Disclaimer: I still don't own Inuyasha… I'd think you would know that by now…

CHAPTER ELEVEN: ENTER NARAKU

I split from Inuyasha the first chance I got. Understandably, I didn't want to carry a baby doll around for the rest of the day (which was only one period, luckily), so I dashed to my locker and stuffed it inside. Now I was running late, and practically had to sprint to science.

Here it was—classroom 7B.

I turned the knob and opened it—only to walk into a class full of seniors.

With a squeal I ran out of the classroom, utterly humiliated. What? This was 7B, right? Yeah! This was it! Then why…? Wait, I wanted 7C. So, to the left was 7A, then to the right was… 7D.

What?!

7A, 7B, 7D?

You've got to be kidding me.

"Hey, Kagome. Do you need help?" a mildly amused voice asked.

I spun around to see—Hakudoshi.

You should stay away from him, Kagome.

My friends' words rang in my head, over and over again, but Hakudoshi didn't seem to be doing anything wrong. In fact, he was asking if I needed help. So far he'd done nothing to hurt me—he'd even protected me. So why was I frightened of him?

I smiled back at him, a bit forced. "Um, no thanks Hakudoshi. I'm fine, really."

He grinned at me. "You don't really look fine to me," he said, leaning against a wall.

I grimaced.

What do I do what do I do what do I do?!

"Let's see… bell rings in… forty nine seconds," he said, checking his watch. "You sure you don't want help?"

I debated with my fear, my pride, and my logic.

Logic won.

"Okay, I need help," I admitted.

He smiled at me. "Come on. Where's your next class?"

"Um… science with Naraku."

"Really? Me too, surprising!" he exclaimed, not seeming surprised at all. "Come on, it's not far from here."

I followed him. We walked up the stairs and to classroom 7C.

"Sorry, I know it's confusing," he said, smiling. "Some of the classrooms were remodeled, and the numbers got messed around a little bit."

I grinned. "Yeah, I noticed. Thanks, Hakudoshi."

"You're welcome," he said, smiling at me as he held the door for me.

A perfect gentleman.

Why did I get the feeling that there was something very wrong about him?

I wouldn't have imagined a Darkchild to behave like this… so far, he'd done nothing at all wrong. He'd been perfectly nice to me—which was more than I could say for certain rude dog demons I had met.

I've never been inclined to be prejudiced against someone because of what they are. So what if he was a Darkchild? He seemed nice.

It was only fair to give him a chance.

At least, that's what I told myself.

I looked around the classroom. There were a few others in it—two who I recognized: Yura and Menomaru. They sat to one side of the classroom, a little back, and were currently engaged in a violent liplock.

I shuddered.

There were a few humans who I didn't recognize, and one person who was very clearly a demon. I found myself fascinated by his appearance. He had pale lavender hair similar to Hakudoshi's but shorter. His lightly tanned skin was marked with blue tattoos, and rippled muscles.

Obviously a demon.

"That's Moryomaru," Hakudoshi told me, noticing my stares. I blushed.

"It's not that… I just… he's the first demon I've seen who looks so… so…."

"Really?" Hakudoshi asked, sounding politely surprised. He smiled. "You should see some of the other students here, then. You haven't met many demons before now, have you?"

I shook my head. "Oh, no. I mean, I know something about demons, but not really their lifestyles or anything like that… yeah… we didn't have any classes about demons or anything back home."

Hakudoshi nodded, understanding. "There probably weren't many demons in Okinawa, were there?"

I shook my head. "I don't think there were any—how did you know I was from Okinawa?"

I turned to stare at him. It felt unusual, not having to look up.

But he smiled, unperturbed. "Hey, don't worry. I mean, I think everyone knows."

I frowned, but didn't say anything.

Hakudoshi pulled out a chair for me. I sat, politely thanking him, while he took the desk next to me.

"No problem," he said very softly.

At that moment the teacher walked into class.

Naraku was a guy in his twenties, tall, good build, black hair—but I stopped when I saw his face.

Something was not right about that face.

It wasn't that it was distorted—in fact, it could have been a handsome face if one were to look at it that way. But that expression… the way his eyes roved across the classroom… the way they lingered…

It wasn't natural.

It was far too open.

His dark eyes were bright and friendly, his lips twisted into a slight smile—an utterly wrong smile. His wavy black hair fell almost like snakes down his back. His skin was pale and even-toned… his bangs fell across his forehead…

His eyes landed on me.

They lingered on my face, and as our gazes locked, I felt an incredible shiver go up my spine. It didn't help, either, that I could feel, amassed within him, a demonic aura the likes of which I had never before encountered. I wasn't even in danger, and I already could almost see that blue tinge shimmering around him, around this man, my science teacher, Naraku….

He smiled at me, eyes open and friendly, and walked toward me.

