The Hunt for the Perfect Man: Chapter 2 - Kouga
This is a tag-team performance brought to you by CharmedReality and BelleDayNight.
Disclaimer: We didn't create the characters. We just put them in compromising situations for our amusement.
-ooo-oooooo-ooo-
Kagome pulled her hair back in a ponytail high on her head and brushed the leg of her khaki shorts to smooth a stubborn wrinkle. She looked at herself once more in the mirror with a critical eye. The pale blue tank top looked good on her and showed her well-toned muscles.
She smiled to herself. "He'll probably compliment me on my muscle tone," she muttered. It would be the perfect excuse to bring up her archery which was excellent first date material. Her luck couldn't be better!
The dating company found her perfect match in only two days time. He was a tall, dark-haired with blue eyes, and an athlete, a runner more specifically. He volunteered at an animal shelter and as a firefighter while working often as an emergency medical technician. The man was obviously busy saving lives on a daily basis; no wonder he signed up for the online dating service with so little free time.
There was a knock at her front door. She hurried to answer it. "Be right there!" Kagome quickly put on some lipstick before running to the door and opening it with a bright smile. The sight before her didn't disappoint.
"Kagome?" The tall, handsome stranger extended his hand with a warm, boyish grin that lit up his bright blue eyes.
"You must be Kouga," Kagome returned taking his hand in what she assumed would be a handshake. Her date surprised her and clasped her hand in between both of his, his smile spreading even wider.
"You are a most beautiful woman, I cannot believe my luck in having found someone of your radiance on the first try with this dating service," Kouga admitted, releasing Kagome's hand reluctantly so she could gather her purse. He remained in the doorframe, holding the door open for her, careful not to invade her privacy. "Ready?"
"Yes, I haven't been to the zoo since I was a child," Kagome admitted as she walked out the door with her date before locking it.
"That is such a shame. It has always been one of my favorite places to spend excess free time," he said casually as he fell into step behind her, lightly resting his hand at the small of her back.
Kagome stiffened slightly at the touch but relaxed immediately. She figured if a hot guy who was quick to flatter wanted to show a little affection then she wasn't going to stop him. "Then you probably don't go that often either."
"Why is that?" he questioned with a warm smile.
"After reading your profile it seems like all your free time must be filled to overflowing from saving the planet."
"Did I type Superman under the employment section again? I am always doing that," he quipped while flashing a winning smile that almost sparkled with perfection.
They had almost crossed the distance to Kouga's forest green jeep when a noisy, red sports car slid diagonally into a perpendicular parking space, and a familiar figure stepped out. Kagome groaned softly and quickened her pace to the passenger's side door, but it was too late.
"Hey, Kagome!" her neighbor, Inuyasha, called out in an insincerely sweet voice.
"A friend of yours?" Kouga asked, dipping close to her ear.
"Some of the time," she whispered back with a hint of annoyance.
"Aren't you going to introduce your best friend to your new friend?" the dark-haired man with shining, amber eyes asked with a fake wounded inflection in his voice.
Kagome's brow twitched slightly before replying. "Kouga, this is my neighbor Inuyasha." She made sure to put extra emphasis on the word neighbor so as not to confirm his earlier assertion that they were best friends.
Although with all of the time she spent studying and working at her part-time job as a waitress she had lost touch with most of her high school friends. In some ways he probably was right. But she had no intention of letting him know that. Besides, that was one of the reasons for trying the dating service out in the first place. She needed to meet new people, and even if she didn't make a love connection she might find a friend.
"And Inuyasha, this is my date," she finished in a tone that clearly said he should take his leave of absence immediately.
He apparently did not notice. "Wow, you've sure been going on a lot of those lately," he replied trying to sound innocent.
Kagome was about to respond hotly when Kouga's hand tightened around hers, and he moved slightly in front of her to face the flippant, young man. "It was nice to meet a friend of Kagome's, but my date and I have to be leaving now."
To say she was in love with her date might not have been premature. He just saved her from a humiliating experience with her boisterous neighbor. Besides, the look of anger that flashed in Inuyasha's normally calm, golden eyes was priceless.
