A/N: I am so sorry for not updating sooner. My Gawd!! What the hell is with teachers and giving a ton of work at the end of terms?! I had to make an instrument, write a mystery, create a ridiculously large bookmark, do fourteen vocab words and a graphic organizer, build a model of an arch, and try to get some sleep. Alright, now that my ranting is done, let me thank you for your patience and understanding and promise that over spring break I will update more. Now, on with the reviews:

moon maiden of time: I'm glad you love my story. Sorry it took so long to update.

Narye-Ah: Sad thing is that I had a teacher like Urasuea before. And, try as she might, she couldn't find fault with me. I remember thinking "Check Mate" when she tried to bust me for being three seconds late for class but I handed her a pass. She was an old teacher so she didn't approve of my goth/punk look. The thing is, I'm a straight A student.

Raven: You read my mind. Well, almost. I was planning on using the Lies Remix ( go to www.lyrics007.com if you want to see them) for something along those lines. However, I am planning on using Haunted and the majority of the other songs by Evanescence in this fic. I only wish I could use the song You. It's so pretty, but I'm respecting Amy Lee's wishes in not having them on the internet. I understand how some things are personal (If you didn't know, go to the lyrics for the song and you'll see what I mean). Thanks for the suggestion.

LiLdEmOnGaNgStEr: That's where I got the poem!! I fell in love with it and memorized it that same night. The Outsiders is one of my favorite books. I don't know if you already read this one, but a great murder mystery is And Then There Were None (or Ten Little Indians, as it is also published) by Agetha Christie. It's one of the best I've ever read. (And please don't steal my ideas, though I'm flattered that you thought of it)

GREAT STORY: thanks. By the way, is that what you always use when review a story.

Meeko: Yes...I need self-confidence. Because I am insane(lol). I think it is a reaction to my surroundings. Some people think it's funny to bully me. Then again, it loses its humor when I don't stay silent. Even more so when I stand up. Apparently, people find a six foot one female intimidating (some of them mock me for it). In fact, I'm writing this story to feel good. It's why I respond to the reviews. If you guys care, then I should care too. And I think I should thank you on that comment on Kagome's attitude. I sort of based it off myself (that's right, I'm getting a rep as a leader). (I like AMAZING, it has a nice ring to it!)

Lil' Angel Aj: thanks. (I like calling people dude too.)

Hiei81: That's another reason I like to write. I can write. My friends tell me to become an author but I think I should become a psychologist (I don't want to be a psychiatrist, they can prescribe medication and I don't like that). Or a musician (I write songs too, but I need a band). Oh well, one things for sure. I'm writing fanifiction.

Ali B: There's a bit of fluff in this chapter (between Inu and Kag mostly). It's sweet. And I love lemons. I am planning on putting one in this story (or two...or three...). But since this is my first fanfic, I pray I do good on it. I want to be original. It is my goal (I think I did something never done before in this chapter that's sure to get a few laughs).

Kagome_Kawaii: you like my style. I have a style? Sorry that it took so long to update. I hope you like this chapter. And I promise that I will update more over Spring break.

moongoddess1989: In the technical terms of the story, Kagome has so much patience because she's been through so much in her past that what is happening now is trivial. Confused? Simply put: I wanted her to have patience. She is the cool, calm, collected girl that makes her a natural leader. (My eyes are like her's, it makes me happy!)

A/N: That took a long time but I have no complaints. I love getting them. Anyway, on to the disclaimer.

Disclaimer: Is anything ever truly ours? (Makes you think, doesn't it?)

~*~Muted Words~*~ §Spare Time§

-Tuesday (still)-

Naraku looked at Kagome from across the History room. Her little homework stunt had made Miss Urasuea so flustered that she had them go into groups of four and create their own notes on the section they were working on.

He had to admit. The woman captivated him when he first saw her. And the way she handled her situations. So calm. So poised. So witty. So very, very sexy. He wanted her. Badly.

And he'd have her, too. If all went well, he'd have her today. And she'd be to weak to do anything about it. It was perfect.

At last, the bell rang and it was time to abandon the hellhole of Urasuea's classroom. It was time for Gym and as of today, Kagome was allowed to participate. She, Rin, Sango, and Ayame were changing into the gym uniform while chatting.

