Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha

Chapter Ten

Kagome was feeling slightly frantic and exceedingly nervous. Her room was currently in shambles and it reflected upon her mental state perfectly. It was an hour until Sesshomaru would be here to pick her up and she was currently in her bathrobe. She was having an "I-hate-everything-I-own-and-it-all-looks-horrible-on-me-anyway" kind of day. She pulled out another dress, held it against herself then, with a shake of her head, threw it on the ever growing pile on her bed.

She began to rifle through the clothes in her closet, shoving rejects into its far side. She had just about reached the back of the closet when she stopped. She stared at the dress that had caught her attention then pulled it out with a slightly sad smile on her face. She decided in favor of the dress and proceeded to get dressed, do her hair, etc. She checked her reflection in the mirror after she had finished. This dress was the dress she had worn on her six month anniversary with Inuyasha. She had put it in the back of the closet when they had broken up but she was willing to wear it now, to embark on what she hoped would be a new beginning.

A knock came at her door and she hurried to answer it. She took a deep breath willing her new found nervousness to disappear. She opened the door and immediately had to struggle again to unstick her tongue. Sesshomaru looked…gorgeous. He wore black dress slacks and a crisp black dress shirt, a thin black belt, and a black silk tie. She didn't know how but his very skin seemed to glow. His golden eyes were like molten precious metal. The light was racing up his silver hair and his clothing emphasized the width of his shoulders, the narrowness of his waist, and the long lean nature of his figure. Managing to smile, she greeted him.

Sesshomaru pulled up to the address Kagome had given to him over the phone. The building was clean, smaller, and with well tended grass and flowers but Sesshomaru's critical eye could see that the building had seen better days, evident in some crumbling brick and faded paint. He locked his car and walked up to Kagome's apartment. He knocked on her door and she promptly answered it.

'Good. She can be punctual.'

However, once he caught full sight of her, all rational thought was briefly taken from his mind. Kagome was absolutely stunning. She wore a pure white dress with wide sleeveless straps, formfitting but not overly tight bodice and a skirt with a slight flare that came to mid calve. The dress served to accentuate her light slender figure. She had curled her long black hair and pulled the sides back, exposing her face. She wore no visible makeup. Her very skin seemed to glow and shimmer and the black of her hair as well as the blue of her eyes was emphasized.

Kagome smiled.

"Hi."

"Hello. Are you ready?"

"Yes."

And she wrapped a black shawl about her shoulders and locked her door. Sesshomaru lead her down the stairs and to his car. He opened the passenger door.

"Thank you," Kagome said sliding in.

Sesshomaru drove rather fast but not recklessly and they soon pulled in front of a restaurant. Kagome looked with slight apprehension at the front of it. She didn't eat out much and this place was really nice looking. Sesshomaru sensed her nervousness and not wanting her to feel uncomfortable, felt he should speak.

"Is this all right? We can go elsewhere if you prefer."

"No. this is fine. I just don't eat out much."

Sesshomaru thought for a moment. She really did look uncomfortable and after all this was only the first date, there could be other opportunities to go somewhere like this.

"I have an idea. Come." And he re-opened the passenger door. Kagome was curious but complied without question.

Sesshomaru drove for a while then pulled into a parking lot. The walked around to the street and Kagome saw with surprise that they had come to a simple beef bowl place. Sesshomaru opened the door and the two of them walked inside. The place was small but very clean and entirely un-intimidating. Sesshomaru looked at Kagome and raised an eyebrow in question.

"Yes. Thank you very much. This place is very nice," Kagome smiled.

Sesshomaru nodded and they ordered food and sat down at a small table. Kagome blushed when Sesshomaru even pulled her chair out for her. She was not used to this gentlemanlike behavior. The closest experience she'd ever had was someone shouting "Ladies first!" when it came time to pay the bill.

They talked as they ate though it must be admitted that Kagome talked a great deal more than Sesshomaru. Kagome wasn't deflated by his comparative silence however for it was evident that his lack of words came from reserve (they didn't know each other terribly well after all) rather than hostility or lack of interest. Kagome was confident in this for his responses showed he was listening and he asked questions of his own and initiated conversation on certain topics. Kagome even saw certain warmth enter his eyes at some points and she marveled at the (positive) transformation it brought to his face. She began to suspect that this was his rather reserved version of a smile and she longed to see it and tried to bring it out of him and though she couldn't know it, she was the most successful person, ever, in making him smile.

They finished eating and Sesshomaru looked at Kagome for a moment before suggesting they take a walk along Main Street. Kagome agreed. They didn't speak quite as much as they were walking but the silence was far from awkward. They walked slowly down the street pausing outside certain stores and speaking occasionally. Suddenly Kagome stopped and Sesshomaru looked first at her then at the door they'd paused by. He couldn't tell what it could be. The windows had been painted black and the black glass doors held no name or indication of the type of business it was. He raised in eyebrow in question.

"Can we go in here?" Kagome asked. "Do you mind?"

Sesshomaru, though he didn't voice his curiosity, nodded in assent. From her tone, he assumed she knew what it was. He held the door and followed her in.

It was a darkened, surprisingly large, square room. The floor was rough and dirty. It was an art exhibit of sorts. There were a number of paintings hung upon the walls and several sculptures placed in the middle of the floor. The only light came from several which were trained upon the art. Sesshomaru looked at Kagome who had immediately gone up to the first piece, now observing it intently. For whatever reason, he would not have pegged her for someone who held any interest in art. However, with this kind of hole in the wall, one must have a certain amount of interest to even find it.

Sesshomaru wandered around himself, looking at the art. None were names he recognized but there was a good deal of talent and heart in this room. They left after an hour and Kagome broke the silence that had remained unbroken since they'd entered the establishment.

"Sorry if we were there too long. There was just so much to see."

"It's fine. It was enjoyable."

Kagome felt surprised. "I'm glad you liked it. I try and go once a month."

They walked for awhile longer before calling it quits. Sesshomaru drove Kagome home. They pulled up in front of her apartment. Sesshomaru opened the passenger door and walked Kagome up. Kagome had protested that he need not go to the trouble but Sesshomaru insisted because of the lateness of the hour.

Kagome unlocked her door feeling nervous, was he going to try anything? Did he expect anything? That would be a definite strike out for a future relationship. She did not do that. And she couldn't respect a guy who moved that fast as well. However, once Kagome had pushed open her door Sesshomaru simply inclined his head towards her.

"Goodnight. I hope you enjoyed the evening."

"I did. Thank you. Goodnight."

And he left. Kagome went inside, dropped her things, and flopped onto the couch. Belatedly, as she reflected on what had transpired over the evening, she laughed slightly and smiled in a giddy way. It had been an enjoyable date. She couldn't remember anyone ever being so decorous. She changed into her pajamas and climbed into bed where she soon fell asleep.

R & R please!