Disclaimer: Not Mine…Yet.

Title: My Sugar

Chapter Three: New Friendship

Kagome frowned as Inu-Yasha stumbled into class late, ignoring the angry Mr. Kyoei who began to lecture him on tardiness. Her frown faded as he glared over the class, clearly in an angry mood. He was even glaring at her! But then, in his angry state he probably didn't realize it- who could blame him? Kagome had seen the whole thing about ten minutes earlier. Another guy had crashed into him and ran off without a second thought, and a grumbling Hanyou had bent to pick things up when he realized where he was, and who was standing over them.

Flashback

"Taisho! You're not authorized for medication…" The school nurse growled as she swiftly snatched the two bottles from the mess on the ground. "Hmm…though they are prescribed to you, and by your doctor- I'm going to have to confiscate them until I have your mother's confirmation and official register. If you are going to take medication at and carry them around school, you have to keep them here or have special permission…" she growled again and walked off, ignoring the half-demon's protest as he gathered his things. "Goddamned bitch…" Kagome was pushed by the hallway's crowd, and had no choice but to enter her classroom as she was pushed nearly past it.

End of Flashback

He slammed his bag and sat down in his desk beside Kagome's, and before Mr. Kyoei could come rushing after to scream at him further, Kagome grabbed his hand and squeezed it letting go just as quickly as Mr. Kyoei came up to his desk. Inu-Yasha's eyes were wide with surprise, but then brightened with pleasure as the hand that she had grabbed tightened into a fist and shoved it into his hoodie pocket. Even though Mr. Kyoei continued his little raging lecture for another five minutes and the other students whispered to each other, Inu-Yasha and Kagome endured the morning with smiles, Inu-Yasha excusing himself to get a drink of water to swallow the pills she had discreetly handed to him.

When gym came around, Inu-Yasha jogged over to her from the boy's locker room with a big smile on his face, and hugged her. "Thanks! Aww man, I was ready to rip his balls off! And that damned wench who refused to give me back my pills." She giggled. "Looked like it." He frowned. "I never dress down, but aren't you going to? From what I hear, you used to be the star of the basketball team!" Her face fell. "Er…I guess. I just don't care anymore," she drawled in a bored expression, but her face darkened when three girls walked over to them, and Inu-Yasha began to growl. "Beat it wench! I told you I never wanted to see your fucking ugly face again," as Kikyo slithered around him, half-afraid. Even with her little friends, Kagura and Yura- Kikyo was not brave, though she was persistent. "Aren't you happy to see me, Inu-baby? Besides, don't you want to know why Kagome doesn't dress down?" Kagome's eyes widened in horror. "Don't you dare…" "Wouldn't you want to know about her slicing fetish-" "You finish that sentence bitch, and I'll rip your tongue out."

A soft, manicured hand was wrapped around Kikyo's throat, making the slut and her friends screech. A tall, handsome boy with short black hair and violet eyes and a "Punisher" hoodie with black baggy Tripps with chains stood behind them with a hateful glare. He released them with a warning sneer and the three hoodies watched the three sluts saunter off in a fright. The new boy went to embrace Kagome, who looked extremely relieved. "Thanks Miroku- I swear, one of these days…" "One of these days we're going to rip her head off." They laughed, and Inu-Yasha coughed. "Kags, I didn't know you had a boyfriend." Kagome's face became beet red, but Inu-Yasha grinned. "Actually, we just started hanging out just yesterday, and it turned out to be an unexpected date. So I'm not her boyfriend…yet." Miroku went into what she called "Pervert Mode", and winked. Unaware of Inu-Yasha's exquisite hearing, Miroku bent over to whisper in his friend's ear. "Let me know how good a kisser he is- I wanna know if he's better than me…" Inu-Yasha tried not to laugh, as Kagome's eyes narrowed and Miroku slid an arm around her waist. "Did you guys use to date?" Miroku and Kagome parted, now suddenly uncomfortable. "Yes…last year, actually." Miroku shifted his shoulders uncomfortably and Kagome looked away. Inu-Yasha felt the tension in the air. "So…what happened? Or should I just drop it?"

