Radioactive Isotope 4

The Hopeful and the Fallen

It was hard to believe that every snowflake was unique and not like the other when there were so many. Maybe there were ones that could be identical, but nobody knew about them since who honestly had the time to analyze every snowflake? And if there were identical snowflakes maybe there were unrelated humans that were similar, and just because they looked the same would the double act the same? Which influenced a person's life the most, genetics or environment? All of these philosophical questions that could be found in the cold snow was soon rolled up into a ball and thrown at the back of Kagome's head.

"Sango," Kagome w ined as her raven locks were tainted with white specks, "quit it."

"Liven up Kagome," Sango threw another one but it missed, "don't you learn anything in Lifeology?"

Kagome growled before rolling up her own snow and thrusting it at Sango's face. Being the athletic type that she was Sango had no problem dodging and throwing another. Playing in crystallized water was unlike Kagome, but anger was motivating her. Now that Naraku was teaching her such meaningless stuff all of her friends were calling her names that referred to her being dull and boring.

"I will get you Sango!" Kagome stepped into her pitch and hurled the cold sphere at her friend again.

Sango got very lucky when she ducked and the ball missed her head by just inches. There was nothing for her to celebrate though, because after looking behind her she knew it would have been best to be hit, that's what a good friend would have done in this situation. The horror struck gaze on Kagome's face said it all.

"Mr. Murashu I-

"I believe this action calls for three demerits," replied Sesshoumaru Murashu.

Sesshoumaru Murashu was the academy's youngest teacher who was given the job of teaching Japanese history. Actually Sesshoumaru didn't even have a teaching degree; he had been aiming for a position as a historian at an artifact museum, but since his family name was good enough with the school they gave him a job until his career was secure. Kagome wasn't ready for the advanced history class yet, but she knew him since he was Inuyasha's older brother.

Sesshoumaru had been in his father's office the day Kagome had to sit in a chair while her own father talked about getting her a scholarship to the academy in exchange for marrying Inuyasha. Sesshoumaru stood by the desk the whole time as though he was judging some kind of livestock his father was considering to purchase. Kagome wasn't complaining about her union with Inuyasha, because she said she would take any measure to get into the academy, but she remembered the cold way Sesshoumaru's eyes examined her that day. It was as though he had been trying to tell her she wasn't good enough.

"Names?" he needed to know whom he was going to be writing up.

"Sango Slayer," Sango removed all the snow from her gloves as though she was wiping away her sin.

"You caused a disturbance by the path," he stated, "someone could have been injured, and what is your name?"

After that question Kagome couldn't hide the dumb look on her face. Sesshoumaru didn't know who she was? This whole time she thought he disliked her, but he somehow forgot she was going to wed his brother.

"Wipe that look off of your face," he was now the very first teacher to ever give Kagome such a negative suggestion, "just because the first semester has ended doesn't mean you're free to assault students and faculty. Now your name, or are you a mental needs student who is unable to answer?"

"Kagome Higurashi," she couldn't believe a teacher had just talked to her in such a way.

"Ah my brother's fiancée. Then you should know better than to ruin your reputation up here, so you will receive two demerits and Miss. Slayer will get one."

With that Mr. Murashu turned and walked away; the specks of snow caught in his already white hair was sparkling under the sunlight. Kagome just removed herself from the snow that showed it's true cold and uncaring nature by getting her in trouble. This would be the very first demerit since the ones Naraku spoke of had just been threats to force her into submission. Sango sighed following her friend back into the academy now that her winter fun was ruined.

"That fight sucked," Inuyasha whined after watching his fiancée from one of the academy's balconies, "that ass brother of mine ruins everything."

"It was a childish snowball fight Murashu," Naraku responded standing behind him, "it wasn't as though the two girls were going to take their clothes off and have angry sex. The male fantasy of chick fights doesn't exist."

"That's not what the movies and magazines under my bed says. And what in the hell is up with that jacket? It's ugly as hell."

Naraku's body was kept warm by a white pelt large enough to consume his whole being, and its hood was the preserved face of the creature it had been taken from. The pelt once belonged to a privileged man who thought he could runaway from the world by surviving off the jungle where he learned his money didn't make him invincible.

That man was stuck in that jungle for a year. Three square meals and an unlimited bankcard were all meaningless things of the past when he could have been lost forever or poisoned by the same creatures he once made faces at when visiting the zoo. When starvation began to take it's toll the man self-reflected and took in just how weak his species was and began to fear the afterlife. Wanting to live the man animalistically killed a baboon, ate his insides, and used the pelt as clothing.

