Disclaimer: Not mine. Don't sue.

Title: Make Me Better

Chapter Two: Unexpected First Date

Inu-Yasha sighed with relief when the teacher left the room. Honestly, the guy made him nervous and every time they made eye contact, he could swear Mr. Kyoei was screaming, "Get out of my classroom, filthy half-breed scum!" The others were relieved too, because that meant they could surf the net, talk, or sleep while he was at his meeting. The girl next to him stared blankly at her screen, hand on the mouse, other on her stomach and lips slightly parted. He nudged her with concern. "Hey, Kagome right? You okay?" She jumped unexpectedly and gasped loud enough that the other students turned to stare, and now self-conscious about it she laughed. "Oh- sorry. I didn't sleep last night, so I'm a little out of it." This was convincing enough that everyone else resumed their activities, but Inu-Yasha raised an eyebrow. "I'll say… jumpy this morning, ain't ya?" She nodded and went back to staring mutely at the screen, and neither said a word to each other for the rest of the day. Not that they had anything to say, as they didn't seem to have anything in common and had never been properly introduced. But fate had other plans- starting with the fact that they were both assigned to cleanup that day.

Through the day, both remained passive as usual to avoid Mr. Kyoei's unpleasant mood or the other student's silent ridicule. Lunch came and went, as both silently surfed the net and left at different times and came back with food. They only noticed that both chose the exact same thing- mandarin salads, bottled water, and kiwi. He merely thought she was a vegetarian like most girls; she thought he was in weight training or something else- neither would have imagined that she was diabetic and he was allergic to sugar and certain meats. When the day was over, both were alone, she cleaning the whiteboard and he sweeping the floor and both had finished putting the chairs up. But suddenly, Inu-Yasha noticed the strange wasp on her shoulder and cringed. He hated those things, and was compelled to kill it. "Hey Kagome! There's a wasp on your shoulder; let me get it…" But Kagome didn't hate them, she was terrified of bees and gave a slight shriek. "Where!" She spun around and they collided, she fell into his chest and he landed backwards into the desk that held his and her bags- knocking them to the ground and spilling it's contents.

She hurriedly backed off of him and picked up her things, her bottle of Zermiac and anti-depressants, her books, coat and notebook, and he picked up his things. "I'm so sorry, it's my fault." He continued to apologize as she straitened up the desks and smiled at him. "No, no. I shouldn't have freaked out like that. I'm- well, scared of bees." She smiled sheepishly. "Bad childhood experience." He grinned. "Don't tell me…you threw rocks at a bee's nest and didn't run away?" She laughed. "You did that too? Oh my god, is that like some traditional childhood ritual? I have a few friends who each did that once." He nodded. "Only I was stupider. I actually went to it after it fell, and looked into it. Next thing I know, those little fuckers are flying all around me and my whole face and arms and hands hurt like hell." That made her laugh louder. "I was worse! I put my hands into it…" He laughed too. "Well, anyway, I'd better get going. My rides here…" He nodded. "I'll…see you tomorrow then." She waved and both parted ways after they locked up the classroom, her laugh still echoing in his mind and his hauntingly beautiful eyes still hanging in front of hers- neither knowing they would be seeing each other just a few hours later.

Surprisingly, her parents were both home for dinner that night- but it only put her into a bad mood. "I think I'll eat in my room, thanks." she told them in a formal, cold tone. But they only laughed and asked her to join them later if she liked. As if she ever would… but she told the cooks she had already eaten, and headed up to her room where her true mother waited for her. "Hey, mommy" she kissed Takai on the cheek and threw her briefcase bag on the bed, starting to undress. "How was school, honey?" "Boring, same as usual. Except- I think maybe I made a friend," she said thoughtfully as she peeled off her shirt and slid down her skirt, Takai taking them both to wash. "Really? Who is she, what is she like?" Kagome went to her closet, and plucked from it a white tube job and an Evanescence hoodie. "Actually, it's a he…his name is Inu-Yasha, and he is a half-dog demon." Takai smiled. "A he, huh? Is he cute?" Kagome laughed as she pulled a pair of black baggy jeans out of the pop up dresser, which gravitated into its sheath in the marble floor when she pressed the flat black button beside it. "We-ell, I guess he is. We never talked much before though, and we sort of had an accident while cleaning up…" "Ooh, tell me!" Takai stood behind Kagome in front of the blue-glass vanity table next to the bathroom door, brushing her daughter's hair while Kagome started brushing her face with white powder. Takai raised an eyebrow. "Kagome, you're already so pale… why do you need that?" "Just cause. Anyway, there was a wasp on my shoulder…" "Ah-ha, you must have panicked." "Yes- and whirled around right into his arms…" "How romantic is that!" "…And both of us collapsed into the desks, and our stuff spilled over…" "Never mind then." Takai put Kagome's hair into a ponytail and Kagome finished with eyeliner and black mascara and silver eye shadow. "So what did he say to you?"

