Disclaimer: I do not own InuYasha and do not make any money from this fanfic.
In the Ordinary world, humans and youkai get along, intermarry, ect. So InuYasha had a pretty normal childhood, void of bullying (aside from Sess, lol) and prejudice. So he's pretty well adjusted and happy. Kagome is a transfer student from Tokyo looking for…well, the title says it all. Enjoy!
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Kagome Higurashi turned her yellow jeep into the parking lot of her apartment complex to find Kouga Shibuto sitting on her doorstep.
"Hey Kouga, what's up?" she asked, retrieving her purse and making her way up the steps.
"Not much, where's Ayame?" He answered, referring to her roommate.
"She's on the way to Denver. She's visiting her parents." She answered, unlocking her front door. "Want to come in?"
Kouga was Ayame's buddy, and Kagome liked him well enough. He was fun to be around and had helped both her and her roommate on study nights many times. She considered him to be a 'good guy'.
Both he and Ayame were Ookami, though members of different tribes. Kagome often thought they'd make a cute couple, but so far her roommate pooh-poohed that idea.
Kouga didn't answer her question, but he did follow her inside.
"So, did you need something Kouga?" Kagome asked, hanging up her purse and keys, and moving to the small kitchen to grab a soda. "Want one?"
"Nah," he answered. "I came to see if Ayame wanted to go with me to Redfern Valley."
Kagome frowned. "What's in Redfern Valley?"
"Only the best hiking in this part of the state!" He replied, his bright blue eyes gleaming with excitement. "I had the whole weekend planned." His enthusiasm dropped off. "But now I guess I'll have to go alone."
Intrigued, Kagome thought fast. Finals were over, and summer stretched interminably ahead of her. Her family was back in Tokyo, but the expense of flying out and back was beyond her at the moment. The cost of living, books and her shiny, new jeep insured that.
She had a few days off work, and she had really loved that camping and survivor course she had taken during winter semester. Besides, she deserved some fun! And, if she could convince Kouga to take her along she could try out some of the skills she had learned.
"Um," she started, "Maybe I could with you instead?"
He eyed her specutively. "Oh, yeah? You got any experience?"
"Well…" She hesitated, but then forged ahead, "I took a course last semester on outdoor skills and did really well. I loved it, too!" She looked at him hopefully.
Now it was Kouga's turn to frown. "I don't know, Kagome." He ran his clawed hand through his slightly too long dark hair. "Redfern has some rough terrain, it's not really beginner friendly."
Ok, Higurashi. Kagome thought. Now's the time to be bold. Go after what you want!
"Oh, please Kouga?" She begged, shamelessly. "I'll help out and keep up. I won't slow you down, I promise!"
He took a moment to answer, and she was sure he was going to refuse when he finally said, "Sure, why not? Do you have equipment?"
Her eyes lit up. "Yes, I have a tent and sleeping bag. Hiking boots, too."
She paused, suddenly unsure. "I don't have anything else, though. I haven't even used the tent and bag."
He h'mmed in response.
Afraid he might still back out, she forged ahead. "My boots are broken in fine. I wear them all over when I'm not in class! I won't get blisters."
Finally, he smiled. "No problem, I have the other stuff we'll need. Food, too." He suddenly looked unsure. "Can you be ready in an hour? I want to head out and get there soon. The best hiking is in the early afternoon."
There was no way Kagome would not be ready. Good times, here I come!
"Absolutely!" She exclaimed. And she was indeed ready within the allotted time.
Tent, bag, clothes and personal needs were packed into her oversized duffle and they were out the door and on their way. Kouga stopped once on the way out of town to gas up his truck.
Kagome had her first bit of misgiving as she waited. Will Ayame mind? She said they were just friends, so maybe not…
Still, sometimes in the past she had found Kouga staring at her with an unnerving intensity. Surely he wasn't interested in her? Nah, no way! Why would he choose a human when he can have his pick of women from two wolf clans? And so, pushing aside her concerns Kagome settled back to enjoy the trip.
She started the conversation off by picking Kouga's brain for tips and tricks to hiking the high country. He was knowledgeable and happy to share what he knew. Almost too happy, she thought. In fact, he's really boastful!
She had noticed this about him before, but it had always seemed a small thing, easily brushed off. Now, stuck riding in a truck for two hours with him was grating on her nerves.
He was also persistent. Kagome found herself telling him more about her family and personal life than she intended, or was comfortable with. She tried to turn the conversation to his own life, and even back to hiking and camping to no avail.
