Hey guys! I know some of you said that you liked my other story That Damn Disney, better than this one. I don't mind or anything, It's not like you said you hated this or something. It's just that I have to be in a very specific mood to write that one, whereas this one comes more easily to me. Basically, this one will probably update more often. Sorry. I will finish that one though. If you haven't read it yet, you should. I've gotten very good reviews for it! IM SORRY IF THINGS SEEM A LITTLE CHOPPY, I WAS WARRING AGAINST WRITERS BLOCK! 'Tis A TERRIBLE AFFLICTION!

Chapter 7:

Needless to say, Rin did not win them the game.

They still won by 3 points, but honestly without Rin or Kagome they probably could have done much better. Sango, however, was kind enough not to point this out. Not that either of them really needed it pointed out...but either way...

"The coach wants to kill me. She wants it desperately. She just doesn't make enough on a teacher's salary to afford a hit man. Therefore she must take it into her own hands."

"Somehow I doubt this was an assassination attempt."

The two girls were once again at their designated lunch table under the tree. Kagome had yet to bring her own lunch, but she hadn't been stupid enough to try and eat what they were serving in the cafeteria.

"You'd think a higher end school would have higher end food." She sent a sympathetic look towards some poor sap attempting to poke at the unidentifiable substance on his plate. Sango followed her gaze and grimaced.

"Ten bucks says he's absent tomorrow." She shook her head, making pitying noises. "Poor Hojo."

"Botan and Momiji's Hojo?"

"The very same."

She studied the unfortunate boy for a moment. He was pleasant enough to look at, his hair a little long around his ears in a not unappealing shade of brown. It looked soft. She couldn't really make out his eyes, but she had a feeling they'd be something warm. It was just a hunch though, completely unwarranted.

Either way, he wasn't bad to look at. He didn't have Koga's striking features or Sesshomaru's arresting appeal, but he was attractive nonetheless. Just in a softer, less obvious kind of way.

"He's not so bad", she shrugged, taking a bite out of an apple Sango had given her.

"Yeah, he's pretty cool. It's a shame he's not going to live past morning."

"That's too bad."

"It is."

They were speaking in serious, dire tones, that made it impossible for either to keep a straight face. They did, however, manage to complete their conversation before erupting into giggles. Finally, after a few moments, they managed to get a hold of themselves.

Then they looked at each other.

And burst into laughter once again.

"You know, I'm really beginning to think we're eating at the wrong table." Koga remarked, watching the girls erupt in peals of laughter.

"Want to move?"

"Better company." Koga shrugged, with a meaningful look at Inuyasha.

He just flipped him off.

"No thanks. I have too much self respect to lower my standards like that. Try him though." He motioned towards Miroku who had the sense to look insulted. "That's more his style."

"No", Miroku replied firmly, pointing to a passing cheerleader in a small skirt, "That's more my style. That," He continued, moving his pointer towards Inuyasha, "Wouldn't be my style if it was in fucking In Style magazine."

Koga laughed while Inuyasha's frowned just deepened. "Gee, thanks." The corners of his mouth took an upward turn, all Grinch style. "I find your knowledge of women's magazines interesting by the way."

Rather than getting upset, Miroku just shrugged. "It's important to have something in common with women, it helps you to connect with them. Not something you'd have any experience in."

"At least the woman I connect with don't question my sexuality."

"One time!"

"Which is more than I can say."

"That's what- Where are you going?"

They paused in their argument, turning their attention to Koga who'd stood and was currently dusting off his pants. He'd grabbed his backpack and had it slung lazily over one shoulder.

"You ladies can argue about talking to girls all you want. Meanwhile, I'm going to actually go talk to some."

They were quiet until they noticed where he was looking.

"No!" Inuyasha snapped angrily.

Koga just cocked a brow. "Excuse me?"

"No. Not her."

"Why," he asked, a cocky grin crossing his face, "You got a thing for the new girl?"

The look that crossed Inuyasha's face was, by both his friend's standards, just a little extreme.

"Jeeze, why don't you tell us how you really feel."

