"Kagome, I. . .uh. . .know this is kind of straight forward, but would you like to have dinner with me tonight?" Hojo's voice was almost trembling. Kagome had to suppress an "Awww!". She smiled, showing her beautiful grin.

"Of course, Hojo. That would be great." His eyes, currently on the sidewalk, met with hers. He grinned.

"Really? You mean it?" His voice was full of quiet excitement. Kagome nodded joyfully. "Great, I'll pick you up at seven?" Kagome thought about it. That would give her three hours to get ready.

"Sure. I'll meet you at seven. But I warn you-don't be early or I might make you wait." He only smiled warmly.

"I don't mind having to wait on you." Kagome felt her face get hot and she coughed to suppress her embarrassment. They walked in silence until they reached the alley, the one that led up to the back of Kagome's house.

"Well, I'll see you later." She smiled, touching his arm lightly. He let her go, waving heartily. Kagome could see the happiness in his face. She didn't want that feeling to go away. She had it too, and it was amazing. She skipped up the hill in pure bliss, humming an upbeat song. As she reached the clearing, she saw someone she had never expected.

"Inuyasha," She breathed, knowing nothing good would come of this.

"Kagome, who is he? Do you like him? Do you miss me? What am I to you?" He asked fiercely, not stopping for air. He had his hands on his hips in a rebellious way.

"Why are you here? You should be off with Kikyo, looking for the jewel shards. She can sense them too, you know. Maybe she can become your new jewel detector!" Kagome snapped, the same anger she had when she left coming back to her. She sighed, frustrated, and placed a stray hair behind her ear before Inuyasha could reach it.

"I need you." Inuyasha admitted quietly. Kagome was taken aback. What did that mean? Did he need her for him, or for the sake of the group and the mission? Kagome didn't respond, for she didn't know how.

"I miss you, Kagome. I miss your scent. I miss your warmth at night. I love you." Inuyasha moved to hold her, but she stepped back.

"You don't love me, Inuyasha. If you really loved me, you would've been here two days ago. If you loved me, you would be on your knees begging. If you loved me-." Kagome's voice broke, her eyes welting up. "-Then you wouldn't have treated me so horribly." Kagome pushed past him and ran up to her house, slamming the door behind her. She slunk against the door and cried, pulling herself into a tight ball.

Sota came in smiling through the front door, but froze when he saw his sister. He didn't say a word, but sat beside her, letting her cry on his shoulder. He wondered what Inuyasha had done now. As soon as Kagome regained composure and hugged him as a thank-you, he watched her go up the stairs. Sota frowned and ran for the door, eager to find Inuyasha.

"Hey you!" He shouted, looking at the half demon who had his back turned to him. Inuyasha turned his head to look at the young boy. "You leave my sister alone! Don't talk to her! Don't you think you've hurt her enough, you heartless savage?" Sota shouted and flung a rock at him. Inuyasha didn't bother to move, letting it hit his thigh. He lowered his head in guilt and grief, then began back towards the well, retreating from this battle field. Sota puffed out his chest in victory, quite pleased with himself. Nobody hurt his sister.

"Kagome, Hojo's here!" Her mother called, her shrill voice echoing through the house. Kagome grinned in the upstairs bathroom, applying her last minute touches. She took one last glance in the mirror and stepped into the hall and down the stairs, into view.

"I'm glad you knew to dress up." Hojo stuttered, engulfed by her beauty. He hair was in spirals and bounced its way down her back. She was wearing a red, strapless cocktail dress. It frilled at the end, accenting her beautiful, toned legs. She wore a golden bracelet and a ruby necklace, one that lay perfect on the center of her chest. In her hair was a red ribbon, holding back her curls from her face.

"You look . . . " He was searching for the right word, "Stunning." She grinned at his compliment and made the rest of the way down the stairs. She thought she saw a glimpse of red in a tree, but knew she was imagining things. Hojo gasped and turned around, grabbing something from the table.

"For you." He lifted a single white rose in front of her. Kagome put her hands to her mouth, shocked. It was beautiful. Nothing like Inuyasha would ever give her. She took it gently. She hugged him, unable to find words to say. He only laughed at her speechlessness and hugged her back. Her mother smiled matronly (wouldn't it be funny to say her mother smiled motherly?) and took the rose, searching for a vase.

Hojo helped her with her coat and then opened the door for her, leading her to his car. Kagome searched the tree she had looked out at earlier, both hoping and dreading for the sight of Inuyasha. There was nothing. She sighed and climbed into the car, letting Hojo shut the door behind her.

"God, she's so beautiful." Inuyasha whispered to himself, perched high up in the tree, looking down at the woman he loved. His heart sank as she let the man that was courting her shut the door and they drove off, into the foggy night. Inuyasha would study this boy. He would figure out what was so appealing about him. Inuyasha would win Kagome back.

So Inuyasha slunk off into the night, trying to find a demon still around from his time. There had to be someone . . .