Kagome stood up and pulled her hood over and began the hunt for her boots. "He kept apologizing and I said it was my fault I freaked but we ended up talking about how we were once both stupid enough to go near a fallen bee's nest and we laughed a little, and said goodbye. Oh, he also asked me if I was okay this morning…" Takai pursed her lips. "Were you zoning out again?" "Well, maybe a little," she admitted as she finally found her combat boots under her bed. "Kagome Amura Higurashi, did you take your insulin this morning? And tonight? Did you eat dinner yet? I thought you were back early," She huffed. Kagome scoffed. "Of course I took it this morning. And I had no intention of eating with them. I'm gonna pick up a sub and go to the arcade, I'll take my insulin before I go- and don't use my middle name, it's stupid!" Takai fumed. "It is not stupid, it's a beautiful name! Take your insulin right now, young lady or so help me I'll…" Kagome laughed. "Okay mommy, okay. Relax a little, would ya?" Out of the left nightstand, Kagome opened a refrigerated cupboard to draw out the syringe case and bottle of pills, along with a bottle of water.

She took the syringe out of the case and lifted up her hoodie, and pinched some of the little baby fat she had left. Wincing she eased the needle in and injected the insulin, while Takai came to open the pills and bottled water for her. Kagome groaned as she pulled the needle from her skin and handed it to Takai, swallowing the pills and water. "I wonder why you aren't used to that yet." Takai frowned and looked at the clock, which read seven PM. "You should also take the anti-depressants and that new one, um…" Kagome looked disgusted with the thought of it. "Zermiac." Takai nodded, and Kagome picked up her bag, riffing through it until she found the two bottles. Taking two out of each, she pushed the caps back on and tossed them carelessly on the bed, but missed and they fell on the floor. "Don't bother, I'll get em…" She mumbled to Takai, who went to pick them up. But just as Kagome was swallowing the Zermiac, Takai cried out, "Wait! These aren't yours!" Kagome choked on the Zermiac and it took a few moments to swallow them down.

"What?" The two of them bent closer to examine both bottles in Takai's hands. Sure enough, it wasn't Higurashi, Kagome that was labeled on them, but Taisho, Inu-Yasha. "What the hell!" She cried, and just as she did so, her phone started ringing. "Ugh," she sighed and went to pick it up on the other side of her bed. "Hello?" She sounded desperate. "Hey, Kagome? Is that you?" "Inu-Yasha! Speak of the devil… how did you get my number!" "Yeah, uh- right. The phone directory, for one… I'm calling cause…I think I might have your medication, and you have mine. Could you check?" Kagome smiled wryly. "I, uh- think I already did…and yeah, I think it might be yours." "Shit! I'm such an idiot…" "No, no. It's my fault, I picked them up without looking." Kagome looked to Takai, who handed her the bottles over the bed. "Listen, Inu-Yasha. I was on my way out…I need my pills and you need yours. Do you know where the arcade in the mall is?" She heard him sigh with relief and she sat down on her bed. "Yeah, great! Sure, give me half an hour and I'll be there." "Okay, I'm on my way now. See ya," she hung up the phone and stood. "Takai, that was Inu-Yasha- I'm gonna go meet him at the arcade now." Takai nodded and hugged her, but pulled away and frowned. "Good, but you'd better take those pills as soon as you get them and get that sub. What time will you be back?" Kagome nodded and pulled her wallet and her cell phone out of her bag. "I don't know, but I'll call you around midnight. You know the number if you need me." "Yes, but be careful- such riffraff lurks around the city streets these nights. No one's safe anywhere these days." She said cynically and folded her arms, and Kagome laughed. "Okay mommy, I'll see you later. Love you!" Takai smiled. "Love you too, hon. Bye," she yawned and stretched out on Kagome's bed, preparing for another nap as she heard her daughter's quickened footsteps down the hall.

