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Youko eased silently into the classroom behind Ami. He was still in his scarlet-haired human form. He took in every aspect of the classroom in a single glance and slight sniff. He could sense the heavy weight of the student s' gaze, but it didn't faze him. He assumed a composed and laid-back composure as he waited for the obvious teacher to finish talking to Ami.
Ami looked back at Suichi and smiled. "I don't think he'll embarrass you on the first day," she said.
Suichi stared at her, trying to decipher the meaning of her vague expression. He watched as she walked up the stairs to sit down. The back portion of the class was built like a lecture hall. The rest of the classroom had lab counters with sinks, Bunsen burners and everything else a young chemist would want.
"Our new victim, I see. You've come to witness and hopefully learn the potent art of alchemy, known to you young ones as Chemistry. Am I correct?" Mr. Yamamoto asked. He looked rather young for a teacher.
Suichi took in his scent. Yamamoto was only in his early twenties, he realized. "Victim?" he said instead. "What exactly do you mean by that?"
There were a few scattered giggles among the class. Yamamoto's smile widened as he gestured for the class to be quiet. "Chemistry poses all sorts of dangers. You could spill a beaker of hydrochloric acid on your skin while you're trying to find the exact amount of sodium chloride used to dilute it. Surely you don't want that to happen, does he class?"
"No!" the class answered promptly with more giggles.
'Hydro-whatsis?' Suichi wondered. "Danger?" he repeated blankly.
"Of course!" Mr. Yamamoto seemed to glide to a nearby lab table and held out a bottle marked 'HCl' "This, is Hydrochloric acid. It is also the very acid that lies dormant in your belly right now. If that acid can turn hard to chew food particles such as the school lunch into energy, imagine what it can do to your open skin. Your stomach has a special lining to protect it against normal condition, but your arms, for example, aren't as lucky." He set the bottle down. "No no, this clear liquid is an acid that can eat away your skin. Even a simple drop can harm you."
Instantly, the fox demon brightened. Danger was an aspect of life he lived to experience. This class called Chemistry might even be fun!
"So, are you still up to the challenge of Chemistry?" Yamamoto said.
"Yes. When might I be able to start?"
"You can't start as soon as you can think. You don't even know what elements are what. You need to know the basics before you can continue on to handling the chemicals. I'll give you your textbooks. If you're lucky you can start in about a month. This isn't exactly simple to do. If you have questions, feel free to ask me, Matsuo over there or Ami."
Suichi looked up at the desks. He met Ami's cheerful gaze and then the simple glare of the boy named Matsuo. He cocked his head thoughtfully. "Aren't you in the other class I have?" Suichi said suddenly.
Matsuo nodded slowly. "Yes. Geometry."
"He's only a freshman! Can you believe this kid?" Ami said in awe. "I'm a sophomore like you and this is generally a junior and senior class! He's got to be a genius!"
Matsuo blushed at the praise. "No, it's the strict study habits I'm forced to do. My father used to be a principal."
The conversation was rapidly boring Suichi. He turned his attention to the two thick books Yamamoto had placed in his hands. "I…read these?" he said incredulously.
"Only up to chapter seven in this blue one. You're lucky we haven't gotten too far, but I'm still not going to go easy on you! This other book, you can read up to chapter 20. The chapters are short, not to worry. Now, get to it! Your seat will be…hm…"
"Oh, oh, oh! You can sit with me!" Ami said without blushing.
Yamamoto shrugged. "Don't copy off of her labs and I'll be fine with it."
Suichi looked at her with amazement. She wasn't ashamed of proving she found him attractive. She was indeed something to wonder about. Botan, on the other hand, had admitted that his angelic looks were alluring but ran away out of embarrassment. He gave Ami a warm smile. She was interesting in ways Botan was not…but still… Mentally, the fox spirit frowned. Botan had pointed a knife at him—something no one in his or her right mind would even attempt to do. Such courage against him was admirable. In a way, he hated Botan but at the same time admired her.
