~~ Kagome ~~

"I can't believe that jerk actually got me cleaning duty for a week"I complained as I tied up my running sneakers. It was third period which meant gym. I changed into my white t-shirt with our school's symbol on the left side, located where the heart would be. The symbol was a small round pick jewel known as the Shikon No Tama. I wore my pink shorts that matched the color of the symbol. My hair was tied into a ponytail. Like I said, I was always prepared for my classes.

"I think its quite funny," replied Miroku standing beside me wearing the same type of shirt, but red shorts instead of pink. "To think you would ever get in trouble and with Inuyasha at that."

"Like I said, it wasn't my fault. I don't see why he would try to cheat anyways. All he had to do was study."

"Did you ever hear of any popular kids at this school being nerds? Of course they don't study. The only reason they are probably still in school is because they cheat off people like yourself."

"I guess you're right, " I answered while getting up and doing a few stretches. "it's a shame though. It'll just come back to haunt them. Right?" I bent down and grabbed the end of my sneakers letting my back stretch out. I waited patiently for a response. "Miroku?"

"The name is Takami-"

"Wait, did you say Takashi?"

"No, Takami. As in Takami Miroku."

"Oh", said the girl with disgust. "You're that weirdo, aren't you? The one that stocks innocent girls."

"Now where did you hear that?" he smiled guiltily.

I signed. He was always like this to every new girl he laid eyes one. And as far as I can remember it always ended -

SMACK!

"Get your hands off of me you pervert!"

- the same.

As the girl started to stomp in the other direction, I walked over to my best friend who was now face down on the ground twitching.

"I don't see why you keep trying to pull the moves on girls."Nothing but more twitching. "We both know it never works and you always end up getting hurt. Besides, you don't even know how to treat a girl right. No wonder they run off."

Miroku slowly sat up and starting rubbing his face where the girl had struck him. "You stay," he replied. "That's good enough for me." I smiled at this and gave him a playful punch in the arm.

"See, you could be sweet if you tried."

"I can't help it, its this hand it just-"

"Whatever you say".

Just then I heard a whistle coming from a short distance and noticed everyone gather up at the center of the field. I turned to Miroku who, by now, could stand on his own two feet again.

"Well I don't know about you but I'm sure I can run circles around this field with the anger I am feeling."

"Well I for one am not a fan of running. I think I'll jog my way around and hopefully sneak off the track when Mr. Totosai isn't looking." Again, I playfully punched Miroku in the arm. He pretended to be in immense pain as he rubbed the place I hit.

I felt bad about running the track and leaving Miroku behind so instead, I stayed behind and jogged with him. Besides, it gave us a chance to talk and catch up. Not like we needed any catching up, we were always together since the eighth grade. We were both laughing at each others jokes, and every now and again, I would catch him looking at some girl and I would hit him aside the head.

Just as we neared the opposite side of the track, I noticed one particular boy and his pose sitting on the bench in their jeans and t-shirts. Obviously, they weren't taking part in class. How surprising.

Inuyasha was laughing with his friends and goofing around. This time, however, I noticed a few girls surrounding him. I was unsure of all the names but I knew they had to be pretty popular to casually talk to that particular group of boys. As Miroku and I ran past them, I noticed Inuyasha look my way.

We made eye contact.

I quickly turned my attention to something else and pretended as nothing happened. I wanted nothing, and I mean nothing to do with that jerk.

"Hey Kagome!" shouted Miroku. His voice seemed a little far off. I looked behind me to noticed that he was at least ten feet behind me and losing ground quickly. I slowed down.

"I'm sorry, I guess I got a little angry when I saw that jerk sitting over there having a time while we're stuck doing classes."

"T-that's ok" huffed Miroku trying to catch his breath. "I guess he really ticked you off huh?"

"Oh, don't even get me started! You should have been there when he was going on about his whores and calling me a-" just then I stumbled upon something as I felt my feet give way. I ended up falling into Miroku as we both landed on the inner grass circle of the track.

"Ow ow ow," I said as I slowly pulled myself off Miroku. I looked down to see him face down in the ground once again. "I'm so sorry Miroku! I didn't mean it!"

"And you wonder why I never participated in gym before I met you." I burst into laughter without notice. He slowly started to join my laughter as I helped him up.

At the time, I didn't notice a pair of eyes that was watching me from behind.

~~ Inuyasha ~~

"Heard you got a date with the Higurashi girl all week, sounds exciting."Koga said jokingly. We were sitting in our normal place, the bench farthest from the school during gym period. I was not into getting all sweaty and running around a circle for an hour.

"Yeah, a blast." I replied sarcastically and I leaned against the bench trying to ignore the humour they were getting from this.

"Man, she's so plain. If it was Kikyo, I would give you props but Kagome? Isn't she a nerd or something?" Hiten asked.

"Yeah, a class A nerd. She'll probably recite lessons to you while you clean" joked Bankutso.

