FINALLY, an update. It's been such a long time and I've recently had time to get back into writing this story. Hopefully I'll be able to have frequent updates because I really do want to continue this story. My apologies for the long wait and if you did wait, I thank you. Thanks for the growing reads though! Those and reviews are greatly appreciated. Sorry again! 3

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Chapter Seven

"First and Second Meetings"

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"Why in the world would any professor want to have class at an ungodly hour such as nine in the morning?" Sanosuke complained.

It was thirty minutes until then when Sanosuke, Kenshin, Inuyasha and Miroku grabbed breakfast and sat at a table outside in the main courtyard to enjoy it under the warm morning sun.

"It's not so bad, Sano." Kenshin said. "Having morning classes means you have more free time during the day."

Sanosuke chewed on a sausage biscuit in thought. "I guess you're right." He shrugged.

"I'm surprised you even drug yourself out of bed for anything."

The guys all looked to their left to see icy-eyed Aoshi approaching them, only to keep on his way rather than stopping to chat.

"Yeah, well, who asked you?" Sanosuke fumed, raising his voice at Aoshi as he walked by.

"Do you really have to be so loud so early?" A new voice approached where Aoshi came from. He sounded just as annoyed as Sanosuke when he first complained at the time of the morning.

"I guess Sano isn't the only one who woke up on the wrong side of the bed this morning." Inuyasha teased.

Hiko rolled his eyes from behind his coffee cup.

"Good morning, Master Hiko." Kenshin was the first to greet him formally.

"It's 'Sensei' on campus, Kenshin." Hiko corrected. "I expect you to be in class on time."

Kenshin nodded. "Yes, of course."

"Hey, do I really have to use those wooden swords? I'm a demon, for crying out loud." Inuyasha complained and crossed his arms.

"Same here," Kenshin dared to add. "Wooden swords really aren't my style." He simpered.

"I don't care what your style is, Kenshin. And until I say otherwise, half-demon, yes, you will. Apparently, they haven't found a teacher assistant for all of my non-human students yet and I won't have you or anyone else injuring people."

Inuyasha tensed then growled at Hiko's next correction towards him of what he was, sulking instead of arguing back.

"Oh, Sensei, good morning." Tenchi approached and addressed the rest of the group.

"That includes you as well."

Tenchi flinched. "Huh? What did I do?"

"You will not be late and you are not excluded from using wooden swords in my class."

Even though he had no idea how he was brought into the conversation, Tenchi nodded. "Y-yes sir."

Hiko huffed away, tossing his now empty coffee cup into the trashcan not too far away from where he entered the school.

"Damnit. I hope they find that TA soon. Wooden sword my ass." Inuyasha spat.

"Tough." Sanosuke sympathized with the three swordsmen at the table.

"Who's that girl Miroku is talking to?" Tenchi removed the satchel he carried from his shoulder and nodded in Miroku's direction.

Miroku had been so quiet within the group that nobody realized when he slipped away.

"That idiot." A mumble came from Inuyasha as he unapologetically went to drag the monk away from the pretty girl. She had to have been a new student because she seemed shy and drawn into whatever he was saying to her. He hadn't been slapped yet so Inuyasha whisked him away before he got to ask her to have his baby.

"Are you trying to get in trouble with Sango?"

"Sango isn't my girlfriend, Inuyasha." Miroku defended himself, sitting next to Sanosuke, who was sitting on top of the back rest of the bench chair while his feet were on the actual seat.

"But, don't you two like each other?" Sanosuke asked.

"Eh, it's complicated."

"I don't see anything complicated about it. Quit asking other girls to have your kid and just commit to Sango. She's actually waiting for you."

Kenshin raised a hand. "I agree with Inuyasha."

"I'm simply testing Sango." Miroku smiled.

"Testing any woman for as long as you've been testing Sango isn't in your best interest, that it isn't. Trust me." Kenshin gave heed. "I'm actually surprised at her patience with you."

"Attention, attention! Summer Fest details are now available! Music, food and fun!" A small red demon flew around on a fluffy cloud, passing out yellow flyers to anyone who showed interest in taking one from him.

