In With the New

by Michi4

AU: In a house that rents rooms out to college students, Sango is the only female tenant now that Kikyo's moved out. Now a new girl's moving into Kikyo's room: COMPLETE!...HumorDramaRomance Sequel up!

6. Chapter 6:Connections

In With the New

Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha which was created by Rumiko Takahashi, thus she is rich and I am poor…

A/N: I am currently borrowing my friend's computer and it is being taken from me because she needs it, but my boyfriend said I can borrow his laptop when he doesn't need it. I don't get to see him till Thurs 8/11/05 so I don't know when I can update this again…sigh…but I will be writing out this story in a notebook till I can type/update again! I have no money or else I could buy a computer for myself…

Now, to address my valued reviewers (if I miss anyone, it is because you reviewed AFTER I updated this story, so you are VALUABLE! ALL MY READERS ARE!):

Mel Leigh: Thank you so much for your review and for reading this and letting me know how much you enjoy this. You renewed my faith in this fic hehe.

InuKag909: Thank you always for reviewing this! Again, I am gratified to know you like each chapter! Much obliged. Not a Kikyo fan either, I see lol. ;-)

Singellittelolme: Thanks a bunch for your wonderful reviews! Here's the update you so pleaded for lol. Thanks 4 the motivation.

Thank you everyone for reading!...and for those of you who added me to your favorites/alters! I am flattered. :-D Now, on to the chapter!

Chapter 6: Connections

It was Thursday. Kagome looked down at her work schedule. She noticed that she had Friday and Saturday off and decided it would be nice to visit her mom, grandpa and little brother, Sota. It had been two months now that she had been living on her own and thought it was time for a visit. She could take her homework with her and study in her room, just like she did throughout junior high and high school.

Sango tapped lightly on Kagome's door. When she entered, she noticed Kagome packing up some things. Sango seemed a little surprised and worried, "are you leaving?" "Yeah," Kagome answered, "but just for the weekend to visit my family. "Well, there go my plans to hang out with you." Sango stated. "Aw, Sango. When I come back we can hang out, I promise." She said with a smile. Sango nodded in response, then said, "I'll see what Miroku's doing then."

"Okay. When you see him, tell him I said hi and I'll see him when I get back."

"Will do."

Kagome was about to head out the door when Koga came up to her. "Where are you headed this fine afternoon, Kagome?" "To visit my family for the weekend." She replied. "I haven't seen you much lately." He inquired. She nodded and said, "I know, I've been so busy between work and school. I figured this would be the only time I could visit my family." "When you get back, I'm taking you out to eat." He said with a grin. She closed her eyes and smiled, then, said, "okay. See you."

Inuyasha came home from work. He was exhausted and was ready to just relax at home. He remembered the load of homework he had to do. As he approached the porch, he saw Kagome leaving with a duffel bag. "Where are you going?" Inuyasha asked with a hint of an attitude in his tone. "To visit my family for the weekend." She said. "And you were planning on telling me, when?" He asked. She looked at him for a second, not understanding why he sounded like he had a problem with her. "You weren't home. I'm not going to wait here until you get back! Besides, I told Sango and she would've told you. Why do I have to tell you anyway?" Kagome responded.

"You don't have to tell me anything. I don't really care. It's just in case you didn't notice, I missed class today because I had to work."

"FYI, I did notice and I figured you knew someone else in that class."

"Right, because I'm so social," he sarcastically remarked and added, "Do you see me talk to anyone in that class other than you?"

"I'll give you my cell phone number and you can call me and I'll tell you what you missed."

"Fine."

"Okay."

Kagome sat down the duffel bag. She whipped out her cell phone and said, "What's your number?" He said it to her as she punched it in her key pad. Then, she called him. His cell phone rang (his ring tone is Grip! By Every Little Thing: A/N: you IY fans should know that is the 4th Opening theme to the series:) "There, now you have my number on your caller I.D." She said, picked up the bag and got into her car. Inuyasha groaned as he lugged himself into the house. He had wanted to study with Kagome and hang out with her, but that idea was gone. He decided to see what Miroku was doing.

