Well, here it is! The long awaited update I promised you peoplelike two months ago. Hey, I'm only human and I'm lazy to boot, so please, please don't hold my humanity against me (cackles insanely they don't know I'm a demon, ha ha!). Anyway you have no idea how long it took me to write this damn thing so you all better be grateful and leave me some nice reviews! As for when it'll be updated next, I have no idea. I have a million other stories to update before I get back around to this one. The next one that should be updated will be Knight of Kagome's Heart.

Disclaimer: I don't own Yu Yu Hakusho or Inuyasha (I'm not the rich or lucky). If I did own them, however, I would finda way to combine them into one show. Of course then Kurama and Kagome could find their way to each other like the couple they're detsined to be.

First Date

Chapter 4

"Are you having a good time?" Kagome asked her date as they walked hand and hand through the crowd of milling people that flocked her family's heritage. Kagome's pristine white hakamas swirled around her legs as she and Kurama continued their slow walk around the shrine grounds. All around them, people of all ages flocked together, pointing at booths and playing random games, all lost in their own happiness. Laughter floated along the breeze and from behind the couple a little boy began crying when he lost his balloon. The boy's cry was so loud that some passer-bys were beginning to shoot the mother and son dirty looks, while the desperate father searched for more balloons to calm his raging son. And yet neither Kurama nor Kagome took any notice of anything else in the world as neither could take their eye off the other for longer than a few minutes.

The night was still young, the stars hanging brightly in the sky as the moon cast a shadow upon all those who fell under its heavenly light. Kagome gave a happy sigh and subconsciously shifted closer to Kurama's side as they ambled along at their own unhurried pace. She gave no notice or retreat when Kurama simply took her hand and pulled her along, tightening his hold on her hand when she blushed and shyly returned the gesture. For some reason, Kagome was already quite attached to the charming kitsune and felt only comfort in his presence….well among other things she had yet to process.

"Yes," Kurama answered simply as he gazed down at the pretty miko sanding so cutely at his side. Her eyes were simply enchanting as she smiled back at him, a pleasant smile flirting across her lips. Kurama's eyes flashed a brilliant green as the heat spiked between them, causing Kagome's blood to heat and her face to flush with awareness. But instead of getting flustered like so many times in the past her blue eyes were twinkling with merriment and joy as she returned the heated look with one of her own.

Goodness, how long had it been since anyone had made her feel this way? And she thought her reaction at seeing Inuyasha for the first time was intense. That was nothing compared to what the sight of this demon did to her. But after one single look, one soft touch, one breath of a whisper across her ear and Kagome's blood would sing in ways that it never had before. Strange that a demon could make her feel such things. Her miko power wasn't even fighting with his youki; rather it seemed content to protect him as if he were family. She felt it each time his kitsune aura overlapped hers, caressing her like a lover and trying to understand her in ways no one ever tried before. It made her feel special and wanted something that she very rarely felt outside of her family. Even Inuyasha had never made her feel quite so at home in his presence.

"What's next on the agenda?" Kurama asked, leaning close to whisper in her ear. Almost against her will, Kagome's body shuddered as his breath washed across the shell of her ear, leaving her body trembling with extreme tension. Kagome narrowed her eyes suspiciously when caught the glimmer of satisfaction in his eyes, but she decided to let it go when he sent her a charming smile, tinged with innocence and suppressed laugh. Oh, he new what he was doing, Kagome was well aware of that. But she would allow it for now. At least until she figured out what his deal was.

Kagome almost couldn't find the words to make it through her next statement. As it was, her voice came out in a low, seductive purr as she answered him. "Ar-arhcery," she croaked as her voice cracked under pressure. Kagome mentally composed herself. "It's an archery demonstration. I teach a clinic every year." She shot him a shy look. "Do you want to join in?"

Kurama looked thoughtful as he fought not to picture Kagome as she must have looked in her natural element. But of course, he was part Yoko and his mind was already picturing Kagome in that classic archer's stance, death and justice in her eyes, as she stared down any and all of her foes. Of course the next picture his mind flashed to was of her standing before him, bow drawn, face neutral, and clothes vanished as she remained in the suit of her birth. Kurama fought the flashes down with some resistance and smiled. "As long as you are my teacher, I will gladly participate."

