A/N: Thanks for the reviews and the code guys. Dude, that was way frickin' easier than I thought! I don't know why I never noticed; you'd figure that I would considering I somewhat speak Japanese. Thanks for your comments, hopefully you'll like this chapter just as much! Enjoy! nn

P.S.: Quick note: Although the title is a play off of the movie Beauty and the Beast, it might not necessarily follow the same plot in the story…with that in mind, continue on! (I just wanted to make that clear…)

Lol, just FYI, I didn't have a good name for this chapter, so I decided why not use LL Cool J's song title? And btw, I don't own anything, so please don't sue me.

Chapter One: Goin' Back to College

"Despite what you apparently think of me Gojyo, I'm not gay," Hakkai told his friend over lunch the next day.

Gojyo picked up a French fry, eyeing a passing brunette closely as he slipped the fried potato in his mouth. Finally, Hakkai's words seemed to meet his eardrums–when the woman was out of his sight–he turned. "Look, I wasn't saying a thing about your sexuality. I just asked if you liked blonds." Gojyo's eyes lowered under thick lashes in amusement as he added, "But the fact that you thought I thought you were gay makes me think you're gay."

Hakkai glared at his friend across the table, wanting nothing more at the moment then to hit the guy. "I can't stay there with him; he hates me."

Gojyo laughed and picked up his cup, taking a drink before saying with amusement, "Sanzo hates everybody; don't take it personally."

Hakkai wasn't fazed by Gojyo's amusement. "He's already set up all of these rules. About not going into the west side of his house and other odd things… That's just–"

"Hakkai, half of Sanzo's personal shit is in that side of his house," Gojyo informed him. Shrugging he added, "The prick just doesn't want anyone to know he's human like the rest of us."

"Why can't I stay with you?" Hakkai pressed, growing desperate and not caring if he sounded childish.

His question went unanswered for a moment as a girl moved over to Gojyo engaging in conversation with him for a few moments. After Gojyo sent her away with a wink and a promise of a date, he turned back to Hakkai. "Sorry man, but I can't let you do that."

"Why?" Hakkai demanded.

"I'm doing this for you," Gojyo told the other man. "Do you know how many different women I bring home in a week?"

Hakkai blushed, knowing that Gojyo did more than just bring them home. He stood, frustrated, but attempting not to make it extremely obvious. "I've got to get to class," he announced crisply, before scooping up his bag and heading for the building towards the center of the campus. He figured he didn't do so well on keeping his annoyance unknown.

Gojyo watched the other man storm off with a shake of his head and a smirk. "You'll thank me later," he called, earning a slight glare from Hakkai.

Hakkai was extremely early to Theatre. He did it on purpose; he wanted to get reacquainted with his old haven. One of the best things about a theatre, about acting, was the ability to shed your own life and gain someone else's. To escape from cruel reality; even if it only lasted for a little bit.

When Hakkai had been in high school, he'd acted all of the time. Well, until he turned eighteen; that was when he was recruited into a business life because of his high IQ. Then he'd become too busy to do the thing he loved. It'd all gone downhill from there, and before he knew it, he hadn't been to the theatre in years. If he'd known how much he'd lose, he would have never signed the dotted line that gave away his joy.

But since he'd left the company and had decided to go to college after getting his high school diploma, he immediately wanted to go back. He'd missed acting and dancing too much to pass up the opportunity.

Sitting in the darkness, enjoying the quiet, Hakkai's brows furrowed as the thoughts of his old life emerged involuntarily. His mood began to darken but he was thrown from his thoughts at the bright lights that burned his emerald hues.

"Oh, I didn't know anyone was here," Called a feminine voice.

Squinting to ease the pain on his eyes, Hakkai turned to see a woman with long violet locks that were separated into high pigtails standing in the booth in the back of the theatre.

"Sorry," Hakkai apologized, standing. "I hope that I'm in your way or anything…."

"No you're fine," the girl assured him, taking long strides to approach him. "I'm assuming that you're in Theatre." Receiving a small nod in response she offered her hand. "I am too; my name's Yaone."

Hakkai shook her hand with a smile, answering, "Hakkai."

Yaone smiled as she took a step back. "I just help out around here. You know lights and everything."

"Ah, a techie," Hakkai concluded.

"Yes."

"I should've known I'd find you here, Hakkai," came a new voice. "You too, Yaone, but I didn't think you'd know each other."

Yaone and Hakkai turned. Hakkai was the first to speak, surprise lacing his tone. "Dokugakuji!"

The said man grinned as he approached. Although he was Gojyo's older brother, few were able to tell without being told. Where Gojyo's hair was long and red naturally, Dokugakuji's was short and naturally dark. They were tall, lean, and muscular. But Gojyo liked to stay in shape so he could pick up women and Doku had to stay in shape to keep up with his actors during dance and productions. Both, however, were pretty laid back individuals.

"We just met," Yaone explained. To Hakkai she said, "I didn't know you knew the instructor."

Hakkai blinked in confusion at Doku. "Are you serious?" he demanded.

Dokugakuji laughed at Hakkai's surprise. "Hey, I love theatre. I just can't act. So I direct those who can and make 'em look good. That's my only talent in theatre and I'm milkin' it for all it's worth."

Before their conversation could carry on, the room began to flood with people. Dokugakuji clapped Hakkai on the shoulder, ending their conversation before turning to the large group filling the seats. Hakkai turned to say something to Yaone, but he could already see that she was up in the booth, messing around with the controls. Taking a seat with a small sigh, he listened to Dokugakuji introduce the class known as Theatre.

Hakkai was quite bored for the last half of the day. Theatre was the highlight of the day, and it was almost right after the time he took to sit down for lunch. Then all he had was Business and Japanese. He didn't really care for Business, and couldn't recall ever wanting to take it. Once he got it though, he figured he'd need it somewhere in life. As far as Japanese went, he already knew how to speak it, although he'd grown rusty and thought it'd be great to retake a course. He couldn't tell whether it was a good or bad thing, but he found it incredibly easy and on the verge of boring since he was so far ahead of the other students.

The very last class was the one he found himself looking forward to. American History. He knew absolutely nothing about it and therefore was eager to learn. He arrived to the class somewhat early; only a few students cluttered the room. Seeing a window seat, he immediately took it, examining the grounds three floors below and the people moving about.

The class around him was silent, everyone else either studying for another class, doing homework, listening to music, or tying away on a laptop. Everyone shifted their attention to the instructor as he entered the room.

Hakkai slowly turned his gaze towards the center of the room, reluctant to discontinue his watch of the hypnotizing sight of the people on campus below. His heart almost stopped at the sight of the person at the front of the room. Apparently, someone upstairs didn't favor him at all.

For standing in the front of the room, dead center, in a pair of black slacks with a red silk shirt and a jacket to match the pants was a very annoyed looking Sanzo. Glaring right at him.

A/N: Sorry about these short chapters; I tried to lengthen it, but…shrug I didn't think that going any farther would be as good stopping right here. I'll update soon as long as you keep the feedback coming (don't worry, I'll update regardless of your reviews; I hate when fanfics are held ransom). But it's helpful and it'll keep the story from completely boring you.