The announcements continued as he handed a flyer to Sanosuke and Tenchi and the little demon moved on.

"Another year, another summer festival. Any of you guys going? Megumi and I are."

"I'm not sure if Kikyo will come, but if not, I'll make sure to stop by."

"Sounds like she's got you on a pretty tight- "

"Shut it, will ya?" Annoyance got the best of Inuyasha and he cut Sanosuke off before he finished his sentence. "She doesn't have me on any leash. I choose to spend time with her when she asks, which she might. So, I just go with it."

"If you say so," Sanosuke hummed. "What about you, Tenchi?"

"I'll be going." Tenchi confirmed.

"I planned on asking Miss Kaoru to accompany me. Miroku, you should ask Sango to come with you." Kenshin suggested.

Miroku pretended to ponder on the decision, but he had already had his mind made up to ask her. "If she will have me."

Sanosuke stood and grabbed his notebook. "I'll be surprised if she says yes. Anyway, I'll see you guys later. We still meeting for lunch at Akabeko? 2:30?" There were nods and yeses all around. "Cool. I got a class to get to." He threw a hand up and went on his way.

…

"The one time I show up to a class I hate on time, the professor is late." Ryoko sat leaned back in her chair with her hands behind her head.

"You know," Sango turned around in her seat beside Kagome and faced Ryoko. "Just like students, teachers get the fifteen-minute penalty, too."

"Oh, yeah?" Ryoko glanced at the clock above the white board. "Well, they got five more minutes then I'm outta here." She closed her eyes.

"I'm here." Misao rushed into the room with small huffs with Sanosuke coming in behind her with juice in his hand. "What'd I miss?"

"You're late, weasel girl." Sanosuke teased, popping the top on his juice and taking his seat at the table beside Misao and Ryoko's.

"Mind your business, rooster head. I was helping a new student. The lab looks good, Ryoko." Misao cheesed, this having been her first time in the chemistry lab since Ryoko blew it up earlier in the year.

Ryoko responded with an overweening smile. "Thanks."

"So, where's our professor?"

"They haven't shown up yet." Kagome informed with a sigh. "I'm sleepy. I just might leave with Ryoko when it's time."

"Well, gather up your things, Kagome. I'm outta here, folks." Ryoko stood and was making her way to the door when the room was suddenly engulfed in smoke, following a small explosion sound.

"What the hell was that?" Sanosuke stood guard, fanning smoke from his face, trying to find the possible threat.

"Ryoko?!" Sango coughed, listening to her classmates' confusion around her.

"It wasn't me, I swear!" Ryoko yelled back through the clearing fog. When all was gone, she was the first to spot the new presence in the room. "Huh? What the hell are you doing here?" She pointed.

The woman at the front of the room was standing at least five feet tall. She had piercing green eyes and long pink hair almost styled in the same fashion as Ryoko's. A soft mischievous smile painted her lips as all eyes were fixed on her.

"I'm here, now, Ryoko, so you and everyone else may have a seat. There is no danger here."

"D-don't tell me, you're…" Ryoko stammered, tears forming in her eyes.

"You know this woman, Ryoko?" Sango whispered.

"Please," the woman started. "Let me introduce myself. I am Professor or Doctor Washu. I prefer Professor in this setting and my friends call me Little Washu. I specialize in science, cooking and magic, I'm cute and charming and I'm one of three Choshin." She stated proudly.

"You forgot embarrassing." Ryoko mumbled under her breath that was only heard by Washu herself.

None of Washu's newfound students knew how to respond to any of her heap of profile information, not to mention some of them were still shocked about the way she entered the classroom, catching everyone off guard.

"Did you just say 'Choshin'?" Misao asked.

"That's right, little lady."

"Y-you're Mad Scientist Washu? You created the universe!" She said with realization from random knowledge.

"Created the universe?" The class echoed.

"So, you know Ryoko because you technically created her, right? As with all of us?" Sango quizzed.

