Home Is Where The Hurt Is

by Rogue Pryde

Chapter 2: partners?

Now you can look at this one of two ways. Either you have to deal with really freaky author's notes, or you get to read an I/K and S/M fic. It's up to you. <-- Dude, where do I get this stuff? Anyways, in response to some reader questions, I haven't decided yet whether or not I'll have Kikyo in it. I can't STAND her, but I don't like to use the words that are needed to describe her so I don't know how'd I'd explain her. I'm working on that. Kagome's mother, and brother will be mentioned later in the story. When Kagome was about ten or eleven she woke up to find that her mother had left, tired of the abusive relationship, and taken Souta with her. It's going to be a really climactic point when Kagome confides this in a certain someone (like you don't know who!). That's another reason she's stays with her dad. Not only will no one believe her, she feels like he's all she has left, and without him, she's nothing. (I know Kagome's mom isn't really that horrible, but for the sake of the story I had to take some 'creative license'. Her mother never liked Kagome because the father hadn't become abusive until after she was born. The stress of parenthood too much for him or something. Souta was too young to really object, or understand what was happening.) As for Kagome's grandpa, he might appear at the end of the story, but as someone she's either never met or barely recalls. Sorry if you're a big fan. And when Miroku says "I never lose Sango." He means that he's going to 'win' *her*, no matter how stubborn she is. There's never been a girl he couldn't charm. WHEW! What a freaky long paragraph! Anyways, the reviews I got were soooooo sweet! Thank you so much! On with the story!

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BBBBBBRRRRRRRRRIIIIIIIIIIIINNNNNNNNNNGGGGGGGGG!!!!!!!!!!

Kagome and Sango made their way to their seats as the bell rang for class to start. The teacher cleared his throat, but before he could speak the door opened and a defiant Inuyasha walked in, accompanied by a slightly embarrassed Miroku.

What was HE doing here! Kagome glared ferociously in his direction, but he didn't even glance her way. What had Sango said? Something about grouping people according to their first two classes. She groaned inwardly. This was gonna be a long year. Than she winced. Who was she kidding? There was no way she'd be here for the whole year. With her luck, she'd be gone before the month was out. She sighed, deflated. She could only pretend to be normal for so long.

Sango noticed the change in her new friend's mood almost immediately. "What's wrong?" She whispered, keeping an eye out for the teacher.

Kagome flashed her a quick smile, one she'd taught herself over the years. "Nothing. Just annoyed at dog-boy over there." She gestured menacingly towards Inuyasha, unable to figure out why he reminded her of a puppy. If Sango noticed the smile didn't reach her eyes, she didn't say anything.

"He's such a jerk isn't he?" Sango rolled her eyes. "And Miroku? Don't get me started on him."

Kagome smiled, and this one was real. "I don't know. . .You seemed pretty forward with him if you ask me. . ." She let her voice trail off and winked, letting her friend know she was teasing.

"Oh yes." Sango drawled. "How could I have punched him in public like that? Honestly, where have my morals gone."

"Well if there missing, allow me to keep you company until they come back." A low voice from behind them suggested. Sango whirled around, forgetting to worry about the teacher.

"Miroku!" She hit him on the head with her fist, causing him to slam face first into the desk.

The teacher continued with the lecture as though nothing had happened. Kagome and the rest of the class sweatdropped.

"Look Miroku, why don't you just leave Sango alo--" She broke off as she realized who his desk-partner was.

"He can do what he wants wench. Can't your friend stick up for herself?" Inuyasha tilted his head, bored.

"I wasn't talking to you. And for the record, my name is Kagome, NOT wench." She crossed her arms and glared.

He started. Up until that moment he hadn't realized he didn't know her name. He regained his composure quickly. "Feh. Like I care what your name is wench."

"Jerk."

"Baka."

"...."

"What's the matter, Ka-go-me?" He stressed her name, making it mocking. "Run out of insults."

"Nope!" She responded cheerfully. "I just can't decide which is more demeaning. Moron, or loser, or idiot, or retard. The only problem is, whatever I call you, I'll be giving the rest of the group a bad name. Decisions decisions. . ." She shook her head in mock exasperation. "What's a girl to do?"

"If the girl's you, she can drop dead." Inuyasha growled, barring his teeth.

"Never. That would make you WAY too happy, and that's NOT something I want to be responsible for." She retorted. "Why don't you go. . . lean against a wall, or whatever you dumb think-you're-popular jerks do."

"Why don't you go play with your hair or whatever you losers-with-no-lives do."

"Oh yeah?" Was her smart response.

"Yeah." Was his even more clever comeback.

With a "hmph." She turned her back to him, tossing the aforementioned hair in his face.

*Soft* The word popped into his mind as he felt the darks strands brush against him. *Whoa No! What am I thinking?! Stupid wench!*

Meanwhile, Miroku still hadn't stopped pestering Sango, who was getting fed up. "I thought you weren't supposed to talk to me anymore!" She finally exploded, referring to their earlier conversation.

"That wasn't gonna happen until after you answered my question." He smirked at her.

"Which is. . . ?" She let her voice trail off, waiting for him to answer.

"Will you bear my children?"

WHAM!

Miroku found his face planted in the desk again, and this time it really really hurt.

"Pervert." Sango muttered darkly, turning her back to him.