Sango was in Miroku's room playing Tetris with him. Inuyasha came in. "What's up?" Miroku asked when he noticed Inuyasha seemed to mope into his room. He plopped himself onto Miroku's couch. "I'm tired from work and I have a lot of homework. I have no motivation to do it." Inuyasha replied. "I see. You could study with us." Miroku stated. Inuyasha narrowed his eyes at his two companions playing Nintendo and said sarcastically, "Yeah, you two are busy with homework." Sango spoke without looking away from the T.V. screen, "Oi, I forget to tell you that Kagome's out of town for the weekend visiting her family." "That's nice." Miroku replied. "Keh." Inuyasha muttered as he crossed his arms and frowned. "What's with you?" Sango asked. "I told you, I'm tired and I have stuff to do." He irritably said. "Well, grumbling about it won't get it done." Miroku replied. Inuyasha sighed heavily. He wasn't going to get anything done this way either. He said goodbye to his friends- who never turned away from their game-and went back to his room. He put on his music and started on his homework.

Kagome entered into her childhood home. Her mother embraced and greeted her, "Welcome home, honey. I'll draw you a nice warm bath. Dinner will be ready when you come out." "Thanks, mom." Kagome said. She hugged her grandpa. Sota was busy playing a video game and merely said, "Hey, sis." "Not much of a greeting." Kagome commented to her brother, then, walked upstairs to her bedroom. Her room was just as she left it, except for her closet and desk being empty. Her bed with the pink pillow case and matching blanket remained unwrinkled. Not even her cat, Buyo, had come into her room at all. Kagome undressed and got into the shower.

Kagome sat to eat with her family. She told them about work and school. "Sengoku Jidai…well, I remember…" her grandpa ranted on about the legends he knew from the era. He would've gotten up and gotten some artifacts he collected, but Kagome insisted they finish dinner first.

After dinner, Kagome knew she had to get to her homework if she was ever going to finish it. She hugged her family goodnight and went to her room to get started. Around ten thirty, her cell phone rang (her ring tone is Itazura Na Kiss:A/N: IY 6th ending theme…you should know this of course hehe:) She answered and it was none other than Inuyasha. "I was wondering when you were going to call." She chirped. "Whatever. Just tell me what I need." He responded. "Oh, I see how it is. No "hi, how are you?"" She teased and tried to make conversation with him, "You're starting on the homework late don't you think."

"I had other stuff to do."

"Really, like what?"

"Homework. What else?"

"I don't know."

"Hang on, I got another call."

Kagome waited for a little over five minutes. She tapped her pen lightly on her desk and started humming to herself. He came back, "Hey." "Hi…anyway you need to know what you missed." She said and told him the reading assignment. "I'll let you borrow my notes when I get back Sunday." She said. "Alright, thanks." He solemnly said. "What's wrong?" She asked sensing despondency in his voice. "Uh…" He muttered. She heard him shuffle around on the other end of the phone. "Are you okay?" She asked. She was a little worried now. "Yeah, Kikyo just called me." He said, not sure why he was telling her. So that's who it was on the other line. Kagome thought and she said, "Well, I hope it wasn't anything bad." "No, it wasn't…" He said, sounding like he wasn't all that sure since his voice trailed off. "You want to talk about it?" She offered, though she didn't really want to hear about it. She and Inuyasha had been hanging out a lot more, maybe even were somewhat close, as far as platonic friends were anyway, which was more than acquaintances were- she wasn't near being his best friend-but it still bothered her that his ex girlfriend called him to mess with his emotions. Kikyo did that every now and then, but she hadn't visited recently. For that, Kagome was glad. She didn't want to have to see Kikyo and Inuyasha lip locking again. It almost made her gag the first time.

