Walking to school over the stone-muffled earth, I had no sinister premonitions about the day. I allowed my mind to wonder, but not much had it settled upon. Sota had stayed home from school today due to a nasty cough. More than likely, I purposed, I would have it soon, too. The sun had yet to full rise, fall kissing the sky with red and orange leaves, the ground becoming a pile of the former lively plants. Though it seemed only over night, much of my surroundings had vaguely changed. It did not look as though summer was embarking its highest peak, but like the wind was ready to howl, subduing all of Spring's flowers into commission.

A light yawn eluded from my throat, drops of morning tears bringing moister to the coal eyelashes that dressed my other why's naked eyelids. I made it to school, my peace undisturbed by Sango- which brought distraction to my features. If she didn't get here soon, she'd be late again. It was only the third day of school and she had found a way to receive four tardies. One more and she would find herself in after-school detention. A sigh found itself to the air, my head drooping to the sound of a clanging chime.

My feet carried me to first period, a frown tugging the corners of my lips to my chin. I knew if Sango preceded on the path she was running, she would be forced to attended said waste of time, and her mother would surely ground her. Of course, I mentally chuckled, the fact that her parents would be out of town for a week would ensure that the brunette would not follow this restriction, so I was not weary of our tradition being broken.

Though my mind was preoccupied with Sango's bad habit, I was able to catch a single gaze. The brilliant gold with copper speculating around the iris like shards of ice made me feel uneasy. Not in the way it should have- with a blush crawling up my neck like a spider giving its prey one last, helpless chance- but this particular eye connection was filled with confusion, quarry, pity, and... hatred? I broke the shared moment, questioning what I had done to receive such hostility.

As I leisurely sat in the desk for my first period class, my priorities changed. Sango still wasn't in the room.

Sheesh, did she sleep in late?

A nap and a half later, the bell sung the end of class, ushering us to second period. My brow pulled into one as I searched for my friend. She was still nowhere to be found, so automatically I started excusing her myself. She was sick. Or she really had slept in really late. Her mom decided to take her with them. She was skipping ( pft wouldn't be the first time! ). She has fallen and can't get up! ( Ahah- don't make fun of that commercial. Its deadly. You will end up falling within the next twenty four hours ).

Whatever her excuse was, it better be a good one; I swore to kill her if it wasn't.

"Kagome!" The word fluttered to my ears, bouncing around my skull as I turned to address the speaker.

"What?" I snapped, eyes falling to a simple figure. A male that had moved in close. A male that instantly brought a tone to my voice that dripped with promise of punishment if he didn't move his hand- now.

"Sheesh-" the male responded, hands reaching to the sky in surrender. "Just wanted to know if you've seen Sango." I rolled my eyes.

"I thought she was skipping with you again." Miroku gasped, a hand falling to his left breast plate.

"What! Me? Skip? Never!" A laugh caressed my lips.

"Mhmm, sure. And to answer you, no, I have yet to see Sango myself." A frown appeared on the teenagers face, a confused soft scowl, that hinted at inquiry, joined cogitating eyes.

"We were texting before school this morning and she agreed to meet up before school to- err.. Talk!- but she never showed..." I mirrored his emotion filled image. It was unusual for Sango to ditch one of her and Miroku's before school time. Since last year their meetings had become a once a week thing. Miroku didn't know- or just didn't comment on it- but Sango always told me what happened at these conferences. Nothing big yet. But it was filled up with flirty conversation and coping homework equations. It was still a puzzle to why he had never asked her out.

But their dating life wasn't the problem. A shrug found a way to loll my shoulders up and down, a nonchalant movement. "Probably just got caught up in her reflection. She'll be here by lunch." The uneasy breath lifted from the male as he straightened with a nod.

"Yea. Well I'll see you fourth." I nodded, not that thrilled that our next encounter would fall in math. With that, we departure from one another.

Choir was fun. We did group vocal lessons that didn't require me to do anything other than sing the diatonic scale. Do Re Me Fa So La Ti Do

But then third period arrived. I scuffled in, my eyes set on the posterior of the room, falling to the farthest seat they could strain to see, ready to dart through anything and sit down. And, to no dismay, I succeeded. I settled in with the smallest "oof". My gaze lifted upwards to once again be captured by a berating golden scrutiny. Blinking, my sight became handicapped to my desk. It was like he was trying to put together some mental message for me to answer. But- seeing I had no flippen clue what he was thinking- I just sat there dumbfounded. By the time class had started, I was full on uncomfortable.

