Choices, Choices...: Chapter 5:Music Soothes The Savage Beast

A/N: I'm really sorry for everyone who has been waiting for this story to be updated... All 3 of you XD I've been really bad with updating. I'm trying to make it up. Really, I am. I started this right after I posted the last chapter. So I hope you all like this chapter. I really enjoyed this one. ;0) And I finally got Word 2007, and am still trying to figure out all its' marvels, because it is indeed different.
Notes (for some that may not know) :
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino-an American Indian-run casino with an outdoor venue (called Paradise) that includes many clubs, restaurants, and shops. Yes, all the locations are real.
Cabernet -a rich type of red wine.
Pinot Grigio- a dry, white wine.
Bari-bari - a noise: sounds like crunch-crunch
IMPORTANT: I do NOT condone drinking and driving. Whatever drinking the character does is light, and never feels the effects. Also, by the time she gets around to driving again, a few hours have gone by and she isn't in any danger. Plus, she has a hanyou looking out for her. You don't. So don't drink and drive just because Kagome does without problems.
Footnote: Lyrics -From the song “Golden”, performed by Fall Out Boy. Wesley Eisold of Some Girls and Sony.


Choices, Choices...

Chapter 5: Music Soothes the Savage Beast




After her classes for the day were complete, Kagome noticed that something rare and completely unexpected had occurred. She had no plans for the weekend. Here was Friday afternoon, and Nikki had been so busy with Jason that she hadn't even asked Kagome if she had plans. And Kagome herself had been burying herself in her classes, knowing that she was going to have to work harder now that she was working as well. Sayuri was usually the last to be informed, allowing Nikki and Kagome to make the plans, so she hadn't heard from her Japanese friend either. Hojou was out of the picture, so no point in even thinking about him. So... what was she going to do with her time?

She could go to the office and begin working on the case, but this was such a rare occasion that it would be a shame to waste her free time. Determined, Kagome decided to get ready and eventually something would come to her. She went about her routine setting her clothes out - she had decided on a little black strapless dress - and took a shower. She took her time in the shower, allowing the steam to seep into her pores. After toweling off, she began the tedious tasks of getting ready. She blew her hair out and ironed it, applied minimal makeup and gloss, and went into Nikki's room to borrow a certain purse from her friend. When she was looking at herself in the full-length mirror behind her bedroom door, Kagome felt like she didn't want to party, she just want to go somewhere and enjoy herself. The idea of a jazz club came to mind, and she instantly knew that this was her chance to try out a place she had always wanted to go to. Unfortunately, all of her friends wouldn't go to a restaurant to listen to jazz, so she hadn't been able to go. But tonight, she didn't care. She would go alone. And she would enjoy herself.

Stepping away from her building in a dress that almost looked like it was painted on, she walked quite a distance before she remembered that she, in fact, had a car to use. Embarrassed, she walked back and to the convertible, unlocking it. She stared at it as she walked up to it, still amazed that for the time being, this was her car. Opening the door, she struggled to get in the car without displaying her goods to anyone nearby. Starting the car, she realized how she hadn't remembered the heady roar of the exhaust when she started it up the first time, or the deep purr of the engine as she drove - that probably had to do with a certain beautiful young man; she had been so… exasperated that, now that she thought about it, she didn't even remember the drive home. Now, she was going to enjoy driving this thing, and she allowed the cloth top to recede to the back as she pulled onto the highway.

Thirty minutes later found Kagome at the Seminole Hard Rock Hotel and Casino. She had avoided the large crowds that had thronged in the larger parking garage. From experience, she knew that the other parking garage was closer to her destination, but this one had less people, and she wouldn't have to wait nearly as long. The only downside would be that she would have to walk through the heavily air-conditioned casino to get to the club. Once she was again outside, she passed through the 21-and-over-only section and made her way to the restaurant, Jazziz. Up until now, she had managed to ignore the ogling, as well as the catty women that were glaring daggers at her. She smiled warmly as the doorman, a polite, balding gentleman in his fifties, opened the door for her. She had been able to hear the silky smooth sounds of a saxophone as she had walked up to the club, but as she walked inside she heard the accompanying piano and trumpet as well.

None of her friends knew about her love of jazz music; they hadn't really been interested in asking. And she never had reason to bring it up. It saddened her to think that she couldn't share the beautiful music with anyone, but she was also secretly glad that it was her own private enjoyment. She had been ushered to a table made for two people, and she sat. A waiter had quickly come up to her, and she ordered a glass of cabernet.

