A/N- I know I'm a slow updater but it's not like you peoples bother giving me ideas when I ask for them. Truth be told I have writers block and need some inspiration. It could be as stupid as locking them in the bathroom, anything to get my creative juices flowing! This chapter isn't how I wanted it to turn out but it's longer then the last so I hope you enjoy it anyways.

Disclaimer- I own nothing, no point in rubbing it in

Just One of those Years Chapter one- It Could be Worse

Sesshomaru's left eye twitched involuntarily upon Kagome's entrance, in history the next day. He still had a hard time excepting the fact that this girl had dared to nickname him of all people; fluffy!!! There was an uneasy feeling in the pit of his stomach, knowing very well that this humiliation would follow him through all of high school.

Taking no note of his moodiness, Kagome opened up one of the textbooks and began her work. Wanting very much to get her back for the insulting nickname, Sesshomaru poked her from behind.

"Hey brat!"

This immediately got her attention. "Brat?"

But before he could give a smart remark, Kagome jumped straight out of her seat. Face growing red, the girl yipped in surprise. Under her desk was none other than Koga and Miroku themselves. Normally Sesshomaru found this sort of thing rather amusing but for some reason it merely annoyed him this time.

"Would you two leeches grow-up, she doesn't like you now leave her alone." His voice had become dangerously low and it was a wonder that he hadn't been growling by now.

Obediently, as if given orders by a great lord, the two boys returned to their seats. It had appeared that this would be the last time they would bother poor Kagome, but who was really to know?

Very much relieved, the girl sat back down. Not exactly through, Sesshomaru poked Kagome a second time. It soon resulted in a giant verbal war, stopping at the dismissal belle, only to be restarted during psychology.

"Would you stop calling me brat?!"

"Only if you vow never to use the word fluffy again."

"Okay fluffy."

"I mean it!"

"Yes fluffy."

"You are such an immature brat."

"And you're an egotistical jerk!"

"Brat."

"Fluffy."

"Brat."

"Fluffy."

"Brat."

The teacher loomed over the two students menacingly. "Sesshomaru Taisho and Kagome Higurashi!!! You have interrupted my class long enough, that will be a lunch detention for both of you!"

Kagome sat down in her seat, resting her forehead on the edge of the desk. She was seriously considering banging her head against it but thought better of it. Another detention, not to mention one with Sesshomaru was just too much. What would her mother say to so many detentions and only on the third day of school.

As usual Sango waited for Kagome to get out of psychology. "Um Kag, the lunch room is this way." Her friend pointed in the opposite direction.

"Yes Sango-chan but I am heading off to detention hall and it is that way."

Her friend did not miss the sarcasm dripping with every word. "What happened?"

"Ask fluffy!" And with that Kagome was off. To make matters worse, Naraku and Sesshomaru were the only two people in the whole room that she knew. The rest of the gang had been able to stay out of trouble and were currently enjoying their cafeteria food. Just peachy.

Feeling rather brave, Kagome daringly decided to take her chances with Naraku and sat by him. After sitting, he turned to her slightly blinking once and then twice in what was probably surprise. Furrowing his brows the boy looked at her as if only seeing her for the first time. Without warning he poked the tip of her nose as if making sure it was actually there.

Befuddled Kagome looked to Sesshomaru, wondering if he found the action just as confusing as she did. Was she suppose to poke him back? Sesshomaru gave her a look that clearly stated, 'your problem not mine.' Peeved, Kagome looked back to Naraku who at the moment was staring at her more intently then before. She blushed involuntarily, under his steady gaze. Trying to ignore the unwanted attention, Kagome pretended to be highly interested in the color of her fingernail polish.

"Are you going?"

"Pardon me?" Kagome asked a little startled at the sound of his voice. It was low and deep, sending chills down her spine.

"Inu's party, are you going?"

"Ummm..yeah, I'm going with Sango and Kikyo."

"Oh."

A sigh of relief escaped Kagome's lips when she saw that Naraku did not plan on carrying the conversation any further and had went back to doing whatever it was he was doing. Feeling a tad uncomfortable, the teenager casually got up to sit by Sesshomaru. This got her a few curious stares but anything was better than sitting by Naraku.

Kagome almost laughed at the peeved look Sesshomaru was giving her. Was he actually upset with for choosing to sit with Naraku, rather then himself? The very thought caused Kagome to snort indignantly.

