Chapter 3.

The smell of food cooking filled the whole apartment up, the sound of a knife clinking against a cutting board could be heard as the man listened to the news report. Inuyasha was cutting up vegetables to cook in the veggie cooker(look up term for the appliance). He looked at the time shown on his average round black clock, it was 5:30, his guests should be showing up soon.

He started to cut the beef up but didn't want to cook it just yet, everything would have gone cold by the time they arrived. He grabbed a bottle of water from the fridge and took a big swig of it. Cooking for more than 1 person was hard work, if Miroku hadn't insisted on eating here, inuyasha would have never brought them over in the first place.

The sound of the television caught his interest of a report of a teen girl went missing. They showed a picture of her and he almost choked on his water. The name of the girl was different but she looked identical to the girl he saw at the convenience store. The one who avoided talking to that cashier.

He went and sat at the table while he listened to the report. The female reporters voice began to speak,

"The seventeen year old girl was believed to have been abducted on her way home from school, as she never returned home Tuesday night. Police have taken statements from the victims family and close friends which leads them to believe she was taken after the train station she normally stops at. If anyone has tips regarding the victims whereabouts, police are asking civilians to call in. Any information will be useful in the case. This is Yamada Mika reporting from Nagasaki prefecture."

Inuyasha stares at the screen for a few second after the report cut out and went back to the main station. He had the itch to go running to the station and help with the case, but with him being on suspension he didn't want to get into anymore trouble with his brother.

He got up and began to cook the beef and finish the last few remaining side dishes. There was a knock on the door and inuyasha hurried to answer it. Miroku and Sango smiled at him as inuyasha invited him in.

"Here you go, just a few things from us." Sango handed Inuyasha a bag full of sake and a cake for dessert. Inuyasha have her a big smile as he thanked her and allowed them to come in to the small apartment. He served the curry he'd made and poured the sake for Sango and Miroku. Miroku picked the bottle of sake after Inuyasha was done pouring to pour a cup for Inuyasha.

"So," Miroku spoke as he began to get a spoonful of the curry. "How's suspension life going? You must have a lot of exciting things going on?" He shoved the spoonful in his mouth.

"It's pretty fucking boring around here Miroku, I'm begininng to lose my mind. I've cleaned this whole apartment, I've been working out but that's literally the only thing I got going on now." Inuyasha ranted as he took a swig of the sake, he was frustrated over the whole situation, but his brother wasn't going to change any of this.

"Well, maybe you could take the time to start seeing someone." Sango suggested, her smile had a playful hint to it. Inuyasha choked on his food, coughing as hard as he could to clear the obstruction, Miroku laughed at Inuyasha's reaction, tears just trying to fall from his eyes.

Once Inuyasha could breathe normally again he stared at Sango sternly, "What makes you think I need to start dating? I don't have the time to start dating!" Inuyasha picked up his cup and finished the sake, pouring himself another cup.

"Well that's just it," Sango inched herself closer to the table as waves of excitment rolled off of her. "Now that you are suspended, you DO have the time! This is an ideal time to find a date!"

Inuyasha just stared at her, and then let out a groan. Miroku had a smile creeping across his face. Inuyasha looked at Miroku who was now leaning on the table. "Inuyasha, once you know the warmth of a woman, you'll never want to let it go." Miroku reached for Sango's hand giving the top of it a gently kiss. Her face flushed red as she jumped up and mumbled something about needing to use the toilet. Miroku chuckled watching the women he loves storm off.

Inuyasha started to clear the plates off the table from dinner and Miroku helped him. They were in the kitchen, Inuyasha putting the dirty plates in the sink, and Miroku was cutting the cake.

"How's work going Miroku? Any new cases your working on?" Inyasha brought out new plates for the cake to go on.

"Yes, I just got put on to the missing girls case. So far there isn't any leads to her whereabouts or who could've done it, I've taken the night off to relax with you but I'll most likely be working overtime to solve it. Of course, our priority is to find the victim first."

Inuyasha nodded and the sat the plates down to eat dessert with Sango. The rest of the night went smoothly with more sake drank, and more laughter to be had. Inuyasha did the dishes after they left, cleaned the table, and was now currently watching TV. The program was boring and his stomach was now grumbling again. He sighed and checked the time on his phone. It was getting late, but the convienence store would still be open. He turned the TV off, grabbed his sweater, and headed out the door.

He walked the few blocks to the store, as soon as he got close enough to see through the windows he checked to see who the cashier was. Thankfully, it wasn't the creepy guy from the other day. He didn't feel like anything hot to eat, so he checked out the shelves for something salty to eat. He was grabbing a bag of chips when he saw the back of a head from the next aisle over, when the head turned it was the young girl from the other day. The one who tries to avoid the creepy guy. His eyes followed her as she fluttered around the store grabbing item from different shelves. He paid for his snacks and as he turned he saw her with a basket full of items.

Her big blue eyes took his breath away, this was the first time he saw her face so clearly. Her long black hair flowed down her back, her skin looked soft and shiny. She was wearing a cardigan over a pastel yellow coloured blouse, her skirt was beige to match her cardigan, and she was wearing wedges with a daisy on the toes. He waited outside by the doors to make his move, he was just hoping he wouldn't make a fool out of himself.

She had the large bags in both hands, she struggled to get the door, which, luckily for Inuyasha, he was near too. He opened the door for her, which she gave a small smile and softly spoke, "Thank you." And she kept on walking.

"HEY!" He yelled out as he ran after her. She stopped to face him but her face had an annoyed look written all over it.

"What?" She said annoyed, she tried to reposition the bags in her hands.

"Let me help you carry those, they look heavy, and a girl shouldn't walk home this late at night." Inuyasha offered his hand to take the bags and she frowned at him moving the bags closer to her body.

"Well, we're strangers, so it would be just as weird to have you carry my bags. I'll be fine thanks." She walked off and Inuyasha chased after her again.

"Inuyasha." She heard him say but couldn't quite make it out. She spun around to face him, anger was rolling off of her now. "WHAT?" She yelled as he came to a stop, his face had shocked written all over it.

"My name. " He panted as he ran his hand through his black hair. "My name is Inuyasha, I'm a cop so you can trust me. Can I please carry your bags to make sure you get home safely, Miss?"

She pursed her lips, contemplating if what he was saying was true. She looked into dark eyes and saw no reason that he was lying. She offered him some of the bags which he took. She looked ahead as she whispered softly. "Higurashi Kagome." He looked at her with confusion as he missed what she said. She smiled at him as she gave a laugh. "My name dummy. My name is Higurashi Kagome."

Kagome started to walk and Inuyasha followed her right beside her. If Miroku were to see this, he would be laughing his face off right now. Inuyasha hoped this walk would last forever so he could get to know Kagome more.