Hey, guys I'm updating again! It's just kind of easy with this since I'm basically following an already written book. And thanks to those who reviewed, but you shouldn't give me the credit. Credit the author of the real book; I'm just taking it and trying to add Kurama and Kagome into the mix. But thanks for the reviews. Anyway, I hope you like this chapter as Kagome and Kurama are almost immediately attracted to each other.

Disclaimer: I don't own the book Unforgettable, or Inuyasha and Yu Yu Hakusho.

Chapter 5

Casual Intensity

Kurama stared at his empty bed once again. Oh, hell where had that crazy woman gone now? "Well, one things for sure," he mumbled. "She couldn't have gone very far; not without this," he said as he caught sight of her strange blackbag. Just who was this woman? And where had she come from? He'd never seen anyone who looked like her before. Long, gorgeous, black hair tumbled down her back in waves curving around her waist like a lover's gentle hand. And her eyes, a shimmering sea blue, seemed to pierce his soul like a spear. And why, he wondered, when he looked at her did he get the strong sense of déjà vu, like he'd seen her somewhere before. Of course that was next to impossible since he was almost positive he'd never met her before.

Curiosity getting the better of him, Kurama found himself walking over to investigate her strange pack and looked to see if he could open it. His searching fingers felt around until he discovered a small metal connection and with the slightest bit of pressure, it snapped open. Without care or any thought to what he was doing, he quickly dumped the bag's contents on top of the bed as he sat down in a chair and began rifting through her strange possessions. The first thing he picked up was a strange glass bottle; only it wasn't glass, it was made from a more malleable metal. He read over the manuscript, only succeeding in making himself more confused. Sodium free. Bottled by S.A. Evian co. at Evian France. He figured out how to untwist the top and sniffed the strange bottle, testing its contents and determining that it housed water...something that would be very convenient this day in age. He may have to inquire as to where she acquired such a possession. Tossing it to the side after quickly becomming bored with it, he picked up another item, this one being a ring which held many small metal keys, pretty much the only things he recognized. He came across a strange red-colored brush, the bristles quite close together and much softer than he'd ever felt. Curiously, Kurama picked up the strange brush and used it to straighten out a few wayward strands of his hair, deciding that he liked the feel of this one better than his comb. The last item Kurama picked up was small and rectangular-shaped and bore the letters pwr, end, and snd.

For the next several minutes, he continued to leaf through her possessions until he unearthed a small leather wallet. Opening it with nimble fingers, he found a bunch of cards, one with the name Visa and another Mastercard.Yet another card he picked up had the strange woman's picture on it and underneath were some unknown letters, symbols, and numbers. He read the name under the picture...Kagome Higurashi. Satisfied that he had finally discovered her name, Kurama figured it was time to find that woman again and get her to a doctor, or at least get her some place to stay. She was no doubt a stranger to Bodie and he would make damn sure she got settled in. This town was no place for a single woman...one who conveniently looked as if the angels themselves blessed her with such heavenly looks.

Cursing under his breath athis indecent thoughts, Kurama left the room, almost immediately running into another one of the doves. "Hello, Kagura, have you seen a strange woman leave here recently?" he asked her with a smile. He tossed in a wink just for effect, knowing how to get answers from even the most unwilling woman.

Sure enough, she blushed prettily before answering, "oh, you mean that one? Yeah, she came tearing through here and made a getaway out the front. Who was she?" The woman's mouth turned down into a sultry pout as jealousy entered her tone of voice.

"I'm not sure," Kurama muttered, disregarding the other woman's countenance.

Kurama continued on his way as yet another girl called out his name. This one, Kurama actually stopped for. "Hey, Kurama baby, when you comin' to see me?" the woman asked leaning over a banister. Kurama shot her an easy grin.

"Not today, Kanna, I'm actually looking for someone," he announced casually, leaning on the banister.

"I bet it's another woman," the girl chuckled, dirty white hair swinging in her face dramatically.

