Disclaimer: I do own it. I'm NOT insane…I think.
Story: Due to the jewel shards on their necks, the last four members of the Shichinintai were somehow able to travel to Kagome's time. Unfortunately for her, the well has sealed up. At least they don't have their weapons!
Set after Ginkotsu's death.
Spoilers: After Ginkotsu's death, no.
Warnings: Eh, maybe…this is anime after all…
Pairings: No telling! Secret, secret!
A/n: I apologize. I couldn't help the OOCness near the end. Or could I? Mwahahahahaha! It's only the beginning! And on another note, I'm kind of disappointed at the lack of reviews ...sniffle...

Kagome Higurashi! No Need for Shichinintai
Chapter Three: The Way You Are

As Kagome woke up, she noticed that somewhere during the night she had fallen onto Suikotsu's lap. As she was sitting in between him and Jakotsu, she was glad that it had been Suikotsu rather than Jakotsu. Either way, she hoped they didn't wake up. Carefully, she lifted herself up and left the room. Taking a quick shower, she set up bowls of cereal with milk for breakfast. She left a note saying she'd be right back and went to go shopping. There were practically zero things to eat in that house.

But a couple of blocks near the grocery store, she felt a hand grip her shoulder and they whipped her around. Kagome blinked as she realized it was the four she left behind.

"What's wrong?"

They looked hurried, their clothes rumpled from sleeping in them and they were blinking the sleep from their eyes. Although, it was still early in the morning, around 7 AM.

"Where do you think you're going!" Jakotsu sneered. More like yelled, though. And if Kagome didn't know any better, panic seemed to have seeped through.

"Uh, can you let go first?" Bankotsu still had his hand gripping her shoulder and it was starting to hurt.

"Anyway, I said I was going to go shopping, I need to buy some stuff for the kitchen, including a new tea kettle." She said 'new tea kettle' a little wryly.

"Right, we'll just come with you to, um, shop. If that's alright with you, Miss Higurashi?" Suikotsu asked.

"…Okay…"

She turned from them and continued her way towards the grocery store, intent on making the trip quickly now that there were tagalongs. Making fast decisions, she bought a lot helpful stuff she could use to cook, a new tea kettle, and desserts.

Once she was done, though, the Shichinintai were still poking around. While she had been in the vegetable area, the four had been examining the sprinklers and freaked when they came on. Then they were messing around in the refrigerated area, wondering how everything stayed so cold. After that, they kept wondering what was in this box or what was in that bottle. Now that she was in a lane, they had found the candy and junk.

"What's these?"

"More things to eat. Sweet things."

"Oh."

Renkotsu was the one asking all the questions for the others and Kagome continuously answered him.

"Can we have one?"

She blinked and then looked at him incredulously.

"Er, well, it looks weird…"

"Most people avoid weird things."

"…"

"One for each of you. Geez, I feel like a mom."

"Good thing you aren't, if you were my mother, I'd of kill myself!"

"One for each of you except Jakotsu."

The other three started snickering and Jakotsu pouted.

"No fair."

"Whatever."

Jakotsu quickly grabbed something and hurried after her.

Kagome rolled her eyes. "Four grown men acting like children."

She paid for all of it and then led the way back to the house with them carrying most of it. Hmph, it wasn't like they were pulling any weight around the house…

Kagome was still pretty tired and she felt like going back to sleep. She yawned. "Hey, just heat up those hot pockets for 1 minute and 15 seconds each, alright? I'm going to take a nap." An image of her estranged tea kettle flashed through her mind. "On second thought, I'll do it and then go to sleep."

Finally, she was alone. Taking a nap and away from them.

"Miss Higurashi?"

Oh great. She spoke too soon.

"Yes Suikotsu? Is there something you need?"

The tall man stood there nervously, taking a moment before he spoke. "If you don't mind, I'd like to catch a bit of sleep myself."

She nodded for him to go on. He gestured to the bed and she understood. Last night, with the blackout, they hadn't been able to move the mattresses. And they were busy most of the morning shopping. Pfft.

"Stay on your side."

He showed he understood and she scooted closer to the wall. After he laid next to her, she sighed and closed her eyes. He followed her.

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When Kagome woke up, it was an hour later already. Her mouth quirked into a smile as she saw Suikotsu still sleeping, his face so peaceful. At least his face was peaceful asleep.

Climbing over him, she got off the bed and then started walking out the door. She noted with dismay that her door was missing a doorknob and the hinges were on their last bolts. Kagome was sure that the door almost fell as she opened it.

