Author's Rant: Thank you guys all so very much for not giving up on me. You're truly inspirational! I can't properly express my gratitude. I'll do my best not to let you down. Enjoy!


Oblivious


Today was already off to a crummy start.

The events from yesterday still jumbled around in Inuyasha's mind like tennis balls. He thought discovering his secret admirer would add a kind of brighter, sunnier look upon the world. Now, it couldn't be dark and gloomier. Returning to school to deal with his new wealth of knowledge just didn't sit well with him anymore. Especially knowing that Sesshomaru is the one fondling inside Inuyasha's locker and leaving behind the presents.

Inuyasha's stomach gave a nasty lurch and gurgle. He hadn't had the urge to eat this morning and skipped out on breakfast. No matter how irritated his gut had been feeling, he still should've ate something. But the images of Sesshomaru forbid any attempts at keeping his food down. He wasn't sick from fear. Hardly. Sesshomaru is Inuyasha's bully, but that didn't mean the hanyou never stood up for himself. They'd gone at blows before—though Sesshomaru naturally being the taller, more toned asshole meant he usually came out on top in their bouts.

Inuyasha's queasiness is more along the lines of ill dread. Yeah, that suits it better. Ill, hot dread twisting and raveling itself into a thick knot of nerves at the pit of his stomach. Inuyasha knew today was scheduled to begin like any other.

The routine is like this.

He arrives to school via the bus and takes the long walk up to the school. Some of the students make a beeline to the student parking to meet up with friends or family until the bell rings. Meanwhile, he and the rest of the horde of walkers make their way to the front of the school, which happens to be a popular spot for everybody. For security purposes, all entrances save for the front are locked to avoid any illegal trespassing. That meant Inuyasha has no choice, but to weave his way through the cliques of high profile boys and girls who hang around the front portico.

To reiterate, Inuyasha has no problem with the social media posses. He knew most of them and even stopped to kill time talking to a few of them until the school bell chimed. The only thing is, he'd do that on the days Sesshomaru is either late for school or absent, which isn't often. Today, Inuyasha isn't so lucky.

Sesshomaru stands out like a glowing beckon, sitting on the stone ledge, laughing loud and obnoxiously to whatever. Probably wasn't even that funny. The stupid dick just likes to draw attention to himself.

Inuyasha's signature scowl is already set in place the instant his foot touches the first step. And it's almost like Sesshomaru has an internal alert system to let him know whenever the hanyou's around because he stops all activities to train his attention on him to make fun of his ears or how he's dressed—which for today is a simple v-neck red shirt with the word LEGEND stamped across the front, a pair of low riding acid stained blue jeans and some black Reeboks.

For the brief while Inuyasha did look at Sesshomaru, he saw him wearing a sleeveless black and grey pullover with a pair of oversized torn shorts loosely belted around his hips. A silver chain is connected on a belt hoop, draping limply by his side and a Shaq autographed basketball is tucked beneath his armpit. He has all of his long hair combed back into a thick plait and his banes slicked off his face. He looks good. Real good. Fuck a good. He looks fucking delectable with his ropy arms casually crossed in his lap.

When Sesshomaru stops, so does the rest of his audience to see what has their flawless entertainer so entranced. That arrogant grin of his has always left Inuyasha feeling pissed and intrigued in the same sitting. Inuyasha's on the receiving end of that expression every day and this one's no different. When he's seen, the hanyou keeps right on climbing the stairs.

Sesshomaru openly stares at him with a hawk-like fierceness to match his crooked smirk. It's the kind of face that says he has no intentions of letting Inuyasha slide by without harassment. But Inuyasha's perfectly content to ignore the asshole, even if his stomach's doing summersaults.

"I know you didn't just walk past without speakin'?" Sesshomaru's deep voice puts an instinctive halt to Inuyasha's stride, making him cringe and growl under his breath.

Inuyasha blows out, cuts his sides to the side and says, "Sup Koga, Hoshiyomi, Hiten, y'all a'ight?"

The trio snickered. Koga jerks his chin towards Inuyasha in greeting. "We good man. Just chillin' for real." Koga sneaks an amused glance at Sesshomaru's face. "I forgot you were invisible."

"Fuck you," Sesshomaru snarks and hops off the ledge to cut off Inuyasha's path. He's already a full head taller than Inuyasha, but he likes being able to add some height to increase his intimidating presence. He bends over and gets right in Inuyasha's face with a long, sideways grin. "Didn't ya mama teach you to respect your elders?"