Kagome couldn't help the pleased blush that washed across her cheeks as he chuckled and let go of her hand, only to draw his arm around her. "So, Kagome….will you teach me?" Kagome was absolutely sure Kurama had an altogether different meaning behind the context of his words, but she held herself together long enough to smile innocently back, fluttering her lashes flirtatiously.

"Why, Kurama-sama, I'm sure a kitsune like you would need not this lowly miko to teach him much of anything," she teased, enjoying the calmness of the night.

A child rushed by her, followed by his sister, causing Kagome to shift her stance and fall into Kurama as he caught her effortlessly. They stood there staring at each other, Kurama's arms around her waist, her hands curved delicately over the play of muscle on his chest.

Kurama had to fight and fight hard to keep the scent of her from disrupting 'little Yoko' so as not to frighten her away. There would be time enough for that later…if she was interested of course. And to Kurama it looked like she just might be.

The kitsune's emerald eyes flashed down at her, inwardly wondering how it was this woman had managed to enrapture him so. He'd never found such an engaging creature before, but she was certainly a lovely person, inside and out. Why couldn't he have met her years ago, then maybe he would have been able to keep his damn fan club off his back. His eyes drifted over her angelic body, noting the tightness of her abs and the length of her legs. He was pretty sure she would have been able to fend off any of those chaotic girls…and with ease. "Why, Kagome-chan, you flatter me," he drawled, drawing her close when he realized they were quite a ways off from the rest of the pack of humans. Their walk had taken them away from the festivities. He stopped, startling her a bit, though she gave no protest when he backed her up onto her porch and sat her down beside him on a love swing, all the while keeping her safe in his warm embrace. "Though I do wonder why anyone would deny themselves the pleasure of your 'expertise,'" he whispered seductively, "I'm sure there are many, many things we can learn from each other."

Kagome continued staring blankly at the handsome man trying in vain to picture what he looked like in his demon form….he was certainly proving his kitsune heritage that was for sure. On the outside, he looked quite the innocent young school boy, though Kagome had a sneaking suspicion Kurama, even in his youth, could never claim to be innocent.

Suddenly feeling very curious, Kagome's nature took over and she simply had to explore the mystery surrounding her gorgeous date. She must have surprised him when she spoke for he looked a bit taken aback, before a small smile crossed his face.

"So, you told me you were a kitsune, a silver kitsune?" Kagome mused. "Were you born here? I was under the impression that demons died out a long time ago. If there truly are demons still alive, why have I never encountered them before?"

Kurama was a bit confused over how she could possibly have any miko power while not knowing about the Makai. Still, he could always ask her later. Something told him there was a long story behind her powers and she might not be so happy to indulge him when they barely knew each other.

"You see, Kagome, about 400 years ago some very powerful figures came together and decided that the humans and demons were becoming too much to handle. Humans were already scared to death of demons and there were some demons who indulged in human flesh quite often." Kurama paused wondering why the girl was taking this so easily, without batting an eye. Most people would be quite shocked or horrified when they heard about demons' taste for human flesh. But Kagome simply sat there, a strange, knowing look in her eyes, as if she'd already known about that little tidbit. But that was impossible, right? If she hadn't ever encountered a demon here, how could she possibly know of such things?

Kagome was lost in her own world, inwardly acknowledging that Kurama was staring at her strangely, yet Kagome simply couldn't find it in her heart to show any fear or disgust. She'd been there; she'd seen the atrocities that occurred between human and demons. And although it saddened her to know that her innocence had been shattered by danger, famine, blood, wars, and death, she'd strangely become a bit desensitized to all that, choosing to learn from others' mistakes, instead of cowering away. She was a strong person and figured if you could live through anything in the Feudal Era, you could live through everything else with eyes wide open.

She smiled at him and placed a hand over his. "Please do go on, Kurama. This is all very interesting. I'd like to hear more if you're willing to explain it to me."

