Rude Awakenings by juupren

Chapter One

Chapter One

(Monday)

Kagome inwardly smirked as she watched her classmates in tenth grade at Shikon High School struggled to complete the exercises put before them. The school she attended taught the necessary academics as well as how to fight. Kagome was actually far more advanced than the others, but didn't like to show it. She kept a tight rein on her abilities so as not to provoke any more resentment from her classmates.

When Kagome first came to Shikon High as a freshman she was more advanced in the areas of power and control. It never occurred to her that most students would resent her for being better; in fact she thought they would accept it easily. But they didn't. Kagome's classmates had all known each other since they were little and had already formed their own cliques; they were reluctant to let Kagome join their already solid peer-groups and resented her for outshining them. By the time Kagome realized this, she was half way through ninth grade, had no friends, and was even beginning to be resented by the teachers. So...she simply stopped being better.

Now she was beginning her sophomore year at the school and she had gone from one extreme to the other. Instead of being noticed for her outstanding skills, she had become something along the lines of a social outcast. Kagome kept mostly to herself- not taking part in study groups or parties thrown by others. Not that this was a problem. Kagome had no problem keeping up in class on her own; it was now a little known fact that she was one of the top students. After all, in high school, it was the athletic people that had the glory, while the academically inclined were over looked.

Now, on the first day of tenth grade, the class was in combat training with their new instructor: Sango Urakawa. Sango was a new teacher to the school – around twenty-one, with long black curls, and deep brown eyes. The boys practically drooled, staring at her neat figure as she introduced herself.

"I am Sango Urakawa – your new martial arts teacher." She paused, her gaze resting on a boy whose gaze was obviously resting a foot below her chin, and said "You- yes you- what is your name boy?"

Shaking himself out of a stupor, he replied, "Hojo..."

"Well, Hojo, don't just stand there, come here. Today, Sango was wearing a black suit – her exercise outfit apparently - and her silky black hair was up in a high ponytail. As Hojo approached her, wearing baggy grey sweatpants and an old t-shirt, she settled into a fighters crouch. Hojo copied her exactly, but his mind was not on task. Calmly, Sango said "Come at me", and Hojo complied, only to find himself on his back four seconds later. Sango had taken advantage of his inattention and flipped him over her hip as soon as within reach. Hojo coughed as his wind was knocked out, and lay on the wood floor of the training hall. Sango smirked. "Anyone else not paying attention?" she asked. Her question was greeted with silence. "Good. Now here are some exercises I want you to practice."

First she put them through some simple blocks and punches, then some kicks and dodges. Kagome found herself face to face with Inu Yasha. She was currently living with his family. Apparently, her parents had been friends with his father – since her parents had passed away a year ago, she had been living with the family. Kagome had quickly become fast friends with Inu Yasha, but his older brother was more of a challenge.

Since she and Inu Yasha were sparring, Kagome took the opportunity to ask, "Hey, I'm cooking dinner tonight – any requests?" Inu Yasha thought for a moment, then responded, "Yah, how about pizza?"

Kagome laughed. "Sure, makes it easier on me. Why pizza though?"

"Koga, Kikyo, and Miroku are coming over after school, or did you forget?" Inu Yasha said with a little laugh. Kagome inwardly rolled her eyes. Miroku Hoshi, Inu Yasha's best friend, was a pervert. Koga was Inu Yasha's cousin – he had a thing for Kagome, and it annoyed her to no end... actually, it annoyed everyone else in the room when Koga started talking about how he loved Kagome, and how she belonged to him. Kikyo was Inu Yasha's girlfriend. Every time she visited Inu Yasha, she ordered Kagome around like she owned the place. 'Oh dear, looks like I'm hanging out in my room after ordering pizza' Kagome sighed to herself.

Seeing the look on her face, Inu Yasha laughed. His laughter brought Kagome out of her thoughts, and she glared at him. The whole while their conversation had been going on, the two house-mates had been taking turns kicking and blocking each other. Seeing Inu Yasha laugh at her, Kagome grew indignant, and used the distraction of his laughter; she dropped down, kicked Inu Yasha's legs out from under him, and 'accidentally' fell on him. She was rewarded with a loud "OUCH!"

