AN: You have all completely restored my faith in reviews. I only wanted a few, and then I opened my inbox and wow! So, here I am a day later completely charged and ready to write. Thanks for all the compliments!

One final note…please allow the licenses I'm taking with the characters and where/who they are. I know I'm doing things a little bit different…and yes, Naraku is just pure evil.

I do not own the characters.

Chapter 5: After School Special

(This week on a very special Inuyasha…)

Inuyasha narrowed his golden eyes and gave Nakaru a second look. Squinting his eyes, he couldn't sense a demon exactly, but there was a very definite evil aura surrounding him. If this had been his own time, Inuyasha would have no problem taking matters into his own claws, but Kagome had explained to him people didn't just go around killing in this world. It just 'wasn't done.' Keh...some people deserve it.

Miorku leaned over and whispered, "Those girls give me the creeps. Don't get me wrong, I am definitely a fan of the ladies...but those girls? I wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole."

The weird trio made their way to a table on the far side of the commons area and sat down. The normal noises of the lunchroom began again.

Kagome suppressed the urge to duck under the table. Although she was a junior, she had known about Naraku from her first day as a freshman at St. Joe's. The rumors about him were endless... that he had escaped from juvenile hall, that Kagura and Kanna were actually his sisters, that he was wanted in seven states for a number of crimes, that he was actually a lot older, that he was a millionaire and just using the school routine as an act... Kagome shuddered at a memory.

Flashback

Kagome was waiting for her mom to pick her up after school one day. It was last year and it was getting late. Kagome suddenly shivered and turned around. The infamous Naraku had snuck up on her. She had heard the stories of what happened when Naraku caught you alone...but there was nothing anyone could do. All the administrators were afraid of this student and counting down the days until he graduated. His influence seemed to reach even the town's police department.

"What's your name little girl?"

"Ka-Kagome."

"Beautiful. So pure..." Naraku leaned over and took a strand of her hair and began rubbing it between his fingers. Kagome desperately prayed for anyone to come to her rescue...a friend, even Hojo! Fortunately, at that moment, Kagome's mother had pulled up and Kagome had sprinted for the car.

End flashback

Inuyasha looked across the table at Kagome who was suddenly shivering. It didn't take animal instincts to know that Naraku had wronged her in some way. Kagome straightened up. Ever since that day after school, she had never been such an idiot as to be somewhere alone at school.

Inuyasha growled low, "I'll protect you, Kagome."

Kagome looked up, then nodded shyly, "Thanks."

She had no doubt this crazy supposed 'half demon' would live up to his word.

Inuyasha was glad to escort Kagome to the rest of her classes that day. He knew they were still getting strange looks, but he was used to that by now. Kagome was trying to pay attention to her geometry teacher, but her thoughts were definitely somewhere else. She had heard rumors, passed down through the family that the well on their property was either haunted or possessed magical qualities (it depended on who you were talking to and how much they had had to drink…) Kagome thought it would be best if she and Inuyasha returned to the well this afternoon and checked things out. She had only left it yesterday because she had wanted to tend to his wounds.

You've go to be kidding yourself Higurashi, let's face it, we both know you wanted to do more than 'tend to his wounds.' Kagome's subconscious raged within her, and she wondered if she hadn't hit her head when Inuyasha had sprung out of the well…yesterday? Had it only been a day ago? She looked across to see Inuyasha desperately trying to get comfortable in the desk. It seemed, wherever he was from, he much preferred sitting on the ground to hard plastic chairs.

Kagome whispered across to her silver haired friend, "Only a few more minutes."

Finally, the last school bell had rung. Kagome had let the volleyball coach know that she wouldn't be at practice today. They had almost made it out to the death machine, although Kagome still referred to it as her "car," when Inuyasha scented Kikyo. She was leaning up seductively against Kagome's car…waiting for them. Inuyasha was usually the predator, but in this case, he definitely felt like the prey.

"Hey there."

