AN: I'm back! With a (teaser for a) short, multi-chapter story of one of my favorite pairs.


KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK

Kagome awoke with a start as she realized someone was pounding at the door. Furiously. She fumbled for her cell phone, squinting at the bright light of the screen as she checked the time. Only 10:15pm? She thought to herself. Work must've really taken it out of me this past week.

She placed her phone back on the nightstand and pulled the covers, snuggling back into the warmth of her bed. As she drifted off again, her thoughts turned to her bed. So comfy. So cozy. I love sleep. Why aren't naps encouraged at work? Sleep is the best. Why did—

She jolted out of bed with a shout. "Knocking! That's why I woke up!"

Kagome hastily rolled out of bed and grabbed pajama bottoms that were unceremoniously deposited on the floor. She tried to hop into them as she ran her fingers through her hair and walked to the door.

"Note to self," she muttered, "multi-tasking is less successful when I am tired and disoriented. Executive functioning capacities are limited. One thing at a time, Kagome, one thing at a time."

She paused to finish tying the drawstring of her pajama pants before turning to look in the mirror. Noticing the state of her hair, she shrugged at herself and tried to smooth her bedhead down some more before opening the door.

"Sorry for the delay," she began. "Is everything ok? Is anyone-?"

Kagome was cut off by her neighbor sliding past her, breezing inside her apartment. As he made his way over to her kitchen, he surveyed the small and lived-in space that was cluttered but clearly cared for. Full of personality, he thought to himself.

The neighbor made himself comfortable, pulling out a chair before addressing Kagome, who was frozen by the front door. "First things first, you shouldn't answer the door without asking who it is. That's not safe. Stranger danger is out there, little neighbor. Be aware. Obviously I'm no stranger but you never really know, do you?"

The neighbor continued on as if unaware of Kagome's stunned expression. "Second, if you could close the door you'd be doing me a real big favor."

Kagome blinked and jerked to close the door. She was more startled than anything by the fact that she had been considering following her neighbors command, which was barely disguised as a request. The shock on her face disappeared as she purposefully schooled her expression to look serene.

OK, Kagome, she thought to herself. That was an embarrassing reaction for someone who has your training. Time to ease out of statue mode and assess the situation.

While maintaining her pleasant façade, Kagome surveyed her neighbor, examining his facial expression and body language for hints that would give away his intentions. His body language illustrates that he's at ease. While his facial expression attempts to demonstrate the same thing, his eyebrows indicate underlying nervousness. Coupled with the briskness and brashness with which he entered my apartment, I can determine that he is here because he needs something.

Quickly replaying their initial interaction, she concluded, He's here to ask me a favor—one he was compelled to ask by someone else or a more personal favor.

Kagome closed the door and watched as her neighbor visibly relaxed. She quickly surveyed him to see if there were any weapons on his person. While his background check had come back clean, Kagome's training was too thorough for her to ignore. She pasted a smile on her face and walked over to the kitchen as he pressed on.

"Third, little neighbor, I think it's high time we introduced ourselves. We've been living next to each other for over a year now and we've never had a real conversation. And that," he winked, "simply cannot go on any longer. I'm Koga Watanabe. And you are?"

Kagome ran through the information compiled during his background check. Koga Watanabe, 31-years-old, high school history teacher. Graduated from a prestigious university with honors. Oldest of four siblings, very close to his family, both nuclear and extended. No criminal record or charges against him with the exception of several parking tickets for his motorcycle. No significant romantic relationships at the time of the background check.

Kagome pulled up a chair and graced Koga with a brilliant smile. "Well, Koga, let's address the three issues you've so kindly brought to my attention. In reverse order, if that's all right with you?"

Kagome paused as Koga shifted in his chair, his posture belying his confusion at her reaction. She dropped her smile before continuing in an even voice. "Third, if you'll recall, I introduced myself to you the very first week you moved in. I'm Kagome Higurashi. Second, while the door has been closed at your request, it is unclear how this was doing you a big favor. And first," Kagome paused, smiling serenely and looking at Koga in the eyes, "you shouldn't come inside someone's apartment without knowing who is in it. That's not safe. Stranger danger is out there, neighbor. Be aware. Obviously I'm no stranger but you never really know, do you?"

Kagome reached out to tap Koga on the jaw, which had dropped open in surprise at her response. "I might have forgotten to mention," she continued breezily, "that I have a state of the art security system, which allows me to always see who is outside of my door."

As she stood up, she continued in a honeyed tone, "I would never let any old stranger into my home sweet home."

Satisfied that she had sufficiently answered his questions, Kagome offered Koga her hand to help him out of his chair. Koga grinned as he grabbed her hand and stood, using the opportunity to pull her close to him. "Just who are you?" he asked in wonder.

"Koga, I thought I made that perfectly clear. I'm Kagome Higurashi. Your neighbor." She replied, tapping him on the nose. She pulled away and walked towards the door, clearly intending to show him out of her apartment.

As Koga followed, he noted the aforementioned security system that he had mistaken for artwork. Hidden in plain sight, he marveled to himself.

He asked, "And why does Kagome Higurashi have a state of the art security system in her humble abode?"

She turned and graced him with a real smile, the first of the evening. "That, Koga Watanabe, is classified."

Reaching for the doorknob, she paused. Why do I have to have such a soft spot for helping people? she mentally grumbled.

She sighed before turning around to face him again. Standing toe-to-toe, she said, "You clearly came over to ask for something. And it seemed to be something of urgency, based on the over-the-top knocking and your desire to have me close the door. So," she cocked her head and asked, "what is out there that you don't want to reach you?"

Koga grinned. I knew I made a good choice, he crowed, mentally patting himself on the back. "Why, Kagome, I thought you'd never ask."


AN: Thank you for reading! As always, I look forward to your reviews, theories, and thoughts about the direction of this story. Until next time!