Disclaimer: Look to the left of this sentence. :D

Author's Note: I apologize! ;P I know I should've churned this chapter out earlier, but I got a little writer's block as to how to proceed and had to deal with my midterms! ;P Haha! ;P In any case, people, belated Happy Chinese New Year and advanced Happy Valentines Day! ;P I know this chapter isn't as romantic to fit the occasion, but I promise to make up for it in the near future! (:hint:hint:) :D

Also, before I move onto my thank-you-s to the wonderful people who read and reviewed, I'd like to make an announcement. :D In this chapter and some of the others, you'll be coming across a few characters from different animes. The first person who can identify them and the animes that they're from (this is per chapter) gets a prize! I will gladly write a fic for you pairing any characters from Inuyasha and the other animes I tied into this, any plot-line—your call. :D

Why am I doing this, you ask? ;;) Well, one of my favorite authors did this at one point, to thank her readers and reviewers, and I thought I'd do the same. :D It's a great way to show appreciation for appreciation and the time you take to read and review our stories—I felt appreciated, at least. :D Jeez, how many times have I used the word "appreciation" in this chapter already? Ehehe...ahem! ;P

gillian-raine: Would you believe me if I told you some of it I actually lift from personal experience? ;;) Haha, honey, the stories I could tell you... ;P ...of course, you can always just read this fic. :D Thank you for reviewing, it means a lot! ;P

Nomadgirl66: Thanks, I'm glad you liked it! ;;) Well, they're stubborn little anime characters, so give them some time, haha. :D After all, they're the ones who spend their days suffering without each other, not us. :D

iNuYaShAsweet: Oh, honey, it'll be all right::smooch: Forget that bum—if he's anything like Miroku, he needs a damn good reality check as to what his role is. Jeez, what happened to being aggressive, right? If he's interested he should express that interest so that we don't resort to making them jealous! Men! Honestly! Don't worry, I'm going to be making Miroku suffer so much more in this fic for your sake...pretend he's the anime equivalent of that guy...

Kawaii-CherryWolf: Haha, well that's something we're going to have to clarify a little later. :D Right now, Inuyasha doesn't have any answers yet, and as he's one of the main characters—

:Inuyasha: Jeez, like it's so hard to tell. Kagome's got a great bod but a personality from hell. What would you have if you could choose?

:Kagome: That's rich, coming from someone who's from hell! And as if I'd want you!

:Inuyasha: Oh, you want me...

:Author::evil laugh: I wouldn't be too sure, Inuyasha...this chapter...this story, for that matter...isn't done yet. :mysterious smile: Anyway, darling, thank you for reviewing, and I hope you like this update. :D

white wolf demoness: As requested, here is the update! ;P Please do tell me what you think—I appreciate the review, but I'd like even more to hear your thoughts. :D Enjoy! ;P

demonpriestess07: The next chapter will come out much faster, I promise! ;P Thank you for reviewing and have fun with this chapter, haha! ;P

amanda: If you waited, honey, here's the update! ;P I hope you like it and I hope you'll tell me what you think once you're done reading. :D Thank you! ;P

yoursolastsummer: Thank you, darling! ;P I hope you enjoy this chapter—if you'll notice the character interaction in this chapter, it isn't as smooth. :D It's just something I pictured if Sango got to meet Kagome's high school friends in real life...let me know what you think. :D

KiaraBaby: I like making people beg...bwahaha! ;;) Kidding, honey. :D Here, the chapter you wanted. ;P I hope you like it and that you'll review. :D

Borrow-the-moonlight-untill...: Hey there! ;P Thank you for reviewing this story and the other one (:shameless plug:...ehehe...;;) ) and I want you to know that I'm glad you like it! ;P Here's the update and I hope you'll let me know what you think! ;P

Have fun, everyone! ;;) Remember, if you want the prize, enter your answers along with your review. :D If you don't win in this chapter, there are going to be others with other characters and other animes involved, so don't worry. That's pretty much all I have to say (talk about long-winded, haha! ;P ), so please do read and review! ;P Until next time, everyone::smooch:

Chapter 6

Inconveniences

Kagome picked up her Literature examination booklet and groaned.

