The bell rang for first period, jolting me out of the twilight zone. The teacher walking in – he looked human, but I sensed a snake-like aura.

"Looks like I'm not the only non-human," I muttered.

He locked eyes with me. "Haven't seen your face before."

"I transferred. From Cardiff."

"Last name?"

"Claws."

He checked an attendance sheet and nodded.

I looked around the classroom. Between Silverhead and Snakeman, this class was probably going to be my least favorite.

"First things first," Snakeman's voice jolted me out of my stupor. "Seating chart."

My eyes widened. I was alone at my table. I wanted to be alone. I work better alone!

"Ms. Claws."

I jumped. "Yes, sir?"

He pointed to the seat next to Silverhead. "Over there."

I picked up my stuff and moved, thinking the entire time, "No, no, no, no, no…"

I set my stuff down at my new seat. AS I was sitting down, the back of my arm hit the sharp corner of the table, giving me a very long scratch, which was bleeding slightly. The silvery-white liquid metal began to drip down my arm. I wiped it off with my finger, and licked my finger. After all, there is nothing else you can do with mercury.

Silverhead was looking at my cut. "Your blood…"

"It's mercury," I told him.

Snakeman came up behind me. "But that's not scientifically possible."

"Well…it's true!"

"But mercury is poisonous to humans. You should be dying. You, Ms. Claws, are not scientifically possible."

"Um…Sir. I'm half Siren, half Wraith. Not a bit human. That enough of a scientific explanation?"

Snakeman glared down at me. His yellow eyes locked with my yellow eyes. We just stared at each other for a minute. Finally, he sighed. "I give up"

I grinned on the inside.

Forty-five grueling minutes later, the bell rang for passing period. As I started to leave, Silverhead grabbed my arm. "Wait."

"…What." I turned around and looked him in the eyes. They were a rather lovely shade of purple.

"I'm sorry."

"…What?"

"About this morning."

"Oh…that."

His eyes glinted with amusement. "Are you going to say anything meaningful?"

I thought about that. "Ich bin ein Berliner. Why are you apologizing?"

"You're not as weak as I thought."

My eyes narrowed. "And just what is that supposed to mean?"

He blinked at the coolness of my voice. "I mean to say that no one can get in an argument with Orochimaru Sensei and win that quickly."

About time I learned Snakeman's name!

"Oh," I said simply, "Well, it's alright. Really, much worse things have been said to me." I sighed. "Uh…I never caught your name."

"Hidan."

"Right," I whispered, committing the name to memory. "I'm Kirafa, in case no one told you. I'd better get going-"

"Hold on."

I studied his face curiously. "What?"

The faintest grin appeared on his face. "Can I still call you Whore?"

I rolled my eyes. "Honestly, I don't care." Then I took off.