Dry lips formed many words, though sound never once escaped. Spindly digits slid beneath the worn fabric overhang and deep into the pockets of his slacks. Sunbeams danced across his dark glasses, crimson eyes peering out from behind the tint. His gorgeous obsidian tresses spilled in wavy ripples down his back. Tossing them, he was halfway through the open door before he cleared his throat, signaling his presence.

Many, many heads swiveled in his direction and he chuckled softly in response to the attention he received. The smirk he wore only grew wider when he spotted three particular misfits in the back of the room. Raising his hand so that his index and middle fingers were offered in greeting, he spoke in a smooth, almost purring voice. "Yo."

All at once, the class was abuzz. Who was this suave stranger who seemed much too old to even be a Senior? InuYasha's eyes steeled as Kagome looked on with a morbid curiosity. Sango arched an equally curious brow as Miroku looked slightly uneasy. Even Kuranosuke seemed a little ruffled. Shippou it seemed, was the only one of the three not upset, as he continued chatting animatedly with Kirara.

Yura-sensei's smile was, if possible, even more sickeningly sweet than normal. "Class," She began, crooning in that special voice she reserved for disciplinary matters. "I'd like to introduce you to Youkai Naraku. He's going to be our Student Aid. Let's all give him a warm welcome." She paused to send what appeared to be a scalding glare in his direction, but he seemed unaffected as he stood there, smiling calmly. "Why don't you tell us a little bit about yourself?"

The expression that crossed his face was unreadable. Those thin lips of his curled -- almost cruelly -- as he took several more steps, reaching the heart of the classroom. The source of Naraku's arrogance seemed to be Yura-sensei herself. "Sure," He agreed after a moment, his tone amicable enough. But the look in his eyes spoke of murder. "Well, let's see, kiddos…I currently attend Shikon University…I play several instruments and I have several pet spiders. That's about it."

"Thank you, Youkai-san," Yura-sensei offered, her eyes narrowing.

"Please," He began, placing a hand flat upon his chest. "Just Naraku is fine; that goes for the rest of you, as well." He acknowledged the entire class with a nod.

"Very well," Yura-sensei's reply was crisp. "Why don't you take a seat at my desk and observe for now, as we were just about to start the lesson."

"Certainly," He located her desk and plopped down in the large, black chair behind it.

InuYasha and Miroku traded glances, not quite sure of what to think about that little exchange. The rest of class was uneventful. Receiving their assignment for that evening, which was to read the last chapter of A Separate Peace and answer the remaining questions on their study guide, they were released upon the ringing of the bell.

They all met out in the hallway. Since completing their joint assignment last Monday and Tuesday after school, Sango and Miroku seemed to carry out a normal relationship as friends, instead of the bitter enemies Sango had originally pegged them as. Saturday had been slightly uncomfortable, but was nothing, really, in the grand scheme of things. So basically, they were now one big happy group. With the exception of Kuranosuke, who really didn't like anybody but Kagome, Kirara, Shippou and, of course, Sango. But that was okay because the other two didn't like him either. But they all got along best they could, for the sake of appearances if anything.

InuYasha glanced about him, making sure no passerby's were paying too much attention to them. When he was positive everyone was minding their own business, he leaned in and scowled. "What the hell is Naraku doing here?"

Shippou rolled his eyes. "What does it look like he's doing? He goes to Shikon University with your brother, after all. What's so suspicious about him being here?"

Miroku sighed. "Shippou's right, InuYasha. As much as we dislike him being here, he probably has a legit reason. And even if he didn't, there's nothing we could do about it anyway."

InuYasha took a moment to digest this. "I guess so…" He sullenly relented. Brightening, he added quickly, "But we're keeping an eye on him all the same!"

"Fair enough," Shippou shrugged. "Just don't be disappointed if you don't get to pin some huge crime on him, or whatever it is you have in mind."

"Umm…" Kirara began, a bit timid, but willing to ask the question the others were also wondering. "Why are you guys so worried about this guy?"