Kagome felt her voice became trapped in her throat, and Miroku stumbled over his words. "Actually…t-that's my fa-ault… I-" "Stabbed her in the back." Another hoodie boy, a wolf-demon stood a few feet away, a cigarette in his hand leaning against the bleachers. He wore a plain black hoodie that was ripped at the sleeves and hem revealing his claws, with black cargo shorts and Nike shoes with sweatbands at his wrists. Not even the two humans needed super-sharp demon senses of smell to smell the strong weed coming from the newcomer. Kagome's eyes brightened though, and accepted the demon's embrace as he had approached them. "Name's Kouga," he held his hand out for Inu-Yasha to shake, and Inu-Yasha did so, uncertain. "Inu-Yasha," He replied, hiding a look of indecisive dislike in his features that went unnoticed. Kouga turned to have a match glare with Miroku, who had his arm back around Kagome's waist. Inu-Yasha was able to judge from the scene that this sort of thing had happened before.

"Miroku," Kouga growled, taking a drag and blowing smoke into Miroku's face. Miroku tightened his grip on Kagome. "Kouga," he spat back, refusing to back down. (A/N: Lol, I know I know! Usually this scene takes place with Inu-Yasha!) "Um, guys…please don't ruin my day with your stupid fighting. It gives me a headache," she moaned as she realized neither was paying attention except for Inu-Yasha. Sliding out of Miroku's grasp and moving over to him. "Are they always like this?" He looked puzzled. "What did Miroku do to you, anyway? You don't have to tell me," he said in a rush, "but something tells me I'm going to find out later." She nodded and sighed, leaning into his side. "Can I tell you later?" He nodded, a genuine smile spreading across his face. "Sure, when you come over to my place." This brought the fuming boys to attention, and Kouga growled. "You're not…dating him, are you? Cause if you are it's going to stop. You see, she's my mate." Kouga's tone was apologetic, as if he felt sorry for Inu-Yasha not being able to date Kagome. None the less, Miroku snorted angrily and Inu-Yasha looked up angry and startled. "WHAT?"

Kagome rolled her eyes, walking away from all three to the other side of the gym, even though she could still hear them beginning to shout as she began to check her blood sugar- 206. Damn it. Kagome reluctantly turned around and made for her backpack, and her annoyance ceased as curiosity grew… "Mate? Whatever the hell makes you think that! You haven't even marked her!" Inu-Yasha's anger burned through his face. Kouga caught whiff of his sudden competition. "We-ell…I just decided to wait until collage, that's all. She's still young. She is my woman because…well, she just is! I have known her the longest, I've known her the best, I've loved her since I met her- and I love her the most!" Miroku seethed at this comment. "Oho, now have you? Let me remind you that I have known her since diapers, I know all her deepest secrets, I have loved her since the day I knew what love meant- and it is I who loves her the most! Just a different kind of love, that's all…"

Kouga's glare turned cold and icy. "I see. So cheating on her is how you express your love?" Miroku, Kagome and even Inu-Yasha froze. "Kouga," Miroku's voice was small, soft and fragile. "That was a long time ago, and long-since forgiven and sorted out. You know what really happened- it was inevitable." Kagome grabbed her backpack quickly and sped away from the three, only Inu-Yasha protesting, and then turned to Kouga angrily. "Maybe she didn't want to hear about that." Kouga glared back at him. "You have no idea," he fumed and pointed a shaky finger at the Hanyou. "How would you feel if the one you loved went and fucked your best friend- in your own bedroom, on your own bed-" he sent the guilty looking Miroku a hateful dagger-filled glance- "and got engaged, too? And continued to fake their 'relationship' with you while they were at it?" Miroku looked shocked. "How the fuck- how did you know about the one time-" Kouga looked quiet smug at the look of horror on Miroku's face.

"Oh Miroku- you never thought, that even a little- Kagome knew anything? She never told you why she put herself in the hospital that night- whoops; did I say, 'Put herself' in the hospital? That's supposed to be a secret." "Shit," Miroku's voice was hoarse, and he could no longer stand the sight of Kouga. "Excuse me," he took off after Kagome like a shot. Inu-Yasha growled furiously and stepped away from the haughty wolf-demon, disgusted. "Are you happy? They might have had a terrible past, but they seem to get along just fine- as if she might have forgiven him for it and now sees him as a best friend- I hope you're proud of yourself for tearing them up!" Inu-Yasha snarled and hustled after Miroku, whom he could smell the scent of tears seeping from. Kouga glowered and cursed himself, taking in a last long drag as he headed the opposite way out of the gym.