"Honestly, this is embarrassing for me." Kagome handed him his pills, and he fished hers out of his hoodie pocket. "Don't be- I-" No, I mean- it's a guy thing, you know? Why should a guy like me rely on drugs to keep me happy? It's totally-""Unfair." They walked away from the arcade entrance to the soda fountain. "Yeah…I just- never expected that you would need anti-depressants because-" "Because of that little act I have to put on for the school? Or else be sent to the counselors office and to a clinic? That's all it's for. And for my family- not that they care, but they make it seem like all my problems are making bigger problems for them- society, you know." He nodded, and they sat at the counter of the juice bar. The waitress came down to them smiling, and handed them menus. "I love this place," she muttered and he grunted in agreement. "Yeah, I can eat almost anything I want in here." "Oh- are you…a diabetic?" He looked up in surprise. "No, I'm allergic to sugar actually- which is a pain, but at least it keeps me from stuffing all that junk food crap down my throat, like all the other guys at school. Why, are you?"

She groaned. "Yes, and it sucks, period. Two shots of insulin a day, pills, a special diet, no junk food, needles- I should be used to it by now, but needles I just can't handle. Plus I gotta prick my thumb with this piece of junk," She showed him her blood-sugar meter. "Usually, my blood sugar's way too high or way too low." He gave her a look of sympathy. "Well, I can't relate to that, Hon- but how whack is it that we both have depression and especially- Akimia?" Both took on identical dark expressions, but smiled to the waitress who came to take their order. "I'll have the carrot blast- Kagome?" "Mm…the kiwi ginger root?" The waitress took their menus and brought them water. "Heh, you know what-" He spoke up again after they swallowed their medication. "We really didn't have to switch back immediately. We have the same pills- we could have just used the other's and traded back tomorrow." He pointed out, and smiled. "But I'm glad we met up- we have more in common than we thought, huh? See, it's fate." She laughed. "You, a guy I might add- believe in fate? Wow- though I have to admit, there's too much coincidence to this." The waitress brought their drinks and both glowed with delight and slurped their drinks.

"Mm…you know how when something's so sweet, it makes you smile so wide that it hurts you face?" He nodded, and did look like it was happening to him too. "It's kind of one of my 'fetish' things, you know?" "Yeah, kind of like my 'brain-freeze' fetish. My mom hates that." "So does mine- both of them, actually." "You have a mom and a step-mom, then? I thought your parents were married to each other. Did they divorce?" He was halfway through his carrot blast. She shook her head. "No- actually, when she was twelve years old, my cousin Takai lost her parents to a plane crash and came to live with my parents. She started baby-sitting me, and soon, she was the first one I called 'mommy'- even at the age of two, I understood which mother really loved me, and that the other didn't care. My mother always went to parties and stayed out late- so it would be thirteen year old Takai who rocked me to sleep late in the night. It was her small birthday parties she organized for me with the household staff for guests that I cherished, not my real mother's glamorous birthday balls filled with the snobs of society. She bathed me, clothed me, fed me, slept with me and taught me all about life- Takai is my mom, blood or no blood." She sucked the rest of her kiwi gingerroot nosily, as he stared at her in awe.

"What?" He shook his head. "I'm just- touched, I guess. I mean, I feel the same for my mom- she's the most important person in my life. But- I'm impressed at how you could love someone else other than your birth mother- as much as you love Takai. That's really cool." They were both finished, and paid the waitress, both chipping in for a large tip. It was then at the entrance to the bar, that they realized they had no reason to stay together. They eyed each other in the uncomfortable silence, unsure whether or not there was anything more to say. Kagome looked away, and Inu-Yasha gathered the last of his guts to ask, "So…are you in a hurry to go home?" She shrugged, and looked back at him, a smile itching in the corner of her mouth. "No…I told mom I would be back around midnight- so, maybe- I don't know, we could…" "Go see a movie? Take a walk? Back to the arcade? Clothes?" The desperation was showing in his voice, and Kagome was slightly relieved, brave enough to get to the point.

