No, I'm not dead… if I don't update, just check my profile, and the info will be there. Since I don't want to take up too much of your time, here's the chap, everyone!

Bitter or Sweet?

Disclaimer: Maybe if I wish for my birthday…

Chapter 9: FYI

Saw you when you were trying to kick it to her
Got a little kiss and you were
Tellin' everybody that she was into you
Don't tell me you think you got her
It's all become a little hotter
She's been going with me, I guess you never knew
Don't get hung up about it

~Nick and Aaron Carter: She Wants Me

INUYASHA's POV

I'm in a bad mood.

At lunch, Miroku had practically tackled me, demanding what on earth was going on between Sango and I. Kagome didn't exactly have it easy either; Sango blew her head off for ditching her.

Not only that, but Myoga reminded us about the assignment due on Friday- the one that Miroku and I hadn't even begun to work on. So you can imagine why my head is killing me right now. Hell.

Kagome walks silently alongside me as we head home together. Today is Monday, remember? Hooray for irony!

"So," Kagome starts, hesitantly. "Is it just me, or are you in a crappy mood? More than the usual, I mean," she adds, grinning.

I scowl at her. "It's that stupid project due on Friday. Oh, and the fact that your 'brilliant' plan made Miroku want to hurt me until I was able to explain everything doesn't make things any peachier."

"Hey- I figured Sango had told him, okay? As for the project, well, I would say 'sucks for you', but since you're in a bad mood, I'll let it go. That reminds me, what house are we going to today?"

"Don't know. Guessing mine?"

"Oh, shoot," she frowns.

"What, is there something wrong with my house?" I ask. "And all this time, my mom thought you loved-"

She shakes her head. "No, that's not it. I told Koga to come over to my house today after school so we can work on our assignment for Myoga's class. What am I supposed to do now?"

I shrug. "Well, I don't have a problem with Koga so if he needs to, then he can come over."

Kagome perks up. "Oh, right, you guys are like friends, right?"

I shrug again. "I suppose you can say that. He and Miroku are the closest they'll come to 'friends.'" I pause. "Wait, you already know what you're going to do for your project? That's not fair!"

She smiles sheepishly. "Don't worry. It'd slipped my mind until recently."

I snort. "Not surprised. Lots of things slip your mind."

"Hey!"

A loud, shrill ring-tone joins the conversation, and Kagome takes her call. "Hel-lo? Oh, sorry, Koga. Yeah, I'll be there soon... Well, no, actually… Um, you see, there's been a slight change in plans… Haha, no, not that…" insert a suspicious look from me "I was wondering if we could do our project at Inuyasha's house? Things just turned out that way, somehow… Aw, thanks, Koga. You're awesome… okay, see you soon."

"Well that was quick."

She grins. "Koga's super nice. He said that if that was what I wanted, he had no problem with it. I think he spoils me sometimes."

I raise an eyebrow. "Oh? What for?"

"When we were younger, he kind of had a little crush on me," Kagome explains. "We're not together, but he's still really nice. We had a bunch of fun together, like watching movies and going to arcades. Basically, he's a close guy friend. And I don't have many, so he's special to me."

Yawning, I fold my hands behind my head. "Are you sure he's not still into you? Maybe he's just playing the 'friend' in hopes that you'll suddenly fall for him?"

"It's possible, but I value him too much as a friend to date him. Besides, as a guy, he's a bit possessive. As a friend, he's protective. There's a big difference. But it's not like I'd mind dating him. It's just that there's no… spark."

"Gods, please don't lecture me about finding true love and how there's almost a goddamn spark and fucking chemistry. Seriously, save it for someone who actually cares about all that bullshit."

She gives me a real look for that one. "I wasn't going to, sheesh! Don't be such a jerk."

"Can't help that I'm actually realistic and not some romantic."

She shoots me a look. "There's nothing wrong with being a romantic, Inuyasha." Her voice sounds surprisingly defensive and serious. I can't think of anything to say back, so I'm grateful when we see the wolf.

Koga gives a nod. "'Sup?"

I nod back.

"So how's your project going along?"

I glare. "Don't ask me that."

He smirks that annoying, trademark smirk. "Ah, I see. Well, thanks for letting us use your house, dog breath."

"Is that how you express your gratitude, you flea bag?"

Kagome intervenes, already trying to pull Koga into my house as if she owns the place. Damned girl. Seeing as they've already settled into the living room, I make my way to my bedroom, figuring Kagome can make snacks for her and Koga when they're hungry.

Dumping my pack on the floor, I change out of my uniform and into a faded wife-beater and grey sweatpants. I lay on my bed, thinking about what Kagome had mentioned about the workload of tests coming up. Just like her to be worried over something like that. Honestly, I've never understood why some people get so frantic about school. I yawn again. I must've not gotten enough sleep last night because I've been doing a lot of that lately.

I turn onto my side, trying not to the think about the letter scrunched up in the left pocket of my jacket. I don't want to see the councilor tomorrow, darn it. My eyes drift closed. I guess I don't really have a choice, though.

Crunch.

Twitch.

Crunch-crunch.

Twitch-twitch.

Crunch-crunch-crunch.

"Ugh, Yash, can you eat your apple any louder?"

I bite into the fruit once more. "Don' car me dat."

Kagome raises a brow.

"I said, don't call me that. Rin's a bad influence on you. How is she, by the way?"