Inuyasha sighs in exasperation and turns his head to the side. "Gon' on somewhere Sesshomaru. S' too early for your shit today."

"Whoa, ho, ho, ho, since when didja grow a pair?"

"Since when did you forget to brush?" Inuyasha puts an exaggerated crinkle on his nose and takes a step back. "Jesus dude, worship Colgate. It is your friend."

Koga throws his head back and gives a throaty cackle, slapping his knee.

"Shut up, Koga!" Sesshomaru snaps. "You always laughin' at stupid shit. This is why I don't claim your dumbass in public!"

Koga laughs harder. "Don't pitch a fit with me 'cause someone else toldja your breath smells like rotten cabbage!"

"Man, who got served the ole 'it's not me, it's ya breath' line just last week?"

"Ha, you just mad your breath hit this boy's soul."

Inuyasha finds himself smirking at the two bickering, wondering how their friendship managed to last since kindergarten. All they ever do is argue and insult one another. No better than a pair of brothers. But Inuyasha thinks he has a chance to get out of dodge and tries to sneak by Sesshomaru.

Unfortunately, Sesshomaru shoots out his arm in the same direction Inuyasha goes, effectively cutting him off again. "Goin' somewhere?"

"What the Hell do you want from my life, Sesshomaru?" Inuyasha drawls, annoyed. He steps to the other side. So does Sesshomaru. This time, Inuyasha does look at him and glares. "Let me pass!"

"What's the magic word?"

"Now!"

"Annnnnt, wrong!"

Inuyasha tries two more times, nose twitching at the smell of Axe Body Wash assaulting his nostrils. "Fuckin' move Sesshomaru, damn!"

"Make me."

Inuyasha's blood starts to boil from the overwhelming vibes of dominance and sexiness falling off Sesshomaru like heat waves and from the older demon being such a damn problem. The longer hanyou stands here watching Sesshomaru behave this way leaves Inuyasha more stunned by the second that this is the same guy who's been proclaiming his undying affections. He must've been hallucinating yesterday.

"You either move or I toss ya ass like a salad," Inuyasha warns.

Sesshomaru's hazel eyes narrow dangerously. His basketball's abandoned by his foot and suddenly he has Inuyasha shoved against the stone ledge, fist clutching the front of his shirt. Inuyasha's eyes widen from shock, then glint with rage.

Sesshomaru leans in impossibly close, pressing his wall of wiry muscles to Inuyasha's like a puzzle piece. "I dunno who the Hell you think you are, but ya better recognize who you're talkin' to."

Inuyasha wanted so much to tell the fool off from A to Z, but the smell of him is tantalizing. Fuck, the feel of him has Inuyasha's heart throbbing like a jackhammer. Absorbing the press of Sesshomaru's body has Inuyasha left dumbfounded for all of ten seconds before the situation comes reeling home and he roughly pushes the other off of him.

"Why don't you leave me the fuck alone?!" Inuyasha shouts loud and clear in Sesshomaru's face and stalks by without being stopped this time. He makes it to the door, but pauses at the sound of Sesshomaru cracking up.

"No dice, baby boy. I'm gonna fuck with cha 'till we're old and grey!"

Inuyasha shakes his head. "I swear to God . . ." He wants to pull his hair out by the roots. No one can get under his skin the way Sesshomaru does. In fact, Inuyasha can't think of a time anyone's ever accomplished the level of irritability Sesshomaru puts Inuyasha directly after an encounter.

And to think that this motherfuckin' piece of shit asshole is supposed to be his secret admirer? Inuyasha groans. So much for dreaming for his fantasy prince or princess. He winds up getting the villain. The hanyou swings his knapsack around to discard the books from last night's homework in his locker to exchange for first period's Western Civilization. As he puts in the code, he can't help the subtle anticipation in his gut from wondering what may be inside of his locker this time.

Sure enough, he's not disappointed. Inside are three fully bloomed red roses and a CD collection containing the greatest hits from Prince, Anita Baker, Patti Labelle, and his secret weakness, the Temptations Merry Christmas set. How in the Hell does Sesshomaru even know about Inuyasha's old school tastes in music? No one knew that except his mama and Bankotsu. So either Sesshomaru's got himself a spy or he's doing the spying himself.

