Disclaimer: Three anime I would love to own in this lifetime: Inuyasha, Slam Dunk, and Meitantei Conan (Detective Conan). But sadly, unless I'm super duper rich, my dreams will remain just dreams.

Reviews:

Wakadori Ramen - hey, guess what, I saw your chicken noodle soup and I told him what you said. *wink* hahahaha, I'm just kidding. I don't want to die just yet. I'd say you're probably the only one who doesn't hate the Mikagi siblings.

Amelle - ehh, what's to tell. Well, you must go to Tokyo and Kyoto. If you want to see some nature, then go to Sapporo in Hokkaido. If you're going to say in a hotel, stay in one that gives you a kimono, and has futon instead of a bed. They serve sushi for meals and everything is very traditional. Ancient cities like Nagoya and Kyoto have shrines and castles that you just have to go visit. I'd suggest you go in early spring so you can watch the cherry blossoms. If you like to eat beef, then go to Kobe. There's so much to tell.

Zonza - good girl, fight the temptation! Hey, tell me if you think the end of this chapter is sweet.

Dark Whispers - I mentioned Sesshomaru's name in this chapter. It's a "foreshadow" to future chapters.

Toku-Chan - o, so u know what's going to happen soon? Take a guess, I dare you.

Natori - I don't deserve that title. I'm sure there are better ones out there.

Chiruken - I'm sorry, but when I first glanced at your name, I thought it said "chicken". I'm kinda drunk at the moment, so I apologize.

Yuzuki Potter - ............. do I want you to die? Hmm...... OF COURSE NOT! So here's the next chapter!

Johanna Gen - wow, looks like I'm not the only hyper one here.

Suki1 - okay, where's my review?

YoukaiLover - aww, my school doesn't start 'till Sep. 8th. Wel, if you liked last chapter, then I hope you go "awww" for this chapter.

Celestia - wow, *blush*, do I deserve such wonderful comments? The best? I highly doubt it. But I try my best. But thank you for making my day. This chapter is dedicated to you!

Hyper girl - eh, I didn't watch the dubbed version. I don't even think there is a dubbed version yet. My version was Japanese audio with English subtitles. I never watch a dubbed version of Inuyasha.

LediShae - You're not far from the truth. And thank you for reviewing my other fic. I already promised this chapter to Celetia, so what do you say about me dedicating the next chapter to you?

Zoe the Wolf Immortal - aww, you no like Ayame? Don't wanna share Kouga, ehh? Hehehe.

Wow! - lol, nice name. Ah, I normally don't do this, but I guess I can break my rule and email you.

Angel Youkai - *sweat drop* no, actually, I think I've had enough of death threats.

Jiao-chan - I know, who wouldn't want Inu-chan as a boyfriend? *dreamy sigh* I hope I made him romantic enough in this chapter. I wanted to write some fluff, but I didn't want to be OOC. And your words definitely makes me feel better.

Mandypanchan - I know how you feel. I'm always staying up late reading fanfics. My best record so far is 7 in the morning. Hehe, I piss my dad off a lot staying up so late.

Michael - lol, I liked how you started that review: "don't vanish".

Pimmy-chan - *mizu struggling in straitjacket* I'm not insane!!!

Sparkling_Aura - ahh, so you're also one of those dangerously crazy people who'd like to threaten and kill other innocent writers. *nods*

Lunatic Pandora1 - yeah, I think I read that one. But I have something a little different in mind.

Majel - okay, u over-excited child. Next chapter is right here!

^_~

Chapter 9: Anime VS. Homework

"Kagome, I want ramen!" Inuyasha howled as soon as the four friends set their feet into the house.

Kagome threw her briefcase onto the couch with a smile. "One bowl of instant ramen, coming right up!" She rushed to the kitchen to get started on Inuyasha's snack. Her other friends smiled knowingly, what Inuyasha said before English class was definitely still on Kagome's mind.

Inuyasha flopped down onto the couch and turned on the television, his hand automatically went to the right to stroke Buyo's fur. The lazy cat purred in content.

"Kirara!" The youkai cat leaped into Sango's arms as soon as the girl entered. "Oh, I missed you so much today!"

Miroku leaned on the doorway, his briefcase in one hand, and the garbage bag full of love letters in another. "Glad to see she's not being chased around today."

