It's not an April Fool's joke, it's a legit update, lol. Sorry it's so short. I haven't been able to break 3k and I feel so bad ;0;
Kouga had been quite useless around the compound as of late. Ever since Kagome accepted his gift, he had been doing whatever he could to continue to please her. For the past four days he had been gathering an assortment of food items and leaving them at her door. Each time she was confused. Each time she messaged him about it. Each time she accepted it. Each time he fell for her a little harder. No, not a little.. a lot. She was on his mind constantly, and the pack was relentless.
They pestered him on the regular; asking when he was bringing her, what she was like, et cetera. He was getting sick of it, not to mention the constant teasing of how he was acting like a pup. He would yell about how he was their alpha and they should respect and treat him as such, but they all knew, including himself, that he was too lovestruck to do anything.
His wolf was preening, happy with the fact that Kouga was going for the miko and starting the courting process. Whether she realized this or not, he wasn't sure. It was probably something he should discuss with her... but they barely had time to talk as it is, what with her working and all. Speaking of which...
[ How are things going? ]
It had been a couple hours since her last text, so he figured that she was busy with work. From what he gathered, she worked in the ER, so he had a feeling she was almost constantly busy, especially with being a miko. He knew how important they were back in the feudal era, especially with hunting down youkai, and he gathered that their importance never really went away, at least in the medical field. There weren't many youkai hunters these days, thank the gods for that.
He slipped his phone into his pocket as he waited for her to answer, turning his attention back to the task at hand: grocery shopping. He had been here for a couple minutes, trying to think of what to do for Kagome's basket tonight. He had left a cooked item a couple nights ago and it had taken her completely by surprise. He kind of wanted to do it again.
Kouga absolutely loved surprising Kagome and seeing her reactions to his baskets. It made his heart skip a beat seeing how pleased she was with them; his wolf was constantly preening. It's pushing had ceased, for the most part. He was content, happy, moonstruck, as some of the others said. While he fought them on it, he knew deep down that he was, in fact, moonstruck. It was an old term, but it rang true.
He shook his head slightly, trying to clear his thoughts so he could focus on the task at hand. The miko was always finding some way to distract him these days... He walked through the aisles, trying to think of something that sparked interested. He needed to impress her after all. As he walked towards the meats and was beginning to form an idea, his phone vibrated in his pocket. He couldn't stop the grin that broke out on his face.
[ They're certainly going... Just got on break. How are you? ]
[ I'm alright. Working you hard I guess? ]
[ Like you wouldn't believe... But Kikyo is back so I'm able to breathe a bit easier ]
[ That's good, don't need you burning yourself out ]
[ Yeah, I guess that's true ]
He had to put his phone away for a moment to regain his focus. Groceries. He needed to buy groceries. With a huff, he picked up a package of thinly sliced ribeye, placing it in the basket he had on his arm. He tried to think of what they had at the compound, so he wouldn't buy anything he didn't need to. He was sure they had eggs and soy sauce.. but he wasn't sure if they had onions or not... He felt his phone vibrate in his pocket. Kagome... He scrambled to get his phone as quickly as possible.
[ Do you mind if I go on a bit of a rant? ]
He snickered a bit.
[ I could listen to you talk forever ]
He knew it was cheesy, but he could just see the blush he knew was staining her cheeks right now, and it filled him with pride. He put his phone back in his pocket, knowing it was going to take her a while to send her rant in. He picked up the remaining items he needed, along with some pain killers and a heating pad. He was sure it would help her with her back problems she had been mentioning lately.
By the time he was in the checkout line, his phone was going crazy in his pocket. She probably divided the message up into multiples. He paid for his items as quickly as he could and then left the store, pulling his phone out of his pocket and reading her rant. He frowned slightly as he read it; she certainly was stressed and being worked to the bone. She, of course, didn't go into extreme detail, but it was still obvious. His worry for her increased.
[ Another eventful day so far, I see ]
[ Yeah, you're telling me ]
[ Well, maybe I can help with that ]
[ I don't see how ]
She was challenging him again. Well, she was going to regret that. A wicked grin curled his lips as he typed out a reply.
[ You're not challenging me again, are you? Because I thought you learned that I'll follow through ]
There was a bit of a pause before she replied, and he knew deep down that she was flustered again.
[ Maybe I haven't learned my lesson yet ]
A chuckle rumbled through his chest. She was getting bolder and bolder every day, and he loved it. He wanted to try and find a way to ask her out on a date, but he didn't want to do it over the phone.. In person was a much better option, but she was so busy.. he wasn't sure how he would pull it off.
[ Guess I'm going to have to keep teaching you then, aren't I? ]
[ Maybe so ]
They continued to flirt as he walked down the street until she got called back into work. She sent him a quick send off, and then he was forced to wait for her next text. He let out a sigh and returned his attention to the path back home.
His wolf was pacing once again. It was pushing him to go visit her. He couldn't really argue with the beast on this one.. He missed her. Sure, he didn't know her that well, but he was getting to know her. He was learning a lot about her, and the more he did, the more he cared and the harder he fell. Maybe when he dropped off this basket he could stick around, wait for her. He might be rushing it, but he wanted to make bigger, bolder moves. He wanted to run his fingers through her hair, pull her close and kiss her until they were breathless. He wanted to drag his fangs down her neck, her throat, trail his hands along her body, dig his claws - he bit into his lower lip and tried to stop this train of thought.
He quickened his pace, wanting to get to the compound and distract himself with cooking. He couldn't be having these thoughts, not right now at least... maybe later, when he was alone. In his room.
He soon made it onto the compound, walking through the gates and walking up to one of the houses. He passed a couple packmates, who smiled warmly at him, a couple snickering once they passed his line of vision. Kouga snarled, and while it stopped their laughter, he could smell the growing humor and amusement. It pissed him off, but there was nothing he could do about it.
