History wasn't exactly Kagome's favorite subject anymore. Not only could she not concentrate on the things that fascinated her, the person who was teaching them was very partial to picking on her every day.

She started doodling on the margin of her paper, having finished the notes on the overhead projector. Her pen hadn't even drawn two circles when a voice interrupted it's progress.

"Miss Higurashi, pay attention!" the voice said. She looked up and cocked an annoyed eyebrow at her new teacher. He hated her. He was trying to make her favorite subject miserable. It wouldn't work though, she thought, she wasn't about to let him win.

Sesshoumaru, on the other hand, just couldn't stand not having her attention for any part of the 55 minutes that was allowed him.

She was intelligent and interested in what he was saying, while the other students, mostly girls, just stared at him through hazy eyes, not interested at all. He couldn't stand it when she did anything but do what he had assigned her to do. He admitted passingly that he hadn't been talking and hadn't put the next notes up yet, so there wasn't really anything for her to pay attention too. Yet she had the audacity to give him that aggravated look. Him, a teacher!

Yes, she still intrigued him. He was pleased every time he looked at her eyes and practically saw her thoughts connect and piece together some event in history as he talked. Of the entire class, she always caught on the fastest. It wasn't only her, but her religon that still intrigued him. He found himself telling her to stay after class more and more, since his was the period before lunch break. She would always offer some of her lunch to him and he usually declined.

She didn't seem to mind staying with him all through lunch. He once found a sudden conscience within himself and asked her if he was keeping her from her friends. She shook her head and smiled, saying she enjoyed this much more than talking with her circle of girlfriends. He didn't know whether he believed her or not. All highschool girls must want to be with their peers, and yet this one would rather talk to a history teacher. Granted, a very good-looking history teacher, but he knew she didn't see any of his looks. That was another thing that intrigued him.

This was his third month of teaching and he enjoyed making her squirm in her desk so much, that he found himself favoring this time of day above all else. Snapping back to the new set of notes on the overhead, he proceeded to explain them in depth. He wasn't a boring lecturer by any means, good thing for the students, and they all enjoyed his history class, whether they paid attention or not. Today they were talking about Theodore Roosevelt and how his 'Great White Fleet' had docked here in Japan to a very welcoming population.

Ah, he remembered it like it was yesterday. The fleet had been a grand sight, nothing like it had ever been done. He had actually personally met Teddy in Europe after his African safari proceeding his presidency. Just like the history books said, he had been a loud and boisterous ball of energy. He greatly respected the man, a pioneer in his own right, and took the chance to talk about his interesting life.

"Theodore Roosevelt coined a phrase that the press grabbed onto and ran off with. What was it?" he asked. Teddy had coined many phrases, he just wanted to see which ones the students knew or could remember. He didn't have to look to know the hand that raised. It wasn't Kagome, it was a snivelling little brown-noser named Hojo. Sesshoumaru inwardly sighed, "Who knows, besides Hojo?"

When no hands were raised, he took this glorious opportunity to call upon his favorite victim, "Miss Higurashi?" he called her.

She raised her eyes to meet his and he didn't miss the spark of humor in them, "Speak softly and carry a big stick." she answered with a slight smirk. His eyes reflected her own amusement and he told her that she was, indeed, correct. It was the exact phrase he himself had been thinking of. He went on to explain the meaning of this phrase and how the president used and lived by it.

As he talked, something he had forgotten to tell the class worked it's way to the front of his mind, and he looked at the clock to see if he had time enough to explain it.

He had a good twenty minutes, so he informed the class that they could finish what they were writing and put away their materials. The class atmosphere lifted at the surprise early pack-up and Kagome gave him a funny look. He just raised an eyebrow at her as if to say, 'I know something you do not.'

"I have just been informed that the Close-Up program is offering this school a chance for a group of students to join in their activities. He waited, and then the hands shot up in curiosity.

"What's Close-Up?" a young lady asked from the back. He nodded toward her, "I'm glad you asked that, Miss Yuka. Close-Up is a program that allows you to see the inner-workings of democracy. That being said, if you wish to go, you will be travelling to America." he had a look of satisfaction as gasps and cheers filled the room. The rest of the hands went down, their question having been answered.

"You will be able to see many different monuments and landmarks, as well as meet some prominent government officials." he could pick out exactly what the students were saying to each other, what landmarks they wanted to see, and what museums they wanted to visit.

"Who would like to attend?" he asked. To his surprise, very few hands were raised. He was pleased to note that Kagome was one of those few, with her hand shyly raised. That was how she raised her hand, by resting her elbow on the desk and spreading her fingers out.

He was careful to take her name down last, of the four that raised their hands. After the role was taken, another hand shot up to ask a question. He nodded toward it in acknowledgement. The hand asked it's question, "Who will be our chaperones?" it asked.

