When Kagome first woke up, she yawned and ran her fingers through her matted hair. Then she rubbed her eyes and looked for the source of the delicious smell.

"Is that bacon I smell?" Kagome muttered groggily.

She wriggled out of the mountain of fur and seemingly floated down the hallway. She stopped at the entrance however when she heard the sound of laughter, and men. Lots of them, along with the occasional wolf bark.

"So Kouga, I don't think we've EVER seen you take a woman! Say did you..."

Kagome blushed at the crude comment.

"Shut up Hakaku! What the hell did you think we did exactly?"

"Well Kouga, I don't really know. You're a guy, and she's a girl, so... We just thought-"

"Well you thought wrong! No, she just needed a place to go. Now, when she wakes up, I expect every one of you mutts to be on your best behavior! This one'a special! And that goes for the actual wolves as well," Kouga replied.

Kagome thought herself ready to enter the bustling room, and stepped into the cavern. Morning light lit up the vast opening. 50 or so wolves and wolf demons littered the floor and stone ledges. In the center, a few wild board lay open as both demon and animal tore into it, grabbing and taking. Kagome cringed, but then noticed the small firepit in the corner where Kouga stood attempting to roast a rather large portion of meat.

"Kouga..." She uttered, and stood surprised.

"Good morning Kagome. I think this is done, but I can't be sure..." He replied. He fiddled with the spit as Kagome walked over to him and inspected it herself. The room was very quiet except for the whispers that spread like wildfire.

"She's cute!" Someone yelled. At that, laughter broke out and a couple conversations. The tension was finally broken as both Kouga and Kagome blushed profusely.

"What the hell Hakaku!?" Kouga sputtered out. More laughter followed. Kagome instead turned her back and took a piece of the meat. She cut it using a sharp looking bone that she found next to the spit. A couple watched her as she scrounged for a flat stone to use as a plate and a sharpened stick. She lay the sizzling meat on the slab and cut it into pieces with the bone, then, she sat down against the wall and poked the stick through a piece.

They all watched her eat as if it were the most interesting event of the century. Kagome, blushing madly, chewed slowly and swallowed hard.

"Is it any good?" Kouga asked.

"Oh, yes! It's really good Kouga!... Say, is this your first time cooking meat?"

"Yeah, actually..."

By then, normal conversation had returned and it became slightly less awkward for the pair.

"Those are some nice friends you've got there," Kagome stated.

"Actually, they're more like family. Packs are their own big families. We look out for each other, no matter what. We provide and care for everyone."

Kagome nodded and finished her meal. She then examined Kouga closely, for the first time really taking in what he looked like. He was taller than her, and very strong, though he wasn't bully in the slightest. Tan, very tan, and had these blue eyes that drew you in. He had armor on, on top of brown fur pelts, and thick long black hair. For the very first time though, she realized that he had a big bushy brown tail.

Kagome stared it down intensely, many thoughts and questions racing through her mind. Curiosity got the best of her however and she stalked her prey, scooting closer and closer to the unsuspecting victim. Finally, inches from her fluffy prize, she reached a hand out to the chestnut fur. At first she stroked it, never noticing Kouga's growing blush and strained features. Then she played with it, running her hands all over the furry length. Then, with a smile, she pounced. She hugged it close and cuddled it, brushing it up against her face. Finally, Kouga had had just about all he could take. He scooped Kagome up, and bolted out of the cave. Hoots and hollers embued, but he ran even so.

When they were a little ways away, Kouga tossed Kagome onto the ground.

"Hey, what was that for?"

"What do you mean me? I should be asking you what the hell you were doing in there instead!"

"What do you mean? I was just curious. You're tail is just so soft! I never noticed before."

"That's just it though! You can't do that, and especially around others!"

Kagome cocked her head to the side.

"What do you mean? Why not?"

Kouga blushed profusely again.

"Well, uh... Wolf's tail are very, uh, sensitive, and when even touched, they umm, well... Let's just say, they're VERY stimu- I mean, sensitive!"

It took a moment for it to fully sink in and when Kagome finally understood, she blushed too.

"Oh..." She said. She looked up at him though, biting her lip.

"Your tails just so soft though... Can I please just touch it again, now that we're away from everyone else?"

Kouga crossed his arms.

"No."

"Pleeeeeaaaaase, Kouga?"

Kouga wavered and sighed, sitting down in front of Kagome.

"Fine, since I know you won't quit asking. But just this once, got it?"

"Kahomf nodded and reached a hand out, starting at the tip, and sliding it down, all the way to the base, ruffling the fur. She stroked it up and down, then took both hands and pet the sides. Kouga stiffened and grunted. Kagome however, was completely oblivious to everything but her furry target.

Kagome hugged it again, and rubbed her cheek against it. When she however kissed it out of instinct, Kouga jumped back.

"You said you would only pet it!"

"I'm sorry! I guess I did it just out of instinct. I have a cat that I cuddle with as well that likes to be kissed. I guess I did get carried away there," she said.

They sat in akward silence for a bit.

"Hey, Kouga?"

"Yeah?"

"Thanks... For last night."

"No, you don't have to apologize. I'm the one who started it."

"No, that was me too. I asked a stupid question."

They both laughed, but stopped when she saw Kouga stiffen.

"What's wrong Kouga?"

"The damn birds are back."

"Birds?"

A deafening screech pierced the air. Shouts were coming from the cave, and a large shadow appeared in the distance.

"The birds of paradise."