Chapter 3

A Challenge

-X-X-X-X- Hey everyone, I'm so sorry it's taken so long to update. I just got back from a really long camping trip so I haven't had the time to write. But enough about that; it's time for the next chapter so here it is. -X-X-X-X-

~X~X~X~X~

"What was up with you yesterday? I mean sure, I'll admit the guy was a model, but you were so out of it Kagome. Are you suddenly afraid of beautiful guys!" Sango questioned as they walked into the school building.

"No! Of course not! I don't know I just… There was a weird connection I guess… He threw me off guard. That's all." Kagome said, trying to sound persuasive, but truthfully she wasn't really sure what happened.

They continued through the building in silence. When they reached the hallway with their lockers, they stopped dead in their tracks; there was a huge crowd in front of Kagome's locker.

It took them a moment but they realized the crowd was surrounding two people. They stood there dumbfounded.

"Hey! Sango, Kagome!" a voice shouted from inside the mass of people. Immediately the crowd parted revealing Miroku and another guy in the center of the circle. Kagome and Sango walked forward slowly, eyeing the other students around them whose attention was on Miroku and someone else.

"Sango and Kagome, I would like you to meet my new pal InuYasha Takahashi. I'm not sure if you heard, but he just moved here and will be in our grade." Miroku gestured to the person beside him.

Kagome had stopped listening after "Takahashi". Before her stood the god-like guy who had flustered her at the coffee shop only yesterday afternoon. The "famous" Takahashi son had been flirting with her last night and she had a made a complete fool out of herself. She felt like an idiot.

"It's nice to see you again Kagome. I didn't know we would be in school together," InuYasha greeted smiling down at her; he was a good head taller than Kagome. Kagome smiled shyly, not meeting his gaze; she was so embarrassed from her behavior the day before.

"So the highly anticipated Takahashi dude was the one who embarrassed my poor friend? That's unexpected." Sango remarked. "I'm Sango Mitsoyu; pleased to meet you." Sango introduced shaking InuYasha's hand. "This is Kagome Higurashi." Sango gestured to Kagome who had final composed herself.

"It's nice to meet you," Kagome stated also shaking InuYasha's hand.

"Again," InuYasha added smirking. He earned a small blush from Kagome and a groan from the girls in the crowd.

"Miroku, how do you know InuYasha?" Sango asked sensing her friend's discomfort.

"Oh, remember the camp I went to in July? InuYasha and I ruled that camp! We're best buds," Miroku explained.

"Yeah, that camp was crap until we showed up." InuYasha agreed.

BRING, BRING!

"Shoot! We're gonna be late!" Kagome shouted dashing to her locker and furiously pushing people out of the way. The crowd dispersed immediately, running off in different directions.

"I'll see you guys later. I've gotta run!" InuYasha waved and left for class.

Miroku turned to Sango and kissed her on the cheek. "I will see you at lunch my dearest Sango," with that he ran down the hallway leaving a stunned and red-faced Sango.

"Come on Sango, think about it class we're late!" Kagome screeched, dragging Sango to class.

~X~X~X~X~

Kagome was honestly annoyed. Her peaceful lunch table that had always been for her and her friends only had suddenly turned into a popular hotspot. Why; InuYasha had drawn all the cheerleaders and the whole football team to their table. She barely had enough space to breathe, let alone eat her lunch.

The girls and guys awed as InuYasha flexed his tone muscles. Kikyo asked if she could feel his arm and squealed when InuYasha obliged. Sango sat next to Kagome narrowing her eyes at Miroku who was flirting with all of the cheerleaders, taking advantage of his new-found popularity.

When Kikyo asked about InuYasha's abs, Kagome couldn't take it anymore. "ENOUGH ALREADY!" she yelled angrily, making the entire cafeteria turn their attention to Kagome. Kikyo jumped and InuYasha raised his eyebrows at her. "This is our table! Do you understand that, Takahashi! Sango, Miroku and I! You are welcome to sit here as long as your freaky cheerleaders and football team go back to their seats. Otherwise you can leave. Your choice." Kagome yelled letting her steam out. "I will not wipe anymore cheerleader drool off my shirt."

InuYasha stared at her for a moment, comprehending what she said then turning to his friends. "She's right. This is their table. Let's go over there." InuYasha finally said pointing to a table across the room.

Grumbling complaints, everyone who didn't belong at the table moved. InuYasha was the last to go. He gave Kagome a strange look and as he walked past her, she heard him mumble something along the lines of, "Feisty…"

She spun around to see him smiling lightly. Why did her breath catch in her throat?

"I'm so glad that's over," Sango commented, relieved. "Hey, Miroku where are you going?" Sango asked suspiciously.

