Disclaimer: InuYasha and company is not mine! Not matter how many time I beg, and no matter how many times I plea, Santa just did not want to give it to me… *grumbles* InuYasha is the property of the oh-so-great mangaka, Rumiko Takahashi.

Summery: Since childhood, InuYasha and Kagome had always tried to outdo each other with tricks and, most of the time, embarrassing pranks. Upon reaching high-school, Kagome had thought that she had finally outdone him, that is, until he got a dare. The challenge? The oh-so-familiar 'Love 'em and Leave 'em' ploy, guaranteed to humiliate. Given the time span of two weeks to make Kagome fall in love with him, Inuyasha sure got his work cut out for him… especially when falling in love isn't just pretending any more…

Category: Humor, Romance, AU

A/N at the bottom

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Love 'Em Til It Hurts!

By: SilentRain

Chapter Two: The Newcomer

She had been on edge for days, constantly peeking over every turn and corner to make sure he wasn't there. It was bad enough that he had announced 'ownership' of her in front of the entire school, but now he had to follow her every where, as well. It freaked her to know that he seemed to be in every corner and every room she went in…

Risking a glance down the corridor, Kagome sighed and began walking down the vastly crowded hall, thinking that he would never spot her in this sea of students. Oh, how the fates decided she was wrong…

"KAGOME!!!!! OI! KAGOME!!!!"

That voice…

Weaving in and out of throngs of people, the dark-haired girl glanced about wildly, searching for that…

"EVERYBODY!!! CLEAR OUT OF MY WAY!!!!!"

At the bellow, the ocean of bodies parted right down the middle, reminding Kagome very ironically of the Bible's 'Parting of the Red Sea'. Then with sure, quick strides, the raven-haired boy was at her side, violet eyes strangely hurt.

"I thought I told you that I'd walk you to class!" he complained, crossing his arms.

"And I thought I told you that I didn't want you to! Go away, Inuyasha!!" she snarled, turning on her heel and marching down the corridor.

"Hey!! Kagome!!! Wait!!"

Running after her, he grasped her arm in a surprisingly gentle manner. Strong enough to restrain, light enough to allow her movement. How he had been acting this last few days puzzled her so. … Was his hands always this warm?

Snapping out of her daze, she then settled on a fierce glare, her sight locked onto his.

"What?" she snapped, pulling her arm away.

"I'm walking you to class." he said firmly, neither a demand or an option.

"Fine! But, keep your distance! I don't want people to think we're together or something!"

Catching the look of hurt in his eyes, she stammered slightly before huffing angrily, continuing her stomping down the hall. From behind her, Inuyasha grinned to himself, barely noticing the dark-haired boy that stepped out of the office to their right.

'This is working out so perfectly!' he thought, biting his lips sharply to keep from snickering. 'Absolutely nothing can go wrong!!'

A gasp cut him short from his thoughts, Kagome's voice filling the hall.

"MIROKU!!!!!"

His head quickly snapped in attention, his gaze falling upon them just as the girl launched herself in the man's arms, a delighted squeal escaping her. A baffled look raced through the boy's features before a wide grin came to his lips, azure eyes radiant with laughter, eagerly embracing the girl back.

"Ah! Kagome-chan!"

Bristling, Inuyasha's eyes narrowed into small slits, his previous thought flying gaily out the window.

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"So, this is the school you've been bragging to me about. Must say that I have made quite a good decision this time." the boy said, looking about the dining hall appreciatively.

"Hai!! It took awhile, but finally you've transferred here!!!" Kagome gushed, jumping up and down on her seat excitedly. "I have to show you around!! Which group did they put you in?? What classes did you take??"

"Calm down, Kagome! Let me get settled in first, then we can do whatever you want, k?"

"Sugoi!!!!"

Everyone in the dining hall had, by now, forgotten their food and was staring openly at the duo, some with admiration, other's with sympathetic faces, for neither knew of the burning gaze sent in their direction. As Kagome laughed at the boy's words once more, Inuyasha growled and slammed a fist in his table, the platters momentarily clattering in their positions.

