Whaaaaaat? This didn't take 90 million years? Who am I?

Kagome was somewhat surprised with how well behaved Kouga was. Every time she had checked up on him in the night, he had woken up, but he was always calm. She was used to patients being at least a little bit grumbly, not that she blamed them; they needed rest to recover and the constant interruptions from both her and the nurses in the hospital were probably annoying. It was now 12:30 in the afternoon and she was looking Kouga over once more. She was shocked to see how quickly his wound was healing, though she really shouldn't be, he was a youkai after all… For a human, a wound like that would need to keep the stitches in for at least a week and a half. For Kouga though, he could probably get them taken out two days from now.

"Well, you certainly weren't kidding about your healing abilities." she said, putting new dressings on his wound.

"I told ya I'd be fine." he replied.

"Nevertheless, it's my job. And I'm sure it wouldn't be healing this well if it weren't for me." she said, shooting him a sly grin.

"Oh please, I've had worse than this and healed just fine without a doctor."

Kagome rolled her eyes and decided to drop it. She finished off the dressings by taping down the gauze and then pulled away to stand and stretch a little. "I'll feed you some lunch and then you can be on your way. Come back in two days and I'll check out your wound and remove the stitches if it's ready." she said.

He nodded and then settled back into the couch, pulling the blanket back over himself. She smiled softly to herself and turned to go into the kitchen. She knew that youkai didn't need to sleep as much as humans, adding the fact he was part of the yakuza on top of that, she had a feeling he didn't sleep much anyway. This was probably some much needed rest he was getting. Sucks that he had to get stabbed in order for him to get it though.

She let out a small sigh and went over to her fridge and opened it. She frowned at seeing how barren it was inside. She forgot for a moment that it's been a while since she's gotten groceries…. There had been no point, as today was her first day off in about two weeks. They usually didn't run their doctors this ragged, but she was the only miko on staff available. Kikyo was off on her honeymoon and Kaede just started her residency. There weren't many mikos going into medicine anymore for this exact reason; they were overworked. She closed the door with a frustrated huff and rubbed her eyes. Kagome stood there for a couple moments, head in her hands, unmoving.

"You alright in there?" Kouga's voice brought her back to reality and her head snapped up. She turned around and saw he was looking at her, a hint of concern in his face.

"Yeah. I just… don't have any groceries. I'll go get some. Stay put, alright? If you're not here when I get back, then I'll be calling.. someone." She tried to tease, she really did, but she was tired and frustrated, and it carried into her voice there at the end. Kouga frowned and watched her as she gathered her things. He could smell her frustration, the scent of burning wood slowly covering up her natural scent of wildflowers and spring rain. He felt this urge to help her, or comfort her somehow, but he couldn't move.. and even if he did, he wasn't sure how he would go about doing such a thing in the first place. So, he just laid there and watched as she left the living area and made her way to the entrance. He listened as she slipped on her shoes, opened and closed the door, locked it, and she was gone.

He let out a sigh and settled into the couch, staring up at the ceiling. He knew he gave her shit for helping him, but he knew deep down that she was right; he wouldn't be healing this well if it weren't for her, even with the coming moon. Though he had to laugh at how surprised she was when she saw how well he was healing after she stitched him up. If it weren't for the stitches, it probably would've taken him close to a week to recover. But now, it seems like he'd be healed in time for the full moon.

His eyelids grew heavier then, and he let out a yawn. Maybe he could do with some more rest… it had been a while since he slept like this. Sure, he was woken up at 2-hour intervals, but it was some much needed rest nonetheless. With that, he adjusted himself accordingly, getting all comfortable before slowly drifting off to sleep.

-BG-

Kouga was woken up harshly by the sound of pounding on the front door. Once his brain finally registered that someone was trying to break in, it was too late, as he heard the door burst open and come off its hinges. He prepared to get up and attack the intruder, when he heard them call out.

"Boss! We tracked your scent, we're here to help!"

Kouga brought a hand up to his face and rubbed his eyes. "Ginta, Hakkaku, get your asses in here." he snarled.

His two betas rounded the corner, looking a bit sheepish and confused. "What's wrong boss? We're here to save you.." Ginta whispered.

"Yeah, we all got worried when you didn't come home last night. We found the blood in the alley and followed your scent here." Hakkaku added.