Kagome was snapped out of her musing when he asked, "Are you there?" She answered with a simple "yes." "Did you hear what I said?" He asked, sounding a little annoyed. She was afraid to respond honestly that she hadn't been listening. "Sorry, no." She finally breathed. He sighed heavily out of aggravation. He was pissed, here he was practically spilling out his emotions and she hadn't been listening! He hated repeating himself, but he did, "I said, she wants to get together with me, but I'm not sure if I want to."

"Why not, Inuyasha?"

"Because out of no where she's pretending to be interested in me again."

"Are you still in love with her?" Kagome suddenly asked. She covered her mouth with her free hand that wasn't holding the cell phone. If she was in person, she would NEVER have asked him such a question. Inuyasha's voice was caught in his throat. He was taken aback by her blunt question. "I'm sorry! I was in no place to ask you that! I better go now. We have homework to finish. Bye." She hung up before he could say anything. She didn't want to know the answer to the question for one (even though her sub conscious seemed to.) She hoped he wouldn't call her back. She went back to her homework.

Inuyasha looked at his cell phone, then, put it down. Kagome's question made him think. He and Kikyo had loved each other…but did he still love her? The truth was he wouldn't have been able to answer that question. Most of all, how did Kikyo feel about him?

0o0o0

Kagome's mother had packed her a few things. "Mom! Thank you for giving me real food instead of all those T.V. dinners and instant ramen I live on!" Kagome exclaimed. "You're welcome. Make sure you freeze it or eat it in three days, otherwise it will go bad." Her mother advised. Kagome nodded. "Oh, one more thing. Here," Mrs. Higurashi handed Kagome a green, glossy-leaved potted plant. "It's a Japanese Aralia. I'm sure it will look gorgeous in your room. It's easy to care for." "Thank you so much mom!" Kagome threw her arms around her mother. "Oh, Kagome, they say that if you can take care of a house plant and a pet, you're ready for a mature relationship." Her grandfather chimed in and added, "Kagome, here are some sacred sutras to hang in your room, too. Here is a charm that-" Kagome interrupted him, "thanks, but I don't really need that junk." Her grandfather began to lecture. She looked at her watch and decided to humor her grandfather and take his gifts. "Bye, sis," Sota said, "next time we visit, can you introduce us to the Inuyasha you talked about? He sounds cool." She smiled. Sota was interested in the fact that Inuyasha could ride a motorcycle. She simply said, "Sure" with a smile, then, bid farewell to her family.

Kagome arrived at home in the evening. She put her things in her room, then, headed down the hall to Inuyasha's room. She knocked on the door. No answer. "I guess I'll just give him these notes later." She thought aloud and went to say hello to Miroku and Sango.

Koga, Sango, and Miroku were all in Koga's room watching a movie. Kagome heard the front door open and close. Kagome stood up. "Where are you going, Kagome?" Koga asked. "I need to give Inuyasha these notes." She said and went out the door. She was just in time to see Kikyo and Inuyasha kissing goodnight. She couldn't believe her rotten luck. She should've waited till he was settled in. She turned to go back into the room when she heard the front door open and close again and Inuyasha's footsteps behind her. "Kagome." He said. She turned on her heels to face him. She plastered on another fake smile and said, "Here are the notes you need." He took them lightly into his hand. "Um, tell the others I'm going to bed early. After school, I have to go straight to work." She stated and began walking to her room.

Inuyasha watched her walk away slowly. It almost seemed like she was sulking. He entered Koga's room where everyone was. "What are you doing in my room? Get out mutt!" Koga snapped. "Shut the fuck up! I'm here 'cause Kagome said she was going to bed early." Inuyasha retorted. Sango and Miroku stared blankly as Inuyasha and Koga began to bicker again. "Why'd you make her leave!" Koga yelled.

"I didn't make her!"

"She was fine until you got here!"

"What the hell are you talking about! She just gave me my notes."

Inuyasha paused for a minute. Was Kagome really fine until he had gotten there? He thought to himself that Kagome had probably seen him with Kikyo. Then, Koga interrupted, "Hey! Jerk, get the hell out of my room!" "Gladly!" Inuyasha snarled and left. Miroku and Sango decided it was best to go back to their respective rooms, too.