"Technically," Washu stretched, giving a tilt of her head. "Yes. But it's a little more complicated than that. It doesn't really apply to everyone. But, Ryoko! Don't be so quiet!" She insisted, going into Ryoko's space and rubbing a shoulder against one of Ryoko's arms. "Aren't you going to tell your friends who I am?" Her voice rose an octave in a way someone would use to ask a favor and Ryoko groaned, turning away.

Misao was on edge. "Well?"

"Sh-she's…" Ryoko paused embarrassingly, looking down at Washu. "She's my mom."

"Mom?!" Everyone's jaw dropped.

"Yes!" Washu grabbed Ryoko's cheeks. "My greatest creation ever is my daughter! It's been such a long time since I've seen you!"

Ryoko fought her off. "Would you cut it out already? Let's keep this…not personal, okay? Enough with the mushy stuff!"

"Why, of course! I'm just happy to see you! Now, everyone, take your seats." She was suddenly serious. "I apologize for my tardiness, but I don't plan on keeping you too long, this morning. I just want to go over the syllabus and my expectations for this class. I'll answer any questions you have and then you may leave."

…

It was rare that Kenshin never paid attention to anything in any class. He even faithfully memorized all of his syllabi for no particular reason. But, this particular morning, he was more interested in Kaoru and how beautiful she looked with her hair pulled up in a bun, tied with her favorite indigo ribbon.

Hiko was walking aimlessly around the classroom reading from his syllabus and answering questions from inquiring students.

Inuyasha stopped staring into space long enough to notice Kenshin's occupied gaze. "You stare any harder you'll burn a hole in her face." He nudged.

"Huh?" Kenshin tore his eyes from Kaoru and switched to Inuyasha, face slowly turning red.

"Why are you staring at her like she's gonna be your last meal?"

Kenshin flinched and turned forward in his seat. "Was I?" He glanced back towards Kaoru again and she caught his gaze with a smile, turning back away with a shy expression.

"Keh. Puppy love."

"Combat should never happen in the event of human confrontation with a demon, which will most likely happen the other way around." Hiko knocked Inuyasha on the head three times with the katana-sized bokken he was carrying around parched on his shoulder.

"Hey, what gives?" Inuyasha covered his head with both clawed hands.

"The next time you come to my class you will not ever talk while I am talking, got it?"

"Yeah, yeah. Sorry."

Hiko continued reading from the syllabus and back-tracked his steps around the area, hitting Kenshin on top of his head once.

"I knew better to think he'd bypass me." Kenshin mumbled to himself.

Inuyasha snickered. "Serves you right."

Hiko dismissed his class ten minutes later and almost sighed with relief. He had stopped teaching swordsmanship around five years ago and tried to live a semi-retired life on the outskirts of Kyoto on the main island of Japan but was requested by Tenchi's grandfather Yosho to take over his classes. Yosho had been preparing for retirement, wanting to stop teaching and just focus on Tenchi and his training and turned to the next best swordsman he knew would be able to handle the job after himself. Hiko still almost refused but changed his mind when learning that the swordsmanship program would be removed completely from the curriculum since a swordsman skilled enough couldn't be found to take over.

Although he loved the solitude, he couldn't figure out why he would agree to the job. This was his second year at Shikon University since Yosho stopped teaching completely and he didn't completely hate it. It gave him something to do during the day besides read and drink and he actually favored some of his students.

Hiko turned at soft knocks on his door and a familiar woman with signature green earrings and a white feather in her hair was standing in the frame. "Kagura. What brings you by?" Despite the question, he was the least bit interested in what she wanted.

"I heard about the request you sent Naraku for a TA for your demon students. Next time, send all requests to me instead of trying to get them to him."

"What? He's too good to speak with anyone face-to-face or something?"

Kagura rolled her eyes. "If you see him then that's something you should bring up in conversation."

This time, it was Hiko's turn to roll his eyes. He leaned back in his chair with a sigh. "Well, did you find a solution?"

"We found someone and he would like to meet with you. Come with me." She didn't give him any time to voice whatever else he had to say and started to walk away.

