Chapter Seven

"You want me to do what?" Kagome exclaimed as she dried her hair. Inuyasha had called just as she was stepping out of the shower.

"It's not that big a deal Kagome," Inuyasha was saying. "It's just dinner."

Kagome took the phone from her ear and stared at it. "It certainly is a big deal, it's dinner with your family. Don't you think it's a little too soon for this?" Kagome asked. "We've only even had one date."

"I know, but things like this move pretty fast in Youkai families. Besides it'll just be Mom and Dad."

"It's still a big deal," Kagome said stubbornly.

"If it helps, don't think of it as dinner with my parents. Think of it as a business dinner with potential donors."

Kagome tossed her towel into the hamper and dropped onto her bed with a huff. "When?" she asked.

"Tomorrow night."

"Tomorrow? That's too short notice," Kagome said immediately.

"Why, it's not like you have to prepare anything."

"I'm a busy person, Inuyasha," Kagome said. "I already have a business dinner scheduled for tomorrow. The Takahashi's aren't the only potential donors that Arisakawa has."

"But I am the only one you've offered to sell your body to, right?"
"Inuyasha!"

"That was a joke," he said quickly. The day after tomorrow is fine too...but," his voiced dropped to a husky whisper "I really wanted to see you tomorrow."

Kagome melted a little inside, "I know. I'm sorry."

"Where and when is this business dinner?"

"Seven o'clock at Chez Carlise."

"Perfect, I'll see you there at six."

"Inuyasha, I can't bring my..." she stopped.

"Say it,"

"What?"

"You were about to call me your boyfriend. Say it."

Kagome rolled her eyes. "I can't bring my boyfriend, to a business dinner. It's unprofessional."

"I didn't say anything about dinner," Inuyasha returned. "I just thought we could have a few drinks at the bar beforehand, or make out in my car. Whichever you prefer."

Kagome laughed, "Fine, Chez Carlise at six. Saturday is fine for dinner with your parents...on one condition."

"What condition?"

"I have lunch with my family on Sundays, you have to come with me."

"You want me to meet your parents?" he sounded surprised and pleased.

"My Mom, Grandpa, and my little brother Souta."

"Alright," Inuyasha said quickly. "Its a deal."

"Good," Kagome said. "I need to go to bed. Goodnight."

"Wait," Inuyasha said, "...what are you wearing?"

"Goodnight, Inuyasha," Kagome repeated.

"Aww, come on Kagome."

"You really want to know?" Kagome asked. He answered the affirmative and she smiled wickedly. "Absolutely nothing." She hung up and climbed into bed smiling and slipped off to sleep quickly.

88

Kagome entered Chez Carlise at six ten and glanced around for Inuyasha. She spotted him at the bar at the same time he saw her. He raised a hand in greeting as she walked over. "You're late," he said when she reached him.

"Sorry," she said kissing him on the cheek and sitting down. "I'll have a club soda," she told the bartender.

Inuyasha sighed, "I guess that means we're not gonna make out in my car." He raised his own glass and shook it at the bartender. "Whiskey, neat."

"My make-up would get messed up."

"Your hair and your clothes too," Inuyasha said. "but trust me, you wouldn't mind." When Kagome only smiled knowingly he sighed again. "You know, the first time I saw you was here."

"Really?"

"Yeah, Mom had set me up with another friend's daughter and we were meeting here. I think you were having a business dinner. You were wearing the same thing you have on now. I couldn't keep my eyes off of you."

"Inuyasha," she blushed and leaned towards him.

"Higurashi-san!" Kagome jerked back and looked up to see the couple she was meeting.

"They're early," Inuyasha growled under his breath.

"Hello," Kagome inclined her head politely. "Thank you for meeting me Takahashi-san," she said to Inuyasha before getting up.

Rolling his eyes discretely Inuyasha rose as well. "Of course, Higurashi-san," he said. "We'll continue our discussion at tomorrow's dinner."

"Yes, of course," she bowed and he bowed in return.

"Was that Takahashi Inuyasha?" he heard the woman ask as they walked away. "Are the Takhashi's donating to Arisakawa as well?" Inuyasha sighed and sat back down to finish his drink.

