hey!"

Inuyasha covered her mouth with his other hand, forbidding her to speak. Shocked, Kagome didn't struggle. She felt paralyzed. Their eyes met and lingered. The silence cut like a butcher knife into the frosted still black canvas of night. Cold was a distant memory. Any closer and she might just melt from the heat.

"Don't be difficult."

If Kagome weren't so spellbound by Inuyasha's liquid black eyes, she would have sworn that sounded like a demand. Kagome continued to stare even after he lowered his hand from her mouth. His presence was almost omnipotent. He stood so tall against her petite frame. He felt so strong. She watched him shift slightly, feeling uneasy by her unwavering gaze. He slowly leaned forward and Kagome tensed. What should she do? Inuyasha was going to kiss her!

She closed her eyes and waited. Instead his warm lips made contact with her forehead, which was wrinkled in confused anticipation. She didn't bother to look up at him again. She was too red in the face to even excuse it as being cold. Just the opposite, she was so hot she could heat Tokyo!

"Why did you do that?" Kagome asked, her voice a whisper. Her eyes diverted and staring out into nothing.

Inuyasha turned away and dragged her with him by tugging on their conjoined hands. "Come on, its cold outside. Let me take you home."

For some unknown reason, Kagome didn't protest. She let him hold her hand. She let him kiss her on the forehead, for goodness sakes! But was she doing this because she liked him? Or was it just because it was easier to obey than to argue? For the rest of the walk home, they both remained silent and holding hands.

When they finally reached her house, Inuyasha looked up at the tall white building, devoid of life and love and asked, "Are you always alone, Kagome?" His voice was creased with concern.

Kagome tried to smile it off. She detached herself from Inuyasha's grip and opened the gate to her empty home. Without Inuyasha's hand weighing her down, she felt empty. Inuyasha watched her quietly, his eyes trying to communicate the words his mouth could not express.

"Don't look at me like that Inuyasha." Kagome didn't like pity, especially from Inuyasha.

"Kagome, you might think this is just me playing with you, but I'm not that cruel…as cruel as you think I am."

His words melted into her flesh. She felt like she was on fire. She needed to leave before he got the best of her. Kagome turned to depart when she felt the touch of Inuyasha's fingertips over her own. Her heart pounded like a drum inside her chest. It felt like it was on the verge of explosion. What was happening? This feeling she couldn't describe almost felt like love. If she loved Hojo, why didn't her heart ache like this?

"Kagome…"

Kagome turned around and met his eyes, which agitated her heart more. Was that sincerity?

"Sweet dreams." He took back his hand, turned, and left. She watched him walk away until he was completely enveloped my darkness. His parting words danced over her and drifted into her dreams.

&&&

Second Chances

Sango skipped down the block to her house, so happy with herself. Sneaking out the back window to give those lovebirds some alone time was such a brilliant plan. If they needed a little push to get the water burning then she sure as hell made it boil. Or rather, she probably made Kagome boil over. She was going to get an earful first thing tomorrow. But she wouldn't let the expectation of Kagome's forecasted outburst bring her down. She felt so good putting them together. They would make a good couple, that is, if they don't kill each other first.

Sango caught sight of her house and happily strolled towards it. Her parents were probably home. She wondered whether her mother had cooked dinner. She was a little hungry. She never had a chance to eat. While Kagome and Inuyasha were enjoying their order, she was busy trying to stuff her fat ass out the bathroom window, which was an accomplishment.

Nearing the house, she stopped dead when she spied an envelope with a rose on the doorstep. She looked around and proceeded to walk towards it cautiously. She bent down and retrieved it, barely touching the paper. She was treating it more like a bomb than a love letter from her supposed secret admirer. Sango retrieved the note from the envelope and took some time before finally flipping it open.

You tear me up

Only to piece me back together again

You've wounded me

Only to kiss the cuts and mend my broken heart

You break me down

Only to make me stronger

Sango set the letter down and touched the rose taking space on the front step. She didn't know how to react to it. She had been so busy worrying about Kagome's love life, she had forgotten to resolve her own, which was nothing but a mystery. Even if she discovered this anonymous Casanova, there was no guarantee she could love him back. Although his words touched her, it is so hard to love someone when there was another person taking up room in her heart. Sango slumped down in confusion.

