Hello everyone! Here is the next chapter! Kinda early I know, but I just had t finish this chapter. Please tell me what you think! Reviews are very encouraging, and I thank you all who reviewed on the last chapter. It really got me motivated, and I love hearing from you all. Enjoy!

Kagome awoke the next morning feeling as refreshed as ever. She had decided today that she was going to spoil herself. She had everything planned out. She had booked a reservation at her favorite restaurant, which was quiet expensive in comparison to her wallet. Before that she was going to go over to Sango's and have some girl time. Sango was going to have to work later in the day so Kagome was going to go over there early in the day to see her. Kagome quickly got up and began her morning rituals. She ended up deciding to wear some jean shorts, with a button up white shirt. She put on some white flip-flop, and threw her hair into a pony tail. She hen set off to Sango's.

Kagome arrived there just as she had planned. She gave a knock on the door excited to see Sango's surprised face. A few moments had passed and no one came to answer the door. Kagome gave another knock. It was then the door opened to reveal a tired Miroku standing in the hallway.

"Kagome?" he questioned as he rubbed the sleep from his eyes. "Is everything ok?"

"Oh, um, yes," she answered. "Is Sango here?"

"Oh, I'm sorry Kagome she left for work already. Didn't she tell you?"

"She said she had work later tonight, but I didn't think…"

"She does, but they called her in and asked her to work a full day today."

"Oh, I see…"

"Is there anything I can do for you?" Miroku questioned with concern.

"No, I am fine," she answered trying to sound reassuring. "I was just looking to spend some girl time with her is all."

"I'm sorry Kagome. I think she is off this coming Saturday. Why don't you plan to get together with her then?"

"Thanks Miruko, I will talk to her about it," she answered giving him a smile.

Miroku gave her nod and closed the door returning to what Kagome suspected was a welcoming bed. With disappointment Kagome started walking back to her apartment. She had to figure out something else to do. Kagome saw the little café and bookstore not far from her apartment. She then had the idea to spend some time in there. Nothing was wrong with sitting down with a cup of coffee and a good book.

Kagome had spent a few hours in the café/bookstore. Truthfully she spent a little longer than she expect to in there. She made her way back to her apartment and ate some lunch. It was now that the real fun began. She picked out her favorite movie and popped some popcorn. She seated herself on the middle cushion of the couch and pressed play. Excited coursed through her veins. She absolutely loved this movie. This movie sent her through an emotional spiral in one two and half hour seating.

Once the movie was over Kagome checked the time. It was finally time to get ready. She quickly jumped up and cleaned up whatever mess she had made. She then ran to the bathroom for a quick shower. Once her shower was complete she went and pulled out her little black dress she was going to wear for the night with her red five and half-inch heels. She layer the dress on the bed, the shoes at the foot, and then scurried off to finish getting ready in the bathroom. She began with her hair. Kagome warmed up the curler she had and began putting curls throughout her hair. Every time she finished a curl she would pin it up to let it set. After an hour her hair was complete. Her next target was her makeup. She put on light foundation and a natural color eye shadow that was a little darker than her actual skin tone. It made her bright blue eyes seem even brighter. She applied her mascara and eye liner, because this truly was a special occasion and she was going to treat herself no matter what. Once that was all done she made her way to her room.

Being mindful of her makeup she pulled on her dress. She then sat on the bed and put on her heels. Walking into the bath room she had to put on the remaining touches. She went inside her jewelry case and pulled out a silver neckless with a single diamond, and a pair of diamond stud earrings. These had belonged to her mother, and her mother gave them to her before she moved out the house. These were a true treasure to her because they had come from her father. Kagome then placed on some red lipstick and walked to the full mirror hanging on her door. She did a once over and nodded at herself liking her work. She transferred her belongs from her purse to a little black one and left her apartment.

Kagome walked up to the restaurant, after she had paid the taxi she had called., and was praising the gods she had made a reservation. The line was terribly long. She walked up to the man at the door with a pad in hand and gave him a bright smile.