*She still hasn't answered!* He thought to himself gleefully. *Not that I'll stop talking to her once she does.* He looked at the back of her head thoughtfully. *I wonder how long it'll take to break her. . .*

By now all four of them had their complete attention on the teacher, just in time to hear him announce that they would be starting a science project next time with a partner. Sango's hand immediately shot up.

"Will we get to choose our own partners?" She grinned at Kagome, who turned towards the teacher eagerly.

"Not for this one, Miss Sango. I have chosen your partners." The entire class groaned as he produced a list and began to read off names.

*Anyone but him! Anyone but him! Anyonebuthimanyonebuthim!!!* Sango screamed mentally, holding her breath until the teacher called her name.

"Sango will be with. . ." He paused, as though unable to read his handwriting.

*Just read it you retard!* Sango cursed him mentally.

"Ah!" He looked up and smiled. "Sango will be with Miroku." He continued down the list, oblivious to the audible groans coming from Sango as she banged her head against the desk.

"Relax Sango." Miroku leaned forward so he could whisper in her ear. "There are worse things."

"Like what? Being boiled alive?" She shot him a death-glare before turning back to the teacher.

"Hojo will be with Kouga."

Kagome eyed the two boys with interest, wondering who she would end up being paired with. Her eyes roamed the class room, making a point not to look behind her. *If you don't think about him you won't get paired with him. . .*

"Kagome's partner will be Inuyasha."

*WHAT!?* Inuyasha stared in disbelief. *He can't DO this!*

"WHAT!?" Kagome was a bit more vocal with her thoughts. "You can't DO this!"

The teacher continued on with the list as though he hadn't heard a word. Once again the entire class sweatdropped.

Grumbling, Kagome turned to face her new 'partner'. "You better do you share of the work." She threatened, making growling noises.

Inuyasha stared at her. Since when did girls growl? That was something HE was supposed to do. "Or what? You'll beat me with a writing utensil?" He pointed mockingly at the pencil she was clenching.

"Don't tempt me." She muttered darkly, trying to look as threatening as possible while she pointed her pencil at his chest. He snickered and a small giggle escaped her. But almost immediately they clamped their mouths shut and glared at each other. They were NOT going to enjoy each other's company, even for a second.

A second later the bell rang, signaling the end of class. Putting on a brave face, Kagome bent to pick up her books.

"Hello!" She turned to face the clean-cut, sweet looking boy she had spotted earlier.

"Hi. I'm Kagome." She introduced herself, sticking out her hand.

"My name's Hojo." He smiled, clasping her hand warmly.

"Nice to meet you." She tried to pull her hand away, but he clung on to it like a lost puppy.

"You too."

She coughed lightly. "Um. . . Do you want to let go of my hand?"

"What? Oh!" He glanced at her startled. "I'm sorry."

His hand was still holding hers.

"That's okay." She hoped she didn't sound as exasperated as she felt, but a snort from Inuyasha convinced her otherwise. "Just let go now, okay?"

This time he released her, and she didn't need to hear the white-haired boy's snicker to know her sigh of relief was audible.

"Hey Hojo!" The dark-haired boy that Kagome remembered as Hojo's partner appeared at his side. "What are you doing with my woman?"

Inuyasha's head shot up. Had he missed something?

"Your woman?" Kagome questioned, slightly annoyed. "I don't even know your name."

"I'm Kouga, and you get to be my woman."

One of her eyebrows began to twitch. "I get to be. . ."

Hojo interrupted her. "You can't just claim her Kouga!" Kagome was about to smile in gratitude but frowned instead as he continued. "I talked to her first!"

"Hey!" No one paid attention to her. "HEY!" The two boys stopped glaring, and Inuyasha tried to pretend he wasn't watching the scene unfolding before him. She rammed a finger into Kouga's chest. "I am NOT your WOMAN!" Turning to add Hojo into her extremely frightening glare, she continued. "And I will NOT be CLAIMED by ANYONE!" Jerking Sango by the arm (who had been watching the scene with open amusement), she stomped out into the hallway. Leaving behind two slightly confused boys and a third that was doing his best not to burst out laughing.

"I'm glad my woman has spunk." Kouga's voice carried into the hallway.

"She's not yours yet!" Hojo practically whined.

"SHUT UP!" Both boys froze at the sound of Kagome's yell. Neither spoke, but they continued to glare at each other.

Inuyasha allowed himself a small smile. Between the two of them, those idiots would make Kagome's life miserable. He sighed contentedly. Life didn't get much better than this!

"Hey Inu!" Miroku waved a hand in front of his spacing friend's face. "Lunch, remember? That time when couples rub up against each other and tough guys like you get into fights."

He blinked. "People EAT at lunch too, Miroku."

His friend rolled his eyes. "Sure. If you want to get all technical . . ."

Hiding a grin, the white-haired boy got up and followed the other boy out the door.

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Whew! Chapter all done! (Just as a reminder, reviews are REALLY REALLY appreciated!) Next chapter: Lunch. Kagome went from a girl that never had anyone to sit with at lunch, to a girl with waaaay too many (or maybe just too annoying. . .) What's a girl to do? And she's not the only one with boy troubles. Sango is having a hard time resisting everyone's favorite monk. But she can handle it. . . can't she? Hehehe. Next chapter will be up soon, I promise!

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