December 30 2006: Author's Nonsense: Not many differences from last time. Enjoying life and the time to actually sit and write fiction. Now to get right to the chapter.

-Aura

Chapter 10: First Time for Everything

The drive was nice and the two spoke mostly about school and remained more neutral even than when they normally saw each other. Kagome kept her eyes to the fluorescent night glow of the city in the evening, admiring the sparkling hills in the distance on one of the highways before they moved back into the cramp confines of the buildings nearing downtown. She had to smirk when he seemed a little irate because of the traffic around him and then look away when he glanced at her amusement. She was about to say something when she noticed a flow of radiantly dressed people heading into one of the cities concert halls, having to smile again as she realized where he was taking her.

"Suppose I should have blindfolded you for more effect." Kaiba considered aloud as he moved up in the line enough that the valet would be taking their vehicle. Exiting and moving around to help Kagome out of the sleek car as he handed the boy his keys. Taking her arm under his escorting her toward the door at a casual pace. "Is it acceptable?"

"Amazing…I love the Trans Siberian Orchestra but tickets are very high and even just getting them is usually so difficult that I can't plan advance enough to ever get to attend when they perform in Japan." Kagome positively beamed as her eyes scanned all around the hall and over the other people present. Some others were smiling though there were just as many that were moving right along and into their seats. Kaiba was ushering her along as one of the later participants and she chuckled at the unsurprising action, too taken aback by the romantic evening so far to comment or argue it.

He lead her into one of the better boxes, not that you needed to have a grand seat to see a group of instruments play as it was more about listening to the music but she figured he wouldn't do it unless he had the best. Somehow she doubted Kaiba would worry about price on the rare occasions he got out to enjoy himself and relax. No one else was inside yet but the box had eight possible seats, he lead her to the front row of the separated balcony and helped her sit before taking his own chair.

"Wow, this really is something Seto. Thank you so much." Kagome was still beaming and took his hand to squeeze it in physical addition to the 'thanks' as she continued to gaze around. She dropped it again right afterward, it had been a subconscious reaction and she didn't even realize that she had taken his hand or dropped it; too distracted by the various sights that were so rare for the high school girl.

Kaiba meanwhile cared nothing for the people that were so elegantly frosted, he'd seen such parades of finery most of his life and it meant practically nothing to the man, instead he had to look at his hand, the warmth still lingering from the short squeeze through the smooth fabric of her glove. He knew he should just blow it off and that it was silly to think kindly of a girl wanting to hold his hand for a moment; many girls would die for the chance in fact. Why then did he not correct her for the suggestive action as there could be camera's on them from the paparazzi or other less savory news organizations. He didn't really want to ruin her evening, Mokuba would just get aggravating with him and she deserved a nice night for entertaining his younger brother and helping him as she kept doing. He knew if he wanted Mokuba to keep her younger brother as a friend he should remain civil to Kagome.

He did have to smirk at her naïve enjoyment of the event, the childlike way she gazed wide-eyed or pointed out the smallest details had it's own innocent attraction. He was suppose to be enjoying himself after all, being overly judgmental of the silly fun she was having would cause a fight and then he certainly wouldn't have a fun night.

She leaned forward when the lights dimmed, as if she expected the orchestra to start blazing the moment shadow started to take over. It took nearly a minute for the audience to grow silent and then the director was announced with the official name of the group of players before the first piece was named.

They were dropped further into darkness so the stage would be brighter and easier to pay attention too, though once the sound burst forth all eyes would have been on the swaying violins, sweet flutes, and loud drums. Even the cold Seto Kaiba had to admit that it was a brilliant painting translated into sound as he listened to the original piece that was hypnotizing everyone within the room. He reacted far less than most but he at least gave them an approving stare.

Kagome's cheeks were starting to get sore she had them smiling so often as she fell into the whole evening with an excited vigor, there was something about a live performance that held her eyes fast. Neither of the two spoke much through the whole performance but at it's end she got up almost immediately though there was a full standing ovation given. She was raving about it all the way as they moved out to get his car picked up and he had to chuckle at her.

"I am glad you had such a great time." Kaiba finally interrupted on her third explanation of just how marvelous an instrument the violin really was. "Perhaps you should take up lessons."

Kagome seemed a little chastised when she realized what a chatterbox she'd suddenly transformed into and shook her head a little. "Naw, my mom got me to try the flute when I was little but I was always very awful at it. I think I'm destined to listen to beautiful music and never to play any."

"I think you'd do well if you put your mind to it. I can play a piano and a couple other things because my foster father forced me to learn. If I didn't master something fast enough I was punished; it is a good way to become a quick study." Kaiba explained, his voice without regret despite how cruel it sounded. He hated Gaizaburo but he wasn't about to say that he hadn't learned a lot under the tyrant's demands…however useless knowledge of an instrument was for him.

