Chapter Seven: Immorally Enticing

While forbidden fruit is said to taste sweeter, it usually spoils faster

-Abigail Van Buren

There was a sinful elation found in pale velvety lips.

However inappropriate the encounter might have been, Kagome didn't pull herself away, she wasn't sure she could have. She was vaguely dizzy with wild bliss the moment had bestowed on her. She could feel his hand that had been tracing her face slide around the back of her neck as he steadied her head to deepen the kiss. It was immorally enticing and while a part of her knew something was definitely not right, that part was briskly suffocated beneath the euphoria.

Her body had gone limp for the first second but as he redoubled the embrace it seemed to electrify her into returning the attention. Kagome's hands curled into his pale hair and felt his back through the thin silky fabric of his outfit. He was surprisingly muscular beneath the thin satin, the lines of him easy to make out as her fingertips traced him.

Smooth. She decided adjective fit him in a variety of ways. His skin, his clothing, even his ivory locks were tangle free as her fingers curled through them. If it wasn't his personality then for certain his appearance and touch helped to define him in that manner. Everything about him was effortlessly serene.

As she continued to trace his skin she felt the want to shiver at a low moan against her lips. His second arm snaked it's way around her waste and pulled her up to him where her feet weren't even touching the floor. Somehow the fact that he seemed as interested in her as she had in him only helped to further escalate her preoccupation with him. She was starting to understand the idea of wishing a moment in time to stand still.

All good things had to end however and a sharp knock at the door sent the dreamlike moment crashing back down to earth even as he broke the kiss and set her back on the floor. She was still reeling and sat down when he moved off to look at who it was.

"Was I just making out with one of my teachers?" She thought, touching her lips. The part of her she had rudely pushed aside barged it's way back to the forefront of her mind. "Yes, I was. What the hell am I thinking? But it was so...so...indescribable. But if this ever got to the school...it could ruin his career. I could be expelled or suspended. Is it a stolen first kiss if I wanted it?"

Her mind was still dancing around the fact that she'd just had one of the best moments of her young life and it was so controversial as Ghaleon opened her front door to find a unsmiling Lezard on the other side. The 'student' eyeing the albino elf skeptically. "I was asked by Professor Curtiss to come and make certain everything here was fine. Was that some spell I felt as I arrived?"

"It was." Ghaleon replied without inviting the other boy inside. "I was showing Miss Higurashi a levitation spell. Everything is under control here Mr. Valeth, I am speaking with her of what is to be done after Albel was so careless."

"Why is it everyone knows where I live? Did Ayumi pass out flyers at school one day while I was gone?" Kagome thought idly, she couldn't really help but eavesdrop. She sat back up straight though and fixed her hair. "I guess it's good it's Lezard and not mom home from work."

"How is she? I would like to help." Lezard offered in his usual soft-spoken tone. "I imagine a student of such things might be able to give another perspective. Could you let me by?"

"Let's just have a party." Kagome thought drily. "Invite back the Psycho and the rest of class. I can't believe I just did that...with my Professor...however good looking he is...

The longer she had time to think about it, the more nervous it was making her.

"I don't believe that will be needed Mr. Valeth. She has already been through much today, I see no reason to force anyone else on her. She will be joining the class on Monday and you will be able to speak with her then." Ghaleon reasoned politely, still not moving to allow him passage. "If there was nothing else you should allow me to finish my explanation."

"If you insist professor." Lezard answered in his usual manner. "Though I might mention, the spell didn't have the feel of levitation magic whatsoever. Perhaps we can speak of that for a few moments when you are finished. Why it would seem more like a..."

"We will speak momentarily then Mr. Lezard. If you would be so kind as to wait outside." Ghaleon interrupted.

"More like a what?" Kagome thought idly. "God...I'm so dead if I keep doing this...what the hell is the matter with me. Maybe my friends are right...I just like older men. It's so wrong though..."

They exchanged a few more words but were speaking so softly Kagome couldn't hear them anymore. She was more distracted by the idea that she was feeling up her professor...and it bothered her just how willing she was to do it.

"Are you not well?" She glanced up and noticed he'd returned with a more sour expression than when he'd left. She felt a pang of regret that they'd been interrupted but then blushed and nodded furiously.

"I'm uh fine. I'm sorry about...yeah...I just..." She started to ramble a little until he moved over and put a finger over her lips.