"So Kagome, how do you feel now that the whole school knows about your past problems?" asked Ayame. Kagome looked pensive.

"I'm not thrilled, but it's better than being hated on a misunderstanding," Kagome admitted. "Besides, they hardly know a thing." Sango noticed something as she, Rin, and Ayame were finishing changing.

"Hey, Kagome, don't you think you should wear a pair of shorts?" Kagome looked down and noticed that her twin was indeed correct. She was never given a pair of shorts.

"It probably would, wouldn't it?" she joked. After she left, Kikyou came up to Sango; much to everyone's dismay.

"Can I talk to you, Sango? Alone." Sango looked thoughtful.

"Why?" Kikyou smirked.

"Because, you were the only one yesterday who seemed sane," she glared at Rin, who smirked back. It seemed that Kikyou remembered the little pickpocket bit. Just the mere remembrance of that tiny escapade made Rin's smirk grow. Sango tried to hide her smile. She knew exactly what to say.

"That's because I was busy," came Sango's smart reply. Kikyou looked shocked. Wasn't she staring out the window?

"Doing what?"

"I was engrossed in a conversation." Kikyou's former look increased.

"Who were you talking to?"

"The voices," was Sango's happy reply. The smile she was suppressing burst forth, but to Kikyou, it seemed as though she was proud.

"The voices?" questioned hesitated Kikyou.

"Yup!" Sango exclaimed as she leaned in a bit closer to the girl in front of her. "I used to be schizophrenic, but we're okay now." Kikyou slowly backed away. As quickly as her shop-warped brain would allow, she formulated the mental list: homicidal tendencies, kleptomaniac, and a schizophrenic. Unfortunately, she never noticed whom she was backing into.

"Hello, Kikyou," whispered a voice from behind her. She jumped and turned around to find the ever-calm Kagome with a pair of shorts in her hand. With a glare, Kikyou left for the door, but was interrupted by Rin.

"Not planning on changing today, Kikyou?" This made the said girl look down at her un-uniformed body. She huffed and walked back to her locker to change but not before Rin could stop her again.

"Here's your wallet. You really should be more careful."

Kikyou restrained the strong urge to scream as she snatched back what was hers. The four girls looked each other in the eye and laughed. Once the laughter subsided, Rin, Sango, and Ayame left Kagome to change into her shorts. The only ones in the locker room were Kagome and Kikyou.

That's when everything went to the dogs.

A dark, purplish mist was spreading rapidly throughout the locker room and was seeping through the cracks between the door and the doorframe. It happened so unexpectedly that before either girl could take into account what was happening, the room was so thickly enthralled with the miasma that it was only possible to see little more than two inches in front of them.

The gas first hit the noses of Sango and Rin who were standing closer to the door than the rest of the gang.

"Do you guys smell that?" questioned Rin. Sango nodded and soon the others nodded as well. All eyes went to the door. Slowly, Sango opened the door and everyone was smacked with the thick murk. Stumbling, they moved away coughing with each step.

"What is that?" gasped InuYasha.

"How are we supposed to know that genius?" was Miroku's sarcastic remark. The fog was quickly spreading and everyone evacuated as the loudspeaker barked its orders. The fire trucks and paramedics arrived within minutes. The latter asking for anyone who directly inhaled the unknown toxins. Sango, Rin, Kouga, Ayame, InuYasha, Sesshoumaru, and Miroku each was given an oxygen mask and were being attended to by the EMTs.

Meanwhile, Kagome was facing her own problems. She used the shorts that she had yet to change in as protection from the purple fog but she could already feel her breath becoming labored. Groping around for the door, she realized that the smoke was becoming stronger the further she went. Kagome was turning around when her foot came in contact with something on the ground. Investigating, she kneeled down about two inches away from the object she came across and, as soon as she found out what it was, removed her shorts and placed them on the discovery. After she was sure it would stay on, Kagome attempted to lift it up and carry it out of the locker room.