"Well, the problem here is-" a shriek cut Kouga off and caught all three wolves off guard. Next thing they knew, there was a flash of pink and Ginta and Hakkaku were on the floor across the room. Kouga opened his eyes and saw Kagome, groceries in one hand and the other stretched out, pink lights sparking from her fingertips. "Kagome!" She didn't respond. While she had a stern look on her face, he could see the panic in her eyes.

Ginta and Hakkaku got up off the floor, but before they could fully recover, Kagome snapped her fingers, more pink sparks flying off her fingertips at the action, and suddenly there were pink beads around their wrists. Subjugation beads?

"Sit." Her voice was stern, smooth, even, no trace of fear in its depths. Ginta and Hakkaku were pulled back to the floor, landing on their asses, faces scrunched up in pain as the beads made of pure reiki burned into their wrists. It wasn't enough to purify them, but it was enough to hurt and do what Kagome needed them to do. "What are you doing in my house?"

Ginta grunted and opened his eyes, glaring at her. "What are you doing with our boss?" he fired back. Her eyebrows furrowed in confusion.

"Kagome, let them go. They're with me." She turned to look at him, and his betas followed suit, all three looking at him in a mix of shock and confusion. He sighed and ran a hand down his face. "Kagome found me in the alley and patched me up. That's Ginta and Hakkaku, my two betas."

Realization dawned on Kagome's features and she flushed in embarrassment. She quickly dispelled the beads and set the groceries down nearby. "I-I'm so sorry! Here, if you're hurt too bad I can help.." she said, a frown on her face.

She approached them cautiously, like wounded animals, and it made Kouga smile. Ginta and Hakkaku just stared at her, eyes wide in shock. "N-No we're fine.." Hakkaku said. She pulled her lower lip between her teeth, but nodded and backed away.

"Well... I was going to make food before releasing Kouga.. but I don't know if I have enough for all of us.." she mumbled, looking back at the groceries she had.

"That's alright, we don't need any food." Hakkaku said, giving her a meek smile.

"O-oh.. okay. Umm.. well..."

"We're sorry about the door. We'll go fix it for you!" It was Ginta this time.

"Oh! Um, thank you." She smiles warmly at them then and they beamed back at her. The two wolves then scrambled to get up and get to work. Kouga chuckled.

Kagome walked back over to the groceries and picked them up. She then made her way over to the kitchen and started pulling ingredients out. He watched her from his spot on the couch, a too wide smile still on his face. She moved about the kitchen slowly, methodically. She pulled down the things she needed and started heating up a small wok. The sound of her chopping vegetables was smooth, rhythmic, and a stark contrast to the sounds he could hear coming from the entrance of the apartment. Ginta and Hakkaku were grunting as they moved the door back to its proper spot. He had no idea how they were going to reattach it, but they better find a way, or else.

He returned his full attention back to Kagome. He felt this.. pull towards her, and he couldn't place what it was. It was a bit frustrating in all honesty. He didn't like not knowing things, especially when his beast was so agitated. He was usually in tune with the beast, but it seems that whatever had it in a tizzy was lost on him. It wasn't sharing with him, for whatever reason. He did his best to shrug it off, content to watch the miko move about the small kitchen.

She seemed at ease in the kitchen, working methodically and almost unthinkingly. It was effortless. Before too long, she was adding her ingredients to the wok and a wonderfully delicious smell filled the small apartment. As he watched her work, he figured out what she was making; yakisoba. He hadn't had any in a long while, and he was eager to taste her cooking. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait long. She soon finished cooking and pulled down a couple bowls. He watched her divide the yakisoba between the two bowls and grab two pairs of chopsticks. Kagome then picked up the bowls and made her way over to the couch. She set one bowl down on the table and handed the other to Kouga.

"I know it's probably not the healthiest, but it's better than what they would offer you in the hospital." she said with a giggle.

Kouga simply reached for the bowl, stars in his eyes. A smile crept its way onto his face and he chuckled along with her. "I don't really care if it's healthy or not. I'm sure it's delicious."

She sat down on the floor near him, laughing. "I can't guarantee anything. I haven't cooked in a while thanks to all my shifts at the hospital."

"I don't think you have to worry. Anyone who moves as effortlessly as you do in the kitchen is always going to be a great cook, no matter how long they've gone without making food."

