"First day of school. A new year. Our last year to be exact. Excited Inuyasha?"

Inuyasha gave Miroku a droll stare. Was the guy crazy? It was school, so why the hell would he be excited? It was his personal hell.

"oh yeah Miroku I'm so excited I could dance."

Inuyasha replied sarcastically and leaned against the tree that sat in the lawn in front of the school. He shook his head as Miroku began dancing like an idiot. How he befriend him he couldn't figure out. Sighing he glanced around and saw everyone dressed up all fancy like. He couldn't understand why everyone dressed up for school, it was just that, school. He didn't bother with such ridiculousness, he wore simple clothing that consisted of a red t-shirt that read, ' Sarcasm: Just one of the services I offer' a pair of faded blue jeans, shoes and a red and black hat that he wore to cover his dog ears, though he didn't know why he bothered, he'd just have to take it off when he got inside the building.

"oh, lighten up Inuyasha. You never know what this year may bring,"

He snorted at his friend Sango and her stupid comment.

"Just more hell for me to go through. That's all this damned place could ever bring me,"

"hey now, this place brought you Miroku and myself so it could bring you another friend and possibly even something more if you let it."

"when hell freezes over. No one else wants to be acquainted with a half-breed and no woman would ever want to be tied to me,"

Sango shook her head at her friend and walked to stand next to Miroku. She felt for the guy really. Miroku and her both have tried over the years to help Inuyasha but he just wouldn't let them in far enough to do any good.

"Ever sulking are we little brother?"

They all turned to see Inuyasha's older brother Sesshomaru approach. The two brothers didn't really get along much, but they weren't always at each others throats like they use to be.

"I'm not sulking you jackass."

Sesshomaru merely shrugged and didn't comment as he shifted his bag and pulled something out of his jean pocket. Glancing down Inuyasha saw that he held a small black box with a little purple bow tied to the top. He raised an eyebrow, but didn't have to question his brother as Miroku beat him to it.

"who's the present for Sesshy?"

Miroku asked as he indicated to the little box in his hand. Seemingly embarrassed Sesshomaru averted his gaze and mumbled,

"no one."

Inuyasha couldn't help looking at his brother with an odd expression. Sesshomaru was acting so weird.

"ha! You've got a girlfriend don't you?"

Miroku burst out pointing a finger at Sesshomaru with a big grin on his face. Sesshomaru rolled his eyes at Miroku and smacked him upside the head.

"no, I do not have a girlfriend."

"then who's the present for?"

He asked as he rubbed the spot on his head where Sesshomaru hit him.

"who do you think?"

Sango smiled and elbowed Miroku in the ribs.

"it's obvious it's for Rae. Who else has him wrapped around their finger?"

"she does not have me wrapped around her finger thank you very much."

Sango waved his words away and crossed her arms over her chest in a manner that stated that she didn't believe his words one bit.

"yes, you are. Anything she asks you do without hesitation and you know it's true,"

Inuyasha stared at them in confusion. Who was this Rae person? He was just about to ask that question when the most beautiful voice penetrated his hearing. He looked around till he spotted where the voice was coming from. A girl about his age was slowly walking up the sidewalk that lead to the school while she sang. Inuyasha was entranced by her voice, it was so beautiful and soft, though he couldn't really catch what she herself looked like, but he was certain he knew her. Her voice was familiar and so was her scent.

"speak of the devil and she shall appear."

He looked over to see Sango grinning. He glanced at his brother and the smile that broke out on his face surprised him as was the soft look he gave the girl. Without saying a word Sesshomaru walked over to her and stopped her by tugging on her ponytail. She didn't break from her song as she turned to face him and she smiled when she saw who tugged at her hair. She reached in her pocket and pulled out her ipod and turned it off.

"hey Sesshomaru, what's up?"

"not much really, how are you?"

"I'm great thanks for asking."