The entertainment started a while ago, but I'm sure there's a few more acts, she thought as she examined the menu. Her stomach noisily reminded her that she hadn't eaten since lunch, and it was nearly ten o'clock now. Her waiter was all too pleased to come back to her, but she gave her order of baked lemon snapper quickly, and asked that he bring her a glass of pinot grigio with it. Satisfied that she would be able to eat soon, Kagome sat further back into the velvet-cushioned chair, sipped her red wine, and listened to the soft music, her eyes closed. The wind instrument sang to the patrons of the club; the volume of talking was considerably lower than that of a normal bar or restaurant.

Kagome quietly wondered if she would ever be able to enjoy herself like this again. Once she began her internship and then started to practice medicine, could she relax like this? Would she be able to sit back, listen to music, and not worry about a certain patients' echocardiograms? Truthfully, when she had been in Middle School and decided that she wanted to be a doctor, there had been no threat of bills or overtaxing ones' self. All she had known was that she wanted to help people. And she was fascinated with the human heart, both the physical and psychological aspects. But now… even if she loved it, was it enough? Was it worth it? Would helping others compensate for not worrying about her own well being and abandoning having her own life? She shook her head slowly as a small smirk appeared on her lips. Of course it was worth it, she told herself as she let the last of the crimson liquid slide down her throat. She realized that the Saxophonist had finished, and she clapped along with the others as he left the stage. A brief intermission, someone told them, and then a new set to follow.

“Would you like the white now?” she heard a male voice ask.

She had been slightly startled, since she had again leaned back and closed her eyes. Now, her eyes focused on the waiter and she deliberated whether or not to have the next drink.

“Will the food be coming out shortly?” she asked.

“Yeah, real soon. By the way, if you don't mind me asking…” he began.

Here it comes…

“You look really exotic, but you speak English very well. How long have you been in this country?” he asked earnestly.

“I've been here for 12 years, but in Japan, they teach us English from a young age. So it was easy once I got here,” she told him, trying not to sound bored.

“Oh, so you're Japanese? I always wanted to date an Asian girl,” he prattled.

Kagome turned away, tuning him out and wishing for a way out of this awkward conversation. As if on cue, a couple sitting at a nearby table called him by name, which even Kagome hadn't taken notice of.

“John! Can we have more champagne please?” an attractive brunette called to him.

He looked a little annoyed as he walked away, and Kagome was grateful to them and the fact that he remained busy afterwards. He stopped by quickly to pour her a new glass of wine, then scooted off again. Apparently, he had wasted too much time earlier and now he was paying the price. A few moments later he stopped again at her table and beamed at her and made a cutsie comment as he served her food, but quickly departed. She rolled her eyes after he left, but was appreciative of the meal. Now to appease the rumbly stomach gods…

She began to dig into the soft, white flesh of the nicely spiced fish when she heard the MC tell everyone that a new performer was going to take the stage as soon as he was finished setting up, to which the crowd laughed gently. She kept eating as he told them that the next set was unusual - an acoustic guitar, sometimes accompanied by another guitar or piano. Kagome was happy to hear it. She thought the sound of acoustic guitars playing jazz made for some of the most beautiful music. And, they would be playing while she ate. It was perfect.

As the lights dimmed once again, the announcer came back again and told them that the next performer was going to play, and to enjoy. Kagome knew that the performers often introduced themselves, and she was going to have to listen carefully to catch the person's name, if they were good. The first tinkling notes of piano played, and Kagome had taken a bite of her food when she heard the voice. She almost choked when she realized who it was.

Not wanting to jump to conclusions, Kagome gulped some wine to keep herself from choking as she watched for the spotlight to come on, to illuminate what she already knew. The voice was so familiar, yet different now. It was hauntingly sad, and had she not heard the gravelly undertones, she would have never known who it was. Even more incredulous, were the words that had formed out of that raspy voice. Kagome was riveted as she listened to him sing.

“How cruel… is the Golden rule?
When the lives we lived are only Golden plated.
And I knew that the lights of the city were too heavy for me…
And though I carried carats for everyone to see.
“And I saw God cry in the reflection of my enemies,
And all of the mothers raise their babies, to stay away from me…

“Tongues on the sockets, of electric dreams.
When the sewage of youth drowned the spark of my… teens.”

