"I can NOT believe you're willingly inviting Inuyasha here." Sango said, brushing her long brown locks back as she prepared for her day. She found it strange the way Kagome's opinion of the hanyou had changed over the past month. For the entire time she had known her best friend, the resentment of her childhood bully was as unceasing. Sango had been shocked to open the door the day they moved in to find a dog demon standing in the threshold. Short shaggy locks, silver clashing against amber eyes with a look of contempt burning in them; she instantly understood Kagome's loathing, one which she had often told her was petty and dramatic in the past. The way he furrowed his brow, the arrogant way he turned up his lips, as if he was too god to grace their doorstep turned her stomach, and she could only imagine what it was like for young Kagome, now that she was able to put a face and personality to the stories.

But now it was different.

Now Kagome hummed excitedly as she tidied up the kitchen, getting ready for her visitor. Sango watched as she dragged over a chair to the sink, trying to reach the top cabinets to put away their dishes. She had pinned her hair back at the top to make a loose bun, the bottom half of her black hair falling in waves around her shoulders. She wore a cute off the shoulder top and a simple pair of jean shorts. She didn't look dressed up or anything, but she looked like she was trying- a little.

"I can't believe it either, honestly." She admitted, shrugging her shoulders. "But he's getting more bearable. It seems like every day I'm able to tolerate him more. He's kind of growing on me."

Even when Kagome spoke about him her tone changed, softened from what it previously was. It was an unnatural shift and Sango was still trying to adjust.

"Like a mold." Sango added. Kagome gave her friend a knowing look.

"More like a light Stockholm syndrome, if you ask me." Miroku chimed in. He had barely contributed to the conversation, finding the girls couch and play station more intriguing. He spoke without even looking at them. "You're spending a lot of time with him, his inconsistency for your shared project is making your worried and preoccupying your thoughts-"

"Light Stockholm syndrome?" Kagome mocked, stopping to look at her best friend. Ever since he started that psychology class he was driving her up a wall with newly acquired knowledge. "There's no such thing as light Stockholm syndrome. And that not even how it works anyway."

"Sounds like you don't want to admit it. Already falling in love with your captor, Kago- Gods, would you just ask for help?!" Miroku's jests quickly turned to anger, curtly throwing down the controller, crossing over to her. "That chair is ready to fall apart and you're way to clumsy to do this!"

"I'm not clumsy!" Kagome objected, her voice rising in the process. He was right- the chairs were not in the best shape, and sure, they were on their way out; but they served their purpose and worked just fine… even if they wobbled a little.

Miroku raised an eyebrow, a knowing look on his face. "Says the girl who couldn't go swimming the entire summer in 7th grade because she broke her leg… tripping over her OWN FOOT."

"It was the shoes!" Kagome said horrified. "They were too big, and I fell-"

"Down the shrine stairs! Who in the hell does that happen to?!" He said, throwing up his hands, incredibly irritated. Kagome and her constant test of gravity was a constant plague. She was always tripping, falling, bumping into corners of desks, tables, people-whatever. It gave him a migraine just seeing her standing on a chair, slightly wobbly from wear, trying to stack glass plates.

"Give Kagome some credit, Miroku." Sango tried in her defense, "She's gotten a lot better!"

"Ha! She just hides it better. Don't encourage her Sango. You're her roommate. If she falls and breaks her arm, its going to be you stuck taking care of her." Flashbacks to that summer ran through his mind.

Kagome shot her "best friend" a look. "Hey!" She knew Miroku had good intentions, and yes, she wasn't the most graceful creature on the planet, but he took things too far sometimes. "I get your worried, but this isn't a big deal."

He shook his head, his rehearsed argument ready. "But-"

"Ugh" Kagome moaned in annoyance. "Sango, can't you take your boyfriend out and get him to stop nagging?" Sango laughed as she held out her hand to Kagome, silently ushering her to get down. Holding on to her hand, she jumped down and gave Sango a pleading smile.

"No way. Were not leaving until we see what this guy is like for ourselves. Besides, you know how he is about safety. Always the chivalrous knight. You should have seen him yesterday when we went out for a walk. A homeless man asked me for spare change and-"

"Dangerous!" He cut in, his concern flaring.

