A/N: Just give the fic a try, that's all I ask. It's a little, okay, maybe a lot OOC. My mind works in mysterious ways, it's something I've grown used too.. Onwards..

Disclaimer: Nope, not the owner of either Bleach or Inuyasha.

Sitting in the last row, in the last class of the day, he was bored. College was proving to be quite difficult, if things could only be as simple as handling his zanpacto. Hell, just another hour and the weekend would be upon him. He was going to be meeting up with some old friends from high school. Word was that even Rukia and Renji were supposed to make an appearance. Yes, another hour. Ichigo sighed again as the instructor of feudal Japan trudged on, really who cared about history anyway?

Bother, why was she even in this stupid class in the first place? It's not like she didn't live the past already! Well, still living it. It was true, they had yet to defeat Naraku and pieced the whole jewel together again. Kagome could barely contain herself in the back of the class, her mind was on other things. Like how so much had changed over the years.

"And so class, find a partner, then discuss the project for the rest of the hour."

Kagome was brought out of her thoughts as the students started rising and talking amongst themselves. She gathered quickly that they must be seeking partners. Unfortunately, none of her friends had this particular class with her, as they all took it the year before. Sighing aloud, as she silently cursed herself for waiting a year to attend university. At the time, she thought it was a good idea for taking a year off her studies to remain in feudal Japan with Inuyasha and the group to try to finally end Naraku.

'Damn. I hate group work!' Ichigo looked at his peers, as they stood talking with each other. Each pair making plans for the weekend to study. He sighed, yet again, and stood up to search for someone still available. He looked to his left and found a girl sitting to herself and made his way over to her. Her eyes closed, her long wavy black hair cascading down her back, he tapped her shoulder.

She looked up instantly, who would dare touch her? Closing her eyes again, fighting down her instincts. 'This is not the feudal era, this is not the feudal era!'. She peered up sheepishly at her intruder and was caught up by his bright orange hair. She stood up and traced her fingers through his short choppy locks. Completely ignoring the irritated look the guy was giving her.

'What the hell!' he screamed to himself, 'oh…but it does feel kinda good. What! No it doesn't!' Oh, it so does, he sighed again in defeat. Then started to look down at his attacker, and was soon entranced by a pair of breathtaking blue gray eyes.

Kagome felt his gaze on her, and looked into his eyes. Warm mahogany, she felt strength from him, honor, and…safe. She pulled her hands from his hair and blushed up at him, what had come over her?

"I'm sorry, you reminded me of someone very dear to me." she explained, he still looked at her oddly.

"Um…do you have a partner yet?" he asked, feeling very uncomfortable.

"Oh, no, I don't." she said, risking another glance up at him.

"Well…"

"Sure! Thanks for asking! I might add, you made a good choice! I know a lot about feudal Japan!" she said, convincing him of his choice. "Oh, but…did you happen to catch what the project is on?"

He sweat dropped, didn't she just make herself sound so convincing a second ago? She didn't even hear what the project was about. Neither did he, so he guess he couldn't be quite the hypocrite. His shoulders lagged in defeat, yet again, and they made their way to the professor. Kagome explained that they couldn't quite hear him in the back row and he happily gave them the particulars on the project that needed to be done.

"Sure thing Higurashi, it is required for each team to choose two of the seven heroes from the Shikon hunt from 500 years ago. You will each make a presentation to the rest of the class based on your choice. Then you act your choice in a small skit, that should be around 5 minutes in length. Grades will be based on detail, accuracy, and also how well you get along with your partner. I hope this explains more clearly for you and Kurosaki."

Kagome looked to Kurosaki as he looked to Higurashi. She then smiled at him again, then asked the professor a few more questions. Happy with the answers, although still puzzled as to why he said seven heroes, and not six, they made their way back to the last row and sat down next to each other.

"I'm Kagome by the way, Higurashi Kagome." she said sweetly.

"Kurasaki Ichigo. So, I really don't know much about the legend of the Jewel of Four Souls." he said looking down at the hands in his laps.

She placed a hand on his shoulder and he quickly looked up at her, "Don't worry Kurasaki Ichigo, I know plenty of this group. In fact I know almost anything in regards to six of the seven members."

He blushed at her slight touch on his shoulder. A touch that Rukia gave him many times, Orihime as well, but if felt differently when she touched him. He felt warm. He opened his mouth to say something, but she removed her hand and wrote on a piece of notebook paper.

"Here's my number Kurasaki Ichigo, may I have yours?"

"Just call me Ichigo." he said rather bluntly, making her shrug back a little.

"Oh…thank you."

He took the paper from her and folded to place in his pocket, but kept it in his grasp. Then he wrote his number on her notebook, and they remained quiet for some time.

"So, when do you think we should get together?" she asked timidly.

"I wouldn't mind hearing what you know of the legend and the shard hunters, hmm. I'm busy tonight, but tomorrow should be fine."

"Actually, I'm busy all day Saturday. Sunday too." she frowned.

"Oh, uh…"

"Well, I guess I can try to get out of it. They won't be happy though."

"No, it's okay. Let's just get together after school tonight and I'll cancel my plans."

"Oh, but that's not fair to you Ichigo. No, I will just leave later on Saturday evening. It should leave plenty of time."

"Are you sure? I'm just meeting with some old friends, they can wait." he offered.

"I must meet with my friends too, I've been away far too long. Who knows what trouble they've caused." she said grinning out in space. He couldn't help but smile at her expression. This girl was full of emotions, and he enjoyed seeing them pass over her beautiful face. Shaking his head at his thoughts, he looked back down at his hands, still holding her number.

They spent the rest of the hour in quiet conversation, learning the basics of each other. That Ichigo's family ran the medical practice her family often visited. Especially Kagome herself, as she was hurt often in the feudal era and returned home for treatment. But she never remembered seeing him there. But she should have put two and two together, after all, her doctor was Mr. Kurasaki. He learned that her family lived on a shrine, and that she suffered many illnesses in high school. She explained also that she took a year off from school, to help some of her friends out. She didn't quite go into details but neither did he.

They didn't realize the bell had already rung, and didn't notice the students filing out of the room, leaving them alone. They already made plans to meet at her family's shrine next morning sharp. He sounded rather interested in the legend itself, much to even his surprise. But talking with Kagome came easily. They sat there for another hour talking, and only when she laughed aloud at something he said, did they notice that her laugh was an echo.

Stunned, they looked around to find themselves completely alone, not even the instructor was in the room. Embarrassed, she looked to Ichigo, and he also held a slight blush on his face. She giggled at him again.

"Time certainly got away from us Ichigo." she smiled at him.

He returned her smile and admitted "I couldn't wait for this class to end earlier."

"I will see you tomorrow, I must hurry now." she said, standing and walking to her former spot to collect her things.

She paused however, when he grabbed her hand. She hesitantly turned at looked at him, shock evident in her eyes. Instantly the shocked of his actions reached his own gaze, and he shuffled his feet.

"I just wanted to say, it was nice meeting you, Kagome."

She blushed further and nodded, then tightened her grasp on his hand and turned fully to him. Why? Why did she perform her next action, she would ponder over until she got home. But still, she pulled herself closer to him, and reached up to kiss his cheek, then whispered "likewise Kurasaki Ichigo." in his ear.

Quickly she turned away and pulled her backpack on, and her laptop case over her shoulder and hurried from the class. Leaving Ichigo frozen in his spot, with his hand on the cheek she kissed him on. He didn't know how long he stood there, lost in his thoughts. The fiery expressionable Kagome made quite the impression on him. Finally shaking his head, he gathered his things and also left to find his friends.