"That's horrible. I couldn't ever see torturing a child to make them do something faster…my mom never would have either. I certainly wouldn't punish myself not for understanding, I respect hard work but there are people just not meant for some activities." Kagome frowned a little with concern.

"No worries, some people just learn differently than others." Kaiba waved off her pity, he certainly had no time for that.

Kagome was about to answer when the car arrived and she snapped her mouth shut again, cursing the timing of the rest of the world around her as she got back inside and buckled her safety belt.

"Do you like American food?" Kaiba asked seriously as he turned back onto the road. "I have a reservation at 'Deep West' but if you'd rather something else we can do that as well."

"I really enjoy different things but isn't that very expensive?" Kagome asked but then kicked herself, she should have known that wouldn't discourage her current date.

"Doesn't matter, if you'd rather go a particular place I can just cancel." Kaiba answered, moving back onto the road.

"Well…I enjoy um…Subway…and I don't get a chance to get there often." She smiled awkwardly but he just shrugged and flipped on his turn signal.

"Subway it is." Kaiba announced as he turned into one a few minutes later. Going into the drive thru without asking her if she wanted to go inside. "What exactly do you want?"

"Um…" Kagome was still blown by the idea of going to a subway driveway with Kaiba in his great car. They each put in an order (cause I don't see reasoning to guess at what the two would specifically want) and after picking up the food while the people at the window whispered between themselves as to if that could possibly be the famous duelist or not.

"Where are we going?" Kagome asked, smiling some at the scent of the hot food and sipping at the root beer she'd gotten to drink.

"I was going to head back to my home so we could eat outside of a car unless you mind." Kaiba shrugged, taking a turn that would lead them back to the area of town where he lived.

"No, that's okay as long as I don't get back home too late. I don't wanna worry my mom." Kagome replied. "Thank you so much for everything tonight…it.."

"Save your thanks and compliments for the end of the evening." Kaiba interrupted as he glanced to her. "wait until you know for sure if I'm going to be an arrogant jerk or not."

"Mokuba put you up to being nicer than usual." Kagome guessed with a chuckle. "I guess that's why you put up with me yammering on so much without putting in your colorful opinions."

"On the contrary, I did say I was glad you enjoyed yourself." Kaiba glanced toward her and back to the road. "How exactly are my opinions colorful?"

"Let's not talk about it." Kagome saved herself, blushing a little more. "I didn't mean to insult you, you've been a perfect gentleman this evening. Even got me all dressed up to sit in the dark and then go through a drive thru at subway. Have you ever even eaten there before tonight?"

"Yes, Mokuba enjoys the sandwiches on rare occasion and usually brings me one whenever he goes." Kaiba answered. "Though I suppose I haven't actually been to one before."

Kagome laughed at him. "You lead a unique life Seto."

"I'm sure there are other people that haven't been to the restaurant." He defended as he pulled out in front of his home. Heading around the car again to take the bag of food in one hand and aid Kagome's escape from the low seat with the other. "Besides, if you'd rather not be dressed up you could always take the clothes off."

I did not just say that. Kaiba thought to himself, playing it off as though he didn't notice the really obvious implication and saving himself from a possible slap or douse of soda pop "I have several shirts that would fit you and some pants that would be fine if you used a belt on one of the tighter settings."

Kagome had turned a bright red at the words however and had to swallow and adjust her brain to the more innocent intentions before she shook her head. "No I don't mind the dress, it's rather comfortable actually. I was just phrasing it in that way."

Kaiba nodded and headed in as a servant opened the door for them. "Please set these up in the back dining room and set them out on plates for me. Then tell the kitchen I'd like them to make a few desserts for us. Thank you."

"Yes master Kaiba." the servant nodded to the instructions and headed away with their food minus the drink still cupped in Kagome's hands. Disappearing into the large estate as Kagome found she had another grand example of architecture to admire.

"Care for a tour while they get things together?" Kaiba asked when he noticed the impressed glaze over her eyes. It really is to bad they weren't blue, she would have even more amazing eyes if they were blue.

"Sure." Kagome agreed, blushing again when he tucked her arm into his this time, the more intimate setting making her a little less certain of the polite but romantic action. He lead her through most of the first floor and explained the various rooms without too much detail; a lot of them never saw his personal use after all. He avoided a door here or there but she left it alone if he didn't wish to share it with her. They had reached the back dining room and she had to let out a low whistle at the view of the large gardens in his back yard. The ground there would have covered the shrine's full grounds at least four times over, he was opulent and while she knew she wasn't really shallow she had to admit that it was very lovely.

"You have an amazing home." she complimented. "I think it's all just wonderful. The garden looks better than most of the city parks that are taken care of…probably bigger than a few as well."

