Disclaimer: I do hereby disclaim all rights and responsibilities for this absurd adventure... especially for the one who makes up their mind. A nod of recognition is bent towards Rumiko Takahashi for her creative prowess.


Chapter 29: Close Comfort

Kagome's sense of balance was virtually nonexistent, so it took a couple of tries just to get her into the hammock with him. Even then, her success was far from graceful. "That can't be comfortable," Kouga snidely remarked.

Sprawled awkwardly on top of him, cheeks pink with embarrassment, Kagome snapped, "It's not. In fact, I'm very uncomfortable."

"Then get comfortable."

"Easier said than done," she muttered. "If I move, it'll tip."

Kouga heaved a longsuffering sigh. "Hang on, and I'll move you." A moment later, he grumbled, "Let go so I can move you."

"Make up your mind," she complained, but she loosened her grip on the netting.

Careful for her injured arm, he rearranged their positions, pulling her against his side. Turning towards her, Kouga eased his arm around Kagome so she could use it for a pillow. Sadly, she didn't seem to appreciate his courtesy. "You're awful skittish," he accused. "Weren't you the one who came up with this whole hammock-sharing plan."

"It sounded good in theory." She wriggled experimentally, utterly failing to put any distance between them.

"Make up your mind," he grumbled.

"No, no," Kagome sighed. "I'm fine. You're fine. This is fine."

He'd have called her out, but it was probably wiser not to remind her he could smell a lie. Instead, he set to work laying her foolish qualms to rest. "Hey, I have better manners than to play with my food."

She froze, whispering, "Is that supposed to be reassuring?"

Patting her head in a condescending fashion, he said, "It was supposed to be funny."

Her temper flared, and she thumped his chest... immediately regretting it. "How's a girl supposed to sleep with an armored pillow?" she whined.

Kouga firmly tucked her under his chin and murmured, "Enough supposing, woman. Time to sleep."


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.