She felt the footsteps of someone approaching and looked up to see her brother hovering over her, his shadow a mass of darkness.

"What's wrong with you?" he asked.

Sango didn't even bother to barrage him with a million questions like where he was all night. She didn't have the energy to quarrel.

"Nothing."

Kohaku stared at the rose sitting beside her and sighed. Although his sister was a menace, he couldn't stand to see her being played by Miroku. To anyone looking in, they may seem like they hated each other but it's all just a façade. The ridicule is part of the love.

"Let's have dinner tomorrow. We haven't spent time with each other since we were kids."

Sango looked up at her brother awestruck. He wanted to go out together in public? She felt so touched but at the same time so suspicious.

"Are you sick?"

"I just think that since you're going off to school soon…hopefully…that we should hang out."

Sango didn't appreciate the sly way he inserted a dumb joke in that sentence. But all the same she enjoyed the thought of spending time with her little brother. Maybe if they started getting along, he might help her study for entrance exams!

Kohaku opened the front door and wisps of fluorescent light escaped out the door. "Aren't you coming in? Mom made dinner."

That got the ball rolling. Sango leaped to her feet, carrying the letter and rose and rushed in.

&&&

Wrecking Ball

Kikyo has never described herself as the devious one. But lately, she rather liked the role of the villain, if that meant securing her rightful place as Inuyasha's future wife. After all, she worked too damn hard to back down now. She did still love Inuyasha but right now it was more about who came out on top. And she'd be damned if that moron Kagome was going to break down everything she built.

She sat alone at the very corner of the dim-lit Three Moons, smoking a cigarette to ensure she remained alone until her guest of honor arrived. She flipped open her cell phone. He was ten minutes late. She hated waiting. But if this meeting meant finally getting rid of Kagome, then she'd wait all night.

He walked in with an arrogant swagger and saw her instantly. When he approached, people made room, which was why he was the perfect person to hatch her plan.

Yamagata Naraku occasionally attended high school at Osahi High School, where he had a notorious reputation for causing fights, getting innocent girls pregnant, and using his butterfly knife at any occasion he felt perturbed which included waiting in line to take a wiz. Kikyo had first met him when she was only a first year. Believing she was an innocent little schoolgirl, he thought he could persuade her to hop into bed with him. She did of course but just to show him she wasn't innocent. They remained acquaintances for purely physical reasons but right now if he expected anything, he'd have to follow through first.

He slid down into the seat opposite of her and she stared into his devilish eyes. He smirked before helping himself to the cigarette sitting between her fingertips. He took a puff and exhaled.

"Ah, cherry lip-gloss."

Kikyo snatched back her cigarette and dug the end into the table, killing the fire and leaving a nice mark on the table. She had forgotten how unbelievably annoying he was.

"Don't touch me or any of my things again."

He smirked and leaned in close. "Don't call me out here and tempt me baby because it'll only get you in trouble."

Kikyo dug into her purse and slammed a stack of cash on the table. "Don't make me mad or else."

"I don't think we've ever said more than two words to each other."

"You weren't there for me to talk to Naraku. I hope you figured that out already."

"Hey, I'm not complaining." He tore his eyes off her face to stare at the pile of fresh cash sitting on the table beneath her manicured nails. "So tell me what I have to do to get a hold of that money?" In reality, he could easily steal the money but it was so much more fun playing with Kikyo. Besides, she was relentless. He'd be running away the rest of his life from people she hired to kill him.

"I want a girl out of the picture."

"Like with a bullet to her head?"

Kikyo thought about that for a moment. "Too bloody. Plus, I'd like to play with her a little. Break her down little by little. Isn't that more fun?"

Naraku was pretty sure she had a couple screws loose but that was why he thought she was so adorable. He loved how she thought money could solve everything. Life had been too easy for her and she had hired Naraku to make sure it stayed that way.

"How do you propose I break this girl down?"

Kikyo leaned in close. Naraku watched her brilliant red lips part and speak. "I want you to seduce her."

"Fairly easy." He abruptly reached for the money but was intersected by Kikyo's fast reflexes.

"Uh-uh, not until you've got her wrapped around your greedy finger." Kikyo waved the cash playfully in front of him in an attempt to tempt him.

"I want more than the cash."

Kikyo's smile gave way to a quivering upper lip. "You pervert."

"Take it or leave it." Naraku stared her down, daring her to back down because he knew she could never do it.