Kagome looked up at him, quirking an eyebrow and trying to contain her smile. She was failing. "If I didn't know any better, I'd say you were trying to hit on me."

Is that what he was doing? He hadn't even realized... Before he could really think about it, his mouth opened on its own accord and spoke for him. "Maybe I am." He had to resist a growl. Damned wolf... is this what it was keeping from him?

Kagome blushed slightly but played it off the best she could. "Why? So you don't have to pay your bill?"

"You're charging me?"

She simply shrugged and Kouga couldn't help but chuckle. He brought some of the yakisoba up to his mouth and ate his first bite of it. He was correct; it was delicious. They ate their food in relative silence, listening as Hakkaku and Ginta struggled with the door. Kagome started to giggle again, and he eyed her curiously.

"Your payment is fixing my door." she said, a humorous grin on her face.

He returned her smile with a smirk. "I can do ya one better." She raised an eyebrow at this and he leaned forward slightly, being mindful of his stitches. "I owe ya a favor."

Kagome's eyebrows knitted together in confusion, and Kouga leaned back and continued to eat as he waited for his meaning to sink in. It took her a couple seconds, and then her eyes widened. The yakuza would owe her a favor.

"Th-the door is enough, really. Promise."

"Nah... you saved my life. That's worth more than a door."

Her lips thinned into a tight line. She really didn't know what to say. She could try to continue to argue, but she knew it was pointless. It seemed like he had made up his mind, and she had a feeling that there would be no changing it, no matter what she did or said. But maybe... "Are you sure there's nothing I can do to convince you otherwise?" she asked, some semblance of hope in her voice.

He pretended to think on it for a moment before looking at her with a lopsided grin. "Nope. I owe ya one, Kagome."

She frowned, but there was a blush on her face. She turned away then to eat more of her food. He chuckled and ate his food as well. It wasn't long before they were both finished and Ginta and Hakkaku were done with the door. Kagome was standing in the kitchen, washing the dishes that were used as the two betas made their way back into the living area.

They glanced over at their alpha, who was watching the miko intently. Ginta grinned and jabbed Hakkaku in the ribs, who did his best not to growl at the action. Ginta turned to his friend with a wicked grin on his face and Hakkaku snorted, breaking Kouga's gaze and causing the alpha to glare at them. They both quickly looked away, staring at the walls, ceiling, and floor; anywhere except Kouga's face. They couldn't help but stare. Whether Kouga realized it or not, he was watching the miko like a lovesick pup; it had been a long time since they'd seen their alpha like this. It was nice to see him happy...

Kagome soon stepped out of the kitchen and approached the trio, stopping just in front of them and placing her hands on her hips. "Alright. You're free to go. Just make sure to keep the wound clean, change the dressing if it starts to bleed through, and come back in two days and I'll check on your stitches." Somewhere in the back of her mind, she still couldn't believe she was recommending two days for stitch removal. Youkai never failed to amaze her.

Kouga grinned at her. "Will do. And thanks again. I owe ya."

Kagome's face flushed and she looked away. Gods... "Yeah yeah, alright. Get out of here. And try not to break my door this time." she said, looking over at Ginta and Hakkaku. They looked away from her, guilty, but she had a smile on her face and did her best to conceal her laughter.

The two betas helped Kouga off the couch and made their way to the door. Just as they were about to leave, Kagome stopped them. "Hold on just a moment." She then scurried off and the three were left somewhat confused. It wasn't long before she came back, a shirt and Kouga's leather jacket in her arms. He had forgotten he wasn't wearing a shirt...

"Oh, uh, thanks."

It took some maneuvering, a couple of bumps from elbows, but soon the alpha was dressed and ready to leave once more. With that, the door to her apartment was open and the three youkai were leaving. She waved and watched them go. Once they were out of her sight, she closed and locked the door.

She then proceeded to lose her fucking shit.

Her hands shot up into her hair, knotting and tangling the black wavy locks as she slammed her back against the door. "Gods.. the fucking yakuza.. in my fucking house..." Even as the words left her lips, they didn't sound real. It just... She couldn't wrap her mind around it. Not only had she found a beaten-up member of the yakuza in some back alley on her way home from work, but she brought him into her home and patched him up like she would any other patient.

And now they owed her a favor.