Chapter 17:

Ichigo, Chad, Keigo and Mizuiro didn't show up to class that morning, leaving Orihime and the others very worried.

Deciding there was nothing they could do during class, as Yua would be surrounded by students and her teacher, they postponed any action to lunch when they would be given a break and free reign for a little while. If they confronted Yua during class, regardless of a fight, they would look like they were starting trouble in front of all those witnesses.

Orihime wrung her hands raw during class, anxious about what was to come. They would probably have to fight Ichigo and Chad who would be going all-out and wouldn't care who got caught up in it. That alone bothered her, but Orihime was also concerned about having to use her powers in front of students who had no idea about her abilities or what they did, which would be a different kind of problem.

If it came to that, she was ready to use her powers. The aftermath still posed uncertainty but she tried to set it aside for later as worrying about it would distract her from what needed to get done.

This was it. This was their only chance. Their last shot. It could not wait another day. It had to be now.

Come lunch, Orihime and Uryu along with Tatsuki tried to put their plan into action. It would be risky to do it during the day with students and teachers coming and going, but they had to try. If they failed here, the only other time was after school when the majority of people went home.

"Maybe with so many people around, she won't try anything," offered up Orihime as they marched down the hall.

"She's not the risk I'm thinking of for doing this now," said Uryu. "It's her posse. They have no regard for others or their safety. They won't think twice about harming a passing student or intentionally hurt a teacher who tries to break things up."

Orihime thought back to the fight this morning and began to sweat. "Well, on the plus side, with so many out of commission, there should be less around her. That should make it easier for us."

"In theory."

Uryu took them to Yua's classroom but found it empty of all boys and Yua was nowhere in sight. They checked the spot she usually had lunch according to Mizuiro, but she wasn't there either.

"Do you… Do you think she stayed home today?" Orihime asked, bewildered.

Uryu looked around but there were no boys making a scene so he knew she wasn't nearby. He was sure she came in this morning. Where could she be? The whole plan was riding on her being here. If they couldn't find her, they couldn't make their move.

Yua was having lunch in the teachers' office, sitting in a cushioned chair beside the male teacher's desk from before. He invited her to the office, promising her something good in return. The unsuspecting Yua took him up on the offer and joined him for lunch in the quiet office.

The teacher asked her how her classes were going and asked if she needed help with anything. A perfectly innocent question which she supposed was only being asked because there were two other teachers in the room. There were five but three left to break up another fight happening down the hall. She had yet to make any connection between the fights and the boys who craved her for themselves.

Soon, it was just Yua and the teacher. She didn't know where the other two went and didn't care. The office door was wide open and she saw nothing wrong with being alone with a male teacher, even if he was attracted to her.

"I couldn't help but notice all the attention you've been getting lately," the male teacher spoke. "A lot of those boys have been caught fighting in the school lately."

"Oh? Alright." She didn't think much of it.

"It… makes me worry… Yua." He leaned a little clear, balancing on the edge of his desk chair. "Do you feel you're in any danger? Do they make you feel… uncomfortable?"

"Not really," she said nonchalantly.

"They seem like… such a violent bunch. If it makes you feel more at ease, you can eat your lunches here at my desk. There's no issue."

"Yeah, I know. Lots of students do it."

He was hinting that it would not be a hindrance on his part to accommodate her, but she thought he was talking about there being difficulty on her part, being allowed to take her lunch into the teachers' office. Either way, there wouldn't be any issue with the gesture. However…

"They seem to smother you, Yua. I'm worried. Perhaps you should take refuge here in my office. It's no trouble. We can do anything you like. We can talk. Share a meal. Whatever makes you comfortable."

"It's really ok," she told him. "I don't mind the attention. I like it. But them not being able to get their minds off me is getting to be a problem. My homework was all messed up because of them."

"Oh, homework issues, I see." He had his opening and he took it. "Yua, if you need help with schoolwork, I can help you with that. Just say the word."