"I feel", he began, his voice strained and hot, "Like my entire life has been infiltrated by that stupid bitch. She's in my house, she's at my school, she's in my damn class! I can't escape her! My God, I wish she'd just step in front of a bus or something!"

Miroku and Koga just exchanged a WTF look before moving their gaze back to Inuyasha, staring at him as if considering which mental institution to check him into. He scowled back at them.

He would admit that maybe that was a little harsh. What he wouldn't admit, however, was that it was spurned from that whole incident that morning. That he couldn't rid himself of her image. Of her lying there all vulnerable and defenseless and sad, covered in sand with tear tracks down her cheeks. That he couldn't forget the unbidden twinge he'd felt in his heart at the sight, the one he felt every time he remembered it. It was paired with the feeling of her, though momentarily, pressed against his extremely close to naked body. Of her looking up at him while she did, her eyes all wide and shocked and unguarded.

That had elicited several very different responses in several very different places, none of which he cared to dwell on.

It was much easier to just get unreasonably mad at her. To turn all confusing, unwanted, feelings into hatred. That he could deal with.

"I'm also thinking", he continued, his voice rough with aggravation, "That the last thing I need is my so-called friend dating her. I'm trying to make her feel unwanted and unloved or whatever so she'll go somewhere where she is. Somewhere else, that's not here!"

They blinked.

"What? You don't think I can do it?"

"Oh yes," Came the deep, mocking voice from behind him, "Make the teenage girl with no close remaining blood relatives who's currently living with complete strangers feel unwanted and unloved. That's quite the feat. However shall you accomplish this great task, I wonder."

While his friends tried to muffle their laughter, Inuyasha just turned in his seat, setting his bad mood loose on his brother.

"What are you? My incestuous stalker? Don't you have anything better to do? A fan club to cater to?"

"Why is it that you keep rubbing popularity in my face like it's an insult. Are you trying to compensate for your lack?"

Koga gave a long low whistle in the background. "Burn."

Miroku raised an eyebrow. "Did you really just say that?"

"Yes."

Ignoring his friend's remarks, Inuyasha instead put his energy towards attempting to level his brother with a glare. It failed epically, but it was a decent attempt. At least, it would have been to some people. Some, weaker, students may actually have been frightened by the glowering look. Sesshomaru, however, just cocked an eyebrow.

"And just what, may I ask, are you trying to do?"

"What do you mean?" He replied, narrowing his eyes more in an attempt to intimidate the man before him.

"I mean are you going to be alright or should I go get some Ex-lax?"

Miroku was now doubled over, one arm wrapped around his waist, the other trying to hide his laughter. He was having about as much success in this endeavor as Inuyasha.

Koga just wasn't trying, booming with raucous laughter and attracting the attention of several passersby. There was just something so funny about hearing Sesshomaru, of all people, discussing constipation in that flat, monotone voice of his.

Inuyasha was less that amused. He was too busy, however, sputtering what they supposed was a retort, at his brother to notice his two friends making hand signals to each other. Nodding, they then slipped away, chuckling to themselves.

Who said school wasn't fun?

"Sports are not fun. Sports are the devils work."

"The devil invented kickball?"

"No. Baseball. Everything else just evolved from there."

"I see."

Kagome frowned at the lightly mocking tone Sango was using. They'd finished their respective foods a while ago, the conversation circling back around to gym that day and then onwards to Kagome's blatant hatred of physical games.

"It's true I tell you."

"Of course."

"You don't get it. You've been brainwashed and corrupted by the soccer team. If we head to the library now however, I think we can save you."

Sango didn't say anything, but the look that crossed her face was one of almost physical pain, her eyes scrunching closed. Kagome raised an eyebrow.

"What?"

"Shit."

"Huh?"

"Hello ladies."

Turning around, Kagome realized the cause of Sango's misery.

She'd been spotted.

Approaching them were none other than Koga and Miroku.

"What", Sango moaned, her head on the table, "Are you doing here?"

Miroku just grinned, "We were partaking in the mandatory intake of nutrients. Now however we're escaping."

