It was 8:15 pm and Inuyasha was done working for the day. He was getting his coat and keys from the employee's room when he bumped into his boss.

"Ah just the dog I wanted to see! I need you to do overtime tonight. Just in case it gets crazier by midnight. We're short staffed."

"Hm. No, I can't tonight." the hanyo answered.

"How come?"

"It's personal." replied Inuyasha, crossing his arms in a defensive posture.

"Personal huh? It can't wait?" Koga asked.

"No. Not tonight. I'm leaving now."

Inuyasha left the employee's room and saw that Kagome was waiting, standing by the counter. He joined her and she beamed at him.

"Hey Inuyasha!"

"Hey. Let's go, I'm starving." he replied.

"Oh I see now why you're not available for overtime. You have a date" said a black haired man behind the hanyo.

Inuyasha turned around to face his boss. "Koga" he almost growled. "It's none of your business."

Kagome was blushing at the mention of a date. Was it? No, of course not. Right? she thought.

Koga ignored Inuyasha and approached the woman. "Hi beautiful, my name's Koga. I'm the owner of this place."

He took a step towards Kagome, standing a mere 50 cm in front of her. He was tall, his eyes were blue and his long black hair were tied in a ponytail. He was wearing dark jeans and a black leather jacket.

He almost whispered, but loud enough for Inuyasha to hear him. "Careful with this one. He might bite. But I don't." he said as he side-eyed the hanyo, smirking.

Inuyasha swiftly moved by Kagome's side and putting gently a hand on her back, guided her to the exit. He then glared at Koga when he heard him laughing.

Once outside, he let go of Kagome who was surprised to be missing the heat of his hand on her.

"That damn wolf." Inuyasha grumbled. "He likes to put his nose in everyone's life! What's his problem?"

Kagome looked at him. He seemed mad, distant. She took one step closer and put her hand on his forearm. "Hey it's ok. You don't need to get all worked up because of that."

Inuyasha looked back at her. Her cheeks were pink and she was smiling softly. Her eyes were kind, soft. I feel this woman has something special... And she's so damn cute. the hanyo thought.

He looked away and cleared his throat. "Let's go."

They walked a few blocks in silence, just listening to the sounds of the city.

"Inuyasha?... Why are you working at the Wolf's lair if you don't like your boss?" Kagome tentatively asked.

"Meh. I just love bartending. And the pay's good, with the tips, especially from the women." The hanyo winked at her before continuing. "Koga's annoying but he understands the struggle." he answered.

"The struggle?" she replied, intrigued.

"He doesn't look like it but he's a yokai."

"Oh... Oh! I see. You've known him for a long time?"

"Hum... Maybe 200-250 years?" he shrugged.

"It's mind blowing to me that you can know someone for centuries!" she exclaimed.

"If you say so."

A few minutes later they arrived at Inuyasha's place.

"You own a house?" Kagome asked, surprised, as they got in.

"Yeah. It's no big deal."

"You're telling that to someone who just got her first appartment less than a week ago."

"Right. But I'm really old, as you said earlier." he answered with a crooked smile.

Kagome blushed. "I-I'm sorry I didn't want to insult you."

"You didn't."

Kagome followed the hanyo in the living room. They sat on the couch and Inuyasha ordered the pizza on his phone app.

The room was equipped with a 2 places sofa, a small wooden coffee table, a big television with a sound system and beside it, a huge collection of DVDs were stored in a large wooden bookcase. Two paintings were hung on the opposite wall.

The hanyo got up, and heading to what she guessed was the kitchen, he asked: "Want something to drink while we wait? I have beer, white wine, pop, water..."

"White wine would be nice."

He came back with a glass of wine for her and a beer for him.

"So... Inuyasha. Do you still have family alive? I'm just curious." asked Kagome.

"Only my half brother, who's a pure blood yokai."

"Do you see each other often?"

"Keh! As if I'd want anything to do with that bastard. Besides, he lives in another country and I'm glad he does." the hanyo exclaimed, frowning.

Kagome took a sip of her wine. Inuyasha cleared his throat. "Anyway. My turn now. I answered your questions, so I got to ask you some as well."