Beside her, Sango muttered something under her breath and stuffed her booklet into her bag contemptuously. Leaning over to Kagome, she peered at the bright red percentage scrawled onto the front.

"Oh, no, Kagome, what happened?' she asked, surprised before sympathetic.

Kagome covered her eyes and leaned her head back, deflating as disappointment and self-loathing filled her. "I didn't read Kafka."

"But interpreting Metamorphosis is practically 70 of the exam!"

Kagome groaned again. "I know." She resisted the urge to stomp her foot and throw a tantrum. "I just figured, since Mrs. Ikari didn't discuss it, that it wasn't important. And I didn't have time to read it, with all the other prelims to study for!"

Sango wrapped her arms around her and cooed over her comfortingly. "There, there. We'll just go ask Mrs. Ikari if you can do something for extra credit. If she says no then you'll always have the midterms and the finals to make up for it."

"But Sango, I'm aiming for honors! Even if I do pass because of the other exams, this grade will still be lower than what I need to maintain my standing!" Kagome buried her face into Sango's shoulder, practically wilting.

Sango pursed her lips and bit back the scolding retort. She mother-henned Kagome far too much—she was aware of that. But Kagome truly was too hard on herself most of the time, too critical and demanding. She'd bitten off more than she could chew this semester, overloading herself with nine more units than was necessary and trying to juggle all of it with her extracurricular activities, and was getting angry at herself for not performing as well as she "should". It was aggravating for Sango to watch, but she held her tongue about it most of the time. If there was one thing Kagome didn't appreciate, it was her treating her like a china doll.

She's one to talk, Sango thought glumly. She treats herself like she's made of stainless steel.

Being part of the archery team, choir, and writer's guild, as well as working herself raw for honors could very well be a tea party the way Kagome made it sound.

"Then let's hope Mrs. Ikari's feeling generous," Sango said determinedly, pulling Kagome up. "Come on, we've still got catch up with Ayumi and Yuka, remember? They've got that 'top-secret information' they want to tell us."

"Ugh," Kagome moaned piteously. Her high school friends were dolls—Ayumi was wonderfully considerate and understanding and Yuka was a good friend in her own right, despite practically being Eri's sidekick/twin/incarnate—but at the moment nothing seemed better than having some alone time after class.

.Mrs. Ikari was a plump woman with curly hair and soft brown eyes. Known to be one of the more easy-going of professors most of the time and one of the terrors come exam time, Kagome wasn't sure what she felt about her. She'd been very kind before—giving Kagome allowances for term papers and presentations, and so far Kagome had been doing as well as any dedicated student. But such a shameful grade and such a display of negligence...well...

"Mrs. Ikari?" Sango asked tentatively as the woman began packing up her things.

"Yes?" The professor's eyes warmed on the two girls and she straightened, giving them an open, expectant look. "Something I can help you with?" Her eyes settled on Kagome in particular. "Problems with your exam scores?"

Kagome gave a nervous laugh. "Well—sort of."

Mrs. Ikari's mouth twitched into an understanding smile, and she picked up her things, motioning for the two girls to follow her out.

"I was hoping you'd approach me about it, Ms. Higurashi," she said frankly as they moved out into the hallway. "I was thinking you'd rush out with everyone else the instant I said 'early dismissal'."

"I would have, ma'am, if my grade wasn't so low in this exam."

"Yes, I was concerned about that. You're aiming for honors, aren't you?"

Kagome nodded unhappily. "You'd think I'd slack off less since I am."

Sango opened her mouth to object to the start of another "Bash me" session when Mrs. Ikari cut in for her, patting Kagome comfortingly on the shoulder.

"Now, now," she said kindly, "I'm sure you have your reasons. I must say I was a bit disappointed when I read your booklet, but it's not like your grade can't be remedied. After all, you've been an excellent student so far, and I'm not beyond granting students extra credit when they want it."

