Disclaimer: I don't own Inuyasha...

It was a beautiful day outside. Clouds were sparsely scattered in the sky, revealing a bright golden sun against a dazzling blue sky. The days were getting warmer as flowers began to bloom. Patches of nature that peeked throughout the city stood radiant and fresh, announcing their arrival. The cold reign of winter was finally coming to an end.

Kagome hummed to herself as she walked down the busy sidewalk to the museum, her lunch in one hand and portfolio in the other. Today was the interview she had been waiting for over a year; Dr. Yamato had been granted access to a remote excavation site in a remote region near Macchu Picchu, and she was looking for a couple of young, eager minds to accompany her to Peru.

According to her coworkers she would be a shoe-in. Kagome ha worked with Dr. Yamato on various projects in the museum for over a year and had continuously spoken highly of her. Either way, Kagome was determined to treat this opportunity as if she were a rookie, fresh out of college—there was no reason to become cocky. There was always someone younger, someone brighter just around the corner.

Jogging up the steps she waved to a familiar face, another museum conservator under Dr. Yamato. A rather modest man, his bright grey eyes twinkled as he waved back. "Good morning Higurashi!"

"Hello, Hojou!" Kagome smiled. "Are you ready for today?"

"Ready as I'll ever be! I'm so nervous I spilled coffee all over my pants this morning!" Hojou laughed, rubbing his head. "It's a good thing I always keep an extra pair with me at work. You never know what's going to happen."

"Well that does come in pretty handy." Kagome flipped her hand over, checking the time. "C'mon, we should go in; we have that new project to start too!"

Kagome drummed her fingers lazily on her desk as she fought to keep her eyes awake. Her excitement-filled morning had come to a close, and after lunch she found herself unable to keep focused.

The interview had gone remarkably well. Dr. Yamato was kind and attentive as she listened to 50 prospective hopefuls recite their resume and experience to her. Most of the people who had interviewed already worked for the museum, and Kagome felt highly competitive.

Through her sleepy haze she heard her phone ring a couple inches away. Grabbing it she couldn't help but smile as Inuyasha's name scrolled across the screen.

It had been three weeks since their first date night where she had heard him play the piano. The few days after that meaningful morning were slightly awkward, to say the least; it didn't take long for their friends to catch onto their newly established relationship, and the teasing they had received was overwhelming. At one point Inuyasha and literally picked up Kagome bridal-style, kicked open the door to the studio, and ran out with her, a string of laughter and protests following.

It had died down since then. For the most part Sango and the boys left them alone.

OFF WORK YET?

Kagome laughed. INUYASHA IT'S ONLY 1:30.

I CAN CHANGE THAT.

In the past few weeks they had learned much about each other. Inuyasha learned that Kagome hated broccoli, was in the archery club in high school and college, and enjoyed swimming. Kagome learned that Inuyasha's family had a stake in almost all of Tokyo's businesses, including the Tokyo Museum of Man and Culture. To put it simply, the Maruyama family owned and operated everything imaginable.

I DON'T THINK SO.

KEH. PICK YOU UP AT 4.

It was more of a statement than a question. Kagome learned fast that Inuyasha, while suave and charming, had a stubborn streak.

SEE YOU THEN. ;)

When 4 o'clock rolled around Inuyasha was waiting for Kagome outside the museum. She couldn't help but blush as he leaned against his red convertible, his silver hair blowing in the wind as he looked cool and stylish with his Ray Bans.

"Hi."

"Hey babe." Inuyasha smiled, pushing his sunglasses to the top of his head. "How was work?"

"Oh you know, the same. I found this really interesting—"

"Kagome!"

The couple turned to see Hojou running out of the museum, his brown hair flying behind him as he waved Kagome down. "Kagome wait!"

"Hojou." She blinked dumbly. "What's wrong?"

"You left your pen!"

"Oh, thanks?"

"No problem." Hojou gave her a brilliant smile. "It would be a shame if you lost it. Oh, are you one of Kagome's friends?"

Inuyasha let out a low growl as his response. He was not happy.

"Well, I should be going. See you tomorrow!"

They watched as the rather vapid young man jogged away towards the bus station, still waving as he turned the corner. Kagome sighed; he was sweet, but kind of stupid.

