Ch. 2

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Dear Diary,

Another day, another chance, right? Yesterday I met a demon, his name is Kouga. I feel so bad for him—for all the youkai at school. My step dad's working on a way to unify both youkai and humans, but it's not easy. He sais that with persistence, it could happen, just the way it did back home in the U.S.

Anyways, back to the demon I met yesterday. His name is Kouga and he's with me in all my classes. But he's not the only one that caught my attention. There was another demon, much more stronger that the rest. I couldn't help but think that he could feel the miko energy within me. I don't know his name, but I could never forget his eyes. A vivid honey that glowed with the sunlight.

Always,

Kagome

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Sesshomaru stopped outside the door to the school, and turned around. Out next to the school gate's, the new girl stood as if waiting for someone. Who could she be waiting for already? She was probably waiting for the wolf demon from yesterday. Sesshomaru paused as an overwhelming urge flooded him. He didn't know what it was—but he felt something dark and untamed reel it's head and claw at his chest. He'd never felt it before, the intensity of it causing his to stop. What could it of been? Why had it come so sudden when he thought of the girl waiting for another man? It was only her second day in school, and she already had friends? Shaking his head, he ignored where his thoughts were heading.

Of course she'd have friends already, she was human. Humans always crowded close together to fit in. Unlike demons, who only sought companionship in their mates or, rarely, their families. There'd been a time when he had longed to have what so many humans had. Friends to be surrounded by, someone to count on, someone to be close with. But life had taught him over and over that that was something left for humans—not for demons. He could never be surrounded by friends because they would always fear him one way or another. He could never have someone to count on because humans were simply a whisper in time. And he could never have someone to be close with him, because he was too strong for his own good—always feared and always kept a good distance away.

He lifted his eyes to the figure standing outside the school's gates, and sighed longingly. She seemed so perfect, but he knew better than to trust looks. One might look like an angel, yet have the heart of a serpent. Before turning, something caught his eye. The corner of his lips twitched as her looked at her attire. She was wearing the school uniform now, and like he'd first thought, it looked good on her.

The dark hunter green of the skirt contrasted beautifully with her pale shapely legs. She didn't have her hair cut short to frame her delicate face like most of the females at school preferred. Instead, she wore it long, allowing the soft locks to cascade down her narrow waist. He liked what he saw, he wouldn't lie to himself. But he also knew what the chances of having someone like her were.

He turned to go inside, and didn't turn back.

OoO

Kagome stood outside the gates of her new school waiting. She'd promised Kouga she'd wait for him the previous day during lunch. She furrowed her brows when the first bell rang and Kouga did not arrive.

Where could he be? Kagome thought, worried. She turned around, and stopped. Perhaps he was a little late? She debated whether to wait for him or go in to class without him. She didn't want to risk being late and give her teacher a bad impression on only her second day of class. She turned and walked towards the gray school, peeking over her shoulder every now and then to see if maybe she'd spot her new friend.

History started earlier as the normally tardy teacher strolled in, parchment scrolls in one arm. Her short figure stood before the class and dropped her scrolls onto her desk.

"Alright class, please open your text books and start working on your projects," Kaede said as she sat on her chair and opened up her first scroll. As an after thought, she added, "I've brought a few old scrolls that might help some of you with your project too. But be careful with them!"

Kagome looked around and didn't see Kouga anywhere. Was he not coming to school today? Was he okay? She noticed the youkai that sat behind her was not there either, and something inside of her churned. Kagome flinched—knowing full well what she was feeling was disappointment. But why was she disappointed? Because Kouga wasn't there, or because the mysterious and sizzling youkai that sat behind her wasn't there? Standing up, she crossed the aisle of students and stood before Kaede.

"Excuse me, but my partner isn't here today," she started.

Kaede looked up from her scroll and scrutinized her student. As if finding what ever it was to her liking, she sighed and answered, "Kagome dear, Kouga won't be coming back I'm afraid."

Kagome frowned, "Why not? He was fine yesterday. Did he get into trouble?" Kagome didn't understand why he would not come to school. Everything had seem fine the previous day. Could something of happened to him on his was home?

"I'm afraid his family are going through some trouble dear," Kaede said, turning back to her scroll.

Kagome knew she'd been dismissed, and if she continued to push for information, she'd only receive vague answers. Kouga would have to tell her himself if she wanted answers. Kagome turned back around and came crashed against a hard wall of muscle. She rubbed her nose and looked up, her eyes instantly clashing with molten honey eyes.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, her eyes trapped within the depths of his. The youkai lifted a brow up at her and immediately the spell was broken. She flushed pink and averted her eyes to the side, unable to compete with the scorching intensity of his eyes. She inched around him as he didn't move one bit to let her out, the jerk!

