My Girl

by Foayasha

Disclaimer: The epic of Inuyasha, while wonderful, does not belong to me. Thus I cannot, and do not, claim to own any of the characters in this short story... especially the one who likes to day dream.

Shagsthedustmop - my wonderful beta, you are my sunshine!

My Girl Chpt 4 – You started it

"Mr. Takahashi?" a small voice whispered next to his desk. He looked over to see a small chubby boy with light brown hair; typical human runt, cute, but plain.

"Yes, Jason? Did you finish the drawing of your house?" Inuyasha said quietly, patiently watching the little boy.

"Uh huh, but I need to potty," he whispered yet again, probably because of embarrassment.

"Do you know where the little boys' bathroom is Jason?" he said, while quirking an eyebrow at the young man.

The boy's eyes shifted from side to side, he obviously needed to go, but he did not know where the bathroom was located from yesterdays tour. He looked around the room to see Shiori, Aimi and Shippo playing a game in the corner, so they must have been finished.

"Shippo, come here," he called, and the young fur ball of a youkai bounded toward his desk. He slid to a stop, but missed his target, and went careening directly into a pile of napping mats. Inuyasha rolled his eyes at the now upside down Fox. "Shippo, don't run. I want you to show Jason to the boys' bathroom. You went earlier, you remember how to get there?"

"Yes Sir! I'll do a great job, I promise Mr. Takahashi!" Shippo said proudly, with a mock salute.

"Keh, hurry up. I don't want a puddle on my floor," he said as Jason's pudgy face brightened like a ripe tomato.

Shippo trotted away, with the small boy trailing him quickly. The hanyou's gaze followed them as they exited the room. While the bathroom was located almost right across the hall, but he preferred the children went in pairs. Once they had left his field of vision, he took stock of the rest of his students. There were a couple of human girls coloring at their desks, and a pair of boys who seemed ready to pounce on them with finger paint covered hands. After cleaning up the small mess, he sent them off for naps.

One group of children was working on a set of wooden blocks; he had instructed the children to put them into order according to size and color. Koga had another small group and was reading them a story. If he recalled correctly it was titled 'Cooking with Pooh'. (Don't get any idea's; you know, Winnie the Pooh Bear.)

In the corner where he had recently called Shippo, Shiori and Aimi were playing quietly. They had set out an array of different large Lego blocks, and were currently building a fort for a handful of dolls, and action figures. All of the toys in his room he had purchased for his class, with guidance of past parents, and student teachers. The two young youkai were both wearing white cotton dresses, which blended their silvery hair. Today was picture day, so all of the children, for the most part, wore their 'Sunday Best'. The scene was rather angelic, which made his face soften, and a rare smile to appear.

Lately he had been disturbed; whenever he looked at the young girl he was hit with a sense of pride. Sure, she was a student of his, but he had never before thought of any of his kids as 'angelic'. This hanpa brought out an odd quality in him, which if he didn't know better, he would have called it... fatherly. Shuddering at his misplaced emotions, he tried to rationalize the association. The most likely reason for his feeling of 'pack' was probably due to her scent; it was so strangely familiar to him.

Just by looking at her features, he was nearly positive she was part Inu youkai, like him. Her possessive and protective nature towards her mother, and friends was clue enough. Her silver hair and golden eyes tipped the scales on that theory. On the other hand, he also found it strange how much she resembled her adopted mother; especially her cheerful smile.

He grimaced as the dull pang of regret crept into his chest. Kagome had dropped her daughter off this morning, but made if perfectly clear she wasn't interested in seeing him. She said her goodbyes from the entry to the room, barely stepping foot within the doors. Not that it had surprised him, after the way he treated her the day before.

What was difficult to ascertain was how he should feel about it. The fact that she wanted to keep space between them should have been something that relieved him. Not only because of his confused heart, but because just being around the woman seemed to always put him on edge.