"Or comment on how you should be paying attention in class and not getting into trouble." chimed in Ginta. All the boys started to laugh and joke. I wasn't getting into it.

"Hey Mutt, had a bad piece of ass last night or what?" Koga asked while taking a seat beside me.

"I just don't want to be stuck in this school an extra hour with a whiny little nerd girl when I could be out getting some." I replied.

"Well then, get yourself a nice piece of ass for tonight. That'll cheer you up." offered Hiten.

"A one night stand to last a whole week?," I questioned sarcastically. "Yeah, like that will ever happen. I never met a girl to interest me more then a few hours. Besides, a one night stand usually happens one night."

"Then why not a bunch of girls for the whole week? I'm sure the famous Inuyasha would be able to score a few whores."

"Or maybe I can help take your mind off your troubles" came a feminine and very seductive voice. Everyone stopped their chatter at once and we turned to see Kikyo walking in our direction.

The cat calls came right after.

"Hey Kikyo, what are you doing over this side of the neighbourhood?" Koga greeted. He got up from where he sat and started to walk towards her with a smile on his face.

"Back off wolf, I'm not your prey." she snapped as she gave him a little push out of her way and continued towards me.

"Bitch, you know better then to talk to me in that kind of tone." warned Koga before he turned his attention to the other two girls that had followed her. One was Kikyo's best friend which I had known since I started school. Her name was Ayame. She had long red hair that she usually wore up and was well known around the school because she was rich. She usually wore a lot of clothing with fur on it.

The other girl I had never seen before. She had long brown hair and wore a long black skirt and a tank-top. She looked nervous to be around us as I noticed she was constantly looking down at her feet. Weird.

"Whose the new girl Kikyo?" I asked as she casually sat down on my lap and put her arms around my neck.

"Oh the brown haired girl? Her names Sango. She just moved into town a few weeks ago. She's my next door neighbour. I thought she looked kinda cute so decided to take her in. Train her in our way, you know?" I continued to watch as Hiten and Ginta tried making small talk with this Sango. She really didn't seem comfortable as she tried to answer their questions. Ayame was talking to Koga. She had a crush on him for as long as I could remember and Koga didn't want any part of her. He said she was too high maintenance and clingy. Like that bothered him any other time he got with a woman.

"So how about that offer?" cooed Kikyo as she began playing with my ear. I started to get into her right then and there. Unlike most girls, Kikyo definitely had the looks on her side. She also had a great body and knew her stuff about turning a guy on. However, she was not typically a girl I would go for. Kikyo had attitude and you don't mess with a girl like that. And one night stands weren't her thing.

"Sorry but I'm going to pass on this one" I answered with a fake disappointment. "My parents are home all week and I doubt I could sneak you in and out without someone hearing you moan"

She did one of her little laughs and she pulled me closer to her. "Oh well, next time I suppose. But don't keep me hanging too long baby, I can't stick around forever you know. A girl has her needs too." She slowly got up off me and starting walking back to her friends. By now, the rest of the boys had left the girls and all circled around me again. Koga once again took his seat beside me.

"Well boys, I guess we'll be off," Kikyo chimed.

Just then, I noticed a few classmates running by us on the track. Must mean that gym class has officially started.

And then I made eye contact. With her.

It was only for a second, but I definitely saw her and she definitely saw me. I looked away for a few seconds before I looked back in her direction. She was now running ahead of the boy she was running with - Miroku? Was that his name?- and it wasn't until he called after her that she slowed down.

I don't know why but I continued to watch them as they made their way around the track. And just as I was about to turn my attention to something else, I noticed that the Kagome girl tripped and ended up toppling over that Miroku guy. I would have made a point to laugh and make them look like the biggest fools in this school, but something caught me off guard.

Her smile, her laughter, the way she looked as if she was having fun. Even though she just landed square on her ass, she was laughing about it and shown a side that I never once got to experience.

I didn't notice but that was when I became envious of them. Jealous of the fact that this Miroku guy could make a girl laugh and smile like that. Something I could never do myself. I became jealous of her and how carefree and happy she looked with her friend. I felt so much in that one moment, I forgot about where I was and what I was doing.

"Baby, are you listening to me? Hello?" I snapped back to my senses and I noticed Kikyo standing in front of me waving her stupid hand in front of my face.

"Yeah yeah," I replied dryly. "I'm going to catch you guys later. Not feeling to hot right now." I got up from the bench and began walking in the opposite direction of everyone. I needed time for myself.

I heard Kikyo complain and Koga reply with something stupid like, "Male PMS babe, every hear of it?" as the others just watched on the sidelines like a peanut gallery.

I walked to my car, got in and turned the engine on. I didn't care where I was going, I just knew I had to go someplace and think. And no matter how much I tried, the image of Kagome smiling and laughing stayed with me the whole ride there.