Kurama grinned teasingly. "Could be."

"Why you lookin' for her?" the woman asked, smiling flirtatiously, though Kurama knew she was honestly curious. Kanna was one of the sweeter doves in this saloon and she had never pretended to believe she actually had a chance getting him into bed. They were both simply content to flirt now and again.

"Because she's lost darlin'," Kurama answered.

The dove giggled before replying, "if I were lost, would you come look for me?"

Kurama chuckled and waved her off before moving in his original direction.

He stepped out the doors and began looking in every which direction for the mysterious woman. Finally he spotted her...she was standing directly in front of a stable, looking for all the world, like she'd lost her best friend.

Kagome noticed him coming as soon as he stepped out the doors. She tried not to stare at him as he made his approach, but it was damn hard not to when he looked like that. Good lord, but the man practically oozed sex appeal. Everywhere she looked women couldn't help but draw their eyes to his magnificent body. Even the ladies wearing the long gowns and flowery hatsand walking with their own husbands and beaus couldn't help but be swayed by Kurama's appeal. And, much to her ire, neither could she. He carried himself with such...dignity and male poise that she couldn't help but be a little in awe of him.

"May I ask what you're doing out here?" he asked, politely if not a little annoyed; not that he didn't have the right. She did flee the room again when he was away. But she had felt so alone and confused. She just had to see one more time if this wasn't some weird dream.

"Searching," she answered, eyes never directly meeting his. She feared if they did lock eyes, that he would force her to tell him the truth and that was something she really didn't feel like delving into at the moment.

"And what are you searching for?" He asked, wondering if she was just shy...or simply avoiding his gaze. He hoped not. He liked being able to see how blue her eyes were. They were such an unusual shade that it wasn't hard to be swept away after just one look.

"The way home," she answered cautiously.

"And where is that?" he asked.

"I'm afraid I...don't know anymore," she answered a bit sadly.

His eyes rose over the brim of his Stetson, though he voiced his question softly. "So...I take it you won't be leaving any time soon?"

"Of course I will!" She exlaimedalmost haugtily, though she knew that wasn't at all true. Kurama watched confused as all her energy seemed to fade right before his eyes.

He continued to stare at her, his eyes never wavering and boldly assessing. Finally he sighed and said, "look it's late and you must be hungry. Why not let me treat you to dinner? Then maybe we can figure out where to go from here." Kagome was about to protest when her stomach answered for her. She smiled weakly and agreed. His eyes shined with momentary amusement. "Kagome," he started, then paused. "That is your name, correct?"

"How do you know that?" Kagome asked suspiciously. "Have you been going through my stuff!"

"Yes," he answered shamelessly, eyes never blinking as they stay trained on her annoyed face. Truth be told, he enjoyed seeing her upset. The pretty flush that rose on her cheeks made her awfully cute. Wait...cute? Since when does the great Shuichi Minamino use words like cute? Shaking his head, Kurama chose to disregard his private thoughts for later analysis. "And maybe after we get a bite to eat, we can sit down and talk about this...and you. You can explain a couple of things. But first," he stared almost accusingly at her clothes, "we have to find you something to wear."

"But I like these clothes," she fairly whined, unaware that her pouting lips were giving Kurama some enticing ideas about how to interrogate her later.

But still. "No lady would ever dare show off her arms and legs in such a manner," he remarked, raking his eyes down her taunt body, eyes heating as they once again settled on her lond legs.

Is that so...One eyebrow rose. "Maybe I'm not a lady," she teased, forgetting she wasn't supposed to trust him, somehow forgetting she was in the past, and thus forgetting that this was not a man of her day.

He stared at her before a slow, wicked grin trickled onto his face and his eyes began shimmering with amusement.