Kouga opened the door for Kagome and then walked around the front of the jeep to reach his own. He turned to look over his shoulder, noting that Inuyasha stood sentinel with his arms crossed over his chest and glaring at him. "Don't worry, Dog-boy. I'll bring the lovely woman back home later, so you can fetch her slippers." He then slammed shut his door and pulled out of the parking lot before Inuyasha could come up with a snappy retort.
oOoOo
Kouga tossed the fish far into the water, watching as the dolphins jumped to catch it. Kagome laughed at the sight, feeling as if her cheeks were going to be permanently positioned in a smile. She couldn't remember having a better time. She felt like a little kid, and it was a great, carefree feeling!
"Your turn," Kouga offered Kagome another fish, elbowing her gently in the ribs. Reluctantly, Kagome picked up the fish. It was rather scaly, and the smell seemed stronger when she held it than when Kouga was holding it.
"Maybe you should. You seem to be good at it," Kagome tried to offer the fish back to Kouga, but he evaded her attempts. He moved behind her and placed his arms loosely around her waist, resting his chin on top of her head.
"My hands seem to be full. Looks like you'll have to do it," Kouga teased. Kagome couldn't help but laugh. Normally if a man was being so forward, she would have slapped him by now, but somehow, Kouga had this harmless aspect about him.
"Very well, but if the dolphins can't get their fish it's all your fault," Kagome warned. She tossed the fish in underhanded, because any other movement was restrained by Kouga's warm body. The fish didn't go very far, so the dolphin swam close to the deck and made a large splash, soaking the couple.
Kagome groaned while Kouga laughed. "You look great," he complimented, kissing her quickly on the neck before pulling away and ringing out his t-shirt. Kagome was so distracted by her now plastered-to-her-body, muscle shirt that she hardly noticed the affectionate move.
She glanced over at her date, noticing that he was even more well-built than she thought earlier now that his muscles were defined by his waterlogged shirt. "Where to now?" Kagome asked, trying to ignore the blush that wanted to color her cheeks.
Kouga shrugged, closing the distance between them and taking her hand within his once more in the opposite direction from the dolphin's pool. "You decide," he offered.
"How about the wolves?"
Kouga cringed. "What about the bears? I don't really care much for wolves."
"Really? Is there any reason?" she asked with a small measure of concern. Her first thought was that he had a relative attacked by a wolf, but that hardly seemed likely.
He shrugged casually, "No, they're just kind of mangy. If you really want to see them, then I will be your faithful guide." He stretched out his hand for her to accept. Giggling lightly, she took him up on his offer. As they walked, Kagome noticed that her damp sandals were making an embarrassing squishing sound.
Not wanting to be remembered as the girl with squeaking feet to her date, she thought quickly. "Actually, why don't we stop at that food stand and have some lunch first?"
"I think you read my mind," he said as he led her to the flashy blue and yellow stand that advertised lemon shake-ups, funnel cakes, corn dogs, and other treasures usually only found at street fairs.
A thousand calories and some good conversation later, they were both still sitting at a nearby picnic table. Their clothes had managed to dry, but neither was in any hurry to break the moment.
"So you won an archery contest?" he asked with great interest.
"Don't sound so surprised," she retorted in mock offense.
"No, not surprised--impressed. How long have you been taking lessons?"
"Since I was eight actually. My grandfather runs an antique shop downtown, and he is always researching old pieces and stumbling across ancient legends. I guess it kind of got to him after a while, and he started thinking we were going to be attacked by demons at any moment. Then he decided we all needed to learn some kind of self-defense."
"So, when you walk to your car late at night you usually have a bow and quiver of arrows with you?" he asked in the jokingly charming way she had already grown so fond of.
Kagome laughed deeply. "I know. It's ridiculous, but I grew up reading comic books, and I always loved Green Arrow. Somehow, I managed to talk Grandfather into it.
"Do you mean to tell me I was matched up to a woman who makes top grades, arches, and loves comic books? Now I know I'm in love," his brilliant blue eyes looked meaningfully into her deep azure ones, making her blush prettily.
She nervously fidgeted with her empty styrofoam cup, wedging a simple design into it with the edge of her fingernail. Wanting to fill the silence but unsure what to say, she rambled on with the first thing that popped into her mind about their previous conversation.
