Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha.

A/N: Hey everybody! It's been forever, I know. I re-edit the chapters [so far up to chapter 3] because it had MANY mistakes, and I couldn't just update more without fixing the previous chapters. So, I've made it better. : D I will edit the otherd and post them sometime this week. THEN, I'll update. Sorry for the wait, a lot went on.

A Slice of Life

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Chapter One: First Day of School
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"So... first day of school eh, Teacher?"

What are you suppose to do when you meet the father of a student you teach and have the undeniable for him?

"You do not have to emphasize the word 'teacher'," Kagura hissed into the phone. "Seriously Kagome, I get where you're trying to take this."

"Don't take it the other way, girlfriend," Kagome Higurashi said in a sorry tone. "I was just teasing, although I do realize that it's getting less and less hilarious each year. I guess we are all getting used to that fact that you became a teacher and not a CFO."

Yes, this was the story of Kagura Yano's life. She initially became too wild in college to realize that in the end she didn't have enough credentials to become any company's CFO. So, instead of wasting the rest of the years in the same field, she used her math credits to make her way into teacher's college and became a math teacher. Or according to her students, she was a bitching math teacher.

Of course, the grades four to six wouldn't use the term 'bitching' [well at least not all of them] so in their dictionary it was plain 'mean'. It was Kagura's fault really. She tried to be a nice teacher who everyone liked, but then she realized that being a soft teacher, children usually didn't listen to you. So without even trying, she became the 'mean' and 'harsh' teacher throughout the first year of teaching. That was three years ago. She was soon-to-be a twenty-eight year old and was starting her fourth teaching year today.

"Oh, Kagura," Sango [the 'nicest' teacher in the whole school] entered the staff room. "You're early," she gave Kagura a smile, which she returned. Sango taught History and why the students loved her, Kagura could understand that, she actually was a very nice person. "Oh, you're on the phone, carry on, don't mind me."

Kagura turned her attention to her best friend, Kagome, again who was still yapping.

"…this year you should try to be nice to your students," Kagura waited for Sango to leave before answering Kagome.

Like that's gonna happen. "Nice? Students don't listen to you when you're nice," she spat out. "They will like you, yes, but will they do as you ask them to do? No. I don't teach the grades one to three Kagome. I teach the older kids, the devils, they will not listen unless you are firm to them. I don't expect you to understand, you're not a teacher."

"No, but I was once a student," Kagome argued. "And so were you. Do you really want to be like that cold hearted history teacher?"

"You and I met in college," Kagura rolled her eyes. "I don't know who that teacher is or was but if that teacher was anything like Kikyo, then, I guess I know what you're talking about."

"Yes!" Kagome exclaimed. "Perfect example, I met her twice and I donno how you guys even stand her."

"By ignoring all the bitchy and sour things –that usually comes out in a normal tone— she says," Kagura sighed. "And she teaches English of all subjects, her perfect companion in my opinion, who likes literature?"

Kagome laughed at that. "OK. I gotta go. Listen, just try to be nice okay? It's gonna turn out be the same as every year anyways, you being titled the 'meanest' teacher, so a little trying wouldn't hurt you."

"Fine, to throw it back at your face, I will try." Kagura glared at the wall in front of her since she couldn't see her friend.

"Good Luck!"

Kagura hung up the phone and stood up. The school year always started with an assembly where all the staff and the students reported to the big gymnasium which had the stage. Then the teachers would take each of their homeroom classes to their classrooms where the grades were to stay the whole year.

She checked her reflection on the small mirror on her desk and smirked. She may be the 'meanest' teacher but at least she wasn't the 'ugliest' teacher. In fact, she was voted the 'prettiest' teacher in her second year. Last year was Sango and she couldn't remember who it was on her first year. Either Sara or Kikyo.

Damn that bitch, who would want her as their 'pretty' teacher? Kagura smoothed out her skirt, held her chin high in air and left the staff room. The halls were quiet this early in the morning, so she was happy to hear the sound of her heels clicking the silent hall. She loved that sound. It was her trademark sound. Everyone knew it was her when they heard heels clicking.

Of course she wasn't the only one who wore heels, but apparently every female teacher had a different sound, it depended on their shoes. Sango's often were quiet sounding heels, barely noticeable. Kikyo's usually didn't make any sound at all, she often bought those quiet pads and stick them under her shoes so they didn't make any sound. Kagura always thought it was to sneak up on people. Sara's often were more teacher-like sounding heels, not too loud, not too quiet.

Kagura liked her heels loud, they made her happy.

When she finally reached Gym 1, everyone who was in the gym, upon hearing the sound of her heels, turned to look at her. This was why she liked her shoes loud, recognition. She hid a smirk and greeted all of the people who were in the gym. Her red eyes scanned everyone in the gym: Sango, Kikyo, Sara [she taught Geography], Bankotsu [Gym], Ginta [Music], Kouga [Science; he used to have a crush on Kagome which apparently died], Mutotsu [Art], Kaede [The principal] and Eri [The Vice-Principal, she went to high school with Kagome].

"All set for the assembly?" Kagura asked just to make a conversation.

