Breaking Grace

Chapter Two: "The Letter"



Warnings: Naraku Fainting.





Naraku awoke to the feeling of someone lightly slapping his face. He groaned and his eyelids slowly fluttered open. He wished he had not opened his eyes because the pretty boy was knelt beside him, looking at him with concern. He closed his eyes again.



‘...Why does he care? Why is he looking at me like that?...’



"Sensei, do you need to go to the nurse?" Sesshoumaru, 'the pretty boy', asked as his hand felt his teacher's forehead. He was just so close to Naraku, so close that the heat could be clearly felt between them.



"Iie, no, I feel fine. Did I pass out?" Naraku asked, feeling very uncomfortable about the nearness of his student.



"Yes, you passed out ten minutes ago. It was so strange..." Sesshoumaru replied, sitting on his haunches.



"Sesshy caught you before you fell! You probably would have hit your head if he hadn't been like the Flash!" Said a cute girl with big, innocent brown eyes and dark brown hair that fell past her shoulders, yet a good amount was tied up, which looked like a hairstyle that a young child would have.



"Arigatou, Mr. Utamaro." Naraku thanked respectfully before he narrowed his eyes at the girl.





"And why are you in this class, Rin?? I don't recall seeing you on my roll sheet at all."



"I came in late, sorry. And they just added me to this class half an hour ago." Rin blushed, but smiled genuinely at him.



"Are you a hundred percent certain that you are physically well, sensei?" Sesshoumaru asked, laying his soft hand on his sensei's forehead again. "You feel very hot."



Naraku brushed the offending, but attractive hand away. "I feel fine."



‘...I can't believe that I fainted. Just because a boy, no, my student, who is now in my class, happens to look like the boy from my...hentai dreams...doesn't mean that I shoulder pass out. Oh, damn, now I'm confused. First those annoying dreams,

then those stupid e-mails...and now...this...’ Naraku mused, his head starting to throb with pain. He attempted to stand, but he felt those wonderful hands trying to help him up. No, he couldn't let the boy touch him at all...



"No, I can get up myself." Naraku refused stubbornly.



Sesshoumaru nodded, no trace of emotion on his young face. He didn't go back to his seat, though.



Naraku stood up shakily and his knees wobbled a bit. The dark-haired man was paranoid that he would trip or keel over. Yet, he was strong and could handle his body. He took a few deep breaths and he cleared his mind, which helped a lot. Soon enough, he was ready to start his class again.



Sesshoumaru stood and watched his teacher very carefully. Once he was sure that his sensei was A-OK, he returned to his seat, satisfied, but his eyes never left Mr. Nubuyuki.



All eyes were focused on Naraku, giving him their undivided attention, respectfully. As he went over the rules, consequences, and what not, he felt very paranoid. Even though his whole class was staring at him, which was wanted and natural, only one gaze burned into his back the most-- Sesshoumaru's. He could barely stand that boy staring at him, haunting him, let alone being in the same room as him.



Naraku didn't know what to feel or what he was even feeling at all. His feelings were confusing him and that was not good, especially since this was interfering with his job. It was just so strange seeing some nameless person in his dreams and then one day, he sees the same boy, the boy from his carnal dreams.



A boy that also happened to be related to the Utamaros.





The hour of first period seemed to drag by slowly for Naraku. It was natural, of course, since the first few weeks of school always seemed the longest. He was drowsy and badly needed some sleep. No amount of coffee or caffeine would wake him up and he felt like he was on auto pilot. He was so very relieved when the bell rang, that he just collapsed in his chair, his arms hanging off the sides like he was dead or unconscious. He closed his eyes and sighed as he listened to his new students loudly shuffle out of his classroom.





"Sensei Nubuyuki?"



‘...Oh great...not him again...’



Naraku opened his eyes slowly and looked at his student. For the first time, he allowed his eyes to indulge themselves. His ebony eyes swept over the boy, noticing that he was definitely an Utamaro, for only the Utamaros had such rare physical traits. Sesshoumaru has the very strange, but obvious beautiful genes of the Utamaro, yet he seemed much fairer and celestial than any of the Utamaro's themselves. His eyes were a cold amber gold, as if something sinister or cruel had sucked all the life and emotions out of their beautiful depths. His skin looked similar to porcelain, something like those porcelain dolls that people liked so much. And not to mention his beautiful silver hair that covered his face with graceful bangs and hung over his shoulders and down his backside like silk. Sesshoumaru was tall, too, although not as tall as Naraku himself and the young boy had a nice combination of a muscular and slender body. He was truly flawless.