"Hello, you must be Kagome Higurashi. I have heard great things about you." He stopped in front of Hakudoshi and me, and held out a hand.

It took a moment for me to remember I was probably supposed to shake it. I did. His grip was firm and cold and… friendly.

Friendly.

The word seemed unnatural now.

But as I looked into his face, as our handshake ended, I couldn't help but feel that… there was nothing wrong with him. After all, his entire manner spoke calmness, intelligence, ease, and once again, friendliness.

I did my best to unknot my spine and smiled back at him. "Yes, that would be me."

Naraku smiled again. "Good. I'm looking forward to knowing you better, Miss Higurashi," he said in a silky tone which could only be compared to the way Hakudoshi spoke. Naraku turned toward the boy beside me. "Hello Hakudoshi. Have you been helping Miss Higurashi find her classes?"

"Yes, sir," Hakudoshi said with a smile. "She is in good hands." He winked at me.

Naraku's lips twitched. "I'm glad to hear it," he told both of us, and turned and glided back to his desk.

My mouth opened and closed again. I still wasn't sure if I trusted Hakudoshi, and I didn't know if he would understand my conflict about Naraku.

I don't know if I understand my conflict about Naraku.

Here was another one, whose every action or word was gentlemanly and kind, but who caused my instincts to scream bloody murder. It didn't make a scrap of sense.

Maybe one of my friends, Sango or Miroku, knew Naraku. Maybe they could tell me more about him. And if Rin had him this year for her science teacher—although I knew she would be in her advanced science class—then I could ask her what she thought about him. I knew Rin would tell me everything.

That's one of the things that makes me adore Rin. She's so trusting, and open, and warm to everyone. Rin has never kept a secret from me, and I don't think she ever will.

I knew I could trust her if I told her how I felt about Naraku. But if she had no classes with him and never even held contact with him, then what would be the point?

Who else could I ask? Ayame? Maybe. Koga? I supposed that was a possibility too. I knew I couldn't tell either of them how I felt about Naraku, though—unless they agreed with me.

Inuyasha? Hell no—well, that's what I'm telling myself. My logic says otherwise.

The bell rang.

The students, as in all my previous classes, kept chattering. But that was soon to change.

A great cold wind swept through the classroom, followed by a flickering of the lights. A gasp arose from the class, echoed by a stinging silence.

The cold dissipated, the lights went on. We gaped at Naraku, who sat calmly in his desk, leaning forward, looking at us all.

"Let me make one thing very clear from the first day. After that bell rings, there is to be no noise, unless you are called upon by me—and only me. Disobeying this rule will only bring you unhappiness as the year progresses. And we don't want that, do we?"

The class was frozen.

Naraku smiled. "Good. Now, I should hope that class will fall silent the instant the bell rings from all days onward—without enforcement or prodding.

"I try to be fair to my students, but I will not tolerate attitude. Immaturity and brass behavior will be met with an according punishment. Am I clear?"

The class nodded woodenly.

He smirked. "Good."

At that moment the door opened and a human boy rushed into class.

"I'm sorry, sir, I—"

"Detention," Naraku drawled, not even looking up.

The boy froze. "What?"

Naraku still didn't meet his eyes. "Are you asking me to repeat myself?"

"Well—I don't—"

"Did you or did you not hear me?"

"Yes, sir, but—"

"Do you know the meaning of the word?"

"Well, yeah, but—"

"Then there is no need for further discussion," Naraku purred. "Take your seat."

The boy, somewhat stunned, sat down. No one dared to look at him.

This was going to be a frightening last period.

How could Naraku act like this? At one time he can smile kindly and make brief, pointless conversation with Hakudoshi and me… and the next he sends the class into a cold darkness, or condemns a poor kid to detention without a second thought?

I had seen teachers give a detention without even looking up from their papers, but there was something very wrong about this time.

I glanced at Hakudoshi. His face was blank.

I shuddered. All this was too much to think about.

Class passed. I packed up my books as fast as I could and was out the door in seconds; I didn't think I could take another minute of that demonic aura.

I'd always been able to sense demonic auras, although it had taken me a while to be able to differentiate in power, and the whole "blue aura" thing was very new. Were my spiritual powers growing?

I hoped so. Something told me that in Tokyo, I was going to need them.

A/N: Hi everyone! This one was really short, and I'm so sorry about that. Thanks to animeroxsrin2sess0andinu2kag, xXthenextbookworkXx, and K () for reviewing! Your enthusiasm makes me so HAAAAAPPYYYYYYY! : )

Anyway, everybody, please review! Once again, I don't care if you don't think you have much to say! Please review, it'll speed up the next update and, of course, make me HAAAAAPPYYYYYYY!

Not to sound desperate or anything. XD

Thanks so much!