Kikyo stuffed the money into her quilted Chanel purse and rose, "Asshole. You better make it worth it."

Naraku reached for her hair but it was instantly slapped away. Kikyo was ferocious. She threw him a picture. He stared at the school picture sprawled on the table. If he didn't know any better, he could have sworn it looked like Kikyo. The nose, the bone structure, and the way her lower lip curved ever so slightly. But that was where the resemblance ended. This girl in the picture loved life and the Kikyo he grew to know had nothing much to live for.

"Her name is Higashiri Kagome. Find her. Seduce her. Then you'll get your money."

"And?"

Kikyo rolled her eyes in annoyance. Naraku loved to push her buttons.

"Whatever. Just do this and you'll get anything you want." Naraku loved the sound of that.

Kikyo turned and left in a huff. Naraku picked up the picture and smiled. "Kagome tomorrow is your lucky day."

&&&

Icy Confrontations

Kagome watched the steam rise from her hot cup of vanilla latte. It was 6 o'clock in the morning and after hours of consistent tossing and turning, she had unexpectedly ended up at the coffee shop across her school. She came here every morning to transform into her alter ego in fear the neighbors might either think she was a cross-dresser or a tramp. She sighed and rested her chin on the table. Her mind was distressed. And even the coffee n front of her wasn't going to make her dilemma go away.

Inuyasha had opened Pandora's box. He ignited feelings in her that she didn't know she could feel…towards him! His unexpected kindness, the way his hand fit nicely into hers, how she felt so at ease with him. She was bothered by the idea that she couldn't hate him anymore. But their past together only reinforced the idea that everything he said and did might be a lie. Until now, Kagome was certain Inuyasha hated her. From the moment they met, they butted heads. What happened from then and now to change what he felt for her? They seldom saw each other. And when they did, not a single word was said without a spoonful of bitterness. Okay, so they did have one night together where there was a minimal amount of shouting but she was drunk the whole time. So, that doesn't really count.

By the time she lifted her head, a small morning caffeine crowd was congregating in the coffee shop. She looked at her watch and was alarmed at how long she had overstayed. Not long enough to be late but enough to remind her about how much this Inuyasha fiasco was really haunting her. Plus, she had only ten minutes to change. She quickly grabbed her gym bag and jumped out of her seat only to stumble back down. Not only was she disoriented and feeling the first signs of a nasty bruise on her side but she was covered in slime. No! Iced Mocha! Thankfully something had cushioned her fall. She looked down and realized she was on top of a very confused guy. He looked up and through iced mocha lips smiled.

"Are you okay?"

She hurried to her feet and watched the crowd make circles around them. The day had just started and she was already the center of a scandal. The guy remained plastered to the ground, covered in his own iced mocha explosion and shaking his head from the sudden impact. He popped his head up and began scrapping the ice off his chest. Kagome reached for a napkin and made an attempt to help him though she was too red in the face to see straight.

"I am so sorry! I'm so clumsy. I never look where I am going."

"I think you owe me a drink."

Kagome looked up and felt mortified. "I promise I'll get you another drink."

He chuckled and touched Kagome on the shoulder. "I'm kidding. It's no big deal. I shouldn't be drinking any more caffeine anyways. You did a good thing bumping into me."

Kagome bit her lip and continued to pat him down the best she could. He touched her hand to cease her scrubbing. "It's okay."

It was moments like this that she really wished she had a rewind button. Heck, a delete and help button too!

They both got to their feet and thankfully the crowd was beginning to mind their own business. Despite his resistance, Kagome bought him another iced mocha.

"I told you, you didn't have to get this for me."

"But I feel so bad. Just accept it so my conscience will be clean."

He smiled and took a sip. "Tastes better than usual."

Kagome grinned. They took a seat at a nearby table. Newly recovered from her embarrassment, she felt like she was seeing him for the first time. He had long hair that went just below his ears and defined his angular jaw. He was a shy taller than Inuyasha. There he goes again, popping into her thoughts. He felt her stare and cut his eyes towards her. Kagome nearly gasped. His eyes were intense. She wasn't sure what to make of them. She wasn't sure what to make of him. But right now, he seemed like a good person.

"What school do you go to?" he asked.

Kagome was always a little embarrassed when people asked. "Tohaka High."