Kagome shook her head. Honestly, she wished they would just leave. She knew they meant well, knew they wanted to size up Inuyasha for themselves; if it was Sango in her postion, she would be doing the same thing.

It didn't stop her from feeling annoyed. In the back of her mind, she wished that she and the dog demon could be alone.

'No! No theres no need for us to be alone. Theres no reason for us to spend time together… in my apartment.. just the two of us…'

She hated to admit it but the more she spoke to him, the more they talked, the more she was intrigued by the hanyou, the more she wanted to get to know him. She was surprised to find that he had a funny side. It was wicked, and you had to understand his personality to appreciate it, but it was there.

She enjoyed talking to him.

They were becoming…friends. And friends often hung out together, alone. Often wanted to be able to hang out without company intruding….right?

~.~

The day was quite warm, the sun high in the sky and the slight breeze did little to temper the heat. It did not seem to bother Inuyasha; he was walking across campus, purpose in every footstep. Today, he was going to see Kagome.

It bothered him to no end that he was excited about this; really, it wasn't a big deal. He was going to some chicks place to do school work. Not a date, not to screw, not even to hang out. To fucking work on a project. Not even friends.

Why the hell did that bother him so god damned much?

Inuyasha stood in front of her door, preparing himself before knocking. He stared at the brass numbers, placed above the peephole.

353.

It was familiar, standing here, debating on turning around, running away. His anticipation in seeing her was making him anxious, and this feeling was NOT one he fucking liked. It was uncomfortable and uncomfortable wasn't how he operated.

But he knocked. Fidgeting while waiting, he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. He heard her race to the door, heard her heart beating before she even opened it. He felt it again, that sinking feeling in his stomach.

The door gave a slight creak, only amplified due to his demon hearing, and she greeted him with a bright smile. "Hey!" She seemed slightly out of breath and his eyes were glued to the rise and fall of her chest. Inuyasha swallowed hard. She looked pretty today. Was that for him?

No, no of course it wasn't. She was pretty all the God damned time. But she smelled amazing. He breathed it in and he swore he could feel the electrifying energy setting his blood on fire. He wanted to grab her close to him, push her into the house and fuck her raw on the counter. She was looking at him so pure, she smelled so fucking right-

What the fuck was wrong with him? Why was he checking out Kagome? Why was she fucking effecting him like this?

"Can I come in or are you going to block the doorway all night?" His mouth felt dry as the callous words came out. Damn, he didn't even mean to sound like such a bastard. It was like a reflex when it came to her. He watched Kagome frown as she opened the door wider, turning to lead him inside. Inuyashas mouth felt dry as he watched the sway of her hip, her perfectly round ass.

"So you're Inuyasha." A distinctly male voice cut through the hypnosis of Kagome's backside. He wasn't sure who in the hell the guy was, but he was covered in Kagomes scent. He was apparently someone who spent a great deal of time with her. Inuyasha had to suppress a growl he felt rising.

'Is… is that jealously? Why in the HELL am I jealous?'

"And you are?" He asked, crossing his arms over his chest. The male in front of him seemed territorial, protective. It pissed him off. A woman- the same woman that opened the door the first time- came to stand behind him, as if sizing him up.

"Miroku. Kagome's best friend. I've heard a lot about you." His tone was flat, unwelcoming. The man crossed his arms as well, mirroring the new addition.

Feh. Friend.

Kagome had told him about this fucker. When he asked if they were together or ever had been she scoffed at the idea. It gave him some comfort, but he still wasn't satisfied.

"Did she?" Amber eyes narrowed to look at Kagome. She looked surprised; or caught. He couldn't tell which.

"Mm. Like how you terrorized her as a kid. I'll be honest, I'm not too fond of the idea of you being here." Kagome wedged in between the two, giving each of them a stern look. She couldn't believe how stupid the guys in her life were.

"UGH, Would you just leave, Miroku? Sango! Come get your boyfriend!" Kagome called out, pleading for her other best friend. She appreciated that Miroku was trying to be protective and kind, but when he got in moods like these he became the annoying big brother no one wanted. Sango didn't seem to be any help; she waivered between hating the idea of Inuyasha and eager to see how it played out. Kagome sighed; it was going to be a long night.