To Naraku the baboon pelt symbolized how much stronger and untamable nature was compared to man, how self-reflection brings out a war in people, and just how precious life really is. He had the outfit his whole existence along with the values it held. These were all things that idiot Inuyasha would never understand.

"Why haven't I been laid yet?" the idiot asked.

Naraku's eyes didn't acknowledge him, "That would still be uncomfortable for her at the moment."

"Well it's been a semester."

"And this is a two semester thing. You will have her by the end of the year Inuyasha. Now I must go to work."

"Feh, fine."

"Indulging yourself Higurashi," Naraku took a seat next to his pupil in the café where she was snacking on a bar of chocolate, "life is short. We should be able to taste many of it's flavors, but punishing our body takes away from life's other wonders."

She sighed as she laid for food down and shut her notebook, "It's the holidays Naraku. I always eat as much as I can."

"Something to be nervous about?"

"Well," she opened her book again and revealed a pair of airline tickets, "if you must know ever since I started going to this school every holiday my parents make me go to Inuyasha's place to stay."

He had a look of annoyance in his scarlet eyes. Leaving Kagome unsupervised with that man for a whole two weeks was going to destroy everything he had planned for her. He wouldn't be surprised if she came back traumatized.

"Kagome," the two were interrupted as the man from a few weeks ago interrupted.

"Kouga," she quickly blushed but put her head down to pretend she was doing homework.

"Homework?" he smiled, "Kagome the semester is over."

His tooth filled grin had Kagome's face become even redder. Naraku just kept taking note of all of it while he sat down and talked about a few middle school memories and apologized for his actions when he was drinking. His actions could have got her expelled, and he had the ability the whole time to get rid of the liquor and kick Inuyasha and Miroku out.

"Kouga this is Naraku," Kagome had to divert his warm blue eyes away from her blushing face, "he is my tutor."

"A tutor who watched us all drink," Kouga noted a bit pissed, "I have seen you hanging around with Kagome a lot lately. I don't believe you're actually a teacher."

Kagome's mind began to think about Kouga's theory. She had just received her report card and there were no grades on it from Naraku. Maybe his class was two semesters long and she would receive no final grade until the last day of school? Or maybe there was something wrong with him? Wait, why was she even questioning? There was something fishy about him, she just didn't want to be wrong.

"Before accusing me maybe you should check my papers," Naraku thought about all the forged documents he got his hands on with Inuyasha's funding, "I believe I have a teaching license. Kagome has seen it."

Kagome couldn't argue with that one. She had seen his license. Actually, she saw it everyday before leaving her dorm for class. When she tried to accuse Naraku of being an imposter a while ago he had put it in a nice frame, which he bought at the market with her money, and hung it on the door as a reminder.

"He is a teacher Kouga," Kagome said, "why he has to share a dorm with me I have no clue, but I have seen the papers."

"Whatever," he grumbled, "Kagome what are you doing during the holidays? Staying around here or going home?"

"Actually Inuyasha's parents invite me to stay with them every Christmas, and my parents won't allow me to decline, so my hands are sort of tied."

"Can't believe you are stuck with that idiot."

"Thought you two were friends."

"No, I'm just the only other man besides Miroku around him who isn't a pussy. I can't stand him. If only my parents wouldn't have had stock trouble at that time, or they would have out bid Inuyasha's family for you. I know we don't know each other very well for me to be talking about that stuff with you, I just want to make the point that I would be a better husband, and if you want to live dumb ass my parents would fund your stay here."

"That's a lovely offer Kouga," her face was deep red right now, "but even though I do fight with Inuyasha some times he is still my friend, and I wouldn't want to betray his family."

"Hey, I wouldn't want to cause turmoil in your life. I was just putting the offer on the table."

"Some offer."

"What was that?" the tone Kouga took with Naraku showed that he wasn't in a very playful moon today.

"You made it sound as though Kagome was up for auction, and you couldn't have her because there wasn't enough money, but in reality all she had to do was go to any man whose family could pay for her classes. You could have made that offer anytime you wanted, but you waited until now."

"Well, it wasn't exactly on my family's mind back then," he looked as though Naraku struck a nerve.

"And if you wanted her as your bride so badly I don't see why your family would deny you since every wealthy family wants their husband to have an innocent girl such as her to have a family with, but that didn't happen. If I didn't know any better I would say they already had you engaged with somebody else."