Not lingering too much on the idea, Inuyasha carefully stuffs the CDs in his locker as he found them and gathers his books for class. He'll see about figuring out what to do about his information regarding Sesshomaru later.


Lunch hour finally arrives for Inuyasha's grade level. After earning a B on a pop quiz he's in a fairly good mood to listen to Bankotsu vent over his dramas in Economics. He joins Bankotsu out in the courtyard under one of the property magnolia trees, sharing a pile cold cut sandwiches and plain chips purchased from the lunch store.

"So then she says," Bankotsu pitches his voice several octaves higher to mimic his last teacher. "'None of you can comprehend the level of stress we teachers go through. You have nowhere near the amount of work we do.'. So I say, Dude you signed up to be a teacher, OK? It's in your job description to do that stuff. You get paid to be here. Me? I'm forced to be here against my will. Blah, blah blah. So now I got three days of afternoon retract for exercising my right to free speech."

Inuyasha rolls his eyes. "One of these days you're gonna learn silence is golden."

"Yeah, I hear ya. Won't be today though. Or tomorrow or. . . nah, I won't ever learn." Bankotsu polishes off his third sandwich and stuffs a handful of chips in his mouth. He scans over the courtyard, settling into a quiet moment.

Inuyasha watches him watch the students and notices how Bankotsu's eyes stray to the same place three times. Around the fourth fake glance, Inuyasha decides to find out who's got his loud mouth buddy's attention. He leans around just enough to look past Bankotsu's head to a group of seniors eating and chortling on the stone benches.

Now, if Inuyasha were a betting man, he'd place his money on Bankotsu eye-fucking Koga. Back when they arrived as freshmen, it was practically love at first sight for the human and who could blame him?

Koga's tall and has this long, sinfully gorgeous black hair that he keeps bound in a high ponytail. Of the basketball players, he's the friendliest, most down to earth and hilarious. He has expressive, sky blue eyes, and a hypnotic kind of stare that can leave anyone weak in the knees. He's just as muscular as Sesshomaru and wears it well. Whenever he's around others, he has a knack for bringing humor and cheer. Plus his smile's incredibly contagious. One of the reasons why Bankotsu can't currently look away. Koga's got one of his trademark smiles on now, and before long, lets loose his deep, bellowing laugh.

Inuyasha plucks a pebble off the ground and pops it against Bankotsu's ear.

"Ow, bitch," he snaps, rubbing tenderly over his ear. "What gives dude?"

"You're a trip."

"The Hell did I do now?"

"Go talk to him."

"Talk to who?"

Inuyasha sucks his teeth. "Koga, stupid!"

Bankotsu chuckles awkwardly and shakes his head. "Nah, I'm good right here, thanks."

"You're a chump."

"Call it whatcha want, but I like my heart uncrushed."

"Pussy."

"Skank."

Inuyasha crumbles the plastic wrapping off his sandwich and takes a bite, glaring bored at his best friend until he swallows. "We've known this dude since pre-school and ya haven't say a single word to 'im. Us true men like to call men like you dickless."

"This comin' from the same fool who hasn't confronted Sesshomaru? You're a real role model."

Inuyasha almost choked. "I don't have shit to say to that bitch. He's been a pain in my ass since we played in the mud. The fuck I gotta say to his ass? I don't even like him!"

"Uh-uh, yeah."

"I don't!" Inuyasha insists and takes a vicious bite of his sandwich.

He certainly doesn't like Sesshomaru. No way on this green earth. Sure, he could admit that the dude's fine as wine, but that's the extent of that. Anytime that bitch walks into a classroom, the temperature drops below Artic levels. Being sexy doesn't excuse anyone from having a pleasant attitude. So Inuyasha feels justified in his reason for procrastinating his talk with Sesshomaru. What's the rush anyway?

"Besides," Bankotsu mumbles after a few moments of silence. "Koga's spoken for. S' already got arm candy."

Inuyasha's ears perk at that. "Who told you that?"

"Nobody. I saw her myself. Some red head chick name Ayame . . ."

"Oh. . ." Fuck that's messed up. Inuyasha had no idea. Now he felt bad. He reaches over to cup Bankotsu's shoulder and squeezes. "Sorry man. My mouth runs faster than I think."

"Fuck it." Bankotsu shrugs, balls up his thrash and stands. "S'all good. This saves me the pressure of confessing my undying love to a guy who's already got a piece. Anyway, whatcha got goin' on after school?"