"Name?" he questioned firmly.

"Higurashi," she answered him.

"Welcome Miss Higurashi," he said as he check off her confirmed reservation. "We do hope that you enjoy your meal."

"Thank you," she replied as he opened the door for her to enter.

A man in a hosts uniform greeted as she walked in and led her to her table. It was a table that seated two. The table was round and had a white cloth draping over it. A single candle lit in the middle with a plate ready on her side of the table. The host walked over to her chair and pulled it out so she could be seated. She thanked him, and then he took off. Kagome did not have to wait long before a waiter appeared. He asked if she would like anything to drink, and she told him a water. He then left her to get retrieve her refreshment.

Kagome loved the table she had requested. It was on the outside of all the other tables in the restaurant. Because of this she could watch the people around her and imagine what their lives were like to be able to eat here. Some looked to be regulars because of their interaction with the staff and the people around them. Others seemed to be on business, and others just seemed to be on a first date or one of many. She loved looking at them all. They were all so different, and yet had similarities here and there. Her water then appeared before her. The waiter asked if was ready to order and Kagome gave a nod with a smile. Once she ordered her food, the waiter left to allow her to enjoy her surroundings once more.

Kagome was pleasant to put it lightly. She found herself wishing that she was sharing this dinner with someone. She would have normally shared it with Sango, but because she was at work Kagome thought it better to not even mention the dinner to her. Kagome had just ordered her desert when a sigh escaped her lips.

"Excuse," came a male's voice from the side of her. Kagome being surprised turned to find out who was speaking to her.

"Hojo," Kagome said as she looked at the man's face. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, just having dinner. And you Kagome?"

"Today is a special day, so I decided to treat myself," she replied firmly.

"Ah, yes," he realized. "Today is the day."

"Yes, now if you will excuse me," she said to end the conversation.

"Woah, there Kagome," he told her with a firm look. "Please allow me to join you," he in said in a manner of that he was inviting himself.

"I'm sorry Hojo, but I am already dinning with someone," she lied.

"Now Kagome, I know that is not true. I have watched you this entire night. You have been alone," he said the last part with a smirk. "Allow me to fill that void."

"Hojo, please I would rather spend this time alone if you don't mind," she informed him stressing the alone part.

"Kagome, if there is one thing I learned in our relationship," he started to say before he took a sip from her water. "It is that you do not like being alone," he finished as he set the glass back down and locked eyes with her.

Kagome gave him a dark glare that would have killed anyone standing in front of her. It was in that moment she wished she was not in a public place, and cursed the gods for not making Hojo a demon. Right now, more than ever, she wished she could purify him.

"Notice the past tense in your sentence," she answered him. "We are no longer in a relationship, which means you are free to leave me be," she told him in a calm matter, but Hojo knew she was boiling on the inside.

"Kagome, I know you were upset when we broke up," he told her still holding her gaze. "I forgive you. It is ok, you don't have to play this game."

"I'm not playing any game Hojo. Leave me alone," she said slightly raising her voice to let him know she meant it.

"Calm down, calm down. Let us just have some desert and talk. After all today is-"

"Madame, this is for you," the waiter said as he placed a glass of red wine in front of her.

"Oh, I did not order this," Kagome told the waiter.

"I know Madame, the man over there ordered it for you," the waiter informed her as he pointed to a man in the corner of the restaurant.

"Well, you can tell the man that she does not accept," Hojo said making a grab for the glass. Kagome quickly grabbed it and raised to the man in the corner giving him a nod before taking a small sip.

"Kagome, give the wine back," Hojo commanded. "If you would like some wine I will buy you some."

"No, I want this glass, and you gone," Kagome informed him yet again.

"Kagome I-"

"Hello, Miss Higurashi," a very sexy voice said next to her. Kagome turned and allowed a small gasp to escape her lips.

