Last Time…

Kagome laughed heartily, "Wow… This is a wonderful surprise. I haven't been here for a couple years, because it's… so expensive. Inuyasha, are you sure you want to spend all that money?" Suddenly, she felt bad.

"Psh, my dad is the number one business man in all of Japan. My family has plenty of money to throw around, this is nothing compared to some of the places we've eaten at. So don't worry, it's not like I had all this money saved up and I was spending it on an expensive date."

Kagome felt better almost instantly. It was a casual date, so why would he take her somewhere he considered expensive? "Okay. Let's go!" Grabbing his hand, she rushed for the door.

---

As she swung the door open, the various scents of cooking meats and vegetables (mixed with raw ones) met her nose. It was her favorite smell in the world… this was her favorite place in the world. Grandpa took her here every few years, when he had saved up enough money from store profits to do something special. Realizing she still had a grip on Inuyasha's hand, she quickly let go with a wild blush, "Sorry!"

"Its fine," he gently ruffled her hair, "I reserved us a couple of seats, so we shouldn't have to wait like these poor bums…" they both looked around the small lobby, seeing quite the bored looking group of people who were waiting for seats to open. A few young children were playing a game in a corner, and a woman was nursing her baby.

Kagome couldn't help but laugh, "You really do plan ahead, don't'cha?" she smiled up at him, glad to see him grinning back.

A young woman with her hair pulled up into a long black ponytail soon approached. She had startling violet eyes, which left Kagome feeling slightly unsettled, and wore a ¾ sleeve kimono that reached her knees. It was a simple color, the same as all the other Kabuki's staff wore, some sort of darkish grey-black that didn't really have a name. Once she spoke though, Kagome felt completely at ease, "My name is Kuro-Gawa," she bowed, "And I will be your hostess tonight. You are Inuyasha-san who reserved two seats tonight?"

Inuyasha nodded, "Yep! I set two reservations, one for the Mongolian grill and the other for the Sushi bar?"

Kuro-Gawa nodded, "Both bars will be ready for you to be seated at any time tonight, until midnight. Where would you like to dine first?"

They looked at each other, then back towards the host. At pretty much the same time they both said, "Sushi bar." Kagome watched as Kuro-Gawa bowed again, and then began to lead them up a short set of stairs (where they removed their shoes) onto some tatami mats. She brought them into a room on the left side of a long hallway, where one of four private sushi bars sat vacant and waiting. The butterflies were swing-dancing her stomach again, she whispered to her date, "Inuyasha, you reserved a private room?"

He nodded, "Yeah, what kind of date is it if we're sitting with a bunch of other people? We're out here tonight to get to know each other better, not strangers," he smiled down at her.

Kagome felt like fainting dead on the spot, he really did want to get to know her as a person. Any concerns of shallowness on his part were swept from her mind like autumn leaves on a windy day. Unable to find words, she just smiled gently in response. Kneeling down on the soft pillows, the sushi bar was unique compared to any other place she'd ever been too. There was a small table in front of them that wrapped all the way around, but below it was like a pit. All the different necessary ingredients were stocked in refrigerated shelves, and a small set of stairs led down into it. It looked like an in-ground alcohol bar, just deep enough to reach the waist of the chef. The couple thanked their hostess, who told them that their chef would be with them shortly.

She watched patiently as the young woman slid the shoji-screen over and exited, quietly closing it behind her, "Wow…" Kagome was still having trouble taking it all in. Her family had never had much extra money; the whole entire shrine was pretty much an heirloom. The only thing they had to pay was income taxes, pretty much, and basic bills like water and electricity. 'Extra' money often went towards things like food, and simple new clothes with each upcoming season. She had long adjusted to not having the best of everything, and usually a restaurant like this was yearly at the most.

"You alright, Kagome? You look really nervous…"

She hadn't realized it, but she'd been wringing her hands like a nervous wreck. She looked up at him and nodded, "Yeah… I'm just still taking it all in. I feel like a princess," she grinned a little, "Just without the tiara and fancy wardrobe."

He laughed a little and smiled down at her, "Good. I'm glad you aren't uncomfortable. I have a question actually… is this your first date? Sorry if it's too personal, you don't have to answer."

Kagome blushed a little but figured she might as well open up to him, "Yeah… it is, actually. I never expected it to be so grand. I never really expected it at all, to be honest with you."

"Why?"

"Well… because of my sister. She always ruined every chance I ever got. If she found out that I liked a guy, she automatically started up some rumor. She would usually breed it by telling the guy I had a crush on first. He would be repulsed, and never look at me twice. Or even make fun of me to my face. I don't have any good friends either, she ruined that too."

"Makes me wonder why I ever started to date her. In a social situation she is a magic worker, she's so good at communicating with people. The sad thing is it's all through lies. She's like a spider, she weaves her web of deception and she can trap whoever she wants in it. She sucks them dry then leaves them for dead."