88

A few hours later when dinner was over Kagome found Inuyasha leaning against her car. "Inuyasha, why are you still here?"

"I was hoping you'd give me a ride home," he said nonchalantly.

"Is something wrong with your car?"

"No, I called a friend to come pick it up."

"Did you have too much to drink?"

"No, I just wanted to spend more time with you."

"Oh," Kagome could say nothing else in the face of such sweet honesty. "Get in then." They rode in a comfortable silence that was only broken when Inuyasha gave her directions. Finally she pulled into the large driveway and stared at his house in amazement. "Wow," she breathed. "just, wow."

"It's home," Inuyasha shrugged. "Do you want to come in?"

"I shouldn't," Kagome said automatically.

"Please," Inuyasha said. "I've never brought a girl here before."

"Really?" Kagome asked surprised. He nodded. "I guess I could come in for a little while." She was rewarded with a large smile. They got out of the car and went into the house. Inuyasha kicked his shoes off in the foyer and Kagome followed suit. "Your home is beautiful," she said peering into the living room.

"It's alright," Inuyasha said. "Mom decorated most of it. Follow me." He lead her back to his sanctuary.

"Wow," Kagome said again. "This room looks just like you."

"This is my sanctuary," Inuyasha said. "I'm scared to touch anything in the other rooms. Do you want a drink?" he asked.

"No, I still have to drive back home."

"You could stay here." Kagome just looked at him. "Fine." He plopped down on the couch. "Come here." Kagome raised one brow, she knew a command when she heard one. But she doubted there was any harm in following this one. She sat down, but not close enough for him. Inuyasha grabbed hold of one arm and leg and pulled her closer until she was flush against him. "That's better." He slipped an arm around her and took a deep breath reveling in her scent. "Kagome," he whispered.

"Hmm?" she looked up and got lost in his eyes. She licked her lips unconsciously. He groaned and covered her mouth with his own. Kagome let her eyes drift shut and shifted even closer.

"Kagome," he murmured against her lips. "You taste so good," he ran his tongue across her lips but ignored the invitation of her parted lips. "I crave you," he said. "Whenever we're apart, I crave your taste and your touch. I crave your lips, and your skin." He trailed his lips over her jaw and down her neck. She jolted when felt his hands warm on the skin of her waist, when had he unbuttoned her shirt? He nuzzled the place where her neck and ran his hands up her sides to her satin covered breasts.

"Inuyasha," she protested breathlessly covering his hands with her own.

"Don't fight me Kagome," he whispered his voice warm and moist against her skin. "I want to touch you, I need to touch you."

She shuddered when he feathered light kisses across her collarbone. "I..we...Inuyasha," she moaned.

"That's right," he said when her hands slid down to his wrists. "Don't think, just—" the phone rang shattering the heated atmosphere. "Ignore it," Inuyasha commanded when she started.

"But—" He kissed her abruptly sliding his tongue into her mouth before she could protest further. The phone continued to ring and the answer machine picked up.

"Inuyasha," Izayoi's voice cheerful and loud came from the answering machine. "I was just calling to see if you'd talked to Kagome about dinner yet. Your Dad is very eager to meet her..." Izayoi rambled on until even Inuyasha couldn't ignore her anymore. He tore his mouth and hands away from Kagome and lunged for the phone.

"Mom," he barked. "It's an answering machine, don't talk like it's a person. Leave a message and hang up."

"So you were home," Izayoi said not phased by his attitude. "Why didn't you answer?"

"I'm busy," he growled through clinched teeth. "Kagome said she'll come to dinner on Saturday. Bye." He hung up before she could say anything else and turned back to Kagome and groaned in disappointment. She'd already buttoned her shirt and was in the process of fixing her mussed hair. "Kagome," he whined.

"I've got to go, I have stuff to do tomorrow." She stood.

"Wait," he grabbed her hand. "I have to tell you something."

"What?"

"My birthday," he said.

"What about it?"

"It's coming up. On Wednesday."

"Wednesday?"

"Yeah," he pulled her closer then down onto his lap. "What are you going to get me?" he asked nuzzling against her.

"Don't start that again," she said leaning away. "Do you have any plans?"

"Not yet."

"You could come to my place; I'll cook you dinner."

"And?" Inuyasha asked hopefully.