Kagome clearly saw—and was distracted—as his sinful lips turned up in the most breathtaking crooked grin she'd seen as she misstepped and almost fell. She huffed and turned, walking to her desk.

OoO

Distracted, that's what he was. Sesshomaru organized his books inside his locker, before heading for his classroom. How could he forget to take his English report to his teacher before school? Thoughts of the new girl kept interrupting his other thoughts, to the point he couldn't think of anything other than her.

The bell rang by the time he turned the corner and headed for his history class, using his demonic speed, he made it in without notice. The moment he stepped in the room, he was bombarded with two different sensations. One was the intoxicating fragrance of the new girl, Kagome. The second was the sting from the bracelet around his wrist. The bracelet pulsed and burned into his flesh, punishment for using his demonic abilities, and reminder of what he was—while the scent of the girl ebbed the pain away.

The collar around his neck threatened to choke him, reminding him of what he was. A slave, and yet free. But he was only as free as the humans around him allowed him to be. As long as he wore the identification bracelet, he was a slave still. Unable to do what he wanted—when he wanted. Youkai slavery had been abolished only a few years ago, and yet they were forced to wear 'identification' bracelets, collars or, in some cases, both to suppress the demonic power.

In his case, he wore both. He turned to his seat, and found the miko was not in her seat. His eyes immediately snapped to the wolf's seat. He let the tension roll off his shoulders when he found it empty, then sniffed the air discretely, out of curiosity that is. He didn't even have to search as he spotted her in front of the class. Again he found himself admiring the way her uniform clung to her, how perfectly it snuggled the gentle curve of her breasts. Growling inwardly, he marched to his seat.

First thing on the board he saw was instructions for the students to work on their projects. Sighing he stood up and headed for the front. Sesshomaru knew he'd wasted time yesterday, mostly on thoughts of the new miko—that's why he didn't have a partner. He stood right behind her, shamelessly listening to her conversation with the teacher.

So the wolf was not here today? She had been waiting for him that morning then...the thought brought on a new force inside Sesshomaru. One similar to the one he'd had that morning when he'd first assumed the girl had been waiting for the wolf—but much, much fiercer. Jealousy. Sesshomaru realized it then. He'd been jealous. Why? Why her? Why a miko?

Sesshomaru was yanked out of his musings as something soft and gentle hit him on the chest, a small eep sound escaping it. He looked down and locked eyes with the one currently plaguing his mind. How could one small slip of a woman make him...feel? He didn't like it. Right there and then, he decided he didn't like it one bit. He'd never felt a thing before, and then she appears and forces him to feel? But the more he wanted to fate her for forcing him to feel, he couldn't. Looking into her eyes the way he was at the moment, made him realize he could stare into those clear honest orbs for the rest of his life.

The realization hit Sesshomaru hard and fast, and totally unexpectedly. In that moment, he wanted nothing more than to cup that heart shaped face and feel how petal soft her lips really were. Sesshomaru took a deep, clearing breath and thrust his hands in his pants' pockets—resisting the urge.

He saw the urge in her eyes to push him away as he refused to move. Sesshomaru knew he was practically trapping her between the teacher's desk and himself, but he didn't care. In fact, he relished it. As she moved out of the way, her skirt rose a fraction, baring her thigh to him. And making him completely forget why he was standing before the teacher's desk. Automatically, her hand came up to grip his sleeve as she almost tripped, and Sesshomaru smirked. She saw it, he knew she had.

He only wondered what she'd do about it now.

"Sesshomaru, can I help you?" Kaede spoke, already knowing what the problem was. She'd observed her student the previous day, when the new young woman arrived. Throughout her observations, she already knew how the youkai before her felt—and what he thought. She only hoped he'd play his cards smartly—and not let his own insecurities get in the way of what could very well be his own happiness.

"Yes, Kaede-sensei," Sesshomaru address, turning to the older woman sitting in her chair, "I do not have a partner. I am wondering if I could complete this assignment alone."

Kaede looked at him through small beady eyes, scrutinizing him. Her youkai students were the only ones that were formal with her and called her sensei, she often wished the other human students would as well. But, as soon as he spoke his question, a new brilliant idea popped in her head. She had just the solution! If he was letting his own thoughts interfere in his own happiness—then she could always 'push' fate.

"Kagome, dear, please come here," Kaede called standing.

Kagome stood from her desk and walked over to her teacher, completely clueless of Kaede's mischievous intentions. "Yes Kaede?"

"Dear, you said your without a partner, right?" Kaede asked, a sparkle in her eyes.

Kagome nodded, wondering where she was getting to. Sesshomaru stiffened next to her, his eyes turning hard as he stared at his teacher. He knew full well where Kaede was heading—the stench of her excitement reaching him too late.