Inuyasha wasn't sure what to say. He literally had no experience with females of any species.

"Uh...hi."

With that, Kagome stomped by and opened her car door. She told Inuyasha curtly, "Get in, we're going home."

Inuyasha was torn. The demon half of him was definitely curious about sticking around and getting to know this Kikyo a little better, but the other half of him thought he should play things safe. So, he just said, "Keh" and got in the car.

"See you around," said Kikyo winking at Inuyasha.

Once they were on their way, Inuyasha asked, "What's your problem with her anyway? She seems nice enough."

My problem is that she wants to get in your pants... Kagome was shocked that she had even had the thought and flushed red. Maybe it's just that time of the month for me...Instead she delivered a "Keh" of her own.

Inuyasha wasn't buying it, "That's not an answer, wench."

Kagome was furious, she sputtered, "But you say it all the time!"

Inuyasha inspected his claws, "That's because it's a demon saying. You don't even know what it means."

"What? Are you trying to tell me 'Keh' translates into actual words?"

"How perceptive of you."

"That's it!" Kagome slammed on the brakes and then gunned the car in the opposite direction.

"Where are you going, bitch? Do you even know what you're doing?"

Kagome ignored the 'bitch' comment, now knowing it was just an expression, and told the hanyou bluntly, "I'm...we're going back to the well before you can get into any more trouble."

They drove in silence. Inuyasha could feel the anger radiating off of Kagome. Mistakenly judging her anger, the half demon thought smugly, She can think whatever she wants...it's still my saying.

Kagome was muttering under her breath, "Don't even know how we're in the same gene pool."

They pulled up to the house and got out of the car. Kagome began walking in the direction of the well. Too proud to do anything else, Inuyasha followed. Fifteen minutes later they had arrived. Both peered over the edge of the seemingly bottomless well.

Kagome nudged Inuyasha with her shoulder, "Well go ahead boy...go home."

"I am NOT a dog."

Kagome grabbed at his puppy ears and said, "You're a half-dog and that's enough for me!"

"Do NOT touch the ears," Inuyasha said grumpily.

They both crossed their arms and stared away from each other. Kagome was the first to break the silence, "So, I never really got to ask you, where exactly did you come from?

"I'm not sure."

"What does that mean?"

"Do you have to be so defensive about everything?"

"No...I just..."

"You just what?"

Kagome did some growling of her own, "Drop it."

Inuyasha slumped down and leaned against the well, "Fine. I'll tell you where I'm from, but first let me know where I am."

"You are in Japan in the year 2005." (AN: No flames! I'm not going to even pretend I know anything about Japan...so please bear with me, but it only makes sense the well is in the same place in both eras).

"2005?"

"Why, are you from the future?"

"No."

Let's try another tactic. "What was your last memory before you found yourself in the bottom of my well?"

"I was fighting with my brother."

"I fight with my brother all the time."

"Is yours actually trying to kill you?"

Kagome said thoughtfully, "No. Is yours?"

Inuyasha growled low in his throat, "Yes."

"Why is that?"

"Listen wench, why do you even care? I'm going to be gone soon, remember?"

"Humor me. It's the least you can do."

"Fine. In my time it's not exactly the best thing if you are half of one kind and half of another."

Kagome said softly, "Then things haven't changed all that much. People in this day are still treated differently for being half of one kind and half of another."

Inuyasha sighed, "Listen bitch, that is a touching story and all, but in my time, demons are hunted and--"

Kagome interrupted, "How did you get to be...you know?"

Inuyasha sighed heavily, "My father was a VERY powerful demon, but my mother was a human."

Kagome's eyes glazed over. She clasped her hands together and said, "How romantic...they must have been very much in love."

"Keh, I don't know, I wasn't around then." Inuyasha paused a moment. He had never really given his parentage that much thought or consideration. His parents had both died when he was so young; he never knew much about them.

"So...?"

"So, I'm in the middle. I want to be a full demon, and I will do anything to make that possible."