He stared at his books blankly. 'Only a few elements can exist without being combined along with other elements. Hydrogen is an example.' He scowled inwardly. He read it, and knew it, but what in hell's name did it mean? He skimmed through the rest of the chapters. His ability to take in things was going to be a strong suite in this class. In an hour, he was done reading both books. He had even read through the entire thing.
"Yamamoto-sensei, what shall I do now?" he asked.
Yamamoto turned. "I beg your pardon? You can't possibly be done."
Suichi flipped through the book. "But I am. All of it in fact."
"Truly? Then I'm sure you won't mind a test. What is H2O made up of?"
"Two parts of hydrogen and one part of oxygen."
"What is the main ingredient in Tums?"
"Calcium bicarbonate."
"If I gave you a mole of Lithium, how much is it in grams?"
Suichi gave the answer after a slight pause. He was given stares from all corners of the classroom. "Is…the answer incorrect?" he said when he was unable to take the silence any longer.
"No, it was correct. I'm…truly amazed at what you've done in…in an hour!"
The bell rang the minute he finished his sentence.
"No homework," Yamamoto announced, still flustered from Suichi's sudden achievement.
"You have to meet my friends," Ami said suddenly taking the fox demon's arm.
Suichi snapped his arm from her grasp out of instinctive habit. He still wasn't used to female contact. He found it awkward and frightening. He saw the hurt look of confusion on the girl's face.
"What's wrong? Did I hurt you?"
"No. I-I suppose I'm jumpy. I'm in a new place with people I don't know. I barely know you yet you willingly take my arm as if we've been friends for several years."
"Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you or anything."
"No harm done. It's fine. It caught me off guard. That's all." Suichi held his hand and arm out mockingly. "Feel free to drag me to your friends then."
Ami giggled and led him to a small mob of attractive young women. "These are my friends," she said. "They aren't that bright," she added with a teasing smirk to her friends.
"Ami, what's wrong with you! You can't make us look bad in front of a hottie like this!" a girl squealed. She pushed a brunette out of her way. "Hi! What's your name?"
Before Suichi could reply, another girl assaulted him with the question of whether he was single or not. In a few more seconds, he was becoming flustered with the amount of attention he was getting and all the much too personal questions. His cool composure was nearly broken until he forced everything out of his mind and calmed down.
"Please, if you want to ask me something, ask me one at a time. I can't make sense of over ten voices at once," he said after waiting for their chatter to die down. "But, I need to ask you a favor. As you know I'm rather new to this curriculum and I need a guide to my other classes. Does anyone know where my next few classes are? If you help me, I'll be on my way and I'll answer your questions at a time when my time is less demanding."
"You don't have to worry about that right now. This is lunch period. When the third bell rings, that's when all the sophomores have their lunches. Right now, it's break time," Ami said.
Suichi looked at her. "Perhaps, but I'd rather find my classes before I can relax. I don't want to make myself look foolish when I ask a random student for directions."
This was accomplished quicker than Ami and her friends wanted. Most of them left as the bell for junior lunch rang. The sophomore girls left to do who-knows-what. Ami and Suichi were left alone. She looked sheepishly at him. "Would you mind sitting with me at lunch?"
"Oh? I'd rather not. I'm not used to being attacked," he said simply.
"No, not with everyone. Just you and me I mean."
"Erm…" He thought over it.
He wanted to find Botan and ask her about why she had run away from him. But still, he had to destroy the very thing that had given him the 'soft' thoughts. No, it wasn't Botan that needed to be killed. She was still the only interesting victim he had yet to stalk down. He would pinpoint her weak point and use it to his advantage. But this female… He glanced at her. She was too open-minded to him. This was something he hated in a weak-minded girl such as this. Teasing games could be annoying, but that was the most interesting part of most relationships. If his brilliant mind was to be kept at it's best, then a female of this mental-caliber was completely degrading and unexciting. As a thief, he thrived in danger and a world full of confusion. But this? This was completely sad.
Which is why he agreed. "Thank you for asking me," he said slowly, choosing his words carefully. "I'll sit with you. I'll probably need to ask more stupid questions." He offered her a sheepish smile. He used his Reiki to enhance the smile. Anyone under this spell wouldn't…couldn't resist. With his kitsune charm at hand, nothing could break away from his hold. At this moment, Ami didn't want to break away.