She resorted to giving generic answers and vague yes/no replies. He seemed not to notice. Kagome was very glad to see the campground at the head of the valley.
"Is this where we'll make camp?" She asked, cutting off yet another nosy question.
"Huh?" He said, nonplussed at being interrupted. "Oh, no. We'll head up into the valley. It's closer to the trails and not so crowded."
Kagome watched the bustling campground with sudden trepidation. Everyone seemed to know just what to do and how to do it efficiently. Tents were being set up, fire rings prepped, and gear unloaded. Everyone seemed confident and excited.
"Kouga," She said, unsure, "Maybe this is above my skill level. Everyone seems so experienced."
The wolf reached over and grasped her hand, giving it a squeeze. "Don't worry, Kagome. You've got me to take care of you, remember?"
As she turned to look at him, Kagome noticed the focus, the…amorousness in his deep blue gaze. Things suddenly became very clear.
Oh, no! No way. Kouga was in love with her. Or at least he thought he was. They didn't know one another all that well, but thinking back to all his probing questions she could suddenly see what he'd been doing. Did he even intend to ask Ayame today? Or did he know she was out of town to begin with?
Before she could voice her doubts, he put the truck into gear and drove past the campground, heading up into the valley. "I know the perfect spot for our camp!" He exclaimed. Kagome was too unsettled to answer.
Perhaps ten minutes later he finally pulled into a small clearing off the service road. "Here we are!" His expression was proud, expecting praise for his choice.
She glanced over the area. "Uh, it's very nice Kouga."
"Great!" He said, springing from the truck to grab their gear. "Let's get set up, then."
She spent the next little while learning how to pitch a tent, set up a fire ring (though she already knew how in theory), and work the small camp stove.
"Come on," He urged, once they were done. "Let's head out and get some altitude!"
Pushing her concerns aside, determined to have fun, she hurried to catch him up. Maybe later they could go back down and spend some time with the other campers. But for now, she figured she'd do what she came for and go hiking.
A couple hours later and she was having serious doubts about the whole enterprise. Clearly her short hikes back in the city had done nothing to prepare her for this. As she scaled yet another steep slope, struggling to keep up with Kouga she finally gave up.
"K-Kouga, stop!" She cried, collapsing onto the nearest smooth boulder. "I can't do anymore."
He turned with a frown. "Huh? But we're so near the top, Kagome. Don't stop now!"
She lifted pleading eyes to his. "I can't, Kouga. I'll be lucky to make it back to camp. Besides, I'm out of water." She said, lifting her empty bottle as proof.
The wolf sighed, clearly irritated.
What's his problem? What happened to taking it easy?
"Fine," He barked, "we'll turn back." And he proceeded to do just that, stepping past her and continuing back down slope without a backward glance.
What the? Kagome thought, suddenly angry. He said he'd take care of me!
When it was clear that he wasn't going to turn back or wait, she dragged herself to her feet and carefully made her way back to camp. Nothing had ever looked as good as her tent, with its soft sleeping bag laid open inside once she got there.
However, before she could make it that far there was a distraction. A group of people from the main campground came up the road, led by a man with the most gorgeous silver hair Kagome had ever seen.
It fell to his hips, and flowed and reflected the light as though iridescent. She gasped when he turned curious eyes her way. His eyes were a beautiful gold, and on his head perched two swiveling dog ears.
Inu, she thought. That explains the looks. He was gorgeous! He looked to be too old to be a college student, but not by much. He seemed more experienced somehow. He carried himself with complete confidence and self-control, but she could see the raw power he held within him. I hope I'm not drooling! She thought.
Tearing her eyes from him, she noticed a few of the other hikers wearing sweatshirts with the logo of her college. This could be a good thing, she thought.
"Hey, are you guys from Cal Poly?" she asked, going out to greet them.
"Sure are," said a dark haired girl with slight Japanese features. "How about you?"
"Yep!" Kagome answered. "How cool is it to meet up here?"
The girl laughed. "Hey, it's a small world. We're on our way to Lunar Falls. Want to come with?"
"We're done for the day." Kouga interrupted. He seemed irritated by their arrival.
Kagome seethed silently. Jerk! How rude. The white haired man said nothing, but watched with sharp eyes.
"Well," the girl continued, "we're having a get together later, once it's dark. You're both welcome to come."