That morning, when she entered the hall where his class was, he immediately caught her scent; unconsciously committing it to memory after their close encounter the day before. How he missed her aroma at the park, or when he helped her earlier that morning, was a mystery to him. When it was just the two of them in the room it was a thick curtain that blanketed his entire body. There was no avoiding her intoxicating fragrance.

Sure, as an Inu youkai, he should have been used to the pleasant scents of a woman, but she was different. Even Kikyo's scent, which he had found pleasing, was nothing in comparison. It was like her scent, Kagome's scent, had been created as a magnet to his scenes. Did all males find her to be so stimulating? Humm… he didn't like that idea.

What was worse? She was completely unaware. When he began to feel his body involuntarily react, he instantly became frustrated and defensive. It just happened to be the worst possible way to handle the situation he had gotten himself into.

He needed to explain the course of action she should take if she truly had any issues with youkai. It tends to be a touchy subject, but it was a discussion he needed to have with several parents before, and knew what to expect from most. What he didn't expect was the way her scent spiked when he closed the distance between them. His tolerance was pushed to the breaking point, and if it were a test, he surely flunked.

After he began accusing her, the aroma only flooded his senses further. When her temperature began to rise from her anger, and frustration, it was nearly palpable. His mind had never been so overpowered by his youkai in his life. He prided himself on self control, and although he knew he could be harsh at times, he had gone through a lot to never let his youkai instincts control him.

Having such discipline was expected of hanyou who were born from Tai-Youkai clans. Otherwise risk the stronger youkai blood overpowering the human blood; essentially becoming victim to the raw instincts of the youkai mind. Potentially committing horrible crimes, and being condemned to youkai prisons for centuries. Being controlled by the inner youkai was indeed extremely dangerous, but also dishonorable and humiliating. Inuyasha had no interest in allowing such an issue to arise, and did his due diligence to prepare.

But that woman… by breathing alone, brought down all of his control, crumbing at her feet. He left the room frustrated and uncomfortable in more ways than one. He didn't even wait for her to follow him out.

His outbursts were mainly due to his fear of the woman. In a matter of moments she had affected him more than any female. The most frightening aspect had been the goal of his youkai; it wasn't as if his instincts were urging him to hurt her, or push her away. No, they wanted her closer. Too close. He desired her; wanted her. In a way that was not proper to want the mother of one of his students.

He didn't even know anything about her, other than she had a daughter, and her scent was like an addiction. Keh, she was probably married, or at least had a boyfriend. How could she raise such a sweet girl like Aimi alone? And here he was, barely even knew her, yelling down her throat, while mentally lusting over her. It was unacceptable. Sure, he was a guy, but he wasn't some hormone driven teenager.

He was mortified for his actions, and had intended on making amends in some way. And of course, let her give a proper explanation for the questions and accusations he had so rudely thrown in her face. This morning he didn't even get that chance. The poor woman was practically saturated in apprehension, obviously at having another harsh talk with him. He visibly cringed when he noticed it, and he could tell Aimi picked it up as well; her little nose crinkled at the acrid scent. She bolted the moment Aimi released her grip on her hand, and turned to walk in the room.

He could smell she was still in the hallway, probably waiting to make sure Aimi was alright, but just out of sight. She waited at least 10 minutes, which didn't help his sanity. Aimi noticed as well, continuously watching the doorway, until her mother silently left the school. The rest of the morning he received little sneers from Aimi's direction, but he only saw them as endearing; the poor girl couldn't look threatening no matter how hard she tried.

After a couple hours she seemed to forget her earlier affliction towards him, and was eagerly clambering for his attention, just like all of his other students. When he smirked at her she would blush and beam with pride. Even if she didn't realize it, her instincts were conflicting within her. Her protectiveness of her mother told her to be wary of him, but they were kin, whether she understood it or not; he knew she could feel the odd connection they shared.

Later that afternoon the children were all sitting around him, cross legged on foam mats. He had just finished a story, about an outcast hanyou of the past; the warrior worked together with human and youkai companions to defeat a great evil. It was his favorite story to tell, since it held such a strong theme of many races coming together to work as one. Even the young minds could understand its importance.