Sango stifled a giggle and everyone's mind flashed back to Saturday night, when they came back from dinner in WacDonald's......

---Flashback---

"My, Ai-sama, that was absolutely delicious." Miroku remarked while rubbing his stomach as they walked up the shrine steps. The sun was setting over the horizon. Shippo walked with his hand in Kagome's. Sango was giving him evil looks. And Inuyasha was picking some dirt under his fingernails.

Just before Kagome's mother can reply, a loud screech sound reached their ears. It was followed by an unpleasant howl, a fierce yelp, and finally, some glass breaking.

The group was stunned. Inuyasha groaned and rubbed his invisible dog ears.

"Oi, Kagome, your grandpa's home." Inuyasha announced. "And I don't think Souta was able to stop him."

"Oh no!" Kagome and her mother yelled simultaneously and ran into the house. Shippo, Miroku and Sango followed. Inuyasha sighed wearily and walked up calmly.

It looked like all hell broke loose in the living room. The vase Kagome's mother bought last week was trashed. The couch was turned over, and Souta was hugging/trying to save his Playstation.

In the corner of the room, a transformed Kirara was growling at an old man who was cowering in the corner with two fake ofuda in his hand. He kept chanting "evil youkai go away", but with no avail.

"Kirara!" Sango yelled. The youkai cat noticed her master and transformed back right away. She ran toward Sango and was about to leap into the girl's arms. But Sango was mad. "Kirara, how can you do that to Kagome's grandfather?!"

The smaller Kirara tilted her head and mewed. Sango kept on scolding her.

Kagome couldn't keep watching anymore. She put one hand on her friend's shoulder and motioned her to stop yelling at the youkai cat.

"Don't blame Kirara, jii-chan probably scared her with his fake ofuda." Then Kagome turned to her brother. "Souta, I thought mama told you to stay here to tell jii-chan about my friends." She didn't give Souta the time to explain. "And jii-chan, you know those ofuda don't work so stop scaring my friends with them!!! First Inuyasha, now poor Kirara..."

Kagome was ready to blow up if necessary.

Kagome's grandfather gulped and approached the center. If he was to choose between a large Kirara and his granddaughter, he'd pick the latter at the moment.

"I was just trying to see if my new ofuda would work." He gulped and lowered his head like a little boy. "I didn't think she's get so angry."

Everyone sighed except for Inuyasha, who was smirking with his arms crossed.

"Inuyasha, help me clean up this mess."

Now it's his turn to sigh.

---End Flashback---

Kagome came out with a tray full of ramen bowls. "I made extras for you guys. We should get started on homework after we finish."

"Homework?" Whether it was even possible or not, Inuyasha had already finished one bowl and is midway through the second. He asked with his mouth full of ramen, his amber eyes sparkled innocently. Kagome giggled at the sight of the cute puppy.

"Yup, now you'll see what I have to go through every school day."

Miroku slurped his ramen contently. "Kagome-sama, Kouga told us to learn that thing 'basketball' from your little brother today. Where is the little Souta?"

Kagome snapped her fingers. "Oh, I almost forgot about that. Mama went to pick up Souta and Shippo right now. I'll ask him when he comes back. I think he'll be delighted to help you guys."

"Where's the old coot?" Kagome gathered that Inuyasha meant her grandfather.

"Jii-chan's always disappearing somewhere." The feeling of a Shikon shard tickled her heart.

"Nee-chan, we're back!!"

"Kagome!!"

Shippo transformed back to his miniature youkai size so he can jump on Kagome like always. The Shikon shard she gave to Shippo glimmer in his forehead.

"Shippo-chan!" Kagome hugged the happy kitsune and stroked his tail. "Did you like Souta's school?"

Shippo nodded with a huge smile. "During break, I showed everyone one of my magic tricks. And this girl gave half of her lunch!"

Everyone laughed. Miroku patted Shippo on the head. "Looks like Inuyasha and I weren't the only ones attracting attention."

Sango rolled her eyes and turned her attention to Souta. "Souta-kun, I hope Shippo wasn't too much trouble for you to look after."

"Not at all!" Souta was looking ecstatic. "He was so cool in gym class, you should've seen how Shippo dodged all those balls during gym!!"

"Where's mama?"

"Oh, we saw jii-chan in the storage room so she went to drag him out of it." Souta picked up a bowl of ramen himself and started chomping on it. "Man, I'm starving!"

