The two first weeks of work passed pretty fast for Kagome. She took the habit of going to the Wolf's lair every night after her shift and to talk with Inuyasha while he was refilling the fridges, placing the glasses or wiping the counter and tables, just before the happy hour started.
The first weekend, Kagome spent the Saturday at home, wearing her comfiest pyjamas, singing along her favorite songs while she cleaned her appartment and cooked for the incoming week. She watched a movie and texted with Sango before the latter went to Miroku's place.
Kagome didn't know if they were officially together, but if not it would happen soon enough. Her friend was on cloud nine and she was happy for her.
On the Sunday, she had gone shopping for groceries and other small items she forgot to buy the week before. Sango met her on Sunday night for dinner and they discussed about their week and Sango's love story. Kagome learned things she didn't really want to know about her friend's sexual preferences.
The second weekend she went to visit her parents and came back home with her arms full of homemade food her mom cooked for her.
Then the third week passed as fast as the first one. Today was Friday and she just got off the bus to go to her favorite bar.
She sat on her now usual high stool, watching Inuyasha mixing cocktails for some customers. After serving them, he came in front of Kagome, the counter between them. He rested his crossed arms on the bar, smiling.
"Hey, how was your day?" he asked.
"I finally finished to read the last study that was done about the ratio of yokais per city. I read that you are obligated to declare yourselves to the city council?"
"Huh? Never heard of that. Maybe it's only for pure blood?" he answered.
"Maybe... I'll have to ask my colleagues on Monday. Anyway, I'm exhausted from my week of going through loads of research papers and studies. I would definately need 1 or 10 of your special coffees!" she said, beaming at him.
Inuyasha chuckled. "Told you this stuff is addictive. I will only allow you to drink one, since the last time you took two you didn't fall asleep before the wee hours of the night."
"Aw come on... I can stay up late anyway, it's Friday!"
"Nope." he answered, crossing his arms. "I'll be right back with your ONE and ONLY coffee."
She sticked her tongue out at him and he snorted. She was really glad she had met Inuyasha. They were becoming friends very quickly and everyday she looked forward to meet him at the Wolf's lair. He rarely worked on the weekends, only doing overtime if someone called in sick or on special events.
Inuyasha came back with the coffee. "As a peace treaty, I put double whipped cream and did the coffee stronger."
"Well thank you. I'll accept it this time but don't think you'll always have control over my caffeine intake. How much do I owe you?" she asked.
"Did you say something? I can't hear well with this cap." he joked.
"You know I can pay for it."
"You know I don't give a damn." he retorted defiantly.
"I'm a big girl. I can afford my evening coffees." she added.
"Yeah? Well you can't if I don't give you the bill." he responded, smirking. "Anyway, as an employee here I can have one free drink every two hours. I'm just giving you one of them."
"But it's your drink!"
"Yeah so I can do whatever the hell I want with it. Now shut up and drink it."
Kagome sighed in defeat. "Ok you win. But thanks by the way I really appreciate it." Inuyasha shrugged.
A few customers came to the counter. After serving their drinks, the hanyo went to sit beside Kagome, like he did the last days during his breaks.
Kagome smiled at him. "So... Any plans for the weekend?"
"Hum, no not really. You?" answered Inuyasha.
"I'll probably meet up with Sango at some point in the weekend, if she's available."
"Yeah she'll probably be busy sucking faces with Miroku."
Kagome snorted. "Yup. Did you see him since they are glued together?"
"Not much. But the 2 times I did, the guy had a grin permanently plastered on his face. I've never seen him this smitten for a girl before."
"Same for Sango." Kagome's phone chimed. "Speaking of the devil."
"You can answer her. I have a call to do before my break is over."
Slapping the counter with his hands, he got up and walked outside, retrieving his phone from his back pocket.
When he wasn't in her visual field anymore, Kagome looked back at her phone.
Sango-chan : [Hey girl, anything planned this weekend?]
Me: [Not really. Unless you have free time for your best friend.]
Sango-chan : [Actually, that's why I'm texting you. Me and Miroku have been neglecting our best friends for the past 2 weeks so we thought it would be nice to hangout, the four of us.]
Me: [Yeah, why not. I'm on board.]
"Oi Kagome, I just recieved a text from Miroku. It seems that our friends remembered that we exist." said Inuyasha as he came back inside.
She chuckled. "Yeah that's exactly why Sango is texting me right now. Will you go?"
"Probably. I don't have anything urgent to do this weekend anyway and Miroku bribed me with homemade ramens and a new boardgame."
"You're into boardgames? I didn't think that would be your type of activities."
"Keh! You should know, miss historian, that I'm not just muscles and looks." he retorted, one of his crooked smile adorning his lips. "I have a brain too and maybe a slightly geek side."
