"I love the nights I can't remember with the friends I can't forget" ~ Author Unknown
-ooOooOooOoo-W&S-W&S-ooOooOooOoo-
"Oh, wow, this place is crazy!" Eri yells to be heard over the din of music and voices as they weave their way through the mass of bodies.
"Eri, where are you taking us?" Yuka calls out, following her friend. Their little group is going to need to find a nesting spot and fast where they can while away the night drinking, dancing, and talking.
Eri flashes a wide smile to everyone over her shoulder. "Don't worry, I called in backup!" Moving off to one side of the bar, not far from the dance floor, but just behind the speakers, Eri waves at the face she's been searching for. A young man with pale blue eyes and short cropped dark hair, dressed smartly in a pair of dark slacks and a burgundy button up shirt, waves excitedly at the small group.
"Hojo!" Eri calls out as they approach the tall table he's managed to commandeer for all of them.
"Hi everyone, so glad you made it." Hojo smiles, his whole face lighting up. "I wasn't sure how long I was going to be able to hang onto this table though," he laughs, scratching at his head as he watches the four girls he's known since middle school emerge from the crowd. The young man's gaze locks immediately onto a pair of smoky dark eyes. His heart beats faster as Kagome meets his gaze, a wide welcoming smile on her lips.
"Hojo! Oh, wow, it's so good to see you!" Kagome's eyes widen with surprise, yet happy to see her friend.
"K-Kagome." Her name hiccups from his throat. Hojo's hands begin to sweat as he takes in Kagome's low cut, form fitting dress, lustrous locks, and flushed cheeks. He's never seen her look so – stunning.
Eri, Yuka, and Ayumi share a knowing awkward glance with each other, feeling sorry for their friend that's had a crush on Kagome for as long as they can remember. But now that the girls have met Kouga, there's no doubt in their minds their childhood friend doesn't stand a chance.
"How . . . how are you, Kagome?" Hojo beams at her, seeing and hearing nothing except the radiant shimmering glow and gentle laugh of the goddess before him.
Kagome smiles sweetly at him, trying not to let her awkwardness show as the girls take up seats on tall stools at either side of him, dropping purses and cell phones onto the high table top. "Really good, Hojo. Thanks for asking," she answers, noticing his arms reaching out to embrace her.
That the young pup is attracted to his Kagome is more than obvious to Kouga that can smell the male's arousal for his woman breaking off him in waves. It's enough to make him sink his fangs into him, instead he grits his teeth since he knows he can't growl and rip the kids head off like he wants too. Kagome would not approve. But the kid needs to understand just who exactly Kagome belongs too, and it sure as hell isn't this whelp.
Seeing this Hojo reach for Kagome, no doubt to embrace her – they seem to do a lot of that in Kagome's time, Kouga instantly reaches for his woman's hips with his left hand, pulling her flush to his non-dominant side by instinct. His inner beast rumbles with agitation to keep his dominant side free in case he needs to react quickly, especially with the threat of another male ogling his woman. He pulls Kagome just out of the pups reach, slinging his arm possessively around her shoulders. She squeaks at his abrupt gesture, glancing at him shyly from the corner of her eye, but she doesn't say a word. Kouga's authoritative gaze bores into Hojo's surprised ones, effectively halting the kid's advance towards his woman.
Hojo's face falls momentarily at the sight of a tall, long haired man draping an arm around his Kagome's shoulders, and a pang of jealously sweeps through him at the intimate gesture.
"Higurashi?" he blinks, struggling to maintain the smile on his face. Yuka, Eri, and Ayumi look anywhere else but at the awkward introductions going on before them.
Kagome blushes a deep red, knowing very well Hojo's feelings for her despite the fact she has never given him any encouragement. Her activities in the feudal era ate up most of her time and attention whenever she was in his company. Well, okay, there was that one date and subsequent disastrous kiss, but that had been years ago.
"Hojo, I'd like you to meet Kouga," Kagome flushes as she watches the two men stare silently at each other like two hungry mountain lions sizing up their next meal.
"Kouga?" Hojo repeats the strange name, still not understanding why he's touching Kagome so intimately.
