Disclaimer: I do not own Inuyasha.

Chapter 2

Excluded Date

After Kagome and Kouga finished their dance, Inuyasha grabbed Kagome's hand.

"Hey, let's ditch this joint," he said pulling her close to him. "This is so boring – how about we go out for dinner?"

Kagome grinned. Dinner sounded a lot better then having a Christmas party with your colleagues.

And that's how in half an hour, Inuyasha and Kagome were seated in Mastriani's waiting for their food to come.

"So how do you and Kouga know each other?" Inuyasha asked casually as he took a sip of some proper wine.

"Um…we've known each other since college," Kagome said looking down into her water glass.

"So you're just friends?" Inuyasha continued on.

"Yea – just friends," Kagome said firmly. "Why? You almost sound jealous," Kagome added as a joke, but her smile faded when she saw that Inuyasha wasn't smiling. "Oh my God, you are jealous! Come on Inuyasha! Kouga and I aren't like that, we are just friends. Besides, you're the only one I want to be with."

Inuyasha seemed to perk up a little after hearing that. Even Kagome seemed happy that everything was cleared up – she could feel the tension at the party earlier.

"Inuyasha Takahashi?"

The couple's heads turned towards the owner of that voice – a stunning slim woman with long jet-black hair. Kagome gasped. She was gorgeous and Inuyasha was smiling just by looking at her.

"Kikyo!" Inuyasha said smiling pleasantly standing up and to greet Kikyo.

Kikyo and Inuyasha hugged and Kagome couldn't help but glare at Kikyo.

"I'm Kagome Higurashi – Inuyasha's girlfriend," Kagome said as the two broke apart from their hug.

"Oh…hi," Kikyo said smiling falsely at Kagome. "I'm Kikyo Sasuki. I work with Inuyasha."

"Have you dined here before Kikyo?" Inuyasha asked.

"Oh! This is my favourite restaurant!" Kikyo gushed. "You should try the spaghetti here – this restaurant is famous for it!"

"I'm glad I ordered it then," Inuyasha replied.

Inuyasha offered Kikyo an empty seat, not noticing Kagome's shocked face, and Kikyo sat down.

So much for a romantic date, Kagome thought crossing her arms across her chest. She watched the two in deep conversation about work and something that really didn't seem so funny, despite the two laughing quite loudly. Well, it was loud enough to grab the attention of the old couple sitting at the table next to them who looked rather irritated.

The food came and Kikyo ordered (Inuyasha was most insistent that Kikyo stay and eat with them. Kagome was furious – but then again, any girl would be if her boyfriend invited a girl to their date) with Inuyasha refusing to eat until Kikyo's food came. Just to be polite, Kagome thought brutally stabbing a piece of broccoli on her plate. And that time when I was running five minutes late at the café? Yeah, he ordered and finished his coffee!

Kikyo's food arrived and she and Inuyasha began to eat chatting about their work and all this stuff that Inuyasha never talked to Kagome about. Like sports, for instance.

Is it my fault that I find boxing stupid and boring? Kagome thought feeling rather embarrassed at the fact that she was on a date with a guy who was ignoring her.

Kagome bit her lip feeling frustrated tears sting her eyes. Why am I crying? she wondered looking down at her lap. It's because your boyfriend is totally ignoring you and just talking to a girl who he has more in common with and is prettier than you! I can't take this anymore.

Kagome stood up suddenly and threw her napkin on the table. Without another word, or a glance back at the two shocked faces staring at her, she stalked out of the restaurant and began walking back to her office where her car was parked.

Aurgh! Stupid heels! So not made for walking, Kagome thought stomping down the streets. I can't believe this! Inuyasha you baka!

Kagome felt her body lurch and she stumbled forwards and crashed onto the cement. Someone must really hate her…

Kagome turned around and saw her heel stuck in a crack on the sidewalk. Taking off her brand new shoes, she wrenched her heel out and groaned. It was broken and her knee had suffered a pretty nasty graze, not to mention her elbow.

"Damn it," she swore.

"Are you OK?"

Kagome looked up and saw Kouga's face staring into her eyes. Their faces were so close – their noses less than an inch away – and Kagome could feel Kouga's breath against her skin.

"I'm OK," Kagome said pulling back suddenly, shaking her head slightly.

Kouga stood up and helped Kagome up. "That was a pretty nasty fall," he said holding out her arm and inspecting the graze on her elbow.

"Yeah," she said holding up her broken shoe. "And these were brand new as well," she added.

Kouga smiled. "Only you could think of the condition of your shoes right now."

"Is that supposed to be a compliment?" Kagome asked raising an eyebrow.

"Depends the way you take it," Kouga said stepping closer to Kagome. "What are you doing by yourself anyway?"

Kagome blinked. "Oh…um…"

"Kagome!"

Kagome whipped her head around, smacking Kouga in the face with her hair, and saw Inuyasha running towards her looking pretty angry.

Kagome stepped back, but tripped, forgetting that she didn't have one shoe on. Kouga grabbed her arm before she could fall and held her in his arms. Kagome fully expected Inuyasha to punch Kouga in the face for even holding her in his arms – but alas, when Inuyasha came he just stood there.

He isn't jealous…he isn't jealous another guy is holding me in his arms… Kagome thought feeling tears sting her eyes yet again.

"Kagome," Inuyasha said staring at Kouga holding Kagome.

Kouga smirked and let go off Kagome, once he was sure she was able to stand without toppling over.

"Are you OK?" Inuyasha asked seeing Kagome's bleeding knee.

"I'm fine," Kagome said, surprising Inuyasha and herself at her icy tone.

Inuyasha grabbed Kagome arm, like Kouga had done earlier, to see the graze on her elbow, but Kagome pulled her arm back.

"I'm fine," she repeated firmly. Inuyasha stared, obviously confused by Kagome's actions. "Go back to Kikyo and enjoy the rest of your dinner," Kagome added when Inuyasha didn't say anything.

She pulled off her other heel and began marching towards her office so she could get to her car, not wincing at all by the cold and rough pavement.

He's not going to follow me, Kagome thought disappointed as she neared her office. Are you going to break up with me Inuyasha? Are you going to leave me for Kikyo?

Author's Note: Please don't give me suggestions on what to write for the next chapter since this story is already finished and I am just posting it up. I mentioned this in the previous chapter, but just in case none of you read the first warning.

And sorry, again, for the short chapters.