"Sesshomaru," she said as she locked eyes with the demon and her boss. "What are you doing here?"

"This Sesshomaru is dinning out of course," he informed her. "Do you like the wine?"

"Oh, yes thank you very much," Kagome told him when an idea sprung into her head. "Please why don't you have a seat, Hojo was just leaving," she asked Sesshomaru as she gave a wicked smile to Hojo.

"Very well, if you insist," Sesshomaru said as he awaited the man to get out the seat he was offered.

"Kagome please-" Hojo began, but was cut off by her.

"I believe I have found my company for the night; and as I have said many time in the past few minutes, leave Hojo," she said with a smile.

"Kagome I will not leave," Hojo said forcefully.

"You will leave Miss Higurashi," Sesshomaru informed him with a glare. Hojo noticeably swallowed in fear.

"And what will you do if I do not?" Hojo questioned.

"I will have you removed," Sesshomaru told him. "Now, I will not repeat myself, leave," Sesshomaru commanded.

"Kagome-" Hojo started to plea.

"Please Hojo, just leave. I would rather not cause a scene," she told him with a look.

Hojo straightened himself up as he stood and have a hard glare to Sesshomaru. "I will not forget this sir. You are blessed to even be in the presence of Kagome," he told Sesshomaru in a cold voice. "She is mine, and you will do well to remember that," he told the demon in a cold whisper that only Sesshomaru could hear.

Sesshomaru looked at the man that he was dwarfing by no exaggeration. 'Did he really think, he threaten or challenge me?' Sesshomaru thought to himself. 'This human in greatly mistaken.' Sesshomaru replied to him with his normal "Hn" allowing Hojo to think he has won. As the Hojo step further away Sesshomaru turned. "Human," he called to Hojo. Hojo turned with eyes full of hatred. "Watch what you say to stranger, you never know what could happen the next time you meet," Sesshomaru told him with a smirk.

Hojo glared and made his way to the exit. Leaving Kagome with the demon he did not like or trust, but also with the satisfaction that he had made known his claim on her before he left. He was going to get Kagome no matter what it took.

Kagome let out a relieved sigh, "I am so sorry Sesshomaru."

"For what Miss Higurashi?" Sesshomaru questioned with a raised brow.

"For putting you in the spot, and forcing you to deal with that…"

"Imbosol," Sesshomaru stated more than asked.

"Yes, he was just not getting the picture," she told him with aggravation. "I mean you would think after telling him straight forward multiple times to leave, he would! But no, he just had to ignore me."

"He was a present one," Sesshomaru agreed as he took Hojo's seat.

"I hope I was not imposing when I asked you to join me? If you need to be somewhere or leave that is perfectly fine. You have already done so much."

"I can remain here for a few more minutes," he told her flatly.

"Well, thank you again," she told him with a bright smile. "So how often do you dine here?" she asked trying to start a lighter conversation.

"Not often," he answered her.

"I see, so then you like the restaurant?"

"It is not bad," he replied.

"You treat yourself here?"

"Hn."

Kagome suddenly became nervous. She could not get more than a few words out of him. She had to come up with something to talk about or else this was going to increasingly become more awkward.

"I am treating myself today," she told him with a smile. "I usually can not afford to dine in such a place. I have been here once before and just loved it. I have another favorite restaurant, but I decided to go to this one instead. The food is great, and the people are so nice. Hey, do you like watching people? Oh, wait, that may sound rather strange and creepy. I mean…well I guess there is no other way to say it," she answered with a nervous laugh. 'Oh, look at me,' she thought to herself. 'I am so nervous that I am rambling.' "I mean I just love watching people, imagining what their lives are like, and what they do. Take that family right there, they look so happy. I would love to have a family of my own like that one day."

Sesshomaru listened to his daughter's teacher as she rambled off. Clearly she was nervous, and saying anything that came to her head. He actually found it quiet amusing. Not that he would even admit that to anyone or show it. He found her voice calming. He still could not understand his attraction to the little human. She was human after all, but for some reason she just draws him in.

