A/N: Well, I am updating again because I got so many reviews! AHH! That makes me so happy! You guys got this two days early! I have 68 right now! So here goes chapter 9!

Chapter 9: Unfulfilled feelings

I was pretty peeved the whole day. I must have sounded stupid to think it was Inuyasha. Thank god I never mentioned it to anyone. I would have looked like a fool. I stepped out of seventh period with a huge headache, mostly from all the work I had. That, plus my job, would be my death, I swear. Another thing that kept me thinking was the flower. The Monkshood itself had an unusual meaning. It meant, "Beware. An enemy is near," which sounded more threatening than romantic to, if you asked me.

Then there was the study "date" with Inuyasha on Friday. It was the day after we would visit my father's grave. I wondered lightly whether I would cry. I kept my head down, walking as fast as I could.

"Kagome!" I heard someone shout. I paused and carefully turned my head in the direction I heard the voice. Sango waved as she ran toward me. I smiled, not a huge one, but a smile nevertheless.

"Hey, Sango." I watched her as she took out a pair of binoculars. Why did she bring those? She held one out for me to take.

"Here."

I looked at her in bewilderment. Why would I need a pair of binoculars? I took it anyway.

"What's this for Sango?" I held the binoculars in front of her. She smiled wickedly.

"This is part of our plan to create a revenge plan!" She whispered excitedly. I raised an eyebrow suspiciously. She continued. "I don't have photos of her in my inventory, since she keeps her tracks covered, but I have the next best thing!" She held up a piece of paper with what looked like an address.

"What's that?" I asked, pointing to the paper in her hand.

"It's her address. I got it from one of her little stalkers that she has a restriction order on. The guy was pretty bitter about it, so he gave me the address, no questions asked!" She almost squealed, making my head pulse slightly.

"Okay, one, don't be so loud. Two, why am I going to spy on Kikyo? I have better things to do!" I told her.

"But still! She'll get you soon and you need to have an attack planned!" We started to walk toward the doors. I shook my head. It sounded to me that we were getting ahead of ourselves. Besides, Kikyo hadn't tried to pull anything.

Yet.

As we were walking out, I saw some freshmans glance at me and start to laugh. I frowned. Did I have something on my teeth? I brushed it off, but I kept encountering more giggles and stares. Finally, getting pissed, I pulled one of the little freshman boys and demanded what was all the hype.

"I-it wasn't me!" He pleaded, giving me a flier that had been passing around. I took one look and gasped.

It was my seventh grade photo.

It was one those photos you wish would burn and never come back. I shuddered just looking at it. Back then, I wore braces, had acne problems and wore one of the biggest glasses in the universe. Worse, I had on a over-baggy shirt. I remembered the feeling of dread when I got the picture. My mother had assured me that I looked dazzling.

Putting the photo down, I turned to Sango who had already seen the picture. She was wide-eyed. I took the binoculars that I had given back to her and said,

"She is so going to die." I seethed, crumpling the piece of paper. I pushed the door with enough force that it banged back from the concrete wall.

I was going to rip her head off.

I pushed and shoved my way through the crowd until finally, I saw her talking to her little posse and walked determinedly toward her. No one was making a fool of me.

"Well, look who we have here! The little ugly." Kikyo snickered and laughed. So unbecoming of her. I balled my fists in an attempt to not crush that little face of hers. But I was tempted.

So tempted.

"And what are you? The silicon-breasted slut/barbie?" I countered. She looked taken aback by the comment. She flicked her jet-black hair back with a light movement of her hand.

"Watch yourself, Higurashi. You don't know what I'm capable of."

"Oh, was that a threat? Because I'm not scared one bit by you, Kikyo." I stood my ground with as much dignity I could muster. She would not tread over me as if I was just some little weed. I'd get her back ten times as bad.

"What's going on here?"

I turned around at the sound of the voice.