"I- look, I really like you, and you're the first person I've ever really hung out with." She confessed. "I…wouldn't mind hanging out for awhile, would you?" A wide smile spread over his face. "Thank god, at least one of us has got guts. It's so stupid; I just didn't know how to ask you. I mean, we haven't really hung out before and I- you know what? Let's take a walk until we see something we wanna do." "Okay- which way do you want to go?" He shrugged. "Left, I guess." They walked past many boring stores, filled with boring work clothes and home accessories, some stores filled with video games and toy stores with whiny children. "So…tell me about Takai." She sighed. "Only the most beautiful, wise and caring gentle woman I've ever known. She's so quiet, yet firm. She's beautiful when she's angry- which is rare. I love everything about her- because since the first day she held me in her arms, she's been my everything." He noticed how Kagome's eyes were glowing, and suddenly wished she would always look like that.

"So…what about your real mom and dad? What are they like?" Her face dropped a bit. "My mother… arrogant, selfish, forgetful, but glamorous. Dad…a bit the same way, but efficient, smart, egotistic, and sharp looking too. Too my horror, I recall wanting to marry a man like him… I also have a brother, but he lives in an apartment- he's homosexual, and they hate that. I go to see him every weekend. Now what about your parents?" Inu-Yasha glanced at her hesitantly. "Um… my father died when I was five- mom, well- dad's family didn't like her or me, and came after us. Mom took all the money she had and brought me here, to Tokyo. We were forced to live discreetly under different names, but we didn't need to as soon as dad's family died out. Still, mom and I were used to city life and you know, we like living in our apartment. So we use the money when we need it, and I'll graduate high school, just in case I decide to go to collage. My mom- she's a nice, quiet lady. To me, she's like Takai is to you- she's beautiful, caring, wise, and loving- she's my everything." "Mm…what's her name?" "Midorioko, but she just likes Midori." "Maybe they should meet- Takai and Midori, I mean." They finally stopped in front of a music store, and went in. "Mm, good idea. Better to bring Takai over though, mom doesn't like leaving the apartment- you know, city-street crime thing freaks her out."

They stood in the middle of the store, looking around. "What kind of music do you listen to? I'm one of those that usually wears his headphones and rocks out in public- good thing is, it's not embarrassing to me. I don't let what other people think get in my way of living." He shrugged, and she turned red. "I- I guess I used to be that way, too. I just kinda clamed up… I like rock and some rap." She gestured to her hoodie, and he motioned for her to high-five him. "This just gets better and better, don't it?" "I'll say. What CDs do you have already?" "A little too much to list," she said, giving him an evil grin. His eyes widened. "Tell me!" he cried in his impatience, making her laugh- he looked so cute like that. "Oh, let's see…" She wandered down the rock aisle, swaying her hips teasingly and dragged her fingers across the rows of CD racks. "This one, that and that and that one," She giggled as she pointed to Alice in Chains, Lacuna Coil Comalies, Linkin Park Meteora, and Good Charlotte The Chronicles of Life and Death. "Mm…I've got both Disturbed CDs and both Avril Lavignes, I just bought Evanescence Fallen and Korn Follow the Leader. Well, lot's of these I have. What about you?" She started to laugh at the wide open mouthed boy drooling behind her. "Seriously? You have…too much." His lips formed into a pout, which made him even more cute and hard to resist. She inched closer to him, bursting into a new fit of giggles.