"Okay kids, school is almost over. I want to pick up all the paperwork your parents should have filled out last night. Go get them, and then return to your places," he instructed as a rush of children bustled about the room. Some digging through cubby holes, some back packs; others had the papers tucked into their desks. Eventually he watched the last chubby human waddle back to his mat, and he started to make his way around to pick up each item.

The children held up their papers high in the air, each bouncing with anticipation, in an attempt to gather his attention. The human children only had to return basic information forms, but his youkai students also had physical education permission slips he needed to pick up. True, most hanyou or hanpa didn't have super human strength or speed, but to keep from neglecting the possibility, they were all required to participate in the class.

By law, this was the only part of a schools curriculum which could be segregated. The basic purpose of the class was to teach restraint, and control to those of youkai decent. Once the students passed the class, they were allowed to choose between the human and youkai physical education classes. Youkai classes were a mix of training, and teaching control, but the human classes were basic physical education: playing, learning games, running and the like.

Humans were allowed to attend the class as well, but only youkai were required to take it to continue their education. If a human did sign up, they were not to be paired with a hanyou or youkai partner who could potentially harm them. Since the class was to teach safety to young, growing youkai, there were too many chances that accidents could happen.

He was relieved that he didn't get any objections from parents this year on the permissions slips; even Kagome had signed and filled out Aimi's slip. He thumbed through the pile of papers he had acquired, shuffled them into order, and placed them onto his desk for later filing. It was obvious the end of the day was near, because when he returned to his troop they all sat silent and calm; more like sleepily.

"We're gonna go out and play on the equipment for a little while before school let's out. Would you guys like that?" he asked with a quirked smile. Of course they would like that, and they found renewed energy to nod their little head furiously as indication.

He led them outside, to the kindergarten playground, through the back entrance to his room. The other kindergarten teachers were also outside with their students, which made it the first gathering of the kindergarten class. Mr. Suikotsu, and Mrs. Kanna were standing next to each other, talking quietly. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that Ms. Wolfgang was currently speaking to her small batch of youkai students, which reminded him he needed to do the same.

"Aimi, Shippo and Shiori!" he called out to them and their heads perked up from the mass of other students. "Come here for a moment please."

They each skipped quickly over to his side, and he turned to face them. "Alright, this is your first play time out on the playground with all of the other students. This will be just like when you go to the park with your parents; you need to be very careful while you play with all of the other children. Understand?" He said sternly, and they nodded. "Alright, don't let me catch you doing anything too dangerous."

When they mingled back into the mob of other kids, he walked over to the other teachers. Koga was sitting on a park bench, and Inuyasha noticed Ms. Wolfgang was staring at the assistant teacher from afar. He rolled his eyes, and strolled over to stand next to her.

"You know, Ayame, that odd look you're giving him right now… he's bound to think you're having a seizure or something," he teased. She turned an annoyed eye at him, and crossed her arms defensively.

"What are you talking about Inuyasha, I wasn't staring at anyone," she denied. Ayame was a Wolf youkai from one of the ancient Irish tribes. From what he knew, they had migrated to the US during the 1700s, when humans from that country had started hunting the wolf population. Despite her young looks, she was nearly the same age as he was. It made teasing her that much more fun.

"You know, he spends a lot more time in your classroom than any of the others," he smirked. "I know that he's a bit young, but I bet you two could work it out. What a cute cou-"

She interrupted his comment with a soft growl, but not softly enough to avoid detection from all of the youkai on the playground. Fifteen or so pairs of questioning eyes quietly stared in their direction, causing her to blush madly. She stuttered and apology, and swiftly turned around to cover her embarrassed cheeks.

Eventually, after gathering her composure, she stomped off. It was only after a few minutes, and he wasn't surprised, that she chose to sit next to the male Ookami. Koga flashed a charming fanged grin and she blushed again, before turning away to hide her embarrassment. Inuyasha averted his gaze, and focused back on the students.