Behind me stood Inuyasha, with Sango and Miroku flanking him. His gaze was cold, but not towards me. He stared back at Kikyo, who slyly draped herself suggestively on a nearby car.

Whore! My mind screamed. I mean, seriously?

"Why Inuyasha, have you finally seen the light and have come to me?" She traced her finger on the cars dull blue paint. I mentally gagged and glanced at Inuyasha, just to see his reaction. He hadn't changed position, nor did anything portray anything else. I sighed in silent relief. Good, at least he wasn't fooled.

"Actually, no. I've told you before, I'll never go out with you." He bit back. His voice was steely and cold. But it didn't get through to Kikyo.

"Ah well. Soon, you will see the benefit in chasing after me." She indicated to herself with a flourished hand. I rolled my eyes. Was she really that damn full of herself?

He scoffed at her. "Not a chance." He walked briskly toward me. "Are you okay?" He asked softly, tilting my head with one finger. I blushed but nodded anyway.

He smiled. "Good," He took my hand and we stalked off toward the direction of his car. I blushed some more and my heart jump started. His hand was so soft, but yet felt so strong curled around mine. Sango smiled as I neared.

"God, Kagome. You stalked off so angry, I was afraid you'd do something crazy." She laughed, taking my arm, but Inuyasha didn't let go. I could hear Kikyo fuming as we walked away.

"You'll be sorry! I swear, even if it's the last thing I do!"

We ignored her childish tantrum.

"So Sango, are you and Miroku still upset at each other?" I asked, when we made it to Inuyasha's car. Miroku had said goodbye, kissing Sango unexpectedly. She had blushed a crimson red.

She twiddled her fingers. "No. We . . . talked. . . and things just resolved themselves!" She smiled a little to widely. It seemed suspicious to me, but I think I know what they "talked" about. (cough,cough, hint, hint) I grinned but didn't ask her.

"Well, we both have to go, but I'll see you later!" I called. She waved goodbye and ran off back to school. She would take the bus since she had declined Miroku's offer to take her to her house.

Then it was just me and Inuyasha. The atmosphere was. . . not tense, but charged with something I couldn't find the words for. He still held my hand, as if was the most casual thing to do. I smiled secretly.

Suddenly, he pulled me closer to him, surprising me. "So what was the deal with you and Kikyo? I've never seen you so upset before," My tongue was thick in my mouth but I formed the words. I pulled the picture from my pocket. I uncrumped it.

"This." I gave him the picture, embarrassed. "She handed it to all the people in the school and the everyone was laughing. You probably already saw it though." I hung my head and my voice turned sulky. After only a few seconds, he threw the picture away, and it fluttered out of sight. I sighed sadly. Was it that bad?

I looked up. "Inuyasha?"

He looked at me, taking my chin in his hands very gently.

He smiled, a crooked smile. "Oh, Kagome." He laughed. "All I see is you in that picture and no one else,"

We were so close now, that I swear it felt as if he wanted to kiss me. My voice flew from me, and I couldn't say a word.

Suddenly, he started to lean in slowly. I couldn't believe it. He was going to kiss me!

This is it!

I closed my eyes, anticipating the kiss. My mind raced as he leaned in further I had remembered being told by people that sometimes the anticipation was actually sometimes better than the kiss itself. Though I wouldn't know about it, being the girl I was.

Just a bit more. . .

And then my cell rang, breaking the atmosphere that had been created.

The sound was shrill, making us both jump. Soon, Inuyasha's hands were gone and I saw the lightest tinge of red on his cheeks. I knew I was blazing. I snatched the phone out of my pocket and opened it.

"Hello?"

"Kagome! So how is it going with Inuyasha?" Sango said his name in a way that I knew that is she was here, she'd wiggle her eyebrows. Ironic that she would call about this when I was so close to kissing him. I tried to keep the frustration out of my voice.

"Well, I guess nothing now, since you called!" I hissed into the phone, making sure Inuyasha couldn't hear me.