"To give that blonde cheerleader my number…" Miroku answered nervously.

"Uhg! So you're going to go join the popular crowd! Talk about loyalty!" Sango shouted angrily.

"Now Sango, I could never leave you. I merely wish to see if InuYasha has all he needs seeing as I've been assigned to help him fit in." Miroku reassured a fuming Sango.

"He's fitting in fine." Kagome retorted shooting a glare across the room where Kikyo was practically sitting on InuYasha's lap.

Sango nodded slowly. "Right you are, Kagome. Right you are…"

~X~X~X~X~

"I never thought I'd be so happy to be here." Kagome commented as she whipped up an Espresso.

"Watch what you say," Sango pointed to the shop entrance where Kikyo and Yura were entering. Kagome groaned as she positioned herself in front of the cash register.

"And guess what he said!" Kikyo asked expectantly.

"What do you think I'd look like with red hair?" Yura wondered aloud causing Kikyo to scream in frustration.

"Aren't you listening to me! Guess what InuYasha said!" Kikyo asked again.

"What did he say..?" Yura was so obviously uninterested.

"He said he was single! You know what that means; I can date him!"

Kagome coughed lightly. Kikyo finally realized she should order. "I'm in the mood for an Iced Chai Tea Latte. Oh, and remember to use non-fat milk."

"Yep." Kagome turned to Sango smirking. "Remember non-fat milk Sango; wouldn't want to put a costumer in jeopardy of getting calories."

Sango stifled a laugh while Kikyo glared. "You're just jealous Kagome because I'm going to snatch InuYasha from you. It's so obvious you like him, it's pathetic."

"Is that a challenge Kikyo," Kagome asked darkly. Even though Kagome barely knew InuYasha and she didn't actually care about his "love life", it was a chance to one-up Kikyo; who would pass that up!

Kikyo smiled lightly. "Now it is."

Just then the door opened and Miroku walked in, followed closely by a laughing InuYasha.

"Speak of the devil," Sango muttered as they reached the counter.

"My lovely flower Sango, why don't you look pleased to see me? Have I done something wrong?" Miroku asked casually walking to the door that led to behind the counter.

"Out! Employee's only and- I'm not your flower!" Sango reprimanded pointing to the other side of the counter.

"But of course you are Sango; you always will be." Miroku winked as he returned to InuYasha's side.

Sango blushed a deep crimson and Kikyo gagged. "That's the worst pick up line I've ever heard." Kikyo drawled. "I'm still waiting for my Latte," Kikyo said expectantly.

Kagome grimaced as she handed Kikyo the drink. "Have a nice day." Kagome replied curtly.

Kikyo snorted then turned to InuYasha. "So hot shot, wat'cha doin' later? We could go see a movie or something…" Kikyo suggested, shooting Kagome a triumphant look that was not missed by InuYasha.

He turned to fully face Kikyo. "Sorry, no can do Kikyo, I've already got plans."

"What! Are you rejecting me!" Kikyo demanded, her face burning with anger.

"It's not that complicated Kikyo; I simply already made plans." InuYasha shrugged, than winked at Kagome when Kikyo wasn't looking.

Kagome stifled a laugh. "Can I take your order?" Kagome asked, a small smile pulling at her lips.

InuYasha stared Kagome straight in the eyes. "Would I be able to order that super cute employee this time?"

"There was a first time!" Kikyo squealed.

Kagome giggled as she shook her head. "Sorry dog boy, I'm not that easy. Besides, after this morning… I doubt I'm even in your 'popular' league."

"But you'll always be in my league sweetheart." InuYasha smirked.

"Uhg! Let's go Yura!" Kikyo stomped out of the shop leaving Yura who was still imaging her hair in different colors. "YURA!"

"Oh, coming!" Yura ran after her "friend".

"Think what you want InuYasha, but there's a gap between you and I." Kagome replied, not breaking eye contact.

"For now…"

~X~X~X~X~

-X-X-X-X- I'm finally done! It was actually going to be a much shorter chapter, but I got in a writing mood and kept going. I will give a cookie to anyone who can figure out what episode title I referenced to in the last sentence Kagome says. It's pretty easy, but whatever; you lovely people deserve cookies. Special thanks to the following people for your lovely reviews:

Breeluv

Seraphina Moon

ForeverxWeird

Rinon-chan

Your reviews made me smile, so for that you get not one, but TWO cookies! If anyone else wants TWO cookies, than REVIEW! Bye for now! -X-X-X-X-

Preview of Chapter 4:

SORRY, NO PREVIEW YET. IT HASN'T BEEN WRITTEN. I WILL POST PREVIEW WHEN I HAVE IT. SORRY!

Review!