Hikigaya Hachiman would have blinked, and even pinched himself to make sure it was real (and he somehow thought Yukinoshita would have pinched HIM for that same reason, and non-too gently), except he couldn't move a muscle at the sight before him. A brief glance showed that Yukinoshita and Yuigahama were as shocked as he was, with the former visibly having her mouth gaping in a most undignified way.

As a proper Japanese, Hachiman knew many stories about the mythical Kitsune, but never thought them real outside chuuni delusions…

Himejima actually managed to act despite that oppressive feeling "My Kohei from our Peerage came to this school, to fulfill a contract, and disappeared. When others came to investigate they were sent away. What is the meaning of that?"

"Would you appreciate a member of youkai faction coming to your territory, to make contracts and conscript potential new members among your client base? All without informing the overseer of the territory? How would you take such an act?" Hiratsuka angrily exclaimed, fur and tails standing on end.

"NO", she harshly continued. "I won't let you continue intruding on the land I guard, little devil. No more than you would invite me to seek some of your own contractors and future reincarnates to switch their business to me instead."

Himejima actually managed to act despite that oppressive feeling "Would you really go against Rias Gremory? Against Yasaka-sama herself? She decreed our factions allied and gave permission to pursue a Contract that led us here, the disappearance of our friend, or are you rebelling against her? Are you perhaps a renegade to her?" she asked with malicious glee. A similar supernatural feeling of pressure now emanating from her as well, feeling like static air charged with lightning.

"This isn't what this is about, little girl!" Hiratsuka-sensei argued as the pressure from her seemed to smother the one from Himejima, as if overpowering it. "This is not your territory, nor is it the proper way to do things. You should have sent a massage ahead beforehand unless this is urgent, and then announced yourself to one overseeing the local territory first thing, not play around with the kids here! You are fortunate that it happens to be me, and that i already happened to be here. I will hear the purpose of your visit and see it for myself, before considering the matter."

And then turning her attention back to Hachiman before speaking, as the feeling of pressure suddenly disappeared, as did the vulpine features. "You three should continue to your classes, school just started. We will talk about what you saw here in the club." Hachiman was glad for the tactical retreat. 'It's not running away, its charging into the opposite direction!'

The lessons seemed to pass particularly slow, and the Hachiman wasn't able to properly concentrate, his mind going to the supernatural scene he witnessed. Did that mean that Hyuudo was serious? That he really was a Devil? Had he sold his soul? What will happen to Komachi without her big brother around?

When it was time for a Home Ec. Hikigaya felt himself nervous, and the sight of a normal Hiratsuka felt surreal. With her going about as if nothing happened, not even sparing him a glance. Or Yuigahama-who when he caught her eyes, seemed as shaken as he felt.

The Yukinoshita that greeted them in the clubroom of the Service Club looked as perfect as always, with no visible sign that her worldview was just upended this morning… except the look in her beautiful eyes. They were as weary and scared as he felt himself.

The boy turned his head aside once he realized he was staring, but, surprisingly, no tongue lashing was coming to reprimand. Yukinoshita was really out of it if she failed to insult him.

"Hikki, Yukinon…did Hiratsuka-sensei really…" Yuigahama asked. He didn't even notice her entering. And her voice sounded so small and vulnerable…

Hachiman felt his instinct to say something sarcastic and insightful to calm or reassure her. Or at least distract. But his hard earned Loner's Wisdom failed him.

The three looked at each other awkwardly, each looking for something to reassure themselves and draw strength from…

And then Hiratsuka entered, and six eyes were drawn to her.

Their teacher closed the door, and then did the first act that broke the character they were familiar with, since the confrontation with Himejima. She pulled an actual, honest to gods ofuda, and slapped it to the door as she closed it behind her. His mind only stopped for a moment to wonder if there was glue under it or it was more supernatural bullshit…

'This kind of thing should happen to Zaimokuza, who would appreciate it, not me! I don't know how, but it probably should be him and not me, stuck in this situation!'

"Alright kids, I know you have questions about the stuff this morning. So ask, I will answer." She still talked in the same usuall Hiratsuka-sensei tone, as if this was normal…

'For all I know, it is normal, for her…'

Yukinonshita stood from here seat as she spoke, "What did happen this morning, Hiratsuka-sensei? What did that girl mean, saying she was a Devil? What was it, about a Contract? And did you really sprout ears back there-like some Cat?"

Their teacher sighed. "She is a Devil, the ones mentioned in the Christian religion-and just like anyone with sense, they too changed over the millennia and don't behave the way myth claim, anymore. As for a Contract- it looks like one of you, namely Hikigaya, made a Contract with a Devil, who disappeared, and she came searching for him. That particular girl came from a Shinto family, and it carries some personal family drama that's private and not your business. And it was Fox-ears, not cat!"

"Why are you so sure it was me that made a contract?"

All three females gave the lone boy a 'look'. "Definitely Hikki-cultist-gaya". "It's sounds like something Hikki would do."

