Kagome's nervous finger tapped against the steering wheel, her eyes darted back and forth between the radio clock and the road.

It read 7:50.

Her eyes looked back to the freeway, she sped past the cars of overwhelmingly slow drivers and tried to get herself in order.

"Why am I so nervous?!" She wondered out loud "It's not a big deal, just hanging out…maybe I should have brought something, or would that have been weird? Will he be expecting a gift? I wouldn't be surprised, it is his day after all."

As though expecting her car to have an answer, her eyes flickered back to the clock radio, but all it was able to provide was the time. 7:51.

"Oh god…" she mumbled.

After the fiasco at the Ramen restaurant, she thought her chances with Inuyasha were shot, having such an uproar with Kouga and all…but she was stunned when he asked for her number.

They had been texting almost non-stop for almost a month and a half. Today was Feb. 28th…Inuyasha's birthday.

Last minute he asked her if she wanted to come to his brother's house to celebrate. Hojo was going to be there too, but all he wanted was to hang out. He wasn't the most social guy and didn't want a party…yet, he invited Kagome…

Kagome quickly shook her head trying to whip the blush off of her face.

This would be the first time she'd seen him in a while, she was excited but also nervous.

"I defiantly should have gotten him a gift." She confirmed to herself "But what would he even like?"

Pondering for a moment, realization hit her just as hard as she hit her breaks. Earning a few honks from the angered drivers around her, she u-turned and headed back into the direction of the closest food market.


Inuyasha found himself pacing back and forth, he was practically embedding an imprint of his feet into the carpet below him.

"Where is she?" he grumbled, "I told her to be here."

"Relax Inu" Hojo stated from his place on the couch, with tv remote was in his hand and a bored expression placed on his face. "Kagome will get here when she get's here, no need to be so anxious."

The Half-Demon growled and barked "Who's anxious?!"

Hojo only rolled his eyes and continued to watch the tv as he surfed through channels. "It was funny for the first few minutes but I'm bored seeing you freak out."

"I ain't freaking out!" He shouted, "She should have fucking been here by now!"

Before Inuyasha could continue, a large fist came from behind and clocked him over the head, causing the man to fall to the side. Growling in aggravation, Inuyasha whirled around to see a stoic, yet very annoyed Sesshomaru.

"Watch your language in the house. Rin doesn't need to hear such things from you." He stated coldly, Inuyasha only grumbled but kept quiet. Hojo on the other hand finally perked up once he reentered the room.

"Hello, Sesshomaru! So good to see you! How's Rin doing? Are you still a single parent? And more to the point still a straight single parent?"

Sesshomaru only provided an unamused expression, before looking back to Inuyasha who nearly face palmed himself 'This horney bastard is going to die.'

"Control your guests and keep it down, she'll be going to bed soon."

With that he returned to the kitchen, leaving an even more on edge Inuyasha and a swooning Hojo.

"He's so intense…" Hojo said while fanning his flushed face. Inuyasha held back vomit as he growled "Would you get your shit together, he ain't into guys!"

Hojo only laughed and said, "I always want what I can't have, besides you can't deny that he's a gorgeous man."

"Actually I can, very easily!"

It was then that the soft ears atop his head twitched to the sound of a car rolling in. Quickly he turned towards the window just in time to see Kagome walk out of her car with a gift bag in hand.

From the side, Hojo could only smirk.

The moment his eyes landed on her, there was a visible difference in Inuyasha's demeanor. He didn't smile or say a single word, but his general expression softened and his shoulders relaxed. All this happened as she strolled from her car to the front door.


Kagome's heart was beating a mile a minute as she exited her car, in her left hand was a gift she spent at least fifteen minutes debating whether or not it was even a good idea to buy.

It was a small, red bag with a white polka-dot pattern and a thin white bow wrapped around the plastic handle. It was defiantly presentable, but it did look a bit girly…

Sooner than she expected she found herself before a beautiful home. She didn't have enough in her to appreciate the fine details of the two-story house, all she could do was look back down at the gift in her hands.

She frowned with uncertainty 'Will he even like it?'

Before she could contemplate any further, the door in front of her swung open. Startled, she whipped her head up only to meet gold.

Inuyasha had grown impatient waiting for her to knock at the door, and it nearly made him laugh at her surprised expression. He could smell how she was drenched in nervousness, and he expected that the culprit was the decorative bag in her hands.

Even so, she looked great. Her hair was let loose and it hung down her shoulders, she wore a casual black lace top and skinny jeans, only the slightest takes of makeup enhanced her beauty, he was glad to see her.

Before he could even say hello, a flash of pink leaped from between his legs and hurdled towards Kagome.

