Much to Learn by purpleplumes

Chapter 1

Chapter 1

Kagome sighed. Nothing was working out quite right. "I wonder what Mr. Ishigaki is doing right now." Kagome rolled her eyes at her thoughts. It was entirely his fault that she was in this predicament. Who in his/her right mind would assign a ten-page essay at the beginning of the year? The clock was ticking away and she was not making much progress. "Well, at least it's not due until Monday," she thought aloud. "I guess I could put it off. I have eight pages done. Maybe Mr. Ishigaki can check what I have and give me some ideas." Kagome was beginning to like her idea more and more. Sesshoumaru Ishigaki was every girl's wildest dream come true. To Kagome and all of her fellow female, and even some male, classmates, he was extremely hot, and extremely unavailable. He seemed so cold that, despite his good looks, every female, legal or not, was afraid to approach him. Kagome knew that deep down, way down there, Sesshoumaru had to be a nice guy. She just had to search hard enough.

^_^

Kagome slammed her locker door shut. Hojo had just asked her out again and she was losing patience with the boy. It was getting increasingly difficult to let him down easy. Would anyone understand that she only had eyes for Mr. Ishigaki? "I have him next." Kagome thought. She began preparing herself for his class. She never understood how she was able to concentrate during his class. All of the other girls sat in their seats wide eyed and drooling as they gazed affectionately at him. Kagome took her seat near the front of the class. She took out her binder and pencil in for notes. The first time she saw Mr. Ishigaki, Kagome knew that she wanted to be as close to him as possible.

Flashback

Kagome walked into her English class. She was a wreck. All of her things were unorganized, and she had heard that Mr. Ishigaki was a very difficult teacher. Surprisingly, she had heard nothing about his good looks. Kagome nearly dropped her books as she stood in the middle of the floor, ogling at her teacher. Everyone else had settled in, but she remained standing. "Miss, will you be standing there during the class, or are you going to have a seat?" Blushing furiously, Kagome took the nearest seat, right in the front.

End Flashback

Sesshoumaru gave Kagome a small smile as she took her usual seat in the front of the classroom. Despite that one incident at the beginning of the year, Kagome had turned out to be one of his favorite students. She had stopped ogling at him by the third day of school, and had developed a no nonsense attitude. So far, all of the work she had turned in was exemplary. Even the ten-page essay he assigned at the beginning of the year when he was having a bad day. She and her friend, Sango, were probably the only females in the school that he could honestly say he liked.

As Kagome settled in for class, she could have sworn Sesshoumaru had smiled at her. "My mind must be playing tricks on me," she thought. However, just to be on the safe side, she smiled back. Sesshoumaru tensed ever so slightly. He had not expected Kagome to catch the smile, though he was greatly pleased that she had returned the favor. "Okay class. Let's start today's lesson."

^_^

Kagome rolled her eyes at the phone, and then placed it back to her ear. "If you hate Miroku grabbing your ass so much so much then why don't you just dump him?" Kagome smirked triumphantly at the silence on the other end. "Exactly. Stop complaining Sango. Poor Miroku's hand is cursed or something."

Sango scoffed at that. "At least he doesn't grope anyone else now." Kagome said as a last ditch effort to cheer Sango up. It seemed to work.

"You're still coming to the movies on Friday, right Kagome?"

"I guess. I do want to come, but I'll be the only one without a date." Kagome all but whined the last part of her statement.

"And whose fault is that? I know for a fact that Hojo has asked you out a million times, and each time you've refused him. He's a perfectly nice--"

"Sango quit it." Kagome interrupted her friend. "Don't go there. He just isn't my type."

"Well, who is your type? Mr. Ishigaki. Hmm?" Kagome was relieved that Sango couldn't see her blush.

"That could never happen!" she screeched. "Sango, Mr. Ishigaki is twenty five. I'll be eighteen in March. The age difference is a little wide, don't you think?"

"That doesn't stop some people, and its not like your mom would care," said Sango. "

What do you mean?" Kagome asked, hoping to get the subject off of her and her English teacher.

"Kikyo hit on him all year until Inuyasha asked her out."

"Until? You mean she stopped after she started dating Inu?" Kagome's eyebrows nearly disappeared.

