This is my first Inuyasha fanfiction in years, so I apologize in advance if the characters are a little OOC, or it isn't written well. Also, please excuse any small errors you may find. I do not have a beta, and even though I re-read my chapters at least twice, sometimes I miss things. If you feel something that I missed is big and should be corrected, please let me know, and I will try to fix it for you. Please enjoy!

Chapter One – The Fateful Date

Kagome sighed, glancing at the clock on the wall for what felt like the hundredth time that day. She clicked her pencil against her open book, trying to distract herself from the time. Ten more minutes… Great. You can do this, Kagome; you've made it all day. Ten more minutes won't kill you! The raven-haired girl frowned, thinking back to the previous fight she'd had with Inuyasha. Her eyes dropped at the memory. It had been another stupid fight. It's my fault, too. If I didn't love him I wouldn't be so jealous. Her chocolate eyes hardened as her frown grew. Stupid Inuyasha. Stupid Kikyou. I want him to love me like I love him! But all he can see is her… Kagome shook her head slightly, squeezing her eyes shut. No… I just want him to be happy. But I want to be happy too. Being by his side makes me happy but… I'm starting to feel like I need more than that. Everyone deserves their chance at love, right?

Kagome perked her head up at the loud, obnoxious bell ringing, signaling class was finally over. Kagome grabbed her books and pencil, shoving them into her yellow bag quickly. She would have to return today, otherwise Inuyasha would throw a fit. She sighed softly, glancing out the window. At least she'd have a nice walk home.

She left the classroom, ready to shoot out the doors, when she felt a hand on her shoulder. "Kagome?"

The girl turned, taking in the sight of Hojo. "Oh, hey Hojo."

The boy smiled at her. "How is your back? You look well today."

Kagome forced out a grin. "It's a lot better. I feel great today!" I'll kill Grampa later…

"That's wonderful!" Hojo smiled at her, and Kagome felt her anger recede. Her schoolmate took one of her hands. "May I walk you home today?"

Kagome started to say no, but the look on his face made her anger fade to almost nothing. What harm could come of it, really? "Sure Hojo, I'd like that." She gave him a genuine smile and started walking down the hall, feeling him hurry to meet her side. They stepped outside and Kagome let out a pleased noise, stretching her arms to the sky. "It's so beautiful out today!" And it was. Not a cloud in the sky, the warm sun shining down on everyone, a gentle breeze cooling things down slightly.

As the two walked, they chatted about small things, but it gave Kagome a sense of normality, something she'd hate to admit she did miss sometimes. It was good to forget about all the problems that followed her on the other side of the well, all the shadows that shrouded her heart.

"Kagome?"

"Hmm?" She turned to look at Hojo, a smile on her face.

"Well, if your back feels up to it, would you like to go on a date with me Saturday?" He paused, taking in her expression. "We could see a move, maybe grab some lunch?"

Kagome slowly stopped walking, noticing they'd reached her family shrine's stairs. She looked at him for a moment, first thinking of a way to gently say no, until her own thoughts hit her.

Everyone deserves their chance at love, right?

Kagome's eyes widened, realizing that for once, she should take her own advice. Inuyasha may not be that person, but that didn't mean she had to stand idly by and be miserable. What would a date hurt, really? After all the times Inuyasha had run to be with Kikyou, why should she feel weird about a date with Hojo? He was a sweet guy, and her friends would certainly be happy to find out she'd finally agreed to a date with her classmate. With resolve in her eyes, she nodded. "That sounds nice, Hojo. What time do you want to go?"

Hojo's eyes lit up, a big smile overtaking his face. "How about noon? It's supposed to be a nice day out."

Kagome smiled at him. "Sure, I'll be here."

Inuyasha stared at the well, irritated. "Stupid wench, late again." His ears drooped as he looked down into the well, his eyes clouded over. She must really be mad this time. He frowned, looking down at his hands. Why do I keep doing this? He sighed, his ears still drooping considerably. His mind kept returning to their most recent fight. He couldn't get her face out of his mind. The look in her eyes nearly broke his heart, though he'd rather die than admit it. She looked so sad. And it was my fault. He thought back to their fight, replaying it in his head.

Kagome refused to look at him, and it was starting to get on his nerves. What the hell did he do?

"Oi, wench."

Nothing. Kagome didn't even turn her head. She just kept looking in front of her, staring at the wall of Kaede's hut. Their friends simply observed, knowing better than to interfere. Shippou watched his adoptive mother closely, wanting to jump into her lap to cheer her up. But for once, he knew better.

"Wench, I'm talkin' to you!"