Kagome visibly shuddered as her deep blue eyes - who had not left the singer's form since he appeared - locked with golden brown ones. As he repeated the chorus, she quickly glanced at the man playing the piano, and she recognized him as the bass guitarist from Shards of a Jewel. She didn't remember his name, but he seemed to be Japanese as well. She watched as his fingers nimbly worked the piano keys, and noticed that he played with a purple, fingerless glove on his right hand. She thought she had seen it when he played in the band as well. As the chorus ended, she looked back to the platinum-haired boy and found that he was already looking at her. Or, perhaps, he had never stopped looking at her.

“And all of the mothers raise their babies, to stay away from me…
And pray that they'll grow up to be…”

The music ended abruptly and emotionally, and the crowd cheered as the two men on stage bowed their heads for effect. The pianist had short, layered hair that stayed away from his face, but as the guitar player hung his head, his shaggy bangs peeked out from under the fedora he wore and obscured the view from his face, even though the long hair she knew he had was now bound in a ponytail . It was such a great performance, and it left Kagome's heart thumping into her throat.

“Inu…yasha,” she said softly, remembering the last time she had seen him.

She saw his head jerk up and look directly at her, and they stared at each other for a moment. Her brow furrowed as she considered this. He couldn't have heard me, she reasoned. It must be coincidence. There's too much noise here - there's no way he heard me through the crowd. She mentally shook herself, and sent him a small smile as she clapped along with the crowd. Kagome felt like he looked a little shocked, as if he wasn't expecting her to smile at him, but he quickly smiled back. Finally, he turned his attention back to the crowd and apologized for not actually having any guitar in that song, to which the audience laughed softly. He told them that the next song would be accompanied by another guitar to make it up to them, and then he introduced his friend as Miroku Kazaana, who reached offstage for his own guitar. Inuyasha finished by introducing himself as they began strumming, and the boys went into their version of “California Dreamin' ”. She was still floored by the difference in vocals. When she had last heard him sing, his voice had been upbeat and growly. Now he sounded soft and sad - although there was still that element of raspiness; I guess you couldn't help that. But it made for a great jazz sound. She was surprised at how versatile he was.

During the next two songs, Kagome took note of the other change. At the concert, the lead singer looked every bit the part of a brash, destructive bad-boy rocker in his ripped jeans and tank top. But now… Kagome felt her cheeks flush as she eyed his grey, pin-striped pants and white button-down shirt. The rolled up sleeves revealed a little of the strong, sinewy forearms that had stopped the bartender the night she met him. He had even traded the sneakers for dressy shoes. Idly, she thought something was strange… a little off. Something to do with the hat. It matched the pants, and it made him look hot, but there was something off… Chiding herself, she looked down to realize she hadn't eaten since she had seen Inuyasha on stage. She also realized that even had she wanted to, she could no longer finish the meal, since she found that she had something akin to butterflies. Taking a few more sips of her wine to calm herself, Kagome heard the duo finish a song only to tell the audience that their time was up. They bowed, and she watched them exit the stage to the applause of the restaurant, herself included. Sighing with what she tried to convince herself to be fatigue - although her subconscious had suspicions of disappointment - the young woman looked at her food, toyed with whatever asparagus she had left, and gave up, pushing the dish away which helped a little with the current acrobatics of her digestive system. She absently noticed that her heart was beating a little faster than normal as well. Great, she thought, `Next on Channel 10 news, Local Cardiologist Dies from Heart Failure'. She laughed sardonically at herself and drank more, closing her eyes, trying to calm herself.

It wasn't to be, as when she opened her eyes, the object of her thoughts appeared before her. She blinked several times to make sure her brain wasn't messing with her. Might as well test it out.

“Inuyasha?” she asked.

He smirked, not missing the question in her voice. Are you really there, standing in front of me? “Yeah, who else?” he replied.

“I… I just thought… since you were finished…”

“That I wouldn't say `hi'? Baka,” he told her.

“Um, what are you doing here?” she asked.

“That's my line,” he told her, frowning.

Kagome was stunned into silence and fought to regain control over her flip-flopping heart. “Er, it's weird bumping into you here,” she tried.