Inuyasha stands as well, stretching his arms. "Well, me and you were supposed to be studyin' with Sango and Miroku, but I'm not tryin' to be the third wheel with those two since you got retract." The rest of the uneaten sandwiches are collected and placed inside their shop bag. Inuyasha slings the lunch over his shoulder and motions of them to head to their next class.

They reach the veranda walking toward lower D Hall. It's the fastest route to their lockers and they wasted enough time waiting until the last minute to savor lunch period. The pair are discussing plans for the coming weekend when Inuyasha feels a sharp tug at his bag. The sudden pull makes him stumble and loose his grip. He manages to catch himself before kissing the floor and whirls around to see what caused his near face-paint.

Inuyasha gawks. "Sesshomaru!" He growls angrily, seeing the senior demon stuffing one of the sandwiches in his mouth.

"Thanks for lunch, baby boy!" Sesshomaru throws the deuces over his shoulder and continues on his way to join the others.

Inuyasha's face flushes deep red. The absolute nerve! He wanted to save those for later. No way in Hell he's letting that dick get away with this. He makes to stomp after him until Bankotsu swiftly grabs his arm and pulls Inuyasha in the other direction.

"Nah, no way. No need for both of us to be bored to death with Mr. Totosai."

"Fuck that, I'm gonna paint my face in his blood. He stole our sandwiches!"

"Chill out, we got them for a discount anyway."

"Yeah, but, but, he. . . Ugh!" Inuyasha mournfully watches Sesshomaru take a huge bite out of one of the roast beef choices he had specifically saved for himself and sighs, defeated. Inuyasha snatches his arm away and shoves his hands in his pockets. Both his ears curl flat to his skull as he takes the lead to their lockers, beyond lived. Bankotsu fights to hold back a smile after casting a knowing smile at Sesshomaru's back.

He can't believe how oblivious these two are.


Now, out of their jolly band of ballers, no one knew Sesshomaru better than Koga and Koga recognized attraction when he saw it. Sesshomaru's never been the kind of guy to waste his time bothering to talk to anyone unless they benefitted him in some way, shape or form. Prime example being the way Sesshomaru dealt with their friends. If one could call them that. More like school associates since they rarely hang out after school, Koga being the only exception. They had a brotherly connection that extended beyond pre-school.

Sesshomaru confided in Koga about everything except the painfully obvious thing taking place right before the wolf demon's eyes. And that was Sesshomaru overly antagonizing that puppy eared hanyou Inuyasha for the simple fact that he has a crush on the kid. Sesshomaru's never went out of his way to be noticed by anyone simply because he didn't have to. He could walk into a room and all eyes magnetically fell on him. But when it comes to Inuyasha, it's like a game of cat and mouse. Inuyasha always tries his best to avoid Sesshomaru like the plague, but Sesshomaru simply can't have that and gets a pleasure out of annoying the hanyou.

Koga will admit in the beginning that it was understandable why Sesshomaru messed with Inuyasha when they were in elementary and middle school. The kid was the shortest, fluffiest and damn near too adorable to ignore. His big ole gold puppy dog eyes practically begged for bullies to come torture him. Koga hadn't been too innocent about it either, but mellowed out as he got older.

Eventually even Sesshomaru grew bored with messing with Inuyasha during their last year of middle school and put more of his focus into playing B-Ball. He hadn't lain eyes on Inuyasha in two years. So when the kid finally arrives as a freshman last year, that little scrawny pipsqueak duckling grew into a fucking eagle. Damn a swan. He grew up and out, with muscles to spare and a nice, thick ass. None of the matured bullies could ignore the change and agreed amongst themselves how fine Inuyasha has become. But it's like lightning struck Sesshomaru with the motivation to reenact his elementary days and he's been that way ever since.

Koga can only shake his head as his best friend came cradling the bag of sandwiches Koga saw Inuyasha and Bankotsu eating earlier. "Why do you love pissin' the pup off so much?" he asks, already knowing the real answer won't be revealed.

"Why else? S' something to do, duh." Sesshomaru tosses a sandwich to Koga and hops on the table top to finish off the one he had in hand.

Koga lightly tosses the plastic wrapped sandwich from hand to hand, lightly rocking his head. "Ya know what I think?"

"Nope and I don't care to know."