"And what is it that you find so amusing?" The boy inquired with a raised brow.

"Oh, nothing really, just a thought."

"Is that so?"

"Yes it is."

"Whatever brat."

"Oh, you're just jealous, fluffy."

"And tell me brat, just what would I be jealous of, hn?"

"Now fluffy, would it be any fun if I didn't keep you guessing?"

"My patience is running rather thin with you."

"Seesh, you're starting to sound like my mother."

"And you're starting to really get on my nerves."

"Good, then my job here is done."

Sesshomaru made an impatient gesture as if to end the conversation, causing Kagome to flinch. Immediately, his full attention was upon her. Had she thought he would actually hit her? The unpleasant thought made him frown slightly. His frown increased as he looked back to Kagome whom was avoiding his gaze.

"Is something the matter with you, brat?" Expecting a smart comeback, Sesshomaru was surprised when the girl answered a small, 'no'. To Kagome's relief and Sesshomaru's dismay, the belle rang, dismissing them to their next class. He watched as the girl nearly jumped out of her seat, rushing past him and soon out the door. No doubtingly to avoid him.

Sesshomaru's eyes narrowed at the thought. 'No matter, I'll get it out of her when class is over..not that I really care...'

*~*~*~*~*~*~

Kagome's earlier tension was replaced with dread upon seeing Ms.Blockman was back. Taking a seat in the back, she pretended to be highly interested in the writing on the desk. There was still a few minutes until class started; for once Kagome was early to class.

Kikyo and Sango took their usual seats on either side of her. Faking a smile, Kagome greeted her friends.

"So how was detention?" Sango asked with mild interest.

"Uneventful", Kagome replied.

"Well that's surprising, I figured you and Sesshomaru would be leaving in tiny pieces. You two seem to be always biting each other's heads off." Kikyo pointed out knowingly.

Kagome winced slightly. "Am I really that bad?"

"Yep", Sango and Kikyo answered in unison.

"Are we still on for the mall today?" Kagome asked hopefully, knowingly changing the subject.

"Course, we can all meet in the parking lot after sixth." Sango perked up a little.

"Maybe I should drive." Kikyo mumbled.

"No way! It's my car and I get to drive!" Sango huffed.

Kikyo shifted her weight, leaning in on Kagome's side. "If you have any last words say them now and pray hard."

Before Sango could make any protests, class started.

In English they would be starting on the class play. Kagome hoped with every ounce of her being that Miroku wasn't Romeo. That was the last thing she needed right now. Not being able to take the horrible suspense any longer, Kagome tapped Miroku from behind.

"Yes, Kagome-chan?" For once the hentai didn't try anything.

"Ummm.What part did you get Miroku-kun?"

The boy sighed. "Mercutio, and you?"

Kagome too sighed. "Juliet..I'm dreading finding out who Romeo is. Truth be told I was afraid it would be you. Now I'm worried it's going to be Koga or Hojo."

"I thought you liked Hojo." Sango interrupted.

"Well Hojo-kun seems nice and everything.I suppose he's okay but...I don't know."

Inuyasha laughed. "She's too hooked up on Sesshomaru to care for any other guys."

Kagome's face turned three nice shades of red. "I am not! How can you even say that, we don't even like each other!"

Inuyasha's face was one of disbelief. "Are you kidding me? The two of you flirt like crazy!"

"We do not!" Kagome exclaimed angrily.

"I don't know..it does appear that Sesshomaru-san has a thing for you." Miroku said with a sly grin.

"I beg to differ." A cold voice spoke up from behind.

Kagome slumped in her chair, knowing very well whom the owner of the voice was. Had he heard everything? Was she suppose to say something on her behalf now? 'Oh lord why me?'

Much to Kagome's and Sesshomaru's relief, the teacher announced that class would begin. But to the girl's complete horror, so called fluffy was her Romeo. The play ended up being a total disaster. Dare I even go into detail?

Mercutio was constantly fondling or groping Juliet and her maid, which caused a rather large fight with Romeo. Fists went flying and more detention was given out. To top it off there was not enough girls to play the female roles so the men had to and they didn't exactly look good in dresses.

To make matters worse at the scene of the kiss, Juliet tripped over Romeo bringing them both crashing to the floor. He ended up kissing the top of her nose rather than her lips. The kiss itself was an embarrassment not likely to be forgotten. By the end of class there was bruises and headaches. Not one student had left the room unscratched.