"What's so wrong with being a human?"

"You're all so weak."

Kagome, who had been leaning on the well, walked over and put a foot in the middle of Inuyasha's chest and stared down over him, "What did you say?"

Inuyasha looked up...from this angle he see some delicate fabric peeking out from under Kagome's skirt. It was an entirely different fabric than the 'boxer briefs' he was wearing under his uniform. He decided that, for the time being he liked the view and, not moving answered her question, "In my time, humans are constantly being killed by demons. I'm just looking out for myself. I hate being caught between."

Kagome was staring down at him and aware that his golden eyes were not meeting her own. She caught where he was looking and gave him a kick in the stomach, "You're as bad as Miroku!"

"Keh."

Kagome sat down next to him, "But what about in this time...? There's no reason to become a full demon."

"Keh."

"Well, we're obviously getting nowhere."

"Keh."

"Will you stop saying that?"

Inuyasha stood up and stretched, causing Kagome's taste buds, for the second time in a day, unexpectedly start drooling. He looked over the side of the well. What's over there for me, anyway? A world where I'm hunted and persecuted, where my only family wants me dead? Where no female of any species wants me around? Why am I in such a hurry? At least here someone is feeding me and I have a roof over my head...

You don't belong here.

I told her I would protect her from that Naraku creep. Look, it's obvious she needs protecting.

There are other males here willing to do that.

Keh.

Please don't start that with me.

Inuyasha pulled Kagome up, "Alright, since you're so eager to get rid of me, I guess it's time to say good bye."

Suddenly, Kagome wasn't so sure of her decision. She blurted it out, "How am I going to explain to everyone where you went?"

"You seemed to come up with an explanation of how I got here easily enough."

Desperate, Kagome asked, "What if your brother's waiting on the other side of the well?"

"Keh."

Ducking quickly, Kagome reached up and grabbed Inuyasha's ears and held them hostage, "If you say that one more time, I'm going to twist these things until they come off!"

Acting on instinct, Inuyasha jumped straight up in the air, but Kagome held on. She was holding on for dear life with her hands and unconsciously wrapped her thighs around the hanyou's torso. Inuyasha was squirming around, while at the same time amazed how natural it felt to have Kagome there...he wasn't paying attention as they fell back down to earth and straight into the well!

Inuyasha and Kagome fell (fighting all the way) down, down to the bottom of the well and landed awkwardly with Kagome straddling Inuyasha's waist. Kagome wondered at this half-demon's strength. The hanyou had definitely taken the brunt of the long fall. They had fallen a couple of stories at least, and anyone else she knew probably would've broken their back. They were both so shocked at what had just happened that neither of them could move at that moment. Kagome looked down and realizing the compromising situation they were in, jumped off of Inuyasha.

"Are we…are will still in my time?"

Inuyasha took a deep sniff of the air, then hung his head, "Damn. Yeah, we are."

Kagome was relieved. Inuyasha was still lying on the ground. He got up slowly and looked over at her, "Good thing I'm so strong."

"Are you implying that I am fat?"

"Keh."

"Hmph."

"You know I'm the only one who can get you out of the well, right?"

"Not true."

"Fine." And with that Inuyasha sprang out of the well, leaving a fuming Kagome at the bottom. As Kagome's eyes adjusted, she realized there were some overgrown vines crawling up the well and started climbing, cursing the entire way to the top. When she finally pulled herself over the edge, and flopped over, she looked over to see Inuyasha sitting in his favorite position, cross-legged and looking at her strangely. She laid on the ground for a few moments, completely winded from the climb.

Inuyasha said disdainfully, "See, this is exactly why I don't want to be a human. You are completely weak."

"You wouldn't last one day without me in this time!"

"You think so?" Inuyasha challenged.

"I know so."

"I think your cousin Kikyo would be happy to take care of me."