He smiled, clearly aware of the school's notorious reputation. Kagome felt she better change the topic. "What school do you go to?"

"Tokyo University."

Kagome was taken back. She hoped she hadn't awed like an idiot in front of him. "That's impressive."

"It isn't anything to brag about. I worked hard and hard work pays."

Kagome liked him already. Unlike a certain jerk that got everything he wanted because of his looks and household name.

"What are you studying?"

"Philosophy."

"I've always wanted to go to Tokyo University. But from the school I'm coming from, I don't know if it'll happen."

He looked at her straight in the eye. "It will. And someday we might even have class together."

Kagome liked the sound of that.

He took the finishing sip of his iced mocha and scrambled to his feet. "I have to go. Class in 5 minutes."

Great, not only did she drench him in caffeine slime but also made the poor guy late for class.

"I'm so sorry! You're going to be late because of me."

He chucked. "Yeah I guess so."

Kagome looked defeated.

"But you could make it up to me."

Make it up to him? She really didn't have any more money for another iced mocha.

"I'll forgive you for everything if you go out with me tonight."

Kagome's knees nearly gave way. Did he just ask her out on a date? After she ruined his whole morning? She didn't even know the guy. There was no reason not to think he might be a homicidal maniac that preyed on unsuspecting little high school girls. She didn't even know his name for goodness sakes. But then again, it was so rude to say no after what she had done. Most guys would have lashed out at her after drenching them in coffee. He neither got mad or annoyed.

She went back and forth with the two thoughts in her head until she got whiplash. Then out of nowhere her mouth began to form a word, "Okay." She couldn't believe she just agreed to go out with a guy she just met.

He smiled. "Good, meet me at the Three Moons at 6 tonight."

"Wait I don't even know your name!"

"Naraku."

"I'm Kagome."

He waved goodbye and slipped out of the café.

Kagome headed towards the bathroom to change when it struck her. This was her first date! A first date that was supposed to be with Hojo, the man of her dreams! Nothing seemed to be going as planned.

&&&

Exposure

Kouga slammed his locker shut and banged his head on it a couple times hoping to knock some sense into himself. He was getting these unnatural feelings. He slammed his head harder. Maybe if he did this long enough, he'd get brain damage and have to drop out of school. Then he wouldn't have to battle with the evil thoughts that had invaded his head. But it didn't matter, no matter how many times he pounded his head into metal; the dilemma was never going to go away. Still, he could avoid it at all costs. He could cruise by the downtown plaza, lure in a couple hot babes, and remind himself he was a man. Kouga lifted his head and stared at the slight dent he created. Hot babes sounded like a good idea to him.

Too bad the gates automatically locked when class was in session. From the inside, even with his passkey, it was no use. The school made it a priority that the students were never able to skip classes. It felt more like a prison than an academic institution. But that never stopped Kouga from ditching class a few times to quietly listen to his iPod by the side entrance. Unfortunately, Kouga's ditching days had to come to screeching halt. If he missed any more classes, he would be forced out of the school. That did not sit kindly with his overbearing parents. Kouga gave up trying to be bad and decided to just suck it up and go to class. He had gym anyways and he liked gym.

He walked the short distance to the gym, cutting through the grass and using the back entrance to the locker rooms. He came to a standstill when he saw Tohu approaching him from a distance. He had every intention of running inside and hiding. But if he wanted to prove to himself that Tohu had no effect what so ever on him then he'd have to learn to act like a normal human being.

Tohu stood a couple feet from him and stared at him with big brown eyes. Kouga gulped and thought that hiding was probably a better plan.

"Kouga, I am so glad I found you. I went to the classroom but there was no one there."

"We have gym today. Besides, its not like you go to class."

Tohu made a face. She had nothing to say to that. It was true, she never attended the few classes she had to go to. Wait, why was she feeling guilty? She didn't even go here!

"Gym? I didn't know we had gym."

Kouga relaxed a little and punched Tohu lightly on the arm. He opened the back entrance and shoved her in. "Don't worry about it. Its just gym."

But it wasn't just gym! Kagome wandered through the back of the gym looking like a lost puppy. She heard the voices of boys slamming lockers and laughing. She peered into the locker room and saw the majority of her classmates already changing…half naked! Kagome never had a heart attack before but the pain in her chest felt like her arteries had ripped open. She turned around to leave but was confronted by Kouga's broad shoulders. He loomed over her like a barricade to her only exit.