When Kagome arched a brow, something she found herself doing a lot lately, Koga just grinned. Somehow, she found the corners of her lips twitching in response, and when she spoke her voice leaned away from the intended sarcasm. Instead it teetered around something that sounded suspiciously like flirty.

"From what? The Plague?"

Koga's grin spread. He was standing between the also standing Miroku and the sitting Kagome. He was wearing the jacket again, the leather one. At her question, however, he moved around to her other side, sitting at the table beside her. Miroku however, stayed where he was, smiling at Sango.

Sango was trying to tunnel through the table to escape.

Miroku didn't seem too affected by this. He just kept smiling, his hands in the pockets. "Nope", he grinned. "From that." He pointed back towards where a small circle of people had gathered. Her curiosity winning out, Sango lifted her head only to wrinkle her nose in confusion.

"What's going on there?"

"Nothing too unusual", he replied. "Inuyasha's just getting served."

Koga frowned. "Did you really just say that?"

Miroku smirked as he heard his words repeated. "Yes."

"And just who is his waiter?" Kagome asked.

Miroku turned his attention to her. "Oh, I forgot, we were never properly introduced were we?" He stuck out his hand which she reluctantly shook. "Miroku Houshi at your service." He ended his introduction with an elaborate bow. "Renaissance man, Basketball star, and Sango's personal love slave."

"You wish you lecher!"

"I do actually. Every night before bed, when I'm all alone, in the bathroom-"

"Okaaaaay", Koga interrupted, "That's more than I needed to know about you."

"Accept it my fried. The truth is liberating."

"Please!", Sango cried, reaching across the table to grab Kagome's hands. "Liberate me."

"Of course," she replied dramatically. "What are friends for?"

They both stood, Kagome pulling Sango by the hand. "Come." She pointed dramatically towards the crowd. "We must hither!"

"And where is it we are hithering?"

"There! Off into the distance so that my curiosity may be fulfilled." Her voice dropped it's dramatic, bad-acting, tone. "Since no one felt the need to fulfill it for me."

"Now now", Miroku called to their retreating forms, "If either of you ladies needs fulfillment I'm more than happy to comply!"

"We want fulfillment!" Sango shouted back, "Not disappointment!"

"Cold", Kagome whispered as they left, Koga's laughter audible behind them. She was cracking a smile too.

"I don't know what to do, really. I insult him I shoot him down, I ignore him, make cracks, run away. Nothing works!"

"Is he a masochist or something?"

"I honestly have no freaking clue."

Shrugging, the two girls headed off to join the cluster of students gathered around Inuyasha and whoever was serving him. When they got there however, Kagome didn't know if she was surprised or not, to find it was Sesshomaru.

"Well what do you know dick head?"

Sesshomaru made a slight noise of disgust. "Just because you suffer from penis envy doesn't mean it's decent to yell about it in public. I'm sure there's an after school special somewhere that'll reassure you that size doesn't matter-"

"I don't have any problem with size! I'm huge!"

"Sure, if we're talking about your ego. Otherwise I'll remind you that you used to run around the front yard naked and unless there's been considerable growth ", his eyes dropped momentarily, but his meaning came out loud in clear. As did the chuckles from spectators.

"Why you-"

"Yes, why me? I don't know about you but I've got things to do today. I'll see you at home little brother."

The crowd parted as he made his exit, his fan club girls at his heels giggling madly. Everyone else was whispering among themselves, commenting on the exchange or laughing at Inuyasha's obvious defeat and dismissal. Kagome herself was part of the laughter, as was Sango. Neither was laughing outrageously like others in the crowd, but honestly it was hard to resist.

Somehow, Inuyasha's eyes sought her out, found her among the crowd and saw her laughing. She was huddled close to her friend, occasionally whispering something conspiratorially and he found his chest growing hot. So, coincidentally, was his face, a hated blush spreading up his neck at being made a fool.

And somehow, that she of all people was watching, made it all the more humiliating. He could feel her eyes on him, see the amusement dancing in them, her lips pulled up into a little smirk. She was seriously enjoying herself, at his expense.