Kagome saw red. She didn't even care any more; let him go to Kikyo or whoever, as long as it wasn't her. He may be hot, but it wasn't worth the effort any more. She got up and dusted herself off, "Later."

Kagome walked back to the house, leaving a very confused hanyou behind her.

She must be kidding herself if she thinks I'm going to apologize. She came after me!

Kagome walked into the house and drew herself a very hot bubble bath complete with candles and her favorite "Soothing" mix CD. It was the only thing she could think to do in the situation. Peeling off her now grubby uniform, she pulled her hair up in a high ponytail, stepped into the steaming tub, sat back, and relaxed in the tub. Aaahhhh…. It disturbed Kagome to no end that the only thought that kept popping into her head was… Those ears were really as soft as I thought they would be…

Inuyasha cautiously entered the house. He was definitely not leaving without his fire-rat robes and had to find them before he sniffed out where Kikyo lived. Speaking of sniffing…there were currently a weird mixture girl smells and hot springs coming from somewhere upstairs. There wasn't a hot springs in there yesterday. He crept up the stairs and heard some strange music coming from the room Kagome had referred to as the "bathroom." He sniffed out his robes in a strange room with some large square metal boxes. On his way back down the hall he considered telling Kagome where he was going and suddenly stood still. Never in his life had he ever let anyone know where he was. I must be getting soft in this human world. He growled softly to make himself feel better.

Kagome heard something on the other side of the door, and said hopefully, "Inuyasha?"

"Yes?" he sounded annoyed.

Kagome frantically checked to make sure the door was locked and then resumed her nonchalant approach, "I thought you were going to Kikyo's."

Damn it, I thought she was going to apologize. "I was just picking up my robes, wench."

"Be sure to pick up your hat. I know Kikyo likes things kinky, but I think ears might even be a little too much for her to handle." But not too much for me!

"Keh."

Kagome didn't hear anything else and assumed he was on his way to Kikyo's. She turned on some more hot water and relaxed for a few more minutes, trying to get the whole mess out of her head. Guess I'd better call and give the family fair warning…the water's getting cold anyway. Kagome stood up and wrapped a warm fluffy towel around her. She unlocked the door and walked out -- almost tripping over Inuyasha, who was sitting cross-legged outside the bathroom.

"What the--?" Kagome pulled her towel around her as snugly as she could, "I thought you were gone."

Inuyasha looked up at her, his golden eyes shining, "Reason #3 why I'm never going to be a human. You can't hear anything."

"Ok great, why are you still here?"

"I promised I would protect you, wench."

"From who, Inuyasha? There's no one in the house."

"Well, that Naraku creep could pop up at any time."

Kagome rolled her eyes, "That's nice. Now, will you please get out of my way, so I can get dressed?"

Inuyasha sniffed, she definitely smelled better than she did coming out of the well. It was the same smell as yesterday. Looking at her standing in a towel, Inuyasha was having a difficult time concentrating on what he was supposed to be doing. He reluctantly moved out of her way. It was a minute or two before he could get his thoughts together to leave the house. When Kagome came out from her room, Inuyasha was gone.

"So much for my safety now."

The next day, it seemed nothing was going Kagome's way. She had had to explain to her mother the night before what had happened to their new guest and study for a history test she had been completely procrastinating on. She hadn't gotten a lot of sleep, but had slept through her alarm and so had to bust a move to get to school. She was, of course, late and the unforgiving hall monitor had slapped her with a detention slip. She was sitting in the office, wondering how things could get any worse when a guy walked into the office. She looked at him…he was very tall with thick dark brown hair and startling blue eyes. He looked over and winked at her. Kagome, who never got flustered around guys, started blushing.

The secretary looked up, "You are excused, Miss Higurashi."

"Sorry."

Kagome walked out into the hall. She turned the corner of the long school hallway when she heard footsteps behind her own. She started walking quicker, the footsteps got quicker as well. Kagome was worried. She looked down at her shoelaces a moment too late…they got tangled up and she went sprawling to the floor. When she looked up, Naraku was standing, leering over her.

