Disclaimer: Sigh, I still don't own Inuyasha. I wish I did but I don't...
A/N:
To Aertaa: Sugar. Don't abuse it. Also, the kitchen scene was inspired by you.
To Risika Bloodrose: It seems she is.
To Browneyedgoddess: Yes, Kouga is an insensitive jerk right now. But that will hopefully get better during the course of the story.
To everyone else: Thanks!
Also, the italics are flashbacks if anyone's wondering.
Chapter Three: Behind the Locked Door
"Wait, Kouga!" Ayame called her figure only a shadow in the thick mist. But as soon as she got closer, I saw the shine of her thick red curls and the glint of her sea-green orbs. She was running to catch up with me since I could walk fast when I was angry.
"What?" I growled my eyes concentrated on the path ahead of me.
"I'm... sorry what happened back there." Ayame paused, out of breath from running. She gazed at me, her eyes wet with tears. I felt a bit of pity for her since she looked so upset over one little thing.
"It's just that…" As she looked up at me, her green eyes sparkled.
"What is it?" I whispered, my voice softening.
She trembled for a moment like she was afraid to tell me and got closer to me.
I could smell her perfume. It smelled nice, like cherry blossoms.
"I… I…" She whimpered and she moved closer to me. Her eyes were slightly open but I could tell that she was crying.
I was starting to feel a bit uncomfortable.
"Kouga… I… have something to… tell… you…" She whispered and moved closer. Her nose was possibly an inch away from mine. I could feel her body heat.
"Ayame… its ok…" I said softly, the brush of her red locks against my neck.
"No, it's not because I'm…." She pushed her self away from me and looked away, tears streaming down her cheeks.
"You're what?!?" I yelled, immediately enraged that she'd assaulted me.
"Pregnant!" She yelled and burst into tears.
My eyes shot open and I slammed my head on the bed post.
"Oh, fuck the fucking bed post!" I roared, my hand moving over to my forehead to relieve the throbbing pain.
As soon as the pain in my forehead had cleared, the dream came back to me. I stopped and pondered. It was so real, like it had actually happened.
My eyes wandered to my alarm clock. The flashing digits read 6:33 am. It would be twenty-seven minutes before my alarm rang. I tried to get out of bed but my legs wouldn't move.
Actually, they hurt like hell whenever I tried to move them. I probably slept on them again.
I slid myself with my arms to the edge of my bed. I then pushed myself off the bed.
You can probably guess what happened.
Ok. You can probably imagine my predicament. I was on my knees, my calves aching like they'd been lit on fire; and I had no choice but to crawl to the bathroom where I'd get a Tylenol from the medicine cabinet to relieve my pain.
Aaargh, I was only 21 and I already had arthritis!
The carpet was rough against my calves. I continued to crawl through the hallway to the bathroom, trying to ignore the burning pain.
At the same time I passed Ronin's bedroom, he opened the door and saw me on the floor.
He gave me a quizzical look.
I gave him a look that clearly said what?
He stepped over me, not giving me a second look and headed towards the kitchen.
Ah, the joys of youth.
I finally reached the bathroom but the door was closed.
Oh joy. Let's see Kouga get himself out of this predicament and still manage to get to work on time.
"Ronin, a little help over here?" I called towards the kitchen.
The house was silent.
"Ronin Urufu, I knew you're over there! Come over and give your dad a hand!" I called again, and then I paused, listening.
More silence.
What the hell; if you want something done, do it yourself.
I reached for the doorknob, still on my knees.
At that moment, the door flew open and slammed me in the face, knocking me backwards. At that split second, the strength in my legs returned.
I heard the toilet loudly flush and start to drain.
Ronin stood over me, his face fixed in such an expression that clearly said I'm going to get it now.
He sure was.
You probably understand that it was not Ronin's fault that he in the wrong place at the wrong time but he was being a little smart last night and this morning.
But that would come later. I had to get to work.
As soon as I entered the building, I could tell something was wrong. There some sort of commotion coming from the kitchen.
I entered the kitchen and froze in the doorway. Something was definitely wrong!
"Hello there; Kouga!" Kagome called and before I could do anything, she was in front of me, examining me.
"Kagome, what are you--!" I was cut off by Kagome as she walked behind me.