Inuyasha obviously didn't grasp her meaning. “Eh? Oh, you mean a jazz club? Well, I thought the same. I woulda taken you for a J-pop girl,” he said teasingly.

Scowling, Kagome crossed her arms. “Actually, I'm a big jazz fan. It's you I wouldn't have thought to be into jazz.”

“Keh. I love jazz. Helps me think; sort out my feelings,” he told her haughtily.

Soothes the savage beast, she wanted to say, but kept it to herself.

“So, where are the others?” he asked, looking around. He knew they hadn't been there, but he couldn't tell her that.

“Oh, you mean my friends? Oh, no. This was a Kagome night. It's been forever since I got a night for myself. So I escaped,” she replied conspiratorially.

Inuyasha smiled. “Ah, it's like that?” he teased.

“No, I love all my friends,” she explained, giggling. “But I don't usually get to do what I want.”

Inuyasha nodded understandingly. “Well, why don't you -”

He was cut off by a tall, dark-haired figure that had slapped him on the back as he approached. “Inuyasha, are you going to introduce me to your lovely lady friend?” Miroku asked, all smiles.

“No way, lecher,” Inuyasha said coldly, crossing his arms again.

Kagome smirked. Despite Inuyasha's wishes, she was not so rude. “Higurashi Kagome,” she said, standing and extending an arm for a handshake. She felt Miroku's eyes travelling down her body, and she understood why Inuyasha had been cold.

Miroku grasped her hand. “Ah, Japanese as well. Charmed,” he said smoothly, kissing the top of her hand. “I am Kazaana Miroku.”

Kagome was about to reclaim her hand when he clasped both hands in his own, pulling her close. “How would you like to have my baby?”

She barely had time to realize that Inuyasha's eye was twitching, and Miroku was shortly thereafter smacked upside his head. “That's why I don't introduce you to women, baka,” he ground out.

“Peace, Inuyasha,” Miroku said soothingly, rubbing the back of his head. “It's just that you never show off any of your girls, except-”

“That's because there are never any girls,” Inuyasha said angrily, but Kagome had the suspicion that it had been a warning tone to not reveal something.

It worked, because Miroku didn't proceed. “Hey, I've never had the snapper here, is it good?” the grey-eyed man asked.

“Yeah, it's great! Would you like to try it?” she offered.

Miroku was about to answer when Inuyasha held a hand against him.

“No!” Inuyasha cried. “If you feed him he'll never go away! He's like a stray dog!”

Kagome laughed. “It's ok, sit. I like dogs, stray or not.”

A huge grin spread across Miroku's face, and he opened his mouth to say something, but Inuyasha pinned him with a death glare.

“Don't you dare, Miroku. If you ever want any woman to have your baby, don't say another word,” he seethed.

Miroku choked as he fought to hold back his laughter, and eventually had to place a hand over his mouth. Inuyasha continued to glare daggers at him.

Kagome didn't even get a chance to ask what was going on before Miroku simply sat in her chair and began to eat.

“Oi! Wha'd I say!” Inuyasha yelled. A hand on his arm silenced him. Miroku stopped eating to look on curiously. He had never seen a simple gesture calm Inuyasha so quickly and thoroughly.

“It's okay, Inuyasha,” Kagome said, smiling gently. “I wasn't going to finish it anyways.”

Inuyasha tried to retort. “But…”

She rubbed her hand briefly on his bare forearm, soothing him into silence. She was unaware of the effect it had on him and Miroku looked on, stunned.

Before the atmosphere had a chance to become uncomfortable, an older man approached Inuyasha. “Excuse me,” he said to Kagome, nodding. She nodded back. “Can I talk to you guys for a second?” he asked, turning towards the two young men.

“Sure,” Inuyasha replied. He turned to Kagome. “I'll be right back. Sorry,” he told her, looking apologetic. “Miroku?”

“Mmm-hmm,” Miroku managed between bites.

Whack!

“Oi! Let's go!” Inuyasha hollered as he followed the elderly gentleman.

Miroku swallowed and bowed to Kagome as he ran off towards the two retreating males.

Kagome giggled, sitting back down and sipping at her wine, finishing it. She replayed the recent events in her mind, but found herself focusing on the tanned, platinum-haired boy.

After several minutes of listening to the pianist and singer currently on stage, Kagome noticed a familiar form looming over her. She looked up and groaned inwardly.

“Can I get you anything else, Miss?” her waiter asked.