"…I know it must be weird to do this…" Kagome continued talking. "But normally I would have friend with me to speak to, but they were busy tonight. But anyway! Look at the girl in the corner over there. See her? She is dressed so beautifully. She is eating so proper too. I imagine that she got all dressed up for someone, and then they did not show up."

"Why do you say that?" Sesshomaru questioned suddenly.

"Oh," Kagome said being startled. She did not actually think he was listening to her. "Because, look at her face."

Sesshomaru raised a brow encouraging her to make her point.

"It has a sadness to it."

"There could be numerous reasons why he face is expressing that," Sesshomaru answered her.

"Oh, like what?" she challenged him.

"She could have just lost her job, this could be the last time she eats here, or she has…"

"Or?"

"Nothing," Sesshomaru answered.

Kagome noticed that something had suddenly pained him, so she dropped with topic, and stared at what was left of her wine.

"So what is your story?" the strong male voice across the table asked.

"Excuse me?" she replied startled once again by the demon speaking.

"You sit here, and make up stories for the people around you. And yet you do not reveal your story at all. So I ask what is yours Miss Higurashi?" he asked with a smirk on his face.

"My story…" she repeated when a said look started to cover her face. "My story is long, and has not been an easy one. Yet, it has also been a fun, and exciting one."

Sesshomaru leaned on to the table with his hands folded under his chin. The look in eyes told her to continue and Kagome fell victim to his intense gaze.

"I grew up on a shrine," she started. "With my mama, papa, grandpa, and little brother Souta. We were all one big happy family. Time went on and I soon went to college. I have always had a dream since a little girl to have a family of my own. During college though I found nothing, but heart break to add to my pain…"

'She had clearly left something out," Sesshomaru thought to himself. "I assume that is when you met the imbosol earlier?"

"Oh, Hojo, yes. We dated towards the end of college. He was really sweet at first, but then I'm not sure what happened. He became obsessive and cruel. So I broke it off. Mama never liked him anyways, and here I am today."

"Hn," Sesshomaru said clearly seeing how she left out things, and shortened her tale.

"What about you?" she questioned.

"This Sesshomaru's story is of no importance," he answered.

"It is important to me," she told him as her desert came along with some for Sesshomaru. "Please," she encouraged.

"Very well," Sesshomaru said with a sigh. "My worked to where he is today. He is quiet stubborn, and yet very out of character. He married my mother at a young age. Not longer after I was born they began to have problems. They agreed to get a divorce, and therefore I was forced to live in two different homes. My father remarried a human, and they had Inuyasha. They are still together to this very day. Time passed and I went into the military. Worked my way up in status and here I am."

"What about Rin?" Kagome questioned as she listened to every word he said.

"That would be Rin's story, and not mine," he told her.

"That is true. You know Sesshomaru, that is the most I have heard you speak."

Sesshomaru gave her look and she continued. "You should speak more often, you voice is…"

"My voice is what, Miss Higurashi?"

"Very attractive," she answered with a blush has she became increasing more interested in her desert. Kagome then suddenly heard a low chuckle reach her ears. She looked to Sesshomaru to find that he was the once actually laughing. He had a smile on his face and it looked so much more relaxed. "What…what is so funny?" she questioned.

"Oh, nothing Miss Higurashi," Sesshomaru answered as he started to control himself. 'She has made me laugh. I have not done that in a long time," Sesshomaru thought with a smile.

Kagome with her mouth still hanging open just stared at Sesshomaru.

"Miss Higurashi I would close that mouth of yours if I were you. No telling what could fly in there."

