Before I start, thank you to all my reviewers! I feel so loved! Lol. But this is one of my first trial fics, so I am bound to make mistakes! I realize that chapter 2 was VERY HORRIBLY short, and I apologize. Thank you so much for giving me your input and I will try my hardest to keep you entertained!

-Rae-

Kagome seemed to notice every time Hojo inched near her at the lunch table. She wished that she could find her friends and ditch him for them. But she knew they were probably at Wacdonalds (that's what they call it, right?) And gossiping about her. She sighed hopelessly.

"What's wrong?" Hojo asked, his brow furrowed in a deep concern. She smiled weakly and unconvincingly.

"Oh, nothing. I was just thinking how nice it was to be back at school again." Hojo smiled as a response.

"I know. I missed you." She saw the pink color spread over his cheeks. She was humbled by his flattery and she realized how different his was than Inuyasha. Hojo wasn't like him at all because of one single trait: Hojo cared about her.

"Damn it! Get out of my way!" Inuyasha barked in an exceedingly annoyed tone. He shoved the wolf away from him.

"What have you done with her, Inuyasha? Where is she? You better not have hurt her or I'll . . . " Koga took his usual defensive stance, waiting for the Tetsiga to fly towards him. He was surprised when Inuyasha only slumped his shoulders in defeat.

"I didn't hurt her. Or at least physically I didn't. I'm afraid that...that she might not come back." Inuyasha's ears flickered. Why was he telling this wolf his troubles? He shook off his sorrow and turned back around swiftly. Koga had let his guard down and was almost worried by Inuyasha's story.

"Now go away mutt! She's safe, okay? I would never hurt her on purpose." Inuyasha ran off before he could hear Koga's reply, running back to the safety of his forest. He meant to be there when Kagome came back. He had to be.

Kagome went through the rest of the day in a trance. She was immune to her surroundings, hearing neither the whispers about her in the halls nor Hojo calling after her as she walked away from the school at a rushed pace. She was only focusing on getting home. She wanted to get home to her safe place, where she didn't have eyes that judged her, only the safe and reassuring arms of her family.

As she finally reached the long steps up to the shrine she called a home, she sighed and began the climb. When she reached the top, she saw the beautiful tree, its pastel pink buds falling from it elegantly in the breeze. Kagome smiled as one fell into her hands. She threw it back up and watched as it soared on the wind, watching until it disappeared into the hustle and bustle of the streets.

Kagome sat on her front steps and thought, letting the current rustle her hair. She knew the girls at school were jealous. She didn't want to be hated. How could she possibly refuse Hojo, though? He was charming and handsome, not to mention kind. He was the man she needed in her life right now, and Kagome knew it. She let out the last sigh she would sigh today ( you got all that? Lol )and let her face fall into her hands, succumbing to her emotions.

Kagome sat on her steps until the roar of the engine of a car alerted her. Her mother stepped out and waved at the coworker who had driven her home and turned to face Kagome. She gasped in surprise as she saw her.

"Kagome, darling, what are you doing out here?" Her mother laid her hand on Kagome's shoulder. Only then did Kagome realize how tense she was.

"Oh, nothing." She said and then stood. The young girl picked up her bookbag and carried it up to her room. She threw it on her bed and sat at her desk, gazing at the glowing shards of the Shikon jewel.

Inuyasha stared intently at the setting sun. She really was mad, he decided. Well, he knew she was mad, of course, but not this mad. He felt another pinch of guilt and tried to vanish it away as he stared at the glowing red orb. He stayed until the last sliver fell over the horizon, then tore himself away, deciding to go back to the group. He almost wished he hadn't.

"Miroku!" Sango roared, slapping him extremely hard. Inuyasha could hear it from at least four hundred feet away. He saw the scrap of flesh they called a monk fall to the ground and moan. Inuyasha kept approaching, engulfed in the scene. Sango crossed her arms triumphantly and walk away, back to the campfire where Kirara and Shippo sat.

Shippo looked rather depressed, as Inuyasha would've expected. He was gloomy whenever Kagome was gone. The young kit sat on Kagome's sleeping bag and stroked the two-tailed demon, watching the dancing flames of the fire. Inuyasha felt empathy towards the young demon. He had also lost his mother at a young age. And now, he had almost lost Kagome too . . . Inuyasha sighed. It would be a long night.

"Kagome, darling, breakfast is ready!" A familiar voice cried. Kagome moaned softly and sat up. She was at her desk, still holding the vial which contained the shards. Breakfast? Kagome thought, it should be dinner time! Unless . . . She glanced over at her clock. 7:37. She gasped and jumped up, rushing to make to school on time. She prayed that she wouldn't be late for the (what-seemed) twentieth time this semester.

Kagome opted for the subway, hoping it would be a faster means of transportation. She jumped out, shoving herself through the crowd of people and ran, letting her instincts tell her which way to go. She ran, letting her strides grow long, bouncing against the pavement. It almost reminded her of... Kagome shook her head. No! I will not think of Inuyasha. Not now, at least, she told herself, convincing herself that her guidance would make it true.