There was a buzzing in Kagome's head that she faintly recognized as Handel's Messiah, and she swallowed audibly, trying to quell the irrational glee that bursting out of her heart.

"What can I do to remedy my grade, ma'am?" she asked evenly, taking a second to compose herself. The "I'll do anything" was on the tip of her tongue, but in case Mrs. Ikari took her seriously (and therefore take advantage of the desperation), she held back.

"I considered assigning you a paper, actually, but as there'll be enough of that this semester alongside the reports and presentations, there was a little something different that I had in mind." Pausing and giving Kagome an assessing look, "You are aware of the theatre guild's regular midterm presentation, right?"

Sango froze and Kagome gulped.

"You mean...?"

---

"Bullshit."

Sighing, Miroku put down the stat sheet he was working on and looked over to where Inuyasha was flipping through a magazine. Around them students and faculty alike milled about restlessly, more lounging than patronizing the cafeteria's selection for brunch. Some, like himself, were rushing homework and cramming, others were catching up on a few Z's. A few were flirting (Lucky sons of—oh well...), some were primping (Lost causes, ladies...), and some staring off into space (I empathize...yes, that professor is a jerk.).

Inuyasha was in a category by himself—amongst the males at least—as he sat, completely absorbed in that month's Cosmopolitan.

"What is?" Miroku asked, his curiosity getting the better of him. For the past half hour that Inuyasha had been snorting and making derisive comments, leering, and vandalizing ("Correcting!" he insisted indignantly) the women's magazine, Miroku had staunchly maintained that only numbers, formulas, sums, and products entered his brain flow.

But with Angelina Jolie turning those sexy eyes on him every time Inuyasha changed pages...

Besides, what was the hanyou doing reading Cosmo anyway?

" 'What Sex Feels Like For Him'," Inuyasha quoted in disbelief. "Jeez, what do chicks read these days?"

"What are you reading these days?" Miroku countered, amused.

Inuyasha shrugged, discarding the magazine carelessly. "Just thought I'd get into a chick's head...there had to be something in there besides fashion, makeup, and sex."

"Did you find it?"

There was a thoughtful pause.

"No."

Miroku eyed him penetratingly, causing Inuyasha to twitch under his friend's intense blue stare.

"What?" he barked irritably, glowering at him.

The corner of Miroku's mouth tipped up smugly as he poked Inuyasha in the cheek with his pen. "You're that desperate, aren't you?"

Instantly a defensive look fell over Inuyasha's eyes and his features twisted—before the fire in his eyes calmed and his face smoothed into a perfect blank.

"What are you talking about?" he said—very carefully.

"Save it," Miroku snorted incredulously.

Surprisingly, Inuyasha did. As he fell silent they became aware of a shifting in the cafeteria as the sound level rose and activity began to peak. Looking around at the increased number of students pooling in through the double doors, Miroku frowned and checked his watch. It was still just 11—most classes were due to end in another half hour or so.

"What's going on?" he asked, more to himself than Inuyasha—who wasn't listening to him at all.

"Can you picture Kagome reading that article though?" he asked meditatively, a faraway look in his eyes. "Can't see why she would, you know...I'd be happy to answer any questions she'd have..." A slow grin crept over his features and his lids dropped as he contemplated the possibility.

"Sure you would," Miroku said dryly, though his smile faded when he saw someone come through the doors.

"No duh—wouldn't you?" Inuyasha laughed, punching Miroku's arm. When the blow went unanswered—in form of laughter or offense—he paused just as he picked up a scent amongst the myriads in the cafeteria.

He froze at that instant, eyes riveting on the entrance where a pair of sharp cobalt blue eyes mocked him from a chiseled, smirking face.

"You!" he snarled, on his feet at that instant. "What are you doing here!"

---

"The Theatre Guild's Midterm Presentation!" Yuka shrieked, verbally capitalizing the words so that the weight of them brought Kagome closer to being overwhelmed. "You're going to be taking part in the play!"

