Chapter 1- The meeting

"Come on Kagome, we are going to be late."

Kagome never understood why her best friend Sango liked going to the bar they often went to. They allowed underage people in but they had to wear these hideous stamps put on their hands. Kagome found it boring, but she was always the wing-woman for Sango.

By the time Kagome was downstairs, Sango was sitting on the sofa tapping her foot impatiently. Her heel made a clicking sound on the wooden floor. She shot up when she saw Kagome. "About time; I hope we can still get in."

Sango always liked going out to different clubs and bars, the night life was something she always craved. As soon as she turned eighteen, there was no stopping her. Kagome just went along for the ride.

"It's about time you finished." Sango rolled her eyes and jumped off of the sofa. She looked annoyed.

"Stop rushing me. It took me ten minutes longer than I said it would." Kagome grabbed her keys off of the counter. Her mom was working a forty-eight hour shift at the hospital, so there wasn't need to leave a note. One of the many joys of being the only child of a single mother/ doctor.

They climbed into Kagome's Jeep Wrangler. Sango's car wasn't the most reliable of vehicles so most of the time they took the Wrangler

"Is Miroku meeting us there?" Kagome asked as she pulled onto the highway. Miroku was Sango's recent plaything of the week. She was never one to get into serious relationships.

"Nope." She replied, grinning. "I'm free to play for the night."

Kagome shook her head and laughed. "Just remember, no sex without safe sex."

Sango rolled her eyes. "Yes mother."

"Don't yes mother me." Kagome fused as she pulled up to a red light. "I don't want to be an Aunt at eighteen and I am sure you don't want to be a mother at eighteen."

"I know, God could you imagine those stretch marks?" She twisted her face in mock disgust.

Kagome couldn't help but laugh. Nothing that came out of Sango's mouth surprised her much anymore.

"I know the worst part about bringing another life into this world would be the stretch marks. "Kagome joked sarcastically.

Kagome and Sango got out of the jeep. They had to park in the back so it would take a few minutes to get to the door.

"I'm glad you see it my way. As if you don't agree. You are built like a damn model, one stretch mark and you would see where I am coming from."

Kagome had no argument. Standing at a little over 5'6 and weighing barely over 115 pounds, Kagome had a near perfect body. On her back right hip was a dark birthmark. Her father called her 'pup' because it resembled a howling wolf.

Six years ago, Kagome's father was killed when a drunk ran a red light. He lingered in a coma for a week before finally passing. Her mom hadn't dated anyone since.

Sango's father walked out on her mom while she was still pregnant.

Kagome could feel eyes on her as she walked. This was something she was used to, no matter what she wore or where she went. Tonight, she was wearing a short red dress with her long black hair hanging loose down her back.

Sango was wearing a black mini skirt and black tank top. She looked stunning as always. She had her dark hair pulled up in a high ponytail.

They showed our ID's to the man standing at the door. He put that obnoxious looking stamp on their hands and ushered them in. The bar was empty for a Friday night. They easily found a spot at the end of the bar. It only took minutes for the first guy to approach them.

He put his hand on Sango's lower back. "Hey, want to go dance?" He asked rather sweetly.

Sango looked over at Kagome and gave her routine look asking for her opinion. Kagome scrunched up my nose in disgust. She would regret this one in the morning if nothing was said.

Sango was nice when she rejected the suitor. "I'm sorry, but I would rather have a drink with my friend. Thank you though."

"Alright." He sighed. "You ladies have a great night." The man got the hint and walked away.

Kagome looked away; she had a small on her face. "Hey, he was kind of cute." She joked.

Sango rolled her eyes. "Just what I crave, forty-something, married man with obvious commitment issues."

Kagome was even surprised at how much information on in such a short time. "How did you get all of that?"

A small smile crossed Sango's face. "It wasn't really much; he had a tan line on his hand."

Kagome was often asked if she was born blonde. She may be an 'A' student but sometimes she was blind to what was right in front of her. "Duh me." She laughed. "It's slow here tonight." She looked around, most of the table and chairs were empty.

"Can I get you ladies anything?" The bartender walked up to them. He looked tired but had kind eyes.

"Coke." Kagome ordered and looked at Sango waiting for her to say what she wanted but she was looking elsewhere. "Earth to Sango?"

After a few seconds she answered, she seemed spaced out. "Sweet tea." Sango's voice was slow and low.

After the bartender walked away, Kagome tapped Sango on the arm. "Hey, what is it?"

She looked at Kagome quickly, her hair swung over her shoulder. "Look at the back table."

There was one table of the bar that sat in the very back corner, it was hidden in the shadows. Nobody normally sat at the table because of it was hidden in the shadows. . Tonight, it was occupied.

Kagome's eyes were glued to the mysterious man sitting in the shadows. The lack of light cast shadows on his face. He had sharp features and from what could be seen he had what looked like a military style hair cut. Even though you could not make out much, you could tell he was striking.

