Hey everyone! Sorry about the long wait! Summer's been really hectic. (That's an understatement too..) I got in a huge family fight (got disowned for about 3 weeks), went on a vacation to the Black Hills, been preparing for school, and I just haven't had much time left over...So there's my excuses, if they matter any. Oh! And one more thing, yes, Inuyasha is a bit of a pervert. Guys in this age that aren't perverted are rare and in my story, him and Miroku have been best friends since they were kids, so let's say he rubbed off on him. A lot.^_^; It isn't that big of a difference though...How many times has Inuyasha peeped Kagome while bathing? But anyways, enough talking and onto the fic!

****Revised and Edited!****

Disclaimer: Rumiko owns Inuyasha and company–Not me!='( And I lay no claim to Cowboy Country Store chain.=P

Cruel and Unusual Punishment

Chapter Three–Getting to Know You

"Sanngooo,' Kagome whined, sitting across from her friend in a small booth within the Cowboy Country Store, " I wish we could stay here longer–I don't wanna go back to that bus...It's horrible in there! Inuyasha isn't making it easier either."

"I know how you feel. Every chance Miroku gets, he gropes me! He even makes up excuses like 'There was piece of hair on your thigh, I had to brush it off because it was marring your beautiful image.' Oh, and here's the best (well, worst typically)," Sango said, deepening her voice slightly, "'There was a fly on your bosom, Miss Sango!'"

Kagome covered her mouth and ducked her head.

"Yes, it's that horrible. He doesn't even make excuses for groping my ass.." Sango muttered but noticed that Kagome was shaking slightly. "Kagome?.."

Lifting her head, she burst out laughing, "I'm sorry Sango! It is horrible but it's just so funny!"

Her laughter was cut short as static and a tapping noise came from the speakers above them. "All students belonging to Camp Feudal are to report outside in front of the bus in five minutes," a monotone voice drawled.

"Is it just me or is it embarrassing to be a part of Camp Feudal?" Kagome said with her head hung low.

Head hung equally low, "VERY embarrassing, Kagome.."

O.o...

Climbing the bus stairs, Kagome and Sango grudgingly went to their seats. They had been sitting on the edge of their seats for a few minutes when Inuyasha and Miroku came walking up.

"Houshi.." Sango growled and pointed behind her, the window side.

"Why of course I'd let an attractive young lady as yourself have the outter seat, you could talk to Kagome then."

"Glad I get a say in this," Inuyasha said, rolling his eyes. Kagome stood up to make room for Inuyasha to slide past her. As he stepped forward she swore that she saw him flash a smirk at her.

'What's he smiling about?.." Kagome thought but felt her face flush as Inuyasha noticeably brushed his body against her, considerably grazing her chest.

Kagome turned to glare at him but he was innocently lounging in his chair, pretending to be interested in something outside of the window. Letting out a huff, she sat on the edge of the seat and turned towards Sango.

Since Miroku had so kindly let Sango have the inner seat, she and Kagome could talk now. About an hour into it, their chattering had slowed–Sango had started to daze off and eventually fell asleep with her head down. Kagome was a little disappointed that she wouldn't have anyone to talk with but Miroku, on the other hand, looked absolutely delighted that the young girl had fallen asleep beside him. A few potholes later and Miroku had Sango successfully resting against his shoulder.

'They look cute together, even if he's a lecher," Kagome thought with a bemused expression on her face.

Kagome stole a glance at Inuyasha from the corner of hers eyes–he was also looking at the couple too with a neutral expression. 'Well at least he isn't scowling now. Hm, I wonder..'

She turned to him suddenly, causing him to scoot away from her a bit. "Inuyasha? Do you have a girlfriend?"

He nearly choked.

"Wha?.." Inuyasha sputtered, "That's none of your business!"

"It's a simple question and we already seem to be acquainted in brief terms," Kagome gave him a deadpan look.

Inuyasha almost smirked but managed to fight it off.

"The answer is no."

"Well, why not?" Kagome pressed further, her curiosity getting the better of her.

"Nosy wench," Inuyasha muttered. "Take a look at me–have you not noticed? Are you just slow?!" Inuyasha began to take on a angrier tone than normal.

"Hey! I see nothing wrong, except for your bad attitude!" Kagome yelled back at him, emphasizing the last part.

"I'm a hanyou!" he yelled back at her with equal emphasis.

"Who cares if you are!.." Kagome was going to continue but was interrupted by throaty chuckling from the seat in front of her. Two males' heads were turned towards them, eyeing Kagome with malicious smirks.

"Hey girly, if he's bothering you, you can come sit on my lap," one of the thugs offered, both of them cracking up again. Kagome shrank back in her seat slightly, unconsciously leaning towards Inuyasha. The chuckling stopped suddenly. In one swift movement, Inuyasha had punched the male who had spoken to Kagome, the other immediately disappeared behind the back of the seat. Inuyasha made it a point to slide forward in his chair, jamming his knees into it, exactly where the other guy would be sitting.

"Feh..Losers." Inuyasha scoffed, an annoyed expression on his face.

Kagome became aware of how close she was to Inuyasha and tried to scoot away from him unnoticed. But Inuyasha did notice.

"So that's the thanks I get.." he grumbled out, not looking at her.

"Sorry, thank you though,' Kagome gave him a small smile, "I owe you now."

"Bah, whatever.."

For the next ten minutes they sat there in silence, Kagome finally starting to feel sleepy. For minutes she turned in her seat, thrashing about mildly, trying to get into a comfortable position.

"Wench, would you sit still," Inuyasha soft words interrupted her, her body stiffening as she felt an arm go around her waist, gently pulling her against his side. His grip on her loosened, although he didn't remove his hand.

Kagome was about to protest, especially about the wench comment and the innocent hand laying on her stomach, just barely beneath her breasts, but Inuyasha sensed her uneasiness before she could say anything. "Just hush," he said quietly, "Besides, you owe me."

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

Woohoo! I updated!=D Sorry it was so short. Hope it wasn't too bad. It's once again 3:13 am though. And I must tell you that it IS nice waking up to reviews!^_^ I nearly died of shock seeing how many I got for that last chapter. (It went from 6 to 35!!O.O) I love all of my reviewers! I was going to thank all of you in this chap but it's really late now, so I'll just thank everybody in the next chap and hopefully along with some new reviewers.^^ I'll try to update as soon as I can!

With contacts fusing to eyes as we speak,

Mandypanchan