Several passers-by gave her a questioning stare and she quickly ducked her head, clearing her throat uncomfortably. Kagome and Sango had been loitering outside Ayumi and Yuka's Philosophy 10 class for almost half an hour, discussing what Mrs. Ikari was making Kagome do.

"So it would seem," Kagome confirmed wearily, pressing hard on the bridge of her nose. "Mrs. Ikari was pretty clear about it—it's the best way for me to make up for this pathetic exam score."

"You're going to have to give something up, you know," Sango said firmly, her eyes hard. "If you're set on doing this play instead of just banking on your midterms and finals, one of your extracurricular activities is going to have to go."

"I know that," Kagome snipped a bit shortly. As much as she appreciated Sango's concern, she hated it when anyone made her feel like she was less than capable of handling things. Maybe she was, but nobody had to keep pointing it out if she already knew it, right? "I guess I'll have to take a rain check from the archery team...I'm sure Ruriko will understand. The archery meet isn't until the start of the next semester, after all, and I'll have time to catch up before then."

"It's too bad that'll mean you'll have less physical exercise," Ayumi noted absently, more than half her mind on her exam score as she tucked her booklet into her bag. Of course she understood instructions...neutrality was a stand, wasn't it? After all, there was the pro, con, and the middle ground...

Sango snorted. "Believe me, mental exercise is harder. It gets you thinner faster because you don't eat."

"Quite a thing to say for someone who doesn't take academics seriously," Yuka teased, poking Sango in the cheek.

Sango stuck her tongue out at her. "Hey, I just don't think I should kill myself for a grade. What's important is I'm learning and I'll be able to apply the knowledge I've gained when I need to. So I didn't put as much effort in that paper—the point is, I understand things, right?"

"Sure, whatever you say, Sango," Yuka waved smugly, plainly not convinced. They began walking and she turned to Kagome, gaining a thoughtful expression. What was she supposed to be telling her? Damn, if she weren't on a high from her grade she'd remember. Still struggling with her euphoria, she moved to what she was able to concentrate on. "Well, at least you'll have an easier time getting into the play, Kagome. You were a pretty good actress in junior high and high school, and you're easily as good—or even better!—than Eri." She cast a discreet look around. "Don't tell her I said that though."

Kagome laughed, picturing Yuka's face if she ever did hear about it. "You know I won't." Eri was painfully competitive enough already.

"Afraid she'll call you out for disloyalty, Mini-Me?" Sango sneered, poking Eri in the cheek in turn.

"Shut up," Yuka snapped crossly, swatting Sango's hand away. "If you tell her I said that she'll see Kagome as a rival in the acting department again and won't help."

"I thought that would be the case," Kagome mused, wondering how Eri and she had remained friends despite all the former tensions of this nature. "It's why I want to be the one to talk to her about it. If it's me, she'll see it like she's my sempai and I'm the subordinate asking for help and will happily reintroduce me to stage acting. I've been on a hiatus since high school, after all, and she's got about two years worth of university-level experience on me."

"So she technically is your sempai," Yuka agreed, feeling better over her little concession earlier. She was being honest based on how Kagome's acting had been more effective than Eri's in the past, but as Kagome had pointed out, she'd been off stage for a while now. Perhaps Eri was better at it now.

"What will they be presenting though?" Ayumi wondered. "Last semester they did that really cool Swan Lake interpretation."

"Omigod!" Yuka squealed, thrown slightly off topic for a while and forgetting her loyalty vs. honesty issues instantly. "Can you believe how dreamy Ayame-sempai was!"

"I would have killed for Kanna's role then!" Ayumi agreed, stomping her foot with tickled excitement.

"Right you two," Sango interrupted, checking her watch. "It's almost rush hour at the cafeteria. We'd better hustle or we'll get caught in the jam."

"Oh, ease up," came Yuka's sour reply, not appreciating Sango's abrasive foray into their little la-la land. "It's not like it's far." Walking huffily down the hallway, she stopped where it turned left and pointed. "It's practically just ten meters away from us!"