Kouga walked into a house and made a beeline for the kitchen. He set his groceries down on the counter and started setting up. He had a couple hours before he would need to deliver his basket, but he needed to get the rice started now, since it had to soak for at least 30 minutes. He then spent the remainder of his time cooking and trying to keep the more inappropriate thoughts about Kagome out of his mind. It was a bit difficult, what with his wolf all riled up, but he managed. A couple packmates came in to see what their alpha was cooking, a few teasing him. He just rolled his eyes and carried on his way.
His timing was near flawless, having finished the gyudon just a couple minutes early. It gave him an extra few minutes to work on his presentation and arrangement of the basket. Once it was all done, he covered it with a cloth and then started to make his way to Kagome's apartment. It was now dusk, and the sun was continuing to sink lower and lower below the horizon. He knew she'd be getting off soon, or at least he hoped she would... As he walked, he pulled out his phone and sent her a text.
[ You off of work yet? ]
He was about to slip it into his pocket when it vibrated in his hand, surprising him.
[ You have perfect timing. Just clocked out and now I'm getting all my stuff ]
[ Well, aren't I lucky? ]
[ Appears so ]
He'd have to hurry up his trip a bit, it seems. He needed to beat her to the apartment, and coming from the compound.. it was a bit of a trek. He wasn't expecting her to get off this early, and while he was happy for her, he didn't want to ruin this new routine they had started. His phone vibrated in his hand.
[ So, what are you up to? ]
[ Oh, you know. The usual ]
[ And just what would that be? ]
[ Causing trouble, as you like to put it (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ ]
[ Oh really now? ]
[ Yep ]
[ What kind of trouble? ]
[ Oh, well I can't tell you that, now can I? ]
He was getting closer to her apartment now, in fact he could see it not too far off. He had taken a lot of shortcuts to try and beat her here and it seems like it had worked out. He picked up his pace a bit more.
[ And why not? ]
[ Don't want you getting in trouble ]
[ Aren't I already? ]
He quirked an eyebrow at that, taking the steps to the complex two at a time.
[ What do you mean? ]
There was a bit of a pause and it gave him time to approach her door and set the basket down beside it. He took a step back, checking the placement of the basket when his phone vibrated again.
[ I'm talking to you, aren't I? (*^-°)v ]
He chuckled. She had a point there, didn't she?
[ Yeah, I can see your point there. Does that mean you wanna stop talking to me? ]
Her reply was instant.
[ Never ]
He felt his chest swell and his heart stutter. He was going to stay. He was going to see her tonight, this decided it. He covered his mouth with his hand, trying to hide his big, dopey grin. Moonstruck. That he certainly was... He was a useless, lovesick pup right now, but he couldn't find any reason to care. He was about to type out a reply to her when his phone vibrated in his hand, a small pop up at the top of the screen signaling that Ginta had texted him. He couldn't help but grumble slightly. Begrudgingly, he went to see what his beta had sent him.
[ We got trouble on the west end ]
Shit... Looks like he wasn't going to see his woman tonight after all..
[ On my way ]
His jaw set as a bad mood suddenly took over him. Not only was he not going to see his woman, but now he had to deal with a skirmish. But he had to be there, to protect his territory, and in turn, his woman. He let out a huff and tried to push the anger down in order to reply to Kagome properly.
[ Well, I'm glad to hear. I don't know what I'd do if you just stopped talking to me ]
With that, he slipped his phone into his pocket and made his way to the west end. Ginta soon sent him the exact location, though Kouga had already guessed where the issue was. They've been having a bit of trouble on that side of their territory for a while now, and he was getting sick of it. He thought they would've learned by now that it was a bad idea to mess with him and his pack. And now.. now they were delaying his courtship. He wasn't going to stand for this. Maybe this time he could make the lesson sink in.
His wolf was snarling, less than pleased to be ripped away from meeting with their potential mate. It craved blood, wanting to sink its fangs into their enemies and make them pay for their interference. While Kouga sympathized with the beast, he knew he would have to reign in the bloodlust. He couldn't make too big of a scene, though a part of him desperately wanted to.
Kouga was about halfway to his destination, having made quick work of the trek by running as quickly as he could, when he vaguely felt his phone vibrate. He wasn't 100% sure, but after slowing down to a brisk jog, he pulled his phone out to confirm that, yes, Kagome had sent him a message.
[ Did you seriously cook me dinner? ]
He couldn't stop the smile that spread across his face as he looked at the picture attached. It looked like she had already brought the basket in, as it was resting on her counter in the top corner of the picture, the main focus of the image being the gyudon.
[ I told ya I'd feed ya, didn't I? ]
There was a bit of a pause before her next text, and he could just imagine how flustered she was.
[ Yes you did, but I never would've expected this. Cookies are one thing, but an entire meal? ]
[ What can I say? I aim to impress and please (´ゝз・`)ﾉ⌒ ]
[ How is it still warm? Are you still here? I didn't see you.. ]
He paused for a moment, trying to decide how to answer. Should he be honest or try to deflect the question?
[ Would you like me to stick around? ]
There was a bit of a pause, long enough for him to be almost at his destination. He could hear a bit of a scuffle, and while he knew he needed to help his pack, he needed to see her answer first.
[ Yes ]
His heart was thudding loudly in his chest, pumping hard and he wasn't sure if it was from the adrenaline of the upcoming fight he was going to be in or from her answer. Most likely a mix of both.
[ Then I'll be there next time ]
With that, he tucked his phone into his pocket and rounded the corner. A snarl ripped through his chest, his gears instantly shifting and changing direction as his claws extended and he joined the fray.