"Damn, Kikyou, you could stand to lose some weight." She moved her luggage to her back and wrapped Kikyou's arm's around her neck. Moving away from the source of the miasma, Kagome felt around with one hand and held Kikyou's arms with the other. Thus, leaving her to take in the vapor. Kagome noticed how her breathing was becoming more strenuous and her limbs were becoming heavier. And she had no idea where the exit was but she hoped she would find it soon. Which she did, but...DAMN IT!

"How the hell did the door locked?!" exclaimed a dizzy Kagome. The fact that the miasma smelt horrible and she felt like a cobra was entwining itself around her lungs made her very pissed. She tried to open it again but it still stayed shut. "Oh, damn it all to hell!" she whispered. With that, she got into position and kicked open the door. Readjusting Kikyou, she moved past the threshold.

Then soon fell to ground.

The exertion from opening the door and the strain of carrying the prep on her back was enough to make her lose the little strength she had left. She fell to the ground when she felt someone pick her up and bring her away. Looking up, she was greeted with the sight of a gas mask and a thick suit.

InuYasha was pacing back and forth. The paramedics were able to clear their lungs of the toxins and were now waiting to help those who were unable to make it outside. Unfortunately, Kagome was one of them. And this worried the young silver-haired boy that was walking in circles. All the while, the same thought ran through his head.

"Where the hell is she?"

And there she was. Being carried by a fireman to the closest paramedics, the ones near him. However, the fireman didn't actually get to bring her to the trained professionals. A man with silver hair and a red shirt took the young woman from his arms. He ran over to the paramedics and they put an oxygen mask on her but he refused to release her from his grip.

"Sir, we have to get her to the hospital. You have to let go of her," the EMT tried to reason. InuYasha sighed. They were right. He had to let them put her on the stretcher.

But that didn't mean that he couldn't hold her hand.

-Wednesday (very, very early Wednesday)-

Kagome opened her eyes to a white ceiling then immediately closed them again. 'Hospital. Oh joy.' Then she noticed that not only was an oxygen mask on her face, but something was holding her hand. Well, not something... someone. Kagome opened her eyes again to find a person sitting in the chair, fast asleep. But it wasn't an ordinary person.

It was InuYasha.

However, InuYasha must have woken up at her movements because his amber eyes opened to find a conscious Kagome. They stayed that way for a bit, just staring at each other. Then InuYasha moved.

He hugged her.

She was awake. She was safe. She was... his. Or going to be at least. Never had he felt so much passion towards another being, human or otherwise. He met her just Monday; it was currently one in the morning on Friday. So little time had passed and he knew.

He loved her.

But what he didn't know was that the feelings weren't one-sided.

She loved him, too.

Then again, how could she not? He was handsome (but that was just a plus), honest, loyal, protective, and strong. She saw him in Gym Monday. He looked like he hardly broke a sweat. And from what she could she, he was toned and chiseled (Kagome will be eternally grateful that gravity allows a shirt to move up when one is doing jumping-jacks) but not bulky. She didn't want that. It made the veins pop out. Not at all attractive. But most importantly...

He was there.

InuYasha could have easily left her to be alone but he was by her side. She could depend on him. She had someone to turn to who wasn't family. It's been a long time since that has ever happened before.

"Are you okay, Kagome?" checked InuYasha. His voice snapped her out of her thoughts. Moving the mask to the side, she gave a reply?"

"I'm fine, just tired. What time is it?" she breathed heavily. It seemed that the miasma wasn't entirely out of her system yet.

"One in the morning." Kagome's eyes slightly widened.

"Which morning exactly?" InuYasha laughed slightly.

"Wednesday. You were only out for about eleven hours." Kagome thought about something.

"Where's Kikyou?" InuYasha looked somewhat shocked. So the fireman wasn't lying? Kagome did try to save Kikyou.

"She's at home. She was released at six. You were the one who was exposed to the most toxins. So, you really tried to save her?"

"Of course."

"But why? All she's ever done since you got to this school was try to bring you down."

"Who else am I supposed to annoy everyday?"

"Seriously, why?" Kagome sighed.

"Because, I hate seeing people suffer. The only exception would be if the person disserved it. Kikyou, though a jealous, constant PMSer, is by no means guilty enough to practically die. I couldn't let that happen. I've seen the innocent die before and I don't want to see it again." Kagome had tears starting to well in her eyes. That last comment was mostly about her mother and aunt. Those images still plague her once pleasant dreams sometimes.