"So-" Mr. Taisho began, eyes scanning the room. He sounded slightly distraught, like he was deciding against himself but at the same time being forced to teach a class. I laid my head down on my desk, grateful for my best friend and her "skills".

•••

I sighed, my binder held tightly to my breasts. "Sango..." I breathed. She eyed me suspiciously before catching on.

"You look tired." She observed. With a yawn I smirked.

"Thanks, Captain Obvious." I rolled my eyes, a motion she took kindly to.

"Out again?" She asked. I nodded.

Sango was the only person I had told about my dreams. Well, it was less I voluntarily told her and more she pried it out of me. All truth be told, she was the only reason I ever got any sleep. Why? She's my supplier. Yeah, yeah, sounds like we're in some cool dogging-bullet gang drug predicaments, but we're not. She simply knew they where to get strong over the counter sleeping pills. But, only she could get them for me. The pills that composed dreamless reveries were ones you had to be over eighteen to buy. Sango, though not over eighteen, pulled some strings to get a feigned I.D.

"Sango..." I had said cautiously, the newly printed card placed boastfully in my hand. "Where'd you get this?" It had said that she was twenty-two. It even lied about he address. I remember a shrug playing before me.

"That don't matter to you. What does matter is the fact that I'm going to be the life of the party!" I rolled my eyes as she pounded a fist in the air.

"You don't even get invited to parties." I pointed out. This just slung a sly grin over her features.

"Now I will."

I laughed softly at the memory. Even though she was capable of supplying alcohol to any party, she still never went. She'd been invited to quite a few, of course with her newly found advantage, but never attended the social gatherings. It perplexed me, but never I dare ask- afraid she'd say something like "'Cuz you weren't invited". I'd just feel terrible after that! Holding back my best friend on the social status.

She had, after school, gone to the pharmacy to receive the pills I needed. I paid her back by agreeing to purchase the required snacks for our annual gathering at her place this weekend. It'd cost me a good fifty bucks, but to keep that horrendous dream away? I'd pay much, much, more.

My thoughts were rudely interrupted when a voice cut through them. "Higurashi! I asked you a question." My eyes furiously looked up to see the white haired male standing in front of me.

"Y-Yeah." I sputtered out, braking under the attention of my classmates. A long pause passed over me like a blanket covering a small child, leaving them in a moist, hot, dry hanging air- lungs gasping for breath. After this long beat, I realized he was waiting for me to answer his question. "And I hav-have the answer!" A poorly told lie. I don't know why I lied, really, but something in me fermented my mouth to continue moving.

"Oh really!" He gasped. A wave of snickers erupted and I knew my face was red.

"Yeah! Its just, for everyone that wasn't paying attention-" I put a hand to the side of my mouth to make it seem like I was sharing some secret with him. "Can you repeat it?" This came out more of a plea then a request for others. Some kids flat out laughed, and it sent me cowering to the back of my seat.

Kill me.

"I asked if you- Higurashi- were listening."

No, seriously, a bullet to the brain would be very kind of anyone right about now.

A half hearted nod rocked my head back and forth, eyes of multiple people staring me down as if I were their prey. He turned to the rest of his class, apparently done making an example out of my. A ping of anger dug into my soul like a splinter under a fingernail. I wanted to yell at him, but I didn't know what for. Thankfully, class ended soon after.

I stood abruptly, my bangs covering my face as I ducked out. "Kagome!" A voice cried after me. I stopped and turned around, my escape landing me in the center of a bustling hallway. A boy that I recognized from years of classes with grinned at me, a canine like tooth glinting it way into my vision. "Saw what the teach did back there. Cruel, really."

"Thanks, Kouga." I replied, relived that someone hadn't taken humor from my embarrassment.

"And, hey, I wanted to know if you wanted to hang out after school." His tone was cool as he asked me.

"Uh.." I didn't know if he was asking me on a date or not. Probably not, Kouga and I had just been friends since the fourth grade. He'd been like an older brother to me, really, beating up anyone who made fun of me or backing me up in debates. "Sure." I agreed, a smile finding its way to my lips.

"Meet you by the back entrance where the buses load?" He confirmed. I nodded.

"Yeah. Don't leave me waiting, I don't have much patients." He snorted, a hearty laugh that could attract a crowd.

"Yeah, I know, I've lived near you since elementary school." I feigned a face of hurt.

"What's that supposed to mean." He dismissed my comment with a shake of his head.

"Nothing. See you then!" He signaled his leave with a lopsided "peace" sign, a common motion he made when saying farewell. I turned to go to fourth period.