I'd said I'd try. Didn't mean I was gonna.

"What?" Sango gasped. I rolled my eyes though she wouldn't be able to see it.

"Look, I'll see you later, ok?" I closed the phone before she could answer. I turned to back to Inuyasha. He had regained his composure and now was farther away from me. But I could tell from his eyes that he had been greatly affected just as I was.

"I guess we have to get to my house." I looked at him shyly. Inuyasha smiled and strode over to open the door for me.

Such a gentlemen.

What could I say? There was no tension on the way home, but something else. Something there. It was like the point of no return. We couldn't turn back time and redo what had happened in the school parking lot. I was finally getting the idea that he might actually like me back. Which, for me, was probably the best thing ever.

But there were things in our way. First of all, Kikyo. I sighed and massaged my temples. Now what would I do with her? Only god knows what. After this stunt she pulled, she'd pay hell. Then there was ourselves. Both of us, I guess, were probably to shy to admit it, but he was the one who had made the move on me.

I bit my lip. What could I make of that fact? That he was the one who wanted to kiss me. I glanced at him through the corner of my eye, but his gaze was intent on the road. I turned away before I could get distracted by his looks.

As if by will, my house appeared. I sighed in relief and all but ran out of the car. I needed to get my things and skedaddle out of here. I let my hair down this time, and ran back down the stairs. My mom caught sight of me as I headed out the door.

"Kagome! Are you going to work already?" She asked, a pot in her hand. She also had on her apron, already making something for Souta and Grandpa. I smiled and hugged my mom.

"Yeah, I'll see you later!" I let go and waved goodbye as I ran out the door.

Inuyasha was looking down, but when he heard the door open, he looked up and smiled. The same smile he always gave me.

"Ready?" He asked.

I nodded. "Yeah. I don't want to be late."

He reversed and soon we were on the road. He seemed to be struggling with himself as he drove. Finally, he turned to me at a stop light.

"Kagome . . . I'm sorry for coming on to you like that." He whispered, so low I could barely hear him. I smiled sadly, wondering if he really was sorry.

I patted his shoulder. "It's alright, Inuyasha." He smiled slightly, though with no feeling as far as I could tell. I let my hand fall back onto my lap. In reality, I almost felt like crying. I'd had a major opportunity and it was gone. And what's even worse, he apologized for it.

Did he mean that it was just a mistake?

I shook my head. We were already at the store. I needed to be level-headed if I was going to talk to Kurena about the job thing. Inuyasha parked, but I didn't open the door immediately. I sat for a couple of seconds, deciding I might as well get out the car with dignity. I opened the door and was about to step out, when I thought of something to say. I turned to Inuyasha, and gave him a small smile.

"You didn't have to apologize, you know."

His expression was shock for the second I saw it. But then I got out, closed the door, and didn't look back.

Let him maul on that.

A/N: Yes, I am stopping here. Sorry it's short, but I wanted it to focus mainly on Inuyasha and Kagome. See the chemicals sparking? See the love brewing between this elusive couple? Haha. And Miroku and Sango are on good terms again, but I bet you guys can figure out how and why(wink, wink). First one who does gets a mention in the next chapter!

And yes! They did almost kiss! You guys can throw tomatoes at me later for not letting them! Lol.

Also, Kikyo was in this chapter. And the meaning of the flower! Oh why do you guys have to have Google? It ruins the fun! Naw, I'm just kidding.

Preview for next chapter:

Kikyo seems to think that she has both Inuyasha and Kagome served on a silver platter. What will she do to carry out her threat? Meanwhile, Kagome goes to Kurena to talk about what she overheard. Will Kurena heed Kagome's pleas to just fire her? And with the anniversary of her father's death looming closer, will she be able to contain her composure? Or will it all just break?

There you go. Now REVIEW!

8/25/11

Edit: Oh yeah, I finished another chapter edit! I keep saying this, but enjoy my story! Oh, and please, look up my other stories.