There's No I in Team (but there's an I in Hiten and Inuyasha).
"You have got to be kidding." The two groaned in perfect unison, and then in distaste. "I know, I know. You can thank me later." She waved, her voice conveying distinct sarcasm. Kagome jumped forward, pulling Sango toward her chest in a feat of desperation. "Please tell me the other two people make up for this?" She whispered, however fruitless, earning a disgruntled stare from Inuyasha.
"Ah…" Sango began by flipping to the correct sheet on the clip-board. She hummed, not recognising either of the names listed, "I'll let you be the judge of that." Kagome understood, motioning the wipe of a woeful teardrop. "Protocol's first though. Let's get to the rest of your class and go from there." Sango looked to Inuyasha, gesturing for him to follow after Kagome. He answered back reluctantly with a peeved expression, but did as told.
As preparations began, students were informed by the trail's ranger of their hike. Although they seemed to be better at managing junior-level interactions, the majority of the class didn't argue. After an overall preparation was complete, the teacher directed each camp counsellor to collect their students and relay further information elsewhere- separate from the other groups. There was one counsellor to every four students which tied in well, with Inuyasha as an extra number, making the class split evenly.
Although most counsellors were parents or guardians of students, there were a few ex-students who had graduated in previous years. Amongst the few was Sango, having only graduated last year, she would be the youngest counsellor there. Oddly enough the only qualifications a counsellor needed was to be able to manage four students, instructing them with the information necessary, and reporting if anything went wrong. They were merely second-hand assistants who were guided under the teacher's consent.
Sango began to read off a sheet, accumulated with the many other hand-outs she had received. "Students will follow the marked trails to the bottom of the mountain, where they will spend the night and return to Tokyo in the afternoon. Activities will be run through morning till departure. Students must fill in their hiking booklet to be able to participate in tomorrow's activities. Booklets will be collected by appointed counsellor after students return. Please go through the booklets with the students before it is due time for the hike, answering any questions they may have."
"I think that last bit was for you" Kagome laughed, earning Sango a heavy sigh. "Here, I'll pass the sheet around and you can all have turns reading it. Because there's about twenty more paragraphs of this bullsh—"
"Why don't we talk about how this team is going to win, rather than what the camp counsellor is required to do?" A voice spoke up from behind Kagome, to which she turned around. Hiten; half of the renowned third-year brothership. To put a finger on Hiten would be like trying to hit a constantly moving object with no pattern of reference. In simple terms, this guy came off quite strong and unpredictable. The very few confrontations Kagome had with him were usually blunt, getting straight to the point. Of course it suited his nature to be the driven voice of the group, how this would go down with teamwork is another issue all together.
Inuyasha sat back, leant against a supporting beam for an outdoor picnic area. He was reserved in conversation, and seemed to be nonchalant to the very idea of teamwork. After a while of Sango bickering back and forth with Hiten, the fourth team member sought it a good idea to step in.
This classmate was no other than Jinenji. A very tall, young man with a large build- his face wove caring features which complimented his bold eyes. Kagome had worked with Jinenji on numerous projects during Social Studies; he was smart and very diligent. An admirable character she had come to enjoy the company of.
"It is important to know what needs to be done." He gestured for Kagome to speak up, causing her to choke a little but soon snapping back into reality. "Right, yes." She began, glancing through the sheet Sango had passed to her. "The hike should be fairly straight forward. There are many intertwining trails which each head to the bottom of the mountain eventually. Taking the shortest one would get us down there the quickest—"
"Great, it's sorted then." Hiten snorted. Unwilling to listen any further, he sat himself away from the group, clearly resigning from the discussion. "As... I was getting to, because we have to complete the booklet maybe we should divide up jobs?" Kagome asked, hoping this wouldn't turn into another group project nightmare. Her worst fear, having to do everything herself, and in return the marks being nowhere as good as they could have been.
"That's a good idea. Inuyasha, what do you want to do?" Sango smirked, noticing his level of irritation. She still wondered how Kagome had managed getting away with smacking him with that clip-board. "I really don't care." He over enunciated, emphasising the intolerance in his tone.
"Oh come on," Kagome sprung up, moving into his field of personal space. "This is a team, Inuyasha. You've gotta take responsibility for something at least." He turned up his nose once again, earning a wince from Kagome. She stepped back with a sour expression, and then turned to Jinenji with a face of polar opposite.
"I think you should be in charge of the cell phone, Jinenji." Kagome smiled, giving him the confidence to accept. He appreciated her gesture, not many people gave their trust to him, and it was reassuring to know Kagome respected him. Jinenji nodded, trying to conceal a grin.
"Now then," Sango started, taking back her hold as camp counsellor. "Just remember to work together," she moved her gaze toward Inuyasha and Hiten namely, "that way all of this will be over with no harm done."
With a grunt from each of the boys, aside from Jinenji who was high in spirit, Sango lead her team to the meeting area where the hike would begin. On the walk over, Kagome veered backward to walk with Inuyasha, leaning in close to make sure he was listening.
Getting straight to the point she began her grilling. "Look here Inuyasha, I get it. We obviously didn't hit it off that great, and I feel the same way- but we need to start fresh. We're in this team together, and plus you're friends with Sango and—"
"I know Sango. I didn't say I was friends with her."
Kagome stopped in her tracks. Staring at Inuyasha she felt her face wrinkle up. "That's… I, what? That isn't the point. Are you even paying attention to what I'm trying to get at?"
Inuyasha stopped too, matching her stare with an equally annoyed expression. "The point is I'm not going to be friends with you just because we have mutuals. So warm up to me as much as you want because this will never happen." He resumed walking, leaving Kagome to dawdle behind and gather her thoughts.
What is that guy's problem? What kind of sane person… Her thoughts went off track, and she decided to drop it- for now at least. Although Inuyasha was coming across as difficult, Kagome was persistent. She took in a deep breath, reassuring herself that she would be able to deal with whichever Inuyasha's type was.
"Please, take all the time you need. It's not like I'm the one going to be busted for being tardy." Sango let out a chuckle. She had waited ahead at a door leading through an easement, where the class was arranged to meet. As Kagome quickened her pace, Sango greeted her with an open arm- the other one occupied holding the door open. The friends walked off after their team, each lulled by the other's comforting presence.
Rested against Sango's side, Kagome sprung forward a thought. "You know, Inuyasha said you weren't friends." Sango faked a surprise, "That son of a bitch," Kagome laughed in reply, continuing to as they walked onward. "And I thought we were tight as!"
AN: Thanks for the continued support, see you next chapter!