"Are you okay?" he asked.

No she was not okay! She was just one step closer to becoming a certified pervert. She tried to slide her way towards the door but Kouga persisted on keeping her where she was.

"I don't feel good. I need to go out."

"Don't be a big baby. It's just a bunch of guys."

And therein lies the problem! They were a bunch of guys and she was the pervert girl watching them undress. Shit! She would have to get undressed too. There was nothing masculine about what laid underneath these clothes. And pretty soon, everyone was going to know.

Kouga dragged her in against her will. She stood motionless amidst the cluster of half-naked boys, scared to death of exposure. She wrapped her arms around her body and looked around, hoping to find the solution to this problem. She was always good at puzzles. She rolled her eyes. This wasn't a crossword puzzle! In a matter of moments, she was going to show the room her goodies. She turned to Kouga and hoped there was a shred of humanity in him. But what could he do? He thought she was a boy. Her eyes met his and he suddenly turned tomato red.

She stared at him for a moment, wondering what had happened.

He looked at her for a moment and then ran to the other side of the locker room. He was acting so strange lately. But Kagome didn't have time to think about Kouga. She now had an open window of opportunity to run for the hills. Suddenly the door flew open and in walked a short round man dressed in gym shorts and a shirt that read Ijumari Academy across his manboobs. She assumed he was the gym coach. He blew into his whistle and signaled every one to get their butts out of the locker room and into the gym. He spied Kagome and gave her two fingers, which she deciphered as meaning she either had two minutes to change or he was giving her the peace sign. She chose the latter. Still Kagome was not alone. There were still a couple stranglers from the pact trying to change.

She was stuck. Maybe if she changed quickly, they would never even notice. Kagome bit her lip and reluctantly lifted her shirt a millimeter higher, exposing a small patch of snow-white skin.

Out of nowhere, a pair of shorts and a t-shirt hit her on the head. She looked down at them and then at the person who had thrown them. It was Inuyasha. He was already dressed in his gym clothes.

"Use those," he said, his hands on his hips.

Kagome was slightly confused. "Thanks."

Then he turned to the last batch of guys. "Hurry your asses up and get the hell out of here!" The guys stopped whatever they were doing and ran out of the locker room in a blaze. A few of them were still missing articles of clothing.

Kagome stared at the back of Inuyasha's head dumbfounded. She couldn't even begin to make sense about what had just happened. Inuyasha turned around and gave here a smile. Kagome could feel the red rise to her face. Their eyes met and in that moment, she felt a chill go up her spine and explode out of her head. Kagome was an amateur dater and rarely interacted with boys but Kagome could honestly say that Inuyasha looked hungry!

Inuyasha approached her and put a hand on her shoulder. Kagome shriveled from the touch. "That means you too, Tohu. If you're late, you'll get a demerit."

Kagome nodded and waited for him to exit. But he was bolted to the floor. If she asked him to leave, she might look suspicious.

"You can leave."

"Don't worry, I can wait with you." There it was again. That twinkle in his eye.

"No, don't bother. I don't want both of us to be in trouble."

Kagome could hardly move. His eyes were studying her and to be honest, she was a little freaked out. Inuyasha smiled and took his first step towards the door.

"Okay. But don't take too long." He turned the corner and left.

Kagome watched him leave and gathered her clothes. She ran into the nearest bathroom stall and shut the door. She thought she better change in here as a precaution.

&&&

Double Date Disasters

There was two things Miroku considered himself an expert in: white lies and women. Lucky for him, they happen to go hand in hand. He never met a woman he didn't have to lie to. Honey, you like my dress? Yeah. Do I look fat? Hell no. Do you love me? For sure. In the end, the lies really paid off. Sometimes, he even got rewarded for lying.

Lately, his skills seemed to be lacking. He even pulled out the big guns and asked that pipsqueak Kohaku for help, something he would have never done. But he had hit rock bottom. No, he was pass rock bottom and was at primordial. Miroku sighed and flew backwards onto his bed. Kohaku had text messaged him earlier asking him to meet him at the Three Moons. Miroku had considered that for a moment and realized he had better things to do with his time. Like trying to figure out why Sango didn't like him. The harder she pushed, the stronger he pulled.

