Chapter Five: How The Children Spend Dinner

Kagome walked back to the den with Shika and Sakura at both sides. It was late afternoon now, and everyone was called in for dinner. Last night was different. There was no "call" for dinner. Kagome just ate with the females. Heaven knows what the men were up to, for there was whistling and yelling and howling echoing from there part of the cave. But tonight, Kagome predicted, would be different.

As the young girl entered the main entrance to the den, there were men hooting and shouting. Energetic are we now? Kagome looked around confused. Where could she go in this crazy party?

"Shika!" A young male wolf-demon raced up to Shika and lifted her off of her feet, swinging her around and laughing. Finally he set her down and embraced her. "Oh, how I've missed you my love!"

Kagome blinked at Sakura waiting for an explanation. Sakura cleared her throat. "This is Shika's mate, Kantan. He's a very sweet guy."

"Oh," Kagome replied. "He seems very nice," she then complimented.

"Kagome! I want you to meet my mate, Kantan!" Shika nearly bragged as if Kantan were the greatest man in all of the universe and beyond. Though to her, he probably was.

"Nice to meet you, Kantan," Kagome said with a bright smile.

"Very nice to meet you as well. So you must be Kagome, Kouga's mate?" Kantan also smiled brightly. This wolf-demon sure did have a bright, kind, welcoming smile. Kagome admired that.

"Well, not exactly. I'm not Kouga's mate…just a friend," Kagome answered.

"She's just afraid to lose her virginity, that's all," Shika mocked with a smile.

"Hey!" Kagome blushed.

"Oh, Shika. Don't be so cruel. She's just not ready. It takes time, you know. She's still young, too," Kantan pointed out. Kagome was glad that he was defending her pride. She was definitely happy to meet him. Her race didn't even seem to bother him in the slightest bit.

Before the three wolf demons and human could talk some more, there were cheerful cries bouncing off the walls of the den. Small wolf demon children were running around and playing. The tackled, rolled over, laughed, and whatever else the happiest children in the world did. They looked so happy.

Before Kagome could enjoy watching the little children play any longer, she felt an arm wrap around her shoulders. She looked up and saw Kouga.

"So, I see you have been introduced to Kantan, eh," Kouga said, smiling down at Kagome.

"She's very sweet. I can tell just by looking at her," Kantan commented, referring to Kagome.

Kagome blushed and Shika punched her mate playfully. Then Shika took Kantan's arm and sauntered away with him. "Goodbye! I'll leave you two alone! C'mon Sakura." Sakura nodded and bowed before Kouga and Kagome before making her leave.

"Would you like to sit with me while we eat," Kouga asked Kagome, a little smile on his face.

"Um, sure. That would be nice," Kagome accepted, smiling back. She was still unsure about being too close around Kouga. Also, Kagome still had deep feelings for Inuyasha though she kept them from Kouga.

Kouga took Kagome by the hand (which caused the girl to blush…again) and led her through the crowd of rejoicing wolf demons. But when they noticed Kouga's presence, they cleared the way for him and Kagome. Kagome could feel the stares of the strangers roam her features. That's when she remembered was the only human, and in a den of wolves.

Just about when Kagome was going to get even more nervous from being noticed, Kouga's voice came to her, soothing and warm. "Don't be nervous Kagome. I bet all of the men think you're pretty. The women must be jealous."

Kagome…blushed…but felt better. "I'm not-"

"No. Don't say it, Kagome. You are beautiful. I don't like it when you lie, remember?" Kouga looked back at Kagome and smiled. It was a different kind of smile. There was no cockiness or hatred or demand. Kagome couldn't help but smile back.

Kouga seated himself on fur pelts and Kagome sat next to him. When the other wolf demons were seated, Kouga lifted his arm and with a quick movement of his hand, the clan began to dine. The food was plentiful. There was meat, fruits, vegetables, water, milk, wine, and what not. Most mates were sharing their bowls of wine. Kagome thought that that must indicate that they are mates.

Kouga took a bit out of a fish and offered Kagome a bite. After a slight hesitation from Kagome, Kouga grabbed her a fresh fish. "It's really good."

Indeed it was. Kagome felt like she died and went to Heaven, and over the taste of a single fish! "Mm! It is delicious!" Her Heavenly expression revealed no lies. Kouga chuckled. He was eating with Kagome.

After a few minutes, the children began to play. They chased each other laughing and singing and then they went off to practice dancing. One little female with black pigtails at the bottom of her head sheepishly walked up to Kouga. Kouga eyed the young pup, as did Kagome. In a small shy voice and a blushing face, the cute child asked, "Do you want to dance with me?"

Kagome smiled and looked at Kouga. Knowing him he would probably refuse. But to Kagome's surprise –and more to her pleasure- he nodded and stood up, taking the little girls hands in his own. Kagome laughed as she watched Kouga dance. He looked like a puppet being played by a clumsy, amateur ventriloquist. To define it simply: he looked stupid. Some of the women giggled and the men laughed out loud. Kouga may be a horrible dancer, but he was sure good with the kids.

Not only did the kids dance with him, but they also all ganged up on him and tackled him, pushing him to the ground. He didn't burst out with rage like some of them expected. He laughed and began to play back.

Kagome took another bite out of her fish. 'So this is how the children spend dinner.'

A/N –There it is. Another short chapter. As you can see…it was a pathetic chapter. Let's just say I ran into that dastardly barrier known as "Writers Block" practically the whole way through. Oh well. Also, I want to thank everyone for their comments! It's so nice to have kind comments! Well…one comment was different from kind, but wasn't mean…I think. (In the fourth chapter there was a crazy typo: the sentence that read "at least she didn't bit her head off" was supposed to read "at least he didn't bite her head off." Kk? I just wanted to clear that up. Toowit