"Kagome, is it?"

Kagome refused to answer. Please Inuyasha…I take back all the things I said…

"You have something I want," he said in a low voice. She had no trouble picturing what that was. She was literally so scared she couldn't move. Naraku had this weird power over her; usually she wouldn't have taken crap like this from anyone. She saw him getting closer and closer and—

"Miss Higurashi?" a male voice said from the distance.

"Yes?"

"You are supposed to show me around the school?"

"Yes," Kagome said breathlessly. She didn't care who was saying it. She looked up and locked eyes with the guy who had been in the office a few minutes ago.

Naraku looked at this new guy and for a moment, Kagome thought he was going to spit on him or something. The new guy held out his hand to Kagome, and he pulled her up and walking away, bumped Naraku's shoulder. It wasn't an accident.

"You're going to wish you hadn't done that, punk."

"Whatever," said Kagome's rescuer.

Naraku finally turned the corner. Kagome started gushing, "Thank you so much!"

"It was nothing. I thought something was up."

"How did you know my name?"

"From the office…"

Duh Kagome. "Well, you know my name, but I don't know yours…"

"My name's Kouga. Do I have to know you only as Miss Higurashi, or do you have a first name to go with that?"

Kagome almost blushed. Finally, someone with some confidence around this school. She told him, "My name is Kagome."

They shook hands. At that moment, someone else came tearing around the corner. Kagome recognized the familiar figure.

She crossed her arms across her chest and asked defensively, "What do you want?"

"It smelled like you were getting yourself into trouble, bitch. This guy giving you problems?"

Kouga gave Kagome a look, What's up with the guys at this school? Kagome shrugged, it would be impossible to fill Kouga in. Before Kagome could say anything, Kouga decided to answer the question for himself; "Just who do you think you are calling a bitch, punk?"

"Did I ask you a question?"

"No, but I don't think Kagome deserves to be referred to as a 'bitch.'"

"Well, unless your name is Kagome, butt out."

Kagome thought was getting a little ridiculous, "Uh, guys…"

Inuyasha looked at Kagome, "I thought I told you I was going to protect you."

"Well, Inuyasha, you weren't here, were you?"

"Damnit bitch, it was the man, he wouldn't give me a pass."

"I thought I told you not to call her a bitch."

Kagome saw this situation going nowhere fast and grabbed Inuyasha's hand, calling out behind her, "Kouga, I'll have to explain this to you later," she dropped her voice low, "Thanks for everything."

Kouga didn't look to happy with the situation, but turned and walked back in the direction of the office, calling out over his shoulder, "Anytime. This ain't over, Inuyasha."

Inuyasha growled low and lunged after him while Kagome used all her strength to hold the hanyou back. She walked him outside and sat him down.

"What the hell was that about?"

Inuyasha was sniffing, "That guy's stink is all over you."

"And? What are you going to do about it?" Kagome's brown eyes held his golden ones. She was surprised to see he broke the stare first and looked down.

"I'm sorry."

Kagome was taken back, "For what?"

"I should've been there for you."

"Things are different here." It occurred to Kagome that she was going to be in even more trouble now that she was just flat out skipping a class, but, she found that she just didn't care. She found herself being drawn…like a moth to a flame, to Inuyasha's broad shoulder. She tentatively leaned her head on him. He was tense at first, but then seemed to accept her there.

At that moment, Kagome heard a flirty female voice call from behind them, "What's up, roomie?"

Kikyo…Kagome knew you were supposed to love your family and all that, but sometimes she could hardly see how they were related. And what did she mean by 'roomie'? Kagome hated doing it, but she lifted her head off of Inuyasha's muscular shoulder.

You didn't have to send him away y'know. You had the perfect opportunity yesterday to make some sort of claim.

When was that?

Uh, hello, in your towel in the hall? He may not be every girl's dream of a boyfriend, but hanyou or not, there were some sparks. Plus, what guy is going to refuse a half-naked girl?