Kagome quickly closed her mouth as she realized that Sesshomaru was picking on her. A grand smile appeared on her face as she let out a laugh. The two continued to converse in conversation. Enjoying each others time. Of course Kagome as doing most of the talking, but Sesshomaru was indeed speaking more than before. His coldness towards her and gone down significantly, and he was actually sharing stories with her. Kagome told him of pranks she had helped pull off in high school and college. He had told her funny stories about military camp and also what his men had tried to do as well. They filled with restaurant with laughter, and did not care what others thought. They spoke some of Rin, and what their expectations were for her. They seemed to come to an agreement as to wear Rin's education should go. Kagome then switched to Inuyasha asking about him. Sesshomaru told her stories of Inuyasha as a pup, and some of his little pranks he tried to pull on his older brother.

"He did not!" Kagome said laughing.

"Oh, I assure you, this Sesshomaru does not lie."

"What did you do?"

"Well of course I saw through his plan," Sesshomaru told her with a smirk. "What kind of brother would I be if I did not give him back his own creation?"

"Oh, no," Kagome said laughing.

"I just switched the foods when he was not looking," Sesshomaru said with a smirk. "Let's just say that he spent a long time in the bathroom."

Kagome's laughter filled his ears, and brought a warmth to his heart that he had not felt in what seemed to be ages.

"Excuse me," the waiter politely interrupted.

"Yes, Tomo," Sesshomaru answered as Kagome collected her self from laughter.

"I am sorry, but the restaurant is closing now. I will have to ask you both to leave," he informed them.

"Oh, my," Kagome said as she looked around at the empty restaurant. "I did not realize the time. Here let me pay for my meal," Kagome told the waiter as she began to dig into her purse for her wallet.

"Here," Sesshomaru's voice reached her ears. She looked up to find Sesshomaru paying for her meal.

"Sesshomaru, I can not allow you to do that," she insisted. "You already bought me a glass or wine, and I impose onto your evening."

"This Sesshomaru will not allow you to pay," he told her with a look. Kagome sighed in defeat, and before she knew it they were on their way out the restaurant.

"Thank you for the wonderful evening," Kagome told Sesshomaru as they got outside.

"No, thank you Kagome," he told her. "Do you need a ride home?"

"I can walk or hail a cab," she stated.

"Come, Miss Higurashi," he said as he put his hand on her back to lead her away from the curb. "I will bring you home, it is late after all."

"Oh, bu-"

Sesshomaru put up his hand silencing her from trying to change his mind. They got to his car rather quickly and he drove her home. The ride was silent, and they just enjoyed each others company. Once they reached her apartment Sesshomaru escorted her to her door. Kagome turned from her door to face Sesshomaru.

"Thank you again for everything," she told him with a smile.

Sesshomaru just gave her a nod acknowledging that he had her heard her and accepted her thanks.

"Well, I guess I better be getting inside," she told herself more than him. She found her eyes caught with his. They stood there for what felt like hours staring into each others eyes, but Kagome knew it had only been a few minutes. Sesshomaru found himself slowly leaning down towards her face, and Kagome's eyes began to close. They were a breath apart when a neighbor opened their door and closed it. Bringing them out of their trance, and back to reality. Sesshomaru straightened himself, and looked away slightly.

"Well, um…thank you again," she said.

"I believe you have already said that Miss Higurashi," Sesshomaru said picking on her slightly.

A smile graced her lips as she turned to unlock her door. Sesshomaru turned and began he way back to his car when he realized something.

"Miss, Higurashi," he called to her before she stepped into her apartment.

"Yes?"

"Why were you treating yourself tonight?"

She smiled and answered, "Because today is my birthday. Good night Sesshomaru," and she entered her apartment.

Stunned he finished he walk back to his car. Once he reached it he tooled up to her apartment one last time. "Good night, Kagome," he said into the night and got into his car. He started his engine and drove off towards his home.

'What has that woman done to me?' he asked himself. 'I have sworn off women. But she…she seems different to than the others. Why am I attracted to her? And why do I feel this way about her? What has she done to this Sesshomaru?' he thought as he drove home into the night.