Kagome didn't look at him. She simply picked up her bag and walked out of the hut calmly. Frustrated, he followed her. "Hey, Kagome! What the hell?"

A few steps from the well, she finally turned to look at him. He took a step back when he looked into her eyes. "Kagome…" He whispered, before taking a few more steps towards her. "What's wrong with you?"

A frown grew on her face. "What do you mean, what's wrong with me?" She clenched her fists at her sides. "What's wrong with you?!"

Inuyasha raised a fist in defense. "Me?! You're the one ignoring me!"

Kagome snapped. She screamed, as loud as she could, a frustrated look on her face. Inuyasha forced himself to stand his ground. "Well at least I don't toy with people's feelings!" She nearly snarled, causing the man in front of her to lose his defensive stance. "You know what? Forget it. I'm sick of everything. Just go find Kikyou again!" She turned her back to him, ready to jump.

"What?!" Inuyasha stepped forward, reaching a hand out. "What are you talking about?!"

Kagome turned to look at him, and his hand dropped. Her eyes were filled with sadness. They looked as though they would brim over with emotion. Inuyasha felt his heart drop, a painful pang erupting in his chest. He watched a tear fall down her cheek, and before he could say anything she let herself fall into the well.

Inuyasha sighed again, his foot tapping against the ground. He had spoken to Miroku about it, though he hated having to go to the lecherous monk for advice. But for once, it seemed true. The monk had told him, not so kindly, that Kagome was tired of watching the man she loved go off to see a woman that he had previously been involved with. To that, Inuyasha argued. "How do you know she loves me? She's never said anything like that!" But Miroku was right – the signs were there. The fact alone that she'd stayed with him, even though all their arguments and stupidity, was proof.

But Inuyasha was at a loss. He knew he cared deeply about Kagome, but love? He thought he'd loved Kikyou, and what he felt for Kagome was so much different.

The familiar light emanating from the well broke him from his thoughts, and he quickly stood up to help Kagome out. But to his surprise she had already climbed out herself. Something's different… Inuyasha looked her over for a minute, and finally noticed there was no yellow bag around her shoulders. He took a step towards her, and it hit him. Her scent, strong as ever. It was intoxicating, a strong scent of vanilla mixed with a hint of jasmine. But something wasn't right. His nose took in her scent deeply, trying to sort out what was odd. Finally, his brain made the connection, and he growled loudly.

"Kagome." The girl looked at him, not saying a word. "Why do you smell like…" He suppressed another growl, but he practically spat the word out, his eyebrows furrowing angrily. "Hobo?!"

Kagome frowned at him. "He walked me home today. And his name is Hojo."

Inuyasha let out another growl, this one louder than the first. He wasn't terribly familiar with the customs of her time, but she'd explained to him once that if a girl was walked home by her friends, girl friends, it was normal. If she was walked home by a man, it usually meant 'courting'.

"You let him?!"

Kagome huffed, blowing her bangs out of her eyes. "Inuyasha, calm down. I didn't come here to start a fight. I just came to tell you I'm going to need a couple more days in my time." She held up a finger at his open mouth. "I'm not taking no for an answer. I have something important I have to do."

Inuyasha cocked an eyebrow at her, a nasty feeling bubbling up in his chest. "Oh? More important that searching for the jewel shards?"

"To me, yes." Kagome stared at him. "I have a date, so I'll be gone until Sunday."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. "D-Date?! With who?" His fists clenched as he blinked at her through an angry haze.

"Hojo." Kagome looked at him sadly, making Inuyasha's anger deflate. "Inuyasha," she said softly. "I deserve a chance at happiness too, don't I?"

The half-demon merely stared at her, his mouth agape. "Of course you do, Kagome! But we have the shards to find, and…" He let his sentence trail off, not honestly knowing how to finish it. He wanted to suddenly take her in his arms and show her what she meant to him, to show her that he cared for her more than that stupid Hobo ever would!

Kagome chuckled sadly, her voice soft. "Yes, I know. To you I may be just a shard detector but…" She paused, looking him in the eyes. "To Hojo, I'm so much more than that. And that's what I need, Inuyasha." She turned away from him, her heart breaking slowly as she stepped into the well once more, leaving Inuyasha alone in the clearing.

His ears rang. He couldn't seem to move from that spot, couldn't stop staring at where she'd been standing mere moments ago. "To Hojo, I'm so much more than that." Can't she see she means everything to me?! His face faltered momentarily. He repeated himself. "She means everything to me." The realization hit him swiftly, nearly knocking the wind out of him. "This is what it means. To be… in love. Gods, it's so different than before." Inuyasha's ears drooped again. I love her. I love Kagome. His head spun, colors whirling in his vision. He couldn't force it away anymore. He'd tried, time and time again, to tell himself he simply protected her because she reminded him of Kikyou.