"Huh-uh. But my life is probably not as interesting as yours." she retorted, shrugging.

The front door bell rang. Inuyasha got to the entrance and came back with the pizza. He placed the box on the coffee table and opened it. "Let's dig in!" he exclaimed, grinning.

Grabbing a slice, he took a bite and sighed of satisfaction. Kagome chuckled and took a slice as well. She liked that everything was so casual. It was refreshing after having to put up with the luxury tastes of her ex.

Stop Kagome. she thought. This is not a date. Though... I wouldn't mind if it was... He's so handsome and, that's silly but I feel kind of a connection to him. As if I'm drawn to him...

"Kagome? Is something wrong?" the hanyo asked.

"W-What? No. Everything is fine!" she answered, a bit startled.

"You sure? You were lost in your thoughts, holding your pizza. Maybe you want a plate or something?"

"No no it's fine! Just thinking about stuff."

After finishing their first slice, Inuyasha turned towards Kagome. "How old are you?"

"Heh?...Oh right, your turn to ask me questions. I'm 25." she answered.

"Why did you decide to work in that field? What's so interesting in researching the yokai's history?" the hanyo asked.

Kagome's eyes lit up as she answered.

"That's an easy question! My family is the guardian of a 500 years old shrine. My grandfather used to tell me legends about yokais so I grew up surrounded with these stories. When I was in my teens I became a bit obsessed and searched a lot about that. Then at the university I studied to become an historian. I'm fascinated by all this other "world" of powerful creatures. Especially by the ones who developed a human like appearance and were, well still are, as intelligent or even more then us."

"I get now why you were thrilled when you noticed that I'm a hanyo. It was the first time you saw someone like me?" he asked with a crooked smile.

"Knowingly and in person, yes." She smiled back at him.

What a strange woman. Most would just run away knowing yokais are still out there...he thought.

"Next question?" she asked.

"Ok. Do you have a boyfriend?"

Kagome blushed. "Hum no... I...I broke up with my ex 5 months ago."

"Good, I just wanted to make sure there won't be a jealous guy who would want to fight me because I spend time with you. He wouldn't win anyway."

Inuyasha winked and the black haired girl was blushing even more. "Why did you break up?"

"Because he's a fucking bastard who cheated on me multiple times, and it took three years before the truth came out." answered Kagome, frowning.

"That guy's a real jerk."

"Yes! And he's so full of himself! I don't know why I dated him for four years! Just to think that all this time he was seeing all these women and he..." she choked on her words.

Tears started rolling down on her cheeks. The hanyo felt his anger rising. He understood her pain, in a way, having been betrayed by a lot of people in his life. If I ever cross path with this asshole, I'll punch him for hurting Kagome! Huh? Where did that come from? he thought.

Inuyasha didn't know what got into him, but he knew he couldn't stand to see a girl hurting. He scooted closer to her and putting an arm around her shoulders, he pulled her close to him. She stiffened at first, but soon relaxed and put her head on his shoulder. They stayed like this for a few minutes, and when her tears subsided, Kagome lifted her head to look at the man beside her. "Thank you" she breathed.

Inuyasha got caught up in her gaze. Seeing her eyes red from crying and her cheeks flushed with the remaining traces of tears on them, he felt a tightness in his chest. He suddenly felt a strong need to protect her.

He turned slightly his body towards Kagome, his left arm still around her shoulders. With a knuckle from his right hand, he softly and carefully wiped the wetness on her cheeks.

"I wouldn't hurt you like he did."

Kagome drew a breath. Her eyes were locked in his golden ones. On their own accord, they glanced briefly at his lips and back to his eyes. Her heart was racing and her brain was fogged.

The hanyo release a breath he didn't know he was holding.

What is wrong with me?! I barely know her! he thought. But... she's addictive and I...

The magic moment was broken when Kagome's phone started ringing. They both jumped back a little, now looking away.

"Huh... Sorry I have to..." she started.

Inuyasha cleared his throat. "Yeah no problem you can check your phone."

Kagome got up and went to get her phone from her purse she let at the entrance, near her shoes.

