Disclaimer: Hey everyone! Damn, slipped up again. It's better than missing an update for a month though, right? Anyways, the poll is still up in my profile so you guys can check it out and vote for the next story.I got a question in one of the reviews asking me if I hated Kikyo and like Inuyasha/Kagome. Okay, yes, I do like Inuyasha/Kagome as a pairing. They, I must say, have to be my favorite pairing. It's kind of like a love/hate relationship. And then there are always those moments between them where you just have to like the couple.

No, I don't hate Kikyo. I never really did hate Kikyo. It's just sometimes she can be a bi-a-tch. Like when she tried to take Inuyasha to hell. I mean, really? Do you really have to do that? Other than that, I like her. She reminds me a little of Sesshomaru in a way. Their both so quiet. If they did ever interact in a good way, they would have made a nice pairing. So, here's chapter... Nine, there we go. Woah, blacked out there for a sec. Okay, chapter nine. Here we go!

I dragged my pen across the paper and looped it into an oval-like shape before closing it. Cross word puzzles can always calm you down, I guess. Always works with me. . . Sometimes. The thing, or rather person, that can really calm me down if I get out of hand is -- You guessed it! -- Kagome. The moment has not come up yet where I have gotten out of hand, but, it has gotten close. And, guess who was there to stop it from getting worse? Ding, ding, ding! Kagome!

What of the 'aftershock' of the fight? It seemed more simple then I thought. Well, from Kagome's point of view, it seemed simple.

I sat down in the chair I always sat on at lunch time and in the morning and waited for Kagome. I was really confused the night before. She kissed me! Sure, it wasn't on the lips, but she still kissed me! Is it wrong that I would freak out that the woman I have totally and completely fallen in love with kissed me on the cheek? If it is, well, sue me or something. But, we don't know that so nothing can be done.

My thoughts were interrupted when someone sat down next to me. No, it wasn't Kagome. Actually, it was Sango. My expression twisted into one of confusion.

"Sango?"

"Hey, Inuyasha. Did you talk to Kagome?"

"Uh, yeah, sort of."

"Good. Did she accept your apology?"

"Yup." I answered. "Hey, Sango, have you seen her this morning?"

"Actually, she's walking towards the front door." Sango said as she pointed. I turned my head and saw a figure with a white sweater walking towards the entrance. I jolted out of my seat, nearly tripping over it, and ran towards the door to catch up with her.

"Kagome! Hold on!" I yelled to try and stop her. I saw her turn around and smile slightly. I ran up the stairs until I was in front of her.

"Hey." I said breathlessly.

"Hi." She said with a tone as if she was going to laugh any second.

"I have to talk to you."

"Okay, follow me." She then turned and left me. I went after her and nearly tripped over my feet. Damn it, now I have to look down as I walk. Perfect.

"A-About last night." I started.

"What about it?"

"Well, you kissed me." She stopped and turned around to face me.

"Does that make things awkward between us?"

"N-No, not at all."

"Okay, good. That's the last thing I want."

"Yeah, but--" Before I could finish, the first bell rang, signalling that we had to get to class. Kagome frowned.

"Well, we should get to class. I'll meet up with you, okay?"

"B-But I--" I was cut off again, but not by a bell or anything like that. Kagome leaned up and kissed my cheek again before going to her locker, leaving me once again confused. Is this going to become a new arrangement for us? If it is, I think I can get used to it. I took her orders and walked into class.

Simple? She simply asks if things were going to get awkward and kisses me again. Then again, I'm not protesting. Bring on the kisses!

"Hey Inuyasha." I looked up to see. . . Koga. Great. "Are you okay man? You just like blew off Kagome yesterday. She looked pretty bad."

"I'm fine." I muttered. He dragged a chair out from the desk next to me and sat down.

"So. . ." He trailed off. Does he want something? If it's something to piss me off, take him away, Kami.

"Is there something you want?" I asked him.

"Yeah. There's a little rumor goin' around. It's 'bout you and Kagome." I blinked. This was a shocker. What were people saying about us now?

"What's the rumor?"

"Well, a girl saw Kagome kiss you on the cheek a few days ago. She told her friend. Her friend told some other girls. Everyone thinks that you and Kagome have 'something' going on." Wow. . . Now there's a rumor I finally like. It's too bad that. . . It isn't true. . .

"Is there something going on?" He asked. I wanted to say yes. More than anything, I wanted to say yes. But, if I did, I knew Kagome would never forgive me if I lied.

"No, Koga, there's nothing going on between me and Kagome. We're not together." There. It's done. Now I know what people mean when they say, 'The truth hurts'.

"Okay, dude, that's all I wanted to know." He said. I sighed and nodded. "Look, Inuyasha. I know Kagome's your best friend. You wanna protect her from stuff." I looked at him, curious and confused. What's he getting at? "You got feelings for her and I understand that." I stiffened. Ah, crap. It is that obvious. "So, don't worry man, she's all yours."