"What are you laughing at bitch?" he yelled, his voice carrying over the noise, silencing it. She blinked once. Was he seriously talking to her? "Yeah you!"

He sauntered up to her, his eyes hot, his voice cocky and full of injured male pride. "You see something funny?"

"Yeah", Sango replied before Kagome got the chance. Sango was fiercly loyal, refusing to stand for anyone insulting her friends. "Your ass, being wiped across the floor."

"No one asked you bitch!"

"What?" Kagome spoke up, her voice cool and mocking, "You can dish it but you can't take it?"

"Bitch-"

"Is that all you've got?" She scowled up at him, her nose crinkled in disgust. "Grow up." She turned, and started to walk away, just to look back once more. "And be sure to keep your pants on."

And then she left, Sango at her side, to the sound of applause and Inuyasha's angered growls.

That fucking bitch. Who the hell did she think she was? Shoving his way through he crowd of onlookers, he stormed off around the corner, eager to be out of the spotlight. His face was burning with embarrassment, his stomach boiling with rage, his chest hot with something unidentifiable.

It was something for his asshole brother to make him look a fool, but completely another for her to join in. She was just some stupid little orphan that had invaded his entire fucking life. It was bad enough she was here at all...but then...

She needed to learn her damn place.

And who, he decided, better to teach her.

He could feel his mouth turning up as the plan formed inside his head, and yet even the thought of his imminent revenge did little to sooth his temper. Nor did being run into headfirst.

He grunted at the impact, stepping back to steady himself. The other person, however, was less lucky, falling to the ground, books scattering across the grass.

His eyes narrowed, his anger renewed as he glared down at his "attacker."

It was a girl small and thin, with huge eyes, that he vaguely recognized. He'd seen her around before, she was fairly new. She'd been here maybe a week or two already? He could remember hearing something about her parents dying in an accident a month or two ago, and she was always alone, yet every time he saw her she was beaming.

Great. Another orphan.

A sickeningly cheery one. Seriously, who was that happy after something like that?

Between that and the way she was looking at him, her eyes wide and shocked , reminding him entirely too much of Kagome's, he found himself despising her. Wanting to rid himself of the very sight of her. Wanting to rid himself of these uncomfortable feelings.

"Oh! I'm so-" She began quickly, hurrying to collect her books, her voice small and high.

"Watch where you're going, damn clumsy whore!"

"It was an acc-"

"Shut up would you! God, it's no wonder no one likes you!"

"Wha-"

She was still on the ground, her eyes even wider than before, a mix of surprise and confusion. And hurt. She looked startlingly like a little girl who's puppy he'd just kicked.

"Damn orphan bitch."

He shoved his hands into his pocket, refusing to let her make him feel guilty, and stalked off, just barely resisting the strong urge to kick over the pile of books she'd collected.

Strangely, he felt no better than he had before.

"So what was that?"

Kagome frowned. "What was what?"

"Excuse me? Did you just miss that whole episode back there?" She jerked her thumb over her shoulder, back behind them towards the scene they'd just left.

"Oh that."

"Yeah. That." She raised one eyebrow at her friend as the bell rang. "Just how do you know him anyways?"

"It's a long story", she sighed, not relishing the idea of telling that particular story. "We've got to get to class."

"Fine, but long or not it will be told."

"It will?"

"Yep." She nodded.

"We'll need a lot of time."

Sango was quiet a moment...Then a slow smiled climbed up her face.

"I don't think I like that look."

Sango just grinned. "You will."

Kagome stared a moment as she watched Sango hurry off to class, wondering just what it was she had in store for her.

There are some classes that students like. Where the teachers are fun and the classwork is entertaining. Where you can sometimes forget that you're stuck there for an hour your own will be damned.

6th period science was not one of those classes. Therefore, when the bell rang, Kagome could not have been happier.

"My God", Sango groaned, stretching as she crossed the room towards her friend. "Could this day have been any longer?"

No. Probably not actually.

