It was already 11:00 a.m. when Kagome woke up the next morning.

"Ah damn! I forgot to set up my alarm last night. Half the day's already gone and there's so much to do!" she sighed.

She got out of her bed and headed for her kitchen. She definitely needed a coffee. A strong one. Oversleeping had the same effect on her than not sleeping enough.

She opened three cupboard doors before finding her mugs. She had yet to get used to where her things were in her new appartment.

Settling down a few minutes later on her couch with her liquid life supply, she checked her phone.

"Hm. No news from Sango yet. Either she had a great night, either she's dead."

Kagome decided to send her a quick text, just to make sure she was ok, even if she was still mad at her for the little stunt she pulled last night.

Me: [Hey, still alive?]

Ten minutes passed before she got a reply.

Sango-chan : [Hey bestie! Had a great night? ]

Me: [If being dumped by your "friend" as soon as we arrived where I didn't really want to go in the first place is considered having a good night, then yes.]

Sango-chan : [Aww I'm so sorry Kagome, I swear I intended to have a girl's night out... It's just... You know?]

Kagome rolled her eyes and took a long sip of her heavenly beverage before texting back.

Me: [Yeah yeah. If you were a guy I would tell you that you were thinking with your dick!]

Sango-chan : [Ok ok. I definitely thought with my hypothetical dick... Though I don't regret it one bit... Except abandoning you of course!]

Me: [Of course.]

Sango-chan : [But, I saw you speaking with the cute bartender. Did you get his number? ;)]

Kagome almost choked on her sip.

Me: [What? No. I just ordered a drink. That's all. And besides, I'm not like you, miss.]

Sango-chan : [Ha. Ha. You're just jealous.]

Me: [What? No! Anyway, I don't do one-night stands.]

Sango-chan : [Well...Me neither.]

Me: [Oh yeah? What about last night?]

Sango-chan : [I didn't have to do the walk of shame this morning. Aaaand I'm going back to the bar with him tonight. Want to tag along?]

Me: [So I can be the third wheel or be abandoned again? Sounds fun.]

Sango-chan : [Ah come on Kagome. I'm sorry ok? I just want you to meet him.]

Me: [Anyway I start working tomorrow morning, so I'll pass.]

Sango-chan : [Even if it's during happy hour? Pleaseee?]

Kagome sighed and ruffled her dark hair.

Geez Sango... Ah and what the hell... she thought, before texting back.

Me: [Only if you pay me lunch and come with me shopping this afternoon for the stuff I still need.]

Sango-chan : [Deal! I'll be at your place in an hour.]

Kagome and Sango were at the mall, looking for a toaster and a broom, amongst other things.

"So..." started Kagome. "This Miroku guy huh?"

"I thought you would never ask!" said Sango, grinning. "Yesterday was a-ma-zing... I... I never thought a guy would make me feel that way. And he's handsome, nice and he knows what he's doing, if you know what I mean". She winked at her friend, blushing.

"I understand, but don't get ahead of yourself Sango. Inuyasha told me that Miroku's a real womanizer." said Kagome while picking up some cleaning supplies.

"Inuyasha, huh?" answered the brunette, lifting a single eyebrow.

"Yeah, the bartender. He's his friend."

They walked to the isle where she could find the curtains she needed for her living room large window. She didn't want the outside world to see when she was walking around her appartment only in her panties and bra.

Sango hesitated, then responded.

"I know... But don't worry. We spoke for three hours this morning. He told me that he's kind of... That he really likes women."

"That's a light way to put it but ok, continue."

"He said that honesty and loyalty are very important values for him. But since he's single, he likes to hum... gather nectar from different flowers."

Kagome chuckled. "What is he, a bumble bee?"

"Ha. Ha. But he said that... normally he never lets anyone spend the full night or he never stays till morning. But this time, he did... He said it's because he felt a strong connection between us. I never felt as good with anybody... And he really wants to see me again."

"As far as we know, he could say that to every woman he sleeps with." commented Kagome, a skeptical look on her face.

Sango shrugged. "I don't think so. I... I don't know why really but I feel that I can trust him."

