I do not own InuYasha or any of the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi

"Kagome dear? Are you almost ready? You need to hurry up or you'll be late!" I heard Mama yell from down stairs. Taking one long look at myself in the mirror I can't help but fidget with my sling. Turns out when I got pushed down the stairs I ended up dislocating my shoulder, again and bruising my knee pretty badly. Surprisingly, Inuyasha was very helpful through out the whole situation. He carried me all the way to the infirmary and even waited until Mama showed up to get me.

-Flashback-

"You know.." I started, looking over at the lounging figure on the bed next to mine. "You don't have to wait with me. Mama should be here soon so you don't need to worry anymore," but the only response I got was a grunt and him opening one golden eye to purposely eye my wrapped arm and my wrapped knee.

"Oh shut up already. It's fine," Inuyasha mumbles moving his hands to pillow the back of his head. I think this is the first time I've seen him look so relaxed. This has to have been the longest time we've gone without fighting. Taking advantage of our moment of peace I let my eyes wander over him. I've never really noticed how dark his long hair really was, looking like someone dumped a bucket of rich black ink all over the mattress he laid on. His heavy set brows no longer hiding his eyes or causing him to frown. He's actually really handsome, at least he is when he's not scowling. Ack! What am I thinking?! Quickly I avert my gaze, trying to hide my blushing face when the door suddenly slid open.

"Kagome!" my mom comes rushing into the room, her eyes puffy and red from crying. Instantly my stomach drops, I caused her to worry again.. I can feel fresh tears of my own beginning to brim my eyes. "Are you alright dear? The nurse called me! Did you really fall down a flight of stairs again?" she teases touching my cheek lightly.

"Did she just say 'again' meaning this isn't the first time?" Inuyasha's agitated tone pulls me back to reality. Swiftly he gets to his feet. "You are such a klutz," he says smirking down at me, what's with him looking so smug?!

"It's none of your business," I snapped, sticking my tongue out at him. "You can leave now."

"Keh! This is how you treat me after all I did for you?" he grumbles.

"I told yo-" I went to retort but before I knew it my mother was standing in between us with a bewildered expression plastered on her face. My eyes go wide, what is she..? Oh no..

"Inuyasha..?" my mother softly says and I can feel a lump form in my throat. "Is that you..? Did you come back through the well?" her voice is becoming uneven, she's beginning to panic. She turns to grab me by my shoulders as fresh tears stream down her cheeks. "Kagome do you remember now?" pulling away from her tight grip I clutch my aching shoulder and shake my head.

"Oi! What's with you women and crying?! And what the hell are you talking about wench?! Come back through a well?" Inuyasha snaps inching closer to us. Crap! I totally forgot about how he has the same name that half demon Mama told me about! But it doesn't make sense how would she know that it was him? I've never told her about this Inuyasha. Could this mean.. he also looks like him? Quickly I place myself between the two trying to think of a way to calm the situation.

"No Mama, he's not who you think he is! He's just some guy in my class" I say nervously, trying to give her my best reassuring smile. "And you Inuyasha!" I snap turning to throw him a warning glare. "Don't call my mother a wench! Jerk!" I swear he has no manners what so ever! "Come on Mama, let's go home. My knee is really starting to hurt," I say leading her out of the room, surprisingly she doesn't argue and lends me her arm for support. Before we are completely out the door my mother abruptly stops and turns to the boy watching us.

"It was nice seeing you Inuyasha. I know we'll see each other soon," she says softly giving him a small wave over her shoulder. The whole way home she didn't say a word, she just had this all knowing smile on her face.

- End of Flashback -

Flexing my arm slightly, I winced at the sharp pain that shot through my shoulder. Ouch! Geez there's no way I can compete in next weeks tournament with my arm like this. All those extra hours of practice waisted. Pulling at my uniform, I desperately tried to find a flattering position but was unsuccessful. This sling is not cute at all, grabbing my school bag I headed down to greet Mama.

"There you are dear!" my mother happily greeted at the bottom of the stairs, her smile spreading from ear to ear. Ever since she met Inuyasha yesterday she's been in the greatest mood. She was singing in the shower, giggling to herself while cleaning, and even made a huge 'celebratory' dinner. "Are you sure you don't want me to take you to school? I know you hurt your knee pretty badly," she ask, pushing a few stray hairs behind my ears and out of my face. "Or if you want you can stay home today? I know your teachers would understand considering the events that happened yesterday."

"Don't worry Mama, I'll be fine. Besides I need to let Ms. Izawa know that I won't be able to compete in the tournament next week and I have a math test I cannot afford to miss," I say giving her a quick kiss on the cheek before walking to the front door to slip on my shoes. "I'll see you guys later," I say before shutting the door behind me and walked out into the court.

"Try to not fall down these stairs Kagome!" Sota yells, running past me only stopping to stick his tongue out to me before rushing down the shrine steps.

"Just wait till I get a hold of you! You little brat!" I say trying to speed up, half limping. But it's no use he's already gone and now my knee is really hurting.

"You really shouldn't be running wench," I hear someone call out from behind me. Turning around I see a figure sitting on one of the branches of the large Goshinboku tree in the yard. Jumping down swiftly there's an odd sense of familiarity in the air once again, who..? "What's with that stupid look," his golden eyes meeting mine as he continued to dust off the dirt on his uniform.

"Inuyasha? Why are you here?" I would be lying if I said I wasn't happy to see him. But why is he here at my house? And how did he know where I lived? I can feel my heart pounding in my ears and my hands start to sweat from my nervousness.

"I got your address from those three squawking girls you're always hanging out with," his voice is gruff. "I know that you walk to school but you hurt your knee pretty badly yesterday so I came by to help you. I know damn well you're too stubborn to ask for help yourself," he finishes rolling his eyes as he walked over to me. He came to help me? Could that mean.. he was worried?

"You don't have to worry about me Inuyasha. I'll be just fine," I can feel my face getting hot. Turning around swiftly I started to walk away but could not hide the fact that I was limping even more. All that running I did after Sota really did a number on my knee. I hadn't noticed Inuyasha had moved to kneel in front of me causing me to stumble against his back.

"Just get on my back wench, you're in no condition to walk!" What?! There's no way I'm going to ride on his back!

"Inuyasha I alrea-" I began to protest earning myself a harsh glare.

"I'm not going to tell you again wench," his voice like ice, making the hairs on the back of my neck stand. Geez.. Letting out a defeated sigh, carefully I wrapped my arms around his neck, letting him lift me up and support my weight holding my legs to his sides. Taking in a deep breath I let the smell of his shampoo surround me as we slowly made our way down the shrine steps. We walked in silence for what seemed like forever, with only soft whispers from those who stopped to stare at us to break up the awkwardness. Geez this is so embarrassing. What will people at school think? The rumors that will spread..

"Uhh.. You know if people at school see you carrying me they're going to make assumptions about us being in a relationship," I say leaning a little closer than necessary partly to try and see his facial expression and partly to get another good whiff of his shampoo.

"I didn't think you were one to care about what people said," he said glancing at me from the corner of his eye, those golden orbs causing my breath to get caught in my throat.

"I do-don't care. I was just warning you, I didn't know if you wanted to be associated with me like that," I manage to get out steadily.

"Keh, I don't give a damn what anybody says about me. To hell with all of them," he grumbles as he continues to make his way through the school courtyard. Everyone stops to stare at us and I can feel my face burning with embarrassment. Once we were in side he let me down so that we could switch our shoes but did not hesitate to put me on his back once more and take me to class. I cannot escape the radiating smiles I get from Yuka, Ayumi and Eri. No doubt I will be interrogated later. Today is going to be very interesting.