"Your eyes are a pretty color," she murmured as if in a trance.
"Thank you," he said in an evil purr he had learned to use during his hypnotic hold. "Is there a reason you are looking at me so strangely?"
"I don't know…" she trailed off. She reached to stroke the scarlet hair on the fox spirit's head.
Suichi smiled. She was now a wilted flower…something that was completely at his will. Perfect. He took her chin into his hands, studying her complexion. It was that of a normal teenager…nothing special about her. He sighed out of boredom. This girl wasn't going to be much fun. He had melted her into any normal female—demon or no. The charm Ami had that he had momentarily admired was now a pile of mush.
He turned back into his demon-form. Who cared if anyone saw him? He would only make it so that they would forget. At this moment, only females would pass by and as luck would have it, he had an extraordinary amount of control over the species most males found confusing.
He trailed his fingers down her neck, searching for the vital point that would slowly kill her. If anyone found her at the wrong moment, she would only look like she had passed out. He found the point and brought his lips to the point. His sharp canines grazed the area slowly as if they had a mind of their own, searching for the perfect place to puncture. He jerked away as he felt Ami try to touch the kitsune ears on his head. He pinned her arms and moved once again to puncture that specific point on her neck.
"Youko? What are you doing?"
Youko looked up to find Botan glaring down at him. "Killing her."
"Really? It looked like you were trying to kiss her," Botan snapped out of slight jealously.
Youko smirked and threw Ami to the ground. "If I were trying to do so, why would I be in my true form?"
"Don't ask me! You stupid demons have horrible ways of thinking."
Youko gave her a mock bow. "I appreciate the complement. Nevertheless, if we're so horrible, why do you find me attractive? Answer me that."
"Just because you were born with good looks doesn't mean I have to like you for the person inside."
"Indeed? Then perhaps you can answer why you ran away from me?"
Botan blushed. "Why do you care?"
"Shouldn't I care?" The amber eyes burned into the amethyst ones. "You took me in when I was injured and I owe you something." This wasn't completely true. Suddenly he felt himself soften under the frightened gaze Botan wore. "I can protect you from these people. I've sensed that being here discomforts you, but being here is better than belonging to Risho and the rest of the yakuza idiots."
"Touya isn't an idiot. He's been a good friend to me," Botan snapped.
"Then why hasn't he risked his life to find you here? If he's truly a friend, why not come here to live as a human as well?"
"T-that's because if he came here, Risho would kill him. He has to be loyal to the yakuza."
Youko said nothing. "That I cannot deny. But haven't you wondered? You feel alone in this world. I can smell it." He took a step closer and lifted her chin to study the expression in her eyes. "Part of you hates me with every fiber of your soul. You find me to be the very being you wish to avoid and perhaps you even want to kill me." His bitter tone was obvious.
Botan backed away from the gentle touch. "Just shut up."
Youko wasn't going to 'shut up'. "Another part of you enjoys my presence because it keeps you from suffering extreme loneliness," he continued. "You're confused…very confused. So make up your mind. Do you hate me or do you enjoy my company?"
"I…" Botan trailed off. She closed her eyes against the beautiful amber eyes. She shook her head slowly and sunk to her knees. "I don't know! You're right. I'm confused! I'm a lost idiot in this world! There's no one here like me! I'm a freak!" She sighed deeply and gazed sadly at Youko. "That's what all the girls call me behind my back… A freak. What do you think of me? Am I a freak to you?"
"No. You're an outcast as I am."
"Wow, that's the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me!" Botan snapped sarcastically. "You've really made me feel important."
Youko cocked his head. "Have I really?"
The deity threw her hands into the air in frustration. "Don't take everything so literally!" She put her hands on his shoulder as if to calm his storm of nonsense. "Let's start over from the beginning."
"Must I get shot again?"
"Not that far into the beginning. How's that sound to you? We can make a better impression on each other. I'll forget how big of a crybaby you are when you get around tweezers." She grinned.