InuYasha had no time to comment because his father walked though the door.

"Hello, son," he greeted as her looked up from his chart for the very first time. He noticed Kagome was awake. "Ah, Kagome, it's nice to see you again." The young woman reflected the older man's smile.

"It's nice to see you too Dr. Teki. I didn't know you were InuYasha's father. Then again, I should have guessed. I've never seen those features on anybody other than you before." InuYasha looked between the two with astonishment.

"You two know each other?" he interrogated. InuTaisho looked to his youngest son.

"Yes, Kagome was a former patient of mine."

A former patient. But InuTaisho was a specialist in cancer. Then that would mean...

InuYasha looked at Kagome in amazement.

-----------

InuTaisho offered to drive Kagome home at three in the morning and the trio was sitting in the car, each absorbed in their own thoughts.

'Leukemia,' thought InuYasha after he was told how Kagome and his father knew each other. 'She had leukemia and her father and uncle die and then it came back. Chemotherapy. That meant that she was bald once. Is that why her hair is black instead of brown like Sango's? It grew back black? Sango was right. She has been through so much shit in her life. That's no fair. She shouldn't have to suffer. She did nothing wrong.'

The car pulled into the Higurashi's driveway, then turned and went away leaving the two young adults at the front door. InuYasha's father thought that someone should be there to watch over Kagome and seeing as InuYasha only let go of Kagome's hand when she changed into some real clothes, and he thought that InuYasha probably wouldn't sleep at home anyway.

Kagome unlocked the door and they quietly made their way to her room. They were especially careful to make little noise as they went up the stairs and past the other rooms that held the sleeping Higurashis. As silently as possible, she opened the door and turned on the lights.

InuYasha looked at the room. Really cool. It had a dark, forest green carpet and wallpaper that resembled a wooded area with lush green leaves and even some hidden wild animals. She had a king-sized bed with black sheets and deep green pillows. There was a wide screen TV with a video and DVD player. On the wall behind her bed hung a decorative bow and about a dozen arrows. A butterfly chair was in one corner, a beanbag chair in another, and a desk and rolling chair in the other. The ceiling had those glow-in-the-dark stars and there was one of those strange lights that if you touch it the currents attract to it. All in all, it was a cool room.

Kagome moved to the walk-in closet. "Sit where you want, I'll be out soon." She walked in a found what she was looking for, a white tank top and green caprees. There was no way in hell she'd sleep in the nude if InuYasha would be here. Well, not yet, anyway. Kagome moved to stare at her reflection in the full-length mirror. Good. The shirt covered her scar on her shoulder. Moving the strap over to the side, she looked at the constant reminder of the most painful experience she ever felt. The threatening tears were enough of an incentive to cover her burden. In a way, Kagome was slightly jealous of Sango. Her scar was on her back so it was easier to avoid.

The door opened to reveal a tired Kagome who stumbled to the bed InuYasha was sitting on and collapsed onto the comfortable sheets. InuYasha shook his head and laughed slightly. He moved to the young woman, picked her up, kicked back the sheets and placed her on them. She fell asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow. Unable to resist the urge, InuYasha gently pressed his lips to her forehead and lay down at the foot of the bed. He didn't noticed how Kagome started to squirm.

Kagome looked at her surroundings. 'No, not this, not this again. Please, please, not again.' She was tied by each limb to the posts of the bed. She turned to her side to find her shoulder bleeding profusely and then down at her body. She was clad in only her torn bra and panties. To make matters worse, the blood from her shoulder spread down to her waist, staining the once pure white sheets.

A noise to her left caught her attention. Oh, how she wished she never turned to face it. There, in all his insane, sex-driven, stomach- churning glory, stood the man who killed her mother and aunt, the man who was about to steal one of the only things that was rightfully her's then throw her out like a broken toy, the man by the name of Akira. His hands had the dried blood of her mother, aunt, and probably her too. His clothes, stained scarlet, lay obediently at his feet save for his boxers, which did little to hide the ever-growing bulge. He stalked over to her much like a hungry predator would its prey until he was practically on top of her.