I didn't want to seem desperate.

Desperate? Is that what we're calling scared these days?

Whatever.

Don't whatever me. I won't say I told you so, but don't come crying to me if he ends up in Kikyo's bed.

Kagome cringed at that thought. Usually, her cousin's revolving bed partners had no effect on her, but this one, this one was different. She glanced at her cousin, meticulously looking her over.

Why wouldn't the boys like her? What's not to like? Kikyo took the dress code at St. Joe's more as a 'suggestion' than actual truth. It was true that she did wear the requisite plaid skirt and white oxford shirt, but it always seemed that somehow her skirt was inches above everyone else's and her shirt didn't leave much to the imagination. Unlike Kagome, Kikyo took the time to blow dry her long black hair every morning. Kikyo did all the little girly things that Kagome just never got around to doing.

"Mind if I sit down?" Kikyo purred.

No one answered her. Uninvited, she sat down on Inuyasha's other side.

Inuyasha could sense the tension between the two and wasn't sure where it was coming from. It reminded him of something he had seen once on the other side of the well. Usually the females of the species were passive and meek, but he had been on the outskirts of a village one day when he had seen two women face off. If only he could remember what they were fighting over…

Kikyo playfully tapped Inuyasha's bicep, "I said, what's up roomie?"

"Keh, I'm not sleeping on your room."

Score! Kagome did her best to suppress a grin.

"Whatever…why do you want to sleep on the floor anyway?"

"No reason."

Kikyo tried again, "Well, if you get cold tonight…"

Fortunately, for Kagome's gag reflexes, the bell rang again. Kagome had had enough of this little conversation; she got up and headed toward the school saying crisply, "Time to face the music. Later, cousin."

Inuyasha cocked his head. Is she still angry from yesterday? He got up and, much to Kagome's surprise followed her in the school, "I'd better make sure you get to class ok, wench. Look what happens when I'm not there for two seconds."

Kagome smiled to herself, admitting that she did feel more at ease with this crazy hanyou walking next to her. She may not know the inner workings of time traveling half-demons, but she did know a thing or two about teenage guys. They walked in comfortable silence – an apology in the air – until Kagome reached her class. She looked into his golden eyes shyly, "So…?"

"What do you want, wench?"

"Are you going to Kikyo's tonight?" she asked innocently. Kagome knew that playing up the "scared girl" part might do something to convince Inuyasha to return to the Higurashi's this evening.

"Keh."

"Keh yes or keh no?" Did I actually just say that?

Inuyasha grinned, "Keh."

"See you at my car around 4 then. I have to sit through detention today," Kagome waited a moment. As good a job as Inuyasha was doing conforming to living in the 2000's, she realized he probably didn't know how to tell time yet or what detention was. She looked at him again, catching his golden eyes and her heart skipped a beat, "Just tell Miroku you should be at my car at 4."

Kagome smiled to herself, this day was turning out a lot better than she originally thought it was going to. As she slid into her seat, she was surprised when a voice said behind her, "I hope he's not your boyfriend."

Kagome spun around, her cheeks reddening, "No, actually he's not." When it rains, it pours.

Somehow, her savior from this morning and hot new guy of the school, Kouga had ended up in her class. He told her, "You know, this school is a lot larger than my last one. Would you mind giving me the grand tour later today?"

Kagome tried to play it cool, "Sure thing. As you were witness to, I have detention today, but how about before school tomorrow?"

"Looking forward to it. Just make sure to leave that pesky 'friend' of yours behind," Kouga said as he squeezed her hand and faced the teacher.

Kagome could only grin.

After school, Inuyasha waited impatiently at Kagome's devil machine and reflected on his past couple of days, Keh, things haven't been so bad. It was just that things were so strange in this place. Never mind the clothing, loud noises, and multitudes of people. No one seemed to notice that he was "different" here. He had been on the run for so long that he didn't realize what it was like to just be. The girls here especially confused him. They actually seemed to accept him for who he was, instead of running in fear. You don't think they would run if they saw your ears? Or you unleashed your claws?