Hiko gathered his things and left the classroom, following her steps.

…

"Hey, can you help me with something?" Inuyasha nervously asked Kenshin while they walked down what seemed like endless aisles of books, each looking for the ones they may need for upcoming classes.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Well, I guess it's more so me just wanting to talk. Kind of get your perspective of something."

"Alright."

Inuyasha wiped sweaty palms on his pants. It wasn't like him to want to actually talk about something, but if anything, he could trust Kenshin to be honest and only keep it between them…and sometimes Miroku.

"That night after dinner last week, I walked Sango and her friend Kagome back to the dorms with Miroku. We wanted to make sure they got back safe and Kagome had a little too much to drink."

Kenshin looked from his book list and back to the shelf he stopped in front of with a hum, encouraging his friend to continue.

"I was carrying Kagome on my back and out of nowhere she started scratching behind my ears and I actually liked it."

"I always wondered about that, that I have." Kenshin thought aloud. "Things like that actually affect you even though you're half human."

"Yeah," he looked around to make sure it was okay for him to go on. He noticed lingering girls around, sneaking glances at him and Kenshin, which pretty normal considering their rank in the society the resided in. "So, I asked Kikyo if she could do it for me some time since she's actually my girlfriend and she shot it down. Said she doesn't have to treat me like a dog just because that's what I am. But, I don't want her to see it that way; even though Ryoko made it worse for me." He shook his head at the past event.

"I would imagine she did." Kenshin chuckled, pulling a book from a shelf, crossing off the title on his list. "At any rate, I do understand Lady Kikyo's reasoning, however, her reason for refusal is the exact underlying reason you asked her to do it, I assume. It's in your nature to want these things at times, that it is."

"Exactly. Before Kagome, the last person to ever do it way my mother." His ears flattened.

Kenshin paused and was suddenly feeling bad for him.

"I can smell your sympathy. It's fine." Inuyasha pointed out.

"I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He found his third and last book from his list and Kenshin picked up his fourth.

"Well, if it ever comes up in conversation again, try explaining it to her again. Maybe she'll come around to the idea."

Inuyasha nodded. "Thanks, Kenshin."

"Kenshin."

The boys looked near the cashier of the library. Kaoru and Kagome had just purchased their books for their classes as well.

"Miss Kaoru, Miss Kagome. Good morning." Kenshin smiled.

"What's up?" Inuyasha greeted.

"Uh, Kenshin, formalities." Kagome reminded him with a blush.

"I'm sorry. It's a habit."

"Are your heads okay? Sensei Hiko hit you two pretty hard in class." Kaoru giggled, rubbing the top of Kenshin's head.

Inuyasha looked away in a hurry and rubbed the back of his own head.

"I'm fine," Kenshin smiled. "But, thank you."

"We gotta get going," Kagome looked down at the watch she was wearing. "We promised to meet Ayeka before Lady Kaede's class in a few hours."

"You two should meet us for lunch later. We're meeting our friends at the Akabeko at 2:30." Inuyasha offered. "You in?"

"Sure," the girls agreed.

They were preparing to leave when Kagome stopped in her tracks. "Oh, hold on a sec. Inuyasha," She dug into her backpack and pulled out the lunchbox he packed her breakfast in just two days before. "Thank you for this. I really appreciate it. You didn't have to do that."

Inuyasha accepted the lunchbox. "Sure, no problem."

"I know it was kind of awkward the first time we met. I want to apologize. I'm usually not like that." Her cheeks flushed in embarrassment.

"What's awkward was yesterday with Kikyo when you tried getting my attention." He cringed.

"Oh, yeah. That. It's no biggie." She waved it off.

"Kagome, Ayeka is waiting for us." Kaoru said, reading a text on her phone.

"I gotta go. Thanks again. I'll see you at lunch later."

"Okay. Later."

Kagome and Kaoru left the library and Inuyasha stared until they were out of sight. His ears twitched and he reached up to ruffle his hair with a heavy sigh.