Kouga smirks, dropping his arm to around Kagome's hips, squeezing her possessively. He holds out his right hand before him in a gesture Kagome had explained to him. "Her boyfriend," he dead pans, watching the young man's turbulent emotions wash across his face as understanding dawns on him. Shock is quickly followed by jealously, anger, grief, and finally acceptance. Kouga is rather impressed at how quickly the whelp masters his emotions and reins himself in. Squaring his shoulders the youth seems to come to a decision as he thrusts his hand out to meet Kouga's, gripping and shaking it firmly. This one is well bred.
"It's good to meet you, Kouga," Hojo nods his silent understanding, but the wolf can smell the sorrow mixing into his scent. Knowing the male before him is no longer a threat, he shakes Hojo's hand just as firmly. Well, perhaps a little too firmly he thinks, watching the kid grimace slightly under his grip.
"You too," Kouga replies. He knows that even if he wasn't in Kagome's life, this kid never would have had a chance with her. There's just no Alpha in him, and if he knows anything about his Kagome, it's that despite all her pretenses to the contrary, his woman craves and needs that Alpha energy just as much as he does. There is no doubt in Kouga's youkai that Kagome is an alpha too – the female Alpha. The yin to his yang, grinning at the thought.
"So," Eri interjects, clasping her friends on the shoulders in an attempt to break up the awkward silence among the group. "What are we drinking?"
The music booms hot and loud in Kouga's over sensitive ears, but there is an incredible rhythm that thrums low and deep behind the other higher pitched tones that he really likes. It jumps and dances around his senses, the music gripping him as it carries him. Kagome's round beautiful bottom dances against his hips as they move in sync to the music, flowing around each other. Reading the others movements easily, they sway, grind, and slide across the busy dance floor. All Kouga needs is the bright full moon over his head and he's home.
It's the first time since coming through the Well that Kouga feels like he belongs, and the sensation it gives him is incredible! He'd been surprised at first when he heard the wolf calls go up as dancers broke out in whoops of loud howls. Kagome said it had something to do with the name of the club they were in, but Kouga doesn't care, let the humans howl. It makes him want to howl back, and he does, getting an approving grin from the nearby dancers as they shout at him to, "Own it," as they pump their fists into the air. And Kouga does.
He howls as he dances with human bodies pressing into him from all sides. But he sees nothing except that little black dress that twists and twirls before him, floating up to reveal fleeting glances of his woman's long ivory legs. The folds of soft fabric fall seductively against her, outlining the curves of her body. It's the single most painful experience Kouga's ever endured in his life. Watching his woman bounce and move in that dress and not being able to tear it off her and show her just what she's doing to him.
Gods, it's almost like she's teasing him on purpose. Torturing him with intent the way Kagome glances his way with those hot smoky eyes. She winks at him while running her hands enticingly across her body, touching herself slowly. Her body moving in rhythm with the music in the most sensual way he's ever seen. Fucking hell, the way she sways and crawls down his torso so her head dips just past his waist, grazing extremely close to his rock hard length trapped behind his constricting jeans makes him moan audibly when she grins suggestively at him from down there, before slowly crawling back up his body. Kagome turns to sway and rub her bottom against him in hot painful grinds, all the while giggling with a knowing glint in her eye. Oh, yes, there is no doubt about it. His woman is definitely making him crazy on purpose, and holy fuck is it working!
Abruptly, Kouga spins her. Surprise flashes on Kagome's face and sparks in her laughter as he spins her back into his arms, her hands splaying across his broad chest. Her quick panting breaths and flushed cheeks make Kouga desirous to see her glowing that way for entirely different reasons. He dips her so far backwards over his strong arm that her head nearly touches the floor as he leans over her, his lips a breath from hers. A low rumble starts in Kouga's chest, rich and deep, just the way he knows she likes it. Grazing his teeth along the soft column of her neck, he feels the vibrations that ripple under her skin.
"Have I told you, you looking ravishing tonight?" he grins seductively, kissing the tip of her nose.
Kagome's stomach flutters with desire as pulses of light shoot through her body at Kouga's touch, leaving her breathless and aching for more. "Hmm, you know," she smirks playfully at him, adoring her wolf's sweetness. "It sounds sort of familiar, but I don't really recall."
Kouga makes a shocked mocking face before breaking into a wide wolfish grin. Both knowing he's whispered it to her a thousand times in the course of the evening. Kagome's every glance, her every movement, even her aura strokes and hums against his youkai, calling out to him. Begging him to take her, and gods will he ever.