He pulled her chair out for her as he offered. "Would you like to take a walk when we finish eating?"

"Who are you and what did you do with Seto?" Kagome teased. "You really are just unbelievably sweet this evening."

"Are you telling me I'm usually not sweet at all?" Kaiba baited her into a corner while he picked up the sandwich that smelled so good but didn't quite fit the expensive décor.

"Um…well no…you are sweet sometimes, and well…sometimes you are a little tart or bitter." Kagome blushed more as she started digging herself into fuller trouble. "Not that it's bad, but I guess it doesn't fit certain peoples tastes."

"Does it fit yours?" Kaiba asked before he took a bite, figuring her answer would give him time to chew. Enjoying making her squirm a little.

"Well, I like a lot of different things. I'm pretty open minded." She answered in almost a whisper, picking up her own sub to retreat into having food in her mouth as an excuse not to talk.

"So you wouldn't mind tasting me now and again?" he knew he was dipping into being crude but he couldn't help but test what the response would be.

After nearly spitting her food out and then choking, Kagome grabbed her soda to choke down the bits of bread and meat.

"Are you okay?" Kaiba asked, the epitome of innocence.

She coughed a little. "Yeah…fine. So what are you working on this weekend."

She deliberately had to change the subject after that last question, she would have to figure out just what Kaiba wanted from her if he was going to talk like that. Did he want to date her? Did he want to sleep with her?

She kept up with her annoying habit of blushing far too much for her liking as he explained that he had some business papers to go over and an appointment the next two mornings to discuss the possibility of merging another business into his where he would take over ownership. She kept to the less sexually charged topics and they made it through dinner without any further near-death accidents. She hadn't forgotten but was smiling again as the conversation remained lighter. Excusing herself to the restroom to let nature take it's course and then staring in the mirror after washing her hands.

My hair looks horrible, all the curls will be coming loose and then I'll just look like a wet noodle, my make-up makes me seem like I'm still in grade school…I really should keep up with my skin treatment a little more and what was I thinking when I picked those glittery necklaces to mix into this ridiculous hair-do? Kagome criticized herself despite looking fine. My god, I've been a horrible date. Talked too much or too little about the wrong and then right topics; in that order. If I don't lighten up he's gonna just tell everyone what an inconsiderate date I am…I made him go to subway for dinner! How stupid…

"Wait Kagome." She whispered to hear herself, it helped her steady. "You don't care, you aren't worried about it, why would it matter if he asked you out again? You don't really like him."

She looked herself in the eyes in the mirror then sighed as she ran water to try to keep back a loose lock, getting out her makeup to touch up just a bit and putting on the smallest touch of perfume again after it'd had the night to wear off. Am I kidding myself? Do I like Seto?

She returned to find that he had gotten rid of the suit jacket and tie in favor of the more comfortable button up shirt that had been beneath it. He still was downright handsome and even seemed to match her touches of blue a little further with the shirt more obviously showing. As if he'd chosen that moment to compliment her more fully as he lead her back into the large maze, apparently knowing it well enough that he wouldn't easily get lost.

"You smell very nice." He leaned down to whisper to her. "I don't think I mentioned it before so I figured I should tell you."

"Thanks…again…" Kagome flustered already by the simple compliment. "I um…you always look great so I'm sorry if I didn't say so sooner."

"You did mention it, but thank you again." Kaiba grinned for just a second at her as they headed further inside. "I spent a fortune developing the ability to breed some of the flowers that I have here…the rosebushes around us are probably my favorite though."

Kagome glanced a little more fully around them and after narrowing her eyes as they were still adjusting to the moon and starlight she realized that the flowers were a deep blue and not the black she'd taken them for at first glance. Thankful for having something else to look at than her companion, even if she wanted to look at him as well she convinced herself it was better for her health to keep her gaze targeted on the greenery as they delved deeper into the well kept maze. Neither seeing the figures that were starting to sneak up around them…

End Chapter

Yay for the more reviews I got. They're what convinced me to work on this fiction again tonight as opposed to my Tales of the Abyss one. I adored writing this chapter and am thickening the plot that is going on around our heroes (or villains…however you wanna see them).

-Aura

To my reviewers:

Many thanks to all of you before I address each post! You keep me inspired.

orbit bird - Thank you for the review, I'm doing my best to keep them to how they are in their respective shows. Though I suppose I should do a strictly Yu-gi-oh fiction whenever I finish this one.

SwissRobin - Thank you for the tips. I will try to keep things together but I generally don't have a lot of the grammar I wish I did. I don't like to use beta readers really because of personal experiences but if you point stuff out I will try to remember it and avoid it in the future. Keep reading and I'll keep writing ;)

Darkened Purity - Nicole will be a reoccurring drama-queen/troublemaker/plot device. She is one of those characters that people love to hate I think.