Chapter Five- The Date

Kagome shifted on her feet as she stood in front of the cinema. She looked left and right to spot that distinctive hair and reflected on when she told her mother of meeting a new friend and going to the movies with him.

"What school does he go to?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

"He's home-schooled."

"I don't know, Kagome. I'd feel better if you went with other friends as well."

"Mom, he's just a friend and if he tries anything, I will deal with him."

Mom is sometimes too protective; just like a wolf should be. A glint caught her eye and she looked at it to see Inuyasha's hair amidst the other hair colors. The crowd parted as Inuyasha made his way toward her with that closed-lip smile as always and his baseball cap. "Hi, Inuyasha," he said as he came closer.

"Hi, Kagome. I hope you weren't waiting too long. I let it slip about today and Father began telling me to behave myself and be a gentleman."

"I wasn't waiting long and when I told Mom about today earlier in the week, she didn't seem comfortable about it being just the two of us. As if a guy and a girl can't go to the movies as just friends."

"I tried to tell Father that too, but he's a real stubborn guy." They headed inside.

"Seems we have something in common: Stubborn parents."

Inuyasha chuckled. "Sure seems like it." He looked at the movie posters and the times they started. "Which one do you want to see?" he asked, thinking Kagome would pick a romance or girly film which would make the date torture for him.

"That one." She pointed.

"A horror movie?" he asked, surprised.

She shrugged. "I'm not one who's into happy ending love stories. They don't sit right with me."

"I hear you. I love a good horror movie myself." He pulled out his wallet, bought the tickets, popcorn, and drinks for both of them. He felt lucky that vampires could eat and drink like humans even though neither one provided him with energy or substance. The pair entered the theater and he let Kagome choose their seats. He was curious when she led them all the way to the back and the two seats near the stairs. "Why back here?" he asked quietly and with obvious curiosity.

"So no one can block our view of the screen, the others in our row can leave without us needing to get up, and we can leave once others have left instead of being stuck in the crowd that is leaving."

"Ah, I see. I never thought about all that. Heh, I think I'll sit in the back from now on."

Kagome beamed as they sat. This date was off to a good start. They had found a couple of things they had in common and she shared her preference in theater seats. Inuyasha is being considerate to me. He paid for everything and let me pick the movie. I think we were made for each other. Hmm…maybe I could persuade him to hang out after the movie. A little shopping and maybe some dinner.

Inuyasha was also thinking that things were going well. He knew his father would be proud of him. Kagome is my soul mate. She's smart, pretty, confident, and doesn't act like most human girls. Maybe we could hang out after the movies. I will need some blood after the movie is over, though. He licked his lips and took a sip of soda. I can make it to the end…I hope.

Kagome stood and stretched a couple of hours later. She sighed in satisfaction. "That was a good movie."

"It was," Inuyasha agreed. "It could have used more gore and blood, though."

"If it did have more, it would have been rated R. The rating for this one was close to being out of its PG-13 rating." They reached the lobby and Inuyasha felt his thirst grow. He needed blood…now.

"Inuyasha, I'm going to use the restroom. Please stay."

"Not a problem. I have to go too."

She giggled as she entered the restroom. Inuyasha entered the men's and felt relief. There was one man there, washing his hands. He zipped behind the man and quickly bit down, one hand over the man's mouth. Warm blood entered his mouth and he sucked contently. He pulled back once satisfied, healed the marks, and removed all memory of the attack before leaving the room, not too concerned about leaving his victim unconscious. Ah, I feel better now.

"So, Kagome, why did you want me to stay?"

"I was wondering if you'd like to hang out some more. I was thinking shopping and maybe an early dinner?"

Inuyasha stared at her. "It's like you can read my mind. I was wanting to hang out after the movie."

Kagome laughed. "It's amazing how much we think alike."

Inuyasha nodded. "It's like we're soul mates or something."

Soul mates," Kagome repeated as they left the cinema. "You really think so?"

"I…do. I really like you. You're smart, confident, pretty, and different from other girls."

"Inuyasha," she said softly as they set off down the sidewalk. "I'm flattered. I…had a feeling that you were the one for me after we first met."

"Really? Well, if that's the case, why don't we make it official?" He pulled her into a jewelry shop.

"Official? What do you mean?"

"Nothing special. Just a ring to show that you're dating someone."

"A promise ring, you mean?"

"Yeah, that's it. A promise ring." Inuyasha's eyes roved over the different rings until he saw a plain silver woman's ring. "What about this one, Kagome?"

The wifewolf came over and recoiled slightly. "Is that…pure silver?"

"Sure is. It's perfect."

"Oh, Inuyasha. I should have said something when we came in here. I'm allergic to silver."

Inuyasha turned to her. "You are?"

She nodded, looking apologetic. "It's a family trait. I didn't want to believe Mom when she told me so I decided to try on a pair of silver earrings one day while shopping with my friends. Apparently my skin has some weird combination that makes me have an allergic reaction. I nearly had to go to the hospital." This was a lie; of course. She never doubted her weaknesses but she had to fabricate something to cover it.

"Oh, gee. I'm sorry. Okay, so what about pure gold?"

"Gold's fine. It doesn't have to be pure gold, though."

About thirty minutes later, they left the shop, a plain gold ring on Kagome's left third finger. "So, where to next?" she asked.

"We could have an early dinner," Inuyasha suggested.

"Sure. I know this little Italian place."

"Uh, Kagome. I've got an allergy of my own. I'm allergic to garlic. Can't eat it or stand the smell."

"No garlic, huh? No problem. How about a burger place?"

"I love burgers."

"Great." Kagome and Inuyasha headed down the sidewalk, holding hands and feeling their first date went better than they had first thought.