Home Is Where The Hurt Is

by Rogue Pryde

Chapter 1: first meetings

In spite of her dad's instructions regarding their impending move, it was several weeks before they actually moved out. Her father had been extra- picky about this particular job transfer, going to luncheons and dinners with his correspondent nearly every night, which made Kagome's life that much easier. She had only met the 'correspondent' once, but once was enough to figure out why he was taking his time. Miss Muyo was tall, slim, and beautiful with short black hair and dark brown eyes. Mr. Higarushi had been nicer to his daughter than ever before in the presence of the young woman, and Kagome thanked her lucky stars she had made a good impression. He rarely hit her after meeting Miss Muyo and when he had, it was generally because he was drunk, or because she had been too slow with dinner or cleaning. By the time Kagome entered her new school, the bruises on her face had completely faded, and only a small scar above her left eye remained from her last major beating. Today was her first day at Shikon High, and Kagome felt confidant enough to grin as the teacher introduced her to the class.

"Class, this is Miss Kagome Higurashi."

Kagome blushed slightly as all eyes turned to her. There were a few muffled whistles from the boys and a couple snide looks from some of the girls. Self-consciously she tugged at the short skirt that helped make up her school uniform, and headed towards the empty seat the teacher gestured to.

"Hi!" She glanced over at her desk partner and couldn't help but smile back at the trim athletic girl. "My name's Sango." She was whispering, trying not to attract unwanted attention from the teacher.

"Hi, I--"Kagome was cut off by a loud cough coming from the front of the class. Both girls whirled around and smiled innocently at the teacher, causing several of their classmates to titter quietly. They both sighed audibly when released from the accusing gaze.

Kagome tried to pay attention to the lecture, but her mind kept wandering to other things. Her father was being nicer to her than normal, and she really liked Sango. She had never had her life fall so neatly into place before.

"You're late." The teacher's dry comment interrupted her thoughts, as she and the entire class turned towards the door. Kagome caught her breath at the sight of the newcomer, trying hard not to look like she was staring at his long white hair and piercing amber eyes.

"Really? I hadn't noticed." His voice was just as dry. The whole class seemed to hold their breath as he strolled nonchalantly towards his seat.

*I take it he's popular. . .* Kagome thought to herself, watching in disgust as several girls pretended to swoon.

As if sensing her thoughts, Sango leaned over and whispered in her ear. "That's Inuyasha. Every girl in school has a crush on him unless they're gay or immune, like me."

Kagome's expression changed from slightly admiring to practically hostile. In all the schools she'd been to, she'd seen guys like that. Guys who thought they were so cool they could get away with anything. And she had hated each and every one of them. She turned towards the front of the room just in time to see the teacher motion towards her.

"Well, just in case you missed something else, we have a new student."

Inuyasha looked up sharply, searching the room until he found her. She regarded him coolly, and he met her gaze with disinterest. Neither of them spoke.

"Well." The teacher coughed lightly, confused by the silence of the two students. "If there won't be any more interruptions." She continued on with the lesson, but even fewer students were listening now.

*Niiiiiiiice.* Sango thought to herself, tossing her dark ponytail behind her shoulders. *Go Kagome. I think we'll get along just great!*

*Feh.* Inuyasha's face was dark. *She could have at least said hi.* A small voice tried to remind him that he hadn't said anything either but he ignored it. *What a baka.*

*I knew it!* Her face was expressionless but her thoughts were filled with righteous indignation. *He's just like all the others. What a jerk!* Kagome continued to fume internally until the bell rang and Sango nudged her.

"What class do you have next?"

"Umm. . ." Kagome searched her pockets frantically, and breathed a sigh of relief as she found her schedule. "Science is next."

Sango's face lit up. "Me too! We'll probably have a lot of classes together than. They try to group people together according to their first two periods. That's so lucky!"

"Get ready for more good news girls, because I have science next too." The two girls turned to see a smiling boy their age.

Sango groaned and smacked her head against her forehead. "Our luck just ran out."

The boy's grin faltered, but he quickly regained his composure. "Have I met you before, fair lady?"

She scowled and wagged a finger at him. "No, but your reputation proceeds you Miroku! We're NOT interested." She grabbed her friends arm and began to back away.

"Funny, you know my name, but I don't know yours." He matched their pace as they headed down the hall. "Care to tell me? It's only fair you know."

She rolled her eyes. "It's Sango."

"Sango." He breathed, causing her to smack him.

"Don't do that!"

"Do what?!" He rubbed his arm, shooting her a wounded expression.

"Say--Say my name that way!" She was glaring at him full force. "Don't even bother trying to work your charms on me. It won't work, and you'll just earn yourself more bruises." She gestured towards his arm meaningfully.

Kagome watched the exchange with interest. If that Miroku guy wasn't careful he'd really be in for it.

He fell to his knees in a gesture of submission and clasped her hands in his own. "Well than," He sighed dramatically. "If I'm never to speak to you again. . ." Sango rolled her eyes as he paused for effect. "Will you bear my children?" Her mouth dropped open.

"WHAT?!" With more strength than even SHE knew she possessed, she decked him right in the jaw, unable to hide her smirk at the sound of his groan.

"Most girls slap you know."

"Well, I'm not most girls." Recognizing the faraway look beginning to appear in her eyes, she hurriedly continued. "And don't take that as an opening to go all 'charming'." She didn't bother to hide the sarcasm in her voice as she turned back to her friend.

"Did he really deserve that?" Kagome asked, looking in sympathy at the shocked Miroku.

"Miroku is known throughout the school for dating anything with a figure better than a hippo's and ditching them as soon as he got bored. He's never been turned down for a date either." She made a face. "Girls can be so stupid when it comes to guys."

Kagome was about to agree when she bumped into something hard. "Oh! Excuse me." She apologized, looking up to meet the amber gaze of the annoyed student.

"Watch where you're going, New Kid." Inuyasha warned, brushing past her.

"Jerk." She muttered, and than gulped as he froze.

"Watch your mouth, wench." He turned to glare at her.

"Why don't you watch yours, baka!" She glared back, refusing to back down.

"I told you to watch it. That means stop talking you stupid girl!"

"Maybe you're not used to talking to anyone with a brain, loser, but not everybody on this planet worships the ground you walk on!"

"Like hanging around YOU would get me used to being around smart people." He smirked, thinking he'd won.

"You're right. You're so far gone it would take more than EINSTEIN to get anything through your thick skull!"

"Well excuse me for breathing!" He knew it was a weak come back, but he was too furious to keep quiet.

"Only if you promise to stop." She told him sweetly. "Come on Sango, we don't want to be late. We're not inconsiderate barbarians like SOME people."

He began to growl softly, causing Miroku to place a hand on his shoulder in warning. "I'm going to get her." Inuyasha turned to face his best friend. "She's going to wish she was never born."

Miroku nodded, attempting to look reassuring and failing miserably. He had never seen his friend this riled! *Wait till he figures out whose in our science class. . .* He thought to himself glumly, envisioning a year full of insults and fights. Suddenly he brightened. Someone else was in their science class too! *I never lose Sango. And I LOVE a challenge.*

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Whew! I know I know, it's not that long. But this is just their first meeting! Things will get more interesting next time. . . during class. . . when the teacher assigns partners. . . Don't kill me! The next chapter will be up soon I promise!!!!! (And not to be pushy, but reviews do tend to speed things up. . .Hehehe!)

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