Crossing her arms, Sango strutted up to her and gave her an irritated look after glancing in the direction she pointed. "And I'm exactly right," she pronounced curtly. "Look how many people there are already!"

Sure enough, when Kagome and Ayumi arrived they saw that people were indeed flooding the cafeteria. Through the glass doors and the panes on either side that provided students a look at the interior, students, professors, and the cafeteria staff were clogging the said view. The doors were pinned to the wall by a throng of people who didn't seem to understand the word "line" and a cacophony of voices filled the air with the customary rush-hour buzzing. After peering thoughtfully at the faces of the people in the crowd, however, Ayumi broke into Sango's peeved but triumphant statement.

"I don't think they're here for the food though, Sango-chan," she murmured worriedly. "I don't think it's possible to be that awfully excited over the cuisine here."

"She's right," Kagome noted, watery spaghetti sauce and soggy bread flashing into her mind for a moment. "What is going on in there?"

Suddenly there was a sharp note of horrified glee and a collective "Oh!" came to their ears. Everyone else in the hallway stopped and necks cricked as heads snapped towards the direction of the cafeteria.

The next second came uproar.

Disjointed yelps, exclamations, and cheers were heard alongside a sea of "Ooh!"-s and "Oh!"-s as the buzzing mass of humanity began to churn. They could see people struggling to get closer or staggering away, and around them former onlookers were already rushing to the scene.

"Get him!"

"That must have hurt!"

"Stop it!"

"Hey you two, take it outside!"

"Damn, look at that cut!"

"Hey, who wants to start a bet?"

"Stop it!"

"You guys, do you think we should get out of here?" Sango asked apprehensively as the mass of people began to flood out of the cafeteria as though being pushed out, stumbling, cursing, and calling out indignantly. As the entrance cleared with people dispersing into the hall, other noises were coming to their ears past that of the crowd—the cracking of plastic, the sound of scattering and splattering food—

"Inuyasha, stop it!"

Kagome froze.

"Hey," Yuka touched Sango's arm, her brows dipping into a frown. "Wasn't that—"

"Stay out of this, Miroku!"

"I'm telling you to stop!"

"Shut up! If you don't back off right now I'll—"

People toppled like bowling pins and a great, many-voiced scream ripped the air as a blur of silver and black was blasted through the entrance and into the hallway, crashing into a tall, powerfully built student that Kagome vaguely identified as a member of the basketball varsity. Despite his frame, he went crashing to the floor alongside the human projectile that had been unwittingly launched into him, and Kagome could only stare at them for an instant before the crowd swarmed over them.

Well, hanyou projectile, actually, she corrected herself dazedly before his appearance and what was happening sunk in.

"Inuyasha!" she screamed, snapping out of the numb spell of shock when she caught a glimpse of his bruised face and all the long silver hair finally registered to her.

Beside her, Ayumi and Yuka—who had been poised to help her clear her way to Inuyasha's side—abruptly tensed. Sango, who had been frantically searching the crowd for Miroku, felt her mouth drop open and paled as a pair of completely different blue eyes locked onto hers.

Oh no, was her last thought before those blue eyes flicked to her right and narrowed.

"Kagome, that's right!" Yuka exclaimed, grabbing Kagome's arm to keep her from lurching forward any further. "That thing we wanted to talk to you about before!"

"Later!" Kagome shouted angrily, tearing her arm away and failing to see how her friends' horrified gazes lingered not on Inuyasha but on the entrance to the cafeteria. "If it could wait then, it can now!"

"No, you don't understand!" Ayumi cried desperately, clamping her hands down onto Kagome's other arm. "You have to hide! Kagome, Ko—"

"Too late," Sango groaned as the crowd parted like the Red Sea and somebody walked up to them, purposefully stepping on one of Inuyasha's claws as he passed.

Numbly, Kagome lifted her eyes from where Inuyasha was lying and looked at his assailant.

"Koga," she whispered.

His eyes warmed and he gave her a sultry grin.

"It's good to see you too, babe."