Kagome didn't.

Quite the opposite, remember?

Inuyasha still couldn't believe the feelings he had when her hands had brushed his ears yesterday.

What if you had given her the chance to really touch them?

Inuyasha shivered. He sniffed the air and scented Kagome nearing the car. She was humming to herself and smiling.

"You've seen that guy again, haven't you?" Inuyasha growled.

"Who? Kouga?"

"Yeah."

"And if I have?"

"Well, you shouldn't."

"Listen Inuyasha, things might be a little different where you came from, but here people are allowed to talk to whomever they want to. Now, if you'll get in the car we can go to the mall and get you some clothes that actually fit."

"Keh." Inuyasha got in the passenger's seat.

They rode in silence for a few minutes before Kagome asked, "Did you let Kikyo know you'd be staying at our place tonight?"

"No."

"Are you staying at her place?" Kagome semi-growled.

"I'm considering it."

"Hmph."

"Keh."

They pulled up to the mall. Inuyasha could only stare at the large structure in front of him. Was it a Palace? Did royalty live here?

Kagome rolled her eyes, "Come on, let's go. I hate this place."

Kagome led him to a store called Express Men, "Yuck, we just have to get you some of the basics here."

She pulled out khakis and oxford shirts that appeared to be in Inuyasha's size and continued, "Go try these on. Let me know if they fit, but do NOT come out of the dressing room unless you have your cap on."

Inuyasha scratched his head, "I hate this thing."

"We're going to work on that next. Now go."

Kagome waited for awhile, but, like usual at the mall, didn't have a lot of patience. She walked over to the women's side of the store and wandered through. She was about to head back to the men's side and check on Inuyasha when she saw an awesome dress. She looked around, Wouldn't hurt to try it on. Inuyasha's obviously busy for the moment.

"Can I help you?" a saleswoman asked.

Impulsively, Kagome quickly found her size and said, "I'd like to try this dress on, please."

The saleswoman showed her to a dressing room. Kagome quickly undressed and put on the black and silver floaty, satin creation. (AN: I have NO idea and doubt seriously Express is selling anything like this in their store). She spun in the confines of the small dressing room.

"Hey wench!" the hanyou called from outside the door.

Inuyasha? What's he doing here?

Remember? The smell thing? He can probably find you just about anywhere.

"Oh hey, I'll be out in just a minute."

Another voice said, "Don't be shy, I'm sure you're boyfriend would love to see you in that dress."

"Keh."

Works for me. Kagome peeked out shyly before walking out of the dressing room. True to form, Inuyasha was sitting on the ground. When she walked by him to look at herself in the trio of mirrors, Inuyasha's mouth literally dropped open.

The saleswoman smiled and whispered loudly, "I think that means he likes it."

Kagome looked at herself and twisted her hair up, wondering if that's how she would wear it. Wear it where exactly?

"If only I had some place to wear this thing," she said disappointed.

Inuyasha still had not gained the power of speech.

Kagome read Inuyasha's silence the wrong way, "You're right. I'll just put it back."

Inuyasha growled, "You will do no such thing."

Kagome lifted an eyebrow, "Really?"

"Keh."

"Fine. Maybe I'll wear it to Homecoming."

Kagome changed clothes in record time and took Inuyasha's clothes and The Dress to the register to pay. As Kagome got out her Mom's credit card ("for emergencies") and paid, she realized Inuyasha was staring at her. As they walked out of the store, she said flirting, "Saw something you liked?"

"Things sure are different in this time."

"Why is that?"

"You're telling me that classifies as a dress? And you would actually wear it out in public?"

"Yes."

"I think I like this time better."

Kagome smiled.

Inuyasha cocked his head had her, "The wench in the store called me your 'boyfriend,' what does that mean exactly? And what is a Homecoming?"