"Well," Kouga rumbles, nuzzling the valley of her curved chest with his lips and nose, sending tremors of heat rushing under her skin. The rich deep caramel of his voice sings out to her, "I hope you'll remember this then," trailing hot little kisses along her collar bone, he runs his tongue along her neck, up to the shallow curve of her ear, "I'm going to ravish you tonight."
Kouga's husky voice burns with sensual promise, searing Kagome's ear. Her stomach clenches and coils violently with trembling anticipation. The words thrilling and terrifying her at the promise she can see burning in Kouga's hungry gaze.
The sight of the two lovers dancing intimately does not go unnoticed by more than one pair of eyes in the low lit bar. One set in particular had watched the couple long enough to realize that whatever hopes he'd entertained in pursuing the ever elusive woman he'd admired for years, would surely come to not.
"I dunno -hic- Eri, is he a good guy?" Hojo turns towards the girl leaning against his arm, a bleak look on his face.
"He seems to be," Eri smiles sympathetically at her childhood friend that had taken to consuming copious amounts of alcohol. Something she's never seen the usually serious male partake in. At least, not like this.
"Hush you guys, there coming this way," Yuka chastises quietly as the couple they've been talking about makes their way off the dance floor and back to the table.
"Kagome!" Four very drunk friends howl, drinks raised high in the air. Kouga walks beside her, hands intertwined.
Kagome laughs at the silliness and drunkenness of her friends, eyeing empty beer bottles, tumblers of various colored drinks, half full pitchers, and dozens of brightly colored Jell-O shots strewn about the table.
"Hey guys," Kagome grins, "Save me any?"
Kouga takes a seat on one of the tall stools, hooking a leg on its bottom rung he immediately reaches for his woman's waist, pulling her between his thighs so she can sit on his lap. A now familiar stance to all of Kagome's friends that have been watching her and her deliciously hot boyfriend all night.
"Kagome!" Hojo cries drunkenly from across the table, lop-sided grin firmly in place. The heartbroken youth had decided that getting drunk was the best way to deal with his current situation and hey, it seems to be working. The plastered Hojo almost doesn't even care anymore that the girl he's crushed on for years is cuddling and touching another man in the way he'd always dreamed Kagome would do with him.
"You guys have to -hic- catch up," Hojo pushes red and orange Jell-O shots towards the couple.
"Oh, yum! The orange ones are so good," Ayumi grins through dilated eyes.
The table of friends eagerly reaches for more shots as they wait for Kagome and Kouga to join in, wanting to enjoy the rare moment of all five friends actually being together. After high school, each of their lives had become consumed with work, University for some, and family obligations for others. But for this one night all those thoughts, worries, and demands seem so far away, and for once, not so overwhelming. The friends cheer as they raise their little wiggly cups. It seems right somehow to indulge in this temporary reprieve together. After all, who knows how long it will be the next time they all get to see each other again?
Kagome slides a little Dixie-cup full of orange Jell-O to the wolf demon beside her, her face playfully pouting as she edges the little cup closer. Kagome already knows from the lunar night celebration that Kouga doesn't like it when she has any kind of alcohol, but instead of scolding her, he sighs, picking up the little cup and shoots back the strange wiggly liquid. Kouga doesn't really mind the texture, it kind of feels like fresh boar intestines sliding down his throat. Kagome and the others cheer their approval loudly as they all shoot back their Jell-O.
Kouga has to concede that the humans in this era definitely know how to have a good time. It amuses him to see just how much like demon's they seemed to have evolved into over the last 500 years. The way their empires have expanded, the battles they've waged, and the lands they've claimed. Never mind the downright debauchery that seems to run rampant and unchecked among them. Of course that doesn't mean he's up for letting his woman partake in such ways, but while Kagome's with him he knows she's safe, and he's willing to let his woman indulge herself. Besides, the weak alcohol the humans drink will barely affect him. Kouga chuckles to himself when he thinks back to a full moon night when a certain she-wolf had given Kagome demon saké to drink. He'd been impressed that she had been able to stand, much less dance, after one glass.
Kouga feels Kagome jostle on his lap, drawing him out of his thoughts as she steps out from between his thighs. Damn, he loves having her there. His brow furrows when he sees her making to step away from him. Reaching out, he clasps her wrist, tugging her back towards him, a questioning look in his eyes.
"Where ya going, Kagome?" He doesn't like the idea of his woman wandering around in here without him. Kagome giggles, her eyes slightly dilated. He knows the alcohol is starting to affect her though she hadn't drunk nearly as much as her friends. He'd intentionally kept her too busy on the dance floor for that.