Kagome turned to face her friend and sighed. Sango's cheeks were still a light shade of pink and her eyes were almost shining. She had it bad.

"I just... Be careful ok? I don't want you to be disappointed or hurt. I know you have been searching for that special someone forever. But it's too fast to tell if something will come out of this." said the black haired girl, concern evident in her eyes.

"I know... Say... do you believe in soulmates?"

"Yes of course! I'm sure everyone has his or her other half somewhere out there. You think Miroku could be..."

"I don't know! It's probably just wishful thinking but... I'd like to believe it."

Kagome hugged her friend and smiled. "I know."

It was 6:30 pm when Sango and Kagome arrived at the "Wolf's lair"

The bouncer let them in and they looked around to find a place to sit. It was not very busy at this time on a week day. At the back of the bar, Miroku was waiting at a table, an empty beer bottle in front of him. As soon as he saw the girls, he waved and walked towards them.

"Sango! My beautiful Sango, I missed you." He said, taking her hands in his for a few seconds. "And you must be Kagome! Nice to meet you!"

"Thanks, nice to meet you too, Miroku." answered Kagome, smiling.

Miroku smiled in return, before grabbing Sango's hand, leading the girls to the table he reserved earlier.

They sat down, Kagome in front of the couple. "I hope I'm not bothering you Miroku... I won't stay that long and Sango wanted me to come."

"Of course not!" he exclaimed, smiling. He looked around and then waved at his friend. "Hey Inuyasha! Can you come here?"

The man strode towards them, a round service tray tucked under his left elbow. He was wearing a red rock band t-shirt and black jeans, ripped at the knees. On his head was a black cap that he wore turned around. His long silvery white hair were tied loosely.

"Oi Miroku! You're starting a harem now?" said Inuyasha with a crooked smile.

Kagome blushed, even though she didn't have a reason to.

"Inuyasha you dumbass. I just want to pay a drink to these ladies here, as an apology for stealing Sango from her friend yesterday." answered Miroku, his deep purple eyes locking on Sango's brown orbs. She blushed somewhat intensely and Kagome rolled her eyes.

"Fine. I have exactly what you need: the "my friend abandoned me to hook up" drink, right Kagome?" Inuyasha said, grinning at her.

Sango glared at her best friend who ignored her.

"You know I was joking, right?" Kagome asked.

"Well duh, but I found the idea fucking hilarious. I talked to the owner, Koga, and he let me create a new drink. Wanna try?" Inuyasha answered smiling.

"Hum..."

Miroku chimed in. "Why not! Bring us one each. We'll be the judges of your alcohol mixing talent."

"Heh. Alright I'll be right back with your drinks." Inuyasha said before turning around to head to the bar counter.

Fifteen minutes later, Inuyasha returned with 3 highball glasses filled with an opaque caramel color liquid and ice.

"Oh wow it smells good!" noted Miroku.

"And it's sweet but not too much. And creamy. And delicious" added Kagome. "What's in it?"

"Secret recipe. And if I told you I would have to make you disappear..." answered Inuyasha in a serious tone, followed by one of his crooked smile.

"Yeah right." said Sango. "But it's very good though, even if the name is horrible."

"Heh. That was Kagome's idea. I'm only responsible for the taste." Inuyasha answered, looking at Kagome who glared back at him.

After Miroku paid for the drinks, Inuyasha returned behind the counter to attend to other clients.

The trio had been chatting for about two hour when Kagome announced she was heading back home, since she wanted to get up early for work. She hugged Sango and waved at Miroku. She wanted to say goodbye to Inuyasha but he was nowhere to be seen. She shrugged and stepped outside, walking in the direction of her appartment.

She had only crossed the street when she heard someone calling her.

"Oi Kagome!"

She turned around and saw Inuyasha walking in her direction.

"Oh hey Inuyasha! Where are you going?"

"Just finished my shift. I'm walking back home."

"Oh ok! I'm heading back home too. I have to get up early to start my new job tomorrow."

"Cool. It seems we are going in the same direction. I can walk with you if you want."