"Houshi-sama, Houshi-sama!!!" Kagome's grandfather ran through the door and knelt before a very startled Miroku. He held out several pieces of paper in front of Miroku's face. "I found these ancient ofuda in the storage room, please, teach me a spell to use it!"

Miroku's face faltered. Everyone looked at him expectantly. Miroku reached into some of his priest powers and studied the old man in front of him.

'He has no powers at all.' Miroku groaned, not sure how to put the old man down. 'That's odd, considering how powerful Kagome-sama is. But I can't teach him if he doesn't even have a hint of magic within him. His ofuda aren't the problem, it's him.'

"Umm... Higurashi-dono..." Miroku shifted. 'How do I put him down?'

Kagome came to his rescue.

"Jii-chan, Miroku is a very high leveled priest, and he can't reveal his secrets to anymore, or he'll die a very horrible death." Kagome lied through her teeth. 'Okay, this is really bad how I can lie without even blushing.'

Sango stifled another giggle. Kagome's mother came into the room and began to watch the exchange with interest along with everyone else.

Kagome's grandfather definitely looked sad now. Miroku couldn't help but feel sorry for the old man. "Umm... even though I can't tell you how to use them, I could give you a demonstration."

The old man's eyes lit up again.

Miroku grabbed the ofuda in the old man's hands, he closed his eyes and chanted a silent spell. "Inuyasha!"

The hanyou wasn't listening to anything that happened in the past five minutes. He was happily slurping his sixth bowl of ramen when Miroku sudden called his name.

"Bouzo, what... YOWL!!!"

Then, as the ofuda made contact with Inuyasha's forehead, a purple lightening ran through his veins, and the sharp electricity sent him flying toward the wall. When the smoke died down, everyone was amazed that his ramen bowl was still upright and remained intact.

"MIROKU, HOW COULD YOU!!!" Kagome jumped up and ran toward the sizzling hanyou. "O kami-sama, Inuyasha, are you alright? Where does it hurt?"

Miroku was looking sheepishly, and Kagome's grandfather was about to bow down to the perverted monk. Sango slapped Miroku on the head for hurting Inuyasha. Shippo clapped and laughed. Souta was concerned for his hero as well. And Kagome's mother rushed toward the bathroom for their first-aid kit.

"O no, Inuyasha, say something!" Inuyasha's eyes were swirling. It's not that he's weak, oh, no, Inuyasha's not weak at all. But the same can be said about Miroku's holy powers.

"Don't worry, Kagome-sama," Miroku said to her nonchalantly, "Inuyasha will heal in less than an hour. I just shocked him a little, that's all."

Kagome turned with her face down, he bangs covered her teary eyes. Normally she wouldn't care much about Inuyasha's health, since a hole in the stomach wouldn't even phase the hanyou. But today was special. Those words Inuyasha said in class ran through her mind like constant echoes.

--- "Keep it. I already have a girlfriend, and I have no intention of dumping her anytime soon."

"What? I'm not good enough for you?"

"Pay attention, Kag, we're still in class." ---

Kagome's head shot up instantly. She looked straight into Miroku's eyes and said to him in menace: "If Inuyasha doesn't recover soon, Miroku, I'll personally make sure that you never have children, ever!"

Ai came down from upstairs with a first-aid kit in her hands. Kagome noticed her mother's entrance and went to help take care of a fainted Inuyasha.

Miroku was a little shocked at first at Kagome's reaction. But as soon as he snapped out of it, he began to smile and went to sit next to Sango again.

"Why are you so happy?" Shippo asked in his human form.

Miroku winked at Sango. "I'd say I did a good thing."

Sango sighed while she stroked Kirara's fur. But soon a smile broke out as well. "Hai, a very good thing."

By dinner time, Inuyasha was awake and pissed. He and Miroku and a small duel behind the shrine house where all the other males went to watch and cheered. Kagome and Sango stayed with Ai in the kitchen to help make an unusually large dinner.

"Wow, this house has never been so cheerful!" Ai cried out happily as everyone sat down for dinner.

"Itadakimasu!" Everyone said in unison and dug in.

"Oh, Souta," Kagome swallowed a tofu, "can you teach Miroku and Inuyasha how to play basketball after dinner?"

Souta's face lit up, then died down. "But the nearest court is twenty minutes away, and we can't go to the one in school at this time."