Some of the guys started laughing. Even Sesshomaru was trying to hide a smirk.
"Hmm…. Kouga… there's something… different… about you…" She circled me and gave me an awkward look.
"Why do you say that?" I asked, immediately blushing from all the attention.
"You have a tail." Kagome concluded.
"What? That's not a tail… it's an accessory!" I said quickly, finding the floor interesting suddenly.
"You wear accessories… there?" At that, Kagome gave my tail a yank.
I yelped and jumped away.
"Hey! That's sexual harassment!" I growled, stroking my tail.
"Do you carry a purse too, Kouga?" Kagome asked, giving me another awkward look.
Everyone in the room laughed hysterically.
"Wow, clever, Kagome." I rolled my eyes and pushed her gently aside so I could make my way to the dishwasher.
Obviously, my idea of "gently" was completely different from hers.
She fell onto the hardwood floor on her face.
Everyone froze and stared at Kagome's figure on the floor.
She pushed herself up with the palms of her hands and gave me a glare.
"What the hell was that for?" She growled, her face bright red.
I shrugged, giving her a diabolical grin and went back to my dish-washing.
I felt a poke on my back. I looked over my shoulder.
Damn. It was her.
I thought I'd finally scared her off.
Kagome seemed back to her cheerful, naïve self.
Perhaps the events this morning had erased themselves in her memory bank.
Or she was just stupid; One of the two or if I was lucky, maybe even both.
"Hi!" She greeted, her brown eyes flashed. I blankly stared at her, my hands poised in the middle of wiping a dish.
Dear god, she WAS stupid. Or she had short term memory loss. You decide.
"Uh…. Hi….." I replied, still giving her a shocked look.
They say there are dumb blondes but dumb brunettes? You learn something new everyday.
"I'm sorry for being so snappy this morning. I was just giving everyone nicknames so we don't have to use our longer old names!" She gave me another smile and awaited my reaction.
I gave her another mystified look.
"Hmmm… what could I call you?" She put her hand under her chin as if summoning all of her brain power.
Something in my bones told me that she didn't have much.
"Wait, I know! Kougie! It's short for Kouga!" Kagome exclaimed and again, awaited my reaction.
I stared at her, stunned that anyone could be this stupid.
She did know that technically, Kougie was longer than Kouga. Kougie had six letters and Kouga had five letters. She did know that. Right?
My wolf instinct told me that she had no clue.
I snapped back to reality while she was pointing out people she had given her stupid nicknames too. They like mine; were ridiculous.
"That's Inu." She gestured towards Inuyasha, who was watching the janitor sweep the kitchen floor.
Mental note to self: Tease Inuyasha about that on next available chance.
"And that's Sesshy." She pointed as Sesshomaru walked by. He gave her a disgruntled look but was smart enough not to question.
"You've only gave two people other than me nicknames?" I asked, giving her a curious look.
"No silly, I gave you one too!" She gave a stupid laugh.
I blinked.
Obviously, her mind could not comprehend advanced sentences.
"Oh wait! I remember now. I was going to ask if you would care to come downstairs with me and bring down some latte mix! It's on the top shelf but I can't reach it! So, will you?" She gave me puppy eyes.
"Can't Inuyasha do it for you?" I asked, giving her yet another curious look.
"No, he's too busy attending to his assistant manager duties." She looked over at Inuyasha, who I could see was avoiding direct eye contact with her.
"Ok, ok, Fine. I'll do it." I sighed, not wanting her to start crying or anything.
She smiled and took my hand.
I pulled it away from her grasp and followed her down the stairs to the cellar.
We reached the bottom of the staircase and I followed her into the storage room.
Then, I noticed something.
The latte mix was on the bottom shelf.
"Kagome, the latte mix is on the bottom shelf not the… KAGOME! WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING?!?" I stared at Kagome, who was now locking the storage room door.
A/N: No, the next chapter is not a lemon. It's just a small idea I got from Aertaa. I know her in person and we got a bit of the plotline finished. Also, for all those who had a laugh attack when they read Kouga and Ronin's last name; I just let you know that Urufu means wolf in Japanese according to my source
UPDATE: I edited the chapter a bit since I forgot to edit it the first time I uploaded it. You may not see much of a difference but it kind of makes more sense.