"How do you know that?"

"No one's gonna go after her. And if they do, I'll tell 'em off." What the hell is he doing? Isn't he supposed to be my enemy? Why is he being nice to me? Didn't he want Kagome, too?

"I thought you like her, too."

"I did. But, she's not for me. I think you know that. You care 'bout her more, anyways." Woah. . . Maybe I was all wrong about Koga. Maybe he really is a good guy after all.

"Friends?" He asked me, putting his hand out to me. I smiled.

"Yeah, friends." I shook his hand. So much for my competition. Now, all I have to do is win Kagome over. Hopefully, she'll fall in love with me.

-----Regular P.O.V-----

Koga stepped out of the library, where Inuyasha was, and went to the bathroom. In there, his friend, Cal, was waiting.

"So, what happened?" Cal asked. Koga smirked.

"I got 'em." Koga laughed. Cal smirked.

"Sweet! Now all you have to do is make Kagome fall for you. You have to seperate her somehow from Inuyasha. Then, those bucks will be yours before ya know it."

-----Inuyasha's P.O.V-----

It was the last period of the day which meant it was Study Hall time. I have to say, this must be my favorite class. I don't really know if it is considered a class. There are people making out in the back of the class. The rest are asleep. Then again, this class used to be nappy-time for me too back in Freshman year.

I walked into the classroom and chuckled. Kagome was already sitting there, reading something. She always beat me when it was time to get to this place. I went over and took a seat next to her. She looked up and grinned.

"It's about time you got here. I was here for five minutes already."

"Five minutes! The period just started!"

"Your point?" I laughed and leaned back into my chair.

"You're amazing, that's my point."

"Yeah, I know." She giggled. She never looked away from her book. How was it that she could concentrate so easily on something? I examined the title of the book. Mansfield Park by Jane Austen.

"That's a really big book, Kagome." I said. It must have at least been about four hundred pages.

"Yup. Lost of words."

"Aw, no pictures?" She looked away from the book and gave me a sarcastic look.

"Ha ha, very funny." She laughed unenthusiastically. "So, how's the love life?"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean this 'mystery' girl of yours. How are things going between you two? Did you make a move yet or are you still being a wimp?"

"I'm not a wimp, I told you she doesn't like me."

"Oh, you don't know that. She could secretly like you."

"Okay, sure."

"Whatever, just tell me what's been happening between the two of you."

"Well, actually, I acted like a real jack ass because I was jealous of some guy who like her."

"And what did she do?"

"I apologized and she accepted. We're okay now."

"Well, that's good to hear." She said and turned back to her book. I watched her and sighed. She's so beautiful. She's really everything someone could want. How Koga stopped liking her is beyond me, but just as long as I have more of a chance at being with her, who cares?

I tapped my fingers on the desk and sighed. "Have you ever felt like you don't know what to say to somebody and the wrong thing comes out?" She laughed slightly.

"You're like that all the time."

"Really?" I can't believe she noticed.

"Yeah, whenever you say something stupid to me you always apologize." She looked up from the book and to me. "I can take a joke, Inuyasha. I'm a big girl."

"I know that."

"Then, why do you always act like a body guard?"

"Because--"

"Because what?"

"Because I'm afraid for you."

"Why?"

"Because I might lose you!" I yelled at her. Oh, shit. I went too far. I stared at her, not moving an inch.

"Why do you think that?" She asked me in a whisper. I must've freaked her out. I looked to the floor. How could I have done something like that?

"You're not going to be here forever, Kagome. I know that as well as you do. . ." I stared at the floor for a really long time before she touched my hand. A jolt was sent through my body but I didn't show it. I looked up slowly to meet her chocolate eyes.

"I'm not going anywhere now, Inuyasha. I'll be here for a long time. Even if we do separate, we'll see each other again. I know we will. But, for now, I'm not going anywhere." I stared at her, and, soon, the corners of my lips curved upwards and I smiled at her softly.

"Thank you, Kagome."

"Hey, what are friends for?" She used the word friends again, but I didn't care. She's going to stay with me. I know she didn't mean it like I wanted her to, but I didn't care. She's going to be with me for a long time. Hopefully, she'll realize that I will always be here for her.

"I--" Holy shit, what am I doing. Mouth, please, stop moving. "I-I--"

"You what?" Don't do it, don't do it. I stared at her even longer, trying to control my mouth. Finally, I got back control.

"Nothing. It's nothing."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm okay." I wish I could tell you everything, Kagome. I wish I could. But, you don't love me. I know you don't. I'll keep trying to win your heart over, Kagome.

I love you.

A/N: There's chapter nine. Well, a lot was put into here. Guess what's in store for the next chapter. NEW YEAR'S PARTY TIME!!! I know it's like almost Feburary, but I was a little late in updating. There's gonna be dresses, wine, and. . . MISTLETOE'S!!! So, R&R. Until Next Time!