Kurama smiled back and continued his tale as Kagome listened patiently to what had become of the demons, surprised that they'd been given their own separate world. Before she could stop herself, Kagome's mind whirled back to her old friends. She wondered if any of them might still be alive. By the sound of things, Kurama must have been very old to know all the little important details he was telling her. And she knew demons could live a very long time, so what had become of her friends? And if they were indeed still alive, why had none of them come forward in an attempt to contact her. She would have loved to know if her son was still alive. Even a glimpse of Sesshomaru might set her mind at ease. They'd never really gotten along, however she should rephrase that. Inuyasha and Sesshomaru had never gotten along. Kagome had come to find with time that there was a lot more to the stoic lord than anyone saw. Why else would a bloodthirsty demon lord let a young human girl tag along with him? And from what she'd seen, Sesshomaru was very protective of her, no matter how hard he tried to hide that fact from the world.

Kagome was shaken out of her thoughts by two gentle hands coming to rest upon her shoulders. She blinked and looked up noticing Kurama was trying to say something above her cloudy hearing.

"-gome, Kagome?" He questioned, wondering if maybe she'd gotten bored from his speech. About half way through his explanation of the Makai and Reikai, he'd noticed a far-off gleam in her eyes. He'd stopped and glanced at her curiously, waiting a whole five minutes before interrupting her reverie.

"I'm very sorry, Kurama," she apologized shooting him a rueful grin. "All this talk about demons has my mind in another place and time."

"Oh?" Kurama was interested now. "Do you mind me asking about these memories?"

Kagome considered the kitsune sitting so patiently in front of her, wondering what to tell him and how much. As the guardian of the jewel it was her job to protect it. No matter how she felt about this new man, she couldn't just go off and tell the first demon she'd met in months about a jewel wanted by many. But…this was Kurama. And for some reason, she had a feeling that she could tell him anything and he would never betray her.

"Well…." She started before he cut her off.

"Don't worry," he smiled, understanding evident in his moss green eyes. "It is truly okay if you do not wish to talk about your past. We all have secrets we cling to."

Kagome was again amazed by this demon's patience with her. Inuyasha would have been fed up by her 'daydreaming' as he would call it and demand to know what she was thinking about…so they could get back to shard hunting, not because he cared or anything.

"So, Kagome, what do you think about our school? Are you settling in all right?" He asked, changing the subject.

"Oh, yes, of course, everyone has been very supportive, especially Yusuke and Yukina," Kagome replied happily, marveling over two of her newest friends. "I love Yukina, she's such a sweetheart, and Yusuke has a heart of gold underneath his rough exterior and harsh vocabulary."

Kagome's ability to see people for what they were was something that amazed him, though he wasn't surprised. Miko's were often renowned for being able to look into a person's heart and soul, in order to tell evil from good, he supposed, yet Kagome seemed to read people without the use of her energy. She got along splendidly with the group, seeing as she had so many sides to her person. Yusuke already thought of her as a little sister and the two often skipped math together when they were feeling particularly bored or strained. Ordinarily Kurama would have chastised them both about studying and not skipping school, yet he'd never seen Yusuke look so happy than when he was talking with Kagome or Yukina. And he really didn't know Kagome enough to dictate what she did when she was in school. He didn't have that right; at least not yet. And even if he did, he knew he would never be able to stop the woman in front of him from doing whatever she wanted. Kagome was a free spirit and lived like the wind, changing every second.

Yukina and Kagome had spent every spare minute together since meeting and he was sure that the girls were already the best of friends. It was amazing how supportive of Yusuke Yukina was, encouraging him to seek out Kagome whenever she was too busy with her duties at Genkai's shrine. Any other girl would have been immensely jealous that her 'mate' was spending time with another woman, but Yukina had never once doubted Yusuke's feelings for her. Even Kurama had to admit the young miko was good for the high-strung Toushin. After what happened with Keiko, Yusuke had never been the same and had only recently come around towards the opposite sex. For the longest time he couldn't even look at a woman, without feeling pain, hurt, or betrayal.

"We're planning on attending a small picnic tomorrow," Kurama spoke up. "Would you like to join us?"

Kagome mentally went over her plans for the next day and came up with nothing. So she nodded, eyes sparkling with pleasure. "Of course I would. I have nothing on the agenda. I was planning to ask Yukina if she wanted to go shopping tomorrow, so maybe we can do that as well."

Yukina, Kagome speculated, she enjoyed immensely. The little ice apparition was terribly sweet, though underneath her calm exterior, Kagome was sure she'd sensed a bit of fire behind her burgundy eyes. Yukina was not the innocent angel everyone made her out to be; even Hiei was coming to realize that. It's an added bonus, Kagome thought. It only adds to her character.