"I told you," the corners of her mouth quirk up, "we're going to the bathroom."
Only then does Kouga notice that Ayumi, Yuka and Eri have moved from the table and are tugging on Kagome's other hand, effectively trapping her between her friends and her wolf.
Kouga narrows his eyes on her. Not liking this idea one bit.
"Come on, Kouga," Eri staggers a touch awkwardly towards him. Her arm slings drunkenly over the wolf's broad shoulders, slurring slightly as she speaks. "It's a girl thing," she hiccups, "you wouldn't understand, but we always travel in packs," earning her barked laughter and a wide grin from Kouga. But seeing as he hasn't let go of Kagome's arm, Eri grips him round his bicep, squeezing it firmly. "I promise, big guy, she'll be safe with us," smiling sweetly at him.
Kouga sighs, his youkai nudging at him to relent to his woman's pack mates, especially since it can sense no threats. Reluctantly, he releases Kagome's hand. The girls squeal with triumph, earning him a quick peck on the cheek from Kagome before she scampers away, and another bicep squeeze from Eri.
"Dude," she laughs, testing the hard bulge of muscle in Kouga's arm because she really can't help herself. "What the hell do you have in there? Metal pipes or something?"
"Something like that," Kouga grins wolfishly at her, causing Eri to flush under the heat of his gaze. She turns and rushes off after the others that are already swerving their way towards the opposite end of the club where the women's bathrooms are. Kouga watches Kagome's little black dress swish away from him, his tail drooping under his jeans.
-ooOooOooOoo-
"Oh, my gods, Kagome!" Eri roars as they enter the crowded bathroom. She doesn't pay any attention to the women standing in line for the cubicles, or primping themselves in the mirror. Yuka and Ayumi immediately jump in line as they slowly hop from foot to foot, their need to relieve themselves more than evident. "Your boyfriend is so fucking hot!" Eri squeals, fanning herself as she leans against the bathroom counter. "Kami, just talking to him sometimes. I mean holy hell, Kagome!" Even Eri was struggling to keep from ogling the dark haired youth that dripped hormones, strength, and sexuality like he was some kind of animal.
Kagome blushes furiously at Eri's comments, making sure to keep out of the way of the other girls using the mirror that glance her way, obviously trying to imagine said hot boyfriend.
"Holy, fuck yeah," Yuka snorts, her drunken giggles escaping her. "I mean, wow, Kagome. He's so hot for you too."
"And he's so sweet with you, Kagome," Ayumi's wide doe-eyes take on a dreamy expression.
Warmth spreads through Kagome's body at her friends approving comments, thrilled that they think so much of him. "You think so?" she smiles nervously, combing her fingers through her hair as she absentmindedly primps herself in the mirror.
Eri sways slightly as she balances herself on the edge of the counter. "Holy shit, Kagome, I thought he was actually gonna take you on the dance floor at one point," earning her approving nods and laughter from the other girls.
Ayumi giggles hysterically as she balances herself against one of the bathroom doors, the line steadily moving forward. "Oh, man, what I wouldn't do to be you," she sighs, her eyes taking on a lovey-dovey faraway look.
Kagome turns from the mirror as a random bar girl moves in to take her spot. She leans her back against the cool concrete wall, watching her friends sway slightly. "He is rather yummy, isn't he?" she can't help but giggle. Hollers of, "Hell yeah," and, "Take me now," chorus from her friends.
"So," Eri grins wickedly, narrowing her eyes on Kagome, "Have you slept with him yet?" Yuka and Ayumi lean forward eagerly to hear her response.
Blood rushes instantly into Kagome's face, "Well . . ." not knowing how to answer. They hadn't made love – yet, but Kouga had done things to her body that sure felt like it.
"Nope, they haven't," Yuka grins, "I can tell by the extreme sexual tension." She fans herself while waggling her eyebrows at Kagome that can feel the heat in her cheeks rise into her ears.
"Oh, that's true," Eri smirks, fanning herself as well in a teasing manner, "You can break that sexual tension with a wet noodle." The girls giggle and Yuka finally makes it into one of the bathroom stalls.
"What the hell are you waiting for Kagome?" Yuka calls from over the doorway. "I'd have jumped those bones ages ago!" earning her approving hollers from Eri and Ayumi that still can't believe Kagome has held out on him for so long because of that two-timing x-boyfriend InuYasha.