He had every right to be there, she told herself. But that didn't mean she liked it. “Um, one more thing…” she told him, hoping it would also make him go away. “Could I have an order of s'mores?”

“Absolutely,” the blonde man beamed. To her relief, he left immediately.

A few minutes later, he reappeared with a dish of gooey, chocolate-covered goodness. Now this, I have room for.

Still hovering, the young waiter seemed to be waiting for something.

“Er… thanks,” she said, hoping it would give him his cue to leave. He didn't take the hint.

“Um, you can give me my check…” she said timidly.

“Can I ask you something?” he asked. Not waiting for an answer, he continued. “What's a beautiful woman like you doing here alone?” He moved closer to her, and she began to feel even more uncomfortable.

Squirming under his gaze, she mused that he hadn't seen the two guys that were here a little while ago. Not that it would make a difference, she considered. Miami guys will hit on you even if your boyfriend was standing next to you. She recalled several times when that very thing happened while she was out with Hojou. She realized he was waiting for an answer.

“Just enjoying myself,” she said. She glanced around the room, trying to figure out a way to get out of this without being rude.

“Well, I get off soon… would you like to have some company?” he cooed, leaning in.

“N-not really,” she stammered.

“But it sucks to go home alone… I can fix that. Or you can come to my place,” he said, smiling wickedly.

“I believe the lady said she didn't care to,” she heard from behind the waiter.

To Kagome's surprise, it was Miroku, wearing a frown and crossing his arms. I am so forgiving that baby-making comment, she thought to herself.

Unfortunately, this did not deter her suitor. Since he hadn't seen her with Miroku, he must assume he wasn't important.

“Who the hell are you?” the American asked.

“That is of no consequence,” Miroku answered smoothly.

“Then you don't concern me. Go back to tinkling your piano,” the waiter fumed.

“But I should.” Kagome heard the dangerously low hint to the familiar voice.

“Inuyasha,” she breathed.

The waiter looked between the two. “And you are?”

Inuyasha was about to say something, but Kagome didn't want it to escalate. “He's my boyfriend!”

Inuyasha looked visibly shocked for a moment, and then returned to his fade. The waiter, looking shocked but determined, looked back to Inuyasha. He saw the anger burning in the mans' eyes, and glanced at Miroku who was also giving him a stern look. Outnumbered, the blonde man stalked away.

The two young men watched him leave, and only when he was out of their line of vision did they turn to Kagome.

“Thanks,” she said shyly.

“Daijoubou desu ka?” Inuyasha asked in Japanese. “Did he hurt you?”

“Only her honor,” Miroku replied for her. “He assumed that Kagome was the type of girl that would have a one-night stand.”

The girl thought she heard a growl, but dismissed it. Trying to lighten the mood, Kagome quipped, “What makes you think I'm not?”

Inuyasha paled, and Kagome had to bite her lip to keep herself from laughing. But when she looked at Miroku, he looked serene.

“Because, my dear Kagome-sama, Inuyasha would not be interested in you if you were that type of woman,” Miroku answered quickly. He looked very serious.

Whack!

Kagome wasn't sure if she should be more shocked at Miroku's declaration, or of how abusive Inuyasha was. She looked at the brown-eyed man, who was avoiding eye contact, but was glowering at his friend.

Miroku was becoming irritated. How ever humorous it was to poke fun at Inuyasha and embarrass him, Inuyasha was being too harsh. He glared back.

The two continued to scowl at each other until they heard a slight bari-bari… They stared at the girl, crumbs and chocolate remnants marring her perfect lips. She looked up at them, licking her lips.

“Oh, are you two finished?” she asked, giving them a bored look.

Miroku smirked as Inuyasha stared incredulously. “Nani?” she asked, miffed. “I used to eat these all the time when I was little…”

“That's hard to believe, Kagome-sama. Because if you had, you would not have such a fabulous figure…” Miroku chimed.

Miroku looked down in time to see Inuyasha clenching and un-clenching his fist reflexively and decided to let it go. “Ee… to… I'm going to go check on my guitar…”

They watched as he crept away. Both were silent for a few moments and Kagome popped another treat in her mouth. Inuyasha smirked a little, but it was wiped from his face and replaced by another emotion as she again licked her lips.

“So, what are you doing now?” she asked, breaking him out of his trance.