Inuyasha stared at the girl. Her voice was so sweet and soft, like an Angel. He inhaled to catch her scent more fully and his eyes snapped open as it registered in his head. The smell of strawberries and wild flowers, there was only one person that scent belonged to and he couldn't believe he didn't realize who it was in the beginning. He looked back over towards her just as she laughed in happiness and threw herself into his brothers arms, embracing him. He was shocked when his brother chuckled and returned her hug. Seriously, he never saw this side of him before. She released Sesshomaru and raised the little charm bracelet up to admire it. She thanked him for the gift and then she turned to face Inuyasha's way. She started walking over with Sesshomaru right beside her. She smiled at Sango and Miroku and waved, but then she turned her gaze upon Inuyasha and as their eyes locked he felt his throat go dry and his heart sped up when she smiled at him with that beautiful smile of hers. No wonder his brother was so soft towards her, who couldn't be? He watched as they all started talking about their summer and what they thought the year was going to be like. Sighing he sat down and leaned against the trunk of the tree. Raven Asano was the girl he's been crushing on for years now. Sure she's never spoken to him, but she's also never judged him or help others hurt him. He really didn't know why he felt like this about her, but from the first time he ever laid eyes on her he wasn't able to get her out of his mind. All he ever wanted was for her to acknowledge his existence and bless him with one her breathtaking smiles. Hell he's found himself wanting her to take him into her arms and hold him like he mattered. All of that was wishful thinking though, sure she smiled at him today, but it didn't mean she'd acknowledge him. Deep in his own thoughts he didn't hear as said woman approached and sat beside him till her gentle hand laying on his brought him back to reality with a jerk. He looked over to see her smiling gently at him as her thumb caressed his knuckles. His stomach did little flips at her touch.

"Hey Inuyasha, I'm Raven Asano."

"y-you know my name?"

Raven laughed softly at his question and grinned up at him.

"of course I know your name. We've been going to school together since third grade,"

"right. Well I know who you are too,"

She grinned at him and scooted closer to him so that her knee was touching the outside of his thigh.

"I'm glad to finally speak to you Inuyasha. It really is a pleasure,"

She just kept surprising him. He couldn't believe what she said. Surly she was joking with him on that one.

"are you serious?"

"oh, yes, I've wanted to talk to you for years now, but I had no idea how to approach you,"

Inuyasha was at a lost for words as he found himself lost within the depths of her sapphire eyes. They were so bright, friendly, and loving.

"Raven!"

Inuyasha was pulled out of his thoughts by someone calling to Raven. He looked up to see Starla Narita making her way towards them. Starla was Ravens best friend, she had long blond hair, gray blue eyes and a very mean attitude when you caught her on a bad day. He heard Raven sigh and looked down at her to see her frowning. She tightened her grip on his hand just slightly as Starla came to stand beside them.

"excuse me, I'm sorry if I'm interrupting something here, but-"

Raven shot her a dirty look over her shoulder.

"you are, Star."

"well sorry, but you're suppose to come with me to get my schedule."

"you already got one in the friggin mail."

"and I lost it remember?"

"and I have to be punished for it?"

Starla rolled her eyes at Ravens whining and reached down and grabbed her free arm.

"come on and stop your pouting baby. It wont kill you,"

"you don't know that, it could"

She mumbled under her breath as she sighed and looked up at Inuyasha.

"sorry, but I got to go."

She griped his hand in hers and without letting go she leaned forward and laid a gentle kiss upon his cheek. The minute her lips touched his skin he froze. It sent little shockwaves of pleasure through him and made him burn. He couldn't help the way his eyes widened or how his breathing and heart skipped a beat.

"oh stop delaying Raven."

Starla pulled her away from Inuyasha and she had her bottom lip poked out in a pout.

"what if I want to delay? I was quite enjoying myself."

Starla grunted and pulled Raven up off the ground then giving her an amused grin.

"really now? I didn't realized you liked kissing Inuyasha that much,"

A small blush appeared on Raven's cheeks as she smiled at Inuyasha.

"neither did I, but hey you got to experience something first before you can decide if you like it or not."

With that Starla pulled Raven away and into the building leaving a very confused and blushing Inuyasha behind.

"Hey, Sango do you think Hell just froze over?"

Miroku asked as he stared at Inuyasha with a big grin plastered on his face.

"highly doubt it Miroku."

Miroku playfully punched Inuyasha in the arm and winked at him.

"see man, there's always hope."

Sesshomaru chuckled at Inuyashas bewildered expression. Ever since Raven glanced his way he had the most shocked look on his face and his cheeks were tainted a light pink as the aftermath from Ravens kiss. She had taken him by surprise as well with her actions and she had no idea how much she had changed Inuyasha's whole life by her simple actions. He smiled to himself as Inuyasha finally snapped out of his daze and started growling at Miroku for bothering him, but even still, he could see the peaceful air around his little brother he had never seen before. Maybe there was hope for him yet.