Yua contemplated this for a moment and struck an idea. Having the boys complete her assignments for her was one way to do things but now that she had a teacher wrapped around her finger, she could bypass the pointless busy work and get right to the source.

After all, as long as she had the grades, the work didn't matter.

"Well…" Yua sat up straight in her chair. "Now that you mention it, maybe you could help me out."

He nodded up and down. "Yes, Yua, yes."

She glanced around, then leaned a little closer. "If you could see your way to changing my grades, that would be a huge help."

"Change..?" he said slowly, staring at her.

"Yes. You are a teacher. You must have access to the system or grades or however you keep track of such things. I'm sure it would be real easy for you to do. Right?" She batted her lashes flirtatiously.

He looked her over, cleared his throat and said, "I was actually thinking of… additional studying."

Her face fell. "What?"

"Tutoring, if you will. Some extra time with me. Studying."

She scoffed. "I don't have time for that," she said. "My time is much too valuable to waste studying. Can't you just do it for me so I can do more important things?"

"You misunderstand, Yua," he said, coming closer. "Extra time doesn't always mean extra work."

"Huh?"

"I'm saying that some extra time with me could lead to good grades." He smiled at her. "We could study… other things… Yua."

It took her a moment to figure out what he was talking about but didn't grasp the second half of what he was saying. "Oh, I see. So if I spend more time with you, my grades will go up? You'll see your way to doing that for me?"

"Of course. Every relationship requires a certain… give and take… yes?"

Yua thought it would be the easiest way to get on the honor roll ever. All she had to do was hang out with the teacher for a little bit and he would change her grades. She wasn't sure what they would do during that time. Perhaps pretend to be studying? Maybe he would treat her to a meal or let her read magazines at his desk while he changed her grades. He might even do the homework for her so her teacher wouldn't get suspicious when she stopped turning anything in but still passed.

Her thoughts abruptly stopped trying to solve that mystery and went to deciphering the sensation on her knee. She looked down to see the teacher's hand on her leg. The palm of his hand was very warm. His fingers were long and their tips were lightly brushing the hem of her skirt.

This was odd behavior coming from a teacher. She didn't quite understand what was happening until she saw him lean even closer to her with puckered lips.

She slapped his hand away and recoiled in disgust. "Hey, what do you think you're doing?"

His hand hovered in the air between them. He didn't seem too fazed by having his hand slapped away nor was he turned off by the look of disgust on her face. He didn't seem to think he had done anything wrong.

"What?" he asked her.

"Why did you do that?"

He chuckled softly. "Oh. Oh, I get it. No worries. I was just making sure you knew where I stood on the matter. Letting you know that you can trust me."

"Were you just trying to kiss me?"

He chuckled again. "Oh, Yua. It's a sign of affection. No need to worry. I won't harm you, unlike those boys who don't understand what a wonder you are. A precious gift that must be cherished. I… understand love. I know how to treat a woman. An experienced man is… better suited for teaching certain… things."

Yua realized that the perfume was working too well on the teacher. He was really falling in love with her. She thought it would just make him more compliant and willing to serve her, not instigate an inappropriate relationship. He might have been in his mid-thirties but he was too old for her and she had no interest in him romantically. She only wanted to use him to get what she wanted, like the majority of those other boys she lured to her with the perfume's scent.

To quell the situation, Yua stood up and wedged the chair between them to maintain the distance. Then she said, "I'm flattered but, first, let's see how my grades turn out, hm?"

She still planned to use him but she never intended to repay him. She wasn't giving him a noncommittal answer either. She was making him think he could expect reciprocation when that was not her intention.

Though he might have been under the perfume's influence, he wasn't a fool. He hadn't reached the point of irrationality yet and could tell that she was trying to extort favors from him without reward.

He wasn't going to allow that. "I said there was a give and take to any relationship, didn't I?" he told her. "Once we spend some time together, your grades are sure to go up. That's how it works."

The only relationship she wanted from him was one to be expected from that of a person of royal blood and their servant. One served the other and claimed no reward. Doing something for him in return was something she wanted no part of, especially if it involved anything romantic.

