Chapter Two- Find a Mate

"I'm home, everyone," Kagome called as she entered her house.

Her mother came into the hall and took Kagome in a hug. "Hi, honey. How was the game?"

"Great. We won," she said as they went to the living room where Sota and Grandpa were.

"Did you see Koga?" Grandpa asked. "I heard the White Claw were going to seek out new members today."

"Yeah, I saw him," she replied unenthusiastically. "He was asking me to be his mate- again."

"And what did you say?" Mrs. Higurashi asked.

"I said I wasn't ready and would prefer to finish high school first."

"Kagome, sixteen is old enough for one to have a mate," Grandpa said. "And to be the mate of the gang leader is a great honor."

"I know. I'm just not ready." She lifted up her bag. "I'm going to wash these and some other clothes." She headed upstairs and began to gather her clothes. She then headed down and almost ran into Sota on the way to the laundry room. A graceful side step prevented the collision. "Sota," she said irritably.

"Sis, can we talk?" he asked, sounding unusually serious for his age.

"Sure." Kagome headed to the laundry room with her brother behind her. "So, what's up?" she asked once the door was closed and she began adding detergent and fabric softener to the washer.

"Mom and Grandpa really want you to be Koga's mate, huh?"

"They do, but I'm not ready to have a mate, much less Koga's mate."

"I hear you. He talks down to me whenever he's invited to dinner."

"I noticed that too, but Mom and Grandpa seem oblivious to it." She loaded her clothes in, shut the door, and started the machine.

"Kagome, I think you should date around, find someone you would like to marry."

Kagome smiled at him. Sota was a lot more perceptive and wiser than most boys his age; most likely due to being a werewolf. "You're right. I should choose my own lover, human or wolf."

"What about a vampire?"

"A vampire?" Kagome asked incredulously. "Sota, vampires are dangerous, unfeeling bloodsuckers. I would never marry a vampire, much less date one."

"Not all are dangerous," Sota protested. "I'm friends with a girl in my class and she's a vampire."

"Oh," Kagome said softly. "Well, maybe I can date a vampire. I just wouldn't know it as they can conceal themselves just like we can. Did you tell this girl you're a werewolf?"

"Yeah, but only after she confessed that she was a vampire. She wanted to have an open friendship with me, no secrets."

"And being a vampire is a big secret to keep between friends, just as being a werewolf is a big secret. Sota, you might just be the one to bring peace between our race and the vampires."

"Or you could be," he said as they left the laundry room and went their separate ways.

That's a nice sentiment but I've been taught to not trust vampires for years. It's too late for me to befriend or date a vampire.

Across town, Inuyasha was in a meeting with the higher-up members of his gang. He was receiving a report from his older brother, Sesshomaru, concerning the turning of other gangs. "Report," he ordered.

"The last members of the gang closest to our sector of the city have been turned and incorporated into our gang," he said, a slightly arrogant tone to his voice.

Inuyasha smiled cruelly, the tips of his fangs showing. "Good. Our gang or rather clan, is growing nicely. We will keep turning the other gangs and while we do this, we will eliminate the werewolves. We can locate them by carrying silver or something with Essence of Wolfsbane on it."

"The Essence of Wolfsbane makes perfect sense," Sesshomaru said. "The silver does not."

"I disagree. Werewolves are allergic to silver. It burns them and they will give it a wide berth to avoid touching it. Such an action will give them away."

Sesshomaru inclined his head. "Yes, of course. Brilliant, little brother."

Inuyasha sat up a little straighter at the compliment. "Of course," he said. "Now, take a small unit of our clan to the eastern sector and start converting the gangs there into vampires."

"Yes." Sesshomaru left the room as his father, Tóga, entered. The two passed each other and Sesshomaru bowed his head in respect. Sesshomaru scowled as he headed down the hall. He hated having to take orders from his little brother but his ambition to take control of the city pleased Tóga so much that he appointed Inuyasha as a gang leader and Sesshomaru as a member of the gang who had to follow Inuyasha's decisions and commands. I am two hundred years older and act like a vampire should, but Father dislikes it. Hmph, he always did seem to like Inuyasha more than me.

The other members slunk from the room as the clan head entered and Inuyasha, upon seeing Tóga enter, got off his chair and bowed. "Father," he said. He looked up to see Toga smiling at him.

"My son," he said as the young-looking vampire straightened. "I am proud of how well your plan to make Tokyo vampire territory is proceeding."

"Thank you, Father. I hope to have all human gangs turned and the White Claw killed in a matter of weeks or months. Eliminating all werewolves will take time but it shouldn't take too long."

"Admirable goals, Inuyasha, but we can afford to take our time as we're immortal and can only be killed by a cross to the heart.

"The point I am trying to make is that it is high time that you take a mate."

"What? Why?"

"To carry on our family line. Your brother is courting a nice young lady and when the time is right, he will reveal his true nature and ask her to be his mate. Depending on her answer, Sesshomaru will turn her or kill her."

Inuyasha was silent as his father talked. He knew his father had a point of him seeking out a mate; if Sesshomaru failed to turn the girl he was seeing, he would have to embark on a long search to find someone else and court her. Inuyasha knew the search would take time as his brother was picky about who he courted.

"I see what you're saying, Father," he said once Tóga finished speaking. "I'll put a halt to my plans and seek a mate."

"You do not need to court her like Sesshomaru. Your brother likes to be old-fashioned. In this age, young people date and, later on, marry if they decide that they're compatible."

"That is a human notion, falling in love. I'd rather seek someone who is strong and confident."

"There are all kinds of girls out there. You will find the one you desire and tomorrow would be a good time to do it as teenagers won't be in school."

Inuyasha nodded, not bothering to ask why Tóga said teenagers. I look like a teenager so it makes sense that my mate be a teenager. Once I turn her, her age will freeze and she'll age slowly like all vampires do.

"One more thing," Tóga added. "Wear a hat to conceal your pointed ears."