Disclaimer: Don't own YYH characters, storyline, or Katrina Kon. Only the storyline is mine.

Chapter 8: The Anti-Beauty Club

Featherbrain has not forgotten about our last meeting. She keeps shooting me death glares, as if wondering why I am not frightened. Believe me, the only thing that scares me about her is her face.

History is driving me crazy. By now, even the slowest dimwits of the class are noticing that she is not a history teacher. I miss Mrs. Yukimura! I also wonder how Mrs. Yukimura was bought into picking her. I mean, she's no retard, and so she had to see that Featherbrain was not qualified for history teaching.

What's also weird is that she isn't picking on me today. She seems too bored to even remember that she hates me.

"Okay," she says, in that simperingly weird voice. "Today, we will learn about the 3rd Civil War of Japan. So turn to page...page...well..." She looks around at us. "Well, find it! I trust you can all do that!"

I'm ready for some fun. "Excuse me, Miss Feather," I say sweetly and politely.

"Yes, Miss Kon?"

"Well, the entire first half of the book is on the 3rd Civil War of Japan. Might we start there today?" The whole class guffaws noisily. All of us love and relish the chance to embarrass the Featherbrain.

The corners of her mouth twitch. "Oh, well, thank you, my dear," she says sarcastically. She knows she can't nail me yet, and so do I. "Turn to the first page," she snapps at us. "No dillydallying!"

I grin slyly. This is fun! "Miss Feather! Miss Feather! I have a question!"

"What will it be, then?"

"Why did you say yesterday we would have a quiz on the beginnings of the First Civil War of Japan? Has the schedule changed?" Oh yes. Mwahahahaha. She's turning purple.

"Miss Kon, of course the plans have changed! Use your head, girl!"

"Oh, I'm sorry, ma'am."

She threw me a look that plainly said 'You will be.' "One more smart word out of you and you will find yourself in detention, young lady."

By this time, the class has abandoned their reading assignment and are watching the match between me and the Featherbrain. All are looking at me with admiration.

"Miss Feather! Miss Feather!"

"What?!"

"How long you been teaching?"

"Uh...ummmm.....about 6 years."

"At this school?"

"Yes."

"Then why were you working for midnight delivery in a crappy pizza place?" Flomiki, Akane, and all the others stuff their fists in their mouths at this joke.

"THAT'S IT! OUT IN THE HALL!"

As I walk out, I turn around and wink at my classmates, a wink that says: Cause as much mayhem as you can!

They all wink back to show they understand and slip sly smiles to each other.

You may wonder why I am doing this. I mean, I'm usually not a bad kid or a class clown. The truth is, I'm a leader in a revolt against the fat featherbrain. This status is giving me some healthy popularity, too. My close four friends helped spread the word. I lead Beauty outside somehow, usually by being bad, at the end of the period. Then the rest of class wreaks havoc inside her room. By the time she runs back in to stop them, everyone runs out the door because of the bell for period 8, and she has to clean up the room all by herself. Then I'm free to go, because she dismissed me when she runs back in to stop the other kids. It's a school rule that if a teacher leaves a student in a detention room alone, they are not being disciplined, so they are free to go. She also can't tell anybody because she has no teacher friends in this school. It's not only the students that think she's a hostile space amphibian. It's a major lose-lose situation for her! And I founded it. I am so proud of myself!

That's what happened today, too. Fourth week straight. She leads me out into the hall as usual, and then runs back in like lightning. Her hand brushes the pocket where my Mirror is. She is only to find all of the kids are sitting in their seats, perfect little angels. She looks confused, and so she dismisses them. Just as they are at the door, they yell "CHARGE!" and immediately start beating up the classroom. Now she's really quite mad for getting tricked. And she just realized she dismissed me!

I've never seen such smoke come out of anyone's- demon or not- ears before. Or anyone get so purple before in my life.

My purpose is fulfilled. Now I can die happy.

It is now night. I examine the Mirror more closely. I'm pretty sure everyone is asleep, so I use it. "Kurama," I whisper. An image of him materializes but it looks hazy, like my Mirror isn't working properly. "Kurama, Kurama," Why isn't he looking into his end? And why am I getting a fuzzy beeping? He promised me he would wear it, but he's not. The jerk! What if I had needed to call for help? I stuff the Mirror angrily under my mattress, and glare at my ceiling.

And after he went to all the trouble to tell me to wear it.

I glare, in spite of my exhaustion, as Kurama goes to meet me in the parking lot. (I didn't sleep at all, hoping he would call me back all night. He didn't!) And glare at him some more. And glare and glare and glare and glare and glare.....and he doesn't seem to notice........Grrrrrrrrrrr........

"Is there something wrong?"

I seriously consider slapping him. The nerve! "No no...." I say, my glares intensifying. "It's just that you didn't have your Mirror with you LAST NIGHT!"

"What?" He seems genuinely confused.

"I tried to contact you just to talk last night but you weren't there!"

He gasps, sounding much like a 5 year old girl.. "You couldn't contact me? Were you in danger?"

"NO, and quite fortunately for me! Is my safety that...that trivial to you?"

"But, Katrina, I had my Mirror with me all day and night. It was something on your end that went wrong. Let me see the Mirror, okay?"

I hold it out to him sullenly. "Here, just take it. I won't be needing it. 'Cause you don't care."

"Katrina, stop acting like a spoiled brat! It isn't my fault that you couldn't contact me last night, so stop chewing me up over it! Jeez..."

I'm furious. He shouldn't call me that! He can't call me that! He has no right! In fact I should teach him a lesson! I struggle with my emotions, and decide that's just what he needs. He'll be sorry for calling me a spoiled brat. I start to laugh before I become aware of what I just allowed to escape.

Oh crap! I realize I'm transforming. I am too tired to fight it. I have to be in top physical condition to fight it, and this is not one of those times. I give in before I know what is happening. Kurama notices, and looks up from my damaged Mirror.

"Help!" I yell. My brain is dissolving again.

"Oh god! KATRINA, FIGHT IT! YOU HAVE TO!"

No...energy...

"FIGHT IT!"

Can't....

"YOU CAN MASTER THAT PANTHER!"

How.....would he know.....what it's like.....

At that moment something inside of me rebelled. I am getting nowhere by feeling sorry for myself. I will ride this panther. So I'm cursed, big deal! I wield my demon power; the power doesn't wield me. As I think these thoughts, I notice I'm growing stronger. I have the advantage in my battle with the panther; my inner, violent, demonic self.

I...can...

I will....

I....MUST....

And suddenly, panting, I'm on the hard pavement of the parking lot, as a 14 year old girl. Kurama looks dumbstruck.

"Y-y-you did it..." he whispers.

And I realize, for the first time in my life since I was a baby, that I'm crying.