'Kagome? It couldn't be the same… could it?'

Sesshoumaru's eyes widened slightly and he felt himself begin to feel lightheaded. He realized he was holding his breath, and he let it out as he looked down at the table. When he looked up he saw the tables occupants staring at him, wondering what was wrong. He looked over at Kagome who was giving him a worried look.

'All I have to do is hear her speak, I didn't really listen the first time.'

He chanted 'speak' over and over again in his mind before he was finally granted his wish.

"Sir are you alright?"

Sesshoumaru held his breath again.

'Whippoorwills she sounds like a whippoorwill… it's her! Damnit! Why did this have to happen to me? Why did she have to be beautiful?'

Kagome tilted her head to the side and peered at him. Who was this guy? Something seemed wrong with him, but she knew she shouldn't bother him about it. Besides he seemed to be thinking. Gods was he gorgeous though.

'Do not think of him. If you do, you'll like him. You can't take that right now.'

Kagome shook the thoughts away and stared at the table's occupants. Sango and Miroku were looking at each other smiling at an untold joke.

'I knew she liked him…'

Kagome smiled slightly at the blush that appeared on Sango's face when Miroku whispered in her ear. She turned to look at Sesshoumaru who was staring at her with clouded over golden eyes.

'Clouded over with what?'

It wasn't lust, confusion, she didn't know. It was strange, she knew the feeling, but couldn't place her finger on it. And damnit if that didn't get on her nerves. Oh how little she felt she knew. Sesshoumaru… what a name!

'Who'd name their kid that? Why?'

She smirked to herself. Killer of the circle of life. Miroku set her up with a guy whose name just meant to kill.

'Well… this doesn't really count as a date. We've barely spoken to each other.'

She looked at Sesshoumaru, who was trying his hardest to look approachable. Kagome guessed, to herself of course, that this guy wasn't used to being around people very much. That thought alone made her feel slightly guilty for thinking those rude thoughts earlier.

'He can't help his name. And… that name is pretty freaking cool!'

She smiled slightly at this strange man. This strange captivating man that was sitting like two feet from her. She silently thanked Miroku. This 'date' actually seemed, comfortable? Don't ask her how, in this very awkward moment, Kagome found comfort in just being near this man. This very standoffish looking man. He watched as he took a sip of his wine. She felt lightheaded. Everything was a blur, in that one moment. Watching this god-like creature do something as human as drinking was… indescribable. All these jumbled up emotions fighting each other for dominance inside of her was giving her a headache. She cursed him as he gave her a worried glance. Ok, so he just looked at her. But she somehow, felt… he was worried. Don't ask her how she knew. Because she wouldn't even begin to be able to explain. This was all so confusing. Kagome hated being confused. It made her feel 15 again. Having just changed in more ways than one, and having to adjust to it. The awkwardness that followed. Like the boys. What made them look at her suddenly? What made her quit looking at them? Suddenly the boys that were so hot before were insignificant. She really was a fickle creature.

'I take that thanks back… Damn you Miroku!'

Did he do this on purpose? Did he know I would be thinking these things? Did he know Sesshoumaru would somehow bring things out in me?

'Stupid…'

She laughed mentally at herself. Of course he didn't. She was being delusional, and was probably just making things more than they were. Yeah, that was it. She was just crazy. Oh well.

'Why the hell are they looking at me?'

Kagome shook her head and looked up only to see the waiter, standing there with strained patience. He bit out, "Ma'am, your order?"

Kagome blushed as she noticed Sesshoumaru's smirk as he took another sip of wine

'Smooth…'

Kagome tried to save face by looking at the menu, and biting her lip. She put her finger on the closest thing possible and gave her order. The waiter let out a sigh and an almost silent "Thank-you God" before taking up their menus. Kagome cleared her throat and as all eyes fell on her she began to fidget. By all eyes she meant Sesshoumaru.

'Great… now what am I going to say? "Hey Sesshoumaru, you're really hot, you know that?"'

She laughed to herself and struggled in her mind before she came up with a somewhat reasonable question.