She can't believe their having this conversation in the bathroom! Kagome's face heats ridiculously when some of the other girls using the facilities throw grinning looks her way.
"Guys, can we talk about this later?" Kagome does her best to fight back the heat burning her face.
Yuka flushes the toilet and steps quickly out of the stall letting Ayumi take her place. Walking towards the faucets, she opens the taps to wash her hands. "Uh-uh, no way, Kagome. We'll never have a more private moment then right now," lifting her chin at her friend.
"Yeah," Eri grins. "Besides, we're all girls here," raising her arms to the now almost empty bathroom.
"Wait! Don't say anything good 'till I'm done!" Ayumi calls from over the door stall.
Eri and Yuka cross their arms at their chest, eyeing up their friend, curiosity screaming in their eyes. "So . . ." Eri starts slowly, "what have you guys done?"
"Wait, wait!" Ayumi shrieks over the sound of her toilet flushing. "Wait till I'm done!" She snaps open the bathroom door in her hurry to get out, still smoothing her skirt down as she rushes to the faucets. "Okay, go," she giggles at Kagome whose bright red cheeks are actually starting to emit steam.
"Well . . ." Oh, gods, this is so hard. Kagome is used to her friends talking about their sexual exploits, but as of yet, she's never been able to really weigh in on the conversation. "We haven't done . . . that." She raises an eyebrow for emphasis, her friends nod around her.
"Told yeah," Yuka smirks. It's what they had figured watching the couple together. The sexual chemistry weaving around them like a tankard of gasoline and the two of them the sparks that threatened to explode at any moment.
"Have you . . ." A wide grin begins to spread on Eri's face, "you know, the big . . ." she giggles as she puckers her mouth into a big 'O.'
Kagome feels her face combust as she buries her smoldering cheeks into her hands, totally embarrassed by her own heated reaction to the thought of Kouga's mind bending kisses and wandering hands on her body.
"Oh, my gods, you so have!" Ayumi shrieks jumping up and down. The girls immediately clamor for more details simultaneously.
"So, Kagome," Yuka grins knowingly at her friend when she doesn't answer right away, "how was it?" A rare pin drop silence falls among the friends that by some blessed miracle are now alone in the bathroom.
Kagome peeks through her fingers, struggling to shove her awkwardness away. She's a grown woman after all and this stuff is supposed to be natural. Well, natural for everyone except her, she thinks. "It was . . ." she nibbles the corner of her lip, "earth shattering."
"I knew it!" Yuka shouts. Ayumi swoons next to her while Eri moves to give Kagome a big drunken hug. Yuka and Ayumi join in as they crowd around Kagome, hooting and cheering as they congratulate her for joining 'the big leagues' as they called it.
"But seriously Kagome," Eri smiles at her friend as she pulls away slightly from the hug pile, genuinely happy that she has found someone so wonderful. What with all the difficulties she's had in her life, her father dying, being sick all the time, and a two timing x, the girls know that their innocent friend has not had it very easy. "Kouga is an awesome guy, and he treats you right." Yuka and Ayumi nod their agreements. "And you deserve someone like that," Eri can't help the tears that begin to sting her eyes, or the crack that comes into her voice as her emotions suddenly shift. "You're the best, Kagome," sparking the other girls to tear up as they react to Eri's shift of emotions.
"You all are, and I -hic- love you guys." The dam breaks as the four friends burst out crying, hugging, and squeezing at each other in a big half drunken pile. Each confessing their love for the other, and reaffirming that their friendship will never die.
.
A/N: It's kinda funny, but when I first wrote this bar scene I got some slack from people who were offended that I took Kagome and her friends to a bar, to drink, and get drunk. Unfortunately the intent of my story is to try and be as authentic to real life as I can while still maintaining the fantasy element I love. And even if you reader, have never had a 'bar night' like this, I hope you will not judge harshly the fact that I have in my 20's, partaken in innocent drinking and dancing with friends and it was a hell of a lot fun! =) P.S. the legal drinking age where I am from is 18 if that helps any.
And this bathroom scene in particular (influenced by real life events) I wrote in dedication and in memory of all the girl/friends we may have had and lost over the years. Life will always continue to change, bringing us to different phases and places in our lives, but the memories we create with each other, those always remain . . . and sometimes they end up in a fanfiction story :)