Grinning inwardly, she got up and made her apologies just as the bell rang, signaling a break in the class. As Kikyo rushed over to help Inu Yasha up, (while glaring daggers at Kagome), Kagome turned and left the practice hall to get a drink before continuing training.

For the second half of class, Sango made them run laps. 'Boring' Kagome thought, easily keeping pace with Inu Yasha, on her right, as he chattered with Kikyo. Suddenly, Hojo was on Kagome's left, talking to her. Forcing herself to listen to him, she heard him say something about a movie on Saturday. 'Umm... a date? With Hojo?' Kagome thought. '... I think I'll pass... but I don't want to hurt his feelings. I know! I'll just avoid him.' Luckily, another bell rang, signaling the end of the group's training with Sango. "Good job today, class. I'll see you tomorrow," Sango told them.

As a crowd of tired tenth graders exited the practice hall, Kagome was able to lose Hojo, only to run into Sesshomaru, Inu Yasha's older brother, as he was entering the practice hall with the other seniors. Or rather, 'half-brother' as he would quickly correct her. Apologizing, Kagome asked if pizza for dinner was okay. He responded in the affirmative, and continued on to the practice hall.

Kagome practically slept through her afternoon classes – academics. Chemistry had always been rather easy for her, and English was the most boring class of the day; the teacher had a thing for hearing himself talk. Kagome had English with Inu Yasha, and they survived the class period by passing notes on random topics- such as the mole on their teacher's chin. At one point Kagome giggled out loud, but quickly turned it into a squeak.

Miss Amano paused, turned and looked at Kagome, and asked in an exasperated voice, "Something wrong Higurashi?"

Feeling utterly embarrassed, Kagome was struck with silence. Luckily, seeing that the teacher was losing her patience, Inu Yasha spoke up. "Uh, yah... there was a mouse over by your feet", he said, and pointed to the teacher. At this, Kagome saw most of the class nearly fall over in their haste to stand on top of something so the mouse couldn't 'get' them. Kagome herself nearly fell over laughing, but this was beside the point. The class was in turmoil, and the period passed that way: in complete and utter turmoil. 'At least I'll have something to write Sota about' Kagome laughed to herself.

Kagome's last class of the day was algebra. As she walked into the class room, she saw Hojo. 'Just great' thought Kagome. 'Oh well, just... act natural, and hope he doesn't ask you out again. You can do this.' Putting on her second-best smile, Kagome turned to greet Hojo as he walked up to her. He started saying something about being glad she was in his math class, about how he needed help, etc.

"Hey Kagome, sit here." He said brightly as he pointed to a seat next to his. Somehow, he failed to notice Kagome's less-than-thrilled attitude as she put her books on her new desk. As always though, she endeavored to not show her disappointment at having to sit next to Hojo for the rest of the year; however, her efforts were crushed when Kikyo entered the classroom with her little posse, who were all chattering and giggling about who knows what. 'Great...just great. Can this get any worse?' Kagome thought. Her mind rushed through the possible scenarios as Kikyo walked toward her. There was open enmity between the two girls- mostly started by Kikyo – who Kagome always seemed to rub the wrong way. 'What? Why is she coming over here?' Kagome asked herself. As Kikyo set her things on the desk in front of her, Kagome pictured herself wildly jumping up, knocking over Hojo, Kikyo, and her desk in the process, and rushing out the door to see if she could get a schedule change. Kagome shook her head to rid herself of the thought, as Kikyo sat down, and turned around to talk to her. Kikyo's 'followers' settled themselves in the surrounding seats as Kikyo herself spoke to Kagome.

"Well, this is going to be an interesting year, isn't it Kagome?" she said, her tone ripe with underlying malice. 'Gulp' Kagome thought. "Umm, yes, I'm sure." Kagome responded hesitantly. 'Please let the bell ring... please...' Kagome pleaded. As if in answer to her prayers, the bell rang and the teacher walked in. "Sit down everyone," he said to the students still standing. His gaze swept over the class room. Kagome was sitting in the back, behind Kikyo, basically unnoticeable. Their teacher, a middle aged man who introduced himself as Mr. Tachikani promptly proceeded to tell them what to expect during the upcoming year. Kagome couldn't hear him however; Kikyo was gossiping with her annoying little friends, and her head was in Kagome's line of sight. Sighing to herself, Kagome copied down the homework, and settled in for a long hour.