"And nothing," Kagome nudged him playfully. "I've really got to go."

"Really?" he asked pressing little kisses over her face. "You have to?"

"Yes, I have to." Holding his face she kissed him one last time then got up. "You don't have to walk me out. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright," he sighed slumping back against the couch. "Bye." He groaned when he heard the door behind her. "Next time I'm unplugging everything," he vowed.

88

The next night Kagome stood in her robe staring at her clothes. She had no idea what to wear. Sighing she picked up the phone and called Inuyasha. "Hey gorgeous," he answered.

"What should I wear, Inuyasha?" Kagome asked.

"How the hell should I know," he replied. "But wear your hair up," he added after a pause.

"Its already up, but why do you care?"

"Because I love your neck," he replied. "I can't help you with the clothes, sorry."

"You said to treat this like a business dinner, maybe I should wear what I usually wear."

"Please do," Inuyasha said immediately. "I love that outfit, every time I see you in it all I want to do is undress you."

"Okay, I'm not wearing that," Kagome decided.

"Actually, I'll want to undress you no matter what you wear."

"You are no help."

"I know, but...what kind of underwear are you wearing?"

"Goodbye, Inuyasha." She hung up and called the person she should have called in the first place, her mother. After an intense discussion with her mother Kagome finally decided on a high waisted light green gauzy dress with a darker green satin underskirt. She tied the attached dark green ribbon into a pretty bow just beneath her breasts slipped into a matching pair of heels. She checked her hair, which was pinned up and curled, one last time then fiddled nervously with her faux-emerald earrings and matching silver and emerald bracelet. Finally, unable to stall any longer she left her apartment to make the drive to Izayoi's home. When she arrived she sat in the car staring at beautiful home where Inuyasha had been raised. She briefly entertained the idea of calling Inuyasha with some excuse and going back home. "Buck up, Kagome," she told herself shaking the idea away. "Since when were you such a coward?" She took a deep breath, checked her make-up and hair one last time then stepped out of the car. She walked up to the door, rang the doorbell, and fiddled nervously with her bracelet as she waited.

The door was opened by a taller elegant version of Inuyasha holding a crystal glass of brandy. "You must be Kagome," he said with a slight smile. "I am—" before he could finish he was shoved out of door by Inuyasha.

"Kagome!" he grabbed her hand and pulled her into the house.

"Inuyasha," she admonished. "That was rude."

"Who cares," he answered. "It's just Sesshomaru. Wow." He stepped back to get a better look at her. "You look amazing. And you wore your hair up." He leaned in to sniff her neck. "You smell delicious," he murmured.

"Ahem," Sesshomaru cleared his voice behind them and Kagome jerked away blushing. "As I was saying, I am Sesshomaru, this idiot's brother."

"Nice to meet you," Kagome said bowing respectfully.

"Bug off," Inuyasha told him.

"When you are done greeting each other, join us in the in the parlor," Sesshomaru said to Kagome ignoring his brother. He inclined his head then walked away.

"Inuyasha," Kagome hissed. "What is your brother doing here? You said it would just be your parents."

"Sess invited himself. What's the big deal, it's just one more person," Inuyasha said shrugging.

"It is a big deal," Kagome insisted. She put her hands up to her cheeks. "I'm so nervous."

"Why?" Inuyasha pulled her into a hug. "We're just a regular family. No one here bites; well, I do, but I promise you'll like it." He nipped her ear.

"Stop, Inuyasha," Kagome put her hands against his chest and pushed, but he didn't budge.

"If you're that nervous, we could just run away," he suggested.

"Inuyasha," Izayoi called from the door to the parlor. "Stop hogging Kagome to yourself. Hello darling," she said to Kagome. "Come in here and have a drink, dinner will be ready soon."

"Last chance to run," Inuyasha whispered releasing her.

"Don't tempt me," she murmured back before walking away from him to Izayoi. The two women greeted each other and Izayoi took her arm and led her into the parlor with Inuyasha trailing after them. She was introduced to Inutashio, a man who looked like a melding of his two sons, with shots of gray running through his silver hair. He greeted her warmly and offered her a drink. She accepted her drink then sat down next to Inuyasha. She tried to participate in the small talk, but it was hard to concentrate with Inuyasha sitting so close to her. Every so often he would lean close and sniff her hair, or trail his fingers over her arm.