She noticed his hand about to pull off what was left of her bra and began toss and turn to avoid him. Unfortunately, this caused him to pound the fragile frame into unwilling submission. He gave her a sinister smirk. Kagome's eyes began to water with pain and regret. Regret forever letting this bastard come into their lives.

"Kagome...Kagome...KAGOME!"

Kagome woke to an almost screaming InuYasha.

"What? What is it?" she asked breathing heavily. Damn, that scared her. Those dreams always do.

"You kicked me off the bed. Are you alright?" checked InuYasha in a concerned tone.

"Yeah, I okay. Just a nightmare."

"You sure? It must have been pretty bad." Kagome almost laughed.

"You have no idea. I don't think I can fall asleep again."

"Neither can I." Kagome thought for a minute.

"You want to watch a movie?" she questioned hopefully. InuYasha smirked.

"As long as it's not a chick flick, I'm all for it." Kagome laughed and was about to get up, but InuYasha gently pushed her back down.

"Oh no you don't. I'm here to take care of you. Just tell me where the movies are?" Kagome sighed. She forgot to add stubborn to list of things she made about him in the hospital.

"To the left of the DVD player."

"Thanks." InuYasha made his way to the movies and looked at the DVD player. 'She has The Breakfast Club. I love this movie.' He popped in the DVD.

"So, what are we watching?" inquired Kagome. She really hoped it was something good.

"The Breakfast Club," InuYasha informed. He smiled when she smiled.

"Good. That's my favorite. Then there are the Scary Movies."

InuYasha pressed play on the remote and leaned back next to Kagome. About fifteen minutes into the movie, Kagome unconsciously rested against InuYasha and InuYasha, also unconsciously; put his arm around her shoulder. It took a few minutes to realize the position they were in. They both turned to look at each other.

But they didn't move.

They just turned back and enjoyed the movie.

-Wednesday (still)-

"Goddamn clock," groaned Sango. Why the hell did she have to forget to unset her alarm clock? "There's no school today!" she yelled at the inanimate object. The clock didn't respond.

"Are you always so hostile in the morning?" Sango froze.

"How did you get in my house?" the young woman asked in shock. The voice laughed.

"Your brothers let me in. They were even so kind as to show me to your room." Sango stared into the violet eyes of Miroku.

"Oh how sweet of them," Sango remarked sarcastically as she looked at the clock. "What are you doing here at seven-thirty in the morning?"

"I came to see how you were doing. By the way, did you happen to go into your sister's room lately?"

"I've been sleeping, remember?" stated Sango flatly. A look of enlightenment crossed Miroku's face.

"Oh yeah. Anyway, you got to see this." He was about to grab her hand and lead her to their destination when she threw a pillow at him.

"You are not coming any closer."

"Why not?"

"Because, genius, I have no clothes on." Miroku looked thoughtful for a second.

"So why can't I come any closer?"

Miroku woke up five minutes to a clothed Sango and a sore head.

"What is it you wanted to show me?" she asked as though nothing happened. Miroku sighed.

"Follow me." Miroku led Sango down the hall to Kagome's door and slowly opened it. The sight was priceless yet she'd probably pay all of her savings to see it.

InuYasha and Kagome were huddled against each other on the bed while the credits for The Breakfast Club were rolling on the TV screen.

Ayame laughed after she heard the events of the morning. "I wish I was there. I would kill to see that."

At the current moment, the girls were at the spa, relieving themselves in the care of the workers. School was out for the rest of the week in order to clear it of the gas so the girls were using their time to the fullest. At the moment, the quartet was in the steam room and about to go to get a massage. Obviously, Rin, Sango, and Kagome were telling Ayame what happened earlier that morning.

"Girls, it's time for your massage," came the female voice called.

"Thanks."

There were four of those massage chairs that had a place for the head all lined up in a row and each had a masseuse to its side. The masseuses each had a chart and read which girl goes where. Kagome got the only guy. His nametag read Hojo.