"Hum sure. Do you live near here?" the black haired girl asked.

"Yeah. I have to walk for 20 minutes or so."

They walked side by side in silence. Kagome had to increase her pace to keep up with his long strides. She glanced briefly at the man beside her and caught him looking at her.

"What?" said the woman.

"Nothing. I was just trying to guess what kind of work you'll do." he answered.

"Wanna guess? You have three chances. I'm pretty sure you won't be able to find my field of work."

"Keh. We'll see." He thought for a few seconds. "Kindergarten teacher?"

"Nope."

"Employee in a store of some kind?"

"Neither. One last chance mister bartender."

"Stripper in a bar?" he tried, smirking.

She stopped walking and turned towards him, fists on her hips. "What? No! Of course not!"

Inuyasha chuckled. "What? Nothing's wrong about that field of work."

"No, but it's really far from what I majored in! I have a master's degree in Japanese history and I'll be working at the new research faculty that opened 5 years ago. I'll be working with the team responsible for the studies about the evolution of the yokai population for the past 500 years."

"Damn ok. I didn't even know something like that existed. Yokais huh?" he answered, surprised.

They resumed their walk.

"Yup. You probably know more than anyone else that we almost don't see pure blood yokais nowadays. And that the yokai's traits that are still present amongst humans are mostly really subtle. You have to know what to look for." Kagome stated, meeting Inuyasha's gaze with a knowing look.

"And I must say, your traits are pretty apparent, Inuyasha. We don't see that everyday." she added.

"Busted. Not my fault if I look a lot like my father." he answered, looking at her.

"I'd guess your dad is either pure blood, or at least half blood."

"Was. And yeah pure blood."

Kagome's eyes lit up and she smiled, getting excited.

"Woah, so you ARE a first generation hanyo! That's amazing!"

"Keh. No it's not. It made most of my life a living hell. You know, being neither Yokai nor human. I don't really fit in." he answered, looking away.

"Oh god I'm so sorry! I didn't mean to... I didn't want to assume that-"

"Nah that's ok, don't worry." he cut her. "It's not everyday you can see an amazing specimen like me."

Kagome chuckled lightly.

"I must agree on this. Your hair and eyes color, fangs, claw-like nails... That's a lot of traits on the same person."

"And ears." added Inuyasha.

"What ears?" Kagome asked, stopping in front of her appartment building.

Inuyasha took his cap off. On his head sat a pair of pointy fluffy dog ears, the same color as his hair. One of them turned slightly towards the sound of a car passing by.

"OH MY GOD! That's the cutest thing I've ever seen!" squealed the girl.

Inuyasha blushed slightly. "Keh whatever. Anyway I hide them because it's easier to blend in. My other Yokai traits can pass easily as bleached and dyed hair, contact lenses or body modifications. But those..." He pointed at his ears. "They're harder to explain."

"I'm sorry you have to hide them... But they're a part of who you are. One of the objectives of the reaserch I'll be working on is to show the population that having yokai blood isn't a bad thing, and people who have special abilities because of their origins have the potential to occupy a bigger role in our society if they wish to."

Inuyasha snorted. "Good luck with that. Humans never liked yokais and never wanted us to exist."

"Well me, I'm glad that your kind exist. I know there was a majority who caused havoc during the feudal era. But there's also those, like your family I guess, who wanted or still want to live peacefully with humans. And I'd wish that could become possible. That's one of the reasons why I accepted this job."

"Hm. That's wishful thinking honestly." answered Inuyasha, putting his cap back on. "Anyway I gotta go."

"Yes me too. I really want to go to bed early. Thanks for the walk and chat, Inuyasha."

Kagome waved at him before going through the main entrance of her appartment building. She climbed the stairs to the second floor and unlocked her appartment door.

After a long hot shower (it's a bummer there was no bath in the appartment), she went to bed, thinking about the comments Inuyasha had made regarding howit was hard for descendants of yokais to blend in with humans.

Maybe it was wishful thinking, but I believe it's worth it to try, at least. she thought, while slumber slowly took over.