"Inuyasha," his father finally barked. "Leave the girl alone. Can't you see your embarrassing her? She's about as red as a tomato." Kagome blushed even redder and Inuyasha just smirked and buried his face in her neck. "That's it, get over here."

"What?" Inuyasha pulled away. "Dad!," he said when he saw the look on his father's face.

"Now."

"I'm not a pup anymore," Inuyasha muttered getting up. He sat down in an arm chair across the room and crossed his arms with a huff.

"Then you should have more self-control," Inutashio replied. "I apologize for my son," he said to Kagome. "I also must apologize for myself. I've looked over the information you gave to my wife. You've done an admirable job, running Arisakawa."

"Thank you," Kagome said bowing her head. "May I take this to mean you'd like to become a regular donor again?"

Inutashio smiled, pleased with her gumption. "We'll discuss that later," he said. "Unless my nose deceives me, dinner is ready." He rose and offered his arm to his wife. Kagome stood as well and was surprised when Sesshomaru offered his arm to her before Inuyasha could cross the room. When she took his arm Inuyasha growled and Sesshomaru smiled as he led Kagome past him. In the dining room Inuyasha shoved him aside before he could seat Kagome, then took the seat next to her. Sesshomaru chuckled and Inuyasha bared a fang at him. "Sesshomaru, stop baiting him."

"Of course, father," Sesshomaru said taking his own seat.

Still growling under his breath Inuyasha placed a possessive hand on Kagome's leg. She quickly covered it with her own and his growls subsided. The dinner, once Kagome's nerves subsided, was fun. Topics ranged all over from work, to friends, to Inuyasha's embarrassing child hood stories. Once they'd finished their after dinner drinks Kagome excused herself from the gathering and Inuyasha walked her out to her car. Outside he pulled her into a hug. "Sorry, if I embarrassed you," he said. "I just can't help myself around you."

"It's okay," Kagome said laying her head on his shoulder. "It's kind of sweet. So, do you think they liked me?"

"Of course. Mom already loved you and Dad was impressed, I could tell. And Sesshomaru is an asshole. You've probably got your donation."

"Thats good."

"Yeah, so what do I get?" Inuyasha asked running his hands down over her hips and back up again.

"I haven't decided yet," Kagome answered. "But for now..." she raised her head and pulled him down for a kiss. "That'll have to hold you. Do you want to ride together tomorrow."

"Sure, I'll pick you up. What time?"

"Eleven is fine." Kagome gave him one last kiss then stepped back. "I should go now." She got into her car.

"Hey, Kagome,"

She rolled down the window, "Yeah?"

"What should I wear?"

Kagome laughed, "I don't know, something casual. I'll see you tomorrow."

"Alright." he leaned down and stuck his head in the window for one last kiss. "Bye."

"Bye." She started the car and drove off and Inuyasha went back inside.

88

"So that was Inuyasha's mate," Inutashio said to Izayoi. He was lounging on their bed watching his wife brush her hair. "I like her."

"And just think," Izayoi said catching his eye in the mirror. "If only you'd had more faith in Arisakawa-san's choice, they may have met all the sooner."

"You've already said that."

"Well, I'm saying it again."

"Do you know if Inuyasha was seeing anyone before he met Kagome?"

"What?" Izayoi put down the brush and turned around. "Why would you ask that?"

"It's something Sesshomaru said to me," Inutashio explained. "He said that when Inuyasha came to him for advice he seemed...I think conflicted is the word Sess used. He thinks that Inuyasha may have been confused about his feelings for Kagome and someone else."

"There's no way," Izayoi said decisively. "I'd have known if Inuyasha was seeing anyone, and you saw him with Kagome tonight. Did he look conflicted?"

"No," Inutashio admitted. "I guess your right."

"Of course darling, I'm always right.


A/N: Just wanted to let you how much I appreciate all of your reviews. Each one brightens my day and each and everyone of you are quite Awesome.

Also is anyone else in the Va/NC area that's being effected by Hurricane Irene? I'm holed up at my Grandmother's in Chesapeake now, since they evacuated my mom and me from home.