"My brother, Souta, took a martial arts class instead. It wasn't just a karate program like most people think. It provided courses for hand-to-hand combat and weapons training. Actually, his instructor was that rude guy you met before. That is how I found the apartment I have now..."
Kagome was sure she would have continued speaking indefinitely just to avoid reconnecting eye contact, but Kouga seemed to sense that, and he cut her off by gently scooping her hands into his again.
She looked up at him and felt the same intense look from before, worming its way into her as if he was looking to her very soul. "I don't want to talk about Inuyasha," he said in a rich, smooth voice.
"What do you want to talk about..." but he silenced her by leaning across the table and pressing his lips to hers for a brief moment. Only a second or two passed before their lips parted, but to Kagome it was a heart-stopping eternity.
She opened her mouth, but no words came forth. Kouga smiled in his boyish manner and rose to his feet while offering her his hand to help her stand. "Let's go look at those mangy wolves now," he held her hand once more within his own. "I promise I won't do anything too rakish," he whispered before bursting out into a wolf howl.
Kagome shoved him in the side. "Behave," she scolded lightly.
"Anything for my woman," Kouga agreed. Kagome couldn't help but roll her eyes at that comment. He really was too amusing.
Neither of the content couple noticed another individual loitering at their abandoned table, examining the trash they recently discarded and glaring off in their direction. The lurker gritted her teeth when she noticed that the food was paid on the same tab. The proof was there. Kouga was indeed on a date.
"Aren't they adorable?" Kagome asked, gesturing towards a pair of wolf cubs wrestling with one another in the wolf center.
Kouga snorted, "Yeah, I suppose, but I bet they smell." He leaned closer to the glass partition. "I mean, don't you know what it is they are rolling in? That's just disgusting!" He waved his hand emphatically.
Kagome's nose scrunched when she realized what the wolf cubs were rolling in. "That is pretty gross," she agreed, no longing finding the cubs so cute now that she realized they were rolling around in waste products.
Kouga grabbed hold of Kagome's wrist and pulled her away from the wolves. "It's time for the bears." He looked down at his watch. "It should be a good time. They will be eating soon, so they should be pretty restless."
The bear area was perhaps one hundred paces from the wolves. There was a family with two young children not enjoying the view. Kagome and Kouga joined them to watch the bears as they grew restless in their hunger and tried to ignore the negative vibes from the family.
"You never let me do anything!" The little boy shouted, pounding his feet hard on the sidewalk while accusing his parents.
The young mother and father looked exasperated. The mother was near tears, and the father looked as if he wanted to take the boy over his knee any moment. Neither were paying attention to their young daughter who was climbing the protective fence.
"Where's Cynthia?" The mother asked after the father whispered something in the boy's ear that immediately silenced him. Her husband looked around, and his face went pale.
"My God," he exclaimed with fear evident in his once booming voice.
His whispered response drew Kouga and Kagome's attention. Kagome gasped, raising her hand to her lips at the sight. Kouga's eyes narrowed as he gauged the severity of the situation. The young child had climbed over the fence and was now halfway down the trench that separated the visitors from the bears.
"Cynthia!" The mother shouted, leaning over the fence. "Baby, come back up to us!"
The father looked like he was about to climb over the fence to save his daughter.
The young girl looked up, confusion evident on her innocent features. "I can't climb that high," she argued, scratching her neck at an irritating bug bite.
Kouga noticed that the bears had now observed the little girl in their territory. The previously entertaining grizzlies were now a hungry danger as they loomed over the edges of the man-made valley that separated them from the young girl.
He grabbed hold of the father's belt to stay his attempt to play hero. "Sir, I'll get your little girl for you. I'm a professional." He turned to Kagome and handed her his wallet and his watch. "I'll be back," he smiled at her and kissed her cheek. "Don't miss me too hard."
oOoOo
"I still can't believe you did that!" she exclaimed for the fifteenth time since leaving the zoo after the media and fan fair surrounding his heroic rescue died down.