"Not to sound rude miss," he began, "But in order for me to give you the massage you paid for, you have to take off the robe. Here, you can use this towel." Hojo handed her a white towel and pointed to a curtained area. She went behind it to find Rin, Sango, and Ayame in the same position she was in. The problem was that Ayame was there. Sure, the Higurashi female had no problem with the woman, but there was the fact that in order to change into the towel, she'd have to see the scars. With a heavy sigh, Kagome took off the robe and wrapped the towel around her.

She heard Ayame gasp. Hesitantly looking up, she noticed her surprised eyes take in the scar on her right shoulder. Then she glanced over at Rin and Sango in time to see them heave a sigh and remove the robe. Ayame turned to see the mark on Sango's back and the numerous one's on Rin. She kept on looking between the three young women. Yet again, Kagome sighed.

"We'll explain later, I promise," whispered Kagome. They returned to their respective masseuse and lay down on the chair/table thing. Hojo noticed her scar but decided to avoid asking about it and started to massage her neck and shoulders. However, he did try to strike a conversation.

"You have a boyfriend, miss?" questioned the young man. Relationships were his favorite topic.

"Not yet. And call me Kagome. I hate formalities."

"Yet?" he raised an unseen eyebrow. "Are you working on trying to get someone?" Kagome smirked.

"You could say that." Sango, who was eavesdropping, chose to comment.

"Oh please, Kagome. You might as well say you're going out with InuYasha. You were sleeping in the same bed last night all close and cozy." Hojo's face lit up. This was better than Springer. Rin chose to comment as well.

"Well, Sango, I think it's safe to say that you like Miroku." Sango blushed.

"Why would you say that?"

"Because," Kagome chose to get her revenge now, "if you didn't like him, he'd be dead by now with all of that groping he does. And Rin, don't deny that you like Sesshoumaru."

"I knew it!" Ayame exclaimed laughingly. "You do like them. I can't wait to let them know." Sango and Rin looked horrified while Kagome kept her ever-calm face.

"You do that, Ayame, and we'll tell Kouga your true feelings," threatened the woman.

Ayame stopped laughing but Rin and Sango looked like Christmas came early.

"You like my brother?" Rin had a hard time keeping her laughs in. "This is too perfect."

"I say we create a deal," Kagome suggested. "No one tells any of the boys about this, and her secret is safe."

Everyone immediately agreed while the masseuses looked on amused. 'Yup. Diffidently better than Springer.'

All in all, the massages were great. The only bad thing was that this was it. It was time to head to the Higurashis. After they changed, however, someone got a visitor that none of the girls expected.

"Oh, Hojo!"

"Where the hell are those girls? They should be here by now!" InuYasha ranted. They just got back from the movies and were waiting for the girls to get home. But in all honesty, InuYasha just wanted to see Kagome. He really didn't like the fact that she was getting a massage. What if the masseuse was a guy?

He didn't like the idea.

The front door opened to reveal very refreshed females who were currently laughing their heads off. What was so funny? The guys were trying to listen in on the conversation.

"I never would have guessed."

"I know what you mean. I can't believe they just kissed like that."

"It wasn't even chaste!"

"That was hilarious. I'm just glad we didn't laugh until we were out of the building."

"Kagome, I can't believe your masseuse did that."

"Neither can I. Though I should have guessed when he asked that question." InuYasha jumped out at the sound of 'he'. "Hi InuYasha. Did you like our conversation?"

"Your masseuse was a guy?" he interrogated as though it was scandalous. All the girls laughed even harder. Kagome walked up to the shocked man who, for some reason or another, fell for.

"You don't have to worry, InuYasha, for two reasons. The first is that I'm not interested in him." InuYasha looked slightly more relieved.

"What was the second?" he asked as the girls were heading upstairs. Again, the girls laughed.

"The second reason is that he is uninterested and unavailable." Kagome started to laugh and struggled to repress it. "He already has a man. His name is Jakotsu."

§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§§

A/N: I really must wonder if anyone ever did a Homosexual Hojo? Anyway, I found it difficult to write that Naraku part. I don't like him. Alright, I have a request. Tell me what some good dance songs are (like school dance or something). I want to add a dance in this story and I want your opinion on it. I already got one (Cotton Eye Joe). Tell me some more. Review (my self-confidence is rebuilding^_^)