Kagome bit her lip. Inuyasha noticed her troubled expression. "Keh, why do we have to learn this thing anyway?"

"If you ask me, I'd say Kouga is planning to do this 'basketball' tomorrow in gym." Miroku answered.

"Keh, Kouga's an idiot." Inuyasha snapped back. "And I'm still not talking to you!"

"Hai, hai." Miroku sighed and shook his head.

Inuyasha was debating within himself whether to thank the monk or not. He had been semi unconscious after Miroku's little "demonstration, but awake enough to smell Kagome's tears and sense her worries. It wasn't everyday that he gets Kagome to fuss over him like that.

'I bet if I asked, she would've lent me her lap again.' Inuyasha slapped himself in his mind. 'Damn, I really am turning into Miroku.'

"Oh, I know!" Souta suddenly yelled and caught everyone's attention. "I could show them Slam Dunk*!"

Kagome clapped her hands. "O that's right!"

"Slam what?"

"Slam Dunk, Souta owns the entire DVD collection. It's a pretty old anime that deals with a bunch of basketball players in high school." Kagome chewed her food happily. "I watched a few episodes of it. It explains the rules of basketball, so you'll understand by tomorrow."

"Goshisousama!" Souta dumped his bowl into the sink. "I'll go set up the DVD Player right away!"

Kagome and Sango laughed at Souta's excitement.

"Sango-chan and I will be doing homework while you guys watch Slam Dunk." Kagome finished her last bites. "Goshisousama! But don't forget to come up and finish your homework."

Inuyasha grumbled. 'Damn, so she's not going to be watching it with us.'

Just as Kagome and Sango were about to go up, Miroku jumped up and grabbed Sango's hand. "I'll miss you, my sweet Sango." How he managed to say such things with a straight face intrigued Sango to no extent.

"Hai, hai." Sango swatted his hands away and followed Kagome to her room.

~*~*~ 4 hours later, 10:00 p.m. ~*~*~

"Whoa, that Rukawa** guy is good!" Inuyasha's eyes were glued to the TV set.

"But Sendou*** is better!" Miroku fired back. "See how he managed to make a perfect shot while jumping backwards? I bet Rukawa can't do that!"

"Just because he hasn't tried doesn't mean he can't!" Inuyasha shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Yea, well, Rukawa's attitude reminds me of Sesshomaru." Miroku shouted back with a smirk. Inuyasha's face dropped right away. 'I knew that would get him.'

"Don't mention my bastard of a..."

"Both of you, stop shouting!!!" Sango and Kagome's voices reached their ears. The two guys turned around and saw that "their girls" were already dressed for sleep.

"Souta, turn that off!" Kagome commanded her little brother. The little guy was watching his two favorite heroes debating over anime characters when her sister and her nice friend interrupted. "You guys have been at it for 4 hours straight. None of you have done your homework!"

Souta shut the TV off. "I don't have homework!"

Sango pointed at the two older guys. "But they do! Souta-kun, please take them up to your room and make them finish their homework."

"No, they better come to my room, I don't trust them." Kagome sneered at them. "We'll watch you guys finish. Then both of you will take a bath and go to sleep!"

Inuyasha and Miroku both sighed and followed the girls up. But as the girls turned their backs, they both grabbed Souta and whispered: "We continue this tomorrow."

Souta nodded with a grin and went to clean up the discs.

^_^

"Hey, my darling Sango, Kagome-sama" Miroku turned on his charm to full mode. He faced the two girls who were sitting cross-legged on Kagome's bed and pleaded, "Since we're in almost every single class, how about you let us copy?"

Kagome couldn't believe her ears. 'Miroku fit in this world so well. He's exactly like a teen boy!'

Sango smiled back mockingly and gave him the simplest answer: "no."

"Please?"

"No? And get your hand off my leg!" A loud smacking sound filled the room.

Inuyasha dragged Miroku aside by his ears and plopped down on Kagome's chair while Miroku sat in the extra chair Kagome made him bring up earlier for Sango.

"Shut up and let's get this over with." Inuyasha reached into his briefcase. "Oi, Kagome, what's our homework?"

Kagome gave him a deadpan look. "You didn't copy it down?"

"I wasn't listening half the time!"

Kagome growled and took out her notepad. "I can give you most of the assignments, but what are you going to do about Asian Literature?"

