/XCori is STILL being chased by the CLA/

IDONOTOWNINUYASHAORANYOFITSCHARACTERS!

/CLA isn't backing down and keeps running after her/

Ah yes, before I forget:

Inutori: no, you're right, I'm not going to be that cruel to Inuyasha… however, he is going to be his usual flippant arrogant self for a while…

Celtic*Kokoro*Knight : Sorry about Sesshomaru's OOC-ness. To be completely honest, I don't pay attention to him much. I know he's really aloof. And doesn't care too much about the family, except for the Tetsusaiga. But then again, this IS an AU fic… And Miroku's rather OOC as well. Anyway, do you have any tips on how to make Sess less OOC? And as to Inu's hyperness, reading it over again, I really don't know where that came from. Maybe he had too much chocolate. ^_-

Little Friends

Chapter 4

            For Kagome and Miroku, it was their last year in the junior high school. Unfortunately for Inuyasha, he was the new kid. As said before, Inuyasha had silver hair. It was extremely long; it covered half his face and hung all the way down to the lower part of his back. The only person Kagome knew who had hair nearly as long as Inuyasha's was herself, and hers only came down to her waist. Kagome peppered Inuyasha with questions, "Why did you grow your hair so long? Why don't you put it into a pony tail like Miroku does? Do you dye your hair or is the silver natural? Does your brother have naturally silver hair as well? How long did it take you to grow it?"

            "Keh," was Inuyasha's only answer.

            Miroku pulled Kagome over to one side and said, "Kags, you're questioning the guy to death. He only lives a few houses down from us and I think you're already giving him a bad impression."

            "Oh," was her only answer.

            The rest of the walk to school was rather uneventful. Kagome, Miroku, and Inuyasha went to the main office to find Inuyasha's schedule. To Kagome's and Miroku's relief, Inuyasha only shared three classes with them (Kagome and Miroku had the same schedule): Public Speaking, Gym, and Biology. Miroku couldn't stand another impending squabble between Inuyasha and Kagome.

            The third class of the school day was Public Speaking. Their teacher was new; her name was Ms. Kikyou. "Welcome to Public Speaking. To start out this first class, I'd like everyone of you to come up to the podium and tell the class your name, age, grade, any hobbies, and why you think public speaking is important in today's society. Let's start with… Inuyasha!"

            "Keh," was Inuyasha's response, "Why can't I do it from my desk?"

            "Inuyasha, I want you to introduce yourself to the rest of the class up at the podium," Ms. Kikyou's voice was unwavering.

            "I'll stand on my desk. It'll be a unique podium," Inuyasha retorted, refusing to stand down.

            "Inuyasha, you should really do what she—," Kagome hissed at Inuyasha until she was interrupted by Ms. Kikyou.

            "Excuse me, what is your name?"

            Kagome eeped. "Uh, Kagome, Ms. Kikyou."

            "Kagome then. Would you please come to the front of the class and show Mr. Inuyasha how simple it is to obey my instructions?"

            "Hai," Kagome approached the podium, "My name is Kagome Higurashi. I am 13 years old and in the eighth grade. In my spare time, I like to hang out with my best friend Miroku [Miroku blushed] and lately I have been interested in archery. I'm not very good yet, but hopefully I can compete in high school. Um. I think Public Speaking is important today because in order to communicate and get ahead in life, one must speak intelligently and effectively," Kagome headed to her seat, while Miroku gave her silent applause. Inuyasha just rolled his eyes.

            "Thank you Kagome. Since you will be in the high school next year, I will make sure you try out for the team. I am the head coach for the Girls' Varsity Archery Team," Ms. Kikyou smiled at Kagome.

            Kagome eeped again in response, but nodded in agreement. Ms. Kikyou again requested Inuyasha's presence at the head of the class, and once again she was rebuffed. Ms. Kikyou called on Miroku instead. Miroku got up stoically from his seat and headed towards the front of the class. As he passed by Kagome, she suddenly noticed how straight his posture was and the scent of his cologne that he left behind. It was comforting and rather… attractive at the same time. Kagome shook her head violently not knowing where the "attracted" feeling came from.

            "Hello all, my name is Miroku Mushin and I am 14. I am in the eighth grade. Technically, I live with Kagome [Kagome blushed], which is why she's hanging around me when she's bored," a pause for the class' laughter], "At any rate, I'm interested in history and demon mythology. Public Speaking is important so you won't be as embarrassed as Inuyasha is." There was more laughter from the class, including Ms. Kikyou and a combination growl/Keh from Inuyasha.

            The rest of the class, ten in all, including Ms. Kikyou all took their turns. Finally, only Inuyasha remained. Seeing as he had no other excuse, he strode arrogantly to the podium. He leaned forward on it, as if he owned the room. "Yeah, so I'm Inuyasha Takahashi [a/n: in honor of his creator], 14, eighth grade, new to the area. I like swords, big ones. I like pestering my brother, Sesshomaru. And, what else, oh yeah, Public Speaking is important. Um, it's so important that they needed to make a class about it!" Inuyasha waited for laughter, but nothing came. He turned his head towards Ms. Kikyou, but all he got was a reprimanding stare. He looked around at the rest of the class, but they all had blank and uninterested stares. He growled all the way back to his seat, muttering something about a lack of humor.

            Ms. Kikyou cleared her throat, "I wasn't planning on giving any homework today, but [collective groan] you may all thank Inuyasha for bumping up your first assignment. [murderous glares directed at Inuyasha] We will start our presentations next week; however, I want each of you to prepare an engaging autobiography to be presented to the class. We will schedule presentation times next class."

            "Inuyasha, why do you have to be so difficult," Kagome sighed in exasperation, "It's only the first day of school and Ms. Kikyou's new. And we have to talk about our life!" She glanced briefly at Miroku who bowed his head while they walked.

            Next period was lunch. Since he knew no one else, Inuyasha say with Kagome and Miroku. Inuyasha seemed to have no table manners whatsoever and shoveled food in his mouth like it was going to sprout legs and run away from him. Oddly, his eating habits did not deter his adoring female entourage. The girls, who Inuyasha could surprisingly ignore wholly and utterly, were so numerous, that within a few minutes both Kagome and Miroku were displaced, rather ungracefully, from their chairs. To Miroku's mirth and Kagome's unpleasant surprise, a piece of cake landed a few inches in front of her. "Shove it, Roku. If we're going to be stuck with Inu-baka for the rest of the term, I don't want to hear anything out of you. I already live with you," Kagome stormed off. Miroku was shocked. She had never reacted to him like that before. She was usually so easygoing.

            As Kagome stalked to her locker, she couldn't believe her behavior. She just lashed out at her best friend in the whole world for no apparent reason. Usually she lashed out at him when he did something so bad, that he actually deserved it. No one really deserved to see her bad side, least of all her best friend. Anyway, that one time that he kept tormenting Buyo. She didn't speak to him for three days straight, which is an awfully long time when you're six, and Roku was just learning to get by in the Higurashi household. Like when he resented her for a time for Mama and Sota and Grandpa, when all he had was "drunk Uncle Mushin" only four years ago. Which was really stupid on Roku's part if you really thought about it. He had already lived with the Higurashis long enough to become an honorary Higurashi.

            Kagome sighed. First it was thinking Roku's cologne was attractive. Then it was the unexpected blowup at Roku in the middle of the cafeteria. He didn't even do anything! What on earth was going on?

Notes: whew! This is what happens when I write fanfic during class – when I should be working in class! Oi. Anyway. This should be good to tide everyone over (including me) till the weekend. Yay for super long (for me anyway) entries!

Keep the reviews coming, people! I really love you all for it!