"I think if ya keep fuckin' around with 'im that kid's gonna wind up hatin' your ass for real."

Sesshomaru ticks his teeth uncaringly. "So? You mean he doesn't already? I feed off his anger. Shit's pretty funny." Sesshomaru snickers before digging around the bag for another sandwich.

Koga shrugs. "I'm just sayin', I know you don't hate 'im the way you portray. No way in Hell someone puts that much effort into pestering someone like that unless you like 'im."

"I just told you it's outta boredom," Sesshomaru sharply defends. "I just like gettin' on his nerves. Nothing more."

Koga narrows his eyes over Sesshomaru's shoulder when he sees the sophomore pair lingering in the hall and grins mischievously. "Is that right?"

"Hmm mmm," Sesshomaru mumbles around a mouthful.

"Cool!" Koga slips off the table, dusts off the back of his jeans and straightens out his black graphic shirt. "Guess he's up for grabs then."

"Who?" Sesshomaru looks back, sees nothing, and then turns his head to Koga heading toward the veranda. He shrugs it off and keeps on eating.

Koga hasn't had any fun all day and feels entitled to fix that quota. So, since Sesshomaru wants to play the part of ignorant Romeo, Koga would be honored to make him the resulting entertainment. The wolf demon jogs over toward Inuyasha and Bankotsu, slowing his pace just long enough to check and see if Sesshomaru's looking.

Sure enough, Koga has his full attention. He grins devilishly and hastens his stride to wrap both of his arms around Inuyasha and Bankotsu's necks. "Gentlemen, gentlemen, gentlemen, what's crackin'?" he warmly purrs. He playfully nuzzles Inuyasha's cheek and pulls Bankotsu close to his side. "So what's goin' on this evenin'? A couple a sexy boys like you gotta have somethin' planned, yeah?"

Inuyasha's rich laugh echoes out, joined by Bankotsu's quieter chuckles. "I'm studyin', but my boy here has retract. His usual after school activity."

"Fuck you, Yash."

"My, my, my, such harsh language comin' from such a pretty mouth." Koga smirks at the dark blush glowing over the young human's tan skin. "What's the matta' sweetie? Never had a wolf shine a light on ya before?"

"Well, I mean, ya know, I can be a lil' mouthy, and uh, off, I mean it's all, uh cool . . . a-and stuff."

'That's too cute', the wolf demon thinks. He'll set aside some time to chat with this one later.

Koga mentally counts his and sneaks a peek over Inuyasha's head. He wants to cackle like a witch. He hasn't seen Sesshomaru look so pissed off. His shoulders are squared off like a boxer and his glare's so lethal, it's a wonder Koga hasn't combusted into flames.

"Yum, which of you's got on the cologne?" Koga digs his nose into Inuyasha's neck and does the same to Bankotsu. "Hm, mm, mm ya smell good enough ta' eat." Koga checks a second time and is gratified to see some action.

Sesshomaru starts in a slow stroll in their direction, food bag dropped on the ground, long forgotten. His gait's stiff, his stride strong and purposeful.

'Right, and he says he doesn't have a thing for the boy.' Koga keeps on with the act, whispering in Inuyasha's ear while tickling a finger under Bankotsu's chin. It's not until Sesshomaru's dangerously close that Koga figures he's played Casanova long enough.

"So, the next time you two chill after school, be sure to add me in the plans, cool?" He grins evilly, then presses a loud, obnoxious kiss on Inuyasha's cheek. "Uh, I'll check y'all later. Holla!" With a loud smack to Bankotsu's ass, Koga breaks off into a rapid sprint down the hall. Inuyasha covers his cheek, shocked while Bankotsu cradles his tender ass cheek.

In the next second, Sesshomaru shoots past the two, arms pumping, long legs galloping down the hall after Koga. "Get your bitch ass back here, Koga!"

"Like shit I will. I love my life!" Koga calls back and takes a sharp turn to the right, praying he makes it out of this alive. He accomplished what he wanted to know. The big guy isn't fooling Koga now, but after what Koga just did there's no way Sesshomaru's going to let this slide.

Back a good ways away, some of the students don't understand what the commotion was all about, but none were as confused as Inuyasha and Bankotsu.

Inuyasha arches and eyebrow and asks, "You know what that was about?"

Bankotsu blinks after the pair and flinches when he hears a distant smack followed by a shout. "Not a clue."