Getting into the car Kagome couldn't help but notice Inuyasha's sudden mood swing.

"Inuyasha? Something wrong?"

"Keh, no."

"Are you sure?"

"Keh."

"Don't 'keh' me! Don't you have any other words in your vocabulary?"

"Keh."

Kagome glared at him, pulling the seatbelt away from her. "What's wrong with you?"

She saw his jaw lock, his grip on the steering wheel tighten as he wove in and out of the city streets. "Who was that?"

Kagome frowned and turned to scan the passing sidewalks. "Who're you talking about? You're driving too fast I can't see anyone's face."

"That guy." He glanced at her as he stopped at the light.

"That one?" Kagome pointed at a man crossing the street, his body hunched over in pain as a young girl in long blonde pigtails trailed after him, screaming. "With the ugly green blazer jacket thing?"

"No." He sent the car careening forward as he slammed on the gas. "The guy at the museum."

"Slow down, damnit!" Kagome gasped, shutting her eyes. "Museum? Are you talking about Hojou?"

"I don't care what your little boy toy's name is." The car began to slow to the speed of traffic. "But yeah, him."

Kagome stared. "Boy toy? You think I'm involved with him?"

"Keh."

"He's my coworker!"

"Keh."

"He's gay."

"Ke—Really?"

"No, but you're getting on my nerves with that stupid word." She took a deep breath and rubbed her eyes. "Hojou is just nice. There's nothing going on between us, so you can stop being jealous."

"I'm not jealous."

"Yes, you are! You're pouting like a little baby!"

"I don't pout!"

"Look in the mirror."

"I'm driving!"

"Keh." Kagome smirked as Inuyasha gave her an incredulous look.

"That's my word."

"I don't see your name on it."

"You're driving me crazy!"

"And you're being petty!" Kagome reached over and pulled a long lock of silver hair towards her. "I'm with you, not Hojou, okay?"

Inuyasha winced as he tried to keep his eyes on the road. "Keh."

"Arrggh!"

Inuyasha watched in amusement as Kagome happy licked her ice cream cone. She had demanded to be taken to the ice cream shop, claiming that she wouldn't sit in the car with him being as insensitive as he was without any kind of initiative.

"What'd you do today?"

"Oh, you know, play the piano a little, watch some television, take a nap." Inuyasha yawned, clasping his hands behind his head. "The usual."

"Must be nice," Kagome mumbled, taking a bite out of the sugar cone. "Do you ever work?"

"When I feel like it."

Kagome rolled her eyes. Growing up with a single parent and a little brother she wasn't use to the same luxurious as he was. She absentmindedly watched as melted ice cream rolled down her finger, wondering how two people from completely different backgrounds could possibly work.

"You busy Saturday night?"

"Not that I know of, why?"

"There's this thing I have to go to," Inuyasha waved in boredom. "Some family business ball thing. I need a date."

"So is this you formally asking me?"

"Keh, you're such a girl," he wrinkled his nose. "Yes, this is me formally asking you."

Kagome feigned her indecisiveness, tapping a finger against her chin. "Hmm, I don't know…"

"I'll make it up to you." Inuyasha winked.

"Oh? I'm listening."

"The ball is being held at some fancy hotel downtown. You do the math: me and you plus hotel room minus the underwear and divide your legs by my integer—"

"Okay okay," Kagome blushed. "I get it. Yes, I'll go with you."

AN: Thank you so much for all the reviews! I'm glad you are all liking the story so far. Sorry for the late update, I've been busy with a couple things.

Since we are at chapter 10, there are a couple things I would like to lay out in regards to "Antithesis:"

There will be no demon battling of any sort. I have another story in the works with that type of genre, but this story is more about character development.

I would like to clarify everyone's ages: Kagome and Hojou are 24, with everyone else (Inuyasha, Sango, Kikyo, and the Shadohanta band) being 26.

Kikyo will make an appearance in this story. That is all I can tell you now without spoiling the plot, but I can say that she will not hinder Inuyasha and Kagome's relationship. If anything, she will help them.

I'm anticipating this story to be about 20 chapters long. I might push it to 22, but it will definitely be under 25.

If you have any other questions, don't hesitate to let me know! I had to write this chapter in a rush, so if there are any discrepancies please let me know!