"Is it alright for you to be hanging around here?" she questioned, roughly shoving her science book into her backpack. "Don't you have a bus to catch?"

"It's fine." Sango grinned. "The bus doesn't leave this soon. I've got a few minutes. Besides. The more time I kill here, the more time Miroku has to sit somewhere else. Somewhere not by me."

"He's on your bus too?"

"Unfortunately", she sighed, her voice suddenly weary. "The cosmic forces of the universe have me cornered."

"Tough."

"Tell me about it." She looked both left, the right, no doubt scanning for Miroku. "Do you see him anywhere?"

"Nope."

"Great. Hey, how are you getting home anyways?"

"Um..." This strange guy I'm suddenly living with is picking me up and bringing me to the gigantic house where both Inuyasha and Sesshomaru Hayashi live. Which, by the way, totally explains the issue at lunch. Well...some of it really. The rest is just him needing to dislodge his thong from his ass...

Yeah.

As if.

"I'm getting a ride from a friend of my dad's."

They chatted a few more minutes, stealthily avoiding personal questions with weird answers, until Sango could avoid Miroku no longer and was forced to head off to the buses. Kagome continued off in the direction of the parking lot, desperately trying to devise a solution. What was she supposed to say? She couldn't avoid Sango's questions forever...

It wasn't until the parking lot was in sight that it struck her that she'd never gone to her locker. She hadn't yesterday either, but yesterday she hadn't hadn't had a rather long assignment for history. She stopped, giving the thought of leaving it behind some serious consideration, before concluding that she couldn't. She needed to get a secure number of assignments under her belt before factoring in what she could and couldn't miss. It was a delicate balance really.

Plus she didn't know how strict the Hayashi's were when it came to grades. She couldn't imagine they thought too highly of them, looking at their son – there was no way Inuyasha was doing well in school. There couldn't be- but you never know.

With her mom she could have B's and the occasional C.

She wasn't so sure here.

Either way she found herself heading back across campus. She felt somewhat like a trout as everyone passed by her in the opposite direction, eager to escape this mandatory hell hole.

When she got to the lockers they were pretty much clear of students, she could hear the buses pulling out from the front of the campus.

Just how fancy were the buses here anyways? Were the seats padded? Did the at least have seat belts? She'd never understood why buses were the only vehicles that didn't require seat belts. Was it a status thing? If you had to rely on public transportation you didn't deserve...life? What?

She'd just shut her locker door, lost in her pondering, when something pulled her back.

A sniffle. It was soft and quiet...but close...and sad.

Everything inside her was telling her to mind her own business, to leave. That she should just ignore it and go on to the parking lot before Taisho figured she wasn't worth the trouble or something and left. That bad things happened to everyone and that there was nothing you could do about it. But she couldn't.

Maybe it was because so many bad things had happened to her lately or something, but she found herself listening closely, following the sound. Looking for the source. She found it a few rows down, sitting in the corner between the lockers and the wall, her knees drawn up to her chest.

Seeing the source, she wasn't sure if this was the right idea or not.

"Rin?"

The girl's head snapped up, her eyes wide and startled. And puffy.

"Oh! Kagome...um..."

"Are you alright?" Kind of a stupid question, all things considered, but what else was she supposed to say?

"Oh um...yeah...I'm fine-"

"You're crying," she pointed out, as if the girl didn't already know.

Rin looked up at her, staring, somewhat confused.

"Do you want to...talk about it?"

She blinked once, as if that were the strangest question on Earth. Kagome shifted slightly, biting her lip. What was she doing? Why should she care if Rin was crying? She didn't really know the girl... had no reason to care about her. Why shouldn't she just go home?

She wasn't sure. But for some reason it bothered her to see her crying all alone in a corner. After school hours no less.

"It's nothing really. It's stupid really stupid." Now that she was listening she could hear a slight lisp, probably from the gap in her teeth. "It's just something someone said earlier...it's really pathetic..." She stopped, as if she expected Kagome to say something, but was met only with silence. Reluctantly, she continued. "I ran into this guy at lunch, literally and he said some thing...he called me a whore and bitch and an orphan which I am but..." Her eyes were rapidly filling, her lower lip quivering, so obviously on the verge of tears.