Shiori and Shippo were playing on a set of swings, and he noticed the rest of his human students in a game of Red Rover, but for some reason he didn't see Aimi on the playground. He quickly scanned the blacktop, noticing a group of children playing near a merry-go-round, and another small bunch drawing with chalk on the pavement. His heart began to thud loudly in his chest when he realize the young Inu wasn't within sight. He had seen her only a moment before, why was he so worried?

Standing a bit taller, he strained his senses to attempt to pick up the hanpa's scent. After a few attempts, he was able to finally filter out her out from the rest of the children. It was always so difficult to individualize a specific smell when full classes of students were outside. He followed it to the far side of the playground, and turned the corner of the building, where the fenced kindergarten playground extended a bit further.

In the small alcove there was a growing Ficus; it was planted by his own class, for Arbor Day, about 10 years ago. The tree had grown to a decent size, and on a branch, that wasn't higher than he was tall, he found Aimi.

Her shoes had been kicked off, and were sitting unclaimed under the tree. Was she napping? She was reclining against the trunk, little bare feet sitting on the branch outstretched in front, and her hands pillowing neck. For some reason, seeing her like that gave him an odd sense of déjà vu.

She didn't seem to notice, or care, that he was right next to her. So he walked over to her branch, and leaned lightly on it, causing the tree's appendage to dip slightly. She didn't react to him, keeping her eyes lightly closed, and her breathing even.

"Would you like to explain why you're over here all by yourself, and out of my sight?" he lightly scolded her. He never mentioned she needed to stay where he could see her, and normally he wouldn't even be upset. There was that odd protectiveness again.

"It's nice to be alone sometimes," she said simply. "Mommy and I like to sit under, and in our tree's at home."

"Alright, I guess it's hard to argue that. I do the same sometimes," he agreed. Isn't that how he originally met the two of them anyways? Really, he couldn't think of anything she had done wrong. He could hardly call sitting on a branch, which wasn't even four feet off the ground, a dangerous activity for a youkai. She wasn't doing anything she shouldn't have been, and she was still within the boundaries of the playground. Why did he feel like panicking when he couldn't locate her?

"You made my Mommy very mad at you," she said, quietly, but clearly. "She doesn't like being called names."

"When did I call her a name, Aimi?" he frowned, but found relief being pulled from his earlier musings.

"When you left yesterday, you called her a bad name," she answered, sounding aghast. "I heard you, but I didn't know what it meant. When I asked Mommy, she called you a jerk."

"Call it a force of habit," he chuckled, "It wasn't nice of your Mommy to call me a jerk either."

"You started it," she stated firmly.

He huffed a 'Keh', and crossed his arms. She opened her own eyes, and gave him a knowing stare, until he relinquished, "Alright, when I see her again, I'll tell her 'I'm sorry'."

"Good, I think she'll like that," she said with a smile. At that moment he watched her eyes, like a light bulb had sprang to life in her head. At this point she leaned back, putting her hands back behind her head, and closing her eyes once more.

"My Mommy's the best, you know?" she began nonchalantly. "The most pertiest girl I have ever seen, and she's really, really smart too. This one time, we were playing hid and seek, and I hid in my 'super secret doublety triply hardest place to be found', and you know what? She found me!

"My Mommy is the very best girl ever, and she makes really good food too, most of the time. I think she makes lots of money too, which someone told me is a very good thing." After her monologue she had opened one eye barely to watch his reaction.

Inuyasha on the other hand was doing his best to keep from laughing at this small match maker. So did this mean that Kagome was single? Well, it could just mean that Aimi doesn't like the man she is with.

"Oh really, is that so?" He smiled and tilted his head to the side. At least the runt liked him well enough to think he was good enough for her mother. He changed the subject by suggesting some juice, and they made their way back to the playground with the rest of the children.