"Of course," Kaede said in a pleasant tone. "Thank you all for coming in early this morning. I suppose everything is ready?" She got what seemed like a mixtures of 'of course' and 'absolutely'. "Great, we can all go and do what we need to do."

In an hour, the school was filled with students, some new, and some returning back. They were all guided in the Gym and were seated on the floor [which was thoroughly cleansed in the morning] besides their teachers [teachers get to sit on plastic chairs], chairs which, in Kagura's opinion, were uncomfortable.

Kagura's homeroom grade this year was grade four, thirty kids between the age eight to nine. Penfield Public School was separated in three parts [same building]. The kindergarten, the grade one to three, and the grade four to six. Kagura often taught four to six, she stayed away from the age seven and below. She had planned to teach the grades seven and eight until she found out that the school she got the job in was only up to grade six, she though about switching but something made her stay in this school.

Penfield Public School was the best elementary school in the city maybe that was the reason.

Kagura's homeroom this year was full of new faces, which meant her remembering names. This wasn't bad if you were talking about two or three people, but thirty different names all at once could be stressing. When the assembly was done, she took her class to the classroom and they all seated at the seats.

Now she had actually assigned the certain seat to a certain person but remembering Kagome's advice of trying to be nice, she threw the seat planner in the garbage and took out a new one.

"Good morning class," she pointed at her name she had written earlier on the board. "My name is Miss Yano, I'm your homeroom teacher and this is now your homeroom class this year. Now, if any of you want to switch seats, do it now before I make it permanent." When everyone was seated again she continued. "Seat changes with be at the start of each term, however, if I realize that one of you guys are talking to your neighbour a little too much, you will be moved. So if you want your seats to last, do not talk too much."

Many faces nodded.

"Now if you guys want to change seats, whatever the problem is, talk to me before or after class. The lockers are at the back of the class, as you all know. Later on, I will pass around two blank stripes of paper to each of you, print both first and your last names on it clearly. One is for your locker's and other is for your desk which you will tape on. For now, let's take attendance so I can fill this desk map."

After finishing attendance Kagua continued with the rest of the explanation on her check list. When the first bell rang for the second period, Kagura gathered her things and headed toward her next destination. When it was time for lunch, she was already tired.

"Is it just me or everyone is tired?" She heard Sara ask as she entered the staff room.

"You're not the only one," she heard Bankotsu reply and she went and sat on her desk. "The day seems so much longer."

"Since you aren't sleeping in like you did all summer," this one was from Sango.

"You didn't go with the alphabetic order this year Kagura," this one was from Kikyo. Kagura wanted to throw the whole none-of-your-business in her face but decided to be nice.

That is none of your business. "I got the grade fours this year; those faces are new faces, so I don't know which of them are troublemakers and which of them are bullies. I figure by letting them sit where they want, I could make it easier for me to catch on," Kagura said. It was partially true, only partially. Kagura could spot them anywhere, it was her gift.

"Excellent idea Kagura," this one came from Sara.

"I never thought of it that way," from Sango.

"Hmpf," from Kikyo.

Kagura ate in silence for the rest of the lunch, only since she was too hungry to disturb her meal to talk to anyone. The rest of the afternoon flew quickly; Kagura went back to her homeroom class for the last ten minutes until the end of the first day to hang out important notices for the parents.

"Now class," she sat at her desk. "The papers I just gave out, make sure you give them to your parents. They are about the student fees and the parent-teacher interview in two weeks. Make sure you bring back the interview forms soon with a time; and for the fees, check or cash. Do not lose them guys, they are important. Understood?" All nodded. "Now there are five minutes left to the day, you guys can chat until the bell." She heard bunch of 'yay' and then sudden chatter.

Well, Kagura decided. Trying things differently wasn't that bad.

The bell rang and in fifteen minutes the school was empty except a few kids here and there waiting for parents to come and pick them up. Kagura was sitting in the classroom planning out the next week of work when she heard soft footsteps coming her way. She look up from the papers and saw Rin Tamaki [full name Karin, but according to her, only used in documents].

"You still here?" Kagura asked. "It's been forty-five minutes since school ended. Did no one come?" The brown haired girl shook her head, she looked like she was at the verge of crying.

"My driver Jaken usually comes fifteen minutes before the bell. He's not here today."

Ah, a rich kid, Kagura thought.

"Can I call him?" she asked in a small voice.

"Of course," Kagura stood up and went to the phone beside the blackboard a little too high for the girl to reach. "What's the number?" She dialled the number, told by Rin, and handed her the receiver.

"He's stuck in traffic on the highway."

"Is there anyone else you can call?"

"My dad," Rin gave her father's phone number and she dialled it for her. "Daddy, Jaken is struck in traffic. Can you come pick me up?... Okay."

She handed the receiver back to Kagura and smiled.

"Daddy said he'll be here in fifteen minutes," her eyes lifted in happiness.

Kagura smiled, the girl was definitely adorable.

"Well it started raining a while ago, so why don't we stay here until your dad comes?" Rin nodded. Kagura didn't know what to say to the kid then her teacher instincts kicked in. "So, do you like your seat?" The girl nodded again.