Math was a breeze; if you counted sitting there with a blank stare not understanding anything, a breeze- then yeah. Seriously, I don't care where math's x is, he should really just get over her. She's gone. Know why? He's a confusing mess that can't stick to one formula.

Hmm... I wonder if that'd be an acceptable answer on the quiz...

The bell finally ( finally ) excused us to lunch. I walked down to the cafeteria friendless, Sango still not showing her face. Without her around, I realised how lonely I really was. It wasn't until I made it to my lunch table that I murmured a single word. And, of course, that first word was "Gahh!?"

Something flew past my head, skimming my ear lobe. I stammered back, my eyes following the UFOs path. "Okay-" I gasped, turning back around. "Who the hell is trying to decapitate me with an apple." A snicker was my response. I glared at Shippo. His green eyes slitted in a childish way, amused by my reaction.

"Sorry, you just looked so glum." He mocked a frown, but due to his toothy grin it looked more like a sneer.

"So you try to kill me?" I breathed, sitting down with a disappointed shake of my head. "Glad I can count on you, Shippo."

"Y'u know it!"

As lunch was slugging to an end; Miroku and I were still anxiously waiting for Sango. By the time the lunch bell rang, however, the bubbly teen was nowhere in sight. Sharing a frown, the two of us walked to our awaiting classes. My pout deepened when I walked into the room I was assigned to- or, at least would be.

"Hey." I coaxed almost silently, placing my books on a nearby desk. His eyes flashed up from his computer where the cursor flashed around frantically, closing multiple pages that were each painted with a parcel of scrabbled words. A ping of curiosity came and went as he turned towards me.

His gazes still perplexed me, like he was mad and sad at the same time. He was obviously tired; worried wrinkles appeared in the center of his forehead, making his youth waver. Dark eyebrows accompanied these lines of stress in a washed up streak of black- black that disappeared behind a shadow produced by long, silver bangs.

I scrambled with my binder for a moment before pulling out a piece of paper. "Here's your schedule." Was all I said. He outstretched a hand and snatched the paper from me greedily, orange eyes not even glancing down at what took me almost two hours. Instead of thanking me for doing his job, he made a gruff sound that I presumed was his gratitude. I don't know what it was, but something inside me shut off the "you're at school so sit down and shut up" button.

Sharply, I sat atop a random desk and huffed. "That's it ?" He continued to stare at me, not saying a word. I glared back at him, my lips in a fine, tight line. A pause passed before he responded.

"Thank you. " His tone was harsh, and it outraged me! And, I made sure he knew this.

"What the hell did I do?" I snapped, my arms finding a quick way to coil over my stomach in a loose, irritated fashion. Silence stretched in between us, and the brusqueness of his glazing eyes sent a splinter of pity into me.

"Nothing." He seemed to make up his mind about something as he turned away, a hand retreating to his left temple in agitation. He perched his elbow on his crowded desk between his keyboard and computer monitor. "You didn't do anything. Don't worry about it."

I didn't know the guy, so I wasn't sure if this how he usually was. I shrugged it off, hoping he wouldn't be like this all the time.

"So- er- I held up my part." I gradually changed the topic, my hands inching to my books. "And my math homework is really itching to be done." His hat twitched, and I realized that I had forgotten about the residents that lived under the fabric. The small, innocent looking dog ears that still lie mysterious to me. I mean, who the hell has dog ears? Maybe I had seen them wrong.. it would make since, and he just wore a hat because, why not?

"Can we do it after school?"

"No." I answered. "I got somewhere to be." My mind, instantly with my words, thought back to where I'd have to be.

"Hmm?" He raised a brow, almost like he didn't believe me.

"What! I have friends..." The last part I mumbled lowly, almost trying to convince myself instead of him.

"Oh- that pony tail boy." For the first time today, he smiled. But this smile unsettled me.

"Er- you mean Kouga?"

"If that's 'is name, sure." I frowned. Had he been watching me after class..

I shook the though from my mind. Of course not!

"Yes, him. He and I are hanging out after school- not that its any of your business - and this stuff," I paused for a beat as I took out my math homework, "is due tomorrow." His head raised to examine the sheet of crumbled paper in my hand.

"I said I'd help you in math, not spelling. And, you dearly need help in that subject, too. Seven is a number, it doesn't belong in any words." I rolled my eyes.

"This is my math. And its more along the lines of the alphabet doesn't belong in Algebra." I scuffed, waving the slip of dead compacted tree in the air. "Now help me."

