Yay!! Someone favorited my fic already. Thank you Blue229101, baibee-fan, & bloodymoonwitch. I hope you all enjoy this new chapter. Any comments are greatly appreciated. Another thanx goes out to mimi1000. All types of criticism are welcome, but no flames please. I've also retyped some parts of this chapter as well, so ENJOY!!

I do not own any of Rumiko Takahashi's Inuyasha characters.

'thoughts'

"speech"

"Class, I would like you to welcome Kagome Higurashi to class. She is the new transfer student so I expect for you all to not give her a hard time." threatened the teacher, "Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes, sensei." replied the class, all had replied but Sesshomaru and Naraku.

"Ms. Higurashi, please take your seat between Mr. Taisho, and Mr. Takahashi." said the sensei before he turned to the chalkboard.

Immediately, she noticed the strong auras radiating off of her two neighboring classmates. Recalling the research she'd done on the school, she'd come across some information pertaining to the two individuals named Sesshomaru Taisho and Onigumo Takahashi. Both individuals were wealthy, deadly leaders who carried frightening reputations among the student body, but held remarkable grades and recommendations from the school and each of their teachers. Sesshomaru was heir to his father's vast business empire, as was Onigumo, but after analyzing their companies history, she concluded that they weren't ordinary students. With the vast amounts of resources and ties each man carried, Kagome had long ago determined that such loyalties were normally reserved for demons of high stature or of high age.

In the midst of her brainstorming, she was cut off. "Ms. Higurashi. I do not value inattentive students in my classroom. Can you inform the class on the lesson I was just discussing?" sneered the teacher.

'Pompous, overpaid dimwit,' thought Kagome, masking them an innocent smile. She replied, "Of course, you were analyzing the epic piece named Senjuko, and while the date and author of it is unknown, you spoke of how it has inspired many artists to this day with its paradoxical themes of good verses evil."

"You sound as if you've already read the piece. Would you care to tell the class of some facts you already know?" asked the teacher, slyly.

'He wants to make a fool of myself on the first day here.' thought Kagome.

Kagome replied, "It speaks of the final battle between a white dog demon and a hanyou who was once human. The dog demon is depicted as a godlike being who protects humanity, and some interpreters believe he represents the virtues of mankind. The hanyou is a paradox in itself because, even though he himself was once a human, he despises the human race and sought to destroy mankind. He represents the flaws of mankind and is associated with words such as greed, hate, discord, and destruction."

"Both warriors felt human were worthless creature, but, again, symbolism comes into play. Sesshomaru represents balance with his unchanging, stoic character, and Naraku represents chaos in desire for destruction. In this battle, there is no clear winner, nor is there a truce, but somehow peace was achieved by the action of a ningen, whose name is unknown. Both warriors were said to have loved this fair maiden, which is ironic in itself, when their views on humans are analyzed. The ningen represents hope, for, while she was human, she saw all as equals whether they were human, demon, or hanyou. During the battle, just as they were about to give the final blow that would have ended both their lives, the beautiful maiden rushed into the battle and sacrificed her life for the men she loved.

"I believe the final stanza were her final dying words which were:

'And to you my loves,

I ask that you not despair,

But wait, for I will come back

So you can remember what you have lost'

"It is said that with her dying breathe, both warriors made a vow. When her reincarnation returned they would win back her heart, and never lose her again. Of course what I've given is a very general outline of your lesson. I do apologize if I led you to believe I wasn't paying attention, sensei." After apologizing Kagome sat back down and noticed the class had become quiet with shock. Apparently, they weren't expecting the new student to be as smart as she was.

The whole class was silent, including the teacher, but he was intrigued by her clear understanding of the poems context. "Impressive, Ms. Higurashi, but now I'm interested to hear about your own opinion of this poem. Not many know the true meaning nor do many understand to complexity of it. While what you have said is correct, would you care to explain what makes this particular piece such an inspiration?"

Kagome sighed and once again stood up. "One point which makes this piece so complex is the stanza:

'The maiden of white arms and ebony hair

Looked upon the lovers within the lair

Both lay on common ground

One light one darkness, but with no hateful sound'

"At one point the warriors were able to put aside their hate for a single night to be in the embrace of the ningen. It shows the reader that the promise of love is strong enough to overcome hate, and that if strong enough can cure even the most evil or arrogant of their sinful ways, even if just for a single night."

"You still haven't answered my first question. What is you own interpretation?"

"My own interpretation is very much different from most and isn't as beautiful. This line showed me that while their love was strong, the demons' hate was stronger. The maiden sacrificed herself for the sake of love, but her lovers betrayed her for the sake of hate. I found that had they truly loved her, they would have found a way to overcome their hate, so, in my opinion, it proves that love is feeble emotion that cannot cure hate or greed. The author focuses on the two demons, but when the ningen is mentioned the reader is instantly drawn to her. She was a precious jewel that was shattered by her two protectors. What she offered was love and acceptance, but what she gained was hate, chaos, and death. This poem represents loves failure."