Out of all her new friends, Kagome enjoyed Yusuke the most. He was almost like an older sibling, walking with her in school and threatening people who got too close or attempted to ask her out or touch her person. In some respect he was a lot like a certain hanyou she'd left behind after the final battle was over and she was forced back home. However, Yusuke did not try to hide his feelings for Yukina or make her feel inferior because he didn't want people to see his love as a weakness. And he was extremely protective of Yukina, following her everywhere. It wasn't like he was a lovesick fool or anything, it was just that Yusuke was extremely loyal and his instinct made sure he was around his future mate so as to keep her away from other potential threats.

Kagome had yet to understand why the complexities between Yusuke, Botan and Keiko, no one had bothered to explain it to her, yet Kagome wasn't bothered by it. She knew someone would tell her eventually, but it really wasn't any of her business since she'd just met the gang.

"Is Hiei going to be there?" Kagome asked innocently, marveling over the oddities of the short demon. Kurama raised an eyebrow in question, surprised when long forgotten and quite foreign instincts threatened to over take him. He ruthlessly snuffed out the thoughts swimming through his brain and answered her, keeping all hints of annoyance out of his voice.

"I'm sure he will, though it is likely that you'll be unable to sense him."

"Not a fan of large gatherings is he?" She asked giggling slightly as her thoughts once again drifted to Inuyasha. Hiei acted a bit like the hanyou as well, choosing to appear indifferent to everyone else and the world around him. The only thing he seemed to care about was his sister, though he did treat Kurama as a friend had a grudging respect for Yusuke. If she was most confused about anyone it was Hiei. Yukina's twin was certainly an enigma, though not as much as the red head sitting beside her, staring up at the moon.

Almost without thought, Kagome found her eyes drifting over to the handsome fox sitting so docile before her, eyes traveling over his carefully bound locks, wondering what he would do if she was to touch his hair, caress the cool strands beneath her needy fingers. She growled inwardly, cursing herself for this weakness. Kami, what is it about demons and fantastic hair? She pouted. She would kill to have such richness. She was willing to bet it was even more stunning when he was in demon form. He'd mentioned he was a silver kitsune, so did that mean he had silver hair like Sesshomaru? She wondered if he had ears as well. Shippo hadn't, but then again Shippo was a different breed, so it was entirely possible his kitsune form would come with fluffy ears as well. She sighed dreamily and continued gazing at her one true weakness.

"Is there something you find fascinating about me, Kagome?" Kurama asked mischievously, noticing the way her eyes boldly ran over his facial features and fiery hair.

"Your hair….it's beautiful," Kagome complimented before she could stop herself, clapping a hand over her mouth and glaring when he let out a soft, gentle chuckle.

Wanting to save her more embarrassment, Kurama reached out and ran his fingers through her own wavy locks, touching her right cheek just barely before reaching behind her and drawing her even closer into his body. The porch swing shifted slightly beneath them and Kurama subconsciously began rocking the chair, enjoying the breeze that caressed them as if calling him home. "I think your hair is lovely as well," he returned the compliment, pleased when she let out a tiny sigh before relaxing in his embrace, all the while maintaining steady eye contact.

"What is it about you?" Kagome finally asked, timidly drawing a hand up to trace his own cheek, blue eyes wide with puzzlement and fascination as she attempted to study him even more. "Why are you…," she paused trying to find the right words and only came up with, "so…different…from everyone else?"

Kurama smiled and slanted his forehead against her own. "I could ask you the same question," he murmured softly, brushing some wayward strands behind her ear, déjà vu beginning to take him back to the day before when he'd walked her home. "You are unlike any woman I've ever met before…" he trailed off, drawing away a bit to lay a gentle kiss upon her forehead. "So soft…." He kissed both cheeks and then her eyelids. "So sweet," he finished. His eyes flitted down to her mouth as she nervously wet her suddenly dry lips. His eyes followed the trail her pink tongue left, wondering what she would do if he followed that same trail. "I wonder…" he trailed off again, searching for answers in her holy eyes.