"Yes, I've been getting that impression from you. It must be coming through this close bond we've formed today," he said in his most charming voice while sliding one arm around her thin waist and escorting her up the stairs to the landing in front of her apartment door.
"And you aren't the least bit phased by the fact that you saved a little girl and fought off a hungry bear today?"
"You are the one who claimed I was always saving the world earlier. Why are you so surprised now?"
Reaching for his free hand, she slipped her fingers between his and squeezed. "Not surprised--impressed," she repeated his earlier words back to him.
"Why, Ms. Higurashi, are you flirting with me?" he tilted his head downward to get a full view of her face beaming up at him.
"Perhaps," she responded coyly.
Tightening his grip on her waist he pulled her close and brushed his lips against hers lightly at first. When she gave his hand another squeeze of encouragement, he deepened the kiss. Kagome felt her head swim. She logically knew things were already moving too fast, but there was something really special about the man who was giving her the most wonderful kiss of her young life--not that there were many for comparison.
Finally pulling away, Kagome blushed slightly as he stared adoringly at her with those effervescent blue eyes. Eagerly clasping both of her hands, Kouga dropped to one knee. "Kagome, will you marry me?"
Before the shocked girl could form a coherent thought, let alone a word, Kouga was being shoved to the ground.
"Cheater! How dare you go on a date with her? How dare you propose to her!" an auburn-haired girl with large, emerald eyes shouted at him with clenched fists shaking at her sides.
"Ayame!" he called out in surprise.
"Who are you?" Kagome asked in confusion to the furious girl.
"I'm his fiancée!" she said defensively while stomping her foot against the wooden floorboards.
"WHAT?" Kagome shouted, staring at the embarrassed young man who looked as if he were trying to sink into the floor. "You're engaged?" she demanded of Kouga, turning to him and expecting answers.
Kouga began to massage his temples with his thumb and middle finger; the tension headache that suddenly developed pounded against his skull. "It's not what you think," he began.
"Can you keep it down? Some people do sleep at night," Inuyasha greeted, opening his front door and moving his gaze from one person to another. He settled his attention on Kouga, anticipating a good show.
"So, what is it then?" Kagome asked, her voice quiet as her disappointment in her date became obvious.
Kouga rushed to her side and took her hands within his own once more, "Kagome, it is true, Ayame was my fiancée, but you are the woman I was meant to be with." He gestured towards Inuyasha. "He can marry her, and you can come and live with me, and everyone will be content." He gave her a heart-stopping smile.
"I don't think that's going to work, pal," Inuyasha disagreed, casting Ayame a wary look. That was one crazy red-head. He looked over towards Kagome and decided it would be in her best interests to steer her clear of World War III as it was about to begin.
He walked past Kouga, giving the dark-haired man an 'accidental' shove. "Oops, sorry about that," he muttered with a smirk as he took hold of Kagome's wrist and drug her towards his apartment. He glanced first at Kouga and then at Ayame. "I think it would be best if you took this elsewhere."
Inuyasha slammed his door shut and locked the deadbolt with an obvious 'click.' He then led the silent Kagome to his recliner and gave her a slight push to encourage her to sit. He sat across from her on the edge of the coffee table. He didn't say a word, just lifted one raven eyebrow at her.
"Don't say it," Kagome told him, brows furrowing in annoyance.
"Don't say what?" Inuyasha asked innocently.
"Don't say 'I told you so.' I know you want to."
"Why say the obvious?" Inuyasha retorted. He looked towards the door in the direction of the raised voices. "How long do you think it will take them to leave?"
Kagome groaned and put her elbows on her knees and buried her face in her hands. "And he was so perfect."
Inuyasha reached over and gave her an awkward pat on the shoulder. "Perhaps this online dating service isn't for you. Just give it time. You'll find the right man where you least expect him."
Kagome peaked at him through her fingers suspiciously. "That's all you're going to say?"
He stood up and walked towards the front door now that the voices had drifted away. He flipped the locks and opened the door cautiously. He then opened it wide for Kagome to leave. She took the silent hint and got up.
Inuyasha waited until Kagome unlocked her door and was about to shut it. "I told you so," he goaded as he slammed his door shut, leaving one highly frustrated woman at the other end of the hallway.
