They reach New York City without more incidents. Inuyasha did almost run over a guy out of frustration in DC, but Kouga assured him that was a normal reaction to have. It was also a good thing Kouga took over driving once they reached Jersey. Inuyasha felt like a tiny tiny child again as they entered the city. The towering buildings, and densely filled roads were fascinating. He rolled down the window and tested the air with his nose. For a while he had to close his eyes just to sort out what his senses were telling him. Some images came to mind. He could smell, distinctly, people. Next were the various cars exhaust, rubber, and metal. They were still near the coast, so the scent of salt and sea where next. Those he was more familiar with. Finally, and unfortunately, he smelled a general rotting. The city's byproduct. Finally he blanched a little and drew his head back into the car to complain.

"Why do you live here? Got a headache from all the scents!" Inuyasha rolled up the window at this point. At least the car's air filtration was good enough for now. Until he adjusted to all this.

"I'm a city wolf," Kouga answered like that sentence explained it all. 'Guess I'm a city dog now.'

"So you born here?" Yasha tried to pull more information out of him.

"Nah, born in Philly. My pops moved us here. I just never really left." Kouga shrugged at that, "Never had a reason to go."

Inyasha could understand that. For himself it was more like, he never had a reason to stay anywhere. Guess Kouga found something he felt was good enough for him here.

Turns out Kouga lives in an average apartment. There was a guard at the main door, an a tiny garage to park in. Took the elevator up about 8 stories to his place. Apparently it was a condo. Kouga explained that means he owns it. So if he wanted to make any changes, he could. As they entered it was like entering an actual wolf's den. It reeked of Kouga. The colours were dark, and warm. There were a few pieces that looked like they were made of fur, a few pillows, and the main rug. The kitchen was off to the right and open to the living room. There was a slim balcony in the living room, opposite the kitchen.

"If you go through there," Straight ahead was a doorway, "There's the two bedrooms, and a shared bathroom. Mine's on the left." The prospect of his own room made Inuyasha's ears perk forward. He could get his own secure privacy now. A.. Dare he dream it.. a bed? Inuyasha didn't say a word and instead made his way straight to the room and threw the door open excitedly.

It was perfect! There was a bed! A real bed! A non-discript wood dresser sat along the wall. He also had a window, and a closet. The walls were a bare white, and the bed was without sheets or blanket. Just waiting for Inuyasha to make it his own. The place also didn't smell so strongly of Kouga. Which was fine. Inuyasha opened the window to allow in as much circulating air as he could. This place would smell like him eventually. It might one day smell like home.

Yasha knew then he had to reign in his excitement. Things could always go bad between him and Kouga. 'Remember you're a hanyou. Not meant to fit in anywhere. Don't get overly comfortable.' That thought certainly sobered him up quickly. He dropped his bag of belongings on the dresser and wandered back into the "Wolf's Den". His mind had already named it.

This whole apartment just felt like a demon's cozy hideaway. There were even traces of Kouga's youkai in the walls themselves. It was weird and nice at the same time. After drowning in humanity it was nice to drown in youkai. Apparently Kouga left the cases in his car and only brought up his personal bags. Which were sitting right next to the door.

Instead Kouga was busying himself in the kitchen. The stovetop was going, and Inuyasha could smell beef.

"What 'cha cooking?" He asked the wolf.

"Something easy, hamburger helper." Inuyasha paused, not sure how he was supposed to react in this situation. He's never had a roommate. Was he allowed to have some as well? Or was he expected to make some all his own? Inuyasha decided that he would make himself busy until the food was ready. And if there wasn't two plates ready, then he'd go buy some groceries for himself and make something quick. Seemed like a good enough plan.

So for the next 15 minutes he scented everything in the apartment. It seemed like he told the truth about being single. There wasn't a trace of any females in the place. As Inuyasha was smelling the fur rug, to determine if it was real fur, Kouga made a comment about mutts having to smell everything. Absolutely falling for the bait the silverette shot to his feet and turned to fight.

He faced Kouga who was carrying two plates of food. "Do me a solid? Go and get two glasses, I'll have Dr. Pepper."

Well shit, he had a meal afterall. Inuyasha couldn't bring himself to look the gift horse in the mouth. He mumbled, "You're still a jerk," as he walked past him for the drinks.

It's was getting kinda late. It was a Sunday night and Kouga had to get up early in the morning. Inuyasha was unemployed, so he figured he should probably get on fixing that. "You mind if I borrow your computer? Wanna look into some jobs around here before I pass out."

The smile Kouga gave him lived up to his canine heritage. He didn't answer, and instead went to his room for the night. Inuyasha wasn't entirely sure how to take that. 'I guess he really likes the fact that I'm not slacking.'

He's used the internet before but it's weird to use a personal computer. At least it was unlocked. Seems like Kouga's a bit lazy. Inuyasha looked to the door and saw that his bags sat where they were. He snorted to himself. Of course.

The PC opened to the desktop and Inuyasha pulled up a general job search for lower Manhattan:

Delivery Driver- Warehouse Worker

Carpenter's Helper

Electricians Wanted

Dog Care- Handler That one made him laugh

Warehouse Person

Gulf Course Maintenance

All of these have partial information. Unreliable. Maybe he needs to wander the city and find something himself. He prints out the results, including their locations. Before he logs off Inuyasha memorizes the locations of all the shelters in the area. The act in itself assuages his nerves. At least he knows where back up locations are at. That'll have to do. He logs off and shuts the computer down. As Inuyasha stands up and realizes, he's smiling. Actually smiling. Inuyasha turns around and heads to His Room. There may not be sheets or a blanket on his bed, but that doesn't matter. He collapses on top of the mattress. The sounds of the city still filtering in through his open window. Iunyasha wasn't sure how many hours he lay there, memorizing and sorting the city in his mind before he drifted into peaceful sleep.

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Good things are happening at last! Yay.