"What's the magic word?" His voice should've been teasing, but it was crocked like someone straining to feign such a common emotion.

"Please?" He took from my hands the homework, long fingernails piercing its side in the slightest. His vision flashed from equation to equation, seemingly confused.

"What happened to addition?" He accused, looking up at me like I had the answer. I shrugged.

"Left it back in middle school, I guess."

"I suggest you go back to middle school, then."

"Har har." I responded, sarcasm dripping from my tongue in generous amounts. "You gonna help me?"

He took a moment, rechecking the problems before him.

"Guess so, but don't blame me if you get 'em all wrong." He threw the paper back at me, giving me a silent "just don't" glance.

"Of course I'll blame you!" I exclaimed. "You're the one helping me!" He didn't respond slyly like I had expected. Instead, he blinked, looked at me for a moment,then up at the clock.

As if sensing his needs, the bell rang. "Sorry 'bout that." He shrugged, no apology in his tone. I gabbed at him.

"What- but- help-" the beginning of a march of students filed in, leaving me to stand and leave.

"I'll help you out later, go to the cafe on fourth street at eight if you need help." He informed, sighing and standing, ushering me from his classroom. A pout settled on my lips like a child.

Eight? My mother had a strict policy of curfew. Which, sadly for me, a high scholar, meant being inside by eight. I remember asking her why I couldn't stay out as long as all my other friends, and she had responded with the excuse that I had to be a good example for Sota. Meaning that I had the same curfew as my nine year old brother...

I didn't know if my mother would even let me out at eight, but it was better than nothing. Sorta. Being pushed into the hall my mind contemplated with directions of where I'd have to go. It was Wednesday , so I had to attend homeroom. I hurried to my destination. Equating my way in, I was ultimately distracted as I was violently pushed into the doorway by bulk shoulders. Spinning around to confront my rude peer, I immediately cowered back. A tall male stood in front of me. He did no seem to notice my twiddling presences, so walking right over me was no problem of his. I tripped backwards, ready to fall but I was pushed back up by a heroic and familiar figure.

"Watch out!" Kouga demanded, keeping a firm hand on my back just in case.

"Thanks..." I mumbled under my breath to Kouga who just shot a winning smile my way.

"Anything for you, Mrs. Accident Prone." He laughed, the words rolling off his tongue and into my ears with ease.

"Ms!" I corrected, a smile elapsing my own lips. "I still haven't found that special someone that trips over nothing like I do." A flash of seriousness coursed through his eyes.

"Maybe it should be someone always there to catch you." And then, as quick as it had come, the unusual stillness of Kouga's cerium eyes dissipated into the playful features I grew up with.

"Y-Yeah, sure."

The rest of the day moseyed on. Once it was over, though, I was free. I paid a visit to my dear locker so I could pile everything in except my homework before proceeding to the bus load area. Kouga had gotten there before me, and I was glad to see I wouldn't have to look like an idiot waiting all by myself. He, of course, was not by himself such as myself.

"Hey Kagome." Grinned one of the two boys that was talking to him. He had the same glinting tooth as Kouga, giving off a type of dog aria. His hair stood out- and up!- for it was styled strangely in a purple mohawk. I remember when he had first decided to style his hair like this last year, shaving the sides and spiking it up high. The school administrators had told him to take it down, even threatened to expel him if he didn't. But, being Hakkaku, he just smirked it wore it higher the next day.

"Hey." I responded. The other two males, Ginta and Kouga, grinned a me.

"Ready to go?" Kouga asked. I nodded and looked from Ginta to Hakkaku, not knowing if they were coming or not. Something inside me hoped they were.

"See ya' two later." Kouga took his attention from me and placed them to his two companions. They nodded and dispersed together.

As Kouga and I walked together out the doors, he started the conversation. "So where you want to go?" I thought for a moment, but all convolutions in my mind came to one thing.

"Can we stop by Sango's house? She wasn't a school and I want to ma-"

"Sure she's okay? Yeah, that's cool." He finished my sentence, beaming at me in triumphant.

"Thanks." I said, rolling my eyes in a sarcastic matter.

~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~•~

AN~•~ SORRY I TOOK SO LONG TO UPDATE! Between school, band, school play, track, and moving I have no time. But y'all can fix that by reviewing~

Please go check out my other fic "Father of Us" and tell me what you all think.

Also, I apologize for any mistakes ( an instead of and or whatnot ) my phone hates me- really.

I got some plans for this fic, but I love hearing what y'all think so review and I'll be happy. Really, I will be :D

Til the time comes again,

Let-Us-Fall-Up