‘...This boy would make those silly Orlando Bloom fans forget Orlando in less than a heartbeat...’



"Sensei?"



"Yes, what is it?" Naraku asked, trying desperately not to snap at his dream boy.



"Have we met? You seemed to recognize me when you called my name. You looked...shocked...then you passed out..."



"Maybe, perhaps I've met someone from your family. It doesn't really matter, so do not concern yourself at all."



"I am concerned when there is something wrong with my sensei."



"Your concern is misplaced and not needed."



"Even so, you have it, sensei."



"You should go back to your next class before you are truant, Mr. Utamaro." The older man said firmly and evenly, although he felt like hugging the boy.



"And you should get more restful sleep, sensei Nubuyuki." Sesshoumaru advised him as he walked away, grace with him.



Naraku watched him leave. The tired teacher could have sworn he saw the boy sway his hips as he left. The dark-haired man rubbed his temples and decided that sleeping pills were in order tonight.





~*~*~*~*~*~





"Sesshy, why aren't you eating?" Rin asked out of concern, for sometimes her friend worried her. They were both outside sitting at a table in the school's courtyard, during lunchtime.



"I have no appetite today." Sesshoumaru sighed and stared blankly off into space. He didn't know why, but he couldn't get his mind off of his new sensei. He didn't know why, but he felt strangely drawn to Naraku. His teacher was obviously very attractive and that didn't seem to pass unnoticed by the girls. He had heard them talking about how hot the psychology teacher was and if he were single and what not...



A couple of girls walked by and gave Rin dirty looks. Rin didn't seem to notice, for she was always optimistic enough to notice all the good things around her. It was as if she tuned or blocked all the bad things out, so she would not be bothered by it.



Sesshoumaru did not fail to notice the girls shooting nasty looks at his friend. He stood up slowly and glared at them. His glare pierced right through them like wrathful fire and the girls wisely and briskly took their leave. He sighed. There were always many girls and some boys who would give Rin a hard time. He knew why, too. It was because they were jealous of her since they thought she was Sesshoumaru's girlfriend. He had tried to clear that up, but only because he didn't want Rin getting hurt. He had tried again and again in vain, though, for many refused to believe that his close bond with the bright, cute girl was nothing but something akin to sibling love.



"Pay no attention to them, Rin." Sesshoumaru said quietly as he seated himself again.



"To who? What are you talking about?" Rin asked before she took a bite out of a red apple. She was humming a song as she chewed on her food. The tune sounded suspiciously like the Sailor Moon theme song.



"Never mind." He stared at her, for it always marveled him of how much of an innocent child his fifteen year-old-friend had remained.



It was rare to find such a sweet, innocent girl who could make the coldest of hearts melt and the harshest of scowls turn into a pleasant smile. He loved her like she was his own little sister and if that love wasn't like that; he probably would have taken her as his own. But it would not be like that. He cherished what he had with her, for it was something rare and beautiful.



He had known her since elementary school, even though they had never been in the same class because he was older and in a higher grade. Right now she was a junior, despite her young age, and he was a senior.



"Sess, is something wrong? You are more distant today than ever." Rin asked, her face now serious, which was a rarity for her.



"I just have things on my mind. You know that father is pressuring me now more than ever about my future. I just wish he would stop it. He let Inuyasha do what he wanted to do and he still does. I do not understand." Sesshoumaru traced the rim of his soda can with his index finger and stared at the can, as if it interested him, which it really didn’t, of course.



"This is America, Sess-kun, do not be sad. In a year you will be eighteen! You will be free to leave the house if you want! You can do anything you want; it’s your life, not his! I know you'll be happy, Sess, I know it! You can do whatever you want and you can be whoever you want! You also can marry who you want, too! Hey, you don't even have to ever get married! It’s your choice! This is your choice, Sess-kun, this is your life!" Rin smiled brightly at him, her energy bursting through his voice and body.



"Arigatou, Rin-chan." Was all Sesshoumaru said to her, but she saw everything in his eyes. She could always read him through his eyes. It was her talent; she could read people very easily.