"It's unjust that anyone could have such soft skin." She thought at his touch. "Why was I so nervous again? Cause he could lose his job, or get arrested, or I might not see him again if I keep up my bad behavior."

Something made that lost thought hard to bear.

"It's fine Kagome. I should be the one apologizing." He said, patting her shoulder and drawing his hand back when she stopped speaking. "It was very improper of me to act in that manner. You are difficult to back away from...nonetheless, we have an agreement that you will not speak to anyone of what you witnessed but keep your memory."

"Yes." She nodded, she could accept the change of subject. It was a uphill battle she'd given up on keeping a blush from her face once he'd complimented her. "I won't say anything to anyone."

"Good. I should be on my way. Stay well Kagome." She felt him kiss her forehead and the gentle gesture made her smile. He was off though before she could reply she heard the door closing.

She closed her eyes and slumped back into her hair. "You too Professor Ghaleon... God Kagome, you have so many issues."

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Another Time -

"Why would I want to help Inuyasha or the group of insects that travel with him." Sesshomaru's voice was it's usual Siberian arctic level of uncaring. The silver haired demon lord's back was to the incarnation of Naraku that he'd come to occasionally deal with. He was instead eyeing some forests below the cliff face where they'd come to meet.

The brunette demoness frowned only a moment to Sesshomaru ignoring her so blatantly, knowing she had to keep her cool to get him to do anything. "Because saving the girl Kagome is directly against what Naraku wants. It's not helping Inuyasha, it's harming Naraku. Only a few people are even capable of remembering that she exists."

Sesshomaru answered without moving an inch from where he'd last picked up Naraku's scent. "If this girl's memory was stolen from her...there is no reason she'd believe Inuyasha even if he did find her."

"Who are you both talking about?" Jaken asked with a canted head.

"I never said I wanted you to rescue Inuyasha to find the girl." Kagura answered slyly, both of them instantly ignored the green midget. Holding her fan up over her lips to hide the smile beneath it she waited for a answer.

"You and your riddles!" Jaken piped up waving his staff in a poor attempt to be threatening at the wind sorceress. "You said you wanted someone to find the girl and tell her what had happened so her memory would return. Then you said she was close to Inuyasha, you don't make any sense."

"It's a part of the spell." Kagura sent the imp a small glare. "Only those connected to Naraku, an incarnation like myself, or those on par with the gods that cast the spell, could resist it. A weak fool like you wouldn't fall under that category."

"The people that knew where the girl came from all wouldn't remember her." Sesshomaru commented as he put more sense into her story given Jaken's own failed memory.

"I'm certain that someone as powerful as you Sesshomaru could hunt her out without any difficulty at all." Kagura laid on the compliments, she needed to believe in him, he was her only hope of eventually having freedom. "I even have one of the girls old belongings. If you could pick up a scent from..."

"How dare you you evil witch!" Jaken exclaimed, jumping out toward her and pointing his staff at her more directly. "You think you can use my great master like a lowly hunting dog. Even if the girl does exist and is someone Naraku wants to get rid of, why do you think he would lower himself to working for..."
"I'll do it." Sesshomaru said in quiet interruption of the ranting goblin near his feet.

"What!" Jaken blinked in disbelief, looking between his master and the woman, who also looked surprised at his easy concent. "My lord..."

"Quiet Jaken." Sesshomaru ordered, holding out a hand toward Kagura for the shirt she carried with her. "Perhaps this girl will know where Naraku is hiding."

There was also ruining whatever Naraku had been planning.

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The following day (for Kagome - much later for the folks in the fuedal era!)

A long sigh.

She was getting the feeling she was heading for a lot of those.

Kagome pulled herself carefully out of the bath she'd prepared. It had been a pathetic and failed attempt to distract herself.

Her entire night had been less than restful and she'd given up on sleeping in favor of getting ready for the day's outing a little early. She'd hoped a nice soak in some steaming water would distract her from the daydreaming but she was finding it exceptionally difficult to get Ghaleon out of her mind.

Anytime she closed her eyes or didn't have something else to keep her busy her treacherous mind would stray to thoughts of just how firm his muscles had been under that kimono-ish robe he'd been wearing. It was hard not to remember the exhilarating moments after he'd leaned in his perfect elvish face to hers...

