DISCLAIMER: Sadly, I don not own Inuyasha. I just like playing with them.

Relinquished Destiny

Ch. 9

By: Lara Winner

The entire class was at attention as Mr. Tuganashi’s clear and commanding speech echoed in the deafening silence, "…and this being the final quarter of the second semester I have decided to change the usual curriculum and instead of a final exam this year we are going to try something new. I am assigning this class with a project. I will pair each student with a partner and you will have four weeks to complete a term-paper, minimum of ten pages, and an oral/visual presentation that must be given before the class. Topic can be anything you wish to choose, so long as it was covered in your textbook this year."

The teacher continued to discuss the details as he began to hand out information packets with the guidelines and instructions. The students glanced over the pages and when everyone’s attention was once again turned to the front of the classroom he asked, "Any questions?" No hands were raised and Mr. Tuganashi nodded with a smile. "Well then, to make this easy and avoid any conflict your partner will be the person sitting to your left. You have the rest of the class period to get acquainted and agree on your project theme. All topics must me approved by me by the end of the period. Now get to work."

A low murmur started amongst the students as some squealed in delight at their luck of gaining a wanted partner while others grumbled about having to complete such a time consuming project. Kagome, however, said nothing as she continued to stare at the front of the room. She refused to glance to her left. She would not give that jerk the pleasure of seeing her dread and discomfort. Why? Of all the unfair, unjust, unmerciful, cruel, callous, heartless little tricks that fate could decide to pull it had to involve HIM! This was.. was…downright wrong!

Kagome was still fuming silently when Mr. Tuganashi called out, "Higurashi! Sigai! I need to speak with the two of you."

They approached the teacher’s desk and Kagome dared hope he would assign her another partner. She would not- no… could not work with Inasho. The boy was rude, inconsiderate and grouchy. Not to mention he was the carbon copy of someone she desperately needed to forget. However, she was not surprised when her hope was short lived.

"Sigai, though you are new student I am aware that your former schooling was up to par with our placement standards. I’ve taken this into account along with your excellent grades and I’ve decided to issue you this assignment just like everyone else. Miss. Higurashi will be a competent partner and if you have any problems come to me." With that said, he dismissed the two teenagers back to their seats.

Kagome was not happy. With a disgruntled sight, she flopped down in her seat. Mr. Tuganashi would not go back on his decision and that only left one option. She would have to make the best of this arrangement if she wished to pass history. She sighed, "So, any bright ideas?"

Inasho appeared to be just as discontented with this new turn of events and didn’t bother to hide his irritation. "At the moment no but if you’re so ‘competent’ then I’m sure you can think of something." He stressed the compliment insultingly and smirked.

Suffering from an uncharacteristic need for violence, Kagome pinned a dark glare on the boy beside her and entertained thoughts of maiming him. If only she could ‘Sit’ him she would feel so much better. It would be rather amusing to see him hit the ground face first. It would wipe that superior grin right off his face and deflate his ego when she gloated instead. Or better yet, if only she had her arrows. She could shoot him and purify that mean streak right out of him. He wouldn’t be so high and mighty once she used him for archery practice. Or maybe Sango’s hirikotsu would do the trick. She could knock Inasho in the head with it a couple of times and it might set him straight. Then again, that tactic never worked for Miroku’s wandering hands…

Suddenly Kagome had the prefect idea for their project. It was fool proof. Even this jerk was sure to be interested. She grinned proudly. "I’ve got it! How about we do your project on weapons?"

Inasho opened his mouth to protest but then paused as he realized what she said. "Weapons?" He repeated as if he hadn’t heard her right.

"Pay attention. We can do our paper on the evolution of weapons and battle techniques through the ages and we can do our visual using drawings and diagrams of weapons and how they have progressed to today or when they became outdated. What do you think?"

Either it was Kagome’s imagination or Inasho visibly relaxed. She decided it was the latter when he assessed her idea and then gave her a grudging nod. "Not bad. For a second there I thought you were going to suggest clothes or hair styles or something stupid like that."

"That’s a great idea." She taunted unable to help it." Why didn’t I think of that? Let me got tell Mr. Tuganashi were going to use clothes." She laughed and started to stand.

Out of reflex Inasho grasped her wrist to stop her and for some mysterious reason Kagome forgot to breathe. It was the weirdest thing, she had looked up trying not to laugh at his horrified expression and then he touched her and then it was like… electricity. It tingled up her arm and it sent a chill right down her spine. But it wasn’t the physical contact itself that made Kagome freeze. What made time stop was the fact that she’d felt this before, the very first time Inuyasha touched her…

In reality the feeling only lasted a second and Inasho jerked his hand away as if he were burned. She knew he felt it too, there was a bit of pink to his cheeks and he definitely looked startled. Oh boy… Now what in the world was she supposed to think? She didn’t imagine that. This wasn’t all trapped in her head anymore. Destiny was beginning to flaunt it powers and Kagome felt like her world had once again shifted a little on its axis. The feeling was ready to swallow her but thankfully Inasho seemed to regain his composure which prompted Kagome to do the same.

He cleared his throat nervously and he nearly stuttered, "I’m going to tell him we chose weapons," then he practically jumped from his seat in his haste leaving Kagome to try and calm her fraying nerves.