"Ah it's Sango. I'll call her back later."

She noticed that it was already 10 pm.

"Oh shit I'm working tomorrow morning! I'm sorry Inuyasha, I have to go."

The hanyo joined her in a few steps. "I can't let you walk back home alone. It's late."

"No it's alright, I can go by myself."

"Keh. It wasn't a suggestion. I'm walking you back."

"O-ok..."

While they were walking, their knuckles brushed slightly and Kagome couldn't stop herself from taking his hand in hers. He didn't pull away, instead he intertwined his fingers with hers, always keeping his gaze forward.

They arrived shortly after in front of her appartment building. The black haired girl slipped her hand out of his grasp and gave him a hug, before heading for the door.

"Thank you for tonight. And good night!" she said softly.

"Night."

I'm in deep shit... though Inuyasha. Damn what is happening to me?!

It was already 11:30 pm and Kagome was tossing and turning in her bed, unable to fall asleep. She checked her phone and saw that Sango was still online, so she texted her.

Me: [Hey, you still awake?]

Sango-chan : [Hey, yes but why are you still up? It's late. And how was your first day at work?]

Me: [I know "mom". I couldn't sleep. I had a nice day. I think l'll really like it there. I saw you called earlier?]

Sango-chan : [Yeah. I couldn't sleep either...]

Me: [How come?]

The three little dots appeared and disappeared several times, showing that her friend was writing and erasing her message a few times.

Sango-chan : [How do you know you're in love?]

Me: [Honnestly? I'm not sure myself... You're falling hard for Miroku, huh?]

Sango-chan : [I think so... But this is real life! Not a fucking fairy tale where the princess falls in love in 2 minutes and they live happily ever after with 12 kids!! What's wrong with me Kagome?? You know I'm not the type of girl who falls for the first guy around!]

Me: [Maybe he placed a spell on you.]

Sango-chan : [I'm serious Kagome.]

Me: [I know. If it can make you feel better, I'm kind of... falling under a spell myself?]

Sango-chan : [Oh! Is it the cute bartender?]

Me: [Inuyasha. Yeah it's him.]

Sango-chan : [Did something happened? I want details!]

Kagome rolled her eyes. Sango always wants to know every details when it comes to my love life. she thought.

Me: [No nothing of what you're thinking. It's just... I went to the Wolf's lair after work and it was almost empty so we talked. Later I went to his place for dinner. I kind of feel drawn to him. Like a magnet...]

Sango-chan : [Wait. You went to HIS place and you had dinner. And you're still awake because of that. And you didn't pick up when I called? Are you sure you're telling me everything, hm?]

Me: [Actually... If you hadn't called, I might have... kissed him?]

Kagome blushed.

Sango-chan : [What??? Oh shit I'm so sorry!]

Me: [It's ok don't worry. Like I said, I was feeling like I was under a spell. But what about you? Did something happen? Well, more than what I already know.]

Sango-chan : [Well... I might have just came back home 3 hours ago. And we might have had... sex like 4 times since last night?]

Me: [Oh! Alright. Have you done anything else than exploring each other's body?]

Sango-chan : [Of course! We talked a lot, he cooked, we cuddled, we watched a movie... Well tried to. I have no idea how it ends.]

Me: [Geez I didn't know you were that wild Sango.]

Sango-chan : [Ha. Ha. Me neither... But it's so weird it's like I've known him for years! And so far, he has everything I always wanted in a man. He's affectionate, attentive, intelligent, handsome, has a steady job, we have a lot of things in common... and he's a fucking God in bed. Last one is a bonus.]

Me: [I think that you should just follow your guts (mostly your heart, not your lady bits) and see where it goes. If it works out in the end, than that's amazing! But if it doesn't, at least you had fun.]

Sango-chan : [Yeah I think you're right... And you should do the same. Although, you should definately follow more your lady bits. *wink]

Me: [Sango!!!]

Sango-chan : [Anyway, I'm getting sleepy so talk to you tomorrow!]

Me: [Yeah I should sleep too if I want to keep up at work. Later!]

Soon after, Kagome was sleeping soundly.