Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for this absurd adventure... especially for the one who's stumbled into a culture gap. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.


Chapter 28: Temp Job

Kouga's face went blank as memories from the previous night assaulted him. Holding another close. Listening to another heartbeat. Feeling another's warmth. Wolves stuck close and slept closer, and he missed that part of pack life on an almost primal level. She might be human, but maybe Kagome could fill some of the void. "On one condition," he slowly answered.

"Erm... yeah?"

"I'll be your security blanket if you'll be my... pack." Feeling foolish, he hastily added, "Temporarily."

Her eyes widened, and her nervousness actually increased. "What would I need to do?"

"Nothing!" he grumbled. "What I want isn't much different than what you want."

"Well... what do you think I want?" she asked cagily.

"Did you or did you not just ask to sleep with me?"

"No!" Kagome exclaimed. "Well, yes, but...!"

He couldn't exactly hold her ignorance against her, but it was patently obvious she knew nothing about wolves. With an indignant growl, he got in her face. "Listen good, woman, because I'm only saying this once. I'm willing to let you nestle if it means you'll sleep!" Glaring accusingly, he added, "I don't want you for any reason.You're the one who wants me!"

"What? I don't...!" she argued. Then, her expression shifted, and she looked at him in complete amazement. "Erm... nestle?"

"Damn right," he countered. "You cuddle like a cub."

She blinked, then slowly shook her head. "Wait a sec. Are you saying that wolf demons sleep together, like real wolves?"

Blue eyes narrowed. "Oh, I'm real enough."

"So... you just meant you're lonely," she persisted, a softness creeping into her tones.

The blank stare returned. He didn't want to answer that one.

"Okay." Kagome touched his arm again, offering a tentative smile. "I've had temp jobs before; let's add 'temporary packmate' to my resume."


End Note: This chapter was written for the Live Journal community fanfic(underscore)bakeoff and their Secret Ingredient for August 2011—Foolish. Posted on August 7, 2011. 300 words.