"I thought you were engaged to somebody else Kouga," Kagome thought out loud, "Ayame told me about it once before we starting to go to school here."

"That's because Ayame was the one engaged to him," reported Naraku, "when I went to get the drunks out of the apartment that night I overheard Sango telling Ayame that she saw Kouga go to your apartment. I believe the wedding is coming soon, and since Kagome has better grades then Ayame and better connections Kouga is trying to get his parents to switch brides."

"Is that true Kouga?" after spending all this time with Naraku Kagome knew he was probably right and there was no point in questioning him anymore.

"Well," Kouga was about to start, "I am not marrying Ayame. Now I have to go. Got my own plane to catch."

Naraku chuckled when he was gone. He looked playing with people's emotions and revealing their hidden motives. If only he could live off of the reactions of those he pained and surprised.

"What's so funny?" Kagome asked.

He studied his pupil for a moment. If only changing her into Inuyasha's little whore wasn't his assignment right now. She was just so innocent and caring sometimes, he just wanted to see the look of shock and surprise on her face, or even worse misery? Better yet, what would she look like if she were truly terrified? Instead all he got from her was her stupid blushing.

"You have a crush on Kouga," he noted sipping on some black coffee.

"I am Inuyasha's fiancée," was Kagome's only reply to that.

"I don't see a ring."

Kagome stared at her hand that was indeed ring less and remembered the first day of freshman year:

"Have you seen Inuyasha yet?" Sango asked as they were all forced into the auditorium for orientation.

Kagome shrugged, "No, but I-

"What's wrong?"

"It's probably nothing, but when I asked my dad how he was able to afford my tuition at the academy he said Inuyasha had something to do with it. I kept trying to call him during the summer, but the jerk wouldn't answer. He probably checked the caller id and said, 'oh look that annoying wench is calling me. I better not pick up.'"

"I know you two have always had your differences, but you're his best friend Kagome," Sango smiled thinking about all the mishaps the two had been in during middle school, "I heard his father had him in different summer schools the whole time trying to get him prepared for advanced placement classes."

The two girls took a seat in the front row not wanting to miss anything when all their professors were going to be introduced and their curriculum would be explained. It was then that Inuyasha showed up with that damn Miroku behind him. Since when did Inuyasha have other guy friends?

"Kagome," he said her name before she could call him a jerk.

She blinked, "Since when do you use my name instead of wench?"

"Since my father said I had to," he rolled his sun kissed eyes before reaching into his pocket, "give me your finger."

"Last time you told me to put my hand near you, you tried to bite me."

"Hey, do I honestly look like I'm in the mood to play stupid middle school games? Because I'm not! Now give me your damn finger already."

"Inuyasha?" Kagome had never seen him so angry before.

Sick of waiting for her he grabbed her hand and forced something on her finger, "Here. My old man told me to give this to you. After you graduate from the academy you are going to marry me, end of story."

Kagome stared down at the beautiful diamond ring, but then her eyes widened, "What marriage?"

"Do I have to repeat myself wench!"

"I was scared," Kagome admitted out loud to Naraku, "like I said me and Inuyasha were best friends, and when he told me we were going to be married in such an angry tone I thought he didn't want me anymore. So I hid the ring and started avoiding him."

"You must have had a clue you two were going to be married. Didn't his father want to take a look at you?"

"Both him and his brother, but the way Sesshoumaru was looking at me I thought I didn't have a chance. Maybe if I took Kouga's offer-

"He is still engaged to Ayame, and I can tell that won't be breaking any time soon. I am sure he still wouldn't mind have sex with you, or is there another you like?"

Kagome's eyes rolled, "Random sex. Sorry, but I don't believe in pre-martial sex."

"Marriage is just a piece of paper in these civilized countries," Naraku noted throwing his coffee cup away, "I once stayed with a tribe that had an elaborate ceremony where the bride and groom had to drink each other's blood and consummate in front of the others to prove who their loyalties belonged to. So who else do you like?"

"I shouldn't be thinking about other guys, I have a debt to pay to Inuyasha's family, and if I liked anyone I would have to like Hojo, he is smart and caring and-

"A girl."

"I swear both you and Inuyasha judge people too much," Kagome stood up sorting through her stuff, "I have to go catch my plane now- oh…"

She went through her school things and pulled out what was a very nice leather bound journal. The paper was made out of fine paper with nice detail and dark black lines. It was the kind used for very important information that needed to be preserved, since the pages weren't easy to rip off.