“Eh? Well, I'm just gonna sit here…”

Kagome sulked. “I know that. I meant after this, smartass. After you leave me.”

Inuyasha blinked. “Do I have to leave you?” he asked innocently.

Luckily, Kagome had noticed he was sincere. It was an added bonus that he realized the implications of his own words and blushed. Coming from anyone else, it would have sounded like a pick-up. Especially from that lecherous friend of his. She decided to help relieve his embarrassment.

“Silly, I mean what are you going to do when you leave here?” she questioned gently.

He seemed to be seriously considering her words, and she watched his golden-brown eyes dance as he thought.

“I… I dunno, probably go home,” he said finally. “Doushite?”

Her eyes lit up, and he felt it wasn't a good thing. “Oh, I would love to see your home!”

He flushed, but he looked panicked, Kagome noted. “Eh? Er… uh… actually…” Inuyasha stammered for a few moments, stalling for time. Kuso, what do I say? “Er, why don't we go to your place? I'm sure you'll be more comfortable, and you've got that popcorn I like…” Ugh, he mentally groaned. Popcorn is your excuse?

Kagome could see that he obviously didn't want her to go to his place. But why? Was he ashamed of his home? Or is he hiding something? Maybe he's married? Panicked, Kagome's eyes darted to his hand. She didn't see a ring, but that didn't stop most men. Taking a deep breath to calm herself, Kagome reasoned with herself. If he were married, he probably wouldn't have cared about the waiter or his friend hitting on me. She looked into his eyes again, and she saw apprehension. Ok, she thought. I'll trust him for now.

“Do you mind?” he asked anxiously, his eyes pleading.

“No, it's fine. We'll all go to my place,” she said, smiling. She could practically feel him relax.

Inuyasha started to ask something, then shut his mouth again. She could tell he was confused. “Er… all? All who?”

As if on cue, they heard the familiar, smooth voice chime in, “Tadaima!”

“Miroku, we decided to get together at my home. You'll come, right?” she asked. Inuyasha was reminded of who `all' was.

Groaning, Inuyasha didn't allow him to answer. “No… No! If you invite him he'll never leave…”

“Now, now, Inuyasha. If I didn't know any better I would say that you wanted her all to yourself.” Miroku grew smug with the knowledge that Inuyasha was blushing furiously and overreacting.

“N-no! I don't want her!” Immediately realizing his mistake, he dug himself into a deeper hole. “I mean, I want her but… No! I mean, it's not that! I just…”

Exasperated to no end, Inuyasha threw a punch at Miroku, who effortlessly blocked and countered with a punch of his own, hoping to knock some sense into his embarrassed friend. It had been a long time since Inuyasha had been interested in a girl, and this one seemed to have a pure enough heart that maybe, just maybe, he could be healed. Unfortunately for him, Inuyasha knew nothing of his friends' concern for him and went for an uppercut, which Miroku narrowly missed.

All the commotion allowed Kagome to collect her thoughts. Does Inuyasha want to be alone with me? Oh, Kamis, I shouldn't have invited Miroku. Maybe… maybe he doesn't want to be alone with me. Maybe he's afraid to… Why would he be afraid to be alone with me? He was fine before. But look how that ended. The sudden reminder of her heartache drew her out of her thoughts. She noticed that they were fighting, but neither looked like they actually wanted to hurt the other. Almost like brotherly fighting.

“Wow, you guys are good,” she said, beaming.

“Keh. That was nothing. You should see when Miroku pisses off Sango…”

Kagome perked at the new name. “Sango?”

Hurt by the implication, Miroku changed the subject. “It was important to learn to defend ones' self in my family,” he told her.

“And I've had to defend myself all my life…” she heard Inuyasha say. Again, she felt like he was speaking as if he were much older than he looked.

He couldn't be much older than 21, she thought. Focusing on him, she noticed that he looked rather depressed, and she assumed he was recalling a bad memory. She couldn't ask him here, but would he talk to her about it later? Could she bring herself to mention it again, knowing he was seemingly in pain?

Miroku felt that Inuyasha had been punished enough. “Is it ok if my girlfriend comes? I would have to go pick her up…”

Kagome's jaw dropped. “G-girlfriend? You… you have a girlfriend?”

“Sango is probably home by now. She went out with her brother, but I'm sure she would like to go,” Miroku explained.