Watching her, there were probably a million more sensitive things she could have said. More comforting and reassuring. Instead, all that came out was-

"You're an orphan?"

Rin blinked again, chewing her lip a little, nodding. "My mom and dad both died in a car accident a month or two ago, that's why I moved here-"

She was suddenly cut off by the sound of Finger Eleven's Falling On, resounding from her pants pocket. Biting off a groan she sent what she hoped was an apologetic look Rin's way as she extracted her phone, frowning when the caller ID didn't recognize the number.

How could anyone possibly have it?

Who'd she given it out to?

"Um...hello?"

"Kagome?"

Ah. Taisho.

"Um...yeah, it's me."

"I'm in the parking lot... where are you?"

She could detect grumbling in the background, quite possibly Inuyasha or Shippo. Or both.

Or Inuyasha.

Probably Inuyasha.

"Oh, I...forgot a book and had to go get it and I got caught up with some stuff. Just go on without me. I'll get a ride with...someone."

Or walk... if she could remember the way back. Oh well, if nothing else she could just ask directions. With a house that big somebody had to know of it.

The again...considering the neighborhood...

"Is someone there with you? The person your getting a ride from I mean?"

"Well...no. But I can find someone..."

"No."

No? What did he mean no?

"Excuse me?"

"No. I don't want you getting a ride from strangers...people I haven't met anyways. Are you going to be long?"

"No..." She replied slowly. What was he getting at. "I shouldn't be."

Rin was watching her, her face sad. But it was also showing hints of confusion. Unsure of what to do, Kagome just sent her a shrug.

"Are you just staying there at school?"

"Yes."

"Is it important?"

"Yes." For some reason.

"Then I guess it's okay... I'll send Sesshomaru out there in a little bit."

What?

"Um, no! No, that's okay. Really, I can walk-"

"Nonsense. What good are son's if you can't exploit them some? Anyways, try not to take too long. I'll see you at home. Bye."

"Um...bye..."

She stared at the phone a moment after it clicked, wondering just whats it was she'd gotten herself into... Somehow she couldn't see this endearing her to him...

So much for that.

Frowning, she crouched down by Rin.

"Sorry. Guardian...stuff. Now what did this guy say to you?"

"That I was a whore...and a stupid orphan bitch and that it was no wonder I didn't have any friends..." Her voice cracked a little on the last word, fueling Kagome's anger just as much as the message delivered.

"Just because you ran into him?"

"Oh! It's was an accident! I swear!"

"I believe you, I believe you..." she held up her hands defensively, her tone still light, but inside her already short temper was burning. Who the hell did this guy think he was? She said it was an accident. Who did this sort of thing-

She felt something skitter up her spine, a recognition of sorts, a feeling of dread seeping into her heart...

"Do you know who it was was?" She asked hesitantly, though she had a feeling she already knew the answer.

Rin nodded. "Mmm-Hmm." Her voice was small, the high pitch of it making her seem younger, more vulnerable. "Inuyasha. Everyone knows him."

"Unfortunately", She sighed, rubbing her temples, eyes closed. Opening them, she looked Rin in the eye. "Look, I know him too. And knowing him, I can honestly tell you that the guy's an asshole. Don't listen to anything he says, alright? He doesn't know anything."

Rin blinked again, averting her eyes. She started to fiddle with a pebble on the ground beside her. "But..."

"But what?"

"But...the thing is...he was right. Not about being a whore or anything but about the orphan thing and...I really don't have any friends... I'm too weird..."

Kagome frowned, completely at a loss for words. What the hell do you say to that? She knew absolutely nothing about this girl. What was she supposed to say to comfort her? Was she supposed to offer to be friends with her? Honestly, she found her weird too. Finally, she said the only thing she could think of.

"Everyone's weird in one way or another." Pause. "And weird or not, Inuyasha's still an idiot. I don't care how much he was right about, just don't listen to him. It's for the best."