~.~

In the end, the pair would not leave. Miroku and Sango settled down in the couch, immersed in a video game. Kagome and Inuyasha worked at the kitchen table, papers and notes spread out. For the most part the two communicated only about their ideas, no hint of personal messages or the things they discussed when they texted. All in all, it left Kagome feeling a bit underwhelmed. She had hoped that when she saw him it would be… different. Maybe more friendly? She wasn't sure what she was expecting, but she knew that today they felt further apart than before.

"Sorry about all that." She said under her breath. She glanced at him, her blue eyes catching his ears swiveling to hear her better. "I'm so embarrassed. Miroku should never have treated you that way."

Inuyasha felt his pulse speed up; he looked at the ceiling, than back down at his papers. Anywhere but her eyes. "Feh, don't worry about it. I probably deserved it. I wasn't exactly nice to you." He said in a hushed whisper. Kagome leaned in closer and Inuyasha felt panicked.

"But still, it wasn't his place. If I'm not mad at you then-"

"Kagome!" Miroku shouted, never taking his eyes from the game. Sango slapped his arm, fully aware he was trying to spoil any intimate moment the two could have. "Could you get me a glass of water?" Inuyasha felt a surge of annoyance; he wished that they were alone, that they were back at his place where nosy ass friends wouldn't interrupt them.

For school work purposes. Purely school work.

"Kagome, don't give this pest anything." Sango gave her boyfriend a scolding look.

Clenching her teeth she replied, "Its fine. I'll get drinks. And then Miroku is going to take you out for a walk. Right?" The way she looked at him left no room for arguments. Inuyasha couldn't help feeling pleased. Then wench was feeling irritated too.

Waiving her off Miroku easily agreed. Dragging a chair over to the counter, Kagome climbed up, grabbing several glasses. The sound of the chair creaking, too small for human ears to pick up grated him. He turned, ready to warn her about her old furniture, when he saw her stumble. She had meant to take a step to the side, but the chair leaned, making her lose her balance. Bolting from his own seat, Inuyasha caught her waist in his hands.

It felt like fire in his hands; soft yet firm, burning in his palms. He wanted to lift the fabric of her shirt up, feel her exposed flesh, run his tongue over the creamy skin. His mind was running away with him; it was fucking dangerous to touch her.

"What the hell do you think your doing?" He chastised. "This thing is fucking falling apart. Just ask for help!"

Miroku watched the pair, the awkward look on their faces. It was his first time seeing Kagome so panicked. With Hojo she had been calm, sure of herself. She never had the giddiness of their peers; she had always emanated such a mature aura. But with the dog demon she seemed tongue-tied and uncertain. It was a side to her he hadn't seen, and frankly, it was refreshing.

He also was able to stop her from breaking her damn foot. That was definitely a plus.

"Th-the chair." She swallowed, hyper aware of his hands still holding her hips. "It's just old. Th-Thanks." Looking down at his claws flush against his shirt she suddenly felt nervous. He quickly removed his hands as if he had done something wrong.

"They're flirting." Sango whispered, a sly smile on her lips.

Flirting?

Him?! With Kagome?!

Stealing a glance at her, he noticed the pretty way she blushed, the nervous way she tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. Her scent spiked and he felt himself grow hungry for her.

Fine.

He was attracted to her.

He, Inuyasha, thought Kagome smelt fucking fantastic and looked phenomenal. And sure, he thought about her sometimes, when he was alone, when he was with others, when he was screwing other women.

Not a big deal.

But flirting?

He did not flirt. Ever.

She looked at him and smiled, her cheeks still flushed, holding out a glass of water. He felt wildly thankful he was able to see this side of her- and wildly angry that some other man might have the chance to. Inuyasha reached for the cup, his fingers brushing over hers, making her scent rise once more, making his pupils dilate in need. As he brought the cold liquid to his lips he mentally reminded himself to order her a new kitchen set. He didn't want to give any other asshole the opportunity to touch her.

Fuck.

Maybe he was jealous.