Could things possibly get any worse? Why yes, they could actually. As the students filed out, their teacher announced that he had made sure to get everything on tape and would show the film after the morning announcements the following day. Kagome dubbed him teacher from hell. Ms.Blockman wasn't even that cruel...well not to her knowledge anyways.

It wasn't until Kagome reached the parking lot that she let out all her stress and anger in one loud scream. Sure, she got a few stares but it proved to be well worth it. It was not as if she cared what other people thought to begin with.

"Are you quite done yet?" A bored voice asked from behind. And as you all have probably guessed, it was indeed Sesshomaru.

"Maybe", Kagome answered off-handedly.

"Need a ride?"

"Not from you thankyouverymuch. Sango is already giving me a ride."

"Then I'll be sure to schedule in your funeral for tomorrow."

"She can't be that bad of a driver, besides the mall isn't too far off; fifteen minute drive at the most."

"Maybe so but a lot can happen in fifteen minutes."

"Whatever, fluffy."

"Why did you do it, brat?"

"Do what", Kagome asked sincerely.

"Flinch as if I would hit you?" The question had seemed to be nagging at him through all of fifth and part of sixth. It had been the only reason he had offered her a ride. It would had made it easier for him to get a straight answer. You can't really avoid someone successfully when in the same car.

"Oh that....It's no big deal Sesshomaru, I just had something in my eye, that's all..honest." Her reply had sounded rather stiff but it went unnoticed.

It was apparent though that she was keeping something from him. There was no way he would believe that lame excuse. The girl had to do better than that. But Sesshomaru had already shown a lot more interest than he had intended to, so let it drop there.

"My mistake, see you later, brat."

"Okay Sesshomaru." Her voice was soft and distant. He assumed he had brought up something rather painful and felt almost sorry that he had but it would only be sooner or later that he would find out exactly what it was.

Sesshomaru walked gracefully to his car, feeling the girl's eyes bore into his back. Getting in the black sports car, he let his anger slip a little, slamming the car door, much louder then was intended. He had no clue as to why he was mad, he just was.

Kagome's parting words replayed in his mind; 'Okay Sesshomaru.' It obviously annoyed the heck out of him when she called him fluffy but hadn't this time and it actually bothered him.

'What do I care anyways?' Sesshomaru shook his head, trying to push the thought away. Eyes now on the road, Sesshomaru tried his best to concentrate on his driving.

*~*~*~*~*~*~

"You two ready to go?" Sango asked both Kikyo and Kagome.

"Yep", they answered in unison.

"Are you sure you don't want me to drive?" Kikyo pleaded, it being her last hope.

"I told you already; my car so I get to drive!"

Kagome rolled her eyes as she got in the car. One thought seemed to replay in her mind as she fastened her seat belt and listened to the engine roar to life. 'If I'm not careful he may find out.'

*~*~*~*~*~*~

"Sesshomaru-sama you're home!" Rin latched herself onto her older brother's leg.

"How would you like to go to the mall, Rin?"

"Can I get something there Sesshomaru-sama?"

"Yes Rin, now go get your shoes on." He patted his younger sister on the head.

As Rin raced off in search of her shoes, Sesshomaru went to inform their mother of his plans.

"That's fine; just don't spoil the child too much. You've already showered her with enough gifts as it is. She has a whole play room full of stuff you bought her for goodness sake."

"Are you feeling better?"

"Yeah, it was just a small head cold, that it was."

"You've watched Kenshin today?"

"A little..."

Sesshomaru nodded. "You should still rest, you look tired."

His mother smiled as she shook her head. "You would have thought that you were the parent here instead of me...So when are you going to bring a girl home?"

Sesshomaru had to restrain himself from rolling his eyes. His mother asked that question every time he went out and always he gave her the same answer.

"When I find a girl that is actually of some interest to me."

"Yesterday Inuyasha visited but you weren't home; he told me that there was a new girl at school that you have become quite found of."

"He was mistaken; I have taken no such liking."

"From what I've heard you two even have nicknames for each other."

Sesshomaru honestly didn't have an answer for that one. For once he found himself stumped. Pretending to be highly interested in the floor tiles, he thought for a moment.

"Name calling and nicknames are two very different things; I'm really not interested in this new girl that you speak of."

His mother merely smiled. The red tint to her son's face had not gone unnoticed."

A/N- Well that's all I have for you for now. Pretty please give me some ideas!