"I have mental problems." She decided with a snort, picking up the towel for the final part of the cleaning ritual, getting dry. "I can't even manage to relax with a nice hot bath! It's horrible. I'm horrible. I really was making out with my teacher...even if he is dead gorgeous I can't keep thinking about it!"

She bit her tongue in hopes it might distract her for a while and went to drying herself off. She still had a hour or so before her friends would be by to drag her off to the party at the beachfront...she could at least try to make herself presentable by then.

It was easier said than done. After she'd dried herself and her hair off she at least managed to find something to busy her mind for a little while. She hadn't been out in a while and wasn't really sure what she should wear, the issue one that she was chewing her lip over.

"A sundress with a sweater." She announced to no one in particular, eyeing the narrowing down of her choices as they hung in the closet. "Lets see, green or blue and white."

A flicker of the blue and white triangle pattern on Ghaleon's outfit flittered through her memory, along with her feeling up the outfit. That had her grabbing the green one and shutting the closet harshly. "When I finally think I'm okay...dammit, I really am nuts."

She dressed as she muttered about men being impossible creatures the world would be better without. Picking through her jewelry she settled on a golden heart necklace and a pair of earrings that looked a little like crystalline ivy. It matched the vague underlying yellow in the sleeves and bottom of the dress she picked. Thankfully she had shoes that matched and after looking herself over it was down to have breakfast.

Souta and her grandfather arguing over the last of the already cooked pancakes made her smile, the sight was a rare one of normalcy in the way her life was the past couple of days. She got herself some eggs and reached over to steal the last pancake while they were still arguing about it.

"Hey no fair Kagome!" Souta protested. "That was between me and grandpa."

"Now you don't have to argue." Kagome offered, putting some eggs in her mouth then reaching for the syrup.

"Young people these days have no respect for their elders." Grandpa huffed and leaned back in his chair to pout.

"It's fine." The calm voice of reason for the household, Kagome's Mom, interrupted. "I'll be done with another batch in no time and Kagome is going out with her friends today."

"Oh really sis?" Souta seemed surprised. "I'm glad you are feeling up to it."

"Thanks Souta." She smiled, just as shocked that he'd show concern for her.

"Now I can have the tv all to myself today." He added.

"Thanks." She repeated more drily. "Glad to know you care."

"Course." He grabbed one of the new pancakes on his way out and shoved half of it in his mouth as he went for the living room. Likely a day spent on his play station two was what was on his mind.

"Souta...get a plate..." their mom shook her head and then smiled at Kagome. "Did you get all your homework done?"

"Everything but math." Kagome answered honestly. "I have a tutor coming over on Sunday to work with me on it so I can try to catch up."

"Hmm, well usually I want you to have your homework done before you go out. Sense you planned it so responsibly I think it'll be okay this time." She seemed to think about it before saying it but nodded to herself as she spoke. "It'll be good for you to have some time with your friends but be careful and try not to be home too late."

"Okay mom." Kagome was expecting the usual speech, though resisted a wince when her mom called her responsible. Somehow she doubted her mom would think that if she'd of walked in on her last night...

The knock at the door was her call and she headed out to greet her friends. Ayumi's boyfriend was giving them all a ride to the beach. That went smoothly enough, apparently Eri had decided to ask someone to meet her there after all and that became the topic of the morning girly talk.

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There was a light breeze that just had an edge of the threat of the coming autumn when they reached the beach. The smell of salt was thick in the air but the temperature was nearly perfect, if she had to guess Kagome figured it to be about seventy-five degrees. Still a little warm but the breeze made it lovely and justified her bringing the white sweater she was wearing unbuttoned over the mint green sundress she'd brought along.

She'd added a straw hat to the ensemble just before running out the door and was glad given the amount of sunlight on the almost cloudless afternoon. Once they reached the area they were using for the main gather she blinked at the noise. Kids were already playing volleyball with a second net setup not far from the first. Some kids were just lounging on an arrangement of beach chairs or towels chattering away. There was a group of kids that worked with the band setting up instruments and speakers on a small stage where she could only assume they planned to play a little later on. It was alive with activity and a lot of students she did recognize, and just as many she didn't were wandering around.

"Wow." Eri spoke her thoughts for her as they headed over the hill with their own small bags. The biggest thing Kagome had brought with her was her backpack; filled with a towel, a packed lunch, a small first aid kit, and a few other things. Her bag actually had some slack to it and she wasn't having as much difficulty carrying it as she'd expected.