“Oh! How nice! You should invite her brother too. Unless he's too young…” Kagome began.

“Are we going to be engaging in activities that require one to be of a certain age?” Miroku teased. He ducked as Inuyasha's fist came towards him again.

Kagome scowled. “Does everything have to be sexual with you?”

“Yes,” both boys chimed. She looked at them incredulously, noting that Miroku looked quite smug, but Inuyasha looked rather serious.

She laughed, and Miroku excused himself to call Sango. Inuyasha still seemed distant, and Kagome didn't know how to close the gap between them.

“Are… are you okay?” she asked, concern in her eyes.

Great, you made her worry about you, you asshole. And you can't tell her… “I'm great,” he lied, smiling.

She eyed him suspiciously, but he wasn't going to bend, so she dropped it. Suddenly, an older woman, obviously a waitress, walked up to the table. She dropped a small, black plastic folder. Oh yeah, the bill… Kagome picked it up. Digging through her purse, Kagome fished a bank card out of her wallet. She left it in the folder, waiting for someone to pick it up.

A few moments later, Miroku joined them. “I'm gonna go pick her up, but Kohaku has to do some homework, so he's not coming,” he told them.

Kagome nodded. “Well, my car is in the smaller garage,” she told them.

“Mine, too,” Inuyasha added.

“Well, since I'm the odd man out where parking is concerned, and I have to go pick up Sango… How do you want to do this?” Miroku asked. “Shall we all drive together, or do you two want to go ahead and I'll catch up?”

“Baka,” Inuyasha butted in. “What's the point in wasting all our gas? I'll write you directions, and you can meet up with us…”

“You'll write directions?” Miroku asked treacherously.

“She lives on campus! I was there and…”

Kagome placed a hand on Inuyasha's arm, stilling him. Again, Miroku was amazed at the soothing effect she had on him.

“You don't need to explain, Inuyasha,” she cooed. He simply nodded.

The waitress had come back and taken the bill, so while they waited for her to return, Inuyasha wrote down a few simple directions on a napkin and handed it to Miroku.

Miroku stuffed the napkin in his pocket. “Okay, I'll see you guys soon. Ja ne,” he said, waving.

A few minutes later, her debit card was returned to her and Inuyasha walked Kagome to her car. On the way there, they chatted: Inuyasha told Kagome that Miroku and Sango lived together, with Kohaku as well. Kohaku had been taken away by child services when Sango's father had been murdered and she fought for over a year to get custody. He had been abused in foster care, and was depressed. She asked about Miroku, and Inuyasha explained that deep down, Miroku was a family man. For all his womanizing ways, he had not technically cheated on Sango - that he knew of. But he was still quite the flirt. Kagome nodded in agreement. Inuyasha noticed that she avoided asking about his life, and was grateful that she understood that it would take time to open up to her. Kagome was patient, listening and evaluating the way he spoke of his friends. She also noticed, offhand, that no one tried to pick her up on the way out. She smiled to herself. But he did seem to be frowning quite a bit. Unbeknownst to her, Inuyasha was very unhappy with the predatory way many men were looking at her. And she didn't even notice! Even worse, he could hear some of the dry comments a few of them made as they walked by. It was all Inuyasha could do not to spin on them and beat them bloody. I would tear that up! Man, that's a fine piece of ass… Damn, I would love to break her off… Inuyasha willed himself to temporarily go deaf. What could he do? If he started something, no one would believe he had heard them - he was too far away and there was too much noise, as far as human hearing went. The only thing that kept him sane, since the voluntary deafness wasn't working, were a few of the other commentators. Too bad she's with a guy… Damn, that's one lucky dude! Son-of-a-bitch, he doesn't deserve that! Inuyasha grimaced at the last whisper. It was true; he didn't deserve a girl like Kagome. But he was enjoying the jealous murmurs.

Unfortunately, all the attention just made him more aware of her. Every time a stupid comment was made, his eyes wandered to her body. Those long, shapely legs that ended in a perfectly rounded rear and impossibly sexy hips, which were barely covered by that tight, short, strapless dress. And how could he not notice that long, graceful neck… When his eyes passed her collarbone and lingered on the spot where her shoulders meet her neck, he became aware of the changes in his body. Not the type of changes you would expect of a normal 24 year old man - well, a little of that, too - but something else…

Kuso! Damn that little black dress! Doesn't she know what she looks like? Isn't she aware of how everyone else is reacting? As if she had heard his thoughts, Kagome took that moment to turn to him and smile the most amazing, dazzling, beautiful smile he's ever seen. No, she knows what they think. But she's not looking at them the way she looks at me, he thought. A surge of male pride coursed through his veins. Kagome… He took her hand, and they walked the rest of the way in silence.

