Chapter 5

~Entitlement~

(Bankotsu)

"Hi there Mr. Frowny-face, what's got you so angry?" Bankotsu grinned as he slid into the open seat next to Sesshomaru. As usual he had his pick of seats but on the slightly odd note it seemed the other students were practically in each other's laps trying to sit as far away from Sesshomaru as possible. Bankotsu was unmoved by their obvious terror. 'More space for me.' He grinned putting his feet up in the chair in front of him and setting up his laptop.

He glanced at Sesshomaru's clearly unamused face and stifled a laugh. He took pride in the fact that he was probably the only person on the planet who could greet Sesshomaru with such a line and not get his face ripped off.

"Should I try guessing why you're so angry instead?" Bankotsu asked, leaning back with his hands behind his head.

"If you had any brains you'd know there's no one capable of actually pissing me off other than the daimyo." Sesshomaru growled.

"Daddy issues…that's hot on a chick." Bankotsu smiled.

Sesshomaru rolled his eyes.

"Are women seriously the only thing you think about?" Sesshomaru sighed.

"I think about sex a lot too or does that count in the women category?" Bankotsu asked sitting up in his chair.

"Shut up." Sesshomaru muttered, massaging his forehead.

"So what did the old dog have to say?" Bankotsu pressed on.

"He wants me to get married." Sesshomaru snarled.

"To who?" Bankotsu frowned.

"Apparently I get a choice in at least that matter." Sesshomaru said.

"Well then choose someone and get a divorce once you get the company or choose someone really hot and just have an affair when she's less hot." Bankotsu advised.

"Really, what are you going to do with your life? I hope you're not planning to give crap advice for a living." Sesshomaru smirked.

"I'll inherit my dad's company and then pay someone else to do all the work so I can go out and play." Bankotsu said with a wink.

"And you have no desire to do anything differently? You're content to just follow in your father's footsteps?"

"Well I don't plan to work as hard as he does. Unless partying counts as work. That's PR right?" Bankotsu shrugged.

Sesshomaru shook his head and turned look at his computer with a stony expression. Bankotsu frowned watching his friend. Sometimes he thought Sesshomaru took the future way too seriously. 'I hope I'm not like that when I'm a senior.' Bankotsu thought.

"I have no desire to be anything like that human loving fool who sired me." Sesshomaru's voice was so quiet Bankotsu almost didn't hear him but it was said with such conviction that Bankotsu had to pause before responding. Perhaps now wasn't the time to joke but what else could he do?

"Oh Sesshomaru." Bankotsu sighed dramatically. "Why can't you just enjoy your entitlement like everyone else? We were born to carry on a legacy not to forge a destiny of our own. We're entitled to a trust fund, fast cars, big houses, and absolutely no rules. So stop brooding and find yourself a girlfriend because you're also entitled to all the girls you want."

"It's fortunate your parents are dead otherwise they'd kill themselves over what an utter failure you are as a human being." Sesshomaru replied.

~Observing~

(Enju)

Enju swung her foot idly as she tried to focus on the forms in front of her. It was the first day of school so there wasn't much homework for her to do in study hall. She'd opted to get a head start on the battle team paperwork but she really hadn't gotten much done which was quite contrary to her usual work ethic. She found her attention was repeatedly drawn to the table where Miroku sat with Ayame.

The two had their heads bent together and had been whispering and giggling for most of the hour. 'Perhaps there is something going on between them after all.' Enju thought as she once again glanced at the pair. 'Ayame must have denied an interest in Miroku because she's engaged to Kouga and everyone thinks Miroku is a creep. It's a shame she's embarrassed about her crush. I wonder what Sango would think about all this.'

E: It seems to me that despite his lecherous nature the new kid is quite fond of Ayame.

S: Fond as in groping fond or fond as in legit crush fond?

E: Looks pretty legit to me. They've been flirting since I got here.

Enju watched her screen patiently waiting for a response but frowned when quite a bit of time passed without a response.

E: Are you still there?

S: Yes, sorry. I got a bit distracted. I'm in the history class from hell, remember.

Enju chuckled to herself inwardly relieved that she was spared from such a grouping.