Sesshoumaru hesitated, "Your chaperones will be Mr. Ichiro.." he hesitated again, "..and myself." his mind cringed at the delighted feminine squeals that suddenly filled the room. As the female students announced their sudden interest in attending, he heard a quiet giggle. His eyes snapped up and he caught Miss Higurashi barely stifling her quiet laugh as the girls around her swooned over him.

"Miss Higurashi," he began, looking back down to his list of names, "will you please see me after class?" The corners of his mouth twitched upward as he heard her exaggerated groan and the whispers of the students that he must not like her very much. Some even guessed that she was failing, which she most certainly was not.

He heard the class talk amongst themselves, always keeping a tab on the one who was quiet. She only seemed to talk when someone spoke to her directly, yet he had seen her outside of the classroom, the very picture of vivacity. Thankfully, they had never met in any dark alleys since that fateful night.

He pretended to grade papers as he mulled over his past three months as a teacher. It had been most enjoyable in his opinion. This highschool junior was possibly the only source of stimulating conversation he had had in quite a few centuries.

The bell eventually rung and Kagome walked up to his desk with her schoolbag on, knowing full well what he planned to say. He didn't look up from his papers and told her, "You may have a seat, Miss Higurashi."

She sighed again in mock frustration and plopped down on the nearest desk in front of his. She reached inside her schoolbag and pulled out her usual small bag of granola things and a bottle of water. She seemed to vary more with her drinks; some days she would have tea, others she would have water.

As usual, she offered an odd oat cluster to the teacher, who politely declined it. He didn't need human food, and she knew it as well, she just didn't want to be impolite.

"Can I ask you something?" an airy voice broke the silence, the question getting a grunt of approval from him. She continued, "Do you take pleasure in torturing me every day?" she asked bluntly.

"Do you find it amusing that your femal counterparts have an obsession with me?" he retorted, still marking the test papers. Her laugh brought his face to look up at hers. She was giggling at his reply. He cocked an eyebrow at her, "I guess that's the answer to my question." he said.

She waved her hand about near her head, still laughing, "It's just so funny to think that you are the target of all the drool monkeys in the school!"

"Drool monkeys?" he questioned disinterstedly. She looked at him, smiling still, and clarified, "The groupies that are obviously in love you, and drool as they stare."

"It's sickening." he said disgustedly, earning another laugh from Kagome. "You got that right." she agreed.

"So what do you eat anyway?" she asked curiously. He started to stack his papers and put them away, "I take supplements most of the time, like all vampires do." he replied, "You see, until we find a mate, we never drink anothers blood. It's the mate that will forever supply us and we in turn, supply our mate. Having only fed off of one individual builds a stronger bond than one would realize." he finished.

She took another granola bite out of the bag, "I didn't know it worked like that." she said and then continued conversationally, "Did you ever meet Theodore Roosevelt?", knowing that he probably had. He nodded and answered, "I saw the fleet land on Japan's shores. I met him personally when he was meeting his family in Europe. He is exactly as they describe him."

"Wow..." she breathed in amazement, trying to picture the vampire shaking hands with the great president. He chuckled, seeing the scene as it would play in her mind.

"So what are you holding me in for this time?" she asked him. He folded his hands under his chin and gave her his full attention, "I thought the look that you gave me after calling on you was extremely disrespectful."

"I can't help it, Sesshou, you drive me nuts!" she shrugged exasperatedly, using the nickname she had given him. He kept reminding her that he was Mr. Taisho, and she called him that during class. It was outside of class that she had trouble remembering to address him respectfully.

"Hn." was all he replied, but she was starting to get used to his monosyllabic answers.

They sat in comfortable silence as she munched quietly on her lunch and he watched her. He suddenly asked her, "Do you ever pray the Hail Mary?"

"No." she answered promptly, having long gotten used to the religous questions he shot out at her. He asked another, "Do you believe in purgatory?"

"Nope." she answered again. He wanted her to elaborate, "Why?" he asked.

"Because," she started, "Jesus died for our sins. Catholics believe that purgatory is where we go to pay for our sins. Jesus already paid for our sins for us, so we don't have to go through that. If you go to purgatory, Jesus' death is pointless."

"You have a good point." he agreed and then asked, "How on earth are you so quiet in class when you have so many strong opinions?"

She smiled at him, "I was taught to grit my teeth and bear it, that the teacher is the absolute authority and, though I don't have to believe what they say, I have to respect them and behave myself. Plus I don't have the guts to do something like voice my opinions outloud." she shook her head as if to clear that image from her mind, smiling ruefully.

"Why are you so scared of the classroom?" he asked. He needed to unlock the secrets of this enigma.

"I guess it's just not my favorite place in the world." she answered simply. He wanted more, "Why?"

"Well, when I was in elementary school, I kind of got teased." she told him sheepishly. He looked at her for a second. A strange anger burned in Sesshoumaru's stomach that he was very familiar with- the urge to kill, to kill whoever so dared to mock this creature in front of him.