"I got you a Christmas present," she handed him the journal, "honestly you don't deserve one, but it was on sale, and I thought you being the 'licensed' professor you are it would be a nice thing to keep lesson plans in and everything."

He held it feeling how smooth the cover was, but hadn't a clue what could be written in it, "a gift?"

"It's the holidays. I don't exactly know what religion you are or anything, but it always seems right to give around this time. I got to go now, see ya."

"Wait Higurashi," Naraku called out putting the journal under his arm, "I must inform you that you will have a test when you come back."

"What do I study?"

"It's open book," was the last bit of information he shared with her even though she didn't have a 'Lifeology' textbook.

Here was where the acting came in. Kagome knew that as she knocked on the door of Inuyasha's residence as flurries of snow fell all around her. She couldn't just run around and beat Inuyasha over the head with a broom stick while calling him a jerk like she could before, she had to be the perfect wife material in his parent's point of view.

"Kagome," she was quickly embraced by Inuyasha's mother, "welcome dear. How is your family?"

"Father is still in the hospital," Kagome reflected on her father, which had been another reason she wanted to try and have proper marriage with Inuyasha, "but mom is doing really good, so is Souta."

"Good for you," she made a butler take her snow covered coat away and take her bags upstairs, "you have to give them a hello from me. I'm afraid my husband won't be joining us this holiday, he has a lot of work, and Sesshoumaru should have been here two hours ago, but it isn't like him to be late, so if he isn't here now he isn't going to be here."

Kagome was a bit relieved to hear that news. She really didn't want to sit at the dinner table and be forced into conversation with the man who gave her two demerits that same day. There was something about Sesshoumaru that just plain creped her out anyways. Honestly, who chose a career in history when they had the muscles and power he did?

"Hey Kagome," Inuyasha came into the living room and actually addressed her politely, because he knew how they agreed freshman year they would be perfect little angels when in front of their parents.

"Inuyasha," she gave him a fake awkward smile.

"I never understood why you both travel here separately," the mother noted, "you both are coming from the same place aren't you?"

"I had errands to run," Kagome noted, "and I wanted to see my mother."

"I had an appointment," Inuyasha made up a lie to make them always traveling separately not a big deal.

"Oh I see. Well dinner will be in an hour. Make yourself at home Kagome."

"Idiot wench," Inuyasha said the moment his mother was out of the room, "didn't we have an agreement about these Christmas gatherings?"

"I am being your perfect little girlfriend Inuyasha," she groaned, "what's wrong now?"

"The ring stupid! You forgot to put on your engagement ring."

Kagome stared down at her hand and realized it wasn't there. After Inuyasha scared her and made her feel horrible in freshman year Kagome didn't wear the thing, but come holiday visits they decided she should. How could she forget it when she was just talking about it with Naraku?

"Sorry," she sighed, "it just slipped my mind."

"That was one of her favorite rings before I was forced to give it to you, she is going to notice it missing."

"I know Inuyasha I know," she released a tone that alerted him she was uneasy.

"Maybe she won't notice," he responded not wanting to get smacked in the head with a broom like what happened when they were younger and he invited her over, "hey, I am starving and I need do something to keep my mind off of grub. You know my mom won't let me have anything before dinner."

It was unlike her, but Kagome's mind quickly went to the gutter. There was only one thing that could get Inuyasha's mind off of food, but that wouldn't be proper at all! They weren't married and in his parents house!

"You pig," she whispered not wanting to be heard.

"What? No! We have all school year to do that. I wanted to ask you if you wanted to play pool stupid."

"Oh," she felt like such an idiot before following him into the game room.

Inuyasha's game room was the best thing of all his mansions and vacation homes. It was filled with state-of-the-art pool tables, air hockey tables, table soccer, bars, and couches galore that were all in front of different TVs meant for different video game consoles. When they were younger this was where the two always played.

"Sure you want to play against me," she smiled being reacquainted with the room, "I always beat you in pool."

"It's been three years since that little luck you had. I bet you wouldn't have hit the 8 ball on the brake if you didn't trip of the table while holding the stick."

"Whatever, let's play."

And the two did, and of course Kagome was still able to dominate Inuyasha. He had absolutely nothing on her!

"Did you know Kouga is engaged to Ayame?" Kagome asked before sitting on one of the couch's assigned to a Super Nintendo, "she was my friend and I didn't even know."