His cell phone buzzed beside him. It was from Kohaku again. He read the message and quickly got up. He was on his feet in minutes and heading out the door. He jogged the short distance to the Three Moons and spotted Kohaku with his back towards him sitting at a booth at a far corner. He strolled towards him and tapped him on the shoulder.

Kohaku looked up surprised. "That was fast." Kohaku had text messaged him not five minutes to meet him at the Three Moons.

Miroku slumped forward trying to catch his breath. He held onto the table to keep him steady. "You…said…Sango…would be…here!"

Kohaku tried to stifle a giggle. "Don't worry. She's in the bathroom. We just finished our appetizers. I hope you enjoy cheeseburgers because that's what I ordered you."

Kohaku slipped out of the booth and grabbed his coat.

Miroku looked up at him. "Where are you going?"

Kohaku reached for a calamari and popped it into his mouth. "I have a date tonight. Have fun."

"You're just going to leave her here?"

"No, you're going to take my place."

Miroku laughed. "She's going to freak out."

Kohaku shrugged. "That's something you have to deal with now. Watch out, she does scratch."

Miroku watched him hustle towards the door and exit. He could not believe he was pulling this. Miroku was a little afraid of Sango's reaction. He was pretty sure it would be a cross between mad rage and absolute anger. Miroku looked around and thought for a second to leave but decided against it. He didn't want Sango to come back to an empty table. He hoped that if worse came to worse, he would have the muscle to restrain her. But never underestimate an angry woman.

He spotted Sango come out of the bathroom. She was all smiles. Sango had taken the time to curl her hair and put on a dress. Miroku had never seen her so made up. It made him squirm in all the wrong places.

She was so preoccupied about not tripping over on her platform shoes she never saw Miroku. She approached the table and looked at Miroku. They stared at each other for a while before she finally opened her mouth to speak. She was a bright girl but she couldn't quite put two and two together.

"I swore my brother was the one sitting across from me a moment ago." She did not look happy.

Miroku smiled and looked around, searching for an answer in his head. "He was here but he had to leave. Something important came up. He asked me to sit here in his place."

Sango put her hands on her hips and bit her lower lip. She was summoning all the patience left in her body not to run out the door and hunt down her brother. She swore she would have his head on a stick tonight. She picked up her purse and calmly headed out the door. Miroku jumped out of his seat and grabbed her elbow.

Sango looked down at his hand and felt her body melt under his tender touch. "Excuse me?" She forced her voice not to tremble.

"Sango don't be mad." He continued to hold onto her, knowing that if he let go, she'd be gone in an instant. "Don't leave."

"What are you doing?"

"I just think we should have dinner. Kohaku paid for it. We might as well have our free meal."

Sango couldn't look him in the eye. Her mind kept screaming YES DAMMIT! But her pride was overwhelming. If she stayed, that would mean she was giving in. And she would not give in unless she knew he truly loved her. She refused to be another girl in his life. She wanted to be the girl.

"I ca…"

Miroku tugged on her arm. "Just dinner, that's all." He could feel her trying to reject him again. He put up his two fingers, making a peace sign. "I mean no harm."

Sango grinned. He was so cute sometimes. Sango couldn't believe this but he was tearing her down. She sighed and took a seat at the table. Miroku watched her awestruck.

"Well, are we going to have dinner or what?"

&&&

Cellophane Feelings

Kagome slammed the door to the bathroom stall close and set her belongings down. Sweat trickled down every inch of her weathered body. She had always been particularly good at gym. Her grade school teacher had said it was because she had too much untamed energy. But nothing could have prepared her for Ijumari P.E. It started out easy. A couple stretches and then a few laps around the track. Then it got intense. Apparently, at the end of every month, every boy had to complete a fitness test, which included muscle endurance, timed 5 mile run, and abdominal strength determination. Lucky for Kagome, she came at just the right week of the month.

She could barely see straight let alone control her need to vomit the little food left in her stomach. Her head had been spinning in circles since push-up 256. Every boy in the class went through the test with ease. Of course, Inuyasha had completed the test in record time. He even added a hundred more sit-ups just for fun. They were not human!

Overwhelmed by gym class, she took it upon herself to skip the rest of her classes. This would give her enough time to stop her head from spinning and maybe if she was careful, find Hojo's classroom.