Slightly impressed and saddened, the teacher replied, "Impressive, I have to say your one of the few students who have deterred from the common interpretation, but it seems you do not believe in love, Ms. Higurashi." replied the teacher.

"I cannot say I don't believe in it. I just believe that it is a very rare occurrence." replied Kagome. 'which can betray you at any second,' she thought.

At once, the teacher continued with his lesson while the rest of the class continued to not pay attention to him. They were all intrigued with the new student; she seemed different. Sesshomaru and Onigumo traded glances and then commenced to study the new student until the bell rang.

&

Onigumo walked over to Sesshomaru's table nonchalantly, and stood snickered at how Inuyasha was wolfing down his ramen like a week-starved puppy.

"Oi, mutt, think you can chew your food."

"Shut up bastard. My eating habits ain't nothing to you. Just because you're my brother's friend doesn't mean I won't beat the crap out of you," replied a glaring Inuyasha.

"Hn. What do you want Naraku?" asked Sesshomaru, coolly.

"There's some business that needs attending to after school," answered Naraku.

"Very well. We'll meet in the usual spot."

Onigumo turned to leave when his green eyes met piercing blue. 'I wonder if she feels it yet?' he thought, smirking. 'Its small but it's there. I just need to remind Sesshomaru of it and then the real fun will begin.'

&

Across the lunchroom, Kagome had been studying the pair. After a few minutes, too drained to continue the staring contest, she turned away but not before seeing his eyes flash red. During class, her powers had calmed themselves in their presence and hadn't realized until she'd walked away from them. All of a sudden, she felt an eurption of power come forth from her and struggled to rein it in. She'd unknowlingly let her guard down, and, by the time she finally found control, she nearly collapsed. 'Who are you really, Mr. Onigumo Takahashi?' she questioned.

To distract her from her thoughts, she started focusing on Miroku's and Sango's flirting. Currently, Miroku was sporting two lumps on his head, and Sango was blushing profusely. Leaning her head on her palm, she refocused her thoughts on the information she'd gathered on the area.

From what she'd researched, there were four prominent powerful groups within the area: the Mercenaries, the Tribe, the Dark Shikon, and the Youkai. Sesshomaru and Naraku were among the most powerful, but the other two leaders, Bankotsu and Kouga were well-known for their skill and above all: their womanizing.

This school was for the elite and each of the four leaders had a specialty that surpassed the skills of others. Kouga, who was leader of the Tribe, was also the national track champion, whose skills were Olympic worthy. The perverse creep she'd met earlier, Bankotsu, was leader of the Mercenaries. He was well-known among the martial arts society, and had the ability to master and wield the heavy banryu with ease.

Sesshomaru, leader of the Youkai, and Naraku, leader of the Dark Shiko, were in a league by themselves for their ruthlessness, power, and expertise. Sesshomaru was considered a master in the art of swords, speed, power, and grace. His two swords: the Tenseiga, the heavenly sword that was rumored to be able to bring life to a corpse, and the Tokijin, which was said to be created from 50 heads of the vilest demons, were renowned for their dangerous beauty and craftsmanship.

Naraku was an incredible strategist and, within minutes, could assess his opponents weakness and use it against them. His weapon of choice was the chain whip and did not hesitate in using it to bind, hit, and hook his opponent to defeat. Both were also known for the sarcastic, obnoxious, taunting attitudes.

'The women they fall in love with would have to be strong, independent, and overall cunningly intelligent to keep those men in line. They would probably have to be equal in physical ability. A weakling wouldn't be able to bind those men.' thought Kagome, 'But if they ever fell in love, MAJOR IF, whoever they accept will be lucky. The wives would have strong, devoted mates-'

"Kagome?" called Sango, successfully pulling her away from her thoughts.

"Yea," answered a smiling Kagome.

"Ummm, I was wondering of you wanted to come to the mall with me tomorrow?" asked Sango, with a puzzled look.

Just as she was about to say no, she remember the promise she made to her mom. "Sure, what time?"

"I was thinking about 5 o'clock. Would you mind if Miroku came along?"

"No, as long as he doesn't try to grope me."

"Now, Lady Kagome, do you doubt the virtue of my character? We've only met today."

"Monk, it is not that I doubt your virtue. What I doubt is your ability to control that cursed hand of yours." laughed Kagome.

Miroku grinned his famous lecherous grin, "I merely worship the curve of a woman's physique. Am I not complimenting them when I display my affection and appreciation of their anatomy?"

"Miroku!" yelled Sango.

Again, the two started the painfully, sweet flirting/fighting.

Hope you guys liked it. R&R