Perhaps using more of the perfume would force him into submission. Maybe he wasn't getting enough. More might make him more subservient. However, she was starting to have her doubts. He was playing into her hands exactly the way she wanted a few days ago and up until now. Maybe he had gotten too much?

She thought she understood how the perfume worked. The more she used, the more in love the boys would be. If that were true, then maybe using more on the teacher would make him fall madly in love with her which she did not want.

Yua decided to just leave and not make the situation worse.

"I'll think about it," she told him.

"Yua…"

"I have to get to class."

He looked around. Teachers had started returning to their desks to retrieve their things for class. He, too, had a class to teach and couldn't remain here for much longer.

When he looked back, Yua had hurried out of the room. Not that it mattered. He didn't have time to convince her to stay and he couldn't risk the other teachers catching a glimpse of his true intentions. Even if he said that she was trying to seduce him, it wouldn't bode well for the teacher as Yua might be transferred to another school which was something he couldn't allow.

He was very careful about what he said. She couldn't complain to anyone because they were only discussing her schoolwork and grades. He phrased things very prudently for that reason.

For now, they would both retreat. He had to rethink his strategy and find a way to either win her over or take what was rightfully his.

It was decided that they would make their move after class. If the confrontation didn't end in the hallway, they had to finish it outside. The plan was for Uryu and Orihime to confront Yua on her way out of the building. Expecting an attack from her posse, they would restrain the group any way that they could while Tatsuki ambushed Yua during the fray and take the perfume by force. She would leave the building with it and Uryu and Orihime would handle whatever happened next. It was vital that Tatsuki got away with the perfume.

They couldn't have the perfume change hands during the escape to confuse Yua because it would be easier for them to lose track of it themselves. As strong as Tatsuki was, she could not handle Ichigo or Chad, which was why Orihime and Uryu would have to do it. If any boys managed to catch up to her, she could overpower them with her martial arts moves and keep going.

That was the plan, at least.

When it came time to put it into action, the plan hit a snag.

While students prepared to tidy up the classroom, the trio got ready to take their positions out in the hall where Yua always traveled to go home. Tatsuki took a different hall to remain out of sight. If Yua saw her, she would be on guard which would make things more difficult. Not yet seeing either of the other two as a threat, they would be the ones to ambush her first.

"Ready?" Uryu whispered to Orihime as they walked.

She responded with a nod.

"Distract and defend. That is our role. We can do this."

She nodded again. She knew what needed to be done but wasn't feeling very confident. She hoped there was another way but they had no time and nothing else had worked. They had to do this.

During the walk, Orihime noticed something from the corner of her eye and looked into a classroom. Something wasn't right. Without making a sound, she left Uryu's side to investigate.

He didn't notice and kept walking, intent on carrying out the plan.

Orihime entered the classroom as an argument broke out. The fight was over Yua and neither would yield. It wasn't a typical fistfight either. They used classroom objects as weapons to battle one another. There were four boys in total and it was a free-for-all. One freed the bristle part of the broom from the staff and used it as a spear, the exposed screw that would have supported the bristles at the end. He thrust it towards the other student who tried to wrestle it away with both hands. The other two students were strangling each other in the back of the room.

"Stop! Stop it!" Orihime shouted but they couldn't perceive her at all. Even when she tried to pry them apart, they acted like she wasn't there. They didn't even try to brush her off or shove her away.

The ones strangling each other had taken a worse turn. One was forced against the wall and felt around for a weapon. Grabbing a stapler, he used it to club the other one across the face. When he went down, the other straddled his torso and began to beat him mercilessly over the head. Blood sprayed the wall and ceiling.

Orihime let out a shriek and rushed over, halting only because she heard yelling from behind and turned to see one student impaled by the makeshift spear and forced into the cluster of desks.