But Gods, she didn't. She wasn't anything like Kikyou. She was what he wanted. What he looked forward to seeing every day. The person who made him confident in being a half-demon. The woman who made him smile, even when nothing else could. And he'd continued to meet with Kikyou. Nothing happened between the two of them anymore. She was cold, lifeless. Kagome was warm, and full of optimism and life. While Kikyou had been selfish, even in life, Kagome wasn't. She always wanted Inuyasha safe, even if she had to put his own safety before hers. God, what did I do?

He took off to Kaede's hut in search for answers. He'd never been faced with the fact that she'd started looking for someone to be with, someone to love her. Of course there had been Koga, but he'd never believed Kagome loved the wolf. She was just tender-hearted. But now that he was face to face with the fact that she was finally searching for someone, someone that wasn't him, it made his heart break. He had to do something about it, before he lost Kagome to another man.

"Old hag!"

Inuyasha shoved the straw curtain aside, storming into the hut. Kaede briefly looked up at him before pouring herself another cup of tea. "Ye should have more respect for elders, Inuyasha."

The half demon sat down across from her, his legs shifting positions anxiously. "Kagome left again."

Miroku looked at him from the corner, curious. Kaede nodded. "Aye, child. And what do you care if she leaves to her own time? She does have family there." Miroku and Kaede both noticed when Inuyasha's ears drooped, and his eyes refused to meet hers.

"She didn't go home for them. She said she has a date."

"A date, you say?" Kaede pondered this, knowing what a date was in Kagome's time.

"Yeah, a date." Inuyasha nearly snarled, thinking about that stupid Hobo kid making Kagome smile, laugh, touching her.

Kaede observed him carefully before taking a sip of her hot tea, glancing at him once before setting the cup down. "Why are ye bothered by this? Do ye not think Kagome should make a life for herself?" She paused. "Ye know that she will have no reason to stay after the jewel is once again whole. Unless ye give her a reason."

Inuyasha frowned, his mind swirling with confusing thoughts. Give her a reason? To stay with me?

Miroku spoke up. "Why don't you show Kagome how much you care for her?"

"I already have! I protect her, I hunt for her, I always make sure she has good shelter-"

"Yes, and then you belittle her, call her names, and when her life isn't in danger you treat her like she's only here to show you where the jewel shards are hidden. So you cancel out everything good you do for her with your insults." Miroku rose to his feet, pulling his staff with him. "Lady Kagome may not fully understand the ways of our time. Perhaps you should show her you care with actions she is familiar with."

Inuyasha cocked his head to the side, his eyebrows furrowed together.

Kaede nodded. "Aye, perhaps take her on a 'date' from her time."

Inuyasha's eyes widened. He stared at the fire in front of them for a long time, watching the flames dance and pondering the idea. He rose suddenly, leaving the hut abruptly. Kaede and Miroku shared a knowing smile before the monk followed suit and left the hut to stretch his limbs in the warm sunlight.

Kagome sighed, trying to be happy. She looked herself over in the mirror, hoping she wasn't dressing up too much for a simple date. It was just Hojo, after all. Her outfit seemed appropriate for the occasion – a simple light blue dress, knee length, and white sandals on her feet. Her raven hair was up in a ponytail, and she'd put on some eye shadow. It was weird, for her to be going on a date with someone she didn't love. On some level she knew it was pointless to try and move past Inuyasha, with how strong of a grasp he had on her heart. But the logical part of her was telling her she needed to try. After all, after the jewel was complete there would be no reason for her to see him anymore. She wanted with all her heart for Inuyasha to be happy, but she refused to live her life being miserable.

"Kagome, honey, Hojo is here!"

"Coming mom!" Kagome gave herself another look, and with a determined look in her eyes, grabbed a small purse and bounded down the stairs. She smiled when she reached their front door.

"Hey Hojo!" She forced the enthusiasm out, hoping that it would come naturally on it's own later.

"Hello Kagome! You look pretty today." Hojo held out a small bouquet of flowers. "These are for you."

Kagome smiled and took them, bringing them to her nose so she could take in their sweet scent. "Thank you Hojo, they're beautiful. Let me put them in a vase quick and we can go."

"That's okay honey, I'll take care of them." Her mother gently took the flowers from her daughter, a smile gracing her lips. "You two have fun, okay?"

"Thanks mom." Kagome shut the door behind her and Hojo, taking a moment to brace herself. She hadn't been on many dates, but she was determined to make this a good one! She turned around, the smile still plastered on her face. "So, where are we going?"