Kagome chuckled. "Good to know. I'll text Sango to confirm we're both on board, no pun intended."
Me: [Inuyasha is on board too. Where and when?]
Sango-chan : [Tomorrow 4 pm at Miroku's place. I'll text you his address.]
Me: [Alright! See you soon!]
Sango-chan : [Later.]
"So rendez-vous at Miroku's tomorrow at 4 pm." said Kagome.
"Alright. He lives kind of far from your place. Want a lift?" Inuyasha asked.
"Well... I could take the bus, I don't mind."
"Keh. Nonsense. I'll meet you at your place at 3:30." he decided.
"O-ok, thanks..." responded Kagome her cheeks pink. "Hum Inuyasha?"
"Hm?"
"Would... Would you like to come earlier to my place? Like after lunch or something? Or even for lunch if you want." she asked shyly.
"Sure, why not? Want me to bring anything?"
"No I'm good. I will make my infamous fluffy pancakes." Kagome grinned at him.
"Oooh that sounds good! I'll bring some fruits to eat with it."
"You never take no for an answer, do you?"
"Nope. Except for things that really need consent. I'm not a moronic jerk." he declared.
"Yeah I thought so. Anyway I have to go. Thanks again for the lonely cup of delicious coffee. See you tomorrow!"
She got up and waved at the hanyo.
"Wait Kagome! We never exchanged our numbers. It will be easier if something comes up." said Inuyasha, fetching his cellphone in his pocket. "Here, add your number in my contacts. I'll send you a text so you can save mine."
Kagome took the phone from his hands, their fingers brushing slightly. She saved her contact and gave him back the phone.
Unknown: [Oi.]
"Got your text, I'm saving your number."
Me: [Oi yourself.]
Inuyasha: :P]
"See you tomorrow!" they said at the same time.
_
Kagome was preparing the batter for the pancakes before Inuyasha arrived. She was singing to herself while mixing the ingredients when she was interrupted by her phone chiming.
She wiped her flour covered hands on a towel and grabbed her phone.
Inuyasha: [Favorite fruit?]
Me: [Hi to you too and strawberries. You?]
Inuyasha: [Ha same. So a shit load of strawberries it is. I'll be there in 20 min.]
Me: [Ok!]
No more than 15 min after, Kagome heard a knock on her door. She wiped her sweaty hands on her pants (not that she was nervous, no) and opened the door.
Inuyasha came in, holding a cardboard tray with two cups of Starbucks coffee in one hand and a grocery bag in the other.
The black haired girl took the items from him and placed them on her kitchen table. When she looked back at the hanyo, he was taking off his knitted beanie, freeing his ears, who twitched a few times.
"I almost forgot how those dog ears are cute!"
Kagome suddenly slammed her hand on her mouth.
Inuyasha smirked.
"You didn't mean to say that out loud, did you?"
Blushing, she answered a muffled "No..." from behind her hand.
The hanyo chuckled. "Well thanks." He took a few steps towards Kagome and murmured "Maybe one day I'll let you touch them..."
He than proceeded to grab the coffees from the table and hold out the biggest one to her. Kagome took it, not daring to look at him. Her face was even redder.
"Those are not as good as the ones I do, but I thought you'd appreciate the extra dose of caffeine." Inuyasha said, smiling.
Kagome cleared her throat. "Thanks! I... I do need it actually." Why is it so hot in here? she thought.
Inuyasha looked around. It was a small one bedroom apartment but it seemed cozy. There was still no decorations on the walls since she moved not long ago.
"I'll go cook the pancakes. You can come sit at the kitchen table if you want or stay in the living room and watch tv." said Kagome, placing her coffee on the counter.
"I'll keep you company." answered the hanyo, following her.
He pressed his back against the nearby wall and took a sip of his coffee.
Kagome poured some batter in the heated pan. After a few minutes, she flipped it skilfully with her spatula and a bit later, slid the golden pancake in a plate. She did the same for the next ones.
Inuyasha was sniffing the air and blushed when the woman noticed him.
"Ah sorry... It just smells so good in here, I just couldn't stop myself."
Damn Inuyasha, I know she accepted the fact that you're a half breed but stop acting like a fucking dog! he thought, mad at himself.
Kagome smiled warmly.
"Don't worry about that. Feel free to be yourself with me. You don't have to pretend."
"Thanks. It's... unusual. I've been hiding that side of me for so long... It sometimes even surprises me when my yokai side is showing." he answered while rubbing his nape, slightly embarrassed.
"I don't mind, really. Unless you start to pee on my things to mark your territory." she teased.
"Keh! Even the few times my yokai side took over, it never happened."
"This is something that can happen? I mean, that you unlock the full yokai mode?"
Inuyasha snorted.