E: Perhaps we ought to help Miroku and Ayame along. He'd stop bothering you.

Enju waited out another long pause from her friend.

S: Ayame's engaged.

E: Kouga doesn't want to be engaged.

S: I don't really think they have a choice.

E: Then what's the harm in dating someone you like for the time you have? Plus you agreed to help Kouga with Kagome which means Ayame can't be after him all the time. It's a win, win.

S: I suppose you're right.

Enju was about to respond but the bell rang. Her eyes slid over to the pair that had been together all hour and she smiled to herself as she saw Miroku embrace Ayame. 'Nothing lecherous about that hug.' Shutting her laptop, Enju made her way down to the gym to change and talk to her best friend face to face.

~Planning~

(Ayame)

"So are you going to Kikyou's party?" Miroku asked Ayame as the hour drew to a close.

"I hope so." Ayame sighed.

"You don't know yet?" Miroku continued.

"Well Kouga hasn't asked me yet." Ayame said with a shrug.

"I'm sure he will. He's your fiancé. Reluctant or not it's just tacky not to ask." Miroku said encouragingly.

"Are you going to ask Sango?" Ayame asked trying to change the subject.

She desperately hoped Kouga would ask her but how could she be sure now. Kagome was meant to be helping her but if she was going on a date with Kouga tonight how likely was it that she was going to tell him he needed to take Ayame to the party instead. She'd just have to buy a dress and hope for the best.

"I'm planning to. She obviously can't go with InuYasha. He'll be with Kikyou so she should be available. Hopefully I can really charm her at the party and she'll go out with me again." Miroku grinned.

"How are you planning to ask her?"

"I'm not quite sure yet. She's still a little angry with me so I figure I should give it a bit of time and then do some big romantic gesture. What do you think?" He asked.

"Sounds good to me. I'll try to find out if she has any particular way she'd like a guy to ask her out."

"Thanks Ayame." Mirokou said getting up and hugging the wolf girl as the bell rang.

Ayame smiled happily. She was so pleased to be able to help her new friend.

~Jealousy~

(Sango)

Sango sighed as she took notes on the first history lecture of the year. The class period was almost over and her page wasn't even half full. InuYasha and Kouga felt the need to keep interjecting comments or asking questions that led to a pointless argument that the teacher eventually had to end.

Similarly, Kagome had been trying to subtly get InuYasha's attention and failing had resorted to openly flirting with Kouga which is what started the arguments in the first place. Sango had to give the two credit though, if the feud between InuYasha and Kouga hadn't been going on for so long people would have surely thought they were talking about past wars within their country. They had carefully laced their own issues into those of the feuding war lords from the past.

For once Sango was beginning to see the value in taking a nap rather than paying attention. There was barely any educational value in listening today. She was just leaning back to indulge in InuYasha's favorite past time of not paying attention when a chat box popped up in the corner of her screen.

E: It seems to me that despite his lecherous nature the new kid is quite fond of Ayame.

Sango frowned instantly picturing the two in the elevator. 'Fond for all the wrong reasons, I'm sure.' However, it was Enju who was saying it. She had no reason to lie since she was just as suspicious of Miroku's playboy antics.

S: Fond as in groping fond or fond as in legit crush fond?

E: Looks pretty legit to me. They've been flirting since I got here.

Sango froze her jaw tightening. Her reaction surprised her though. Why did she care that he was flirting with another girl? It was foolish to think that maybe he'd been serious earlier with all his crap about her being special. He was probably using the same crap lines on Ayame. That poor girl was so naïve and obviously hurting from Kouga's rejection. It was wrong for Miroku to prey on the girl's obvious need for affection since Kouga was showing her none.

Sango slipped her hand over to Kagome's leg and give her friend a sharp pinch. Kagome jumped and turned wide confused eyes on her friend.

"Stop flirting with Kouga. He's engaged." Sango whispered hoping she was too quiet for Kouga or InuYasha to hear.

"I know. I know. It's just…" Kagome trailed off, gazing longingly at InuYasha.

"Just give him up Kagome. He's not right for you." Sango sighed.

"You don't understand. You've never been in love." Kagome whined.

"And I'm also not the one pining for a dog." Sango said harshly.