As she reached the kitchen, she gave one last yawn and then opened it. Surprise, surprise, Renkotsu was at the table and it seemed like he was engrossed in her textbooks.

"Renkotsu?"

He looked up surprised and he slammed the book in his hands close. He cleared his throat embarrassedly and there was a blush on his face.

"Um, Miss Higurashi…I was just…I'm sorry."

She smiled and shook her head. "If you could only understand that, I'd be so lucky. I might have a chance of understanding my homework."

"That's the problem. I think I can understand this if I got the basics."

Kagome looked shocked. "Really? Well, if you don't mind learning, or my bad teaching, I'd show you."

"I don't mind at all."

For the next hour and a half, Kagome taught Renkotsu the basics of geometry, having to backtrack to algebra; some English; history since the Feudal era and a little science.

"Alright, if we keep up for a week, with your smarty mind, Mr. Intelligent, we might be able to get you caught up to my level." She couldn't help the bit of jealousy that sneaked in. Renkotsu was really smart.

"Ah, thank you. Suikotsu might be interested in this sort of thing…Big brother and Jakotsu are lost causes. You'd never be able to get them to learn a thing." Somehow, Kagome could have sworn he added that in to make her feel better about not being so smart.

She smiled gratefully. "Yeah, well. Looks like I'm turning in late work this week."

She looked down at her watch and saw the date in the corner. "I've got to go participate in PE tomorrow. They're making PE every Thursdays so don't expect me for two hours."

"Okay, can we come to watch?"

She shrugged. "Sure, just don't appear in those clothing. I'll give you all something to borrow. And keep out of sight. My friends are nosy and won't stop until they get every inch of information there is."

He nodded yes and she stood up from the table she had been tutoring at. Stretching, she gestured to thestove. "Time to cook lunch, right?"

His stomach growled. "If you don't mind."

"Go get the others."

Later, Kagome had to admit. She was lonely. She missed Inuyasha and the others but she really wanted someone to talk to and hang out with. In her pajamas, she stared out into the night sky as she sat on the windowsill in her room and one of her legs scrunched in between the window. The Shichinintai were outside for a little practice before they came inside to sleep and it was really quiet in the house. It emphasized the loneliness.

There was a rustle behind her and a quick glance showed her that Suikotsu was the first back. She looked down through the window and confirmed it when she saw that Renkotsu, Jakotsu and Bankotsu were still at it.

"Hey."

"Hi."

It was quiet again after that and Kagome almost didn't notice him walking towards her. She was surprised when he sat underneath the windowsill, his head next to her hanging leg. When he leaned his head against her leg, she almost had a heart attack. But in a strange sense, it made her feel not so alone any more. It comforted her.

"Thank you…Suikotsu."

He said nothing but Kagome felt his hand reach up and grasp one of hers. He squeezed her hand and his thumb rubbed it once. It was all the answer Kagome needed.

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At nine o clock, Kagome found herself taking a shower and cooking at top speed. The four males were at the table eating when Kagome remarked on something she should have done ages ago.

"You stink," she said blandly. They looked at her and she scowled. "Finish eating, I'm dragging you to the bathroom after."

When they were dragged into the bathroom, Kagome shook her head. How was she going to do this?

"Take your shirts off."

"What! What for, wench?"

"Shut it Jakotsu. I'm going to give you all a good cleaning. You guys just really reek. And I'm going to teach you to brush your teeth too. Alright, agenda for the morning, teach you hygiene before leaving. Renkotsu, since you're bald, you first."

"I resent that, Miss Higurashi."

Renkotsu stopped complaining as soon as Kagome started massaging his scalp. Oh, he wasn't about to say anything but damn, it felt real good. After scrubbing his upper torso, Kagome shoved a fluffy thing at him.

"Put soap on this and scrub your lower body. Go over there!" Kagome ordered.

It was like that for the rest of the Shichinintai with similar reactions. After a lot of commotion on the whole bathing properly, Kagome ended up brushing hair of those who had it. Then she had to braid Bankotsu's hair and after that show them how to clean their teeth properly.

In the end, she was really tired. Looking at the clock she saw she had four more hours until they had to go. "I'm exhausted; therefore, a nap is in order. Wake me up somewhere before we have to go."

If there was any protest, Kagome didn't hear it. She was conked out as soon as her head hit the couch.

When she woke up, she saw them all just sitting on the other couch staring at her.

"What? Man, you guys should start doing something. It's getting a little freaky waking up and seeing all of you just staring at me. Before the day's over, I need to teach you guys some hobbies."