"Oi, why so sure it's me? Its hurts that you have so little faith in me, you know?"

"You going to say we're wrong, heretic-gaya?" 'Of course even the revelation of supernatural won't still a Yukinoshita whip sharp tongue for long.'

"More importantly", Sensei interrupted, "And it IS Important-Just what was the contract about? What were the terms and the payment agreed upon?"

Looking aside to avoid eye contact, Hachiman replied quietly. "I didn't even know about anything of the sorts, I was talking to myself at a bus station, and a paper in the trashcan glowed, next thing Hyuudo appears out of nowhere, introduces himself saying he is a devil and asks for my wish. He didn't stay long enough for any discussion about payment."

"Hyuudo? I knew he was scum. I shouldn't be surprised he associated with you so quickly, do I, Criminal-gaya?" the ojou-sama of their little group continued.

"More importantly, something you said was interpreted as a wish, what was it? It could be important!" Hiratsuka-sensei demanded with a serious tone and expression.

"That's right! Just what was it you were talking about, that was interpreted as a wish, crazy-gaya? Just what deranged perversity did you set that irredeemable element of society to do?"

"I… wanted something Genuine…" Hikigaya said quietly.

The quiet turned contagious, as the other three grew silent as well. And the silence grew awkward…

"Sensei! Are you really a Kitsune? A fox of Inari-Kami? Like the stories and old myths?"

'Subject change, success! Surprisingly clever from a yuigahama…Wait wont it mean the all the other Yuigahamas are like Yui? Sorry for saying you are all airheaded fools, Yuigahamas of past and future generations!'

"Yes", Hiratsuka sighed tiredly.

"Can you show us your true form?"

The Homeroom Teacher nodded, closed her eyes, as fox like ears appeared on her head, and then many black bushy fox tails appeared from under the lab coat she always wore. 'one, two, three, four, five! Don't legends say that Kitsune grow a new tail every century? Does that mean she is five hundred years ol-'

Suddenly Hikigaya felt pain. "Don't you DARE call me old! I'm Young at heart!" A wild Hiratsuka growled, ears pulled back, making her look like an angry fox.

When he came back to his senses, and the pain lessened, Hachiman felt incredulous. "Just how do you know every time I think about your age?"

"I placed a tracker on you that will let me know every time you call me old, even in your thoughts. It only work in close enough proximity, but I figured we both are thankful for that."

"Isn't that an invasion of privacy? My own thoughts exposed! Aren't those supposed to be sacrosanct?"

"Don't worry, Hikigaya, the spell only scans surface thoughts and sends alert to me if I'm nearby and you think about me being old. OR insult me in your mind. I can say with a certainty we're both better off without me being aware of every little inappropriate stray thought running through your head."

"So you can do magic, Sensei? Can you teach us?" an excitable Yuigahama exclaimed.

"Sorry, Yuigahama, but it's Senjutsu-it doesn't work for humans." She raised her hand, open palm upwards, and a ball of fire appeared above it to the fascination of her students, moving as the hand beneath it moved. She then closed her palm and the fire disappeared.

"Sensei…do you know if anyone else in our class, or even our school knows about the supernatural?"

"It's not my place to say, one way or another, Yukinoshita. Needless to say, that you should keep your knowledge of the supernatural to yourself and not go chat about it to your friends like it's the newest gossip. I'm responsible for you and will try to protect you, but there are other supernatural powers around, and as Himejima made clear, they have their own idea about what's proper, and some don't share my sense of responsibility. Hikkigaya, I talked with Himejima about your contract, and we will return to discuss it after they find Hyuudo. For now, I want you to call me when they contact you again, or if anyone else from the supernatural world does. "

"Will they?" Hachiman asked wearily.

"The Gremory Devils are rather persistent, But I think I can shield you from the worst that can come from their direction. As for others, it seems unlikely, but better safe than sorry. Still, don't worry too much, I take my duty of Guardian over Chiba seriously! Sensei won't let bad Youkai harm you!" She cheerfully exclaimed. Reminding Hachiman of a certain Wisewolf. He idly wondered if she could turn into a huge fox as well.

"Anyone got any other questions?"

As the three Service Club students considered other questions, Hikigaya's attention was drawn to the five newly revealed appendages his teacher now had. They looked so fluffy, that part of him wanted to Touch Fluffy Tails, and feel just how soft they are-

And the two girls gave him a strange look, while the woman turned aside, blushing adorably, like a maiden.

"I said it out loud, didn't I?"

Author Notes: I have Good News and Bad News. The Good News is that the new chapter is finally here!

The Bad News, is that I was improvising, coming up as i went, writing this fic, and this chapter is as far as my ideas and plans went. I have no idea what to write the ninth chapter about, and so this fic will likely take just as long to update again.

if anyone has any ideas-please, Share them. i need new inspiration to write more for this fic.

Special Thanks to dawnwatch for beta reading this chapter, as usual.