"Yep. Amazing, isn't it?" said Sango.

"Yeah. Kikyo never hesitated to have multiple guys before. Inu must really have a hold on her. I wonder how Mr. Ishigaki resisted her charms? She's gotten men his age before." Kagome's voice was pensive.

"Maybe he just didn't like her?" suggested Sango.

"Yeah. He doesn't seem to like anyone hitting on him," said Kagome.

"He doesn't seem to like anyone at all. Well, besides us and Jaken, the janitor."

"Well, enough about Mr. Ishigaki. I'll see you tomorrow Sango. Before I forget, I should tell you that Mr. Ishigaki has decided to keep me after school for a few days. Apparently I'm not doing as well as he would like. He thinks I have great potential as a writer, and wants to work on a few things."

"So that's what you two were talking about after school today. Cool. I'm happy for you." A plan was already beginning top form in her head.

"I'm happy too. I'll be concentrating on my writing a lot more now. It'll be fun."

Sango rolled her eyes. "That's not what I'm happy about. You'll be spending time with Mr. Ishigaki. I know you like him."

"See you tomorrow Sango!" Kagome hung up the phone.

Sango stared incredulously at the receiver. "Did she just hang up on me?" The dial tone began sounding. "Yep. She sure did."

^_^

Kagome tried her hardest to pay attention in her math class, but all of her efforts were failing. "I wonder what Mr. Ishigaki has in mind?"

Sango jabbed her friend in the ribs with her elbow. "Pay attention Kagome."

"Yeah," chimed in Inuyasha. Who were you zonin' off over anyway?"

Kagome frowned slightly. "None of your business," she said before turning to pay close attention.

They were doing review for a particularly difficult test. As much as she wanted to think about English, Kagome forced herself to pay attention. Math wasn't her best subject and she wasn't about to fail a test because she was day dreaming about her hot and unattainable English teacher. Time seemed to drag by as Kagome attempted to absorb the formulas and equations she would need to know. The bell rang and grateful sighs could be heard from many students. Kagome quickly put her things away, eager to get out of the class.

"Anxious to get to our last class, huh?" said Sango slyly.

"The day's almost over and I'm looking forward to relaxing. My other teachers didn't give much homework today."

"Right."

Sango and Kagome took their seats. Both smiled at Mr. Ishigaki, and both were surprised when he openly smiled back.

"That's unusual." said Sango as she uncapped her pen.

"Not really. He's smiled before. Mr. Ishigaki isn't evil." Kagome said matter-of-factly.

"I never noticed him smile before." said Sango.

Sesshoumaru cleared his throat. The two girls were so absorbed in their conversation they didn't notice that class was about to begin.

"Sorry if I'm intruding upon something important. I'd hate to seem rude." Mr. Ishigaki crouched so that he could be at eye level with the two now embarrassed girls. It did not escape Sango that he held Kagome's eyes the longest. She smirked inwardly. "Class is about to start. I'd appreciate it if you two paid attention."

"Sorry." said Sango and Kagome simultaneously. Sesshoumaru nodded in satisfaction. He now had the class's undivided attention. "Now, let's begin."

Kagome waved to Sango as she left. Inuyasha approached her.

"You stayin' after class with again?"

"Yes, Inu, I am. We'll be going over a few things that he wants me to work on."

"What could you possibly have to work on? You're a great writer."

Kagome smiled brightly at the compliment.

"Well, I don't think I'm too bad, but Mr. Ishigaki sees room for improvement. I want to become the best writer I can be, and if Mr. Ishigaki is willing to help me I won't stop him."

Inuyasha nodded in understanding. "Well, I hope you and my brother get along. He doesn't have the best people skills."

Kagome scoffed. "And you do?"

"Hey! What's that supposed to mean!"

"Bye Inuyasha. Don't keep Kikyo waiting."

Inuyasha seemed like he was going to say something, but thought better of it. "See ya." With that, he was out.

A few other stragglers exited the classroom and Kagome was left alone with Sesshoumaru. The day before there had been other students in the room. As Kagome met her teacher's gaze, she began to wish that someone would pop in for a surprise visit.

"Well, Mr. Ishigaki, what exactly did you want to talk to me about?"

"Have a seat Kagome." was his reply. Kagome sat across from him and patiently waited for him to answer her question.

