Sorry for the LONG wait u guys! I was at a church camp for 2 weeks and haven't been able to update! I'm really REALLY sorry! Please forgive me! Look! A peace offering! It's *gasp* another chapter!

I'm such a nerd.

Also, there won't be any more shout out's unless I get a SUPER special review or questions. I've had too many complaints. Sorry!

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The bell rang, signaling the end of class and the beginning of lunch. Kagome began to pick up her books, but started at a touch on her shoulder.

"Why don't you come eat with us?" The dark haired girl, Sango, invited.

"I don't think so." She didn't even bother to smile.

"Inuyasha will be on his best behavior! I promise!" Her voice was wheedling, but Kagome shook her head mutely and headed out the door.

**********In the cafeteria*********

Kagome glanced around before sitting at an empty table. There was no sign of Sango or her friends anywhere.

"Hi!" A perky voice came from behind her. Turning, she came face to face with Miroku. "Mind if I join you?"

"Me too! After all, she is MY woman!" Kouga appeared on the other side of Kagome, flashing her a cocky grin.

"Kouga, I'm sure she doesn't exactly appreciate you calling her that." Sango smiled and sat down across from Miroku.

Inuyasha growled as he approached the group. "I hate you all." He glared at each of them individually, avoiding Kagome's incredulous stare.

"What are you doing?" She sounded bewildered, and even Inuyasha cracked a grin at the look on her face.

"We're sitting down." He smirked, setting his tray across from her.

For a second, she glared. "I know THAT. I meant, what the heck do you think you're doing?!"

"Sitting down." He repeated, his smirk growing wider.

She growled in a very Inuyasha like manner. "Shut up or you won't be 'sitting down' comfortably for a long time."

His eyes widened innocently. "But than how can I answer your questions?"

Sango cut in, sensing the conversation would end in bodily harm. "We decided you shouldn't sit alone! You're new! It's hard to make friends! We thought we'd help."

"I didn't want to help." Inuyasha muttered.

"What was that?" Sango towered over the white haired boy, eyes glinting dangerously.

"I was delighted to help!" He flashed her a fake smile and she returned to her seat.

"Good."

Kagome hid a smile. Who knew the girl had been serious when she'd said she'd keep dog-boy in line.

Miroku had been blissfully ignoring the exchanges, and was now struggling with his pudding. "It won't open!" He complained, tugging at the aluminum foil lid.

"My word Miroku!" Sango rolled her eyes. "You are such a baby." She leaned over, placing her hands over his. "You have to pull HARD"

"Maybe I just wanted an excuse to have your hands on mine." He murmured, causing her to flush and jerk the lid to hard. It came of faster than either of them had expected, slicing Miroku across the hand.

"Ouch!" He winced, pulling his whole arm away. "I'm bleeding." He stuck his palm in his mouth.

Nobody noticed Kagome pale at his words.

"Maybe next time you'll keep your comments to yourself!" Sango muttered, tugging at his arm so she could get a look at the cut.

"I didn't know they flustered you so much." He returned, giving her his hand. Dark red liquid oozed out of a small gash in the center of his palm.

Kagome's face had gone completely gray.

"Are you okay?" Inuyasha's voice was gruff. "Not that I care." He added.

She didn't speak, eyes riveted on Miroku's injured hand. Seconds passed, all eyes were on her. "I-" She stuttered incoherently. "I have to go!" She pushed herself up, away from Miroku, and left the table, leaving behind four very confused students.

"Hey guys!" Hojo walked up. "I had to talk to my chemistry teacher. What'd I miss?"

Nobody spoke. Sango rose a second later. "I'll go see if she's okay." She hurried in the direction Kagome had gone, ignoring the dark drops still on her skin.

A few seconds later, Inuyasha silently rose and followed. No one questioned him.

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Kagome could barely breath for the terror that clutched at her heart, choking her with her fear and revulsion. Her mind was swarmed with the memories of her father's death, made all the more vivid with the sight of real blood still fresh in her mind. Her breaths came out in short, ragged gasps.

The surrounding walls seemed to close in on her, trapping her, suffocating her. Her legs refused to support her. Sagging weakly against the wall, she tried to regain control of her body.

*Don't do this. Please, don't do this. * She ordered herself weakly. The sound of gunshots resounded in her ear, deafening her. Snapshots of her father's suicide flashed through her mind.

Lifting the gun.

Meeting her gaze.

Pulling the trigger.

Dying.

She bit her lip to keep from screaming. *Don't do this* She begged herself. *Please*

*Please*

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Sango hurried to find the new girl, unable to fathom what was happening. She'd heard of people being afraid of blood, but she'd never seen anything like this. She didn't understand, but she wanted to help.

She wanted to ease the terror she had seen in that girl's eyes.

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Kagome vaguely heard the sound of approaching footsteps, and struggled to regain her composure. By the time Sango came into view she had drawn herself to her full height, proudly lifting her head. There were no tears to hide, she never cried, but traces of horrific fear could still be seen in her haunting gaze.

"Kagome?" The girl asked hesitantly.

The other didn't respond.

She took a few steps forward, hesitantly.

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Inuyasha didn't know what drove him to follow the girls. It wasn't concern, he'd never been worried about any else before, and he wasn't going to start now. He doubted it was even curiosity. It was unlikely anything interesting would take place in the next few moments.

But he was undeniably drawn to the girl, or to the expression she had drowned in at the sight of Miroku's blood. He'd never seen such an intense fear in his life, and it terrified him to see it in eyes so young, yet so old. The demons that pursued him now threatened to drown him in the mere memory of her horror.

He stopped the instant he caught sight of the two girls. Sango was moving forward, preparing to outstretch her arm, and Kagome . . .

Kagome was standing with her head held high. Her expression was that of a martyr, filled with a sense of impending doom, but set in a determined line. His eyes trailed up her face, following the stubborn chin and proud cheekbones. He stopped short when his eyes found hers. He couldn't breath. He was drowning in her soulless gaze, unable to escape her haunted stare.

She blinked and he tore his eyes from hers. His breaths came in ragged gasps. He could feel his heart pounding, blood roaring in his head.

Sango stretched out her hand towards Kagome.

A hand flecked with blood.

Inuyasha could only watch in horrified fascination as the girl paled even more, leaving her face a frozen icy white.

The hand touched her sleeve and her lips parted, their startling red a stark contrast against the colorless intensity of her skin. For a second, no sound came out.

The world froze.

And she let out a scream straight from her soul.

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Once again, short! I'm SORRY! But I really REALLY wanted this cliff hanger! (I know, I know, I'm EVIL) Let me know what you thought of this chappie. I'm finally starting to realize where this story is gonna take me, so you can expect more descriptive chapters from now on, if that's what you want. Please Review!

;o)