"How many people did you tell Ayumi?" Kagome asked still looking over at just how many people were littering the beach front. "I thought this was gonna be a small thing between friends."

"Well, I guess word just got around." Ayumi answered, seeming not as surprised as the other two but still a bit shocked. "This should be the bash of the year though if Genji is playing."

"Genji's gonna play?" Eri perked up a little, she'd been interested in the boy for the past several months sense he transfered in but hadn't really done more than try to attend some of his events. He had a multitude of other fans. "I think I'm gonna see if I can help with setup."

"There she goes." Ayumi commented with a smirk. "She really should just ask him out sometime."

"I'm gonna go meet Keigo. Looks like he's playing volleyball." Yuka smiled at her friends and wandered off.

Which left Kagome feeling much like a third wheel with Ayumi and her date.

"I'm gonna just walk for a while." Kagome offered when the boy put an arm around her friend. Ayumi glanced after her and elbowed the boy, hissing at him to be more considerate as Kagome hopped off the concrete peer onto the sand and started to walk further along the beach in hopes of reaching somewhere a little quieter.

There was a lighthouse further up the beach and it seemed like she'd be able to walk out on it if she went down to it. It was probably a couple miles but given the squeals and cheers behind her...it was her best bet to get any peace and quiet.

She took off her sandals to carry them so she could feel the sand between her toes, she liked the squishy feeling. Her bathing suit was among the packed items but she doubted she would swim...with the chilly wind she didn't want to risk getting sick again.

By the time she'd reached the path to the lighthouse she hadn't noticed that someone else had been sitting on one of the benches there. She canted her head curiously at the boy she recognized. Kaiba had helped set everything up and was even paying for a lot of food to kept up for people throughout the day. Yet here he was sitting miles away from the event where she'd wandered to get away herself.

He had a very different look outside of the school. He still wore all black albeit the fabric looked richer than the school uniforms. The top was a turtle neck instead of a shirt and jacket. Though it was strange to see the white flared leather coat he had on over the top of everything else. His sleeves and boots had belts on them and there was a strange sort of card pendant necklace that fell on his chest.

His steely blue gaze was staring out at the ocean and he hadn't seemed to have realized she was there but she had to smile a little. Even in his distant act he managed to be handsome. Rich, young, powerful, handsome. She was quickly growing jealous of the people she found herself surrounded with.

The choice of sneaking away or staying was taken away when he glanced back over at the beach and noticed her.

"Hey." She waved cheerfully, climbing onto the higher slab of concrete that made up the path out to the lighthouse.

"Aren't enjoying the party?" He asked as he watched her climb.

"Um...I just felt like getting away from the crowd for a bit." She answered with a blush, it would be insulting to say she didn't like it when he'd been the one that helped fund everyone coming. "I saw the lighthouse down here and thought I'd take a walk out to look at the ocean for a while."

"There isn't a handrail." He commented, eyes turning back out to sea himself as she finished her climb nearby the bench where he was seated. "Be careful."

"Right." She agreed and scurried by where he was sitting, though she had the feeling he was watching her she didn't want to turn back around to check, she wanted to get somewhere away from at least most of the world and have time to herself.

The concrete walkway was thick enough that falling off wasn't a danger unless you planned to walk five or six people wide. It was nice of him to comment but it wasn't really anything to be concerned with til she reached the lighthouse itself. There were stairs that lead up to the inside and then a more treacherous looking path that circled around to where she'd seen a small sort of isle on the other side.

Doubting the lighthouse was open she eyed the slicker path that had been steadily getting worn away from the salt in the water and waves that crashed against it when the tide was higher. She made her way along it carefully though and before long emerged on the opposite side.

It was like walking into a whole field of blue with only the smallest bit of earth behind her to cling to. The ocean moving into an almost cloudless sky with only the smallest line of separation so far in the horizon it was impossible to estimate the distance. The opposite side had a single bench that was a bit rusty at it's bottom but holding up well for it's position. Waves sent splash and foam washing over the half of the judding out rock furthest from where she emerged and she could tell from lines in the walls beneath the lighthouse that at night it likely reached to just the ends of the bench there.

She moved and sat very carefully on the bench, smiling a bit to herself. This was definitely a place she didn't mind seeing. A nice little cove away from the busy lives of the high school and a mini-vacation from the problems that seemed to plague her.