"Oh wow, you're so pretty! Are you Kagome? Inu won't stop talking about you. Is that a present? Did you bring it for him? Do you like cake? Cause Daddy and I baked one! It's vanilla cause dogs don't like chocolate. Do you like dogs or cats? You probably like dogs cause your here to see Inu. Are you his girlfriend? Do you think you two will get married?! Is that why he's been passing in the living room and why Daddy said he hasn't smelt Inu in heat before and it makes him sick? Why would Inu being hot make Daddy sick? He doesn't smell that bad, but if he does he probably just needs a bath. Hey, why don't we all take one together?! Do you wanna Kagome?"

The loudmouthed little girl was hosted by her collar and flung over Inuyasha's shoulder. His face was visibly red as he turned back into the house and barked "Bedtime." The girl started kicking and winning "But I'm not tired, I want to talk to Kagome! There's more cake to be had!"

Kagome heard her distant cries before the slamming of a door.

Well, that just happened.

Kagome found herself wandering into the house uninvited out of a pure daze, it was Hojo's voice that brought her back to life.

"Hey, what took you so long?"

Kagome blinked and smiled "Oh I just forgot to grab something, I didn't realize it got so late." Hojo only shrugged with a smile and said "As long as you're here that's what matters. And what may I ask is in that quaint little bag?"

Kagome blushed and pulled the bag behind her "None of your business…it's for Inuyasha."

"I kinda put that together." Hojo teased.

A moment later a still fuming half-demon walked in, his face beat red from both anger and embarrassment. 'Damn that little brat! I would have skinned her alive if she wasn't Sesshomaru's tiny bitch.'

He had dragged her to her room and basically flung her onto the princess covered bed and slamming the door, then locking it behind him. She wasn't getting out and making more mayhem!

As he came back into the room, he found an equally flustered Kagome and a smirking Hojo, who no doubt witnessed the fiasco and was enjoying every moment of his torture. Damn bastard.

Coughing lightly into his hand Inuyasha stood tall with his eyes low as he finally greeted her "Hey. You're late."

Kagome just smiled nervously, the not so warm welcome barely fazed her. "Yeah…I just had to um…" her hands unconsciously gripped the gift behind her back. The sound of the crinkling plastic echoed into the Half-Demon's sensitive ear, making the furry appendage twitch.

"What are you hiding?" he suddenly asked causing Kagome's nerves to skyrocket. 'There goes the element of surprise' she gritted, instantly regretting her decision to find something so silly and rushed.

"Well um…" she stuttered as Inuyasha took a step towards her. His piercing eyes made her squirm on the spot.

Growing impatient he reached out to grasp whatever it was behind her, but Kagome jolted back in surprise and took several steps away, which caused him to practically chase her around the room.

Inuyasha's interest was even more peaked at her reaction alone, but for some reason, he didn't like the idea of her withholding information from him. Kagome, on the other hand, couldn't handle the embarrassment!

If he found out she was losing her mind over what to buy him, she'd just confirm everything that adorable little girl said!

Finally, the grabby half-demon caught her by the back of her shirt, holding her in place. He looked directly into Kagome's sweetly blushing face and asked out of sheer curiosity "What are you doing Wench?"

Kagome was almost trying to shrink herself into nothingness, he was leaning into her with those gorgeous yet peering eyes. Not being able to take the close proximity, she flung the gift at his head, effectually releasing her from his hold while shouting out "Stupid!"

While momentarily stunned, Inuyasha took a moment to look at the astounding red bag with little white polka-dots…and a bow?

She got him a birthday present?

Looking back to Kagome, as though to confirm that this was, in fact, a gift for HIM. The women of his attention was blushing horribly with her eyes to the ground.

His heart began to thunder against his ribcage. Did she actually bring this for him? He studied the bag in his hands, anxiously he wanted to rip it open…but it was so well put together…she actually put thought into it.

Hojo decided to jump in at this moment, swinging his arm around Inuyasha shoulder and calling out "Well open it! I wanna see what the lovely lady brought"

Feeling both reluctance and anticipation, he began to gently unravel the white lace bow holding the bag together, his long claw pulling the thin fabric until it came undone, leaving the bag wide open.

Kagome's eyes were glued to his face, needing to see his reaction.

But Inuyasha could only stare into the bag, his expression was unreadable, but Kagome did notice how the corner of his lips began to twitch and move upwards.

"Well?" Hojo asked again, but Inuyasha wasn't in a state of words, instead, he reached into the bag and carefully pulled out…

"Ramen?!" Hojo exclaimed, his unimpressed tone made Kagome shrink a little. "Well yeah…I got you shrimp and lobster ramen, c-cause you said that seafood was terrible and…I wanted to prove you wrong."

Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Inuyasha looked up at Kagome. The moment their eyes connected, Kagome could see how overjoyed and lively he looked. He provided a genuine smile and said "Thanks." Nothing more was needed.

Kagome immediately brightened and gave him a heartwarming smile in return.

Before anything more could happen, an annoying ringtone suddenly set off from Inuyasha's phone. With the moment shattered Inuyasha dove into his pocket with a growl on his tongue, he was ready to verbally obliterate the person on the other end.

