Chapter 2 – Meeting Edward

"That must be Bella," Kagome said aloud, standing up. She winced slightly as she put weight on the sore ankle.

"Kagome?" Inuyasha flew to her side in concern. "Are you ok?"

"Yep. I'm fine." She said through gritted teeth.

"Do you want me to carry you?"

"Please don't."

They were halfway down the stairs, when…

"Inuyasha! Your hat!"

"Dammit," Inuyasha growled, flying back upstairs.

She sighed and continued down.

Standing in the kitchen were two people. One was a girl, possibly a year older than Kagome, with pale skin and long brown hair. The other… well, he was just gorgeous.

"Hi!" Bella grinned. "I'm Bella; it's nice to meet you! I've heard so much about… well, not you but your mum."

Kagome smiled. "Hi; yeah, I'm Kagome. I'm sorry to say the same. And who are you?" she asked, smiling at the boy.

He extended his hand formally. "I'm Edward Cullen; it's a pleasure to meet you."

Kagome reached out to shake it.

In the second that their skin touched, she felt another presence in her mind. His hand was ice cold, the skin so white. But the touch in her mind was fiery, hot; she screamed mentally at him, GET OUT OF MY HEAD!!!

She stumbled back. "Inuyasha!" she shrieked.

In less than a second, she was hidden behind the angry hanyou.

"Who are you?" he growled, his hand on the sword. "You smell like… stone."

Bella had been thrown behind Edward; she stepped back fearfully as the two snarled at each other.

Bella was the one to break the silence.

"What's going on?" she whispered.

Kagome massaged her temples. She could still feel the imprint Edward had made on her mind.

"Vampire…" she whispered slowly. "But not… bad. Animals, not humans. Inuyasha," she looked up at him. "It's ok. He won't hurt us. He's… good."

Inuyasha made no move.

"What are you?" Edward hissed.

"Hanyou," Inuyasha growled. "Half-demon in your language. Dog demon."

A brief expression of surprise crossed Edward's face.

"Inuyasha, step aside," Kagome said, louder. "It's safe."

"Shut up wench," he growled. "I don't trust this."

"It's perfectly safe. Move."

"No."

"Don't make me…"

"You wouldn't."

"Try me."

With a sigh, Inuyasha stepped aside. Kagome moved forward and offered a small bow to Edward, formal Japanese.

"I apologise," she murmured. "I misjudged."

A second later, hesitantly, Edward responded, moving from his place in front of Bella.

Bella clapped her hands together.

"Well," she said brightly. "That was fun. How long are you staying?"

"Three months. Extended vacation." Kagome smiled.

"Reckon we can keep them from fighting for that long?" Bella smiled, indicating the still menacing hanyou and vampire.

"Doubt it. Wonder who'll win?"