Inuyasha called Kagome's cell phone. He could hear her ring tone from down the hall. She picked up, of course. "What are you doing?" He asked. "Why are you calling me, you could just stop by," She said and asked, "Is it about the homework?" "I wasn't sure if you were asleep already…or if you wanted to see me." He admitted. She smiled to herself from the sincerity in his voice and how he cared enough to call her. She stifled a giggle and told him, "Just walk over already." "Open your door." He replied. He was already standing outside before she even asked him to take the several steps to her room.

He sat down on her bed next to her. She looked down quietly. He broke the silence, "You saw me with Kikyo, didn't you?" She nodded. "Why didn't you say something?" He questioned. She shrugged and answered, "It's none of my business." "Then, why does it bother you?" He inquired. He really was dense that he couldn't see that she had developed feelings beyond friendship for him. She blushed at the thought and tried to hide it by looking away. He took her actions that she was angry with him. He sighed heavily and looked defeated. His ears twitched when she finally spoke, "Inuyasha, it's because I want you to be happy and I'm afraid that Kikyo will just mess with your heart." He understood it as because she was his friend, she didn't want to see him get hurt. He appreciated that she cared about him. He replied, "Kagome, don't worry about me. It only seems to upset you." He put an arm around her shoulder and leaned her into his side. She folded her hands in her lap and played with her fingers. They sat like that for a while, each in their own little world. She was completely enjoying his company and being close to him. He wanted to make sure she was comforted. At that moment, he was partially in denial that maybe he had feelings for two women, the only two women who had ever showed interest and care for him: Kikyo and Kagome.

Inuyasha suddenly felt his cheeks grow warm and a light blush arose in his face. Kagome's head had moved from his shoulder to his chest now, they were still sitting up on her bed. As soon as he realized he cared about Kagome more than just a mutual friend, he started to panic internally. He hadn't ever had feelings for anyone, except Kikyo. It suddenly made him nervous to be on a bed with Kagome. He made up an excuse to get himself out of his uncomfortable situation, "I better get to copy those notes." "Oh, yeah. I better get to sleep. Goodnight." She said, trying not to scowl that the moment was over. She tried to shrug off the disappointed feeling that overwhelmed her body and heart.

Kagome went to sleep alone, like usual. When she awoke, she just felt like it wasn't going to be her day. She left early for school, dressed in her work clothes. Seeing Inuyasha for her last class of the day made her feel better. He interacted with her more in that class, though every now and then he would shy away for some reason she didn't understand. She figured he had a not-so-friendly exterior and was maintaining it.

At work, Kagome had just come back from seating people at a table when she saw Kikyo come in. What's she doing here? Oh, Kami, tell me I don't have to seat her and don't let Inuyasha be here with her! Kagome thought. She grimaced, then, forced a smile and greeted Kikyo, "Welcome." Kikyo gave Kagome a cold look, then, said, "I'm here to fill out an application." "We're not accepting applications at the moment." Kagome immediately stated. But, of course, to Kagome's dismay, Hojo had been right behind her to hear Kikyo's request. He had went to grab an application and didn't hear Kagome lie that they weren't hiring. "Here you go ma'am, we're always hiring." Kikyo thanked him and ignored Kagome. Kagome wanted to knock Hojo on the ground and kick his ass, but she didn't. "Are you okay, Kagome? You don't look so well." He said. Her left eye twitched from frustration. She gritted her teeth and seethed, "I'm fine. I've just had an off day."

A.N: OOOHHH, next chapter would be interesting since Kikyo will be hired at Kagome's work…please don't hurt me! I won't tell you which position Kikyo will be in hehehe… I hope I get to update soon! THANK YOU ALL FOR READING! I need to incorporate Naraku more too…Ok, that's the only spoiler I'm giving away. It's late, it's after 2AM. I've been working on this since 6PM lol.