Kagome had called James on the way to the parking lot, so he was already there when she arrived. "Is everything alright, Miss Amura?" "Stop calling me that!" She snapped as she slid in the back seat, and slammed the door on Miroku, who had been at her heels seconds before. "Kagome, wait! I have to talk to you…" She didn't hear the rest of that sentence, because she ordered James to speed off despite the shouting boy that tried to hold onto the door. As they sped off into the distance, Kagome shivered and held back the urge to look at her upset friend.

"Kagome, did something happen? Are you well? Where to- home?" Kagome slowly shook her head, wiping the small tears away. "I want…to be alone. Drive to… the harbor. I'm going to Hokkaido, my mind's made up." Of course this troubled the fourty-year-old redhead, one hand ruffling his red mustache as his eyes darted back and forth from the road to his charge and back again. "I'm not sure…" She huffed imapatiently and crossed her arms. "James, I know my parents might hassle you a little, but either way they don't give a damn and it's a day off tomorrow, so it'll be fine. I've got numbers and cash and medication. I can take care of myself- and I don't pretend not to know about the tracking device that was in my cell phone. Just go- I need to get away, once in a while."

In the end, Kagome won and was walking onto the main harbor of Hokkaido an hour later, looking for a hotel. And, in the end, she chose the ritziest hotel smack in the middle of the city- while most kids might get in trouble for putting the bill on their parents, Kagome's would have been proud for her fine taste and readily paid for it. All she had to do was flash her ID card and bam; at your service! She was shown to the finest suite and given she'd come often with her parents before, the whole staff knew she prefered silk, and raw fruit for her diet. But as soon as she was settled, she fell right into a melancholic state and fell onto her bed, remembering Koga's words that morning.

She had been avoiding the topic all year, trying to never be alone with Miroku and having rejected Sango so violently, Sango had moved in with their gay brothers here in Hokkaido and rarely visited. Sango was patient however; accepting Kagome's pain and rage was because of her and stayed away gracefully, accepting that Kagome could never forgive or forget. It was true, that night on Miroku's birthday- Kagome had wanted it to be special and invited Sango, knowing Sango and Miroku were friends. Of course it would be unexpected when she heard and peeked through her door to see the pair screwing on her own bed, and she'd gone to hide in her parent's bedroom- vacant as usual. She'd cried and stifled screams and after sending a message through a servant that she was sick and her friends would have to leave, she'd cut her arms many times with her father's razor and filled the tub with freezing water, trying to drown herself.

In the end her father had come home and found her, and he himself carried her in his arms past Takai and out to his own car where he drove one handed to the hospital with his daughter wrapped in his overcoat. After that, her parents and Takai told the overly excited press that it had been a freak accident and Kagome was really fine, while inside the hospital room Kagome was experiencing the first few fits of many she would have the next year. Takai held her and sang to her as Kagome shook, screamed and bled, while only her father could even stand to look at her but was soon driven away.

After these dark thoughts trailed tears, and soon sobs came and she had no one to comfort her. This was why she needed to escape- to cry alone, hurting no one but herself and not being a burden to Takai as she always felt she was. And the only reason she wasn't dead yet was Takai herself, knowing it might hurt her the most. All through the night she cried and cried, unable to fall asleep. For some reason, she couldn't get Sango out of her mind- Sango's sad face, Sango's smiles, the memories of when they'd been so happy together with Miroku, and somehow…needed to see her old friend. Although Sango had betrayed her, Sango had been really, really…sorry. And unable to accept any kind of apology, Kagome unleashed all her anger onto Sango instead of Miroku, convincing herself that Sango must have seduced him. But now looking back…she didn't care. All she wanted was a good life back, and now that she had Inuyasha, why let the past get in the way?

After the long, sleepless night, she didn't know what she was thinking- but nine AM that morning, she found herself on Sango's doorstep. Sango had moved in with her brother and Kagome's brother, who had previously gone to America to get married, thus the fact Sota was disowned from the Higurashi family. Not that he minded…Every other weekend Kagome went to meet him at a café downtown, no matter how many times he insisted she come to the house. So standing at the door, hand shakily rising to ring the bell- all of the sudden she was about to turn back when the door abruptly opened and there was Sango, yelling something over her shoulder and bending down to pick up the newspaper when she saw Kagome's black boots in her face. "Eh?" She smiled confusedly before slowly looking up to Kagome's pale, shocked face.