Sighing, she got up andheaded for the door.

"Hurry up and change into those clothes I let you borrow. I'll meet you around the block or something."

Once again she left before there was any protest. There wasn't much need because they caught up to her easy, dressed in the Shinto training hakamas and haoris.

"'Bout time." Bankotsu was about to grumble when they saw the wink she threw at them. They started to relax and soon they reached the place where Kagome was supposed to meet the teacher and the other students.

"Just head over there and sort of blend in or something. I really don't want to deal with gossip. And don't say anything about the uniforms."

She pointed to a shaded area a little out of the way and they shrugged. Rolling her eyes, Kagome left for the volleyball courts where a couple of people were already there. Kami-sama, she hated these outfits. It looked like she was wearing a bathing suit for goodness' sake. The only thing making up for it was the sweater that gave them hell during summer. At least, it was winter now and it was keeping her arms warm. Not speaking for her legs of course.

The teacher was the last to arrive and soon a game of volleyball was started. Honestly, PE didn't really bother Kagome anymore because of all the running and exercise she was used to doing in the Feudal era.

"Go Miss Higurashi!" Kagome froze, stuck crouching and was about ready to jump and hit the incoming volleyball, when she heard Jakotsu's voice. The volleyball slammed straight into the side of her head and she fell to the floor twitching.

"Miss Higurashi!"

"Kagome!"

A chorus of voices were heard and Kagome jumped up. She held her hands up in an okay gesture, "See? I'm fine. No worries!"

The teacher ordered for a break and everyone split. Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi approached Kagome predatorily. "So Kagome, who're they?"

"No one!" Kagome was about to run away when all three of them tackled her and dragged her over to the apprehensive Shichinintai.

Putting the poor miko in front of the men, they began to question her full throttle, ignoring the men, strangely.

"So, Kagome, are these your new boyfriends? I guess you finally dumped that jerk Inuyasha, right? But I never knew you were polyamorous! I don't blame you, though. These four are hot!"

Kagome shook her head in horror. She definitely didn't want to look over to the four guys.

"Kami-sama, no! They are NOT my boyfriends! And Inuyasha and I were never together!"

The girls looked at her. "What?"

"But you do think they're hot, right?"

"Stop talking as if they're not there! It's rude, you guys."

"You're avoiding the question."

"We're enemies! It's wrong for me to answer that! And Inuyasha hates them, he'd be angry at me for even associating anything good about them!"

"Inuyasha, Shumasha! And you seem awfully friendly to them to be enemies…"

"I-I-I, stop it you guys!"

They were still looking at her and Kagome was so not going to look at her charges.

"I…Yes, they do look good! Now leave me alone!"

Kagome ran away and headed straight for the teacher. "Shigure-sensei, I'm not feeling too good. Can I leave early?"

The teacher blinked in surprise before answering, "Sure Kagome. By the way, starting tomorrow, the winter holidays start. All of your other assignments are due after and there's no PE for the next three weeks. Have a nice vacation, alright? And feel better. I don't want you getting sick on me again."

Kagome nodded her head and started walking away. Oh great, she couldn't believe she said that. And in front of them. If Inuyasha had heard…she bit her lip and forced the tears to stay at bay. This was so embarrassing…

"Miss Higurashi! Wait!"

At the sound of Bankotsu's voice, she sped up instead.

"Miss Higurashi!"

Unfortunately, they caught up with her easily as they always do. No one spoke for a moment and then Jakotsu decided to break the silence.

"Hey, I started calling you 'Miss Higurashi', isn't that good? Whatever, uh, game you were playing, you were pretty good."

"Thanks," she mumbled.

"Oh, stop staring at the ground! Frankly, I feel very please and smug to know you find us attractive," Bankotsu exclaimed.

Jakotsu sighed, "Big Brother, that's not really something you would say…"

Kagome giggled. "Strangely, just acting all cozy here with you all and just listening to your bickering makes me feel…happy. Oh my God! Your weirdness is rubbing off on me!" Kagome started laughing and running away with the Shichinintai smirking and chasing after her.

She started shrieking when Jakotsu caught her and swung her over his shoulder. "We are so not weird. In fact, you're the Empress of Weird."

"I am, am I? Well then, you're all my subjects! Bow down and lick my toes!"

Suikotsu snorted. "Lick your toes? I have a better idea."

He took off one of her shoes and began tickling her foot. The other three got the idea and began tickling her in other places. In other words…

…pure torture for Kagome.

Started 10/19/05 – Completed 10/29/05