"It's so lovely." She commented, it wasn't as if anyone was around to hear her speaking to herself. She got up just long enough to put her towel over the bench and then lay on it. It wasn't the most comfortable place but it was nice just laying out and enjoying a day in the sun. "I should just spend the day over here."

She stared at the ocean as she listened to the gentle crashes of the waves against the rocks, watching the foam fall along the lower half of the makeshift island and slowly start to recede before being replaced. It was very therapeutic.

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"Nox. It's no wonder you were sent away from so many other institutions." Jade observed without much more than a smirk. "It's your turn to investigate things."

"You want to make me continue to repeat the word 'no' fool?" Albel commented with a shrug. "I'm not going. Send stumpy or glasses, they were both planning on being in that area anyway."

He was facing off with the cinnamon haired professor outside of the cheap apartment where he lived, leaning on the doorframe as the pair of crimson eyed individuals stared off.

"Curious that you wouldn't want to go when the job has the promise of bloodshed." Jade commented with a short shrug of his own. "Have it your way but you'll have extra duties the next couple of times."

"No complaints. Tell glasses the extra work is on me." Albel retorted, shutting his door in the teachers face and turning back around to eye his mostly empty apartment.

The kitchen was a disaster and the only clean dishes were the paper or plastic ones. The rest of the apartment had practice weaponry littered here and there but there were too few possessions to have gathered any sort of clutter. A mattress was next to a stereo with a haphazard stack of cd's nearby in the bedroom but overall it looked like someplace someone had either just moved into or was ready to move out of.

He frowned some to himself at the news though.

Jade outside the door just sighed and turned away, his cell phone was in the car and there wasn't a complete chance either of them would even have their contact phones with them. "I have to deal with children entirely too much."

He was one of the main leaders when it came to their work in investigating and removing threats from the human populace. Oftentimes this involved making the team work and play wherever such events were occurring. In this case, the city in which they'd moved. There had been an unnatural level of activity plaguing the area for months before they had arrived and just during the first few days they had taken on several threats and were looking into a dozen others.

It didn't help that they'd had issues with another group of people also hunting some of the disturbances that they couldn't readily identify.

As it was there had been several disappearances and strange sightings coming from the area of beach where the student body had decided to have it's late summer bash. Usually such things didn't attack large groups but he wouldn't be surprised if some separated straggler was caught by whatever creature was haunting the area.

"If you weren't so useful sometimes Nox I'd send you packing to yet another group of hunters." He commented as he headed out of the cheap apartment and moved to his car. Sending a smile to the group of kids eyeing it. "If they put a scratch on it I'm gonna add to the missing persons list..."

Once he'd done a quick view of the automobile and hopped inside he dug his phone from the center console, dialing Lezard first. "Ed is still too flashy for my tastes...hopefully..."

"Hello, what can I do for you Professor Curtiss?" Lezard answered politely, though the sounds of a party behind him were fairly obvious. Kids laughing or chatting, girls squealing for no apparent reason, music playing, all the usual signs.

"There is a issue that needs attention." Jade said as he started the car and turned it onto the road. "Nox is being difficult and refuses to get involved this time. Can you keep an eye on things with Edward until I manage to get closer."

"What type of issue is it?" Lezard kept up with the general 'coded' language easily enough.

"Some sort of water related creature as best I can tell." Jade replied. "Do what you can to keep people from swimming and make sure no one wanders too far off on their own."

"It's my night off you know." Lezard pointed out, though his voice seemed a little distracted. "I'll handle it though Professor."

Jade frowned to himself as he heard screaming in the background. "What's happening?"

"Someone believes they saw a shark Professor...nothing to be concerned about. Give me a call once you get closer and I'll help you with directions." Lezard commented with an amusing level of cool.

Then he hung up.

Jade sighed, shaking his head. "I'm too old for this."

End Chapter

Fought a little over how to end this chapter and it ended up longer than originally intended but I'm sure you readers will like that anyway! Poor Jade, always having to look after kids. More information as to what the characters from other settings do in Kagome's world. Fun times. Hope you keep reading and enjoying.

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Kage - I do fake out's a lot so I wanted to do something new this time.

hellbutterfly - yay that I make suspense!

Ayjah - It shall continue. The kisses that is.

Shiori - Glad you did.