Of course he and she knew that her statement was a lie. It wasn't difficult to gage what he was thinking. There were only two types of women in this town; ladies and doves. For one brief moment, Kagome wondered if she would have trouble with him and that concept, only...she instinctively knew that he would never pull anything on her. He probably wouldn't have to. Most likely it was be her doing the pouncing if he didn't stop looking at her like that...like he was the predator and she was the prey.

A little while later,the couplehad made it back to Kurama's rented room at the Queen of Bodie, where Kagome stayed earlier.

Kurama for his part was now more intrigued than ever. Here was this...stranger whom had arrived in his town, decked out in funny clothes and carrying all sorts of odd objects. And here she was bantering with him as if she belonged. To say the least, no other woman had ever captured his attention the way this one so effortlessly did. "Who are you?" He found himself asking before he could stop himself.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi," she answered somewhat hesitantly, as if unsure about where this conversation was heading.

"You look...very familiar," he commented seriously. "Have we ever met before?"

Kagome forced back the hysterical chuckles threatening to escape. "No, I can assure you, we've never met. I've never been here before." Well, at least not in this time period.

"Yes, well..." he stepped closer and ran a smooth hand across her cheek. "I never forget a face; especially," his voice got huskier, "one such as yours."

Kagome felt the air rush out of her like a tidal wave of fire. And suddenly she couldn't breathe as she stared into his emerald eyes. They glowed with such intensity it was hard to look at anything but. And his words, sure, she'd been flattered before and flirted with, but never in all her years, had she heard such kind, heart-warming words.

Kagome closed her eyes in consternation as her thoughts washed over her mind and flew out the window. For one brief, crazy moment she let herself believe he was going to kiss her. But then, his touch vanished, as if he really were the ghost she knew him to be,and he moved his hand away, after gazing at her again.

"Come. It is time to eat," he whispered softly, tugging her hand.

He took her to a small café after getting her a new, not to mention the ugliest, dress she'd ever seen or worn, from one of the girls at the hotel. It was a bright garrish yellow color with a low, low scoop neck, too low for her liking.

Well at least my arms and legs are covered up, she muttered sarcastically in her mind, glaring slightly at Kurama who was flirting with the waitress. Currently, they were beingseated at a back, corner booth and given a small menu. When they were seated Kagome had trouble finding words to say to him. Unsurprisingly, it was Kurama who led the conversation.

"So, how long are you planning to stay?" he asked her.

She sighed. "I have no idea, actually."

"Do you have a place to stay?" he asked earnestly.

When she shook her head he offered to let her stay in his hotel room.

"No, I couldn't let you do that," Kagome protested, though the small inner voice that normally talked her out of stuff like that, wanted very much to take him up on his offer.

"Nonsense, I'll just book me a place somewhere else." She wanted to say no, except he had been so generous so far...and somewhat sweet, despite some of the looks he had been bestowing on her person, not to mention her legs.

Instead she just murmured a small, "thank you." Kurama's bold eyes held her captive before she looked down at her menu, hiding the small blush.

There were only two choices, chicken and rice or steak and potatoes. After hastily choosing one, Kagome watched somewhat amused as their waitress flirted with Kurama. And, she mused, the devil just sat there and flirted right back. Wait a minute. Where was that small twinge of envy coming from? Come on, Kagome, you don't need another man in your life. Look how well the last one turned out. That one was a dead beat. This one is just dead.

Over the course of their meal, they had little conversation and she tried really hard not to stare. But, then again, he really was sucha beautiful man. His red hair was a most intriguing shade and his eyes...oh, his eyes. She loved those the best. They were so deep and knowing...and sensual. She tried to shush her inner voice again and had all but succeeded until that rich,liquid voice started speaking again.

"Is something wrong?" He finally asked, noticing his guest had eaten very little of her food.

Oh, great, now I've been caught staring. "No, I'm fine," she murmured.

"You look like you've never seen a man before," he remarked casually, but Kagome could clearly see the teasing glint in his eyes.