"It's in the front, I like it," she announced. "Sometimes I have trouble seeing, but doctor said that my eyes are good, but sometimes the heat makes it hard to see."

"I see," Kagura made a mental note not to seat the kid in the back in future. Ten minutes passed with Rin talking and Kagura mostly listening until she suggested they go see if her dad had come. They went and sat down on the bench in the lobby, after a few minutes, she saw a black car pull into the driveway in front of the school and a few seconds later, a tall man exit. It was too rainy to see the man's face but the way Rin squirmed in happiness, it was her dad. Mr. Tamaki.

When he entered the lobby, Kagura made sure that her mouth wasn't hanging open. The man was simply gorgeous, he was wearing a dark suit, and had silky looking hair and eyes that she noticed were golden when he reached them. Breathtaking.

Breath, Kagura reminded herself. Breath.

He ran a hand through his hair, slicking his bangs back. His eyes met hers and Kagura felt her heart skip a beat. She forced her attention to the girl and asked her the silent question in one look: Is this your dad?

"This is my dad Miss," the bright girl gave Kagura and bright smile and hugged her attractive dad's legs.

"How do you do?" Kagura offered him a handshake. "I'm Kagura Yano, homeroom teacher."

"Sesshoumaru Tamaki," he shook her hand with a firm shake, his hands were big and strong compared to hers. "Thank you for waiting with my daughter," he said letting go of her hand. Kagura missed the warmth of it.

"It's nothing," Kagura said, hoping she sounded professional. "It's my job that my students are safe until they leave the school, with the right people." Sesshoumaru 'Yummy' Tamaki nodded.

He grabbed his kid's backpack from the bench, "We will be leaving now, good night." He gave her another firm nod.

"Good night," Kagura said as she watched the father and the daughter leave the school. To not appear as a stalker who watches people leave, she quickly turned and was about to walk back to her classroom when she saw Kaede coming.

"Was that Sesshoumaru?" was the first sentence out of her mouth.

Okay, she wasn't going to ask how she knew him.

"Yes, he came to pick up his daughter since the driver couldn't make it," Kagura explained. "You know him?"

Well so much for not asking, her inner voice teased her.

"His brother Inuyasha dated Kikyo a few years ago," the principal of the school joined Kagura in her walk to her classroom. "Good chaps, both of them."

Right. Kaede was Kikyo's aunt.

"I thought you were leaving," Kagura reminded her, desperately wanting to be away from the woman. She was a good woman, but Kagura wasn't in the mood for her long talk. Even if it included the hunky dad that just came and left.

"Oh heavens, I was. Go home child, it's the first day. No need to stay after on the first day. Most left already." Kagura nodded and watched the older woman leave. She organized her things on the desk in the classroom, locked it and then headed toward the staff room. She bumped into Kagome on the way.

"You're on time," Kagura teased. "For once."

"Ha ha," Kagome rolled her eyes. "You're funny; did I ever tell you you're funny?"

"Lets gather my things from the staff room, why don't you come in this time. Most of the staff left."

"Sure." They only found Sango in the staff room, sitting on her desk staring at an open magazine. She didn't seem to notice that they came in. Curious, both Kagura and Kagome peeked over Sango's head to see what she was reading. It was a full page picture of the pretty boy Miroku Zana, the famous CFO. Even Kagura had to admit, he was attractive with his black hair and violet flirty eyes.

"He's attractive. I work with him at the moment," Kagome said. Sango gasped and shut the magazine and stared at them. "Sorry, we didn't mean to peek, just, you didn't notice us come in so…" Kagome looked at Kagura for help who avoided her eyes. "He's a real player, hits on every woman he sees, pretty or not. He hit on me too on my first day. I'm from an accountant temp angency. I'm working with him at the moment." She repeated.

It was all coming together for Kagura now. Kagome worked in Sesshoumaru Tamaki's company partnered by his half brother Inuyasha. Inuyasha was the guy Kagome had the crush on and was the one she'd been blabbering about for weeks. And Miroku worked as the head CFO in the same company.

Small world, her inner voice chipped in. Two crushes from people she knew worked at the same workplace.

"He's a real one huh?" Kagura asked Kagome.

"Yeah, he number one on the list."

"What?" Sango asked, confused.

"Player," Kagura answered. "There are three types. One: a real womanizer, spends each night with a different woman, or women. Two is the type that just wants to be seen with women, in other words, is gay and doesn't want the world to know. Last one is more of the Batman personality. Is not a player but likes the world to see him as a player but in real life is either in love with the one woman he can't have or just plain wants the world to know him as a different person than he actually is."

Sango's face fell, "Yeah, I did hear he was a womanizer."

Okay, so now Kagura felt a little guilty. She looked at Kagome for help.

"Look…" Kagura mouthed Sango's name to Kagome. "…Sango. We didn't mean to ruin your evening like this. We are going out to eat, would you like to join us?"

"Oh…I don't want to interrupt your dinner," she looked between thrilled to worried.

"No interruption. It's just women having dinner and chatting," Kagura put in. "Join us."

Drop a note, if you want.

kon-KON