December 31st, 11:45 pm, Sesshoumaru's New Year's Party

Inuyasha leaned back on his brother's black leather sofa. He was just the right amount of buzzed, and currently quite happy watch Kagome mingle a few of the other guests. He was glad she'd called. He liked her brand of snarky company.

"Hey," Kagome said, coming over to plop down on the couch.

"Having a good time?" He asked.

"Mhmm." She took a sip of champagne. It was much higher quality than she would have ever bought herself. "This is quite the...upscale affair."

"Heh, always the best for Sesshoumaru," Inuyasha replied slightly sarcastically.

"Always," came the cool response from behind the sofa. Inuyasha and Kagome jumped slightly. Kagome turned in her seat and found herself looking up at the host, a tall, fine-boned demon whose coloring was identical to Inuyasha's. She hadn't gotten the chance to speak with him yet.

Sesshoumaru smiled subtly down at her. "You can see how much my young brother here appreciates my generosity in sharing 'the best' with him."

Kagome gave him a lopsided smile while Inuyasha sputtered for a second. "Well, I certainly appreciate it. Thanks for letting him invite me."

"It was not a problem." The subtle smile was back again. "He can bother you instead of talking Rin into some mischief or another."

Kagome laughed. "Oh, I see. I'll try to keep him in line then."

"If you would. I must find my wife now. We have only a few minutes until midnight."

"'Kay." She turned back to Inuyasha with a smirk.

"Jerk," he grumbled.

"A fun jerk though, or you wouldn't have invited me." She leaned toward him, the alcohol in her veins knocking her inhibitions down a notch. "Am I right?"

He froze for a second, not quite sure what to make of her sudden proximity. He could tell she wasn't wearing any perfume, but her scent was no less intoxicating to him— almost as much as the wine he'd been drinking. "—Er..."

"Well?" She glared at him playfully.

Deciding to see what she'd do with a taste of her own medicine, he leaned toward her and opened his mouth to reply. Suddenly the lights dimmed, and the volume on the TV turned up. The room went silent, all faces turned toward the screen where the sparkling ball in New York City gleamed. Then—

"10! 9! 8—!" People shouted, readying drinks and standing next to partners or dates.

"7! 6—!"

Kagome turned to look at the TV, then glanced back at Inuyasha.

"5! 4! 3—!"

She caught his eye in the dim light.

"2—!"

Was he leaning in, or was it just her booze talking?

"1—!"