'That git is making a dent in my plans!' he growled, startling a few of the people beside him. 'Just what is he to her anyhow??'

Playing with a pea in his plate, he casually aimed it at the boy's head and flicked it, sending the tiny ball flying through the air. Hitting his desired mark, he smirked, feeling slightly better. Slightly.

"Did something just hit me right now?" Miroku asked, rubbing the back of his neck.

Looking behind them, Kagome saw the heated glare and returned it with equal passion, finishing it off with a raspberry. Turning to face the boy, she then smiled.

"It was just a jerk! Probably couldn't get enough attention to himself so he wants to start something." she sighed, waving a dismissing hand.

"Hey, Kagome!"

Craning her neck, she caught sight of Sango nearing them, a tray in her person. Smiling, she cleared the space beside her of her items, Sango momentarily sitting down then.

"Sango! I want you to meet someone!" Kagome chirped, gesturing to the boy beside her. "This is Miroku Houshi. A cousin of mine from my mother's side. I think you met him once over the summer, I'm not sure."

Suddenly a frown marred the other girl's features, skeptic eyes taking in the boy's seemingly innocent smile.

"Ah, yes, who could forget such a beauty---"

"And, who could forget such a lecher." she hissed, slowly inching away. "After what you did, don't think I'll just forgive and forget!"

"Sango! I'm appalled! My hand had merely slipped and---"

"Landed on my butt??"

"Well, it wasn't the most subtle of landings, but---"

"Save it, Houshi. I ain't listening to you!"

Watching her best friend glare holes into her cousin, Kagome sighed, quickly breaking up the fight.

"Guys! C'mon! Let's not start the year this way!!" Kagome whined, breaking their perpetual staring contest. "I have enough troubles as is!"

"Alright, Kagome-chan, but just for you." the other dark-haired girl sighed, picking up a fork. "But if he tries something, one little thing, I won't hesitate to shove this fork down his throat."

"Ehehe… Sango-chan, I would never!"

"Save it."

Sighing, Kagome then turned to face her cousin once more as Sango began to eat, a smile coming to her features.

"So, Miroku, where did they put you??" she started, trying to keep her excitement down to a minimum.

"Well, obviously, I'm in the eleventh year, and I think they placed me in group A." he said thoughtfully, looking through his papers. "Yep, group A."

"Aww… Sango and I are in group C!!"

Behind her, Sango silently thanked the heavens.

"So, uhm, Kagome-chan, explain to me this grouping thing again, ne?"

"Huh?? Sure! You already know that the year thing is just another term for grades, right?"

A look that merely said 'Duh!' told her to continue.

"OK. The grouping is used to make it easier for the teachers. Instead of one entire class to deal with, they divided us all in three groups, obviously named 'A', 'B', and 'C'." she started, counting off the items with her fingers. "We all have different time periods for classes and class 'C' and 'A' barely get any together."

"Ohh…"

"Yeah. The only time we'll be able to see each other is during breaks and when we eat here in the dining hall."

"Another thing, Kagome, where are the dorms?"

"Oh! The dorms are all located in the same wing though at different floors. I'll show you later after classes."

"Alright, then." he smiled. "And where can I get the uniform?"

"Hmm… the office might have some, but you have to buy it though."

"Ouch… I hope it doesn't burn a hole in my wallet…"

"It's fairly cheap. Just don't get on the secretary's nerves…"

"I'll keep that in mind."

Laughing happily, Kagome then latched herself unto his arm.

"I just can't believe that we're finally gonna be schooling together!! After all this time, your mother agreed at long last!!"

"Well, it wasn't easy convincing her, Kagome. This school wasn't really easy on the wallet and there's still the shrine that we have to take care off."

"Yeah, I know!!! I'm just happy!!! Maybe now you can help me!!!"

"Help you from what?"

"YOU CREEP!!!!!! GET THE HELL AWAY FROM KAGOME!!!!!!!"

"What was that???" Miroku asked, looking about the place, his eyes landing on a youth that was currently being restrained by a handful of seventh years that weren't exactly successful.

"Help me from that."

Blinking a few times, Miroku could only utter an unintelligent 'Oh…'

-To Be Continued.