Chapter 1

"Please! Let me connect with your soul."

Kagome rattled awake in the pouring rain. She touched her lips and a shiver trembled through her. She couldn't be sure if it was the fact that she was lying on the cold wet floor with the rain crying down on her or if it was the strange illusion that she had just been kissed.

Routine.

Routine had become a normal occurrence for Kagome Higurashi. After finishing high school and moving to the heart of Tokyo to be closer to college, Kagone has gotten used to the every day bustle.

College was a new ball game that Kagome had a difficult time playing at first. Apart from the busy streets and a whole new place without her family, her studies were also a different curriculum to get used to.

After her first C- on her test scores she was determined to work even harder, with that in mind she studied until late into the night and was up before the hen had time to cackle.

The sun was peaking through between the tallest buildings when Kagome locked up her apartment and left for class.

"Hey, Kagome!"

Kagome stopped to see who was calling behind her. She smiled as she saw her friend Ellie bounding towards her in a jog to catch up.

"Morning Ell."

Out of breath she replied, "Up early again huh?"

"You know me." Kagome shrugged.

The two continued down the street whilst catching up.

"You haven't seen Hojo around?" Ellie asked, absently twirling her short hair between her fingers.

Kagome shook her head. "No, not recently. Why, you need him for something?"

"No, nothing like that. He just usually drops by the café once in a while and I haven't seen him since, maybe, last week Monday." Ellie recalled accurately.

Kagome thought about it for a moment. "Considering that he's studying to become a physio-therapeutic doctor I'd say he's probably studying for finals before summer break."

Ellie hummed in agreement, "You're right, I shouldn't read too much into it."

"Read into what?" Kagome raised her brows.

Ellie sighed heavily. "Honestly, I asked him out the last time I saw him and I'm not sure if it went that well."

The two stopped in front of the café were Ellie was working. "What do you mean? What happened?"

"I don't know. He seemed unsure and made an excuse."

Kagome's brow furrowed in confused hurt for her friend. "I'm sorry Ell. Maybe he's just worried about his studies?"

She tried to excuse Hojo with a valid reason, but even Kagome knew it was a cheap lie to spare her friend from hurt feelings.

Ellie suddenly stretched with a new burst of enthusiasm. "Ahhh, who cares. Let me get to work before my manager decides I'm no good."

"You make the best cup in the whole café." Kagome insisted, "He can't fire his best employee."

Ellie laughed. "Don't joke about that, he just might."

"See you, Kagome."

"See you."

Waving goodbye as Ellie disappeared into the shop, Kagome continued down the road. "Wonder how I did on that test?"

B- ?

Kagome pouted. "I thought I did better than that."

"If you put in more effort you'll be able to get an A in my class."

"But Professor, I have been studying hard and this is the only class where I can't seem to do better than a B-." Kagome noted, "Can you please have my test re-marked I'm sure something was missed."

Professor Yuna scoffed. "If I agree to that then all the students would want that privilege."

"But-"

"No more, Kagome." The professor stated abruptly.

Kagome left the class feeling beaten. More than once she has tried to placate Professor Yuna to have her tests checked for a second time and she always refuses.

"I'm sure that professor has it in for me." Kagome frowned with irritation as she left the building.

She looked up to see grey clouds covering the sky and rain droplets dripping inconsistently.

"Forgot an umbrella?"

Kagome looked to her right to see Hojo smiling sheepishly with his hand behind his neck.

"Hojo?"

"Looks like both of us didn't expect rain today." He said.

"I know right, the sky was clear this morning." She replied, "How are you by the way? You've been missed."

"I have?" A red hue coloured his ears at the thought of Kagome missing him, "I didn't realise."

Kagome tilted her head, confused by his awkwardness. "So I've heard."

Hojo laughed sheepishly feeling silly. "Right." He shrugged, he knew it was too good to be true, "I've been well. I don't want my studies to slip during vacation so I thought I'd push myself this last week."

"Makes sense." Kagome agreed, nodding as she stared up at the sky, "It's your last class today?"

He shook his head. "No, I still have 2 more classes tomorrow. How about you?"

Kagome smiled with relief, "I finished today. I've pushed my limits so I'm headed home tomorrow to take a break."

The rain started pouring harder as they continued to make light conversation.

"That's nice though. Maybe we could get together during the break." Hojo suggested eagerly.

Kagome thought about it and decided she didn't really want to hang out with Hojo during the break. Especially if Ellie was into him.

"Why don't you ask Ellie if she wants to meet up during your break?"

She thought this suggestion would be harmless enough.

"Ellie?" He frowned, "The waitress from the café down the road."

Kagome hummed. "Yes, she's really nice isn't she?"

"Yeah, but-" Hojo was having a hard time getting his intentions across.

Kagome froze when she felt a pulsation rippling through her body. She blinked, trying ignoring the sensation. "But, what?"

The pulse rippled again and again until it felt like her own heart was beating loudly in her ears. Her eyes darted around, searching, searching, but not seeing anything.

"Please-"

Kagome was sure she heard a desperate cry for help. She kept looking around, but didn't see anyone other than the few students rushing to their cars in the rain.

"-agome! Kagome!"

She startled when Hojo put a hand on her shoulder. "Did you hear what I said?"

"Uhh, no sorry, I got distracted with a thought. What were you saying?"

Hojo sighed with frustration. "I can't hang with Ellie, because she's not you."

Kagome blinked. Did she hear that right? "Me?"

Her eyes widened with the realization that Hojo liked her. His ears coloured red with embarrassment and although Kagome thought it was cute that he liked her...

"Sorry Hojo."

Seeing the disappointed look on his face, Kagome walked away.

She reached the corner of the building and turned to rest her back behind the wall. She squeezed her eyes. Kagome felt embarrassed by the conversation and even more so she felt bad that instead of liking Ellie, Hojo liked her.

She took a breath and just as she believed she had righted herself her body pulsed again. This sensation. Is it pain? Pleasure? All she knew was that he body was reacting to something that she wasn't able to see.

"Please!-"

"What?" She gasped for breath as she clutched a fist to her chest, the agony and desperate feelings so clear to her own heart, "Where are you?"

Turning to look down the side walk of the school building she decided to hide behind her eyes narrowed as she saw a flicker. She quickly rubbed the back of her hand over her eyes. Her sights clashed with desperate golden eyes. White-silver hair danced behind him as he ran towards her.

"Please! Let me connect with your soul."

Bare feet splashed into puddles across the pavement until he was upon her. Kagome silently gasped as he dove to meet her. He swung his arm behind her head to pull her close. His eyes desperate as he bared his fangs out of breath. He pulled Kagome forward, opened his mouth and with forgiving golden eyes kissed her.