Chapter Ten: Half-Moon Cove

*Home*

"Kagome? Are you sure? It's a little late to be going out isn't it? Can't you look it up on your computer? or at least wait until tomorrow to go do some research?"

"No mom!" Kagome said forcefully. "I need to do it tonight! Look, I promise to be back before it gets too late."

She hated lying to her mom, but it's not like she could tell her, 'Sorry mom. The real reason I want to go to Half-Moon Cove tonight is because I'm supposed to meet a vampire and who knows what he plans to do with me.'

Yeah… she'll be happy about that.

"Well," her mother said slowly. "Alright. But it's a school night so don't stay out too late."

"Yes," Kagome said as she ran out the door and to her mom's car. She knew that leaving to go and meet a dangerous vampire that would probably kill her and drink her blood was a bad idea… but then again… what other choice did she have?

She started up the car and pulled out of the driveway… praying that she would be able to see it again after tonight.

*Half an hour later at the lakeside*

The sun was just setting by the time that Kagome had arrived at Half-Moon Cove, and she had to admit… if she wasn't just about to meet a vampire and possibility get herself kill, she would've enjoyed the view.

The lake was in the shape of a crescent moon and was sparkling deep reds and oranges from the setting sun while the sand on the beach surrounding it was a silvery color… almost like moon dust.

The tall grasses that were normally a bright emerald green have now turned a golden color now that it was November; and there was a hint of snow in the air.

"Beautiful…" she said quietly. She turned off the car, and got out as she began to look around for Inuyasha. "You know," she muttered to herself as she began to walk over to the water's edge and wrapped her jacket closer around her to stay warm. "This place is huge. It could take hours to find him… if he's even here anyway."

She clenched her hands tightly and before she could stop herself, she cried out, "I'm here! I want answers! So come out and tell me what I want to know!"

And not surprising… no one answered her.

She took a deep breath, decided to take a walk around the lake, and hoped that everything was going to turn out ok.

*Later*

Kagome knew that her mother must've been getting worried. She had walked up and down the lake, but she still couldn't find a trace of Inuyasha anywhere.

The sun had set long ago and the sky was full of twinkling stars… Kagome sighed and began to wonder what she was going to do as she stared at the sparkling lights. She reached into her pocket to pull out the silver hairs, hoping that they would give her some clue to what to do.

Even in this darkness, Kagome could see them clearly, and she decided that she would wait until midnight. She rather face her mother's anger than a vampire's.

She sat down on the sand and watched the moon beginning to rise.

*Nearing Midnight*

Kagome's eyes were beginning to droop. She had been waiting for hours, Inuyasha hadn't shown up, and now she was falling asleep.

'Well…' she thought to herself gloomily as she stood up and began to walk back to the car. 'I can't say that I didn't try.'

She gave one last look at the half-moon shining in the sky before she reached the car door. She was about to unlock it when she felt a slight wind behind her… and to her horror… she felt two clawed hands on either side of her neck… and someone's breath ghost over past her ear.

"I-I-Inuyasha?" she croaked.

"Who else?" said that deep, rough voice that she heard just last night. "I'm impressed that you were able to figure it out. But really… was it you who found me? Or did I find you?"