She wasn't sure how this advice would be received, and found herself breathing a sigh of relief when the edge's of the girl's lips twitched ever so slightly.

"I saw you at lunch." Her voice was still soft and childish, the lisp not really doing much to help that, but it didn't seem sad anymore. "You were great."

"Um...thanks."

Rin had assured her that she had a way home. She wasn't sure what it was, and really that wasn't a real concern of her's. She was too busy thinking of her own.

She supposed it was nice of Taisho to go out of his way for her...kind of. Really it was more out of his son's way, but who was she to argue specifics? Either way though, she really wished he hadn't.

It wasn't that she had anything against Sesshomaru. Actually, it was more of the fact that he didn't seem to have anything against her. She had hoped to keep it that way. She didn't think that would work, however, if he ended up frustrated with her first.

Then again, maybe he wouldn't be. It was only one time after all- she didn't plan on making this a habit. And he did seem more patient than Inuyasha. Not that that was saying much, Satan himself was probably better than that guy, but still. Maybe it wouldn't be such a big deal.

Either way, she thought as the black jaguar rolled to a stop in front of her, she was going to find out. She stood from where she'd sat on the curb, hearing the doors click unlocked as she approached.

This really was a nice car.

Silently she slipped into the passenger seat, taking a moment to appreciate the gorgeous interior. Oh yes. This was definitely a most excellent mode of transportation

No one said anything as he pulled away fro the curb, nor for several minutes afterwards. Finally though, Kagome was the one to break the silence.

"So...thanks for this...coming get me and all."

He'd been so quiet that she almost expected him to ignore her, finding herself just a little surprised when he responded.

"It's no problem."

She nodded a little, looking out the window. It was kind of awkward, sitting in his car and having no clue how he was feeling. He didn't seem mad...but then again he never did. Maybe she'd just never seen him mad but...

She couldn't read him. She couldn't read him and it was disconcerting. Why did he have to be so damn stoic?

...Though he really didn't seem mad...

Maybe it really was no problem...

"Well...thanks..."

He was quiet a second. Then...

"What was it you were doing anyways?"

"Oh...um...there was this girl...not really a friend of mine but I've met her before, she was crying over something someone said... Inuyasha actually." She subconsciously injected heat into those last words and wondered for a moment what kind of reaction she'd get. Brotherly solidarity? Disapproval? Silence?

Instead, he just sighed, frowning. "He does that." She could tell by his tone that this wasn't behavior he condoned.

"Yeah... I saw you guys at lunch." She felt her lips twitching at the memory.

He look at her then, just a little so as not to drive off the road- It was bad enough he was driving at least 15 miles over the speed limit – his expression amused.

"Did you?"

"Yep...What'd he do anyways?"

His eyes narrowed a little then, not angry really, but contemplative. As if he was deciding whether or not to tell her. Finally his expression returned to normal and he spoke.

"Like I said then, his ego really is too big. It's good to knock it down sometimes."

She got the feeling that 'sometimes' came rather regularly, but couldn't find it in her to object.

"You were pretty good out there."

"You too."

She blinked in surprise. "I thought you'd gone by then."

"I saw."

"Oh..." She wondered if maybe he'd frown or something, defend his brother at all, but he didn't. If anything he seemed honestly...impressed? Was that what she was feeling from him? "Well...your brother's an asshole."

She was certain she saw the corners of his lips turn up then, for the briefest of moments.

"Yes", he agreed. "That he is."

Pressing his foot down on the gas, he accelerated even more, just to make it an even 20.

OMG! I WOULD HAVE LOVED NOT TO BE SUFFERING FROM WRITER'S BLOCK WHEN I WROTE THIS! Oh well...at least I could write something. Either way this is kind of an important chapter. We had some humor, some slight character development, and some Rin and Sesshomaru appearances. I figured I should have some Sesshomaru/Kagome scenes. Not anything romantic, just friendship building stuff. I have some more scenes in mind. Plus a Shippo scene that looks like it will be further back that anticipated...

Oh well. Maybe my writer's block will clear up soon. Wish me luck.