"Good morning class," Taisho-Sensei said to us the following Monday morning,in Advanced Fighting Class, "I hope you all had a spectacular weekend. I say that because, in a few minutes, you will be getting your first project." There were a few grumbles and moans throughout the class. Taisho-Sensei let out a hearty laugh. "Geez. Grown men and women like you all whining over some homework. How dispicable. Okay, since you all want to complain, I'll let you have a partner in this assignment." The groans turned into small cheers. "Okay. Here is the assignment. You and your partner will spend the next three weeks together studying each other's combat skills and abilities. You will find various ways to combine your attacks and to counter each other's attacks. I also want you to write both a formal essay and an oral report about what you and your partner discovered about your abilities during those three weeks. And the grading will go this way. If it rocks, you pass. If it sucks, you fail. It's as simple as that. Oh yeah, and this project will count as twenty five percent of your grade in this class, so don't half ass it." Taisho-Sensei then went to his desk to sit down. "Okay when I call out the two partners names, and no you don't get to choose your own because this makes it more interesting, one of you come down and get a rubric from off of my desk. Okay here we go. First up is...Yura and Bankotsu." Bankotsu went to get the papers. "Koga and Inuyasha."

"I'd like to be assigned to someone other than that mangy wolf, Sensei," Inuyasha delcared.

"Who you calling mangy, you damn mutt?" Koga replied from across the room.

"Too bad fellows. I suggest you two learn how to get along because y'all are partners now," Taisho-Sensei replied with a smile. Inuyasha 'hmphed' and Koga did too.

"Well what are you waiting for dog shit? Get the papers."

"What did you say you damn arrogant dirty wolf?"

"Why you..."

"HEY! Enough! Only I am allowed to swear in class so watch your tongues," Taisho-Sensei warned, "Inuyasha, come get these papers." Inuyasha grumbled all the way to the desk and grumbled all the way back to his own seat. "Ooookaaaay. Next up is Jaken and Muso. And Jaken don't even say it! You're not teaming up with Sesshoumaru this time."

"Yes Sensei," Jaken said with a said look as he went to get the papers.

"So since we're on Sesshoumaru, why don't you and Tsubaki team up?" Sesshoumaru remained quiet as he went to get the rubric.

"Okay, next up is...Miroku and Ayame."

"Thank you Sensei for setting me up with a beautiful..."

"Scratch that. Miroku you're teaming up with Jakotsu. Ayame, your partner will be Abi." I chuckled as Miroku's face went from happy to sad, just like that. He and Abi went down to get the papers. "Sango, you and Renkotsu will be partners. Kagura, you're with Hiten. Kagome will be with Gatenmaru, and Kikyo will be with Suikotsu." All of the boys got the papers. As I looked around the classroom, I realized that everyone had been partnered up. Well, everyone but me and one other person.

"Naraku, you can come get these papers. I think it's no secret who your partner will be."

"Yes Sensei," Naraku respectfully said as he went to get the rubric. When he was walking back to his seat, he looked my way and gave me one of his trademark smiles. I smiled back. I didn't dare look over at Sesshoumaru, to see what his reaction was.

"Okay you guys, I hope that you learn how to like your partner if you don't already, because for the next three weeks, you will be spending a lot of time together. But first off, I would like to see how you and your partner battle against each other. Remember the rules. No killing, a clean fight, and a five minute time limit. Okay, so who want's to go first?"

"We do!" Koga and Inuyasha simultaneously cried. Taisho-Sensei sighed deeply.

"I should've known. Okay, come on."

After a few more fights, it was now Naraku's and my turn. I walked down the stairs to the front of the class and so did he. Because I knew him for so many years, I already knew about his miasma, super speed, and regenerating tentacles. I had also recently learned about his ability to create strong barriers, but that was all I knew about his attacks. "Alright young demon and demonette. I want a clean fight. Ready?...Go!" I charged at Naraku and jumped into the air. As I brought my foot down, aiming for his chest, I ran smack into a barrier. I jumped back to my original position as Naraku gave me a smirk.

"Is that all you got Naima?" I smirked back.

"Not hardly." I came at him again swinging, but he erected another barrier. No matter how hard I struck it, the barrier wouldn't seem to break. I walked back from him a few feet and got ready to perform my shooting claws ability. I held my hands up, palms facing the ground. About two seconds later, little black balls of demonic energy came flying from my black claws and assaulted Naraku's barrier. Still, even that attack couldn't break it. I couldn't use my poison claws, because that was a fatal technique. So there was only one thing left to do. Transform into my demon form. My demon form was a big, black panther with glowing green eyes, and the sharpest of claws and fangs. I felt a panther roar coming from inside me as my claws began to lengthen, my aura began to get stronger, and my hazel eyes become more cat-like and got a green glow around them. My green aura swirled around me, creating wind in my hair as my features began to lengthen.

"No! No Naima! No transformations inside the building," Taisho-Sensei cried out, causing me to stop the transformation. I turned and looked at him.

"Awww, but Sensei," I whined

"No 'buts' Naima. If you can't beat Naraku in your human form, then you automatically forfeit."

"Yes Sirrr." I tried the shooting claws attack once more, but they still failed to break the barrier. Time finally ran out with neither one of us being the victor.


Tsubaki's POV

While Taisho-Sensei was busy watching Naima and Naraku fight, I handed a note to Muso who was a few seats to the left of me. I saw him open it and read it.

I can't believe Sensei made those two partners! Oh well, at least I'm Sesshoumaru's partner. I can use this time to put some stuff in his ear about Naraku and Naima. Speaking of which, when do you plan on getting his necklace?

-Tsubaki

Muso lifted his pen and wrote something else down on the piece of paper. After a few more moments, he sent it back over to me.

I plan on getting it today at football practice. Just make sure that you hold up your end of the deal and make Kikyo fall in love with me by Homecoming.

I looked over at him and nodded my head. I sincerely hoped that Muso would be able to get the necklace today. Last time my curse didn't work so well, but this time it will. I've had more training so I'm sure of it. Naraku will be mine by Homecoming. By any means necessary.