"You're very welcome!" She latched onto him, giving him a big, warm hug that he allowed rarely, but he allowed it this time just because he wanted it. His arms moved slowly around her and he rested his hand on her back. His other hand played with and stroked her soft, brown hair all throughout lunch. His touch and scent was so comforting that the girl fell asleep in his arms.



Sesshoumaru ignored all the curious and jealous stares, for he did not care. He never cared about what anyone thought.



Except for Rin, he cared about what she thought. That’s why he knew he could never tell her why he had become her friend in the first place. If she only knew, it would break her little heart.





~*~*~*~*~*~







Naraku smoked a cigarette in his classroom at the end of the day. He was busy doing some catch-up work on his lap top when he just wanted to go to his apartment and relax, but he couldn't. It was just one of those days you wish you could just curl up into the fetal position and just forget about everything and sleep away. But he couldn't do that. He was a respected teacher at his school and his job always came first.



He opened one of his drawers, which reminded him of his mail. He opened the top drawer, which had been the one he had stuffed his mail into. He grabbed his mail and stuffed it into his jacket, which he would read later. As soon as he was finished with everything, he turned off his laptop, put it in its case and left for the day.



As soon as he was home, he ordered some Chinese food and turned on the TV. He was grateful he didn't have any papers to grade.



While he flipped through his mail, which was bills and more bills, he pressed the message playback button to his answering machine. He dropped the bills in a box to be dealt with later and he threw the junk mail away. He heard the machine say that he had five new messages. He snorted. One message was too much for him.



"Moshi moshi! Hey, how are you doing, Nara-san? This is InuTaisho, obviously. I'm just calling to check up on you. So, call me back when you get the chance, ok? Oh, and I saw my second son's schedule today! He's in your class! Isn't that great! I'm sure he'll be a great student, so there shouldn't be any problems. If there are any problems about him or yourself, you can talk to me at any time, so don't be a stranger. Bye!"



‘...It has been awhile, my friend...’ Naraku thought as he continued to flip through his bundle of mail.



Beeeep!



"This is InuYasha, I'm just calling to warn you, asshole! You'd better not give my little brother Sesshoumaru any trouble or else its my foot up your ass, Naraku!"



‘...Stupid baka. As if he could kick my ass. He never could. His threats are as empty as his head...’ Naraku rolled his eyes.



Beeeep!



"Mr. Nubuyuki, we're just calling you about your appointment with Dr. Lee. Due to unfortunate occurrences, your appointment will have to be rescheduled three weeks from now. If that is not convenient for you, please call us."



‘...Of course it’s not convenient for me, you idiots. Its like those bastards want me to suffer longer from lack of sleep...’



Beeeep!



"Naraku, I'm considering getting a hit man for your stupid ex-wife! I don't know how any man or woman could stand that bitch! I think I will just change my phone number or something. Oh, and I mainly called because I wanted to know if you could baby sit my daughter, Rin, this weekend? I'll even pay you reasonably, ok? So get back to me ASAP on that! You had better! Bye!"



‘...Dear Kagura, you never do stop PMSING, do you?...’



Beeeep!



"Hey Uncle Naraku! This is Rin! I just wanted to know if I could have my bestest best friend over if you baby sit me! If I can, thanks! He's nice and he's quiet, so he won't bother you. He's like a big brother to me, so we be good, I promise! I hope to see you Saturday, Uncle! Aishiteru!"



‘...Of course I'll baby sit you, Rin. You are the only one in my family that I...’



Beeeep!



"End of Message." Spoke the machine.



Naraku stopped at the last envelope, which appeared to be a personal letter. The address was one he did not recognize and he wondered if it had been sent to the right place. He checked the recipient and saw his own address. With a lift of his thin eyebrow, he opened the letter carefully and unfolded the paper. The handwriting seemed too familiar to him, but he could not place it at all.



He read it:





Naraku Nubuyuki,



Do not fight what you long for.





That was all the letter contained.



‘...Okaaaay then....’ Naraku blinked. It was odd and didn't make since. He brushed it off as some sort of stupid prank or religious message, so he just threw it away.



Naraku opened a soda and plopped down on the couch as he waited for his food to arrive...



He had no idea how much truth the words of that letter spoke nor did he have a clue that he would have to choose between his job and a boy.





TBC