"I recognize your potential as a writer. However, I am not satisfied with what you've been doing recently. I'm going to assign different books to you, and I will also be giving you different writing assignments. You've already read the required books for the year, and you're slacking. As a teacher, I want to make sure the work I give my students is challenging and stimulates their minds. Do you understand?"

"Uh huh." Kagome nodded absently. He was so beautiful. Kagome usually refrained from calling men beautiful, but the adjective definitely worked in this case.

Sesshoumaru leaned forward. Kagome gave an involuntary shiver at his closeness. "Here's a list of books, and here are the outlines of what I'd like you t do. We're done. Would you like a ride home?" Kagome nodded her head.

"Thanks. I'll do my best with this. I would like a ride home. Thanks for offering. I need to stop by my locker first." "Fine. Come back here when you're done.

^_^

Kagome took a deep breath as she buckled her seatbelt. "It smells so nice in here." she thought happily. Kagome suddenly groaned in annoyance.

Sesshoumaru lifted an eyebrow. "Something wrong?" he inquired

"Not really. It's just that I'm not quite ready to go home yet. I left my keys on my bed and my mom won't be home until 6:00. I've got three hours to kill."

Sesshoumaru started his car. Normally he would be annoyed by this turn of events, but he found himself more amused than anything else. "I live fairly close. I'll take you to my place. There's plenty to eat, and if you call your mother and explain the situation I'm sure she won't mind." Kagome blinked in surprise, and Sesshoumaru began to wonder if he was coming down with something.

"I guess that'll work." Kagome pulled out her cell phone and called her mother. Kagome was smiling when she hung up. Her mother didn't mind at all.

^_^

Kagome stretched out comfortably on Sesshoumaru's couch. Her eyes were closed and she had a happy expression on her face. Sesshoumaru walked in with a tray holding drinks and sandwiches. He smiled when he saw Kagome. He set the tray down and stood over her. He poked her in the side after a series of nudges with his knee and throat clearings didn't work. Kagome squealed and jumped up. On her way down she lost her balance and fell right onto Sesshoumaru.

"What the hell did you do that for?!" Her face clearly displayed shock and anger. Sesshoumaru chuckled as he held Kagome in his arms.

"I don't see what's so funny," she said grumpily as she used him to steady herself

"I didn't know that poking you would have such an interesting effect." Kagome was quite comfortable where she was. She had to resist the urge to snuggle against him.

"I brought in some food." Kagome immediately separated herself from Sesshoumaru to inspect what he had brought. After giving it her stamp of approval she began heartily digging in. Sesshoumaru's eyes widened at the pace Kagome was putting back food.

"Save some for me!" he said, quickly settling next to her and setting aside some for himself before Kagome could eat anymore.

Kagome spotted something and immediately stopped eating. "Is that The Sound of Music?" she asked, pointing to the shelf holding DVDs. Sesshoumaru nodded and Kagome jumped for joy. She pulled it out and gave Sesshoumaru a pleading look.

"Please, please, please, can we watch it?" Sesshoumaru was about to object. Kagome noticed this and put on her best puppy-dog face. "Please?" she added for good measure. Sesshoumaru sighed and gave in.

"Fine. I just hope your mother won't mind if you're here too long after six."

"She won't mind. I'm almost eighteen now, and she trusts me not to do anything I'll later regret." Kagome happily put the DVD in. When she was done she sat down next to Sesshoumaru.

Throughout the evening they did their best to keep a respectable distance between themselves, so Sesshoumaru was surprised when Kagome snuggled up against him to watch the movie. He was even more surprised when he wrapped his arm around her, allowing her to get more comfortable.

Kagome sang along to every song. He found he rather liked her voice. After awhile of pestering him, Sesshoumaru gave in to Kagome and sang along as well. He was enjoying himself.

"I shouldn't be something like this with a student." He dismissed the thought soon after it came. He liked the feel of Kagome's body pressed against his. He pulled her closer, smiling in satisfaction when she offered no resistance. Kagome was a nice girl, and she was almost eighteen. Perhaps he could have her. No harm would come, and he knew the girl was already attracted to him. Sesshoumaru blinked. "Where did that come from?" he silently mused. "These thoughts must end now."