In a few minutes, she was changed. Even the nausea had subsided. Fortunately, she came out of the bathroom just as lunch had started. She crept out of the bathroom and looked to her left. A couple students were already lingering in the halls. Kagome turned and smacked right into abdominal muscle. Ouch! Kagome rubbed her head and looked up. Inuyasha was staring down at her with his arms across his hips.

"I knew I'd find you here."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "What are you doing? Following me?"

"I'm just concerned about my classmate who hasn't attended any of his classes."

Kagome chuckled. "Whatever. I'm busy today."

Inuyasha wrapped his arm around her neck and nudged her head. "You have to eat first, right?"

"I'm not hungry." Kagome lied.

"You liar. After all that working out, I know you're hungry."

Kagome sighed and let Inuyasha drag her towards the tables outside. She was hungry. She could use a snack to regain some drained energy.

"Okay but…"

Inuyasha made an abrupt stop. Kagome nearly choked to death with his arm around her neck. Kagome gagged and released herself from his arms. She rubbed the sore spot on her neck. "What's the big idea?"

Inuyasha didn't answer. His eyes looked troubled.

"Inuyasha?" Kagome followed his gaze and looked beyond the crowd of boys to Miroku sitting on the lunch tables. Her eyes shifted to the boy next to him. It was Hojo! Kagome couldn't believe it. Hojo was just a walk away from her. Now was her opportunity to talk to him. She took a step forward and looked back to see Inuyasha had not moved.

"Are you coming?"

Inuyasha's gaze did not falter. "Yeah."

Kagome walked nervously to the table. Miroku spotted them and gestured them forward. Kagome's stomach was doing flip-flops. She wasn't hungry anymore. On the contrary, she felt like she might need to hurl again.

Kagome took her time to approach them. In her slow pace, she was able to calm herself. She reminded herself that this chance might never come again. She had to make the best of it. Kagome felt a hand on her shoulder. It belonged to Inuyasha. He looked more serious than usual. His mood changed so suddenly. He was more cryptic than a girl on the first day of her period.

"Hey guys." Inuyasha smiled. But Kagome could see through the exterior.

Miroku took one look at Kagome and grimaced. "Tohu, you look like you got run over by a truck. You're as pale as paper."

Kagome shook her head and said she was okay.

Miroku took a bite of his sandwich and smiled at Inuyasha. "Look who I dug out of the library? It took some twisting but he finally decided to join us for lunch."

Inuyasha tilted his head in a sad effort to say hello. But Hojo didn't seem to pay any attention to Inuyasha. His attention was directed at Kagome.

"Are you okay? You really don't look good." Hojo asked.

That's it! Bring me a stretcher. I think I'm dying!

Kagome opened her mouth, intending to speak but nothing would come out. Her vocal cords didn't seem to work. In his presence, her whole body was shutting down.

"He's fine. He just took the test in gym."

Both guys nodded their heads in complete understanding. "The first time I took that test, I passed out. I can't believe you can even walk." Miroku gave her a pat on the back. With the lack of food and energy, she tumbled over and collided with Hojo, hitting him on the head with her hand.

Luckily, the fall wasn't too compromising. "Are you sure you're okay?" Hojo asked underneath her. She had a bad habit of landing on people.

Before she had a chance to speak, she was being pealed off Hojo. Inuyasha set her down.

Miroku slapped his knee in between spouts of laughter. "That was classic! Hojo you have a huge red mark on your head!"

Kagome looked at Hojo. Indeed he did have a mark on his head. Kagome's face turned a tad red. She touched his head and apologized repeatedly. She quickly withdrew her hand. Had she just touched him?

"I can go with you to the nurse!" She blurted out.

"No, its okay. I'll be okay."

"Yeah, don't make such a big deal about it. He's a big boy." Kagome looked up at Inuyasha. There was a sense of bitterness in his voice. Kagome didn't know why he was so mad. Miroku and Hojo felt it too.

"Yeah Tohu, don't worry about me." He reached into his backpack and retrieved a meat bun. He offered it to her. "Take it. I have another one."

Kagome nodded and took the bun, deliberately grazing his fingers. Inuyasha's left eye twitched.

Kagome never had a meat bun that tasted so good. Inuyasha dug into his bag and pulled out a Gatorade. He forcibly handed it to her nearly knocking her down in the process. Kagome took it confused.

"Thanks?"