"Ack, Kagome!" Kagome smiled slightly in nervousness, fidgeting with the hem of her hoodie. "Um…hi." Sango's eyes widened and Kagome could tell Sango was also nervous. "Ah…hi, it's been a while. Um…if you're looking for Sota, he's at work right now, but you're welcome to come in and wait." Kagome nodded, and then shook her head. "Actually…" her voice was low and weak, "I…came to see you." Sango couldn't help but smile. "Seriously? Well, come in, come in! How long have you been here in Hokkaido?" Kagome entered the door and Sango closed it, and the smell of peach pie was suddenly strong. "Just…yesterday. I'm staying at the Kyomidea, for now. Baking?" Kagome tried at conversation, still uneasy about the sudden reunion. "Sure am! It's Kohaku's birthday today, and he loves pie instead of cake. I'm making cherry for Sota, you know he hates peach. You still like blackberry, right?" "Yeah…haven't had it for so long though…I'm…at the clinic a lot."

She followed Sango through the kitchen and sat at the counter barstool while Sango peeked through the oven, and then leaned against the other side of the counter, across from Kagome. "So, what's been going on? What's this about a clinic? Why…today?" Damn, if there was anything she'd always hated about Sango, it was getting strait to the point. "Well…" What should she say? Sorry I was a bitch even though you deserved it- I just feel like forgetting now? "Is…is this about that? I'm sorry to bring it up, but I…" Kagome put her head in her hands and sighed. "No, I'm sorry. I don't know what I was thinking, coming here like this after all this time-" "-No, no it's fine-" "-and after all the things I said to you even though-" "-Really, I'm so glad you came-" and suddenly both blurted, "I feel like it's my fault!" Both blushed and looked away in awkward silence, only the sounds of a peach pie sizzling lingered.

Surprisingly, Kagome found the strength of boldness, something she rarely had to speak. "Sango…I came to apologize, I think. But I really…it's because…I needed my best friend back. I've strayed from the topic all year…and when I think or talk about it- it just upsets me even more. So I want… to forget." This threw Sango off; obviously it was not what she expected. "Um, wow…that's more than what I can put into words, but honestly…I'm sorry. I betrayed you without even thinking what it could do…" The timer went off and Sango took the pie out of the oven, and set it on the counter. And turning back to Kagome, she smiled. "So, I don't know how it's possible…but, am I forgiven?" Kagome gave Sango her brightest, truest smile she'd kept away for so long. "Well, I'd say you're kinda pressing your luck…but come here." Sango grinned and ran around the counter into Kagome's wide thin arms, half-laughing, half-crying and the two embraced for the longest time.

"Yes…yes…YES! Ha-ha, you did it!" A loud booming voice echoed in the kitchen as Kohaku and Sota entered, throwing their things down and embracing the two into a group hug. "Eh?" Kagome cried out as Sota and Kohaku started laughing, and she couldn't help but pick up on the happy atmosphere, and started laughing herself. "You finally got over your goddamned stubborness! I never would have thought…" "Hey, is this for me?" Sango cried out and slapped her brother's hand away from the pie. She turned to Kagome and giggled. "Stay for a while? I might need a little help…" She jabbed a thumb at the two crowding around the pie, and Kagome nodded. "I'll stay…it's been a while since I've had some of your gourmet cooking!"

It was two a.m. and Sota, Kohaku and Sango were passed out on the kitchen floor, having drunk too much sake. Kagome was laying out on the couch, watching a very fascinating late show about ducks, a bottle of sake in one hand and her insulin kit beside her. But before she could even pass out, her cell rang, and she picked it up to see a text message arrive, along with the twenty-five voicemails and fifty-seven phonecalls she never answered. Some calls were from Miroku, Inuyasha and four even from Koga. There was two from her father and one from her mother, six from James and fifteen from Takai. Five were from Dr. Kaede even, one from the clinic, etc. The text message was from Miroku: Please let me know you're alright. I'm with Inuyasha right now and he's worried too. I need to talk to you. Call me back as soon as you can. Please. It sounded very desperate, so a drunk Kagome decided to give him an answer. Quack quack, darling. I'm having the time of my life with Sango and the bros. 2 Drunk 2 giv a damn, babe.

Instantly there were two more. From Inuyasha: Hey you really had me worried. So your in Hokkaido? Are you taking your meds? Miss you. This only caught Kagome's attention for a second before the Sake took over again. From Miroku: With Sango? You made up? Are you okay! Too tired to stay up much longer, she sent one simple message to both: Higurashi Kagome is passing out now from too much sake. My give-a-damn's busted! Call back next year, quack quack. With that, she turned off her cell, and passed out.