"Are you sure about this?"

"Have I ever steered you wrong before?"

Kagome pursed her lips. Sesshoumaru was a local but very close to the definition of a hermit, mainly keeping to himself even during peak tourism season. He had a boat that could be rented for small fishing ventures, but it seemed more for a hobby than actual income.

He'd never actually requested someone join him before, so when he'd approached her on the beach, claiming he'd found some sort of new aquatic species, she'd been a little wary. They'd chatted in passing, especially with how often she was there with her camera and beakers—testing the acidity of the water in various coves and tide pools—but she'd never actually been on his boat before.

She regarded him for a moment, whisps of silver hair whipping around his head, golden eyes hidden by dark sunglasses. From what she'd seen, she was the only one he'd ever approached, or acknowledged, his head tilting slightly every time they made eye contact. She'd thought he was interested in her, had been kind of hoping he was, but nothing had ever come of it, so she'd gone about her business, focusing on her work instead.

The boat slowed, Sesshoumaru pulling back on the throttle before cutting the engine altogether. The waves rocked them side to side as silence settled around them.

"I'm not going to lose a kidney, am I?" She smirked as Sesshoumaru raised an eyebrow at her. "Hey, you barely talked to me before, and now we're suddenly alone on your boat in the middle of nowhere."

"You would put up too much of a fight," he said with a shrug.

Kagome snorted. "Good to know." She got up from her seat, stretching her muscles before looking around. "Why are we out here?"

"You have your camera?"

She slipped her small yellow pack off her shoulders, tapping the main pocket. He nodded, that subtle tilt of his chin, then reached for a small cooler, popping off the lid before throwing a handful of something into the water.

"Anchovy eggs? That's a weird thing to fish with," she mused aloud, walking over to the edge, the small spheres disappearing beneath the waves.

"It is the only thing I have found that they consistently eat."

"They? What did you find—" He grabbed her wrist, pulling her in front of him as he pointed to the water. Kagome watched in wonder as strange orange domes pulsed to the surface, long tentacles waving with the current.

Soon the entire boat was surrounded by them, bright circles of sunshine emerging from the murky depths in a silent dance, Kagome forgetting she even had a camera until Sesshoumaru nudged her arm. He threw more eggs into the water as she snapped as many pictures as possible, hanging her waterproof lens off the edge of the boat to grab a few underwater shots as well.

"How did you know there was a sea nettle nest out here?" she asked incredulously, still in awe as she stared into the water.

"Is that what they are called?" He leaned against the side of the boat.

She nodded, finally shutting off her camera. "They're native to these waters. Not endangered, yet, but they're on our watch list."

"I was not sure if it was a significant find, but I had hoped they would come up to meet you."

Unable to help herself, she moved closer, throwing her arms around his neck to give him a quick hug. He jerked at the embrace, his sunglasses clattering against the boat floor. "Thank you. This was wonderful." Golden eyes blinked, then slid to her mouth, Kagome swallowing as he dipped his head.

She didn't move, the touch of his lips against hers feather-light, her eyes wide when he pulled back. "I confess there is another reason I hoped they would appear."

"Oh?" She licked her lips.

"I wanted to impress you." Heat bloomed on his cheeks as her smile widened.

"Well, consider me impressed." She leaned against him. "I'm not sure if you'll be able to top this on our second date, though."

"Second—"

Kagome placed a finger on his lips. "Kiss me again, and I'll forgive you for not telling me we were on one right now."

His astonishment slowly turned sultry, and this time, when he bent his head, Kagome went up on her toes to meet him.