[:::]

The last of his students were being picked up, leaving only Shippo and Aimi playing with some Legos. He felt his nerves beginning to pick up at the thought of Kagome arriving soon. He needed to talk to her, to apologize, and get on better terms with the woman. If nothing else, so he wouldn't have to be put through the scent of her dread again. That was enough incentive to make up with her. He was nervously tapping a pen on his blotter when Sango came into the room.

"Hey Kiddos! Are you ready to go to the park," she said as she picked up a bundle of Shippo, and hugged him close. Both of the children responded with a quick yes, and ran to pick up their bags.

"Sango, are you taking Aimi?" he said, feeling a small amount of apprehension. What about his talk with the girl's mother? She turned to look at him, and gave him a dirty look.

"After how you treated Kagome, I'm surprised she would ever want to see you again. I offered to pick up Aimi, and we're going to meet her at the park." She smiled at the girl, as both kids lined up before her. "Ready to go?" And they nodded to her.

"Hey! What the he- er… I mean, what do you mean she doesn't want to see me again," he barked out. He wanted to say he was sorry. He couldn't exactly do it if Sango came to get the girl instead of the wench he needed to talk to.

"She told me about how rude you were to her," she scolded him; "I don't even know what you were thinking. You could lose your job for speaking to a parent like that."

"Keh, that's not the point," he argued. "If she weren't so hot headed –"

"Pfft… you're one to talk Inuyasha," Sango jeered. He scowled at her for a moment, while picking up the remainder of his things.

"So, she is avoiding me then," he frowned. This wasn't really how he wanted things to turn out. How did he want things to turn out then?

Inuyasha's Internal Theater | Showing 3:15pm | Inuyasha's Apology to Kagome

Enter Kagome – Stage Right

Inuyasha walks purposely up to her, and firmly encircles her waist.

Kagome gasps.

Dramatically he bends her backwards over his arm, looking deep into her eyes.

Inuyasha: Kagome, I'm sor- (interrupted by Kagome)

Kagome: Inuyasha, just stop. You don't need to say anything, I was being unreasonable.

Kagome raises a hand, to gently cup Inuyasha's face.

Inuyasha: Keh, I know.

Inuyasha smirks, and leans down toward Kagome; closing what little distances is left between them, catching her scent so fabulously sweet and heady in his nose.

Kagome: Oh Inuyasha, you're so… wonderful.

The scene continues, as does the rest of the real world.

His face took on a dazed expression as he smirked at his day dream, effectively ignoring Sango. Humm… yes; if he apologized, he could really get used to feeling her up next to him. She was probably as soft as he imagined.

"Is that a problem? Well, if you want her to pay attention to you, I suggest not digging your nose where it doesn't belong," he flinched at her ironic statement, but she didn't notice. Sighing she took the kids hands, leaving his room. He heard her mumble to herself as she walked down the hallway, "I mean really Inuyasha, what business of it is yours anyways?"

He flattened his ears to his head at her obvious statement. If Sango was this mad, then Kagome must have been furious with him. But then he remembered his little talk with Aimi, and remembered how sweet she was. Kagome must be a level headed woman to raise such a good daughter; she would be reasonable when he saw her again. Right?

[~A:|:N~]

4098

Vocab Time!

Irish Wolves - Yes, up until the 1700s or so, there were wolves in the irish countryside; the same breed that lives in North America, btw. Due to fears of them when the people started to expand into the wolves territory, they were hunted to extinction.

Super secret doublety triply hardest place to be found - that's really freaking hidden.

Inuyasha's Internal Theater -Just be glad it isn't 'Miroku's Internal Theater'.

Alright, so would it be weird if I ran around 'squeeeing' with joy because I got 7 reviews from my last chapter? I know that isn't a lot, but seriously, that was pretty bad ass. ^_^ Thanks for everyone who reviewed, even if they are random hateful comments towards our resident idiot hanyou, lol.

So anywho, I know that Inuyasha would probably never day dream like that, but if he did, I imagine it would be all messed up, lol.

- Foayasha