"So… Sesshoumaru. How old are you?"

She patted herself on the back at the way she asked the question. So smooth, casual like. So not like how she was feeling.

'If he's over 25 then there's no way in hell I'm going to date him.'

She tried her best to look disinterested as he pinned her with his eyes. They seemed to go straight through her, picking through her soul. She felt naked under his gaze and had the strange urge to cover herself. She knew she was being silly, but she just couldn't help it.

"I am 23."

The voice was deep, very masculine. She shivered involuntarily.

'Only 23! Yes! Maybe I can like him a little bit…'

Kagome's eyes widened at her thoughts and she quickly squashed the thoughts. A scowl suddenly appeared on her face, much to Sesshoumaru's amusement.

'Hell no you can't like him! Like he'd like you anyways!'

"So… what do you do?"

She smiled then, but it was quickly swiped away when he answered.

"I am the founder of Japan's leading Medical Science research…"

She stopped listening after that. Actually there was nothing after that.

'So he's 23, and is apparently super rich. God, can we say Japan's most eligible bachelor?'

She gave a lopsided halfway smile and said, "Oh… that's- nice?"
She felt like smashing her head against the table.

'Way to go Kagome, you just sounded like a freaking' teenager again! Why is he effecting you like this?'

Sesshoumaru seemed to notice her inner turmoil and got a purely evil idea. He smiled at her and watched as she squirmed under his gaze.

'Perfect.'

He stared at her and asked in a totally innocent voice, "Kagome. What do you do?"

She blushed a pretty pink before answering, "Well, Sango and I are in college, and need some extra money so we both work at Sunshine Enterprises… a um- telemarketing company."

She started blushing a deep scarlet, clearly ashamed.

'Why should I be ashamed?'

"Don't they sell 'happy pills?'"

'Ok… that's why!'

She tried her hardest to shrink down in her seat and failed miserably.

"Yes…"

Her voice came out quiet. Of course it did! Who'd want to admit to selling 'Happy pills?' Sesshoumaru didn't seem to notice though. Kagome looked around and looked at Sango who was giving her a look of pity. Then she turned around and laughed at something Miroku said. It was silent. Why was it silent? Why couldn't she feel anything? She knew something was wrong, weren't there supposed to colors everywhere? So… why was everything gray? The only color anywhere was Sesshoumaru. Who just happened to now be looking at her.

'Is that why nothing else is here? Is that how it is right now for Sango? Why?'

Didn't she realize that, when you like someone, that's how it's supposed to be? Probably not, and she'd never admit it if she did. And suddenly, the color came back. Just as soon as she stopped looking at Sesshoumaru. And sound came back to her, just in time to hear Miroku smack his lips and say, "Oh boy the food is here!"

The waiter gave them their food and walked away, leaving the 'couples' to themselves. Sesshoumaru handed Kagome her food and received an almost silent, "Thank-you" in return. They ate their food in a comfortable silence, occasionally making small talk about recent events. The silence was deafening to Kagome and she felt as if everything was closing in around her. She pushed her plate away and sighed.

"I'm, actually not feeling so well. I'm going to head back."

She stood up and watched as Sango gave Miroku an apologetic smile before also standing. Kagome noticed this.

"Hold on, just let me get my jacket and then we'll-"

"No, Sango. You stay. I'll just… take the bus or something."

She turned to Sesshoumaru and said, "It was nice meeting you."

The thought of Kagome riding the bus with gods knows what, didn't exactly settle well with Sesshoumaru.

"I will drive you wherever it is you need to go."

Kagome whipped her head around to Sesshoumaru who was looking forward. Kagome gave a slight smile and bowed.

"I would appreciate that very much. Thank-you."

Sesshoumaru nodded and put his money on the table. He titled his head in Miroku's direction in a silent farewell before standing up. He walked up to Kagome and they headed outside.

"Thank you for you generosity Mr.…?

Sesshoumaru smiled as they got into his car. He pulled out of the parking lot and onto the highway before answering.

"Taisho."