When they arrived, Inuyasha looked at her askance. “Nice car,” he said quietly, careful to not open his mouth too much. He didn't think the car suited her. If he didn't know her personally, it may have been a good car for her, but he felt it was too flashy for her. It just didn't go…

She smiled, however, as she made an agreeing noise. As long as she was happy… What am I thinking? As long as she's happy? What do I care? Why am I even going to her house? I can't waste my time with this girl. She can't accept me. Besides, I promised my life to Kikyou…

He waited until she had the car door open when he turned so that his back was to her. He spoke to her over his shoulder, clenching his fists.

“Stay here. Since I know where you are, I'll just come to you.”

“Okay,” she said cheerfully.

“And lock the doors,” he added fiercely as he walked away.

She smiled at his protectiveness as she watched his retreating form head back to the elevators. He must be parked on a different level…

Stupid dress, he thought as he rode the elevator down to the second level from the forth. He walked up to the classic, fire engine red, 1970 Barracuda, pressing the special button on his remote that popped the door open. It served two purposes, really, to have no door handles. It was a theft deterrent first, since his muscle car was precious to him. After all, the second degree he had ever procured was on classic car restoration, and this had been his favorite car that he had worked on, so he had kept it instead of selling it. At one point, a fan had offered him $80,000 for it, but he simply couldn't part with it.

The second reason he had installed the door poppers and shaved the door handles was simple: he had learned in his experience working with cars that when his claws had extended - and sometimes he did it purposefully to use to cut metal - he would scratch the paint with them, and that just wouldn't do, not for his Baby `Cuda.

The door open, Inuyasha slid in, reaching desperately for the glove box were he held his necessities; this hadn't been the first time he had an emergency, for one reason or another. Quickly, he rummaged around for the two things he needed. He felt the first rough object, and held it up in the dim light of the cars' dome lamp. He hated this thing more than anything and cringed. Better to get it over with. He held each end of the metal file in either hand and dragged it over the points of his elongated canines. The sound alone was enough to make him whine in protest, but he kept on until they were the same length as his other teeth. He put the rasp back and dug further for the second tool. He felt the case of spare colored contacts he kept there and pushed them aside. Finally getting a hold on the nail clippers, he clipped his claws that had grown long thanks to his youki that had spiked because of his attraction to Kagome. Putting the silver item back in its' home, he closed the glove compartment and pulled down his visor to check his appearance. Ears hidden, check. He cocked the fedora slightly for reassurance, and then smiled into the small mirror. Teeth short, check. Looking down at his hands, he turned them slowly. Claws short, check. Gazing into the mirror again, he looked at his own eyes. Contacts in place, check.

Starting his car now that he was satisfied that everything looked `normal', Inuyasha felt that he had forgotten something. Frowning, Inuyasha looked around. Eyes wide with remembrance, Inuyasha hopped back out of the car and picked up his guitar case that he had dropped when he had arrived at his car. He made a mental note to put the guitar case inside the car first next time, berating himself, lest he lose his favorite guitar. Too many bad things in one night, he thought. He shouldn't have gone to talk to her. He shouldn't have agreed to go to her house. He shouldn't have let his youki get out of control. He shouldn't have left his guitar outside. What was next?

Inuyasha drove to where he had left Kagome. She was singing in her car, windows open. Sounds like Cobra Starship, he thought, smiling. He pulled up next to her, smirking. She seemed to jump when she noticed him. Then she smiled, which made his heart warm.

“Hey!” she greeted. He returned the gesture.

“Give me your number!” she shouted over her radio.

When he looked at her curiously, she explained, “This way the next time you keep me waiting that long, I can call and yell at you,” she told him, grinning.

He couldn't help the smile that tugged at his own lips and he called the number out to her. He was about to put his car into gear when his phone rang. He looked at the number oddly, not knowing it. She called to him, and when he looked over she was waving her cell at him. Understanding, he stopped the ring and saved her number. She then pulled away, and he followed close behind, despite already knowing the way.