Shippou placed a hand on her shoulder as the minute bell rang, leading her down the hall a few steps to their next class as the others scurried off to theirs. "We'll explain at lunch, don't worry."

Satisfied for now, Kirara nodded and allowed herself to be ushered into the classroom.

The hours seemed to crawl by. When at last they were alone in the room, Naraku turned to Yura. "Well how about that? Never would have guessed this is the career you were so hot to pursue…"

Her face burned. "Shut up," She grated, her voice a far cry from the usual sugary sweet quality. "So I dropped out of beauty school. So what? At least I completed my education! I mean, really. You're almost 30, Naraku. And you haven't even completed college."

He frowned, all sense of playfulness abandoned. "I waited for you, Yura. I waited four, long years. I worked my ass off and sent every last red cent to you. There were times I lived under a overpass, for fuck's sake!"

She recoiled at his harsh words and edged closer to the door. She tried to get a word in, but he wouldn't let her. Oh no. Now that he finally had gotten a hold of her, she was going to listen to him.

"I gave up everything, with the hope that you'd go out and make something of yourself, Yura. We were supposed to get married after you graduated, remember?" He goaded her, taking great pleasure in the fear that sparked in her eyes. He advanced upon her, quickly overcoming her before she could turn around and run out into the hall. His warm lips grazed past her neck, hovering just beside her ear, eliciting a shiver from her being.

"Do you have any idea how it feels to do all that only to find out the person you're doing it all for has dropped out of school and is pissing all your money away when she's not fucking another man?" His rage was quiet, but intense. "But what makes me angriest," He gritted out the words, "Is what transpired between you and Senshi."

Yura sucked in her breath, her perfectly manicured nails digging into the palms of her hands, nearly drawing blood. This was not good.

"What's the matter? Didn't think I'd find out about that? You knew I loved Kikyou…But you knew Senshi loved her too, did you not? But Senshi was too proud…He would have never gone after her on his own. But you helped him. You talked to Kikyou. You found out exactly how she felt for each of us. She loved him then, but she was unsure of herself. She didn't know if she wanted to get caught up with him; after all, they were rivals. She would have gone with me, and you know it. But you gave Senshi all the encouragement he needed. And after that long weekend, anything she ever felt for me was gone."

Yura winced and tried desperately to reason with the man. "But think about it! If she forgot about you so quickly, then her feelings weren't all that strong to begin with!"

But Naraku ignored her. "Come that Monday, there I was. A heartbroken little boy. And who was there to comfort me? Why, it was you, Yura! You took me under your wing and coddled me, all the while ensuring my heart would belong to you, once mended. That was your plan. Because you believed what everyone else did: that my parents were filthy rich. But you were wrong," -- Here he laughed bitterly -- "Oh so wrong."

Sango stumbled back from the door, shocked. She and the others had just finished their lunches. She'd learned all about Naraku and the way he worked. But she'd realized she'd forgotten her folder in Yura-sensei's room, and she needed it for her next class. She'd come back to collect it, only to catch the latter half of the conversation.

She had to tell someone, and fast! Who knew what he might do? She sprinted off in the direction of the cafeteria. Strangely enough, the person whom she so intently sought out was not Kuranosuke.

A/N: No, Naraku's not going to kill Yura xD! (Though Sango's not quite so sure…) I don't know why, but when I reread the chapter, that's the impression I gathered. Naraku might be an angry, bitter young man but he isn't homicidal. In this fic, at least. Onigumo's the bad guy :D! I've become…A Naraku fan girl! Disgusting, huh xD? To call him a 'good guy' would be somewhat incorrect, so all I'm going to say is that he's going to 'play' for Inuyasha's team. Anyway, hope you enjoyed this update. I know it's quite weird, but I needed a way to get Naraku directly into the swing of things without making him a student. Well, initially he was going to be a student. But because I screwed up and used someone as a teacher that I shouldn't have….…'Kay, time for me to shut up now. Anyway, next chapter shall contain M/S fluff! Yay! Oh, one more thing. My new goal is 150 reviews ^-^, so…

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