"He tries to pretend he can care less about her," Inuyasha replied looking through his games to discover somebody had taken off with his Earth Bound game, "but the truth is he has been screwing her since freshman year, and as you now that is frowned upon, so if he pretends she isn't important nobody would suspect that."

"Oh he has?"

"You seem surprised. You never really even talked to Kouga until that night Naraku had the drinks."

"I think he was kind of hitting on me today."

"Feh, his parents are too set on him marrying Ayame, since her family's company seeks a merger with his father's, so he isn't going to get anywhere with that. I did overhear someone talking about Hojo wanting to go steady with you if you weren't so loyal to me. Do what you want, but I think that Hojo is a girl!"

"For the last time Hojo isn't a girl he is just- wait, I can do what?"

"You don't have to be loyal to me Kagome, as long as my parents don't find out you can date whoever you want. I have been thinking about it, and it's sort of not fair that all this was put on you."

She smiled, "you would let me date whoever I want?"

"Of course, but just stay away from that idiot Kouga, but I guess Hojo wouldn't be a problem. It will be difficult converting you from a lesbian when it's time to marry, but-

"Quit dissing on Hojo, but even if I didn't want to be loyal to you Inuyasha I don't think I want to date anyone. It's kind of dumb to start relationship just to be married."

"I guess."

Inuyasha was relieved to have this conversation. If only he could get rid of his damn guilt! Sure he wanted to bang Kagome, but it wasn't fair to push her into being with him after what he did with Kikyo. He thought doing this would even out the playing field, but she didn't want to date anyone. Naraku had to get to work soon, or he really would end up with the purest virgin in the world as a wife.

"Dinner," Inuyasha's mother called happy to see her son and future daughter in law getting along so well, "I decided on turkey for tonight, oh, and since it's obvious Sesshoumaru won't be making an appearance you can sleep in his room Kagome. It's big, and it's pretty much like a hotel room anyways."

"Okay," Kagome still wore a smile on her face, sure she didn't plan on dating anybody, but it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off her shoulder when Inuyasha gave her permission to date. Maybe for the rest of this year and senior year they could even go back to being friends.

Naraku sat in Kagome's dorm looking at the journal he laid on the coffee table. He had done nothing at all nice to that girl since arriving at this close-minded hell called Silver Tree Academy, but yet he bought her something? She said it was nothing and it had been on sale, but never in his life had he received a gift from a woman, or anybody.

He didn't know what to do with the thing either, the last time he used paper he was drawing a naked picture of Kagome, so he supposed he could use the journal for crude things, but then again it being an expensive name brand one it deserved to be used for something more official. Maybe he could use it for math equations next time he decided to pay taxes. No, something more important then that, but why did he keep thinking about the paper? He had more important things to tend to. Like making Kagome a slut so Inuyasha would get off his back, while at the same time messing with her, because that seemed like the ecstasy he needed.

"I do better bargain shopping," he noted as he picked a bag that lay near the couch thinking about the expression that would be on Kagome's face, but this had been before the journal, so maybe he should get her something a bit extra special, but at the same time seeing a pissed off expression.

His attention went towards the locked door when it was knocked on. Everyone knew Kagome was busy playing the role of the good fiancée at Inuyasha's right now, so of course it would be for him.

"Kagura make it short," he told his own daughter in a cold tone after opening the door, "I have preparing to do."

"Nice to see you as well father," she of course said in a very sarcastic voice, "how as it been being a burden on society?"

"How has it been leaving with a whore in China selling useless trinkets?"

"That whore is my mother, but of course you don't care. Anyways my friend Mara liked the picture you sent her, but she wonders if you are exaggerating. After all you drew that picture yourself."

"My little roommate is difficult to take naked pictures of, but Mara can do so if she wishes. Anyways it's not exaggerated. That's how big her rack is and she is just right in all the right places. This woman isn't just another dirty prostitute taken off the street like your mother is she?"

"Mara is willing to work for you as long as she provided with shelter and food Onigumo. She has done this before with-

"What did you call me?" he asked sternly no longer caring about their topic of discussion.

"Hmm?" she didn't even realize she made a mistake.

"Onigumo is your father and he is dead," Naraku made his point, "I am Naraku, and once you give me the information I need you will do well to stay away from me."

"I gave Mara the stupid plane ticket Naraku," Kagura gave him the glare of a thousand deaths, she had lived a hard life, and her father didn't care, he didn't care because he was too busy being someone else, "I will be living now."

"Good," once she was out he quickly shut the door and went back to planning Kagome's test.