A.N. SORRY, SORRY, SORRY! Really, I am. This summer I was in a program at Harvard, and they worked my ass off. I swear it's not there anymore! Anyway, I was always too busy or too tired to do anything extra. Next summer during the program, if I'm writing anything, I'll do my best to be good and update frequently.

Chapter 3

Kagome glanced warily at Sesshoumaru. How could everything 'be as it has always been'? Sesshoumaru noticed her discomfort and took a guess as to what might be causing it. "You aren't still worried about what happened Friday, are you?" Kagome gave him a pointed glare. "Kagome, it was just a dream." He resisted the urge to add: "One that I fully intend on making come true." Kagome seemed to sense the unspoken words. "Well, at least it's something to look forward to. Now, what mission are you sending me on to gain journalism experience?" Sesshoumaru smiled. "That's more like it. I think you might actually like this assignment. I used my pull with a local newspaper. They're willing to give you a chance and want you to interview a band that'll be playing in a club tomorrow night. You can bring you're friends, but you'll all be marked as minors. "Thank you." Kagome looked down at the paper Sesshoumaru handed her. "Thank you!" She jumped up joyfully when she saw the name of the band she'd be interviewing.

"Very nice," "Oh yeah." Kikyo and Sango began dragging Inuyasha and Miroku on to the dance floor. Kagome smiled happily. She was feeling pretty good. The interview had gone smoothly, and she even got a few photographs. "Ebay, here I come," she thought gleefully. Her friends had arrived in time to meet the band, and now they were out on the dance floor. Kagome watched them wistfully for a moment. "What am I doing standing here? This is probably the only time I'll ever be here. I should be out on the dance floor." Prompted by these thoughts, Kagome made her way to an area full of excitement and began moving to the beat. She was having so much fun that she didn't notice the group of men (and a few women) that had surrounded her. One approached her. "Hey! You wanna dance?" he shouted over the music. Kagome gave him the once over and found that he was cute. "Nowhere near as cute as Sesshoumaru, but he'll do," she thought. "Sure!" The man smirked triumphantly. They started dancing, and once again Kagome lost herself in the music. So much so, that she didn't hear the guy she was dancing with telling others to 'back off of his woman.'

As much as she was having fun, Kagome was starting to feel tired. The guy she was dancing with was like the Energizer Bunny. She wished he'd stop going already.

Strong arms encircled her waist from behind and she was pulled against a hard chest. Silvery white strands of hair brushed against her cheek. "Hello, Kagome." Sesshoumaru's warm mouth pressed against Kagome's as he whispered the greeting. She gave an involuntary shiver. Seeing that he was forgotten, (this is, of course, after he had tried to get her attention at least twenty times) Kagome's dance partner sauntered off. "Let's go somewhere more private." Kagome nodded, and Sesshoumaru led her off of the dance floor. Both failed to notice the curious stares from Sango and Kikyo, who did their best to keep Miroku and Inuyasha oblivious.

Sesshoumaru and Kagome entered a quiet backroom, and Kagome sank gratefully into the soft couch. "Don't fall asleep," he teased. "I'd hate to find out you dream of someone else." Despite the fact that he was teasing, Kagome detected some seriousness in his tone. "Don't worry Sesshie. I only have eyes for you, thoughts of you, and dreams with you." Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow. "Sesshie?" he asked. Kagome rolled her eyes. "Is that the only thing he heard?" she thought sourly. "What's wrong with Sesshie?" "Would you like me to call you Kaggie?" Kagome grimaced. "OK. Point taken. How about Sesshou?" "I don't like nicknames." "Sesshou it is! So Sesshou, why did you bring me here?" Sesshoumaru glared at Kagome before answering. "You looked tired." Kagome felt herself swell with joy and no small amount of surprise at the thought that Sesshoumaru could be so considerate. "Thanks."

They talked on and on, thoroughly enjoying each other's company, until Kagome's cell rang. "That was my friends. They're ready to leave now. I should probably go. Sango and Kikyo are spending the night at my place.

Sesshoumaru stopped Kagome by the exit of the room. She looked up at him in question, and he lightly pressed his lips against hers. Just as lightly, she kissed him back. They parted, Kagome grinning big on the inside and bigger on the outside, and Sesshoumaru complimenting and cursing himself at the same time, while managing to pull of a

winning smile.

Kagome ate a spoonful of Snickers ice cream as she was grilled for information. "So, who was he?" asked Sango calmly, determined not to let Kagome know how badly she wanted to hear about the guy Kagome danced with, and what happened with Sesshoumaru. "Tell! Tell!" Kikyo squealed as she bounced excitedly. She didn't really care whether or not Kagome knew how bad she wanted to hear the story, as long as she heard it.

Kagome gave in after Kikyo's whining began to give her a headache. "Well, I suppose I could talk about the guy I was dancing with. And Sesshoumaru." She added the last part quickly, as Kikyo threatened to whine again.

"Well, the guy I was dancing with had beautiful long black hair that he had tied in a ponytail. He had a brown headband on. Come to think of it, I think he likes that color because his whole outfit was brown. He was very handsome, and he had a charming smile. His eyes, they were the most unusual shade of blue. Absolutely beautiful."

Sango smirked. "Sounds like Kagome's got the hots for her little dancer boy." "My, my, Kagome. You forget about Sesshoumaru so soon? You work quickly." Kagome hit Kikyo on the head. "Stop saying stupid things. I know how hard that is for you, but I'd appreciate it if you'd do Sango and me the favor of at least trying."

Kikyo began crying while Sango rolled on the floor, laughing hysterically.