The one bludgeoned on the ground wasn't moving, so his attacker went after the one with the spear. The one impaled still had some fight in him and grabbed the boy with the stapler, trying to take him on with a spear still in his shoulder. The spear was wrenched free and turned on the boy with the stapler, piercing his chest. He didn't try to pull away, leaning into it in order to reach the one who held it, trying to bludgeon him as he had the other boy.

Orihime stretched a healing tarp over the boy lying in a pool of blood before summoning a shield to separate the other three. She worked to heal the one on the ground and restrain the others at the same time.

It wasn't enough. The shield wedged between them only managed to stop the spear thrust. After that, they went around it to attack each other and she stretched it wider, but it only separated one from the other two. The two on the same side of the shield continued to fight. Chairs were thrown and hands wrapped around necks.

"Stop fighting right now or none of you will get Yua," she cried out in desperation.

That, too, wasn't enough to stop them. They kept trying to kill each other.

She stood by wondering what to do. She looked back to see if the other boy was healing. She managed to stop the bleeding but he wasn't out of danger yet with that head trauma. Her attention divided, the healing process was going more slowly. She looked back to see the trio still going at it and her shield wasn't doing much to stop them.

She knew she didn't have a choice.

When one boy tried to use a desk against another, the shield took the blow for the student and repelled it back on the attacking boy, throwing him across the room. He slammed into the chalkboard and landed in a heap on the ground.

This left two.

Restraining two was much easier than three since she could keep them apart with her shield. The problem was, they didn't stop. They continued to fight on opposite sides of the shield, punching and clawing at it.

"Knock it off," she told they firmly. "If you keep fighting, none of you will get Yua."

This time they heard her and didn't like what she was saying. Perceiving her as a threat, they went after her next. She turned the shield around to keep them from reaching her. Though she was safe, they were not. Desperate to reach her, they started bashing their heads against the shield and punching until their knuckles broke.

Seeing the blood running down their heads and fists, she begged them to stop, falsely promising to reward them with Yua if they stopped. They did not comply and kept hurting themselves as if the shield would lower if they smeared it with enough blood.

She repelled them as she had the other, flying backwards and landing roughly on the ground. She grabbed what she could to bind their hands. Using twine and cloth, she tied their hands behind their backs and their feet to the teacher's desk.

Thinking this was good enough, she went back to healing the other boy. Soon, she heard a disturbing sound akin to snarling. When she turned, she found the boys trying to gnaw off their own limbs since they couldn't reach their restraints. One managed to take a chunk out of his shoulder with his teeth, swallowing the pain and going back for more.

Orihime rushed over and begged him to stop but he was intent on chewing through his bone to get away. The other one could not kick over the desk he was tied to, so he was trying the same trick with his left leg, attempting to chew it off to escape.

"This is insane!" Orihime told them as she tried to keep them from biting their own flesh. "Even if you do manage to do it, it won't work. Don't mutilate yourselves. It's crazy!"

"You can't keep me from Yua!" the one missing part of his shoulder snapped, eyes wide with madness. "I'll chew all my limbs off to reach her!"

"But if you have no limbs, how will you go to her? You won't be able to walk with no legs."

"I don't need legs to run to her! I'll run without legs! I will! She's mine! I won't let anyone else have her! You can't stop me!"

"You're not making sense. Do you hear yourself?"

"Yua! Yua, you're mine! Mine!" He went back to biting his arm, craning his neck to reach.

Horrified by their words and actions, Orihime saw that there was nothing they could do to reason with them. They were beyond words. Their blood-coated faces told her something else: this was no longer about love. They no longer cared about winning her over or being perfect for her. This was obsession at its ugliest. They would kill themselves and each other for the sake of having her, whether or not it made any logical sense.

They would stop at nothing.

Orihime couldn't watch them do this to themselves any more. She had to stop them. She reached for a dictionary, took it in both hands and raised it above her head.

"I'm sorry," she whispered. She knew it wasn't their fault. They didn't want to be this way. They didn't know what was happening to them.

She raised the book high and prepared to bring it down on their heads.

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