Hojo grinned at her. "I thought we could go to the fair today – there's a ton of stuff to do there!"

"Okay." Kagome nodded and began to walk beside her date. Hojo slowly took her hand as they walked down the stairs, and though it didn't feel right, she let him.

Inuyasha frowned, watching from a nearby tree as Kagome and Hojo returned home. Kagome was laughing at some joke Hojo had told her, and her smile seemed genuine. He listened closely, his amber eyes watching their every move like a hawk. Hojo took Kagome's hand once again, and smiled at her. Inuyasha let a small growl escape his lips, but kept himself quiet. He'd watched the two of them their entire date, and while Kagome didn't seem like herself, she looked like she was having fun. It made Inuyasha angry, watching Hojo touch Kagome like that, gently brushing her arm, holding her hand…

"I had fun today Kagome."

"Me too Hojo." She held up the small bear in her arms. "Thank you for winning this for me – it's so cute, I think I'll put it on my bed!"

Hojo grinned, obviously full of pride. "Anything for you Kagome." Inuyasha frowned. Would you almost die for her? Would you take a deadly blow for her? I would, and have!

Kagome seemed to be thinking the same thing, but didn't say it. Instead, she smiled sweetly at him, her eyes shining. "You're so sweet Hojo. Thank you."

Hojo smiled at her, and before Inuyasha realized it, he kissed her on the cheek softly. Kagome's eyes widened, and a small blush appeared on her cheeks. Hojo sported a similar blush, but pulled back confidently. "I'll see you in school Kagome." With that, he turned and headed for the shrine steps. Inuyasha let a louder growl escape, and had to hold himself back from jumping out of the tree. His veins rushed with anger. How dare he kiss Kagome! Damn him!

Kagome lightly touched her cheek before shaking her head and going inside. Inuyasha took that moment to perch outside her bedroom window, listening closely with his ears at attention.

Kagome closed her door behind her and sat down on her bed, taking her shoes off. She sighed and quietly opened her window, frowning out at the sky. I had fun. I did but… I couldn't stop thinking about Inuyasha. What it would have been like if it was Inuyasha instead of Hojo. Her eyes dimmed as they fell to look at the ground. It just didn't feel right, natural to have Hojo touch her in such a way. He was obviously kind, thoughtful, and caring. Nothing like how Inuyasha acted. But when it came down to it, Inuyasha always did everything in his power to save her, even when it meant nearly sacrificing his own life. It seemed pointless to attempt to forget him, the things he'd shown her. But her frown grew when she remembered the entire reason for allowing Hojo to take her on a date.

Kikyou. Kagome hated the fact that she resented the dead priestess, but she couldn't lie to herself. She was jealous. Because I know she will always hold Inuyasha's heart… There's no place for me there. She let a silent tear fall, but refused to let others follow it. Her mind wandered back to Hojo, and the fun they'd had at the fair. He'd paid for lunch, won her a stuffed bear, and had even kissed her. She was secretly glad it hadn't been on the lips. It was silly to save your first kiss for someone who didn't want you, or love you, but she couldn't help it. Call it a stupid girl dream. But Hojo isn't the one I want my first kiss from.

"He's just not the one… for me."

The young woman sighed and retreated to her bed once again, taking the small stuffed bear in her arms. It was white with a pink bow around it's neck. She whispered to herself, "Maybe I will keep it on my bed."

Inuyasha watched Kagome after she'd laid on her bed. He watched her breathing even out, watched her peaceful face. He wanted to reach out and brush the bangs from her eyes, but feared waking her, so he simply watched. After what seemed like hours of contemplating, he left through the window again, and re-entered the house through their front door. He walked into the kitchen to find Kagome's mother washing some dishes from that day. She turned at the sound of footsteps, and greeted Inuyasha with a smile.

"Hello Inuyasha. Are you here for Kagome?"

The half-demon shook his head, looking around anxiously. "I-Uh. I wanted to ask you something."

"Sure," Kagome's mother smiled. "What do you need dear?"

Inuyasha found the courage to look her in the eyes. "I need to know how… Uh… How to take Kagome on a date."

The woman in front of him smiled. "I was wondering when you would." She laughed softly at the half-demon's face. "Well, you certainly can't go in those clothes. And you'll need money." She paused, thinking. "How about you meet me here tomorrow, and we'll make a plan. Sound good?"

Inuyasha nodded intently, willing to do nearly anything to win Kagome back at this point.

End chapter one! I hope you enjoyed this chapter, and I promise to post the second chapter soon. Please review and tell me what you think!