"I think I also have some medicine in here for headaches." Hojo searched through his bag. Inuyasha huffed and took a seat next to Miroku, who looked a little bewildered by the commotion.

"This is getting strange." He leaped off his spot on the table and grabbed his things.

"Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked.

"Off to the library."

"Come again?" Inuyasha chuckled.

Miroku waved and headed off.

"He's been reading a lot of poetry lately."

"Poetry? Really? Miroku?" Kagome was dumbfounded.

"Yeah I found it odd too. It's probably to impress some girl."

Was she having a conversation with Hojo? Kagome hid a smile. She slid onto the table beside Hojo. If only he knew she was the girl he met three years ago on the bus. She wondered if he still remembered her. She crossed her fingers and prayed he did.

"Speaking of girls…do you have a girlfriend?"

Inuyasha coughed and cleared his throat. Kagome looked at him. She had forgotten he was there. He should just leave them alone.

Hojo grinned. "No, I don't."

Kagome did cartwheels in her mind. This was getting good.

"Hojo doesn't have time for girls, right?" The question was directed to Hojo but Inuyasha's gaze stayed intently on her.

"Well, not right now."

"But if the right girl came along, you'd go out with her, right?" Kagome inquired.

Hojo thought about that for a moment, "I guess."

"BUT you're always busy studying. I don't really think you should jeopardize school with some girl."

Some girl?

"Inuyasha, don't you need to do something?" Kagome rolled her eyes.

"No, I have time to chat with my good friend Hojo." He beamed.

Kagome thought that the best approach to this problem was to simply ignore him. She diverted her attention towards Hojo, who was quietly enjoying his meat bun.

"I find it strange that you don't have a girlfriend Hojo."

Hojo shrugged his shoulders and continued to eat. "The right girl just never came along." The answer came to him to easily. The sincerity ate at her like a mosquito.

Kagome swallowed back the tears. A dark black cloud loomed over her entire head. She had loved him so much for so long and all this time he never once thought about her. She should have expected as much. For a smart girl, she was so dumb. Kagome turned away; hoping the look of despair on her face was not recognizable. She wished she could tell him that she was the right girl. She had been here all along and he never knew.

Hojo looked at her. "You look sick again. Maybe you should go to the nurse."

Kagome shook her head and forced a smile. "I'm fine."

"Well anyways, it should be Inuyasha you should ask about girlfriends." Hojo turned to Inuyasha. Kagome crossed her eyes towards him still fighting back tears. She was surprised to see that his mood had soured again. His face was marked with melancholy. He stared at her with worry.

Hojo jabbed him in the arm. "This guy. He's been after some mystery girl for years."

"Mystery girl?" Kagome's voice was a whisper.

Inuyasha's stare did not falter. Kagome felt the heat rising to her face. She had nothing to blush about but she couldn't control her body's reactions.

"I've been busy studying but Miroku told me something about a confession at the Three Moons."

In an instant, Kagome's face was crimson red. Hojo seemed to be the least of her problems now. She didn't have enough emotional restraint in her body to prepare herself for this conversation. Kagome didn't have the guts to look at Inuyasha. Even if he did not know Tohu was really Kagome, she could not stay and listen. This charade has taken a sharp detour into dangerous territory.

Kagome jumped off her seat. "I have to go."

"Don't you want to hear what happened with Inuyasha and his mystery girl?

Not really. "Maybe later."

"Come on Inuyasha, tell us what happened?"

Kagome gathered her belongings as quickly as possible before another word was uttered from his mouth.

She stopped dead when she heard him speak. Her body refused to move from the shock.

"I told her and she rejected me. But I won't give up easily. I really do…"

Kagome turned. She refused to listen!

"I really do love her. I want her to know that she's the first person I think about when I wake up and last person in my head before I go to sleep. And she drives me nuts sometimes but that makes me love her more."

Kagome couldn't stop her body from trembling. She touched her chest and felt her heart beating like crazy.

Hojo sat back and munched on his meat bun. "Damn, that was deep."

&&&

A/N

+ Kohaku and Kanna go on another date and Kohaku is very willing to move their fake relationship to a more physical level. For the purpose of making Naraku jealous, of course.

+ Rin discovers Kohaku's favorite pastime????

+ Kagome + Inuyasha Love?

+ Miroku and Sango's date

+ Does Kagome give up possible true love for Naraku?