Kagome, already quite enchanted by the handsome fox, was steadily becoming more and more enraptured as the night wore on. In all the years of her youthful existence on this great expanse of a world, she didn't think she'd ever met a man quite as enigmatic and as interesting as the red-headed, pretty boy who had practically glued himself to her hip the entire, wonderful, dreamy night. She couldn't help it. No one had ever made her feel this way, this good.

"What do you wonder?" Kagome asked breathlessly, hoping her eyes were enough to convey what she wanted him to do. For the first time in the history of her love life, Kagome was absolutely positive the boy was interested. The way he looked at her, studied her with those possessive eyes of his, like he could see right down to her very soul. It was enough to make her heart rate double.

The attraction which had sizzled earlier between them seemed to be growing in rapt intensity.

And she'd not gotten tired of his presence once! Of course, who would ever get tired of a man as sweet and handsome as Kurama? Hojo, although a bit naïve and definitely not her type at all, was as sweet as they come and certainly no slouch when it came to looks. But he had never succeeded in causing such a reaction to befall her confused mind before.

Kagome had already fallen in love with Kurama's ruby locks and had taken to admiring the glorious stands when he wasn't looking, although she got the picture that he knew every time she stole a secretive glance in his direction. And every time he looked down at her with those large, emerald, cat-like eyes of his, it set her body aflame with feelings previously unknown to her. She'd felt desire before, but it had been childish and nothing to the degree it was this night.

And to make matters even more interesting, Kurama had totally charmed the pants off her mother, not even five minutes in her house. He had stood in the archway outside her bedroom door and quietly conversed with her mother in the moments it took for her to tear her eyes away from the enchanting boy and her mind to clear out of the gutter. By the time Kagome had come to and realized what was happening, Kun-loon was already in the process of introducing Kurama to her loony grandfather and annoying little brother.

Kagome had blushed and shouted when her grandfather had looked at the boy suspiciously and bluntly asked what his intentions were towards his "only granddaughter". But Kurama, adorably sweet as he was, had brushed the comment off without even batting an eye, smiling pleasantly at the old man, while gently easing the sticky, fake ofuda off his forehead. Kurama had stated simply that his intentions were "purely honorable" and that he was "truly interested" in learning more about "such an obviously powerful miko." The "powerful miko" comment scored some major points with her grandpa who always took pride in her miko abilities and he'd beamed like the crazy man he was.

Even Souta liked him, though was a bit weary of him at first. He'd like Inuyasha a long time ago during the beginning of Kagome's adventures back to the Feudal Era, but had stopped looking up to the hanyou when he heard how badly his sister was treated at times. But even he had to admit that Kurama seemed as nice and genuine as they come.

And now here they were, sitting on her family's porch swing and said boy was leaning closer and closer, an intense look of burning desire in his haunting eyes. And Kagome had no intentions of stopping him. She'd given up on pushing people away in the hopes that she could save herself from getting hurt. She'd done that with Inuyasha, choosing to keep her feelings locked away rather than shower them upon the whole world. In the end she wasn't who he'd chosen and Kagome had been fine with that, learning along the way that she never could have been happy with him anyway. After all, what she'd experienced with her first love was only the first step to self-discovery. She'd learned many things about herself in those few years she'd spent traveling through time. She was a strong miko now and could take care of herself. And she was damn well old enough to realize that what her body wanted, her mind did as well. And for once, they were in complete compliance with each other.

They wanted the kitsune to kiss her, to show her exactly what she'd missed out on the first time around. Of course her body wanted a bit more, but Kagome would cross that barrier when she came to it. For now she wanted to learn first hand what it was like to kiss a boy and have him kiss her in return.

"I wonder," Kurama murmured again, pulling her even closer, emerald orbs half-disappearing beneath the shadow of his lids. "If you taste as sweet as you look."

Kagome's lips curved wickedly as she maneuvered her head and kissed him once, softly, teasingly, chastely, surprised when he gave a start at her boldness, however light the kiss was. Before she even knew what was happening, Kurama had fisted a hand in her hair and reeled her in, slanting his lips across hers in a kiss he'd been waiting for, for an eternity.

There we go. I know it wasn't the best, but its all I could come up with. I hope that you all do continue to read this story, as I'm not abandoning it. I assure you that eventually I'll finish all my stories so for now you'll just have to be patient.

Please remember to read and review.

Ja ne

Kura