"I think I found my next target." Sango licked her lips and started to get up.

Kagome was still looking at the man, when he raised his eyes and locked onto hers. The instant their eyes met, every hair on her body stood up on end. She felt a burning desire in her stomach that she had never felt before. Everything became a blur, all she saw was him.

The stranger shifted in his seat and stood. As if someone pushed, Sango sat down quickly. Kagome's and his eyes stayed locked on his.

Kagome felt Sango tug on her arm. "I think he's coming over here." Sango said under her breath.

His eyes were a bright golden amber, it looked as if there was a light shinning from behind them. He had on a black button up shirt and black slacks; he had his shirt loose from his pants. He looked down right sinful.

He smiled at Sango and then looked over at Kagome. "Hello." his voice had a heavy accent. His smile was kind and warming.

His eyes stayed on Kagome. The amber was welcoming.

"Hello." He said again in the same heavy accent.

Sango slipped away quietly. She thought the guy was damn good looking but it was obvious his attention was elsewhere.

Finally she spoke. "Hello." Her voice was weak and low. She didn't recognize her own voice.

"I saw you from the bar and wanted to introduce myself. My name is Inuyasha." He held out his hand.

Kagome finally found her normal voice. "My name is Kagome. It is a pleasure to meet you." She grasped Inuyasha's hand. His grip was soft and his hands were as equally as soft. It was strange for a man. She remembered her father's hands were always rough.

"It is a pleasure to meet you."

"Would you like to join me at my table?" He stood up and extended his hand toward Kagome.

Kagome took his hand and slid out of the stool. She glanced back at Sango, she was chatting up some guy.

"Sure."

Kagome walked just behind Inuyasha. His powerful shoulders swayed with each step. It was obvious, even in the dark bar light, that Inuyasha was familiar with a weight bench. He was muscular, but it wasn't extreme, like the body builders.

Inuyasha helped Kagome into her seat. He took the seat across from her; he made the chair look small.

"I'm not very good at this whole small talk thing." Kagome admitted.

Inuyasha smiled, and then laughed. "Neither am I. I'll start it off. How old are you?"

"Eighteen. And You?"

"Twenty-four." The four rolled off of his younger.

"Where are you from? Your accent is amazing." Kagome found herself leaning across the table; she wanted to be near him. She found falling into conversation with him easy.

"Romania. I moved here five years ago."

"Can you say something in Romanian?"

Inuyasha leaned across the table. "Poate o singură dorinţă la mai mult de un lucru bun?" His language was stunning. The words flowed off of his tongue in a beautiful steady tone.

"What did you say?" When she leaned forward in the table, they were only inches apart. She could smell his cologne.

"Can one desire to much of a good thing? It's from..."

"As You Like It. William Shakespeare." She interrupted him. She always loved Shakespeare and a man quoting Shakespeare almost didn't seem real.

"A beautiful woman who knows Shakespeare, it's not a common thing."

Kagome blushed. "I should say the same thing. What do you do? Job wise I mean."

"I just got my masters in English. I am starting my new job as a teacher next week." His face visibly relaxed and he seemed excited about it.

"A masters in English, now I understand the like for Shakespeare. Why and when did you move to the states?" Kagome wanted to learn everything she could about Inuyasha. Something about him had her hooked.

"I felt the need to have a change of scenery."

"Well, I hope you like it."

He reached across the table and ran the back of his hand down her cheek. "With sights like the ones in front of me, how could I not?

Sango walked up to the table, she had a huge smile on her face. She knew she caught them in a private moment. "Hey, sorry to interrupt but I am having no luck so I was kind of wondering if you were ready to go."

"Uh..." Kagome looked across the table at Inuyasha and back at Sango. She was by no means ready to leave.

"If you would like, I could bring you home." Inuyasha spoke up.

"I don't..." Kagome wasn't very sure about someone she barely knew driving her home.

"Sounds great!" Sango piped.

'Great.' Kagome groaned to herself. Kagome knew what Sango was doing. She was playing hook-up. For once, she didn't seem to care too much.

"I need your keys." She held out her hand, palm up.

Trapped, Kagome handed over her keys. "You sure you don't mind?" She asked Inuyasha.

"No, not at all. It would be my pleasure."

"I'll leave your keys on the cabinet." Sango left the bar like someone had lite a fire under her butt.

As soon as Sango was out of the bar, Inuyasha stood up and held out his hand. Kagome slipped her hand in his and stood up beside him.

"Where are we going?" She smoothed out her dress.

"The beach is right across the street and it's a clear night. How would you like to go for a walk with me?

Ever since she was a young child, Kagome's mother always told her to follow one main rule. Never go somewhere with someone you do not know. Kagome had always followed that rule. Now, as she followed Inuyasha out of the door of the bar, she knew she was breaking all of the rules.

And she couldn't be any happier.