Inuyasha was the first to recover his senses–in a manner of speaking. “Oi, Sesshoumaru,” he said tersely, “what the hell are you doing here?” Kagome grimaced. Kouga glared. Shrugging off the surly hanyou, he plastered on a hospitable smile and strolled toward the inu daiyoukai. “Well, well—if it isn’t Sesshoumaru,” he greeted amiably, straightening his tie.

She held his amber gaze for what felt like an eternity. But he didn’t waver. And neither did she. “Hai, Sesshoumaru-sama,” she answered at last. “I heard you.”

“…Kagome-chan? Hey–Kagome-chan!” Kagome blinked, her eyes focusing on her friend’s disgruntled face. Across the table from her, Sachiko’s caramel eyes narrowed, her arms folding over her chest. “What’s up with you today? That’s the third time you’ve zoned out in the past thirty minutes.” “Gomen, Sachi-chan,” Kagome said quickly, a light blush fanning across her

It had been entirely too long, Kagome decided, since she’d been out on a date. Studying her reflection in the floor-length mirror, she bit her lip, uncertain. Surely, jeans and a nice blouse would work, right? Now, should she wear her hair up, or down? Gathering back her long, wavy locks, she turned her head

Kagome descended the stairs shakily, trying not to trip in her tall, spindly heels. As the landing came into sight, she made a last-second decision to pull her hair free of the elastic band that restrained it. Her long wavy locks cascaded down her shoulders in a what was no doubt a terribly messy tumble,

Kagome stared at the phone in her hand like it was a live grenade, threatening to blow her date night to smithereens at any second. The metaphorical clock ticked down as she teetered on the precipice of a decision. To answer or not to answer… She shouldn’t—she knew she shouldn’t. She wouldn’t. She… “I’m sorry,”