Kagome's face crinkled into a shamed look and Sango instantly felt guilty. She was taking out her irritation at Miroku on Kagome and that wasn't fair.

"I'm sorry Kagome. I just think you can do better. If you want Kouga then go all in but don't play games. That's what gets people hurt." Sango advised.

"But you just said…" Kagome's words were tuned out as Sango's eyes were drawn back to her screen where Enju had apparently been waiting for a response.

E: Are you still there?

S: Yes, sorry. I got a bit distracted. I'm in the history class from hell, remember.

Sango bit her lip that was kind of true. Her distraction had been people in the class but she'd only gotten distracted because she was dealing with the unwanted feelings that came from hearing that Miroku was flirting with another girl.

E: Perhaps we ought to help Miroku and Ayame along. He'd stop bothering you.

Sango froze. That was what she wanted wasn't it? She didn't want Miroku following her around. He was a creep and a lecher. Her eyes slid sideways to InuYasha to be sure he wasn't peeking at her screen. He was too busy arguing with Kouga about something.

Sango chewed absently on her bottom lip trying to decide what it was she wanted. Was it really possible that she a crush on the idiot? No. Was it possible that she might be developing a crush on him? She sighed. He'd really gotten to her with his pretty words and charming personality but she had to face reality. He wasn't her type. He was the sort of guy who made you crazy with paranoia that he was cheating and she didn't need that type of foolishness in her life. She didn't want to end up like Kikyou. The girl was raving mad trying to keep up with all of InuYasha's indiscretions. 'If that's what it's like to be in a couple, I want no part of that.'

Still Sango couldn't bring herself to want to help Miroku get with another girl. Ayame was too sweet and too nice to be mixed up with his sort.

S: Ayame's engaged.

E: Kouga doesn't want to be engaged.

S: I don't really think they have a choice.

E: Then what's the harm in dating someone you like for the time you have? Plus you agreed to help Kouga with Kagome which means Ayame can't be after him all the time. It's a win, win.

S: I suppose you're right.

Sango sighed. She would do the bare minimum to help, for Ayame's sake of course.

~Being Single~

(Kagura)

Kagura's eyes darkened as she watched the white muscle tee stretch across Sesshomaru's torso. 'He is shamelessly good looking.' She thought to herself and then cursed. She wasn't meant to be falling for him. He was just a means to a higher standard of living. Her eyes traveled down his chest over his slim hips and slid slowly down the length of his muscular legs. 'Kami, I'm glad we're all in the same gym class.'

"Are you going to keep checking out Sesshomaru all day or are you going to come on?" Kikyou's voice snapped her out of her silent appraisal.

"Coming? Where are we going?" Kagura asked.

"Girls are going to the gymnastics room; we're stretching and toning today." Kikyou said.

"What about the guys?" Kagura's face crumbled into a pouty frown.

"They're going to the weight room." Kaguya said sadly. "I was so hoping to get a good look at Bankotsu in his gym uniform."

"You two are pathetic." Kikyou snorted, as she breezed by them pulling her hair up into a pony tail. "You shouldn't be drooling over guys who barely know you exist. It's beneath you."

"Sesshomaru knows I exist." Kagura couldn't stop herself from snapping defensively; though Kikyou didn't hear her. She was already going up the stairs to the gymnastics room.

"Do you think I should just ask Bankotsu to the party? I mean, I'm not worried about him asking me. I just don't feel like waiting around for him to remember to ask me." Kaguya rambled as she walked alongside Kagura.

"What makes you think he's going to ask you?" Kagura asked feeling slightly confused.

Kaguya had, had a crush on Bankotsu for ages but knowing Bankotsu that would just bore him. He liked a challenge.

"Well, we hooked up over the summer and I'm sure we totally connected." Kaguya explained.

"Kag, Bankotsu hooked up with a lot of girls over the summer."Kagura began.

"I know but we had a connection and he hasn't been serious about anyone since." Kaguya reasoned.

"Has he ever been serious about anyone?" Kagura sighed.

Kaguya chewed her lip for a moment frowning.

"So you think I should just wait for him to ask me then?" She finally said.

"That would be best." Kagura advised.