"That's a way to put it. But yes it can happen but only if I'm in a situation where I'm on the verge of dying."
Kagome turned around to face him, wide-eyed.
"But don't worry! Last time it happened, it was more than 100 years ago. I had my fair share of enemies back then."
"And... What happens while you're in your yokai form?" she asked.
"I... prefer not to think about it. Let's say I don't have any control at all. It's 100% my instincts that drive me. And... I don't remember what happened when I come back to me. I can only witness the aftermath..." the hanyo answered, looking down at the disposable cup in his hand.
Kagome felt that he was uneasy. She didn't want him to feel that way. She took the 3 steps that were separating them and grabbed his free hand in hers. He lifted his gaze towards her.
"Inuyasha..." she said softly. "I know I can't understand what you've been through these times. But... I believe that everything that happens in our life is for a reason. Maybe it's because it was not your time to die, that you might still have things to do in this life."
His eyes softened, and his frown disappeared. "I... thank you."
Kagome got lost in his golden gaze, still holding his hand. She took a small step, the distance between them now so short, she could feel the warmth radiating from his body.
Suddenly, he looked over her shoulder, sniffing.
"Huh... the pancake is burning."
She dropped his hand and hurried to the stove. The batter in the pan was smoking. She immediately dumped it in the kitchen sink.
"Ah damn it! I think it ruined my pan as well. At least I was able to cook 3 pancakes before..."
"We'll share. I bought enough strawberries and whipped cream to compensate for the sacrificed pancake."
He washed the berries and sliced them. With the 3 pancakes in a plate, he proceeded to cover them in whipped cream, than with strawberries. He poured some maple syrup on top.
"Ta-da! Problem solved."
They sat at the table and shared the plate. Inuyasha took a big bite.
"Hmmm... Oh yeah. Those pancakes are heaven! I'm never eating pancakes anywhere else from now on." he said, eyes closed, after swallowing his mouthful of deliciousness.
Kagome laughed. "That good, huh?"
"Mh-hm, damn yes."
"Just leave some for me though. I worked hard to make these, you know?"
With a crooked smile, the hanyo took a piece of food with his fork and fed it to Kagome, who blushed.
He chuckled. "Here. Better now?"
They continued their small talk while finishing their lunch.
Once they were done, Kagome started to wash the dishes. Inuyasha took a dishtowel and grabbed the plate she just washed.
"Oh it's ok you don't need to-" she objected.
"Keh. I do what I want so shush."he interrupted.
"Fine... Thank you."
It took them 15 minutes to clean everything.
They were now sitting on the couch, playing Mario Kart Wii. It's been a while since the hanyo played videogames and he was getting his ass kicked.
"Damn banana peel!!! What do you want me do do with that? Give me something useful for once!" he yelled.
"First! Oh yeah! Told you I was the best!"
Kagome got up to do a little victory dance.
"I want my revenge! I promise you won't be this smug next race."
"That's what you said before too."
"Feh! You'll see!"
Kagome selected another race and as soon as it started, Inuyasha took the controller from her hands et hid it behind his back.
"Hey!! That's cheating!" shouted the woman.
She pounced on him, trying to grab her controller, to no avail. He didn't budge and tried to continue the race as nothing happened, but it was hard with the wriggling girl on him.
"Arg give it back!! Move, you cheater!"
Inuyasha was laughing at her antics.
"Over my dead body."
She's a fierce one, I like that. he thought. After a few minutes of letting her fight, he dropped his controller on the couch and grabbed the squirming woman by the waist and pushed her back against the couch cushion, his body now hovering over hers.
"I'm way too strong for you. You should know that already." he said, a kind of predatory look in his eyes.
Without a word, Kagome grabbed his hair and gently yanked his head towards hers and kissed him.
The hanyo responded to her kiss, and it soon became heated, their tongues fighting for dominance. She was dizzy and he felt like his whole body was on fire. She was now completely laying on the couch, his body against hers.
Inuyasha was careful not to crush her under his weight, while he explored her neck and jaw with his mouth, drawing gasps from her. She soon did the same, making him growl.
They continued to kiss passionately, her hands exploring his firm chest and back. The music of the long forgotten game was playing in background, but neither paid attention to it.
After a few minutes, they slowed down and then they both chuckled, looking at each other.
"Who won?" He asked, his voice slightly raspy.
"I'd say it's a tie." she answered while playing with his hair.
Soon after they left the appartment to go meet their friends . Kagome couldn't stop looking at him throughout the car ride to Miroku's place.
After parking in the street near his friend's place, Inuyasha caressed Kagome's cheek, looking into her eyes. He slowly slid his hand down her face and lifted her chin with his finger. He kissed her softly, slowly, before getting out of the car.
On the street, he caught her hand in his, grinning. "Let's go."