But there was no peace to be found. The rest of the class period her composure was destroyed and Inasho kept sending her curios glances as if he too were disturbed and shaken by what had happened. Neither teen mentioned the strange occurrence but she noticed Inasho went out of his way not to touch her again. Kagome was hard pressed not to laugh hysterically. The entire situation was ludicrous. She could picture herself trying to explain to Inasho why the contact left them stunned and breathless. He would think she was insane.

Shikon shards… hanyous… reincarnation…

Delusions of a warped mind?

Excitement and amazement warred inside Kagome and she dismissed her doubts. He felt it! She wasn’t crazy. This wasn’t fantasy. Something was pulling her toward him and deep in her heart she knew what it was. Her soul recognized him. Her heart did not need her mind to be logical to piece its own conclusions together. It was ready and willing to ignore rationality for the sake of love.

Kagome could feel the change. Slowly her heartache was loosing intensity and in its place a warm feeling was beginning to develop. Inasho’s nearness was a sort of balm to her frayed emotions and clarity was stealing its way into her awareness and it allowed her to see the boy she fell in love with residing inside the stranger she shared a workable with in class.

All too soon the bell sounded and Inasho spared her one more glance before he collected his books and fled the room. She refused to dwell on his actions but it was so much like something Inuyasha would do when he was confused that once again the bittersweet feeling welled in her heart and Kagome sighed. During class change Kagome found herself searching for a glimpse of him in the crowded halls. He was foremost in her thoughts and to her surprise she couldn’t force him out. It was impossible to concentrate on her school work. She couldn’t even pay attention to Aki’s curious questions as they took their seats for math.

Kagome was lost in her hope. When lunch time came around she nearly floated down the halls to the cafeteria. Looking back later, she should have known something was going to interrupt the feeling but right then it was the farthest thing from her mind. So when she opened her locker she was not paying the least bit of attention to the boys standing a few feet away from her. It wasn’t until she heard the name Inasho that her attention jerked to the present and her ears strained to listen to the conversation.

"I heard the only reason he was allowed in this school because his mom is related to Principle Enokatu. They couldn’t afford it otherwise. That’s why he acts like he owns the school."

"That’s what he thinks. Have you guys noticed that he talks funny? He slurs his words and it sounds like he’s talking out of his nose."

"Yeah well he’s obviously a fag. I mean only a girl or a stupid American queer would wear their hair that long. I bet he’s got a boyfriend…"

The snickering continued and Kagome seethed. She hated people who made fun of others. It reminded her of they way certain girls still bullied Ayumi about her weight and the way the villagers hurt Jininji for being a hanyou. It made her blood boil and it brought to mind all her assumptions about Inuyasha and the past that he would never talk about. It wasn’t fair and she was putting a stop to it now.

Closing her locker with a decided slam, Kagome leveled her glare on the three boys to her left. "You guys should be ashamed of yourselves. Just because he’s new here doesn’t mean you have the right to say that stuff about him. Ya know, I think you’re the stupid ones."

Keiji, the ringleader of the group laughed. "Oh come on Kagome! You gotta admit the guy’s weird. He looks like a girl and talks like he’s got a stick shoved up his butt."

Kagome fists clenched as she snapped. "I don’t think that’s funny. You guys need to grow up."

"Maybe you should mind your own business Kagome-chan." Keiji laughed, "Unless he’s so gay he needs a girl to stand up for him."

Kagome was about to reply when she noticed just who coming up behind their little group. She bit back a smile as she goaded, "I wonder if you’d have the courage to say that to him."

"Are you kidding? You think we’re scared of that fag?" Keiji asked as his friends chuckled.

"Then why don’t you try saying it to my face!?!"

The three boys froze and Kagome couldn’t help but smirk. She’d known Keiji since they were kids and he was a cruel jerk. It was about time somebody gave him a taste of what he deserved. But Keiji wasn’t a stupid kid. Taking one look at the dark expression on Inasho’s face and the way the boy was cracking his knuckles, Keiji paled. He wasn’t about to pick a fight he couldn’t win and his friends didn’t look eager to start something any more than he did.

Keiji’s forced smile didn’t quite hide his anger or his embarrassment as he began to walk away, muttering, "I’m not wasting my time with you losers."

Kagome watched as the boys walked away and breathed a sigh of relief. Grinning, she laughed, "The look on their faces was priceless."

"Yeah." Inasho smirked. However, a second later he jerked himself out of it and growled. "Next time stay out of it. They’re right you know. I don’t need a girl defending me!"

"Inasho.."

"Just do it okay!" He insisted angrily, pinning Kagome with his fierce look until she was forced to avert her eyes. Knowing he’d made his point he turned away, but not before he grumbled, "The last thing you need is for them to pick on you too."

He said it under his breath. Kagome wasn’t supposed to hear the little admission so she kept it to herself. But she couldn’t help the sweet smile that crossed her face or the way her heart swelled at his unintentional confession.

 Tbc…  

A.N.- Damn kids… Don’t you just want to slap them? There is always something that just ruins the mood. However there is still hope, after all, Inasho is human so he might come around a little easier, right? I mean the end of the chapter was promising. *evil laughter echoes* Um… just ignore that…

*Hugs* Thanks for taking the time to read! Luv ya guys!!!! *_*