Youko returned the grin. "Agreed." He returned to his human form.
"But first, let that girl go."
"Why? Once my victim has been decided, I'm usually not so keen on releasing them."
"Let her go."
Suichi sighed and turned to Ami's sitting form. He waved a hand before her face, releasing his hold on her mind. Ami passed out.
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~~DietyofRoses: I'm flattered! Really. * blush * I never figured you'd review, but I appreciate it all the same. Thanks for your reviews and I'm really glad you're enjoying my fics so far. You're the first to review so you can have your first pick of brownies!
~~DarkAnimeChick: Good guess, but no. It's not to himself, but he's going to do something like his old self. It's nothing overly perverted. I think. You can take it anyway you want since you read this chapter, right? I'm not trying to show that Youko is perverted or anything in this. He's just…seductive I guess. Come on, with a face like that? Would you want to resist his devilish good looks? * cackles * Here's a brownie!
~~miyako14: Yes, you're the only person to review all my YYH fics! Oh, a Hiei t-shirt? I'm gonna steal it! Joking! Here's a brownie for your review!
~~Tesina Gela Gardner: No problem with reading your fic! I want to review some of my reviewer's fics. If I had someone like Volpone or frith read my fics I'd be soooo happy so I'm hoping someone out there feels the same way about me reviewing theirs…not that I'm that good, of course! Brownie?
~~Moonlite Goddess: Humor is good to add in a fic in my opinion. If it's just romance and kissy face stuff, it wouldn't be very interesting. I mean, really, what's the point in a 20-something chapter story with only kissing and other things? Humor and a strange twist makes it all good! I'm glad you're enjoying so far. Care for a brownie?
~~Tyedye/Rin: I'm glad you like my fic! I'm flattered! Here's a brownie this time like I promised. Do you like brownies?
~~Mourning Fox: I'd like to hear how that goes! Don't worry, I'll update pretty quick on this. It'd be up sooner, but I want to try acknowledging reviewers this time. It takes forever! -.-; Oh well! This is brownie review day! Enjoy!
~~chocogurl: Woah! No need to use the caps button! I wasn't really insinuating anything! You don't know what to put in a review?! Flatter me! That's good for inflating my ego! J/k! Put what you want! Reviews are for open opinion! Here's a brownie.
~~Jo: Thanks for saying I have a good fic. That's another good one for the mile in the shoes thing. You read my bio? Weird. I figured no one wanted to know what kind of loser I was in my bio. J/k. Thanks for the review and here is your brownie!
~~KuramaandHiei4ever: Good girl! Here's a brownie this time for only getting one cookie this time. Thanks for liking my stories! I'm not the best out there, but I appreciate the complements. Sorry the answer isn't 55.5.395 or whatever it was you put up there. It was answered in this chapter so no big! Thanks for taking time out to read this. You didn't review late! There's no such things as late reviews!
~~Dark Raxiel: Thanks for reading even though you didn't have time. It means a lot to me to hear it. Here's a brownie!
~~Lost: It's addicting to write too! I'm glad someone finds this addicting! HA! MIND CONTROL OVER MY REVIEWERS! Heh heh heh. Thanks for reviewing my other fic! I made Youko a little clueless on purpose. Some people describe him as having far too much control of the environment in their fics, but in this, I want him to adapt. You like Touya too? He's one of my favorite bad guys! Here's a brownie for your crazed review!
~~DarkShadowWriter: Sorry, cliffies will be part of my fic. It's sort of a trademark! * evil smile * Erm…what do you mean review in my own time…? Here's a brownie. Can you clear up what you mean by me reviewing in my own time?
~~shygurl: Maybe you haven't paid close attention to my summary…? ^.^' Yes, Youko does want to assassinate Botan, but since this is a YoukoxBotan story, he's supposed to kind of fall in love with her. It doesn't happen soon. Right now he's trying to deny what feelings he's having for her. Thanks for your review! Here is a brownie!
Like I said, thanks for reviewing and your name will be up again next time if you review!