AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!

I just noticed I forgot my disclaimer for how long??? O__O

*police aim guns at meow-chan*

meow-chan: O__________________O .....hi??

DISCLAIMER: I don't own the inuyashagumi!!!!!! But I DO own your souls......MUAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAAA!!!!!! *ahem*

Now that that's over with, on with the story that I'm so entirely stuck on!!!!! *unenthusiastic yay's*

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            Kikyou sat in her room in silence. Though silence encased her, within her resided a flurry of conflicts. All of her thoughts lead to one person. A girl, a little younger than Kikyou was, with a quiet persona but an irritatingly strong resolve.

            A girl named Kagome.

            But perhaps not all her thoughts were targeting this girl. Some ended on the thought of a man too. A young man, only a year younger than her. She had known him all her life, and had watched him even when he thought she was no longer there.

            "Inu Yasha..." she muttered in a barely audible whisper. Perhaps it was so tried because her teeth were gritted together so tightly.

            It was a strange feeling that overwhelmed her when she uttered his name. Anger burned inside her but also a sort of excitable interest. She almost regarded him like a toy. One moment, she wanted to rip its head clean from its body, but she wanted to let it live enough to entertain her before its execution. Yes...the predator teasing its prey before it dines on its flesh...

            But surprisingly, a new character was introduced into her story. How could a character enter a play she was supposed be directing? And yet here she was, twisting and bending the plot almost to a breaking point. Kikyou was not in control anymore. And she hated it.

            But what she hated most was not exactly Kagome's presence in her plans. It was Inu Yasha's reaction. Instead of closing away, he opened. And the only one who knew was she, Kikyou. Not even the naïve little brat, who was the cause, was aware. Aware of the kindness she was unfurling from him. Aware of the way he glanced at her. Aware of the side that he'd never showed for two years. Kikyou growled involuntarily.

            The only one to see his love had been Kikyou.

            And it was going to stay that way.

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            Kagome groaned at the sound of her alarm clock. Of all the things she loved, the sound of that incessant "beep beep" was not one of them.

            She crawled out of bed reluctantly and went through her daily morning routine in a half daze. Her mother greeted her as she reached the kitchen.

            "Oh, sorry honey, but I have to go right now! There's a meeting I have to attend, bye, sweety!" she explained hurriedly and gave the zombie-like Kagome a bruising peck on the cheek.

            Kagome frowned slightly. "I hope I never become a workaholic when I grow up", she grumbled, helping herself to some scrambled eggs.

            Munching sluggishly, she spied a photo sitting on the kitchen table. It surprised her, the photo usually resided on the book shelf, not the kitchen counter. It seemed that Mother had been looking at it. Kagome studied the picture closely, and bit her lip.

It was an old family photo, taken at the time when Kagome was only three. Her mother was there, young and beautiful, raven black hair cascading down her shoulders and glistening black eyes shining through long lashes. Much different from the graying woman overcome by stress that had left a while ago. Beside her, a young man grinning widely, a loving arm wrapped around her mother's waist and the other ruffling the hair of a small Kagome. Her father.

But he died.

Only two years after the photo was taken.

Kagome grimaced and slapped the photo down on its face. It had been so long since she thought of that incident...she caught sight of the clock.

"OH MY GOD!!!" she screamed and scrambled out of the kitchen, her bag flying behind her.

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            A chocolate haired boy glanced up at the large high school looming over him, at the many happy faces giggling and chatting amongst themselves. He growled silently and moved on. None of them with their frivolously naïve minds could ever understand me and pain I've went through, he cursed. Not even SHE remembers...

            With his head bowed, his shoulder collided roughly with another's. His mind snapped out of his stupor, he threw a startled glance at a young woman. Her face was aged beyond the stage of girlhood and her slim but elegantly dressed body portrayed that. Yet she donned a classical backpack, symbolizing the fact that she was still a high school student. His lips were parted and he stared at her. She didn't mind though, for she was staring back with an equal expression of analytical scheme.

            Something must have clicked within Kikyou's mind when she gave one of her trademark "smiles". "Hello," she greeted him genially. "I don't believe we've met? My name is Kikyou." She offered her hand for his.

            Hojo took it, not quite sure of himself, resulting in a light and uncertain handshake. "Have we met? I have this weird feeling that we have," he replied, giving her a sidelong glance and sounding casual as well.

            Kikyou gave a small chuckle. "Let's pretend we have then." With such an enigmatic answer, Hojo could guess she was not making idle conversation. This was a dealmaker, not a socialist.

            Hojo's posture stiffened. "What is it you want?"

            Kikyou laughed again and reached out a hand. "No need to be to rude, Hojo-san, let us walk together. The bell doesn't ring 'til 8:20. We have plenty of time to chat." Seeing as he had no better choice, he followed beside her.

            Kikyou plastered another "smile". "That wasn't so hard now was it?" Hojo glared back. She was mocking him.

            Kikyou's smile faltered slightly. "I see we don't have patience today. Fine, I'll get to the point. I've gathered some information about you no matter how you try to hide it," she waved a finger, "I have my connections."

            His eyes widened a bit. Kikyou grinned and continued.

            "Don't worry, I didn't find out more than I needed to, whatever private affairs you have were probably kept safe. Probabaly (she glanced back at him). I know you have a certain affliction with a female student…what was her name? Yes, Kagome." She spat the name from her tongue and made sure Hojo heard every syllable.

            Hojo's eyes widened even more, his eyebrows knitted tightly in a concentrated look. He tried to decipher Kikyou's calculating eyes to no avail. His caution was outweighed by the thought of his past publicized to the world. He agreed to her offer, although he knew it border lined blackmail.

            "What do I have to do?" He said, quietly, his teeth set.

            She grinned. Her plan had worked. "Don't be so reluctant! I'm not forcing you, you know. All this is for me and you both," she said swinging and arm around Hojo's shoulder. He stiffened and shot her a glare. She was slightly taken aback and lifted her hand from his arm, but quickly regained her snakelike smile.

            "All I need is a partner and you're the most admirable candidate," she explained, her grin more cautious.

            Hojo remained silent, but he listened.

            "If I'm not correct, you wish to claim Kagome, do you not?"

            He flinched, but his head didn't turn to face her.

            "As you know, a student named Inu Yasha, a silent but deadly boy, resides in these school halls as well. He seems to be rather close to Kagome, if only he met her a month ago," Kikyou continued.

            "It so happens I don't like Kagome near Inu Yasha as well. She'll get hurt, you know, if she stays with him any longer," Kikyou said, her face ridden with motherly concern. "I only wish to protect her as you do."

            Hojo stopped. His stare was steady and emotionless. "I don't know what your real intentions are, but they're definitely not to save Kagome. I see the hatred you have for her inside you. You think you can hide it can you?" Kikyou's face grew crimson and she felt her wounded dignity flare angrily.

            "As for partners, I would rather not join with a person who despises Kagome as much as you, but you intrigue me. I'll think it over," Hojo said, giving a dismissing smile, not unlike Kikyou's "smiles", as he left her there to settle her ruffled feathers.

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AN: I STILL HAVE THAT FRIGGIN WRITER'S BLOCK!!!!! T_____T if this continues, this story will suck till no tomorrow!!! I can feel the inspiration draining from me!!!!! T______________T

Yes, I have not updated for at least two months.

Yes, I have been overwhelmed with homework.

Yes, I have no idea what to write for the next chap.

PLEEEEEASE, readers, I implore you for your aid!!!! SEND me your inspirational ideas or comments!!!! Anything to keep me going!!!!! T______________T

Ja ne!

~meow-chan~