"We'll have food and games!" Chirped another in the group. "We're celebrating summer!"
This came from a younger looking male, with auburn hair and bright green eyes. His whole aura radiated happiness.
Kagome smiled, "Sure, that sounds fun."
"Great," the girl continued, "We're on the far side of the campground. See you there!" And the group continued on up the trail.
They had scarcely gotten out of sight when Kouga turned to her. "Why did you tell them we'd go to their silly little party?"
Kagome was taken aback at his anger. "Well, why not? It will be fun and-"
"You came with ME, Kagome! Did it occur to you I might have plans for the two of us?" He ground out.
She blinked, and then decided to call his bluff. "Er, no. You didn't say anything about it. In fact, you didn't even intend for me to be here! You were going to ask Ayame, remember?"
Put on the spot, and his deception uncovered, the wolf stomped away, and then came back. "Well, you're here now. You can't go off with other people. We'll stay here and enjoy ourselves. Alone."
Oh, hell no! Kagome had quite enough of Kouga's high handedness and no intention of participating in any kind of 'alone' enjoyment with the wolf youkai.
"I want to go, and I'm going." Her voice was hard, her tone final. "I don't know what plan you had when you came to my apartment, Kouga but I'm not playing along."
He narrowed his eyes at her. "You don't know anyone but me up here, Kags." His voice was low and held a thread of smug certainty.
Upon seeing her stunned face, he paused, softening his features. "Look, just…give me a chance, okay? We'll have fun, too. I promise."
"Then come with me." Kagome offered. "They seem like nice people, and clearly they love hiking, too."
The Ookami turned away, snorting. "I'm a lone wolf, Kagome. I don't care to surround myself with a bunch of amateurs."
"You don't know anything about them!" She exclaimed. "Why are you being this way? You like hanging out with Ayame, Ginta and Hokkaku."
"Ginta and Hokkaku are my pack." He said. "Ayame is also wolf, and from an allied tribe. That's all different. I don't hang out with humans."
She gaped. "But what about me?"
He pulled a bottle of water from the cooler before answering.
"That'd different. I…like you, Kagome." He turned deep blue eyes to hers. "I think we could be good together. It would be fun, if nothing else."
Was he serious? Did he just admit that he basically wanted her for a 'good time'?
"F-fun?" She stuttered. "What are you saying? What kind of girl do you think I am?"
"Seriously?" He asked, glancing at her as if asking permission. "I see you as an uptight, overstressed woman who's afraid to take real chances or do anything out of the ordinary."
Her mouth fell open.
He assessed her with a cool, detached gaze. "Sure, you came to America, but you live in campus funded housing. You eat and shop within a mile of your apartment. You took a class on outdoor skills, but you wouldn't have used them if I hadn't come along. You're afraid."
Kagome was furious. "Are you finished?"
He gave her a small smirk. "That'll do for now."
"Fine." She snapped, turning and heading to the road, and the campground at the bottom of it.
"Hey! Where are you going?" He called.
"Away from YOU!" She snarled, spinning to face him. "If you think so little of me, why did you bring me along in the first place?"
"I told you. I like you. I think you have potential." He stated.
"Potential for what?" She growled. She was sounding more feral than the wolf before her.
Koga sighed. "Kagome, look. I like you, you like me. We could have a good time together, if you'd let yourself out of that frigid shell you stay wrapped in. Whattaya say?"
What do I say? She thought. "Go to hell!" She yelled, and practically ran out of camp. He didn't follow her.
"That-that jerk! Bastard!" She seethed as she half walked, half ran down the access road. "How dare he say those things! I thought he was my friend."
She stumbled into the campground free of tears, thankfully. As she made her way to the far side of the grounds, she wondered how she'd find the correct site. I should have waited until they came back and followed them then.
Of course, that would mean staying in camp with Kouga. She shuddered. No thank you! She had no desire to spend another minute with that, that…jerk!
Then she realized that she had no other way back to the city. You don't know anyone but me. She stopped, sucking in a breath. He was right, damn it. What was she going to do now? Her cell phone didn't get reception in these mountains, as she'd discovered on the way up.
She might have given in to tears then, but a warm voice broke her thoughts.
"Excuse me, miss. Do you need help?"
############# Author's note: Redfern Valley and Lunar Falls are, as far as I know completely fictitious. They just sounded pretty, lol. (and Lunar Falls is a nod to the Lunar Rainbow in the Ayame arc of the anime)
Please review!