Chapter Four: Facing Denial

Kouga filled his hands with water and gulped it down hastily. Standing to his feet, he turned around to face Kagome's location. She was with Shika and a few other women talking and laughing. Kouga sighed. He was so close to feeling her lips against his. Kouga turned away. He didn't like being denied. Especially by the woman he loved.

Kagome watched Kouga. She didn't know what to tell him or how to talk to him anymore. 'Don't be shy. You don't have to be this way around me,' she remembered him saying. Sighing, she looked up at the sky.

It was morning. Day one of her stay with Kouga. Day one out of seven. But "day one" was a beautiful, clear day. The birds were singing, the air was fresh, and the breeze was cool.

"Kagome? What happened last night between you and Kouga?" Shika raised an eyebrow, an evil smile forming on her face. "Was it fun?"

Kagome blushed. "What?"

"Yeah, Kagome," another wolf demon female joined. "What was it like?"

"We didn't do anything. We only talked!" Kagome shouted. 'Sakura. I think that's her name,' Kagome identified the curious female.

"So, you're saying you just sat there when you were fully capable of making a move?" Shika questioned with a bored tone.

"Yeah, Kagome," Sakura sighed. "You need to live a little."

"Hmph. Easy for you to say when you're about to be kissed by someone," but before Kagome could finish, Shika and Sakura interrupted her.

"He was going to kiss you!" Both Shika and Sakura screamed simultaneously, catching the attention of the other female wolf demons and Kouga.

"Shush! He'll here you!" Kagome pressed her finger against her lips.

"To late," Sakura laughed. "Here comes handsome now."

Kagome's entire body tensed as she felt Kouga's presence near. She began to play with her fingers and then rubbed them on her skirt vigorously. She was nervous. Slowly, ever so slowly, she turned around and saw Kouga, arms folded across his chest, staring down at her. "Hi, Kouga."

"What's going on over here?" The leader of the wolf demon tribe asked, raising an eyebrow. His voice was cold and unfriendly.

"Oh, nothing, Kouga. We were just talking about…animals. Yeah, animals," Kagome lied.

Total failure. Kagome's little lie didn't fool Kouga at all. This made him feel even more injured. First Kagome refused to kiss him and now she's lying to him. And Kouga is known for a short temper. "Kagome, I don't like your lies. Why are you lying to me?" He asked forcefully.

Kagome flinched, afraid to make Kouga furious. "Um…I." No reason to lie now. "We were just discussing what happened between you and me last night," she said, almost in a whisper.

Shika and Sakura were quite. They lifted themselves to there feet and walked off, not wanting to experience Kouga's bad side. Besides, Kouga and Kagome need to work this out amongst themselves.

Kagome watched them go, feeling alone and afraid since she now had no support from her new friends. She also stood to her feet, but she stayed where she was. She faced Kouga trying not to look nervous.

Kouga's eyes were shaky with anger and hurt. "Kagome. Why are you avoiding me again?"

Kagome didn't really know the answer herself. She felt nervous around Kouga. She sort of calmed down when she remembered Kouga saying that he wouldn't try anything to hurt her. "I…don't really know. I'm nervous around you I guess."

"Nervous around me? Why?" Kouga moved closer to the girl.

Kagome didn't answer. She slowly went forward and rested her head on Kouga's arm. What was she doing now? Did she feel guilty? Kouga unfolded his arms and embraced Kagome. Kagome reluctantly accepted. At least her wouldn't bit her head off. She kind of felt bad for the wolf, anyway. He did comfort her and he "asked" if he could kiss her. He didn't force her. But Kagome denied and she hurt Kouga's feelings. He acted so strange. Wow. It must really hurt to be denied.

A/N –There you go. Two chapters in one day! I have quite a bit of catching up to do anyway…till next time! Toowit