"Exactly… that's a perfect way to put it. You know, when we were little, we got along wonderfully. Mom and dad would always take us to the park on Sundays after church, and we'd always play on the teeter totter and see who could swing higher. We'd wear the same outfits, we were real twins. Soon as middle school came along though, and she got her first boyfriend, everything changed… everything. She started wearing make-up; she started to dress differently… more revealing. She stopped talking to me, she stopped liking me. We grew apart. People often say that younger siblings don't get along well, and as they grow older maturity comes and they overcome their differences. With us it's the exact opposite, it's like I'm developing mentally and my sister is stuck in sixth grade. Obsessed with boys, obsessed with sex… I wish I could love my sister again, I really do, but I hate her so much for everything that she's done. I can't escape it either, because I live with her every single day. I go to school with her, every day; I ride the bus with her every morning and every afternoon… that is, unless her boyfriend drives her. I'm only glad that I'm not indifferent to her, because even if I hate her it means I still care and see her as my flesh and blood. What hurts the most is; my parents don't seem to care, or notice. Except for today, when I succeeded in my archery tournament this morning, and my mom helped me get ready for the date…"

Inuyasha listened intently, nodding here and there. Everything she was telling him sounded so much like his own childhood, except his brother was older and not his twin. They got along well until middle school, and Sesshomaru joined sports. The football team, suddenly he was the coolest guy ever and Inuyasha was just there. Nothing special anymore, "Kagome I'm sorry. I understand what you mean though, how you feel. My brother and I got along well too, when we were younger. We'd go to the park now and then, only Sesshomaru would take me, not my dad. Not a lot of people know this, but we're actually half brothers. My dad got married to Sesshomaru's mom, but soon they divorced when he met another woman and had an affair. She got pregnant, and had me. They were together until I was about three years old, when she came down with cancer. She had Leukemia, and only survived for about four months. Since then it's just been us men in the family, my dad constantly working… my brother and I were so close, often he was all I had. I'm alone in my family now, because I'm different so-to-say. All I have are my friends, and they're good friends. Miroku, and Sango, I'm sure you know who they are…"

Kagome nodded, and looked up at him. She felt like crying, but now wasn't a good time for that. She knew who Miroku and Sango were, though she'd never really talked to them. They were sort of just there in her eyes.., "Hey Inuyasha, I have a question. Do you remember the diaper-butt rumor?"

"Oh do I," he started laughing, "That was the dumbest rumor your sister ever started. I had a huge crush on her though so I tried to impress her by joining in on it, I'm sorry," he smiled down at her sympathetically.

"Believe it or not, I had a huge crush on you when that rumor started. That's why it started, because my sister found out when she read my diary. She told you first, of course, to ruin it… which it did, but I see you differently now. I guess that was eighth grade after all, and we've grown over the summer. Did you actually believe it was true, though?"

"No, I never really believed any of the rumors your sister told. Half of them didn't even make sense. Since when has padded underwear existed, anyway?" he started laughing lightly.

It was contagious, Kagome couldn't help it. She burst into laughter, only making Inuyasha laugh harder. They didn't stop until the door was slid open and the chef entered, startling both of them. He was a rather simple looking man. He had his black hair pulled tightly back into this tiny little bun, high up on his head. Kind eyes matched a kind smile, and he was even a little chubby slightly inhibiting his movements. They both watched as he pulled open the door that lead to the stairway and squeezed through, causing Inuyasha to snort and cough in attempt to cover a laugh. Kagome elbowed him lightly and he bowed his head, blushing a little in slight embarrassment.

"Konichi-wa, youngins," his voice was cheerful and light, "Welcome to Kabuki's. I will be your chef for tonight. Is there anything in particular that I should know before I begin your meal?"

Kagome nodded, "Wasabi is a little to powerful for my tastes, I only ask that you don't use it."

He nodded, "Not a problem, and you, Inuyasha-san?"

"You know me well," Inuyasha grinned, "I'm pleased to have you again as a chef Kano-san. I have no preferences really, so go ahead."

The chef, apparently named Kano, bowed once more and began to ready his tools and ingredients. This was always Kagome's favorite part, watching how the Sushi was prepared, how the various ingredients were put together… when the seaweed was rolled was the best, she'd tried to do it before but never quite got the hang of it.

"So young lass, what's your name?"

Kagome bowed a little, "My name is Kagome, Kano-san, and it's a pleasure to meet you."

He laughed a little; it flowed from within and made her feel all warm inside. He was obviously a kind and generous man with a beautiful soul, "No need for formalities, youngin," he turned a big smile on her, "I'm a good friend of Inuyasha's here, every time he makes a reservation he's sure to request me as the chef. I know all about him, except he's never brought a lady before. Does Inuyasha have a little crushie-wushie?"

Inuyasha impersonated a tomato and mumbled something rather incoherent, only causing Kano to chortle.

'Well, this will definitely be interesting...'

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BC: Mwah. The date Part 1 is complete. I feel like if I write anymore this chapter is going to be too long to read! I promise there won't be a time lapse though, I'll continue in detail. Thanks for reading up to here, and thanks for reviewing! Just a little note, I'm sorry if the characters seem… out of character. I've decided that in this story I'm going to develop them in my own way, and create them as unique people… except for names, appearances, etcetera. I don't think that there will be demons in this story, only humans, to keep it more realistic in the sense of the modern world.

-Receives a gentle bop on the head by a lawyer-

Oh, I nearly forgot!

Disclaimer: I do not own the original Inuyasha storyline, or any of the characters created by Rumiko Takahashi.

-Is patted on the head- … Meh. Thanks for reading!