That was until he saw the caller I.D.

Kikyo?!

He had been stunned for the second time in less than three minutes. Why was Kikyo calling him, now of all times?! He hadn't heard from her in weeks, months, so why the hell would she call him right out of the blue?

"Inuyasha?" Kagome's sweet voice brought in back to life, he looked back up to her, only to see a concerned look in her eyes. "Aren't you going to answer that?"

Inuyasha took a moment before nodding and biting out "I'll be right back.", he placed the ramen down on the table and accepted the call while walking into the other room.

"Hello?"

"Inu, baby! Happy birthday!" Kikyo chirped. Inuyasha was less than pleased to hear her voice, the last time he saw Kikyo she was shaking another guy, she always seemed to be jumping from man to man…with him included. He finally got sick of it and ended…now she's back and he didn't know what to make of it.

"Yeah, haven't heard from you in a while Kik. What do you want?"

"I wanted to say happy birthday…and that I miss you."

"Well…I'm sure you can find someone else to miss."

"Oh, why are you being so cold? It's been so long…" he voice was attempting to be soft as silk, but even then he could hear the deception. "Tell you what, why don't I come over and give you a little birthday gift?"

Some small part of him wanted to say 'fuck yes', but he only shook his head and grinned at nothing in particular "Sorry, but I have some way better plans."

Without even needing her response, Inuyasha hung up with a feeling of relief. Turning back into the living room he finds Hojo and Kagome sitting on the couch, there deep in a conversation about…whatever and Kagome suddenly looks over at him.

She gave him a genuine smile, the type of smile that made his breath catch in his throat and his heart stalled.

'Yeah…way better.'


The night continued, and after few drinks as well as a tub of shrimp and lobster ramen, Hojo was passed out cold on the couch, while Kagome and Inuyasha sat on the floor cross-legged talking for what felt like hours.

"Ok, ok, ok!" Kagome exclaimed waving her hand back and forth "So! Name your three favorite movies of all time!"

Inuyasha grinned in thought "Terminator, Fast and the Furious and Iron Man."

"All action movies! I see you're very adventurous!" Kagome said with a type of excitement that Inuyasha couldn't really place. "Course! I don't do any of that Rom-Com bullshit."

"There are some good rom-coms!" Kagome debated "There is 10 Things I Hate About You, Friends With Benefits…even You've Got Mail!"

Inuyasha merely gave her a bored expression "There ain't nothin exciting about a rom-com."

"Well…that is where you are wrong Mr. Takahashi…" Kagome replied in a seductive voice, Inuyasha only rolled his eyes, that was until she slowly began moving closer to him.

She crawled on her hands and knees until she penetrated his personal space. "Kagome…" he asked but he was lost in her stunning stare. Sweat dripped from his brow as his eyes locked onto her thinly beautiful lips.

But she bypassed his lips and leaned in close to the side of his head where his ear twitched underneath his ball-cap and whispered "Romance is always exciting." Then with lightning speed, she ripped the cap off of Inuyasha's head and dashed into the hallway.

After a moment of eye twitching the Half-demon leaped after her, they played cat and mouse for a moment, running around the bottom area of the house until he finally cornered her in the kitchen.

His arms trapped her in-between the kitchen counter, the drunk girl was in a laughing fit as she hid his hat behind her back, trying desperately to keep it out of his reach. "Give it back Kagome." He warned with a smile, but Kagome only pouted in response.

"Why? You look much better without this thing on. Besides…"

A small womanly hand ran up the Half-demon's chest, gently feeling the fabric of his shirt under her fingertips, it traveled all the way up his shoulder, passing his thick mane of lushes hair and gently took hold of his puppy ears.

It twitched at the initial contact but he quickly melted into her caress. She massaged the furry appendage long enough for an animalistic purr to escape his lips only made Kagome laugh even louder.

"Why would you ever want to hide these?"

Inuyasha's purring ceased and he looked down at the giggling girl, a twinge of seriousness entered his voice as he replied "Cause a lot of people hate them."

But the beautiful girl only shook her head and replied "Well screw them…cause I love them with all my heart."

Inuyasha took a moment to truly appreciate what she had just said. Kagome caught his heartfelt stare and slowly leaned forward. Her hands descended to his shoulders, eyes closed and preparing to meet his wonderful lips…but they never came.

"Inuyasha." an angry Sesshomaru said from the doorway of the kitchen. Inuyasha sighed aggressively and pulled away from Kagome. He turned and growled "Perfect timing!"

"If you are planning on mating then may I request it doesn't be on my counter-top?" He asked snidely, "Got it." Inuyasha bit out.

Sesshomaru turned and left a fuming half-demon and a blushing girl alone with their devices and a completely ruined moment.

"So…" Kagome muttered softly "…wanna watch You've Got Mail?"