Inuyasha shrugged. "I know everything about that stupid Genji book anyway."

Kagome and Sango sighed. 'This is going to be a long night.'

After a good two hours of growls, frustrations, smacks, sits, tearing up papers, Inuyasha and Miroku were finally able to finish their homework.

"Now go take a bath!" Kagome barked at them, her patience has surpassed her limit. It was now midnight, and her room was filled with papers that Inuyasha tore up in his frustration at the trigonometry problems.

"Ah, Kagome-sama, would you like to join me?" A glint in Miroku's violet eyes angered all the other three people in the room. By the time Inuyasha went to the bathroom for his bath, Miroku has already fainted from the abuse.

"This place is a mess!" Sango walked all over the room to collect the garbage. Kagome packed the boys' homework into their briefcases.

"He's... heavy..." Sango shoved Miroku aside and set up her futon. She and Kagome climbed into their beds but refused to sleep while the monk was still in their room.

"Oi, bouzo, your turn!" A Inuyasha in Kagome's father's old pajamas walked into the girls' room and woke up Miroku. He grunted and walked back to Souta's room to pry for more information on future episodes of Slam Dunk.

"Huh, what?" Miroku got up with a headache and went to take his bath as well.

"Finally!" Sango yawned and turned off the light. "Oyasumi, Kagome-chan!"

Kagome gave no response, for she was already asleep.

"Inuyasha, where are our briefcases?" Miroku interrogated from his spot at the door. Inuyasha looked up from a manga Souta lent him and shrugged. "Ah, then I must retrieve them from Kagome-sama's room!"

"Oh no, you don't!" Inuyasha jumped in front of the monk. He pushed Miroku back and walked toward Kagome's door instead. "You, stay!"

"Hey, you're the dog here." Miroku flung up his hands in defense as Inuyasha looked like he was about to beat him up, again.

The door creaked and Inuyasha stepped in as quietly as possible. Kagome and Sango's relaxed heartbeats reassured him that they were both asleep. He stepped over Sango's body on the floor and approached Kagome's desk where he saw the two briefcases. For once he was glad that he was able to see so clearly in the dark.

"Inu... yasha..." Kagome's moans reached his ears. With their briefcases in hand, Inuyasha jumped gracefully to Kagome's side. She was asleep, calling him in her dreams again. "Inu... yasha... help me... help!"

Kagome's breathing sped up, her brows furrowed together. Her legs twitched under the bed covers.

"Kagome, don't worry, I'm right here." Inuyasha set the briefcases on the floor and grabbed Kagome's twitching hand. As soon as he made contact, Kagome relaxed a bit.

"Inuyasha... it hurts..." Kagome moaned again, she clutched Inuyasha's hand tighter.

'What's she dreaming about?' He had a good guess. Inuyasha sighed and placed his other hand on her forehead. His thumb stroked her skin gently. The hanyou leaned forward and whispered into her ear. "Everything's fine, I won't let them hurt you again."

"Inuyasha..." Kagome still twitched.

"Shh..." Inuyasha stood up and sat on the side of her bed. With only his left hand, he picked up Kagome's upper body and leaned it against his own chest. He wrapped his left arm around the girl and stroked her arm gently. His right hand still held on to hers.

Kagome became quiet. Inuyasha looked down at her sleeping face and guilt was overwhelming him. 'I wasn't there...'

"Is she alright?" Sango's sudden voice interrupted his mind.

Inuyasha's heart jolted. He looked at the now awake Sango, and his face flushed. "Umm... yea, she's asleep now."

Sango said nothing.

"I promised that I'd protect her always."

Sango nodded but said nothing for quite a while. Finally...

"Then start now."

Inuyasha raised an eyebrow at her.

"Stay with her tonight."

He nodded.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------

*Slam Dunk is a real anime, and one of my favorites.

**Rukawa, a main character from Slam Dunk. He's similar to Sesshomaru because their both mega-hot, but also cold and almost never smile. Rukawa is dedicated to basketball as Sesshomaru is dedicated to hunting down Naraku.

***Sendou is Rukawa's archenemy. But he's not cold to everyone and is very deep. He's really good at basketball, and is probably one of the few guys in high school that can beat Rukawa.

I LOVE SLAM DUNK! I LOVE BASKETBALL!!! GO LAKERS!!!

REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!