"For voicing your opinions?" he asked, outraged, though his countenance would never show it. She shook her head, "No, I was just teased."

"But for what?" he questioned her. She shrugged again, "Beats me."

This was even more shocking. His brow furrowed in confusion and he gave up the ghost. She giggled. He eventually let her return to her friends, as he needed to plan for the upcoming trip the America. It would be set for December- January, around the nation's Christmas holidays. He would have to ask Kagome about this religous holiday. She was an excellent source of information on the few things he knew nothing of.

He would take the parent-teacher meeting as an opportunity to introduce himself to her parents. He wondered what kind of people they were.

"Good God, Sesshoumaru, what on earth are you doing?" asked a dreadfully familiar voice. Sesshoumaru visibly cringed as he slowly turned his head to look in the doorway of his classroom.

"I'm on my lunch break. Leave." he said coldly.

The voice barked out a boisterous laugh, "Come now, my boy, surely you can show more respect to your own father."

"No." he replied rather childishly.

His father would have none of avoiding the inevitable, and so, burst out with the obvious question, "Well, now son, who was the young woman that you have allowed to grace your presence." It was a slightly mocking question, filled with curiosity and poking fun between a father and son.

"She is none of your concern." he answered.

"Nonsense! If you show a particular interest in any other living thing, it is of my concern."

The father of Sesshoumaru was a burly man with grey hair that fell to the small of his back, even in the high ponytail it was held in. He was dressed in slacks and a coat and made himself comfortable in the desk Kagome had previously sat in.

Sesshoumaru wanted to growl out his disapproval of his fathers choice of seats but held himself back. He wasn't sure where he stood and he didn't want his father deciding anything for him in that department.

"You know I don't take interest in humans." he confirmed.

"So, imagine my surprise when I find you working here as a teacher. Actually talking to a student willingly, no less." his father observed, "In fact, that's the most talkative I've ever heard you, Sesshoumaru."

"You eavesdropped on me?"

"Yes." the man answered. Sesshoumaru was about to voice a string of profanities that the great Inutaisho deserved to hear at the moment when there was a soft knock at the door. Both men looked up, and, to Sesshoumaru's dismay, there stood the very subject of their conversation, looking very sheepish.

"Yes?" Sesshoumaru asked sharply, noticing the gleam in his fathers eyes as she walked inside the room.

"I forgot my book." she answered with quiet dignity as she pointed to the desk where Inutaisho sat. He looked down, following her finger and saw a small paperback book lying there. He picked it up and casually opened it; it wasn't bookmarked anywhere.

"This is a good book," he commented, handing it to her. She agreed and thanked him for grabbing it for her before turning to leave. She was stopped by Inutaisho's questions, that were polite, only she was too nervous to answer them normally.

Sesshoumaru knew her well enough to know that she was a bit skiddish around new people. He watched her closely, ready to step in should his father go to far.

"What part are you on?" Inutaisho asked. She looked at him nervously, "Mr. Darcy is confessing his love to Elizabeth in her sitting room." she answered.

"Ah, that's a very good part." he nodded, "I must say though, I am very partial to their verbal sparring in other chapters."

"That's what makes it such a great book." Kagome agreed again, smiling widely now. Inutaisho smiled at the girl. She suddenly remembered her manners and confidence and bowed before offering her hand, "I'm Kagome, it's nice to meet you."

He took her hand in his gloved one and shook it welcomingly, overjoyed that she had warmed up to him so quickly, "You can call me Inutaisho," he introduced himself, "I'm this humbug's father." he nodded toward Sesshoumaru, who sat seething at his desk. When she giggled, Inutaisho looked apprehensively at his grouchy son, who surprisingly just crossed his arms and looked at her angrily where he would have normally gone into a torrent of rage.

She responded with a slight smile, humor dancing in her eyes, "He is a humbug." she agreed. Inutaisho laughed heartily and Kagome soon joined in.

Then, she thanked him again, bid both of the men goodbye, and left the way she came.

"She's very fetching, quite a catch you have there Sesshoumaru." Inutaisho gave his approval to his son's choice in women.

"She is a student, Father, and nothing more."

"She is much more than that and you and I both know it." he argued, "There is an intelligent soul inside that young body, and it's every bit as warm and engaging as you are cold and distant. She's exactly what you need. You, my friend, resemble Mr. Darcy in more ways then one, and you may have found your Elizabeth Bennet."

Inutaisho stood up and walked to the door before turning and regarding his son.

"Don't compare me to fictional characters." his son said coldly, "And I don't need you to tell me that she's intelligent, she proves it herself."

"It's amazing, the intrigue stirred by a pair of fine eyes in the face of a pretty woman." he said, quoting Kagome's book before nodding and making his exit.

"Indeed." Sesshoumaru said thoughtfully, once he was alone.

--

Review please!