Despite the reality of her predicament, she found herself unable to resist returning his playful smile. "Well, I can assure you, I've never seen one quite like you before."

"A man's, a man," he shrugged casually, inwardly wondering what she would find so different about him.

Kagome chuckled under her breath. "You'd be surprised."

"What was that shirt you were wearing earlier?" he asked.

She tried to remember. Oh, that one. "Jekyll and Hyde, it's the name of a stage play," she answered truthfully and Kurama nodded, though he hadn't ever seen on performed before.

Dinner was over quickly and Kurama paid the bill.

As they walked along, Kurama casually touched the small of her back unknowingly sending pleasureable shivers racingup her spine. "It's a nice night tonight, isn't it?" he remarked, finding himself quite relaxed in this mysterious woman's presence.

"Yes, I suppose it is," she answered softly, staring up at the stars she was unable to see as clearly in her day and age. Suddenly more curious about this intricate man, she turned her head and asked, "how long have you lived here?"

"A couple of years," he answered, lifting his head to view the same stars as the lady on his arm.

She looked down before askingher second question, a question that had been weighing quite heavily on her mind. "And how long are you planning to stay?" Of course she knew, but she couldn't tell him that. There was no way of knowing if he would believe her. And, she was suddenly saddened that within a year'a time, he would be accused of a crime and hanged.

"I suppose until the mines play out, why?" he asked.

"But you're not a miner." She stated, more than asked, disregarding his question. "You're a gambler."

He chuckled slightly. "What can I say, mining is hard work. It's much simplar to make money this way. Heck, the chief miner only gets paid 6 dollars."

"I guess so," she said hesitantly.

"You don't approve?" he asked suddenly.

"It's not really any of my business," she responded quietly.

Before Kagome knew it, they were standing in front of the Queen of Bodie. "I'll walk you up," he suggested.

"That's okay," she tried to dissuade him.

"It would be my," his eyes roamed her face, "pleasure."

She could only nod at the intense look in his eyes and allowed him to accompany her up the darkened hallway. When they reached his room, Kurama pulled out a key and his hand briefly met with hers. It sent tiny, minuscule sparks of awareness skittering across the tips of her tiny fingers and she couldn't help but let out a tiny gasp of bewilderment. Her eyes flew to his, noticing the way that slow, easy grin seemed to play across his lips...as if drawing her in.

"Why do you look so surprised, darlin'?" He murmured softly, his knuckles grazing hers. She couldn't respond, couldn't move, couldn't think. He was standing so close and his eyes looked to...welcoming, but also...dangerous.

"Good night, Kurama," she whispered shakily, taking his key and stepping into her room, closing the door with a soft push.

Kurama smiled slightly at the closed door before muttering a, "goodnight, darlin," and turned away to find himself another room for the night.

Well, I'm going to end it here. I hope you guys liked it. Oh, and I thought I'd actually tell you a little about the original book. The woman's name is actually Shaye Montgomery and she is actually traveling from her home after finding her husband in bed with her best friend. She is supposed to be traveling to San Francisco to visit her family when she stumbles across the ghost town of Bodie. I've pretty much followed her adventures, yet made Kagome into a different character, being from Tokyo and not from the U.S. And also, their jobs are slightly different as Shaye is actually an investigative reporter. Anyway, the male's names is actually Alejandro Valverde and I think they say he has a little indian blood in him, but they don't really make it a big deal in this story. Anyway, he really is a gambler and most people call him Rio, which expains why I called Kurama, Shuichi Minamino at the beginning of my story. Kurama is Shuichi's nickname as Rio is Alejandro. Anyway, I think that's all I will explain, other than if you really do like romance books in general, this is one of my favorites, mostly because it has ghosts and time travel. Haven't you always wanted to travel back in time? Anyway, that is enough blabbering on. I hope you guys are understanding the plot a bit better now. I'll update more later, and thanks to those of you who already read it and left some fantastic reviews.

Ja ne

Kura-kun's-lovr