"Well, Sesshomaru here is without a partner either, therefore, I would like you two to work together," Kaede finished, smiling happily and clamping her hands at her hips. She stared at both of their stunned faces, and almost laughed at the look Sesshomaru was sending her. She waved them away and continued working on her scroll, every now and then peeking to see how the two were fairing.

OoO

Kagome could not believe what had just happened. She'd been doing her work like a good student, and then fate had decided to mess with her. And now—now she was working with the one person in the entire class she knew she wouldn't be able to work with. Not because he was youkai or because he was so quiet and seemed to dislike her—oh no. It was because she wouldn't be able to get anything done with him around! He was just too strong, too intriguing, too...too—male! Everything about him exuded strength and power. Everything about him just called to her.

Sesshomaru sat in his seat, contemplating what he should do. He sensed the girl before he actually saw her. She stood up from her desk and took the one next to him. He turned to see what she was doing and saw her moving the desk so it'd be next to his. He didn't mind having her so close, in fact, he preferred it, thought he'd never let her know that.

"Alright then, should we start?" Kagome asked cheerfully.

Sesshomaru nodded and pulled out his folder, reading his notes.

"Which era should we do?" Kagome asked, wondering why he wouldn't speak to her.

Sesshomaru lifted his eyes to her and debated whether to tell her or not. He'd already finished his project, so really there was no use in being partnered up with her. He had two choices, whether to tell her or not. But it really came down to whether he wanted to spent time with her or not. He didn't have to think about it—though he knew they'd be consequences later.

"Let's do whichever one you'd prefer," he answered, his voice cool and even.

Kagome wished he'd never spoken to her. His voice alone send shivers down her spine, and back up again. She swallowed hard, her throat dried already, and nodded.

"I was thinking the Edo Era, it's one of my favorites," she said, smiling shyly.

Sesshomaru nodded, wondering why it would be one of her favorites. Ironically, it was one of his favorites as well. His family had ruled in those times as the great inuyoukai they were. Lords among men and youkai. Highly feared and highly respected. Of course, his ancestor's reign had fallen as the years progressed due to disease, war and the quick reproduction of humans. Rabbits. That's what they were. Reproducing without a care in the world. And when they were overpopulated, they rebelled and attacked those that protected them. They attacked the youkai lords that every day were out patrolling the land in order to keep them safe. Humans rose and launched wars against youkai, forcing them into slavery. Forcing them to do the work they were too lazy to do themselves. Their greed and hatred forced youkai to wear restrains to subdue their powers.

It'd started with simple subjugation necklaces forged by miko's and priests. But with the evolving technology, humans created advance methods of restrains, such as the collar and arm bands he currently wore to subjugate his power. For that reason, he could never see humans for anything other than disgusting foul creatures, full of greed and selfishness.

But the girl before him, she was different. He could see it clearly in the way she spoke, and in the way she looked at him. Her eyes did not held the prejudice in the other humans' eyes, nor the fear hidden deep within. He wanted to know everything about her and that startled him.

"Alright then, let's begin," Kagome said breaking the silence, and opening her text book.

As the hours ticked by, Kagome found she enjoyed Sesshomaru's quiet presence. Not only was he intelligent, but he was gentle in a very subtle way. "So, you're saying there was actually a real dog demon that ruled all of the Western Lands?" Kagome asked, enthusiastically and wide eyes.

"Yes," Sesshomaru confirmed. The girl—no, Kagome, was very curious. She reminded him so much of a little kitten anxious to explore. Just like a kitten, he could see how fragile she truly was. So utterly human.

"That's amazing. I can definitively imagine a demon as a great lord. Sometimes I wonder if our own government should return to those old—ancient ways; it would truly be a lot better world," Kagome murmured thoughtfully, and meaning every single word she spoke.

Sesshomaru's eyes snapped to her. He quickly schooled his eyes back to normal and allowed nothing to slip out. She couldn't be serious, why would a human girl want Japan to be ruled by youkai? Sesshomaru suddenly felt a pang in his chest, a quick contraction, and then it was gone. Perhaps she truly was like the rest and simply toyed with him. If so, he had to be on his guard. And just like that, Sesshomaru threw up his guards, instantly keeping her at a distance. Not physically, but emotionally and mentally.

He carefully tiptoed around the subject, turning it back and forth in his mind. Her eyes seemed faraway, as if she'd spoken her mind. "You can not be serious. You would live in a place that was ruled by a youkai?" Sesshomaru spoke his question warily, automatically preparing his body and mind for her ruthless laughter and joy of having fooled him. But no such thing happened.

Kagome blinked a few times and turned to stare him right in the eye, "Absolutely."

Sesshomaru's lungs felt like the breath had been knocked out of him. Kagome was a strange girl, and highly addicting. He recognized the feeling immediately, the longing to want to spent more time by her side, coaxing little information about her out, wanting to explore her mind more in depth. But he knew it wasn't possible. Not with someone like her...

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