"We-ell, I might just have to share…" He grinned, and put an arm around her waist. "Well, you just might have to. How can I let you get away with owning half the CDs I've been saving up for months now? Geez. There is such thing as being too rich." She was happy to at last be able to touch him, as she wrapped her arm around his waist, and led him down to the rap aisle. "Own any rap?" He frowned. "Not much, but I do have Eminem Encore and The Eminem Show. Also, I've got Usher Confessions 2, Baby Bash-" Kagome squealed at that last name. "Baby Bash? No seriously- you have Baby Bash? Man, we really do have the same tastes. " "Yes, but…" He smiled, and turned her around and led her back to the rock section. "Do you have this one?" She peered at the CD he had picked up, and choked. There it was, the blood dripping CD case with the black and violet butterflies, the white glowing butterfly in the center with white lettering that said, "Sweet Blood". "S-Sweet Blood?" "Oh yeah, her voice? Fan-fucking-tastic! They don't show her face, which sucks. She did give her name…Amura. I love it! Maybe someday she'll reveal herself… I'll bet she's really hot! Though… not as hot as you…" He said shyly, and she blushed. "I'm not hot! Not even pretty…" Kagome crossed her arms but anxiously eyed the CD that she knew all too well. "I do…have that CD." "I listen to her every night before I go to sleep- 'My bleeding lover' is my favorite. And yes, you are hot- so shut your trap and smile." He sighed romantically, and Kagome was half itching to bolt, but his smile melted away her uneasiness and decided to change the subject as she spotted something outside the store across the walk- movie posters. "You wanna go see a movie? My treat." Under the hood she could see his ears perk up. "A movie? Great- then how about I treat us, to an actual dinner first? Have you eaten- I have a buddy who is diabetic, so I know you're supposed to eat a balanced diet- it's very important." She shook her head. "You're right, but I haven't eaten yet. In fact, I was supposed to have eaten two hours ago…" she mumbled so he couldn't hear, but unbeknownst to her, those ears of his had excellent hearing. "WHAT! Well, let's go!" He grabbed her hand, looking panicky so she nodded vigorously and they left the store, heading in the direction of the food court, Kagome stopping to glance at the posters but he continued to drag her. "You need to eat something," he said firmly. At the food court, Inu-Yasha stopped looking bewildered for a moment. "What can you eat that you would like to eat?" He ran a hand through his hair, looking around, until he spotted the Subway station, and Kagome chose to remain silent. "That one?" He pointed to it and she nodded, and wrapping his arm around her waist again walked them over. They ordered salads, Inu-Yasha being overly cautious for a moment or so about what she ordered, and as soon as they were finished, they made for the theatre.

"Well, there certainly is a lot to choose from…" He furrowed his brow and his ears twitched, giving Kagome the strongest urge to touch them- she had never paid much attention to them before, and that was one of the reasons he liked her. "Mm…I say 'Underworld'!" He laughed. "Have I told you how much you rock? Damn," He shook his head. He was right though- they did have much in common, once they got to know each other. "This has got to be fate," he muttered as she paid for their tickets and went in, ignoring the concession stand advertiser, who called out to persuade them to buy and eat things that would kill them. They went into the theatre room number three, where thankfully they sat down just as the last of the way too-long previews ended and began to watch the movie.

Tears were rolling down both their cheeks as the credits began to roll, and they wiped them away as they stood up to leave. He stared into her eyes smiling sadly, wiping the last of her tears away. "I thought the drugs were supposed to keep us from doing that," and she smiled back. "I don't see the point of them then." They walked out of the theatre and out of the mall in silence, stood in the parking lot watching the stars. "Where's your car?" She shrugged. "Didn't bring it. Remember? I'm the spoiled rich girl- I have my very own limousine to take me where I wish. It's only a phone call away," she moved her hands and arms dramatically, making him laugh. "What about you?" He shrugged, and nodded his head towards the back end of the parking lot- and the only vehicle parked there…was a beautiful red ninja motorcycle. Her eyes widened- "H-how- why…why is it, Inu-Yasha- that I can be a thousand times richer than you- and yet you can have one of the few things I can't!"

He wiggled his eyebrows, his smile suddenly sly. "Wanna ride…?" She smiled and looked as if she were floating. "Yeah, I- I wanna ride…" she gasped. "…To the asylum my parents shall send me to should they catch wind of it…" he laughed loudly and pulled her down the parking lot to it. "This," he motioned to the bike lovingly, "is my baby. She cost me fourteen-thousand dollars, thus two years of working at a construction site job in order to save up for it- rarely spending a single penny, just for her." He handed the shaky girl a spare black helmet from the back of it, and she put it on. "Just a sec," she whipped out her cell phone and dialed her driver. "Yes James, no James- I do have a ride. Don't worry, yes a friend- yes a guy, absolutely not, yes I will rip your throat out should you tell my parents, no I'm not drunk, and my blood sugar is…hold on a sec, James." She pulled the meter out of her hoodie, pricking her thumb and Inu-Yasha leaned over her shoulder to see 112 flash across the screen. She glanced at him and smiled, giving him thumbs up and mouthing 'good'. "…One Hundred-Twelve. I'll see you later." She closed her phone and slid it with her meter into her pocket. "The staff has been trained to care for my diabetes and has been more of a caring family than my own parents." She explained as she climbed onto the seat and wrapped her arm around his waist.

"Well, in that sense you are lucky." He started the bike up, and they sped off into the night's neon city streets.