Crystal: (Looks at the date of the last update.) Wow, has it really been that long since I updated? I'm such a lazy bum. x.x

On a happier note...

Awright! I've decided I'm actually going to be a decent person, and RESPOND to my reviews! n.n;;;

PrincessKikyoMarie: Thank you! That's nice to hear for someone with such low self-esteem as I. oo; Here's your update!

Itsuko-chan: (Backs away and laughs nervously.) Hey, look, it's an update! (Runs.)

Addanc-TSC: :) to you, too. ;D

Oh, and since I can't do the usual chapter dividers (y'know, those three little hypens?) I made new ones. Aren't they uber spiffy?

L-O-O-K-I-N-G

Apologies n. Expressions of regret at having caused trouble for someone.

A-T

Yusuke sat on the wall of the school gate long after everyone else had gone home. It had been another long day, probably the worst of all his days at school so far. Maybe he'd skip tomorrow... "One day can't hurt, right?"

"Yes, it can," said the stern voice from behind him. He flinched in recognition. How is she always able to find me? Yusuke wondered, jumping down from the wall so he was standing level with Keiko. "Yusuke, who was that girl with you today?" Keiko went on to ask. She wasn't really angry or suspicious as he had expected, just curious. Yusuke smiled inwardly. At least she trusts me a little bit now, he thought, remembering when she had thought there was something going on between him and Botan.

The ebony-haired boy shrugged, wanting to avoid the subject, which would probably merit another lecture. "Just a girl I have to do some lame project with."

However, Keiko knew Yusuke well enough to know where this was going. "You are going to help her out, right, Yusuke?"

He folded his arms, avoiding her gaze. "Maybe."

"What exactly did you say to her?" Keiko demanded, much sharper this time. Ah. There's the Keiko I know.

"To work on the stupid project herself!" Yusuke burst out, slightly annoyed. "It's not like it matters, anyway! If I helped, we'd both just fail, so what does it matter?!"

"Yusuke, apologize."

"To you?! Why?! What did I do?"

"Not to me! To her!"

"No way – OW! ALRIGHT!" He had tried to protest, but the moment he had opened his mouth, Keiko had grabbed his ear and pulled as hard as he could.

"Good," Keiko said, smiling with satisfaction, and she began to start for home, turning around to say, "You'll thank me later!"

"Sure, I will..." Yusuke muttered sardonically, but Keiko only giggled at his comment.

"Bye, Yusuke."

"Yeah, see ya." He gave a small wave of his hand and leaned against the beige brick of the wall. Great. Now I have to go apologize to some random girl. But it was the only way to please Keiko, and besides, he didn't have to see her until the next day. And it wouldn't be so bad... Che, who'm I kidding? This sucks... Where would he apologize to her anyway? There was no way he was going to do it in public, and it wasn't as if he could randomly pull her over into some dark, secluded corner.

By then he had already started down the road to his apartment. He could the setting sun in the distance; he had been held back for detention that day, so it was pretty late.

He wasn't particularly watching where he was going, but there weren't many people around, so he didn't think it mattered, until he felt a slightly smaller person bump into his strong build and fall backwards. He blinked, "Uh, sorry..." he muttered, not very perceptive at the moment, offering a hand to pick the girl up off her feet. "Hey, it's you!"

"Yeah," she said, somewhat darkly, choosing to pick herself off the ground herself instead of letting Yusuke help her.

"Er..." Okay, here's my chance. But what the hell am I supposed to say? "Uh, sorry," he finished, remarkably casually.

He didn't need to elaborate, as Kagome knew what he was talking about. She looked a bit surprised, but also a bit hopeful. "Does this mean you'll help me with the project?"

No way! NO WAY! a voice in his head screamed, but he ignored it, imagining Keiko's wrath if he didn't at least try to be reasonable. "Well..." he trailed off, his gaze avoiding hers. He didn't want to, but now he didn't seem to have much of a choice.

Kagome apparently took this as a "yes" and smiled. "So, maybe we could stay after school tomorrow and do some research?"

"Look, I..."

"All right! See ya then!" she said happily, taking off in the direction of wherever she was going and waving.

He sighed. Well, I guess skipping tomorrow isn't gonna happen.

Y-O-U

Crystal: Ah, yesh, more OOCness and short chapter-ness from yours truly, the sucky fanfic writer. -.- I thought the chapters would be longer, but I guess not. o.o; Oh well, at least there will be more chapters! (Runs from the rotten tomatoes everyone is chucking.)