Friendzoned

Author's Note! Okay, first I want to thank my reviewer for the positive feedback. I will try to keep this story appealing. Also, I want to apologize for the spelling and grammatical errors in the first chapter. I am writing this from my phone. When I tried to edit and correct the spelling mistakes, it did not work for whatever reason so I will just have to be careful the first time around from now on. On with the story.

Friendzoned

Chapter 2: Underlying Feelings

Kagome practically stumbled down the staircase to meet Kouga at the door. Sango padded after her unenthusiastically, stopping halfway and deciding to just wait.

Kagome swung open the door and her smile widened when her eyes met Kouga's.

"Hello, Kagome." He said lowly, returning her smile.

"Hey." She said shyly. "Come on in."

Once he stepped in, Mrs. Higurashi walked in from the kitchen, wiping her hands on a dish towel. "Kagome, you didn't say anything about leaving---Oh!" She stopped in the doorway and flashed their guest a polite smile. "Hello, Kouga. Kagome said you weren't coming over today."

He smiled back. "Yeah well, I hadn't planned to but I just couldn't stay away from your homecooking, even for one night." He replied.

She beamed at the charming young man for his flattery, blushing and giggling like a teenage girl. Sango fought back the urge to roll her eyes at the exchange.

"Well that's very kind of you to say." Mrs. Higurashi chirped, "Dinner will be ready in just a little while. I'll be sure to make room for one more."

"Thank you," Kouga said politely, "I appreciate it very much."

"C'mon, Kouga." Kagome huffed and tugged on his sleeve. He chuckled at her assertiveness and followed her up the stairs.

"See ya at dinner!" Kouga called as Sango led them the rest of the way. Their progress was short-lived when Souta came bolting from his bedroom. He stopped in front of Kagome and Kouga with a wide-spread grin.

"Hey! Kouga, you're here!" He exclaimed.

"What's up, little guy?" Kouga asked while playfully ruffling the boys hair. Souta protested and slapped his hand away but it was clear to see that the child idolized the older male.

"Out of the way, Souta. You can talk to Kouga at dinner!" Kagome ordered. "I haven't seen him all day so scram!"

Souta slumped his shoulders, obviously disappointed but he didn't want to look like a child in front of his hero so he nodded and walked back to his bedroom.

"Jeez." Kagome muttered as she and Kouga finally joined Sango in her bedroom, who was leaning back in the computer chair and watching the whole scene.

"It's no big deal." Kouga insisted when Kagome slammed the door shut behind them. "I like your family."

"You're just being polite." Kagome accused but he held his hands up and shook his head in defense.

"No," he said laughing, "I mean it."

"Whatever the case, your family sure likes him, Kagome." Sango said with a knowing smile.

Kagome and Kouga sat side by side on her bed.

"So," Kagome started, "How was your day?"

"Boring," Kouga admitted, "Kinda wish I went to school now. I missed you." Kagome immediately glanced at Sango and blushed.

"I missed you too." She quickly mumbled before directing the conversation elsewhere. "It was hard carrying my books today." She joked. "According to Sango you're turning me into an over-priveleged noodle-armed child."

Kouga laughed. "I think she might be onto something." He said, "I'm glad I at least didn't have to hear your complaining."

"Lucky you." Sango said dryly making him laugh once more.

Flipping through her magazine, Sango listened to the conversation while trying to devise a way to get Kouga alone. She decided she was going to ask him why he hadn't asked Kagome out yet. The guy was certainly confident enough and there was no denying he liked Kagome as more than just a friend, despite what either of them said. She would be going behind Kagome's back and against her wishes by confronting him, and there was no guarantee he wouldn't turn around and tell Kagome, but she felt it was something she had to do.

Kagome and Kouga had covered the latest gossip at school, the assignments Kouga had missed that day and plans for tomorrow when Kagome suddenly stood up and announced that she had to "freshen up" in the bathroom. Sango mentally cheered. She knew that was Kagome's secret code for pooping. 'Bet ya didn't know that one, Kouga.' She thought in amusement as she watched Kagome leave the room.

She waited until she heard the bathroom door shut and the faucet turn on before turning and staring Kouga down. He shifted uncomfortably under her gaze.

"What's up?" He asked. "Why're you staring?"

"Tell me, why haven't you asked Kagome out yet?" Sango asked finally. He didn't look shocked by the question but annoyed.

"Because we're friends." He bit out.

Sango gave him a withering look. "Oh, come on!" She hissed, "We both know that I am Kagome's best friend! You are something else entirely, though I really can't figure out what or why!"

"Sounds to me like you just feel threatened." He said making Sango scoff.

"By you? As if!" She rebutted. "Look, we both know how you feel so stop bullshitting a bullshitter, okay? Just admit it."

Kouga sat silently for a minute as if considering what she said. His eyes darted to the door as if he were expecting Kagome to appear at any minute.

"Trust me," Sango assured him, "she's gonna be awhile."

He seemed half-convinced and visibly relaxed. When Sango stared at him expectantly he slumped his broad shoulders and sighed in defeat. "Alright, you win." He said lowly, "I'm in love with Kagome. You happy?"

"I'd be happier if I knew why you haven't made a move yet!" Sango pressed despite the smile on her face.

"Because Kagome is oblivious and if I told her that, she'd be totally freaked out." He explained.

"Oh, please," Sango said, "You really buy that whole 'I'm so innocent, I can't take a hint' act?"

"Kagome is innocent!" Kouga snapped defensively. "You really think she knows when a guy likes her? She has no experience in that department. Have you ever discussed things like love or sex with her? The girl is utterly clueless!"

Sango's jaw dropped. "I find it hard to believe she would open up to you about something like sex!"

"Well believe it." Kouga snapped. "We talk about everything."

"Okay but that doesn't explain why you haven't just come out and told her!" Sango said.

"Because it's not time." Kouga said seriously. "Kagome's not ready to be more than friends with me or any other guy, got it? I know you and those other girls keep teasing her about us. Well cut it out. Let Kagome realize it at her own pace. By the time she finally comes around, our relationship will be stronger than ever because we've taken this time to get to know each other and build trust between us. I'm content just being friends... for now."

Sango was stunned into silence. Kouga's answer actually made a lot of sense. He had the whole thing figured out.

"I still think if you told her she would go for it." Sango said softly.

"Either that I would scare her and ruin our friendship as well as any hope of being with her someday." He pointed out. Please, stay out of it."

Sango nodded guiltily. "If you ever decide you want to make the transition from friend to boyfriend and want a little help or insight just let me know."

"Thanks," Kouga said with a smug smirk, "but I've got Kagome just where I want her. I don't need help."

Sango snickered. The insightful Kouga that she had just been talking to was once again back to his cocky, arrogant self. She actually liked Kouga though. He has already proven himself worthy of Kagome's attention. Now Kagome just had to see that and at this rate it looked like it may never happen.

Kagome suddenly barges in the room. Sango and Kouga stiffened and then tried to appear casual which only looked more suspicious.

Kagome's eyes darted back and forth between them. "What did you two talk about while I was gone?"

"School." Kouga said at the same time Sango said, "Boy trouble."

Kagome glared at Sango suspiciously who only laughed. "That's right, Kagome. We covered both topics. You sure did take your time 'freshening up.'"

Sango was relieved when Kagome blushed and changed the subject. That went surprisingly well.