"Rin's fine. She's sad that her Sesshy left, by nonetheless, fine. Apparently after we'd ditched them, Sesshomaru was forced to treat her to dinner, and to give her his number. But she was seriously pissed when she called and some random bozo picked up."

I sigh. My poor, girly, older brother. Hah. Not that he doesn't deserve it. "So how far did Koga and you get yesterday?"

She grins. "You really wanna know?"

"Not really. It was just a question."

"Anyways, Koga and I decided… that we would perform a duet!"

"How exciting."

"Your lack of enthusiasm is not appreciated. Anyhow, Koga's going to play the saxophone, and I, the flute. We chose to do music, because not as many freshmen/sophomores are going to grab for a musical performance. Therefore, our presentation shall be unique."

"Yeah, but the thing is, the flute and the sax aren't that great of a combo together. It's going to be hard to find a piece that combines the two instruments well."

Kagome flashes me a big smile. "That's the point." She skips on ahead of me. What an idiot…

During second period, most of the students try to cram for the geography test five minutes before the teacher walks in. I shake my head at them. Cramming doesn't help much, and I should know.

After the test, besides a group of individuals who actually study because they value grades, people groan and complain about the test.

"Hey, Takahashi," some guy calls. "How was the test for you?"

"Fine." Didn't try.

"Eh? So it wasn't hard?"

"A bit." Nope.

"But-"

"Oh, just look at the time. I have to go see my councilor. See you around."

Ms. Kai has always seemed a little strange to me. She is one of the few who seems to never run out of patience.

"Hello, Inuyasha, how are you?"

Ms. Kai is still young and dressy- lots of guys pray that they'll be alloted to her. "I'm okay."

"Inuyasha, are you putting that brain of yours to work yet? It's there for a reason, you know… but that's not what today's session is about. You and I both know your capability, but due to your failing grades, my job compels me to assign you to a tutor. I know you won't want to, and it's fine if you hate me, but please don't give your tutor a hard time. They all are working very hard and diligently for the credits they'll be receiving from this job."

"There really is not point of having a tutor, though."

"True. But what can I say? This is the punishment you are forced to go through if you refuse to try in school. So here's the list of the individuals who seem to have one or two spots left in their schedule."

She pushes a paper across the desk. I take it.

When I see a certain name, my eyebrows arch up. How much time does this girl have?

Ms. Kai notices my focus on the particular name.

"Ah, Kagome? She's a marvelous student- young, being a freshman, but since she is taking AP courses, she should be fine. Shall I inform her of your pick so that we can work out a good time for you both?"

"That's not necessary. I can talk to her myself."

She folds her hands on her lap calmly and gives a patient smile. "Alright then, Inuyasha. But if I don't notice a rise in your marks, then I'll assume you didn't speak with her."

It's Wednesday evening. Kagome's not supposed to be at my house on Wednesdays. Why did this ridiculous tutoring thing have to happen?

Kagome seems to be at a loss for words. "So, not only am I your neighbor and family friend, but a tutor, too?"

"Point for Captain Obvious," I mutter in reply.

She scowls, punching my arm. "Don't be a jerk."

"Don't be a bitch."

"I may be a bitch, but at least-"

"Um, is everything alright?" Mom enters the kitchen. "I thought I heard you two... quarrel."

"Everything's fine, Izayoi," Kagome says, smiling her 'angel smile.' "Sorry if I've cause any annoyance."

Once Mom leaves, I exhale, bored. "You can leave now."

"What?"

I roll my eyes. "FYI, Kagome, I'm not stupid. I don't need you to baby me. Sorry for busting your bubble, but I probably even have a much higher IQ than you."

"Good for you, Mr. Smarty Pants, but if you don't know how to apply that IQ-"

My eye twitches in frustration. "Want me to prove it to ya? Give me a set of questions and I'll solve all of it- correctly."

She purses her lips and pulls out three sheets of algebra, computation, and geography. "These are some practice questions from homework. You can start with these." She hands me a pencil, and for the first time in a long time, I actually use the pencil to solve questions.

In twenty minutes, I have it finished, and hand it over to Kagome, who takes it cautiously. Her eyes scan the pages, flabbergasted. "Inuyasha… these are…"

"Right? I know. I solved them."

"Yes, but since when did you know about math?"

"I'm not an idiot, Kagome."

She bites her bottom lip, clearly torn. "Yes, but what's the point of failing? I know you may not want to waste time on things like homework and tests, but with your brain, you could do great things."

My eyes harden. "I'm not going to last here anyway."

"Huh?"

Shit. I wasn't supposed to say that… Kagome's not supposed to know. Mom made that clear on the first day. "Nothing."

"Alright… Yash, what am I going to do? You obviously don't need help with the work, yet if you don't use it, then there's no point. Please just think about what I said, okay? I'm not telling you that you have to do this, or have to do that. But I think you should take a good look at your options in life."

"Kagome, save that kind of talk for my councilor."

She laughs lightly. "Sorry. Can't help it. So, tomorrow's Thursday. The day after that is Friday. Have you and Miroku come up with something yet?"

I hate my life.

AN: yes, pretty uneventful… but at least the update's here. Just as a small preview, there will be a bit of Ayame/Koga and Sango/Miroku in the next chapter.

Show some love to my ninja beta, Daichi, and if you want, feedback is welcome since it's always nice to hear what others think =)

Love you all~

-Nyony (PS: Would you rather have me update faster with shorter chapters, or take more time with longer chapters?)

Daichi: Aw, thanks! I feel the love! Personally I would like longer updates. It's worth the wait.